Author: k9hi

Clubs

AB1OC: “ARRL” at the Boston Amateur Radio Club, September 19, 2024

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Boston ARC logoThe Boston Amateur Radio Club will have its regular General Meeting Thursday, September 19, at both Artisans Asylum and Zoom. We will begin with a period of socializing at 7:00 and the meeting proper will begin at 7:30.

Our speaker will be Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, the Director for the New England Division of the American Radio Relay League.

A Zoom link will be posted on the www.barc.org website on the day of the meeting.

73,

Joseph Chapman, NV1W

Secretary, Boston Amateur Radio Club

Foxhunting

KB1MGI Fox is QRV, Carlisle, September 15, 2024

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Jahn Salmi, KB1MGI, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters on September 15, 2024 at 6:30 PM:
 
I placed my 146.565 Fox Transmitter at the Towle Land off RT 225 in Carlisle.
 
See attached Map
 
To activate the Fox ID your call sign then press DTMF tone 2. Fox transmits for 30 second on 30 seconds off. for 15 minutes.
 
You will find the signal strength can vary greatly due to the hidden Fox Box location as you travel.
 
75 feet off a trail. No bush whacking needed
Sign the log book with call sign and how long it took you to find it.
 
I’ll leave it out until Friday
 
John, KB1MGI
Towle Land map
Clubs / Technical / Youth

Northeastern Wireless Club “Yagi Build” a “Fantastic Success”

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Jonah Lefkoff writes on the Northeastern Wireless mailing list:

Yesterday’s workshop was a fantastic success. We built a ton of awesome tape measure yagi antennas, and learned a bit about impedance matching and soldering along the way. This Thursday we’ll be using them in a fox hunt around campus. I look forward to a fun night of searching for hidden transmitters!

Next week we begin our adventure towards developing a full PCB. It all starts with schematic capture, a critical component of the electrical design process. I hope to see you all there. 

Cheers,
Jonah Lefkoff, KFØINONWC members showing their constructed yagisKF0INO

Operating

Holliston 300th Anniversary Special Event Operation, September 21, 2024

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Welcome to Holliston siignMeg Johnson writes on the the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society mailing list:

What: Celebrate Holliston/300th Anniversary

Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024, Rain Date September 28, 2024.

Time: Main portion 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Setup much earlier due to parade (will verify)

Location: Goodwill Park in Holliston

Details: Celebrate Holliston is a well-attended community event, and this year will be even bigger because it’s the town’s 300th Anniversary!

Oliver (KC1TCM) and mom, Meg, are setting up a booth (10×10) to provide information and outreach about amateur radio to the broader community, and aim to spark youth interest (since Oliver is 12 yo himself) and catalyze involvement. 

Current booth plans involve:

  • General information about ham radio and practical applications
  • A GOTA station (under auspices of STARS/Oliver, KC1TCM, and other licensed volunteers)—with electrical available.
  • Equipment on display such as yagi antenna and radio-related DIY projects Oliver and others have completed to spark interest

What we need help with:

  • Booth/equipment setup and troubleshooting (especially with antennae)
  • Engaging with the public at the booth
  • Packing up at the end of the day

Note: Parade starts at 9:00 AM and goes through downtown, so there may be traffic issues.

Can you make it? Sign up here!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTMOwVT-srysmGfw67mDsLmPojTpCpR0duy0C4PNeRyO-4rQ/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Best,

Meg

NTS

NTS Traffic Handling Training Session, October 14, 2024

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Interested in NTS and Traffic Handling? Join us Monday, October 14 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. This training will incorporate videos and open discussion to get you started in an exciting aspect of the hobby that’s been around for over 100 years!

Your hosts: Western MA Section Manager Ray LaJoie, AA1SE; MARI Section Traffic Manager Marcia Forde, KW1U; Bob Sparkes, KC1KVY; and Shawn Dodds, N1CVO, will discuss NTS traffic handling basics and traffic net procedures.

