Public Information

Public information, amateur radio publicity

Clubs / Field Day / Public Information

Framingham ARA Field Day Featured on “Access Framingham TV”

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Screenshot of "Framingham Beat" featuring story about FARA Field DayThe Framingham Amateur Radio Association‘s recent Field Day operation at the McAuliffe Library was featured on Framingham’s community access channel accessfram.tv. According to FARA’s Glenn Axelrod, KC1HPZ, the coverage “is expected to be part of Access Framingham’s ‘Framingham Beat’ news magazine show at 7:30 PM on August 2.”

“Sumner, W1VIV, was featured prominently… his explanation of Field Day became the narration for the video that KC1HPZ shot and AFTV’s staff edited.”

Access Framingham can be viewed on RCN 3, Comcast 9, or Verizon 43. It can also be live-streamed on the web at accessfram.tv/watch.

UPDATE: the program can also be found on YouTube: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZjHmHfIP90>.

Clubs / Public Information

Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC Public Display at Kapron Park, August 11, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

SMH ARC "Magic Beans" portable tower on a trailerThe Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC  will set up an Amateur Radio display on August 11, 2018 from 9 AM until 1 PM  in Kapron Park, 201 County Street in Attleboro.  Club members will display ‘Magic Beans’ “as well as other radios and modes of communication that an ham radio operator can use.” 

Magic Beans is a homemade, hitch-mounted  extendable tower constructed by club members in 2005. You can see additional photos along with a detailed description of Magic Beans on the club’s web site.

 

Licensing Education & Training / Public Information / Technical

ARRL Represented at IEEE Symposium in Boston

- by k9hi - 1 Comment
VE2JBP/W1 operating N1P at IEEE AP-S Symposium in Boston
Robert Paknys, VE2JBP/W1 checks out 20m SSB from special event station N1P at the 2018 IEEE AP-S Symposium in Boston, Massachusetts

07/13/2018

ARRL was on hand in Boston July 8 – 13 for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Antenna and Propagation Society (AP-S) Symposium, held jointly held with the US National Committee of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI). The ARRL exhibit included an Amateur Radio special event demonstration station, N1P, and more than a dozen volunteers staffed the ARRL exhibit.

“We had a very attractive booth in a great location,” said ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Assistant Section Manager Phil Temples, K9HI. “Engineers and scientists in the fields of antennas and propagation who attended from all over the world stopped by the ARRL table to see and learn about Amateur Radio.”

Temples said ARRL Headquarters provided supplies for the booth as well as display copies of publications, “which doubled as door prizes for drawings,” he added. Complementing volunteers from the ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section were radio amateurs attending the conference who donated their time between talks and seminars to assist with the booth and greet fellow attendees.

“It was clear to me that our presence at the symposium meant a great deal to the IEEE AP-S/URSI leadership,” Temples said. “It’s difficult to have a ‘live’ Amateur Radio station in an exhibit area of a major hotel, so we were indeed fortunate to have access to one of the premiere contesting stations in New England through a remote internet HF setup, courtesy of Yankee Clipper Contest Club member Greg Cronin, W1KM.” Temples said YCCC president Dennis Egan, W1UE, supplied an Elecraft K3 to use on site.

In addition, ARRL Volunteer Examiners conducted separate Amateur Radio licensing exam sessions over two days at the conference thanks to the efforts of the Eastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Group and Lou Harris, N1UEC. More than a dozen attendees took advantage.

“The IEEE AP-S/URSI hams who will organize next year’s event hope to secure the call sign N4P and recruit local volunteers when the symposium moves to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2019,” Temples said. He expressed gratitude to Dave Michelson, VA7DM, an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of British Columbia and who chaired the IEEE’s AP-S/URSI Joint Meetings Committee, for his help in coordinating the Amateur Radio display. “Thanks also go to San Diego Section Manager Dave Kaltenborn, N8KBC, and Michelle Thompson, W5NYV, who advised us following the 2017 ham radio effort.”

