2023 Program Schedule Chart

Kit Building Workshop Bob Phinney, K5TEC Fri 1 PM (180 mins) [TEK,TNG] Beginners who need soldering instruction and practice are welcome to join us to build an easy beginner kit in under an hour. New England Sci-Tech volunteers will help anyone age 10 and up learn how. Choose from several kits – Morse Code Oscillator, Blink Badge, Night Light, or Blinky Spinning Top – all kits were invented by students! Price per kit is between $5-$10, cash only. All tools provided. You must sign up on our web site: http://nescitech.org/hamx

NanoVNA Workshop Greg Algieri, WA1JXR Fri 1 PM (170 mins) [TEK] BRING YOUR OWN NANO IF YOU HAVE ONE. Three consecutive presentations on the NanoVNA Vector Network Analyzer, an inexpensive unit used to measure antennas and other RF devices. The first presentation will introduce the NanoVNA. Next will be a NanoVNA Measurements Demo. Finally, a NanoVNA Workshop. For the workshop period, attendees are encouraged to bring in their NanoVNA and/or items they would like to measure.

Installation of Andy’s Ham Radio Linux Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ Fri 1 PM (120 mins) [TEK] Bring your PC based laptop (not Apple), power supply, mouse, etc, and a desire to install “Andy’s Ham Radio Linux”. Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, the creator of “Andy’s Ham Radio Linux” will guide you through the installation process, and then show you how to get started with your newly configured computer. Your computer must be a fully functioning computer where we can entirely erase the hard drive prior to installing Linux. It must have at least 4GB of memory and 64GB of disk space. Computers older than about 7 years may be problematic. The USB boot software in the BIOS must be able to boot from an 8GB USB memory stick (thumb drive).

MESH Node Build Workshop Jim Garner, KC1BHD Fri 2 PM (120 mins) [TEK] Build an Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) mesh node. During disasters, Amateur Radio operators set up and operate communication networks independent of internet, land lines or cell phones. A mesh network can now add high-speed data networks as a resource. A great addition to your Go Box.

Installing and Playing the Radiocraft Mod on Minecraft Lucas Elliott, W1BTR Fri 2 PM (110 mins) [TEK] Minecraft is the world’s number one selling online game, and at the Northeast HamXposition, Lucas, W1BTR, will be unveiling the new Radiocraft mod that incorporates a realistic ham radio simulation into Minecraft. At this workshop Lucas will walk through the Radiocraft installation for your computer and demonstrate how to play the game. For the mod installation, bring your gaming laptop, along with its power supply, mouse, and a pair of headphones/earbuds with a microphone. For computer requirements, go to: tinyurl.com/rcspecs. If you don’t own Minecraft Java edition we’ll walk you through buying an account and setting it up. We’ll show you how to get the game and install it, then give you playing instructions.

SKYWARN Spotter Class Rob Macedo, KD1CY Fri 2 PM (110 mins) [EM,OTA] This is the traditional SKYWARN training class offered by NWS Boston/Norton office and can be taught by Amateur Radio coordinators within the Boston/Norton coverage area. With us beyond the emergency phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, paper registration forms will be in use again like pre-pandemic classes and you will obtain your Spotter ID card if you are in/near the NWS Norton MA coverage area of responsibility. For those outside of the NWS Norton coverage area, we will work with the appropriate NWS office if you live within the Northeast region to obtain recognition for completing the class. No pre-registration is required.

NEQRP Friday Night Dinner Get-Together Convention Committee Fri 5 PM (240 mins) .

DXCC Banquet Convention Committee Fri 7 PM (150 mins) [DX] The DX Dinner guest will feature Don Greenbaum, N1DG. Don will present “DXpeditioning with a RIB”. Don will describe the genesis of the “Rig in a Box” (RIB) from the 2018 Baker Island expedition to implementation on C6AGU, FO/N1DG and the recently completed VP6A DXpedition to Ducie Island.

Keynote Address Rick Roderick, K5UR Sat 9 AM (50 mins) [LEA] Join Rick for a look at what’s happening in the hobby and at the League.

Tech-In-A-Day Convention Committee Sat 9 AM (470 mins) Bill Poulin, WZ1L, veteran instructor and volunteer examiner will be holding a “Tech In A Day” class.

Soldering Workshop Bob Phinney, K5TEC Sat 10 AM (50 mins) [TEK,TNG] Build an easy beginner kit in under an hour. New England Sci-Tech volunteers will help anyone age 10 and up learn how. Choose from several kits – Morse Code Oscillator, Blinky Name Badge, Night Light, or Spinning Top – all kits were invented by students! Price per kit is between $5-$10, cash only. All tools provided. First come, first serve, no signups today. More info on our web site: http://nescitech.org/hamx

Fox Hunting Charles Nelson, NC7R Sat 10 AM (50 mins) [OTA] Charlie Nelson, NC7R, will discuss the basics of the hunt and how to successfully find that elusive hidden transmitter! Try your hand after the talk; multiple foxes will be QRV on the convention grounds throughout the weekend.

