Month: March 2021

“The Consortium”—Covering the Ham Radio Basics

by
Like the successful “Ham Bootcamp” program sponsored by the Nashua Area Radio Society, The Consortium was formed out of a need to mentor new amateurs in the Providence, Rhode Island area. And like Ham Bootcamp, it, too has had to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic.  
 
Bob Beaudet, W1YRC, and Jim Johnson, K1GND, formed the idea for The Consortium back in 2007. “Listening to the Scituate 146.76 repeater  over time, I noticed that several newer hams who were talking about antennas, matching networks, transmission lines, grounding methods, mobile noise remedies and dozens of other common issues were making lots of mistakes in their theory and assumptions. They didn’t even understand most of the terms they were using.”
 
Since the start of the pandemic, K1GND and W1YRC have switched to weekly  electronic tutorials.  “Until the restrictions permit us to resume sessions of the Consortium […], Jim K1GND and I are providing electronic material to continue providing Basic Radio material in order to remedially provide knowledge that we all missed working our way up to getting our license.”
 
They eagerly look forward to resuming in-person meetings at the Asia Grille in Lincoln, Rhode Island as soon as it is safe to do so. 
 
For more information about the Consortium, visit <http://w1ddd.org/consortium.html> or check out The Consortium article in the April, 2018 issue of QST.

“Slow Speed Test” Gains Popularity

by

K1USN Slow Speed Test logoIn September, 2020, members of the K1USN Radio Club (who are also members of the CW Operators’ Club) started sponsoring a one-hour slow speed CW “contest” called SST aimed at “those who prefer a more leisurely CW pace or are new CW operators or contesters.” SST is held on Mondays at 00:00-01:00 UTC (8-9 PM EDT Sundays).

The event has enjoyed increased popularity, both nationally and internationally. It is supported by the N1MM software logging program.  A second weekly one-hour SST session was started on February 5, 2021, at a time more suited for European amateur radio operators: 20:00-21:00 UTC Fridays.

For more information about the Slow Speed Test, please visit <http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html>.

N1DM Featured on Pittsfield Community TV, WTBR-FM, March 25, 2021

by

Dom Mallozzi, N1DM, was the featured guest on Ham On!, simulcast on Pittsfield (MA) Community Television and WTBR-FM 89.7 on March 25, 2021. Dom spoke about amateur satellites. The early morning program is produced and moderated by Western MA Assistant Section Traffic Manager Peter Mattice, KD2JKV.  A recording of the show can be heard at <https://anchor.fm/peter0190/episodes/working-amatuer-sats-etgl31>.

N1DM is active on HF CW , FT8, FT4, satellites, DMR, emergency communications  and contesting. He serves as secretary for the Providence (RI) Radio Association, W1OP.

K9HI: “ARRL Update” at Blackstone Valley ARC (RI) & K1USN Radio Club (E.MA)

by

ARRL logoARRL New England Division Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, will be the featured speaker at two ARRL affiliated clubs this week.

Phil will present to the Blackstone Valley (RI) Amateur Radio Club on March 29, 2021. On March 30, K9HI will co-present with Eastern MA Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW, at the K1USN Radio Club about ARRL.

Zoom details for the Blackstone Valley meeting can be obtained by emailing Judson Mitstock, W1JMZ at judson@w1jmz.net. For K1USN Radio Club meeting details, contact “Pi” Pugh, K1RV, at k1rv@arrl.net 

 

 

Maine Ham Radio Society YouTube Channel Features Quality Ham Radio Podcasts

by

Maine Ham Radio Society logoA Maine amateur has created some excellent video podcasts for the Maine Ham Radio Society’s YouTube channel.

Phil Duggan, N1EP, of Milbridge, Maine, has produced four episodes so far: “Soldering & Kit Building is Fun!”, “Morse Code, Straight Keys, Portable Ops & More!”, “The Maine Seagull Net,” and “MHRS RadioActive.”

N1EP is the District 3 Assistant Section Manager in Maine. He serves as president and secretary of the Maine Ham Radio Society.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

New England ACC Group Meeting Recap, March 27, 2021

by

ARRL Affiliated Club logoThe New England Affiliated Club Coordinator group met on March 27, 2021 via Zoom to discuss issues of mutual interest to the field organization in the various New England sections.

About a dozen field organization volunteers—Section Managers, Assistant Section Managers, and Affiliated Club Coordinators—representing Maine, Vermont, Eastern & Western Massachusetts, and Connecticut were present for the 90 minute call. The meeting was chaired by Connecticut ACC Ed Snyder, W1YSM.

