ARISS Contact With Covenant Christian Academy, West Peabody, October 13, 2023

ARISS logoFrom ARISS.org:

October 9, 2023—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at the Covenant Christian Academy (CCA) in West Peabody, MA. ARISS conducts 60-80 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.

CCA is a private school that serves over 430 students, Pre-K through12th grade. To prepare for this ARISS contact CCA integrated space-themed aspects into its STEM program and STEM-related activities. The physics and chemistry students hosted “Space Week” where they put together interactive displays on everything from the physics of black holes, Doppler shift, life on the ISS, to the chemistry of astronaut cuisine. STEM-related activities engaged students in their newly instituted Rocketry Club, Women in STEM Club, and a robotics lab. Amateur radio activities, such as learning about ham radio and radio communications, are being provided during after-school programs by members of area amateur radio clubs.

This ARISS contact will allow students to ask their questions of Astronaut Loral O’Hara, amateur radio call sign KI5TOM. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners within the ISS footprint that encompasses the amateur radio ground station in West Peabody, MA.

Amateur radio operators using call sign N1DQF will operate this radio station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for October 13, 2023 at 9:47 am EDT (MA) (13:47 UTC, 9:47 am EDT, 8:47 am CDT, 6:47 am PDT). The public is invited to watch the live stream at: https://vimeo.com/event/3761617.
_______________________________
As time allows, students will ask these questions:

1. What happens with all the trash on the ISS?
2. What is the best part and worst part about living in space?
3. Is the wifi and internet connection better in space?
4. How do you get your supplies delivered to the space station?
5. Do you play games in space? If so, how are they different from the games you play on earth?
6. What is your favorite workout to do for two hours each day to keep your muscles in shape?
7. What has been one of your hardest or scariest moments on the ISS?
8. How do you train your bodies to fall asleep on the ISS since your circadian rhythm can’t be regulated to the earth’s rotation on its axis?
9. Does time feel different on the ISS?
10. Is there any research that you are currently involved in? If so, how does it benefit the earth?
11. What is your favorite meal or snack to eat in outer space?
12. What types of jobs do you do while on the International Space Station?
13. How do you fix the solar panels on the space station?
14. Do you have any animals on the ISS right now? What are they?
15. What happens when someone gets sick on board the ISS?
16. When you come back to earth from space, do you feel the pressure of gravity, and if so, how much does this affect you?
17. What was the most challenging part of your training that prepared you to work on the International
Space Station?
18. What’s the most amazing thing you have seen from space?
19. Has living on the ISS changed any of your perspectives on life?
20. Is all the training, preparation, and hardship you endure to be an astronaut on the ISS worth it?

About ARISS:

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program (SCaN) and the ISS National Lab—Space Station Explorers.

The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities take part in hands-on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see http://www.ariss.org.

Media Contact:

Dave Jordan, AA4KN
ARISS PR

Find us on social media at:

X: ARISS_Intl
Facebook: facebook.com/ARISSIntl
Instagram: ariss_intl
Mastodon: ariss_intl@mastodon.hams.social

K1MJC Fox is QRV, Waltham, October 7, 2023

Mike Cormier, K1MJC, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 1:50 PM on October 7, 2023:

The new K1MJC fox is out, designed by Eliot, W1MJ, it has an on-demand feature.

All you have to do, is transmit on the fox frequency for about two seconds (should include your callsign), and the fox will begin transmitting various messages for 30 minutes.

When the 30 minutes has expired, the last message will encourage you to make a voice request for more. (just repeat what you did to get it started in the beginning).

I don’t know how long the battery will last on this fox, so I plan on leaving it out for quite a while. it’s transmitting on the fox frequency of 147.540MHz.

It’s in a conservation area right next to the old Waltham high school off of Lexington Street.

There is a log with it, I would appreciate if you would sign it, however if you just want to send a reply to this I/O group that’s fine as well.

73,

Mike C, K1MJC

Mike Cormier, K1MJC, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 5:06 PM on October 8, 2023:

 

Unfortunate news, decided to check on the K1MJC fox and discovered that someone had tried to steal it. However, the safety restraints saved it.

 

I will have to take it home and perhaps make some repairs and I’m not sure whether I’ll be putting it out again for the holiday tomorrow; sorry to all those who had plans to go look for it tomorrow.

 

Mike C , K1MJC, …… 73!

Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net – Saturday 10/7/23 at 10 AM

John O’Neill-K1JRO-Eastern Massachusetts ARES DEC – Hospital Liaison writes:

Good Morning,

On Saturday October 7, 2023, the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10:00AM.

We realize that some locations, individuals, and groups may be subject to COVID restrictions. We encourage everyone who is affected by these restrictions to utilize their home or mobile stations to check into the net if possible. Even if you cannot reach all the systems being used, please check-in on those you can.

We will use the following repeaters in the order listed.

1. Attleboro Repeater 147.195 tone 127.3
2. West Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244​
3. DMR -Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot :1 on the following NEDECN repeaters: Boston 449.175 -5.M CC:1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC:1, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC:11, East. Falmouth 145.210 -0.600 CC:9, Martha’s Vineyard145.180 -0.600 CC:10, and Walpole 145.380 -0.600 CC:12.
4. Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5​

Return to the Attleboro Repeater for 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, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members 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 trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. 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 these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.

We hope to hear you Saturday.

73,

John O’ K1JRO and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH

W5DX: “ARRL Public Relations and Outreach” at Billerica ARS Monthly Meeting, October 4, 2023

Billerica ARS logoPlease join us at the Billerica Amateur Radio Society meeting on October 4, 2023 at 7:00 PM.  Sierra G. Harrop, W5DX, from ARRL Headquarters, will present on ARRL Public Relations and Outreach.
 

Speaker: Sierra G. Harrop, W5DX, Public Relations and Outreach Manager for the ARRL.

Bio:

I spent a 20-year career as a TV storyteller, and now I work full-time to grow amateur radio! I started on January 16, 2023, as the Public Relations and Outreach Manager for ARRL. It is a tremendous honor to be a part of this organization. I have lofty goals for my work for our league. I want to increase public understanding and appreciation of ham radio to levels never before seen.”

Both my parents were hams. My dad, Paul, was W5DX from 1996 until he passed in 2019 and had been WB5NDN before that. My mom, Carolyn, was KB5IDV until she passed away in 2008. My younger brother, Seth, is KK4MYZ. I grew up with a tower next to my swing set, and a ham shack down the hall from my bedroom. I’ve never known a world without amateur radio being a significant part of my life.

I was first licensed as KD5IUT in 1999 at the age of 15. I changed call signs to WX5USA in 2006, when I was employed as a storm chaser for a TV station in Oklahoma. I upgraded to General in 2013 and Extra in 2020. In July of 2020, I filed for my dad’s old call sign, W5DX. If there’s one callsign I liked more than my vanity, it was his.

[For Zoom conference details, email Bruce Anderson, W1LUS, at w1lus -at- hotmail -dot- com.]

Reminder: Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday October 2nd, 2023 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater System

Hello to all…

The October Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday October 2nd, 2023 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.

For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have a number of announcements and items for this month’s net including a special NTS message item that we will be starting with this month’s net and into future monthly ARES Nets.

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
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NEAR-Fest, Deerfield NH, October 13-14, 2023

NEAR-Fest logoThe New England Amateur Radio Festival (NEAR-Fest) will be held Friday October 13 and Saturday, October 14 at the Deerfield, New Hampshire, Fairgrounds. Besides the flea market, we will have a full slate of forums during the day on Friday. While we encourage everyone to attend the show, the forums will also be available to view on-line for those who cannot be present. The schedule (subject to change) can be viewed at: http://hamclass.net/nearf23.html. Details for viewing on line will appear the day before.

Further details on NEAR-Fest can be found at: https://near-fest.com/.

Massachusetts RACES Nets – Monday 10/2/23 for HF, Region 2D VHF, NBEMS & Winlink – Times and Details Below

Don Rolph, Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:

The MEMA RACES nets are held on the first Monday of the month, unless the first Monday is a holiday, when it is delayed one week,
The RACES nets for Oct will be held on Mon Oct 2 at:

********************************************************************************
The HF net will start at 6:45 PM ET: using the following frequency plan:
We will start at 3930 KHz moving up to 3955 KHz until there is a clear frequency,
Marc Stern WA1R will be net control.
*********************************************************************************
Region 2D VHF net:
7:30 PM ET VHF net on 146.865 MHz PL 103.5 (Sharon Repeater)
We will have a general call up of any RACES, ARES, or other interested stations. If there is time, we will have a simplex test.
Jim Repetti WJ1R will be net control.
********************************************************************************
HF 80 meters NBEMS net:
7:00 PM ET
Dial Frequency: 3584.5 MHx
Center Frequency: 1500 Hz
Initial mode: THOR22
We will have checkins, followed by an ICS-213 format message using FLMSG.
Don Rolph AB1PH will be net control.
*********************************************************************************
Winlink Net:
Bryan Marcotte KF1D will be. net control.
Send a winlink checkin form to KF1D, copy AB1PH, between 0600 Monday Oct 2 and 2400 Monday Oct 2.

