Field Day 2026 and Annual Business Meeting

Speakers: Tim Long W2UI and
William B. “Savo” Savacool K2SAV

Meeting Agenda:

• Election of officers and board of directors for 2026-2027
• Presentation of Henry Primm Broughton award
• Discussion of plans for the June 26 – 28 Field Day event

Officers and Board of Directors nominations for 2026 – 2027:

• President: Jim Silva, WA2JMS
• Vice-President: John Clement Sr., NM2R
• Secretary: Jim Stewart, K2PK
• Treasurer: Tim Long, W2UI
• Board Member: Dean Poeth, K8TM
• Board Member: Bob Saltzman, WB2ARK
• Board Member: Mark Anderson, WB2SMK
• Board Member: Manny Shulman, NF2Q

About our speakers:

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 is a VE and 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.

Savo, K2SAV, who lives in Scotia, has a 20 year background in IT help desk support. After a 13-year sabbatical from amateur radio, he returned in 2019 and achieved amateur extra class in 2022. He has 28 total POTA activations and 2 all-time new ones. He is a technical consultant for the Broughton field day and secretary of Schenectady Museum Amateur Radio Association.

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).

Online Tunable Software Defined Radio Receivers

Speaker: Anthony Luscre – K8ZT

Abstract:
This presentation will explore how to get started with listening to traditional shortwave radio, based on the presenter’s personal experience. We will look at the status of SWL, including what is available, and what are the current limitations. This talk will cover the following topics:

• Ham radio uses of online SDRs (OSDRs), including introduction to HF for those without equipment, or as a secondary receiver in a noisy environment
• OSDR as a means of monitoring and evaluating your own transmitted signal
• OSDR as a “secret weapon” for making contacts with DX stations working split
• How OSDRs can inspire and engage youth with amateur radio

The session will include demonstrations of OSDRs.

About our speaker:
First licensed in 1981 as KA8NRC, Anthony has been a QRP operator since his first HF QSO. No one told him that Novices should not start with a 2 watt QRP rig. After updating to an Extra Class License, he changed his call sign to K8ZT in June 2000. His favorite amateur radio activities are operating and teaching others about the hobby.

Whether contesting, DXing, rag chewing, satellites, HF or VHF/UHF, CW, Phone or Digital, the QRP contacts now top 120,000. First drawn to contesting by his love of working DX, he has consistently finished in the top ten of various major contests and finished first in the World and US in both CQ Worldwide Phone and CW QRP categories multiple times. As a bonus, his QRP DXCC total recently topped the 332 mark, and he has completed the 11-band WAS.

Between licensing classes, club programs, webinars, hamfests, conferences, youth and school radio demonstrations, and other in-person and online talks, Anthony has presented over 600 sessions since the beginning of COVID-19. He has presented multiple times for Contest University, QSO Today Expo, Dayton Hamvention Antenna Forum, ARRL and RSGB Webinars, and RATPAC.us.

Now retired, Anthony’s work background includes 20 years as a Medical Technologist in Clinical Microbiology, private computer consulting, and 20 years as a Computer Technology Coordinator and Technology Director. Most recently he has served as a Technology Integration Specialist for 30 school districts. Anthony also volunteers as a trainman on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Anthony serves as ARRL Ohio Section Youth Coordinator and as an officer in his local radio club. He maintains a website, www.k8zt.com, writing articles for a variety of publications, including CQ Magazine (column “Ham Radio Explorer”), DX Engineering blog “On All Bands,” and developing an online course “Introduction to Contesting” for the ARRL Learning Network.

In 2024, he was awarded the “Special Achievement Award” by the Dayton Hamvention. Anthony and his wife Linda, KA8ODP, live near Akron, in Stow, Ohio

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).

Top 25 Most Wanted DXCC Entities

Speaker: Bernie McClenny – W3UR

Abstract:
Bernie will discuss the top 25 DXCC entities, giving details of the most recent operations and any possibilities for the future contacts with these entities.

About our speaker:
Bernie McClenny was first licensed in September 1977 as WB3JRU and quickly became interested in working DX. In 1991 he changed his call sign to WR3E and became a member of the ARRL DXCC Honor Roll at the age of 27. In 1996 WR3E was exchanged under the Vanity Call program for W3UR.

