JUNE 2021: 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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NEW ENGLAND QSO PARTY (NEQP) LOGS DUE NOW
Don’t forget to submit your NEQP logs by June 1. Details on how to submit are at <https://neqp.contesting.com/neqpsubmitlog.php>
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FIELD DAY – JUNE 26-27, 2021
Field Day is more than a contest or QSL/certificate Operating Event. For most clubs, it is part contest, part camp-out, part publicity stunt, and part emergency operations exercise. Several clubs in Eastern MA will return to their traditional field locations for 2021, according to Bill, N1VUX, who maintains the section’s Field Day Directory at: <https://fd.ema.arrl.org/field_day>.
The directory currently shows the following clubs as confirmed and at their last site, unless otherwise noted; Class A or F stations:
– Algonquin ARC (site T.B.A.), with the Waltham ARA invited
– Barnstable ARC
– NESci-Tech/NEAR
– PART of Westford
– Framingham ARA (probable)
– Falmouth ARA (probable, site TBA)
– Whitman ARC (probable).
The following clubs will repeat COVID FD@Home cumulative, in whole or in part (hybrid):
– PART of Westford
– Wellesley ARS
– Algonquin ARC.
In 2020, there were entries for 21 EMA Clubs and an additional eight out-of-section clubs had entries from EMA, totaling 160 home stations in EMA &/or for EMA clubs; and also, at least three socially-distanced Class A sites were activated (Algonquin ARC, Nashoba Valley ARC, New England ARC), and two COVID-safe multi-op class E stations. (Thanks, N1VUX)
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BOSTON MARATHON VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION OPENS JUNE 16, 2021
The Boston Marathon Amateur Radio Communication Committee announces that volunteer registration for the 125th running of the Boston Marathon on Monday October 11th, 2021 will open on Wednesday June 16th 2021 at 1000 AM EDT.
Additional information can be seen on the hamradioboston.org web site at: <https://www.hamradioboston.org/node/9>.
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“CONNECTING WITH STRANGERS OVER HAM RADIO TUNED MY HUSBAND BACK INTO OUR LITTLE FAMILY”
Boston Globe reporter Gabriella Gage wrote a nice human interest story in the May 22, 2012 issue of The Boston Globe. The full article can be viewed at:
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“SAVING THE MIT RADOME”
“Perched atop the MIT Cecil and Ida Green Building (Building 54), MIT’s tallest academic building, a large, golf ball-like structure protrudes from the roof, holding its own in the iconic MIT campus skyline. This radar dome — or ‘radome’ for short — is a fiberglass shell that encases a large parabolic dish, shielding it from the elements while allowing radio waves to penetrate. First installed in 1966, it was used initially to pioneer weather radar research.
As the years passed and technology evolved, the radome eventually fell out of use for this purpose and was subsequently slated for removal as MIT began a major renovation and capital improvement project for the building. That’s when the student-led MIT Radio Society, who had found creative new uses for the radome, sprang into action to save it — and succeeded.”
The full story can be viewed at: <https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/miot-stm051021.php>.
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K1USN RADIO CLUB RECEIVES “ADVANCING THE ART OF CW” AWARD
Kudos to the members of the K1USN Radio Club. CWops has designated the club as the 2021 recipient of its Award for Advancing the Art of CW. As CWops noted in making the announcement, the K1USN Radio Club has created and managed the K1USN Weekly Slow Speed Test (SST) that provides a place for new and unpracticed CW operators to gather and operate at relaxed speeds in a friendly and encouraging manner that helps them continue to improve their CW skills.
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BLUE HILLS RESERVATION PARKS ON THE AIR ACTIVATION, MILTON
Mindy, KM1NDY, and friends organized a POTA operation from the Blue Hills Reservation, K-8402, on May 15, 2021 from the field at Houghton’s Pond. Later, part of the group hiked to the top of Great Blue Hill. Several area clubs had members in attendance, including: New England Sci-Tech ARS, Wellesley ARS, Long Island CW Club, Boston ARC, K1USN RC, and the Mystic Valley ARG. Participants brought their own equipment and used band pass filters to operate on several HF bands simultaneously.
A nice summary with pictures can be found at: <https://km1ndy.com/flatlanders-vs-highlanders-blue-hills-group-pota/>.
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MASSACHUSETTS RHODE ISLAND PHONE NET
The 75-meter Massachusetts Rhode Island Phone Net (MARIPN) is now operating daily, except for Sundays, on 3978 kHz beginning at 5 PM. Daily check-ins are now running about 10-15 participants. After traffic is cleared, time is allotted for comments and short ragchews.
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SLOW SPEED TEST (SST) NOW FRIDAY AND SUNDAY EVENINGS
Times are:
Fridays 20:00-21:00 UTC; 4-5 PM EDT
Mondays 00:00-01:00 UTC; 8-9 PM EDT (Sunday)
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EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES
JUNE ARES Report – Section Emergency Coordinator, Rob Macedo, KD1CY <https://ema.arrl.org/ares> for reports and news.
Eastern MA ARES participated in the national Red Cross exercise (dubbed Operation Unify) and practiced communications on various modes and bands. The operation was successful. A detailed report on this exercise and prior ones will be posted on the section web site within the next few weeks.
Eastern MA ARES held virtual workshops in May covering a number of topics. They were recorded and will be posted on the section web site later in June. Many thanks to those who participated in this virtual workshop. See <https://ema.arrl.org/2021/05/01/eastern-massachusetts-ares-workshops-via-zoom-during-the-month-of-may-check-here-for-frequent-updates/>.
SKYWARN virtual training classes were conducted on May 1 and 13. A recording of the class will be uploaded to the WX1BOX YouTube channel later this month.
The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season officially starts on June 1. The Eastern MA ARES-SKYWARN team will monitor developments this season for any pending threats to Southern New England.
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EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS NTS
JUNE NTS Report – Section Traffic Manager, Marcia Forde, KW1U <https://ema.arrl.org/nts> for reports and news.
NET REPORTS
FIRST REGION NET (1RN) REPORT (CW)
Eric, W1RVY, is manager of 1RN Cycle 4, the evening CW net on 3598 kHz. Eric reports the April nets had 60 sessions that handled a total of 106 pieces of traffic and a total of 175 check-ins for the month.
FIRST REGION NET (FRN) REPORT (SSB)
Betsey, K1EIC, is manager of FRN, the daytime phone net that meets at 1445 and 1615 local time on 3.948 kHz. Betsey reports the April nets had 60 sessions that handled a total of 210 pieces of traffic and a total of 294 check-ins for the month.
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Where to find stuff:
2021 EMA Field Day Directory: <https://fd.ema.arrl.org/field_day>
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/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://secure.ema.arrl.org/qilan/ares/EMA/ARES_about>
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FINAL WORDS
As I write this month’s final words it is May 31st – Memorial Day.
My thoughts naturally turn to our honored Veterans of all ages and those Americans serving as I write this. I hope everyone today remembers and honors their service to our nation, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom and the world. May they rest in everlasting peace and may we never forget.
Remember to help one another in every way you can.
Tom K1TW
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This monthly 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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