Amateur Radio at Scituate Science Fair, April 5, 2018

 

Amateur radio display at Scituate Science Fair
Scituate Science Fair ham display, 2017.

Richard Hoffman, K1DJ and Greg Bennett, KC1CIC demonstrated Amateur Radio to youths at the Sixth Annual Scituate Science Fair on April 5, 2018. This was the second year K1DJ and KC1CIC participated in the two-hour event that focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) topics. 

Richard conducted a CW demonstration in which the kids learned to send their own names on a telegraph key.  “The kids had a lot of fun with it, and he was great with them,” according to Greg, KC1CIC.  “I brought one of my Go Boxes to demonstrate digital communications. To my surprise the kids were very interested in the construction of the Go Box itself.”

Greg demonstrated Anderson Powerpole connectors, allowing the children to connect and disconnect them.

“Richard and I had a great time with the kids and their parents. We look forward to doing it again.”

 

Technician License in a Weekend Course, Natick, June 1-2, 2018

For high school students and adults, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the Technician license exam. Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Some preliminary reading and study is necessary to get the best results from this course. Material will be sent approximately a week before the course.

The Technician level course runs Friday, June 1, 6:00-9:00 PM and Saturday, June 2, 8 AM to 3 PM, followed by the FCC Technician exam at 3:00 PM, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick. The $85 course fee covers exam fee, cold cuts and salad lunch, coffee and snacks, and printed materials. Advance registration and payment required. 

NOTE: Another Technician course will be offered June 29-30, if you can’t make this one.

For questions, see http://www.ne1ar.org/event/amateur-radio-license-in-a-weekend-course-technician-level/ or e-mail bphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.

Harvard Wireless Club QRV for New England QSO Party, May 5-6, 2018

Harvard Wireless ClubBill Collins, W1PL writes on the Harvard Wireless Club mailing list:

Hi all,

W1AF will be activated this weekend [May 5-6] for the New England QSO Party.  Our President Benjamin Lee, K7JS and Treasurer Allen Liu, KC1HBB are tentatively scheduled to operate on Saturday. The fun on Saturday will be working four QSO parties: New England, Area 7, Indiana, and Delaware. I will also be doing some operating on Sunday.

If anyone else is interested, please come over and make at least a few contacts and we can enter you in the log. Sunday will be a little easier because it will only be New England. You can be on the air with me with only your Technician license. I know a lot of students will be busy with finals, but if you can make it that would be great!

Send me an email if you would like to stop by, and I will send you my cell phone number to open the door at 6 Linden Street [in Cambridge].

Also, the NEQP “School Club” category allows ANYONE to operate:  Harvard alumni, former employees, and even non-affiliates.

Hope to see you there! 

New England Tech Trek Special Events Station N1T QRV at NEAR-Fest, May 4-5, 2018

Bill Barber, NE1B writes on YCCC mailing list:

New England Tech Trek logoNETT @ NEAR-Fest is sponsoring N1T for the *New England Tech Trek* this weekend.  This is the youth-focused Science and Technology Expo.  Operation will be Friday beginning at 10 AM thru 6 PM, then Saturday from  9 AM thru 3 PM.  Operators will be Youth-On-the-Air at the two HF GOTA stations (2 Flex w/ Maestros) and on a Satellite GOTA station on 2m/70 cm.

If you are at NEAR-Fest, stop by the Arts & Crafts Building with the NETSquared signs!

[See also: NE(T)² New England Tech Trek]

 

Camp Squanto Scouts Ham Radio Demo Logistics, May 5, 2018

Jack Foley, N1QE writes on the Genesis ARS list:
 
Anyone that is headed over to Camp Squanto this weekend, and after the VE session you are welcome to join us, I will provide lunch, but please let me know if you are coming for lunch, beyond six or so.
 
There are TWO road races scheduled in the park on Saturday, so if you are joining us in the morning, setup starts anytime after 0730, our station opens for business at 0900, plan for delays in getting into the camp with associated traffic.
 
Thanks again to all, appreciate your support of Camp Squanto and W1CSQ.
 
