MARCH 2018: EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS (EMA) SECTION NEWS
Visit our new section website for up-to-date section news. <https://ema.arrl.org/>.
Section Leadership may be found at <https://ema.arrl.org/organization/#Section_Leadership>
PROMOTE YOUR CLUB EACH MONTH IN THE EMA SECTION NEWS
Is your club mentioned in the section news each month? We try to find interesting news about all clubs in the section, but you can help us out by sending short news items each month before the 15th.
EASTERN MA ARRL SECTION IS ON FACEBOOK
Kayla, W2IRY, our section Public Information Coordinator has taken up the challenge to improve the flow of information to the section. Kayla has created an Eastern MA ARRL Facebook page for us. This is a new page so we need help finding content to post especially from the affiliated clubs. If you are on Facebook, please give our page a like and promote it with your club. Our goal is to have the page be a central place to find information about all ham related activities in the region. If your club has a Facebook presence, we’d be happy to promote it. If it isn’t on Facebook, we can help promote your club and activities. Find us at <https://www.facebook.com/easternmaarrl/>.
AMATEUR RADIO INVOLVEMENT IN IEEE CONFERENCE, BOSTON, JULY 8-12
The Eastern MA ARRL field organization has been requested to provide an Amateur Radio presence at the IEEE AP-S/URSI Symposium in Boston, July 8-12, 2018 at the Westin Boston Waterfront in Boston’s Seaport District. Amateurs will outfit and staff a booth in the trade show area of the conference and conduct multiple Volunteer Exam sessions. If you or your radio club would like to be involved in this high profile project, please register at https://ema.arrl.org/hamradio-ieee-ap-s-2018-seeks-volunteers-july-8-12-2018/.
ARRL SEEKS EC-001 MENTORS
Since the beginning of the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications training program, ARRL has relied on the work of mentors to help guide those interested in volunteering to serve their communities. The current pool of mentors has fallen quite low. In fact, there are none currently registered from the EMA section! The qualifications to serve are extensive but if you have the experience your help is needed now. Visit this web link for details <http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-seeks-ec-001-mentors>.
FLEA MARKETS
Sunday, April 8, 2018, 9 AM to 12 noon
Framingham ARA flea market at the Keefe Technical School.
Go to <http://www.fara.org/flea> for more info.
SPECIAL EVENTS
APRIL 12, 2018: “The 103rd Anniversary of the Titanic Sinking”
A special event station will be set up at the old Coast Guard Station in Eastham, on Cape Cod, from April 12th until 1:46 AM on the 15th; to commemorate this tragic loss. This event is put on by the Titanic / Marconi Memorial Radio Association of Cape Cod and hosted by the Cape Cod National Seashore. The event will be open to the public on Saturday, April 14. (Information via Barry/ KB1TLR; Trustee / W1MGY)
APRIL 21, 2018: International Marconi Day
KM1CC, the Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club will set up a temporary amateur radio station at the Cape Cod National Seashore for International Marconi Day (IMD). This annual event honors Guglielmo Marconi for his contributions to wireless technology. Marconi’s 1901 Wireless Station Site in Wellfleet MA, is listed as a National Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places (1975) and is now part of Cape Cod National Seashore. IMD is sponsored by the Cornish Radio Club, UK; many historic Marconi stations participate. The event is 24 hours, April 21 0000-2359 UTC. Follow KM1CC on <http://dxsummit.fi/#/> or our Facebook page at <https://www.facebook.com/KM1CC>. (information via Barbara N1NS, Trustee KM1CC)
April 28, 2018: W1BSA on the USS Massachusetts
The annual W1BSA event will take place April 28, 2018 from 10:00-15:00. Visit the USS Massachusetts ward room to operate this great event. (Information via Rick Emord, KB1TEE)
June 1-3, 2018: NE1PL on the USS Massachusetts 2018
The USS Massachusetts will participate on June 1-3 for “Museum Ships on the Air”. Anyone interested in coming out and operating please contact Rick, KB1TEE at <kb1tee@gmail.com> In addition to radio operators they are seeking people to help log contacts, speak to guests and other duties. Check out the website <http://www.ne1pl.org> for updates on operations. (Information via Rick Emord, KB1TEE)
2-DAY TECHNICIAN IN A WEEKEND CLASS IN BROOKLINE, MARCH 30-31
The Clay Center ARC will offer a Tech in a Weekend course on Friday, March 30 from 6:00-9:00 PM and Saturday, March 31, from 9 AM – 4 PM followed by an exam at 4 PM at the Dexter Southfield School in the Clay Center, 20 Newton Street, Brookline. The $65 fee covers the exam, pizza and salad lunch, coffee and snacks, and printed materials. Advance registration and payment required. Email Bob Phinney at bphinney@dextersouthfield.org.