—ARRLWeb, http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-represented-at-ieee-symposium-in-boston

[Additional photos can be viewed on the Eastern MA ARRL Facebook page, at: https://www.facebook.com/EasternMaARRL/]

 

Clubs / Public Information

North Attleboro Firefighter’s Kid’s Day Amateur Radio Table, July 19-22, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

July 22, 2018: Due to the inclement weather we won’t be operating the demonstration table at kids day today. I would like to thank everyone who came out and assisted over the past few days.

 

73,
N1EZT, Pierre

Pierre Guimond, N1EZT, writes on the Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC mailing list:

Good afternoon Sturdy Radio club members and friends of W1SMH! For those of you who may not be aware,  it’s time again for the annual North Attleboro firefighter’s Kid’s Day Festival . It will be held from July 19 through 22 at the North Attleboro Middle/High School complex, 564 Landry Avenue, North Attleboro.

We are going to have a club-sponsored information/demo table with HF, VHF, DMR, SDR  (and other  modes /information that  anyone might like to suggest) set up at NAFF Kid’s Day to advertise our club’s good work, and generate/spawn interest with the kids (and parents too!) for our hobby .

I’m planning a pop up tent, the club sign , a table, chairs , radios, batteries, computers, and at least two or three different portable expedient antennas.

I’ve had some interest from the membership already but I’m reminding you in case you wish participate and provide a small or large block of your time to staff the station. I’m keeping the scheduling as informal as I can.

I won’t be able to staff the station for the most part but l will be able to set up and take down equipment, and provide verbal support to other staffers as I am committed to other functions during this event.

I would like to have staff at the table on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon from about 1 to 4 p.m. Based on response, we will extend or cut back the time.

This will be good trial run in preparation for the August farmers market in Attleboro, and hopefully a future open house Amateur Radio demo/special event station we are planning in the fall.

Any and all assistance is appreciated but I don’t wish to take staffing away from other activities at the event by radio club members / CERT team members, so I will ask that you keep this in mind if you wish to help out with the information table.

You can respond to me directly by email–until, and even after the event starts–if you can help out. I am grateful for any assistance you might be able to provide for this effort.

Thank you for your consideration. And thank you in advance for your support and expertise!

Sincerely and 73,

N1EZT, Pierre
SMHARC Member since 1986
n1ezt@yahoo.com
n1ezt2@gmail.com
401-230-5437 c

Operating / Public Information

Whitman ARC QRV for 151st Annual Marshfield Fair

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Whitman ARC logoThe Whitman Amateur Radio Club will sponsor a ham radio exhibit and special events station at the 151st Annual Marshfield Fair August 17-26,  2018 from 1600Z-0059Z. The club will operate under the call sign NN1MF on the following frequencies/bands: 18.160, 14.260, 7.260, and 3.860 MHz. The station will also be active on EchoLink via the WA1NPO-R, and IRLP: 8691. Contacts will be acknowledged with a certificate and QSL at: Whitman ARC, PO Box 48, Whitman, MA 02382. 

Field Day / Public Information / Regulation & Advocacy

Massachusetts House Passes Resolution Proclaiming Amateur Radio Week

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

MA House sealA resolution has been passed in the Massachusetts State House honoring Amateur Radio operators and proclaiming an “Amateur Radio Week” to coincide with Field Day. The resolution was introduced by Rep. Jonathan Hecht, who represents the 29th Middlesex District (Cambridge, Watertown).  It was signed on June 18, 2018 by Hecht, along with House Speaker Robert A. De Leo and House Clerk Steven T. James.

The language of the House bill is identical to the text in the counterpart Senate resolution. Copies of the resolution have been mailed to ARRL Eastern and Western MA Section Managers Tom Walsh, K1TW and Ray Lajoie, KB1LRL and should arrive in time for this weekend’s Field Day.

Edited: June 21, 2018

Emergency Communications / Public Information

KD1CY Featured in SKYWARN Interview on WILI AM 1400

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Rob Macedo, KD1CY featured on WILI SKYWARN interviewRob Macedo, KD1CY was featured in a radio interview on  radio station WILI AM 1400 in Willamantic, Connecticut on June 15. Macedo spoke on severe weather and the importance of trained SKYWARN observers. 

