AB1OC Helps Prepare Students for ARISS Contact at Sussex County Charter School for Technology, Sparta, NJ, February 23, 2022

ARISS logoNew England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, writes:

“It’s been my pleasure to work with the Sussex County Charter School for Technology (SCCST), as their ARISS Mentor, to prepare for their contact. The school has partnered with the Sussex County Amateur Radio Club to build a ground station which they will use to make their contact. Club members have also worked closely with the school to provide many Amateur Radio activities for SCCST students. The school has formed an Amateur Radio club at the school and conducted Amateur Radio activities as part of an outstanding STEM learning program. Working with a school such as SCCST is a great way for a local amateur radio club to build a strong, ongoing relationship with a group of young people interested in Amateur Radio.”

The downlink from the astronaut may be heard in New England on 145.800 MHz. The livestream will start at 9:50 AM and the ISS pass will start at 10:31 AM.

ARISS News Release No. 22-11
Dave Jordan, AA4KN
ARISS PR
aa4kn@amsat.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ARISS Contact is Scheduled for Students at Sussex County Charter School for Technology, Sparta, NJ, USA

February 21, 2022—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact with astronauts. ARISS is the group that puts together special amateur radio contacts between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses on the International Space Station (ISS).

This will be a direct contact via amateur radio between students at the Sussex County Charter School for Technology, Sparta, New Jersey and Astronaut Mark Vande Hei, amateur radio call sign KG5GNP. Students will take turns asking their questions. Local Covid-19 protocols are adhered to as applicable for each ARISS contact. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the radio relay ground station.

Amateur radio operators, using the call sign KD2YAQ, will operate the ham radio ground station for this contact.

The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for February 23, 2022 at 10:31 am EST (New Jersey), (15:31 UTC, 9:31 am CST, 8:31 am MST and 7:31 am PST).

Sussex Charter School for Technology (SCCST) is a STEM-focused, rural middle school in Sparta, NJ, serving 225 students. In preparation for this ARISS contact, through hands-on activities and class instruction, students worked with the local HAM radio club, high school, and university Physics departments to learn more about radio communications and solar influence on such communications. Members of the Sussex County Amateur Radio Club are supplying the direct contact equipment and will be conducting the ISS radio contact. New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has partnered with the school to introduce modules on space weather, solar cycles and ionospheric phenomena into their curriculum. Faculty members of NJIT’s amateur radio club, K2MFF, are founding members of HamSCI, and will lead the NJIT-SCCST collaboration and assist in the ARISS event and follow-up activities. Sussex County Technical School is their neighboring vocational/technical high school, and will provide filming and streaming capabilities.

The public is invited to watch the live stream at: https://youtu.be/dQpyK-uyzPU

As time allows, students will ask these questions:

  1. Do you have any telescopes on the ISS and, if so, how far can they see?
  2. In the event of space debris, asteroids, or solar flares collisions, what are the safety protocols or systems to ensure the astronaut’s/cosmonaut’s safety in situations like that?
  3. How do you exercise on the space station if there’s no gravity?
  4. What science experiments are you working on that will have an impact on the future?
  5. How do you feel about private space companies trying to make space travel open to civilians?
  6. What is the best space food you’ve eaten, and do you notice any improvement in the quality of the food since the Deep Space food challenge started?
  7. How often do you need to communicate with the Earth (Mission control)?
  8. What would you do if the communication with Mission Control broke down and you couldn’t communicate with Earth?
  9. Being that you see 16 sunrises and sunsets in each day, how do you regulate your sleep schedule?
  10. What steps are taken on the ISS to shield you from the pathway of the Sun’s radiation?
  11. How do astronauts control the robotic arm on the outside of the space station? Do you use a computer program or use a joystick like on a game controller?
  12. Who put the first pieces of the International Space Station together and will any of it be reused after the mission ends?
  13. How do astronauts maintain good hygiene on the ISS if there are no showers?
  14. What happens if an astronaut gets a serious virus or other illness while they are on the ISS?
  15. What is your least favorite chore or dangerous task that you do in space?
  16. What are the legal parameters followed in regards to the fly zones? If something should go wrong, while over a country other than the U.S., what fly zone rules are followed for legal purposes?
  17. How did your parents react when you arrived at the space station or when you left them?
  18. Considering the limited amount of your own items you can bring along with you from Earth, can you share with us one of the items you brought?
  19. What are the negative physical impacts on your body of being in space and does it go back to normal when you’re back on Earth?
  20. Would you let your own young kids, nieces, or nephews go to space if young people were given an opportunity to do so?
  21. If you could change one thing about space travel what would that be?

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 Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Lab-Space Station Explorers, Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) and NASA’s Space communications and Navigation program. 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 www.ariss.org.

January Town Hall Question: How Does My Shack Live On?

