Franklin County (MA) Amateur Radio Club Public Service Events in August, 2025

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The Franklin County Amateur Radio Club, our sister club just up the river, will be providing radio communication support for three major public events in August. If you’re interested in the emergency communication aspect of ham radio, or just curious about practical applications for your license privileges, these are excellent opportunities:

-Alan

Alan Dove, AB1XW
Newsletter Editor
Hampden County Radio Association
hcra.org

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ADDENDUM—Gary Roy, KB1AKU, writes:

 FCARC is also looking for Amateur Radio Operators to participate on the following dates and activities: August 3rd Greenfield Triathlon; August 23rd for the D2R2 Bike race; and Aug 24 for the New England Green River Marathon. For more information, email groy773@gmail.com or KB1AKU@arrl.net .

Gary Roy KB1AKU

groy773@gmail.com
KB1AKU@arrl.net
(413) 530-8527
President of FCARC
D.E.C. For Franklin/Hampshire Counties

Lobstercon / Radio Family Union, Brunswick ME, July 9-13, 2025

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Carl Achin, WA1ZCQ, writes on the New England QRP mailing list:

Go to Rex Harper’s Website:
http://www.QRPme.com
and read the latest “UPDATE”. … As most of you know, Rex as stopped sponsoring Lobstercon. It was a Great Run of 25 years, till 2024. At our last Lobstercon many of us talked about keeping this Radio Family Reunion going in future years. I’ve been trying to do just that since our last and final Lobstercon at Thomas Point Beach Campgrounds. It’s been a long road of trying to track down Mike Mulligan (now the former owner of TPB Campgrounds), talking to Rex about, logistics, planning, and, scheduling, and, tracking down the new owner of the Campgrounds. And you know what? I finally did it. After calling and trying to sell our Annual Radio Family Reunion to Brian (the new owner) I was thinking, all is going smoothly. In reality, Brian has BIG plans for his new Campgrounds. I talked to him yesterday, July 4th. As I type, there are trenches and holes at many places at the old Campgrounds. All utilities have been shut-off. A large in ground pool is going in and individual underground utilities for each campsite. It’s a major project. I was hoping we could use the North Field as in the past, but Brian is concerned with liability with the place dug-up and holes and tranches everywhere. So, yesterday Brian said it wouldn’t be safe, even for our minimalist need. (Tenting in the North Field without any bathroom facilities.)

That, (the above info), isn’t going to stop some of the Diehard July Annual Radio Family Reunion Campers. There will be a gathering, despite being much smaller, with no cooking onsite. There are plenty of breakfast, lunch, and dinner/supper restaurants in and around Cook’s Corner (Brunswick) Maine.

So, I’ll be hanging around the Cumberland Farms gasoline station and variety store, right at Cook’s Corner, and monitoring Thee National Simplex Frequency (146.52 MHz direct/simplex) from Wednesday the 9th through the 13th. If you dare to continue the tradition, come and enjoy all that Cook’s Corner Maine has to offer. The past memories are PRICELESS!

#1.) Wednesday 3PM – 6PM “Pizza Party”dinner at the NEW Demoulas – Market Basket Kitchen/Cafeteria in TOPSHAM, about a 12 minute drive from Cumberland Farms, Cook’s Corner.

#2.) Thursday – Sub Sandwiches and Drinks, etcetera, 3PM till the conversation dwindles 😉

#3.) Friday 3:30PM – 6PM+ “Taste of Maine” for a Seafood Extravaganza!
https://tasteofmaine.com

#4.) Saturday – Cook’s Lobster House, Lands End, for Our “Saturday Lobster Feast!” Kicking-Off at 3:30PM till the last drink is downed!
https://www.cookslobster.com

#5.) Farewell Breakfast – To be determined. (Most likely, Breakfast Sandwiches, O.J. & Coffee.)

* Have any ideas? Chime-in !!!

Someone was wondering if we could have a QRP Flea-Market Saturday afternoon. I DOUBT IT, since we won’t have a home-base/location for this function this year. BUT, perhaps next year things came be polished-up to resemble our last 2 decades of Tradition.

Some of us have been HAMfest’n at Campgrounds since the 70’s starting at “Charlotte” Vermont, and after that in Cook’s Corner Maine. It’s an Annual Tradition now! *** You have to CREATE Memories to have Great Lifetime/Lifelong Memories! Don’t miss out. Life’s too short! Start packing today for the NEW L-Con Radio Family Reunion TRADITION TODAY. This coming Wednesday the 9th through the Sunday the 13th, and perhaps even Monday the 14th(?).

*** SEE THE DIEHARDS THERE! ***

* * * REMEMBER: Comms on: 146.52 simplex * * *

* Need a Campgrounds? Click here:
https://www.google.com/search?q=campgrounds+in+Cooks+Corner+Maine

WABI: “Waldo County (ME) EMA hosting Nat’l Ham Radio Field Day events”

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Waldo Co EMA FD WABI screenshotWABI News Desk:

SWANVILLE, Maine (WABI) – Saturday is National ‘Ham Radio Field Day.’ The Waldo County Emergency Management Agency is among the places in Maine hosting events. They will be demonstrating the importance of radio equipment during cases of emergencies.

