a field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
Lem, W1LEM, writes on the Barnstable ARC mailing list that International Marconi Day is fast approaching on April 25th!
Barbara N1NP has a group operating from the Marconi Site in Wellfleet. She is well-staffed except for setup (~0730) and teardown (~1600). All are welcome to observe and to help with meeting and greeting.
Larry Krainson, W1AST, writes:
I’m looking for volunteers to serve as special event station operators for 13 Colonies 2026. It runs July 1-7.
If you would like to experience what it’s like to be the “DX” in a pileup and enjoy the rush of making contacts, become a 13 Colonies K2H op.
Your transmitter MUST be in Massachusetts at all times.
This year’s theme is the Declaration of Independence, which was officially proclaimed and read for the first time in Massachusetts on July 18, 1776, from the balcony of the Old State House in Boston.
This is a fun operating event. You can be one of approximately 20 ops in MA. Last year we made close to 20,000 QSOs in just seven days.
The deadline to sign up is May 30th, 2026. If you’re interested in becoming an op for K2H, please contact:
Larry, W1AST
FunHamRadio@gmail.com
Larry Krainson, W1AST, writes:
The 2026 World Soccer Tournament is coming to Massachusetts. There will be special event stations running each of the following days. This is a worldwide event with games held here in Massachusetts.
There are seven games being played at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
Hams are needed every day to run a special event station with the call sign W1C. A special QSL card will be available. All modes and bands can be active.
The dates operators are needed:
Sat, June 13
Tue, June 16
Fri, June 19
Tue, June 23
Fri, June 26
Mon, June 29
Thur, July 9
If you are available to operate any or all of these dates, please contact:
Larry, W1AST
FunHamRadio@gmail.com
The Region #2 and State Net Schedule for this evening is as follows:
| Net | Frequency/Offset | Time |
| Sector 2A | 147.00 /+0.60 PL | 19:30 Local |
| Sector 2B | 145.39/-0.60 PL 67.0 | 20:00 Local |
| Sector 2C | Winlink Net Check-In | 6AM-Midnight Local Time |
| Sector 2D | 146.865/-0.60 PL 103.5 | 19:30 Local |
| 6-Meter State Net | 53.31 / -1.0 PL 71.9
Note: Net activity on this repeater has been hit and miss. Please report any activity. |
19:00 Local |
| MA RACES HF Net | 3942 KHz LSB moving up to 3955 KHz until there is a clear frequency | 18:45 Local |
| MA MEMA NBEMS Net | Frequency: 3584.5 MHx, Center Frequency: 1500 Hz, Initial mode: THOR22 | 19:00 Local |
Hello to all…
The April Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday April 6th, 2026 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.
For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)
We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have several announcements for our monthly net.
Thanks for your continued support of ARES!
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio
Don Rolph, AB1PH, Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:
The MEMA RACES nets are held on the first Monday of the month, unless the first Monday is a holiday, when it is delayed one week. For Apr 2026, the MEMA RACES nets will be held on Mon Apr 6 at:
********************************************************************************
80 meter Voice net
*** Note new frequency of 3942 Khz ****
This is to avoid another established net
6:45 PM
Frequency: 3942 KHz working up or down until the first free frequency
Jeff N1JCM will be net control
*********************************************************************************
Region 2D VHF net:
7:30 PM ET VHF net on 146.865 MHz PL 103.5 (Sharon Repeater)
We will have a general call up of any RACES, ARES, or other interested stations. If there is tine, we will include a Simplex test.
Jim WJ1R will be net control.
********************************************************************************
HF 80 meters NBEMS net:
7:00 PM ET
Dial Frequency: 3584.5 MHx
Center Frequency: 1500 Hz
Initial mode: THOR22
We will have checkins, followed by an ICS-213 format message using FLMSG.
Alan WA1AR will be net control
*********************************************************************************
Winlink Net:
Jon N1ILZ will be net control.
Send a winlink checkin form to N1ILZ, copy AB1PH, between 0600 Monday Apr 6 and 2400 Monday Apr 6.
********************************************************************************
Experimental APRS net
Operators who wish to participate must send the message “CI” (Charlie Indigo or Check In) to MAARES-1.
This can be done via RF or Internet by any APRS-capable device or software.
Sending “H” for help will provide more commands that you can perform while checked into the net.
