Author: kw1u

The EM2MTN is a premier amateur radio activity in the Eastern Massachusetts ARRL section.  With numerous Official Relay Stations processing hundreds of Radiograms every month.

The Net will now be offering our messaging services to stations capable of sending APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System) text messages. 

Some of the Official Relay Stations involved with the Net have received training and are ready to process your Radiograms sent to them by the APRS network.  Please follow the example explained in the APRS Protocol Reference, Chapter 14 NTS Radiograms (pg.75) http://www.aprs.org/doc/APRS101.PDF. APRS Radiograms can be forwarded to the APRS stations of Bob KC1KVY-5, Loren N1IQI or Peter KC1HHO-9.  

You will receive a confirmation of receipt message via APRS and an APRS message letting you know that your radiogram was processed.  You can check your APRS callsign for messages by going online to https://aprs.fi/?c=message&call=&limit=25 and searching your APRS callsign.  

Radiograms can be sent for confirming QSOs, special occasions, holiday or birthday greetings and announcements related to the amateur radio hobby.  These types of messages are common place and sending them by APRS is an innovative and unique way to utilize your APRS asset more often. 

The Radiograms processed by the EM2MTN relay stations keep them prepared for potential Emergency and Welfare messages. Please consider incorporating your APRS activities into the important function of NTS. 

For more information you can check into the net on the Boston repeater 145.230 MHz PL 88.5 – 2000 hrs daily or email Peter KC1HHO@arrl.net

The August NTS report for Massachusetts is now available and can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-august-2021/  Thanks to all for your support of the traffic nets.  Come join us.  Our goal is to be prepared for public service as needed and we have fun in the process.

MARISN, the Massachusetts Rhode Island Slow Speed CW Net is now de-activated until further notice.  Net Manager Rob Zarges K2MZ has relocated and now has a job which keeps him out many evenings making it impossible for him to continue as net manager.  This and lack of net control stations as well as low participation has led to this decision.  If in the future an interest is expressed we will consider activating this net again.  We thank Rob for his efforts in organizing this net for the purpose of practicing CW while at the same time learning CW traffic net procedures.  Meanwhile all are welcome to join us on MARI CW net nightly at 7 PM on 3565 Khz.  Training will be provided as needed.  Check in at the speed you can copy and net control will match your speed.

73, Marcia KW1U, STM EMA / WMA

The July Traffic Report can now be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-july-2021/.

Note: Traffic Handlers Meet and Greet at Northeast HamXposition in Marlboro MA Saturday September 11 at 2:00 PM in the Duchess Room.  Go to hamxposition.org for more details.

Thanks to the efforts of net manager Joe Weisse W1HAI, and in agreement with the Minuteman Repeater Association (MMRA)and the trustees of the Mt Greylock K1FFK repeater, the Heavy Hitters Traffic Net (HHTN) will expand its operation to six nights a week, Sunday through Friday, effective Sunday August 1. Many thanks to all involved. We hope these additional late evening nets will provide greater opportunity for the clearing of message traffic. Unfortunately the Plymouth repeater which had been linked is off-line for the foreseeable future. The net can also be accessed via Echolink, New-Eng2 Conference and IRLP node 9127.

The STM Traffic report for June 2021 has been posted.  Please take note of the Traffic Handlers annual picnic to be held in Concord MA on Sunday August 1 at 12 Noon.  Details can be found with the report at https://ema.arrl.org/MASSACHUSETTS-TRAFFIC-REPORT-FOR-JUNE-2021. 

The Eastern Area Net or EAN has been part of the ARRL’s National Traffic System since its inception 70+ years ago. However in 2015 as many are aware there was a split with the creation of Radio Relay International or RRI. Much of what was considered NTS above the section level, including all of the Central and Pacific or Western areas affiliated with RRI while Eastern Area was split, operating two area level nets both meeting nightly. Effective August 1, 2021, NTS’s EAN will merge with RRI’s RRIE nets, consolidating resources. This net will be called EAN, will be reporting to both ARRL and RRI, and will continue to meet at 2030 Local time but will change frequency to 3552 kHz with backup at NCS discretion of 7052 kHz. Net manager will be Phil “Pip” Sager WB4FDT.

The May, 2021 Massachusetts traffic report is now available for viewing.  Note info regarding the traffic handlers picnic.

Want an opportunity to practice your newly acquired CW skills or brush up on old skills once learned but not used for many years? Learn and practice the art and skill of handling written messages, and have some fun along the way. You’ve asked for it and now we are reviving a slow speed CW traffic net. It is called MARISN or Massachusetts Rhode Island Slow Net and it will be meeting four evenings a week on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 8:30 PM local time on 3598 kHz.  Rob, K2MZ, has offered to organize and manage this net. He has been a successful teacher of CW and has been active on our various traffic nets. He is welcoming all comers. Come join us beginning Monday, March 22, 2021. Looking forward to seeing you there.