KD1CY is an Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator for Eastern Massachusetts and SKYWARN Coordinator for the National Weather Service office in Norton.

Emergency Communications / Public Information

WQ1O Interviewed About Emergency Communications by WCAI

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Photo of Cape Cod Multi-Agency Communications Center in HyannisFrank O’Laughlin, WQ1O writes on Facebook:

I was interviewed today by Kathryn Eident of NPR station WCAI today at our Barnstable County facility (used for the Multi-Agency Coordination Center) on Cape Cod.

We discussed ARES, agencies, volunteers and how basic simple equipment can often endure due to its lack of dependence on infrastructure. We gave her a live demonstration of digital modes and NBEMS sending files and ICS forms. We then had ARES member Jim, KC1KM send a digital image on VHF. It was of Kathryn’s own WCAI broadcast facility in Falmouth.

I think the interview went well. She is working in collaboration with the Cape Cod Times on a series about disaster preparedness and levels of communications. She will advise me when the final piece is ready to air, possibly in late July or early August. My thanks to Kathryn and WCAI for their interest in emergency communications.

Field Day / Public Information / Regulation & Advocacy

Massachusetts Senate Proclaims Amateur Radio Week

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Massachusetts State Senate sealA Resolution has been received by the ARRL Eastern and Western MA Section Managers from Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester), President of the Massachusetts State Senate.  The Resolution, adopted on June 4, 2018, is entitled “Commemorating Amateur Radio Week and Honoring Amateur Radio  Operators as They Celebrate Field Day”:

 

WHEREAS,  Amateur Radio operators have made great contributions in developing world-wide radio communications; and

 

WHEREAS, over 13,500 Amateur Radio operators thrive in the Commonwealth, consistently displaying their value in public assistance; and

 

WHEREAS, Amateur Radio operators use their equipment and skills to unfailingly assist local and state officials in cases of tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and other emergencies; and

 

WHEREAS,  Amateur Radio operators in the Commonwealth have generously volunteered their time, equipment and knowledge to provide communications, support and technical training to local service clubs, organizations and interested citizens; and

 

WHEREAS, on June 23 and 24, Amateur Radio operators in the Commonwealth will join with other operators from around the country to participate in Field Day, a 24-hour simulated emergency highlighting Amateur Radio operators’ emergency response capabilities; now therefore be it

 

RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts Senate extends its appreciation to Amateur Radio operators as they celebrate  Amateur Radio Week and Field Day; and be it further

 

RESOLVED, that a copy of these resolutions be transmitted forthwith by the Clerk of the Senate to the Western and Eastern Massachusetts sections of the American Radio Relay League, the National Association for Amateur Radio.

 

Operating / Public Information

Commemorative Marconi Radio Contact with Newfoundland Planned, May 31, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

CORRECTION:

 

Barbara Dugan, N1NS writes on May 29, 2018:

 

Contact is scheduled for 1145 local BOSTON time which is 1545 UTC time.

Sorry for my mistake. My iphone was giving me London time- wrong setting, needed UTC time. London is UTC plus 1.

Signal Hill, St. Johns, Newfoundland Canada, Marconi receiving site
Signal Hill, St. John’s, Newfoundland, the site where Marconi received the very first Transatlantic Wireless Message on December 12, 1901.

KM1CC signA two-way amateur radio contact with the Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs (SONRA) VO1AA in St. Johns, Canada is planned during the  upcoming visit of Princess Elettra Marconi to station KM1CC and the Cape Cod National Seashore on May 31, 2018. 

[See: Invitation to Meet and Greet Marconi’s daughter, Princess Elettra Marconi, May 31, 2018].

“Signal Hill in St. John’s, Newfoundland is where Guglielmo Marconi received the letter ‘S’ from his Poldhu Station in 1901 in the U.K. by flying a kite antenna,” according to Barbara Dugan, N1NS. Dugan is trustee of the Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club (KM1CC) and a National Park Service employee.

