Field Day

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Field Day

ARRL to Extend Field Day Rule Waivers from 2020, Add Class D and E Power Limit

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

From ARRL Web:

The COVID-19 pandemic-modified ARRL Field Day rules from 2020 will continue this June with the addition of a power limit imposed on Class D (Home Stations) and Class E (Home Stations-Emergency Power) participants. The news from the ARRL Board’s Programs and Services Committee comes as many clubs and groups are starting preparations for Field Day in earnest. Field Day 2021 will take place June 26 – 27.

“This early decision should alleviate any hesitancy that radio clubs and individual Field Day participants may have with their planning for the event,” said ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE. [More]

All / Field Day

Interim Field-Day-@Home Update

- by Bill Ricker - Leave a Comment

Eastern Mass Section summary from ARRL Contest Branch logs-received as of 7/19

Deadline for FD logs is as usual one month, so 7/28. Clubs can check for members’ logs via Contest Branch Logs Received.

As of today, there are 150+ FD logs citing EMA as the section, with 19 clubs with 2+ entries (total 117 stations),  plus a handful of  single club home stations and representing clubs spanning multiple sections, and a couple dozen 28 claiming no club affiliation. Compared to 39 station logs in 2019, this is a very successful COVID-19 Field Day @Home for EMA.

Status (as of 7/19)
140 Complete
17 Pending documents

count Club
28 (blank)
1 3730 GROUP
6 Algonquin Amateur Radio Club
1 ARASNE
5+1 Barnstable Amateur Radio Club; Barnstable ARC
6 Billerica Amateur Radio Society
2 Blackstone Valley ARC
3 Boston ARC
3+1 Cape Ann ARA, Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association (W1GLO)
1 Charlotte Amateur Radio Society, Inc.
18 FALMOUTH AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION
8+1 Framingham Amateur Radio Association, 1 Framingham ARA
4 K1USN Radio Club
1 Long Island CW Club
1 Montachusett ARA
6 Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club
2 Nashua Area Radio Society
2 Providence RA
1 QRP Amateur Radio Club International
1 Quannapowitt Radio Association – W1EKT
1 Ski Country ARC
1 Southborough Rod & Gun ARC
1 Southeastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association (SEMARA)
5+1 Sturdy Mem Hospital ARC, STURDY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ARC
3 The Whitman Amateur Radio Club
4 “W1HP”
5 Waltham ARA
17 WB1GOF
6+1 WELLESLEY AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY, Wellesley ARS
7+1 Whitman Amateur Radio Club, Whitman ARC
1 Yankee Clipper Contest Club

Stations needing to adjust Club spelling by 7/28 to roll up cleanly –
AK1MD Complete Wellesley ARS 1D EMA
K1UR Complete Framingham ARA 1D EMA
KD0IHJ Pending documents STURDY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ARC 1D EMA
N1STV Complete Whitman ARC 1D EMA
W4RIG Complete Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association (W1GLO) 1D EMA
W1LEM Pending documents Barnstable ARC 1D EMA

(That’s remarkably good conformity in spelling. I’m guessing the fullcaps vs lowercase is a result of using different logging software ?? )

count Class/Category
1 3A
5 1B1
5 1B1B
1 1B2B
106 1D
5 2D
1 3D
31 1E
1 4E

The proportion of 1E, 1B stations on emergency or battery power at home is gratifying, keeping the spirit of Field Day alive.

EMA Stations with Transmitters > 1 (while safely social distancing,  we hope) –
K1IR 3D Billerica Amateur Radio Society
K1WMC 2D Blackstone Valley ARC
KA1YQC 2D
KC1KZB 2D
N1EM 3A Algonquin Amateur Radio Club
W1FM 2D Yankee Clipper Contest Club
W1SRG 2D Southborough Rod & Gun ARC
WA1QZK 4E

Kudos to Ron WA1QZK who forwarded his 4E social distancing plan that included hand-sanitizer station at cellar exterior door and dispersed operating desks.