At noon, they will be at 685 Swan Lake Ave, Swanville. However, the day’s events will begin with an open house and BBQ at 10 a.m.

[Full story]

Central Massachusetts ARA Field Day, June 28-29, 2025

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Central MA ARA Field Day photoCourtesy Worcester Patch:

Have you ever wanted to contact new people worldwide by radio? Now’s your chance! From 2 pm on Saturday. June 28th to 2 pm on Sunday, June 29th, members of the Central Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association (CMARA) will be at the Trout Book Recreation Area at 320 Manning Street in Holden, MA. participating in a national amateur radio emergency communications exercise known as Field Day.

[Full story]

W1YK: “Participatory Archiving Reveals Radio Club Treasures”

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photo of W1YK archive articleFrom The WPI Journal:

“Archival work often involves unearthing buried information, but, as with the content it seeks to reveal, the process itself can be shrouded in mystery. The labor that goes into processing special collections is multifaceted. A particularly overlooked aspect of this endeavor is the partnership that exists between archivists and researchers. Whereas archivists are challenged to prioritize access over perfection, researchers are afforded the opportunity to examine materials with greater depth.

“One such ongoing collaboration is between the WPI Archives and Special Collections and the WPI Wireless Association…”

[Full story]

Brattleboro Reformer: “Ham radio operators on the air for nationwide event”

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SHAFTSBURY — Ham radio operators from the Southern Vermont Amateur Radio Club (SOVARC) and the Greater Bennington County Area will be participating in a national amateur radio exercise from 2 p.m. on Saturday until 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 28 and 29. The event is ARRL Field Day (www.arrl.org/field-day), an annual amateur radio activity organized since 1933 by ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio in the United States. [Full story]

June 2025 Eastern MA Section Update

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EMA ARRL logoJon McCombie, N1ILZ, writes on the Eastern MA ARRL members list:

HAPPY SUMMER!  Wow, time has really flown by quickly. It’s hard to believe it’s officially Summer, but the temperatures are getting reasonable, the flowers are blooming, the pollen level is beyond crazy, and allergy meds have become a required part of the daily regimen! And here on the Cape, the inevitable deluge of tourists has begun. It’s now nearly impossible to make left turns, with the increased traffic. But our favorite restaurants have awakened from their winter slumber and are open once again. Let Summer begin! 

* Field Day is June 28-29 – SOON! 

I hope your plan for Field Day 2025 is coming along! It’s coming up quickly – June 28-29 this year. The League has all manner of materials to help you and your club get started, including the FD site locator, and the 2025 ARRL Field Day Public Relations Kit [PDF] at https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zMzEwNjY0JnA9MSZ1PTUyNDYxMTkzMiZsaT0zNzcwMTg1MA/index.html   to get you started – including a press release template that you can use for your activation. Full details at https://arrl.org/field-day  

I am finalizing my plans to visit as many Field Day sites in person as I can fit in. I’ll be starting Saturday morning in northeast MA, then making my way through the section over Saturday and Sunday. Please, PLEASE register your FD site on the FD site locator on the ARRL website so I can plan my journey. I’m very much looking forward to seeing so many of you! If you especially want me to stop by your FD site, please email me at n1ilz@arrl.org and let me know where you’ll be and your hours of operation. 

* Governor’s FD Proclamation 

A big tip o’ the hat and a serious thank-you to our State Government Liaison (SGL) Steve KC1KEZ, for his efforts to get an official Proclamation from MA’s governor, Maura Healey, officially recognizing June 28-29 as Amateur Radio Field Day in MA. I will have an original copy of the proclamation with me on my FD site visits, as will WMA Section Manager Ray AA1SE, and New England Division Vice Director Phil K9HI. 

* Boy Scout Camp Greenough Amateur Radio Station Grand Opening 

The Barnstable Amateur Radio Club is very excited to announce the Grand Opening of the newly constructed Camp Greenough Amateur Radio Station scheduled for Saturday May 31st starting at 2PM, in conjunction with the Chuck Wagon Event.  The station is located in the basement of the Maushop Lodge.   

This station is the culmination of the efforts by members of the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club, contributions of the American Radio Relay League, and many local businesses and the support of the Cape and Island council leadership. More details at https://ema.arrl.org/2025/05/07/camp-greenough-amateur-radio-station-grand-opening-yarmouth-port-may-31-2025/  

* 2025 Northeast HamXposition is Coming! 

