a field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
Public information, amateur radio publicity
John Iwuc, KB1VXY, president of the Framingham Amateur Radio Association gave a “brown bag” talk at the Framingham Public Library, 49 Lexington Street, in Framingham entitled, “The Fascinating Hobby of Amateur Radio” from 12-1 PM on June 7, 2019.
Rishi Bhagat, KC1BKX, writes:
On Saturday, April 27, 2019, Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) and its host New England Sci-Tech joined the “Science on State Street” event on the campus of Framingham State University (FSU).
STARS set up a large cube tent with an IC-7610, large display monitor, and a buddy pole for people to learn about ham radio. The radio was staffed by Rusty, K1FVK, and Bruce, N9JBT, while outside the tent Marcel, AC1DO, Janet, KC1IKP, and Bob, K5TEC, provided related activities and information.
For more information about Science on the Street, visit http://christa.org/
Leaders of New England Sci-Tech (NEST) staffed three exhibit tables this past weekend at the Cambridge Science Festival with “ham radio, meteorites, 3D space, and constellation night light kits.”
“We had 35 children make kits at the fair and more were made at [New England Sci-Tech] last evening when about 30 people came for the first night, ” writes NEST founder Bob Phinney, K5TEC.
New England Sci-Tech is a non-profit STEM+ education center and makerspace dedicated to project-based, hands-on learning for youth and families across theNew England community.
According to the Cambridge Science Festival’s organizers, “the annual 10-day (and night) celebration of science, technology, engineering, arts and math makes science accessible, engaging and fun for everyone through multifaceted, multicultural events.”
Eastern Massachusetts ARRL field organization staffer Rob Macedo, KD1CY, will participate in the National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Workshop in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 23, 2019.
According to Rob, “All Amateur Radio sessions are free. They will be on Tuesday April 23, 2019 from 11:30 AM-1:15 PM EDT (10:30 AM-12:15 PM CDT) and 2:30-6:00 PM EDT (1:30 PM-5:00 PM CDT). Each presenter will not only give an overview of their respective group but also how their group handled both the historic 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season and the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season.”
KD1CY is Section Emergency Coordinator and ARES SKYWARN Coordinator. He will present on “VoIP (Voice over IP) Hurricane Net and Best Practices in SKYWARN for Tropical Systems.”
Further details can be found at <http://wx1box.org/2019/04/10/special-announcement-national-hurricane-conference-in-new-orleans-louisiana-amateur-radio-workshop-to-be-livestreamed-tuesday-4-23-19-amateur-radio-workshop-1130-am-600-pm-edt-1030-am-500-pm-cdt/>.
New Hampshire’s “Seacoast Online” carried a well-written story and video featuring ham radio and Rochester, NH amateur Mark Pride, K1RX, in its April 6, 2019 edition:
“In a time when social media platforms are often criticized more for their divisiveness than their ability to bring people together, a number of Seacoast residents are tapping into a different network to forge connections worldwide.
Local interest in ham radios has been growing at an accelerated rate in recent years thanks to lower entry hurdles, according to clubs and operators. They say it’s put new generations one twist of a dial or tap of a touchscreen away from the rush that comes from a meaningful chat with people on the other side of the globe. [Full story]
The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association will again be participating in the Cape Cod Mini Maker Faire, Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Mashpee High School, 500 Old Barnstable Road, in Mashpee. According to FARA president Brent Putnam, W1NCH, “We need volunteers to assist with station setup, operating, greeting the public, and helping the kids to make Morse code sounders.”
Special events station W1MGY will operate at the old Coast Guard Station in Eastham on Cape Cod on April 13-14, 2019 to commemorate the tragic loss of the HMS Titanic.
This event is sponsored by the Titanic / Marconi Memorial Radio Association of Cape Cod and hosted by the Cape Cod National Seashore.