Some hams want to know that their equipment will “live on” and be used, especially if it can be made a part of a museum exhibit or club station.  Finding the right place and then including that provision in a will isn’t always easy.  There may not be a museum near-by and the local club may not have a station of any equipment of its own.  We’ve gathered up some information and provided them as either links or text that may point in the right direction.

I’ve been involved in helping to dispose of several estates over the (too many) years and never found a better solution than having a committee of club members help out.  This goes for disposing of the estate as well as finding a good home to donate the equipment to.  That can be a museum, with tax advantages for the estate but it could be a ham who could not otherwise afford that equipment or one that is handicapped.  Using a local club committee usually avoids commissions though the club sometimes shares in the proceeds with the family’s appreciation for their efforts.

If you have additional web sites or information you think we should include let me know and we’ll take a look.

Categories All

HamXposition to Host New England and Hudson Division Conventions

HamXposition logo

 

In what may well be a “first,” the Northeast HamXposition is proud to announce that it will host both New England and Hudson division conventions this year.  HamXposition will be held on August 26 – 28, 2022, in Marlborough, MA.

FEMARA, the organization that runs HamXposition, voted on February 17 to officially approve the unique arrangement. Attendees included: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, New England Director; Ria Jairam, N2RJ, Hudson Division Director; Phil Temples, K9HI, New England Vice Director; Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, ARRL 1st Vice President and FEMARA President; and Bob DeMattia, K1IW, HamXposition General Chairman. Director Jairam was officially appointed to the HamXposition Committee.

Proceeds from the convention will be directed to scholarships for both New England and Hudson Division students.  Volunteers and speakers will be drawn from both divisions.  Other details will be worked out as things progress.

“It certainly has been a while since the Hudson Division has had a convention” said Ria, N2RJ. “By joining forces with the New England Division for a joint convention, we can bring back a sense of nostalgia and community.” 

“We are excited to have the Hudson Division join with New England to support and grow the 2022 HamXposition event.” said Fred, AB1OC. “It’s a great opportunity to expand HamXposition participation, programs, and work to provide support for the scholarships to young hams in both divisions.”

“Joining the two division events into one convention offers expanded opportunities for attendees, League members, and vendors alike” commented Mike, K1TWF.  “We anticipate larger attendance than we have seen in many years.”

The Northeast HamXposition, formerly known as “Boxboro,” features a Saturday morning keynote address, Friday and Saturday evening banquet dinners with special guest speakers, a large outdoor flea market along with an ample indoor commercial vendor space. The convention’s impressive three-day program of forums and speakers is one of the best in the country.

Bob, K1IW
General Chair, HamXposition 2022

Fox Hunt, Wallingford, CT Vicinity, February 19-20, 2022

Dave Tipping, NZ1J, writes on the ctfoxhunter list:

Instead of our usual ‘live’ Fox Hunt, this weekend we’ll have a Fox Box hidden somewhere in Wallingford.  The box will transmit 1 watt on 146.565MHz for 45 seconds, each time it is activated via a DTMF ‘1’, also on 146.565MHz

The box will be switched on at noon on Saturday and will be switched off at 11am on Sunday.

Upon locating the box, please announce on 146.565 that you have found it.  (Rob has been known to linger in the vicinity of a Fox Box.  Who is to say who might be nearby and watching you and the box at any given time?)

Good Luck,

Dave NZ1J

Update on New Hampshire HB1644 update February 18, 2022

NH State House, ConcordNew Hampshire Section Manager Pete Stohrer, K1PJS, writes to the NH ARRL Members List:

On Thursday February 17th the NH House voted 245 to 104 to send HB1644 to interim study. This effectively kills the bill for this legislative session. The bill would have required 5G telecommunication antenna to be placed at least 1,640 feet from residentially zoned areas, parks, playgrounds, hospitals, nursing homes, day care centers, and schools. In addition, an online registry would have been created to allow residents who are experiencing biological symptoms from wireless radiation exposure to list their relevant information.

Although the bill was aimed primarily at wireless 5G applications, enough ambiguity in the wording raised legitimate concerns of the unintended consequences to other non 5G radio services including amateur radio.

Interim study will take a serious look at the problems with the bill and NH Leadership will be ready to offer testimony to protect amateur radio interests if needed. Further information will be made available to our NH ARRL membership as it becomes available. Section would like to thank the many NH amateur operators who provided written testimony to their legislators against HB1644

——————————————————————–
ARRL New Hampshire Section
Section Manager: Peter J Stohrer, K1PJS
k1pjs@arrl.org
——————————————————————–

Last Call for Boston Marathon Volunteers, Deadline is February 18, 2022

From ema.arrl.org:

The Boston Marathon Amateur Radio team is still in need of about 50 additional volunteers to fill our nearly 300 assignments.  The BAA volunteer registration deadline is this Friday, February 18 at 5:00 PM EST.  The BAA has told us that this is a firm deadline for this year.

