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December 2022 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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NEW ARRL EMA SECTION MANAGER STARTING 1 JANUARY
Jon McCombie, N1ILZ, will become ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section Manager (SM) on January 1, 2023. Both SM-Elect Jon, N1ILZ and I have been carefully preparing for a smooth transition.
I’ve had the pleasure of serving as your Section Manager for the last eight years, succeeding Phil Temples, K9HI, on January 1, 2015. 8 years is not a record, mind you. Our section has seen the likes of Frank Baker, W1ALP, who was Section Manager from the late 1930s to the mid 1970s!
Several other Section Managers, including Phil, K9HI, have also served multiple terms in office. Over the years, numerous amateurs in the section have demonstrated their passion for Amateur Radio by supporting our national organization through volunteer service.
Amateur Radio has provided me with great adventures and great friendships. I consider my eight years as Section Manager to be one of the highlights of my amateur radio lifetime. I have no doubt that all of you, too, can accomplish great things by giving of your time and talents to this wonderful past time. You might even discover volunteering can generate a certain emotional “boost” to your life—like turning on an amplifier does while operating during marginal conditions.
ARRL membership gives you access to the world’s largest and strongest amateur radio society. The ARRL will always be there to safeguard your hobby and provide you with many fun programs as well as offering technical help when you need it. But it needs our time and financial resources in return to keep it strong and vibrant. I cannot imagine life as an Amateur Radio operator without the ARRL. I hope you feel the same.
I want to take a moment and thank: All of the ARRL members in Eastern Massachusetts who have given me help, advice and friendship; the clubs and club officers who educate, mentor, train, and promote the spirit of Amateur Radio daily; my staff members who have served the section so diligently during my eight years;
The devoted staff in Newington at ARRL Headquarters who are just an email or phone call away from helping our members; the great folks on the Northeast HamXposition Convention Committee who put on a truly world-class division convention every year and carry on the tradition of ARRL New England Division conventions going back more than seventy years; the three New England Division Directors I’ve had the pleasure of assisting: Tom Frenaye, K1KI; Fred Hopengarten, K1VR; and Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC;
Above all, I want to thank Phil Temples, K9HI, for his incredible patience eight years ago in mentoring a new section manager when he stepped down. Phil has always been there not just for me but also for the countless amateurs whose lives he has touched and continues to do to throughout the section and the division. Thank you, Mr. Phil Temples, K9HI.
I will miss you all, but I know the section is in good hands as Jon, N1ILZ, assumes leadership in Eastern Massachusetts. Please reach out and welcome him as our new Section Manager by emailing at Jon at N1ILZ@arrl.org or via a congratulatory radiogram.
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ARRL STRAIGHT KEY NIGHT – A GREAT WAY TO ENJOY NEW YEARS DAY
Objective: This 24-hour event is not a contest; rather it is a day dedicated to celebrating our CW heritage. Participants are encouraged to get on the air and simply make enjoyable, conversational CW QSOs. The use of straight keys or bugs to send CW is preferred. There are no points scored and all who participate are winners.
Straight Key Night is held every January 1 from 0000 UTC through 2359 UTC. It’s so easy to get on and meet people on air. Full details at http://www.arrl.org/straight-key-night
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NTS NEWS
Section Traffic Manager – Marcia Forde, KW1U
Joe W1HAI, manager of Heavy Hitters Traffic Net (HHTN) reports that the net has added Saturday sessions and now operates 7 evenings a week. This net meets on the MMRA repeater network and is linked to Mt Greylock repeater for near statewide coverage. Meeting time is 2200 local time and a good time for clearing any of the day’s traffic.
See the Full November Section Traffic Report from Marcia at: https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-november-2022/
NTS net schedules may be found at: https://ema.arrl.org/national-traffic-system/net-schedule/
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ARES NEWS
Section Emergency Coordinator – Rob Macedo KD1CY
ARES Net Schedules may be found at: https://ema.arrl.org/ares/ares-net-schedule/
News concerning ARES and Emergency Communications in the EMA section is updated regularly on our web site: <https://ema.arrl.org/ares/>.
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EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION LINKS
Eastern Massachusetts Section website: <https://ema.arrl.org/>
New England Division website: <https://nediv.arrl.org/>
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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This is really MY FINAL WORD
With the help of my section staff and, in particular Phil K9HI, I have managed to send out 89 section newsletters over the past 8 years. I hope they have been informative and enjoyable.
After January 1st,
Please catch me on the air, especially on CW in 2023 – starting on January 1st as part of the 24-hour long Straight Key Night.
I will be frequenting CW watering holes too like skcc, cwops, qrp, county hunters, pota, and sota. as much as possible. Looking to see you there too!
May you all have a safe, happy and Healthy New Year.
For one last time,
73,
Tom K1TW
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The EMA December 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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