Public Relations – Page 4 – ARRL New England Division

Maine Amateurs: 5G Technology, Legislative Alert

March 27, 2023 by Phil Temples

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]

CT Governor Proclaims April 16 – 22 Amateur Radio Recognition Week

March 23, 2023 by Phil Temples

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]

Ham Radio as STEM Activity To Be Showcased at WooSox Games in July and August

March 16, 2023March 14, 2023 by Phil Temples

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!”

ARRL Year of the Volunteer: Ray Irwin, WA1FFT

February 26, 2023 by Phil Temples

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

Granite State ARA Participates in Career & Technical Education Event at Local High School

February 17, 2023 by Phil Temples

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.

Rescue by Ham Radio in New Hampshire

February 2, 2023 by Phil Temples

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

World Amateur Radio Day—Get Your State Legislature Involved!

December 18, 2022 by Phil Temples

Maine Section Manager Phil Duggan, N1EP, writes:

Attached is a PDF draft resolution that was submitted to the Maine legislature for World Amateur Radio Day. […] Maine’s is based off of an ARRL sample and the 2011 resolution that [former Section Manager] N1KAT prepared.

Phil Duggan, N1EP

Maine Section Manager

Email n1ep@arrl.org

[World Amateur Radio Day is April 18, 2023—plenty of time for State Government Liaisons or other field organization volunteers to prepare a draft resolution for submission to their state legislatures or governors’ offices. -K9HI]

SKYWARN Recognition Day, December 2-3, 2022

November 26, 2022November 26, 2022 by Phil Temples

From ema.arrl.org:

Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on SKYWARN_Announce:

**SKYWARN Recognition Day 2022 will occur this year and for the first time since 2019, Ops at the NWS office will be permitted but modified due to COVID19 to have more limited operations inside the office than prior to the pandemic. Similar to the last years, a social media component will be added to engage non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters more with 2022’SRD.**

**SRD Numbers will now be issued automatically when Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters register via the Google form on the SRD web site. You do not need a SRD Number to participate in SRD’2022 but it is now automatically available if you register via the Google form and most NWS offices will not have a SRD number.**

For the first time since 2019, SKYWARN Recognition Day 2022 will have Ops at NWS office with volunteer Amateur Radio Operators, however, the scale of what is done inside the office for SRD will be more limited as we will have limited Amateur Radio Operators in the facility. This is similar to other NWS offices who will have volunteer operators into the office this year but more limited in scale than before the pandemic.

Also, all participants are welcome to register on the SRD web site. SRD Numbers will now be issued automatically when Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters register via the Google form on the SRD web site. You do not need a SRD Number to participate in SRD’2022 and most NWS offices will not have a SRD number. The SRD Number for this year is part of the qso exchange but is not a requirement.

For WX1BOX Amateur Radio operations, we will cover the typical SKYWARN repeaters on VHF/UHF as well as simplex and be on HF via the WX1BOX Amateur Radio station, various remote home stations, potentially one Amateur Radio Club station, along with our WX1BOX social media pages. In addition, contacts with other Amateur Radio SKYWARN stations will count towards NWS certificates. Similar to the last two years, there will be a social media component to engage non-Amateur Radio and Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters alike.

Additional details on SKYWARN Recognition Day including a registration link opened up to all Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio Operators can be found via the following link:
https://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition

As mentioned previously, this year’s Google registration form also auto-issues SRD Numbers to participant Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters. The form can be found off the SKYWARN Recognition Day web site and can be see at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsiwFThctxPqEht9r7j1V1OLBNiAQjt-yJe7z3-XFMwiIx-w/viewform

There is also a SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) Facebook group open to all SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators. The Facebook group link is listed below:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/srd2021

On the web, the following link on the WX1BOX home page will feature all SRD updates for WX1BOX operations as well as social media efforts that can include SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators alike:

Special Announcement: SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) 2022 Friday Evening 12/2/22 700 PM ET to Saturday Evening 12/3/22 700 PM ET

New for this year is we’d like to conduct an experiment to test and experiment with a radio email system known as Winlink. We would like to have Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters test sending email to a radio based email. This system allows for emails to be retrieved over Internet but also over radio. You do not have to be an Amateur Radio Operator to be involved in this experiment. During the SRD period from Saturday 12/3/21 from 0000-2400 UTC (Friday Evening 12/2/21 7 PM EST-Saturday 12/3/21 7 PM EST), we’d like people to do the following:

1.) Compose an email with a report in text format or using one of the Winlink system specific weather or other forms to wx1box@winlink.org with either a current observation from the SRD time period or a prior severe weather event that occurred dring the last 2 years. Do “not” include file attachments. For Amateur Radio Operators who have winlink setup, please go ahead and use winlink. For other Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters who do not have Winlink setup, feel free to use your normal email client but only use text and no attachments in the report.
2.) Put in the subject of the email //WL2K as this will allow for emails to get filtered through the built-in spam protection of the winlink system

We will acknowledge all emails as a contact and publish results of this work as part of the SRD’2021 report.