In March 1997 Bernie started the first daily e-mail DX Bulletin called http://www.dailydx.com/ . In the summer of the following year he became the editor of QST’s “How’s DX?” column. In March 2001 he purchased The 599 DX Report and renamed it http://www.dailydx.com/ .

He has operated from two all-time new DXCC counters – http://www.n4gn.com/e44dx/ in Gaza, Palestine and 4W/W3UR in Baucau, East Timor.

Other DXpeditions include A61AJ, http://www.qrz.com/db/AH3D , http://www.dailydx.com/images/oh0.jpg , http://www.qrz.com/db/VU3OHA , http://www.n4gn.com/yu8/ , http://www.qrz.com/db/8P9UR , http://www.qrz.com/db/J77A and most recently http://www.qrz.com/db/v47ur . He has also been a guest op multiple times at http://www.4u1un.net/ .

When not writing or on DXpeditions, Bernie can often be found on the air chasing new ones in the DXCC Challenge, hunting IOTA, working grid squares on 6 meters, and guest operating in contests next-door at http://www.qrz.com/db/w3lpl .

Bernie was recently inducted into the CQ DX Hall of Fame, and writes The Daily DX, The Weekly DX and QST Magazine’s “How’s DX?” column.

Bernie lives in Glenwood, Maryland.

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).

Amateur Radio Satellite Communications

Speaker: John Fritze K2QY

Abstract:
This program starts with the very basic setup to work an amateur radio satellite, or the ISS, and builds upon that by adding complexity to make contacts more and more consistent. Video and audio clips will be presented to augment the discussion.

About our speaker:
John is an extra class licensee, and the ARRL Eastern NY Section Manager. He has been interested in amateur radio satellites since the late 1970’s. John’s interests also include DXing, contesting, emergency communications (EmComm), mobile/portable HF operation, POTA and SOTA, DXpeditions, public service, and of course satellite communications.
John lives in Delmar.

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).

Slaying Power Line Interference

Speakers: Dan Fisher – AI4GK and Gary Bishop – NQ0V

Abstract:
This presentation will discuss the techniques and procedures for locating power line interference to amateur radio operations, the equipment needed, and the expected outcomes. Follow-up actions for resolution, relevant contact information, checklists, and examples from the field will be shown.

About our speakers:
Dan Fisher, AI4GK, has been an amateur radio operator for 24 years, having been initially licensed as KG4SDJ. He earned a General Class license and then an Amateur Extra. Dan is Public Information Officer for the Platinum Coast Amateur Radio Society in Melbourne, Florida (pcars.org) and Public Information Coordinator and Technical Coordinator for the ARRL Southern Florida Section. Dan has a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies and authored “A New Approach to ARES,” published in the July 2022 issue of QST. He has appeared on local television news segments explaining various aspects of amateur radio, including hurricane preparedness preparations.

Dan is the committee chair and team leader of the Platinum Coast Amateur Radio Society’s RF Interference Team. He started his technical career as an engineering technician at Harris Corporation, specializing in airborne antennas. He switched careers to become a police officer and retired after 26 years of full-time service as a Master Police Officer.

His other interests included being a former vice president and webmaster for the Space Coast Writers Guild in Melbourne, Florida, and current Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus Council 13243. Dan is an ARRL VE. He authored “A New Approach to ARES,” published in the July 2022 issue of QST.

Gary Bishop, NQ0V, is retired after 32 years from Rockwell-Collins, now Collins Aerospace, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He holds 7 patents and was selected as Engineer of the Year twice. He was the recipient of the 2015 IEEE-USA K-12 Educator-Engineer Partnership Award. Gary earned a BS degree in electrical engineering from the University of Toledo, and MS in Electrical and Computing Engineering from the University of Iowa. He is a Senior Life Member of IEEE.