EmComm Keynote Address Josh Johnston, KE5MHV Sat 10 AM (50 mins) [EM] Josh will discuss the current picture of emergency communications and how Amateur Radio still plays a key role.

Radiosonde Hunting and Reprogramming for Ham Radio Use Max Kendall, W0MXX Sat 10 AM (50 mins) [TEK] Ever wanted a fun activity to do with your club, or just yourself? Radiosondes are balloons with weather equipment launched by the National Weather Service. Tracking and recovering them, also known as ‘sonde hunting,’ is like a fox hunt, only you can keep the fox and reuse it for your needs! Max will talk about the equipment involved in tracking and recovering radiosondes, and as a bonus, he will even show how to reuse them for ham radio needs, such as tracking your own high altitude balloons or vehicles. (Repeated on Sunday)

Major evolution in CAT and CI-V technology …TrueTTL! Richard Desaulniers, VE2DX Sat 10 AM (50 mins) [TEK] Richard will explain some of the technical processes for his products and technical innovations, like TrueTTL

Remote Ham Radio Rockwell Schrock, WW1X Sat 10 AM (50 mins) [OTA] Amateurs everywhere now have the ability to experience this exciting hobby like never before with Remote Ham Radio. With a monumental amount of research, engineering, and planning we have made the best remote operating experience on the internet today.

Simple, Inexpensive, high performance wire Antennas Robert Glorioso, W1IS Sat 10 AM (50 mins) [A&P] We will describe antennas that won’t take a King’s Ransom to build and work well.

Club Revitalization: Improve It and They Will Come David Tessitore, K1DT Sat 10 AM (50 mins) After 100 years, the Providence Radio Association was about to fail. Dave will describe how the remaining PRA members revitalized their slumbering club through improving infrastructure, embracing current trends, and focusing on relevance.

The Vintage Radio & Communications Museum history John Ellsworth, JCELLSWORTH Sat 10 AM (110 mins) [INV] Often dubbed “The museum that wouldn’t quit”, this presentations will chronical all of the ups and downs of the museum’s existence. Throughout its life it has been totally self supported and run totally by volunteers. It is a great story of persistence by a group of volunteers who developed a world attraction through their love of communications history.

RF Test Equipment Fundamentals on the Cheap Brian Justin, WA1ZMS Sat 10 AM (50 mins) [TEK] Having enough test equipment to find out what’s working and what isn’t (and maybe how to fix it) doesn’t have to break the bank. Brian shows us how.

Simple Small 2 and 6 Meter Yagi Antennas Joe Reisert, W1JR Sat 10 AM (50 mins) [A&P] Small especially hand held antennas can be easily built. It is importantto have a basic design with good gain and pattern, be easy to duplicateand have a simple matching system. 3 and 4 element designs that meetthese goals will be described.

VEC Session I Convention Committee Sat 10 AM (110 mins)

New England QRP Forum Convention Committee Sat 10 AM (110 mins)

Soldering Workshop Bob Phinney, K5TEC Sat 11 AM (50 mins) [TEK,TNG] Build an easy beginner kit in under an hour. New England Sci-Tech volunteers will help anyone age 10 and up learn how. Choose from several kits – Morse Code Oscillator, Blinky Name Badge, Night Light, or Spinning Top – all kits were invented by students! Price per kit is between $5-$10, cash only. All tools provided. First come, first serve, no signups today. More info on our web site: http://nescitech.org/hamx

Optimized High Power Magloop: Physics, Design, & Construction Ted Robinson, K1QAR Sat 11 AM (50 mins) [A&P] A kilowatt magloop does not need to cost several kilobucks, or require weeks of labor, machine shop or welding skills. Discussion will include physics, design choices, construction procedures, and parts sources. A demo loop with the described parts will be shown at the talk and operated in the flea area, weather permitting. (Talk repeated on Sunday morning at 12 Noon.)

The Ionosphere and You: Using Science to Pick the Best Operating Band Philip Erickson, W1PJE Sat 11 AM (50 mins) [A&P] Earth’s ionosphere provides the means by which HF signals can travel between your radio and another one – across states, or countries, or even the planet. We’ll go over some ionospheric basics and then use them to provide tips on which HF bands are optimal as a function of time of day, season, and even solar cycle. Along the way, we’ll provide a brief update on the run-up to solar maximum conditions in Cycle 25, nearing its peak towards the end of 2024. We will also review monitoring tools available to help you make the most of your radio time.

Ham Radio and Youth Engineering on High Altitude Balloons Max Kendall, W0MXX Sat 11 AM (50 mins) [INV,TEK] This talk will look at the New England Weather Balloon Society’s mission, HABGab 2023, to send a DIY high altitude repeater with live video transmission into the Stratosphere. This mission has also allowed for a number of ambitious student projects to be included as part of a freeform engineering class for kids called StratoScience Lab. Max and Seth will introduce the format of the StratoScience program, after which we will hear from the students themselves.

