a field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
The Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM Report for February 2025 is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-february-2025/. Note new traffic handlers, a new virtual traffic training net, a Treasure Hunt, APRS-NTS Gateway and more.
The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club‘s March meeting is Thursday, March 20th at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell). We start gathering at 7 PM to socialize before the meeting starts. NVARC has a special treat in store for you at the March meeting. Dale Clement, AF1T, will be talking about antennas. NVARC has had Dale speak before, but we have enough new members and new hams that we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have him speak again. Dale demonstrates practically and visually how and why antennas work. Trust me: He’s entertaining, and you will learn a lot. Do not miss this meeting!
The Board of Directors would also like to discuss possible plans for the N1MNX repeater system with membership, April elections of officers, Field Day in June, etc. So please plan on attending the meeting.
If you need directions to the club meeting, please click <http://binged.it/smoogg> here and put your own address in box “A”.
Thanks, and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Bruce, K1BG
978-772-2773 or <mailto:bruce.blain@charter.ne
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March 18, 2025: “How to Become a POTA Hunter” by Harold Kramer, WJ1B.
Description: Parks on the Air, POTA, is one of the fastest growing and most popular programs in Amateur Radio today. This presentation will provide an overview of the Parks on the Air program and will emphasize the tools, techniques, and practices for becoming an effective POTA Hunter. Hunters are stations that are not operating in a park, but rather, usually at their home stations. Hunters are essential to the POTA program because without Hunters, the Activators, stations located in a park, would have no one to work!
Bio: Harold retired eight years ago as the Chief Operating Officer of the ARRL and Publisher of QST. He still writes Product Reviews and Classic Radio columns. He is currently a volunteer at the ARRL Lab and a member of the ARRL Board’s Historical Committee. He is an avid POTA Hunter with over 2,600 confirmed parks. Harold was first licensed as KN1ZCK at age 14. He spent his entire career in the cable television and broadcast industries. Before joining the ARRL, Harold was the Chief Technology Officer of Connecticut Public Broadcasting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from The University of Connecticut. Here is a link to Harold’s website: http://www.wj1b.com
The USTNR [Uncommon Service to Nautical Radio] plans to activate the USS Massachusetts on April 19, 2025, according to Rick Emord, KB1TEE.
“We plan to get on the ship around 0800 to celebrate scouting. We will pack up at 1530. Come on down if you can only spend a few minutes or any times, just come to the ship’s gift shop and sign the page with my name on it.”
—Thanks, Massasoit ARA March 2025 newsletter
HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY! I hope everyone had a fine time wearin’ o’ the green and being Irish for a day. Drinking Guinness, or Harp, or Jameson’s, or Bushmill’s. And ya’ know, I love a corned beef and cabbage dinner as much as the next guy, but I’ve had enough for a while – maybe a whole year!
I hope you all made it through the Daylight-Saving Time transition. What a pain! Personally, I’d rather we just picked a time zone and stayed with it year-round, but that’s just me. For those of me that just can’t wake up early, I’m thrilled with the extra daylight in the late afternoon/early evening. And it gives me more operating time before the higher HF bands shut down for the night! Yay!
* New Ham Report on EMA Website
Please keep an eye out for the New Ham Report on the Eastern MA website. Monthly, around the 5th of the month, I will pull the report and post it on https://ema.arrl.org. When you hear these new licensees on your local repeater, reach out and make them feel welcome!
* Ham Radio Open House Coming in April
Ham Radio Open House is coming in April and clubs across the country are urged to participate.
It’s now possible for a radio club or school to add their station open house to the ARRL Ham Radio Open House Locator.
The Open House Locator is linked from the World Amateur Radio Day page at www.arrl.org/world-amateur-radio-day or go directly to the locator at www.arrl.org/open-house.
