Technical

All things technical

Emergency Communications / Technical

MVARA looking for sites to support Interstate RF Links

- by n1wbv - Leave a Comment

Jay, K1EHZ, writes on the New England Mesh Networking mailing list:

MVARA has received a one-year extension to our ARDC grant to continue implementing a backbone microwave network linking DMR repeaters to alternate internet sites, and to interconnect emcomm-related organizations.
 
We would like to cover more DMR repeater sites which could be a component of a project increasing interstate RF links. Currently the NH RF network connects to one site in ME (Shapleigh), and to two sites in MA (Haverhill and Westford).
 
I wonder if there is interest among the NE Mesh Group in exploring a few more interstate RF links.
 
For example, propagation modeling shows potential for at least one NH site to reach Mt. Wachusett. Buck Hill, RI might reach Mt. Waschusett.  The Westford, MA site might also reach Mt Wachusett.
 
It’s not clear we could have access for equipment on Mt Wachusett. It is just an example. Perhaps there are other sites that could support interstate links.
 
If there is interest, this could be a good time for a conversation about specific sites where relationships with owners exist, or realistically could be developed soon. 
Do you know a site that would allow for Interstate RF links or know someone who would allow 5.8GHz WiFi equipment to be put on Mt. Wachusett? If so, contact Jay!
All / Mentoring / Technical

Ham Radio Linux Class – January 2026

- by n1wbv - Leave a Comment

Andy, of Andy’s Ham Radio Linux, is planning to hold a free Ham Radio Linux class in January 2026. He is looking for 4-6 enthusiastic students. The class will be based on Xubuntu Linux 24.04 and Andy’s Ham Radio Linux (either v26d or v26e). Previous Linux experiences will be helpful but not required. 

The location will be the Cameron Senior Center in Westford, MA on each Wednesday in January, from 12:30-3:30PM.

If you are interested, please send Andy an email directly.

Awards / Clubs / Technical

KC1DSQ & W1IS win August 2025 QST Cover Plaque Award!

- by n1wbv - Leave a Comment

Congratulations to PART of Westford members Bob Rose, KC1DSQ & Bob Glorioso, W1IS for winning the August 2025 QST cover plaque award for their article “An All-Band 160-Meter OCF Antenna”. This article was voted the most popular and well liked article for the August 2025 issue by ARRL membership. This makes it their third cover plaque award!  Congratulations to the Bobs for the hat trick! 

All / Clubs / Technical

W1WEF on QSO Today Podcast

- by n1wbv - Leave a Comment

Barnstable ARC and  ARRL Member Jack Schuster, W1WEF is the guest on the most recent edition of the QSO Today podcast!

In this episode of QSO Today, we sit down with Jack Schuster, W1WEF, whose amateur radio journey spans more than 73 years. From building his first crystal set at age 10 to contesting at the highest levels around the world, Jack shares stories of innovation, DX adventures, CW mastery, and a lifetime of dedication to the hobby. His perspective offers both history and inspiration, making this conversation a must-listen for hams of every generation.

Congratulations to Jack! 

Operating / Operating Events / Public Information / Technical

Call for Volunteers for Harwich Cranberry Festival – September 12-14

- by n1wbv - Leave a Comment
Lemuel Skidmore, W1LEM, writes on the Barnstable ARC Mailing list that they are looking for volunteers for the Harwich Cranberry Festival – September 12-14:
 
We need people to help with setup and teardown, to meet and greet the public and discuss ham radio, to operate, and to have fun. Please let me know if you will be participating. Our location at the event is perfect: across from restrooms, next to the food trucks, and right at the entrance so we are very visible.
 
