Operating

WX1GYX QRV for 2021 SKYWARN Recognition Day, December 4, 2021

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SKYWARN Recognition Day logoFrom New England SKYWARN Net Facebook page, WS1SM Ham Radio Blog:

For 22 years, SKYWARN™ Recognition Day, developed jointly by the National Weather Service and the American Radio Relay League, celebrates the contributions that volunteer SKYWARN™ radio operators make to the National Weather Service.

Similar to last year, because of COVID-19 restrictions, ham operators will not have access to the NWS Gray facility, but we encourage you to take turns activating the WX1GYX call sign, either from your home stations, portable, or mobile, during the event.

If you’d like to use the WX1GYX call sign during SRD, please click here to sign up for a time/band slot. We hope to have at least one operator from each of the counties in the NWS Gray, Maine Weather Forecast area, so spread the word!

Participants are asked to log contacts in an electronic logging program, such as N1MM, and submit to kb1hnz@yahoo.com in an ADIF format.

During the periods that you’re not using the WX1GYX call sign, operators may also use their personal call signs to exchange their name, SRD number (which can be obtained here) and current weather conditions with other participating stations.

The event website provides complete operating guidelines, including the suggested exchange. SRD is a fun on-air activity that feels very much like a contest, but its informal. There’s no rules or band limitations. You can even use repeaters!

73,

Tim Watson
KB1HNZ

RASON Fox Hunt, Norwich, CT, November 20, 2021

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Mark Noe, KE1IU, writes on the ctfoxhunter list:

RASON will be sponsoring a foxhunt on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 at 1:30 PM.  Weather forecast is partly sunny and 50 degrees!  This foxhunt will follow our conventional format.  I will be hiding in a public location somewhere in the Norwich, CT area (see the map below).  

You can download a map that could be useful (for those wishing to use a paper map) at this link: https://d85bc6ea86296c327d7f-fc14fae93feb1cf1ff31873061ee8f7d.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/62/1641/Norwich2016Reduced.pdf.  Page 2 has a complete map of Norwich, which I think you will find helpful.

There will be three transmitters running – on the following frequencies:

146.335 MHz – 1 mW (KE1IU Fox H listed on our website)
145.910 MHz – 10 mW (KE1IU Fox I listed on our website)
146.585 MHz – 0.5 W (KE1IU Fox J listed on our website)

Our website is https://rason.org

These transmitters will be hidden on location, so you can hunt for them when you arrive.  

In addition, I will have a mobile rig tuned to the N1NW repeater (146.730 MHz, PL 156.7), so you can track me from the input.  Listen for me on 146.130.  I will transmit on request, and we will also use this frequency for hints.

All hunters should check in so that I can end the hunt when the last person has found me.  

Let me know if you have any questions.

Many thanks,

-Mark

New Winlink HF Node at W1AW

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Mike Walters, W8ZY, writes:

We finally have a CT based Winlink HF node to test. This is a duplex node so there are two frequencies available. It will only connect to one at a time so if it is connected you will not connect on the other frequency. If you have Winlink HF capability I would like to get a test and let me know how it works. It is capable up to Pactor 3. We have not turned on VARA yet but will soon. We want to get some preliminary tests first. Look for:

           W1AW-10
            3584.0 kHz

           W1AW
           7058.5 kHz

Use it and let me know if you can connect and if it seems to work ok. I appreciate the help.

Thanks,
Mike, W8ZY
W8zy@hotmail.com

Fox On the Loose, Manchester, CT Vicinity, November 10, 2021

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Paul Gipson, N1TUP, writes on ctfoxhunter list:
 

Greetings Fox Hunters,

 
Fox 91.5 has been deployed, as 4 pm yesterday, November 10, 2021. In keeping with Chuck’s naming convention I have changed the name of Fox Box #4 to 91.5. It makes sense to name the box with the PL tone frequency, thereby saving the need to lookup the PL tone. Nothing else has changed, just the name.
Fox 91.5
At its new location, the fox is running the usual 2 watts into a 18 inch antenna. Since their is no starting place for finding the hidden transmitter, all you can do is while going about your travels, periodically try to activate the hidden transmitter. Your first try may be from home. You do this by going on the 2 meter simplex frequency of 146.550 MHz (PL 91.5 MHz), key your transmitter, ID and then send a DTMF “1”. If the FoxBox 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. You can make it transmit as often as necessary to find it.


