Ria Jairam, N2RJ, joins ARDC Board

On 3rd April 2023, Ria Jairam, N2RJ, joined the board of directors of Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC).

“After seeing what ARDC has done and is doing, I’m a believer. So I’m here to make that happen.”

— Ria Jairam, N2RJ

Jairam has been a licensed amateur radio operator since 1997, after first having been licensed in her native Trinidad and Tobago. She has served on the boards of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the ARRL Foundation. She is actively involved in amateur radio outreach and education through speaking at clubs and conventions, social media, her weekly radio show on WRMI shortwave radio and her YouTube channel. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from NYU Tandon School of Engineering, and currently works in software and systems development for the financial industry and design consulting for renewable energy and energy storage projects.

Jairam was inspired to join the ARDC board by former director, Bob McGwier, N4HY, who recommended her prior to his departure in December 2022.

“Ria is a powerful voice in amateur radio, and we are proud to have her join our team. She’s definitely going to help us make great things happen”

— Rosy Schechter, KJ7RYV, ARDC Executive Director

Electrocuted While Helping Another Amateur

Beloved DXer, contester and referee for WRTC this year - Richard King, K5NA, of Texas, had become a Silent Key just a week ago. He was electrocuted while helping another amateur take down a Yagi from a tower. The antenna hit a live power line and he was thrown to the ground and died shortly thereafter. A very tragic reminder here that safety, safety, safety always comes first and that doesn’t always mean just wearing a helmet or a belt.

Three Hams Chosen for Artemis Moon Mission

The next NASA radio amateurs in space are preparing to be part of a four-person team flying near the moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

NASA and the Canadian Space Agency have announced the members of the Artemis II crew comprising NASA's first crewed mission to establish a presence near the moon next year. Three members of the four-person team are amateur radio operators: commander Reid Wiseman, KF5LKT, pilot Victor Glover, KI5BKC, and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, KF5LKU. The other mission specialist is Christina Hammock Koch. The mission is scheduled for November of 2024. The previous mission, Artemis I, was not crewed.

This will be a flight test lasting about 10 days and will validate the life-support systems of the Orion spacecraft, along with other demonstrations.

Unlike his fellow crew members, Hansen is making his first trip into space. He is a Canadian citizen and is the first Canadian to train astronaut candidates from both Canada and the US.