Category Archives: FCW

Classes Resume: Ham Radio Technician Class

FCW will conduct a condensed Ham Radio Technician License class on Saturday, September 9, from 9AM to 3PM at the Caldwell County Public Library, Room 5 in Lenoir.  This class will cover the more difficult aspects of the entry level Technician exam.  Topics covered will include:

  • Electromagnetic waves
  • Electrical Fundamentals
  • Electronics components and circuits
  • Station setup and operation
  • Antennas and propagation
  • Modes of operation
  • Units and the metric system
  • Safety
  • Some rules and regulations

Since this is a condensed class, participants will be expected to view some videos and do practice exams on-line.  A schedule for the test will be determined at the class.

This class is free and open to the public.  Contact Michelle, (michelle@foothillscommunityworkshop.org) or 828-754-5002 for more information.

FIRE!!!!

FCW is just beyond the fire truck on the lower floor.

On July 21 at around 7PM, the building containing FCW was totally destroyed by fire.  Apparently it started in a rear corner, then spread up the back side before spreading forward and destroying FCW.  In addition to us, there were several businesses, a couple of warehouses, a few residential apartments, and over two hundred storage units in the building.  Fortunately, at this time, it appears that nobody was injured.

However, FCW is down for a while.  The early consensus of the board is that we will rebuild and like the Phoenix “rise from the ashes”.  Exact details will be worked out over the next few weeks.  In the meantime, donations of money and equipment will be accepted (Remember that FCW is a 501(c)( 3) non-profit organization.

All classes and workshops are canceled for the near future as we clean up, salvage anything possible and look for a new home.

UPDATE:  It appears that at least one piece of equipment survived.  Our R5 Ham Radio Antenna remains proudly perched on its beam.  Now if we only still had a radio….

The current estimate is that we will be able to survey the damage on Tuesday.

UPDATE 2017-07-23

A Members Meeting discussed the rebuilding of FCW today.  Here are a few key points.

  • FCW will rebuild – eventually having more interest areas than before.
  • Top priority is finding a new space – this one should require little renovation for us to start using.
  • Scheduled events (hamfest, makerfaires. etc.) will be attended as planned, but with a smaller display focused toward the rebuild.
  • Classes will be delayed for about a month, then start being scheduled again, depending on resources.
  • The Common area (lounge), Woodworking, Electronics, and the Ham Station will come on line first.
  • The Railroad will be rebuilt (HO gage) but will be used also for classes to instill interest in trains and making.
  • Equipment priorities after a space is found are the computers and laser cutter.  Woodworking, electronics, science, and stagecraft (art) will be built up as resources permit.
  • Everyone should be in “scrounge mode”, look out for possible locations, watch for possible deals or donations, and spread the word that FCW is far from dead.
  • There is a slight chance that some of the equipment can be salvaged/repaired.  Ben will bring a drone down this week to see if we can get a better look.
  • A Slack group is being set up for those who would like to be involved, have ideas, or just want information.  Members will be invited automatically. Others should email  info@foothillscommunityworkshop.org
  • I’ll try to get some pictures specific to our damage on Tuesday.

Here are some additional pictures

The Old Shuford Mills Building Fire (07-21-2017)…

Posted by Caldwell Journal on Friday, July 21, 2017

 

And a drone flyover.

Drone flyover aftermath  https://youtu.be/cOyEDbRDpbE

More recent drone flyover:  Zooming up, you can see both laser cutters, the shelving supports in the fab lab and StM (computer museum), the mill and lathe in the machine shop, part of the large bandsaw in the woodshop, both fume hoods, the large oven, the autoclave and a metal cart in the science lab, and a light in the stagecraft area.    https://youtu.be/0aHt01O719k    

Update 7/30/2017

Additional drone footage (I can’t post it yet)  allowed us to id   a cabinet, computer rack, and A/C compressor in the fab lab; the welder, 18″ planer, suction, and a tool box in the cave;, the transformer and instructors desk the classroom; and a power supply and the Pace rework station in the common area.  Nothing can be salvaged.

Meetings have resumed  on Saturdays and Wednesdays.  We have a lead on a temporary space until we can find a building, and multiple leads on replacement equipment.

At the 2017 Field Day, a brief tour was done of FCW.  This is the last known video before the fire.  The mics being used failed during the interview portion so there is voice over description.  This video was done by Gary Pearce of Ham Radio Now on Youtube.  Do realize that we had be up over 24 hours for Field Day at the time.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4SNngKsB8f7MFluTVJBclRBcnc

Here is the current picture of the FCW entrance.

FCW entrance after the fire

Ham Radio Field Day – 2017

Once again, FCW via Amateur Radio station K4FCW will participate in Field Day from Saturday,  June 24 at 2 PM thru Sunday, June 25 at 2 PM.  Field Day was created by the ARRL and encourages Hams in North America to:

  • Set up under emergency conditions
  • Test equipment
  • Promote Amateur Radio
  • Socialize
  • Practice contest techniques

Even though FCW is not a “portable” setup, it is not a normal station location.  For 24 hours, participants will be contacting hams across North America (and a few other countries) to accumulate points in the contest.

