Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Boston Marathon Amateur Radio Volunteers Still Needed – Race Day – Monday 4/18/22 – Volunteer Registration Closes 2/18/22

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

Planning is well underway for the 2022 Boston Marathon! The BAA opened volunteer registration continues to be open and it will close on Friday, February 18, 2022. Returning volunteers should have received an email from the BAA with details about how to register.

New volunteers can sign up via http://register.hamradioboston.org/

We have also provided a step by step guide on how to select Amateur Radio volunteer positions during the registration process:
https://hamradioboston.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/44002294773-2022-volunteer-registration-step-by-step-guide

If you have any questions about the upcoming volunteer registration period, or the 2022 Marathon generally, please get in touch anytime via the email address contact@hamradioboston.org

Thank you, and 73,

Boston Marathon Communications Committee
contact@HamRadioBoston.org

Operating

W1MJ Fox QRV in Waltham, January 23, 2022

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Eliot Mayer, W1MJ, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters and Waltham ARA mailing lists:

I recently assembled a 5-watt fox, and plan to put it out this Sunday, January 23, from 10 AM (or earlier) to 4 PM.  I will make another post here on Sunday morning to confirm successful deployment (or not).

The suggested starting point is Elsie Turner Field on Trapelo Road in Waltham, across from the National Archives. 

Since a 5-watt fox can be heard from some distance, and since it is winter, I offer this clue:  I reached the hiding place with less than a ½ mile walk from Elsie Turner Field.  The fox makes transmissions on 147.54 MHz at approximately 1 minute intervals, mostly in voice, but some in Morse code.  If you want to know a bit about what you are looking for, see http://w1mj.com/fox. 

Good luck DE W1MJ

Operating

KM1CC QRV for Marconi’s First Transatlantic Wireless Message Anniversary, January 18, 2022

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club writes on Facebook:

Due to COVID, regrettably the SSB operations are cancelled. However, we still plan to have the CW ops.
 
This on the air event commemorates the119th Anniversary of the first USA to Europe/UK transatlantic wireless message made from Marconi’s Wireless Station, South Wellfleet, MA, USA on January 18, 1903.
 
KM1CC Operating Plans : CW operations will take place inside the park’s Coast Guard Station that sits to the south of the Wireless Station Site. Check http://dxsummit.fi for spots.
 
Core frequency plan+- 20 kHz:
 
40M …7.035 CW
30M …10.110.CW
20M …14.035 CW
17M …18.080 CW
15M …21.035 CW
10M…CW
NO FT4/FT8 or digital
 
Hope you can help us honor Marconi by making a contact with us.
 
[See also: “Marconi: Beyond the Horizon“]
Affiliated Clubs

“The History, Renovation, and Future of MIT’s Green Building’s Radomes” at New England Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, January 18, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
New England Sci Tech logoThe New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (NEST) will meet on-line and in-person on January 18, 2022 at 7 PM and feature “The History, Renovation, and Future of MIT’s Green Building’s Radomes” by MIT Professor Kerri Cahoy, Daniel Sheen, KC1EPN, and members of the MIT Radio Society.
 
A description of this project can be found at: https://news.mit.edu/2021/saving-the-mit-radome-0507        
 
Daniel Sheen, KC1EPN, is the Trustee and a former president of the MIT UHF Repeater Association, W1XM, and a former station manager for the MIT Radio Society, W1MX. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Science and Engineering from MIT in 2019. While pursuing graduate studies in Electrical Engineering and Computer science, he worked at Haystack Observatory designing a new UHF feed for the Westford Radio Telescope, earning his Master of Engineering degree in 2021. Currently he works at Diversified Technologies Inc designing RF amplifiers and high voltage power supplies for radar transmitters, while continuing to advise the MIT Radio Society.
 
Come meet at NEST! We usually have pizza! (Face masks still required, please.)
 
5:00-7:00: radio room open; informal radio activities.
 
For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.
NTS

Massachusetts Traffic Report for December 2021

- by kw1u - Leave a Comment

The Massachusetts Traffic Report for December 2021 can now be found at the following link: https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-december-2021/. 

Note info on the new New England Assistant Director for Emergency Communications and Public Service and his new forum for discussion.  Also a new digital station in East Mass and a new net time for the Western Mass 2 meter net, plus some Traffic Tips.

