Ria's Ham Shack News - Dayton 2023 pre-show -May 19, 2023
SPECIAL COVERAGE - Kenwood's new radio, YL spotlight, Health and Welfare - DL6RAI SK, Contest University, FlexRadio celebrates 20 years, W2NAF and HamSCI talk upcoming solar eclipses and solar science
In this special Dayton Hamvention edition:
Kenwood has a new radio, sorta
YL spotlight - Paige Harper K0PZH
Health and Welfare - Ben, DL6RAI SK
Contest University 2023
FlexRadio celebrates 20 years of innovation, announces reimagined Maestro console, and W2NAF talks upcoming solar eclipses and solar science
Kenwood has a new radio, sorta
On the Wednesday before Dayton, several hamtubers reported leaked images of a new radio being released by JVCKenwood.
The new radio is the TH-D75 and is essentially the same as the D74, which was discontinued by Kenwood in 2020, due to chip shortages.
New features include USB type C charging and some DSTAR software features. However the biggest “feature” of this radio is that it signifies that Kenwood still has interest in the amateur market. More important is that they have sourced parts to build these new radios.
This is what I have to say:
YL spotlight - Paige Harper K0PZH
From Gawain, N0GJW
Gawain writes:
I wanted to highlight one of our YL Hams, Paige Harper, KØPZH. Paige, a communications major, joined our Ham club in February out of curiosity to know what a ham radio is. This was due to overhearing a few members talking about SCR. She came around while we operated portable for ARRL School Club Roundup later that month and for the first time got to see a ham radio and even operated for a few hours.
After school Club Roundup, some of us at the club jokingly encouraged her to get her license and “win the rookie roundup SSB”. Long story short, in her 4th time ever seeing a ham radio, Paige, who was hosted by our Elmer W7II, sat in the chair, and operated non-stop for all 6 hours. Using all dipoles, Paige won the W0 division and had the highest score nationally. For reference, her score would have won nationally going back 5 years.
Paige recently graduated, but we are happy that she will be returning to WØIO next fall to start her pursuit of a master’s in social work degree.
Health and Welfare - Ben Buettner, DL6RAI SK
We are sad to report that Ben Buettner, DL6RAI suffered fatal injuries when his tower unexpectedly collapsed during antenna work at his station in Aruba. Ben was attached to the tower, when it buckled and fell. Despite immediate first aid he succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene. Our sincere condolences to his loved ones.
Contest University 2023
Contest University at the Hope Hotel in Dayton Ohio featured a number of renowned speakers, speaking on a variety of topics in radiosport. This included a talk by Dr. Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, who described solar research using amateur radio. Rob Sherwood, NC0B also gave a talk on receiver performance and trends in the transceiver market.
Flexradio celebrates 20 years of innovation, announces improved products, discontinues Flex 6700.
FlexRadio is celebrating 20 years of innovation. Founder Gerald Youngblood, K5SDR gave a thorough history of the company at its annual customer banquet.
FlexRadio’s CTO, Steve Hicks, N5AC gave an update on the product line and announced a new revision of the Maestro console featuring HDMI out, enhanced wifi and Bluetooth, a new battery and slightly updated controls. The cost is $1599 but preorders before June 1 receive a discount.
Software updates to SmartSDR were revealed including analog meters and new integration for the Power Genius XL amplifier and Tuner Genius tuner. In addition, a USB pass through feature was unveiled which would allow remote rotator control.
End of manufacturing for the 6700
The company also announced the end of manufacturing for the Flex-6700. Existing radios will still receive software updates, but no more new Flex-6700 hardware will be made. This applies only to the Flex 6700.
Hicks also described some of the radios being developed for commercial and military contracts.
Also speaking was Dr. Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF of HamSCI who gave a presentation on solar science and observation. In particular, he described using Doppler shifts and Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) to observe ionospheric trends.
Various customer awards were given out as well.
signal to noise…
It’s a party atmosphere here at Dayton, and we’ll be reporting on it until the show closes! Watch out for day 1 in your inbox tomorrow morning and reporting every day of the fest until close on Sunday. Also look out for short reports on notes. Until next time, peace and 73!