Hunt for W1MJ Fox, Waltham, February 26, 2022

Pat Whitney, K1PJW, writes on NEMassFoxHunters:
 

Hello fellow fox hunters!

Myself, Eliot, W1MJ, and Mike, K1MJC, are having a classic mobile fox hunt on Saturday, February 26th from 10 am to 1 pm.  

Starting point:
Prospect Hill Park, 314 Totten Pond Rd, Waltham, MA 02451

Time:
February 26th at 10:00 am until 1:00 pm

Fox Frequency:
147.54

Fox Description:
Blue Honda Fit with license plate W1/MJ.  The fox will be parked somewhere on a public road or parking lot within the Waltham city limits.

We’ll be on the WARA 2m repeater beforehand (146.64 PL 136.5).  

Please join us if you like!

73 and happy hunting!
-Pat  K1PJW

NOTE:  this is a rescheduling of the 02/19 fox hunt originally mentioned in the WARA Intermod Winter 2022 newsletter

 

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday February 7th, 2022 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater Network

Hello to all…

The February Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday February 7th, 2022 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.

For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have a “last call” for Assistant ARES District Emergency Coordinator, K1EJ-Darrel Mallory, who passed away on Friday January 21st, 2022 as well as several announcements.

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

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
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org
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Eastern Massachusetts ARES Stand-By for Major Winter Storm/Blizzard – Friday, January 28 at 11pm until Sunday, January 30

Hello to all…

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES PLACED ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS EFFECTIVE 11:00PM FRIDAY, JANUARY 28 THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING, JANUARY 30 DUE TO POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM FORECASTED BLIZZARD***

***BLIZZARD WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF EASTERN MA SECTION INCLUDING CAPE COD/MARTHAS VINEYARD FROM MIDNIGHT SATURDAY THOUGH 5:00AM MONDAY.  WINTER STORM WARNINGS UP FOR NW MIDDLESEX AND FRANKLIN/HAMPDEN/HAMPSHIRE/WORCESTER COUNTIES IN MA***

***COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR EASTERN ESSEX/PLYMOUTH/BARNSTABLE COUNTIES FOR THE SATURDAY MORNING AND EVENING HIGH TIDES.  POCKETS OF MINOR TO PERHAPS ISOLATED MODERATE COASTAL FLOODING LIKELY.

***WIND GUSTS OVER 60MPH POSSIBLE ALONG THE IMMEDIATE EASTERN MA COAST.  GUSTS TO HURRICANE FORCE POSSIBLE ON THE CAPE AND ISLANDS***

*** PLEASE PLAN TO REPORT SKYWARN CRITERIA ACCORDING TO THE STANDARD SKYWARN OPERATING PROCEDURE.  PICTURES OF STORM DAMAGE MAY BE SENT TO PICS@NSRADIO.ORG ***

*** ARES AVAILABITY REQUESTED THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING – PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DEC WITH AVAILABITY WITH A CC TO HURRICANE@W1MV.ORG ***

Models continue to agree a trend that brings a period of heavy snow and strong winds to the region starting in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 29 and continuing heavy at times throughout the day before tapering off late in the evening.  Widespread snowfall accumulation of 18-24+ inches is possible across much of Eastern Massachusetts with 24-30 inches possible across the South Shore.  Isolated higher amounts are possible depending on where the heaviest snow bands set up over the area

Wind speeds in the blizzard warning area are forecasted to increase to 25-35mph sustained with gusts of 50-60mph likely across much of Eastern MA with gusts of 60-70mph possible along the immediate coast.  It is possible that the outer Cape may experience wind gusts over 70-75mph which would be close to hurricane force.  Winds of this magnitude may cause power outages along with pockets of scattered damage.  Travel during the storm is not recommended.  For further meteorological updates, including the latest Blizzard Coordination Message, please see the NWS Taunton SKYWARN home page at http://www.wx1box.org

A coastal flood advisory is also in effect for pockets of minor to low-end moderate coastal flooding along the Eastern MA coastline.  High tide is anticipated at approximately 9am Saturday morning, and another high tide around 9pm Saturday evening. 

