Regulation & Advocacy

ARLB011 Legislation to Remove Private Land Use Restrictions on Amateur Radio Introduced in Congress

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ARRL logoARRL Bulletin 11 ARLB011
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT June 14, 2023
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB011
ARLB011 Legislation to Remove Private Land Use Restrictions on Amateur Radio Introduced in Congress

Congressmen Bill Johnson (OH-06) and Joe Courtney (CT-02) reintroduced a bill in the US House of Representatives on June 12 – H.R.4006 – to remove private land use restrictions that prohibit, restrict, or impair the ability of Amateur Radio operators from operating and installing reasonable antennas on property that they own or control. Similar legislation, H.R. 9670, was introduced by Congressman Johnson in 2022.

The full text of the bill can be found in PDF format at, https://billjohnson.house.gov/uploadedfiles/amateur_radio_emergency_preparedness_act_signed_bill_text.pdf

“I reintroduced the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act to remove barriers to disaster and emergency communications and training, and to promote education in STEM subjects related to critically needed wireless technology,” Congressman Johnson said in a release. “Passage of this bill will promote developing and sustaining our nation’s wireless future and facilitate and encourage amateur radio operations as a public benefit.”

“As their actions during recent natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy proved, amateur radio operators in Connecticut can be a critical component of disaster response and emergency management. It is in our communities’ best interest that we give them the capabilities to operate at the highest level, and with the re-introduction of this bill, we’ve taken a strong step in that direction,” said Congressman Courtney.

The exponential growth of communities bound by private land use restrictions that prohibit both the operation of Amateur Radio and the installation of amateur station antennas has significantly restricted the growth of the Amateur Radio Service.

The ARRL continues its multi-year efforts to eliminate private land use restrictions that prevent Amateur Radio operations and has pledged to strongly support Congressman Johnson and Congressman Courtney in their efforts on behalf of Amateur Radio.

Rick Roderick, K5UR, President of ARRL, on behalf its Members and America’s Amateur Radio community extended his thanks and appreciation for the leadership of Congressman Johnson and Congressman Courtney in their tireless efforts to support and protect the rights of all Amateur Radio Operators and to further STEM education and the advancement of American expertise in wireless technology.

Field Day

North Shore Radio Association Field Day, Topsfield

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2023 Field Day logoEric Horwitz, KA1NCF, writes on the NSRA mailing list:
 
We will be having Field Day at Fair View Farm, 114 Boston St. Topsfield on June 23rd thru 25th! It is at the top of the hill just before the Topsfield Fair Ground entrance that we went to last year. 
 
I am planning to present all our plans at the next [North Shore Radio Association] meeting on Tuesday, June 20th—even though it will be JUST before Field day weekend.
 
If you are planning to help or want to, please let me know, so I can include you in the few emails I am planning on sending out in the days before Field day 2023!
 
I have been talking to a few of you as we have been trying to get this year going. Thanks for your help and see you all soon.
 
Currently we are planning to make the site similar to last year with two or three operating positions. Food as always, and hopefully a great time operating on the bands..
 
Thanks,
 
 

Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF

North Shore Radio Association
email: ka1ncf@nsradio.org

Clubs

K3LR: “DX Engineering” at Nashoba Valley ARC Meeting, June 15, 2023

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Nashoba Valley ARC logoThe Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s June meeting is Thursday, June 15th at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell). We start gathering at 7 PM to socialize before the meeting starts.

Besides discussing plans for ARRL Field Day (June 24th and June 25), our guest speaker will be Tim Duffy, K3LR. Besides the sponsor of a world-class multi operator contest station, Tim is the face behind DX Engineering, one of the most successful Amateur Radio dealers in the country. I’m sure this will be an interesting talk

Also, NVARC will be taking ARRL Membership Applications (new, renewals, and extentions) at the meeting. The club gets a nice commission on each application we submit..

Need directions? Click here and put your own address in box “A”.