Andy’s Ham Radio Linux Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ Sat 11 AM (50 mins) [TEK] Andy’s Ham Radio Linux’ has been downloaded over 100,000 times by hams who enjoy using Free Software and Open Source Software. Learn more about this popular software collection and what it contains. Version 25a was recently released (May 2023) with even more software! For more information, go to this website: https://sourceforge.net/projects/kb1oiq-andysham/

Introduction to the NEDECN Network in New England Domenic Mallozzi, N1DM Sat 11 AM (50 mins) [OTA] Dom will describe the NEDECN DMR Network in use in New England and how to get on DMR. He will introduce some other DMR networks in New England and also include a very short discussion on hotspots for DMR.

Multiband Wire Antennas and Phased Dipole Wire Beams Robert Glorioso, W1IS Sat 11 AM (50 mins) [A&P] A look at the theory, trade-offs and construction of multiband OCF and end-fed antennas as well as phased-dipole beams built with wire and wood.

Radiocraft – Reaching the Next Generation Through Minecraft Lucas Elliott, W1BTR Sat 11 AM (50 mins) [TEK] Minecraft is the world’s top-selling video game of all time. Radiocraft is a Minecraft mod that players can add to their Minecraft worlds and servers to bring ham radio into the game. Players craft radios for their desks and create antennas using wire, baluns, and coax to reach other players in the same Minecraft world with simulated propagation and solar weather! This presentation will explain and demonstrate the Radiocraft mod and discuss how clubs can use it for youth outreach and training.

EDM – Emergency Direct Messaging Rory Griffin, W4RJG Sat 11 AM (50 mins) [EM] Rory will describe EDM, which was created to concentrate on building a redundant communications channel that could operate independently of any existing infrastructure. He’ll cover what EDM is about, the vision behind the effort, the strategy in accomplishing it, and the tactics the EDM project wants team members to have to serve agencies. EDM doesn’t depend on the Internet, cellular or satellite services, repeaters, or even commercial power grids.

NTS 2.0: NTS Now and into the Future Marcia Forde, KW1U Sat 11 AM (50 mins) [OTA,EM] NTS, the National Traffic System, created in 1949 as an ARRL program, was at the heart of the ‘Relay’ in American Radio Relay League which peaked the interest of many hams. Yet with the advent of the internet, cell phones, etc. it appeared to have become obsolete in the minds of many. Yet today’s world has presented a new set of circumstances warranting a renewed look at the benefits of NTS. Learn more about the ARRL Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee’s NTS subcommittee and its work to modernize and improve this program of training in a structured system with emphasis on greater timeliness and accuracy of message delivery, as well as to expand its capabilities for emergency communications needs.

Youth Forum ~ New England Sci-Tech ARS Bob Phinney, K5TEC Sat 12 PM (50 mins) [INV] What inspires today’s youth in the amateur radio hobby? Find out what’s on the minds of our youngest hams in this captivating round-table discussion. Great learning opportunity for teachers or club leaders wanting to attract more youth to their local radio clubs.

ARRL Forum Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC Sat 12 PM (50 mins) [LEA] New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer will host the ARRL forum.

RFinder and the PortAzEl rotator, Intergalactic Repeater Directory Bob Greenberg, W2CYK Sat 12 PM (50 mins) [TEK] A description of the new developments in the RFinder devices and announcement of the new Satellite features and products!

AMSAT Current Projects Burns Fisher, WB1FJ Sat 12 PM (50 mins) [OTA,TEK] A presentation of current satellite projects at AMSAT, as well as a summary of educational initiatives.

RFI Hunting for the Radio Amateur Rob Leiden, K1UI Sat 12 PM (50 mins) [TEK] A tutorial for the ham who wants to find and correct radio frequency interference in his/her ham shack. The use of the New England Division RFI Troubleshooting Guide and working with the RFI Teams and their equipment will be included.

Winlink EmComm Usage Aaron Addison, KF1G Sat 12 PM (50 mins) [EM] Aaron will be going over Winlink, describing its basic setup, basic usage, the use of forms. Winlink can be used for both EmComm and daily communications.

CW DXCC in Six Months Larry Banks, W1DYJ Sat 12 PM (50 mins) [TNG] In 2014, after 52 years as a ham and multiple attempts to learn CW, Larry finally decided to learn CW enough to not only use it, but to like it. Starting with some history, this talk describes Larry’s “project” to learn CW. It includes a CW training app, rig interfaces, a realization that CONTESTING was the best way to learn CW (and some contesting details), logging software, and finally Larry’s results, both short term and long term.

What’s Out There on Digital? Michael Ford, WZ0C Sat 12 PM (50 mins) [OTA,TEK] There’s an alphabet soup of digital modes out there. Some are “PC software modes,” some might require modems, some are embedded in your new rig. And they’re not just for keyboard-to-keyboard communicating anymore. Michael will take us on a guided tour of today’s digital world.

Boston Marathon Bombing and 9-11 Deployment Stephen Schwarm, W3EVE Sat 12 PM (50 mins) [EM] It’s been over a decade since the Boston Marathon bombing. What was the state of EmComm then, and what is it now? Steve will share his perspectives.

