FRIDAY, APRIL 25th
HF University Bill Mader, K8TE
Friday, April 25 9:00 – 5:00 Metcalf Bay Room
HF University will give you the strategies, techniques, and resources to make contacts beyond the range of the local repeaters. We’ll welcome you to a whole new world of ham radio: its horizons, literally and figuratively, whether you are a Technician Class considering an upgrade to General, or an Extra looking new ideas to enjoy the world of High Frequencies even more!
Our presenter is experienced on a wide variety of ham radio-related subjects and has given talks at DX University, New Mexico TechFest, HamCom, the International DX Convention at Visalia CA, QuartzFest, the Duke City Hamfest and numerous other venues. You’ll be treated to professional presentations you will use from that day on. You won’t have any trouble hearing or seeing everything, all day long! All presentations will contain numerous references for your further study.
HF operating opens an unlimited number of possibilities from antenna experiments to passing message for a sailor broken down on his boat in a distant ocean.
Session 1 History of and Introduction to HF Operating
Session 2 Rigs Models, Types, Cost for Web
Session 3 Antennas and Propagation for the Web
Session 4 Operating Modes
Session 5 Operating Activities
Session 6 Computers in the HF Shack for the Web
Session 7 Questions and Answers
Contact Bill Mader, K8TE, Dean of Instruction, at K8TE@ARRL.net for answers or just register at https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/BigBearHamEscape.
SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH
Wildfire Fire Watch Programs, Establish Your Own Ray Hutchinson, AE6H
Saturday, April 26 9:00 – 10:00 Timbers Room
How to establish a Ham Radio based Wild Fire Watch program for your area. Using the Orange County Fire Watch program as an example, we'll explore ways you can become a valuable public service to help safeguard your fire prone areas.
New Hams: FT8 on a Budget! Gary Johnson, AA6GJ
Saturday, April 26 1:00 - 2:00 Sawmill Room
This session is specifically designed for the Technician Class Ham, but of course all are welcome. Our objective is to set up an inexpensive five-watt base or portable station for operation on FT8 or SSB. We will be setting up and operating a Xiegu G106 HF Portable Transceiver. We will also show how to download and set up WSJT-X and more. Come join us as we have fun on 10 meters!
Will it Work? Tom Schiller, N6BT
Saturday, April 26 2:30-3:30 Boulder Bay Room
Tom’s presentation describes a purchase thought process, various antennas and how to look at the specifications and descriptions to figure out the probability/possibility of it being an efficient and effective HF antenna.
New Hams: 10-Meter Budget Antenna! Gary Johnson, AA6GJ
Saturday, April 26 2:30 – 3:30 Sawmill Room
This session is specifically designed for the Technician Class Ham, but of course all are welcome. This session is the “lab” portion of the “FT8 on a Budget” session. Our objective is to design and show how to build an inexpensive ten-meter dipole antenna for portable use. Our plan is to build and operate a couple of these antennas. So, come join us as we have some fun on 10-meters.
POTA Workshop John Kitchens, NS6X, Savi Savinovich, W1SAV, Jenna Canillas, WW0MAN and Neil Jessen, N6VHF
Saturday April 26 9:00 to 4:00 Holcomb Room (Downstairs)
The workshop will contain not only presentations but also a chance to see much of the gear used for POTA activations or for being a hunter. An outdoor afternoon session will provide opportunities to set up different antennas, radio and get on the air
In the classroom we will cover how to register on the POTA website, logging, posting logs, activating, hunting, antennas for the field, radio options, SSB, CW and planning a POTA adventure. We will also share some of the on-line and smart phone tools.
Each attendee will receive a special memento for participation. At the end of the day there will be a raffle drawing for those who attended the workshop. Items for the raffle include antennas, carbon fiber masts, ARRL POTA books, small SWR meters and a POTA mouse pad.
What’s up with the ARRL? Bob Turner, W6RHK
Saturday, April 26 9:00-10:00 Sawmill Room
The ARRL's activities can be categorized into five pillars: Public Service, Advocacy, Education, Technology, and Membership. This includes a comprehensive overview of the actions taken by ARRL for its members and the amateur radio community at large, with some actions being widely recognized and others less known. The efforts of ARRL benefit all amateur radio operators. Discover what the American Radio Relay League is all about.
