Author: k9hi

Clubs / Technical / Youth

Northeastern University Wireless Club Hackathon, April 6-7, 2019

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The Northeastern University Wireless Club (W1KBN) is holding its 4th annual Hackathon on Saturday, April 6 from 12 noon until Sunday, April 7 at 3 PM in 424/425 Hayden Hall on the Northeastern campus.  The theme will be post-apocalyptic, and the Hackathon will have prize categories for both hardware and software oriented projects. 

To register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wireless-club-spring-2019-hackathon-tickets-58854136306. 

Clubs / Public Information / Youth

Cape Cod Mini Maker Faire, Volunteers Requested, April 27, 2019

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The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association will again be participating in the Cape Cod Mini Maker Faire, Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Mashpee High School, 500 Old Barnstable Road, in Mashpee. According to FARA president Brent Putnam, W1NCH, “We need volunteers to assist with station setup, operating, greeting the public, and helping the kids to make Morse code sounders.”
 
If you are available to assist, or have any questions, please contact Brent, W1NCH, at W1NCH@arrl.net.
 
For more information about the Faire, see http://capecod.makerfaire.com/
 
Operating / Public Information

Special Event Station W1MGY to Commemorate 104th Anniversary of HMS Titanic Sinking

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Special Events Station W1MGY, April 14, 2017
Special events operation in April, 2017. Photo courtesy @kathyschrock

Special events station W1MGY will operate at the old Coast Guard Station in Eastham on Cape Cod on April 13-14, 2019 to commemorate the tragic loss of the HMS Titanic.

Two stations will be set up and operated in approximately 4 hour shifts as follows:
 
  • Saturday April 13, 6:30 am- 10:00 am ; 10:00 am- 2:00 pm ; 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm ; 6:00 pm- 10:00 pm  (No operation over night)
  • Sunday April 14, 6:30 am – 10:00 am ; 10:00 am- 2:00 pm ; 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm ; 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm ; 10:00 pm – 1:27 am on 15th
 
“I’m going to start set up on Wednesday, April 10 at 12 noon and finish up on Friday morning if necessary,” reports Barry Hutchinson, KB1TLR. “Coffee and munchies will be available. Come and join the fun. The old station is a unique place to operate from. Pick a time slot or slots and email me your choices so that I may set up a roster.” KB1TLR adds, “If you are a CW operator, you will have to supply your own key.”
 
The station will be open to the public on Saturday from 1-4 pm.
 

This event is sponsored by the Titanic / Marconi Memorial Radio Association of Cape Cod and hosted by the Cape Cod National Seashore.

(Info via KB1TLR, W1MGY trustee, and Falmouth ARA)

Youth

ARISS Seeks Hosts for Ham Radio Contacts with Space Station Crew Members

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ARISS logoStarting on April 1, 2019, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) will accept applications from US schools, museums, science centers, and community youth organizations (working individually or together) interested in hosting contacts with orbiting crew members on the International Space Station (ISS). Contacts will be scheduled between January 1 and June 30, 2020. [Full story]

All

2019 ARRL New England Division Convention, Call for Presentations

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Don’t just attend Boxboro—BE A PART OF IT! 
 
The 2019 ARRL New England Division Convention (re-branded as “Northeast HamXposition @Boxboro”) seeks fresh and exciting presentations for this year’s Convention, September 6-8, 2019. We’re looking for talks of both a technical and non-technical nature. As a Northeast HamXposition presenter, you will have the opportunity to share your subject knowledge and expertise with radio amateurs from across the Northeast, surrounding states, and Canada.
 
In addition to Saturday forums throughout the day, we will feature Saturday evening entertainment, workshops on Friday, and a half-day Sunday program.
 
If you represent a regional club or organization (e.g. YCCC, NEQRP, WRONE, MMRA, MARS, etc.) we can help facilitate open forums or closed meetings by providing you a meeting space. 
 
Groups who wish to set up information tables should get your requests in early. While the tables are offered without charge, we ask for some volunteer time in return to assist us with ticket sales and other logistics during the convention. To register for a table, visit
 
To register as a presenter, please go to http://www.hamxposition.org/forums-and-classes/speaker-signup or email me if you have additional questions. 
 
