a field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
Barry Fox, W1HFN, writes on the foxhunting list on May 8, 2019 at 1:03 PM:
The W1HFN fox box is out in the Hartwell Family Preserve off Hartwell Avenue in Littleton.
https://
It transmits on 146.565 with a 20 second voice ID every 40 seconds and should run at least 8 days.
Please sign the log, TNX.
Dan Pedtke, KW2T, writes:
Hello past TechNighters,
It’s TechNight week again. TechNight is this Thursday, May 9th, 2019, Grady Research Building in Ayer. We’re going to talk about the RTL-SDR dongle (again, was a previous tech night, but now there’s a new one), and some other miscellaneous stuff, and the TechNight Radio. The other stuff might include interesting things I bought at NEARFest last weekend.
See DansTechNight.com for details and directions. A newer schematic and the PCB layout are posted for the TechNight Radio.
One of the issues with me talking about the Dongle is that it’s all about software, and I’m running LINUX and I think most others are running Windows, so I’ll try to get a couple things running in Windows as well, and bring both laptops. Been kinda busy with work this week so I’m not so prepared, but so what, we’ll have fun anyway, and the cookies and coffee will be good.
Hope to see you there.
Frank Ventura, N1FMV, will present at the Wellesley Amateur Radio Society on “Ham Radio for the Visually Impaired” at the May 21, 2019 meeting.
WARS meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM in the Kingsbury room of the Wellesley Police Station, 485 Washington St. (Rte 16), in Wellesley.
John Iwuc, KB1VXY, president of the Framingham Amateur Radio Association gave a “brown bag” talk at the Framingham Public Library, 49 Lexington Street, in Framingham entitled, “The Fascinating Hobby of Amateur Radio” from 12-1 PM on June 7, 2019.
For junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults interested in wireless communications and electronics, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the Amateur Radio Technician license exam.
Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Some preliminary reading and study is necessary to get the best results from this course. Material will be sent a few days before the course.
The Technician level course runs on Saturday, 9 AM-4 PM and Sunday, 9 AM-1 PM, followed by the FCC Technician exam at 1:00, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick. [Full description]
John Salmi, KB1MGI, writes on the foxhunting list on May 4, 2019 at 11:59 AM:
I placed the 2 meter Fox out in Westford. On 146.565. Press DTMF Tone 2 to activate.
From the ARRL Web:
Earlier this week, ARRL announced that ARRL CEO Howard Michel, WB2ITX, would be on the air at W1AW on Monday, May 13, giving ARRL members a chance to chat with the CEO and get to know him better as a ham. An issue was raised, however, that this event may pose a potential FCC rule violation.
The particular rule is §97.113: “A station is also not allowed to transmit communication in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer.” [Full story]
Chris Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on Cape Ann ARA list:
We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Fast Half Marathon on Saturday, May 11 2019, 9:00 am be on Location by 8:30 Hamilton – Wenham High School 775 Bay Road South Hamilton, MA.
Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by Thursday, May 9 so I can plan staffing positions for the event.
Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use. We Need 50-watt mobile units. (i.e.: mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; OEM rubber duck, etc.) so we have a better idea of where to locate you along the event course per the potential of your equipment.
The course will be open and supported for three hours.
Runner safety is everyone’s top priority. Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help ensure everyone enjoys the day and remains safe.
Chris Winczewski, K1TAT
k1tat@outlook.com
The April, 2019 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/april-2019-section-news/.
Dennis Egan, W1UE, will present, “HQ9X: Building a Station in Paradise” at the monthly meeting of the Algonquin ARA on May 14 at 7:30 PM. Dennis operated from Roatan Island, situated off the coast of Honduras, during the recent ARRL DX Contest on February 16-17, 2019.
The Algonquin ARC meets in the library of the 1st Lt. Charles W. Whitcomb Middle School, 25 Union Ave, Marlboro (enter through door #1 at rear of building).
Rishi Bhagat, KC1BKX, writes:
On Saturday, April 27, 2019, Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) and its host New England Sci-Tech joined the “Science on State Street” event on the campus of Framingham State University (FSU).
STARS set up a large cube tent with an IC-7610, large display monitor, and a buddy pole for people to learn about ham radio. The radio was staffed by Rusty, K1FVK, and Bruce, N9JBT, while outside the tent Marcel, AC1DO, Janet, KC1IKP, and Bob, K5TEC, provided related activities and information.
For more information about Science on the Street, visit http://christa.org/
From wx1box.org:
The National Weather Service Boston/Norton Massachusetts forecast office in coordination with the National Hurricane Center will be hosting the P3 Hurricane Hunter Aircraft and the C-130 Aircraft, part of the NOAA/National Hurricane Center Hurricane Awareness Tour, on Monday May 6th 2019 at the Quonset State Airport in North Kingstown RI. Public tours will be open from 200-500 PM. School, Media and VIP tours and presentations will occur between 915 AM-200 PM. This is similar to what was done in 2007 at Quonset State Airport in Rhode Island and 2011 at Otis Air Force Base in Falmouth, Massachusetts and this year’s event marks the first time in 8 years having the Hurricane Awareness Tour in Southern New England.
