It's been about 3 months since I got my General license. It's been an amazing journey in such a short time and I'm looking forward to so much more! On my spring break, I was able to return to my radio life. As a communications volunteer for the Boston Marathon, I was asked to attend the BAA Boston Marathon Medical Symposium. It was at 8 AM on a Sunday, not the best time for a college student on break. I made the most of it though, surviving all 4 hours of speakers. It was quite interesting to hear how officials and different coordinators were creating policies to deal with any scenario that may come about. I will not disclose those details here. I am proud to be able to be a part of the event this year. I grew up seeing the Marathon every year and was absolutely heartbroken by last year's events. It was not only a careless attack on humanity, it was an attack on Bostonian culture. The Marathon is the longest running marathon in the country, this year being its 118th year.
I will be working medical and logistics communications, although my final assignment will not be decided for another week or two. This is a huge responsibility. I am the line of communication between the command centers and the medical team I represent. If a runner needs life support, an ambulance, or a medflight, I am the guy calling it in. This is the largest responsibility I have ever had when peoples' lives have depended on me. Although, it does not far surpass leading 12 people 53 miles through the Rocky Mountains on foot in adverse conditions. Being an Eagle Scout and experiencing these activities, you learn how to cope and make quick and accurate decisions.
The Marathon attracted 340 ham radio volunteers this year. Unfortunately, a few will be turned away, as there are only about 280 positions. This is one the meccas of ham radio public service. It attracts operators from not only Massachusetts, or New England, but across the country. There is even a guy that travels from Alaska every year to volunteer his time. Keep in mind it is actually against FCC law for us to be paid for our services.
I am also now one of 5 administrators for an international ham radio Facebook group. Our group has well over 11,000 members now from all over the world. We have some strict policies so moderation is nonstop. We pride ourselves in having a friendly and approachable atmosphere. New and old hams alike are invited to share ideas, promote activities, and ask questions. One of the biggest parts of the ham culture is the open sharing of knowledge. You can find us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/hamops/.
Getting back to actual radio stuff, I used my break to perform a complete overhaul of my shack. I wanted to be able to operate the station remotely from school. While the technology to do it has been around for about 10 years, it has not given great results until recently with the advent of VOIP and highspeed internet. I am now happy to announce that 100% of my stations functionality can be controlled from any highspeed internet connection. This includes being able to switch everything on and off with a simple text message, operating voice modes through Skype, operating digital modes, and being able to monitor all the meters via a camera.
I also created the only internet stream of my hometown's fire and police dispatch frequencies. I have a dedicated radio scanner hooked up to a computer at home that feeds the stream 24/7/365. The feed can be found at http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/16648. The feed is also available through Broadcastify in many mobile apps.
I also got the chance to claim my new ham radio license plates that I had ordered. These simply spell out my call letters, separated with a lightning bolt. It was a nice perk to have on my car and make it truly unique.
Another big project I undertook was the grounding of my station. The station was never grounded when I originally set it up. Given that the system would be accessible to me 24/7, I wanted to be sure it was safe and complied with all standard and laws. If a nearby lightning strike branched down my antenna, I wanted to be sure my home and family were safe. The grounding system is the best safety barrier for this.
I also started getting into virtual radar using software-defined radio. Virtual radar is displayed by decoding radio emissions from nearby aircraft, which relay registration codes, GPS coordinates, and other data. This is a fun, inexpensive (about $25) way to explore radio technology and aviation.
Of course no true Bostonian of Irish decent would skip celebrating Saint Patrick's Day! Not only did I celebrate with family, but I also contacted a number of operators in Ireland on the holiday. It's always great to hear about customs in other countries.
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