New MA State Government Liaison Appointed

Jon McCombie, N1ILZ, writes:
 
I’m pleased to announce that WMA Section Manager Ray Lajoie, AA1SE, has appointed Steve Berian, KC1KEZ, to the position State Government Liaison. Steve will serve both the EMA and WMA sections. KC1KEZ replaces Steve Boyson, N1VLG (SK). Though KC1KEZ is a Western MA appointment, he will serve both WMA and EMA sections. 
 
Please join me in welcoming KC1KEZ to the position and thanking AA1SE for filling this important position.
 
73 de Jon McC.,  N1ILZ 
Eastern MA Section Manager

“Coast Guard Auxiliary Communications” at Sci-Tech ARS Hybrid Meeting, January 7, 2025

New England Sci Tech logoTuesday, January 7: “Coast Guard Auxiliary Communications” by Harlan Doliner, NE1HD.

Description: This presentation will focus on how the Coast Guard Auxiliary utilizes VHF, HF and other frequencies in working independently and with both Active Duty Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reservists. This work involves standing radio watches, participating in search & rescue, performing comms in other surface, air and ground missions, supporting safety education for the recreational boating public, as well as other areas. The presentation is aimed at ham radio operators and includes some information on non-secure USCG frequencies which hams can monitor.

Bio: Harlan was first licensed as a ham in 2014, upgrading to Extra in 2016. He focuses mostly on HF DX and local VHF nets. Harlan has been in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary since 2001 and his current duties include pre-arrival screening of foreign flag vessels for Sector’s Port State Control. Harlan is qualified as an Auxiliary Telecommunications Operator and in 2004 was a member of one of the Auxiliary teams representing the United States in the International Search and Rescue Competition, where he was the team member in primary charge of comms. He lives with his wife in Holliston.

AED Refresher at Southeastern ME ARA

Southeastern MA ARA logoRichard A. Netinho, AC1JG writes on the SEMARA mailing list:

On Sunday 01/19/25 at 11:30AM [SEMARA] will be hosting  an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) refresher course at the club. Everyone is welcome to attend. The class will be conducted right after Sunday coffee.

Try to let us know if you plan to attend. Prior registration is not required. We would just like an idea of how many people will be attending.

Thank you,

Richard A. Netinho

MEMA RACES Net Control Stations Sought

RACES logoDon Rolph, AB1PH writes:
 
Happy New Year to all!
 
A number of amateur operators have been volunteering to be net controls for the monthly Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) RACES nets,  However to ensure continuity and stability in operation of these nets we need more volunteers to be net control stations.
 
We have the following nets for which we need volunteers:
 
1) 80 meter voice net 6:45 PM
 
2) 80 meter NBEMS net 7 PM
 
3) Sector 2D VHF net 7:30 PM
 
4) Sector 2A VHF net
 
5) Sector 2B VHF
 
6) Sector 2C VHF net
 
7) Winlink net
 
If  you are able to assist here:
 
– we have preambles and instructions
 
– we can assist you with coaching
 
Do try to volunteer if you can so we can have a strong base of operators as we enter the 2025 MEMA exercises.
 
Thanks!
 

 

73,

AB1PH
Don Rolph
_._,_._,_

Capa Ann ARA Volunteer Exam Sessions in 2025

CAARA logoFrom CAARA Facebook page:

For those who wish to get their license or upgrade, here’s a list of testing times at the CAARA Clubhouse at 6 Stanwood St, in Gloucester, MA.

Test Sessions registered with ARRL VEC for first half of Calendar Year 2025:

Jan 12, 2025. 10am-12 Noon
Feb 9, 2025. “” “”
Mar 9, 2025. “” “”
Apr 13, 2025. “” “”
May 11, 2025.** “” “”
Jun 8, 2025.** “” “”

Anyone considering a new license or an upgrade is welcome to test with us. If you will be taking a test, please bring 2 forms of ID and $15.00 for the testing fee.
[View directions and a map to our clubhouse](https://caara.net/main/?page_id=183).

“Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s antenna laboratory, Software Radio Design course, and STEM in general at WPI” at Sci-Tech ARS, December 17, 2024

New England Sci Tech logoTue, December 17, 2024 at 7 PM: “Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s antenna laboratory, Software Radio Design course, and STEM in general at WPI” by Alexander M. Wyglinski, WPI Professor & Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. 

