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Binghamton Amateur Radio Association – May 2025
International Marconi Day 2025 Marconi Tower, 45 Lewis Street, Binghamton, NY
On Saturday, April 26th, BARA participated in International Marconi Day, celebrating Guglielmo Marconi's substantial contribution to the invention of radio, which is held annually on the Saturday closest to Marconi's birthday. Participating stations are located at historic sites related to Marconi's life & career as BARA members operated from the historic Marconi Tower located next to the baseball stadium and train station in downtown Binghamton.
One iconic tower in Binghamton took center stage during this year’s International Marconi Day, an event honoring Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of the radio. The celebration unfolded at the historic Marconi Tower, located at 45 Lewis Street in downtown Binghamton. This site holds significant historical value as it was the location of Marconi’s pioneering experiments in wireless communication with moving trains, a groundbreaking achievement of its time.
Event organizer Allen Lutins, KC2KLC shared his reflections on the day: “Through tuning around the different bands, perseverance, and leveraging digital modes that cut through the noise, we reached stations in multiple countries and connected with many operators across the United States.”
The Marconi Tower remains a historical gem, celebrated for its role in advancing radio technology. The annual event serves not only as a tribute to Marconi’s genius but also as a bridge between history and modern communication, inspiring both seasoned radio enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike. lutins.org/marconi/imd.html W3USR Ham Radio Open House 2025
Several BARA members attended the Ham Radio Open House at the University of Scranton. This special event, held in celebration of Citizen Science Month and World Amateur Radio Day brought together university students, faculty, and amateur radio operators to explore the intersection of citizen science and radio technology.
The University’s Amateur Radio Club Station W3USR joined forces with Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and SciStarter as part of the “One Million Acts of Science” initiative. By aligning with these organizations, the event underscored the vital role of amateur radio in large-scale scientific data collection and public engagement. · Welcome & Overview: Dr. Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, Associate Professor of Physics and Electrical Engineering, Faculty Advisor to W3USR, and founder of HamSCI opened the program with remarks on the synergy between amateur radio and scientific research. · Scientific Talk: Rob Robinett, AI6VN, the founder of WSPRDaemon and a key HamSCI collaborator, delivered a presentation titled “Next-Generation HamSCI Receive System: Advancing Space Weather Monitoring,” highlighting recent advances in real-time ionospheric sensing. · Lunch at Trax Bar & Kitchen: Attendees enjoyed a group lunch at Trax Bar & Kitchen, located in the historic Lackawanna Radisson Hotel, a former Marconi Tower Location and train station adjacent to campus that provided further opportunities for networking and discussion. · Tour of W3USR: Following lunch, the group toured the university’s HF and VHF facilities, learning about the station’s equipment, networked geophysical sensors, and student-led experimentation.
BARA members expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage with fellow amateur radio enthusiasts and university faculty, and to learn more about the intersection of amateur radio and scientific research. The visit highlighted the growing relevance of amateur radio in academic research and demonstrated how university-affiliated stations like W3USR are helping to shape the future of radio science.
Dr. Frissell will be the featured speaker at Kopernik Observatory’s Friday Night Program on Friday, May 23, 2025, where he will discuss the latest findings from HamSCI and the role of academic stations in space-weather research. Doug’s Fish Fry Fundraiser
Our Doug’s Fish Fry fundraiser was well attended as many members and friends come out to support the club and enjoy some delicious seafood. The event featured a variety of seafood options prepared fresh on-site, including Doug’s famous fried haddock, shrimp, scallops, and their special Thursday offering of onion rings. This fundraiser provided an excellent opportunity for our club to raise funds while engaging with the local community. Mark your calendars with our future Doug’s Fish Fry Fundraiser Events on Thursday, June 26th and on Thursday, September 18th. Greater
Binghamton Bridge Run
Several members of our club provided valuable communications support during the Greater Binghamton Bridge Run. This popular annual race, organized by the Triple Cities Runners Club, relies on amateur radio operators to help ensure smooth coordination and runner safety. Under the direction of Ford Drake, AB2HS, our volunteers were stationed at key locations along the course, including water stations, to provide reliable communication throughout the event. Thank you to all who participated and contributed their time, equipment, and expertise. Your involvement not only demonstrated the capabilities of amateur radio to the public but also reinforced our commitment to public service. Volunteer Exam (VE) Test
Session
Held one hour before our monthly member meetings, our VE Sessions provide an excellent opportunity for those looking to earn their amateur radio license or upgrade their existing privileges. Walk-ins are allowed.
