Month: March 2019

All

2019 ARRL New England Division Convention, Call for Presentations

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Don’t just attend Boxboro—BE A PART OF IT!    The 2019 ARRL New England Division Convention (re-branded as “Northeast HamXposition @Boxboro”) seeks fresh and exciting presentations for this year’s Convention, September 6-8, 2019. We’re looking for talks of both a technical and non-technical nature. As a Northeast HamXposition presenter, you will have the opportunity to share your subject knowledge and expertise with radio amateurs from across the Northeast, surrounding states, and Canada.   In addition to Saturday forums throughout the day, we will feature Saturday evening entertainment, workshops on Friday, and a half-day Sunday program.   If you represent a regional club …

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NTS / Public Service

MASSACHUSETTS TRAFFIC REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2019

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Greetings All.  Below is the February Traffic Report,  just in time before we start on the March reports.  Your STM was distracted by a vacation, a computer hack while on vacation and a period of post vacation catch-up.  This traffic report was submitted to ARRL March 15 but due to an early QST deadline it will have to wait to make the next QST.    Just a word about the use of pro-words and non pro-words.  Here is a link to our section website where you will find a list of common prowords and introductory words/phrases: https://ema.arrl.org/prowords-and-introductory-words-phrases/.  You will notice …

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Emergency Communications / NTS / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net for Monday April 1 at 8:30pm

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Hello to all… The monthly ARES Net is Monday April 1, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. We had an issue with last months net but that has been resolved. 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: http://www.mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_index_by_linkstate.html We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. As part of our relationship with MARS and our own situational awareness …

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Affiliated Clubs / Youth

Bruce Blain, K1BG: “Connecting With Youth and Educators,” April 3, 2019

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Andy Wallace, KA1GTT, writes on the BARS web site: I am excited to bring back Bruce Blain, K1BG to speak at [the Billerica Amateur Radio Society]. You may remember his talk with us about The Entry Level License: What’s Worked and What Hasn’t. Bruce has an eye for spotting opportunities about influencing the young folks and getting their interest piqued for amateur radio. Recently, Bruce enlisted three other Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club members to assist him in judging a school science fair. This was an opportunity for NVARC to connect with youth and educators and parents, with the hope …

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Operating / Youth

“Team Exuberance” to Take Over K3LR Superstation for CQ WW WPX

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This weekend, Newton, Massachusetts native Marty Sullaway, NN1C, will be among the young voices heard from the K3LR Superstation, an 11-acre antenna farm of 13 towers in West Middlesex, Pennsylvania, owned by Tim Duffy, K3LR. Duffy reports that “Team Exuberance” members will operate  from the station in the two-transmitter, multioperator (M2) category for the CQ World Wide WPX Contest (phone), March 30-31, 2019. [Details]

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Affiliated Clubs

Zola Center ARC Meeting: “Using Ham Radio Away From the Ham Shack,” March 30, 2019

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Frank Ventura, N1FMV, writes on the MARC/Zola mailing list: Everyone is welcome to join us at the next meeting of the Zola amateur radio group. The specifics and agenda are below. When:  Saturday, March 30 , 2019 Where:  20 Hartford street, Newton MA  02461 Time:  11:00 AM to 1:30 PM Agenda: 11:00 AM:  Welcome and any old business brought to the floor 11:30 AM:  One of the projects I have been working on is exploring different ways of using ham radio away from the ham shack. While on vacation in Florida, myself and N1NGK were able to check into our …

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Operating

VHF/UHF Activity Nights

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Roger Coulson, WA1NVC, writes on the NEWSVHF list: Please spread the word as we try to promote SSB activity on the VHF bands. Maybe some of the NEWS group members would like to join us for an old fashioned activity night. Kim, WA1PBU, in Bolton MA and myself, WA1NVC, in Framingham MA are promoting the old activity nights: Monday – 2m, Tuesday – 1-1/4m, Wednesday – 70cm, Thursday – 33 cm, etc.  I have been promoting repeater activity on “220 Tuesday” and “900 Thursday”.  Now we are promoting SSB activity on Monday – 2m, and on Wednesday – 70 cm.  …

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Licensing Education & Training

Cape Ann ARA “Tech In A Day” Session Cancelled

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Bill Poulin, WZ1L, writes on the Cape Ann ARA list:   This is to announce the cancellation of the Tech In A Day Session scheduled to Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the Lanesville Community Center.   We have received only one inquiry and the Program Facilitators have decided to cancel the Tech In A Day Session.   We will reschedule the program at the ARRL New England Division Convention at Boxboro, MA in September 2019.   Please advise any persons you may have notified.   See also: Cape Ann ARA Tech In A Day, Gloucester, March 30, 2019