Event Location:
Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak Street
 
Tentative schedule:
Friday 9/12 10:00-14:00 (approximately) – Setup Part 1 (meet at the container, bring equipment and the tower trailer to the site, and set up as much as we can–maybe assemble the tribander)
Saturday 9/13 07:00-09:00 – Setup Part 2 (setup popup tent, radios, etc. maybe assemble the tribander, raise tower, etc.)
Saturday 9/13 09:00-16:00 – Operate, schmooze, and enjoy
Saturday 9/13 16:00-~16:30 – Shutdown for the day
Sunday 9/14 08:00-~16:00 – Setup, operate, schmooze, and enjoy
Sunday 9/14 16:00-~17:30 – Teardown, return equipment and tower trailer to the container
 
Staffing: 
Setup Parts 1 and 2:  5 to 6 people  minimum
Operation, etc.:  4 people on site at all times, preferably in 4 hour shifts (or whatever you are available to do
If interested, please contact Lem at BarnstableARC
Operating / Technical

WA3SWJ-10 RMS Gateway back online

- by n1wbv - Leave a Comment

Bruce Semple, WA3SWJ, writes on the Barnstable ARC Mailing list that his Winlink node is back online after a brief outage:

The WA3SWJ-10 RMS GW @ 145.030 is back online.
I’ve tested the bulk message send of 10 messages in the out box.
All 5 times WinLink Express would send them in groups of 5 at a time.

The problem turned out to be the mast mounted pre-amps T/R relay. For some reason (still to be investigated) is was not staying in transmit mode as long as it should have been. I was testing with a dummy load connected to the transmitter.
After removing the mast amp from the feedline all the bulk message test passed.

Bruce asks that if anyone is having issues to contact him.

Operating / Technical

High Altitude Balloon Launch Seeks Help with SSTV Reports

- by Jon McCombie - Leave a Comment

Drew Deskur, KA1M, writes:

I am Drew Deskur, KA1M, and I am the Director of the Kopernik Observatory, a public observatory and Informal STEM Education Center in Vestal, New York, in the ARRL Western New York Section in south central New York State.    www.kopernik.org
 
On Wednesday, August 13, Kopernik Observatory will be running a High Altitude Balloon camp for local high school students.  On the payload of the balloon, we will be running APRS (K2ZRO-9) for tracking and we will also be flying SSTV on 145.600 throughout the flight. We plan to launch hopefully between 10 to 10:30 AM (1400-1430 UTC) and the balloon should reach over 100,000 feet. In previous balloon flights, we have had APRS reports from up in Canada. Total flight time should be approximately 3 hours.

Please track the flight on aprs.fi and download the SSTV images if you are able to do so.  We would love to receive copies of images received from stations in the Northeast and elsewhere so we can share with the students how altitude matters on VHF.  Please send those images to k2zro@kopernik.org.   Thank you!—

Drew Deskur  KA1M
Executive Director
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center
Look Up… Dream Big!

www.kopernik.org

Clubs / Technical

W1IS, KC1DSQ: “An All-Band 160-Meter OCF Antenna” in August 2025 QST

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

PART of Westford logoGeorge Allison, K1IG, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

Congratulations to the two Bobs: W1IS and KC1DSQ, for their article “An All-Band 160-Meter OCF Antenna,” published in the August 2025 issue of QST. This antenna design is the first-place winner in the 160 meter, LF or VLF category of the 2024 WST Antenna Design Competition, and this issue is now available for ARRL members on the ARRL website.

If you like this article (and if you’re an ARRL member), you can cast your vote for the QST cover plaque award, starting on August 1. Don’t worry, I’ll remind you.

73,
George, K1IG

Technical

NQ1W Pico Balloon Launch, Essex, May 26, 2025

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Brandon Hockle, NQ1W, writes:
 
Just a heads up (no pun intended) about our latest pico balloon launch that took place this morning around 9AM from Pony Express Fields in Essex to celebrate Memorial Day.
 
You can track this new balloon at:
https://traquito.github.io/search/spots/dashboard/?band=20m&channel=198&callsign=NQ1W&dtGte=2025-05-26
 
We are transmitting on the fours :04; :14,  :24, etc. using WSPR aka Weak Signal Propagation Reporting on 20m at 14.09718 MHz at 10mW as NQ1W.
 
Wish us luck as this one was a bit of a last minute Hail Mary and has some quirky balloon characteristics. We’re not expecting a lot but gave it a shot anyway since we probably won’t get another window until after hurricane season. We checked the winds this morning and saw a straight shot out over the Atlantic and rolled the dice.
 
