Author: k9hi

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

Falmouth Amateur Radio Association Resumes In-Person VE testing

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Falmouth Amateur Radio AssociationThe Falmouth Amateur Radio Association has announced that its Volunteer Examination team has resumed in-person test sessions.

According to the Falmouth ARA website: “Lee Thomas, NQ1L, FARA’s [VE team coordinator] has arranged for the use of a facility that allows for proper social distancing.   Examinations are now available on the second Saturday of the month by reservation only.  Contact Lee Thomas at NQ1L38 at gmail.com to schedule an examination.”

All

FCC Settles With Two Beantown Radio Pirates

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FCC seal(Radio World) – The Federal Communications Commission says it reached a settlement with two operators of pirate radio stations in the Boston area.

It said Acerome Jean Charles and Gerlens Cesar admit fault, will pay fines and agreed to 20-year compliance commitments. And they’ll dispose of their radio equipment.

It’s an unexpected development. In December the FCC issued notices of apparent liability to the men for operating Radio Concorde and Radio TeleBoston, respectively.

“The Enforcement Bureau negotiated the two Consent Decrees, which provide for a strict compliance plan over a period of 20 years to prevent Jean Charles and Cesar from ever resuming unlicensed broadcasting,” the commission announced. [Full story]

Licensing Education & Training

New Amateur Extra License Class Question Pool Goes Into Effect July 1, 2020

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The new 2020 – 2024 Amateur Extra­ class (Element 4) question pool takes effect on July 1, 2020. The new question pool incorporates significant changes compared to the 2016 – 2020 question pool (expiration date: June 30, 2020).

The number of questions in the pool is reduced from 712 to 622. This results in 239 modified questions, 49 new questions, and the removal of 139 outdated questions. Areas of new technology and subjects were added. The 2020 pool has 10 diagrams, which have been renumbered,

It’s important to note that question E3B08 was withdrawn from the new pool and may not be used on exams.
Questions in that section were not renumbered, leaving 11 questions.

-Thanks, Bob Kelley, K1KVV, semara.org

All

NEAR-Fest XXVIII October 16 & 17, 2020 Is Cancelled

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NEAR-Fest logoMichael Crestohl, W1RC, writes:
 

You may have already know that the Deerfield Fair Association voted reluctantly but overwhelmingly to cancel the 2020 Fair at a special meeting on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020. Ben, KB1NZN, and I are members.  We were at the meeting and voted for cancellation.  We both totally agree with the decision of the Deerfield Fair Association membership who voted 105 to 5 in favor of cancelling the Fair.   There was not one good reason put forth during the discussion in favor of holding thenFair this year.

Especially in these unprecedented times our first responsibility must be to the health and well-being of our volunteer staff, exhibitors, attendees, fairgrounds staff and the local area residents who graciously welcome us twice a year to their community.  We cannot betray this trust.

Furthermore there is no possible way we can realistically maintain the six foot “social distancing” separation especially in the flea market, commercial buildings, forums and VE examination rooms.  This is required whenever possible by the NH Governor’s Special Covid-19 Task Force.

Consequently, as a result, we have no option but to cancel NEAR-Fest XXVIII.   

However the good news is that NEAR-Fest XXIX is already scheduled for Friday, April 30th and Saturday, May 1st, 2021 and NEAR-Fest XXX for October 12th and 13th, 2021.

The clubs and organizations who sent in their application for early entry privileges in 2020 need not reapply.  Your passes will be issued next year and valid for both 2021 hamfests.

We will be selling advance tickets starting in the Fall.  For advance ticket buyers the cost of admission will remain at $10.00 per person.   However starting next Spring the price of admission at the gate will be $15.00. Inside parking and camping fees will remain the same.  I will send you additional information about advance ticket sales shortly.

Please disseminate this information to your members.  Since it is coming from me it is official.

73,

Michael Crestohl, aka “MisterMike”, W1RC
Benevolent Dictator,
New England Amateur Radio Festival, Inc.