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Emergency Communications / Licensing Education & Training / Public Service

2019 SKYWARN Training Schedule Posted

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Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on WX1BOX.org: The 2019 NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Training Class Schedule for the spring season [has been posted]. Please distribute widely to anyone interested in becoming a SKYWARN Spotter! Additional SKYWARN Training classes are in planning. This includes a class in the Rowe/Charlemont, Mass area, Granby/Hartland, CT area, Western Hampshire County Massachusetts, Eastern Franklin County Massachusetts and potentially other locations in Rhode Island and Southeast Massachusetts. Another update will be posted to the schedule in one to two weeks. There will also be a slate of SKYWARN classes in the Fall of this year. [Full story]

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Emergency Communications / Public Service

“Ham Operators Train for the Worst”

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The Maynard Wicked Local online newspaper featured a story with numerous photos on March 18, 2019 entitled, “Ham Operators Train for the Worst.” “Ham Radio operators from around the area held a drill Monday morning, March 18, 2019, to coordinate coverage in a simulated case of a tornado strike in Hudson, Maynard, Stow and Acton. With the Amature (sic) Radio Emergency Service base in the Stow Fire Department, participants logged in from towns around the area, thereby confirming the coverage available in times of emergency. “

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Affiliated Clubs

Pentucket Radio Association Meets, March 21, 2019

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David Robertson, KD1NA, writes on the PRA mailing list: On March 21 at 7:30 PM [there] will be a general meeting for all [Pentucket Radio Association] members and visitors [at the West Newbury EOC/Fire station, 401 Main Street, West Newbury, MA].   An important topic of discussion will be the coming Spring NEAR-Fest on May 3rd and 4th.   Discussion of the repeater status and future upgrades.   Hope to see all of you there.  

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All

ARRL New England Division Convention Web Site Live!

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The 2019 ARRL New England Division Convention (now branded as “Northeast HamXposition @ Boxboro“) web site is now live.   Sign-ups for speakers and volunteers are now available, as are applications for commercial, non-profit, and club vendor tables. Ticket pre-orders will be available in early June.  The three-day convention is held September 6-8, 2019 at the Boxboro Regency Hotel and Conference Center (formerly the Boxboro Holiday Inn), 242 Adams Place, Boxborough, MA 01719. Be sure to make your reservations early as the hotel fills up quickly. See https://hamxposition.org/travel-and-hotel for details.

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Affiliated Clubs / Organization

K1VR Presents at Nashoba Valley ARC Meeting, March 21, 2019

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Bruce Blain, K1BG, writes: The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s March meeting will be Thursday, March 21st at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell). Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, our newly-elected ARRL New England Division Director, will join us this month. Fred suggested discussing antenna zoning (his specialty) and current ARRL matters (his new job). He’s an accomplished speaker, a contester and an alumnus-affiliate of a local college radio club, so the session just might easily meander following audience interests. <…> Need directions? Click here and put your own address in box “A”. Thanks and 73. Please feel free to …

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Public Service

Run of the Charles, Volunteers Sought, April 28, 2019

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Brett Smith, AB1RL writes: The annual Run of the Charles is a fundraiser for the Charles River Watershed Association to support river cleanup and research efforts. This year the event will have completely new routes. The longest route is 14 miles and begins at the Newton Boathouse. All routes end at Artesani Park in Brighton. There are assignments available at various times throughout the morning into the mid-afternoon along the river between Newton and Brighton. To sign up, simply write me back and let me know: Your cell phone number Your shirt size Any time or location constraints on your volunteer availability …

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Public Service

MS Walk Boston Volunteers Needed, April 7, 2019

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The annual MS Walk Boston raises funds for multiple sclerosis research and patient advocacy. The event uses amateur radio spotters to track participant progress and ensure their safety. This year’s event features a streamlined, more accessible route. The MS Walk Boston is on Sunday, April 7. You’ll check in at 8:00 AM and stay until the early afternoon. Lunch is available at the finish for volunteers. To sign up, register online, then mail Rick Savage, KB1LYJ to let him know you’re on the team.

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Youth

NVARC Members Participate in Bromfield Science Fair

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Bruce Blain, K1BG, writes in the March, 2019 issue of Signal: As part of my continued effort to explore how to connect youth with Amateur Radio, I decided to learn more about an annual activity that I know takes place in my town—The Bromfield Science Fair. The Bromfield School is the public middle/high school in Harvard, MA. I’ve been aware of their science fair ever since my children attended school there. During the past year, I reached out to Deb Pierce, the teacher at Bromfield who coordinates the event, and found out how to participate. I had two broad goals: …

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