Flea at MIT, July 15, 2018

1964 Gemini BP CM for sale at MIT Flea.
The 1964 Gemini BP CM #MSC 312 capsule for sale at an M.I.T. Flea for $65,000. Rocket not included. 

This Coming Sunday, the July  Flea at MIT

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Summary: Buy Sell SWAP    Ham Radio    Electronics Computers    9AM – 2PM  ***

!!!!  In our Traditional GARAGE  !!!!!  ****
          so come rain or shine or super heat the Flea is on !!!

Outdoor space is questionable for this month, call ahead if your will not fit in 6′ 8″ height.

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Summary: Buy Sell SWAP    Ham Radio    Electronics Computers    9AM – 2PM

*** !!!!  In our Traditional GARAGE   !!!!  ****
         so come rain or shine or super heat the Flea is on !!!

*********  $1  buyers discount with hardcopy of this notice ********

COMPUTERS – ELECTRONICS – HAM RADIO – COMPUTERS – ELECTRONICS – HAM RADIO

                        FLEA all SUMMER at MIT
                         Sunday July 15th 2018
                                   9AM-2PM

Come to the city for a great flea – plenty of free parking.

        MIT’s  electronics and ham radio flea will take
        place on the third Sunday of each month this summer,
        April thru October.

        There is tailgate space for over 300 sellers!

        Buyers admission is $6  (you get $1 off if
        you’re lucky enough to have a copy of our ad)
        and sellers spaces are $20 for the first and
        $15 for each additional at the gate.

        Early Bird Buyers admission is $15, allows
        entry after the prepaid sellers ~ 7:15AM
        See registration form for season rate.

        The flea will be held at the corner of Albany and
        Main streets in Cambridge; right in the Kendall
        Square area from 9AM to 2PM, with sellers set-up
        time starting at 7AM.

        SEASON PASS + Advance Discounts

        A sellers discount season pass is available which
        offers a 30% discount. By prepaying you get a
        discount and earlier admission. See the registration form
        for full seller info.

        *** Attention Sellers ***
                Prepaid vendors.. Season Pass or monthly,
                will be admitted FIRST.
                Separate lines will form prior to gate opening
                for prepaid and nonprepaid vendors

        !! RAIN or SHINE !!  Have no fear of rain, a covered
        well illuminated tailgate area is available for all
        sellers (6’8″ clearance).

        Talk-in: 145.23- (PL 88.5) W1BOS/R  and
                 W1XM/R-449.725/444.725 (PL 114.8/2A).

        Sponsors: MIT Electronics Research Society
                  MIT UHF Repeater Association (W1XM)
                  MIT Radio Society (W1MX)
                  Harvard Wireless Club (W1AF)

        For more info / advanced reservations 617 253 3776

********** $1  buyers discount with hard copy of this notice ************

Mail the coupon below by the July 5th for advanced reservations.

           FLEA at MIT     2018 Rates

SELLERS

To use your spaces the named vendor MUST be present.
Rates include one admission per space.

Season Pass     $99 First Space – includes $70 for Cambridge Vendor Licenses
                  $70 Each additional space

Advance         $17 First space – includes $10 Cambridge Vendor License
                  $12 Additional Spaces
                        Must be received by the 5th of the month.

Gate Admission  $20 First Space – includes $10 Cambridge Vendor License
                  $15 Additional Spaces
                      Admission is after the prepaid vendors

Early Bird Buyer -Admission after the prepaid vendor line is admitted. ~ 7:15AM
                ** You may not sell. **
                $15 per person at the gate.
                $70 Season Early Bird Buyer

   cut and return
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FLEA at MIT 2018       Advance Space Application

   _____ 1st Season Pass @ $99   _____ Additional Season Spaces @ $70

   ____April    ____May    ____June   ____ July  ____Aug   ___Sept   ____Oct
          @ $17  for the first each month  + $12 each additional

