Youth

Youth activities in the section

Licensing Education & Training / Youth

New England Sci-Tech Students’ Experiments to Launch on NASA Rocket

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Rocket experiment payloadTwo students from New England Sci-Tech have team projects that will be part of a NASA rocket payload, according to New England Sci-Tech President Bob Phinney, K5TEC.

Their experiments were delivered to NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility and integrated into the nose cone last week. According to idoodlEDU CEO Amber Agee-DeHart, “The launch is scheduled [to launch on June 23, 2022] sometime between 5:30-6:00 AM EDT. Right now the forecast calls for partly cloudy skies that morning with light winds.”

To view the SR-8 launch (NASA RockOn/RockSat-C mission) on Thursday, 23 June 2022 starting around 05:20 EDT, visit NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility YouTube channel: <https://www.youtube.com/user/NASAWallops/featured>. Streaming will begin 20 minutes before launch. You can also view it on the www.cubesinspace.com homepage.

idoodlEDU Inc., is a501.c.3 charitable organization and responsible for business development and fostering strategic partnerships. idoodleEDU designs programs, curriculum and tools to help teachers and students around the world discover and harness their creative intelligence and to engage in more meaningful and richer learning experiences in preparation for a globally connected, knowledge and skills-based economy.

New England Sci-Tech is a non-profit STEM+ education center and makerspace in Natick, Massachusetts, dedicated to project-based, hands-on learning for youth and families across the New England community.

UPDATE:

 

NASA launch at Wallops

Launch now on Friday, June 24 at 5:30 AM -4GMT  EDT

See @cubesinspace on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for more updates

www.cubesinspace.com for live streaming on Friday or NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility YouTube channel

 

Best regards,

 

Bob Phinney, K5TEC, President
New England Sci-Tech Inc.

Public Information / Youth

Project “Big E” Receives Approval for Hosting an ARISS Contact!

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Larry Krainson, W1AST, writes on the Project Big E list:

I just received word that the Big E Booth’s application for an ARISS  [Amateur Radio on the International Space Station] contact has been APPROVED! 

We’re working closely with New England Sci-Tech President Bob Phinney, K5TEC, and our New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, to make this happen.

We’re very excited as you all should be too!

There is still much to plan and put in place.

But a great way to start your Sunday!

[For more information about the Amateur Radio presence at the Big E, and to get involved, see <https://nediv.arrl.org/2021/01/10/amateur-radio-booth-proposed-for-the-big-e-in-2022/>.]
Licensing Education & Training / Youth

Important Message from ARRL VEC

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ARRL logoImportant Message from ARRL VEC

By Maria Somma, AB1FM, ARRL VEC Manager

The FCC released a Public Notice on March 23, 2022, stating that the amateur radio application fees, including those associated with Form 605 application filings, would become effective on April 19, 2022. The Federal Communications Commission’s authority to impose and collect fees is mandated by Congress.

The $35 application fee, when it becomes effective on April 19, will apply to new, renewal, and modification applications that request a new vanity call sign. The fee will be per application.

Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, and modification applications to upgrade an amateur radio licensee’s operator class*, will be exempt from fees. (*this new information was just confirmed by FCC staff on Tuesday, March 29.)

VECs and Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams will not have to collect the $35 fee at exam sessions.

Once the FCC application fee takes effect, new applicants will pay the $15 exam session fee to the ARRL VE team as usual and pay the $35 application fee directly to the FCC by using the CORES FRN Registration system. VEC and VE team licensing procedures will not change.

When the FCC receives the examination information from the VEC, it will email a link with payment instructions to each qualifying candidate. The candidate will have 10 calendar days, from the date of the application file number being issued, to pay. After the fee is paid, and the FCC has processed an application, examinees will receive a second email from the FCC with a link to their official license or, in very rare instances, an explanation for why the application was dismissed or denied. The link will be valid for 30 days.

Per usual procedures, examinees that pass multiple exams at one session, will have one application transmitted to the FCC reflecting the highest-level license class earned. Again, our procedures will not change. The new license candidates will have an extra step before the license is issued. VE teams can point candidates to our FCC Application Fee webpage. Our new ARRL VEC CSCEs also include information about the application fee and points candidates to the webpage. The FCC rule pertaining to CSCEs will not change. CSCE credit will continue to be valid for 365 days, starting from the date of issuance.