All amateurs are invited to join, regardless of experience level. This will be first come, first served event and limited to 100 participants. We hope to see you on Zoom. Any questions? Email Ray, AA1SE at aa1se@arrl.net.

Topic: NTS Traffic Training
Time: Oct 14, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86391167095?pwd=EE7QXsDKRQPqzlUgZxc4HUfk27Ja9Z.1
Meeting ID: 863 9116 7095
Passcode: 346199

–One tap mobile
+19292056099,,86391167095#,,,,*346199# US (New York)
+13017158592,,86391167095#,,,,*346199# US (Washington DC)

—

Dial by your location
• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
• +1 305 224 1968 US
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
• +1 646 931 3860 US
• +1 689 278 1000 US
• +1 719 359 4580 US
• +1 253 205 0468 US
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
• +1 360 209 5623 US
• +1 386 347 5053 US
• +1 507 473 4847 US
• +1 564 217 2000 US
• +1 669 444 9171 US
• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 863 9116 7095
Passcode: 346199 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdFNo1lp7D

Public Service

CQ Race Volunteers: By The Sea Half-Marathon, Manchester-By-The-Sea, September 15, 2024

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Chris Winczewski, W1TAT,, writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailng list:

We have had a very successful race season so far and we are down the fall stretch with just 5 races to go in 2024! Now we need to fill our slots for the upcoming September 15th for the By The Sea Half-Marathon.

We need two more volunteers to operate Checkpoint 1 and Checkpoint 2, both in Manchester-By-The-Sea. Please see the race details and open slots for this race and future races and email Chris, W1TAT, as soon as possible.

RACE SCHEDULE, DETAILS, AND SIGN-UP INFO

Many thanks and 73,
Chris, W1TAT

Foxhunting / Licensing Education & Training

Foxhunting Class at Boston Amateur Radio Club, Brighton, September 7, 2024

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Boston ARC logoChris Larosee, AC1RV, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list:
 
 
I will teach a Foxhunting class on September 7th at Artisans Asylum through the Boston Amateur Radio Club with additional support from BERG.  I focus on mindset/hypothesis testing to find the fox and learn about radio more broadly. These are skills taught to me in my work tracking wildlife with the same technology for the USGS.
 
[Artisans Asylum is located at 96 Holton St, Brighton MA 02135.]
Flea markets & Conventions

Watertown Patch: “Swapfest: The Flea at MIT — Tech, tools, ham radio, test equipment, computers, retro electronics”

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Flea at MIT

From the Watertown Patch:

“Swapfest is a huge electronics, tools, technology, amateur radio, and gadget flea market held on the third Sunday of every month from April to October in the Albany St. parking garage at MIT. Come buy, sell, or just look at objects as diverse as WWII Enigma machines, motors, power tools, computers, space capsules, and more. Early bird buyer admission starts at 7:00 AM for $15. Normal buyer admission starts at 9 AM for $6 (or $5 with a paper printout of our flyer). Vendors can preregister by the 5th of the month by mailing in our flyer with a check or show up to register day-of for a slightly higher fee. 9 AM-2 PM, but come early for best deals. Bring cash!”

History

“Three Dots” at Harbor Stage Company, Wellfleet, August 19-20, 2024

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Three Dots poster“Blending vivid theatricality and meticulously researched history, Three Dots tells the story of one of our region’s proudest accomplishments— in 1903 the first transatlantic telegraphs from America to Europe were sent from a station on the cliffs of our small seaside hamlet: Wellfleet, MA.  An insightful look at the science and the psyches behind this remarkable event.” 

For more information, visit https://www.harborstage.org/three-dots.html.

Public Service

Amateur Radio Communications Request, Cycle for Shelter, Haverhill, September 15, 2024

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Ethan Hansen, KC1OIP, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:
 
Hi all, Cycle for Shelter is looking for amateur radio operators for this year’s event. Please see the information from Ross Chapman below.
—
This year’s event will take place on Sunday September 15th.  The start and finish  is again at the Northern Essex Community College sports complex, Haverhill, Mass.
 
