Program

Looking for Inspiration?

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Looking for inspiration?

We’re intentionally soliciting talks at all levels: introductory, general interest, advanced. The ideal presentation is preferably about 45 minutes in length and absolutely no longer than 50 minutes. This will allow time for subsequent speakers to set up. Here are just a few ideas to spark your imagination as you prepare a talk about The Excitement of Amateur Radio. (Don’t worry. You may see an inspiration in one subject group and apply it to another.)

Antennas and Propagation Subjects. Simple antennas for the newcomer. Making antennas out of aluminum, or wire. Antenna projects as club activities. All about transmission lines and connectors. Knowledgeable purchasing. Rotators. Tower safety. When should I get on the air, and on which band? Propagation basics. Beacons. Propagation modeling. Propagation reporting. What are all these sunspot numbers, A, and K factors, anyway? The decibel. What’s next in the solar cycle. Results of your own propagation studies. HamSCI activities.

Operating Activities Subjects.

On The Air. Introduction to fox hunting, to ARDF, to OTAs (Summits, Parks, Lighthouses, Boy Scout Jamborees, Girl Scout Thinking days, etc.). International cooperative efforts. Operating practice and/or ethics. Operating awards. Geography and topography. VHF+ hilltopping and roving. Tips and techniques for your successful activity. Activity travelogues. QSLing. Occupying underutilized bands or modes.

Contesting. Introduction to contesting. Configuring your station. Maximizing your score. Breaking through pile-ups. Tips for the “little pistol” competitors. Logging programs and techniques. Submitting logs. Field day war stories.

DXing. Introduction to DXing. Wallpaper opportunities. Organizing and managing a DXpedition. Amateur Radio demographics around the world. Tips for the “little pistol” DX chasers. Getting started with Logbook of the World. Travelogues.

EMCOM, Public Service, and Traffic Subjects. What happens to “When all else fails” when the Internet fails. EMCOM/PS preparation and training. The Incident Commander concept. Initiating and managing local EMCOM relationships. Case studies of or reports on emergency communications.
Introduction to public service. Public service experiences. Case studies of or reports on public service events. Go-kits/portable/packable/mobile equipment. Portable power. Introduction to traffic handling.

Restructuring of the NTS. Analog and digital repeater systems and networks. Analysis of command, control, and communications during Paul Rever’s 1775 ride.

History, Invention, and Reinvention Subjects. Where did we come from. Historical artifacts. Amateur Radio’s contributions to the art and technology of radio. Amateur Radio demographics. A tank away: radio-related tourist venues. How can Amateur Radio thrive: where are we going, how do we get there. Rejuvenating clubs and club meetings.

League, Division, and Section Activities and News. What’s next, what’s big in Amateur Radio. Rules and regulations. Major operating activities. Supporting scouting activities and college clubs.

Technical Subjects. New signal sources, modes, or modulation schemes. Introduction to the digital modes. Introduction to repeaters, DSTAR, DMR, etc. The analog modes aren’t dead. Unusual modes (video, telemetry, remote control, etc.) Equipment construction techniques. Physical circuits versus programming. The basics of software defined radios. SMD soldering. Parts and programs resources. Hints and Kinks. RFI chasing and fixing. Using clusters, spotters, and reporters. How to remotely control your station. Frontiers in the hobby. The Clean Signal Initiative. Exploring Lightwave communications. Experiences at HF and below, VHF and above. Shack networking and interfacing. Remote operation. Reports of experiments, studies, or significant achievements.

Training and Education Subjects. T&E planning for your club. T&E success (or failure) stories. Demonstrations, and how to present them. Long format versus short format license preparation. Tech Nights. Post-exam, continuing, and remedial training. Finding candidate trainees. Bringing the next
generation on board. Elmering.

“POTA Adventures at the Northeast HamXposition”

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POTA Adventures at the Northeast HamXposition: Conrad, Peter, and Brian’s Exciting Weekend
 
The Northeast HamXposition, held in Marlborough, Massachusetts, from August 22nd to 25th, was a weekend filled with ham radio activities, presentations, and special events. For Conrad Trautmann (N2YCH), Peter Cimino (K1PCN), and Brian Horne (N1BAM), it was a memorable event that blended education with the thrill of Parks on the Air (POTA) activations.
 
Conrad and Peter, along with Shawn Warren (KC1NQE), delivered a joint presentation on the evolution of the Connecticut Parks on the Air (CT-POTA) Activators Group on Saturday afternoon. Given the presentation topic, permissions were granted for them to activate some parks over the weekend using the special event call sign W1XPO, the official call of FEMARA.
 
Activating a park is always fun, but using a special event call sign like W1XPO added an extra level of excitement. Conrad mentioned, “Everyone wants to try and get you, which usually means a good pile-up!”
 
Peter and Conrad started early on Friday, mapping out parks to visit before the main event. Their first stop was Bigelow Hollow State Park (US-1648) in Union, Connecticut. With some helpful advice from Shawn, who had activated there before, they set up near Bigelow Pond. Conrad recalls, “The park is wooded with forest right up to the bank of the pond. There’s not much open space, so we set up among the trees.” Peter operated SSB while Conrad handled digital modes, offering hunters different opportunities to make contact.
 
