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Northeastern University Wireless Club Wrap-Up

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NUWC Secretary Rigel Madraswalla writes on the NUWC mailing list:

Spring 2020 is definitely a semester none of us will forget anytime soon. We started off strong with our workshops like Git & Linux, Design for Manufacturing, and Present Like a Pro! In addition, it was awesome to see a bunch of new faces pop by the Club too.

Our project groups made a lot of progress, and we added two new ones: Retro Game and Pictures from Space! These projects will give us even more ECE areas to explore in the coming days and months.

We also were able to do some community outreach this semester. Devendra and Seth attended the Engineering for Everyone Expo, and our Outreach Coordinator Huang was able to attend the Science and Engineering Expo. We were thrilled to be given these opportunities to give back to the community, and look forward to making participation at these events staples of Wireless Club!


Now to address the elephant in the room: the university closure due to COVID-19. As a result of this, we were unable to hold some of the events we were looking forward to most, such as the Project Competition and our annual Hackathon. However, every cloud has a silver lining; we were able to use this time and our resources to clean, reorganize, and revamp some of the equipment in the Club space! We now have a new soldering microscope, some RC equipment for outreach events, new tools, and some SDR devices.

We leave this amazing space in the trusty hands of our own Connor Northway, who has been elected President of Wireless Club for the Fall 2020 semester! Congrats Connor! Officers will be appointed soon, and the full E-board will be released in a future email.

Once again, thank you all for your continued involvement and support in the Wireless Club community. We hope that all of you are staying safe in these difficult times, and we hope to see you on campus in the fall. To our graduating members, so long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye! Thank you for all of your contributions over the past years, and we wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Clubs

Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC “Meeting On The Air,” April 21, 2020

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Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC logoRay Cord, K2TGX, writes on the Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC mailing list:

We have decided to try a Meeting On The Air in place of our displaced Monthly meeting. It will start at 8:00 PM on Tuesday, April 21 on the K1SMH 147.195 repeater. Hopefully, John N1FLO, will be available to give us an ARES update. We will review what has transpired from last meeting, talk about upcoming activities and, of course, hopefully start planning for Field Day. The format will be some what the same as a normal meeting. We will do check-ins just as we do for the ARES Net and at the end we will go through the Roll Call for final comment.

If you have a question or comment during the meeting, just say “Question or Comment” when the transmission drops.

TNX 73,

Ray K2TGX
Secretary/TreasurerSMHARC

Clubs / Operating

YCCC DMR Net, April 15, 2020

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Reminder: YCCC DMR Net

When: Wednesday, 15 April 2020, 8:00pm to 9:00pm, (GMT-04:00) America/New York

Where: DMR TG NETAC1

View Event

Organizer: ne1b.c6awb@gmail.com

Description: YCCCers!

Join us every Wednesday evening at 8pm ET for contesting talk on the DMR repeater network. There are several methods to access the Net:

 
  • By RF
    Access via 2 meter or 70 cm DMR repeater.  See the list of 91 repeaters near you at http://nedecn.org  The frequencies are in the left menu “DMR Repeaters>New England”.  Use the NETAC1 talk group.
  • By Dongle or Hot Spot
    You can use openSpot, JumboSpot, ZumSpot, MMDVM
  • By EchoLink
    Get the software app on your smartphone or laptop at: http://www.echolink.org/  Contact KM3T or NE1B to put your callsign on the Access List.  Echolink node is K1QVC-L  Connect and RX B4 TX.
Clubs / Operating

Weekly Zola Net, April 16, 2020

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Matt Chao, N1IBB, writes:

Hi, Folks.  It’s that time of the week again – the Zola Net!  Check in tomorrow night  at 7:00 pm on 147.36, with a PL of 67.0.  The purpose of the Net is to enable new and experienced hams the opportunity to participate in a controlled net environment.  Talk with you all tomorrow night.–Matt, N1IBB.

***
This is a service of the Middlesex Amateur Radio Club; Newton, Massachusetts.

Please join us every Thursday evening at 7 PM Eastern for our weekly net. We can be found at 147.360 MHz with a PL of 67.0 Hz tone, or on Echolink at call sign W1LJO-R node number 462341.

Clubs

YCCC On-line Meeting, April 11, 2020

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Dennis Egan, W1UE, writes on the YCCC reflector:

Here’s the meeting info for Saturday, [April 11].  A new meeting ID was generated for this meeting, so don’t try and use the old one!  As a reminder, we may be limited to the first 100 ops that show up on the website, and we will be opening the meeting several minutes before the 1pm time.  All members should make their screen name to be “Your Name, Call Sign” so that we can promptly let you into the meeting.

