Bring Amateur Radio to Your School, Scout Group, Civic Organization or Community
Looking for an engaging, hands-on STEM demonstration in Las Vegas or Southern Nevada?
Sin City Repeater Group, Inc. W7RPT provides amateur radio and wireless technology demonstrations, presentations, and educational programs for schools, Scout groups, youth organizations, civic clubs, houses of worship, community organizations, and other groups throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and communities throughout Southern Nevada.
Amateur radio, commonly known as ham radio, brings science, technology, engineering, mathematics, electronics, communications, geography, computers, public service, and experimentation together in a way few other activities can. Instead of simply hearing about wireless technology, participants can see it work, interact with real equipment, ask questions, and experience radio communication firsthand.
We want Southern Nevada organizations to know that when they are looking for someone who can demonstrate, explain, and make amateur radio accessible, the Sin City Repeater Group is ready to help.
REQUEST A HAM RADIO OR STEM DEMONSTRATION
Hands-On STEM Education Through Amateur Radio
Ham radio is much more than people talking on radios.
Modern amateur radio encompasses radio-frequency engineering, electronics, antennas, computer networking, digital communications, satellites, signal propagation, emergency and public-service communications, software, experimentation, and the infrastructure required to make complex communications systems work.
A Sin City Repeater Group demonstration can be adapted to the age, interests, available time, venue, and educational goals of your organization.
Depending on the program and location, topics can include:
- How radio waves travel and why signals behave differently at different frequencies
- How antennas transmit and receive radio-frequency energy
- Live amateur radio communication
- Local and worldwide radio communication
- Amateur radio repeaters and how repeater networks work
- Digital radio and computer-based communications
- Morse code and the history of wireless communication
- Amateur radio satellites and space communications
- Radio direction finding and transmitter hunting
- Portable and field radio operation
- Emergency and public-service communications
- Electronics, circuits, cables, connectors, and radio equipment
- Radio-frequency propagation and the ionosphere
- Licensing and how someone becomes an amateur radio operator
- Careers involving communications, electronics, engineering, IT, networking, broadcasting, and related technical fields
Programs can range from an introductory presentation to a more extensive hands-on demonstration involving operating amateur radio equipment.
STEM Programs for Nevada Schools and Educators
Sin City Repeater Group has members who are professional educators licensed by the Nevada Department of Education.
That gives us something important beyond technical knowledge: educators who understand how to communicate technical concepts to students and how classroom instruction differs from simply giving a technical presentation.
For schools, teachers, homeschool groups, after-school programs, STEM nights, science fairs, career days, and educational organizations, we can work with educators to tailor an amateur radio demonstration to the age and learning objectives of participating students.
When appropriate, our Nevada-licensed educators can also help connect amateur radio activities with relevant Nevada Academic Content Standards, including concepts involving science, engineering, mathematics, technology, communication, investigation, problem-solving, and the practical application of scientific principles.
The goal is not simply to show students a radio.
The goal is to help them understand what is happening, why it works, and how the technology they are seeing connects to the larger world of STEM.
Ham Radio Programs for Scouts and Youth Organizations
Amateur radio and Scouting have a long history together because radio naturally combines technical learning, experimentation, communication, preparedness, and hands-on problem-solving.
Sin City Repeater Group welcomes opportunities to work with Cub Scout Packs, Scout troops, Venturing crews, Girl Scout organizations, Civil Air Patrol units, youth ministries, homeschool organizations, school clubs, and other youth programs.
Programs can be scaled for younger participants who may simply be discovering radio and electronics or for older students interested in a deeper technical experience.
Possible activities can include live radio demonstrations, Morse code, radio direction finding, antennas, electronics, emergency communications, repeater systems, digital communications, and discussions about earning an FCC Amateur Radio license.
No previous radio knowledge is required.
Presentations for Rotary, Kiwanis, Elks, Knights of Columbus and Civic Organizations
Not every demonstration needs to be a classroom program.
Sin City Repeater Group also offers presentations for Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, Elks Lodges, Knights of Columbus councils, fraternal organizations, service organizations, neighborhood groups, nonprofit organizations, senior organizations, libraries, houses of worship, and other community groups.
A presentation can introduce your members to amateur radio, explain how modern ham radio differs from common stereotypes, demonstrate equipment, discuss communications infrastructure, explore emergency and public-service applications, or simply provide an interesting program for an upcoming meeting.
