Public Information

Public information, amateur radio publicity

Public Information / Regulation & Advocacy

June 24, 2023 Proclaimed as “Amateur Radio Day” in Massachusetts

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A proclamation issued by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy  proclaims June 24, 2023 as “Amateur Radio Day” in the Commonwealth.
 
The document recognizes the “significant role in developing worldwide radio communications” by the “approximately 13,000 amateur radio operators that dedicate their time, equipment, and knowledge to assist their communities.”
 
The proclamation was secured thanks to the efforts of MA State Government Liaison Steve Boyson, N1VLG.
 
Paper copies of the proclamation will be distributed to Western MA Section Manager Ray Lajoie, AA1SE, and Assistant Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW. Ray and Tom will display the proclamation while visiting various Field Day visits throughout the sections.
 
The proclamation will be listed along with other proclamations across the country on the ARRL Headquarters website at <http://www.arrl.org/proclamations>.
 
 
Image of MA Amateur Radio Day 2023 proclamation
Public Information

Ham Volunteers Needed to Staff The BIG E Booth, September 15-October 1, 2023

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Project Big E GrantLarry Krainson, W1AST, writes:
 
We are doing another ham radio booth at the Big E this September. The dates are Friday, September 15th through Sunday, October 1st. The goal is to introduce ham radio to the general public, show that it is still relevant, and to interest the public in signing up for ham courses.
 
Just like last year there are two shifts per day with each one being 6 hours long.  Each shift requires 3 people in the booth this year.
 
We are making changes in the layout of the booth to make it more friendly to the public in the hopes to draw more people in. 
 
We have applied for another ARDC grant and if we get it, we can reimburse the cost of admission and parking for everyone. We do hope to get another grant.
 
Last year the booth spoke to approximately 1200 to 1300 people about ham radio. We hope to do the same or more again this year.
 
As clubs you are welcome to show your banner on the day or session you are there as well as bring a few items to showcase what your club is about to the public.
 

We are asking that you spread the word to your club members and try to get a group together to staff the booth for a session or the whole day. OR just ask your club members to sign up for a session to help staffing the booth. Last year we have over 100 volunteers from clubs all over New England. Will your club be one of them this year?

Please follow this link to sign up or if you are a club and want a certain day/session that is still available, please email Larry, W1AST direct at W1AST@arrl.net or if you have any questions about the booth.

 
We do have a groups.io group at:  https://groups.io/g/ProjectBigE
 
Sign up here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvo1vUzuuJTHbTtDLeApQQD1m4ZzX9kVe_hF2416e6apho3g/viewform
 
Help to make this year’s Ham Radio Booth at the Big E a success, please volunteer!
 
73,
 

Larry, W1AST

  • ARRL WMA Affiliated Club Coordinator
  • HCRA President
  • Visit my Ham Radio club website at: www.HCRA.org
  • Team K2H – 13 Colonies Massachusetts State Manager
  • Project Big E 2022 & 2023 Organizer
  • Proud Member of ARRL, FCARC & YCCC
  • 413-348-3289
  • W1AST@arrl.net
Licensing Education & Training / Operating / Public Information

USS Salem ARC, N1SLM, QRV for Museum Ships On The Air, June 2-4, 2023

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N1SLM Museum Ships On The Air Flyer 2023The USS Salem ARC N1SLM, will be on the air during Museum Ships On The Air, June 2 from 0000Z (8 PM ET) until June 4 2359Z (3:59 PM ET). 

The event will feature license exams onboard, Sunday, June, June 4 at 11 AM.

The USS Salem is located at the US Naval Shipbuilding Museum, 549 South Street, Pier 3, in Quincy. 

For a QSL card, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to USNSM, PO Box 165, Quincy MA 02170.

Public Information

Blackstone Valley ARC Participates in Expo at Bellingham Public Library

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Blackstone Valley ARCMembers of the Blackstone Valley ARC in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, participated in a “business expo” at the Bellingham, MA library on April 29, 2023.

