[MicroHAMS] Update on MicroHAMS Digital Conference 2008 - March 22, 2008

[Kenny Richards]

The MicroHAMS Digital Conference is almost a month from now, so I
wanted to send out a reminder and some updates about the conference.
I've attached the full announcement (please forward to any mailing
list which seems appropreate) at the bottom of this e-mail.  The
announcement and online registration are also available on the
MicroHAMS website: http://www.microhams.com.

Updates:

1.  I have finalized the list of speakers and topics for the
conference.  A full agenda for the day is included in the announcement
at the bottom of this e-mail.  I'm very excite about the talks this
year, there is something in there for everybody and just some really
cool topics are going to be covered.

2. The location of the conference has been finalized.  We will be in
Building 122 on the Microsoft Campus.  This building is actually on
the West side of Hwy 520, but is still in the general area of the main
campus.  If you have no idea what Building 122 means, don't worry.
I'll have full directions, GPS coordinates and a map posted in a
couple days to the website.

3. We had a small technical problem with the online registration page
for the first couple days it was available.  If you were using the
Firefox browser and went through the registration process, you were
never directed to the page with the Paypal link for paying the
registration fee.  This was fixed and I contacted everybody who
appeared to have gotten caught by the bug.

My final note is just a request to please register via the online form
if your planning on attending.  This is really important so I can get
the food order right and it will really speed up the sign-in process
Saturday morning if everybody is already pre-registered.

I hope to see you all next month!

73,
Kenny, KU7M



MicroHAMS Digital Conference 2008
Announcement

Announcing the second annual MicroHAMS Digital Conference! The event
will be held this year on the main Microsoft campus located in
Redmond, WA on March 22nd, 2008. The agenda this year will include a
wide variety of topics around digital communications and Amateur
radio. Because of the huge success of last year's event, we have added
50% more seating for this year's event. Lunch and snacks are included
with the price of the conference and we'll have free Internet access.

Because of space limitations and parking requirements on the Microsoft
campus, we are strongly suggesting pre-registering for the event.
Registration is $12.00 if done prior to the event and will be $15.00
at the door. We have a web-based sign-up form (details below) and have
arranged pre-payment via the Paypal service. (No Paypal account is
necessary)
Event Details


Date/Time:

March 22, 2008 – 09:00 to 17:00


Location:

Redmond, WA (Building 122 on the Microsoft Corporate Campus)


Lunch:

Sub sandwiches and snacks (included with registration fee)


After Event:

Pizza Gathering (local pizza place to be named later)


Cost:

$12.00 if pre-paid or $15.00 at the door (To cover the cost of hosting
the event and lunch)


Door Prizes:

Donations from Icom, MicroHAMS, etc


Registration:

http://www.microhams.com/digitalconference




Agenda


Time

Presenter

Title

Description


9:00AM

N8GNJ / Steve Stroh

Amateur Radio Networking

An overview of Amateur Packet Radio Networking 3.0. 1.0 was the
original Packet Radio, Net/ROM networking, BBS, etc. 2.0 was TCP/IP,
APRS and other follow-ons to Packet Radio.


10:00AM

KK7UQ / Clint Hurd

Moving away from RS232 devices to the world of USB!

 Use a single USB cable to connect to an integrated sound card, CW and
RTTY interface - and get improved performance at the same time.


11:00AM

KE7DEN / Dennis Harding

 Microsoft .Net and Mapping API for Hams,- an introduction

 Microsoft provides several .Net API for device communications and
mapping of data. This talk will focus on .Net API that can be used for
local and remote control of serial devices, and the mapping of data
using the MapPoint and Virtual Earth API. Example application showing
the use of the API will be provided to enable participants to develop
their own applications using free development tools from Microsoft.


NOON

Lunch

Sandwiches, Chips and Pop

Turkey, Ham, Roast Beef and Veggie


1:30PM

KK7P / Lyle Johnson

 PSK31 Without a Computer

 Open source solution being sponsor by the AmQRP group, to build a DSP
based hardware modem. Also a look at the Elecraft K3 internal CW ->
PSK31 function.


2:30PM

N7SS / Scott Honaker

 Getting online with DSTAR

 Using DSTAR and some of the latest DSTAR tools


3:30PM

KC7IGT / Miguel Mayorga

 Remote Station Operation via the Internet




 Leveraging the internet to operate your home rig from anywhere. A
look at the system integration required for enabling a operating your
home rig via the internet and the how much fun a remote setup can be.


4:30PM

N0AX / Ward Silver

 Modulations, Protocols and Modes - Oh My!




 The talk would cover these basic differences between modulation,
protocol and a mode; give a review of what a "stack" is, and present
specific instances as illustrations. The goal is to

 equip hams to be better able to discuss digital communications.




Registration Details

Due to the requirements for hosting the event on the Microsoft campus,
we are required to register all the vehicles that will be parked on
the campus. To make the registration process easier this year, we have
a web-based registration form available at
http://www.microhams.com/digitalconference.  You will be able to
register for the conference, provide your vehicle information and
pre-pay via the MicroHAMS website. On site registration will be
available if space is available for the $15 at the door fee.

Hope to see you at this year MicroHAMS Digital Conference.

73,
Kenny, KU7M
ku7mradio at gmail.com