Author: k9hi

Clubs

Nashoba Valley ARC: “Centennial of the 1921 Transatlantic Tests,” April 15, 2021

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Nashoba Valley ARC logoBruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s next meeting is April 15 at 7:30 PM. This meeting will be conducted via Zoom. Meeting details are below. Thanks to Jim Hein, N8VIM, and Medtronics for the Zoom conference.

The April meeting will feature Frank Donovan, W3LPL, who will talk about the Centennial of the 1921 Transatlantic Tests. This was a historic achievement for Amateur Radio. I’m sure this will be an interesting meeting, and I for one am looking forward to it. 

April is also significant because the club holds elections for club officers and board members. Skip, K1NKR and I are on the nomination committee. If you are interested in volunteering for office, please contact Skip or myself. Nominations are open, and will be accepted until the elections take place.

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

W1MGY QRV for Titanic Anniversary, April 11-15, 2021

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W1MGY QSL cardFrom the Titanic Marconi Memorial Radio Association Of Cape Cod (W1MGY)  QRZ.com website:

The Titanic event for 2021 is fast approaching. We will be operating for more time this year from stations of TMMRACC members. Hopefully CW, SSB & FT8 modes will all be covered.

Operating times as operators available:

Sunday Apr. 11th 13:30 Zulu (9:30 EDT) – 02:00 Zulu (12TH) (10:00 pm EDT)

Monday Apr. 12th 10:00 Zulu (06:00 am EDT) – 02:00 Zulu (13th) (10:00 pm EDT)

Tues. Apr. 13th 10:00 Zulu (06:00 am EDT) – 02:00 Zulu (14th) (10:00 pm EDT)

Wed. Apr. 14th 10:00 Zulu (06:00 am EDT) – 06:20 Zulu ( 01:20 EDT) 15th

Operating is being done in two-hour shifts. A high percentage of shifts are covered, but not all. If you would like to operate in a time slot for this event, please contact W1MGY trustee Barry, KB1TLR. We will make all particulars known to operators.

This year the Grid Square is FN41xr.

This is a relatively new radio group to promote and preserve radio history by preserving the memorial call sign of the HMS Titanic.

We urge you to check out the many facets of this disaster especially as it relates to the significance of radio today and possible links to current emergency radio services. There is a wealth of information available on line about Jack Phillips ( senior radio operator of the Titanic) and the disaster itself. In researching, it is amazing how much relates to radio practices today.

Come explore and enjoy. And hopefully we’ll meet on the air waves, 73

If you live or visit the Northeast and would like to join the Association or participate in special events, send your name, call sign, mailing address, e-mail and contact phone number to w1mgycc@gmail.com. You can, of course, e-mail it. We will keep you advised as to events. Thanks for your interest, 73.

Clubs / Foxhunting

Interest in Fox Hunting Grows at Northeastern University Wireless Club

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radio direction finding antenna on outdoor tableFrom the NUWC mailing list:

Fox hunting is the sport of using a directional antenna to locate a hidden transmitter. We are going to embark on a series to build our own fox hunting antennas in person, and complete a live fox-hunt on campus. For our build session, all needed materials will be provided, and the workshop will last about an hour. Get ready to measure some PVC, cut some tape measures, and leave with your very own Yagi antenna. We will hold a discussion and introduction to fox hunting and then build our own antennas. The date to do the fox hunting and test out your antennas is currently TBD. We will keep you updated after the date.

Again we will be meeting Thursday 4/15/21 at 16:00 PM

Foxhunting / Operating

W1HFN Fox Deployed in NE Mass, April 7-12, 2021

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Eliot's canine, Noah
The fox and the hound: W1MJ’s “helper,” Noah, sniffed out the fox, visible in the hollow tree trunk.

Barry Fox, W1HFN,  deployed his hidden transmitter in Northeast Massachusetts on April 7. His fox transmits on 146.565 with a 20-second voice ID every minute. 

Barry decided to make it a real puzzler.  The only clue he gave for a location was:  GC1AV7V. 

“It should be easy enough in this computer age, but if you get stuck, email me.” 

On April 12, Barry wrote, “Retrieved the fox today. The finders were:  Bob, W1FDR; George, K1IG; and Eliot, W1MJ.” He adds, “Watch this spot for more fox hunt adventures!”

