Author: k9hi

The Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) and Boston Amateur Radio Club (BARC) will hold a joint gathering/meeting at NESciTech at 16 Tech Circle, Natick, MA with light refreshments. Our usual Zoom link will be operational if you cannot attend in person. Optional: Bring a dessert, salad, or anything you would like to contribute. Regardless, please bring yourselves in person if possible. If you have not already registered for this event, please be sure to register ASAP today on the Event Listing so we will know how much food to order.

STARS members will conduct tours of the facility for those arriving early. Light refreshments will be served prior to the formal meeting at 7:00 PM.

The agenda includes:

o Around-the-room so everyone can introduce themselves, their role in the club, and what they’re into in the amateur radio realm.

o Significant projects on which each club is working (e.g., Trailer, satellite station; courses being taught).

o Informal brainstorming and idea sharing re ways to grow our clubs and the hobby as well as issues (e.g., Attracting younger members; getting more people to volunteer to lead club activities), etc.

David Marcucci, KC1TLF, writes on the Billerica ARS Facebook page:

I am pleased to announce that our Guest Speaker for the May 7, 2025, club meeting will be Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ.

Andy (KB1OIQ) is an extra class licensee who has been in the hobby since 2007 and will present on the history of the “Andy’s Ham Radio Linux” software collection, where to get it, and an overview of the available programs.  Andy is a past president of PART of Westford.  He retired in August 2024 from a career as a digital logic verification engineer.  Andy also enjoys repairing antique radio receivers and chasing DX.

After the meeting, the recording and any shared content made available to BARS will be added to this post. The meeting will be in-person, at the Chelmsford Bible Church, 128 Gorham St, Chelmsford, MA, and online via Zoom.

As always, the link to join the Zoom meeting will be posted to the BARS email list and should not be shared outside our Club. Are you on the email list? If not, subscribing is as easy as emailing bars-subscribe@w1hh.org and then replying to the robot response to confirm your subscription.

Watching our Zoom meetings requires only a web browser and headphones or speakers. You do not need a microphone or webcam unless you want to speak or be seen. Please go to https://zoom.us/test to test your setup anytime before the meeting. If you have problems, feel free to ask questions on the BARS email list for assistance.

We look forward to “seeing” many of you there on Wednesday at 1900 local time.

Dom Mallozzi, N1DM, will present “A Smorgasbord of Radio” at the May 8 meeting of the Algonquin Amateur Radio Club at 7:30 PM  in the library of the 1st Lt. Charles W. Whitcomb School, 25 Union St, Marlborough, MA. Enter from Agoritsas Drive next to police station and use Door #1 at rear of building.

Max Kendall, WØMXX, will present “RF PCB Design” at the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society hybrid meeting on April 29, 2025 in Natick and online.

Description: RF PCB design is often considered one of the more challenging aspects of electronics engineering due to the high frequencies involved and the sensitivity of signal integrity. In this presentation, Max will dive into the core principles that underpin effective and reliable RF board design. He will explore the importance of using a 4-layer PCB stackup, which allows for better isolation, dedicated ground and power planes, and improved signal performance. Topics will include the role of copper pours in managing return paths and minimizing interference, as well as how to achieve proper impedance matching for critical RF components and transmission lines. Max will also walk through best practices for feedline routing, highlighting techniques for minimizing signal loss, avoiding crosstalk, and ensuring consistent characteristic impedance throughout the board.

Bio: Max is an 8th grader at Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School. He is the president of STARS radio club at New England Sci-Tech, the president of the 4-H Science Explorers, a mentor at the Medway Library Arduino club and STEAM classes, and founder of the New England Weather Balloon Society. He is also the founder of habtronics. He earned his Extra license in 2021. Max enjoys working with robotics and electronics, and has been tinkering since he was a toddler. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge with other kids and adults alike. He teaches many classes and workshops at New England Sci-Tech, an educational non-profit. He also enjoys reading classics, math, Latin, and climbing. https://mpkendall.com

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club‘s April meeting is Thursday, April 17th at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell). We start gathering at 7 PM to socialize before the meeting starts.

April’s speaker will be ARRL New England Division Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI.  Tom will provide a “current events” talk about the goings-on at ARRL headquarters.

NVARC annual elections also take place at the April meeting, making it a “Special Meeting” as defined in the club’s Constitution and Bylaws.

We’ll also be discussing upcoming events that NVARC participates in – the Groton Road Race, Field Day, POTA activations, etc.  In addition, we will also talk about major updates and plans for the N1NC / N1MNX repeater system.

If you need directions to the club meeting, please click <http://binged.it/smoogg> here and put your own address in box “A”.

Thanks, and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Bruce, K1BG
978-772-2773 or bruce.blain@charter.net

BTW, if you would prefer to not get these announcements, please let me know
and I will take you off the list!

Rich Zack, KK1RZ, will present “Comparing all Five Digital Modes Found on New England Repeaters” at the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society hybrid meeting on April 15, 2025 in Natick and online.

Biography: Rick was first licensed as a ham in 1966.  His late father was a ham, as is his son, K1DRZ.  Rick also holds an FCC First Class commercial license.  His career includes an RF consulting business; Chief Engineer for WCVB-TV in Boston; Chief Engineer of Television for WBIN-TV; VP of System Engineering for a high-end microwave equipment manufacturer; Land-mobile dealer and commercial repeater system operator; and Consulting Engineer for the FCC on the TV Spectrum Repack Project.  He recently retired as an IT System Administrator for Gunstock Mountain Resort.  Rick holds a USCG commercial Captain’s License and his hobbies include snowmobiling, boating, downhill skiing, hiking, and many diverse aspects of amateur radio.  Rick is currently President of the Central New Hampshire Radio Club.