a field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF, writes:
This ONLINE ham radio class will get you ready to take the Ham Radio Technician license exam, the FIRST of three certification levels. Geared toward adults, as well as junior high, high school, and home-school students. Yes, we give online and in-person ham radio exams, too! (See below)
Get your ham radio license in 4 days or a 2-day weekend!
This is a FULL course taught live via Zoom by a 40-yr veteran teacher, not a video or discussion group. You will learn much more than with other methods.
Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Optional text: ARRL Technician Class License Manual, 4th edition, for exams through June 30, 2022, (purchase on ARRL website). Regular practice and study is necessary to get the best results from this course.
Amateur radio (or “ham radio”) is used by people all over the world to communicate over radio waves. Some people use ham radio for emergency preparedness, to provide communications support for community events, to report on severe weather and natural disasters, as a social activity, and even occasionally to contact crew members on the International Space Station!
4 day course: M-T-W-T NOV 8-11, 8:30-11:30pm, EASTERN
4 day course: M-T-W-T DEC 6-9, 8:30-11:30pm, EASTERN
2 day weekend cram: SAT-SUN DEC 11-12, 11:00am-5:00pm, EASTERN
Included with course: You will get downloadable lecture study guides and charts, FREE access to our weekly Online Radio Shop Talk sessions, FREE enrollment in any of our Morse Code classes, and a guest pass to the Sci-Tech Radio Rooms and online radio club meetings for 3 months.
Family Free: Additional members of the same family may join this course at no extra charge, if sharing one computer and zoom screen.
System Requirements: For ONLINE course, computer or Chromebook capable of running ZOOM Meeting, either by Zoom app or through a web browser, a web camera/mic, and a printer.
Zoom Link: Approximately 2 days before the session begins you will receive an email with instructions to access the course details, documents, Zoom link for ON-LINE viewing, and directions for IN-PERSON participation. If you don’t see the email, check your spam filter. If you still don’t see it, call or email us.
Please be aware of our Cancellation and Refund Policies. For questions, e-mail info@nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.
School and Scout Groups: Ask about scheduling a session just for your youth group at youth-friendly times, perhaps in smaller sessions spread over two weeks. We may be able to give you a reduced rate as well.
“Pi” Pugh, K1RV, writes in K1USN Happenings:
K1USN QSL cards will be available for all contacts with K1USN. Send # 10 SASE to K1RV or DX stations QSL via bureau.
QSL via K1RV
URL: http://www.k1usn.com
Contact: Pi, K1RV
Email: k1rv@arrl.net
Mike Powell, W1KU, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:
The [Algonquin Amateur Radio Club] November 11th meeting will take place at the Marlborough Fire Station EOC (not the Middle School) and on Zoom. Our guest speaker will be Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, speaking on “Helping Hams and Building Your Club” […]. Fred is planning to attend at the EOC.
Also, the club will be voting on a proposal to collect dues and update membership forms for the current year. Details of the proposal discussed at the October meeting are included in the newsletter Ken sent out last week. To vote, you must be present at the November meeting either in person or on Zoom.
73 de w1ku (Mike)
[For Zoom information, email mdpowell -at- dmpowell -dot- net.]
Joe Chapman, NV1W, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:
The next general meeting of the Boston Amateur Radio Club will take place on Thursday, November 18, at 7:30 p.m. on the Zoom teleconferencing program. Our speaker will be Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, talking about his DXpedition to Bora Bora. […]
Further details will appear in this month’s issue of The SPARC.
73,
Joseph Chapman NV1W / Secretary, Boston Amateur Radio Club
[For Zoom conference information, email Joe Chapman, NV1W, at nv1w -at- arrl -dot- net]The New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society will meet on-line and in-person on November 9, 2021 at 7 PM and feature Derek Rowell, AK1WI, who will present on “Vacuum Tubes: A Little Bit of Nothing in a Glass Bottle.”The Northeastern University Wireless Club (W1KBN) in Boston was QRV in this past weekend’s ARRL CW Sweepstakes Contest. YCCC member Marty Sullaway, NN1C, spent “a few hours playing around between homework assignments and such.” He adds, “[It was] fun to try out our new JK Antennas MidTri-40. Considering we are located in downtown Boston, we seem to hear okay, and I felt loud.”
Marty worked a total of 265 stations and 84 sections for a score of 44,520.
The Boston Amateur Radio Club is hosting a Technician Class POTA day on November 20th at Chickatawbut Hill. Included is a press release for you to include in your club newsletter should you see fit. All hams are welcome to attend. Boston Amateur Radio Club Announces a Technician POTA Day, November 20th 10:30 am.
The Boston Amateur Radio Club will host a Parks On The Air (POTA) event with a special invitation to Technician license holders and new hams on November 20th, 2021. The event will take place in the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton at the Mount Chickatawbut summit. We will attempt to “activate” the park according to POTA rules using VHF, UHF, and the Technician
segments of the HF bands.
