Amateur Assistance Sought, City of Gardner Centennial Parade, September 17, 2023

Ethan Hansen, KC1OIP, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:

Fellow Radio Amateurs,

The City of Gardner is celebrating our centennial, 100 years as a city, with a large parade on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 13:00 hours.

The City of Gardner Office of Emergency Management is seeking assistance from the ham radio community to provide safety and parade logistics communications. We need about fifteen hams to shadow division Marshalls and three command/relay trailers. A minimum of nine hams will need to be able to walk the parade route of up to 1.8 miles. The first half mile is on a slight uphill grade but it’s all downhill from there. Hams are requested to marshal at 11:00 hours and the parade steps off at 13:00.

To volunteer, please reply to ptopolski@gardner-ma.gov

Please feel free to forward this message to any hams that you know may be interested in helping out.

Be safe es 73,

Paul Topolski, W1SEX, Director
City of Gardner Office of Emergency Management

73,
Ethan KC1OIP
BARC Public Service Chair

KE1IU: “Nine-Band DXCC On A Covenant Restricted Lot” at Billerica ARS On-line Meeting, September 6, 2023

Billerica ARS logoPlease join us at the Billerica Amateur Radio Society meeting on September 6, 2023 at 7:00 PM. Mark Noe, KE1IU will present “9-Band DXCC On A Covenant Restricted Lot.”
 
This presentation will cover Mark’s journey as a DXer—from lowly beginnings as a teenager with only 4 countries to his name before going off to college—to achieving 9-Band DXCC (which happened last year). He will cover how to set up a very capable DX station with only wire antennas, tips for working common DX and the rare ones, the DX Code of Conduct, how to properly work split without getting frustrated, how to use FT8 to work DXpeditions, how to use a DX Cluster, how to use LoTW to confirm DX, and some automated tools that will make DX collecting easier for you. If you want to learn how to work DX without having a yard full of iron and aluminum, then this talk is for you! As a bonus, your station will also be very capable for rag chewing, WAS (Worked All States) and contesting.
 

[For Zoom conference details, email Bruce Anderson, W1LUS, at w1lus -at- hotmail -dot- com.]

 

Amateur Volunteers Requested, YuKanRun Half Marathon by the Sea, Manchester-by-the-Sea, September 17, 2023

Fred Beaulieu, WA1ESU, writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:

YuKanRun Half By The Sea race course mapWe are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Half Marathon by the Sea. Sun September 17, 2023, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944 US

Please let us know if you can staff a communications checkpoint for the event so we can plan staffing positions for the event.

While CAARA’s repeater performance has greatly improved some regions of this course may still experience some difficulty with communications especially with low-powered HTs, so we’ll be looking for higher powered equipment to staff those areas

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use (ie: Mobile; HT; ¼-Wave Mag-Mount; OEM Rubber-Duck; etc.) so we have a better idea of where to locate you along the event course per the potential of your equipment.

The course will be open and supported By CAARA. for Four hours We do not cover the one-mile event on this day. Runner safety is everyone’s top priority.

Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

Fred WA1ESU

Half by the Sea Communications Team.  
Manchester, Mass  
Last Updated: 09/04/2023 6:22 PM  
Event date: Sunday, September,17, 2023  
On Location: 9:30 AM   
Starts: Half Marathon Run = 10:00 AM  
Freq: W1GLO Repeater. 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up NS1RA 145.470 – PL136.5  

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net & Massachusetts RACES Nets Will Be on The Second Monday of the Month – Monday 9/11/23 Due to Labor Day Holiday

Hello to all…
 
We hope everyone is enjoying some well deserved excellent late summer/early fall weather during this long Labor Day Holiday Weekend. A reminder that the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net and the Massachusetts RACES Nets will be on the second Monday of the month – Monday 9/11/23 at their usual times due to the Labor Day Holiday weekend. Notices of the various ARES/RACES Nets will be posted on the email lists and the Eastern Mass ARES web site at https://ema.arrl.org/ares this coming weekend/Monday Morning 9/11/23. Thanks to all for their continued support of ARES and RACES at the local and state level.
 