Details about Ham Radio Open House are at World Amateur Radio Day (https://www.arrl.org/world-amateur-radio-day)
* Eastern MA Section Clubs Conduct Ham License Classes
This month clubs in the EMA Section conducted several Ham License Classes:
The Barnstable Amateur Radio Club (BARC) on Cape Cod, conducted another successful Technician class focused on First Responders. A week or so later, the Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) also on Cape Cod, did a training session for Public Service personnel. Details at https://ema.arrl.org/2025/03/17/fara-sponsors-ham-license-class-for-public-safety-personnel/ . And the Cape Ann ARA will conduct a tech-in-a-day session on April 19. Details at https://ema.arrl.org/2025/03/16/cape-ann-ara-tech-in-a-day-session-april-19-2025/ . Big kudos and thanks to all these clubs, helping keep the ham radio hobby alive!
* Virtual NTS Traffic Net Began March 5, 2025
Many Technician class amateurs miss out on fun and skills learning of traffic handling because they reside in areas of the country where local traffic nets on VHF repeaters don’t exist. The Virtual NTS Traffic Net (VNTN) seeks to address this problem with the creation of a Zoom-based local traffic net that can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection.
The Net meets weekly on Wednesdays at 7pm ET. The VNTN URL is: <https://bitl.to/3xj4>
Full details at https://ema.arrl.org/2025/03/05/virtual-nts-traffic-net-begins-march-5-2025/
* Still Recruiting a New Section Youth Coordinator
Sadly, our Section’s former Section Youth Coordinator, Paul K1YUB, is now a Silent Key. I need to fill this important position on the EMA Section Staff. The SYC requirement and job description is at https://www.arrl.org/section-youth-coordinator If you are interested in this volunteer position, please contact me at n1ilz@arrl.org – I’ll appreciate it greatly!
* 2025 Northeast HamXposition is Coming!
Mark your calendars! The 2025 Northeast HamXposition is not too far away: August 21-24, 2025, in Marlborough, MA. This is New England’s premier ham gathering. I hope to have an eyeball QSO with all of you at HamX! More info at https://ema.arrl.org/2025/03/02/2025-northeast-hamxposition-ticketing-hotel-reservations-now-open/
* N1ILZ for a Final
Can you write a paragraph or two about what you’re up to, so I can publish it in the Section Update? Let me know via 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.
Charlie, K1CB writes:
On Friday evening, February 28 thru March 2, Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) held a special Technician class for public safety personnel in our area.
Instructors Ralph Swenson, N1YHS, and Charlie Bresnahan, K1CB, are pleased to report that six new hams passed the Technician license test; one person failed to pass by one question. We are sure we will see him back in the near future.
—Charlie/K1CB, Secretary, Falmouth Amateur Radio Association
Chris Winczewski, W1TAT, writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:
The Saturday April 5th Fools Dual Half-Marathon in Gloucester is less than 3 weeks away and we are still short volunteers to staff this race.
Peter Morrison, AC1KY, will be speaking on “Aircraft Tracking with SDR” at the Wellesley ARS Meeting on March 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM at the Wellesley Police Station at 485 Washington St. (Route 16), Wellesley, MA. (Please park on the street, not in the police station parking lot.)
Aircraft Tracking using SDR will describe the ADS-B aircraft beaconing system, its development, and the use of low-cost RTL-SDR receivers to display aircraft data. Today, all aircraft worldwide are required to transmit ADSB signals.
The ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast) is like radar in the sense that it also provides surveillance information to a controller. However, the way it works is a bit different, which will be explained later. An ADS-B system can
be further explained as below:
A (Automatic): The system requires no action from either the transmitter (aircraft/pilot) or the receiver (air traffic
controller)
D (Dependent): It is dependent on aircraft systems to provide the data
S (Surveillance): The information from the system is used to identify an aircraft
B (Broadcast): The data from the system is continuously transmitted by the transmitter or the aircraft to any station with
proper equipment to receive it.
Offered by:CAPE ANN AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION
GLOUCESTER, MA
Saturday, April 19,2025
8:00am to 5:00 pm
Thank you for your interest in becoming an amateur radio operator. Our Technician In A Day session is a study course. The course allows you to become licensed by the Federal Communications Commission. You should obtain a copy of the ARRL Technician Class License Manual. You may purchase this book at Ham Radio Outlet in Salem, NH or any other amateur radio related store. You should read the book. The information contained therein will allow you to answer questions on a 35 question test for obtaining your Technician License.
There are videos on YouTube at W4EEY for Technician Class that explain the theory and cover the questions to enhance your knowledge. You may also take practice exams at HamStudy for comprehension.
