May 2024 Section News

It’s mid-May already! Got those gardens planted? Antenna raising parties planned? Are you looking forward to a Really Good Time at HamVention in Dayton? [Attending HamVention is high on my personal bucket list. I’ve been meaning to go for several years now … maybe next year!]  

* Send Me Your HamVention Stories 

Speaking of HamVention, if you are going/went, shoot me an email about your experience. Did you find a priceless piece of equipment? Did you attend a particularly interesting talk or seminar? I’d like to know and share some of the cool stories in next month’s Section Update. 

* Inexpensive DIY EchoLink Interface 

The Wellesley Amateur Radio Society (W1TKZ) has been experimenting with a new method of interfacing the club’s analog repeater system to EchoLink.  The MicroLink project has created a low-cost PCB that bridges a repeater to the EchoLink network using a mobile rig. More information is here: https://github.com/brucemack/microlink.  If anyone in EMA is interested in giving this a try, drop a line to Bruce MacKinnon, KC1FSZ. 

* ARRL Field Day is Coming Soon! 

I hope everyone is as excited about Field Day as I am, coming up Jun 21-23. As in previous years, we have coordinated with Governor Healey to have an official proclamation of Jun 22, 2024, as Amateur Radio Day. I will be visiting as many EMA Field Day sites as I can this year, to say “hi” and to show off the proclamation. If you haven’t registered your FD site in the ARRL FD Site locator, please do so soon! 

* Citizen Scientists Gathered Information During the Eclipse 

Thanks to those who participated in the Solar Eclipse QSO Party (SEQP) and otherwise contributed data about the eclipse. Special tips o’ the hat to Larry W1IZZ and Dave K1HRV who emailed me about propagation enhancements he observed right around the time of the eclipse maximum.  Thanks, guys, I find this stuff very interesting!

* MA Operators (Still) Needed for 2024 Thirteen Colonies Special Event 

The planning for the 2024 13 Colonies Special Event stations is underway.  Larry Krainson, W1AST, is looking for ops for K2H Massachusetts. The event runs from July 1 to July 7 and is usable on all frequencies and all modes. You just need to keep a log that you can submit to W1AST right after the event ends. More details at https://ema.arrl.org/2024/04/01/operators-needed-for-2024-ma-thirteen-colonies-special-event-station/.

* Club Commission Program Updated for 2024 

The League updated the Club Commission program for 2024. When an existing ARRL member renews through your club, the club earns a $5 commission, as before. NEW ARRL memberships earn a $20 commission for the club.  Complete details are at https://www.arrl.org/affiliated-club-benefits.

* With Help from Local Ham Club, Differently Abled Hams Build a Kit 

On a rainy Saturday April 20, members of the Zola-Middlesex amateur radio club gathered at the Brigham House in Newton Massachusetts to build a kit! In attendance were several Wellesley ARC members. The Zola gang consists of hams who have sight and emotional impairments. Full details at https://ema.arrl.org/2024/04/25/the-zola-gang-builds-a-kit.

* Club Grant Program Update 

ARRL is ramping up for another round of the very popular Club Grant Program in 2024.  As in 2023, clubs will be invited to submit applications for grants of up to $25,000 for outreach (especially to youth), STEM activities, etc. Stand by for more information as available. 

* HamXpo is Coming! 

Mark the dates, August 22-25, 2024! The 2024 edition of HamXposition is coming, and it’s shaping up to be bigger and better than ever. Several top-tier amateur radio vendors recently committed to the show. And the lineup of technical talks/seminars/workshops is set to rival HamVention (Dayton) in terms of breadth and depth of topics. I hope to see you in person there! Full details at https://hamxposition.org .

*  Updated Version of Andy’s Ham Radio Linux Available 

On April 17th, Andy (KB1OIQ) Stewart released version 0.1alpha of “Andy’s Ham Radio Linux” for the Raspberry Pi 5.  This popular software collection has been available for many years.  For more information visit https://sourceforge.net/projects/kb1oiq-andysham/files/raspberry_pi/0.1alpha/.

