February 28, 2020: EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS (EMA) SECTION NEWS
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Welcome to the Eastern Massachusetts ARRL section newsletter.
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To see all the monthly news, which is updated regularly, visit <https://ema.arrl.org/>.
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UP FRONT
MASSACHUSETTS DISTRACTED DRIVING LAW
The best ways to avoid being ticketed for your lawful use of amateur radio while mobile is to have the appropriate documentation in the vehicle with you.
The first item to print out and have with you in the car is the actual text of the Massachusetts General Law on the subject. That would be MGL Part 1, Title XIV, Chapter 90, Section 13.
The second item is your valid FCC amateur radio license.
More detail <https://ema.arrl.org/important-information-on-new-massachusetts-distracted-driving-law/>
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HELP NEEDED TO INFORM LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS ABOUT DISTRACTED DRIVING
NEAR-Fest organizer Mike Crestohl, W1RC, Marblehead, has requested assistance in reaching out to all 348 Police Departments in Massachusetts. He wants to alert them to the exemption for 2-way radio operation (by keeping one hand on the steering wheel, of course) in the new distracted driving law. He is asking for volunteers to help him email police chiefs across the state. He will provide the detail messages and email addresses. He estimates 10 volunteers could accomplish this with only a few hours of work. Want to help? Contact him at w1rc@near-fest.com.
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NORTHEAST HAMXPOSITION (FORMERLY BOXBORO) IS MOVING
The 2020 Northeast HamXposition will be held July 24th, 25th, and 26th at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center, conveniently located in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
The new venue offers us much-needed additional capacity for forums, a larger flea market, and ample parking right in the hotel’s main lot. For those staying at the convention hotel, your room rate includes a complimentary breakfast buffet.
For more information, visit https://ema.arrl.org/2020/01/27/major-announcement-northeast-hamxposition-formerly-boxboro-is-moving/
The HamXposition Program Committee is seeking presentations of both a technical and non-technical nature. To register as a presenter, visit <https://hamxposition.org/2020-early-speaker-signup>.
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MAINE BICENTENNIAL SPECIAL EVENT OPERATION PAYS HOMAGE TO THE ORIGINAL NINE COUNTIES–AND BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
The Maine Bicentennial Special Event, March 16-22, 2020, recognizes Maine’s original nine counties from when the state was chartered in 1820. There will also be three other special event stations operating from Jameson Tavern in Freeport, Portland, and Boston in recognition of their contributions to Maine’s Statehood.
Boston is the “longest continuously serving capital” in the United States, and served as capital for the District of Maine until 1820.
According to the Executive Board member Tim Watson, KB1HNZ, there is still a need for individuals to operate the Boston special events station, K1B. “We have at least one ham who may be able to make it down [to Boston] for a portable operation, but it would be great to have a few more operators. The more, the better! Please help spread the word.”
The full story can be found at <https://ema.arrl.org/2020/02/28/maine-bicentennial-special-event-operation-pays-homage-to-the-original-nine-counties-and-boston-massachusetts/.
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Norwood ARC Honors N1UEC With W1JLI Memorial Award
Lou Harris, N1UEC, was awarded the first Louis H. Schall, W1JLI, Memorial Award at the Norwood Amateur Radio Club Dinner on February 27, 2020. The Walpole resident was “recognized for his tireless efforts on behalf of the Norwood Amateur Radio Club exemplifying the best spirit of Amateur Radio.”
Schall became a Silent Key in 2006. A longtime member of the Norwood Amateur Radio Club, W1JLI was also a founding member of the 19/79 Amateur Radio Association (K1VTE) in Malden, and a pioneer in New England Amateur Television.
Kudos to Lou Harris, N1UEC!
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NEW AFFILIATED CLUB SERVICE OFFERED: YOUR CLUB ON THE WEB!
We understand it’s difficult to recruit and retain a webmaster for your club. In fact, some clubs’ web sites have fallen into disrepair. That’s why we’re excited to offer this new service to ARRL affiliated clubs—a hosted page on the EMA ARRL web site. The address is of the form, https://ema.arrl.org/<Your Club Name>. The pages would be maintained by our webmaster, with input from your club officers.
What would the page look like? Check out the new Wellesley Amateur Radio Society page at: https://ema.arrl.org/wars.
Questions? Contact ASM Phil Temples, K9HI, at k9hi@arrl.org.
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WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THAT RADIO CLUB?
Please visit <https://ema.arrl.org/affiliated-clubs/radio-clubs-of-yesteryear/> and send any information you might have to our Assistant Section Manager (ASM) Phil Temples, K9HI, at <k9hi@arrl.org>.
