New England Area Flea Markets, August 31, 2018

New England Area   Ham – Electronic Flea Market  ***  DATES ***   2018 P 1 of 2

All events are Ham Radio/ Electronic related except ~_____~

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2018                                                    Contact          Source

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

26 Aug Newtown CT CARA @TownHall $7@8 $20/T          John W1JGM 203 417 0160 F      

8,10 Sept Boxboro MA FEMARA NE Conv                  Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235 A

8 Sept Windsor CT VR+C Mus 115 Pierson LN @8AM Outside     John 860 673 0518  +

9 Sept Ballston Spa NY SCRACES @FG $6@7                Jim KG2H 518 703-9558   

15 Sept Alexander ME StCVARC @ElSch                 Rodger W1LH 207 454 2174 A+

16 September Cambridge MA        Flea at  MIT             Mitch 617 253 3776 F

                             Third Sunday April thru October       

22 Sept Windsor ME AARA @FG                          Bill K1NIT 207 512 0312 A+

6 October Brookline NH NEARC antique                            603 772 7516  +

6 Oct S Dartmouth MA SEMARA @54 Donald @8A Free                 508 997 7070 F+

7 October Queens NY HOSARC @HOS $5@9 $10/sp      Stephen WB2KDG 718 898 5599 A+

12-13 Oct Deerfield NH NEARfest XXIV @FG             Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235   

21 October   Cambridge MA        Flea at  MIT             Mitch 617 253 3776 F

21 Oct Meriden CT Nutmeg                            John N1GNV  203 440 4973 A+

27 Oct Gales Ferry CT TCARC @FireCo auction          Tom WA2RYV 860 464 6555   

28 Oct Hicksville NY LIMARC @LevitHall            Richard K2KNB 516 694 4937 A+

28 Oct Fishkill NY MtBeacon @DCE                     Adam AE2AN 845 849 3666 A+

3 Nov Bourne MA FARA @UpperCC VoTech $5@9 $10/S@7   Ralph N1YHS 508 548 0422   

1 Dec Windsor CT VR+C Mus 115 Pierson LN @8AM Indoor       John 860 673 0518  +

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LAST UPDATE 8-31-18 de W1GSL          http://swapfest.us                    P 1         

List is normally updated twice a month – look for the latest version 

******************************************************************************* 

Additions/ Corrections via e-Mail   w1gsl@mit.edu  <- SUBSCRIBE            

US Mail  W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139 

(c)2018 W1GSL unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety 

New England Area  Ham – Electronic   Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2018  P2 of 2      

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2019                                                    Contact          Source     

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

16 Feb Marlboro MA AARC  @MidSch                  Timothy KA1OS 508 919 6136 A+

23 Feb S Burlington VT RAoNV @HI  I89x14 $9@8 $15@6  Mitch W1SJ 802 879 6589   

9 Mar Chicopee MA MtTomARA @Castle $5@8:30 S@6:30    Brian N1FI 860 478 6790  +

29,30 Mar Lewiston ME AARC ME Conv @Ramada @8        Ivan N1OXA 207 784 0350  +

7 April Framingham MA FARA 9AM@KeefeHS $25/T        Andy KC1DMM 508 310 5913  +

28 April Thompson CT ECARA @ Raceway  $3 $15/sp      Jon KA1MPG 508 943 4467 F+

3-4 May Deerfield NH NEARfest XXV @FG                Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235  +

12 May E Greenbush NY EGARA FireCo                  Bryan W2RBJ 518 894 3500 A+

25 Aug Newtown CT CARA @TownHall $7@8 $20/T          John W1JGM 203 417 0160  +

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LAST UPDATE 8-31-18 de W1GSL         http://swapfest.us               P 2 of 2    

List is normally updated twice a month – look for the latest version

Source    F+= Flyer  T= tentative early info     + = new info this month          

A= ARRL R= RAC list  W= web         WR NV CQ QST = Mags

This list has been compiled from many sources. 