Thanks to all for your participation and support.  73 de KW1U

Affiliated Clubs

ARRL Foundation to Create Club Grants Program

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

From ARRL web:

1/13/22–A new ARRL Foundation Club Grants program, funded by a grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), will make $500,000 available to radio clubs. The program will provide up to $25,000 for worthy club projects. Requests for more than that will be referred back to ARDC.

ARRL has long recognized that it is in the best interests of amateur radio to encourage and support amateur radio clubs. Clubs historically have recruited, licensed, and trained new radio amateurs and have provided the community setting for radio amateurs to continue their education and training. The new Club Grants program will help clubs more easily provide and expand their important services.

Beginning in April 2022, amateur radio clubs will be able to apply for these grants by filling out a simple form on the ARRL website. The ARRL Foundation will evaluate the grant proposals. The Foundation was established in 1973 to advance the art, science, and societal benefits of the amateur radio service by awarding financial grants and scholarships to individuals and organizations in support of their charitable, educational, and scientific efforts.

A key criterion for determining awards will be how the project will advance amateur radio in the grantee’s community. In most cases, this process should take no longer than 90 days.

ARRL Foundation President David Woolweaver, K5RAV, shared his enthusiasm about this new program. “This program will substantially contribute to the growth of amateur radio clubs and their efforts to expand and support the amateur radio community,” he said.

ARDC is a California-based foundation and makes grants to projects and organizations that follow amateur radio’s practice and tradition of technical experimentation in both amateur radio and digital communication science. ARDC Executive Director Rosy Schechter, KJ7RYV, noted that this program will streamline the process for getting club projects funded, so that clubs can get started on these projects more quickly.

“We’re very excited about working with the ARRL Foundation on this program,” said Schechter. “We can’t wait to see what kinds of creative things clubs will do with these grants.”

Flea markets & Conventions

HamXposition Volunteer Webmaster Sought

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
From nediv.arrl.org:
 
Northeast HamXposition General Chair Bob DeMattia, K1IW, writes:
 
FEMARA, Inc, the organization behind HamXposition/The ARRL New England Division Convention (and formerly known as Boxboro!) is looking for a volunteer to build and maintain its web presence at hamxposition.org.  We are currently running on a non-standard content management system platform, but are seeking to convert to a standard platform such as WordPress.  Your first task will be to convert the website to this platform,  maintaining the current content and building an operational commerce engine to handle online ticket sales.  Once this is in place, you  will make content updates and maintain the system.   Experience with web sites and basic e-commerce will be needed.
 
This is a volunteer opportunity.  Almost all work can be done at home.  We will have 4-6 meetings throughout the year which you will be asked to attend.  All meetings can be attended on Zoom.
 
Please contact Bob DeMattia k1iw@hamxposition.org if you are interested in helping us out.
 

FEMARA Inc. is a Massachusetts non-profit corporation that sponsors and runs the ARRL New England Division Convention.  Our goals are twofold; to offer the richest and most diverse ARRL Convention in the country, and to support the ARRL Foundation’s scholarship program.

FEMARA is qualified under IRS 501(c)(3). Donations to FEMARA are deductible as allowed by IRS regulations.

 
You can read more about us at https://hamxposition.org/about-femara
Affiliated Clubs

AB1QB: “Informal DXpedition to French Polynesia,” North Shore Radio Association Meeting Online, January 17, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

North Shore Radio Association logoThe [North Shore Radio Association] board of directors has decided due to the rise in COVID-19 cases we are returning to ZOOM ONLY Meetings for at least the next two months, maybe more.

Please join us again on Zoom!

Speaker for January: 

Informal DXpedition to French Polynesia – Fred, AB1OC and Anita, AB1QB went on a holiday style DXpedition to Bora Bora less than a year after we were licensed.  In this presentation, Anita will talk about planning for the DXpedition, the destination, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, our station and operations, the results, and what we learned from the experience.

[Zoom conference information will be sent via the NSRA groups.io mailing list.  Contact Eric, KA1NCF, at ka1ncf -at- nsradio -dot- org to be added to the groups.io list.]
 
Operating

Attention, All Interested Foxhunters: Video Conference, February 8, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

George Allison, K1IG, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list:

The days are starting to lengthen and that can only mean that fox-hunting season is getting closer! To help get us ready, I’ve scheduled a Webex video conference for all interested fox hunters on Tuesday, February 8, at 7:30 PM. If you haven’t used Webex, it’s very similar to Zoom; I’ll send out an invitation to the groups.io list with instructions and a link you can click on to join the conference. Feel free to forward the invitation to anyone you think would be interested in attending.

