Author: k9hi

Public Information

Barnstable ARC Amateur Radio Demo at the Brooks Park Festival, Harwich, August 13-14, 2022

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Barnstable ARC logoRob Leiden, K1UI, writes:
 
The Barnstable Amateur Radio Club will be holding an amateur radio demonstration this weekend at the Brooks Park Arts and Crafts Festival in Harwich. [The club station call sign] W1MA will be on the air on 10, 15 and 20 meters.
 
The festival runs from 9 AM—4 PM on Saturday and Sunday, with setup on Friday afternoon.
 
The event is one of the largest crafters’ events in the summer on the Cape with many food offerings as well.  The Brooks Park Arts and Crafts Festival information is at https://www.fairsandfestivals.net/events/details/2022-brooks-park-arts-and-crafts-festival.
 
Operating

KC1PNP to Activate Bug Light Lighthouse (USA 1235) August 7, 2022

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Bug Light Park, S. Portland ME
Bug Light Park, S. Portland ME

Nico Bezzerides, KC1PNP, writes on the Sci-Tech ARS mailing list at 9:10 AM on August 7, 2022:

This is Nico B., KC1PNP. I’ve been an amateur radio operator for about a year and had my general ticket for about 10 months now. 

I recently got the opportunity, due to some very generously donated equipment from Bruce Tinkler N9JBT, to operate at the Bug Light lighthouse (USA 1235) up in Maine today for the National Lighthouse-Lightship Weekend. I’m very excited about it!

If we manage to get over there safely (I’m on an island, and the water looks a bit rough today w/ higher winds), then I’ll be operating QRP SSB from there from about 10am onwards, EST. If you hear me (I’ll probably be on the upper end of the 20m band most of the time, please work me! It would be great to make some contacts with STARS members.

Hope to see you on the air!

Public Information

We Need YOU at the Amateur Radio Booth at The BIG E!

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From nediv.arrl.org:

Amateur Radio will be on public display like never before at The BIG E in West Springfield, MA from September 16 – October 2, 2022. Over a million people will visit the Fair over the 17-day period. We need ham radio “Goodwill Ambassadors” to staff the booth and promote our hobby-service to the public and potential licensees.

Who: Amateurs like you who enjoy interacting with the public

What: You’ll be demonstrating ham radio contacts and sharing Amateur Radio information with the public (talking points will be provided)

When:

Two shifts per day, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM (first session) and 3:30 PM -10:00 PM (second session) on some days

Dates/times available:

  • September 16 (Military Appreciation Day), second session, 1-2 more people needed
  • September 17 (Maine Day), second session, 2 more
  • September 19, first session, 2 more
  • September 20 (Rhode Island Day), first and second sessions, 3-4 more
  • September 22 (Massachusetts Day), second session, 2 more
  • September 24 (Vermont Day), first and second sessions
  • September 25, second session
  • September 26, first and second sessions
  • September 28, first and second sessions
  • September 29, first and second sessions
  • September 30, first and second sessions
  • October 1, first and second sessions
  • October 2, first and second sessions

Where: Booth #103 inside Door 6 of the Better Living Center

How:—Sign up via the following link, which will list currently-available sessions:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9_iH1ZucHuCFCNwreEuVPWnmLOT5D_s92vHPuEUASS78Tew/viewform

SEE YOU THERE!

Clubs

KC1PBG: “Ham Radio as it Pertains to Drones” at Sci-Tech ARS Hybrid Meeting, August 9, 2022

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New England Sci Tech logoThe New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society will meet on-line and in-person on August 9, 2022 at 7 PM and feature: “Ham Radio as it Pertains to Drones” by Richard Bruce, KC1PBG.
 
This presentation will dive into the days of crystal transmitters and receivers and then fast forward to the cutting-edge technology we use today. It will touch on subjects that directly connect HAM radio to drones, but also on how HAM radio is connected to numerous things we take for granted in our daily lives. 
 
Richard Bruce is a veteran and is a retired nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological weapons specialist, a retired wild land firefighter for the State of Massachusetts, and a retired security contractor. He has expertise as an FAA part 107A sUAS Commercial Pilot, as well as in search and rescue, fugitive apprehension, wild land firefighting, FEMA-trained incident command and disaster relief, and many other areas. Richard was disabled in 2018 as a result of a medical procedure gone wrong and found a new meaning to life when he got into the commercial drone community and became a ham radio technician.
Clubs

K9HI: “HamXposition: It’s Not Your Father’s Boxboro” at Billerica ARS Meeting, August 3, 2022

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Billerica ARS logoNow that you know what it isn’t, come to the next Billerica ARS meeting and hear what it is from HamXposition Program Chair Phil Temples, K9HI.

