Author: k9hi

Clubs

K1GGI: “Cape Cod’s Fabulous Radio History: Facts to Remember, Fictions to Forget” at Sci-Tech ARS Hybrid Meeting, July 12, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
New England Sci Tech logoThe New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (NEST) will meet on-line and in-person on July 12, 2022 at 7 PM and feature  “Cape Cod’s Fabulous Radio History: Facts to Remember, Fictions to Forget” by Ed Moxon, K1GGI.
 
The Cape has some truly interesting radio history that has been told and retold, sometimes getting better or worse in the process. In this presentation we will take a look at some local radio lore and sort out a few “mythconceptions” that have become common knowledge thanks to some imaginative contributors. Chatham Marconi Maritime Center, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation that operates the Marconi / RCA Wireless Museum in Chatham, MA, on Cape Cod.
 
Ed, K1GGI, has a Ph.D. from MIT and is a Director and former Secretary of the corporation. He is also Trustee of the Radiomarine Commemorative Association amateur station WA1WCC.
 
[For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.]
Flea markets & Conventions

MIT Swapfest, July 17, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

MIT Swapfest signThe MIT Radio Society, in conjunction with the MIT UHF Repeater Association, the MIT Electronics Research Society, and the Harvard Wireless Club, sponsors a Swapfest on the third Sunday of each month, April through October. This is a place to buy, sell, and swap amateur radio, electronic, and computer equipment. Hams and non-hams alike are welcome. The next Swapfest will take place on July 17, 2022.

For more information, see the online copy of our Swapfest flyer (pdf, or text only). Print out a copy of the flyer and bring it with you for a discount on the buyer’s admission. Want to sell? Here’s an online copy of the seller’s registration form. Remember to send it in by the 5th of the month for the advanced seller discount. Still need more info? Call 617-253-3776 during business hours.

The Swapfest is held at MIT’s Albany Street Garage on Albany St between Main Streets and Mass Ave in Cambridge. The gate opens for buyers at 9am. There is a small admission fee.

Foxhunting / Operating

KD1D RF Fox is out again, July 8, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Alan Hicks, KD1D, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list on July 8, 2022 at 3:54 PM:
 

The KD1D Fox transmitter is hidden off of one of the trails near Kennedy Pond in Westford, MA.  More information on the sits can be found at:

https://westfordconservationtrust.org/tws_holding/nashoba-brook-watershed/

 There is a parking area at the end of Trailside Way.  You may find it easier to start from the other parking area near the end of Texas Road or to park on Vine Brook Road away from the cul de sac and walk in to the left of the dirt road barrier.  There is an unofficial “No Trespassing” sign (MA law requires the name and address of the owner), but the land immediately to the left of the gate is Westford Conservation Land open to all.  Be polite and don’t park in the circle if you choose this route.   

The fox transmits on 146.565 MHz FM for about 25 seconds repeating once a minute.  It was set loose around 15:00 EDDT on Friday July 8 and will be retrieved sometime after noon on Monday, July 11. 

If you need a hint, email me at kd1d@arrll.net. 

Happy Hunting and 73 from KD1D

Foxhunting / Operating

W1MJ Fox Deployment, Burlington Landlocked Forest, July 9-10, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Eliot Mayer, W1MJ writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list:

My dog Noah and I plan to deploy our fox for the weekend in Burlington Landlocked Forest.  Per Google Maps, the parking area is only 22 minutes from Westford and 17 minutes from Waltham.

