K1KOS: POTA Activation, Rehoboth State Forest, K-8382, August 7, 2021
Sheldon Gana, K1KOS, Swansea, MA, is operating from Rehoboth State Forest (K-8382) for Parks On The Air. He was last heard on 14.273 MHz at around 2001 UTC, according to pota.app. Author: k9hi
Sheldon Gana, K1KOS, Swansea, MA, is operating from Rehoboth State Forest (K-8382) for Parks On The Air. He was last heard on 14.273 MHz at around 2001 UTC, according to pota.app. W1HFN Fox is Out and About, August 7, 2021
Barry Fox, W1HFN, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list on August 7, 2021 at 12:51 PM:
The W1HFN fox is out, 146.565 MHz with a 20 second voice ID every minute or so. Location? PAX ROMANA! (N) XLII XXXII.DCCCXXVIII (W) LXXI XXIX.DCCLXXII
Lots of mosquitoes, some soggy sections of the trails. Good Luck!
AB1OC: “Programs Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get on The Air” at K1USN Radio Club Meeting Online, August 24, 2021
“Pi” Pugh, K1RV, writes in K1USN Happenings, August 5, 2021:
We have lined up a presentation for our next K1USN Zoom session on Tuesday, August 24th @ 7:30 PM.
Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, from the N1FD Nashua Area Radio Society, will do a presentation entitled “Programs Helping Hams and Young People to Develop New Skills and Get on The Air”.
Please spread the word about this upcoming presentation!
I should also mention that the Nashua ARS will be offering online classes for Technician, General and Extra licenses and will offer online exam sessions for all attendees! Take a look here for further details – https://www.n1fd.org/amateur-radio-license-class-registration/
Visit Nashua ARS Website: https://www.n1fd.org and their blog: https://stationproject.blog.
KJ8U: Intro to DMR and Digital Voice, ARRL Learning Network, September 9, 2021
“Pi” Pugh, K1RV, writes in K1USN Happenings, August 5, 2021:
Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register, check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.
Introduction to DMR and Digital Voice — Tim Deagan, KJ8U / Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 3:30 PM EDT (1930 UTC)
An introductory overview of digital voice (DV) technologies for ham radio. This presentation will focus on DMR with notes on System Fusion, D-STAR, and more. Included will be a description of DV architecture and components, and the interesting opportunities and challenges that DV presents.
ARRL members may register for upcoming presentations and view previously recorded Learning Network webinars. ARRL-affiliated radio clubs may also use the recordings as presentations for club meetings, mentoring new and current hams, and discussing amateur radio topics.
The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.
August 2021 Section News Now Available
The August, 2021 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/august-2021-section-news/.
2021 Boston Marathon Amateur Radio Volunteer Registration, Final Extension
Amateur Radio volunteer registration has been extended for a final time and closes on Friday August 6th, 2021 at 500 PM EDT for the 125th anniversary of the Boston Marathon. Registration information is below:
On behalf of the BAA Amateur Radio Communications Committee, we hope everyone has stayed safe and healthy through the COVID-19 pandemic. After last year’s race was moved to a virtual only event, we are now approaching the 125th live running of the Boston Marathon.
Volunteer registration has been open for the Marathon since Wednesday June 16, 2021 at 10:00 AM and the Amateur Radio volunteer registration deadline has been extended one final time to Friday August 6th, 2021 at 500 PM EDT. The race itself is taking place on Monday, October 11, 2021.
For Returning Volunteers:
The BAA sends out an email which provides you with a direct link once registration is open. This email will also include your loyalty number, which is required for sign up. New for this year is that returning volunteers will need to setup an account via the BAA Athlete’s Village.
For New Volunteers:
If you haven’t previously volunteered, or have a friend who would like to volunteer, please go directly to the Volunteer Registration page and follow the instructions for new volunteers which will include setup of an account via the BAA Athlete’s Village.
Volunteer registration link can be seen at the following link:
https://www.baa.org/races/
Don’t delay! Volunteer registration has been extended for a final time and closes on Friday August 6th, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Help us get the word out by forwarding this message to your club and other amateur radio operators who wish to volunteer. Most volunteers first learn about the event through word of mouth. If you know new licensees who might like to join us, please make sure to let them know about it. Even just a quick mention at your club meeting can be a big help.
We understand that with the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing and the continued fluid situation on how it will affect the 2021 Boston Marathon, you may have questions about requirements and what COVID mitigations will be required for volunteers. If you have any questions regarding COVID mitigations, about the upcoming volunteer registration period, or the 2021 Marathon generally, please get in touch anytime. Volunteering at the Marathon is a big job and we appreciate the time and effort everyone puts into it. We’re happy to do what we can to make your work fun, comfortable, and effective. With respect to COVID-19 mitigations, we will do our best to answer questions but appreciate everyone’s patience, flexibility, and understanding that mitigation efforts and plans remain very fluid and could change based on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic as we get closer to the fall.
