Past ARRL Treasurer Jim McCobb, K1LU, SK
From ARRL Web:
(04/03/20) – Past ARRL Treasurer James E. “Jim” McCobb, Jr., K1LU (ex-K1LLU, W1LLU), of West Newbury, Massachusetts, died on April 1. An ARRL Life Member, he was 77. [Full story]
All
Museum Ships Weekend Event 2020 Cancelled
[Ed note: this impacts various local museum ships that normally operate on the air for Museum Ships Weekend.]
“Due to the current unknowns with COVID-19 virus, Battleship New Jersey ARS is cancelling the planned annual Museum Ships Weekend Event 2020 which was scheduled to begin 6-June-2020 at 0001Z and end 7-June 2020 at 2400Z. A lot of the ships that participate are already closed due to this health situation and others may get orders to close soon. As of today, April 6, 2020, it is unknown when the “lock-down” will be lifted so it is with an abundance of caution and regret that we have decided to cancel MSWE 2020. The health and safety of all our ship participants takes precedence at all times. We look forward to the event for 2021.” –https://www.nj2bb.org/museum/
KC1LOM: “History of Titanic’s Radio” at New England Sci-Tech ARS (Online), April 14, 2020
Bob Phinney, K5TEC, writes:
“The STARS Radio Lecture Series is 7 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
4/14/20: Mark A. Rudd KC1LOM: HISTORY OF TITANIC’S RADIO (and Related Broadcast Theory)
Guest Speaker:
Mark A. Rudd, KC1LOM, is a retired Electrical Engineer and enjoys being a Technology Instructor for young and old students alike. Relevant to ham radio clubs, Mr. Rudd served as a radar engineer or “Lab Rad” at the USAF Rome Laboratory between 1985 to 1995.
After retiring as a Federal Engineer, Mr. Rudd always wanted to teach. So Mark served as a Sci&Tech Instructor at the King’s Co-Op since 2008, plus has been the Computer Tutor at the Tiverton Senior Center, both in Rhode Island.
To join the STARS Meeting at 7:00 pm just link your computer to https://zoom.us/j/231170127 Password: (email info@nescitech.org for password), or phone in: +1 929 205 6099, Meeting ID: 231 170 127, Password: (email info@nescitech.org for password).
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday 4/6/20 at 830 PM ET – COVID-19 Communications Status Update Main Topic for Tonight’s Net
Hello to all…
The April ARES net will be Monday April 6, at 8:30 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 be providing information on COVID-19, what we are doing 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 have created for ARES member and general Amateur Radio Operator awareness is available at the following link:
Eastern Massachusetts ARES COVID 19 Update – 4/6/20
Updates 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
http://www.wx1box.org
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Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box
Papers From Cancelled Eastern VHF UHF Conference Now Available On-line
As a result of the cancellation of the Eastern VHF UHF Conference scheduled for April 20-22, 2020, the conference organizers have published online the papers that were to be presented. Note that all copyrights are retained by the respective authors.
North American SSB Sprint, April 4, 2020
Randy Thompson, K5ZD, writes on the YCCC reflector:
The SSB sprint is tonight (April 4 2020). It is four hours (8-12 PM local) on 20, 40, and 80 M. The easiest way to participate is just to search and pounce to find someone calling CQ. You’ll copy his number, name and state.
Then you give:
- His call
- QSO number
- Your name
- Your state
- *Your call
At the end of the QSO, you may have someone call you. The exchange is the same but you give your call as the second item rather than the last.
- His call
- *Your call
- QSO number
- Your state
- Your call
QSY and find someone else calling CQ. Tips and tricks are here. https://ssbsprint.com/tips-tri
ARRL VEC Update
From ARRL Web:
(04/02/2020) – We know many examiners have canceled amateur radio license exam sessions to meet the requirements and recommendations of national and local government and of health officials. The health and safety of examinees and our Volunteer Examiners (VEs) is first and foremost in any decision-making process. The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) does not offer video-supervised online amateur radio licensing exams at the present time. We are aware, however, that some VE teams are exploring alternative formats on a local basis. Please use ARRL’s License Exam Search to find scheduled exam sessions in your area and verify with the local exam team that the session is still being held.
