USS Salem Radio Club K1USN QRT

USS Salem RC QSL card PRESS RELEASE
Sunday, August 07, 2005 Quincy, MA

Members of the USS Salem Radio Club were allowed to remove their radio equipment from onboard the Heavy Cruiser, USS Salem yesterday. An agreement was reached with United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum Board Chairman, James Sheets, six weeks after being denied access to their equipment by the current Executive Director.

Twenty-five club members from around the South Shore spent several hours dismantling, packing and removing their club station, K1USN, which had been onboard since 1997. During the past eight years club members had spent thousands of volunteer hours demonstrating Amateur Radio to several thousand visitors enabling many Scouts to speak with stations as far away as McMurdo Station, Antarctica.
Club members also originated the International Museum Ships Weekend. This annual radio event takes place during mid July and has grown to include participation from more that 80 other Museum Ships from around the world. Radio Amateurs activate the radio rooms onboard to help bring much deserved recognition to these vessels, their crews and current volunteer staff. Some clubs will even transmit using original WWII vintage transmitters. The club was unable to participate during this year’s event.

Members of the Battleship New Jersey, NJ2BB, Radio Club, in Camden, NJ
( www.nj2bb.org/ ) have now volunteered to sponsor the International Museum Ships Weekend.

Club members would also activate the K1USN club station during Veterans Day, Memorial Day and other patriotic celebrations. Members also manned a display booth at the Marshfield Fair and had distributed USS Salem informational literature to operators throughout the world in addition to maintaining a club website ( www.qsl.net/k1usn ).

Terms of the agreement with the USNSM call for the club to relinquish use of the name “USS Salem”. The club will be renamed the K1USN Radio Club.

Information about future club activities can be obtained by contacting the Club Trustee at haroldpugh@verizon.net

Harold Pugh Trustee K1USN RADIO CLUB
78 Temple St.
Abington, MA 02351

Fall River ARC, Bristol Co. RA Featured in Herald News Story

Kuss Middle School/Fall River ARC newspaper photoMembers of the Fall River Amateur Radio Club and Bristol County Repeater Association received kudos in a feature article published in the Herald News on Sunday. The Fall River paper ran a half-page story accompanied by photos describing the hams’ efforts in working with students at the Kuss Middle School.

The hams have conducted licensing classes for the students at Kuss and set up a ham club station. The school hopes to receive permission for a scheduled contact with the International Space Station and NA1SS–perhaps as early as this summer.

The school is a participant in NASA’s explorer program. Rosemary Millham, NASA’s education liaison to Kuss, is quoted in the article, saying, “The Fall River ARC has provided invaluable service to Kuss. Not only do members come to school every week to work with students and help them prepare for the licensing test, but they also serve on the steering committee for the [explorer] program.”

Club member Roland Daignault, N1JOY, commented in the article, “The momentum is really building now… Now that we have enough kids who are licensed, they bring other kids into it to talk on the radio.”

Sitting at the radio, left to right: Megan DeSouza, KB1LJH; John Nery, WA1ESO; and Shantae Martins, KB1LKW. –Herald News photo

USS Salem RC: “Very Few Volunteers” At Present

K1USN QSL cardBill O Hara, N1EY, writes:

We need people to help out the Scouting Program. We have very few volunteers. I have only three persons scheduled including myself. Radio Room 5 shall be open at the bare minimum on April 9th.

Anyone welcome to checking out the radio room and its operations should come by on the 9th. Pi K1RV shall be giving tours.

We require help every weekend. This should not be news to any club members. I shouldn’t even have to put an email in the manner that JC did every week.
I think that people should hold themselves accountable and be responsible. Other individuals arrive every week and work to man other stations such as CIC, sickbay, gunnery, engine rooms, or act as tour guides.

If we are truly interested in maintaining this ship, then people should be showing up.