Gary was first licensed in 1964 as former WN8NVQ, later as WA8NVQ. He now holds an Extra Class license. He is a charter member of the Collins Amateur Radio Club in Cedar Rapids, IA; serving continuously for 43 years. He is also a founding member of the Palm Bay Amateur Radio Club. While at Collins, Gary was a support member of the Nauticos/Rockwell Collins team to search for Amelia Earhart. He is a Life Member of the ARRL, retired member of the Society for Information Display, and an active member of the Space Coast RFI Team.

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).

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).

Holiday Dinner

Happy Holidays from SARA

Remote radio operation via the internet…How this was used successfully at the Shenendehowa STEM Night

Speaker: Manny Shulman – NF2Q

Abstract:
Overview of remote operation using Icom equipment, and setting up a home router for remote control.

About our speaker:
Manny has been a licensed ham for over 25 years. He is a former military helicopter crew chief and a retired police officer. He currently serves as a registered nurse at the Albany Medical Center.

Manny’s amateur radio interests include communication via phone, HF digital modes (including PSK31, RTTY, and FT8). He is also interested in FM satellites and antenna construction. He currently serves on the SARA board of directors.

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).

Antenna Considerations

Speaker: Bill Shanney – W6QR

Abstract:
Antennas are the most important part of an amateur radio station. In this presentation Bill will show how he has optimized his antennas for his operating interests and discuss how antenna needs can change during the solar cycle depending on your goals. A basic understanding of propagation data can help decision making. A close look at location details can help in antenna choice and placement. Antennas are a compromise, understanding the limitations helps set reasonable goals and avoid frustration.

About our speaker:
Bill was first licensed in 1961 while a freshman in high school in NJ. His novice call was WV2RDG. He upgraded to General after about 6 months and became WA2RDG. He loved CW operating and was active in the local RACES group. Ham radio kindled his interest in becoming an electronics engineer.

Bill graduated from NJ Institute of Technology with a BSEE and worked for 45 years in RF and microwave design, the last 35 of which was for satellites. He was inactive for a time while he was building his career and raising family, but in 1988 he started having free time and got on the air again. He quickly upgraded to Advanced (KJ6GR) and Extra and began DXing and rag chewing.

Bill lives near Los Angeles in Torrance, CA on a small city lot with some antenna restrictions. He strived to have HF capability on all bands, 160 through 10 meters. His antenna farm consists of dipoles hung from a 45’ mast and is a well known landmark among local hams.

Bill enjoys antenna design and helping new hams get their stations going. He retired in 2007 and gets on 40 meter CW most mornings. He enjoys taking new antenna designs out to local parks for testing. He also enjoys 6 meter sporadic E operating and casual DXing.

Bill is a member of the ARRL, FISTS, QCWA, QRPARCI, G-QRP and the W6TRW Radio Club. He has published articles about CCD antennas and elevated verticals in the ARRL Antenna Compendium and Communications Quarterly. When he was editor of the TRW Club newsletter he published a series of articles to help new hams get started. He gives two to three talks a year to ham clubs on various HF related topics, mostly antennas.

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).

International Amateur Radio Union (IARU): What it is. What it does. Why it’s important.

Speaker: Dave Sumner, K1ZZ

Abstract:
Dave will explain how the IARU, as the global federation of national amateur radio organizations, promotes and defends our access to the radio spectrum against ever-increasing commercial pressures.

About our speaker:
Dave Sumner was first licensed in 1962 as KN1ZND, becoming K1ZND the following year and K1ZZ in 1976.

After serving in several capacities as an ARRL volunteer and temporary staff member, he joined the full-time ARRL staff in 1972 and was elected General Manager by the Board of Directors in 1982 at the age of 32. He retired as Chief Executive Officer in 2016. Dave traveled to more than 60 countries on behalf of ARRL and as Secretary of the International Amateur Radio Union, and has represented the IARU at many conferences and meetings of the International Telecommunication Union. Currently he serves as Assistant Secretary of the IARU and as a Director on the Yasme Foundation Board.

He holds degrees in Political Science from Michigan State University and Master of Business Administration from the University of Connecticut. Active on most amateur bands from 1.8 MHz to 24 GHz with an emphasis on CW DX contests, Dave and his wife Linda, KA1ZD, share a well-equipped station in rural Connecticut and divide their time between there and Washington, DC.

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).