The February, 2022 Eastern MA Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/february-2022-section-news/.
ARRL New England Division Facebook Page Debuts
The ARRL New England Division now has a Facebook social media page. Facebook users are encouraged to visit the page at <https://facebook.com/nediv.arrl.org> and “Like” it.
“We hope to mirror many of the posts that appear on our main website but we encourage others to contribute content from their respective clubs and personal pages that might be of interest to the New England community,” writes New England Division Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI.
The Vermont State Convention Feb. 26, 2022
Bob Beaudet W1YRC, writes on the RI ARRL Members list:
Greetings fellow RIers:
ARRL has asked me to blast this information to our small but mighty section. Vermont has lots of snow and possibly the ski fans here can justify heading to Vermont for the 26th and take in the convention as well as spending some time in lots of snow. Have fun. 73, Bob W1YRC
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HAM-CON, the ARRL Vermont State Convention, February 26
The ARRL Vermont State Convention, known as HAM-CON, will be held Saturday, February 26, at 8AM-1PM live in Colchester, VT and On-Line at HAM-CON.ORG.
If you are in our primary coverage area of Vermont, Northern NH, Northern NY and Southern Quebec, we hope to see you in person. However, anyone, anywhere can take part in HAM-CON. On-Line attendees will get to participate in the forums, will see the flea market room, will get to converse with other attendees in separate video rooms and even watch our special event station W1V.
We have a super line-up planned for this year! ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, will start things off by telling us about 2021 happenings at ARRL and what to look forward to in 2022. Our newly elected New England Director, Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, will detail accomplishments made and planned for in his first 100 days in office. Dave Casler, KE0OG, author of the “Ask Dave” column in QST, will be on hand to answer all of your technical questions. Ed Hare W1RFI will focus on current issues in radio frequency interference to ham radio operations. We’ll have other great forums on technical and operating topics, plus a totally fun forum never seen before. You won’t want to miss it!
Advanced admission to HAM-CON is only $6, available right on the web site http://www.ham-con.org. If you are not sure of your plans, buy your ticket now and it can be used live or on-line. The price jumps up to $10 on February 20, so don’t wait! Details on early vendor admission and table reservations can also be found on the site.
HAM-CON is one of the first Conventions of each year and the only New England Convention held in the first quarter. Be sure to join us to keep connected with other ham radio operators from the North Country and learn why we are considered the “best little hamfest in the world.” Hope to see you there, live or on camera!
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ARRL Rhode Island Section
Section Manager: Robert G Beaudet, W1YRC
w1yrc@arrl.org
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Youth Preparedness Council Applicants Sought
The Youth Preparedness Council (YPC) was created in 2012 to bring together youth leaders interested in supporting disaster preparedness and making a difference in their communities by completing disaster preparedness projects nationally and locally.
The council supports FEMA’s commitment to involve America’s youth in preparedness-related activities. It also provides young people an opportunity to present their perspectives, feedback, and opinions to FEMA staff. Members regularly meet with staff and attend the annual Youth Preparedness Council virtual summit. [Full story]
Ten-Tech Suspends Parts and Service Operations
Citing the electronics shortage of microprocessors, memory, and “even very basic parts such as linear voltage regulators,” long-time amateur radio equipment manufacturer Ten-Tech has announced plans to suspend its parts and service operation at its Sevierville, Tennessee plant.
ARRL Foundation Grant Program Accepting Proposals
From ARRL Web:
The ARRL Foundation grants program awards limited funding to organizations for eligible amateur radio related projects and initiatives, particularly those with a focus on educating, licensing, and supporting Amateur Radio activities. Youth-based projects and initiatives are especially encouraged. The ARRL Foundation grants program accepts proposals on a cyclical model three times a year.
Grant proposals are accepted from:
- February 1 – February 28
- June 1 – June 30
- October 1 – October 31
All proposals will be reviewed by the Grant Committee at the close of each cycle. Once the Committee agrees on the proposals to fund, they will be sent to the full Foundation Board for a formal vote. Awardees will be notified approximately one month after the closing of each cycle. [Full story]
NH House Bill 1644
New Hampshire Section Manager Peter Stohrer, K1PJS, writes on the NH ARRL Members List on February 8, 2022 at 8:24 PM:
Hello NH ARRL Members,
House Bill 1644 was introduced to the NH House which would require 5G telecommunication antenna to be placed at least 1,640 feet from residentially zoned areas, parks, playgrounds, hospitals, nursing homes, day care centers, and schools. Also, the bill seeks to address concerns regarding potential RF exposure. The bill appears to be aimed primarily at wireless 5G applications but enough ambiguity in the wording has raised legitimate concerns that other non 5G radio services including amateur radio could be impacted.
The House Science, Technology and Energy Committee voted 17 to 4 on February 7, 2022 to recommend to the House that the bill be sent to interim study. If the recommendation is passed by the full House, a committee will be established and likely meet over the summer to determine whether legislation is recommended in the next term or not.