We look forward to you checking in!

73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph

Emergency Alert System Test Message, October 4, 2023

EAS logoAnyone with a cellphone in the United States will hear an alarm go off on their device on October 4. 

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), at approximately 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time, a national test will be conducted of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts.

The message on all consumer phones will read “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”

Those whose device is set to Spanish will receive a message that says “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”

FEMA says the purpose of the test “is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level.

BAA Half Marathon – Sunday 11/12/23 – Volunteers Still Needed

NN1C-Marty Sullaway – Amateur Radio Team Captain for the BAA Half Marathon

Hi Folks,

The BAA Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, November 12, 2023. I am serving as the Amateur Radio Team Captain for the event.

The start and end of the race are in Franklin Park in Boston, and the route is a pretty gorgeous, and turns around in the Fenway.

We are still looking for more amateur radio operator volunteers who will staff spotter stations along the course, and shadow key event officials. Reporting time will be approximately 6:00 AM, and assignments should secure before noon.

Here is the volunteer registration link. If folks have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out, and I am happy to answer any questions people might have.

Best,

Marty Sullaway, NN1C
Amateur Radio Team Captain, BAA Half Marathon

“Where is Quincy Granite?” Special Event Station, October 7, 2023

From K1USN Happenings, September 29, 2023:

“Where Is Quincy Granite?”

Quincy Radio Club Special Event “Where Is Quincy Granite?” is scheduled for Saturday, October 7 from 1400 – 1900 UTC. We will be transmitting from the Quincy Quarry & Granite Workers Museum located in Quincy, Massachusetts. Our SES is in honor and remembrance to the once vibrant granite quarry industry in Quincy during the 19th and early 20th century.

Granite from the numerous quarries was used in construction and monument bases all over the eastern US. We hope to make contacts with stations that have Quincy granite in their communities. New York, Maryland, Illinois, Rhode Island and many other places are where you can find “Quincy Granite” Our members will be on the HF bands SSB/FT8/CW as well as WiresX—Quincy Room #63826. We hope to have an APRS station up as well—KW1NZE-7.

Certificate for Special Event

Where is Quincy Granite? Special Event Station sample certificate

A Certificate for working our Special Event Station (SES) can be obtained in 2 ways.

1. Send a NTS radiogram with QSO info. A certificate will be emailed to you at the email listed on your QRZ page or email indicated in your radiogram signature. If you send a radiogram and a SASE you will also qualify to receive a collectible wooden nickel for your efforts and commitment to NTS.

Where is Quincy Granite? sample radiogram

 

Where is Quincy Granite wooden nickels

 

2. Send an email to KW1NZE@hotmail.com with QSO information and the club will email you a certificate.

We hope to get you in the log!!

73,

Peter, KC1HHO

W1IS, KC1DSQ: “Why and How of Simple Antennas That Work” at Framingham ARA Hybrid Meeting, October 5, 2023

Framingham ARA logo“Why and How of Simple Antennas That Work” by Bob Glorioso, W1IS and Bob Rose, KC1DSQ, October 5, 2023

Bob and Bob will introduce some basic concepts that are applied to antennas that don’t cost a King’s ransom to build and work well. Topics covered include, resonance, Voltage and Current distributions, RF Feedback, End Effect, Dipoles, Verticals, C-poles, Wire Beams and Stacked Dipoles.

Meeting will start at 7 pm. This meeting is hybrid, meaning on Zoom and in person, and will be held at the Framingham McAuliffe branch library. Members will receive a zoom invitation. Area hams and those not yet licensed but interested in amateur radio are welcome to attend. Non-members may request an invitation by sending an email to John president@w1fy.org.

