Author: k9hi

Operating

First Annual New England Parks On The Air Event, October 16, 2021

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Parks On The Air logoThe K1USN Radio Club has announced the 1st Annual Autumn New England Parks On The Air event on Saturday, October 16, 2021 from 0000-2359 UTC. Activate as many different POTAs as possible.

The goal is to have one group/individual at each site to enable the activation of as many NE POTAs as possible.
 
Officially listed POTAs from throughout New England are required.

Maps and lists can be found at <https://parksontheair.com/>.
 
Since this is not a “contest” official log submissions will not be required but summaries would be encouraged. A post-event link will be available at <www.k1usn.com>. 
 
We hope to give the public a chance to learn a bit more about Amateur Radio by obtaining some free pre-event publicity and with the use of informational handouts. Here are samples you could use:

<http://www.bellevuearc.org/docs/WhatisHamRadioFlyerA.pdf>
 
<http://www.arrl.org/file/file/Brochures%20and%20Exhibit%20Materials/What%20is%20Amateur%20Radio%20flyer%208_5x11.pdf>
 
<https://flysnf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ham-Radio-Flyer.pdf>
 

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The weekend of Oct 16 – 17 is also JOTA weekend and all participants are encouraged to reach out to local Scouting groups: <https://www.jotajoti.info/>.

Remember that this will be a New England-wide event so folks that attend NEAR-Fest on Saturday, October 16th in Deerfield, NH may wish to activate a NH park on the way home.

Okay, who is interested in jumping onboard the NE Autumn POTA event?
 
BTW, Bob, WC1N, has created a spreadsheet so that we can keep track of individuals/clubs as they sign on. You can sign up at: <http://www.ilovepota.com/index.php>.
 
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For those of you with additional questions or comments please reply to <k1rv@arrl.net>.
 

Affiliated Clubs / Operating

POTA Activation: Magazine Beach (Cambridge), Charles River Reservation, K-8405, September 25, 2021

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Boston ARC logoBrendan Baldonado, NW1S, writes on the Boston Amateur Radio Club mailing list:
 
Hello All, 
 
No doubt your email has been full of the tales of our last Parks On The Air (POTA) activation.  Well, let’s do it again! 
 
I am planning to go to Magazine Beach in Cambridge to activate. I visited around the 4th of July and thought it was a great little park. It happens to be part of the Charles River Reservation, Park K-8405. 
 
I am planning on going Saturday, September 25th at 11:00 AM. Bring your own food, snacks and water, I will bring four chairs and a small metal table to operate on. ALL are welcome. 
 
They have parking,  ” Magazine Beach Car Top Launch, ” https://goo.gl/maps/pvvqWu2KaQkkZvvg7. The parking Limit is 4 hours which should be more than enough time. 
 
Also the location is just off the #47 Bus. or a short walk across the BU Bridge from the Green Line, BU West Stop. 
 
There are Porta Potties nearby and a Trader Joe’s for food and beverage.  
 

We will use the Boston repeater to coordinate arrival and meet up.

It may rain on Saturday, if that happens I won’t be able to go Sunday due to a previous engagement but anyone else I will encourage to go. 

Brendan – NW1S

Youth

JOTA Volunteers Requested in Chelmsford, October 15-17, 2021

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JOTA-JOTI logoGeorge Allison, K1IG, writes on the PART of Westford email list:

The JOTA is an annual event in which Scouts and Guides all over the world connect with each other by means of amateur radio, and this year will be held October 15-17. The Scout troop in Chelmsford is interested in participating, and is looking for hams who could host a few scouts at their home station, set up a portable station at the Scouting site in Chelmsford, or organize a fox hunt. The number of Scouts is estimated at 10-15, but could be more. If you want to host just a small number of Scouts at your home station, that can be arranged. Activities conducted indoors will require masks.

If you’re interested in participating, reply directly to me (k1ig (at) arrl dot net) by September 26.
—

George  K1IG
PART President
WB1GOF.org

Affiliated Clubs

K6LCS: “How to Work Amateur Satellites with Your HT” at New England Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, September 21, 2021

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New England Sci Tech logoOn Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 7:00 PM, Clint Bradford, K6LCS, will present “How to Work Amateur Satellites with Your HT” (meeting is both in-person and online) at the New England Sci-Tech ARS (STARS) meeting.

