Author: k9hi

Clubs

MIT Haystack Observatory Talk at Westford J.V. Fletcher Library, April 27, 2023

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Alan H. Martin, W1AHM, reposts on the PART of Westford mailing list:

From: Friends of the J.V. Fletcher Library

MIT Haystack Observatory Visit

Thursday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Meeting Room

Join us for part of our Earth Month celebration as we host the MIT Haystack Observatory, a radio science & technology research center located right in our hometown of Westford! A representative from the Observatory will be on hand to discuss what the Observatory does and what exciting projects they are working on. This program does not require registration and will be offered in a hybrid format. Attend in person or virtually.

Please contact Justin Liberti for the Zoom link at jliberti@westfordma.gov.

This program is hosted in conjunction with Westford Climate Action.

Public Service

Ham Radio Support for Apple Blossom Parade, Westford, May 13, 2023

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Terry Stader, KA8SCP, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

Hello fellow PARTers, NMARES and BARS hams:

It is that time of the year where we start pitching for ham radio support for the annual Apple Blossom Parade. This years parade will be held rain or shine on Saturday, May 13th. The parade starts in Westford Center and ends at the Abbot School. It has been hosted by the Westford Kiwanis (https://westford.org/kiwanis/) and has a long history in town. Our local hams have been providing comm support for many years.

All you need is a 2 meter FM handheld that works with the 955 repeater. Some assignments are stationary at specific parade route locations, others may be to be a shadow to one of the Kiwanis Parade organizers.

If you are interested, please let me know via email directly or send to info@wb1gof.org.

Operating

USS Massachusetts / NE1PL Operation, April 22, 2023

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NE1PL QSL cardRick Emord, KB1TEE, writes on the Whitman ARC mailing list:

Good afternoon/evening everyone:

The USTNR [Uncommon Service to Nautical Radio] will be once again on the USS Massachusetts in the Wardroom annex on the main deck port side (left side). We will be operating from 1000-1530 (10:00 am – 3:30 pm) . We will arrive around 0830-0845; gate access on the left side of the ship’s store building. Anyone who would like to come down and operate is more than welcome. We will have a couple of HF radios set up. We are usually on 40 and 20 meters around .259 of course starting with 7 or 14. We hope you can come down. If you’re later than 0900, you can sign in at the ship’s store in the volunteer log book on the left side of the desk. Look for the USTNR page to sign in.

We will be celebrating the Motor Torpedo Boats of World War II (PT boats). Our local hero, John F. Kennedy, was on such a boat in August of 1943—80 years ago—when it was sunk in combat in the Pacific.

You can call my cell phone if there is any problems: 508-844-7856

Thank you,

Rick Emord, KB1TEE

Technical / Youth

Sixteen New Amateur Satellites in Orbit From Space-X Transporter 7 Launch

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Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, writes on the Sci-Tech ARS mailing list:

[New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society] is working with AMSAT to help make a positive ID of these new satellites for inclusion in the AMSAT orbital elements distrubution. If you are so inclined, please listen for any of these new birds and send any observations, i.e. early or late passes based on the Celestrak Two Line element sets described below.

Our friends at Libre Space show 16 spacecraft using amateur frequencies on the recent Space-X transporter 7 launch.

https://community.libre.space/t/spacex-f9-transporter-7-2023-04-15-06-47-utc/10255

Celestrak has published element sets derived from Space-X deployment data. See https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/sup-gp.php?FILE=transporter-7&FORMAT=tle

Celestrak also made an attempt to match Space-X derived TLEs to USSF tracked objects: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/supplemental/transporter.match.txt but I don’t consider that authoritative. Note that RoseyCubesat-1 and INSPIRE-Sat 7 share the same element set which seems strange as I understand that they are two independent spacecraft.

We are particularly interested in INSPIRE-Sat 7. INSPIRE-Sat 7 carries a 435.200 MHz telemetry channel with BPSK mode – GR3UH 9k6 along with an FM transponder and student experiments to be activated after on-orbit checkout.

