Month: July 2021

Clubs / Operating

Algonquin ARC QSL Sort, Marlborough, August 12, 2021

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W1QSL Bureau logo

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

The Algonquin Club will be holding a QSL card sorting session on Thursday August 12th, 7:30 PM at the Marlborough Fire Station.  We will be in the classroom/EOC.  The Fire station is at 215 Maple St (Route 85).  The classroom entrance in on the side of the building, do not use the front door.

The QSL Bureau receives QSL cards from DXers all over the world, sorts them and then sends them to the New England area hams.  We process about 100,000 QSL cards each year.  To do this, we are grateful for the team of over 40 volunteers and several area clubs that help make this happen.  Our Algonquin club is one of the clubs that helps with the presorting step in our process.

Our part is easy and fun.  You get to see QSL cards from all around the globe.  Maybe catch a card that is for you!  We will have boxes of cards from the country national organizations that are for W1 call area hams. For our session we will have about 13,000 cards. Our mission is to sort those cards into stacks for each first letter of the call sign suffix. So there will be a stack for all the call signs the a suffix the starts with A and one for those starting with B and so forth.  It goes quick especially with lots of people doing it on several separate tables.

When we are done, those stacks will be sent to our individual letter sorters who will then sort them by the individual recipient hams.

Our web site is – www.w1qsl.org

Thank you and hope to see you next month.

73,  Eric  KV1J 

W1 QSL Bureau Co-Manager

Clubs

WA5EYI: “Asheville (NC) Radio Museum Virtual Tour” at Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, August 3, 2021

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New England Sci Tech logoComing Tuesday, August 3 at the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society:  Asheville Radio Museum (North Carolina) virtual tour by Stuart Smolkin, WA5EYI, Museum Curator.  https://www.avlradiomuseum.org  Stuart originally became licensed as a ham decades ago and then, several years ago, regained his license and began volunteering at the museum. He is a retired business executive with a passion for technology who enjoys entertaining and educating visitors about the wonders of radio waves and their huge importance to our daily lives.

[For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.]
Flea markets & Conventions

2021 HamXposition Update

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Northeast HamXposition logoOnly 5 1/2 weeks to HamXposition 2021: September 10, 11 & 12  at the Best Western in Marlborough!

Hotel rooms are still available at the discounted rate of $99.  Contact the hotel on their local phone number (508)  460-0700 and tell them you want the HamXposition rate.

We are still in need of volunteers to assist with parking, ticketing, and the logistics involved with keeping our forums on schedule.  Volunteers working at least one 2-hour shift will receive free admission.  You can volunteer at https://hamxposition.org/volunteer

General Admission Tickets are now available retail at Ham Radio Outlet in Salem, NH and at Electronics Plus in Littleton, MA

Online ticketing is almost ready – stay tuned for an announcement when it goes live.

HAM BOOTCAMP

Nashua Area Radio Society is proud to once again offer Ham Bootcamp. It includes a series of demonstrations and tutorials designed to help newly licensed Technician, General, and Extra class license holders get on the air and use their amateur radio license. Bootcamp is also a great opportunity for prospective Hams who are interested in seeing what the hobby has to offer.

Ham Bootcamp activities are geared towards Technicians and prospective Hams and General class licenses and higher Hams. Bootcamp participants will find all of this material interesting and fun no matter what their focus or license level.

The Bootcamp program is available to all licensed and prospective Hams. You can register for the Friday, September 10 Ham Bootcamp session at HamXposition by visiting <https://www.n1fd.org/ham-bootcamp/>.

TECH IN A DAY

Bill Poulin, WZ1L, and members of the Cape Ann ARA will once again offer “Tech in a Day” at HamXposition on Saturday, September 11, 2021.

This program has served the local community in getting newly excited people to become licensed amateurs. The program will run approximately 0800-1700. It concludes with a dedicated Volunteer Exam session.

Prospective candidates should purchase the ARRL Technician Class License Manual and read the manual before attending the class.  The book can be purchased at Ham Radio Outlet or the ARRL.

If you have any questions, contact Bill at (978) 504-9112 (Cell) or email <billpoulin01913@gmail.com>.

