“Nikola Tesla:
Prolific Genius – The World’s Greatest Inventor?”

Speaker: Robert Saltzman WB2ARK, Union College Academy for Lifelong Learning (UCALL) & General Electric Global Research (retired)

Abstract: Bob’s presentation about Nikola Tesla explores in depth the life and contributions of this extraordinary man, from his birth in the Balkans, to his (possibly suspicious) death in New York City. Tesla has often been proclaimed to be the world’s greatest inventor, and even scientist. His ideas, inventions, and patents have indeed made a massive impact on our world—from AC motors and power transmission, resonant circuits, remote control, bladeless turbines, to wireless radio (which he, not Guglielmo Marconi, invented). Tesla was a gifted individual, with fascinating traits and behaviors, who valued discovery over profit. His relationships with Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse and the infamous Current War will also be discussed. Various demonstration items will be shown. This presentation was recently given to the Union College Academy for Lifelong Learning.

Bob Saltzman grew up in White Plains, NY. He graduated from Union college in 1969 with a BS degree in Electrical Engineering, and earned an MS in Computer Science from Union Graduate College in 1976. He worked at Union’s radio station WRUC (the first radio station in the country) as Chief Engineer and DJ. He has been a basketball announcer, received the College’s Special Appreciation award, and serves on the Alumni Council.
Bob was a member of Union’s amateur radio station W2UC. He has been licensed and an ARRL member for sixty years, and currently holds an Advanced class license. His major interests have been RTTY and CW. He has been a SARA director for many years.
He worked at GE Global Research for forty-five years where he developed various systems: imaging for GE’s computed tomography (CT) scanner, the first commercial Internet connectivity and World Wide Web presence, secure computer-controlled police radio dispatching, email, word processing, computer graphics, streaming multimedia, and computer and network security. He was a member of IEEE and ACM, among others. He was awarded a patent for co-inventing what is now known as the Web log, or “blog.”
Bob worked in display fireworks for 35 years and also ran an electronics and television repair business.
He has been a member of Niskayuna Fire District 1 Grand Boulevard Fire Company as a paramedic, firefighter, and officer, since 1975, and was also a member of the GE Technical Rescue team. He has been awarded the lifesaving Certificate of Merit from the Red Cross and president Ronald Reagan, and was a GE Phillippe Service Award nominee.
He volunteers with the American Red Cross and the Regional Food Bank, and was recently appointed to serve on the Niskayuna Town Historical Committee. He loves photography, plays piano and guitar, and works with a local rock band.
Bob is actively involved with the Union College Academy for Lifelong Learning (UCALL) Curriculum and Special Events Committees and is a frequent presenter. He has given presentations (many of them also for SARA) on Display Pyrotechnics, Computed Tomography Imaging, World Wide Web, eBay Buying and Selling, Computer Security, and Innovation and Human-Computer Interfaces. He has been a researcher and lecturer on the assassination of John F. Kennedy for fifty years.

 

“Introduction to Parks on the Air”

Speaker: Mark Anderson WB2SMK, Senior Project Engineer for the Design Lab at Rensselaer

Abstract: Parks on the Air – what is this? I remember something called National Parks on the Air – is this the same thing? Who does this? What do you need to participate? Is it hard to do? How do I get started? What special gear is needed? Can anyone get involved? What does it cost? Mark will answer these questions and more.

Mark Anderson developed an interest in electricity in grade school, experimenting with the Three B’s – batteries, bulbs and buzzers! As this interest developed, Mark eventually built a classic All American 5 tube radio, a combination AM/Shortwave unit, when he was in 6th grade. He was hooked. Mark’s father did some digging and discovered that Lafayette Radio and Electronics in Syosset, Long Island, would be holding Novice classes at their store. While driving to and from the sessions, Mark and his dad would listen to Jean Shepherd, aka W2ORS, on WOR. Mark was awarded WN2BIJ at the ripe old age of 13 in 1970. Once his Novice ran out after 2 years, Mark became a general, then many years later upgraded to advanced and ultimately upgraded to extra, holding the WB2SMK call throughout. Mark is a member of the Straight Key Century Club (# 14139T) and is a member of Parks on the Air. Mark was a member and officer of W4NC in Winston Salem, NC during the 4 years he lived there and after moving back to NY in 1985, became a member of SARA where he has also held officer positions. Mark received his BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He began his career at RPI as a Project Engineer for the Center for Manufacturing Productivity and Technology Transfer. He then moved to Westinghouse Power Generation and General Electric, working for multiple business groups. He has held various positions in several electrical and computer related fields including: manufacturing, robotics, vision systems, instrumentation, software development, factory automation, HMI, engineering, numerical control/CNC, machine tools/ machining, and business process analysis.

Mark is currently a Senior Project Engineer for the Design Lab at Rensselaer and the Course Coordinator for the Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) class. For the Design Lab, he has supervised over 100 project teams working with several hundred students for various sponsoring companies and individuals. In his role as IED Course Coordinator, Mark leads a team of 15-20 instructors who teach a dozen course sections serving over 300 students each semester.

