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W1 QSL Card Sorting Session at Algonquin ARC, August 9, 2018

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rare dx qsl cardEric Williams, KV1J, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:

The Algonquin Club will be holding a QSL card sorting session on  Thursday August 9th, 7:30 PM at the Marlborough Fire Station.  We will  be in the classroom/EOC where we hold Field Day. 

The Bureau receives QSL cards from DXers all over the world, sort them and then  send them to the New England area hams.  We processed about 100,000 QSL  cards each year.  To do this, we are grateful for the team of over 40  volunteers and several area clubs that help make this happen.  Our  Algonquin club is one of the clubs that helps with the presorting step in our process. 

Our part is easy and fun.  You get to see QSL cards from all around the  globe.  Maybe catch a card that is for you!  We will have boxes of cards  from the country national organizations that are for W1 call area hams.  For our session we will have about 13,000 cards. Our mission is to sort  those cards into stacks for each first letter of the call sign suffix.  So there will be a stack for all the call signs the a suffix the starts  with A and one for those starting with B and so forth.  It goes quick  especially with lots of people doing it on several separate tables. 

When we are done, those stacks will be sent to our individual letter  sorters who will then sort them by the individual recipient hams. 

Our web site is – www.w1qsl.org  If you want to see the details of our processes –  http://www.w1qsl.org/qslsort/docs.htm 

Thank you and hope to see you next month. 

73,

Eric, KV1J
W1 QSL Bureau Co-Manager

Clubs / Public Information

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

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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.

 

Clubs / Public Information

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

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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

Clubs / Field Day / Operating

Algonquin ARC Field Day 2018

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Algonquin ARA Field Day 2017 photoThe Algonquin Amateur Radio Association will conduct its Field Day operation June 23-24 at the Marlborough Emergency Operations Center at the Central Fire Station, 215 Maple St, Marlborough. The group will operate three stations–possibly four–in the “F” Category (Emergency Operations Center). 

 

 

Update: June 21, 2018:

David “Shack” Haralambou, W1SHK writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:

Here are the plans for Field Day at this moment:

  • We will be running 4 stations
  • We will be using N1MM Logger at each station
  • Setup will begin at 9 AM on Saturday at the Main fire station EOC room
  • Contesting begins at 2 PM
  • We WILL be running an overnight crew and be live on the air from 2 PM Saturday until Noon on Sunday
  • Cleanup will begin at Noon on Sunday
  • You are welcome to come down and operate/log anytime during the event (even if it is only for an hour)

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible this weekend!

Clubs / Field Day / Operating

Waltham ARA Picnic and Field Day 2018

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Waltham ARA logoWaltham Amateur Radio Association posts on its web site:

On Saturday, June 23, 2018, WARA will combine a club picnic and a four-hour operation in the ARRL Field Day.

Time:  12:00  – 6:00 PM
Location:  Sunset Shelter, Prospect Hill Park, Waltham (near the repeater site)

The club provides hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments, and water.   Attendees may optionally bring other food items to share.

The FD operation is very laid back, and everyone is welcome to operate.

Clubs / Field Day / Operating

New England Amateur Radio Field Day 2018

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2018 Field Day logoNew England Amateur Radio, Inc. writes:

According to the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Field Day is the most popular on-the-air operating event in Amateur Radio.  Always on the fourth full weekend of June, the event draws tens of thousands of amateur radio operators across the country to participate by setting up public demonstrations of the Amateur Radio service.

This is the big event you look forward to all year! Where we go “off-grid” for 24 hours and run on solar or generator power, operate from tents or vehicles, and make contacts all over North America!

Come join the fun at the headquarters of New England Amateur Radio, 16 Tech Circle, Natick, MA. We plan to have the NEAR Van again, the converted news truck, and a GOTA station where beginners and unlicensed people can “Get On The Air” and learn. There will be an exam session for anyone who wants to get a license or upgrade, and of course plenty of food and coffee.

WHERE: New England Amateur Radio Club on the site of New England Sci-Tech

WHEN:   Sat., June 23 to Sun., June 24, 2018
Public is welcome: Sat. 3 pm – 6 pm and Sun. 9 am – noon for tours, soldering workshop, hidden transmitter hunts, and license testing.
(Full Schedule will be posted soon)
A radio license test session will be held on Saturday at 6:30 pm.