Once someone has been able to bring it up and hear it, please report that information to the other fox hunters. Feel free to reply to the group. Do not reveal its location, just a location (and direction if possible) from which you are able to hear it. This then becomes a starting point for the other fox hunters to use.

You do not actually have to touch the box to claim finding it. Eye ball contact is sufficient. It is located less than 500 feet from a safe parking location.

Good luck,

Paul, N1TUP
 

Hint: try North Manchester

 

Technician Parks On The Air Event, Blue Hills Reservation (MA), November 20, 2021

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Parks On The Air logoThe Boston Amateur Radio Club is hosting a Technician Class POTA day on November 20th at Chickatawbut Hill. Included is a press release for you to include in your club newsletter should you see fit.  All hams are welcome to attend. 
 
After the event Join us at the 110 Grill in Braintree afterwards for some food and drinks! Please include in your email if you will be joining us at 110 Grill so we can make a proper reservation.
 
 
Brendan Baldonado
President 
Boston Amateur Radio Club
 
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Boston Amateur Radio Club Announces a Technician POTA Day, November 20th 10:30 am.

The Boston Amateur Radio Club will host a Parks On The Air (POTA) event with a special invitation to Technician license holders and new hams on November 20th, 2021. The event will take place in the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton at the Mount Chickatawbut summit. We will attempt to “activate” the park according to POTA rules using VHF, UHF, and the Technician
segments of the HF bands.

Bring your handheld and any other radio you want to try out on the summit. The club will provide some power sources and a few different antennas for you to experiment with.

You will also have an opportunity to operate on six and ten meters. Brendan, NW1S, and Joe, NV1W, will be on hand to answer questions and help introduce you to amateur radio in the great outdoors. There will even be prizes for accomplishments things like most contacts made, farthest contact, and most Technician bands used. Afterwards there will be a social event of food and drinks. You may park at a lower parking lot and hike the short path to the summit. The Boston Amateur Radio club is attempting to organize a car to bring those who cannot or wish to not walk the distance to the summit. Further information on the Blue Hills can be found at https://friendsofthebluehills.org.

Please email Brendan, NW1S at nw1s.brendan@gmail.com if you’re planning to attend.

Join us at the 110 Grill in Braintree afterwards for some food and drinks! Please include in your email if you will be joining us at 110 Grill so we can make a proper reservation.

We look forward to seeing you at the summit! Updates on the Tech POTA Day can be found at BARC.org, and @W1BOS on Facebook and Twitter.

Do you want to participate without making the trek up Mount Chickatawbut? You can hunt our operators on Saturday. Look for us on the POTA.app spot page, the @W1BOS Twitter or on the National Calling Frequencies. We invite your club to get on the Air with our Technicians and test out your VHF and UHF Equipment.

# # #

Greater Bridgeport (CT) ARC Fox Hunt, November 7, 2021

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cartoon turkey operating ham radio stationPeter Cimino, K1PCN, writes on the Greater Bridgeport ARC wiki:

It is the season for pumpkin pie, apple cider and of course our monthly Turkey hunt. I, K1PCN-Peter, will be with the turkey at his roost somewhere in the greater Fairfield-Easton Region. The hunt will begin at 10AM. All GBARC and non-GBARC members are welcome to participate. The hunt will start at the park and ride at Exit 44 off the Merritt Highway (intersection of rt 58 and Merritt). The turkey will allow me to give hints every 15 minute or so. They will be radio and science based clues. One will be given in morse code-so be prepared.

