MIT Radio Society, MIT UHF Repeater Association Kickoff Fall 2019 Schedule

MIT Radio Society QSL/logoThe MIT Radio Society and MIT UHF Repeater Association kick off their fall 2019 semester:

  • Every Friday at 7 pm, 50-358 – Friday Fun Fest – Come hang out and get a tour of the stations or work on projects
  • Saturday, September 14-15 at 2 pm, 54-2101 – September VHF contest – From the Green Building roof, use our weak signal station to communicate around the hemisphere!
  • Sunday, September 15, 9 am-2 pm, Albany St Garage – Swapfest – Computers, electronics, radio flea market
  • Wednesday, September 18 at 7:30 pm, 1-150 – Ham Radio FCC License Exams – $14 and 2 IDs

[Note: MIT Radio Society and MIT UHF Repeater Association club meetings and contests are only open to MIT students, not the general public.]

Nashoba Valley ARC, Possible Plans for 2019 Jamboree On The Air

Stan Pozerski, KD1LE writes in the September, 2019 issue of Signal:

We are exploring doing an Amateur Radio activity for the Boy Scout Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) with Owen Salter, KC1KZT, who is a boy scout from Ayer. Owen is working on whether arrangements can be made with the Boy Scout Council leadership. Possible locations at this point are the Lancaster Boy Scout office (where we set up two years ago) or Pearl Hill State Park in Townsend during a camporee. Stay tuned as we will need some help for this. 

Harvard Wireless Club’s 110th Year, and Fall 2019 Kickoff Meeting

Harvard Wireless Club official shieldWelcome to the Harvard Wireless Club’s 110th year!

We’ve got a variety of exciting events planned, so we’re kicking off with a meeting at 6 Linden St. on Tuesday 9/10 at 7 PM. Dinner (pizza) will be provided so feel free to send me an email if you have dietary restrictions for us to accommodate.

We’ll be going over the basics of ham radio (what it is and why it’s important), our plans for the year, and giving a quick overview of how the club runs. If you’re interested in amateur radio but unable to attend, don’t worry! Let us know and we’ll fill you in whenever is convenient for you.

For prospective members of the club, if you’re unsure about whether to attend, consider the following benefits:

1. No time commitment. We understand you’re busy (we are too!) so we’re not going to put you through a semester long comp. Pass an easy 35-question test with all the questions known in advance and you’re in.

2. Fantastic experiences. HWC members get to watch the Head of the Charles Regatta from rescue boats, do road trips to bounce radio waves off the moon, and have even been invited to present in foreign countries. I’ll always cherish my HWC memories as some of the most fun in college.

3. Freedom to explore. No matter what you’re interested in, from mountaineering to astronomy, radio technology can find a role. As a member, you’ll have access to the equipment and expertise you need to use radio technology in your life.

On a personal note, the Wireless Club has been one of my best choices in college. Come and try it out—you won’t regret it.

73 (radio speak for “best regards”),

Benjamin Lee
President, HWC

Northeastern Wireless Club Fall 2019 Kickoff

 

 

NU Wireless Club mailing list, September 9, 2019:

Welcome back to all of our returning members and welcome to all of our new members. After a way-too-short summer, Wireless Club is starting back up. This semester we will have our bi-weekly general meetings, ham nets, workshops, and more! 

Our first meeting is this Thursday, September 12th [in 503 Hayden at 6:00 PM]. We will be introducing new members to the club and talking about the upcoming semester. Come join us for pizza and refreshments. Hope to see you all there!

ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program is Now Accepting Applications

From ARRL Web:

Applications for the 2020 ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program will be accepted between September 1 and December 31, 2019.

All applicants must be FCC-licensed radio amateurs, and many scholarships have other specific requirements, such as intended area of study, residence within a particular ARRL Division, Section or state, and license class. Applicants should review the scholarships and check off the ones for which they are eligible. [Full story]

Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) Station Registration Now Available

From ARRLWeb:

Registration now is open for stations to register for Scouting’s 2019 Jamboree on the Air (JOTA). JOTA will take place October 18 – 20. JOTA is Scouting’s largest event in the world and always takes place over the third weekend of October. Click on “Sign Up Now” and register using your free Scout.org user id.

Use the same site to register for the 2019 Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI).

Bill Stearns, NE4RD, has been named the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) National Jamboree on the Air Task Force Chair. He has activated a number of JOTA and Scout Camp stations from the Montana Scout Council and served on the 2017 National Scout Jamboree K2BSA and 2019 World Scout Jamboree NA1WJ staffs.

The NA1WJ Amateur Radio operation at the 2019 World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia reported that more than 3,000 Scouts took part in the ham radio demonstrations, logging more than 4,000 contacts in 86 DXCC entities.

New England Sci-Tech General Class Course, Natick, August 24-25, 2019

New England Sci Tech logoFor 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.

