ARRL EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS (EMA) SECTION
Section Manager (SM) – Tom Walsh, K1TW
Assistant Section Manager (ASM) – Phil Temples, K9HI
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) – Mike Neilsen, W1MPN
Section Traffic Manager (STM) – Marcia Forde, KW1U
Section Youth Coordinator (SYC) – Jeremy Breef-Pilz, KB1REQ
State Government Liaison (SGL) – Hank Mc Carl, W4RIG
Technical Coordinator (TC) – Dan Brown, W1DAN
APRIL 2015 SECTION NEWS
Welcome to the April EMA section news. I start as usual with updates
from your ARRL section staff.
Paul Laconto, W1NP, honored as the first EMA recipient of the new ARRL
Amateur Radio Service to Scouting Award.
“After retiring to the Cape, Paul joined the Cape Cod & Islands
Council in 2006 when he became a committee member of Troop 76 in
Harwich and later the District Committee. With him he brought exposure
to Amateur Ham Radio. For the last 7 years with the help of the
Barnstable Amateur Radio Club, Paul has been instrumental in organizing
JOTA “Jamboree on the Air” and starting an Amateur Radio Club 73 at
the Lighthouse Charter School for middle school. Many of our boy scouts
have received their Radio and the 2010 historical Signaling MB because
of his efforts.” (Thanks to Elaine Mason, KB1VAJ, for this
information).
The ARRL recognizes actively involved Scouting leaders who make a
significant contribution to providing Scouts with a memorable and
valuable Amateur Radio experience. Nominations should be sent to your
Section Manager. Full details including how to nominate someone are
found on the ARRL web site at
<http://www.arrl.org/news/boy-scouts-recognize-arrl-amateur-radio-service-to-scouting-award>.
This month, I continued with my section travels by speaking to the
members of the Framingham Amateur Radio Association at their monthly
meeting on April 2 at the Framingham Police Department. The visit was
arranged before I assumed the section duties, and afforded a wonderful
opportunity to meet with another excellent Eastern Massachusetts radio
club.
Bo Budinger, WA1QYM, Affiliated Club Coordinator (ACC) has a note for
all EMA ARRL Affiliated Clubs. It is important to have the information
about your club on the ARRL web site updated every year. Once a club is
affiliated with the ARRL it is always affiliated. A club does run the
risk of becoming non-active and have its listing removed from the ARRL
web page listing of Affiliated Clubs if it is not updated every year.
Bo reminds us this is a simple procedure and only takes a few minutes.
Log on to the ARRL web site and go to Updating Your Club Record at:
<http://www.arrl.org/club-update>. Follow the instructions under:
“update your club information”. It is as simple as that.
Marcia Forde, KW1U, Section Traffic Manager (STM) sadly reports that
Dave Spaulding, N1LUM, became a silent key on March 3, 2015. Dave was
Net Manager for the Heavy Hitters Traffic Net (HHTN).
Brass Pounders League (BPL).
Marcia Forde, KW1U, reports the following EMA amateurs qualified for
the ARRL BPL and will be recognized in QST: KW1U
ARRL Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR).
Marcia Forde, KW1U, reports the following EMA amateurs qualified for
the ARRL PSHR and will be recognized in QST: N1UMJ, KW1U, N1IQI, N1TF,
and KB1CIC
EMA Section Field Day Locator Map <http://fd.ema.arrl.org/>.
This invaluable tool, skillfully managed by Bill Ricker, N1VUX, is for
anyone searching for information about Field Day in Eastern
Massachusetts. Bill has managed to capture an amazing wealth of
information on the history of past field days, current plans, travel
plans, etc. Please see his note to club officers and FD chairs.
Looking for a Field Day near your home, visit the Directory. All clubs
and other Field Day sites should send in their plans and locations to
Bill just as soon as possible at <n1vux@arrl.net>.
Section Manager Field Day Travel planning.
Would your club appreciate a visit from the Section Manager during the
field day weekend? If so, please contact me at <k1tw@arrl.org> and
I’ll see if I can make arrangements. I will be concentrating on the
northern area of the section this year and hope to respond in kind next
year for our southern locations.