Phil will highlight some of the exciting talks and presentations lined up on the three-day program, as well as discussing some of the less-known activities that will occur at the Convention on August 26-28, 2022 at the Best Western Royal Plaza & Trade Center in Marlborough.

(By the way, it’s okay to forget and call it “Boxboro.” Phil does it occasionally, too!)

Phil Temples is ARRL Vice Director for the New England Division and a former Eastern MA Section Manager. A ham for over fifty years, he’s a Life Member of the ARRL and QCWA.

[For Zoom conference details, email Bruce Anderson, W1LUS, at w1lus -at- hotmail -dot- com.]

 
Operating

K1MJC Fox Has “Escaped,” July 29, 2022

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Mike Cormier, K1MJC, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 4:01 PM on July 29, 2022:

Yes, the K1MJC Fox is out, It must’ve been a little bit too hot in the cage, and he needed a little fresh air.

I noticed he was gone this Friday, afternoon but I’ll leave it to you as to how much of a risk looking you would like to take in this kind of weather … It’s probably better to go out in the morning, and hydrate hydrate hydrate!

The fox is in somewhere in an area within the City limits of Waltham, MA.

I think he’s roaming around the “Storer Conservation Area” again; seems he likes to hang out there.

As usual, it will be retrieved before Sundown Sunday.

One of The maps on this page would prove useful!

https://walthamlandtrust.org/trail-guides/

Mike C. 73

Oop’s

Forgot to mention, 146.565 MHz

Mike C. K1MJC 73

Clubs

N1ILZ, W1LEM: “EmComm Tools” at Barnstable ARC Hybrid Meeting, August 1, 2022

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Barnstable ARC logoThe Barnstable Amateur RadioClub will meet  in-person at the Brewster Police Department Community Room, 631 Harwich Road (Rt 124), Brewster, MA 02631. In addition we will provide a Zoom link to the meeting.

This month, Jon, N1ILZ and Lem, W1LEM will review and demo EmComm tools, including NBEMS, WinLink, NTS.

[Contact Norm Cantin, WA1NLG, at norman.cantin@gmail.com for Zoom details.]
Licensing Education & Training

Whitman ARC “Introductory Course” Set to Begin September 1, 2022

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The Whitman Amateur (Ham)Whitman ARC logo Radio Club is offering an introductory, Technician level course to the public.

  • Communicate locally or the world
  • Bounce your signal off the moon or through ham radio satellites
  • Check in while you are driving
  • Operate maritime mobile while on your boat
  • Participate in disaster relief communications

The opportunities are endless.

The course will prepare you with the knowledge to pass the 35-question multiple choice exam offered at the end of the course.

The class will start on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 7:00 pm in the community room at the Whitman Police Station and run the following Tuesdays and Thursdays until the exam on Thursday,  September 29. Although a good idea, one does not have to make all of the classes to participate. You may visit us at our information booth at the Marshfield Fair or for further information on the course, contact Ross, W1EKG, at 781-447-9104 or warc.training@gmail.com.

All / Youth

W0MXX: “Cubes in Space: Testing Vibrational Energy Harvesting on a Sounding Rocket” at Sci-Tech ARS Hybrid Meeting, July 26, 2022

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New England Sci Tech logoThe New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society will meet on-line and in-person on July 26, 2022 at 7 PM and feature: “Cubes in Space: Testing Vibrational Energy Harvesting on a Sounding Rocket” by Max Kendall, W0MXX. 
 
Max will show photos and discuss the planning, building, and launch of his recent Cubes in Space project. The rocket reached a maximum altitude of ~300k feet, and while the experimental hypothesis was proven false, a great deal was accomplished and learned from the engineering process involved. 
 
Bio: Max is a rising 6th grader at Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School. He is the president of the 4-H Science Explorers, a mentor at the Medway Library Arduino club, and founder of the New England Weather Balloon Society. He currently holds an Extra Class license. Max enjoys working with robotics and has been tinkering ever since he was a toddler. He also enjoys eating sushi, playing Minecraft, reading novels, and climbing!
Public Information

Annual Marshfield Fair Amateur Radio Exhibit, August 19-28, 2022

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Whitman ARC logoThe Whitman Amateur Radio Club will sponsor a ham radio booth and special events station at the Annual Marshfield Fair August 19-28, 2022, from 1200-2000 ET. The booth will located behind the grandstand, just up from the first aid station and next to the blacksmith.

The club will operate under the call sign NN1MF on 20 meters. The station will also be active on the Whitman ARC repeater (147.225 MHz +PL67) and on EchoLink . 

