Public Relations

June 24, 2023 Proclaimed as “Amateur Radio Day” in Massachusetts

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A proclamation issued by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy  proclaims June 24, 2023 as “Amateur Radio Day” in the Commonwealth.
 
The document recognizes the “significant role in developing worldwide radio communications” by the “approximately 13,000 amateur radio operators that dedicate their time, equipment, and knowledge to assist their communities.”
 
The proclamation was secured thanks to the efforts of MA State Government Liaison Steve Boyson, N1VLG.
 
Paper copies of the proclamation will be distributed to Western MA Section Manager Ray Lajoie, AA1SE, and Assistant Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW. Ray and Tom will display the proclamation while visiting various Field Day visits throughout the sections.
 
The proclamation will be listed along with other proclamations across the country on the ARRL Headquarters website at <http://www.arrl.org/proclamations>.
 
 
Image of MA Amateur Radio Day 2023 proclamation

Amateur Radio Month in New Hampshire Proclaimed by Governor Sununu

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NH State House, ConcordPaul Stohrer, W1FEA, writes on the NH ARRL members list:

 

AMATEUR RADIO MONTH JUNE 2023

WHEREAS, Amateur Radio represents an organized, volunteer communications public service asset, duly authorized by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission; and

WHEREAS, Through research and experimentation, Amateur Radio has contributed to the advancement of radio technology; and

WHEREAS, The New Hampshire Section of the American Radio Relay League (NH-ARRL) has a Memorandum of Understanding with New Hampshire’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management to provide backup communications capabilities in times of disaster; and

WHEREAS, Licensed Amateur Radio operators in New Hampshire, using skills developed through practice and radio equipment built or purchased themselves, form a vital communications network under the auspices of the American Radio Relay League — New Hampshire Amateur Radio Emergency Service (NH-ARES) program; and

WHEREAS, The Amateur Radio Emergency Service continues to work toward providing critical communications assets for the public good, in times of local and national emergencies and at numerous non-profit public service events held throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, Beyond providing public emergency assistance, New Hampshire’s\ Radio Amateurs contribute to international friendship and goodwill by way of their daily communications throughout the world in pursuit of their education and skill; and

WHEREAS, During the weekend of June 24-25, New Hampshire Amateur Radio operators will join thousands of other amateurs throughout the United States and the world in sharpening their operating skills under emergency conditions in an annual preparedness exercise known as “Field Day;”

NOW, THEREFORE, I Chris Sununu, GOVERNOR of the State of New Hampshire, do hereby proclaim the month of JUNE 2023 as AMATEUR RADIO MONTH in New Hampshire and call this to the attention of all citizens.

—
Raul “Skip” Camejo – AC1LC
Public Information Coordinator
ARRL New Hampshire Section
PO Box 206
Ashland, NH 03217
603-707-9848

ac1lc@outlook.com
ac1lc@arrl.net

——————————————————————–
ARRL New Hampshire Section
Section Manager: Peter J Stohrer, W1FEA
w1fea@arrl.org
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Ham Volunteers Needed to Staff The BIG E Booth, September 15-October 1, 2023

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Project Big E logoLarry Krainson, W1AST, writes:
 
We are doing another ham radio booth at the Big E this September. The dates are Friday, September 15th through Sunday, October 1st. The goal is to introduce ham radio to the general public, show that it is still relevant, and to interest the public in signing up for ham courses.
 
Just like last year there are two shifts per day with each one being 6 hours long.  Each shift requires 3 people in the booth this year.
 
We are making changes in the layout of the booth to make it more friendly to the public in the hopes to draw more people in. 
 
We have applied for another ARDC grant and if we get it, we can reimburse the cost of admission and parking for everyone. We do hope to get another grant.
 
Last year the booth spoke to approximately 1200 to 1300 people about ham radio. We hope to do the same or more again this year.
 
As clubs you are welcome to show your banner on the day or session you are there as well as bring a few items to showcase what your club is about to the public.
 
We are asking that you spread the word to your club members and try to get a group together to staff the booth for a session or the whole day. OR just ask your club members to sign up for a session to help staffing the booth. Last year we have over 100 volunteers from clubs all over New England. Will your club be one of them this year?

Please follow this link to sign up or if you are a club and want a certain day/session that is still available, please email Larry, W1AST direct at W1AST@arrl.net or if you have any questions about the booth.

