The Flea at MIT is Back
Mike Crestohl, W1RC, writes:The MIT flea market is back.
It had been called off during the COVID and after the passing of Steve Finberg, W1GSL, who shepherded it through many successful years.
Author: k9hi
Mike Crestohl, W1RC, writes:ARRL Foundation Grant Program Accepting Proposals
From ARRL Web:
The ARRL Foundation grants program awards limited funding to organizations for eligible amateur radio related projects and initiatives, particularly those with a focus on educating, licensing, and supporting Amateur Radio activities. Youth-based projects and initiatives are especially encouraged. The ARRL Foundation grants program accepts proposals on a cyclical model three times a year.
Grant proposals are accepted from:
- February 1 – February 28
- June 1 – June 30
- October 1 – October 31
All proposals will be reviewed by the Grant Committee at the close of each cycle. Once the Committee agrees on the proposals to fund, they will be sent to the full Foundation Board for a formal vote. Awardees will be notified approximately one month after the closing of each cycle. [Full story]
KW1U: “National Traffic System (NTS) & Message Handling” at New England Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, February 8, 2022
The New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (NEST) will meet on-line and in-person on February 8, 2022 at 7 PM and feature “National Traffic System (NTS) & Message Handling” by Marcia Forde, KW1U.Description: In this talk, Marcia Forde, KW1U will be discussing message handling in general, how the National Traffic System came to be, how and why we do what we do, and a brief glimpse into the future.
Bio: Marcia was first licensed as KA1GBS in 1980. She was introduced to ham radio when her son Dale (now K1WU) was 13 years old and attended a summer school class in Morse code taught by a local ham. Dale and friends went on to get licensed in 1973. It took seven years for Marcia to get up the courage to take the Novice exam but she has been hooked ever since. She upgraded to General in 1982 and Extra in 1984. She has been an active traffic handler in the ARRL’s National Traffic System since 1981, participating at all levels from local and section to region, area and Transcontinental Corps (TCC) on both CW and SSB. She operates a 24/7 scanning Pactor 1, 2 and 3 MBO on HF and a connecting VHF Packet station for the Digital Traffic Network (DTN), formerly NTSD. She recently added VARA HF capability as of November 2021. She is a registered Winlink user and can accept Winlink traffic for import into the DTN, and is working to help coordinate use of the NTS with ARES for handling long haul messaging. Marcia’s station consists of a Kenwood TS590SG, a G5RV multi-band antenna up around 45 to 50 feet, a 160 meter dipole, and a tri-bander at 45 feet, which currently needs a tower climber and a tree trimmer to make it functional again. She has a PTC IIe Pactor modem, and a Yaesu FT 7900 and Kam plus modem for packet into a 13 element two meter beam up around 50 feet. She also has an Ameritron AL811H amplifier. Around 2011 when appointed Section Traffic Manager for both Eastern and Western Mass, Marcia re-activated a combined section CW traffic net (MARI) which meets on 3565 Khz daily at 7:00 PM ET. CW is still her favorite mode and she is happy to see increasing interest in this mode. Marcia operates a hub station on the RRI Digital Traffic Network (DTN) and scans multiple bands on HF accessible via Pactor 1, 2, and 3 and VARA. Message traffic can be moved via her MBO to anywhere in the US and Canada and also internationally wherever it is permitted. Check with Marcia at kw1u@arrl.net for frequency information. Her VHF Packet station sits on 145.09 and is available to feed messages into the DTN. Marcia can also be reached at kw1u@winlink.org.
Come meet at NEST! We usually have pizza! (Face masks still required, please.)
5:00-7:00: radio room open; informal radio activities.
For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.
KM1NDY: “Parks On The Air” at Wellesley ARS Meeting, February 15, 2022
The next Wellesley Amateur Radio Society Zoom meeting on Tuesday, February 15 will feature Mindy Hull, KM1NDY, presenting on Parks On The Air.
WARS President Dan Brown, W1DAN, will email a Zoom meeting invite link before the meeting. If you are not by your computer, you can call in to the meeting via telephone.
PART Members’ Antenna Article Featured in March 2022 QST
George Allison, K1IG, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:
The two Bobs have done it again!
The March 2022 issue of QST (available now on the ARRL website) has another antenna article written by the prolific team of PART club member Bob Glorioso, W1IS, and Bob Rose, KC1DSQ! This article, “Portable 20-Meter Phased Dipole Beam,” describes a two-element wire beam antenna that can be electrically reversed 180 degrees. We used this antenna at Field Day last year and it’s very effective.
As usual, you can vote for this article for the QST Cover Plaque award. The award website should be available for voting in a week or two.
