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Amateur Radio Technology Day

Bookmark Am-Tech Day
[slaclogo]

May 2, 2009

8:00am — 9:00pm

[Panoramic View]

13 Hours of Fun Amateur Radio Activities in
Menlo Park one Saturday a month!

our 54th Am-Tech Day

Panofsky Auditorium
Presentations

Demystifying Radio Control Interfaces
1:30 PM
Umesh Ghodke, K6VUG

Modern day ham radio transceivers have come a long way and include some features only dreamed of a decode ago. Interestingly, a new slew of interface devices and software has emerged to take advantage of these new features via commonly available personal computers. As with any new technology, these devices and software are confronting the ham radio operator with new learning curves and challenges. Contradiction of new advances leading to more effort may easily be cleared up once the basic concepts are clearly stated. The intent is to lay bare the state-of-the-art so that everyone may make educated choices and enjoy the hobby, more than ever, as it was intended.

The presentation will start with a brief overview of ham radio transceivers and personal computers. We will then proceed to highlight some of the newly available operating modes and features of ham radio and expose the various types of possible interfaces between the personal computer to the radio transceiver. The next part of the talk will proceed to illustrate the concepts discussed with my own equipment. The final, Q&A session, will give the audience the chance to ask questions pertaining to their own situations, and each question will be handled as a brief case study to try to resolve the issue. [edit]

Sign up to speak at Am-Tech Day

Prospective speakers may make a request to speak at an upcoming Amateur Radio Technology Day event using the form on this page.

Get On The Air (GOTA) High Frequency Radio Station on Air All Day!
9:00 AM — 9:00 PM

At the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

BE THERE RAIN OR SHINE

SLAC has graciously given us use of a large indoor and outdoor activity area, including a large auditorium and a picnic area to practice and demonstrate our amateur radio skills.

COME FOR THE FUN!

Even if you don't have a radio or antenna to bring, come anyway, and get to mingle, make new friends, and have a chance to use some of the gear other hams have set up. Bring your family and friends!

STAY TO OPERATE

We provide the space, a refrigerator and BBQ grills, but you provide the radios, antennas, and food for yourself. There are a few rules on what you can and can't bring please see the reverse side or our Web site for complete details.

LEAVE ENRICHED

We usually have at least one lecture on the latest ham technology. But if the lectures don't interest you, mingle with the crowd, and you'll surely find another ham that can teach you about operating in general or about the latest cool thing.


Sign up to receive reminders of upcoming Amateur Radio Technology Days
on the FARS Announcement email list.

Sponsored by the Foothills Amateur Radio Society.
For full details, visit: http://www.fars.k6ya.org/amtechday



Amateur Radio Technology Day — Notes & Directions

BRING YOUR OWN GEAR

SLAC is providing the space, but you bring all the equipment and food you need. A BBQ grill, charcoal, and refrigerator are available.

  • Show a photo ID at the gate, and sign-in at the table inside the building.
  • AC power supplies and amplifiers must be UL-listed, have a similar safety endorsement, or be approved by the SLAC Electrical Safety Officer.
  • A limited number of AC outlets are available inside and outside, but since we're not allowed to plug power strips into extension cords, bringing along a 35'-100' extension cord with multiple built-in outlets would be quite helpful.
  • Gel-cell batteries 50 amp hours or less are allowed, so long as there are no exposed conductors. Use electrical tape, shrink-wrap, or similar materials to cover the terminals. No wet-cell batteries or car/truck batteries are allowed.
  • Alcohol, firearms, flammable liquids, and other dangerous weapons are strictly prohibited.

We have free use of this great site, but we need to comply with the SLAC, OSHA, and fire marshal safety rules. For those who are curious, we need to comply with NFPA-70E and OSHA 1910 (subpart S) electrical safety regulations.

DIRECTIONS

Amateur Radio Technology Day can be reached easily from Highways 101 and 280. SLAC is located off of Sand Hill Road, less than a mile east of Interstate 280 (towards the bay).

  • From U.S. 101, turn west onto either University Avenue or Embarcadero Road, then turn right (north) onto El Camino Real and then left (west) onto Sand Hill Road, and continue approximately 2.6 miles west, turning left at Saga Lane.
  • From Interstate 280, turn east (towards the bay) onto Sand Hill Road, and proceed approximately 0.8 mile, turning right at Saga Lane.

Once you turn onto Saga Lane, turn left after the guard shack onto Loop Road and follow the signs to the parking lots below Panofsky Auditorium, located around the bend (Parking lot C). Park and walk up the concrete path to the buildings.

[Aerial view]
Aerial view of the site
[SLAC Map]

2575 Sand Hill Rd.
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(0.8 mile east of Hwy 280 on Sand Hill Road)


Talk-In Frequency: N6NFI: 145.230MHz/Offset: -600Hz/PL: 100Hz

Sponsored by the Foothills Amateur Radio Society.
For full details, visit: http://www.fars.k6ya.org/amtechday