Three-Way Races for Director Set in New England and Roanoke Divisions

ARRL logovia ARRL Web:

08/26/2021 – ARRL members in the New England and Roanoke Divisions will choose among three candidates running for Director in each Division. The candidates include two incumbents. Those are the only contested races in this year’s election cycle for Director and Vice Director.

In the New England Division, the candidates for Director are the incumbent, Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, of Lincoln, Massachusetts; past New England Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI, of West Suffield, Connecticut, and Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, of Hollis, New Hampshire.

New England Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, of Watertown, Massachusetts, was uncontested and has been declared elected.

In the Roanoke Division, the candidates for Director are the incumbent, George “Bud” Hippisley, W2RU, of Penhook, Virginia, and challengers James Boehner, N2ZZ, of Aiken, South Carolina, and Marvin Hoffman, WA4NC, of Boone, North Carolina.

No one challenged Roanoke Division Vice Director Bill Morine, N2COP, of Wilmington, North Carolina, and he has been declared elected for a new term. 

Incumbent Directors and Vice Directors in the ARRL Central, Hudson, and Northwestern Divisions also had no challengers and have been declared elected. In the Central Division, Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Vice Director Brent Walls, N9BA, of Greenfield, Indiana, will continue in their respective posts.

In the Hudson Division, Director Ria Jairam, N2RJ, of Sussex, New Jersey, and Vice Director Bill Hudzik, W2UDT, of Gillette, New Jersey, are unchallenged in this election cycle and have been declared elected. In the Northwestern Division, Director Mike Ritz, W7VO, of Scappoose, Oregon, and Vice Director Mark Tharp, KB7HDX, of Yakima, Washington, also faced no challengers in their re-election bids.

Full ARRL members of the New England and Roanoke Divisions who are in good standing as of September 10, 2021, will receive a ballot in the mail no later than October 1, 2021. Completed ballots must be received at the designated PO Box in the envelope provided by noon Eastern Time Friday, November 19, 2021.

AB1OC: “Programs Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get on The Air” at New England Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, August 31, 2021

 New England Sci Tech logoOn Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 7:00 PM, Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, will present “Programs Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get on The Air” at the New England Sci-Tech ARS (STARS) meeting.

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

“Build and Tune a UHF Antenna” Course at New England Sci-Tech

New England Sci Tech logoNew England Sci-Tech in Natick is holding an innovative course that teaches students how to build and tune a UHF (70cm), 1/4 wave vertical antenna with ground plane using simple, off-the-shelf materials and a nanoVNA.

According to their website, the project will have two goals:

  • To teach the practical use of the nanoVNA to make measurements on RF components and systems, with an emphasis on antenna measurements, and
  • To have each participant build, tune, and test a (hopefully) weather-proof ground-plane antenna suitable for base-station use at home, or for portable use in outdoor ham activities.

Cost of the activity will be minimal, just enough to cover the hardware.  Participants are asked to purchase their own nanoVNA (cost ~$60 to $90) and bring it to the session. 

[The course is currently sold out, but the group intends to offer it again in the near future.]

South Shore SKYWARN Net Meets Every Saturday on the Bridgewater 147.18 Repeater

N4NMFBarry Kennedy, N4NMF, writes on the Massasoit ARA Facebook page:

Please join us for our South Shore SKYWARN Net tonight and every Saturday evening at 8:00 PM on our W1MV – 147.180, PL 67.0 MARA repeater. You can check in with the weather in your local area–be it just the temperature or a more comprehensive report. Hope to hear you on!

73 de Barry, N4NMF

Hurricane Watch Net has Eyes on Hurricane Grace and Tropical Storm Henri

Screen shot of Hurricane Henri approach toward New EnglandVia ARRL website:

08/20/2021 – The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) is mustering as Hurricane Grace, a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of 85 MPH, is expected to make landfall between Túxpam and Veracruz, Mexico. The storm swept over the Yucatan Peninsula yesterday.

“We plan to activate this afternoon at 2100 UTC on 14.325 MHz and continue on this frequency until we lose propagation,” HWN Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, said. “We will start up on 7.268 MHz at 2300 UTC and continue for as long as we have propagation.”

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says Grace has maximum sustained winds of nearly 90 MPH with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast until the storm makes landfall.

