Author: k9hi
Ham Volunteers Needed to Staff The BIG E Booth, September 15-October 1, 2023
Larry Krainson, W1AST, writes:We are asking that you spread the word to your club members and try to get a group together to staff the booth for a session or the whole day. OR just ask your club members to sign up for a session to help staffing the booth. Last year we have over 100 volunteers from clubs all over New England. Will your club be one of them this year?
Please follow this link to sign up or if you are a club and want a certain day/session that is still available, please email Larry, W1AST direct at W1AST@arrl.net or if you have any questions about the booth.
Larry, W1AST
- ARRL WMA Affiliated Club Coordinator
- HCRA President
- Visit my Ham Radio club website at: www.HCRA.org
- Team K2H – 13 Colonies Massachusetts State Manager
- Project Big E 2022 & 2023 Organizer
- Proud Member of ARRL, FCARC & YCCC
- 413-348-3289
- W1AST@arrl.net
Norton Veterans Council Carnival, June 15, 16, 17 and 18, 2023
Ray Cord, K2TGX, writes on the Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC mailing list:
Hello All,
The Norton VFW is sponsoring a fundraising carnival on Thursday through Sunday June 15th to the 18th. Since there won’t be any Founders Day this year, we thought we would solicit everybody’s support of this event. It will be held on the grounds of the Yelle Elementary School, 64 West Main Street, Norton.
Our mission will be similar to Founders Day: parking lot management, traffic management, pedestrian safety, situational awareness and lighting. The hours of the event are Thursday & Friday, 6:00-10:00PM; Saturday Noon to 10:00PM and Sunday 11AM to 6:00PM. Please let me know what hours you can work. You are asked to report to the Norton EMA Command Post Trailer on the School Driveway 15 minutes before your shift starts for briefing. Please let me know your availability ASAP so we can make up assignments. If you know of anyone who may not be on this mailing but may want to help, please pass it on.
Thank you,
Ray Cord,
Deputy Director Norton EMA
Volunteers Needed, MS Cape Cod Getaway, June 24-25, 2023
Rick Savage, KB1LYJ, writes:Bike MS Cape Cod Getaway will be happening again this year on Saturday and Sunday, June 24-25, 2023.
We again hope you will volunteer to participate either as:
– amateur operators in SAG wagons
– operators at rest stops
– net control
If you would like to sign up go to:
Donna Halper: “Hams In Broadcasting” at Billerica ARS Meeting Online, June 7, 2023
Donna Halper will be presenting about the role amateurs played in early commercial radio and sports broadcasting [on June 7 at 7:00 PM.]
Donna was born here in Massachusetts and began working in the broadcasting field in 1968 as a DJ and music director. In 1974, while at WMMS in Cleveland she “discovered” the progressive rock band Rush.
She has written several books, including the first book-length study devoted to the history of women in American broadcasting, Invisible Stars: A Social History of Women in American Broadcasting. She also has taught college-level courses in broadcasting, media criticism, media history and radio programming and has a PhD from UMass Amherst.
There’s a Wikipedia article about her at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Halper and she has a website (and blog) at http://donnahalper.com/.
[For Zoom conference details, email Bruce Anderson, W1LUS, at w1lus -at- hotmail -dot- com.]
New England Division Town Hall Meeting, June 15, 2023
Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, writes on the New England ARRL members list:
Phil Temples K9HI, our Assistant Directors, and I will hold our next New England Division Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, June 15th, at 7 pm ET. The purpose of the meeting will be to provide you with an ARRL update, get your thoughts on what we should be focusing on, and answer any questions that you might have about the ARRL and what we are doing on behalf of ARRL members here in New England.
We plan to spend a good deal of our time together answering your questions. If you’d like to send us a question in advance, you can do so via an email to ab1oc@arrl.org, or you can just plan to ask your questions during the Town Hall Meeting.
We will hold our Town Hall Meeting via a Zoom Webinar. You can get a personal link to join the Town Hall Meeting via the following link (paste the link in your browser to register) –
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e5ufUAYVQFaVOzWXr8O0XQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
We hope to see you on June 15th!
——————————————————————–
ARRL New England Division
Director: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC
ab1oc@arrl.org
——————————————————————–
Request for Volunteers Twin Lobster #2, Gloucester, June 4, 2023
Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA list:
You are using amateur radio to provide a needed public service to ensure the safety and smooth running of a public event in local communities.
If you are unable to be there for the whole race, any amount of time you can give would be helpful. If you don’t have a radio, we have loaner radios available with a mag mount that will work in your car by just plugging it into the cigarette lighter socket. We have loaner handheld radios as well!
Please let me know if you can staff a communications checkpoint for the event so I can plan staffing positions.
Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use ( Mobile; HT; ¼-Wave Mag-Mount; Rubber-Duck; etc.) so we have a better idea of where to locate you along the event course per the potential of your equipment.
The course will be open and supported By CAARA. For Four hours Runner safety is everyone’s top priority.
Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help.
Thank you in advance for your participation!
Twin Lobster Communications Team.
Gloucester, Mass.
Last Updated: 5/30/2023. 02:19 pm
Event date: Sunday June 04 2023
On Location: 7:45 am
Starts: Half Marathon Run = 8:00am
Freq: CAARA W1GLO 145.1300 – PL:107.2 Back Up. 443.700 + PL:107.2
Billerica ARS Field Day Announcement, June 24, 2023
Billerica ARS Vice President Mark Nelson, KA1INE, writes:
I’m proud to announce that the Billerica Amateur Radio Society is having its annual field day on June 24, 2023 at 2:00 PM at 67 Alexander Road in Billerica.
The goal of the event is to set up portable radio stations to simulate an emergency situation and to make contact with other hams around the world. It’s a fun day of making new friends and exploring this exciting hobby.
We hope the public can join us to see what amateur radio is about. There will be a BBQ at meal time and plenty of water and coffee to keep everyone nourished.
If there are any questions, feel free to write to me at KA1INE@ARRL.net.
Mark Nelson
KA1INE
K1MJC Fox is Out, Belmont, May 26, 2023
Mike Cormier, K1MJC, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 2:05 PM on May 26, 2023:
Yes, the K1MJC Fox is out ….
I put it out today, Friday afternoon, and it will be picked up in the afternoon Monday.
The Fox is in somewhere in an area within the Rock Meadow conservation area in Belmont.
It’s a 15 milliwatt Fox transmitting on 146.565 MHz.
Also, there is a logbook you can sign in with if you wish.
There are a few places to enter Rock Meadow on either Concord Avenue or Mill Street; the parking area for Rock Meadow is off of Mill Street.
One of The maps on this page would prove useful!
Happy hunting!
Mike C , K1MJC, …… 73!
Ops Needed at WW2MAN for Museum Ships Weekend Event, June 3-4, 2023
Michael Davis, WA1MAD, writes:
I am still in PEI Canada and will be during the two-day [Museum Ships Weekend] event on June 3 and 4. I am the trustee for WW2MAN, the two-man mini sub at the Quincy shipyard. It’s in front of the USS Salem.
As of this moment, Henry Brown, K1WCC ( former trustee), K1WCC@comcast.net, has agreed to operate on Saturday and be the “go to” guy in my absence. So I’m looking for another (or more) ops for Saturday and Sunday. As little as a few hours or for the day, either Saturday or Sunday.
Thanks and 73.
WA6EZV: “Radio Orienteering” at Sci-Tech ARS Hybrid Meeting, May 23, 2023
Tue, May 23 at 7:00 PM: “Radio Orienteering” by Bob Frey, WA6EZV
Description: Radio Orienteering combines the skills of Orienteering, the equipment and expertise of Radio Direction Finding, and the athleticism of cross country running and combines them into a fun and competitive sport. Besides an introduction into basic orienteering using topographical maps, this presentation will cover how to get started in Radio Orienteering/ARDF (Amateur Radio Direction Finding) focusing on 2M hunts. Discussion will include how Radio Orienteering differs from classic orienteering, and what equipment is required for 2M and 80M hunts. A variety of receivers, different attenuators, and an inexpensive Yagi antenna for 2M ARDF/RO along with some basic transmitters and an inexpensive controller will also be discussed. Suggestions for practice events and where to get additional information will also be covered.
Bio: Bob holds an Extra Class license and was first licensed in 1968. He has been active in Foxhunting for over 50 years and has been a speaker for the Foxhunt/ARDF forum at Dayton Hamvention for nearly 30 years. Bob sets ARDF practice courses, including at the YOTA Camp in 2021 and 2022. He has competed in 20 U.S. National ARDF Championships, and is a four time champion. He has co-chaired three championships and participated in four World Championships. Bob’s ARRL appointments include ARRL Volunteer Examiner, DXCC Field Checker, HF Awards Manager, and Member of ARRL RO/ARDF Sub-Committee.
Cape Cod Amateurs Assist in Alzheimer’s Spring Walk
On May 20th the Cape Cod ham community came together to assist the Alzheimer’s Family Foundation in the annual running of their Spring walk along the Cape Cod Canal fundraising event. The walk took place at Scusset Beach State Reservation in Bourne MA.
Eight ham operators from the Barnstable Am. Radio Club, Falmouth Amateur Radio Association and an unaffiliated ham from Plymouth joined together to help out.
The joint communications team set up a 2 meter simplex directed net using mobile, portable, and HT radios. They coordinated a pair of six-person golf carts and supported a course staff of more than 20 people, over a walk venue covering more than a mile. The weather was threatening all morning and the rain finally came, but the event went off without a hitch.