Fox details:

  • Callsign:  W1MJ
  • Start & End Times:  Sat July 9 at 10:00 AM  –  Sun July 10 at 5:00 PM
  • Frequency:  147.54 MHz
  • Suggested Starting Point: Burlington Landlocked Forest Trailhead, close to 43 Turning Mill Rd, Lexington, MA.  Lot is under the power lines, close to the Grimes Rd intersection.
  • Directions from Google Maps:  https://goo.gl/maps/19VYCvL9T8mEj26N7

73 DE W1MJ

All

ARRL Foundation Announces 2022 Foundation Scholarship Recipients

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

ARRL Foundation logoThe ARRL Foundation Board of Directors has approved the recipients of the 2022 ARRL Foundation Scholarships as recommended by the Scholarship Committee. Foundation Scholarships totaling $921,250 will be awarded to 139 deserving radio amateurs pursuing higher education. Individual scholarship awards range from $500 to $25,000. Several young radio amateur recipients reside in Eastern Massachusetts:

 

The East Coast Amateur Radio Service (ECARS) Scholarships, $2,500 each:

  • Julie Knappik, KB1YTT, of Raynham, Massachusetts
  • Matthew MacKenzie, KC1PXL, of East Bridgewater, Massachusetts

The FEMARA Scholarships, $2,000 each:

  • Simon Schwartz, KC1PYK, of Newton, Massachusetts
  • Megan Wagner, KC1FGH, of Westford, Massachusetts

The New England Amateur Radio Festival (NEAR-Fest) Scholarship, $1,500:

  • Yettive Crestohl, K1TG, of Marblehead, Massachusetts

A full list of scholarship recipients can be viewed at <http://arrl.org/news/arrl-foundation-announces-2022-scholarship-awards>.

Congratulations to all the recipients, and best wishes for success in their higher educational pursuits.

Public Service

NSRA Public Service Request for Help, July 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF, writes on the North Shore RA mailing list:
 
I hope everyone had a great Holiday Weekend.  Now that it is over it is time to get back to Public Service.
 
NSRA has 2 events that need your help this month!!
 
July 17th: Reid’s Ride – Bike ride from Lynnfield High school to Gloucester Stage Fort Park – 7″30 am to 1 pm ish
and 
July 23rd: Blackburn Challenge – Cape Ann Rowing Race around Cape Ann – 7 am – 3 pm
 
If you want to help with either of both of these events, please email me at:
 
 
I plan to do my assignments during the week before the events.
 
Thanks in advance, WE CAN”T do it without your help.
 
Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF
North Shore Radio Association – Public Service Coordinator
 
Foxhunting / Operating

W1HFN Fox Deployed, Littleton, July 5, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Barry Fox, W1HFN, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list on July 5, 2022 at 2:01 PM:

The W1HFN Fox has been deployed. Dig out your old Latin textbook and go to “hymenoptera apidae bombini” park in Littleton. Frequency is 146.565 with a 20 second voice ID every 60 seconds. Batteries should last until the weekend (I hope). Please sign the log when you find it.

TNX / 73,

Barry – W1HFN

Clubs

Donna Halper: “The History of Radio in New England” at Billerica ARS Meeting Online, July 6, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Billerica ARS logoNext BARS Zoom meeting:  July 6 at 7:00 PM on Zoom

“The History of Radio in New England” by Donna Halper

Historian and radio personality Donna Halper will join us to describe the early days of radio in New England, from its modest beginnings to what has become a multibillion-dollar industry. Donna was born here in Massachusetts and began working in the broadcasting field in 1968 as a DJ and music director. In 1974, while at WMMS in Cleveland she “discovered” the progressive rock band Rush. She has written several books, including the first book-length study devoted to the history of women in American broadcasting, Invisible Stars: A Social History of Women in American Broadcasting. She also has taught college-level courses in broadcasting, media criticism, media history and radio programming and has a PhD from UMass Amherst.

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

Field Day

Billerica ARS Members Turning Out for 2022 Field Day

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Billerica ARS logoBillerica Amateur Radio Society members will be turning out for the 2022 ARRL Field Day on Saturday June 25 through Sunday afternoon June 26. The club callsign W1HH will be used on the air during this event.  The location is the same as our last field day, namely the Billerica EMA Barracks-Garage located at 67 Alexander Rd, Billerica, MA.

Field Day Chair Mark Nelson, KA1INE, and his team are planning operations on the 80-40-20-15-10 meter HF Bands. At least two stations will be on the air and possibly a third will be put on-the-air, if needed.

On air operations will be from approximately 2 PM – 9 PM Saturday, and 9 AM – 2PM Sunday. Help on Saturday morning for Set Up and Sunday afternoon for take down will be much appreciated.

