New England and Vermont Section Ham of the Year Nominees Announced

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEW ENGLAND AND SECTION HAM OF THE YEAR NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

July 23, 2025—The ARRL New England Division is pleased to announce the results of the 2025 Ham of the Year Awards. The nominating committee and judges consisted of Section Managers:

• Douglas Sharafanowich, WA1SFH, Connecticut
• Jon McCombie, N1ILZ, Eastern Massachusetts
• Phil Duggan, N1EP, Maine
• Pete Stohrer, W1FEA, New Hampshire
• Nancy Austin, KC1NEK, Rhode Island
• Paul Gayet, AA1SU, Vermont
• Ray Lajoie, AA1SE, Western Massachusetts

New England Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI, and Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, participated as non-voting members.

The judges considered one nominee from each New England ARRL Section.  Criteria included, but were not limited to, achievements in the areas of:

• Club leadership
• Ham class instruction / volunteer exams
• Emergency Communications / ARES
• Technical accomplishments
• Youth activities

In the Vermont Section, Alden Jones, KC1JWR was nominated for this prestigious honor.

For the 2025 New England Ham of the Year, I would like to nominate Alden Jones, KC1JWR.

As a past club president of the Southern Vermont Amateur Radio Club (SOVARC), Alden was very active with club activities.  These included a meeting where he taught members to build their own fox hunting antenna.

He bought the supplies ahead of time, and only charged a small fee for the needed parts to the members.

He then organized various fox hunts for the club.  He has also led the club to do POTA activations during the summer months.

Alden is very active in both ARES and RACES, serving as an Emergency Coordinator, Digital Officer, and DMR Officer.

When inclement weather is upon us, Alden gathers the troops in local Nets to monitor for any emergencies.

In the past, Alden organized the ARES/RACES digital Nets, utilizing MK63-2KL and THOR22 on both 80 Meters and UHF linked repeaters.

Although no longer the club president, Alden held the club together during the difficult time when COVID was upon us.

He kept members updated with news via emails, and made sure that the club newsletter was distributed to everyone.  He even organized the holiday party when it was safe for everyone to get together again.

It is for these reasons and probably more that I can’t think of, I nominate Alden Jones KC1JWR to be “New England Ham of the Year”!  For his service to Amateur Radio in Vermont, Alden Jones, KC1JWR has earned the honor of the Vermont Section Ham of the Year.

The New England Ham of the Year awardee will be announced in the near fu ture. This individual, along with the Vermont Section Ham of the Year, will be acknowledged at the New England Division (“HamX”) in Marlborough, Massachusetts, in late August.

For additional information, contact Paul N. Gayet ARRL Vermont Section Manager.  

AA1SU@arrl.net (802) 734-7500

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ARRL Vermont Section
Section Manager: Paul N Gayet, AA1SU
aa1su@arrl.org
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Maine State Convention, August 2, 2025

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photo of Augusta, ME Civic CenterDon’t miss the 2025 ARRL Maine State Convention, at 76 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine, on August 2, 2025, sponsored by the Androscoggin ARC.

Vendor Tables are $20 per table in advance. $25 each if purchased the day of the convention, so take advantage of advance table sales. Commercial vendors – no vendor admission fee, contact KU1U for more information. Other vendors (not commercial) still receive a 50% discount on admission ($5.00 per vendor, max 2 per table).

General Admission $10 per person, 18 and younger are free. If you purchase your tickets online, they will be held for you at the Registration Table/Will Call line.

For more information, visit https://www.w1npp.org/2024-maine-state-convention/.

July 2025 Eastern MA Section News

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ARRL logoHAPPY SUMMER, AGAIN! Here on the Cape, we’re deep into left-turns-only-at-traffic-lights season (yes, it really is that bad!).  As much as possible, we estivate (https://www.dictionary.com/browse/estivate). But that’s just me HIHI.  On the Cape beach webcams, I see plenty of folks having a grand time, and I’m happy for them.

With more hours of sunlight and a hyperactive Sol, propagation has gotten squirrely. I participate in a daily, first call district on 40m.  One day, the net only worked with the help of a gracious ham in South Carolina who acted as a relay, since none of us could hear each other, but he could hear everyone! Crazy! Please, send me your “crazy band conditions” stories, for inclusion in the next Section Update. OK, on with it!

* Field Day 2025: SM’s Report

Field Day 2025 has come and gone, and I believe it was an unqualified success. I hope you had as much fun as I had! Over the FD weekend, I visited 10 FD sites, from Cape Ann to Cape Cod, and a bunch of them in between. What a rush! I’m proud of – and thrilled by – ALL the clubs in our section. I wish I could use the Starship Enterprise transporter to visit every one of you, and not just for FD. A few highlights:

The Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association has an outstanding clubhouse that doubles as an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), enabling them to operate FD as Class F. What a fantastic setup!

