Organization

The May, 2025 Western MA Section Newsletter is now available at https://wma.arrl.org/blog/2025/05/04/section-managers-report-may-2025/.

May is full of ham radio events which Maine hams can partake and enjoy.  This weekend is the New England QSO Party in which I am sponsoring an award plaque for the top Maine scorer in the single op, qrp category.  Last year only three Maine hams submitted logs in this category!  Hopefully more will participate AND make log submissions this year.  There are other categories like high power, multi-op, etc. Scroll down to see Tom Frenaye’s (K1KI) article on this awesome and fun event.

Hermon Hamfest May 31

Take note of the date change for the Hermon Hamfest which is Saturday May 31 from 8am until noon at the Hermon High School.

Maine-Wide POTA

Saturday, May 17, all Maine hams radio clubs and individuals are encouraged to put a qualified Maine park on the air. This is the brain child of Assistant Maine Section Manager Jeff Hanscom KA1DBE. Last year’s inaugural event we nt great. Let’s start a tradition! Check parksontheair.com for details.

NEQP by Tom Frenaye K1KI
NEQP.org

The New England QSO Party on May 3rd and 4th is a great time to check out antenna systems and offers a moderately paced opportunity to work new states and countries. You’ll find a wide variety of participants, from newcomers to experienced contesters, all interested in making contacts with New England stations.

Our goal is to get every one of the counties in New England on the air so we hope you will encourage your members to join in the fun! Even if you can join the fun for a couple of hours, we’d appreciate it!  Will you be QRV? Let us know with a message to info@neqp.org

The New England QSO Party is 20 hours long overall, in two sections with a civilized break for sleep on Saturday night.  It runs from 4 pm Saturday until 1 am Sunday, then 9 am Sunday until 8 pm Sunday.  Operate on CW, S SB and/or digital modes on 80-40-20-15-10 meters.  For each QSO you’ll give your callsign, a signal report and your county/state.  Top scorers can earn a plaque and everyone who sends in a log with 25 QSOs or more will get a certificate.  The goal is to work stations anywhere in the world – and their goal is to work New England stations, so you’ll be very popular!

Last year we had logs from 212 New England stations and 516 more logs from around the country and world.
Please make some QSOs even if you don’t want to send in a log!
Thanks!
73 Tom/K1KI

The 48th Eastern VHF Conference, May 9-11 in Windsor CT

Three Members of the Contoocook Valley Radio Club are involved with procuring Door Prizes for the VHF Convention:  Don Twombly, W1FKF, Lanette Twombly, KA1NKD, and myself, W1MKY.  This is my 17th year to be Co-Chair of the Door Prize Committee.  We usually collect around $8,000 dollars worth of Prizes, and have a big extravaganza giving out Prizes at our Saturday Night Banquet.  – I try to make it so you win something that at least equals the cost of your Banquet Ticket.  Why do I do this year after year?  The attending Hams approach the Podium with their winning tickets. They are so excited that they look like kids approaching the Christmas Tree!  Their big smiles make me want to ask Radio and Electronics Companies to provide Door Prizes!

Dale, AF1T, will present his new Talk, “Looking at Loops: A visual Survey of Loop Antennas”.  There will be lots of other good talks, all day, on Saturday, May 10th.  Banquet that evening. Flea Market at the great Vintage Radio Museum, (also in Windsor, CT) on Sunday morning.  Conference Registration is $40.00.  Hotel rooms at The Hilton Garden Inn are $149.00. Code: NEWEEK”.  The Northeast Weak Signal Group puts the Conference on each year.  Would someone else  like to present?   Write to: w1ghz.q@gmail.com

If you are interested in VHF Radio, this is the Conference for you!  You are invited!  Look on: www.newsvhf.com  to see the latest schedule, the Hotel

Information and to see who is coming.

——————————————————————–
ARRL Maine Section
Section Manager: Philip W Duggan, N1EP
n1ep@arrl.org
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Hello members of WMA.