Bring your handheld and any other radio you want to try out on the summit. The club will provide some power sources and a few different antennas for you to experiment with.
You will also have an opportunity to operate on six and ten meters. Brendan, NW1S, and Joe, NV1W, will be on hand to answer questions and help introduce you to amateur radio in the great outdoors. There will even be prizes for accomplishments things like most contacts made, farthest contact, and most Technician bands used. Afterwards there will be a social event of food and drinks. You may park at a lower parking lot and hike the short path to the summit. The Boston Amateur Radio club is attempting to organize a car to bring those who cannot or wish to not walk the distance to the summit. Further information on the Blue Hills can be found at https://friendsofthebluehills.org.
Please email Brendan, NW1S at nw1s.brendan@gmail.com if you’re planning to attend.
Join us at the 110 Grill in Braintree afterwards for some food and drinks! Please include in your email if you will be joining us at 110 Grill so we can make a proper reservation.
We look forward to seeing you at the summit! Updates on the Tech POTA Day can be found at BARC.org, and @W1BOS on Facebook and Twitter.
Do you want to participate without making the trek up Mount Chickatawbut? You can hunt our operators on Saturday. Look for us on the POTA.app spot page, the @W1BOS Twitter or on the National Calling Frequencies. We invite your club to get on the Air with our Technicians and test out your VHF and UHF Equipment.
# # #
The KD1D Fox decided it would be a good day to test our direction-finding skills.
As usual, the Fox is transmitting on 146.565 MHz FM at about 50 mW, with a 20-30 second message repeating every 60 seconds.
The transmitter is somewhere in the vicinity of the Stone Arch Trail in Westford, MA.. For additional information and a map of the area, check out:
https://
For additional guidance, email me at kd1d@arrl.net
73 and good hunting from KD1D, Alan
Presented by Jason Johnston, KC5HWB, of Ham Radio 2.0 – November 11, 2021 at 3:30 PM ET
Allstar is an internet-based connection network for linking repeaters and nodes. It can be used by home operators or with large-area repeaters. Today you will learn the basics of Allstar, how to get started with it, and how you can start using it yourself.
Register for this webinar at <https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XvqWBSwrTJKhp8_zbAZI2g?fbclid=IwAR0GIVnpdNFrh7NvndaDUwZZ32hTVB1sRxmeJrRlGmIurCqVCxnZSrGFyHQ>
Mike Cormier, K1MJC, writes on the Waltham ARA list and NEMassFoxHunters list at 4:45 PM on November 5, 2021:
Yes, the K1MJC Fox is out yet again!
Well, I checked the weather and decided to take a chance it’s looking OK, perhaps maybe a bit chilly and some clouds Sunday afternoon.
The fox is in somewhere in an area within the City limits of Waltham, MA.
I’ve decided to up my game, and placed in such a way so as to limit your Prospects in finding it!
As usual, it will be retrieved before Sundown Sunday.
One of The maps on this page would prove useful!
https://walthamlandtrust.org/
Happy hunting!
via ARRL Members list:
By now you should have received your ballot to vote for your Division Director election.
Ballots are due in Newington by 11/19, so mailing them now is important given the issues being reported about the USPS.
Of the thousands of ballots mailed, we did receive reports of some ballots taking until the end of last week to arrive. This, again, is a reflection of the USPS and their treatment of bulk mail this year.
If you have NOT received your ballot, contact us TODAY or TOMORROW! We will get a replacement ballot out to you immediately via First Class mail.
You can send your request for a replacement to dmiddleton@arrl.org.
Two club presidents are collaborating on a project to help amateurs develop their Morse code skills. Bruce Blain, K1BG, president of the Nashoba Valley ARC and Tom Walsh, K1TW, the Billerica ARS president, are spearheading the effort.
“Bruce and I have talked a number of times over the past year about helping those who have expressed an interest in learning CW or further developing their CW skills,” writes Tom. “We will have a kickoff meeting on Tuesday, November 2, at 7 PM.
[For Zoom conference details, email Tom Walsh, K1TW, at k1tw -at- comcast -dot- net.]
Tom Walsh, K1TW, writes on the Billerica ARS mailing list:
Larry Banks, W1DYJ, will present on Antenna Modeling at the Billerica Amateur Radio Society meeting on November 3, 2021 at 7 PM.
This Antenna Modeling presentation will start with some history detailing why Larry has always been interested in understanding antennas. It will then go over the use of three applications: TLW, YW, and HFTA, from the ARRL Antenna Book. Using his homebrew 10M yagi an example, it will hopefully help you get a start at modeling your own antenna systems.
Larry was licensed in 1962 as novice KN1VFX and became W1DYJ in 1966. . Larry holds three degrees in EE from MIT. He spends his time chasing DX and contesting in Woburn MA (and from 2008 to 2021 at his second home in Harpswell ME).