While we believe the info to be accurate the author can not be responsible for

changes or errors. Check with the sponsoring organizations for more details.   

This list will be posted monthly to USENET.     

Mailed copies are sent when additions are made.

*******************************************************************************

Additions/ Corrections via e-Mail   w1gsl@mit.edu  <- SUBSCRIBE           

US Mail  W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139

(c)2017 W1GSL unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety 

<FF>

New England Area  Ham – Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2019 -> ***

Page 3 Electronic distribution only.  This page has the overflow if any

from the paper version.

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2019                                                    Contact          Source

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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LAST UPDATE  8-31-18 de W1GSL                                             P 3

   List is normally updated twice a month – look for the latest version

Additions/ Corrections via Internet  w1gsl@mit.edu

                           US Mail  W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139

(c)2018 W1GSL   http://www.swapfest.us        SASE for updated copy as issued.

unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety

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  List is normally updated twice a month – look for the latest version

Be sure to check for the latest version as updating is under the control

of the page owner.

* You can have the list e-mailed directly to you as it is updated.          *

* Just send a request to be added to the distribution to   w1gsl@mit.edu    *

                             73 Steve F

                                W1GSL

<FF>

New England Area  Ham – Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  ***     P4

Links to New England Hamfest Web Sites                (c) 2016 W1GSL

***********************************************************************

This section is only included in the electronic distribution.