Thanks and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Bruce, K1BG

978-772-2773 or bruce.blain@charter.net

Field Day

Cape Ann ARA Field Day is Happening, Rockport MA

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2023 Field Day logoCAARA President Brandon Hockle, NQ1W, writes in CAARA News, June 2023:

Field Day 2023 is happening on Saturday June 24th – mark your calendars! Our plan this year is to once again to take over Hospital Hill in Rockport, MA, operating Saturday afternoon together outside in the field. We will all meet up there late morning at 11:00 AM to setup and enjoy each other’s company before the official 2pm start time. I hope many of you members will join us.

We are still looking for Field Day volunteers to help setup and transport materials from the club house to the Hill. Helpers will meet at the clubhouse around 10:00AM that morning before we head up to the Hill.  Please consider helping if you can.

The topic of the June members meeting, June 10th at noon, will be Field Day, including final plans and operating stations. Anyone considering participating in Field Day is strongly encouraged to attended this informative meeting at the club house. Even if you are not able to do Field Day with us together at Hospital Hill, this meeting will go over the Field Day scoring and general procedures, relevant for those operating as individuals at home too.  

Apart from the exciting Field Day event, we also have food gatherings and public service events coming up in June. More information to come via members email and our nightly Nets on the repeater.

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

MS Society Needs Rest Stop Amateur Radio Operators for the Bike MS Cape Cod Get Away

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Don Rolph-AB1PH & Emily Rivera from MS Society Writes:

We are looking for HAM radio operators for our rest stops at Bike MS: Cape Cod Getaway on June 24 & 25. We are in need of operators at the following locations:

  Day 1 June 24, 2023  
Location Address Vol Support Start Time
Rest Stop 1: Wompatuck State Park Union St, Hingham, MA 7:15am
Rest Stop 2: Eames Way Elementary 164 Eames Way, Marshfield, MA 7:30am
Rest Stop 3 (Lunch):  Duxbury High School 71 Alden St, Duxbury MA 8:15am
Rest Stop 4: Sacred Heart High School 399 Bishops Highway, Kingston, MA 9:00am
Rest Stop 5:  Bryne Sand & Gravel 210 Wood St Middleborough, MA 9:45am
Rest Stop 6: Oiva Hannula & Sons 8 Rochester Rd, Carver MA 10:15am
Rest Stop 7: College Pond Rec Area Myles Standish Forest, Lower College Pond Rd, Plymouth,MA 9:30am
Rest Stop 8: Plymouth South Elementary 178 Bourne Rd, Plymouth, MA 10:00am
  Day 2  
Location Address Vol Support Start Time
Rest Stop 1: Spaulding Rehab Hospital 311 Service Rd, Sandwich, MA 4:45am
Rest Stop 2: Cape Cod Five Savings Bank 1582 Lyannough Rd, Hyannis, MA 5:15am
Rest Stop 3 (Lunch): Stony Brooke Elementary 384 Underpass Rd, Brewster, MA 6:00am
Rest Stop 4: Cooks Brook Beach Steele Rd, Eastham, MA 6:45am
Rest Stop 5: Wellfleet Elementary 100 Lawrence Rd, Wellfleet, MA 7:15am
Rest Stop 6: Truro Central School 317 RT6, Truro, MA 7:30am

We are happy to provide housing at Mass Maritime Academy for any operator that would need it Saturday evening.

Thanks,

Emily

Field Day

Boston ARC Field Day, June 24-25, 2023, Westwood

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2023 Field Day logo[The Boston Amateur Radio Club] will be holding Field Day in 2023 at the Andrew Cucchiara Learning Center at Hale Education (https://hale1918.org/) in Westwood, MA. Directions are here: https://www.barc.org/directions-to-hale-education-westwood/. Note that if you are coming to this event, you do not need to pay the normal entrance fee to enter the Hale Education site. Everyone, including guests and those who are not yet licensed, is welcome.

