a field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
The Boston Amateur Radio Club will hold a general meeting on Thursday, July 16, at 7:30 PM on the Zoom teleconferencing platform. Charlie Bures, WA3ITR, will present “An Introduction to WSPR, JT65, & FT-8.”
The Yankee Clipper Contest Club will hold its fourth in a series Special Interest Group presentations on RTTY contesting online on Thursday, July 9, 2020 from 7:00-8:30 PM for its membership. Previous SIG presentations have addressed CW, SSB, and FT4/8 modes.
Joe Thomas, WB1EMS, reports a group of 20 hams from the South Shore area participated in Field Day at Great Hill in Weymouth overlooking Boston Harbor. Many of this group have been regular participants on the East Mass Two Meter Net on the Boston 145.23 repeater. Mike, K1UVH, was the event coordinator putting much of the setup together along with Peter, KC1HHO and Scott, N1KMX. Other EM2MN regulars included: Bernie, KC1MSN; Chet, KB1NZZ; and Alex, KC1NBT.
The group operated simplex, repeaters, two-meters, HF, six-meters, digital, packet, and APRS. Joe reports that N1KMX made 45 contacts via simplex contacting local stations and stations in Maine, New Hampshire, the Blue Hill Weather Observatory, and several mobile contacts, including a mobile aeronautical station aboard a US Coast Guard helicopter!
Joe says a fun day was had by all and they hope to do it again soon. –Marcia Forde, KW1U
Hello to all…
The July Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday July 6th, 2020 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:
http://www.mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_index_by_linkstate.html
We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. For tonight’s ARES Net, we will do a brief review of severe weather events that have affected the section particularly in the last week and provide a brief COVID-19-Update as we continue to monitor this health emergency from a communications needs perspective and what you can do as ARES volunteers or general Amateur Radio Operators during this health emergency to prepare for any communications issues during this time. A link to a document that we had created for ARES awareness in April 2020 is available at the following link:
https://ema.arrl.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Eastern-Massachusetts-ARES-COVID-19-Update.pdf
A reminder that a report on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES exercise will be available by Monday July 13th 2020 and will be posted via email and on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Web Site at https://ema.arrl.org/ares. 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 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
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From ARRL Web:
Members of the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) will conduct an HF skills exercise July 20 – 24 to hone their operating skills and messaging-handling capabilities.
MARS members will be reaching out to the amateur radio community via the 60-meters Channel 1 Net (5330.5 kHz dial) twice a day, the SATERN HF net (14.265 MHz), and by contacting various stations via HFLink throughout the exercise. MARS members will be requesting assistance with collecting county status information as well as airport weather information, called METARs. MARS members will also be passing ICS 213 messages to numerous Department of Defense (DoD), federal, and amateur radio addressees.
This exercise will be announced via WWV at 00:10 and via WWVH at 00:50 starting on or about July 13. WWV and WWVH listeners will be asked to take an online listener survey. This HF radio training event will not impact regular communications. — Thanks to Paul English, Chief, Army MARS
John O’Neill-K1JRO writes:
Good Evening Everyone,
My apologies for the very late note.
Where the first Saturday of July is holiday, we will not have a Net this month. We will have a Net in August. A notice will be sent out about the August Net well in advance.
I hope everyone has a safe and fun 4th.
Regards,
John O’ – K1JRO
South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group – W1SSH
55 Fogg Road, Box 42
South Weymouth, MA 02190
Eric Williams, KV1J, writes on the Algonquin Amateur Radio Club mailing list:
Hope all are well.
I am cancelling our QSL sort session that was scheduled for August 13, 2020.
Two reasons: one, of course, is the current virus situation. The Fire Station is not available and our work is not “Essential.” The other reason is with the worldwide precautions, we are not receiving the boxes from the countries. So at this point that are not enough cards to sort. It may be that the mail embargoes will be released and we’ll get a surge of cards at some point. So maybe we can have a smaller scale session later in the summer.
Thank you to the club for your past support of the W1 QSL Bureau and look forward to our future sorting events.
73,
Eric KV1J
W1 QSL Bureau Co-Manager
www.w1qsl.org
John Salmi, KB1MGI, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:
I have had a S-9+ power line noise on my VHF beams on 2 meters and 6 meters along with my HF vertical antenna during the dry spells this spring and summer. When it rained the noise reduced or stopped all together. I traced it down to a pole 200 feet from my QTH.
