In this session you will build, adjust, and test an inexpensive 2 meter Yagi antenna. All parts are included.

Coaxial-Collinear (‘CoCo’) antennas are known as conceptually elegant and structurally simple antennas that in theory exhibit a superior gain potential. However, the physical principles that underpin CoCo have not been well understood. This circumstance has led to an assortment of difficulties in fabrication and tuning, most often resulting in suboptimal performance realization. In this presentation, we trace these difficulties to a set of electromagnetic boundary conditions that must be satisfied if full gain potential is to be achieved. In meeting these boundary conditions, we then employ the previously reported Displaced-Feedpoint Dipole (‘DFD’) as a generic input-network for CoCo. With this modification, full CoCo gain potential is rendered in a highly convenient physical form, and with no accompanying requirement for feedpoint impedance transformation or additional shield-current suppression.

In this session, you will learn:

Attendees can expect the following take-aways; (i) review of Coaxial-Collinear (‘CoCo’) and Displaced-Feedpoint Dipole (‘DFD’) operating principles, (ii) leveraging of DFD as a CoCo building block in creation of the Displaced-Feedpoint Coaxial Collinear (‘DF/CoCo’) , (iii) MMANA/NEC2-based DF/CoCo simulation and performance prediction, (iv) DF/CoCo build-and-test.

This seminar is geared for non engineers and regular Hams that have wanted to build some circuits but did not know where to start when it comes to making PC boards. Using the FREE CAD program “Easy EDA” , we will take a basic dummy load with a digital readout power meter circuit design, make a single simple modification to it.  Then, using the same software, we will create a circuit board,  place the parts and then generate a Gerber file that can be sent off to any PCB fabricator for manufacturing.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their laptops along with Easy EDA already loaded; This will allow them to follow along and participate in the process. It will also ensure that any questions they have (or encounter) get addressed during the session.

Whether you are a new Technician or a long-time Extra Class operator, amateur satellites offer a unique challenge and a lot of fun! This session is for those new to satellites, or for those who tried satellite operations long ago and want to see how much has changed. We’ll look at what types of satellites are currently in orbit, and what it takes to track them, hear them, and make contacts through them. We’ll break down the rocket science into plain English, and show you that you may already have most of the gear necessary for satellite operation.

We’ll start with a brief history of digital communications protocols within the amateur radio space as well as their technical commonalities in implementation. From there we will describe what configuration is necessary to get digital modes working on your system, including CAT and Audio / DAC configuration. The demo part of the presentation will include some hands-on where we configure digital on different radios and computer platforms.

The purpose of this presentation is to create a sense of of familiarity and ease around digital protocols. I believe that much of the seeming resistance to digital is related to its ’newness’ and a lack of familiarity and understanding. I’d like to help to fix that.

This presentation will address some basics of QRP and dispel some myths and misperceptions.  Then we’ll jump into chasing DX and competing in contests at the five watt level.  We will explore strategies and tactics to improve your effectiveness and reduce the potential frustration, and share tips regarding what works and what doesn’t.  Whether you are curious about what you can really do with QRP, are contemplating running QRP full-time, or are already using QRP and want to be more effective, you will find this discussion interesting and helpful.

LiFePO4 batteries have revolutionized how we power our portable ham radio gear, providing an excellent off-grid power source for our ham shacks. This advanced battery technology offers higher power density, lighter weight, and longer cycle life compared to traditional battery technologies. With prices significantly dropping in recent years, now is the perfect time to upgrade your portable and emergency power sources. In this presentation, we will explore why LiFePO4 batteries are an ideal fit for powering ham radio workloads.

In this session, you will learn:

• The Basics and Properties of LiFePO4 Batteries: Understand the fundamentals of LiFePO4 batteries.
• Comparison with Other Battery Types: Learn how LiFePO4 batteries stack up against other common types such as lead-acid, AGM, and other lithium-ion batteries.
• Selecting the Right LiFePO4 Battery: Discover the key factors to consider when choosing a LiFePO4 battery for your specific setup.
• Efficient Charging Methods: Get tips on how to efficiently charge your LiFePO4 batteries both at home and in the field using AC, DC, and solar power sources.
• Care and Maintenance: Learn how to properly maintain and store your LiFePO4 batteries to extend their lifespan and maximize your investment.

Dwight will cover how he find places to activate some of the more disperse entities in the POTA system, such as state forests, state trails, and wetland management districts.  The presentation will include demonstrations of how to use the various map resources to find accessible and safe places to activate.  Dwight will also show how to combine these resources to produce a successful and efficient multi-park activation in a day.

