Organization

EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS (EMA) SECTION NEWS – DECEMBER 2017

Find additional EMA Section News along with contact information for the EMA staff on our website <http://ema.arrl.org/>. News items for the EMA Section News may be submitted to <k1tw@arrl.org>

EVENTS:

Tuesday, January 16, 2018, 6:30-8:00 PM
Mike Corey, KI1U, the ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager
Clay Center at Dexter Southfield School,
20 Newton St.
Brookline MA, top floor at the observatory.

Mike Corey, KI1U, the ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager, will talk about how he led an expedition of 50 volunteers to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria to help with emergency communications. Please RSVP to: <bphinney@dextersouthfield.org>

Saturday, January 20, 2018, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
An Emergency Communications Workshop will be held at the Walpole Council on Aging at 135 School St., Walpole, MA.

This workshop is for active hams and is produced by the EMA ARES Section Staff. Topics will include:
* Overview of Eastern Massachusetts ARES-RACES-SKYWARN Programs
* Net Operations
* NTS Traffic Message Handling
* Basic Overview of the Incident Command System (ICS)
* Go Kits
Full details including registration information may be found at <http://ares.ema.arrl.org/node/767>

FLEA MARKETS

Saturday, January 20,2018, 9 AM – 1 PM, Whitman MA
Whitman Amateur Radio Club
<http://www.wa1npo.org/pics/WinterFestFlyer2018.pdf>

Saturday, February 17, 2018, 9 AM – 1 PM, Marlboro, MA
Algonquin Amateur Radio Club
<http://www.qsl.net/n1em/>

Sunday, April 8, 2018, 9 AM to 12 noon
Framingham ARA flea market at the Keefe Technical School.
Go to <www.fara.org/flea> for more info.

LICENSE CLASSES
Nothing to list this month.

CLUB NEWS

The Barnstable ARC is pleased to report the Dennis 146.47 repeater is now on the air and connected to the NEDECN Digital Mobile Radio network. “It has all the usual talk groups.” Info courtesy <https://barnstablearc.org/?q=node/368>

Billerica ARS (BARS): <http://www.w1hh.org/>
BARS will have an annual Yankee Swap and Holiday dinner instead of its regular meeting to greet the New Year on January 3 at the Great Wall Restaurant in Bedford.

The Billerica ARS conducts VE Sessions on 2nd Thursday of every month. They are held in the church hall of The Chelmsford Bible Church, 128 Gorham St, East Chelmsford at 7 PM. Walk-ins are welcome; no reservation is required. For more information, contact: Gary W1GFF at 978-453-1100 (Email <W1GFF@arrl.net>)

Boston Amateur Radio Club (BARC): <http://barc.org/>
BARC once again participated in SKYWARN Recognition Day, operating as WX1BHO from the Blue Hills Observatory on Saturday, December 2 from 9 AM-3 PM. Contacts were made on 40, 20 and 15 (Phone, CW, digital), as well as on 2-meter simplex and the NEDECN DMR network. Mark, KB1EKN reports that 40 people attended the event.

BARC will hold its holiday party at the Stockyard restaurant in Brighton beginning at 12:00 noon on Sunday, January 14. The club will award its Ham of the Year plaque to the deserving member.

Clay Center Amateur Radio Club (CCARC): <http://www.cc-arc.org/>
An evening with Mike Corey KI1U, the ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager.

When: Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 6:30-8:00 PM.
Where: The Clay Center at Dexter Southfield School, 20 Newton St. Brookline MA, top floor at the observatory.

Topic: Mike Corey, KI1U, the ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager, will talk about how he led an expedition of 50 volunteers to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria to help with emergency communications.

Hosts: The officers and student members of the Clay Center Amateur Radio Club, a youth and family club of over 340 members and growing, and by New England Amateur Radio, NE1AR, facilitating ham radio education and public service.

Refreshments: Pizza and snacks.
Door Prize: Free pen/toolkit for first 100 people at the event.

RSVP: Email Bob K5TEC, club secretary, for more information or to register <bphinney@dextersouthfield.org>.

Genesis ARS (GARS): <http://www.genesisars.org/>
Genesis ARS Repeater N1ZIZ has been upgraded to an Icom IC-FR5000. The new technology includes, among many features, IDAS digital operation commonly referred to as NXDN as well as continuing legacy analog FM communication support.

