Operating

Operating, on-the-air events and activities, contests, DXing

Operating

K1USN QRV for Veterans Day, November 11, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
K1USN QSL cardThe K1USN Radio Club will once again be on the air November 11, 2019, to celebrate Veterans Day to show their appreciation for those who have served. They anticipate opening up around 8:30 AM on the HF bands using SSB and CW until late afternoon.  Local hams are invited to visit them at the Watson Museum & Research Library, 85 Quincy Avenue in Braintree. 
 

K1USN QSL cards will be available for all contacts with K1USN. Send # 10 SASE to K1RV or DX stations QSL via bureau.

QSL via K1RV
URL: http://www.k1usn.com
Contact: Pi, K1RV
Email: k1rv@arrl.net

“Please drop by if you want to operate or just to chat and have some coffee. Let me know if you want to be added to the growing list. We will make room for everyone. This is a fun event and a wonderful way to those who served,” writes K1USN Radio Club’s “Pi” Pugh, K1RV. 

Operating

15-meter QRP FT8 Activity Night, Westford Vicinity

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Greg Troxel, N1DAM, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

Without any claim to authority, I’m declaring QRP 15m FT8 activity night tonight (October 21, 2019), from 2000 to 2100 local.

I have worked a bunch of stations, including DX, but am puzzled at the relationship of sent to received signal strengths — I receive usually 20 dB worse reports than I send.  So I am guessing that if a few of us are on, with a closed band, and all with the same TX power, perhaps I can understand better.  And perhaps others can shake out their equipment.

To participate, just either answer people calling CQ, or call CQ yourself, somewhere in the 15m FT8 frequency.  It’s probably useful to upload to PSK reporter; someday someone might write code to analyze a group of people participating in an activity night like this.

If you participate, please send me (tonight)

  call, city/town, state, antenna type, tx power

(please try to use 5W if you can, but tell me what you actually used), and I’ll send a summary to the mailing list tomorrow.

I realize some of you can’t operate on 15m, and surely we can do this again on 10m, 6m, 80m, or someplace else on some other night, perhaps next Monday, or perhaps someone else can organize.

73 de N1DAM

Operating / Youth

Harvard Wireless Club to Participate in the ARRL School Roundup, October 21-25, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Harvard Wireless Club official shieldAllen Liu writes on the Harvard Wireless Club mailing list:

As we mentioned in our previous meeting, we’re going to be participating in the ARRL school club roundup next week. For all you new technicians, you can operate on the global frequencies with one of us General or Extra licensees present, so you can get on the air at our next meeting Tuesday October 22 at 7:30 PM. Contesting is very cool and in this one everyone around the country will want to talk to us as a school club.  We should also have the promised radios ready for you by then.  Let us know if you want to operate at a different time from the 21-25th as well.

Operating / Youth

Several Eastern MA Stations QRV for JOTA, October 18-20, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Several Eastern MA individuals/groups have registered to operate in the Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) festivities October 18-20, 2019:

Mark Hofstra, KA1YQC, will conduct operations on behalf of the Mayflower Scout Council from Franklin for the full weekend.

The Spirit of Adventure Council will be represented using Ryan Bardsley’s call sign, KC1EIL, from Manchester-by-the-Sea from October 18-20.

Don Burke, KB1LXH, will activate KC1TAC on behalf of the Narragansett Council from Camp Norse in Kingston on Saturday, October 19, only.

We wish the best of luck to these groups (and others who might not have registered)!

Clubs / Operating / Youth

Northeastern Wireless Club to Participate in ARRL School Roundup, October 21-25, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

 

 

“The Northeastern University Wireless Club will be participating in the ARRL School Club Roundup next week. Come by the club space anytime next week to see us make contacts with other amateur radio school organizations around the world! Even if you don’t have a license, you can still participate under the supervision of one of our licensed members.” -via NEU mailing list

Foxhunting / Operating

Two Foxes in Westford, September 22, 2019

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

John Salmi, KB1MGI, writes on the foxhunting list at 10:10 AM on September 22, 2019:

I placed out two fox boxes this morning.