Clubs

“W1AW Virtual Tour” at Quannapowitt Radio Association Meeting Online, April 15, 2021

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QRAFrom the QRA website:

The upcoming zoom meeting on April 15, 2021 at 7 PM of the Quannapowitt Radio Association will show the W1AW tour video. It’s approximately 14 minutes long and a very informative video for those who have never visited W1AW. It is presented by Jeff Fox, K1GF, and W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q. Please join us for this tour.

As always please e-mail Bob, AA1M at QRAW1EKT@GMAIL.COM or 781-272-6219 for Zoom Meeting ID and Password.

 
Licensing Education & Training

New England Sci-Tech Amateur Extra Online Course, April 25-June 13, 2021

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New England Sci Tech logoThis ONLINE ham radio license course will get you ready to take the Ham Radio AMATEUR EXTRA license exam, the THIRD of three certification levels. Geared toward adults, as well as junior high, high school, and home-school students. Yes, we give online ham radio exams, too! (See below)

This is a FULL course taught by a 40-yr veteran teacher, not a discussion group or video service. You will learn much more than just watching a video or buying a book.

Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Recommended text: ARRL Extra Class License Manual, 12th edition, for exams through June 30, 2024, (purchase on ARRL website). Regular practice and study is necessary to get the best results from this course.

NOTE: You MUST have a thorough understanding of the Technician and General level material before taking this course.  If you are already a licensed General but have been away from radio for a while, you may request to audit (at reduced price) one of our Tech and General courses to catch up.

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!

ONLINE HAM RADIO COURSE FOR AMATEUR EXTRA LICENSE

Relaxed Course: 3-hour classes, 8 Sundays April 25 – June 13, 6:00-9:00pm Eastern time.

Included with course: You will get downloadable lecture study guides and charts, free access to our weekly Online Radio Shop Talk sessions, and a guest pass to the NEAR/STARS Radio Rooms and ONLINE radio club meetings for 3 months, online or in-person. You may also have a free pass to one of our Morse Code courses.

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: 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: A few days before the session you will receive an email with instructions to the course details, documents, and Zoom link. 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.

LICENSE EXAMS

YES, our exam team is authorized to give ONLINE exams, so you can schedule your FCC AMATEUR EXTRA exam within a few days of finishing the course. Note that we must collect the standard $15 exam fee for the ARRL VEC separately. (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.

Clubs / Operating / Public Information

Nantucket ARA Members Show Their Appreciation to Sconset Trust for Use of Sankaty Head Lighthouse

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The Nantucket Amateur Radio Association membership recently voted to make a donation to the Sconset Trust in a show of appreciation for allowing the use of the Sankaty Head Lighthouse for last year’s International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend. [See: International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend on Track for 2020.]
 
In a March 29, 2021 letter, ‘Sconset Trust’s Executive Director, Elizabeth Grubbs, wrote to NARA Treasurer Greg Cokorinos, K1UH, on behalf of the ‘Sconset Board of Trustees, “Thank you for your 2021 membership contribution … we were pleased to collaborate with NARA for the 2020 International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend last August. Apart from our enjoyment of this collaboration, this may have been the most activity Sankaty Head Lighthouse saw last year!”
 
The ‘Sconset Trust has worked since 1984 to preserve historic buildings and lands in the Village of Siasconset.
 
Clubs

N1QD: “DMR Basics” at Boston ARC Meeting Online, April 15, 2021

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Boston ARC logoFrom the Boston ARC website:

The speaker at the April 15 [Boston Amateur Radio Club] general meeting will be Joe Harris, N1QD. Joe will give a presentation on DMR basics, with a focus on how to get set up on the club’s UHF repeater! The meeting will be on the Zoom platform at 7:30 PM EDT.

[For Zoom meeting information, email Doc Kinne, KE1ML at ke1ml -at- arrl -dot- net.]  

Clubs

Barnstable ARC Compiling “Elmer” List

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Barnstable ARC logoThe Barnstable Amateur Radio Club is compiling a list of volunteer “Elmers” to help new amateurs, according to BARC president Norm Cantin, WA1NLG.

