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Newsletter of the Binghamton Amateur Radio Association
Cub Scout Camp-In STEM Activity
Kopernik Observatory & Science
Center, 698 Underwood Rd, Vestal, NY
BARA
members recently supported Cub Scout Packs 221 and 244 at their Camp-In with
a STEM activity on emergency communications and Morse code. More than 20
Scouts learned to send their initials in Morse, practiced
hands-on decoding, and explored ‘Off-the-Grid’ communication
using handheld radios.
Cub Scout Pack Leaders reported that the Scouts were still talking about the
activity the next evening.
Special thanks to Drew KA1M, Steve KU2O, and Steve KA2YRA for leading this
successful outreach event.
General Class License Workshop Discussion
Building on a successful Technician Class,
the club is considering offering a General Class license workshop.
An
informal show of hands showed several members interested in upgrading. The
club will review ARRL and other resources and identify instructors to cover
specific sections such as HF, propagation, satellites, and digital modes.
Possible venues include the fire station used for the previous class and
Kopernik, depending on availability.
If
you are interested in attending as a student or helping out as an instructor,
please let us know:
Email us at: [email protected] with subject line "General Class"
Meshtastic Node Installed at Kopernik
Kopernik Observatory & Science
Center, 698 Underwood Rd, Vestal, NY
Thanks
to the teamwork of Drew KA1M, Ford AB2HS, Gary AB2GD, and Tony WSDF344, a
Meshtastic node has been installed at Kopernik. The node is up and running
near the green building, and early performance looks great. This installation
will help improve coverage in the area due to Kopernik’s 1700-foot
elevation.
An antenna swap is planned soon to further boost coverage in some of the more
challenging areas.
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In this
video, Tony shares the project he has been passionately developing over the
past two years: Meshtastic, a free and community-driven mesh network built
on the LoRa protocol.
He explains how
Meshtastic connects peer-to-peer radios over surprisingly long distances,
creating resilient communication networks that do not rely on cell towers
or the internet.
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Remote Station Access
BARA operates two
internet-accessible remote stations using RemoteHams.com .
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Elecraft K3
HF Transceiver with 80-10 EFHW
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VHF Station linked to the 146.865 MHz repeater
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Our
two remote stations offer members a flexible and effective way to get on the
air. Access is available to current, paid-up members, in accordance with
their license privileges. During club activities, such as Field Day, the
remotes may be temporarily offline to prevent conflicts with on-site
operations using that use antennas.
Request
Access by emailing: [email protected]
with subject line “Remote Station Access”
Software Defined Radios (SDRs)
For those interested in just listening,
web-based Software Defined Radios (SDRs) are free and open to anyone.
Software
Defined Radio (SDR) is a modern approach to radio communications in which
many functions traditionally handled by hardware—such as filtering,
modulation, and demodulation—are performed by software running on a
computer or embedded processor. Instead of relying solely on fixed analog
circuits, an SDR converts radio signals into digital data and processes them
using advanced digital signal processing techniques.
For
amateur radio operators, SDR offers significant advantages. A single SDR can
support multiple modes—including AM, FM, SSB, CW, and popular digital
modes—without changing hardware. Most SDR systems also provide a
real-time spectrum display and waterfall, allowing operators to see activity
across an entire band segment at once and quickly tune to signals of
interest. For more
info: http://websdr.org/
Whether
used for HF operation, VHF/UHF monitoring, satellite work, or digital experimentation,
SDR technology has become a central part of modern amateur radio. Its
flexibility, upgradability, and visual operating experience continue to make
it an exciting area for both new and experienced operators to explore.
StormReady and Skywarn
The Town of Vestal has been recertified
as a StormReady community
Vestal
and Owego are currently the only local towns with this designation.
StormReady recognition reflects strong local preparedness and robust
communication systems, including amateur radio support.
BARA
plans to host another NWS Skywarn Spotter Training Session in the spring, ahead of thunderstorm season. The
club also plans to resume participation in Skywarn Recognition Day at the NWS
office, which was previously affected by a federal government shutdown.
Upstate New York YL POTA Party
Saturday, March 7, 2026, 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Pineway Ponds Park - Owens
Lodge, 1 Park Road, Spencerport, NY
Parks On The Air (POTA) is an amateur radio activity that
encourages operators to set up portable stations in parks and make contacts. On
Saturday, March 7, women interested in amateur radio are invited to spend the
day together at Owens Lodge along the Erie Canal in Spencerport for a relaxed
YL POTA Party. The YL POTA Party is an exciting way for
women of all ages to experience portable operating, learn by doing, and enjoy
time on the air together. You do not need to be licensed to participate. For more info: upstatenypota.com
Volunteer Exam (VE) Test
Session
Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 6:00
pm - 7:00 pm
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, 698 Underwood Rd, Vestal, NY
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While
our exams are offered free of charge,
the FCC requires a $35
fee for new licenses,
license renewals, and
vanity call sign requests.
This fee is not
collected at the VE test session
and must be paid
directly to the FCC.
After you successfully
complete your exam and
your application is
processed, the FCC will send
you an email with
detailed instructions for
submitting the required
payment.
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Held one hour before our monthly meetings, our VE Test
Sessions are an excellent opportunity for
anyone to earn their
amateur radio license or upgrade their existing privileges. Walk-ins are
welcome.
