Author: k9hi

Clubs

KB1OIQ: “Regenerative Receivers” at PART of Westford Meeting, December 21, 2021

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PART of Westford logoGeorge Allison, K1IG, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:
 
The December PART meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, beginning at 7:30 PM via Webex video conference.  A meeting link is below; just click on the green button to join in.  You can join the conference any time after 7:00 PM to check out your gear or just rag chew until the meeting starts. We will NOT be meeting in person at the Senior Center until further notice.
 
PART member Andy (KB1OIQ) will give a talk about a 1920s radio receiver architecture called a “regenerative receiver”.  Andy built one of these from scratch based on a simple schematic.  He used old parts obtained from NearFEST and other flea markets.  The radio receives the AM Broadcast Band and shortwave frequencies up to 10 MHz.  It additionally receives sideband and CW.  Like all regenerative receivers of the day, it requires 3 hands to tune.
 
The Nano-VNA presentation originally scheduled has been re-scheduled for the January 18 meeting.
 
See you Tuesday!
 
73,
George K1IG
President, PART of Westford
 
[To request conference login information, contact George Allison, K1IG, at k1ig -at- arrl -dot- net]
Operating

ARRL Rookie Roundup CW Event is December 19, 2021

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If you’re new to CW operating, the ARRL Rookie Roundup (CW), December 19, 1800 – 2359 UTC, is a chance to enhance your CW skills. The objective of the event is to encourage recent licensees to experience competitive amateur radio operating on HF.

A Rookie is anyone who was first licensed in the current calendar year or in the previous 3 calendar years (2021, 2020, 2019, or 2018), regardless of license class. If you were licensed earlier, you can still qualify as a Rookie if you haven’t made any contest contacts on CW before this Rookie Roundup.

Rookies will attempt to make as many contacts as possible during the 6-hour event. Rookies work everyone, and non-Rookies work only Rookies. Stations exchange call signs, first names, a two-digit year, and state/province (or DX, if appropriate). In the exchange, Rookies should send the last two digits of the year of your first contact. If you’ve never made any contest contacts using CW, or if you’re a non-Rookie, send the last two digits of the current year in your exchange. — Thanks to ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE

Clubs / Operating

Algonquin ARC “Lantern Battery Competition,” January 1-March 31, 2022

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Algonquin ARC logoAlgonquin ARC writes:

The intent of the AARC LBC is to foster camaraderie among members and find out—in a light-hearted fashion—just how many QSOs can be extracted from a stack of batteries before they are depleted beyond the point of usefulness.  We’re continuing to call this the “Lantern” Battery Challenge even though there is no need to actually use expensive lantern batteries.

Activity period

AARC’s LBC will commence at 0000Z on 1 January 2022 and conclude at 2400Z on 31 March 2022.  Participants can join at any time during the challenge period but must finish by the end of the challenge.

Bands, Modes

Consistent with the terms of the participant’s license, operation on any band, using any mode, is permitted.

Energy Source (Batteries)

Batteries must be assembled from the equivalent of “D” cells or smaller.  Any combination of cells stacked in series not exceeding 15 volts is acceptable, provided that no more than two cells are connected in parallel anywhere in the stack.

     (Note that each of the lantern batteries used last year was the equivalent of four 1‑1/2 volt “D” or “F” cells in series, so two lantern batteries stacked in series yielded 12 volts.  Most rigs like 12V or higher and mis-perform at voltages under 10V.  Current drain depletes the cells quickly and reduces their voltage.  This year’s “connected in parallel” rule allows for starting with twice as much energy, increases the available current, and slows voltage depletion.)

Energy Management

At the participant’s option (or maybe to the extent of his or her technical acumen), only the actual transmitter need be powered by the lantern battery stack.  Receivers, logging software, keyers, decoders, etc. need not be on battery.

Antennas

Any antenna is OK.  Wire works.  So do those “solid state amplifiers” made of aluminum tubing.  There is no scoring penalty for using antennas with gain.

Scoring

  1. A QSO consists of no less than a two-way exchange of callsigns and signal reports.  Beware that long QSOs use battery energy!
  2.  Score:

  —  One point per standard battery QSO with a non‑AARC member.