   _____ Season Early Bird Buyer   @ $70   ** NB You may not sell. **

Name    ________________________     Call  __________        $ Included______

Address ________________________     Phone  __________     Make Check to
                                                                                       The MIT Radio Society
City  ____________________ State  _______  Zip  _______       PO Box 397082
                                                                                       Cambridge MA 02139
E-mail  _____________________________________________

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Steve Finberg                              W1GSL                              w1gsl@mit.edu
PO Box 82 MIT Br           Cambridge MA  02139-7082             617 258 3754
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Volunteers Needed For Falmouth Road Race, August 19, 2018

Falmouth Amateur Radio AssociationBarry Hutchinson, KB1TLR writes on the Falmouth ARA Facebook page:

Good day to all hope everyone is enjoying this cooler weather.

I need your help. Aug. 19th is the Falmouth Road Race and I’m short several key operators.

I need two for the info booth, at least one who lives in Falmouth and is familiar with the area. I need an alternate at net control to help Joan & Shelly. I would also like to see a couple of Falmouth area residents sign up as standby in case something comes up and someone cannot make it. 

This is one of the events that puts FARA in a favorable public eye. Can any of you help? QRZ for my e-mail or private message me, thank you. 

Fox “On the Loose” in North Chelmsford, July 8, 2018

John Salmi, KB1MGI writes on the Fox Hunters list on July 8 at 10:20 AM ET:

Andy, KB1OIQ has placed his 80-meter fox out in North Chelmsford at crooked Spring Conservation land.

 

 

Andy, KB1OIQ adds:

Frequency:  3579.5 khz (give or take)

It is on a 12 hour cycle.  I deployed it around 8:45 AM.  It should transmit for 12 hours, then stay silent for 12 hours, and repeat until the battery discharges.

I plan to retrieve it on Monday after work.  I hope it is still transmitting at that time.

I’m still fiddling with the circuitry to extend the battery life.

 

Wilmington Fox Deployed, July 7, 2018

Nickolas Mollo, KC1DKY writes on the Fox Hunters list on July 7, 2018 at 3:54 PM:

Attention Fox Hunters,

The KC1DKY fox is on the loose on Wilmington conservation land. Frequency is 146.565 MHz with a DTMF of 2 for a second or so. Sign the note pad if you find it.  If you have trouble send me an e-mail.

73,

Nick, KC1DKY

****SPOILER ALERT****
The fox is located off of (respell backwards)
daor drahcnalb
It is not on the trail leading from the cul-de-sac but further back in the area
as there are too many houses right there.
You’ll have to chose left or right, but the arrow will only point right.
The fox is only about 20ft from the trail.

YCCC Well-represented at WRTC2018, July 12-16, 2018

Dennis Egan, W1UE writes on the Yankee Clipper Contest Club mailing list:

[The 2018 World Radiosport Team Championship is being held in Germany, July 12-16, 2018. WRTC is held every four years; in 2014, the event was hosted in New England.]

YCCC will be well represented at WRTC2018. Members participating:

Competitors
K1LZ
VY2ZM
K1DG
WA1Z

Referees
W1UE
K1CC
K1RX
N2GA
W1VE
W6PH

Judging Committee
K5ZD

Hospitality
K1VR

Spectators:
K1ZZ
KA1ZD
NJ1F
W1UJ
N1WK
NB1U
K6ND
K6NDV
K3JO
K2LE
W1EBI
KM3T
K1RQ

That makes 25 total.  Did I miss any one else?

<…>

Dennis W1UE
YCCC President

Whitman ARC QRV for 151st Annual Marshfield Fair

Whitman ARC logoThe Whitman Amateur Radio Club will sponsor a ham radio exhibit and special events station at the 151st Annual Marshfield Fair August 17-26,  2018 from 1600Z-0059Z. The club will operate under the call sign NN1MF on the following frequencies/bands: 18.160, 14.260, 7.260, and 3.860 MHz. The station will also be active on EchoLink via the WA1NPO-R, and IRLP: 8691. Contacts will be acknowledged with a certificate and QSL at: Whitman ARC, PO Box 48, Whitman, MA 02382. 