If you are still undecided, we encourage you to register now; you can discuss any questions you may have with us and if you decide this is not for you this year you can withdraw between now and the end of March.

If you have not previously volunteered and want to chat about what we do, what is expected of us, and what equipment you might need, please do not hesitate to drop us an email.

Registration Links:
BAA registration can be accessed via the BAA web site specifically in the “Athletes’ Village” section.

https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/volunteer/volunteer-registration

Step by Step Sign Up Guide: 
https://hamradioboston.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/44002294773-2022-volunteer-registration-step-by-step-guide

If you have any questions about the upcoming volunteer registration period, or the 2022 Marathon generally, please get in touch anytime. Volunteering at the Marathon is a big job and we appreciate the time and effort everyone puts into it. We’re happy to do what we can to make your work fun, comfortable, and effective.

We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Thank you, and 73,

Boston Marathon Communications Committee
contact@HamRadioBoston.org

Please make sure to whitelist volunteer@baa.org and contact@HamRadioBoston.org to make sure you receive BAA and ARO committee communications.

New England Division Town Hall Meeting Deemed a Success

ARRL logoLast night’s New England Division Town Hall meeting presentation was well attended. Out of 255 people who registered for the call, 211 attended. 

125 attendees responded to the post-Town Hall survey. Of those, 98 percent of the responders rated the Town Hall as “very or somewhat informative and useful” and 88 percent indicated that they would be interested in attending additional Town Hall meetings. 

Slide presentation (in PDF format).

 

Fletcher Seagroves, N1MEO, Silent Key

Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, writes:

I learned yesterday that Fletcher Seagroves, N1MEO has passed and is now Silent Key. Fletcher served Amateur Radio in many ways including as the County Emergency Coordinator for Hillsborough County ARES and he was a past organizer of Hillsborough ARES Net. He made many contributions to EmComm activities in New England.

Fletcher was a Granite State ARA member and also a former Nashua Area Radio Society member. In the March 2002 Nashua Area Radio Society Bulletin, Fletcher was listed as the:

  • Awards/QSL manager
  • Field Day contact
  • Secretary

Fletcher was a 20 + years US Army vet. He was Sergeant First Class, and he has many family members in the Milford area. More about Fletcher’s life can be found in the  Nashua Telegraph here:  https://www.nashuatelegraph.com/obituaries-memorials/obituaries/2022/02/15/fletcher-w-seagroves-jr/.

Fletcher will be greatly missed. We will keep his family and friends in our thoughts during this difficult time.

 

Fred Kemmerer,  AB1OC

ARRL New England Division Director

Categories All

Blue Hill Observatory Radio Club Forming

Blue Hill Observatory logoFrom ema.arrl.org:

New England Sci-Tech writes on its website:

New England Sci-Tech and New England Amateur Radio [Natick, MA] are working with Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center to establish an educational amateur radio club. You can be a charter member!

The Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory has a long history of amateur radio going back to the turn of the last century. We are working to help BHO establish a new club that can meet occasionally on top of Blue Hill and more regularly in locations around greater Boston.

If you are interested in finding out more, please fill out the form below. Be patient as we  send out updates occasionally. The main building and weather tower are closed for renovations, so it will be a while before the radio club will have a permanent home. [Full story]

RASON General Class Licensing Course Begins March 16, 2022

Mark Noe, KE1IU, writes on the RASON mailing list:

RASON [Radio Amateur Society of Norwich, CT] will be offering a General Class Amateur Radio License Course beginning Wednesday, March 16, 2022 and continuing through the end of May.  Class times will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday evenings via Zoom.  The course is free to the public, but you must register to take the course.  Registration will get access to the Zoom link as well as a link to my server, which will host all of the course materials.  Each lecture will be recorded and will be accessible after the class on that server.

You will need to purchase the ARRL General Class License Manual. which can be purchased directly from ARRL at http://www.arrl.org/shop/Licensing-and-Education/ or from Amazon.  Make sure that you get the 9th Edition, which is valid through June, 2023.
 
Your instructors will be: Mark Noe KE1IU, Chip Griffin N1MIE, Tony Girasoli W1TTL and Payton Noe KC1IVR.  We will take you through all the material that is part of the General class license syllabus, and you will be well prepared for the exam at the end of the course.  It is recommended that you have a Technician class license or that you have studied materials for the Technician exam prior to taking this course.  You must take and pass the Technician License Exam before you can take the General License Exam.  All messages regarding the course will be sent out at the RASON@groups.io website.  Please check out the RASON website https://rason.org for more information about our club.  

Send an e-mail to KE1IUmark@gmail.com if you have any questions about the course or if you would like to register.