TECH IN A DAY CLASSROOM SESSION
You will be administered an examination of 35 questions of which you must score at least 26 out of 35 or better to PASS. Upon completion of your successful examination you will be handed a Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination) (CSCE Form). The FCC requires a $35.00 Application payment before your license is sent to you, (For Youth under 18 years the ARRL will reimburse the parents for Application Fee with reimbursement document provided at Test Session.)
Upon Application Fee payment your Amateur Radio License is processed within 24-36 hours if paid by 5:00 pm (Mon-Fri).
If you would like more information, you may email us at techinaday@caara.net or Telephone (978) 504-9112 for more information.
Please pre-register for the course:
Bill Poulin, WZ1L
Course Instructor
The March PART meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, beginning at 7:30 PM at the Cameron Senior Center, 20 Pleasant Street, Westford, MA, and via Webex video conference. For those attending via video conference, a meeting link is below; just click on the green button to join in. You can join the conference any time after 7:00 PM to check out your gear or just rag chew until the meeting starts. Bear in mind that internet connectivity from the senior center may be unreliable.President, PART of Westford
[Contact George Allison, K1IG, at georallison -at- gmail -dot- com for Webex link]Mike Walters, W8ZY writes:
Ham Radio Open House is coming in April and clubs across the country are urged to participate.
It’s now possible for a radio club or school to add their station open house to the ARRL Ham Radio Open House Locator.
The Open House Locator is linked from the World Amateur Radio Day page at www.arrl.org/world-amateur-radio-day, or go directly to the locator at www.arrl.org/open-house.
Details about Ham Radio Open House are at World Amateur Radio Day
MMRA Membership Meeting: Wednesday, 19 March 2025 ~7:30 – 9:30 pm
“FT8—An Update,” Larry Banks, W1DYJ
This is a Hybrid meeting: New England Sci-Tech + ZOOM
Location: New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick, MA
Members: log into your account on MMRA.ORG to obtain the Zoom information. Non-members: email: contact@mmra.org to request the information.
Bio: Larry first gave this talk in 2019. Since then a lot has changed and FT8 is now very popular. This talk will review the 2019 talk which discusses how to use WSJT-X and FT8, and will add some insights that Larry has discovered with the nearly 6000 contacts he has logged on FT8. Licensed in 1961 as novice KN1VFX, Larry became W1DYJ in 1966. After acquiring three degrees in EE from MIT, Larry was hired in 1969 by Hewlett-Packard Medical’s Cardiac lab in Waltham, MA, working on Electrocardiographs and then Cardiac Ultrasound systems. He moved to HP Medical Education in 1993, responsible for technical and project management training. When HP split apart, he became Agilent Technology’s global program manager for their Learning Management System. “Retiring” in 2005, he consulted for Avago (now Broadcom) on eLearning technologies through 2012. He now spends his time chasing DX and contesting in Woburn, traveling with his wife Maren, and attending many jazz and classical concerts. He is the net manager and newsletter editor for the MMRA, publications editor for HamXposition, and a member of the YCCC.
Tuesday, March 11: “The Highs and Lows of Aeronautical Mobile Operation” by Kim O. Peck, WA1PBU
Description: This presentation will cover details of aeronautical mobile operation from light aircraft. The material covered will be useful to pilots who wish to explore aero mobile, as well as to non-pilot-hams who may be offered a plane ride and who would appreciate tips, experience, and advice.
Bio: Kim Peck is an electrical engineer, was first licensed as a ham in 1971, and obtained his pilot’s license in 1975.
With the time change from Standard to Daylight Savings Time on March 9, 2025 the daytime sessions of the First Region Net will meet at 1445 and 1630 Eastern Daylight Time. This change accommodates the Eastern Area Net daytime session which will meet at 1530 EDT Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and at 1515 EDT on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. For now the First Region Net frequency will remain at 3950 kHz primary and 7243 kHz alternate for both sessions. EAN meets on 7243 kHz.
Here is the new ham report as of March 1, listing newly licensed hams. Club officials, please review the list and reach out to those in your footprint and invite, welcome them. To all: please welcome these folks when you hear them on local repeaters. Offer assistance as well!