In addition, one can hear more about “Andy’s Ham Radio Linux” by listening to episode 779 of the FLOSS Weekly podcast on Hackaday: https://hackaday.com/2024/04/17/floss-weekly-episode-779-errata-prevention-specialist/.

Lastly, KB1OIQ will be presenting in May at the Dayton Hamvention and at HamXposition in August 2024. 

* Central States VHF Society 2024 Conference 

[Not in the EMA Section, but worth mentioning …] 

The Central States VHF Society 2024 Conference is coming up July 25-27, 2024 The registration link is: https://www.csvhfs.org/index.php/annual-conference/2024-annual-conference-registration. Room Reservation link is: https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/G9668829. Note that we have a special conference room rate when you use the link.

Convention web site at: https://2024.csvhfs.org/ 

* Most Excellent Achievement by Wayne AG1A 

 Wayne AG1A, a Life Member of ARRL and of AMSAT, added another award to his already very impressive list of awards: WAS-satellite! Wayne currently holds 10-Band WAS, 9-Band DXCC and a slew of other awards.  Please join me in congratulating Wayne on this most impressive achievement. 

* N1ILZ for a Final  

Stay safe and dry out there!  It’s a wonderful time of year, as we all wake up from our winter snooze, and get to work on all those outdoor projects pent up from the past winter.  

Can you write a paragraph or two about what you’re up to, so I can publish it in the Section Update? Let me know via email at n1ilz@arrl.org!  

* For always up-to-date news, please visit the EMA Section website at http://ema.arrl.org.

. This Section News Update is brought to you by Section Manager Jon N1ILZ.


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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Jon W McCombie, N1ILZ
n1ilz@arrl.org
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April 2024 Section News

It’s mid-April already! I hope everyone enjoyed the eclipse last week!  It was very interesting out here on the Cape, though we only peaked at about 94% occlusion. The reports — and photos — from folks who travelled to VT or NH or NY to get the totality experience are spectacular. Everyone said it was worth it, even if they were caught in hours-long traffic jams coming home. I hope I’m still on the green side of the turf when the next total eclipse comes around in 20-ish years.  

* Citizen Scientists Gathered Information During the Eclipse 

Did you participate in the Solar Eclipse QSO Party? Please email me (n1ilz@arrl.org) a few words about your experience — did you notice any interesting band openings — or closings? I’d like to hear from you so I can publish a summary in next month’s Section Update. 

* MA Operators Needed for 2024 Thirteen Colonies Special Event 

The planning for the 2024 13 Colonies Special Event stations is in motion.  Larry Krainson, W1AST, is looking for more ops for K2H Massachusetts. The event runs from July 1 to July 7 and is usable on all frequencies and all modes. You just need to keep a log that you can submit to W1AST right after the event ends. More details at https://ema.arrl.org/2024/04/01/operators-needed-for-2024-ma-thirteen-colonies-special-event-station/

* Club Grant Program Update 

ARRL is ramping up for another round of the very popular Club Grant Program in 2024.  As before, clubs will be invited to submit applications for grants of up to $25,000 for the purpose of outreach (especially to youth), STEM activities, etc. Stand by for more information as it comes available. 

* International Marconi Day 2024 is April 27 

This year, International Marconi Day (IMD) is on April 27. Italian inventor and electrical engineer Guglielmo Giovanni Maria Marconi was born on April 25, 1874, and is credited for inventing the radiotelegraph system, creating Marconi’s law, and sending the first wireless transmission over the open sea. 

Stations in the United States, including Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club, KM1CC, in Massachusetts, are already registering for the event. KM1CC hosts several on-air events each year to keep the accomplishments and story of Marconi and his wireless station site in South Wellfleet alive.  Come see us in person on the Cape or work us on the air! More details at https://nediv.arrl.org/2024/03/22/international-marconi-day-2024/  

* Nashua Area Radio Society Ham Bootcamp Coming Up on May 11th 

The Nashua Area Radio Society will be holding an online Ham Bootcamp on Saturday, May 11th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Eastern Time. 