For VE teams holding exam sessions the weekend before April 19, the FCC advised that applications not received by the FCC before April 19 will be subjected to the fee. The ARRL VEC urges teams to upload sessions via our documents upload page to get your sessions to us as quickly as possible. Assuming the FCC electronic batch filing (EBF) system is functioning properly on Monday, April 18, the VEC staff will work to get these to the FCC before April 19. Email the VEC department at VEC@arrl.org for the upload instructions.

Additionally, the FCC stated that the fee for applications processed and dismissed will not be refundable. This includes vanity requests where the applicant does not receive the requested call sign. However, returned applications that are missing information will not require an additional fee, if the missing information is submitted to the FCC within the proper amount of time.

Youth Licensing Grant Program

Anticipating the implementation of the fee in 2022, the ARRL Board of Directors, approved the ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program in July 2021. Under the program, ARRL will cover a one-time $35 application fee for license candidates younger than 18-years old for tests administered under the auspices of the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (ARRL VEC). Qualified candidates also would pay a reduced exam session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC. ARRL is finalizing details for administering the program.

Further news and instructions will follow as the FCC releases them. Details for the ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program will be posted when available. For additional information, visit the resources below.

ARRL VEC Application Fees webpage:

arrl.org/fcc-application-fee

ARRL News Story: arrl.org/news/new-amateur-radio-license-applications-fee-to-become-effective-april-19-2022

FCC CORES Video Tutorials: fcc.gov/licensing-databases/fcc-registration-system-cores/commission-registration-system-video-tutorials

FCC Registration Help: apps.fcc.gov/cores/publicHome.do?help=true

Operating / Youth

Boy Scouts Klondike Derby Ham Radio Demo, Milton, March 12, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
UPDATE:
 

Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in participating in this weekend’s radio demo at the Milton Klondike Derby. Because of the forecast, I’ve pulled the plug (word choice intended) on the demo. It’s supposed to rain all day, which 1) won’t be fun for the operators, and 2) means that there will be a lot of cold, wet Scouts who will likely be more interested in getting warm and dry than in engaging with us.

I’ll keep my eyes and ears open for other opportunities to hold similar demo events for Scouts in the future.

73,
Tom KC1OCY

 
Tom Ulrich, KC1OCY, writes:
 

The Scouts BSA Great Blue Hill district has expressed interest in having a few hams on hand to provide a demonstration of amateur radio during their Klondike Derby event at New England Base Camp in Milton on March 12, 2022.

We will be operating under the special event callsign W1BSA. (Thank you to Pi K1RV for use of the callsign.)

The base camp is in the Blue Hills State Reserve (K-8402); as such this event could count as a POTA activation.

If you’re interested in participating, please fill out this sign up sheet, including whether you’d like to attend and operate in person or monitor the airwaves for calls from the event. Details are still being worked out with the derby organizers, including the number of operators that they’d like to have attend; please don’t be offended if in the end we have more hams interested than can be hosted.

If you have questions, send them my way.

73,
Tom, KC1OCY
===
Thomas R.M. Ulrich
thomas.rm.ulrich@gmail.com
+1 (617) 571-8650
KC1OCY / WRCU734
Licensing Education & Training / Youth

Amateur Extra “Continuous” License Classes Online, March-November, 2022 at New England Sci-Tech in Natick

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From nescitech.org:New England Sci Tech logo

ONLINE COURSE – ADVANCED LEVEL – AE LICENSE

This ONLINE ham radio license course will get you ready to take the Ham Radio AMATEUR EXTRA license exam, the THIRD of three certification levels. Geared toward adults, as well as junior high, high school, and home-school students. Yes, we give online ham radio exams, too! (See below)

This is a FULL course taught by a 40-yr veteran teacher, not a discussion group or video service. You will learn much more than just watching a video or buying a book. You get a full 24 hours of instruction over eight 3-hour classes. Take the course from anywhere – it’s ONLINE!

Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Recommended text: ARRL Extra Class License Manual, 12th edition, for exams through June 30, 2024, (purchase on ARRL website). Regular practice and study is necessary to get the best results from this course.

NOTE: You MUST have a thorough understanding of the Technician and General level material before taking this course.  If you are already a licensed General but have been away from radio for a while, you may request to audit (at half price) one of our Tech and General courses to catch up.

Amateur radio (or “ham radio”) is used by people all over the world to communicate over radio waves. Some people use ham radio for emergency preparedness, to provide communications support for community events, to report on severe weather and natural disasters, as a social activity, and even occasionally to contact crew members on the International Space Station!

2022 ONLINE HAM RADIO COURSE FOR AMATEUR EXTRA LICENSE

Class Rotation: Classes are taught almost every Sunday evening and repeat every 8 weeks.

Because the order of topics is less important at the Extra level, you may jump into the sequence at certain start points* and take 8 classes to cover all 10 of the question pool topics.

*Starting Sun Mar 13, 7-10pm Eastern – 8 classes 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Continuing Sun Mar 20, 7-10pm Eastern – class 2
Continuing Sun Mar 27, 7-10pm Eastern – class 3
*Starting Sun Apr 3, 7-10pm Eastern – 8 classes 4,5,6,7,8,1,2,3
Continuing Sun Apr 10, 7-10pm Eastern – classes 5
*Starting Sun Apr 17, 7-10pm Eastern – 8 classes 6,7,8,1,2,3,4,5
Continuing Sun Apr 24, 7-10pm Eastern – classes 7
Continuing Sun May 1, 7-10pm Eastern – classes 8

*Starting Sun May 15, 7-10pm Eastern – 8 classes 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Continuing Sun May 22, 7-10pm Eastern – class 2
Continuing Sun May 29, 7-10pm Eastern – class 3
*Starting Sun June 5, 7-10pm Eastern – 8 classes 4,5,6,7,8,1,2,3
Continuing Sun June 12, 7-10pm Eastern – classes 5
*Starting Sun June 19, 7-10pm Eastern – 8 classes 6,7,8,1,2,3,4,5
Continuing Sun June 26, 7-10pm Eastern – classes 7
Continuing Sun July 3, 7-10pm Eastern – classes 8

*Starting Sun July 24, 7-10pm Eastern – 8 classes 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Continuing Sun July 31, 7-10pm Eastern – class 2
Continuing Sun Aug 7, 7-10pm Eastern – class 3
*Starting Sun Aug 14, 7-10pm Eastern – 8 classes 4,5,6,7,8,1,2,3
Continuing Sun Aug 21, 7-10pm Eastern – class 5
*Starting Sun Aug 28, 7-10pm Eastern – 8 classes 6,7,8,1,2,3,4,5
Continuing Sun Sep 4, 7-10pm Eastern – class 7
Continuing Sun Sep 11, 7-10pm Eastern – class 8

*Starting Sun Oct 2, 7-10pm Eastern – 8 classes 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Continuing Sun Oct 9, 7-10pm Eastern – class 2
Continuing Sun Oct 16, 7-10pm Eastern – class 3
*Starting Sun Oct 23, 7-10pm Eastern – 8 classes 4,5,6,7,8,1,2,3
Continuing Sun Oct 30, 7-10pm Eastern – class 5
*Starting Sun Nov 6, 7-10pm Eastern – 8 classes 6,7,8,1,2,3,4,5
Continuing Sun Nov 13, 7-10pm Eastern – class 7
Continuing Sun Nov 20, 7-10pm Eastern – class 8

etc.

Included with course: You will get downloadable lecture study guides and charts, FREE access to our weekly Online Radio Shop Talk sessions, FREE enrollment in any of our Morse Code classes, and a guest pass to the Sci-Tech Radio Rooms and online radio club meetings for 3 months.

Family Free: Additional members of the same family may join this course at no extra charge, if sharing one computer and zoom screen.

System Requirements: Computer or Chromebook capable of running ZOOM Meeting, either by Zoom app or through a web browser, a web camera/mic, and a printer.

Zoom Link: Approximately 2 days before the session begins you will receive an email with instructions to access the course details, documents, and Zoom link. If you don’t see the email, check your spam filter. If you still don’t see it, call or email us.

