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If you are interested in exploring the 902 MHz band and equipment, don’t miss the upcoming presentation on the topic by John Frye, N1OTY at the next Pilgrim Amateur Wireless Assocation meeting on April 17 at 7PM. PAWA meets in the Stone Conference Room at the Morton Hospital on Washington Street in Taunton.

Frye has also presented on the subject at recent meetings of the Minuteman Repeater Association and the Boston Amateur Radio Club.

This year’s Maritime Radio Day on-air operation will occur on April 11-12, 2009 and several Eastern MA amateurs who are former maritime radio operators will be QRV. According to Robert “Whitey” Doherty, K1VV, it’s an excellent way to collect rare and unusual QSL cards.

The event runs from April 11 at 1200 UTC until April 12 at 1200 UTC. This an all CW special event. Former maritime radio operators will be calling “CQ MRD”. The exchange will be the operator’s name and their last ship call sign; for example, “Op Bob last ship NEGX NEGX”. The ship and shore operators will adjust their CW speed for the slower CW operators.

Clayton Nall, NF1R writes on HWC-List:

Chip Coldwell [W1CMC] has graciously agreed to teach a four-week licensing course for a couple of undergrads Tuesdays at 7 pm, starting March 31.

We would love to have more people in the class (of all ages, but especially undergrads). If you know anyone who’s expressed interest in ham radio, we’d love to get them into the class. Feel free to put them in touch with me or Chip (coldwell@frank.harvard.edu).

On Thursday, February 26, 2009 the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association held an open house for the North Shore/Cape Ann Emergency Prepardness Coalition. This coalition includes 15 Local Boards of Health and other health departments, including the American Red Cross and FEMA.

CAARA President Curtis Wright, AA3JE led a presentation which included how North Shore ARES responded during last December’s ice storm, as well as what Amateur Radio is and how it can be utilized  during a health care emergency. Afterward, a Morse code demonstration was conducted by Rick Maybury, WZ1B.

At the conclusion of the presentations, several health care professionals in attendance signed up for the Tech License In A Day course led by Stanley Stone, W4HIX.

–Thanks, CAARA News, April 2009

The Whitman Amateur Radio Club will host an amateur radio table and demonstration at a youth fair at the Masonic Temple, 1170 Hancock Street in Quincy, MA on April 28, 2009 from 10AM until 3PM.

The display, requested by Pete Carlson, N1POO will feature Whitman ARC members explaining amateur radio to those individuals attending the fair. “We hope to put the young adults on the air using the Whitman repeater.”

Whitman ARC members are asked to monitor the repeater and answer the children when the control operators put them on the air for a contact.

Whitman ARC member Bill Hayden, N1FRE is coordinating the event. Anyone interested in helping out should contact N1FRE at wf.hayden at verizon dot net. Set up begins at 9AM.

–Thanks, Whitman ARC Spectrum, March 2009

Falmouth Amateur Radio Association members have voted to purchase the ARRL “Library Set” of books and manuals for donation to the Falmouth Library. The new volumes are intended to replace the old, outdated books currently on display. The motion, made by FARA President Geoff Way, KA1IOR and seconded by board member William Fleck, K2LYE passed on a voice vote.

–Thanks, FARA Newsletter, March, 2009

K1VV and K1WCC plan to activate Minot’s Ledge Lighthouse USA 502 in Scituate, MA as W1AA on Saturday, March 21, 2009 from 7:30 AM EDT (1130 UTC) until about 2:00 PM EDT (1800 UTC).

“Whitey” Doherty, K1VV notes that he and Henry will begin operations on 75 meters around 3996 kHz plus/minus 5 kHz. “We will go to 40 phone around 7234 when 75 runs dry. We’ll be on 14270 plus/minus later in the morning. If we experience QRM, we’ll QSY above 14310. And if band conditions allow, we will also try 18150 +-.”

K1VV says that they will be QRV on CW at approximately on the half hour, on 7035, 10116, 14035, and 18080 kHz, plus or minus QRM.

DX QSLs can be sent via the Bureau. Stateside cards should be sent to W1AA with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the QRZ.com address. Whitey reminds everyone that postal rates for first class envelopes climbs to $0.44 on May 11, 2009.

K1VV adds, “Minot’s Ledge will be our 69th lighthouse activation.”

Roland Daignault, N1JOY writes on BCRA-club list:

“The YL Net will meet Monday evening at 7:00 pm on the N1JBC repeater [Coventry, RI] – 145.370- pl 67. It will be run by myself, Debbie, W1GKE and Crissy, W1DJF.”

Rich Zack, K1RJZ writes on FraminghamARA-L:

Sunday night between 9PM and 1AM (or later), Kurt Jackson, W1OBQ will be climbing the WCVB microwave tower behind You-do-it electronics to the 1000ft level.  No elevator, just climb the hard it way.

If you want to listen in and have a scanner, he will be operating on the 450.4125 MHz which is normally the WCVB chopper freq repeater.

Climb #1 on Sunday will be to fix a bad copper control line and take up microwave gear to be installed on the next climb.  The microwave gear will be in backpacks.

Climb #2 is tba as two TV and one FM station again need to go dark for RF safety reasons. The will be to install the gear that went up in climb #1.

Bob Salow, WA1IDA writes:

For many years, on the day before the Boston Marathon, there was an informal run on the streets of Boston.  That all changed last year when Boston was awarded the US Olympic Women’s Marathon Trials.  The Boston Amateur Radio Club responded with communication support for the 26.2 mile event run in Boston and Cambridge.

This year, to keep the date and advance the running sport, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) will hold a sanctioned 5K (3.1 miles) race followed by a series of 1 mile races for the state’s best high school runners.  All races will start near and finish at the Boston Marathon Finish line.

We have been asked to provide ham communications for these events.  The date is Sunday, 19 April, with hams assembling at 0700 near the Boston Public Library (more details later).  All events are expected to be over by 1100.

Note that there will be no interference with preparations for the Boston Marathon the next day.  If you can assist or have any questions, contact me at wa1ida@arrl.net or 508.650.9440.

Thanks, Boston ARC, The SPARC, March 2009

Mark your calendars for the annual New England QSO Party, May 2-3, 2009. For the details, see http://www.neqrp.org.