Licensing Education & Training

Licensing, education, and training

Licensing Education & Training

UPDATE: Falmouth ARA Technician License Class

- by W1IZZ - Leave a Comment

Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) is offering an amateur radio license class in September.   Details of the class are shown below.  

Technician Class License Course:
Class Dates: Sept. 19 – 21, 2025
Class Schedule:
Friday: Sept. 19, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: Sept. 20,  8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:  Sept. 21, 8:00 AM – Noon, Lunch break and Test Session

(Please sign up by September 4th, to receive your study guides and materials in time for you to properly prepare for the class.)

Exam: Sunday, Sep. 21 after class
Location: Falmouth Fire Station, Main Street, 2nd Floor, EOC Room
Text: Provided
Course Fee: $50

The course fee includes the following:

1) Fifteen hours of classroom instruction
2) ARRL Course Manual
3) Online test practice and tutoring
4) Refreshments
5) Access to instructors for questions & tutoring
6) License exam
7) 1-year membership with FARA
8) Admission to the next FARA Fest
9) VHF/UHF handheld radio (if the student passes the examination).

This is a great value for anyone seeking to get their license, as the total cost of the individual items is well over $100.

Contact Charlie Bresnahan, K1CB via email at: kilo1cb@aol.com for further information.  See https://www.falara.org/exams-classes/license-classes for complete details.

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training / Operating

UPDATE: Whitman ARC Open House Postponed to July 19

- by Jon McCombie - Leave a Comment

Ross W1EKG writes

The Whitman ARC Open House originally scheduled for July 12, 2025 between 8 AM and noon has been postponed to July 19. 

Location is (still) the Knights Of Columbus, 1195 Bedford Street in Whitman MA.  This is an indoor/outdoor event which will include operating demonstrations, equipment displays, and  general information about “Ham Radio”. There will be several clubs participating and refreshments will be available. Come and learn about Amateur radio and sign up for our Technician license class  which starts in September. Please email  Ross W1EKG at bavarianradio@comcast.net   or visit our website wa1npo.org for more information. 73

 

Licensing Education & Training

Barnstable ARC General Class Course, Brewster, May 24-25, 2025

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Barnstable ARC logoThe Barnstable Amateur Radio Club will conduct a General Class course for Technician license holders on May 24 and 25 from 8 AM to 5 PM, at the Brewster Police Station Community Room, Route 124, in Brewster.

Online registration is now open at: HamStudy.org: Exam details.  Once you obtain a copy of the ARRL General Class License Manual as a reference, you will need to complete the open book exam .  The link for that is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5VZPhL8nIafSX17jYBATcS6MpLtQ_zFYp9KIdhuNdyKQgPg/viewform?usp=dialog.

Email robleiden@comcast.net with any questions.

73,

Rob Leiden, K1UI 

Licensing Education & Training / Technical

AF1R: “FreeDV” Zoom On-Air Tutorial at Wellesley ARS, March 31, 2025

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Leandra Mac Lennan, AF1R, writes on the Wellesley ARS mailing list:

I will be doing an encore FreeDV Zoom and on-the air tutorial for WARS members on

  • Monday, March 31
  • 7:30 to 8:30 PM

If you missed last Monday’s meeting, you can join us for this meeting. I will cover the basic setup of FreeDV.

For those who were at last Monday’s meeting we will try the latest version of FreeDV to see how well the new vocoder works.

We will use 50.190 MHz for our on the air tests while we are on Zoom.

I recommend using a PC headset/microphone which plugs into a USB port on your computer. This will be used for the FreeDV audio. When you log into the Zoom meeting, use the computer internal speaker and microphone.

For the meeting I recommend you use the same computer for both Zoom and FreeDV. This will give you the ability to share your screen on Zoom if you have any problems so we can observe and debug any issues you may have.

I will focus the meeting on Windows operation as I am not familiar with Mac or Linux.

