Month: May 2022

Project Big E Progress Continues

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Big E Recruitment FlyerProject Big E General Chairman Larry Krainson, W1AST, writes on the ProjectBigE mailing list:

As everyone knows, we have been accepted to host a ARISS contact. That’s exciting news and a small team is in place working out the details.

Also, I managed to find a local company that does creative work and will do the live streaming, video editing, projection enhancement and recording of the ARISS contact.  The company is Black Helicopter Creative and they are donating their time and effort to make this contact and the live stream a professional view for all. They have done work for the RedSox, Fenway Park, ESPN and others. You can learn more at:  https://www.blackhelicoptercreative.com/.

Also, I spent an hour on the phone with ICOM the other night and they are very enthusiastic about the booth. They offered to lend us a few HF and VHF/UHF/D-Star radios for the booth. Once the upper management approves, we’ll be locked in for ICOM on our operating table. The goal is to have a hotspot operating too with D-Star, DMR and possibly Fusion able to use it to demonstrate some digital modes.

There is more being planned.

Right now, we are looking for those that have done demonstrations and may have booth displays. The Nashua Club has offered to lend us a few items and we are looking for more from other clubs as well. If you have something, can you either post it here in a picture or email me direct with a description and photo’s please. W1AST@arrl.net.

We have a questionnaire out on the New England Division website: https://nediv.arrl.org/project-big-e  read down to “How Can I Help” and fill in the Google Form Signup Sheet link.

For those of you traveling from more than 2-3 hours away, I am looking for more HOST families in my area that could accommodate  a few people that want to stay and volunteer. I’m hoping my home club, the HCRA, steps up in a big way for this. My wife and I can accommodate 3 to maybe 4 people. Maybe 2 more if you have a sleeping bag and air mattress or a cot. But, we’re working on that.

Lastly, we are looking for some display cabinets. Does anyone or club have something? Please contact me.

We’re 4 months from the Big E right now. We need you to get the word out to local hams through your clubs. There is a flyer (bright green sheet at Near-Fest) that you can download on the NEDIV site too. We handed out around 250 the Friday of Near-Fest. More went out on Saturday. Get them out to your members please.

We have 17 days we need to man the booth for 12 hours per day per Big E rules. This booth we have is a $4000 booth that is being given to us. We have to make it look good and be there all the time. We set up the day into 2 6 hour shifts. Or anyone is welcome to do a 12 hour shift. It will be a long day, but very worth while. IF you’re wondering about meals, there will be 120 different food vendors there plus what may be available in the State buildings. You won’t go hungry!

So, once again, go here and volunteer:  https://nediv.arrl.org/project-big-e

Best 73 for an enjoyable weekend for all.

Fox Hunt in Wallingford (CT), May 15, 2022

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Dave Tipping, NZ1J, writes on ctfoxhunter on May 14, 2022:
 
We’ll have a live Fox Hunt on Sunday in Wallingford from 9:30 am until 11:00 am.

We’ll be using these three frequencies:  

There will be a 1 watt signal continuously on 146.565 MHz.  It will make a short beep every three seconds and will ID in Morse code every minute.

The 10 mW transmitter is on 147.475 MHz and will beep every three seconds and will ID in Morse Code every minute.

The 1 mW transmitter is on 146.290 MHz and beeps every three seconds.

 
There is no central starting location.  Other Fox Hunters can be contacted on the W1NRG repeater 147.360 with PL 162.2
 
Good luck.

Dave NZ1J

Ham Assistance Requested: Cisco Brewers Portsmouth 5K – Portsmouth, NH

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Sherry Brooks N1NSB writes:

The Cisco Brewers Portsmouth 5K fundraiser for The Krempels Center will be held on Sunday, May 29th. This is the first in person road race they have had since 2019 due to COVID.

The point person for this is Derek, KB1LXX.

Derek will be able to provide more information.

The race starts at 11:00 a.m. so volunteers will need to be there at 7:30.

Typically, the volunteers have been in charge of directing traffic for parking cars.

Sign up here: Sign Up Sheet
—
Sherry
N1NSB

Marine Corps Veteran Honored in NEAR-Fest Closing Ceremony

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Mike Crestohl, W1RC, writes:

On April 30 2022, a very special presentation was made by Paul DePetrillo, W1PRA, to Michael “Mickey” O’Keefe, NV1C, at NEAR-Fest XXXI in Deerfield NH. 