April 9th – 225 scouts
April 16th – 85 scouts
April 23rd – 50 scouts morning; 155 scouts afternoon
April 30th – 203 scouts
May 7th – 170 scouts
May 14th – 225 scouts
May 21st – 225 scouts
June 4th – 177 scouts
June 11th – 210 scouts

This is the primary source of revenue to pay for badly needed repairs to the ship. Few club members are helping out. W1BT works very hard and is at the ship many times during the week to keep the juice running.

We also have not handled other club tasks such as getting the transmitters in RR 2 up to sniff and scratch standards. Nor we have done anything like getting a working teletype circuit.

USS Salem Scouting Program “In Danger Of Collapse”

K1USN QSL cardThe scouting activities aboard the USS Salem in Quincy are in danger of collapse. This, according to Harold “Pi” Pugh, K1RV, in the wake of the resignation of USS Salem Scout Coordinator “JC” Cunningham, W1AI.

Despite numerous pleas for ham assistance, Cunningham and company have been unable to recruit any new volunteers. Wrote Cunningham, “I received zero volunteers, so I have cancelled all K1USN activities on the USS Salem for tomorrow (3/12/2005). I hereby resign as Scout Coordinator!”Pugh, who coordinated the program prior to Cunningham, praised W1AI’s efforts. “I want to personally thank J.C. for all his hard work during the past several years maintaining this program! …I know how difficult it can be to keep up the momentum.”

“We have had a wonderful time during the past eight years running the International Museum Ships Weekend and other K1USN operations,” added Pugh. “These have helped draw much deserved attention to the USS Salem, but those activities may not be enough to keep K1USN ‘afloat.’ On more than one occasion we have been threatened with eviction from the ship if we can’t find a way to regularly assist the Overnight Scouting Program.”

Pugh stated the group now has an “immediate need” for someone to step forward to become the new Scouting Coordinator. He added that the group can give the next coordinator all the training he or she needs to get started.

“As J.C. has stated in the past, the Scouting Coordinator does NOT have to live nearby the ship. All the main duties can be handled by e-mail and phone.”

Concluded K1RV: “We need to find a way to get some more of the hams in Eastern Massachusetts to want to help save this program.”

Amateurs in Eastern MA are encouraged to forward this message to anyone who might be interested in salvaging the USS Salem’s Overnight Scouting Program.

USS Salem Scouting Schedule

USS Salem ARCJC Cunningham, W1AI writes:

I sent a message last week asking whether we should shut down the K1USN scouting program. The responses were quite underwhelming. I got responses from about 10 people, including 2 who actually volunteered to help with the scouts. We lost about 4 subscribers to the list as a result of my message.

Everyone – if you want to see this program continue, email me this week volunteering to help with one or more of the following sessions. If you really want to see the scouting program continue, also forward this message to other hams in Eastern Mass.

Saturday morning 5 March….(24 scouts expected) [1 volunteer so far; 1 more would be nice]

Saturday afternoon 5 March….(158 scouts expected) [1 volunteer so far; 3 more needed]

Saturday morning 12 March…(40 scouts expected) [2 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 12 March…..(154 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday morning 19 March…..(100 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 19 March……(164 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 26 March…..(24 scouts expected) [2 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 2 April…(215 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 9 April….(225 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 16 April….(85 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday morning 23 April….(50 scouts expected) [3 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 23 April……(155 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 30 April….(203 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 7 May…(170 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 14 May …(225 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 21 May…(225 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 4 June….(177 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

Saturday afternoon 11 June….(210 scouts expected) [4 volunteers needed]

All morning sessions are from 9:30am to 10:30am on Saturday. All afternoon sessions are from 3pm till 6pm on Saturday. Volunteers should plan on arriving 30 minutes early to help with setup, and staying a few minutes late to help with cleanup.

No experience is necessary. Our experienced volunteers will show you what needs to be done. There are jobs for no-code Techs and even unlicensed individuals!

Here’s the deal. This message is going out to almost 100 subscribers. If I get 30 or more person-session signups as a result of this message, I will assume that there is still interest in this program, and I will commit to acting as volunteer coordinator until June 30. If I do not, then I will resign as volunteer coordinator and shut down the program until such a time as someone else decides to start it up again.