NEW ENGLAND ARES ACADEMY

Complementing our Saturday programming, we’re pleased to host the ever-popular New England ARES Academy featuring workshops and talks aimed at getting you prepared and ready to face any EmComm situation. The program includes:

  • Intro to ARES
  • HF Propagation for EmComm
  • Getting Started with WinLink Express
  • SKYWARN Refresher
  • Tactical Message Handling
  • Lessons Learned from the “Big Ones”
  • Intro to NEBMS
  • Go-kit Strategies
Public Service

Volunteers Requested, YuKanRun Triple Threat 5K, Half Marathon, Rockport, August 1, 2021

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Chris Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:

We are looking for a few Check Points for the Triple Threat Communications Team. We have a few operators who cannot make it for the first of the month that realized they had other plans.

If you can help and are available, please reply to this email or email me at K1TAT@outlook.com.

Thank you,
Chris
W1TAT

—
Triple Threat Communications Team.
Rockport, Mass
Last Updated: July 25, 11:14 am
Event date: Sunday, August 1, 2021
On Location: 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Starts: 5K Run = 8:00 am Half Marathon Run = 9:00 am
Frq: W1GLO Repeaters 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up: 443.700 + PL:107.2

Foxhunting / Operating

Fox on the Loose, Westford, July 24, 2021

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

Hi everybody,

<…>

There is a 2m fox on the loose in Westford.  It can be heard on 146.565 MHz near my home QTH (info good on QRZ).

The clue:  The name of the conservation land has these initials (not necessarily in the correct order):  PMC

There are two entrances: one is very well marked with parking for 3-4 cars. The other entrance has a small signpost, with on-street parking nearby.

I forgot to put out the logbook.  Take a photo if you wish and send it to me.

It is still damp in the woods, and annoying flying insects are somewhat abundant.

Have fun and 73!

Andy

Emergency Communications / Organization

ARRL Board of Directors Creates Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee

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From the ARES Letter:

At its just-concluded July 2021 meeting, the ARRL Board of Directors approved By-Law changes creating a third Standing Committee that joins the existing Administration and Finance Committee and Programs and Services Committee.

The charter of the new Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee (EC-FSC) is to develop and recommend new or modified Board policy and programs for emergency communications through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) and National Traffic System™ (NTS™) entities.

The committee also will offer enhanced support for its Field Organization leadership volunteers, including Section Managers, and an increased focus on ARRL-Affiliated Clubs.

The EC-FSC will further provide guidance to the CEO in translating Board policy into prioritized tasking, funding, and staffing of programs, services, and training in support of amateur radio emergency communications, field organization volunteers, and recruitment and retention of new and existing members through assistance to Affiliated and Special Service Clubs.

The EC-FSC will have additional responsibility for monitoring and assessing trends in emergency communications technology and participant skills worldwide, and for identifying “best practices” for voluntary emergency communications provided by ARES and NTS, coordinating and cooperating with other amateur radio national societies as appropriate. — Thanks to The ARES Letter

Public Service

2021 Boston Marathon Amateur Radio Volunteer Registration Extended

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Amateur Radio Volunteers for the 2021 Boston Marathon. Amateur Radio volunteer registration has been extended to Friday July 30, 2021 at 500 PM EDT as there is still a need for more Amateurs to register to reach the required number of volunteers. Registration information is below:
 
On behalf of the BAA Amateur Radio Communications Committee, we hope everyone has stayed safe and healthy through the COVID-19 pandemic. After last year’s race was moved to a virtual only event, we are now approaching the 125th live running of the Boston Marathon.

Volunteer registration has been open for the Marathon since Wednesday June 16, 2021 at 10:00 AM and the Amateur Radio volunteer registration deadline has been extended to Friday July 30th, 2021 at 500 PM EDT.  The race itself is taking place on Monday, October 11, 2021.

For Returning Volunteers:
The BAA sends out an email which provides you with a direct link once registration is open. This email will also include your loyalty number, which is required for sign up. New for this year is that returning volunteers will need to setup an account via the BAA Athlete’s Village.

For New Volunteers:
If you haven’t previously volunteered, or have a friend who would like to volunteer, please go directly to the Volunteer Registration page and follow the instructions for new volunteers which will include setup of an account via the BAA Athlete’s Village.

