Phil Temples

ARISS Proposal Window Opens, October 1—November 10, 2023

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ARISS logoARISS News Release No. 23-47

Dave Jordan, AA4KN

ARISS PR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Message to US Educators
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity
Call for Proposals

New Proposal Window: October 1 – November 10, 2023

September 25, 2023 — The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between July 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan.

The deadline to submit a proposal is November 10, 2023. Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at www.ariss.org. An ARISS Proposal Webinar session will be held October 5 2023 at 7 PM ET and the Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-fall-2023.eventbrite.com

The Opportunity:

Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session.

An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and their communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the chance to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact.

Please direct any questions to education@ariss-usa.org.

About ARISS:

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program (SCaN) and the ISS National Lab—Space Station Explorers. The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities take part in hands-on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see http://www.ariss.org.

Find us on social media at:

X – Twitter: ARISS_Intl
Facebook: facebook.com/ARISSIntl
Instagram: ariss_intl
Mastodon: ariss_intl@mastodon.hams.social
Check out ARISS on Youtube.com.

Maine Section Update, September 2023

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Maine ARRL Section Manager Phil Duggan, N1EP, writes:

Legislation. LD-697, an anti-5G bill to study non-ionizing RF radiation of ALL sources, including amateur radio, was defeated in the Maine Senate. However, I spoke to my representative, who is for the bill, and she said it needs to be studied and will likely be reintroduced in the Legislature in the coming session this winter.

Tropical Storm Lee. Some counties activated their ARES/RACES teams last weekend, including here in Washington County where the storm left most coastal communities with widespread outages. Washington County ARES staffed the Emergency Operations Center in Machias in shifts, while other members operated from home. Statewide teams and individuals supported their counties, Maine Emergency Management Agency, and the Maine Emergency Communications Net on 40 and 75 meters. SEC Keith Anoe, KE4UCW, had been conducting exercises and drills the past 18 months, and his and other EC’s efforts paid off. The storm response by ARES/RACES was excellent.

The Maine State Convention has a new venue and date. It will be June 15 at the Civic Center in Augusta.

NTS nets and operators continue to perform outstandingly on a daily basis primarily on 75/80m and some VHF.

Maine VOTA Coordinator John Huffman, K1ESE, submitted Maine’s first week as W1AW/1. It was a great effort by Maine’s VOTA ops. We totaled 6,661 contacts, and of the 68 W1AW portable activations so far this year, Maine’s rating is the 12th highest!

Port City Amateur Extra Study Group Meets

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The Port City (NH) Amateur Radio Club is conducting a series of Amateur Extra study group meetings at the Piscataque Fish & Game Club in Greenland, NH. This past week, they met for approximately 1 1/2 hours. Students were asked to read several chapters from the ARRL Extra Class License Manual and come to class with one to two prepared questions for the group, “preferably a concept or idea with which you struggled during your reading.”

“The group is fortunate to have Dr. Mike Carter, K8CN, with us this week as their instructor,” writes Kirby Francis, KC1RWR. “Mike holds advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Information systems, and is an Emeritus Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UNH.  

“For those who already hold the Extra License, if you have ever wanted to really understand the principles covered in this chapter, you’ll never get a better chance.  Along the way, your attendance will encourage the students in the class to keep their resolve in face of some daunting concepts.

“We will then progress to students’ questions, and end each evening with a group trivia challenge taken directly from the exam questions on that week’s subelements!  Bring your cell phone to participate in the Trivia game.” 

According to KC1RWR, one of the goals of the study group is to “remove the apprehension and fear that may be preventing you from moving forward with your ham radio licensing, replacing it with a sense of community, fun, and self-confidence.”

New England QRP “Chowdercon 2023,” Portsmouth NH, September 23, 2023

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Carl Achin, WA1ZCQ, writes on the NEQRP mailing list:

Tomorrow, Saturday, September 23rd is the rain-date for this year’s Chowdercon 2023. It’s happening rain or shine due to last week’s cancellations because of Hurricane Lee. The announcement bulletin already went out, yesterday, this is just a reminder with additional information.

The diehards arrive at 8AM and park in the Four Tree Island Parking Lot on Pierce Island just past the Fish Co-op.

Here’s last year’s write-up for you to go over to catch-up on the “history of Chowdercon”:

https://nediv.arrl.org/2022/09/16/chowdercon-2022-september-17-2022-portsmouth-nh/

Brown-bag whatever you’d like for snacks. Lunch at Geno’s at 12-noon and our farewell banquet at Warren’s startling at 4:55PM for the usual fantastic seafood dinner.

