Organization

New England Division 2022-1Q Cabinet Meeting, January 8, 2022

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ARRL New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, and Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, held the first quarterly division cabinet meeting of the new year on January 8, 2022 via Zoom. Approximately 50 amateurs representing ARRL-affiliated clubs and field organization leaders from all seven sections attended the morning meeting, along with two ARRL Headquarters staffers.  

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ARRL Welcomes New Director of Emergency Management

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From ARRL:

01/04/2022 – ARRL  The National Association for Amateur Radio® is pleased to announce the hiring of Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, into the role of Director of Emergency Management. Johnston is from Ozone, Arkansas, and comes to ARRL with 16 years of experience as the Director of Johnson County (Arkansas) Department of Emergency Management. He holds an Extra class Amateur Radio license as well as being an ARES® Emergency Coordinator, Volunteer Examiner, and ARRL-registered Instructor. Johnston is also certified in FEMA NIMS as well as CISA AUXCOMM Communications Unit Leader (COML). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Administration and Management from Arkansas Tech University.

“I am happy to welcome Josh to the ARRL staff and to add his talent and knowledge to our team,” said ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA. “His contribution will help ARRL continue to support our dedicated volunteers of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, improve opportunities for training, and advance our relationships throughout the EmComm community.” With extensive experience in inter-agency cooperation and planning, Johnston is well versed in the different aspects of emergency management and leading both professional and volunteer operators. He has experience in communications planning and execution in the field and at the local and state level. As an Arkansas Master Certified Emergency Manager and past Board Member of Arkansas Emergency Management Association, where he served as president for 2 years, Johnston has experience working with government and agency representatives as well as being boots-on-the-ground in the field.

Johnston will be based at ARRL’s headquarters in Newington, Connecticut and will be working with staff and member-volunteers, and coordinating with the ARRL Board’s new Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee (EC-FSC).

WMA Section Manager’s Report, January 2022

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WMA Section logoHello Western Mass and Happy New Year The latest report is now online at <https://wma.arrl.org/blog/2022/01/01/section-managers-report-jan-2022/>. Take a moment to have a look. Any club needing content for their newsletters are welcome to copy it.  I do ask for for continued efforts to get the word out about the reports and especially the website. Also consider 2022 a year to try something new, or volunteer in a club or section function. Much to choose from.

Have a great New Year!
73
Ray- AA1SE

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ARRL Western Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Raymond P Lajoie, AA1SE
aa1se@arrl.org
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Fun Radio Events

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Maine iconARRL Maine Section Manager Phil Duggan, N1EP, writes on the Maine ARRL Members list:

Holiday greetings to all ARRL members throughout Maine!

I wanted to let you all know about a few things coming up very soon.

On New Year’s Eve and Day, if you are not one to party through the night, then you might want to break out your straight key or bug and join in the fun of ARRL Straight Key Night (SKN). It is a lot of fun. I will be on mostly 80 meters, so if you hear me calling CQ SKN, have mercy on my slow copy and “PLS QRS,”  hi hi!  If you are a Technician class licensed amateur radio operator, don’t forget, you have CW privileges on parts of 80, 40, and 15 meters!

New Year’s Day is also Kids Day! Introduce your child, or a relative’s or friend’s child to amateur radio. Let them use your rig to make a contact, or if you hear some kids on the air, have a friendly QSO with them! You can find out more details on both SKN and Kids Day on the contest calendar of the ARRL web site. If you do participate in Kids Day, please let me know about it. My email is n1ep@arrl.org and thanks in advance.

Finally, on Sunday, Jan 9 at 1600 (4PM) on or near 3.840 MHz LSB, Maine ARRL Districts 3 and 4 are conducting a special 75 meter net to test the pathways between their respective counties and to get to know each other. (Hancock, Knox, Waldo, Washington, Aroostook, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Somerset Counties).  Anyone with general class privileges is welcome to check in, whether you are from Aroostook County, or even from York County in District one!

Again, may you all have a super holiday season. May we meet on the air soon and throughout the new year!

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ARRL Maine Section
Section Manager: Philip W Duggan, N1EP
n1ep@arrl.org
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Western MA Section Manager’s Report, December 2021

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WMA Section logoHi everyone. Yet another year over. (Just about.) The silly season is upon us. I do hope everyone and their families have a happy, healthy, safe Holiday Season and 2022. Clubs have been planning their festivities this month and no meetings. So, it’s been a little quiet this month.

Well, it has been well publicized of who the winner of the New England Director is in Fred, AB1OC. I hope our section will support him and his mission to bringing a fresh perspective to Newington and New England. He has a lot of great ideas and will be looking for assistance in bringing this to fruition.

The Mohawk Club is currently underway in building their club station in the Gardner Police building. The construction of a Rohn 45 tower and running cables for rotors and antennas has started. Hopefully by Spring it will be fully functional.

Also, a bit of news, as of Nov. 19 I am now AA1SE. This was a change I have been thinking of for a while. Problem is this change is as bad as moving! All the stuff I have to update. This call will be better in contests and will play nicely when I crack CW.

I guess if there is anything I may want for Christmas is 1) a greater readership of this website, 2) Hams to participate in activities especially in mentoring, licensing, and their clubs and section. As I start my new term in January, I may have a full plate as programs are likely launching to promote all the before mentioned items from different sources. The League is listening, our voices are getting heard. Your part will make a difference!

That’s about all I have for this month. Just a reminder to clubs that put out newsletters to send a copy to clubs@arrl.org so they see what’s happening out there.

Once again, Happy Holidays!

73 Ray, AA1SE