October 2021 Section News – Eastern Massachusetts ARRL

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Welcome to the ARRL Eastern Massachusetts (EMA) section news (October 2021)

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Visit <https://ema.arrl.org/> for frequent updates to the news

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UP FRONT

DIVISION DIRECTOR ELECTION

In the New England Division, the candidates for Director are the incumbent, Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, of Lincoln, MA; past New England Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI, of West Suffield, CT; and Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, of Hollis, NH. Ballots must be received at ARRL Headquarters by November 19.

There being no challengers for the Vice Director position, the current Vice Director, Phil Temples, K9HI, was declared elected for another three-year term beginning January 1.

The three director candidates will be campaigning at NEAR-Fest and will participate in a candidate forum there on October 15 at 1 PM.

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NORTHEAST HAMXPOSITION

Our first ARRL Convention at the new location of Marlborough, MA, was a huge success. Marlborough now joins the list successful venues that have previously hosted the New England Division Conventions including Swampscott, Boston, Hyannis, Boxboro, Manchester, Hartford, and others I may not be aware of.

Congratulations to the HamXposition Committee on a job well done and see you next year!

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DON’T FORGET THE RETURN OF NEAR-FEST THIS MONTH

NEAR-Fest 30 will be held October 15-16 at the Deerfield (NH) Fairgrounds. According to organizer Mike Cresetoh, W1RC, “It will be a hybrid event both live at the Deerfield Fairgrounds and streaming online via Zoom.”

In addition to its renowned flea market, NEAR-Fest will feature talks and forums, including the New England Director candidate forum.

For more information, visit <https://near-fest.com/>.

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WBZ SPECIAL EVENT OPERATION

The WBZ 100th Anniversary special on-the-air amateur radio event was an outstanding success. Congratulations to Larry, W1AST, overall coordinator, and the two host clubs, Hampden Country Radio Association (HCRA) and Billerica Amateur Radio Society (BARS). Larry coordinated the 28 operators across New England who made 5,200 contacts over the three-day event. It was an excellent effort by all.

So many stories were shared and passed on via the QSOs or emails. So many people had listened to WBZ on their crystal radios years ago. So many good memories came flooding back.

The 28 operators used four special event call signs: W1W, W1B, W1Z, WB1Z. Folks who made contact with all four call signs achieved a “Clean Sweep.”

If you would like to receive a special WBZ-100 QSL card, send your QSL card and include a self-sticking SASE. Do not wait too long as there is a limited supply of cards.

For more information, look up any of the call signs on <https://qrz.com>.

[Unfortunately, due to a last-minute complication, the WBZ segment on the Saturday evening Morgan White program was cancelled.]

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FIRST ANNUAL NEW ENGLAND PARKS ON THE AIR EVENT

The K1USN Radio Club has announced the 1st Annual Autumn New England Parks On The Air event on Saturday, October 16, 2021, from 0000-2359 UTC. Activate as many different POTAs as possible. The goal is to have one group/individual at each site to enable the activation of as many New England POTAs as possible. Officially listed POTAs from throughout New England are required.

For additional information, visit <https://ema.arrl.org/2021/09/23/first-annual-new-england-parks-on-the-air-event-october-16-2021/>.

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BARNSTABLE ARC SPECIAL EVENT: HARWICH CRANBERRY FESTIVAL

The Barnstable Amateur Radio Club (BARC) conducted a special event on September 18 and 19, 2021, at the Harwich Cranberry Festival in Harwich Center on Cape Cod. BARC operated W1MA, the club’s new call sign, honoring BARC member Ed Lajoie who became a silent key on February 3, 2021. The operators used 10, 15 and 20 meters with a tri-band beam on a tower. They also engaged the public at the entrance to the event.

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KM1NDY TO BE FEATURED ON WTBR-FM “HAM ON!”

Mindy Hull, KM1NDY, South Boston, will be the featured guest on Ham On!, simulcast on Pittsfield Community Television and WTBR-FM 89.7 on October 13, 2021, at 9 AM. The early morning program is produced and moderated by Western MA Assistant Section Traffic Manager Peter Mattice, KD2JKV. Mindy will speak on a wide variety of topics including: Summits On The Air (SOTA); Parks On The Air (POTA); her work with New England Sci-Tech in Natick, MA; and operating in Winter Field Day. The show will also be available as a podcast.

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W0MXX BALLOON LAUNCH ACHIEVES A RECORD ALTITUDE

Max Kendall, W0MXX, and his family launched a high-altitude balloon on October 2 from a location in Western MA. The balloon was equipped with telemetry to measure air pressure, temperature and other parameters. Various amateurs tracked its course from the ground using APRS. The balloon was successfully retrieved close to Max’s home in Medway after achieving an altitude of 103,000 feet!

Raw video footage from the balloon flight can be viewed at <https://youtu.be/T7VPWkWHYvU>.

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FALMOUTH ARA’S FARAFEST

Falmouth ARA’s FARA Fest will be held November 6, 2021, at the Upper Cape Regional Technical School, 220 Sandwich Road, Bourne, MA, from 9 AM to noon. Sellers can set up beginning at 7 AM. Table space can be purchased on the FARA website, <https://www.falara.org/activities/fara-fest>.

NTS NEWS

Section Traffic Manager – Marcia Forde, KW1U Visit: <https://ema.arrl.org/national-traffic-system/>

Marcia writes that she attended “the New England HamXposition in Marlboro where Phil, K9HI, and the rest of that crew did a phenomenal job especially considering a new venue and reduced attendance due to COVID. We had an NTS Meet and Greet Saturday afternoon and while we missed some old friends who didn’t make it, it was good to see those who did—a good chance to meet old friends and exchange what’s going on in their respective sections and thoughts about NTS in general.”

There is much more from Marcia so see the full report at: <https://ema.arrl.org/MASSACHUSETTS-TRAFFIC-REPORT-FOR-AUGUST-2021/>

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ARES NEWS

Section Emergency Coordinator – Rob Macedo KD1CY Visit: <https://ema.arrl.org/ares/>

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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/>