He is also the net manager and newsletter editor for the Minuteman Repeater Association in the Boston area, publications editor for FEMARA (the group that runs HamXposition), a member of the Yankee Clipper Contest Club , and on the executive board of the Merrymeeting ARA in mid-coast ME.
Please join us for an outstanding talk about Antennas.
Following the talk, we will hold our annual club elections.
73,
Tom K1TW
Interim President
Framingham ARA President John Iwuc, KB1XVY, writes on the FARA mailing list:
The next Whitman Amateur Radio Club meeting is November 3, 2021 at 7PM.
The meeting topic will be “Programs Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get on The Air,” presented by Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC. Fred is president of the Nashua Area Radio Society and he’s been mentoring young hams and prospective hams for many years.
It will be a hybrid meeting at the Whitman K of C on Route 18 and via Zoom. For Zoom a link will be sent out to the membership and guests via email. This has been working well so far. Social distancing rules are enforced. Seats are arranged per the recommended guidelines for social distance and face masks are recommended to be worn. This might change again.
Bob Farquharson, WC1N, South Easton, MA, is operating from Fort Phoenix State Reserve in New Bedford (K-8409) for Parks On The Air. He was last heard on 7.060 MHz at 15:09 UTC, according to pota.app. 
From ARRL:
10/28/2021–A major nor’easter struck eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island this week, with ferocious winds stronger than those that Tropical Storm Henri brought to the region in August.
Starting on the evening of October 26, eastern Massachusetts amateur radio operators on the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) and National Weather Service (NWS) SKYWARN™ storm spotter teams joined forces to help emergency services provide a focused and effective response as the powerful nor’easter caused widespread damage. Tree and wire damage, trees falling on homes and cars, and a few cases of direct structural damage to weakened structures have been reported. ARES and SKYWARN operations will continue until the impact of the weather system subsides.
“We have handled several hundred reports of damage, and photos of damage are streaming in from ARES and SKYWARN operators to support damage assessment efforts and to keep the NWS in Norton apprised of the severe weather conditions affecting the region,” said Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator and ARES-SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Boston/Norton.
ARES-SKYWARN operators relayed reports of hurricane-force wind gusts reaching 94 MPH in Edgartown, Massachusetts, at Chappy Ferry Point; 84 MPH in Dennis, Massachusetts; 79 MPH in Sandwich, Massachusetts, and 78 MPH in Rockport, Massachusetts. Amateur operators with WX1BOX, the amateur radio station at NWS Boston/Norton; Cape Cod ARES and SKYWARN, and South Coast SKYWARN completed overnight operations, when the peak winds occurred.
“The dedication of our volunteers to provide this critical information in a major storm like this one to the NWS, media, and emergency managers during such a grueling stretch is very critical to inform people what is happening during such a significant storm when they wake up in the morning, so they will hopefully make safe decisions to avoid being out in a significant severe wind situation,” Macedo said.
Cape Cod ARES was activated by the Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC) to staff the Multi-agency Coordination Center (MACC) at the Barnstable County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The damages, power outages, and intermittent cell service from some providers could mean an extended activation for ARES members in Cape Cod and the Islands, Macedo explained.
According to the Cape Cod and Islands ARES District Emergency Coordinator Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, “Damage assessments in the region will give us a better sense of how long it will take to restore power and in some cases communication service to the Cape [Cod] and Islands area, and that will determine how long Cape Cod ARES will be needed, and if additional support from Eastern Massachusetts ARES will be needed.”
Macedo called the nor’easter “one of our more extraordinary weather systems within the last few years, and the most severe of several other major SKYWARN/ARES activations in this past year.”
As many as 500,000 customers lost power in the ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section, with hardest-hit areas in southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands, and the Cape Ann area north of Boston, where hurricane-force wind gusts pummeled the region for several hours. Maximum sustained winds were 50 and 65 MPH. Rhode Island reported nearly 93,000 customers without power at the peak. These outages were an order of magnitude greater than during Tropical Storm Henri in Rhode Island, and about five orders of magnitude more severe than Henri in Massachusetts.
Storm conditions wound down toward the evening of October 27, allowing the process of more widespread power restoration to begin.
Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA list:
We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Ocean View 5K & Half Marathon on Sunday, November 5, 2021 in Ipswich. Please be on location at your Check Point by 8:00 for a 8:30 AM start. Start, finish at Ipswich High School, 134 High Street, Ipswich, MA 01938.
Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event so I can plan staffing positions for the event.
Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, writes on the Yankee Clipper Contest Club mailing list:
We can encourage new hams and budding contesters right now by working them in the School Club Roundup presently underway. I coached a 5th grader through more than 50 QSOs Monday night at the New England Sci-Tech station, W1STR.
The roundup started Monday and runs through through 2359 UTC Friday. W1STR will be active again Friday at 6 PM local, and CW counts for double points. If you hear them on phone, consider asking for a CW QSO also – the kids there are interested in CW.
Please consider tuning around the bands and spotting all the school clubs you can find.
de KM1P Joe