Description: 

You do not need 100W of transmit power nor expensive antenna arrays to work the FM amateur satellites! Many hams already have the necessary equipment to “work the birds.” This presentation will walk you through ALL the steps needed to successfully work several ham satellites.  This presentation has been well-received by more than 100 clubs and conventions to which Clint has given it. Between the material presented, the handouts, the always-lively Q&A during and afterward, and the www.work-sat.com support Web site, STARS will be providing attendees complete information on this aspect of the amateur radio hobby.  

Bio: 

Clint K6LCS has been a ham since 1994 and found his niche in the hobby working amateur satellites with minimal equipment and telling all about it! He has served as a liaison between NASA, the ARISS team, and schools coordinating amateur radio contacts between the International Space Station and students (and orchestrated a wildly successful ARISS contact). Audiences have never found his presentation slides “wordy” or dull and trivia questions are included throughout the session.  For reference materials, Clint has created a support Web site at www.work-sat.com for all to use. The Web site has become a one-stop source for all the citations, equipment recommendations and software suggestions made in the presentation.  Professionally, Clint was sales manager for ADI / Premier Communications / Pryme, worked for a Motorola commercial two-way dealer for a couple of years, and for Ham Radio Outlet for a couple more. He resides in Jurupa Valley, California, with his wife, Karen, and their rescued lab, Freja.

For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.

Affiliated Clubs

AB1OC: “Programs Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get on The Air” at PART of Westford Meeting Online, September 21, 2021

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

The September [PART of Westford] meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, beginning at 7:30 PM via WebEx video conference.  A meeting link is below; just click on it 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. We will NOT be meeting in person at the Senior Center until further notice.

The meeting topic will be “Programs Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get on The Air,” presented by Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC. Fred is president of the Nashua Area Radio Society (and a PART member!), and he’s been mentoring young hams and prospective hams for many years. He’s got some good ideas about getting youngsters interested in the hobby and ways to get new hams better acquainted with all the things they can do on the air.  <…>

See you at the meeting!

[To request conference login information, contact George Allison, K1IG, at k1ig -at- arrl -dot- net]
 

73,
George, K1iG

Emergency Communications

Winlink Thursdays: A Great Tool for EmComm

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Winlink logoLarry Gray, W1IZZ, writes on the Falmouth ARA website:

WinLink Thursdays are a great way to learn how to use the Winlink radio email system for effective emergency communication messaging.  See ARES Letter Issues (arrl.org) to read one ham’s experience.

Each WinLink Thursday session provides an opportunity to learn a new WinLink feature and practice using WinLink by sending a message to our regional clearinghouse.

To learn more, subscribe to the EmComm Training groups.io groups by going to:
main@EmComm-Training.groups.io | Home

and subscribing to the group.  You can also look through the message archive by clicking the Messages “button” in the upper left of the groups.io page to read about earlier WinLink Thursday sessions.

Both Mel, KC1ELB and I are regular WinLink Thursday participants, so we can provide some local assistance as necessary.

Larry, W1IZZ

[See also: https://emcomm-training.org/]
Flea markets & Conventions

Preliminary Ticket Sales Estimates for 2021 HamXposition

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HamXposition logoHamXposition Chairman Bob DeMattia, K1IW, has released some preliminary numbers for ticket sales for the Northeast HamXposition and New England ARRL Convention in Marlborough, MA on September 10-12, 2021.

“Based on the number of unissued tickets, attendance was 1212,” writes Bob.

“We printed 2200 tickets, and had 988 remaining at the end.  We issued approximately 1212 tickets total.” K1IW adds, “For what it’s worth, my prediction was we would issue around 1200.”

The Committee expects to net between $8,000 to $10,000 in profits–most of which will be used to fund FEMARA scholarships.