New England Sci-Tech is (at least) one of the crown jewels of our section, if not the entire USA. As always, the team hosted a fantastic Field Day experience. The fully decked-out emergency communications trailer was in use and on display, and there were countless younger hams–and their parents—enjoying Field Day. What a treat!

And finally, a tip o’ the hat to the Brooksby Village Amateur Radio Club, who mounted a Field Day 2025 operation. Brooksby Village is a senior living community located in Peabody, MA. Hams at Brooksby are re-energizing their club after the passing of the club’s president.  Clubs like this one are an important part of keeping the hobby alive.  Well done, gents!

* FD Proclamation

Once again, a big tip o’ the hat and a serious thank-you to our State Government Liaison (SGL) Steve KC1KEZ, for his efforts to get an official Proclamation from MA’s governor, Maura Healey, officially recognizing June 28-29 as Amateur Radio Field Day in MA. I took an original copy of the proclamation with me on my FD site visits, and it was a big hit. Thanks again, Steve!

* 2025 Northeast HamXposition is Coming!

Mark your calendars! The 2025 Northeast HamXpos ition is coming SOON: August 21-24, 2025, in Marlborough, MA. This is New England’s premier ham gathering. I hope to have an eyeball QSO with YOU at HamX! Full info at https://hamxposition.org/.

PS: HamX still needs volunteers. Volunteers get perks:

If you work 2 x 2 hr shifts:

Free admission (or) Lunch voucher for Friday or Saturday (no lunch on Thursday or Sunday) (or) Another ticket for the Sunday drawings If you work additional 2 x 2 hr shifts, you can get one additional lunch voucher-if you haven’t taken the admission option.

Volunteer at https://registration.hamxposition.org/volunteer/.

* Still Recruiting a New Section Youth Coordinator

Sadly, our former Section Youth Coordinator, Paul K1YUB, is now a Silent Key. I need to fill this important position on the EMA Section Staff.  The SYC requirement and job description is at https://www.arrl.org/section-youth-coordinator. If you are interested in this volunteer position, please contact me at n1ilz@arrl.org – I’ll appreciate it greatly!

* N1ILZ for a Final

I hope you’re all enjoying the joys that Summer brings, and – did I mention this last time? – ice cream!! Get out there and get those new antennas up or fix the damage from the ravages of winter. Stay cool and – especially – stay hydrated. Most of all, get on the air and have fun!

Can you write a paragraph or two about what you’re up to, so I can publish it in the Section Update? Do you have fun stories and pictures from Field Day? Did you activate a POTA? Some other event? Shoot me an email at n1ilz@arrl.org!

* For always up-to-date news, please visit the EMA Section website at http://ema.arrl.org.

This Section News Update was brought to you by Section Manager Jon N1ILZ.

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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section

Section Manager: Jon W McCombie, N1ILZ

n1ilz@arrl.org

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Franklin County (MA) Amateur Radio Club Public Service Events in August, 2025

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The Franklin County Amateur Radio Club, our sister club just up the river, will be providing radio communication support for three major public events in August. If you’re interested in the emergency communication aspect of ham radio, or just curious about practical applications for your license privileges, these are excellent opportunities:

-Alan

Alan Dove, AB1XW
Newsletter Editor
Hampden County Radio Association
hcra.org

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ADDENDUM—Gary Roy, KB1AKU, writes:

 FCARC is also looking for Amateur Radio Operators to participate on the following dates and activities: August 3rd Greenfield Triathlon; August 23rd for the D2R2 Bike race; and Aug 24 for the New England Green River Marathon. For more information, email groy773@gmail.com or KB1AKU@arrl.net .

Gary Roy KB1AKU

groy773@gmail.com
KB1AKU@arrl.net
(413) 530-8527
President of FCARC
D.E.C. For Franklin/Hampshire Counties

Lobstercon / Radio Family Union, Brunswick ME, July 9-13, 2025

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Carl Achin, WA1ZCQ, writes on the New England QRP mailing list:

Go to Rex Harper’s Website:
http://www.QRPme.com
and read the latest “UPDATE”. … As most of you know, Rex as stopped sponsoring Lobstercon. It was a Great Run of 25 years, till 2024. At our last Lobstercon many of us talked about keeping this Radio Family Reunion going in future years. I’ve been trying to do just that since our last and final Lobstercon at Thomas Point Beach Campgrounds. It’s been a long road of trying to track down Mike Mulligan (now the former owner of TPB Campgrounds), talking to Rex about, logistics, planning, and, scheduling, and, tracking down the new owner of the Campgrounds. And you know what? I finally did it. After calling and trying to sell our Annual Radio Family Reunion to Brian (the new owner) I was thinking, all is going smoothly. In reality, Brian has BIG plans for his new Campgrounds. I talked to him yesterday, July 4th. As I type, there are trenches and holes at many places at the old Campgrounds. All utilities have been shut-off. A large in ground pool is going in and individual underground utilities for each campsite. It’s a major project. I was hoping we could use the North Field as in the past, but Brian is concerned with liability with the place dug-up and holes and tranches everywhere. So, yesterday Brian said it wouldn’t be safe, even for our minimalist need. (Tenting in the North Field without any bathroom facilities.)