The February 8 date is flexible; if there aren’t enough attendees to support that date, I can re-schedule.

I haven’t finalized the agenda, but it could include these topics:

  1. Introductions
  2. Show and tell of foxes and antennas
  3. Discussions of fox-finding techniques
  4. Plans for the upcoming season. Suggestions for variations and improvements.
  5. Suggestions for recruitment and training.

If anyone has a discussion topic or wants to make a presentation, let the group or me (k1ig@arrl.net) know. We should be able to finalize the agenda by February 1. 

73,

George
K1IG

[Contact George, K1IG, at k1ig@arrl.net for Webex video conference details]
Organization

New England Division 2022-1Q Cabinet Meeting, January 8, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

From nediv.arrl.org:

ARRL New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, and Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, held the first quarterly division cabinet meeting of the new year on January 8, 2022 via Zoom. Approximately 50 amateurs representing ARRL-affiliated clubs and field organization leaders from all seven sections attended the morning meeting, along with two ARRL Headquarters staffers.  

[Full story]
Licensing Education & Training

Nashoba Valley ARC to Offer Technician Course Beginning January 31, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Nashoba Valley ARC logoThe Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club (NVARC) is offering a free amateur radio licensing course beginning on January 31st. The eight night course will prepare students for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technician licensing exam that will be offered at the completion of the course. The Technician level radio operator’s license is the first of three amateur licenses offered by the FCC. Each license has increased levels of operator privileges.

The course consists of twice weekly sessions beginning on Monday, January 31st, and meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays for four weeks (January 31, February 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21 and 23). The course will be held at the Pepperell Community Center, 59 Main St, Pepperell, MA 01463. Sessions will start at 7PM and last for 2 hours. An FCC license exam will be scheduled for the end of the sessions. The course is free, but there will be an FCC required $15 testing fee if you take the exam. It is suggested students purchase the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, Level 1, Technician, 4th ed. The study guide may be purchased from the instructor for $30 or online from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) or Amazon.

This course is open to all, there are no age limits. Pre-registration is required, no walk-ins will be allowed. To register, contact Bruce Blain, K1BG, at (508) 341-5124 or via email at bruce.blain@charter.net.

 

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Saturday January 8, 2022 Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net Cancelled

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Good evening,

It is with great disappointment that I send this note notifying you all that we will not hold a January Net. We had hoped that we could start the new year off on a positive note and even though most of you have still not returned to your regular facilities shacks, we were hoping for a large turnout from home and mobile stations. Being able to run the net from South Shore Hospital’s shack and communicate with its wide area coverage would make that possible.

We do have access to our shack. however, we have been informed by our group’s Vice President, Karen N1VI, also a medical professional at South Shore hospital that given the hospitals current environment, high patient counts and staff shortages (which comes as no surprise, all hospitals statewide are in the same boat) that it would be advisable for our group to cancel our January meeting (and net) and not tempt Covid with our presence.

I occasionally kid Karen about her call N1 Very Intelligent, and how appropriate it is. We all have great respect for her knowledge and opinion especially regarding anything of a medical nature. Our group agreed to take Karen’s suggestion.

We hope everyone is being very cautious, getting vaccinated and boosted, and wearing a mask in public in the presence of people you don’t know the status of.

I gave a neighbor a ride to an appointment for eye surgery the other day. Even though I knew both of us are fully vaccinated and boosted we both wore KN95 masks.

I look forward to next month. hopefully things will be better and we can all get back to our monthly net.

Keep your fingers crossed and mask up.

73,
John O’ K1JRO and the members of the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group

Operating

The Great Hill Gang “Day of Radio,” Weymouth, January 8, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Mindy Hull, KM1NDY, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:
 
The Great Hill Gang “Day of Radio”
 
ORGANIZER: There are a few, but introduce yourself to Mike, K1UVH, when you get there!
 
WHEN: Saturday January 8th, 2022, 10:30ish to 2ish???? (AA1F and I will be there at least between 11 am to 2 pm with Limey my van). 
 
