08-17, 11:00–11:50 (US/Eastern), Marillac Auditorium
The year 2026 marks the 170th birthday of Nikola Tesla and will also be the year that the grounds of his Wardenclyffe laboratory will at last open to the public. Learn about the latest goings-on from Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe detailing their visitor center renovation and opening; development of their amateur radio station and radio club; expansion of their public and educational programming with space science courses, events, and hackathons; a future hackerspace; and more exciting projects!
Ed Wilson was licensed as an amateur radio operator back in 1993 and was issued the call sign N2XDD. After a nearly 20-year hiatus to focus on his career and start a family, Ed rejoined the ham radio community, eager to catch up and communicate. His interests in radio include emergency communications, home brewing, and digital modes. Ed currently serves as community manager for the M17 Project, a new open source digital radio protocol. He has been granted the exciting opportunity to establish a radio club at the Tesla Science Center (N2TSC), focusing on diversity and inclusion for the next generation of ham radio operators. Ed is vice president of the Suffolk County Radio Club and has acted as vice director of the ARRL Hudson Division.
Michael Caprio works at Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe producing core programming for public and educational programs and coordinating volunteer data. He has developed entrepreneurial innovation and STEM educational curricula for myriad commercial, NGO, governmental, and institutional organizations, and has worked for decades as a grassroots community organizer and an open source software and free culture advocate. Michael worked for five years at the American Museum of Natural History in the BridgeUP: STEM program for women and girls pursuing careers in science and created a 1000-member museum hackathon community. He also founded Space Apps NYC and cultivated that 3000-member community over five years for the NASA International Space Apps Challenge. He intends to repeat all of these successes and more at TSCW!
Jeffrey Velez has been a dedicated and active volunteer at Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe (TSCW) for nearly a decade, supporting the mission of turning Nikola Tesla’s lab into a museum and global science center. He wears many hats as a TSCW volunteer, using his tech skills and scientific and historical knowledge to support operations and provide educational demonstrations and talks at numerous events and expos. Jeff is also very excited to be a founding member of the newly established Tesla Science Center amateur radio club!