“We will also be conducting a program at 15:00 (3pm) and 18:00 (6pm) on “Introduction to Ham Radio, how to get on the air,”  writes WARC’s Jack Foley, N1QE. “Stop by and find out all that is available to you with your NEW ham radio license! Licensed hams stop by and inquire about our educational licensed advancement classes. Or just to talk Ham stuff.”

Public Service

Ham Assistance Requested: Tour de Cure New England Charity Ride, Lexington, MA, August 21, 2022

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I am Jim Bradley, KB1JKJ, of the  North Shore Radio Association.  We have been asked to help ensure the safety of the riders and make this American Diabetes event a success.   I am coordinating hams and we need your help. 

This is a new post-COVID regional Tour de Cure New England Charity Ride starting in Lexington, MA at the office of Fractyl Health. 

We need hams for sag and rest stops on Sunday,  August 21, 2022.  There are 4 routes: 15-mile, 30-Mile, 62-Mile, and 100-mile.  All rides start and finish at the Fractyl Health parking lot in Lexington, MA. For more information on the routes https://donations.diabetes.org/site/TR?pg=informational&fr_id=13438&type=fr_informational&sid=26840

SAG (Support and Gear) Drivers
DESCRIPTION

Location: On Routes, beginning at Fractyl Health, 17 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421

Hours 5:30am – 4:00pm

• You must provide your own vehicle which has the capacity to easily transport a cyclist and bicycle.

• Pick up cyclists and bicycles for transport to the nearest rest stop or available bike mechanic. 

• Respond to calls and directions from the Command Center to aid cyclists who need road assistance. SAG drivers may be accompanied by mobile ham radio volunteers.

• Patrol route watching for injured riders, mechanical troubles, and signage problems. Relay information to the Command Center.

Please sign up at  https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/75698315274408604/false#/invitation

If you would like to be stationary at a rest stop please email me directly.

Our ham supported public service events are interesting and fun experiences.  The communication load is light, but safety and support for the participants are always primary.  If you are new to this facet of ham radio, and want to get more public service experience, this is an excellent opportunity to learn the ropes.  If you are an experienced public service volunteer, we definitely need your help. 

I will get the assignments and more details to you as before the event.  Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. 

73,

Jim Bradley, KB1JKJ

Youth

New England Sci-Tech Now Offers Entrepreneurship Club

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New England Sci Tech logoAs part of its educational offerings for youths, New England Sci-Tech now offers an Entrepreneurship Club on Saturdays 9 AM-noon.
 
According to its leadership newsletter:
 
“As a logical extension of the Saturday mornings Youth Inventors Workshop, we will offer the same assistance in developing ideas for marketing and business development.
 
“The Club welcomes the professional expertise of Joseph Sliwkowski.
 
“Joseph has an MS EE from MIT with extensive engineering, management, and consulting experience. He also has 9 patents including one of the first software patents ever granted; started his own company in electronic design automation and created a new division for an established robotic automation company. Joe finished his career with 12 years of teaching & tutoring students in math and physics. “
Flea markets & Conventions / Operating

Fox Hunters Meeting at 2022 HamXposition

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George Allison, K1IG, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list:

The forum schedule for the Northeast HamXposition has been published, and theres a Fox Hunters meeting scheduled for Sunday, August 28, at 11:00 AM. Since our members are spread out around MA (and parts of NH), we haven’t had an opportunity to all get together in one place, so this is a great opportunity for us to:

  • Meet each other in person
  • Compare equipment
  • Discuss techniques
  • Discuss variations in types of hunts
  • Look at ways to attract new hunters, especially non-licensed youth

We’ve got over a month to talk about topics.  What would you like to see?

73,
George, K1IG

Flea markets & Conventions

Northeast HamXposition Update, July 20, 2022

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Two items of note, per HamXposition General Chairman Bob DeMattia, K1IW:

The hotel discount deadline has been extended to August 5, 2022.  
 
Also, the preliminary forum schedule is now on the website. You can download a PDF copy at <https://hamxposition.org/HamXposition-Schedule.22.07.20.pdf>.
 
Finally, don’t forget to enroll in the KØNEB kit-building workshop on Friday afternoon.
 
 
Public Information / Youth

BIG E Space Chat Leadership Team

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Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, writes on nediv.arrl.org:

International Space Station

New England school students will be making live radio contact with an astronaut on the International Space Station from The BIG E during the week of September 26th – October 1st. The “BIG E Space Chat” is part of a program to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) educational activities and Amateur Radio learning activities for young people.

NEST Science Space Club for Youth flyer

New England Sci-Tech is sponsoring a 12-month STEM education program free of charge to all students grades 4 through 12 and Scouts in New England as part of the contact program. The program will provide hands-on learning about Space Science, Radio Communications, Electronics, Satellites, Rocketry, Astronomy, Amateur Radio, and more. Ten students participating in the Sci-Tech educational program will be chosen to make contact and chat live with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) from the BIG E.

