Upcoming Zoom + On-Air Training for FLDIGI

Don Rolph, AB1PH writes:

We will be holding a Zoom session to help people get configured with FLDIGI:

Thursday October 10
7:00 PM – ~8:30 PM or until done
 
 We will go through the configuration of FLDIGI/FLMSG/FLAMP to work on your amateur radio station.  You will be attending a Zoom session from the PC controlling your station.  We will then check to ensure that your configuration is working.  If there are failures, we will work to debug them via screen sharing during the zoom session.   In some cases, issues will be resistant to debugging during the session and we will deal with these individuals in one on one sessions later.
 
To participate effectively in the Zoom session, your Zoom session and FLDIGI connected to your radio should be running on the same computer.
 
You should install: FLDIGI, FLMSG, and FLAMP prior to the session:
 
The Zoom invitation is:

Don Rolph is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: FLDIGI Class
Time: Oct 10, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86397317457?pwd=NFMfTJun4Du17Hba3uUhB96wImzQva.1

Meeting ID: 863 9731 7457
Passcode: 854541

In subsequent weeks we will have Zoom + on-air training for NBEMS and how to interact with a digital traffic net. Please stay tuned for announcements.

 

K6KJN: “Twenty Things I’ve Learned While Curating the Digital Library of Amateur Radio & Communications” at Framingham ARA Meeting, October 3, 2024

John Iwuc, KB1VXY, writes on the Framingham ARA mailing list:
 
Please register for our October 3 meeting. We will forgo our usual business meeting and start promptly at 7 pm at the McAuliffe Library and on Zoom.
  1. Tom Frenaye, K1KI, who is one of the contenders for the New England Division Director of the ARRL, will talk for the first 10 minutes or so.
  2. After that Kay Savetz, K6KJN, will talk about  “Twenty Things I’ve Learned While Curating the Digital Library of Amateur Radio & Communications”
  3. We are planning on having Fred Kemmerrer, AB1OC, current New England Director of the ARRL, talk about his work at a special meeting probably on 10/10/24, stay tuned.
Please register whether or not you will attend on Zoom.
 
John

K9TAD: “Sunspots and Radio Propagation” at Billerica ARS Meeting, October 2, 2024

Billerica ARS logoBillerica ARS President Doug Bruce, N1WRN, writes:

We are pleased to announce that Terry Dennison, K9TAD, will be our Guest Speaker via Zoom on Wednesday Night, October 2, 2024. Terry will give a talk on Sunspot and Radio Propagation.

Here are some biographical details about Terry:

  • FCC Extra Class Amateur Radio License (2010), First Licensed in 2007 Callsign: K9TAD.
  • Memberships: American Radio Relay League (ARRL); Volunteer Examiner (VE) – authorized to participate in Amateur Radio License Examinations, Accredited to the Greater Los Angeles Amateur Radio Group (GLAARG) VEC, VE # 3208E.
  • Associated with: the AD4VE team Southern California DX Club; Southern California Contest Club; PAPA System (Southern California FM/DMR/D-Star Repeater Club); AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation); G-QRP Club (UK Low-Power QRP Club).

We will announce the link to join the Zoom meeting before the meeting, but it will be posted to the BARS email list and should not be shared outside our Club. Are you on the email list? If not, please send an email to bars-subscribe@w1hh.org and then simply reply to the robot response from the server and you will be subscribed.

Observing our Zoom meeting requires only a web browser and headphones/speakers. You do not need a webcam or microphone unless you want to speak or be seen.

Before our meeting date, please go to https://zoom.us/test and see if it will function for you. If you have problems, we can try to assist – feel free to ask questions on the BARS email list.

I am looking forward to “seeing” many of you there on Wednesday 10/2 at 1900.

September 2024 Section Update

Welcome to the September 2024 EMA Section Update! I am publishing this update to the EMA Section and NE Division websites. 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. I’m publishing the Update on the EMA website and sending it to all the clubs I have email addresses for, with a request to distribute it widely. Please spread the word.   

 It’s now officially Autumn. That means the population of our Cape Cod communities has reverted to mostly normal. Many businesses have shuttered for the season, with many more planning their last hurrah for shortly after Columbus Day. This is by far my favorite season, as the temperatures moderate, the traffic calms down, the leaves turn, and things quiet down. And I’ll take my beverages without pumpkin spice, thank you very much!  

