We have held the first three sessions of New Ham Boot Camp the past few weeks to help our newly licensed members learn the skills they need to get on the air.

Session 1 was held at Fred, AB1OC’s and Anita, AB1QB’s QTH.   The session focused on UHF/VHF.  The following activities were part of this session:

• HT Programming
• Station Tour including Antenna Towers and Mobile Stations
• Echolink Setup and Use
• Satellite Operating Demo
• Antenna Demo
• Practice QSOs and Repeater Net

Session 2 was also held at AB1OC/AB1QB’s QTH.  During this session, members were able to Get on the Air to make contacts via HF SSB, Satellites, and HF Digital.

In addition,  we built a 70 cm ground plane antenna and members got kits to build their own antenna. and Jamey, AC1DC spoke about SOTAs and demonstrated a Buddipole antenna.

Session 3 was held at Ham Radio Outlet in Salem, NH. Peter, KI1M opened HRO during the evening of March 19th exclusive to NARS New Ham Boot Camp members.  Fred and Peter advised members and answered questions on selecting HTs, Transceivers, Antennas, Headphones, Microphones, Coax and other Amateur Radio components.

We have two more sessions of New Ham Boot Camp to be held in April:

• Session 4: – Saturday, April 6 –   How to set up your first station,  Getting on 6 meters, What do all the buttons and knobs on my HF Transceiver do?  How do I use them to work DX
• Session 5:  Date TBD – Building  and Tuning up HF Wire Antennas

Stay tuned to the General Information Forums – we will post there when Session 5 is scheduled.