  —  Two points per standard battery QSO with an AARC member.  Duplicate QSOs with the same member do not count.

  —  Zero points for repeater QSOs.

  1.  Period.  That’s it.  No other bonuses, penalties, multipliers, or dividers.

Reporting

Reporting is on the honor system.  Submission of paper or electronic logs is discouraged as not being within the intended spirit of camaraderie and fun.  On the other hand, expect to have a good time regaling the other members with your LBC exploits at the April meeting.  Plus, any participant who posts an LBC-related item on the AARCList during the challenge gets brownie points.

Awards

Recognition (maybe even certificates) and certainly bragging rights will be awarded for:

  –  Most QSO points

  –  Most QSOs

  –  Best DX

  –  Most unique rig

  –  Shortest battery life

  –  Longest battery life

  –  … more?  Suggestions accepted.

Clubs

“Homebrew Night” at Nashoba Valley ARC In-Person Meeting, December 16, 2021

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Nashoba Valley ARC logoNVARC President Bruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s December meeting will be TONIGHT, Thursday, December 16th, at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell). Doors will open at 7:10 PM for socializing, etc.

This month’s program will feature “Homebrew Night”. Come in and show off what you’ve been working on over the past TWO years. No project is too small—or too large. If your project is physically too big, don’t fret. Bring along some pictures, JPEG files, or anything else. We’ll find a way to project or display graphics. Homebrew, kits, software, restoration, innovative solutions. Come. Brag. Converse. Have coffee. This is one of the best “social” meetings of the year…

Because last year’s home brew night was conducted over Zoom, feel free to bring (and show!) that item you showed last year. Besides “show and tell”, home brew night tends to be “touchy/feely”. It’s hard to do that over Zoom!

Remember, HB Night and the upcoming Short Subjects Night (the January meeting) both rely on member participation. It’s your hobby; brag about it.

Because of the nature of the meeting, this meeting will not be available on Zoom.

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

Operating

Second Annual “Hams All-Holidays On-Air Celebration” at W1E, December 18, 2021

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Parks On The Air logoMindy Hull, KM1NDY, writes on the Boston ARC list:

Special Event Station W1E is going live this Saturday for the 2nd Annual “Hams All-Holidays On-Air Celebration!”

Born more than a slight bit out of the pain and frustration that the pandemic was causing, AA1F and I wanted a way to celebrate all of the holidays and special occasions that COVID stole from all of us in 2020. Ironically, many of you will remember, that a COVID scare canceled the actual public part of this public event, and AA1F and I operated it as a duo instead.
 
Well, cue 2021, because we are back at it! Same place, same time as we were going to do it last year. SO! If you have had enough with holiday shopping, traveling, and gift wrapping, head over to Hopkinton State Park sometime after 11am and sometime before 3pm, and enjoy a bit of portable radio at its finest!  
 

Here are the details: 

WHO: 
You, your family, your friends, your dog, your iguana. 
 
WHAT: 
The 2nd Annual Hams All-Holidays On-Air Celebration (Special Event Station W1E)
 
WHERE: 
Hopkinton State Park. Use the Main Entrance at 164 Cedar St., Hopkinton, MA 01748. Follow Maps (attached). 
 
PARKING: 
Park in large lot at boat launch. We will meet in a grove of trees with picnic tables near the beach at the end of the parking lot that is the farthest from where you entered it. See maps. 
 
GPS COORDINATES OF EXACT MEETING SPOT: 
42°15’30.7″N 71°31’01.8″W     ( 42.258539, -71.517168 )
 
WHEN: 
Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 11am to 3pm (or around that time). 
 
WHY: 
To celebrate ALL OF THE HOLIDAYS! And play radio with friends…
 
WEATHER: 
Doesn’t look great right now unfortunately. Swing by and say hello anyway. We should have shelters set up. 
 
WHAT TO BRING? 
Comfort items like warm clothes, food, drinks, chair. There should be picnic tables available. 
A handheld 2M radio if you have one. 
 
