October 2019 Section News Now Available
The October, 2019, Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/october-2019-section-news/.
Organization
Content pertaining to organizational structure, web- and email infrastructure
December, 2019 Issue of Digital QST Now Available
From ARRLWeb:
The December issue of Digital QST is now available for viewing on your desktop or laptop. It is also available for reading on your Apple, Android, or Kindle Fire device.
● Build a Slot Cube antenna for 6 meters.
● See the excitement of Amateur Radio at the World Scout Jamboree.
● Browse the 2019 ARRL Field Day results.
● Take a look back at the October 1969 QST.
…and much more!
ARRL to Launch New On the Air Magazine in January
From ARRL Web:
ARRL is launching a new magazine, On the Air, in January 2020. To be published on a bimonthly basis, On the Air will offer new and beginner-to-intermediate-level radio amateurs a fresh approach to exploring radio communication. Each issue will include advice and insights on topics from the variety of Amateur Radio interests and activities: radio technology, operating, equipment, project building, and emergency communication. The goal of this new magazine is to be a vital resource in helping new and newer radio amateurs get active and involved in radio communications. [Full story]
Important Correction to Eastern MA September 2019 Section News
Bruce D. Budinger, AB3BB, of Groton MA was incorrectly listed as a silent key in this month’s EMA section news. Apology to Bruce and his family for the error.
I am very sad to report that it was Brian Budinger, his brother who passed away.
I will shortly distribute a corrected version of the September news. Any club or individual who has posted or distributed the September section news is requested to please post or re-distribute the corrected version in its place.
Thank-you.
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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
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September 2019 Section News Now Available
The September, 2019, Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/september-2019-section-news/.
ARRL Eastern MA Staff Meet at New England Sci-Tech in Natick, September 28, 2019
New England Sci-Tech (NEST) and the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) hosted the ARRL Eastern Massachusetts staff for a quarterly meeting at their facility in Natick on September 28, 2019. At the conclusion of the meeting, their hosts treated the staff to a tour of the NEST’s maker space and ham facilities, followed by a pot-luck dinner. Eastern MA Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW, expressed his appreciation for the chance to meet the group’s members, and for the hospitality afforded.
ARRL Thanks Official Observers, as Volunteer Monitor Program is Set to Debut
From ARRL Web:
As the September 30 date for the closing of the Official Observer program nears, ARRL has expressed deep appreciation to the hundreds of volunteers who gave their time as Official Observers (OOs) to help preserve the integrity of the Amateur Radio frequencies.
The Official Observer program has served the Amateur Radio community and assisted the FCC Enforcement Bureau for more than 85 years. The OO program is giving way to the new Volunteer Monitor (VM) program, established as part of a formal partnership between ARRL and the FCC. ARRL and the FCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier this year that establishes the Volunteer Monitor program as a successor to the Official Observers. The first Volunteer Monitors should be in place and ready to begin their duties this fall. [Full story]
ARRL Seeking Emergency Management Director
From ARRL Web:
ARRL is seeking an emergency management director to oversee a team responsible for supporting ARRL emergency communication programs and services, including the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) and National Traffic System (NTS), and to work with staff to develop standards, protocols, and processes designed to support the Field Organization. This is a full-time, exempt position at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut.
This individual would serve as the official point of contact and liaison to key partners and other served agencies at the regional and national level. Duties would include representing ARRL at served agency and partner meetings, conventions, and exercises as well as organizing and providing presentations for various relevant audiences. [Full story]
Efforts Continue to Enhance ARES Program, Add Resources
The ARRL Board of Directors, committees, and Headquarters administrative staff are continuing efforts to enhance the venerable Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) program. A major ARES Plan has been adopted, providing new direction going forward. In addition, a standardized training plan has been adopted and a new ARES Emergency Communicator Individual Task Book approved and published.
At its July meeting, the ARRL Board considered the report of its Public Service Enhancement Working Group (PSEWG). A “change log” was proposed for the Task Book that will highlight changes made as the document is periodically revised and updated. ARES position guidelines were posted to the online ARES Workbook and a major revision and update of ARRL’s Introduction to Emergency Communicationscourse — now designated as IS-001 — has been completed.
[Full story]August 2019 Section News Now Available
The August, 2019, Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/august-2019-section-news/.
Window Closing on July 15, 2019 Volunteer Monitor Program Applications
From ARRLWeb:
As of the close of business on Monday, July 15, applications for the new Volunteer Monitor Program no longer will be accepted. Some 250 applications have been submitted to fill approximately 150 Volunteer Monitor (VM) positions in the program, which is succeeding the Official Observer (OO) program. Retired FCC special counsel and former Atlantic Division Vice Director Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, is overseeing ARRL’s role in the development and implementation of the program, and he has been interviewing every applicant. Those not selected as VMs will be placed in a reserve pool. Current OOs were invited to apply for appointments. [Full story]
ARRL Field Day is This Weekend
Tom Walsh, K1TW, writes on the ARRL Members Only list:
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ARRL Field Day weekend
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ARRL Field Day represents the very best of the Amateur Radio service.
Join your local club or other local operation for ARRL Field Day weekend
on June 22-23, 2019.
