The Nashua Area Radio Society recently had the opportunity to visit Matt Strelow, KC1XX’s station in Mason, NH. Matt has assembled one of the top contest stations in the world along with a very skilled set of operators.
Matt and some of his team members spent an afternoon with us helping us learn about how a world-class multi-multi contest station is built and operated.
KC1XX Antenna Farm
Bob WA1Z Explaining the KC1XX Antenna Farm
Our tour of the KC1XX Contest Station began with the antenna farm. Matt’s station is located on top of Hurricane Hill in Mason, NH, and sports some very impressive antenna hardware. Bob, WA1Z gave us a great overview of the impressive antenna hardware at Matt’s station. Matt has a total of 13 towers which include stacks of yagis on many of the HF bands.
40m Tower at KC1XX
The photo above shows the 40m stack at KC1XX. This tower has two 40m, 4 element full-size yagis in a stack. The entire tower rotates at the base. As is the case with most of Matt’s towers, this one also includes antennas for other bands (in this case 6m and above).
Rotating Tower Base
It takes some heavy-duty hardware to rotate an entire tower. The photo above shows the rotator at the base of one of Matt’s rotatable towers. Rotatable towers are a great way to turn stacks of yagis which are fixed in the same direction on the same tower.
2 Element 80 Antenna System on a 300 ft tower
Matt’s largest tower holds a pair of 80m delta loops that create an 80m directional antenna. A two-element loop antenna is equivalent in performance to a 3 element yagi. This tower is 300 ft tall, is painted red and white and has a flashing beacon at the top! The “booms” that support the element for Matt’s 80m directional antenna are made from a pair of tower sections that are mounted horizontally on this tower.
Feedline Patch Panel
Matt’s station has many antennas and all of the associated feedlines converge in a small building that houses a patch panel, remote antenna switches and supporting gear.
KC1XX Station
Operating Positions at KC1XX
Matt’s “shack” is equally impressive. His station arranged in a multi-multi configuration with dedicated radios and operating positions for each band and major contest direction.
Antenna Controls at KC1XX
The antenna controls for the station are centrally located in Matt’s station. The antenna control system at KC1XX includes many antenna rotator boxes, antenna switches, and related controls. Centralized antenna controls allow all of the antennas to configured from one place in a way that best supports the band and contest conditions at any given time.
The Best Part of All
Dave KM3T and Matt KC1XX Explain the KC1XX Station and Contesting
The best part of our visit was the time that Matt and his team spent with us talking about Amateur Radio and contesting. The photo above shows Dave, KM3T who is one of Matt’s team members explaining the station as everyone looks on. Dave is also a NARS member and it was great that he was able to join in our visit.
Matt created a really cool Amateur Radio quiz that we all did. It included questions involving recognizing call signs, propagation, and other areas of Amateur Radio operating.
We all really enjoyed the visit and we especially appreciate all of the time that Matt and his team spent getting to know us and sharing stories about everyone’s Amateur Radio experiences. We very much appreciate Matt’s and his team’s willingness to spend time with us sharing their knowledge and experience.
Burns, WB1FJ approached me a few weeks ago doing some portable satellite activations as part of the AMSAT 50th Aniversary Celebration. The idea was to use the AMSAT Callsign WZ3M/1 to put the states of CT and RI on satellites.
Preparations for our activations included creating a Pass Summary of predictions for the day of our activation using prediction data from MacDoopler. You can take a look at our pass summary here.
W3ZM/1 Activation in RI
Our first activation was near the fire station in Burrillville, RI. We found an open spot and set up our station, antenna, and solar power system. This was a great public spot and we had several visitors come by to take a look at our setup and ask questions about satellites and Amateur Radio.
We made quite a few contacts at this location using both FM satellites like AO-92, AO-92, and SO-50 as well as a few contacts using linear satellites like CAS-4A and CAS-4B.
W3ZM/1 Activation in CT
We moved to a Church in CT for the next part of our activation early in the afternoon. This site was a little less open than the first one but we were still able to make a number of contacts here.
The photo above shows a view of our portable setup which consisted of an Icom 910H transceiver, a MacBook Air Laptop running MacDoppler, and an Elk Log-periodic antenna on a tripod. The computer and MacDoppler controlled the radio VFOs to automatically correct for Doppler shift which enabled us to do contacts using linear satellites. We used an iPhone running a satellite tracking app to help point the antenna during satellite passes.
We used a pair of 90W portable solar panels, a pair of LIPO batteries, and an MPPT charging system to provide power for our radio and the computer. It was a sunny day and our solar power system kept our batteries fully charged through both activations.
We did pretty well overall making a total of 15 contacts between. The downlink side of our antenna system was the weakest link in the setup. Folks that we worked on linear satellites indicated that our uplink signals were solid but we had some trouble hearing weaker stations on the downlinks. We have some ideas for an improved antenna system for our next portable activation – stay tuned for more on this.