 
We do have a groups.io group at:  https://groups.io/g/ProjectBigE
 
Sign up here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvo1vUzuuJTHbTtDLeApQQD1m4ZzX9kVe_hF2416e6apho3g/viewform
 
Help to make this year’s Ham Radio Booth at the Big E a success, please volunteer!
 
73,
 

Larry, W1AST

  • ARRL WMA Affiliated Club Coordinator
  • HCRA President
  • Visit my Ham Radio club website at: www.HCRA.org
  • Team K2H – 13 Colonies Massachusetts State Manager
  • Project Big E 2022 & 2023 Organizer
  • Proud Member of ARRL, FCARC & YCCC
  • 413-348-3289
  • W1AST@arrl.net

New Hampshire Amateur Radio Operators Prepare For Annual Field Day Event (Press Release)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 30, 2023

For more information contact :

Skip Camejo, Public Information Coordinator, New Hampshire Section ARRL

603-707-9848        AC1LC@outlook.com

Or individual club contacts listed below.

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New Hampshire amateur radio operators prepare for annual Field Day event.

Every June, more than 40,000 amateur radio operators, known as “hams” throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to their communities. Field Day combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the most popular event in ham radio.  Field Day 2023 will be held on June 24th and June 25th.

The slogan for the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) “When all else fails, amateur radio” is just as important now as it has been since amateur radio first began in the early parts of the 20th century.  The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) regulation governing amateur radio states as the basis and purpose “(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recently entered into an updated Memorandum of Agreement with the ARRL . The agreement will enhance cooperation between ARRL’s emergency communications program, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®), and FEMA in providing disaster communications. The agreement emphasizes the importance of skilled Amateur Radio Operators in times of crisis and the role of ARES leadership within the emergency communications space.  In March 2023 FEMA released the final version of the NIMS Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Functional Guidance, which includes amateur radio in the response program and national emergency preparedness. 

Field Day provides valuable experience and training to enhance the efforts of these federally licensed amateur radio operators in practicing for their emergency communication response capabilities.  It should be noted that in the event of an emergency, amateur radio operators provide this service utilizing their own or club owned radio equipment at no cost to the public or other responding emergency service agencies. 

A number of New Hampshire amateur radio clubs and organizations are planning events to help educate the public as to the value of amateur radio to the community for emergency communication response as well as the fun aspects of the hobby.  Members of the public are invited and encouraged to visit one of the Field Day events.

As of this date the following events are planned.

The Granite State Amateur Radio Association will be holding Field Day at  972 Back Mountain Rd Goffstown, NH.  They typically have a “Get on the air” or GOTA station and a fox transmitter hidden on the grounds for fox hunting demonstrations. Last year they lead members of the public on a short fox hunt using radios to find the hidden transmitter.

Contact: William Arcand ph: 603-600-6469 email: w1wra@w1ra.net  Club website: www.gsara.org

The Lakes Region Repeater Association will be holding their Field Day event at 151 Old Route 109, Moultonborough, NH  They will have a GOTA station and the public will be able to observe operators involved in contest events. They are planning on running a contest period for 24 hours, with no breaks. The contest officially ends at 2pm on Sunday.

Contact: Rich Kumpf ph: 508-259-7600 email: WF1V@ARRL.NET Club website: www.W1BST.ORG

The Great Bay Radio Association will be holding their Field Day event at the Milton Town Beach in Milton, NH. 

Contact: Jeffrey Zajicek ph: 603-833-1087 email: n1xuq@w1fz.club  Club website: www.w1fz.club

The Cheshire County DX Amateur Radio Club will be holding their Field Day event at the  Mt Caesar School 585 Old Homestead Hwy
Swanzey, NH.  The Cheshire County Club will be offering a GOTA station.

Contact: Jeff Mungovan ph: 603-680-1978 email: Jeff.mungovan@yahoo.com  Club website: www.ccdxarc.org

The Nashua Area Radio Society will hold their Field Day event at 1 Memorial Drive Hudson, NH.  They will be including a GOTA station in addition to radio demonstrations.

Contact: Jonathan Turner ph:617-470-1739 email: ac1ev@arrl.net  Club website: www.n1fd.org

Additional information is attached to this release from the ARRL regarding Field Day.