Don’t delay! Volunteer registration has been extended and closes on Friday July 30th, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Help us get the word out by forwarding this message to your club and other amateur radio operators who wish to volunteer. Most volunteers first learn about the event through word of mouth. If you know new licensees who might like to join us, please make sure to let them know about it. Even just a quick mention at your club meeting can be a big help.

 
We understand that with the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing and the continued fluid situation on how it will affect the 2021 Boston Marathon, you may have questions about requirements and what COVID mitigations will be required for volunteers. If you have any questions regarding COVID mitigations, about the upcoming volunteer registration period, or the 2021 Marathon generally, please get in touch anytime. Volunteering at the Marathon is a big job and we appreciate the time and effort everyone puts into it. We’re happy to do what we can to make your work fun, comfortable, and effective. With respect to COVID-19 mitigations, we will do our best to answer questions but appreciate everyone’s patience, flexibility, and understanding that mitigation efforts and plans remain very fluid and could change based on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic as we get closer to the fall.

We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Thank you, and 73,
Boston Marathon Communications Committee
contact@hamradioboston.org

 
Emergency Communications / Public Service

KD1CY: “Boston Marathon Organization Make Up” on RATPAC Online, July 22, 2021

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RATPAC logoThursday, July 22, RATPAC Zoom Presentation 

Starts 9:00 PM AST / 9:00 PM EDT / 8:00 PM CDT / 7:00 PM MDT / 6:00 PM PDT / 5:00 PM AKDT / 3:00 PM HST

TOPIC:  Boston Marathon Organization Make up

Speaker/Presenter: Rob Macedo KD1CY

Be sure to see future RATPAC scheduled presentations below

  • This meeting will be recorded. By participating you consent to being recorded. 
  • Please change your display name to Your First Name, Call Sign and Location, e.g. Dan K7REX Idaho. 
  • Please stay muted until ready to speak. Your space bar works like a PTT for unmuting
  • You may ask questions in chat; please stay on topic while using chat.

Join Thursday Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2128884758?pwd=eVZ6VDZDc2kwWnFDVE41QlkrV1FKQT09

Meeting ID: 212 888 4758
Passcode: THURSDAY

One tap mobile
+13462487799,,2128884758#,,,,*47672675# US (Houston)
+16699006833,,2128884758#,,,,*47672675# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 212 888 4758
Passcode: 47672675

Clubs / Youth

N8ZRY: “Repair and Restoration of Antique Radio Equipment” at Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, July 20, 2021

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New England Sci Tech logoComing Tuesday, July 20 at the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society: “Repair and Restoration of Antique Radio Equipment” by Greg Charvat, N8ZRY. Greg operates SSB equipment that he has designed/built from scratch and vintage gear that has been restored. His work has been featured in QST magazine, on Hackaday, and many others. Licensed amateur since 1993, member of ARRL, Senior Member of the IEEE, and avid reader of Electric Radio magazine. For more information about his amateur radio activities, please see Greg’s webpage and his youtube channel.

[For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.]
Clubs

KM1NDY: POTA/SOTA Adventures at K1USN Radio Club Meeting, July 17, 2021

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k1usn qsl card“Pi” Pugh, K1RV, writes in K1USN Happenings, July 17, 2021:

Just a reminder that our next K1USN Zoom session will feature a presentation by Mindy – KM1NDY on Tuesday, July 20th @ 7:30 PM EDT. She will be discussing her POTA/SOTA adventures.

BTW, I know that I had previously mentioned checking out Mindy’s blog, but suggest that you go there again and see the fabulous job she has done detailing the Field Day operation of the Sci-Tech group – https://km1ndy.com/arrl-field-day-2021-the-reemergence/.

If you would like to join our rapidly growing list of K1USN Zoom attendees then send me an e-mail ( k1rv@arrl.net ) to be added to the master Zoom list which is separate from the K1USN member list.

Clubs

“Morse Code Keys and Keeps,” North Shore Radio Association Meeting, July 19, 2021

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North Shore Radio Association logoEric Horwitz, KA1NCF, writes:
 
The July 19, 2021 North Shore Radio Association meeting will feature Matthew Vurek, N4DLA,  Orinda, California presenting on “Morse code Keys and Keeps.”
 
NOTE: WE WILL BE IN PERSON Starting in September. More info to follow.
 
