The Boston College Chronicle

"When disabled people discover the world of amateur radio, they are not shut-ins any more. They find that they have friends all over the country. It's been a real godsend for a lot of people." - Phil Temples

Temples Seeks to 'Open Lives' of Disabled

By Reid Oslin
Staff Writer

Phil Temples has turned a life-long hobby into an open window of communication for disabled persons around the world.

Temples, who is systems administrator for the Carroll School of Management's Computer Sciences Department, has been a licensed amateur radio operator since 1970. For the past seven years, he has devoted a week each summer to specialized camps in Minnesota and California where he teaches disabled persons the joys ‚ and the empowerment ‚ of ham radio communication. This outreach has earned Temples the 2007 Boston College Community Service Award.

"It opens their lives," says Temples, who received the honor from University President William P. Leahy, SJ, at a recognition dinner in Corcoran Commons last night. "When disabled people discover the world of amateur radio, they are not shut-ins any more. They find that they have friends all over the country. It's been a real godsend for a lot of people."

The camp project, called "HANDI-HAM," is a United Way-funded initiative that brings together experienced amateur radio operators and professional caregivers to provide a learning experience for disabled persons who are interested in radio operation skills. The camps are located in Lake George, Minn., and Cupertino, Calif. "This particular program is for those interested in helping people become ham radio operators," explains Temples. "Folks who have disabilities and need assistance in getting into the hobby, learning new facets of the hobby, and connecting up with local ham operators where they happen to live.

"I have worked with people who have extreme mobility issues ‚ some can only blink their eyes. One gentleman could only move his right foot, but he was able to use it to send Morse code."

Once a radio operator is trained and licensed, he or she has a new access to the world, says Temples. "Some folks like to work distant stations. Others like to get on the radio and chat with friends across the world, across the country or just across town."

Disabled radio operators can also take an active role in the SkyWatch Network, an association of amateur radio operators who spot storms and other severe weather and help issue public alerts, Temples says.

"Ham radio has recently 'married' the Internet," Temples notes. "So even if you are a disabled person living in a small apartment or condominium and you don't have room for antennas, you can actually fire up your computer and wind up coming out over the radio somewhere."

Temples, who has been interested in amateur radio since his boyhood days, holds an engineering degree from Purdue University. "When I was a kid, ham radio was the Internet of the day. A lot of people think that ham radio is dead or is dying today, but I tend not to think that. If you look, ham operators are at the cutting edge of designing new electronics and new communications protocols. "We are not just a lot of old guys sitting in our basements yelling into microphones," he laughs.

Temples joined CSOM in 2002, having worked as an information technology consultant at Harvard University. His Boston College duties include technical services for the full range of department needs: "Anything from a broken keyboard to the more highly technical systems," he says. "My major responsibility is an undergraduate computer sciences lab that includes 32 systems." Temple also takes part in the University's "Read Aloud" program where he volunteers each month to read to local elementary school students. This past year, he was a welcome visitor to St. Columbkille School in Brighton where he read to kindergarten pupils.

"A lot of people whom I have met at the camps come back year after year to learn new skills. It feels like one large extended family," he says. "I look forward to seeing them every year, and they look forward to seeing me.

"It's a lot of focused concentration, making sure that people get the best experiences out of the week," he says. "But, it's very, very rewarding."Ý•


Home • About • Calendar • People • Forum • Archive	June 13, 2007
"When disabled people discover the world of amateur radio, they are not shut-ins any more. They find that they have friends all over the country. It's been a real godsend for a lot of people." - Phil Temples Temples Seeks to 'Open Lives' of Disabled By Reid Oslin Staff Writer Phil Temples has turned a life-long hobby into an open window of communication for disabled persons around the world. Temples, who is systems administrator for the Carroll School of Management's Computer Sciences Department, has been a licensed amateur radio operator since 1970. For the past seven years, he has devoted a week each summer to specialized camps in Minnesota and California where he teaches disabled persons the joys ‚ and the empowerment ‚ of ham radio communication. This outreach has earned Temples the 2007 Boston College Community Service Award. "It opens their lives," says Temples, who received the honor from University President William P. Leahy, SJ, at a recognition dinner in Corcoran Commons last night. "When disabled people discover the world of amateur radio, they are not shut-ins any more. They find that they have friends all over the country. It's been a real godsend for a lot of people." The camp project, called "HANDI-HAM," is a United Way-funded initiative that brings together experienced amateur radio operators and professional caregivers to provide a learning experience for disabled persons who are interested in radio operation skills. The camps are located in Lake George, Minn., and Cupertino, Calif. "This particular program is for those interested in helping people become ham radio operators," explains Temples. "Folks who have disabilities and need assistance in getting into the hobby, learning new facets of the hobby, and connecting up with local ham operators where they happen to live. "I have worked with people who have extreme mobility issues ‚ some can only blink their eyes. One gentleman could only move his right foot, but he was able to use it to send Morse code." Once a radio operator is trained and licensed, he or she has a new access to the world, says Temples. "Some folks like to work distant stations. Others like to get on the radio and chat with friends across the world, across the country or just across town." Disabled radio operators can also take an active role in the SkyWatch Network, an association of amateur radio operators who spot storms and other severe weather and help issue public alerts, Temples says. "Ham radio has recently 'married' the Internet," Temples notes. "So even if you are a disabled person living in a small apartment or condominium and you don't have room for antennas, you can actually fire up your computer and wind up coming out over the radio somewhere." Temples, who has been interested in amateur radio since his boyhood days, holds an engineering degree from Purdue University. "When I was a kid, ham radio was the Internet of the day. A lot of people think that ham radio is dead or is dying today, but I tend not to think that. If you look, ham operators are at the cutting edge of designing new electronics and new communications protocols. "We are not just a lot of old guys sitting in our basements yelling into microphones," he laughs. Temples joined CSOM in 2002, having worked as an information technology consultant at Harvard University. His Boston College duties include technical services for the full range of department needs: "Anything from a broken keyboard to the more highly technical systems," he says. "My major responsibility is an undergraduate computer sciences lab that includes 32 systems." Temple also takes part in the University's "Read Aloud" program where he volunteers each month to read to local elementary school students. This past year, he was a welcome visitor to St. Columbkille School in Brighton where he read to kindergarten pupils. But each summer, Temples always makes time for his "HANDI-HAM" contribution. "A lot of people whom I have met at the camps come back year after year to learn new skills. It feels like one large extended family," he says. "I look forward to seeing them every year, and they look forward to seeing me. "It's a lot of focused concentration, making sure that people get the best experiences out of the week," he says. "But, it's very, very rewarding."Ý•
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Home • About • Calendar • People • Forum • Archive

June 13, 2007

Temples Seeks to 'Open Lives' of Disabled

By Reid Oslin Staff Writer

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By Reid Oslin
Staff Writer