WHAT ABOUT RADIO STUFF?
We will have everything you need to get on the air. Otherwise, bring whatever rig/antenna for any mode/band you’d like. We will have band pass filters for most of the HF bands, so bring an extra coax jumper cable if you are bringing your own equipment. The band pass filters help us operate simultaneously without interfering with one another. 
 
WHAT FREQUENCY WILL THE GROUP USE/MONITOR? 
146.52
 
PARKS ON THE AIR (POTA)? 
Hopkinton State Park is also a POTA site! Activation code K-2440.  AA1F and I plan on operating W1E as a dual POTA and Special Event Station. If you want to start getting POTA points, you need to make 10 contacts using your call sign. 
Please sign up for POTA by clicking the login tab (on two different screens) here: https://parksontheair.com/
All modes and bands count for POTA!
 
“BUT, I AM ONLY A TECHNICIAN…” 
So? We will get you on HF if you want anyway! AA1F and I are both Extras, and happy to act as control operators.
 
“I DON’T WANT TO GO OUT. I WANT TO STAY IN. GET THINGS DONE.” 

First off, do you know what song this is??? Second, then get on the air and hunt us down! We look forward to hearing from you! And we are sending QSL cards automatically to each and everyone who contacts us. 

So, you guys probably know how I feel about these things. I like our events to be as simple for you guys as possible. So as always, show up when you want, hang out, and leave when you want. And have a whole bunch of fun in between. 

 
Yours truly, 
KM1NDY
 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating

Marconi Commemorative Event Contact, December 12, 2021

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KM1CC – Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club writes on its Facebook page:

Today, December 12, 2021 is the 120th anniversary of the first transatlantic signal- the letter S. In 1901 Marconi’s Poldu, UK Wireless Station sent the letter S: Marconi received the letter S by flying a kite at Signal Hill, Saint Johns, Newfoundland.
 
To commemorate the anniversary the Newfoundland Marconi Radio Club – VO1MRC, scheduled contacts with KM1CC and other early-historic- Marconi Stations. Messages were exchanged between stations, and the letter S was sent in CW by the Poldhu Station GB2GM as they did 120 years ago.
 
KM1CC will be on the air Tuesday, January 18, 2022 for the 119th anniversary of Marconi’s first USA to UK/Europe transatlantic message. More details will be posted closer to January 18.
 

KM1CC Commemorative Event, Dec. 12, 2021Shown here: KM1CC members K1RTA and N1NS on the air for the 120th anniversary event of the letter S. The two operated from a home station near the historic Marconi station site.

Foxhunting / Operating

K1MJC Fox is On the Loose in Waltham, December 10, 2021

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Mike Cormier, K1MJC, writes on the Waltham ARA list and NEMassFoxHunters list at 3:49 PM on December 10, 2021:

Yes, the K1MJC Fox is out on a December Bonus outing!

I checked the weather, it’s supposed to be in the 60s Sat & Sun and decided to take a chance. 

 It is looking like wind and rain early on Sat (best time after 11:00AM ) but Sunday should be the better day, maybe a bit chilly In the mid 40’s.

I put it out today, Friday, but I’ll leave it to you as to how much of a risk you would like to take in this kind of weather … l take no responsibility!

The fox is in somewhere in an area within the City limits of Waltham, MA.

I’ve gone to “School” on making the experience a bit more difficult, if you chose to look for it, you’ll see what it is I had in “store” for you, and how long it takes you to find it will determine how successful I was.

As usual, it will be retrieved before Sundown Sunday.

One of The maps on this page would prove useful!

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

Happy hunting!

 
Clubs

Algonquin ARC Flea Market, Marlborough, February 19, 2022

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AARC logoThe Algonquin Amateur Radio Club will hold its Marlborough Flea Market on February 19, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the 1Lt Charles W. Whitcomb School, 25 Union St., Marlborough, MA. Talk-in is on the MMRA repeater, 147.27+ (PL 146.2). Any COVID-related updates will be carried on the AARC website at http://n1em.org.

A VE session will be held beginning at 9:00 AM. General admission is $5. Vendor tables are $15 before February 9, 2018, or $20 at the door if space is available. Each table includes one admission.