Licensing Education & Training

Call for Speakers: ARRL Learning Network

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We are readying an initiative named the ARRL Learning Network — a series of webinars presented by member-volunteers, for members. Like hamfest forums and radio club presentations, these webinars are intended to help members get more active, involved, and engaged in amateur radio. Recorded presentations will also respond to regular requests from our affiliated radio clubs for quality programming, particularly clubs that lack ready access to presenters, or have a last-minute speaker cancellation. Our current plan is to begin scheduling speakers for webinars as early as mid- to late-July. We need your help…

Below is a Call for Speakers invitation (or download this PDF) which we’d like you to share with prospective presenters in your Section. We are asking your help to share this invitation with members you know who are dynamic, knowledgeable, and experienced speakers. Please consider speakers and presenters from throughout the clubs and hamfests in your Section. Add a short, personal invitation.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for all the ways you help extend the reach and effectiveness of ARRL programs and services. 73 Bob NQ1R

Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R – Product Development Manager
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio®
225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1400 USA
Tel: (860) 594-0213 FAX: (860) 594-0303
rinderbitzen@arrl.org
www.arrl.org

ARRL logo

Clubs / Field Day

PART of Westford 2020 Field Day Awards

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PART of Westford logoPART of Westford will hold a fun competition to recognize members who operated in the 2020 Field Day and who finish first in several categories:

  • Highest number of contacts (subcategories: overall, CW, Phone, Digital, VHF/UHF)
  • Highest score
  • Highest score by a Technician
  • Farthest DX
  • “Home Run”–at least one contact on each mode (SSB, CW, digital, and VHF-FM simplex)

Club president George Allison, K1IG, asks applicants to email him once they receive confirmation from ARRL Headquarters that their logs have been received. He adds, “this is all on the honor system.” 

Winners will be announced at the August PART meeting.

 
Emergency Communications / Field Day

Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #5

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SKYWARN logoThe following is the fifth and final message in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 17 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program.
 
After the Saturday afternoon and early evening beneficial rain of around 0.10″-0.90″ around the area with lesser amounts in parts of Northeast Massachusetts, Sunday will feature a warm and humid day with the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms across the region. The most likely timeframe is from 3-9 PM but some activity could start as early as 12-1 PM Sunday. [Full story]
Emergency Communications / Field Day

Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #4

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SKYWARN logoThe following is the fourth in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 17 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program.
 
After the afternoon and early evening beneficial rain of around 0.10″-0.90″ around the area with lesser amounts in parts of Northeast Massachusetts, clearing will occur and result in a hazy, warm, humid day on Sunday with the risk of isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms for Sunday Afternoon and Evening. The most likely timeframe is from 3-9 PM but some activity could start as early as 12-1 PM Sunday.
 

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed much of New England in a marginal risk for severe weather for Sunday afternoon and evening. Strong to damaging winds, hail, and torrential rainfall leading to urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats. Model trends indicate a greater potential for severe weather on Sunday than today with strong instability, forcing from a cold front and marginally sufficient wind fields. [Full story]

Emergency Communications / Field Day

Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #3

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SKYWARN logoThe following is the third in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 17 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program.
 
2020 Field Day weekend will mostly be dry but has potential shower and thunderstorm risks in isolated to scattered locations each day including the threat for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms and becoming hot and humid Saturday and Sunday.
 
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has continued much of Southern New England in a Marginal Risk for Severe Weather. The Slight risk area has been shifted southwest of the NWS Norton coverage area. Doppler Radar at 1115 AM shows an area of rain and possible embedded thunderstorms that poses little severe risk. It will then become warmer and more humid late Saturday Afternoon and evening. Clearing behind this area of rain will determine the risk for any severe weather Saturday. If clearing and heating can develop and the warm front pass far enough north, there would be the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms with strong to damaging winds, hail and torrential rainfall leading to urban and poor drainage flooding as the main threats but a secondary threat for an isolated tornado as well. That said, the risk for today seems a bit lower than yesterday based on model trends and the timing of the current area of rain but still be monitored. [Full story]
Licensing Education & Training

Billerica ARS VE Team to Resume In-Person Sessions, July 9, 2020

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photo of multiple choice examThe Billerica Amateur Radio Society‘s ARRL-Affiliated Volunteer Exam (VE) team will resume in-person testing sessions beginning July 9, 2020 at the Chelmsford Bible Church, 128 Gorham Street, in Chelmsford. No walk-ins are allowed; applicants must call or email in advance. 