“We set up an HF station and club president, Ken [Trudel], N1RGK, presented an overview of what Amateur radio is all about,” reports BVARC founding member and Rhode Island Section Manager Bob Beaudet, W1YRC. “We had handouts from ARRL  and our club brochure. We picked up several new members and several non-hams who showed interest in getting a ticket.”
 
Beaudet explained that a club member is a friend of the library director.  “She had us do a similar event before COVID and wants us back any time we can do it again.”
 
W1YRC presented the library with the ARRL Handbook six-volume set.
 
 

 

Operating / Public Information

“International Marconi Day: National Parks Director Makes QSO”

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IMC Day photo of National Parks Service Director SamsFrom The ARRL Letter, April 27, 2023:

International Marconi Day celebrates the accomplishments of radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi on the Saturday closest to his birthday each year. Stations around the world activate a special operating event to celebrate.

National Parks Service Director Charles ” Chuck” Sams, III (left) operates as KM1CC from the South Wellfleet Historic Site at Cape Cod National Seashore. Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club Trustee Barbara Dougan, N1NS, (right). (Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club KM1CC, photo)

On January 18, 1903, the first public two-way wireless communication occurred between the United States and Europe. A message from President Theodore Roosevelt was sent to King Edward VII from the South Wellfleet site. The site is preserved within the Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts. [full story]

Operating / Public Information

KM1CC International Marconi Day Special Events Station Hosts National Parks Director Sams

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From KM1CC—Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club Facebook page:

KM1CC’s International Marconi Day special event operation [on April 22, 2023] at the historic Marconi Wireless Station Site hosted National Park Service Director Charles Sams.

Director Sams made a scheduled contact with W1AW at ARRL Headquarters. Then he made a CQ call that made contact with K1KLF operating in the New Hampshire White Mountains. Watch the video for his message to the ARRL and the ham radio community.

2023 KM1CC Marconi Day Operation with NPS Director Sams
L-R: National Parks Service Director Charles Sams; Barbara Dougan, N1NS; Barry Hutchinson, KB1TLR at the 2023 International Marconi Day festivities
Public Information

Massasoit ARC “Show & Tell” at Bridgewater Public Library, April 1, 2023

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The Massasoit Amateur Radio Association will conduct a “Show & Tell” presentation on April 1, 2023 from 1 to 3 PM with displays of Amateur radio equipment and portable “go-kits” that can be used to support Emergency Shelter operations when phone service is unavailable.

For more information, visit https://www.bridgewaterpubliclibrary.org/events/1405.
Public Information

Ham Radio as STEM To Be Showcased at WooSox Games in July and August

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pix of WooSox playersFrom New England Sci-Tech ARS News, March 14, 2023:

New England Sci-Tech/Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) [in Natick, MA] has been invited to run a STEM activity table at [Minor League Worcester Red Sox (“WooSox”) games in Worcester, MA] both pre-game and during the game on July 26, Aug 9, and Aug 16. This is a great opportunity to showcase radio as a STEM activity. Bob, K5TEC, can help organize but cannot attend. Looking for two volunteers per game. Your travel, parking, and snacks allowance will be reimbursed.

Here are the details given to us:

“As far as placement in the ballpark, we have a decent amount of flexibility based on the types of activities and requirements you have. 

“We could place activities in more heavily trafficked areas of the concourse with people constantly coming through and stopping by for a few minutes; or we could place activities on Plymouth and Summit St., which fall within the ballpark on game days but provide more space and calm from the hustle and bustle of the concourse for a more in-depth showcase. And we would be able to provide tables and electricity if needed. 

“I think ideally we would love to provide both pregame and in-game activities if possible. I could easily imagine us planning a pregame showcase for a larger group of kids, and then perhaps some smaller tabling activations in a couple of places throughout the ballpark.

“All of this is to say that we are very flexible, and open to the ideas and expertise that you could provide!”

