A Look at National Parks in the New York Area

Living in Syosset, New York, Paul Angelides has managed his engineering firm since 1987. Outside of running his business, Paul Angelides enjoys several hobbies, which include hiking at national parks in his home state of New York.

New York has a number of impressive parks to visit. The Appalachian Trail covers over 2000 miles across the country, with part of it going through New York state. The 90-mile stretch has a little bit of something for everyone, with some areas that are great for beginners, with others that are for experts. The elevation ranges from 124 to 1433 feet and there is a variety of wildlife that can be seen during a hike.

Saratoga Spa state park is located in Saratoga Springs, and it offers people a variety of different sites and activities to take in. There is a performing arts center, a theater, and various museums that can be explored. As well there are 12 miles of trails and certified running courses, along with a pool and golf course.

The national parks of New York harbor consist of 11 different sites that can be explored in the area. Visitors can take in the African Burial Ground national monument, the Ellis Island museum of history, and more. The Gateway national recreation area features 27,000 acres of park that is very diverse and offers visitors a lot of different areas to walk, hike, run, and do other activities. 

Choosing a Time of Year to Visit the Virgin Islands

Paul Angelides has enjoyed a successful career overseeing an engineering firm in New York. Additionally, Paul Angelides lives part-time in St. John in the Virgin Islands, a place known for its natural beauty and beaches.

After seeing pictures of the clear water, sunny skies, and other attractions, many people want to visit the Virgin Islands. However, they may not know the time of year they should visit to get the maximum enjoyment from their trip. While St. John often has great weather all year, visitors should keep a few weather-related considerations in mind.

The most popular time to visit the Virgin Islands is December through March. Temperatures are generally in the 80s during the day. However, since it is the most popular season for Caribbean travel, hotels charge the highest rates during this time.

Many people consider April and June the best times to visit the islands since the peak season is winding down and the weather is still pleasant. July through November, or hurricane season, offers the best deals. However, this period has higher temperatures, sometimes in the 90s, and rainier weather, not to mention the possibility of hurricanes.

The Geological Origins of St. John in the US Virgin Islands

Jaw fish seen in St. John

Photo by Vlad Tchompalov on Unsplash

Paul Angelides is an engineering professional who is licensed in New York, Connecticut, and the US Virgin Islands. A part-time resident of St. John in the Virgin Islands, Paul Angelides enjoys exploring the natural aspects of the Caribbean island.

The smallest of the three islands that make up the Virgin Islands, St. John is also the least densely inhabited, with more than half of its acreage designated as national park. The rugged, densely forested island lies on a volcanic rock substrate.

St. John was formed from underwater eruptions that began 100 million years ago. Molten rock flowed out of vents in the ocean floor, which then began to rise, due to a combination of the new molten material and violent plate tectonic forces. 

Then, a period of above-sea eruptions created a foundation of solidified lava layered with sedimentary rock. Sedimentary rock is primarily limestone that is formed from marine animal and plant secretions. 

Next, stray seeds carried by ocean currents and trade winds gave the island a foothold for life. This, in turn, created a habitable island for birds, lizards, and the lone indigenous mammal, the bat. Today, the island’s volcanic origins are recognizable in the numerous rocky coves that protect the area’s extensive coral reefs and beaches.

An Overview of FCC Amateur Radio License Classes

A longtime resident of Syosset, New York, Paul Angelides has led his own engineering firm since 1987. Outside of his professional life, Paul Angelides pursues a diverse range of hobbies that includes hiking, attending charitable events, and snorkeling. An amateur radio enthusiast for almost six decades, he holds an FCC Extra Class license.

A popular hobby in the United States and around the world, amateur radio (also known as “ham” radio) dates back more than 100 years and involves licensed radio operators communicating with one another as hobbyists. Regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the US, ham radio operators must hold licenses earned by passing examinations. Currently, the FCC maintains three classes of amateur radio licenses. 

