Organization

The April, 2022 Eastern MA Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/april-2022-section-news/.

Phil Duggan, N1EP, writes on the ARRL Members list:

Spring is here and hopefully the warmer days will be as well. Perfect time to bring your portable gear outside for some ham radio fun. I am looking forward to throwing a wire up over a tree limb at the local park and putting my Elecraft KX3 or Yaesu FT-817 to good use!

In Maine amateur radio news, I share the following with you:

– Longtime Maine Slow Speed Net manager and net control station Bobbie Donohue, W1JX, has retired from these positions. Bobbie was MSSN Manager for nine years and served as net control for more than 25 years! She was also a past net controller for the Maine Seagull Net. On behalf of the Maine section, I thank her for her dedication and contribution to the National Traffic System and amateur radio.  Her other half—Tom W1QU—also a past net manager, also retired as MSSN net control station. Bravo Zulu to Tom as well! Steve Sozanski, WA1HHK, has taken the helm of the MSSN. The cw net runs Monday through Friday at 6:00PM on 3.585 MHz.

– The Androscoggin Amateur Radio Club Hamfest & State Convention was a huge success. There were plenty of vendors, interesting speakers, and shoppers! The Women Radio Operators of Maine made their first appearance to a Maine Hamfest. They are a new group recently formed by Maine ARRL Assistant Section Manager and YL Champ Joan Hildreth, W1DLC. Congrats to Hamfest chairman Ivan Lazure, N1OXA, and all who helped put the event together.

– ARRL New England Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, presented awards to two clubs at the hamfest and convention. The Androscoggin ARC was recognized as the longest running club in Maine and for 70 years ARRL affiliation. The Ellsworth Amateur Wireless Association was lauded for 60 years of ARRL affiliation and for many contributions to amateur radio in Downeast Maine. Both clubs received plaques from the ARRL Board of Directors, and framed certificates listing their achievements.

– The Androscoggin Amateur Radio Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Great Falls Model Railroad Club, 144 Mill Street, Auburn. If you live in the area, attend their meeting and help grow the club!

– The new FCC fees are starting effective April 19. The $35 application fee applies to new license and renewal applications, and vanity call sign applications. Make sure you do your research on vanity calls. If your requested call is not available, you will not get a refund. The new fee does not apply to name, address, contact updates or license upgrades. The ARRL Board has approved a reduced ARRL VEC rate for kids under 18 and that fee will be $5 instead of $15, and the board also voted for a one-time reimbursement for the $35 FCC fee for kids under age 18 The ARRL is now working on how this reduced VE fee and reimbursement will be implemented starting April 19.  When an applicant takes an exam, they will only pay the VE team the $15 VE fee (or $5 child under 18), but will have to pay the FCC fee directly to the FCC.  It is important to very clearly list a working email address on the form 605. After the VEC sends the files to the FCC, then you will receive an email from the FCC with a link on how to pay the $35. Your application will not be accepted until you pay the fee.

– The new England QSO Party is May 7 – 8 this year. Don’t miss it.  Lots of hams will be looking for contacts from the six New England states. Let’s get Maine on-the-air in force for this contest. Details are available at neqp.org.

-Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) is getting more prevalent these days with all sorts of offending devices including wall warts, solar installations, electric fences, grow lights, and computers. There is an effort to form RFI Teams throughout New England supported by the ARRL.  Here in Maine I would like volunteers to form at least 5 teams. Members should have some technical know-how and also be able to work cooperatively with residents, businesses, and public utilities, as sometimes this is necessary.  The ARRL will provide RFI training to team members. Most RFI Team efforts will likely be over the phone, but some will require traveling to the location with test equipment to sniff out the RFI source. If you would like to be part of an RFI Team for your region of Maine, please email me n1ep@arrl.org.

-Field Day!  June will be here before you know it. Start making your Field Day plans now. Club or group stations should consider Field Day sites in public view, so we can promote this great hobby and service.  Don’t forget to make sure your Field Day operation is safe from RF exposure as well as electrical and physically safe!

-Join an amateur radio club if you haven’t done so already. There is a lot of fun associated with clubs. Operating events, interesting presentations, usually lots of food, and definitely great fellowship.  Here is a link where you can find a club in your area: http://www.arrl.org/find-a-club

-No club in your area? Then form one! Here is a link to instructions on how to form a ham radio club: https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Clubs/Starting%20a%20New%20Club.pdf

-NH Digital Training Net uses the NBEMS FLDIGI and meets Saturdays at 0700 for checkins and then the net runs from 0730 to 0800 on 3.582 MHz USB (1500 Hz offset) and usually uses modes THOR22 or MFSK32. In addition to FLDIGI, you will need FLAMP and FLMSG. These programs are all available for free on sourceforge.net. This is a great way to get up and running and proficient on some of the digital modes, and especially for emergency communications.

-I am still building the statewide Elmer (Mentoring) list and need more experienced hams to volunteer to help potential or new hams, and even longtime hams that need a helping hand. Any assistance you can provide, whether over the phone advice, or in-person help, would be greatly appreciated. Your name and region of Maine will be listed on our web site, but your contact info will not be made public. Instead, the person needing assistance will contact me, and then I will refer them to you.  The web site is listed here. I will be updating it ASAP.  https://www.mainearrl.org/mentors-elmers

-If you have any questions or need assistance, please email me n1ep@arrl.org.

