SHAFTSBURY — Ham radio operators from the Southern Vermont Amateur Radio Club (SOVARC) and the Greater Bennington County Area will be participating in a national amateur radio exercise from 2 p.m. on Saturday until 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 28 and 29. The event is ARRL Field Day (www.arrl.org/field-day), an annual amateur radio activity organized since 1933 by ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio in the United States. [Full story]
Public Relations
NH Governor Kelly Ayotte Issues Proclamation Designating June as “Amateur Radio Month”
For further information, contact NH ARRL Section Public Information Coordinator Skip Camejo
In public recognition of the valuable service that amateur radio operators provide to their communities at no cost, Governor Kelly Ayotte issued a formal proclamation designating June as “Amateur Radio Month” in New Hampshire.
Amateur radio operators, also known as ham radio operators, offer their services to their communities in time of emergency to assist local, state and federal public safety agencies in providing auxiliary communication capabilities to allow regular public safety communication systems to concentrate on the emergency. In particular, NH-ARES (New Hampshire Amateur Radio Emergency Service) has groups and members situated throughout the state to provide assistance as needed. ARES is an emergency communication organization sponsored by the ARRL (American Radio Relay League), the leading non-governmental amateur radio organization in the United States. In addition to ARES, the ARRL sponsors the NTS (National Traffic System) which routinely transmits message traffic by radiogram, similar to telegrams, throughout the country. In the event of an emergency the NTS would be available to provide long distance communication capabilities to responding agencies as well as health and welfare messages to or from the disaster area to family members outside the area when conventional communication systems are not functioning. To practice their radio communication skills, amateur radio operators participate in an annual event called Field Day. This event is held every June and involves operators setting up their radios in sometimes remote locations to practice and train for emergency communication. Many local amateur radio clubs set up public demonstrations and encourage members of the public to try their hand at amateur radio. This year Field Day will be held the weekend of June 28-29, 2025.
This year NH-ARES entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Emergency Services and Communications that designates NH-ARES as the sole organization providing amateur radio communications support to the state.
As witnessed in weather disasters such as Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, hurricanes in Florida and tornadoes throughout the midwest, cellular systems and public safety radio systems can become inoperable due to infrastructure damage. The use of amateur radio provides an auxiliary communication system utilizing trained and federally licensed radio operators to support the missions of the state’s public safety agencies. In addition to emergency communication capabilities, amateur radio operators routinely assist their communities by providing communication services at events such as marathons, bicycle races, canoe races and other similar events. These public service radio communication assignments help train radio operators and fine tune the abilities of NH-ARES members to adapt to changing radio and weather conditions.
“Message From A Freshly Licensed Ham”
From Franklin (County, MA) Land Trust E-News & Views, May 15, 2025:
“For many years, we have relied on the generous support of volunteer amateur radio operators (Hams) during D2R2. These Hams, mostly members of the Franklin County Amateur Radio Club (FCARC), provide communication support between D2R2’s home base in Deerfield and checkpoints scattered across the Hilltowns where there is little to no cell service. Last year, when I began planning a new event that would also require support from FCARC (Edge Hill Trail Race), the club’s membership gently hinted that it would be helpful if a few of FLT’s staff and volunteer community became Hams themselves. Flash forward to spring of this year and two of our staff members, including Alex Wahlstrom (callsign KC1WTM) and me (callsign KC1WTW), and five other community members have received FCC-license to operate amateur radio equipment.
“For four Mondays in April, we transformed our conference room into a classroom. A group of interested community members came to learn the material required to get on the air from FCARC members Bob, Chris, and Lad, including understanding the physics of radio waves, electrical components, the pros and cons of different radio frequencies, basic safety, and government regulations. This culminated in a Technician exam which took place earlier this week.
“Now that I’ve passed the test, I am looking forward to learning how to use a radio to communicate with people nearby and thousands of miles away, talk to astronauts on the International Space Station, and even bounce radio signals off the moon. Most of all, though, I’m excited to be able to serve the needs of my community. In the rural Hilltowns where cell service is limited, Ham radio is an important skill in emergencies and can serve as a communication tool in most situations where cell phones are not an option for those who wish to learn the skill.
“Thank you to the Franklin County Amateur Radio Club, the Shelburne Cultural Council, and the Laurel Volunteer Examination Team for help making this event possible.
“I’ll see you on the radio!”
Liam Cregan,
Land Conservation Specialist
Granite State ARA Demonstrates Amateur Radio to LDS Youth Group
The Granite State Amateur Radio Association had the pleasure of visiting the LDS Youth Group in Peterborough, NH, for a lively and engaging demonstration of ham radio. Kim (KC1VYM), Tim (KC1QDK), Eric (N1JUR), and Ralph (KC1TLY) spent the day sharing their passion for radio technology with over 20 enthusiastic teens and parents—what a fantastic experience!
Maine Section Effort Produces State Legislature Joint Resolution Recognizing Amateur Radio
The Maine State Legislature recently passed a joint resolution recognizing ham radio operators and the 100th anniversary of the IARU, according to Maine ARRL Section Manager Phil Duggan, N1EP.