 

* Election for New England Division Director  

Nominations are now closed for ARRL New England Division Director and Vice Director. Incumbent Vice Director Phil Temples K9HI was the only person to submit nominating paperwork for Vice Director, so he was declared elected for the next three-year term. Incumbent Director Fred Kemmerer AB1OC faces Director Emeritus Tom Frenaye K1KI in the upcoming election for Director, New England Division. Emails have already been sent to all ARRL members in the Division with instructions on how to vote. Whomever your choice is, I strongly encourage you to vote in this very important election! 

 

* HamXpo Was a Huge Success!! 

 In my not-so-humble opinion, HamXposition 2024, held this past August 22-25, was an unmitigated, smashing success. The vendor area was full to bursting, the list of seminars was broader and deeper than what one finds at HamVention (Dayton), and I believe a truly great time was had by all who attended. Please forward your HamXpo stories to me for inclusion in the next Section Update. The HamXposition website, https://hamxposition.org has thousands of photos, if you want to revisit the fun.  

 I’m already looking forward to next year!! Please mark your calendars for August 21-24, 2025, the dates for next year’s event. 

 

* Boston Area GMRS Club Seeks New Members 

 Gregg Lebovitz, KD1MU, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list: 

 I wanted to let fellow GMRS licensees know that we are now taking memberships for the Boston Area GMRS Club.  

The club is a not-for-profit 501c(3) corporation and focuses on two main areas 1) technology, operator proficiency, and emergency communications education and 2) building a GMRS infrastructure to aid agencies in their emergency communications efforts.  

More details at https://ema.arrl.org/2024/09/19/boston-area-gmrs-club/ 

 

* Successful Walpole EMA/CERT Amateur Radio Field Exercise Held on Sep 21, 2024  

 On Sat. Sept 21, the Walpole Emergency Management Agency and Community Emergency Response Team sponsored an amateur radio field exercise. Operating portable and despite the rain, nine stations were deployed, eight at Adam’s Farm in Walpole and one on High Rock in Foxboro. Full details at  

https://ema.arrl.org/2024/09/23/amateur-radio-field-exercise-on-sat-sep-21-sponsored-by-walpole-ema-and-cert-team/   

 

* Northeastern Wireless Club “Yagi Build” a “Fantastic Success” 

 Jonah Lefkoff writes on the Northeastern Wireless mailing list: 

 The Northeastern Wireless Club held a workshop on building tape measure yagi antennas that was a fantastic success. Attendees built many awesome antennas, and learned a bit about impedance matching and soldering along the way. Next step: use these new antennas in a fox hunt around campus. Full details at https://ema.arrl.org/2024/09/12/northeastern-wireless-club-yagi-build-a-fantastic-success/  

 

* NTS Traffic Handling Training Session, October 14, 2024  

Mark your calendars! Interested in NTS and Traffic Handling? Join us Monday, October 14 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. This training will incorporate videos and open discussion to get you started in an exciting aspect of the hobby that’s been around for over 100 years! Full details at https://ema.arrl.org/2024/09/09/nts-traffic-handling-training-session-october-14-2024/  

 

* 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 

Last month I reported that our Section Youth Coordinator, Paul K1YUB, had stepped down from his position. I’m even more sad to report that Paul 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!  Autumn is here, the traffic is (mostly) calming down, and the weather forecasters are predicting – well, who listens to those crazy long-term weather forecasters anyway?  Go pick some apples, go peep at some leaves, and enjoy all that a New England Autumn has to offer! And get those outdoor antenna projects done before the snow starts flying fierce and it’s too cold to go out (proving a great excuse to stay by the space-heater – I mean linear amplifier – and make some QSOs. 

 Can you write a paragraph or two 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 Assistant SM and Vice Director Phil Temples K9HI, and Section Manager Jon N1ILZ. 

 

“Foxboro family makes worldwide connections with ham radio”

Joanne McLaughlin, KB1FVNFrom The Foxboro Reporter, September 26, 2024:

A local woman found a unique skill to be helpful to the community and beyond.

Joanne McLaughlin of Foxboro, a retired teacher, has been a licensed amateur radio operator since October 2000 when the Federal Communication Commission issued her call sign, KB1FVN.

McLaughlin said she started the hobby because she saw first hand some family members who are licensed amateur radio operators. Amateur radio operators can talk across town or across the world without a phone or internet.

“It also allowed me to learn something new and share a hobby with my husband and son,” she said.