73

Phil Duggan, N1EP
Maine ARRL Section Manager
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ARRL Maine Section
Section Manager: Philip W Duggan, N1EP
n1ep@arrl.org
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April 5, 2022

As many organizations and industries have struggled with supply chain issues, ARRL has been no exception. The supply of paper has become constrained for many reasons, and despite the best efforts of our publishing partner LSC Communications (formerly R.R. Donnelley) to mitigate those problems, getting paper for the May 2022 issue of QST was a challenge to ensure it was printed and distributed to members — and on time.

While other magazines have struggled to get their print edition delivered to subscribers, we were not going to let this be an issue for our members. As a result, we went to paper brokers to get paper, to ensure QST would be delivered. Regrettably, as you have probably seen, the paper is printed on different paper than readers are used to, and not what we would have liked. However, we are happy to know that members have been receiving their copies and enjoying them, despite the difference in this issue’s paper.

Please note that this is not a new direction for QST. We have not made a conscious decision to change the paper QST is printed on every month. Even though going to paper brokers is an expensive proposition, the ARRL Board and Staff will do what is necessary to keep the presses running for our membership journal. We are committed to ensuring that our members receive QST on a timely basis.

Even before the current supply chain problems, we were facing the reality that there are, today, fewer printers, fewer paper mills, and always-rising costs for paper, transportation, and mailing. This is not a short term problem – it will require our continued close attention as we manage the print side of our organization.

The good news is that ARRL committed to developing a parallel print-and-digital publishing competency over 10 years ago. Today, all members can access all four ARRL periodicals — QST, On the Air, NCJ, and QEX — in fully searchable digital editions. These are available to you any time and from anywhere.

73

David A. Minster, NA2AA

ARRL Chief Executive Officer

Following ARRL’s conversion to a new membership management system, these steps should be followed to sign in and access ARRL website features and services.

Thank you for your patience during the conversion!

If you need help, we’re here for you. Call us Monday – Thursday from 8 am – 7 pm (ET) and on Friday from 8 am – 5 pm (ET) or e-mail us at membership@arrl.org.

Early next week, our homepage will have a new look. You’ll also notice a new streamlined menu to help you quickly find what you need.

What this means to you:

• The arrl.org website and store will be unavailable from Friday, March 25 at 4 pm (ET) to Tuesday, March 29 at 8 am (ET) as we change over to the new system.
  During this time, the following actions will be limited: Online DXCC (single sign on capability), LoTW (member verification), PageSuite (access to digital magazines), and access to The ARRL Learning Center. ARRL.net email forwarding will still be functioning.
• Your Member Profile Page will be easier to update and navigate. Your existing usernames will be in the system, but for your security, you will need to create a new password the first time you access your profile.
• A consolidated checkout lets you renew, donate, and shop all in one transaction!

Need help?

We’re here for you! Call us (888-277-5289) Monday – Thursday from 8 am – 7 pm (ET) and on Friday from 8 am – 5 pm (ET) or email us at membership@arrl.org.

Have comments on the new online experience?

Let us know what you like about our new look and your suggestions for future updates at members@arrl.org.

Ray Lajoie, AA1SE, writes in the Western Massachusetts ARRL Members List:

Hello everyone,

Gil Hayes, WK1H, has stepped down as our affiliated club coordinator due to job obligations. I wish to thank him for his contribution to the section.

I am pleased to announce that Larry Krainson, W1AST, has accepted the position as club coordinator effective March 22. Larry is currently the President of the Hamden County Radio Association. Larry is an ARRL Life Member and licensed since 1977. He also is the 13 Colonies special event manager for Massachusetts and is leading the Big E expo display coming in September. Larry’s wife, Faye is always assisting him and also has a son who is an Eagle Scout and a ham.

Please join me in welcoming Larry to the section staff.

73
Ray-AA1SE

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ARRL Western Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Raymond P Lajoie, AA1SE
aa1se@arrl.org
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The March, 2022 Rhode Island Activity Report is now available at <https://nediv.arrl.org/rhode-island-march-2022-activity-report/>.

The March, 2022 Eastern MA Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/march-2022-section-news/.

Pete Stohrer, K1PJS, writes:

Calling NH Radio Amateurs March 2022:

With COVID in the rear view mirror for now clubs have begun meeting again face to face. Thanks to all at the Central NH Club for their invitation for the March 1st meeting. In addition to discussion of HB1644 and League happenings, a presentation on the 90th anniversary of WFEA was given.

The March 9th snowstorm postponed the CCDX meeting which has been rescheduled for April 13th. Thanks to the Contoocook club for providing early amateur radio swap activities at the Henniker Flea market Sunday March 20th. Go to k1bke.org for more info.

More activity coming up in April with the Port City flea market on April 9th. Check out the Club’s web site w1wgm.org for more info and of course Nearfest at the Deerfield fairgrounds returns for the spring version April 29 and 30. 

We were very saddened to hear of Wayne Santos, N1CKM, passing at the end of February. Wayne’s dynamic leadership helped guide the NH ARES program for many years. Wayne will be greatly missed and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Elizabeth.

Section has announced that Al Shuman, K1AKS, will be taking the NH ARES helm. Al is a former nine-times Section Manager and several stints as SEC. Having Al available and willing to step into the role of SEC will provide the continuity needed at this time. Please welcome him as he works to develop the ARES program in NH post Covid.

That’s it for now…hope to see you soon at the club meetings and flea markets!

73

Pete, K1PJS

NH Section Manager