Graves said that once attention shifts away from Grace it will zero in on Tropical Storm Henri, which is expected to make landfall in New England on Sunday. As of Friday at 1800 UTC, Henri was “almost a hurricane,” according to the NHC.

“We will activate Sunday morning at 1200 UTC on 14.325 MHz and remain active there as long as propagation allows,” Graves announced. “We will start up on 7.268 MHz at 2300 UTC and remain active there until we lose propagation. If required, we will resume operations on Monday beginning at 1200 UTC on 14.325 MHz.”

Eastern Massachusetts Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) Rob Macedo, KD1CY, has announced that Eastern Massachusetts ARES will be placed on stand-by later today (Friday). Macedo noted in mid-afternoon that WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center already was on the air to gather weather data via amateur radio.

The Boston/Norton National Weather Service office will be the primary agency during Henri for any SKYWARN-related activity. “VoIP Hurricane Net and New England SKYWARN regional operations will be combined to form one large network as done in past major tropical systems such as Irene and Sandy,” Macedo said. [Echolink *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and *NEW-ENG3* Echolink conference.] “Information from ARES-SKYWARN will be shared with other agencies including state and federal emergency management, Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and media outlets,” Macedo added. “We will coordinate with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).”

At 1800 UTC, Henri was 320 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and 720 miles south of Montauk Point, New York. Henri is heading north-northwest at 6 MPH, bearing winds of 70 MPH. Storm surge and hurricane watches are in effect for portions of the northeastern US. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the south shore of Long Island, from Fire Island Inlet to Montauk, the north shore of Long Island, from Port Jefferson Harbor to Montauk, New Haven, Connecticut, to Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts, and Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Block Island.

“A turn toward the north is expected by tonight, and Henri is forecast to accelerate in that direction through early Sunday,” the NHC said. On the forecast track, Henri is expected to make landfall in southern New England by late Sunday.”

Additional strengthening is forecast into the weekend, and the NHC expects Henri to be a hurricane by Saturday and be at or near hurricane strength when it makes landfall in southern New England.

AB1OC: “Programs Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get on the Air” at Framingham ARA Meeting, September 2, 2021

Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, will be the featured speaker at the Framingham Amateur Radio Association meeting on September 2, 2021 at 7 PM. He will present on “Programs Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get on The Air.”
 
For Zoom login information, please send an email to president@fara.org.

 

W2NDG: “What’s New in Digital Modes” at Billerica ARS Meeting, September 1, 2021

Billerica ARS logoTom Walsh, K1TW, writes on the Billerica ARS website:

This is a discussion on HF Digital Modes concentrating on FT8. The history and evolution of WSJT-X modes and its derivatives, like JS8-Call, JT-65, FT-4 and WSPR. We will also look at a few standalone kits for digital modes that you can build yourself, as well as an overview of FT8 software and associated software for digital modes.

Neil Goldstein, W2NDG, has been tinkering with radios since the early seventies when he used to hang out in his uncle’s ham shack in CT (W1PVC SK). These days he can be found in the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains with a QRP radio, or sitting at his workbench amidst a cloud of solder smoke. After first getting licensed in 2011 as KD2APZ, he started looking for ways to merge his two hobbies: computers and radio. Now, a holder of an Extra Class license, he experiments with SDR, rig control, digital modes, and has a well-used soldering iron. Neil maintains radiokitguide.com, the complete list of radio kit sources on the Internet.

[For Zoom conference details, email Tom Walsh, K1TW, at k1tw -at- comcast -dot- net.]

Challenge Walk MS 2021 Needs Volunteers, September 10-12, 2021

Rick Savage, KB1LYJ, writes:
 
Challenge Walk MS 2021 at this time is scheduled to happen on September 10-12. This will be the 20th year of the walk  We are in need of 4-5 hams a day to cover communications at rest stops. Route will be going through parts of Hyannis/Barnstable, Dennis, Yarmouth, Harwich and Falmouth. You can sign up for 1, 2 or all 3 days Please pass this around and feel free to share with others. Hopefully you can join us.
 
 
There is a special registration code for HAMS to save on the registration fee MSCHALLENGEWALKMSSTAR. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Please let me know that you have registered.
 
