EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION NEWS – April 2017
ARRL EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION STAFF
Section Manager (SM) – Tom Walsh, K1TW
Assistant Section Manager (ASM) – Phil Temples, K9HI
Assistant Section Manager (ASM) – Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ
Assistant Section Manager (ASM) – Rob Leiden, K1UI
Affiliated Club Coordinator (ACC) – Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ
Official Observer Coordinator (OOC) – Ed Parish, K1EP
Public Information Coordinator (PIC) – Open
Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) – Marek Kozubal, KB1NCG
Assistant SEC (ASEC) – Rob Macedo, KD1CY
Assistant SEC (ASEC) – Mike Leger N1YLQ
Section Traffic Manager (STM) – Marcia Forde, KW1U
Assistant STM (ASTM) – Greg Bennett, KC1CIC
Section Youth Coordinator (SYC) – Jeremy Breef-Pilz, KB1REQ
State Government Liaison (SGL) – Hank Mc Carl, W4RIG
Technical Coordinator (TC) – Dan Brown, W1DAN
HOW TO CONTACT EMA STAFF MEMBERS:
To contact section staff members directly simply visit
<http://ema.arrl.org> for contact information.
HOW TO BECOME AN EMA FIELD VOLUNTEER
To apply for an ARRL field appointment read about the different roles on the ARRL web site at <http://www.arrl.org/field-organization>. If you are interested, indicate in detail the role you wish to fulfill and contact <k1tw@arrl.org>.
SECTION NEWS UPDATES
For the latest updates to section news, please check our website regularly at <http://ema.arrl.org>.
CALLING ALL TEACHERS:
ARRL, the national association for amateur radio, is offering two sessions of its Introductory Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology (TI-1) during the summer of 2017. The ARRL Teachers Institute is an expenses paid, intensive professional development opportunity for educators who want to receive training and resources to explore wireless technology in the classroom. Topics at the TI-1 Introduction to Wireless Technology, include basic electronics, radio science, microcontroller programming and basic robotics. ARRL will also offer an advanced Teachers Institute (TI-2) on Remote Sensing and Data Gathering.
Visit the ARRL website at: www.arrl.org/ti for more details. Go to www.arrl.org/teachers-institute-application for information about applying and to download an application. Application deadline is May 1.
EVENTS:
April 22, 2017
International Marconi Day (IMD)
<http://www.arrl.org/news/30th-international-marconi-day-event-set-for-april-22>
April 22, 2017, (EMA Activities on International Marconi Day)
KM1CC Marconi Wireless Wellfleet Station (1901);
W1AA, Marconi Nantucket Station;
0000Z April 22 through 2359 April 22.
KM1CC information https://www.facebook.com/KM1CC/ and qrz.com;
W1AA information can be looked up on qrz.com;
IMD information at http://gx4crc.com/gb4imd/
Information via Barbara, N1NS
Sunday, April 23, 2017 – 09:00 AM
Framingham ARA Spring Flea Market and Exams
Keefe Technical School
Framingham, MA <http://w1fy.org/flea.aspx>
Sat, April 29, 2017
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EDT
Harvard Amateur Radio Conference
Pre-registration required
<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harvard-amateur-radio-conference-tickets-33327122320>
Sunday, April 30
Groton Road Race
<http://www.grotonroadrace.com/>
May 5-6, 2017
NEAR-Fest
Deerfield, NH <http://www.near-fest.com/>
May 6-7, 2017
New England QSO Party (NEQP) <https://www.neqp.org/>
June 2-4, 2017
Museum Ships on the Air (MSOTA) weekend
0000Z June 2 through 2359Z June 4
Find further information at <http://ema.arrl.org/node/2186>
June 24-25, 2017
ARRL Field Day: <http://www.arrl.org/field-day>
CLASSES:
Nashua Radio Club Class: Amateur Extra Class
April 28-30
Classes are held at Dartmouth Hitchcock Nashua, 2300 Southwood Drive, Nashua, NH.
You can find more information at <http://n1fd.org/license-classes/>.
Genesis ARS: General License Class:
May 13 and 20, 2017
Plymouth Airport, Genesis ARS meeting room
Contact: Chris N1IR, <chrisjohnson2003@gmail.com>
Cape Ann ARA: Tech-in-a Day
May 13, 2017
Contact: Rick Mayberry <rmaybury@ppg-i.com>
TRAFFIC NETS (INCLUDES BOTH EMA/WMA)- Information via Marcia, KW1U EMA
STM
The Massachusetts Rhode Island Phone net (MARIPN) which meets Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6 PM on 3978 KHz (plus or minus for interference) is open to all amateurs, whether traffic handlers or not. While we pass message traffic at the beginning of the net, we hope folks will join in for general amateur conversation and socialization.
