This is the first year that the FT8 mode will be part of the ARRL RTTY Roundup. The newest version of the WSJT-X software, version 2.0, has been enhanced to support the contest exchange. See Joe Taylor’s QST article for details on how it will work.
AB1QB operating in a RTTY Contest
Fred, AB1OC and Anita, AB1QB will be hosting a multi-op entry using the N1FD callsign from their QTH. The contest starts at 18:00 UTC (1:00 pm EST) on Saturday and ends at 23:59 UTC (7 pm EST) on Sunday. The first few hours of the contest overlap with ARRL Kids Day so the kids will have priority on our main station. We may be able to operate in the RTTY Roundup using FT8 and our SteppIR Vertical.
If you are interested in signing up for a time slot, please contact Anita, AB1QB at [email protected]. Let her know what time you can be available to operate and how many hours you would like to operate. Please respond no later than Thursday. She will put together an operating schedule and send it out on Friday.
We hope to see you this weekend in the contest or hear you on the air!
The ARRL Kids Day event is coming up on Saturday, January 5th from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Fred, AB1OC and Anita, AB1QB will have their station open for any youth – regardless of license class or license for that matter – that would like to participate.
There is a very simple exchange of name, age, location, and favorite color. It’s a relaxed atmosphere and easy way to get on the air if you have your license and haven’t had much of an opportunity. Even if you don’t have a license you can get on the air with the club call sign and one of our licensed youths as the control operator. So, bring your friends!
This is a very special event to me as it is one of the first times my daughter, Abby, AB1BY made an HF contact. After this event, she was absolutely hooked on amateur radio! We’re hoping this happens to all the youth that participate! Abby will be present to help make contacts. We would like to invite any youth, with or without a license, to come and check out what amateur radio has to offer.
Please respond to Jamey, AC1DC at [email protected] if you would like to participate or if you have any questions.
The Nashua Area Radio Society recently hosted another Youth Expo as part of the New England Tech Trek (NETT) at Fall NEAR-Fest. Our display featured many hands-on activities and displays.
Fred, AB1OC Introduces Students to Amateur Radio in the NETT ClassroomAB1QB Teaching in the NETT Classroom
There were quite a few students and teachers who attended NETT on Friday. We had a classroom at NETT to introduce the students to Amateur Radio and the activities in our display.
GOTA and Special Event Stations
HF GOTA Fun – Ira, KC1EMJ hostingJon, AC1EV Helps a Student Get On The Air
We set up three GOTA stations (two remote HF and one Satellite) at NETT. This gave the students a chance to make some Amateur Radio contacts and experience Amateur Radio at NETT.
N1T Youth Expo Special Event QSL Card
We again hosted an N1T Special Event on the air. All of our GOTA stations used the N1T callsign. Operators and their guests made about 200 contacts as N1T during NEAR-Fest.
Here’s some video from our GOTA operations at NETT.
Learning Morse Code
Learning Morse Code at NETT – Mike, Bill, and Jamey are Mentors
Our Morse Code activity at NETT was popular. This gave the students to try out Morse Code and learn from our experts!
Satellite Operations
Burns WB1FJ Explaining Satellite OperationsSatellite Antennas at NETT
The Portable Satellite Station 3.0 was back again at NETT and Burns, WB1FJ spent quite a bit of time introducing the students and NEAR-Fest attendees to satellites and satellite operating.
Amateur Radio Displays
NARS Display at NETT
NARS had many displays at NETT and folks who were attended enjoyed learning about many different aspects of Amateur Radio from SOTA, to DXing, to Kits and Computers and more.
Fox Hunting
Jamey, AC1DC hosts a NETT Fox Hunt
Jamey, AC1DC hosted several Fox Hunts at NETT. I ran into several groups of his Fox Hunters throughout the weekend and they were having great fun!
Kit Building
NETT Kit Building – Mackenzie, KE1NZY and Bill, AB1AV MentoringKit Build Fun at NETT – Craig, N1SFT and his Family having kit fun together!
We hosted another kit build at NETT. The latest version of the Morse Tutor kits was available to build at NETT. Over 20 of these kits were built at NEAR-Fest.
Photos and Video from NETT at NEAR-Fest
NETT Signage
NETT Signage
AB1QB Teaching in NETT Classroom
AB1QB Teaching in NETT Classroom
NARS Display at NETT
NARS Display at NETT
NETT Display - SOTA
NETT Display - SOTA
Fred, AB1OC Introduces Students to Amateur Radio in the NETT Classroom
Fred, AB1OC Introduces Students to Amateur Radio in the NETT Classroom
N1T Special Event at NETT
N1T Special Event at NETT
Learning Morse Code at NETT
Learning Morse Code at NETT
Learning Morse Code at NETT - Mike, Bill, and jamey are Mentors
Learning Morse Code at NETT - Mike, Bill, and jamey are Mentors
Morse Code Fun at NETT
Morse Code Fun at NETT
Morse Code Fun at NETT
Morse Code Fun at NETT
NETT Kit Building - Mackenzie,KE1NZY and Bill, AB1AV Mentoring
NETT Kit Building - Mackenzie,KE1NZY and Bill, AB1AV Mentoring
NETT Kit Build - Bill Mentoring
NETT Kit Build - Bill Mentoring
Kit Build Fun at NETT
Kit Build Fun at NETT
Explaining GOTA
Explaining GOTA
John, AC1EV Helps a Student Get On The Air
John, AC1EV Helps a Student Get On The Air
NETT GOTA Ops
NETT GOTA Ops
Jamey, AC1DC hosts a NETT Fox Hunt
Jamey, AC1DC hosts a NETT Fox Hunt
HF GOTA Fun
HF GOTA Fun
Burns Explaining Satellite Station
Burns Explaining Satellite Station
Satellite Antennas
Satellite Antennas
The photo gallery above includes some more photos from NETT at NEAR-Fest.
And here’s a video shot by a NEAR-Fest NETT attendee which include many highlights from NETT.
Thank You To All Who Supported NETT!
The NEAR-Fest organizers, attendees, and several of our members either provided matching contributions or generously donated to our fundraising effort to support STEM learning and skills development through Amateur Radio.
Our NEAR-Fest fund drive resulted in raising $2,400 in the two weeks up to and including NEAR-Fest. Thank you very much to all of our donors!
It would be impossible for us to host one of our Youth Expos without the tremendous support of NARS members. Folks stepped up to provide transportation, display setup, hosting for GOTA and display tours and much more during NEAR-Fest. Thank Youto everyone for your support!
Also, a special Thank You to our Media Committee for providing the photo and video content featured here.
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