NEAR-Fest organizers have announced that proceeds from the NEAR-Fest at the Deerfield, New Hampshire fairgrounds on October 10-11, 2007 will go to funding a fully operational amateur station at the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium in Concord, New Hampshire.
According to NEAR-Fest General Chairman Mike Crestohl, W1RC, “the planetarium staff are very excited at the prospect of having a radio station they can exhibit and operate, and with which they can communicate directly with the International Space Station and other NASA facilities.”
The Planetarium is currently building a new addition and have already pledged a permanent location for this purpose. Additionally, a local area radio club has offered to represent NEAR-Fest and assist Planetarium staff members become licensed and proficient in the use of the equipment. Crestohl says that a presentation to Planetarium officials will be made at the prize drawing ceremony at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 13th.
“NEAR-Fest I in May was an unqualified success, beyond our wildest dreams,” writes W1RC. “We promise you NEAR-Fest II is going to be bigger and even better — if that’s possible.”
New attractions include a number of technical symposia and workshops, such as the R-390 Workshop moderated by George Rancourt, K1ANX, a fascinating lecture on the WW-II German ENGIMA machine and its derivatives presented by Professor Tom Perera, W1TP and “DXing 101” hosted by Neil Kaltman, K6SMF.
Tickets are $10.00 for Friday and Saturday. Admission is reduced to $5.00 at 6:00 AM Saturday. The entry fee for vehicles entering the flea market is $10.00 with the exception of campers, RVs and trailers who pay a $20.00 charge which includes all hookup charges. Advance tickets are available and those holding them will be admitted first. Furthermore, there will be two special door prizes drawn exclusively for advance ticket holders.
See the NEAR-Fest Web site at www.near-fest.com for details on how to purchase advance tickets and passes by mail, or send to W1RC at his callbook address.