For a complete listing of current warnings, please refer to the NWS Boston website at www.weather.gov/boston.  While no immediate requests for support have been received, we are closely monitoring the situation for any activation of local or regional shelters.

SKYWARN activation will monitor the progress of the storm, and we appreciate any reports of wind damage / flooding that you may have.  If you have any pictures of the damage, please send them to pics@nsradio.org.   SKYWARN will be running various nets across our section on the assigned SKYWARN repeaters, and the list of SKYWARN repeaters can be found at:  http://wx1box.org/southern-new-england-skywarn-frequency-list/.  In addition, here is a preliminary list of SKYWARN nets across the section and their start times:

600 AM: Cape Cod and Islands WX Net – 147.375-Falmouth Repeater PL: 110.9 Hz
630 AM: Western Mass Emergency Net – HF – serving Western and Eastern Mass and surrounding areas: 3944 KHz
645 AM: MMRA Repeater Network
700 AM: South Coast SKYWARN Net: 147.000-Dartmouth Repeater PL: 67.0 Hz
700 AM: Norfolk County SKYWARN Net: 146.895-Walpole Repeater PL: 123.0 Hz
700 AM: Worcester County SKYWARN Net: 146.970-Paxton Repeater PL: 114.8 Hz
700 AM: Western Mass SKYWARN VHF Net: 146.940-Mount Tom Repeater  PL: 127.3 Hz
715 AM: Boston SKYWARN Net – 145.230 PL: 88.5 Hz
715 AM: NB1RI RI SKYWARN Net: NB1RI linked repeater system
730 AM: Hartford-Tolland County SKYWARN Net – 146.790-Vernon, CT Repeater – PL: 82.5 Hz
730 AM: Metro Boston/Middlesex County SKYWARN Net: 146.640-Waltham Repeater – PL: 136.5 Hz
800 AM: Cape and Islands SKYWARN Net – 146.955-Barnstable Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz
800 AM: North Shore SKYWARN Net – 145.470-Danvers Repeater PL: 136.5 Hz
900 AM: Westford/PART – Northern Middlesex County SKYWARN Net – 146.955-Westford Repeater PL: 74.4 Hz
** – The Echolink *NEW-ENG3* Conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123 will be monitored throughout the duration the event. The 147.180-Bridgewater Repeater will be connected through that system and some of the nets listed above will be connected for those repeaters that have Echolink and IRLP capability.
*** – Other repeaters may be monitored on an as needed basis based on Amateur Radio Operator availability.

The latest SKYWARN coordination message for this storm (issued on 1/28 at 10:00pm) can also be located at http://wx1box.org/2022/01/29/blizzard-coordination-message-5-late-friday-night-1-28-22-saturday-night-1-29-22-blizzard-major-winter-storm-impacts/

As we continue to progress through the storm, please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime from this evening 1/28 through Monday Evening, 1/31. We are creating a list of availability for ARESMAT deployment if needed for various local EOC’s, Red Cross, Salvation Army, NWS Storm Survey Teams, and hospitals as required. Keep your situational awareness level high for any updates from ARES leadership by checking your email for updates and our ARES web site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org and monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies for any updates on this developing situation.

When sending your availability, please send the following: Name, Call-sign, License Class, Capability (HF / VHF / UHF), Availability, and any other special notes we should be aware of. We ask that as you contact your DEC, please send a copy of the message to hurricane@w1mv.org where multiple members of the EMA ARES Leadership will be able to access your availability.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region is fully understood.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Jim Palmer (KB1KQW)
North Shore ARES District Emergency Coordinator

SEC/ASEC:
SEC – KD1CY – kd1cy@comcast.net
ASEC – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net

DECs:
Essex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Middlesex County – W1AHM – AMartin.MA.UltraNet@RCN.Com

Metro-Boston – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Norfolk County – W1SHS – w1shs@arrl.net

Bristol County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Plymouth County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Cape & Islands – WQ1O – wq1o@comcast.com

KD1CY/KB1KQW

Boston Marathon Amateur Radio Volunteers Still Needed – Race Day – Monday 4/18/22 – Volunteer Registration Closes 2/18/22

Hello to all…

Planning is well underway for the 2022 Boston Marathon! The BAA opened volunteer registration continues to be open and it will close on Friday, February 18, 2022. Returning volunteers should have received an email from the BAA with details about how to register.