The ARRL VEC is continuing to process license examination materials from VEs who have completed exam sessions, although some delays may occur under the circumstances. The ARRL VEC electronically forwards all required data to the FCC for qualified examinees. [Full story]
Yankee Clipper Contest Club Meets April 11, 2020
Dennis Egan, W1UE, writes on the YCCC mailing list:
The April YCCC Meeting will be held via Zoom starting at 1 PM on Saturday, April 11. This will be my first attempt at running a Zoom meeting, so please bear with me. I will try and open the meeting room 10 minutes before the start.
In the meantime, if you have not already loaded Zoom into your computer, it would be good to do so.
The April meeting is traditionally our yearly elections; if someone is interested in any of the officer positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer, please let yourself be known. I’m not sure exactly
how we’re going to vote if we have contested positions, but we’ll figure it out if it’s necessary.
By Friday, 4/10, we’ll put out the information on the Meeting ID#, and another blurb on the topics of the meeting.
W1PJE: “Innovations at the Speed of Radio: A Century+ of Amateur Radio Contributions to the Scientific and Technical Arts and a Bright Future” at Algonquin ARC, April 9, 2020
The next [Algonquin Amateur Radio Club] meeting will be held on April 9, 2020 at 7:30 PM via conference call. [Contact Mike Powell, W1KU <mdpowell@dmpowell.net> for access information], as well as information provided for connecting to FreeConferenceCall.
The presentation that evening will be “Innovations at the Speed of Radio: A Century+ of Amateur Radio Contributions to the Scientific and Technical Arts and a Bright Future,” P. J. Erickson, W1PJE, MIT Haystack Observatory.
Abstract:
From the earliest discoveries of Edwin Howard Armstrong to 21st century radio science innovations, amateur radio both then and now is intimately connected to scientific and technical achievements at the highest levels, benefitting both our electronically driven life and also advancing public welfare. This presentation will begin by giving an overview of outstanding ham contributions to modern scientific discoveries and inventions. I will then describe a modern effort to forge new discoveries about the natural world through the international HamSCI initiative (https://hamsci.org), connecting professional scientists and advanced amateurs for pioneering studies of our complex upper atmosphere and nearEarth space. Finally, HamSCI is now developing a Personal Space Weather Station for networked, “big data” information at your QTH about the propagation and atmospheric environment affecting RF signals, and I will close by giving a brief overview of that project, its status, and ways the community can participate.
International Marconi Day 2020 Cancelled
From ARRL Web:
The annual International Marconi Day (IMD) ham radio operating event that was set to take place on April 25 has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The 24-hour amateur radio event celebrates the birth of Marconi on April 25, 1874. Sponsored by the Cornish Radio Amateur Club, which operates as GB4IMD, International Marconi Day features participating stations operating at sites having a personal connection to Marconi, including places where he set up transmitting and receiving stations.
Given the fact that the National Seashore is closed to the public, a “Marconi Event” on April 25 had been planned from the home of Barry, KB1TLE, along with several other home stations. -thanks, Falmouth ARA
March 2020 Section News Available
The March, 2020, Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/march-2020-section-news/.
Yankee Clipper Contest Club Post-WPX SSB Virtual Get-together, March 31, 2020
Jim Idelson, K1IR, writes on the YCCC mailing list:
Great online meetings are no accident. With some planning, our meeting tonight [March 31, 2020] can be a lot of fun for all. Here’s what it takes to make our on-line meeting a success.
Plan to join and participate! More participants means more content and more value to the club.
Get setup for Zoom in advance. I will be in the Zoom room 30 minutes ahead to help people get going. When the meeting is underway at 7, we want to focus on WPX, not Zoom.