73,Rob-KD1CY.
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net September 2023 – Saturday 9/9/23 Due to Labor Day Holiday Weekend

Jeff N1SOM, Secretary, and the SSH group writes:

Good evening,

Due to the upcoming Labor Day holiday, the Eastern MA Hospital Net will be on Saturday September 9, 2023 instead of the customary 1st Saturday of the month. I will be sending the Net details and repeaters that will be used for the Net next week.

Jeff N1SOM, Secretary, and the SSH group
N1SOM – W1SSH

Project BIG E Needs More Volunteers

[For more information about Project BIG E, visit the Project BIG E page at https://nediv.arrl.org/project-big-e/.]

Larry Krainson, W1AST, writes:

We still need 43 people to fill time slots for the Big E booth.

If you haven’t signed up yet, please do so ASAP. We need your help to make this a success this year.

Here are the dates, # of people needed and a “Y” for the session time frame.

image showing Big E assignments

Here is the sign up link:  bit.ly/45Cv6mn

Or contact me direct at W1AST@arrl.net

We need more people to sign up to make this a success!

Larry Krainson – W1AST

  • Project Big E Organizer
  • ARRL WMA ACC
  • HCRA President – HCRA.org 
  • 13 Colonies MA State Manager (K2H) – Ask to be an op!
  • Proud Member of: ARRL, FCARC, BARS & YCCC
  • w1ast@arrl.net

New Quincy Radio Club Formed: KW1NZE

Quincy RC logoA new radio club in Quincy has been formed called the Quincy Radio Club. It has been issued the call sign “KW1NZE.”

According to Quincy Radio Club trustee Peter Doherty, KC1HHO, the club will host “a series of special events that focus on the extraordinary cultural, political and social history of Quincy (pronounced “Kwinzee”) and its contribution to our nation and the world.”

“We are excited about our first upcoming event. The list of significant ‘Who, What and Here’  is long and varied.” Peter adds, “It will be difficult to choose the first.”

The Quincy Radio Club will commentate each event QSO with a handsome certificate upon request. 

 

Double Fox Hunt On the Air in Belmont, September 1, 2023

Eliot Mayer, W1MJ, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 11:01 AM on September 3, 2023:

Due to technical difficulties, the double fox hunt in Beverly has been terminated early.

This was Mike’s first deployment of this new fox design, and it is likely that the low-battery cutoff setting was too high for his battery.  My fox became intermittent, apparently due to a bad cable going to the radio (or, hopefully not, a bad jack in the radio). 

We will address these issues and try again.  For now, go find the W1MWS fox in North Chelmsford.

 

Eliot Mayer, W1MJ, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 6:00 PM on September 1, 2023:

K1MJC and I have both put foxes on the air in the Rock Meadow Conservation Area in Belmont, MA for the holiday weekend. 

Map and directions from Google Maps:  https://goo.gl/maps/6sYA2FXTKBXSdJXv7

Both foxes transmit once per minute between the hours of 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily.  They will be on the air until 5:00 PM on Monday, Labor Day.

The K1MJC fox is on 147.54 MHz, and has a log book to sign when you find it  

The W1MJ fox is in 147.57 MHz, and has no log book; please email your report to fox@w1mj.com.

73 DE W1MJ

W6NBC: “2m – 70cm Satellite Dish Slot Antennas” at Sci-Tech ARS Hybrid Meeting, August 29, 2023

New England Sci Tech logoThe New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society will meet on-line and in-person on August 29, 2023 at 7 PM and feature: “2m – 70cm Satellite Dish Slot Antennas” by John Portune, W6NBC.

Description: Have you ever wondered if you could hide a 2m – 70 cm base antenna in a television satellite dish?  By cutting a slot antenna into the reflector of a TV satellite dish, neighbors and homeowner associations are unlikely to notice it and, even if they do, federal Law prevents them from telling you to take it down.

