Date: March 2025
Amount: $3,303

The Panthers Amateur Radio Club, based in Battiest, a small rural town in southeastern Oklahoma, is comprised of teachers, students, support staff, and community members. The club is committed to introducing young people to amateur radio and equipping them with the skills and licenses needed to operate on the air. With support from this ARDC grant, PARC aims to build a sustainable ham radio program focused on student education, community engagement, and emergency communication. The project’s core goal is to train and license a new generation of operators who can both enjoy the hobby and serve their community in times of need.

Students from 4th grade through high school, as well as adults, will learn the fundamentals of radio technology, antenna design, and wave propagation through classroom instruction and after-school labs. As they progress, they will gain hands-on experience using real radio equipment, participate in outdoor operating events like Parks on the Air (POTA), and prepare for FCC licensing exams. A licensed teacher will lead the program with support from local hams and volunteers. Equipment purchased through this grant will serve as both a learning tool and a community resource, available for licensed public use and deployable during local emergencies.

Through this project, PARC will expand access to amateur radio, encourage STEM learning, and strengthen community readiness, all while giving students the rare opportunity to connect with the world from their small corner of Oklahoma.