The following is from https://www.uvsq.fr/inspire-sat-7

“To receive the telemetry, a software has been developed: KissTool . It is available for Windows & Linux:

Linux: https://site.amsat-f.org/download/118791/?tmstv=1680945385

Windows : https://site.amsat-f.org/download/118784/?tmstv=1680945385

The user manual is available in French ( https://site.amsat-f.org/josast-kisstool/ ) and English ( https://code.electrolab.fr/xtof/josast/-/blob/27-new-application-for-spino/ApplicationKissTool/src/site/markdown/UserManual.md ) ”

de KM1P Joe

Clubs

K1KI: “New England QSO Party” at Nashoba Valley ARC Meeting, April 20, 2023

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Nashoba Valley ARC logoBruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s April meeting is Thursday, April 20th at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell). We start gathering at 7 PM to socialize before the meeting starts.

April’s speaker will be Tom Frenaye, K1KI, whose presentation is “The New England QSO Party Today and Yesterday”. The NEQP has become one of the most popular regional ham radio operating events, gathering worldwide attention. Personally, it’s my favorite local event. Held May 6 – 7 this year, it’s fast approaching. Old timers and new hams alike will get a lot out of this presentation. Please join us.

April is also when NVARC holds our annual elections. Please consider running as an officer or a director!

Need directions? Click here and put your own address in box “A”.

Thanks and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Bruce, K1BG

978-772-2773 or bruce.blain@charter.net

Flea markets & Conventions

“The Flea at MIT Returns”

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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. Now you just need a rocket.

Doc Kinne, KE1ML / M7RCK, writes in Boston ARC’s “The Sparc,” April, 2023:

One of the things that the pandemic truly robbed from amateur radio operators was the ability to congregate and get together. Yes, we could (and did!) get together via radio and computer, but somehow we hams like to see each other. For me one of my best experiences after talking to someone on the air for a period of time is to finally physically meet them, and usually mentally be forced to say, “Wow! You are nothing like how I pictured you!” It continually amazes me how much of a mental picture we build up of people only to have it just completely changed by reality.

One of the best ways Boston hams got to do that in the summers was the Flea at MIT. Taken down by the college during the pandemic, the Flea at MIT returns again this year on the 3rd Sunday of each month from April to October at the Albany St. Garage between Main Street and Mass Ave in Cambridge.

Famed for having nearly anything electronic or…nerdy…over the years objects both big and small can be found at the Flea, including, one time, famously, a Gemini test capsule.

The only question I’ve ever had was where I’d ever put it! See w1mx.mit.edu/flea-at-mit for more information.

Public Service

Twin Lights Half Marathon YuKanRun, April 30, 2023

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

The Twin Lights Half Marathon 2 Twin Lights Good Harbor Beach

April 30 Start 9:00 am Half Marathon Thatcher Road Gloucester, MA

CAARA. Has A Great Public Service Team. Come Out And Have Some Fun With Us Why?

You are using amateur radio to provide a needed public service to ensure the safety and smooth running of a public event in local communities.
If you are unable to be there for the whole race, any amount of time you can give would be helpful. If you don’t have a radio, we have loaner radio’s available with a mag mount that will work in your car by just plugging it into the cigarette lighter socket. We have loaner handheld radios as well!

Please let me know if you can staff a communication. checkpoint for the event so I can plan staffing positions

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use ( Mobile; HT; ¼-Wave Mag-Mount; Rubber-Duck; etc.) so we have a better idea of where to locate you along the event course per the potential of your equipment.

The course will be open and supported By CAARA. For Four hours Runner safety is everyone’s top priority.

Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Chris Winczewski, W1TAT  <w1tat@outlook.com>

Operating

W1MGY QRV for Titanic Anniversary, April 12-14, 2023

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W1MGY QSL cardFrom the Titanic Marconi Memorial Radio Association Of Cape Cod (W1MGY) QRZ.com:

The Titanic event for 2023 is fast approaching. 

Sorry for the long delay, but it was difficult getting responses from the Seashore. Just heard yesterday (yes, Easter) that it was a go. This week is expected to be beautiful weather. I will need help setting up on Tuesday afternoon [April 11, 2023]. I plan on being there setting up Titanic displays and inside equipment around 2 PM and will plan on setting up antennas around 3 PM.

I have had several express a desire to operate, but no one is yet actually signed up. I had one but something came up and they will not be able to operate. We will operate on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. Friday after 4 PM we need to remove all antennas and equipment.

A couple of new emails this AM as I try to get this out. I will put in the times you requested. Attached is a pdf of the times. Thank you to all.