Framingham ARA: <http://w1fy.org/default.aspx>
The Framingham ARA flea market will be held on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at the Keefe Technical School in Framingham from 9 AM to 12 noon. Tables are $20 in advance, and $25 at the door. There will be a VE session, refreshments and door prizes. Talk in on 147.15. Go to <www.fara.org/flea> for more info or to reserve tables or contact Andy, KC1DMM at 508-310-5913. (Information via Gordy, K1GB)

Quannapowitt Radio Association (QRA):
Congratulations to QRA on celebrating their 69th anniversary at the October meeting. Planning has begun for their 70th anniversary. The weekly QRA net is Tuesday at 7:30 PM on 147.075.

PART OF WESTFORD: <http://www.wb1gof.org/>
The PART monthly meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at the Cameron Senior Center, 20 Pleasant Street in Westford, starting at 7:30 PM. The January 16 meeting features Philip Gladstone, N1DQ, with a presentation on PSK Reporter and the effects of FT8.

There was a great turnout for the of more than 40 people at the PART Christmas Holiday Party in December.

Wellesley ARS (WARS): <http://wars.krl.com/>
The Wellesley ARS has decided to change their January meeting. They will be joining other clubs at the Clay Center, 20 Newton Street Brookline, MA for a special evening with Mike Corey, KI1U, the ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager on Tuesday, January 16, 6:30-8:00 PM.

Upcoming WARS meetings:
January 16: Special event at the Clay Center in Brookline
February 20: Digital Modes Part 2 Charlie, WA3ITR
March 20: Agostino’s dinner, 6:30 PM
April 17: Digital Mobile Radio by Dan, W1DAN
May 15: Ham Radio from EMA list or Don, KB1OTQ
June 19: Field Day planning and elections

Whitman Amateur Radio Club: <http://www.wa1npo.org/>
The first flea market of the year, “WinterFest 2018” hosted by the Whitman ARC will be on January 20, 2018 from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1195 Bedford St., Rt. 18, Whitman.

Zola Center ARC/Middlesex ARC
The Zola Center ARC in association with the Middlesex ARC held an introduction to soldering class on Saturday, December 23. According to Zola’s N1IBB, “a dozen hams—half of whom were blind—were introduced to soldering basics with the end project of building AM/FM radios.” Matt adds, “I’m pleased to report that no fingers were burned during this class.”

SECTION TRAFFIC MANGER:

Marcia, KW1U, serves both Eastern and Western Massachusetts sections as the Section Traffic Manager (STM). Contact Marcia directly at kw1u@arrl.net or join one of the nets below to learn more.

The National Traffic System (NTS) November Recognitions:

(1) Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR):
Recognition for November 2017: KC1CIC (150), KW1U (130), N1TF (115), N1IQI (110), N1SYC (106), W1RVY (100), N1LAH (100) and NV1N (85).

(2) Brass Pounder League (BPL):
Recognition for November 2017: KW1U.

See the monthly “Public Service” column in QST for more information about the BPL and PSHR recognitions.

NTS NETS (COMBINED EMA/WMA)

EMA/WMA NTS Nets are listed below. Please support the nets and check in.

EM2MN 145.230 MHz 8 PM Daily
MARIPN 3978 KHz 6 PM Tu, Th, Sa
HHTN MMRA Repeaters 10 PM Su, M, W, F
CITN 147.375 MHz 7:30 PM M, Tu, Th, Sa
MARI 3565 KHz 7 PM Daily
CM2MN 146.970 MHz 9 PM Daily
WMTN 146.910 MHz 10 AM Daily
WMTN 146.910 MHz 1 PM Daily
WMEN 3944 KHz 8:30AM Su
NEPN 3945 KHz 8:45 Su

FIRST REGION NET (1RN) NOVEMBER REPORTS (NTS)

Bill, W1KX, manages 1RN Cycle 4, the evening CW net. Bill reports in November there were 60 sessions, 188 check-ins, and the handling of 129 pieces of traffic.

Betsy, K1EIC, manages 1RN Cycle 2, the daytime SSB net. Betsy reports in November there were 59 sessions, 248 check-ins, and the handling of 106 pieces of Traffic

FROM OUR NEIGHBOR SECTION TO THE WEST
Western Massachusetts is looking for an SEC. Ray, KB1LRL, who starts on January 1 as Section Manager in Western Massachusetts reports that “Section Emergency Coordinator John N2YHK does not wish to continue in this position. I thank John for his tenure. He has made valuable contributions during his time. So, at this time, I will be looking for individuals to consider taking on this position. When a SEC is selected, we will work on firming up the county level DECs, local ECs and the rest of the WMA ARES organization.” (More information is at <https://wma.arrl.org/KB1LRL>)

SILENT KEYS

We are saddened to report that Lindsay, WA1GMT, of Westford was reported as a silent key on November 20, 2017. (Information via PART of Westford listserv).