From ARRL Web:
Go all the way to the top! ARRL has everything you need to pass the Amateur Extra Class license exam with confidence.
The ARRL Extra Class License Manual for Ham Radio is your ticket to every privilege granted to amateur radio operators — all frequencies, operating modes, and power levels. It has all the questions and answers, with detailed explanations, for examinations taken between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2024.
Use this book with ARRL Exam Review for Ham Radio online to review the material. You can even take practice exams, so there are no surprises on exam day!
When you’ve successfully passed the exam, The ARRL Extra Class License Manual will serve as your reference as you explore your new privileges!
If you’re looking for a more direct route to studying for the exam, ARRL’s Extra Q&A contains all exam questions and the answers.
To upgrade to Amateur Extra, you must already hold a General class license (or have recently passed all of the exam elements required for a General license).
The ARRL Extra Class License Manual new 12th edition spiral bound (ARRL Item No. 1311, ISBN: 978-1-62595-131-1, $32.95 retail) and ARRL’s Extra Q&A new 5th edition (ARRL Item No. 1335, ISBN: 978-1-62595-133-5, $19.95 retail) are now shipping. Order from the ARRL Store, or find an ARRL publications dealer; For additional questions or ordering, call 860-594-0355 (toll-free in the US, 888-277-5289). Both The ARRL Extra Class License Manual and ARRL’s Extra Q&A are available as an e-book for the Amazon Kindle.
The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association has announced that its Volunteer Examination team has resumed in-person test sessions.
According to the Falmouth ARA website: “Lee Thomas, NQ1L, FARA’s [VE team coordinator] has arranged for the use of a facility that allows for proper social distancing. Examinations are now available on the second Saturday of the month by reservation only. Contact Lee Thomas at NQ1L38 at gmail.com to schedule an examination.”
(Radio World) – The Federal Communications Commission says it reached a settlement with two operators of pirate radio stations in the Boston area.
It said Acerome Jean Charles and Gerlens Cesar admit fault, will pay fines and agreed to 20-year compliance commitments. And they’ll dispose of their radio equipment.
It’s an unexpected development. In December the FCC issued notices of apparent liability to the men for operating Radio Concorde and Radio TeleBoston, respectively.
“The Enforcement Bureau negotiated the two Consent Decrees, which provide for a strict compliance plan over a period of 20 years to prevent Jean Charles and Cesar from ever resuming unlicensed broadcasting,” the commission announced. [Full story]
The new 2020 – 2024 Amateur Extra class (Element 4) question pool takes effect on July 1, 2020. The new question pool incorporates significant changes compared to the 2016 – 2020 question pool (expiration date: June 30, 2020).
The number of questions in the pool is reduced from 712 to 622. This results in 239 modified questions, 49 new questions, and the removal of 139 outdated questions. Areas of new technology and subjects were added. The 2020 pool has 10 diagrams, which have been renumbered,
It’s important to note that question E3B08 was withdrawn from the new pool and may not be used on exams.
Questions in that section were not renumbered, leaving 11 questions.
-Thanks, Bob Kelley, K1KVV, semara.org
The June, 2020, Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/june-2020-section-news/.
June 2020: EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS (EMA) SECTION NEWS
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Welcome to the Eastern Massachusetts ARRL section newsletter
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To see all the monthly news, which is updated regularly, visit <https://ema.arrl.org/>.
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UP FRONT
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A PRELUDE TO SUMMER
I’m trying something a little different this month. There is so much about Amateur Radio happening right now as July is knocking on the door, that I almost certainly will break my tradition of one long newsletter a month and issue shorter but more frequent newsletters for a while.
I am calling this June Newsletter the “Prelude to a summer newsletter series.” What might get covered?
• Getting to know the ARRL better
• The virtual ARRL Board meeting coming in mid-July
• Who represents the New England Division at the Board
• Who are our neighboring New England section managers
• More about a most unusual Field Day that just concluded
• The 13 Colonies Event
• The IARU HF Championship (a great event)
• Lots of other wonderful on-air events
• Covid-19 hasn’t left but ham radio has been a huge help
• And more!
I plan to start an ongoing series called “Understanding ARRL” (see below). Learn what League Officials, Division Directors and Vice Directors, Section Managers, Field, and Headquarters staff all around the nation do to make the amateur radio service better for all. PART 1 coming up soon!