Barry / KB1TLR ; Trustee / W1MGY

[This is a radio group to promote and preserve radio history by preserving the memorial call sign of the HMS Titanic, “MGY”.]
W1MGY 2023 Tentative Operating Schedule
W1MGY 2023 Tentative Operating Schedule
Operating

Massachusetts VOTA Week, April 12-19, 2023

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Volunteer On The Air logoLarry Krainson, W1AST, writes:

Massachusetts is ready and anxious to work everyone during its spring VOTA (Volunteers On The Air) week starting Wednesday, April 12th and going through Tuesday, April 19th.

We have a team of 17 amateurs that will be operating on all bands on multiple modes. We even have hams located in “other” states remoting through transmitters located in Massachusetts through K1TTT and some other stations.

We will be operating as W1AW/1 and per VOTA rules, each contact will be worth 5 points. Those of the team ops that have field or other positions may also be running their own call alongside the W1AW/1 to give you additional points as well. For example, if I am operating I can also run as my own call W1AST and not only give you the state W1AW/1 for 5 points contact but a 30-point contact as well. This is up to each VOTA MA op if they decide to do so.

All the points are calculated via LOTW submissions. There are no paper logs and no physical QSL cards; it’s all done via LOTW.

Watch for the spots being posted and find W1AW/1 and work us. I hope to hear you on the air!

73,

Larry, W1AST
VOTA MA Manager

Clubs

W9XT: “Antennas—The Third Dimension” at Billerica ARS Meeting Online, April 5, 2023

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Billerica ARS logoGary Sutcliffe, W9XT, will give a presentation “Antennas – The Third Dimension” [at the Billerica Amateur Radio Society meeting on April 5, 2023 at 7 PM.]

Gary was licensed as WN9FRG in 1970. Other calls he has held: WB9FRG, WB9FRG/6W8, W0XT. He also has an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (Commercial). He has achieved number one on the DXCC Honor Roll, 5BDXCC, with over 100 countries confirmed on each band 160-10M (except 60M) His main radio interests include contesting, experimenting, designing, building equipment and antennas, so he is well versed in what makes a great antenna system for your QTH.

Topic: April 5 BARS meeting Gary Sutcliffe, W9XT, “Antennas – The Third Dimension”
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the First Wed
April 5, 2023, 07:00 PM

[For Zoom conference details, email Bruce Anderson, W1LUS, at w1lus -at- hotmail -dot- com.]

Emergency Communications / Licensing Education & Training

NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Training in New England

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SKYWARN logoRob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on the SKYWARN_Announce list:

For the first time since the COVID19 pandemic started in March 2020, NWS Boston/Norton is now offering live/in-person classes for 2023. In addition, one virtual SKYWARN Class will be offered as well.

Additional SKYWARN Training classes are in planning. This includes the following locations:

New Bedford/Acushnet Mass area
Gardner MA
Walpole MA
Northeast HamXposition in Marlborough, Mass (Late August 2023)

The following is the current 2023 NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Training Class Schedule for the spring season. Please distribute widely to anyone interested in becoming a SKYWARN Spotter and we will update as additional classes are confirmed! We also noted that 1 class is full and waitlisted and we may consider additional classes near those areas later this year. Links to the schedule showing the full class list and the full class list appears below:

SKYWARN Training Schedule – 2023 – WX1BOX Link: https://wx1box.org/skywarn-training-schedule-2023/

SKYWARN Training Schedule – 2023 – NWS Boston/Norton Link: https://www.weather.gov/box/skywarn#fragment-2a

Full SKYWARN class list below:

Tuesday April 18th, 2023 – 630-830 PM:
Sandwich Police Department
255 Cotuit Road
Sandwich MA 02563
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-weather-spotter-training-tickets-581484685347

Wednesday April 19th, 2023 – 630-830 PM:
Spencer Town Hall – Great Hall
157 Main Street
Spencer, MA 01562
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-weather-spotter-training-tickets-581490302147

Thursday April 20th, 2023 – 600 PM-800 PM:
UMASS – Lowell Mark & Elisia Sabb
Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center
40 University Avenue
Lowell, MA 01854
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-weather-spotter-training-tickets-581490673257

***This class is geared toward the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community***
Wednesday May 3rd, 2023 – 630-830 PM:
The Learning Center for the Deaf
848 Central Street
Framingham, MA 01701
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-skywarn-weather-spotter-training-tickets-581492599017

