STEM

Ham Outreach / RI Section Manager Newsletter / STEM

Welcome to our RI Section Newsletter for February 2025

- by Nancy Austin

Welcome to our RI Section Newsletter for February 2025

Brown University Amateur Radio Club and Space Engineering

Congratulations to new ham Jose Sandoval, KC1TWM for success revitalizing the Brown University Amateur Radio Club (BARC) as an official, funded school club. This has been a team effort across RI, with special thanks to Don Stanford, KV4DN; Chad Cavanaugh, KC1DOH ; Adam Paul, KC1KCC; and Rhode Island Section Youth Coordinator, Rowan Eggert, WO1P for mentoring next-gen collegiate hams. 

Jose, KC1TWM wrote: “The Brown Radio Club has been officially reconstituted in 2025, anticipating its 50th anniversary on May 14, 2025. After operating as an Amateur Radio Community for the ARRL Collegiate Roundup last semester, we are excited to function as an official club in 2025. 

In addition, as custodians of the Brown Space Engineering ground station, the Brown Amateur Radio Club (K1AD) is proud to announce its participation in the Fram2Ham satellite receiving competition. With support from the School of Engineering, the ARRL, the Providence Radio Association, and Brown Space Engineering, we look forward to a productive and vibrant semester. We encourage all interested hams to stay tuned for our upcoming activities!” 

Speaking of School Club Roundup….

Rhode Island Section Youth Coordinator Rowan, W01P wrote:

“ARRL’s School Club Roundup is here!! This week, February 10-14, amateur radio operators can find schools and youth organizations activating across the country. Students kindergarten through college have the opportunity to get on the air, some for their very first time! This event is a fantastic introduction to amateur radio and provides a hands-on STEM learning opportunity before, during, and after school hours.

In Rhode Island, students at All Saints STEAM Academy in Middletown will be getting on the air as a part of an after school program hosted by Mike K1NPT and the Newport County Radio Club. Volunteers will spend a few hours after school working HF and 2m bands with students asthey learn more about battery powered operations and the application of radio communications in their community.

Want to get involved? Take some time to work student stations on the air, you may even be their first contact! Being friendly and engaging with students. It’s one of the best parts of this hobby. Some of my first contacts came with QSL cards that I still keep on the wall. Your time is valuable for School Club Roundup, so please take the time to work schools on the air, especially this week.”

For more on School Club Roundup:

Leveraging the biannual ARRL School Roundup – an untapped youth force multiplier follow up to Winter Field Day and Scouting’s JOTA.

And did we mention ARRL scholarships awarded in 2024 – totaling over $700,000?

 

 

From Florida’s Treasure Coast Skywarn Weather Nets to RI ARES SKYWARN 

Calm confidence and experience matters. Many thanks to Wayne Burkett, KA1VRF for again stepping up to be overnight Net Control Station during last weekend’s early February Snowstorm. From 10pm Saturday night to Noon Sunday, any licensed radio amateur interested in contributing situational awareness about weather at their location could join his Skywarn nets, and report their snow totals. Or offer a heads-up about what might be an unexpected, evolving situation that deserves closer monitoring.  In a “Unity of Effort”, Wayne gathers our reports and delivers them to Rob Macedo, KD1CY, our ham radio Skywarn liaison for our local National Weather Service office in Norton/Boston. 

This is a team effort. Many thanks to longtime RI Skywarn lead Martin Mendelson, N1JMA, for distributing Rob’s NWS breaking updates and likely Skywarn Activation net schedule via [email protected]. It is fantastic to see Rhode Island and the NB1RI Repeater network now included among the regional reliable go-to Skywarn nets. 

Wayne moved back to RI recently, and his depth of experience during severe weather events in Florida offers an opportunity for us all to learn more and prepare – whatever your level of experience might be. Do join in his weekly RI ARES Training and Skywarn Nets held every Wednesdays on the NB1RI repeater network at 7:30pm. No special equipment needed – just your eyes and ears and a public service mindset.

 

Save the Date: Saturday July 12, 2025, 9am-3pm, East Greenwich, RI 

New England Wireless & Steam Museum will host an ARRL sanctioned hamfest at their better-than-ever Tune-Up event in East Greenwich, Rhode Island on July 12.

