The belated March 2024 Free Stuff recipient for the Great Scott Gadgets Free Stuff Program is Benjamin Pieres! Benjamin is a newly licensed amateur radio operator who is excited to contribute to the amateur radio community and share his passion for radio communication through workshops and innovative experiments.

One of the workshops Benjamin envisions hosting is focused on introducing basic radio communication principles to beginners. Participants will learn about radio wave propagation, antenna design, and the fundamentals of operating amateur radio equipment. Additionally, Benjamin plans to organize workshops on emergency communication preparedness, where attendees will learn how to establish communication networks during disasters or emergencies. The workshops will be held at Radio Club Bariloche (LU1VZ), located in the city of Bariloche, in the heart of the Argentinean Andes mountains. Benjamin says Bariloche is renowned for its vibrant amateur radio community and that it is home to one of the largest concentrations of ham radio repeaters in Argentina.

Benjamin will also be using the HackRF One we are sending him to explore the potential of low-power, long-distance communication using digital modes such as FT8. By experimenting with different antenna configurations and propagation techniques, Benjamin aims to demonstrate how amateur radio operators can establish reliable communication links over significant distances using minimal power. The experiment will involve setting up portable radio stations in remote locations and attempting to make contacts with stations located hundreds or thousands of miles away. He will document the experiment thoroughly, including equipment setup, operating procedures, and results analysis. The findings will be shared through articles, videos, and presentations to inspire other radio enthusiasts to engage in similar experiments.

This application for the Free Stuff program stood out to the team here at Great Scott Gadgets due to its breadth, description of topics covered in proposed workshops, focus on community support and involvement, and clear description of what the HackRF One we are sending him will be used for. We are excited to see what Benjamin achieves!