One is the 2 meter 146.565 DTMF tone 2 to activate. The second one is a 70 cm 432.300 DTMF tone 2 to activate.
 
Both foxes are hidden in Westford at the Mass Audubon [Nashoba Brook Wildlife Sanctuary] off Rt 225 near Powers Road. 
 
I don’t know how long the batteries will last; maybe a few days.
 
Foxhunting / Operating

W1HFN Fox is Active in Littleton, September 21, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Barry Fox, W1HFN, writes on the foxhunting list on September 21, 2019 at 12:47 PM:

Located in the conservation land off Hartwell Avenue in Littleton, MA.  Frequency of 146.565 with a 30-second voice every minute, runs continuously, no need for a tone.

You will not hear it in the parking area as I have modified the antenna (actually a 52 ohm resistor) and the signal is really weak until you get quite close, more of a challenge this way?

I forgot the log, so if you find it either take a picture or describe the location.

Happy hunting!

73,
Barry – W1HFN

Operating

FP/KV1J QRV from Miquelon, IOTA NA-032, September 24-October 8, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
From the Algonquin ARC list and ARRL DX  Bulletin 037:
 
ST. PIERRE AND MIQUELON, FP–Eric Wiliams, KV1J, will be QRV as FP/KV1J from Miquelon, IOTA NA-032, from Tuesday September 24 to Tuesday October 8.  Activity will be on 160 to 6 meters using primarily SSB, RTTY and FT8 with some CW.  This includes some activity on the analog satellites, as well as being an entry in the upcoming CQ World Wide RTTY DX contest.  QSL to home call.
 
Operating

Newton-Wellesley Area D-STAR Net Begins

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Frank Ventura, N1FMV, writes on Wellesley ARS, Middlesex ARC lists:

[…] We have received permission to hold a once weekly net on a DSTAR reflector. We would like to invite anyone who has access to  DSTAR equipment to join us every Monday night at 8 PM Eastern on the REF038C reflector. This will be a very informal net and no specific time limit or topic shall be enforced. Thanks, for reading and hope to hear from all who are interested.

Operating

K1SIG, Unlimited Rover, in ARRL VHF Contest, September 14-16, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Sean Waite, WA1TE writes on the YCCC mailing list:

Alright…no minute like last minute. Chris KG6CIH and I have finally decided what our route for the contest is going to be.

Saturday:
FN34wa – Bradford Information Center
FN33xi – Sunapee High Point
FN43fb – Quincy Mountain

Sunday:
FN42fg – Westborough Water Tower (we may pick another FN42 site, depends on
where we end up Saturday night)
FN41cu – Apple orchard/cell site
FN31tx – Soapstone Mountain
FN32ou – Hogback Mountain

Times for this will be fuzzy. Maybe 2 hours at each site, maybe longer on
Sunday sites as we have more time.

Our setup:
6m – IC-7000, 100W to moxon
2m – IC-910H, 100W to 7el
1.25m – FT818 w/ Ukranian Xvrtr w/ amp, 130ishW to 9el
70cm – IC-910H, 75(ish)W to 11el
33cm – FT818 w/ SG Lab xvrtr, 3W to 11el
23cm – FT818 w/ SG Lab xvrtr, 2W to 14el
13cm, FT818 w/ SG Lab xvrr, 2W to 21el
9cm, FT818 w/SG Lab xvrtr, 3W to 45el

Nothing on 6cm, I didn’t get that gear working yet. Maybe I’ll get it together. Depends on whether or not I decide sleep is important before roving.

3cm I have 10mW to a small horn if I can pull some stuff together tonight. 1.2cm I have 0.1mW to an even smaller horn that is totally untested and might actually work.

As per usual, some of this gear is used but new-to-us and we’re pretty sure it’ll work but also who knows. We’ll be running as Unlimited Rover.

