Operating

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Operating

Contest University USA 2020 On-Line, May 14, 2020

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Contest University USA 2020 will be held on-line via Zoom on Thursday May 14, 2020. CTU 2020 is free.

The CTU course outline is posted here https://www.contestuniversity.com/course-outline/

Connection details to the CTU Zoom bridge will be posted on the Contest University one week ahead of CTU.

CTU 2020 will be recorded for easy viewing any time after May 14 and the slide decks will be posted on the CTU website as well.

At the end of CTU 2020 Dave, K3ZJ from CQ Magazine will present the 2020 CQ Contest Hall of Fame awards – live on the Zoom bridge.

73,

Tim K3LR
Contest University Chairman
http://contestuniversity.com

Clubs / Operating

YCCC DMR Net, April 15, 2020

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Reminder: YCCC DMR Net

When: Wednesday, 15 April 2020, 8:00pm to 9:00pm, (GMT-04:00) America/New York

Where: DMR TG NETAC1

View Event

Organizer: ne1b.c6awb@gmail.com

Description: YCCCers!

Join us every Wednesday evening at 8pm ET for contesting talk on the DMR repeater network. There are several methods to access the Net:

 
  • By RF
    Access via 2 meter or 70 cm DMR repeater.  See the list of 91 repeaters near you at http://nedecn.org  The frequencies are in the left menu “DMR Repeaters>New England”.  Use the NETAC1 talk group.
  • By Dongle or Hot Spot
    You can use openSpot, JumboSpot, ZumSpot, MMDVM
  • By EchoLink
    Get the software app on your smartphone or laptop at: http://www.echolink.org/  Contact KM3T or NE1B to put your callsign on the Access List.  Echolink node is K1QVC-L  Connect and RX B4 TX.
Clubs / Operating

Weekly Zola Net, April 16, 2020

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Matt Chao, N1IBB, writes:

Hi, Folks.  It’s that time of the week again – the Zola Net!  Check in tomorrow night  at 7:00 pm on 147.36, with a PL of 67.0.  The purpose of the Net is to enable new and experienced hams the opportunity to participate in a controlled net environment.  Talk with you all tomorrow night.–Matt, N1IBB.

***
This is a service of the Middlesex Amateur Radio Club; Newton, Massachusetts.

Please join us every Thursday evening at 7 PM Eastern for our weekly net. We can be found at 147.360 MHz with a PL of 67.0 Hz tone, or on Echolink at call sign W1LJO-R node number 462341.

Operating

Youth Team Postpones its Planned CQ WPX CW Operation from K3LR

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From ARRL Web:

04/14/2020 –The youthful Team Exuberance has announced that it’s postponing its planned CQ WPX CW contest operation from K3LR until May 2021. Team Exuberance will compete in the multi-two category.

“While this decision was not taken lightly, it was clearly the appropriate action in light of the coronavirus pandemic,” team member Bryant Rascoll, KG5HVO, said in an announcement. “Thank you to all individuals and clubs who financially contributed to our fundraising efforts,” he said.

Those seeking to have their 2020 contributions refunded should email him or Marty Sullaway, NN1C. All funds retained will go toward Team Exuberance’s next operation, Rascoll said. — Thanks to Bryant Rascoll, KG5HVO 

Marty Sullaway, NN1C (formerly KC1CWF) is a 17-year-old Extra Class radiosport aficionado living in Newton, Massachusetts. He serves as president of Team Exuberance, Inc.

Operating

New England QSO Party, May 2-3, 2020

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

New England statesTom Frenaye, K1KI, writes:

The [New England QSO Party on May 2-3 2020] is a great time to check out antenna systems and offers a moderately paced opportunity to work new states and countries.   You’ll find a wide variety of participants, from newcomers to experienced contesters, all interested in making contacts with New England stations.

With travel restrictions we do not expect to have activity from mobile stations but hope we can generate a big increase in home station activity.   Our goal is to get every one of the 67 counties in New England on the air so we hope you will encourage your members to join in the fun!   Even if you can join the fun for a couple of hours, we’d appreciate it!   Will you be QRV?   Let us know with a message to info@neqp.org 

The New England QSO Party is 20 hours long overall, in two sections with a civilized break for sleep on Saturday night.  It runs from 4pm Saturday until 1am Sunday, then 9am Sunday until 8pm Sunday.  Operate on CW, SSB and/or digital modes on 80-40-20-15-10 meters.   For each QSO you’ll give your callsign, a signal report and your county/state.   Top scorers can earn a plaque and everyone who sends in a log will get a certificate.  The goal is to work stations anywhere in the world – and their goal is to work New England stations, so you’ll be very popular!