I’ll be there, … will YOU?

All the picnic tables on Four Tree Island are rooftop-covered so if there is light precipitation you and your rig will stay dry.

SEE YOU THERE WHEN YOU ARRIVE. COMMS ON ” 5 2 ” DIRECT (The National Simplex Frequency).

This may be our last chance to eat at Warren’s!!!
(It’s being sold and most likely it’ll be ‘no-more’ next year.

Project BIG E—Urgent Request for Additional Volunteers, September 23, 2023

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Project Big E GrantLarry Krainson, W1AST, writes:

We need at least one extra person for the first session from 9:30 to 4:00 pm and the second session from 3:30 pm to 10:00 pm.

Can you please help? Saturdays are very busy days and at least three people are needed in the booth.

You will be reimbursed for admission and parking after the Big E has ended.

Contact Larry Krainson, W1AST, at <wb1dby@gmail.com>.

[See https://nediv.arrl.org/project-big-e/ for details]

Views from The BIG E, September 19, 2023

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Crowds continue to stop by and be introduced to Amateur Radio at The BIG E ham radio display in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

Today, KB1ASM, Hollis, ME; Tony, AA3HD, Wells, ME; W2BOS, Poughkeepsee, NY; Rhode Island Section Manager Nancy Austin, KC1NEK, Middletown, RI, and others staffed the booth in the Better Living Center.

According to Nancy, the code kits have been a huge thrill for the younger crowd. 

PXL_20230919_223326971_exported_441_1695163339464
PXL_20230919_234336276
PXL_20230919_221804280
PXL_20230919_222839000.MP_
PXL_20230919_222827026.MP_
PXL_20230919_205728285
PXL_20230919_192143487.MP_
PXL_20230919_201006550.MP_
PXL_20230919_213343307

Shown in last photo: Aubrey White and her 6th grade son, Lincoln, from Prospect, Connecticut. Photos courtesy Nancy Austin KC1NEK

Recommended for Minecraft Fans: “Radio Craft” on the Live Free and Ham Podcast, September 14, 2023

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Live Free and Ham podcast logo

The “Live Free and Ham” channel has posted an interview with Lucas about RadioCraft; you can see it at https://youtube.com/live/SaU2EGHg4ow?feature=share.
 
73,
George K1IG

Eric Pfeifer, N1JUR, writes:

For those that went to the HamXposition you may have seen a presentation on MineCraft, we have some great news to share. 

Don’t miss out on this show if you or your family are fans of Minecraft! Lucas, W1BTR, the designer and developer of Minecraft Mod “Radio Craft” will be featured. He will explain how this mod brings the world of ham radio into the virtual world of Minecraft allowing players to experience it. This is a great idea to get more people involved in radio communications as Lucas has designed the mod to behave and work as closely as possible to real world experience. 

Come support a young man build bridges to close the gap of STEM and RF ham radio through game play. 

The Live stream is on Thursday [September 14, 2023] at 8 pm on our YouTube channel (Live Free and Ham) 

https://youtube.com/live/SaU2EGHg4ow?feature=share

Please feel free to spread the word!

Maine Emergency Communications Net Activation for Hurricane/Tropical Storm Lee, September 15, 2023

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Maine SEC Keith Anoe, KE4UCW, writes on the MaineSection-ARES-RACES list:

Good evening, all, I hope this messages finds you well and ready.

With the approach of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Lee the Maine Emergency Communication Net (MECN) will be activated and have its first net at 08:00hrs and then on the hour as needed.

Please remember that the primary purpose of any MECN is to facilitate “Emergency Communications” for supported agencies, i.e., between the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and a County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), EMA to EMA, or any other first responder agency Fire or Police Departments etc.

The secondary purpose is to facilitate information ARES/RACES Groups and supported agencies, ARES/RACES members and the public.

All Nets will be opened with request for ARES/RACES group repressive or supported agency, then other stations. Message traffic and status or information will be requested from the ARES/RACES group repressive or supported agency. After they have provided their status and/or information, the NCS will provide them with the opportunity to secure from the net. The intent is to give them the opportunity to return to their duty supporting their group. They do not need to secure, just be given the opportunity. Then the remainder of the net roster will be provided with the opportunity to provide information to the net.

We encourage participation that is short and to the point during emergency activation. We also encourage that you send any appropriate reports to your local town or county for action for processing and action.
Everyone stay safe

—
Maine Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC)
https://groups.io/g/MaineSection-ARES-RACES/messages
Androscoggin County Emergency Coordinator (EC)
keith@anoe.us
(207)629-7197