Please be aware of our Cancellation and Refund Policies. For questions, e-mail info@nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.

LICENSE EXAMS

YES, our exam team is authorized to give ONLINE exams, so you can schedule your FCC AMATEUR EXTRA exam within a few days of finishing the course. Note that we must collect the standard $15 exam fee for the ARRL VEC separately. (Fee is $15 across the country.)

We administer ham radio exams both online and in-person, having proctored nearly 2,000 exams over the past decade. We’ve taught amateur radio classes for over 15 years with tremendous success. Hundreds of people have taken our classes with 99% having passed the exam to become licensed operators. We offer classes for all three levels of ham radio licenses: Technician, General, Amateur Extra, as well as Morse Code.

[To register: <https://nescitech.org/shop/online-license-course-extra/>]
Youth

Amateur Radio Demo at Boy Scouts Klondike Derby, Dunstable, February 5, 2022

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Mindy Hull, KM1NDY, writes in K1USN Happenings:

Jon Lyna, KC1MII, is one of the organizers of the Boy Scouts of America’s Klondike Derby this Saturday, February 5th! And he is looking for any hams who would like to come and help out, play radio, and inspire some Scouts to get on the air. 

Thanks to Pi, K1RV, for letting the group borrow W1BSA as our call sign for this event! 

Limey (my green van) will be decked out in full radio apparel, and we will be setting up a couple HF stations, along with UHF/VHF. AA1F and I plan on getting there for the 2 pm set-up.

Hope to see you there!
Mindy – KM1NDY
km1ndy.km1ndy@gmail.com

This is from Jon KC1MII:

———————————————————————–

 

WHO:
Anyone interested in introducing HAM radio to local boy scouts

WHAT:
HAM radio exhibition at the local Boy Scouts Klondike Derby

WHERE:
Larter Field,  80 Groton St, Dunstable, MA 01827

WHEN:
Saturday, February 5, 2022  Set up starts at 2pm.  Exhibition from 4pm to 6pm, later if there is still interest.

WHY:
To introduce local boy scouts to the hobby of HAM radio, and any potential application is scouting.

WEATHER:
Friday night there is rain and wintery mix predicted.   The high temperature for Saturday is predicted to be 23 with a low of 5.  

WHAT TO BRING?
Dress for the weather, and something from the HAM radio hobby that could apply to boy scouting.

GOAL OF THE EXHIBITION:
We are going to set several information stations, that can explain and demonstrate several aspects of HAM radio, and why the could be interesting or useful to boy scouts.  Topics to include but are not limited HT’s and local repeaters, Morse Code, and Parks on the Air (POTA) and Summits on the Air (SOTA).

<…>

All the best,

Jon Lyna, KC1MII 

Operating / Youth

Kids Day is January 1, 2022

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From ARRL Website:

Saturday, January 1, 2022, is Kids Day. The event gets under way at 1800 UTC and concludes at 2359 UTC. Sponsored by the Boring (Oregon) Amateur Radio Club, Kids Day has a simple exchange suitable for younger operators: first name, age, location, and favorite color. After that, the contact can be as long or as short as each participant prefers.

Kids Day happens twice a year — in January and June — and can be your opportunity to get youngsters on the air and mentor future amateur radio operators to show them the fun and excitement that ham radio has to offer. You might just be introducing the next generation of hams to the airwaves. Share the excitement with your kids or grandkids, a Scout troop, a church or the general public.

Look for activity on these frequencies: 10 meters: 28.350 – 28.400 MHz; 12 meters: 24.960 – 24.980 MHz; 15 meters: 21.360 – 21.400 MHz; 17 meters: 18.140 – 18.145 MHz; 20 meters: 14.270 – 14.300 MHz; 40 meters: 7.270 – 7.290 MHz, and 80 meters: 3.740 – 3.940 MHz. Repeater contacts are okay with permission of the repeater owner.

As with any on-the-air activity that includes unlicensed individuals, control operators must observe third-party traffic restrictions when making DX contacts. Additional details are on the ARRL website.

