Tag Archives: Member Spotlight

Featured, General, Member Spotlights, Newsletter

Member Spotlight, Craig N1SFT

Hi, my name is Craig T. Bailey.   Member Spotlight Craig N1SFT

I’ve been a licensed amateur radio operator since 1994.  Like many hams, during our sophomore year in high school, while we all were getting drivers licenses, of course, we installed citizen band radios!  It didn’t take long before we realized the CB wasn’t really what we were looking for – so we were introduced to Amateur radio, and by Junior year we were licensed Techs.   In ’94 we were still being called “No Code Techs” because the transition into the current technician structure was still fairly new.

I joined the Central NH Radio club, and the club meetings were pretty good, and there were a couple club organized hikes, so the idea of “Summits on the air” has been with me for a long time… albeit not as the formal structured activity that it is today.  Once my buddies and I started leaving for college, we all brought our HTs, and we all intended to stay active, but best-laid plans – you know how it goes.   I still have my trusty Alinco DJ-F1T 2m handheld… it was state of the art with its DTMF pad, and its huge 40 memory slots: it still works, but the battery packs are totally gone…  (I prefer my modern day stable including a Yaesu VX-8DR, FT-2980R, FT-817ND, FT-891, and even an old Yaesu FT-90R.)

In college, I studied classical civil engineering at the University of New Hampshire where I earned a B.Sci in Civil engineering, and then a Professional Masters Degree from the University of Maine in Surveying and Business Management. While at UNH things were just so busy that ham radio had to take a back seat.

My wife and I moved to Nashua in 2000, and and we started our careers and family.  I am a licensed professional engineer (PE – Civil,) and my wife Marcie is also a PE, although she’s a Mechanical Engineer.  I am also a Licensed Land Surveyor, a certified septic designer, and I work for the family surveying and engineering company based in Gilford, NH.  One job is never enough, so for my second job I’m a part-time professor of Civil Engineering Technology at NHTI, Concord’s Community college in Concord NH.  Night classes are the reason you’ll likely not see me at many Club meetings.  I teach structural engineering topics in Steel, Timber, Reinforced concrete, and of course Statics and Strength of Materials.  I also teach AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD 3D, and elementary plane surveying.

I’ve finally joined the Nashua Area Radio Society, and I’m sure glad to be here!  When I’m not on the radio, you’ll probably find me, my wife, and our two daughters (7 and 5) camping somewhere in the RV.  We love camping, and since my upgrade to General, I’ve been bringing the 100-watt radio along for night time operating from the campsite.

When I’m not volunteering for NARS, my first love is with the Boy Scouts of America.  I’ve been a member of the Daniel Webster Council BSA since I was 6 in 1984.  I’m still a member and am currently serving as an Assistant Council Commissioner, assisting the Scoutmasters, Cubmasters, and Venture Crew Leaders put on a great program for New Hampshire’s young boys and girls.

We stay pretty busy, that’s for sure!

Craig, N1SFT

Member Spotlight Craig N1SFT

Featured, General, Member Spotlights, Newsletter

Member Spotlight: David Merchant, K1DLM

Hello, everyone!  My name is David Merchant, and my callsign is K1DLM. I am proud to be part of the Nashua Area Radio Society.  I’ve lived in Windham, NH for 10-years with my XYL and have three children.  I was born just outside of Philadelphia, where I lived until age 7.  I moved around quite a bit growing up, and have lived in every state in New England, except for Vermont.

David Merchant, K1DLM, busy building an Elecraft K3 kit.

Ever since I was young, I’ve always had an intense interest in electronics, technology and how things work. I guess you could say it’s in my blood.  When I was very young, I used to experiment with scavenging parts from old TVs and radios.  As I advanced through school, I also started to get exposed to computers, initially in the 1970’s with a teletype attached to the town of West Hartford, Connecticut’s mainframe.  As PC’s came into the equation, I continued to soak up as much information as I could, becoming very familiar with Apple II computers and ultimately the Mac and Windows.

It wasn’t until High School that I had my first electronics class, which cemented my plan to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering (EE). I went on to earn an EE degree from the University of Hartford, SI Ward School of Technology in 1990.

  1. How did you get involved in amateur radio? 

I’ve been interested in Amateur Radio since a young age, but I had so many questions, and I didn’t have an Elmer.   I remember attending at a Scout Jamboree, and someone had set up an HF station using a Heathkit Radio.  He had a tribander at the top of an extension ladder and was making contacts all over the World.  I must have spent an hour listening to the QSO’s, but never got on the air.  I dabbled around with CB radio, scanners, and an old Halicrafters shortwave set from my Grandfather.

It wasn’t until much later in life that I finally obtained my General license at age 35 in July 2003.  I earned my Extra ticket about a year later, back when there was still a five wpm code requirement.