Ham Bootcamp is a program to help new, inactive, and prospective hams gain the skills and information that they need to Get On The Air.  It is open to any interested Ham or Prospective Ham in the US and Canada and there is no charge to attendees. Full details at https://nediv.arrl.org/2024/04/06/nashua-area-radio-society-ham-bootcamp-coming-up-on-may-11th/

* Updated ARRL Library Book Program 

I included this last month, but it’s worth repeating. Would you or your club like to donate Amateur Radio books to a local library, school, college, student radio club, etc.? ARRL has updated its Library Book Program. The set includes the most popular ARRL publications. Details at https://www.arrl.org/library-book-set  

* N1ILZ for a Final  

 Stay safe and dry out there with all those April showers. It’s a wonderful time of year, as we all wake up from our winter snooze, and get to work on all those outdoor projects pent up from the past winter. 

Can you write a paragraph or two about what you’re up to, so I can publish it in the Section Update? Let me know via email at n1ilz@arrl.org!  

 * For always up-to-date news, please visit the EMA Section website at http://ema.arrl.org  

This Section News Update is brought to you by  Section Manager Jon N1ILZ.

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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Jon W McCombie, N1ILZ
n1ilz@arrl.org
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ARRL Service Disruption

Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, writes:

Hello everyone,

Many of you have probably noticed that several ARRL online services and the HQ phone system have been down. The ARRL is working as quickly as possible to restore all services, and progress is being made. You can see the current status of the restoration at this link –

http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-systems-service-disruption

You can check this link periodically for further updates. It will likely take some time to get everything fully back up and running. We appreciate your patience.

——————————————————————–
ARRL New England Division
Director: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC
ab1oc@arrl.org
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Eastern MA Section VOTA “Contest” Results

ARRL logoJon McCombie, N1ILZ, writes on the Eastern MA ARRL Members list:

I hope everyone in the section had fun in 2023 working the ARRL Volunteers On The Air program. The results are in and we have winners in the EMA Section VOTA competition.

The individual prize goes to Bruce, WA3SWJ, with a total of 60,273 VOTA points.

The club prize goes to the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club (BARC), with a club total of 2,172,544 VOTA points.

Thanks to everyone in the Section that participated!

Take care, stay warm, and 73 de

——————————————————————–
ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Jon W McCombie, N1ILZ
n1ilz@arrl.org
——————————————————————–

CORRECTION: The Barnstable Amateur Radio Club (BARC)’s winning VOTA
point total was 201,705. This correction does not change BARC’s having
won the section-wide competition.

Again, thanks to all in the section who participated!

Take care, stay warm, and 73

New England Division Town Hall Meeting, November 8, 2023

ARRL logoNew England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, writes:

Phil Temples K9HI, our Assistant Directors, and I will hold our next New England Division Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, November 8th at 7 pm ET.The purpose of the meeting will be to provide you with an ARRL update, get your thoughts on what we should be focusing on, and answer any questions that you might have about the ARRL and what we are doing on behalf of ARRL members here in New England.We plan to spend a good deal of our time together answering your questions. If you’d like to send us a question in advance, you can do so via an email to ab1oc@arrl.org, or you can just plan to ask your questions during the Town Hall Meeting.We will hold our Town Hall Meeting via a Zoom Webinar. You can get a personal link to join the Town Hall Meeting via the following link (paste the link in your browser to register) –https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8kLEzMthRxmxlljwEQsaqQAfter registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.We hope to see you on November 8th!——————————————————————–ARRL New England DivisionDirector: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OCab1oc@arrl.org——————————————————————–

Support for the ARRL Club Liability Insurance Program

ARRL logoFrom nediv.arrl.org:

ARRL Chief Financial Officer Diane Middleton, W2DLM writes:

Dear ARRL Affiliated Club,

ARRL is aware that some amateur radio clubs who had been insured by Marsh/AIG, a previous provider of the ARRL Club Liability Insurance Program, are receiving notices that their club liability insurance is not being renewed. ARRL discontinued its relationship with Marsh/AIG in 2011, but some clubs who had previously enrolled in the policies were still renewing with the old provider — and not in the current ARRL program.

The current program administrator (since 2015) for the ARRL-sponsored Club Liability Insurance Program is Risk Strategies. ARRL has a strong relationship with the current administrator who understands the importance of local amateur radio clubs and will help clubs seek new policies. Risk Strategies also administers the ARRL Equipment Insurance Plan for members.