Bio: Dr. Wyglinski is an internationally recognized expert in wireless communications, cognitive radio, spectrum coexistence, 5G/6G, connected vehicles, software-defined radio, dynamic spectrum access, satellite communications, and vehicular technology. Dr. Wyglinski is a Full Professor of Electrical Engineering and Robotics Engineering as well as the Director of the Wireless Innovation Laboratory (WILab) at WPI. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Wyglinski has published nearly 50 journal papers, over 120 conference papers, nine book chapters, and three textbooks. Dr. Wyglinski is a Senior Member of the IEEE, as well as a member of Sigma Xi, Eta Kappa Nu, and the ASEE.

Swampscott High School Special Event Station W1B “Permission for Fun Day,” November 27, 2024

Swampscott High School logoEric Cottrell, WB1HBU, writes on the Billerica ARS mailing list:

Swampscott High School , MA, USA . SPECIAL EVENT

Listen for us on the on the Air today Wed 11/27 as W1B

2024 Permission For Fun Day! Wed 27 Nov, 2024

Each year on the day before Thanksgiving break, our school holds a “Permission for Fun” day where teachers and students share their hobbies and interests and take part in fun and creative activities together.

This year we will be hosting an amateur radio station using the special event 1×1 callsign, W1B and having students try their hand at making contacts around the globe!

Control operator for the station is Brian, KC1OOH, a Chemistry/AP Environmental Science/Earth Sciences teacher at the school.

We will be operating voice on 10m SSB (possibly 17m, and 20m) depending on band conditions and propagation.

Some local VHF/UHF possible too.

No digital modes

Nashoba Valley ARC: W1 QSL Bureau Sort, Pepperell, November 21, 2024

Nashoba Valley ARC logoBruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club‘s November meeting is Thursday, November 21st at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell). We start gathering at 7 PM to socialize before the meeting starts. The November meeting is traditionally our W1 QSL Bureau night where the club sorts several thousand QSL cards for the bureau.  Eric Williams, KV1J, the bureau manager, will give a short presentation on how the bureau works. Pizza and soft drinks follow the card sort.  It is, by far, my favorite club meeting of the year.  It’s a social experience you won’t want to miss, and it’s a lot of fun.  I personally can’t wait to hear this presentation!

As always, feel free to bring a friend

Come and join the fun!

If you need directions to the club meeting, please click <http://binged.it/smoogg> here and put your own address in box “A”.

Thanks and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Bruce, K1BG
978-772-2773 or  <mailto:bruce.blain@charter.netbruce.blain@charter.net

Cape and Islands ARES AREDN Test Nets Press Coverage in Sandwich’s “The Enterprise”

Screenshot from Sandwich's "The Enterprise"Lem Skidmore, W1LEM, writes on the Barnstable ARC mailing list:
 
Members of the Cape And Islands Emergency Communications Network–Frank WQ1O, Bruce WA3SWJ, Al WW1RF, Rich KC1TCA, Rob K1UI, Chris WA1CMR, and Paul NM1Z–assisted Sandwich Public Safety with a successful exercise.
 
Here’s some press coverage of the event (focus is on the Sandwich personnel, which is where it should be):
 
 

Minuteman Repeater Association “Elmer Forum” Meets Monthly on Zoom

Ken  Horton, KA1GFN, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:

Starting in December, the Minuteman Repeater Association (MMRA) will start an Elmer Forum on Zoom on the second Wednesday of each month. There are currently four scheduled dates. The first of which is December 11th.

All are welcome to attend whether an MMRA member or not.

This is being started because statistics have shown that many new hams never get on the air and their license eventually expires without being renewed. These statistics have been presented to both the MMRA and Algonquin ARC by Fred, AB1OC.

See attached PDF for more information.

There is no need to respond if you plan to attend or not. If there is something important worth noting, then I will forward it on.

MMRA Elmer Forum

Cape and Islands ARES AREDN Test with Sandwich Public Safety

Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, posts on the Cape and Island ARES Facebook page:

Several of the ARES guys in the CAIECN mesh group conducted a meshnet localized test with Sandwich Fire Chief Burke and Sandwich public safety/emergency management. We linked their warming center with the fire and police buildings. We tested video, IP phone, document transfer and data upload to an incident webpage. All of this was self contained and did not utilize any public internet or phone systems. We used VHF radio as additional support with our portable kits.

My thanks to all our guys for their time and efforts in making this happen. We will soon be working with Chief Burke for our next steps.

CQ Licensed Amateurs and Current Volunteer Race Staff: Additional Volunteers Needed for Happy Holidays Half-Marathon, Gloucester, December 8, 2024

race mapGreat News! We are fully staffed for the November 3rd Ocean View Half-Marathon.
 
