Greetings!
Tickets for the 2010 ARRL New England Convention - "Boxboro!"
are now available at the convention website:

http://www.boxboro.org

We are working on a convention schedule full of interesting
speakers as well as bringing in leading vendors from across
the country.  Best of all, we are holding all ticket prices
at 2008 levels.  I hope you will plan to attend!

73,
Mike - K1TWF
Boxboro Convention Committee Chairman

================
You have received this email because you provided your email address
to us at a previous ticket registraton.  If you wish to be removed
from this list, please contact k1iw@boxboro.org.  FEMARA, c/o Bob
DeMattia, PO Box 198, Berlin, MA 01503

As posted by Jim Evans-N1HTS on the Billerica Amateur Radio Society (BARS) email list:

To all NEWS Members - WEB asite to be updated shortly.

Subject: COMING TO YOUR AREA - 36TH ANNUAL EASTERN VHF/UHF CONFERENCE APRIL
16, 17 & 18, 2010

Please join us at the Eastern VHF Conference. Registration will open
shortly. Thanks Bruce N2LIV

Call for Papers and presentations for the 36th Annual Eastern VHF/UHF
Conference April 16, 17 & 18th, 2010 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Enfield, Ct.

The NorthEast Weak Signal Group (NEWS) is calling for the submission of
papers and presentations for the upcoming 36th Annual Eastern VHF/UHF
Conference to be held once again at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Enfield, Ct.
on April 16, 17 & 18th, 2010. Papers and presentations are solicited on
both the technical and operational aspects of VHF, UHF and Microwave weak signal
amateur radio.

In general papers and presentations on non weak signal related topics will
not be accepted but exceptions may be made if the topic is related to weak
signal. The deadline for the submission of papers and presentations is
March 15, 2010. All submissions for the proceedings should be in Microsoft
Word (.doc) or PDF formats. Submissions for presentation at the conference
should be in PowerPoint (.ppt) format, and delivered on either a USB memory
stick or CDROM or posted for download on a web site of your choice. Pages
are 8 and 1/2 by 11 inches with a 1 inch margin on the bottom and ¾ inch
margin on the other three sides. All text, drawings, photos, etc. should
be in color if possible for inclusion in the Conference Proceedings CD.
Station shots and rover operations are welcome.

Please indicate when you submit your paper or presentation if you plan to
attend the conference and present there or if you are submitting just for
publication. Papers and presentations will be published in a CD format
conference proceedings. Send all questions, comments and submissions to
the program chair, Bruce Wood N2LIV via N2LIV@optonline.net.

We will have a Hospitality Suite for early arrivals on Friday Evening
starting at 7:00PM to 11:00 PM. Conference registration will begin on
Saturday at 7:30 AM and talks and band sessions will start at 8:30 AM. A
banquet dinner, Triva quiz and prize raffles will begin at 7:00 PM. On
Sunday an outdoor flea market, weather permitting, will begin at 8:00 to
11:00 AM. Starting this year flea market admission will be FREE for both
buyers and sellers. VHF and above relate equipment items only..

We are planning several auctions both in the morning and afternoon sessions
to help raise money to help defray costs of future conferences. If you have
any decent shape equipment you would like to donate please bring it along
to help support the cause and to clean out your shack.

- Compliments of Greg WA1VUG and R&S we will have the following test
capabilities available at the conference: If you want things to happen we
need your HELP- see below!!!

R&S ZVA and ZVL Vector Network Analyzers for component test (filter
responses, amplifier gain vs. freq, etc.) from 9 kHz to 40 (hopefully 50)
GHz R&S FSUP Signal Source Analyzer for phase noise measurement of oscillators
to 26 GHz (hopefully 50 GHz) R&S FSQ Spectrum Analyzers for Noise Figure measurements (to 24 GHz) and
spectrum measurements (harmonics, spurs) to 26 GHz
R&S FSH handheld Spectrum Analyzer/Vector Network Analyzer for antenna
measurements/transmission line fault measurements (mobile installations)

We are looking for a few volunteers to help Greg and watch the equipment
when he takes a break, Also, we need a few 12v power supplies, soldering
station, solder and small tools and jumper cables to assist the
measurements. If you can help please email me N2LIV@optonline.net

Registration is now open for this years conference on April 16, 17 & 18th,
2010 in Enfield,Ct. A block of Hotel Rooms is available at the Crowne
Plaza, Enfield under the NEWS group for $99. Call fo local in-house hotel
registration.

