Can learning ham radio make for better engineers and software developers?
On Thursday, April 18, 2019, the IEEE Consultants' Network of Northern NJ (www.technologyontap.org) will host a presentation on Amateur Radio.
About the Topic
Amateur Radio, often called “ham radio” is often described as the original social network for good reason. Ham radio was the virtual gathering place before there was the Internet, Facebook and Twitter. But it also served as an incubator for many great ideas, and more importantly it kept people thinking and technically curious. Why? Amateur Radio has allowed its participants to experiment freely with radio and electronic technology, as well as share their ideas, discoveries and inventions with others. From the early days of “spark” transmissions, to today’s sophisticated digital and microwave communication, we’ll talk about how amateur radio through the years has helped many a scientist and engineer stay curious, as well as provide a welcoming distraction from daily life. We’ll also talk about some of the people you’ll find in ham radio, from the non-technical person who grows to learn about electronics to the Nobel Laureate and astrophysicist who helped redefine communications technology for the radio amateur.
About the Speaker
Ria Jairam, N2RJ has been licensed since 1997 in her native Trinidad and Tobago and in the US since 2001. First becoming interested in radio at age 5 from her dad who was an avid shortwave listener, she became interested in Amateur Radio in secondary school under the mentorship of a teacher, Mr. Tony Lee-Mack, 9Y4AL. Ria is especially interested in radiosport (contesting) and DXing, as well as building radios from kits, magazines, books or her own designs. She is also interested in digital VHF/UHF operating and digital weak signal modes developed by Dr. Joe Taylor, K1JT. She especially enjoys remotely operating her amateur radio station over the Internet.
Ria credits amateur radio with keeping her technically curious and willing to learn and investigate. She also credits Amateur radio with opening up numerous opportunities for networking and professional development.
She has earned several amateur radio operating awards including several DXCC awards and contests. A keen Software Defined Radio (SDR) enthusiast, she has won a “Top Elmer” award in 2016 for her work with internet remote access for Flex radios. She has also won two FlexRadio “Top Tester” awards for her work in testing and debugging SmartSDR 2.0 and the Power Genius XL solid state Laterally Diffused Metal Oxide Semiconductor (LDMOS) amplifier. She is also the District 2 chair of the Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL) and a member of the British Young Ladies Amateur Radio Association (BYLARA). Ria is an alumnus of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, where she studied Electrical Engineering. Professionally she does UNIX server engineering and I.T. for the financial industry.
She also currently serves on the board of directors of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), having been elected in 2018 as director of the Hudson Division. Find Ria on LinkedIn and on Twitter at @RiaJairam.
CNNNJ Invites You to Join the Network
Founded in 1992, the IEEE Consultants Network of Northern NJ (CNNNJ) encourages and promotes the use of independent technical consultants by business and industry. The CNNNJ invites all engineers engaged in independent practice to join its ranks. For more details on member benefits and admission requirements, please visit our website at technologyontap.org.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
- Date: 18 Apr 2019
- Time: 06:30 PM to 08:30 PM
- All times are (GMT-05:00) US/Eastern
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- 30 East Hanover Avenue
- Whippany, New Jersey
- United States 07981
- Building: Morris County Library
- Room Number: 133 Conference Room
- Click here for Map
- Contact Event Host
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Contact Robert Walker at (973) 728-0344 or robert@rdwalker.com.
- Co-sponsored by Robert Walker
Agenda
Introductions
Speaker presentation
Audience questions welcomed