All in all, Burns and I were pretty pleased with these activations. We had a lot of fun, helped a few folks some new states, contributed to AMSAT’s 50th Celebration, and we learned some things that we can use to improve our portable station.
Our Expo display grew a bit this year to include an HT Programming Clinic. We also updated several of our display elements to add more hands-on activities.
Nashua Area Radio Society Activities and Training Display
In particular, we added information on our training programs and the associated Internet Subscription that we launched earlier this year. We also added video and other content from the ISS Crew Contact that we did with Hudson Memorial School late last year.
More Photos from our Amateur Radio Expo Display
NARS Expo Display and Kit Build
NARS Expo Display and Kit Build
NARS Expo Display and Kit Build 2
NARS Expo Display and Kit Build 2
Nashua Area Radio Society Activities and Training Display
Nashua Area Radio Society Activities and Training Display
Education and Training Display
Education and Training Display
Field Day and EMCOM Display
Field Day and EMCOM Display
Emergency Go Kit with APRS
Emergency Go Kit with APRS
High-Altitude Balloon Display
High-Altitude Balloon Display
Satellite Communications Display
Satellite Communications Display
Radio Programming Clinic
Radio Programming Clinic
Kit Building Video Playing in our Display
Kit Building Video Playing in our Display
A Young Man Explores Morse Code
A Young Man Explores Morse Code
Morse Code Fun
Morse Code Fun
More Morse Code Fun
More Morse Code Fun
Ham Bootcamp
Ham Bootcamp Kickoff
Our main new activity at HamXposition 2019 was Ham Bootcamp. We had a total of 57 folks join us on Saturday morning for 9a – noon to learn about how to put together a station and get on the air.
Bill AB1AV is Net Control for a Practice Net during the Bootcamp Tech Track
Bootcamp consisted of two tracks – one for Techs/Perspective Hamsand one for Generals. Both were popular with the group pretty evenly split between the two.
Dan AC1EN and Kenzie KE1NZY provide a Satellite Intro during the Bootcamp Tech Track
Bootcamp included a number of demonstrations and hands-on activities. The photo above shows Dan, AC1EN and Mackenzie, KE1NZY explaining how to get started with Amateur Radio Satellites. The Tech track included:
How to pick an HT and a simple, effective antenna
How to program your radio
How to get started with EchoLink
How to make a QSO – this activity involved having Bootcampers checking into and participate in a practice chat net using HT’s
How to get started with Fox Hunting and Amateur Radio Satellites
Jamey AC1DC Explains HF Station Building during the Bootcamp General Track
Jamey AC1DC, Anita, AB1QB, Abby AB1BY, and Jerry K1OKD covered how to put together a first HF station as part of the General Track. They built a working HF station at Bootcamp and used it to explain and demonstrate making contacts using SSB, CW, and Digital (FT8). The activities in the General track included:
How to put together a basic HF station for SSB, CW, and Digital (FT8)
How to make a QSO on the HF bands
How to pick a simple HF antenna and put it up safely
Operating portable (gear and antennas) – especially important for Hams in HOA and other antenna restricted situations
How to find and work DX and how to QSL
How to go about learning CW
Folks Who Made Bootcamp Go – Our Registration Team
Jerry K1OKD, Andrea KC1JDX, and Patrick W1YTT handled registration and put together a nice graduation package that was personalized for each Bootcamp participant.
We closed Bootcamp with some information on how to go about earning a license or an upgrade along with a walking tour of the vendor area, our expo display, and our GOTAs. This gave folks a chance to ask some additional questions about gear and Amateur Radio activities that they were interested in.
More Photos from Ham Bootcamp
Folks Arriving for Ham Bootcamp
Folks Arriving for Ham Bootcamp
Ham Bootcamp Kickoff
Ham Bootcamp Kickoff
Bootcamp Kickoff 2
Bootcamp Kickoff 2
Abby, Jamey and Anita Setup an HF Station at Bootcamp
Abby, Jamey and Anita Setup an HF Station at Bootcamp
Jamey Explains HF Station Building at Bootcamp 2
Jamey Explains HF Station Building at Bootcamp 2
Jamey Explains HF Station Building at Bootcamp
Jamey Explains HF Station Building at Bootcamp
Jamey Explains HF Stations at Bootcamp
Jamey Explains HF Stations at Bootcamp
Fred Talking About HT Choices at Bootcamp
Fred Talking About HT Choices at Bootcamp
Wire Antenna Demo at Bootcamp
Wire Antenna Demo at Bootcamp
Bill Explains How To Make a QSO at Bootcamp
Bill Explains How To Make a QSO at Bootcamp
Bill Explains a Net
Bill Explains a Net
Bill is Net Control for a Practice Net at Bootcamp
Bill is Net Control for a Practice Net at Bootcamp
Dan and Kenzie Satellite Intro at Bootcamp
Dan and Kenzie Satellite Intro at Bootcamp
Fred and Jim Explain HT Choices at Bootcamp
Fred and Jim Explain HT Choices at Bootcamp
Fred Explains HT Antenna Choices at Bootcamp
Fred Explains HT Antenna Choices at Bootcamp
Andrea, Randall and Jim Prep Bootcamp Grad Packages
Andrea, Randall and Jim Prep Bootcamp Grad Packages
Folks Who Made Bootcamp Go - Our Registration Team
Folks Who Made Bootcamp Go - Our Registration Team
Kit Building
Kit Builders working on their Kits at HamXposition – Bill AB1AV and Mike K1WVO Mentoring
Our Kit Building activity was popular again this year. We build a total of 34 kits during the weekend. Our mentors help the builders learn to solder and to complete their kits. Our Morse Tutor kit was back again this year and was very popular with our builders.