Topic: YCCC April General Meeting
Time: Apr 11, 2020 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/292320985?pwd=SFovNFZUQmU2cm1CUmlaa1hocndKZz09

Meeting ID: 292 320 985
Password:  (contact Dennis Egan, W1UE at <egan.dennis88@gmail.com> for password information)

Agenda:
Short Business Meeting
       Secretary’s Report
       Treasurer’s Report
        Old Business
        New Business
        New Members
Election of Officers
Presentations:
       Dave K1ZZ- “3B8M”
       Randy K5ZD- “WPX Contests”
       Paul K1XM/Charlotte KQ1F- “Several Extra weeks in Paradise”
       Tom N1MM+- “New and Review of things in N1MM+”

Dennis W1UE
President, YCCC

Clubs

PART of Westford April Meeting / Video Conference

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PART of Westford logoGeorge Allison, K1IG, writes on the PART of Westford  mailing list:

Our next club meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, will be conducted via video conference.  For the past two weeks, the PART board has been testing several systems, and we’ve settled on Cisco’s Webex (webex.com).  This system is easy to use, has good audio and video quality, and doesn’t require you to install any software on your computer; all you have to do is click on a link in an email. We can have up to 100 attendees in the meeting for an unlimited amount of time, and best of all, it’s free.

If your computer doesn’t have a video camera, or if you don’t have a computer at all, you’ll still be able to attend.  You don’t need a camera to be able to view the conference on your computer, and there will be a dial-in number to call if you just want to hear the audio.

To get everyone ready for the club meeting, we’re going to hold practice sessions right after the Sunday night net for the next two weeks.  At about 8:15 PM on Sunday evening I’ll send an email via Groups.io to the club that will have the URL link and dial-in number.  We can use the repeater to coordinate the session and resolve connectivity problems.

Some things to note:

  • Video conferencing systems use a lot of resources in your computer to properly display all the video.  If you’re on a laptop computer or smartphone, be sure it’s plugged in; if not, the battery will quickly drain.
  • Be in a well-lighted room, with the light on your face.
  • When you first attend a meeting on Webex, you’ll be asked to allow your camera and microphone to access the software.  There may be a short delay while the link is initialized.
  • Mute your microphone if you’re not talking.  There’s a mute button on the Webex screen.

See you next Sunday.

Clubs / Technical

PART of Westford Repeater Antenna Improvements

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PART of Westford logoTerry Stader, KA8SCP, writes on the PART-L mailing list:

Last week, I sent this message out to our D-STAR users…. I am forwarding it since it contains some information that may be helpful.

The latest information is that new antennas are up and the new hardline is installed. There is a tentative switch over to the new water tower scheduled for next week. As soon as I know what day this is to occur, I will send a message out.

There will be some downtime where all three repeaters will be offline to conduct maintenance. All three repeaters have been on the air without any down time since December of 2018. That is over 11,500 hours EACH. We expect that the switch will be seamless, but please be aware that during the changeover, the repeaters may be up one minute and then down the next. If we encounter any issue with the changeover, we will revert to the previous configuration.

—

From: Terry M. Stader – KA8SCP
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2020 9:45 AM
To: wb1gof-dstar@groups.io
Subject: Re: [wb1gof-dstar] antenna Change

Change is coming… so let me expand on what is existing now and what is happening soon.

Today, the VHF analog VHF 146.955 and D-STAR UHF 442.450 antennas are sited on the top of the older Town of Westford Prospect Hill water tower built in 1918. The D-STAR VHF 145.330 repeater antenna is located on top of the communications building at the base of that water tower, 90 feet below to other two antennas located on the top of the water tower, hence, the difference in signal levels.

 

  

A new, bigger water tower was built adjacent to the old tower. The old water tower is scheduled to be torn down in the future.

Three NEW commercial grade replacement antennas were ordered and are waiting for the new coax lines to run, then the new antenna to be placed (all 3 of them) on top of the new water tower tank on a pedestal that has already been built. When the antennas and hardline runs have been tested and we have been advised they are ours, I will go to the site and start making the switch to the new antennas.

The latest word I have was just this week… the hardline/coax installation was to be started this week. I was asked about the new antennas, so hopefully they are being transported to the site/installer.

The new water tower is considerably larger than the old water tower. It is about the same height as the old tower, exact dimensions are not yet known. The new tower is about 80-100 feet away from the old tower. That does mean that the hardline/coax runs to the new antennas are longer. The antennas are the same antenna models we have had previously. Because there is a little shift to the north in physical location, we expect pretty much the same coverage on the 955 analog and the 442.450 D-STAR repeaters. We do expect a significant change in coverage of the VHF D-STAR 145.330 repeater. 

This is all the information I have at the moment. I will advise of any significant deviation from what was outlined above when known.

Thanks all for your support to our WB1GOF repeaters.

