Welcome to this month’s BVRC Spotlight.
It was my great privilege this month to connect with Sharron Edmondson, KC5SKY, a stalwart of BVARC. She is known throughout our club (and beyond) as an energetic, friendly, rain-or-shine supporter of BVARC and amateur radio in general. She serves selflessly as our club secretary and informally as a brilliant ambassador of our great hobby and radio service.
What follows is the outcome of my enjoyable game of “20 Questions” with KC5SKY, a retired bank president and an amazing artist, woodcarver, quilter, genealogist, pick-and-grin guitar player, knife maker, and American Indian bead worker.
DE K5XS
Here’s what Sharron had to say:
What is your present callsign, and what has been your amateur radio “path”?
Current callsign: KC5SKY (vanity call). Original call: KI5SPI. Technician November 2022 at the Northeastern Oklahoma Vo-Tech (now Northeast Tech). General, 2024 at BVARC. I am currently studying for the Extra Class license.
Who, if anyone, most influenced your entry into ham radio, and how? What attracted you to amateur radio?
As a teenager I had a Citizens Band radio and my handle was “Lollipop” (named after my love of red Tootsie Pops). Much later in life I was a devoted firefighter and EMT for the Maysville, Arkansas Volunteer Fire Department. I loved the emergency communications work and was loving the UHF radio system. My local NE Oklahoma Vo-Tech offered a class on ham radio. I took it, got hooked right away and bought my one ham radio, a Yaesu FT-911A. I searched for a club on the ARRL website and found Bella Vista, AR. I joined up right away and joined ARRL. Don Banta (K5DB) was a big influence who made a lasting impression and continued to offer advice and to help with equipment. (As a back note, I live in Oklahoma, but only two miles from Arkansas line and 10 miles from the Missouri line.)
How has amateur radio influenced your life, particularly in ways not directly related to ham radio?
I have been a member of many organizations in my lifetime and this is the best experience that I have ever had. The devotion and comradery of BVRC is phenomenal. The enthusiasm and dedication of the leadership is to be commended. There was amazing dedication to getting me on the air, getting my antenna up, and getting all my questions answered as a new ham. The education provided by the Elmers and other club members was remarkable. I know that is why the BVARC is the largest club in Arkansas.
What are your favorite activities within amateur radio?
I like hunting “Parks On The Air” (POTA). I enjoy participating in the club nets. I look forward to annual ARRL Field Day where our club goes all out and places at the top or near it every year. I also paint a ham radio themed cartoon given away at our monthly meeting. It is such a joy when someone gets the winning ticket and shouts a big “Whoop!”
What modes do you operate? If you could operate only one mode, what would it be, and why?
I operate SSB and FT8. I really love SSB, it is always busy and the contests have many pile-ups. It is so exciting to get through and have my call sign heard over the airwaves.
What bands do you operate? If you could operate on only one band, what would it be, and why?
[I operate] 2 Meters, 10 Meters, 20 Meters, and 40 Meters. My favorite is 20 Meters because there is always something going on.
What equipment do you most operate?
Yaesu FT-911A.
If you remember your first contact, who was it with? Do you remember your thoughts and emotions regarding the experience at the time?
My first contact was at Rookie Roundup at the late Don Cooper’s Station in Bella Vista. I was so excited when I contacted a “Down under Station”, in Australia. I was hooked from then on.
What single event “Wowed” you as a “golden moment” in your amateur radio experience (a special contact, a special “eyeball” QSO, a great hamfest, etc.)?
I believe it was my first club meeting at the BVARC. Little did I know I was meeting a lifelong experience of fellow Hams that loved amateur radio as a hobby.
What behaviors in amateurs do you most like to see?
Willingness to share their experiences, to help with radios, to share knowledge of communications, and their abilities to steer you in the right direction.
If you were to give every new ham one piece of advice, what would it be?
Join a club of your choice to learn from others. Also support the ARRL who fights for our spectrum.
If you were to recommend one thing new amateurs NOT do, what would it be?
Don’t do it alone. Find ham buddies who love the hobby.
You were a bank president. What’s that like? Is it something you aspired to for a long time? What does a day in the life of a bank president look like?
I was President of the Bank of Gravett, in Gravette, AR. I retired 5 years ago. My great grandfather, Jim Truner Edmondson was one of the significant founders. He traveled 13 miles by horse and buggy to Gravette from Indian Territory, southwest of Maysville, Arkansas. My grandfather, Jim T. Edmondson, JR was later president. My father, Jim A Edmondson, served on the board of directors.
A day in the life of a banker is very complicated. From lending money, diffusing angry customers who knew we made a mistake in accounts, and gently helping them to understand the problem and help them leave with a smile was difficult but also rewarding. Managing the workforce and keeping things solid and flowing both with rules and regulations, but also with employee management, workloads, and sometime peace making.
The compliance issues of FDIC were trying. Overall, it was fun trying to keep everyone in an upbeat atmosphere.
What about the Bella Vista Area Radio Club makes it special to you?
BVARC’s entire leadership team is committed to each member having a great successful experience. There are no rotten apples among the team.
Women make up 50.7% of the U.S. population, yet according to the ARRL they make up only 15% of the ham population. As a highly successful woman, why do you suppose that’s so? Should we be doing more to attract girls and women to what has been a male-dominated radio service and hobby?
I believe that is changing. BVARC has a lot of women who are hams. Maybe the ARRL should design a special event for Women’s Day, where women have a contest to contact other women.
If you were king/queen for a day, what one thing would you change in amateur radio?
I would rock the air waves with joy and spread the word that this is not only a hobby, but a crucial need to keep our radio bands safe and secure and not to be given away to other entities. ARRL is our only defense who offers legal aid and defense to protect our bands.
Besides amateur radio, how do you spend your discretionary time?
I own a farm, I am an artist, woodcarver, quilter, genealogist, pick and grin guitar player (but mostly grin), knife maker, American Indian bead worker, and I’ve tried a little of anything. I love retirement.
Thanks, Sharron!