I look forward to meeting all of you at the convention.
 
73,
 
Phil Temples, K9HI
Program Chair
Northeast HamXposition @Boxboro
Clubs / Youth

Bruce Blain, K1BG: “Connecting With Youth and Educators,” April 3, 2019

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Andy Wallace, KA1GTT, writes on the BARS web site:

I am excited to bring back Bruce Blain, K1BG to speak at [the Billerica Amateur Radio Society]. You may remember his talk with us about The Entry Level License: What’s Worked and What Hasn’t. Bruce has an eye for spotting opportunities about influencing the young folks and getting their interest piqued for amateur radio.

Recently, Bruce enlisted three other Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club members to assist him in judging a school science fair. This was an opportunity for NVARC to connect with youth and educators and parents, with the hope of generating more budding hams. You can see how this has potential for rejuvenating our hobby.

Bruce will describe what happened and I am sure he will field questions we all have about why ham radio’s average age keeps climbing each year and what we can do about it.

Please come and support Bruce, and thank him for speaking for a fellow club.

[See also: NVARC Members Participate in Bromfield Science Fair] 

Operating / Youth

“Team Exuberance” to Take Over K3LR Superstation for CQ WW WPX

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This weekend, Newton, Massachusetts native Marty Sullaway, NN1C, will be among the young voices heard from the K3LR Superstation, an 11-acre antenna farm of 13 towers in West Middlesex, Pennsylvania, owned by Tim Duffy, K3LR. Duffy reports that “Team Exuberance” members will operate  from the station in the two-transmitter, multioperator (M2) category for the CQ World Wide WPX Contest (phone), March 30-31, 2019. [Details]

Clubs

Zola Center ARC Meeting: “Using Ham Radio Away From the Ham Shack,” March 30, 2019

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Frank Ventura, N1FMV, writes on the MARC/Zola mailing list:

Everyone is welcome to join us at the next meeting of the Zola amateur radio group. The specifics and agenda are below.

When:  Saturday, March 30 , 2019

Where:  20 Hartford street, Newton MA  02461

Time:  11:00 AM to 1:30 PM

Agenda:

11:00 AM:  Welcome and any old business brought to the floor

11:30 AM:  One of the projects I have been working on is exploring different ways of using ham radio away from the ham shack. While on vacation in Florida, myself and N1NGK were able to check into our Thursday evening net via Echolink on our iPhones. I have been looking into alternatives to be used with some of my HF equipment. I will demonstrate one or more potential solutions that I have found.

12:30 PM:  Our traditional pizza lunch

1:00 PM:  Fellowship and open topics

Hope to see everyone at our next meeting.

Operating

VHF/UHF Activity Nights

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Roger Coulson, WA1NVC, writes on the NEWSVHF list:

Please spread the word as we try to promote SSB activity on the VHF bands. Maybe some of the NEWS group members would like to join us for an old fashioned activity night.

Kim, WA1PBU, in Bolton MA and myself, WA1NVC, in Framingham MA are promoting the old activity nights: Monday – 2m, Tuesday – 1-1/4m, Wednesday – 70cm, Thursday – 33 cm, etc.  I have been promoting repeater activity on “220 Tuesday” and “900 Thursday”.  Now we are promoting SSB activity on Monday – 2m, and on Wednesday – 70 cm.  Our schedule is as follows:

Monday 8 PM local time 144.195 USB

Wednesday 8 PM local time 432.100 USB

WA1PBU is at a much higher location and has much better coverage than I do. I am on the northeast side of a hill with poor coverage towards CT.  I have good coverage east of I-495 and to the North, Northeast, and Southeast.  Kim can reach easily into CT where I cannot.

We have had as many as 7 people on a Monday activity night.  We have not been so luck on Wednesday activity night.

There are lots of people with multimode rigs so lets get them on the air. We have worked people on 2m SSB using a rig connected to a 6m vertical, an attic loop, a UHF mobile antenna, etc.  Blow off the dust and give it a try.

Roger
WA1NVC

P.S.  The equipment here is a Yaesu FT-736R, a Mirage B3016 amp, and a Cushcraft 215WB antenna at about 35′.