Your response to this message determines whether we introduce 2656 scouts to amateur radio over the next 4 months, or shut down the K1USN scouting program.

You decide.

JC, W1AI
W1AI@hamtestonline.com

USS Salem Volunteers Needed, Feb. 12, 2005

USS Salem ARCJ.C. Cunningham, W1AI writes on K1USN@YahooGroups.com:

What if we had an opportunity to demonstrate amateur radio to 73 youngsters – the potential next generation of hams – and nobody showed up?

I still need volunteers for Saturday, 2/12/2005, from 3pm to 6pm, to demonstrate amateur radio to scouts visiting the USS Salem.

Please email me at W1AI@hamtestonline.com if you can help! If I do not have at least 3 more volunteers by Friday morning, I will be forced to cancel again! We’ve been doing that a lot recently! Let’s not let another group of scouts down this weekend!

No prior experience is necessary. We can train you!

Live too far away from Quincy, MA? You can still help! I’m looking for someone to take over the task of volunteer coordinator. No prior experience on the USS Salem is required. We can train you! All you need is reliability and good people skills!

JC
W1AI@hamtestonline.com

USS Salem ARC: QRV For Scouting!

K1USN QSL cardJC Cunningham, W1AI writes:

The USS Salem K1USN radio club is going to be busy with the scouting program in the coming months:

* Sat Jan 22 – 25 scouts in the afternoon
* Sat Feb 12 – 73 scouts in the afternoon
* Sat Mar 5 – 68 scouts in the morning and 160-190 in the afternoon
* Sat Mar 12 – 40 scouts in the morning and 172 in the afternoon
* Sat Mar 19 – 100 scouts in the morning and 119 in the afternoon

What are you going to do to help?

Several people have expressed disappointment that the scouting activities are always on Saturdays, when they are unavailable for a variety of reasons. Well, there’s one activity that needs to be done during the week (either days or evenings). That’s the job of volunteer coordinator. I’ve been doing it for a couple of years now, and I’m ready to pass the torch. I plan to stay active with the scouting program, but primarily in the role of occasional volunteer.

What you need to do this job is:

* Good organizational skills
* Good communication skills
* The ability to get along with people

What the job entails:

* Find out from the ship what scouting events are coming up
* Send emails (and/or make phone calls) to get volunteers
* Send more urgent emails (and/or make phone calls) if your first email doesn’t raise enough volunteers
* Make sure that enough people, with sufficient USS Salem experience, have volunteered to get the job done
* Letting the ship know by Friday morning what our participation will be
* Send a final email letting everyone know what will or won’t be happening

The volunteer coordinator does not ever have to go to the ship. In fact, this is a job that could just as well be done from Hawaii as Massachusetts! (Know that would be my preference!) That makes it perfect for people who want to help out, but who live a long ways from Quincy!

Please contact me to volunteer, or if you need more information.

JC Cunningham, W1AI

Outgoing USS Salem K1USN Radio Club Scouting Program Volunteer Coordinator

http://www.hamtestonline.com
W1AI@hamtestonline.com

SEMARA Receives Donation of DVD Programs

SEMARA logoThe library at the Southeastern MA ARA is about to get a whole lot more interesting, thanks to the efforts of Bob “Whitey” Doherty, K1VV. Doherty is donating a set of DVDs with ham-related materials to the club’s library for use by its members. Doherty has personally produced and created many of the titles himself.

“Over the last couple of years, we have put together a number of video DVDs. We’ve donated some to the ARRL. They sell them on their web page.” Doherty adds, “We receive no compensation for this, nor do we expect any.”

K1VV says some of the DVD programs have been shown on Braintree cable television.