Visitors are welcome, especially new hams or anyone interested in learning about Ham Radio. Mark Nelson says our primary objective is to help the new members gain amateur radio experience.

Food will be plentiful, especially if you are there in the late afternoon Saturday for a traditional Field Day dinner gathering. Get there early enough in the afternoon on Saturday to put in your preferred food order.

You can get additional details at https://ema.arrl.org/field_day/ClubDetail.php?club=BARS

Tom K1TW

Field Day / Public Information

Amateur Radio Field Day Talk on WCAP 980, June 24, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Station WCAP 980 kHz will host a talk segment featuring two Eastern MA amateur radio club presidents today (June 24) at 4:10 PM. 

Gary Frascarelli, W1GFF, President of the Billerica Amateur Radio Society and Bruce Blain, K1BG, President of the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club, will discuss ARRL Field Day on the program. 

The Class B station features a talk/oldies radio format. It covers the Merrimack Valley with 5,000 watts of power. 

Listeners outside of the area can tune in to the program on the web at <http://webcastsusa.com/wcap/player.html>.

This link seems to work:  <https://streampros.net/980wcap>

An audio recording of the program is also available

Field Day

Visitors Welcome to the New England Sci-Tech Field Day, Natick, June 25-26, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

New England Sci Tech logoThis weekend, June 25-26, join the Sci–Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) for Amateur Radio Field Day and exercise in radio emergency preparedness. Members of the general public, radio amateurs, scouts, and their friends and families are welcome to participate. You don’t need a radio license to participate, as you can operate with one of the club’s General or Extra class licensees as the control operator. On-site training will be provided.

Field Day

All Systems “Go” For Boston ARC Field Day, Westwood, June 25-26, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Boston ARC logoJoe Chapman, NV1W, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:

Friends,

News from today’s K7RA Solar Report (https://www.wm7d.net/hamradio/solar/k7ra.shtml).

The latest from US Air Force forecasters Housseal and King at the USAF 557th Weather Wing shows predicted solar flux at 120, 115 and 110 on June 24-26, and Planetary A index of 8, 12 and 15. Field Day is actually on June 25-26, but it is useful to see the prediction for Friday. The planetary A index shoes a moderate but increasing geomagnetic instability.

Solar activity has been sinking all week, but it should still be fine for our purposes and better than the past few years of Field Days. The geomagnetic field is likely to be quiet to unsettled on Saturday, degrading to unsettled to active through mid-day Sunday, so it will probably be a little noisy as we’re trying to wring out those last few points.

Here on Earth, in Westwood Field Day is expected to be dry, warm, and humid, with temperatures in the 80’s to low 90’s, with a slight chance of a brief shower, but chances of a thunderstorm near zero. Drink lots of water and take breaks during setup and teardown. Here’s KD1CY’s SKYWARN coordination message: https://ema.arrl.org/2022/06/23/amateur-radio-field-day-weekend-weather-coordination-message-1/.

Joe Chapman NV1W
Secretary, Boston Amateur Radio Club

Field Day

Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Weather Coordination Message #1

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on SKYWARN-Announce:
 
Hello to all..

..The following is the first in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 19 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program..
 
..2022 Field Day weekend will mostly be dry, warm and humid. There is a chance of an isolated shower in eastern areas on Saturday but the threat for any thunderstorms during the course of Field Day weekend looks minimal to near zero at this time. Shower and thunderstorm chances will increase as we get into later Sunday Night and especially Monday from west to east across Southern New England but this is after the Field Day weekend event is completed as well as any takedown of sites typically done late Sunday Afternoon and early evening..
 

..Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend is an annual event where Ham Operators across the United States setup at Emergency Operations Centers, field locations, home locations etc. to operate and test their equipment and skills and make as many radio contacts as possible during the weekend. Amateur Radio Field Day sites will likely be operating under normal conditions pre-pandemic across most field day sites though it is possible some Field Day sites may have some minimal COVID-19 protocols in place. There will likely still be some home station Field Day sites but less than the prior 2 years during the pandemic with more traditional Field Day sites in the region..

