I hope you made it past Tax Day without too much trauma. I think of it as “that’s something I won’t have to deal with for another year.” I hope it’s the same for you.
Spring has officially sprung! I’m seeing daffodils and crocuses and tulips and all manner of beautiful flowers poking their heads through the leaves. Oh, and the temperatures are consistently well above freezing (yay!). Traffic on the Cape is starting to pick up (boo!) but our favorite seasonal restaurants are getting ready to open (yay!). So… happy Spring to all! And on with the show!
* Congratulations to EMA’s Newest Special Service Club, STARS
Earlier this month, I took great pleasure in approving the Special Service Club application from the ham radio club at New England Sci-Tech, the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS), Special Service Clubs (SSC) exist to go above and beyond for their communities and for Amateur Radio . They are the leaders in their Amateur Radio communities who provide active training classes, publicity programs, and actively pursue technical projects and operating activities. STARS does all this and more. Please join me in congratulating them on their new designation.
* International Marconi Day is April 25
International Marconi Day is celebrated annually on the Saturday closest to April 25, honoring the birth of Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of radio. This 24-hour amateur radio event encourages participants to connect with historic Marconi sites using similar communication techniques he developed. This year Marconi Day is April 25th. Barbara N1NP is leading a group operating from the Marconi Site in Wellfleet. She could use some help with setup (~0730) and teardown (~1600). Come on down to the Cape to help us celebrate! All are welcome to observe and to help with meet-n-greets. Full story at https://ema.arrl.org/2026/04/10/international-marconi-day-april-25th-2026/
* 13 Colonies Special Event Seeks Massachusetts Operators
Larry Krainson, W1AST, is looking for volunteers to serve as special event station operators for 13 Colonies 2026. The event runs from July 1-7. If you would like to experience what it’s like to be the “DX” in a pileup and enjoy the rush of making contacts, become a 13 Colonies K2H op. Your transmitter MUST be in Massachusetts at all times.
This is a fun operating event. You can be one of approximately 20 ops in MA. If you’re interested in becoming an op for K2H, please contact Larry, W1AST, at FunHamRadio@gmail.com Full story at https://ema.arrl.org/2026/04/09/operators-sought-for-ma-13-colonies-special-event-july-1-7-2026/
* Special Event Stations for 2026 World Soccer Tournament Games Coming to Foxboro
The 2026 World Soccer Tournament is coming to Massachusetts. There will be special event stations running each of seven days when games are being played. This is a worldwide event with games held here in Massachusetts. Larry, W1AST is recruiting hams to run a special event station with the call sign W1C. Full story at https://ema.arrl.org/2026/04/08/2026-world-soccer-tournament-coming-to-foxborough/
* 2026 Northeast HamXposition Call for Speakers and Workshop Leaders
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. The organizers are especially seeking volunteers to run Hands-On Workshops on Friday of the convention. These workshops would mix learning with a hands-on experience and would be aimed at new or inexperienced hams. Full story at https://ema.arrl.org/2026/04/04/hamxposition-hamx-toolkit-workshops/
* 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.
* 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.
* N1ILZ for a Final
So now that the snow is gone and the temperatures are milder, get out there and get that antenna work done! I still have repair work to do from the Blizzard of ‘26. And there’s planning for Field Day. I’ve started crafting my plans for my tour of EMA Field Day sites – it will be my pleasure to visit your setup – let me know!
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.