For more information: larc-vec.org/displayteam.php?team=BARA BARA Monthly Club Meeting
We are pleased to announce that our own Evan K2EJT will be our guest speaker at this month’s club meeting. Evan is an enthusiastic and experienced operator with a strong focus on QRP and CW operations. Many in the amateur radio community know him for his outstanding YouTube channel, where he shares real-world portable operations, equipment reviews, and CW techniques. His videos cover a range of engaging topics, including antenna design and deployment strategies, comparisons of popular rigs, CW decoding techniques, ham radio as a preparedness tool, minimalist and ultralight radio setups, Parks on the Air (POTA), and Summits on the Air (SOTA). His channel is especially valued for its practical approach to field communications and the relatable, hands-on style of instruction.
This promises to be a highly engaging and informative session, and we anticipate a strong turnout. BARA meetings are open to all; if you have an interest in amateur radio, you are welcome to join us. Attendees can expect a thoughtful discussion that blends technical detail with field-tested advice. It is a great opportunity to connect with fellow ham radio enthusiasts, exchange knowledge, and learn from shared experiences, whether you are an old-timer or just getting started.
Unable to attend in person? Click here to Join the Meeting via Zoom. B.A.R.A Spring Hamfest
Talk in Frequency: 146.79 Repeater ( -600 ) PL 141.3
Our sister club in New Jersey, the Bergen Amateur Radio Association, hosts its Spring Hamfest, a semi-annual event that brings together amateur radio, computer, and electronics enthusiasts for a day of bargains, discovery, and networking. Attendees can explore a diverse range of vendor offerings and find excellent deals on computer, electronics, and ham radio equipment. Admission is only $5.00 per person (with free admission for wives and children). Vendor spaces are available for $15.00, which includes two spaces plus one complimentary admission, and no reservations are required.
The event offers ample free parking, indoor restroom facilities, and on-site refreshments, including breakfast and lunch, to ensure a comfortable experience for everyone. Vendors have flexible setup options; they may use a combination of parked vehicles and open areas or opt for two open spaces with separate parking. Attendees are welcome to bring their QSL cards for DXCC award checking services provided by the North Jersey DX Association. In the event of rain, Check the B.A.R.A. Website for the most up to date information. For Sale - Amateur Radio Equipment Contact Ed Lancki N2BHD via email at [email protected]
For a complete listing of available equipment, please visit: qsl.net/bara/k2tdv
This is an update to the ham radio gear available from the estate of Jerry Adams, K2TDV (SK). This collection includes equipment from respected brands such as Ameritron, Hallicrafters, Icom, Kenwood, and Yaesu. Using The Baofeng Radio
ARRL Item No. 2240, Retail $19.95
Using the Baofeng® Radio is the definitive reference for mastering handheld amateur‐radio operation. Whether you are transmitting for the first time or refining advanced programming techniques, this comprehensive guide equips you with everything necessary to operate your UV-5R, UV-82, or DR-1801UV both legally and safely. Detailed, model-specific walk-throughs include annotated diagrams and real-world configuration examples, while clear tutorials explain manual frequency entry, CHIRP software programming, and digital mobile radio (DMR) setup, each accompanied by troubleshooting tips to help you overcome common errors.
Legal and safety guidelines outline FCC regulations, antenna precautions, and responsible operating etiquette, ensuring that you remain fully compliant and protected in the field. Quick-reference cheat sheets consolidate the most frequently used settings, repeater offsets, and tone codes into easy-to-use tables, and “lessons learned” anecdotes from seasoned Baofeng advocate John Leonardelli, VE3IPS, offer insider tips to help you avoid pitfalls and connect smoothly with fellow amateurs. By working through the examples and exercises in Using the Baofeng® Radio, you will gain the confidence to explore simplex calling, repeater operation, and digital modes, transforming your handheld rig into a gateway to new friendships and adventures. This book is designed not only as an introductory manual but as a lasting reference you will return to time and again.
To order: home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2029375089
SARC
Cortland Hamfest
Join the Skyline Amateur Radio Club for the annual Cortland Hamfest and Technology Fair. Admission is $6.00 per person, with children under 12 admitted free. The outdoor flea market is free with admission and offers a wide range of equipment, components, and electronics for sale and trade. For those seeking indoor space, there are 25 indoor flea market spaces available for $10.00 per 10-foot length, offered on a first-come, first-served basis; participants should bring their own tables, and electricity is available. Amateur Radio Licensing exams will be available beginning at 9:00 AM, administered by the Liverpool Amateur Repeater Club. Pre-registration is encouraged, though walk-ins are welcome. Talk-in will be available on the K2IWR repeater at 147.180 MHz (+600) with a PL tone of 71.9 Hz. For more information or to register for VE testing, please visit skylinehamradioclub.org
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