|
Binghamton Amateur Radio Association – January 2025
ARRL Kids Day
The ARRL Kids Day at Vestal Fire Station #2 successfully introduced amateur radio to a new audience, fostering excitement and enthusiasm in this unique hobby. We welcomed over 40 visitors with 25 children ages 4 to 13 receiving certificates. Many arrived right at the start of the event with another group joining later in the afternoon. Activities included making radio contacts, learning about radio equipment, and exploring essential concepts such as frequencies, signals, propagation, and call signs. While the older children were better able to grasp the technical concepts, the experienced operators ensured participants of all ages could engage in meaningful ways. Enthusiastic mentors guided young participants as they worked with tools like transceivers, antennas, and microphones, sparking curiosity and encouraging interest in the amateur radio hobby.
The day was a resounding success, with several children making their first-ever ham radio contacts and others eagerly participating in interactive sessions. Events like these play a crucial role in connecting communities, fostering interest in amateur radio, and inspiring the next generation of radio enthusiasts. Parents and children alike praised the event for its educational value and engaging atmosphere. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences through the ARRL Kids Day Survey. https://www.arrl.org/kids-day
Adding to the event's recognition, reporters from WICZ Fox 40 News attended to provide media coverage. Interviews with Drew KA1M before the event and Bob N2EVI at the day's conclusion highlighted the impact of the event and highlighted the important role amateur radio plays in education and community building. Watch the coverage here. https://youtu.be/5e3u3mUsx1E
Volunteer Exam (VE) Test
Session
Held one hour prior to our monthly member meetings, these VE Sessions provide an excellent opportunity for those looking to earn their license or upgrade their existing privileges. Walk-ins are allowed.
If you do not already have an FRN number, Please create an FCC account to obtain your FRN number. Bring your FRN number (for upgrades: a photocopy of your current license) to the test session, along with your government issued photo ID.
BARA Monthly Club Meeting
Steve Olsen, AG2L, will be our guest speaker, providing an in-depth exploration of FT8, a cutting-edge mode of digital communication for amateur radio enthusiasts.
FT8 is known for its ability to facilitate communication under extremely weak signal conditions, making it a popular choice for many ham operators to make reliable contacts across great distances, even when atmospheric conditions are less than ideal.
Steve will also delve into WSJT-X software, which is a computer program used for weak-signal radio communication between amateur radio operators. The program, initially written by Joe Taylor, K1JT, and now developed by a small team, uses digital signal processing techniques to make it easier for operators to employ esoteric propagation modes, such as high-speed meteor scatter and moon bounce.
This event is a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable insights, learn how to effectively use WSJT-X, and connect with fellow amateur radio enthusiasts. Whether you are an experienced operator or just starting out, this presentation is not to be missed.
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.
Unable to attend in person? Click here to Join the Meeting via Zoom.
Winter Field Day
A communications exercise held on the last full weekend in January that 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.
For more information about this year’s event, Ham Radio 2.0 invited the members of the Winter Field Day Team to discuss the updates to the 2025 Winter Field Day Rules. youtube.com/watch?v=Jg-JDF7j4Jk
Technician Level Licensing Class
The Vestal Fire Department and BARA are hosting an Amateur (HAM) Radio Technician Level Licensing Class. This class is open to all interested participants and will be held on every Saturday from February 1 to March 15, 2025, from 9:00 AM to Noon at the Vestal Center Fire Station #2, located at 2517 Route 26, Vestal, NY. The cost is $30, which includes study material, and preregistration is required. For more information, please visit w2ow.org/?page_id=343
[ Last Month ] [ BARA Facts Index ] [ W2OW Website ] [ Next Month ]
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