PUBLIC SERVICE IS BACK!  Check the website to sign up!  www.nsradio.org
 
[Zoom conference information will be sent via the NSRA groups.io mailing list.  Contact Eric, KA1NCF, at ka1ncf -at- nsradio -dot- org to be added to the groups.io list.]
 
 
Organization / Public Information / Public Service

National Weather Service, SKYWARN Acknowledged at ARRL Re-Opening Ceremony, July 15, 2021

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In addition to ARRL board members and political dignitaries attending the ARRL Re-opening Ceremony at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut: Glenn Field, KB1GHX, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at NOAA / National Weather Service in Taunton, Massachusetts; and Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator and ARES SKYWARN Coordinator.

Field and Macedo were both acknowledged in the public ceremony by ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA. 

photo of Rob Macedo, Glenn Field, Dahlia Field
Foreground: Rob Macedo, KD1CY; Glenn Field, KB1GHX; Dahlia Field. -K9HI photo

 

[See also: ARRL Re-Opening Ceremony Featured Dignitaries, Full Board and Newington Staff, July 15, 2021]
Licensing Education & Training / Operating / Youth

Youth On The Air 2021 Camp Makes Successful ARISS Contact

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YOTA logoFred Kemmerer, AB1OC, writes:

“I had the pleasure of serving as the ARISS contact moderator for the Youth On The Air (YOTA) 2021 Camp’s contact with the International Space Station (ISS) using Amateur Radio today. Young Hams spent the week at the Voice of America Bethany Relay Station in West Chester, OH engaging in a variety of Amateur Radio Activities. Ruth Willet, KM4LAO, was the host for YOTA 2021 and provided an excellent pre-contact program. The West Chester Amateur Radio Association partnered with YOTA 2021 Camp group to help them with YOTA 2021 activities and their ISS contact. You can view a video of the YOTA 2021 Camp’s contact with astronaut Aki Hoshide, KE5DNI, on the International Space Station (ISS) by clicking on the video above.

Working with a school or group to help young people make contact with an astronaut on the ISS using Amateur Radio is a great way to build a lasting relationship around Amateur Radio with young people and their teachers and mentors. In my role as an ARISS Mentor and Ground Station, I have had the pleasure to help with nine of these contacts around the world over the last several years. In every case, local Ham Radio clubs partnered with the school or group to provide STEM learning experiences based on Amateur Radio. Helping a school or group make contact with the astronaut on the ISS provides a memorable experience for everyone involved.

You can learn more about the ARISS contact program here or contact me at ab1oc@arrl.net.

Fred, AB1OC

 

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday July 12th, 2021 at 830 PM EDT on the MMRA Repeater Network

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Hello to all…

The July Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday July 12th, 2021 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. It is on the second Monday of the month due to Monday July 5th being the observed holiday for US Independence Day.

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:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. For this month’s ARES Net, we will have comments on an upcoming ARES exercise we are planning on Saturday August 7th, 2021, past SKYWARN activation information and the continued need for Amateur Radio volunteers for the 2021 Boston Marathon.

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box

Awards

Norfolk County Radio Association (W1AGR)

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Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, writes on the ARRL Members Only list:

The Norfolk County Radio Association (Massachusetts, today W1AGR) was founded in 1921, and has been continuously active since then. It is an ARRL-affiliated club. At the suggestion of Phil Temples, K9HI, my Vice Director, at this week’s ARRL Board of Directors meeting I will present a motion, to be seconded by Ria Jairam, N2RJ, the Hudson Division Director. The motion will recognize NCRA’s 100th anniversary.

For further information on NCRA, see https://sites.google.com/site/norfolkcountyradioassociation/.

Congratulations to NCRA!

——————————————————————–
ARRL New England Division
Director: Fred Hopengarten, K1VR
k1vr@arrl.org
——————————————————————–

Organization

Email to ARRL Life Members

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ARRL Life Member logoFrom ARRL News:

To keep member records up to date, ARRL emailed Life Members on June 16 and will be sending a follow-up email in the next few days, asking them to verify their mailing address. Be assured that it is a legitimate request sent from ARRL. Thank you to all those who responded.

If you need to update your address information, call (860) 594-0200, email membership@arrl.org, or respond to the email you received. If your email client does not recognize the text as a link, you will need to cut and paste it into a web browser to access the verification web page.