“New hams have a number of needs and questions ranging from: what equipment to start with, selecting antenna(s), what bands to operate, operating best practices to a whole host of other topics,” writes Cantin.  “I know we were all new hams at one point and really benefited from our Elmers.  I’m sure each one of us can contribute in some way.”

WA1NLG says that BARC is also putting together a “New Ham Kit” of which the Elmer list will be a part. This effort is being led by board member Rob Leiden, K1UI.

The Barnstable ARC is currently one of four Special Service Clubs in the Eastern Massachusetts section.

Clubs

KM1NDY: “Practical Portable Radio Operation” at Sci-Tech ARS, April 6, 2021

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Mindy Hull, KM1NDYThe Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society will feature a presentation by Mindy Hull, KM1NDY, on “Practical Portable Radio Operation” on April 6, 2021 at 7 PM. 

With the availability of lightweight lithium batteries, portable operations is an increasingly mainstream and accessible pursuit of the amateur radio hobbyist. The excitement of radio field operations no longer needs to be relegated to official Field Days, with structured “On-the-Air” programs such as the Summits-on-the-Air (SOTA) and Parks-on-the-Air (POTA) providing endless and timeless remote communication opportunities. Portable radio is also where the outdoorist meets the amateur operator, requiring a complementary but different skill set from its participants than that acquired in the home station. While amateur radio is often (rightly) showcased for its highly technical foundation, portable operation brings in the interest and skills of hikers, backpackers, campers, survivalists, and preppers. This talk will discuss gear choices (both radio and outdoor), strategies for various types of portable operation, and activities that promote field communications. The goal is to give you the info you need to go do this yourself.

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

Clubs

W1LEM, WA3SWJ: “Winlink” at Barnstable ARC Meeting Online, April 5, 2021

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Barnstable ARC logoNorm Cantin, WA1NLG, writes on the Barnstable ARC list:
 
This month our guest speaker is  Lem, W1LEM.  Lem and Bruce, WA3SWJ, will provide an introduction and live demo of WinLink.
 
 The meeting agenda is attached.  Please note: I plan to kick the meeting off and ask each participant for a brief intro (Name, Call and Current Location).  To help facilitate this and not cause too much cross talk, please mute your audio.  I will call out your call and ask you for your intro.  While muted, press and hold down the “space” bar on your computer to unmute (ie PTT).  Note, unfortunately this feature may not work on a tablet.
 
[Please contact Norm Cantin, WA1NLG, at norman dot cantin at gmail dot com for meeting details.]
 
 
Emergency Communications

MARS / Amateur Interoperability Nets Starting The Week of April 7, 2021

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To: All New England Amateur Radio Operators

Starting this week, on April 7 and for the first week of every month going forward, US Army Auxiliary Radio System members will conduct nets on 60 meters channel 1 (5.3305 MHz) with the goal of exercising the mission of MARS to Amateur interoperation.

These Nets will start at 8pm local time on April 7, for one hour and will repeat on Friday April 9 and be run by MARS Stations in Region One. On April 8 and 10 at 8pm ET the nets will be run by MARS stations in Region 2 and 4, but also encourage Amateur Radio check ins.

In addition, on Thursday April 8, Friday April 9 and Saturday April 10, nets will be conducted at noon ET, with NCS in New England.

All amateur stations with 60 meter capability and the time are asked to check in and participate in these nets. The goal of these nets is to train MARS stations with Amateur Radio stations on 60 meter channels. Initially, these nets will just involve check ins, but over time, we will practice ICS-213 messages on these nets in both voice and digital methods. The nets will last 1 hour.

 

Net Time Wednesday April 7 Thursday April 8 Friday April 9 Saturday April 10
Noon local No Net MARS /Amateur Interop Net MARS /Amateur Interop Net MARS /Amateur Interop Net
8pm Local MARS /Amateur Interop Net NCS Region 2 MARS /Amateur Interop Net NCS Region 2

 

These Nets will repeat in the first week of each month.

If you have questions, please let me know.

Tom Kinahan

U.S. Army Military Auxiliary Radio System
Region One Director
tom.kinahan@verizon.net
 

via nediv.arrl.org

Clubs

NV9L: “Contesting” at Algonquin ARC, April 8, 2021

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Mike Powell, W1KU, writes in the April, 2021 issue of Algonquin ARC’s newsletter, QRZ:

The next [Algonquin Amateur Radio Club] meeting will be held on April 8, 2021 at  7:30 PM online via Zoom. Information on joining this virtual meeting will be sent out in advance via email.