Powering PAPA: Tech & Trends Michael Rickey, AF6FB
Saturday, April 26 2:30-3:30 Timbers Room
Discover how the PAPA amateur radio club is advancing with technology. This talk briefly touches on our history before exploring PAPA's current status, active projects, and emerging member trends. We'll also discuss our strategies for recruitment and retention, highlighting how leveraging new tech enhances the amateur radio experience and secures a vibrant future for PAPA.
Young Ladies' Radio League Debbie Johnson, WB6LVC
Saturday, April 26 4:00-5:00 Sawmill Room
In this forum, Debbie Johnson, WB6LVC, the District 6 Chairperson for the Young Ladies' Radio League, will present an overview of the organization’s background, how being a member will benefit you and a more in-depth look at the group’s website. Attendees will discuss their interests and activities, and, most importantly, they will network to investigate strategies to promote role models, mentoring and greater YL inclusion in the amateur community. All are welcome.
Digital TV Joel Wilhite, KD6W and Gary Heston, W6KVC
Saturday 26th 10:30 - 11:30 Boulder Bay
This session is specifically designed for the Technician Class Ham, but all are welcome. Our objective is to explain what all the parts and pieces needed are to begin operations in ATV. Bonus, if you are an ICOM IC-905 owner, we will also cover the basic requirements to operate ATV using an IC-905 too. We will also have live demos operating through the entire event, both inside and outside in front of the hotel.
The session is jam packed with enough information to cover a wide range of points and concepts with the hope to leave the audience with enough information to go out and build and activate their own amateur television station. No matter if you are considering a home QTH studio or operation from the field for contests, POTA, SOTA, FD, any kind of rover activity, we will include system designs for these and emergency situations.
Both Gary and I combined have worked in professional broadcast over 50 years and will be happy to take questions afterwards. We will have a sign-up sheet to allow those interested to receive more information.
ARRL Ham Instructor Academy Gordon West, WB6NOA and Gary Johnson, AA6GJ
Gordon West, WB6NOA, ARRL National Instructor
Saturday, April 26 10:30-11:30 Sawmill Room
Watch some of the most live memorable class "demos" West and his team use to keep students on their edge of their seats. Learn how YOU can teach classes that get the students through the exams, and more important, get them ON THE AIR. "Gordo" and team show how to register to become ARRL Instructors to gain free access to the League's Learning Center. Watch fellow ARRL instructors Gary and Debra (AA6GJ and WB6LVC) created video short-shots of moving waveforms with full sound effects, free from the Learning Center, and free for League members to become an ARRL registered instructor. Plenty of props and laughs where West reveals some of his most action-packed activities, where students become the stars!
All About Starlink and Ham Radio Aaron Scullin, K6AMS
Saturday, April 26 2:30-3:30 Metcalf Bay Room
This presentation introduces Starlink as a valuable tool for amateur radio operators and emergency communicators, offering reliable internet access in remote areas and during disasters. It compares different Starlink dish options, highlights unique use cases for amateur radio such as keeping Winlink gateways operational, and discusses mounting solutions and subscription plans. The presentation encourages viewers to explore Starlink for improved connectivity and offers an affiliate link for a free month of service.
Summits on the Air (SOTA): Your First Activation Mark Knight, KD7DTS
Saturday, April 26 1:00-2:00 Metcalf Bay Room
Mountains are the tallest 'tower' you'll ever use! This talk provides a step-by-step introduction to how you can go from dreaming of a panoramic shack-in-the-sky to doing it, including planning, safety, gear selection, activation techniques, and logging contacts. If you've previously tried POTA and loved the every-day-is-field-day experience, then SOTA offers a perfect pairing... where every day a passionate chaser community treats you like rare DX!
Why M17 is better than other digital modes Jerry Wanger, KK6LFS
Saturday 26th 9:00 – 10:00 Boulder Bay
The M17 presentation will explain why the M17 protocol is better than the other available protocols, which radios support the M17 protocol, what is the difference between the CS7000 M17 and CS7000 M17 PLUS radio verses its competition, why the CS7000 M17 and CS7000 M17 PLUS radios were developed and why there will probably be no serious competition against those radios in the future. We will then present the future features of the CS7000 M17 PLUS radio. As a bonus, we did an analysis of using AI (artificial intelligence) of the basic questions we will be answering here and compare it against reality. We will also show how AI is being used in the development of the new features of the radio.