You must have a known-good method of connecting your computer to your radio. If you have used FT8 or FLDIGI successfully, you can use the same setup for FreeDV.

The latest version of FreeDV uses the AVX instruction set in the processor of your PC for the new high-quality vocoders. Most of the latest processors have the AVX instruction set.

Before the meeting please check to see if your processor has the AVX feature set. Follow the instructions in this web site

https://www.ghostarrow.com/how-to-know-if-my-cpu-supports-avx-instructions

If you have a Windows 11 computer and your processor has AVX, you may need to enable the AVX feature in your computer BIOS. Follow the instructions here (skip step 1, start at step 2) to enable AVX

https://www.supportyourtech.com/articles/how-to-enable-avx-support-in-windows-11-a-step-by-step-guide/

[For Zoom details, contact Charlie Bures, WA3ITR, at c.bures@comcast.net]

 

Licensing Education & Training

Falmouth ARA Sponsors Ham License Class for Public Safety Personnel

- by Jon McCombie - Leave a Comment

Charlie, K1CB writes:

On Friday evening, February 28 thru March 2, Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) held a special Technician class for public safety personnel in our area.

Instructors Ralph Swenson, N1YHS, and Charlie Bresnahan, K1CB, are pleased to report that six new hams passed the Technician license test; one person failed to pass by one question.  We are sure we will see him back in the near future.

—Charlie/K1CB, Secretary, Falmouth Amateur Radio Association

Licensing Education & Training

Cape Ann ARA “Tech-In-A-Day” Session, April 19, 2025

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

CAARA logoOffered by:

CAPE ANN AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION
GLOUCESTER, MA

Saturday, April 19,2025

8:00am to 5:00 pm

Thank you for your interest in becoming an amateur radio operator. Our Technician In A Day session is a study course. The course allows you to become licensed by the Federal Communications Commission. You should obtain a copy of the ARRL Technician Class License Manual. You may purchase this book at Ham Radio Outlet in Salem, NH or any other amateur radio related store. You should read the book. The information contained therein will allow you to answer questions on a 35 question test for obtaining your Technician License.

There are videos on YouTube at W4EEY  for Technician Class that explain the theory and cover the questions to enhance your knowledge. You may also take practice exams at HamStudy for comprehension.

TECH IN A DAY CLASSROOM SESSION

  1. You should apply for and obtain a FCC Registration Number at: //apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do
  2. You will be charged a slight fee for this course. $40.00. (Normally, $15.00 for the Examination $15.00 for Study Materials and $10.00 for snacks and drinks which will be provided for the session.)
(Youth under 18 years of age is $30.00 as youth license examining is $5.00, $15.00 for Study Materials and $10.00 for snacks and drinks.)
 
  1. The Tech In A Day Session will be almost a full day session (8 am to 5pm)
    1. The first Study Session begins at 9:00am for 45 minutes and you will be given a 15 minute break before the next session begins at 10 am.
    2. Three study sessions will be held before a lunch break (approximately 11:45am-1:00pm)
    3. There will be three more study sessions in the afternoon to run to 3:45 pm.
    4. Examination for Technician Class will begin at 4:00 pm. (4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.)

You will be administered an examination of 35 questions of which you must score at least 26 out of 35 or better to PASS. Upon completion of your successful examination you will be handed a Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination) (CSCE Form).   The FCC requires a $35.00 Application payment before your license is sent to you,  (For Youth under 18 years the ARRL will reimburse the parents for Application Fee with reimbursement document provided at Test Session.) 

Upon Application Fee payment your Amateur Radio License is processed within 24-36 hours if paid by 5:00 pm (Mon-Fri).

If you would like more information, you may email us at techinaday@caara.net or Telephone (978) 504-9112 for more information.

Please pre-register for the course:

Bill Poulin, WZ1L

Course Instructor

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training / Mentoring / Operating

New Hams Report for Feb 1, 2025

- by Jon McCombie - Leave a Comment

Here is the new ham report as of Feb 1, listing newly licensed hams. Club officials, please review the list and reach out to those in your footprint and invite, welcome them. To all: please welcome these folks when you hear them on local repeaters. Offer assistance as well!

