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MASSACHUSETTS TRAFFIC REPORT FOR JUNE 2019

This month of July saw the passing of two of our own in NTS, Jim Ward N1LKJ and Greg Bennett KC1CIC.  Both were great supporters of NTS and both were great men who cared not only for NTS and message handling but cared for those folks who particpated and were always ready to help.  We will miss them both very much.  73 Jim and Greg!
 
We will have our annual traffic handlers picnic Sunday August 4 beginning at noon at the home of KW1U in Concord MA.  As usual hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided.  Bring your beverage of choice, a lawn chair if you have one (I do have some if you don’t), and anything you might want to share with the group although this is a suggestion and not required.  I have requested no rain on that date and for the most part the weatherman has come through :-).  I look forward to seeing you here.
73, Marcia KW1U STM
 
MA STM REPORT       June 2019    
               
NET SESSIONS QTC QNI QTR NM FREQ Net Time
WMTN C1 30 5 288 258 KD2JKV 146.91 10:00 Daily
WMTN C2 25 8 241 266 N1YCW 146.91 13:00 Daily
MARI 30 97 112 475 KW1U 3565 KHz 19:00 Daily
EM2MN 30 98 284 703 KC1CIC 145.23 20:00 Daily
CM2MN 13 10 89 104 KK1X 146.97 21:00 Daily
MARIPN 11 12 46 109 N1LAH 3978 KHz 18:00 Tu,Th,Sa
CITN 15 10 68 203 AC7RB 147.375 19:30 Tu,Th, F,Sa
HHTN 16 13 131 239 W1HAI MMRA Rptrs 22:00 Su,M,W,F
WMEN 4 0 100 83 W1JWN 3944 KHz 08:30 Su
WARPSN 5 10 87 NA N1IQI 147.225 08:30 Su
               
SAR ORG REC SENT DEL TOTAL BPL BPL = 500+ points
N1IQI 0 102 501 4 607 X  
KW1U 0 319 252 11 582 X  
KC1CIC 0 27 37 11 75    
W1RVY 0 60 11 0 71    
KE1ML 0 14 16 9 39    
N1TF 0 11 13 2 26    
KC1HHO 1 6 12 6 25    
WA1VAB 0 7 9 7 23    
WA1LPM 0 5 17 0 22    
N1LAH 0 14 8 0 22    
NV1N 0 4 13 0 17    
W1PLK 0 5 2 3 10    
KD2JKV 0 2 2 0 4    
               
PSHR (Min 70 Points) 1 2 3 4 5 6 TOTAL
KC1CIC 40 40 30 35 0 10 155
KW1U 40 40 30 0 0 20 130
N1IQI 40 40 10 10 0 10 110
W1RVY 40 40 30 0 0 0 110
KE1ML 40 39 10 0 10 10 109
N1TF 24 26 30 5 0 0 85
N1LAH 40 22 20 0 0 0 82
KD2JKV 40 4 30 0 0 0 74
KC1HHO 26 25 10 0 10 0 71
               
DRS RCV FWD TOTAL        
KW1U 780 906 1686        
N1IQI 102 501 603        
KC1CIC 19 9 28        
W1RVY No Activity 0 0        
               
MARCIA KW1U STM     GREG KC1CIC ASTM EMA     PETER KD2JKV ASTM WMA  
Clubs / Operating / Public Information

Annual Marshfield Fair Amateur Radio Exhibit, August 16-25, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Whitman ARC logoThe Whitman Amateur Radio Club will sponsor a ham radio exhibit and special events station at the 152st Annual Marshfield Fair August 16-25,  2019, from 1600Z-0059Z. The club will operate under the call sign NN1MF on the following frequencies/bands: 18.160, 14.260, 7.260, and 3.860 MHz. The station will also be active on EchoLink via the WA1NPO-R, and IRLP: 8691. Contacts will be acknowledged with a certificate and QSL at: Whitman ARC, PO Box 48, Whitman, MA 02382. 

