Fox Hunting Video Conferences Over the Winter Months Proposed

George Allison, K1IG, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list:

As the snow season arrives, we’ll be taking a hiatus from our outdoor fox hunting events. To keep our expertise up, though, what is the interest in having one or more video conferences over the winter to show off equipment and techniques? I can host the conferences with a Webex account (very similar to Zoom).

Possible meeting agendas could include fox and fox-finding equipment demos, photos of memorable hunts, discussions of hunting techniques, and improvements or variations to our events.

Depending on interest, the first video conference could be held in December or January. 

Please reply to the group to let us know if you’re interested. Tell us your preferred day(s) of the week, suggested agenda items, and when you want the first meeting (specific date not required; preferred month is fine). When I get the info I can send out some date choices.

73,
George K1IG

K1BG: “Amateur Radio CW Software Demonstration” at the Billerica ARS Online Meeting, December 1, 2021

Billerica ARS logoTom Walsh, K1TW, writes on the Billerica ARS mailing list:

Bruce Blain, K1BG,  will give an amateur radio software demonstration at the Billerica Amateur Radio Society meeting on December 1,  2021 at 7 PM. 

Bruce, W1LUS, will distribute the zoom link separately.

Bruce, K1BG, will join us with another one of his great presentations. This time Bruce will focus on a couple of software programs (i.e., RufzXP and Morse Runner), along with a demonstration of their use.  “Rufz” is the abbreviation of the German word “Rufzeichen-Hören”, which means “Listening to Callsigns”. RufzXP is an excellent training software for improving code speed and CW practice. Morse Runner is a Windows-based contest simulator developed by Alex Shovkoplyas, VE3NEA. Tools are also available to run Morse Runner on Mac computers.

Both programs are one of the many instruction tools used by CW Ops and CW Academy.

Following the presentation, we will invite the members to offer other suggestions of software they use on a regular basis to enhance their amateur radio pleasure. And, if there is interest, we can look into providing demonstrations at future meetings.

The business meeting and open discussion on any other topics will conclude the evening. So please join us for another friendly and informative BARS meeting.

About our evening speaker:

Bruce K1BG is an instructor for CW Academy, Bruce has recently been elected as President of the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club which meets in Pepperell, MA. He is also the Affiliated Club Coordinator (ACC) in the Eastern Massachusetts ARRL section.

[For Zoom conference details, email Bruce Anderson, W1LUS, at w1lus -at- hotmail -dot- com.]

W1JAR: “Digital Voice Modes” at Framingham ARA Meeting Online, December 2, 2021

Framingham ARA logoArt Lipatov, W1JAR, will present on “Digital Voice Modes” at the December 2, 2021 meeting of the Framingham Amateur Radio Association.

– DMR, Yaesu System Fusion, D-Star, advantages, shortcomings of each. There are many more modes, but these are the “main” ones
– Internet linked digital voice, talkgroups / rooms / reflectors. NEDECN DMR network (New England Digital Emergency Comm Network)
– Hotspots, connecting to digital voice internet rooms from your shack without a repeater.

Also, Ron, WO1E, will do a shack and equipment visit

Members will receive a zoom invitation.  Non-members may request an invitation by sending an email to John at president@w1fy.org.

KD1D Fox “Out for One Last Hunt Before Hibernation,” November 27, 2021

Alan Hicks, KD1D, writes on NEMassFoxHunters list on November 27, 2021 at 11:33 AM:
 

The KD1D  RF Fox  is out for one last hunt before hibernation.  

The KD1D Fox operates on 146.565 MHz FM with an output power of about 50 milliwatts and is currently located somewhere in Littleton.  It can be heard in the area  on Route 119 /2A between Route 110 (Littleton Common) and Route 27 (where the rail trail crosses).  If you’re not familiar with the area, check out the expandable map on

https://littletonconservationtrust.org/trail-guide/

Clues:   A small three-leaved plant and one of the Disney chipmunks.

73 and good hunting de KD1D Alan

The trail may be a bit wet in spots.  Boots are advised.

Nashoba Valley ARC Recognized by W1 QSL Bureau for 25 Years of Service

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club was recognized for its long service to the W1 QSL Bureau at a NVARC QSL sorting party on November 18.  Eric Williams, KV1J, W1 QSL Bureau Co-manager, awarded the club a beautiful plaque, which read:

“Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club – In appreciation of 25 years of service to the W1 QSL Bureau – 2021”

Accepting the award on behalf of NVARC was club president Bruce Blain, K1BG.

