Mystic Valley ARG Meets February 16, 2020

MVARG logoThe next meeting of the Mystic Valley Amateur Radio Group will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2020  @ 9 AM.

The meeting location will be the Milton Auxiliary Fire Dept. Station, 2nd floor, 509 Canton Avenue, Milton. The building is a little beyond the gazebo to the right of the Milton Fire Headquarters where we’ve held our Field Day Operations in past years.  Local map is attached below as a post script.

We will be monitoring the 145.43 Belmont repeater for talk-in.  Please feel free to email me with any questions.    kc1ma at arrl dot net

https://www.townofmilton.org/sites/miltonma/files/uploads/towncommontrafficdirectionfinal.pdf

More Boston Marathon Ham Radio Operators Needed

Via wma.arrl.org:
 
The Boston Marathon Communications Committee is currently at 240 out of our goal of 350 volunteer registrations for this year’s Boston Marathon. Registration was scheduled to close on February 7th — the BAA has granted us an extension until February 17th. 
 
If you’re interested in volunteering, please register today. You can sign up at http://register.hamradioboston.org. Please share this note with your ham friends / organizations that may be interested.
 
Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions. You can also email contact@hamradioboston.org to contact the entire committee.
 
Thanks and 73,

Matt Brennan NM1B
Finish Segment Coordinator

New England Sci-Tech Amateur Extra Course Begins February 20, 2020

New England Sci-Tech is offering ongoing Amateur Extra study sessions for high school students, homeschool students, and adults who already have a General level license. This slower-paced course will get you ready to take the Amateur Extra license exam. You may jump into this course at any time, pay one course fee, and take nine weeks worth of classes. A different topic group is covered each week; all topics covered in nine-week intervals. Take the exam whenever you are ready.

The course runs most Thursday evenings, 6-9 PM from February 20, 2020 until April 30, 2020 as a combination “study group” and keynote presentations by experienced instructors. Study group meets 6:00-6:30, presentations run 6:30-8:15 approximately, and remainder of time is Q and A with instructors or more study group time. Regular homework reading and study is necessary to get the best results from this course.  [Full description]

PART of Westford Has a Completely Revised Website

PART of Westford President George Allison, K1IG, has created a completely revised club website at http://www.wb1gof.org and its “look-and-feel” is stellar.

According to George, “the design is flexible can be adapted to the club’s needs.” He invites feedback about the appearance, formatting, and content from the membership, and adds, “We’ll discuss it at the next club meeting.”

K1IG also thanked Scott, NE1RD, for a lot of help in setting up the site.
 

“Batteries for the Elecraft KX3 and Other Low-Power Radios” in March, 2020 QST

CE0Y/W1MJ, Easter Island

“Batteries for the Elecraft KX3 and Other Low-Power Radios,” authored by Belmont amateur Eliot Mayer, W1MJ, is featured in the March, 2020 issue of QST. The article talks about battery types, supply current vs. supply voltage, and battery and charger suppliers. 

Mayer is an electrical engineer with a BSEE from U. Mass. Amherst and an MSE in management from the Gordon Institute of Tufts University. He works on the design and manufacturing of medical imaging equipment at Analogic in Peabody. His ham radio activities include QRP holiday-style DXpeditions, operating a K3 radio from his condo home station, guest operating at the high-power stations of fellow Yankee Clipper Club members, and 2-meter FM on his daily commute. His radio operations can be followed at http://www.w1mj.com.

This is the free article of the month at http://arrl.org/this-month-in-qst.  ARRL members may vote for W1MJ’s article for the ARRL Cover Plaque Award at http://arrl.org/cover-plaque-poll.

New Rooftop Research Space Needed for W1XM

According to the MIT Radio Society’s website, the club is attempting to raise funds to renew its rooftop space atop the Green Building:

“We need your help! The center of many of our activities, located on the roof of the iconic Green Building (MIT’s tallest academic building), is at risk due to a major renovation. Beginning this spring, the Green Building is being renovated and our rooftop shack is to be removed. This space is currently home to our VHF/UHF and microwave contest and research station, W1XM, as well our 70 cm repeater, and a host of student projects. If we wish to keep our home there, we need to raise $300,000 before April 2020 for the renewal of our space.