Cambridge MA    Flea at MIT     http://www.swapfest.us

Hopkinton NH    Hosstraders   RIP 🙁    http://www.qsl.net/k1rqg/

Boxborough MA   NE ARRL Conv    http://www.boxboro.org/

Adams MA        N BerkshireARC  http://www.nobarc.org/hamfest.htm

Chicopee MA     MTARA           http://www.mtara.org/                

Falmouth MA     FARA            http://www.falara.org/

Framingham MA   FARA            http://www.fara.org/

                                http://www.n1em.org             

Marlboro MA     AARC            http://www.qsl.net/n1em/                  

Newton MA       Waltham ARA Auction    http://www.wara64.org/auction/

Rockport MA     CAARA           www.caara.net

S Dartmouth MA  SEMARA          http://www.semara.org/

Wakefield MA    Photographica   http://www.phsne.org/

Westford MA     NEAntiqueRC     http://www.nearc.net/

moved to Nashua NH                                                       

Whately MA      FranklinCARC    http://www.fcarc.org/news.htm

Whitman MA      WARC            http://www.wa1npo.org                     

Worcester MA    WPI ACM         http://acm.wpi.edu/swapmeet/

Dayville CT     ECARA           http://www.qsl.net/k1muj/

Gales Ferry CT  RASON           http://www.rason.org/

Gales Ferry CT  TCARC           http://www.qsl.net/tricityarc/               

Goshen CT       SBARC           http://www.sberk.org                     +

Hartford CT     ARRL 100th      http://www.arrl.org/convention-volunteers 

Manchester CT   VHF/UHF Conf    http://www.newsvhf.com/             

         was Enfield

Manchester CT   PVRA            http://www.pvra.net                 

Meriden CT      Nutmeg CT Conv  http://www.nutmeghamfest.com

        was Wallingford

Newington CT    NARL            http://www.narlhamfest.org/

Newtown CT      CARA            http://www.cararadioclub.org/              

North Haven CT                  http://www.yankeehamfest.com

Southington CT  SARA            http://www.chetbacon.com/sara.htm

Vernon CT       NARC            http://hamfest.na1rc.org/

Wallingford CT  Nutmeg CT Conv  http://www.nutmeghamfest.com

         moved to Meriden CT

Windsor CT      Vintage R Mus   http://vrcmct.org/

Agusta ME       AARA            http://www.w1tlc.com/

Alexander ME    StCVARC          http://stcroixvalleyamateurradioclub.org

Hermon ME       PSARC           http://n1me.org/index.php?pr=Hamfest

Lewiston ME     AARC      http://www.w1npp.org/pages/meconvention2018.html      

S. Portland ME  PAWA            http://www.qsl.net/pawa/hamfest.html

St. Albans ME   PARC            http://www.qsl.net/parc/hamfest/hamfest.html

Thomaston ME    PBARC           http://penbayarc.org/

Windsor ME      AARA            http://www.w1tlc.com/

Brookline NH    NEAntiqueRC     http://www.nearc.net/

Deerfield NH    NEAR-Fest       http://www.near-fest.com/

Hampton NH      PCARC           http://www.w1wqm.org         

Henniker NH     CVRC            http://k1bke.org/

Londonderry NH  IRS             www.irs.nhradio.org/

Manchester NH   NEAntiqueRC     http://www.nearc.net/

        Moved to Westford MA

        Moved to Brookline NH

N Conway NH     WMARC           http://www.w1mwv.com

Nashua NH       NEARC           www.nearc.net                    

was Westford MA

Rochester NH    GBRA            http://www.w1fz.org/

Bergen NJ       BARA            http://www.bara.org/

Sussex NJ       SCARC    http://www.scarcnj.org/www.scarcnj.org/flyer_2007.htm

Ballston Spa NY SCRACES         http://k2dll.net/

E Greenbush NY  E Greenbush ARA http://www.w2egb.org/           

Fishkill NY     MtBARC          http://www.wr2abb.org/          

   was LaGrangeville

Lake Placid NY  NNY ARA  http://www.northnet.org/nnyham/hamfest_flyer2004.htm

Lindenhurst NY  ToB ARES        http://www.tobares.org/hamfest.html

Lindenhurst NY  GSB ARA         http://www.gsbarc.org/Hamfest.htm

Long Island NY  LIMARC          http://www.limarc.org/fest.htm

Middletown NY   OCARC           http://www.ocarc-ny.org/

Queens NY       Hall of Science http://www.hosarc.org/

Rochester NY    AWA             http://www.antiquewireless.org/

Rochester NY    RARA            http://www.rochesterham.org/hamfest.htm

Staten Island NY CPARA          http://www.wa2cp.org  

Wallkill NY     OCARC           http://www.ocarc-ny.org/

Greenwich RI    Fidelity ARC    http://users.ids.net/~newsm/dates.html

Forestdale RI   RIFMRS          http://www.qsl.net/riafmrs/Auction.html

Woonsocket RI   BVARC           www.w1ddd.org

Colchester VT   HAM-CON VT Conv  http://www.ranv.org/hamcon.html

   Moved to S Burlington

St. Albans VT   STARC           http://www.starc.org/

Springfield VT  CVFMA           http://www.cvfma.org/

Moncton NB      TCARC           http://www.ve9tca.org/

Quispamsis NB   LCARC           http://www.lcarc.ca/

Greenwood NS    GARC            http://www.greenwoodarc.org/

Drummondville PQ  leCRdeD       http://www.raqi.ca/ve2crd/hamfest/index.html

Greenwood PQ    GARC            www.greenwoodarc.org

Laval PQ        CRALL           http://www.ve2crl.qc.ca/

Montreal PQ     MARC            http://www.marc.qc.ca/fest/fest.html

Montreal PQ     WIARC           http://www.wiarc.ca/

Montreal PQ     MS-SARC         http://www.ve2clm.ca/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=120