K1BG plans to bring the plaque to the club’s December club meeting to show those members who were unable to attend the sorting party.

“NVARC should be proud of the support we have given the bureau over the years,” writes Bruce. “Thank you to all the club members and guests who have supported the sorting effort during this time, and I look forward to sorting cards with you for many years to come.”

Left: NVARC commemorative plaque awarded by W1 QSL Bureau;  (l-r): W1 QSL Bureau Co-manager Eric Williams, KV1J; NVARC President Bruce Blain, K1BG.

NVARC commemorative plaque from W1QSL Bureau

Request For Operators YuKanRun Happy Holidays Half MerryThon, Gloucester, December 5, 2021

Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA list:

CAARA has a great public service team. Come out and have some fun with us.

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.

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Happy Holidays Half Marathon on Sunday December 5, 2021 at 9:00 AM for a 10:00 AM start time. Start, finish at Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, MA 01930.

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

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!

Whitman ARC to Operate at Plimoth Patuxet, November 27-28, 2021

Whitman ARC logoMembers and friends of the Whitman Amateur Radio Club will operate amateur radio at the Plimoth Patuxet [formerly known as Plimoth Plantation]. Setup time is scheduled for 10 AM on Friday, November 26. The group will operate on Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 3 PM.

“We really need anyone who is going to please email us this weekend the days and times you can be there,” writes WARC president Bob Azanow, WA1Q. “I would like to submit the schedule to Plimoth Patuxet on Monday [November 22].”

Massachusetts Traffic Report for October 2021

The STM’s traffic report can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-october-2021/ 

 Note:  Congrats to AB1OC on being elected as new ARRL New England Division Director.  Also a reminder to send holiday greetings via radiogram.  Good practice, good PR and have some fun with a unique experience.  And tips on the very basics of checking into a CW net, learning just four (4) “Q” signals and having pen and paper to copy it all down (good practice in increasing your CW skills), and no you won’t be asked to take traffic until you are ready.

New England Sci-Tech “Cubes In Space™” Program Begins in December, 2021

New England Sci Tech logoSpecial Note: The students in the 2019 cubes program had their projects accepted for flight. One project flew on a NASA rocket in June and one flew on a high altitude balloon in September. The 2020 program was cancelled due to COVID. The 2021 project did not fly because of a shipping problem with the carrier, so that project will fly in June 2022. 

CUBES IN SPACE™ – Now accepting 2021-2022 applications

A specialized activity of NE SciTech’s Space Science Club, specifically for students ages 11-17, Cubes in Space (CIS), a program by idoodledu inc., teaches students about the atmosphere, rocketry, high-altitude balloons, general laws of physics, and space science. Students work in teams to design and propose experiments to launch into space or a near space environment on a NASA sounding rocket and zero-pressure scientific balloon. Students then submit their proposals and could have a chance to fabricate and fly their projects. Space is limited.

Students attend regular educational CIS curriculum workshops and team meetings in the fall, winter, and spring. GROUP 1 meets on specific Friday evenings 6:30-7:30 pm. GROUP 2 meets on specific Saturday afternoons 3:30-4:30 pm. Regular meetings are usually every other week from December through March. For teams with projects that have been selected to fly, there will be additional prep and build meetings in April and May. The rocket flies in June. The hi-alt balloon flies over the summer, usually in August. We will schedule additional CIS meetings in the fall for students to examine their flown projects when recovered from NASA.

This CIS program is free for student members* of New England Sci-Tech, with a small lab fee** of $45 to cover printed materials and general supplies. Having experience in physics, electronics, or amateur radio is helpful, but not required. Space is limited.

Cubes in Space™ (CIS), a program by idoodledu inc., is a global competition. Out of thousands of entries worldwide, under a hundred get picked to fly. However, our mentors, running this program for the past five years, have had a 100% success rate for CIS projects accepted each year.

Students who successfully complete the program and successfully fly a project will receive an official CIS certificate and may list their CIS success in personal resumes, school transcripts, and college applications.

ORIENTATION MEETING

Get to know you, CIS preliminary overview, and registration:
Attend either Friday November 19, 6:30 pm, or Saturday November 20, 3:30 pm.

FRIDAY WORKSHOPS

Eight Fridays, 6:30-7:30 pm:
Lesson 1 – Dec 3, Lesson 2 – Dec 17, Lesson 3 – Jan 7, Lesson 4 – Jan 21, Lesson 5 – Feb 4, Lesson 6 – Feb 11, Lesson 7 – Mar 4, Lesson 8 – Mar 18.