Amateur License Exams Offered at Northeastern Universitiy

Marty Sullaway, NN1C, writes on the Northeastern University Wireless Club mailing list:

I am also excited to announce our upcoming series of amateur radio licensing exams. Each exam session is free for Northeastern Students, and getting your ham radio license looks great on your resume, and is a great proxy for learning electrical engineering skills. Our first exam will be on Oct 2, 2023 followed by another on Oct 16, 2023. Learn more on our website, and please sign up there if you wish to attend. Each will be held at 7:00 PM in 503 Hayden. 

“W1MJ Fox Design” at Waltham ARA Hybrid Meeting, September 27, 2023

W1MJ FoxRich Comer, K1RBC, writes on the Waltham ARA mailing list:

Hope you all had a great summer! The next meeting of the Waltham Amateur Radio Association will be this Wednesday at 7:00 pm via Zoom. (Zoom opens at 6:30 pm.)

After a short business meeting, Eliot, W1MJ, will give a presentation on the complete redesign of his “fox” and we will have a quick recap of Field Day.

Hope to see you there.

[Contact Rich Comer, K1RBC, at <rich.comer@live.com> for Zoom information.]

Massachusetts Rhode Island STM Report for August 2023

The Massachusetts Rhode Island STM report for August 2023 is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-aug-2023/. Note recent NTS news in QST and On the Air magazines plus podcast featuring KC1OIP. Also upcoming NTS Letter, patterned after ARES Letter, soon to be sent to ARRL field appointees. ARRL members can subscribe to this monthly newsletter featuring NTS. Also spotlight on Michael Ford, WZ0C.

..

PART Portable Operation at Westford Sportsmen’s Club, September 30, 2023

Westforrd Sportsmen's Club 75th party open house flyerGeorge Allison, K1IG, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

On Saturday, September 30, from noon to 4:00 PM, the Westford Sportsmen’s Club will be holding an open house to celebrate its 75th birthday, and PART will be setting up a portable station to show off ham radio. Everyone is invited to attend, and PART members can help operate the station. Free hot dogs and refreshments will be served.The Sportsmen’s Club is located at 80 West Street in Westford.

Project BIG E—Urgent Request for Additional Volunteers, September 23, 2023

Project Big E GrantLarry Krainson, W1AST, writes:

We need at least one extra person for the first session from 9:30 to 4:00 pm and the second session from 3:30 pm to 10:00 pm.

Can you please help? Saturdays are very busy days and at least three people are needed in the booth.

You will be reimbursed for admission and parking after the Big E has ended.

Contact Larry Krainson, W1AST, at <wb1dby@gmail.com>.

[See https://nediv.arrl.org/project-big-e/ for details]

AB1PH Published in QEX!

QEX coverStu Solomon, W1SHS, writes:
 
Don Rolph, AB1PH, ARES Emergency Coordinator for Norfolk County, MA, has an article published in the September/October 2023 edition of the ARRL publication QEX magazine.  The article, “An Open Source Meta-Design for an APRS™ Appliance” describes, in detail, the function, design and testing of a low cost APRS device.
 
Congratulations to Don on the excellent project and its publication in QEX!

Mass Rhode Island Digital Net Move

Net manager of the MARIDN Jon McCombie N1ILZ announces a slight move for this net in order to prevent interference to an ongoing CW net. The net will move down 500 Hz to 3582.5. It is a fun new net that is drawing more interest.  It currently uses the NBEMS suite of software. A Zoom chat precedes this net for informational purposes and can be used to help new folks get started. See N1ILZ@arrl.net for details.

KK1X: “The Basics of POTA” at the Nashoba Valley ARC Meeting, September 21, 2023

Nashoba Valley ARC logoBruce Blain, K1BG, writes on the Nashoba Valley ARC mailing list:

Summer is over and we are meeting again!

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s September meeting is Thursday, September 21st at 7:30 PM, at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell MA). We start gathering at 7 PM to socialize before the meeting starts.

This month’s guest speaker will be our very own John Griswold, KK1X, who will be talking about “The Basics of POTA.”  POTA (short for “Parks on the Air”) has become a very popular operating activity on the high frequency bands. The program encourages and promotes portable operation (and emergency awareness) from national and state parks. John will share his experience and knowledge regarding his POTA operations. I’m sure it will be an interesting meeting!

Need directions? Click here and put your own address in box “A.”

Thanks and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Bruce, K1BG

978-772-2773 or bruce.blain@charter.net

Please visit NVARC on the web: www.n1nc.org
https://www.youtube.com/@nvarc
https://www.facebook.com/NVARC