Month: December 2021

ARRL Rookie Roundup CW Event is December 19, 2021

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If you’re new to CW operating, the ARRL Rookie Roundup (CW), December 19, 1800 – 2359 UTC, is a chance to enhance your CW skills. The objective of the event is to encourage recent licensees to experience competitive amateur radio operating on HF.

A Rookie is anyone who was first licensed in the current calendar year or in the previous 3 calendar years (2021, 2020, 2019, or 2018), regardless of license class. If you were licensed earlier, you can still qualify as a Rookie if you haven’t made any contest contacts on CW before this Rookie Roundup.

Rookies will attempt to make as many contacts as possible during the 6-hour event. Rookies work everyone, and non-Rookies work only Rookies. Stations exchange call signs, first names, a two-digit year, and state/province (or DX, if appropriate). In the exchange, Rookies should send the last two digits of the year of your first contact. If you’ve never made any contest contacts using CW, or if you’re a non-Rookie, send the last two digits of the current year in your exchange. — Thanks to ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE

Algonquin ARC (MA) “Lantern Battery Competition,” January 1-March 31, 2022

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Algonquin ARC logoSkip Youngberg, K1NKR, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:

Last year’s Lantern Battery Challenge was a success.  So our Activities Chairman, Joe said, “Let’s do it again!”

The event can be a great way to beat the winter doldrums.  The entire goal is threefold:  to have fun, to get on the air, and to see just what battery power can do around the shack.

This year’s rules are below.  You’ll see that you don’t have to go out and find “lantern” batteries this time.  Your inventiveness will determine just how much you spend in time and money getting on the air.

73,

Skip

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AARC’s 2022 LANTERN BATTERY CHALLENGE

The intent of the AARC LBC is to foster camaraderie among members and find out—in a light-hearted fashion—just how many QSOs can be extracted from a stack of batteries before they are depleted beyond the point of usefulness.  We’re continuing to call this the “Lantern” Battery Challenge even though there is no need to actually use expensive lantern batteries.

Activity period

AARC’s LBC will commence at 0000Z on 1 January 2022 and conclude at 2400Z on 31 March 2022.  Participants can join at any time during the challenge period but must finish by the end of the challenge.

Bands, Modes

Consistent with the terms of the participant’s license, operation on any band, using any mode, is permitted.

Energy Source (Batteries)

Batteries must be assembled from the equivalent of “D” cells or smaller.  Any combination of cells stacked in series not exceeding 15 volts is acceptable, provided that no more than two cells are connected in parallel anywhere in the stack.

     (Note that each of the lantern batteries used last year was the equivalent of four 1‑1/2 volt “D” or “F” cells in series, so two lantern batteries stacked in series yielded 12 volts.  Most rigs like 12V or higher and mis-perform at voltages under 10V.  Current drain depletes the cells quickly and reduces their voltage.  This year’s “connected in parallel” rule allows for starting with twice as much energy, increases the available current, and slows voltage depletion.)

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Fun Radio Events

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Maine iconARRL Maine Section Manager Phil Duggan, N1EP, writes on the Maine ARRL Members list:

Holiday greetings to all ARRL members throughout Maine!

I wanted to let you all know about a few things coming up very soon.

On New Year’s Eve and Day, if you are not one to party through the night, then you might want to break out your straight key or bug and join in the fun of ARRL Straight Key Night (SKN). It is a lot of fun. I will be on mostly 80 meters, so if you hear me calling CQ SKN, have mercy on my slow copy and “PLS QRS,”  hi hi!  If you are a Technician class licensed amateur radio operator, don’t forget, you have CW privileges on parts of 80, 40, and 15 meters!

New Year’s Day is also Kids Day! Introduce your child, or a relative’s or friend’s child to amateur radio. Let them use your rig to make a contact, or if you hear some kids on the air, have a friendly QSO with them! You can find out more details on both SKN and Kids Day on the contest calendar of the ARRL web site. If you do participate in Kids Day, please let me know about it. My email is n1ep@arrl.org and thanks in advance.