Last year we had logs from almost 200 New England stations and 450 more from around the country and world.

The full rules are here ->  http://www.neqp.org/rules.html

The 2019 results were posted last weekend  ->  http://www.neqp.org/results.html

It’s just three weeks until the 2020 NEQP.   Please make some QSOs even if you don’t want to send in a log!

Thanks!

  73 Tom/K1KI

Operating

Annual Armed Forces Day Crossband Test Postponed

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From ARRL Web:

(04/08/2020) – Due to the ongoing COVID-19 response and mitigation actions, the 2020 Armed Forces Day (AFD) Crossband Test scheduled for Saturday, May 9, has been postponed. Because it’s uncertain just when stay-at-home orders will be lifted across the US, AFD planners chose to postpone this year’s event, because the government stations that typically support this event may not be available. Armed Forces Day Crossband Test planners are considering scheduling a November event in honor of Veteran’s Day, depending on COVID-19 mitigation actions. During the AFD Crossband Test, military stations in various locations transmit on selected military frequencies and announce the specific ham frequencies they are monitoring to work radio amateurs. — Thanks to US Army MARS Program Chief Paul English, WD8DBY 

Operating

Museum Ships Weekend Event 2020 Cancelled

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[Ed note: this impacts various local museum ships that normally operate on the air for Museum Ships Weekend.]

“Due to the current unknowns with COVID-19 virus, Battleship New Jersey ARS is cancelling the planned annual Museum Ships Weekend Event 2020 which was scheduled to begin 6-June-2020 at 0001Z and end 7-June 2020 at 2400Z. A lot of the ships that participate are already closed due to this health situation and others may get orders to close soon. As of today, April 6, 2020, it is unknown when the “lock-down” will be lifted so it is with an abundance of caution and regret that we have decided to cancel MSWE 2020. The health and safety of all our ship participants takes precedence at all times. We look forward to the event for 2021.” –https://www.nj2bb.org/museum/

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday 4/6/20 at 830 PM ET – COVID-19 Communications Status Update Main Topic for Tonight’s Net

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Hello to all…

The April ARES net will be Monday April 6, at 8:30 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:

http://www.mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_index_by_linkstate.html

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. For tonight’s ARES Net, we will be providing information on COVID-19, what we are doing to monitor this health emergency from a communications needs perspective and what you can do as ARES volunteers or general Amateur Radio Operators during this health emergency to prepare for any communications issues during this time. A link to a document that we have created for ARES member and general Amateur Radio Operator awareness is available at the following link:
Eastern Massachusetts ARES COVID 19 Update – 4/6/20

Updates will be posted via email and on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Web Site at <https://ema.arrl.org/ares>. 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
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box

Operating

North American SSB Sprint, April 4, 2020

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Randy Thompson, K5ZD, writes on the YCCC reflector:

The SSB sprint is tonight (April 4 2020).  It is four hours (8-12 PM local) on 20, 40, and 80 M. The easiest way to participate is just to search and pounce to find someone calling CQ.  You’ll copy his number, name and state.

Then you give:

  • His call
  • QSO number
  • Your name
  • Your state
  • *Your call

At the end of the QSO, you may have someone call you.  The exchange is the same but you give your call as the second item rather than the last.

  • His call
  • *Your call
  • QSO number
  • Your state
  • Your call

QSY and find someone else calling CQ. Tips and tricks are here.  https://ssbsprint.com/tips-tricks/

Operating

International Marconi Day 2020 Cancelled

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Marconi photoFrom ARRL Web:

The annual International Marconi Day (IMD) ham radio operating event that was set to take place on April 25 has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The 24-hour amateur radio event celebrates the birth of Marconi on April 25, 1874. Sponsored by the Cornish Radio Amateur Club, which operates as GB4IMD, International Marconi Day features participating stations operating at sites having a personal connection to Marconi, including places where he set up transmitting and receiving stations.

Given the fact that the National Seashore is closed to the public, a “Marconi Event” on April  25 had been planned from the home of Barry, KB1TLE, along with several other home stations.   -thanks, Falmouth ARA

 

Clubs / Operating

Yankee Clipper Contest Club Post-WPX SSB Virtual Get-together, March 31, 2020

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Jim Idelson, K1IR, writes on the YCCC mailing list:

Great online meetings are no accident. With some planning, our meeting tonight [March 31, 2020] can be a lot of fun for all. Here’s what it takes to make our on-line meeting a success.

Plan to join and participate! More participants means more content and more value to the club.