Bio: John is a native of Los Angeles, CA and was first licensed in 1965. He has a Bachelor’s degree in physics from Oregon State University and, before he retired, was a broadcast television engineer and instructor. John is a ham magazine author and has published more than 25 articles to date in QST. He is active on HF, VHF, UHF – SSB, FM, digital modes, ham satellites and his other hobbies include steam railroading and pipe organs. John is married to KF6OEB and has three children and 12 grandchildren. 

W1HFN Fox is Out, Littleton, August 24, 2023

Barry Fox, W1HFN, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 6:04 PM on August 24, 2023:

Finally got a chance to deploy my fox.  Too much rain this summer.  My favorite spot, Hartwell Family Memorial Preserve in Littleton.  Freq 146.565 MHz with a 20 second voice ID every minute.  Please sign the log when found.  I doubled up the battery, so should run until at least next week.

73,
Barry, W1HFN

Minecraft Ham Radio Mod Unveiled at HamXposition

Minecraft screenshotThe Minecraft ham radio mod “RadioCraft” will be introduced at the 2023 Northeast HamXposition / ARRL New England Division Convention in Marlboro, MA, on August 25-27, 2023.

RadioCraft will enable simulation of ham radio in the Minecraft game. Game players will be able to build and operate a variety of radios on HF and VHF, with customizable antennas, and realistic simulations of propagation, QRM and QRN, diurnal solar effects, and band conditions. Eventually the project hopes to simulate the full range of ham radio activities including phone, CW, APRS, VHF repeaters, and even fox hunting.

“There will be a continuous demonstration in the convention center lobby,” writes PART of Westford President George Allison, K1IG. “At 11:00 AM on Saturday we’ll have a one-hour presentation by Lucas (W1BTR) and me in the Sterling Room. The presentation will include a live demo of the program, and we’ll talk about how the mod could affect the growth of ham radio.”

If successful, the RadioCraft project could potentially introduce Amateur Radio to millions of young gamers. Every convention-goer is strongly encouraged to attend the presentation and see what the RadioCraft project has accomplished.

“Our goal is to use this simulation to introduce ham radio to the world-wide Minecraft gaming community and then get them licensed so they can participate in the real-world hobby.”

For more information, visit http://wb1gof.org/RadioCraft/.

SKYWARN Training Classes, Booth at HamXposition, Marlboro, August 25-27, 2023

Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on the SKYWARN_Announce list:
 
The regional Amateur Radio show known as Northeast HamXposition will feature many forums on Emergency & Public Service Communications as well as the traditional NWS Norton SKYWARN Training class for newly interested spotters and those seeking to update their SKYWARN training. The basic SKYWARN Class is Friday Afternoon 8/25/23 at 200 PM.
 
An Advanced Topics in SKYWARN Class on Saturday 8/26/23 at 300 PM is an Amateur Radio driven course on how Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters can provide additional support during times of severe weather and will cover some facets of radar meteorology. Details on the advanced topics in SKYWARN class and other forums including an overview presentation of the Amateur Radio VoIP Hurricane Net being held at Northeast HamXposition can be seen at the following link:
 
 
In addition, an ARES/RACES/SKYWARN booth will be setup inside the HamXpo Exhibit Hall for those interested. We hope to see many of you at the various forums and/or at the ARES/RACES/SKYWARN booth. Thanks to all for their support!
 

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
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Region One ARDF International Class Referee Nomination Vote Underway for Vadim Afonkin, KB1RLI

Voting is underway to nominate an Eastern Massachusetts amateur as a Region 1 ARDF (“Radio Orienteering”) International Class Referee.

Buzzards Bay, MA, resident Vadim Afonkin, KB1RLI, has expressed his desire to serve as an International Class Referee . The ARRL’s ARDF Committee is currently accepting votes from its committee members. According to co-USA ARDF Coordinator Charlies Scharlaus, NZØI,  “six ‘yes’ votes are required for his nomination to carry.”

Ken Harker, WM5R, has indicated his support for Vadim’s nomination and his willingness to request that his nomination be put on the agenda for the 45th Plenary Meeting of the IARU Region 1 ARDF Working Group to be held at the IARU 21st World ARDF Championship, Liberec, Czech Republic, August 30, 2023 at 14:30h.
 