On our website, https://wma.arrl.org/ you will see posted the recent list of people that recently got their licenses. I want to remind you to view the list and try to reach out to them and welcome them to the hobby and offer assistance to get on the air, and also to invite them to your local club. This is important as new hams may drift away they do not know how to get started. Your clubs can benefit greatly by getting new members. VE team leads can also help by getting the email address from the successful candidate and sending it to the club for outreach. Sample magazines, brochures, etc you can give them is a great start. Check our website regularly as we will post these every month.

Thanks and 73
Ray AA1SE

——————————————————————–
ARRL Western Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Raymond P Lajoie, AA1SE
aa1se@arrl.org

Greetings! I hope this finds you well… and RADIO ACTIVE.

CONTENTS
– Getting New Hams Started “Right”
– CT Section Manager Cabinet Openings
– Volunteering at Public Service Events
– Upcoming Hamfests
– ARRL Field Day 2025
– National Weather Service: SKYWARN Spotter Training

Getting New Hams Started “Right”

With more people getting their License, why do so many New Hams drop the hobby after 1 year? Is it because of fear, ignorance, sheer frustration, or being overwhelmed? Every NEW HAM Needs Support.

Amateur Radio is all about building friendships and helping others. In ham radio we call that person an “Elmer”. So, if you see a New Ham, make a friend and offer to help him get started right. Help them Get On The Air and bring them to ham events. Your kindness will go a long way and will be greatly appreciated by the New Ham.

Clubs: Here’s an idea! Consider creating a roster of Ham Buddies pair to New Hams – especially when they pass their first license test at your VE Testing Site.

Section Manager (SM) Cabinet Openings

Each SM appoints a cabinet of leaders who are in charge of ARRL programs within the Section. You will always find a list of these leaders on the Section page of the ARRL web site. Our leaders train and recommend operators to the Section Manager for an ARRL appointment once the operator has the requisite skill set. ** Appointees to the Field Organization must be ARRL members. **

Due to Covid and the normal course of retirements and relocations, your new Section Manager is looking for a few sharp individuals to assist on the SM Cabinet We are currently looking to fill the following 4 positions:

State Government Liaison (SGL)

The SGL reports to the SM and keeps up with legislation that affects Amat eur radio in Connecticut at the State level. He recommends others for appointment as Local Government Liaisons (LGLs) and coordinates their activi ties. Together, this team informs the Amateur Radio community about legislation, and recruits support for bills that will enhance our service.

Affiliated Club Coordinator (ACC)

The ACC reports to the SM and keeps track of club listings, club officers, club activities, and encourages Special Service certification. The ACC is the key point of contact for affiliated clubs, and clubs seeking designation as an ARRL Affiliated Club.

Public Information Coordinator (PIC)

Reporting to the SM, the PIC promotes publicity about Amateur Radio in the Section and appoints Public Information Officers (PIOs). If you are interested in communicating with the Media in your area, you can become a PIO with some additional training.

Section Youth Coordinator (SYC)

The role of the SYC is to: assess youth activity within ARRL affiliated clubs, promote youth related on-air activities, encourage youth related programs and activities within clubs and, provide youth related ideas and resources to Amateur Radio Clubs within the Section. The SYC will need to build a small team of Assistants to make it happen across the state.

Good news: The previous SYC established relationships with the 4 CT based Councils of Scouting America (previously known as: Boy Scouts of America) over the past 7 years.

Volunteering at Public Service Events

These events (Bike-Athons, Run-Athons, Walk-Athons, Swim-Athons, etc) are great opportunities to help out a worthy cause and practice your hobby in a real world situation requiring communications support. Right now, I have the following events listed:

April
Sunday – 4/13 (7 am)
Cheshire Half Marathon & 5K
Cheshire High School
Contact: Eric – KB1JL kb1jl@pm.me

Saturday – 4/19 (8:45 am)
Niantic Boardwalk 5K
Niantic, CT
Contact: Harrison – W1HAF w1haf@yahoo.com

May
Sunday. 5/18
Bloomin’ Metric Bike Ride
Sherwood Island State Park,
Westport, CT
Contact: TBA

Sunday, May 18 (9 am)
Baystate Trail Riders Horse Event
Thompson, CT
Contact: Brian – N1BAM

June
Sunday, 6/8/25 – Litchfield Hills Road Race (11 am)
Litchfield, CT
Contact: Paul – KB1TOR paulgibb@optonline.net

CT Hamfests

We have 3 Hamfest coming soon. You really don’t want to miss them! – Grab a few Ham buddies and carpool up together and have a great time.

Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
What: SECARS Amateur Radio Fleamarket/Hamfest
Sponsor: SouthEastern Connecticut Amateur Radio Society
(https://secars.org)
Place: Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall,
1650 CT Route 1 2, Gales Ferry
Time: 8:30 am – 2 pm

Date: Fri./Sat./Sun., May 9 – 11
What: 48th Eastern VHF/UHF/Microwave Conference
Sponsor: The North East Weak Signal Group
Place: Hilton Garden Inn
Corporate Drive, Windsor
(I-91 Exit 38 to Day Hill Rd.)
Time: See Flyer
Flyer: https://www.newsvhf.com/conference/

Date: Saturday, May 17
What: Goshen Hamfest
Sponsor: Southern Berkshire Amateur Radio Club (SBARC)
Place: Goshen Fairgrounds, 116 Old Middle Street, Goshen CT
(Just south of the Traffic Circle on Route 4)
Time: 8 am – 1 pm

ARRL FIELD DAY 2025 is COMING!

June 28 – 29
Time is starting to get short on planning your ARRL Field Day (FD) 2025. If you are a member in a Club, I encourage you to take an active role and participate – The More, The Merrier! However, i f you operate solo or in a small team, now is the time to start organizing and planning where you will be, getting site permission, etc. Info about ARRL FD 2025 can be found at: https://www.arrl.org/field-day

PROMOTING FIELD DAY and AMATEUR RADIO

A) You can now order ARRL FD Shirts, Patches, Pins, Caps, Etc at the ARRL STORE https://tinyurl.com/426zfnp2

B) Look for a PUBLIC location where you can get a good amount of visitors walking by. – Easy access, parking, and lots of Signage is key.

C) Don’t keep your FD site a secret! Put your site on the ARRL FD Locator Map…TODAY! Please be sure to post your operating site on the FD Locator Map, and let us see where you are operating. Map Link: https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator

The FD Locator Map is a powerful tool in promoting Amateur Radio and encouraging Hams and Non-Hams (including Municipal and State officials) to visit.

National Weather Service: SKYWARN Spotter Training

Radio amateurs participating as SKYWARN volunteers assist the NWS with real-time observations of adverse weather conditions that pose an imminent threat to life and property. Those alerts may include tornadoes, waterspouts, damaging hail, blizzard conditions, sleet, strong winds, heavy rainfalls and flooding, dust storms, damage assessment, and other significant anomalies. NWS personnel can utilize information from ham radio operators to issue alerts or assess threat levels to areas that may be affected by abnormal conditions.

Thursday May 8th, 2025
600-800 PM EDT:
Mashantucket Police Department
100 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket, CT 06338
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration Required:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBOyyaQLmM5fupa2_pkoXvhaWOhvtE6d3NK8Wg6uIeBLyLCQ/viewform

Tuesday June 17th, 2025
600-800 PM E DT:
Vernon Public Safety Building
280 West St, Vernon, CT 06066
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration Required:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_SKwP0NjpObpoYB3cpkICYejZgxWdzkuAk-wktJqqFlcmfQ/viewform

SEE YOU ON THE AIR!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
73, Douglas Sharafanowich – WA1SFH
ARRL Section Manager, Connecticut
Cell: 203-494-3885
wa1sfh@optimum.net

Hi everyone, welcome to Spring. (I think!) The April Section report is live in the https://wma.arrl.org/ website. I have now been learning to post these to help out Gil, WK1H as his schedule sometimes get’s in the way.