We’ll do more of these in the future and hope you’ll get involved with us tracking or building one of your own!
 
Regards and 73!
Brandon NQ1W
 
Technical

K1TT Balloon Tracking Over Atlantic, April 10, 2025

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
CAARA logoBrandon Hockle, NQ1W, writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:
 
Looks like Jim [Barber, K1TT] got a balloon off over the water this morning! Congratulations to K1TT on a successful launch!
 
If there is data on any subsequent launch I will send out an update. As of this posting it was out over the Atlantic and climbing through 11,942 feet.
 
Once again nice job Jim Barber K1TT. Hopefully he will share pictures of the launch.
 
You can track the progress here:
https://traquito.github.io/search/spots/dashboard/?band=20m&channel=540&callsign=K1TT&dtGte=2025-03-11
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]

 

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service / Technical

FLDIGI/NBEMS Training On-Air and via Zoom

- by Jon McCombie - Leave a Comment

Jon N1ILZ writes

We will be holding two Zoom sessions to help people get familiar with FLDIGI using NBEMS to pass formatted messages (Radiograms, ICS-213s, etc.); and net operations, specifically how to check-in to and interact with the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Digital (NTS) Net (MARIDN). 

Thursday October 17, focused on the NBEMS programs FLMSG, FLAMP for message passing, and 

Thursday October 24, focused on how to interact with a digital NTS Traffic Net, specifically, the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Digital Net (MARIDN). 

Both sessions are 7:00 PM – ~8:30 PM or until finished. Zoom coordinates (below) are the same for both sessions. 

A PREREQUSIITE for these courses is to have the FLDIGI suite configured and operational at your station (computer and radio). If you successfully completed the FLDIGI session with Don AB1PH on October 10, you have met the prerequisite. 

You will be attending a Zoom session from the PC controlling your station.  The training host will transmit several messages over the air in different formats. We will work with you to ensure that you successfully copy the messages.  If there are failures, we will work to debug them via screen sharing during the Zoom session.   In some cases, issues will be resistant to debugging during the session and we will deal with these individuals in one-on-one sessions later. 

To participate effectively in the Zoom session, your Zoom session and FLDIGI connected to your radio should be running on the same computer. 

The Zoom invitation follows:

— 

Join Zoom Meeting 
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89342243637?pwd=RfasbGHaXGLU2xdhUDXQfIVBkBpPGx.1 
 
Meeting ID: 893 4224 3637 
Passcode: 013058 
 
— 

Please contact Jon N1ILZ (n1ilz@arrl.org) with questions. 

 

Technical

New AREDN Node on 5 GHz in Dartmouth

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

AREDN antennaBen Jackson, N1WBV, writes on the Bristol Co. Radio Association mailing list:

If you have ever thought about becoming involved with AREDN (https://www.arednmesh.org/) but also wondered “Well it sounds interesting, but who would I communicate with around the South Coastal MA Area?” I am happy to report that I have established an outdoor node just a touch N/NNE of UMass in FN41lp.

What is AREDN? AREDN is the Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network which provides a way for Amateur Radio operators to create high-speed ad-hoc data networks for use in emergency and service-oriented communications.  This is often done via consumer or “pro-sumer” 802.11 wireless networking gear running custom software. Currently, there are mesh networks in Rhode Island and they reach as far as Tiverton, and there is an emerging effort on Cape Cod.

As I am always over engineering things I have also opted to make my node 100% solar powered and I’ve also put it up at 20ft AGL. Right now, I am putting it in “open Beta” and I want to let people know about it, however, I will expect it to randomly go down for testing as I am still hammering out bugs.

So if you have a 5GHz directional WiFi Access Point, please point it my way on Channel 149 of your 5GHz dial; and if you WANT to grab a 5GHz directional access WiFi Access Point, (especially if you have a tower!) please just let me know and I would be happy to point you in the right direction. I am also working out a full Bill of Materials (BOM) for what I assembled my node for.