Operating times are from 2:00 pm Saturday, June, 24, until 2:00 pm Sunday, June 25. We will be in class 3A, operating 3 HF stations and a VHF/UHF station using SSB, CW, and digital modes. We are also planning to make a satellite contact. People who wish to participate are encouraged to help with setup on Saturday morning and/or teardown on Sunday afternoon.

We will have pizza on Saturday evening, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday will be provided. Spots for tent camping will be available, though facilities will be minimal (portable toilets and a small sink but no other running water).

Talk around will be on the BARC simplex frequency, 147.420 MHz.

If you are planning on coming, please let us know using the Google form at https://forms.gle/JFYhn53M8j8BkfZz5.

More information on Field Day can be found on the ARRL website at http://www.arrl.org/field-day and questions about BARC should be sent to w1bos@arrl.net.

73,

Joe Chapman NV1W / Secretary, Boston Amateur Radio Club.

Field Day

Falmouth ARA Field Day 2023

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2023 Field Day logoMORSE POND SCHOOL JONES ROAD, FALMOUTH

JUNE 23 (setup), JUNE 24 and 25

Field Day 2023 will be dedicated to Geoff Allsup, W1OH (SK)

The planning for FARA Field Day 2023 is underway. As always, we cannot do Field Day without help from many club members.

This year, we would like to run a 2A station as we did pre-pandemic. This means erecting 2 of our military towers. Station power will be supplied by Jim, KC1KM, and his propane generator.

Setup will begin as usual by meeting at the club’s container off Currier Road in Falmouth, next to the cell tower. GPS coordinates are 41.615659, -70.538876.

We’ll meet there at 1 PM on Friday, June 23 and will need many hands to load the towers. We already have two trucks lined up but could use more, especially one with roof racks to load the beam antennas. We will then proceed to the Morse Pond School and begin setup. Setup will continue the next morning at 8:30 AM.

We will have the FARA comms trailer on site as an operating station and will also use the permanent on-site tents as a food shelter and rest area. A porta-john will be on site as usual.

We are planning for our usual Saturday evening cookout at 5 PM. Mike, KC1HKW, and Gene, KX1C, will plan and cook the food. We could use a few casserole, salad and dessert dishes. Please contact me at k1wcc@comcast.net and let me know if you can bring something. On Sunday morning, Jim, KC1KM, and Charlie, K1CB, will be cooking breakfast for members at 7 A.M.

Operating will be conducted from the trailer on-site. Greg, K1KM, will be operating CW this time along with a few other club members. If you would like to schedule some phone operating, please let me know. We operate a 24 hour schedule. If you are interested in organizing a GOTA station on-site, please let me know.

Takedown is at 2 PM Sunday, when we lower the towers, disassemble the antennas and return all items to our container. This is a labor intensive activity so we need as many hams on hand as possible. We will again require at least two trucks for the towers and a vehicle with racks for the antennas.

Let’s hope for good weather, good bands and especially a SAFE and FUN Field Day!

Henry, K1WCC

Contact:

phone 774-392-1158

k1wcc@comcast.net

#ARRLFD #FARA

Field Day

PART of Westford Field Day Invitation

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2023 Field Day logoGeorge Allison, K1IG, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

To All PART Members and Friends,

It’s only two weeks until Field Day, and this year should be a good one! Propagation conditions are improving, the weather shouldn’t be too hot, and best of all, we’re going to have a lot of food. 

To refresh you memory, here is the essential information: 

   Location: Concord Rod & Gun Club, 74 Strawberry Hill Road, Concord, MA
   Dates: Saturday, June 24, to Sunday, June 25. Antenna setup will be on Friday, June 23, starting at 11:00 AM (you can show up any time after 11).