The set includes:

* New England Museum of Wireless and Steam
* International Lighthouse Weekend
* Real Radio Ft Burnside RI W1NZR Military Radio equipment.
* Marconi 100th Anniversary Cape Cod, January 18,2003
* FISTS CW Event on the USS Salem Quincy, Ma.
* South Shore Fox Hunters’ Association
* STEAM UP at the New England Museum of Wireless and Steam
* JOTA- Scouts Jamboree On the Air, Cape Cod, Ma.
* SET- Simulated Emergency Test Bridgewater, Ma.
* BPL – Broadband Over Power Lines
* ARRL – Trip and tour of the American Radio Relay League Newington, Ct.
* The Mighty 4 Watter – CQ Magazine April 1956 rebuilt Tube QRP rig
* 1934 Collins 30FX Transmitter Restoration by Don K1DC
* Museum Ships Event – USS Salem Quincy, Ma.
* DXCC – ARRL DX Century Club

In response to K1VV’s offer, another SEMARA club member has donate a new DVD player to the club.

Thanks, SEMARA Mailing List

USS Salem 6-Meter Repeater Update, Etc.

K1USNHarold “Pi” Pugh, K1RV writes:

“I want to give everyone an update on the K1USN Six Meter repeater. The repeater will soon be located on the Cohasset water tower thanks to the dedicated work of a few individuals. This will give increased coverage and will allow for better access and control of repeater operations.

This repeater will round out our stable of repeaters in the South Coast. The South Coastal Affiliated Radio Clubs – SCARC (SCARC because the people on the south shore are members of many clubs SNS, Marconi, Salem, Capeway,Whitman ARC, etc. )will have 145.39 (IRLP) 443.6 (ECHOLINK) 145.25 and 53.33 machines for their usage. (These repeaters are open for all to use!)

This new site will provide excellent 6 meter coverage from Cape Cod to NH and will be the first 6 meter repeater that is in our backyards. Since this repeater will be one of the local machines we are asking for small donations to help defray the costs. One of the guys just ordered 350 feet of cable and we would like to help him out with the costs. We are also looking for a 70 cm control receiver.

If anyone can help with a small donation it would be greatly appreciated. If you can help then send your donation to:

Bob Callahan – W1QWT
56 Acorn St.
Scituate, MA. 02066

Bob’s e-mail address is w1qwt@comcast.net

I’d also like to let everyone know that NS1N and KC1HO have been busy upgrading both Norwell repeaters. They will have lots of exciting features.

They have purchased new Kenwood repeaters for both the (443.600 88.5HZ)UHF and (145.250 77HZ) VHF machines. Also the VHF machine has a new Hustler G144-7 antenna and lowloss hard-line. A new controller with many exciting features is controlling these machines.

A Kenwood transceiver has been purchased and hooked up to allow the linking of these machines to other area repeaters and the UHF machine has had upgrades to its echolink system.

Anyone wishing to support this system please contact NS1N-

KARL S JOHNSON, SR – NS1N
39 RICHFIELD RD
SCITUATE MA 02066

Karl’s e-mail address is ns1n@msn.com

Our November 11th Veterans Day 2004 operation was a tremendous success! We had a dozen operators and made over 500 contacts on HF, VHF and IRLP. Thanks to all who helped make this a success! HRO even loaned us an IC-756-PRO-II from their Salem, NH store!

73, Pi – K1RV / K1USN

USS Salem ARC Veteran’s Day Operation 11/11/04, And Scouting Opportunities

K1USN QSL cardJ.C. Cunningham, W1AI writes:

Three things:

Don’t forget the Veteran’s Day operation on the USS Salem on Thursday (11/11/04). Bands permitting, we hope to have 5 concurrent operating positions. More operators are needed! Contact Pi at K1RV@hamtestonline.com for details.

We are expecting almost 200 scouts on the USS Salem this coming Saturday (11/13/04).

I need several more volunteers to do the Morse code presentations and/or HF and VHF demos from 3pm to 6pm.

Please send me a message at W1AI@hamtestonline.com if you can help. I need to know by early Friday morning at the very latest!

We are also expecting about 150 scouts on the USS Salem the following Saturday (11/20/04).

I’m taking a long-deserved vacation during the week of Nov 13-2. Therefore Bill O’Hara, N1EY, has agreed to coordinate the volunteers for that week.

