Lots of Activities Planned at HAM-CON, February 25, 2023

by

HAM-CON, the ARRL Vermont Convention will be Saturday, February 25th, 8AM-1:30 PM at the Hampton Inn Convention Center, off of I-89 Exit 16 in Colchester.

We would love to get everyone back to meeting LIVE at the convention again. If you are within 2-3 hours of travel, please do consider joining us live. This would include everyone in Vermont, Northern New York and much of New Hampshire. If you cannot travel for some reason, please do consider JOINING US ONLINE! Simply buy an advanced sale ticket (only $6) which will allow you join in and take part in all our forums and even view the forums afterwards. Information and tickets can be found at ham-con.org

Our theme for HAM-CON 2023 is “Getting On The Air” There are many facets to amateur radio, but the most popular and endearing activity is getting on the air and contacting other hams. Our lineup of forums and activities will emphasize just that.

If you are going to get on the air, you might as well be great at your craft! “Be The Best Operator You Can Be” with W1SJ will detail all the fine points of making all those QSO’s. And, you don’t have to sit at home in your basement to get on the air. “Get Out and Operate” with K1BIF will show how we make contacts from parks, summits, farms and even boats! And if that is not enough for you, “Operate From Anywhere Remotely” with W1VE will detail how you can access a ham shack anywhere on the planet from the comforts of home. There is nothing like working the world while driving on a long trip. “Operating an HF Mobile Station” with AB1OC will cover how to setup, build and operate an HF mobile station capable of working anyone. Experienced operators will tell you that there is a rhythm to making many contacts, much like a dance. K8ZT will describe this for us in “The Rhythm of the QSO.” Some hams take their operating very seriously as they compete in contests. We’ll explore the World Radio Team Championship, the Olympics of ham radio in “The WRTC Competitive Experience” with N9RV. We’ll also have the 2023 running of the ARRL Forum and find out the latest from our national organization. And finally, how well do you know your ham radio trivia? Join us for the Millionaire Game Show where we will ask such questions and you may just win a cool (fake) million dollars!

Add to the above the flea market, Tech table, DMR table, W1V special event station, demonstrations and VE session and we have one heck of show. Be sure to buy your ticket early and be there! Again, look us up at ham-con.org for all the details on HAM-CON 2023, February 25th. 

Connecticut Valley FM Association Swapfest Canceled, February 4, 2023

by

CVFMA logoOn February 2, 2023 at 18:10:24, Bruce Beford N1RX wrote:

Good evening, all.

I have spoken with a majority of the CVFMA board members this evening about the dangerous weather conditions that are approaching. In light of this and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to CANCEL this Saturday’s swapfest that was scheduled to be held in Charlestown, NH.

The last thing any of us want is to endanger the health or safety of our members and the attending public. I apologize for this late notice, but we feel under the circumstances it is the right thing to do.

Expect other emails to be sent to those that registered as vendors, and PLEASE help us get the word out through any channels you may have. We do not want people to be travelling in dangerous conditions to an event that is not taking place.

We will revisit the possibility of rescheduling at a later date.

Thanks All.

Bruce Beford, N1RX
CVFMA Presiden

 

Rescue by Ham Radio in New Hampshire

by

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

Boston Marathon Needs Amateur Radio Volunteers

by

BAA MarathonThe Boston Marathon Amateur Radio team is still in need of about 50 additional volunteers to fill our nearly 300 assignments. The BAA volunteer registration deadline is this Friday, February 10 at 5:00 PM EST. The Boston Marathon will be taking place on Monday, April 17, 2023.

If you are still undecided, we encourage you to register now; you can discuss any questions you may have with us and if you decide this is not for you this year you can withdraw between now and the end of March.

If you had an experience last year that has not made you want to return this year, please reach out and we will do our best to make it right. We want every volunteer to enjoy their race day experience, but we understand that sometimes things happen.

If you have not previously volunteered and want to chat about what we do, what is expected of us, and what equipment you might need, please do not hesitate to drop us an email.

NOTE: The BAA will not have any specific COVID policies this year for vaccination or testing.
Registration Link (for new and returning volunteers):
BAA registration can be accessed via the BAA web site specifically in the “Athletes’ Village” section.
https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/volunteer/volunteer-registration
Step by Step Sign Up Guide: 
https://hamradioboston.freshdesk.com/en/support/solutions/articles/44002389087-2023-volunteer-registration-step-by-step-guide. If you have any questions about the upcoming volunteer registration period, or the 2023 Marathon generally, please get in touch anytime. Volunteering at the Marathon is a big job and we appreciate the time and effort everyone puts into it. We’re happy to do what we can to make your work fun, comfortable, and effective.

