Month: August 2019

Operating

KD1D Fox Out for the Weekend in Westford

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Alan Hicks, KD1D, writes on the foxhunting list on August 30, 2019 at 4:24 PM:

The KD1D Fox transmitter is OTA as of 1600 EDT on Friday Aug 30. 

Since it’s a holiday weekend, I made it fairly easy to find in the  Nutting Road area [of Westford]. Very little bushwhacking should be required.

I am working on some new enclosures that allow the use of a bigger  battery, but for now, I expect it to run for at least 2 days.

Happy Hunting and a great Labor Day Weekend to all!

73 de KD1D

Youth

Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) Station Registration Now Available

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From ARRLWeb:

Registration now is open for stations to register for Scouting’s 2019 Jamboree on the Air (JOTA). JOTA will take place October 18 – 20. JOTA is Scouting’s largest event in the world and always takes place over the third weekend of October. Click on “Sign Up Now” and register using your free Scout.org user id.

Use the same site to register for the 2019 Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI).

Bill Stearns, NE4RD, has been named the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) National Jamboree on the Air Task Force Chair. He has activated a number of JOTA and Scout Camp stations from the Montana Scout Council and served on the 2017 National Scout Jamboree K2BSA and 2019 World Scout Jamboree NA1WJ staffs.

The NA1WJ Amateur Radio operation at the 2019 World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia reported that more than 3,000 Scouts took part in the ham radio demonstrations, logging more than 4,000 contacts in 86 DXCC entities.

Affiliated Clubs

Billerica ARS Special Program: QSL Sorting, September 4, 2019

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Andy Wallace, KA1GTT, writes on the BARS website, at https://www.w1hh.org/next-bars-meeting-wednesday-september-4-2019-at-700pm-eric-kv1j-qsl-sort-and-free-pizza/:

Everyone, I am pleased to announce that yet again we will have our annual QSL sort and pizza party!

Eric Williams, KV1J, is a volunteer for the W1 QSL Bureau, sponsored by the Yankee Clipper Contest Club.

http://www.w1qsl.org/

http://yccc.org/

The W1 QSL Bureau is a service which accepts incoming QSLs from overseas and redistributes them to U.S. hams in the W1 call district – 100,000 of them per year! Each card coming in must be sorted by first-letter-after-the-1 to prepare them for their final destinations to hams who have paid the small sum required for stamps and envelopes for the Bureau to mail them.

Eric is always happy to have Clubs’ help when it comes to sorting and it is a fun event too! Since BARS is doing this in September it is perfect timing because Eric will be bringing these cards to the Northeast HamXposition @ Boxborough for September 6/7/8 where hams can stop by his booth to pick them up and save mailing delay! And if you discover cards destined for you in the sort, you may pick them up immediately also.

Please join us for the sort. Eric will spend a few minutes explaining how the sort works and set up the mail-cubbies for filing. Then we will dig in! Literally – because we will break in the middle for pizza for all. Likely it will come from one of the fine Chelmsford pizza houses and we will try to get pies everyone will like. The cost will be covered by BARS. A treat!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Andy

KA1GTT

President, Billerica Amateur Radio Society

Affiliated Clubs

MITRE-Bedford ARC Will Hold Reorganizational Meeting, August 29, 2019

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Adam Jenkins, AB1N, writes on the MITRE-Bedford mailing list:

The MITRE Bedford Amateur Radio Club will hold a meeting on Thursday, August 29, 2019, from 12-12:30 pm for the purposes of holding a special election for new officers, and voting on a proposed constitution/bylaw amendment (to remove paying dues as a requirement for membership). The club has been dormant for several years, so to the best of my understanding, all former memberships (which were based on annual payment of dues) and officers (which were 1-year terms tied to active membership) have lapsed. As a former officer of the club, I am announcing this meeting to the mbarc-list in the event that any former members would like to attend and participate. The meeting will be held in room 1M306, which is the publicly accessible conference room located off the M lobby.

Emergency Communications / Licensing Education & Training / Organization

Efforts Continue to Enhance ARES Program, Add Resources

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The ARRL Board of Directors, committees, and Headquarters administrative staff are continuing efforts to enhance the venerable Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) program. A major ARES Plan has been adopted, providing new direction going forward. In addition, a standardized training plan has been adopted and a new ARES Emergency Communicator Individual Task Book approved and published.

At its July meeting, the ARRL Board considered the report of its Public Service Enhancement Working Group (PSEWG). A “change log” was proposed for the Task Book that will highlight changes made as the document is periodically revised and updated. ARES position guidelines were posted to the online ARES Workbook and a major revision and update of ARRL’s Introduction to Emergency Communicationscourse — now designated as IS-001 — has been completed.