 

“Introduction to Software Defined Radio (SDR) Technology”

Speaker: Terry Saunders N1KIN

Abstract:The first part of this talk will examine the similarities and differences between standard and SDR radio topologies. Second, we will introduce the concepts of IQ signal processing, followed by a brief discussion of how this technique enables high fidelity generation and demodulation of all manner of emission types. Real-world analogies will be presented to illustrate the technical concepts in a simple manner. The final part will describe a recent remote SDR project, which will highlight the advantages as well as the challenges of using an SDR rig.

Terry Saunders, formerly an engineer at GE Global Research in Niskayuna, has worked on a number of projects, spanning oil sands-water separation, malaria and other disease detection systems, and test development work around next generation polymer laminate films and filtration technologies used by the biopharmaceutical industry. Terry holds multiple U.S. Patents.

Terry grew up on both the west and east coasts of the US. Originally from southern California, Terry moved to Maine at the age of 15, where he lived until he graduated high school and joined the military. Having been an electronic hobbyist from a young age, the US Navy’s “Aviation Electronic Technician” program seemed a perfect fit to train on, and work with cutting-edge airborne radar, radio communication, and electronic countermeasure systems, while getting paid to learn. Terry graduated at the top of his class, earning several academic commendations, and attaining the rank of E-5 within his first 3 years of enlistment. After his service, Terry re-entered the civilian sector and took a manufacturing job in the optical disc industry where he would spend the next 20 years manufacturing Optical Disc products.

Starting in the trenches as a technician, Terry was recognized for his diverse technical background, problem solving skills, and inventiveness. He was brought into the engineering fold where he worked on signal processing, laser recording systems, injection molding, electroplating systems, and IT Systems. Through an MBO effort, Terry secured an ownership/management stake in the company. After the eventual slowing of the CD industry, in 2005 Terry sold his stake in the CD company and looked for new challenges. Terry entered the biotech industry working for Whatman, originally a filtration company which now makes a full catalog of disposable products for the biomedical/pharma industries. At Whatman he served as engineering supervisor, managing a diverse technical staff responsible for all cleanroom manufacturing operations, and developed the automated testing systems used in production of disposable medical filtration products. Whatman was acquired by GE Healthcare in 2008, and Terry was relocated to Westborough, Massachusetts to head up the cleanroom operations used to make disposable bioreactors and other related consumables for 6 years. Terry relocated to New York after being offered a job at the GE Global Research Center in Niskayuna, in what Terry’s wife describes as “the last move”. Terry is now semi- retired, and enjoying his hobbies at home.

Terry is a licensed advanced class ham radio operator, and enjoys computers, lasers, PC gaming, disturbingly overpowered home theater, and brewing beer. Terry resides in Halfmoon, NY with his wife Kristi, their cats Dot & Dash, dogs Pinot & Zin, and half a dozen hop plants.

 

Speaker: Tim Long W2UI and James MacMurray N2UZQ

“Broughton Memorial Field Day 2019”

Abstract: SARA and SMARA will again be joining forces for Field Day 2019. Tim and James will present preparations and plans for this unique event. Please read the message from the President to get a flavor of what is in store for us during Field Day!

Tim Long got his start in amateur radio in 1961 when he passed his Novice exam given by his scoutmaster WA2FFJ and received call WN2KHQ. That call sign became WB2KHQ, then WA4DXR, then WB2SPN, and now W2UI. Tim has served SARA in various positions including many years as Secretary, two stints as Vice President, two tours as President, and countless years as Treasurer (dues cheerfully accepted). Tim holds BSEE and MSCS degrees and is now retired after a career with Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corp. in West Milton. Besides ham radio antenna work and Field Day, Tim enjoys golf.

James MacMurray was born in 1972 and grew up in Scotia. James was licensed in 1993 and received his Extra while going to college for Data Communications. He is past president of SARA, Current President for SMARA, Emergency Coordinator for Schenectady County ARES, and Assistant Section Manager for Eastern NY. He has served as a Director for SARA for the past 4 years and served SMARA as a past President, Vice President, and Treasurer. Currently working full time as an Employee Retirement Examiner 3 for the State of New York Office of the State Comptroller. James has interests in VHF/UHF weak signal, HF phone, and HF Digital contesting.

psst…Please feel free to bring your SARA dues with you to Field Day!!

The June meeting is also our annual business meeting, including our annual election of Board Members and Officers. Officers and Board of Directors Nominations for 2018– 2019 are as follows:

President: JR Hotaling N2PEQ
Vice President: Jim Silva KC2ZVK
Secretary: Jim Stewart K2PK
Treasurer: Tim Long W2UI
Board Member: Paul Siemers WY2F
Board Member: Bob Saltzman WB2ARK
Board Member: Skip Evans W2YJL
Board Member: James MacMurray N2UZQ

Please plan to attend this meeting.