Field Day / NTS

Eastern MA Traffic Handlers Enjoying Field Day 2020

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Joe Thomas, WB1EMS, reports a group of 20 hams from the South Shore area participated in Field Day at Great Hill in Weymouth overlooking Boston Harbor. Many of this group have been regular participants on the East Mass Two Meter Net on the Boston 145.23 repeater. Mike, K1UVH, was the event coordinator putting much of the setup together along with Peter, KC1HHO and Scott, N1KMX. Other EM2MN regulars included: Bernie, KC1MSN; Chet, KB1NZZ; and Alex, KC1NBT.

The group operated simplex, repeaters, two-meters, HF, six-meters, digital, packet, and APRS. Joe reports that N1KMX made 45 contacts via simplex contacting local stations and stations in Maine, New Hampshire, the Blue Hill Weather Observatory, and several mobile contacts, including a mobile aeronautical station aboard a US Coast Guard helicopter!

Joe says a fun day was had by all and they hope to do it again soon.  –Marcia Forde, KW1U

[Show thumbnails]

Clubs / Field Day

PART of Westford 2020 Field Day Awards

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

PART of Westford logoPART of Westford will hold a fun competition to recognize members who operated in the 2020 Field Day and who finish first in several categories:

  • Highest number of contacts (subcategories: overall, CW, Phone, Digital, VHF/UHF)
  • Highest score
  • Highest score by a Technician
  • Farthest DX
  • “Home Run”–at least one contact on each mode (SSB, CW, digital, and VHF-FM simplex)

Club president George Allison, K1IG, asks applicants to email him once they receive confirmation from ARRL Headquarters that their logs have been received. He adds, “this is all on the honor system.” 

Winners will be announced at the August PART meeting.

 
Emergency Communications / Field Day

Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #5

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
SKYWARN logoThe following is the fifth and final message in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 17 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program.
 
After the Saturday afternoon and early evening beneficial rain of around 0.10″-0.90″ around the area with lesser amounts in parts of Northeast Massachusetts, Sunday will feature a warm and humid day with the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms across the region. The most likely timeframe is from 3-9 PM but some activity could start as early as 12-1 PM Sunday. [Full story]
Emergency Communications / Field Day

Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #4

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
SKYWARN logoThe following is the fourth in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 17 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program.
 
After the afternoon and early evening beneficial rain of around 0.10″-0.90″ around the area with lesser amounts in parts of Northeast Massachusetts, clearing will occur and result in a hazy, warm, humid day on Sunday with the risk of isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms for Sunday Afternoon and Evening. The most likely timeframe is from 3-9 PM but some activity could start as early as 12-1 PM Sunday.
 

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed much of New England in a marginal risk for severe weather for Sunday afternoon and evening. Strong to damaging winds, hail, and torrential rainfall leading to urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats. Model trends indicate a greater potential for severe weather on Sunday than today with strong instability, forcing from a cold front and marginally sufficient wind fields. [Full story]

Emergency Communications / Field Day

Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #3

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
SKYWARN logoThe following is the third in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 17 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program.
 
2020 Field Day weekend will mostly be dry but has potential shower and thunderstorm risks in isolated to scattered locations each day including the threat for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms and becoming hot and humid Saturday and Sunday.
 
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has continued much of Southern New England in a Marginal Risk for Severe Weather. The Slight risk area has been shifted southwest of the NWS Norton coverage area. Doppler Radar at 1115 AM shows an area of rain and possible embedded thunderstorms that poses little severe risk. It will then become warmer and more humid late Saturday Afternoon and evening. Clearing behind this area of rain will determine the risk for any severe weather Saturday. If clearing and heating can develop and the warm front pass far enough north, there would be the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms with strong to damaging winds, hail and torrential rainfall leading to urban and poor drainage flooding as the main threats but a secondary threat for an isolated tornado as well. That said, the risk for today seems a bit lower than yesterday based on model trends and the timing of the current area of rain but still be monitored. [Full story]
Field Day / Public Service

Scattered Strong to Severe Storms Possible on Field Day Weekend, June 27-28, 2020

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
SKYWARN logoRob Macedo, KD1CY, writes:
 
Need to keep an eye on the severe weather potential for the entire timeframe of Field Day Weekend but especially the Saturday Afternoon/Evening timeframe and the Sunday Afternoon/evening timeframe. While we don’t have many “traditional” Field Day sites setup, there are a few and also those that have home station field setups that will want to monitor the severe weather potential. I’ll be updating the Amateur Radio Field Day/Severe Weather Coordination Message in the next couple of hours. I’ve elected to copy EMA ARRL Staff for their awareness as well.
 