Youth

Amateur Radio Exposition for Young People, Northeast HamXposition @Boxboro, September 7-8, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

The Nashua Area Radio Society (NARS), will be presenting an Amateur Radio Exposition for Young People on September 7-8, 2019 at the Northeast HamXposition  @Boxboro. This exposition will include many hands-on activities, videos, and displays about amateur radio and wireless communications, including:

  • Software Defined Radios
  • High-Altitude Balloons
  • Portable and Mobile stations
  • Emergency Communications
  • Fox-hunting

The Amateur Radio Exposition for Young People will be located along the rear wall of the Exhibitor Hall.

[Complete details]
Operating

W1HFN Fox On the Air, Littleton, July 25, 2019

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Barry Fox, W1HFN, writes on the foxhunting list at 11:52 AM on July 25, 2019:

Since the WX is not so HHH lately, I deployed the fox at the Whitetail Woods in Littleton.

The battery pack should last until at least next Thursday, so the weekend should be fine for hunting.

https://littletonconservationtrust.org/tws_holding/white-tail-woods/ 

Frequency is 146.565 MHz with a 20 second voice ID every 40 seconds.  Sign the log which is under the TX. 

Good luck / 73,

Barry – W1HFN

Emergency Communications / Operating / Public Service

Eastern MA Hospital Net, August 3, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

John O’Neill, K1JRO writes:

Good Morning Everyone,

The August 3, 2019 Eastern MA Hospital Net is approaching. We do not have anyone signed up to conduct the August net.

If anyone is interested in taking a turn as Net Control Station please let us know. 

Below are the repeaters we have available for our use. Let us know which 3 or 4 repeaters you would like to use and we will make all the notifications. We will also send you a copy of our net preamble if you like which you may modify for your own use. 

73’s,

John  O’- K1JRO

Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)
Belmont 145.430 tone 67.0
Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0  
Fairhaven 145.490 tone 67.0    
Fall River 146.805. tone 67.0
Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9
Mansfield EMA  446.925 tone 100.0
Mansfield 147.015 tone 67.0
Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0      
Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
Plymouth 146.685 tone 82.5
Salem 146.88 tone 118.8        
Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5    
Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
W. Bridgewater 146.775 dpl 244 
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

 

South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group – W1SSH

55 Fogg Road, Box 42

South Weymouth, MA 02190

Clubs / Operating

QSL Sorting Night at Algonquin ARC, August 8, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Eric Williams, KV1J, W1 QSL Bureau Co-Manager writes:

Seventh Annual AARC QSL Sort Night 

The Algonquin Amateur Radio Club will be holding a QSL card sorting session on  Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 7:30 PM at the Marlborough Fire Station.  We will  be in the classroom/EOC where we hold Field Day. 

The W1 QSL Bureau receives QSL cards from DXers all over the world, sorts them and then  sends them to the New England area hams.  We process about 100,000 QSL cards each year.  To do this, we are grateful for the team of over 40 volunteers and several area clubs that help make this happen.  AARC is one of the clubs that helps with the presorting step in our process. 

Our part is easy and fun.  You get to see QSL cards from all around the  globe.  Maybe catch a card that is for you!  We will have boxes of cards from the country national organizations that are for W1 call area hams.  For our session we will have about 13,000 cards. Our mission is to sort  those cards into stacks for each first letter of the call sign suffix.  So there will be a stack for all the call signs the a suffix the starts  with A and one for those starting with B and so forth.  It goes quick especially with lots of people doing it on several separate tables. 

When we are done, those stacks will be sent to our individual letter sorters who will then sort them by the individual recipient hams. 

Thank you and hope to see you next month. 

NTS

GREG BENNETT KC1CIC SK

- by kw1u - Leave a Comment

I was shocked to learn today of the passing of Greg KC1CIC on July 19, 2019.  Greg had been very active in NTS activities in Eastern Mass, serving as Net Manager of EM2MN and as Assistant Section Traffic Manager.  He was invaluable in many ways, not only on the nets, handling traffic and assisting new participants, but with his technical background was especially helpful with digital messaging.  Greg also served with the South Shore Hospital group and was a DEC in ARES for helping to coordinate NTS and ARES activities.  He was always ready to help when asked and that included keeping the antennas in the air at station KW1U.  Greg last checked into the EM2MN Tuesday July 16 indicating that he was relocating to Florida.  His health issues were known but not the extent.  As his obituary states he left “on his own terms”.  Greg will be very greatly missed as a fellow ham and as a great friend.  The link to his obituary can be found here: https://keohane.com/services/gregory-a-bennett/ 

Rest in peace Greg!!

