Author: k9hi
Thousands of Hams gather at Deerfield New Hampshire Fairgrounds
16th NEW ENGLAND AMATEUR RADIO FESTIVAL
“NEAR-Fest” LARGEST Gathering of Radio Hams in Northeast
Friday 9a Oct 10th – Saturday 3p Oct. 11th 2014
CONTACT: Warren Elly W1GUD Warrenelly@gmail.com 813-924-6096
Near-Fest Web for tickets, camping, exhibitors http://near-fest.com
The next time you use a smart phone remember; radio hams have been sending messages to each other for over a hundred years. Much of the technology used by the social network was invented by Radio Amateurs; the founders of the world’s first social network, nearly a century before anyone ever heard of the Internet. Many hams build their own equipment and antennas and operate “off the grid” using alternate power sources and no Internet.
Known as the “Woodstock of Amateur Radio”, the NEAR-Fest draws thousands of “Hams” and their families from all over the U.S., Canada, even Europe. At Deerfield Fairgrounds they renew old acquaintances, and dig through rare decades-old radio parts along with the newest gear.
NEAR-Fest, a private not-for-profit corporation donates funds to good causes. Says founder and chairman Mike Crestohl W1RC, “we are committed to funding projects that will introduce the magic and wonder of radio to young people with the hope that this will ‘light the spark’ for some of them as it did for us”.
This year NEAR-Fest is funding college scholarships for electronic studies, but we are also matching New England Ham Radio Clubs in raising funds for the ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund. The fund is used to represent and protect the interests of Radio Amateurs in the U.S. and abroad. NEAR-Fest will match up to $1000 every year. We also supported the international WRTC competition, held in New England this summer.
World wide there are over 3 million people using Amateur Radio, with a record number, over 750,000 and climbing, currently licensed in the United States. Hams come from all walks of life, from world leaders to taxi drivers, children, and retired folks. And they’ll all be there at NEAR-Fest this October!
CAARA Tech In A Day Course, Oct. 25
The Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association is offering a one day study course for the FCC Technician Class Amateur Radio License on Saturday, October 25. This course will be held at the Lanesville Community Center, 8 Vulcan Street, Gloucester, MA.
This all-day study course begins at 8:30 AM and goes all day until late afternoon when the FCC Technician Class Amateur Radio license exam is administered. The course cost is $20.00 which includes study material, snacks and the FCC examination fee.
If you wish to know more details and to reserve a spot, please contact course leader Stan Stone, W4HIX at techinaday@caara.net.
Technician License Class, Walpole, September-October, 2014
Don Rolph, AB1PH writes:
The Walpole Emergency Communications Association and the Eastern MA Amateur Radio Group are sponsoring an EMA/CERT Amateur Radio Technician Class open to the public. A charge of $15 covers the examination–payable to EMARG (Eastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Group) at time of exam.
Class times and exam are as follows:
9:30 AM – 12 noon Saturday
Sep 6 Rolls Royce
Sep 13 Rolls Royce
Sep 20 Rolls Royce
Sep 27 Rolls Royce
Oct 4 Rolls Royce
Oct 11 Rolls Royce
exam: Thursday Oct 16 7:30 PM Canton EMA Emergency Operations Center training room, 99 Revere Street, Canton MA
Rolls Royce Facility, 110 Norfolk St, Walpole, MA 02081
Preregistration required. Contact: Roger Turner wlp1ema@aol.com or Don Rolph AB1PH@arrl.net.
Each individual must order in advance of the class: ARRL Ham Radio License Manual
IMPORTANT CHANGES IN EASTERN MA ARES LEADERSHIP
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Phil Temples, K9HI
ARRL Section Manager,
Eastern Massachusetts Section
Tel: 617-331-0183
k9hi@arrl.org
July 21, 2014
IMPORTANT CHANGES IN EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION ARES LEADERSHIP
Effective Monday July 21, 2014, Mike Neilsen, W1MPN, will be appointed as Section Emergency Coordinator for the Eastern Massachusetts Section. Our current SEC, Rob Macedo, KD1CY, has decided to step down due to the demands of his professional work commitments.
I wish to thank Rob Macedo for all of his valuable contributions as our Section Emergency Coordinator. Rob has served three different Section Managers over nearly a decade, and he’s earned well-deserved accolades both locally and nationally–not only from the ARRL, but also, from the National Weather Service and several other served agencies.