VO1AA and KM1CC  will try to make contact on 14.224 MHz USB +/- between 1645-1700 1545-1600 UTC.  “The Princess could be behind schedule, so we must be flexible,” adds N1NS.

Amateurs and SWLers are invited to listen on the frequency at those times for the commemorative QSO featuring the Princess. Chris Hillier, VO1IDX will serve as the net control so SONRA members can call in to the Princess.  Someone from KM1CC will stay on the air with VO1AA  should the Princess need to depart; afterwards, KM1CC will take calls from anyone who wishes to contact them in grid square FN51.

Their Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs Facebook page is at:  https://www.facebook.com/sonranfld/.

Public Information / Youth

Amateur Radio at Scituate Science Fair, April 5, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

 

Amateur radio display at Scituate Science Fair
Scituate Science Fair ham display, 2017.

Richard Hoffman, K1DJ and Greg Bennett, KC1CIC demonstrated Amateur Radio to youths at the Sixth Annual Scituate Science Fair on April 5, 2018. This was the second year K1DJ and KC1CIC participated in the two-hour event that focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) topics. 

Richard conducted a CW demonstration in which the kids learned to send their own names on a telegraph key.  “The kids had a lot of fun with it, and he was great with them,” according to Greg, KC1CIC.  “I brought one of my Go Boxes to demonstrate digital communications. To my surprise the kids were very interested in the construction of the Go Box itself.”

Greg demonstrated Anderson Powerpole connectors, allowing the children to connect and disconnect them.

“Richard and I had a great time with the kids and their parents. We look forward to doing it again.”

 

Clubs / Emergency Communications / Field Day / Operating / Public Information

Eastern MA 2018 Field Day Directory

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

ARRL Field Day 2018 logoThe 19th Annual Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Directory contains some of the most comprehensive Field Day resource pages of its kind.

According to Bill Ricker, N1VUX, the Directory offers both detailed historical and current information on individual field day club operations along with the complete event operating rules and helpful safety tips. The Directory’s software will automatically compute your field day site’s Maidenhead Grid locator for VHF recommended ‘Grid Chase’ extra exchange. “We report third level, six-character grid; for example, LL99ii–which is useful for some microwave aiming tools–but you only need four (LL99) in the on-air exchange.”

“Clubs which are reactivating a previous Class A or F site can confirm to the EMA Directory by simply putting their pin in at the ARRL Field Day Locator – also conveniently linked from our directory. I’ll pick that up and mark them confirmed. I would appreciate an email from new clubs in Class A or F, clubs with new sites, clubs whose details on their EMA directory need updating, or who are definitely not using the site they had last year.”

The Directory also links to updated information on how to handle NTS radiogram traffic, and score bonus points during the event.

“A major goal always has been helping (and encouraging) EMA ARRL staff and leadership to plan visits to nearby field day sites, as is our custom — and helping us hit as many different ones as possible. From the staffs’ comments last year about how many sites they didn’t find, I’d like to suggest that if your big banner isn’t visible from the road, place some Realtors(tm)-style foamcore and wire signs at the entrance and leading visitors through the maze.” Bill adds, “‘Public Welcome’ and an arrow are recommended. If you’re not conducting a 24-hour operation, a statement of hours would be good on both the sign and on the EMA FD Directory and Headquarters Locator.”

N1VUX also invites you to post your comments and memories from field day on the ARRL Soapbox. “We’ll link them in the Directory for history. If your club has memories on a website or Facebook page that we don’t have linked, send me the link and I’ll make sure it’s included.”

The Eastern MA Field Day Directory can be viewed at http://fd.ema.arrl.org.  N1VUX can be reached at his arrl.net address.

Public Information

Invitation to Meet and Greet Marconi’s daughter, Princess Elettra Marconi, May 31, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Princess Elettra Marconi
​2014, Princess Elettra Marconi touching remains of her father’s South Wellfleet Wireless Station built in 1901. The station site is now part of Cape Cod National Seashore.