6-SESSION TECHNICIAN COURSE IN BROOKLINE BEGINNING ON MARCH 28
The Clay Center ARC has teamed up with Brookline Adult Education to offer a six-session Tech course at the Clay Center, 20 Newton Street, Brookline. This course is designed specifically for adults and child-parent pairs to facilitate their successful completion of the radio license test. Children who pass receive a free membership in the Clay Center Amateur Radio Club. Register at <https://registration.xenegrade.com/nce/coursedisplay.cfm?schID=11469>.
3-DAY TECHNICIAN CLASS IN PLYMOUTH PLANNED FOR APRIL AND MAY 2018
The Genesis ARS (GARS) is holding a 3-day Technician course, April 7, 21, and May 5th. The class will be held at the Plymouth Airport Community Room. Contact Chris Johnson N1IR, <chrisjohnson2003@gmail.com>, if interested.
1-DAY TECHNICIAN CLASS ON APRIL 21 IN GLOUCESTER
The Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association, (CAARA), is holding a one day study course for those interested in earning the FCC Technician class amateur radio license. This course will be held at the Lanesville community Center on 8 Vulcan Street in Gloucester, MA on Saturday, April 21st, 2018. Starting at 8:30 AM and going until 4:30 PM. Exams will begin at the end of class. There is a $20.00 fee for course materials, snacks and the FCC Test Fee. You must sign up beforehand by e-mailing CAARA at <techinaday@caara.net>. (Information via Bill Poulin, WZ1L)
THIS MONTH’S CLUB NEWS
Barnstable ARC (BARC): <https://www.barnstablearc.org/>
BARC members have been active with the Cape and Islands ARES call-up. For two weeks BARC members were primary operators at The Harwich Tech School, Harwich Ma and the Barnstable Intermediate School, Barnstable Ma. Both locations provided shelter from the nor’easters that effected the Cape. They provided 90 hours of communication services. (Information via Mark Petruzzi, WA1EXA).
Billerica ARS (BARS):
Talk about a tough winter! Two months in a row, the monthly Billerica ARS (BARS) meeting was postponed due to inclement weather. The third time is a charm (April they hope), and you can still catch our ARRL New England Division Vice Director, Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, speaking about the January ARRL Board of Directors meeting at the April 4 BARS meeting in Chelmsford. Furthermore, thanks to great work from Jesse, W1DEA, the Billerica ARS now has a new and much improved website at <https://www.w1hh.org/>.
Boston ARC (BARC):
The March 15 meeting of the Boston ARC was held at the Massport Fire Rescue Headquarters, in East Boston which included a tour of Massport’s Fire Department apparatus.
Genesis ARS (GARS):
GARS announced that the first of March will be the official date for using NXDN on N1ZIZ. Only PL/131.8 will be supported post March 2018. The repeater will then use Mixed Mode = NXDN to NXDN and or Analog to Analog.
NASHOBA VALLEY ARC (NVARC):
The February meeting of the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club (NVARC) featured a presentation on Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) by Steve, NA1T. Following the formal presentation Steve displayed and discussed several “Go Boxes” he uses for ARES and public service activities in New Hampshire.