Another loss: Jim Morris, K1UGM, of Wakefield, a longtime member of the Waltham ARA has become a silent key. He is survived by his wife Rhoda, N1CSI. (Info courtesy WARA and Eliot Mayer, W1MJ)

FINAL WORD

My final word this month is to wish all who read the Eastern Massachusetts section news a very happy and healthy New Year. May 2018 be safe and peaceful for all.

Until next month,

73,

Tom, K1TW

——————————————————————–
ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
——————————————————————–

ARRL EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION

Section Manager (SM) – Tom Walsh, K1TW
Assistant Section Manager (ASM) – Phil Temples, K9HI
Affiliated Club Coordinator (ACC) – Arthur “Bo” Budinger, WA1QYM
Official Observer Coordinator (OOC) – Ed Parish, K1EP
Public Information Coordinator (PIC) – Bob Salow, WA1IDA
Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) – Mike Neilsen, W1MPN
Section Traffic Manager (STM) – Marcia Forde, KW1U
Section Youth Coordinator (SYC) – Jeremy Breef-Pilz, KB1REQ
State Government Liaison (SGL) – Hank Mc Carl, W4RIG
Technical Coordinator (TC) – Dan Brown, W1DAN

February 2015 SECTION NEWS

As this edition of the EMA Section News is sent out, I will have
finished my first month as ARRL Section Manager (SM) for Eastern
Massachusetts. This past month started quietly enough but it certainly
has proved to be anything but quiet during the final week as the section
experienced yet another great Blizzard. I have witnessed first hand our
well organized Section Emergency staff in action. Their skillful
response is a tribute to the many dedicated Section Emergency staff.

Rob Macedo, KD1CY, ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Taunton
Massachusetts, provides this summary of the response to the blizzard.

WX1BOX, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Weather Service in
Taunton, completed a 27 hour activation for the Blizzard of 2015. The
station handled several hundred reports of snowfall, coastal flood
reports and damage reports from around the region. Widespread snowfall
of 15-30″ with higher amounts up to 36″ (3 feet) occurred in the
Eastern Massachusetts section and surrounding ARRL sections. Eastern
Massachusetts ARES was placed on stand-by and Cape Cod ARES led by
District Emergency Coordinator Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, were active
staffing 6 shelters for communications and Amateurs on Nantucket Island
were active when the entire island lost power and for a time lost
landline and cell phone communications. ARRL HQ picked up the story as
well and a complete story can be seen at the following link:
<http://www.arrl.org/news/ares-skywarn-volunteers-stand-down-in-wake-of-massive-east-coast-winter-storm>

Congratulations to Marcia Forde,KW1U, EMA Section Traffic Manager
(STM)for attaining Brass Pounders League (BPL) recognition in December
2014. Marcia’s total of 885 BPL points for December far exceeds the
minimum needed. Marcia also reports regularly on the activities of
Massachusetts traffic nets and the dedicated traffic handlers in our
area. You can find her reports and lots of other interesting material
on the Eastern Massachusetts NTS webpage at <http://nts.ema.arrl.org/>.

There is a new registration process to volunteer as an amateur radio
operator for the Boston Marathon. The deadline to signup as a volunteer
for the 2015 Boston Marathon is February 10.

This year, the Boston Athletic Association is requiring all volunteers,
including the hams, to register on their website.
More information about registering as a volunteer can be found at
<http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/event-information/volunteer-information/volunteer-registration.aspx>.
Following that you can proceed to the MMRA site at
<http://www.mmra.org/marc/> and provide additional information.

One of my first duties as the new Section Manager was to represent our
Section at the January 10th gathering of the ARRL New Division Cabinet
hosted by Tom Frenaye, K1KI New England Division Director. Tom holds
these twice-yearly meetings to share information about ARRL, and to
gather input on subjects of concern to New England hams for the ARRL
Board meetings. Invitations are also sent to ARRL affiliated clubs in
our section to send a representative. This is one of many mechanisms
that K1KI employs to stay well informed prior to an ARRL Board meeting.
For me, this afforded an opportunity to talk with leaders from EMA
clubs and also to meet with other New England Section Managers.

Another important aspect of the SM role is to support our ARRL
affiliated clubs. I hope to visit as many of our clubs as possible
over time and I welcome clubs getting in touch with me to arrange a
formal visit to a club meeting or other activity such as Field Day.

It was my pleasure to visit the PART of Westford meeting on January 20
featuring three mini talks on auto rallies, the Boston Marathon, and
the third one from me. PART is a general interest radio club that has
served the Town of Westford and surrounding communities for over 30
years. PART operates the WB1GOF repeater on 146.955 and members engage
in frequent fox hunts year round.

Kathy, KB1LPW, and Rick, KB1LYJ, will be running a CERT (Citizens
Emergency Response Training) on January 31, plus four evenings
(February 11 & 25, March 4 & 18) at the Winthrop EOC. Guest lecturers
for the training include Brittany, KB1ZPS, and Jim, KB1KQW. More
information can be found at <http://www.region4bvolunteer.org>.

NEWS FROM EMA CLUBS

MMRA is reporting that on December 27th, the crew of W1BRI, KG1H, N1DDK
and K1IW installed the club’s second D-STAR repeater at Sligo Hill in
Marlborough. Rob Macedo, KD1CY, gave a talk to the January meeting of
MMRA on New Roles for Amateur Radio in Public Service and Emergency
Communications.

The Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association (CAARA) has completed the
acquisition of its club site. After almost 35 years, CAARA has
purchased the building that has been its home from the City of
Gloucester. The property had been owned by the City of Gloucester since
1867.

Almost everyone knows about the ARRL Field Day in June, but word from
CAARA is they were gearing up to participate in the SPAR Winter Field
Day held for 24 hours from 1700 UTC (noon EST) Saturday 1/24 thru 1700
UTC (noon EST) Sunday 1/25 using the call sign W1GLO. Kind of puts a
nice “GLO” on a winter’s day!

The January meeting of the Framingham ARA was their annual “Show and
Tell”.

The Boston ARC has installed a new antenna (since October) on its
145.23 repeater and is seeking signal reports from the community.
They’d also like reports on their relatively new 443.55 machine.
Please direct your reports, including your location and operating
conditions (portable, mobile, base, what antenna used, etc.) to Joe
Harris, N1QD, at <n1qd@n1qd.org>.

The Wellesley ARS enjoyed a presentation at its January meeting from Bo
Budinger, WA1QYM, on “DXing with a dipole”.

PART of Westford members during January were sure keeping the local fox
hunters on their toes in and around Westford, Chelmsford, Concord and
Carlisle.

The Billerica ARS (BARS) will feature a presentation on the Elecraft K3
by club member Erik Kramer, KE1V, as BARS tries out a new meeting
location in Bedford.

The Walpole Emergency Communications Association, (WECA), held an
NBEMS/fldigi workshop on Thursday, January 29, in preparation for
commencing NBEMS training nets starting Tuesday, February 3.
NBEMS/fldigi is a set of Amateur Radio digital communications software
supporting amateur digital communications via computer soundcard
technology. WECA plans to use NBEMS as part of their emergency response
portfolio.

UPCOMING FLEA MARKETS

The Algonquin ARC of Marlborough MA is holding its annual ham radio
flea market on Saturday, February 14, 2015. Information may be found
at <http://www.qsl.net/n1em/2015FleaFlier.pdf>

Interested in Antique Radios? Then you may want to look into the NEARC
Greater Boston Antique Radio Show XVLI to be held on Sunday, February
15, 2015 at the Westford Regency Inn, 219 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA
(Rt. 110). More information is at the following web page
<http://www.nearc.net/swapmeetinfo.htm>.

ARRL NEW ENGLAND DIVISION HAMFEST – BOXBORO 2015

To close this month’s news is a look ahead to Boxboro 2015 which will
be held from August 21-23 at the Holiday Inn, Boxborough, MA. Boxboro
deferred its usual 2014 convention until 2015 to focus on the ARRL 2014
centennial convention. The website <http://www.boxboro.org> is up and
running with new material added regularly.

The keynote speaker at the Saturday banquet is Gordon West WB6NOA. More
information and tickets are now available on the website.

Congratulations to Dennis Egan, W1UE, who is the latest addition to the
Boxboro Convention Committee. Dennis will be planning both the Friday
evening contest/DX banquet and the special event station.

The Boxboro convention website can point you to who to contact should
you be interested in becoming a convention speaker, volunteer,
exhibitor or have any other questions.

And on that look ahead to summer, while still in the middle of a New
England winter, continue to enjoy ham radio in Eastern Massachusetts.
See you next month.

73,

Tom, K1TW

——————————————————————–
ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
——————————————————————–