The Richardson Wireless Klub > QRV Tech – Education Series

QRV Tech – Education Series

Shawn KI5PXG is kicking off an new Education Series for RWK – We’re calling it “QRV Tech” (h/t to Don KG5CK). It will be (mostly) monthly, usually on the third week of the month (check the calendar). We will start out on Zoom but we have plans to get together in person when there is a “build” type project.

The goal for this series is primarily education – teaching something new to those that are interested – but we plan on building things too (as part of the learning). We realize that not everyone will be interested in each subject (which is why we’re not making them presentations for General Meetings) – we’re aiming for 10-20 people or so each session.

Our topics will range from test equipment to microcontrollers to SDRs to antennas. This series is something that we’ve wanted to do for a long time. We hope that you enjoy and learn! QRV Tech?

  • QRV Tech – June 2026 – All You Need to Know about RWK Field Day

    Field Day is amateur radio’s biggest event of the year, and hams new and old look forward to it every year.  At this QRV Tech session, you will find out what exactly is “Field Day” and how it got to be ham radio’s biggest annual event.  You will also learn how you can participate with RWK at Field Day 2026 and what you need if you want to participate on your own.  If you’re a new ham (or even if you’re old), you won’t want to miss this annual ham radio event.

    We look forward to seeing you on Zoom!

    Event Details:

    Join Zoom Meeting

    Topic: QRV Tech

    Time: 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

    https://zoom.us/j/93467541992?pwd=RjJqWkFPd0VjeSt2U21QL2hKc0QwZz09

    Meeting Recording

    Session Resources

  • QRV Tech – May 2026 – What’s Next for HamClock

    Many hams have come to appreciate and rely on a simple piece of software that provides valuable information at a glance – HamClock. But recently there’s been a change to the long-term availability of HamClock and we will have to do something to continue to have the information that HamClock provided. We’ll go through the basics of HamClock, what’s changed, and some of the alternatives that are available today.

    Meeting Recording

    Click the image to view the recording

    Session Resources

    How to install HamClock (updated): https://qso365.co.uk/2024/05/how-to-set-up-a-hamclock-for-your-shack/

    How to convert existing HamClock to OHB or HamClock.com: https://qso365.co.uk/hamclock-backend-switching/

    OHB Installation instructions: https://ohb.works/open-hamclock-backend-instructions/

    HamClock.com: https://hamclock.com/

    OpenHamClock: https://openhamclock.com/

  • QRV Tech – April 2026 – Deep Dive Into FT-8/4 and “FT-2”

          In tomorrow night’s session, we will cover some of the internals of the most popular digital mode and discuss the controversies surrounding the FT2 mode.  We hope that you will come away with a deeper understanding of how these modes work and what makes them special.  See you tomorrow night!

    We look forward to seeing you on Zoom!

    Event Details:

    Join Zoom Meeting

    Topic: QRV Tech

    Time: 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

    https://zoom.us/j/93467541992?pwd=RjJqWkFPd0VjeSt2U21QL2hKc0QwZz09

    Meeting Recording

    Session Resources

  • QRV Tech – February 2026 – Programming A DMR

    In tonight’s edition of QRV, we’re going to look at the sometimes daunting task of programming your DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) ham radio. DMRs, once programmed, are very easy to use, but the initial hurdle of getting a radio going can be frightening. We’ll explain why it’s not really that difficult, and just by knowing an understanding 5 pieces of information, you can easily program and use your DMR!

    We look forward to seeing you on Zoom!

    Meeting Recording

    Click the image to view the recording

    Session Resources

  • QRV Tech – January 2026 – Understanding ADS-B

    In tonight’s edition of QRV, we’re going to look at Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast, the technology that allows airplanes to automatically communicate their position to ground stations and other planes.  We’ll talk briefly about the history of ADS-B, how it works, and how you can easily build an ADS-B skimmer using a spare Raspberry Pi, SDR dongle, and whatever 2m/70cm antenna you have on top of your house.  We’ll show how this skimmer can display what airplanes are flying overhead, laid out on a nice map with you at the center.  You will be able to click on planes and get more detailed information about the aircraft, including its tail number and perhaps a picture of the plane that a planespotter has previously snapped of the aircraft.  Join us this evening at 7 pm for a look into this fascinating technology!

    Meeting Recording

    Click the image to play the recording

    Session Resources

  • QRV Tech – December 2025 – FreeDV Digital Voice for the HF bands

    Tomorrow night, our very own Don Weeks (N5SKT) will be talking about FreeDV and running a demonstration on how it works.  He will be discussing the basics of its operation, the different modes (and which ones are best suited to various band conditions), and how to get started with FreeDV.  We look forward to seeing you on Zoom!

    We look forward to seeing you on Zoom!

    Event Details:

    Join Zoom Meeting

    Topic: QRV Tech

    Time: 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

    https://zoom.us/j/93467541992?pwd=RjJqWkFPd0VjeSt2U21QL2hKc0QwZz09

    Meeting Recording

    Session Resources

QRV Tech Meeting Location

These sessions will primarily be on Zoom, but we will have physical meetings for hands-on or build projects. Please check each session for details on the location.

Upcoming Events

Past Meetings

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