The Acadiana Amateur Radio Association, Inc. gave a demostration of Amateur Radio to
the students at Acadia Parish Alternative School in Crowley, Louisiana on Friday, November 16,
2001 at 9:00 AM in the "Old Wal-Mart" building - A.K.A. as Wal-Mart High.
This demostration of Amateur Radio became a reality through the efforts of AARA member Calvin
Begnaud-KD5JCT and James C. Young-Science and Agriculture teacher at the school.
The weather was just perfect, the students were in good form, although a few were a little
"mike shy", but I think they enjoyed finding out the difference between "Amateur Radio" and
"Citizens Band Radio". Many questions were asked and many were answered by the members of
the AARA Club.
A table was set up in the foyer in front of the school. Stu Rohner-WD5FDD set up his Yaesu
2 meter transciever and power supply while Cal Begnaud-KD5JCT mounted a "J Pole" antenna on his
pick-up truck. The table also contained AARA member photos, logs, QSL cards, and other
informative info concerning amateur radio.
AARA Members Present
Calvin Begnaud-KD5JCT Roland Guidry-WA5CHX
Stu Rohner-WD5FDD Herman Campbell-KN5GRK (Photographer)
Teachers Present
Evelyn W. Julian-(Principal) James C. Young-Science & Agriculture
J. S. Harrison Mrs. V. Demuhest
Magdalene Gradney Amos Graham
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Mr. James C. Young (Science and Agriculture Teacher) was the person responsible for
contacting AARA club member Calvin Begnaud-KD5JCT to set up this demostration. Mr.
Young and members of the staff set up a table in front of the school where the demo
was held.
Mrs. Evelyn W. Julian (Principal) shown with Cal and Stu talking to Roland in
Rayne, LA thru the Crowley 147.240 repeater. She found Ham Radio very interesting
and happened to know Roland, so that made it even more interesting.
This is a shot of the table in front of the school at the parking lot. Stu (WD5FDD)
is shown at the table with his 2 meter Yaesu & power supply. Cal (KD5JCT) had some
photos of his ham shack. Herman (KN5GRK) had some QSL cards, station log, pictures
of his ham shack, and a write-up of how he became a ham radio operater. Herman also
brought some "T" shirts from the Salvation Army Emergency Fair to be given out to
the students with the best grades. Cal brought some AARL comic books and other ARRL
litature on ham radio to the school a few days before.
Mr. Jay S. Harrison (Teacher) makes a contact to Roland while students from his
class watch. All in all, I counted over 60 student attending the demo along with at
least 6 teachers. Each class averaged 10 to 15 students.
Another picture from Mr. Harrison's group being lectured by
Cal about amateur radio. If you notice carefully in the last two pictures, you may
notice the "bundles" some of the girls are carrying. They are learning the first
steps in the responsibility of "parenthood" by a new course taught in almost every
junior high school in the U.S.A.
Cal chats with students while Stu (sitting) looks on. Stu was the principal radio
operator 
during this event. They both
did a great job at answering some of the most unusual questions.
This right view, shows Stu (white shirt) and Cal (with cap) showing some students the
proper way to key up a microphone.
After the amateur radio demostration, members of the AARA were treated to a cookout that
the school had prepaired for the day.
Just an idea of what you missed.
MENU
Boudin, rice dressing with sausage
turnip greens, pork-back stew
hot cracklins, cornbread
and chocolate cake.