[Full story]
Public Service

Ham Assistance Requested, Marlborough Labor Day Parade, September 2, 2019

- by k9hi - 1 Comment
Algonquin ARC logoEd Fitzgerald, K1DIN, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:
 
This email is intended for AARC members who have not participated as security observers before in the Marlborough Labor Day Parade. We usually have our members posted at 12 to14 locations throughout the Parade and connected via the repeater to Net Control. Our mission is to report emergencies or anything unusual to Net Control which is in direct contact with MPD Dispatch and has the MPD Incident Commander in close proximity. All observers have MPD Officers assigned nearby who are in touch with Dispatch. In short, an observer reports a disturbance to Net Control who, in turn, reports to MPD Dispatch which will alert the officers nearest to the observer to handle the problem. 
 
Mostly we report on causes for Parade delays, minor accidents, illnesses, and sometimes strange folks doing strange things. We also time the parade, list all reported happenings, and send our complete log to the Parade Director. We also have to be ready for a serious event and maybe even an assumption of command by MEMA. At that moment, we act as agents of Homeland Security.
 
This year we are lucky to have all our usual stations filled with experienced observers, and what we would like to do is offer members who have not previously or recently participated to “apprentice” with those experienced observers. Hopefully, this will “deepen our bench” and allow more members to have the opportunity to do some Ham Radio public service for Marlborough. It will allow us to rotate our crew so that we can have a full staffing of our stations with experienced observers when folks’ family events or other opportunities prevent them from participating.
 
Please let me know right away if you are interested in being with an observer for this Marlborough Labor Day Parade. We would love to have you try it out to see if you would be willing to be on our call list each year. 
 
All participants, of course, are welcome to the Pizza Party after the Parade in the Verizon Parking lot around Pete’s RV (Net Control 2).
 
Many thanks in advance,
Ed 
K1DIN 
Public Service

Amateur Radio Support for Baystate Marathon & Half Marathon, Lowell, October 20, 2019

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Terry Stader, KA8SCP, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

Amateur Radio operators have been asked once again to support the Baystate Marathon and Half Marathon. This year the event is on Sunday, October 20th. Our operational time period is from approximately 0700 until event completion (estimated 1400). Our assistance has been requested by Lowell Office of Emergency Management and Lowell Fire Department. The communications team will be employing Amateur Radio to provide this communications asset.

Amateur Radio will be used for:

      * Accountability net: the purpose of this net is to coordinate with a race public information booth the status of runners who are unable to complete the race for any issue to any one is seeking this information.

Race info may be found at http://baystatemarathon.com. Course map is found at http://baystatemarathon.com/course-maps-descriptions.html

Please contact me if you are able to assist or would like more information.

Please share with others that may be interested. This is a pretty laid back event and suitable for first time public event participation.

Terry M. Stader – KA8SCP
MEMA Region 1 RACES Officer
EMA District Emergency Coordinator

Licensing Education & Training / Youth

New England Sci-Tech General Class Course, Natick, August 24-25, 2019

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New England Sci Tech logoFor junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults who already have a Technician level license, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the GENERAL license exam. Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum.  Some preliminary reading and study is necessary to get the best results from this course. Material will be sent approximately a week before the course.

The GENERAL level course runs Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday, 9 am to 1 pm, followed by the FCC General exam at noon, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick.

Included with course fee: printed handouts, lecture study guide, license fee if tested at our location, a guest pass to the NEAR/STARS Radio Room and radio club meetings for 2 months, and free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate during the course. Advance registration and payment required.

For more information and to register, visit <https://www.nescitech.org/product/weekend-general-class/>. For questions, e-mail bobphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.

 

Licensing Education & Training / Youth

New England Sci-Tech Technician License Course, September 21-22, 2019

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NE1AR logoFor junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults interested in wireless communications and electronics, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the Amateur Radio Technician license exam.

Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Some preliminary reading and study is necessary to get the best results from this course. Material will be sent a few days before the course.

The Technician level course runs on Saturday, 9 AM-4 PM and Sunday, 9 AM-1 PM, followed by the FCC Technician exam at 1:00, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick. [Full description]

Licensing Education & Training

Dayton Hamvention Radio Club of the Year to Hold Ham Bootcamp at New England Convention

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From ARRL Web:

“The Nashua (New Hampshire) Area Radio Society (NARS) will conduct a free Ham Bootcamp at the ARRL New England Division Convention next month to encourage and assist new and inexperienced radio amateurs in becoming more active and engaged in the various facets of ham radio. NARS, the Dayton Hamvention® Club of the Year for 2019, operated a guest exhibit for ARRL at this year’s show. It will also sponsor a Ham Expo for Young People at the New England Division Convention, with hands-on activities, videos, and displays about Amateur Radio and wireless communication.” [Full story]

Licensing Education & Training

Falmouth ARA Technician Course, October 12-26, 2019

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UPDATE 10/6/19: The FARA Executive Board has decided to cancel the Technician class scheduled for this month and reschedule the class during March, 2020.
 