New volunteers can sign up via http://register.hamradioboston.org/

We have also provided a step by step guide on how to select Amateur Radio volunteer positions during the registration process:
https://hamradioboston.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/44002294773-2022-volunteer-registration-step-by-step-guide

If you have any questions about the upcoming volunteer registration period, or the 2022 Marathon generally, please get in touch anytime via the email address contact@hamradioboston.org

Thank you, and 73,

Boston Marathon Communications Committee
contact@HamRadioBoston.org

W1MJ Fox QRV in Waltham, January 23, 2022

Eliot Mayer, W1MJ, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters and Waltham ARA mailing lists:

I recently assembled a 5-watt fox, and plan to put it out this Sunday, January 23, from 10 AM (or earlier) to 4 PM.  I will make another post here on Sunday morning to confirm successful deployment (or not).

The suggested starting point is Elsie Turner Field on Trapelo Road in Waltham, across from the National Archives. 

Since a 5-watt fox can be heard from some distance, and since it is winter, I offer this clue:  I reached the hiding place with less than a ½ mile walk from Elsie Turner Field.  The fox makes transmissions on 147.54 MHz at approximately 1 minute intervals, mostly in voice, but some in Morse code.  If you want to know a bit about what you are looking for, see http://w1mj.com/fox

Good luck DE W1MJ

KM1CC QRV for Marconi’s First Transatlantic Wireless Message Anniversary, January 18, 2022

Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club writes on Facebook:

Due to COVID, regrettably the SSB operations are cancelled. However, we still plan to have the CW ops.
 
This on the air event commemorates the119th Anniversary of the first USA to Europe/UK transatlantic wireless message made from Marconi’s Wireless Station, South Wellfleet, MA, USA on January 18, 1903.
 
KM1CC Operating Plans : CW operations will take place inside the park’s Coast Guard Station that sits to the south of the Wireless Station Site. Check http://dxsummit.fi for spots.
 
Core frequency plan+- 20 kHz:
 
40M …7.035 CW
30M …10.110.CW
20M …14.035 CW
17M …18.080 CW
15M …21.035 CW
10M…CW
NO FT4/FT8 or digital
 
Hope you can help us honor Marconi by making a contact with us.
 
[See also: “Marconi: Beyond the Horizon“]

Attention, All Interested Foxhunters: Video Conference, February 8, 2022

George Allison, K1IG, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list:

The days are starting to lengthen and that can only mean that fox-hunting season is getting closer! To help get us ready, I’ve scheduled a Webex video conference for all interested fox hunters on Tuesday, February 8, at 7:30 PM. If you haven’t used Webex, it’s very similar to Zoom; I’ll send out an invitation to the groups.io list with instructions and a link you can click on to join the conference. Feel free to forward the invitation to anyone you think would be interested in attending.

The February 8 date is flexible; if there aren’t enough attendees to support that date, I can re-schedule.

I haven’t finalized the agenda, but it could include these topics:

  1. Introductions
  2. Show and tell of foxes and antennas
  3. Discussions of fox-finding techniques
  4. Plans for the upcoming season. Suggestions for variations and improvements.
  5. Suggestions for recruitment and training.

If anyone has a discussion topic or wants to make a presentation, let the group or me (k1ig@arrl.net) know. We should be able to finalize the agenda by February 1. 