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EMA Field Day Directory
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Has your club provided complete information for this year’s EMA Field
Day Directory? If not please send the details to Bill Ricker, N1VUX, at
n1vux@arrl.net
View the Directory to find operations near you or anywhere in our
section by visiting http://ema.arrl.org/field_day/
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“Triple Play:” MA Hams Receive Amateur Radio Proclamations,
Resolutions from House, Senate, and Governor
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Massachusetts ARRL staff received copies of proclamations and
resolutions congratulating the Amateur Radio community for its service
to the Commonwealth, and for the upcoming annual Field Day exercise June
22-23, 2019.
The Massachusetts House of Representatives document “offers its
sincerest congratulations to the American Radio Relay League in
recognition of The ARRL Field Day and the Tireless Work of Amateur Radio
Operators.” The document was signed by Robert A. DeLeo, Speaker of the
House.
The Massachusetts State Senate weighed in with a resolution, adopted May
9, 2019. “[The Senate] extends its appreciation to Amateur Radio
operators as they celebrate Amateur Radio Week and Field Day.” The
resolution was signed by Senate President Karen E. Spilka and Michael D.
Hurley, Senate Clerk. It was offered by Senator Bruce E. Tarr (N1UIU),
who represents the 1st Essex and Middlesex District.
The Governor’s Office issued a proclamation proclaiming June 22, 2019
to be “Amateur Radio Day” in the Commonwealth. The proclamation was
signed by His Excellency Charles D. Baker, Governor of the Commonwealth,
Karyn E. Polito, Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth, and William Francis
Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Our ARRL section MA State Government Liaison, Hank McCarl, W4RIG, was
instrumental in securing the three documents.
You can view all three documents at
https://ema.arrl.org/2019/06/1
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Section Manager visits
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Traditionally EMA ARRL section staff visit as many FD sites as feasible
during the weekend. This year K1TW (Section Manager) and K9HI
(Assistant Section Manager) will travel to several clubs in Plymouth,
Bristol and Barnstable counties. Time permitting, we may add further
visits. We will be bringing the state government documents along for
all to see.
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Bonus for NTS message sent to Section Manger or SEC during field day
period
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You will receive 100 bonus points if you send an NTS radiogram to either
your Section Manager (K1TW) or Section Emergency Coordinator (KD1CY).
You should include your club’s name, number of participants, Field Day
location, and number of ARES operators involved with your operation.
One hundred bonus points is equivalent to making 100 SSB Q’s or 50 CW
Q’s so the bonus is well worth the time to complete.
If you have 75/80-meter capability at your Field Day site, you can
originate and easily send your message by checking into the MARIPN
(phone net on 3978 kHz) at 6 PM on Saturday or the MARI (CW net on 3565
kHz) at 7 PM on Saturday.
Otherwise, a list of all the EMA NTS nets operating during Field Day can
be found at: https://ema.arrl.org/national-
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Other Bonus points
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Bonus points can make a huge difference in your club’s final score so
check out all the other bonus point possibilities in the Field Day rules
at
http://www.arrl.org/files/file
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Enjoy Field Day. Wishing everyone an enjoyable and safe Field Day
weekend. Remember: “Safety First!”
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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
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May 2019 Section News Now Available
The May, 2019 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/may-2019-section-news/.
“Put Howard to Work” Operating Event Cancelled
From the ARRL Web:
Earlier this week, ARRL announced that ARRL CEO Howard Michel, WB2ITX, would be on the air at W1AW on Monday, May 13, giving ARRL members a chance to chat with the CEO and get to know him better as a ham. An issue was raised, however, that this event may pose a potential FCC rule violation.
The particular rule is §97.113: “A station is also not allowed to transmit communication in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer.” [Full story]
April 2019 Section News Now Available
The April, 2019 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/april-2019-section-news/.
ARRL Rolls Back Outgoing QSL Bureau Rates to 2011 Prices
via ARRL Web:
ARRL is rolling back Outgoing QSL Bureau rates to 2011 levels. Effective May 15, 2019, the new rates will be:
- $2 for 10 or fewer cards in one envelope.
- $3 for 11 – 20 cards in one envelope, or
- 75 cents per ounce for packages with 21 or more cards. For example, a package containing 1.5 pounds of cards — 24 ounces, or about 225 cards — will cost $18.
No transaction service fees.
Any cards received before May 15 will be charged the current rate. There will be no adjustments for cards received before May 15.
More information is on the ARRL website.
ARRL and FCC Sign Memorandum to Implement New Volunteer Monitor Program
ARRL and the FCC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that paves the way to implement the new and enhanced Volunteer Monitor program. The memorandum establishes the Volunteer Monitors as a replacement for the Official Observers (OO) program. Current OOs have been encouraged to participate in the new program. [Full story]
K1VR to Present at North Shore Radio Association, Peabody, April 16, 2019
ARRL New England Division Director Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, will be the guest speaker at the April 16 North Shore Radio Association meeting. The meetings are held in the Peabody Municipal Light Plant auditorium, 201 Warren St Extension, in Peabody (talk-in 145.470 repeater).
March, 2019 Section News Now Available
The March, 2019 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/march-2019-section-news/.
K1VR Presents at Nashoba Valley ARC Meeting, March 21, 2019
Bruce Blain, K1BG, writes:
The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s March meeting will be Thursday, March 21st at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell).
Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, our newly-elected ARRL New England Division Director, will join us this month. Fred suggested discussing antenna zoning (his specialty) and current ARRL matters (his new job). He’s an accomplished speaker, a contester and an alumnus-affiliate of a local college radio club, so the session just might easily meander following audience interests.
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