Greetings ARRL members and friends,
Our new Director, Fred AB1OC, called a special meeting via Zoom to call attention to new state legislation in New Hampshire calling for attention to be brought to sources of RF radiation such as antenna towers and how they could cause adverse issues to the population living close by. New Hampshire House bill HB1644 is being considered now. Director Kemmerer asked all Section Government Liaisons (SGL) appointees in New England to keep eyes and ears tuned to anything on this topic being introduced or even talked about and report it to him. This new interest is being caused by the increased attention being given to 5G technology.
At present, we do not have an SGL in RI. Our previous SGL moved out of state and became a Silent Key a few years ago. Do you have the qualifications to serve your section as an SGL? If you have interest in and follow current legislative affairs in the state, you may be the person we need. Kindly review the requirements and qualifications necessary at http://www.arrl.org/state-government-liaison and if you come close to matching, PLEASE contact me at 401-333-2129 or by e mail at w1yrc@arrl.org . I would love to appoint you to the section leadership team if you feel you can perform what is required and be able to serve fellow ARRL members.
As they have done in past years, the Westerly Emergency Group is supporting the Clamdigger 5K Road Race on Sunday, April 24th. Volunteer help is needed. Contact Jim Creamer, KB1MAO if you are available to help. Jim’s email address is divingdog@verizon.net. There are more details and a map of the course available. Please contact me if you wish a copy, w1yrc@arrl.org . The Clamdigger Race website is http://www.westerlytrackclub.org/clamdigger.html.
The ARRL DX Contest weekends have passed both for CW and Phone. Band conditions were at least moderately favorable. The upper HF bands, 10 and 12 meters particularly, have shown interesting openings. I saw a long path opening to Japan on 10 meters that last for about a half hour. I haven’t seen that happen in a long while. The solar flux is regularly well above 100 and the K & A indexes are often low. So, get on the air. You’ll be pleased to find some good DX for your log.
The events making world news in Europe are affecting the ham radio world as well. CQ just announced that they will not not accept competitive entries in any of its sponsored contests by amateur radio stations in Russia, Belarus or the separatist Donbas region of Ukraine (unofficial D1 prefix). This is in line with a similar action taken by the Radio Society of Great Britain, following the lead of other international sports federations around the world. Previously, a February 24 decree from Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky included “a ban on the operation of amateur radio transmitters for personal and collective use.” Amateurs in the Ukraine have mostly cooperated although I have worked some stations using Ukraine call letters. Russian stations are currently active. I have seen no ban on their on-air activity. We must always act responsibly and avoid controversy on the air. Even if you are only chatting with your friend in Florida, the world is listening. With the Covid problems still causing serious problems in many countries and economic problems being caused or at least worsened by the events in Ukraine, we can easily understand why your on-air activity might be less than normal. We should be getting better soon, so this might be a good time to get antennas repaired or rebuilt. Weather is becoming pleasant now that spring is nearly here and we can spend longer periods outdoors on more time consuming projects.
Armed Forces Day is May 21 and cross band operation happens about a week earlier. avoiding conflict with the Dayton Hamvention. Details may be found at http://www.arrl.org/news/annual-armed-forces-day-cross-band-exercise-set-for-may-14. It’s a fun thing to do and a nice way to tip our cap toward our men and women in uniform who are defending us and say thanks in person.
The largest ham convention in North America will convene once again on May 20 to 22 in Dayton, Ohio. Known as Hamvention, this iconic event in Dayton has been cancelled for the past two years because of the pandemic and their concern for our well being. It’s full speed ahead in 2022 for the Dayton Hamvention. Thousands of avid fans are anxious to get back to the huge flea market where just about anything is sold and the long list of events and forums, so many that one must study the list carefully to choose which they will attend and which they will have to miss because they are scheduled at the same time. Detailed info may be found at https://hamvention.org/.
Planning further down the page, the Northeast HamXposition will take place in Marlborough, MA on August 26, 27 and 28. This year, the Hudson Division will partner with the New England Division to hold a combined New England/Hudson Division Convention. It should be quite an event, much larger with more forums, attendees and vendors. The website is https://hamxposition.org/. Registration tickets go on sale on May 1st and must be purchased by July 25th to obtain the special rate. Mark those dates on your primary household calendar. This is one event that you shouldn’t miss. With the Hudson Division joining New England, the demand for hotel and vendor space will be much greater. Those needing a hotel may find it more difficult, so do your prep work early. That will do it for this month. Get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather.
73,
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ARRL Rhode Island Section
Section Manager: Robert G Beaudet, W1YRC
w1yrc@arrl.org
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