“Sadly, the club does not have the financial reserves on hand to replace the W1XM shack. So we are asking for your help. We’re already part of the way towards our goal and have some great volunteers – with YOUR help we know we can reach our goal.”

School Club Roundup, February 10-14, 2020

Rohit Chaki, KC2UQC, operating W1AF

Date(s): February 10-14, 2020

Objective: To exchange QSO information with club stations that are part of an elementary, middle, high school or college. Non-school clubs and individuals are encouraged to participate. Sponsored by the ARRL, its Hudson Division Education Task Force and and the Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club (LIMARC) to foster contacts with and among school radio clubs.

Award certificates will be issued for the following US and DX categories:

Schools: Elementary, Middle/Intermediate/Junior High School, High School and College/University
Non-school Clubs
Individuals

See http://www.arrl.org/school-club-roundup for full details.

Cape Ann ARA Meets February 8, 2020

CAARA logoBill Morris, W1WMM, writes on the CAARA List:

Greetings everyone.

Saturday, February 8, 2020, is the [Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association] member’s meeting at noon, with a club-funded lunch.  We hope to see everyone at the club for CAARA club fellowship.  Thank you.

The Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association is an ARRL-affiliated club whose mission includes: providing health and safety communication services for emergencies and disasters on Cape Ann and in other areas when requested, educate and train new amateur radio operators and to maintain a well-tuned disaster team, conduct FCC testing for new licenses and those wishing to upgrade, provide educational services and demonstrations to local area schools and community organizations such as the Boy Scouts, conduct public demonstrations and educational events, assist public utilities in finding radio frequency interferences that could potentially harm or hinder emergency communication activities, and create a positive, supportive environment for our members that promotes camaraderie and fellowship.

Dan’s Tech Night Meets February 13, 2020

Dan Pedtke, KW2T, writes:

I’ve done a bunch of work on the TechNightRadio, having a new board, and building up most of it. Hopefully by meeting time I’ll have the two signal sources working.

I will also do a summary of the Consumer Electronic Show that I went to last month.

TechNight is held every 2nd Thursday of the month, from 7-10 PM, at the Grady Research Building in Ayer, MA. It is open to anyone with an interest in radio or electronics, from age 6 to 100. Though it is directed mainly at the Ham Radio enthusiast, it also covers general electronics and computers. Amongst the marvels of radio technology like antennas, impedance matching, and software radio, we will discuss things like the Raspberry Pi, Arduino, ARM Cortex and the like, and even a little about LINUX and PC applications that work with radios. Meetings also include a period where anyone can ask questions about anything, or repair and test stuff people bring in. On occasion, the meeting will involve building a kit of some sort, that the participants have agreed to buy as a group. See the Topics page for more details.

Registration Open Through February 7, 2020, for Boston Marathon Amateur Radio Communications Volunteers

Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on SKYWARN-Announce:

Registration has been open for the 2020 Boston Marathon for Amateur Radio Operators across the start, course, finish and with transportation medical buses. Volunteer registration is open through Friday February 7th and whole some arrangements can be made with the Boston Marathon Amateur Radio Committee to volunteer after this deadline, we are hoping to get all needed volunteers prior to the February 7th deadline. For volunteer information registration and information, please see the following link:
 
http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/event-information/volunteer-information/volunteer-registration.aspx

If you are interested in volunteering for the 2020 Boston Marathon but are not sure at this stage about whether you can participate, we encourage you to register now and if it turns out you cannot volunteer, send notification that you can no longer volunteer as early as possible. It will be very difficult to bring in volunteers once registration closes and if you register and can no longer volunteer at the event, please let us know as early as possible so contingency planning can be completed.

For Amateur Radio/Ham Radio Operators, you don’t need to specify any group name or passcode. Just make sure you request at least one ham radio assignment in your preferences. Once you get your application confirmation number, you’re all set.