Regards,
 
Rob M.
———- Forwarded message ———
From: BOX Operations – NOAA Service Account <box.operations@noaa.gov>
Date: Fri, Jun 26, 2020 at 2:31 PM
Subject: [2020-06-26 PM] NWS Boston EM Briefing – Scattered Strong to Severe Storms Possible This Weekend
To:
Good afternoon everyone, 
 
Severe thunderstorms are possible Saturday and Sunday across parts of Southern New England. With the weekend ahead of us, we wanted to get this heads-up e-mail out early for your awareness.
 
Saturday
 
Rain during the first part of the day gives way to thunderstorms in the afternoon and early evening.
 
Timing: Mid-afternoon to early Saturday evening.
Locations: Possible anywhere, but the best chance is near and south of the Massachusetts Turnpike/I-90. 
Severe Thunderstorm Threats: Primarily damaging straight-line winds and hail up to 1″ in diameter. While the overall risk is very low, an isolated tornado is possible.
Confidence: Moderate. How much Southern New England can warm up will greatly impact the severe thunderstorm potential.
 
The severe thunderstorm outlook for Saturday from the Storm Prediction Center is highlighted below:
 
New England weather map prediction for June 27, 2020
 
 
Sunday
 
A few severe thunderstorms are possible later in the day Sunday ahead of a cold front.
 
Timing: Best chance is late-afternoon to mid-evening Sunday; isolated storms possible between early to mid-afternoon.
Locations: Possible anywhere, but the best chance is western and central Massachusetts, northern Rhode Island and much of northern Connecticut.
Severe Thunderstorm Threats: Damaging straight-line winds and hail up to 1″ in diameter.
Confidence: Moderate. Isolated strong/severe storms could be possible before late in the day but the best chance is with the cold front arriving later in the day into mid-evening.
 
The severe thunderstorm outlook for Sunday is highlighted below:
 
New England weather prediction map for June 28, 2020
 
Thank You!
 
Meteorologists Andrew Loconto and Rodney Chai


If you have any questions or would like more information, don’t hesitate to contact us via this email address, on NWSChat, or at the following:
 

National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA
46 Commerce Way

Norton, MA 02766

508.622.3280
Field Day

Field Day Listings on ema.arrl.org

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Bill Ricker, N1VUX, writes:

I have created a non-place Site for FD@Home cumulative scoring in the FD Directory  (geographic coordinates in Boston Harbor but not on an island; county=mixed, same as “Nowhere”; it will get the Harbor forecast, oops).

It currently shows these clubs:
 
Club Plans
BARC:Boston ARC Confirmed
Fal:Falmouth FARA Inc Confirmed
Fram:Framingham Amateur Radio Assn Fara.org Confirmed
K1USN:K1USN Club Probable
MARA:Massasoit ARA Inc Confirmed
MITLL:MIT Lincoln Labs Confirmed
Msex:Middlesex-Zola ARC Probable
NEAR:New England Amateur Radio, Inc. Confirmed
PARC:Philips Amateur Radio Club (PARC) Confirmed
PART:Police Amateur Radio Team of Westford Confirmed
PRA:Pentucket RA Confirmed
STARS:Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society Confirmed
Sturdy:Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC Confirmed
WARA64:Waltham ARA Confirmed
WARS:Wellesley ARS Probable
WhARC:Whitman ARC Confirmed
 
Middlesex/Zola and MITLL are listed because they’re tied to the club they went with last year; i maybe should break those links. :-/
 
WARS and K1USN seemed to be discussing, but i don’t feel we had them confirmed.
 
