New England CW Friends Meets Weekly via Zoom

Larry Krainson, W1AST, writes on the Hampden County Radio Association mailing list:

Did you know there is a group in New England that discusses all things CW?

Learn about it here and join their weekly Zoom meetings:

Starting Tuesday, December 21, the weekly CW friends zoom meeting will now start one hour later at 8 PM.

CW Friends weekly meeting
Time: Every Tuesday evening at 8 PM (new time)

At last week’s meeting we discussed: “Making the transition from a straight key to a keyer.”

This week one of the topics will be: “What are the elements for a complete CW contact.”

The New England CW Friends has a group.io along with the weekly Zoom meeting to help folks at all levels of experience with their CW.

https://groups.io/g/ne-cw-friends

[Contact Tom, K1TW, at k1tw -at- arrl -dot- net for Zoom conference details.]

“Ham Radio University” Going Virtual Again, January 8, 2022

Ham Radio University 2022 logoWith COVID-19 uncertainties precluding an in-person gathering for a second year, the 23rd annual Ham Radio University (HRU <http://www.hamradiouniversity.org/>) educational conference will be held as a virtual event again this year, on Saturday, January 8, 1300 – 2000 UTC, as an online GoToWebinar videoconference.

Advance registration is required and begins on December 20.

HRU 2022 will be adding five forums this year, for a total of 19 presentations by experts in a broad range of amateur radio activities, including Amateur Radio Emergency Communications. Other topics are:

*       Basics of HF Operating
*       Ham Radio Contesting and DXing
*       Communicating through Amateur Radio Earth Satellites
*       Software-Defined Radios
*       HF and VHF Digital Communications
*       Parks on the Air
*       SKYWARN
*       Cables and Connectors
*       Using Raspberry Pi Computers in Amateur Radio.

Online attendees will be able to ask questions of the presenters. Founded by Phil Lewis, N2MUN (SK), HRU also serves as the  online convention of the ARRL NYC-Long Island Section.

As in past years, participation in HRU 2022 is free; an optional donation of $5 is suggested. Additional information is online, including the schedule of forums and advance registration starting December 20

“The Big Stew,” December 18, 2021

Yankee Clipper Contest Club logoGreg, W1KM writes on the YCCC mailing list:

Just a reminder that the Big Stew (formally the Stew Perry Top Band DX Challenge) starts at 15Z, though for us for us it practically begins around 3:00 PM.   Great rules and activity, lots of 160m CW fun and challenge.   Several YCCC’ers, including K1EP, K1KI and W1UE are regular top scorers and will greatly appreciate calls. This contest has distance and power based scoring, so you get extra points if you work qrp stations. The exchange is simply your character grid square.  (No 5NN needed!).  One tip:  have a grid square map of the US handy (and of western Europe if you have a good antenna). 

There are a bunch of interesting plaques, including one sponsored by K1EP for top score for ‘youth’ under 25 that went to a very modest score last year.  So if either (do we only have 2??)  of our young hotshots want a classy plaque they might consider going for it.

As with all contests, the organizers, who do a terrific job with reporting the results, greatly appreciate all log entries. Plus the only way operators can get extra credit for low power and qrp qso’s is by cross-checking with submitted logs. 

Also today (just started!) is the Croatian CW contest—everybody works everybody, 160-10, with plenty of action from all of Europe.   K1ZZ is regularly a top scorer with well over 1000 qso’s and Dave will undoubtedly appreciate calls from YCCCers, even if only worth one point.

Greg W1KM

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ARRL Rookie Roundup CW Event is December 19, 2021

If you’re new to CW operating, the ARRL Rookie Roundup (CW), December 19, 1800 – 2359 UTC, is a chance to enhance your CW skills. The objective of the event is to encourage recent licensees to experience competitive amateur radio operating on HF.

A Rookie is anyone who was first licensed in the current calendar year or in the previous 3 calendar years (2021, 2020, 2019, or 2018), regardless of license class. If you were licensed earlier, you can still qualify as a Rookie if you haven’t made any contest contacts on CW before this Rookie Roundup.

Rookies will attempt to make as many contacts as possible during the 6-hour event. Rookies work everyone, and non-Rookies work only Rookies. Stations exchange call signs, first names, a two-digit year, and state/province (or DX, if appropriate). In the exchange, Rookies should send the last two digits of the year of your first contact. If you’ve never made any contest contacts using CW, or if you’re a non-Rookie, send the last two digits of the current year in your exchange. — Thanks to ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE

Algonquin ARC (MA) “Lantern Battery Competition,” January 1-March 31, 2022

Algonquin ARC logoSkip Youngberg, K1NKR, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:

Last year’s Lantern Battery Challenge was a success.  So our Activities Chairman, Joe said, “Let’s do it again!”

The event can be a great way to beat the winter doldrums.  The entire goal is threefold:  to have fun, to get on the air, and to see just what battery power can do around the shack.

This year’s rules are below.  You’ll see that you don’t have to go out and find “lantern” batteries this time.  Your inventiveness will determine just how much you spend in time and money getting on the air.

73,

Skip

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AARC’s 2022 LANTERN BATTERY CHALLENGE

The intent of the AARC LBC is to foster camaraderie among members and find out—in a light-hearted fashion—just how many QSOs can be extracted from a stack of batteries before they are depleted beyond the point of usefulness.  We’re continuing to call this the “Lantern” Battery Challenge even though there is no need to actually use expensive lantern batteries.

Activity period

AARC’s LBC will commence at 0000Z on 1 January 2022 and conclude at 2400Z on 31 March 2022.  Participants can join at any time during the challenge period but must finish by the end of the challenge.

Bands, Modes

Consistent with the terms of the participant’s license, operation on any band, using any mode, is permitted.

Energy Source (Batteries)

Batteries must be assembled from the equivalent of “D” cells or smaller.  Any combination of cells stacked in series not exceeding 15 volts is acceptable, provided that no more than two cells are connected in parallel anywhere in the stack.

     (Note that each of the lantern batteries used last year was the equivalent of four 1‑1/2 volt “D” or “F” cells in series, so two lantern batteries stacked in series yielded 12 volts.  Most rigs like 12V or higher and mis-perform at voltages under 10V.  Current drain depletes the cells quickly and reduces their voltage.  This year’s “connected in parallel” rule allows for starting with twice as much energy, increases the available current, and slows voltage depletion.)

[Full story]

 

Fun Radio Events

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!

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

W2AN/1BCG Special Event, December 11, 2021

1BCG special event2021 marks the 100th year anniversary of the historic Transatlantic Tests. On December 11, 2021 The 1BCG replica transmitter will be operating as W2AN/1BCG on 1.821 MHz, plus or minus, using CW, from The Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut. Transmissions from W2AN/1BCG will be one-way, just like the original transatlantic tests in 1921. You can get a SWL certificate for this Special Event by sending a copy of the transmitted message to 1BCG@AntiqueWireless.org

Schedule: Transmissions start on December 11, 2021, on 1.821 MHz, +/-, at 1800 EST or 2300 UTC, then every 15 minutes thereafter for a total of five hours thusly; 1815, 1830, 1845, 1900, 1915, 1930, 1945, 2000, 2015, 2030, 2045, 2100, 2115, 2130, 2145, 2200, 2215, 2230 and the last transmission at 2245 EST.

This special event is your opportunity to relive a historic moment in amateur radio history.

For more information, visit <http://1bcg.org/1BCG/>.

Western MA Section Manager’s Report, December 2021

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