Report for 2025-02-01

Waiming Wong, KC1WCV – FCC
133 Foster St
Littleton, MA 01460-1541

James N Gonthier, KC1WAY – FCC
8 Currier Dr
Framingham, MA 01701-3623

David Kula, KC1VZH – FCC
29 Belcher Dr
Sudbury, MA 01776-1244

Nicholas Cioffi, KC1WCS – FCC
10 Fieldstone Dr
Burlington, MA 01803-4213

Alistair J McBrien, KC1WCR – FCC
11 Brady Loop
Andover, MA 01810-3223

Nelson Rodriguez, KC1VZA – FCC
39 High St
Andover, MA 01810-3527

Cameron G Cooke, KC1VZF – FCC
46 Groveland St
Haverhill, MA 01830-6417

Jason Lay, KC1VZG – FCC
3 Strawberry Ln
Methuen, MA 01844-1562

Sarah Wagner, KC1WDC – FCC
19 Ripley St
N Chelmsford, MA 01863-1723

Jeffrey Hodgson, KC1VZN – FCC
40 Birchmont St
Tyngsboro, MA 01879-1308

Louis C Potvin, KC1WAD – FCC
101 Shawsheen Ave
Wilmington, MA 01887-2699

Sandra Surette, KC1WBW – FCC
60 Dudley St
Saugus, MA 01906-1827

Raymond C Macdougall, KC1WBP – FCC
21 Lothrop St
Saugus, MA 01906-2211

Derrick Feole, KC1WBC – FCC
56 North End Blvd
Salisbury, MA 01952-2204

Thomas Lopolito, KC1VZD – FCC
18 Fletcher St
Foxborough, MA 02035-2766

Stephen F Pineault, KC1WCE – FCC
PO Box 485
Marshfield, MA 02050-0485

Preet H Shah, KC1WCK – FCC
3 Cypress St
Medfield, MA 02052-1904

Alexi A Ambarchian, KC1WCF – FCC
361 Washington St Apt 2R
Cambridge, MA 02139-2741

Frederick S Morlock, KC1WCG – FCC
58A Willow Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2916

Yifei Sun, KC1VZR – FCC
39 Beltran St
Malden, MA 02148-2501

Strephon B Treadway, KC1VZW – FCC
2 Laurel St
Chelsea, MA 02150-1006

Sean Klingensmith, AC1TN – FCC
68 Fells Ave
Medford, MA 02155-1953

Cyprien Laplace, KC1WCC – FCC
505 Congress St Unit 901
Boston, MA 02210-2907

Joseph M Clark, KC1WBU – FCC
150 Carver Rd
Plymouth, MA 02360-5211

John B Dunne, KC1WCW – FCC
101 Eliot Ave
West Newton, MA 02465-1710

Jacob C Moon, KC1VZM – FCC
69 Garfield St
Watertown, MA 02472-4913

Christopher T Pacejo, KC1WCB – FCC
255 Lake St
Arlington, MA 02474-8228

John F Barry, AC1TL – FCC
104 Spy Pond Pkwy
Arlington, MA 02474-8260

Scott N McClure, KC1WBB – FCC
349 Gray St
Arlington, MA 02476-6039

Michael J Gareau, KC1WDA – FCC
PO Box 81445
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-0005

John E Robinson, KC1VZJ – FCC
63 Dawson Dr
Needham, MA 02492-4265

Chester Fojas, KC1WAF – FCC
PO Box 606
Provincetown, MA 02657-0606

Kenneth A Okin, KC1WAG – FCC
PO Box 606
Provincetown, MA 02657-0606

Bethany M Whitten, KC1WAS – FCC
90 Nottingham Dr
Yarmouth Port, MA 02675-1532

Patrick G Engelman, KC1WBA – FCC
877 Horseneck Rd
Westport, MA 02790-1354

Licensing Education & Training / Operating / Public Information

Free Extra Class Course on Zoom starting Thursday, January 16, 2025 

- by Jon McCombie - Leave a Comment

Rol Anders, K3RA writes:

If you or anyone you know is interested in attending an Amateur Extra Class licensing course, please pass along the following information, and feel free to publicize it with your radio club or any group you feel would benefit. 
 
