Author: k9hi

Organization

ARRL Rolls Back Outgoing QSL Bureau Rates to 2011 Prices

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ARRL flagvia ARRL Web:

ARRL is rolling back Outgoing QSL Bureau rates to 2011 levels. Effective May 15, 2019, the new rates will be:

  • $2 for 10 or fewer cards in one envelope.
  • $3 for 11 – 20 cards in one envelope, or
  • 75 cents per ounce for packages with 21 or more cards. For example, a package containing 1.5 pounds of cards — 24 ounces, or about 225 cards — will cost $18.

No transaction service fees.

Any cards received before May 15 will be charged the current rate. There will be no adjustments for cards received before May 15.

More information is on the ARRL website.

Public Information / Youth

New England Sci-Tech Participates in 2019 Cambridge Science Festival

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Leaders of New England Sci-Tech (NEST) staffed three exhibit tables this past weekend at the Cambridge Science Festival with “ham radio, meteorites, 3D space, and constellation night light kits.”

“We had 35 children make kits at the fair and more were made at [New England Sci-Tech] last evening when about 30 people came for the first night, ” writes NEST founder Bob Phinney, K5TEC.

New England Sci-Tech is a non-profit STEM+ education center and makerspace dedicated to project-based, hands-on learning for youth and families across theNew England community.

According to the Cambridge Science Festival’s organizers, “the annual 10-day (and night) celebration of science, technology, engineering, arts and math makes science accessible, engaging and fun for everyone through multifaceted, multicultural events.”  

Clubs

Quannapowitt RA to Feature WO1VES: “Digital Ham Radio and Internet,” April 18, 2019

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The Quannapowitt Radio Association will feature Brian Gudzevich, WO1VES, presenting on “Digital Ham Radio and Internet Connections” on April 18 at 7:00 PM. 

QRA meets at the Reading Senior Citizen Center at 49 Pleasant Street in the old fire house. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month, September through June. All are invited and holding an Amateur Radio license is not required. 

Emergency Communications / Public Service

HF Operations on Marathon Monday

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Marc Stern, WA1R, writes:
 
The Massachusetts HF Net will open sign-on Monday morning at 6 a.m. in standby mode in support of Marathon operations and will remain in this mode until at least 1800 hours local time. Eastern Mass. ARES leadership has asked all amateurs not involved directly to also standby.
 
This year, like last year, there will likely be rain starting about the time runners gather for the morning’s run. Unlike last year, which was complicated by energy-sapping cold and rain, this year’s rain is supposed to be warm and there is a chance of thunderstorms and lightning that will potentially cause runners problems.
 
For HF operations, the Weather Service station, WX1BOS, will be on the air and MEMA HQ will be on the air under the call WC1MA. The HF net will operate on its primary frequency, 3.930.
 
Thanks in advance,
 
73,
 
Marc, WA1R
DEC-HF EMA ARES

HF Coord/MEMA

Emergency Communications / Public Service

Storm & Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message #2 – Monday April 15th, 2019

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Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on wx1box.org:

.Strong Storm System will bring mild temperatures through Southern New England including along the Boston Marathon route along with the potential for rain and heavier downpours and potentially isolated thunderstorms with attendant lightning risk. There is also the potential for strong winds during Marathon Monday under any heavier rain showers and thunderstorms and then as a cold front pass through the area late Monday Afternoon as the marathon ends, through Monday Night and into early Tuesday Morning..

..Boston Marathon volunteers and runners should prepare for the rain and changeable temperatures with largely mild conditions but a slightly cool start and a cooler mid to late afternoon from west to east across the marathon route..

[Full story]

Clubs / Emergency Communications

KA8SCP to Present on Emergency Communications, Nashoba Valley ARC, April 18, 2019

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Terry Stader, KA8SCP, will be the featured speaker at the Nashoba Valley ARC‘s April 18 meeting in Pepperell. A member of PART of Westford, Stader is involved in Massachusetts RACES. He’s a D-STAR coordinator for numerous repeaters, an ARRL District Emergency Coordinator, and the MEMA Region One Communications/RACES Officer.

NVARC meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM in the Pepperell Community Center, 4 Hollis Street, Pepperell, MA.

