NEDECN and Merrimack Valley Mesh Network Pilot

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The New England Digital Emergency Communications Network (NEDECN) operates an extensive system of DMR repeaters connected through the commercial internet.  Some sites utilize mesh network nodes for repeater control and monitoring.

Bill Barber, NE1B and Jay Taft, K1EHZ are working on a pilot to interconnect 5.8 GHz mesh nodes between the Merrimack Valley mesh network and NEDECN mesh nodes in NH to demonstrate that use of NEDECN sites provides an effective way to expand both networks with the following benefits:

  1.  Enhanced remote site visual and spectral monitoring
  2.  Expanded network footprint for increased reliability
  3.  Better backup of internet connections between NEDECN repeaters
  4.  Potential high site paths to connect geographically separate mesh networks.

The first pilot is expected to be performed in September/October 2022. 

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Port City ARC (NH) to Highlight Amateur Radio at Navy History Day, September 10, 2022

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Sign for USS-Albacore Submarine Park, Portsmouth NHPreparations are underway by Port City Amateur Radio Club members to set up an Amateur Radio display at Navy History Day at the USS Albacore in Portsmouth, NH.

PCARC President Kriss Kliegle, KA1GJU, explains that the display will be geared towards younger children. “[We will] show them the code practice oscillator and teach them how to send code. There will be some paperwork with the Morse code characters. In the past, we have had them send their name or simple messages in code.”

 KA1GJU also plans to record “a swath of spectrum in the HF bands (IQ data) and play it back with my SDR Console software to demonstrate CW, and some of the digital modes on the bands. If we are allowed WiFi access, I could access my network of live SDR’s via the SDR Console Servers that I have. Using a real radio and antenna at the site is next to impossible due to the QRM from leaky HV power lines all around the museum.” Kriss adds, “This is where the club can present Amateur Radio to the younger generation, which is one of the most important aspects of our club… seek new members and get them active on the radio.”

The five hour event is estimated to have over two hundred adults and fifty children and young adults in attendance.

Team K2H 13 Colonies QSL Party, September 4, 2022

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Team K2H QSL preparationLarry Krainson, W1AST, writes:
 
On Sunday, September 4th, friends and members of Team K2H, the 13 Colonies Massachusetts team, got together to prepare QSL cards to send.

I had ordered 1,000 cards and hoped that it would be enough this year. The team made 21,373 QSOs this year—over 6,000 more than in 2021. That made us think we’d have many more QSL requests this year.

 
Our twenty-four K2H operators were kept busy. Most of the contacts were made using FT8 or other digital modes This year, many more contacts were DX.
 
When we were finished, we had prepared 970 cards to be mailed on Tuesday. That is far more than any other year.
 
Card requests continue to come in long after the special event. This year, I even received a request from 2020.
 
Team K2H had a blast making contacts during the 13 Colonies special event operation on July 1-7, 2022.
 
If you are interested in becoming an activator in 2023, please contact Larry, W1AST, at hamop.w1ast@arrl.net.
 

RFI Team Experience – Some Lessons Learned

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The RFI Teams are starting to gain some experience with use of the on-line troubleshooting guide to help hams experiencing RFI issues.

One common problem is hams not using the guide and decision tree to eliminate RFI sources in the house by opening the main breaker. 

Another is contacting the team lead without completing the form that the team uses to help troubleshoot. For the teams to be effective as well as to build a useful body of case information, the process needs hams to do the pre-team investigation.

Hams that have questions about the process after starting their investigation can email me at k1ui@arrl.net so we can help you and/or improve the web pages.

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Additional Volunteers Sought for Project Big E, West Springfield MA

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Project Big E logoLarry Krainson, W1AST, writes:

The Big E is coming up fast and the first day is Friday, September 16th.

As of now, there are 12 clubs and around 110 people signed up to staff the ham radio booth. We are looking for a few more to help us lock down the schedule. Are you available on any of these dates and times?

Each day is broken into two sessions. The first runs 9:30 am through 4 :00 pm and the second runs 3:30 pm through 10:00 pm. The overlap is to help the new arrivals for the 2nd session learn what had been working during the first session so they could continue. The sessions are named Session 1 and Session 2.

Here is where we need volunteers as of right now:
Monday, Sept 19, session 1 – need 2 people
Monday, Sept 19, session 2 – need 3 people
Tuesday, Sept 20, session 2 – need 3 people
Sunday, Sept 25, session 2 – need 3 people
Tuesday, Sept 27, session 2 – need 4 people
Friday, Sept 30, session 2 – need 3 people
Saturday, Oct 1, session 1 – needs 1 person
Sunday, Oct 2 (Final Day), session 1 – needs 2 people
Sunday, Oct 2 (Final session), session 2 – needs 2 people
Are you available to help? If yes, please volunteer or add a session to what you have already volunteered for.

As a reminder, everyone that volunteers will have their Big E fairgrounds parking reimbursed and their admission reimbursed (or free tickets provided to them).

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9_iH1ZucHuCFCNwreEuVPWnmLOT5D_s92vHPuEUASS78Tew/viewform

Learn more here: https://nediv.arrl.org/project-big-e

I hope you are available to help us lock in these last few days of the schedule for the ham radio booth.

Thank you and 73,

Larry, W1AST

SECARS Foxhunt, Near Norwich CT, September 4, 2022

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Mark Noe, KE1IU, writes on the ctfoxhunter list: 

As a reminder, [the Southeastern Connecticut Amateur Radio Society] will have a fox hunt tomorrow [September 4] at 1 PM.  If you are not familiar where the Tri Town Trail is, the entrance we will be using is opposite the Preston Park on Route 117.   The closest cross street is Rose Hill Road.  
 
The directions from the website below are misleading. If you follow the website you will end up on the far side of the Preston park a street away from the fox hunt.
 