Good luck in the contest and 73,
Sean Waite, WA1TE

Emergency Communications / Operating / Public Service

Volunteers Needed: Buzzards Bay Du/Triathlon – Sunday, September 15th

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Matt Brennan-NM1B writes:

Hi Folks,

I’m looking for about fifteen hams to provide communications assistance for the Buzzard’s Bay Triathlon in Westport on Sunday, September 15th. It occurs from 9AM (hams will meet at 8AM) until about 1PM (some assignments should secure by noon). It will be held in Horseneck Beach State Park and includes a swim, bike and run that travels through the town of Westport. There is also a duathlon option. More info online: www.maxperformanceonline.com. It is a very scenic area.

Please send a note to events@wect.org if you’re able to help. This is well outside WECT’s normal operating area, so if you know anyone not included on our distribution lists that may be willing to help please feel free to forward this to them. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks.
-Matt

Foxhunting / Licensing Education & Training / Operating

Boxboro Fox

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

John Salmi, KB1MGI, writes on the foxhunting list on September 6, 2019 at 2:01 PM:

To all fox hunters and others:

I hope to see you all at the Northeast HamXposition @ Boxboro Saturday morning at 9am for my Fox Hunting Talk. And my RF Fingerprinting talk at 10 am.

Great fox hunting tips and stories about fox hunting adventures.

I thinking of holding off on placing out the Fox Box due to weather.

John KB1MGI

Foxhunting / Operating

Westford Foxes on the Loose, September 1, 2019

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes on the foxhunting list on September 1, 2019 at 11:24 AM:

The KB1OIQ 2m and 80m foxes have been deployed.  I will leave them out until Tuesday evening around 6 PM.  I’m 99% certain the 2m battery will last.  The lifetime of the 80m battery has been improved but only experimentation will  show me how long it will last.

The 2m fox frequency is 146.565 MHz. The 80m fox frequency is the TV color burst frequency:  3.5795 MHz.

Subtract 1 character from this encoded message to get the clue as to where the foxes are hidden.

Example:  TEXAS becomes UFYBT

DJEFS NJMM QPOE NVMUJQMF FOUSBODFT

KB1MGI: I still have your 80m fox receiver.  Please contact me so I can get it back to you.

Have fun and 73,

Foxhunting / Operating

KD1D Fox Out for the Weekend in Westford

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Alan Hicks, KD1D, writes on the foxhunting list on August 30, 2019 at 4:24 PM:

The KD1D Fox transmitter is OTA as of 1600 EDT on Friday Aug 30. 

Since it’s a holiday weekend, I made it fairly easy to find in the  Nutting Road area [of Westford]. Very little bushwhacking should be required.

I am working on some new enclosures that allow the use of a bigger  battery, but for now, I expect it to run for at least 2 days.

Happy Hunting and a great Labor Day Weekend to all!

73 de KD1D

Foxhunting / Operating

Fox in Hiding, Westford, August 10, 2019

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes on the fox-hunting list at 10:53 AM on August 10, 2019:

Fox hunters: get ready!

I am headed out shortly to hide two foxes in Westford.  Get your gear ready for 2m and 80m fox hunting!

I will send another email in an hour or so with a clue about the location.

—

Wait until 12:30 PM before fox hunting in Westford.  The highly encrypted clue uses the ROT1 decrpytion algorithm.

BCDE_UFYBT_SPBE_BCDE

Operating

KC1DKY Fox Deployed in Billerica, August 9, 2019

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Nick Mollo, KC1DKY, writes on the foxhunting list at 11:08 AM on Friday, August 9 2019:

Get your HTs and your bug spray and head to Billerica to hunt for my fox.  Fox is on 146.525MHz, and a DTMF of 1 will activate it for 20minutes or so.  If it does not seem to be transmitting, try a few DTMF #’s to kick start it (I sometimes think someone is messing with the programming).  Be sure to sign the log book if you find it.

Happy Hunting!