Burns, WB1FJ approached me a few weeks ago doing some portable satellite activations as part of the AMSAT 50th Aniversary Celebration. The idea was to use the AMSAT Callsign WZ3M/1 to put the states of CT and RI on satellites.
Preparations for our activations included creating a Pass Summary of predictions for the day of our activation using prediction data from MacDoopler. You can take a look at our pass summary here.
W3ZM/1 Activation in RI
Our first activation was near the fire station in Burrillville, RI. We found an open spot and set up our station, antenna, and solar power system. This was a great public spot and we had several visitors come by to take a look at our setup and ask questions about satellites and Amateur Radio.
We made quite a few contacts at this location using both FM satellites like AO-92, AO-92, and SO-50 as well as a few contacts using linear satellites like CAS-4A and CAS-4B.
W3ZM/1 Activation in CT
We moved to a Church in CT for the next part of our activation early in the afternoon. This site was a little less open than the first one but we were still able to make a number of contacts here.
The photo above shows a view of our portable setup which consisted of an Icom 910H transceiver, a MacBook Air Laptop running MacDoppler, and an Elk Log-periodic antenna on a tripod. The computer and MacDoppler controlled the radio VFOs to automatically correct for Doppler shift which enabled us to do contacts using linear satellites. We used an iPhone running a satellite tracking app to help point the antenna during satellite passes.
We used a pair of 90W portable solar panels, a pair of LIPO batteries, and an MPPT charging system to provide power for our radio and the computer. It was a sunny day and our solar power system kept our batteries fully charged through both activations.
We did pretty well overall making a total of 15 contacts between. The downlink side of our antenna system was the weakest link in the setup. Folks that we worked on linear satellites indicated that our uplink signals were solid but we had some trouble hearing weaker stations on the downlinks. We have some ideas for an improved antenna system for our next portable activation – stay tuned for more on this.
All in all, Burns and I were pretty pleased with these activations. We had a lot of fun, helped a few folks some new states, contributed to AMSAT’s 50th Celebration, and we learned some things that we can use to improve our portable station.
Our Expo display grew a bit this year to include an HT Programming Clinic. We also updated several of our display elements to add more hands-on activities.
Nashua Area Radio Society Activities and Training Display
In particular, we added information on our training programs and the associated Internet Subscription that we launched earlier this year. We also added video and other content from the ISS Crew Contact that we did with Hudson Memorial School late last year.
More Photos from our Amateur Radio Expo Display
NARS Expo Display and Kit Build
NARS Expo Display and Kit Build
NARS Expo Display and Kit Build 2
NARS Expo Display and Kit Build 2
Nashua Area Radio Society Activities and Training Display
Nashua Area Radio Society Activities and Training Display
Education and Training Display
Education and Training Display
Field Day and EMCOM Display
Field Day and EMCOM Display
Emergency Go Kit with APRS
Emergency Go Kit with APRS
High-Altitude Balloon Display
High-Altitude Balloon Display
Satellite Communications Display
Satellite Communications Display
Radio Programming Clinic
Radio Programming Clinic
Kit Building Video Playing in our Display
Kit Building Video Playing in our Display
A Young Man Explores Morse Code
A Young Man Explores Morse Code
Morse Code Fun
Morse Code Fun
More Morse Code Fun
More Morse Code Fun
Ham Bootcamp
Ham Bootcamp Kickoff
Our main new activity at HamXposition 2019 was Ham Bootcamp. We had a total of 57 folks join us on Saturday morning for 9a – noon to learn about how to put together a station and get on the air.
Bill AB1AV is Net Control for a Practice Net during the Bootcamp Tech Track
Bootcamp consisted of two tracks – one for Techs/Perspective Hamsand one for Generals. Both were popular with the group pretty evenly split between the two.