We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Thank you, and 73,

Boston Marathon Communications Committee
contact@HamRadioBoston.org

Please make sure to whitelist volunteer@baa.org and contact@HamRadioBoston.org to make sure you receive BAA and ARO committee communications.

K1IR Appointed to ARDC Grants Advisory Committee

by

Jim Idelson, K1IRFrom YCCC Scuttlebutt, February 2023:

Jim Idelson, K1IR, has recently been appointed to the ARDC Grants Advisory Committee. Jim, past YCCC President (2001 – 2002), has been involved in amateur radio since 1971, and he credits the hobby with helping him achieve a productive and fulfilling career in technology and business. He is an active contributor to the amateur radio community through his involvement in public service events, as an author, and through the Zero Falls Alliance – an initiative he created to focus on tower safety in amateur radio. Jim has also served as a volunteer with local, regional and national organizations. Other amateur radio activities include contesting, DXing, and experimentation. Congratulations, Jim!

MVARA to host Mesh Network Training Session

by

Jay Taft, K1EHZ, and Ken, N1KWG, announce there will be a mesh network training session on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7:00 pm.

All those who are interested are welcome to join the meeting. 

The slides to be used for the training can be found on the MVARA website:

http://merrimackvalleyara.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Merrimack-Valley-Digital-Network-Training-Presentation.pdf

If you are interested in participating in the upcoming session, please contact Jay or Ken at their qrz.com addresses.

 

Barnstable ARC holds Winter Field Day at Scout Camp

by

The Barnstable ARC (BARC) held its first Winter Field Day (WFD) at Boy Scout Camp Greenough in Yarmouth, MA this weekend.  The Club and the Boy Scouts are working together to put a permanent amateur radio station at the camp.  As part of the close relationship being forged with scouting, BARC (W1MA) set up a 2O station in the camp and manned it around the clock with a dozen volunteers.  Since the Administration building was winterized with no heat or water, it was an ideal location for an outdoor experience including temporary heaters and bringing in water.  Although the effort was smaller than BARC’s summer Field Day, setting up the antennas and operating in cold weather gave both old timers and newer operators valuable experience.  Don, KT1OK (foreground) and Lem, W1LEM were finishing the operation on Sunday afternoon, logging a few last-minute contacts on 15 and 40 meters.

665 contacts were made on 5 bands using emergency power with stations as far away as Hawaii.  BARC is taking every opportunity to showcase amateur radio at Camp Greenough that hosts camp outs to scouts from all over Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Winter Field Day continues this effort that began with Jamboree on the Air last Fall and continues with WFD and the removal of trees in preparation for Eversource to install three donated poles for the permanent radio station antenna supports.

 

Cape Ann (MA) Amateur Radio Association Technician In A Day Session, February 25, 2023

by

Cape Ann ARA logo

Our Technician In A Day Session is a study course.  The course allows you to become licensed by the Federal Communications Commission.

You should obtain a copy of the ARRL Technician Class License Manual.  You may purchase this book at Ham Radio Outlet or any other amateur radio related store.

You should read the book.  The information contained therein will allow you to answer questions on a 35 question test for obtaining your Technician License.

There are videos on Youtube at W4EEY that explain the theory and cover the questions to enhance your knowledge.   You may also take practice exams at hamstudy.org for comprehension.

TECH IN A DAY CLASSROOM SESSION

  1. You should apply and obtain a FCC Registration Number at: https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do
  2. You will be charged a slight fee for this course. Normally, $15.00 for the Examination and $10.00 for materials, snacks and drinks which will be provided for the session.
  3. The Tech In A Day Session will be almost a full day session (8 am to 5pm)
  4. The first Study Session begins at 9:00am for 45 minutes and you will be given a 15 minute break before the next session begins at 10 am.
  5. Three study sessions will be held before a lunch break (approximately 11:45am-1:00pm)
  6. There will be three more study sessions in the afternoon to run to 4:45 pm.
  7. Testing will begin approximately at 5:00 pm.

You will be administered an examination of 35 questions of which you must score at least 26 out of 35 or better to PASS.

Upon completion and passing of your examination you will be handed a Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination) (CSCE Form).

Your call sign should be process in 10-12  business days.

If you would like more information, you may email us at caarave@caara.net or Telephone (978) 504-9112 for more information.