Operating

Boston ARC Parks On The Air Operation: Torbert Macdonald State Park, Medford MA, September 19, 2021

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Boston ARC logoInspired by KM1NDYs recent club presentation on Parks On The Air (POTA) and portable radio operation, members of the Boston Amateur Radio Club are planning a last-minute POTA Activation this Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 2 PM.

BARC members will meet at Torbert Macdonald State Park, 4253 Mystic Valley Parkway, in Medford, MA–part of the Mystic River Reservation, K-8418, near the Wellington T station.

“Bring your own sandwich, bring your own rig and antennas, and as before if you don’t have power or an appropriate antenna bring a PowerPole adapter and/or a BNC feedline,” writes BARC Secretary Joe Chapman, NV1W.

Joe Chapman, NV1W, writes on September 19, 2021 at 8:25 AM:

 

One more thing: talk-around will be on the 146.640 MHz Waltham repeater, PL 136.5, and the BARC Simplex frequency, 147.420 in the vicinity of the Reservation.

Emergency Communications

VoIP Hurricane Net Lauded for Efforts During Hurricane Larry

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voipwx.net logoFrom the ARRL Letter, September 16, 2021:

Amateur radio volunteers on the Voice over Internet Protocol Weather Network (VoIPWX), joined linked systems in Newfoundland, Canada, to collect ground-truth weather data for relay to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and Environment Canada, as Hurricane Larry hammered the Canadian province on September 11. The Category 1 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 85 MPH, was predicted to bring hurricane-force winds, dangerous storm surge, heavy seas, and heavy rainfall.

Scores of reports, including damage to schools and homes, power outages, and evacuations, were sent by a squad of hams that included Aaron Abbott, VO1IV, and Gareth Rowberry, VE3GJR.

More than 40 personnel hours of operation by Canadian and US radio amateurs were involved in providing the reports received on both systems.

Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net, said, “Through the exemplary efforts of VO1IV…and a number of amateur radio operators across Newfoundland and one amateur operator in Ontario who relayed a report from a non-amateur radio CANWARN Spotter [a volunteer organization of ham radio operators reporting severe weather to Environment Canada] in St. John’s, Newfoundland, reports of damage to trees, power lines, power outages (including roof damage to a school and a home) were relayed from amateurs in the region.”

The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) activated on September 10 on 20 and 40 meters.

Operating

WBZ 100th Anniversary Special Event Operation, September 17-19, 2021

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WBZ 100th anniversary logoLarry Krainson, W1AST, writes:

Just a reminder that this weekend is the WBZ 100th Anniversary special event! There will be four special event stations (W1W, W1B, W1Z & WB1Z) in total and a very nice QSL card will be made available whether you work one station or all four. Be sure to get on the air and work these stations this weekend! The event starts at 1300z/9:00 AM EDT September 17 and ends at 0359z September 20/11:59 PM EDT September 19. There will be operations on SSB, CW, FT8 & digital modes and satellites as well as all bands and all modes. You should hear the stations on FM, DMR and D-star too.

There will be many opportunities to work one or all of the stations and earn a very special QSL card commemorating the 100th anniversary of WBZ’s first transmission on September 19, 1921.

More info on the event at https://nediv.arrl.org/wbz100/ and on the QRZ pages for the four callsigns.

Affiliated Clubs

KD1D: “Foxhunting” at Billerica ARS Meeting, October 6, 2021

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Billerica ARS logoBARS Zoom Meeting: Wed, Oct. 6 at 7 PM

Alan, KD1D,  will make a presentation on locating hidden transmitters for hams [at the Billerica Amateur Radio Society meeting on October 6, 2021].  He’ll discuss “fox” transmitters and radiolocation methods for fun, radiosport and practical applications.  RF fox hunting is fun, provides us with physical and mental exercise and teaches us how to locate sources of interference like repeater trolls, stuck transmitters and unlicensed operation on our ham bands.

There are many Fox Hunting opportunities in our area.  This will get you started in this most fascinating aspect of amateur radio. Please join us for an evening of Amateur Radio excitement!

73,

Tom K1TW
Interim BARS President

[For Zoom conference details, email Tom Walsh, K1TW, at k1tw -at- comcast -dot- net.]
 