73, Marcia KW1U

 

All

Flea at MIT, Cambridge, July 21, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
1964 Gemini BP CM for sale at MIT Flea.
The 1964 Gemini BP CM #MSC 312 capsule for sale at an M.I.T. Flea for $65,000. Now you just need a rocket.

Steve Finberg, W1GSL, writes:

 
The July FLEA at MIT is this coming Sunday.   Also known as SWAPFEST it is held in MIT’s Albany St garage near the corner of Albany and Main St in Cambridge.
 
It features “hi tech” goodies such as electronics, computers and ham radio,”all things nerdly.”   We have had real Enigma machines to a NASA Gemini spacecraft  show up.
 
It starts at 9 AM for buyers and runs till 2 PM,  be early for the  good stuff.
 
All vendors are in the covered garage, which makes a weather proof event.
 
Its not to late to be a seller we usually have space for gate admissions. See our site for details and maps   swapfest.us
 
Public Service

Request For Operators: YuKanRun Triple Threat Half Marathon and 5K, August 4, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Chris Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Triple Threat Half Marathon and 5K on Sunday, August 4, 2019. Please be on location by 8:00; starts at Rockport High School, 24 Jerdens Lane, Rockport, MA 01966.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by August 4th so I can plan staffing positions for the event.

While CAARA’s repeater performance has greatly improved with the replacement of our new antennas, the northern regions of this course may still experience some difficulty with communications especially with low-powered HTs, so we’ll be looking for higher powered equipment to staff those areas.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use (ie: mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; OEM rubber duck, etc.) so we have a better idea of where to locate you along the event course per the potential of your equipment.

The course will be open and supported by CAARA for four hours. Runner safety is everyone’s top priority. 

Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help.

If you would like to work the 5K only please let me know and I will make you a check point.
 
Thank you in advance for your participation!

 

Chris K1TAT

Triple Threat Communications Team  
Rockport, Mass  
Last Updated: 7/15/2019 7:50pm  
Event date: Sunday, August 4, 2019  
On Location: 8:00 am – 9:00 am  
Starts: 5K Run = 8:20 am Half Marathon Run = 9:15 am  
Frq: W1GLO Repeaters 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up: 443.700 + PL:107.2
Licensing Education & Training / Youth

New England Sci-Tech Technician License Course, August 10-11, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

NE1AR logoFor junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults interested in wireless communications and electronics, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the Amateur Radio Technician license exam.

Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Some preliminary reading and study is necessary to get the best results from this course. Material will be sent a few days before the course.

The Technician level course runs on Saturday, 9 AM-4 PM and Sunday, 9 AM-1 PM, followed by the FCC Technician exam at 1:00, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick. [Full description]

Licensing Education & Training / Youth

New England Sci-Tech General Class Course, Natick, August 3-4, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

New England Sci Tech logoFor junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults who already have a Technician level license, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the GENERAL license exam. Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum.  Some preliminary reading and study is necessary to get the best results from this course. Material will be sent approximately a week before the course.

The GENERAL level course runs Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday, 9 am to 1 pm, followed by the FCC General exam at noon, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick.

Included with course fee: printed handouts, lecture study guide, license fee if tested at our location, a guest pass to the NEAR/STARS Radio Room and radio club meetings for 2 months, and free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate during the course. Advance registration and payment required.

For more information and to register, visit <https://www.nescitech.org/product/weekend-general-class/>. For questions, e-mail bobphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.

 

Clubs / Field Day / NTS

Marcia Forde, KW1U, Commended For Field Day Message Origination Assistance

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW, received a commendation letter from ARRL Special Service Club PART of Westford acknowledging the efforts of Eastern MA Section Traffic Manager Marcia Forde, KW1U, “for her professionalism and patience … in preparing members of PART for Field Day 2019 National Traffic System messaging.”

PART President Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes, “[Marcia] worked with two of our members over the course of several weeks to advise on software and protocols.” KW1U’s knowledge and expertise allowed PART to earn an additional 200 points for message handling. 

Stewart added, “her dedication to the Amateur Radio art reflects great credit on the Eastern Massachusetts section.”