Public Information

Project Big E 2023 is Ramping Up

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Project Big E logoLarry Krainson, W1AST, writes:

Project “Big E” is back again and plans are underway to staff an amateur radio display booth this year. Changes will be made to how the booth will be arranged and presented to the public.

 This year, the dates are Friday, September 15 thru Sunday, October 1. We will be applying for another grant and if we get one, we will be able to provide admission tickets and parking reimbursement again this year.

Last year was a lot of fun for everyone and we hope you will join again for another Big E.

Stay tuned for updates at https://nediv.arrl.org/project-big-e/ as we get closer.

The volunteer registration form is at: <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YdW57tREYSlDdPp8YSKBYUqNkl6OVrAbpcVCclvT4Hw/>.

Public Information

“Facing scrutiny like never before, New England’s amateur balloonists are feeling the pressure”

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From The Boston Globe, February 28, 2023:

“In July, Seth Kendall and his 12-year-old son, Max, plan to fill a giant latex balloon with gas and then launch it into the Earth’s upper atmosphere.

“Once it leaves the ground it will reach a height of around 100,000 feet, where it will expand to more than 40 feet wide. Dangling underneath will be a payload of science experiments designed by students, a device that bounces radio signals for hundreds of miles, and a GoPro camera to capture footage of the curvature of the Earth.

“From there, it will be smooth sailing — at least, that’s their hope.

“A string of recent high-profile, balloon-related incidents, including the military shooting down a Chinese surveillance balloon and several other yet-to-be-identified flying objects, have fueled anxiety among amateur balloonists across the country. Here in New England, where hobbyists and scientists routinely launch balloons for scientific research or kicks — or often both — fears about the fate of their projects are reaching new heights.”

[Full story]
Operating / Public Information / Public Service

Boston ARC to Participate in SKYWARN Recognition Day from Blue Hill Observatory, December 3, 2022

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Boston ARC logoJoe Harris N1QD, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:
 
[The Boston Amateur Radio Club] has, on rather short notice, been invited to participate in SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) by the Blue Hill Observatory. SRD takes place this Saturday, December 3rd. This had been a regular event for the club from 2003 until the pandemic hit, and it will be great for us to return to the top of Great Blue Hill! We have already completed a fair bit of the preliminary planning, and we will be holding a Zoom call to finalize the details on Thursday Dec 1st at 7PM. The Zoom details are at the bottom of this email.
 
Note that due to the Observatory being under construction, this will not be an indoor event; We plan to set up in the parking lot just before the summit, and the operation will be weather dependent. That being said, current forecasts show that Saturday will be in the 60s, with some rain in the afternoon!
 
All BARC members are welcome to attend the event on Saturday, but we do ask that anyone planning on coming to Great Blue Hill please send an RSVP email to Mark Duff, KB1EKN at emgmgt@comcast.net.
 
73
Joe N1QD
BARC VP
Operating / Public Information

Whitman ARC Plimoth Patuxet Special Event Operation, November 26-27, 2022

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Whitman ARC logoBob Azanow, WA1Q, writes on the Whitman ARC mailing list:

We want to wish everyone a great Thanksgiving and weekend. I have submitted a tentative list to Rob Kluin, the Marketing Director at Plimoth Patuxet Museums. We have been doing this event for over 30 years.

We will have someone spot us on the DX Cluster. Richard, AG1B, suggested we operate on 10 meters as well since 10 has been open.

We can look at setting up the R7 antenna at the Visitor’s Center if possible. Paul has a Yaesu FT450D in his go kit.

This will be a good opportunity for new hams to get on the air on HF.

We also need to bring out Whitman Club IDs and or a call sign badge to wear while we are on-site there. We will have clip-on writable badges we will provide as well if you do not have one.