Technician Class: This entry-level license requires successful completion of a 35-question written test about FCC regulations and radio operation. While this license gives operators access to all UHF/VHF frequencies, Technician Class license holders have limited access to high-frequency bands and are restricted to certain operating modes there.

General Class: More advanced amateur radio operators may find Technician Class frequencies crowded and operating privileges limited. To access a wider spectrum of high-frequency bands and operating modes, hams can upgrade to a General Class license by passing another, more complex 35-question test.

Extra Class: The most advanced license available, the Extra Class affords holders the highest privileges available to ham radio operators, and allows access to all frequencies in the amateur bands. To achieve the Extra Class, applicants must pass a 50-question exam covering some of the more obscure elements of FCC regulations as well as advanced electronics theory and radio operation.

Continuing Professional Development Opportunities with NAFE

Paul Angelides has functioned as president of the Syosset, New York, engineering firm Paul J. Angelides, PE, PC, since 1987. In addition to his work at the firm, he spends time engaging with professional organizations such as the National Academy of Forensic Engineers.

The National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE) represents the ethical and professional interests of the nation’s forensic engineering industry. NAFE presents members with an array of valuable resources and professional services, including opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD). The organization makes 28 credit hours available to members each year at two-day educational seminars held in the summer and winter. CDP credits are recognized in New York, Florida, and North Carolina, though certificates may be accepted in audition submissions in other states.

CDP opportunities are generally categorized as either Regular NAFE Seminars or Special NAFE Seminars. Regular CDP opportunities present members with 10 technical papers on a number of modern forensic engineering subjects over the course of a full day. Individuals who complete a regular seminar receive seven CDP credits. Special seminars, meanwhile, emphasize specific areas of the industry, and are also worth seven credits.

More information regarding CDP opportunities with NAFE can be found online at www.nafe.org.

Earning an Extra Class Amateur Radio License

Paul Angelides founded Paul J. Angelides, PE PC, the private engineering firm in Syosset, New York, where he serves as president, in 1987. In his leisure time, he continues to pursue his decades-long hobby of amateur radio operation with an FCC Extra Class License.

Most people starting out in amateur radio operation take the Written Element 2 exam to receive their Technician Class license, which does not require knowledge of Morse code. Passing the Written Element 3 exam qualifies the operator for reception of the General Class license. These exams must be completed before a team of volunteer examiners (VEs).

Anyone with a General Class amateur radio license may upgrade to the Extra Class License by taking a multiple-choice examination, the Written Element 4 exam. Those who pass the 50-question exam and receive their Extra Class license can transmit on all Amateur Service frequencies.

Many amateur radio hobbyists choose to take this additional step to give them greater freedom since General Class frequencies often become quite busy. Resources to prepare for taking the Extra Class exam include the 2016 edition of the ARRL Extra Class License Manual, which sets the standards through June 2020.

St. John’s Relaxed, Nature-Centered Sights in the Caribbean

Paul Angelides is a well-established Syosset, New York, engineer who undertakes forensic engineering assignments across multiple states and territories. Licensed to practice in the US Virgin Islands, Paul Angelides enjoys exploring St. John, an island that has 60 percent of its land protected as a national park.

A recent New York Times travel article focused on the simple pleasures of slowing down and enjoying the relaxed pace of life on the smallest of the three islands comprising the US Virgin Islands. Easily accessible by ferry from St. Thomas, the island does not itself have cruise ship docking or an airport, which creates a tranquility lacking on its larger neighbor. 

The port town of Cruz Bay features picturesque, narrow streets, and can be easily covered in 20 minutes. It is known for its varied culinary fare that ranges from Hawaiian to Caribbean seafood, as well as port side bars and eateries fpr all tastes. 

Another concession to commerce on the paradise island is the low-rise luxury resort Caneel Bay, which is designed to blend in with the natural surroundings and comprises 160 acres and seven beaches. Visitors to the spacious property can take in ruins that hint at the island's agricultural past.