We can adjust the technical level to the audience. You do not need to know anything about amateur radio before inviting us.
More Than a Presentation: An Active Amateur Radio Organization
Sin City Repeater Group, Inc. is a Las Vegas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on advancing amateur radio and STEM education through technical education, hands-on training and mentoring, responsible experimentation, public-service and emergency communications, and the development and stewardship of reliable amateur radio repeater infrastructure.
Our members are not limited to discussing radio. They build, operate, troubleshoot, maintain, experiment, teach, and communicate.
That practical experience allows us to introduce audiences to amateur radio as a living technical field rather than a museum piece from an earlier generation of communications.
Our demonstrations can draw from real-world experience with repeaters, antennas, radio systems, digital communications, computer networking, portable operations, public-service communications, HF radio, VHF and UHF systems, and other aspects of the Amateur Radio Service.
For students and adults alike, that means questions are encouraged.
Serving Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and Southern Nevada
Sin City Repeater Group serves Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and communities throughout Southern Nevada.
We welcome requests from:
- Public, private, charter, and parochial schools
- Teachers and STEM coordinators
- Homeschool groups and cooperatives
- Cub Scout Packs and Scout troops
- Girl Scout organizations
- Civil Air Patrol units
- Youth organizations
- Rotary Clubs
- Kiwanis Clubs
- Elks Lodges
- Knights of Columbus councils
- Libraries
- Museums and educational organizations
- Houses of worship
- Community associations
- Nonprofit organizations
- Senior organizations
- Career fairs
- STEM nights and science fairs
- Community festivals and public events
If your organization is not listed, contact us anyway. If amateur radio, wireless communications, electronics, STEM, technology, or public-service communications would add value to your program, we would be interested in hearing from you.
Request a Ham Radio or STEM Demonstration
Tell us about your organization, audience, approximate number of participants, desired date, location, available time, and what you would like your group to experience.
We can then determine what type of amateur radio or STEM demonstration would work best for your event.
Sin City Repeater Group, Inc. is a volunteer nonprofit organization, so availability depends on volunteer schedules, location, equipment requirements, and the nature of the requested program. We encourage organizations to contact us as early as possible when planning an event.
Whether you are introducing elementary students to radio waves, looking for a hands-on STEM activity for Scouts, planning a program for a civic club, or searching for amateur radio expertise for a community event, we would be glad to discuss what we can bring to your organization.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ham Radio Demonstrations
Do you offer ham radio demonstrations in Las Vegas?
Yes. Sin City Repeater Group, Inc. W7RPT offers amateur radio and STEM demonstrations for organizations in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and communities throughout Southern Nevada.
Can Sin City Repeater Group visit a school?
Yes. We welcome opportunities to work with public, private, charter, parochial, homeschool, and other educational programs. Members of Sin City Repeater Group include educators licensed by the Nevada Department of Education who can help adapt programs to educational settings and, where appropriate, connect activities with relevant Nevada Academic Content Standards.
Do you provide Scout ham radio demonstrations?
Yes. We can provide age-appropriate amateur radio demonstrations and activities for Cub Scout Packs, Scout troops, Venturing programs, Girl Scout organizations, and other youth groups.
Can you speak at a Rotary, Kiwanis, Elks or Knights of Columbus meeting?
Yes. We can develop a program for civic, fraternal, service, religious, and community organizations. Presentations can be introductory or technical depending on the audience.
What can you demonstrate?
Programs may include live amateur radio operation, antennas, repeaters, Morse code, radio propagation, electronics, digital communications, satellites, emergency communications, radio direction finding, portable radio, computer networking, and other areas of amateur radio and wireless technology. Specific activities depend on the venue, available time, equipment, radio conditions, and program objectives.
Do participants need an amateur radio license?
No license is required to attend or participate in a demonstration. Depending on the activity and applicable FCC regulations, participants may also have opportunities to experience amateur radio communication under the supervision of a licensed amateur radio control operator.
Can a demonstration be connected to STEM curriculum?
Yes. Amateur radio naturally incorporates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Our Nevada-licensed educators can work with schools and teachers to identify appropriate connections between a proposed activity, student learning objectives, and relevant Nevada Academic Content Standards.
How do we request a presentation or demonstration?
Use our demonstration request form and provide as much information as possible about your organization, audience, location, preferred date, available time, and goals. Sin City Repeater Group is volunteer-operated, so advance notice gives us the best opportunity to develop a strong program for your group.
