EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION NEWS – JULY 2017
GEORGE, K1IG, WINS MAY QST COVER AWARD
I can think of no better way to start this month’s news than offering congratulations to George, K1IG, for receiving the QST Cover Award for May 2017. George’s winning article, “Increase Your CW speed with Wordsworth”, describes a technique to copy Morse code in your head. It was my pleasure as Section Manager to present this award to George in person at the July PART of Westford club meeting. After receiving a thunderous applause from the members, George spoke briefly and showed an earlier cover award he had won for a 1980 article!
AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT – 2017
We came close last year to getting Amateur Radio Parity Act passed. It failed due to the opposition of one US Senator from Florida. ARRL is working to make this year’s outcome a success but they need our help. As this news was about to go out, the League issued a call for everyone to reach out to our Massachusetts US Senators to support S.1534. The ARRL has made it easy to do. It’s important this Act is passed to ensure Amateur Radio is treated fairly nationwide. Follow the instructions found at the link, below. It will take just a few minutes of your time. Thank you.
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-president-issues-call-for-members-to-reach-out-to-their-senators-to-support-s-1534>
2016 ARRL ANNUAL REPORT – A GREAT READ
This year’s ARRL Annual Report is a great read. It is packed with interesting stories and articles about our great hobby. Want to know what else the League does besides publish QST? This is a look into that much bigger picture. (And, yes, that is me barely visible on page 19, in the back row at the Section Manager training last fall in Newington.) <http://www.arrl.org/annual-reports>
2017 FIELD DAY
Congratulations to all the Eastern Massachusetts clubs and individuals who participated in this year’s Field Day. It is a great event for newcomers to the hobby to learn basic operating skills, and for the more experienced to share those skills. Thanks to all who made Field Day a huge success. Thank you to the EMA clubs who took the time to send your Section Manager a Field Day message and claim the 100-point bonus score as well. For personal reasons, I was unable to visit many club Field Day sites as I had previously the past two years. I did manage to visit the Quannapowitt RA (QRA) in Burlington, and the Boston ARC/Harvard Wireless Club in Hingham. I am happy to say the EMA section staff helped to fill in with visits; thanks, Marek KB1NCG (SEC), Marcia (KW1U), and Rob KD1CY. Bill N1VUX, who maintains our EMA FD locator also toured several sites. I guess Bill wanted to make sure he got the maps and GPS coordinates exactly right. Nice going Bill! Both Tom, K1KI (New England ARRL Director) and Mike, K1TWF (New England ARRL Vice Director) were spotted in various EMA locales. Thanks to all the dedicated clubs, individuals, and ARRL staffers for a great 2017 Field Day weekend.
ARRL BOARD MEETS IN NEWINGTON IN JULY
In preparation for ARRL Board meetings, our Division Director, Tom K1KI, invites New England Club presidents (or their designated representatives) to meet with him at a daylong cabinet meeting. The most recent cabinet meeting was held July 1 in Springfield MA. The discussion and feedback gives Tom better insight into relevant issues and topics for the Board meetings. New England Section Managers and other ARRL staff also attend. I find the meetings very helpful as I meet not only with our EMA club representatives, but representatives from all six New England states. If your club does not participate in these twice-yearly gatherings, I encourage your club president or designated representative to attend the next cabinet meeting. It is time well spent.
LOTS OF HAM RADIO ACTIVITY IN AUGUST
Although we may be in the middle of summer vacation, plenty of ham radio activity happens in August. Be sure to check out the coast-to-coast Total Solar eclipse on August 21. This event affords amateur radio operators the opportunity to participate directly in studying the effects of solar eclipses on the ionosphere. Leading this propagation study is HamSCI, the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation. HAMSCI wants hams to be on the air before, during, and after August 21 so data can be collected on the eclipse’s impact. There are many ways to participate, but two important ones are: using the Weak Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR) computer software on the HF bands, and joining the Eclipse QSO Party. If you are interested in being a part of this unique opportunity, for information go to <http://www.hamsci.org/>.
NVARC AND THE ECLIPSE
At least one club has taken up the HAMSCI Challenge with great enthusiasm. The Nashoba Valley ARC has put together a very informative presentation on getting ready for the eclipse and participating in the propagation study. NVARC President Stan, KD1LE, has taken it a step further by giving presentations to several EMA clubs. NVARC has challenged its members to participate using WSPR. At last count, fifteen NVARC members have answered the challenge. NVARC encourages other clubs to do the same. To obtain a copy of their fine presentation visit the NVARC website at <https://www.n1nc.org/>.
GET READY FOR BOXBORO (SEPTEMBER 8-10, 2017)
The Boxboro Committee is still looking for a few more great speakers to round out our popular program of talks and forums. If you have a forum topic, or know of someone who does, please contact Phil Temples <k9hi@boxboro.org>, or sign-up on the website at <http://boxboro.org/forums-and-classes/speaker-signup>. Speakers will receive a $10 lunch voucher and reserved (close-in) parking.
Boxboro is also seeking volunteers to staff our ticket booths, assist with presentations, and help with parking. You can sign up as a volunteer at: <http://boxboro.org/volunteer>. Volunteers who work at least three hours will receive a $10 lunch voucher.
JUNE TRAFFIC REPORT (COMBINED EMA/WMA)
BPL: KW1U
PSHR: KW1U, KC1CIC, N1IQI, N1SYC, N1TF, W1RVY, N1LAH, N1LKJ
See the monthly “Public Service” column in QST for more information.
EMA/WMA NTS Nets are listed below. Are you a new ARES member? A good way to start is to check in to these nets below and earn points toward the Public Service Honor. Give it a try. You will meet some very nice folks on the nets and it’s also a good way to improve your CW speed.
EM2MN 145.230 MHz 8 PM Daily EMA 2 Meter
Net
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
EMA STAFF LIST
Need to contact someone? The staff list is here <http://ema.arrl.org/>
SILENT KEYS
We received the sad news that Glyn Staples, KB1ODL became a Silent Key on June 19, 2017 (Information via Jack, W1AKN, Genesis ARS)
FINAL WORD
Avoid the summer doldrums! Get on the air in August. Enjoy the special radio activities surrounding the magnificent total solar eclipse on August 21.
73,
Tom, K1TW
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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
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