Here is who we have so far for Plimoth Patuxet

Bob Azanow, WA1Q, Fri Sat & Sun
Paul Moss, KB1MTW
Chris Babbitt, N1CFB
Mike Davis, WA1MAD, Fri, Sat, and Sun
Jeff Ayres, WK1D, Friday
Mark Hirtle, KC1ITF, on Sunday
Lou Lachance, KC1PXN, Deputy Fire Chief Hingham and his son, Nate
Nathan Lachance, SWL
Jack Foley, N1QE, Saturday, maybe Sunday
Steve Cote, N1STV, Saturday
James Aiu, KC1NBN, Sunday
Larry Kenney, W1VP, Friday setup

More folks will be added as soon as you confirm you will attend. We need more folks to step up.

We will have two locations at the Museum. The Visitor’s Center will have Paul, KB1MTW’s go kit setup. And we will have 2 meters running there.

The second location is the Horticulture building, which is heated and nicer than the attic where we have been in the past.

We will have the HF station setup there with the Windom antenna and a 2-meter station. If possible, we will conduct the Sunday Net at 8:30 AM from the museum, If not, we will still be on site Sunday morning at 8:30 AM.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums, Horticulture building interior
Plimoth Patuxet Museums, Horticulture Building interior

 

—

Hours: Setup Friday Nov 25th 10AM to 12PM
On the Air time Sat Nov 26th 9AM to about 3PM
On the Air time Sun Nov 27th 8:30AM to about 3PM
Take down about 3PM

Link to Plimoth Patuxet Museums for directions and info on the Museum.

 

Public Information / Youth

BIG E Space Chat Deemed “A Huge Success”

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screenshot from ARISS contact

West Springfield, MA—The BIG E Space Chat was an unqualified success. Many hours of planning and effort went into making the ISS contact a reality.

Thirteen young STEM students who are taking space science workshops at New England Sci-Tech in Natick, Mass., were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 to ask questions of International Space Station pilot Bob Hines, KI5RQT, orbiting 260 miles above the earth via a ground station in Belgium. Held in The BIG E Arena, a large entertainment venue, the event garnered much news and television coverage at the fair which attracts 1.5 million people during its 17-day run. It was an out of this world experience for the students from across New England.

Following several informative videos, hundreds of people who gathered in the arena, along with a national audience watching via YouTube live stream, heard from: Gene Cassidy, Eastern States Exposition CEO; David Minster, ARRL CEO; Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC; and Bob Phinney, K5TEC. The pre-contact show was choreographed down to the minute in order to assure a smooth transition leading to the contact itself.

At approximately 2:30 PM ET, the audience heard astronaut Bob Hines, KI5RQT, reply to the ARISS ground station, ON4ISS:

“Oscar November Four India Sierra Sierra, this is Oscar Romeo Four India Sierra Sierra. Over.” 

Over a dozen questions were asked by the youths and answered.

“The space station has to be flying over one of our ground stations… this one happened to be in Belgium,” said Bob Phinney, President of New England Sci-Tech. He told Springfield Channel 22 News, “The time had to be perfect. So the students got exactly ten minutes to get up and talk.”
“All the new opportunities that there are about new discoveries, new planets, and even new life,” said 11-year-old Harish Sathishkaumar.

Jack Warren told 22 News, “What fascinates me the most is the unknown…. There is just so much to learn!”

“The best thing about this work is that we probably changed one or two lives today,” said Fred Kemmerer. “The biggest takeaway from this momentous day; always to reach for the stars.”

The following day, Bob Hines tweeted this message from the ISS:

Bob Hines tweet re Space Chat: "This was such a fun event... great questions from all the students at New England Sci-Tech. We talked all things space: @space_station, @nasa_astronauts, @nasaartemis and more! Thanks for the chat! -73

 

The BIG E Space Chat team consisted, in part, of:

  • ARRL New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC
  • New England Sci-Tech member Barbara Irby, KC1KGS
  • Assistant Director Anita Kemmerer, AB1QB
  • Western MA Section Manager Ray Lajoie, AA1SE
  • New England Sci-Tech President Bob Phinney, K5TEC
  • Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI

Third-parties involved in making the effort a success included: the production company Black Helicopter, Limited; the BIG E Marketing team, and Eastern States Exposition CEO Gene Cassidy; NASA; and Amateur Radio on the International Space Station.

