The Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) is made up of adults, students, parents, teachers, and supportive amateur radio operators from around greater Boston, the metro-west suburbs, and New England.  There are Active Members who are FCC-licensed HAMs, Provisional Members who are working on their HAM Technician licenses, and Supporting Members who lend help or expertise where needed. STARS is supported by New England Amateur Radio Inc (NEAR), a non-profit educational group located in the same facility in Natick.

Where We Meet
STARS is based at a STEM education center called New England Sci-Tech (NE SciTech), located at 16 Tech Circle, Natick, MA.   The two STARS radio rooms are set up with HF, VHF, UHF, and satellite rigs as well as electronics test equipment such as oscilloscopes, antenna analyzer, and spectrum analyzer. NESciTech has a conference room with a kitchenette for meetings and classes, a space science lab for astronomy and space science projects, a multi-purpose classroom, a wood/metal shop with machines for project fabrication, 3D printers, and LASER cutter.  NESciTech also has a 5-meter dome inflatable planetarium for astronomy shows on-site or travel to off-site locations.  NEAR owns a custom converted news van with 35-foot antenna mast, useful for Field Day and ham conventions. STARS hosts a Metrowest UHF repeater on 446.325 MHz (- offset) PL 146.2Hz with NETS on Tuesdays at 8:00 pm.  

Our Mission Statement
Through its club activities and/or radio communications, the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) shall:

•  strive to introduce youth and their families to radio electronics, the art of radio communications, the importance of the Amateur Radio Service, and the rules of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
• strive to spark youth interest in electronics, physics, astronomy, and other sciences through club activities and the use of the Amateur Radio Service.
• provide an educational forum for advancing youth skills in the communications and technical phases of Amateur Radio use.
• strive to promote and enhance good will within the local community and the global (international) community.
• encourage youth to pursue interests in radio electronics related to astronomy, radio astronomy, and space-based communications.

Activities
STARS seeks to help members learn and have fun with amateur radio through various club activities:

• Regular Tuesday club meetings 7:00-8:00 pm with activities beginning at 6:00 pm. Doors open as early as 5:30 pm and close as late as 9:00 pm.
• Fox Hunts before regular meetings (weather permitting) and at other special events.
• Guest speakers at meetings with many STEM topics.
• Radio training and practice. Mentoring during contest events.
• Annual ARRL Radio Field Day on the fourth full weekend of June.
• Annual Winter Field Day on the last full weekend of January.
• Youth Forum at the annual ARRL Radio Convention in Marlborough on the second ful.
• Antenna building activity. Build a directional Fox Hunt antenna.
• SKYWarn training. Learn to be a severe weather spotter.
• NETS on the air, Tuesdays 8:00 pm, 449.125MHz analog, CTCSS 146.2Hz 
• Radio license classes in Technician, General, and Amateur Extra levels.
• QSL Card Sorting Parties. Learn to sort and route cards from around the world.
• Telescope nights. View planets, the moon, or whatever is up on Tuesday nights.
• Planetarium nights. Occasional planetarium shows offered on Tuesday evenings.
• Jamboree-on-the-Air – host a radio event for scouts in October.
• Outreach ham radio demos at area schools and science fairs.