SEE OUR WEB SITE FOR FUTURE INFORMATION & PAYPAL or MAIL REGISTRATION.
http://www.newsvhf.com/vhfconf.html

Further info to follow as it develops.

Thank you,

Bruce N2LIV
Conference Chairman

From: New England Area  Ham - Electronic Flea Market  <flea@mit.edu>
To: flea@mit.edu
Subject: [Flea@MIT] New England Ham - Electronic Fleamarket Dates * February * update
Date: Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:51:27 -0500

New England Area   Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2010 P 1 of 2
All events are Ham Radio/ Electronic related except ~_____~

*******************************************************************************
2010                                                    Contact          Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6 Feb Chelsea ME AARA @Crystal Falls                 Bill K1NIT 207 623 9075 A

13 Feb Marlboro MA AARC @MiddleSc $5@9 $20/T@6:30     Tim KA1OS 978 333 1329 F

14 Feb Westford MA GBARC @Regency   $11@8 Antique        Cindie 866 371 0512  +

27 Feb Colchester VT HAM-CON @Hampton $8@8 $15@6:30  Mitch W1SJ 802 879 6589 W

28 Feb Hicksville NY LIMARC @LevittHal $6@9 $20@7 Richard K2KNB 516 694 4937 

6 Mar Feeding Hills MA MtTARA @TurnverneinClb        Mary N1TOY 413 967 4008 A

20 Mar Dayville CT ECARA @StJoseph Ch                Paul KE1LI 860 928 2456  +

20 Mar Rockport MA CAARA @PigeonCove @5@9 @15/T@7  Richard KR1G 207 674 3485  +

21 Mar Southington CT SARA @HS $5@8 $20/T@6:15        Norm W3IZ 860 584 1403 F

21 Mar Henniker NH CVRC @CommSch            Donald Curtis N1ZIH 603 717 2086 A+

27 Mar Lewiston ME AARC ME Conv @Ramada              Cory N1URA 207 514 0202 A

27 Mar Windsor CT VR+C Mus 115 Pierson LN @8AM Indoor      John 860 673 0518 W+

10 Apr Middletown NY OCARC @Wallkill ComCtr         Bruce K2ULZ 845 562 4226 A

11 April Framingham MA FARA @KeefeTech $5@9 $25/T     Bev N1LOO 508 626 2012 

17 April Lindenhurst NY GSBARC  ** CANCELLED **      John W2HCB 631 669 6321 A+

17,18 Apr Wakefield MA Photographica @AmericalCtr ~photo~  John 781 592 2553 F

17 Apr S Portland ME PAWA @AmLegion $5@8 $10/T@6:30 Bryce K1GAX 207 799 1116 W

17 Apr Manchester NH NHAntqRC @Bingo $10 @7:30 $3 @8:30 Charlie 603 898 4821  +

18 April    Cambridge MA        FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776  
                  Third Sunday April thru October     

25 April Unionvale NY MtBeaconARC @TymorPk            Jim K2JIM 845 427 2702 A

30 April 1 May Deerfield NH Nearfest VII @FG         Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235 

8 May Rensselaer NY EGARA @FireCo                 Thomas KC2FCP 518 272 1494 A

*******************************************************************************
LAST UPDATE 2-1-10 de W1GSL         http://swapfest.us                    P 1
  List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version      
*******************************************************************************
Additions/ Corrections via e-Mail   w1gsl@mit.edu  <- SUBSCRIBE             
                          US Mail  W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139
(c)2010 unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety    

New England Area  Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2010  P2 of 2
*******************************************************************************
2010                                                    Contact          Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
16 May       Cambridge MA        FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776 
                  Third Sunday April thru October     