Rick Savage, KB1LYJ

AB1OC: “Programs Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get on The Air” at Quannapowitt Radio Association, August 19, 2021

QRAFred Kemmerer, AB1OC, will be the featured speaker at the QRA Zoom meeting at 7 PM on August 19, 2021. He will present on “Programs Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get on The Air.”
 
For Zoom  login information, please send an email to Don, W1DM (at) arrl.net.

 

KD1CY: “The SKYWARN Storm Spotter Program” in September 2021 QST

Kudos are in order to SKYWARN Coordinator and Eastern Massachusetts Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY, of New Bedford, for his article “The SKYWARN Storm Spotter Program” published in the September 2021 QST. The two-page article discusses the importance of Amateur Radio storm spotters, adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic, and becoming a trained spotter. 

You can vote for Rob’s article to win the September 2021 QST Cover Plaque Award  by visiting: <http://www.arrl.org/cover-plaque-poll>.

photo of KD1CY article "The SKYWARN Storm Spotter Program" in September 2021 QST

KC1US: “Amateur Radio Public Service” at Sci-Tech ARS, August 24, 2021

New England Sci Tech logoComing Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society: “Amateur Radio Public Service” by Bruce Pigott, KC1US.

This presentation will cover procedures, resources and clubs involved with public service events. Items discussed will include typical tasks, recommended equipment to use and communications protocols. Information about training as well as the groups and agencies that need radio support are also presented. Bruce has been doing events since 1989. He has been an operator, leader at large activities and a ham planner and organizer for various Public Service events. Bruce has maintained repeater systems, done many Field Days, participated in VHF contests, and built APRS tracker boxes. He has held a number of engineering positions, such as component engineer and test engineer for assembled boards and IC wafer trim and test.

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

FCC Application Fees Unlikely to Go into Effect Until 2022

From ARRL Web:

08/16/2021 – The schedule of FCC amateur radio application fees likely will not go into effect before 2022. FCC staff confirmed during a recent virtual meeting with Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs) that the agency is still working on the necessary changes to the Universal Licensing System (ULS) software and other processes and procedures that must be in place before it starts collecting fees from amateur applicants. Earlier this year, the FCC said it would not start collecting fees from amateur applicants before this summer. The new estimate is that the fees won’t go into effect until early next year.

Once it’s effective, the $35 application fee will apply to new, modification (upgrade and sequential call sign change), renewal, and vanity call sign applications. All fees will be per application. Administrative update applications, such as those to change a licensee’s name, mailing, or email address, will be exempt from fees. ARRL VEC manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, said Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams will not face the burden of collecting the $35 fee.

“Once the FCC application fee takes effect, new and upgrade applicants will pay the exam session fee to the VE team as usual, but they’ll pay the $35 application fee directly to the FCC using the FCC Pay Fees system,” she explained. 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 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. The link will be good for 30 days. Licensees also will be able to view, download, and print official license copies by logging into their FCC ULS account. The FCC no longer provides printed licenses.

Licensees can log into the ULS with their 10-digit FRN (FCC Registration Number) and password at any time to view and manage their license and application, print their license, and update anything in their FCC license record, including adding an email address.

FEE SCHEDULE

INDIVIDUALS

$35 FEE: New, modification (upgrade and sequential call sign change), renewal, and vanity call sign applications. All fees will be per application.

NO FEE: Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, or license cancellation.

AMATEUR RADIO CLUBS

$35 FEE: New, renewal, trustee change, and vanity call sign applications. All fees will be per application.

NO FEE: Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, or license cancellation

KB1OIQ Fox On the Loose in Westford, August 15, 2021

Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 9:51 AM on August 15, 2021:

Hello Fox Hunters,

The KB1OIQ 2m fox is on the loose!  146.565 MHz

Here are clues for getting close to it:

– Start at the Jack Walsh field

Then, do one of these things, either:

1) Seek the Koalas.

…or…

2) Seek the little bears, then the polar bears, but ignore the bear cubs.

Have fun and 73,

Andy

KB1OIQ: “GridTracker” at PART of Westford Meeting Online, August 17, 2021

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

The August PART meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, beginning at 7:30 PM via Webex video conference.  […]  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.

This should be an interesting meeting. After the usual club business, the two Bobs (W1IS and KC1DSQ) will receive the QST Cover Plaque Award for their article in June QST. Presenting the award will be New England Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, and Eastern MA Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW. After the award presentation, Andy, KB1OIQ, will give a presentation on GridTracker, an adjunct program for WSJT-X that maps current and historical contact info, keeps track of operating awards, weather, solar conditions, and a lot more.

