a field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
The Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM report for December 2024 is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-december-2024/. Note year-end report for 2024 and a special Callout from Phil Temples, K9HI regarding NTS 2, an initiative to improve and enhance the National Traffic System. Please note February 4, 2025 at 9:00 PM Eastern Time to learn more about this initiative.
On Saturday, January 18, the Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club will operate Special Event Station KM1CC in Wellfleet, MA, grid FN51, to celebrate the 122nd Anniversary of Marconi’s first transatlantic wireless message from the USA. The message was sent by Marconi from his South Wellfleet, MA USA station to his Poldu, UK station.
KM1CC will be active 1500 UTC-2100 UTC using CW, SSB (multiple bands) and digital FT8 standard frequencies. Check dxsummit.fi for real time SSB frequencies. For CW, check reversebeacon.net -“spotted” KM1CC for frequencies.
The KM1CC operators hope to work you on Saturday!
Rol Anders, K3RA writes:
Tuesday, January 7: “Coast Guard Auxiliary Communications” by Harlan Doliner, NE1HD.
Description: This presentation will focus on how the Coast Guard Auxiliary utilizes VHF, HF and other frequencies in working independently and with both Active Duty Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reservists. This work involves standing radio watches, participating in search & rescue, performing comms in other surface, air and ground missions, supporting safety education for the recreational boating public, as well as other areas. The presentation is aimed at ham radio operators and includes some information on non-secure USCG frequencies which hams can monitor.
Bio: Harlan was first licensed as a ham in 2014, upgrading to Extra in 2016. He focuses mostly on HF DX and local VHF nets. Harlan has been in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary since 2001 and his current duties include pre-arrival screening of foreign flag vessels for Sector’s Port State Control. Harlan is qualified as an Auxiliary Telecommunications Operator and in 2004 was a member of one of the Auxiliary teams representing the United States in the International Search and Rescue Competition, where he was the team member in primary charge of comms. He lives with his wife in Holliston.
The Region #2 and State Net Schedule for this evening is as follows:
| Net | Frequency/Offset | Time |
| Sector 2A | 147.00 /+0.60 PL | 19:30 Local |
| Sector 2B | 145.39/-0.60 PL 67.0 | 20:00 Local |
| Sector 2C | Winlink Net Check-In | 6AM-Midnight Local Time |
| Sector 2D | 146.865/-0.60 PL 103.5 | 19:30 Local |
| 6-Meter State Net | 53.31 / -1.0 PL 71.9
Note: Net activity on this repeater has been hit and miss. Please report any activity. |
19:00 Local |
| MA RACES HF Net | 3930 KHz LSB moving up to 3955 KHz until there is a clear frequency | 18:45 Local |
| MA MEMA NBEMS Net | Frequency: 3584.5 MHx, Center Frequency: 1500 Hz, Initial mode: THOR22 | 19:00 Local |
K1UN-Joseph Fratto – USCG Coast Guard Auxiliary & FCC General Radiotelephone Operator writes:
The USCG Auxiliary Radio Net was held 5 JAN 2025 at 1030 AM on the Roslindale repeater.
Check Ins: Radio Roslindale
Radio Wilmington
Mobile 5F
Mobile 5G
Radio Winthrop
Net Control: Radio Waltham NCS
Traffic: Just routine radio test traffic was held. Radio Roslindale discussed plans for
installing a radio tower at his location. A call was put out on the Auxiliary net
on MMRA and KC1DD supplied Dan with an antenna installer from NH that
he has used in the past.
Cold weather will persist in New England for at least the next week or so.
Members are also reminded in addition to weather warnings to be very
vigilant when out and about due to the increased terrorism warnings. Always
stay alert to potential problems. The FBI has predicted more motor vehicle
attacks in the coming weeks.
Remember the saying “If you see something – Say something”
The MMRA Ham Radio Auxiliary net on the MMRA network went well this week.
The following Hams checked into the Net this morning:
N1STE
KB1WGK
KS1E
KA1CUH
W1ATO
WB1EMS
K1UVH
KC1VJH
N1DFL
KB1MWD
N1MSK
W1JVC
KC1DD
KA1GFN
K1HGT
K1UN NCS
Stations are reminded to tell other members who are Hams to come on the Sunday
Auxiliary Net on the MMRA at 1100 hrs. All they need is a Ham Radio License. Our
members that listen on their scanners can receive the MMRA on 146.67 Mhz or a
few other frequencies listed on the mmra.org website.