   Operating Time: Field Day operating runs from 2:00 PM (Local) on Saturday until 2:00 PM on Sunday. We usually start setting up around 9:00 AM on Saturday. We start tear-down on Sunday at 2:00, and it usually takes about 2 hours to get everything packed up.

More info:

–  This is a public event, so family, friends, and neighbors are all invited. This is an opportunity for those with no knowledge of ham radio to find out what it is… invite everybody! People without licenses can make contacts at our Get-On-The-Air (GOTA) station.
–  You can operate from your home station and have your score added to the club score. If you intend doing this, be sure to read the Field Day rules here.
–  Antenna setup is on Friday and we need about 12 -16 participants. No experience necessary! Send me an email (k1ig@arrl.net) if you can help.
–  Meals: We’ll be providing four meals: Saturday lunch (cold cut sandwiches and drinks); Saturday dinner: Lasagna; Sunday breakfast (pancakes); Sunday lunch: Cold cuts. As usual, we’ll have lots of coffee.
–  This could be a bad year for ticks, so be sure to treat your clothing with Permethrin. This week is a good time to do it.
–  We can get bonus points for sending radiograms via ham radio. If there’s a friend or relative that you want to notify of your Field Day exploits, you’ll be able to fill out a radiogram form at the June 20 PART meeting.
–  We need some large coolers for sodas and water. If you can provide one, send me an email (k1ig@arrl.net).
–  On Friday night, June 24, the Rod & Gun club is having a Comfort Food Friday; featuring not-too-spicy Creole Jambalaya, starting at 6:00.

Cost is $15 per person. If you want to participate, notify Dale, KB1ZKD (dale@chayes.org).

Full Field Day details will be presented at the June 20 PART meeting. See you there and see you at Field Day 2023!

73,
George, K1IG
President, PART of Westford
wb1gof.org

All

Update on NTS 2.0 Modernization Project

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The following update on the NTS 2.0 modernization project was recently sent to all ARRL Section Managers and Section Traffic Managers for dissemination to traffic handlers in their areas. More information can be found on the new website nts2.arrl.org under the Standards and Procedures tab. Information on handling instructions and numbered radiograms is available now and information on the encapsulation radiograms for emergency communications will be there soon. There is also a tab To Contribute Your Ideas if you wish to contribute those.  
 
Greetings to all STMs and SMs, 
 
It was brought to my attention that little to nothing has been disseminated regarding progress on the part of the NTS 2.0 teams. My apologies for not keeping folks better up to date.
 
You are aware that we held briefings throughout the various ARRL divisions during the latter part of 2022, and enlisted the help of 35 to 40 volunteers. Each was assigned to one or more of five implementation teams who have met weekly since the beginning of 2023. We have been able to secure a page on the ARRL website to inform you of the ongoing projects, but it is only recently that we are now able to share some results of these teams’ work. 
 
1. An article on NTS has been published in the July issue of QST which you may have received already. We are grateful to the editors of QST for highlighting this program and look forward to more articles in the future.
 
2. Perhaps highest on the minds of most folks is an update to the Net Directory. This is a major undertaking as the current directory has not been updated in recent times and the software has not been felt by many to be very user friendly. While we don’t have a finished product to show you at this time, it is important for folks to know that one of our NTS 2.0 implementation teams has drawn up a set of requirements we think various groups will want to see implemented and this has been forwarded to the IT department at ARRL. Emergency manager Josh Johnston KE5MHV and the IT department have been pleased with our work and are now working with us to develop a product we hope you will find informative and easy to use. It will take a little time yet before you will see a finished product as the entire website at ARRL is in the process of being updated. We want you to know however that definite progress is being made, so we ask for your patience and hope you will be happy with the new net directory once it has been completed. 
 