NV1C is a Marine Corps veteran and a survivor of the Chosen Reservoir battles in Korea in 1950.  Several years ago Paul met him at NEAR-Fest and awarded him a Lifetime Pass for his service.  Last February at the Marlborough (MA) flea market I spotted a book on Mickey’s table called “Give Me Tomorrow” about the Marines with whom he served in Korea.  The photo on the cover depicted a Marine, cold and hungry but obviously still hopeful.  “That’s me!” Mickey exclaimed.

Some research revealed that the photo originally appeared in the December 25th 1950 issue of Life Magazine.  I searched online and found the article which I forwarded to Paul who showed it to Bob Curran, an artist friend of his.  Bob was so impressed by the picture that he felt compelled to recreate the powerful image in a beautiful painting.

At the NEAR-Fest Closing Ceremony April 30th 2022 Paul presented Bob’s painting to Mickey.  Obviously taken by surprise and almost speechless NV1C commented: I am no hero; I am a survivor.”

We beg to differ. All our service people who served in foreign conflicts are heroes.  To honor their service NEAR-Fest has created a special award; a Lifetime Pass to our Hamfest to any amateur who has been awarded a military decoration “of distinction” like a Bronze Star, Silver Star, Purple Heart, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, etc.  For more information contact Paul at paulw1pra@gmail.com.

 
 
 

Nashua Area Radio Society to Hold Online Ham Bootcamp on May 14th

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Ham Bootcamp QST

Are you a newly licensed Technician, or a General or Extra and have never been on the air or built a station?  Are you a prospective ham but would like to learn more about Amateur Radio activities?  Are you an experienced Ham who would like to help your club enhance its mentoring programs?  The Nashua Area Radio Society will be holding another online Ham Bootcamp on Saturday, May 14th, 2022 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Eastern time. Ham Bootcamp will be held via Zoom web conferencing.

The morning sessions will be focused on VHF and UHF activities for all license classes and the afternoon sessions will focus on building and operating an HF station.

Registration is required for this program.  More information including the agenda and the registration link can be found at https://www.n1fd.org/ham-bootcamp/.

 

USS Nautilus N1S QRV for Museum Ships on the Air, Groton CT, June 3-5, 2022

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USS NautilusHarrison Solt, N1FAM, writes on the Radio Amateur Society of Norwich (CT) mailing list:

Museum Ships Weekend is three weeks away.  It will take place from 8:00 PM local time Friday June 3rd until 8:00 PM local time Sunday June 5th.  At last update there are 75 Ships/Museums registered.  We are good to go at the Submarine Force Library & Museum on Crystal Lake Road in Groton, site of the Historic Ship USS NAUTILUS.  We will use the call sign N1S.  

We have permission to access the site for the entire event period.  We will set up canopies and antennas Thursday afternoon, June 2nd starting at 1:00 PM.  Set up will be around the picnic patio. 

During the event we will have four or five operating positions.  If you are available on Thursday your help in setting up is appreciated.  During the event, all are welcome to visit and operate.  

More up-dates will be posted as the event nears as well as any pending needs, we find we have regarding gear, support or whatever.  Your thoughts on how to enhance or improve our operation and event are encouraged, requested, and appreciated.

 

WX4NHC Will Be On The Air for Annual Communications Test, May 28, 2022

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WX4NHC logoWX4NHC will be On-The-Air for the Annual Communications Test

Saturday, May 28th , 2022 from 9AM- 5 PM EDT ( 1300z- 2100z)

This is our 42nd year of public service at the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The purpose of this event is to test WX4NHC Amateur Radio Equipment and Antennas at NHC as well as operator’s home equipment, antennas and computers prior to this year’s hurricane season, which starts June 1st and runs through November 30th. This event is good practice for ham radio operators worldwide to practice Amateur Radio communications available during times of severe weather.

We will be making brief contacts on many frequencies and modes, exchanging signal reports and basic weather data exchange (sunny, rain, temperature, etc.) with any station in any location. WX4NHC will be on the air on HF, VHF, UHF, 2 & 30 meter APRS and WinLink wx4nhc@winlink.org subject must contain //WL2K.

We will try to stay on the Hurricane Watch Net frequency 14.325 MHz most of the time. Also 7.268 MHz depending on propagation. However, we will be operating different frequencies depending on QRM. You may be able to find us on HF by using one of the DX spotting networks, such as the DX Summit Web Site: http://www.dxsummit.fi/Search.aspx 

We will also be on VoIP Hurricane Net 4pm-5pm EDT (2000-2100z)

(IRLP node 9219 / EchoLink WX-TALK Conference node 7203). http://www.voipwx.net/

WX4NHC will also make a few contacts on local VHF and UHF repeaters as well as Florida Statewide SARNET system to test our station equipment.

QSL Cards are available via WD4R. Please send your card with a S.A.S.E. Please do NOT send QSLs directly to the Hurricane Center address, as it will get delayed.

Due to security measures and COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic:  NO VISITORS will be allowed entry to NHC.

For more information about WX4NHC, please visit our website www.wx4nhc.org

Thank you for your participation in the WX4NHC Annual Station Test event.

73, Julio – WX4NHC/WD4R

 -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
 Julio Ripoll Architect WD4R
 WX4NHC Amateur Radio Asst. Coordinator
 www.wx4nhc.org 
 Celebrating 42 years at the
 National Hurricane Center
 www.nhc.noaa.gov 

FCC Has Resolved Technical Issues and Resumes Processing Amateur Radio License Applications

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FCC sealFrom ARRL News:

(Updated 5/9/2022) – The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) reports that the FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS) electronic batch filing (EBF) system is back online and functioning normally. A message sent by the FCC ULS EBF Team to VECs explains that the technical issues with ULS EBF filing are resolved, and that VECs may resume submitting files containing amateur radio license applications. ARRL VEC has submitted most of the backlog of its files for applications processed on, or after, April 27, and expects to have all of the backlog submitted by the end of the day (May 9).

Foxbox Deployed, Bolton CT, May 9, 2022

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Dan Thayer, W1CDT, writes on ctfoxhunter list:

Greetings fox hunters,

FB-3 has been deployed, as of 1430 hours, 05-09-22.

146.550 MHz Simplex

CTCSS 114.8 Hz

It is located somewhere to the East (or Northeast or Southeast)  of Bolton Notch, where I-384/Route 6/Route 44 all come together.

 The “tune” played when you activate it is different, but the CW ID is correct. (This will be corrected prior to the next deployment.)

As there is no starting point for finding the FB, it is recommended that as you go about your regular travels, you periodically try to activate the FB.

You may also try from home.

To try to activate the FB, set your radio to the 2 meter simplex frequency of 146.550 MHz, with a CTCSS of 114.8 Hz. Next, key your transmitter, ID and then send a DTMF “1”. Having done that, unkey your transmitter and listen.

If the FB can hear you (and you can hear it) you will hear its very distinctive sound.

It will transmit for 30 seconds, ID and then go back to sleep.

Once someone has been able to hear it, please report that general location to the other fox hunters, by replying to this message (This needn’t be a place where you can hear it very well, just a place from where it can be heard.

You can make it transmit as often as you find necessary to locate the FB.  

You do not actually have to touch the box to claim finding it.

FBs are located within 500 feet of a safe place to park. While unimproved (dirt) roads may be involved, they will be ones that are passable using a regular passenger car.

Dan, W1CDT 

 

Four-Week, In-Person Technician Course Offered by Nashoba Valley (MA) ARC Beginning May 16, 2022

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Nashoba Valley ARC logoBruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

Please share this with friends and family members who are interested in getting an Amateur Radio License.

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club (NVARC) is offering a free amateur radio licensing course beginning on May 16th. The eight night course will prepare students for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technician licensing exam that will be offered at the completion of the course. The Technician level radio operator’s license is the first of three amateur licenses offered by the FCC. Each license has increased levels of operator privileges.

The course consists of twice weekly sessions beginning on Monday, May 16th, and meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays for four weeks (May 16th through June 8th ). The course will be held at the Pepperell Community Center, 4 Hollis Street, Pepperell, MA 01463. Sessions will start at 7 PM and last for 2 hours. An FCC license exam will be scheduled for the end of the sessions. The course is free, but there will be an FCC required $15 testing fee if you take the exam. The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, Level 1, Technician, 4th ed, will be the study guide used for the class. A limited number of study guides may be purchased from the instructor for $20 or online from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) or Amazon.

This course is open to all, there are no age limits. Pre-registration is required, no walk-ins will be allowed. To register you must contact the instructor, Bruce Blain at (508) 341-5124 or via email at bruce.blain@charter.net.