Jay Taft, K1EHZ and the Merrimack Valley ARA and Bill Barber, NE1B, representing NEDECN have partnered up to connect several DMR repeaters in southern NH with 5.8 GHz mesh networks. This approach makes the internet connections between the repeaters more robust and provides the potential for remote monitoring of the sites, both using cameras and spectrum sampling. The high elevation sites also provide better unobstructed distances between mesh nodes making it possible to deploy more efficient networks using fewer nodes to achieve long distances. One useful feature of the network is the mapping of the various network nodes in layers that improves visualization and planning activities. Use of various symbol types for different services and color coding of node speeds and link types provides a compact but also complete view of the network. Watch for future posts that discuss various other mesh network capabilities as the New England Division witnesses expansion of connected emergency networks using recently approved and future grants. Progress is discussed at the nemesh@groups.io bi-monthly Zoom meetings, next held on Thursday, November 3 at 7 PM. Membership in the group is open to all interested hams.
Third 2022 New England Town Hall Recap, October 19, 2022
The third of three 2022 New England Division Town Hall meeting presentations held on October 19 was, once again, well attended.
Director Kemmerer, Vice Director Temples and the division’s four assistant directors described their recent activities and accomplishments, including the ARRL Club Grant Program and The BIG E Space Chat. In addition, the six panelists fielded questions on a variety of topics, including: the status of Technician license band enhancement with the FCC; digital symbol rate rules; efforts to revamp NTS (“NTS 2.0”); ARRL membership renewals, and new ham recruitment.
The agenda (in PDF format) can be viewed, below; as well as the entire video presentation.
ARRL New England Division Town Hall 2022-10-19 video recording
National Weather Service, Gray Maine, Winter Weather Spotting Training Courses
Bill Arcand, W1WRA, writes on the Granite State ARA mailing list:
2022 NWS Gray Winter Spotter Training (Virtual)
Help your National Weather Service by becoming a Winter Weather Storm Spotter! Storm spotters report snowfall, ice accumulation, ice jam flooding and coastal flood erosion during Northern New England’s long harsh winters. Spotter training will teach you how to accurately measure and report significant winter weather phenomena!
- Where: Your Home
- Registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4724637075053429773
- When: Tuesday, Nov 15th, at 6:00 pm
- Cost: Free to all those interested in Weather!!!
For other training in upcoming months, check out the National Weather Service online at https://www.weather.gov/gyx/skywarn. You can contact Donald Dumont Donald.Dumont@noaa.gov for additional information on this training.
Adventure at the Fort—New England Regional Scouting Jamboree a Huge Success: Cub Scouts Love Radio
The Newport County (RI) Radio Club was a strong presence at Saturday’s wildly successful Scouting Jamboree Adventure public day at historic Fort Adams (1799) in Newport, Rhode Island. Over 3000 Scouts attended this post-covid New England regional Jamboree weekend.
One of the day’s highlights was a dramatic Coast Guard helicopter to water rescue drill watched with rapt attention by the cross-generation crowds on a perfect day.
The large and active Newport (RI) County Radio Club set up multiple hands-on stations across the west side of Fort Adams facing Narragansett Bay, and NCRC volunteers spoke all day with hundreds of Scouts and adults eager to learn more about making satellite contacts, GMRS, CW, HF, and well-received demos on the principles of radio communication.
A special shout out in this post to the 5th grade Cub Scouts who rallied around NCRC Scouting Jamboree lead, John Vecoli, KC1KOO, shown below with Cub Scouts from packs across RI, including East Greenwich and Richmond. Nearby, 5th grade Cub Scouts Valerie and Ingrid from Newport’s small but vibrant coed pack were excited to hear about becoming a licensed radio operator from NCRC new hams Nolan Byrne, K1PRU, and Pat Strong, K2PRU, from Prudence Island who loved mentoring the girls on their own new radios. The future looked bright today!
