Fox Hunters Meeting at 2022 HamXposition

George Allison, K1IG, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list:

The forum schedule for the Northeast HamXposition has been published, and theres a Fox Hunters meeting scheduled for Sunday, August 28, at 11:00 AM. Since our members are spread out around MA (and parts of NH), we haven’t had an opportunity to all get together in one place, so this is a great opportunity for us to:

  • Meet each other in person
  • Compare equipment
  • Discuss techniques
  • Discuss variations in types of hunts
  • Look at ways to attract new hunters, especially non-licensed youth

We’ve got over a month to talk about topics.  What would you like to see?

73,
George, K1IG

Northeast HamXposition Update, July 20, 2022

Two items of note, per HamXposition General Chairman Bob DeMattia, K1IW:

The hotel discount deadline has been extended to August 5, 2022.  
 
Also, the preliminary forum schedule is now on the website. You can download a PDF copy at <https://hamxposition.org/HamXposition-Schedule.22.07.20.pdf>.
 
Finally, don’t forget to enroll in the KØNEB kit-building workshop on Friday afternoon.
 
 

MIT Swapfest, July 17, 2022

MIT Swapfest signThe MIT Radio Society, in conjunction with the MIT UHF Repeater Association, the MIT Electronics Research Society, and the Harvard Wireless Club, sponsors a Swapfest on the third Sunday of each month, April through October. This is a place to buy, sell, and swap amateur radio, electronic, and computer equipment. Hams and non-hams alike are welcome. The next Swapfest will take place on July 17, 2022.

For more information, see the online copy of our Swapfest flyer (pdf, or text only). Print out a copy of the flyer and bring it with you for a discount on the buyer’s admission. Want to sell? Here’s an online copy of the seller’s registration form. Remember to send it in by the 5th of the month for the advanced seller discount. Still need more info? Call 617-253-3776 during business hours.

The Swapfest is held at MIT’s Albany Street Garage on Albany St between Main Streets and Mass Ave in Cambridge. The gate opens for buyers at 9am. There is a small admission fee.

Stolen Radio Equipment at NEAR-Fest and Other Area Flea Markets

From nediv.arrl.org:

Mike Crestohl, W1RC, writes:

Lose something at NEAR-Fest or Other Area Flea Market? Maybe you can get it back.

If you had something stolen from your table at a flea market or hamfest in NH or Eastern Mass. within the past several years, please contact Officer John Delaney of the Deerfield Police Department as soon as possible. His contact information is <jdelaney@townofdeerfieldnh.org> or telephone 603-463-7258 and leave a message for him to call you back. Be prepared to provide Officer Delaney with a detailed description, giving make, model, serial number, photograph, band(s) covered, what was programmed into it, etc.

This information is needed by the Deerfield Police for an ongoing investigation into thefts of equipment that have occurred at NEAR-Fest and other local area events over the past several years. Five stolen radios have already been recovered and there may be more.

Please copy Paul, W1PRA (pauldepetrillo@gmail.com) and MrMike, W1RC (w1rc@near-fest.com) on all correspondence with Officer Delaney.

Thank you for your cooperation.

73,

Paul DePetrillo, W1PRA,
NEAR-Fest Sergeant-at-Arms,
pauldepetrillo@gmail.com

Mister Mike, W1RC,
Benevolent Dictator,
w1rc@near-fest.com

“Ham Radio Flea Market Coming To Marlborough”

From the Marlborough Patch, June 7, 2022:

MARLBOROUGH, MA — A large ham radio exposition will return to Marlborough in 2022 for the second time. The HamXposition event will take place in August at the Best Western.

On Monday, the Marlborough City Council on Monday approved a special license for a charitable flea market to be held alongside the exposition featuring radio parts.  [Full story]

HamXposition Ticketing is Now Live

HamXposition logoNortheast HamXposition General Chairman Bob DeMattia, K1IW, writes:

Our electronic ticketing is now live!  Visit our website to purchase general admission, flea, and Friday and Saturday banquet tickets!

Main Webpage:  https://hamxposition.org
 
New for this year, your organization can also purchase ads for our printed program book as well.  To see the ad purchase section, go here:
 
 
 
73,
Bob – K1IW
Chairman
HamXposition 2022

NEAR-Fest XXXI, April 29-30, 2022, Deerfield, NH

NEAR-Fest logoATTENTION: two weeks to go! 
 
* New England’s premier radio hobby event
* Both days
* Huge flea market, forums
* ARRL officials in attendance
 
Friday:  AMers W1IA Celebration and “HamJam”
Saturday:  VE Exams 10:00 AM
 
* Big door prizes both days (Two Yaesu FT-891s, two SDRplay radios, one each day)
 
Fun for all!  NEAR-Fest XXXI is Friday, April 29th and Saturday, April 30th 2022, at the Deerfield NH Fairgrounds, Highway 43, Deerfield NH. 
 