[Full story]

Parks On The Air: Hopkinton State Park, September 29, 2024

Parks On The Air logoMichael Powell, W1KU, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:

I’m planning on activating Hopkinton State Park on Sunday 9/29 in the morning and early afternoon.  Joe KA1GDQ is planning to join me around 10:00.

I plan to field-test some of my own radio, antenna, and power equipment.  I expect to set up for SSB and FT8 on bands between 10m and 40m, depending on conditions.  My plan is to set up at picnic tables in this area of the park — https://maps.app.goo.gl/zJ1fNgyazpv5giQD6 — but that is subject to change. 

If you are interesting in “activating” the park yourself,  you are welcome to join and use my setup to make some QSOs under your call.   An official activation requires 10 QSOs under your callsign (any band/mode but no earth-based repeaters).  You can sign up for POTA online and upload your log to POTA for activation credit after the activation.

This activation is not a formal AARC event, just a chance to get out and enjoy the weather and band conditions.  If you are planning to join, please send me an email.  I also will keep a handheld on the N1EM repeater while I am at the park.  If I need to cancel, I’ll send a follow-up email to AARClist.

To learn more about Parks on the Air, see https://parksontheair.com/.

Baystate Marathon and Half-Marathon ham volunteers needed Sunday October 20, 2024

Terry Stader-KA8SCP – Region 1 RACES Radio Officer & ARES District Emergency Coordinator for Region 1 RACES writes:

We are still looking for volunteers….

This year’s Baystate Marathon and Half Marathon race is scheduled for Sunday October 20, 2024.

Amateur Radio operators have been asked once again to support the Baystate Marathon and Half Marathon. This year the event is on Sunday, October 20th.

Our operational time period is from approximately 0700 until event completion (estimated 1400). Our assistance has been requested by Lowell Office of Emergency Management and Lowell Fire Department. The communications team will be employing Amateur Radio to provide this communications asset.

Amateur Radio will be used for:
* Accountability Net: the purpose of this net is to coordinate with a race public information booth the status of runners who are unable to complete the race for any issue to any one is seeking this information.

Race info may be found at http://baystatemarathon.com.
Course map is found at
https://www.baystatemarathon.com/course-map-description

Please contact me if you can assist or would like more information.

Please share with others that may be interested. This is a pretty laid back event and suitable for first time public event participation.

Terry

Terry M. Stader – KA8SCP
MEMA Region 1 RACES Officer
ARRL ARES Eastern MA District Emergency Coordinator for Region 1 RACES

Amateur Radio Field Exercise on Sat. Sep 21 Sponsored by Walpole EMA and CERT Team

On Sat. Sept 21, the Walpole Emergency Management Agency and Community Emergency Response Team sponsored an amateur radio field exercise. Operating portable and despite the rain, nine stations were deployed, eight at Adam’s Farm in Walpole and one on High Rock in Foxboro. Nets were held on:

  • 80 meter voice
  • 80 meter NBEMS
  • 20 meter NBEMS

And communication was also established on:

  • 60 meter voice
  • 2 meter repeater
  • 440 MHz repeater

A variety of transceivers (QRP and 50 – 100 watts) were tested. A variety of antennas, both horizontal wire and vertical were deployed, and a variety of power systems, including solar, were deployed. Most stations were under the Adam’s Farm pavilion, but Leandra AF1R operated mobile HF from her car and Alan WA1AR operated from his tailgate during the peak of the rain.

A lessons-learned document is being prepared which will:

  • Guide Walpole EMA amateur radio deployments moving forward
  • Based on lessons learned, support a possible next field test in the spring of 2025

Thanks to the following amateurs who deployed stations and/or antennas:

  • Jeff N1JCM
  • Dave K1HRV
  • Matt KC1PFA
  • Alan WA1AR
  • Phil KB1CYO
  • Chris KB1NLW
  • Leandra AF1R
  • Frank KC4BFD
  • Larry KB1UMD
  • Don AB1PH

A few of the amateurs participating over the air were:

  • Dick K1HC
  • Brian W7OWO
  • Paul VA3PC
  • Tom AI4TH
  • Lem W1LEM
  • Chris W3BN
  • Jersey Shore Amateur Radio Society NJ2AR
  • David KC3ZEE
  • Bob K2RET
  • John N1RA
  • Dustin KD8BWO
  • Matt KN4MMA

 

USCG Auxiliary Div. 5 / 12 Radio Net 22 SEP 2024

Joseph Fratto-K1UN – FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License writes:

Check Ins: Radio Wilmington
Radio Roslindale
Vessel 323088
Mobile 5F
Mobile 5G

Net Control: Radio Waltham NCS

Traffic: Radio tests were conducted. Signals were fair / readable. Still unable to receive
Amesbury and Event repeaters at this station.

