Topic: NEAR-Fest XXV Schedule of Events

[W1RC]

NEAR-Fest XXV Schedule of Events   

Friday, May 3rd.

6:00 AM: Fairgrounds opens for Blue (Staff) and Yellow (Commercial) Vendors ONLY.  Commercial buildings open and set up commences. 

8:00 AM: Fairgrounds opens for Clubs & Associations passholders only to occupy their traditional spaces.  NO "FOR SALE" ITEMS DISPLAYED OR SELLING IS PERMITTED UNTIL 9:00AM!

9:00 AM: Pre-Paid Entry, opens for Advance ticket and RED passholders only.  Once the Pre-Paid entry line has entered the General Admission line will enter.  Flea Market and Tailgating buying and selling commences.  Please note our flea market parking policy:

NEAR-Fest Flea Market Parking Policy

This is the ENTERTAINMENT BUILDING, see map for location.

Forums, Seminars and Lectures

Forums Director Mitch Stern, W1SJ@arrl.net

11:00AM: Antenna Law News and ARRL News ? Fred Hopengarten K1VR.  This forum will cover two important areas: 1. The latest news on laws concerning the erection of antennas and the steps you need to take to be compliant. 2. The latest news from the ARRL from our New England Division Director. (Located in the Entertainment Building, see map)

12:00 PM: Interconnecting Parts of the Station - Leo Langelier Jr. KH6JKQ. You have all of your ham radio equipment collected, but how do you hook it all up? Leo will give us insights on how to set up all of your station equipment and antennas into a functional ham station.  (Located in the Entertainment Building, see map)

1:00 PM: The Polar Explorer - A New High Efficiency Transmitter - Tony Brock-Fisher  K1KP. This will be a presentation on a new high-efficiency HF transmitter design. With better than 80% efficiency on all HF bands from 160-10 meters, this all-mode transmitter can produce 500 watts of RF power. Tony will describe some of the key points of the design, as well as future steps and beta testing. The class E AM crowd is invited. And yes, it works on 3885 AM too! (Located in the Entertainment Building, see map)

2:00 PM: Radio Restoration - Chuck Hurley K1TLI.  Join us for a discussion of radio equipment restoration, with focus on Johnson and Collins gear. We will also talk about the availability of custom made multi section electrolytic can capacitors to keep your equipment original.(Located in the Entertainment Building, see map)

3:00 - 4:30PM: Inside Enigma: Hands On - Tom Perera W1TP and Spy Radios with Michael Crestohl, W1RC, aka ?Mister Mike?.This talk will take you inside a genuine German WWII Enigma machine and let you see and explore how it is constructed and how it works. This will be a unique chance to personally investigate the mechanism and technology of the Enigma. We will also look at some examples of so-called ?Spy Radios? used by spies to "phone home". (Located in the Entertainment Building, see map)

7:00 PM: NEAR-Fest's Legendary Ad-Hoc "Ham-Jam Session" (Located in the Entertainment Building, see map)

For full details see http://forum.near-fest.com/index.php?topic=1443.0

Saturday, May 4th.

10:00 AM: The Digital World of FT8 and DMR: Friend or Foe? ? Mitch Stern W1SJ.. This forum will offer a survey of the two digital modes sweeping amateur radio by storm: FT8 (mostly HF) and DMR (VHF/UHF). The talk will present a brief introduction and how to get set up on these modes. Finally, the discussion will focus on the pros and cons of each mode and whether you want to be on them or not. (Located in the Entertainment Building, see map)

Licensing Examinations

10:00 AM:Volunteer Exam Session conducted by Bruce Anderson, W1LUS and the NEAR-Fest VE Team  The exam session is located in the Meeting Room (in the Arts & Crafts Building) right across from the flagpole.  The entrance is around the back of the building (see map)

The Volunteer Examination session begins at 10:30 sharp.  Be sure to have two forms of identification (one with photo), original and one copy of your Amateur license (if you have one), documentation and $15.00 exam fee ready.  For more information on the Volunteer exams or if you are a ARRL accredited VE wishing to help, please contact the VE Coordinator at w1lus@verizon.net.  Despite what it says on the ARRL Web site, pre-registration is not required.  Just show up and give it your best shot.  Try the higher level exams even if you don't feel you are ready - you never know..........at least you'll know what to expect the next time.    Good luck!

Closing Ceremony

2:00 PM: Closing Ceremony, Awards and Door Prize Drawing.  The Grand Prize this time is an ELECRAFT,KX-2 ?Shack in a box?.  Runner up to the Grand Prize is a dual band Digital (DMR) and analog portable radio. (Located in the Relaxation Grove, see map)

More than simply a prize drawing, this is the time we honor individuals, present updates to the NEAR-Fest mission, and provide a little insight as to what lies ahead. See a list of past LIFETIME PASS recipients:

See you all at Deerfield bright and early Friday morning!

73,

Mitch Stern, W1SJ,
Forums Chairman