Licensing Education & Training

Cape Ann ARA “Tech In A Day” Session Cancelled

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CAARA logoBill Poulin, WZ1L, writes on the Cape Ann ARA list:
 
This is to announce the cancellation of the Tech In A Day Session scheduled to Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the Lanesville Community Center.
 
We have received only one inquiry and the Program Facilitators have decided to cancel the Tech In A Day Session.
 
We will reschedule the program at the ARRL New England Division Convention at Boxboro, MA in September 2019.
 
Please advise any persons you may have notified.
 
Emergency Communications / Licensing Education & Training / Public Service

2019 SKYWARN Training Schedule Posted

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SKYWARN logoRob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on WX1BOX.org:

The 2019 NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Training Class Schedule for the spring season [has been posted]. Please distribute widely to anyone interested in becoming a SKYWARN Spotter! Additional SKYWARN Training classes are in planning. This includes a class in the Rowe/Charlemont, Mass area, Granby/Hartland, CT area, Western Hampshire County Massachusetts, Eastern Franklin County Massachusetts and potentially other locations in Rhode Island and Southeast Massachusetts. Another update will be posted to the schedule in one to two weeks. There will also be a slate of SKYWARN classes in the Fall of this year. [Full story]

Emergency Communications / Public Service

“Ham Operators Train for the Worst”

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The Maynard Wicked Local online newspaper featured a story with numerous photos on March 18, 2019 entitled, “Ham Operators Train for the Worst.”

“Ham Radio operators from around the area held a drill Monday morning, March 18, 2019, to coordinate coverage in a simulated case of a tornado strike in Hudson, Maynard, Stow and Acton. With the Amature (sic) Radio Emergency Service base in the Stow Fire Department, participants logged in from towns around the area, thereby confirming the coverage available in times of emergency. “

Clubs

Pentucket Radio Association Meets, March 21, 2019

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Pentucket Radio Association logoDavid Robertson, KD1NA, writes on the PRA mailing list:

On March 21 at 7:30 PM [there] will be a general meeting for all [Pentucket Radio Association] members and visitors [at the West Newbury EOC/Fire station, 401 Main Street, West Newbury, MA].
 
An important topic of discussion will be the coming Spring NEAR-Fest on May 3rd and 4th.
 
Discussion of the repeater status and future upgrades.
 
Hope to see all of you there.

 

All

ARRL New England Division Convention Web Site Live!

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The 2019 ARRL New England Division Convention (now branded as “Northeast HamXposition @ Boxboro“) web site is now live.   Sign-ups for speakers and volunteers are now available, as are applications for commercial, non-profit, and club vendor tables. Ticket pre-orders will be available in early June. 

The three-day convention is held September 6-8, 2019 at the Boxboro Regency Hotel and Conference Center (formerly the Boxboro Holiday Inn), 242 Adams Place, Boxborough, MA 01719.

Be sure to make your reservations early as the hotel fills up quickly. See https://hamxposition.org/travel-and-hotel for details.

Clubs / Organization

K1VR Presents at Nashoba Valley ARC Meeting, March 21, 2019

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Bruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s March meeting will be Thursday, March 21st at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell).

Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, our newly-elected ARRL New England Division Director, will join us this month. Fred suggested discussing antenna zoning (his specialty) and current ARRL matters (his new job). He’s an accomplished speaker, a contester and an alumnus-affiliate of a local college radio club, so the session just might easily meander following audience interests.

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Need directions? Click here and put your own address in box “A”.

Thanks and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Public Service

Run of the Charles, Volunteers Sought, April 28, 2019

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Brett Smith, AB1RL writes:

The annual Run of the Charles is a fundraiser for the Charles River Watershed Association to support river cleanup and research efforts. This year the event will have completely new routes. The longest route is 14 miles and begins at the Newton Boathouse. All routes end at Artesani Park in Brighton. There are assignments available at various times throughout the morning into the mid-afternoon along the river between Newton and Brighton.

To sign up, simply write me back and let me know:

  • Your cell phone number
  • Your shirt size
  • Any time or location constraints on your volunteer availability

If you have questions about either event, please feel free to ask. You can also call or text me at (859) 466 5915.