***This class is geared toward the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community***

Thursday May 4th, 2023 – 500-700 PM:
Providence Emergency Management Agency
591 Charles Street
Providence, RI 02904
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-weather-spotter-training-tickets-581492087487

Saturday May 6th, 2023 – 930-1130 AM:
Whitman Police Department
20 Essex Street
Whitman, MA 02382
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-weather-spotter-training-tickets-597779242807

**Class Full – Join Wait List**
Tuesday May 9th, 2023 – 600-800 PM:
Springfield Public Safety Complex
1212 Carew Street
Springfield, MA 01104
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-weather-spotter-training-tickets-581494203817

**Class Full – Join Wait List**

Saturday May 13th, 2023 – 930-1130 AM:
Virtual SKYWARN Training Webinar via GoTo Webinar
Registration is required through the GoTo Webinar process at the
following link:
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4366456872229693022

Tuesday May 16th, 2023 – 500-600 PM (Note: This class is limited to one
hour due to facility time constraints):
Oak Bluffs Public Library
56R School Street
Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-weather-spotter-training-tickets-581495517747

Tuesday May 30th, 2023 – 600-800 PM:
Elmwood Community Center
1106 New Britain Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06110
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/west-hartford-skywarn-weather-spotter-training-tickets-597918258607

Again, we will provide updates when new SKYWARN training classes are added to the schedule. Also, if specific groups are interested in a live or virtual class, the Amateur Radio Coordinator team would be able to support those groups as needed. Thanks to all for their support of the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN program!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/wx1box

Clubs

W6BSD: “Digital Voice Modes for Amateur Radio” at Waltham ARA Meeting Online, March 29, 2023

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Waltham ARA logoThe next meeting of the Waltham Amateur Radio Association will be this Wednesday [March 29, 2023] at 7:00. (Zoom opens at 6:30.) The meeting will be held on-line with no in-person gathering this month. (zoom links below). After a short business meeting, Fred/W6BSD will be giving a presentation providing an overview of the various Digital Voice Modes: Digital Voice Modes for Amateur Radio.

You don’t need a General or Extra class license to enjoy QSOs with people worldwide. All amateur license classes can use Digital Voice (DV) modes such as Fusion, D-Star, DMR, and many others to connect with people throughout the US and other countries using digital repeaters or amateur hotspots. During his presentation, Fred will discuss the differences between the DV modes and how the backend infrastructure works.

[For meeting information, see https://walthamara.org/.]
Operating

HF Contest Training for New Ops in WPX Contest at New England Sci-Tech ARS, March 25, 2023

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Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, writes on YCCC mailing list:

I have secured the use of the NE1AR callsign for WPX this weekend, and will be training brand new operators of the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society at the New England Sci-Tech Makerspace in Natick, MA from 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturday [March 25, 2023].

Operation is intended to get newly licensed hams contesting on the air and having fun.  If you know of some ham that wants to dip their toes into the HF contesting waters, have them contact me via e-mail off list or text 617 922 8549 to coordinate.

Clubs

WA5QGD, KM1P: “Management of AMSAT Orbital Elements Resources” at New England Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, March 21, 2023

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New England Sci Tech logoThe New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society will meet on-line and in-person on March 21, 2023 at 7 PM and feature: “Management of AMSAT Orbital Elements Resources” by Ray Hoad, WA5QGD and Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P.”

Description: This presentation describes the history, format, preparation, and distribution process for Two Line Elements (TLE) satellite tracking data by the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT). This process supplies TLE on a weekly (or daily) basis to be used by radio amateurs to track and communicate via radio amateur satellites to other amateur radio stations. The source of TLE data is the U.S. Air Force SpaceTrack.org website.  

Bios: Raymond F. Hoad received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Oklahoma State University in 1971 and 1973, respectively. After four years in the U.S. Air Force, he joined what is now ONCOR Electric Delivery, Fort Worth, Texas in 1977 as a System Protection Engineer. He retired as Consulting Engineer-Relay from the ONCOR System Protection Group in August 2014. He is currently a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. He is a life member of ARRL and AMSAT-NA and currently serves as AMSAT-NA Orbital Data Manager. He holds an Amateur Extra License.