For more information, contact Tim Ikeda, KA1OS at 508-251-9317 (before 9:00 PM), email fleamarket@n1em.org or visit https://www.qsl.net/n1em/2022_flier.pdf.

Emergency Communications

Eastern MA Hospital Net Status

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John O’Neill, K1JRO, writes on the Eastern MA Hospital mailing list:

I am writing regarding participation in the Eastern MA Hospital Net.

We at SSHARG are fortunate that we can return to our “shack” at the hospital. We realize that most everyone is still facing restrictions or complete “lockouts” due to the ongoing Covid situation.  

Last month we held a Net and only had one participant, the Mansfield Emergency Management Agency.

For us to gather at South Shore Hospital, set-up our gear, and hold a net takes time and effort not to mention the cost of transportation these days. If we (you), the Eastern MA Hospital Net Group are not ready to resume regular Nets that’s fine. We will put our Nets on hold until such time as we are ready.

This coming Saturday [December 4, 2021] is the first Saturday of the month when we would regularly hold a Net. In advance of that I’m querying the group to see who can and will participate if we hold a NET this Saturday. If we don’t at least have a handful of members who will commit to participating we will simply not hold a NET this month and hopefully things will be better in January.

I look forward to any responses or comments.

73,

John O’Neill, K1JRO

South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group

Clubs

Quannapowitt Radio Association Comes to an End

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QRADon Melanson, W1DM, writes on the QRA website:

It is sad news that I report that the Quannapowitt Radio Association ( QRA ) has ended.

At the October Board of Directors meeting the Board of directors recommended dissolution of the Association due to the number of factors as explained to the remaining QRA membership in a recent letter. The membership subsequently unanimously voted to dissolve the Association at the November Membership Meeting.

The membership also voted to distribute the remaining QRA treasury toFEMARA to support its scholarship programs.

It was also noted the the QRA dissolved on exactly their 73rd Birthday.

I would like to thank all Members, Board of Directors ( both present and Past ) and all others who supported the QRA in its 73 years of service to the Amateur Radio Field. We made a lot of friends both Nationally and Locally. Friends we will never forget. Hopefully we will catch each other on the bands.

73s de

Don Melanson W1DM

QRA President

Foxhunting / Licensing Education & Training / Operating

Fox Hunting Video Conferences Over the Winter Months Proposed

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George Allison, K1IG, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list:

As the snow season arrives, we’ll be taking a hiatus from our outdoor fox hunting events. To keep our expertise up, though, what is the interest in having one or more video conferences over the winter to show off equipment and techniques? I can host the conferences with a Webex account (very similar to Zoom).

Possible meeting agendas could include fox and fox-finding equipment demos, photos of memorable hunts, discussions of hunting techniques, and improvements or variations to our events.

Depending on interest, the first video conference could be held in December or January. 

Please reply to the group to let us know if you’re interested. Tell us your preferred day(s) of the week, suggested agenda items, and when you want the first meeting (specific date not required; preferred month is fine). When I get the info I can send out some date choices.

73,
George K1IG

Clubs

K1BG: “Amateur Radio CW Software Demonstration” at the Billerica ARS Online Meeting, December 1, 2021

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

Bruce Blain, K1BG,  will give an amateur radio software demonstration at the Billerica Amateur Radio Society meeting on December 1,  2021 at 7 PM. 

Bruce, W1LUS, will distribute the zoom link separately.

Bruce, K1BG, will join us with another one of his great presentations. This time Bruce will focus on a couple of software programs (i.e., RufzXP and Morse Runner), along with a demonstration of their use.  “Rufz” is the abbreviation of the German word “Rufzeichen-Hören”, which means “Listening to Callsigns”. RufzXP is an excellent training software for improving code speed and CW practice. Morse Runner is a Windows-based contest simulator developed by Alex Shovkoplyas, VE3NEA. Tools are also available to run Morse Runner on Mac computers.

Both programs are one of the many instruction tools used by CW Ops and CW Academy.

Following the presentation, we will invite the members to offer other suggestions of software they use on a regular basis to enhance their amateur radio pleasure. And, if there is interest, we can look into providing demonstrations at future meetings.

The business meeting and open discussion on any other topics will conclude the evening. So please join us for another friendly and informative BARS meeting.