Public Information

Barnstable ARC Exhibit at Harwich Cranberry Festival, September 18-19, 2021

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Barnstable ARC logoThe Barnstable Amateur Radio Club (BARC) will conduct a special event this Saturday and Sunday, September 18 and 19, 2021 at the Harwich Cranberry Festival in Harwich Center on Cape Cod.  BARC will operate W1MA, the club’s new callsign, honoring BARC member Ed Lajoie who became a silent key on February 3, 2021. 

Operation is expected on 10, 15 and 20 meters with a tri-band beam on a tower.  The operators will engage the public at the entrance to the event.  Talk-in for any hams who would like to drop by will be on the W1MA 146.955 repeater (88.5 Hz tone).

 

Public Service

Request For Operators: Ride to Defeat ALS, September 19, 2021

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Matt Brennan, NM1B, writes on the MMRA Public Service Events List:

We are looking for volunteers for Sunday 9/19 for the Ride to Defeat ALS. This is a low key event with the primary focus being on charity rather than racing. The 70 mile bicycle course begins at the Longfellow Club in Wayland and continues through several towns with rest stops in Hudson, Bolton, Acton, Concord, and Sudbury.

– While the event runs from 6 AM to 2 PM, some stations open as late as 9 AM and some close as early as 11 AM
– Operators working at a course station can report directly to their station
– We will attempt to locate you at a station closer to your home if possible.
– There will be two roving race vehicles that will require a mobile radio
– We will have both 2m and 70cm repeaters linked for this event

If you are able to help, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/WBSrVMNm1FGKH7br5

If you have any questions, please contact events@wect.org.

Thanks and 73,
Matt, NM1B

Public Service

Request for Operators, YuKanRun Half-By-The-Sea Half Marathon, Manchester By the Sea, September 19, 2021

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YouKanRun Manchester-by-the-SeaChris Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA mailing list:

 

We really need a trail/ tail vehicle for this event! Please help if you can.

Come out and have some fun with us. We have loaner radios if you need one. Come out and join the event. Just contact us and we will set you up with a radio.

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Half-By-The-Sea Half Marathon By the Sea on September 19, 2021, 10:00am start time at Manchester Essex Memorial Elementary School, 43 Lincoln Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by September 11th so I can plan staffing positions for the event.

While CAARA’s repeater performance has greatly improved the we may still experience some difficulty with communications especially with low-powered HT s, so we’ll be looking for higher powered equipment to staff those areas.

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!

Half by the Sea Communications Team
Manchester, Mass
Last Updated: 9/13//2021 8:22 pm
Event date: Sunday, September,19, 2021
On Location: 9:45 AM
Starts: Half Marathon Run = 10:00 AM
Freq: W1GLO Repeater 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up 146.505 Simplex

Operating / Youth

Jamboree On The Air, October 15-17, 2021

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JOTA-JOTI logoFrom the JOTA-JOTI website:

JOTA-JOTI (Jamboree-on-the-Air-Jamboree-on-the-Internet) is the world’s largest digital Scout event taking place on October 15-17, 2021, on the Internet and over the airwaves. Held every year in October, the event connects millions of young people around the world for a full weekend of online activities that promote friendship and global citizenship. JOTA-JOTI enables young people and volunteers to participate in fun and engaging group activities over the Internet and amateur radio focused on developing 21st century skills through Scouting. 

JOTA-JOTI 2020 took place from 15 to 17 October. The dynamic program comprised a variety of non-formal education activities, including webinars, global campfires, talent shows, live shows, fun challenges and more through an interactive 3D campsite. JOTA-JOTI aims to support young people of all ages to learn about communications technology, the values of global citizenship, and their role in creating a better world.