73

Ben, N1WBV

Clubs / Technical / Youth

Northeastern Wireless Club “Yagi Build” a “Fantastic Success”

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Jonah Lefkoff writes on the Northeastern Wireless mailing list:

Yesterday’s workshop was a fantastic success. We built a ton of awesome tape measure yagi antennas, and learned a bit about impedance matching and soldering along the way. This Thursday we’ll be using them in a fox hunt around campus. I look forward to a fun night of searching for hidden transmitters!

Next week we begin our adventure towards developing a full PCB. It all starts with schematic capture, a critical component of the electrical design process. I hope to see you all there. 

Cheers,
Jonah Lefkoff, KFØINONWC members showing their constructed yagisKF0INO

Operating / Technical

New Amateur Satellites Expected to Launch on July 2, 2024

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
AMSAT logoJoe Fitzgerald, KM1P, writes on the Sci-Tech ARS mailing list:
 
Several satellites carrying Amateur radio payloads are expected to launch next week.    While launches are often delayed due to technical and weather issues, presently the launch is scheduled 0403 UTC July 2, or slightly after midnight local time.  New England Sci-Tech and its crack team of orbital analysts stands ready to supply the amateur radio community with the Two Line Elements, AKA TLEs that describe the orbit of an earth satellite via daily bulletins.  TLEs are used by tracking software to determine exactly when satellites will pass overhead, and where to point your antennas.

The satellites in this mission are designed to be in a “sun synchronous” orbit which takes advantage of the slight bulge of the earth at the equator nudge the orbit the orbit such that it passes over ground stations  at approximately the same times every day.    Since this launch is at 9 pm local time, we expect these satellites to pass over us at about 9AM and 9PM daily .   This orbit was chosen in part to assure that these spacecraft are always in sunlight reducing the need for on board batteries.    If you don’t want to stay up to watch the launch, don’t despair, you can listen for the new baby satellites on Tuesday morning once the rotation of the earth places us under the orbital plane of these birds.    Below is a summary of the satellites transmitting in the amateur satellite service, more details of these and other payloads transmitting in other services are available.

MESAT-1 has a 30 kHz wide V/U Transponder plus a 1k2 BPSK telemetry downlink. Telemetry downlink 435.800 MHz with transponder downlink 435.810-435.840 MHz, and transponder uplink 145.910-145.940 MHz   Note:   the ham radio equipment on this spacecraft was provided by NEST partner AMSAT.
 
Serenity has a  4k8 FM with AX25 on 437.100 MHz
 
CatSat UHF downlink using 9k6 or 38k4 GMSK but will also relay WSPR and FT8 signals from HF. Downlinks on 437.185 MHz and 10470.00 MHz
 
KubeSat 1 UHF downlink using 9k6 GMSK. A downlink on 437.085 MHz
 
SOC-i UHF downlink using 4k8 GMSK. downlink 437.125 MHz
 
 
-Joe KM1P
Technical

Radio Club of America: “A Lifetime of Wireless Propagation Research”

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Bruce Tinkler, N9JBT, writes on the stars-radio list:

RCA: fostering wireless innovation graphic

RCA Interview Tuesday June 11, 9 p.m. ET.

A Lifetime of Wireless Propagation Research: In-Building, Underground, Tropospheric, You Name It!

Featuring Dr. Robert Johnk

Dr. Robert JohnkRobert (Bob) Johnk (M’91 – SM’07) received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Colorado in 1990, where he specialized in electromagnetics and antennas.

Bob recently retired as research engineer from the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (NTIA/ITS) where he was engaged in advancing the state of the art in radio-channel propagation measurements/analysis and mentoring new engineers in the art of measurement science.

During the development of the FirstNet National Public Safety Radio System, Bob conducted research on in-building wireless propagation and methods for improving in-building public safety communications. Prior to joining NTIA/ITS in 2007, he worked at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado for 17 years, where he was the leader of the time-domain fields project.

Bob has received best paper awards from the IEEE EMC Society, NTIA, and NIST. In 2011, Bob received the IEEE EMC Society’s Technical Achievement Award for his work “in the development of free-space time-domain measurement techniques”.

Bob has also received a U.S. Department of Commerce Silver Medal award for his work in Public Safety communications. Bob is a Life Senior member of the IEEE and a member of both Eta Kappa Nu and Tau Beta Pi.

