Tag Archives: Education and Training

Education and Training, Featured, General

ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees

March 1, 2018 Fred Kemmerer

ARRL has asked the FCC to expand HF privileges for Technician licensees to include limited phone privileges on 75, 40, and 15 meters, plus RTTY and digital mode privileges on 80, 40, 15, and 10 meters. The FCC has not yet invited public comment on the proposals, which stem from recommendations put forth by the ARRL Board of Directors’ Entry-Level License Committee, which explored various initiatives and gauged member opinions in 2016 and 2017.

Source: ARRL Requests Expanded HF Privileges for Technician Licensees

It looks like the ARRL got this one right on the mark. Expanding Technician Class License privileges to include digital and SSB phone options on more of the HF bands is just what we need to make the first level Amateur Radio License more fun, a better learning experience, and a more effective bridge to upgrading to General Class privileges. Well done ARRL!

Fred, AB1OC

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

HAB School Kit Builds

February 27, 2018 Anita Kemmerer

We have started our HAB-3 program and we are working with 4 schools who will be part of the launch. Two of the schools, Bishop Guertin High School and Merrimack High School have been through the preparation sessions before. To expand their involvement with STEM activities, the Nashua Area Radio Society has hosted kits builds at both schools.

Fred, AB1OC Elmers the BGHS Kit Builders

The first kit build was held earlier this month with 6 students from Bishop Guertin High School. They built the 40 meter Pixie Kit QRP radio, the same one the NARS built a year or so ago.

The students did a great job once they learned to solder and enjoyed the kit build.

Bishop Guertin Students Build the Pixie Kit

The students are also learning morse code and there will be a morse competition in future sessions at both schools, using the Pixie kits built by the students.

Merrimack High School Students build the Pixie kit

Last Friday, 5 club members were Elmers to 18 students at Merrimack High School, who also built the PIXIE kit. Thanks to Bill, AB1AV, Niece, KA1ULN, Mike, K1WVO, Jamey, AC1DC , Tom, AB1NS, and Fred, AB1OC for helping the kids to have a successful kit build.

Merrimack High School Students Building the Pixie Kit

All of the teachers and students had a great time and learned a lot during the kit build. They are looking forward to the morse code competition.

Anita, AB1QB

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

Spring 2018 Technician License Class

February 26, 2018 Anita Kemmerer

We held our first license class of 2018 this past weekend. It was a Technician License Class and it was a huge success. We had a total of 16 students in the class, including 3 high school students from Bishop Guertin High School and Merrimack High School – the two schools who participated in our High Altitude Balloon projects. There was also a teacher in the class from Hudson Memorial School, who will be participating in HAB-3.

We had a great set of students – they all were well prepared and did great on their exams. All 16 students earned their Tech Licenses and one of the students also earned his General!

Thanks to all of our instructors and VEs who made this possible. The Tech Class instructors were Abby, AB1BY, Jamey, AC1DC, Fred, AB1OC, Brian AB1ZO, Wayne, AG1A, and Burns, WB1FJ.

Satellite Station 3.0

This class also marked the debut of Satellite Station 3.0, which meets the specs to support ISS Crew Contacts.

In addition to classroom study, we provided many demos and gave the students an opportunity to get on the air and make Satellite contacts using the station above. Students also had the opportunity to make HF Contacts using a Flex Maestro, which connected over the internet to the station at the AB1OC/AB1QB QTH.

Our next license class will be the General Class, which will be held on March 24th and 25th. We will hold the Extra Class on April 27 – 29. To register, visit our Class Information Page.

Many of our students also joined the Nashua Area Radio Society after they passed their exams. Please say hello to the new members and congratulate them at our next meeting.

Anita (AB1QB)

Satellite Station 3.0

Radio Amateurs Developing Skills Worldwide