Keith Maynard, KC1WFW – FCC
179 Whitney Rd
Ashby, MA 01431-2218
Sai Subramanian, KC1WDS – FCC
2 Jennifer Path
Acton, MA 01720-4177
Gregory S Adkins, KC1WFE – FCC
40 Hillside Rd
Carlisle, MA 01741-1132
Tayler Pitkin, KC1WFQ – FCC
130 Prospect St
Carlisle, MA 01741-1826
Theodore P Fiust, KC1WIB – FCC
54 Fairview Ave
Natick, MA 01760-4269
Gabriel A Bolter, KC1WGK – FCC
PO Box 705
Sudbury, MA 01776-0705
Joseph S Campbell, AC1TR – FCC
65 Prospect St
Woburn, MA 01801-4341
Richard H Boyd, KC1WFN – FCC
3 Redgate Dr
Andover, MA 01810-5919
Ethan Norton, KC1WHH – FCC
4 Tennyson Rd
Reading, MA 01867-1650
Jacob D Boisclair, K9RAV – FCC
194 Fayette St
Lynn, MA 01902-2242
Scott Leblanc, K1WTN – FCC
PO Box 264
Danvers, MA 01923-0464
Liam R Crossen, KC1WEP – FCC
9 Woodholm Rd
Manchester, MA 01944-1041
Camden C Johnson, KC1WDQ – FCC
6 Summit Pl
Newburyport, MA 01950-3804
William F Waters, N1BAV – FCC
54 Gardner St
Peabody, MA 01960-1843
Michael S Sullivan, KC1WEZ – FCC
45 Daniels St
Salem, MA 01970-5657
Brian Bodiya, KC1WIH – FCC
133 Oak St
Franklin, MA 02038-1841
Austin G Swinney, KC1WIC – FCC
16 Stoney Beach Rd
Hull, MA 02045-3317
Peter McNaughton, KC1WHE – FCC
67 Pine St
Medfield, MA 02052-1309
Austin Russell, KC1WGT – FCC
100 Lovejoy Wharf Unit 8C
Boston, MA 02114-2149
Scott Abramson, KC1WGF – FCC
716 Columbus Ave
Boston, MA 02120-2111
Ryan Raschkovsky, KC1WDR – FCC
716 Columbus Ave
Boston, MA 02120-2111
Alicja Mahr, KC1WDN – FCC
7 Greylock Rd Apt 2
Allston, MA 02134-2577
Vera L Berger, KC1WHM – FCC
299 Vassar St
Cambridge, MA 02139-4310
David C Treff, KC1WFV – FCC
21 Mead St
Somerville, MA 02144-2443
Benjamin C Wirz, KC1WET – FCC
17 Palmer St
Medford, MA 02155-1118
Christopher Reeves, KC1WIL – FCC
80 Furnace Brook Pkwy
Quincy, MA 02169-2304
Luke Taylor, KC1WFU – FCC
95 Park Dr Apt B
Boston, MA 02215-5216
Daniel Sheehan, KC1WFS – FCC
1243 Pleasant St
Brockton, MA 02301-2845
Sean J Colby, KC1WEE – FCC
17 State Rd
Plymouth, MA 02360-5101
Sarah E Gregg, KC1WIG – FCC
42 Reynolds Ave
Randolph, MA 02368-3740
Walter Vincent, KC1WIQ – FCC
9 Colby Rd
Arlington, MA 02476-7903
Bright McConnell, KC1WHL – FCC
15 Knox St
Belmont, MA 02478-2644
Camryn M Neches, KC1WGG – FCC
632 Wellesley St
Weston, MA 02493-1066
David G Berube, KC1WEQ – FCC
PO Box 3018
Oak Bluffs, MA 02557-3018
Kathryn E Hautanen, KC1WEJ – FCC
84 Governors Way
Barnstable, MA 02630-1305
Patricia P Semple, WA1SWJ – FCC
67 Rosemary Ln
Brewster, MA 02631-2469
Jeffrey Gruenglas, KC1WEK – FCC
44 Nyes Neck Rd
Centerville, MA 02632-1732
John P Cashman, KC1WFG – FCC
18 Martin Rd
Dennis, MA 02638-2585
Bryan Bourbeau, KC1WEN – FCC
41 Ships Eagle Ln
Osterville, MA 02655-1465
David Nedell, KC1WGU – FCC
1330 Williams St
Dighton, MA 02715-1004
Scott D Kershaw, KC1WEO – FCC
742 Rock St
Fall River, MA 02720-3440
Mark M Oberg, KC1WED – FCC
256 Belleville Rd
New Bedford, MA 02745-5223
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! I hope you all had a nice February, including, of course, Valentine’s Day. Staying warm and safe? I’m sorry this update is a little late – I try to get the monthly updates out around the 15th of each month – but the time just got away from me. On a happy note, the Section Manager email blast to all members in the section function is now BACK IN OPERATION so this monthly update is being sent direct to your email, no redistribution requests needed. Yay!