Montreal PQ     UMS             http://www.ve2ums.ca/agenda/pub_2007_hamf.pdf

Sorel-Tracy PQ  CRAS-T          http://www.hamfest.qc.ca/

St Romuald PQ   ARESdQ          http://raqi.ca/ve2csq/

St Therese PQ   CRALL           http://www.ve2crl.qc.ca/hamfest2002.htm

Summerside PEI  SPARC      http://www.summersidearc.com/fleamarket2009.htm

Greenwood NS    GARC            http://www.greenwoodarc.org/

Halifax NS      HARC            http://www.halifax-arc.org/

Timonium MD     GBHC            http://www.gbhc.org/

Montreal Area   MARC List       http://www.marc.qc.ca/fest/festcal.html

Canada          RAC List        http://rac.eton.ca/events/upcoming.php

Phila. Area     VARA List       http://www.qsl.net/w2vtm/hamfest.html

USA             ARRL List       http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html

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P4 LAST UPDATE 7-7-17 de W1GSL                                          P 4

Additions/ Corrections via Internet  w1gsl@mit.edu

                           US Mail  W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139

(c)2017 W1GSL   http://www.swapfest.us        SASE for updated copy as issued.

unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety

*******************************************************************************

Boxboro Convention to Feature Amateur Radio Exposition For Young People

Nashua Area Radio Society High Altitude Balloon DisplayThe 2018 Boxboro! ARRL New England  Division is pleased to announce that the Nashua Area Radio Society (NARS) will be presenting an Amateur Radio Exposition for Young People on September 8-9, 2018. This exposition will include many hands-on activities, videos, and displays about amateur radio and wireless communications, including:

  • Software Defined Radios
  • High-Altitude Balloons
  • Portable and Mobile stations
  • Emergency Communications
  • Fox-hunting

In addition to the displays, the exposition will also feature a kit building activity. For a small cost ($20), you can purchase a kit and build it using NARS’s equipment and help from their mentors. The kit is a fully functional Morse code touch keyer and practice oscillator. It is available on a walk-up basis anytime on Saturday or Sunday that the Exhibitor hall is open.

The exposition will also include a computer-controlled satellite ground station. Using this satellite ground station, folks can communicate with other amateur radio operators using satellites in space.

For more information, please visit https://www.boxboro.org/exposition-for-young-people.

Marlborough Household Hazardous Waste Day, September 29, 2018

Eric Williams, KV1J, Marlborough EMA Communications Officer writes in the Algonquin ARC QRZ newsletter:

Please join us as we support the biannual joint Hudson-Marlborough Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on September 29th .

Our support is a combined effort by our Algonquin Amateur Radio Club and the Marlborough Emergency Management Team. Using our radio communications skills, we manage the traffic flow and validate residency for the approximately 400 cars that come to the event. We use both our N1EM repeater and the Emergency Management’s UHF radios.

We setup at 8 AM and the event runs from 9 AM to 1 PM. The event is next to the Marlborough Resident Drop­-Off Facility, located at 860 Boston Post Road East in Marlborough, behind the Half Way Café near Home Depot. I will send out an email reminder before the event. Event Flyer from the Marlborough City web: https://www.marlborough­ma.gov/sites/marlboroughma/files/uploads/household_hazardous_waste_fall_2018.pdf.

New ARRL CEO Elected By Board of Directors

ARRL CEO Howard Michel, WB2ITXAn Eastern Massachusetts amateur has been elected as the League’s new  Chief Executive Officer.

“The ARRL Board of Directors has elected Howard E. Michel, WB2ITX, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, to be ARRL’s new Chief Executive Officer, starting on October 15. Michel (his name rhymes with “nickel”) is currently Chief Technology Officer at UBTECH Education, and Senior Vice President of UBTECH Robotics, a $5 billion Shenzhen, China, artificial intelligence and robotics company. As the Chief Technology Officer at UBTECH Education, Michel helped build this company from a startup in China to $100 million in valuation.”

[Full story]

Barry Porter, KB1PA, Appointed as Section Manager in Southern Florida

photo of Barry Porter, KB1PAA former Eastern Massachusetts Section Manager is back in a familiar leadership role:  Barry Porter, KB1PA, has been appointed to serve as Section Manager for Southern Florida beginning October 1st. 