As many communities are taking precautions due to COVID-19, participants are reminded to adhere to social distancing and face mask guidelines where applicable. If it’s not feasible to invite youngsters into your shack, consider other options to mentor, such as using social media platforms or via Zoom or other non-contact means.

Technical / Youth

New England Sci-Tech “Cubes In Space™” Program Begins in December, 2021

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New England Sci Tech logoSpecial Note: The students in the 2019 cubes program had their projects accepted for flight. One project flew on a NASA rocket in June and one flew on a high altitude balloon in September. The 2020 program was cancelled due to COVID. The 2021 project did not fly because of a shipping problem with the carrier, so that project will fly in June 2022. 

CUBES IN SPACE™ – Now accepting 2021-2022 applications

A specialized activity of NE SciTech’s Space Science Club, specifically for students ages 11-17, Cubes in Space™ (CIS), a program by idoodledu inc., teaches students about the atmosphere, rocketry, high-altitude balloons, general laws of physics, and space science. Students work in teams to design and propose experiments to launch into space or a near space environment on a NASA sounding rocket and zero-pressure scientific balloon. Students then submit their proposals and could have a chance to fabricate and fly their projects. Space is limited.

Students attend regular educational CIS curriculum workshops and team meetings in the fall, winter, and spring. GROUP 1 meets on specific Friday evenings 6:30-7:30 pm. GROUP 2 meets on specific Saturday afternoons 3:30-4:30 pm. Regular meetings are usually every other week from December through March. For teams with projects that have been selected to fly, there will be additional prep and build meetings in April and May. The rocket flies in June. The hi-alt balloon flies over the summer, usually in August. We will schedule additional CIS meetings in the fall for students to examine their flown projects when recovered from NASA.

This CIS program is free for student members* of New England Sci-Tech, with a small lab fee** of $45 to cover printed materials and general supplies. Having experience in physics, electronics, or amateur radio is helpful, but not required. Space is limited.

Cubes in Space™ (CIS), a program by idoodledu inc., is a global competition. Out of thousands of entries worldwide, under a hundred get picked to fly. However, our mentors, running this program for the past five years, have had a 100% success rate for CIS projects accepted each year.

Students who successfully complete the program and successfully fly a project will receive an official CIS certificate and may list their CIS success in personal resumes, school transcripts, and college applications.

ORIENTATION MEETING

Get to know you, CIS preliminary overview, and registration:
Attend either Friday November 19, 6:30 pm, or Saturday November 20, 3:30 pm.

FRIDAY WORKSHOPS

Eight Fridays, 6:30-7:30 pm:
Lesson 1 – Dec 3, Lesson 2 – Dec 17, Lesson 3 – Jan 7, Lesson 4 – Jan 21, Lesson 5 – Feb 4, Lesson 6 – Feb 11, Lesson 7 – Mar 4, Lesson 8 – Mar 18.

For those projects chosen to fly, there will be 6 additional prep and build days, some optional:
Apr 1, 8, 29, May 13, 20, Jun 3.

For anyone who will need to miss a Friday lesson, you may attend the same lesson on Saturday. Please plan ahead.

SATURDAY WORKSHOPS

Eight Saturdays, 3:30-4:30 pm:
Lesson 1 – Dec 4, Lesson 2 – Dec 18, Lesson 3 – Jan 8, Lesson 4 – Jan 22, Lesson 5 – Feb 5, Lesson 6 – Feb 12, Lesson 7 – Mar 5, Lesson 8 – Mar 19.

For those projects chosen to fly, there will be 6 additional prep and build days, some optional:
Apr 2, 9, 30, May 14, 21, Jun 4.

For anyone who will need to miss a Saturday lesson, you may attend the same lesson on the previous Friday. Please plan ahead.

[Visit https://nescitech.org/product/cubes-in-spacetm/ for more information.]
Licensing Education & Training / Youth

New England Sci-Tech Technician Course Online, December 6-9, 2021

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

New England Sci Tech logoThis ONLINE ham radio class will get you ready to take the Ham Radio Technician license exam, the FIRST of three certification levels. Geared toward adults, as well as junior high, high school, and home-school students. Yes, we give online and in-person ham radio exams, too! (See below)

Get your ham radio license in 4 days or a 2-day weekend!