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For
more information, please visit: larc-vec.org/displayteam.php?team=BARA
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BARA Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 7:00
pm - 8:30 pm
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, 698 Underwood Rd, Vestal, NY
All are welcome to attend our monthly meetings, as they are
open to the public. The only requirement for participation is an interest in
Amateur Radio. Whether you are a licensed operator, studying for your first
license, or simply curious about the hobby, you are encouraged to join us.
Our meetings provide an excellent opportunity to connect with
local amateur radio operators, exchange ideas, and learn from the experiences
of others. Attendees can gain practical knowledge, stay informed about club
activities, and build relationships within the amateur radio community.
Unable to
attend in person? Click here to Join the Meeting via Zoom
Breakfast Get Together
Saturday, March 21, 2026, 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Blue Dolphin Diner, 7670 NYS
Route 434, Apalachin, NY
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On the third Saturday
of each month, we gather for breakfast at the Blue Dolphin Restaurant.
Breakfast begins around 9:00 am and continues until everyone has
finished his or her conversation.
Please join us as we
continue this long-standing tradition of enjoying good food, great company,
and engaging conversation.
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CVARA Bullthistle Hamfest
Saturday, April 11, 2026,
7:00 am - Noon
St Bartholomew’s
Parish Center Parking Lot, 10
Sheldon St, Norwich, NY
Talk in Frequency: 146.52 Simplex or 146.685
Repeater ( -600 ) PL 110.9
Hosted
by the Chenango Valley Amateur Radio Association, this long running regional
event attracts amateur radio operators, electronics enthusiasts, and curious
visitors from across central New York. It is an ideal opportunity to browse
equipment, move surplus gear, and connect with fellow hobbyists.
For more information,
please visit: CVARA Bullthistle Hamfest
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Calendars
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Analog and Digital Voice Nets
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Ham Radio Calendars
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Upcoming Local Events
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Local Amateur Radio Nets
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Radio Net
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Schedule
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Frequencies
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Morning
Net
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Weekdays
& Saturday at 8:00 am
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146.865
-.600 MHz PL 146.2 Ingraham Hill
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BARA Net
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Wednesday
at 8:00 pm
except for Club Meeting Wednesdays
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BRAT Net
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Binghamton
Amateur Radio Technical Net
Sunday at 8:00 pm
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Early
Bird Net
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Weekdays
at 5:30 am
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146.730
-.600 MHz PL 100.0 Binghamton
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STAR Net
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Southern
Tier Amateur Radio Net
Daily at 6:30 pm
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Six Meter
Net
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Wednesdays
at 9:00 pm
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50.200 MHz
USB
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NYS RACES
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Sunday at
9:00 am
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3.993 or
7.281 MHz LSB
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STNYDV Net
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Southern
Tier Digital Voice Net
Sunday at 7:00 pm
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BM TG
31367, Wires-X 83721 & On Zoom
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Southern Tier Fusion Net
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Sunday at
8:00 pm
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Requires a
Yaesu C4FM Digital Radio
Click Here for Connection
Entry Points
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TTDTN
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Third
Tuesday of the Month
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Twin Tiers
Digital Training Net on Zoom
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Amateur Radio Licensing
Interested in obtaining or upgrading your Amateur
Radio License? Learn about the
different license classes, the requirements and how
to get started on your journey.
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ARRL Membership for Students
Full-time students aged 21 years or younger have the
opportunity for a no-cost,
student membership. As an ARRL member, you will learn
skills and make connections
that may advance your education and future career
goals.
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BARA Brochures
The club has printed out about 100 BARA Brochures
to help spread the word about our organization.
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BARA Discord Server
Discord is a platform that lets you communicate
through voice and video calls, text messaging and media sharing. You can
chat privately or join virtual communities called 'servers,' made up of
chat rooms and voice channels.
Join us on the BARA Discord Server and be part of the conversation.
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BARA Logbooks
We have a special offer for our members. Each member
can receive a FREE Logbook
as a gift from BARA. This offer is limited to one
logbook per member, not annually.
Families get one for each licensed member. See Steve,
KA2YRA to claim your copy.
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BARA Stickers
Show your support for BARA with our exclusive BARA
Stickers.
Priced at just $3.50 each or 3 for $10.
See our Treasurer to get yours.
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Broome County Live Scanner
Feed
Stay connected to Broome County’s emergency
services with ScannerNerds.com.
Listen to live Motorola P25 transmissions from local
police, fire departments and emergency services, delivering real-time,
accurate and timely audio directly from
the first responders who protect our community.
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Callsign Light Displays
Discover these beautifully engraved and colorful
callsign light displays crafted by
our very own Bill Jakaitis, KB2SIN and other
fantastic ham radio-related gifts.
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New Ham Cheatsheet
Alongside the QRZ Jumpstart Program, Frank Heaney
W2FJH has developed a
“New Ham Cheatsheet.” This handy guide is
designed to help newly licensed hams
get started on their amateur radio journey with ease.
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New Ham Jumpstart Program
Are you a new ham who obtained your amateur radio
license within the last 6 months?
Apply now for the QRZ Jumpstart Program and receive a
fantastic welcome package.
You will get an Explorer QRZ-1 5W VHF/UHF handheld
transceiver, RT Systems software
and programming cable for just $17.99 (plus tax and
shipping).
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Seven 3 Dot Net
A social network for hams by hams started in the
Southern Tier of New York as a means for hams to spread the word about anything
and everything ham radio related without the need to locate a club or site
administrator.
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Swap and Shop
Here, you can buy, sell or trade ham radio equipment
with fellow enthusiasts.
Discover the latest listings and snag some fantastic
deals.
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