A resident of Delray Beach, Barry is a native of Milton, Massachusetts. He was licensed in 1984 and was one of the founding members of the Aleppo Shrine Amateur Radio Club and the Boston Computer Society’s Amateur Radio Group.

“I was very active promoting the melding of ham radio and computing, and did a lot of packet radio. Through packet radio, I got involved with public service activities, and worked nine Boston Marathons. I became involved  with Massachusetts Civil Defense and RACES and later I was appointed as a District Emergency Coordinator and Section Emergency Coordinator.”

Barry succeeded Luck Hurder, KY1T, as the Eastern Massachusetts Section Manager, filling out the remainder of Luck’s term. KB1PA would go on to serve two additional terms of his own.

Barry was involved with emergency communications during hurricanes Gloria and Bob.  “During this period I was a very active traffic handler and a net control.”  

KB1PA moved to Florida in 2004. While living in four-land, he’s been an Assistant Section Manager, an Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator, and an Emergency Coordinator. Barry was the only nominee for the position after Jeff Beals, WA4AW, announced that he would not seek a new term of office after serving since 2014.

Congratulations to Barry Porter, KB1PA in his new role as the Southern Florida Section Manager!

 

Cape and Islands ARES participation in the REPC Regional Shelter exercise 0900 8-25-18

Hello to all,

Cape Cod and Islands ARES will participate in the Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee shelter exercise on Saturday.

August 25th. This will be a functional exercise using the volunteer agencies in our multi agency shelter at D-Y Regional High School. Our Red Cross partners, ARES, MRC, CERT, and the Disaster Animal Rescue Team will participate.

Cape and Islands ARES will be providing in shelter communication coverage by UHF radio between the agencies. External communications will be using a new kit featuring a 75 watt VHF 2m radio.

Our 2m VHF station will call a simplex net on 146.580 MHZ FM at about 0900 in the morning. The 2m VHF test will last about 30 minutes. All stations within range are welcome to check in. Please report our signal strength to the net control station along with your antenna type, height, and the equipment/power level you are using.

At 0930 a test will begin with the new PAC digital software created by our own Ron W2CTX. It will last 30 minutes. Only stations with PAC will be able to participate. The software is in its late developmental stages, but has not gone live yet. There will be training for our members before that occurs.

Frank O’Laughlin WQ1O

Cape Cod and Islands ARES DEC

Genesis ARS Fox Hunt Training and Antenna Building, September 8, 2018

Jack Buckley, W1AKN writes in the Genesis ARS Newsletter:

Please plan to attend the fox hunt training session planned for Saturday, September 8 at 9AM at the Genesis ARS Meeting Room, Plymouth Airport.  This training session is in preparation for the fox hunt on September 15 following the GARS Breakfast.
 
We have ordered several 2-meter tape measure beam kits that will be available for purchase and will help you to build the kits at the training session.
 

Boxboro! Advance Ticket Registration, Hotel Room Deadline

Bob DeMattia, K1IW, writes on August 22:
 
There are only a few more days left before we close payments by US mail.  If you wish to use this option, please make sure to visit our website by this coming Friday.  We will continue to accept PayPal payments until September 5th.
 
If you are planning to stay overnight, rooms are available at the convention discount rate of $99/night.  Friday night is now sold out at this rate.  There are still a few rooms left on Saturday.  Call 978-263-8701 and use the discount code NEHAM!
 
 
See you there!
 
Bob – K1IW
Chairman – Boxboro 2018!

Flea at MIT, August 19, 2018 in Cambridge, MA

This Coming Sunday, the August Flea at MIT

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Summary: Buy Sell SWAP    Ham Radio    Electronics Computers    9AM – 2PM  ***

!!!!  In our Traditional GARAGE  !!!!!  ****
          so come rain or shine or super heat the Flea is on !!!

Outdoor space is questionable for this month, call ahead if your will not fit in 6′ 8″ height.