Agenda items included: the impact of COVID-19 on clubs and hamfests; a review of recent virtual state conventions in Vermont and Maine; possible joint club activities, including the upcoming 2022 “Big E” ham project by Larry Krainson, president of the Hampden County (MA) Radio Association; review of an outline by Tom Walsh, K1TW, for an upcoming QST article highlighting the importance of affiliated clubs; and a report on the newly formed ARRL Field Organization Working Group by Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI. 

The group meets monthly and conducts business between meetings via a groups.io mailing list.

Wellesley ARS “POTA Party,” Winchendon, MA, March 27, 2021

by
Parks On The Air logoDan Brown, W1DAN, writes on the Wellesley (MA) Amateur Radio Society mailing list:
 
Who: Anyone interested in amateur radio regardless of experience, license, or equipment
What: Parks-On-The-Air (POTA) Activation of Otter River State Forest (Lake Dennison Recreation Area). 
 
Where: Lake Dennison Recreation Area, 219 Baldwinville State Rd, Winchendon, MA 01475 (drive in to the first large parking lot). 
 
When: Saturday March 27, 2021 starting at Noon. 
 
Special Instructions/Notes: Just show up. Bring any radio or other equipment you may want to use, or use my stuff. Sign up for POTA if you plan on logging your own activation https://parksontheair.com/ .  If you are not planning on logging then please plan on getting on the air with my callsign (POTA Hunters want to get their points!) It is a large parking lot and big outdoor area. We will be there unless the weather is very very bad (i.e., electrical storm, typhoon); I will post to this group if it’s canceled. We will monitor 146.52 if you want to bring a vhf radio. We will operate at least ssb and cw, other modes welcome. I will be in a green van…it is unmistakable. Bring whatever you need to be comfortable (food, water, shelter, etc.)
 
My equipment: I will bring enough equipment to set up at least one cw and one ssb station. I also have band pass filters for 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 40, and 80 meters so we can run stations simultaneously. PLEASE BRING A SHORT COAX JUMPER WITH PL259 CONNECTORS IF YOU THINK YOU MAY WANT TO USE ONE OF MY BAND PASS FILTERS! I do not have enough to share. 
 
Pandemic notes:
Plan on wearing a mask. Outdoor gathering limits are 25 people in Massachusetts; if we exceed this we can split into separate groups, it’s a large enough area.  You of course are responsible for your own safety, so whatever precautions you need, please prepare for it. 
 
Okay, that’s all. Bottom line: Show up and play radio! I can’t wait to meet you all in person! 
 
Mindy
KM1NDY

AA8RK: “College Ham Club Round Table” at RATPAC Online, March 24, 2021

by

RATPAC logoRATPAC’s scheduled Wednesday’s March 24, 2021 Zoom presentation will be at:  

9:00 PM AST / 9:00 PM EDT / 8:00 PM CT / 7:00 PM MDT / 6:00 PM PDT / 5:00 PM AKDT / 3:00 PM HST

 Topic: College Ham Club Round table

 Speaker/Presenter: Ralph Katz, AA8RK

Hey folks: These Zoom sessions are left open after the presentation. 

After the Zoom presentation has been closed, sign back into Zoom to visit.

  • This meeting will be recorded. By participating you consent to being recorded. 
  • Please change your display name to Your First Name, Call Sign and Location, e.g. Dan K7REX Idaho. 
  • Please stay muted until ready to speak. Your space bar works like a PTT for unmuting
  • You may ask questions in chat; please stay on topic while using chat.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2128884758?pwd=VjBldDhSRXh5cG16MUVhcVRTbUNTZz09

Meeting ID: 212 888 4758
Passcode: College
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,2128884758#,,,,*5305467# US (Houston)
+16699006833,,2128884758#,,,,*5305467# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 212 888 4758
Passcode: 5305467

K9EID: “Optimizing Your Station” at Meriden (CT) ARC, March 25, 2021

by

Meriden ARC logoThe Meriden (CT) Amateur Radio Club welcomes legendary audio expert Bob Heil, K9EID, as our Activities Meeting guest speaker next Thursday, 3/25/21 at 7:30PM Eastern Time.

All Connecticut Hams are cordially invited to attend the Zoom Meeting.  Bob’s name is synonymous with high-quality ham radio audio, and he will speak on “Optimizing Your Station.”

Whether you’re newly (or even not yet) licensed or a long time veteran, you’re sure to learn something.

Here is the Zoom link:

<https://zoom.us/j/91067706626?pwd=K2lwcUJrQVNpMVhJU0hvTDcwbHQvZz09&fbclid=IwAR17bnKB9fZiMDCWfhaMJOknvMPtiiW70Lp4VbXWPEWkDC8CpiQWik8b3Fg>

Please advertise this to interested parties and club members.