Amateur Radio in the Media

Contents

Introduction

Here is a selection of recent stories mentioning Amateur Radio in the news media:

Students and faculty rescue MIT’s iconic radar dome

From The Boston Globe, May 20, 2021:

One of the most distinctive landmarks of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is coming down — but not for long.

The vast golf ball-shaped installation, known as a radome, that’s been teed up atop the Cecil and Ida Green Building for more than a half-century will soon be demolished. Originally built for radar research, it still houses a large antenna dish that will come down as part of renovations to the Green building.

But the dome is steeped in MIT history as well as student lore. Now, a coalition of students, faculty, and alumni has raised nearly $2 million to replace the dome and the electronic systems inside.

“I don’t like seeing a nice thing being destroyed,” said Milo Hooper, who is graduating in June with a degree in mechanical engineering. Hooper is also president of MIT’s 111-year-old amateur radio society, which uses the radome to broadcast to radio buffs worldwide, by bouncing signals off the moon. [Full story]

 

“Around Foxborough #83 – Morse Code”

screenshot of "Around Foxboro" CATV program: Morse codeThe March 22, 2021 edition of Around FoxboroughStudio Shows features Eastern MA Affiliated Club Coordinator Bruce Blain, K1BG and Rob Brownstein, K6RB, presenting on CW Ops’ CW Academy.

 

 

“Young students discover a different form of communication”

photo showing students of Bruce Blain's Morse code class in Foxboro school(Feb 3, 2021) Eastern MA Affiliated Club Coordinator Bruce Blain, K1BG, is featured in a story in The Foxboro Reporter, “Young students discover a different form of communication” that describes his efforts in teaching a Morse code class for a group of sixth-graders in Foxboro:

“In a year that has often been isolating, eight students from Foxboro are exploring a different way to communicate.

They are taking a virtual course in Morse code through the CW Academy.

Liam Polis, 11, a sixth-grader who is home-schooled this year, said his mother signed him up for the class, and at first, he wasn’t sure about it, but then found it to be fun.

‘It’s different than other classes because we learn on our own and then check in with the teacher, but it’s fun. I learned a lot about the history and use of Morse code and also the letters: a, e, i, o, s, t, n, m, y, l and number 1 for week one,’ Liam said.

His mother Rebecca Murphy said everything people do in life involves understanding a code or a pattern, so whether it’s learning a foreign language, math or history, recognizing and interpreting patterns is an important skill.”

[Full story]

 

Rob Macedo discusses rare November tornado warning on FOX-25 TV Boston

Screenshot of KD1CY Interview with FOX-25 TV re rare November tornado warningOn November 23, 2020, heavy rainfall caused urban and poor drainage flooding. A rare November Tornado Warning was issued for parts of the Cape and Islands. Cape Cod ARES-SKYWARN was activated. Wind gusts of

35-65 MPH were reported along with pockets of wind damage but no tornado occurred. Rob Macedo, KD1CY, gave a live interview on FOX-25 TV Boston.

 

“Chatham’s Rob Leiden Helps Keep Amateur Radio Alive”

Eastern MA Assistant Section Manager Rob Leiden, K1UI, is featured in, “A Spotlight on Lower Cape Personalities and Visionaries” in the June 11, 2020 issue of the Cape Cod Chronicle. The article entitled, “Chatham’s Rob Leiden Helps Keep Amateur Radio Alive” describes Rob’s entry into the hobby in junior high school, his DXing activities, and work with the American Red Cross. The article also mentions the Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School club station in Harwich and the Marconi-RCA Wireless Museum at the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center

“Social Distancing? COVID-19 Made it Real. Ham Radio Made it a Hobby”

“A close-knit culture, with separation at its core” is a story and accompanying video produced by Christian Science Monitor staff photographer Anne Hermes. It explores how Amateur Radio operators are taking COVID-19 and social distancing in stride and features interviews with Eastern MA hams.  https://ema.arrl.org/2020/05/21/social-distancing-covid-19-made-it-real-ham-radio-made-it-a-hobby/

Cape Cod National Seashore Educator Carried Torch

Barbara Dugan, N1NS
Barbara Dugan, N1NS

The Cape Cod Times carried a story on January 14, 2020 about recently retired Barbara Dugan, N1NS, entitled, “Cape Cod National Seashore Educator Carried Torch.” Dugan tirelessly championed the seashore’s interpretation of Guglielmo Marconi’s history-making transatlantic wireless message in 1903. She also worked closely with radio clubs on commemorative events every year.

