Category Archives: Featured

This category is for featured articles that we want to include in the sidebars and other areas on our website.

Featured, General, Newsletter

WordPress 5.0 Brings A New Editor To n1fd.org

WordPress 5.0 has recently been released and it is now in use on n1fd.org. WordPress 5.0 brings a new content creation editor to WordPress. You may have seen the new editor referred to as Gutenberg on the Internet. Here’s a link to an overview of the new editor.

The new editor makes all of the rich formatting of text and graphics that modern websites can provide much easier to use when creating content. It does this via a concept called Blocks. The new editor creates posts using a series of Blocks.

Gutenberg Blocks
Gutenberg Blocks

Blocks are uniquely formatted components of posts such as articles on our Blog. Black can be formatted as text, headings, images, lists, and multimedia elements. You create the content for a post using a series of Blocks. This article uses Paragraph Blocks for text and Image Blocks for pictures.

Gutenberg Document Sidebar
Gutenberg Document Sidebar

Most all of the functionality of the old editor is available in Gutenberg. For example, sidebar tabs for both Block options and the familiar Document options are available in tabs on the right sidebar in Gutenberg.

It is easy to get started with the new editor. Here’s a link to an article on how to begin.

Selecting The Gutenberg Editor
Selecting The Gutenberg Editor

For now, n1fd.org will continue to use the Classic Editor as the default for new posts. You can try out Gutenberg by clicking on the Block Editor choice for your post. This option can be found in the Posts section of the backend of n1fd.org. We will probably change over to the new editor as the default for new posts sometime during the next few weeks. In the interim, I hope you’ll give the new editor a try.

Fred, AB1OC

Featured, General, Newsletter, On The Air

January 2019 Contesting Notes

Jumpstarting the New Year

The big contests of the Fall are now behind us and the more sedate contests like QSO parties and youth-oriented on-air events begin. This month has five contests worth noting. (For a complete list of contests please see the contest calendar here.)

ARRL RTTY Roundup ~ 1800Z, Jan 5 to 2400Z, Jan 6

If you’re new to digital contesting this is a good place to begin. There are a number of members in the club that could serve as mentors to help you get going. And, Fred AB1OC and Anita AB1QB often host an effort from their station. See also the ARRL Kids Day event below.

Exchange: RST + State/Province

Contest information: http://www.arrl.org/rtty-roundup

ARRL Kids Day ~ 1800Z-2359Z, Jan 5

Here’s your chance to work a lot of young people on the air. And, if you are a young person just getting started, this is a great event to gain confidence.

Exchange: name + age + QTH + favorite color

Contest information: http://www.arrl.org/kids-day

North American QSO Party

CW ~ 1800Z, Jan 12 to 0559Z, Jan 13,

SSB ~ 1800Z, Jan 19 to 0559Z, Jan 20

This is one of my favorite contests. The pace is relaxed, people are friendly, and it is a great way to fill in the blanks on your Worked All States award.

Exchange: NA: Name + (state/DC/province/country)

Contest information: http://www.ncjweb.com/NAQP-Rules.pdf

Winter Field Day ~ 1900Z, Jan 26 to 1900Z, Jan 27

See the N1FD article here. The NARS club has a big effort planned for this event including multiple transmitters and a collection of antennas for everything from 160m to 10m. Operating will be done from a heated shelter so you can rack up points in comfort! Contact the team leaders for more information.

Exchange: Category (indoor/outdoor/home) and ARRL section.

Contest information: https://www.winterfieldday.com

Bottom of the solar cycle

Even though we are in the solar doldrums don’t get discouraged. The bands are surprisingly good when everybody gets on and enough call CQ. In fact, with the bands a little weak this is a great time to learn how to call CQ and handle callers. You won’t get a big pile-up (because conditions are not great), but you will get people coming back to your call. Be patient and hone your skills during this down part of the cycle. Then you’ll be ready when conditions improve!

Education and Training, Featured, General, Newsletter, Station Equipment, Youth Activities

Kit build for February 2019: Morse Tutor Keyer

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Morse Tutor Keyer Kit by K1EL

Kit build for 2019

The change of seasons brings us again to the darkest months, a good time to concentrate on indoor activities  like station updates and kit building. This February 12th the club will hold its annual kit build during Tech Night. The kit selected this year is the Morse Tutor Keyer Kit by K1EL. You can have a quick look at the manual for this kit here.

Club buy of kits

As part of its STEM initiative, NARS has purchased a number of these kits in bulk and has been using them in student kit builds in local area schools. Buying directly from the club means getting a discount on the kit, and directly supporting this educational outreach.

BUY THE KIT HERE: MTB-KIT order page

What to bring to kit build night

The kit will supply the board and parts necessary to complete the project. You’ll need to bring appropriate tools including:

  • Soldering iron and solder
  • Small needle-nose pliers
  • Small diagonal/flush cutters for trimming component leads
  • Small flat blade and Phillips head screwdrivers
  • Your reading glasses (a note to myself, if no one else!)
  • A printout of the manual for the kit (or a copy downloaded to your tablet)
  • Recommended: Multimeter
  • Optional: a small magnifying glass

Don’t forget to bring batteries! The unit requires 3 AAA cells.

The spirit of kit build night

NARS has many new members since the last kit build. Those of us who have experience with kit building should lend a hand to those new to the adventure. Take a moment and help mentor your fellow club members, especially our youngest recruits, so they walk away with a working kit and the sense of accomplishment that goes with it.

Remember: Watch for the link on the website for ordering your kit.

Radio Amateurs Developing Skills Worldwide