Please contact Bill at who_icrr@adelphia.net if you can help that week.

No prior experience is necessary for any of these events.

JC Cunningham, W1AI
USS Salem K1USN Radio Club Scouting Program Volunteer Coordinator

http://www.hamtestonline.com
W1AI@hamtestonline.com

USS Salem Scouting Demo Volunteers Needed Oct.-Nov. 2004

USS Salem RC QSL cardJ.C. Cunningham, W1AI writes:

“I still need volunteers for:

* Saturday, October 16, 2004 (~102 scouts)
* Saturday, November 6, 2004 (~246 scouts!)
* Saturday, November 13, 2004 (~135 scouts)
* Saturday, November 20, 2004 (~100 scouts)

All activities are from 3pm to 6pm on Saturday afternoon. (Volunteers should plan on being on the ship from 2:30pm till 6:15pm to help with setup, activities, and cleanup.)

Send me an email at W1AI@hamtestonline.com to let me know which date(s) you will help.

JC, W1AI

USS Salem K1USN Radio Club scouting program volunteer coordinator
http://www.hamtestonline.com
W1AI@hamtestonline.com

Eighth Graders To Visit K1USN Oct. 5—Your Help Is Needed!

USS Salem RC QSL cardJ.C. Cunningham, W1AI writes:

“I need volunteers to help with ~50 8th graders who will be visiting the ship on Tuesday, October 5 between 10am and 2pm.

This is unusual for us because:

* It’s on a weekday during work hours.

* It’s not scouts.

I know that some of the regulars will not be able to make it because of work, so this would be a terrific opportunity for irregulars to step up to the plate!

Please email me at W1AI@hamtestonline.com if you can help.

JC, W1AI

USS Salem K1USN Radio Club scouting program volunteer coordinator
http://www.hamtestonline.com
W1AI@hamtestonline.com

Unschoolers Learn About Amateur Radio

.Attendees at a local area “Unschooling” Conference were introduced to Amateur Radio in a “non-teaching way.” The Third Live and Learn Unschooling Conference held August 27-29 in Peabody, MA featured an Amateur Radio workshop facilitated by attendee James Colburn, W6HJC, of Playa Del Rey, California.

“I came up with the idea of an ‘Amateur Radio Funshop,'” said W6HJC. “I scheduled three hours to show off ham radio in a ‘non-teacher’ kind of way. We are unschoolers.”

Colburn enlisted some local help from Rick Meuse, N1HID. “Rick brought with him his portable satellite antenna. Unfortunately, there were no good passes that day,” remarked Colburn, who added, “next time perhaps we can set up an ISS contact.”

“In a word [the funshop] was great,” concluded W6HJC. “Hopefully it will be much better the next time around.”

USS Salem ARC Needs You!

USS Salem ARC QSL cardJ.C. Cunningham, W1AI writes:

I need volunteers to demo amateur radio to scouts on the USS Salem. All three of the following events are from 3pm till 6pm on Saturday afternoons:

— Saturday 9/11/04 – 1 or 2 volunteers to work with ~20 scouts

— Saturday 9/18/04 – 4 or 5 volunteers to work with 100+ scouts. (This follows the morning CEMARC meeting on board the USS Salem.)

— Saturday 9/25/04 – 3 or 4 volunteers to work with ~50 scouts.

Those who have never helped on the USS Salem before are welcome and especially encouraged to participate. I will make sure that there aresufficient experienced volunteers to show the newbies the ropes!

Please email me at W1AI@hamtestonline.com to let me know if you will help. I know it’s a pain having to give a commitment in advance, but the ship needs to know in advance so they can schedule alternate activities if we cannot help out.

While I’m always happy for extra volunteers to show up unannounced, I’m especially grateful for the ones who commit in advance, as they are the ones that make this activity possible!

As for this Saturday’s event, I need a response TODAY.