73,

George
K1IG

[Contact George, K1IG, at k1ig@arrl.net for Webex video conference details]

Saturday January 8, 2022 Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net Cancelled

Good evening,

It is with great disappointment that I send this note notifying you all that we will not hold a January Net. We had hoped that we could start the new year off on a positive note and even though most of you have still not returned to your regular facilities shacks, we were hoping for a large turnout from home and mobile stations. Being able to run the net from South Shore Hospital’s shack and communicate with its wide area coverage would make that possible.

We do have access to our shack. however, we have been informed by our group’s Vice President, Karen N1VI, also a medical professional at South Shore hospital that given the hospitals current environment, high patient counts and staff shortages (which comes as no surprise, all hospitals statewide are in the same boat) that it would be advisable for our group to cancel our January meeting (and net) and not tempt Covid with our presence.

I occasionally kid Karen about her call N1 Very Intelligent, and how appropriate it is. We all have great respect for her knowledge and opinion especially regarding anything of a medical nature. Our group agreed to take Karen’s suggestion.

We hope everyone is being very cautious, getting vaccinated and boosted, and wearing a mask in public in the presence of people you don’t know the status of.

I gave a neighbor a ride to an appointment for eye surgery the other day. Even though I knew both of us are fully vaccinated and boosted we both wore KN95 masks.

I look forward to next month. hopefully things will be better and we can all get back to our monthly net.

Keep your fingers crossed and mask up.

73,
John O’ K1JRO and the members of the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group

The Great Hill Gang “Day of Radio,” Weymouth, January 8, 2022

Mindy Hull, KM1NDY, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:
 
The Great Hill Gang “Day of Radio”
 
ORGANIZER: There are a few, but introduce yourself to Mike, K1UVH, when you get there!
 
WHEN: Saturday January 8th, 2022, 10:30ish to 2ish???? (AA1F and I will be there at least between 11 am to 2 pm with Limey my van). 
 
WHERE: Great Hill Park in Weymouth (Rt 3A to Lovell St, which turns into Bradley St, and ends in a cul-de-sac on the Great Hill; see Map). 
 
WHAT: A fun, recurring, monthly parking lot field day with tents, antennas, and radios.Bring equipment, or not. You will be in close proximity to or at your car!
 
Map to Great Hill Gang

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday January 3rd, 2022 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater Network

Hello to all…

The January Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday January 3rd, 2022 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.

For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have several announcements detailing plans for the new year.

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

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
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org
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Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net Moved to Saturday 1/8/22 at 1000 AM Due to New Years Holiday

John O’Neill-K1JRO writes:

Hello,

We wish everyone a Happy New Year.

The first Saturday of the month being New Years Day we will not hold a net until the 2nd Saturday in January. We will be sending out an announcement with the repeaters that will be used sometime over the weekend.

We look forward to hearing you all January 8th. Remember, if you do not have access to your regular location, we encourage you to check in from home or your mobile if possible.

Regards,
John O’Neill
South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group

Kids Day is January 1, 2022

From ARRL Website:

Saturday, January 1, 2022, is Kids Day. The event gets under way at 1800 UTC and concludes at 2359 UTC. Sponsored by the Boring (Oregon) Amateur Radio Club, Kids Day has a simple exchange suitable for younger operators: first name, age, location, and favorite color. After that, the contact can be as long or as short as each participant prefers.

Kids Day happens twice a year — in January and June — and can be your opportunity to get youngsters on the air and mentor future amateur radio operators to show them the fun and excitement that ham radio has to offer. You might just be introducing the next generation of hams to the airwaves. Share the excitement with your kids or grandkids, a Scout troop, a church or the general public.

Look for activity on these frequencies: 10 meters: 28.350 – 28.400 MHz; 12 meters: 24.960 – 24.980 MHz; 15 meters: 21.360 – 21.400 MHz; 17 meters: 18.140 – 18.145 MHz; 20 meters: 14.270 – 14.300 MHz; 40 meters: 7.270 – 7.290 MHz, and 80 meters: 3.740 – 3.940 MHz. Repeater contacts are okay with permission of the repeater owner.