Joe Fitzgerald was originally licensed as KA1EMW in 1980 and is an active member of the HF contesting and amateur satellite community. His interest in amateur satellite telemetry has led him through two engineering degrees and he presently works managing the telemetry and control of electric grids around the world.

Clubs

KA8SCP: “Digital Voice Using M17” at PART of Westford Hybrid Meeting, March 21, 2023

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

To All PART Members and Friends,

The March PART meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, beginning at 7:30 PM at the Cameron Senior Center, 20 Pleasant Street, Westford, MA, and via Webex video conference.  For those attending via video conference, a meeting link is below; just click on the green button 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. Bear in mind that internet connectivity from the senior center may be unreliable.

We’ve got several topics for the meeting. Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, will give a short 20 minute talk about “Digital Voice using M17,” and there will be a live demonstration.  For more information about M17, click on this link: http://www.m17project.org. In preparation for Field Day, Ryan Leary, N1RL, is starting a CW course, and he’ll talk about the course and how you can become proficient enough in the next three months to make some CW contacts at the event. Speaking of Field Day, planning has begun and we’ll talk about what’s happening so far.

If your ARRL membership is going to run out in the next three months and you need to renew your membership, or if you’re not a member of ARRL and want to join to get all the benefits, fill out this application and bring it to the PART meeting along with your ARRL dues payment. Joining ARRL or renewing ARRL membership through PART helps support our club, and renewing early doesn’t penalize you in any way.

All members are encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food for the Westford Food Pantry.

See you Tuesday!

73,
George, K1IG
President, PART of Westford

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

New England Wireless & Steam Museum “Yankee Tune Up,” E. Greenwich RI, July 22, 2023

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Massie Wireless Station “PJ”
Massie Wireless Station “PJ”

Skip Youngberg, K1NKR, writes on the Algonquin ARA mailing list:

The New England Wireless and Steam Museum in East Greenwich, Rhode Island is having a Yankee Tune-Up on July 22, 2023. Come trade and sell your antique radios, vintage electronics and ham gear.

The entire museum will be open as well for your viewing pleasure. 

 

Clubs / Technical

W6BI, KC1BHD, WZØC: “Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network” at Minuteman Repeater Association Hybrid Meeting, Natick MA, March 15, 2023

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Tonight’s presentation will be Zoom-only; no in-person presence. 

MMRA logoMinuteman Repeater Association membership meeting: Wednesday, 15 March 2023 ~7:30—9:30 pm: Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN). Orv Beach, W6BI; Jim Garner, KC1BHD; and Michael Ford, WZ0C. This is a Hybrid meeting at New England SciTech in Natick + ZOOM.
(Members: log into your account on MMRA.ORG to obtain the ZOOM info.
Non-members: send an email to contact@mmra to request the ZOOM info.

Learn what AREDN is all about, what it can be used for, and how you can get started with this technology. Orv, W6BI, will discuss how ham radio networking with AREDN software works and what you need to get started. He’ll also show some examples of user setups and things an AREDN network can be used for. Jim, KC1BHD, will give a demonstration of his AREDN go-kit prototype to be used in ARES activations, at disaster locations, or public service events. Michael, WZ0C, will talk about some of the AREDN efforts in New England along with the propagation testing he and Jim have been doing for this.

Orv, W6BI, was first licensed as WN6WEY in 1967. He’s been into digital ham radio all his life, starting with CW. He started messing around with ham radio networking in 2014, and is now an AREDN Ambassador, one who promotes using AREDN software and helps educate folks on its use. He’s helped deploy network digital radios in Ventura County and western Los Angeles County. He’s also active in coordinating the build-out and maintenance of the wider ham radio network which now spans from California’s central coast south to the Mexican border and east to Las Vegas, comprising over 550 nodes, both on hilltops and at ham QTHs.

Jim, KC1BHD, has always been interested in data transmission in general and for several years, AREDN mesh networking in particular. He lives near Worcester and envisions creating RF access to an AREDN mesh for hams across Massachusetts.

Michael, WZ0C, lives in Maynard and enjoys the amateur radio digital modes. Michael became interested in AREDN last year, connecting with Orv and Jim and learning about their efforts. Michael is hoping to use AREDN to increase the digital presence in Massachusetts. Michael will talk about some of the AREDN efforts in New England along with the propagation testing he and Jim have been doing for this.