For those projects chosen to fly, there will be 6 additional prep and build days, some optional:
Apr 1, 8, 29, May 13, 20, Jun 3.

For anyone who will need to miss a Friday lesson, you may attend the same lesson on Saturday. Please plan ahead.

SATURDAY WORKSHOPS

Eight Saturdays, 3:30-4:30 pm:
Lesson 1 – Dec 4, Lesson 2 – Dec 18, Lesson 3 – Jan 8, Lesson 4 – Jan 22, Lesson 5 – Feb 5, Lesson 6 – Feb 12, Lesson 7 – Mar 5, Lesson 8 – Mar 19.

For those projects chosen to fly, there will be 6 additional prep and build days, some optional:
Apr 2, 9, 30, May 14, 21, Jun 4.

For anyone who will need to miss a Saturday lesson, you may attend the same lesson on the previous Friday. Please plan ahead.

[Visit https://nescitech.org/product/cubes-in-spacetm/ for more information.]

ARRL Announces Director Election Results

ARRL logo11/19/2021–The ARRL New England and Roanoke Divisions will have new Directors on January 1. The results of these three-way contested elections for Director were announced on November 19, after ballots were tallied at ARRL Headquarters.

In the New England Division, incumbent Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, received 1,054 votes, past Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI, received 1,026 votes, and challenger Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, received 1,147 votes. Mr. Kemmerer was declared the winner.

In the Roanoke Division, incumbent George W. “Bud” Hippisley, W2RU, received 809 votes, past Director Dr. Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, received 1,612 votes, and challenger Marvin Hoffman, WA4NC, received 1,294 votes. Dr. Boehner was declared the winner.

All newly elected officials take office at noon on January 1, 2022.

New “EMA Outdoor Hams” Groups.io List Started

Mindy Hull, KM1NDY, writes:
 
Joe Chapman, NV1W, started a reflector for outdoor hams in the Eastern MA ARRL region to keep track of radio adventures, and he is inviting everyone to join and wanted me to pass this on to you guys!
 
From Joe:
 
“Friends: By popular request, I have created a mail reflector for local hams who participate in the OTAs (POTA, SOTA, IOTA) and similar programs, or who just operate outdoors while backpacking or the like. I did a minimum amount of fussing with the account settings, and I have no idea how much traffic the list will get; we’ll just have to see how it goes. I’m a member and a former officer of the Boston Amateur Radio Club, but this is an independent project. Feel free to forward this message to anyone whom you think would be interested.”
 

K1KI: “2022 New England QSO Party” at North Shore RA Meeting, November 15, 2021

North Shore Radio Association logoEric Horwitz, KA1NCF, writes:
 
Sorry for the late notice.
 
The November 15, 2021 North Shore Radio Association meeting will feature Tom Frenaye, K1KI, presenting on the 2022 New England QSO Party.
 
[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.]

New England Sci-Tech Technician Course Online, December 6-9, 2021

New England Sci Tech logoThis ONLINE ham radio class will get you ready to take the Ham Radio Technician license exam, the FIRST of three certification levels. Geared toward adults, as well as junior high, high school, and home-school students. Yes, we give online and in-person ham radio exams, too! (See below)

Get your ham radio license in 4 days or a 2-day weekend!

This is a FULL course taught live via Zoom by a 40-yr veteran teacher, not a video or discussion group. You will learn much more than with other methods.

Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Optional text: ARRL Technician Class License Manual, 4th edition, for exams through June 30, 2022, (purchase on ARRL website). Regular practice and study is necessary to get the best results from this course.

Amateur radio (or “ham radio”) is used by people all over the world to communicate over radio waves. Some people use ham radio for emergency preparedness, to provide communications support for community events, to report on severe weather and natural disasters, as a social activity, and even occasionally to contact crew members on the International Space Station!

4 day course: M-T-W-T NOV 8-11, 8:30-11:30pm, EASTERN
4 day course: M-T-W-T DEC 6-9, 8:30-11:30pm, EASTERN
2 day weekend cram: SAT-SUN DEC 11-12, 11:00am-5:00pm, EASTERN

Included with course: You will get downloadable lecture study guides and charts, FREE access to our weekly Online Radio Shop Talk sessions, FREE enrollment in any of our Morse Code classes, and a guest pass to the Sci-Tech Radio Rooms and online radio club meetings for 3 months.

Family Free: Additional members of the same family may join this course at no extra charge, if sharing one computer and zoom screen.

System Requirements: For ONLINE course, computer or Chromebook capable of running ZOOM Meeting, either by Zoom app or through a web browser, a web camera/mic, and a printer.