Tom K1TW
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AMATEUR RADIO MEETS STEM IN PANDEMIC-CHALLENGED VIRTUAL CLASSROOM
“In the midst of a global pandemic, classroom learning continues. This is a story about a high school physics class continuing to operate and expand its horizons through exposure to the magic of amateur radio satellites – even while taking on the challenges of social distancing.” <https://ema.arrl.org/2020/06/26/amateur-radio-meets-stem-in-pandemic-challenged-virtual-classroom/>
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“TAUNTON AMATEUR RADIO ENTHUSIAST STILL HAMMING IT UP AFTER NEARLY SIXTY
YEARS”
(Taunton Gazette) Taunton amateur Ted Figlock, KA1AAT, was the subject of a nice feature story in the June 24, 2020 issue of the Taunton Gazette: By Charles Winokoor, Taunton Gazette Staff Reporter TAUNTON – Dr. Thadeus “Ted” Figlock has been a world traveler for the better part of six decades. And he’s done most of it from a sitting position. The 85-year-old, former obstetrician and gynecologist, who unpretentiously describes his medical career as having consisted mainly of “delivering babies and cutting out tumors,” has had a difficult year. <https://ema.arrl.org/2020/06/25/taunton-amateur-radio-enthusiast-still-hamming-it-up-after-nearly-60-years/>
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UNDERSTANDING THE ARRL – A PERIODIC SERIES
How well do you understand the organization and operation of the ARRL? Some members know it extremely well. Many probably need to consult the ARRL website.
Our newly elected ARRL First Vice President, for example, is Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, who is from our section. How does the First Vice President fit into the ARRL hierarchy? Find out soon or go now to <https://www.arrl.org>.
How well do you know your Division Director, Vice Director, and Section Manager? If you heard them on the air would you recognize their callsign? I like to ask people when I visit clubs, how many Divisions and how many ARRL sections are there anyway? Do you know?
The goal of this periodic series will be to provide members with a concise, focused look at many aspects of ARRL. You will be impressed by how varied the ARRL is and how much good it does for this hobby.
Stay tuned for the first installment!
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NEW AFFILIATED CLUB SERVICE OFFERED: YOUR CLUB ON THE WEB!
We know it’s difficult to recruit and retain a webmaster for your club. In fact, some clubs’ web sites have fallen into disrepair. That’s why we’re excited to offer this new service to ARRL affiliated clubs—a hosted page on the EMA ARRL web site. The address is of the form, https://ema.arrl.org/<Your Club Name>. The pages would be maintained by our webmaster, with input from your club officers.
What would the page look like?
Check out the Wellesley Amateur Radio Society page at <https://ema.arrl.org/wars> and the Nantucket Amateur Radio Association at <https://ema.arrl.org/nara>.
Questions? Contact ASM Phil Temples, K9HI, at <k9hi@arrl.org>.
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WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THAT RADIO CLUB?
Please visit <https://ema.arrl.org/affiliated-clubs/radio-clubs-of-yesteryear/> and send any information you might have to our Assistant Section Manager (ASM) Phil Temples, K9HI, at <k9hi@arrl.org>.
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FLEA MARKETS:
Most events are cancelled due to the health emergency, but you can check for the latest information at: <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/search/page:1/keywords:Canceled/model:Event>
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NEWS FROM EMA.ARRL.ORG:
Each day on the section web site we bring you news and information from Eastern Massachusetts
• Call for Speakers: ARRL Learning Network
<https://ema.arrl.org/2020/06/30/call-for-speakers-arrl-learning-network/>
• PART of Westford 2020 Field Day Awards
<https://ema.arrl.org/2020/06/29/part-of-westford-2020-field-day-awards/>
• National Zoom Meeting: Winlink Express for EmComm, June 25, 2020
<https://ema.arrl.org/2020/06/25/national-zoom-meeting-winlink-express-for-emcomm-june-25-2020/>
• New England Sci-Tech Offers Three On-line Technician Class Courses in July, 2020
• YCCC SIG: SSB Contesting, June 23, 2020
<https://ema.arrl.org/2020/06/23/yccc-sig-ssb-contesting-june-23-2020/>
• 13 Colonies Event Week, July 1-7, 2020
<https://ema.arrl.org/2020/06/21/13-colonies-event-week-july-1-7-2020/>
• “Chatham’s Rob Leiden Helps Keep Amateur Radio Alive”
<https://ema.arrl.org/2020/06/12/chathams-rob-leiden-helps-keep-amateur-radio-alive/>
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EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES
Amateurs Active during Severe Weather in Southern New England on June 6, 2020
Amateur radio operators were active for two rounds of severe weather on Saturday, June 6, 2020. The first round brought a swath of wind damage to portions of central and interior southeast Massachusetts. Wind gusts as high as 60 MPH—peaking to 70 MPH—caused damage in numerous towns in Western MA, extending into the Eastern MA communities of Bellingham, Wrentham, and Franklin. Plainville and North Attleboro were particularly hard hit with damage extending into Hanover. Numerous downed trees and wires were reported. SKYWARN was active on the Paxton (146.970) and Walpole (146.895) repeaters.