There are (4) routes planned, a 100 mile, 62 mile, 35 mile & 15 miles long. Most will overlap each other. The final routes are still being worked out but will run through similar areas as in years past. The start times for each route vary, starting as early as 7:30 AM and the event closes at 4:00 pm. Some routes will take as little as 3 hours to complete where the longest would take a full day.
 
We are looking to fill the positions of route support in such that there would be at least (1) vehicles per route. All route support vehicles will be offered equipment and instruction on the day of the event.
We are also in need of Amateur Radio Operators at (7) different rest stops. Of the seven (7) rest stops locations again are in: Boxford, Georgetown Groveland, Topsfield, North Hampton, Kensington and Amesbury. The open close times of these stops is being calculated but should not be longer than (4) hours. Bike marshals are also needed for the 15 mile route which is local to the start/finish.
 
If you have time available to help again with this event, it would be greatly appreciated. All are welcome at the finish for food and the celebration of the days event.
 
Please RSVP regrets and/or confirmation that you will be able to help. (Even if I have already talked with you)
 
If you know of anyone who would be willing to help, please forward this note to them and have them contact me.
 
Regards, 
 
Ross Chapman 
Route Support Coordinator
Cycle for Shelter, 2024
603 479 2728
—
73,
Ethan KC1OIP
Operating

K1USN SST Open, September 13, 2024

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K1USN SST logoFrom K1USN Happenings, August 13, 2024:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CW ops and contesters from around the world are invited to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the K1USN weekly Slow Speed Contest (SST) by participating in a new event, the K1USN SST OPEN (SSO) to be held annually starting on Friday, September 13 from 2000-2359Z.

From its inception in September 2020, the twice-weekly SST has encouraged CW newcomers to join with experienced ops in a relaxed contest at speeds less than 20WPM. Contest sponsors strongly urge all participants to operate at 12WPM or less to provide new CW ops with a comfortable “on ramp” to CW operating and contesting.

The same speed rules will apply in the Slow Speed Open with the hope that every station that wishes to jump in will be welcome at a pace comfortable for them.

A CW Speed multiplier has been added to the score calculation as an incentive to go slow, (via the 3830scores.com submittal form). This speed multiplier is based on your fastest sending speed used during the contest.

Certificates with score and claimed maximum operating speed (honor system) will be available to all entrants.

RULES:

DATE and TIME: September 13 2000-2359 UTC

Goal: Work as many stations as possible during the four hours on multiple HF bands (160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 meters).  Exchange: Name and State/Province (Non US-VE =DX) Score =Total Points x CW Speed Multiplier x Total State/Province/DX Multipliers

Stations may be worked once per band.  

50 point Bonus for working K1USN once per band.

Post log summary on www.3830scores.com Do NOT mail logs to K1USN

For Complete SSO information including rules and FAQ’s: www.k1usn.com/SSO.html

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training / Youth

StratoScience Lab Balloon Launches, New England Sci-Tech, Natick, August 14, 2024

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StratoScience banner
 
Seth Kendall, KC1PZY, writes on the New England Sci-Tech ARS mailing list:
 
Hey everyone,
 
Just wanted to let you all know we are aiming to launch two separate StratoScience Lab balloons THIS WEDNESDAY 8/14 from NEST.  That means we’ll actually be filling up and releasing the balloon from the NEST parking lot.  Exact time is not nailed down yet, but release will most likely be sometime between 10am and 2pm.  We’ll update here the night before or morning of.  Since it is taking place at NEST, we also may be able to run the STARS Zoom meeting and have flight prep and the releases going live on Zoom.  We will update on that as well.  We will have a HamXposition presentation detailing all the projects, and maybe we can do a version of this at a STARS meeting, but just to give you a preview of what will be flown this week:
 
StratLab 2024 A:
  • Solar Tracking Rotator (Roy Y.)
  • Spectroscopy Sensor (Timmy B.)
  • Servo Heating System (Elias D.)
  • IMU Recorder and Downward Camera (Ewoud V.)
  • BFCCPS Humidity Sensor Experiment (NEWBS / BFCCPS School)
  • RunCam Split 4 Selfie Camera (Seth K. / NEWBS)
  • Tiny4FSK (Max K. / NEWBS) – 432.620 MHz
  • RS41 (Max K. / NEWBS) – 432.625 MHz
  • [maybe] Test version of altitude-based rocket igniter board (Dawid F.)
 
