NVARC recently completed our first ever General upgrade class, with our first volunteer exam (VE) session at the completion of the classes. We would like to congratulate the following upgrades to General class:

Kartik, K1AKP
Dan, KB1OPO
Ottavio, KC1PFU
Libby, KC1RKH
John, KC1VTD
Patrick, KC1WNU
Matt, KC1YLN
Phil, KC1YNF
John, W1JHK

Additionally, Patrick, KC1WNU, and John, W1JHK, also upgraded to Extra class! And John, KC1YTJ, who participated in our recent Technician license classes, passed the Technician exam at the exam session.

Please congratulate all the participants. And thanks to all those who helped with the license classes and the VE session.

NVARC completed a very successful licensing class in October, with 15 new hams getting their licenses. With the recent government shutdown it took a while for everyone to get their callsigns, but I think everyone now has theirs. Please join me in congratulating the following new hams:

Kartik KC1YHU – Now K1AKP
Tom KC1YJL
Jon KC1YJM
Moe KC1YKN
Dot KC1YKR
Kara KC1YLA
Matt KC1YLN
Kiirja KC1YLO
Janette KC1YLP
Mark KC1YLQ
Paul KC1YMR
Phillip KC1YNF
Wendy KC1YNO
Scott KC1YON
John KC1YTJ

A number of these new hams have checked into the Monday night net, have attended NVARC meetings, and are generally active on the air! Please join me in welcoming them to Amateur Radio and please keep an eye (or ear) out for them!

Thanks to Bruce, K1BG, Les, N1SV, and Bob, N1DVC, for their dedication in helping with the classes.

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club held its annual Homebrew / Show & Tell Night on December 18^th with numerous members displaying their different projects.  It was interesting to see what everybody was working on and here are three projects that really caught my eye.

Mike WU2D & Mark WA1QHQ displayed a number of different projects they had designed and built including a Noise canceller & a Paraset spy radio.  Mike explained his replica of a WWII Paraset spy radio and how it was used.  Originally built by the British it was used for clandestine radio communications in France.  The word Paraset is a combination of “radioset” & “parachute”.  Paraset radios were dropped by parachute behind enemy lines.  Mike & Mark have agreed to come back on March 19^th, 2026, to provide a more detailed presentation on spy radios, their history and how they work.

Phil W1PJE, brought in an old Western Electric automated tube tester from the 1960s.  While tube testers aren’t that unusual, automated ones from that time are.  Phil explained how punch cards were inserted into the instrument to configure the specific electrical parameters for each tube.  The automated tube tester was built into a rugged metal suitcase so it could presumably be tossed in the back of a truck.  Phil also displayed the companion library of old punch cards housed in a smaller rugged metal suitcase.

Tom W1PKX brought in his PKX40 transceiver that he designed and built.  Tom explained many of the features of this high performance 40w transceiver and some of his recent improvements.  I was blown away by some of the CW performance specifications of this transceiver and how they were similar to some top commercial radios.  For more information on this project and others that Tom has made you can look him up on QRZ.com.

Les, N1SV

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s December meeting is Thursday, December 18th, at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell). We start gathering at 7 PM to socialize before the meeting starts.

Traditionally, NVARC’s December meeting has been “Homebrew Night” where members bring the things that they have been building all year. Over the last few years, we broadened the focus to include things like software programs you are working on, antenna projects, equipment restoration and repair, and generally anything being worked on that is not commercial off-the-shelf. In 2023 we added a “Boat Anchor Petting Zoo” category where you can show off any of your tube-based equipment.

It’s a great social night where you can experience what other people are doing, ask questions, and rub shoulders with other members and guests. If you are new or not a tinkerer don’t let that stop you from coming and enjoying yourself.

I look forward to seeing you there.

NVARC’s meetings are held at the Pepperell Community Center, 4 Hollis Street, in Pepperell, near the Pepperell rotary.

Thanks, and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Bruce, K1BG
978-772-2773 or bruce.blain@charter.net

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John KK1X outlines his DX Commander clone antenna. John K1JEB refits a Bencher key so it doesn’t bounce around the shack.