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NEAR-Fest XXXIV - October 13 & 14 2023 / Great Photo of da Tron
« Last post by W1RC on May 30, 2023, 05:42:00 PM »Love it!
New England Amateur Radio Festival
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NEAR-Fest XXXIV - October 13 & 14 2023 / Club Pass Please read!
« Last post by KC1DWH on May 27, 2023, 08:30:16 AM »I just emailed the following to the email distribution list I have for the clubs, if you did not get an email and are a club that is interested in the club pass feel free to get a hold of me as well as send in an application!
"Hello Fellow Amatuer Radio Clubs!
My name is Nicholas Kettle, KC1DWH I have been recently appointed club coordinator for NEARFEST. It was a pleasure to meet many of the clubs during our last fest. For those I did not get a chance to meet with, I hope we get a chance to chat soon! We have less than 140 days until the next NEARFEST! I am asking all club contacts to please take a few minutes to read and fill out the attached letter and application. (If you have already done so at Deerfield or have since mailed or emailed me a copy you are all set!) The letter also takes a few moments to reintroduce the club program and remind everyone of the responsibilities that go along with it. The NEARFEST club program is open to all eligible clubs that attend NEARFEST. With the club pass two vehicles with two people each are allowed to enter the grounds at 8:00 AM 1 hour early to claim the clubs ?traditional area?. If you are a new club and would like to participate you are more than welcome and feel free to contact me by email on here or call/ text 401-473-7784. I ask that all clubs even with a prior permanent pass to PLEASE FILL OUT the application so I can update the information on my end. I will be issuing new passes for the fall. I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial day weekend and take a moment or two and think about the sacrifices our brave men and women have made.
73!
Nick KC1DWH
NEARFEST Club Coordinator"
"Hello Fellow Amatuer Radio Clubs!
My name is Nicholas Kettle, KC1DWH I have been recently appointed club coordinator for NEARFEST. It was a pleasure to meet many of the clubs during our last fest. For those I did not get a chance to meet with, I hope we get a chance to chat soon! We have less than 140 days until the next NEARFEST! I am asking all club contacts to please take a few minutes to read and fill out the attached letter and application. (If you have already done so at Deerfield or have since mailed or emailed me a copy you are all set!) The letter also takes a few moments to reintroduce the club program and remind everyone of the responsibilities that go along with it. The NEARFEST club program is open to all eligible clubs that attend NEARFEST. With the club pass two vehicles with two people each are allowed to enter the grounds at 8:00 AM 1 hour early to claim the clubs ?traditional area?. If you are a new club and would like to participate you are more than welcome and feel free to contact me by email on here or call/ text 401-473-7784. I ask that all clubs even with a prior permanent pass to PLEASE FILL OUT the application so I can update the information on my end. I will be issuing new passes for the fall. I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial day weekend and take a moment or two and think about the sacrifices our brave men and women have made.
73!
Nick KC1DWH
NEARFEST Club Coordinator"
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NEAR-Fest XXXIV - October 13 & 14 2023 / Re: Wow! Look up amateurs by Zip Code, Grid Square, etc
« Last post by n1iwv on May 26, 2023, 06:43:51 PM »Great resource...Didn't know how many Hams are in my small part of the World.
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NEAR-Fest XXXIV - October 13 & 14 2023 / Wow! Look up amateurs by Zip Code, Grid Square, etc
« Last post by W1RC on May 26, 2023, 05:30:45 AM »Here is a great resource.
https://haminfo.tetranz.com/map
Amateur Radio License Map
Use this map to find amateur radio license holders in the USA. Click here for more info.
? Select the type of input (callsign, gridsquare, zip code or street address) on the left.
? Enter an appropriate search value on the right.
? Hit the button.
? Scroll down see the map.
The selection determines the center of the map.
When the map appears, you can adjust the zoom level and drag the map around. If you're looking at a sparsely populated area, you'll probably need to zoom out.
After two seconds of not moving, it will reload with stations for the new area. You can also click on the gridsquare labels to center tha map on that square. Use the "Show grid labels" checkbox to temporarily remove the gridsquare lines and labels if they get in the way.
Thanks to Pi, K1RV?s K1USN Happenings, a non-political amateur radio newsletter.
https://haminfo.tetranz.com/map
Amateur Radio License Map
Use this map to find amateur radio license holders in the USA. Click here for more info.
? Select the type of input (callsign, gridsquare, zip code or street address) on the left.
? Enter an appropriate search value on the right.
? Hit the button.
? Scroll down see the map.
The selection determines the center of the map.
When the map appears, you can adjust the zoom level and drag the map around. If you're looking at a sparsely populated area, you'll probably need to zoom out.