WHERE: Great Hill Park in Weymouth (Rt 3A to Lovell St, which turns into Bradley St, and ends in a cul-de-sac on the Great Hill; see Map). 
 
WHAT: A fun, recurring, monthly parking lot field day with tents, antennas, and radios.Bring equipment, or not. You will be in close proximity to or at your car!
 
Map to Great Hill Gang
Affiliated Clubs

KC1QAY: “A Hands-On Approach to Ham Radio” at at New England Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, January 4, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
New England Sci Tech logoThe New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (NEST) will meet on-line and in-person on January 4, 2022 at 7 PM and feature Steve Kondo, KC1QAY,  who will present on “A Hands-On Approach To Ham Radio.”
 
Naturally a significant portion of ham radio sub-hobbies involve electronic circuits. Ham radio also gives us the opportunity to develop hands-on skills when it comes to making test equipment, building antennas, troubleshooting, and learning new software. Steve Kondo, KC1QAY, would like to share three basic, hands-on projects that a beginner to this hobby can complete in a weekend.  
 
Bio: Steve earned his second Technician license in November of 2021. He is a hands-on mechanical engineer with 20 years of product development and manufacturing experience ranging from aerospace to IoT hardware. Steve currently designs, builds, and maintains 4000 pound robots consisting of control, propulsion, dynamic, sensing, and electronic sub-systems for automated railroad track inspection. Steve machines, welds, and 3D prints in his home shop, and on occasion will attempt to write useful code.
 
Come meet at NEST! We usually have pizza! (Face masks still required, please.)
 
5:00-7:00: radio room open; informal radio activities.
 
For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.
Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday January 3rd, 2022 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater Network

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

The January Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday January 3rd, 2022 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 detailing plans for the new year.

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 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org
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Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net Moved to Saturday 1/8/22 at 1000 AM Due to New Years Holiday

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

John O’Neill-K1JRO writes:

Hello,

We wish everyone a Happy New Year.

The first Saturday of the month being New Years Day we will not hold a net until the 2nd Saturday in January. We will be sending out an announcement with the repeaters that will be used sometime over the weekend.

We look forward to hearing you all January 8th. Remember, if you do not have access to your regular location, we encourage you to check in from home or your mobile if possible.

Regards,
John O’Neill
South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group

Operating / Youth

Kids Day is January 1, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

From ARRL Website:

Saturday, January 1, 2022, is Kids Day. The event gets under way at 1800 UTC and concludes at 2359 UTC. Sponsored by the Boring (Oregon) Amateur Radio Club, Kids Day has a simple exchange suitable for younger operators: first name, age, location, and favorite color. After that, the contact can be as long or as short as each participant prefers.

Kids Day happens twice a year — in January and June — and can be your opportunity to get youngsters on the air and mentor future amateur radio operators to show them the fun and excitement that ham radio has to offer. You might just be introducing the next generation of hams to the airwaves. Share the excitement with your kids or grandkids, a Scout troop, a church or the general public.

Look for activity on these frequencies: 10 meters: 28.350 – 28.400 MHz; 12 meters: 24.960 – 24.980 MHz; 15 meters: 21.360 – 21.400 MHz; 17 meters: 18.140 – 18.145 MHz; 20 meters: 14.270 – 14.300 MHz; 40 meters: 7.270 – 7.290 MHz, and 80 meters: 3.740 – 3.940 MHz. Repeater contacts are okay with permission of the repeater owner.

As with any on-the-air activity that includes unlicensed individuals, control operators must observe third-party traffic restrictions when making DX contacts. Additional details are on the ARRL website.

As many communities are taking precautions due to COVID-19, participants are reminded to adhere to social distancing and face mask guidelines where applicable. If it’s not feasible to invite youngsters into your shack, consider other options to mentor, such as using social media platforms or via Zoom or other non-contact means.

Affiliated Clubs

K1TWF: ARRL Happenings at Billerica ARS Meeting, January 5, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Billerica ARS logoTom Walsh, K1TW, writes in December, 2021 Eastern MA Section News:

[ARRL 1st Vice President] Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, will be presenting at the Billerica ARS monthly meeting  on January 5 at 7 PM via Zoom.  Mike always provides interesting updates on ARRL activities.  These presentations are a good way to stay in touch with your National association for Amateur Radio.

[For Zoom conference details, email Bruce Anderson, W1LUS, at w1lus -at- hotmail -dot- com.]