Author: k9hi

Emergency Communications

Cape Ann ARA EmComm Group Meeting, Gloucester, April 5, 2022

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Dean Burgess, KB1PGH, writes:

This is a reminder that [Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association‘s] emergency communications group will be holding a meeting at the clubhouse on 6 Stanwood Street in Gloucester at 7 PM this Tuesday night, April 5th.

The topic of discussion for the meeting will be disaster go bags and I will be doing a presentation on them. Others are welcome to bring their go bags in as well to show them off.

73,

Dean Burgess KB1PGH

ARRL Emergency Coordinator

Clubs

Blue Hills Observatory Wireless Society Online Meeting, April 6, 2022

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Blue Hill ObservatoryMy name is Steve Hoberman, KC1MWF, and I am writing to you about the Blue Hill Observatory Wireless Society which is just getting started, in case you have any interest in getting involved.

Those of us helping to get the club underway are in no way whatsoever trying to take you away from any club(s) to which you currently belong but, rather, just trying to be supportive of Blue Hill Observatory and help them get their club and initial activities started. In fact, for all of us currently involved, it will represent the second, third, or more clubs of which each of us individually are concurrently members.

Below for your info is the initial newsletter which Bob Phinney, K5TEC, and Rusty Moore, K1FVK, sent out in late February so you can get some more background. We have had two Zoom meetings to-date in recent weeks getting things started. Elections have been postponed a bit relative to what’s in the newsletter, but there is a lot of interest in beginning to plan for the May 14 Mt. Washington event described in the newsletter.

If you have any interest in hearing about or participating in this new club, please join us for the next Zoom meeting. It is scheduled for Wednesday, April 6, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM using Zoom link: […]. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks and 73,
Steve
KClMWF
Steve Hoberman
53 Allen Ave
Waban MA 02468

[Ed: To prevent “zoom bombing” contact Phil, K9HI at phil -at- temples -dot- com for the Zoom link.]
Licensing Education & Training / Youth

Important Message from ARRL VEC

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ARRL logoImportant Message from ARRL VEC

By Maria Somma, AB1FM, ARRL VEC Manager

The FCC released a Public Notice on March 23, 2022, stating that the amateur radio application fees, including those associated with Form 605 application filings, would become effective on April 19, 2022. The Federal Communications Commission’s authority to impose and collect fees is mandated by Congress.

The $35 application fee, when it becomes effective on April 19, will apply to new, renewal, and modification applications that request a new vanity call sign. The fee will be per application.

Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, and modification applications to upgrade an amateur radio licensee’s operator class*, will be exempt from fees. (*this new information was just confirmed by FCC staff on Tuesday, March 29.)

VECs and Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams will not have to collect the $35 fee at exam sessions.

Once the FCC application fee takes effect, new applicants will pay the $15 exam session fee to the ARRL VE team as usual and pay the $35 application fee directly to the FCC by using the CORES FRN Registration system. VEC and VE team licensing procedures will not change.

When the FCC receives the examination information from the VEC, it will email a link with payment instructions to each qualifying candidate. The candidate will have 10 calendar days, from the date of the application file number being issued, to pay. After the fee is paid, and the FCC has processed an application, examinees will receive a second email from the FCC with a link to their official license or, in very rare instances, an explanation for why the application was dismissed or denied. The link will be valid for 30 days.

Per usual procedures, examinees that pass multiple exams at one session, will have one application transmitted to the FCC reflecting the highest-level license class earned. Again, our procedures will not change. The new license candidates will have an extra step before the license is issued. VE teams can point candidates to our FCC Application Fee webpage. Our new ARRL VEC CSCEs also include information about the application fee and points candidates to the webpage. The FCC rule pertaining to CSCEs will not change. CSCE credit will continue to be valid for 365 days, starting from the date of issuance.

For VE teams holding exam sessions the weekend before April 19, the FCC advised that applications not received by the FCC before April 19 will be subjected to the fee. The ARRL VEC urges teams to upload sessions via our documents upload page to get your sessions to us as quickly as possible. Assuming the FCC electronic batch filing (EBF) system is functioning properly on Monday, April 18, the VEC staff will work to get these to the FCC before April 19. Email the VEC department at VEC@arrl.org for the upload instructions.

Additionally, the FCC stated that the fee for applications processed and dismissed will not be refundable. This includes vanity requests where the applicant does not receive the requested call sign. However, returned applications that are missing information will not require an additional fee, if the missing information is submitted to the FCC within the proper amount of time.