As with any on-the-air activity that includes unlicensed individuals, control operators must observe third-party traffic restrictions when making DX contacts. Additional details are on the ARRL website.

As many communities are taking precautions due to COVID-19, participants are reminded to adhere to social distancing and face mask guidelines where applicable. If it’s not feasible to invite youngsters into your shack, consider other options to mentor, such as using social media platforms or via Zoom or other non-contact means.

New England Sci-Tech “Talk to Santa at the North Pole,” December 22-23, 2021

Mall SantaNew England Sci-Tech writes on its Facebook page on December 20, 2021:
 
Can’t find a mall Santa? No problem. Let us connect your child with Santa Claus through the magic of wireless! Use the link at the end of this announcement to register your child for this free event!
 
This year New England Sci-Tech will participate in the annual Santa Net, a nation-wide network of amateur radio stations which allows youngsters to talk to “Santa at The North Pole” via strategically-placed radio operators who relay the voice of Santa. Reservations are now available through our website (see below). On the nights of December 22nd and 23rd we’ll open at 6:45 PM for registered families to come in, have a look around and learn a little about how this radio stuff works. At 7:00 we’ll put each child’s name onto the net check-in list and get an idea of when we can expect to receive our call over the air. At 8:15 the net opens and we’ll be able to listen in as children from all over North America talk to Santa while we wait for our turn. This year between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve the Santa Net team expects to connect over 1,000 children with Santa Claus, so we do expect a wait.
 
This is a FREE event, but registration is required and space is limited. To participate, reserve your spot on either Wednesday the 22nd or Thursday the 23rd on our Santa Net page at https://nescitech.org/shop/santa-radio/ and have your child prepared to tell Santa their top 2 or 3 gift wishes. Plan to arrive between 6:45 and 7:00.

ARRL Rookie Roundup CW Event is December 19, 2021

If you’re new to CW operating, the ARRL Rookie Roundup (CW), December 19, 1800 – 2359 UTC, is a chance to enhance your CW skills. The objective of the event is to encourage recent licensees to experience competitive amateur radio operating on HF.

A Rookie is anyone who was first licensed in the current calendar year or in the previous 3 calendar years (2021, 2020, 2019, or 2018), regardless of license class. If you were licensed earlier, you can still qualify as a Rookie if you haven’t made any contest contacts on CW before this Rookie Roundup.

Rookies will attempt to make as many contacts as possible during the 6-hour event. Rookies work everyone, and non-Rookies work only Rookies. Stations exchange call signs, first names, a two-digit year, and state/province (or DX, if appropriate). In the exchange, Rookies should send the last two digits of the year of your first contact. If you’ve never made any contest contacts using CW, or if you’re a non-Rookie, send the last two digits of the current year in your exchange. — Thanks to ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE

Algonquin ARC “Lantern Battery Competition,” January 1-March 31, 2022

Algonquin ARC logoAlgonquin ARC writes:

The intent of the AARC LBC is to foster camaraderie among members and find out—in a light-hearted fashion—just how many QSOs can be extracted from a stack of batteries before they are depleted beyond the point of usefulness.  We’re continuing to call this the “Lantern” Battery Challenge even though there is no need to actually use expensive lantern batteries.

Activity period

AARC’s LBC will commence at 0000Z on 1 January 2022 and conclude at 2400Z on 31 March 2022.  Participants can join at any time during the challenge period but must finish by the end of the challenge.

Bands, Modes

Consistent with the terms of the participant’s license, operation on any band, using any mode, is permitted.

Energy Source (Batteries)

Batteries must be assembled from the equivalent of “D” cells or smaller.  Any combination of cells stacked in series not exceeding 15 volts is acceptable, provided that no more than two cells are connected in parallel anywhere in the stack.