[Full story]
John Salmi, KB1MGI, writes on the foxhunting-list on April 28 at 9:46 AM:
I placed two meter 146.565 Fox Box in the Thanksgiving Forest.
Press DTMF tone 2 to activate.
Tom Kinahan, N1CPE, writes on the Wellesley ARS mailing list:
May 11 is the Armed Forces Day Cross-band Test, where Amateur stations listen on military HF frequencies, and use the split function of their HF radio to talk with these stations that are listening in the Amateur bands where we can talk.
I do recommend everyone that can to try this, to show that you can do it.
If you complete a contact, you can get a QSL card from the station, if you follow the directions in the link below.
Frequencies and times for the various stations are listed.
Eric Williams, KV1J, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:
Please join us as we support the biannual joint Hudson-Marlborough Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on April 27th. Several have already signed up and we should have a good turnout.
Our support is a combined effort by the Algonquin Amateur Radio Club and the Marlborough Emergency Management Team. Using our radio communications skills, we manage the traffic flow and validate residency for the approximately 400 cars that come to the event. We use the Emergency Management’s UHF radios. If you have them, please bring your UHF portable radio since we will use the club repeater output frequency as a backup.
Please also bring your EMA vest or EMA yellow jacket if you have them. I will bring vests for those that do not have one.
We setup at 8 AM and the event runs from 9 AM to 1 PM. The event is next to the Marlborough Resident Drop-Off Facility, located at 860 Boston Post Road East in Marlborough, behind the Half Way Café near Home Depot.
Event Flyer from the Marlborough City web: https://www.marlborough-ma.gov/sites/marlboroughma/files/uploads/household_hazardous_waste_flyer_s2019.pdf
Brent Putnam, W1NCH, writes on the Falmouth ARA Facebook page:
The April meeting of the Falmouth Amateur Radio Association will be held on Thursday, April 25, at 7:00PM in the Falmouth Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
This month, our own Vice President, Barry, KB1TLR, will be doing a presentation about go-kits.
And we have an announcement about a Go-Kit Contest!
The EOC (also known as the training room) is located at the back of the second floor of the Falmouth Fire and Rescue Department (FFRD) headquarters at 399 Main Street in Falmouth. The public entrance to the building and parking lot are off of King Street.
Several members will be having dinner before the meeting at Liam Maguire’s (273 Main Street, across from the library) at 5:30pm. It’s 900 Thursday, so call in on the FARA 900 repeater on 927.850 -25.7875, PL 88.5. If you don’t have 900, we’ll also be listening on the FARA K1RK repeater, 146.655-, PL 88.5.
All are welcome to join us!
Andy Wallace, KA1GTT, writes on the Billerica Amateur Radio Society mailing list:
Everyone, I am excited to announce that Brian Gudzevich, WO1VES, will be our speaker for May. Brian runs the “Wolf Pack Repeater System” in Stoneham and hosts the “Nut Net” on the Danvers repeater (145.47) at 11:15PM every day.
Brian explains his topic: “I will be presenting an introduction to digital voice hotspots for ham radio. These hotspots are designed to link digital radios to reflectors over the Internet, and allow you to talk to people anywhere in the world without the use of a Repeater. They will work with almost any make, model and digital mode. I will also be giving a run down of the various digital modes, reflectors, and terminology. Followed by a live demo. I hope to give people a full understanding of how these hotspots work.”
That says it much better than I could. If, like me, you only use an FM rig to talk on repeaters this could be really eye opening and I am guessing it will also be a way to “work DX” with your HT or computer! I hope the turnout will be excellent.
In addition, the Near-Fest ham flea (May 3 and 4) and ARRL Field Day (June 22-23) are approaching fast and after Brian speaks we will have Club discussion about those events.
Andy, KA1GTT
President, Billerica Amateur Radio Society
Time:
Meetings begin promptly at 7:00 PM, first Wednesday of the month.
Location:
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.
From ARRL Web:
A new, speedier, more contest-friendly digital mode is just days away in beta version. WSJT-X Developers say serious work on the new FT4 protocol began shortly after the FT8 Roundup held last December 1-2. The goal was a mode that could compete with RTTY contesting in terms of contact rates, while preserving many of the benefits of FT8. [More]
For junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults who already have a Technician level license, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the GENERAL license exam. Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Some preliminary reading and study is necessary to get the best results from this course. Material will be sent approximately a week before the course.
The GENERAL level course runs Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday, 9 am to 1 pm, followed by the FCC General exam at noon, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick.
Included with course fee: printed handouts, lecture study guide, license fee if tested at our location, a guest pass to the NEAR/STARS Radio Room and radio club meetings for 2 months, and free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate during the course. Advance registration and payment required.
For more information and to register, visit <https://www.nescitech.org/product/weekend-general-class/>. For questions, e-mail bobphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.
Ann Weldon, KA1PON, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:
Volunteers are needed for School Watch. The time is 7-11 PM on many nights: May 24, 25, 26,27, 31 and June 1,2, 7, 8. Please know this is to support the City [of Marlborough] and Marlborough High School who support our radio club. If you volunteer for the first few May dates, K1DIN will be in charge. Thank you for volunteering. Please respond to me at ALWMA2005@yahoo.com with dates you choose.