Quite a few Nashua Area Radio Society members have been working on a display to get young people and potential new Hams interested in Amateur Radio.
High Altitude Balloon Display
Our display was first used at NEAR-Fest this spring. It includes over ten high-quality exhibits and hands-on activities related to Amateur Radio and Nashua Area Radio Society licensing, activities, and youth projects. Some of the activities that are part of the display include:
Thanks to a cooperative project with Steve Elliot, K1EL, we are planning to add a kit building activity to our display. The kit is a new one that Steve created for learning Morse Code. The Morse Trainerkit should take less than an hour to build and will be available to purchase and build at Boxboro. We will be providing soldering equipment and mentors to help our builders at the show.
Youth Display Overview for Boxboro Convention Leaders
The Boxboro leadership is very excited about our display and has agreed to give us approximately 90 ft of table space in the main vendor hall and space outside for our Portable Satellite Station.
Boxboro 2018 Youth Event Flyer (click to see the flyer)
Along with the Boxboro team, we are hard at work publicising our event. We’ve created an information Flyer and a short picture presentation that teachers and our members can use to let folks know about our planned event. Please take a minute to download these materials and share them with as many interested folks as you can:
It is going to take quite a few member volunteers to support our display at Boxboro 2018. If you’d be willing to help, please contact us at [email protected]. Everyone who helps will receive free admission to the Boxboro 2018 convention.
Do you read QST magazine or see articles on FaceBook about DXpeditions and think to yourself, “man, I’d really like to do that.” Don’t have the time, the money or the XYL or OM won’t let you go on a DXpedition. Yeah, me too!
6M Antenna on the Mountain
Well, later this month the Nashua Area Radio Society will be doing its own mini-DXpedition to the top of Mount Washington! On Sunday, August 26th we’ll be activating Mount Washington for Summits on the Air and Parks on the Air.
The top of Mount Washington sits at 6,288 feet above sea level. It is the highest peak east of the Mississippi and north of the Carolinas and is known for some of the “worst weather in the world”. We’re hoping that doesn’t hold true on the 25th. Don’t let the weather or the altitude deter you from taking part in this event! Last year we had a couple of members that climbed up the mountain, some that drove (yes, there is a paved road up… a very steep and narrow road) and we even had some members take the Cog Railway – which is an adventure in itself!
The Mount Washington Cog Railway:
The Mt. Washington Cog Railway
The unique way up the mountain is from the Mount Washington Cog Railway. Mt. Washington’s cog railway is the world’s first mountain climbing cog railway. Also, it is the second steepest rack railway in the world with an average grade of 25% and a maximum grade of over 37%!
The Mount Washington Cog Railway Access Road is located off Rte. 302 in Bretton Woods and trips begin at 8:00 am and run through 4:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance on their website.
The Mount Washington Auto Road (Drive Yourself):
Mt. Washington Auto Road
The Mount Washington Auto Road is located in Gorham, New Hampshire on the other side of the mountain from the Cog Railway. The auto road is open from 7:30 am until 6:00 pm on August 25th and rates start at $29 for a car and driver and go up from there.
Tony, KC1DXL & Anita, AB1QB take in the views on the auto road
This drive is not for the faint of heart! There are panoramic views and you will travel through four distinct climate zones on your way up the Northeast’s highest peak. If you are not comfortable with heights or narrow winding roads without guard rails you may want to check out the guided tours or the hiker’s shuttle to the top.
Please note that there are some vehicle restrictions that you want to check out if you plan to drive yourself.
Take a Guided Tour:
Tours of Mt. Washington
Guided tours start at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road beginning at 8:30 am and you have the option of a two hour guided tour or three hour guided tour. The disadvantage of the guided tours is that you are not on your own schedule and time at the top is limited.
The tours do sell out so you will want to book your tickets early if this is the option for you.
Hiker Shuttle:
Connor, KC1GGX descending Tukerman’s Ravine
Another way up/down the mountain is the Hiker Shuttle. The Hiker Shuttle leaves from the Stage Office at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road beginning at 9:00 am. The shuttle then leaves on an as-needed basis, so waits of an hour or more may be necessary. The one way down option can be a little tricky as rides down are sold on a first come, first served basis.