We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.
Thank you, and 73,
Boston Marathon Communications Committee
contact@hamradioboston.org
Volunteers Sought for Cape Cod MS Challenge September 10-12, 2021
Norm Cantin, WA1NLG, writes:
The Cape Cod MS Challenge walk is looking for Amateur radio operator volunteers. The event is September 10-12, 2021 This event is unique in that we welcome day volunteers or entire weekend volunteers (we call this group our “Crew”). Information about the event is in the link below.
https://mssociety.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=521
Matoaka Kipp is the the Volunteer Engagement Specialist at the National MS Society who coordinates the Amateur radio operators.
If available, please register using the link above. Thanks in advance.
73, Norm
New England Sci-Tech QRV on WSPR
Derek Rowell, AK1WI, writes in the Sci-Tech ARS newsletter:
As promised last week, I have installed one of the New England Sci-Tech (NEST) WSPR (“Weak Signal Propagation Reporter”) beacons in the Radio Room and have had it running since on 80m, 40m, 20m, and 15m using the OCF dipole during periods when the room has been idle. My plan is to build filters for the other bands that are covered by the OCF (17m, 12m, 10m), one per day, and have them available later this week.
The results so far have been excellent. On separate days both 20m and 40m have had over 300 unique spots over a 24 hour period. (For those unfamiliar with WSPR jargon a “spot” is a report of a beacon being heard, and a “unique spot” is the first report from an individual reporting station) We were heard from Central Europe, South America, Antarctica, across the US, and down through the South Pacific.
The map shows the 306 unique spots on 40m over 24 hours on July 30. The results from 20m look very similar. We are still collecting initial data on 80m and 15m.
Last year we distributed 21 kits for the WSPR beacon and had two kit building sessions at NEST before Covid shut us down. Right now I am out of parts and cannot supply additional kits. However, if there is interest, I am willing to gear up and hold additional in-person building sessions at NEST. The parts cost is approximately $50 for the complete kit. This is a kit that can be assembled by first-time kit builders with no soldering experience, and takes about one morning to build the PCB and another shorter session to build a filter for a particular band and do some on-air testing.
After the this week’s meeting I’ll be available in the Sci-Tech ARS Radio Room to demonstrate the unit and discuss what’s involved in building it. For those attending by Zoom, I’ll set up a groups.io discussion (with hashtag #WSPR) where interested folks can chat about the project.
Derek, AK1WI
NTS Traffic Handlers Picnic in Concord MA Draws a Good Crowd
Some thirty traffic handlers, ARRL field organization volunteers and elected officials attended the NTS Traffic Handler’s Picnic, held at the QTH of MA Section Traffic Manager Marcia Forde, KW1U, Concord, MA on August 1. Good conversation and fellowship was had by all. A Radio Amateurs Handbook was raffled off, courtesy of the Eastern MA ARRL field organization.
KD1CY: “SKYWARN Overview” at Billerica ARS Meeting, August 4, 2021
Doug Bruce, N1WRN, writes on the Billerica ARS w1hh.org website:
Our featured speaker will be Rob Macedo, KD1CY, who can do a very timely SKYWARN Overview beginning at 7:15 or 7:20 PM on August 4 on Zoom with [the Billerica Amateur Radio Society].
[We will announce the link to join the Zoom meeting before the meeting, but it will be posted to the BARS email list . 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.]SKYWARN is something virtually every BARS member can participate in and it uses the Westford repeater for all local SKYWARN activations. It is very helpful during winter weather and summer storms. SKYWARN reports are used by virtually all the major Boston TV stations too. It would be good to get BARS more involved in this.
Rob is also on Tom Walsh K1TW’s ARRL staff and has close ties to the National Weather service and the Weather Channel. Rob may also appear at times on local TV and Radio.
“KD1MF Antenna Case” at Framingham ARA, August 5, 2021
Framingham ARA President John Iwuc, KB1XVY, writes on the FARA mailing list:
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Aug 5, 2021 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
When: Aug 5, 2021 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Fred Hopengarten K1VR will speak on the KD1MF Antenna case.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Algonquin ARC QSL Sort, Marlborough, August 12, 2021
Eric Williams, KV1J, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:
The Algonquin Club will be holding a QSL card sorting session on Thursday August 12th, 7:30 PM at the Marlborough Fire Station. We will be in the classroom/EOC. The Fire station is at 215 Maple St (Route 85). The classroom entrance in on the side of the building, do not use the front door.