Also in the event of extreme weather conditions we will activate our SKYWARN net
on the Roslindale repeater.
Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License
Richard A. Netinho, AC1JG writes on the SEMARA mailing list:
On Sunday 01/19/25 at 11:30AM [SEMARA] will be hosting an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) refresher course at the club. Everyone is welcome to attend. The class will be conducted right after Sunday coffee.
Try to let us know if you plan to attend. Prior registration is not required. We would just like an idea of how many people will be attending.
Thank you,
Richard A. Netinho
Hello to all…
We hope everyone had a great time over the Christmas/New Year/Holiday period and we are thankful for your support of Eastern Massachusetts, ARES, SKYWARN, RACES and public service! The January Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday January 6th, 2025 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.
For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)
We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have several announcements for the net including an Eastern Massachusetts ARES exercise for Saturday 2/1/25 and volunteer registration for the 2025 Boston Marathon which remains open through Friday February 7th, 2025 at 5 PM ET.
Thanks for your continued support of ARES!
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio
Don Rolph, AB1PH, Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:
The MEMA RACES nets are held on the first Monday of the month, unless the first Monday is a holiday, when it is delayed one week, For Jan 2025, the MEMA RACES nets will be held on Mon Jan 6 at:
********************************************************************************
80 meter Voice net
6:45 PM
Frequency: 3930 KHz working up until the first free frequency
Jeff N1JCM will be net control
*********************************************************************************
Region 2D VHF net:
7:30 PM ET VHF net on 146.865 MHz PL 103.5 (Sharon Repeater)
We will have a general call up of any RACES, ARES, or other interested stations. If there is time, we will have a simplex test.
Don WA1PLE will be net control.
********************************************************************************
HF 80 meters NBEMS net:
7:00 PM ET
Dial Frequency: 3584.5 MHx
Center Frequency: 1500 Hz
Initial mode: THOR22
We will have checkins, followed by an ICS-213 format message using FLMSG.
Don AB1PH will be net control
*********************************************************************************
Winlink Net:
Bryan Marcotte KF1D will be net control.
Send a winlink checkin form to KF1D, copy AB1PH, between 0600 Monday Jan 6 and 2400 Monday Jan 6.
We look forward to you checking in!
—
73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph
Good Evening,
On Saturday January 4, 2025 the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10:00AM.
We realize that some locations, individuals, and groups may be subject to COVID restrictions. We encourage everyone who is affected by these restrictions to utilize their home or mobile stations to check into the net if possible. Even if you cannot reach all the systems being used, please check-in on those you can.
We will use the following repeaters in the order listed.
1. West Bridgewater repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. Attleboro Repeater 147.195 tone 127.3
3. DMR -Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot :1 on the following NEDECN repeaters: Boston 449.175 -5.M CC:1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC:1, Sagamore 145.200 – 0.6M CC:10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC:11, East Falmouth 145.210 -0.600 CC:9, Martha’s Vineyard145.180 -0.600 CC:10, and Walpole 145.380 -0.600 CC:12.
4. Danvers Repeater 145.470 tone 136.5
5. Simplex 147.420
We will then return to the West Bridgewater Repeater for Net closing.
NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check-in procedure which is: Here is.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.
We extend an invitation to any health care facility, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members to check in during the NET.
We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible.
We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.
We hope to hear you Saturday.
73,
Jeff N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH
Don Rolph, AB1PH writes:—
73,
From CAARA Facebook page:
For those who wish to get their license or upgrade, here’s a list of testing times at the CAARA Clubhouse at 6 Stanwood St, in Gloucester, MA.
Test Sessions registered with ARRL VEC for first half of Calendar Year 2025:
Jan 12, 2025. 10am-12 Noon
Feb 9, 2025. “” “”
Mar 9, 2025. “” “”
Apr 13, 2025. “” “”
May 11, 2025.** “” “”
Jun 8, 2025.** “” “”
Anyone considering a new license or an upgrade is welcome to test with us. If you will be taking a test, please bring 2 forms of ID and $15.00 for the testing fee.
[View directions and a map to our clubhouse](https://caara.net/main/?page_id=183).
K1UN-Joseph Fratto – USCG Coast Guard Auxiliary & FCC General Radiotelephone Operator writes:
The USCG Auxiliary Division 5 / 12 Radio Net was held this Sunday 29 DEC 24 at 1030 hrs.