Urgent Request: YuKanRun Parker River Half Marathon, Byfield, July 8, 2018

Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT writes:

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Parker River Half Marathon on Sunday July 8, 2018 , 8:00 am  We have three volunteers and we need more! Be on location by 7:30 am, Triton High School 112 Elm Street Byfield, MA.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by  the 6th of July. so I can plan staffing positions for the event.  

Eastern MA Hospital Net, July 7, 2018

We hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July week. This coming Saturday being the first Saturday of the month the Eastern MA Hospital Net will be conducted.

Net Control for the July 7, 2018 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club – W1SSH. The net will commence at the usual time of 10:00 AM using the following repeaters in the order listed. 

  1.  Plymouth 146.685 tone 131.8 (Note: new tone effective 4-1-18)
  2.  Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
  3.  Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9  

Simplex 147.42

The Net will then return to the Plymouth Repeater for final comments and Net closing.

NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check in procedure which is:  Here is.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give yours or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.

We extend an invitation to any health care facility or EOC of any city or town that is served by one of the participating hospitals to join the Net. We also extend an invitation to any RACES or ARES member to check in during the NET.

Any hospital wishing to join the net that needs assistance with equipment or personnel should contact us at ssharc@gmail.com. We can assist you with getting your location on the air.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control.  If you are interested please contact us at the email address listed above.  Our goal is to rotate Net Control throughout the year among as many groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct the monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event. The following list of repeaters are available for our use. Only a few systems are used each month with the selection of those used made by Net Control for that month.  More systems are being added to the list on a regular basis.

Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)
Belmont 145.430 tone 146.2
Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0  
Fall River 146.805. tone 67.0
Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9  
Mansfield EMA  446.925 tone 100.0
Mansfield 147.015 tone 67.0
Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0      
Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
Plymouth 146.685 tone 131.8  (Note: new tone effective 4-1-18) 
Salem 146.88 tone 118.8        
Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5    
Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244 
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

We look forward to hearing you all on the Net.

Falmouth ARA Planning for October Jamboree On The Air

Falmouth Amateur Radio AssociationThe Falmouth Amateur Radio Association plans to sponsor a Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) event in the fall. This is the largest scouting event in the world and is held annually on the third full weekend in October. JOTA uses amateur radio to link scouts and hams around the world, around the nation, and in local communities.

The club plans to set up at the Falmouth Recreation Center “probably in the large room with a lot of windows.” Interested club members should contact Glen, KC1GKT at glen.dowden@gmail.com. More information to follow.

New Technician Class Element 2 Exams Will Take Effect for Exam Sessions Beginning July 1, 2018

From the ARRL VE Newsletter, June, 2018:

The newly revised pool, released in January 2018 (updated and re-released February 12, 2018) by the Question Pool Committee (QPC) of the NationalConference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC), must be in use starting July 1. There are three graphics required for this pool and 423questions in this pool, down slightly from 426 in the previous pool.

With the Technician class exam questions changing July 1, new test designs must be used effective that day. Previous ARRL VEC supplied Technician class exam booklet versions (2014 series) and computer-generated Technician class exams created from the 2014 question pool are only valid until midnight June 30, 2018. At that time VE Team leaders should destroy or throw away the old versions of the Technician exams (do not return them to VEC).To avoid a mix-up at the session, do not save old exam versions!

Two ARRL Foundation Scholarships Awarded to Eastern MA Amateurs

ARRL Foundation logoThe ARRL Foundation has announced the 2018 recipients of the scholarships it administers. 

Two Federation of Eastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Associations (FEMARA) Scholarships have been awarded to George E. Falardeau III, KC1ANB, of Saugus and Julie Knappik, KB1YTT, of Raynham. 

A third FEMARA scholarship went to Shefali Janorkar, KD2FIW, of Staten Island, New York.