Youth Licensing Grant Program

Anticipating the implementation of the fee in 2022, the ARRL Board of Directors, approved the ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program in July 2021. Under the program, ARRL will cover a one-time $35 application fee for license candidates younger than 18-years old for tests administered under the auspices of the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (ARRL VEC). Qualified candidates also would pay a reduced exam session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC. ARRL is finalizing details for administering the program.

Further news and instructions will follow as the FCC releases them. Details for the ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program will be posted when available. For additional information, visit the resources below.

ARRL VEC Application Fees webpage:

arrl.org/fcc-application-fee

ARRL News Story: arrl.org/news/new-amateur-radio-license-applications-fee-to-become-effective-april-19-2022

FCC CORES Video Tutorials: fcc.gov/licensing-databases/fcc-registration-system-cores/commission-registration-system-video-tutorials

FCC Registration Help: apps.fcc.gov/cores/publicHome.do?help=true

Clubs

AB1OC: “Helping HAMs and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get On The Air” at Waltham ARA Meeting Online, March 30, 2022

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Waltham ARA logoPlease join the Waltham Amateur Radio Association  at 7 PM on March 30, 2022 when Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, will present “Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get On The Air.” 

[Contact Waltham Amateur Radio Association President Ron Senykoff, KG1T, at <rsenykoff@gmail.com> for video conference details.]

Regulation & Advocacy

New FCC Application Fee Will Not Apply To Amateur Radio License Upgrades

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FCC logoFrom ARRL News:
 
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) staff has clarified in response to an ARRL request that the new $35 application fee will not apply to most license modifications, including those to upgrade an Amateur Radio Licensee’s operator class and changes to club station trustees. The FCC staff explained that the new fees will apply only to applications for a new license, renewal, rule waiver, or a new vanity call sign. As previously announced, the new fees take effect on April 19, 2022.
 
“We are pleased that the FCC will not charge licensees the FCC application fee for license upgrade applications,” said ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM. “While applicants for a new license will need to pay the $35 FCC application fee, there will be no FCC charge for future upgrades and administrative updates such as a change of mailing or email address. Most current licensees therefore will not be charged the new FCC application fee until they renew their license or apply for a new vanity call sign.”
 
ARRL previously reported that the new $35 application fee for Amateur Radio licenses will become effective on April 19, 2022. Further information and instructions about the FCC Application Fee are available from the ARRL VEC.
Clubs

KJ6VU: “Building Out a Ham Radio Trailer” at New England Sci-Tech ARS Hybrid Meeting, March 29, 2022

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New England Sci Tech logoThe New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (NEST) will meet on-line and in-person on March 29, 2022 at 7 PM and feature “Building Out a Ham Radio Trailer” by George Zafiropoulos, KJ6VU. 
 
In this presentation, George will describe the process of designing and building out a radio trailer for field operating events.  Topics covered will include construction, power, radios, antennas, and accessories.
Bio: George has been a ham since 1972. He has a wide variety of radio interests including home brewing, QRP, and repeater building. His current station is a Flex 6400, an Elecraft K3, and a modest 6 band vertical (6BTV) and several QRP rigs. His favorite mode is HF CW and he can be found on DMR talk group 31075. George is the designer of the Sierra Radio Systems repeater control systems and the PackTenna line of portable antennas.  George is also the co-host of the Ham Radio Workbench podcast. You can listen to over 150 episodes of the show on any podcast player or directly from website https://www.hamradioworkbench.com  Additionally, George was honored to be interviewed by Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, on Eric’s QSO Today Amateur Radio Podcast. You can hear that interview  at https://www.qsotoday.com/podcasts/kj6vu 
 
(Face masks are now OPTIONAL for vaccinated visitors.)
 
3:00-7:00 – Radio room open; GET CHECKED OUT for the radio room.
 
6:00-7:00 – Mini-class: How to become a Volunteer Examiner (VE). Register HERE.
 
7:00 pm: “Building Out a Ham Radio Trailer” by George Zafiropoulos, KJ6VU.
 
8:00 pm: RADIO SHOP TALK – Each Tuesday after the regular meeting, join us for Technical Topics and Ham Radio Shop Talk. Hang out and ask any technical questions for discussion.
 
For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.
Foxhunting / Operating

K1MJC Fox is On the Loose in Waltham, March 27, 2022

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Mike Cormier, K1MJC, writes on the Waltham ARA list and NEMassFoxHunters list at 2:43 PM on March 26, 2022:

Yes, the K1MJC Fox is out first time for 2022!