A free, weekly, live, Amateur Radio Extra Class Licensing course on Zoom will begin on Thursday, January 16, 2025, and will run through Thursday, March 27.  There will be 11 sessions.  The three-hour sessions will start at 6:30 PM Eastern Time.  Sessions will be recorded.  Those attending should hold (or be studying for) the General Class Amateur Radio License.  These are the classes that we have been holding for years sponsored by the National Electronics Museum.  Please publicize this with anyone that you think would be interested.  Those wishing to sign up should email roland.anders@comcast.net. 
 
Thanks. 
 
73,
Rol Anders, K3RA
 
Licensing Education & Training

Minuteman Repeater Association “Elmer Forum” Meets Monthly on Zoom

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Ken  Horton, KA1GFN, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:

Starting in December, the Minuteman Repeater Association (MMRA) will start an Elmer Forum on Zoom on the second Wednesday of each month. There are currently four scheduled dates. The first of which is December 11th.

All are welcome to attend whether an MMRA member or not.

This is being started because statistics have shown that many new hams never get on the air and their license eventually expires without being renewed. These statistics have been presented to both the MMRA and Algonquin ARC by Fred, AB1OC.

See attached PDF for more information.

There is no need to respond if you plan to attend or not. If there is something important worth noting, then I will forward it on.

MMRA Elmer Forum
Licensing Education & Training

Nashoba Valley ARC Amateur Radio Course, Ayer, Starting November 4, 2024

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Nashoba Valley ARC logoBruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club (NVARC) is offering a free amateur radio licensing course beginning on November 4th. The eight night course will prepare students for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technician licensing exam that will be offered at the completion of the course. The Technician level radio operator’s license is the first of three amateur licenses offered by the FCC. Each license has increased levels of operator privileges.

The course consists of twice weekly sessions beginning on Monday, November 4th, and meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays for four weeks (with a break on Thanksgiving week ). The course will be held at the Grady Research building, 323 West Main St., in Ayer. Sessions will start at 7PM and last for 2 hours. An FCC license exam will be scheduled for the end of the sessions. The course is free, but there will be an FCC required $15 testing fee if you take the exam. The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, 5th edition, will be the study guide used for the class. A limited number of study guides may be purchased from the instructor for $30 or online from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) or Amazon.

This course is open to all, there are no age limits. Pre-registration is required, no walk-ins will be allowed. To register you must contact the instructor, Bruce Blain at (508) 341-5124 or via email at bruce.blain@charter.net.  

[Course announcement]
Foxhunting / Licensing Education & Training

Foxhunting Class at Boston Amateur Radio Club, Brighton, September 7, 2024

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Boston ARC logoChris Larosee, AC1RV, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list:
 
 
I will teach a Foxhunting class on September 7th at Artisans Asylum through the Boston Amateur Radio Club with additional support from BERG.  I focus on mindset/hypothesis testing to find the fox and learn about radio more broadly. These are skills taught to me in my work tracking wildlife with the same technology for the USGS.
 