Public Service

Request For Operators, YuKanRun Twin Lights Half Marathon, Gloucester, April 27, 2019

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Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA list:

It’s that time of the year again. Public service 2019 is starting with the YuKanRun Twin Lights on April 27, 2019.

CAARA has a great public service team. Come out and have some fun with us. Why?  You are using Amateur Radio to provide a needed public service to ensure the safety and smooth running of a public event in local communities.

“I would but I do not have a radio.” No excuse, we have loaner radios available with a magnetic mount that will work in your car just by just plugging it into the cigarette lighter socket. We have loaner hand held radios as well!

“I don’t have transportation.” No excuse, we will pick you up and drop you off at your house.

“I do not have the time to spare for a whole race.” Well, you can commit to a time slot for just two hours. We will bend over backwards to get you to participate.

YuKanRun Twin Lights Half Marathon. Good Harbor Beach April 27, 9:00am Half Marathon Start Thatcher Road, Gloucester, MA.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use ( mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; 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 by CAARA  for four hours. Runner safety is everyone’s top priority.  Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Chris K1TAT

Twin Lights Communications Team.
Gloucester, MA. Good Harbor Beach.
Last Updated: 4/10//2019 9:50pm
Event date: April 27,
On Location: 8:30 am
Starts: Half Marathon Run = 9:00am
Freq: W1GLO Repeater 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up:Simplex 146.565
All

Flea at MIT, Cambridge, April 21, 2019

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*** !!!! In our Traditional GARAGE and lot !!!! ****
so come rain or shine or super heat the Flea is on !!!

********* $1 buyers discount with hardcopy of this notice ********

COMPUTERS – ELECTRONICS – HAM RADIO – COMPUTERS – ELECTRONICS – HAM RADIO

FLEA all SUMMER at MIT
Sunday April 21st 2019
9AM-2PM

Come to the city for a great flea – plenty of free parking.

MIT’s electronics and ham radio flea will take
place on the third Sunday of each month this summer,
April thru October.

There is tailgate space for over 200 sellers!

Buyers admission is $6 (you get $1 off if
you’re lucky enough to have a copy of our ad)
and sellers spaces are $20 for the first and
$15 for each additional at the gate.

Early Bird Buyers admission is $15, allows
entry after the prepaid sellers ~ 7:15AM
See registration form for season rate.

The flea will be held at the corner of Albany and
Main streets in Cambridge; right in the Kendall
Square area from 9AM to 2PM, with sellers set-up
time starting at 7AM.

SEASON PASS + Advance Discounts

A sellers discount season pass is available which
offers a 30% discount. By prepaying you get a
discount and earlier admission. See the registration form
for full seller info.

*** Attention Sellers ***
Prepaid vendors.. Season Pass or monthly,
will be admitted FIRST.
Separate lines will form prior to gate opening
for prepaid and nonprepaid vendors

!! RAIN or SHINE !! Have no fear of rain, a covered
well illuminated tailgate area is available for all
sellers (6’8″ clearance).

Talk-in: 145.23- (PL 88.5) W1BOS/R and
W1XM/R-449.725/444.725 (PL 114.8/2A).

Sponsors: MIT Electronics Research Society
MIT UHF Repeater Association (W1XM)
MIT Radio Society (W1MX)
Harvard Wireless Club (W1AF)

For more info / advanced reservations 617 253 3776

********** $1 buyers discount with hard copy of this notice ************

All

Woodstock of Amateur Radio: NEAR-Fest XXV, May 3-4, 2019

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NEAR-Fest logoNEAR-Fest XXV will be held on May 3-4, 2019. It is held twice annually, spring and fall, rain or shine, at the Deerfield Fairgrounds in Deerfield New Hampshire beginning on Friday at 0900 and ending Saturday at 1500 hours.

Admission is $10. Persons under 18 and over 80 are admitted free of charge upon presentation of government-issued ID. Inside parking is available for $10 and includes a “reasonable amount of flea market selling space” for PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS selling their own personal property. Commercial vendors must register and pay applicable fees. If you are wondering if you are a “commercial vendor” you probably are. One complimentary inside commercial space is available for clubs, estates and other “non-profit organizations” on an “as available” basis.

