I HOPE YOU HAVE GREAT ST. PADDY’S DAY PLANS! The wearing of the green, corned beef and cabbage dinner, and green beer (and greern hair?) are right around the corner. I hope everyone has a great – and safe – celebration. Maybe I’ll see you in the crowds at one of MA’s many parades? And this holiday means Spring is just around the corner. Thank goodness! I’m not sure how much more cold and snow I can take!
* Lessons Learned from the Blizzard of ‘26
Well, now, that was a doozy, wasn’t it?! We got 80+ MPH winds here on the Cape, and way too much snow. Downed trees, downed power lines, no commercial power or landline phones or internet for almost five days. From various ARES and other nets I’ve participated in since the blizzard, I’ve gleaned the usual reminders about charging HTs, making sure you have sufficient fuel on-hand (gasoline, propane, etc.). But a biggie for me: Entertainment. When the internet goes down, most computer, tablet, or phone games won’t work. Don’t count on cellular data – carriers prioritize bandwidth for government agencies. Lesson: before the storm hits, download e-books to your device, and download podcasts and video shows to watch. Or maybe stop by the local library before the storm and check out a few books.
* YOU CAN STILL HELP US CHANGE THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF AMERICAN HAMS
Hey! This is important! The ARRL is focused on reducing legal restraints on the ability of American Amateur Radio Operators to engage in the active practice and enjoyment of Amateur Radio. One of the most insidious and increasing threats to the survival of Amateur Radio and our ability to serve our communities and Nation, as we are required to do by Federal regulation, is the proliferation of private land use restrictions that prohibit the installation of outdoor antennas and that sometimes actually deny Federally licensed Amateurs from operating any amateur radios, regardless of where their antennas are located — in their attics, hidden in trees, or mounted on their vehicles.
Please, PLEASE take 30 seconds and arrange for letters to be printed and delivered to your US Representative and Senators. You really can make a difference, and the effort is practically free! See https://www.arrl.org/current-legislation for details.
* Welcome to Eastern MA’s Newest Amateur Radio Club
Please extend a hearty welcome to the newest ham radio club in the Eastern MA section, the Cape Cod Amateur Radio Association (CCARA). The club is working on paperwork to be an ARRL affiliated club. The club is open to all Radio Amateurs anywhere but is focused on Cape Cod. CCARA will gladly accept your membership whether you’re a member of another club or not. Mmbers of CCARA have broad interests, but the club is initially focused on outdoor activities such as POTA, fox hunting, etc. For more information, please contact Chris W8CJL at capecodislandamatradassn@gmail.com
* 2026 Northeast HamXposition Call for Speakers
HamX is the ARRL New England Division Convention, and the largest amateur radio convention in the Northeast! With close to 1,800 attendees each year, HamX draws radio amateurs from all over and is an ideal venue to present your ideas and experiences. The organizers are recruiting speakers on topics of general interest to the amateur radio community. Full story at https://ema.arrl.org/2026/01/01/2026-hamx-call-for-speakers/
* Reminder: New Ham Report on Eastern MA Website
A reminder: every month around the 15th, I publish a list of newly licensed hams in the Eastern MA Section on our website, http://ema.arrl.org . Please reach out to these new Amateurs and make them feel welcome. If a different list format would be more useful for you – e.g., a PDF to be printed on Avery labels to be stuck on post cards – please contact me at n1ilz@arrl.org. On request. I can prepare a “personalized” monthly list with all and only the ZIP codes you’re interested in.
* N1ILZ for a Final
I hope you’re enjoying the recent taste of Spring. The Blizzard of ‘26 sure taught us a few lessons that we’ll hopefully take forward to the next ARES exercise – or real life!
Can you write a paragraph or two about what you’re up to, so I can publish it in the Section Update? Did you activate a POTA or a Special Event Station? Have great fun at Winter Field Day? Some other events? Shoot me an 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 was brought to you by Section Manager Jon N1ILZ.