Field Day
All things Field Day
Billerica ARS Field Day Announcement, June 24, 2023
Billerica ARS Vice President Mark Nelson, KA1INE, writes:
I’m proud to announce that the Billerica Amateur Radio Society is having its annual field day on June 24, 2023 at 2:00 PM at 67 Alexander Road in Billerica.
The goal of the event is to set up portable radio stations to simulate an emergency situation and to make contact with other hams around the world. It’s a fun day of making new friends and exploring this exciting hobby.
We hope the public can join us to see what amateur radio is about. There will be a BBQ at meal time and plenty of water and coffee to keep everyone nourished.
If there are any questions, feel free to write to me at KA1INE@ARRL.net.
Mark Nelson
KA1INE
Billerica ARS Members Turning Out for 2022 Field Day
Billerica Amateur Radio Society members will be turning out for the 2022 ARRL Field Day on Saturday June 25 through Sunday afternoon June 26. The club callsign W1HH will be used on the air during this event. The location is the same as our last field day, namely the Billerica EMA Barracks-Garage located at 67 Alexander Rd, Billerica, MA.
Field Day Chair Mark Nelson, KA1INE, and his team are planning operations on the 80-40-20-15-10 meter HF Bands. At least two stations will be on the air and possibly a third will be put on-the-air, if needed.
On air operations will be from approximately 2 PM – 9 PM Saturday, and 9 AM – 2PM Sunday. Help on Saturday morning for Set Up and Sunday afternoon for take down will be much appreciated.
Visitors are welcome, especially new hams or anyone interested in learning about Ham Radio. Mark Nelson says our primary objective is to help the new members gain amateur radio experience.
Food will be plentiful, especially if you are there in the late afternoon Saturday for a traditional Field Day dinner gathering. Get there early enough in the afternoon on Saturday to put in your preferred food order.
You can get additional details at https://ema.arrl.org/field_day
Tom K1TW
Amateur Radio Field Day Talk on WCAP 980, June 24, 2022
Station WCAP 980 kHz will host a talk segment featuring two Eastern MA amateur radio club presidents today (June 24) at 4:10 PM.
Gary Frascarelli, W1GFF, President of the Billerica Amateur Radio Society and Bruce Blain, K1BG, President of the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club, will discuss ARRL Field Day on the program.
The Class B station features a talk/oldies radio format. It covers the Merrimack Valley with 5,000 watts of power.
Listeners outside of the area can tune in to the program on the web at <http://webcastsusa.com/wcap/player.html>.
This link seems to work: <https://streampros.net/980wcap>
An audio recording of the program is also available
Visitors Welcome to the New England Sci-Tech Field Day, Natick, June 25-26, 2022
This weekend, June 25-26, join the Sci–Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) for Amateur Radio Field Day and exercise in radio emergency preparedness. Members of the general public, radio amateurs, scouts, and their friends and families are welcome to participate. You don’t need a radio license to participate, as you can operate with one of the club’s General or Extra class licensees as the control operator. On-site training will be provided.
All Systems “Go” For Boston ARC Field Day, Westwood, June 25-26, 2022
Joe Chapman, NV1W, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:
Friends,
News from today’s K7RA Solar Report (https://www.wm7d.net/
The latest from US Air Force forecasters Housseal and King at the USAF 557th Weather Wing shows predicted solar flux at 120, 115 and 110 on June 24-26, and Planetary A index of 8, 12 and 15. Field Day is actually on June 25-26, but it is useful to see the prediction for Friday. The planetary A index shoes a moderate but increasing geomagnetic instability.
Solar activity has been sinking all week, but it should still be fine for our purposes and better than the past few years of Field Days. The geomagnetic field is likely to be quiet to unsettled on Saturday, degrading to unsettled to active through mid-day Sunday, so it will probably be a little noisy as we’re trying to wring out those last few points.
Here on Earth, in Westwood Field Day is expected to be dry, warm, and humid, with temperatures in the 80’s to low 90’s, with a slight chance of a brief shower, but chances of a thunderstorm near zero. Drink lots of water and take breaks during setup and teardown. Here’s KD1CY’s SKYWARN coordination message: https://ema.arrl.org/2022/06/
Joe Chapman NV1W
Secretary, Boston Amateur Radio Club
Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Weather Coordination Message #1
..Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend is an annual event where Ham Operators across the United States setup at Emergency Operations Centers, field locations, home locations etc. to operate and test their equipment and skills and make as many radio contacts as possible during the weekend. Amateur Radio Field Day sites will likely be operating under normal conditions pre-pandemic across most field day sites though it is possible some Field Day sites may have some minimal COVID-19 protocols in place. There will likely still be some home station Field Day sites but less than the prior 2 years during the pandemic with more traditional Field Day sites in the region..
