AA1WH Embarks On High Altitude Balloon Project

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photo of high altitude balloon launchHampden County Radio Association member Marcel Lapierre, AA1WH, of Chicoppe, MA has embarked on an ambitious High Altitude Balloon project. His balloon will be equipped with an APRS/WSPR tracking device, solar panels and antennas. He hopes that it will eventually cross the Atlantic.

“In addition to 2-meter APRS and 20-meter WSPR transmitters, it carries full size dipole antennas of thin bronze wire (think guitar strings) and is capable of being heard in excess of 200 miles by APRS and 5000 miles on WSPR,” says Marcel. “All from just a few milliwatts of power and well under one ounce in weight.”

AA1WH is no stranger to WSPR and other digital modes. “My digital station is my old Yaesu FT 897D which is connected to an end-fed half wave 10- thru 40 meter multiband antenna set up in an inverted L. At maximum height, it is about 33 feet above ground level. With this modest station, I have worked the world on digital modes and tracked pico balloons more than 5000 miles away.”

Marcel intends to test his equipment thoroughly before launching it. “I have two 36-inch party balloons [to test with] … all I need to add is some hydrogen and we will be flying.”

Marcel intends to make his own solar panels for the larger thirteen foot balloon. “I just received 100 polycrystalline solar cells. These are .75 inches by 2 inches and less than 1/100 inch thick. They are made on extremely thin glass and are fragile.” Marcel admits that the project will challenge his soldering skills given his cataracts and arthritic hands.  “This is where I hope to partner with the high school hams at Pathfinder Regional and get those young hands and eyes to assemble the transmitter.”

Marcel will conduct a shakedown run in the next few months before selecting a final launch date. “I’m looking [later in the spring] when days are getting longer so we get at least six hours of reports daily. Also, I will watch the weather here and over Europe and Africa and try to choose a launch window with a minimum chance of encountering bad weather,” he says.  

AA1WH says that it’s not unheard of to achieve a circumnavigation with this setup “but chances are against it. “My goal is to get across the Atlantic and well into Europe or Africa. A bonus would be to make it all the way to Asia.”

Marcel can be contacted at aa1wh@arrl.net.  –Courtesy, HCRA Zero Beat, February 2021

Maine Virtual Hamfest is One Week Away!

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Maine Virtual Hamfest logo/snapshotKU1U and W1SK write on the Maine ARRL Members List on February 27, 2021:

The Maine Virtual Hamfest is 1 week away! SATURDAY MARCH 6, 2021, 9 AM to 4 PM Eastern.

If you have not yet registered, please register now so we will know how many people will be attending. You can go here to register: http://mainearrl.org/MVH.

Talks will be via Zoom and are limited to 500 people.

There will be other rooms available using FreeConferenceCall.com which allow up to 1000 people per room. FCC will have video conference rooms for “Eyeball” QSOs and a Swap/Buy/Sell room for people to showcase items they want to sell.

There will also be an IRC webchat in the room #mainehams for people who might be mic/camera shy.

We understand this hamfest is taking place during a major contest weekend. We wish that we could have had it on another date, but the fester was moved once already and to ask our keynote speakers to move a third time did not seem fair. To all of the contesters, we wish you luck in representing the State of Maine well in the contest.

We will be recording the talk sessions for those to view at a later date in case you are not able to attend the hamfest.

There will also be a phone call-in option for those who may not have the ability to get online. Phones numbers will be shared this week on various nets. We kindly ask that you use only one option per conference room since tuning in via the web AND calling by phone will take up 2 seats in the limited seating available.

We look forward to “seeing” you next Saturday between 9AM and 4PM. Please visit mainearrl.org for more information, click on the hamfest button at the top which will take you to the Maine Virtual Hamfest website. If you have already registered, please do not submit duplicate registrations.