The QSL Bureau receives QSL cards from DXers all over the world, sorts them and then sends them to the New England area hams. We process about 100,000 QSL cards each year. To do this, we are grateful for the team of over 40 volunteers and several area clubs that help make this happen. Our Algonquin club is one of the clubs that helps with the presorting step in our process.
Our part is easy and fun. You get to see QSL cards from all around the globe. Maybe catch a card that is for you! We will have boxes of cards from the country national organizations that are for W1 call area hams. For our session we will have about 13,000 cards. Our mission is to sort those cards into stacks for each first letter of the call sign suffix. So there will be a stack for all the call signs the a suffix the starts with A and one for those starting with B and so forth. It goes quick especially with lots of people doing it on several separate tables.
When we are done, those stacks will be sent to our individual letter sorters who will then sort them by the individual recipient hams.
Our web site is – www.w1qsl.org
Thank you and hope to see you next month.
73, Eric KV1J
W1 QSL Bureau Co-Manager
WA5EYI: “Asheville (NC) Radio Museum Virtual Tour” at Sci-Tech ARS Meeting, August 3, 2021
Coming Tuesday, August 3 at the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society: Asheville Radio Museum (North Carolina) virtual tour by Stuart Smolkin, WA5EYI, Museum Curator. https://www.
WC1N: POTA Activation, Scusset Beach State Reserve, K-8430, MA, July 27, 2021
POTA.app reports that Bob Farquharson, WC1N, of South Easton, MA, has activated Scusset Beach State Reserve, K-8430, in in Sagamore Beach, MA today for Parks On The Air (POTA). Bob was last heard at 2215 UTC. He’s QRV around 14.296 MHz. 2021 HamXposition Update
Only 5 1/2 weeks to HamXposition 2021: September 10, 11 & 12 at the Best Western in Marlborough!
Hotel rooms are still available at the discounted rate of $99. Contact the hotel on their local phone number (508) 460-0700 and tell them you want the HamXposition rate.
We are still in need of volunteers to assist with parking, ticketing, and the logistics involved with keeping our forums on schedule. Volunteers working at least one 2-hour shift will receive free admission. You can volunteer at https://hamxposition.org/
General Admission Tickets are now available retail at Ham Radio Outlet in Salem, NH and at Electronics Plus in Littleton, MA
Online ticketing is almost ready – stay tuned for an announcement when it goes live.
HAM BOOTCAMP
Nashua Area Radio Society is proud to once again offer Ham Bootcamp. It includes a series of demonstrations and tutorials designed to help newly licensed Technician, General, and Extra class license holders get on the air and use their amateur radio license. Bootcamp is also a great opportunity for prospective Hams who are interested in seeing what the hobby has to offer.
Ham Bootcamp activities are geared towards Technicians and prospective Hams and General class licenses and higher Hams. Bootcamp participants will find all of this material interesting and fun no matter what their focus or license level.
The Bootcamp program is available to all licensed and prospective Hams. You can register for the Friday, September 10 Ham Bootcamp session at HamXposition by visiting <https://www.n1fd.org/ham-
TECH IN A DAY
Bill Poulin, WZ1L, and members of the Cape Ann ARA will once again offer “Tech in a Day” at HamXposition on Saturday, September 11, 2021.
This program has served the local community in getting newly excited people to become licensed amateurs. The program will run approximately 0800-1700. It concludes with a dedicated Volunteer Exam session.
Prospective candidates should purchase the ARRL Technician Class License Manual and read the manual before attending the class. The book can be purchased at Ham Radio Outlet or the ARRL.
If you have any questions, contact Bill at (978) 504-9112 (Cell) or email <billpoulin01913@gmail.com>.
NEW ENGLAND ARES ACADEMY
Complementing our Saturday programming, we’re pleased to host the ever-popular New England ARES Academy featuring workshops and talks aimed at getting you prepared and ready to face any EmComm situation. The program includes:
- Intro to ARES
- HF Propagation for EmComm
- Getting Started with WinLink Express
- SKYWARN Refresher
- Tactical Message Handling
- Lessons Learned from the “Big Ones”
- Intro to NEBMS
- Go-kit Strategies
NSRA Public Service Seeks Volunteers for Upcoming Events
Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF, writes on the North Shore Radio Association mailing list:
As you know, public service is coming back. We need your HELP.
Please visit: www.nsradio.org/events/. Check out the list and your calendar. If you have time and can help please sign up.
