Serving ARRL members who reside in the New England sections
Blackstone Valley ARC (BVARC) member and Rhode Island Section Manager Bob Beaudet, W1YRC, and BVARC member Mickey Callahan were featured in a recent 30-minute interview on “Be My Guest” on the local Upton, MA community television channel. They spoke about amateur radio. Kudos to Bob and Mickey.
From 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.”
From 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]
From MassLive.com:
HUNTINGTON — Ham radio enthusiasts Roy Thompson (call sign KD1RT) of Westfield and Tom Barker (WA1HRH) of New Hampshire were at a pulloff by the Westfield River in Huntington this week, activating a portable site in the back of their car for Parks on the Air, a nonprofit that promotes the use of amateur radio in state and national parks. [Full story]
Maine ARRL Section Manager Phil Duggan, N1EP, writes:
Maine amateur radio operators are being asked to contact their local state representative and senator and convey their concern regarding LD-697/HP-466 “Resolve, to Study the Effects of 5G Technology on Bird, Bee and Insect Populations and the Effects
of Long-term Exposure on Children.”
This bill was introduced into the Maine State Legislature with the primary goal of investigating whether 5G wireless technology could effect the bird and bee populations and have an effect upon children in an educational setting (IE routers, iPads, etc.)
However, this bill includes text similar in wording that has gone through other state legislatures and somehow entangled amateur radio up with it due to the reference of radio frequency emissions.
Please look up your state representative and senator for your district, and send them a polite, professional letter, and perhaps follow it up with an email a few days later. This is the best way we can make sure Maine amateur radio operators are not targeted for unwarranted regulation.
The sample letter [below] can be re-worded to your taste.
Thank you so much for helping to protect our hobby and service.
Look up your Rep./Sen. address: https://legislature.maine.gov/.
——
[DATE] Honorable [Your Rep. or Sen. Name] [look up your state rep or senator’s address here and insert: https://legislature.maine.gov/Dear Senator (or Representative) [your local rep name, or local senator’s name]:
I am writing to you concerning LD-697/HP 466, “Resolve, to Study the Effects of 5G Technology on Bird, Bee and Insect Populations and the Effects of Long-term Exposure on Children.”
I understand that this bill is targeting 5G technology; however, the wording in the text is very similar to other state’s efforts to regulate 5G but unintentional, or not, ended up entangling the Amateur Radio Service as well. Maine recently issued a joint state legislative resolution recognizing the valuable contributions of the state’s approximately 4,500 FCC-licensed amateur (ham) radio operators and all the contributions they routinely make to Maine’s communities and to the state as a whole.
Directing the University of Maine System to investigate the effects of “radio frequency emissions at thermal levels and pulsed and modulated radio frequency radiation at nonthermal levels for extended periods of time on children in educational settings,” as the bill states, could accidentally include amateur radio within its purview, and included in any resulting future legislation. The FCC already requires licensed amateur radio operators to conduct RF exposure surveys of their ham radio stations and antenna systems.
Please keep this in mind and if any related bills or action is taken, please ensure there is an exemption for the Amateur Radio Service.
Thank you for your consideration, and for your service to the State of Maine.
[Your Signature] [Your Full Name] [Your address] [Your phone Nr or Email]From ARRL Web:
03/22/2023—Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has released an official statement, designating April 16 – 22, 2023, as Amateur Radio Recognition Week. The proclamation coincides with World Amateur Radio Day (WARD), which is held annually on April 18.
Members of the Meriden Amateur Radio Club (MARC) pursued the proclamation with the Governor’s office. “We want the public to know that many of their friends and neighbors are amateur radio operators,” said MARC President Ed Snyder, who’s amateur radio call sign is W1YSM. “Amateur radio is a worldwide community of volunteers who use their knowledge and skills to serve our communities,” added Snyder.
[Full story]
From New England Sci-Tech ARS News, March 14, 2023:
New England Sci-Tech/Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) [in Natick, MA] has been invited to run a STEM activity table at [Minor League Worcester Red Sox (“WooSox”) games in Worcester, MA] both pre-game and during the game on July 26, Aug 9, and Aug 16. This is a great opportunity to showcase radio as a STEM activity. Bob, K5TEC, can help organize but cannot attend. Looking for two volunteers per game. Your travel, parking, and snacks allowance will be reimbursed.
Here are the details given to us:
“As far as placement in the ballpark, we have a decent amount of flexibility based on the types of activities and requirements you have.