This is a FULL course taught live via Zoom by a 40-yr veteran teacher, not a video or discussion group. You will learn much more than with other methods.

Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Optional text: ARRL Technician Class License Manual, 4th edition, for exams through June 30, 2022, (purchase on ARRL website). Regular practice and study is necessary to get the best results from this course.

Amateur radio (or “ham radio”) is used by people all over the world to communicate over radio waves. Some people use ham radio for emergency preparedness, to provide communications support for community events, to report on severe weather and natural disasters, as a social activity, and even occasionally to contact crew members on the International Space Station!

4 day course: M-T-W-T NOV 8-11, 8:30-11:30pm, EASTERN
4 day course: M-T-W-T DEC 6-9, 8:30-11:30pm, EASTERN
2 day weekend cram: SAT-SUN DEC 11-12, 11:00am-5:00pm, EASTERN

Included with course: You will get downloadable lecture study guides and charts, FREE access to our weekly Online Radio Shop Talk sessions, FREE enrollment in any of our Morse Code classes, and a guest pass to the Sci-Tech Radio Rooms and online radio club meetings for 3 months.

Family Free: Additional members of the same family may join this course at no extra charge, if sharing one computer and zoom screen.

System Requirements: For ONLINE course, computer or Chromebook capable of running ZOOM Meeting, either by Zoom app or through a web browser, a web camera/mic, and a printer.

Zoom Link: Approximately 2 days before the session begins you will receive an email with instructions to access the course details, documents, Zoom link for ON-LINE viewing, and directions for IN-PERSON participation. If you don’t see the email, check your spam filter. If you still don’t see it, call or email us.

Please be aware of our Cancellation and Refund Policies. For questions, e-mail info@nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.

School and Scout Groups: Ask about scheduling a session just for your youth group at youth-friendly times, perhaps in smaller sessions spread over two weeks. We may be able to give you a reduced rate as well.

 

Operating / Youth

Northeastern University Wireless Club Active in 2021 ARRL CW Sweepstakes

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The Northeastern University Wireless Club (W1KBN) in Boston was QRV in this past weekend’s ARRL CW Sweepstakes Contest.  YCCC member Marty Sullaway, NN1C, spent “a few hours playing around between homework assignments and such.”  He adds, “[It was] fun to try out our new JK Antennas MidTri-40. Considering we are located in downtown Boston, we seem to hear okay, and I felt loud.”

Marty worked a total of 265 stations and 84 sections for a score of 44,520. 

Operating / Youth

ARRL School Club Roundup, Runs Through October 22, 2021

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Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, writes on the Yankee Clipper Contest Club mailing list:

We can encourage new hams and budding contesters right now by working them in the School Club Roundup presently underway.   I coached a 5th grader through more than 50 QSOs Monday night at the New England Sci-Tech station, W1STR.

The roundup started Monday and runs through through 2359 UTC Friday.     W1STR will be active again Friday at 6 PM local, and CW counts for double points.    If you hear them on phone, consider asking for a CW QSO also – the kids there are interested in CW.

Please consider tuning around the bands and spotting all the school clubs you can find.

de KM1P Joe

Public Information / Youth

New England Sci-Tech ARS Crew to Participate in JOTA, Lexington, October 16, 2021

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

JOTA-JOTI logoTate Aldridge, K1MKD, writes:

With Bruce [N9JBT], Mindy [KM1NDY], and Marc’s help (and flyers from Rusty and Bob), we are hosting a Jamboree On The Air for scouts in Lexington. We will have several radios out and will be making contacts and educating scouts about amateur radio. We would be very happy to see you there!

https://www.jotajoti.info/
Lexington Visitor Center lawn, Lexington, MA
Saturday Oct 16
Scouts are coming from 1-4 and we start set up around 11 – STARS friends are welcome any time!