END

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Raul “Skip” Camejo – AC1LC
Public Information Coordinator
ARRL New Hampshire Section
PO Box 206
Ashland, NH 03217
603-707-9848

ac1lc@outlook.com
ac1lc@arrl.net

Providence Radio Association Will Operate N1F / NAF During Armed Forces Day Crossband Test, May 13, 2023

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Providence Radio Assoc logoDave “Tess” Tessitore, K1DT, writes:

Armed Forces Day Crossband Test: May 13, 2023  1400Z – 2300Z (10 am-7 pm)

[The Providence Radio Association] will operate this annual Amateur Radio/Department of Defense joint exercise from the PRA clubhouse (and possibly Ft. Burnside) using the military callsign NAF – NEWPORT NAVAL RADIO STATION MUSEUM NEWPORT, RI. 

Thanks to W3LPL for securing permission from the DoD for us to use the original callsign NAF – NAVRADSTA(T) Newport for this cooperative military event and tribute to our US Armed Forces.

We have also secured the Amateur Special Event 1×1 callsign N1F so as to foster further activity in the ham bands! https://www.dodmars.org/mars-comex-information-website/armed-forces-day

 

Annual Armed Forces Day Crossband Test, May 13, 2023

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From ARRL.org:

The US Department of Defense (DoD) will host this year’s Armed Forces Day (AFD) Crossband Test on May 13, 2023. This annual event is open to all licensed amateur radio operators and will not impact any public or private communications. For more than 50 years, military and amateur stations have taken part in this event.

The AFD Crossband Test is a unique opportunity to test two-way communications between military communicators and radio stations in the Amateur Radio Service (ARS), as authorized in 47 CFR 97.111. These tests provide opportunities and challenges for radio operators to demonstrate individual technical skills in a tightly controlled exercise scenario.

Military stations will transmit on selected frequencies and will announce the specific ARS frequencies monitored. All of the times are Zulu (Z), and all frequencies are Upper Side Band (USB) unless otherwise noted. The frequencies used for the test will not stray outside the confines of the exercise.

A complete list of frequencies, time periods, QSL cards, and other information can be found at DoD MARS – Armed Forces Day.

AFD is a time of honor. It will be celebrated on Saturday, May 20, 2023. The first AFD was celebrated with parades, open houses, receptions, and air shows. Today, many events and activities take place and may include multi-service military displays in areas open to the public, various educational activities that teach children about the armed forces, and large parades with local celebrations.

The longest running AFD parade in the United States is held in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Certain types of music will be played at AFD 2023 events to show respect to those in the armed forces who died for their country.

 

“Artemis 2 astronauts flying to the moon could phone home with ham radio”

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An illustration of the Orion spacecraft in orbit around the moon. (Image credit: Lockheed Martin) From Space.com:

“It’s been 40 years since the first astronaut called an amateur radio operator on Earth. Now the moon is in the community’s sights.

“Most of the astronauts aboard the Artemis 2 mission, which will send a quartet of people around the moon in late 2024, are certified ham radio (amateur radio) operators. There’s high hopes in the community that the astronauts may call home from deep space, the president of Radio Amateurs of Canada told Space.com.” [Full story]

“Ham radio operators air a grievance: Leave our hobby alone”

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Phil Duggan, N1EP, in ham shackFrom The Maine Monitor, April 29, 2023:

“Controversial soaring edifices along the Downeast coast seem to be all the rage, most notably the proposed Flagpole of Freedom Park in Columbia Falls, which garnered national attention and prompted a temporary building moratorium.

“But neighboring Jonesboro shouldn’t be overshadowed. Although much less imposing than the proposed 1,461-foot flagpole, a ham radio antenna array, with the highest antenna stretching 200 feet, was constructed last year atop Jonesboro’s picturesque blueberry barrens off Route 1.”

[Full story]

“International Marconi Day: National Parks Director Makes QSO”

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IMC Day photo of National Parks Service Director SamsFrom The ARRL Letter, April 27, 2023:

International Marconi Day celebrates the accomplishments of radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi on the Saturday closest to his birthday each year. Stations around the world activate a special operating event to celebrate.

National Parks Service Director Charles ” Chuck” Sams, III (left) operates as KM1CC from the South Wellfleet Historic Site at Cape Cod National Seashore. Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club Trustee Barbara Dougan, N1NS, (right). (Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club KM1CC, photo)

On January 18, 1903, the first public two-way wireless communication occurred between the United States and Europe. A message from President Theodore Roosevelt was sent to King Edward VII from the South Wellfleet site. The site is preserved within the Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts. [full story]