EM2MN 145.230 MHz 8 PM Daily EMA 2 Meter
MARIPN 3978 KHz 6PM Tu, Th, Sa MASS/Rhode Island
HHTN MMRA Repeaters 10PM Su, M, W, F Heavy Hitters
CITN 147.375 MHz 7:30PM M, Tu, Th, Sa Cape & Islands
MARI 3565 KHz 7PM Daily MASS/Rhode Island
CM2MN 146.970 MHz 9PM Daily Central MA
WMTN 146.910 MHz 10AM Daily WMA
WMTN 146.910 MHz 1PM Daily WMA
WMEN 3944 KHz 8:30AM Su WMA
NEPN 3945 KHz 8:45 Su NE Phone Net
The following listings will appear in QST:
March BPL (500 or more points): N1IQI (749), KW1U (722)
March PSHR (70 or more points): KW1U (145), KC1CIC (130), W1RVY (115), N1IQI (110), N1TF (105), N1SYC (104), N1LAH (100), N1LKJ (73). Congratulations to all!
EMA ARES (Info via Marek, KB1NCG EMA SEC)
The 121st running of the Boston Marathon occurs this Monday, April 17th. This event involves 300+ amateur radio operators, many of whom are ARES members. We ask that ARES operators not volunteering for the Marathon be on a stand-by status in case an unexpected event happens on or off course. ARES will be activating to a stand-by mode for the Marathon.
Cape Cod ARES will be holding a drill on April 22nd from 10 AM – 12 noon. Primary operations will be FM voice on 2m and on 75m and 40m SSB. The exercise involves Cape Cod shelters. Home stations and out of area stations are also encouraged to participate. More details at <http://ares.ema.arrl.org/node/750>.
EMA ARES went on stand-by for the March blizzard that hit the region on March 14th. Although no deployments were necessary, a number of ARES members offered their services. Amateur radio operators on SKYWARN nets relayed snow fall, damage, and other tactical intelligence to the National Weather Service, the media, and government agencies.
Regular nets:
ARES Monthly HF Net – First business Mondays at 1845 on 3930 kHz (up to 3955 kHz)
ARES Monthly Net – First business Mondays at 2030 on the MMRA network (see <http://www.mmra.org>)
Eastern MA Monthly Hospital Net – First Saturdays at 1000 on various repeaters (see <http://ares.ema.arrl.org>) W. Middlesex ARES Simplex Net – Second Tuesdays 1900 on 147.435S PL110.9
Cape Cod ARES Net – Every Wednesday 2000 Barnstable Repeater 146.955– PL88.5
South Shore SKYWARN Net – Every Saturday at 2000, Bridgewater Repeater 147.180– PL67.0
Norfolk Country Emergency Preparedness Net – Every Sunday at 2000 on Walpole repeater, 146.895- PL123.0
News items:
Don’t forget the Framingham (FARA) Spring Flea Market and Exams, and International Marconi Day this coming weekend. (See details above.)
The Cape Ann ARA Emergency Communications Committee will hold its quarterly emergency communications exercise on April 23 at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester. This is an opportunity for those wishing to exercise their portable ham radio gear out in the field. (via Dean, KB1PGH)
Are your club’s field day plans shown on the EMA Field Day web site? If not, please send an update to Bill, N1VUX, as soon as possible at <n1vux@arrl.net>. This is one of the best ways to get publicity for your club’s efforts and attract visitors.
Phil, K9HI would like to remind everyone about the Eastern MA ARRL online activities calendar, a publicly accessible Google calendar at <http://ema.arrl.org/node/2131>. Club officers: please peruse it to ensure that your club meetings and other activities are listed and up-to-date. Send updates or corrections to Phil at <k9hi@arrl.org>.
On April 29, the Harvard Amateur Radio Symposium (1st edition) will be held in historic Harvard Yard at the center of Harvard University. The symposium will be an opportunity for radio enthusiasts and experts at Harvard, other universities, and beyond to gather to hear speakers present on topics related to amateur radio, both historical and technical in nature.
The symposium is being put on by the Harvard Wireless Club, W1AF. The HWC has decided to hold this symposium as a means of celebrating our interest in Amateur Radio as well as to encourage and promote the continuation of the use of Amateur Radio in the future. <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harvard-amateur-radio-conference-tickets-33327122320>
Then on April 30, you can enjoy and help at the Groton Road Race. Ralph, KD1SM, says “This is our major event for Amateur Radio in North Central Massachusetts. Those of you who have joined us in the past years know that the runners sincerely appreciate our presence. Many say so as they run past.
“This event is so large that police departments and other public safety agencies from several other communities come to assist the Groton PD. Part of our role is to provide the communications from the Groton Police to these out-of-town officers who come to help with this event.” Details at <http://www.grotonroadrace.com/>. Contact
<kd1sm@arrl.net>.
Cape Ann ARA is running a Tech-in-a-Day License class in May. See the details above. (Thanks Hank, W4RIG and Rick, WZ1B for the reminders).
The MS Walk Natick takes place on Saturday, May 13. Event organizers are asking amateur radio operators to provide communications across the course to ensure participants’ safety. Rick Savage, KB1LYJ, is organizing the hams for this event.