22 May Goshen CT SoBARC @FG $3@8                      Lee K1LEE 860 435 0051  

29 May Vernon CT NARC @TollandAgCtr                 Wayne N1GUS 860 487 1921 A+

5 June Rochester NY RARA                             Duane K2SI 585 594 4945 A

12 June Windsor CT VR+C Mus 115 Pierson LN @8AM Tailgate   John 860 673 0518 W+

13 June Queens NY HOSARC @HoS                    Stephen WB2KDG 718 898 5599 A+

20 June      Cambridge MA        FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776 

18 July      Cambridge MA        FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776 

15 August    Cambridge MA        FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776 

22 Aug Adams MA NoBarc @ AggieFG $5@@8 $10Sell        Tim KE3HT 413 822 7075 

27,29 Aug Boxboro MA FEMARA NE Conv                  Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235 A

11 Sept Windsor ME AARA @FG $5@8                     Bill K1NIT 207 623 9075 

11 Sept Windsor CT VR+C Mus 115 Pierson LN @8AM Tailgate   John 860 673 0518 W+

19 Sept      Cambridge MA        FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776 

25,26 Sep Wakefield MA Photographica @AmericalCtr ~photo~  John 781 592 2553 

2 Oct Manchester NH NHAntqRC @Bingo $10 @7:30 $3 @8:30  Charlie 603 898 4821  +

3 Oct Queens NY HOSARC @HoS                      Stephen WB2KDG 718 898 5599 A+

10 Oct Wallingford CT Nutmeg Conv $20/sp $7@9        John N1GNV 203 440 4468 

15,16 October Deerfield NH Nearfest VIII @FG         Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235 T

17 October   Cambridge MA        FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776 

30 Oct Gales Ferry CT TCARC Auction @FireCo @10    Darryl WA1DD 860 443 7799 

5 Nov Feeding Hills MA HCRA Auction @CongCh @6:30PM    Jim KK1W 413 245 3228 

6 Nov Londonderry NH IRS @Lions                           N1NAZ 603 421 0940 

13 Nov Bourne MA FARA @UpperCC VoTech $5@9 $10/S@7  Ralph N1YHS 508 548 0422  +

4 Dec Windsor CT VR+C Mus 115 Pierson LN @8AM Indoor       John 860 673 0518 W+
******************************************************************************
LAST UPDATE 2-1-10 de W1GSL         http://swapfest.us               P 2 of 2
  List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version      
Source    F= Flyer  T= tentative early info     + = new info this month
         A= ARRL R= RAC list  W= web         WR NV CQ QST = Mags
This list has been compiled from many sources.  While we believe the info to
be accurate the author can not be responsible for changes or errors. 
Check with the sponsoring organizations for more details.   This list will be
posted monthly to USENET.     Mailed copies are sent when additions are made.
*******************************************************************************
Additions/ Corrections via e-Mail   w1gsl@mit.edu  <- SUBSCRIBE             
                          US Mail  W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139
(c)2010 unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety    

          
New England Area  Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2010 -> ***
Page 3 Electronic distribution only.  This page has the overflow if any    P3
from the paper version.
*******************************************************************************
2010                                                    Contact          Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*******************************************************************************
LAST UPDATE 2-1-10 de W1GSL                                             P 3
  List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version      
Additions/ Corrections via Internet  w1gsl@mit.edu                          
                          US Mail  W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139
(c)2009 W1GSL   http://www.swapfest.us        SASE for updated copy as issued.
unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety    
*******************************************************************************

 List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version      

Be sure to check for the latest version as updating is under the control    
of the page owner.                                                          

* You can have the list e-mailed directly to you as it is updated.            *
* Just send a request to be added to the distribution to   w1gsl@mit.edu      *

                            73 Steve F
                               W1GSL

Attention: ARRL Affiliated and Special Service Clubs

Affiliated Clubs

Even though your club has submitted an application as an ARRL Affiliated club  and this application has been approved...you still are required to submit an annual report each year to ARRL headquarters.  The date of your last club update is included in your club's detailed page. 