We will have talk-in support on 146.730 MHz PL 156.7 Hz.  Fox L’s frequency and characteristics have been uploaded to our website – check out https://secars.org/foxhunting/ .  I look forward to seeing you there tomorrow.
 
Many thanks,
 
-Mark

Blackstone Valley ARC Consortium – 16th Season

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Bob Beaudet, W1YRC, writes:

On Monday, September 12th, we shall kick off the 16th season of the Consortium. After taking the summer off, we’re ready to start another terrific season of discussions concerning basic radio. We have discovered that many hams are weak in knowledge of fundamentals, not just newly minted ones but many old timers as well.

We shall meet at the Manville Sportsmen’s Club located at 250 High St., Lincoln, RI starting at 6:30. Jim K1GND and I will start by reporting what Jim K1GND and I have been up to since the last Consortium which consists mostly of the Gaspee project, another outreach effort intended to promote the image of BVARC.

I will spend a little time telling the group how we got to this point in the program and what we plan to do in future sessions of the Consortium.

Please do all that you can to spread the word regarding September 12th’s meeting of the Consortium. My mailing list is FAR from complete. Everyone is welcome. We charge no admission or require membership in anything. Attendees don’t even need to hold an Amateur license. But all must be serious about learning radio basics.

They must, however, have a keen interest in sharpening their baseline knowledge in radio principles. If you want to come only for socializing, please do not come. The Consortium is friendly and informal but we seriously focus on learning basic radio material. Our program covers antennas, power supplies, propagation, operating technique and other things that all Amateurs must embrace to fully enjoy our wonderful hobby.

We are even considering running another Morse code class, separate from the general Consortium session, aimed at the recent “no-code” licensees who realize that they’re lacking a very useful operating skill. We have conducted three classes previously and they were mostly successful. Of course, we encourage attendees to bring their questions to the Consortium, especially those that you have researched and failed to obtain satisfactory answers. We rather strongly avoid advanced topics in the Consortium. Our focus is building and strengthening foundation knowledge. Advanced topics need to build upon good basic knowledge for one to understand and properly use that knowledge, similar to a house. It must have a solid foundation to build upon.

73, Bob W1YRC and Jim, K1GND

Question?? E mail W1YRC at W1YRC@ARRL.ORG

 

I’ve been asked what our policy is regarding COVID and what they should do regarding any mask requirement for the Consortium.  First of all, thank you for asking. Please accept my apology for failing to address this important issue. We’re not out of the woods yet, but  it appears that we’re heading that way. Each of us have different medical issues that we must deal with. Jim and I have been fully vaccinated but Jim will be wearing a mask because his wife, Anne, has been undergoing chemotherapy and other  serious medical treatment and in an abundance of caution and concern for everyone coming to the Consortium, he shall wear a mask. 
 
I live alone and have not been in contact with anyone having COVID, so I shall not be wearing a mask. That may change but for now, that’s the way we’re dealing with it. 
 
You should wear a mask if you feel comfortable doing so and if anyone would feel more comfortable if I wore a mask, kindly say so  and I’ll better  We surely don’t want this to keep you from attending. If you would feel more comfortable if I wore a mask, please send me a reply to this e mail. Only I shall see your request if you do not reply to all.  No list will be published or revealed of who requested it. 
 
Thanks and 73. Best wishes for a nice Labor Day weekend, Don’t let the rain forecasted spoil your family time or DXing.  Hope to see you on the 12th. 
 
Bob

Nashua Area Radio Society Fall License Classes

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The Nashua Area Radio Society will be giving license classes for all levels this fall.  The classes will be online via Zoom web conferencing and will include an online exam session at the end of the class.  Here is the schedule:

  • Technician Class:  Saturday and Sunday, September 17th and 18th
  • General Class: Saturday and Sunday, October 22nd and 23rd
  • Extra Class: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday November 11th, 12th, and 13th

You can find more information at https://www.n1fd.org/amateur-radio-license-class/

 

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ARRL Foundation Grants $270,000 to Amateur Radio Clubs

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From ARRL News:

08/31/2022 – The new ARRL Foundation Club Grant Program, funded by a generous grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), has awarded $270,000 to radio clubs that participated in the first round of applications.

The Club Grant Program, introduced earlier this year, includes $500,000 to be awarded to radio clubs with projects that will have the most impact on amateur radio, the community, and the future of radio technology. The grants will fund transformative projects that encourage the growth of active amateur radio operators and training opportunities, education programs for student groups and schools, and club revitalization. A second round of applications to award the program’s remaining funding will open on September 7, 2022.

Twenty-four clubs were notified on Monday, August 29, that they are receiving grants. The ARRL Foundation received 128 applications in the first round, with requests totaling $1.74 million. The selection committee noted that it was difficult work deciding from many high-quality grant proposals considering the finite available funds. Radio clubs that did not receive grants in the first round may revise and resubmit applications in the second round.

An informational webinar will serve as an orientation to the program, providing information on how to apply. The webinar will take place on September 7 at 7 PM Eastern Time. Please register in advance to attend. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar:

Webinar: ARRL Club Grant Program | Round Two Kickoff
When: September 7, 2022 at 7 PM Eastern Time
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PezTqPKCTzuwy58FWWgJ3A

The ARRL Foundation, established in 1973 by ARRL  The National Association for Amateur Radio®, administers the Club Grant Program. ARRL has long recognized that it is in the best interests of amateur radio to encourage and support amateur radio clubs. Clubs historically have recruited, licensed, and trained new radio amateurs and have provided the community setting for them to continue their education and training.

The new Club Grant Program will help clubs more easily provide and expand their important services. More information about the program can be found on the ARRL Foundation website at www.arrl.org/club-grant-program.