     (Note that each of the lantern batteries used last year was the equivalent of four 1‑1/2 volt “D” or “F” cells in series, so two lantern batteries stacked in series yielded 12 volts.  Most rigs like 12V or higher and mis-perform at voltages under 10V.  Current drain depletes the cells quickly and reduces their voltage.  This year’s “connected in parallel” rule allows for starting with twice as much energy, increases the available current, and slows voltage depletion.)

Energy Management

At the participant’s option (or maybe to the extent of his or her technical acumen), only the actual transmitter need be powered by the lantern battery stack.  Receivers, logging software, keyers, decoders, etc. need not be on battery.

Antennas

Any antenna is OK.  Wire works.  So do those “solid state amplifiers” made of aluminum tubing.  There is no scoring penalty for using antennas with gain.

Scoring

  1. A QSO consists of no less than a two-way exchange of callsigns and signal reports.  Beware that long QSOs use battery energy!
  2.  Score:

  —  One point per standard battery QSO with a non‑AARC member.

  —  Two points per standard battery QSO with an AARC member.  Duplicate QSOs with the same member do not count.

  —  Zero points for repeater QSOs.

  1.  Period.  That’s it.  No other bonuses, penalties, multipliers, or dividers.

Reporting

Reporting is on the honor system.  Submission of paper or electronic logs is discouraged as not being within the intended spirit of camaraderie and fun.  On the other hand, expect to have a good time regaling the other members with your LBC exploits at the April meeting.  Plus, any participant who posts an LBC-related item on the AARCList during the challenge gets brownie points.

Awards

Recognition (maybe even certificates) and certainly bragging rights will be awarded for:

  –  Most QSO points

  –  Most QSOs

  –  Best DX

  –  Most unique rig

  –  Shortest battery life

  –  Longest battery life

  –  … more?  Suggestions accepted.

Second Annual “Hams All-Holidays On-Air Celebration” at W1E, December 18, 2021

Parks On The Air logoMindy Hull, KM1NDY, writes on the Boston ARC list:

Special Event Station W1E is going live this Saturday for the 2nd Annual “Hams All-Holidays On-Air Celebration!”

Born more than a slight bit out of the pain and frustration that the pandemic was causing, AA1F and I wanted a way to celebrate all of the holidays and special occasions that COVID stole from all of us in 2020. Ironically, many of you will remember, that a COVID scare canceled the actual public part of this public event, and AA1F and I operated it as a duo instead.
 
Well, cue 2021, because we are back at it! Same place, same time as we were going to do it last year. SO! If you have had enough with holiday shopping, traveling, and gift wrapping, head over to Hopkinton State Park sometime after 11am and sometime before 3pm, and enjoy a bit of portable radio at its finest!  
 

Here are the details: 

WHO: 
You, your family, your friends, your dog, your iguana. 
 
WHAT: 
The 2nd Annual Hams All-Holidays On-Air Celebration (Special Event Station W1E)
 
WHERE: 
Hopkinton State Park. Use the Main Entrance at 164 Cedar St., Hopkinton, MA 01748. Follow Maps (attached). 
 
PARKING: 
Park in large lot at boat launch. We will meet in a grove of trees with picnic tables near the beach at the end of the parking lot that is the farthest from where you entered it. See maps. 
 
GPS COORDINATES OF EXACT MEETING SPOT: 
42°15’30.7″N 71°31’01.8″W     ( 42.258539, -71.517168 )
 
WHEN: 
Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 11am to 3pm (or around that time). 
 
WHY: 
To celebrate ALL OF THE HOLIDAYS! And play radio with friends…
 
WEATHER: 
Doesn’t look great right now unfortunately. Swing by and say hello anyway. We should have shelters set up. 
 
WHAT TO BRING? 
Comfort items like warm clothes, food, drinks, chair. There should be picnic tables available. 
A handheld 2M radio if you have one. 
 
WHAT ABOUT RADIO STUFF?
We will have everything you need to get on the air. Otherwise, bring whatever rig/antenna for any mode/band you’d like. We will have band pass filters for most of the HF bands, so bring an extra coax jumper cable if you are bringing your own equipment. The band pass filters help us operate simultaneously without interfering with one another. 
 