After two seconds of not moving, it will reload with stations for the new area. You can also click on the gridsquare labels to center tha map on that square. Use the "Show grid labels" checkbox to temporarily remove the gridsquare lines and labels if they get in the way.
Thanks to Pi, K1RV?s K1USN Happenings, a non-political amateur radio newsletter.
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NEAR-Fest XXXIV - October 13 & 14 2023 / Best R-390A Manual
« Last post by W1RC on May 23, 2023, 08:17:08 AM »Here is the Navy manual?? very hard to find.
https://www.navy-radio.com/manuals/r390a-063-2010-7004.pdf
Enjoy!
https://www.navy-radio.com/manuals/r390a-063-2010-7004.pdf
Enjoy!
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NEAR-Fest XXXIV - October 13 & 14 2023 / Archive of Military Manials for Tektronx Test Equipment
« Last post by W1RC on May 22, 2023, 05:03:55 AM »This is a great find for Tektronix test equipment fans??.
https://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/Military_manuals
https://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/Military_manuals
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NEAR-Fest XXXIV - October 13 & 14 2023 / Fifty Years Ago Today, the First Hosstraders!
« Last post by W1RC on May 13, 2023, 07:29:50 PM »Saturday, May 13th, 2023. It was exactly fifty years ago today, the Saturday before Mothers Day 1973, that the first Hosstraders was held at the Addams Family Campground in Seabrook NH. There were sixty one attendees. Were you one of them?
Hosstraders was held there in 1974 and 1975 but the event quickly outgrew the Addams campground and so Norm, Bob and Joe moved it to the Deerfield Fairgrounds which where it was held until October 1992. In May 1993 Hosstraders was held at the Rochester NH fairgrounds and remained there until October 2000. May 2001 found the event being held at the Hopkinton Fairgrounds where it remained intil October 2006.
May 2007 was the first NEAR-Fest and our return to Deerfield. 30 hamfests later we are still there.
Hosstraders was held there in 1974 and 1975 but the event quickly outgrew the Addams campground and so Norm, Bob and Joe moved it to the Deerfield Fairgrounds which where it was held until October 1992. In May 1993 Hosstraders was held at the Rochester NH fairgrounds and remained there until October 2000. May 2001 found the event being held at the Hopkinton Fairgrounds where it remained intil October 2006.
May 2007 was the first NEAR-Fest and our return to Deerfield. 30 hamfests later we are still there.
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NEAR-Fest XXXIV - October 13 & 14 2023 / Re: Dave Hawke, KQ1L, SK
« Last post by W1RC on May 12, 2023, 12:42:00 AM »Bill Barber <ne1b.c6awb@gmail.com> wrote on May 10 09:16PM -0400
It is with great sadness that I mention the passing of Dave Hawke, KQ1L, of Augusta, Maine.
I met Dave back in late 1976 when he was the Chief Radio Technician at Maine State Police HQ in Augusta. We traveled to many sites throughout the State, as we were then building the Statewide VHF network. Later in the mid-80's again we crossed paths at Central Maine Power. Finally, during the last dozen years, we have been building the Amateur DMR networks around New England. Dave was a brilliant engineer and a doer. He made things happen and was very modest. He built the analog FM and APRS networks in Maine also.The amateur community will miss him. Please extend condolences to Brenda and Dave's family. More information will be provided on the NEAR-fest website: https://near-fest.com/come-to-near-fest
RIP my friend Dave,
Bill, NE1B
It is with great sadness that I mention the passing of Dave Hawke, KQ1L, of Augusta, Maine.
I met Dave back in late 1976 when he was the Chief Radio Technician at Maine State Police HQ in Augusta. We traveled to many sites throughout the State, as we were then building the Statewide VHF network. Later in the mid-80's again we crossed paths at Central Maine Power. Finally, during the last dozen years, we have been building the Amateur DMR networks around New England. Dave was a brilliant engineer and a doer. He made things happen and was very modest. He built the analog FM and APRS networks in Maine also.The amateur community will miss him. Please extend condolences to Brenda and Dave's family. More information will be provided on the NEAR-fest website: https://near-fest.com/come-to-near-fest
RIP my friend Dave,
Bill, NE1B
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NEAR-Fest XXXIV - October 13 & 14 2023 / Re: Dave Hawke, KQ1L, SK
« Last post by KB1NZN on May 11, 2023, 02:14:42 PM »I didn't know him super well, but enough to know that he was the "the mastermind" who quietly built and maintained, for DECADES, much of Maine's amateur radio repeater, APRS and digital radio infrastructure. As MrMike said, at mostly his own expense. He still lives online, at his web site http://kq1l.com which continues to have a wealth of information about many tech facets of Amateur Radio.