NTS 101: Compose and Send a Radiogram Peter Doherty, KC1HHO Sat 12 PM (50 mins) [EM,OTA] This talk will cover the basics of composing and sending an NTS radiogram. If you’ve always wondered what traffic handling and radiograms were about, you won’t want to miss this informative and fun training session.

NESMC Board Meeting Robert DeMattia, K1IW Sat 12 PM (50 mins) [OTA] Executive session meeting for NESMC officers (closed to general public)

NEQRP Lucheon Gathering Convention Committee Sat 12 PM (50 mins)

Soldering Workshop Bob Phinney, K5TEC Sat 1 PM (50 mins) [TEK,TNG] Build an easy beginner kit in under an hour. New England Sci-Tech volunteers will help anyone age 10 and up learn how. Choose from several kits – Morse Code Oscillator, Blinky Name Badge, Night Light, or Spinning Top – all kits were invented by students! Price per kit is between $5-$10, cash only. All tools provided. First come, first serve, no signups today. More info on our web site: http://nescitech.org/hamx

HAM Radio to Improve the Environment Charlie Nicholson, KC1SFR Sat 1 PM (50 mins) [TEK] Imagine a new mesh network – full of sensors, allowing citizen science to go to the next level. Spread out over long distances, these environmental sensors can communicate with the world and each other through APRS, allowing scientists to receive valuable data to solve the climate crisis.

A 6-meter Antenna System for Contesting and DXing Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC Sat 1 PM (50 mins) [A&P] The design and construction of a high performance 6-meter antenna system for contesting and DXing is described. Topics include antenna system design, antenna selection, and station construction and performance. Presentation includes lots of pictures and links to additional information.

The Nuts & Bolts of Setting Up a Super Portable Station Mitch Stern, W1SJ Sat 1 PM (50 mins) [OTA] Anyone can drag a radio into the field and call CQ. But will anyone hear you? Our talk today focuses on the details needed to set up a super portable operation – one which will shoot fire and brimstone across the bands and result in pileups. Can you do that with a portable set up? You bet!

Microwaves for you Paul Wade, W1GHZ Sat 1 PM (50 mins) [TEK] You can get on microwaves without a wheelbarrow full of $$$ and have fun and discover new challenges.

RFI Team Meeting Rob Leiden, K1UI Sat 1 PM (50 mins) [TEK] Meeting to bring teams up to date on lessons learned, process changes, discuss obtaining additional equipment and training and get to know each other.

9-Band DXCC On A Covenant Restricted Lot Mark Noe, KE1IU Sat 1 PM (50 mins) [DX] This presentation will cover Mark’s journey as a DXer – from lowly beginnings as a teenager with only 4 countries to his name before going off to college – to achieving 9-Band DXCC (which happened last year). He will cover how to set up a very capable DX station with only wire antennas, tips for working common DX and the rare ones, the DX Code of Conduct, how to properly work split without getting frustrated, how to use FT8 to work DXpedtions, how to use a DX Cluster, how to use LoTW to confirm DX, and some automated tools that will make DX collecting easier for you. If you want to learn how to work DX without having a yard full of iron and aluminum, then this talk is for you! As a bonus, your station will also be very capable for ragchewing, WAS (Worked All States) and contesting.

CW Academy Bruce Blain, K1BG Sat 1 PM (50 mins) [TNG,OTA] Bruce K1BG, will talk about CWops’ “CW Academy.” CW Academy has trained an estimated 8,000 students in the past few years in the art of CW and telegraphy. If learning Morse code or improving your Morse skills is of interest, this talk is for you! (This presentation is repeated on Sunday at 10 AM.)

Today’s Packet Radio Michael Ford, WZ0C Sat 1 PM (50 mins) [OTA,TEK] Remember packet radio of the 80s? Keyboard to keyboard at 1200 bits per second? Linking digipeaters for DXing? BBSs and clusters? Terminal Node Controllers with 2-digit serial numbers? Packet is a lot more nowadays, and Michael will explore it all for us.

Go Kits Francis OLaughlin, WQ1O Sat 1 PM (50 mins) [EM] This is a presentation on various EmComm Go-Kits ranging from a simple Jump-Kit to a more capable type of kit that is housed in a hard case. It will be a hands on type of demonstration showing how they are put together and the types and hardware/equipment involved.

ARES Drill Package Keith Anoe, KE4UCW Sat 1 PM (50 mins) [EM] The ARES Drill Package presentation provides an overview of how to develop a training drill cycle that is all-inclusive for the drill participants at the individual and collective level. How to develop objectives and time lines, execute the drill and conduct Hotwash and the final After Action Report.

VEC Session II Convention Committee Sat 1 PM (240 mins)

NEQRP – Antenna Modeling with EZ-NEC Greg Algieri, WA1JXR Sat 1 PM (50 mins) [A&P] Learn antenna modeling with EZ-NEC. What is EZ-NEC. How can I use it for antenna modeling. How will this make my communications BETTER. Learn where to download and learn to use this FANTASTIC software to help your Amateur Radio skills.