Although we’re losing KD1CY as SEC, I’m pleased to report that Rob has agreed to accept an appointment as an Assistant SEC. Under Mike, Rob will continue in his leadership role with our SKYWARN program. He’ll also interface with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Please join me in welcoming Mike Neilsen, W1MPN, as our new Section Emergency Coordinator, and Rob Macedo, KD1CY as an Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Honors Amateur Radio, ARRL
[UPDATE: On June 28, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a Citation recognizing ARRL’s anniversary. The text is included at the end of this story.]
The Executive and Senate branches of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have recognized Amateur Radio and the ARRL with a Gubernatorial Proclamation and Senate Resolution, respectively. The Governor recognized an “Amateur Radio Day” while the Senate resolved to “join in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the American Radio Relay League.”
Eastern Massachusetts Section Manager Phil Temples, K9HI accepted the documents today from Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester) at his State House office. Separate copies of the documents are being mailed to Ed Emco, W1KT, the ARRL Section Manager of Western Massachusetts. Also assisting with the project was newly appointed State Government Liaison Hank Mc Carl, W4RIG, of Gloucester.
Temples will tour various Field Day sites on June 28-29 to show the proclamation and resolutions to ARRL clubs and groups participating in the annual exercise. Tarr, who is also a licensed ham, plans to tour several Field Day sites in his district with copies of the documents as well.
Here is the text of the Gubernatorial Proclamation:
A PROCLAMATION
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick
Whereas Amateur radio has always played a significant role in developing world-wide radio communications; and
Whereas The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has approximately 14,000 amateur radio operators, who continually demonstrate their value in public assistance; and
Whereas Amateur radio operators are constantly vigilant in case of tornado, flood, hurricane, or other local emergency, in order that they may use their equipment and skills to assist local and state officials; and
Whereas Massachusetts amateur radio operators have generously donated their time, equipment, and knowledge to provide communications support and technical training to local service clubs, organizations, and interested citizens; and
Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim June 13th, 2014, to be,
AMATEUR RADIO DAY
And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.
Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this twenty-third day of May, in the year two thousand and fourteen and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
By His Excellency
Deval L. Patrick
Governor of the Commonwealth
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
* * *
THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
RESOLUTIONS
CELEBRATING THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE
WHEREAS, AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS ARE CELEBRATING OVER A CENTURY OF THE MIRACLE OF THE HUMAN VOICE BROADCAST OVER THE AIRWAYS AND, IN 2014, THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE IS CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF PROMOTING AND ADVANCING THE ART, SCIENCE AND ENJOYMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO; AND
WHEREAS, THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE IS THE LEADING ORGANIZATION FOR AMATEUR RADIO IN THE USA AND SERVES OVER 164,000 MEMBERS, MOSTLY LICENSED RADIO AMATEURS, IN THE UNITED STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD; AND
WHEREAS, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION’S HEADQUARTERS IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, HAS BEEN HOME TO THE HIRAM PERCY MAXIM MEMORIAL STATION SINCE 1938 AND RECEIVES VISITS FROM NEARLY 2,000 INDIVIDUALS A YEAR; AND
WHEREAS, THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE’S MISSION IS “TO PROMOTE AND ADVANCE THE ART, SCIENCE AND ENJOYMENT OF AMATEUR RADIO” AND MEMBERS SPAN THE GLOBE, SUPPORTED BY THE ORGANIZATION’S PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES, PUBLICATIONS AND EXPERTS; AND
WHEREAS, AMATEUR RADIO HAS CONTINUED TO PROVIDE A BRIDGE BETWEEN PEOPLES, SOCIETIES AND COUNTRIES BY CREATING FRIENDSHIPS AND SHARING IDEAS; AND
WHEREAS, AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS HAVE ALSO PROVIDED COUNTLESS HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICES BOTH IN EMERGENCIES AND TO OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THESE DECADES, NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, THAT THE MASSACHUSETTS SENATE HEREBY JOINS IN CELEBRATING THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THESE RESOLUTIONS BE TRANSMITTED FORTHWITH BY THE CLERK OF THE SENATE TO THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE.
SENATE, ADOPTED, JUNE 23, 2014.
THERESE MURRAY
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
OFFERED BY:
SENATOR BRUCE E. TARR
* * *
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, House of Representatives;
Be it hereby known to all that the Massachusetts House of Representatives offers its sincerest Congratulations to the American Radio Relay League in Recognition of its 100th Anniversary and its affiliate, the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association, for providing service and education to the Cape Ann Community. The entire membership extends the very best wishes and expresses the hope for future good fortune and continued success in all endeavors.
