August 2021 Section News – Eastern Massachusetts ARRL

August 2021: EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS (EMA) SECTION NEWS
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Welcome to the ARRL Eastern Massachusetts (EMA) section news
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Visit <https://ema.arrl.org/> for frequent updates to the news
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UP FRONT

My EMA ARRL Section Philosophy: Frequent Member Communication Supported by a Strong Team – Tom, K1TW (Section Manager)

The EMA ARRL section staff and I consider frequent communication with the membership is vital towards keeping members well informed.

Once a month, every month, our EMA staff (i.e., the EMA team) collaborate to bring members a Section Newsletter consisting of quality news and information. We cover clubs, individuals, special events, license classes, ARES activities, NTS activities, and the occasional national or international happening.

The EMA section newsletter can be relied on to provide monthly information.

The EMA section web site, <https://ema.arrl.org>, provides members with frequent updates to the news.

But wait there’s more – you can contact the EMA staff for help.

Because we have an exceptional team, we are available when you need us. Our team has many skills. You will find the links to contact the EMA section staff as usual at the end of the newsletter.

My philosophy, as section manager, is to minimize sending out email blasts too frequently to the members. Urgent news or time sensitive information is usually the only reason to do this.

Rather, as a section, we organize our frequent member communications according to a predictable plan.

Do you agree with our approach regarding ARRL member communication?

Comments welcome to <k1tw@arrl.org>.

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NEW GROUP FORMED TO DISCUSS ARRL NEW ENGLAND DIVISION ELECTIONS

Anyone interested in the fall ARRL elections for the New England Division Director and NE Division Vice Director should consider joining a new discussion list at: <https://groups.io/g/NE-elect>.

NE-elect is an open forum to discuss ARRL Section Manager, Vice Director, and Director elections within the New England division with a focus on issue-oriented discussions and the candidate’s views on issues. We also encourage discussion on ARRL governance. Opinionated, spirited debate is welcome. Please keep your posts short and concise. Mean-spirited or slanderous remarks or the use of profanity or obscenity is not allowed and subject to removal.

This is an important Division election. An informed electorate is important.

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BOB ZEIDA, N1BLF, AWARDED ARRL EMA SECTION CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

It is with great pleasure that the section manager awards the ARRL Eastern Massachusetts (EMA) Certificate of Merit to Mr. Bob Zeida, N1BLF, for his tireless efforts every month in recording the section news onto MP3 audio format.

“Bob Zeida, N1BLF, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts has worked selflessly over many decades to produce audio materials for visually impaired and blind amateurs across the country. Since 2018, he has recorded the ARRL Eastern MA Section Manager reports. His recordings include QST and WorldRadio. Bob created a three-disc CD set containing materials from ARRL’s Level I Emergency Communications Course manual for the Courage-Kenny Center Handiham System. In addition to his extensive library of ham radio recordings, Zeida also produces audio materials for the Talking Information Center based in Marshfield, Massachusetts.”

Beginning in 2018, the EMA section has been pleased to offer audio MP3 versions of the monthly Section News, recorded by Bob Zeida, N1BLF. Zeida isn’t sure exactly how time he has devoted to all of his recordings, but he guesses it’s been “thousands and thousands of hours.” A former Handiham volunteer instructor, Bob was presented with a Quarter Century Wireless Association Presidential Honors Award in 2008.

You may access the recording each month and the archives also at <https://ema.arrl.org/section-news/>. Click on the “speaker icon” to listen.

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LAST CALL FOR BOSTON MARATHON VOLUNTEERS

Amateur Radio volunteer registration has been extended for a final time and closes on Friday August 6th, 2021, at 500 PM EDT for the 125th anniversary of the Boston Marathon. Registration information is below:

On behalf of the BAA Amateur Radio Communications Committee, we hope everyone has stayed safe and healthy through the COVID-19 pandemic. After last year’s race was moved to a virtual only event, we are now approaching the 125th live running of the Boston Marathon.

Volunteer registration has been open for the Marathon since Wednesday June 16, 2021, at 10:00 AM and the Amateur Radio volunteer registration deadline has been extended one final time to Friday August 6th, 2021 at 500 PM EDT.

The race itself is taking place on Monday, October 11, 2021. The full story can be viewed at <https://ema.arrl.org/2021/08/03/2021-boston-marathon-amateur-radio-volunteer-registration-final-extension/>.

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BE SURE TO RESERVE YOUR ROOM FOR HAMXPOSITION 2021 IN MARLBOROUGH!

Only a little over four weeks to HamXposition 2021: September 10, 11 & 12 at the Best Western in Marlborough.

Hotel rooms are still available at the discounted rate of $99. Contact the hotel on their local phone number 508-460-0700 and tell them you want the HamXposition rate.

We are still in need of volunteers to assist with parking, ticketing, and the logistics involved with keeping our forums on schedule. Volunteers working at least one 2-hour shift will receive free admission. You can volunteer at <https://hamxposition.org/volunteer>.

General Admission Tickets are now available retail at Ham Radio Outlet in Salem, NH and at Electronics Plus in Littleton, MA

Online ticketing is almost ready – stay tuned for an announcement when it goes live.

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HAM BOOTCAMP

Nashua Area Radio Society is proud to offer Ham Bootcamp once again at HamXposition. It includes a series of demonstrations and tutorials designed to help newly licensed Technician, General, and Extra class license holders get on the air and use their amateur radio license. Bootcamp is also a great opportunity for prospective hams who are interested in seeing what the hobby has to offer.