Think about the Ham Radio Open House coming up and see if your club could benefit from this event.

Boston Marathon is coming also. I may see you out there in the crowd of amateur’s. Say Safe out there.

Thanks and have a great one!
73
Ray AA1SE

——————————————————————–
ARRL Western Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Raymond P Lajoie, AA1SE
aa1se@arrl.org
——————————————————————–

Maine Section News

Happy Springtime Maine hams! It is nice to finally have the section email list restored after last year’s cyber attack. Do not worry. I’ll try not to send out these emails more than once a month unless something urgent comes up. Here is the latest section news:

Ellsworth Ham Radio Symposium

Did you know that the first non-military and non-commercial satellite put into orbit was built by Amateur Radio operators? Did you know that this was accomplished in 1961?! Amateur Radio operators have been involved with satellites from that moment on. Today there are 15 active amateur radio satellites in orbit and more on the way. Even the International Space Station is equipped with two amateur radio stations onboard.

Follow Jeff Hanscom, KA1DBE, through his keynote presentation as we learn about the history, the achievements, and how to actually track and talk to someone thro ugh and Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio (OSCAR).

Also featured at the symposium are Raspberry Pi 5 For Radio Amateurs by Phil Duggan, N1EP, Create a digital voice hotspot (Fusion, DMR, DSTAR) using a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 and WPSD, by Guy Mason, KN0O, and Emergency Preparations for the Ham Shack, by N1EP.

The symposium is Saturday, April 5 from noon until 4PM. Admission is by donation (any amount) and will benefit the host facility. Location Meadow View Apartments Phase IV Dining Hall, 25 Tweedie Lane, Ellsworth.  Talk-in is on the 146.910- (pl-151.4) repeater. Door prizes and refreshments.

MECN

The Maine Emergency Communications Net now meets twice a month. The second Sunday is the training net which will focus on radiograms and the National Traffic System initially, and eventually branch into ICS-213 message form procedures and Amateur Radio Emergency Service training.  Maine NTS and ARES a re teaming up to provide this training. All are welcome. The first MECN training net will be Sunday, April 13 at 5PM on or near 3.940 MHz. Maine Section Traffic Manager Jim Kutsch, KY2D, will conduct the radiogram training. Much appreciation to Jim and Maine ARES Section Emergency Coordinator Derrick Ouellette, KW1A, for their teamwork and other efforts for the Maine ARRL section. The 4th Sunday is the regular MECN for Emergency Coordinators and other leadership and ARES/NTS members to discuss and plan emergency preparations and related topics. Same frequency, same time.

Seagull Net Hours

The Maine Seagull Net has reverted to the spring/summer start hour of 5PM on 3.940MHz Monday through Saturday. Also on that frequency Sunday mornings is the Maine Public Service Net at 9am.

Maine Hamfests

The Hermon Hamfest is Saturday May 31 at the Hermon High School, kicking in the summer/fall hamfest season. Th e Maine ARRL Convention and Hamfest is Saturday, August 2 at the Civic Center in Augusta. The Alexander Hamfest is Saturday, September 20 at the Alexander Elementary School. The Windsor Hamfest has not yet been confirmed.

NEQP

Let’s get Maine on the air for the New England QSO Party May 3 – 4, 2025! Check out neqp.org for rules and details.

Maine-Wide POTA!

Clubs and individual Maine hams are requested to put a qualified park on the air Saturday, May 17. This is the second year in a row that Jeff Hanscom, KA1DBE, Assistant Section Manger, has organized this fun event.  Let Jeff know what park you will be operating from and send him some feedback after the event. Email ka1dbe@arrl.net. POTA rules are available at parksontheair.com

ARRL Dream System

Join or renew and donate for a chance to win an amazing Dream Station for your shack, which includes a brand new Icom IC-7760 Transceiver, I C-PW2 HF/50 MHz Linear Amplifier, and more! Details are available at https://www.arrl.org/arrl-sweepstakes#enter

HamX ’25

Ticketing is now available for HamX ’25, to be held August 21 through 25 at the Best Western Hotel and Conference Center in Marlborough, Mass. 