Get setup for Zoom in advance. I will be in the Zoom room 30 minutes ahead to help people get going. When the meeting is underway at 7, we want to focus on WPX, not Zoom.

Bring interesting content – something for the group to see or hear. Start with a short story to tell. Add a picture of your shack. Show how you have your logger screen setup. The antenna project that generated some extra points. An audio clip of a great experience in the contest. Tell me in advance, and we’ll make sure you can share it ok.

Videoconferencing is more than just a phone call. Done well, an online meeting can be even better than an in-person meeting.

Clubs / Operating

Pilgrim AWA Monday Night 2-Meter Net, March 30, 2020

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On 3/30/20 we will be hosting our Monday Night 2 Meter Net on our 147.135 MHz KA1GG club repeater at 7:00 pm. We will have more details to follow. Everyone is welcome to join us. We are always glad to hear you in there. For Updates – Club Events – Activities, listen for announcements on our 147.135 MHz KA1GG club repeater. Check in with us here on our Pilgrim Amateur Wireless Association Facebook page. And stop by to visit our ARRL club page.

Take care, be safe, stay healthy everyone from all of us here at the Pilgrim Amateur Wireless Association.

Operating

20th USA Amateur Radio Direction Finding Championships, Boston, MA, Cancelled

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March 28–The ARRL ARDF Committee has determined that the 20th USA ARDF Championships scheduled for June 9-14, 2020 near Boston, MA must be cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation. With events surrounding COVID-19 developing rapidly, along with the obvious need for urgent steps to contain its spread, the need to cancel the championships has become apparent. The 20th USA Amateur Radio Direction Finding Championships will be rescheduled for a future date.
 
USA ARDF Championships are open to everyone – there is no previous ARDF experience required, nor are competitors required to have an amateur radio license. There are usually several days of practice events followed by four days of competitions. The best radio athletes in the USA compete for spots on Team USA while others get their first taste of the sport. Stay tuned to messages from this group for all the latest announcements and information, or visit http://arrl.org/ardf.
 

 

Clubs / Operating

Falmouth ARA 2M “Meeting Net” to Utilize NetLogger

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Falmouth Amateur Radio AssociationLarry Gray, W1IZZ, writes on the Falmouth ARA mailing list:
 
I thought the upcoming “over the air meeting” would be a good time to try out NetLogger.   Some of you may already use NetLogger, as a number of regular radio nets use NetLogger to help manage the net.
 
The use of NetLogger is NOT required.  No worries if you would rather not load it, or try it.   
 
For those members willing to try NetLogger during the meeting net, I attached the information needed to use NetLogger during the net.   As you will see, NetLogger is easy to use.
 
I will have the net open on NetLogger using the net name “FARA 2M Meeting”, as shown in the attachment.  Just “join” this net as shown in the attachment.
 
Again, using NetLogger is not required for the upcoming FARA 2M meeting net [on Wednesday, March 25 at 7:30 PM].  It is just an opportunity to try something new.  NetLogger is very useful for managing nets with a large number of check-ins.
 
 
Foxhunting / Operating

Fox Box Hidden in Carlisle, March 21, 2020

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

John Salmi, KB1MGI, writes on NEMassFoxHunters list on March 21, 2020 at 1:04 PM:

I placed the 2-meter 146.565 Fox Box in Carlisle Mass. To activate press DTMF tone 2 for 2 seconds for 30 seconds on 30 seconds off for 15 minutes, repeat as needed.

If you want just a hint to narrow down the area of town Email me at KB1MGI55@Gmail.com.

If you want the parking location to save you time also email me.

Operating

Zola Net Meets March 19, 2020

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Matt Chao, N1IBB, writes on the Middlesex ARC mailing list:

Hi, Folks.  Hope none of you are getting cabin fever from being cooped up in your ham shacks.  Anyway, it’s that time of the week again – the Zola Net!  Check in tomorrow night  at 7:00pm on 147.36, with a PL of 67.0.  The purpose of the Net is to enable new and experienced hams the opportunity to participate in a controlled net environment.  Talk with you all tomorrow night.

Foxhunting / Operating

Fox Box Deployed in Westford, March 14, 2020

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

John Salmi, KB1MGI, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list on March 14, 2020 at 10:08 AM:

I just placed out a 2 meter Fox Box in Westford on 146.565 Press DTMF tone two for 2 seconds for 15 minutes of 30 seconds on 30 seconds off. To reset again press DTMF tone 2 again.

I’ll leave it out for a week or until the batteries die.

If you want to know the location to save time, Email me: KB1MGI55@Gmail,com.