Need to contact someone? The staff list is here <http://ema.arrl.org/>
NEW ENGLAND DIVISION CONVENTION – SEPTEMBER 8-10, 2017 DON’T MISS IT!
Boxboro 2017 Weekend is almost upon us. Countless hours of planning and work will soon play out in a three-day ham radio event that all Amateur Radio operators can enjoy and be very proud of. This year’s team of volunteers is ready to put New England on the Amateur Radio map. Take a moment to thank the volunteers, Committee members, vendors, exhibitors, and all those who make this event better every year. This is a place to learn about and increase your enjoyment of Amateur Radio.
The Convention Committee and FEMARA, Inc., (see FEMARA information at <https://www.boxboro.org/about-femara>), endeavor to bring new ideas, presentations, and events giving Boxboro a fresh appeal every year. Among these activities are Saturday’s “open mic” to share Amateur Radio short stories, many new talks focusing on technology and Amateur Radio, the Saturday evening movie, the Collegiate Amateur Radio Forum, and one of the best youth forums anywhere. There are two excellent dinners, the DXCC/Contest Dinner (Friday) and the Grand Banquet (Saturday). The future of the hobby is well represented the entire weekend in Boxboro. I wish you all a great time!
Need more information? Visit <https://www.boxboro.org>. Tickets may still be purchased online through September 6 and at the door thereafter.
WELCOME NEW EMA STAFF MEMBERS
Jesse Creamer, W1DEA, has been appointed as an Assistant Section Manager (ASM)for Eastern Massachusetts. Jesse’s primary responsibility in the section will be as our IT Director and Manager, web design and web support.
Kayla Creamer, W2IRY, has been appointed as Public Information Coordinator (PIC) for Eastern Massachusetts. Kayla has worked for seven years in the world of community media, is currently a Programming Coordinator for local community access television and a freelance photographer. Kayla has been engaged in promoting Amateur Radio in Eastern Massachusetts for the past year or more. She is currently working with the Boxboro Committee to capture forum sessions on video.
NEW FCC FORM 605: IMPORTANT CHANGES
The revised NCVEC Form 605 must be used at exam sessions starting on August 21. Both the new FCC and NCVEC forms ask applicants if they have been convicted of a felony in any state or federal court. This conforms with FCC requirements to evaluate an applicant’s qualifications to hold any FCC-issued license. The FCC has been asking “the felony question” on other forms, and its omission on Form 605 was an apparent oversight.
An applicant’s answer to the felony question and their exhibit will be publically viewable via the Universal Licensing System (ULS). The applicant can request that all or part of the exhibit be kept confidential, and it will not be visible to the public.
VECs will not handle exhibits and confidentiality requests; these must be filed with the FCC by the applicant. Applicants must answer the felony question only when filing NCVEC Form 605 or FCC Form 605 for a New, Amendment, Modification (upgrade or call sign change), or Renewal/Modification (changes at renewal time). The question does not have to be answered if the applicant is filing a renewal or an administrative update (change of address, name, e-mail address, etc.).
Further details are described at <http://www.arrl.org/news/revised-ncvec-form-605-must-be-used-at-exam-sessions-starting-on-august-21>
NEWTON RESIDENT, MARTY SULLAWAY KC1CWF, NAMED YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR
Kudos for fifteen-year-old Marty Sullaway, KC1CWF, of Newton, named the recipient of the 2017 Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year (YHOTY). A sophomore at Meridian Academy in Jamaica Plain, Marty is co-founder of the Eastern Massachusetts Contesting Club (KR1DX), which he created to attract more young people to Amateur Radio in suburban Boston. He has helped to teach and mentor many young people and spark interest in HF contesting. Joe Eisenberg, K0NEB, nominated Marty for the award, describing him as an “extraordinary young man.” More information can be found at <http://qrznow.com/marty-sullaway-kc1cwf-is-2017-amateur-radio-newsline-young-ham-of-the-year/>. (Information via Phil, K9HI).
JULY TRAFFIC REPORT (COMBINED EMA/WMA)
Marcia, KW1U, who serves both Eastern and Western Massachusetts sections as the Section Traffic Manager (STM) reports they had “a very successful cookout in Concord, MA for traffic handlers and were pleased to welcome four visitors from New Hampshire. Next year we plan to include folks from CT as well.”
Peter, KD2JKV has been checking in and taking traffic on the Mass Rhode Island Phone net for the western four counties of the state. Peter lives in Albany, NY, but regularly accesses the West Mass 2 Meter nets. Thanks, Peter!
Interested in learning more about NTS and traffic handling? There will be a traffic handlers “Meet and Greet” at the Boxboro Convention on Saturday, September 9 at 1:00 PM. Information can be found in the convention program.
See the monthly “Public Service” column in QST for more information about the BPL and PSHR recognitions.
BPL: No listing for July.
PSHR: KW1U 130, KC1CIC 120, N1TF 115, N1SYC 105, W1RVY 100, N1LAH 100,
N1IQI 100 N1LKJ 76, AB1UF 73.
EMA/WMA NTS Nets are listed below. Are you a new ARES member? A good way to start is to check in to these nets below and earn points toward the Public Service Honor. Give it a try. You will meet some very nice folks on the nets and it’s also a good way to improve your CW speed.
EM2MN 145.230 MHz 8 PM Daily EMA 2 Meter Net
MARIPN 3978 KHz 6PM Tu, Th, Sa MASS/Rhode Island
HHTN MMRA Repeaters 10PM Su, M, W, F Heavy Hitters
CITN 147.375 MHz 7:30PM M, Tu, Th, Sa Cape & Islands
MARI 3565 KHz 7PM Daily MASS/Rhode Island
CM2MN 146.970 MHz 9PM Daily Central MA
WMTN 146.910 MHz 10AM Daily WMA
WMTN 146.910 MHz 1PM Daily WMA
WMEN 3944 KHz 8:30AM Su WMA
NEPN 3945 KHz 8:45 Su NE Phone Net
FINAL WORD
Wishing all section members a wonderful Labor Day weekend followed by a fun-filled Boxboro Convention weekend.
73,
Tom, K1TW
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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
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