3. In accord with renewed interest in emergency communications preparedness on the part of amateur radio and the ARRL in particular, several of our teams have been working on encapsulation of the forms used by emergency service organizations. Forms such as the ICS-213, ARC-213, HICS-213 and the Texas STAR Form originated by emergency personnel must be deliverable exactly as sent, and to accomplish this these forms must be encapsulated within a radiogram for transmission via the National Traffic System. A great deal of thought and testing have gone into this product which will be revealed on the ARRL’s website (nts2.arrl.org). Documentation and training will be provided. While we recognize such emergency traffic will likely be sent via digital means where available, we feel it is important that voice and CW circuits must be capable and practiced in the event they are needed.
 
4. Because of the above mentioned use of emergency type traffic, there are some additional requirements which are important. You will find these on the above noted website as additional handling instructions and ARRL numbered radiograms.
 
Two new handling instructions are being added. One is HXI which indicates an encapsulated message is included which must be relayed so as to be deliverable in a particular format. The second is HXR, which requires the delivering station to notify the originator of the message confirming that the recipient has personally received the message. This is a frequent requirement from served agencies. This is different from the HXC instruction, which is sent by the delivering station instead to the station of origin, whose call sign is in the header. Where HXC notifies the station of origin of delivery (such as the message being deposited in a mailbox) of their Radiogram, HXR confirms to the sender that the recipient has the message in-hand.
 
A new ARRL numbered radiogram has been added as “ARL FORTY ONE”. This is to be used with an HXD handling instruction where tracing a message is important to find any possible breaks in the relay chain. You will find a number of blanks to be filled in a service reply. This standardization of the HXD reply will allow for more efficient tracking and better understanding of the process. 
 
While we understand change can be hard, we hope you will find value in the above. The teams continue to work diligently to make improvements and we welcome feedback from the NTS community. Please share with net participants in your sections.
 
73, Marcia KW1U
NTS 2.0 Implementation Teams
Awards / Clubs

N1DMR Honored by Framingham ARA

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The Framingham Amateur Radio Association honored Delaney Ringer, N1DMR, for her numerous accomplishments at its recent June meeting. 

Delaney obtained her Technician class amateur radio license at age 9. She achieved numerous academic honors including in Environmental Science, various math courses, Chemistry, Computer Programming, and Biology. She achieved High Honor Role and is a member of the National Honor Society. She also demonstrated excellence in the Humanities including Honors in English and History, and rewrote and produced Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” for the Learning Center for the Deaf Marie Phillip Walden School.  She recently collected data in Costa Rica on the sea turtle population. She participated in Varsity Volleyball, Track and Field and Cheerleading.

Delaney’s unique challenges and her combination of science, humanities, sports, and environmental accomplishments are hereby recognized by the Framingham Amateur Radio Association.

 

FARA recognition award for N1DMR
FARA recognition award for Delaney Ringer, N1DMR
FARA members gathered for Delaney Ringer presentation at FARA meeting
From left to right: Sumner Weisman, W1VIV FARA Director; Dan Ringer, AE1DR, Volunteer Examiner, and father of N1DMR; John Iwuc, KB1VXY, FARA President; award recipient Delaney Ringer, N1DMR; Bob Bosaz, KC1OXG; Larry Griffin, KB1GMU; Martin Bayes, AA1ON; Andy Boughton, KC1DMM, technical advisor; Bruce Rusch, W1HNZ; Steve Moro, N1MH, FARA Treasurer and Webmaster
Public Information / Regulation & Advocacy

June 24, 2023 Proclaimed as “Amateur Radio Day” in Massachusetts

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A proclamation issued by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy  proclaims June 24, 2023 as “Amateur Radio Day” in the Commonwealth.
 
The document recognizes the “significant role in developing worldwide radio communications” by the “approximately 13,000 amateur radio operators that dedicate their time, equipment, and knowledge to assist their communities.”
 
The proclamation was secured thanks to the efforts of MA State Government Liaison Steve Boyson, N1VLG.
 
Paper copies of the proclamation will be distributed to Western MA Section Manager Ray Lajoie, AA1SE, and Assistant Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW. Ray and Tom will display the proclamation while visiting various Field Day visits throughout the sections.
 