We still need 2 additional volunteers for the December 8th Happy Holidays Half-Marathon
Volunteers needed for Checkpoints 1 & 4.
 
This race is always difficult to staff as it’s so close to the holidays. If you can, please consider volunteering!
 
Email me to sign up, W1TAT@outlook.com
Many thanks & 73,
Chris, W1TAT

Wellesley Amateur Radio Society POTA Event, November 2, 2024

Parks On The Air logoDATE : Saturday, Nov 2, 2024 (rain date – Sun 11/3)
 
TIME : 11am – 3pm
 
PLACE : Elm Bank Reservation – Lot B
                900 Washington St.
                Wellesley, MA
 
Talk-in Frequency : 146.55 MHz
 
 
Join the fun of operating outdoors in the crisp fall air ! We are meeting in Lot B which is opposite Lot A at the top of the first hill where the road bends. Turn right into Lot B.
 
We’ll be using the club radio, antennas, and coax, but feel free to bring your own gear to operate. Leandra has graciously offered to setup our club station callsign (W1TKZ) for POTA operation.
 
The October SparkGap has a GREAT checklist on Page 11 of some things you may wish to bring.
 
SEE YOU THERE FOR POTA FOTA – Fun-On-The-Air !

N1DQ: “PSK Reporter” at Nashoba Valley ARC Meeting, October 17, 2024

Nashoba Valley ARC logoBruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s October meeting is TOMORROW, Thursday, October 17th at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell). We start gathering at 7 PM to socialize before the meeting starts.

For October, our guest speaker will be Phil Gladstone, N1DQ, author of PSK Reporter. PSK Reporter is an amateur radio signal reporting and spotting network which allows hams to see where their radio signals are being received. The platform works by collecting digital signal reports from software clients like WSJT and FLDIGI, then mapping them to show which stations are being heard by other clients.

I personally can’t wait to hear this presentation!

Come and join the fun!

Need directions? Click here and put your own address in box “A”.

Thanks and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Bruce, K1BG

978-772-2773 or bruce.blain@charter.net

 

Nashoba Valley ARC Amateur Radio Course, Ayer, Starting November 4, 2024

Nashoba Valley ARC logoBruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club (NVARC) is offering a free amateur radio licensing course beginning on November 4th. The eight night course will prepare students for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technician licensing exam that will be offered at the completion of the course. The Technician level radio operator’s license is the first of three amateur licenses offered by the FCC. Each license has increased levels of operator privileges.

The course consists of twice weekly sessions beginning on Monday, November 4th, and meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays for four weeks (with a break on Thanksgiving week ). The course will be held at the Grady Research building, 323 West Main St., in Ayer. Sessions will start at 7PM and last for 2 hours. An FCC license exam will be scheduled for the end of the sessions. The course is free, but there will be an FCC required $15 testing fee if you take the exam. The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, 5th edition, will be the study guide used for the class. A limited number of study guides may be purchased from the instructor for $30 or online from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) or Amazon.

This course is open to all, there are no age limits. Pre-registration is required, no walk-ins will be allowed. To register you must contact the instructor, Bruce Blain at (508) 341-5124 or via email at bruce.blain@charter.net.  

[Course announcement]

K3DRE: “Lessons Learned as a Ham for Broadcast RF and vice versa” at Sci-Tech ARS, Natick, October 8, 2024

New England Sci Tech logoThe Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society will meet on-line and in-person on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 7 PM and feature: “Lessons Learned as a Ham for Broadcast RF and vice versa” by Doug Evans, K3DRE.  

Description: From broadcast radio into ham radio and back. Doug will share with us lessons learned in professional radio and how they led him into ham radio. From there, he’ll move to the things he learned as a ham that helped his career. Doug’s been to a lot of places and has seen some very interesting things, but found that the basics of RF always apply. Today’s modern digital broadcasting owes a lot to early hams.

Bio: Doug received his first FCC license (a third class radiotelephone operator, with broadcast endorsement) after he graduated from high school. The day after he graduated, he started working with his first rig, a 3000 watt FM transmitter, at the now defunct WMSP FM. After several years in commercial radio, Doug went to work for Public Broadcasting in Hershey, PA. After 23 years there, Doug left as a Producer/Director, having done a number of other roles as well. He then took a job doing HD wireless cameras and support communication and control for broadcast networks, and remained in that role for a number of years. Since Doug retired, he volunteers at ultra marathon special events and is a ham radio operator for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.