73, Marcia KW1U
STM EMA / WMA

If anyone is looking for the afternoon sessions of the First Region Net, it is now meeting daily at 1445 and 1615 local time, effective March 9.  It continues to meet on 3948 Khz.  The time change allows for the interface with the Eastern Area Net which now meets on 7222 Khz at 1515 Monday, Wednesday and Friday and at 1530 all other days.  This change will remain in effect until the return to Eastern Standard Time in November.  (per K1EIC, FRN Manager).

With many thanks to all participants for all your great efforts and support!!

We were saddened to lose the services of Greg Bennett KC1CIC as net manager of the Eastern Mass 2 Meter Traffic Net.  Greg did a terrific job over the past few years and is certainly missed.  Notice of his passing with link to his obituary can be found elsewhere on this website.

We now welcome the services of Peter Doherty KC1HHO as new net manager effective August 1, 2019.  Peter has been a regular participant as Net Control and handler of many messages.  I know Peter will do a fantastic job as Greg did welcoming all who wish to participate in message handling and net operation.  Our thanks to Peter for taking on this important job.  Join us on EM2MN at 8:00 PM daily on the Boston 145.230 repeater PL 88.5.

73, Marcia KW1U Section Traffic Manager

The annual traffic handlers picnic will be held Sunday August 4 beginning at noon at the home of KW1U in Concord MA.  All traffic handlers and anyone interested in message handling is welcome to attend.  As usual hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided.  Bring your beverage of choice, a lawn chair if you have one (I do have some if you don’t), and anything you might want to share with the group although this is a suggestion and not required.  I have requested no rain on that date and for the most part the weatherman has come through :-).  I look forward to seeing you here at 44 Raymond Rd, Concord MA.  Please let me know if you plan on coming so I can have an approximate head count  for planning food.  Thanks and 73,

Marcia KW1U STM

I was shocked to learn today of the passing of Greg KC1CIC on July 19, 2019.  Greg had been very active in NTS activities in Eastern Mass, serving as Net Manager of EM2MN and as Assistant Section Traffic Manager.  He was invaluable in many ways, not only on the nets, handling traffic and assisting new participants, but with his technical background was especially helpful with digital messaging.  Greg also served with the South Shore Hospital group and was a DEC in ARES for helping to coordinate NTS and ARES activities.  He was always ready to help when asked and that included keeping the antennas in the air at station KW1U.  Greg last checked into the EM2MN Tuesday July 16 indicating that he was relocating to Florida.  His health issues were known but not the extent.  As his obituary states he left “on his own terms”.  Greg will be very greatly missed as a fellow ham and as a great friend.  The link to his obituary can be found here: https://keohane.com/services/gregory-a-bennett/ 

Rest in peace Greg!!

73, Marcia KW1U

After serving as manager of the First Region Net Cycle 4 (1RN) since 2011 , Bill Mann W1KX of Monmouth ME is stepping down.  Bill took over following the passing of W1UD and has done a tremendous job of keeping the net active,  and we are very grateful to Bill for all he has done for NTS.  We expect to see him continue as a regular net participant, but Eric Wilhelm W1RVY of Southbridge MA has volunteered to assume net leadership and will take over as manager effective November 1, 2018.  Eric has been a regular participant on both Massachusetts Rhode Island (MARI) CW net and Central Mass 2 Meter net (CM2MN) as well as 1RN and we look forward to his leadership.  Thanks to Eric for stepping up.

REMINDER – The annual traffic handlers picnic will take place this Sunday, August 12 from noon to 4 at 44 Raymond Road, Concord MA.  All traffic handlers and others interested in learning more about traffic handling are invited.  Hamburgers, hot dogs and Italian sausages will be provided.  Bring your beverage of choice.  I have heard of some folks bringing chips and cake.  If you wish to bring something to share it would be most welcome and appreciated, but we do always seem to have a lot  left over.  I also have a limited number of chairs, so if you happen to have lawn chairs you can easily stuff into your car, by all means please do.  If anyone doesn’t have GPS and wants directions, email kw1u@comcast.net or call or text 508 314 6836.  Last weather report indicated a chance of a brief shower, but we’ve been lucky before and I’ve put in my request to the weatherman.  At least the temperature should be more agreeable than it has the past few weeks.  A head count by Saturday would be great so I know I have enough food, but if it’s spur of the moment, do come anyway.  Look forward to seeing you there.

Marcia KW1U