“Thank you to Maine State Senator Marianne Moore for sponsoring the resolution and Senator Mike Tipping, N1YIQ, for co-sponsoring.”
New England Clubs to Participate in ARRL’s Ham Radio Open House in April, 2025
At least five New England clubs across Connecticut, Eastern MA, Maine, and Rhode Island are set to participate in the ARRL Ham Radio Open House during the month of April.
From the ARRL Letter, April 3, 2025:
Ham Radio Open House Month is Here!
ARRL’s Ham Radio Open House is happening all over the world in April, centered around April 18, which is World Amateur Radio Day.
ARRL has joined forces with HamSCI and SciStarter to encourage clubs to welcome the public into their ham radio stations. April is also Citizen Science Month and we’re hoping to help document 1 million acts of science as visitors get hands-on at the club stations.
As of April 3, 35 clubs are signed up to host an ARRL Ham Radio Open House.
ARRL Ham Radio Open House Stations:
-
- W2NPT in Fair Lawn, New Jersey
- W1AW at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut
- K2GSG in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City
- W1TU in Ellsworth, Maine
- KC4RC in Camden, South Carolina
- HI8RCD in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
- PU1YRF in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- KØQIK in Fergus Falls, Minnesota
- KO4WTM in Jupiter, Florida
- WØWYV in Omaha, Nebraska
- KQ4YNH in Sacramento, Kentucky
- W2DQ in Yaphank, New York
- WV7HS in Youngtown, Arizona
- K6ARN in Ontario, California
- W1VCM in Windsor, Connecticut
- W7ASC in Phoenix, Arizona
- W8PAR in Parkersburg, WV
- W2GSB in North Lindenhurst, New York
- NRØAD in Platte City, Missouri
- W1STR in Natick, Massachusetts
- W3USR in Scranton, Pennsylvania
- KL7EX in Fairbanks, Alaska
- W4ZBB in Fort Walton Beach, Florida
- WØOEL in West Union, Iowa
- NS9RC in Northbrook, Illinois
- W3PIE in Uniontown, Pennsylvania
- W4HAW in Lake Worth Beach, Florida
- N1D in Athens, Georgia
- WA5CKF in Irving, Texas
- K3RTV in Bowie, Maryland
- K8HPS in Flint, Michigan
- K8SCH in Cincinnati, Ohio
- W1OP in Johnston, Rhode Island
Dozens of clubs around the country have already said they are participating in Ham Radio Open House – but it’s not too late for your club to decide to take part.
Whether you’d like to list your club’s Ham Radio Open House site, or find one near you to attend, use the locator tool at www.arrl.org/Open-House.
Dartmouth College Engineering Open House & Amateur Radio Tour, Hanover NH, April 8, 2025
Eric Hansen, KB1VUN, writes on the Twin State RC mailing list:Thayer’s annual Open House is coming up on Tuesday, April 8, 5-7 PM: https://engineering.dartmouth.edu/events/open-house# . The tour includes research labs and exhibits by local companies. I have also reserved a spot on the tour for ham radio.
The usual way these events work is that each tour stop has artifacts, posters, and demos, with friendly people answering questions for the visitors. [Dartmouth Amateur Radio Association] W1ET has a 40m dipole on the roof of the engineering school and a long coax drop from the shack down to a conveniently located lab on the ground floor. Despite the coax losses and EM noise in the building, I was able to make contacts yesterday, so there’s a good chance of on-air demos, especially with FT8. But other ideas I discussed with the open house organizer, showcasing amateur technology and activity, are HamSci, APRS (and the Prouty), and POTA. These could be interesting show-and-tells without requiring working demos.
I’d love some help. Send me a message if you’re interested. I also hope to rope in some of our licensed students.
Eric
Great Publicity for BEARS of Manchester Public Service in Thanksgiving Road Race
“How does the Manchester Road Race keep up the pace? Part of it is in the hands of the BEARS – a group of Ham Radio operators who lend their time and talents to help keep the Road Race running.” —FOX61 News [Full story]
Ham Radio Meet ‘n Greet, Steuben Maine, December 16, 2024
Phil Duggan, N1EP, writes on Facebook:
Ever wondered what it would be like to talk to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station, setup your home with an emergency communications station, or send and receive email over the airwaves without a local Internet connection? Find out about the many aspects of amateur radio, better known as ham radio, during a Ham Radio Meet ‘N Greet at the Henry D. Moore Library in Steuben on Monday, December 16 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.
Find out how to earn an FCC amateur radio license, when a ham radio class is scheduled, watch a short presentation on the highlights of ham radio, and chat with experienced hams about this amazing and fun hobby and public service.
There is no age limit for earning an amateur radio license. People aged 6 to 96 have earned their “tickets” and met people on the air across the globe using many fun modes of operation, including voice, digital, and old but reliable Morse code. Come to the Meet ‘N Greet and learn all about it!
CT Insider: “These Connecticut residents are reaching out to people across the world through ham radio”
Rick Bressler [of the Greater Bridgeport (CT) ARC] has spoken to people in 310 countries since 2007, though “spoken to” is not the phrase he would use. Bressler would say he’s contacted, or “worked” operators in 301 countries. [Full story]
