a field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
Licensing, education, and training
John Salmi, KB1MGI, writes on the foxhunting list on September 6, 2019 at 2:01 PM:
To all fox hunters and others:
I hope to see you all at the Northeast HamXposition @ Boxboro Saturday morning at 9am for my Fox Hunting Talk. And my RF Fingerprinting talk at 10 am.
Great fox hunting tips and stories about fox hunting adventures.
I thinking of holding off on placing out the Fox Box due to weather.
John KB1MGI
Radio amateurs at MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington conducted an Amateur Radio course this past fall, according to MIT Lincoln Lab employee Brian Smigielski, AB1ZO.
“It was offered through the Technical Education Committee here at the Lab, which fosters employees taking courses to encourage classroom learning beyond their typical daily tasks. I ran the course jointly with Jon Schoenberg, AA1FH, and it was really the first of its kind here at the Lab.”
Other amateur volunteer instructors included: Ameya Agaskar, KB1SPV; Dave Brigada, AB1QV; Chip Coldwell, W1CMC; Chris Galbraith, W1XG; Tommy Hotaling, K1MFD (silent key); Phil Erickson, W1PJE; John Kaufmann, W1FV; Dave Cipolle, W1SZ; Ed Parish, K1EP; Matt Lape, N1XB; Daniel Joy, N1QHC; Mark Besch, NS1V; Steve Russell, WA1HUD; Burns Fisher, WB1FJ.
Brian and Jon initially started with 60 students, but after attrition they ended up having 45 students consistently coming each week. “This actually turned out to be pretty huge on our part since most courses drop down to about 10 or so after 2-4 weeks.” The two were told by the Committee “it was the most attended and popular course ever offered at the Lab.”
Rather than teaching to the exam, AB1ZO and AA1FH divided the content into two halves: the first half discussed theory, while the second half delved into the applications. “Although we encouraged people to get their license, we knew it would be a turn-off if we continually mentioned this or taught a course which really was about taking the exam.” Instead, Brian and Jon taught a “survey course” to whet peoples’ appetites for Amateur Radio and get them excited.
Students were allowed to get on their air both during and after class with quick-setup outdoor stations, as well as visit Matt Strelow’s (KC1XX) superstation. “We encouraged the participants to buy inexpensive SDR dongles and observe the RF spectrum. So much fun can already be had by just receiving. We also had some hams from the class team up with NEST (New England Sci-Tech) to operate Field Day. It was a truly rewarding experience. We all worked really well together and will continue to partner with NEST in the future.”
“Since a bunch of RF geeks already work here, this was not difficult to pull this off. The really neat thing is, we had people in all sorts of job functions take our class. There were those staff members who regularly built RF hardware, software folks, group leaders, IT specialists, operators, machinists, and sys admins.”
The hams intend to offer the course every two years. The next one is anticipated to occur in the fall 2020 timeframe.
A group of Martha’s Vineyard amateurs plan to offer license class courses in the fall to local residents on the island, according to Christopher Knowles, N1CAK.
“Initially, we will be offering only the Technician class course. We are searching for students from everywhere from the Boy and Girl Scouts through the elementary and high schools to social and fraternal organizations and the Island’s four senior centers. Should interest persist, we have a teacher who has taught through Amateur Extra courses and we are all Amateur Extras with VE certificates so we can administer exams through the Amateur Extra.”
Knowles adds the actual starting dates and times will be determined upon availability of the students and teacher.
There will be the customary charge of $15 to take the exam. Persons who are interested may email cknowles@tiac.net.
The ARRL Board of Directors, committees, and Headquarters administrative staff are continuing efforts to enhance the venerable Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) program. A major ARES Plan has been adopted, providing new direction going forward. In addition, a standardized training plan has been adopted and a new ARES Emergency Communicator Individual Task Book approved and published.
At its July meeting, the ARRL Board considered the report of its Public Service Enhancement Working Group (PSEWG). A “change log” was proposed for the Task Book that will highlight changes made as the document is periodically revised and updated. ARES position guidelines were posted to the online ARES Workbook and a major revision and update of ARRL’s Introduction to Emergency Communicationscourse — now designated as IS-001 — has been completed.
[Full story]
For junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults who already have a Technician level license, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the GENERAL 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 GENERAL level course runs Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday, 9 am to 1 pm, followed by the FCC General exam at noon, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick.
Included with course fee: printed handouts, lecture study guide, license fee if tested at our location, a guest pass to the NEAR/STARS Radio Room and radio club meetings for 2 months, and free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate during the course. Advance registration and payment required.
For more information and to register, visit <https://www.nescitech.org/product/weekend-general-class/>. For questions, e-mail bobphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.
For junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults interested in wireless communications and electronics, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the Amateur Radio 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 a few days before the course.
The Technician level course runs on Saturday, 9 AM-4 PM and Sunday, 9 AM-1 PM, followed by the FCC Technician exam at 1:00, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick. [Full description]
From ARRL Web:
“The Nashua (New Hampshire) Area Radio Society (NARS) will conduct a free Ham Bootcamp at the ARRL New England Division Convention next month to encourage and assist new and inexperienced radio amateurs in becoming more active and engaged in the various facets of ham radio. NARS, the Dayton Hamvention® Club of the Year for 2019, operated a guest exhibit for ARRL at this year’s show. It will also sponsor a Ham Expo for Young People at the New England Division Convention, with hands-on activities, videos, and displays about Amateur Radio and wireless communication.” [Full story]
UPDATE 10/6/19: The FARA Executive Board has decided to cancel the Technician class scheduled for this month and reschedule the class during March, 2020.