73,
Tate, K1MKD

Operating / Youth

Possible JOTA Effort at Southeastern MA ARA, October 15-17, 2021

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Southeastern MA ARA logoDoug Belcher, KC1NFL, writes on the Southeastern MA ARA mailing list:

This coming weekend 10/15-17 is the Scouting World Wide Jamboree On The Air and Internet. There will be scouts from all over the world tying to connect with each other. Are there any members who would be able to help me get the Scouts on the Air this Friday from 5-8 at the club?  I will also be having a Zoom session with Rob Macedo to go over SKYWARN, ARES, and RACES. I’m hoping to get some new hams out of this by offering HT Baofengs to any scout who gets their Tech license.

73!
Doug Belcher
KC1NFL

Operating / Youth

W0MXX Balloon Launch, Cummington, MA, October 2, 2021

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Seth Kendall writes on the STARS mailing list:

Max [W0MXX] and family are tentatively targeting a launch of our latest high altitude balloon on:

Saturday, Sept. 25th  October 2, 2021

TENTATIVE launch location: Around Stafford, CT Cummington, MA

Note: This will change on the morning of launch, so keep an eye out for posts!
Launch prep begins at 9:30 am with a launch time at around Noon.

(If Saturday is scrubbed, we will shoot for Sunday, and if that’s scrubbed, then next weekend. We will try to keep this thread updated.)

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Pick and choose from…

  1. Come to the Launch!  

    1. We start our prep at 9:30 am and aim to launch by noon.

    2. Keep an eye on our posts on the morning of launch for an updated location.

    3. Stream the prep and launch action for those that can’t make it using your phone.  We’ve never done this before, but always been interested, since most people aren’t able to come in person.  Our discord server has a Voice Hangout section that could be used for this, though we’re fine with any platform. (this is not expected if you show up haha, just a fun idea)

  1. Track the balloon online!

    1. https://aprs.fi/#!call=a%2FW0MXX-11&timerange=3600&tail=3600 

      1. This gives live updates directly from the transmitter.

    2. https://tracker.habhub.org/

      1. This is very useful for us, because it will give a predicted landing location.  As it gets close to landing, we can really benefit from people tracking it here, and letting us know where to look.  You can post locations here on groups.io, or if you are tracking it live and able to talk, give us your phone number to keep in touch while we’re on the road.

    3. Join our discord server for the most frequent updates.  We’d love to have you there in general as we work on weather balloons and try to troubleshoot problems!  It’s especially useful on launch day though.

      1. Step 1 – Make a Discord account:  http://discord.com/app 

      2. Step 2 – Join our server.  This invite will expire in 7 days:

https://discord.gg/fQRpHG8n 

  1. Watch this thread on groups.io, or better yet, track the balloon and contribute to it!

  2. Come track the landing beacon!

    1. Bring your 2m mag mount antenna, SDR, and laptop (with wifi access – we use our phone as a mobile hotspot), and try to pick up those final beacons just before (or after) it hits the ground (read: tree).  This can really help us to pinpoint where it actually landed.

    2. Max will post tomorrow with more details about using HDSDR and Direwolf to receive, decode, and publish the GPS data online.

    3. Keep up to date on the predicted landing location using tracker.habhub.org (above) or just tuning into others’ posts on our Discord or groups.io.  I’m not sure where people will post, but we find Discord easier for these kinds of things. 

  1. Come help us physically search for and recover it.

    1. Keep up to date on landing location via groups.io

    2. We’ll agree on a meeting point from which to conduct the search.

    3. Bring some basic survival stuff

      1. Boots, bug spray, water, etc.

    4. Bring your handheld to maintain contact during the search!

    5. We have a slingshot, and are trying to grab a fishing reel in time in order to try and fish it out of a tree should the cutdown system not work.  If you have any other tools you think could help with that, bring em!

    6. If you are a tree climber, bring your gear!  We’ll put you to use!

 

 
We’ve seemed to zero into a final launch location:
 
William Cullen Bryant Homestead
207 Bryant Rd
Cummington, MA 01026 
Youth

JOTA Volunteers Requested in Chelmsford, October 15-17, 2021

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JOTA-JOTI logoGeorge Allison, K1IG, writes on the PART of Westford email list:

The JOTA is an annual event in which Scouts and Guides all over the world connect with each other by means of amateur radio, and this year will be held October 15-17. The Scout troop in Chelmsford is interested in participating, and is looking for hams who could host a few scouts at their home station, set up a portable station at the Scouting site in Chelmsford, or organize a fox hunt. The number of Scouts is estimated at 10-15, but could be more. If you want to host just a small number of Scouts at your home station, that can be arranged. Activities conducted indoors will require masks.