Several ARRL Headquarters staff from Newington, Connecticut attended the event including: ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA; Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1W, Director of Public Relations and Innovation; and Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, ARRL Education and Learning Manager.

At the conclusion of the contact, the youths were presented with certificates confirming their contact with Bob Hines aboard the ISS, signed by David Minster, NA2AA; Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC; and Bob Phinney, K5TEC.

Along with “Space Chat,” NESci-Tech is conducting a 12-month educational space science program that includes:

  • Amateur Radio License Course
  • Model Rocketry workshops
  • Air-Powered Rocketry
  • Introduction to Basic Electronics
  • Introduction to Arduinos Electronics
  • Public Telescope Nights
  • Morse Code Introduction
  • Elementary Mathematics for Modeling Rocket Flight

You can learn more about New England Sci-Tech’s educational space science program by visiting their website.

A recording of the pre-contact show and ARISS space station contact can be viewed on the NESci-Tech YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdxnD8uF8t0.

Public Information

BIG E Space Chat is a “Go” on September 27, 2022

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ARRL logoFred Kemmerer, AB1OC, writes on the ARRL New England Division members list:

Hundreds of The Big E attendees and spectators will be able to watch students make a live contact with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) from The Big E Arena on Tuesday, September 27, 2022. Hams who bring an official copy of their FCC license on the day of The Big E Space Chat will receive free admission for themselves and up to 3 members of their family and friends (see Instructions for Free Admission below).

NASA Astronaut Bob Hines, KI5RQT, will contact the students via a radio link provided by amateur radio ground station ON4ISS in Belgium. The contact is organized through Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). Around a dozen New England young people have been selected to participate in The BIG E Space Chat.

Please plan to arrive in time for the pre-contact program, which begins at 1:20 pm ET on Tuesday and will feature a series of videos about space, NASA, ARISS, going to Mars, and more. Pre-contact program speakers will include:

•       Gene Cassidy, CEO of the Eastern States Exposition
•       David Minster, NA2AA, ARRL CEO
•       Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, ARRL Director – New England Division
•       Bob Phinney, K5TEC, NEST President

Instructions for Free Admission

Parking and walking to The BIG E arena will take a little time, so be sure to get there early. The arena will hold well over 1,000 people. The BIG E is helping publicize the event and is arranging for TV coverage for the program and the contact. Help us get the word out!

The Big E free admission for amateur radio operators and up to three guests (maximum 4 people) is good on Space Chat Day (Tuesday, Sept. 27) only.

•       You must present an official copy of your FCC license to the Gate Captain at The Big E pedestrian gates 1A, 1B, 4, 5, 7, or 9A to receive free admission on Space Chat Day.
•       Visit http://www.arrl.org/obtain-license-copy for instructions on downloading a copy of your FCC license to print and bring with you.
•       Parking is not included.
•       The Big E is at 1305 Memorial Ave, West Springfield, Massachusetts.

If you’re attending The Big E, visit the amateur radio booth (#103) inside Door 6 of the Better Living Center for more information. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and fellow radio club members!

You can download and print The Big E Brochure and a Fairgrounds Map. Both are available at https://www.thebige.com/p/generalinfo/bigeinfo.

Can’t come to The BIG E on Space Chat Day? 

A live video stream of the contact will be carried on the New England Sci-Tech YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdxnD8uF8t0.

For up to date information about Space Chat @ The BIG E, please visit https://nediv.arrl.org/big-e-space-chat.

——————————————————————–
ARRL New England Division
Director: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC
ab1oc@arrl.org
——————————————————————–

Public Information

New England Sci-Tech Members Staff The BIG E Booth

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Sci-Tech members staff The BIG E ham radio booth
L-R: Barbara, KC1KGS; Bruce, N9JBT; Jim, WB4EJR; Bill, KA1MOM; Lorena, KC1MWH; Zachary, KC1NXK; Rusty, K1FVK; Bob, K5TEC

New England Sci-Tech enjoyed their time at the BIG E [on September 18, 2022]!  We had quite a number of club members staffing (thanks to those who stayed for the whole day). 

