HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone!! Welcome to the November 2024 EMA Section Update! I am publishing this update to the EMA Section and NE Division websites and sending it to as many clubs as I have email addresses for. Please distribute this widely. The email-blast-to-all-section-members function is still down, a casualty of the cyber-attack on ARRL HQ; there is currently no ETA.
Wow, that unseasonably warm weather we’ve been having this month is crazy, right? I’m not complaining, mind you – extra days for outdoor antenna projects and nice long walks are always welcome! I just wish we were not amid the driest 3-month period in recorded weather history. I’m hearing stories of some cool POTA activations in the section. Viva POTA!
* Election for ARRL New England Division Director
By now I’m sure you’ve heard/seen the results of the election for new Division Directors. In the New England Division, Tom Frenaye, K1KI (1,593 votes), of West Suffeld, Connecticut, was declared the winner, defeating incumbent Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC (1,452 votes). Thanks to all of you that voted in this important election. And congratulations to Tom on his return to the Board! I look forward to working with Tom in his new term. See also https://www.arrl.org/news/2024-arrl-board-of-directors-election-results
* ARRL Sweepstakes Was Earlier This Month
The ARRL Sweepstakes – the oldest domestic ham radio contest – happens in November. ARRL Sweeps CW was Nov 2, 2024, 2100Z to Nov 4, 2024, 0300Z, and ARRL Sweeps SSB was Nov 16, 2024, 2100Z to Nov 18, 2024, 0300Z. Full details are at https://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes
Did you play in either of the sweepstakes? If you did, please email me at n1ilz@arrl.org to tell me about all the fun you had!
* Eastern MA Simulated Emergency Test (SET) Saturday, Nov 9, 1000-1200 EST
Eastern Massachusetts ARES conducted a section exercise and Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on Saturday 11/9/24 from 10 AM-12 PM dubbed “November Gale”. The exercise practiced skills like previous exercises conducted over the course of 2024 and will serve as a means of practice heading into the 2024-2025 winter season.
* Cape & Islands ARES Sets Up AREDN Test Net for Served Agency Test
Members of the Cape and Islands Emergency Communications Network – Frank WQ1O, Bruce WA3SWJ, Al WW1RF, Rich KC1TCA, Rob K1UI, Chris WA1CMR, and Paul NM1Z –assisted Sandwich, MA Public Safety with a successful exercise, an important part of which including deploying an AREDN mesh network. More details at https://ema.arrl.org/2024/11/18/cape-and-islands-ares-aredn-test-nets-press-coverage-in-sandwichs-the-enterprise/ and https://ema.arrl.org/2024/11/15/cape-and-islands-ares-aredn-test-with-sandwich-public-safety/
* Recruiting Volunteer Webmaster(s) for the EMA Website
Phil, K9HI has done a fantastic job of maintaining the https://ema.arrl.,org website. I (still) need to recruit some backup resources. If you have basic skills with WordPress and can help maintain the website – mostly posting new articles at the suggestion of me and others – please contact me at n1ilz@arrl.org. You’ll be helping me – and the League – immensely!
* Recruiting a New Section Youth Coordinator
Sadly our Section’s former Section Youth Coordinator, Paul K1YUB, is now a Silent Key. I need to fill this important position on the EMA Section Staff. The SYC requirement and job description is at https://www.arrl.org/section-youth-coordinator If you are interested in this volunteer position, please contact me at n1ilz@arrl.org – I’ll appreciate it greatly!
* N1ILZ for a Final
Stay safe and warm out there! I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. Wrap up those Autumn antenna projects, and batten down the hatches just in case we have a killer Winter.
Can you write a paragraph or two about what you’re up to, so I can publish it in the Section Update? Let me know via email at n1ilz@arrl.org!
* For always up-to-date news, please visit the EMA Section website at http://ema.arrl.org
This Section News Update is brought to you by Section Manager Jon N1ILZ.