Barnstable Club Technician License Course in a Weekend Held January 13-14
All 14 of the attendees at the Tech in a Weekend course held by the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club (BARC) and performed at the Cape Cod Fish and Game Club in Harwich the weekend of January 13 and 14 successfully passed their tests at the end of the course. The BARC team consisted of five teachers, each teaching two sub-elements and two VE teams. Instruction was supplemented by downloaded U-tube videos. Opportunities to ask questions both during and after the instruction were provided. An orientation session was held two weeks prior to the course to help the students prepare. All students obtained the ARRL Technician License Manual in advance of the course and used it frequently both before and during class.
In recognition of its status as a Special Service Club, BARC recently created an Education Committee to develop teaching experience, seek out opportunities to hold classes at all levels and generally coordinate club educational activities. This weekend was the first course taught by BARC in several years, following the death of Paul Laconto, W1NP, and is dedicated to his memory.
Volunteer Registration for the 2024 Boston Marathon is Underway
Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes:
We are about two-thirds of the way to our goal for Amateur Radio volunteers for the 2024 Boston Marathon. The registration deadline is Friday, February 2, 2024. It is a hard deadline. We’d like to make sure we achieve our goal and have reserves for the myriad of cancellations that we get as we near the event. We prefer folks to register now even if they are unsure they can do the event and if they can’t make it, they cancel within a reasonable period of time versus not registering because they aren’t sure if they can volunteer as after the deadline, we usually can’t accommodate any new registrants per BAA policy. The details on volunteer registration is listed below between the hashtags and please post these details as is to your various email lists (for any credit cited on the email, please credit the Boston Marathon BAA Amateur Radio Communications Committee versus me personally as we are a committee team so I am just taking care of this task for our overall committee):
###
Volunteer registration for the 2024 Boston Marathon is open. Returning volunteers have received an email from the BAA that included registration instructions. In order to make registration as smooth as possible, we are providing specific instructions for our Amateur Radio Operator (ARO) volunteers.
If you haven’t previously volunteered, or have a friend who would like to volunteer, please go directly to the Volunteer Registration page and follow the instructions for new volunteers.
Step by Step Sign Up Guide:
https://hamradioboston.
A few notes for volunteers:
Almost all amateur radio positions are single person assignments. We are not able to group people on a single assignment, but we will try to accommodate which segment you are assigned to in order to allow for similar start/end times.
Don’t delay! Volunteer registration closes on Friday, February 2 at 5:00 PM EST. It would help our planning processes if you could complete your registration by Friday, January 26.
Help us get the word out by forwarding this email to your club and other amateur radio operators who might wish to volunteer. Most volunteers first learn about the event through word of mouth. If you know new licensees who might like to join us, please make sure to let them know about it. Even just a quick mention at your club meeting can be a big help!
If you have any questions about the upcoming volunteer registration period, or the 2024 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
###
Thanks for your support on this request!
Regards,
Rob Macedo (KD1CY)
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Boston/Norton Massachusetts
Boston Marathon Amateur Radio Communications Committee – Chair Emeritus & MEMA Amateur Radio Liaison
Amateur Extra Course Offered by Massabesic (ME) Adult and Community Education Beginning February 8, 2024
The Massabesic Adult and Community Education Center is offering an Amateur Extra course at its facilities in Waterboro, Maine, beginning February 8, 2024. A “Beginner and Intermediate Electronic Soldering and Kit building course will also be offered later in April.
For more information, see the Wireless Society of Southern Maine (WS1SM) blog page at: <https://blogws1sm.wordpress.com/2024/01/08/ham-radio-level-3-extra-and-beginning-and-intermediate-electronic-soldering-and-kit-building-courses-offered-by-massabesic-adult-ed/>.
HamSCI Invites Amateur Participation in Solar Eclipse, April 8, 2024
Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) is inviting ham radio operators to make radio contacts during the total solar eclipse, probing the Earth’s upper atmosphere known as the ionosphere. The HamSCI Festivals of Eclipse Ionospheric Science will occur on April 8, 2024 during a North American solar eclipse.
To learn how you can participate, visit: https://science.nasa.gov/
Vermont ARRL Field Organization Signs MOU With American Red Cross
Vermont Section Manager Paul Gayet, AA1SU, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the American Red Cross.
According to Paul, “We are just the second state in the union to do so.”
The document is endorsed with the signatures of Vermont’s Section Manager and the American Red Cross Regional Disaster Officer for Vermont.
Town Hall Recap, January 10, 2024
One hundred people attended last night’s New England Division Town Hall Zoom meeting, where discussion centered on several important motions that are before the ARRL board for consideration, including a draft proposal to change ARRL Bylaw 46, entitled “Board Member Statement on Authority, Responsibility, and Expectations.”
A Town Hall panel consisting of Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC; Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI; and invited guest Pacific Division Director Kristen McIntyre, K6WX (one of the “Bylaw 46” related motion authors) explained the need for the bylaw as well as changes to printed QST to attendees.
Some questions related to the Bylaw 46 discussion involved the ARRL Standing Orders, which can be found here, and the Electronic Recording Policy for ARRL Meetings can be downloaded from here.
You can view the discussion and the Q&A via the video presentation below.
“Marty on the Mountain” Engstrom, N1ARY (SK)
From ARRL News:
Avid radio amateur, Marty Engstrom, N1ARY, of Fryeburg, Maine, has become a Silent Key. He died on January 4, 2024. Generations of New England television viewers may know him as Marty on the Mountain from his weather reports on camera for WMTW-TV from the station’s transmitter site on Mount Washington in Gorham, New Hampshire.