Affiliated Clubs

N1DCH: “Shortened 80 Meter End Fed Half Wave Antenna” at Minuteman Repeater Association Meeting, September 15, 2021

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MMRA logoFrom the Minuteman Repeater Association newsletter:

Membership Meeting Wednesday, 15 September 2021 7:30—9:30 pm
Dave Hornbaker – N1DCH Shortened 80m End Fed Half Wave Antenna

Location: New England Sci-Tech, Natick + Zoom Teleconference

Dave will discuss his Shortened 80-meter End Fed Half Wave Antenna. He will start with an overview of End Fed Antennas then, move onto the End Fed Half Wave. Dave will talk about how to feed an End Fed Antenna, counterpoise, and grounding. He also will discuss the design of his two End Fed Half wave antennas, the differences and performance, as well as design of the transformers and the common mode choke. He will also delve into the need for a counter- poise and common mode choke.

David’s interest in radio began when he was a kid and hung around the shack of his uncle Myron Hornbaker, W0GFU (SK), Fowler, Kansas. He got his First-Class Radiotelephone License in 1975 (now, General Radio- telephone Operator License). He was employed by a local telephone company as an installer of IMTS telephones in automobiles. Later, he went to work for Wichita, Kansas television station KAKE-TV as a master control operator.

David owns and is president of DCH Consulting Services, an Information Technology company. He has worked in the computer industry for over 40 years, most recently with the Microsoft Corporation. David is a graduate of University Massachusetts Lowell. BS, MS, Information Technology.

Flea markets & Conventions

HamXposition Expands Flea Market Start to Friday at 12 Noon

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Roger Coulson, WA1NVC, writes on the Waltham ARA mailing list:

The HamXposition (New England Division Convention) Flea Market is open on FRIDAY this year!

This is new having the FLEA MARKET starting at Noon on FRIDAY!

The Flea Market Hours are:

– Friday:  12 PM to 5 PM
– Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
– Sunday:   9 AM to 1 PM

https://hamxposition.org/flea-market

See you on FRIDAY at HamXposition!

Roger
WA1NVC

Operating

KB1OIQ Fox On the Loose in Westford, September 4, 2021

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Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 12:05 PM on September 4, 2021:

Hello Fox Hunters,

The KB1OIQ 2m 146.565 MHz fox is on the loose in the town of Westford.

The clue:  Peace be with you

Enjoy the nearby bench and the view as your reward for finding the fox.

There is no log book.  Take a photo if you wish, and email it to me…..or not, as you choose.  🙂

Have fun, and 73,

Andy

Public Information / Technical

ARRL Responds to Story of Radio Amateur Told to Remove His Antenna

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From ARRL Web:

09/02/2021 – ARRL has responded to an Orlando, Florida, news story on August 23, 2021 by WFTV Channel 9 alleging a radio amateur was told to remove his antenna by the management of his subdivision following a complaint made by a neighbor.

“The news story appears to stem from a 2-year-old complaint from a neighbor who believed her insulin pump had malfunctioned due to the radio amateur’s operations ‘a few doors down,’” said ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI. “The story is lacking any details or timeline, so I contacted the radio amateur involved for information, and volunteered ARRL’s assistance.”

Hare explained that medical devices such as insulin pumps are regulated by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) purposes and are expected to be capable of operating in all the RF environments likely to be encountered by consumers. FDA published guidance for its staff and industry defines EMC with respect to electrically powered medical devices “as the ability of a device to function safely and effectively in its intended electromagnetic environment, including immunity to electromagnetic disturbance (interference).” FDA review of EMC information submitted with a device for approval “is based on the risk associated with EMC malfunction or degradation of the device under review, as well as the use of appropriate FDA-recognized standards or appropriate consensus standards.”

Hare noted there is an FDA recall for the model number of the insulin pump in question, in approximately the same time frame. “But with so few details, there is no way of knowing whether that recall applies to the serial number used or whether the exact unit has the mechanical defect indicated in the recall notice that could cause the malfunction,” explained Hare.

It also became apparent that there is no actual evidence connecting the amateur’s transmissions to operation of the insulin pump. Hare was told that the amateur agreed to run tests to establish whether there was a cause and effect, but the neighbor declined. 

Hare commented, “While there are no requirements for a radio amateur to stop transmitting due to alleged interference to a non-radio device, the preferred path with any complaint is for neighbors to work together.”