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HomeWorkshop: Digital Radio Lab

Digital Radio Labs
Software Defined Radio for Science and Communication

 Quicklink: https://nescitech.org/DRL

Radio_Astronomy_photo.jpeg

DIGITAL RADIO LABS -  See schedule below. 

This is a new version of a half-year workshop originally developed last year by Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) student Rye Hogan and several staff from NESciTech.  

This year it will be taught in 3-week modules. Each module will begin with a review of basic radio concepts, so they may be attended in any order. Keep an eye on the weekly Newsletter for updates.

This specialized workshop for technological students provides a hands-on introduction to digital radio, satellite technologies, and software defined radio. Using Software Defined Radio (SDR), students will explore the radio spectrum, build working radio antennas, and capture signals from aircraft, satellites, and other sources from earth to space. We'll start with the fundamentals, but go on to explore the deeper relationships among these topics.

Students will be encouraged to evaluate their data and give a presentation at a radio conference in Marlborough in August. Students will also be encouraged to achieve an FCC Amateur Radio License (beginner level) during this program.

These workshops are limited to 8 students in 4th grade or higher.  

2026-27 SESSIONS 

DIGITAL RADIO LABS

(Membership not required to enroll)

ALSO, please fill out the Student Permissions Form

Meetings are Saturdays, 9:30-11:30 AM.

Students must be in grade 4 or above.

Parents are encouraged to join their students in workshops.

We encourage that students as a team present their projects at the HamXposition in August.


Before taking the class, students should have had some experience in basic electronics, or have an Amateur Radio Technician license, or be currently enrolled in an amateur radio course. Students are strongly encouraged to earn an amateur radio Technician level license.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Dates and topics are subject to change. On holiday weekends when the workshop does not meet, students are welcome to attend other clubs, such as rocketry, robotics, or battlin' bots, or continue working on projects.

 

Students who are members may stay through the day during member open time.

 

If a class cannot meet in person because of severe weather, we may switch to online classes via Zoom.

Please be aware of our Cancellation and Refund Policies. For questions, e-mail info@nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.

2026-27 SATURDAYS, 9:30-11:30 am (tentative)

Module #1: Sep 19, 26, Oct 3 – Intro to radio waves and ADS-B, build antennas, receive signals from aircraft.

Oct 10 – Optional extra time to work on amateur radio license study

Module #2: Oct 17, 24, 31 – Intro to digital radio and satellites, receive images from weather satellites.

Module #3: Nov 7, 14, 21 – Intro to SDR and the radio spectrum, receive data from hi-altitude balloons and other sensors.

Nov 28 – Optional extra time to work on amateur radio license study

Module #4: Dec 5, 12, 19 – Extra 3-week module, topic TBA

Dec 26 – Holiday weekend, no class
Jan 2 – Holiday weekend, no class
Jan 9 – Optional extra class to work on amateur radio license study
Jan 16 – Holiday weekend, no class

Module #1: Jan 23, 30, Feb 6 – Intro to radio waves and ADS-B, build antennas, receive signals from aircraft.
Jan 30 is Amateur Radio Winter Field Day - stay for lunch and the afternoon!

Feb 13 – Holiday weekend, no class 
Feb 20 – School vacation week ends, optional extra class

Module #2: Feb 27, Mar 6, 13 – Intro to digital radio and satellites, receive images from weather satellites.

Module #3: Mar 20, 27, Apr 3 – Intro to SDR and the radio spectrum, receive data from hi-altitude balloons and other sensors.

Apr 10 – Optional extra class to work on amateur radio license study
Apr 17 – Holiday weekend, no class
Apr 19 is Marathon Monday - visit our Marathon Net Control Center between 10am-2pm!
Apr 24 – School vacation week ends, optional extra class

Module #4: May 1, 8, 15 – Extra 3-week module, topic TBA

May 22 – Optional extra class to work on amateur radio license study
May 29 – Holiday, no class

Module #extra: Jun 5, 12, 19 – Extra 3-week module, topic TBA

Jun 26-27 is Amateur Radio Summer Field Day - stay for lunch and the afternoon!
Aug 14 is Youth Day at HamXposition in Marlborough. Join us for the day and banquet dinner!

Using a homemade antenna and a digitizer dongle, Jonathan demonstrates how Software Defined Radio (SDR) works. He is downloading image data directly from a weather satellite over New England.


New England Sci-Tech is grateful to ARDC for a grant that allows us to offer this workshop for very low cost to students, to purchase the hardware that students can build and keep, and to pay for the students' admissions and meals at the Amateur Radio Convention in August.

Upcoming Events
Upcoming Amateur Radio Events
16 Tech Circle, Natick, MA
508-720-4179