I checked the weather, supposed to rain Saturday afternoon, but Sunday is supposed to be nice and decided to put it out on a Lark, perhaps Sunday maybe a bit chilly in the 50s.

The fox is in “Storer Conservation area” within the City limits of Waltham, MA.

I’ve decided to try out the “Delayed Start” feature, and set it to begin transmitting 12 hours later, so it should start transmitting or around 2 am and should be active all day Sunday. I also water-proofed it so a little rain this evening should not hurt it.

As usual, it will be retrieved before sundown Sunday.

There is no logbook with it so you could just post to the IO group if found.

The map on this page would prove useful!

https://walthamlandtrust.org/trail-guides/

NOTE: Perhaps in the near future, Eliot and I will put out tandem foxes, and the proposed location tentatively would be the “Greenough Conservation Land” in Carlisle MA.

Happy hunting!

Mike C. K1MJC 73

[Oops… forgot to mention, the fox is transmitting on 146.565. -Mike]

Regulation & Advocacy

New Amateur Radio License Applications Fee To Become Effective April 19, 2022

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FCC logoFrom ARRL Web:

A Public Notice released by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on March 23, 2022, in MD Docket No. 20-270, announced that new application fees for Wireless Telecommunications Bureau applications will become effective on April 19, 2022. The new fees, mandated by Congress, apply to applications for Amateur Radio licenses including those associated with filing Form 605, the Amateur Operator/Primary Station Licensee Application.

Effective April 19, 2022, a $35 fee will apply to applications for a new Amateur Radio license, modification (upgrade and sequential call sign change), renewal, and vanity call signs.

Anticipating the implementation of the fee in 2022, the ARRL Board of Directors, at its July 2021 meeting, approved the “ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program.” Under the program, ARRL will cover a one-time $35 application fee for license candidates younger than 18 years old for tests administered under the auspices of the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (ARRL VEC). Qualified candidates also would pay a reduced exam session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC. ARRL is finalizing details for administering the program.

ARRL had filed comments in opposition to imposing a fee on Amateur Radio license applications. The FCC initially proposed a higher, $50 fee. In a Report and Order (R&O), released on December 29, 2020, the amount was reduced — the FCC agreeing with ARRL and other commenters that its proposed $50 fee for certain amateur radio applications was “too high to account for the minimal staff involvement in these applications.”

ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (ARRL VEC) Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, explained that all fees are per application. “There will be no fee for administrative updates, such as a change of mailing or email address. The fees will be the responsibility of the applicant regardless of filing method and must be paid within 10 calendar days of FCC’s receipt of the application. For applications filed by a VEC, the period does not begin until the application is received by the Commission, a ULS file number assigned, and an email sent by the FCC directly to the applicant.”

VECs and Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams will not collect the $35 fee at license exam sessions. New and upgrade candidates at an exam session will continue to pay the $15 exam session fee to the ARRL VE team as usual, and pay the new, $35 application fee directly to the FCC by using the CORES FRN Registration system (CORES – Login).

When the FCC receives the examination information from the VEC, it will email a link with payment instructions to each successful candidate who then will have 10 calendar days from the date of the email to pay. After the fee is paid and the FCC has processed an application, examinees will receive a second email from the FCC with a link to their official license or explanation of other action. The link will be good for 30 days.

Somma also explained that applications that are processed and dismissed will not be entitled to a refund. This includes vanity call sign requests where the applicant does not receive the requested call sign. “The FCC staff has suggested that applicants for vanity call signs should first ensure the call signs requested are available and eligible for their operator class and area, and then request as many call signs as the form allows to maximize their chances of receiving a call sign.”

Further information and instructions about the FCC Application Fee are available from the ARRL VEC at www.arrl.org/fcc-application-fee. Details for the ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program will be similarly posted there, when available.

Clubs

K1UI: “What Can We Do About Noise Interference?” at the Billerica ARS Online Meeting, April 6, 2022

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Billerica ARS logoTom Walsh, K1TW, writes on the BARS mailing list:

Next BARS Meeting: April 6, 7PM on Zoom

Speaker: Rob Leiden, K1UI
Assistant NE Division Director

Topic:  What can we do about Noise interference?  Help is coming.

One of the biggest problems faced by amateur radio in this era of new technologies is the growth of noise that interferes with nearly every aspect of our hobby.  Solar panels, LED (including pot farm grow lights) power supplies, dimmer switches, computers and many other devices generate interference as do power line failures, cable TV leakage and other service malfunctions.