BIG NEWS!
 
W1CSQ has been given the green light to set up a ham/communication shack at Camp Squanto!  We have a room in a building to be our permanent location, YEAH!  On Saturday, I would appreciate input into layout of our room, antenna logistics etc.
 
<…>
 
73,
N1QE

 

Volunteers Requested, Ham Radio Demo at Boy Scout Camp Squanto, May 5, 2018

camp squanto signJack Foley, N1QE is requesting 6-12 hams to assist with an Amateur Radio “emergency communications information station” at Camp Squanto on Saturday, May 5 from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Foley is a former Scoutmaster and currently serves as a District Commissioner. He’s also the trustee of the BSA Camp Squanto Radio Club, W1CSQ. The Camp is located in Plymouth.

“This would be one of a dozen or so stations dealing with treating wounds, first aid, etcetera. Ours would deal with emergency communications.”

If you can help in demonstrating ham radio and talking to scouts about emergency communications, please contact Jack Foley, N1QE at jackm.foley@proforma.com.

 

Falmouth ARA to Participate in Cape Cod Mini Maker Faire, April 28, 2018

Falmouth Amateur Radio AssociationThe Falmouth Amateur Radio Association  will again take part in the Cape Cod Mini Maker Faire, April 28 at Mashpee High School.

The Faire bills itself as “a gathering of fascinating, curious people who love sharing what they can do.”

“Because of the din in the room last year, FARA will utilize the digital modes this year,” according the FARA president Brent Putnam, W1NCH. The club is seeking additional volunteers for the event, “especially with construction of the Morse code key.”

Clay Center ARC Technician Class Begins March 28, 2018

Clay Center ARC logoThe Clay Center Amateur Radio Club, in conjunction with Brookline Adult and Community Education (BA&CE) and Newton Community Education (NCE)  will offer a six-week Technician Class course beginning Wednesday, March 28, 2018 for adults and child-parent pairs to facilitate their successful completion of the FCC radio license test. Children who pass the test receive a free membership in the Clay Center ARC, the largest youth-oriented radio club in New England. Yes, this course is geared toward children! (Ages 11 and up.) Adults without children are also welcome. To register, go to <http://www.brooklineadulted.org/> or  <https://registration.xenegrade.com/nce/coursedisplay.cfm?schID=11469>.

The Clay Center Amateur Radio Club is a youth club, and as such strives to provide educational opportunities for students as well as parents.

New England Technology Trek at NEAR-fest, May 4-5, 2018

A Hudson, New Hampshire amateur is proposing a youth event at NEAR-fest on May 4-5, 2018.  Dubbed “New England Technology Trek,” the event’s focus is to expose youth to a number of exhibits and activities, including:

  • 3-D printers and CAD
  • Robotics.  Build a circuit. Build a robot
  • Drones, homemade and various applications
  • Space communications,  HAB and portable satellite station
  • Kit building
  • Software Defined Radios
  • RaspberryPi and Arduino applications
  • Fox hunting and outdoor adventures (SOTA)

Bill Barber, NE1B says a number of schools have been invited to participate. “You will see yellow buses on Friday, followed by kids and their parents on Saturday.  Stop by the Arts & Crafts Building to see what is happening. That’s the big building near the Fairgrounds entrance, the one with the VE tests downstairs.”

NE1B is looking for volunteers to help staff the eighteen- to twenty different exhibits. “Contact me if you can help for an hour or two.”  [yccc@groups.io]

“Now on the air: Girl Scouts”

Girl scouts practicing Morse code
Shirley Troop 72343 Girl Scouts practice Morse code

The Nashoba Valley ARC garnered some great publicity from its recent Thinking Day on the Air event in Shirley, MA in the Nashoba Valley Voice in a March 2 story entitled, “Now on the air: Girl Scouts“.

See more “Amateur Radio in the Media” stories at https://ema.arrl.org/public-information/amateur-radio-in-the-media/.