Finally, on Sunday, Jan 9 at 1600 (4PM) on or near 3.840 MHz LSB, Maine ARRL Districts 3 and 4 are conducting a special 75 meter net to test the pathways between their respective counties and to get to know each other. (Hancock, Knox, Waldo, Washington, Aroostook, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Somerset Counties).  Anyone with general class privileges is welcome to check in, whether you are from Aroostook County, or even from York County in District one!

Again, may you all have a super holiday season. May we meet on the air soon and throughout the new year!

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ARRL Maine Section
Section Manager: Philip W Duggan, N1EP
n1ep@arrl.org
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W2AN/1BCG Special Event, December 11, 2021

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1BCG special event2021 marks the 100th year anniversary of the historic Transatlantic Tests. On December 11, 2021 The 1BCG replica transmitter will be operating as W2AN/1BCG on 1.821 MHz, plus or minus, using CW, from The Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut. Transmissions from W2AN/1BCG will be one-way, just like the original transatlantic tests in 1921. You can get a SWL certificate for this Special Event by sending a copy of the transmitted message to 1BCG@AntiqueWireless.org

Schedule: Transmissions start on December 11, 2021, on 1.821 MHz, +/-, at 1800 EST or 2300 UTC, then every 15 minutes thereafter for a total of five hours thusly; 1815, 1830, 1845, 1900, 1915, 1930, 1945, 2000, 2015, 2030, 2045, 2100, 2115, 2130, 2145, 2200, 2215, 2230 and the last transmission at 2245 EST.

This special event is your opportunity to relive a historic moment in amateur radio history.

For more information, visit <http://1bcg.org/1BCG/>.

Western MA Section Manager’s Report, December 2021

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WMA Section logoHi everyone. Yet another year over. (Just about.) The silly season is upon us. I do hope everyone and their families have a happy, healthy, safe Holiday Season and 2022. Clubs have been planning their festivities this month and no meetings. So, it’s been a little quiet this month.

Well, it has been well publicized of who the winner of the New England Director is in Fred, AB1OC. I hope our section will support him and his mission to bringing a fresh perspective to Newington and New England. He has a lot of great ideas and will be looking for assistance in bringing this to fruition.

The Mohawk Club is currently underway in building their club station in the Gardner Police building. The construction of a Rohn 45 tower and running cables for rotors and antennas has started. Hopefully by Spring it will be fully functional.

Also, a bit of news, as of Nov. 19 I am now AA1SE. This was a change I have been thinking of for a while. Problem is this change is as bad as moving! All the stuff I have to update. This call will be better in contests and will play nicely when I crack CW.

I guess if there is anything I may want for Christmas is 1) a greater readership of this website, 2) Hams to participate in activities especially in mentoring, licensing, and their clubs and section. As I start my new term in January, I may have a full plate as programs are likely launching to promote all the before mentioned items from different sources. The League is listening, our voices are getting heard. Your part will make a difference!

That’s about all I have for this month. Just a reminder to clubs that put out newsletters to send a copy to clubs@arrl.org so they see what’s happening out there.

Once again, Happy Holidays!

73 Ray, AA1SE

Rod Scribner, KA1RFD, Awarded Certificate of Merit

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ME Section Manager Phil Duggan, N1EP, writes on the Maine Ham Radio Society Facebook page on December 1, 2021:

My very first official act as Maine Section Manager for the ARRL, the national association for amateur radio, was to award an amazing Maine public servant and ham radio operator with a Certificate of Merit today at Dave’s Diner in Gardner. Rod Scribner, KA1RFD [Pittston, Maine]. ( George Szadis K1GDI photobombing)

 

Fox Hunt Near South Windsor CT, January 1, 2022

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Paul Gipson, N1TUP, writes on the ctfoxhunter list: 
 
Greetings Fox hunters,
 
Keeping with tradition, I will be hosting a Fox hunt on New Years Day at 1pm.
 
This hunt will be conducted in the same manner that we have previously conducted live fox hunts.  The hunters will assemble at the  91 Ayers Road in South Windsor, CT, home of the old Wapping Elementary School, be set up and ready to start by 1pm. The fox will take a roll call at 1pm on the BEARS repeater, 145.110 MHz, PL tone is 77.0 Hz.  This hunt will be conducted using the repeater for all communication and information sharing.  I encourage communication between participants and any base stations that can supply helpful information to the hunters.  Once you have spotted the fox you should stop all transmissions.  Pay attention, if someone says they are going to check an area and you never hear from them again, that might be a clue. 
 