On Saturday evening, a second severe thunderstorm affected a wide area from eastern Worcester County into south-central Middlesex along with portions of northern Norfolk County. Marc Stern, WA1R (Sudbury) and Carl Howe, WG1V (Stow) reported up to 1” hail and downed trees and wires. Wellesley and Needham were also hard hit. Wolfgang, KB1OTR, contributed reports from Needham. SKYWARN nets were operational on the Westford and Paxton repeaters.
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Update
Eastern Massachusetts ARES participated in the national Red Cross exercise on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Numerous stations participated across the section.
EMA ARES also participated in the WX4NHC On-Air Test. WX4NHC operated on the MMRA linked repeater system ARES Net for over an hour as part of the exercise. A complete exercise report will be posted in a few weeks.
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Leadership continues to meet regularly.
Virtual, online training classes are being planned over late July and August and will be announced soon.
Plans are underway for a section ARES exercise on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 10 AM. Check <https://ema.arrl.org/ares> for updates.
If you are interested in joining Eastern Massachusetts ARES, visit <https://secure1.ema.arrl.org/qilan/ares/EMA/ARES_about>.
To find out more about EMA ARES visit <https://ema.arrl.org/ares/>.
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EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS NTS
Section Traffic Manager (STM), Marcia KW1U
The May section traffic manager report may be viewed at: <https://ema.arrl.org/2020/06/14/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-may-2020/>
Find the list of all NTS daily nets in Massachusetts here: <https://ema.arrl.org/national-traffic-system/net-schedule/>.
To see more news on Eastern Massachusetts Traffic Handling and Nets visit <https://ema.arrl.org/category/nts/>.
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NET REPORTS
FIRST REGION NET (1RN) REPORT (CW)
Eric, W1RVY, is manager of 1RN Cycle 4, the evening CW net. Eric reports the May net had 62 sessions that handled a total of 118 pieces of traffic and a total of 207 check-ins for the month.
FIRST REGION NET (FRN) REPORT (SSB)
Betsey, K1EIC, manager of FRN, the daytime phone net reports the May net had 62 sessions that handled a total of 161 pieces of traffic and a total of 327 check-ins for the month.
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Section website: <https://ema.arrl.org/>
Section Facebook page: <https://www.facebook.com/easternmaarrl/>
Section Leadership: <https://ema.arrl.org/organization/#Section_Leadership>
Section Public Service List: <https://ema.arrl.org/2019/03/05/ema-public-service-list/>
Section Speaker List: <https://ema.arrl.org/2018/04/16/eastern-ma-club-speakers-list/>.
To join EMA ARES visit <https://secure1.ema.arrl.org/qilan/ares/EMA/ARES_about>
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FINAL WORD – Tom Walsh, K1TW
There has been quite a debate and some unhappiness about the ARRL allowing home stations (Class D) to count for points when making D-to-D Field Day QSOs this year. This has surprised me a lot. Everybody has a role to play in Field Day so why discourage any class from participating? Here is my take!
Often, we overlook the importance of the Category 1D (home) station during our annual Field Day operations. Field Day provides not only the opportunity to set up in the field under simulated emergency conditions but also, to exercise and improve home station operations. There are very few emergency situations where a home or commercial-powered station is not involved as well.
I used the opportunity to make improvements to my existing home station including the addition of an amplifier for the first time ever. I have the capability now to operate at home on 100 percent emergency power, which I maintain carefully, so I felt no need to turn on my air polluting generator for the full 24 hours this year. I proudly operated 1D for the entire exercise.