Given this 28th day of June, at the State House, Boston, Massachusetts
By: Robert A. DeLeo
Speaker of the House
Offered by State Representative
Ann-Margaret Ferrante
Princess Marconi To Participate In Special Contacts, June 20, 2014
Barbara Dougan, NN1NS writes:
KM1CC will have a special guest operator on June 20, Princess Elettra Marconi. Two contacts have been scheduled on 7.150 +- SSB on June 20 about 2:30-2:45 PM ET or 1830-1845 UTC. The scheduled contacts are with the World Radiosport 2014 Chairman, using WR1TC, and WA2GM. WA2GM is located at Marconi’s Wall, New Jersey station. Sorry, its listening only due to the short amount of time in the Princess’ schedule. We may be delayed, but the above is the plan.
Want to know more about Princess Marconi’s visit: www.marconi2014.com.
—
Barbara Dougan, N1NS, KM1CC trustee
km1cc.capecod@gmail.com
WRTC2014 Volunteer Training Session, May 31
The WRTC2014 Organizing Committee and the Yankee Clipper Contest Club will conduct a joint meeting on May 31, 2014 beginning at 8:30 AM at Milara, Inc., 49 Maple Street, Milford. The purpose of the meeting is to recruit and provide training for volunteers who will be involved in the WRTC2014 event. Everyone is invited. The main door prize will be a TX38 tribander.
Registration for the training will begin around 7:30am (everyone will be asked to sign a release form if they have not already). Coffee and donuts will be available for breakfast.
The training starts promptly at 8:30am with a short indoor classroom-style review of the station setup process, including changes from last year. Two (possibly three) complete WRTC2014 stations will be constructed outside. The session is expected to conclude by 3 PM. Lunch will be served.
This is a “rain or shine” event. If it is raining, bring rain gear!
“My New Favorite Social Media Network is Ham Radio”
“Well before the days of the tweet and the status update, people communicated with each other over sweeping distances by quite literally harnessing the earth’s magnetic field to send messages via radio waves. It continues to this day, and I’ve just recently gotten on board…”
The May 24, 2014 edition of the Metro West Daily News carries this light, but informative missive about Amateur Radio by Dylan Love.
K3HI Steps Down as State Government Liaison
Shawn O’Donnell, K3HI, Framingham, has resigned as the State Government Liaison for Massachusetts.
“My current schedule does not allow me to contribute as SGL as much as I had been able to in the past. It is time for me to resign as SGL,” writes K3HI. “It’s been a good ride. A couple of quashed bills here and there, a couple of proclamations now and then, assisting Tom Carrigan, NE1R to get PRB-1 into Massachusetts law, and then helping a number of hams with the legal citation for their zoning boards,” he adds.
Eastern MA ARRL Section Manager Phil Temples, K9HI praised O’Donnell’s efforts in his SGL role over the past several decades. “It’s been a tremendous experience to work with someone as dedicated as Shawn. He’s performed a superb job of keeping his finger on the pulse of Beacon Hill, and warning the amateur community of potential legislation that might have an adverse impact on our hobby service.”
“It’s time for some new blood and excitement in the role,” added O’Donnell. “I greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with all of you. Please pass along my 73.”
New England QSO Party, May 3-4, 2014
Tom Frenaye, K1KI writes:
The New England QSO Party is coming – May 3-4 – and we’re looking for more activity from Massachusetts.
The NEQP is a great way to test your antennas on 80-10 meters and to be the focus of a lot of activity as stations from around the world look for New England stations. Plus, it’s fun!!
Here is a summary of the New England QSO Party rules:
Object: To contact as many New England stations (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) in as many New England counties as possible on 80-40-20-15-10m. (New England stations work anyone)
Date: First full weekend of May.
Period: 2000Z Saturday until 0500Z Sunday (4pm EDT Saturday until 1am EDT Sunday) and 1300Z Sunday until 2400Z Sunday (9am EDT Sunday until 8pm EDT Sunday).
Categories: Single-operator high power, low power(150w or less) and QRP(5w or less) categories, plus multi-operator, single transmitter. Same four categories for mobiles. Single-operator stations using assistance during the contest (packet or Internet spotting nets, etc.) will compete in the multi-single category.
Contest Exchange: Send signal report and state/province (DX stations send signal report and “DX”). New England stations send signal report, county and state.
QSO Points: Count one point per phone QSO, two points per CW (includes digital modes)QSO.
Multiplier: Stations outside of New England use counties as multipliers for a total of 67 (CT/8 MA/14 ME/16 NH/10 RI/5 VT/14). New England stations use states(50)(Count DC as MD), Canadian provinces(14) and DXCC countries as multipliers.
Scoring: Total score is QSO points times the multiplier. Mobiles count QSO points per county and multipliers from all counties (counted once).
