a field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
Dennis Eagan, W1UE, writes:
I have the honor of operating VY1AAA [remote] for the Canada Day contest this year. Operation will be low power CW only. Still, it may be the only way you’ll get to work YT if you want it!
I don’t expect much propagation on 15 or 10m, but you never know. Should be on the 4 lowest bands. I’m figuring on 12-16 hours of operation, depending on rate and my ability to stay awake!
-Dennis VE3WUE, W1UE, VY1AAA
Algonquin Amateur Radio Club members were featured in a Marlboro Community Television (WMCT) news segment in connection with their recent Field Day event June 22-23, 2019 at the Marlboro Fire Department, according to AARC Activities Chairman Joe Reynolds, KA1GDQ.
The story begins at 9:26 into the video.
Nick Bollo, KC1DKY, writes on the foxhunting list at 1:27 PM on June 28, 2019:
It has been a while, but finally, the KC1DKY fox is out and hiding on Billerica town land. Fox is on 146.565MHz. Send a DTMF of 1 to activate the fox. If the fox does not seem to be responding, send a couple DTMF # and then a 1 to possibly whack it back into shape. The fox will signal for 30seconds and be silent for 15sec, and repeat for 15minutes. The fox is located around a third of a mile from the parking area and about 50ft or so in from the trail, no bush whacking but watch out for tree limbs. Don’t forget to sign the log book in the plastic bag next to the fox. I recommend some bug spray.
Good luck and have fun!
*****SPOILER*****
ACIRELLIB NI KRAP SNARETEV MANTEIV NI DETACOL SI XOF EHT
Barry Fox, W1HFN, writes on the foxhunters list at 1:09 PM on June 27, 2019:
I deployed the W1HFN fox today in the Mill Hill conservation land off Mill Road in Littleton. Frequency is 146.565 with a voice ID every 30 seconds.
https://
When I recovered it last time, the TX was keying up for 2 seconds then shutting down. I assumed a dead battery. When I got it home and recharged the battery, same symptoms. Wrong assumption. Turns out water had leaked into the case and landed on the TX PC board. It reacted with something and left a conductive goo all over the traces. Scrubbed it off with alcohol and toothbrush, then dried with a hair dryer. Worked OK, but had lost its audio message.
Reprogrammed the audio and we’re off to the races.
Happy Hunting.
The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association has embarked upon an ambitious project to raise $14,000 by September 1, 2019 for the purchase a 16-foot utility trailer and to “assemble a professional, self-contained, mobile communications platform that would be utilized for emergency and non-emergency, public safety and public service events.”
FARA intends to outfit the trailer with a number of operator positions that would “allow operation on a multitude of communications networks and frequencies … including local amateur radio repeaters that link local and regional communications for storm shelters, hospitals and aid stations.” The trailer would also be utilized for non-emergency events like road races, marathons, July 4th celebrations, fairs, and community service events.
The Falmouth ARA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to “providing emergency and routine radio communications support to the citizens of the Town of Falmouth and the surrounding communities.”
[Full story]
ARRL division and section officials hit the road this past weekend to visit numerous clubs participating in the annual ARRL Field Day on June 22-23, 2019.
New England Vice Director Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, reports he visited a total of twelve sites in New Hampshire and Eastern Massachusetts:
RICOMU/RIEMA, North Scituate, RI
On Sunday, the duo stopped in at:
The dynamic duo wracked up 492 miles on the road.
Eastern MA Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW, accompanied by Assistant Section Manager Phil Temples, K9HI, toured five sites across the section on Saturday:
On Sunday, Tom continued the tour “solo,” visiting:
Tom reports a total of 365 miles driven.
Jim Wilber, AB1WQ, writes:
Tomorrow morning we’ll be doing it! LOOK AT THE ATTACHED WEEKEND WEATHER FORECAST– IT’S GREAT!
SATURDAY, JUNE 22
7:00 AM – Breakfast at Breen’s Diner, 170 Main Street in Pepperell. If you’re gung-ho to start the day strong, come out and join us here as we assemble for a quick breakfast before heading to the Field Day site.