The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) will be offering a Technician class amateur radio license course on October 12, 19, and 26, 2019 at the Falmouth Fire Station, Main Street, 2nd Floor, EOC Room.  The fee is $50 and includes:
 
  • Nine hours of classroom instruction
  • Course Manual
  • Online test practice and tutoring
  • Refreshments
  • Access to instructors for questions & tutoring
  • License exam
  • One-year membership with FARA
  • Admission to the 2019 FARAFest, amateur radio flea market
 
The exam will be conducted on the afternoon of October 26.
 
For additional information, contact Charlie Bresnahan, K1CB, at kilo1cb (at) aol.com.
 
All

Northeast HamXposition @Boxboro 2019 Forum Schedule Now Online

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Bob DeMattia, K1IW, writes:

The forum schedule for the Northeast HamXposition @Boxboro! 2019 is now available on our website.  On it you will find a wide variety of topics – everything from antique radio to the newest technology.   There are technical presentations and speakers that will tell you about all sorts of ham activities.

All new for this year is “Ham Bootcamp.”  Just got your license, or know someone who just got theirs and doesn’t know what to do with it?  Join the bootcamp and join the fun!

Another new addition this year is Sunday morning music band and brunch.  The Millis Berfield Band will be playing in the hotel atrium Sunday from 10 AM to Noon. Bring your own brunch or buy some at the hotel restaurant breakfast buffet – then enjoy the music.

Affiliated Clubs / Public Service

Algonquin ARC, Marlborough EMA Support for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, September 14, 2019

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Eric Williams, KV1J, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:

To: Algonquin Radio Club and Marlborough EMA Team

Please mark your calendars for our support of the biannual joint Hudson-Marlborough Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday, September 14th. 

Our support is a combined effort by the 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 the Emergency Management’s UHF radios.  If you have them, please bring your Ham UHF portable radio since we will use the club repeater output frequency as a backup.

Please also bring your EMA vest or EMA yellow jacket if you have them.  I will bring vests for those that do not have one.

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.

We are also supporting the Marlborough Labor Day Parade.  If you are not already signed up, please let Ed Fitzgerald know if you can help

Thanks and 73,  Eric  KV1J   Marlborough EMA Communications Officer

 

All

Flea at MIT, Cambridge, August 18, 2019

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1964 Gemini BP CM for sale at MIT Flea.
The 1964 Gemini BP CM #MSC 312 capsule for sale at an M.I.T. Flea for $65,000. Now you just need a rocket.

Steve Finberg, W1GSL, writes:

The July FLEA at MIT is this coming Sunday, August 18, 2019   Also known as SWAPFEST it is held in MIT’s Albany St garage near the corner of Albany and Main St in Cambridge.
 
It features “hi tech” goodies such as electronics, computers and ham radio,”all things nerdly.”   We have had real Enigma machines to a NASA Gemini spacecraft  show up.
 
It starts at 9 AM for buyers and runs till 2 PM,  be early for the  good stuff.
 
All vendors are in the covered garage, which makes a weather proof event.
 
Its not to late to be a seller we usually have space for gate admissions. See our site for details and maps   swapfest.us
 
Licensing Education & Training

ARRL Volunteer Exams at Northeast HamXposition, September 7-8, 2019

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ARRL VEC logo/bannerThree volunteer exam sessions will be conducted by an ARRL VEC-accredited team at the Northeast HamXposition (“Boxboro”) at the following times:

Saturday, September 7, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Saturday, September 7, 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Sunday,  September 8, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

All sessions will be held in the Deck Room of the Boxboro Regency Hotel & Conference Center (Formerly the Boxboro Holiday Inn), 242 Adams Place, Boxborough, MA 01719, Phone: 978-263-8701.  No pre-registration is required.

For more information, visit https://hamxposition.org/get-licensed.

Operating

Fox in Hiding, Westford, August 10, 2019

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes on the fox-hunting list at 10:53 AM on August 10, 2019:

Fox hunters: get ready!

I am headed out shortly to hide two foxes in Westford.  Get your gear ready for 2m and 80m fox hunting!

I will send another email in an hour or so with a clue about the location.

—

Wait until 12:30 PM before fox hunting in Westford.  The highly encrypted clue uses the ROT1 decrpytion algorithm.

BCDE_UFYBT_SPBE_BCDE

Operating

KC1DKY Fox Deployed in Billerica, August 9, 2019

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Nick Mollo, KC1DKY, writes on the foxhunting list at 11:08 AM on Friday, August 9 2019:

Get your HTs and your bug spray and head to Billerica to hunt for my fox.  Fox is on 146.525MHz, and a DTMF of 1 will activate it for 20minutes or so.  If it does not seem to be transmitting, try a few DTMF #’s to kick start it (I sometimes think someone is messing with the programming).  Be sure to sign the log book if you find it.

Happy Hunting!