 

 

Organization

Window Closing on July 15, 2019 Volunteer Monitor Program Applications

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

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]

NTS

JIM WARD N1LKJ SK – JULY 8, 2019

- by kw1u - Leave a Comment

We very much regret the passing of Jim Ward N1LKJ on Monday July 8, 2019.  Jim had been active in amateur radio for many years, serving in various capacities including Net Manager and Section Traffic Manager prior to your current STM.  He was also very active in the region and area sideband nets.  Jim used to host the annual traffic handlers picnics in Raynham.  He was a good friend and all around great guy and will be greatly missed.

His obituary can be found at https://www.ccgfuneralhome.com/obit/james-t.-ward
 Visitation will be Thursday July 11 from 4:00 to 8:00 at the Prophett-Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 98 Bedford St, Bridgewater MA.

Public Service

Volunteers Sought, North Attleborough Fire Fighters Kids Day, July 25-28, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Deputy Director Norton EMA Ray Cord, K2TGX, writes on the Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC mailing list:

This a call for assistance from all EMA, CERT. HAM and MRC groups to help at the North Attleborough Fire Fighters Kids Day.

Those Agencies that are supplying equipment (Light Towers, Message Boards etc) have been contacted separately for Mutual Aid.

Our event is coming up quickly and I am still in need of staff for every day both day and evening for our event.  If you could please get back to me with your agencies staff availability, any and all help would be greatly appreciated.  

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.

WHAT: N.A. Firefighters Kids Day- A four day long Family Event with a Carnival Games, Music, Vendors,  Classic Cars Cruise Night Food Court Bands and ending with Fireworks at Dark on both Friday AND Saturday There will also be a Road Race on Sunday Morning that will need coverage

WHEN: Thursday July 25th Through Sunday July 28th  Noon to 11:00PM  Sunday Carnival ends at 6:00PM. The Sunday Road Race will be at  7AM Until approximately 10AM.

WHERE: N.A. Middle School Campus 564 Landry Ave  North Attleborough

WHO; Everybody. Volunteers can bring their families and friends.  Duty uniform weather dependent but HiViz Jacket/Raincoat/ or Vest Dark pants or shorts, Baseball cap, Traffic Wand/Flashlight,  Sunscreen and bug spray. Radios will be provided as needed.

THE MISSION: Our Mission is to manage the Parking Lots and roadways on site and at one overflow off site Parking lot on Landry Ave. There will be two shifts. A Day Shift and a Night Shift which will change between 5:00PM and 6:00PM 

The Day Shift will start at 11AM and end at 5:30PM. The Night Shift will start at 5:00PM and end at 11:00PM or earlier if traffic warrants it. There will be meal tickets provided by the Committee for a meal half way through your shift and breaks (Hydration) will be provided as needed.

Our Mission is to manage the on campus Parking Lots, Accessible Parking and assist the Police with Pedestrian safety both before, during and after the Event and Fireworks. After the Fireworks we will assist the Police Detail in safely getting cars from the Parking Lots to the Street and make sure that Pedestrians and Cars don’t mix. We will also be responsible for starting and maintaining the several light towers and Message Boards scattered throughout the Campus.

We recognize that this is a long duration event but would appreciate what ever time you can give us. It is suggested that if a specific Team could do a Day or Shift or two that would work best. If you have mobility issues we can put you where you are not on your feet (Volunteer Registration Booth, Command Post  etc) or bring a lawn chair.

Please email     scott.bumpus@nafirefighterskidsday.org     ASAP to give us the time shift you can work and the organization that you belong to, so that we may start plugging people into ICS positions.

For more info about the event go to    http://nakidsday.com/  

Sincerely,

Scott Bumpus FF, NRP, COML, COMTCommunications/CERT CoordinatorNAFFKD Committee

Operating

Salem Maritime Festival Special Event Station N1S QRV, August 3-4, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Nick Mollo, KC1DKY, writes on QRZ.com:

N1S will be the call sign used at National (Park) 1 Salem (Maritime) to celebrate their 31th annual Salem Maritime Festival being held on Saturday and Sunday, August 3rd and 4th, 2019.  The Parks On The Air team will predominantly transmit on 20m and 40m.  Operations on SSB, CW, and FT8 are assured, with PSK as a possibility.  Efforts to make satellite contacts on SO-50, AO-85, AO-91, and AO-92 will be made as well.  Watch the spotting clusters to find out where we are currently transmitting.  We will be on the air starting around 13:00UTC (9am Eastern) until around 20:00UTC on both days.