Bring interesting content – something for the group to see or hear. Start with a short story to tell. Add a picture of your shack. Show how you have your logger screen setup. The antenna project that generated some extra points. An audio clip of a great experience in the contest. Tell me in advance, and we’ll make sure you can share it ok.
Videoconferencing is more than just a phone call. Done well, an online meeting can be even better than an in-person meeting.
Help With Online Technician-to-General Class
Chris Hart, K1ZG, writes on the Billerica ARS mailing list:
A few weeks ago when this pandemic started, I got a crazy idea to put together an online Technician to General class for younger hams. With the help of some fellow hams we were able to launch. The class is in full swing now! BUT I had a teacher back out (for understandable reasons) however we are still short.
Would you consider helping?
Classes are 1.5 hours with a break at 45 minutes, starting at 2 PM ET. The outline and PowerPoints for each class are already done. One chapter can be done in two sessions. Zoom is easy to learn.
All the coordinating, organization, and background work is covered, and I will be online with you. I just need folks with knowledge to share! Experience teaching a class like this is helpful. [I’m asking for] a commitment of 3 hours. (One section done in two classes is ideal). If you would be willing and able please reach out!
Pilgrim AWA Monday Night 2-Meter Net, March 30, 2020
On 3/30/20 we will be hosting our Monday Night 2 Meter Net on our 147.135 MHz KA1GG club repeater at 7:00 pm. We will have more details to follow. Everyone is welcome to join us. We are always glad to hear you in there. For Updates – Club Events – Activities, listen for announcements on our 147.135 MHz KA1GG club repeater. Check in with us here on our Pilgrim Amateur Wireless Association Facebook page. And stop by to visit our ARRL club page.
Take care, be safe, stay healthy everyone from all of us here at the Pilgrim Amateur Wireless Association.
Framingham ARA: Additional Nets and Frequencies to Consider
John Iwuc, KB1VXY, writes on the Framingham ARA mailing list:
[The Framingham Amateur Radio Association] has added a Wednesday night net Health and Wellness check-in net at 7:30 in addition to our usual Sunday 7:30 pm net.
We may consider using ZOOM for our meeting this Thursday. Tune into the net tonight and Wednesday for details from Morris, N1AVP. Alternatively, we may just check in for the meeting on Thursday on the the W1FY repeater.
The Central Mass Amateur Radio Association (CMARA) is running an additional “Breakfast” net each morning at 9:00 am on the Paxton, MA repeater 146.970 PL 114.8
They also run the George’s Old Timer’s Net at 7:30 pm daily, all are welcome. I am net control on Tuesdays.
They follow this at 10 am by a 75-meter net on or about 3982 KHz daily.
There is quite a bit of activity on 10 meters, starting at the calling frequency of 28.400 MHz upper side-band, but also checking 28.350, 28.420 and 28.430 MHz for different groups.
And don’t forget the Yankee 6-Meter Single Side-band Net each Sunday at 9:30 am on 50.272 MHz upper side band. I am the net control on alternate weeks. Six meters had good local coverage so test out your equipment.
New England Sci-Tech Weekday Technician Course, March 31-April 3, 2020
For anyone interested in wireless communications and electronics, this ON-LINE course will get you ready to take the Amateur Radio TECHNICIAN license exam, the FIRST of three certification levels. Geared toward adults, as well as junior high, high school, and homeschool students.
Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Some preliminary preparation is necessary to get the best results from this course.
The TECHNICIAN level course is offered ONLINE certain weekends and week days.
Current offerings:
Four day course: Tu-W-Th-F Mar 31-Apr 3, 2:00-5:00 pm each day
Four day course: Tu-W-Th-F Apr 7-10, 2:00-5:00 pm each day
The FCC Technician test will be scheduled for an upcoming weekday evening or weekend, probably as an online test (TBA). Course is run by New England Sci-Tech, in cooperation of New England Amateur Radio Inc.