Here are some links to information on these Amateur Radio Field Day Sites from across the region and if any groups would like their Field Day listed, we will add it to the next Amateur Radio Field Day Weather Coordination message. Again most will likely be operating normally but there could be some minimal COVID-19 protocols in place at certain locations:
Amateur Radio Field Day Information: https://www.arrl.org/field-day
Amateur Radio Field Day National Locator: https://www.arrl.org/field-
Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Home Page: https://ema.arrl.org/field-
Similar to last year, Amateur Radio Field Day is expected to feature warm and dry conditions across the region. An isolated shower could occur in eastern areas of Southern New England but its likely to be very isolated. At this time, no thunderstorms are expected in the region until post the Field Day event later Sunday Night and especially Monday though this aspect will be monitored. High temperatures will be in the 80s to lower 90s with upper 70s to lower 80s near the coast and lows will be in the 60s. Humidity levels are expected to be fairly high in the region with Sunday being the hottest and most humid day in the region. All involved in Field Day sites are asked to use caution with the heat, take breaks during setup and breakdown of Field Day sites, and drink plenty of uncaffienated liquids to stay hydrated.
NWS Boston/Norton Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://kamala.cod.edu/ma/
NWS Boston/Norton Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://wx1box.org/southern-
The next Amateur Radio Field Day coordination message will be posted by 100 PM Friday Afternoon and if the threat for thunderstorms remains minimal to near zero it will be the last Amateur Radio Field Day weekend weather coordination message.
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
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Governor Baker Proclaims June 25 “Amateur Radio Day” in Massachusetts
Massachusetts radio amateurs are being recognized for their service to the public in times of hurricanes, tornados, flood and other emergencies with a special proclamation by Governor Charles D. Baker declaring June 25, 2022 as “Amateur Radio Day” in the Commonwealth. The day coincides with the 2022 ARRL Field Day event.
The proclamation was obtained by Massachusetts State Government Liaison Hank McCarl, W4RIG, of Gloucester. McCarl contacted Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr’s (N1UIU) office to arrange for the issuance of the proclamation.
Copies of the proclamation will be distributed to both Eastern and Western Massachusetts Section Managers so that they may display the documents as they tour field day sites in their respective sections.
Westwood Patch: “Amateur Radio ‘Field Day’ June 25 and 26 Demonstrates Science, Skill, and Service”
From the online newspaper Westwood Patch:
“The public is invited by the Boston Amateur Radio Club to view the proceedings on Saturday from 2 to 8 PM and on Sunday from 10 to 1 PM at Hale Reservation, 80 Carby Street, Westwood, MA. Drop by to see them in action, learn how to join in on the hobby.” [Full story]
K1KI Field Day 2021 Grand Tour
Former New England Division Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI, has penned his Field Day notes in the article, “K1KI Field Day 2021 Grand Tour.”
Final EMA Section News Bulletin concerning ARRL Field Day
ARRL Eastern MA Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW, writes on the ARRL Members Only list:
Field Day begins Saturday June 26, at 1800 UTC, and runs until Sunday, June 27. Ending times depend on when you start setting up so check the rules carefully.
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CORRECTION FROM LAST BULLETIN
The correct call sign for the Whitman ARC Field Day is NI1X. My apology to Whitman ARC for the error.
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UPDATED LIST OF CLUBS DOING EMA FIELD DAY (AND ONE CORRECTION)
Here are 11 Eastern Massachusetts club locations that I found. Many of these may be near you and most welcome your visit and support.
- K1IG PART OF Westford, Concord MA
- W1STR NE Sci Tech, Natick MA
- W1MA Barnstable ARC, Brewster MA
- K1RK Falmouth ARC, Falmouth MA
- N1NC Nashoba Valley ARC, Pepperell MA
- W1M Joint Waltham ARA and Algonquin ARC, Stow MA
- W1FY Framingham ARA, Framingham MA
- NI1X Whitman ARC, E Bridgewater MA, ** Note: Call Correction as NI1X
- K1RTA Northeast ARC, 4th Cliff, Scituate MA
- W1GLO Cape Ann ARA, Hospital Hill, Rockport, MA – Rain date is Sunday
- Callsign? The Great Hill Gang, North Weymouth, MA
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Section Staff Tours
EMA Section Manager, K1TW, usually makes a tour of EMA section Field Day clubs. K1TW is unable this year. K1TW will be there in spirit rooting for your club FD operation in EMA.