Local Amateurs Featured on WBZ-AM Late Night Talk Show

Bruce Tinkler and Jim IdelsonThree Eastern Massachusetts amateurs appeared January 13, 2020, on the Bradley Jay’s “Jay Talking” on WBZ-AM (1030 kHz) to discuss Amateur Radio.

Jim Idelson, K1IR, Bruce Tinkler, N9JBT, and Marty Sullaway, NN1C, described the hobby, history, types of equipment, DXing, radiosport, and how to obtain a license. They also described their own experiences getting started in the hobby.  [Full story]

 

Nantucket Amateur Radio Association featured in The Inquirer and Mirror, October 29, 2019

The Nantucket Amateur Radio Association received publicity for an Amateur Radio Forum it conducted at the Atheneum Learning Lab on October 29: “The Nantucket Amateur Radio Association hosts this informal seminar on ham radio intended to acquaint newcomers with the world of amateur radio.”

 

KW1U Featured on Pittsfield Community TV, WTBR-FM, September 18, 2019

Massachusetts Section Traffic Manager Marcia Forde, KW1U, was the featured guest on Ham On! (episode 3), simulcast on Pittsfield Community Television and WTBR-FM 89.7.  https://ema.arrl.org/2019/09/18/kw1u-featured-on-pittsfield-community-tv-wtbr-fm-september-18-2019/.

 

Framingham Amateur Radio Association Holds Field Day 2019 at McAuliffe Library

Framingham ARA received coverage for their Field Day operation at the town library, June 22-23, 2019 in the Framingham Source.

PART of Westford Field Day Effort Highlighted in “Action Unlimited”

PART of Westford’s Field Day efforts were described in a feature article in the weekly regional newsltter, “Action Unlimited” on June 8, 2019.

“Field Day at Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association, June 22-23, 2019”

The Cape Ann ARA received a great plug for its Field Day activities in an online article in the Good Morning Gloucester community blog. 

“Brown Bag Learning Series: The Fascinating Hobby of Amateur Radio”

John Iwuc, KB1VXY, president of the Framingham Amateur Radio Association gave a “brown bag” talk at the Framingham Public Library on June 7, 2019 entitled, “The Fascinating Hobby of Amateur Radio.” The presentation was broadcast on The City of Framingham’s Government Channel

 

 

“New England Storms of the Decade”

From the Arlington Wicked Local, May 1, 2019: “New England Storms of the Decade; Wednesday, May 8 at 7 p.m. at Robbins Library, 700 Massachusetts Ave.: Rob Macedo who is the Amateur Radio Emergency Services SKYWARN Coordinator for the Boston area, will be talking about some of the biggest storms of the last decade, and how ham radio operators play a critical role in helping the National Weather Service track them.”

 

 

“Ham Operators Train for the Worst”

The Maynard Wicked Local online newspaper featured a story with numerous photos on March 18, 2019 entitled, “Ham Operators Train for the Worst.”

“New England Sci-Tech Focuses On Learning By Doing”

The Natick Local Town Pages featured a full page story about New England Sci-Tech in their January, 2019 edition. 

 

 

“One-of-a-kind Network Helps Cape Towns Weather Storms”

WQ1O at Cape Cod Multi-agency Coordination Center in BarnstableFrank O’Laughlin, WQ1O was interviewed by Kathryn Eident of NPR station WCAI at the Barnstable County Multi-Agency Coordination Center on Cape Cod. O’Laughlin discussed ARES, agencies, volunteers and how basic simple equipment can often endure due to its lack of dependence on infrastructure. He also conducted a live demonstration of digital modes and NBEMS sending files and ICS forms.  (CapeandIslands.org August 7, 2018)

 

“Framingham Amateur Radio Association (FARA): Radio Field Day”

Everyone is invited to watch as radio stations all over the U.S. are contacted and information is exchanged. The purpose of Field Day is to allow practice in emergency communications, using only batteries for power, with temporary antennas, so that local licensed radio operators are prepared for any emergency where they may be needed.  (Framingham Public Library web site, June 18, 2018)

(Field Day 2018 coverage on Access Framingham TV)

“Ham Radio Operators Gather For Field Day”

Amateur, also known as “ham,” radio is often the only means of communication during a natural disaster, such as Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico last year. To that end, the Falmouth Amateur Radio Association Inc. (FARA) prepares for possible disaster scenarios by holding regular exercises such as Field Day, scheduled for June 23 and 24 this year. (Cape News, June 17, 2018)

 

Rob Macedo, KD1CY featured on WILI SKYWARN interviewKD1CY Featured in WILI Radio Interview