..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions throughout Field Day weekend as needed though no activations are expected at this time..

Here are some links to information on these Amateur Radio Field Day Sites from across the region and if any groups would like their Field Day listed, we will add it to the next Amateur Radio Field Day Weather Coordination message. Again most will likely be operating normally but there could be some minimal COVID-19 protocols in place at certain locations:

Amateur Radio Field Day Information: https://www.arrl.org/field-day
Amateur Radio Field Day National Locator: https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator
Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Home Page: https://ema.arrl.org/field-day/

Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Directory: https://ema.arrl.org/field_day/
 

Similar to last year, Amateur Radio Field Day is expected to feature warm and dry conditions across the region. An isolated shower could occur in eastern areas of Southern New England but its likely to be very isolated. At this time, no thunderstorms are expected in the region until post the Field Day event later Sunday Night and especially Monday though this aspect will be monitored. High temperatures will be in the 80s to lower 90s with upper 70s to lower 80s near the coast and lows will be in the 60s. Humidity levels are expected to be fairly high in the region with Sunday being the hottest and most humid day in the region. All involved in Field Day sites are asked to use caution with the heat, take breaks during setup and breakdown of Field Day sites, and drink plenty of uncaffienated liquids to stay hydrated.

Below are links to the NWS Boston/Norton Hazardous Weather Outlook and NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
 

NWS Boston/Norton Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.html

NWS Boston/Norton Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:

 
Amateur Radio Field Day sites are encouraged to bring a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, monitor various cell phone weather apps where Amateur Operators may have those available and have a dedicated Ham Radio that can monitor their local SKYWARN Frequency for their area as a best safety and preparedness practice if any threat for thunderstorms develops though that is expected to be minimal this year. Also sites that have mobile Internet capability can utilize that capability as a way to monitor for weather information. With Mobile Internet capability, utilizing Echolink to monitor the New England Reflector system on Echolink Conference *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123/IRLP 9123 would be helpful as well. Please see the link below for the latest SKYWARN Frequency information for the region:

https://wx1box.org/southern-new-england-skywarn-frequency-list/

During setup and takedown of Amateur Radio Field Day sites and even while operating, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat accordingly. The link below features information on Heat Safety:
 
While the thunderstorm threat is minimal to near zero this weekend, now is the time to remind folks that lightning is a threat to any and all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Remember your lightning safety tips and details on lightning safety can be seen at the following link and we will add a link from this week’s NWS Boston/Norton Lightning Safety Awareness Week in the next Amateur Radio Field Day weekend weather coordination message:
 

The next Amateur Radio Field Day coordination message will be posted by 100 PM Friday Afternoon and if the threat for thunderstorms remains minimal to near zero it will be the last Amateur Radio Field Day weekend weather coordination message.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
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://twitter.com/wx1box
Licensing Education & Training / Youth

New England Sci-Tech Students’ Experiments to Launch on NASA Rocket

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Rocket experiment payloadTwo students from New England Sci-Tech have team projects that will be part of a NASA rocket payload, according to New England Sci-Tech President Bob Phinney, K5TEC.

Their experiments were delivered to NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility and integrated into the nose cone last week. According to idoodlEDU CEO Amber Agee-DeHart, “The launch is scheduled [to launch on June 23, 2022] sometime between 5:30-6:00 AM EDT. Right now the forecast calls for partly cloudy skies that morning with light winds.”

To view the SR-8 launch (NASA RockOn/RockSat-C mission) on Thursday, 23 June 2022 starting around 05:20 EDT, visit NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility YouTube channel: <https://www.youtube.com/user/NASAWallops/featured>. Streaming will begin 20 minutes before launch. You can also view it on the www.cubesinspace.com homepage.

idoodlEDU Inc., is a501.c.3 charitable organization and responsible for business development and fostering strategic partnerships. idoodleEDU designs programs, curriculum and tools to help teachers and students around the world discover and harness their creative intelligence and to engage in more meaningful and richer learning experiences in preparation for a globally connected, knowledge and skills-based economy.