Suggested frequencies: CW – 3540 7035 14040 21040 28040, SSB – 3850 7280 14280 21380 28380. ** Now that the broadcast stations are mostly out of 7125-7200, try 7180 on 40m SSB.**
Reporting: Logs should indicate times in UTC, bands, modes, calls and required contest exchange. All stations include your club’s name in the log header or summary. Entries must be submitted within 30 days and sent to NEQP, P.O.Box J, West Suffield CT 06093 or via e-mail to logs@neqp.org (Cabrillo format preferred).
Awards: Certificates will be awarded to the top scorers (25 QSO minimum) in each New England county, U.S. state, Canadian province and DXCC country. A number of special plaques will also be awarded to top scorers.
Additional details can be found on the NEQP web site at http://www.neqp.org
See if you can have a competition within your club for the top scorer. Several clubs are challenging each other for the best club score.
We’re especially looking for mobile stations to put the rarest counties on the air.
If think you might be on for at least a short time in the NEQP, let us know with a brief message to us at info@neqp.org
Thanks!
— Tom/K1KI for the NEQP Committee
W1AA/MSC QRV for International Marconi Day, April 26
Robert “Whitey” Doherty, K1VV writes:
If you like to collect rare and historically significant QSL cards this is an event you will like… W1AA/MSC will be for International Marconi Day on April 26th to represent the Marconi 1901 shore station on Nantucket.
W1AA/MSC will be mostly on CW because we will be running a temporary setup from my QTH with an IC-7000 (100 watts) and a 80 meter dipole for all bands. Using an ancient IBM ThinkPad lap top and CT for logging.
The list of participating stations is on the G land page, at http://g4usb.net/IMD/. I think there are 31 and maybe more, and there is an award.
See you on the 26th. Mark your calendar.
Whitey, K1VV
Propagation Talk by W1HIS, Andover, May 7
Tony Brock-Fisher, K1KP writes:
MIT Professor Chuck Counselman, W1HIS, will give a presentation on HF Propagation on May 7th, at 7 pm, at the Andover Safety Center in Andover, MA. Hosted by the Andover Emergency Management Group (AEMG) this talk is a general primer on HF propagation.
The talk will be oriented towards the ham who has a 100-W HF transceiver, no amp, and no tower, just a trapped multiband vertical on the ground or a wire 25 ft above ground, and who rarely (if ever) works CW or any of the so-called digital modes. The goal is to enable this ham to choose the best combination of time and frequency to work, say, parts of the USA 50, 150, 1500, and 3000 miles away, the Caribbean, and Europe, by SSB on HF.
The level of the presentation assumes that the intended audience has heard of ionospheric propagation but is fuzzy about how the maximum and minimum usable frequencies (MUF & LUF) vary with time of day, time of year, and solar activity; and what happens around the times of local sunrise and sunset.
The practical, how-to, mechanical aspects of HF ionospheric propagation will be emphasized while the theoretical aspects are minimized. Just enough of the science will be discussed to help the ham remember why and when things happen. Covered will be daytime D-region absorption; critical frequencies, such as foF2; NVIS; normal daytime E and F, and normal night-time F2 propagation; single and multiple F-hops. Little will be said about paths longer than about 5000 miles (8000 km).
Web sites will be listed where ready-made propagation predictions can be found, and where customized propagation predictions can be generated for the individual’s TX power, antenna, and mode (e.g., CW or SSB voice).
The Andover Safety Center is located at 32 North Main Street, Andover, MA 01810
SpaceCat High Altitude Balloon Project
Mark Richards, K1MGY writes on PART-L:
Bob Vogtli, KB1ZHX, worked with his daughter last year in a school science fair project. She wanted to launch a high altitude balloon and take photos. The project is called SpaceCAT. Bob did some research, found the Amateur Radio APRS connection, studied, got his Technician license, and we go from there…
http://spacecathab.weebly.com/index.html
Bob and his daughter are moving things to the next level with SpaceCat II. The plan is to launch next month, and I was invited to participate (my bride asks if there’s room in the balloon for me), so I’ve taken on the task of designing, building, testing, packaging, and flying a payload deployment component of the lift vehicle. In English, we’ll reliably disconnect from the balloon via a telemetry command, and the expensive electronics will gently float to Mother Earth where we can collect it in a controlled and somewhat planned fashion rather than climbing a 60 foot tree and risking mortality to recover some electronics.