Matt Holden KØBBC and 3 Austrailians visited the South Pacific islands
in March 2024 for a ham radio adventure.  Come hear about what it
takes to pull off a suitcase sized island activation.

Congratulations on achieving your Amateur Radio Technician Class licenses, the fantastic world of Amateur Radio is just now opening up to you. In this seminar we will talk about what DXing means, how to maximizing your HF privileges, and how to be active and successful on VHF and up. We will briefly discuss HF and VHF propagation modes that you may experience as a Technician, operating modes such as FT8, CW and Phone, along with tips and techniques for working DX. This is a great opportunity to learn more about how to maximize your fun with your new license. Make sure to bring your questions along with you too.

Efficient, organized logging with good integration to a radio can make operating much more fun. This presentation will cover the basic operation of N1MM+ Logger, an overview of the DX spotting cluster, and how to set them up. These skills will help you with Parks on the Air, contesting, DXing, award chasing, public service communications, and general operating, regardless of license class or preferred band.

In this session, you will learn:

Basic logging with N1MM+ Logger; overview of advanced features of N1MM+ Logger; basic operation of the VE7CC DX cluster software.

This is an introductory-level presentation on the NEC antenna modeling package, available for free on multiple platforms. NEC allows you to model almost any antenna design to understand its operation and performance. This is NOT a comprehensive treatise on how NEC works; the scope of such a presentation is far beyond the time we have. Instead, NEC is treated as a “Black Box” that an amateur can use to try out antenna designs and modifications. 

 I have found NEC to be very is valuable for evaluating new designs to see if they will even work, before cutting up a bunch of wire or tubing.

 Among other designs, we will model the 2 Meter Yagi that is being offered for build in a subsequent session.

The youth lounge is new this year and will have multiple youth-friendly activities. There will be games for prizes, hands-on activities and drawings for prizes from our sponsors. We will also have information on many different topics including how to obtain a license, learn morse code and phonetics, digital operations, satellite operations, Summits On The Air, Parks On The Air, and Youth On The Air. Meet other youth in the hobby, get questions answered and have some fun!

TCFMC repeater system built on a Pi 3B+ with Full GUI, Compiler, SuperMon and functioning system.  We will have a brief demo with a remote control demonstration.  This will include a review of the issues we went through to make this all work with a Yaesu DR-2X repeater that works in FM and C4 on demand by the input signal.  It also includes the ability for other stations (and repeaters) to link to our system.  People with Pi and a headset can also link to this system.  We even have remote receive RF systems linking with a Pi.    Will we cover why you need someone good with C and good with Pi to make this all work well.  Having someone with a good service monitor (and knows how to use it) is a must as well.

 This session is purely “hands-on”. 

 I started this “Morse Code Youth Outreach ” effort decades ago. The mission statement has always been exposure to Morse, to provide an informed “taste” of Morse code to allow “yes”, “no”, or “perhaps” further investigation of the activity. The exposure to Morse is my aim and desire here. They have to be informed to know it is available as a lifelong activity for them.

I was age thirteen when I accidentally came across an amateur radio display at the local county fair where my 4H project was being shown.

If I had not happened to come across this exhibit at the right place and at the right time, my life would have been seriously degraded from the life I was given with Morse in it. It has been my addiction for most of my life.

This thought guides me constantly.

I am 73 years old now and I am seeking someone to join and carry the outreach into future years, when I am gone.

The outreach profile is on LinkedIn social media at URL: linkedin.com/in/duanewyatt.

If you are newly licensed, and you only had $100, how would you get on the air?

Getting started with Parks on the Air is easy, and although getting started may seem a bit intimidating, this session will help you learn about how POTA works, how you can participate as a hunter/chaser, and gain the confidence you need to get out to a park and have your own activation.

This session provides an overview of many amateur radio digital modes in use today. This session will focus on keyboard-to-keyboard digital modes. From old-school modes, like RTTY and AX.25 Packet, to more modern modes, such as VarAC. This session will help to navigate the current state of digital modes for those looking to broaden their horizons.

A look at the four ARRL operating awards (DXCC, VUCC, WAC, WAS); a bit about their history; and ways to qualify and apply for each award.

Ever wonder takes place after you submit a log in a contest and before the results are produced? Bill will give you a behind-the-scenes look as to what takes place after the contest, plus before and during the contest. Bill shares his experience as manager of the North American QSO Party Phone and Minnesota QSO Party events to cover this and other items.