K1USN HAPPENINGS 6/18/2025; MSW wrapup, ARRL Field Day
H
i gang,
Summer Solstice approaches!
Check out the latest K1USN news and get ready for Field Day!
73,
Pi – K1RV / K1USN
All
Tune-Up Radio Flea Market–NE Wireless & Steam
The New England Wireless & Steam Museum will be holding its third annual Tune-Up event on Saturday July 12, 2025. This is a flea market for antique radios, amateur radio gear, and any electronics. It is an outdoor event. If you come to sell, we have reserved a section of our upper field (separate from adjacent attendee parking) for you to sell from your vehicle tailgate, your table, or blanket. This is an ARRL Sanctioned event. (note: the listing in the July QST listed the cost as’free’. It is actually $5)
AC1KY: “Aircraft Tracking using SDR” at Sci-Tech ARS Hybrid Meeting, June 17, 2025
Tuesday, June 17: “Aircraft Tracking using SDR” by Peter Morrison, AC1KY.
Description: In this presentation, Peter Morrison will discuss how anyone can use low cost software-defined radios to track aircraft using ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast) signals. He will provide some history of the development of ADS-B and will also talk about aircraft patterns around Beverly.
Bio: Peter was first licensed in 1960 in Montreal and still holds a Canadian call sign, VE3IDX. He moved to the U.S. in 1981 and acquired U.S. call sign AC1KY several years ago. Peter is a retired EE who specialized in computer design. His former employers include Raytheon, Wang, Digital, and Intel. For many years Peter travelled back to Canada to join a group of friends to operate for Field Day. Computers currently occupy a fair chunk of his time.
Please note: Peter will be presenting in person at [New England Sci-Tech], but you can also choose to participate over Zoom, as always.
Amateur Support Requested for Gloucester Horribles Parade, July 3, 2025
Dean Burgess, KB1PGH, writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:
I would like to take this time to ask some more [CAARA] members to help us with the Gloucester Horribles parade communications coming up on Thursday, July 3rd at 6 PM. We have a few people signed up, but we could really need a few more members to join us make it work to cover spots along the entire parade route, so any help would be greatly appreciated. The City of Gloucester requests CAARA`s presence every year to help the parade organizers. If you can join us, please mail me back.
73, Dean Burgess KB1PGH
SKYWARN Spotter Training at SEMARA – June 22, 2025
Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on the SEMARA Mailing List:
I’ll be teaching a SKYWARN Training Class at SEMARA on Sunday 6/22/25 from 930 AM-1130 AM. Details are below:Sunday June 22nd, 2025 – 930 AM-1130 AM:
SEMARA – Southeast Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association
54 Donald Street
South Dartmouth, MA 02748
Sponsored by: SEMARA – Southeast Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Rob also states the registration is required and information must be filled out to avoid going over capacity and to ensure that he has enough spotter cards for people in the class.
June 2025 Section Update
HAPPY SUMMER! Wow, time has really flown by quickly. It’s hard to believe it’s officially Summer, but the temperatures are getting reasonable, the flowers are blooming, the pollen level is beyond crazy, and allergy meds have become a required part of the daily regimen! And here on the Cape, the inevitable deluge of tourists has begun. It’s now nearly impossible to make left turns, with the increased traffic. But our favorite restaurants have awakened from their winter slumber and are open once again. Let Summer begin!
* Field Day is June 28-29 – SOON!
I hope your plan for Field Day 2025 is coming along! It’s coming up quickly – June 28-29 this year. The League has all manner of materials to help you and your club get started, including the FD site locator, and the 2025 ARRL Field Day Public Relations Kit [PDF] at https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zMzEwNjY0JnA9MSZ1PTUyNDYxMTkzMiZsaT0zNzcwMTg1MA/index.html to get you started – including a press release template that you can use for your activation. Full details at https://arrl.org/field-day
I am finalizing my plans to visit as many Field Day sites in person as I can fit in. I’ll be starting Saturday morning in northeast MA, then making my way through the section over Saturday and Sunday. Please, PLEASE register your FD site on the FD site locator on the ARRL website so I can plan my journey. I’m very much looking forward to seeing so many of you! If you especially want me to stop by your FD site, please email me at n1ilz@arrl.org and let me know where you’ll be and your hours of operation.