[…] Bob is giving a presentation on this launch at the school as a component of our adaptation of STEM (ours has roots), and has invited me to join him.What would be cool is to borrow for show and tell a tiny tracker APRS transmitter with a GPS attached. Then we can show the tracker location on a map, and hear the tracker on an HT portable. Even work a few stations to demo Amateur Radio. The object is to inspire and allow the imagination and creativity to take to wings (or, in this case, helium and nylon).
Good Friday Walk, April 18
The Good Friday Walk will be held on Friday, April 18 in Hingham. Shifts are available lasting from two hours to as long as you are able. Amateurs will provide communication for a 20 mile fund raising walk from Plymouth River School into Wompatuck State Park and back. It’s a great opportunity to partcipate in a low-key public service event.
Contact WB1ARU at enoaru@gmail.com if you can assist.
Genesis ARS “Intro to Ham Radio” Course, May 2014
The Genesis Amateur Radio Society is pleased to present an “Introduction to Ham Radio” Technician Course, on May 10 and May 17 from 9 AM-3 PM at the Middleborough Public Library.
The course will utilize the ARRL’s Tech Q&A 5th Edition, and will culminate in an FCC exam conducted by a volunteer examination team.
The deadline for registration is April 26. Email n1ir@arrl.net or sign up online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1TJ4_i–2wsb9Oh1hVBU_mpeEWcpJRLE9BI5fYWBQgMA/edit?usp=sharing.
You can be part of the “Ham Radio Olympics”
Doug Grant, K1DG writes:
The World Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC) will be held in Massachusetts July 12-13, 2014. Like the Olympics or the Boston Marathon, this event draws the “best of the best” from around the world. Fifty-nine two-operator teams will be set up with Field-Day-style stations on 16 properties around the Route 495 corridor, from Pepperell in the north to Plymouth and Taunton in the south.
The international teams will compete to see which team can make the most contacts with the most countries and take home the gold medal. This Olympic-style world championship will be widely covered in the local, regional, and national media and provide excellent publicity for amateur radio.
The WRTC2014 organizers need volunteers to help with this once-in-a-lifetime event. The biggest need at the moment is for people to help set up and keep an eye on the stations and provide local transportation for the teams between the headquarters hotel in Westborough and the sites.
Several clubs in the area have “adopted” one or more sites. Perhaps your club would be interested in doing this as a club project. We’d be happy to send someone to your next club meeting to provide more details.
Please visit www.wrtc2014.org/volunteer to sign up and tell us how you would like to help make this exciting event a success.
Learn more about WRTC2014 at http://www.wrtc2014.org.
73,
Doug Grant, K1DG
Walk for Hunger, May 4, 2014
Eric Horowitz, KA1NCF writes:
Attention Boston area hams:
It is that time again… Public Service season is here. We are now looking for help for this year’s Project Bread Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 4th, 2014.
This will be the 46th running of the event. We need people to provide communications support for the Project Bread Staff and volunteers along the 20 mile walk.
If you are interested in helping out this year, go to http://www.mmra.org/wfh/ to log in and fill out the signup form.
If you have questions please send an email to: wfh14@mmra.org
73,
Eric – KA1NCF
Walk For Hunger 2014
Amateur Radio Communications Coordinator
Email: wfh14@mmra.org
Amateur Radio Support Needed for Ashland Half Marathon in March
As a warm-up to the Boston Marathon in April, Ashland, Massachusetts has organized the Ashland Marathon Park Prep, a half-marathon road race, to be held on 16 March, 2014. Expect this event to span between 8AM and at the latest 1PM.
This may well be the very first Amateur Radio public service opportunity of the year.
Last year was the first time ham radio made a showing, thanks to the support of the MMRA and FARA. This year, the event organizers are depending upon the safety and logistics communications presence that our Amateur Radio Service brings.
http://www.marathonparkprep.com
Come one, come all. Experienced or first timers. There will be a place in our communications constellation for you in this organized event.
It’s helpful if you have 2M/70CM mobile and portable radios. Your portable should have sufficient battery for 4 to 6 hours of use and a gain antenna.
To register, you have two options:
Send email to Mark Richards, K1MGY, Amateur Radio Team coordinator at:
Or register using the online form at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gNDUmHF3dEhCiIltlfntpiczZGM8ceTLxBisWFQXceY
Once registered you’ll be contacted by K1MGY with further information. Assignments and other documentation will be forthcoming within the next two weeks.
Looking forward to your support!
/Mark Richards
K1MGY
Metro Boston ARES Meeting, January 11, 2014
The Eastern Massachusetts ARES metropolitan Boston district will hold an “all-hands” meeting on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 10 AM at the the Josephine A. Fiorentino Community Center, 125 Antwerp Street, Brighton.