Engstrom was known to quip that he was not intentionally in the weather business: “I’m a TV engineer, not a meteorologist!,” he would say. Engstrom served the viewers of New England for 38 years. He began at the station in the mid-1960s, after a career in the United States Air Force, according to a memorial on the WMTW website. He retired in 2002. [Full story]
Winter Field Day: “A Great Opportunity to Practice ARES Groups’ Emergency Preparedness”
Jack Ciaccia, WMØG, Assistant Director, EmComm and Public Service writes on the NE-ECAPS mailing list:
This month, we have a great opportunity to practice our ARES groups’ Emergency Preparedness. The Winter Field Day Association promotes emergency operating preparedness, particularly in the challenging winter months characterized by freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and other hazards that pose unique operational obstacles. The primary objective of Winter Field Day, along with its fundamental principles, is addressing the unpredictability of natural disasters, which can occur unexpectedly. Your training and operational skills must extend beyond fair-weather scenarios, as preparedness is crucial for a professional and timely response to any event.
This event occurs from 19:00 UTC on Saturday, January 27 until Sunday, January 28th, at 18:59.
It’s important to note that Winter Field Day is an emergency communications (EmComm) exercise, so while the rules are significant, the total points accrued are not the primary focus. The knowledge gained during Winter Field Day and the ability to adapt and overcome unexpected obstacles will prove invaluable during emergencies. Participants should prioritize testing their abilities and equipment over chasing contacts or points. When you engage in signal report exchanges, provide accurate signal report information to help the other station assess the effectiveness of their setup. For those who share the commitment to emergency communications, Winter Field Day offers a challenging yet exciting and rewarding experience that aligns with your dedication to this critical aspect of amateur radio.
This year, you’ll observe a shift from “Bonus Points” to “Objectives;” your goal should be to achieve as many objectives as possible during the event.
The New England Division’s ARES group’s goals should include participating from your State EOC and making at least one contact with each New England State EOC via some mode and frequency. I will leave the frequency and modes to each section’s ARES SEC to coordinate.
-
- Any mode is usable during this exercise except FT8 and FT4 modes.
- All frequencies, except for the WARC bands, can be used.
- One hundred watts is the maximum power level for this event.
- Six hours of continuous operation from each participating station.
- Running your station at home or in the field from an emergency power source during the exercise.
- Operating from an outdoor location and perhaps doubling as a POTA/SOTA activation.
The rules are available at: https://winterfieldday.org/
Above all, enjoy the Winter Field Day experience. Discuss the temperature, forge new connections, and create lasting memories as you refine your skills as an amateur radio operator.
You must register your Winter FD operation at: winterfieldday.org/register-
73,
Jack Ciaccia WM0G
Asst Dir., NE EMCOMM and Public Services
303-587-0993
POTA Activation K-1728 Wharton Brook SP, North Haven CT, K2D, for Winter Field Day
Shawn Warren, KC1NQE, writes on the CT-POTA mailing list:
Greetings, Connecticut POTA Activators,
I hope everyone is off to a great start of the year. It is amazing to see this group evolve and all the fun we are having. For this Winter’24 SYP we are going to take our efforts to the next level.
Main Event
The weekend of January 19th-21st, we plan to activate as a group utilizing the K2D call. If you’d like to participate in this event, sign up HERE, and/or send an email to KC1NQE with your Call Sign, intended park if you plan to be in a park during the net, cell number, and if you will be joining us at Wharton. We will assign rover numbers for K2D (ex K2D/r1), which you can use during the entire weekend. This falls under the use of a club call rules, so K2D and your personal call will get credit for the contacts while activating K2D/r. [Station Name: K2D | Operator: Your personal call]. More information will be given to those signing up.
Meet Up Details
We will be hosting a gathering at K-1728 Wharton Brook SP 675 US-5, North Haven, CT 06473 11a until about 2p. This is a family friendly event, all visitors are welcomed to join and operate the K2D station – this is a great opportunity for unlicensed friends and family, and newly licensed individuals to activate on HF. Bring your pota gear and pota gear accessories for a tailgate show-and-tell, along with a mug for hot beverages.
P2P Net Details
We would also like to light up the spot page with K2D (pota admins are aware). With the success of the CT P2P net during the Fall’23 SYP, and the excellent suggestions to make it better, we are going to have another go at it. Just before 11:30a on Saturday Jan 20th, a mass text with a frequency for the net will be sent out to those signed up and in a park. The frequency will be somewhere between 7.185 and 7.210, with the expectation of QRM. K2D will act as a net control, utilizing the sign up list to start making calls- when called, treat it like any P2P contact – Call, Park, Sig. This initial call up will act as a check in to the net – if you miss the first go around, opportunity will be granted at the end . Make a list of the stations you hear on the check in or print the signup sheet to bring with you. Once the check in is complete, Net Control (K2D) will give control to the next person on the list who will then make calls to those that checked in, then return the net to K2D. Make a general ‘any missed stations call’ at the end before returning the net to K2D. Other stations should take note of late check ins and add them to their list. Those that have already gone and missed a QSO with the late check in can do so when the missed station call is made by the late check in.
Contingency Plan
Connecticut winter has been kind to us so far, but we all know how that can go. If snow prevents us from utilizing a safe, and within the rules, activation location at Wharton Brook, we will divert to K-1717 Sleeping Giant SP 200 Mt Carmel Ave, Hamden, CT 06518. If the gathering is canceled due to weather, the assigned rover calls are still usable for the weekend.