The hints will be vague in the beginning and more specific to the end. Hot cider and donuts will await you at the roost. The purpose of the turkey hunt is to find a hidden radio transmitter. The turkey will not be harmed.

Recommended Starting Location:  Park & Ride Exit 44 off Merritt Parkway

Starting Time: 10:00 AM Local 

Fox Frequency:  147.485 MHz Simplex

Fox Power:  5W into a 1/4 wave antenna dropping to 1W at 11:30

Sponsor:  Peter K1PCN

Check in on:  441.700 or 146.445 Repeaters or Echolink (recommended)

En-Route Communications:  Contact K1PCN on the above repeaters or call 203-767-5888

GBARC fox hunt map

RASON Fox Hunt, Norwich CT, November 6, 2021

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Mark Noe, KE1IU, writes on the ctfoxhunter list:
 
A fox hunt will be held at Mohegan Park in Norwich, CT (https://norwichct.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/122).  The hunt will run on Saturday, Nov. 6 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM.  Find as many foxes as you can in 2 hours.  We will have multiple fox boxes hidden around the park.  The frequencies of the boxes are listed below:

Fox H: 146.335 MHz; 1 mW output; Tx ON 100%, 300ft. range + CW ID.

Fox I:145.910 MHz; 25 mW; Tx ON 100%, 1 mile range.

Fox J:146.585 MHz; 0.5 W; Tx ON one min, 5 sec. OFF, Range 2 miles, CW ID.

Fox C – K1DCT: 147.455 MHz; 81 mW; 3 seconds on, 3 seconds off continuous

Fox B – NA1CN: 146.550 MHz; 1 Watt; PL 114.8; DTMF 1 to activate; 50 seconds of tones + CW ID

More foxes may be added, and if so I will send the frequencies out before the weekend.  Beginners are welcome, and if you meet me in the Upper Parking Lot, I will be happy to show you how to hunt.  Talk in on 146.730 MHz  (PL of 156.7).  If you are unlicensed and would like to get in contact with me, send me an e-mail at KE1IUMark@gmail.com and I will give you my cell number.

Many thanks,

-Mark

Mark Noe

CQWW SSB Contest, October 30-31, 2021

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CQ logoJohn Dorr, K1AR, writes on the cq-contest list:

Good morning contesters!

What is the world’s largest radio contest that takes place during the last weekend of October, attracting more than 40,000 participants? You guessed it — the CQ WW! As you may have noticed, band conditions are rapidly improving. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the current solar bounty will last through the weekend.

I also want to remind you of two new additions to this year’s contest.

First, there is the new YOUTH overlay. If you’re 25 or under, you will have a special place in the CQ WW contest, including the opportunity to receive one of 14 new plaques that have been sponsored just for you. Whether you’re 25 or 85, spread the word. Let’s show the world that the Youth movement in contesting is alive and well!

Finally, we also have created a new EXPLORER category designed to allow experimenters to be creative in their technical approach to the CQ WW with relaxed rules and a sandbox to compete against others with similar interests. For more information, check out: <https://cqww.com/explorer.htm>.

No matter what category you enter, be sure to have fun! I hope to hear many of you this coming weekend!

73, John, K1AR
CQ WW Contest Director

[See rules at <http://www.cqww.com/rules.htm>]

Hampden County (MA) RA Halloween Fox Hunt, October 31, 2021

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Hampden Co RA logoLarry Krainson, W1AST, writes on ctfoxhunter:
 
W1TRK (Chris) will be the Halloween Fox for this Sunday’s FoxHunt. He will be within 10 air miles of the starting point.
 
Starting Point: The back parking lot at the Holyoke Mall near where Whitney Ave turns left and right.
 
Time: 10:00 am
 
Hunting on the input to the KB1AEV 146.715 (PL100.0) repeater which is 146.115
 
This is a live and in person Fox Hunt.
 
Base stations are invited to give bearings and signal reports.
 
Time Limit: 2 hours
 
Everyone invited to join in the fun!
 
I hope to see you at the starting point!
 

Larry, W1AST

​HCRA​ President