New England Wireless and Steam Museum (NEWSM): https://www.arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar

More info: Ken Carr, KE1RI 

https://newsm.org/

 

Save the Date: 21-24 August, 2025 — Our New England Division HamXposition, Marlborough, MA 

https://hamxposition.org/

August 23, 2025: RI Town Hall Meet & Greet 

Keynotes August 22 and 23:

AA7A:  “Remote DXpeditioning” by Ned Stearns, AA7A, at the Aug 22, 2025 Friday night DX/Contest Banquet

W2NAF: “HamSCI: Space Weather We Can Do Together”, Dr. Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, from the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) at the Saturday night Grand Banquet, Aug 23, 2025

Interested in giving a talk? Helping with the event? 

Reach out to Program Chair: Skip Youngberg, [email protected]

 

Ham Outreach / School Club Round Up / Scouting / STEM / Youth

Calling all Rhode Island youth!

- by Nancy Austin

New post from Rowan WO1P – RI Section Youth Coordinator (RI-SYC)

Calling all Rhode Island youth!

Are you interested in STEM, want to learn more about leadership opportunities in your community, and grow your communication skills? Then you have found the right place. My name is Rowan, WO1P, and I am the new Section Youth Coordinator (SYC) for the Rhode Island ARRL section. For the last two years, I have worked with my local community and university to encourage youth engagement in amateur radio. Since moving to Rhode Island earlier this year, I have been determined to continue my efforts in our beautiful ocean state that I now call home. 

Goals of my appointment:

I have four primary goals for my appointment as SYC.

  1. Get Rhode Island school districts and universities on the air through School Club Roundup and the Collegiate QSO Party hosted by the ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program.
  2. Expand and support Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) participation.
  3. Learn more about amateur radio, network with hams around the New England Division, and encourage outreach for youth throughout Rhode Island.
  4. Communicate the needs of Rhode Island youth and their mentors to the section and larger ARRL organization.

How to get involved:

Being an active participant in the community has been one of the most rewarding aspects of being a ham. I encourage everyone to attend club meetings and events, ham fests, and demonstrations seen throughout the state. 

ARRL Northeast Division HamXposition:

Attending this year’s HamXposition? Come meet the Rhode Island section organization!  We have a meet and greet from 4-5pm on August 24th. Hope to see you there, 

Contact me:

As SYC, one of the most important aspects of my role is effectively communicating the needs and concerns of the Rhode Island amateur radio community to the right individuals. Whether you are a college student trying to start an amateur radio club on campus, Scout leadership looking to expand opportunities for your troop, or an interested member of our community, I want to be available to help in the best way I can. A great way to reach me directly is through my email, [email protected] This is my amateur radio dedicated email that I check frequently to best serve the Rhode Island section. Please feel free to reach out, I would be happy to help.

Interest form:

Want to bring amateur radio to youth in your local community? Need help from the SYC? 

Fill out my interest form and I will work with you to help bring amateur radio opportunities to your part of the state.

73, Rowan WO1P – RI Section Youth Coordinator (RI-SYC)

Careers / Ham Outreach / STEM / Young Professionals / Youth

Please welcome RI’s new Section Youth Coordinator

- by Nancy Austin

Hello! I am Rowan Eggert, WO1P.

I am thrilled to accept the position of Section Youth Coordinator (SYC) for the Rhode Island ARRL section. I am proud to be the youngest SYC in the New England Division at 21 years old. With a passion for amateur radio and a commitment to youth engagement, I look forward to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community of young radio enthusiasts as well as supporting our dedicated team of volunteers, including Nancy Austin, KC1NEK, RI Section Manager. 

Something to know about me is that I am very new to Rhode Island. I grew up in rural Illinois with a passion for STEM and attended the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA). After graduating from IMSA, I first attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for aerospace engineering on a full scholarship with the Army. However, after scholarship funding fell through, I transferred to Indiana State University to study Intelligence Analysis. During my time at ISU, I found myself involved in amateur radio and it reignited my love for technical challenges as well as a leadership opportunity in my community. After a few years at ISU, I decided to finish my degree online and move to Rhode Island in April 2024 to be with my better half and pursue a career in banking. I hope to move into fraud investigations after I graduate from Indiana State in May 2025. 

My journey in amateur radio is still young, much like me. I punched my ticket in April 2022, upgraded to general the following July, and earned my extra class license in April 2023. This hobby has combined my passions for public service, youth engagement, and STEM education. During my time at Indiana State University, I helped re-establish the Amateur Radio Club at ISU after years of inactivity. We grew quickly with the support of the university and the local amateur radio community. 