We have special news concerning our Friday DXCC dinner: DX Engineering (“DXE”) has graciously agreed to be the official sponsor for the Northeast HamXposition Friday evening DX/Contest Banquet. According to DX Engineering CEO Tim Duffy, K3LR, the company will donate six $100 gift certificates toward purchase of products from the company, along with a major prize of an Icom IC-7610 with a retail value of $3,250.00. The HamXposition Committee wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Tim Duffy and the DX Engineering team for their generosity! 

The IC-7610 will be the major door prize for the Friday DXCC Dinner, which is featu ring well-known international DXer/Contester Ned Stearns, AA7A. Ned will talk about Remote DXpeditioning and the Radio-In-a-Box (RIB) technology.

Learn more about the entire convention at hamx.org.

ARRL to Gather Comments from Members on FCC’s Public Notice

Dear ARRL Member, 

On March 12, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Public Notice titled “In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete,” seeking input from the public on FCC rules that may be outdated, unnecessary, or in need of modification. This inquiry is part of the FCC’s ongoing effort to alleviate regulatory burdens across various services, including the Amateur Radio Service.

As part of this review, ARRL is conducting a thorough examination of the provisions in Part 97 and related rules that affect amateur radio operators. ARRL’s written comments, which will be prepared by our FCC Counsel and the ARRL Executive Comm ittee, will include consideration of feedback we received from members.

Members who want to share comments and concerns about this matter are urged to share your feedback directly with ARRL. Please submit your comments by March 31, 2025 and use the following feedback form:

www.arrl.org/fcc-public-notice-march-2025

ARRL will submit our official filing to the FCC by the April 11 deadline. After that, there will be an opportunity for reply comments at the FCC until April 28, and then later, opportunities for public comment on any rules the FCC proposes to delete or modify.

 While the FCC Public Notice is a broad inquiry that does not single out any specific radio service, ARRL is nonetheless committed to protecting the Amateur Radio Service, promoting its public interest goals, and ensuring your right to access radio spectrum.

ARRL will continue to work on this matter, and we will inform m embers as more news develops.

 Thank you, 73

ARRL Executive Committee

Get On The Air!!!

On HF, if you hear strong FT8/FT4 signals on the digital part of the band, and it is all quiet on CW or Phone, start calling CQ! It is quiet because no one is on the air in those modes, but hams might be listening. Call CQ and maybe post yourself on a DX spotting web site.

——————————————————————–
ARRL Maine Section
Section Manager: Philip W Duggan, N1EP
n1ep@arrl.org
——————————————————————–

Section Manager Newsletter – March 2025

The March 2025 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/2025/03/17/march-2025-section-news/.

The February, 2025 Western MA Section Newsletter is now available at https://wma.arrl.org/blog/2025/02/05/section-managers-report-feb-2025/.

The ARRL Board of Directors met on January 17 and 18. The minutes for the meeting are not available yet, but I promised to have a Zoom conference call after the meeting to give you an update. It’s been a busy few weeks since I took office!

Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, and I plan to hold an information session to give you the update on Saturday, February 1st at 1:00 pm via Zoom for New England Division ARRL members.

I hope you’ll join us as we work on some important initiatives for ARRL. We’re looking forward to your comments and suggestions.

Zoom connection info is below.

Very 73,

Tom Frenaye, K1KI

Tom Frenaye is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: New England Division update
Time: Feb 1, 2025 1:00pm Eastern Time

Join Zoom Meeting
us02web.zoom.us/j/86198518946?pwd=gsajtjrdCP9E2M88pmRLwk9KEEPH3R.1
Meeting ID: 861 9851 8946
Passcode: 592706

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Dial by phone

+1 646 931 3860 US
Meeting ID: 861 9851 8946
Passcode: 592706

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Tom Frenaye, P O Box J, West Suffield CT 06093. c: 860-597-4539 h: 860-668-5444
Tom Frenaye, K1KI
New England Division Director
k1ki@arrl.org