Three volunteer exam sessions will be conducted by an ARRL VEC-accredited team at the Northeast HamXposition (“Boxboro”) at the following times:
Saturday, September 7, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Saturday, September 7, 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Sunday, September 8, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
All sessions will be held in the Deck Room of the Boxboro Regency Hotel & Conference Center (Formerly the Boxboro Holiday Inn), 242 Adams Place, Boxborough, MA 01719, Phone: 978-263-8701. No pre-registration is required.
For more information, visit https://hamxposition.org/get-licensed.
The New England Division Convention / Northeast HamXposition @ Boxboro will again feature a Tech-in-a-Day™ review session, sponsored by instructors from the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association. The day-long technician study course will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2019 from 9 AM to 5 PM. After the end of the class, there will be a special VE Exam for course attendees. There is a small fee to cover course materials, along with an FCC established $15 exam fee.
If you wish to participate, please preregister for the class using this online signup form. For more information about the Tech-in-a-Day™ program visit the CAARA website or contact Stan Stone, W4HIX, if you have any questions.
For junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults interested in wireless communications and electronics, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the Amateur Radio 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 a few days before the course.
The Technician level course runs on Saturday, 9 AM-4 PM and Sunday, 9 AM-1 PM, followed by the FCC Technician exam at 1:00, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick. [Full description]
For junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults who already have a Technician level license, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the GENERAL 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 GENERAL level course runs Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday, 9 am to 1 pm, followed by the FCC General exam at noon, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick.
Included with course fee: printed handouts, lecture study guide, license fee if tested at our location, a guest pass to the NEAR/STARS Radio Room and radio club meetings for 2 months, and free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate during the course. Advance registration and payment required.
For more information and to register, visit <https://www.nescitech.org/product/weekend-general-class/>. For questions, e-mail bobphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.
For junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults who already have a Technician level license, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the GENERAL 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 GENERAL level course runs Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday, 9 am to 1 pm, followed by the FCC General exam at noon, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick.
Included with course fee: printed handouts, lecture study guide, license fee if tested at our location, a guest pass to the NEAR/STARS Radio Room and radio club meetings for 2 months, and free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate during the course. Advance registration and payment required.
For more information and to register, visit <https://www.nescitech.org/product/weekend-general-class/>. For questions, e-mail bobphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.
Are you interested in learning Morse code? Have you heard it on the air or as part of a movie? Learn to copy and send all the letters, numbers, punctuation, and pro-signs in only eight weeks. Register for an introductory Morse code class at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick.
Saturday mornings, from 9:00-10:30 a.m. starting June 29, 2019. Dates: June 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, Aug 3, 10, 17.
Full details at https://www.nescitech.org/product/introductory-morse-code-class/.
For junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults interested in wireless communications and electronics, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the Amateur Radio 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 a few days before the course.
The Technician level course runs on Saturday, 9 AM-4 PM and Sunday, 9 AM-1 PM, followed by the FCC Technician exam at 1:00, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick. [Full description]
For junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults who already have a Technician level license, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the GENERAL 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 GENERAL level course runs Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday, 9 am to 1 pm, followed by the FCC General exam at noon, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick.
Included with course fee: printed handouts, lecture study guide, license fee if tested at our location, a guest pass to the NEAR/STARS Radio Room and radio club meetings for 2 months, and free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate during the course. Advance registration and payment required.
For more information and to register, visit <https://www.nescitech.org/product/weekend-general-class/>. For questions, e-mail bobphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.
Gary Frascarelli, W1GFF, Billerica VE Liaison, writes on the Billerica ARS list:
The Billerica VE Session is short on VEs for this month’s test session [on April 11, 2019]. I need 6 (SIX) due to the fact that in addition to our regular session we need to have a second session in a different room for someone who is visually disabled and needs the test read to him. I only have two plus myself at this time, so I really need four or five more. Please respond direct to me. It is held at the Chelmsford Bible Church, 128 Gorham St, Chelmsford (across from Gary’s Ice Cream). Park and come in the downstairs door out back.
Gary Frascarelli <gary@garyfrascarelli.com>
Bill Poulin, WZ1L, writes on the Cape Ann ARA list:
Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on WX1BOX.org:
The 2019 NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Training Class Schedule for the spring season [has been posted]. Please distribute widely to anyone interested in becoming a SKYWARN Spotter! Additional SKYWARN Training classes are in planning. This includes a class in the Rowe/Charlemont, Mass area, Granby/Hartland, CT area, Western Hampshire County Massachusetts, Eastern Franklin County Massachusetts and potentially other locations in Rhode Island and Southeast Massachusetts. Another update will be posted to the schedule in one to two weeks. There will also be a slate of SKYWARN classes in the Fall of this year. [Full story]
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Boston/Norton Massachusetts will be sponsoring a severe weather spotter training session, part of its SKYWARN program.
The session is open to the public at no charge. Amateur Radio operators, emergency managers, police, fire, and other first responders are encouraged to attend. Everyone age 16 and older who stays to complete the training will be able to become trained NWS weather spotters.
The training session includes a two-hour thirty-minute computer-based presentation, which discusses the development of thunderstorms, the criteria for “severe” thunderstorms, as well as the cloud features associated with severe thunderstorms and tornados. Additional information will be presented about winter storms and proper snow measurement and reporting of coastal flooding, river, stream, and urban flooding and rainfall measurements. The session will also present the procedure for reporting weather information to the National Weather Service. Safety procedures for the various forms of summer severe weather (severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning), winter storms, and flooding will also be covered in the training session. Anyone attending should bring a pen or pencil and bringing a notebook is optional.
To register, visit <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-training-class-natick-ma-tickets-57356953191?aff=ebapi>
Contact Rob Macedo, KD1CY, at rmacedo@rcn.com for any questions or further info on the SKYWARN training class.