Hamfests, Flea Markets & Conventions

The Providence Radio Association, Inc. (PRA) is proud to sponsor and staff the official station of this year’s Northeast HamXposition and ARRL New England Convention. W1XPO will be open at various times through the convention for all to operate and will utilize the FEMARA club call sign W1XPO (“hamXPOsition”). Mentors from the PRA will be on hand to assist in operating and to encourage new amateurs to Get on the Air.

A few PRA members who manned the 1956 and 1958 New England Convention station will be present. “The equipment has changed in 68 years. We will not be using the E.F. Johnson Viking II transmitter and Hammarlund HQ-140-XA, but the thrill and excitement of Amateur Radio will be the same,” writes PRA President “Tess” Tessitore, K1DT.

“This year we’re conducting a massive outreach to all Technician class amateurs across New England through the ASCEND Program and inviting them to attend HamXposition,” writes New England Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI. “We’re especially grateful to PRA and its members who are willing to assist newly licensed or inactive hams to experience firsthand the joys of operating on the HF bands.”

 

 

Please join me as I host the first ever RI Section Meet & Greet on Saturday August 26th at 4pm at this year’s HamXposition – the ARRL’s most important regional gathering of radio enthusiasts from across all of New England and the nearby NY-Hudson Division. Online ticketing is now closed, but you can definitely buy the $18 entrance pass at the door. The banquets dinners are now sold out; over 1000 attendees are expected over the three days of the conference/workshop/convention. Yes! You can drive to the venue in nearby Marlborough MA off Rt 495 at Rt 20W; directions are here.

Meet your fellow Rhode Island radio amateurs in person! Find others with like-minded interests active elsewhere in RI and the New England/NY region.  Find out more about Skywarn; meet the NWS’s Rob Macedo in person! Talk to vendors. There is a session just for women in radio. A young ham from MA will be launching his mod for learning about Amateur Radio via Minecraft – the world’s top-selling video game of all time. The outdoor FleaMarket will have a section showcasing EmComm vehicles. Plus more outdoors and indoors, with demos and talks of all kinds. Send your first Radiogram! Build a mesh node. Find out about Repeater governance. Meet ARRL leadership. See what NE Sci Tech is doing for youth STEM education and satellite building.

Show up and support your RI Section presenters:

Saturday 10am:  Club Revitalization: Improve It and They Will Come David Tessitore, K1DT
After 100 years, the Providence Radio Association was about to fail. Dave will describe how the remaining PRA members revitalized their slumbering club through improving infrastructure, embracing current trends, and focusing on relevance.
Room: Sterling, W2

Saturday 11am: Introduction to the NEDECN Network in New England Domenic Mallozzi, N1DM
Dom will describe the NEDECN DMR Network in use in New England and how to get on DMR. He will introduce some other DMR networks in New England and also include a very short discussion on hotspots for DMR.
Room: Princess, E9

Saturday 2pm:  ARTEN – Amateur Radio Training Experiment Network / Microwave Mesh
Paul Fredette, K1YBE with Rob White, KB1ZZU; RJ White, KC1DLT; Sean Baker, K1SDB on behalf of the whole ARTEN team.
STEM career engagement in wireless and networking technologies can provide fun and learning for all. ARTEN is an ARRL Foundation Grant project implemented by the Newport County Radio Club (w1sye.org) for reuse in any club setting to provide RF and networking experience by implementing a remote sensor using microwave technology. CO2 variation in a farm field is the target parameter for the initial project but the real fun is experimenting with Antennas, Routers, Very Nice Analyzers (VNAs) and solar power while monitoring the cycle of breathable air. The AREDN software and inexpensive hardware are used encourage youth access and allow the experience of experts to be shared.
Room: Boxborough, W5

Saturday 4pm: RI Section Town Hall Forum Nancy Austin, KC1NEK
Welcome to RI’s first Town Hall Forum. Please join our Meet & Greet Town Hall Forum as we introduce the new leadership, share what your RI cabinet has been doing, and hear from other Ocean State radio amateurs. Follow RI-ARRL.org for updates.
Room: Sterling, W2

Sunday 10am: Hamshack Hotline David Neal, W2DAN (co-founder)
The Hamshack Hotline is a Free VOIP telcom service for the ham radio community. Its purpose is to augment communication in hamshacks, EOC‘s, and clubs, and among club members. It offers full duplex operation. It also supports FAX. Room: Seminar, E3

There really is something for everyone at this event. But first, you have to show up! Please consider this on a rainy weekend.

I especially appreciate your support as so many people are working hard to showcase collaboration and positive paths forward for Amateur Radio.