This is your last chance to get advance tickets and save $5.   Advance admission tickets $10  ($15 at the gate), Inside parking (flea market) $10.  Mail by Wednesday, April 20th in order to get them in time.  PLEASE ENCLOSE SASE!   Mail to W1RC, 316 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead MA 01945. More info www.near-fest.com.  Camping passes available onsite. 
 
 

Call For Presenters: 2022 HamXposition, August 26-28

HamXposition logoPhil Temples, K9HI, writes:

Don’t just attend the 2022 Northeast HamXposition—BE A PART OF IT! The HamXposition Committee seeks fresh and exciting presentations for this year’s joint ARRL New England/Hudson Division Convention on August 26, 27 & 28, 2022. We’re looking for talks of both a technical and non-technical nature. As a HamXposition presenter, you will have the opportunity to share your subject and knowledge with amateur radio operators from around New England, New York, the surrounding states, and Canada.

In addition to talks and forums throughout the day on Saturday, we will feature Saturday evening entertainment, workshops on Friday, and a half-day Sunday program.

If you represent a regional club or organization (e.g. YCCC, NEQRP, WRONE, MARS, etc.) we can help facilitate open forums or closed meetings by providing you a meeting space.

Non-profit groups who wish to set up information tables should get your requests in early. While the tables are offered without charge, we ask for some volunteer time in return to assist us with ticket sales and other logistics during the convention.

To register as a speaker or presenter, please go to https://hamxposition.org/speaker.html or email k9hi@hamxposition.org if you have additional questions.

We look forward to seeing you at the Convention.

73,

Phil Temples, K9HI
Program Chair
Northeast HamXposition
k9hi@hamxposition.org

HamXposition to Host New England and Hudson Division Conventions

 
 

HamXposition logo

From nediv.arrl.org:

In what may well be a “first,” the Northeast HamXposition is proud to announce that it will host both New England and Hudson division conventions this year.  HamXposition will be held on August 26 – 28, 2022, in Marlborough, MA.

FEMARA, the organization that runs HamXposition, voted on February 17 to officially approve the unique arrangement. Attendees included: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, New England Director; Ria Jairam, N2RJ, Hudson Division Director; Phil Temples, K9HI, New England Vice Director; Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, ARRL 1st Vice President and FEMARA President; and Bob DeMattia, K1IW, HamXposition General Chairman. Director Jairam was officially appointed to the HamXposition Committee.

Proceeds from the convention will be directed to scholarships for both New England and Hudson Division students.  Volunteers and speakers will be drawn from both divisions.  Other details will be worked out as things progress.

“It certainly has been a while since the Hudson Division has had a convention” said Ria, N2RJ. “By joining forces with the New England Division for a joint convention, we can bring back a sense of nostalgia and community.” 

“We are excited to have the Hudson Division join with New England to support and grow the 2022 HamXposition event.” said Fred, AB1OC. “It’s a great opportunity to expand HamXposition participation, programs, and work to provide support for the scholarships to young hams in both divisions.”

“Joining the two division events into one convention offers expanded opportunities for attendees, League members, and vendors alike” commented Mike, K1TWF.  “We anticipate larger attendance than we have seen in many years.”

The Northeast HamXposition, formerly known as “Boxboro,” features a Saturday morning keynote address, Friday and Saturday evening banquet dinners with special guest speakers, a large outdoor flea market along with an ample indoor commercial vendor space. The convention’s impressive three-day program of forums and speakers is one of the best in the country.

Bob, K1IW
General Chair, HamXposition 2022

Algonquin ARC Flea Market is Still On! February 19, 2022

Tim Ikeda, KA1OS, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:
 
This is just a notice for your club members that our ham radio flea market in Marlborough MA is still on for Saturday, February 19, 2022. It will be held at the Marlborough 1Lt Charles W. Whitcomb School (formerly Marlborough Middle School) on 25 Union St. in Marlborough. Vendor check in begins at 6:30 am and we open for general admission at 9:00 am.
 
Please note:
With the event being held at a public school, state law requires all participants wear a mask inside the building.
 
More details are available on our website:
 
Thank you!
 
Tim Ikeda – KA1OS
Algonquin Amateur Radio Club – Secretary
 
 

HamXposition Volunteer Webmaster Sought

From nediv.arrl.org:
 
Northeast HamXposition General Chair Bob DeMattia, K1IW, writes:
 
FEMARA, Inc, the organization behind HamXposition/The ARRL New England Division Convention (and formerly known as Boxboro!) is looking for a volunteer to build and maintain its web presence at hamxposition.org.  We are currently running on a non-standard content management system platform, but are seeking to convert to a standard platform such as WordPress.  Your first task will be to convert the website to this platform,  maintaining the current content and building an operational commerce engine to handle online ticket sales.  Once this is in place, you  will make content updates and maintain the system.   Experience with web sites and basic e-commerce will be needed.
 
This is a volunteer opportunity.  Almost all work can be done at home.  We will have 4-6 meetings throughout the year which you will be asked to attend.  All meetings can be attended on Zoom.
 