Clubs that are affected by the loss of coverage from the previous provider are encouraged to contact Risk Strategies. Please visit Risk Strategies online at arrlinsurance.com or by phone at 1-866-819-0209 (please leave a message and your call will be returned).

Diane Middleton, W2DLM
Chief Financial Officer
ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio®
225 Main Street
Newington, CT  06111
(860) 594-0225

“An ARRL Membership Challenge”

ARRL logoMost of you have already heard of the ARRL board’s decision to increase membership dues and make changes in the way we receive magazines, such as QST. If not, I invite you to read ARRL President Rick Roderick’s (K5UR) letter dated July 23, 2023, in an ARRL bulletin. It is available on the ARRL web site.

For the past year or so, our division director and other League officials have been warning us about the serious financial situation that the ARRL has been in the past few years caused primarily by inflation, especially the rampant cost increases of print media such as QST. In May, members were asked to take the membership dues survey. About 20% of ARRL membership answered that call and the Board has taken the results of that survey and made the tough choices.

Like many of you, I do not relish the idea of a dues increase, and I especially do not like that the print magazines will no longer be part of the membership benefits (you still get the digital versions of all the magazines free with membership). Now, to receive a printed QST, On The Air, NCJ, or QEX magazine, you will have to subscribe separately. I am one of those that still likes to hold onto a paper book or magazine.

But then, I think how much the ARRL, ham radio clubs (most of them ARRL-affiliated) and my fellow amateur radio operators mean to me. It boils down to people, to friendship, and camaraderie. If not for the ARRL and for all the clubs and ham radio events, I would miss out on the great friendships forged through the past 30+ years. My relationship with the League, affiliated clubs and all the individuals I have met through them has had a tremendous positive impact on my life. I love the coffee meets, hamfest gatherings, convention get-togethers, club suppers, and all the ham radio nets where we get to chat, laugh, innovate, maybe even instigate, and otherwise socialize.

There is no doubt in my mind that this amazing hobby and service would not exist as it is today without the ARRL. The League’s advocacy and lobbying is why we have so many amateur radio bands and modes. Many commercial entities want some of our spectrum; it is a constant battle that continues today. What chance would we have to keep our frequency privileges without the ARRL’s effort? Very little in my opinion.

The ARRL is much, much more than “just” a magazine subscription. For instance, New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, reminds us that the ARRL provides:

• Spectrum Defense
• Advocacy in local, national, and international regulation and policymaking
• Support from restrictive antenna regulation & zoning
• Volunteer Monitor Program
• Promoting amateur radio to the public
• ARRL Teacher’s Institute programs to promote STEM learning through amateur radio

There are dozens of additional services and programs available to members. ARRL VEC program, Logbook Of The World, ARRL Learning Center, Training, Webinars, National Traffic System, EmComm and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®), and ARRL lab and technical support/RFI. In January the Board passed a motion to create an ARRL Ham Bootcamp, and the League is also working to promote six- and ten-meter operation for Technician class amateurs. The list goes on!

The last membership rate hike was in 2016, and before that, 2001. For our more senior members (age 70+) who might be stressed financially due to fixed incomes, the ARRL is planning a monthly payment option.

Instead of seeing these dues increases and other changes at the ARRL as a negative, let’s instead support the League even further. Last year the ARRL lost about a million dollars. This year that figure is expected to more than double. Dues increases alone will not make up for all of that.

If you can afford it, I challenge you to do one or more of the following:

Become a Diamond Club member. The additional financial support will help close the gap and get the League into better financial health.

Donate to one of the ARRL funds, such as Spectrum Defense, Education & Technology, W1AW Endowment, or the General fund. See https://home.arrl.org/action/Donate

If you are a Life Member, consider making a monthly or annual donation.

Some may think the ARRL has not been a good steward of our membership money. While any business, including the League, can benefit from frequent analysis of expenditures and “tightening of the belt,” I do not believe the ARRL is wasting our money. As Eastern MA section manager, I have met and continue to meet many League officials in person and on-line and they are doing their best in a difficult inflationary time.