Check Ins: Radio Roslindale
Radio Wilmington
Mobile 5F
Mobile 5G
Radio Winthrop
Net Control: Radio Waltham NCS
Traffic: Radio tests were made. Weather is about 51* a great day to get a few things done outside.
Hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday. Just one more to get through. New Year’s Day.
Hopefully the weather will hold out and it will be a warm New Years Eve. With all the celebrations
going on please use caution while driving. With Everything else going on always be aware of
your surroundings. Situational awareness in USCG language.
Any member wishing to become a Ham Radio Operator is advised to check out the MMRA.ORG
Web Page. Minuteman Repeater Association web page for further information on taking the Ham
Radio Exam. You can also go on the ARRL.ORG for new license information. On the second
Wednesday of the month in the evening the MMRA has a very nice training session. This is a Zoom
meeting and there are experts on hand to answer any all radio and license questions you may have.
The Zoom training is free and open to anyone interested in Ham Radio. Check out mmra.org.
The “Auxiliary Net” held on Sunday Mornings at 1100 on the MMRA network is still going strong.
If you know any Auxiliarist that is a Ham, tell them to join us on the Net. The MMRA radio frequencies
can also be heard on your scanner radio at 146.67 or 147.715 MMRA system.
The following Hams checked in this morning:
N1STE
KB1WGK
KC1VMG
KA1CUH
K1HGT
KC1VJH
K1UVH
N1JSM
N1DFL
KB1NZZ
N1MSK
KA1GFN
WB1EMS
WA1CFX
KC1VXV
KC1OXG
KB1MWD
KC1VHN
KC1VXR
KC1VYI
Net Control: K1UN NCS
Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License
To all: Merry Christmas! Fantastic Festivus! Happy Hannukah! Kewl Yule! Wonderful Winter Solstice! Festive Kwanzaa! And if I missed your winter holiday, please forgive me and accept my heartfelt Season’s Greetings! Welcome to the December 2024 EMA Section Update! As for the past several updates, I’m publishing this to the EMA Section and NE Division websites and sending it to all clubs I have email addresses for. Please distribute this widely. The email-blast-to-all-section-members function is still down, a casualty of the cyber-attack on ARRL HQ; there is currently no ETA.
Well, that unseasonably warm weather in November came to an end, and we’re back to seasonably chilly temperatures. Fortunately (from my perspective), we’re just now getting a tiny bit of snow here on Cape Cod, though I know some of us had a wintry blast a few weeks ago. Ah well, it’s winter in New England, and we’re from hearty stock so we can take it. I hope! Let’s keep our fingers crossed for not too much snow and not too many winter storms. It’s SUCH a pain to fix downed wire antennas when there’s snow on the ground!
* Swampscott High School’s Permission for Fun Day!
On Wednesday Nov 27, Swampscott High School hosted special event station W1B for the school’s 2024 Permission for Fun Day. Each year on the day before Thanksgiving break, the school holds a “Permission for Fun” day where teachers and students share their hobbies and interests and take part in fun and creative activities together. Great fun was had by all. Full details at https://ema.arrl.org/2024/11/27/swampscott-high-school-special-event-station-w1b-permission-for-fun-day-november-27-2024/
* ARRL Sweepstakes Notes from the Field
Jack, W1WEF, kindly contributed his observations about ARRL SS this year. Jack writes:
“Hi Jon. I operated SS phone AND CW. SS was the first contest I ever entered, in 1952 my first year licensed. The only reason I know I was in it is that I ran across a QSL with a Feb 1953 postmark (and a 2-cent stamp) from W1NY saying thanks for the Sweepstakes contact! I always enjoyed SS because it takes me back to my NTS days in the 50’s, when I started out checking into WMN and working my way up to EAN NCS and TCC liaison. That was all CW and was where I learned to love CW.”
Thanks for the reflections, Jack!
* Recruiting Volunteer Webmaster(s) for the EMA Website
Phil, K9HI has done a fantastic job of maintaining the https://ema.arrl.,org website. I (still) need to recruit some backup resources. If you have basic skills with WordPress and can help maintain the website – mostly posting new articles at the suggestion of me and others – please contact me at n1ilz@arrl.org. You’ll be helping me – and the League – immensely!
* Recruiting a New Section Youth Coordinator
Sadly, our Section’s former Section Youth Coordinator, Paul K1YUB, is now a Silent Key. I need to fill this important position on the EMA Section Staff. The SYC requirement and job description is at https://www.arrl.org/section-youth-coordinator If you are interested in this volunteer position, please contact me at n1ilz@arrl.org – I’ll appreciate it greatly!
