Students Gain Amateur Radio Appreciation

Four students from three nations attended the United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI) course on amateur radio administration held in October at American Radio Relay League (ARRL) headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. Coordinated by USTTI and presented by ARRL headquarters staff, the program included the International Telecommunication Union and ITU regulations, the International Amateur Radio Union, spectrum management, emergency communication, digital communication, amateur satellites, electromagnetic interference, international licensing, and amateur radio testing and licensing in the U.S.

International students were Melanie Fernando, DU2MEF, a chief telecommunications engineer from the Philippines; Charles Rockson, an engineer from Ghana; Valerica Marin, a senior electronics engineer from Romania; and Robillo Soliven, DU2SWR, a senior telecommunications specialist from the Philippines. AARL sponsored Soliven’s attendance at this year’s course.

In addition to studying rules, regulations and procedures, the trainees also constructed a simple 40-meter receiver in the ARRL Lab. Test Engineer Mike Tracy, KC1SX, of the lab staff assisted course attendees with the receiver project.

Teaching the majority of the amateur radio administration course were ARRL Technical Relations Manager Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, and Technical Relations Specialist Walt Ireland, WB7CSL, of the ARRL Technical Relations Office in Washington, DC. “I think this has turned out to be one of the best courses we’ve had in 20 years,” Ireland commented.

Specific aspects of the course were covered by QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY, who spoke on amateur satellites and digital communication; ARRL VEC Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, who discussed Amateur Radio licensing in the U.S.; ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, who provided a tour of the lab and discussed electromagnetic compatibility and RF safety; and Lab Engineer Zack Lau, W1VT, who demonstrated 10GHz communication. Special Assistant to the CEO Dave Patton, NN1N, hosted a headquarters tour for the USTTI contingent. Assistant to the CEO Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ, served as USTTI coordinator this year.

Now in its 21st year, USTTI is a nonprofit venture. It involves leading U.S.-based communications and information technology corporations and leaders of the federal government who cooperate to provide tuition-free management, policy and technical training for talented professionals from the developing world.

ARRL’s Zack Lau demonstrates a 10GHz amateur station.