Due to changes in the construction crane, we may have some street space for
oversize trucks for the next couple months.   Call for details.

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Summary: Buy Sell SWAP    Ham Radio    Electronics Computers    9AM – 2PM

*** !!!!  In our Traditional GARAGE   !!!!  ****
         so come rain or shine or super heat the Flea is on !!!

*********  $1  buyers discount with hardcopy of this notice ********

COMPUTERS – ELECTRONICS – HAM RADIO – COMPUTERS – ELECTRONICS – HAM RADIO

                          FLEA all SUMMER at MIT
                         Sunday August 19th 2018
                                   9AM-2PM

Come to the city for a great flea – plenty of free parking.

        MIT’s  electronics and ham radio flea will take
        place on the third Sunday of each month this summer,
        April thru October.

        There is tailgate space for over 300 sellers!

        Buyers admission is $6  (you get $1 off if
        you’re lucky enough to have a copy of our ad)
        and sellers spaces are $20 for the first and
        $15 for each additional at the gate.

        Early Bird Buyers admission is $15, allows
        entry after the prepaid sellers ~ 7:15AM
        See registration form for season rate.

        The flea will be held at the corner of Albany and
        Main streets in Cambridge; right in the Kendall
        Square area from 9AM to 2PM, with sellers set-up
        time starting at 7AM.

        SEASON PASS + Advance Discounts

        A sellers discount season pass is available which
        offers a 30% discount. By prepaying you get a
        discount and earlier admission. See the registration form
        for full seller info.

        *** Attention Sellers ***
                Prepaid vendors.. Season Pass or monthly,
                will be admitted FIRST.
                Separate lines will form prior to gate opening
                for prepaid and nonprepaid vendors

        !! RAIN or SHINE !!  Have no fear of rain, a covered
        well illuminated tailgate area is available for all
        sellers (6’8″ clearance).

        Talk-in: 145.23- (PL 88.5) W1BOS/R  and
                 W1XM/R-449.725/444.725 (PL 114.8/2A).

        Sponsors: MIT Electronics Research Society
                  MIT UHF Repeater Association (W1XM)
                  MIT Radio Society (W1MX)
                  Harvard Wireless Club (W1AF)

        For more info / advanced reservations 617 253 3776

********** $1  buyers discount with hard copy of this notice ************

Mail the coupon below by the July 5th for advanced reservations.

           FLEA at MIT     2018 Rates

SELLERS

To use your spaces the named vendor MUST be present.
Rates include one admission per space.

Season Pass     $99 First Space – includes $70 for Cambridge Vendor Licenses
                  $70 Each additional space

Advance         $17 First space – includes $10 Cambridge Vendor License
                  $12 Additional Spaces
                        Must be received by the 5th of the month.

Gate Admission  $20 First Space – includes $10 Cambridge Vendor License
                  $15 Additional Spaces
                      Admission is after the prepaid vendors

Early Bird Buyer -Admission after the prepaid vendor line is admitted. ~ 7:15AM
                ** You may not sell. **
                $15 per person at the gate.
                $70 Season Early Bird Buyer

   cut and return
**************************************************************************
FLEA at MIT 2018       Advance Space Application

   _____ 1st Season Pass @ $99   _____ Additional Season Spaces @ $70

   ____April    ____May    ____June   ____ July  ____Aug   ___Sept   ____Oct
          @ $17  for the first each month  + $12 each additional

   _____ Season Early Bird Buyer   @ $70   ** NB You may not sell. **

Name    ________________________     Call  __________        $ Included______

Address ________________________     Phone  __________     Make Check to
                                                                                       The MIT Radio Society
City  ____________________ State  _______  Zip  _______       PO Box 397082
                                                                                       Cambridge MA 02139
E-mail  _____________________________________________

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Steve Finberg                              W1GSL                              w1gsl@mit.edu
PO Box 82 MIT Br           Cambridge MA  02139-7082             617 258 3754
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2018 Boxboro! Forum Schedule Posted

Information on forums and presentations at the 2018 Boxboro! New England Division Convention September 7-9, 2018 is now on-line, according to Boxboro Program Chair Phil Temples, K9HI. This year’s program spans three days, beginning on Friday, September 7 at 10:00 AM with a special ARES/SKYWARN track and concluding on Sunday, September 9 at 1:00 PM with the main prize drawing and convention wrap-up.

