Category Archives: Activities

Nashua Area Radio Society activities. Included is Field Day, our Annual Picnic, Tech Nights, On The Air Activations and much more.

Activities, Featured, General, Newsletter, Youth Activities

NARS August Activities

We have a busy month of activities coming up in August. Our monthly Club Breakfast will be held on Saturday, August 10th at 8:30 am at the Dream Diner in Tyngsboro.

The following weekend we will hold what has become our annual trip to activate Mount Washington on Saturday, August 17th. We will activate Mount Washington for Summits on the Air (SOTA) and Mount Washington State Park for Parks on the Air (POTA).

We have had members get to the top almost every possible way there is. We’ve had members hike up – this is a very strenuous climb and takes about 4 hours, one way. We’ve had some members come up on the Cog Railway.  It is the steepest rack railway in the US and 2nd steepest in the world! Reservations are recommended. There is also a Steam Punk Festival taking place on the 17th as well.

August Activities
The Mount Washington Cog Railway

We also have had members make the strenuous hike up the mountain. This is quite a hike and will take you close to 4 hours to reach the top. If you are interested in hiking up please get in touch with Jamey, AC1DC at [email protected].

Connor, KC1GGX arriving at the peak!

The final way up is to drive the Mount Washington Auto Road.  The Mount Washington Auto Road offers a one of a kind experience with spectacular views. If you’re not comfortable with heights or narrow mountain roads you can also take a guided tour on one of the Mount Washington vans.

A Stop along the Auto Road

We’ll plan to arrive at the peak around 10:00 am and set up and then operate as long as the weather permits. Please contact Jamey, AC1DC via email at [email protected] if you are planning on attending.

After hiking up the mountain on Saturday, Fred, AB1OC and Anita, AB1QB will host the ARRL’s Rookie Roundup for RTTY. Anyone licensed under three years or anyone that has not made a RTTY contact may join in the fun. The contest begins at 2 pm local time and runs until 8 pm. If you are interested in participating please contact Anita at [email protected].

Jim, K1BRM operating in the Rookie Roundup RTTY - August Activities
Jim, K1BRM operating in the Rookie Roundup RTTY

Finally, we will also have our Club’s Family Picnic on Saturday, August 24th at Greeley Park in Nashua. This will run from 11 am until 4 pm. We have a potluck lunch. Members can sign up to bring a dish on our Google Sheets page. We’ll have some foxes (hidden transmitters) out and may try a satellite contact with a hand held and yagi antenna. Bring your family and friends and come enjoy an afternoon with the club!

August Activities
Club Picnic

We have a lot going on in August and I hope to see you at one or all of the events we have scheduled!

Jamey, AC1DC

Activities, Featured, General, Newsletter

NARS is Featured in QST and CQ Magazines

Both QST Magazine and CQ Magazine published articles on the Dayton Hamvention this month.  The Nashua Area Radio Society (NARS) was recognized the Hamvention Club of the Year award this year, where the Hamvention theme was Mentoring the Next Generation.  NARS is featured in QST and CQ Magazines.

NARS in CQ Magazine
NARS in CQ Magazine

In CQ Magazine, the article titled “The Dayton Trifecta” starts on page 24.  There is a nice spread on the Hamvention Awards Dinner on pages 30-31, where you will see the Nashua Area Radio Society included in pictures of the award winners.

NARS in QST Magazine
NARS in QST Magazine

The electronic version of QST, published by the ARRL is out and we are featured in the article titled “The 2019 ARRL National Convention at Dayton Hamvention” on pages 72-74 – we are featured on page 73.  If you look closely, you will also see some members in the group photo at the beginning of the article.  The print version should be arriving in the mail shortly.

NARS is featured in CQ and QST Magazines this month.  Make sure you pick up your copy of both magazines!

Activities, CW and QRP, Featured, General, Newsletter, On The Air

July Contest Notes

Half Gone

It’s difficult to believe that half of 2019 is already behind us. We’re only a few months away from the start of the 2019-2020 contesting season. As the NARS Field Day totals have shown, there is still plenty of good propagation out there so don’t believe all that talk about the bands being dead. The bands, especially during contests, often have a surprising amount of activity. Take advantage of it.

13 Colonies

The height of Summer brings us things that are an equal amount of fun and competition. Though not a contest, per se, the 13 Colonies Special Event will bring you pile-ups worthy of CQ WW. If you’ve not found some slots to work already, check out the NARS club 13 Colonies effort and get involved.

A Couple of Highlights

I’ll start with one of my favorite contests of July: the RSGB IOTA Islands on the Air contest.

RSGB IOTA Contest [1200Z July 27 to 1200 July 28]

Exchange: RS(T) + Serial No. + IOTA No. (if applicable)

I have often done this contest from the Boston Harbor Islands (NA-148), either Georges Island or camping on Lovells Island. There may be a club field-trip to Georges for a Saturday 6-hour effort. Keep a watch on the Forums section of the website for more information.

CQ WW VHF Contest [1800Z July 20 to 2100Z July 21]

Exchange: 4-character grid square

I’ve done this contest from the top of Mount Wachusett and it is a ton of fun. Of course New Hampshire has a bunch of mountains to try your luck. Walk up the slope and get SOTA points, too!

Take your 6m and 2m all band radio and do SSB, FM, and CW from a mountaintop and rack up the grid squares. This is a really fun way to spend an afternoon.

North American QSO Party, RTTY [1800Z July 20 to 0559Z July 21]

Exchange: Name + state (DC/province/country) for North America. Just name for those outside North America.

The National Contest Journal holds QSO parties and sprints for each mode twice a year. These contests are fun because they are not jam-packed with people. If your new to a mode, or if you just want to sharpen your skills, these are great contests to try.

Until Next Time

Summer is a good time to catch up with family, see a few baseball games [Go Spinners!], or do that outside project you’ve been putting off. But, if you do have some time, get on the air!

73 de

Scott, NE1RD

Radio Amateurs Developing Skills Worldwide