ARRL Eastern MA Staff Meet at New England Sci-Tech in Natick, September 28, 2019

photo courtesy K5TEC

New England Sci-Tech (NEST) and the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) hosted the ARRL Eastern Massachusetts staff for a quarterly meeting at their facility in Natick on September 28, 2019.  At the conclusion of the meeting, their hosts treated the staff to a tour of the NEST’s maker space and ham facilities, followed by a pot-luck dinner. Eastern MA Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW, expressed his appreciation for the chance to meet the group’s members, and for the hospitality afforded. 

 

Head of the Charles, Volunteers Sought, October 19-20, 2019

Henry Brown, K1WCC, writes on the Falmouth ARA Facebook page:
 
This is a fun event with Amateur Radio being a big part of it. Contact Jeff Arnold, K1EMS, directly if interested. Dates are October 19-20. It’s great way to meet other volunteers and do something useful with your HT.
 
This is the final request for more help for this year’s HOCR
I have 1 water open for Saturday
5 land on Friday
2 water on Sunday
Pass the word around. Registration ends this coming Tuesday
Thank you in advance
Jeff
*******************************************************
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Jeffrey Arnold
Aleppo2010@comcast.net

 

ARRL Thanks Official Observers, as Volunteer Monitor Program is Set to Debut

From ARRL Web:

As the September 30 date for the closing of the Official Observer program nears, ARRL has expressed deep appreciation to the hundreds of volunteers who gave their time as Official Observers (OOs) to help preserve the integrity of the Amateur Radio frequencies.

The Official Observer program has served the Amateur Radio community and assisted the FCC Enforcement Bureau for more than 85 years. The OO program is giving way to the new Volunteer Monitor (VM) program, established as part of a formal partnership between ARRL and the FCC. ARRL and the FCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier this year that establishes the Volunteer Monitor program as a successor to the Official Observers. The first Volunteer Monitors should be in place and ready to begin their duties this fall. [Full story]

Northeastern University Wireless Club Fall 2019 Electronics Projects

The Northeastern University Wireless Club has announced a number of exciting projects for Fall 2019. If you want to join any of the projects below, contact their lead on Slack, and find their meeting times on the Google calendar.

Airlights+
First Meeting Tuesday 4pm
Contact: Jack Leightcap
Airights+ is working to improve the LED controller in the Wireless Club space. This team will have a good mix of software and hardware, with a lot of python programming as well as board design.

LED Flag
First Meeting Thursday 6pm
Contact: James Packard
The LED Flag is a device Wireless Club currently uses to advertise at club fairs and similar events. This team is looking to improve the device by overhauling the software, redesigning the user interface, and enabling the device to be battery-powered. This group is looking for hardware and software support!  Support is available from the club if someone wants to learn about this but doesn’t feel confident to do it alone.

RFID
First Meeting Thursday 6pm
Contact: Thomas Kaunzinger
RFID is working on a device for Wireless Club that will allow for rapid attendance for club events using a Husky Card and RFID reader. Their goal is to create a device which allows for Husky Cards to be read, and the software to interface with and log this data. There will be board design, firmware design, and software design (probably including databases) for this project.

Crude Camera Sensor
First Meeting Tuesday 6pm
Contact: Henry Mayne
This group is looking to create a rudimentary camera sensor using photodiodes or a similar device. This project is still in the early stages of development with idea generation, so if you are interested bring your ideas! There will be significant hardware development and design required, as well as firmware/software to read the output from the sensor built.

Two Foxes in Westford, September 22, 2019

John Salmi, KB1MGI, writes on the foxhunting list at 10:10 AM on September 22, 2019:

I placed out two fox boxes this morning.

One is the 2 meter 146.565 DTMF tone 2 to activate. The second one is a 70 cm 432.300 DTMF tone 2 to activate.
 
Both foxes are hidden in Westford at the Mass Audubon [Nashoba Brook Wildlife Sanctuary] off Rt 225 near Powers Road. 
 
I don’t know how long the batteries will last; maybe a few days.
 