Mark your calendars! The 2025 Northeast HamXposition is not that far away: August 21-24, 2025, in Marlborough, MA. This is New England’s premier ham gathering. I hope to have an eyeball QSO with all of you at HamX! Full info at https://hamxposition.org/  

* Thanks to N1WBV and W1IZZ for Help Maintaining EMA Section Website 

A huge thank you to Ben N1WBV and Larry W1IZZ for answering my call for help with keeping the EMA website up to date. Between them they’re connected to just about every club in Eastern MA, and they’ve been doing a fantastic job keeping the EMA website fresh with news and current events. Thanks again, guys!  

*  Virtual NTS Traffic Net Going Strong 

Many Technician class amateurs miss out on fun and skills learning of traffic handling because they reside in areas of the country where local traffic nets on VHF repeaters don’t exist. The Virtual NTS Traffic Net (VNTN) seeks to address this problem with the creation of a Zoom-based local traffic net that can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection.   

The Net meets weekly, and held its inaugural session on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET. The VNTN URL is: https://bitl.to/3xj4 The net will be changing time to 8 PM ET soon – stay tuned for details. 

Full details at https://ema.arrl.org/2025/03/05/virtual-nts-traffic-net-begins-march-5-2025/  

* Still Recruiting a New Section Youth Coordinator  

Sadly, our former Section Youth Coordinator, Paul K1YUB, is now a Silent Key. I need to fill this important position on the EMA Section Staff. The SYC requirement and job description is at https://www.arrl.org/section-youth-coordinator  If you are interested in this volunteer position, please contact me at n1ilz@arrl.org  – I’ll appreciate it greatly!  

* N1ILZ for a Final   

I hope you’re all enjoying the joys that Summer brings, with warmer weather, no more snow, and – lest I forget – ice cream!! Get out there and get those new antennas up or fix the damage from the ravages of winter. Stay cool and hydrated. Most of all, get on the air and have fun! 

Can you write a paragraph or two about what you’re up to, so I can publish it in the Section Update? Shoot me an email at n1ilz@arrl.org!     

* For always up-to-date news, please visit the EMA Section website at http://ema.arrl.org   

This Section News Update was brought to you by Section Manager Jon N1ILZ.  

 

ARRL Headquarters Open House & Tag Sale, June 14, 2025

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ARRL logoDouglas E Sharafanowich, WA1SFH, writes on the Connecticut ARRL members list:

TOMORROW !!!

Saturday, June 14, 2025

Hours 9 AM to 2 PM

225 Main Street, Newington, Connecticut 06111

Rain or Shine

So much to do and see!

• Tag Sale. Cash Only. Amateur radio equipment including power supplies, amplifiers, used books, various electronics, and more! First come, first serve (subject to availability; all equipment sold as-is, and untested; no reasonable offer refused).

• Get on the air from W1AW using the world’s most famous call sign!

• Tour the ARRL Lab, Radio Laboratory — W1HQ, and ARRL’s historic radio collection.

• Join, renew or extend your ARRL membership in-person. Get automatically entered in the Dream Station Sweepstakes when you join or renew. See the Icom IC-7760 prize!

• Donate to the ARRL Diamond Club. See the many names and call signs honored in the ARRL Diamond Club Terrace.  Shop the ARRL Store in the main lobby – and get your 2025 ARRL Field Day t-shirts and gear!

• DXCC Card Checking and LoTW Help Desk.

• Historic US Manufactured Amateur Radio Exhibit.

• See the ARRL campus, towers, and antenna arrays.

• Meet many HQ staff and volunteers.

• Explore opportunities to VOLUNTEER at ARRL HQ.

• Enter to win a door prize.

• Check out CAREER opportunities for you, or someone you know. Work for ARRL!  And, come share with us what you enjoy about amateur radio and ARRL!

BONUS: Meet your Connecticut Section Manager and say “HI”.

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ARRL Connecticut Section

Section Manager: Douglas E Sharafanowich, WA1SFH

wa1sfh@arrl.org

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Don’t Miss These Bonus Points at Field Day!

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Photo of NTS radiogram formShawn Dodds, N1CVO, writes:

This year, your club can get up to an extra 200 points for sending formal messages (radiograms) from the Field Day site over amateur RF.  Last year, I helped one club do this.  This year, I’d like to do more.

I’ve been doing ‘Virtual NTS training’ (https://groups.io/g/VNTN) for the past couple of months over Zoom, and thought that maybe I could help other clubs in the area by doing an abbreviated training session focused on Field Day radiograms.

I’ve put a little web page at https://www.qsl.net/n1cvo/FDNTS.htm with the details.  If anything changes, I will be modifying that page.

It is intended for clubs in Massachusetts, but there is also interest from clubs in other states.  We will be recording the Zoom meetings and posting the link to the FDNTS page referenced above.  On Field Day Saturday, there will be a special Field Day traffic net on the MMRA network at 4pm, 6pm and potentially 8pm.

If you want a head start, there is a good intro to creating and voicing radiograms at: https://www.k8amh.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/National-Traffic-System-and-Radiograms.pdf .

73,

Shawn – N1CVO

n1cvo@dodds1.com