Month: March 2019

All

2019 ARRL New England Division Convention, Call for Presentations

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
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 or organization (e.g. YCCC, NEQRP, WRONE, MMRA, MARS, etc.) we can help facilitate open forums or closed meetings by providing you a meeting space. 
 
Groups who wish to set up information tables should get your requests in early. While the tables are offered without charge, we ask for some volunteer time in return to assist us with ticket sales and other logistics during the convention. To register for a table, visit
 
To register as a presenter, please go to http://www.hamxposition.org/forums-and-classes/speaker-signup or email me if you have additional questions. 
 
I look forward to meeting all of you at the convention.
 
73,
 
Phil Temples, K9HI
Program Chair
Northeast HamXposition @Boxboro
Emergency Communications / NTS / Public Service

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

- by kc1cic - Leave a Comment

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 gathering we will be asking for any known infrastructure issues that you are aware of. The information must either be personally observed, or obtained “over the air” via amateur radio. Items considered to be infrastructure include but are not limited to: electrical power, water, medical facilities, sanitation, communications, and transportation. Examples of failure would be: small or large area power failure, water main breaks, hospitals’ ER closed, sewage issues, TV/radio station off the air (including public safety), interstate highway or major road closed. No known issues are just as important as reporting failures.

Additionally we are interested in relay of any weather information from airport ATIS/ASOS stations that you can directly receive via radio. These stations broadcast continuously in the 120.000 – 138.000 MHz frequency range using amplitude modulation. Information from the ATIS should include airport, temperature, altimeter (barometer), wind, precipitation, and visibility.A list of stations with their frequencies and a map can be found at: <https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/weather/asos/?state=MA>. A brief introduction to ATIS can be found at: <https://www.vatsim.net/pilot-resource-centre/general-lessons/understanding-atis>. We will have several interesting announcements for the net that evening and we look forward to everyone’s participation.

Updates will be posted via email and on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Web Site at <https://ema.arrl.org/ares>. Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

Rob Macedo, KD1CYEastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

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 of generating more budding hams. You can see how this has potential for rejuvenating our hobby.

Bruce will describe what happened and I am sure he will field questions we all have about why ham radio’s average age keeps climbing each year and what we can do about it.

Please come and support Bruce, and thank him for speaking for a fellow club.

[See also: NVARC Members Participate in Bromfield Science Fair] 

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]

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 Thursday evening net via Echolink on our iPhones. I have been looking into alternatives to be used with some of my HF equipment. I will demonstrate one or more potential solutions that I have found.

12:30 PM:  Our traditional pizza lunch

1:00 PM:  Fellowship and open topics

Hope to see everyone at our next meeting.

Operating

VHF/UHF Activity Nights

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

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.  Our schedule is as follows:

Monday 8 PM local time 144.195 USB

Wednesday 8 PM local time 432.100 USB

WA1PBU is at a much higher location and has much better coverage than I do. I am on the northeast side of a hill with poor coverage towards CT.  I have good coverage east of I-495 and to the North, Northeast, and Southeast.  Kim can reach easily into CT where I cannot.

We have had as many as 7 people on a Monday activity night.  We have not been so luck on Wednesday activity night.

There are lots of people with multimode rigs so lets get them on the air. We have worked people on 2m SSB using a rig connected to a 6m vertical, an attic loop, a UHF mobile antenna, etc.  Blow off the dust and give it a try.

Roger
WA1NVC

P.S.  The equipment here is a Yaesu FT-736R, a Mirage B3016 amp, and a Cushcraft 215WB antenna at about 35′.

Licensing Education & Training

Cape Ann ARA “Tech In A Day” Session Cancelled

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CAARA logoBill 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.
 
Emergency Communications / Licensing Education & Training / Public Service

2019 SKYWARN Training Schedule Posted

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SKYWARN logoRob 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]

Emergency Communications / Public Service

“Ham Operators Train for the Worst”

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

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. “

Clubs

Pentucket Radio Association Meets, March 21, 2019

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Pentucket Radio Association logoDavid 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.

 

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.

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 contact me if you have any questions.

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

If you have questions about either event, please feel free to ask. You can also call or text me at (859) 466 5915.

Public Service

MS Walk Boston Volunteers Needed, April 7, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

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.

Youth

NVARC Members Participate in Bromfield Science Fair

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NVARC display at Bromfield Science Fair
W1PJE photo

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: to introduce young people to amateur radio, and to find a champion amongst the Bromfield faculty—someone who would incorporate amateur radio into the curriculum, or sponsor an after school activity like an amateur radio club. Four of us actively participated in judging the event on the afternoon of March 8th—me, Jim AB1WQ, Phil W1PJE, and Skip K1NKR. Community organizations like NVARC select projects that fit into their broad scopes of interest and judge those projects. Frankly, none of this year’s projects were specifically amateur radio related, but a number had some connection to the broad subject of “electromagnetics”. We split into two teams of judges – Jim and I and Phil and Skip. Of the seven projects we reviewed, three jumped out at all of us:. “Constructing a Polarimeter” by seniors Liam Makosky and Jacob Catalina, “Remote Sensing” by junior Lucy Bodtman, and “Harnessing Kinetic Energy from Footsteps for Electricity” by 8th grader Imogen Slavin. Awards were presented in the evening.

NVARC was also given the opportunity to have a table to display information regarding amateur radio. Stan KD1LE, Ralph KD1SM, and Phil W1PJE helped with the table and took some photographs. The science fair winners were given an introduction into amateur radio as well, and a number of teachers showed interest in what we are doing (no volunteer yet). We had two parents (of students) and two other students show great interest in our table. So the long term outcome of this effort is yet to be determined. The best part about an activity like this is that it can be duplicated at any science fair at any high school anywhere. I live in the town of Harvard, but NVARC members live in some 20 or so communities in the area. It all takes a few hours of time one day a year, and is an amazingly rewarding activity. I’m already planning on doing it again next year. If two kids per science fair per year across the country got interested in amateur radio, the number of kids getting into the hobby would explode overnight. Please let me know if you are interested in helping out in YOUR town. You can reach me at k1bg.bruce@gmail.com or at 508-341-5124. 

Clubs / Public Service

Groton Road Race Requests Amateur Radio Support, April 28, 2019

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Ralph Swick, KD1SM writes in the March, 2019 issue of NVARC “Signal”:

Sunday, April 28 will be the 28th running of the Groton Road race. The Groton Police Department and the Race Committee are again formally requesting support from the Amateur Radio community for logistics and safety communications for this high-profile event. The Groton Road Race has been a major event for Amateur Radio in North Central Massachusetts. [The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club] has been coordinating the ham participation since the second year of the event. Many NVARC members are 26-year (soon to be 27-year) veterans. Those of you who have joined us in past years know that the runners sincerely appreciate our presence. Many say so as they run past. This event is so large that Police Departments from several other communities come to assist the Groton PD. Part of our role is to provide the communications from the Groton Police to these out-of-town officers who come to help with the event. 

Contributing to the public good is one of the reasons Amateur Radio exists. Our public service events are a key opportunity for us to show our colors, volunteer our skills and equipment, and demonstrate why it is in the public’s interest to continue to allocate precious RF spectrum to our the Amateur Radio service. 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 28th. If you are interested in helping at events like this but are unsure of what is expected of you or what equipment you may need, please do not hesitate to ask Ralph KD1SM, Stan KD1LE, or John, KK1X. You can also find detailed information about the operations in previous years at <https://www.n1nc.org>.