While club president of ARC@ISU, I enjoyed our Parks on the Air (POTA) events at Turkey Run State Park, seeing Scouts make their first contacts, encouraging individual operator growth through hands-on activities, free license testing, and so much more. 

We gained popularity in October 2023 after competing in the ARRL Collegiate QSO Party and placing fourth in our first ever competitive event as a club. 

In this year’s 2024 spring semester, we were involved in data collection for Case Western Reserve’s W8EDU and HamSci solar eclipse research project being one of the only universities in the path of totality. This work was presented at the 2024 ARRL National Convention at Dayton Hamvention. 

ARC@ISU  received the “Best Emerging Student Organization” award from the university for our efforts in revitalizing the club on campus and received almost $10,000 in grants and donations. It was a very valuable and rewarding experience as a student leader and I hope to use the knowledge gained to help Rhode Island youth amateur radio clubs succeed. 

As Section Youth Coordinator, my primary goal is to engage, educate, and empower the next generation of amateur radio operators in Rhode Island. During my appointment, I hope to focus on four key aspects: ARRL School Club Round-up (SCR), Scouting Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), outreach, and communication. I plan to collaborate with schools, youth organizations, and local clubs in a whole-community approach to increase youth participation in the ARRL, coordinated resilience, and the importance of STEM education in amateur radio. By promoting hands-on and inclusive learning experiences, we can cultivate technical skills, foster curiosity, and build lasting connections for Rhode Island youth.

I am dedicated to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where all young enthusiasts feel safe, valued, and supported. Together, we will explore innovative ways to utilize amateur radio for educational and community-building purposes, ensuring that the spirit of amateur radio thrives for years to come. 

Thank you for this opportunity to serve and contribute to the growth of our amateur radio community. I am excited to embark on this journey and work alongside all of you to inspire and nurture the future of amateur radio in Rhode Island.

If you are excited to see more youth engagement, come talk to me! I’ll be at the New England Division annual HamXposition (August 22-25) in nearby Marlboro, MA. The Rhode Island Section Meet and Greet  is scheduled for Saturday August 24th from 4pm-5pm. Hope to see you there. Meanwhile…

Stay tuned!

73, Rowan WO1P

Careers / Clubs / Operating / STEM / Youth

ARRL School Roundup Updates

- by Nancy Austin

Despite Tuesday’s blizzard,  Rhode Island stations got on the air to participate daily, Monday to Wednesday February 12-14, 2024.  Here are updates and what to expect before this Roundup wraps on Friday 7pm February 16, 2024.

W1KMV – University of Rhode Island

Special thanks to URI amateur radio club call sign trustee, Brian Maynard, K1NW for operating as W1KMV during Tuesday’s storm and then again Wednesday to make QSOs with dozens of schools and individuals. Highlights included contact with the Cornell Club station, W2CXM, where he was station master for several years in the 1980s.  Brian, K1NW reported having a great time contacting young operators at several school stations, mostly  on 20m with excellant band conditions. (W1KMV may be back on the air Th/Fri to bring this ARRL School Roundup to the finish line. Standby! Keep an eye on https://www.dxwatch.com/)

URI Faculty Brian Maynard, K1NW operated the URI call sign during Tuesday’s heavy snowstorm.

Interested in helping revitalize the URI student Amateur Radio Club? Reach out to Brian Maynard here: https://web.uri.edu/pse/meet/brian-maynard/

N1ASA – RI STEM Middle School

All Saints STEAM Academy (Middletown, RI) M to Th 3-4:30pm
  • After-School Club Lead: Mike Cullen, K1NPT operating as N1ASA

Thanks to its lively Middle School amateur radio club enthusiastically led for a decade by Newport’s Mike Cullen, K1NPT, the All Saints STEAM Academy in Middletown, Rhode Island is a long-time ARRL Club Roundup participant. This year was no exception. Mike, K1NPT really understands how to match the exuberant curiosity of middle school students to radio hands-on learning puzzles.

Many thanks to the RI hams who reached out to make an “Individual” Roundup QSO with these eager students on Monday and Wednesday.  (School was canceled Tuesday due to snow.)

TODAY is Thursday Feb 15th, and it’s not too late to listen for their N1ASA CQ at 4pm on 2m SIMPLEX 146.550. Or look for N1ASA on a dx spotting site on 20m or 40m SSB today between 3-4:30pm.  Huge thanks to the RI hams who took time to chat with these confident, cheerful young operators who sounded like they were having SO much fun!