The group attracted attention by strategic Morse Code practice (thanks, Bruce, N9JBT)-getting youth to stop by and try their names in CW, the ISS banner, equipment (including waterfall displays), scrolling videos and our friendly faces!

The cards and flyers gave those who walked by something to refer to later. 

Thanks to all who are staffing the booth over the days of the BIG E—it’s rewarding!

Public Information

Two BIG E Volunteers Needed for September 20, 2022

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From nediv.arrl.org:

Larry Krainson, W1AST, writes on the Project Big E mailing list:

Through a scheduling error, the Big E booth is in need of at least 2 more people for the first session tomorrow/Tuesday, Sept 20th for 9:30 am through 4:00 pm.

IF you are available for all or even part of that time slot, please email Larry, W1AST immediately at W1AST@arrl.net

Thank you!

Public Information

Additional Volunteers Sought for Project Big E, West Springfield MA

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Project Big E logoLarry Krainson, W1AST, writes:

The Big E is coming up fast and the first day is Friday, September 16th.

As of now, there are 12 clubs and around 110 people signed up to staff the ham radio booth. We are looking for a few more to help us lock down the schedule. Are you available on any of these dates and times?

Each day is broken into two sessions. The first runs 9:30 am through 4 :00 pm and the second runs 3:30 pm through 10:00 pm. The overlap is to help the new arrivals for the 2nd session learn what had been working during the first session so they could continue. The sessions are named Session 1 and Session 2.

Here is where we need volunteers as of right now:
Monday, Sept 19, session 1 – need 2 people
Monday, Sept 19, session 2 – need 3 people
Tuesday, Sept 20, session 2 – need 3 people
Sunday, Sept 25, session 2 – need 3 people
Tuesday, Sept 27, session 2 – need 4 people
Friday, Sept 30, session 2 – need 3 people
Saturday, Oct 1, session 1 – needs 1 person
Sunday, Oct 2 (Final Day), session 1 – needs 2 people
Sunday, Oct 2 (Final session), session 2 – needs 2 people
Are you available to help? If yes, please volunteer or add a session to what you have already volunteered for.

As a reminder, everyone that volunteers will have their Big E fairgrounds parking reimbursed and their admission reimbursed (or free tickets provided to them).

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9_iH1ZucHuCFCNwreEuVPWnmLOT5D_s92vHPuEUASS78Tew/viewform

Learn more here: https://nediv.arrl.org/project-big-e

I hope you are available to help us lock in these last few days of the schedule for the ham radio booth.

Thank you and 73,

Larry, W1AST

Public Information

CNN: “8-year-old girl chats with ISS astronaut using ham radio”

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Isabella Payne spoke with ISS astronaut Kjell LindgrenFrom nediv.arrl.org:

London (CNN) – When Isabella Payne heads back to elementary school in September, she’s going to have the best “what I did in my vacation” story to tell.

In a tale of “right place, right time,” the 8-year-old girl from Kent in southeast England spoke with American astronaut Kjell Lindgren aboard the International Space Station (ISS) using her dad’s ham radio.
 
Public Information

Barnstable ARC Amateur Radio Demo at the Brooks Park Festival, Harwich, August 13-14, 2022

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Barnstable ARC logoRob Leiden, K1UI, writes:
 
The Barnstable Amateur Radio Club will be holding an amateur radio demonstration this weekend at the Brooks Park Arts and Crafts Festival in Harwich. [The club station call sign] W1MA will be on the air on 10, 15 and 20 meters.
 
The festival runs from 9 AM—4 PM on Saturday and Sunday, with setup on Friday afternoon.
 
The event is one of the largest crafters’ events in the summer on the Cape with many food offerings as well.  The Brooks Park Arts and Crafts Festival information is at https://www.fairsandfestivals.net/events/details/2022-brooks-park-arts-and-crafts-festival.