Hike Up:
The final way up/down the mountain is hiking. Although this may not be for everyone – this is a very strenuous hike – it is the most rewarding.
There are two starting points for getting up Mount Washington – the east face and west face of the mountain. The east face trails begin at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center which has information and basic rooms available for rent. Reservations in advance are a must!
The East Face:
East Face of Mt. Washington
The easiest trail (easiest is probably not the right term for any trail on Mount Washington) on the east face of the mountain is Tuckerman’s Ravine for both the ascent and descent. Lion’s Head is the same distance, but slightly steeper. It is not the best for a descent. Boott Spur is another option, which is not any more difficult than the other trails but is much longer. The benefit of hiking Boott Spur trail is the amazing views and not many crowds!
Abby, AB1BY near Lion’s Head on Mt. Washington
The West Face:
West Face of Mt. Washington
The trails on the west face of Mount Washington begin from Mount Washington Cog Railway and offers two trails, the Jewell Trail and Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail. The Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail ascends via Lake of the Cloud Hut where you can stop and get a hot coffee, hot chocolate, water or some snacks… not to mention the fantastic views!
Lake of the Clouds Hut
If you are planning on hiking an early start is an absolute must, especially if you plan to have any time to operate on the summit. Club members that are planning to hike please let me know. It would be fun to have a group to hike with as well as safer for everyone involved.
Accommodations:
The Mt. Washington Hotel
There are many accommodations in the area ranging from beautiful hotels to primitive camping areas. Again, booking in advance is a must! Many of the camping areas in the White Mountain National Forest are booked on a first come, first served basis. They do not take reservations in advance.
Primitive Camping near Mt. Washington
Join in on the Fun!
If you have any questions please let me know. I’d love to see a big group of you at the summit!
The folks at the Westford Public Library reached out to us sometime back about hosting an Amateur Radio Youth Outreach day at the library. This event gave us the opportunity to use the Amateur Radio Youth Outreach materials that we created for NEAR-Fest and to fine-tune them. The event took place in July and included an afternoon of presentations and hands-on activities about Amateur Radio. We had about 15 students and parents attend.
Youth Outreach Event Team
Several Nashua Area Radio Society members helped to set up and deliver the program at the library. A very big thanks to:
Our approach was to simplify and leverage the display that we created for our Youth Outreach at NEAR-Fest. We were able to bring almost all of our displays from NEAR-Fest and simplify them to the point where we could set everything up in about 2 hours. Our displays included the following:
A Remotely Operated HF GOTA Station
A Satellite Communications Display
A Nashua Area Radio Society Activities and Licensing Display
An Emergency Communications and Field Day Display
A Portable Operating Display and Digital HF Activity
A Morse Code Display and Activity
A Fox-Hunting Display and Activity
Our program consisted of presentations and videos about each of the displays followed by hands-on activities and a chance to take a closer look.
HF Get On The Air Station
The HF Remote GOTA was popular and provided a chance for folks to talk to Hams in Europe and across the United States. We used a Maestro and the Internet to run the AB1OC/AB1OC station remotely.
High-Altitude Balloon Display
Our High-Altitude Balloon Display was a hit. Folks were very interested in the video presentation from our flights and they asked lots of questions about our HAB programs.
Our third GOTA station was part of an Emergency Communications and Field Day display. The GOTA enabled everyone to try to make contacts through local repeaters and to learn about EMCOM.
Morse Code Activity
Tom, AB1NS hosted our Morse Code activity. We had a variety of keys, practice oscillators, and simple code activities for folks to try.
Fox Hunt Activity
Marie, KC1RMS hosted a Fox Hunt and demonstrated Radio Direction Finding. Members of the group were able to locate the three Foxes that we had hidden on the library grounds.
Nashua Area Radio Society and License Information Display
Our final display highlighted the many STEM learning and other training activities that the Nashua Area Radio Society provides for young people. Two of the attendees at our youth day decided to join our summer Technician License Class the following week. Maximilian, KM6UVJ, and Tatiana, KM6UVK both earned their Technician licenses at the class – congratulations to both and welcome to NARS!!!
As you can probably tell, our Amateur Radio Youth Outreach event at the Westford Public Library was a success. We are looking forward to offering similar events at other local libraries and Ham Fests later this year.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