He was thrown a challenge back around 2015 or so (I think, don't remember exactly what he told me) that no one could build a home solar system that would be capable of supplying all the power needed to run a household. Always up for any technical challenge, Dave built a whole-home solar power network complete with storage that allows the system to power his household 24 hours per day, unlike many others that operate only during the daytime when there is solar energy. He built the system and a custom web site to monitor its status, http://www.conysolar.com which is still active today. As I write this it is generating 6400 watts of power, 4400 of which is being fed to the grid and over 1100w "in the bank". Of course he had a backup generator too and separate battery systems for AC power (via an inverter) and DC power.
Don't tell Dave it couldn't be done.
One of the best tech minds and genuinely good people has left us, and it is a huge loss.
-Ben
He was thrown a challenge back around 2015 or so (I think, don't remember exactly what he told me) that no one could build a home solar system that would be capable of supplying all the power needed to run a household. Always up for any technical challenge, Dave built a whole-home solar power network complete with storage that allows the system to power his household 24 hours per day, unlike many others that operate only during the daytime when there is solar energy. He built the system and a custom web site to monitor its status, http://www.conysolar.com which is still active today. As I write this it is generating 6400 watts of power, 4400 of which is being fed to the grid and over 1100w "in the bank". Of course he had a backup generator too and separate battery systems for AC power (via an inverter) and DC power.
Don't tell Dave it couldn't be done.
One of the best tech minds and genuinely good people has left us, and it is a huge loss.
-Ben
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NEAR-Fest XXXIV - October 13 & 14 2023 / Dave Hawke, KQ1L, SK
« Last post by W1RC on May 11, 2023, 03:15:30 AM »Dave Hawke, KQ1L, became a Silent Key on Wednesday May 10th 2023. He was 82. A remarkable individual, Dave was from Boothbay Harbor Maine. He spoke with that delightful "Down East" brogue. A humble, unassuming man, Dave told everyone he always lived in Maine except for the years he "went to engineering school in Massachusetts". It was only later we found out that "engineering school" was M I T. From what I gather he was involved in several high level projects while he was there but, of course, he never spoke of this.
Dave was a repeater guy. He built an analog repeater network that covered most of the state of Maine which is no small task when you understand how big Maine is. With the advent of digital radios Dave did it again, so now there are both FM and DMR networks covering the state. Dave paid for this equipment out of pocket and refused to accept donations.
During his long career Dave worked for the Maine State Police and Central Maine Power building their repeater networks. Later he was the Kennebeck County computer guy and ran a server farm from his cellar on Cony Street in Augusta. Any amateur radio club or organization could have space on his server at no cost. That included NEAR-Fest. I offered him the same amount that any other company would charge but Dave wouldn't hear of it. I finally was able to get him to accept hotel rooms so he and his XYL Brenda, K1YFY, could stay in comfort at Deerfield and Boxborough MA ARRL conventions every year. It made me happy to see them attending these events and having a good time,
Dave worked into his eighties and even continued to ride his beloved motorcycle taking trips all over the Northeast with Brenda. He only stopped when his illness became debilitating. He beat it the first round but it reappeared last fall and claimed him yesterday. It is a great loss for the many who knew and loved him. I miss him already.
May he rest in peace.
NEAR-Fest XXXIV will be dedicated to Dave?s memory. There will be a celebration of Dave?s life at Deerfield on Friday, October 13th 2023 at 5:00PM. Please visit our web site for details.
Sadly submitted,
Michael Crestohl, W1RC
Dave was a repeater guy. He built an analog repeater network that covered most of the state of Maine which is no small task when you understand how big Maine is. With the advent of digital radios Dave did it again, so now there are both FM and DMR networks covering the state. Dave paid for this equipment out of pocket and refused to accept donations.
During his long career Dave worked for the Maine State Police and Central Maine Power building their repeater networks. Later he was the Kennebeck County computer guy and ran a server farm from his cellar on Cony Street in Augusta. Any amateur radio club or organization could have space on his server at no cost. That included NEAR-Fest. I offered him the same amount that any other company would charge but Dave wouldn't hear of it. I finally was able to get him to accept hotel rooms so he and his XYL Brenda, K1YFY, could stay in comfort at Deerfield and Boxborough MA ARRL conventions every year. It made me happy to see them attending these events and having a good time,
Dave worked into his eighties and even continued to ride his beloved motorcycle taking trips all over the Northeast with Brenda. He only stopped when his illness became debilitating. He beat it the first round but it reappeared last fall and claimed him yesterday. It is a great loss for the many who knew and loved him. I miss him already.
May he rest in peace.
NEAR-Fest XXXIV will be dedicated to Dave?s memory. There will be a celebration of Dave?s life at Deerfield on Friday, October 13th 2023 at 5:00PM. Please visit our web site for details.
Sadly submitted,
Michael Crestohl, W1RC