Sites I’m still carrying as MAYBE operational in the field
ClubKey   SiteKey
——————
NARC      1B9    
AARC      8MA4    
Crow      8MA4    
CAARA     CAARA  
WARS      NeedWMPk
PilAWA    SwanFD  
 
  • Only AARC/Crow have been heard from discussing lately.
  • CAARA website says FD is still on, but No COVID-19 precautions noted, so suspected stale.
    (FB has no posts since October!) Lists  dburg101@aol.com
  • NSRA says NO FD. Do they have FD@Home plans?
  • K1USN having Zoom meeting 6/23 to discuss FD. presume FD@home. Site closed per website.
  • Sturdy FD@Home confirmed from minutes; 
    minutes also reports Will N1DPY/SK (Cancer) May 2d or 3d
    Nice new website!
  • Whitman – FD not on Calendar. Common scoring in minutes, so confirmed.
  • WARS – Wellesley had an eMeeting to discuss FD last week. Decision?
  • Pilgrim AWA – i presume they don’t have their site, but are they doing FD@Home or ??
  • NARC could use their locked airport bunker, i suppose, so IDK, maybe, don’t care.
 
Sites carried as CONFIRMED and not FD@Home
ClubKey       SiteKey        Locator  Highlight          
———————————————————
NEARC         4thCliff       true     non-public 2020    
BEMA          BEMALake       true     kc1kwc            
NVARC         PepperellOrch  true     reduced            
ng0at         ema            true     CT club on cape    
SEMARA        wa1bxy         false    3D/3E              
QRA           wa1qzk         true     2020 3E            
MiddletonEMA  wa1qzk         false    2020 3E            
n1wm          wma            true     NoBARC Windsor MA  
w1ddd         wma            true     BlackstoneVARC@NA1Q
———————————————————
Total: 9   
 
  • NEARC @ Fourth Cliff – campground is CLOSED but caretaker in residence so they’re rolling.
  • Braintree EMA put a pin on the map recently, so they’re on at their alternate control point on the lake.
  • NG0AT, N1WM, W1DDD are non-mapping entries, to reconcile HQ Locator count.
  • Ron’s QRA/M’ton EMA 3E home op we got emails on, and is on HQ Locator.
  • NVARC has pin on HQ Locator. They spoke about having a small setup in Orchard plus FD@Home ? Are both still on?
UNKNOWN
  • MARC/Zola – their mailing list discusses the audio recordings of their eMeeting but not minutes. And one or more silent keys.


—

 
 
 
Clubs / Field Day

K1USN Radio Club On-line Meeting, June 23, 2020

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
“Pi” Pugh, K1RV, writes on the K1USN RC mailing list:
 
Our discussion topic on Tuesday, June 23rd @ 7:30 PM will be 2020 ARRL Field Day plans.
 
We want to hear from you to learn what you expect to do for the 2020 ARRL Field Day. Obviously there are extenuating circumstances this year due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
 
The recent K1USN Zoom session presentation by Bruce – K1BG about his past one person Field Day operation may have given you some ideas on how you might operate.
 
Do you plan to get on the air during the weekend of June 27 – 28 for Field Day 2020? If so, what class to you intend to operate? What modes will you operate? Will you use computer logging/ If so, which software?
 
Let’s have a lively discussion so that perhaps you might give others some ideas about what direction to choose. I suspect that I may choose to operate 1D class from my home station using N1MM+ logging software using K1RV.
 
I am also considering the possibility of using my KX3 on battery power into a Buddipole Vertical using N1MM+ logging software from my back patio for a few hours during the day as K1USN.
 
Here is the ARRL Field Day rules page – http://www.arrl.org/field-day.
Clubs / Field Day

Waltham ARA Field Day Training Sessions, June 17 & 24, 2020

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Eliot Mayer, W1MJ, writes on the Waltham ARA mailing list:

In preparation for “[Waltham Amateur Radio Association] Field Day 2020 – Alone Together”, the club will hold two online training sessions.