Be sure to beacon your location as well so it is logged as part of the net.
To check out of the net, send “CO” (Charlie Oscar or Check Out),
This net will be available from 0600 to 2100 Eastern time.
Questions can be sent to kc1vmz@gmail.com at any time.
*********************************************************************
We look forward to you checking in!
—
73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph
HamX would like to have 3 or 4 workshops available on the Friday of the convention weekend. These workshops would mix learning with a hands-on experience, and would be aimed at new or inexperienced hams. Some ideas that have been expressed include: a) building and using a fox hunting antenna, b) the building and use of an all band 1:1 UNUN. There are likely many other possibilities. The format and topics are flexible. We need people to volunteer to run these workshops. Now is your chance to share what you know and love about the hobby with folks who have not yet had these experiences.
If you have an idea for a workshop, please send it to Andy (KB1OIQ) Stewart, kb1oiq@arrl.net for evaluation.
Rob, K1UI, writes on the Barnstable ARC mailing list:
BARC will hold its 1st club workshop at the Harwich Community Center on Oak St. in Harwich Center on Saturday April 11 from 9am to noon.There will be a discussion and demonstrations of how to get your PC and transceiver talking to each other and how to use some free software for Field Day and working DX.If you have any questions, please send them along to robleiden@comcast.net.
Jeff-N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH writes:
Good Afternoon,
On Saturday April 4, 2026 the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10:00AM.
Home or alternative locations are also welcome to check into the net. Even if you cannot reach all the systems being used, please check-in on those you can.
We will use the following repeaters in the order listed.
1. West Bridgewater repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. Plymouth Repeater 146.685 tone 131.8
3. DMR -Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot :1 on the following NEDECN repeaters: Boston 449.175 -5.M CC:1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC:1, Sagamore 145.200 – 0.6M CC:10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC:11, East Falmouth 145.210 -0.600 CC:9, Martha’s Vineyard145.180 -0.600 CC:10, and Walpole 145.380 -0.600 CC:12.
4. Sharon Repeater 146.865 tone 103.5
5. Simplex 147.420
We will then return to the West Bridgewater Repeater for Net closing.
NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check-in procedure which is: Here is.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.
We extend an invitation to any health care facility, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members to check in during the NET.
We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible.
We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.
We hope to hear you Saturday.
73,
Jeff N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH
South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group
55 Fogg Rd. Mail-Stop 42
South Weymouth, MA 02190
The Groton Road Race Committee has again requested the assistance of the Amateur Radio community for the Race on May 3. The Amateur Radio community have been providing situational awareness, health and safety communication for this event for over three decades. The course circles Groton Hill, starting and ending at the Groton Hill Music Center as in 2025. This will be the fourth year the Race has followed this course.
The planned event schedule this year is similar to last year; the two main races start shortly after 10am. The communications support that we provide is expected to start around 9:00AM and we should be done shortly after 1:00PM.
The Groton Road Race continues to be a major event for Amateur Radio in North Central Massachusetts. For those of you who have joined them in previous years know that the runners sincerely appreciate the Ham presence; many say so as they run past. This event is so large that Police Departments and other public safety organizations from several communities come to assist the Groton PD. Part of the volunteers role is to provide backup communications from the Groton Police to these out-of-town officers who come to help with this event.
Contributing to the public good is one of the reasons Amateur Radio exists. Public service events are a key opportunity for us to show our colors, volunteer our skills and equipment, and demonstrate why it is in the public’s interest to continue to allocate precious RF spectrum to our the Amateur Radio Service. The Groton Road Race is a low-stress event and a great way to gain more experience with the public service aspect of amateur radio. If you would like to join the event, please contact Ralph, KD1SM.
(2026-03-21, Natick, MA) The Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) in Natick, MA hosted a girl scout troop from Melrose, MA. Sincere thanks go to: Barbara, KC1KGS; Jocelyn (TBD); Seth, KC1PZY; Max, WØMXX; Brad, KC1TUY; Zachary, KC1NXK; and Bob, K5TEC, for helping teach the scouts on Saturday. It was nice that the girls got to hear from two YLs as well as the rest of us.
In the first of many activities, the scouts got to hold a meteorite from an asteroid and one from the moon, discuss earth to space communications, then watch a three-minute ARRL video about ham radio.
