Symposium Speakers

OPENING REMARKS: 8:00 AM

The WWVH Story — Steve Johnson WD8DAS,

Who hasn’t tuned into WWV or WWVH to check on the time and propagation conditions?  Learn a bit about WWVH from an on-site engineer and friend to Ham Radio.  You see, Steve is also the proprietor of AF4K Crystals – one of the few remaining firms supplying radio crystals to the Amateur Radio Community!

The General Electric YRS-1 Single Sideband Slicer — John Townsend

Introduced in 1948, the GE YRS-1, designed by Don Norgaard, was the Industry’s first commercially available Single Sideband adapter using the then-new phasing principle.  A unique aspect of the YRS-1 was its ability to provide synchronous detection of AM signals, which greatly reduced audio interference as caused by selective fading.  While too expensive for the Amateur market, a simplified form of the YRS-1 was later manufactured by Central Electronics, by permission of the General Electric Company and helped bring this important new mode to Amateur Radio.

Pico SDR – a Simple SDR Receiver Anyone Can Build — Bob Nickels W9RAN

Once again, Bob has conjured up a neat little SDR rig that brings the fun back into Ham Radio Homebrewing. Bob’s project is ideal for those interested in software defined radio and anyone new to the homebrewing aspect of our hobby.

We All Share the Same Bands – Rob Sherwood NC0B

We are fortunate to have with us again Bob Sherwood.  If you ever wanted to know the performance of past and current HF radios, Bob’s Sherwood Engineering website is your go-to answer.  Here, Bob explains the importance of low transmitter intermodulation products and the ARRL’s important Clean Signal Initiative.

Are You Considering a New Radio? – Rob Sherwood NC0B

If you’re at Winterfest, then perhaps a new rig is on the horizon?  If so, this presentation by NC0B on today’s trends in radio performance is one not to be missed!

What’s New From 4 State QRP – Dave Cripe NM0S

Kit designer Dave Cripe NM0S presents the new kit releases from the Four-State QRP Group — while discussing the technological secrets and innovations in each one.  Dave is an Electrical Engineer for Collins by day; President of the QRP Amateur Radio Club International; and lead kit designer for the Four State QRP Group. In his ‘spare moments’, Dave also designs and sells kits through his basement enterprise, NM0S Electronics.

Joe Batchelor – the Genius Behind Central Electronics —  Nick Tusa, K5EF

Collectors of vintage radio gear are well acquainted with the Industry’s biggest names… Edgar Johnson; Art Collins, Wes Schum, Herb Johnson — but few know the back story and important contributions made by the larger-than-life engineering dynamo, Joseph B. Batchelor W4EGK (SK).  His story is one of great hopes and aspirations – as well as great disappointment.  Learn more about Joe and his life from Nick, K5EF

Meteor Scatter observations —  Tim Urban, N4WL0

Meteor Scatter observations and an unusual VHF anomaly discovered by Tim Urban N4WL0 over the central portion of South America!)