Newsletter of the Binghamton Amateur Radio Association – January 2024
Upcoming Calendar of Events:
The following and future events can be found at: https://stnydmr.net/calendar/bara/
Volunteer Exam (VE) Test Session
January 17, 2024 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Kopernik Observatory Science, 698 Underwood
Rd, Vestal, NY
Please bring your FRN number (for upgrades: a photocopy of your current license) to the test session, along with government issued photo ID. If you don't already have an FRN number, please create an FCC account. apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do Walk-ins Accepted.
BARA Monthly Club Meeting
January 17, 2024 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Kopernik Observatory Science, 698 Underwood
Rd, Vestal, NY
Our own Steve Rosman KA2YRA, the New Jersey state map representative for POTA, will be giving a presentation on POTA at this month’s meeting. Steve’s presentation will be a great opportunity to learn more about the program and to get involved. Whether you’re an experienced POTA hunter, activator or just getting started, there’s something for everyone. So mark your calendars and don’t miss this exciting event!
Parks on the Air (POTA) is a program that encourages amateur radio operators to operate portable stations from national parks and other public lands. The program is designed to promote outdoor activities and to encourage the use of public lands. It’s a great way to get outside and enjoy nature while also participating in a fun and exciting hobby.
Everyone is welcome to attend as BARA meetings are open to all. The only prerequisite for attending is an interest in Amateur Radio. In addition, you will have the opportunity to meet other ham radio operators in your area and learn from their experiences as well. Can’t attend in person? Join us virtually via Zoom! Click here to Join the Zoom Meeting. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge, make new friends, and celebrate the world of Ham Radio. We can’t wait to see you there!
Extra Class Licensing Course on Zoom
Thursday, January 18 at 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
A FREE, weekly, live, Amateur Radio Extra Class Licensing Course on Zoom will begin on Thursday, January 18, 2024, and will run through Thursday, March 28. There will be 11 sessions. The three-hour sessions will start at 6:30 PM Eastern Time. Sessions will be recorded. Those attending should hold (or be studying for) the General Class Amateur Radio License. These are the classes that we have been holding for years sponsored by the National Electronics Museum. Please publicize this with anyone that you think would be interested. Those wishing to sign up should contact: Roland Anders, K3RA at [email protected]
Winter Field Day
January 27, 2024 2:00 pm - January 28,
2024 2:00 pm
Kopernik Observatory Science, 698 Underwood Rd, Vestal, NY
Winter Field Day is a communications exercise held on the last full weekend in January. WFD can be worked from the comfort of your home or in a remote location. You can participate by yourself or get your whole club involved. Open to participants worldwide, amateur radio operators may use any mode on frequencies on the HF, VHF or UHF bands. Similar to the ARRL’s Field Day, bonus points are earned in several ways; non-commercial power sources, operating from remote locations and satellite contacts.
April 2024
Solar Eclipse QSO Party
April 8, 2024 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Kopernik Observatory, 698 Underwood Rd, Vestal, NY
The total solar eclipse will not be visible in Binghamton, NY.
However, a partial solar eclipse will begin at 2:08 PM EDT and end at 4:34 PM
EDT with the maximum eclipse occurring at 3:23 PM EDT.
Join with thousands of your fellow amateurs as part of the largest
crowd-sourced contest for ham radio scientific exploration
ever. The SEQP is for learning more about how the ionosphere
works. Use any mode, any band for all or part of each day. Participation can be
from everywhere, you do not need to be near the path of either eclipse to
contribute valuable data by participating. For details on
the SEQP, contest, and rules go to www.hamsci.org/contest-info.
International Marconi Day
April 27, 2024 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Marconi Tower, Lewis St, Binghamton, NY
BARA is spearheading an effort to participate again in International Marconi Day, celebrating Guglielmo Marconi's substantial contribution to the invention of radio, which is held annually on the Saturday closest to Marconi's birthday. Participating stations are located at historic sites related to Marconi's life & career as BARA's will be operating from the historic Marconi Tower next to the baseball stadium and train station in downtown Binghamton. Photos and logs from previous years are posted to lutins.org/marconi/imd.html.
BARA will operate using the Special Event callsign K2M (details at qrz.com/db/K2M). Many of the details (shelter, power, landowner permission, porta-john, official registration, and obtaining the 1x1 callsign) have already been taken care of and I trust that the remaining needs (rigs, antennas) will easily be met. I'm writing to encourage you to join in the fun that day, if even for a little while. It's a great, non-competitive event to practice our emergency communications setups (there are always lessons learned when setting up portable outdoor systems) and a splendid opportunity to publicize our club and a little-known but significant local historic site.