W1HFN Fox is Active in Littleton, September 21, 2019

Barry Fox, W1HFN, writes on the foxhunting list on September 21, 2019 at 12:47 PM:

Located in the conservation land off Hartwell Avenue in Littleton, MA.  Frequency of 146.565 with a 30-second voice every minute, runs continuously, no need for a tone.

You will not hear it in the parking area as I have modified the antenna (actually a 52 ohm resistor) and the signal is really weak until you get quite close, more of a challenge this way?

I forgot the log, so if you find it either take a picture or describe the location.

Happy hunting!

73,
Barry – W1HFN

Cape Cod ARES at Falmouth Community Emergency Preparedness & Fire Prevention Fair, September 21, 2019

Cape Cod radio amateurs participated in the seventh annual Falmouth Community Emergency Preparedness and Fire Prevention Fair at the Gus Canty Community Center, Falmouth, on September 21, 2019 from 10 AM to 2 PM. The fair featured “more than 60 organizations and numerous children’s activities, including a Touch-A-Truck in the parking lot.”

Falmouth Hospital ARES (W1HQH) had a table prominently on display, staffed by Tom Wruk, KB1QCQ, Gene Bradeen, KX1C, and Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O. “We set up some display kit gear and answered questions from the public on communications,” writes Cape and Islands District Emergency Coordinator WQ1O. “It was great to hook up with our friend, NWS Boston/Norton warning coordination meteorologist Glenn Field [KB1GHX].”

Left to right: Gene Bradeen, KX1C; Glenn Field, KB1GHX; Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O; Tom Wruk, KB1QCQ

ARRL Seeking Emergency Management Director

From ARRL Web:

ARRL is seeking an emergency management director to oversee a team responsible for supporting ARRL emergency communication programs and services, including the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) and National Traffic System (NTS), and to work with staff to develop standards, protocols, and processes designed to support the Field Organization. This is a full-time, exempt position at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut.

This individual would serve as the official point of contact and liaison to key partners and other served agencies at the regional and national level. Duties would include representing ARRL at served agency and partner meetings, conventions, and exercises as well as organizing and providing presentations for various relevant audiences. [Full story]

Woodstock of Amateur Radio: NEAR-Fest XXVI, October 11-12, 2019

NEAR-Fest logoNEAR-Fest XXVI will be held on October 11-12, 2019. It is held twice annually, spring and fall, rain or shine, at the Deerfield Fairgrounds in Deerfield New Hampshire beginning on Friday at 0900 and ending Saturday at 1500 hours.

Admission is $10. Persons under 18 and over 80 are admitted free of charge upon presentation of government-issued ID. Inside parking is available for $10 and includes a “reasonable amount of flea market selling space” for PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS selling their own personal property. Commercial vendors must register and pay applicable fees. If you are wondering if you are a “commercial vendor” you probably are. One complimentary inside commercial space is available for clubs, estates and other “non-profit organizations” on an “as available” basis.

Overnight camping, trailer and RV hookups are available. Three food vendors provide meals and snacks at reasonable prices. The Deerfield Community Church ladies serve up a breakfast that has to be consumed to be believed. Angelino’s offers hamburgers, steak, sausage submarines and other great “fair food” specialities and Patty’s Polish Kitchen menu features wonderful “Mitteleuropa” cuisine. No one goes hungry at NEAR-Fest. We are extremely proud of the high quality of food that these vendors offer our guests while they are at the ‘Fester.

NEAR-Fest typically attracts attendees from the six New England states, NY, NJ, PA, MD and other states as well as from Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in Canada. Some attendees travel great distances; one gentleman from Los Angeles has attended fifteen events and in 2010 one radio amateur traveled from Greece to join us for the fun.

The program of activities and events at NEAR-Fest is extensive; a huge outdoor electronic flea market, three buildings full of commercial vendors, forums, technical seminars and symposia, demonstrations, exhibits, displays, licensing examinations, special events radio stations, a “jam session”, good food, fellowship, fun and general mishigoss. NEAR-Fest is the largest event of its kind in the Northeast and has once been described as the “Woodstock of Amateur Radio”.