[Artisans Asylum is located at 96 Holton St, Brighton MA 02135.]
Clubs / Licensing Education & Training / Youth

StratoScience Lab Balloon Launches, New England Sci-Tech, Natick, August 14, 2024

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
StratoScience banner
 
Seth Kendall, KC1PZY, writes on the New England Sci-Tech ARS mailing list:
 
Hey everyone,
 
Just wanted to let you all know we are aiming to launch two separate StratoScience Lab balloons THIS WEDNESDAY 8/14 from NEST.  That means we’ll actually be filling up and releasing the balloon from the NEST parking lot.  Exact time is not nailed down yet, but release will most likely be sometime between 10am and 2pm.  We’ll update here the night before or morning of.  Since it is taking place at NEST, we also may be able to run the STARS Zoom meeting and have flight prep and the releases going live on Zoom.  We will update on that as well.  We will have a HamXposition presentation detailing all the projects, and maybe we can do a version of this at a STARS meeting, but just to give you a preview of what will be flown this week:
 
StratLab 2024 A:
  • Solar Tracking Rotator (Roy Y.)
  • Spectroscopy Sensor (Timmy B.)
  • Servo Heating System (Elias D.)
  • IMU Recorder and Downward Camera (Ewoud V.)
  • BFCCPS Humidity Sensor Experiment (NEWBS / BFCCPS School)
  • RunCam Split 4 Selfie Camera (Seth K. / NEWBS)
  • Tiny4FSK (Max K. / NEWBS) – 432.620 MHz
  • RS41 (Max K. / NEWBS) – 432.625 MHz
  • [maybe] Test version of altitude-based rocket igniter board (Dawid F.)
 
StratoSoar 2024 A:
  • Autonomous Glider (Charlie N.)
    • Planned separation at ~1600m
    • Also contains a Tiny4FSK (Max K. / NEWBS) – 432.630 MHz
  • RS41 (Max K. / NEWBS) – 432.635 MHz
  • RunCam Split 4 Downward Camera (Seth K. / NEWBS)
 
This means we will also have 3 separate recovery sites, so if anyone would be interested in helping to recover a payload, please let us know!  We could use all the help we can get.  Even if you’re only available after work hours.  All 3 trackers should hopefully be trackable on https://amateur.sondehub.org/
 
Best,
Seth KC1PZY and Max W0MXX
 
Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

Cape Ann ARA Tech-In-A-Day Review, Middleton, June 1, 2024

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association members held a Tech-In-A-Day Review and Volunteer Exam Session on June 1, 2024, at the North Shore 911 Dispatch Center in Middleton, MA. Fourteen students attended from various 911 dispatch centers around the Boston metropolitan area.
 
“I am happy to report 12 out of 14 students passed their licenses,” reported Bill Poulin, WZ1L. 
 
Volunteer examiners included:  Bill Poulin, WZ1L; Larry Beaulieu, AJ1Z; and David Suuronen, KB1KR.
 
Kudos to the CAARA gang for a job well done!
 
CAARA Tech In A Day June 1, 2024
Shown here: CAARA Tech In A Day attendees
 
 
Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

The Zola Gang Builds a Kit

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

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.

The Zola radio members digging into the kits.

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.

Bruce KC1FSZ assisting Matt N1IBB with his radio kit build

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.

Nora N1GLE was the first to finish a kit!

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

Licensing Education & Training

Cape Ann ARA Tech In A Day Study Course, April 20, 2024

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

CAARA logoTECHNICIAN IN A DAY STUDY COURSE

CAPE ANN AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION

GLOUCESTER, MA

Thank you for your interest in becoming an amateur radio operator.

Our Technician In A Day Session is a study course.  The course allows you to become licensed by the Federal Communications Commission as an Amateur Radio Operator.

You should obtain a copy of the ARRL Technician Class License Manual.  You may purchase this book at Ham Radio Outlet or any other amateur radio related store.

You should read the book.  The information contained therein will allow you to answer questions on a 35 question test for obtaining your Technician License.

There are videos on Youtube.com at W4EEY that explain the theory and cover the questions to enhance your knowledge.   You may also take practice exams at hamstudy.org for comprehension.

