Clubs

Hampden County RA/Franklin County ARC Potluck/Foxhunt/SOTA Event, September 19, 2021

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The Hampden County Radio Association is holding a Potluck/operating event at South Sugarloaf Mountain on Sunday, September 19, 2021 from 10:30 AM until 2:30 PM. 

“All members and friends of the Franklin County ARC and Hampden County Radio Association are welcome. Bring your spouse.  It’s a fun place for kids too.  Dogs are permitted on leash,” writes Larry Krainson, W1AST, HCRA President.

“Bring your [foxhunting] gear to Sunday’s Picnic & Radios. I plan on hiding a foxbox on the mountain somewhere. Foxbox 2 will be on 147.550 with a PL of 151.3. Pressing #1 on your keypad for a moment will activate the foxbox.  Take a picture of the foxbox or one with you in it and find me (W1AST) and show me.”

Parking on the summit is limited.  If you need a ride up, call on 146.52. RSVP to: <bc@councilman.com>.

“Please consider bringing something for the potluck.  We’ll be cooking burgers and hotdogs; bacon for the cheeseburgers while it lasts.  Also, please bring your favorite beverage (no alcohol).  Plenty of ice available,” Larry adds.

At 652′, South Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the most accessible and popular scenic outlooks in the region. SOTA enthusiasts might want to activate nearby Pocumtuck Rock. <https://sotl.as/summits/W1/MB-015>.

Additional information about Mt Sugarloaf State Reservation can be found at: <https://www.mass.gov/locations/mount-sugarloaf-state-reservation>.

K1SSN Sub Base Radio Station Needs Help

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

While the [U.S. Naval Submarine Base, located in Groton, Connecticut] station has been reestablished and their towers and antennas restored, they recently lost their callsign (K1SSN) custodian/trustee.  Bob, K1RJV, of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, was the custodian for many years.  For the past couple of years Rich, NL9H, of Green, Rhode Island, was the custodian. 

Currently the station is maintained by Air Force MARS members led by Ted, K1YON of Hartland, Connecticut (NW corner of the state).  Ted and his team are about two hours from the base.  Ted is looking for help from a local ham or one of the local clubs to pick up the call and assist/manage the station.  The individual does not need to be military.  Access to the base is not an issue.  If help is not found, the callsign will be lost and the equipment surplussed.

This is an idea opportunity for one of the local clubs to partnership with the base and very likely grow both clubs (the local club and the base club).  If not one of the clubs, perhaps someone out there is interested in coming to the aid of this historic station.  There are many possibilities here.  Can you help?  If so please answer this post and contact Ted, K1YON at k1yon@juno.com.  This is an important issue that needs help.

Burlington (VT) ARC Members Activate Sand Bar State Park (K-3140), Milton, VT, July 31, 2021

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POTA Activation, Sand Bar State Park, Milton VT 7/31/21Ed, W1OKH, writes on the Burlington ARC Facebook page:
 
Bob, K1BIF activated POTA (Parks on the Air) this past Saturday, July 31st from 10:00 until late afternoon at the Sandbar State Park in Milton, VT. Carl, AB1DD assisted along with several visiting hams including KB1FRW, W1FP, W1HRG and myself. Operation started on 20 Meter SSB but then switched to 40 meters due to poor conditions. Here is the link to Bob’s video of the POTA event which was a lot of fun. Hopefully we can do more of these going forward.
 
Ed / W1OKH
73 de BARC

AB1OC: “Recruit and Retain, Our Hobby’s Gain! Programs to Get New and Experienced Hams On the Air” at Maine ARRL Virtual Webinar, June 23, 2021

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From Maine ARRL Section Page:

The Maine ARRL section will present a virtual webinar entitled, ‘Recruit and Retain, Our Hobby’s Gain! Programs to Get New and Experienced Hams On the Air’ by Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, on Wednesday, June 23 at 7:30 PM.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE VIRTUAL TALK (It is recommended you download the FreeConferenceCall program for the best experience, but it will still work using just an internet browser). No Internet? No Problem. You can call in by phone. Dial-In phone number: (602) 580-9818 use Access Code 1240223

New England Affiliated Club Coordinators Meeting Recap

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ARRL affiliated club logoThe NEACC (New England Affiliated Club Coordinators) met on Saturday, June 19, 2021 to discuss various items related to affiliated clubs and the ARRL field organization. 

The agenda included:

* Introductions / brief remarks – everyone
* 6/9/21 Field Org / SM Zoom Meetings Recap – Phil, K9HI
* Intro: ARRL Field Services Manager – Mike, W8ZY
* NE Division Director challenger – Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC
* Club VE teams, support to candidates – Cory, KU1U
* WBZ 100th Anniversary Special Event Operation – Larry, W1AST
* Big E Update – Larry, W1AST
* NEACC story for QST

The next tentative meeting date is July 24, 2021 from 11-12:30 PM via Zoom.

Norfolk County (MA) Radio Association Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary With Special Event Operation

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From ema.arrl.org;

The Norfolk County Radio Association is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with a special event operation from 0000 UTC June 5 to 2359 UTC June 12, 2021 on the suggested frequencies of 3.825, 7.225, 14.235, 21.285, and 28.325 MHz as well as other frequencies at the discretion of club members.  Club members will operate their own stations using the club call W1AGR during this operating event. A special QSL will be available with an SASE to the club station trustee, K1HC, 422 Everett Street, Westwood, MA 02090. 

The club had its beginnings in Norwood, MA in 1921 when a group of young radio amateurs gathered to exchange ideas and help each other build their home-made radio equipment.  It originally became affiliated with the ARRL two years later, in 1923.  The club grew to include hams from local area towns and then re-organized in 1932, calling themselves the Norfolk County Radio Association.  The spirit of those early years continues today; its members are always ready to help others and mentor new hams getting started in amateur radio. NCRA members have made memorable contributions to amateur radio in technology and communications, including support for various public service needs such as municipal events, SKYWARN reporting, Red Cross, and local disaster training. 

Congratulations to the Norfolk County Radio Association for reaching this historic milestone.