To register, contact Gary Frascarelli, W1GFF, at w1gff -at- arrl -dot- net or call 978-453-1100. 

Gary Frascarelli, W1GFF, writes on the Billerica ARS Facebook page on July 5, 2020:

 

“There will be NO VE Session in July…”

 

Field Day / Public Service

Scattered Strong to Severe Storms Possible on Field Day Weekend, June 27-28, 2020

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SKYWARN logoRob Macedo, KD1CY, writes:
 
Need to keep an eye on the severe weather potential for the entire timeframe of Field Day Weekend but especially the Saturday Afternoon/Evening timeframe and the Sunday Afternoon/evening timeframe. While we don’t have many “traditional” Field Day sites setup, there are a few and also those that have home station field setups that will want to monitor the severe weather potential. I’ll be updating the Amateur Radio Field Day/Severe Weather Coordination Message in the next couple of hours. I’ve elected to copy EMA ARRL Staff for their awareness as well.
 
Regards,
 
Rob M.
———- Forwarded message ———
From: BOX Operations – NOAA Service Account <box.operations@noaa.gov>
Date: Fri, Jun 26, 2020 at 2:31 PM
Subject: [2020-06-26 PM] NWS Boston EM Briefing – Scattered Strong to Severe Storms Possible This Weekend
To:
Good afternoon everyone, 
 
Severe thunderstorms are possible Saturday and Sunday across parts of Southern New England. With the weekend ahead of us, we wanted to get this heads-up e-mail out early for your awareness.
 
Saturday
 
Rain during the first part of the day gives way to thunderstorms in the afternoon and early evening.
 
Timing: Mid-afternoon to early Saturday evening.
Locations: Possible anywhere, but the best chance is near and south of the Massachusetts Turnpike/I-90. 
Severe Thunderstorm Threats: Primarily damaging straight-line winds and hail up to 1″ in diameter. While the overall risk is very low, an isolated tornado is possible.
Confidence: Moderate. How much Southern New England can warm up will greatly impact the severe thunderstorm potential.
 
The severe thunderstorm outlook for Saturday from the Storm Prediction Center is highlighted below:
 
New England weather map prediction for June 27, 2020
 
 
Sunday
 
A few severe thunderstorms are possible later in the day Sunday ahead of a cold front.
 
Timing: Best chance is late-afternoon to mid-evening Sunday; isolated storms possible between early to mid-afternoon.
Locations: Possible anywhere, but the best chance is western and central Massachusetts, northern Rhode Island and much of northern Connecticut.
Severe Thunderstorm Threats: Damaging straight-line winds and hail up to 1″ in diameter.
Confidence: Moderate. Isolated strong/severe storms could be possible before late in the day but the best chance is with the cold front arriving later in the day into mid-evening.
 
The severe thunderstorm outlook for Sunday is highlighted below:
 
New England weather prediction map for June 28, 2020
 
Thank You!
 
Meteorologists Andrew Loconto and Rodney Chai


If you have any questions or would like more information, don’t hesitate to contact us via this email address, on NWSChat, or at the following:
 

National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA
46 Commerce Way

Norton, MA 02766

508.622.3280
Emergency Communications

National Zoom Meeting: Winlink Express for EmComm, June 25, 2020

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Please join the Thursday, June 25, 2020 ARES ZOOM meeting at 0100Z – Zoom info shown below. 

9:00 PM AST / 9:00 PM EDT / 8:00 PM CT / 7:00 PM MDT / 6:00 PM PDT / 5:00 PM AKDT / 3:00 PM HST

Topic: Winlink Express for EmComm, from the Winlink Development Team

Speaker:  Phil Sherrod, W4PHS

Phil is a career software developer, a member of the Winlink Development Team and BOD member of ARSFI.

His work on the Winlink team involves developing and supporting the Winlink Express client program, and the programs used by RMS (Trimode, RMS Relay, RMS Packet).  Phil is the designer of the Winlink Hybrid Network System.

This Zoom meeting is intended for ARRL section emergency coordinators, section managers, district directors, vice directors, and others involved with disaster communications. 

June 26, 2020 UPDATE:

 

Click on the following link to view Thursday June 25  Zoom meeting.  https://vimeo.com/432903722

Click on the below link if you choose to download this video instead.  

https://vimeo.com/user107547861/download/432903722/91e0b9d70b

Click on the below link to download Thursday’s Winlink presentation by Phil Sherrod, W4PHS

 

Please note:  This Zoom session on Winlink exceeded our Zoom 500 participant limitation quickly, leaving many without access.  Please forward this email to make sure everyone that wants to view it, gets a copy. 

Public Information

“Taunton Amateur Radio Enthusiast Still Hamming It Up After Nearly 60 years”

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photo of Ted Figlock, KA1ATTTaunton amateur Ted Figlock, KA1AAT, was the subject of a nice feature story in the June 24, 2020 edition of the Taunton Gazette:

By Charles Winokoor
Taunton Gazette Staff Reporter

TAUNTON – Dr. Thadeus “Ted” Figlock has been a world traveler for the better part of six decades.

And he’s done most of it from a sitting position.

The 85-year-old, former obstetrician and gynecologist, who unpretentiously describes his medical career as having consisted mainly of “delivering babies and cutting out tumors,” has had a difficult year.

Figlock says he suffered a stroke last February, on Ash Wednesday to be exact, that hit him “like a ton of bricks.” He says he also suffers from the lung disease known as pulmonary fibrosis.

Despite those maladies the Hudson, Pennsylvania, native continues to keep active as an amateur radio operator.

“You do it for the fun of it,” Figlock said during an interview in the backyard of his Winthrop Street home.

“It’s like fishing,” he said. “We go out fishing for people who want to talk to us. It’s a sport.”

Figlock didn’t stop working as a doctor after he closed his practice. He says he worked a while at both the Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center and at a medical marijuana facility in Fall River.

His enthusiasm as an amateur radio operator, or ham, has not wavered, despite adjustments to his routine stemming from his medical challenges.

Figlock used to spend solitary time on his ham radio in a small room of his basement. He no longer ventures down the stairs and instead uses a second setup located on the main floor of his house, which is equipped with two antennas.

He’s also gone mobile. It’s not often that you’ll catch Figlock without his trusty portable, handheld transceiver, otherwise known as his ham-radio walkie talkie. [Full story]

Clubs

Billerica ARS Saturday Morning Breakfasts Going “Virtual”

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Bruce Anderson, W1LUS, writes on the Billerica ARS mailing list:

The BARS regular Saturday morning breakfast was canceled due to the virus. We are now trying a Saturday morning Zoom gathering. You are invited to this Saturday’s Zoom gathering. Join anytime between 8 AM and 9:30 AM. Leave whenever you want. There is no preplanned discussion topic. Feel free to bring up any Amateur radio subject that you would like to talk about.

BARS Saturday Morning Gathering
Time: Jun 27, 2020 08:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting […] [Contact Bruce Anderson, W1LUS at w1lus -at- hotmail -dot- com for conference details]

Field Day

Field Day Listings on ema.arrl.org

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Bill Ricker, N1VUX, writes:

I have created a non-place Site for FD@Home cumulative scoring in the FD Directory  (geographic coordinates in Boston Harbor but not on an island; county=mixed, same as “Nowhere”; it will get the Harbor forecast, oops).

It currently shows these clubs:
 
Club Plans
BARC:Boston ARC Confirmed
Fal:Falmouth FARA Inc Confirmed
Fram:Framingham Amateur Radio Assn Fara.org Confirmed
K1USN:K1USN Club Probable
MARA:Massasoit ARA Inc Confirmed
MITLL:MIT Lincoln Labs Confirmed
Msex:Middlesex-Zola ARC Probable
NEAR:New England Amateur Radio, Inc. Confirmed
PARC:Philips Amateur Radio Club (PARC) Confirmed
PART:Police Amateur Radio Team of Westford Confirmed
PRA:Pentucket RA Confirmed
STARS:Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society Confirmed
Sturdy:Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC Confirmed
WARA64:Waltham ARA Confirmed
WARS:Wellesley ARS Probable
WhARC:Whitman ARC Confirmed
 
Middlesex/Zola and MITLL are listed because they’re tied to the club they went with last year; i maybe should break those links. :-/
 
WARS and K1USN seemed to be discussing, but i don’t feel we had them confirmed.
 