TECH IN A DAY CLASSROOM — SESSION – SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024

CLASS – 8:00 AM TO 5:00 PM

1. You should apply and obtain a FCC Registration Number at: https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do

2. You will be charged a slight fee for this course.  $40.00.   (Normally, $15.00* for the Examination $15.00 for Study Materials and $10.00 for snacks and drinks which will be provided for the session.) *Minors under 18 years Test Fee is $5.00

3. The Tech In A Day Session will be almost a full day session (8 am to 5pm)

a. The first Study Session begins at 9:00am for 45 minutes and you will be given a 15 minute break before the next session begins at 10 am.

b. Three study sessions will be held before a lunch break (approximately 11:45am-1:00pm)

c. There will be three more study sessions in the afternoon to run to 3:45 pm.

d. Testing will begin approximately at 4:00 pm.

You will be administered an examination of 35 questions of which you must score at least 26 out of 35 or better to PASS.

Upon completion of your successful examination you will be handed a Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination) (CSCE Form).

Your Exam results will be forwarded to the American Radio Relay League in Newington, CT for processing to the Federal Communications Commission.  When your license has been processed, you will receive an email from the FCC requesting the $35.00 Application Fee.

PLEASE USE A COMPUTER TO MAKE THIS PAYMENT –  (TABLETS AND CELLPHONES DO NOT WORK!)

Upon receipt of your payment, you will receive an email with instructions on how to download a copy of your new license.

If you would like more information, you may email us at caarave@caara.net or Telephone (978) 504-9112 for more information.

Sign-up for course:  techinaday@caara.net

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foxhunting / Licensing Education & Training

Fox Hunting Course at Boston ARC Proposed at Artisans Asylum, Allston

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Chris LaRosee, KC1TSA, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:
 
I’m planning to introduce a 4-weekend RF Foxhunting course and plan to pitch the idea tomorrow at our meeting. The course aims to dive into RF foxhunting, mixing theory with hands-on practice. It’s a chance to sharpen our skills and potentially draw in new faces to the hobby. Here’s the breakdown:
 
– **Week 1**: I’ll cover the basics—what foxhunting is, the gear we need, and understanding RF propagation with a field demo of polar patterns. 
– **Week 2**: Shirley KE1L will guide us in building our own directional antennas. It’s a DIY project with immediate practical use.
– **Week 3**: Liam Platt, an electrical engineer, will help us build diode-based attenuators. We’ve got custom PCBs and all parts ready.
– **Week 4**: We wrap up with a real foxhunt, using the gear we’ve built.
 
**Costs & Materials**: We’re looking at around $132 per person to cover materials (antennas, attenuators, radios) if we have 5 people join. This includes everything they need to start, with a bit of margin for the unexpected. 
 
**Goals**: Beyond the fun and learning, this could be a great way to get more people into RF and ham radio. It’s hands-on, it’s outdoors, and it ends with everyone actually using what they’ve built.
 
I’ll go into more detail during our meeting tomorrow, but wanted to give you a heads-up. Looking forward to making this happen!
 
Licensing Education & Training

K9HI: “Project ASCEND” at New England Mentoring, Ham Development and Youth Outreach Group, January 22, 2024

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Anita Kemmerer, AB1QB, writes on the New England Mentoring, Ham Development and Youth Outreach Group list:

We will hold the next meeting of the New England Mentoring, Ham Development, and Youth Outreach Group on Monday, January 22nd at 7:00 pm EST.

Agenda:

  • Project ASCEND – Phil Temples, K9HI – ASCEND, is a program that will provide the needed mentoring and connection with the active ham community to reach newly licensed or lapsed Technician class amateurs. It is a collaborative effort with the Northeast HamXposition and interested radio clubs and individuals.
  • Roundtable discussion – What are your plans for Mentoring in 2024

<…> 

Hope to see you there!

73,

Anita, AB1QB
New England Division Assistant Director for Mentoring, Ham Development, and Youth Outreach

[Zoom URL is available by joining ne-ham-dev, or email k9hi@arrl.org.]
Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

PART CW Training and Kit Purchase

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

PART of Westford logoPART 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!