Our February Tech Nite was a kit build. Our special guest, Steve Elliott, K1EL brought the kits for purchase by members and provided elmering. Most of us built his PS2B keyer kit.
Completed Keyer
We had close to 20 kit builders and elmers and many of us completed the kit by the end of the evening. Others completed their kits at home. We all had a great time at the kit build. Thanks to our Programs Chair, Scott, NE1RD for organizing a great kit build!
Here are some pictures of the members who built kits during the kit built.
I wanted to take a moment to recap some of the many great memories from 2017 and outline our 2018 plans.
We updated our Constitution and By-Laws and became the Nashua Area Radio Society this year. These changes reaffirm and strengthen our commitment to education, skills development, and STEM learning through Amateur Radio.
We also continued our ARRL Kids Day and other programs which introduce young people and new Hams to Amateur Radio and help them to get on the air and have fun.
We also continued to update and expand our Field Day Operation in 2017 with the addition of a third tower, a new satellite station, and a remote SDR operating setup.
We had many memorable programs at our membership meetings and some really cool Tech Nights!
Nashua Area Radio Club “Tech Night” at the KC1XX Contest Station
We increased our presence on social media in 2017 and we are now active on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest. We also began live streaming video from many of our events.
Live stream of Abby, AB1BY running a pileup during our Kid’s Day event (play and right-click to unmute)
Our website content grew tremendously in 2018. We now have a total of 325+ member articles about all things Amateur Radio and 2,100+ posts in our forums. Our website, n1fd.org, enjoys a growing worldwide following with the Amateur Radio Community.
Worldwide n1fd.org Visitors in 2017
The Nashua Area Radio Society has accomplished a great deal in 2017 and we grew to over 160 members this past year. There are probably many other activities and special moments that we enjoyed in 2017 – there are just too many to list them all here.
Looking Ahead To 2018
What’s Ahead in 2018?
Given all that we’ve done and accomplished together, its pretty challenging to top 2017 in 2018. Our Executive Committee has been working on a set of goals and plans for 2018 and we wanted to share some of what we are planning.
First, we will continue to improve and build upon what is working. This includes all of the projects and activities outlined above. Our focus will remain centered on encouraging education, skill building, and STEM learning through Amateur Radio. Our planned activities for 2018 include:
Continuing our license classes in the spring and fall of 2018 (Technician, General, and Extra for a total of 6 classes)
Developing our library of Amateur Radio Skill development and learning material through our Tech Night Program
Expanding our STEM outreach to young people through our High-Altitude Balloon Program and related GOTA programs in schools and other public places
Continuing our involvement and support for ARRL Kid’s Day, ARRL Rookie Roundups, and the 13 Colonies Special Event
Introducing a new program tailored for Ham Fests where we will provide a unique, hands-on Amateur Radio experience tailored for young people and prospective Hams
Hosting a fresh series of operating activities as well as our old favorites. Plans include activating All Things OTA (POTAs, SOTAs, and IOTAs). We are also looking at some NARS competitions around these activities.
Continuing to chase our multiplying Foxes throughout 2018 to build our Radio Direction Finding Skills
A 2018 Field Day EMCOM activity which will be bigger and better than ever!
Our Repeater and HF Nets will continue as will our monthly breakfast
Some new Public Service/Emergency Communications activities for 2018
We are also planning to complete our path to becoming a Federal 501c(3) non-profit. This will increase our ability to raise funds to support our many educational activities.
On behalf of the entire Executive Committee, I’d like to thank all of our members and friends for their hard work and contributions to making the Nashua Area Radio Society the wonderful organization that it is. Together, we are making tremendous contributions to young people’s and Amateur Radio operator’s education and skills development.
We have started a new activity, monthly breakfasts. The breakfasts are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month, and we choose a different restaurant each month so that over time there is one close to each member’s QTH.
Temple Street Diner
Dave, K1DLM, at the Temple Street Diner
Our most recent breakfast was held at the Temple Street Diner in Nashua. Members John, W1SMN, Patrick, KC1HDN, Mike, K1WVO, Ari, WB1ABC, Dave, K1DLM, Fred, AB1OC, Anita, AB1QB along with spouses and roommates. We had some great conversation about Station upgrades, winter in New England, classic radios and computers, NEAR-fest and many other topics and the food was great!
Temple Street Diner (W1SMN, KC1HDN and friends)Mike, K1WVO at the Temple Street Diner
Parker’s Maple Barn
Breakfast at Parker’s Maple Barn in Mason, NH
We held the December Breakfast at Parker’s Maple Barn in Mason, NH. We all had great pancakes and enjoyed some holiday shopping in their gift shop.
Joey’s Diner
Breakfast at Joey’s Diner (WB1ABC and his XYL, K1WVO, AB1NS, and AB1OC)Breakfast at Joey’s Diner (AB1BY, AG1A, AB1QB, and KC1ENX)
We held the first breakfast on November 18th at Joey’s Diner in Amherst, NH.
Do you have a favorite breakfast spot? Email me at [email protected] and we’ll plan a future breakfast there. Hope to see you at our next Breakfast on February 17th. Stay tuned to the forums for the location!
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