In fact, the ARRL has always allowed some categories to operate from commercial power and count for point credit after briefly exercising a generator. See Field Day Rules for Category A (“Commercial”) class and Category E (“Emergency Operation Center”) on commercial power.
In his Field Day message, ARRL President Rick Roderick stated it well: “For some of you, especially new licensees, this may be the first time you’ve established your own home station or portable radio communications capability. Let’s use this opportunity to show our friends, families, and community leaders that we are a trained, resourceful and reliable corps of volunteers.”
And if you need still more disaster operating experience join Eastern Massachusetts ARES at <https://secure1.ema.arrl.org/qilan/ares/EMA/ARES_membership_app_new>.
Also, check out the Eastern Massachusetts ARES web page at <https://ema.arrl.org/ares/>. You can participate in planned fall and winter disaster exercises. If you’re interested, don’t wait until next year—do more this year.
Congratulations and thanks to all who got on the air—whether from home as 1D, or any of the other categories—and helped to fill the bands during the weekend. No doubt everyone gained valuable operational and technical experience while at the same time had a lot of fun.
Tom K1TW
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This June section news has been jointly produced by Phil, K9HI, Assistant Section Manager and Tom, K1TW, Section Manager.
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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
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Michael Crestohl, W1RC, writes:You may have already know that the Deerfield Fair Association voted reluctantly but overwhelmingly to cancel the 2020 Fair at a special meeting on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020. Ben, KB1NZN, and I are members. We were at the meeting and voted for cancellation. We both totally agree with the decision of the Deerfield Fair Association membership who voted 105 to 5 in favor of cancelling the Fair. There was not one good reason put forth during the discussion in favor of holding thenFair this year.
Especially in these unprecedented times our first responsibility must be to the health and well-being of our volunteer staff, exhibitors, attendees, fairgrounds staff and the local area residents who graciously welcome us twice a year to their community. We cannot betray this trust.
Furthermore there is no possible way we can realistically maintain the six foot “social distancing” separation especially in the flea market, commercial buildings, forums and VE examination rooms. This is required whenever possible by the NH Governor’s Special Covid-19 Task Force.
Consequently, as a result, we have no option but to cancel NEAR-Fest XXVIII.
However the good news is that NEAR-Fest XXIX is already scheduled for Friday, April 30th and Saturday, May 1st, 2021 and NEAR-Fest XXX for October 12th and 13th, 2021.
The clubs and organizations who sent in their application for early entry privileges in 2020 need not reapply. Your passes will be issued next year and valid for both 2021 hamfests.
We will be selling advance tickets starting in the Fall. For advance ticket buyers the cost of admission will remain at $10.00 per person. However starting next Spring the price of admission at the gate will be $15.00. Inside parking and camping fees will remain the same. I will send you additional information about advance ticket sales shortly.
Please disseminate this information to your members. Since it is coming from me it is official.
73,
Michael Crestohl, aka “MisterMike”, W1RC
Benevolent Dictator,
New England Amateur Radio Festival, Inc.
We are readying an initiative named the ARRL Learning Network — a series of webinars presented by member-volunteers, for members. Like hamfest forums and radio club presentations, these webinars are intended to help members get more active, involved, and engaged in amateur radio. Recorded presentations will also respond to regular requests from our affiliated radio clubs for quality programming, particularly clubs that lack ready access to presenters, or have a last-minute speaker cancellation. Our current plan is to begin scheduling speakers for webinars as early as mid- to late-July. We need your help…
Below is a Call for Speakers invitation (or download this PDF) which we’d like you to share with prospective presenters in your Section. We are asking your help to share this invitation with members you know who are dynamic, knowledgeable, and experienced speakers. Please consider speakers and presenters from throughout the clubs and hamfests in your Section. Add a short, personal invitation.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for all the ways you help extend the reach and effectiveness of ARRL programs and services. 73 Bob NQ1R
Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R – Product Development Manager
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio®
225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1400 USA
Tel: (860) 594-0213 FAX: (860) 594-0303
rinderbitzen@arrl.org
www.arrl.org
PART of Westford will hold a fun competition to recognize members who operated in the 2020 Field Day and who finish first in several categories:
Club president George Allison, K1IG, asks applicants to email him once they receive confirmation from ARRL Headquarters that their logs have been received. He adds, “this is all on the honor system.”
Winners will be announced at the August PART meeting.
The following is the fifth and final message in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 17 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program.
