Goodness, how I love Spring! The weather is warmer and the chance of snow is nil. April showers are bringing May flowers, which always makes me smile. Traffic on the Cape is starting to pick up, but it’s still mostly manageable.
NEARFest-Spring has come and gone. I’ve heard from many folks that went for one day or the other, and all report having a really good time. And HamVention (Dayton) wraps up tomorrow (Sunday). To all those who are going, have fun and please email me updates on all the fun you had!
* New Version of Andy’s Ham Radio Linux Released
Andy KB1OIQ is pleased to announce the release of version 27 of “Andy’s Ham Radio Linux.” This popular software collection contains roughly 90 programs which are Free Software, Open Source Software, or equivalently licensed. One can download the software from:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/kb1oiq-andysham/
PS: If you’re going to HamVention (Dayton), drop in on Andy’s talk!
* International Marconi Day was 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 was April 25th. A group of hams staffed an information table in the parking lot for the Marconi site, while another group operated a CW station and a Get On The Air (GOTA) station elsewhere in the parking lot, and a 3rd group manned an HF voice station up on the platform. We had a steady stream of visitors, educating the public about ham radio – it’s NOT just your grampa’s hobby!
* 13 Colonies Special Event Still Seeking 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/
* Field Day 2026 is Fast Approaching!
Many folks have reported to me that their Field Day preparations are well underway. Great! A reminder: as you solidify your plans, please update the ARRL FD locator at https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator. Please also update the FD locator site on the EMA website, at https://ema.arrl.org/field_day/ Bill N1VUX works hard to make this site useful for folks in the EMA Section, and especially “FD tourists” such as myself – folks that are planning to visit several sites over the two days. Would you like me to visit your FD site this year? Get some photos of this year’s Governor’s proclamation for Amateur Radio Days? Send me an email!
* 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.