The Cape Cod ham radio community did a great job working as a single team drawn from various clubs and towns in southeastern Massachusetts, and helped a worthy charity do their important work. Thanks to all who participated! We look forward to helping again when the foundation runs their annual walk in Provincetown this fall.
There are lots of things to do with our communications skills and equipment. Perhaps the most satisfying is when we help out our neighbors in support of their invaluable efforts to meet the needs of the greater community.
Jake McGill, W1JKM
BARC Club Secretary
and Alzheimer’s Walk Comms Team Captain
ARRL Survey Reminder
On May 1st, ARRL began a survey for members to provide feedback on some changes it’s considering to ARRL dues and membership. The ARRL survey will remain open until May 31st. It is very important that you take a few moments and share with the League your opinions how changes could be made to ensure the long-term viability of ARRL. Raising dues is not something any organization enjoys doing, but this will mark only the second time in 22 years that ARRL is considering it.
Your input is very important to the League. The decisions ARRL leadership is considering should be influenced by all members. If you have already taken the survey, thank you! If you haven’t yet, please do so soon.
The results from the survey will be tabulated and shared with members on the ARRL website in June. Responses will ultimately help guide the future of ARRL. The survey is only available to ARRL members. Why? Because you have a stake in the outcome!
Please make sure you log into www.arrl.org to participate.
Thank you for being an active member, and for your ongoing support of amateur radio and ARRL.
April/May 2023 Section News Now Available
The April/May, 2023 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/april-may-2023-section-news/.
AA1SE: “The BIG E” at Nashoba Valley ARC Meeting, May 18, 2023
The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s May meeting is Thursday, May 18th at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell). We start gathering at 7 PM to socialize before the meeting starts.
May’s speaker will Ray Lajoie, AA1SE, who will speak to us regarding “The BIG E.” The BIG E (short for the Eastern States Exposition) is the largest agricultural event on the eastern seaboard and the filth-largest fair in the nation. The BIG E represents all six New England States and features entertainment, unique foods, competitive livestock shows, shopping, a circus and much more. In 2022, Amateur Radio got top billing at the BIG-E, and plans are underway for 2023. I’m sure this will be an interesting talk. Please join us.
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
Early Speaker Callout, HamXposition / New England Division Convention, August 25-27, 2023
HamXposition Programs Committee Chair Phil Temples, K9HI, writes:
Don’t just attend the 2023 Northeast HamXposition @ Marlborough—BE A PART OF IT!
The HamXposition Committee seeks fresh and exciting presentations for this year’s ARRL New England Division Convention, August 25-27, 2023. We’re looking for talks of both technical and non-technical natures. As a HamXposition speaker, you will have the opportunity to share your subject and knowledge with amateur radio operators from around New England, the surrounding states, and Canada.
In addition to workshops on Friday, we will feature forums throughout the day Saturday, Saturday evening entertainment, and a half-day Sunday program.
If you represent a regional club or organization (e.g. YCCC, NEQRP, WRONE, MARS, etc.) we can help facilitate open forums or closed meetings by providing you a meeting space.
Non-profit groups who wish to set up information tables should get your requests in early. While the tables are offered without charge, we ask for some volunteer time in return to assist us with ticket sales and other logistics during the convention.
To register as a speaker or presenter (or if you’d like to suggest someone), please go to https://hamxposition.org/
We look forward to seeing you at the Convention.
N1CPE: “US Army Military Auxiliary Radio System” at North Shore Radio Association Meeting, May 15, 2023
This month we have an IN PERSON Speaker!!North Shore Radio Association
Upcoming Solar Eclipse Educational Opportunities for STARS and NEST
Rusty Moore, K1FVK, writes on the New England Sci-Tech mailing list:
As seen from Natick, the October 2023 annular eclipse will present about 18% obscuration of the sun, and the April 2024 total eclipse will reach 92.6%. Both are good opportunities for special public astronomy events. Using solar projection and the Lunt solar scope on [New England Sci-Tech]’s new observing deck, NEST could be the go-to spot for Natick residents to get good, safe views of the eclipses and educational content. NEST could (should) also participate in HamSCI’s Solar Eclipse QSO Parties (https://hamsci.org/eclipse) using amateur radio to collect scientific data in front of the public, making for a perfect opportunity to teach about celestial mechanics, astronomical scale, solar physics, space weather, and radio communications all at once. Radios could be operated out of the new STEM outreach trailer and inside the radio room simultaneously. News outlets could (should) be invited to the event as well.
The National Science Teachers Association has collected a bunch of resources for teaching with the upcoming eclipses. Here’s the link to those: https://www.nsta.org/eclipse.