December 2021: EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS (EMA) SECTION NEWS
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Welcome to the ARRL Eastern Massachusetts (EMA) section news
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Visit <https://ema.arrl.org/> for frequent updates to the news
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HOW TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL TECHNICIAN LICENSE CLASS
“How to Run a Successful Technician Class” Online Presentation, December 28, 2021 – Ross W1EKG (Whitman ARC) and Bruce K1BG (EMA Affiliated Club Coordinator)
Ross Hochstrasser, W1EKG, of the Whitman Amateur Radio Club runs very successful license classes (Technician, General, and Amateur Extra). K1BG used Ross’ template for the Technician classes the Nashoba Valley ARC has run. We would like to share this experience with you, with the goal of having all ARRL Affiliated Clubs in Eastern Massachusetts sponsor amateur radio classes.
On the evening of Tuesday, December 28 at 7PM, we will have a zoom session called “How to run a successful Technician License Class” where we will introduce Ross’ program to you.
If you are interested in helping your club by teaching a Technician license class, please participate in the zoom by contacting our EMA section ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator, Bruce K1BG, k1bg at arrl dot net.
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ARRL NEW ENGLAND DIVISION CABINET MEETING – JANUARY 8, 2022
On Saturday, January 8, 2022, incoming ARRL NE Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, along with NE Division Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, are resuming regular meetings with division and club leaders throughout the NE ARRL Division. These meetings are known as the ARRL NE Division Cabinet.
The Cabinet advises the directors as they prepare for upcoming ARRL Board meetings held twice yearly in January and again in July. The Cabinet consists of the seven New England Section Managers, Director-appointed Assistant Directors, ARRL Advisory Committee Members, ARRL Affiliated club presidents or their designated club representative, and other field organization leaders.
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ARRL FIRST VICE PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT BILLERICA ARS ON JANUARY 5
Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, will be presenting at the Billerica ARS monthly meeting on January 5 at 7 PM. Mike always provides interesting updates on ARRL activities. These presentations are a good way to stay in touch with your National association for Amateur Radio.
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CLUBS CELEBRATING HOLIDAYS WITH GATHERINGS AND MEALS
Despite the lingering threat from COVID, several Eastern MA clubs are celebrating (or have celebrated) the holidays with in-person gatherings and meals this holiday season.
The Barnstable ARC met on December 4 at the Brewster Sportsman club to celebrate the holidays.
Pentucket RA members planned a December 16 meeting at a Chinese restaurant in Methuen.
Wellesley ARS members gathered at New England Sci-Tech in Natick for an afternoon celebration on December 5.
The Boston ARC will hold its traditional holiday meal at the Stockyard Restaurant in Brighton on January 9.
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CLUBS IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND ENGLAND RE-ENACT MARCONI’S 1901 EXPERIMENT
The Marconi Radio Club of Newfoundland (MRCN) and the Poldhu Amateur Radio Club in England conducted a modern-day re-enactment of Marconi’s first transatlantic radio experiment in 1901. December 12, 2021, marks the 120th anniversary of that accomplishment.
More details on the event can be found on the ARRL web: http://www.arrl.org/news/clubs-in-newfoundland-and-england-to-re-enact-marconi-s-1901-experiment.
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NE 2022 HAMXPOSITION DATES CONFIRMED
The Northeast HamXposition (a.k.a. ARRL New England Division Convention) organizing committee has confirmed the dates for the 2022 convention in Marlborough: August 26-28, 2022. The Committee notes that this was the original weekend for the event before they were were forced into a September slot due to venue conflicts.
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ALGONQUIN ARC FLEA MARKET, MARLBOROUGH, FEBRUARY 19, 2022
The Algonquin Amateur Radio Club will hold its Marlborough Flea Market on February 19, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the 1Lt Charles W. Whitcomb School, 25 Union Street, Marlborough, MA. Talk-in is on the MMRA repeater, 147.27+ (PL 146.2). Any COVID-related updates will be carried on the AARC website at <http://n1em.org>. A VE session will be held beginning at 9:00 AM. General admission is $5. Vendor tables are $15 before February 9, 2018, or $20 at the door if space is available. Each table includes one admission.
For more information, contact Tim Ikeda, KA1OS at 508-251-9317 (before 9:00 PM), email <fleamarket@n1em.org> or visit <https://www.qsl.net/n1em/2022_flier.pdf>.
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FOX HUNTING ONLINE CONFERENCES THIS WINTER
PART of Westford President George Allison, K1IG, has proposed a series of online video conferences to discuss foxhunting. “As the snow season arrives, we’ll be taking a hiatus from our outdoor fox hunting events. To keep our expertise up, though, what is the interest in having one or more video conferences over the winter discuss fox hunting? Possible meeting agendas could include fox and fox-finding equipment demos, photos of memorable hunts, discussions of hunting techniques, and improvements or variations to our events.” George says that he is willing to host the conferences with a Webex account.