Cubes In Space – An Awesome Youth Activity for Your Club Bob Phinney, K5TEC Sat 2 PM (50 mins) [INV] Revitalize the youth participation in your club with an activity that allows students between 11 and 18 to launch a small project on a NASA sounding rocket. Learn from several students who launched their project from Wallops AFB.

Disappearing Ham Radio History: Hope for the Future Tom Perera, W1TP Sat 2 PM (50 mins) [INV] Co-presented with Mike Crestohl, W1RC. A nostalgic trip into our past: Heathkit, Collins, Hallicrafters, surplus military radios, keys, and a look at the people and organizations that are trying to keep Ham Radio alive.

Introduction to Contesting Doug Grant, K1DG Sat 2 PM (50 mins) [CON] Contesting isn’t only for the big guns and highly competitive folks. Doug will introduce you to getting started in this aspect of our hobby.

10 GHz – The New Magic Band Dale Clement, AF1T Sat 2 PM (50 mins) [OTA,TEK] Discover the excitement that awaits you on the 3-centimeter band! Learn about antennas, equipment, propagation, operating techniques, and activities that will contribute to your success.

Understanding and Using Propagation to Work the World Anita Kemmerer, AB1QB Sat 2 PM (50 mins) [A&P] Presentation on understanding HF and VHF propagation and how to use it for operating on the air.

Outdoor Gear for the Portable Amateur Radio Operator Mindy Hull, KM1NDY Sat 2 PM (50 mins) [OTA] Sorry FT8, portable radio is still the hottest ham rage! But by now, most of us know how to get outside, set up a radio, get on the air, and make contacts out in the field. Sure, we can debate whether we want to use a wire or a vertical antenna, how many radials, QRP or not… But, many of us are getting to a point of “been there, done that.” We talked last year about getting friends and family (yup, including the XYLs!) to go with us. This year, we are focusing on every ham’s favorite topic–gear! But not (necessarily) radio gear. Instead, our attention will be on what gear do we bring along on our outdoor radio adventures to have the most amazing ham field experiences we can have. Blue ice fishing tents? Portable fans? Headlamps? Dyneema vs. silnylon? You all know you have your favorites, and I have mine. This talk will go over the finer points of ham radio outdoor gear for newcomers and seasoned veterans alike, and everyone will be welcome to shout out their opinions! (Presentation repeated on Sunday at 12 Noon.)

Regenerative vs Direct Conversion Receivers – Which is Best? James Surprenant, AB1DQ Sat 2 PM (50 mins) [TEK] Fundamental regen and direct conversion receiver design and history will be presented followed by a deeper dive contrasting and comparing the strengths and weaknesses of each circuit. The intent is to provide a foundational understanding of these two basic receiver designs to the newer radio hobbyist and to help budding scratch builders choose the best circuit for their current projects.

ARTEN – Amateur Radio Training Experiment Network / Microwave Mesh Paul Fredette, K1YBE Sat 2 PM (50 mins) [INV,TEK] STEM career engagement in wireless and networking technologies can provide fun and learning for all. ARTEN is an ARRL Foundation Grant project implemented by the Newport County Radio Club (w1sye.org) for reuse in any club setting to provide RF and networking experience by implementing a remote sensor using microwave technology. CO2 variation in a farm field is the target parameter for the initial project but the real fun is experimenting with Antennas, Routers, Very Nice Analyzers (VNAs) and solar power while monitoring the cycle of breathable air. The AREDN software and inexpensive hardware are used encourage youth access and allow the experience of experts to be shared.

EmComm Antennas Francis OLaughlin, WQ1O Sat 2 PM (50 mins) [EM, A&P] This is a presentation on different types of antennas used in EmComm operations. Most are expedient and can be deployed quickly when needed. The presentation will focus on types of antennas and how they are constructed. It will also go over some best practices in their use. It will be a hands on type of presentation.

Tactical Communications for Amateur Radio Howard Chain, K9NPD Sat 2 PM (50 mins) [EM] Howard will guide us through Tactical Communications and why use them. Tactical vs. Formal messages. Tactical Traffic best practices. How to maintain message accuracy and brevity. Should a message be formal or informal with examples. Creating tactical names and how to use them. Questions will be taken throughout and at the end of the presentation.

How IC and VLSI Chips are Made Dave Robertson, KD1NA Sat 2 PM (50 mins) [TEK] Dave’s Presentation/Talk will encompass: What is an IC and VLSI Chip. How are they made, in the past, and today. All the Equipment involved in making an IC (VLSI) Chip. The physics involved, i.e. all the “what’s happening” to make it work.

Soldering Workshop Bob Phinney, K5TEC Sat 3 PM (50 mins) [TEK,TNG] Build an easy beginner kit in under an hour. New England Sci-Tech volunteers will help anyone age 10 and up learn how. Choose from several kits – Morse Code Oscillator, Blinky Name Badge, Night Light, or Spinning Top – all kits were invented by students! Price per kit is between $5-$10, cash only. All tools provided. First come, first serve, no signups today. More info on our web site: http://nescitech.org/hamx

YL Meet and Greet Barbara Irby, KC1KGS Sat 3 PM (110 mins) Barb, KC1KGS, and Anne, WB1ARU, invite you to get together, meet, and greet other YLs. (Two hours)

An Effective Contest Station without Towers John Vogel, N1PGA Sat 3 PM (50 mins) [CON,TEK] Come see how one ham has built a contest station that produces Top 5 scores without using towers. You might just see the potential in your backyard a little differently.