Terry

Terry M Stader KA8SCP
WB1GOF Repeaters/D-STAR Admin

Clubs

K1BG: “Single Operator Field Day” at Nashoba Valley ARC, April 16, 2020

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From April, 2020 Nashoba Valley ARC Signal:

The April [16th] NVARC meeting will be formatted as a Video Conference meeting using the “WebEx” computer/smartphone application, thanks to Jim, N8VIM’s employer’s (MedTronic) contribution to NVARC of their WebEx access, as a public service. Sign-in details will be forthcoming.

The Video Conference session will include a “Special Meeting,” as described in the club constitution, wherein elections will be held for several Club officer positions. Absentee ballots will be made available for those who do not wish to Video Conference. See the following two articles for more details.

Additionally, Bruce, K1BG will give a presentation on Single Operator Field Day. 

Clubs / Technical / Youth

KC1LOM: “History of Titanic’s Radio” at New England Sci-Tech ARS (Online), April 14, 2020

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Mark Rudd, KC1LOM
Mark Rudd, left, with Wayne Hanson, who will show an antique spark transmitter during the program. Presentation will cover Titanic’s “Marconi Radio” and related radio broadcast history.

Bob Phinney, K5TEC, writes:

 
“The STARS Radio Lecture Series is 7 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. 
 
4/14/20: Mark A. Rudd KC1LOM: HISTORY OF TITANIC’S RADIO (and Related Broadcast Theory)
 
Guest Speaker:
Mark A. Rudd, KC1LOM,  is a retired Electrical Engineer and enjoys being a Technology Instructor for young and old students alike. Relevant to ham radio clubs, Mr. Rudd served as a radar engineer or “Lab Rad” at the USAF Rome Laboratory between 1985 to 1995.
 
After retiring as a Federal Engineer, Mr. Rudd always wanted to teach. So Mark served as a Sci&Tech Instructor at the King’s Co-Op since 2008, plus has been the Computer Tutor at the Tiverton Senior Center, both in Rhode Island.
 
To join the STARS Meeting at 7:00 pm just link your computer to https://zoom.us/j/231170127 Password: (email info@nescitech.org for password), or phone in: +1 929 205 6099, Meeting ID: 231 170 127, Password: (email info@nescitech.org for password).
Clubs

Yankee Clipper Contest Club Meets April 11, 2020

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Dennis Egan, W1UE, writes on the YCCC mailing list:

The April YCCC Meeting will be held via Zoom starting at 1 PM on Saturday, April 11.  This will be my first attempt at running a Zoom meeting, so please bear with me.  I will try and open the meeting room 10 minutes before the start.

In the meantime, if you have not already loaded Zoom into your computer, it would be good to do so.

The April meeting is traditionally our yearly elections; if someone is interested in any of the officer positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer, please let yourself be known.  I’m not sure exactly
how we’re going to vote if we have contested positions, but we’ll figure it out if it’s necessary.

 By Friday, 4/10, we’ll put out the information on the Meeting ID#, and another blurb on the topics of the meeting.

Clubs

W1PJE: “Innovations at the Speed of Radio: A Century+ of Amateur Radio Contributions to the Scientific and Technical Arts ­ and a Bright Future” at Algonquin ARC, April 9, 2020

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The next [Algonquin Amateur Radio Club] meeting will be held on April 9, 2020 at 7:30 PM via conference call. [Contact Mike Powell, W1KU <mdpowell@dmpowell.net> for access information], as well as information provided for connecting to FreeConferenceCall.

The presentation that evening will be “Innovations at the Speed of Radio: A Century+ of Amateur Radio Contributions to the Scientific and Technical Arts ­ and a Bright Future,” P. J. Erickson, W1PJE, MIT Haystack Observatory.

Abstract:

From the earliest discoveries of Edwin Howard Armstrong to 21st century radio science innovations, amateur radio both then and now is intimately connected to scientific and technical achievements at the highest levels, benefitting both our electronically driven life and also advancing public welfare. This presentation will begin by giving an overview of outstanding ham contributions to modern scientific discoveries and inventions. I will then describe a modern effort to forge new discoveries about the natural world through the international HamSCI initiative (https://hamsci.org), connecting professional scientists and advanced amateurs for pioneering studies of our complex upper atmosphere and near­Earth space. Finally, HamSCI is now developing a Personal Space Weather Station for networked, “big data” information at your QTH about the propagation and atmospheric environment affecting RF signals, and I will close by giving a brief overview of that project, its status, and ways the community can participate.

Clubs / Operating

Yankee Clipper Contest Club Post-WPX SSB Virtual Get-together, March 31, 2020

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Jim Idelson, K1IR, writes on the YCCC mailing list:

Great online meetings are no accident. With some planning, our meeting tonight [March 31, 2020] can be a lot of fun for all. Here’s what it takes to make our on-line meeting a success.

Plan to join and participate! More participants means more content and more value to the club.