About our evening speaker:

Bruce K1BG is an instructor for CW Academy, Bruce has recently been elected as President of the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club which meets in Pepperell, MA. He is also the Affiliated Club Coordinator (ACC) in the Eastern Massachusetts ARRL section.

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

W1JAR: “Digital Voice Modes” at Framingham ARA Meeting Online, December 2, 2021

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Framingham ARA logoArt Lipatov, W1JAR, will present on “Digital Voice Modes” at the December 2, 2021 meeting of the Framingham Amateur Radio Association.

– DMR, Yaesu System Fusion, D-Star, advantages, shortcomings of each. There are many more modes, but these are the “main” ones
– Internet linked digital voice, talkgroups / rooms / reflectors. NEDECN DMR network (New England Digital Emergency Comm Network)
– Hotspots, connecting to digital voice internet rooms from your shack without a repeater.

Also, Ron, WO1E, will do a shack and equipment visit

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

Foxhunting / Operating

KD1D Fox “Out for One Last Hunt Before Hibernation,” November 27, 2021

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Alan Hicks, KD1D, writes on NEMassFoxHunters list on November 27, 2021 at 11:33 AM:
 

The KD1D  RF Fox  is out for one last hunt before hibernation.  

The KD1D Fox operates on 146.565 MHz FM with an output power of about 50 milliwatts and is currently located somewhere in Littleton.  It can be heard in the area  on Route 119 /2A between Route 110 (Littleton Common) and Route 27 (where the rail trail crosses).  If you’re not familiar with the area, check out the expandable map on

https://littletonconservationtrust.org/trail-guide/

Clues:   A small three-leaved plant and one of the Disney chipmunks.

73 and good hunting de KD1D Alan

The trail may be a bit wet in spots.  Boots are advised.

Awards / Clubs

Nashoba Valley ARC Recognized by W1 QSL Bureau for 25 Years of Service

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The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club was recognized for its long service to the W1 QSL Bureau at a NVARC QSL sorting party on November 18.  Eric Williams, KV1J, W1 QSL Bureau Co-manager, awarded the club a beautiful plaque, which read:

“Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club – In appreciation of 25 years of service to the W1 QSL Bureau – 2021”

Accepting the award on behalf of NVARC was club president Bruce Blain, K1BG.

K1BG plans to bring the plaque to the club’s December club meeting to show those members who were unable to attend the sorting party.

“NVARC should be proud of the support we have given the bureau over the years,” writes Bruce. “Thank you to all the club members and guests who have supported the sorting effort during this time, and I look forward to sorting cards with you for many years to come.”

Left: NVARC commemorative plaque awarded by W1 QSL Bureau;  (l-r): W1 QSL Bureau Co-manager Eric Williams, KV1J; NVARC President Bruce Blain, K1BG.

NVARC commemorative plaque from W1QSL Bureau

Public Service

Request For Operators YuKanRun Happy Holidays Half MerryThon, Gloucester, December 5, 2021

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Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA list:

CAARA has a great public service team. Come out and have some fun with us.

You are using amateur radio to provide a needed public service to ensure the safety and smooth running of a public event in local communities.

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Happy Holidays Half Marathon on Sunday December 5, 2021 at 9:00 AM for a 10:00 AM start time. Start, finish at Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, MA 01930.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event so I can plan staffing positions for the event.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use ( mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; rubber duck, etc.) so we have a better idea of where to locate you along the event course per the potential of your equipment.

The course will be open and supported by CAARA  for four hours. Runner safety is everyone’s top priority.  Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Public Information

Whitman ARC to Operate at Plimoth Patuxet, November 27-28, 2021

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Whitman ARC logoMembers and friends of the Whitman Amateur Radio Club will operate amateur radio at the Plimoth Patuxet [formerly known as Plimoth Plantation]. Setup time is scheduled for 10 AM on Friday, November 26. The group will operate on Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 3 PM.

“We really need anyone who is going to please email us this weekend the days and times you can be there,” writes WARC president Bob Azanow, WA1Q. “I would like to submit the schedule to Plimoth Patuxet on Monday [November 22].”