Thanks,
JC Cunningham, W1AI
USS Salem K1USN Radio Club scouting program volunteer coordinator
W1AI@hamtestonline.com
www.hamtestonline.com

CEMARC Meeting September 18, 2004 at the USS Salem ARC

Council of Eastern MA ARCs logoFrank Murphy, N1DHW writes on CEMARC-list:

Well, summer is almost over, kids will be going to school, lawn mowers put away and shovels put near the back door. Sound depressing? It is.

But the good news is that we’ll end the summer with a CEMARC meeting on board the USS Salem in Quincy. That’s right, the September 18th CEMARC meeting will be hosted by the USS Salem Radio Club. The club has volunteered to host the meeting, provide lunch, and give all a tour of the ship’s radio rooms.

I’m sure that there will be plenty to discuss and review since we last met. It’s been a very busy summer for all ham radio in Eastern Mass. and the country. Of course we can expect Pi to bring us up to date on this summer¹s USS Salem Scouting activities, but in addition, here’s an opportunity for all clubs in attendance to boast of their own accomplishments / activities over the long summer. You might also bring along a list to share of planned club activities / speaker¹s your club has scheduled for this season.

So, please join us at your CEMARC meeting on September 18, 2004 starting at 0900 hrs., lunch at noon, a radio room tour, and some time for enjoying old friendships after.

For those arriving early, the SATERN group has volunteered to have coffee/tea/hot chocolate available on the pier to help start the day off, and will provide talk-in on the Boston 145.23-/88.5 repeater.

Remember, CEMARC meetings are open to all club members.

Detailed driving directions are available on the USS Salem Web Site at http://www.uss-salem.org/visitor_information.htm

If you have an item you’d like placed on the meeting’s agenda, please forward it to me at:

Frank Murphy N1DHW
n1dhw@ema.arrl.org

USS Salem Activities June 26—Volunteers Sought

K1USN QSL cardJC Cunningham, W1AI writes:

We are expecting 40 scouts this coming weekend. They will probably be split into 3-4 small groups.

Can I get some volunteers to work with the scouts from 3:00pm to 6:00pm on Saturday (6/26/04)? (Volunteers should plan on arriving around 2:30 to assist with setup.)

Most of our regular volunteers will be participating in Field Day, so if you’re not, please consider helping out this weekend!

Email me at W1AI@hamtestonline.com if you can help! (I have to let the ship know by Friday morning whether we can accommodate!)

Thanks,

JC Cunningham, W1AI
USS Salem K1USN Radio Club Scouting Program Volunteer Coordinator
http://www.hamtestonline.com/

USS Salem Scouting Call For Volunteers 5/22/2004

K1USN QSL cardFeel like doing something fun and different on Saturday?

We are very close to having enough volunteers again this week. Will you be the one that makes the difference?

Activities are from 3pm to 6pm on Saturday (5/22/04). Volunteers should plan on showing up at 2:30 to help with setup.

No prior experience is necessary.

Please email me ASAP at W1AI@hamtestonline.com if you will help.

Thanks,

JC Cunningham, W1AI
USS Salem K1USN Radio Club Scouting Program Volunteer Coordinator
http://www.hamtestonline.com/

K1USN Scouting Volunteers Requested For 5/08/2004

K1USN QSL cardJC Cunningham, W1AI writes:

Thanks to all who helped last weekend!

We are expecting 67 scouts this coming weekend.

If I can get 5 volunteers, we will run the Intro to Amateur Radio presentations and the HF & VHF/IRLP Demos concurrently in different parts of the ship. All activities are from 3:00pm to 6:00pm on Saturday (5/08/04). (All volunteers should be prepared to arrive no later than 2:45 to assist with setup.)

I’m hoping for a generous mix of seasoned and new volunteers. Previous experience is not required; our talented volunteers can train on the fly.

Please email me at W1AI@hamtestonline.com if you will be there! (I have to let the ship know by Friday morning whether we can accommodate!)

Thanks,

JC Cunningham, W1AI

USS Salem K1USN Radio Club Scouting Program Volunteer Coordinator

http://www.hamtestonline.com