Interested in helping Mike K1NPT mentor youth in radio across the state? Reach out to Mike Cullen here: [email protected]

Individual Roundup Operator Experience

This was my first time participating in any ARRL School Club Roundup, and it’s easy to see why this is such a beloved opportunity to encourage youth and college clubs.  Operating from my home QTH for about an hour each day (mostly between 3pm to 6pm on 20m, 40, 15m SSB and 2M FM Simplex) it was great fun to talk with experienced student operators at college clubs including University of Wisconsin, W9YT and Michigan State, W8SH.  And also the many Middle and High School new operators across the country (CO, SC, TX, IN, OK, GA, RI). A surpise to me was the opportunity to log a QSO with the almost 40% of Middle or High student operators I contacted who were young women.

K1D -Brown University Radio Amateur

The snowstorm, sickness and technical difficulties contributed to the challenges getting this call sign on the air before the expected Brown University, K1D ARRL School Roundup activation push planned for Thursday 3pm to Friday 7pm.  Keep an eye on https://www.dxwatch.com/

As a Brown alum, my plan is to be out there offering QSOs on 20m and 40m SSB to support this initiative. So don’t be surprised to hear Nancy, KC1NEK operating briefly today and tomorrow as K1D as we plan forward revitalizing the Brown Amateur Radio Club.

Interested in helping revitalize the Brown University student Amateur Radio Club? Reach out to Jose Sandoval, KC1TWM, a Brown student and the club revitalization contact: [email protected]

Fall ARRL School Roundup & JOTA synergy?

The next ARRL School Roundup is scheduled for M-F October 21-25, 2024 (The third full school week of October2024.) This would seem like a synergistic  follow-up to the weekend of amateur radio upskilling planned for the annual Scouting Jamoboree on the Air (JOTA), taking place “the third full weekend in October” – or Sat/Sun October 19-20, 2024.

Meanwhile, hope to see the Brown and URI Collegiate Clubs doing well, with hams stepping up to help. Hope to hear you on the air, even today, as we mentor and offer encouragement to others.

73, Nancy Austin, KC1NEK – RI Section Manager ([email protected])

Careers / Clubs / Operating / STEM / Youth

Support URI, Brown, & Steam Academy during ARRL School Roundup QSO Week

- by Nancy Austin

ARRL School Roundup Feb 12-15, 2024

Momentum is underway revitalizing Rhode Island’s collegiate clubs and K-12 after school amateur radio clubs. Please hunt these ARRL School Roundup call signs this week and spread the word. Let’s put RI innovators on the map. Help hunt all schools participating. Check for “School Club Roundup” on DX spotting websites, like https://www.dxwatch.com/

RI Best Dates/Times – possible frequencies- but check https://www.dxwatch.com/ 

  • Tues Feb 13, 2024 3:30-4:30pm + Wed 3-6pm
  • 20m (14.250-280 MHz) & 40m (7.225-255 MHz) – per ARRL
    Phone (MHz): 1.855-1.865; 3.850-3.880; 7.225-7.255; 14.250-14.280; 21.300-21.330; 28.440-28.460  [check https://www.dxwatch.com/ ]
  • Monday update: Lots of schools participating, especially on 20m.

Exchange: (Plan is to use “S” for School) So expect this exchange: N1ASA or W1KMV or K1D,  Signal report, Class (“School”), U.S. State = RI (Multi-operator group stations must choose one call sign to use for the whole operating period.)

Scoring: Stations may be contacted once per band and mode | Multiplier: [Number of U.S. States plus Canadian Provinces/Territories plus DX countries/entities] plus 2× [Number of Clubs contacted] plus 5× [Number of Schools contacted].

N1ASA

All Saints STEAM Academy (Middletown, RI) M*,T*,W,Th 3-4:30pm –  N1ASA
  • Team Lead: Mike Cullen, K1NPT operating as N1ASA
  • Confirmed 12-15 Feb (Mon*, Tues*, Wed, Thurs) each day in the 3PM to 430PM window., SSB on 40M and 20M.  (* Possible only elementary school students students Monday; * likely no ops on Tues due to expected snow closure)
    Can you please get the word out to RI hams that each day Feb 12, 13, 14, 15  at 4PM,   the students will call CQ on 146.55 simplex and I’ll have students track the RI towns contacted.
  • Other:  Send us a small (10Kb or less) picture of your  operations via Winlink  and we’ll send one in return.  Use Winlink address of K1NPT.
  • Monday Feb 12th update: Day #1 a success on 20/40m and calling CQ at 4pm on Simplex across the state/region to map this form of resilient radio communicaton. Tuesday ops canceled due to the snowday and storm. Will be back Wed!