Jeff AC1FX Tunes Up a 70cm Ground Plane Antenna Kit
We added a new kit this year – a 70 cm Ground Plane Antenna. We helped folks assemble the new antenna kit at the show and our mentors helped builder tune up their completed antennas. The new kit was very popular and we’re planning to add a 2m Ground Plane Antenna kit for our next kit build.
More Photos from our Kit Building Activity
Expo Kit Build
Expo Kit Build
Kit Building Fun
Kit Building Fun
More Kit Building Fun
More Kit Building Fun
Jeff Tunes Up a Ground Plan Antenna Kit
Jeff Tunes Up a Ground Plan Antenna Kit
Jamey Helps A Young Man Build a Tape Measure Yagi
Jamey Helps A Young Man Build a Tape Measure Yagi
Kitting Party at AB1OC-AB1QB
Kitting Party at AB1OC-AB1QB
GOTA Stations
Satellite GOTA
Our GOTA stations were popular again this year. Our GOTA stations served several purposes including:
A chance for folks to get on the air and make HF and Satellite Contacts
A chance to learn how to build stations and operate them
An opportunity to generate on-air interest in youth outreach via our N1T special event operations
Jon AC1EV and Greg AC1FS Getting Up To Speed on our Satellite GOTA
There was lots of interest in Amateur Radio satellites and the computer-controlled ground station that we had at HamXposition.
Jamey AC1DC and Abby AB1BY Operating as N1T at our HF GOTA
Our HF GOTA station was also popular and we used it to make most of our contacts as N1T.
Our GOTA stations helped to spark interest in Satellite Operations, DX’ing, and HF in general. We secured the N1T special event call (Youth Outreach at HamXposition 2019) again for use with our GOTA stations. We made a total of 303 contacts as N1T during HamXposition.
More Photos from our GOTA Stations
Jerry Operating our HF GOTA Stations
Jerry Operating our HF GOTA Stations
Jamey and Abby Operating as N1T at our HF GOTA
Jamey and Abby Operating as N1T at our HF GOTA
Satellite GOTA
Satellite GOTA
Satellite GOTA Equipment
Satellite GOTA Equipment
Satellite GOTA Antennas
Satellite GOTA Antennas
Jon and Greg Getting Up To Speed on our Satellite GOTA
Jon and Greg Getting Up To Speed on our Satellite GOTA
Jerry Conducting Satellite GOTA Operations
Jerry Conducting Satellite GOTA Operations
Jerry Explaining the Satellite GOTA
Jerry Explaining the Satellite GOTA
Charlie Explains the Satellite GOTA
Charlie Explains the Satellite GOTA
Emergency Go Kit with APRS
Emergency Go Kit with APRS
Forum Presentations
Dan AC1EN and Fred AB1OC Present Highlights of HMS ISS Contact
We provided two presentations as part of the Forum Program at HamXposition 2019:
You can view a copy of these presentations via the links above.
Thank You NARS Members!
NARS HamXposition 2019 Team on Saturday
It would be impossible for us to provide a set of activities as extensive as these without a lot of support from our members. The NARs team at HamXposition 2019 consisted of over 30 volunteers who contributed to planning, preparation, and operation of our activities at HamXposition.
Some of the NARS Members Who Helped with Takedown on Sunday
A very big THANK YOU to everyone who helped make our contribution to HamXposition a success! Also thanks to Charlie W1CBD and Bob K1OLD, our roving photographers, for all of the great pictures featured in this article!
Additional Photos from HamXposition 2019
NARS HamXposition Team on Saturday
NARS HamXposition Team on Saturday
Some of the NARS Members Who Helpded with Takedown on Sunday
Some of the NARS Members Who Helpded with Takedown on Sunday
Dan and Fred Present Highlights of HMS ISS Contact
Dan and Fred Present Highlights of HMS ISS Contact
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