Overnight camping, trailer and RV hookups are available. Three food vendors provide meals and snacks at reasonable prices. The Deerfield Community Church ladies serve up a breakfast that has to be consumed to be believed. Angelino’s offers hamburgers, steak, sausage submarines and other great “fair food” specialities and Patty’s Polish Kitchen menu features wonderful “Mitteleuropa” cuisine. No one goes hungry at NEAR-Fest. We are extremely proud of the high quality of food that these vendors offer our guests while they are at the ‘Fester.

NEAR-Fest typically attracts attendees from the six New England states, NY, NJ, PA, MD and other states as well as from Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in Canada. Some attendees travel great distances; one gentleman from Los Angeles has attended fifteen events and in 2010 one radio amateur traveled from Greece to join us for the fun.

The program of activities and events at NEAR-Fest is extensive; a huge outdoor electronic flea market, three buildings full of commercial vendors, forums, technical seminars and symposia, demonstrations, exhibits, displays, licensing examinations, special events radio stations, a “jam session”, good food, fellowship, fun and general mishigoss. NEAR-Fest is the largest event of its kind in the Northeast and has once been described as the “Woodstock of Amateur Radio”.

Public Information / Public Service

KD1CY to Participate in 2019 National Hurricane Conference

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Rob Macedo, KD1CY
Rob Macedo, KD1CY

Eastern Massachusetts ARRL field organization staffer Rob Macedo, KD1CY, will participate in the National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Workshop  in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 23, 2019.

According to Rob, “All Amateur Radio sessions are free. They will be on Tuesday April 23, 2019 from 11:30 AM-1:15 PM EDT (10:30 AM-12:15 PM CDT) and 2:30-6:00 PM EDT (1:30 PM-5:00 PM CDT). Each presenter will not only give an overview of their respective group but also how their group handled both the historic 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season and the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season.”

KD1CY is Section Emergency Coordinator and ARES SKYWARN Coordinator. He will present on “VoIP (Voice over IP) Hurricane Net and Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems.”

Further details can be found at <http://wx1box.org/2019/04/10/special-announcement-national-hurricane-conference-in-new-orleans-louisiana-amateur-radio-workshop-to-be-livestreamed-tuesday-4-23-19-amateur-radio-workshop-1130-am-600-pm-edt-1030-am-500-pm-cdt/>.

Public Service

Westford Kiwanis Apple Blossom Parade, Ham Volunteers Requested, May 18, 2019

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PART of Westford logoTerry Stader, KA8SCP, writes on the PART-L mailing list:

PART of Westford – WB1GOF for many years now has supported the Westford Kiwanis by providing communication support of their parade. So once again, PART been asked to provide communications for the Westford Kiwanis Apple Blossom Parade. This year the parade is on Saturday, May 18th, 2019.
 
The parade starts around 10 AM near the junction of Graniteville Rd and Main St. and ending at Abbot School. Volunteer hams will need to be available from 8:30/9:00 AM until 11:00 AM/noon at the latest. All you need to bring is a 2 meter handheld and some good walking shoes. We need about a dozen operators for this event.
 
Most volunteers will be assigned to “shadow” various members of the AB Parade committee. Our actual duty will not start till about 9:00 AM but we need to get into the center of town before the roads are closed and we need to establish our assignments by 8:30 AM or so.
 
If you’ve never done public service events, this is a great first time event. We will pair you up with a “veteran” ham so you get the chance to be part of a team. Parades are always fun… so why not join us on a Saturday morning, bring the kids and your XYL, bring mom and dad, enjoy.
 
Please contact me if you are interested and can assist or need more information.
 
Thanks in advance for your help.

Technical

Dan’s Tech Night, April 11, 2019

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This month’s “Dan’s Tech Night” will be moderated by Bob Jackson, KE1JH. The presentation will be “show and tell” format so bring in your projects, thoughts, or stories to share with the group. Bob may also have a significant topic to talk about as well.

Dan’s Tech Night is Thursday, April 11th at 7 PM at the Grady Research Building, 323 Main St, Ayer. And as always, everyone is welcome.

See: www.DansTechNight.com for details and directions.

Hope to see you there. 

