EcoTarium and CMARA bring a live ISS contact to Central Massachusetts
On October 15, 2026, eleven local Worcester students spoke live with NASA astronaut Luke Delaney – KJ5PPF, aboard the International Space Station (ISS) from the EcoTarium in Worcester, Massachusetts. Through an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact, the students asked about life aboard the station and what it takes to be an astronaut, including one memorable question: “How do you make grilled cheese up there?” Delaney explained that the crew has not figured that one out, since the ISS lacks the refrigeration needed to keep cheese aboard. Parents, educators and community members watched and listened. The pass lasted about 10 minutes, but it was the kind of moment that can shape a lifelong interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
A Year in the Making
In April 2025, the EcoTarium applied to host an ARISS contact. ARISS requires host organizations to partner with a local amateur radio club committed to supporting STEM education and the technical side of the contact. The EcoTarium turned to the Central Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association (CMARA), one of New England’s largest and oldest amateur radio clubs, with over 100 active members. Three CMARA board members, Connor Gumbrell, KC1MMT; Tom Gauvin, NE1NH; and George Gumbrell, KA3RLZ, volunteered to lead the effort.
For more than a year, a team spanning NASA, ARISS, the EcoTarium and CMARA met to handle logistics, documentation, student selection and question preparation. When a March 2026 contact was postponed after an unplanned early crew return from the station, the team regrouped and kept students and families engaged until a new date was set.
Building Up to Contact
In the months before the contact, CMARA hosted hands-on events at the EcoTarium highlighting “The Science of Radio” for students, parents, staff and the public, covering basic electronics, kit building, Morse code, satellite communications and ISS voice contacts. Volunteers set up HF and VHF stations on site so children and parents could talk with people locally and internationally, and staff and educators could learn and use the equipment. Nearly two dozen CMARA members supported these programs.
The ISS contact is one visible example of what amateur radio does every day, often behind the scenes, from SKYWARN severe-weather reporting and Boston Marathon communications to hurricane emergency support and licensing classes.
Meet the Team Leads
Connor Gumbrell, KC1MMT, 16, is a senior at Saint Paul Diocesan Junior/Senior High School in Worcester and will graduate in May 2027. He attended his first ARRL Field Day at age 5, earned his Technician license at 10, and upgraded to General at 12. In October 2022 he used amateur radio to contact the ISS and speak with an astronaut from his home. He has served on the CMARA Board of Directors since December 2022 and as Field Day Safety Officer since 2023. He plans to study electrical engineering and robotics in college, a path that began with the curiosity amateur radio sparked when he was five.
Tom Gauvin, NE1NH, got his amateur radio license in 1986 shortly after leaving military service to pursue his electrical engineering degree. Tom has been involved in communications technologies of various types for most of his career. After a time away from
the hobby Tom joined CMARA in 2021 and got his Extra Class License in 2022. Since then, he has held two officer positions in the club and is currently a board member. He is a member of the ARRL Western Mass training team providing mentoring and license prep classes. He is also a Volunteer Examiner. He enjoys DX’ing, portable operating, community service operations, and electronic fabrication.
George Gumbrell, KA3RLZ, was licensed at 13 and has been active for about 40 years in Field Day, contesting and mentoring, serving on the CMARA Board since 2019. A senior director of R&D with 30+ years in medical devices, he develops devices and accessories for advanced life support and patient monitoring. He credits much of his career to earning his license early and the mentorship of local clubs. He mentors engineering students at WPI and volunteers at events including the Boston Marathon.
Thank you to all the CMARA volunteers without whom the “Science of Radio” exhibits and special event station would not have been possible: Bill Acito – W1PA, Greg Algeri – WA1JXR, Jerry Bachand – K1YYT, Aaron Bauch – NE1AB, Pete Bretschneider– KA1QEK, Joel Desrochers – N1KRL, Anna Gauvin – N1ADD, Judy Gauvin – NE1OT, Tom Gauvin – NE1NH, Connor Gumbrell – KC1MMT, George Gumbrell – KA3RLZ, Dick Jubinville – W1REJ, Gerry Kersus – W1GD, Selina Lovett -KC1SDL, Corwyn Miyagishima – KN1OBI, Art Motroni – N1MSK, John Nieman – W1CVO, Jim Singer – N1EKO, Preston Sturdevant – KC1WJL, Jay Zebryk – W1JRZ.