Radio Terminology and Emergency Operating Procedures Bill Mader, K8TE
Saturday, April 26 9:00-10:00 Metcalf Bay Room
Anyone can push the PTT button and transmit. Many of us lack the background of appropriate operating procedures and correct terminology to use, especially in an emergency. This presentation covers the information necessary to be excellent Amateur Radio Operators. It takes participants from mediocre to effective communicators. Join us to become the example for others to follow
P-A-C-E Planning and Preparation Rick Schirmer, KK6CTT
Saturday April 26 4:00 - 5:00 Timbers Room
P-A-C-E: Primary, Alternate, Contingency and Emergency planning, preparation and execution. Whether you are preparing to conduct a SOTA/POTA, a community service event or work through an emergency deployment; understanding how to implement the use of the P-A-C-E acronym can become a very simple and useful tool. Planning “in depth” recognizes this adage, “One is none, two is one and three or more evens the score...!”
Batteries, Solar and Controllers Kevin Zanjani, KI6DHQ
Saturday, April 26 4:00-5:00 Boulder Bay Room
Kevin Zanjani, with Bioenno Power will be providing an exciting overview of Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries and solar products used for ham radio applications. This exciting presentation will cover the technology, answer the most frequently asked questions, including battery sizing, charging systems, and also plenty of examples of interesting setups.
Riding the Airwaves…..Shortwave listening in the 21st Century John Bigley, N7UR
Saturday, April 26th 1:00 – 2:00 Timbers Room
Pirates, spies, military coupes, opera singers, preachers, tech nerds, propaganda ministers, and artisans are all hanging out on the International Shortwave bands. Learn about Radio Caroline, the Japanese Slot Machine, the Numbers Stations, the Chinese Robot, the Russian Woodpecker, Radio Shoestring and more. We will explore what can be heard on these bands today, touch on memorable stations of days gone by, learn how to set up your listening post, how to QSL, find clubs/resources, and much more.
BONUS: At the end of the session two lucky attendees will win a $200 ETON Elite Shortwave/AM/FM/VHF radio.
On-Line Testing - What is Involved Stephen Hutchings, WM7X
Saturday, April 26th 1:00 – 2:00 Boulder Bay Room
Remote/Online testing, gaining traction since COVID, has been an obvious boost to the Amateur radio community. Stephen’s remote adventures began at Quartzfest 2020, when Gordon West introduced him to another VEC to compliment the ARRL VE testing he was already performing. Quick accreditation arrived remote testing began. Initially slow, culminating into the nations largest and most experienced test team. Learn about how to test for your license or upgrade online, how to develop and form a team to participate in remote examinations confidently and learn tools that make YOUR test session a success. Learn how existing teams can transition towards accommodating their club’s interest (and ease) of remote exams.
SUNDAY, APRIL 27TH
You’ve got your license, now what? & Tips for mic fright. Bob Turner, W6RHK
Sunday, April 27 9:00-10:00 Timbers Room
For newly licensed amateur radio operators, in this presentation we explore how to get started and begin making contacts. We cover some straightforward methods for engaging with the amateur radio community and provide tips on overcoming the hesitation to use the push-to-talk (PTT) button, commonly referred to as Mic Fright.
Southwestern Division ARRL Forum Dick Norton, N6AA
Sunday, April 27 9:00-10:30 Boulder Bay Room
The ARRL Southwestern Division Forum is an open meeting with two-way exchange of information. Participants will hear about current Amateur Radio and ARRL happenings and issues. The Forum not only permits audience evaluation of the ARRL actions but requests audience opinion.
A good number of ARRL followers have expressed concern about our National Association. Although the widely discussed significant decline in ARRL membership over the last two years can be traced primarily to the steep increase in dues, high dues are not the only cause of this member concern. The presentation will include less publicized yet consequential changes to League operating philosophy and what appears to be behind them, as well as provide an opportunity for past, current, and potential future members to express their opinions concerning these changes.
Ask the Experts
Sunday, April 27 10:30 – 11:30 Timbers Room
We will have a panel of four or five experts to answer any questions you might have related to our amateur radio hobby. Come prepared with a question or two or three and learn from these individuals.