Framingham ARA Scholarship Deadline April 15, 2018

Framingham ARA logoThe Framingham Amateur Radio Association is offering a scholarship to any area high school senior who will be attending college in the next academic year, or currently enrolled in a college program.

Applicants holding an Amateur Radio license will receive preference. Non-licensed relatives of FARA members will also receive consideration. Membership in FARA is not required.

All applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2018. Please Contact Richard Cosma, AA1VI at rcosma@rcn.com,  or call 508-877-8241.

Clay Center ARC Courses in March, April 2018

Clay Center ARC logoThe Clay Center ARC has announced it will conduct three courses for the public, starting in late March and April, 2018.

“We have teamed up with Brookline Adult and Community Education (BA&CE) and Newton Community Education (NCE) to offer a radio Technician Class course for adults and child-parent pairs to facilitate their successful completion of the FCC radio license test.  Children who pass the test receive a free membership in the Clay Center Amateur Radio Club, the largest youth-oriented radio club in New England.”

Clay Center will also hold Technician and General Class “License In A Weekend” events.

For full details, visit http://www.cc-arc.org/courses/.

Clay Center Robotics Talk, Feb. 6, 2018

The Clay Center ARC will feature guest speaker Russel Nickerson of Collabots on February 6, 2018 at 6:30 PM.

“Robotics is a combination of technology that changes life as we know it. Transistors increased the adoption of radios in the past; now there are other technologies that are making robotics a reality.”

The Clay Center is located at the Dexter School at 20 Newton Street, Brookline, Massachusetts.

via Clay Center ARC e-newsletter

ARISS Contact From Fenway Park A Huge Success

The Red Sox 2017 STEM Day at Fenway Park in Boston, MA drew over 2,500 students from schools in every New England state, including schools in low-income areas. Some students traveled a day early to ensure they’d be there on time.  The Red Sox had been sending various STEM education materials to all schools.

A tweet from the Italian Space Agency / ISS crew member and amateur radio operator Paolo Nespoli, IZ0JPA: “One astronaut and 2000 future ones! Had fun talking with you all!”  Fenway Park also tweeted, resulting in 26.5K tweets, 305 following, and 514 followers. Dan Barstow from CASIS was at Fenway and moderated the ARISS radio contact.

[See also: “Boston Red Sox Promote STEM Education By Hosting STEM Days At Fenway Park“]

 

NASA Chooses Six Local Student Projects

Clay Center ARC logoBob Phinney, K5TEC writes in the Clay Center ARC mailing list:

Six student projects were chosen by NASA to fly in a rocket or high-altitude balloon this summer. As part of the activities offered by the Clay Center Amateur Radio Club (CC-ARC) at Dexter Southfield School, students designed projects for the NASA “Cubes in SpaceTM” program, the only program in the world to provide students (ages 11-18) with a free opportunity to design experiments to be launched into space on a NASA rocket or balloon.

Lead members include Julie KC1GMW, Morgan KC1GRZ, Nathan KB1RD, Hardy KC1ESU, Raif KC1GRX, Jason KC1GBV, Conrad KC1GBW, Rishi KC1BKX, and Sean K3FAY. Thanks to adult supervisors Christy KC1GAF, Bruce N9JBT, John AB1ZV, Ted KB1NTJ, Marlene Schwarz, and Dan Sage.

 

 

 

SKYWARN Training at Clay Center ARC, April 25, 2017

Clay Center ARC logoSKYWARN training teaches you how to spot and report severe weather conditions for the National Weather Service. Training will be provided on Tuesday evening, April 25, at the Clay Center by lead trainer Rob Macedo, KD1CY. All adults welcome, as well as youth who are scouts or ham radio operators. Space is limited. You must plan to stay from 6:30-9:00 to be certified. Register with bphinney@dextersouthfield.org.

 

 

 

 

Harvard Wireless Club Symposium, April 29, 2017

Harvard Wireless Club logoBenjamin Lee, K7JS writes on BARC-list:

On April 29th from 9 am to 5 pm, the Harvard Wireless Club will be hosting the Harvard Amateur Radio Symposium on campus. We will have a variety of interesting speakers from around the world on topics ranging from the technical to the historical to the social. All are welcome at this exciting meeting! The event is free but a donation is humbly requested in order to help us put this event on for the public.

