Month: June 2023
NH Thirteen Colonies K2K Preparatory Meeting and Cookout, Merrimack NH, June 17, 2023
Attention New Hampshire Radio Operators,
The annual Thirteen Colonies event is fast approaching. From July 1st to July 5th, the airwaves will once again buzz with activity from the founding 13 states of the US. Representing New Hampshire, K2K invites all operators, whether seasoned champions or enthusiastic novices, to participate in this lively event.
This year heralds a change in management, and we’re eager to introduce new methods for coordinating multi-station activity. Our goal? To ensure K2K once again stands as the leading contender. If you can dedicate a few hours or even a few days to operate as K2K on any band from 160 up to UHF/SHF, we’d be thrilled to have you. Whether you’re comfortable using CW, Phone, or any digital mode, or if you prefer to employ regular propagation, satellites, Moon bounce, or something more unconventional, your contribution will be appreciated.
The K2K Steering Committee cordially invites prospective operators to a meeting on Saturday, June 17th, in Merrimack. Further details can be found at https://hamlog.online/cookout17.php. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to k2k@hamlog.online before June 15th to assist us in our preparations. The meeting will cover strategic planning, software tools, and, of course, the opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts.
Even if you’re unable to operate as K2K, your interest in our new cloud-based ham radio logger and collaboration tool would be most welcome. We’d be delighted to have you join us.
For those who are keen to operate K2K but are unable to attend the meeting in Merrimack on June 17th, additional training via Zoom will be provided. To be included in these meetings, please reach out to k2k@hamlog.online.
73,
Eugene W1UAA (K2K 2023 Trustee and QSL Manager)
Anna W1AAU (K2K Website Designer and CW Team Leader)
Gene W3UA (Chief Troublemaker)
Update on NTS 2.0 Modernization Project
Marcia Forde, KW1U, writes:The following update on the NTS 2.0 modernization project was recently sent to all ARRL Section Managers and Section Traffic Managers for dissemination to traffic handlers in their areas. More information can be found on the new website nts2.arrl.org under the Standards and Procedures tab. Information on handling instructions and numbered radiograms is available now and information on the encapsulation radiograms for emergency communications will be there soon. There is also a tab To Contribute Your Ideas if you wish to contribute those.
Greetings to all STMs and SMs,
It was brought to my attention that little to nothing has been disseminated regarding progress on the part of the NTS 2.0 teams. My apologies for not keeping folks better up to date.
You are aware that we held briefings throughout the various ARRL divisions during the latter part of 2022, and enlisted the help of 35 to 40 volunteers. Each was assigned to one or more of five implementation teams who have met weekly since the beginning of 2023. We have been able to secure a page on the ARRL website to inform you of the ongoing projects, but it is only recently that we are now able to share some results of these teams’ work.
1. An article on NTS has been published in the July issue of QST which you may have received already. We are grateful to the editors of QST for highlighting this program and look forward to more articles in the future.
2. Perhaps highest on the minds of most folks is an update to the Net Directory. This is a major undertaking as the current directory has not been updated in recent times and the software has not been felt by many to be very user friendly. While we don’t have a finished product to show you at this time, it is important for folks to know that one of our NTS 2.0 implementation teams has drawn up a set of requirements we think various groups will want to see implemented and this has been forwarded to the IT department at ARRL. Emergency manager Josh Johnston KE5MHV and the IT department have been pleased with our work and are now working with us to develop a product we hope you will find informative and easy to use. It will take a little time yet before you will see a finished product as the entire website at ARRL is in the process of being updated. We want you to know however that definite progress is being made, so we ask for your patience and hope you will be happy with the new net directory once it has been completed.
3. In accord with renewed interest in emergency communications preparedness on the part of amateur radio and the ARRL in particular, several of our teams have been working on encapsulation of the forms used by emergency service organizations. Forms such as the ICS-213, ARC-213, HICS-213 and the Texas STAR Form originated by emergency personnel must be deliverable exactly as sent, and to accomplish this these forms must be encapsulated within a radiogram for transmission via the National Traffic System. A great deal of thought and testing have gone into this product which will be revealed on the ARRL’s website (nts2.arrl.org). Documentation and training will be provided. While we recognize such emergency traffic will likely be sent via digital means where available, we feel it is important that voice and CW circuits must be capable and practiced in the event they are needed.
4. Because of the above mentioned use of emergency type traffic, there are some additional requirements which are important. You will find these on the above noted website as additional handling instructions and ARRL numbered radiograms.
