[RVRC] From ARRL Hudson Div. Director

[Marvin Bronstein]

A couple of items of note for the Division.

I received the following from the 721st Mechanized Contest Battalion. 
Their "contests" are somewhat different from the typical radio contests
that we see each weekend. Instead, these kids, almost all of whom are
licensed hams, are nationally renown robotics contesters who have been
seen by thousands and recognized by the Radio Club of America (RCA),
Dayton, Maker Faire, and various hamfests throughout the Division.

The kids from the 721st have entered their 2013 Youth Forum project,
The Emergency Antenna Platform System (EAPS), in the "Boca Bearings
Innovation Competition."

EAPS is a robot used to raise antennas on vertical structures like lamp
posts or flag poles. It enables HAM RADIO operators or first responders
quickly and safely raise antennas in an emergency situation.

The team has the opportunity to win a $5000 grant to support more ham
radio / maker projects in their area.

Go to http://wc2fd.com/boca/ to see more information on how to support
them and watch the robot in action.

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Gordon "Gordo" West, WB6NOA, author, lecturer and creator of many Ham
Radio study guides and related products will be in town this weekend
and next week. 

He will be at KJI Electronics this weekend, where he will be holding
Technician and General Class license review classes followed by an exam
session. Advanced registration is required as space is limited. Go to
www.kjielectronics.com for more information.