* Governor’s FD Proclamation
A big tip o’ the hat and a serious thank-you to our State Government Liaison (SGL) Steve KC1KEZ, for his efforts to get an official Proclamation from MA’s governor, Maura Healey, officially recognizing June 28-29 as Amateur Radio Field Day in MA. I will have an original copy of the proclamation with me on my FD site visits, as will WMA Section Manager Ray AA1SE, and New England Division Vice Director Phil K9HI.
* Boy Scout Camp Greenough Amateur Radio Station Grand Opening
The Barnstable Amateur Radio Club is very excited to announce the Grand Opening of the newly constructed Camp Greenough Amateur Radio Station scheduled for Saturday May 31st starting at 2PM, in conjunction with the Chuck Wagon Event. The station is located in the basement of the Maushop Lodge.
This station is the culmination of the efforts by members of the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club, contributions of the American Radio Relay League, and many local businesses and the support of the Cape and Island council leadership. More details at https://ema.arrl.org/2025/05/07/camp-greenough-amateur-radio-station-grand-opening-yarmouth-port-may-31-2025/
* 2025 Northeast HamXposition is Coming!
Mark your calendars! The 2025 Northeast HamXposition is not that far away: August 21-24, 2025, in Marlborough, MA. This is New England’s premier ham gathering. I hope to have an eyeball QSO with all of you at HamX! Full info at https://hamxposition.org/
* Thanks to N1WBV and W1IZZ for Help Maintaining EMA Section Website
A huge thank you to Ben N1WBV and Larry W1IZZ for answering my call for help with keeping the EMA website up to date. Between them they’re connected to just about every club in Eastern MA, and they’ve been doing a fantastic job keeping the EMA website fresh with news and current events. Thanks again, guys!
* Virtual NTS Traffic Net Going Strong
Many Technician class amateurs miss out on fun and skills learning of traffic handling because they reside in areas of the country where local traffic nets on VHF repeaters don’t exist. The Virtual NTS Traffic Net (VNTN) seeks to address this problem with the creation of a Zoom-based local traffic net that can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection.
The Net meets weekly, and held its inaugural session on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET. The VNTN URL is: https://bitl.to/3xj4 The net will be changing time to 8 PM ET soon – stay tuned for details.
Full details at https://ema.arrl.org/2025/03/05/virtual-nts-traffic-net-begins-march-5-2025/
* Still Recruiting a New Section Youth Coordinator
Sadly, our former Section Youth Coordinator, Paul K1YUB, is now a Silent Key. I need to fill this important position on the EMA Section Staff. The SYC requirement and job description is at https://www.arrl.org/section-youth-coordinator If you are interested in this volunteer position, please contact me at n1ilz@arrl.org – I’ll appreciate it greatly!
* N1ILZ for a Final
I hope you’re all enjoying the joys that Summer brings, with warmer weather, no more snow, and – lest I forget – ice cream!! Get out there and get those new antennas up or fix the damage from the ravages of winter. Stay cool and hydrated. Most of all, get on the air and have fun!
Can you write a paragraph or two about what you’re up to, so I can publish it in the Section Update? Shoot me an email at n1ilz@arrl.org!
* For always up-to-date news, please visit the EMA Section website at http://ema.arrl.org
This Section News Update was brought to you by Section Manager Jon N1ILZ.
W1MJ Fox Deployed, Waltham, June 15, 2025
Eliot Mayer, W1MJ, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 8:04 AM ET on July 15, 2025:
It looks like the weather will be nice today, so I am heading out now to hide my fox in DCR Beaver Brook Reservation North. It should be on the air by 9:00 AM, and I will confirm deployment here once it is on the air. I will retrieve it tomorrow (June 16) at 4:00 PM or later.