This interview will be conducted by RCA President-Emeritus, John Facella.

REGISTER HERE

Clubs / Technical

Boston ARC QDX Build Class Begins April 18, 2024

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Boston ARC logoBoston ARC President Brendan Baldonado, NW1S, writes on the BARC mailing list:
 
I am excited to announce that the Boston Amateur Radio Club is teaching a QDX building class. 
 
What is a QDX, you ask? Well it’s a digital ham radio transceiver, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, that operates at 5 watts on the 10 meter amateur radio band. 
 
This class is going to be geared towards Technician class licensees, newer hams with limited experience in soldering, antenna concepts and digital modes. So, if that sounds like you, we encourage you to take the class.
 
This offering of the QDX build class has been sponsored by an Amateur Radio Digital Communications grant, and the materials cost, a $110 value, has been completely covered by that grant. The class still has a nominal fee of $75 which is being donated to Artisans Asylum for their continued support and help of the Boston Amateur Radio Club.
 
The class will be on Thursday evenings, beginning on April 18th, for 5 sessions. 
 
A quick class description:
 
This class is a brief introduction to basic electronic circuits, building toroids, soldering, building antennas, and operating on amateur radio digital modes. We will be building a QRP Labs 10m QDX-M single band radio and a QRP Guys No-Tune end-fed half wave antenna.
 
The class will consist of five sessions, every Thursday at 6pm, beginning on April 18th, held at the Artisans Asylum Holton St. building.
 
During the class we will:
Build a small portable antenna
Learn about some basic electronic components
Learn how to solder
Learn to make toroids
Build a small 5 watt radio for the ten meter band
 
Learn to operate on digital modes
While this class does not have any prerequisites, we are building a radio for use on amateur radio frequencies, so a Technician class amateur radio license is preferred (but not required) to take the class and keep the radio. Be advised that in order to transmit using your radio outside of class meeting times, you will need an amateur radio license issued by the FCC.
 
For more information on licensing and a schedule of test sessions contact the Boston Amateur Radio Club at w1bos@arrl.net.
 
The class listing is here if you wish to sign up: 
 
If you have experience with soldering and building kits but wish to take the class, we would ask that you wait and give those newer to the hobby and kit building a chance to sign up for the class. In a week or so if there are spots left I will resend a email for all others that may be interested.
 
Any questions please email me, Brendan at nw1s.brendan@gmail.com. 
 
Thanks everyone!
 
 
Brendan
 
Technical

Balloon Kerfluffle Redux

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Rusty Moore, K1FVK, writes on the Sci-Tech ARS mailing listL

We just passed the one year anniversary of the great 2023 balloon turkey-shoot, during which the USAF downed a Chinese spy balloon plus three small unidentified balloons, one of which was almost certainly K9YO-15, a radio-equipped pico balloon flown by the Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade. Today the press reported that NORAD is currently tracking another small unidentified balloon, but has determined that it poses no threat to national security. As soon as I heard about this I did a quick check of SondeHub and whatddaya know, there’s K9YO-7 on the same track, over the same area, and at the same altitude as the mysterious unidentified balloon everyone is talking about. The media reports characterize it as a small Mylar balloon, about 50 feet tall (which I take to be the estimated overall height from payload to top of balloon), with a 2-foot square box hanging underneath. None of the news stories I saw mentioned anything about the K9YO balloon’s presence, or about the existence of amateur balloons in general. Surely NORAD would be checking the amateur ballooning maps, wouldn’t they? For that matter, so should serious news teams. Journalism ain’t what it used to be.

CBS News report on the balloon: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/military-tracking-balloon-western-us-military/

—K1FVK

Technical

AB1PH Published in QEX!

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
QEX coverStu Solomon, W1SHS, writes:
 
Don Rolph, AB1PH, ARES Emergency Coordinator for Norfolk County, MA, has an article published in the September/October 2023 edition of the ARRL publication QEX magazine.  The article, “An Open Source Meta-Design for an APRS™ Appliance” describes, in detail, the function, design and testing of a low cost APRS device.
 
Congratulations to Don on the excellent project and its publication in QEX!