February 2022: EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS (EMA) SECTION NEWS
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Welcome to the ARRL Eastern Massachusetts (EMA) section news
Visit <https://ema.arrl.org/> for frequent updates to the news
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BOSTON MARATHON STILL NEEDS MORE VOLUNTEERS
The Boston Marathon Communications Committee writes:
Planning is well underway for the 2022 Boston Marathon! The BAA opened volunteer registration continues to be open and it will close on Friday, February 18, 2022. Returning volunteers should have received an email from the BAA with details about how to register.
New volunteers can sign up via http://register.hamradioboston.org/
We have also provided a step-by-step guide on how to select Amateur Radio volunteer positions during the registration process:
If you have any questions about the upcoming volunteer registration period, or the 2022 Marathon generally, please get in touch anytime via the email address contact@hamradioboston.org.
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New England Division Town Hall Meeting – February 16, 7 PM
Phil Temples, K9HI, and Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, are planning to hold a New England Division Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, February 16 at 7 PM EST. The purpose of the meeting will be to provide you with an ARRL update, get your thoughts on what we should be focusing on, and answer any questions that you might have about the ARRL and what we are doing on behalf of ARRL members here in New England. We will also be introducing our recently appointed Assistant Directors.
They are planning to spend a good deal of the time together to answer your questions. If you’d like to send us a question in advance, you can do so via an email to ab1oc@arrl.org or you can just plan to ask your questions during the Town Hall Meeting.
They will hold our Town Hall Meeting via a Zoom Webinar. You can get your personal link to join the Town Hall Meeting via the following link:
<https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1oTJrGG5Tx-0BCAFiLrTJA>
Fred and Phil hope to see you on February 16.
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HAM-CON, the ARRL Vermont State Convention, February 26
The ARRL Vermont State Convention, known as HAM-CON, will be held Saturday, February 26, at 8AM-1PM live in Colchester, VT and On-Line at HAM-CON.ORG.
If you are in our primary coverage area of Vermont, Northern NH, Northern NY and Southern Quebec, we hope to see you in person. However, anyone, anywhere can take part in HAM-CON. On-line attendees will get to participate in the forums, see the flea market room, get to converse with other attendees in separate video rooms and even watch our special event station W1V.
We have a super line-up planned for this year! ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, will start things off by telling us about 2021 happenings at ARRL and what to look forward to in 2022. Our newly elected New England Director, Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, will detail accomplishments made and planned for in his first 100 days in office. Dave Casler, KE0OG, author of the “Ask Dave” column in QST, will be on hand to answer all of your technical questions. Ed Hare, W1RFI, will focus on current issues in radio frequency interference to ham radio operations. We’ll have other great forums on technical and operating topics, plus a totally fun forum never seen before. You won’t want to miss it!
Advanced admission to HAM-CON is only $6, available right on the web site http://www.ham-con.org. If you are not sure of your plans, buy your ticket now and it can be used live or on-line. The price jumps up to $10 on February 20, so don’t wait! Details on early vendor admission and table reservations can also be found on the site.
HAM-CON is one of the first conventions of each year and the only New England convention held in the first quarter. Be sure to join us to keep connected with other ham radio operators from the North Country and learn why we are considered the “best little hamfest in the world.” Hope to see you there, live or on camera!
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“SOS SOUNDED FOR HISTORIC RADIO TOWERS”
From the Cape Cod Chronicle:
“Driving along Ryder’s Cove on Route 28, it’s impossible to miss the three tall, steel lattice antennas once used by the Marconi-RCA ship-to-shore radio station. Home to ospreys during the spring and summer, the structures are an imposing reminder of the power the station once had to send and receive signals from halfway around the world, keeping in touch with ships at sea for more than 70 years.
“Built in 1921, seven years after the rest of the station, the 100-year-old towers are still apparently structurally sound, but there is concern that they may not be receiving the maintenance necessary to keep them that way.
“One of the towers, especially, faces an uncertain future unless something is done to arrest erosion along the Ryder’s Cove shore.”
Visit https://ema.arrl.org/2022/02/04/sos-sounded-for-historic-radio-towers/ for the story.
FLEA MARKETS
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/>.
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OTHER CONVENTIONS
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 forced into a September slot due to venue conflicts.
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FLEA AT MIT
The MIT flea market is back. The popular Cambridge flea market had been called off during COVID and after the passing of Steve Finberg, W1GSL, who shepherded it through many successful years.
See https://w1mx.mit.edu/flea-at-mit/ for more info.
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NTS NEWS
Section Traffic Manager – Marcia Forde, KW1U
Visit: <https://ema.arrl.org/national-traffic-system/>
The full complement of NTS net schedules may be found at: https://ema.arrl.org/national-traffic-system/net-schedule/
The Public Service Honor Roll for December includes the following EMA section traffic handlers: KW1U, N1UMJ, N1IQI, N1TF, W1RVY, N1LAH, KD2JKV, KC1KVY, KC1HHO, WA1LPM, KC1GSL, KC1MSN.
It’s nice to see so many names appear every month in QST.
Marcia reports on many section related traffic events every month, but this one in particular really captured my eye and attention. Marcia writes “Many of you are now familiar with and are participating in the Trivia and Traffic Thursdays radiograms going to K8AMH in North Texas (NTX). The other day I received an email from Bill Novak, KA9IKK, who is Assistant STM in South Texas (STX)and manager of a local traffic net in Houston. His net has been growing and he is interested in a radiogram pen pal swap with folks in other parts of the country. Would anyone like to find a pen pal with whom to exchange radiograms? This could be a great way to make friends and put much needed traffic into the system for practice. Let me know at kw1u@arrl.net or communicate directly with Bill at ka9ikk@hotmail.com.
Marcia’s full report for December can be found at <https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-december-2021/>
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ARES NEWS
Section Emergency Coordinator – Rob Macedo KD1CY
Visit: https://ema.arrl.org/ares/
Eastern Massachusetts ARES mourns the loss of Middlesex County ARES Assistant District Emergency Coordinator Darrell Mallory, K1EJ, who passed away on Friday January 21st, 2022. Eastern Massachusetts ARES honored his years of service with a “last call” on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net and various RACES Nets in his area. His obituary can be read at: https://memorials.blakefuneralhome.com/darrel-mallory/4836063/index.php
We are still in need of between 80-100 amateur operators for the 2022 Boston Marathon. If you can help, please register for the marathon by Friday 2/18/22. The details and the email address for questions about the 2022 Boston Marathon can be found at: https://ema.arrl.org/2022/01/23/boston-marathon-amateur-radio-volunteers-still-needed-race-day-monday-4-18-22-volunteer-registration-closes-2-18-22/.
Eastern Massachusetts ARES wishes to thank all Amateur Radio Operators who supported the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN program through the various storms in the past month of January. In particular, we’d like to thank all those who reported during the January 28-29 Blizzard of 2022. This was a historic storm and the Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotter reports from around the region were critical in keeping NWS, emergency management and broadcast media informed on the storm’s progression.
Also, thanks to Western Massachusetts ARES and the Western Massachusetts Emergency Net for their support during these storms with numerous nets particularly during the blizzard. It supported not only the Western and Eastern Mass sections but other sections in New England as needed.
The ARRL has posted a story on the blizzard and can be viewed at: http://www.arrl.org/news/major-northeast-winter-storm-prompts-ares-skywarn-activations.
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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FINAL WORD
The ARRL International DX CW Contest is February 19-20. This is one of the premier amateur radio on-air events every year. So, if you will be participating the very best of luck and propagation to all. I certainly hope to be on. I hope you will be too.
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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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