Author: k9hi

Public Information

KM1NDY Featured on Pittsfield Community TV, WTBR-FM, October 13, 2021

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Mindy Hull,  KM1NDY, South Boston, will be the featured guest on Ham On!, simulcast on Pittsfield Community Television and WTBR-FM 89.7 on October 13, 2021 at 9 AM.  The early morning program is produced and moderated by Western MA Assistant Section Traffic Manager Peter Mattice, KD2JKV.
 
Mindy will speak on a wide variety of topics including: Summits On The Air (SOTA); Parks On The Air (POTA); her work with New England Sci-Tech in Natick, MA; and operating in Winter Field Day. 
 
The show will also be available as a podcast.
 
Clubs

KC2G: “Propagation Website” at YCCC Meeting, October 6, 2021

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YCCC logoKen Caruso, WO1N, writes on the YCCC mailing list:

The formal meeting time is [October 6, 2021 at] 7:00PM – 9:00PM.

YCCC Member Andrew – KC2G will be giving a presentation on the propagation website he developed:

Prop.kc2g.com <https://prop.kc2g.com/>

Additionally, you may find the presentation by Jose – CT1BOH from the 2021 Spring Contest University interesting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-esob7BPtc

Check out Jose’s presentation that starts at the 5hr:39min mark and see how he used the data presented on Andrew’s site to improve his analysis/prediction of potential DX paths.

73,

Ken – WO1N

[Contact Ken at wo1n -at- arrl -dot- net for Zoom information]
Technical

Andy’s Ham Radio Linux Software Update, Version 24e

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linux penguin logoAndy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

I have just released version 24e of the “Andy’s Ham Radio Linux” software collection.  This is the 20th release since I started this work in 2011.  There are quite a few new pieces of software, as well as all of the other programs to which you’ve become accustomed.

To learn more: https://sourceforge.net/projects/kb1oiq-andysham/

Have fun and 73!

Operating / Youth

W0MXX Balloon Launch, Cummington, MA, October 2, 2021

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Seth Kendall writes on the STARS mailing list:

Max [W0MXX] and family are tentatively targeting a launch of our latest high altitude balloon on:

Saturday, Sept. 25th  October 2, 2021

TENTATIVE launch location: Around Stafford, CT Cummington, MA

Note: This will change on the morning of launch, so keep an eye out for posts!
Launch prep begins at 9:30 am with a launch time at around Noon.

(If Saturday is scrubbed, we will shoot for Sunday, and if that’s scrubbed, then next weekend. We will try to keep this thread updated.)

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Pick and choose from…

  1. Come to the Launch!  

    1. We start our prep at 9:30 am and aim to launch by noon.

    2. Keep an eye on our posts on the morning of launch for an updated location.

    3. Stream the prep and launch action for those that can’t make it using your phone.  We’ve never done this before, but always been interested, since most people aren’t able to come in person.  Our discord server has a Voice Hangout section that could be used for this, though we’re fine with any platform. (this is not expected if you show up haha, just a fun idea)

  1. Track the balloon online!

    1. https://aprs.fi/#!call=a%2FW0MXX-11&timerange=3600&tail=3600 

      1. This gives live updates directly from the transmitter.

    2. https://tracker.habhub.org/

      1. This is very useful for us, because it will give a predicted landing location.  As it gets close to landing, we can really benefit from people tracking it here, and letting us know where to look.  You can post locations here on groups.io, or if you are tracking it live and able to talk, give us your phone number to keep in touch while we’re on the road.

    3. Join our discord server for the most frequent updates.  We’d love to have you there in general as we work on weather balloons and try to troubleshoot problems!  It’s especially useful on launch day though.

      1. Step 1 – Make a Discord account:  http://discord.com/app 

      2. Step 2 – Join our server.  This invite will expire in 7 days:

https://discord.gg/fQRpHG8n 

  1. Watch this thread on groups.io, or better yet, track the balloon and contribute to it!

  2. Come track the landing beacon!

    1. Bring your 2m mag mount antenna, SDR, and laptop (with wifi access – we use our phone as a mobile hotspot), and try to pick up those final beacons just before (or after) it hits the ground (read: tree).  This can really help us to pinpoint where it actually landed.

    2. Max will post tomorrow with more details about using HDSDR and Direwolf to receive, decode, and publish the GPS data online.

    3. Keep up to date on the predicted landing location using tracker.habhub.org (above) or just tuning into others’ posts on our Discord or groups.io.  I’m not sure where people will post, but we find Discord easier for these kinds of things. 