Our ADSO-CM PTT Ben Wechsler passed his General Class Amateur Radio
license and is now studying to pass the Extra exam. Our congratulations for a
job well done.

The Auxiliary Net on the MMRA Minuteman Repeater Association Amateur radio
is going strong. We had 11 check ins this morning and discussed radio mainten-
ance.

The winter months are coming quickly. This is a good time to get those radio repairs
done before the cold weather. Antennas, connections and wiring need constant
attention. Microphones needs to be checked out and coiled cords replaced if it is
necessary. Clean all contacts as needed.

We discussed cable ties this morning. Black cable ties should always be used outside
instead of white or translucent cable ties. The Black ties hold up better with the UV
Rays shining on them. Clear and white ties disintegrate very readily from UV Rays.
Be neat and always trim cable ties down to the locking mechanism to prevent some-
one from getting cut and injured from sharp edges.

Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License

Boston Area GMRS Club

Gregg Lebovitz, KD1MU, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:

I wanted to let fellow GMRS licensees know that we are now taking memberships for the  Boston Area GMRS Club.
 
The club is a not-for-profit 501c(3) corporation and focuses on two main areas 1) technology, operator proficiency, and emergency communications education and 2) building a GMRS infrastructure to aid agencies in their emergency communications efforts. Membership is open to licensees and their families. We encourage families to join the effort of learning to be better operators and contributing to the art of emergency communications.
 
Membership is set at $25 per year and is fully tax deductable. We also encourage both members and interested parties to contribute to the repeater fund. In line with FCC rules, repeaters are operated by individuals who hold a GMRS license. The club operates under part 95E sections on individual ownership and leasing of repeater equipment. The club members collaborate in the funding and maintenance of repeater sites. Repeaters are open to non members.
 
The main focus of any club is to have fun. The BA GMRS Club activities are meant to bring individuals and families together.
 
Membership fees and donations can be made online using our club website www.bagmrsclub.org. Just click the join button.
 
By-laws for the club are available upon request.

Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM Report for August 2024

The Massachusetts and Rhode Island STM Report for August 2024 is available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-august-2024/. Special notice about upcoming election for ARRL New England Division Director. Ballots go out in October. Please VOTE! Also special notice about upcoming NTS training in message handling and net participation available on Zoom, Monday, October 14 at 7 PM ET. All are welcome. Link provided. Questions to Ray Lajoie, AA1SE@arrl.net

AB1OC: “ARRL” at the Boston Amateur Radio Club, September 19, 2024

Boston ARC logoThe Boston Amateur Radio Club will have its regular General Meeting Thursday, September 19, at both Artisans Asylum and Zoom. We will begin with a period of socializing at 7:00 and the meeting proper will begin at 7:30.

Our speaker will be Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, the Director for the New England Division of the American Radio Relay League.

A Zoom link will be posted on the www.barc.org website on the day of the meeting.

73,

Joseph Chapman, NV1W

Secretary, Boston Amateur Radio Club

KB1MGI Fox is QRV, Carlisle, September 15, 2024

Jahn Salmi, KB1MGI, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters on September 15, 2024 at 6:30 PM:
 
I placed my 146.565 Fox Transmitter at the Towle Land off RT 225 in Carlisle.
 
See attached Map
 
To activate the Fox ID your call sign then press DTMF tone 2. Fox transmits for 30 second on 30 seconds off. for 15 minutes.
 
You will find the signal strength can vary greatly due to the hidden Fox Box location as you travel.
 
75 feet off a trail. No bush whacking needed
Sign the log book with call sign and how long it took you to find it.
 
I’ll leave it out until Friday
 
John, KB1MGI
Towle Land map

USCG Auxiliary Sunday Combined 5 / 12 Radio Net Report – 15 SEP 2024

Joseph Fratto-K1UN – FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License writes:

The USCG Auxiliary combined Divisions 5 / 12 radio nets were held this Sunday 15 SEP 2024.

