FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2023
Contact:
Larry Krainson, W1AST
100 Kenmore Drive
Longmeadow, MA 01106-2759
Tel: 413-348-3289
Email: w1ast@arrl.net
PROJECT BIG E TO HIGHLIGHT MODERN AMATEUR RADIO
Project Big E is a 16-day amateur radio exhibit to be held at the 2022 Big E from September 15-October 1, 2023 in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Western Massachusetts ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator and Hampden County Radio Association president Larry Krainson, W1AST, leads Project Big E.
The Big E, formerly known as The Eastern States Exposition, is billed as “New England’s Great State fair.” It is the largest agricultural event on the eastern seaboard and the sixth-largest fair in the nation. In 2022, the Big E had 1.6 million visitors.
Planning for Project Big E is underway. An impressive ham radio booth will showcase the many aspects of modern ham radio, and provide an avenue for people to sign up for information and courses in their local area.
Features proposed for Project Big E will include:
- an EmComm display
- DMR and/or other digital mobile mode demo
- Digital HF modes on a big screen
- SSB, CW and digital modes
- Demonstrations of portable stations for field operation (i.e., Parks On The Air, Summits On The Air)
- A live ARISS contact
Project Big E can succeed only if there is a sufficient number of volunteers and radio clubs who agree to participate in the event. A web page has been created at https://nediv.arrl.org/ProjectBigE.
Also, a special Groups.io mailing list group has been established. To join, send an email to ProjectBigE+subscribe@groups.io.
To volunteer for specific days/hours, go to the special Google form signup sheet and register.