Clubs / Field Day / Operating

Boston ARC Field Day 2018

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Boston ARC logoJoe Harris, N1QD writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:

We are counting down the days to the 2018 edition of ARRL Field Day!! Setup will begin at 8:30AM on Saturday, June 23 at the Bare Cove Fire Museum. The plan is to repeat the 3A with a VHF setup that has been used the past few years. Logging will be done with N1MM+, and there will be opportunities for phone, CW, and digital ops. Will the stars finally align for a satellite QSO? Will 15 or 10 open? Will there be another 6 meter opening? Find out June 23 and 24!

The signup form for the 2018 Boston Amateur Radio Club Field Day is now live! If you are planning on attending Field Day, please let us know by filling out the signup form. It will help the club determine how much food to purchase, and give us an idea of how to best plan for setup and takedown.

Signup: https://goo.gl/forms/Q2jqlTMCUgfAMpW82

Clubs / Field Day / Operating

Quannapowitt RA Field Day 2018

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QRA“This year, QRA will be holding ARRL Field Day at the Overlook Park in Burlington. This is the site we held Field Day the last two years. All members and friends are invited to stop by and either operate or observe. There will be at least three stations operating with phone, CW and digital modes with a possibility of some satellite and 6 meter. Our plans are to start setting up around 12 noon on Saturday June 23, 2018. There are no plans for operating on Sunday. We’re hoping for warm sunny weather for the event.

“Directions to the site are: Route 128 either North or South to the WINN STREET exit, at the bottom of the exit, turn toward WOBURN CENTER. Take the 3 rd right at the Edward Sullivan Funeral Home on Harriett Ave. Climb the hill and at the end, turn left and enter the Burlington Recreation site. Follow the road to the left up the hill to the field day site. Come with or without equipment. Hoping for more exposure, QRA president Don Melanson, KA1MAP will be submitting an application for ARRL field day 2019 to be held somewhere near Wakefield Center on Lake Quannapowitt.”

Clubs / Field Day / Operating

Nashoba Valley ARC Field Day 2018

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The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club will conduct its Field Day operations on June 23-24 at the Heald Street Orchard at 110 Heald Street in Pepperell.  Talk-in will be provided on the 147.345(+), 100Hz and  442.900(+), 100Hz N1MNX repeaters. The Eastern MA ARRL Field Day pages contain detailed location information.  For more information, contact Jim Wilber at 617-314-7525 or email fd@n1nc.org. 

UPDATED June 20, 2018

 

Bruce Blain, K1BG writes:

 

Once again, the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club will participate in this year’s ARRL Field Day, starting this Saturday, June 23th at 2 PM (setup beginning at 8 AM or shortly thereafter) and finishing on Sunday at 2 PM. We will be using the club callsign, N1NC. Plans are to have two transmitters operating simultaneously on amateur bands between 80 and 10 meters (and a third station on 6 and 2 meters as well). There will be plenty of opportunity for anyone who “walks up” to operate the stations and meet other members of the club. Feel free to help us set up, operate, or just have a look.

 

To get there, cut and paste this link https://binged.it/2ll0WA8 in your browser (clicking on it may have a problem). Feel free to click on “Directions” and put your own starting point in on line “A”. Point “B” on the map is where the gate is. Head south through the open gates onto an unpaved road for about 0.1 mile to the mowed parking area in the meadow.

 

I plan on being there most of the time, and I look forward to meeting YOU. Thanks and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

 

Bruce, K1BG

978-772-2773 or bruce.blain@charter.net

Clubs / Field Day / Operating

Southeastern MA ARA Field Day 2018

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Southeastern MA ARA logoDon Rosinha, WA1BXY writes on the SEMARA mailing list:

Update for Field Day 2018:  We will be doing FD from the club house this year. Going to run 2E station; I will be doing CW and my wife, KC1BXY will be doing SSB. Looking for more ops for SSB and possible another CW op. Also looking for someone to take care of the third station which we hope to run as a GOTA station. So we are looking for unlicensed or newly licensed ops for the GOTA, or any licensed class op who has not operated in a year or more. 

We will have my grill there with burgers and dogs etc.   If you are planning to operate with us or plan to stop by, please send me a email that way I can kinda get a plan food-wise.   

FD runs 2pm Saturday to Sunday 2pm. I plan on being at club near the start not just after as my daughter has a dance recital that day. 

Thanks hope to see some new faces operating from the club.

Clubs / Field Day / Operating

PART of Westford Field Day 2018

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PART of Westford logoPART Field Day Chairman George Allison, K1IG writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

Field Day is just a little over two weeks away!
   – Dates: Saturday, June 23 – Sunday, June 24.  Antenna setup is Friday, June 22, from noon to sunset.
   – Location: Concord Rod & Gun Club, 24 Strawberry Hill Road, Concord, MA
 
Field Day preparations are just about complete and it looks like this year’s event will be even better than last year’s!  We’ll have six stations up and running: CW, Phone, Digital, VHF, GOTA, and satellite, and of course, our award-winning meals in the clubhouse.  There may even be a few foxes hiding around the Field Day site.
 
