Tag Archives: Education and Training

Education and Training, Featured, General, Youth Activities

NARS Supports Local Scout JOTA Event

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Members of the Nashua Area Radio Society recently joined three local scout troops to support their Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) activation. Alan KC1PWB, Dave K1BER, Ethan KC1YZN, Frank KC1ONH, and Fred AB1OC spent JOTA weekend with the Scouts, helping them set up and operate an HF station. We also provided Fox Hunts and supported Scouts as they worked toward earning their Radio Merit Badge.

Antenna Set Up

Preparing To Put Up Our Antenna
Preparing To Put Up Our Antenna

The Scouts began setting up their antenna early on Saturday. They set up a 40-ft guyed mast at their campground and attached a 40m – 10m Off-Center Fed Dipole antenna to the mast.

JOTA OCF Dipole Antenna
JOTA OCF Dipole Antenna

The antenna went up smoothly, thanks in part to the pre-event build and test of the antenna and station held a few weeks before the event.

Station Operation

JOTA Station Transceiver
JOTA Station Transceiver

The scouts made quick work of setting up their station and got on the air in short order. The station was powered by a quiet Honda generator and included a 500W amplifier to facilitate contact. You can find more details on the station here.

Operating during JOTA Weekend
Operating during JOTA Weekend

The scouts took turns making contacts. It took a few contacts for them to get comfortable on the air, but they got the hang of it pretty quickly.

You can see part of one of the QSOs from our JOTA activation by clicking on the video above.

Scouts Working on Radio Merit Badge
Scouts Working on Radio Merit Badge

Frank, Alan, and Dave helped Ethan work with the scouts throughout the day to complete the requirements for their Radio Merit Badge. All in all, it was a very enjoyable weekend for everyone involved. We are all looking forward to doing more activities with the scouts in the future.

Consider Supporting Our Youth Outreach Work

The Nashua Area Radio Society is doing great work to bring STEM learning through Amateur Radio to young people. If you’d like to support our work, please consider donating to help fund our programs. You can learn more here.

Fred, AB1OC

Education and Training, Featured, Member Spotlights

Hamilton Stewart, A Friend and and a Great Mentor, SK

We received some very sad news recently. A long-time member and supporter of the Nashua Area Radio Society and Amateur Radio, Hamilton Stewart, K1HMS, has become a silent key.

I first met Hamilton at a NARS exam session where he earned his  Extra Class license, by passing the Technician, General, and Extra exams all in one session. He became active with NARS and began contributing almost immediately. Hamilton made many contributions to NARS.

Hamilton served as an instructor for our license classes and presented some of the most difficult topics in a way students could understand. He was famous for his Yagi antenna demos, which will be missed at our license classes.

Hamilton explaining a design of his at Project Night

Hamilton was an engineer’s engineer – one of the best that I have had the pleasure to know. He would always take the time to patiently explain the most difficult ideas in simple terms, helping them master technical concepts. When members need help repairing a radio or another piece of gear, Hamilton helps them get back on the air. His workshop was impressive, and he really knew how to use his gear.

Pierce, K1FOP and Hamilton, K1HMS Testing CW Stations
Hamilton, K1HMS Testing CW Stations

Hamilton loved Field Day and served as co-chairman. He was always there to help us build our stations and to operate them. We would find a way to pitch in and help with whatever the team needed to succeed at Field Day. He was always team-focused.

Hamilton was also a past Treasurer of NARS, and served on our non-profit incorporation/501(c)(3) committee

Hamilton loved to mentor and wrote many articles on our website to help newer folks learn about Amateur Radio station building, operating, and electronics. You can find his contributions in this area here.

It was a privilege to have known Hamilton. I have the highest respect for him as a person. Even when he was very sick and fighting to regain his health, he found time to continue contributing to NARS’ educational work and to share his knowledge and mentor others. I will miss him very much.

You can find information on the final arrangements and his obituary here.

Fred, AB1OC

Education and Training, Featured, General, On The Air

Mentoring Net Debuts Sunday, November 30th

Join Us for a Mentoring Net on November 30th at 7:30 pm EST! 📡

Are you working on a new Ham Radio project, trying to get on a new band or mode, or just have a question you’ve always wanted to ask? Our upcoming Mentoring Net on Sunday, November 30th at 7:30 pm EST is the perfect place to get help, share ideas, and learn from fellow amateurs.

What Is the Mentoring Net?

The Mentoring Net is a friendly, interactive on-the-air session designed to help hams at all experience levels — from brand-new Technicians to seasoned operators.

Unlike a typical “chat” net with a single topic or question, this net is all about your questions and projects.

During the net:

  • Each checked-in station will be invited to
    • Ask a question about a project they’re working on,
    • Ask about any aspect of Ham Radio they’d like to understand better, or
    • Answer or comment on questions that earlier stations have asked.
  • Net Control will help guide the discussion, making sure everyone gets a turn and that questions are heard and addressed.
  • Other club members are encouraged to jump in with suggestions, tips, and their own experience.
  • The round table will continue as long as there are new questions.

It’s like a round-table Elmering session — just on the air!

Not sure what to ask? Here are some ideas to get you thinking:

  • “I’m setting up my first HF station. What should I consider for antennas in a small yard?
  • “How do I get started with digital modes like FT8 or Winlink?”
  • “I’m confused about grounding and bonding in the shack. What’s really important?”
  • “What’s a good first portable or POTA setup?”
  • “How do you manage logging for contests and casual operating?”
  • “I want to try satellites / DMR / APRS. Where should I start?”

No question is too basic. If you’re wondering about it, chances are someone else is too.

Who Should Join?

  • New hams looking for guidance on getting started
  • Upgrading hams working toward their General or Extra
  • Experienced operators willing to share knowledge and help others
  • Anyone with a project on the bench, a rig in the car, or an antenna in a tree!

If you’re shy about asking a question, you’re still very welcome to listen in and learn from what others ask.

How to Prepare

You don’t have to prepare anything—but it can help to:

  • Jot down one or two questions you’d like to ask.
  • Note any rigs, antennas, or software you’re using so others can give more specific advice.
  • Think about a challenge you’ve hit recently: noise issues, SWR, digital setup, repeater coverage, antennas, logging, etc.
  • If you’re an experienced operator, come ready to share practical tips and “what worked for me” stories.

Join Us!

Mark your calendar for:

🗓 Sunday, November 30th
🕢 7:30 pm EST
🎙 Mentoring Net

Find us on the N1IMO/N1IMN Repeater System

Internet Subscribers or those who cannot hit the N1IMO/N1IMN repeaters are welcome to join on Echolink – N1IMO-R

We hope you’ll join us on the air for an evening of questions, answers, ideas, and Elmering. Whether you’re stuck on a project, exploring a new mode, or just curious about what others are doing in the hobby, this Mentoring Net is for you.

Bring your questions, your curiosity, and your experience — and let’s learn from each other!

Radio Amateurs Developing Skills Worldwide