System Requirements: Computer or Chromebook capable of running ZOOM Meeting, either by Zoom app or through a browser, a built-in camera/mic, and a color printer.
Included with course fee: downloadable handouts and study guide, and a guest pass to the NEAR/STARS Radio Room and radio club meetings for 3 months (once our facility opens again). Advance registration and payment required.
Note that the standard $15 license test fee is NOT included and must be paid separately to whatever exam session you attend to take the test. (Price is $15 across the country.)
One additional member of the same family may take this course for the price of one, if sharing one computer, video screen, and materials.
A few hours before the session you will receive an email with a Zoom link and ID. If you don’t see the email, check your spam filter. If you still don’t see it, call 508-720-4179 for help.
For questions, e-mail bobphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.
New England Sci-Tech Amateur Extra Weekday Crash Course, March 30-April 15, 2020
For anyone interested in wireless communications and electronics, this ON-LINE course will get you ready to take the AMATEUR EXTRA Radio license exam. Geared toward adults, as well as high school and homeschool students.
Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Some preliminary preparation and regular practice between classes is necessary to get the best results from this course. NOTE: You must have a thorough understanding of the Technician and General material before taking this course. If you are already a licensed Tech or General but have been away from radio for a while, you may request to audit (at half price) one of our Tech and/or General courses to catch up.
The AMATEUR EXTRA level course is offered ONLINE certain weekends and week days.
Current offerings:
WEEKDAY CRASH COURSE – complete in 8 days.
Mon-Wed-Fri, Mar 30, Apr 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15.
Take the exam after you review and practice for a few days.
The FCC Amateur Extra test will be scheduled for an upcoming weekday evening or weekend, probably as an online test (TBA). Course is run by New England Sci-Tech, in cooperation of New England Amateur Radio Inc.
System Requirements: Computer or Chromebook capable of running ZOOM Meeting, either by Zoom app or through a browser, a built-in camera/mic, and a color printer.
Included with course fee: downloadable handouts and study guide, and a guest pass to the NEAR/STARS Radio Room and radio club meetings for 3 months (once our facility opens again). Advance registration and payment required.
Note that the standard $15 license test fee is NOT included and must be paid separately to whatever exam session you attend to take the test. (Price is $15 across the country.)
One additional member of the same family may take this course for the price of one, if sharing one computer, video screen, and materials.
For questions, e-mail bobphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.
20th USA Amateur Radio Direction Finding Championships, Boston, MA, Cancelled
March 28–The ARRL ARDF Committee has determined that the 20th USA ARDF Championships scheduled for June 9-14, 2020 near Boston, MA must be cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation. With events surrounding COVID-19 developing rapidly, along with the obvious need for urgent steps to contain its spread, the need to cancel the championships has become apparent. The 20th USA Amateur Radio Direction Finding Championships will be rescheduled for a future date.USA ARDF Championships are open to everyone – there is no previous ARDF experience required, nor are competitors required to have an amateur radio license. There are usually several days of practice events followed by four days of competitions. The best radio athletes in the USA compete for spots on Team USA while others get their first taste of the sport. Stay tuned to messages from this group for all the latest announcements and information, or visit http://arrl.org/ardf.
Field Day 2020 — A Time to Adapt
From ARRL Web:
Many individuals and groups organizing events for Field Day 2020 have been contacting ARRL for guidance on how to adapt their planned activities in this unprecedented time of social distancing and uncertainty.
“Due to the unique situation presented this year, this can be an opportunity for you, your club, and/or group to try something new,” ARRL Contest Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE, said. “Field Day isn’t about doing things the same way year after year. Use this year to develop and employ a new approach that is in line with the current circumstances.” [Full story]
CQ WPX SSB Contest, March 28-29, 2020
The WPX Contest is based on an award offered by CQ Magazine for working all prefixes. Held on the last weekend of March (SSB) and May (CW), the contest draws thousands of entries from around the world. [Full rules]