73, Nancy Austin, KC1NEK – your new RI Section Manager 

 

The schedule is here: https://hamxposition.org/Schedule/

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

 

The Yankee Clipper Contest Club support of the Northeast HamXposition ranges from solid talks to enthralling hands-on experiences.

Check out the talks by the Club’s senior membership that appeal to new and potential contesters and those looking to take advantage of a wonderful grant program.

The talks begin at 2:00 on Saturday kicking off with CQ Contest Hall of Fame speaker Doug Grant, K1DG. He will tune up your on-air operating style making you the envy of your entire club during Field Day operations.

Next up is YCCC member John Vogel, N1PGA showing how he has deployed a competitive contest station without the need for tall towers. What’s the secret ingredient? Show up and find out!

Finally, YCCC member and past-President, Jim Idelson, K1IR will educate us on Amateur Radio|Digital Communications (ARDC). ARDC helps communications enthusiasts bring their dreams of innovation to life. Jim will share his recent experience as a member of the ARDC Grants Advisory Committee.

Stop by the W1A station run by Yankee Clipper Contest Club member W1VE. Gerry has secured the use of the YCCC member K1LZ Superstation located in Jonesboro, Me. Experience the thrills of massive pileups if you dare!

Finally, enjoy the superb hotel hospitality at the DX Dinner featuring YCCC member Don Greenbaum, N1DG and his talk on the “DXpeditioning with a RIB”. Don will describe the genesis of the “Rig in a Box (RIB) from the 2018 Baker Island expedition to implement on C6AGU, FO/N1DG and the recently completed VP6A Dxpedition to Ducie Island. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

HamXposition 2023 (a.k.a. ARRL New England Division Convention) in Marlborough, MA, is coming August 25-26-27 – less than 30 days away.

Our forum schedule is now available!    Come visit our website to browse over 100 forums, seminars, and workshops available at the convention.

Two new additions on Friday – an AREDN mesh networking workshop where you will be building your own working MESH node and a NanoVNA seminar – learn to use this small but powerful device to analyze antennas and other RF devices.

Our Friday  DXCC dinner will feature Don Greenbaum, N1DG. Don will present “DXpeditioning with a RIB”. Don will describe the genesis of the “Rig in a Box” (RIB) from the 2018 Baker Island expedition to implementation on C6AGU, FO/N1DG and the recently completed VP6A DXpedition to Ducie Island.

Our Saturday grand banquet features special guest “Chip” Cohen, W1YW, an inventor, scientist, and retired professor. Chip will talk about his amusing background, ‘ham-genuity’, and some the pitfalls and pleasures along that tortuous path of invention.

Come meet some old or new friends and maybe learn something new about our hobby!

Do you know someone who really should get their license?  Bill, WZ1L is back this year with his “Tech-in-a-Day” study course, and as always, VE exams are available.

If you wish to stay overnight, discounted hotel rates are available through August 1st – so there are only a few days left to grab the discounted rate.

Visit our website for all details and to purchase tickets in advance:

https://hamxposition.org

Dinner ticket purchasing closes August 20th.

All online ticketing closes August 23rd.

73,

Bob – K1IW
HamXposition 2023

Forums Fri-Sat-Sun
Flea Market Hours: Fri 12-5, Sat 9-5, Sun 9-1
Exhibit Hall Hours: Sat 9-5, Sun 9-1

It’s not too late to submit a proposal and be a Speaker at the upcoming Northeast HamXposition (Marlborough, MA) to be held August 25, 26, 27.

Best to try and submit a Speaker Proposal by this Saturday Noon here: https://hamxposition.org/speaker.html

Meanwhile, a Rhode Island Section Town Hall Listening Forum is planned for RI hams to gather at HamXposition for a meet and greet . It’s an opportunity for your new Section Manager and leadership team to hear what’s on your mind.  (Stay tuned for time and details.)

Thanks to Fidelity Amateur Radio Club president Dave Nelson, WV1H for sending along this Event Reminder. Hope to see many RI Section hams there.

Upcoming event at the non-profit New England Wireless and Steam Museum – an electrical and mechanical engineering museum at 1300 Frenchtown Road in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, with working steam engines and an early wireless station and technology archives. Admission is $15 per adult, $7 per child (age 6 to 17), $50 blanket family admission. NARM/ Museum Members free. Food & Drink options available for purchase or Tailgate option.

 

 

The New England Wireless and Steam Museum in East Greenwich, Rhode Island is having a Yankee Tune-Up on July 22, 2023. Come trade and sell your antique radios, vintage electronics and ham gear.

The entire museum will be open as well for your viewing pleasure.