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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.

Clubs / Public Service

Marlborough High School Patrol, May-June, 2018, Volunteers Requested

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Algonquin ARC logoAnn Weldon, KA1PON writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:

The radio club as always is committed to watching the Marlborough High School the following dates. Please consider assisting on: May 25, 26, 27, 28; June 1 ,2, 3, 8, 9.  Starting time is between 7-8 PM and finishing between 11-12 PM. Ed Fitzgerald is organizing the first weekend. His email is edfitz1@earthlink.net. I am doing the other dates. Please let us know when you are available.

Thank you on behalf of the City and the Club.

Ann, KA1PON
alwma2005@yahoo.com

Clubs / Public Service

Boston ARC Public Service Events, June 24 & July 3, 2018

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Brett Smith, AB1RL, Public Service Coordinator, Boston Amateur Radio Club writes:

Now that our busy kick-off month of April is in the books, it’s time to start planning for the summer public service events. At both of these events we support the medical team to make sure everyone gets treated promptly—a critical job when temperatures start climbing.

First is the BAA 10K on Sunday, June 24. This is a fast race through the heart of the Back Bay, from the Boston Common to Boston University and back. Assignments will run from the early morning until around noon. Volunteer registration is open now on the BAA web site, and will close on May 23.

Second is the Finish at the Fifty on Tuesday, July 3. This is a combination 5K/10K at Gillette Stadium, ending right on the 50-yard line. Assignments run from about 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. If you’d like to join the team, just write back to let me know.

Getting together teams for both of these events is always a challenge, due to the overlap with Field Day and July 4. Please join us if you’re able. It means a lot to me, the medical team, and the runners that you’re willing to offer your time supporting these events.

If you have questions about either event, feel free to ask in email or call me at (859) 466 5915.

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

Eastern MA 2018 Field Day Directory

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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.

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

SKYWARN Training at Waltham ARA Meeting, May 30, 2018

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The May 30 [Waltham Amateur Radio Association] meeting will be a severe weather spotter training session.  The training is presented by Rob Macedo, KD1CY, in association with the National Weather Service SKYWARN program.  Everyone age 16 and older who stays to complete the training will be able to become trained NWS weather spotters.
 
Waltham ARA logoSKYWARN logoThe training includes a two-hour thirty-minute computer-based presentation, which discusses the development of thunderstorms, the criteria for “severe” thunderstorms, as well as the cloud features associated with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Additional information will be presented about winter storms and proper snow measurement and reporting of coastal flooding, river, stream, and urban flooding and rainfall measurements. The session will also present the procedure for reporting weather information to the National Weather Service. Safety procedures for the various forms of summer severe weather (severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning), winter storms, and flooding will also be covered in the training session. Anyone attending should bring a pen or pencil and bringing a notebook is optional.


The number of seats is limited, so pre-registration is strongly advised.  Use the following link:

For any questions or further info, contact Rob at rmacedo@rcn.com.

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

CAARA “Tech In A Day” Graduates New Techs

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Attendees at CAARA Tech in a Day who passed their Technician license exam
Stephanie Frontiera, Alison Miniter & Lillian Reilly, members of Ipswich CERT who passed their Technician license exam.

Stephanie Frontiera is one determined young woman. At this spring’s Tech in a Day held at the Lanesville Community Center, she was one of seven students—and one of three from the Ipswich CERT. These CERT members were given radios and encouraged to get their Amateur Radio Technician license. She was determined to do it.

Tech in a Day is a program modeled after the Ham Cram program. It is a study session of the FCC question pool of 426 questions for the exam. There are 35 sections in the question pool, corresponding to the 35 questions on the exam. Every question a student sees on the test will be in the pool.

The good thing? The answers have always been part of the pool. Do the students learn all they have to know about Amateur Radio this way? No, the aim is to pass the test. The students are unlikely to learn everything from a book either—it takes practice and more often the help of a friendly Elmer, or a club to teach the practical matters of operating. After six 45-minute study sessions, the students are ready for the test.

This session was relatively easy—seven exams, plus two walk-ins for testing. CAARA’s crack team of volunteer examiners: Bill Poulin, WZ1L; Dave Robertson, KD1NA; Tony Sarracino, AB1KX; Larry Beaulieu, AJ1Z; Hank McCarl, W4RIG; Stan Stone, W4HIX and VE team liaison Rick Maybury, WZ1B conducted the exam session.

So why did I say that Stephanie was so determined? She told me that she was going to pass this test—and get her General soon after that. But Stephanie was distracted during the session and it took her three tries to finally pass the exam. We all cheered when she made it. So, this session gave us seven out of seven for students and another two walk-ins who passed. All in all, it was a good day. 

[CAARA News May, 2018]