WHERE TO GO: The usual location: Heald Orchard in Pepperell. Two ways to find it:
1) Enter “110A Heald Street, Pepperell MA” into Google Maps and follow the driving directions. The final part of the route is 0.1 mile on a gravel road right up to our site. The orchard has been mowed, so you’ll find room to park there. Try to leave room at the end for cars to turn around, though.
2) If you know where the flashing yellow light is on Rte. 113 in front of Pepperell Town Hall (Enter “1 Main Street, Pepperell MA” in Google Maps), drive there and leave that intersection on Park Street heading north. BUT, take an IMMEDIATE left onto Heald Street, now heading west. (It is clearly marked.) Follow Heald Street for exactly 1.6 miles to an open metal gate on your left. A sign there marks, “Heald Orchard, West Entrance.” Go through the gate for 0.1 mile and you’ll see our cars and antenna tower trailer up a low hill.
8:00 AM – Setup will be underway and many hands will make light work. Seriously, this is not heavy lifting but there are a lot of little tasks that are cut down to size by having more helpers. Please plan to come out early if at all possible and pitch in. When the setup is done, you could even go home, take a break and come back.
12:00 Noon – By this time, setup will be complete and we’ll have time to relax under the cool shade of the 10’x20′ canopy tent. Sip some lemonade and meet some of the hams you don’t yet know, but maybe have read about in the Signal. Come and introduce yourself if you rarely get a chance to join us for other activities. Field Day is about Socializin’ as much as Eatin’, Operatin’, and Educatin’. But it’s really a contest, isn’t it? Sort of– It can be almost the most relaxed contest ever, if that’s what you want. Spend a few minutes Operatin’ (but no one will force you to do that), and stick around for some Eatin’ and Educatin’. It will be hard not to learn something if you hang around the other hams long enough. And you can do some Educatin’ of them!
2:00 PM – The on-air scoring of Field Day begins and we start logging contacts. Remember to “Op-ON” to N1MM+ (lots of people will be around to show you how and offer any other tips you need) and answer a CQ. The exchange will take you seconds to learn and you’ll have your first QSO of the day. Watch another ham do it once or twice and you’ll have it down on your first attempt. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A CONTESTER!
OPERATE, OPERATE, OPERATE: As in past years, we’ll have a RAFFLE at our first fall general meeting in September. To get your name in the raffle, all you need to do is have your call sign appear in our QSO log (which will happen if you’ve Opped-ON to N1MM+). Every 10 QSOs you make will earn you another chance to win in the raffle. Prizes? Cool things like an HRO gift certificate, Field Day mug, or Field Day pin. You won’t have to be present to win, you just have to operate at Field Day!
6:00 PM – Means one thing: Dinner time. If you’ve pre-ordered your Field Day dinner, make your way to the canopy and find yourself a seat. We are working to have the food arrive hot as close to 6:00 PM as possible, for maximum enjoyment. There will be no such thing as fashionably late for this dinner.
MORE OPERATIN’ AND SOCIALIZIN’: Through the evening and into the night. Propagation will change and you can be there and take advantage of it. The radios will be humming as long as we have operators that know the tune! “N1NC November one November charlie two-alpha echo mike alpha…” There, you just completed a QSO. When you’re not in front of the mic or key, meet the other hams around you. The coffee pot will be on; good company will be all around. Okay, a few flying bugs, too. Just put on a little bug spray. They hate it.
DID I SAY MORE OPERATIN’? There’s no one who will make you go home if you don’t want to. Or go home, but then come back and watch the sun rise. Find the operators out west who thought all of us were in bed already, and make them happy.