The contact and the associated educational program are a result of a partnership between The BIG E, New England Sci-Tech (a STEM education group in New England), Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), Black Helicopter Creative LLC, the New England Division of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and local Amateur Radio organizations.

Execution planning has been underway for some time, and we are pleased to announce the addition of Ray Lajoie AA1SE, ARRL Western Massachusetts Section Manager, to the contact leadership team. Ray will be responsible for working with the BIG E team and our content production partner Black Helicopter to set up, test, and facilitate the development and delivery of a pre-contact program.

Ray joins and rounds out the existing BIG E space chat planning team consisting of:

  • Bob Phinney K5TEC – Education Planning and Execution
  • Phil Temples K9HI – Publicity and Promotion
  • Ray Lajoie AA1SE – Venue and Program Planning and Execution
  • Fred Kemmerer AB1OC – ARISS Mentor

The BIG E planning team is being assisted by Dylann Keaney, President of Black Helicopter Creative LLC, Barbara Irby, KC1KGS, Dan Norman, N0HF, and Larry Krainson, W1AST, in planning what expect will be a major Amateur Radio event in New England. You can learn more about the BIG E space chat here.

Fred Kemmerer AB1OC
ARRL New England Division Director

Clubs

W1IS: “End-fed Wire Antennas” at PART of Westford Hybrid Meeting, July 19, 2022

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PART of Westford logoGeorge Allison, K1IG, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

The July PART meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, beginning at 7:30 PM at the Cameron Senior Center, 20 Pleasant Street, Westford, MA, and via Webex video conference.  For those attending via video conference, a meeting link is below; just click on the green button to join in.  You can join the conference any time after 7:00 PM to check out your gear or just rag chew until the meeting starts. Bear in mind that internet connectivity from the senior center may be unreliable.

The meeting agenda includes a presentation on end-fed wire antennas by Bob, W1IS, and the famous Field Day wrap-up, complete with maps and awards.

Attendees are reminded to bring donations for the Westford Food Panty. Items such as canned soups and Dinty Moore beef stew are always appreciated.

See you Tuesday!
 
George, K1IG
President, PART of Westford
 
[To request conference login information, contact George Allison, K1IG, at k1ig -at- arrl -dot- net]
Operating

KC1OAV Fox is Out, Stow, July 16-17, 2022

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Eric L. Johnson, KC1OAV, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list on July 15, 2022 at 6:11 PM:

Hello Fox Hunters:

The KC1OAV fox will be out tomorrow July 16 to Sunday July 17.  This is my first fox deployment so I welcome any suggestions for improvement.

The fox is in Stow, MA, and may be heard from the Town Forest parking lot at the end of Bradley Lane in Stow, after 8:00 AM Saturday. I will retrieve it Sunday around 5:00 PM. 

The fox broadcasts for 12 seconds every minute at 146.565 MHz, with a power output of 15 MW. There is a log book attached to the fox so you can sign in. This should be an easy* hunt. The fox will be just off a trail. 

If you find the fox, or just want to ramble, be sure To explore the area near the Assabet River.  From there you may see small aircraft at nearby Crow Island field, as well as some practicing trapeze artists.

Here is the map of Stow Town Forest:

 https://www.stow-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif1286/f/uploads/town_forest_map_0.pdf

and a link to Stow regulations:

  https://www.stow-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif1286/f/uploads/stow_conservation_land_regulations.pdf

Enjoy!

[ *Text or email for a clue. ]

Eric L. Johnson KC1OAV
ericlee.johnson@gmail.com
978 501-2136

Clubs

K1GGI: “Cape Cod’s Fabulous Radio History: Facts to Remember, Fictions to Forget” at Sci-Tech ARS Hybrid Meeting, July 12, 2022

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New England Sci Tech logoThe New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (NEST) will meet on-line and in-person on July 12, 2022 at 7 PM and feature  “Cape Cod’s Fabulous Radio History: Facts to Remember, Fictions to Forget” by Ed Moxon, K1GGI.
 
The Cape has some truly interesting radio history that has been told and retold, sometimes getting better or worse in the process. In this presentation we will take a look at some local radio lore and sort out a few “mythconceptions” that have become common knowledge thanks to some imaginative contributors. Chatham Marconi Maritime Center, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation that operates the Marconi / RCA Wireless Museum in Chatham, MA, on Cape Cod.
 
Ed, K1GGI, has a Ph.D. from MIT and is a Director and former Secretary of the corporation. He is also Trustee of the Radiomarine Commemorative Association amateur station WA1WCC.
 
[For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.]