Parking areas for Beaver Brook Reservation North:
Fox frequency: 147.540 MHz
The W1MJ Fox transmits with 4 watts to a roll-up J-pole antenna. Depending upon the equipment used, this can make finding the fox harder than with the more typical 50 mW foxes used by this group. An attenuator can be helpful, as can tuning into the 3rd harmonic when you get close. There is no logbook at the fox, but if you hunt for the fox, please let me know how it went at fox@w1mj.com.
73 DE W1MJ
2025 Nashoba Valley ARC Field Day Press Release
Mark it on your calendar – ARRL Field Day is just two weeks away! Once again this year, the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club will participate from the Heald Street Orchard in Pepperell (entrance is adjacent to 112 Heald Street). We will be setting up Saturday, June 28th after 9 AM, with operation from 2 PM Saturday June 28 th through Sunday June 29th at 2 PM.
We will feature four operating stations – an HF phone station (primarily for voice operation), an HF CW station (primarily for Morse code and data operation), a VHF/UHF station (which will also communicate via satellite), and a GOTA station. GOTA stands for “Get-on-the-Air”. This station is specifically set aside for unlicensed operators (operating under the supervision of a licensed operator), newly licensed hams, and generally inactive hams.
Besides the Field Day stations, there will be educational activities, social activities, food, etc. Something for everyone! Please come and join us. Bring your family, friends, kids, and grandchildren. Everyone is welcome.
Attached is the official press release which will give you more information.
I look forward to seeing you there!
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Bruce, K1BG
978-772-2773 or bruce.blain@charter.net
Wellesley ARS POTA Event Cancelled, June 14, 2025
Charlie Bures, WA3ITR, writes:
We have had a beautiful stretch of sunny, warm days but, (of course) the nice weather is ending Friday night. Rain is forecast for Saturday in the morning and day.
After discussions with others and various weather outlets, it is not looking good [to hold a Parks On The Air event]. There will be other opportunities this summer.
73, Charlie
Volunteer Opportunity – Corpus Christi Procession – June 22nd
Friar John Mary, KC1QAP, is looking for communications support for our Corpus Christi Procession on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025 from 1:30PM to 4:30PM in New Bedford, MA:
Each Comm person would be assigned to a key figure person in the Procession in order to facilitate communications between them, thus ensuring that the Procession runs smoothly . The challenges in the past has been key figures having to run around looking for the one they need to communicate with or not even try because of the distance between them is too great. Walkie talkies in the past have not been too impressive.
If you are interested please contact Friar John via e-Mail.
New Ham Report for June 1, 2025
Here is the new ham report as of June 1, 2025, listing newly licensed hams in the Eastern MA Section. Club officials, please review the list and reach out to those in your footprint and invite, welcome them. To all: please welcome these folks when you hear them on local repeaters. Offer assistance as well!
Report for 2025-06-01
Darin E Larabee, KC1WVQ – FCC
55 Karen Rd
Framingham, MA 01701-2609
Kristofer E Elbing, KC1WSI – FCC
187 Pelham Island Rd
Wayland, MA 01778-2509
Ariana Rydzkowski, KC1WTB – FCC
PO Box 271
Burlington, MA 01803-0471
Joseph M Erickson, KC1WVS – FCC
109 Pine St
Andover, MA 01810-1721
Mathilde P LaGro, AC1UL – FCC
72 Billerica Rd
Chelmsford, MA 01824-3158
Amaury V Gomez, KC1WVK – FCC
36 Golf Ave
Methuen, MA 01844-6237
Xin Ling A Chen, KC1WVM – FCC
36 Main St Apt 11
North Reading, MA 01864-2245
Frederick Van Magness, KC1WSQ – FCC
28 Kieran Rd
Reading, MA 01867-1041
Larson M Rogers, KC1WVP – FCC
16 Edgehill Rd
Swampscott, MA 01907-1104
John R Whitmarsh, KC1WTD – FCC
49 Sherwood Ave
Danvers, MA 01923-2322
Tom U Kadala, KC1WSK – FCC
PO Box 372
Manchester, MA 01944-0372
James F Sullivan, KC1WVW – FCC
41 Carrier St
Bellingham, MA 02019-2706
Tamara Martin, KC1WVC – FCC
12 Longmeadow Dr
Westwood, MA 02090-1079
Daniel J Hepworth, KC1WUW – FCC
101 Beverly St Apt 6U
Boston, MA 02114-2180
Jill Levien, KC1WWD – FCC
24 Grozier Rd
Cambridge, MA 02138-3315
Quinton G Henthorne, KC1WUV – FCC
39 Orient St
Malden, MA 02148-2701
Paul M Amato, KC1WVX – FCC
53 Irving St
Revere, MA 02151-5232
Olivier D Laplante, KC1WTA – FCC
80 Doris Dr
North Weymouth, MA 02191-2002
Max Willer, KC1WUA – FCC
88 Princeton Ave
Waltham, MA 02451-3135
Martin J Colwell, KC1WVV – FCC
74 Bacon St Apt 2
Waltham, MA 02451-4378
Jonathan Millstein, KC1WVG – FCC
92 Cross St
Belmont, MA 02478-3153
Soldier Ride Cape Cod 2025
The 14th Falmouth Soldier Ride took place on Friday, June 6th, 2025. Fifty Wounded Warriors from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan rode from the start of the Shining Sea Bikeway in North Falmouth down to Woods Hole and back. The twenty mile round trip on the bike path allowed lots of room to find a spot to cheer the Warriors on as they rode.
Three Falmouth ARA members (Ralph-N1YHS, Mel-K1ELB, and Matt-KB1MLP) manned net control, which was located in the FARA Communications Trailer at North Famouth.
Eight Falmouth ARA members (Barry-KB1TLR, Jeremy-WA1JRC, Jay-WB4KYW, Steve-KC1TMJ, Harold-N1ZTV, Phil-KB1DOS. Henry-K1WCC, and Larry-W1IZZ) manned stations located along the Bikeway, providing rider location and status updates. Henry was assisted by his grandson Sterling acting as scribe.
Community groups were present at the various Bikeway street crossings and at the Woods Hole end of the Bikeway. Members of Coast Guard Group Woods Hole were also on hand in Woods Hole. The groups put together colorful displays and cheered the riders as they passed.
WB1GOF/R back on Echolink
Terry, KA8SCP writes to the PART Mailing list that the WB1GOF 146.955 repeater in Westford is back online on Echolink at node 380799. Repeater info can be found at Echolink, the WB1GOF repeater page, and RepeaterBook! He also pointed out that the analog repeater is also streaming on Broadcastify.
Field Day NTS training, the bare essentials
I’ve been doing ‘virtual NTS training’ (https://groups.io/g/VNTN) for the past couple of months over Zoom. I thought that maybe I could help other clubs in the area by doing an abbreviated training session focused on Field Day radiograms.
I’ve put a web page at https://www.qsl.net/n1cvo/FDNTS.htm with the details. These sessions are at 8pm on June 11th, 18th and possibly 25th. The Zoom sessions will be recorded and I’ll post the recording link to the FDNTS page the day after a session.
If you want a head start, there is a good intro to creating and voicing radiograms at: https://www.k8amh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/National-Traffic-System-and-Radiograms.pdf .
Shawn – N1CVO
Billerica Amateur Radio Society
New England APRS Net – June 9th, 2025
Dust off your APRS gear and check in next week to the New England APRS Test Net! This is a great opportunity to figure out the APRS functions on your latest HT or other APRS gizmo.
Why participate in the test net? During the first month, there were a number of reports of operators who tried to check in, but needed to figure out how to send a message or worse, realized they needed to update the firmware of their device. As Amateur Radio Operators, we often market ourselves folks who can send a message “when all else fails” so this is the perfect time for you to find out in a fun environment what isn’t working BEFORE you need to do something important!
KC1VMZ gives the details on the neaprs mailing list:
WHAT: NE APRS Test net
WHEN: second Monday of the Month (for June, this is Monday June 9): 0600 ET – 2359 ET
WHERE: APRS
HOW: Destination Station = ANSRVR
HOW: Message body = CQ [space] NEAPRS [space] “your text: check-in message of choice.”
