Organization

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

—

Dial by phone

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

—
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

 
 Thursday evening session at the ARRL Board of Directors Meeting in Windsor, Connecticut. (K9HI photo)

 Radio Amateurs of Canada President Allan Boyd, VE3AJB/VE3EM, at this week’s ARRL Board of Directors meeting in Windsor, Connecticut. (K9HI photo)

New England Division

This is a short update as the new year opens. The ARRL Board of Directors will be meeting on January 17 and 18. While there is a draft agenda available, many of the reports and possible action items are just being circulated to the Board this week.

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/About%20ARRL/Board%20Meetings/Draft%20Agenda%202025%20(SH).pdf

We plan to hold an information session on Saturday, January 11th at 11am via Zoom for New England Division ARRL members to update you before the meeting. Zoom connection info is below.

This Zoom session will also serve as a way to gather your suggestions and ideas to use as we have discussions with other Board members before and during the Board meeting. We’ll hold another Zoom session after the Board meeting to report on what took place.

Thanks for your support as I return to the ARRL Board. I’m looking forward to working to move forward on a number of critical issues with the help of Vice Director Phil Temples/K9HI.

Very 73 and Happy New Year!

Zoom:

Tom Frenaye is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: New England Division
Time: Jan 11, 2025 11:00 Eastern Time

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81456003601?pwd=AUGEwOxiTasrcXHYhOsrC7X006xXuM.1

Meeting ID: 814 5600 3601
Passcode: 886125

Dial by telephone

• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
• +1 646 931 3860 US

Meeting ID: 814 5600 3601
Passcode: 886125

ARRL Maine Section Manager Phil Duggan, N1EP, writes:

Boat Anchor Hamfest

First Maine Hamfest of the year is Saturday, February 15 from 8am until noon at the Club Calumet, 334 West River RD, Augusta, ME. Admission $5. VE Session time to be determined. No table fees, so bring plenty of gear to sell or swap. Sponsored by the Augusta Amateur Radio Association. P.O.C George Szadis K1GDI email grszadis@aol.com.

Hams Needed For Can Am Sled Dog Race

Northern Maine is looking for volunteers! Fort Kent, Maine is hosting the annual Can Am Crown of Maine sled dog races. The event runs March 1st, 2nd and 3rd. If you are interested in volunteering to work communications at Net Control, one of the checks points, or anywhere help may be needed, please reach out to the Can Am Comms Chief, James Jalbert, kc1ecv@gmail.com. This is a great opportunity to use your ham radio skills, make some new friends, expand your network, and see the great Northern Maine in the winter time. Reach out to James for more info.

The January, 2025 Western MA Section Newsletter is now available at https://wma.arrl.org/blog/2024/12/30/section-managers-report-january-2025/.

From ARRL News:

ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® has introduced a sweepstakes, offering members the chance to win an Icom Dream Station including a limited-edition IC-7760 HF/50 MHz transceiver, IC-PW2 amplifier, and microphone, generously donated by Icom America. [Full story]

From ARRL News:

11/15/2024 — ARRL® The National Association for Amateur Radio® announces the results of the 2024 ARRL Division elections.

In the ARRL New England Division, Tom Frenaye, K1KI (1,593 votes), of West Suffeld, Connecticut, was declared the winner, defeating current Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC (1,452 votes).

Frenaye has previously served on the ARRL Board of Directors in several capacities, including as Director from 1985 – 1992 and from 1997 – 2018. He was named Director Emeritus in 2019. He served as ARRL Vice President from 1992 – 1996.

In the ARRL Hudson Division, incumbent Division Director Ed Wilson, N2XDD (949 votes), of Shirley, New York, was declared the winner, defeating John Crovelli, W2GD (719 votes). Wilson ascended to Director in July 2024, after the previous Director resigned. He had been Vice Director since 2023, a position to which he was appointed to fill a vacancy created when the previous Vice Director ascended to Director.

In August, the following incumbents and candidates were declared elected without opposition. In the Central Division, current Vice Director Brent Walls, N9BA, will be the next Director, and candidate Josh Long, W9HT, will be the next Vice Director. In the Hudson Division, Vice Director David Galletly, KM2O. In the New England Division, Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI. In the Northwestern Division, Vice Director Michael Sterba, KG7HQ. In the Roanoke Division, Director Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, and Vice Director Bill Morine, N2COP.

In September, Northwestern Division Director Mark Tharp, KB7HDX, was declared elected.

Winners will assume their roles for terms beginning January 1, 2025.

Members voted online or could request paper ballots. The election was conducted by third party Election Services Co., of Melville, New York — the same company that has conducted ARRL elections in 2022 and 2023. The tabulation was observed by Ethics & Elections Committee Chair, ARRL Southeastern Division Director Mickey Baker, N4MB.

ARRL is governed by its Board of Directors. Elections are held for five of the 15 ARRL Divisions each year, for terms of 3 years.

The 19th annual ARRL Online Auction preview is now open. Bidding begins at 10 am ET on Friday, October 18 and runs through 10 pm on Thursday, October 24.

This year’s auction features an assortment of product review equipment, vintage books, the popular ARRL Lab “junk” boxes, and new donated ham radio gear.

If you are interested in great bargains, a good cause, and some fun – check out over 200 items up for bid. Plus, keep an eye on the ARRL Facebook and Instagram pages for featured products and highlights throughout the event.

Proceeds from the annual Online Auction benefit ARRL education, licensing, and training programs. For more information visit arrl.auctionanything.com.

Sponsored by RT Systems Inc.