Remember not to hunt the repeater output frequency as that will just lead you to the repeater.  I will not be there.  You will want to listen on the repeater input frequency, 144.510MHz.  That is the frequency the fox will be transmitting on.
 
The fox will be located within 20 air miles of the starting point and not within Hartford or Springfield. The fox will be on publicly accessible property that will not require anything other that a standard passenger car for access.  The fox will host a “tailgate” party at the end of the hunt at the “den”. 
 
If this is your first hunt, I would recommend riding along with someone who has done this before.  Dress warmly as you will be outside at the end for the party, the rest of the time you will be in and out of the car taking bearings etc.
 
Experience has shown that hunters will start arriving in the den about 1 hour after the start.  The event has a two hour time limit not including socializing in the den at the end.
 
Current information regarding this and other fox hunts in Connecticut are on groups.io. If you are not already a group member, you may want to consider signing up for the groups.io CTFOXHUNTER so that you do not miss any important foxhunt related news.
 
73,

Paul, N1TUP

Ham Volunteers Requested, Sutton (MA) Chain of Lights, December 4, 2021

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John Ruggiero, N2YHK writes:

[Please forward to other hams and lists in Central MA as appropriate]

Hi Folks,

Craig Shea from the Sutton (MA) Chain of Lights is again requesting assistance with communications to coordinate the trolleys for their annual event.  We’re looking for about 10 ham radio operators to ride the trolleys and help keep them on schedule moving people around between stops.

We will meet at 08:30 am on Sat 12/4/2021 in Sutton (location TBD – likely the Sutton High School).  The event runs from 10:00am to 4:00 pm, although the final trolley drop off may be as late as 5:00pm.  Lunch is provided.

You should bring a radio capable of 70 cm operation with DPL/DCS, as we’ll likely be using the Westboro and Uxbridge 70 cm  repeaters.  Portable mobile setups work well, but you need to provide your own power, and mag mounts don’t work on fiberglass vehicles.  HTs with gain antennas can work as well.  Radios and accessories can be provided, if necessary.

If you are available to help out, please email me at johnrugg@gmail.com .  Call with any questions – 508-982-0617. If you are only available for part of the day, we can cycle you in and out as necessary.  Thanks!

SKYWARN Recognition Day, December 3-4, 2021

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SKYWARN logoRob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on WX1BOX.org:

SKYWARN Recognition Day 2021 (SRD’21) will occur this year but modified due to COVID19 and the fact NWS offices are not allowed to have volunteer Amateur Radio Operators at any NWS office due to COVID. Similar to last year, a social media component will be added to engage non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters more with 2021’SRD. An additional update on SRD’2021 will be posted Friday Morning 12/3/21.

Due to COVID19, typical WX1BOX Amateur Radio Operations will not occur at NWS Boston/Norton. There is a possibility similar to last year through the efforts of employees at NWS Norton who have Amateur Radio licenses, the WX1BOX station will be on the air for a few hours during SRD. Otherwise, the WX1BOX Amateur Radio team will be operating remotely via their home stations. The NWS Gray Maine office cannot be active at the office due to the same restrictions on volunteers at NWS offices nationwide but will have remote SRD operation for 2021.

For WX1BOX Amateur Radio operations, we will cover the typical SKYWARN repeaters on VHF/UHF as well as simplex and be on HF via the various remote home stations along with our WX1BOX social media pages. In addition, contacts with other Amateur Radio SKYWARN stations will count towards NWS certificates. Similar to 2020, there will be a social media component to engage non-Amateur Radio and Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters alike. The current set of information is available and additional information will be made available on the SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) web site via the following link:
https://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition.

Also, all participants are welcome to register on the SRD web site. They can obtain a SRD number. The SRD Number for this year is part of the QSO exchange but is not a requirement. It is something new since 2020’SRD so as always there will likely be some glitches and delays in getting the SRD number but if you register and obtain your SRD number, please feel free to add that to your exchange.

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