Send an email to Bob, W1IS, w1is@arrl.net, if you can be on the antenna setup team on Friday, June 24. You don’t have to be there for the entire time.
 
If anyone has a presentation or training lecture they’d like to present to the club at Field Day, let me know by return email.  We can schedule one or two presentations before Field Day operations begin on Saturday.
 
Full details of Field Day plans, including a schedule of events, station operating instructions, and the all-important safety briefing, will be presented at the PART meeting on Tuesday, June 19, at the Cameron Senior Center in Westford, starting at 7:30 PM.
 
Clubs / Field Day / Operating

Framingham ARA Field Day 2018

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Framingham ARA logoSumner Weisman, W1VIV writes on the FARA mailing list:

The Framingham Amateur Radio Association (FARA) will hold their annual Field Day exercise this coming Saturday, June 23rd.   We have an excellent new location — the McAuliffe Library at 746 Water Street in Framingham, near the lights at Nobscot.  Look for us in the open area directly behind the library. 

Setup starts about 10:30 AM, and official operation will be from 2PM through 6 PM.  

Along with tables of operating radios, we will have a literature table for visitors.

Updated June 17, 2018

Clubs / Public Service

“Groton Road Race–Wet But Successful”

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Continuing this year’s pattern of rainy foot races, Sunday April 29 challenged the 27th running of the Groton Road Race with threats of rain. That did not seem to affect participation much, however. Perhaps the runners were basking in the relative warmth compared to Marathon Monday.

The Groton Road Race is hosted by the Squannacook River Runners. NVARC has been providing radio communications for this event since its second year; this is our 26th “run”. The race committee and the Groton Police Department consider Amateur Radio to be a vital component of this event. This year thirty-six Amateur Radio operators turned out to provide the event communications. [Many police departments participate and they don’t all use common frequencies, so we’re the “glue” that holds the race together. Ed.] 

A change introduced this year seems to have been met with appreciation. The race committee moved the start times of the 5k and 10k races 90 minutes earlier. According to Race Director Ryan McMeniman this was done to avoid interfering with kids’ afternoon activities. At least one of our radio operators confirmed that as soon as we were secured from race duty he was off to a soccer game. Groton Police Deputy Chief Jim Cullen noted also that as several main roads through town are closed for the race the earlier timing was also a plus. 

If you missed us this year, please consider joining the radio team in 2019. We’ve always had a rewarding time regardless of the weather. Mark April 2019 on your calendars. In recent years the Groton Road Race has been on the last Sunday of April. We’ll await word on the exact date of next year’s Race.

The Squannacook River Runners and the Groton Police Department thank everyone who volunteered: AB1CV, AB1PM, AB1WQ, K1JHC, K1JKR, K1NKR, K1RAU, K1YTS, K9AEN, KB1HFT, KB1KTP, KB1LRL, KB1NMJ, KB5JR, KC1EIV, KC1IGD, KD1LE, KD1SM, KK1X, KW2T, KX1M, N1ALO, N1HTS, N1ICB, N1KLK, N1MOR, N1QDZ, N1RKO, N1SPA, N1YFK, N8VIM, NA1T, NF1A, NW1U, W0TJP, WA1VVT, and WY1X.

—Ralph, KD1SM, from the Nashoba Valley ARC’s Signal, May 2018

Clubs / Field Day / Operating

Falmouth ARA Field Day 2018

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Falmouth Amateur Radio AssociationThe Falmouth Amateur Radio Association is preparing big-time for Field Day June 22-24. 

According to FARA Field Day Coordinator Larry Gray, W1IZZ, “We’re filling positions for: Field Boss; Station Captains for the SSB, CW, VHF, and GOTA stations; Food Captain, Media Publicity Coordinator, Public Information Table Coordinator, Set Up and Tear Down Coordinators” to name just a few.  “There is an opportunity for everyone, regardless of experience or physical condition.”

FARA will set up in their usual location at the Barnstable County Fairgrounds, 1220 Nathan Ellis Highway, in East Falmouth.

For more information about Falmouth ARA’s Field Day site, see http://www.falara.org/announcements/farafieldday2018opportunities.

See also: http://fd.ema.arrl.org/ClubDetail.php?club=Fal.