The New England Division is creating RFI teams, trained and equipped to help hams find and fix noise problems. Teams are forming in all six New England states.   One has started up in the Eastern MA section and our goal is to have at least one in every section.  Rob will be describing how these teams should be able to assist our members if you experience RF noise problems at your station. 

Those who have the technical background and interest to lead or join your section’s team, should contact their ARRL section manager. The section managers will work with division Leadership to establish RFI teams throughout New England.

Rob Leiden, K1UI is both an ARRL Assistant Division Director for New England and an ARRL Assistant Section Manager for Eastern Massachusetts. 

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

Additional Operators Sought for K2H Massachusetts 13 Colonies Special Event Operation, July 1-7, 2022

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Larry Krainson, W1AST, writes:

Each year from July 1 through July 7 the 13 Colonies special event stations are on the air. The goal is to work all 13 of the colony stations plus the extra bonus stations. This is a fun event that hams of Massachusetts are part of. 

The call for Massachusetts is K2H. Team K2H is looking for a few additional ops to activate K2H during the 7 days of the 13 Colonies special event station.

If you have ever wanted to be on the receiving end of a DX pileup, this is a fun way to do something very similar.

Last Year the Team K2H ops worked 15,265 stations. We are aiming to beat that this year due to much better band conditions.

Would you like to be a part of Team K2H?

We’re looking for hams that can commit to operating at least 5 of the 7 days and work at least 500 contacts, which is very easy to do.

You can operate SSB, CW, Digital or Satellite. 

All logging must be on a computer program that can export an ADIF file format.

If you would like to join the team or learn more, please contact: Larry, W1AST, at:

W1AST@arrl.net

The last day to sign up is June 9th 1st.

Larry, W1AST

  • ARRL WMA ACC
  • HCRA President
  • Visit my Ham Radio club website at: www.HCRA.org
  • Team K2H – 13 Colonies Massachusetts State Manager
  • Project Big E 2022 Organizer
Clubs

Algonquin ARC Tech Night Schedule, March-June 2022

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AARC logoThe Algonquin Amateur Radio Club has announced the schedule for its upcoming Tech Night sessions via Zoom, and in the training room of the Marlborough Central Fire Station building at 215 Maple Street in Marlborough:

 

Date Location Item
Thursday, March 24, 2022 Zoom Tech Night:  Lantern Battery Challenge
Thursday, March 31, 2022 Zoom Free Night: Hop on and discuss anything.
Thursday, April 28, 2022 Fire Dept HQ Training Room Tech NIght:  IN PERSON ANTENNA BUILDING
Thursday, May 26, 2022 TBD Tech Night:  TBD
Thursday, June 23, 2022 TBD Tech NIght:  TBD – maybe moved to field day weekend at the field day
Thursday, June 30, 2022 TBD Tech NIght:  FREE Night>Field Day wrap up
     
  Field Day  AARC Monthly Meeting
  EOC Meeting Tech Night
[updated 3/21/2022]
Flea markets & Conventions

Call For Presenters: 2022 HamXposition, August 26-28

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HamXposition logoPhil Temples, K9HI, writes:

Don’t just attend the 2022 Northeast HamXposition—BE A PART OF IT! The HamXposition Committee seeks fresh and exciting presentations for this year’s joint ARRL New England/Hudson Division Convention on August 26, 27 & 28, 2022. We’re looking for talks of both a technical and non-technical nature. As a HamXposition presenter, you will have the opportunity to share your subject and knowledge with amateur radio operators from around New England, New York, the surrounding states, and Canada.

In addition to talks and forums throughout the day on Saturday, we will feature Saturday evening entertainment, workshops on Friday, and a half-day Sunday program.

If you represent a regional club or organization (e.g. YCCC, NEQRP, WRONE, MARS, etc.) we can help facilitate open forums or closed meetings by providing you a meeting space.

Non-profit groups who wish to set up information tables should get your requests in early. While the tables are offered without charge, we ask for some volunteer time in return to assist us with ticket sales and other logistics during the convention.

To register as a speaker or presenter, please go to https://hamxposition.org/speaker.html or email k9hi@hamxposition.org if you have additional questions.

We look forward to seeing you at the Convention.

73,

Phil Temples, K9HI
Program Chair
Northeast HamXposition
k9hi@hamxposition.org

Clubs

K1KI: “New England QSO Party Yesterday and Today” at Framingham ARA Meeting, April 7, 2022

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Framingham ARA logoDirector Emeritus Tom Frenaye, K1KI, will present at the Framingham Amateur Radio Association (FARA) meeting at 7:30 PM on “New England QSO Party Today and Yesterday.”