When my membership expiration nears, I will renew AND join the Diamond Club. I will adapt and get used to reading QST on my iPad. I appreciate all that the League continues to do, and I am thankful for all the friendships I have made because of the ARRL and affiliated clubs and nets. Please, if you can afford to do so, accept my challenge. Turn a negative into a positive!

73,

——————————————————————–
ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Jon W McCombie, N1ILZ
n1ilz@arrl.org
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New England Division Town Hall Meeting, June 15, 2023

ARRL logoFred Kemmerer, AB1OC, writes on the New England ARRL members list:

Phil Temples K9HI, our Assistant Directors, and I will hold our next New England Division Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, June 15th, at 7 pm ET. The purpose of the meeting will be to provide you with an ARRL update, get your thoughts on what we should be focusing on, and answer any questions that you might have about the ARRL and what we are doing on behalf of ARRL members here in New England.

We plan to spend a good deal of our time together answering your questions. If you’d like to send us a question in advance, you can do so via an email to ab1oc@arrl.org, or you can just plan to ask your questions during the Town Hall Meeting.

We will hold our Town Hall Meeting via a Zoom Webinar. You can get a personal link to join the Town Hall Meeting via the following link (paste the link in your browser to register) –

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e5ufUAYVQFaVOzWXr8O0XQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

We hope to see you on June 15th!

——————————————————————–
ARRL New England Division
Director: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC
ab1oc@arrl.org
——————————————————————–

ARRL Survey Reminder

ARRL logoOn May 1st, ARRL began a survey for members to provide feedback on some changes it’s considering to ARRL dues and membership.  The ARRL survey will remain open until May 31st.  It is very important that you take a few moments and share with the League your opinions how changes could be made to ensure the long-term viability of ARRL.  Raising dues is not something any organization enjoys doing, but this will mark only the second time in 22 years that ARRL is considering it.

Your input is very important to the League.  The decisions ARRL leadership is considering should be influenced by all members. If you have already taken the survey, thank you! If you haven’t yet, please do so soon.

The results from the survey will be tabulated and shared with members on the ARRL website in June.  Responses will ultimately help guide the future of ARRL.  The survey is only available to ARRL members.  Why?  Because you have a stake in the outcome! 

Please make sure you log into www.arrl.org to participate.

Thank you for being an active member, and for your ongoing support of amateur radio and ARRL.

ARRL Member Survey, Dues Increase Considered

ARRL logoDear ARRL Affiliated Club,

This Monday, May 1, ARRL will launch a survey for members, encouraging their participation as we consider a dues increase.

The survey will include some short questions about raising dues and modifying the way some membership benefits are bundled. The survey will also include an opportunity for members to share their feedback.

The participation of every member is important. 
Please encourage all the ARRL members in your radio club to complete the survey in May.

The survey will open on May 1 at
 www.arrl.org/take-dues-survey. This is a member-only page. Members need to be logged into the ARRL website to take the survey. Members who are not logged in may select the Login button on the top of the web page, and they will be prompted to enter their ARRL website username and password. If they have not logged in since April 2022, they should use these Login Instructions.

Thank you in advance for urging all ARRL members to complete the survey.

73

Mike Walters, W8ZY

ARRL Field Services Manager

New England Division Town Hall Meeting, February 23, 2023

ARRL logoFrom nediv.arrl.org:

Phil Temples K9HI, our Assistant Directors, and I will hold our next New England Division Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, February 23rd, at 7 pm ET. The purpose of the meeting will be to provide you with an ARRL update, get your thoughts on what we should be focusing on, and answer any questions you might have about the ARRL and what we are doing on behalf of ARRL members here in New England.

We plan to spend a good deal of our time together answering your questions. If you’d like to send us a question in advance, you can do so via an email to ab1oc@arrl.org, or you can just plan to ask your questions during the Town Hall Meeting.

We will hold our Town Hall Meeting via a Zoom Webinar. You can get your personal link to join the Town Hall Meeting via the following link (paste the link in your browser to register) –

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-4QVGZj_THG1VXImuTnazQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

We hope to see you on February 23rd!

——————————————————————–
ARRL New England Division
Director: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC
ab1oc@arrl.org
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