George requests feedback from interested individuals, including preferred day(s) of the week, and suggested agenda ideas. He can be contacted at k1ig@arrl.net.
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NASHOBA VALLEY ARC RECOGNIZED FOR SERVICE TO W1 QSL BUREAU
The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club was recognized recently for its long service to the W1 QSL Bureau at a NVARC QSL sorting party on November 18. Eric Williams, KV1J, W1 QSL Bureau Co-manager, awarded the club a beautiful plaque, which read, “Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club – In appreciation of 25 years of service to the W1 QSL Bureau – 2021.” Accepting the award on behalf of NVARC was club president Bruce Blain, K1BG. Bruce plans to bring the plaque to the club’s December club meeting to show those members who were unable to attend the sorting party. “NVARC should be proud of the support we have given the bureau over the years,” writes Bruce. “Thank you to all the club members and guests who have supported the sorting effort during this time, and I look forward to sorting cards with you for many years to come.”
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NTS NEWS
Section Traffic Manager – Marcia Forde, KW1U Visit: <https://ema.arrl.org/national-traffic-system/>
Marcia KW1U writes:
Greetings all,
I thought I would close out 2021 with a few comparison statistics. In November 2020 the nets held 190 sessions compared to 177 in November 2021. The biggest drop was in Western Mass while in Eastern Mass we have increased due to additional sessions of both MARIPN and HHTN. In November 2020 we handled 556 messages with 1733 check-ins compared to November 2021 when 573 messages were handled and 1319 stations checked in. We initiated one new net in March, the Mass Rhode Island Slow CW net but unfortunately that was de-activated in August. I would be happy to re-activate it if the interest is there. MARIPN increased sessions from 3 to 6 per week and HHTN increased from 4 to 6. Overall, I would say we have done quite well thanks to all who have participated. I hope you have had as much fun as I have.
In Western Mass effective January 1, 2022, the Cycle 1 net which met at 1 PM will be discontinued while the Cycle 2 net which has been meeting at 4:30 PM will move to a later time, likely 6:00 PM. This net will continue to meet on the Mt Greylock 146.91 repeater which has Echolink access via the K1FFK repeater. Thanks to Peter KD2JKV for his help in what we hope will be an improvement in participation.
We have added a number of new Official Relay Stations in the past year, namely KC1MSN, KC1NBI, KC1KVY, KB1SYL, KC1OIP AND AJ1DM our one Rhode Island station who is a regular on the MARI CW net. I hope I have not missed anyone and I hope to see more in the near future. We also added a new Net Manager, Tim W1TCD who now oversees the Cape and Islands Net. I’m so happy to see all these folks stepping up. A big thank you!
I would like to give special recognition to Loren N1IQI who not only has kept us busy with his license renewal reminder messages but has also been helping the 2-meter nets with traffic going outside the local area via his Packet BBS. Also, special recognition to Bob KC1KVY who has been a regular on the HF section and region nets for being most valuable in relaying outgoing and incoming traffic to and from the rest of the world. Bob also originates a lot of traffic confirming his POTA contacts. These messages help keep us in practice and keep the nets busy.
Do come join us when you can. And my best of the holiday season to all.
73, Marcia KW1U
STM EMA / WMA
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ARES NEWS
Section Emergency Coordinator – Rob Macedo KD1CY Visit: https://ema.arrl.org/ares/
Rob, KD1CY, Eastern Massachusetts Section Emergency Coordinator frequently posts news about ARES, Emergency Communications, SKYWARN, and upcoming severe weather warnings. December has been a busy month for Rob and his team of dedicated amateur radio operators. Read his updates each month on the section website. Please check it often.
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FINAL WORD
Don’t forget the ARRL Straight Key Night (SKN) starting at 7 PM Local time (00:00 UTC) on New Year’s eve. Straight Key Night is held every January 1 from 00:00 UTC through 23:59 UTC and is a fun way to start the new year.
More detail at <http://www.arrl.org/straight-key-night>
A very Happy New Year to all.
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EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION LINKS
Where to find stuff:
New England Division website: <https://nediv.arrl.org/>
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/eastern-ma-public-service-list/>
Section Speaker List: <https://ema.arrl.org/eastern-ma-club-speakers-list/>
To join EMA ARES visit: <https://secure.ema.arrl.org/qilan/ares/EMA/ARES_about>
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The EMA monthly section news is 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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