Wednesday, June 17, 2020, 7:30 – 830 PM: N1MM Logger
Wednesday, June 24, 2020, 7:30 – 8:30 PM: FD 2020 Q&A

It would be helpful if you install the latest version of N1MM Logger Plus from https://n1mmwp.hamdocs.com/ before the June 17 session, or at least try, so that you will know what you don’t know. If you are new to N1MM, be sure do the “Full Install” and then the “Latest Update”.

Prior to the June 24 meeting, check out official FD site http://www.arrl.org/field-day and K8GT’s excellent presentation about FD 2020: http://tiny.cc/fdsd

The links to these online sessions will be provided by Ron, KG1T, on this Yahoo Group.
Clubs / Field Day

Algonquin ARC QRV for Field Day 2020 from Crow Island

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

The Algonquin Amateur Radio Club will operate Field Day from Crow Island in Stow on June 27 or the evening of June 26. 

“Please email the activities chair for more information,” writes Joe Reynolds, KA1GDQ.  (ka1gdq -at- arrl -dot- net.) “We will have to social distance and can’t have any more than ten people at a time at the location.”

Joe requests those wishing to help out with set up/break down or operating to provide him with the following information:

  • Name:
  • Call:
  • Position:   Operate  / Setup  / Breakdown
  • Days and times  you would like to be there
  • Friday night setup
  • Saturday 
  • Sunday  (end operating no later than 2 PM, out by 3-3:30 PM)
Field Day

ARRL Contest Program Issues Field Day 2020 FAQ

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
From ARRL Web, 06/09/2020:

 

The ARRL Contest Program has released some Frequently Asked Questions related to the Field Day temporary rule waivers. On May 28, the ARRL Programs and Services Committee (PSC) adopted these provisions only for the June 27 – 28, 2020, event: (1) Class D stations may work all other Field Day stations, including other Class D stations, for points, and (2) an aggregate club score will be published, which will be the sum of all individual entries that indicate a specific club. Contact the ARRL Contest Program with any questions related to Field Day 2020.

Q: Several of our club members are going to operate independently and wish to attribute their scores to the aggregate club score. What call sign should they use?

A: Participants should use their own call signs. Except for Class C (mobile) entries, all transmitters, receivers, and antennas must be located within a 1,000-foot-diameter circle may operate using a single call sign. This prohibits the use of a single call sign from more than one location. Under the 2020 waiver, those operating from home, including backyard operations, must use their own station call signs. Multiple home stations operating with a club call sign or modified club call sign, such as W1AW-1, W1AW-2, W1AW-3, etc, are not allowed.

Q: How does my club submit an aggregate club score?  Does the club need to add up each participating member’s scores and submit a club entry with the aggregate score under the club call sign?

A: Each participant will submit his or her own independent entry under his or her call sign. ARRL will calculate the aggregate score based upon the club name entered on the official Field Day entry form via the web applet (preferred method) or on the paper Field Day entry form. In order for results to be tabulated correctly, all club participants must enter the club’s official name exactly the same, avoiding abbreviations or acronyms. This is important!

Q: Our group is still planning to operate at the usual Field Day site, but some members do not feel comfortable gathering in a large group this year. Can we still submit an entry using the club call sign, as well as have members operating from home using their own call signs?

A: Yes. If your club is still hosting a group Field Day effort, it will submit an entry as usual, using the club call sign. Club members operating at home will submit separate entries with their own call signs and will enter the club name on the entry form for club aggregate scoring.

Q: Can a club member operate from home using the club call sign?

A: Yes, but the call sign may only be used in one location. The member must receive permission from the trustee of the club call sign.

Q: Our club normally enters Field Day in Class A. If we operate from our home stations, in which class should individual members enter in order to be included in the aggregate club score?

A: Each member will operate independently and will submit the entry using whatever class that applies to their operation. Typically, home stations running on commercial ac power are Class D, while home stations running on battery, solar, generator, or the like (i.e., not from ac mains) are Class E. When the results are published, each club member will be listed in the results under the class in which they operated. For 2020 only, aggregate club scores will be listed by the club name in a separate listing.

Q: Our club will have 10 members operating from home as Class D stations. Should they worry about working the same station on the same band and mode (duplicates)?