  1. Come help us physically search for and recover it.

    1. Keep up to date on landing location via groups.io

    2. We’ll agree on a meeting point from which to conduct the search.

    3. Bring some basic survival stuff

      1. Boots, bug spray, water, etc.

    4. Bring your handheld to maintain contact during the search!

    5. We have a slingshot, and are trying to grab a fishing reel in time in order to try and fish it out of a tree should the cutdown system not work.  If you have any other tools you think could help with that, bring em!

    6. If you are a tree climber, bring your gear!  We’ll put you to use!

 

 
We’ve seemed to zero into a final launch location:
 
William Cullen Bryant Homestead
207 Bryant Rd
Cummington, MA 01026 
Foxhunting / Operating

KD1D Fox is Transmitting, Westford, MA, October 1, 2021

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Alan Hicks, KD1D, writes on NEMassFoxHunters list on October 1, 2021 at 4:29 PM: 
 

The KD1D Fox is on the air: 146.565 MHz FM, transmitting for about 20-30 seconds every 60 seconds

You may be able to hear it from the Westford Town Common (Boston Road and Main Street), but you may have better luck taking a bearing from the park near the top of Parkhurst Drive.

The approximate location is One of the Conservation Lands listed at:
https://westfordconservationtrust.org/trust-land/

73 and Happy Hunting from Alan, KD1D

 
Clubs

New England Sci-Tech ARS / Wellesley ARS Joint Meeting, September 28, 2021

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The New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society and the Wellesley Amateur Radio Society will hold a joint online and in-person meeting on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 7 PM at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick MA 01760, Telephone: 508-319-9592.
 
The STARS radio room will be open from 5:00-7:00 PM with informal radio activities.
 
The joint meeting with the Wellesley ARS will begin at 7:00 PM.  Jeremy KB1REQ will demonstrate cabling kits. 
Refreshments will be served.
 
Flea markets & Conventions

NEAR-Fest is ON! October 15-16, 2021

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NEAR-Fest logoMichael Crestohl, W1RC, writes:

NEAR-FEST XXX is ON!  We are looking forward to seeing all our friends, new and old, after a very long two-year absence at Deerfield at 0900 on Friday October 15th.

Although there are no state or local mandates we want everybody to feel safe at NEAR-Fest.  We are asking all attendees to bring their own masks and hand sanitizer.   PLEASE respect the wishes of others and wear a mask when inside any of our buildings and observe a 10’ or 2m distance from others whenever possible.  We also request that you don your mask when interacting with any member of our staff, inside or outside.  They have expressed their concerns.  Remember if we didn’t have them we could not do NEAR-Fest! Kindly honor their wishes.

Tickets will be on sale at the gate.  Admission is $15 per person and $10 for inside parking which includes flea market selling space.  You can save $5 on your admission tickets if you buy them in advance.  They are available BY MAIL (do not mail later than Monday October 5th)Mail to NEAR-Fest, 316 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead MA 01945, checks or amo payable to NEAR-Fest and a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Also available in person at Ham Radio Outlet in Salem NH and at Ross W1EKG’s clock shop, 40 Walnut Street in Whitman MA.

We look forward to our “Grand Homecoming”.  It has been a very long two years.

73,

MisterMike, W1RC

PS: Don’t forget to attend the ARRL Division Director candidates “Town Hall” meeting on Friday.   See our web site www.near-fest.com for details.

 
 
Public Service

Request for operators YuKanRun Twin Lights Half Marathon, October 3, 2021

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Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA list:

CAARA request for operators: we are looking for a few check points and a trail vehicle.

CAARA has a great public service team. Come out and have some fun with us. Why?  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 Twin Lights Half Marathon at Good Harbor Beach, October 3, 2021 at 9:00 AM. Half Marathon starts at Thatcher Road, Gloucester, MA.

While CAARA’s repeater performance has greatly improved we may still experience some difficulty with communications especially with low-powered HTs, so we’ll be looking for higher powered equipment to staff those areas.

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.

Twin Lights Communications Team.
Gloucester, MA. Good Harbor Beach
Last Updated: 9/27//2021 7:50pm
Event date: October 3, 2021
On Location: 8:30 am
Starts: Half Marathon Run = 9:00am
Freq: W1GLO Repeater 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up 146.505 Simplex

Public Service

Ham Volunteers Sought for “Set the Pace” Road Race, Pembroke, October 2, 2021

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John O’Neill, K1JRO, writes on the South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group:

We will be providing communications support for the annual Set the Pace road race / event supporting South Shore Health’s Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Unit.  

This year the event will take place at the Hobomock Elementary School in Pembroke on October 2, 2021 at 9 am.