—
George K1IG
PART President
WB1GOF.org
Major Northeast Winter Storm Prompts ARES, SKYWARN Activations
From ARRL Web:
02/04/2022 – Volunteer radio amateurs across New England got down to business over the final weekend in January, as a major winter storm and blizzard dropped up to several feet of snow in the face of hurricane-force wind gusts along the coast. The combination of wet snow and damaging winds felled trees and power lines in coastal portions of eastern Massachusetts, particularly in Cape Cod and the Islands, and caused minor-to-moderate coastal flooding at high tide. The record-breaking blizzard made the top 10 list of major snow events in the cities of Boston and Providence. [Full story]
W1GBH: “Working at WGBH” at Boston ARC Meeting, February 17, 2022
The next general meeting of the Boston Amateur Radio Club will take place on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. on the Zoom teleconferencing program. Our speaker will be Christopher Kelly, W1GBH. Chris is the broadcast engineer for WGBH and its affiliated stations, and he will give a talk about his job and responsibilities.
Joe Chapman NV1W / Secretary
Boston Amateur Radio Club
[For Zoom conference information, email Joe Chapman, NV1W, at nv1w -at- arrl -dot- net]
“SOS Sounded for Historic Radio Towers”
CHATHAM – Driving along Ryder’s Cove on Route 28, it’s impossible to miss the three tall, steel lattice antennas once used by the Marconi-RCA ship-to-shore radio station. Home to ospreys during the spring and summer, the structures are an imposing reminder of the power the station once had to send and receive signals from halfway around the world, keeping in touch with ships at sea for more than 70 years.
Built in 1921, seven years after the rest of the station, the 100-year-old towers are still apparently structurally sound, but there is concern that they may not be receiving the maintenance necessary to keep them that way.
One of the towers, especially, faces an uncertain future unless something is done to arrest erosion along the Ryder’s Cove shore.
[Full story]Volunteers Sought for MS Walk Boston, April 3, 2022
Ethan Hansen, KC1OIP, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:
After a 2-year hiatus MS Walk Boston is back. Throughout the year, the National MS Society organizes walks to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research and patient advocacy. The Boston walk has long relied on hams to help ensure everyone’s safety.
This year’s MS Walk Boston is on Sunday, April 3rd. It starts and ends at Boston University’s Nickerson Field in Boston, and runs along Commonwealth Ave and Boston University. Volunteers will check in at 8:00 AM, and stay until the early afternoon.
To volunteer, register online at https://nmss.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=659389
I’ll be organizing the hams for this event. In addition to registering, please respond me with the following information:
* Your call sign, full name, and name you prefer on the air
* Contact information: your e-mail address, and phone numbers where you can be reached (cell, home, office)
* Your shirt size
* The transmit band(s) of your radio(s), and other equipment you could bring
* Do you have any needs or requests we should consider when making your assignment?
I addition to contacting me All Volunteers must
This is a requirement of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Thanks for volunteering, and 73,
Rick Savage KB1LYJ
857 272 2866
Ethan Hansen – KC1OIP
BARC Public Service Chair
Amateur Radio Demo at Boy Scouts Klondike Derby, Dunstable, February 5, 2022
Mindy Hull, KM1NDY, writes in K1USN Happenings:
Jon Lyna, KC1MII, is one of the organizers of the Boy Scouts of America’s Klondike Derby this Saturday, February 5th! And he is looking for any hams who would like to come and help out, play radio, and inspire some Scouts to get on the air.
Thanks to Pi, K1RV, for letting the group borrow W1BSA as our call sign for this event!
Limey (my green van) will be decked out in full radio apparel, and we will be setting up a couple HF stations, along with UHF/VHF. AA1F and I plan on getting there for the 2 pm set-up.
Hope to see you there!
Mindy – KM1NDY
km1ndy.km1ndy@gmail.com
This is from Jon KC1MII:
——————————
WHO:
Anyone interested in introducing HAM radio to local boy scouts
WHAT:
HAM radio exhibition at the local Boy Scouts Klondike Derby
WHERE:
Larter Field, 80 Groton St, Dunstable, MA 01827
WHEN:
Saturday, February 5, 2022 Set up starts at 2pm. Exhibition from 4pm to 6pm, later if there is still interest.
WHY:
To introduce local boy scouts to the hobby of HAM radio, and any potential application is scouting.
WEATHER:
Friday night there is rain and wintery mix predicted. The high temperature for Saturday is predicted to be 23 with a low of 5.
WHAT TO BRING?
Dress for the weather, and something from the HAM radio hobby that could apply to boy scouting.
GOAL OF THE EXHIBITION:
We are going to set several information stations, that can explain and demonstrate several aspects of HAM radio, and why the could be interesting or useful to boy scouts. Topics to include but are not limited HT’s and local repeaters, Morse Code, and Parks on the Air (POTA) and Summits on the Air (SOTA).
<…>
All the best,
Jon Lyna, KC1MII
Amateur Radio and AUXCOM Support to the Department of Defense
ARRL will present a webinar on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 8 pm ET (0100Z Feb 18) on Amateur Radio and AUXCOM support to the Department of Defense.
Use this zoom link to attend:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Check out the ARRL link below for more detail:
This webinar will coincide with the start of MARS Exercise 22-1, which should provide opportunity to practice these skills.
Tom Kinahan
US Army Military Auxiliary Radio System
Region One Director
aaa1rd@usamars.us
W1UE: “HF Propagation – A Different Look” at Billerica ARS Meeting Online, February 2, 2022
Next [Billerica Amateur Radio Society] Meeting: Wed Feb. 2, 7 PM on Zoom
Speaker: Dennis Egan, W1UE
Topic: HF Propagation – A Different Look
Dennis Egan, W1UE, has been licensed for 53 years. He is an avid contester, and his main interest in propagation is to improve his contest scores. He is Past President of the Yankee Clipper Contest Club (YCCC) and is Past Chairman of the ARRL Contest Advisory Committee. While Dennis has no transmitting antennas at his residence, he has used Remote Stations for the past 12 years to satisfy his need for contesting.
BARS will announce the link to join the Zoom meeting before the meeting, and it will be posted to the BARS email list and should not be shared outside our Club. Are you on the email list? If not, please send an email to bars-subscribe@w1hh.org and then simply reply to the robot response from the server and you will be subscribed.
Observing our Zoom meeting requires only a web browser and headphones/speakers. You do not need a webcam or microphone unless you want to speak or be seen.
Before our meeting date, please go to https://zoom.us/test and see if it will function for you. If you have problems, we can try to assist – feel free to ask questions on the BARS email list.
[For Zoom conference details, email Bruce Anderson, W1LUS, at w1lus -at- hotmail -dot- com.]W1MJ Fox QRV in Waltham, January 23, 2022
Eliot Mayer, W1MJ, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters and Waltham ARA mailing lists:
I recently assembled a 5-watt fox, and plan to put it out this Sunday, January 23, from 10 AM (or earlier) to 4 PM. I will make another post here on Sunday morning to confirm successful deployment (or not).
The suggested starting point is Elsie Turner Field on Trapelo Road in Waltham, across from the National Archives.
Since a 5-watt fox can be heard from some distance, and since it is winter, I offer this clue: I reached the hiding place with less than a ½ mile walk from Elsie Turner Field. The fox makes transmissions on 147.54 MHz at approximately 1 minute intervals, mostly in voice, but some in Morse code. If you want to know a bit about what you are looking for, see http://w1mj.com/fox.
Good luck DE W1MJ
KM1CC QRV for Marconi’s First Transatlantic Wireless Message Anniversary, January 18, 2022
Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club writes on Facebook:
Due to COVID, regrettably the SSB operations are cancelled. However, we still plan to have the CW ops.
This on the air event commemorates the119th Anniversary of the first USA to Europe/UK transatlantic wireless message made from Marconi’s Wireless Station, South Wellfleet, MA, USA on January 18, 1903.
KM1CC Operating Plans : CW operations will take place inside the park’s Coast Guard Station that sits to the south of the Wireless Station Site. Check http://dxsummit.fi for spots.
Core frequency plan+- 20 kHz:
40M …7.035 CW
30M …10.110.CW
20M …14.035 CW
17M …18.080 CW
15M …21.035 CW
10M…CW
NO FT4/FT8 or digital
Hope you can help us honor Marconi by making a contact with us.
[See also: “Marconi: Beyond the Horizon“]
“The History, Renovation, and Future of MIT’s Green Building’s Radomes” at New England Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, January 18, 2022
The New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (NEST) will meet on-line and in-person on January 18, 2022 at 7 PM and feature “The History, Renovation, and Future of MIT’s Green Building’s Radomes” by MIT Professor Kerri Cahoy, Daniel Sheen, KC1EPN, and members of the MIT Radio Society.A description of this project can be found at: https://news.mit.edu/2021/saving-the-mit-radome-0507
Daniel Sheen, KC1EPN, is the Trustee and a former president of the MIT UHF Repeater Association, W1XM, and a former station manager for the MIT Radio Society, W1MX. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Science and Engineering from MIT in 2019. While pursuing graduate studies in Electrical Engineering and Computer science, he worked at Haystack Observatory designing a new UHF feed for the Westford Radio Telescope, earning his Master of Engineering degree in 2021. Currently he works at Diversified Technologies Inc designing RF amplifiers and high voltage power supplies for radar transmitters, while continuing to advise the MIT Radio Society.
Come meet at NEST! We usually have pizza! (Face masks still required, please.)
5:00-7:00: radio room open; informal radio activities.
For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.
ARRL Foundation to Create Club Grants Program
From ARRL web:
1/13/22–A new ARRL Foundation Club Grants program, funded by a grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), will make $500,000 available to radio clubs. The program will provide up to $25,000 for worthy club projects. Requests for more than that will be referred back to ARDC.