Merrimack Valley ARA (MVARA) Achieves 501.c.3 Status and ARRL Affiliation
The Merrimack Valley Amateur Radio Association (MVARA) had its first meeting this evening having achieved several milestones in its effort to build on recent successes in providing mesh network back-up for NEDECN DMR repeaters. The club plans to expand its network of interconnected hospitals and repeater sites and it is now positioned to apply for grant funding. In addition, the club’s ARRL affiliation makes it possible to obtain ARRL support, available to all affiliated clubs.
With the focus on mesh expansion in New Hampshire and grant funding recently secured in Maine and Rhode Island, the expansion of interconnected amateur communications networks throughout New England is making visible progress.
The MVARA Officers and Directors are:
President – Jay Taft K1EHZ
Vice President – John Yurcak K9AEN
Secretary – Steve Nelson WA1EYF
Membership Secretary – Paul Blais KC1KMM
Treasurer – Ken Geddes N1KWG
Directors
Bill Barber NE1B
Steve Davidson NA1T
Jack Duffy NF1L
Ed Leduc KA1IJN
If you or your club wants to start a mesh network in New England, contact Rob, K1UI at k1ui@nediv.arrl.org, and he’ll put you in touch with those folks who can help.
Ham Radio Auction Supports ARRL Programs
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® invites its members and all amateur radio operators to get ready for the 17th Annual ARRL Online Auction. Bidding gets under way on Friday, October 21, 2022, at 10:00 AM EDT. The auction continues through Thursday, October 27. RT Systems, Inc. is sponsoring this year’s ARRL Online Auction, which benefits ARRL education and technology initiatives and programs. A preview of the items that will be up for bid begins on Wednesday, October 19. This year’s auction features ARRL Product Review equipment, vintage books, and the ever-popular ARRL Lab Mystery Junque Boxes. [Full story]
Ham Radio Minecraft Mod Project Gaining Momentum
A New England amateur is developing a project to promote youth outreach for Amateur Radio. It’s known as “Ham Radio Minecraft Mod.” To read how Amateur Radio could benefit by being a part of the Minecraft universe, read Lucas’ extensive documentation at <https://docs.google.com/
Hampden County (MA) Radio Association Auction, November 4, 2022
From the Hampden County Radio Association email reflector:
Ham Radio Auction
- Free Yourself of Unused Gear
- Discover the Classic You have longed For
- Avoid High eBay and PayPal Fees
- Meet old friends
- Have Fun
When: Friday November 4 2022
Where: Holyoke Hospital Auxiliary Room: http://www.hcra.org/meeting-lo
Five minutes from Route 91 Exit 14
Doors open At 7 PM
Rules:
- 10 Percent of selling price or $1 minimum to HCRA.
- Ham Radio related only. No Old PCS, Monitors, or Printers etc.
- You must take home any items that were not sold.
- Tag each item with your name call , phone and email
For additional info contact Larry, W1AST at w1ast@arrl.net club president
Ghosts in the Air Glow Project
Bill Arcand, W1WRC, writes on the Granite State ARA mailing list:
This is an interesting project that is taking place in the shortwave spectrum.
https://ghostsintheairglow.space/node/643
Ghosts in the Air Glow is a transmission art project working with the HAARP Ionospheric Research Instrument to mix audio and images at the liminal boundaries of earth’s atmosphere and outer space.
Transmissions will be next week. See https://ghostsintheairglow.space/transmission/october-2022 for a list of modes and frequencies, as well as how to send reception reports.
If anyone receives anything, feel free to share here as well..
RFI Teams in New England Continue to Grow
The Eastern MA Section has three new RFI team members, Ed K1EP, Stan, KD1LE and Mark, KA1INE. This brings the total number of team members in EMA to seven and to a total of 29 in the New England Division. Team information is found at New England Division RFI Teams by ARRL Section – ARRL New England Division. All deserve recognition for stepping up to support their fellow radio amateurs and several cases are already in progress. Negotiations for the team equipment have been completed and orders will be placed on receipt of approved ARDC grant funds, expected in the next few days. Distribution and equipment training is planned for the next several months. Any questions about the RFI Team project should be sent to Assistant Director for Spectrum Protection and Use, Rob Leiden, K1UI, at k1ui@arrl.net.