See you Tuesday!

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

Following Earthquake in Haiti, Radio Amateurs Asked to Keep Frequencies Clear

From ARRL Web:

08/14/2021 – In a statement received by ARRL on August 14, 2021, Region 2 of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU-R2) has requested that radio amateurs in the Americas keep the following frequencies clear to support emergency communications in Haiti following an earthquake this morning: 3750 kHz, 7150 kHz and 14330 kHz. The statement came from IARU-R2 Emergency Coordinator (EMCOR) Carlos Alberto Santamaría González, CO2JC.

According to preliminary information from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 14, 2021 at 1229 UTC, about 12 kilometers northeast of Saint-Louis-du-Sud and 33 kilometers to the east-northeast of Les Cayes, Haiti; 18.352 degrees north and 73.4801 degrees west at a depth of 10 km.

Mr. Jean-Robert Gaillard, HH2JR, President of the Radio Club of Haiti, reported significant structural damage.

International news reports fear high casualties.

W1IS, KC1DSQ Guest Columnists in August 2021 CQ Magazine

George Allison, K1IG, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

PART member Bob, W1IS, along with Bob, KC1DSQ, are guest columnists in the August 2021 issue of CQ magazine, with an article titled “My Antenna Has Gain!” PART members will recall that they presented this topic at the January 2021 club meeting, and a video is available on the WB1GOF.org website.

The two Bobs will also be making a presentation on “Multiband Wire Antennas Using Capacitive Loading for Lower SWR” at the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo this Sunday, August 15, at noon Eastern time, followed by a live Q&A.

George  K1IG
PART President
WB1GOF.org

WQ1O: “Go Kits” at North Shore RA Meeting Online, August 16 2021

North Shore Radio Association logoEric Horwitz, KA1NCF, writes:
 
The August 16, 2021 North Shore Radio Association meeting will feature ARRL Eastern MA District Emergency Coordinator Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, presenting on “Go-Kits”
 
Note: NEXT MONTH we are in person at last.
 
PUBLIC SERVICE IS BACK.  Check the website to sign up.  www.nsradio.org
 
[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.]
 

HamXposition 2021 – Online Ticketing Available

Northeast HamXposition logo

Come join us at our new venue–the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

Friday, September 10 through Sunday, September 12

Flea Market:  Friday 12-5, Saturday 9-5, Sunday 9-1
Exhibition Hall: Saturday 9-5, Sunday 9-1
Forums & Seminars: See our schedule
 
Online ticketing for Northeast HamXposition 2021 is available Wednesday, August 11.  You can order General Admission, Flea Spaces, and tickets for the Friday and Saturday dinner events. 

http://hamxposition.org/tickets

* Tech in a Day * VE Exams * W1A Special Event * W1B Special Event * Nashua Area Radio Club’s Ham Bootcamp * NEQRP Symposium * New England ARES Academy *

FRIDAY and SATURDAY night movie:  “Contact” at 9 PM

All convention attendees are eligible to win at our grand prize drawing on Sunday.

Grand prize: Yaesu FTDX-10
First prize: RFinder B1
Second prize: Icom IC-7300
Third prize: Yaesu FTM-300
 

FRIDAY DXCC Dinner

KO8SCAJoin your fellow hams for a delicious DXCC/Contest dinner on the first night of the convention!   Adrian Ciuperca, KO8SCA, will recap his recent DXPedition and IARU Contest activities/activations from the Market Reef, Aland and Brando Islands.

Adrian is a keen DXer with DXCC 317, 9BDXCC, IOTA and a passionate contester who competed in WRTC 2018 in Wittenberg, Germany. 

All dinner attendees are eligible to win a Yaesu FTM-300 door prize.

 

 

 

Dr. Philip J. Erickson, W1PJESATURDAY GRAND Banquet

Enjoy dinner as our guest speaker, Dr. Philip J. Erickson, W1PJE, discusses his group’s latest HamSCI’s latest ionospheric science investigations Haystack Observatory, a radio observatory operated by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is a member of ARRL, RSGB, and TAPR, vice president of the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club.

All dinner attendees are eligible to win a Yaesu FTM-300 door prize.