StratoSoar 2024 A:
  • Autonomous Glider (Charlie N.)
    • Planned separation at ~1600m
    • Also contains a Tiny4FSK (Max K. / NEWBS) – 432.630 MHz
  • RS41 (Max K. / NEWBS) – 432.635 MHz
  • RunCam Split 4 Downward Camera (Seth K. / NEWBS)
 
This means we will also have 3 separate recovery sites, so if anyone would be interested in helping to recover a payload, please let us know!  We could use all the help we can get.  Even if you’re only available after work hours.  All 3 trackers should hopefully be trackable on https://amateur.sondehub.org/
 
Best,
Seth KC1PZY and Max W0MXX
 
Clubs / Operating

Boston ARC POTA Event, Medford, August 10, 2024

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Parks On The Air logoBrendan Baldonado, NW1S, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:
 
Following the great success of our POTA event in July we’re hosting another in August. 
 
We are planning August 10th at the Mystic Lakes Playground area. It is a little out of the city but there are a few Purple line stations nearby for those that are public transport dependent. We are also hoping to coordinate carpools with anyone that may need that too. 
 
So Shannon Beach at Mystic lakes has a large parking lot, although I imagine on weekends it gets very busy. (Satellite pictures included below) There are two more lots south of the main lot, and they may expand the parking I’m not sure. Mystic Lakes is between Arlington and Winchester just east of route 3. The parking lot is off of the Mystic Valley Parkway which can have terrible traffic at all times of the day. 
 
This is our first time going to this location so it’s going to be a bit scrappier than normal. As always we will use the .23 BARC repeater for coordinating onsite. There are only a few tables so bringing a table and chairs will be useful. 
 
So Bring a radio, and an antenna and power, if you need one you can borrow someones radio usually and we can all take turns. Bring your own lunch and snacks as you see fit. The plus side of this location is that if you want to bring family or kids there is a playground and a beach for swimming. 
 
If we get enough interest maybe we can bring a propane grill and have a cookout. So make your interest known now! 
 
Important information:
 
What: BARC Summer POTA 2!
 
Where: Shannon Beach Playground, Mystic Lakes State Park 
481 Mystic Valley Pkwy, Medford, MA 02155
 
When: August 10th, at 10 a.m to 2 p.m.
 
Who: Anyone that wants to join.
 
Bring: Food, Water, Sunscreen, and your portable operating station. (Radio, Antenna, Coax, Power)
 
 
 
 
 
Flea markets & Conventions

Want to Help Out at the Biggest Ham Event in the Northeast?

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Barbara Irby, KC1KGSThe Northeast HamXposition boasts a cadre of dedicated volunteers who make this convention possible. But we can still use more volunteers.  Your smiling faces and eagerness to help makes a difference to the attendees. From selling tickets, assisting presenters, supervising the flea market, setting up the rooms, handling parking signage, supervising the flea market, and taking it all down and packing it up for next year— you make it happen!

If you’d like to help us at the 2024 Northeast HamXposition, please register at https://registration.hamxposition.org/volunteer/ or contact our Volunteer Chair Barbara Irby, KC1KGS, at kc1kgs@hamxposition.org. 

[See also: https://hamxposition.org/2024/07/23/meet-hamxposition-volunteer-chairperson-barbara-irby-kc1kgs/]
Foxhunting

Fox to be Deployed in Hamilton, August 10, 2024

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Jim Barber,  K1TT, writes on NEMassFoxHunters at 11:29 AM on August 5, 2024:
 
WHEN: Saturday, August 10th at 1 PM. Rain date Sunday the next day, same time. We may need the rain date! 
 