Dan AC1EN and Kenzie KE1NZY provide a Satellite Intro during the Bootcamp Tech Track
Bootcamp included a number of demonstrations and hands-on activities. The photo above shows Dan, AC1EN and Mackenzie, KE1NZY explaining how to get started with Amateur Radio Satellites. The Tech track included:
How to pick an HT and a simple, effective antenna
How to program your radio
How to get started with EchoLink
How to make a QSO – this activity involved having Bootcampers checking into and participate in a practice chat net using HT’s
How to get started with Fox Hunting and Amateur Radio Satellites
Jamey AC1DC Explains HF Station Building during the Bootcamp General Track
Jamey AC1DC, Anita, AB1QB, Abby AB1BY, and Jerry K1OKD covered how to put together a first HF station as part of the General Track. They built a working HF station at Bootcamp and used it to explain and demonstrate making contacts using SSB, CW, and Digital (FT8). The activities in the General track included:
How to put together a basic HF station for SSB, CW, and Digital (FT8)
How to make a QSO on the HF bands
How to pick a simple HF antenna and put it up safely
Operating portable (gear and antennas) – especially important for Hams in HOA and other antenna restricted situations
How to find and work DX and how to QSL
How to go about learning CW
Folks Who Made Bootcamp Go – Our Registration Team
Jerry K1OKD, Andrea KC1JDX, and Patrick W1YTT handled registration and put together a nice graduation package that was personalized for each Bootcamp participant.
We closed Bootcamp with some information on how to go about earning a license or an upgrade along with a walking tour of the vendor area, our expo display, and our GOTAs. This gave folks a chance to ask some additional questions about gear and Amateur Radio activities that they were interested in.
More Photos from Ham Bootcamp
Folks Arriving for Ham Bootcamp
Folks Arriving for Ham Bootcamp
Ham Bootcamp Kickoff
Ham Bootcamp Kickoff
Bootcamp Kickoff 2
Bootcamp Kickoff 2
Abby, Jamey and Anita Setup an HF Station at Bootcamp
Abby, Jamey and Anita Setup an HF Station at Bootcamp
Jamey Explains HF Station Building at Bootcamp 2
Jamey Explains HF Station Building at Bootcamp 2
Jamey Explains HF Station Building at Bootcamp
Jamey Explains HF Station Building at Bootcamp
Jamey Explains HF Stations at Bootcamp
Jamey Explains HF Stations at Bootcamp
Fred Talking About HT Choices at Bootcamp
Fred Talking About HT Choices at Bootcamp
Wire Antenna Demo at Bootcamp
Wire Antenna Demo at Bootcamp
Bill Explains How To Make a QSO at Bootcamp
Bill Explains How To Make a QSO at Bootcamp
Bill Explains a Net
Bill Explains a Net
Bill is Net Control for a Practice Net at Bootcamp
Bill is Net Control for a Practice Net at Bootcamp
Dan and Kenzie Satellite Intro at Bootcamp
Dan and Kenzie Satellite Intro at Bootcamp
Fred and Jim Explain HT Choices at Bootcamp
Fred and Jim Explain HT Choices at Bootcamp
Fred Explains HT Antenna Choices at Bootcamp
Fred Explains HT Antenna Choices at Bootcamp
Andrea, Randall and Jim Prep Bootcamp Grad Packages
Andrea, Randall and Jim Prep Bootcamp Grad Packages
Folks Who Made Bootcamp Go - Our Registration Team
Folks Who Made Bootcamp Go - Our Registration Team
Kit Building
Kit Builders working on their Kits at HamXposition – Bill AB1AV and Mike K1WVO Mentoring
Our Kit Building activity was popular again this year. We build a total of 34 kits during the weekend. Our mentors help the builders learn to solder and to complete their kits. Our Morse Tutor kit was back again this year and was very popular with our builders.
Jeff AC1FX Tunes Up a 70cm Ground Plane Antenna Kit
We added a new kit this year – a 70 cm Ground Plane Antenna. We helped folks assemble the new antenna kit at the show and our mentors helped builder tune up their completed antennas. The new kit was very popular and we’re planning to add a 2m Ground Plane Antenna kit for our next kit build.