If you’re interested in participating, reply directly to me (k1ig (at) arrl dot net) by September 26.
—

George  K1IG
PART President
WB1GOF.org

Operating / Youth

Jamboree On The Air, October 15-17, 2021

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JOTA-JOTI logoFrom the JOTA-JOTI website:

JOTA-JOTI (Jamboree-on-the-Air-Jamboree-on-the-Internet) is the world’s largest digital Scout event taking place on October 15-17, 2021, on the Internet and over the airwaves. Held every year in October, the event connects millions of young people around the world for a full weekend of online activities that promote friendship and global citizenship. JOTA-JOTI enables young people and volunteers to participate in fun and engaging group activities over the Internet and amateur radio focused on developing 21st century skills through Scouting. 

JOTA-JOTI 2020 took place from 15 to 17 October. The dynamic program comprised a variety of non-formal education activities, including webinars, global campfires, talent shows, live shows, fun challenges and more through an interactive 3D campsite. JOTA-JOTI aims to support young people of all ages to learn about communications technology, the values of global citizenship, and their role in creating a better world.

Clubs / Youth

AB1OC: “Programs Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get on The Air” at New England Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, August 31, 2021

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 New England Sci Tech logoOn Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 7:00 PM, Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, will present “Programs Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get on The Air” at the New England Sci-Tech ARS (STARS) meeting.

For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.

Clubs / Youth

KC1US: “Amateur Radio Public Service” at Sci-Tech ARS, August 24, 2021

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New England Sci Tech logoComing Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society: “Amateur Radio Public Service” by Bruce Pigott, KC1US.

This presentation will cover procedures, resources and clubs involved with public service events. Items discussed will include typical tasks, recommended equipment to use and communications protocols. Information about training as well as the groups and agencies that need radio support are also presented. Bruce has been doing events since 1989. He has been an operator, leader at large activities and a ham planner and organizer for various Public Service events. Bruce has maintained repeater systems, done many Field Days, participated in VHF contests, and built APRS tracker boxes. He has held a number of engineering positions, such as component engineer and test engineer for assembled boards and IC wafer trim and test.

[For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.]
Clubs / Technical / Youth

New England Sci-Tech QRV on WSPR

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New England Sci Tech logoDerek Rowell, AK1WI, writes in the Sci-Tech ARS newsletter:

As promised last week, I have installed one of the New England Sci-Tech (NEST) WSPR (“Weak Signal Propagation Reporter”) beacons in the Radio Room and have had it running since on 80m, 40m, 20m, and 15m using the OCF dipole during periods when the room has been idle. My plan is to build filters for the other bands that are covered by the OCF (17m, 12m, 10m), one per day, and have them available later this week.

The results so far have been excellent. On separate days both 20m and 40m have had over 300 unique spots over a 24 hour period. (For those unfamiliar with WSPR jargon a “spot” is a report of a beacon being heard, and a “unique spot” is the first report from an individual reporting station) We were heard from Central Europe, South America, Antarctica, across the US, and down through the South Pacific.
 
The map shows the 306 unique spots on 40m over 24 hours on July 30. The results from 20m look very similar. We are still collecting initial data on 80m and 15m.
 
Last year we distributed 21 kits for the WSPR beacon and had two kit building sessions at NEST before Covid shut us down. Right now I am out of parts and cannot supply additional kits. However, if there is interest, I am willing to gear up and hold additional in-person building sessions at NEST. The parts cost is approximately $50 for the complete kit. This is a kit that can be assembled by first-time kit builders with no soldering experience, and takes about one morning to build the PCB and another shorter session to build a filter for a particular band and do some on-air testing.
 
After the this week’s meeting I’ll be available in the Sci-Tech ARS Radio Room to demonstrate the unit and discuss what’s involved in building it. For those attending by Zoom, I’ll set up a groups.io discussion (with hashtag #WSPR) where interested folks can chat about the project.
 

Derek, AK1WI 

World Map showing New England Sci-Tech WSPR spots