​Barbara Dougan, N1NS writes:

Hello amateur radio operators and friends,

On May 31, 2018 at 10 am, you are invited to a meet and greet with Marconi’s daughter, Princess Elettra Marconi at Cape Cod National Seashore.  The plan is to arrive about 10 am and gather to stand along the entrance walkway when the Princess arrives about 10:30 am (or indoors if the weather is bad).

Location: Cape Cod National Seashore’s Headquarters Building
99 Marconi Site Rd, Wellfleet, MA  02667

Princess Marconi is now 86 years young, this may be one of her last visits to Cape Cod National Seashore.  I hope you will join us in welcoming her and honoring her father’s contributions to wireless.

After the meet and greet at the headquarters’ building (estimated 45 minutes), you are welcome to travel to the historic Marconi Site about 1 mile from the headquarters building. The Princess and her party will join us there.

There will be a photo shoot opportunity, but at this time I am not sure if it will be at the Headquarters building or at the historic station site or both.  

KM1CC/Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club and the Greater Orleans Amateur Radio Club plan to set up an HF radio station on the platform at the Wireless Station Site so the Princess can make a scheduled two way contact. Hopefully, this contact will be with the SONRA Club- Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs in St John’s Newfoundland, the site where Marconi received the letter “S” on December 12, 1901 from his Poldhu station.

​No reservations required.  Please share this invitation on club websites or by email.

For more information contact Barbara Dougan N1NS/KM1CC trustee at km1cc.capecod@gmail.com

Public Information / Youth

Volunteers Requested, Ham Radio Demo at Boy Scout Camp Squanto, May 5, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

camp squanto signJack Foley, N1QE is requesting 6-12 hams to assist with an Amateur Radio “emergency communications information station” at Camp Squanto on Saturday, May 5 from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Foley is a former Scoutmaster and currently serves as a District Commissioner. He’s also the trustee of the BSA Camp Squanto Radio Club, W1CSQ. The Camp is located in Plymouth.

“This would be one of a dozen or so stations dealing with treating wounds, first aid, etcetera. Ours would deal with emergency communications.”

If you can help in demonstrating ham radio and talking to scouts about emergency communications, please contact Jack Foley, N1QE at jackm.foley@proforma.com.

 

Public Information

CapeCod.com Highlights National Seashore Amateur Radio Events

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

KM1CC QSL cardThe online newspaper CapeCod.com carried a story on April 4 entitled, “National Seashore to Host Events Commemorating Titanic, Marconi.”

The article publicizes two upcoming events: the Titanic Memorial Event on April 14, which will honor the the lives of 1,500 people lost aboard the RMS Titanic. That operation is being conducted by the Titanic/Marconi Memorial Association of Cape Cod, W1MGY.

The Cape Cod newspaper article also describes International Marconi Day on April 21,  an event which will honor Guglielmo Marconi for his contributions to wireless technology. The Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club, will operate KM1CC at the Nauset Coast Guard Station.

This, and other stories publicizing Amateur Radio can be found at Amateur Radio in the Media.

Clubs / Public Information / Youth

Falmouth ARA to Participate in Cape Cod Mini Maker Faire, April 28, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Falmouth Amateur Radio AssociationThe Falmouth Amateur Radio Association  will again take part in the Cape Cod Mini Maker Faire, April 28 at Mashpee High School.

The Faire bills itself as “a gathering of fascinating, curious people who love sharing what they can do.”

“Because of the din in the room last year, FARA will utilize the digital modes this year,” according the FARA president Brent Putnam, W1NCH. The club is seeking additional volunteers for the event, “especially with construction of the Morse code key.”

Operating / Public Information

NE1PL QRV for Museum Ships On The Air, USS Massachusetts, June 1-3, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

NE1PL QSL cardThe USS Massachusetts will be activated as NE1PL in Battleship Cove, Fall River on June 1-3, 2018 for Museum Ships on the Air, according to Uncommon Service to Nautical Radio club trustee Rick Emord, KB1TEE.

Emord invites anyone who is interested in operating the station aboard the museum ship to please contact him at <kb1tee@gmail.com>. In addition to radio operators, USNR is seeking people to help log contacts, speak to guests, and other duties.

Visit <www.ne1pl.org> for updates on operations.