Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC)
April 2023

In this issue...


A Note from Rosy - Rosy Visits ARRL!

Rosy Schechter, KJ7RYV, working a pileup at W1AWHello, ARDC Community!

You know that feeling when, after a lot of work behind the scenes, you start to see some of the fruits of your labor? Well that’s the feeling I have this month. As you’ll see below, we’ve made some big strides:

  • Ria Jairam N2RJ joined our Board of Directors! When I was a newbie in ham radio, her work was some of the first that I followed. It’s an honor and a pleasure to have her on board. 


  • I got to visit ARRL HQ, at the invitation of Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, the manager of their Education and Learning department. Not only was it a delight to meet the staff, I got to work WIAW, with the help of Steve as well as Bob Inderbitzen NQ1R. Here are some pics, courtesy of Bob.


  • ARDC now has a Code of Conduct! It’s an integral step for our organization, and one that lays the groundwork for more community events. Stay  tuned…

On a sadder note, Dan Romanchik, KB6NU, will be leaving ARDC. While we’re excited for him and his next journey, he’s going to be missed here at our virtual office. This news means we have some big shoes to fill, and we are getting to work filling them! If you know of someone who might come close, please send them the Communications Manager job description linked below.

Here’s to the changing of the seasons and continual evolution.

73,

Rosy


Ria Jairam, N2RJ, Joins ARDC Board

Ria Jairam N2RJ headshotOn April 3, 2023, Ria Jairam, N2RJ, joined the board of directors of Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC). Jairam has been a licensed amateur radio operator since 1997, after first having been licensed in her native Trinidad and Tobago. She has served on the boards of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the ARRL Foundation. Rosy Schechter, KJ7RYV, ARDC Executive Director, says of Jairam, “Ria is a powerful voice in amateur radio, and we are proud to have her join our team. She’s definitely going to help us make great things happen.” For more information on Jairam, please visit our website.


ARDC's New Code of Conduct

We are very happy to announce that we have published our Code of Conduct. First, let us thank you for all your input. That, plus a great deal of work by our staff, volunteers and board members, has resulted in a code of conduct that will help ensure that our activities and events are inclusive, productive, and harassment-free. Please take a look and let us know if you have any thoughts or concerns. You can do this by sending email to conduct@ardc.net.


Grants Boost Handiham Program, Fund EMP Testing

Handiham Program, 55th AnniversaryFor more than 50 years, HandiHams has empowered individuals with disabilities to earn their amateur radio licenses and build a worldwide community. Participants have the opportunity to learn about ham radio and other technologies from their homes through online audio lectures, and digital cartridges.

This $68,000 grant will fund Handihams to purchase code practice oscillators and handheld FM transceivers for participants and to hold an in-person, radio camp. At the camp, participants will take part in hands-on activities that include antenna theory and construction, fox hunting, portable HF operation, VHF and UHF operation, digital modes, contesting,and SKYWARN.

Separately, an $8,000 grant to the Cascade Amateur Radio Society (CARS) will fund EMP testing of a variety of handheld and mobile radios, including:

  • 6 BaoFeng UV-5R dual-band HTs,
  • 6 Yaesu FT-70DR or FT-60R HTs,
  • 5 Yaesu FTM-6000R mobile radios, and
  • 1 Yaesu FT-891 HF mobile radio.

The results will be released to the amateur radio community and the public via the club’s website, and the club plans to submit an article to QST magazine.


ARDC is Hiring: UX/UI Designer/Developer (Contractor) & Communications Manager

ARDC is in the process of updating the 44Net portal, which is the website that users sign into to request 44Net addresses. The portal was built many years ago, and is in need of an upgrade. To help us do that, we are looking for a skilled UX/UI Designer/Developer

This is a contract position, and since we all work remotely, the contractor may be located anywhere in the world. We do, however, require that they are able to participate in meetings with our UK-based IT lead (GMT) and occasionally with our US staff, who are based on the west coast in the United States (PDT). For a more complete job description, please visit our website.

We are also looking for a Communications Manager. This person plays a key role in our organization, as they are responsible for writing blog posts and press releases, managing social media, not to mention developing and executing a comprehensive communications strategy.

This role requires a dynamic individual who not only writes well, but can also engage people on social media, chat forums, and in-person at amateur radio events. The ideal candidate will be active in technology communities – particularly those related to amateur radio, digital communications science, free/libre open source software, and DIY culture. This is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in doing communications work in a philanthropic environment related to technology and education. See the job description for more details.


Come See Us at Hamvention, NANOG 88, SEA-PAC, HAM RADIO Friedsrichshafe

ARDC is on the move this summer! In the coming months, you’ll be able to find our team at the following events:

  • Dayton HamventionDayton Hamvention, May 19-21, 2023, Xenia, OH. We’ll have a big crew at Hamvention again this year, and we will be hosting a forum on Friday, May 19, from 2:40 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. in Room 2.
  • SEA-PAC, 2-4 June, 2023, Seaside, Oregon.
  • NANOG 88, June 12-14, 2023. Seattle, WA.
  • HAM RADIO Friedsrichshafen, June 23-25, 2023, Friedsrichshafen, Germany.

Contact us!

We want to hear from you:

Follow us on Twitter: @ardc_73.
Follow us on Facebooke: https://www.facebook.com/ardc.73


Our Mission

The mission of Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) is to support, promote, and enhance digital communication and broader communication science and technology, to promote amateur radio, scientific research, experimentation, education, development, open access, and innovation in information and communication technology.


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