Extra credit – send out a location beacon during the net time period as well.
Extra extra credit – Send “Q” to QUIZME and answer the question sent to you. It will tell you if you got it right or not. I may even get more questions added by then 🙂
2025 Field Day Locator – Please Register
If your club is planning to participate in Field Day, please consider listing YOUR club’s Field Day location on the ARRL Field Day Locator page: https://www.arrl.org/field-day
If your club is already listed, Thank You!
If you know of any clubs or individuals who are not ARRL Affiliated who will be operating Field Day stations, please encourage them to use the Field Day Locator page.
Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net (EMHN) – Saturday 6/7/25 – 1000 AM ET
Jeff-N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH writes:
Good Evening,
On Saturday June 7, 2025 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. West Bridgewater repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. Attleboro Repeater 147.195 tone 127.3
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, Sagamore 145.200 – 0.6M CC:10, 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 Repeater 146.865 tone 103.5
5. Simplex 147.420
We will then return to the West Bridgewater 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,
Jeff N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH
Volunteer Opportunity – Paul White Memorial Road Race, July 5, 2025
We are looking for volunteers to help out with the 46th Annual Paul White Road Race in North Falmouth. This year, the race will be held on Saturday, July 5th, starting at 9:00 am, and typically last 2 hours. Your mission is to report to Net Control when the first runners arrive at your station, when the last runner has passed your station, and report any incidents or problems. A 2-meter HT, preferably with a hi-gain whip antenna, will work in most all locations. It’s also a good idea to wear a hi-visibility traffic vest if you have one, and a callsign badge. Volunteers would need to be in place by 8:30, and should be released when the last runner passes their location.
If you are interested in volunteering, please email Mel Trott, K1ELB at trottcape@gmail.com
K1USN QRV for Museum Ships Weekend 2025
“Pi” Pugh, K1RV, writes in K1USN Happenings, June 3, 2025:
This upcoming Friday, Saturday & Sunday we will be operating at the Bare Cove Fire Museum in Hingham on 45 Bare Cove Park Drive! This invitation is being set to help us better prepare for our June 7/8 Museum Ships weekend setup operation.
Hopefully we will have a good turnout for this Thursday’s work party as we put our heads together to figure out the station and antenna configuration, etc.
BTW, there will be no meeting this Saturday @ the Tufts Library due to our Museum Ships special event operation @ the Bare Cove Fire Museum! Please plan to drop by the BCFM to visit, operate, drink coffee, etc.
We are planning a work party this Thursday beginning at 3 PM to setup the three HF operating stations as well as the VHF talk-in station which will be on 145.39(W1ATD, Marshfield) & 146.535 (simplex).
On Friday we expect to continue setting up antennas, etc in preparation for the 8 PM EDT (0000 UTC) start of MSW 2025.
There will be three HF stations (SSB, CW, FT8) available during our hours of operation this weekend.
Fri 8 PM – 11 PM
Sat 8 AM – 8 PM
Sun 8 AM – 4 PM
There will also be our VHF talk-in station available and needing operators. See Bob – WA1Q (wa1qbob@gmail.com) for schedule needs.
We will be running the three HF radios @ 100 watts simultaneously and using band-pass filters to minimize inter-station interference. Since this will be or first time operating from this location, I’m sure that we will need to do some tweaking to minimize interference since there will be two vertical and two horizontal antennas to switch between, etc.
The stations will be setup as follows:
Station 1 IC-7610 SSB
Station 2 IC-7300 FT4/8
Station 3 Elecraft K4D CW
BTW, I’m looking for a “volunteer” to handle our HF station operator scheduling. If you are willing, please step forward ASAP so that we can get the ball rolling.
You will need to be able to receive text messages and/or emails from prospective operators and build a simple listing consisting of one or two hour operator slots for each station throughout the weekend. Please text me (617-827-5492) if you’d like to handle this important scheduling task ASAP so that we can start the ball rolling!
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