“We could place activities in more heavily trafficked areas of the concourse with people constantly coming through and stopping by for a few minutes; or we could place activities on Plymouth and Summit St., which fall within the ballpark on game days but provide more space and calm from the hustle and bustle of the concourse for a more in-depth showcase. And we would be able to provide tables and electricity if needed.
“I think ideally we would love to provide both pregame and in-game activities if possible. I could easily imagine us planning a pregame showcase for a larger group of kids, and then perhaps some smaller tabling activations in a couple of places throughout the ballpark.
“All of this is to say that we are very flexible, and open to the ideas and expertise that you could provide!”
Douglas Sharafanowich, WA1SFH, writes:
Greetings:
2023 is the ARRL Year of the Volunteer.
It is my pleasure to introduce Ray Irwin, WA1FFT.
Ray recently stepped forward and volunteered to be the Emergency Coordinator (EC) for the town of North Haven (CT ARES – Region 2).
Ray is a person who gets things done. As a way to kickstart this new ARES team, and get some publicity, he contacted the local multi-town weekly newspaper. That paid off with an interview was published this week.
LINK:
https://www.zip06.com/person-of-the-week/20230221/raymond-irwin-ready-for-when-all-else-fails/
CT ARES NEEDS YOU!
We have several towns currently without an appointed EC, and need people to fill those roles.
“BE LIKE RAY”
Reach out to volunteer . . . just like Ray did.
Here is who to contact:
Regions 1, 4, 5: Phil – K1XFC (Section Emergency Coordinator) k1xfc@arrl.net
Region 2: Douglas – WA1SFH (District Emergency Coordinator) – wa1sfh@optonline.net
Region 3: Bill – AB1LZ (District Emergency Coordinator) – ab1lz@arrl.net
—
73, Douglas Sharafanowich – WA1SFH
ARES District Emergency Coordinator (DEC)
Region 2 – Connecticut Section
On Thursday evening, February 2, the Granite State Amateur Radio Association participated in an inaugural event at Milford High School called Milford Applied Technology CTE. Samantha Belcourt-Director, Jennifer DiMaria-Career Development Specialist, and Frank Xydias-engineering and STEM educator, hosted the event. U.S. Congress representative Ann Kuster participated in the opening remarks.
Approximately fifteen exhibitors, mostly local high-tech companies, community colleges, and universities, had exhibits and handouts. Also, tours of the facility were provided, including the precision machining shop, 3-D printing, and construction technology areas. Good food was offered by Windows on West Street, a student-operated restaurant that serves as a real-life course for students serving meals to the greater community two days a week.
The GSARA table included an operating Icom IC-7300 HF station in a “go box” with an outdoor CrankIR portable vertical antenna and various hand-held VHF radios. Numerous hand-outs were provided by ARRL (Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, Education and Learning Manager), including Why Should You Give Amateur Radio a Try? and What Amateur Radio Can Do for Your School and Students. Students, parents, and teachers learned about our hobby and how it can initiate a passion for exciting, well-paying technical careers. GSARA provided other material.
Support for the club effort was provided by: Bill, W1WRA; Bill, KE1G; Eric, N1JUR; John, K1XF; Mike, W1EAA; Ryan, W1SNH; and Tom, AC1J.
Pete Stohrer, W1FEA, writes on the NH ARRL Members list:
Hello NH ARRL Members,
Perhaps by now you have heard of the NH Chronicle piece “Rescue by Ham Radio” that aired January 31st on WMUR’s NH Chronicle. If you would like to see the program in its entirety, click on one of these two links:
https://www.wmur.com/article/nh-chronicle-roadside-rescue-by-ham-radio/42675125
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDwKfqExDz4
NH Chronicle has given us permission to share the links and post them on our Amateur Radio Club websites.
Over the years, NH Chronicle has produced many programs on Amateur Radio. One, “Field Day,” followed the activities of the Contoocook Valley Radio Club during the 2011 June event. From that video, Jennifer Crompton of WMUR TV Channel 9 and her videographer were the recipients of the Bill Leonard National Media award from the American Radio Relay League for 2011 and can be viewed at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCeGqfuwvKo
The relevance of Amateur Radio in today’s communication infrastructure is clearly seen in these professionally produced programs for TV. The privilege of using your well-earned FCC license for emergency communications is the reason why we have Amateur Radio. Part 97.1(a) states the Basis and Purpose for the Amateur Radio Service:
“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.”
If you are new to Amateur Radio, I encourage you to consider joining your local Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) group. A geographical listing of groups can be found at www.nhradio.org or email the NH Section Emergency Coordinator, Al Shuman, K1AKS – k1aks@arrl.net for more information.
73, Pete, W1FEA