Please contact Bob DeMattia k1iw@hamxposition.org if you are interested in helping us out.
 

FEMARA Inc. is a Massachusetts non-profit corporation that sponsors and runs the ARRL New England Division Convention.  Our goals are twofold; to offer the richest and most diverse ARRL Convention in the country, and to support the ARRL Foundation’s scholarship program.

FEMARA is qualified under IRS 501(c)(3). Donations to FEMARA are deductible as allowed by IRS regulations.

 
You can read more about us at https://hamxposition.org/about-femara

“Ham Radio University” Going Virtual Again, January 8, 2022

Ham Radio University 2022 logoWith COVID-19 uncertainties precluding an in-person gathering for a second year, the 23rd annual Ham Radio University (HRU <http://www.hamradiouniversity.org/>) educational conference will be held as a virtual event again this year, on Saturday, January 8, 1300 – 2000 UTC, as an online GoToWebinar videoconference.

Advance registration is required and begins on December 20.

HRU 2022 will be adding five forums this year, for a total of 19 presentations by experts in a broad range of amateur radio activities, including Amateur Radio Emergency Communications. Other topics are:

*       Basics of HF Operating
*       Ham Radio Contesting and DXing
*       Communicating through Amateur Radio Earth Satellites
*       Software-Defined Radios
*       HF and VHF Digital Communications
*       Parks on the Air
*       SKYWARN
*       Cables and Connectors
*       Using Raspberry Pi Computers in Amateur Radio.

Online attendees will be able to ask questions of the presenters. Founded by Phil Lewis, N2MUN (SK), HRU also serves as the  online convention of the ARRL NYC-Long Island Section.

As in past years, participation in HRU 2022 is free; an optional donation of $5 is suggested. Additional information is online, including the schedule of forums and advance registration starting December 20

NEAR-Fest XXX Health and Safety Guidelines

NEAR-Fest logoAs we get ready to return to Deerfield NH in a couple days to resume our beloved hamfest that we have all missed so much for two years it is obvious that there are some fundamental precautions we must institute in order to be in full compliance with all CDC, State and Town Departments of Public Health guidelines.  We do not want to wear out our welcome.  NEAR-FEST IS SAFE FOR ALL must be our motto!

It is our hope that everyone will have been vaccinated.  However we realize that not everyone will be.  If you have not had your shots please take extra care: wear a mask especially inside and use hand sanitizer often. We don’t want anyone getting sick at our event.

The State of New Hampshire does not currently have a mask mandate so neither does NEAR-Fest.  However, we have some common sense requests and recommendations because we want everybody to feel safe at our hamfest:

1:  We are strongly requesting that everyone wear a mask or face shield while inside the commercial buildings, when attending forums and when at the exam session.   Masks will be available at the entrance to these buildings but it is advisable to bring your own as well.  We are also strongly requesting that all attendees wear a mask when buying or presenting your admission ticket or otherwise interacting with any of our staff members.

2:  Our staff volunteers have expressed some concerns and we want them to feel comfortable helping us run the fester.  Remember we cannot do the hamfest without them. They did not volunteer to get Covid.  Many of them aren’t the young healthy kids we once were and have serious concerns about covid either personally or with immediate family members.  We are requesting that everyone put aside all political and personal views about mask wearing and wear them where we have requested out of respect for the dedicated volunteers who run this event.

We  are committed to keeping everyone safe and this request from me is part of this commitment.

3: The use of hand sanitizer is advised especially after handling any items in the flea market and commercial buildings.  We will have hand sanitizer in automatic dispensers as well as masks available at the entrances to the buildings. 

Additionally, we ask that all attendees attempt to maintain a distance of six feet (or two metres) from others as much as possible and avoid crowding others at flea market and commercial vendor tables.  I know this is difficult especially if there is “good stuff cheap”.

These are still difficult and trying times.  We are glad to be back running the hamfest again but the world has changed in the past 18 months and we must change with it.  We appreciate your cooperation which is particularly important because we want to continue holding the hamfest while assuring the local community that we pose a minimal health threat with our presence.

HELP MAKE NEAR-FEST SAFE FOR ALL! 

Stay well!

MisterMike, W1RC, and the entire NEAR-Fest gang

NEAR-Fest is October 15-16, 2021

Michael Crestohl, W1RC, writes:

NEAR-Fest logoAttention All Units!  NEAR-Fest XXX is Next Weekend… We Are Back Live and Online!

We are pleased to announce that NEAR-Fest XXX will begin at 0900 on Friday, October 15, 2021.  It will be a hybrid event both live at the Deerfield (NH) Fairgrounds and online worldwide via Zoom.  
 
For more information follow these links:
 
General Information:  https://near-fest.com/
 
Don’t miss our “Town Meetimg” candidates for ARRL New England Director forum!
 
 
 
Divisive issue to be sure but let’s all respect each other’s wishes to keep everyone safe.  
 
It has been a long two years…
 
73,
 
MisterMike, W1RC
Benevolent Dictator,
New England Amateur Radio Festival, Inc.