International Space Station Contact for La Paz County Youth Jan. 11, 2017

NASA ARISS

International Space Station Contact with youth in Quarzsite is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11, 2017. The contact will be first thing in the morning at 9:10am  in the morning. Students should arrive as early as possible. There will still have informational stations, presentations, awards and lunch, so the event will run until about 12:45pm.

Event will be held at Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA) 
at 235 W. Ironwood, Quartzsite.


Ever since the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, or ARISS, hardware was first launched aboard space shuttle Atlantis on STS-106 and transferred to the space station for use by its first crew, it has been used regularly to perform school contacts. With the help of amateur radio clubs and ham radio operators, astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the station have been speaking directly with large groups of people, showing teachers, students, parents and communities how amateur radio energizes students about science, technology and learning. The overall goal of ARISS is to get students interested in mathematics and science by allowing them to talk directly with the crews living and working aboard the station.

The ARISS conversations usually last for about 10 minutes. During that time, chosen students on the ground ask a preselected set of questions, which the crew answers from aboard the space station.

In order for ARISS to work, the station must pass over the Earth-bound communicators during amateur radio transmissions to relay signals between the station's ham radio and ground receivers. Other issues, such as weather and crew availability, also factor into the timing of the transmissions. During this pass, an average of 18 questions can be answered, depending on the complexity of the query. To date, the space station has held more than 600 ARISS sessions with students around the world.
On December 14th, 2016 the United States Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program including National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), American Society for the Alexander Technique (AMSAT) and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) accepted our communities’ joint proposal for youth from seven towns in La Paz County to make a radio contact to speak with astronauts onboard the International Space Station (ISS) next week!  The towns include Quartzsite, Ehrenberg, Bouse, Brenda, Hope, Wenden and Salome, AZ.

This program created opportunity for youngsters to explore the many wonders and possibilities that exist in radio science, amateur radio and space research, delivering fun and engaging learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and work hand-in-hand with local schools, communities, families and amateur radio clubs to create new opportunities to inspire and lift our youth up.

Students, teachers, supporters and the community are invited to share in being part of listening to students from across the county,  chosen by their schools,  to speak via radio with the Astronauts on the International Space Station.

“It has been amazing year; we have had had wonderful success and outreach. We are so grateful for all the support received. It has been truly a county effort in making this program such a success,” said Heather Caton of My La Paz dot org.

 

Please visit www.MyLaPaz.org for further details as they develop. 

To learn more about the NASA program visit: 

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/benefits/ARISS_youth.html

Confusion in Quartzsite? Really?

Quartzsite, AZ - Evidently, once again, there is confusion between the two free papers in Quartzsite, Arizona. 

After receiving multiple phone calls and complaints about a certain cartoon published in Jennifer Jones' tabloid, Desert Freedom Press, I felt it necessary to clarify the situation.

Desert Messenger is not affiliated in any way with the tabloid Desert Freedom Press (AKA DFP). Desert Messenger is proud to maintain a Quartzsite business license. DFP does not, and has not since she began publishing over two years ago.

Jones publishes Richard Abbey's self-described "poorly drawn cartoons" in her tabloid. The recent uproar and complaints surround the latest cartoon Jones published on Page 5 of the Jan. 5, 2013 issue, which depicts a hamster holding a shotgun surrounded by dead birds on the ground. 

The headline reads, "HAMster" welcomes "snow birds" to Quartzfest

Amateur Radio Operators are fondly called HAMs. There is a Ham gathering in Quartzsite this week, called "Quartzfest" with already over 200 check ins for the 11 day event, however over 600 attended last year's famous event. 

According to Jacob C. Herman on www.VoiceNation.com: 

"Ham radios are also known as amateur radios, and they are becoming more popular among those who need a powerful communication device as well as computer hobbyists. They enable people to communicate with other amateur radio users in their countries and around the world. In fact, they are the most powerful wireless communication tools that are available to ordinary people, and they can even help connect users with astronauts in space.

Those who use ham radios are called “hams”, and there are presently millions of regular hams around the world. People from all walks of life use ham radios, ranging from movie stars and politicians to missionaries and students. They make use of different types of radio communication devices to participate in ham radio communication. While ham radios are mostly used for personal communication, there are communities of hams who use their radios to provide important information in their localities, such as emergency and disaster alerts. Ham radios offer a great way for users to make friends with people around the world." 

To learn more visit http://www.voicenation.com/resources/article-library/all-about-ham-radios.shtml

Local Hams are well known for helping our local Quartzsite Police Officers during parades and other events and are well respected within the community. Amateur Radio Operators go through rigorous training and are licensed by the FCC.

Jones is famous for her support of our constitutional right of "Freedom of Speech." However, Freedom of speech does not include the right to incite actions that would harm others (e.g. shouting "fire" in a crowded theater. (Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47 (1919)

If anyone else finds this cartoon offensive, I suggest you express your "Freedom of Speech" directly to the publisher, Jennifer Jones, at thedesertfreedompress@yahoo.com or call 928-785-6318. If no response, you can visit her at her Dog Grooming business located at Hassler's RV Park on Main Street, Quartzsite.

Abbey is not so publicly accessible. However if you'd like to directly complain and express your right to free speech to the cartoonist, he is on Facebook at http://facebook.com/richard.abbey1

Needless to say, Jones DOES NOT speak for the majority of Quartzsite residents or snowbirds!

To learn more about Quartzfest 2013 events happening now, visit http://quartzfest.org/.

Shanana "Rain" Golden-Bear,
Publisher/Editor
Desert Messenger, now in our 9th Year in Quartzsite!