Richard Hoffman, K1DJ (member of the K1USN Radio Club), and Greg Bennet, KC1CIC, participated in the 5th Annual Scituate Science Spectacular on April 6th held at the Scituate High School. Greg brought along his Go Kit and a Buddipole so they could have live signals. Richard focused on CW; Greg on Digital modes. Richard had a “Send Your Name” CW key set up; the kids got a kick out of sending CW. The event was well attended and had a lot of visits from students and adults. It was a bit of work but a lot of fun!
Niece, KA1ULN, is promoting local 10 meter CW operations in the Billerica area. Look for her We/Th/Fr evenings around 8:30 PM (Fr) or 9:30 PM (We/Th) on 28.080.
Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, gave a report from ARRL Headquarters at the North Shore Radio Association meeting on April 3 in Peabody.
Eliot, W1MJ, was QRV as CE0Y/W1MJ from Easter Island in early April.
Radio Shack is closing more stores around the EMA section. Several have held close out sales.
Massasoit ARA and USNR (Uncommon Service to Nautical Radio) club members will be QRV from the USS Massachusetts again this April 22 from 1000-1600 as W1BSA, celebrating the birthday of Boy Scouting in the US. This will be the group’s third year operating from the ship’s wardroom annex. Please join them or call in (Info via Rick Emord KB1TEE); email: <USNRNE1PL@gmail.com>.
The Clay Center ARC featured two guests from Joint Base Cape Cod speaking on PAVE PAWS at its March 28 meeting.
This year’s Run of the Charles is on Sunday, April 30. The Run of the Charles is an annual canoe and kayak race along the Charles River that serves as a fundraiser for the Charles River Watershed Association. Volunteers must have a dual-band (2m and 70cm) handheld radio and an antenna with improved gain over the stock rubber duck. If you have questions about the run, please get in touch by phone (859) 466 5915. W1TKZ, the Wellesley ARS repeater will be used for the event.
Genesis ARS has been busy getting ready for the Boy Scouts “Scouts in the Air” event on May 6 (all day) at Plymouth Airport. The following GARS events are scheduled:
April 22, 2017: HF Digital Modes interfaces and actual implementation (bring your PC): Fldigi, PSK31, RTTY, Automated CW – KG1U and W1AKN
May 06, 2017: Boy Scouts “Scouts in the Air” event, all day at Plymouth Airport.
The Titanic Marconi Memorial Radio Association of Cape Cod, W1MGY held a special event to commemorate the Titanic from 6:30 AM on the 13th of April until 1:27 AM on the 15th (the time the vessel’s last transmission). (Information from Rob K1UI)
PART of Westford reports these five news items:
Andy, KB1OIQ, assisted the local Boy Scouts with their ham radio merit badges by running a fox hunting clinic. Fox hunting is now a requirement for earning this merit badge. Other aspects of this merit badge were handled by Ron, WQ1Z, who has a long involvement with the scouts.
Andy, KB1OIQ, recently gave a talk to PART about the BITX40 QRP SSB transceiver, created by Ashhar Farhan, VU2ESE. This is a fun kit involving machining of the case and programming the Arduino.
PART has been asked to provide ham radio support to the annual Apple Blossom Parade, held each May in Westford. PART has helped the Town of Westford and the Westford Kiwanis Club with this parade for many years.
PART members donate canned food items each month to the local food pantry, run from the Cameron Senior Center in Westford. PART meetings are held each month in the Center.
PART member George (K1IG) Allison recently had his article published in QST magazine. In the article, George discusses the “Wordsworth” method for learning CW. Andy, KB1OIQ wrote some companion software to aid in the learning effort.
(Information from Andy, KB1OIQ PART OF WESTFORD President)
What’s new in your club? Contribute to the EMA section news!
SILENT KEYS
We have received the sad news that Pentucket Radio Association member Tom Merrick, W1WUO, is a Silent Key.
FINAL WORD
Bill Mann, W1KX, sends me a report about the First Region Net (1RN) activity every month. There were 230 1RN net check-ins who passed 175 pieces of traffic during 62 net sessions in March.
Getting involved in our EMA traffic nets helps keeps this system active and provides excellent training for ARES members interested in helping during emergencies. We are particularly looking to increase participation in both the Cape and Islands Traffic Net (CITN) and the MA RI Phone net (MARIPN). After passing traffic, there is usually time for general discussions. The nets are fun. Can you help? If so, join the nets or email Marcia, KW1U, EMA Section Traffic Manager (STM) at <kw1u@arrl.net>.
CITN meets Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays on Falmouth 147.375 MHz PL 110.9 at 7:30 PM.
MARIPN meets Tu/Th/Sa at 6 PM EDT on 3978 KHz.
If you are going to NEAR-Fest, Pete, K1PJS NH Section Manager, has announced a gathering for traffic handlers on Saturday at 10 AM. Meet at the ARRL Booth.
73,
Tom, K1TW
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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
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