FP/KV1J QRV from Miquelon, IOTA NA-032, September 24-October 8, 2019

From the Algonquin ARC list and ARRL DX  Bulletin 037:
 
ST. PIERRE AND MIQUELON, FP–Eric Wiliams, KV1J, will be QRV as FP/KV1J from Miquelon, IOTA NA-032, from Tuesday September 24 to Tuesday October 8.  Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using primarily SSB, RTTY and FT8 with some CW.  This includes some activity on the analog satellites, as well as being an entry in the upcoming CQ World Wide RTTY DX contest.  QSL to home call.
 

New England Sci-Tech General Class Course, Natick, October 19-20, 2019

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.

 

KW1U Featured on Pittsfield Community TV, WTBR-FM, September 18, 2019

Marcia Forde, KW1U, in the WTBR-FM studio

Massachusetts Section Traffic Manager Marcia Forde, KW1U, was the featured guest on Ham On! (episode 3), simulcast on Pittsfield Community Television and WTBR-FM 89.7. The early morning program was produced and moderated by Western MA Assistant Section Traffic Manager Peter Mattice, KD2JKV. Marcia discussed the ARRL National Traffic System and her experiences with message handling.

The 60-minute program can be viewed online at <http://www.pittsfieldtv.net/CablecastPublicSite/show/32638?channel=1>.

[Ed. note: the video may not play properly in all browsers.]

K1BG: “CW Academy” at Nashoba Valley ARC Meeting, September 19, 2019

Bruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s September meeting will be Thursday, September 19th at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell). That’s the day after tomorrow!

This month we will feature several speakers. Yours truly, Bruce K1BG, will talk about CW Ops “CW Academy.” CW Academy has trained an estimated 5,000 students in the past few years in the art of CW and telegraphy. If improving your Morse skills is of interest, this talk is for you!

Jim, AB1WQ will summarize individual contributors from Field Day, conduct a “lottery”, and present the Field Day Coordinator’s awards: The Kilowatt Award and the MVH (Most Valuable Ham) Award.

John, KK1X will distribute Field Day Pins to those who ordered them.

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

Blackstone Valley ARC Amateur Radio Day at Bellingham, MA Public Library A Great Success

Members of the Blackstone Valley Amateur Radio Club (BVARC) in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, conducted an innovative “Amateur Radio Day” at the Bellingham (MA) Public Library on September 14, 2019. 

BVARC Board of Governor’s member Mickey Callahan, K1WMC, proposed the idea to the club officers and received a commitment of support to hold the outreach event in nearby Bellingham. Along with BVARC President Matt Penttilla, N1AQ; Vice President Marc Caouette, W1MCX; and Rhode Island Section Manager Bob Beaudet, W1YRC, they tackled the logistics and formulated “a simple plan on how to present Amateur Radio and promote the club in a fun, positive way.” 

“Teri Diiorio, W1PUP, was instrumental in the design and layout of a new color brochure,” writes Mickey Callahan.  The club also produced signs for the event along with promotional images and text on their website for the event. In turn, the Bellingham Library advertised Amateur Radio Day on their website, Facebook, and Instagram pages, as well as in the Bellingham Bulletin calendar of events.

K1WMC reports the event was a huge success. “We were fortunate to have reasonably good weather and a large group of club volunteers setting up working radio station demonstrations. The HF station that was set up outside, under cover, involved installing a multi-band fan dipole wire antenna from a very large pine tree adjacent to the parking lot. We used the IC-7300 HF radio and power supply, on loan to the club by Bob Beaudet, on the 20- and 40-meter bands. We also had several members set up working QRP and DMR stations.”

BVARC featured various displays of QSL cards, vintage radio equipment, along with laptops displaying videos highlighting various aspects of Amateur Radio. The ARRL supplied a number of informative leaflets, logo pens, and decals  touting the importance of amateur radio in the community and how one could go about obtaining an amateur radio license.

Eastern MA Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW, attended at the invitation of the Blackstone Valley club. He was very impressed with the club’s activity and congratulated “our neighbors to the south.”

 

 

Request for Operators, YuKanRun Half-By-The-Sea Half Marathon, Manchester, September 22, 2019

YouKanRun Manchester-by-the-SeaChris Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA mailing list:
 

CAARA has a great public service team!