ARRL NEW ENGLAND DIVISION HAMFEST – BOXBORO! 2015
Boxboro! 2015 will be held from August 21-23 at the Holiday Inn,
Boxborough, MA. Gordon West will be the keynote speaker at the
Saturday evening banquet. Jeff Jolie, NM1Y, a member of the K1N 2015
Navassa DXpedition will be the keynote speaker at the Friday DX Dinner.
Tickets for both banquets are now available at the BOXBORO! 2015
website, <http://www.boxboro.org>.
FLEA MARKETS
APRIL 12, FRAMINGHAM, MA:
The Framingham Amateur Radio Association is holding its ham radio flea
market on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at Keefe Technical School in
Framingham. Ham exams will be held. Talk-in will be provided on
147.15. Full information may be found at
<http://www.w1fy.org/Flea.aspx>.
MAY 1-2, NEARFEST in DEERFIELD, NH
The twice annual New England Amateur Radio Festival in Deerfield NH is
coming soon. Both Friday and Saturday are packed with interesting
forums on varied topics such as “Buddipole in the Field”,
“Introduction to Radio Contesting”, “Introduction to Software
Defined Radio using inexpensive USB TV Tuner Sticks”, “More R390A
Fun”, and a “DMR Update”. It’s a very full program. Full
details can be found at < http://www.near-fest.com:8084/nearfest/>.
OTHER EVENTS
SATURDAY, APRIL 11: Tech in a Day
The Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association (CAARA) is sponsoring a “Tech in
a day” session at the Lanesville Community Center on 8 Vulcan Street in
Gloucester. The all-day study course starts at 8:30 AM and ends later
in the afternoon with the FCC Technician Class Amateur Radio license
test. The course costs $20.00 which includes course study material,
snacks and the test fee. For those interested in taking the course and
to reserve a spot please contact course leader Stan Stone W4HIX at
<techinaday@caara.net>.
SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 1-4:30 PM: YCCC OPEN HOUSE
Yankee Clipper Contest Club (YCCC) will be holding an Open House in
Sturbridge MA, which will include two presentations that are oriented
towards newly licensed or upgraded hams:
“What’s the Best HF Transceiver for Me? -A Radio Selection
Strategy” – by Brian Machesney, K1LI and others.
“Antenna Selection and Design- What’s Important” – by Joe
Reisert, W1JR.
YCCC is a club of over 350 members who are interested in Contesting.
All hams are welcome and invited to attend this meeting. Full details
at <http://www.yccc.org/>.
SUNDAY, APRIL 12: MS WALK BOSTON
The MS Walk Boston is this coming Sunday, April 12, around Boston
University’s Nickerson Fields. It supports the National MS Society,
and assignments run from 8am to the early afternoon. To volunteer or
get more information, contact Rick Savage, KB1LYJ via
<rpsavage@comcast.net>. (info via Wellesley ARS newsletter).
APRIL 14-15: MARITIME RADIO DAY
The Southeastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association (SEMARA) web
page <http://semara.org/maritime-radio-day-april-14th-15th/> contains
news about Maritime Radio Day. Whitey, K1VV, is expected to sign using
K1VV/NJPJ since he served aboard that ship.
APRIL 17-18-19, FRIDAY-SUNDAY
41st ANNUAL EASTERN VHF/UHF/MICROWAVE CONFERENCE
BAYMONT INN & SUITES, 20 Taylor St., Manchester, CT 06042
(Just a few miles northeast of Hartford, CT off I-84, at Exit 63)
Registration web page at <http://www.newsvhf.com/vhfconf.html>
SUNDAY, APRIL 26: RUN OF THE CHARLES
The Run of the Charles is a suite of canoe and kayak races for all
different group sizes and course lengths. The event draws all kinds of
participants, and they all rely on hams to help keep the event running
safely and smoothly. Volunteers for this event must have a dual-band
(2m and 70cm) handheld radio and an antenna with improved gain over the
stock rubber duck. For more information, visit the race web site at
<http://www.crwa.org/run-of-the-charles>.