RSVP is required here http://tiny.cc/hwc2017.

I’ve attached the flyer and hope to see as many of you there as possible!

73,

Benjamin Lee, K7JS
Harvard Wireless Club, W1AF

PS: If you’re still not convinced, there’ll be an ice cream break generously donated by JP Licks!

Framingham ARA Demos Ham Radio to Local Cub Scouts

Cub Scouts at W1FY shack, Oct. 2011Members of the Framingham Amateur Radio Association were on hand last week at the club station to demonstrate Amateur Radio to a local cub scout troop.

According to Jeff Piazza, Cub Master of the Wellesley Cub Scout Troop, the evening was a great success for all the participants.

“Thank you for a great evening for the boys. As you can appreciate, keeping a group of boys this age engaged and not bouncing off the walls can be a significant challenge, but this was not an issue with last night’s event. Clearly you were doing something right!”

“I want to thank Ed, W1NXC, Mary, KA1HGL, Sumner, W1VIV, and especially Jim, W1EQW who operated from his QTH on the FARA repeater for over an hour to give the scouts the thrill of talking with someone on the air,” added Framingham ARA President Gordy Bello, K1GB.

Additional photos from the cub scout event at W1FY are available for viewing.

 

K1USN RC International Museum Ships Weekend Wrap-up

USS Lawence/ K1USN QSL card“Pi” Pugh, K1RV writes on K1USN RC list:

The 2011 International Museum Ships Weekend was a resounding success!

We had quite a group of operators, helpers and visitors last weekend and we were able to make close to 1000 contacts with 46 states, 31 DXCC countries and 24 participating Museum Ships! The K1USN QSL requests are already pouring in! We hope to have our new cards printed ASAP.

We arrived at 7 PM Friday evening to get the HF stations ready to go. We ran the Yaesu FT-920 and 500 watt Ameritron Amplifier on 20 meters into the Sommer yagi. It performed flawlessly.

We decided to use the Kenwood TS-690-S into the G5RV antenna as our second station and concentrated on 40 meters.

We had over 250 contacts before shutting down for the night at 11:30PM.

Many of the K1USN crew went to Jamies in Braintree at 7 AM for breakfast before heading over to operate. Saturday morning we had both stations operational throughout the day and continued to rack up contacts. Although we did some operating on 17, 15 and 6 meters we pretty much stuck to the “bread n’ butter” bands of 20 and 40 meters.

Special thanks goes to Warren, WA1YKF, for doing a fine job preparing the ends of our hardline cable run to give us the option of using the R-5 vertical which is mounted on the phone pole at the lower end of the parking lot. This enabled us to add a third HF station using the IC-746-PRO and R-5. As an added bonus we found that six meters was open on Saturday and the R-5 loaded quite well on that band, too.

BTW, we were able to work a number of old friends including several who spent many hours operating with us during previous MSW events onboard the USS Salem. Bruce, K1HTN and Norm, WA1DBR as well as former USS Salem crew member, Radar, N2GDY.

We were unable to get our vintage station operational this year, but we already have plans for some station improvements by W1EKG and KB1IIU. BTW, Bill has offered to supply a watertight box for completing the hardline installation.

We had a total of 976 contacts with 262 on CW and the rest on SSB.

We worked 46 states missing only Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota and Wyoming.

Here is a list of the 31 DXCC countries worked: K United States VE Canada EA8 Canary Islands KP2 US Virgin Islands KP4 Puerto Rico TI Costa Rica HA Hungary DL Germany OE Austria V3 Belize UR Ukraine UA European Russia SP Poland I Italy EA6 Balearic Islands YO Roumania ZA Albania PA Netherlands ON Belgium V4 St Kitts YU Yugoslavia S5 Serbia UL Kazakhstan F France LX Luxembourg G England CU Portugal HP Panama EA Spain LZ Bulgaria SM Sweden

Here is a partial list of those who particIpated with us during MSW 2011. My apologies for any omissions.

