The Halas family recently found a non-traditional hobby to bond over.
Thanks to 7-year-old son Elijah, the family began attending Hoosier Lakes Radio Club meetings and attended the group's field day in June to become certified amateur radio (often called ham radio) operators.
"He saw an article about an older gentleman with his ham radio," said Elijah's mom, Jessica Halas. "So we'd be out and he'd walk up to people and be like, 'Hi my name is Elijah. Do you know anything about ham radios?' Finally, after six months we decided to get into what it really is."
Amateur radio can be used, along with recreation, as a public service and can be useful during emergencies or bad weather.
So with Elijah's curiosity, the family began testing to become certified amateur radio operators.
That involves a test that has 35 questions on it, but those who want to get the license have to prepare for any combination of 391 questions in a pool.
Jessica was the first to pass in February, and then father David and Elijah's sister, Emmaline, 9, passed.
For awhile it was looking like Elijah, who got the whole family started on it, might not pass.
His last chance came June 26. After that a new pool of questions is chosen for the year.
The Halas children are homeschooled, and Jessica spent time teaching Elijah and Emmaline the material.
Finally, on the radio club's field day, Elijah passed. But not without some trickery.
He was told by Loren Melton of the radio club he was going to give Elijah a practice test.
After he was told he passed the real test, he couldn't wait to tell his family.
"I told them I have some good news and I have some bad news," said Elijah. "I said the good news is I passed the test, but the bad news is I only got seven wrong."
That trumped his big sister who passed sooner than he did but missed one more question.Jim Raisler, president of the radio club, said he hopes what the Halas family did by going through the training and attending the meetings sparks interest among younger people.
For more information about the club, visit www.k9cwd.org