SUNDAY, JUNE 23
8:00 AM – Wake up and smell the coffee!! Drop in at Jessica and Bob’s outdoor diner for a steaming mug of joe, some bacon and eggs, pancakes, or whatever suits your fancy. Sausages your thing? Will have them, too. NOTHING better then breakfast outside in the fresh morning air. Birds twittering, sun sparkling…Nature all around…
YEP, MORE OPERATING AND SOCIALIZIN’…
2:00 PM – You better have logged all your QSOs by now because this is when the logging stops. In a matter of minutes you’ll hear the bands start to go silent, as everyone has had their fill of another 24 hours of Operatin’… Ah, rest for the weary at last… But it’s a satisfied weary, not an exhaustion. it’s up to you to make sure of that. Time to get up and walk around…oh, and while you’re up, would you wind up this power cord onto this reel. Time to whistle while you work and get everything disassembled, picked up, and packed up, and loaded up for moving out. With enough helpers on hand we’ll roll back out the orchard gates by 4:00 PM, as usual. Yet another Field Day that went… How? HOW? THE WAY YOU MADE IT GO!
SEE YOU OUT THERE TOMORROW MORNING, MY FRIENDS!
The Quannapowitt Radio Association will conduct a Field Day operation on June 22, 2019, in Topsfield.
According to Ron Draper, WA1QZK, the QTH is situated adjacent to the Topsfield water tank off Route 1 at the top of the hill. “It’s the home of the 147.285 Topsfield repeater, W1VYI. It’s 230 feet elevation, easy access, and there some trees to throw up a dipole.”
Ron adds, “Saturday operation only is planned, maybe until 8 PM.”
Those interested in joining in or visiting the site can ask for talk-in from WA1QZK on 147.285 PL 100, or by calling 978-335-2099.
John O’Reilly, K1JRO, writes on the South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group mailing list:
Geoff Ayres, WK1D, will be organizing a group this year to provide communications support for the Coop’s Troop 5k Race in Bare Cove Park in Hingham on Sunday, July 21.
If you can assist Jeff in supporting this very worthwhile event please contact us and we will make sure you get signed up for the event.
John O’Neill, K1JRO, writes:
From the Barnstable ARC web site:
Public welcome! The best time is 3-5pm Saturday or 10-noon Sunday. The event will run for 24hrs.
During this time you will have the opportunity to get on the air and make contacts with other Field Day stations throughout the country and Canada. All visitors must sign in.
ARRL Field Day is the single most popular on-the-air event held annually in the US and Canada. On the fourth weekend of June each year more than 35,000 radio amateurs gather with their clubs, groups or simply with friends to operate from remote locations.
Field Day offers many things to many people, it is a contest, club cookout, emergency drill, social gathering and more. What ever aspect of Field Day you find the most appealing to you, you will definitely have a good time. The “official” goal of Field Day is to contact as many stations as you can in the twenty four hour operating window. This is also BARC’s largest yearly event and we like to have a good time. Saturday evening we all enjoy sitting down to a large pot luck dinner.
Not a contester? Not a problem! BARC operates field day to have a good time. If you have never operated during a contest or another Field Day come on down and we will guide you through all aspects and have you operating in no time. In fact we have a dedicated station for anyone new to Field Day or Amateur Radio. It is the Get On The Air station (GOTA) At this station you will have a dedicated coach to walk you through everything.
All operating is done from the large pavilion area in the center of the camp. We run as a 3A class (The three is the number of transmitters and “A” designates emergency power) this has kept us operating for the full 24hrs last year. Band pass filters are used to eliminate interference from radio to radio. Due to using the filters each radio is more or less assigned to one band at a time. If you want to switch bands you just change operating stations. The radio equipment used during Field day is all personal property of our members. (please respect it)
[Map, Full story]
Marty Koszewski, N1VH, writes:Tom Walsh, K1TW, writes on the ARRL Members Only list:
+++++++++++++++++++++++
ARRL Field Day weekend
+++++++++++++++++++++++
ARRL Field Day represents the very best of the Amateur Radio service.
Join your local club or other local operation for ARRL Field Day weekend
on June 22-23, 2019.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
EMA Field Day Directory
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Has your club provided complete information for this year’s EMA Field
Day Directory? If not please send the details to Bill Ricker, N1VUX, at
n1vux@arrl.net
View the Directory to find operations near you or anywhere in our
section by visiting http://ema.arrl.org/field_day/
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“Triple Play:” MA Hams Receive Amateur Radio Proclamations,
Resolutions from House, Senate, and Governor
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Massachusetts ARRL staff received copies of proclamations and
resolutions congratulating the Amateur Radio community for its service
to the Commonwealth, and for the upcoming annual Field Day exercise June
22-23, 2019.