“FEMARA Inc. is a Massachusetts non-profit corporation that sponsors and runs the ARRL New England Division Convention. The group, which has been in existence for over 30 years, began as a consortium of area radio clubs. Its goals are twofold; to offer the richest and most diverse ARRL Convention in the country, and to support the ARRL Foundation‘s scholarship program.”

Congratulations to all! 

New England Wolf Pack Fusion Net, June 29, 2018

Brian, WO1VES writes:
 
This is a reminder that tonight at 8:00 PM I will once again be hosting the New England Wolf Pack Fusion Net.  This is a Yaesu System Fusion net open to all ham radio operators.  There are multiple ways to connect:
 
Direct to the Stoneham repeater: 147.075 with your Fusion radio
 
Through a Wires-X connected repeater or node: Connect to Wolf-Den, room 28941
 
Through your hotspot: Connect to the YSF reflector US Wolf Den
 
Through Echolink: No Fusion Radio?  Connect to WO1VES/R on Echolink
 
Through your DMR radio into your hotspot. SharkRF Openspot and MMDVM based devices can link DMR radios to YSF reflectors.  Just connect to US Wolf Den.
 
Work is still underway to full time link the Gloucester 443.700 Fusion repeater, but it is still not ready yet. I will also be adding an FCS reflector to the link.  I also encourage any other New England area Fusion repeaters to link in for the net.
 
Thanks everyone!
 
Brian – WO1VES

How to Clean After Corroded Batteries

pix of corroded batteriesJerry Woodworth, N1DD writes on the YCCC mailing list:

I forgot to remove batteries from a measuring instrument. AA Panasonic batteries cracked and some kind of fluid came out. On visual the damage does not appear to be fatal. However there is considerable white residue left. Any hints on what will remove the residue?

Greg Zenger, N2GZ replies:

Flush with de-ionized water and then dry with alcohol.

I avoid vinegar (acetic acid) as it can do more damage than good. Sure it neutralizes the alkali, but diluting it with water is just as effective at reducing the alkalinity and doesn’t leave an acid residue.   If there is a lot of leaked battery electrolyte  you can wipe it up with a cotton swab and then neutralize with vinegar before putting it in the trash, but don’t put the vinegar on your electronics.

De-ionized water readily dissolves the contamination and washes it away, the process can be sped up by scrubbing with a cotton swab. You can get de-ionized water at the grocery store in gallon jugs.

I prefer methanol for use on electronics, but isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) is commonly available and will work just fine. Look for a high percentage for best results. Medical isopropyl is often only 70-90%. 99% or greater is what you want. A gallon can of it from the hardware store is generally the cheapest way to get it. Water content in the alcohol slows down the evaporation time and can get left behind in little crevices like under chips or in through vias.

Flushing with pure alcohol washes away residual water and then quickly evaporates leaving nothing behind.

You may need to use a dental pick or some emery cloth to remove any corrosion that has increased the contact resistance of the battery terminals. 

Fox Activated, Wilmington, June 27, 2018

Nick Mollo, KC1DKY writes on the Fox Hunters mailing list at 6:54 PM ET on June 27, 2018:

Attention Fox Hunters!

The KC1DKY FOX is out and about in Wilmington on town conservation land. Set your transceiver to 146.565 MHz, press your PTT, give a DTMF of 2, and if you are close enough, you’ll hear it beep back at you. Don’t forget to ID with your call sign when you attempt to activate it.

If you are new to fox hunting, there are several websites with good info, that include:
http://www.homingin.com/equipment.html
http://www.w0qe.com/transmitter_hunting_basics.html

I use my Baofeng with no antenna when I’m close enough and I go off frequency.  You gotta know your equipment.

SPOILER ALERT!  The location for anyone stuck (backwards)

daor llim – setatse eilyk

73!

