Sterling Coffey, N0SSC, ARRL Youth Editor
n0ssc@arrl.net
One of the first things you learn in a southwestern state is to touch large metal objects often. If you don’t, you’ll find that your electronics will suffer. The dry air of New Mexico is no objection to this rule. So far I have ruined a keyboard, a USB port on my computer (along with the RTLSDR radio attached) and possibly a few good brain …
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Sterling Coffey, N0SSC
ARRL Youth Editor
Moving to a new town is a big undertaking, whether as a family, a temporary move to study abroad or get work experience while in college — or even moving to college itself. Although it’s never easy to let go of the old and become acquainted with a new place, you never know what amazing opportunities can lie ahead.
Last month, I wrote about my move to Soco…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
Sterling Coffey, N0SSC
ARRL Youth Editor
In a typical engineering discipline, one spends four (or more commonly, five) years in classes learning more math, science, circuit analysis and classroom topics than you could ever fathom to understand. Included in those years lies a personal responsibility to acquire an internship — real-world work experience. Internships usually take place over summer …
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By Sterling Coffey, N0SSC
ARRL Youth Editor
November plays host to my favorite contest — the ARRL November Sweepstakes. “Sweeps” is divided into two separate contests, CW and Phone. Ironically, the first contest I ever participated in was the 2007 CW Sweeps, using a decoder and an automatic CW keyer with my lack of CW skill. I then participated in Phone sweeps later in the month. I had a much be…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By Sterling Coffey, N0SSC
ARRL Youth Editor
Today was an interesting milestone in the progress of the year. Almost every fall after a biting cold front the air heats up again and Japanese beetles — commonly mistaken as ladybugs — take refuge on sunlit surface, resting after a long migratory flight. They fly around looking for places to hide before the winter freeze sets in.
RF and ladybugs have …
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By Sterling Coffey, N0SSC
ARRL Youth Editor
Everyone has heard the phrase “If you build it, they will come,” and when it comes to ham radio, they will.
For quite some time, I have been receiving e-mail from the Young Amateurs Contest Ham Team (YACHT), but rarely do I read them, as most of the e-mails end up at the bottom of my inbox. But a few weeks ago I saw a particularly interesting e-mail enti…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By Sterling Coffey, N0SSC
ARRL Youth Editor
n0ssc@arrl.net
The sounds of cicadas buzzing in the trees herald the fast approaching school year. Every summer seems to go by so quickly in conformance to the old adage: “Time flies when you’re having fun.”
To most school-bound youths, fun can be as simple as doing nothing, taking a break from schoolwork and social drama. Or it’s a time for video gaming…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
By Sterling Coffey, N0SSC
ARRL Youth Editor
n0ssc@arrl.net
Experienced hams knew it all too well. Volunteer Examiners expect it. And for some reason, newly licensed hams fear it. What could it be? As the title suggests, completing your first contact is a daunting — yet exciting — event for many. Why is that? What can we do to get over that lump-in-the-throat feeling known as “mic fright?”
You ma…
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources