Author: k9hi

Clubs

ARRL Foundation to Create Club Grants Program

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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.”

Flea markets & Conventions

HamXposition Volunteer Webmaster Sought

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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
Clubs

AB1QB: “Informal DXpedition to French Polynesia,” North Shore Radio Association Meeting Online, January 17, 2022

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North Shore Radio Association logoThe [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.]
 
Foxhunting / Operating

Attention, All Interested Foxhunters: Video Conference, February 8, 2022

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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:

  1. Introductions
  2. Show and tell of foxes and antennas
  3. Discussions of fox-finding techniques
  4. Plans for the upcoming season. Suggestions for variations and improvements.
  5. 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

[Contact George, K1IG, at k1ig@arrl.net for Webex video conference details]
Organization

New England Division 2022-1Q Cabinet Meeting, January 8, 2022

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From nediv.arrl.org:

ARRL New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, and Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, held the first quarterly division cabinet meeting of the new year on January 8, 2022 via Zoom. Approximately 50 amateurs representing ARRL-affiliated clubs and field organization leaders from all seven sections attended the morning meeting, along with two ARRL Headquarters staffers.  

[Full story]
Licensing Education & Training

Nashoba Valley ARC to Offer Technician Course Beginning January 31, 2022

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Nashoba Valley ARC logoThe Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club (NVARC) is offering a free amateur radio licensing course beginning on January 31st. The eight night course will prepare students for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technician licensing exam that will be offered at the completion of the course. The Technician level radio operator’s license is the first of three amateur licenses offered by the FCC. Each license has increased levels of operator privileges.

The course consists of twice weekly sessions beginning on Monday, January 31st, and meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays for four weeks (January 31, February 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21 and 23). The course will be held at the Pepperell Community Center, 59 Main St, Pepperell, MA 01463. Sessions will start at 7PM and last for 2 hours. An FCC license exam will be scheduled for the end of the sessions. The course is free, but there will be an FCC required $15 testing fee if you take the exam. It is suggested students purchase the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, Level 1, Technician, 4th ed. The study guide may be purchased from the instructor for $30 or online from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) or Amazon.

This course is open to all, there are no age limits. Pre-registration is required, no walk-ins will be allowed. To register, contact Bruce Blain, K1BG, at (508) 341-5124 or via email at bruce.blain@charter.net.

 

Operating

The Great Hill Gang “Day of Radio,” Weymouth, January 8, 2022

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Mindy Hull, KM1NDY, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:
 
The Great Hill Gang “Day of Radio”
 
ORGANIZER: There are a few, but introduce yourself to Mike, K1UVH, when you get there!
 
WHEN: Saturday January 8th, 2022, 10:30ish to 2ish???? (AA1F and I will be there at least between 11 am to 2 pm with Limey my van). 
 
WHERE: Great Hill Park in Weymouth (Rt 3A to Lovell St, which turns into Bradley St, and ends in a cul-de-sac on the Great Hill; see Map). 
 
WHAT: A fun, recurring, monthly parking lot field day with tents, antennas, and radios.Bring equipment, or not. You will be in close proximity to or at your car!
 
Map to Great Hill Gang
Clubs

KC1QAY: “A Hands-On Approach to Ham Radio” at at New England Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, January 4, 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 January 4, 2022 at 7 PM and feature Steve Kondo, KC1QAY,  who will present on “A Hands-On Approach To Ham Radio.”
 
Naturally a significant portion of ham radio sub-hobbies involve electronic circuits. Ham radio also gives us the opportunity to develop hands-on skills when it comes to making test equipment, building antennas, troubleshooting, and learning new software. Steve Kondo, KC1QAY, would like to share three basic, hands-on projects that a beginner to this hobby can complete in a weekend.  
 
Bio: Steve earned his second Technician license in November of 2021. He is a hands-on mechanical engineer with 20 years of product development and manufacturing experience ranging from aerospace to IoT hardware. Steve currently designs, builds, and maintains 4000 pound robots consisting of control, propulsion, dynamic, sensing, and electronic sub-systems for automated railroad track inspection. Steve machines, welds, and 3D prints in his home shop, and on occasion will attempt to write useful code.
 
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.
Operating / Youth

Kids Day is January 1, 2022

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From ARRL Website:

Saturday, January 1, 2022, is Kids Day. The event gets under way at 1800 UTC and concludes at 2359 UTC. Sponsored by the Boring (Oregon) Amateur Radio Club, Kids Day has a simple exchange suitable for younger operators: first name, age, location, and favorite color. After that, the contact can be as long or as short as each participant prefers.

Kids Day happens twice a year — in January and June — and can be your opportunity to get youngsters on the air and mentor future amateur radio operators to show them the fun and excitement that ham radio has to offer. You might just be introducing the next generation of hams to the airwaves. Share the excitement with your kids or grandkids, a Scout troop, a church or the general public.

Look for activity on these frequencies: 10 meters: 28.350 – 28.400 MHz; 12 meters: 24.960 – 24.980 MHz; 15 meters: 21.360 – 21.400 MHz; 17 meters: 18.140 – 18.145 MHz; 20 meters: 14.270 – 14.300 MHz; 40 meters: 7.270 – 7.290 MHz, and 80 meters: 3.740 – 3.940 MHz. Repeater contacts are okay with permission of the repeater owner.

As with any on-the-air activity that includes unlicensed individuals, control operators must observe third-party traffic restrictions when making DX contacts. Additional details are on the ARRL website.

As many communities are taking precautions due to COVID-19, participants are reminded to adhere to social distancing and face mask guidelines where applicable. If it’s not feasible to invite youngsters into your shack, consider other options to mentor, such as using social media platforms or via Zoom or other non-contact means.

Clubs

K1TWF: ARRL Happenings at Billerica ARS Meeting, January 5, 2022

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Billerica ARS logoTom Walsh, K1TW, writes in December, 2021 Eastern MA Section News:

[ARRL 1st Vice President] Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, will be presenting at the Billerica ARS monthly meeting  on January 5 at 7 PM via Zoom.  Mike always provides interesting updates on ARRL activities.  These presentations are a good way to stay in touch with your National association for Amateur Radio.

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

WA1JXR: “Introduction to NanoVNAs” at Barnstable ARC General Meeting Online, January 3, 2022

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Barnstable ARC logoNorm Cantin, WA1NLG, writes on the Barnstable ARC mailing list:

[…] Unfortunately, the Dennis Police Department is still closed to the public.  [The Barnstable ARC] will meet via Zoom [on January 3, 2022 at 7 PM.]

This month’s guest speaker is Greg Algieri, WA1JXR, who will present a very interesting topic:  Introduction to Nano VNA.  Due to Greg’s schedule, he will present at 8 PM.  We will conduct the business meeting prior to Greg’s presentation.

[Contact Norm Cantin, WA1NLG, at norman.cantin@gmail.com for Zoom meeting details.]

 

Licensing Education & Training

New England Sci-Tech Technician Courses In-Person and Online, 2022

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New England Sci Tech logoFrom <https://nescitech.org/shop/on-line-license-course-technician/>:

This ONLINE or IN-Person 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 (or in person) 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!

2022 IN-PERSON HAM RADIO CLASS FOR TECHNICIAN LICENSE

  • 4 day IN-PERSON course: Thu DEC 23, Mon DEC 27, Wed DEC 29, Thu DEC 30, 5:00-8:00 pm, EASTERN at 16 Tech Circle, Natick, MA.
  • 4 day IN-PERSON course: Mon Feb 21, Tue Feb 22, Wed Feb 23, Thu Feb 24, 3:00-6:00 pm, EASTERN at 16 Tech Circle, Natick, MA.
  • 4 day IN-PERSON course: Mon Apr 18, Tue Apr 19, Wed Apr 20, Thu Apr 21, 3:00-6:00 pm, EASTERN at 16 Tech Circle, Natick, MA.

Note: These in-person sessions are offered FREE for anyone who is a full-time student.

 

2022 ONLINE HAM RADIO CLASS FOR TECHNICIAN LICENSE

  • 4 day course: M-T-W-T Jan 10-13, 8:30-11:30pm, EASTERN
  • 2 day weekend cram: SAT-SUN Jan 15-16, 12:00-6:00pm, EASTERN
  • 4 day course: M-T-W-T Feb 7-10, 8:30-11:30pm, EASTERN
  • 2 day weekend cram: SAT-SUN March 5-6, 12:00-6:00pm, EASTERN
  • 4 day course: M-T-W-T March 7-10, 8:30-11:30pm, EASTERN
  • 4 day course: M-T-W-T April 4-7, 8:30-11:30pm, 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.

YES, our exam team is authorized to give ONLINE exams, so you can schedule your FCC Technician exam within a few days of finishing the course. We also give IN-PERSON exams in Natick, MA. Note that we must collect the standard $15 exam fee for the ARRL VEC separately from the course fee. (Fee is $15 across the country.

We administer ham radio exams both online and in-person, having proctored nearly 2,000 exams over the past decade. We’ve taught amateur radio classes for over 15 years with tremendous success. Hundreds of people have taken our classes with 99% having passed the exam to become licensed operators. We offer classes for all three levels of ham radio licenses:  Technician, General, Amateur Extra, as well as Morse Code.

Operating

New England Sci-Tech “Talk to Santa at the North Pole,” December 22-23, 2021

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Mall SantaNew England Sci-Tech writes on its Facebook page on December 20, 2021:
 
Can’t find a mall Santa? No problem. Let us connect your child with Santa Claus through the magic of wireless! Use the link at the end of this announcement to register your child for this free event!
 
This year New England Sci-Tech will participate in the annual Santa Net, a nation-wide network of amateur radio stations which allows youngsters to talk to “Santa at The North Pole” via strategically-placed radio operators who relay the voice of Santa. Reservations are now available through our website (see below). On the nights of December 22nd and 23rd we’ll open at 6:45 PM for registered families to come in, have a look around and learn a little about how this radio stuff works. At 7:00 we’ll put each child’s name onto the net check-in list and get an idea of when we can expect to receive our call over the air. At 8:15 the net opens and we’ll be able to listen in as children from all over North America talk to Santa while we wait for our turn. This year between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve the Santa Net team expects to connect over 1,000 children with Santa Claus, so we do expect a wait.
 
This is a FREE event, but registration is required and space is limited. To participate, reserve your spot on either Wednesday the 22nd or Thursday the 23rd on our Santa Net page at https://nescitech.org/shop/santa-radio/ and have your child prepared to tell Santa their top 2 or 3 gift wishes. Plan to arrive between 6:45 and 7:00.
Licensing Education & Training

K1BG, W1EKG: “How to Run a Successful Technician Class” Online Presentation, December 28, 2021

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Recent licensing class held by the Whitman ARCEastern MA Affiliated Club Coordinator Bruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

The ARRL website has a page which lists upcoming license classes (http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class). To my dismay, when I entered the Eastern Massachusetts section, I found no upcoming classes listed. Nothing! Nada! While I know that this is not the case (a number of local clubs do run license classes), it also worries me. Where are future generations of hams going to come from if WE are not bringing them into the hobby?

Ross Hochstrasser, W1EKG, of the Whitman Amateur Radio Club runs very successful license classes (technician, general, and extra). I used Ross’ template for the technician classes the Nashoba Valley ARC has run. We would like to share this experience with you, with the goal of having all ARRL Affiliated Clubs in Eastern Massachusetts sponsor amateur radio classes.

On the evening of Tuesday, December 28th at 7PM, we will have a zoom session called “How to run a successful Technician Licence Class” where we will introduce Ross’ program to you.

This program is by no means the only way to sponsor a successful class! If you have success stories that you would like to discuss or present, please let me know. Again, I’d like to see us having more classes, and I’d like us to be sharing ideas as to how we can make this happen.

If you can’t make it, please delegate this to someone in your club who can. Thanks in advance.

I look forward to seeing you on the 28th.

Bruce, K1BG
ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator, EMA

[For Zoom conference information, contact Bruce Blain, K1BG, at <k1bg.bruce@gmail.com>.]
Clubs

KD2EAT: “Tracking and Repurposing NWS Radiosondes for High Altitude Balloon Tracking” at New England Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, December 21, 2021

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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 December 21, 2021 at 7 PM and feature Mike Hojnowski, KD2EAT,  who will present on “Tracking and Repurposing NWS Radiosondes for High Altitude Balloon Tracking.”
 
Mike is an Amateur Extra operator, licensed since 2013. He’s the club advisor for the Amateur Radio Club at Cornell University (W2CXM) and is very interested in High Altitude Balloons and tracking. He has launched dozens of HABs and Pico flights, one of which is circumnavigating the planet. He’s designed, built and coded APRS and WSPR trackers using Surface Mount technology. Mike has a receiving station for National Weather Service Radiosondes and enjoys tracking and recovering them. NWS Buffalo just switched to “RS-41” sondes, which can be reprogrammed to beacon APRS, 4FSK and several other protocols. Mike is collecting some that land in his area to repurpose for HAB tracking so that he can give them to other balloon enthusiasts. His presentation will be about the software he’s using to track and recover the NWS radiosondes, and how to go about reprogramming them. In his spare time, Mike reluctantly does his day job, and sleeps.
 
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.
Flea markets & Conventions / Licensing Education & Training

“Ham Radio University” Going Virtual Again, January 8, 2022

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Ham Radio University 2022 logoWith COVID-19 uncertainties precluding an in-person gathering for a second year, the 23rd annual Ham Radio University (HRU <http://www.hamradiouniversity.org/>) educational conference will be held as a virtual event again this year, on Saturday, January 8, 1300 – 2000 UTC, as an online GoToWebinar videoconference.

Advance registration is required and begins on December 20.

HRU 2022 will be adding five forums this year, for a total of 19 presentations by experts in a broad range of amateur radio activities, including Amateur Radio Emergency Communications. Other topics are:

*       Basics of HF Operating
*       Ham Radio Contesting and DXing
*       Communicating through Amateur Radio Earth Satellites
*       Software-Defined Radios
*       HF and VHF Digital Communications
*       Parks on the Air
*       SKYWARN
*       Cables and Connectors
*       Using Raspberry Pi Computers in Amateur Radio.

Online attendees will be able to ask questions of the presenters. Founded by Phil Lewis, N2MUN (SK), HRU also serves as the  online convention of the ARRL NYC-Long Island Section.

As in past years, participation in HRU 2022 is free; an optional donation of $5 is suggested. Additional information is online, including the schedule of forums and advance registration starting December 20