Check Ins: Annisquam Radio
Vessel 323088
Mobile 5F
Mobile 5G
Roslindale Radio
Vessel 213226
Mobile 5W

Net Control: Waltham Radio NCS

Traffic: Radio tests were made. Discussion from DSO-CM on the recent call with National Leadership. There was talk of interfacing a device to make access to the repeater from the internet. Raytheon makes such a device. It is tied into a remote radio and receives internet access from anywhere. Charlie Rosseau, who is CC on this report from USAF MARS RADIO owns such a unit. These units are old technology and there is probably a new and inexpensive remote device available today.

Today on the MMRA “Auxiliary Net” at 1100 hrs we had a total of16 stations check into the net. A number of topics were discussed. The Auxiliary Net seems to be growing weekly.

Members who listen on their scanner radios can tune to 146.820 or 146.670 MHz to pick up the Auxiliary Net. The trend of auxiliarists becoming licensed Amateur radio operators or Hams are happening across the country. This is just another tool in the toolbox for us to work with.

Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License

Amateur Radio Field Exercise sponsored by Walpole EMA/CERT on Sat. Sep. 21, 2024 – 9 AM-2 PM

Don Rolph, AB1PH, Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:

On Saturday, September 21st from 9 AM to 2 PM at Adam’s Farm at 999 North St, Walpole, MA, Walpole Emergency Management Agency and Community Emergency Response Team will be sponsoring an exercise by amateur radio operators to deploy and test their communications capabilities in the field. A variety of antennas, radio transceivers and power systems will be tested to understand the functionality and behaviors of the various options. These include sending test messages across Eastern Massachusetts and, if the equipment is successfully deployed, across the continental US.

We would love more participants (contact don.rolph@gmail.com to participate), visitors, and also amateur operators willing to work the event from their home stations.

The operating schedule will be

9 AM arrive and begin setup
9:30 Walpole EMA on air with monitoring/net on Walpole Repeater: 146.895, pl 123.0
11:00 80 meter voice on 3930 KHz moving up to first free frequency
11:30 80 meter NBEMS on 3582.5 KHz MARIDN net: pass NTS traffic
12:00 60 meter voice on channel 1 dial 5330.5 KHz
12:30 20 meter NBEMS with Transcontinental NBEMS net: 14,068 KHz
1:00 40 meter voice on 7200 KHz

We would love to have you join us!

73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph

Northeastern Wireless Club “Yagi Build” a “Fantastic Success”

Jonah Lefkoff writes on the Northeastern Wireless mailing list:

Yesterday’s workshop was a fantastic success. We built a ton of awesome tape measure yagi antennas, and learned a bit about impedance matching and soldering along the way. This Thursday we’ll be using them in a fox hunt around campus. I look forward to a fun night of searching for hidden transmitters!

Next week we begin our adventure towards developing a full PCB. It all starts with schematic capture, a critical component of the electrical design process. I hope to see you all there. 

Cheers,
Jonah Lefkoff, KFØINONWC members showing their constructed yagisKF0INO

Holliston 300th Anniversary Special Event Operation, September 21, 2024

Welcome to Holliston siignMeg Johnson writes on the the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society mailing list:

What: Celebrate Holliston/300th Anniversary

Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024, Rain Date September 28, 2024.

Time: Main portion 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Setup much earlier due to parade (will verify)

Location: Goodwill Park in Holliston

Details: Celebrate Holliston is a well-attended community event, and this year will be even bigger because it’s the town’s 300th Anniversary!

Oliver (KC1TCM) and mom, Meg, are setting up a booth (10×10) to provide information and outreach about amateur radio to the broader community, and aim to spark youth interest (since Oliver is 12 yo himself) and catalyze involvement. 

Current booth plans involve:

  • General information about ham radio and practical applications
  • A GOTA station (under auspices of STARS/Oliver, KC1TCM, and other licensed volunteers)—with electrical available.
  • Equipment on display such as yagi antenna and radio-related DIY projects Oliver and others have completed to spark interest

What we need help with:

  • Booth/equipment setup and troubleshooting (especially with antennae)
  • Engaging with the public at the booth
  • Packing up at the end of the day

Note: Parade starts at 9:00 AM and goes through downtown, so there may be traffic issues.

Can you make it? Sign up here!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTMOwVT-srysmGfw67mDsLmPojTpCpR0duy0C4PNeRyO-4rQ/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Best,

Meg