Get setup for Zoom in advance. I will be in the Zoom room 30 minutes ahead to help people get going. When the meeting is underway at 7, we want to focus on WPX, not Zoom.

Bring interesting content – something for the group to see or hear. Start with a short story to tell. Add a picture of your shack. Show how you have your logger screen setup. The antenna project that generated some extra points. An audio clip of a great experience in the contest. Tell me in advance, and we’ll make sure you can share it ok.

Videoconferencing is more than just a phone call. Done well, an online meeting can be even better than an in-person meeting.

Clubs / Operating

Pilgrim AWA Monday Night 2-Meter Net, March 30, 2020

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On 3/30/20 we will be hosting our Monday Night 2 Meter Net on our 147.135 MHz KA1GG club repeater at 7:00 pm. We will have more details to follow. Everyone is welcome to join us. We are always glad to hear you in there. For Updates – Club Events – Activities, listen for announcements on our 147.135 MHz KA1GG club repeater. Check in with us here on our Pilgrim Amateur Wireless Association Facebook page. And stop by to visit our ARRL club page.

Take care, be safe, stay healthy everyone from all of us here at the Pilgrim Amateur Wireless Association.

Clubs

Framingham ARA: Additional Nets and Frequencies to Consider

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John Iwuc, KB1VXY, writes on the Framingham ARA mailing list:
 
[The Framingham Amateur Radio Association]  has added  a Wednesday night net Health and Wellness check-in net at 7:30 in addition to our usual Sunday 7:30 pm net.  
 
We may consider using ZOOM for our meeting this Thursday.  Tune into the net tonight and Wednesday for details from Morris, N1AVP.  Alternatively, we may just check in for the meeting on Thursday on the the W1FY repeater.
 
The Central Mass Amateur Radio Association (CMARA) is running an additional “Breakfast” net each morning at 9:00 am on the Paxton, MA repeater 146.970 PL 114.8   
 
They also run the George’s Old Timer’s Net at 7:30 pm daily, all are welcome.  I am net control on Tuesdays.
 
They follow this at 10 am by a 75-meter net on or about 3982 KHz daily.
 
There is quite a bit of activity on 10 meters, starting at the calling frequency of 28.400 MHz upper side-band, but also checking 28.350, 28.420 and 28.430 MHz for different groups.
 
And don’t forget the Yankee 6-Meter Single Side-band  Net each Sunday at 9:30 am on 50.272 MHz upper side band.  I am the net control on alternate weeks.   Six meters had good local coverage so test out your equipment.
Clubs / Operating

Falmouth ARA 2M “Meeting Net” to Utilize NetLogger

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Falmouth Amateur Radio AssociationLarry Gray, W1IZZ, writes on the Falmouth ARA mailing list:
 
I thought the upcoming “over the air meeting” would be a good time to try out NetLogger.   Some of you may already use NetLogger, as a number of regular radio nets use NetLogger to help manage the net.
 
The use of NetLogger is NOT required.  No worries if you would rather not load it, or try it.   
 
For those members willing to try NetLogger during the meeting net, I attached the information needed to use NetLogger during the net.   As you will see, NetLogger is easy to use.
 
I will have the net open on NetLogger using the net name “FARA 2M Meeting”, as shown in the attachment.  Just “join” this net as shown in the attachment.
 
Again, using NetLogger is not required for the upcoming FARA 2M meeting net [on Wednesday, March 25 at 7:30 PM].  It is just an opportunity to try something new.  NetLogger is very useful for managing nets with a large number of check-ins.
 
 
Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

Falmouth ARA Technician Course Produces Five New Hams

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Matthew Trott, KB1MLP, writes:

Ralph Swenson, N1YHS, and his crew did a great job teaching material to attendees at a recent Falmouth Amateur Radio Association Technician course.  All five passed the Sunday afternoon exam.  
 
The new hams are:
 
Brian Backlund, KC1MUC
Rob Campbell, KC1MUB
Daniel DiNardo, KC1MUA
Brian Johnson, KC1MTZ
Hunter Tobey, KC1MUD
 

Listen for them on the air and welcome them to ham radio and FARA.

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

K1USN Radio Club Closed for Next Two Weeks

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“Pi” Pugh, K1RV, writes on the K1USN Radio Club mailing list:
 
Effective immediately, starting on Friday, March 13th the K1USN Radio Club will be closed and remain so for at least the next two weeks. This unfortunately will effect our regular monthly VE exam session scheduled for this Saturday, March 14. We hope to be able to announce the resumption of VE exams very soon.
 
We have all seen the escalating news broadcasts and health care announcements regarding the Covid – 19 Corona Virus. Given the close quarters of our club room as well as the average age of the majority of our members we have decided to remain closed.
 
An announcement will be issued during the next two weeks advising about any changes at K1USN.
 
Your support and understanding is appreciated.