Two new handling instructions are being added. One is HXI which indicates an encapsulated message is included which must be relayed so as to be deliverable in a particular format. The second is HXR, which requires the delivering station to notify the originator of the message confirming that the recipient has personally received the message. This is a frequent requirement from served agencies. This is different from the HXC instruction, which is sent by the delivering station instead to the station of origin, whose call sign is in the header. Where HXC notifies the station of origin of delivery (such as the message being deposited in a mailbox) of their Radiogram, HXR confirms to the sender that the recipient has the message in-hand.
A new ARRL numbered radiogram has been added as “ARL FORTY ONE”. This is to be used with an HXD handling instruction where tracing a message is important to find any possible breaks in the relay chain. You will find a number of blanks to be filled in a service reply. This standardization of the HXD reply will allow for more efficient tracking and better understanding of the process.
While we understand change can be hard, we hope you will find value in the above. The teams continue to work diligently to make improvements and we welcome feedback from the NTS community. Please share with net participants in your sections.
73, Marcia KW1U
NTS 2.0 Implementation Teams
June 24, 2023 Proclaimed as “Amateur Radio Day” in Massachusetts
A proclamation issued by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy proclaims June 24, 2023 as “Amateur Radio Day” in the Commonwealth.
The document recognizes the “significant role in developing worldwide radio communications” by the “approximately 13,000 amateur radio operators that dedicate their time, equipment, and knowledge to assist their communities.”
The proclamation was secured thanks to the efforts of MA State Government Liaison Steve Boyson, N1VLG.
Paper copies of the proclamation will be distributed to Western MA Section Manager Ray Lajoie, AA1SE, and Assistant Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW. Ray and Tom will display the proclamation while visiting various Field Day visits throughout the sections.
The proclamation will be listed along with other proclamations across the country on the ARRL Headquarters website at <http://www.arrl.org/proclamations>.
AB1BY Receives 2023 NEAR-Fest Scholarship
Abigail Findchum, AB1BY, of Nashua, New Hampshire, has been selected “from an outstanding group of applicants” for the New England Amateur Radio Festival Scholarship in the amount of $2,000.
In a letter dated June 1, 2023, from ARRL Foundation President David Norris, K5UZ, to NEAR-Fest’s Michael Crestohl, W1RC, Norris thanked NEAR-Fest for making the scholarship possible and “for aiding a student Amateur Radio operator in his/her pursuit of their higher education.” [NEAR-Fest NH Facebook page]
Western MA June 2023 Section News Now Available
The June, 2023 Western MA Section Newsletter is now available at https://wma.arrl.org/blog/2023/06/06/section-manager-report-june-2023.
Amateur Radio Month in New Hampshire Proclaimed by Governor Sununu
Paul Stohrer, W1FEA, writes on the NH ARRL members list:
AMATEUR RADIO MONTH JUNE 2023
WHEREAS, Amateur Radio represents an organized, volunteer communications public service asset, duly authorized by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission; and
WHEREAS, Through research and experimentation, Amateur Radio has contributed to the advancement of radio technology; and
WHEREAS, The New Hampshire Section of the American Radio Relay League (NH-ARRL) has a Memorandum of Understanding with New Hampshire’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management to provide backup communications capabilities in times of disaster; and
WHEREAS, Licensed Amateur Radio operators in New Hampshire, using skills developed through practice and radio equipment built or purchased themselves, form a vital communications network under the auspices of the American Radio Relay League — New Hampshire Amateur Radio Emergency Service (NH-ARES) program; and
WHEREAS, The Amateur Radio Emergency Service continues to work toward providing critical communications assets for the public good, in times of local and national emergencies and at numerous non-profit public service events held throughout the year; and
WHEREAS, Beyond providing public emergency assistance, New Hampshire’s\ Radio Amateurs contribute to international friendship and goodwill by way of their daily communications throughout the world in pursuit of their education and skill; and
WHEREAS, During the weekend of June 24-25, New Hampshire Amateur Radio operators will join thousands of other amateurs throughout the United States and the world in sharpening their operating skills under emergency conditions in an annual preparedness exercise known as “Field Day;”
NOW, THEREFORE, I Chris Sununu, GOVERNOR of the State of New Hampshire, do hereby proclaim the month of JUNE 2023 as AMATEUR RADIO MONTH in New Hampshire and call this to the attention of all citizens.
