MESHing Around: ÄRTEN™ Workshops Continue

The ÄRTEN™ project demonstrated a five (5) node MESH network at the March 20, 2023 FabNewport workshop.  The network consisted of: a range-extended GL.iNet AR150-Ext node (on tripod); a regular GL.iNet AR150-Ext; two GL.iNet AR300M16-Ext; and a Microtik SXTSQ Lite 2.  In addition, K1YBE demonstrated collecting CO2 measurements with two Vaisala GMP343 probes.

ÄRTEN™ Project goals were reviewed and consensus reached on a way forward using an Ethernet-enabled CO2 sensor.  A lively discussion on environmental monitoring in general and CO2 monitoring in specific ensued.

Details on the all aforementioned equipment can be found here.

ARRL Foundation Club Grant sponsored ÄRTEN™ microwave/mesh networking workshops continue at FabNewport on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 3:00pm.

Contact K1YBE for more info.

NCRC Pi Day Eve Special Event!

To celebrate the night before Pi Dayplease join us this Monday March 13th for a NCRC social hour from 6-7pm before the (hybrid) Monthly Meeting starts as usual at 7pm. We will be providing pizza, pies, coffee and cider. So come on down to St. Barnabas straight from work and talk radio with all of us, and have some fun.

(St. Barnabas Parish Hall, 1697 E Main Rd, Portsmouth. Parking Lot off Fairview Lane.)

W1LY has radio gear to raffle; John N1SMX will be on hand to help people renew their NCRC membership; and Dave KC1IPA can help you sign up or renew an ARRL membership so that the club gets a benefit!
Six club members just passed their license/license upgrade exam – so cheers to them, too! John Mills K1JSM and Paul K1YBE have planned Pi day activities, so there will be LOTS going on as we celebrate the return of Daylight Saving Time. (Maybe there will be some singing too?)

ARRL Foundation Club Grant Fuels NCRC VE Sessions

On March 11, 2023 NCRC held its first Volunteer Examiner licensing session using iPads purchased using an ARRL Foundation Club Grant.  Side-by-each testing during 2022 VE Sessions showed that Apple iPads performed better than Android devices for WiFi network stability and user (test taker) eye strain.

Seven test takers joined the session with two successful upgrades from Advanced to Amateur Extra; three successful upgrades from Technician to General class and one freshly minted Technician.

NCRC March Meeting

NCRC’s March Meeting will return to a hybrid in-person and Zoom meeting from 7:00pm to 8:30pm on Monday, March 13.  A ZOOM invitation will be sent out later this weekend.  In-person will be at St. Barnabas Parish Hall, 1697 East Main Rd. at Fairview Lane, Portsmouth RI – Doors open 6:30pm.  Minutes and Business Meeting slides will be posted as available.

A special presentation entitled ÄRTEN™ | NCRC’s ARRL Foundation Club Microwave Grant will given by lead engineer Paul Fredette, K1YBE. Slide deck is available here.

ÄRTEN™ (Amateur Radio Training Experiment Network) is a pilot community engagement learning opportunity in the 1-10GHz Super High Frequency (SHF) ham bands at the intersection of amateur radio + mesh network technology. Learn more about the opportunities unleashed by this $8K grant and how to get involved this year. (Hybrid)