WHERE: John J. Donovan Reservation & Sagamore Hill Conservation Area, 473 Sagamore Street, Hamilton MA
 
This is a wonderful Greenbelt property. The paths are gravel road or mowed grass with some hills. There are a lot of open fields. It is a very popular spot for dog walking, horseback riding, and bird watching. Dogs are welcome at this reservation off leash when away from the parking lot.
 
The Fox will be right next to a path or road, No need for bushwhacking.
 
The fox will transmit on 146.565 MHz at 0.5 watt. The third harmonic is 439.695 The fox will play tones followed by my call sign in CW for 30 seconds on and 60 seconds off.
 
Map of Reservation: For Map Click Here
 
This is our first attempt at running a walking fox hunt. Your support would be greatly appreciated. Watch this space or Radio Active Cape Ann – Facebook page for weather updates. 
 
Happy hunting! 
 
Jim Barber K1TT
Operating

Boston ARC Parks On The Air Activation, July 27, 2024

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Boston ARC logoBrendan Baldonado, NW1S, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:
 
The BARC Summer POTA event is this Saturday!
 
What: 2024 BARC POTA event
Where: Herter Park / Charles State Reserve
When: 10 am on July 27th
 
Bring yourself and a radio if you have one, and lunch and refreshments.
 
I am planning to Park at the parking lot labeled Christian Park Parking, the address is 1075 Soldiers Field Road. When coming from Downtown or Easterly routes, It is the third parking lot after the set of lights  after the Arlington/Route 3 split near the Elliot Bridge. From Westerly routes it’s the third parking lot after making the reverse direction on Soldiers field road. We will plan to be East of the Herter Park amphitheatre. Any changes will be posted via this thread on the morning of. 
 
 
We will meet around 10 am and set up, for any new people to POTA we can help you activate your first park. I will plan to be there for a while for anyone that can’t make 10 am. Let me know when you can be there and I’ll make sure to stick around. 
 
We can all go for some adult beverages at the Owls nest around the corner after. 
 
A review of the POTA website for rules is encouraged, https://parksontheair.com/
 
Otherwise the goal is to have some fun, play some radio, get on and learn HF if you’ve never done so before.
 
Questions and Comments can be answered here or in a less public way with a direct email to me, nw1s.brendan@gmail.com
 
Reply if you are planning on or thinking of coming to the POTA event!
 
Thanks and see you all there.
 
 
Brendan – NW1S
Clubs / Foxhunting

Cape Ann Fox Hunt, July 27, 2024

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CAARA logoBrandon Hockle, NQ1W, writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:

On Saturday, July 27,/2024, Jim Barber, K1TT, will host Cape Ann Radioactive FB Group’s first fox hunt by car.

Participants will meet at 668 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA, at 11 AM, rain or shine.

The fox will be in Jim’s car (everyone will see it at the start) parked on a public road or parking area viewable from the road.

The fox will be on Cape Ann proper, Gloucester and Rockport, no need to cross the bridges over the Annisquam River.

The fox will transmit on 146.565 MHz at 0.5 watts. With such low transmitting power the fox may not be heard at all until the hunter is within a quarter mile. The fox will play tones followed by my call sign in CW for 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off.

We will have a two hour time limit on finding the fox. If everyone does so quickly we will attempt a second hunt. Sorry, no prizes, just bragging rights, as this is our first hunt. At sometime in the near future we will also have a hunt on foot.

Because fox hunts do not require transmissions by the hunters, an amateur radio license is not required to participate. we have a few handheld radios we can lend out to unlicensed folks who wish to play. 

Questions?

Contact Jim Barber, K1TT, by checking out Radio Active Cape Ann or email: capeann@hotmail.com.

Cheers de K1TT