MAY (including April) 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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WHAT’S IN A NAME! IT’S MAY–NOT APRIL.
So why should I call this an April newsletter? It usually comes out near month end or even early in the coming month? The news is always fresh, so henceforth I will refer to the upcoming month.
Yes, this captures the April news, but as it is put together at the end of the month of April, it already seems to be a month late. So welcome to the “May” Section Newsletter.
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BILLERICA ARS CHANGES REPEATERS FOR WEEKLY NET
Thanks to the help of PART of Westford, the Billerica ARS has found a new home for their Wednesday night 8 PM net. The BARS net meets every Wednesday except the first Wednesday of the month which is the BARS club Zoom meeting night.
BARS made a smooth transition to the Westford WB1GOF 146.955 MHz repeater. This was accomplished with the gracious help of PART President George, K1IG, and support from Terry, KA8SCP, PART of Westford repeater owner.
BARS made the move after experiencing problems on the Billerica repeater (which is not owned or operated by the Billerica ARS). As Section Manager, I would like to thank PART of Westford for helping their neighboring club in time of need.
In addition, PART of Westford holds their own weekly club net on the Westford WB1GOF 146.955 MHz repeater every Sunday evening at 8 PM. So why not check into both club nets during the week and say hello.
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NEW FCC RF EXPOSURE RULES IN EFFECT BEGINNING MAY 3, 2021
On April 27, Eastern MA Technical Coordinator Dan Brown, W1DAN, held a workshop presentation for the section to discuss the new FCC RF exposure rules going into effect on May 3. The turnout was exceptional; Zoom call capacity was exceeded even before the talk began!
Dan will repeat his presentation on May 4—this time using ARRL Headquarters’ GoToWebinar account with a 2,000-participant capacity. Ed Hare, W1RFI, ARRL Laboratory Manager, will serve as Technical Moderator on the call. To sign up go to <https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3400737102800150797>.
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BRISTOL COUNTY REPEATER ASSOCIATION TAPE MEASURE ANTENNA BUILD PARTY
The Bristol County Repeater Association/Fall River ARC conducted a tape measure antenna build party on May 1 at the South Swansea Baptist Church in Swansea. For a modest fee of $20 per person, the club supplied the tape measures, 1/2? PVC pipe and fittings, clamps, and a connection for the radio. The event was a great success. Photos can be viewed at: <https://bcra.club/bcrawprel/archives/>.
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MASSACHUSETTS RHODE ISLAND PHONE NET FLOURISHING
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. Join the fun.
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SLOW SPEED TEST (SST) NOW FRIDAY AND SUNDAY EVENINGS
The K1USN Radio Club sponsors the one-hour, twice-weekly Slow Speed Test (SST) every Friday afternoon and Sunday evening. Details can be found at <http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html>.
Activity is quite high, and it is a fun-packed one hour event. You can see recent activity by searching for “K1USN Slow Speed Test” at https://www.3830scores.com/contests.php.
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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FALMOUTH CERT TEAM ASSISTS WITH COVID VACCINE CLINICS
The Falmouth CERT Team recently assisted Barnstable County with operations at six vaccination clinics set up at the Barnstable County Fairgrounds in East Falmouth. CERT members supervised incoming and outgoing vaccine patient vehicles at the drive-through clinic, and patients receiving their shots in their cars.
See more at <https://ema.arrl.org/2021/04/27/falmouth-cert-team-assists-at-local-vaccination-clinics-april-26-2021/>.
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TALLY-HO! IT’S FOX HUNTING SEASON
It’s spring in New England and time for a new round of fox hunts. “Foxes” W1HFN and KD1D have already deployed their hidden transmitters for a total of three hunts in April and May. Barry, W1HFN, prefers Littleton, while Alan, KD1D, is partial to Westford.
To learn of upcoming fox hunts, subscribe to <NEMassFoxHunters@groups.io>.
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EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES
ARES Report – Section Emergency Coordinator, Rob Macedo, KD1CY
Visit <https://ema.arrl.org/ares> for reports and news.
Eastern Massachusetts ARES will be participating with the national Red Cross in a section wide exercise on Saturday, May 8 from 1000 AM-1200 PM. The exercise document for the section written by Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, will be posted on the Eastern Mass ARES website.
Eastern Massachusetts ARES will be offering a series of ARES workshop topics during the month of May via Zoom. The Zoom workshops will accommodate up to 500 participants. Details are at: <https://ema.arrl.org/2021/05/01/eastern-massachusetts-ares-workshops-via-zoom-during-the-month-of-may-check-here-for-frequent-updates/>.
Members of WX1BOX, the Taunton SKYWARN ARC in Norton were active during a rare April snow event on April 15-16. Higher elevations had snow accumulations of 6-12″ while lower elevation locations as far east as Boston recorded 1-3″ of snow with thundersnow reported. Isolated pockets of tree and wire damage occurred where the snow was heavy and wet.
On April 21, WX1BOX members were in contact with SKYWARN groups on various repeaters in Western and Northeast Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut as severe thunderstorms caused numerous reports of hail and scattered pockets of tree and wire damage. Winds as high as 72 MPH were reported at the Westover AFB in Chicopee. Hail and pockets of wind damage made it into the I-495 corridor before the thunderstorms weakened.
On April 30, a strong wind event affected the region with pockets of tree and wire damage.
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EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS NTS
Section Traffic Manager (STM), Marcia Forde KW1U
See the latest NTS monthly report at: <https://ema.arrl.org/2021/04/15/massachusetts-traffic-report-for-march-2021/>.
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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 March nets had 60 sessions that handled a total of 164 pieces of traffic and a total of 184 check-ins for the month.
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Where to find stuff:
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://secure1.ema.arrl.org/qilan/ares/EMA/ARES_about>
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FINAL WORDS
Kudos are in order to former ARRL New England Division Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI, who organized this year’s New England QSO Party on May 1-2, 2021.
NEQP is 20 hours long, and divided into two sections with a civilized break for sleep Saturday night. The exchange consists of your callsign, a signal report and your county/state. Top scorers can earn a plaque and everyone who makes 25 QSOs and sends in a log will get a certificate.
“Last year we had logs from 177 New England stations and 460 more from around the country and world,” reports K1KI. Details at: <https://neqp.org>.
Based on observations at K1TW, New England hams were plentiful on the bands and having a great event weekend.
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Stay well, stay safe, and be helpful to your clubs and fellow ham! 73, 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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