How do you find out what motivates today’s young hams? Well, the Intrepid DX Group figures the best way is to ask them. The group sponsors an annual “Dream Rig Essay Contest,” with a different theme each year and a “dream rig” prize to the winner. We are pleased to present this year’s three winning essays.
The Intrepid DX Group <http://intrepid-dx.com> sponsors an annual essay contest for young amateurs called the “Dream Rig Essay Contest” because the top prize is a brand-new ICOM IC-7300 transceiver. The topic for this year’s competition was, “How amateur radio factors in my career plans.” Group president Paul Ewing, N6PSE, recently announced this year’s winners:
“We received essays from young amateurs from all over the world,” he wrote. “Each essay was unique in thought and very well written. Extra consideration was given for correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. The essays gave interesting perspectives on how to reach out and connect with the youth of today…”
As noted above, the first-place winner will receive an ICOM IC-7300. The second- and third-place winners each receive a Yaesu FT-65R handheld. This year’s prizes were funded by Robert Chortek, AA6VB.
CQ is pleased to present the three winning essays in full. We ask you to keep in mind as you read the first-place essay that its writer, Maria Polyanska, VE3OMV, is only 12 years old, which should make her incredible essay even more amazing! –W2VU
Here is the winning essay, from Maria Polyanska, VE3OMV:
Ham radio. When I tell people that one of my hobbies is amateur radio, they simply reply by telling me, “Oh, you play songs on the radio?” I then go on to explain this completely fantastic hobby and what it really entails. It often leaves them somewhat puzzled, yet also intrigued at the same time. Although many do not know about ham radio, I am fortunate enough to have discovered it at an early age. But what if I could also tell you that our knowledge and experience of ham radio can easily help us advance in our careers?