The Massachusetts House of Representatives document “offers its
sincerest congratulations to the American Radio Relay League in
recognition of The ARRL Field Day and the Tireless Work of Amateur Radio
Operators.” The document was signed by Robert A. DeLeo, Speaker of the
House.
The Massachusetts State Senate weighed in with a resolution, adopted May
9, 2019. “[The Senate] extends its appreciation to Amateur Radio
operators as they celebrate Amateur Radio Week and Field Day.” The
resolution was signed by Senate President Karen E. Spilka and Michael D.
Hurley, Senate Clerk. It was offered by Senator Bruce E. Tarr (N1UIU),
who represents the 1st Essex and Middlesex District.
The Governor’s Office issued a proclamation proclaiming June 22, 2019
to be “Amateur Radio Day” in the Commonwealth. The proclamation was
signed by His Excellency Charles D. Baker, Governor of the Commonwealth,
Karyn E. Polito, Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth, and William Francis
Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Our ARRL section MA State Government Liaison, Hank McCarl, W4RIG, was
instrumental in securing the three documents.
You can view all three documents at
https://ema.arrl.org/2019/06/1
++++++++++++++++++++++
Section Manager visits
++++++++++++++++++++++
Traditionally EMA ARRL section staff visit as many FD sites as feasible
during the weekend. This year K1TW (Section Manager) and K9HI
(Assistant Section Manager) will travel to several clubs in Plymouth,
Bristol and Barnstable counties. Time permitting, we may add further
visits. We will be bringing the state government documents along for
all to see.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bonus for NTS message sent to Section Manger or SEC during field day
period
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You will receive 100 bonus points if you send an NTS radiogram to either
your Section Manager (K1TW) or Section Emergency Coordinator (KD1CY).
You should include your club’s name, number of participants, Field Day
location, and number of ARES operators involved with your operation.
One hundred bonus points is equivalent to making 100 SSB Q’s or 50 CW
Q’s so the bonus is well worth the time to complete.
If you have 75/80-meter capability at your Field Day site, you can
originate and easily send your message by checking into the MARIPN
(phone net on 3978 kHz) at 6 PM on Saturday or the MARI (CW net on 3565
kHz) at 7 PM on Saturday.
Otherwise, a list of all the EMA NTS nets operating during Field Day can
be found at: https://ema.arrl.org/national-
+++++++++++++++++++
Other Bonus points
+++++++++++++++++++
Bonus points can make a huge difference in your club’s final score so
check out all the other bonus point possibilities in the Field Day rules
at
http://www.arrl.org/files/file
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Enjoy Field Day. Wishing everyone an enjoyable and safe Field Day
weekend. Remember: “Safety First!”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
——————————
ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
——————————
From the ARRLWeb:
Each year as ARRL Field Day approaches, state and local governments traditionally take advantage of the opportunity to honor Amateur Radio in the form of various proclamations. [Full story]
Bruce Blain, K1BG, writes:
The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s June meeting will be tomorrow, Thursday, June 20th at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell).
This month’s long awaited speaker will be Harry Chase, WA1VVH, who had to cancel at the last minute last month. Harry will talk about his memories of shortwave station HCJB in Ecuador. He made several trips there as a volunteer to set up broadcasting equipment, help with technical issues, and eventually help decommission the stations.
Also, yours truly, Bruce, K1BG, will be giving a brief tutorial on using N1MM logging software on Field Day. When I say brief, it will be very brief! It will, however, be enough to get you comfortable using it.
And since Field Day is this coming Saturday, I’m sure N1NC’s field day plans will be discussed.
Need directions to the meeting? Click here and put your own address in box “A”.
