Author: kw1u

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