Off Grid and Portable Operations Charles Smith, KC1IKA Sat 3 PM (50 mins) [EM,OTA] This presentation will show what Charles does as a Net Control Station (NCS) for ARES, Skywarn, and CERT to stay on the air and get situational reports out, no matter what the conditions. This will cover radios, batteries, solar charging, situational awareness, what he built for operating off-grid or portable and why he chose certain batteries and solar options as well as multiple ways to be able to stay on the air. This information applies to anyone operating portable operations, not just EmComm. (Repeated on Sunday)

Two Ideas for Skyhooks Larry Banks, W1DYJ Sat 3 PM (50 mins) [A&P] In 2008 Larry and his wife Maren bought a second home in Harpswell ME, south of Brunswick. He threw up some simple HF dipoles just to get on the air. By 2013 he was ready to upgrade these: first a 6m Yagi (part I of this talk) and then an HF fan dipole (part II). This is an “ideas” talk with some practical pointers for homebrew construction. [Repeated on Sunday]

NTS Meet and Greet Marcia Forde, KW1U Sat 3 PM (50 mins) [OTA] Meet with traffic handlers throughout the Throughout New England and Hudson Divisions and beyond. We welcome seasoned traffic handlers and those just curious what it is all about. Get questions answered here, exchange information, stories, perhaps pick up a tip or two. Questions about NTS 2.0? We’ll try to have answers for that too.

RF Survey with Raspberry Pi and Icom IC-705 Najm Choueiry, AB1ZA Sat 3 PM (50 mins) [TEK] Najm will describe the basics of GPS receivers and how to decode a GPS string output. He has used the Python programming language to create a graphical user interface to poll the ICOM IC-705 and display/record RF signal strength, frequency in use and latitude longitude. RF data is saved on a USB drive and imported in Google Earth Pro.

Advanced Topics in SKYWARN – Doppler Radar Fundamentals & How You Can Help with Severe Weather Reporting Situational Awareness Rob Macedo, KD1CY Sat 3 PM (110 mins) [EM] Have you wanted to get more involved in supporting SKYWARN but have rarely seen criteria to report on SKYWARN Nets? Have you wanted to learn more about Doppler Radar analysis during the summer severe weather season? This class will cover both these topics. Very often, particularly for severe thunderstorms and localized flood events along with other weather scenarios, damage can be very localized but significant where the damage or flooding occurs. This seminar is intended to give Amateur Radio operators a way to contribute further by supporting proper public safety radio monitoring via personal scanners and online public safety feeds, proper social media monitoring techniques and monitoring local weather stations in your city or town or a local range of cities and towns to help support reporting into the National Weather Service to protect life and property. We will cover the need for net controls and monitoring of local area repeaters during severe weather situations.We will also cover Doppler Radar fundamentals and go through a few radar scenarios from past severe weather events.

New England Spectrum Management – Annual Meeting Robert DeMattia, K1IW Sat 3 PM (50 mins) [OTA] This is annual meeting of New England Spectrum Management (NESMC), the amateur radio repeater frequency coordinator for Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Repeater owners, users, members, and non members are all invited.

How QRP Changed My Life Rex Harper, W1REX Sat 3 PM (50 mins) [OTA] QRP… How Three little letters changed my life …And could change yours! Rex’s Presentation/Talk will encompass his journey in electronics and life, before Amateur Radio and beyond, till today.

Soldering Workshop Bob Phinney, K5TEC Sat 4 PM (50 mins) [TEK,TNG] Build an easy beginner kit in under an hour. New England Sci-Tech volunteers will help anyone age 10 and up learn how. Choose from several kits – Morse Code Oscillator, Blinky Name Badge, Night Light, or Spinning Top – all kits were invented by students! Price per kit is between $5-$10, cash only. All tools provided. First come, first serve, no signups today. More info on our web site: http://nescitech.org/hamx

ARDC: Paving the Way for a Bright Future for Amateur Radio Jim Idelson, K1IR Sat 4 PM (50 mins) Amateur Radio | Digital Communications (ARDC) is a private foundation that exists to support amateur radio and digital communication science and technology. Jim will provide an overview of the organization and his recent experience as a member of the Grants Advisory Committee.

HamSCI Festivals of Eclipse Ionospheric Science Stanley Pozerski, KD1LE Sat 4 PM (50 mins) [TEK] This presentation describes the events and activities that Hams can participate in during the upcoming eclipses in 2023 and 2024. The goal is to generate data on propagation during the eclipses for future scientific studies.

AREDN: A New Tool for Emergency Communications Jim Garner, KC1BHD Sat 4 PM (50 mins) [TEK,EM] Jim Garner will discuss how AREDN MESH nodes and networks can be deployed for emergency communications.