Ham Bootcamp activities are geared towards Technicians and prospective Hams and General class licenses and higher Hams. Bootcamp participants will find all of this material interesting and fun no matter what their focus or license level.

The Bootcamp program is available to all licensed and prospective Hams. You can register for the Friday, September 10 Ham Bootcamp session at HamXposition by visiting <https://www.n1fd.org/ham-bootcamp/>.

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TECH IN A DAY

Bill Poulin, WZ1L, and members of the Cape Ann ARA will once again offer “Tech in a Day” at HamXposition on Saturday, September 11, 2021.

This program has served the local community in getting newly excited people to become licensed amateurs. The program will run approximately 0800-1700. It concludes with a dedicated Volunteer Exam session. Prospective candidates should purchase the ARRL Technician Class License Manual and read the manual before attending the class. The book can be purchased at Ham Radio Outlet or the ARRL.

If you have any questions, contact Bill at 978-504-9112 (Cell) or email <techinaday@caara.net>.

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NEW ENGLAND ARES ACADEMY

Complementing our Saturday programming, we’re pleased to host the ever-popular New England ARES Academy featuring workshops and talks aimed at getting you prepared and ready to face any EmComm situation.

The program includes:

* Intro to ARES
* HF Propagation for EmComm
* Getting Started with WinLink Express
* SKYWARN Refresher
* Tactical Message Handling
* Lessons Learned from the “Big Ones”
* Intro to NEBMS
* Go-kit Strategies

See you at Boxb… I mean, Marlborough!

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HEAVY HITTERS TRAFFIC NET EXPANDING TO SIX NIGHTS PER WEEK

Thanks to the efforts of net manager Joe Weisse, W1HAI, and in agreement with the Minuteman Repeater Association (MMRA)and the trustees of the Mt Greylock K1FFK repeater, the Heavy Hitters Traffic Net (HHTN) will expand its operation to six nights a week, Sunday through Friday, effective Sunday August 1.

Many thanks to all involved. We hope these additional late evening nets will provide greater opportunity for the clearing of message traffic. Unfortunately, the Plymouth repeater which had been linked is off-line for the foreseeable future. The net can also be accessed via Echolink, New-Eng2 Conference and IRLP node 9127.

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ALGONQUIN ARC QSL SORT

The Algonquin Amateur Radio Club will be holding a QSL card sorting session on Thursday August 12, 7:30 PM at the Marlborough Fire Station. The sorting will be in the classroom/EOC. The Fire station is at 215 Maple St (Route 85). The classroom entrance in on the side of the building, do not use the front door.

The QSL Bureau receives QSL cards from DXers all over the world, sorts them and then sends them to the New England area hams. The W1 Bureau process about 100,000 QSL cards each year. To do this, they receive assistance from over 40 volunteers and several area clubs.

Full story at: <https://ema.arrl.org/2021/07/28/algonquin-arc-qsl-sort-marlborough-august-12-2021/>.

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ARRL RE-DEDICATION CEREMONY, JULY 15

Please take the time to view the excellent video of the ARRL Re-Dedication Ceremony at which two members of the EMA section, (i.e., KB1GHX and KD1CY), received special recognition from ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA. See: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xF0Rh-wrN4>

In addition to all of the ARRL board members and political dignitaries at the ARRL Re-Dedication Ceremony at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut, also attending were:

– Glenn Field, KB1GHX, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at NOAA / National Weather Service in Taunton, Massachusetts; and

– Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator and ARES SKYWARN Coordinator.

See <https://ema.arrl.org/2021/07/16/national-weather-service-skywarn-acknowledged-at-arrl-re-opening-ceremony-july-15-2021/>.

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CAPE AND ISLANDS EMERGENCY DATA NETWORK PROOF OF CONCEPT

Lem Skidmore, W1LEM, reports on Facebook that the Cape and Islands Emergency Data Network (CAIEDN) held a proof-of-concept exercise on July 31 in which a Voice Over IP (VOIP) phone call was made without using cell service, internet, or commercial power, from Oak Ridge School to the Sandwich Council On Aging Center via an intermediate node. The stations also sent a text file.

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NORFOLK COUNTY RECOGNIZED FOR 100TH ANNIVERSARY

The Norfolk County Radio Association (W1AGR) was founded in 1921 and has been continuously active since then. It is an ARRL-affiliated club. At the suggestion of Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, Director Hopengarten presented a motion to the ARRL Board of Directors to recognize NCRA’s 100th anniversary. Congratulations to NCRA!

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NTS NEWS

Section Traffic Manager – Marcia Forde, KW1U

Visit: <https://ema.arrl.org/national-traffic-system/>

Approximately thirty traffic handlers, field organization volunteers and ARRL elected officials throughout the New England sections attended the recent NTS Traffic Handlers Picnic at KW1U’s QTH in Concord, MA. The weather cooperated splendidly. Good food, conversations and fellowship was had by all. The 2021 Radio Amateur’s Handbook, courtesy of the Eastern MA ARRL section, was given as a door prize.

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ARES NEWS

Section Emergency Coordinator – Rob Macedo KD1CY

Visit: <https://ema.arrl.org/ares/>

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EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION LINKS

Where to find stuff:

Division website: <https://nediv.arrl.org/>

Section website: <https://ema.arrl.org/>

Section Facebook page: <https://www.facebook.com/easternmaarrl/>

Section Leadership: <https://ema.arrl.org/organization/#Section_Leadership>

Section Public Service List: <https://ema.arrl.org/2019/03/05/ema-public-service-list/>