|    Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) April/May 2024In this issue...  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *   ---  Upcoming Community Deadlines and Notices  * **Next Grant Application Deadline:** The next deadline for submitting a grant application is **July 1**. Applications received after this date will be reviewed after September 1, 2024, .  ---  Remembering John Hays (K7VE) SKJohn Hays (K7VE) at SEA-PAC As many of you likely know by now, we recently lost one of our beloved colleagues and friends: John Hays K7VE.  Those who knew John – of which there were many – knew he was incredibly passionate about amateur radio and a brilliant engineer. First licensed in 1973 under the call sign WN7WHV, John was a skilled operator with an Extra Class license, as well as a skilled organizer in the amateur radio community. He was a founding member of several ham organizations and an active participant in many more, attending a weekly breakfast gathering with other hams at his local club. He also served as a Volunteer Examiner, helping to bring more people into the amateur radio community.    ---  ARDC Launches 44Net Portal 2.0 Home page for 44Net Portal 2.0ARDC is thrilled to publicly announce the launch of the 44Net Portal 2.0, now live at < This update brings a host of new features and improvements aimed to enhance the overall user experience, including:   * an improved, modern user interface (UI), * a modern, secure framework, * capability to facilitate a pool of administrators, * DNS management, and * a new ticketing system to improve support response time.   For more information about these features, check out the , which also covers how to get started with requesting 44Net address space.    ---  Grantee Updates and Interviews from the 2024 HamSCI WorkshopM17 Announces New Open-Source Hardware for Amateur Radio Enthusiasts and Enhancements to Current Offerings M17 logoFunded by a grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), M17 is excited to announce the following enhancements to their current hardware solutions for amateur radio operators as well as a new hardware offering, all of which include: Module17 – an M17 modem that converts a 9600 baud capable radio into an M17 transceiver; OpenHT – a cutting-edge QRP dual-band handheld transceiver (HT) that utilizes SDR technology; and a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) – a comprehensive, UHF FM/M17 ‘repeater in a box’, optimally designed for close antenna placement, enhancing signal strength and reliability. . ARDC Grantees at the 2024 HamSCI Workshop At , Rebecca (KO4KVG) caught up with ARDC Grantees from the  and . NRAO Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) Project Grantees from National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) project at the 2024 HamSCI Workshop. Top right: Abigail Swanberg (KQ4MHA), Erin McDonald (KQ4IES), Nejon McBride-Stubbs (KJ5AXD); bottom right: Xander Whittington-Speck (KJ5DDU), Mia Bridges (KQ4MGZ); right: NRAO logo. Check out this  to learn more about NRAO’s EMS project from Erin (KQ4IES), Abigail (KQ4MHA), and Nejon (KJ5AXD) and also hear about Mia (KQ4MGZ) and Xander’s (KJ5DDU) experiences operating the 20m telescope at the . Youth on the Air (YOTA) Grantees from Youth on the Air (YOTA) at the 2024 HamSCI Workshop. Left to right: Katie Campbell (KE8LQR), Jack Roberts (W9RFT).Watch this  to learn more about  from YOTA PR Team Members Katie (KE8LQR) and Jack (W9RFT).   ---  Highlights from the April 2024 Grantee Gathering On April 10, we kicked off our second year of hosting Grantee Gatherings. About 30 participants joined us on Zoom to share their tips, successes, and challenges with project management. There was lots of synergy between grantees, and many were interested in connecting with each other post-gathering to share resources and seek advice (our  is a great place for this!).  Some of the major takeaways from the meeting were the following:   * Having a clear scope, goal, and leader can help keep things on track with a given project * Prompting your team to think about the multiple next steps ahead helps to stay on track with a project * When working with volunteers, a stewardship plan that makes everyone feel important to the team can keep everyone focused   Stay tuned for our next Gathering, which will be scheduled for the Fall of 2024. A big thank you to all that were able to join us last month!   ---  ARDC Team Spotlight This month’s spotlight will be highlighting TAC member Alvaro Prieto (KC2VVE) and GET member Scott Czeck (KC1GHT). Alvaro Prieto (KC2VVE) Alvaro Prieto (KC2VVE) headshotAlvaro is serving his second year on the TAC, where he has made significant contributions to testing routers for the 44Net Portal. For 2024, he is currently a part of the Outreach Subcommittee, which will aim to engage with members of the community to bring awareness to 44Net. Outside of volunteering at ARDC, Alvaro enjoys building open source hardware tools and is a co-host of the , where he and his friend Jen speak to their guests about reverse engineering hardware methodologies and projects. When he’s not on the air or taking on an open source project, he enjoys cheesemaking and tending to his vegetable garden, where we won’t say no to samples if he brings them to our booth at a hamfest! To learn more about Alvaro and his recent projects, be sure to check out his personal website at . Scott Czeck (KC1GHT) Scott Czeck (KC1GHT) headshotA member of the inaugural GET, Scott enjoys reading and learning about the interesting and diverse projects and programs that ARDC has funded. While learning about these projects, he also likes hearing the perspectives of his fellow GET members, as well as hearing more about their unique backgrounds. When he’s not volunteering with ARDC, Scott spends his time building and experimenting with antennas, namely in the VHF and UHF bands. He also enjoys experimenting with SDRs and digital modes. If you’d like to learn more about Scott and his projects, be sure to visit , his personal website.  Thanks to all of you for your contributions toward carrying out our  at ARDC!   ---  Come See Us at Hamvention and Other Events this Summer!Dayton Hamvention ARDC will be out and about in May: you will be able to find our team at the following event(s):   *  – May 17 - 19, 2024, Xenia, OH * , June 28 - 30, Friedrichshafen, Germany  ---  Contact Us! We always want to hear from you:   * Visit our website:  * General info: contact@ardc.net * Information and questions about grants: giving@ardc.net * 44Net issues: contact@ardc.net * Groups.io:  * Twitter / X:  * Facebook:  * LinkedIn:   ---  ARDC's Mission The mission of Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) is to support, promote, and enhance digital communication and broader communication science and technology, to promote amateur radio, scientific research, experimentation, education, development, open access, and innovation in information and communication technology.   ---  To change your subscription, . |
| --- |
|    Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) March 2024In this issue...  *  *  *  *  *  *  *   ---  Upcoming Community Deadlines and Notices  * **Next Grant Application Deadline:** The next deadline for submitting a grant application is **April 1**. Applications received after this date will be reviewed after July 1, 2024, . * **Next Grantee Gathering:** The next Grantee Gathering will be on **April 10, 2024** at 11a PDT / 2p EDT / 6p UTC. The theme of this meeting is ‘Project Management.’ If you’re interested in meeting fellow ARDC grantees, learning from one another, and sharing your experiences, then this gathering is for you! Please note that attendance is completely optional.  ---  Grantee Interviews from the ARISS 40th Anniversary Conference and Orlando HamCation Last month, we spoke to many of our grantees while in the Orlando area. ARDC Grantees at ARISS 40th Anniversary Conference At the , Rosy (KJ7RYV) caught up with ARDC ARRL Scholars Hope Lea (ND2L) and Ruth Willet (KM4LAO). Hope Lea (ND2L) Hope Lea (ND2L) at ARISS 40th Anniversary Conference In this , learn more about Hope’s work at the . Ruth Willet (KM4LAO) Ruth Willet (KM4LAO) at ARISS 40th Anniversary ConferenceCheck out this  to learn more about Ruth’s graduate research at Penn State as well as her involvement with . ARDC Grantees at Orlando HamCation Grantees from York County Amateur Radio Society (YCARS), Fauquier Cty. 4-H Ham Radio Club, FreeDV, M17, HamSCI, and Radio Scouting, Inc. at Orlando HamCation 2024At , Rebecca (KO4KVG) caught up with many of our grantees at the event to learn more about the impact that ARDC grants have had on their projects: check out this  to see what our grantees have been up to!   ---  What ARDC Has Been Up ToNonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) 2024About 3000 people from nonprofits all over the country gathered for the , held from March 13 - 15 in Portland. Executive Director Rosy Schechter (KJ7RYV) attended to connect with other nonprofits and learn more about their operations. Discussions at the conference focused on ideas and issues related to nonprofit technology, and quite often open source technology. This was a great opportunity to be exposed to a big community network of nonprofits, and we look forward to attending this event in the future! HamSCI Workshop 2024Grantees from National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) giving a talk at the 2024 HamSCI WorkshopPhil Karn (KA9Q) giving a tutorial on KA9Q-Radio at the 2024 HamSCI WorkshopJohn Hays (K7VE) and Rebecca Key (KO4KVG) at the Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) booth at the 2024 HamSCI Workshop John (K7VE), Phil (KA9Q), and Rebecca (KO4KVG) attended the  from March 22 - 23 at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. In addition to the folks with  and the , we connected with many of our other grantees, including folks from the , , and . We also saw former ARDC Board Member Bob McGwier (N4HY) at the event. Trekking through the snow on Day 2, attendees got a tutorial from Board Member Phil Karn on *The KA9Q-Radio SDR Package* and also learned more about 44Net and our Grants Program at John’s forum.  