Licensing Education & Training

Dan Brown, W1DAN, writes:

On a rainy Saturday April 20, members of the Zola-Middlesex amateur radio club gathered at the Brigham House in Newton Massachusetts to build a kit! In attendance were club members Frank, N1FMV,;Nina, N1NGK; Matt, N1IBB; Jerry, W3BBP; Nora, N1GLE and Margaret, KA1BZE. The helpers were Bob, WA1UIY; Tony, K1CEI; Don, KB1OTQ and YL Odette; Dave, W8JVY; Bruce, KC1FSZ and Dan, W1DAN.

Of note the Zola gang consist of hams who have sight and emotional impairments. The club was formed by Eric Falkov, K1NUN (SK), in 2012. After his passing in 2013, Bob ran the club and merged the Middlesex club into the Middlesex -Zola Amateur Radio Club. Frank N1FMV is now president.

Figure 1 . The Zola radio members digging into the kits

To get the project started, Bob researched and ordered enough of the $20 TM-Tech DP-TM-0259 FM receiver kits from Amazon for all who wanted to build one. Before our session Bob built one of the kits to gauge the build process and difficulty. Dan and Bruce went to Bob’s QTH to check the kits out as well.  These kits contain an RDA Microelectronics RDA5807M single chip broadcast FM radio tuner and an MD8002A thee-watt audio power amplifier IC on a small printed circuit board. The FM receiver IC uses I and Q decoding and a DSP core to process stereo audio. It is essentially a Software-Defined Radio. Two AA batteries supply 3v to the system and a 2.5” speaker that provides surprisingly good sound. This kit requires no soldering and the only tool needed was a small Philips head screwdriver, which was supplied.

Figure 2 . Bruce, KC1FSZ, assisting Matt, N1IBB, with his radio kit build.

After Bruce explained the theory of operation of the receiver IC, club members were introduced to the feel of all parts as the helpers explained the part and how it should be assembled. The case was formed of light wood similar to Balsawood that wrapped around the sides and attached using tongue and groove as well as very small screws. Some of the instructions were not clear and the screw sizes needed at certain locations turned out to be wrong, but once we figured all that out, the process went smoothly.

Figure 3 . Nora, N1GLE, was the first to finish a kit!

After success, folks enjoyed pizza for lunch. This was a fun project that provided the club members with efficient FM receivers for future enjoyment. Who knows, maybe they will hear some distant stations via summertime tropospheric ducting. Many thanks to Bob, Bruce, Don, Odette, Dave and Tony for good assistance!

73,

Dan Brown

W1DAN

April 21, 2024

PART of Westford President George Allison, K1IG, writes:

The Police Amateur Radio Team (PART) of Westford, MA, is getting ready for Field Day (only five months away!), and one of the things we’re doing is CW training. We’ll be running a course for CW newbies (probably using the CWOps curriculum), and our members show a lot of interest in learning.

We’ve also made a bulk purchase of Morserino kits for our members. If you haven’t seen a Morserino, it’s quite a gadget, incorporating a keyer, display, code reader, touch paddles, speaker, CW trainer, and LoRa transceiver. It’s about the easiest kit you’ll ever build; one hour is all it took me, and it worked the first time!

If bought individually through the Morserino website, these keyers are about $100 with free shipping (very slow, through the post office with no tracking), or about $130 with DHL shipping (about 5 days from Austria, with tracking). Since we ordered 20 kits, Morserino gave us a bulk discount, so the kits, with DHL shipping, cost $94 each. Shipping in bulk accounted for much of the savings: shipping one kit via DHL is $30, shipping 20 kits was $72. PART has a kit-building fund that subsidized some of the cost, so we offered the kits to members for $50 each, and they quickly sold. 

Other clubs may want to make a bulk purchase. It takes at least 14 to get a discount, and I found that corresponding directly with the head of Morserino (info@morserino.info) about a bulk purchase is more effective than ordering through the website. If one club can’t get enough orders, perhaps several clubs can get together.

I was surprised by the interest in CW, especially among the newer hams and the “no-code Extras,” and I’m looking forward to fights in the Field Day CW tent for operating time!

Brandon Hockle, NQ1W, writes:

Amateur radio enthusiasts at Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association (CAARA) opened their refurbished training space in Gloucester to a group of eager Navy Sea Cadets. This event, made possible by CAARA (an Eastern MA Special Service Club operating since 1977 ) and a grant from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), aimed to provide the Sea Cadets with comprehensive education for their Technician Class amateur radio license.

Navy Sea Cadets are young men and women aged 10 through the end of high school who train in a disciplined environment and advance through ranks that mirror the Navy and Merchant Marines. They participate in a wide variety of training opportunities to introduce them to the maritime services and a variety of career fields. 

CAARA has a long-standing relationship with the Sea Cadet program in Gloucester, and was ready to provide a day of hands-on experience in its new education center. The space, reimagined and modernized thanks to the ARRL grant, provided an optimal environment for this large group’s session.

On December 3rd, 2023, the training room buzzed with excitement as nearly two dozen Sea Cadets, donned in their uniforms, arrived ready to delve into the world of ham radio. The training covered essential topics, including radio operation, regulations, and practical skills necessary for obtaining their Technician Class licenses.

Paul Krueger N1JDH, a seasoned ham radio operator and instructor, led the Sea Cadets through the intricacies of radio communication. His wealth of knowledge and passion for amateur radio were evident as he engaged the cadets in a dynamic learning experience.

The refurbished training space, a result of the ARRL grant, offered modern amenities and up-to-date equipment, enhancing the learning experience for both the Sea Cadets and CAARA members. The collaboration between the ARRL and CAARA showcased the dedication to fostering education and community within the amateur radio sphere.

Throughout the day, Sea Cadets had the opportunity to practice their new skills under the guidance of experienced CAARA members. The camaraderie and mentorship displayed during the event reflected the heart of the amateur radio community – sharing knowledge and fostering the next generation of radio enthusiasts.

As the event concluded, the Sea Cadets left with not only a deeper understanding of amateur radio but also a sense of accomplishment. The Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association, supported by the ARRL grant, succeeded in creating a vibrant space for learning and collaboration, ensuring the continued growth of amateur radio in the community.

The success of this training session highlights the positive impact that collaboration between organizations like the ARRL and local radio clubs can have on fostering education and enthusiasm for amateur radio. The waves of knowledge continue to ripple through CAARA, leaving a lasting impact on the Sea Cadets and the amateur radio community at large.