Thanks,
NSRA Public Service
Volunteers Requested, YuKanRun Triple Threat 5K, Half Marathon, Rockport, August 1, 2021
Chris Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:
We are looking for a few Check Points for the Triple Threat Communications Team. We have a few operators who cannot make it for the first of the month that realized they had other plans.
If you can help and are available, please reply to this email or email me at K1TAT@outlook.com.
Thank you,
Chris
W1TAT
—
Triple Threat Communications Team.
Rockport, Mass
Last Updated: July 25, 11:14 am
Event date: Sunday, August 1, 2021
On Location: 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Starts: 5K Run = 8:00 am Half Marathon Run = 9:00 am
Frq: W1GLO Repeaters 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up: 443.700 + PL:107.2
Fox on the Loose, Westford, July 24, 2021
Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:
Hi everybody,
<…>
There is a 2m fox on the loose in Westford. It can be heard on 146.565 MHz near my home QTH (info good on QRZ).
The clue: The name of the conservation land has these initials (not necessarily in the correct order): PMC
There are two entrances: one is very well marked with parking for 3-4 cars. The other entrance has a small signpost, with on-street parking nearby.
I forgot to put out the logbook. Take a photo if you wish and send it to me.
It is still damp in the woods, and annoying flying insects are somewhat abundant.
Have fun and 73!
Andy
ARRL Board of Directors Creates Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee
From the ARES Letter:
At its just-concluded July 2021 meeting, the ARRL Board of Directors approved By-Law changes creating a third Standing Committee that joins the existing Administration and Finance Committee and Programs and Services Committee.
The charter of the new Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee (EC-FSC) is to develop and recommend new or modified Board policy and programs for emergency communications through the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) and National Traffic System™ (NTS™) entities.
The committee also will offer enhanced support for its Field Organization leadership volunteers, including Section Managers, and an increased focus on ARRL-Affiliated Clubs.
The EC-FSC will further provide guidance to the CEO in translating Board policy into prioritized tasking, funding, and staffing of programs, services, and training in support of amateur radio emergency communications, field organization volunteers, and recruitment and retention of new and existing members through assistance to Affiliated and Special Service Clubs.
The EC-FSC will have additional responsibility for monitoring and assessing trends in emergency communications technology and participant skills worldwide, and for identifying “best practices” for voluntary emergency communications provided by ARES and NTS, coordinating and cooperating with other amateur radio national societies as appropriate. — Thanks to The ARES Letter
2021 Boston Marathon Amateur Radio Volunteer Registration Extended
Amateur Radio Volunteers for the 2021 Boston Marathon. Amateur Radio volunteer registration has been extended to Friday July 30, 2021 at 500 PM EDT as there is still a need for more Amateurs to register to reach the required number of volunteers. Registration information is below:
On behalf of the BAA Amateur Radio Communications Committee, we hope everyone has stayed safe and healthy through the COVID-19 pandemic. After last year’s race was moved to a virtual only event, we are now approaching the 125th live running of the Boston Marathon.
Volunteer registration has been open for the Marathon since Wednesday June 16, 2021 at 10:00 AM and the Amateur Radio volunteer registration deadline has been extended to Friday July 30th, 2021 at 500 PM EDT. The race itself is taking place on Monday, October 11, 2021.
For Returning Volunteers:
The BAA sends out an email which provides you with a direct link once registration is open. This email will also include your loyalty number, which is required for sign up. New for this year is that returning volunteers will need to setup an account via the BAA Athlete’s Village.
For New Volunteers:
If you haven’t previously volunteered, or have a friend who would like to volunteer, please go directly to the Volunteer Registration page and follow the instructions for new volunteers which will include setup of an account via the BAA Athlete’s Village.
Don’t delay! Volunteer registration has been extended and closes on Friday July 30th, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Help us get the word out by forwarding this message to your club and other amateur radio operators who wish to volunteer. Most volunteers first learn about the event through word of mouth. If you know new licensees who might like to join us, please make sure to let them know about it. Even just a quick mention at your club meeting can be a big help.
We understand that with the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing and the continued fluid situation on how it will affect the 2021 Boston Marathon, you may have questions about requirements and what COVID mitigations will be required for volunteers. If you have any questions regarding COVID mitigations, about the upcoming volunteer registration period, or the 2021 Marathon generally, please get in touch anytime. Volunteering at the Marathon is a big job and we appreciate the time and effort everyone puts into it. We’re happy to do what we can to make your work fun, comfortable, and effective. With respect to COVID-19 mitigations, we will do our best to answer questions but appreciate everyone’s patience, flexibility, and understanding that mitigation efforts and plans remain very fluid and could change based on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic as we get closer to the fall.
We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.
Thank you, and 73,
Boston Marathon Communications Committee
contact@hamradioboston.org