* 2025 Northeast HamXposition is Coming!
Mark your calendars! The 2025 Northeast HamXposition is not that far away: August 21-24, 2025, in Marlborough, MA. This is New England’s premier ham gathering. I hope to have an eyeball QSO with all of you at HamX! More info at https://ema.arrl.org/2025/03/02/2025-northeast-hamxposition-ticketing-hotel-reservations-now-open/
* New Ham Report on EMA Website
I have started a new regular posting on the Eastern MA website: the New Ham Report. Monthly, I will pull the report and post it on https://ema.arrl.org. When you hear these new licensees on your local repeater, reach out and make them feel welcome!
* MMRA Starts Monthly Elmer/Mentor Program
Speaking of making new hams feel welcome, the Minuteman Repeater Association (MMRA) recently started a program that’s very cool: a monthly mentor program via Zoom. Need some help figuring out that new radio? Got questions about repeater etiquette or how to check in to a net? Or are you an experienced ham that wants to give back to the hobby? This is the perfect time/place to go. See https://ema.arrl.org/2025/02/13/mmra-elmer-mentor-forum-second-wednesday-of-each-month/ for details.
* Virtual NTS Traffic Net Began March 5, 2025
Many Technician class amateurs miss out on fun and skills learning of traffic handling because they reside in areas of the country where local traffic nets on VHF repeaters don’t exist. The Virtual NTS Traffic Net (VNTN) seeks to address this problem with the creation of a Zoom-based local traffic net that can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection.
The Net will meet weekly, and held its inaugural session on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET. The VNTN URL is: <https://bitl.to/3xj4>
Full details at https://ema.arrl.org/2025/03/05/virtual-nts-traffic-net-begins-march-5-2025/
* Still Recruiting a New Section Youth Coordinator
Sadly, our Section’s former Section Youth Coordinator, Paul K1YUB, is now a Silent Key. I need to fill this important position on the EMA Section Staff. The SYC requirement and job description is at https://www.arrl.org/section-youth-coordinator If you are interested in this volunteer position, please contact me at n1ilz@arrl.org – I’ll appreciate it greatly!
* N1ILZ for a Final
Stay safe and warm out there! We’re officially in meteorological Spring, but you’d never know, looking at the outside thermometer. But it’s only a matter of not too much time before things will get warmer, and it’ll be time to fix antennas. And plan for Field Day! Really. I remain hopeful. Stay warm and get ready for some great Spring fun!
Can you write a paragraph or two about what you’re up to, so I can publish it in the Section Update? Let me know via 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.
Phil, K9HI writes:
Many Technician class amateurs miss out on fun and skills learning of traffic handling because they reside in areas of the country where local traffic nets on VHF repeaters don’t exist. The Virtual NTS Training Net (VNTN) seeks to address this problem with the creation of a Zoom-based local traffic net that can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection.
VNTN will accept check-ins and radiogram traffic utilizing standard phonetics and prosigns; in short, participants will enjoy the same experiences as those who check into conventional “RF” traffic nets. The net will incorporate a “hands-on” training approach in traffic procedures, radiogram creation, and relay.
It is our hope that new amateurs who participate in VNTN will be motivated to join section and region nets on HF after upgrading to a higher license class.
The Net will meet weekly, and hold its inaugural session on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET. The VNTN URL is: <https://bitl.to/3xj4>.
