Whereas many youngsters spend their evenings enjoying video video games or scrolling social media, 14-year-old newbie radio (also referred to as “ham radio”) operator Micah Sandoval, KB4MPS, was busy this previous week making radio contacts throughout the US. Sandoval participated as a part of a particular occasion station supporting the ARRL America250 Labored All States (WAS) Award program, a year-long working occasion celebrating the 250th Anniversary of america. ARRL The Nationwide Affiliation for Newbie Radio® is a Supporting Companion of America250 the nationwide, nonpartisan group charged by Congress to guide the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a milestone that marks America’s Semiquincentennial.
Working alongside his mentor, James Hooper, K9QJS, Sandoval logged over 150 ham radio contacts. The occasion has attracted the participation of ham radio operators from throughout the nation, and even world wide.
Sandoval’s newbie radio journey started when he was simply 9 years previous. Impressed by his grandfather, Philip Wagner, WA6NER, who would deliver a handheld radio throughout visits, Sandoval turned fascinated by the interest. That early curiosity was a ardour for newbie radio when he earned his Technician Class license in October 2022, upgraded to Normal Class in June 2025, and achieved the best newbie radio license degree, Newbie Additional, a month later on the age of 13.
Requested whether or not he encourages different younger folks to discover newbie radio, Sandoval mentioned, “Sure, I do speak to them and suggest they a minimum of look into it and the issues it might train you.”
Sandoval continues to find out about newbie radio, communications, public service, and emergency preparedness. He’s additionally concerned with a faith-based youth management and outside journey program, instructing and galvanizing the following technology about ham radio.
All through 2026, ARRL has assigned the enduring W1AW name signal to stations nationwide, activating every state twice through the yr. W1AW is a memorial to ARRL’s Founding President, Hiram Percy Maxim (1914-1936). Sandoval’s participation with the W1AW/4 activation showcased not solely the technical facet of newbie radio but additionally the worth of mentorship. With steerage from James Hooper, Sandoval gained worthwhile working expertise whereas contributing to a profitable particular occasion activation on the airwaves.
The ARRL America250 WAS occasion runs via December 31. Ham radio operators can pursue the award by making contact with different hams in all 50 states and confirming their contacts via the ARRL Logbook of The World® – LoTW®. A course of for ordering the award certificates and endorsements might be out there quickly.
Three separate endorsements may be earned by confirming contacts with all 50 states on CW (Morse code) and cellphone and digital modes for a Triple Play; by contacting the W1AW/moveable station activations in all 50 states, or by contacting ARRL-affiliated radio golf equipment in all 50 states.
For extra details about the ARRL America250 Labored All States Award, go to www.arrl.org/america250-was. See additionally “ARRL Joins America250 as a Supporting Companion for the Nation’s 250th Anniversary” atwww.arrl.org/america250.