 Any official of the club can submit this annual report although I would recommend that this be the job of the club secretary. It is easy to submit this report, simply locate your club in the ARRL database at: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/clubsearch.phtml. Once you've located your club, click on the club name to get to the detail page for your club. At the bottom of that page is a link you can click to update the detailed data. Submitting that update constitutes your annual report. Note, though, that you can submit an update whenever you need to.  Information about your club is given to prospective radio amateurs who want to learn more about our hobby. The Annual Report is our way of keeping your club records at HQ up-to-date. 

Should two years go by without ARRL Headquarters receiving an annual report, your club status will be changed to inactive. As the 2-year grace period has been exceeded, ARRL will require a new club roster be submitted.  After they have checked ARRL membership, to confirm that your club meets the 51% ARRL membership requirement among your voting members, they will provide instructions for you to follow to reactivate your club. So, be sure to check your club's last update to make sure you are not running the risk of having your club's status become inactive.

Special Service Clubs

ARRL Special Service Clubs should first check and make sure their ARRL affiliated status is active.   Special Service Clubs are required to submit a yearly application for renewal.  See:  http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/forms/fsd7/app.html   This is a more elaborate form to fill out but it is also necessary to be submitted each year for clubs to maintain their Special Service status with the ARRL. 

If you have questions on this  or need help in filling out these applications please contact me.

73

Bo Budinger

WA1QYM

ARRL EMA Affiliated Club Coordinator

WA1QYM@arrl.net

On Saturday January 30th, the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association conducted its second Tech-in-a-Day program at the Lanesville Community Center in Gloucester. Students came from as far away as South Hadley, Massachusetts and Jaffrey, New Hampshire for a highly compressed day of studying to pass the FCC Element 2 examination. Twentyfour students attended the course, ages ranging from 9 to over 60 years old. The course consisted of six one-hour sessions, each session covering approximately 60 questions in the Element 2 question pool. Students were told to read the question and only the correct answer, which was indicated in bold. Very little lecture was conducted—this was a self-study program. Any tricks or associations were encouraged to memorize the largely unfamiliar material. After 45 minutes, students were directed to get up and move around for 15 minutes and enjoy some of the snacks and beverages that were provided. The next session started on the hour and the cycle was repeated. Three sessions were held in the morning and three in the afternoon.

It was a cold day for January, so the community center was chilly inside, actually the best condition for keeping the students sharp during the long periods of study. After the sixth session in the afternoon, the Element 2 exam was conducted by the CAARA V.E.’s, Bob Quinn, WV1A; Curtis Wright, AA3JE; Bill Poulin, WZ1L; Dean Burgess, KB1PGH; Stan Stone, W4HIX; Sandy Balzarini, N1MAU; Jim Cavan, AB1IV and Dave Suuronen, KB1KR.

Twentyone of the twentyfour students passed the exam with several getting perfect scores. Of the 21 students that passed their Element 2 exam, many went on to take the Element 3 and three of those passed, earning their General license. Two of the new General's took the Element 4, and Bob Edwards, an electrical engineer from Topsfield passed, earning him an Extra--in one day. Bob and his son Allan joined CAARA on the spot--making Bob the third CAARA member in recent years to pass all three elements on one session (Briggs Longbothum, AB2NJ and Stan Stone, W4HIX were the other two).

Stan Stone developed and conducted the course from reports of similar courses that have been conducted around the country. Dean Burgess arrived early and helped coordinate the day’s activities. This session passing rate was 86%, down a bit from the first session's success rate. Two students joined CAARA on the spot, and several more expressed a strong interest.

The challenge now will be to engage these new hams so that they actually get on the air. Follow-up e-mails have already gone out to congratulate them and encourage them to drop by the clubhouse on Sunday mornings for coffee, donuts and plenty of free advice.

CAARA's Tech-in-a-Day program will likely be repeated in the fall.

Now is the time to plan for Field Day !!!! 

What did you say????  Field Day is not till June and that is five months away.   Yup,  now is the time to start your planning.  Sure...you don't have to fill in the sign up sheets for the 20 meter CW station at this time but there are many things that should be started now, in the dead of winter,  rather than wait till June.   The best Field Days are the ones that are planned  far in advance  so that when the time comes there will be no surprises.