Come out and have some fun with us. We have loaner radios if you need one. Come out and join the event. Just contact us and we will set you up with a radio.

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Half-By-The-Sea Half Marathon. on Sunday, September 22. Please be on location at your Check Point by 9:30 AM for a 10:00 AM start.

Manchester Essex Memorial Elementary School, 43 Lincoln Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by September 20 so I can plan staffing positions for the event..

While CAARA’s repeater performance has greatly improved the we may still experience some difficulty with communications especially with low-powered HTs, so we’ll be looking for higher powered equipment to staff those areas.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use ( mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; rubber duck, etc.) so we have a better idea of where to locate you along the event course per the potential of your equipment.

The course will be open and supported by CAARA for four hours. Runner safety is everyone’s top priority. Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Chris, K1TAT

Half by the Sea Communications Team

Manchester, Mass

Event date: Sunday, September 22, 2019

On Location: 9:30 am

Starts: Half Marathon Run = 10:00 am

Frq: W1GLO Repeater 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up: N1SRA 145.470 PL 136.5

 

 

Newton-Wellesley Area D-STAR Net Begins

Frank Ventura, N1FMV, writes on Wellesley ARS, Middlesex ARC lists:

[…] We have received permission to hold a once weekly net on a DSTAR reflector. We would like to invite anyone who has access to  DSTAR equipment to join us every Monday night at 8 PM Eastern on the REF038C reflector. This will be a very informal net and no specific time limit or topic shall be enforced. Thanks, for reading and hope to hear from all who are interested.

MIT Radio Society, MIT UHF Repeater Association Kickoff Fall 2019 Schedule

MIT Radio Society QSL/logoThe MIT Radio Society and MIT UHF Repeater Association kick off their fall 2019 semester:

  • Every Friday at 7 pm, 50-358 – Friday Fun Fest – Come hang out and get a tour of the stations or work on projects
  • Saturday, September 14-15 at 2 pm, 54-2101 – September VHF contest – From the Green Building roof, use our weak signal station to communicate around the hemisphere!
  • Sunday, September 15, 9 am-2 pm, Albany St Garage – Swapfest – Computers, electronics, radio flea market
  • Wednesday, September 18 at 7:30 pm, 1-150 – Ham Radio FCC License Exams – $14 and 2 IDs

[Note: MIT Radio Society and MIT UHF Repeater Association club meetings and contests are only open to MIT students, not the general public.]

Eastern MA Club Speakers List

Attention club officers:

The Eastern Massachusetts ARRL web site maintains a list of club presentations and speakers for use by affiliated clubs. The list is divided into two categories:

  • A listing of speakers who have registered with local ARRL section leadership to present on ham related talks to any club within a designated traveling area;
  • A “historical” listing of speakers who have presented–or will present–at a radio club on the date listed. 

The latter “historical” category contains over five years of information.

(Note: Inclusion in the historical section does not indicate a willingness or availability on the speaker’s part to present at other meetings, nor shall it be considered an endorsement on the part of the listed club, or the Eastern MA ARRL staff.)

The Speaker’s List can be downloaded from its Google Sheet format into: 

  • Microsoft Excel (.xlsx)
  • OpenDocument format (.ods)
  • PDF document (.pdf)
  • Web page (.html, zipped)
  • Comma-separated values (.csv, current sheet)
  • Tab-separated values (.tsv, current sheet)

Additions and corrections are welcome! Also, please consider sharing information about your speakers and presentations with Affiliated Club Coordinator Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ or Assistant Section Manager Phil Temples, K9HI.

Flea at MIT, September 15, 2019

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 September FLEA at MIT is this coming Sunday.    Also known as SWAPFEST it is held in MIT’s Albany Street garage near the corner of Albany and Main Street in Cambridge.

It features high-tech goodies such as electronics, computers and ham radio. “All things nerdly.”  
 
 We have had real Enigma machines to a NASA Gemini space craft  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 weatherproof event.
 
Its not too late to be a seller; we usually have space for gate admissions. See our site for details and maps.     http://swapfest.us