If you are a ham, interested in ham radio, or just curious, this is a good opportunity to get on the air and see why many people still enjoy ham radio as a hobby or a public service.

The event starts at 2PM on Saturday.  Drop by for a while and check out the activity.  This event is free and open to the public.

Wood turning Classes

Rick will be conducting classes in Wood Turning on the 3rd Saturday of each month  from 10AM – 2PM.   Beginners are welcome at any session.  Besides the basics, each session will concentrate on methods to create specific items, such as bowls, plates, goblets, table legs, etc.  Advanced topics will also be covered.

Space is limited.  For more information or to reserve a slot, contact rick@foothillscommunityworkshop.org

This class is Free and Open to the Public.

Open House, June 2, 5-9PM and June 3, 10AM-6PM

FCW will have a Spring Open House on Friday, June 2, 5-9PM and Saturday, June 3,  10AM-6PM.   Though visitors are welcome at any time, at the open houses an extra effort is made to present what FCW has to offer.

At the Open House:

  • There will be food – burgers and hotdogs on Fri, regular meal on Sat.
  • The Railroad will be operating.
  • Demos will be in the Electronics and Science areas.
  • The laser cutter will be operating.
  • The Ham station will be operating.
  • There will be tours and activities.
  • There will be special membership offers.

Areas available for use at FCW include:

  • A machine shop with CNC mill
  • A wood shop with 2 CNC routers and traditional tools.
  • An electronics shop.
  • A Ham Radio station (K4FCW)
  • A Science Lab for Chemistry, Physics, and Biology and support.
  • A Stagecraft shop for props, sets, costumes, SFX, lights, sound.
  • A HO scale model railroad
  • A technical library
  • A Fabrication lab with laser cutter and 3d printer.
  • A vintage computer museum.
  • A classroom.

Things are always changing at FCW.  The woodshop has been overhauled, the Science Lab and Stagecraft shops are close to starting up, new machines have been added to the computer museum, and the electronics area has expanded.  There is also new equipment provided by grants and some exciting plans for the near future.

For more information contact info@foothillscommuntiyworkshop or call (828) 351-2551.

FCW is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Arduinos for Railroads – March 18 1-3PM

Instructor:  Gene Chase

Foothills Community Workshop, Granite Falls, NC

March 18, 2017, 1pm to 3pm in the classroom

Introduction to Microcontrollers

The Arduino Uno – Microcontroller Bread Board: An open–source platform used for building electronic projects of all kinds.

Programming the Arduino for Model Railroad Applications

1. At Grade Crossing Flashing Warning Lights, a simple Arduino Uno project for Model Railroaders.

2. At Grade Crossing Flashing Warning Lights, Safety Gates and Bell with approaching train detection.

Optional Program

There is a possibility that we could provide laptops and Arduino kits for each attendee so there could some hands-on programming for more of the class time. (Dependent on class size, maximum of 14-Attendees)

Intro to Soldering Class – Feb. 26 @ 3PM

FCW will be having an Introduction to Soldering Class on Sunday, February 26 at 3PM for approx 2.5 hours. The class will provide instruction in “Through-the-Hole” Soldering, using temperature controlled soldering stations. Each participant will solder a project — a small siren, which can be taken home. There is a service charge to cover materials of $10 and each participant should bring a 9V battery for the project. This class is open to the public. For more information contact michelle@foothillscommunityworkshop.org

Ham Radio Tech Class – Jan 13, 20, 27

FCW will host a class to prepare anyone interested in obtaining an entry level Amateur Radio license.  The class will meet on three Fridays, January 13, 20, and 27 from 6PM to 8:30PM.

 

Topics include:

  • FCC rules and regulations
  • Electromagnetic (radio) waves
  • Basic Electronics
  • Setting up an Amateur Radio station
  • Station operation
  • Antennas and Propagation
  • Safety
  • Preparation for the Technician level exam.

There is no text required.  All materials will be handed out or online.  The class is free and open to the public.

Contact  Michelle,    michelle@foothillscommunityworkshop.org

for more information.

 

FCW Open House, Dec 16, 17

Open house dec 2012-1FCW will be having an Open House on Friday, December 16 from 5-9PM and Saturday, Decamber 17 from 10AM to 6PM.  Though visitors are welcome any time, at the open houses we make a special effort to display the many areas of FCW.  There will be:

  • Food
  • Demonstrations of various equipment including the laser cutter and CNC routers.
  • Tours
  • Activities
  • Special membership deals
  • the  railroad wil be operating
  • the Ham radio station will demonstrate digital modes
  • there will be displays in the electronics and science areas

The Open House is free to the public.   Here is a poster for those who would like to assist with “spreading the word” open-house-half-poster-1-201612

 

CS-First Class: Storytelling, June 15,16

FCW is pleased to host a Google CS-First session on Wednesday, June 15 and Thursday, June 16 from 4PM – 8:30PM.   CS First is a free program that increases student access and exposure to computer science (CS) by using the block based Scratch language from MIT.

The program is intended for ages 9-14.  The class and materials are free.   More information on CS-First can be found at http://www.cs-first.com  .   To reserve a slot or get additional information, contact Michelle at gms@foothillscommunityworkshop.org or (828) 754-5002.