AUGUST 2013 SECTION NEWS

ARRL EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION

Section Manager (SM) – Phil Temples, K9HI
Assistant Section Manager (ASM) – Jeremy Breef-Pilz, KB1REQ
Affiliated Club Coordinator (ACC) – Arthur “Bo” Budinger, WA1QYM
Official Observer Coordinator (OOC) – Ed Parish, K1EP
Public Information Coordinator (PIC) – Bob Salow, WA1IDA
Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) – Rob Macedo, KD1CY
Section Traffic Manager (STM) – Marcia Forde, KW1U
State Government Liaison (SGL) – Shawn O’Donnell, K3HI
Technical Coordinator (TC) – Eric Falkof, K1NUN

AUGUST 2013 SECTION NEWS

Many members from our section participated in last month’s 2013 Test
Run, held in conjunction with the IARU HF Championship contest July
13-14. For the second straight year, the dress rehearsal event tested
the capabilities of the New England host organization, WRTC 2014, that
will sponsor the World Radiosport Team Championship. The last WRTC was
held near Moscow, Russia in 2010. In prior years, WRTCs were held in
Seattle, San Francisco, Slovenia, Finland and Brazil. Nearly all of the
action in 2014 will occur along the I-495 corridor in Eastern
Massachusetts.

“I want to thank everyone who participated this year and helped make
this Test Run a success,” writes WRTC 2014 Chairman Doug Grant, K1DG.
Doug reports that 25 identical stations were built in one day without
incident.

“All the stations got on the air and made lots of QSOs. Then it all
came back down without incident. All the towers, antennas, tents, etc.,
are safely stored away.”

Want to help? It’s not too late to get involved in this exciting
international event — one that will showcase our New England
hospitality to elite “radiosport” operators from around the world. For
more information about WRTC 2014 and how you can become involved in
this opportunity of a lifetime, visit
<http://www.wrtc2014.org/contact-info/>.

N1QGE of Westford has been busy assisting an Eagle Scout this past
month with a food pantry project.

This past month, Scott, NE1RD activated Lovells Island in Boston Harbor
on 20 meters.

Ham help is being sought for the Jimmy Fund Walk on September 8. If you
are interested, contact W3EVE at <w3eve@arrl.net>. Says Steve: “This a
great event for a new ham who wants to try out public service.”

ICOM has assembled several resources that should be of interest to all
amateurs: 1) USA Amateur Band Plan; 2) US Amateur Grid Square Map; 3)
Ham Radio Terms; 4) CQ DX Zones of the World; 5) New Rules for the 60
Meter Band. These documents can be downloaded at
<http://tinyurl.com/ml92ulv>. –Thanks Boston ARC’s The SPARC

Minuteman Repeater Association members have been busy with repeater
issues over the past month. K1IW reports the 10-meter repeater (29.68,
-100, PL 131.8) has been repaired and is working very well. A new
antenna was installed for the Brookline D-Star repeater (145.16, -600,
W1MRA..C). It is now full operational. Finally, adjustments were made
to the Burlington repeater for better receiver performance (146.716,
-600, PL 146.2).

Thanks to N1YHS, members of the Pilgrim ARC were treated to a tour of
the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Department Emergency Communications
Center Vehicle at their July meeting. Tour photos are posted on the
club’s web site at <http://pilgrimarc.org>.

K1RV recently worked FP/KV1J on St. Pierre using a 160-meter inverted L
with 100 watts on 6M SSB. Says Pi: “I guess that’s why they call it the
magic band.”

South Shore Hospital ARC has been testing a 222 MHz repeater. They
report that “there is still a fair amount of testing to be done and
equipment to be tweaked” but an announcement will be made when the
machine is ready for use.

North Shore RA members mourn the loss of Silent Key Herbert G. Ryan,
W1KVQ, of S. Hamilton.

Attention South Shore hams: The South Shore SKYWARN Net meets every
Saturday evening at 8 PM on 147.180+. It is open to all.

Omitted in an earlier column: Marathon Amateur Radio Consortium
coordinators were interviewed about communications during this year’s
BAA Marathon for Newsline. The interview can be heard at
<http://tinyurl.com/oft6v9m> <https://www.arnewsline.org/news/2013/4/18/amateur-radio-newsline-report-1862-april-19-2013.html>.

Correction: last month’s column incorrectly stated “NT1FD” was the
featured speaker at a Massasoit ARC meeting. Bill’s correct call is
NR1FD.

Massasoit ARA member KB1TEE will hold a “BBQSO” at his QTH in
Middleborough on August 17. According to MARA, “a great time was had by
all” who attended last year’s event.

The Cape Ann ARA is actively involved in purchasing its clubhouse
building in Gloucester, reports CAARA President Stan Stone, W4HIX.
“This is slowly moving through the City government with good support
from Mayor Kirk and Councilwoman Hardy,” reports Stan. “With a little
luck, it will come up to the Planning and Development Committee in
August where I will make a presentation.”

The NTS Traffic Handlers Picnic will take place on Sunday, August 4
from 12 Noon to 4 PM at the Raynham Senior Center. Details are posted
at <http://nts.ema.arrl.org>.

Boston ARC is looking ahead to the BAA Half-Marathon in Boston on
October 13. If you can assist with communications for this event,
contact <ab1rl@arrl.net>.

Nashoba Valley ARC members recently heard a presentation on atmospheric
physics by Phil Erikson from the MIT Haystack Observatory.

Cape and Islands ARES held an emergency exercise known as Operation
“Solar Strike” on July 27. Seven different sites ranging from Acushnet
to North Eastham were involved in the exercise.

Finally, on a personal note: I felt extremely privileged to once again
serve as one of the volunteer instructors at the Courage Kenny Handiham
Program’s Radio Camp in Maple Lake, Minnesota on July 27-August 2, 2013.

These campers — men and women ranging in age from teens to senior
citizens — arrive at Camp Courage from all over the country. Whether
they are without the use of their sight, are wheelchair bound, or
suffer from brain or other traumatic injuries, they are undeterred by
their disabilities. I am in awe of the courage and determination they
display. The campers come with the common goal of earning their
Technician, General or Extra class license, or to participate in the
Operating Skills seminar. Oh, and yes — to have fun sailing on the
lake, singing at the campfire, or having friendly eyeball rag chews in
the dining hall.

This is my thirteenth year as a volunteer in the program but my tenure
is by no means the longest. Several instructors have been coming to
camp for twenty — even thirty years. One such individual, Extra class
instructor and Camp physician, Dr. Dave Justis, KN0S, received special
recognition this week via a personal audio greeting by ARRL President
Kay Craigie, N3KN, addressed to all the campers and honoring him for
his nearly “four decades of service” to the program.

I look forward to my visit to Radio Camp next year, and renewing
acquaintances with folks whom I consider as my “extended ham family.”
We are always looking for hams interested in this unique form of
service; please contact Handiham Program Coordinator Pat Tice, WA0TDA
or me for details.

73,

K9HI

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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Phillip Temples, K9HI
k9hi@arrl.org
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