* N1ILZ for a Final
Stay safe and warm out there! I hope everyone has a great Winter Holiday. Batten down the hatches just in case we have a killer Winter and have fun getting ready for Winter Field Day!
Can you write a paragraph or two about your ham radio New Year’s resolutions for 2025? Or just a few words about what you’re up to, so I can publish it in the Section Update? Let me know via email at n1ilz@arrl.org!
* For always up-to-date news, please visit the EMA Section website at http://ema.arrl.org
This Section News Update is brought to you by Section Manager Jon N1ILZ.
K1UN-Joseph Fratto – USCG Coast Guard Auxiliary & FCC General Radiotelephone Operator writes:
The USCG Auxiliary Division 5 / 12 Radio Net was held this Sunday 22 DEC 2024 at 1030 hrs. The
Net was held on the Roslindale repeater.
Check Ins: Radio Roslindale
Radio Wilmington
Radio Harvard
Radio Winthrop
Mobile 5F
Mobile 5G
Net Control: Radio Waltham NCS
Traffic: There are still positions available to work the upcoming Boat Show. If you are interested
please go through your FC or contact our Division Officers. Temperature this morning was
12 * and this is a real test for electronic equipment. In the old days radio rooms were always
toasty warm with all the vacuum tube radio equipment. Today we depend on expensive
heaters.
Thank You to all stations for your continued support of our radio nets. We wish all stations
a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah. To our members on sick leave please get
well soon. All members are urged to use caution and stay safe during this cold weather.
The “Auxiliary Net” on the MMRA Ham Radio Network is going great. We are getting about
twenty Ham Radio Operators weekly checking into the net. This is a force multiplier for the
USCG Auxiliary Comms Program. This week the following Hams took the time to check
into the net and say hello:
N1STE
WB1WGK
W1ATO
K1HGT
KB1NZZ
K1UVH
WB1EMS
KC1VJH
N1DFL
KB1MWD
N1MSK
WA1SCS
KA1CUH
W1HAI
KC1JAV
KC1VMG
KC1VHN
W1JVC
KA1GFN
K1UN / NCS
Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License
The USCG Auxiliary Division 5 / 12 Radio Net was held this Sunday 15 DEC 24 at 1030 hrs.
Check Ins: Radio Roslindale
Radio Wilmington
Mobile 5F
Mobile 5G
Radio Winthrop
Net Control: Radio Waltham NCS
Traffic: General information was discussed on the Net. They are still looking for
available members to work the Boat Show. The Division 5 / 12 activation
for inclement weather SKYWARN went well. During weather events please
tune to the Roslindale repeater for information.
Just a reminder that the ID machine is back up and running normal. The
“Auxiliary Net” held on the MMRA Network is going strong. The following
stations checked into the Net this morning.
KB1WGK
KA1CUH
KC1VJH
W1ATO
K1UVH
WB1EMS
N1DFL
KE4OZD
N1JSM
N1OSG
KC1LPZ
KA1GFN
N1MSK
K1HGT
N1STE
KB1MWD
KB1VXY
N1NGZ
KC1VHN
W1JVC
KC1VMG
K1UN Net Control Station
Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License
The Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM Report for November 2024 can now be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-november-2024/. Note reports from the net managers about new and returning traffic handlers and trainees, holiday greetings via radiogram, information about Station Activity Reports (SAR), and POTA – thoughts about emergency preparedness. Holiday greetings to all!
Tue, December 17, 2024 at 7 PM: “Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s antenna laboratory, Software Radio Design course, and STEM in general at WPI” by Alexander M. Wyglinski, WPI Professor & Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.
Bio: Dr. Wyglinski is an internationally recognized expert in wireless communications, cognitive radio, spectrum coexistence, 5G/6G, connected vehicles, software-defined radio, dynamic spectrum access, satellite communications, and vehicular technology. Dr. Wyglinski is a Full Professor of Electrical Engineering and Robotics Engineering as well as the Director of the Wireless Innovation Laboratory (WILab) at WPI. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Wyglinski has published nearly 50 journal papers, over 120 conference papers, nine book chapters, and three textbooks. Dr. Wyglinski is a Senior Member of the IEEE, as well as a member of Sigma Xi, Eta Kappa Nu, and the ASEE.