Similar to last year, the SKYWARN Spotter Map that is being tied to SKYWARN Recognition Day 2022 but also shows a great display of SKYWARN Spotters across the country whether you are able to participate in 2022’SRD or not. To add yourself to the map, utilize the link below (and it also appears once you have submitted your Google registration form):
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/31f1c4cd9b504068b2d15a7d3cdd4d05

The SRD’2022 schedule for repeater rotation and WX1BOX coverage will be included in the next SRD update by Monday Morning 11/28/22 as we are planning the various modes of operation at the NWS office and at home/Amateur Radio Club locations.

The VoIP Operations on the *WX_TALK* Echolink conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system will take place once again for 2022’SRD. Here is the info regarding Echolink/IRLP operations as of Friday Evening 11/25/22 and will be updated by Monday Morning 11/28/22:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: N0NWS (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0200-0300: WX7SLC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0300-0400: WX9GRB (Confirmed time slot from 2020)
0400-0500: WX1BOX (Confirmed time slot from last year)
0500-0600: WX9LOT (Confirmed time slot from last year)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Confirmed time slot from last year)
0700-0800: WX8APX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0800-0900: WX8APX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
0900-1000: Open
1000-1100: WX7SLC (Confirmed time slot from last year)
1100-1200: WX1GYX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1200-1300: W7NWS (Confirmed time slot from last year)
1300-1400: WX7SLC (Confirmed time slot from last year)
1400-1500: WX1AW (Confirmed time slot from last year)
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Confirmed time slot from last year)
1600-1700: WX4NC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
2000-2100: WX4JKL (Confirmed time slot from last year – new NWS office from 2021)
1800-1900: WX6LOX (Time slot confirmed for this year)
1900-2000: K0MPX (Confirmed time slot from last year)
2000-2100: WX4JKL (Confirmed time slot from last year – new NWS office from 2021)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Time slot confirmed for this year)
2300-2400: Open

There will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by the NWS Boston/Norton, Mass. and NWS Gray, Maine offices from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices. This is a great place to move off the *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system after your scheduled time if other Amateurs or NWS offices whish to make contact with you.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years and have multiple reflector channels and Echolink conferences available. There is reflector 9250/Echolink Conference *HI-GATE* node: 357564, IRLP 9251 and the *WORLD* Echolink Conference node: 479886, IRLP 9257/*DCF-ARC* Echolink Conference node: 336037 and IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 152566 open for NWS offices. Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western Reflector.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG3* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system. The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, Allstar 28848 along with DMR/DSTAR and other modes provided by VK3JED-Tony, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for their support!

Thanks to all for their continued support of the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN program!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box

Adventure at the Fort—New England Regional Scouting Jamboree a Huge Success: Cub Scouts Love Radio

October 23, 2022October 23, 2022 by Phil Temples

The Newport County (RI) Radio Club was a strong presence at Saturday’s wildly successful Scouting Jamboree Adventure public day at historic Fort Adams (1799) in Newport, Rhode Island. Over 3000 Scouts attended this post-covid New England regional Jamboree weekend.

One of the day’s highlights was a dramatic Coast Guard helicopter to water rescue drill watched with rapt attention by the cross-generation crowds on a perfect day.

The large and active Newport (RI) County Radio Club set up multiple hands-on stations across the west side of Fort Adams facing Narragansett Bay, and NCRC volunteers spoke all day with hundreds of Scouts and adults eager to learn more about making satellite contacts, GMRS, CW, HF, and well-received demos on the principles of radio communication.

A special shout out in this post to the 5th grade Cub Scouts who rallied around NCRC Scouting Jamboree lead, John Vecoli, KC1KOO, shown below with Cub Scouts from packs across RI, including East Greenwich and Richmond. Nearby, 5th grade Cub Scouts Valerie and Ingrid from Newport’s small but vibrant coed pack were excited to hear about becoming a licensed radio operator from NCRC new hams Nolan Byrne, K1PRU, and Pat Strong, K2PRU, from Prudence Island who loved mentoring the girls on their own new radios. The future looked bright today!

Contributed by Nancy Austin, KC1NEK, NCRC (RI) club president

“Ham radio operators use their skills to support bike race”

September 22, 2022 by Phil Temples

From The Berlin (NH) Sun Online:

GORHAM — At the end of August, when cyclists gathered at the Mt. Washington Auto Road to race to the summit of the Northeast’s highest peak, a group of amateur radio enthusiasts also brought their skills to the mountain to assist with communications during the race and sharpen their emergency radio skills.

Radio operators from New Hampshire and New England Amateur Radio Clubs took park at the 49th annual Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb on Aug. 20, sponsored by the Tin Mountain Conservation Center of Jackson.

They were joined by members from Central New Hampshire, Mount Washington Valley, Vermont and Massachusetts Amateur Radio Emergency Service units. [Full story]