ARRL’s YouTube channel, ARRLHQ, has launched a series of amateur radio Technician-class license courses. This series of videos features Dave Casler, KE0OG, QST’s “Ask Dave” columnist, who leads viewers through The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual. These videos supplement the manual and provide an overview of the sections you’ll be studying, along with a few videos on how things work. Share this excellent resource with those who are preparing to take their Technician exam, and visit the ARRLHQ YouTube channel for more great amateur radio videos.
KC1OCA: Brimfield State Forest POTA Activation, October 20, 2021
Mike Laferriere, KC1OCA, Monson, MA, is operating from Brimfield State Forest (K-4705) in Brimfield, MA, for Parks On The Air. He was last heard on 14074 kHz on FT8 at around 1410 UTC this morning, according to pota.app. Greater Bridgeport (CT) ARC Combined SET, JOTA & POTA for Fun-Filled Weekend
Members of the Greater Bridgeport Amateur Radio Club combined the best of a Simulated Emergency Test (SET), Jamboree On The Air (JOTA), and Parks On The Air (POTA), while operating from three state parks on October 16, 2021:
- Sherwood Island SP (Park K-1715)
- Silver Sands SP (Park K-1716)
- West Rock SP (Park K-1727) (2 stations)
“Our goal [was] to provide community outreach for ham radio, and to help train our new operators,” explained GBARC president Emily Clarke, N1DID.
During the POTA Event the groups also participated in the CT ARES SET using simplex VHF/UHF as well as DMR.
“I wanted to do the SET from a distance away from our ARES region (Region 1) so we could simulate simplex communications outside our region. I was in Region 2, and all our other stations were in CT State Parks in Region 1 or were mobile enroute. After the SET we turned our attention to our main reason for being in the park, our POTA event,” says Clarke.
According to N1DID, the JOTA contact wasn’t actually planned.
“We were doing HF communications for POTA when a huge troop of Scouts walked by. We asked, ‘Does anyone want to learn about ham radio?’ and they all ran and formed a very disciplined semi-circle around us. I gave them an explanation about HF communications, then gave a short talk explaining how we and other radio amateurs were active on the air promoting our beautiful state parks.”
“We gave additional information about emergency communications. how parents and even scouts can get their technician licenses, and about how they can reach out to local clubs for help with their radio merit badge.
Clarke and her group took questions from the kids and parents and got a big thank you. Clarke encouraged them to reach out to the club in the future. “Afterwards the Scout leader came up and took my email address and said ‘I always wanted to do this.’”
Although N1DID and the other GBARC members got to interact with the public at the other parks “The 40+ Scouts and parents we met was the icing on the cake of a wonderful day in the park.”
October 2021 Rhode Island Activity Report Now Available
The October, 2021 Rhode Island Activity Report is now available at <https://nediv.arrl.org/rhode-island-october-2021-activity-report/>.
2022 ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program Will Open on November 1, 2021
Applications for the 2022 ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program will open on November 1, 2021. More than 100 scholarships ranging from $500 to $25,000 will be awarded in 2022. Scholarship recipients will be notified in May 2022 via USPS mail and email.
All applicants must be active, FCC-licensed amateur radio operators [NOTE: Active foreign amateur radio operators are eligible for the ARDC Scholarships]. All applicants must submit a completed online application.
NEW THIS YEAR: The ARRL Foundation will be utilizing a new Scholarship Management Platform for the 2022 ARRL Foundation Scholarships. Transcripts and any additional required documents must be submitted WITH the application and not emailed separately as was done in the past. A number of scholarships require additional documents, such as a letter of recommendation from a sitting Officer of an ARRL-affiliated club. Applications without accompanying transcripts and additional required documents (if applicable) will not be considered.
The ARRL Foundation Scholarship Committee will review all applicants for eligibility and award decisions.
How to establish an ARRL Foundation Scholarship:
Individuals, groups or clubs wishing to establish an ARRL Foundation Scholarship should go to the Sample Terms of Reference. If more information is needed, please contact the ARRL Foundation by email at foundation@arrl.org or call Melissa Stemmer, KA7CLO, at 860-594-0348.
Newport County (RI) Radio Club Jamboree On The Air 2021
The Newport County Radio Club writes on Facebook:
Scouts across the RI East Bay practice the phonetic alphabet as part of #JOTAJOTI2021 and earning the Radio Merit Badge. #ScoutMeIn #beprepared
October 2021 Eastern MA Section News Now Available
The October, 2021 Eastern MA Section news is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/october-2021-section-news/.
K1PCN To Activate Sherwood Island State Park, K-1715, Westport CT, October 17, 2021
Peter Cimino, K1PCN, writes on the Greater Bridgeport ARC mailing list:
I will be setting up in a clump of tress just north of the West Beach Parking Area. It is flat and shady. Also, you can drive right up to the activation spot. I will be setting up an OCF Dipole for 20, 40 and 80m. Please bring a chair and lunch. I will have water and soft drinks available. Unfortunately it seems that all the restrooms are closed for the fall. I will be monitoring 146.58, the GBARC repeater and DMR talkgroup CT TAC1. If there is enough people, I can set up a second station and if you have a radio but need a battery or antenna to operate, contact me.
I look forward to anyone who would like to try HF. This is a two person job; running the station and logging. I am happy to log and let any of you take control of the station under supervision if needed.
Directions: Sherwood Island State Park is just off Exit 18 off I95. Once you enter the park, proceed straight into the roundabout. Take the first right (west) in the roundabout towards WEST BEACH. Continue straight through the first intersection and take a right (North) at the second intersection (just before the West Beach Parking Area). Continue 100 yards and I will be on the right. Look for my red Toyota Tundra Pick up truck.
GPS N41.114729° -73.334621°. We are 100 yards North of the West Beach Parking area
Any questions, please contact me. Peter K1PCN 203-767-5888
YCCC Qualifications for 2022 WRTC
Dave Malley, W1VEM, writes on the YCCC mailing list:
Congratulations to Bob, WA1Z, and Randy, K5ZD, for qualifying as Team Leaders for the 2022 Italia WRTC championship!
Congratulations also to Dave, K1ZZ; Paul, K1XM; Ed, N1UR; Marty, NN1C; Dennis,W1UE; Gene,W3UA and Robert, WA1FCN.
Nine YCCC members is terrific & my apologies if I missed anyone!
RASON Auction, Gales Ferry, CT, October 30, 2021
Tim Rodgers, KC1TWR, writes:Come to the [Radio Amateur Society Of Norwich] fall auction and get some new to you gear or parts! Our annual Auction is on October 30 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall (1650 CT Route 12, Gales Ferry, CT). This is one mile south of our usual Gales Ferry Fire House
Setup is at 7 AM. Doors open for sellers at 8 AM. Buyers are welcome beginning at 9 AM. The live auction begins at 10 AM. Talk in is on 146.730 MHz (- Offset, PL 156.7 Hz). There will be many items up for sale, and food will be available. Admission is $5 and includes a complimentary donut and coffee. Masks are required on everyone while inside of the building. Please come to support the club, sell your unwanted radio items, and grow your equipment collection!
Contact Mark KE1IU at KE1IUMark@gmail.com with any questions.
Additional information can be found at https://rason.org/rason-auction-information/
Please pass this on to your club members, and any other clubs or people who might be interested.