W1KMV

UNIVERSITY of RHODE ISLAND (URI), Confirmed T Feb 13, 2024 3:30-4:30pm + Wed 4:30-6pm / 20m (14.250-280 MHz) & 40m (7.225-255 MHz) – W1KMV
  • Team Lead: Brian Maynard, K1NW operating as W1KMV – URI Faculty & Call Sign Trustee
  • Asa McQueen, KE0HFF operating as W1KMV – former & future URI Physics Dept student and ongoing member of the 102nd Cyber Ops Squadron at Quonset
  • Chris Lirakis, AA9AL operating as W1KMV – Adjunct Faculty, Physics Dept (Quantum)

Favorite Sound Byte : “Quantum is just engineered RF (radio frequency) pulses and ham radio is an enabling way to learn … just so much!”  Chris Lirakis, AA9AL 

“Ham Radio is a Gateway to Technology”

K1D

BROWN University, Providence RI –  T Feb 13, 2024 3:30-4:30pm + Wed 4:30-6pm / 20m (14.250-280 MHz) & 40m (7.225-255 MHz) – K1D
  • Team Lead: Jose Sandoval, KC1TWM, operating as K1D – Brown student and club revitalization contact 
  • Adam Paul, KC1KCC, operating as K1D – Linux Admin, Brown staff
  • Jeremy Taylor, K1JST,  operating as K1D – ARRL RI Section Team SEC and mentor
  • Don Stanford KV4DN, operating as K1D – Brown Faculty and Brown Alum 


New Technician-class licensed radio amateur Jose Sandoval, KC1TWM operating during Winter Field Day January 2024. Brown University double major in Computer Science and Portuguese & Brazilian Studies.  Please reach out to Jose, KC1TWM if you want to get involved revitalizing the Brown Amateur Radio Club now!

STANDBY!

Rhode Island and Regional collaborative inspiration underway.  It’s not too late to see if your school can act quickly to participate and join the fun! Do you know who among students, faculty, staff, and alum are the licensed amateur radio operators – always ready to get on the air and help with communications? 
NEW – Bridgewater State (MA) Physics and Optical Engineering Dept – [K1YBE]
  • Team Lead: Paul Fredette, K1YBE (NCRC VP & BSU Adjunct Physics Faculty) 
  • Confirmed Wed Feb14 from  3-5pm on likely 20m (14.250-280MHz) & 40m (7.225-255) – CHECK  https://www.dxwatch.com/ ]
Careers / Innovation / Mentoring / STEM

Ham Radio & Medical Slow Scan TV

- by Nancy Austin

Dr. Greg Jay, W1EDY has stepped up to be a mentor on the team revitalizing the collegiate Brown University Amateur Radio Club, K1AD.  When asked for an example of how a background in amateur radio can help advance professional STEM innovation today,  Dr. Jay immediately thought of this recent research utlizing slow-scan television (SSTV) he had read in a 2023 issue of WILDERNESS & ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wem.2023.05.009

“Introduction—Point–of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is used in wilderness medicine and could potentially be the only imaging modality available. Cellular and data coverage is often lacking in remote areas, limiting image transmission. This study evaluates the viability of transmitting POCUS images from austere environments using slow-scan television (SSTV) image transmission methods over very-high-frequency (VHF) hand-held radio units for remote interpretation. …

Conclusions—Slow-scan television image transmission is a viable option for transmitting ultrasound images in remote areas where more modern forms of communication are unavailable or not practical. Slow-scan television may have potential as another data transmission option in the wilderness, such as electrocardiogram tracings.”

[Note: At  the December 2023 RI ARES meeting, Jeremy Taylor, K1JST (RI-SEC) gave a demo on Slow Scan TV apps and why he considers SSTV a ham skill worth knowing.]

 

Amateur Radio – a growth mindset community of curious innovators. 

Please reach out if you are interested in being a mentor helping revitalize any one of Rhode Island’s currently dormant collegiate Amateur Radio Clubs. Please share examples you would use to pitch how a background in amateur radio can be a professional super power.