We are in need of a handful of ham operators stationed along the route.  A 2-meter handheld programmed for 147.42 simplex and the Bridgewater (147.18 tone 67.0) Repeater is all that is required.

You will be stationed along the course on town streets providing race support.   

If you would like to volunteer please reply by this coming Wednesday, September 22.  

Thank You,

John O’Neill
K1JRO
Regards,
John O’Neill
ssharg@outlook.com

Meet up info:
8AM
Hobomock Elementary School
Learning Way, Pembroke.
Soccer Field Parking Lot
(On the right before school)

Frequencies:
Simplex 147.42
Bridgewater Repeater 147.180 T 67.0

Course Map attached

Thanks,
John O’
K1JRO

Foxhunting / Operating

K1MJC Fox is On the Loose in Waltham, September 24, 2021

- by k9hi - 2 Comments.

Mike Cormier, K1MJC, writes on the Waltham ARA list and NEMassFoxHunters list at 5:33 PM on September 24, 2021:

Yes, the K1MJC Fox is out yet again! I watched the weather and decided to take a chance.

The fox is in somewhere in a conservation area, and for all those eager Beavers you might be able to locate it before Sundown today.

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!

Operating

First Annual New England Parks On The Air Event, October 16, 2021

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Parks On The Air logoThe K1USN Radio Club has announced the 1st Annual Autumn New England Parks On The Air event on Saturday, October 16, 2021 from 0000-2359 UTC. Activate as many different POTAs as possible.

The goal is to have one group/individual at each site to enable the activation of as many NE POTAs as possible.
 
Officially listed POTAs from throughout New England are required.

Maps and lists can be found at <https://parksontheair.com/>.
 
Since this is not a “contest” official log submissions will not be required but summaries would be encouraged. A post-event link will be available at <www.k1usn.com>. 
 
We hope to give the public a chance to learn a bit more about Amateur Radio by obtaining some free pre-event publicity and with the use of informational handouts. Here are samples you could use:

<http://www.bellevuearc.org/docs/WhatisHamRadioFlyerA.pdf>
 
<http://www.arrl.org/file/file/Brochures%20and%20Exhibit%20Materials/What%20is%20Amateur%20Radio%20flyer%208_5x11.pdf>
 
<https://flysnf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ham-Radio-Flyer.pdf>
 

image.png

The weekend of Oct 16 – 17 is also JOTA weekend and all participants are encouraged to reach out to local Scouting groups: <https://www.jotajoti.info/>.

Remember that this will be a New England-wide event so folks that attend NEAR-Fest on Saturday, October 16th in Deerfield, NH may wish to activate a NH park on the way home.

Okay, who is interested in jumping onboard the NE Autumn POTA event?
 
BTW, Bob, WC1N, has created a spreadsheet so that we can keep track of individuals/clubs as they sign on. You can sign up at: <http://www.ilovepota.com/index.php>.
 
image.png

 
For those of you with additional questions or comments please reply to <k1rv@arrl.net>.
 

Clubs / Operating

POTA Activation: Magazine Beach (Cambridge), Charles River Reservation, K-8405, September 25, 2021

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Boston ARC logoBrendan Baldonado, NW1S, writes on the Boston Amateur Radio Club mailing list:
 
Hello All, 
 
No doubt your email has been full of the tales of our last Parks On The Air (POTA) activation.  Well, let’s do it again! 
 
I am planning to go to Magazine Beach in Cambridge to activate. I visited around the 4th of July and thought it was a great little park. It happens to be part of the Charles River Reservation, Park K-8405. 
 
I am planning on going Saturday, September 25th at 11:00 AM. Bring your own food, snacks and water, I will bring four chairs and a small metal table to operate on. ALL are welcome. 
 
They have parking,  ” Magazine Beach Car Top Launch, ” https://goo.gl/maps/pvvqWu2KaQkkZvvg7. The parking Limit is 4 hours which should be more than enough time. 
 
Also the location is just off the #47 Bus. or a short walk across the BU Bridge from the Green Line, BU West Stop. 
 
There are Porta Potties nearby and a Trader Joe’s for food and beverage.  
 

We will use the Boston repeater to coordinate arrival and meet up.

It may rain on Saturday, if that happens I won’t be able to go Sunday due to a previous engagement but anyone else I will encourage to go. 

Brendan – NW1S

Youth

JOTA Volunteers Requested in Chelmsford, October 15-17, 2021

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JOTA-JOTI logoGeorge Allison, K1IG, writes on the PART of Westford email list:

The JOTA is an annual event in which Scouts and Guides all over the world connect with each other by means of amateur radio, and this year will be held October 15-17. The Scout troop in Chelmsford is interested in participating, and is looking for hams who could host a few scouts at their home station, set up a portable station at the Scouting site in Chelmsford, or organize a fox hunt. The number of Scouts is estimated at 10-15, but could be more. If you want to host just a small number of Scouts at your home station, that can be arranged. Activities conducted indoors will require masks.