“Vadim Afonkin is an experienced ARDF athlete who embarked on his ARDF journey at the age of 14 in Moscow, Russia. Remarkably, he clinched his inaugural ARDF title in 1982, marking the inception of his triumphant path in the sport. Vadim’s commitment to ARDF continued to shine as he represented Team USA (ARRL) at the World Championships since 2004, demonstrating his prowess on the global stage and securing an impressive collection of three Gold medals for the Team at these esteemed Championships.

 
“Upon establishing himself in the United States, Vadim’s dedication to ARDF extended beyond competition. He took on the role of a gracious host, overseeing two US ARDF Championships and orchestrating a captivating Region 2 Championships. Notably, his most recent accomplishment was the successful organization of the ARDF World Cup Black Sea event in Bulgaria, a testament to his leadership and collaborative efforts alongside the BFRA.
 
“Vadim’s journey in ARDF is a testament to his enduring passion, remarkable achievements, and unwavering dedication to fostering the growth and success of the sport on both national and international platforms.”
 
For more information about Radio Orienteering, visit https://arrl.org/ro.
 

Algonquin ARC, Volunteers Sought for Marlborough Labor Day Parade, September 4, 2023

AARC logoKen Horton, KA1GFN, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:

Algonquin ARC will provide radio communications for the Town’s Labor Day Parade along the parade route.  If you are able volunteer contact Ann, KA1PON.

There will be a change to the parade route this year due to the road work along Main Street which therefore cannot be used. The parade will take the usual route down W. Main Street but will then turn onto the south side of Granger Blvd. It will then continue up to the Verizon building and then onto Maple Street. Therefore, volunteers will be needed at each intersection along Granger Blvd. There will probably be the need for more volunteers than we have needed in previous year.

Volunteers On The Air, W1AW/1 Activators Sought, November 1-7, 2023

Volunteer On The Air logoAre you interested in becoming an activator for the ARRL VOTA Fall operating week? The dates for the fall schedule are November 1 through 7.

There are currently 14 ops signed up and room for more.

We’re looking for people that can spend time getting on the air and making contacts. All modes of operation are welcome. During the Spring VOTA, Massachusetts made over 9000 QSOs. We’d like to beat that this time around. Would you like to be part of that?

To find out more, contact ARRL VOTA MA State Manager Larry Krainson, W1AST, at W1AST@arrl.net by October 1st.

Larry, W1AST
ARRL WMA Affiliated Club Coordinator
HCRA President
Visit my Ham Radio club website at: www.HCRA.org
Team K2H – 13 Colonies Massachusetts State Manager
Project Big E 2022 & 2023 Organizer
Proud Member of ARRL, FCARC & YCCC
413-348-3289
W1AST@arrl.net

Volunteers Requested, Cystic Fibrosis Cycle For Life, September 30, 2023

Ethan Hansen, KC1OIP, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:

Dave Gilman, KC1DDH, is looking for volunteers to help out with the upcoming Cystic Fibrosis Cycle For Life on September 30th, 2023. Please see below and reach out to Dave directly with any questions.

The 26th annual Cystic Fibrosis Cycle for Life will be held on Saturday September 30, 2023.
The Cystic Fibrosis foundation has raised millions of dollars toward finding a cure for this debilitating and often deadly disease and they are once again asking for our help.

The Massachusetts Cycle for Life consists of 3 routes. 12, 30 & 65 miles traversing several Metro-West towns.
I am reaching out to you today to initiate recruitment of Amateur Radio personnel to provide SAG vehicles and rest stop communications.
If you are able to help out please fill out this survey form and save the date. https://forms.gle/r3qjetZ4NPH6BKcCA

I am also always looking to recruit new people so please share this email and event with anyone you know that may be interested in this, or other Amateur Radio Public Service events.

