Winlink Catching On in New Hampshire

ARES logoWinlink Global Email is catching on in New Hampshire, according to Jay Taft, K1EHZ.

“We encourage more NH ARES members to become engaged so every ARES group has Winlink capability. Here’s how:

  • If you have the equipment for FLdigi you have the equipment for Winlink.
  • Contact Jay Taft K1EHZ at k1ehz@arrl.net for assistance getting started.
    • Individual coaching over the phone to download, install and configure free software.
    • Zoom coaching sessions for small groups.
    • On-air message practice using Winlink gateways and peer-to-peer connections.
  • Participate in the ARES Academy – Winlink Workshop – October 17th, 0900-1100.
  • Join the Wednesday Winlink Net on the radio or over the internet.
  • Establish a local Winlink internet gateway, or a digital repeater to the Bedford gateway.
    • Some equipment is available for long-term loan.

 

ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications

ARRL Foundation logo09/29/2020 – Applications for the 2021 ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program will be accepted between October 1 and December 31, 2020.All applicants must be FCC-licensed radio amateurs, and many scholarships have other specific requirements, such as intended area of study, residence within a particular ARRL Division, Section, or state, and license class.

Applicants should review the scholarship descriptions and check off the ones for which they are eligible. If you complete an online application, you must also email a PDF of academic transcripts from your most recently completed school year by January 11, 2021. Some scholarships require additional documents to be submitted (e.g., letter of recommendation from an officer of an ARRL-affiliated club). Applications not accompanied by transcripts and additional documents, where applicable, will not be considered.

The ARRL Foundation Scholarship Committee will review all applicants for eligibility and award decisions. Scholarship recipients will be notified in May 2021 via USPS mail and email. For more information, visit the ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program page.

Massachusetts Department of Motor Vehicles is Not Processing Ham Operator Plate Applications

From EMA ARRL Section News, September 30, 2020:

For almost a year now, the Massachusetts Department of Motor Vehicles has been unable to process new “Ham Operator” special plate applications. According to one Western Massachusetts amateur who spoke to a DMV employee, “[…] the person I talked to informed me that this issue has been referred to the software company/vendor. No estimate has been placed on a resolution. She refused to tell me how many applications are being held up. I asked if there was anyone I could refer this to, she declined and said there was no one to escalate it to.”

At the request of Western MA Section Manager Ray Lajoie, KB1LRL, MA State Government Liaison Hank McCarl, W4RIG, contacted MA State Senator Bruce Tarr’s office to inquire. A legislative spokesperson from that office informed Hank that all special series and vanity license plates that have specific letter-number requests are currently impacted. However, plates for which numbers are sequentially assigned; e.g., 0001 through 9999, are being processed.

How many other amateurs in Massachusetts have been affected by this snafu at the DMV? Please write and let us know at <k1tw@arrl.org>