For hams interested in the ionosphere, HamSCI workshops are absolutely worth attending. Phil is also a fan of this event, stating “I was very impressed. Lots of very good presentations, with many sharp young students. We could still use a lot more of this kind of thing.” All in all, it was great meeting and reconnecting with the folks at HamSCI, and we look forward to hearing about the  happening next month. Major kudos to HamSCI and W8EDU for organizing an excellent workshop!   ---  ARDC Team Spotlight This month’s spotlight will be highlighting GAC member Bill Thomas (WT0DX); TAC member Chip Eckardt (W9OQI); and GET members Willi Kraml (OE1WKL) and Ben Greve (KO4KVH). Bill Thomas (WT0DX) Bill Thomas (WT0DX) headshotBill has been on the GAC for two years. During this time, he cites the  project, a 1U CubeSat built by students in segregated communities in Nepal to learn about space systems engineering, as being one of the most memorable projects that ARDC has funded. Outside of ARDC, Bill serves as webmaster for many Groups.io forums, YouTube channels, and many ham radio club websites. Bill also enjoys operating his remote ham station, traveling, and photography. If you’d like to learn more about Bill, he’s good on , and be sure to check out the  where he was one of Eric’s (4Z1UG) guests! Chip Eckardt (W9OQI) Chip Eckardt (W9OQI) headshotChip is currently serving out his third year on the TAC, where he is currently part of the Outreach Subcommittee. Regarding what he enjoys about the TAC, he states “what I really like is everyone is willing to share and explore ideas and build upon those ideas to make a better product for amateur radio operators.” A ham for the last five years, not only does Chip run a regular net and enjoy making HF QSOs, he also values learning about the hobby from others more experienced: in fact, you can find him “tagging along” on club outings involving repeater site maintenance. When Chip is not OTA, you can find him at a local pickleball court, as he has recently taken up the hobby. To learn more about Chip, be sure to check out his page on . Willi Kraml (OE1WKL) Willi Kraml (OE1WKL) headshotAs a member of the inaugural GET, Willi likes the opportunity that serving on the committee provides in contributing to the grantmaking process; he also enjoys learning about the interesting projects from our grantees and how these projects progress during their various phases. Outside of ARDC, Willi developed the Morserino-32 morse code trainer, where his work earned a CWOps award for “advancing the art of CW.” You can also find him at , where he often volunteers. Outside of ham radio, Willi is a music lover who not only enjoys attending concerts, he also sings in two different choirs. For more information about Willi, check out his . Ben Greve (KO4KVH) Ben Greve (KO4KVH) headshotAnother inaugural member of the GET, Ben not only likes learning about the different projects that ARDC has funded, he has also enjoyed getting to know his fellow volunteers, stating “everyone serving on the GET has really interesting backgrounds.” Beyond the GET, Ben loves to participate in outdoor activities, such as cycling, hiking, or running. In fact, these outdoor activities led Ben to getting an amateur radio license, which has ultimately resulted in many  and  adventures. Off the air, you can find Ben either turning wrenches on his cars or at his industrial sewing machine making automotive upholstery. For more information about Ben, check out his pages on  or .  Thanks to all of you for your contributions toward carrying out our  at ARDC!   ---  Come See Us at Hamvention!Dayton Hamvention ARDC will be out and about in May: you will be able to find our team at the following event:   *  – May 17 - 19, 2024, Xenia, OH  ---  Contact Us! We always want to hear from you:       - Visit our website:  - General info: contact@ardc.net - Information and questions about grants: giving@ardc.net - 44Net issues: contact@ardc.net - Groups.io:    Twitter / X: Facebook: LinkedIn:    ---  ARDC's Mission The mission of Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) is to support, promote, and enhance digital communication and broader communication science and technology, to promote amateur radio, scientific research, experimentation, education, development, open access, and innovation in information and communication technology.   ---  To change your subscription, . |