Our guest speaker will be Val Hotzfeld, NV9L, discussing contesting. [Hotzfeld is co-host on the show Ham Nation which can be seen live every Wednesday night in Twit.tv or anytime on YouTube.]

For Zoom conference information, email Mike Powell, W1KU, at <president@n1em.org>.

Clubs / Technical

Update on MIT Radome Project, March 2021

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From the MIT Radio Society website:

Our perseverance is beginning to pay off! After much discussion and collaboration with MIT Facilities and various contractor groups involved in the Green Building renovations project, we have completed an initial design and project cost for the renewal of our Large Radome.

MIT has informed us that, if we raise $1.9 million before May 1st, 2021, the restoration of the radome can be included in the Green Building renovation project. While this is an enormous challenge, we believe it is not insurmountable.

We have already raised a part of this in the process of our overall station renovation fundraising drive, and there is additional interest in this project across MIT — from Physics’ J-Lab, to AeroAstro’s Small Sat Center and STAR Lab.

If we can raise this, we can ensure that this historic radome can continue to serve the MIT Radio Society and the MIT community overall. With your support, we can safeguard this treasure. [Full story] [See also: MIT Radio Society Update: Station Renewal and COVID Response]

Clubs

K1BG: “CW Ops’ CW Academy” at Waltham ARA, March 31, 2021

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CW Ops CW Academy logoRon Senykoff, KG1T, writes on the Waltham Amateur Radio Association mailing list:

Please join us in welcoming Bruce Blain, K1BG, to discuss the free CW Academy program offered by CWops.org. https://cwops.org/cw-academy/

Non-members are welcome to attend. Please fill out this Event Notification form to be notified of upcoming presentations and to receive the meeting call invitation details.

Wednesday, March 31st @ 7:00 PM

Location: Amazon Chime https://aws.amazon.com/chime/download/

Meeting dial in details will be sent to club membership and those registered with the event notification form.

Licensing Education & Training / Public Information

N1DM Featured on Pittsfield Community TV, WTBR-FM, March 25, 2021

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From nediv.arrl.org:

Natick amateur Dom Mallozzi, N1DM, was the featured guest on Ham On!, simulcast on Pittsfield (MA) Community Television and WTBR-FM 89.7 on March 25, 2021. Dom spoke about amateur satellites. The early morning program is produced and moderated by Western MA Assistant Section Traffic Manager Peter Mattice, KD2JKV.  A recording of the show can be heard at <https://anchor.fm/peter0190/episodes/working-amatuer-sats-etgl31>.

N1DM is active on HF CW , FT8, FT4, satellites, DMR, emergency communications  and contesting. He serves as secretary for the Providence (RI) Radio Association, W1OP.

Clubs

K1TW & K9HI: “What Your ARRL is Doing for You” at K1USN Radio Club Online, March 30, 2021

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k1usn qsl cardWe are happy to announce that our next K1USN Radio Club Zoom session on Tuesday, March 30th @ 7:30 PM EDST will be a presentation by our ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW, along with Phil Temples, K9HI, our  New England ARRL Division Vice Director.
 
The topic will be “What your ARRL is Doing for You.”
 
The presentation will be followed by a Q & A session, so try to come up with some good questions for them since this will be an opportunity to speak directly to our local ARRL leaders.
 
As always, we will be sending out the Zoom session invitations via separate e-mail. If you have received previous invitations then you are already on the list. if you, or anyone you know, would like to be invited then you can contact me (k1rv@arrl.net) and I will add you/them to the growing list.
Public Service

2021 Apple Blossom Festival in Westford Cancelled

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PART of Westford logoAlan Martin, W1AHM, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

From https://westford.org/kiwanis/:

“In consultation with Westford officials, along with current Federal and State guidelines, in the best interests of health and safety for Westford community, Westford Kiwanis has made the decision to cancel the 2021 Apple Blossom Festival, including the Apple Blossom Parade.  We look forward to bringing the event back when vaccinations have been readily available to all and larger outdoor social gatherings are feasible.”

So, PART needn’t scramble to provide public service event support for the parade.