WHAT FREQUENCY WILL THE GROUP USE/MONITOR? 
146.52
 
PARKS ON THE AIR (POTA)? 
Hopkinton State Park is also a POTA site! Activation code K-2440.  AA1F and I plan on operating W1E as a dual POTA and Special Event Station. If you want to start getting POTA points, you need to make 10 contacts using your call sign. 
Please sign up for POTA by clicking the login tab (on two different screens) here: https://parksontheair.com/
All modes and bands count for POTA!
 
“BUT, I AM ONLY A TECHNICIAN…” 
So? We will get you on HF if you want anyway! AA1F and I are both Extras, and happy to act as control operators.
 
“I DON’T WANT TO GO OUT. I WANT TO STAY IN. GET THINGS DONE.” 

First off, do you know what song this is??? Second, then get on the air and hunt us down! We look forward to hearing from you! And we are sending QSL cards automatically to each and everyone who contacts us. 

So, you guys probably know how I feel about these things. I like our events to be as simple for you guys as possible. So as always, show up when you want, hang out, and leave when you want. And have a whole bunch of fun in between. 

 
Yours truly, 
KM1NDY
 

 

 

 

 

 

Marconi Commemorative Event Contact, December 12, 2021

KM1CC – Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club writes on its Facebook page:

Today, December 12, 2021 is the 120th anniversary of the first transatlantic signal- the letter S. In 1901 Marconi’s Poldu, UK Wireless Station sent the letter S: Marconi received the letter S by flying a kite at Signal Hill, Saint Johns, Newfoundland.
 
To commemorate the anniversary the Newfoundland Marconi Radio Club – VO1MRC, scheduled contacts with KM1CC and other early-historic- Marconi Stations. Messages were exchanged between stations, and the letter S was sent in CW by the Poldhu Station GB2GM as they did 120 years ago.
 
KM1CC will be on the air Tuesday, January 18, 2022 for the 119th anniversary of Marconi’s first USA to UK/Europe transatlantic message. More details will be posted closer to January 18.
 

KM1CC Commemorative Event, Dec. 12, 2021Shown here: KM1CC members K1RTA and N1NS on the air for the 120th anniversary event of the letter S. The two operated from a home station near the historic Marconi station site.

K1MJC Fox is On the Loose in Waltham, December 10, 2021

Mike Cormier, K1MJC, writes on the Waltham ARA list and NEMassFoxHunters list at 3:49 PM on December 10, 2021:

Yes, the K1MJC Fox is out on a December Bonus outing!

I checked the weather, it’s supposed to be in the 60s Sat & Sun and decided to take a chance. 

 It is looking like wind and rain early on Sat (best time after 11:00AM ) but Sunday should be the better day, maybe a bit chilly In the mid 40’s.

I put it out today, Friday, but I’ll leave it to you as to how much of a risk you would like to take in this kind of weather … l take no responsibility!

The fox is in somewhere in an area within the City limits of Waltham, MA.

I’ve gone to “School” on making the experience a bit more difficult, if you chose to look for it, you’ll see what it is I had in “store” for you, and how long it takes you to find it will determine how successful I was.

As usual, it will be retrieved before Sundown Sunday.

One of The maps on this page would prove useful!

https://walthamlandtrust.org/trail-guides/

Happy hunting!

 

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday December 6th, 2021 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater Network

Hello to all…

The December Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday December 6th, 2021 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.

For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. It has been a tough year of key losses to the ARES/RACES/SKYWARN community. Unfortunately, again, for this month’s ARES Net, we will be doing a “last call” for Sandwich EMA Director, ARES member, SKYWARN Spotter, friend and Amateur Radio Operator, N5EMD-Brian Gallant who became a silent key on Tuesday November 22nd. We will have several announcements detailing plans for the new year.

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

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
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
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