Thank you,
Dave Gilman, KC1DDH
Coordinator, course safety & communications
Cycle for Life Massachusetts
KC1DDH@gmail.com

73,
Ethan Hansen, KC1OIP
BARC Public Service Chair

Massachusetts Rhode Island STM Report for July 2023

Beginning this month you will see the Massachusetts Rhode Island STM Report, as your STM has been appointed as interim STM for Rhode Island. Rhode Island amateurs have long been included in our section traffic nets. Find the July report at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-july-2023/. Note there information on “Event Happenings”, “Net News”, “NTS 2.0 Update” and “Traffic Handler of the Month”, along with a peek preview of an upcoming initiative.

Project Big E 2023 is Looking for your Support

Project Big E logo

The Big E is a 17-day New England fair that takes place from September 15th to October 1st this year. The start is just 4 weeks away!

It attracts attendees from all over New England, northern NJ and eastern NY. The fair takes place in West Springfield, MA.

Last year the Big E had over 1.6 million attendees from all over the northeast!

In 2022, we ran a ham radio booth at the Big E and we are doing one again this year. Twelve clubs and over 100 individuals volunteered last year. We need your help again this year!

We have been provided with a free booth that normally costs $6,000. It’s located in the Better Living Center. It attracts the most visitors and it’s the largest building on the fairgrounds.

The Ham Radio Booth aims to introduce ham radio to the public and demonstrate that the hobby is still relevant in today’s world. By getting a taste of amateur radio, we hope that some members of the general public will sign up for classes and earn their license. Afterward, we hope they will join a local club where they live. This will benefit all ham radio clubs in New England!

We learned a lot from last year, and are changing the way we do things for 2023. For example, we will staff just 3 people in the booth for each six-hour session versus 4 to 6 people last year.

We encourage clubs to reserve a 6-hour session or a full 12-hour day. The booth must be staffed from 10 am through 10 pm. We ask that volunteers for the first session of each day staff the booth from 9:30 am through 4 pm; for the second session, 3:30 pm through 10 pm to provide some overlap.

Clubs may bring banner, handouts, class information and demonstrations to show and use during their time in the booth.

We are also looking for individuals to volunteer. You do not have to be part of a club.

There is an admission fee ($15) and a parking fee ($10 per car) to the fair. We have been awarded an ARDC grant and will be reimbursing those fees to everyone who participated after the fair has ended. The reimbursements will be mailed to your qrz.com address.

We need your support to make this a success!

Please go to this link to sign up:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvo1vUzuuJTHbTtDLeApQQD1m4ZzX9kVe_hF2416e6apho3g/viewform

If you would like further information, please visit: https://nediv.arrl.org/project-big-e.

For more information, feel free to contact Larry Krainson, W1AST at: W1AST@arr.net.

WD5AGO: “QRP Operating on the Microwave Bands” at New England Sci-Tech ARC Hybrid Meeting, August 15, 2023

New England Sci Tech logoThe New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society will meet on-line and in-person on August 15, 2023 at 7 PM and feature: “QRP Operating on the Microwave Bands” by Tommy Henderson, WD5AGO.

Bio: Thomas (Tommy) Henderson, WD5AGO, of Broken Arrow, OK was first licensed at his high school ARC in Sand Springs, OK. Interest in EME developed and at 21, he made his first 2m EME QSO. He is currently active on 70, 23, 13, and 6 cm EME and HF QRP. Tommy has helped the CSVHFS since the early 90’s with their noise figure measuring contest. Professionally, Tommy is the associate professor and coordinator for the Electronics program at Tulsa Community College and is adjunct associate professor for Oklahoma State University. He developed their ARC and IEEE clubs, of which he is a senior member. They have built EV’s and held a world record in the ¼ mile of 9.75s at 130+ MPH. Tommy received his Masters of Engineering Technology degree from Pittsburg State University and was awarded the CSVHFS Mel Wilson award in 2007 and the 2001 ARRL Professional Instructor of the Year award.

Reminder: Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday August 7th, 2023 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater System

Hello to all…

The August Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday August 7th, 2023 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.

For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have several announcements for the net Monday evening including a new item we’d like net participants to participate in partnering with our colleagues in NTS (National Traffic System) starting with the September Eastern Mass ARES Section Net which will be on Monday September 11th, 2023 at 830 PM EDT due to the Labor Day holiday on the first Monday in September.

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
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