A: Because members are operating as separate entries using their own call signs, the contacts are not considered duplicates.

Q: Does the club need to be an ARRL-affiliated club to participate in Field Day?

A: No. All clubs and groups are welcome to participate in ARRL Field Day.

Q: How will bonus points be calculated for the aggregate club scores? Can individual club members still earn bonus points?

A: All individual scores, including bonus points, will be added together to determine the aggregate club score. Refer to the complete rules to determine eligibility for bonus points. — Thanks to Paul Bourque, N1SFE, ARRL Contest Program Manager

 
 
Field Day

Temporary Rule Waivers Announced for 2020 ARRL Field Day

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

From ARRL Web:

With one month to go before 2020 ARRL Field Day, June 27 – 28, the ARRL Programs and Services Committee (PSC) has adopted two temporary rule waivers for the event:

1)      For Field Day 2020 only, Class D stations may work all other Field Day stations, including other Class D stations, for points.

Field Day rule 4.6 defines Class D stations as “Home stations,” including stations operating from permanent or licensed station locations using commercial power. Class D stations ordinarily may only count contacts made with Class A, B, C, E, and F Field Day stations, but the temporary rule waiver for 2020 allows Class D stations to count contacts with other Class D stations for QSO credit.

2)      In addition, for 2020 only, an aggregate club score will be published, which will be the sum of all individual entries indicating a specific club (similar to the aggregate score totals used in ARRL affiliated club competitions).

Ordinarily, club names are only published in the results for Class A and Class F entries, but the temporary rule waiver for 2020 allows participants from any Class to optionally include a single club name with their submitted results following Field Day.

For example, if Podunk Hollow Radio Club members Becky, W1BXY, and Hiram, W1AW, both participate in 2020 Field Day — Hiram from his Class D home station, and Becky from her Class C mobile station — both can include the radio club’s name when reporting their individual results. The published results listing will include individual scores for Hiram and Becky, plus a combined score for all entries identified as Podunk Hollow Radio Club.

The temporary rule waivers were adopted by the PSC on May 27, 2020.

ARRL Field Day is one of the biggest events on the amateur radio calendar, with over 36,000 participants in 2019, including entries from 3,113 radio clubs and emergency operations centers. In most years, Field Day is also the largest annual demonstration of ham radio, because many radio clubs organize their participation in public places such as parks and schools.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many radio clubs have made decisions to cancel their group participation in ARRL Field Day this year due to public health recommendations and/or requirements, or to significantly modify their participation for safe social distancing practices. The temporary rule waivers allow greater flexibility in recognizing the value of individual and club participation regardless of entry class.

ARRL is contacting logging program developers about the temporary rule waivers so developers can release updated versions of their software prior to Field Day weekend. Participants are reminded that the preferred method of submitting entries after Field Day is via the web applet. The ARRL Field Day rules include instructions for submitting entries after the event. Entries must be submitted or postmarked by Tuesday, July 28, 2020.

The ARRL Field Day web page includes a series of articles with ideas and advice for adapting participation this year.

Clubs / Field Day

W1MJ: Field Day Presentation at Waltham ARA Meeting Online, May 27, 2020

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

This presentation by Eliot Mayer, W1MJ, will include contesting basics, the age-old question about whether ARRL Field Day is a contest, some training for popular logging program N1MM Logger Plus, and some thoughts on goals for FD 2020.

Monthly meeting are now being held online. In order to receive emails with the meeting links, do one of the following:

  1. If you are not already signed up on the WARA Yahoo Group, you may do so by sending an email request to wara64-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
  2. If you only want the meeting link emails and not any other email that might be distributed to the Yahoo Group, send a request to Ron, KG1T, with this form: http://walthamara.org/contact/contactform-president.