 

Speaker: Ahmed Elasser

“Charles Proteus Steinmetz”

Abstract: This talk will explore the life and legacy of one of the most outstanding GE Engineers. Charles Steinmetz was not only “The Chief Of Chief Engineers”–or as his colleagues nicknamed him, “The Supreme Court”–he was also a humanitarian, a Professor, an engaged citizen who cared deeply about his community, and a family man. Join us for a talk that will celebrate the life and legacy of the man known as “The Forger of Thunderbolts”, “The Wizard of Schenectady”, and “Modern Jove”.

About the Speaker: Dr. Ahmed Elasser received his Engineering Degree (Ingenieur D’Etat) from L‘Ecole Mohammadia D’Ingenieurs, Rabat, Morocco in 1985 in Electric Power and Power Electronics, and MS and PhD Degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY in 1993 and 1996 in Electric Power and Power Electronics respectively. He has been working at GE Global Research Center for the past 23 years and is currently a Principal Systems Engineer in the areas of Electric Power, Power Electronics, and Power Semiconductor Devices. He currently leads the GE Renewable Reservoir Power Conversion components testing and qualification program. He has published over 40 papers and has 26 patents issued. Dr. Elasser is a Senior Member of IEEE and a regular reviewer for many IEEE journals and conferences in his area of expertise. Dr. Elasser is the recipient of numerous GE Awards for his contributions and innovations.

 

Speaker: Robert G. Olsen

“What can you do with and/or learn from an Impedance Analyzer?”

Abstract: This talk will explore how the complex impedance of real components behaves at higher frequencies, with a focus on the effect of lead length (with demonstrations). We will also examine the behavior of transmission lines and antennas, for which lengths are comparable to or larger than a wavelength. For these systems one can define impedances at various locations (e.g., “input impedance”). We will describe the accuracy and limitations of several analyzers. Finally, we will show how to determine 1) antenna bandwidth, 2) coax cable losses, and 3) the electrical length of a piece of cable.

Presentation slides

About the Speaker: Robert earned his BS degree from Rutgers University and MS and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Colorado. An electrical engineering faculty member at Washington State University since 1973, Robert recently became professor emeritus. He has been an NSF Faculty Fellow at GTE Laboratories, a visiting scientist at ABB Corporate Research and at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and a Visiting Professor at the Technical University of Denmark. His research spans all aspects of electromagnetics issues in power transmission, resulting in 90 refereed journal and 150 conference publications. He is also one of the authors of the AC Transmission Line Reference Book – 200 kV and Above, published by EPRI. He is a Fellow of the IEEE and an Honorary Life member of the IEEE Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Society. He is past US National Committee representative to the International Council on Large Electrical Systems (CIGRE) Study Committee 36 (Electromagnetic Compatibility), past chair of the IEEE Power Engineering Society AC Fields and Corona Effects Working Groups, past Associate Editor of the IEEE Transactions on EMC and Radio Science, and past Co-Technical Program Chair of EMC Zurich.

 

David Hochfelder, N2HTA

“World War II Radio Propaganda”

Abstract: This talk will explore why American civilians listened to shortwave radio broadcasts from Germany and Japan. Some listened out of curiosity. Others, however, listened to obtain the names of American soldiers and airmen who were taken as prisoners of war. Listeners formed monitoring clubs, with schedules, newsletters, and listening tips in order to send messages to families of POW’s.

About the Speaker: David Hochfelder is associate professor of history at University at Albany, SUNY. He is the author of The Telegraph in America: 1832-1920 (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2012). He is also an avid AM broadcast band and longwave beacon DXer, and is a licensed amateur radio operator (N2HTA).

 

Dean Poeth, K8TM

“Text communication before email, texting, or the internet: Radio Teletype”

Abstract: Dean will share his passion for the teletype.

Dean Poeth, K8TM, has been a licensed amateur radio operator since 1974.
Early in his career he was the Chief Engineer at WRFD radio, a 5,000 watt commercial radio station in Columbus, Ohio, where, among his other duties, he maintained the station’s Associated Press Wire Service Model 15 teletype.

Currently he is an adjunct professor at Clarkson University. Dean recently retired from Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, where he was a subject matter expert in operations research and productivity improvement.

 

December Social Event

Happy Holidays from SARA

David Galletly, KM2O

“ARES 3.01”

This program will cover recent and future developments in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), including the introduction of ARES Connect, a new communications tool for groups in scheduling and managing events. The program will also describe a planned restructuring of the ARES program nationally, which includes a new tiered membership system and training standards.

David Galletly, KM2O is Section Emergency Coordinator for the ARRL Eastern New York Section. He is currently also a member of the organizing committee of Capital Region Organizations Active in Disaster CROAD) which is a coalition of groups coordinating disaster and long term recovery in the region.