Next, Barbara gave an inspiring talk about ways girls can get involved with ham radio and become one of the YLs. Joscelyn, a young student here at Sci-Tech, gave a thoughtful and encouraging talk about her journey to get her radio license with suggestions to the scouts for success.
We watched a two-minute video about our StratoScience Workshop where ham radio is highlighted with high-altitude weather balloon launches, then we visited Max at his research workstation to learn about radio electronics and soldering APRS circuits to track the science projects carried by those balloons. A teen in high school with an Amateur Extra license, Max runs the New England Weather Balloon Society hosted here at New England Sci-Tech.
Then we went outside for a Fox Hunt with Seth who showed off the homemade Yagi antenna and helped the girls find the hidden transmitter. While outside, the scouts had a short exercise in contacting each other using four FRS HTs.
The final activity had the scouts in the radio room where they first listened to contacts made through the International Space Station (ISS). Thanks to Max for arranging that with NASA! (haha) and for running the rooftop satellite tracking system for this activity. Then the girls lined up at the HF station for a lesson with Zachary and Brad. There they all got to make a contact with a YL named Jessica in Oklahoma, KJ5NSH. Thank you Jess!
At the end of the event, the scouts each got an ARRL “First Contact” certificate, carefully filled out by Brad and individualized by the scout leader. They were also thrilled to receive an ARRL radio patch, and a Sci-Tech logo patch. Fun was had by all (and lots of learning, too)!
— Bob, K5TEC, STARS Secretary
Don Rolph, AB1PH sends along that the MS Ride the Rhode is coming up on Saturday June 13. This year it is only a one day event. Traditionally amateru radio teams operate to coordinate the the support and gear (SAG) wagons as well as coordinate rest stop operations. The MS team is hoping to enlist support again this year.
If you would like to participate please sign up and let AB1PH know as well so he can coordinate the team.
The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club (NVARC) is offering a free amateur radio licensing course beginning on Monday, April 6th. The course will prepare students for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technician licensing exam that will be offered at the completion of the course. The Technician level radio operator’s license is the first of three amateur licenses offered by the FCC. Each license has increased levels of operator privileges.
The course consists of twice weekly sessions, beginning on April 6th, and meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays for four weeks. The course will be held at the Grady Research building, 323 West Main St., in Ayer. Sessions will start at 7PM and last for 2 hours. An FCC license exam will be scheduled for the end of the sessions. The course is free, but there will be an FCC required $15 testing fee if you take the exam. The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, 5th edition, will be the study guide used for the class. These are available online from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) or Amazon.
This course is open to all, there are no age limits. Pre-registration is required, no walk-ins will be allowed. To register you must contact the instructor, Bruce Blain at (508) 341-5124 or via email at bruce.blain@charter.net.
The FCC Technician license exam covers basic regulations, operating practices and electronic theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications. The FCC exam consists of 35 multiple choice questions, chosen from a published list. The FCC no longer requires Morse code proficiency for an amateur radio license. This Technician licensing course is ideal for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members to quickly get their radio operator’s license.
NVARC has resources available to help new hams with equipment selection, set-up and getting on the air. There are handheld radios available for as little as $30 that will economically get you on the air and talking to other hams in your area.
Club meetings are held at 7:30PM on the third Thursday of each month at the Pepperell Community Center (see the club website or contact bruce.blain@charter.net for club meeting details).
The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club has been meeting in Pepperell MA for over 30 years. It is an American Radio Relay League (ARRL) affiliated club that provides amateur radio training, licensing, and community service to communities surrounding Pepperell and Groton, MA. More information is available on NVARC’s web site, www.n1nc.org.
The February 2026 Section Traffic Manager’s report is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-february-2026/. Note a new radiogram postcard service has been made available by the ARRL NTS committee, and it has been well-received by fellow traffic handlers. This is especially useful when phone numbers are incorrect or phones disconnected, or for sending a hard copy after leaving a voicemail or text message. The cost is around $1 per card including postage. Check it out at https://nts2.arrl.org/postcard-entry/.
I HOPE YOU HAVE GREAT ST. PADDY’S DAY PLANS! The wearing of the green, corned beef and cabbage dinner, and green beer (and greern hair?) are right around the corner. I hope everyone has a great – and safe – celebration. Maybe I’ll see you in the crowds at one of MA’s many parades? And this holiday means Spring is just around the corner. Thank goodness! I’m not sure how much more cold and snow I can take!