If you’re a returning volunteer (whether an Amateur Radio or non-Amateur Radio assignment), you’ll be asked to provide your BAA Volunteer Loyalty Number. You should’ve received that in a separate e-mail from the BAA today. There’s also a tool to look it up on the BAA volunteer site. If you still have trouble finding it, e-mail us and we can help you out.

Don’t delay! Volunteer registration closes on Friday February 7th. Help us get the word out by forwarding this e-mail to your club and other hams who might like to volunteer and for non-hams to any volunteer groups who might be interested in supporting the event. Most volunteers first learn about the event through word of mouth. If you know new amateurs involved in volunteering for events who might like to volunteer, make sure to let them know about it. Even just a quick mention at your club meeting or regular meeting of your organization can be a big help.

If you have any questions about volunteer registration, or the 2020 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 more comfortable or effective.

-Boston Marathon Amateur Radio Communications Committee
 

Yankee Clipper Contest Club Meets February 2, 2020

The Yankee Clipper Contest Club will hold its next meeting on Sunday, February 2, 2020, from 1:00 – 4:00 PM at the Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center in Sturbridge, MA. 

Program for the day:

1. CAC Report- W1UE
2. SO2R Mini- NN1C
3. “In Band Box”- K1XM
4. “Fun with (Telnet) Filters- W1UE
5.  An update on a super station build – N1RR

YCCC general meetings are usually held in the even-numbered months at select locations within the club’s territory.

Foundation for Amateur Radio Invites 2020–2021 Academic Year Scholarship Applications

From ARRL Web:

The Foundation for Amateur Radio Inc. (FAR) has invited applications for the 2020 – 2021 academic year for the scholarships it administers. Applications must be submitted via the online form. Several questions ask for essay responses. The deadline for initial submissions is April 30, 2020. Applicants may amend their applications until May 7. [Full story]

 

K1VR: “ARRL Board, National Activities” at Whitman ARC, February 5, 2020

Whitman ARC logoThe Whitman Amateur Radio Club‘s next meeting on February 5, 2020 will feature a special presentation by Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, ARRL New England Division Director. The meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

Mr. Hopengarten was first licensed in 1956 and has been an ARRL member continuously since. He is a Life Member, and makes annual financial donations to the League. Instead of enjoying his early life, he spent nine years to graduate from Colby, Boston College Law School, and Harvard Business School. He is a practicing lawyer. He wrote  the ARRL book, “Antenna Zoning for the Radio Amateur.” He likes 160 CW, multi-op contesting, and travel.

WARC has invited members from two nearby radio clubs–the Genesis Amateur Radio Society and the Massasoit Amateur Radio Association–as their guests to attend this special presentation.

WARC holds a winter flea market,  conducts licensing classes, and participates in a number of high-profile public service events. Meetings are held at the Whitman Knights of Columbus Hall on route 18 just south of the Abington line. 

 

K1USN Radio Club QRV for “Freeze Your Butt Off”

“Pi” Pugh, K1RV, writes on the K1USN mailing list:
 
Tomorrow we plan to operate outside at K1USN during the FYBO (Freeze Your Butt Off) [Winter QRP Sprint, 1400Z-2400Z, February 1, 2020]. I plan to bring my KX3 and will connect to one of the regular K1USN antennas. Can someone bring a large thermometer so that we can display the current outside temp?
 
All are  welcome to participate and to bring along your QRP portable radio/antenna to have some fun. As always, the coffee will be hot inside K1USN!
 
BTW, we usually keep things really simple and just do paper logging!
 
FYBO Winter QRP Sprint
  Status: Active
  Mode: CW, SSB, Digital
  Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m
  Classes: Single Op (Home/Field)
Multi-Single (Home/Field)
Multi-Multi (Home/Field)
  Max power: 5 watts
  Exchange: RS(T) + (state/province/country)+ name + power out + temperature(F)
  Work stations: Once per band segment per mode
  QSO Points: 1 point per QSO
100 points per QSO with NQ7RP per mode per band
  Multipliers: state/province/country once per band
Field: x4
Alternative Power: x2
QRPp (<1W): x2
Temperature: 65F=x1, 50-64F=x2, 40-49F=x3, 30-39F=x4, 20-29F=x5,<20F=x6
  Score Calculation: Total score = (total QSO points x spc mults x temp mult x alt pwr mult x field mult x QRPp mult) + NQ7RP QSO points
  E-mail logs to: fybo[at]azscorpions[dot]org
  Upload log at: http://www.qrpcontest.com/
  Mail logs to: Mike Baker, K7DD
8845 W. Diana Ave.
Peoria, AZ 85345
USA
  Find rules at: http://arizonascqrpions.apps-1and1.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/FYBO_General-Near-Forever-Rules.pdf

Logs due: Mar 5

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning for some fun on the air at K1USN! We expect to begin setup around 8:30 AM.

Framingham ARA Meets February 6, 2020

Framingham ARA logoThe Framingham Amateur Radio Association will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, February 6, 2020. Adrian, AB2IX, will be presenting on 3-D printing. Come for this very interesting and timely talk.

FARA meets the first Thursday of the month (except in July and August), 7:30 pm at the Framingham Police Station, 1 William Welch Way (corner of William Welch Way and Union Ave) in the first floor training room. Enter through the front door on Union Ave. and the room is to the left.  All area hams and those not yet licensed but interested in amateur radio are welcome to attend.

 

Barnstable ARC Meets February 3, 2020

Barnstable ARC logoThe Barnstable Amateur Radio Club will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, February 3, 2020 at 7:00 PM in the Dennis Police Department conference room in Dennis, MA. Entrance to the meeting area is to your right after entering through the main entrance. 

BARC meets on the first Monday of each month unless otherwise noted. 

All radio amateurs and people interested in Amateur Radio are welcome to attend.  BARC members will receive a written call to meeting with more detail and a meeting agenda.

Major Announcement: Northeast HamXposition (formerly Boxboro!) is MOVING!

Bob DeMattia, K1IW, writes:

I am pleased to announce that the Northeast HamXposition (formerly Boxboro!) is MOVING!

The 2020 Northeast HamXposition will be held July 24th, 25th, and 26th at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center, conveniently located in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

The new venue offers us much-needed additional capacity for forums, a larger flea market, and ample parking right in the hotel’s main lot. For those staying at the convention hotel, your room rate includes a complimentary breakfast buffet. We will announce very soon when the hotel is accepting reservations.

For those that like to take a step away from the convention, the Marlborough location has tons to offer, including dozens of restaurants in the immediate vicinity, as well as the new APEX Entertainment Center on Route 20 adjacent to the hotel.

The Northeast HamXposition convention committee members are looking forward to our new home and hope you are too. Stay tuned for additional developments!

73,
Bob DeMattia, K1IW
Chairman
Northeast HamXposition 2020/The ARRL New England Convention

K1TWF: “ARRL Board Structure and Responsibilities” at Billerica ARS, February 5, 2020

Andy Wallace, KA1GTT, writes on w1hh.org:

Everyone, please mark your calendars for the next [Billerica Amateur Radio Society] meeting: Wednesday, February 5, 2020. Our speaker that evening will be Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF,  who was just elected as First Vice President of the American Radio Relay League.

Meetings begin promptly at 7:00 PM, first Wednesday of the month. Our meeting location in Chelmsford is at:

Chelmsford Bible Church
128 Gorham St. (Route 3A)
Chelmsford, MA 01824

Please park in back and enter by the rear door. A map can be accessed by the “Club Meetings” notice on the right side of the website.

The Billerica ARS encourages members to get on the air! (GOTA). There are many exciting operating events over the coming cold months to enjoy. Let us know what you’re interested in.

Bring a friend (or aspiring ham) and join us!

Note: The weekly BARS Wednesday night net will not meet on this evening because of the club meeting. Members are encouraged to get on Billerica (147.12) on their way to/from the meeting instead.