Operating

New England QSO Party, May 4-5, 2019

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New England statesTom Frenaye, K1KI, writes:
The NEQP is a great time to check out antenna systems and offers a moderately paced opportunity to work new states and countries.   You’ll find a wide variety of participants, from newcomers to experienced contesters, all interested in making contacts with New England stations.
We’re working to make sure that all of the New England counties are active again this year and would appreciate your help.  Get on for at least an hour or two and join in on the fun.  Please let me know if you can put in any time at all so we can work on activity from the rarest counties.   Will you be QRV?   Let us know which county you’ll be on from with a message to info@neqp.org.
Oh yes, the NEQP is also lots of fun when mobile.  Every time you cross a county line the action starts over again.   It’s amazing what a 100 watt radio and mobile whip can do.  
The QSO Party is 20 hours long overall, in two sections with a civilized break for sleep Saturday night.  It goes from 4pm Saturday until 1am Sunday, then 9am Sunday until 8pm Sunday.  Operate on CW, SSB and digital modes on 80-40-20-15-10 meters.   For each QSO you’ll give your callsign, a signal report and your county/state.   Top scorers can earn a plaque and everyone who makes 25 QSOs and sends in a log will get a certificate.
Last year we had logs from 166 New England stations and 387 more from around the country and world. 
The full NEQP rules are here ->  http://www.neqp.org/rules.html
The 2018 results are posted (and the results since 2002 are also available) ->  http://www.neqp.org/results.html
It’s just a few weeks until the 2019 NEQP.   Please make some QSOs even if you don’t want to send in a log.
All

Amateur Radio Social Event at Boston IEEE International Microwave Symposium, June 4 6:30pm

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Jeffrey Saunders, AB1ZL, writes:
 

The IEEE International Microwave Symposium (IMS) is being held the 1st week of June at the BCEC, and a key event is the ham radio social at 6:30 pm in the Weston Hotel Ballroom adjacent to the BCEC.

Our keynote speaker will be the new ARRL CEO Howard Michel.
 
Note that this Tuesday evening social event is separate and distinct from the ham radio booth on the exhibit floor. [Ed. note: see https://ema.arrl.org/ieee-ims.] 
 
Prior to Howard’s speech, we would like to have several ham radio demos/displays setup around the ballroom perimeter….and because HF radio reception in the ballroom is non-existent I am asking you and your HR clubs for volunteers to demonstrate internet related HR QSOs, e.g. FT8 or hotspots or JT-65 or other modes that will impress the many worldwide microwave engineers attending the conference but not knowledgeable of ham radio.
 
Attached is the recent IEEE magazine article announcing the event.
 
Please note we have room for about half a dozen tables, so early bird gets the prize.
 
Use this opportunity to create more interest in our hobby, create more hams, and publicize your group in front of our ARRL CEO and international community of microwave engineers.
 
If interested in bringing your HT/hotspot/RaspberryPi/SDR, or if you have a small Cubesat or other device that you can carry at ease from the convention parking lot into the ballroom, please email me.  The only alternative I can think of is to just have posters on easels showing rigs and antennas and the like.
 
Thanks and 73,
 
Jeffrey Saunders, AB1ZL <powerpc9@gmail.com>
Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

Additional VEs Needed, Billerica ARS, April 11, 2019

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Billerica ARS logoGary Frascarelli, W1GFF, Billerica VE Liaison, writes on the Billerica ARS list:

The Billerica VE Session is short on VEs for this month’s test session [on April 11, 2019].  I need 6 (SIX) due to the fact that in addition to our regular session we need to have a second session in  a different room for someone who is visually disabled and needs the test read to him.   I only have two plus myself at this time, so I really need four or five more.  Please respond direct to me.  It is held at the Chelmsford Bible Church, 128 Gorham St, Chelmsford (across from Gary’s Ice Cream).  Park and come in the downstairs door out back.  

Gary Frascarelli <gary@garyfrascarelli.com>

 

 

Operating

Fox Deployed, Chelmsford, April 6, 2019

- by k9hi - 2 Comments.

John Salmi, KB1MGI, writes on April 6 at 10:53 AM:

A second Fox Box has been deployed somewhere in Chelmsford.

To Activate press DTMF tone 2 for two seconds on 146.565.

Remember you could activate 2 Foxes at the same time, and hear each one. Each one has different tone and in different directions. Have fun.

If you like the locations of the Foxes please email me.

Others have already asked for the location of the Westford Fox. 

It saves a lot of time tracking down the location.