(Info via KB1TLR, W1MGY trustee, and Falmouth ARA)
Boston area amateurs have been requested to provide an Amateur Radio presence at the IEEE International Microwave Symposium in Boston, June 2-7, 2019 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston’s Seaport District. [Full story]
Uncommon Service to Nautical Radio will host a special event operation W1BSA aboard the USS Massachusetts in Fall River, on Apr 27, 2019 from 1000-1600 ET. Look for W1BSA on 14.259 and 7.259.
“The Scouts stay overnight on the ship Friday and on Saturday nights,” writes Rick Emord, KB1TEE. “We have been doing this event since 2015 and have tried to showcase Amateur Radio.” Rick adds, “we have put some of the Scouts on the air and we look forward to seeing them and other visitors to Battleship Cove.”
Stations may QSL via USTNR c/o Rick Emord, 135 Wareham St., Middleboro, MA 02346.
Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator and ARES SKYWARN Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY, was one of three featured guests on the podcast “WeatherBrains” on January 7, 2019. The 90-minute program discussed Amateur Radio, SKYWARN, and the VoIP Hurricane Net. Other guests included Jay Farlow, W9LW, and Jeff Stapel, W8SWX. The audio and YouTube video can be found at https://weatherbrains.com/?p=7531.
Whitman Amateur Radio Club members, assisted by other area amateurs, will set up tables and a portable station over the Thanksgiving weekend and operate a special events station at the Plimoth Plantation, the home of the Mayflower II in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The participants will demonstrate Amateur Radio to tourists and visitors. In the past the group has logged over a hundred HF and VHF contacts with US and foreign amateurs, including a contact with Plymouth, England.
This year’s event will be held on November 24-25, 2018. Setup takes place on Friday, November 23 at 10 AM at the Plantation’s lower parking lot. On-air operations run from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM on Saturday, November 24, and Sunday November 25. The “take down” begins at the conclusion of the Sunday operations.
The station will be operating on or near the following frequencies: 18.160 14.260 7.260 and 3.860, as well as the Whitman 147.225+ PL 67.0 repeater (EchoLink: WA1NPO-R and IRLP node 8691).
“Anyone wishing to operate at a specific time is encouraged to email wa1npo@gmail.com with dates/times and station preference and they will be added to the schedule; or, just show up at the Plantation and find your way to either station.”
Additional information about the special event can be found at http://www.wa1npo.org/Plimoth/Plimoth2018.html.
ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology alumnus Mariusz Zielinski, KB1MDS, invited ARRL Lifelong Learning Manager Kris Bickell, K1BIC, Lifelong Learning Administrator Ally Riedel, KM3ALF, and ARRL Communications Content Producer Michelle Patnode, W3MVP, to witness an exciting November 2 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with students at Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School in Palmer, Massachusetts, where Zielinski teaches. [Full story]
The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association will participate in the 61st annual Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) on Saturday, October 20, 2018. The JOTA event will occur at Falmouth’s Gus Canty Recreation Center at 790 Main Street, from 10 AM-5 PM.
FARA members hope to show all attendees (specifically any Scout–boy or girl) what ham radio has to offer and get them on the air.
Volunteers are needed to operate several stations as demos and to get folks on the air:
For more information, visit http://www.falara.org/announcements/jamboreeontheairjotaoctober20.
Cape Cod ARES District Emergency Coordinator WQ1O-Frank O’Laughlin writes:
I felt just well enough to attend the Falmouth Emergency preparedness/Safety fair day here on Cape Cod to support my new ARES ADEC Henry Brown K1WCC who headed up the event for the Falmouth ARES area of the Cape Cod and Islands ARES District. I was pleased to see the aluminum case kit that I built for him a few years back and the cooler based kit he personally built. I only brought my small camera bag radio kit. It was well attended and organized by Assistant Falmouth EMD Kim Strohm. Several Falmouth ARES folks were there. It was nice to see Henry get interviewed by Falmouth TV. It was also great to see our partners such as CERT, MRC, CC DART, Red Cross, DCR, public safety, MEMA, NWS and many others at the public safety fair.
