Public Information

(I HOPE YOU HAD A ) HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!   

I hope everyone had wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving and Winter Holidays. What a rollercoaster it’s been for the past several weeks, with the Patriots in the Big Game (a tremendous effort, it sucks that we lost, but the Pats are back!!) and the crazy storms and cold and snow and icy weather. I’m happy to say my town’s snow removal effort was pretty good, and we managed to not get completely snowed in. I hope you’re in a similar situation, thawing out and staying warm and safe. I am, for sure, looking forward to Spring, even if Punxsutawney Phil says it’s many weeks away. Oh well… 

* YOU CAN STILL HELP US CHANGE THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF AMERICAN HAMS 

Hey! This is important! The ARRL is focused on reducing legal restraints on the ability of American Amateur Radio Operators to engage in the active practice and enjoyment of Amateur Radio.  One of the most insidious and increasing threats to the survival of Amateur Radio and our ability to serve our communities and Nation, as we are required to do by Federal regulation, is the proliferation of private land use restrictions that prohibit the installation of outdoor antennas and that sometimes actually deny Federally licensed Amateurs from operating any amateur radios, regardless of where their antennas are located — in their attics, hidden in trees, or mounted on their vehicles. 

Please, PLEASE take 30 seconds and arrange for letters to be printed and delivered to your US Representative and Senators. You really can make a difference, and the effort is practically free! See https://www.arrl.org/current-legislation  for details. 

 * 2026 ARRL Celebration of the USA 250 Semiquincentennial 

Would you like to be part of the 2026 ARRL Celebration of the USA 250 Semiquincentennial Special Operating Event? This is part of the Year of the Club and the 100th Anniversary of the ARRL Field Organization, along with a yearlong Worked All States (WAS-250). 

For two weeks in 2026, stations located in Massachusetts will operate as W1AW/1. ARRL membership is not required. The weeks are February 11-18 and August 12-21. Full story at https://ema.arrl.org/2025/12/30/2026-arrl-celebration-of-the-usa-250-semiquincentennial/  

 * Falmouth ARA Offers Tech-In-A-Weekend Class

Falmouth ARA will be offering a Technician license class in a weekend, March 20-22, 2026. If you’re on the Cape, sign up! If you’re looking for an excuse to visit the Cape before the Silly Season  starts, come on down! The weather is pretty reasonable, and the traffic will be light! Full details at https://ema.arrl.org/2026/02/03/falmouth-ara-technician-class/  

* 2026 Northeast HamXposition Call for Speakers 

HamX is the ARRL New England Division Convention, and the largest amateur radio convention in the Northeast!  With close to 1,800 attendees each year, HamX draws radio amateurs from all over and is an ideal venue to present your ideas and experiences. The organizers are recruiting speakers on topics of general interest to the amateur radio community.   Full story at https://ema.arrl.org/2026/01/01/2026-hamx-call-for-speakers/  

*  Reminder: New Ham Report on Eastern MA Website 

A reminder: every month around the 15th, I publish a list of newly licensed hams in the Eastern MA Section on our website, http://ema.arrl.org . Please reach out to these new Amateurs and make them feel welcome. If a different list format would be more useful – e.g., a PDF to be printed on Avery labels to be stuck on post cards – please contact me at n1ilz@arrl.org 

* Linux and Ham Radio Class, by Andy, KB1OIQ 

Andy, KB1OIQ recently finished teaching a 4-session class on “Linux and Ham Radio.”  Five (5) local hams attended.  They installed Xubuntu Linux followed by the “Andy’s Ham Radio Linux” software collection. 
 
Over the 4 classes, among the many topics, students learned about generic Linux commands, graphical ways to maintain the system software, and several of the ham radio related programs. 
 
As a class exercise, students brought their ham radios, dummy loads, and power supplies. They connected the computers and radios together and configured WSJT-X and had FT8 QSOs in the classroom using dummy loads (and one real antenna). 
 
Andy and all his students had a great time. Andy looks forward to teaching it again if folks are interested. Follow up with Any, KB1OIQ, kb1oiq@arrl.net  

* N1ILZ for a Final   

I hope you’re all enjoying Winter. It’s been colder and snowier than average here on the Cape. But all that cold and snow is a Good Thing for folks who like to ski, snowboard, ice skate, etc. More power to ya! 

Can you write a paragraph or two about what you’re up to, so I can publish it in the Section Update? Did you activate a POTA or a Special Event Station? Have great fun at Winter Field Day? Some other events? Shoot me an email at n1ilz@arrl.org!      

* For always up-to-date news, please visit the EMA Section website at http://ema.arrl.org   

This Section News Update was brought to you by Section Manager Jon N1ILZ.