Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC)
February 2023

In this issue...


A Note from Chelsea

Chelsea Párraga KF0FVJ headshotIt’s hard to believe that, even though 2023 has just barely started, we’ve already begun our first review cycle for the year. There were 72 proposals submitted for review this cycle, and our Grants Advisory Committee is hard at work reviewing them all. There are some really great proposals in this batch!

Even though the first deadline has passed, we still have three more review cycles this year. Proposals are due on the following dates: 

  • Saturday, April 1
  • Saturday, July 1
  • Sunday, October 1

Remember, it takes approximately two to three months after this date for us to review all of the proposals. To make your grant proposal the best it can be, be sure to review our grantmaking categories and goals and instructions for submitting a grant application.


ARDC Grantees Talk to International Space Station

Two of ARDC’s grantees–the Norwich Free Academy (Norwich, CT) and Bridgerland Amateur Radio Club (Cache Valley, UT)–participated in contacts with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), under the auspices of a third ARDC grantee, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS).

The Norwich Free Academy Amateur Radio and Engineering Club, call sign W1HLO, connected with astronaut Josh Cassada on the ISS on January 30. Students asked about how Cassada became an astronaut, what advice he would give for someone aspiring to become an astronaut, and if it’s possible for other objects in space to collide with the ISS. The Norwich Bulletin story about the contact includes a video.


Ridgeline High students prepare for ISS contact.

Credit: Clayre Scott, Utah Public Radio

Out in Utah, the Bridgerland ARC worked with the local high school, Ridgeline High, to arrange an ISS contact on Tuesday, February 11, 2023. Among the questions that the Ridgeline High students asked was, “What’s the most beautiful view you’ve ever seen from space?” To which, Cassada replied, “You gotta believe me on this one. There’s not a view from up here that isn’t beautiful.” For more information, listen to the Utah Public Radio report or read the Cache Valley Daily story.


Annual Report Highlights 2022 Achievements

Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) 2022 Annual ReportThe 2022 ARDC Annual Report is now available. It includes the following highlights: 

  • In 2022, we approved 101 grants, totalling over $6 million. We distributed about $8 million if you include projects approved in 2021.
  • We conducted a survey of 44Net usage that garnered more than 1,700 responses – WAY more than we thought!
  • We hired a new technical director. In October 2022, Jon Kemper KA6NVY, joined ARDC as technical director. John has decades of engineering management experience and is already helping us get our systems in order.

You can also find a financial summary in the report, which you can download here.  Contact us if you have any comments or questions.


44Net Assessment Results are In!

In early 2022, ARDC contracted with Two P, a consultancy with expertise in networking and systems management, to determine who is using 44Net and how they are using it. Two P’s first step was to conduct a survey of current users and potential users to get some basic data. They then conducted multiple focus groups to dive deeper into the data. 

Their report – ARDC 44Net Assessment Results – characterizes 44Net users, details the applications and services that run on 44Net, and captures feedback on ARDC's stewardship of 44Net. For a recap of the report, visit our website.


Come See Us at HamSCI, QSO Today Virtual Expo

Rosy @ Hamcation 2023

Our Executive Director, Rosy Schechter, KJ7RYV (see photo at right); Outreach Manager, John Hays, K7VE; and Technical Director, Jon Kemper, KA6NVY attended Hamcation earlier this month. They gave a presentation about ARDC and met with many potential grantees.

ARDC will be on the road again next month. On our schedule are the following hamfests and conferences:

  • HamSCI Workshop 2023, March 17 - 18, 2023, Scranton, PA. John Hays, K7VE, and Dan Romanchik, KB6NU, will be attending this event.
  • QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo, March 25 - 26, 2023. ARDC will once again have a presence at this event. We won’t be speaking at this event, but you can visit our booth in the exhibit hall for more information about ARDC.

Contact us!

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Our Mission

The mission of Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) is to support, promote, and enhance digital communication and broader communication science and technology, to promote amateur radio, scientific research, experimentation, education, development, open access, and innovation in information and communication technology.


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