Nick
KC1DKY

Request For Operators: Norwood Fourth of July Parade

Norwood ARCBarry Devine, K1BFD writes on the Norwood ARC mailing list:

Our next support event is the July 4th Parade (hot event) in Norwood. Lou, me, Keith, Jeff, and Chris  are already on board for this event. However, we could still use a few more hands.

This event is a joint effort with Commonwealth REACT and is critical to the town of Norwood. Basically, we are responsible for staging and dispatching the parade acts from the staging point in South Norwood. We also staff the reviewing stand at the Norwood Commons, and provide forward spotters to identify the acts before they arrive at the reviewing stand. This information is passed on to the PA and cable TV announcers.

The majority of our support is needed in South Norwood. However, we can still use another body or two for the reviewing stand. If you are available and have a couple of hours to help us out, let me know by e-mail (barry@barryfdevine.org) or phone (781 591 2331).

Thank you for your support.

Request for Operators: YuKanRun Parker River Half Marathon, Byfield, July 8, 2018

Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT writes:

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Parker River Half Marathon on Sunday July 8, 2018 , 8:00 am be on Location by 7:30 at Triton High School, 112 Elm Street, Byfield, MA.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by  the 6th of July so I can plan staffing positions for the event.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use.  (i.e.: mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; OEM 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 ensure everyone enjoys the day and remains safe.

Parker River Communications Team

Byfield, MA

Last Updated: 6/28//2018 10:00pm
Event date: July 8, 2018
On Location: 7:30 am
Starts: Half Marathon Run = 8:00 am
Freq: K1KKM West Newbury 146.625 PL:131.8 Back up: Simplex 146.565

Free Radio Wave Propagation Course

Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF writes on the North Shore RA mailing list:

Here is a good refresher (perhaps better to have been sent BEFORE Field Day) for the club membership (some of who are not DXers).  This came from the FEMA Urban Search & Rescue Comm group that I’m on and was sent for widest dissemination.  Please forward to the club as a whole, to include the FD distro list, and anyone else you think appropriate.  Thanks.


Greetings,

The COMET Program is pleased to announce the publication of the new lesson, “Radio Wave Propagation“. As a society we have become dependent on satellite communications, but satellites fail with alarming frequency. Before the advent of satellites, long distance communications were carried out with high frequency (HF) radio transmissions. This 1-hour lesson examines the factors that control long-distance radio communications, with an emphasis on refraction in the ionosphere, frequency selection, and the effects of solar radiation.

The intended audience for Radio Wave Propagation is any potential radio operator who communicates across long distances using HF frequencies. This can include members of the U.S. DoD, emergency management, and amateur radio operators.

We welcome any comments or questions you may have regarding the content, instructional approach, or use of this lesson. Please e-mail your comments or questions to Alan Bol (alanbol AT ucar.edu). For technical support, please visit our Registration and Support FAQs .

 

Natick HS High Altitude Balloon Group Project a Success

wa3itr-7 aprs trackCharlie Bures, WA3ITR writes:

On Wednesday, June 20, the Natick HS High-Altitude-Balloon Group launched their platform at 4:07pm from the Hatfield Elementary School, near Northampton in the middle of Massachusetts. The APRS tracking device used Charlie’s callsign (WA3ITR) with a dash-7.

From the APRS track shown below, the HAB was up to 45,000 feet over Worcester traveling east at over 85 pmh! It circled over South Natick &amp; Framingham, reaching up to 91,953 feet before it burst. It continued toward the Atlantic as it parachuted back to the ground. Although the plan from the simulations was to land in the Natick area, that wasn’t going to happen as it sped to the east.

The chase team couldn’t go that fast ! The last APRS point was in East Weymouth at about 500 feet above the ground (AGL) at 6:38pm . The Natick group hoped to find it, since the 3 GoPro cameras were only recording photos to their internal micro-disks. Luckily, they spotted it around 7:10pm in a farmer’s field in Hingham and he gave them permission to recover it. Now, we will be checking the 3 cameras to see if there are any photos and, if so, making a short video or photo album.