See http://boxboro.org/forums-and-classes/forum-schedule for program presenters, titles, times, room locations, and abstracts. 

Boston Marathon Article Featured in September QST

September 2018 QSTThe September, 2018 issue of QST features a full-length article entitled “Public Service in Action at the Boston Marathon.” Authored by Assistant Editor Caroline Kenney, the story describes Amateur Radio communications at one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting events:

“There are radio operating teams in all aspects of the complex system surrounding the starting line… transport and parking, aiding elite or disabled runners, attending to the volunteer core of 1,000 people, and working the information booths. “

Mark Richards, K1MGY, and Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY, are quoted in the article. 

The September edition of Digital QST is available at http://www.arrl.org/news/the-september-edition-of-digital-qst-is-now-available-1.

Bulk Traffic Handling Policy

Section Traffic Manager Marcia Forde, KW1U writes:

Hello to all Massachusetts traffic handlers,

Those who were able to attend the annual traffic handlers picnic last Sunday, which included ASTMs, Net Managers and those who handle a large number of radiograms, were involved in a discussion regarding the disposition of what has come to be called “bulk” or “spam” traffic, arriving on Massachusetts traffic nets. As mentioned in the enclosed document, there has been an increasing proliferation of radiograms originated by traffic handlers throughout the US and addressed to other amateurs  whose call signs, names and addresses were acquired from an FCC database list. In most cases the originators are unknown to the intended recipients and these messages have often not been welcomed by the recipients thus causing an increasing number of potential delivering stations to have turned away from the nets. While we don’t wish to discourage the origination of messages which help keep the nets viable, it has become a problem for the health of the nets.

Bulk Traffic Handling Policy” is a summary of that discussion and attempts to set guidelines for Massachusetts traffic handlers. It primarily affects those on local nets and not section nets or above, as local VHF nets are generally the final destination points for delivery of messages. Any messages on section nets not picked up for delivery can often be brought to the local nets as needed.

We would like to implement these guidelines as soon as possible after allowing a brief period for dissemination of this information.   If anyone has comments, positive or negative, they may send them to me kw1u@arrl.net. These guidelines will be implemented effective Friday, August 17.

Thanks to all for your support of the nets.

73, Marcia KW1U

STM EMA/WMA

Lightship Nantucket To Be Activated for International Lightship/Lighthouse Weekend, August 19, 2018

Nantucket LightshipMike Rioux, W1USN and Bob Reiser, AA1M, will operate onboard the Lightship Nantucket on Sunday, August 19 as part of International Lightship/Lighthouse Weekend
 
“Anyone who is interested in operating or just coming down to check the ship out is welcome.  Bring friends if you like and we’ll give a tour,” says Bob.
 
If you need info or directions, email Bob, AA1M, at aa1m@yahoo.com.
 
International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend (ILLW) began  in 1998 as the Scottish Northern Lights Award sponsored by the Ayr Amateur Radio Group. ILLW is a popular Amateur Radio event that takes place on the third full weekend in August each year. It attracts over 500 lighthouse entries in over 40 countries.
 
 

WQ1O and Cape Cod ARES Receives Certificate of Recognition From Barnstable County Commissioners

Certificate of Recognition awarded to WQ1O on August 1, 2018Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, and the Cape Cod ARES team  received high praise from the Barnstable County Commissioners for his hard work during the intense storms that impacted the Cape in March.