—
Raul “Skip” Camejo – AC1LC
Public Information Coordinator
ARRL New Hampshire Section
PO Box 206
Ashland, NH 03217
603-707-9848
ac1lc@outlook.com
ac1lc@arrl.net
——————————
ARRL New Hampshire Section
Section Manager: Peter J Stohrer, W1FEA
w1fea@arrl.org
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Ham Volunteers Needed to Staff The BIG E Booth, September 15-October 1, 2023
Larry Krainson, W1AST, writes:We are doing another ham radio booth at the Big E this September. The dates are Friday, September 15th through Sunday, October 1st. The goal is to introduce ham radio to the general public, show that it is still relevant, and to interest the public in signing up for ham courses.
Just like last year there are two shifts per day with each one being 6 hours long. Each shift requires 3 people in the booth this year.
We are making changes in the layout of the booth to make it more friendly to the public in the hopes to draw more people in.
We have applied for another ARDC grant and if we get it, we can reimburse the cost of admission and parking for everyone. We do hope to get another grant.
Last year the booth spoke to approximately 1200 to 1300 people about ham radio. We hope to do the same or more again this year.
As clubs you are welcome to show your banner on the day or session you are there as well as bring a few items to showcase what your club is about to the public.
We are asking that you spread the word to your club members and try to get a group together to staff the booth for a session or the whole day. OR just ask your club members to sign up for a session to help staffing the booth. Last year we have over 100 volunteers from clubs all over New England. Will your club be one of them this year?
Please follow this link to sign up or if you are a club and want a certain day/session that is still available, please email Larry, W1AST direct at W1AST@arrl.net or if you have any questions about the booth.
We do have a groups.io group at: https://groups.io/g/ProjectBigE
Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvo1vUzuuJTHbTtDLeApQQD1m4ZzX9kVe_hF2416e6apho3g/viewform
Help to make this year’s Ham Radio Booth at the Big E a success, please volunteer!
73,
Larry, W1AST
- ARRL WMA Affiliated Club Coordinator
- HCRA President
- Visit my Ham Radio club website at: www.HCRA.org
- Team K2H – 13 Colonies Massachusetts State Manager
- Project Big E 2022 & 2023 Organizer
- Proud Member of ARRL, FCARC & YCCC
- 413-348-3289
- W1AST@arrl.net
Maine Mesh Network Communication Update #4
Maine ASM Cory Golob, KU1U, writes:
Mesh Network Communication Update 4
Monday June 5, 2023
Bill NG1P went to Blackstrap Mountain in Falmouth on Thursday June 1, 2023 to get the site online. The Switch and Point-to-Point dish were installed. The dish is pointing at Brunswick, however, they are not optimized at the moment. The connection will be improved when the smaller
lightweight dish for Brunswick comes in.
The key task is making sure we do not have to visit sites more than once (to keep costs down). We do not have permission to install panel antennas at the moment, only an agreement in place is to install one antenna. Waiting for approval on panel antennas.
The Falmouth Site is operational and shows up on the Mesh dashboard, however, signal strength will be low until equipment comes in for Brunswick.
Lightweight Dishes are expected to arrive at the end of June. The Rocket Radios are not due to arrive until September.
The next step will be to start making a path from Brunswick to either Litchfield or Wales, depending on which site makes it easier to approve getting equipment installed. Talks are being held to use the Litchfield site.
The green light has been given to build the connection between Dixmont to Dedham.
Bill NG1P has submitted an invoice for the tower work done on Blackstrap in Falmouth and is pending payment from MARF. There is a major concern about the tower costs. When quotes were obtained it was $100 per hour once the climber arrived on scene plus travel costs, but the travel cost on the initial bill showed the $100 per hour as part of travel time. The grant will not be sustainable for the project at this rate. If anyone knows of insured climbers that can keep the costs more in line with what was quoted, please contact me.
We are also seeking assistance from people who can help out going to tower sites and assist with installation and also those who are interested in helping with the programming of equipment. Please let me know if you are interested, or know somebody, who may be interested in these duties. This should not be a one person job and it would be nice to see the community pitch in to offer technical assistance.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cory Golob
HamXposition 2023 Online Ticketing is Now Available
HamXposition Vice Chair Bob DeMattia, K1IW, writes:
Come join us at the Best Western Hotel and Conference Center August 25 through 27 for New England’s largest full service ham convention. We have your traditional flea market and exhibitor area, but also have a full complement of seminars and presentations including our special Friday and Saturday dinner-speakers. We also offer a tech-in-a-day class, VE exams and fox hunts.
Come visit our website to see all we offer—and to buy your tickets.