* Lessons Learned from the Blizzard of ‘26
Well, now, that was a doozy, wasn’t it?! We got 80+ MPH winds here on the Cape, and way too much snow. Downed trees, downed power lines, no commercial power or landline phones or internet for almost five days. From various ARES and other nets I’ve participated in since the blizzard, I’ve gleaned the usual reminders about charging HTs, making sure you have sufficient fuel on-hand (gasoline, propane, etc.). But a biggie for me: Entertainment. When the internet goes down, most computer, tablet, or phone games won’t work. Don’t count on cellular data – carriers prioritize bandwidth for government agencies. Lesson: before the storm hits, download e-books to your device, and download podcasts and video shows to watch. Or maybe stop by the local library before the storm and check out a few books.
Here is the new ham report as of March 1, 2026, 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!
Steve Horowitz, KC1YYH – FCC
13 Allison Way
Natick, MA 01760-4179
Stephen J Doucette, KC1ZAE – FCC
24 Infield Ave
Dracut, MA 01826-3712
With the beginning of Daylight Savings Time, March 8, the First Region Net Cycle 2 now meets on 3950 kHz at 1445 and 1615 local time. This is to accommodate the Eastern Area Net which now meets at 1530 local time on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and at 1515 local time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The EAN time change allows for more favorable propagation on 40 meters. EAN meets on 7243 kHz.
Jeff-N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH writes:
Good Evening,
On Saturday March 7, 2026 the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10:00AM.
Home or alternative locations are also welcome to check into the net. Even if you cannot reach all the systems being used, please check-in on those you can.
We will use the following repeaters in the order listed.
1. West Bridgewater repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. Attleboro Repeater 147.195 tone 127.3
3. DMR -Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot :1 on the following NEDECN repeaters: Boston 449.175 -5.M CC:1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC:1, Sagamore 145.200 – 0.6M CC:10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC:11, East Falmouth 145.210 -0.600 CC:9, Martha’s Vineyard145.180 -0.600 CC:10, and Walpole 145.380 -0.600 CC:12.
4. Sharon Repeater 146.865 tone 103.5
5. Simplex 147.420
We will then return to the West Bridgewater Repeater for Net closing.
NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check-in procedure which is: Here is.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.
We extend an invitation to any health care facility, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members to check in during the NET.
We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible.
We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.
We hope to hear you Saturday.
73,
Jeff N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH
Hello to all…
The March Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday March 2nd, 2026 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.
For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)
We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have several announcements for our monthly net.
Thanks for your continued support of ARES!
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio
Don Rolph, AB1PH, Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:
The MEMA RACES nets are held on the first Monday of the month, unless the first Monday is a holiday, when it is delayed one week, For Mar 2026, the MEMA RACES nets will be held on Mon Mar 2 at:
********************************************************************************
80 meter Voice net
*** Note new frequency of 3942 Khz ****
This is to avoid another established net
6:45 PM
Frequency: 3942 KHz working up or down until the first free frequency
Matt KC1PFA will be net control
*********************************************************************************
Region 2D VHF net:
7:30 PM ET VHF net on 146.865 MHz PL 103.5 (Sharon Repeater)
We will have a general call up of any RACES, ARES, or other interested stations. If there is tine, we will include a Simplex test.
Don using WA1PLE will be net control.
********************************************************************************
HF 80 meters NBEMS net:
7:00 PM ET
Dial Frequency: 3584.5 MHx
Center Frequency: 1500 Hz
Initial mode: THOR22
We will have checkins, followed by an ICS-213 format message using FLMSG.
Don AB1PH will be net control
*********************************************************************************
Winlink Net:
Brian KF1D will be net control.
Send a winlink checkin form to KF1D, copy AB1PH, between 0600 Monday Mat 2 and 2400 Monday Mar 2.
********************************************************************************
Experimental APRS net
Send an APRS message, between 0600 Monday Matr2 and 2400 Monday Mar 2.
To: ANSRVR
Contents: CQ MAARES <any check in message>
John KC1VMZ will be net control.
*********************************************************************
We look forward to you checking in!
—
73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph