Date: June 2023
Amount: $61,115

Since 2001, the Military Heritage Museum in Punta Gorda, FL strives to honor the sacrifices made by all who have and continue to serve in the U.S. Military. More than just a museum, it serves as: an educational institution, a performing arts center, a service-provider for Veterans, and a community hub that allows other organizations to utilize their facilities. In 2022, in collaboration with a local amateur radio association, the Museum introduced an interactive exhibit for amateur radio that was well-received by their students and the general public. Thus, the Military Heritage Museum Amateur Radio Club (MHM-ARC, W7MHM) was established to both develop and coordinate the activities of the amateur radio exhibit. Visitors to the exhibit are provided with the opportunity to receive and transmit on various radio modes (such as UHF, VHF, HF, digital mobile radio (DMR), and Echolink) as well as learn about the history of amateur radio, the phonetic alphabet, and steps toward getting on the air.

This grant will provide funding to enhance public education of the collaborative development between radio and the U.S. Military, present-day applications, and future societal impact. The museum aims to achieve three deliverables:

• building an interactive, mobile exhibit to showcase the evolution of amateur radio in both military and civilian sectors;
• creating educational lesson plans tailored to different age groups and highlighting career opportunities in radio-based communication; and
• acquiring the needed equipment that aligns with the project’s overall objectives.

As a result of this funding, visitors will be able to explore both a static display detailing the history and evolution of amateur radio and a mobile exhibit that can be showcased at popular local events, such as the International Florida Air Show.

Learn more at https://militaryheritagemuseum.org/.