 

New England Sci-Tech Technician License Course, September 21-22, 2019

NE1AR logoFor 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]

Amateur Radio Exposition for Young People, Northeast HamXposition @Boxboro, September 7-8, 2019

The Nashua Area Radio Society (NARS), will be presenting an Amateur Radio Exposition for Young People on September 7-8, 2019 at the Northeast HamXposition  @Boxboro. This exposition will include many hands-on activities, videos, and displays about amateur radio and wireless communications, including:

  • Software Defined Radios
  • High-Altitude Balloons
  • Portable and Mobile stations
  • Emergency Communications
  • Fox-hunting

The Amateur Radio Exposition for Young People will be located along the rear wall of the Exhibitor Hall.

[Complete details]

New England Sci-Tech Technician License Course, August 10-11, 2019

NE1AR logoFor 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]

New England Sci-Tech General Class Course, Natick, August 3-4, 2019

New England Sci Tech logoFor 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.

 

New England Sci-Tech General Class Course, Natick, June 15-16, 2019

New England Sci Tech logoFor 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.

 

New England Sci-Tech Technician License Course, June 1-2, 2019

NE1AR logoFor 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]

 

Sci-Tech ARS at Science on the Street, Framingham State College

Rishi Bhagat, KC1BKX, writes:

On Saturday, April 27, 2019, Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) and its host New England Sci-Tech joined the “Science on State Street” event on the campus of Framingham State University (FSU).

STARS set up a large cube tent with an IC-7610, large display monitor, and a buddy pole for people to learn about ham radio. The radio was staffed by Rusty, K1FVK, and Bruce, N9JBT, while outside the tent Marcel, AC1DO, Janet, KC1IKP, and Bob, K5TEC, provided related activities and information. 

For more information about Science on the Street, visit http://christa.org/science-festival/ .

New England Sci-Tech General Class Course, Natick, May 18-19, 2019

New England Sci Tech logoFor 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.

 

KV1J on W1 QSL Bureau, New England Sci-Tech, April 23, 2019

Eric Williams, KV1J, Co-manager of the W1 QSL Bureau, is the featured guest speaker at New England Sci-Tech on April 23, 2019 at 7 PM. Eric will explain how the QSL card sorting works, and encourage attendees to do some actual card sorting.
 
Prior to the meeting, at 6 PM the club offers training on how to operate the HF station in the radio room (tours for visitors); at 6:30, everyone is encouraged to check into the net on 449.125 (CTCSS 146.2 Hz).  After the meeting and presentation is the Planetarium show and public telescope night, weather permitting.
 
New England Sci-Tech is located at 16 Tech Circle, Natick MA. Directions
 
 
 

Northeastern University Wireless Club Semester Wrap Up

Courtesy NU Wireless Club web site:

First off, thank you to everyone for a great semester!  We hope everyone enjoyed this semester’s events, workshops, and other club activities.  If you have any feedback from the past semester, or want to make recommendations for the next one we would love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out to any officer on slack.

Just some quick Summer notes:

  • Ham nets will continue through June
  • Door codes will last through Summer 1 and Summer 2
  • No events are planned, but still feel free to utilize the club space

New England Sci-Tech Participates in 2019 Cambridge Science Festival

Leaders of New England Sci-Tech (NEST) staffed three exhibit tables this past weekend at the Cambridge Science Festival with “ham radio, meteorites, 3D space, and constellation night light kits.”

“We had 35 children make kits at the fair and more were made at [New England Sci-Tech] last evening when about 30 people came for the first night, ” writes NEST founder Bob Phinney, K5TEC.

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

According to the Cambridge Science Festival’s organizers, “the annual 10-day (and night) celebration of science, technology, engineering, arts and math makes science accessible, engaging and fun for everyone through multifaceted, multicultural events.”  

Northeastern University Wireless Club Hackathon, April 6-7, 2019

The Northeastern University Wireless Club (W1KBN) is holding its 4th annual Hackathon on Saturday, April 6 from 12 noon until Sunday, April 7 at 3 PM in 424/425 Hayden Hall on the Northeastern campus.  The theme will be post-apocalyptic, and the Hackathon will have prize categories for both hardware and software oriented projects. 

To register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wireless-club-spring-2019-hackathon-tickets-58854136306

Cape Cod Mini Maker Faire, Volunteers Requested, April 27, 2019

The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association will again be participating in the Cape Cod Mini Maker Faire, Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Mashpee High School, 500 Old Barnstable Road, in Mashpee. According to FARA president Brent Putnam, W1NCH, “We need volunteers to assist with station setup, operating, greeting the public, and helping the kids to make Morse code sounders.”
 
If you are available to assist, or have any questions, please contact Brent, W1NCH, at W1NCH@arrl.net.
 
For more information about the Faire, see http://capecod.makerfaire.com/