This will not be the first year that most clubs will have  Field Day.  It is often assumed that since Field Day worked well last year that it will work well again this year.     This may not be the case!  Good advanced planning can assure a smooth running Field Day.

What should your  club be doing in January or February to prepare for Field Day in June? Well the first thing is to secure a Field Day Chairman.   This person has overall charge of Field Day..........but should not have all the responsibilities!   He/she should be a volunteer from the club or someone who is appointed by the President.  He/she should have the full support of the President and the executive board for this is a high responsibility position. The Field Day chairman should be able to appoint a staff of club members who each have  an individual portion of the Field day responsibility.  It has been my experience that there should be one person "The Station Chief" who is responsible for each station that is on the air.  He/she should be responsible to see that all the components for a station....antennas, shelter, rigs etc. will be available when Field Day rolls around.  The Station Chief should only be responsible for one station but he/she has the complete responsibility for that station.  Station Chiefs should report directly to the Field Day Chairman.  Additional "Chiefs"  can be appointed for specific duties at Field Day......such as "Food Chief " or a "Generator Chief" with similar responsibilities.  This way the Field Day Chairman can retain overall responsibility of Field Day without being distracted by all the details. 

The other important component of Field Day......that should be dealt with at this time of the year.......is the Field Day site.   Often a Field Day site is on public property which is used by  other organizations throughout the year.  Securing a Field Day site now  may well eliminate a lot of  grief   right before Field Day takes place.  

A healthy club will appoint a Field Day Chairman long before  Field Day.  The executive committee of the club should have the Field Day Chairman sit in on each of their monthly meetings.  This way the Chairman can present his/her progress on a monthly basis. It can also be a time where the Chairman can discuss difficulties in assembling all the components of Field Day and enlist the members of the executive committee in securing these components.

Bo Budinger

WA1QYM

EMA Affiliated Club Coordinator       

As provided by Bill Poulin-WZ1L from the PRA Email List:

Anybody interested in participating in Winter Field Day?
 
The Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association cordially invites you to participate in Winter Field Day 2010 sponsored by the Society for the Preservation of Amateur Radio (S.P.A.R.)
 
You are cordially invited to to come down to the THIRD ANNUAL WINTER FIELD DAY at the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association (CAARA) Clubhouse, located at 6 Stanwood Street, Gloucester, MA and take a turn at the microphone, PSK-31 Terminal or "Bug"  (If you are a CW operator.)  We will also have a 6 Meter radio for non-HF operations.   The rules of Field Day apply and allow you to operate HF as an unlicensed or Techinican license while being supervised by a Control Operator.
 
So, come on down and share the excitement, the contest begins on Saturday, January 30th, at Noon.   The contest continues for a 24 hour period and ends on Sunday, January 31st at Noon.   So there is plenty of time for you to come and operate.   "The more, The Merrier",  as they always say.

As provided by Bill Poulin-WZ1L from the PRA Email List with a few edits:

The Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association (CAARA) in Gloucester, MA is offering a "You Can Get Your Tech In a Day" Class on Saturday, January 30,2010. ((Introduction Beginning 8am) and Testing will probably start at 4pm.))
 
Seating is limited.
 
You spend 6 hours studying the questions and answers on the FCC element for Technician Class and at the end of study, you will be given the Element 2 examination.  The test is 35 questions and you only need 26 to pass the test.
 
Cost and Requirements:
 
Course Fee:  $5.00  (Includes materials and snacks)
Test Fee:    $15.00 (Required by FCC)
Bring Photo ID and Social Security Number

For more information, contact Stan Stone, W4HIX. His email address is stan at lanescove dot us
 
You must sign up ahead of time.
Sponsored by the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association, Gloucester, MA  01930.

The Algonquin Amateur Radio Club is again holding its winter Ham Radio Flea Market at the Marlborough Intermediate Elementary School in Marlborough, MA. This year, the flea begins at 9:00 AM on Saturday, February 13 (6:30 AM for vendors). General admission is $5. Vendor
tables are $15 before Feb 5, or $20 at the door and each table includes
one admission.  (details at www.n1em.org)