NH ARRL Leadership along with Director Kemmerer, AB1OC, and Vice Director Temples, K9HI, will be closely monitoring the House action and activity of the study committee if established regarding this bill.
A full reading of the bill can be found at:
https://www.gencourt.state.nh.
73
Pete, K1PJS
NH SM
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ARRL New Hampshire Section
Section Manager: Peter J Stohrer, K1PJS
k1pjs@arrl.org
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Maine Section eNews February, 2022
Mother Nature has made it known that winter is definitely here in Maine the past few weeks. When not clearing walks and driveways of snow and ice, this has been an opportune time to stay in the comfort of our shacks and play radio! I have been busy playing cw QRP now that some sunspots are reappearing, and this week I intend to get some rig-control working on my Kenwood HF rig.
The Maine ARRL section has lots going on in the coming weeks. Here is a digest of items you may be interested in:
HAMFESTS
Augusta Boat Anchor Hamfest at Le Club Calumet in Augusta, Saturday, February 12. Address 334 West River Road in Augusta from 8am to noon. Admission $5. VE Exam sessions at 0930. Find more info at http://www.w1tlc.org/ Androscoggin ARC Hamfest and Convention at the Ramada Inn Conference Center in Lewiston. , Apr 1 – 2, 2022. Some presentations Friday evening. Hamfest Saturday morning. Get more info at http://www.w1npp.org/pages/MEConvention2022.html
I will have a Maine ARRL Section table setup at both events. Stop by and chat!
HELP WANTED!
The CanAm Crown International Sled Dog Races need more ham radio volunteers for the March 5 – 6 event in Aroostook County. Contact Derrick Ouellette, KW1A email KW1A@arrl.net if you can assist. The Boston Marathon is in need of many more ham radio volunteers for this year’s event and Maine hams can participate. If you can help, sign up at http://register.hamradioboston.org by Feb 18.
OTHER NEWS
– Maine’s YL Champion Joan Hildreth, W1DLC, reports that soon there will be a Maine YL Facebook Page where YLs can share news and ideas, etc. Joan can be reached at joanhild0808@gmail.com.
– Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL) YL OM CONTEST…. Feb 12 – 14. More details at ylrl.net
– Those hams involved with public service, and especially with emergency communications, are highly encouraged to complete the free FEMA courses IS-100.c and IS-700.b which are introductory courses pertaining the the Incident Command System, and more. If we are to serve government and other agencies, it helps to know their hierarchy, policies, etc. You can take these short courses by visiting training.fema.gov
– All amateur radio clubs would benefit with an active PIO – Public Information Officer. The ARRL web site notes “ARRL Public Information Officers (PIOs) are appointed by their Section Manager and report to their ARRL section Public Information Coordinator (PIC). The Section Manager may, at his/her discretion, delegate this appointment power to the section PIC. PIOs are generally recommended by an affiliated club for appointment consideration and must be full ARRL members. Training for PIOs should be provided regularly on a sectional or regional basis by the PIC and/or other qualified people.” More information is available at http://arrl.org/public-information-officer.
– Challenge YOUR club to give a ham radio presentation this spring and summer to a scout troop, 4H group, or school! Let’s inspire kids with Science, Technology, Engineering, Math through amateur radio! Start planning now!
– The New England Division Director, Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, is conducting a Town Hall via Zoom on FEB 16 at 7:00PM. If you would like to attend, let me know and I will forward your request or you can contact Fred for the Zoom link, ab1oc@arrl.org
AFFILIATED CLUB HIGHLIGHT
The Pine State Amateur Radio Club is based out of Bangor and boasts about a 100 members. They sponsor and organize the annual Hermon Hamfest, conduct regular fox hunts, maintain club repeaters, and much more. Steve Jordan, KD1OM, is the club president. They usually meet on the first Monday at the Challenger Learning Center in Bangor at 7:00pm and via Zoom. The PSARC conducts a weekly VHF net on the N1ME repeater 146.940- repeater. PL tones 88.5, 100, 103.5, and 136.5 at 8:00pm, followed by a DMR net. The club also sponsors the Worked All Maine Award. More information is available at n1me.com.
Other Club News
The Ellsworth Amateur Wireless Association is meeting Thursday, Feb 10 at the Assembly of God Church on Beachland RD in Ellsworth, and via Zoom at 7:00PM. Rob Collins, W8HAP, will be giving presentations titled, “The Other Side Of The Pile-Up” and “A Guide For Your First Expedition.”
The Maine Ham Radio Society is meeting via Zoom on Thursday, Feb 17 at 7:00PM. Guest speaker will be the ARRL New England Division Assistant Director, Anita Kemmerer, AB1QB, on her new role as Assistant Director, Mentoring and Ham Development.