More Photos from our Kit Building Activity
Expo Kit Build
Expo Kit Build
Kit Building Fun
Kit Building Fun
More Kit Building Fun
More Kit Building Fun
Jeff Tunes Up a Ground Plan Antenna Kit
Jeff Tunes Up a Ground Plan Antenna Kit
Jamey Helps A Young Man Build a Tape Measure Yagi
Jamey Helps A Young Man Build a Tape Measure Yagi
Kitting Party at AB1OC-AB1QB
Kitting Party at AB1OC-AB1QB
GOTA Stations
Satellite GOTA
Our GOTA stations were popular again this year. Our GOTA stations served several purposes including:
A chance for folks to get on the air and make HF and Satellite Contacts
A chance to learn how to build stations and operate them
An opportunity to generate on-air interest in youth outreach via our N1T special event operations
Jon AC1EV and Greg AC1FS Getting Up To Speed on our Satellite GOTA
There was lots of interest in Amateur Radio satellites and the computer-controlled ground station that we had at HamXposition.
Jamey AC1DC and Abby AB1BY Operating as N1T at our HF GOTA
Our HF GOTA station was also popular and we used it to make most of our contacts as N1T.
Our GOTA stations helped to spark interest in Satellite Operations, DX’ing, and HF in general. We secured the N1T special event call (Youth Outreach at HamXposition 2019) again for use with our GOTA stations. We made a total of 303 contacts as N1T during HamXposition.
More Photos from our GOTA Stations
Jerry Operating our HF GOTA Stations
Jerry Operating our HF GOTA Stations
Jamey and Abby Operating as N1T at our HF GOTA
Jamey and Abby Operating as N1T at our HF GOTA
Satellite GOTA
Satellite GOTA
Satellite GOTA Equipment
Satellite GOTA Equipment
Satellite GOTA Antennas
Satellite GOTA Antennas
Jon and Greg Getting Up To Speed on our Satellite GOTA
Jon and Greg Getting Up To Speed on our Satellite GOTA
Jerry Conducting Satellite GOTA Operations
Jerry Conducting Satellite GOTA Operations
Jerry Explaining the Satellite GOTA
Jerry Explaining the Satellite GOTA
Charlie Explains the Satellite GOTA
Charlie Explains the Satellite GOTA
Emergency Go Kit with APRS
Emergency Go Kit with APRS
Forum Presentations
Dan AC1EN and Fred AB1OC Present Highlights of HMS ISS Contact
We provided two presentations as part of the Forum Program at HamXposition 2019:
You can view a copy of these presentations via the links above.
Thank You NARS Members!
NARS HamXposition 2019 Team on Saturday
It would be impossible for us to provide a set of activities as extensive as these without a lot of support from our members. The NARs team at HamXposition 2019 consisted of over 30 volunteers who contributed to planning, preparation, and operation of our activities at HamXposition.
Some of the NARS Members Who Helped with Takedown on Sunday
A very big THANK YOU to everyone who helped make our contribution to HamXposition a success! Also thanks to Charlie W1CBD and Bob K1OLD, our roving photographers, for all of the great pictures featured in this article!
Additional Photos from HamXposition 2019
NARS HamXposition Team on Saturday
NARS HamXposition Team on Saturday
Some of the NARS Members Who Helpded with Takedown on Sunday
Some of the NARS Members Who Helpded with Takedown on Sunday
Dan and Fred Present Highlights of HMS ISS Contact
Dan and Fred Present Highlights of HMS ISS Contact
We were up on Mt. Washington here in New Hampshire this past weekend and we decided to use the SOTA activation as a test for our upgraded Simple Portable Satellite Station. It turned out that the station was also a great SOTA and Grid Square Activation station for terrestrial contacts…
The Nashua Area Radio Society did our Mt. Washington SOTA activation this past weekend. Jamey, AC1DC put together a great trip to the summit again this year. We used the SOTA as an opportunity to test our upgraded simple portable satellite station.
Portable Station on Mt. Washington
The station performed very well making some 75 contacts during our activation. We confirmed that the station worked well for FM satellite contacts and also verified the operation of the computer controls to enable us to make contacts through linear satellites.
We were surprised to find that the station also worked extremely well for 2m terrestrial contacts. We were able to work many mobile and base stations using 2m FM. We also worked quite a few stations using 2m SSB. The flexibility of the simple portable antenna system that is part of the updated station made this very easy to do.
The link above contains some information about how the upgraded station is put together and what we learned during our initial test.
View from Mt. Washington Summit
We had near-perfect weather on the Summit for our SOTA activation. All in all, it was a great day!
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