SUNDAY, APRIL 26: GROTON ROAD RACE
This is a major event for Amateur Radio in North Central Massachusetts
traditionally supported by several amateur radio clubs. The Groton
Road Race is a low-stress event and a great way to gain more experience
with the public service aspect of amateur radio. Please consider
joining us on the 26th. If you are interested in helping at these
events but unsure of what is expected of you or what equipment you may
need, please contact Ralph Swick, <ralph@kd1sm.net>
SUNDAY, MAY 3: PROJECT BREAD SERVICE EVENT
Project Bread Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 3rd, 2015 is looking for
people to provide communications support for the Project Bread staff
and volunteers along the 20 mile walk. This will be the 47th running of
the event. Signup at <http://www.mmra.org/wfh/>. If you have questions
please send an email to: <wfh15@mmra.org>. (Info via Wellesley ARS
newsletter).
MAY 15-17: LICENSE IN A WEEKEND CLASS
This class is offered by the Falmouth Amateur Radio Association. More
information and registration details can be found at
<http://www.falara.org>.
MORE NEWS
Preparations are continuing for Marathon Monday, April 20. Many EMA
volunteers will be actively engaged.
Charlie Learoyd, K1PUB, Massachusetts 13 Colonies Coordinator is
seeking clubs and amateurs to support operating K2H during the 13
colonies special event between June 30 and July 5.
The ARRL has announced the window to apply for Centennial Points
Challenge and W1AW WAS awards is now open. Full details at
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-centennial-points-challenge-w1aw-was-awards-application-window-open>.
The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association is running several Friday
sessions, beginning on April 10, to teach Morse code to 6th, 7th, and
8th graders.
The Pilgrim Amateur Wireless Association (PAWA), located in Taunton
completed its fourth and final Amateur Extra Mentoring class followed
by a VE session conducted by N1UEC and his crew from the Canton/Norwood
area. PAWA is very pleased to report that all four students who
completed the class also passed the Extra Class exams. The PAWA is now
considering a General mentoring class for next winter. Dates and times
will be announced this fall. Congratulations to John, N1OTY, and the
gang at PAWA for a fine accomplishment.
Niece Haynes, KA1ULN, presented a talk about The Young Ladies Radio
League (YLRL) on April 1 at the Billerica ARS (BARS) meeting in
Bedford. Niece is the YLRL District 1 chairwoman.
Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association (CAARA) reports having a new 440
repeater on the air.
The Framingham Amateur Radio Association reports they will have a booth
at Earth Day on April 22, including both HF and VHF stations. The
location is the Framingham Town Green. They are looking for operators.
Contact Sumner, W1VIV, <w1viv@rcn.net> for more information.
The Quannapowitt Radio Association (QRA) had an excellent talk from
Steve Telsey, N1BDA, on amateur radio traffic handling. QRA is
encouraging all of their members to become ELMERS in what they call a
“new approach to helping our new hams.” This is a wonderful idea.
The QRA website is found at <http://www.w1ekt.org>.
PART of Westford,<http://www.wb1gof.org/index.html> has once again been
asked to provide communications for the Westford Kiwanis Apple Blossom
Parade this year which is on Saturday, May 16th, 2015. Contact Terry
Stader <ka8scp@wb1gof.org> if you are interested and can assist or need
more information.
PART of Westford Field Day planning seems to be off to another great
start with lots of volunteers already for many positions. Contact
George, K1IG, <K1IG@arrl.net> for further information.
PART of Westford is planning a Kit Building session on Saturday April
25. The selected kit is a TECSUN 2P3 super-heterodyne AM radio kit.
The Wellesley Amateur Radio Society (WARS) meeting on March 21 had Carl
Achin, WA1ZCQ, talk about QRP low power operating. The next meeting on
May 16 will have as their guest speaker, Mr. Frank Ventura from the
Mass Commission for the Blind with a talk on keeping IT systems up and
running.
And finally…
During the past several months, many dedicated amateurs in our region
devoted many hours to supporting Skywarn, ARES, and section emergency
communications during this record setting winter. Clubs faced many
challenges too in just being able to hold meetings. We all owe these
fine amateur radio operators a sincere thank-you for a job well done.
April is finally here. I don’t know about you, but after this
winter, that alone is enough for me at least!
See you next month.
73,
Tom, K1TW
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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
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