Sites I’m still carrying as MAYBE operational in the field
ClubKey   SiteKey
——————
NARC      1B9    
AARC      8MA4    
Crow      8MA4    
CAARA     CAARA  
WARS      NeedWMPk
PilAWA    SwanFD  
 
  • Only AARC/Crow have been heard from discussing lately.
  • CAARA website says FD is still on, but No COVID-19 precautions noted, so suspected stale.
    (FB has no posts since October!) Lists  dburg101@aol.com
  • NSRA says NO FD. Do they have FD@Home plans?
  • K1USN having Zoom meeting 6/23 to discuss FD. presume FD@home. Site closed per website.
  • Sturdy FD@Home confirmed from minutes; 
    minutes also reports Will N1DPY/SK (Cancer) May 2d or 3d
    Nice new website!
  • Whitman – FD not on Calendar. Common scoring in minutes, so confirmed.
  • WARS – Wellesley had an eMeeting to discuss FD last week. Decision?
  • Pilgrim AWA – i presume they don’t have their site, but are they doing FD@Home or ??
  • NARC could use their locked airport bunker, i suppose, so IDK, maybe, don’t care.
 
Sites carried as CONFIRMED and not FD@Home
ClubKey       SiteKey        Locator  Highlight          
———————————————————
NEARC         4thCliff       true     non-public 2020    
BEMA          BEMALake       true     kc1kwc            
NVARC         PepperellOrch  true     reduced            
ng0at         ema            true     CT club on cape    
SEMARA        wa1bxy         false    3D/3E              
QRA           wa1qzk         true     2020 3E            
MiddletonEMA  wa1qzk         false    2020 3E            
n1wm          wma            true     NoBARC Windsor MA  
w1ddd         wma            true     BlackstoneVARC@NA1Q
———————————————————
Total: 9   
 
  • NEARC @ Fourth Cliff – campground is CLOSED but caretaker in residence so they’re rolling.
  • Braintree EMA put a pin on the map recently, so they’re on at their alternate control point on the lake.
  • NG0AT, N1WM, W1DDD are non-mapping entries, to reconcile HQ Locator count.
  • Ron’s QRA/M’ton EMA 3E home op we got emails on, and is on HQ Locator.
  • NVARC has pin on HQ Locator. They spoke about having a small setup in Orchard plus FD@Home ? Are both still on?
UNKNOWN
  • MARC/Zola – their mailing list discusses the audio recordings of their eMeeting but not minutes. And one or more silent keys.


—

 
 
 
Licensing Education & Training

New England Sci-Tech Offers Three On-line Technician Class Courses in July, 2020

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New England Sci Tech logoFor anyone interested in wireless communications and electronics, this ON-LINE course will get you ready to take the Amateur Radio TECHNICIAN license exam, the FIRST of three certification levels. Geared toward adults, as well as junior high, high school, and homeschool students.

Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Some pre-test practice is necessary to get the best results from this course.

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

Current offerings:

  • 4 day course: Tu-W-Th-Fri July 7-10, 3-6 pm each day Eastern Time *
  • 2 day course: SAT-SUN July 11-12, noon-6 pm each day Eastern Time *
  • 4 day course: Tu-W-Th-Fri July 14-17, 3-6 pm each day Eastern Time *

* July courses are specially tailored for kids and families

The FCC Technician test will be scheduled for an upcoming weekday evening or weekend, as an online test, run by our VE team which has authorization to run online tests.

System Requirements: Computer or Chromebook capable of running ZOOM Meeting, either by Zoom app or through a browser, a built-in camera/mic, and a color printer.

Included with course fee: downloadable lecture study guide and charts, free access to our weekly Online Radio Shop Talk sessions, and a guest pass to the NEAR/STARS Radio Rooms and radio club meetings for 3 months once the facility reopens.

Note that the standard $15 license test fee is NOT included and must be registered separately; our VE team is authorized to give ONLINE exams, so you can schedule an exam within a week of the course. (Price is $15 across the country.)

An additional member of the same family may join this course at no extra charge, if sharing one computer and zoom screen.

A few hours before the session you will receive an email with a Zoom link and ID. If you don’t see the email, check your spam filter. If you still don’t see it, call 508-720-4179 for help.

For questions, e-mail bobphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.