Kopernik Race to the Stars
April 27, 2024 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Kopernik Observatory Science, 698 Underwood Rd, Vestal, NY
Kopernik Race to the Stars 5K Road Race is an annual fundraiser started in 2018. Join us for this special 5K road race through the hills surrounding the Observatory. We invite all to participate by sponsoring, donating, running, and cheering your friends and family on! For more information and a link to online registration, please go to: kopernik.org/race
May 2024
Greater Binghamton Bridge Run
May 5, 2024 7:30 am - 11:00 am
The Greater Binghamton Bridge Run is an annual running event that starts on Henry Street in Binghamton, NY. The event attracts runners from across the region and is known for its scenic route across the city's bridges, including the famous "Double-Arch" Bridge. Participants can choose to run a 5K, 10K, or half marathon and the event offers both in-person and virtual options for runners to participate. The race is organized by the Triple Cities Runners Club and has become a popular tradition in the local running community. You can register for this event on their website (www.binghamton bridge run.org) either in-person or virtually.
June 2024
ARRL Field Day
June 22, 2024 2:00 pm - June 23, 2024 5:00 pm
Kopernik Observatory Science, 698 Underwood Rd, Vestal, NY
Click here for the ARRL Field Day Guide
Field Day is always the fourth full weekend of June, beginning at 1800 UTC Saturday and running through 2059 UTC Sunday. arrl.org/field-day#rules
K1PY presents What is Field Day How RDXA Makes it Happen
Additional Information:
BARA Brochure - The plan is to print out about 100 BARA Brochures and make them available.
BARA Stickers - Show your support for BARA with our exclusive BARA Stickers. They are available for purchase at just $3.50 each or three stickers for $10. Contact our treasurer Joe Ozvold WB2SGW to get yours.
Callsign Light Displays - 25% OFF Beautifully engraved Ham Radio Callsign Lights by our own Bill Jakaitis KB2SIN. Visit www.shophamradiogifts.com to check them out and as well as other Ham related items.
Ham Radio Calendars – Keep up to date on contests, nets, and ham radio activities both locally and around the world. In addition, Click here for a list of Upstate New York Hamfests and Events.
Logbook Status - As a special offer for members, each member can get a Logbook as a gift from BARA. It's only one per member, not every year.
Families can get one for each licensed member. If you would like your BARA logbook, contact Ed Roosa N2ENG.
New Ham Education and Information - Frank Heaney W2FJH has created a single page handout to give to newly licensed hams to help get them started.
QRZ Jumpstart Program - Aims to encourage and popularize amateur radio by making it easier for newly licensed amateur radio operators to get started by eliminating a possible barrier to entry by providing them with everything they need to get on the air at a very reasonable price. New hams who obtained their amateur radio license within the last 6 months may apply for a welcome package consisting of an Explorer QRZ-1 5W VHF/UHF handheld transceiver, RT Systems software, programming cable, New Ham Welcome Kit and QRZ membership for only $21.99. This Ham Radio 2.0 YouTube video further explains details about the current program.
Volunteer Exam (VE) Test Sessions - If you would like to become an amateur radio operator or upgrade, Volunteer Exam (VE) Test Sessions are held before each BARA Monthly Club Meeting at 6:00 PM.
YouTube Channel Content
Club Meetings Hamfests News Stories Monthly Programs
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Radio Net |
Schedule |
Frequencies |
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BARA Net |
Wednesday at 8:00pm |
146.820 -.600 MHz PL 146.2 BGM Airport |
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BRAT Net |
Binghamton Amateur Radio Technical Net |
146.820 -.600 MHz PL 146.2 BGM Airport |
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Morning Net |
Weekdays & Saturday at 8:00 am |
146.820 -.600 MHz PL 146.2 BGM Airport |
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6 Meter Net |
Wednesdays at 9:00 pm |
50.200 MHz USB |
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Southern Tier Amateur Radio Net |
146.730 -.600 MHz PL 100.0 Binghamton |
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Southern Tier Digital Voice Net |
BM TG 31367, Wires-X 83721 & On Zoom |
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Sunday at 8:00 pm |
Requires a Yaesu C4FM Digital Radio |
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40 Meter Net |
Thursday at 5:30 pm |
7.225 MHz LSB |
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Sunday at 10:30 am |
3.917 or 7.217 MHz LSB |
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