New England Sci-Tech is a non-profit STEM+ education center and makerspace in Natick, Massachusetts, dedicated to project-based, hands-on learning for youth and families across the New England community.

UPDATE:

 

NASA launch at Wallops

Launch now on Friday, June 24 at 5:30 AM -4GMT  EDT

See @cubesinspace on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for more updates

www.cubesinspace.com for live streaming on Friday or NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility YouTube channel

 

Best regards,

 

Bob Phinney, K5TEC, President
New England Sci-Tech Inc.

Flea markets & Conventions

Stolen Radio Equipment at NEAR-Fest and Other Area Flea Markets

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

From nediv.arrl.org:

Mike Crestohl, W1RC, writes:

Lose something at NEAR-Fest or Other Area Flea Market? Maybe you can get it back.

If you had something stolen from your table at a flea market or hamfest in NH or Eastern Mass. within the past several years, please contact Officer John Delaney of the Deerfield Police Department as soon as possible. His contact information is <jdelaney@townofdeerfieldnh.org> or telephone 603-463-7258 and leave a message for him to call you back. Be prepared to provide Officer Delaney with a detailed description, giving make, model, serial number, photograph, band(s) covered, what was programmed into it, etc.

This information is needed by the Deerfield Police for an ongoing investigation into thefts of equipment that have occurred at NEAR-Fest and other local area events over the past several years. Five stolen radios have already been recovered and there may be more.

Please copy Paul, W1PRA (pauldepetrillo@gmail.com) and MrMike, W1RC (w1rc@near-fest.com) on all correspondence with Officer Delaney.

Thank you for your cooperation.

73,

Paul DePetrillo, W1PRA,
NEAR-Fest Sergeant-at-Arms,
pauldepetrillo@gmail.com

Mister Mike, W1RC,
Benevolent Dictator,
w1rc@near-fest.com

All

Project Big E Receives Grant

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Project Big E GrantLarry Krainson, W1AST, writes:

A few months ago, the Big E Project applied for two possible grants. Aaron, KF1G, completed the application process and submitted it. From what we had been reading, we wouldn’t know any results until July.

Early Friday evening on the 17th of June, Aaron called me and told me the news. When I checked my email, I saw an email with the same info. The check will arrive in a few weeks.

This is exactly what the project needs right now, because a few people had a few hundred dollars for out of pocket expenses to make the project work and move forward. Now we’ll be able to re-reimburse them AND help the clubs and participants by refunding both parking and ticket expenses as well as taking care of other expenses the project has coming up.

This is SUPER EXCITING NEWS!

Spread the news to your clubs and sign up for a session or a day. 

OR, if you are signing up as a club, contact Larry, W1AST, to block off that session or day at W1AST@arrl.net.

Foxhunting / Operating

Double Fox Hunt This Weekend in Belmont and Waltham, June 18-19, 2022

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Eliot Mayer, W1MJ, writes:

This weekend (June 18-19, 2022) K1MJC and I are putting our foxes out in the same general area.

Fox #1
Call:  K1MJC
Frequency:  146.565 MHz
Location: Rock Meadow, Belmont, MA
On air now through Monday morning.

Fox #2
Call:  W1MJ
Frequency:  446.075 MHz
Location:  Beaver Brook Reservation North, Waltham, MA (accessible from Rock Meadow by foot bridge)

Map:  https://walthamlandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-29-GOS-Beaver-Brook-North-Reservation.pdf

On air from 10 AM Saturday until 5 PM on Sunday

Best place to park for both foxes:  Rock Meadow parking area on Mill St. in Belmont.  If the lot is full, parallel parking on Mill St. is allowed.

The following link shows a map of the area containing both foxes.  From Rock Meadow, the Western Greenway Trail crosses a wooden bridge into Beaver Brook Reservation North near back-left-corner (sorta) of Rock Meadow:

https://www.trailforks.com/region/rock-meadow-conservation-area-belmont/?activitytype=1&z=16.0&lat=42.40183&lon=-71.20170

73,

Eliot, W1MJ