Class

FCHRE First Amateur Radio Workshop

Amateur Radio, Antennas, Class, Workshop

N4UBU, KS4DOW, W2CK, KB4KAC, N4MQU, K4ADH, KM4YTF

The Mentors 

 

The mentors all are part of the FCHRE but many are members of the other triangle area radio clubs including Franklin County ARC, Durham FM Association, Johnston Amateur Radio Society, Raleigh Amateur Radio Society.

The Mentors

Programming 

 

The students were trained into how to program their radios so they could take it home and make changes on their on. The students were given instructions on how to get their official license copy so they can submit the proper documentation for DMR and EchoLink.

Programming Tips

On the Air 

 

About a dozen students were able to get on the air being instructed how to do so by an experienced mentor

The Mentees

 

 

Under Construction 

Portable J-Pole antenna set up

 

At the request of our host Triangle Torah Fellowship, FCHRE was invited to conduct a Amateur Radio Workshop for their members and the public. Their request was for us to teach them how to program the radios and to to assist the licensed members to get on the air and to assist in any other way we could to assist in the area of their amateur radio career. The lesson I learned Is amateur radio clubs need to team up with the VE teams and schedule amateur radio workshops throughout the community.

Chameleon MPAS hybrid antenna. We made 1 contact with Oklahoma for demonstration purposes.

 

W4CEC Technician class and Exam at Camp Durant

Amateur Radio, Camping, Class, W4CEC

Some groups have had to change the way we do things during Covid.  This is definitely true with groups testing for amateur radio.  When Chris Cancilla (W4CEC) offers a amateur radio class you should take it! See his About page for his credentials. Chris found a outdoor venue using Camp Durant in Carthage, NC. Chris offered anyone wishing to camp to do so. Only three of us ended up camping in the Cold winter of North Carolina. The only problem I had was that I got cold Friday night.  The 23 degree weather we had Friday Night on December 11 gave me an issue. Chris insists that the low was 43 but I know It was 23. I had camped earlier this year with putting a sleeping bag in my Ford Flex but hadn’t done any tent camping in 28 years.  This was billed as a free amateur radio technician class and exam. Free amateur radio exams you ask? Check the LAUREL VEC website for testing near you or how to start your own free VE team.  

Chris built a small repeater for the licensed attendees to use while at camp.  You can get the details here. https://www.facebook.com/chris.cancilla/posts/10160339222342738

Chris went thru all the technician questions and students were able to practice fox hunting, hunting for a hidden transmitter.

 

 

Father and Son practice finding the hidden transmitter

 

We also heard the repeater on the International Space Station (ISS) Check this Youtube Video

Group shot getting ready for ISS

We were not successful in making a contact but it was fun trying.

Chris had 8 students register but some had to cancel out at the last minute due to other issues. Exam results revealed 6 new technicians, 1 General Upgrade, and 2 upgrades to Extra Class. 

We were successful with the HF radio contact. Making contents in Maryland and Georgia.  The radio was a Icom 7100 using a 40 meter commercial dipole antenna. 

 

 

Icom 7100 Demo for Tech Class

40 Meter Dipole Commercial Antenna

Sorry about the formatting for the images but I haven’t quite got the word-press formatting figured out.

 

Amateur Radio Extra Class

Amateur Radio, Class, Extra Class

The ARRL has the 2016 – 2020 question pool here. I highly recommend the Gordon West Extra Class study material ($29.95). For those of us on a budget KB6NU has a 2016 No Nonsense Extra Class Study Guide ($9.95) and on his website indicates ” Dont’t worry, though, if you purchase this books, and don’t pass the test by June 30, 2020, I’ll send you the updated version for FREE!”. 

The Roanoke Valley Amateur Radio Club has Extra Class Amateur Radio Study video for the 2016 -2020 question pool. Be sure to watch all of the videos there.

The online tools at HamStudy and eHam are excellent resources. The Extra class exam is scheduled to change on July 1, 2020.  Just make sure you are study the material for the date you are planning on taking the exam.