Phil, K9HI, Eastern Massachusetts (ASM) and NE Division Vice Director, will be visiting some EMA clubs as well as other clubs throughout the NE Division.
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MORE BONUS POINTS
– Send a Field Day radiogram to your Section Manager (K1TW) or SEC (KD1CY). A list of the EMA Traffic nets can be found at
https://ema.arrl.org/national-
– Copy and submit the W1AW Field Message with your entry.
Again, read the rules carefully to gather as many bonus points as you can.
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RULES
Get the full rules in the ARRL Field Day packet at http://www.arrl.org/files/file
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Field Day Locators
You can find a club and help them at a nearby Field Day site by checking either:
– the ARRL Field Day Locator at http://www.arrl.org/field-day-
– the EMA Field Day Locator at https://fd.ema.arrl.org/field_
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Stay safe and have fun!
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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
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EASTERN MA FIELD DAY 2021
EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION
– SPECIAL NEWS BULLETIN –
Field Day begins Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 1800 UTC and runs until Sunday, June 27. Ending times depend on when you start setting up.
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What are your Field Day Plans?
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There are several options for each person:
* Try “Field Day at Home”
When you submit results at the end just list your local club so they will get credit in the QST results. Note that again this year home stations running class D may work everyone including other class D stations.
* Try Field Day with another club
You can find a club and help them at a nearby Field Day site by checking either:
– the ARRL Field Day Locator at http://www.arrl.org/field-d
– the EMA Field Day Locator at https://fd.ema.arrl.org/fie
Again, this year, our thanks go to Bill Ricker, N1VUX for the outstanding EMA FD Locator which is packed full of extra news and information.
* Try doing Field Day with your friends
– create a non-club group like a 1- or 2-person portable in a park or campsite.
* Try Field Day at someone else’s home station
Just remember to let them know you are coming first.
Whichever you choose, try to spend some time operating in Field Day this year.
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CLUBS
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Here are nine of the Eastern Massachusetts club locations I found on the Field Day locators. Many of these may be nearby your home should you want to help them out.
- K1IG PART OF Westford Concord MA
- W1STR NE Sci Tech Natick MA
- W1M Barnstable ARC Brewster MA
- K1RK Falmouth ARC Falmouth MA
- N1NC Nashoba Valley ARC Pepperell MA
- W1M Waltham ARA Stow MA
- W1FY Framingham ARA Framingham MA
- N1IX Whitman ARC E Bridgewater MA
- K1RTA Northeast ARC Scituate MA
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BONUS POINTS
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Don’t forget the Bonus Points.
Remember to send a radiogram to your Section Manager (K1TW) or SEC (KD1CY) during the event for an extra bonus. A list of the EMA Traffic nets for this purpose can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/national-
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RULES
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Get the full rules in the ARRL Field Day packet at http://www.arrl.org/files/file
And finally, I usually make a tour of EMA section Field Day sites but am unable this year. On Monday, I had eye surgery and while the recovery is going well, I don’t want to risk the outcome by driving the usual several hundred miles. I will be there in spirit rooting for each and every club and FD operation is EMA. Stay safe and have fun!
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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
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International Space Station to be in Cross-Band Repeater Mode for Field Day 2021
From ARRL Special Bulletin 006:
International Space Station to be in Cross-Band Repeater Mode for Field Day
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) cross-band repeater will be available for ARRL Field Day, June 26 – 27. Contacts will count toward Field Day bonus points as satellite contacts and Field Day contacts.
Field Day rules limit stations to one contact on any single-channel FM satellite. Note that contacts made during Field Day by ISS crew would only count for contact credit, but not for satellite bonus points. ISS cross-band repeater contacts are also valid AMSAT Field Day satellite contacts.
The ARISS cross-band repeater uplink is 145.990 MHz (67 Hz tone), with a downlink of 437.800 MHz.
ARISS suggests that those unfamiliar with the ISS repeater may want to practice with it prior to Field Day. ARISS had planned to switch modes to the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) during the second week of June, but this won’t happen until after the first ARISS school contact following ARRL Field Day.
The ARISS ham station will be off-air during spacewalks on June 16 and June 20.
ARRL to Extend Field Day Rule Waivers from 2020, Add Class D and E Power Limit
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]
Interim Field-Day-@Home Update
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.
Eastern MA Traffic Handlers Enjoying Field Day 2020
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
PART of Westford 2020 Field Day Awards
PART 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.
Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #5
The 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.Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #4
The 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.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]