73 DE KU1U and W1SK
Cory and Joe
Maine Virtual Hamfest Co-Chairs

New England Convention, Hamfests Receive Approval for ARRL Affiliation

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New England Division Director Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, has approved the applications for sanctioning for two New England hamfests and one convention:

  • 29th Annual Southern Berkshire Amateur Radio Club Hamfest in Goshen, Connecticut, on May 22, 2021
  • Windsor Hamfest (Maine) on Saturday, September 11, 2021
  • Northeast HamXposition  a.k.a. New England Division Convention in Marlborough, Massachusetts on September 10, 11, 12, 2021

The events will be publicized on the ARRL website’s Hamfest and Convention Calendar as well as the appropriate upcoming issues of QST.

 

Technician Class, Greater Norwalk (CT) ARC, March 2, 2021

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Greater Norwalk ARC logoGNARC Education Coordinator Jon Perelstein, AI1V, writes on the Greater Norwalk ARC mailing list:
 
There is still room in the Technician class that starts on Tuesday (March 2).  It’s an on-line class every Tuesday night from 7pm to about 9:15pm from March 2 through April 13.
 
We’re doing it in conjunction with The Readiness Collective, and will do one or two Saturday sessions at their store to show off ham equipment and hopefully get them on the air a little.
 
Because we’re doing it in conjunction with The Readiness Collective, we’re charging $25 for the course.
 
People can register for the course at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/140695210161
 
73
Jon, AI1V

New England Director, Vice Director Presentations

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ARRL logoARRL New England Division Director Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, and Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, will be busy on the speaking circuit over the next few weeks.

Fred and Phil will participate in an ARRL Forum at the Vermont Ham Radio Convention (“HAM-CON”) on February 27, 2021.  According to the official program description, “This live meeting with our New England Division Director and Vice Director will focus on ARRL direction, hashed out at the recent ARRL Board meeting in January. Discussion will include the new FCC fees and requirements, loss of the 3.4 GHz band and any other topics brought up in the meeting.”

Phil Temples, K9HI, will be the featured speaker at the Barnstable (MA) Amateur Radio Club on March 1.

On March 6, 2021, the Maine Virtual Hamfest will feature Phil, K9HI, and Maine Section Manager Bob Gould, N1WJO at the ARRL Forum. They will discuss what’s going on at the division and state level.  Later that same day, Phil will present to Nantucket (MA) Amateur Radio Association members at their quarterly meeting online. 

 

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Hampden County (MA) RA Begins “New Ham Net”

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Hampden Co RA logoKen Dion, KD1KU, writes on the HCRA mailing list:

The Hampden County Radio Association hosts a New Ham Net every Thursday evening at 7 pm on the W1BR repeater in Holyoke, MA, 146.715 (negative offset) with a PL tone of 100.0.

This Net is geared towards helping new hams get over mic shyness, proper operating procedure or with any questions they may have regarding any aspect of the hobby in a relaxed and friendly environment.

The new ham net is only open to NEW hams who have received their licenses within the last 5 years, hams that have returned to the hobby recently and all HCRA members. Net control is Gary, KC1JZR who is a newer ham himself.

As HCRA members please support this net by stopping by to say hello! Netlogger is used during this net and can be downloaded free at https://www.netlogger.org (not required),

If you are a new ham or know someone licensed during the last 5 years and can access the 146.715 repeater please join us on Thursdays at 7 pm!

73, Ken – KD1KU

KE8HLD: “Talking to Astronauts: An Elementary School’s Exciting ARISS Contact,” ARRL Learning Network, March 2, 2021

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ARRL Learning Network logo“Talking to Astronauts: An Elementary School’s Exciting ARISS Contact”

Presented by Diane Warner, KE8HLD

This is a story about Tallmadge Elementary School’s participation in a once-in-a-lifetime ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) school contact. You’ll learn about their amazing journey leading up to the amateur radio contact with an astronaut on the International Space Station. The excitement of the entire experience was shared not just by the students, but included faculty, parents, community, and local amateur radio operators. You will also learn how to begin the process of submitting your own ARISS contact proposal.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 @ 1 pm EST (1800 UTC)

ARRL members may register for an upcoming presentation and view previously recorded webinars by clicking here to access our registration page.