Thanks and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Bruce, K1BG
978-772-2773 or bruce.blain@charter.net
Members of the Falmouth Amateur Radio Association, Inc. (FARA) will be participating in the national Amateur Radio Field Day exercise, June 22-23, at the Barnstable County Fairgrounds south parking area at Route 151 and Currier Road in East Falmouth. Visitors are welcome at the site starting at noon on June 22.
Since 1933, ham radio operators across the united states have established temporary ham radio stations in public locations during Field Day to showcase the science and skill of Amateur Radio. This event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. For over 100 years, Amateur Radio — sometimes called ham radio — has allowed people from all walks of life to experiment with electronics and communications techniques, as well as provide a free public service to their communities during a disaster, all without needing a cell phone or the Internet. Field Day demonstrates ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent communications network. With the rapid advancement in technology this day and age, cell phones, computers, and internet, it’s important for people to understand what ham radio is and how it has also advanced with the rapid change in technology as well.
Ham radio functions completely independent of the Internet or cell phone infrastructure, and can interface with tablets or smartphones. Most ham radio stations can be setup up quickly by simply throwing a wire over a tree for an antenna and using batteries for power. That is one of the greatest things about ham radio, and it’s also beneficial in times of disasters and other emergencies when other communication infrastructures are down. Anyone may become a licensed Amateur Radio operator. There are over 822,768 licensed hams in the United States, as young as five and as old as 100. For more information about FARA’s Field Day, contact Matthew Trott, KB1MLP, (matthew.trott@ymail.com) or visit the club website at http://www.falara.org.
Andy Wallace, KA1GTT, writes:
Our FD Chair is Ken Caruso, WO1N. Please direct questions to him at his QRZ email address. Ken is managing operating teams and schedules so if you would like to get on the air with W1HH do get in touch with Ken. We will be using teams of two for operating and logging using N1MM software. If you are not an expert, don’t be nervous – our experienced ops are happy to coach you in logging and calling/answering CQs and will get you up to speed. Our site will have areas to socialize, and the building has ample ways to shelter from the weather and bugs, too.
This is a joint effort between BARS and the Billerica Emergency Management team. The site is owned by the Town of Billerica and Kevin Fallon, KB1KTR, was instrumental in making this collaboration possible. The site is located at the Billerica EMA Barracks, 67 Alexander Road, Billerica MA 01821. Our setup will be at the first of the large row of buildings.
Please see the details of the site at the ARRL FD Locator site at:
https://ema.arrl.org/field_
Please note that visitors must abide by the Emergency Management Agency team rules, one of which is that no smoking or alcohol are allowed onsite. Do come by and see us!
I am very happy to see this effort come together and am excited to see how we do!
Thanks to all involved, ahead of time.
The doors are open on our online ticketing system. Please visit our website to find out more about our [September 6-8,] 2019 program and to purchase your general admission, flea market vendor, and Friday and Saturday dinner tickets!Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT writes on the Cape Ann ARA list:
The YMCA St Peter’s Fiesta 5K Run is on Thursday, June 27th, 6:00pm. Start/finish is at Stage Fort Park, Gloucester. The race starts at 6:00pm.
Thursday, June 27th, 6:00pm, Stage Fort Park, Gloucester.
CAARA Has A Great Public Service Team. Come Out And Have Some Fun With Us. Why?
You are using amateur radio to provide a needed public service to ensure the safety and smooth running of a public event in local communities.
I would but I do not have a radio.
No excuse, we have loaner radio’s available with a mag mount that will work in your car just by just plugging it into the cigarette lighter socket. We have loaner hand held radios as well!
I don’t have transportation.
No excuse, we will pick you up and drop you off at your house.
I do not have the time to spare for a whole race.
Well, you can commit to a time slot, for just two hours. We will bend over backwards to get you to participate. Thank you in advance.
| St Peter’s Fiesta 5K Run Communications Team | ||||
| Gloucester, Mass | ||||
| Last Updated: 6/17//2019 10:00am | ||||
| Event date: June 27, 2019 | ||||
| On Location: 5:30 pm | ||||
| Starts: 5K Run = 600:pm | ||||
| Freq: W1GLO 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up: 443.700 + PL: 107.2 |