  1. What’s your background and what other hobbies do you have? 
David Merchant and Brent Norris (Graphics Designer) at Spirit Technologies, Summer 1995.

You might think that I would have pursued a career in engineering, but I never did.  While I was in College, I became an entrepreneur, starting two tech companies in the computer storage market.  This exposed me to many different aspects of business, where I determined that I didn’t want to sit behind a desk all day.  The job I enjoyed most was sales – traveling and being out in front of customers.  I enjoyed meeting new people, and every day brought a new challenge.  This became my career path, where I ultimately assumed various sales leadership roles in the telecommunications business.  I’ve worked at Siemens, Nortel, Juniper Networks, Fortinet, and currently for a telecom startup focused on cellular infrastructure.

I have a range of other hobbies including weather, boating/sailing, cooking, videography, home automation, and DJ’ing an occasional party.  I also enjoy traveling to new destinations, which is a lucky thing as my job demands a great deal of it.

  1. What are your goals in amateur radio? 
This is my primary operating position. It’s an SO2R setup.

Amateur radio is the primary way I stay connected to my technical roots.  Of all the aspects of the hobby, I enjoy station building and helping others.  I currently host a 2-meter D-Star repeater (KC1EGN) at my QTH and maintain an HF and Satellite station.  I enjoy the fusion of radio, computers, networking, and software-defined radios in particular.

In the future, my XYL and I plan to move up to the lakes region of New Hampshire.  I’ve already started dreaming about building a contest station up there for retirement, and have been gradually collecting some foundational components (hardline, rotors, antenna switching matrix, etc.).

  1. What do you like about being a member of Nashua Area Radio Society? 

I’ve enjoyed the new friends that I’ve made through the club.  The members come from a diverse set of backgrounds and life experiences.  As a result, there is always something new to learn.

I also volunteered to be the Field Day Chairman for 2017 and quickly gained an appreciation for how much effort is required on behalf of many individuals to pull off this event.  Field Day is the premier event for the Nashua Area Radio Society.  I would encourage everyone to take an active role, even if you’re a beginner.  As they say, many hands make light work, and you’re guaranteed to learn something in the process.

Dave, K1DLM

Featured, General, Member Spotlights, Newsletter

Member Spotlight – Jamey, AC1DC (Formerly KC1ENX)

I am very new to Amateur Radio and came into the hobby almost by accident. A few years ago I had been looking into better communication while out hiking after myself and Abby (AB1BY) were separated from the rest of our hiking party coming down Mount Washington.  We ended up coming down in the dark – with headlamps – and were okay, but we were frustrated that we could not let the rest of our party know we were oka but just slow.

I started searching the web trying to learn more about FRS/GMRS, CB radio and anything else that might work. During my search the Nashua Area Radio Club website came up and they had a licensing class coming up… the rest is history!

Speaking of history, let me tell you a little about myself that is non-ham related. I have worked as a tennis professional for the past 25 or so years. I am the current Director of Junior Development at the Longfellow Tennis & Health Club in Wayland, MA. We have one of the largest junior programs in the north east US and I truly love my job! I also work as a National Trainer for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and travel to other clubs around the country to help educate other pros on the teachings of junior tennis.

KC1ENX, KC1FFX, and AB1BYI have two harmonics, Connor, KC1FFX and Abby, AB1BY. Both are licensed amateur radio operators. The three of us have not yet been able to convince my XYL, Gretchen, to get licensed… but, we keep trying!

KC1ENX, KC1FFX, and AB1BY

Outside of tennis and Ham Radio, I enjoy hiking, camping, kayaking (even when not rescuing HABs), canoeing and pretty much any other outdoor activities. I also have a love for motorcycling, but can no longer ride due to an inner ear disease which affects my balance. I have ridden in a few Iron Butt (Minute Man 1000) rides – think of a big, long distance scavenger hunt! One year I rode over 1300 miles in 24 hours. I loved riding and would ride rain or shine for many years. Both kids also enjoyed many adventures on the bike!

 

As far as my interests in Amateur Radio I have many. I could be diagnosed with Ham Radio ADD. There is just too much to learn and enjoy in the hobby! I really enjoy working mobile HF on my Icom 7100 and Tar Heel II antenna. I also enjoy contesting – especially on a good station like at Fred’s AB1OC and Anita’s AB1QB QTH. My favorite activity is portable operations. I have enjoyed Summits on the Air, Parks on the Air and sometimes just getting out with the kids and throwing up an antenna and operating. I am learning new things about this hobby every day.

As a new Ham, I am always curious to learn more about this great hobby and I consider myself very lucky for having found the Nashua Area Radio Society. I’m honestly not sure I would still be on the air if it weren’t for the all of the club’s activities and enthusiastic members.

Jamey, AC1DC

Radio Amateurs Developing Skills Worldwide