On Sunday, February 25, NVARC supported the Girl Scouts of Shirley and Ayer for Girl Scout “Thinking Day on The Air”. NVARC has supported Girl Scout troops in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire for four years now. You can see pictures of the event on the Nashoba Valley Voice at <http://www.nashobavalleyvoice.com/ci_31706294> (NVARC information via Stan KD1LE, President NVARC)
QUANNAPOWITT RADIO ASSOCIATION (QRA):
Here is a new Facebook page for you to enjoy celebrating the combined energy of the QRA club and the Wolf Pack repeaters. Check it out at <https://www.facebook.com/QRAWolfPack/>.
PART OF WESTFORD: <http://www.wb1gof.org/>
Andy, KB1OIQ, President of PART provides several news items:
– The PART monthly breakfast moved to Paul’s Diner in Westford. Attendance jumped to 15 people!
– The PART kit building activity was attended by about a dozen people, four of whom were kit builders, and others were Elmers or curious onlookers. We built the Cricket 80a QRP CW transceiver for the 80m band and had a lot of fun.
– Andy (KB1OIQ) gave a brief talk to NVARC about the new EMA website, and the upcoming EMA Facebook presence. Andy and Kayla got word to the club contacts of EMA about this updated form of outreach.
– Andy (KB1OIQ) gave a talk to NVARC about the BITX40 and uBITX kit radios from India. Andy’s modifications are intended to help visually impaired ham radio operators. He has found a locate ham who is willing to test his prototype.
– PART meeting in March will be a discussion about our three repeaters.
– PART meeting in April will be “Show ‘n Tell”.
WELLESLEY ARS (WARS):
All hams are welcome to check into the Wellesley Amateur Radio Society Net on Wednesday evenings at 8 pm on the W1TKZ repeater 147.030 MHz +600 kHz (PL tone 123 Hz). WARS also operates the W1TKZ repeater on 444.600 MHz +5 MHz (PL tone 88.5 Hz). It is linked to the two meter 147.030 +600 kHz W1TKZ repeater.
MONTHLY ARES REPORT
Marek, KB1NCG (SEC), reports 670 registered EMA ARES members, 17 active nets and 6 DECs reporting in February 2018. Contact Marek KB1NCG, at <kb1ncg@gmail.com> to register with EMA ARES.
MONTHLY SECTION TRAFFIC MANGER REPORT:
Contact Marcia, KW1U, at kw1u@arrl.net or join one of the many nets below to learn more about traffic handling.
The National Traffic System (NTS), February 2018 Recognitions:
(1) Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR):
Recognition for February: KC1CIC (135), KW1U (130), N1TF (115), N1IQI (110), W1RVY (100), N1LAH (100), N1SYC (99), WA1LPM (90), N1LKJ (77), and KC1HHO (74).
(2) Brass Pounder League (BPL):
Recognition for February: KW1U.
See the monthly “Public Service” column in QST for more information about the BPL and PSHR recognitions.
NTS NETS (COMBINED EMA/WMA)
EMA/WMA NTS Nets are listed below. Please support the nets and check in.
EM2MN 145.230 MHz 8PM Daily
MARIPN 3978 KHz 6PM Tu, Th, Sa
HHTN MMRA Repeaters 10PM Su, M, W, F
CITN 147.375 MHz 7:30PM M, Tu, Th, Sa
MARI 3565 KHz 7PM Daily
CM2MN 146.970 MHz 9PM Daily
WMTN 146.910 MHz 10AM Daily
WMTN 146.910 MHz 1PM Daily
WMEN 3944 KHz 8:30AM Su
NEPN 3945 KHz 8:45AM Su
FIRST REGION NET (1RN/FRN) FEBRUARY 2018 REPORTS (NTS)
Bill, W1KX, manages 1RN Cycle 4, the evening CW net. Bill reports in February there were 56 sessions, 181 check-ins, and the handling of 83 pieces of traffic.
Betsy, K1EIC, manages FRN Cycle 2, the daytime SSB net. Betsy reports in February there were 55 sessions, 229 check-ins, and the handling of 111 pieces of Traffic.
SILENT KEYS
We have received the sad news that Tom, N1HIY, passed away on 27 February. (Information via George W1ZT and the NSRA list).
We have received the sad news that John (WA1JG, ex-WB1EHL) has passed away. (From the NSRA list).
Until next month,
73,
Tom, K1TW
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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
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