This is the fourth year the team will be transmitting from the event.  We will be multi-operators, on two stations – one 100W for HF and one 50W for satellites.  We will be highlighting amateur radio for all of the park visitors attending the festival using a laptop with a large screen monitor, plenty of table space, a practice oscillator for Morse code, and plenty of handouts.  We want to get as many visitors on the air as well, so if you make contact with us and we give you a solid “5×9” report, please stand by your radio and help us put a smile on a young child’s face by being the station on the other end.

Stations will receive credit for the following programs:
WWFF / KFF – Park designator KFF-0859
Parks on the Air designator K-0859
ARLHS designator for Derby Wharf Light House – USA-224

QSL cards to commemorate the special event station and the festival will be available for $1 + SASE for US contacts and $3US and self-addressed envelope for international contacts.  Visit my QRZ page, KC1DKY, as the event draws near for additional QSL information.  The cards will be nice to add to your collection.  So listen for us, and make a contact!

Emergency Communications / Operating / Public Service

Eastern MA Hospital Net – July 6, 2019

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Hi Everyone,

Net Control for the July 6, 2019 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be W1SSH, The South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group. The net will commence at the usual time of 10:00 AM using the following repeaters in the order listed.

1. Plymouth 146.685 tone 131.8
2. W. Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244
3. Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
4. Simplex 147.42 MHz

The Net will then return to the Plymouth Repeater for final comments and Net closing.

NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check-in procedure which is: Here is.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.

We extend an invitation to any health care facility or EOC of any city or town that is served by one of the participating hospitals to join the Net. We also extend an invitation to any RACES or ARES member to check in during the NET.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in joining the group please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct the monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event. The following list of repeaters is available for our use. Only a few systems are used each month with the selection of those used made by Net Control for that month. More systems are being added to the list on a regular basis.

Repeaters
Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)
Belmont 145.430 tone 146.2
Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0
Fall River 146.805. tone 67.0
Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9
Mansfield EMA 446.925 tone 100.0
Mansfield 147.015 tone 67.0
Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0
Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
Plymouth 146.685 tone 131.8
Salem 146.88 tone 118.8
Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
W. Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

We look forward to hearing from you all on the Net.

Respectfully,

John Barbuto
KS1Q

South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group
55 Fogg Rd. Mail-Stop 42
South Weymouth, MA 02190

Clubs / Field Day / Public Information

PART of Westford Field Day 2019: A Successful Public Relations-Public Information Effort

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
PART of Westford‘s Field Day Chairman George Allison, K1IG,  reports a successful public relations/public information effort on the part of PIO Lela Smith, KC1ACV and others.
 
“The club entertained a total of 75 participants and visitors this year, including the mayor of Leominster, a representative of the Billerica EMC, a Carlisle selectman, and a contingent of soldiers from the 211th Military Police Battalion who were sent by their commanding officer to get some experience in field communications. One of the officers from this group is now interested in joining PART,” reports George.
 
PART also netted a lengthy article in “Action Unlimited,” a weekly newsletter sent to most of the region’s residents. K1IG says a copy of the article will be submitted to ARRL as part of its Field Day report.
 
“Although our on-air time was diminished by thunderstorms and a hail storm, and propagation was affected by a sunspot count of zero, we made almost 1,300 contacts,” he adds.
 
Photos from the 211th Military Police Battalion’s visit can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/211thMPBN/photos/a.10151631768172189/10157592899137189/?type=3&theater. 
 
 
 
 
Action Unlimited publicity:
 
 
 
Operating

W1UE to Activate VY1AAA for Canada Day, July 1, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Dennis Eagan, W1UE, writes:

I have the honor of operating VY1AAA [remote] for the Canada Day contest this year. Operation will be low power CW only.  Still, it may be the only way you’ll get to work YT if you want it!

I don’t expect much propagation on 15 or 10m, but you never know.  Should be on the 4 lowest bands.  I’m figuring on 12-16 hours of operation, depending on rate and my ability to stay awake!

-Dennis VE3WUE, W1UE, VY1AAA