If you’re interested in participating, reply directly to me (k1ig (at) arrl dot net) by September 26.
—

George  K1IG
PART President
WB1GOF.org

Clubs

K6LCS: “How to Work Amateur Satellites with Your HT” at New England Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, September 21, 2021

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New England Sci Tech logoOn Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 7:00 PM, Clint Bradford, K6LCS, will present “How to Work Amateur Satellites with Your HT” (meeting is both in-person and online) at the New England Sci-Tech ARS (STARS) meeting.

Description: 

You do not need 100W of transmit power nor expensive antenna arrays to work the FM amateur satellites! Many hams already have the necessary equipment to “work the birds.” This presentation will walk you through ALL the steps needed to successfully work several ham satellites.  This presentation has been well-received by more than 100 clubs and conventions to which Clint has given it. Between the material presented, the handouts, the always-lively Q&A during and afterward, and the www.work-sat.com support Web site, STARS will be providing attendees complete information on this aspect of the amateur radio hobby.  

Bio: 

Clint K6LCS has been a ham since 1994 and found his niche in the hobby working amateur satellites with minimal equipment and telling all about it! He has served as a liaison between NASA, the ARISS team, and schools coordinating amateur radio contacts between the International Space Station and students (and orchestrated a wildly successful ARISS contact). Audiences have never found his presentation slides “wordy” or dull and trivia questions are included throughout the session.  For reference materials, Clint has created a support Web site at www.work-sat.com for all to use. The Web site has become a one-stop source for all the citations, equipment recommendations and software suggestions made in the presentation.  Professionally, Clint was sales manager for ADI / Premier Communications / Pryme, worked for a Motorola commercial two-way dealer for a couple of years, and for Ham Radio Outlet for a couple more. He resides in Jurupa Valley, California, with his wife, Karen, and their rescued lab, Freja.

For Zoom conference information, email Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at bobphinney -at- nescitech -dot- org or call 508-720-4179.

Clubs

AB1OC: “Programs Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get on The Air” at PART of Westford Meeting Online, September 21, 2021

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PART of Westford logoGeorge Allison, K1IG, writes on the PART of Westford list:

The September [PART of Westford] meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, beginning at 7:30 PM via WebEx video conference.  A meeting link is below; just click on it 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.

The meeting topic will be “Programs Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get on The Air,” presented by Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC. Fred is president of the Nashua Area Radio Society (and a PART member!), and he’s been mentoring young hams and prospective hams for many years. He’s got some good ideas about getting youngsters interested in the hobby and ways to get new hams better acquainted with all the things they can do on the air.  <…>

See you at the meeting!

[To request conference login information, contact George Allison, K1IG, at k1ig -at- arrl -dot- net]
 

73,
George, K1iG

Emergency Communications

Winlink Thursdays: A Great Tool for EmComm

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Winlink logoLarry Gray, W1IZZ, writes on the Falmouth ARA website:

WinLink Thursdays are a great way to learn how to use the Winlink radio email system for effective emergency communication messaging.  See ARES Letter Issues (arrl.org) to read one ham’s experience.

Each WinLink Thursday session provides an opportunity to learn a new WinLink feature and practice using WinLink by sending a message to our regional clearinghouse.

To learn more, subscribe to the EmComm Training groups.io groups by going to:
main@EmComm-Training.groups.io | Home

and subscribing to the group.  You can also look through the message archive by clicking the Messages “button” in the upper left of the groups.io page to read about earlier WinLink Thursday sessions.

Both Mel, KC1ELB and I are regular WinLink Thursday participants, so we can provide some local assistance as necessary.

Larry, W1IZZ

[See also: https://emcomm-training.org/]
Flea markets & Conventions

Preliminary Ticket Sales Estimates for 2021 HamXposition

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HamXposition logoHamXposition Chairman Bob DeMattia, K1IW, has released some preliminary numbers for ticket sales for the Northeast HamXposition and New England ARRL Convention in Marlborough, MA on September 10-12, 2021.

“Based on the number of unissued tickets, attendance was 1212,” writes Bob.

“We printed 2200 tickets, and had 988 remaining at the end.  We issued approximately 1212 tickets total.” K1IW adds, “For what it’s worth, my prediction was we would issue around 1200.”

The Committee expects to net between $8,000 to $10,000 in profits–most of which will be used to fund FEMARA scholarships.