He will also talk about “Come on in, the water is warm” and “Improving your HF operating skills.”

Tom ran the ARRL Contest Department for 4 years from 1977-81. He served on ARRL and ARRL Foundation boards from 1985-2018. Tom started the New England QSO Party in 2002, with the help of Bob, W1RH. K1KI was volunteer and site location coordinator for the World Radiosport Team Championships held in the Boston area in 2014. He is a former New England Division Director and past president of the Yankee Clipper Contest Club.

FARA meets the first Thursday of the month (except in July and August) at 7:30 pm .  All area hams and those not yet licensed but interested in amateur radio are welcome to attend.

Members will receive a zoom invitation.  Non-members may request an invitation by sending an email to John president@w1fy.org.

Clubs

NE1D: “Hunting & Activation of Parks On The Air” at Nashoba Valley ARC Hybrid Meeting, March 17, 2022

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Nashoba Valley ARC logoBruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s March meeting is Thursday, March 17th at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell). Doors will open at 7:10 PM.

We will also “simulcast” this meeting via Zoom (details are below), giving people who live outside the local area or who have concerns about meeting in person an opportunity to participate. Masks will be available for those who meet in person.

This month’s meeting will feature Dimitris Paliyannis, NE1D.  Dimitris will speak on “Hunting and Activation of Parks on the Air.” My understanding is that Dimitris will explain the program and talk about participating from the point of view of calling station.

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

PS. Thanks to the Pepperell Community Center for the use of the building, and thanks to Jim Hein, N8VIM, and his employer, Medtronics, for the use of the Zoom account.

 

Foxhunting / Operating

W1MJ Fox Will Be Deployed in Belmont, March 20, 2022

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Eliot Mayer, W1MJ, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list:

This Sunday, March 20, we are expecting partly sunny weather with a high near 53F in Belmont, MA.  I will deploy the W1MJ 5-watt fox in the Rock Meadow Conservation Area in Belmont from 9:30 AM until 5:30 PM.  The fox will transmit frequently on 147.54 MHz.  Information about this fox is available at http://w1mj.com/fox. 

The Rock Meadow parking lot is at 248 Mill St, Belmont, MA.  This is approximately 30 minutes from Westford per Google Maps.  If the lot is full, parallel parking on Mill Street is allowed.  Due to the rain expected on Saturday, please come prepared for mud in some parts of the meadow.

Per our online meeting over the winter, I will do another deployment at some point at Greenough Land in Carlisle, which closer to Westford.

73 DE W1MJ

All

W6WN: “Phones, Fires, and Failures – the need for more resilient disaster communications systems” at Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, March 15, 2022

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New England Sci Tech logoThe New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) will meet on-line and in-person on February 8, 2022 at 7 PM and feature  Alan Thompson, W6WN, presenting on “Phones, Fires, and Failures – the need for more resilient disaster communications systems.”
 
Description: This presentation is about the 2018 Camp Fire, with an emphasis on the colossal communications service failures that put people’s lives at risk and why these same failures will likely happen again. According to the presenter, we must find more resilient solutions to help ensure our communities get timely, life-saving information about fast-moving disasters like the Camp Fire.  This conclusion is especially the case in light of our present-day over-reliance on cell phones and the Internet – technologies which, in turn, depend on a trillion dollars of highly vulnerable infrastructure not failing. 
 
Biography: – Alan Thompson, W6WN, grew up and still lives in Placerville California. He was first licensed at the age of 11 and was the second youngest amateur radio operator in the U.S. at that time. He recently re-entered the amateur radio service in 2017 after building a career as a commercial satellite Internet Field Engineer. His clients include the Federal Aviation Administration, T-Mobile, the Department of Health Services, Facebook, Intelsat, Bank of America and Merrill Lynch. In 2018, Alan was part of a Disaster Recovery Team that installed several emergency satellite Internet backup systems to help restore cell-phone service shortly after the Camp Fire destroyed the communities of Paradise and Magalia, California. What he saw there and later learned about the colossal communications failures that occurred during the fire turned Alan into an “Accidental Evangelist” for fire safety and the need for alternative communications systems in the event of disasters. Alan is currently serving as the Public Information Officer for the El Dorado County Amateur Radio Club (EDCARC.net), and is the Chief Advocate for the Club’s non-Ham, Neighborhood Radio Watch program (edcarc.net/neighborhood-radio-watch).  
 
3:00-6:00 – Radio room open; GET CHECKED OUT for the radio room.
 
For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.