If you have any questions regarding the Maine ARRL section or this eNew, send me an email n1ep@arrl.org
73
Phil Duggan, N1EP
Maine Section Manager
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ARRL Maine Section
Section Manager: Philip W Duggan, N1EP
n1ep@arrl.org
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Volunteers Needed, CONNJAM 2022, May 14, 2022
CT Section Youth Coordinator Doug Sharafanowich, WA1SFH, writes:
MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR TODAY!
DATE: Saturday – May 14, 2022
WHAT: CONNJAM 2022
WHERE: Orange, CT
ON-SITE and OFF-SITE Volunteers NEEDED.
Share The Magic of Amateur Radio with 2,500 Scouts
CONNJAM is a BIG SHOW… and A LOT OF FUN!
and, make no mistake…
WE NEED YOUR HELP and PARTICIPATION
to MAKE IT HAPPEN.
ON-SITE Volunteers
The Plan is to have enough On-Site volunteers for 2 Shifts on Saturday – May 14th.
(0700 – 1200 & 1130 – 1630)
-That means a lot of Ham Volunteers… THAT is where YOU come in.
We need you to bring your expertise / equipment and volunteer to instruct and involve Scouts in ONE of the following FIVE activities.
1) Morse Code
– Teach Scouts how to send their name in CW.
2) Winlink Stations
– Have Scouts engage in Peer to Peer Communications over Winlink
3) Amateur Radio Direction Finding /Foxhunting
– Teach Scouts the fundamentals of Foxhunting and send them off to “Find The Lost Patrol”
4) “GOTA” (Get On The Air) Radio stations (HF/VHF/UHF)
– Help Scouts have an On The Air conversation with another Amateur Radio Operator
5) Satellite Station Communications
Demonstrate how it works and help Scouts make contacts.
OFF-SITE Support Volunteers
We will need help in the following areas:
Pre-Event
– Organizing Hand-Outs and Materials for each Activity Site
– Helping with developing, sourcing, and procuring re-usable signage/banners for each Activity site.
During the Event
OFF-SITE Volunteers are needed to SIGN-UP to Monitor HF Scout Frequencies and selected Repeaters, and have conversations with Scouts at the microphone
CONNJAM IS COMING
The Event Count-Down Clock now says: 03 Months 01 Weeks 00 Days
TO VOLUNTEER TODAY, or just ask questions…
Please contact me, Douglas Sharafanowich, WA1SFH, at
ConnJamHam@gmail.com
Cell: 203-494-3885
Thank you,
73, Douglas Sharafanowich, WA1SFH
ARRL Section Youth Coordinator – Connecticut Section
and Amateur Radio Activities Coordinator – CONNJAM 2022
Proposed NH Bill Seeks to Place Limitations on “Telecommunications Towers”
UPDATE: 02/07/22 11:13 AM
Rep. Peter Torosain (R-NH), W1CBY, has learned from the chair of the House Science and Technology Committee dealing with HB 1644 that the bill will be sent to Interim Study, which effectively stops the bill in its current form.
We must be vigilant in tracking this bill and how it evolves in the legislative process. The division leadership will continue to closely monitor for further developments and have asked New Hampshire Section Manager Peter Stohrer, K1PJS, as well as our friends in the New Hampshire legislature to keep us informed on further developments.
New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, writes:
I wanted to bring New Hampshire HB1644 to the attention of New Hampshire hams. This legislation has the potential to significantly restrict the ability of NH Hams to erect antennas. You can register your opinion on this legislation prior to a hearing by the NH House Science and Technology Committee which is scheduled for TOMORROW. See the links below where NH residents can register their opinions online about this legislation before the committee hearing.
Jim Isaac writes on the Granite State ARA mailing list:
HB1644, up for hearing Monday at 1 PM by the House Science and Technology Committee has the following text:
“IX. The placement of telecommunication antennas on any existing structure, existing pole, new pole, or tower constructed after the enactment of this paragraph shall be placed at least 1,640 feet from residentially zoned areas, parks, playgrounds, hospitals, nursing homes, day care centers, and schools.”
As noted in a BIA article in today’s Union Leader, this restricts many wireless (actually, all wireless) technology in most areas of NH.
Full text of the bill (most seeking to justify the limitation) see:
https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billinfo.aspx?id=1725&inflect=2 (select “Bill Versions” in PDF to see text)
If you wish to oppose (or support), and/or comment on this to the committee before the hearing, you can do this at:
https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/remotetestimony/default.aspx (hearing date: Feb 7, committee: Science & Technology at 1PM, bill 1644)
It is not clear, given the very broad “findings” that the bill is based on how a more focused bill could be constructed, assuming it should be.
Best wishes,
Jim Isaak
Advocating the expansion to universal affordable broadband
Concerned about Digital Privacy and Trust, join the IEEE Collabratec Community (membership not required)
2019/20 Chair IEEE USA Committee on Communications Policy
2020/21 NH IEEE Section Chair , IEEE NH Section
2015 Vice President, IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology;
President Emeritus, IEEE Computer Society;
2003/2004 IEEE Division VIII Director