RI Section Town Hall Forum Nancy Austin, KC1NEK Sat 4 PM (50 mins) [LEA] Welcome to RI’s first Town Hall Forum. Please join our Meet & Greet Town Hall Forum as we introduce the new leadership, share what your RI cabinet has been doing, and hear from other Ocean State radio amateurs. Follow RI-ARRL.org for updates.

WSJTX Initial Beaconing and School Challenge Bradshaw Lupton, K1TE Sat 4 PM (40 mins) [TEK] K1TE will describe a STEM Radio Project delivering $12 11mw 20m WSJTX beacons to six cape high schools and three cape colleges. The project is developing a free (non-commercial), new radio internet in historic Marconi territory.

The 2023 Big E Project: Presenting Modern Ham Radio to the Public Larry Krainson, W1AST Sat 4 PM (50 mins) [INV] Presentation and discussion about the 2023 Big E Project and getting the public interested in ham radio enough to sign up for classes. The Big E booth is just a month from the HamXpo and things will be in very good shape for the booth by then. But more volunteers and interested parties are always welcome.

Grand Banquet Convention Committee Sat 7 PM (110 mins) Grand Banquet featuring special guest “Chip” Cohen, W1YW, an inventor, scientist, and retired professor. Chip will talk about his amusing background, ‘ham-genuity’, and some the pitfalls and pleasures along that tortuous path of invention.Door Prize!

NEQRP Meet & Greet, Vendors Night, & Build-a-thon Convention Committee Sat 7 PM (180 mins)

Game Night Seth Kendall, KC1PZY Sat 9 PM (50 mins) Play some games with your fellow hams! We’ve got everything from quick and easy social word games to classic strategy games like Chess and Go. Hosted by Sci Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS).

Open-Mic Storytelling Phil Temples, K9HI Sat 10 PM (50 mins) Or perhaps ham radio impacted your life in a way you couldn’t have imagined? Now’s the time to share your ham radio-related story! This event will allow each participant to tell the audience their unique ham radio story. This special event will take place Saturday night, following the conclusion of the Grand Banquet.

CW Academy Bruce Blain, K1BG Sun 10 AM (50 mins) [TNG,OTA] Bruce K1BG, will talk about CWops’ “CW Academy.” CW Academy has trained an estimated 6,000 students in the past few years in the art of CW and telegraphy. If learning Morse code or improving your Morse skills is of interest, this talk is for you! (Encore presentation by popular demand!)

Hamshack Hotline David Neal, W2DAN Sun 10 AM (50 mins) [TEK] The Hamshack Hotline is a Free VOIP telcom service for the ham radio community. Its purpose is to augment communication in hamshacks, EOC‘s, and clubs, and among club members. It offers full duplex operation. It also supports FAX.

Outdoor Gear for the Portable Amateur Radio Operator Mindy Hull, KM1NDY Sun 10 AM (50 mins) [OTA] Sorry FT8, portable radio is still the hottest ham rage! But by now, most of us know how to get outside, set up a radio, get on the air, and make contacts out in the field. Sure, we can debate whether we want to use a wire or a vertical antenna, how many radials, QRP or not… But, many of us are getting to a point of “been there, done that.” We talked last year about getting friends and family (yup, including the XYLs!) to go with us. This year, we are focusing on every ham’s favorite topic–gear! But not (necessarily) radio gear. Instead, our attention will be on what gear do we bring along on our outdoor radio adventures to have the most amazing ham field experiences we can have. Blue ice fishing tents? Portable fans? Headlamps? Dyneema vs. silnylon? You all know you have your favorites, and I have mine. This talk will go over the finer points of ham radio outdoor gear for newcomers and seasoned veterans alike, and everyone will be welcome to shout out their opinions! (Repeat presentation by popular demand.)

Radiosonde Hunting and Reprogramming for Ham Radio Use Max Kendall, W0MXX Sun 10 AM (50 mins) Ever wanted a fun activity to do with your club, or just yourself? Radiosondes are balloons with weather equipment launched by the National Weather Service. Tracking and recovering them, also known as ‘sonde hunting,’ is like a fox hunt, only you can keep the fox and reuse it for your needs! Max will talk about the equipment involved in tracking and recovering radiosondes, and as a bonus, he will even show how to reuse them for ham radio needs, such as tracking your own high altitude balloons or vehicles. (Repeat from Saturday)

Two Ideas for Skyhooks Larry Banks, W1DYJ Sun 10 AM (50 mins) [A&P] In 2008 Larry and his wife Maren bought a second home in Harpswell ME, south of Brunswick. He threw up some simple HF dipoles just to get on the air. By 2013 he was ready to upgrade these: first a 6m Yagi (part I of this talk) and then an HF fan dipole (part II). This is an “ideas” talk with some practical pointers for homebrew construction. [Repeat talk from Saturday]

WMA ARES Leadership Team meeting Charles Chandler, WS1L Sun 10 AM (50 mins) [EM,LEA] This is a meeting of the leadership team (ASEC’s, DEC’s and EC’s) of the Western Massachusetts Amateur Radio Emergency Service.

