The April, 2021 WMA Section Manager Report is now available at https://wma.arrl.org/blog/2021/04/02/section-managers-report-april-2021/
March 2021 Eastern MA Section News Now Available
The March, 2021 Eastern Massachusetts Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/march-2021-section-news/.
Maine Telegraph April 2021 Now Available
The April, 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/2021/04/APRIL-2021-Maine-Telegraph-Newsletter.pdf>.
“The Consortium”—Covering the Ham Radio Basics
Like the successful “Ham Bootcamp” program sponsored by the Nashua Area Radio Society, The Consortium was formed out of a need to mentor new amateurs in the Providence, Rhode Island area. And like Ham Bootcamp, it, too has had to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bob Beaudet, W1YRC, and Jim Johnson, K1GND, formed the idea for The Consortium back in 2007. “Listening to the Scituate 146.76 repeater over time, I noticed that several newer hams who were talking about antennas, matching networks, transmission lines, grounding methods, mobile noise remedies and dozens of other common issues were making lots of mistakes in their theory and assumptions. They didn’t even understand most of the terms they were using.”
Since the start of the pandemic, K1GND and W1YRC have switched to weekly electronic tutorials. “Until the restrictions permit us to resume sessions of the Consortium […], Jim K1GND and I are providing electronic material to continue providing Basic Radio material in order to remedially provide knowledge that we all missed working our way up to getting our license.”
They eagerly look forward to resuming in-person meetings at the Asia Grille in Lincoln, Rhode Island as soon as it is safe to do so.
For more information about the Consortium, visit <http://w1ddd.org/consortium.html> or check out The Consortium article in the April, 2018 issue of QST.
“Slow Speed Test” Gains Popularity
In September, 2020, members of the K1USN Radio Club (who are also members of the CW Operators’ Club) started sponsoring a one-hour slow speed CW “contest” called SST aimed at “those who prefer a more leisurely CW pace or are new CW operators or contesters.” SST is held on Mondays at 00:00-01:00 UTC (8-9 PM EDT Sundays).
The event has enjoyed increased popularity, both nationally and internationally. It is supported by the N1MM software logging program. A second weekly one-hour SST session was started on February 5, 2021, at a time more suited for European amateur radio operators: 20:00-21:00 UTC Fridays.
For more information about the Slow Speed Test, please visit <http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html>.
N1DM Featured on Pittsfield Community TV, WTBR-FM, March 25, 2021
Dom Mallozzi, N1DM, was the featured guest on Ham On!, simulcast on Pittsfield (MA) Community Television and WTBR-FM 89.7 on March 25, 2021. Dom spoke about amateur satellites. The early morning program is produced and moderated by Western MA Assistant Section Traffic Manager Peter Mattice, KD2JKV. A recording of the show can be heard at <https://anchor.fm/peter0190/episodes/working-amatuer-sats-etgl31>.
N1DM is active on HF CW , FT8, FT4, satellites, DMR, emergency communications and contesting. He serves as secretary for the Providence (RI) Radio Association, W1OP.
K9HI: “ARRL Update” at Blackstone Valley ARC (RI) & K1USN Radio Club (E.MA)
ARRL New England Division Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, will be the featured speaker at two ARRL affiliated clubs this week.
Phil will present to the Blackstone Valley (RI) Amateur Radio Club on March 29, 2021. On March 30, K9HI will co-present with Eastern MA Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW, at the K1USN Radio Club about ARRL.
Zoom details for the Blackstone Valley meeting can be obtained by emailing Judson Mitstock, W1JMZ at judson@w1jmz.net. For K1USN Radio Club meeting details, contact “Pi” Pugh, K1RV, at k1rv@arrl.net
Maine Ham Radio Society YouTube Channel Features Quality Ham Radio Podcasts
A Maine amateur has created some excellent video podcasts for the Maine Ham Radio Society’s YouTube channel.
Phil Duggan, N1EP, of Milbridge, Maine, has produced four episodes so far: “Soldering & Kit Building is Fun!”, “Morse Code, Straight Keys, Portable Ops & More!”, “The Maine Seagull Net,” and “MHRS RadioActive.”
N1EP is the District 3 Assistant Section Manager in Maine. He serves as president and secretary of the Maine Ham Radio Society.
New England ACC Group Meeting Recap, March 27, 2021
The New England Affiliated Club Coordinator group met on March 27, 2021 via Zoom to discuss issues of mutual interest to the field organization in the various New England sections.
About a dozen field organization volunteers—Section Managers, Assistant Section Managers, and Affiliated Club Coordinators—representing Maine, Vermont, Eastern & Western Massachusetts, and Connecticut were present for the 90 minute call. The meeting was chaired by Connecticut ACC Ed Snyder, W1YSM.
Agenda items included: the impact of COVID-19 on clubs and hamfests; a review of recent virtual state conventions in Vermont and Maine; possible joint club activities, including the upcoming 2022 “Big E” ham project by Larry Krainson, president of the Hampden County (MA) Radio Association; review of an outline by Tom Walsh, K1TW, for an upcoming QST article highlighting the importance of affiliated clubs; and a report on the newly formed ARRL Field Organization Working Group by Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI.
The group meets monthly and conducts business between meetings via a groups.io mailing list.
Western Connecticut Hamfest Approved as a Sanctioned ARRL Hamfest
ARRL New England Division Director Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, has approved the application from organizers of the Western Connecticut Hamfest in Newtown, Connecticut, to become a sanctioned ARRL Hamfest. The event will be held on August 29, 2021.