This SARA meeting will be held at the Alplaus Fire House and will also be available via Zoom
7:00—8:30 PM ………….Speaker Presentation
(Link to be sent out separately prior to the meeting)
Linux for Hams
Speaker: Mark Anderson WB2SMK
Abstract:
Mark will be explaining what Linux is and why hams might care, including comparisons to
Microsoft Windows. He will show some of the amateur radio related software available for Linux and how those applications relate to what hams may be familiar with on Windows. Those who have used Linux for their ham work are invited to share their experiences! Mark notes that this is not intended to be an in depth explanation of how Linux works, although he has used this technology for over 40 years!
About our speaker:
Mark 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. After enjoying short wave listening and AM band DXing, 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 K2ORS, on WOR.
Mark was awarded WN2BIJ at the ripe old age of 13 in 1970. Once his Novice ran out after 2 years, he became a general, later upgrading to advanced and ultimately to extra, holding the WB2SMK call throughout.
Mark was a member and officer of W4NC in Winston Salem, NC during the 4 years he lived there. After moving back to NY in 1985, became a member of SARA where he has also held officer positions and is currently on the SARA Board.
Mark is a member of the Straight Key Century Club (# 14139S). He has been an active member of Parks on the Air (POTA) since 2018. Mark primarily works CW and having obtained his first bug within the last several years has become a convert, even using one while operating POTA.
Mark received his Bachelor’s degree and his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Mark 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 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 200 project teams working with over 1000 seniors for various sponsoring companies and individuals.
Note: The meeting location is 309 Alplaus Ave, Alplaus, NY, and the building is at the corner of Alplaus Avenue and Bruce Drive. Please park in the paved lot adjacent to this building. Do not park in the restricted area in front of the building that houses the fire trucks. We will meet in the Multipurpose Room (entrance is on the North side of this building).