VEC Session III Convention Committee Sun 10 AM (120 mins)

How Hams can support the Department of Defense from their home stations Paul Decker, KG7HF Sun 10 AM (50 mins) [EM,OTA] MARS Operators gather information as requested by the DoD on situational awareness around the country. MARS members depend on reaching out to other hams, on amateur frequencies, to gather this information, often with a short fuse, considering the time a response will take to travel across the country. In this forum, we will discuss the types of information being requested, and practice one specific request that we get with almost every exercise, and is nearly impossible to obtain without reaching out to other ham radio operators that live near a specific airport. We will show how to find and to listen to Airport Weather observations that are intended for pilots in the 120MHz band on AM, practice transcribing some reports, and how to read your transcription back to a MARS operator.

The state of D-Star Terry Stader, KA8SCP Sun 11 AM (50 mins) [OTA,TEK] An overview of what is happening in the D-STAR world. We will address repeaters, hotspots, reflector use and some discussion on transcoding (where D-STAR users can talk to DMR, Fusion and more).

The MARCONI Project – An Approach to Reinvigorating Less Active Amateur Radio Clubs Edward Snyder, W1YSM Sun 11 AM (50 mins) [INV] The MARCONI Grant (Motivating Amateur Radio Clubs to Open New Initiatives) was designed to develop a ‘MARCONI’ Program to stimulate amateur radio club activity. The presentation describes how an active radio club can assist a less active radio club to increase the less active club’s membership and stimulate the latter club’s activity. A key aspect is to design the MARCONI Program to be of sufficient interest to the active club so that their members will agree to provide the necessary assistance AND to the less active club so that their members will be receptive to the offer of support.

VoIP Hurricane Net – Providing surface reporting, situational awareness, disaster intelligence supporting WX4NHC Rob Macedo, KD1CY Sun 11 AM (50 mins) [EM] This forum describes an overview of the VoIP Hurricane Net and how it provides support to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center. The net has been in existence for 20 years. The presentation will go through the VoIP modes utilized on the net, activation procedures, reporting procedures, recent notable net activations and how the net has evolved into a virtual hub of information for landfalling hurricanes supporting WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center and going beyond that support to local NWS Offices, FEMA, Red Cross and other agencies.

An Introduction to POTA Dave Hornbaker, N1DCH Sun 11 AM (50 mins) [OTA] This presentation will help you to get started with POTA. Parks on the Air (POTA) was founded in September 15, 2010. Its purpose is to encourage Amateur Radio Operators who enjoy the outdoors but, may not be interested in or able to take long hikes or climb steep hills, to combine interests by operating from local, state, or national parks around the world. Aspects of POTA to be discussed include Hunting and Activating parks. Portable station setup (rigs, battery, antenna) , operation (logging, modes, exchange), log submission, and POTA websites will be covered for both hunters and activators. Additionally, the presenter will review the contents of his POTA Go-Bag.

Western Mass Section Meeting RAYMOND LAJOIE, AA1SE Sun 11 AM (50 mins) [LEA] A gathering of the Western Mass members to share information and talk about projects and activities, with some Q&A.

MARS Closed Meeting Paul Decker, KG7HF Sun 11 AM (50 mins) [EM] Closed Meeting for MARS Members Only

Giant Antennas of the Navy George Allison, K1IG Sun 12 PM (50 mins) [A&P,INV] With world-wide commitments, the U.S. Navy needs constant and reliable communications with ships, aircraft, and submarines. This presentation shows some of the giant antennas the Navy has used for HF, VLF, and ELF communications and direction-finding, with dimensions measured in miles and power in megawatts. If you have a few thousand acres available, you can build one too!

Optimized High Power Magloop: Physics, Design, & Construction Ted Robinson, K1QAR Sun 12 PM (50 mins) [A&P] A kilowatt magloop does not need to cost several kilobucks, or require weeks of labor, machine shop or welding skills. Discussion will include physics, design choices, construction procedures, and parts sources. A demo loop with the described parts will be shown at the talk and operated in the flea area, weather permitting. (Repeated from Saturday at 11 AM.)

An Introduction to the MMRA Kevin Paetzold, K1KWP Sun 12 PM (50 mins) [OTA] This presentation will cover the MMRA repeater network, history. It will be followed by a raffle.

Off Grid and Portable Operations Charles Smith, KC1IKA Sun 12 PM (50 mins) [EM,OTA] This presentation will show what Charles does as a Net Control Station (NCS) for ARES, Skywarn, and CERT to stay on the air and get situational reports out, no matter what the conditions. This will cover radios, batteries, solar charging, situational awareness, what he built for operating off-grid or portable and why he chose certain batteries and solar options as well as multiple ways to be able to stay on the air. This information applies to anyone operating portable operations, not just EmComm. (Repeat presentation)

Closing Ceremony & Prize Drawings Convention Committee Sun 1 PM (90 mins) Closing remarks by the committee, followed by the grand finale door prize drawings. See the HamXposition home page for a list of the major prizes. You need not be present to win for the majors, however you must be present to win the many smaller prizes which will are also offered.