The Barnstable Amateur Radio Club had a presence for the second year at the Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival on September 15, 2018 from 10 AM – 6 PM. The festival featured food trucks, music, community and vendor tables, and a bicycle event.
According to BARC organizers, “excellent weather and band condition made for a good weekend.”
Glen Dowden, KC1GKT writes:
The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association is looking for volunteers on October 6 through October 9, 2018 for Mass Jam.
Mass Jam is held at the Barnstable County Fairgrounds in East Falmouth. The event brings Scouts from all over Massachusetts and Rhode Island for a weekend of activities. Mass Jam provides the scouts the opportunity to participate in fellowship and activities throughout the weekend. We would be providing an opportunity for Scouts to learn more about Amateur Radio and the opportunity to get on the air. Falmouth Amateur Radio Association can provide the necessary equipment (Radio equipment and antennas), but we will need operators. All operators at the event will have to be registered as volunteers at the event and will have to take the Boy Scouts of America Youth Protection Training (this is available at http://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/).
If you are available or are already planning on attending the event with your local Scout Troop/Post/Ship and are interested in assisting with operating, please reach out to Glen.dowden@gmail.com and indicate dates and times you are available. This is a great opportunity to reach Scouts from your local area.
Thank you,
Glen KC1GKT
Falmouth Amateur Radio Association
The Harvard Wireless Club will participate in the Harvard Student Involvement Fair on Friday, September 7, 2018 at Tercentenary Theater in Harvard Yard, Cambridge.
“We will be at Table 719. Just look for the Alex Loop antenna on the 19-foot tripod, which is usually the tallest thing at the fair,” remarks W1AF station manager Bill Collins, W1PL. Bill is requesting HWC members come by and help recruit new people. The crew will conduct talk-in on the MIT repeater, 449.725/444.725 -, PL 114.8.
The first meeting of the Harvard Wireless Club will be held on Tuesday, September 11 at 6 PM. Adds W1PL, “We will have free pizza. Hopefully, new recruits will be there.”
The 2018 Boxboro! ARRL New England Division is pleased to announce that the Nashua Area Radio Society (NARS) will be presenting an Amateur Radio Exposition for Young People on September 8-9, 2018. This exposition will include many hands-on activities, videos, and displays about amateur radio and wireless communications, including:
In addition to the displays, the exposition will also feature a kit building activity. For a small cost ($20), you can purchase a kit and build it using NARS’s equipment and help from their mentors. The kit is a fully functional Morse code touch keyer and practice oscillator. It is available on a walk-up basis anytime on Saturday or Sunday that the Exhibitor hall is open.
The exposition will also include a computer-controlled satellite ground station. Using this satellite ground station, folks can communicate with other amateur radio operators using satellites in space.
For more information, please visit https://www.boxboro.org/exposition-for-young-people.
The Framingham Amateur Radio Association‘s recent Field Day operation at the McAuliffe Library was featured on Framingham’s community access channel accessfram.tv. According to FARA’s Glenn Axelrod, KC1HPZ, the coverage “is expected to be part of Access Framingham’s ‘Framingham Beat’ news magazine show at 7:30 PM on August 2.”
“Sumner, W1VIV, was featured prominently… his explanation of Field Day became the narration for the video that KC1HPZ shot and AFTV’s staff edited.”
Access Framingham can be viewed on RCN 3, Comcast 9, or Verizon 43. It can also be live-streamed on the web at accessfram.tv/watch.
UPDATE: the program can also be found on YouTube: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZjHmHfIP90>.
The Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC will set up an Amateur Radio display on August 11, 2018 from 9 AM until 1 PM in Kapron Park, 201 County Street in Attleboro. Club members will display ‘Magic Beans’ “as well as other radios and modes of communication that an ham radio operator can use.”
Magic Beans is a homemade, hitch-mounted extendable tower constructed by club members in 2005. You can see additional photos along with a detailed description of Magic Beans on the club’s web site.