The Eastern MA June, 2021 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/june-2021-section-news/.
WMA Section Manager’s Report, June 2021
Hello, welcome to summer, “unofficially,” but we know what that means…FIELD DAY! So far, I know of 2 clubs going live this year. How about the others? I am looking to plan the tour. I may not get to them all but will sure try.
May 8th, we had our ARES SET to figure out where we are at and what we need to work on, I feel after 10+ years of nothing we did pretty darn good, some good data was received and Bob K1YO is looking at it to develop the next step. I wish to thank you all who participated and did a fine job. I was disappointed my NVIS antenna I built did not perform well as I hoped. I need to look at a possible connection issue at the center point. I guess that is what the test is about! I also need to hone my digital setup more to be more effective and allow to rapid deploy and change as needed.
With the opening up of the state and the relaxing of Covid safeguards things are coming back to normal. The HamExposition is going to happen! Phil Temples, the Vice Director is looking for people who would like to do a presentation there. Give him a shout if interested. Also live is NEAR-Fest. That one I missed a lot. (Not the rain though!) NEAR-Fest is going to be October 15 and 16 this year. Plan on going and supporting this great event.
I know that some clubs kind of fell into a deeper slumber and others saw opportunities and capitalized on them. One thing that Covid brought us was the benefit of virtual presentations that are in YouTube, etc. and invitations to far reaching people are now a click away. I feel all the clubs should take advantage of this medium. There are clubs that struggle for presentations. This is the answer for you. I know Gordon West just did one for the club in Meridan, CT. I don’t think Zoom is going away anytime soon!
We as hams have this love affair mostly is that nice tower of steel supporting a variety of antennas on them. The one thing that seems to be a challenge is getting someone to climb them to do repairs. I know that some that did is getting older and does not climb anymore. The other thing is liability. That one seems to loom large in light of some of the accidents we have read about. One question is who is out there? The other is, is there some kind of training and certification available? Is there anybody interested in getting that training? Yes, I do need tower work, but I put this out as a general inquiry to see who is doing what and what’s out there.
I hope everyone has a fun, safe summer out there. Enjoy the sun!
73, Ray, KB1LRL
St. John Valley ARA (ME) to Offer “Intro to Antennas” Class
From June 2021 Maine Telegraph:
INTRO TO ANTENNAS CLASS
Sponsored By: St. John Valley Amateur Radio Association (N1SJV)
The next class sponsored by the SJVARA is the Intro to Antennas Class. This class will be held IN PERSON and ONLINE via freeconferencecall.com. If you would like to attend either in person or online sign up at the link or click the ‘Intro to Antennas’ poster below. Time and date is TBA, but location will most likely be the Northern Door Inn.
No need to be a member, Open to All!
To make sure you get the updates, sign up below!
HamXposition 2021 is On!
Bob DeMattia, K1IW, writes:
HamXposition September 10, 11, and 12, 2021 at the Best Western Royal Plaza in Marlborough, MA
You’ve probably heard by now that all COVID restrictions in Massachusetts are lifted as of May 29, and the state of emergency is lifted as of June 15.
What this means is we are a go for HamXposition 2021!
Phil, K9HI, our forum chair has already begun seeking out guest speakers – You can sign up to be a speaker here: 2021 Early Speaker Signup.
In the coming weeks, we will be enabling volunteer signup, and will begin announcing program details, so come visit this website often.
Online ticket sales will begin on August 1.
Discounted room rates of $99 are available now by calling the hotel directly – (508) 460-0700. Tell them you will be attending the HamXposition. This rate is only available through the local hotel phone number and will not work with their online reservation system or their national reservation number.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Bob DeMattia, K1IW
President, FEMARA
Ten Year Anniversary: Western MA Tornadoes
From South Coast MA Amateur Radio Group Facebook page:
Today is the 10-year anniversary of the tornadoes that struck Western and Central portions of Massachusetts. In this video we hear and see the important role that Amateur Radio Operators played relaying “ground truth” information to the National Weather Service Office in Taunton. A compilation video of the June 1, 2011 EF3-Tornado with photos from Amateur Radio Operators, SKYWARN Spotters, NWS Storm Survey and an aerial survey from Amateur Radio Operators.
Norfolk County (MA) Radio Association Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary With Special Event Operation
The Norfolk County Radio Association is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with a special event operation from 0000 UTC June 5 to 2359 UTC June 12, 2021 on the suggested frequencies of 3.825, 7.225, 14.235, 21.285, and 28.325 MHz as well as other frequencies at the discretion of club members. Club members will operate their own stations using the club call W1AGR during this operating event. A special QSL will be available with an SASE to the club station trustee, K1HC, 422 Everett Street, Westwood, MA 02090.
The club had its beginnings in Norwood, MA in 1921 when a group of young radio amateurs gathered to exchange ideas and help each other build their home-made radio equipment. It originally became affiliated with the ARRL two years later, in 1923. The club grew to include hams from local area towns and then re-organized in 1932, calling themselves the Norfolk County Radio Association. The spirit of those early years continues today; its members are always ready to help others and mentor new hams getting started in amateur radio. NCRA members have made memorable contributions to amateur radio in technology and communications, including support for various public service needs such as municipal events, SKYWARN reporting, Red Cross, and local disaster training.
Congratulations to the Norfolk County Radio Association for reaching this historic milestone.
Stratford (CT) ARC Announces 2021 Scholarship Recipient

Maine Telegraph June 2021 Now Available
The May, 2021 edition of the Maine Telegraph Newsletter, the statewide newsletter for Maine Amateur Radio operators, is now available at: <https://nediv.arrl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/JUNE-2021-Maine-Telegraph-Newsletter.pdf>.
Connecticut Prepares for Thirteen Colonies Event
Connecticut hams are gearing up for the 13 Colonies event, July 1-7, 2021. A team of 30+ operators is preparing to put K2D on the air, 160-2, CW, SSB, RTTY, Digi.
If you would like to join the team, please contact W1RM at w1rm@arrl.net for more information.
Happy Birthday, Rhode Island ARES
Paul Silverzweig, W1PJS, writes on main@ri-ares.groups.io:
With Memorial Day weekend comes the 4th Anniversary of our very first leadership meeting, held in Coventry, which included several of our current leadership who have been with us through the entire time.
We have done much in those few short years. We began with just a core leadership team and a lot of void to fill. About two months after that first meeting I deployed to Houston TX for Hurricane Harvey, and a month later went directly to Puerto Rico for Hurricane Maria… I was away for 7 months in total… obviously this impacted the first year of RIARES rebirth… but we are strong now, with about 100 members, and a strong leadership team. We have, in those 4 years, held 6 exercises, participated in more than a dozen public service events, established a 501c3 nonprofit RIARES Foundation, developed a Preparedness & Training Guide, have the most active weekly repeater net in RI, with a simplex VHF net and an HF net gaining participation.
I’d like to thank all of the leadership team and members who have helped bring us to where we are.
We have a long way to go, however. So I am asking all of you to pull a bit harder, participate a bit more, and step up when you can for events, exercises, training courses, and most importantly, with ideas on what you think will help us go forward.
Thank you!