2012 San Mateo Maker Faire Amateur Radio Exhibit
Foothills Amateur Radio Society (FARS) co-sponsored an exhibition of Amateur Radio Technology at the 2012 San Mateo Maker's Faire. Many local group and their members from around the bay area participated. The goal was was project building for amateur radio.
Several local organizations participated and visitors saw that there are many groups with people of all ages participating. We are an active and social group. We had an amazing array of Ham Radio demonstrations. We showed off the technology of amateur radio.
Earning your first amateur radio license, called a technician, is relatively easy now that the morse code requirement has been removed. The pool of questions and answers for tests are public. Out of the possible 400+ multiple choice questions in the pool, you are asked 35 and must answer 26 correctly to pass. There are plenty of on line and printed tutorials to help you learn the material.
FARS was a primary sponsor, pledging equipment, money and support. The ARRL also stepped up and paid many of the exhibit expenses at the Faire.
Hams have long been DIYers. Many of the first amateur radios built were made from parts around the workshop, or modified military radios. Today we make great use of microprocessors. This year we featured home brew projects that use Arduinos and PIC processors.
- We have geiger counters using APRS.
- We havve an antenna communicating with a PC to lock onto satellites for easier communications.
- We have a bicycle mounted, motion activated APRS transmitter.
- An APRS data logger.
- A spectrum display or FFT display of the audio signals.
- Plus other projects.
Visit and learn how amateur radio operators love to experiment and play with microprocessors.
Links and Contact Information
- Yahoo group for this event Maker Faire Hams. If you are a HAM and want to participate, just click on the link and jump in, the water is fine.
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- ARRL Emergency Communications
- ARRL Technology Overview
- South Bay Amateur Radio Association(SBARA)
- Palo Alto Amateur Radio Association (PAARA)
- Email Michael Pechner, NE6RD for more information.
Last updated Saturday, 05-Mar-2022 13:31:32 PST