Meanwhile, Brian Horne (N1BAM) also got in on the POTA action during the HamXposition. On Friday, he activated Callahan State Park (US-2424) in Massachusetts using his personal call sign, N1BAM. Setting up a SuperAntenna with a Faraday cloth for HF, Brian logged an impressive 44 contacts in just over an hour, making it his first time activating a Massachusetts park.
 
On Sunday, after the conference wrapped up, Brian activated Moosup Valley State Trail (US-7535) in Connecticut on his way home. Hiking in about a quarter-mile, he found an elevated spot overlooking a river and made 17 contacts in just 20 minutes, using the W1XPO call sign.
 
Conrad and Peter continued their activations with a stop at Quacumquasit Wildlife Management Area (US-11562) in East Brookfield, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, Conrad faced a challenge with his logging software, which refused to cooperate. While Peter had a successful activation, Conrad’s issues reminded them that even experienced operators can encounter setbacks in the field.
 
The duo made one more stop on the way back to Connecticut, activating Wells State Park (US-2462) in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. As rain began to fall during their activation, they quickly wrapped up and headed home.
 
The Northeast HamXposition was a tremendous success for Conrad, Peter, and Brian. The combination of presentations and activations made the weekend unforgettable. The joint presentation on the CT-POTA Activators group showcased their passion for POTA, while the activations using the W1XPO call sign highlighted the joy of working with a special event call.
As Brian, Peter, and Conrad activated parks in New England, they further cemented their love for POTA and the unique bond it fosters within the ham radio community. Until next year’s event, the team is eager to continue their POTA adventures, inspiring more operators to explore the joys of activating parks on the air.
 
POTA on!
 
Shawn Warren
KC1NQE – Keep Creating 1 New Quality Experience
 
N2YCH - Activating W1XPO

Club Track at Northeast HamXposition

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Bruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

Thanks for attending the “Club Track” at HamXposition last weekend.  Feedback has been very positive!

I want to thank the following people for their presentations:

Bruce Blain, K1BG, Nashoba Valley ARC – Guerilla Marketing: Finding contacts, creating email lists mailings / CRM tips.

David Tessitore, K1DT, Providence Radio Association – Marketing your Club.

Chris Ranney, WA1CMR, Falmouth ARA – Getting New Hams Active – How a “radio” library can help.

George Allison, K1IG, PART of Westford – Making Your Club Relevant and Fun.

Phil Temples, K9HI – Overview of WordPress website options.

Brandon Hockle, NQ1W, Cape Ann ARA – Radio Club Rejuvenated: What we did at Cape Ann ARA and what might work for your club.

Nancy Austin, KC1NEK, SM/RI and Rowan Eggert, WO1P, SYC/RI – Leveraging the biannual ARRL School Roundup in the New England Division as a new youth force multiplier follow up to Winter Field Day and JOTA.

If anyone is interest in any of the presentations, reply to this email and I will send you a copy or copies.

Thanks again.  I hope we can do it again in 2025!

 

Bruce

“Lessons Learned as a Ham for Broadcast RF and Vice Versa” at HamXposition

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Douglas Evans, K3DREJoin Douglas Evans, K3DRE, as he talks about lessons learned in professional radio and how they lead him to ham radio. From there, he’ll move to the things he learned as a radio amateur that helped his career. Doug’s been a lot of places and seen very interesting stuff, but found the basics of RF always apply. #hamxposition

Youth Forum at Northeast HamXposition

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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, scout leaders, or clubs wanting to attract more youth to their local radio clubs. #hamxposition

“Perennial Favorite” Kansas City DX Pileup Competition, at HamXposition

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Kansas City DC Club logoJoin your friends following the Friday banquet for this perennial Dayton favorite: Northeast HamXposition’s version of the annual Kansas City DX Club CW Pileup Competition, hosted by Ed Parish, K1EP.

This competition has become a tradition at the Dayton Hamvention. Participants are charged with copying as many calls as possible from a pileup of about 100 calls. The pileup file simulates a possible “on the air” experience, with some calls sent once, some twice, at varying speeds and pitches. You won’t want to miss it!

“Radio & Steam Technology” at HamXposition

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Massie Wireless Station “PJ”
Massie Wireless Station “PJ”

Don’t miss the presentation on the New England Wireless & Steam Museum campus in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, consisting of five main buildings and their respective collections. Both radio and steam technology will be discussed; but the emphasis will be on antique and modern amateur radio collections and exhibits. Emphasis will be placed on the contributions of volunteers. #hamxposition

Three One-Hour-Long Kitbuilding Workshops Offered at HamXposition!

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Kitbuilding 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, Blinky Name Badge, Night Light, Spinning Top, FM Music Receiver — all kits were invented by students! Price per kit is between $5-$10, cash only. See our web site for details: http://nescitech.org/hamx.