Microcontroller technology has exploded in popularity among ham radio operators. The new generation of single-board microcontrollers is easier than ever to use, bringing together hardware and software for project-building most radio amateurs can easily dive into. With inexpensive microcontroller platforms – such as the popular open-source Arduino board – along with readily available parts, components and accessory boards, the possibilities are limitless: beacon transmitters, keyers, antenna position control, RTTY and digital mode decoders, waterfall displays, and more.
Leigh WA5ZNU is editor of ARRL's new book Ham Radio for Arduino and Picaxe, and a contributor to open-source ham radio software packages such as fldigi and quisk. Leigh has been licensed since age 7, and operates on HF and VHF/UHF.
Past Meetings Click on The Year/Month Below For A Past Meeting
The Palo Alto Amateur Radio Association meets on the 1st Friday of the month at 7:00 pm (19:00 J) (except when the first Friday lands on a holiday and typically moved to the 2nd Friday of the month).
PLEASE NOTE: The meeting location has changed. We will now be meeting in Meeting Room H6, in the Cubberley Community Center in Palo Alto. Further information is below.
Location: Cubberley Community Center; 4000 Middflefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303.
Telephone: (650) 329-2418.
There is a pre-meeting dinner at the Su Hong Chinese resturaunt on El Camino Real, held to treat the guest speaker. Dinner starts promptly at 5:30 pm (17:30 J).
Location: 1039 El Camino Real Menlo Park, CA 94025
After the meeting, many members gather for beer, pizza, and eyeball QSOs at Round Table Pizza, located on El Camino Real, just a few blocks north of Su Hong.
Location: 1225 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025
The PAARA Board meets at 7:00 pm (19:00 J) at the Palo Alto Red Cross building, 400 Mitchell Lane, usually on the third Wednesday of the month. We conduct most of our club business here in order to allow more time for guest speakers and socializing at club meetings. Any PAARA member is welcome to attend.
A few meetings throughout the year have pre-defined agenda items. These include:
September Board Meeting
The Nominating Committee is appointed by the President to decide on a slate of candidates to be recommended to the membership.
October General Meeting
The Nominating Committee presents its nominations to the membership at the regular club meeting. Nominations from club members opens at the beginning of the meeting, and closes at the end of the meeting.
December General Meeting
Elections are held at the December annual meeting.