The proclamation will be listed along with other proclamations across the country on the ARRL Headquarters website at <http://www.arrl.org/proclamations>.
 
 
Image of MA Amateur Radio Day 2023 proclamation
Operating

New N1RR Repeater in Seekonk

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Ray Cord, K2TGX, writes on the Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC list:

We have been advised by Charlie Morrison, N1RR, that he has just put a new UHF repeater on the air from his Seekonk QTH: N1RR 446.625, minus shift, PL 146.2 encode.

I am sure Charlie would welcome coverage reports. 

Public Information

Ham Volunteers Needed to Staff The BIG E Booth, September 15-October 1, 2023

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Project Big E GrantLarry Krainson, W1AST, writes:
 
We are doing another ham radio booth at the Big E this September. The dates are Friday, September 15th through Sunday, October 1st. The goal is to introduce ham radio to the general public, show that it is still relevant, and to interest the public in signing up for ham courses.
 
Just like last year there are two shifts per day with each one being 6 hours long.  Each shift requires 3 people in the booth this year.
 
We are making changes in the layout of the booth to make it more friendly to the public in the hopes to draw more people in. 
 
We have applied for another ARDC grant and if we get it, we can reimburse the cost of admission and parking for everyone. We do hope to get another grant.
 
Last year the booth spoke to approximately 1200 to 1300 people about ham radio. We hope to do the same or more again this year.
 
As clubs you are welcome to show your banner on the day or session you are there as well as bring a few items to showcase what your club is about to the public.
 

We are asking that you spread the word to your club members and try to get a group together to staff the booth for a session or the whole day. OR just ask your club members to sign up for a session to help staffing the booth. Last year we have over 100 volunteers from clubs all over New England. Will your club be one of them this year?

Please follow this link to sign up or if you are a club and want a certain day/session that is still available, please email Larry, W1AST direct at W1AST@arrl.net or if you have any questions about the booth.

 
We do have a groups.io group at:  https://groups.io/g/ProjectBigE
 
Sign up here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvo1vUzuuJTHbTtDLeApQQD1m4ZzX9kVe_hF2416e6apho3g/viewform
 
Help to make this year’s Ham Radio Booth at the Big E a success, please volunteer!
 
73,
 

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
NTS

Heavy Hitters Traffic Net (HHTN) -Time Change – effective immediately

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Per Net Manager Joe Weiss W1HAI, effective tonight Monday, June 5, the Heavy Hitters Traffic Net will meet 15 minutes earlier, at 9:45 PM local, on Sundays through Fridays. For now the Saturday session will continue to meet at 10:00 PM. HHTN can be accessed via the Minuteman Repeater network, Mt Greylock, Fitchburg and Gardner repeaters and Echolink New-Eng2 Conference Node 9127.

Public Service

Norton Veterans Council Carnival, June 15, 16, 17 and 18, 2023

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Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARCRay Cord, K2TGX, writes on the Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC mailing list:

Hello All,

The Norton VFW is sponsoring a fundraising carnival on Thursday through Sunday June 15th to the 18th. Since there won’t be any Founders Day this year, we thought we would solicit everybody’s support of this event. It will be held on the grounds of the Yelle Elementary  School, 64 West Main Street, Norton.

Our mission will be similar to Founders Day: parking lot management, traffic management, pedestrian safety, situational awareness and lighting. The hours of the event are Thursday & Friday, 6:00-10:00PM; Saturday Noon to 10:00PM and Sunday 11AM to 6:00PM. Please let me know what hours you can work. You are asked to report to the Norton EMA Command Post Trailer on the School Driveway 15 minutes before your shift starts for briefing. Please let me know your availability ASAP so we can make up assignments. If you know of anyone who may not be on this mailing but may want to help, please pass it on.

Thank you,

Ray Cord,
Deputy Director Norton EMA