“Introduction to and Tutorial on the NanoVNA”

Speaker: Alan Wolke, W2AEW

Abstract: The presentation begins with a general introduction to what a Vector Network Analyzer is and what it is used for. This is followed by an introduction to the NanoVNA – focusing on its features, operation, calibration, applications and some of its limitations.

Alan Wolke (W2AEW) has been a ham since about 1980, and is a life- time member of the ARRL. He currently serves as the Technical Coordinator of the Northern NJ Section of the Hudson Division of the ARRL Field Organization. Favorite ham radio activities are ragchewing on the HF bands, mainly CW/SSB. He maintains a popular YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/w2aew) that features over 300 videos on basic electronics, ham radio, test & measurement, troubleshooting & repair, and other related topics. The channel has over 130,000 subscribers and nearly 17 million views. Professionally, Alan is employed by Tektronix as a Senior Field Applications Engineer, focusing on RF applications.

The Member Spotlight in the May, 2020 edition of QST Magazine featured Alan Wolke. Check page 13 of that issue for a more extensive look at how Alan developed his YouTube channel.

“DXing with modern Software Defined Radios”

Speaker: Ria Jairam

Abstract: DXing is one of the more popular activities in amateur radio. Whether casually for fun or for a serious DXCC chase, hams have found many new ways to get that elusive “new one” into the log. Today, software defined radios (SDRs) make DXing easier than ever. Also, combined with the internet, SDRs provide more insight into where and how far our signals go. We will discuss tips and techniques, working within award program rules, and how SDRs are used in innovative ways as DX chasing aids.

Ria was licensed in 1997 in Trinidad and Tobago after gaining interest in amateur radio during secondary school. She’s currently at 325 confirmed on DXCC, with Challenge 1500, 5 bands plus 30, 17, 12 and 160 meters (9 bands total). Ria has also served as the Director of the ARRL Hudson Division since 2019. Her interests are primarily DXing, contesting, portable operations, and digital VHF/UHF modes such as DMR and DSTAR. She runs a YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/RiaJairam and also occasionally writes articles about DXing in several ham publications, including CQ Japan.

Field Day 2020 and Annual Business Meeting

DATE: Monday, June 1, 2020

TIME: 7:00 PM

Speaker: Tim Long W2UI and James MacMurray N2UZQ

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 ra- dio 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 treasurer 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 6 years and served SMARA as a past President, Vice President, and Treasurer. Currently James is a full time 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.

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 2020-2021 are as follows:

President: JR Hotaling N2PEQ
Vice President: Jim Silva KC2ZVK
Secretary: Jim Stewart K2PK
Treasurer: Tim Long W2UI
Board Member: Bob Saltzman WB2ARK
Board Member: Skip Evans W2YJL
Board Member: James MacMurray N2UZQ
Board Member: Terry Saunders N1KIN

Please plan to attend this meeting.

 

 

“Field Day 2019—ARES Northern District Counties”

Speaker: Fred Halley,W2EMS Northern District Emergency Coordinator

Abstract: Fred’s talk will be a photographic survey of Field Day 2019, compiled from his travels throughout the counties comprising the ARES Northern District. He will describe the accomplishments (and failures) from a wide range of FD operations.

Fred Halley, W2EMS Fred was first licensed in 2000 as KC2CQL, and received his current call in 2010, having upgraded to amateur extra. He was appointed as Saratoga County Emergency Coordinator in Fall, 2011. He ran the SCARA Sunday night news for several years. Fred is very active in public service events and Field Day activities, and has participated in the Simulated Emergency Test (SET) for the past 10 years. Fred was appointed Northern District Emergency Coordinator in July, 2017.

 

“Amateur Radio: A Historical Perspective”

Speaker: Bill Hudzik W2UDT, Hudson Division Vice Director

6:45-7:15 p.m. Refreshments*

7:15-8:15 p.m. General Meeting

Abstract: Bill’s talk will focus on the history of Amateur Radio, including how amateur radio came about, and how “Ham” and “Q” signals and traffic handling were developed, among other topics. He will also have some hand-outs for attendees to bring home.

Bill Hudzik, W2UDT has been continuously licensed since 1961. He has operated from KP2, KR6, C6A and V2 over the years. Bill has served as Northern New Jersey section manager for 4 terms, Assistant Director for 3 years, and is on his third elected term as Vice Director for the Hudson Division. He has been active with the North Jersey DX Association (NJDXA) for over 28 years, serving as Secretary, Vice President and President of the organization and continues to serve as a volunteer letter manager. He is also a member of the New Providence Radio Club, the Raritan Valley Radio Club, and the Frankford Radio Club. Bill is an ARRL Life Member as well as a Diamond Club Member. He is an active contester and DXer.

* Coffee (decaf & high-test), tea, and donuts will be available at 6:45 p.m. to get things rolling. Members are invited to bring goodies to share as well.

 

“An Update from our Section Manager”

Speaker: John Fritze

Abstract: John’s talk will cover a wide range of topics, beginning with recognition of the 100th birthday of Rudy Dehn W2JVF. John will also describe the duties of a Section Manager, report on the ENY Section Luncheon, and discuss the ENY ARRL website, as well as ARES Connect. He will conclude with an overview of ARRL’s Winter Field Day. This presentation is sure to generate lots of discussion, so come with questions for John.

John Fritze has had a distinguished career in amateur radio. He was first licensed in 1977 as WA2TQW (novice), followed by Advanced and Extra Class as K2BCR. Since 2003, his call has been K2QY. He has been an ARRL member 42 years and is an ARRL Life Member. John has been president and director of the Albany Amateur Radio Association (AARA) multiple times in the 1980s and again in 2010-2013, and currently serves on their board. He served as President of Albany County Amateur Communication Emergency Services (ACACES) 2013-2017, as Radio Officer for Albany County RACES/ARES, as the Albany County Emergency Coordinator, and as ARES ENY Northern District Emergency Coordinator since 2012. He is one of the first VEs in the country (1984), and is an instructor with Capital Area Radio Enthusiasts (CARES). He has served as Hudson Division Assistant Director, and is chairman for Digital Communications for ARES/RACES in ENY. John is an ARRL Field Instructor, Examiner, and VE. His amateur radio interests include DX, contesting, ISS, NBEMS, Winlink, APRS, Satellites, ISS, DXpeditions (to Bermuda, Barbados, St. Maarten…), Summits and National Parks on the Air, Home Brewing, public service events, QRP, Minimalist radio, Mobile HF, and Maritime Amateur Radio (HF and VHF/UHF)!!

 

December Social Event

Happy Holidays from SARA

“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.