ARRL has long recognized that it is in the best interests of amateur radio to encourage and support amateur radio clubs. Clubs historically have recruited, licensed, and trained new radio amateurs and have provided the community setting for radio amateurs to continue their education and training. The new Club Grants program will help clubs more easily provide and expand their important services.
Beginning in April 2022, amateur radio clubs will be able to apply for these grants by filling out a simple form on the ARRL website. The ARRL Foundation will evaluate the grant proposals. The Foundation was established in 1973 to advance the art, science, and societal benefits of the amateur radio service by awarding financial grants and scholarships to individuals and organizations in support of their charitable, educational, and scientific efforts.
A key criterion for determining awards will be how the project will advance amateur radio in the grantee’s community. In most cases, this process should take no longer than 90 days.
ARRL Foundation President David Woolweaver, K5RAV, shared his enthusiasm about this new program. “This program will substantially contribute to the growth of amateur radio clubs and their efforts to expand and support the amateur radio community,” he said.
ARDC is a California-based foundation and makes grants to projects and organizations that follow amateur radio’s practice and tradition of technical experimentation in both amateur radio and digital communication science. ARDC Executive Director Rosy Schechter, KJ7RYV, noted that this program will streamline the process for getting club projects funded, so that clubs can get started on these projects more quickly.
“We’re very excited about working with the ARRL Foundation on this program,” said Schechter. “We can’t wait to see what kinds of creative things clubs will do with these grants.”
January 2022 Section News Now Available
The January, 2022 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/january-2022-section-news/.
HamXposition Volunteer Webmaster Sought
From nediv.arrl.org:
Northeast HamXposition General Chair Bob DeMattia, K1IW, writes:
FEMARA, Inc, the organization behind HamXposition/The ARRL New England Division Convention (and formerly known as Boxboro!) is looking for a volunteer to build and maintain its web presence at hamxposition.org. We are currently running on a non-standard content management system platform, but are seeking to convert to a standard platform such as WordPress. Your first task will be to convert the website to this platform, maintaining the current content and building an operational commerce engine to handle online ticket sales. Once this is in place, you will make content updates and maintain the system. Experience with web sites and basic e-commerce will be needed.
This is a volunteer opportunity. Almost all work can be done at home. We will have 4-6 meetings throughout the year which you will be asked to attend. All meetings can be attended on Zoom.
Please contact Bob DeMattia k1iw@hamxposition.org if you are interested in helping us out.
FEMARA Inc. is a Massachusetts non-profit corporation that sponsors and runs the ARRL New England Division Convention. Our goals are twofold; to offer the richest and most diverse ARRL Convention in the country, and to support the ARRL Foundation’s scholarship program.
FEMARA is qualified under IRS 501(c)(3). Donations to FEMARA are deductible as allowed by IRS regulations.
You can read more about us at https://hamxposition.org/about-femara
AB1QB: “Informal DXpedition to French Polynesia,” North Shore Radio Association Meeting Online, January 17, 2022
The [North Shore Radio Association] board of directors has decided due to the rise in COVID-19 cases we are returning to ZOOM ONLY Meetings for at least the next two months, maybe more.
Please join us again on Zoom!
Speaker for January:
Informal DXpedition to French Polynesia – Fred, AB1OC and Anita, AB1QB went on a holiday style DXpedition to Bora Bora less than a year after we were licensed. In this presentation, Anita will talk about planning for the DXpedition, the destination, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, our station and operations, the results, and what we learned from the experience.
[Zoom conference information will be sent via the NSRA groups.io mailing list. Contact Eric, KA1NCF, at ka1ncf -at- nsradio -dot- org to be added to the groups.io list.]
Attention, All Interested Foxhunters: Video Conference, February 8, 2022
George Allison, K1IG, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list:
The days are starting to lengthen and that can only mean that fox-hunting season is getting closer! To help get us ready, I’ve scheduled a Webex video conference for all interested fox hunters on Tuesday, February 8, at 7:30 PM. If you haven’t used Webex, it’s very similar to Zoom; I’ll send out an invitation to the groups.io list with instructions and a link you can click on to join the conference. Feel free to forward the invitation to anyone you think would be interested in attending.
The February 8 date is flexible; if there aren’t enough attendees to support that date, I can re-schedule.
I haven’t finalized the agenda, but it could include these topics:
- Introductions
- Show and tell of foxes and antennas
- Discussions of fox-finding techniques
- Plans for the upcoming season. Suggestions for variations and improvements.
- Suggestions for recruitment and training.
If anyone has a discussion topic or wants to make a presentation, let the group or me (k1ig@arrl.net) know. We should be able to finalize the agenda by February 1.
73,
George
K1IG