Rob Macedo, KD1CY was featured in a radio interview on radio station WILI AM 1400 in Willamantic, Connecticut on June 15. Macedo spoke on severe weather and the importance of trained SKYWARN observers. (June 15, 2018)

Radio Royalty Visits Cape Cod

Princess Elettra Marconi Giovanelli, the daughter of Italian physicist Guglielmo Marconi, is back on Cape Cod for a visit, 115 years after radio technology developed by her father made possible the first public two-way wireless transatlantic communication, which was transmitted between South Wellfleet and England. (Cape Cod Times, May 31, 2018)

National Seashore to Host Events Commemorating Titanic, Marconi

The online version of the Cape Cod Times carries a nice publicity article which described two upcoming special events operations commemorating the sinking of the HMS Titanic and International Marconi Day. National Seashore Education Specialist Barbara Dougan, N1NS is quoted. (April 4, 2018)

Now on the air: Girl Scouts

Shirley Girl Scout Troop 73497 teamed up with the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club to host the 2nd Annual World Thinking Day on the Air. (Nashoba Valley Voice, May 2, 2018)

“Take Ham Radio Course, Exam”

Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) is holding a “ham” radio technician class licensing course over three consecutive Saturdays this month—March 17, 24 and 31. (Cape News, March 3, 2018)

Lawrence Bacow: A son of immigrants, a vibrant voice for colleges

photo of Lawrence S. Bacow, KA1ZFQ, Harvard President-elect
Lawrence S. Bacow, KA1FZQ

Local Brookline amateur named President of Harvard University; ham radio mentioned. Boston Globe (“paywall” protected) (February 12, 2018)
See also: Radio amateur named as next president of Harvard University (ARRL) (February 12, 2018)

Blizzard of ’78 still fresh in people’s minds

The Blizzard of ’78 is still fresh in people’s minds: Michael Dukakis declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts, and the National Guard came in to help clear the snow and rescue the stranded. …. Reports from ham radio operators in touch with the boat’s captain and crew describe an increasingly desperate crew fighting hypothermia and injuries … (Gloucester Daily Times, February 5, 2018)

Blizzard of ’78: 40 Years Ago, Waltham Rallied in the Emergency

Blizzard of ’78: 40 years ago, Waltham rallied in emergency. Hams sending and receiving emergency traffic mentioned in this article chronicling the historic Blizzard of ’78 (Waltham WickedLocal.com, February 5, 2018)

Boston Amateur Radio Club Field Day 2017

Hingham Holds Amateur Radio Relay League (sic) Field Day (Hingham WickedLocal.com, July 13, 2017)

Governor Proclaims Amateur Radio Field Day

Amateur Radio Day proclaimed by Gov. Charlie Baker (Official Website of the Governor of Massachusetts, June 24, 2017)

Whitman Amateur Radio Club Field Day 2017

Whitman ham radio group joins national effort in East Bridgewater: The Whitman Amateur Radio Club took part in the American Radio Relay League Field Day Saturday. Despite the heavy downpours… (Bridgewater East WickedLocal.com, June 24, 2017)

Also, this video from Whitman Community Access TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z538JEXaGnc

Billerica Amateur Radio Society Field Day 2017

Billerica Amateur Radio Society to Hold Field Day: Members of Billerica Amateur Radio Society will be participating in the national Amateur Radio Field Day exercise, June 24-25 at 65 Littleton Road, Chelmsford. (Billerica WickedLocal.com, June 13, 2017)

Northeastern University Senior Uses Ham Radio to Increase Public Safety

photo of Jeremy Breef-Pilz, KB1REQ
Jeremy Breef-Pilz, KB1REQ

Using Ham Radios to Increase Public Safety: ECE senior Jeremy Breef-Pilz’s love of ham radios led to his interest in engineering and allows him to talk to people around the world. Source: News @ Northeastern (February 2, 2017)

 

 

Flea at MIT

The long-running Flea at MIT, co-sponsored by The MIT Radio Society, the MIT UHF Repeater Association, the MIT Electronics Research Society, and the Harvard Wireless Club, was featured on ABC News website: Flea Market Specializes in Rare, Obscure Electronics. (9/25/16)

Weymouth: Ham Radio Event at Former Naval Air Station

Members of the Shea Naval Aviation Museum Amateur Radio Club received publicity from WATD in Plymouth for its special event operation commemorating the flight of the blimp “Snow Goose” from the South Weymouth Naval Air Station to the Arctic Circle. (August 18, 2016)