The ARRL Cape Cod and Islands ARES District Emergency Coordinator and the Cape Cod ARES team were awarded a Certificate of Recognition from Commissioners Ronald Beaty, Mary Pat Flynn, and Leo Cakounes at a Regional Emergency Planning Committee Meeting on August 1, 2018.

“I want to give thanks to all and especially to my crew who worked hard and long hours last winter during storm operations. Our group devoted several hundred person-hours to the operations,” writes WQ1O. “As Cape and Islands ARES insists on self sufficiency, our volunteers are self-equipped regardless if there is equipment on scene. This helps guarantee redundancy.”

 

ARRL Board of Directors’ Committee Seeks Input for Proposed ARES Strategic Plan

The Public Service Enhancement Working Group (PSEWG) has contacted all ARRL Section Managers and Section Emergency Coordinators seeking comments and suggestions regarding the proposed ARES Strategic Plan via an online form. The deadline is October 31, in order to give the PSEWG sufficient time to review the comments and suggestions, formulate any necessary revisions, and submit the revised document to the Board for consideration at its January meeting.  [Full story]

 

[Note: please forward comments and suggestions about the strategic plan  to Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY.]

Marlborough Labor Day Parade, September 3, 2018

AARC logoThe Algonquin Amateur Radio Association is looking for volunteers to assist in the Marlborough Labor Day parade on September 3. The parade is one of the club’s highest profile public service events. 

According to AARC’s Ed Fitzgerald, K1DIN, “The early recruiting for this year’s parade and the great response may give us the opportunity to try some operational upgrades. Each year that we’ve filled our roster, we have made some changes which seem to have worked well.”

Jim Babish, K1UUM, has agreed to assist Ed as his assistant team organizer “so that he might learn all the steps to getting the parade team ready.” Says K1DIN: “Of similar importance, we need to continually ‘deepen our bench’ so that in years when some of our volunteers have other commitments for parade day, we still can have complete coverage… We have a few experienced volunteers who have been able to fill in for folks who have last minute emergencies, for which I will be forever grateful.”

Those wishing to volunteer should contact K1DIN at: edfitz1@earthlink.net.

TRAFFIC HANDLERS PICNIC THIS SUNDAY AUGUST 12

REMINDER – The annual traffic handlers picnic will take place this Sunday, August 12 from noon to 4 at 44 Raymond Road, Concord MA.  All traffic handlers and others interested in learning more about traffic handling are invited.  Hamburgers, hot dogs and Italian sausages will be provided.  Bring your beverage of choice.  I have heard of some folks bringing chips and cake.  If you wish to bring something to share it would be most welcome and appreciated, but we do always seem to have a lot  left over.  I also have a limited number of chairs, so if you happen to have lawn chairs you can easily stuff into your car, by all means please do.  If anyone doesn’t have GPS and wants directions, email kw1u@comcast.net or call or text 508 314 6836.  Last weather report indicated a chance of a brief shower, but we’ve been lucky before and I’ve put in my request to the weatherman.  At least the temperature should be more agreeable than it has the past few weeks.  A head count by Saturday would be great so I know I have enough food, but if it’s spur of the moment, do come anyway.  Look forward to seeing you there.

Marcia KW1U

SEMARA Contest College, September 9, 2018

Southeastern MA ARA logoThe South Eastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association (SEMARA) will host a presentation entitled Contest College @ SEMARA on September 9, 2018 at approximately 12 PM.
 
This hands-on presentation will cover:
 
* different styles of contesting
* achieving a respectable score with 100 W
* operating various modes during a contest
* home-brewed  antennas for contests
 
There will also be on-air operation, listening and/or making contacts during the Worked All Europe SSB contest.
 
The organizers request an approximate head count, so lunch time pizza can be ordered.  Email Don if you are interested and plan to attend at: wa1bxy [at] hotmail [dot] com.
 
The SEMARA club house is located at: 54 Donald Street, S. Dartmouth, MA 02748; club phone number for messages: 508-997-7070