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FLEA MARKETS:
A full list of New England flea markets can be found at https://ema.arrl.org/2019/10/11/new-england-area-flea-markets-october-4-2019/
7 Mar Chicopee MA
Mt Tom ARA
Brian N1FI 508-478-6790
29 Mar Southington CT
Bruce WA1RR 203-704-7073
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NEWS FROM EMA.ARRL.ORG:
Each day on the section web site we bring you news and information from Eastern Massachusetts and beyond. Visit https://ema.arrl.org for the latest.
Here’s a selection of the stories from February 2020:
K1BG: “ARRL Affiliated Clubs” at Billerica ARS, March 4, 2020 <https://ema.arrl.org/2020/02/21/k1bg-arrl-affiliated-clubs-at-billerica-ars-march-4-2020/>
You-Do-It Arduino Day 2020, Needham, March 21 https://ema.arrl.org/2020/02/21/you-do-it-arduino-day-2020-needham-march-21/
New England Sci-Tech: “Building Electronic Gadgets: Beginning Soldering” at Girl Scout STEM Conference Workshop, March 14, 2020 <https://ema.arrl.org/2020/02/19/new-england-sci-tech-building-electronic-gadgets-beginning-soldering-at-girl-scout-stem-conference-workshop-march-14-2020/>
Ham Volunteers Sought for ToughRuck, April 19, 2020 <https://ema.arrl.org/2020/02/15/ham-volunteers-sought-for-toughruck-april-19-2020/>
Enthusiastic Third-Graders Learn about Amateur Radio at St. Columbkille Partnership School in Brighton <https://ema.arrl.org/2020/02/12/enthusiastic-third-graders-learn-about-amateur-radio-at-st-columbkille-partnership-school-in-brighton/>
New Rooftop Research Space Needed for W1XM <https://ema.arrl.org/2020/02/07/new-rooftop-research-space-needed-for-w1xm/>
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EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES
The first Monday of every month is a test of the Massachusetts RACES and ARES communication capabilities. The monthly ARES VHF Net is at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.
To see all the recent news on Eastern Massachusetts ARES please visit <https://ema.arrl.org/category/emcomm/>. This site is constantly maintained with the latest happenings by our EMA SEC, Rob, KD1CY.
If you are interested in joining Eastern Massachusetts ARES, visit <https://secure1.ema.arrl.org/qilan/ares/EMA/ARES_about>.
To find out more about EMA ARES visit <https://ema.arrl.org/ares/>.
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Section Traffic Manager (STM), Marcia KW1U
The January section traffic manager report may be viewed at https://ema.arrl.org/2020/02/27/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-january-2020/
This report lists all the PSHR and BPL recognitions for the month and details the very extensive level of NTS activity across the state.
January BPL recipients: Wow, this is fun! N1IQI, Loren with 769 BPL points, topped Marcia KW1U (with 768 points) by a single BPL point this month! How about that!
January PSHR recipients (70 points or more): KW1U 130, W1RVY 110, N1IQI 110, KD2JKV 110, N1LAH 100, KE1ML 100, KC1HHO 90, N1TF 85, KC1KVY 83, WA1LPM 78.
Find the list of all NTS daily nets in Massachusetts here: <https://ema.arrl.org/national-traffic-system/net-schedule/>.
To see more news on Eastern Massachusetts Traffic Handling and Nets visit <https://ema.arrl.org/category/nts/>.
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NET REPORTS
FIRST REGION NET (1RN) REPORT (CW)
Eric, W1RVY, is manager of 1RN Cycle 4, the evening CW net. Eric reports the January net had 60 sessions that handled a total of 79 pieces of traffic and a total of 176 check-ins for the month.
FIRST REGION NET (FRN) REPORT (SSB)
Betsey, K1EIC, manager of FRN, the daytime phone net reports the January net had 62 sessions that handled a total of 150 pieces of traffic and a total of 332 check-ins for the month.
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Silent Keys
Art Greenberg, K1GBX and a former EMA Section Manager, became a Silent Key on February 18, 2020.
Thomas J. Malloy Jr, N1FTB, became a Silent Key on January 11, 2020.
The NVARC newsletter reports NVARC member WW4EN, Townsend, MA, is a Silent Key.
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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/2019/03/05/ema-public-service-list/>
Section Speaker List: <https://ema.arrl.org/2018/04/16/eastern-ma-club-speakers-list/>.
To join EMA ARES visit <https://secure1.ema.arrl.org/qilan/ares/EMA/ARES_about>
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FINAL WORD
The Massachusetts Distracted Driving Law is now in effect. Be sure you are familiar with the new rules and read the advice regarding operation of mobile 2-way radio in the state.
<https://ema.arrl.org/important-information-on-new-massachusetts-distracted-driving-law/>
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AND DON’T FORGET LEAP YEAR
We have a once in a 4-year opportunity: Go make a QSO on February 29.
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ACKOWLEDGEMENT
This February 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
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