K1RV, K1WN, W1JT, W1ICU, KB1PVC, W1AY, W1BT, N1VTI, WA1YKF, KA1KIJ, KB1TEE, KB1SVY ( and XYL, Michelle), N1DC, KB1UBX, KB1VGN, KB1REQ, NI1X, W1EKG, KB1IIU, WA1TPC, K1WCC, N1CVI, KC1JET.

Here is a list of the 24 participating ships we worked this year:

Please QSL each ship directly

USS Lexington Aircraft Carrier Corpus Christi, TX W5LEX

USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier Charleston , SC WA4USN

USS New Jersey Battleship Camden, New Jersey NJ2BB

USS Massachusetts Battleship Fall River, MA N1EPL

SS Willis B Boyer Bulk Carrier Toledo, OH W8WBB

HMS Belfast Cruiser London, UK GB2RN

USS Littlerock Cruiser Buffalo, New York W2PE

USS Turner Joy Destroyer Bremerton, WA NS7DD

USS Slater Destroyer Escort Albany, NY WW2DEM

USCGC Mackinaw Icebreaker Mackinaw, MI W8AGB

*LS Nantucket Lightship East Boston, MA W1NLS

*LS Overfalls (LV 118) Lightship Lewes, DE KB3MIP

*Carl D Bradley Limestone Carrier Rogers City, MI W8CDB

USS LST-325 LST Evansville, IN WW2LST

MS Atlantis Minesweeper Dresden, Germany DK0MHD

SS Keewatin Passenger Steamship Saugatuck, MI K8CJQ

U-5075 Seehund Submarine Quincy, MA. WW2MAN S637 Espadon Submarine Saint-Nazaire France F6KBG

U-995 Submarine Laboe Germany DL0DMB

USS Batfish Submarine Muskogee, OK WW2SUB HMCS Onondaga Submarine Rimouski, Quebec VA2GNQ

SS American Victory Victory Ship Tampa, Florida W4AVM

*SS Lane Victory Sat Only 1600 to 2200Z Victory Ship Los Angeles, CA W6LV

Naval Tech’l Museum La SPEZIA A.R.M.I. Italy II1ICS

One final word to mention the VE exams this Saturday at K1USN! Please contact Bill, K1WN (k1wn@aol.com) if you want to take an exam.

73,

Pi – K1RV

Belmont HAMsters Experiencing Ham Radio Adventures

Winn Brook HAMsters visit 06/02/06, photo #1Elementary school teacher Ms. Donna LaRoche, KB1LWY is introducing Amateur Radio to another class of eager first-grade HAMsters at the Winn Brook Elementary School in Belmont.

“In addition to all of our exciting ham radio learning adventures and QSOs that we make from our classroom shack, and all of the fabulous guests who come and share their ham radio expertise/passion with the HAMsters, Dr. Chuck Counselman and I are going to teach CW to the HAMsters this year, too,” writes LaRoche. “I’ll be learning it right along with the 6 and 7 year olds in our class!” she adds.

The HAMsters have received visits from Dr. Chuck Counselman, W1HIS, and Mr. Bill McIninch, KA1MOM, who came just before the holidays.

“[KA1MOM] was dressed in red with black boots and his fluffy white beard and the kids thought he was no other than Santa!” says KB1LWY.

Dr. Martin Bayes, AA1ON, is one of the class’s special friends who sends the children post cards from the “four corners” of the world. LaRoche hopes that Bayes will be back to visit the HAMsters “in between his frequent visits to Hong Kong.”

ARRL Headquarters surprised the HAMsters with a recent gift of a 2007 Handbook. To thank the staff, the children created and sent a home-made “thank you” note.

The Winn Brook program is officially a part of the League’s Amateur Radio Education and Technology Program; a.k.a. “The Big Project.”

Shown here: a past visit by Mr. Phil Temples, K9HI and Dr. Ariel Cohen, K9ERA.