[Source: Waltham Amateur Radio Association website]

Field Day

Field Day: “A Difference Experience in the COVID-19 Environment”

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Rick Palm, K1CE, writes in the ARRL ARES Letter, May 20, 2020:

ARRL Field Day is my favorite operating event of the year. For most radio clubs and large groups, it’s going to be a different experience this year in light of the COVID-19 environment. With CDC protocols in place, many will not gather in their usual Field Day locations. ARRL offered some tips and suggestions to help you plan this year’s operation — ARRL Suggests Taking a Creative Approach to Field Day 2020. A few of them applied to my own recent operating experiences and thought I would share as possible inspiration.

My personal, longtime Field Day experience revolves around my recurrent entry class: 1E – home station on emergency power, yes, the “couch potato” class. It’s easy to look down on us E class operators but every year I learn something new about my station and operation, usually dealing with 12V power management and solar panel efficiency, etc. “Remember, Field Day is a non-adjudicated operating event and not a ‘full speed ahead’ contest,” says ARRL.

The League also suggests not forgetting about 6 meters: FD is not an HF-only event. Summer propagation on the “Magic Band” can be interesting and sometimes thrilling. This past year, I have used my 40-meter dipole to work local stations on 6 meters. I just ordered a three element 6 meter Yagi. I’m looking forward to trying it for FD (and the preceding June VHF Contest) for openings.

Recently I have had a blast discovering FT8 and the underworld (under the noise-level world, that is) of weak signal work. A suggestion from colleague Mike Corey, KI1U, and the WSJT suite of weak signal software opened this door to excitement for me. I’m not sure how to configure it for Field Day yet, but that will give me something fun to learn and apply before next month’s event. The software reportedly does support the ARRL Field Day exchange.

It strikes me that derivatives of FT8 will render high value modes for emergency/disaster response communications when conditions are less than optimal, its essence. See, for example, JS8Call. JS8Call is a digital mode built on the popular FT8 protocol; however, it instead offers real-time keyboard-to-keyboard messaging as well as store-and-forward capabilities and other similar features.

Remember: In Field Day, “a premium is placed on developing skills to meet the challenges of emergency preparedness as well as to acquaint the general public with the capabilities of Amateur Radio.” – ARRL Field Day Rules

“We don’t rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training.” – Archilochus

Emergency Communications / Field Day / Operating

ARRL Suggests Taking a Creative Approach to Field Day 2020

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From ARRL Web:

04/22/2020 – This year, ARRL Field Day promises to be a unique iteration of this annual event, with many individuals and groups coming up with new and interesting ways to adjust their approach. As an event, Field Day is structured to be versatile and can be adapted for any situation.

Many groups have asked how they can adjust their Field Day planning to address social-distancing guidelines that may be in effect in many areas of the country, as gathering at their traditional Field Day site may not be feasible or safe. Instead of participating in a group event this year, consider operating as a Class B, C, D, or E station, utilizing your own call sign.

ARRL will include club names for all participating stations in the published results, so the efforts of your club’s members can be acknowledged. While we will not publish an aggregate club score, seeing the name of your club associated with various individual member’s results is certainly a way to highlight your club’s activity. [Full story]

Field Day / Organization

Field Day 2020 — A Time to Adapt

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From ARRL Web:

Many individuals and groups organizing events for Field Day 2020 have been contacting ARRL for guidance on how to adapt their planned activities in this unprecedented time of social distancing and uncertainty.

“Due to the unique situation presented this year, this can be an opportunity for you, your club, and/or group to try something new,” ARRL Contest Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE, said. “Field Day isn’t about doing things the same way year after year. Use this year to develop and employ a new approach that is in line with the current circumstances.” [Full story]

Clubs / Field Day / NTS

Marcia Forde, KW1U, Commended For Field Day Message Origination Assistance

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Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW, received a commendation letter from ARRL Special Service Club PART of Westford acknowledging the efforts of Eastern MA Section Traffic Manager Marcia Forde, KW1U, “for her professionalism and patience … in preparing members of PART for Field Day 2019 National Traffic System messaging.”

PART President Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes, “[Marcia] worked with two of our members over the course of several weeks to advise on software and protocols.” KW1U’s knowledge and expertise allowed PART to earn an additional 200 points for message handling. 

Stewart added, “her dedication to the Amateur Radio art reflects great credit on the Eastern Massachusetts section.”