Zoom Link: Approximately 2 days before the session begins you will receive an email with instructions to access the course details, documents, Zoom link for ON-LINE viewing, and directions for IN-PERSON participation. If you don’t see the email, check your spam filter. If you still don’t see it, call or email us.

Please be aware of our Cancellation and Refund Policies. For questions, e-mail info@nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.

School and Scout Groups: Ask about scheduling a session just for your youth group at youth-friendly times, perhaps in smaller sessions spread over two weeks. We may be able to give you a reduced rate as well.

 

K1USN QRV for Veterans Day, November 11, 2021

K1USN Watson Museum sign“Pi” Pugh, K1RV, writes in K1USN Happenings:

The K1USN Radio Club will once again be on the air November 11, 2021, to celebrate Veterans Day and show their appreciation to those who have served. This year we plan to activate K1USN from our club station on the HF bands using SSB, CW and FT8 beginning at 1300 UTC, November 11 and ending at 2100 UTC.  Our club station is located at the Watson Museum & Research Library, 85 Quincy Avenue in Braintree. 

 

Anyone working K1USN on Veterans Day 2021 can use this link to request a certificate.
 

https://forms.gle/eUkWe4QviHV1qBRx8

K1USN QSL cards will be available for all contacts with K1USN. Send # 10 SASE to K1RV or DX stations QSL via bureau.

QSL via K1RV
URL: http://www.k1usn.com
Contact: Pi, K1RV
Email: k1rv@arrl.net

 

K1USN 2021 Veteran's Day Certificate

 

AB1OC: “Helping Hams and Building Your Club” at Algonquin ARC Meeting Online / In-Person, November 11, 2021

Mike Powell, W1KU, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:

AARC logoThe [Algonquin Amateur Radio Club] November 11th meeting will take place at the Marlborough Fire Station EOC (not the Middle School) and on Zoom.  Our guest speaker will be Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, speaking on “Helping Hams and Building Your Club” […].  Fred is planning to attend at the EOC.

Also, the club will be voting on a proposal to collect dues and update membership forms for the current year.  Details of the proposal discussed at the October meeting are included in the newsletter Ken sent out last week.  To vote, you must be present at the November meeting either in person or on Zoom.

73 de w1ku (Mike)

[For Zoom information, email mdpowell -at- dmpowell -dot- net.]
 

AB1OC: “DXpedition to Bora Bora” at Boston ARC Meeting Online, November 18, 2021

Boston ARC logoJoe Chapman, NV1W, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:

The next general meeting of the Boston Amateur Radio Club will take place on Thursday, November 18, at 7:30 p.m. on the Zoom teleconferencing program. Our speaker will be Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, talking about his DXpedition to Bora Bora. […]

Further details will appear in this month’s issue of The SPARC.

73,

Joseph Chapman NV1W / Secretary, Boston Amateur Radio Club

[For Zoom conference information, email Joe Chapman, NV1W, at nv1w -at- arrl -dot- net]

AK1WI: “Vacuum Tubes: A Little Bit of Nothing in a Glass Bottle” at New England Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, November 9, 2021

New England Sci Tech logoThe New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society will meet on-line and in-person on November 9, 2021 at 7 PM and feature Derek Rowell, AK1WI,  who will present on “Vacuum Tubes: A Little Bit of Nothing in a Glass Bottle.”
 
This talk is an introduction to the STARS project to restore a 1960s vintage Drake 2B ham-band receiver to full operation. The 2B is a vacuum tube radio, and to help understand the restoration I will introduce vacuum tubes, which were the only “active” devices available for radio design and construction until the development of semiconductor devices in the ‘50s and ‘60s.  Now, of course, they have all but disappeared from electronics.   They were power-hungry, large, hot, operated at dangerously high voltages, and needed multiple power supplies, but they were all we had at the time.
 
I will describe thermionic emission, the construction and operation of diodes, triodes, tetrodes, and pentodes (I bet most of you haven’t heard of most of these).  We will look at the common shapes and sizes and pinouts of vacuum tubes. Then we will look at simple power supply and amplifier circuits from the “good old days.”
 
I will conclude the talk with a brief look at the Drake 2B.  The one that STARS owns looks to be in very good condition, but we do not know when it was last powered up.  We will attempt an unrehearsed restoration to full operation on the morning of Saturday November 13 at NEST, taking all the recommended precautions for restoring antique radios, including capacitor replacement.  All STARS members are invited to attend.  We plan to also broadcast the restoration project on Zoom. 
 
For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.