That, (the above info), isn’t going to stop some of the Diehard July Annual Radio Family Reunion Campers. There will be a gathering, despite being much smaller, with no cooking onsite. There are plenty of breakfast, lunch, and dinner/supper restaurants in and around Cook’s Corner (Brunswick) Maine.

So, I’ll be hanging around the Cumberland Farms gasoline station and variety store, right at Cook’s Corner, and monitoring Thee National Simplex Frequency (146.52 MHz direct/simplex) from Wednesday the 9th through the 13th. If you dare to continue the tradition, come and enjoy all that Cook’s Corner Maine has to offer. The past memories are PRICELESS!

#1.) Wednesday 3PM – 6PM “Pizza Party”dinner at the NEW Demoulas – Market Basket Kitchen/Cafeteria in TOPSHAM, about a 12 minute drive from Cumberland Farms, Cook’s Corner.

#2.) Thursday – Sub Sandwiches and Drinks, etcetera, 3PM till the conversation dwindles 😉

#3.) Friday 3:30PM – 6PM+ “Taste of Maine” for a Seafood Extravaganza!
https://tasteofmaine.com

#4.) Saturday – Cook’s Lobster House, Lands End, for Our “Saturday Lobster Feast!” Kicking-Off at 3:30PM till the last drink is downed!
https://www.cookslobster.com

#5.) Farewell Breakfast – To be determined. (Most likely, Breakfast Sandwiches, O.J. & Coffee.)

* Have any ideas? Chime-in !!!

Someone was wondering if we could have a QRP Flea-Market Saturday afternoon. I DOUBT IT, since we won’t have a home-base/location for this function this year. BUT, perhaps next year things came be polished-up to resemble our last 2 decades of Tradition.

Some of us have been HAMfest’n at Campgrounds since the 70’s starting at “Charlotte” Vermont, and after that in Cook’s Corner Maine. It’s an Annual Tradition now! *** You have to CREATE Memories to have Great Lifetime/Lifelong Memories! Don’t miss out. Life’s too short! Start packing today for the NEW L-Con Radio Family Reunion TRADITION TODAY. This coming Wednesday the 9th through the Sunday the 13th, and perhaps even Monday the 14th(?).

*** SEE THE DIEHARDS THERE! ***

* * * REMEMBER: Comms on: 146.52 simplex * * *

* Need a Campgrounds? Click here:
https://www.google.com/search?q=campgrounds+in+Cooks+Corner+Maine

WABI: “Waldo County (ME) EMA hosting Nat’l Ham Radio Field Day events”

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Waldo Co EMA FD WABI screenshotWABI News Desk:

SWANVILLE, Maine (WABI) – Saturday is National ‘Ham Radio Field Day.’ The Waldo County Emergency Management Agency is among the places in Maine hosting events. They will be demonstrating the importance of radio equipment during cases of emergencies.

At noon, they will be at 685 Swan Lake Ave, Swanville. However, the day’s events will begin with an open house and BBQ at 10 a.m.

[Full story]

Central Massachusetts ARA Field Day, June 28-29, 2025

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Central MA ARA Field Day photoCourtesy Worcester Patch:

Have you ever wanted to contact new people worldwide by radio? Now’s your chance! From 2 pm on Saturday. June 28th to 2 pm on Sunday, June 29th, members of the Central Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association (CMARA) will be at the Trout Book Recreation Area at 320 Manning Street in Holden, MA. participating in a national amateur radio emergency communications exercise known as Field Day.

[Full story]

W1YK: “Participatory Archiving Reveals Radio Club Treasures”

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photo of W1YK archive articleFrom The WPI Journal:

“Archival work often involves unearthing buried information, but, as with the content it seeks to reveal, the process itself can be shrouded in mystery. The labor that goes into processing special collections is multifaceted. A particularly overlooked aspect of this endeavor is the partnership that exists between archivists and researchers. Whereas archivists are challenged to prioritize access over perfection, researchers are afforded the opportunity to examine materials with greater depth.

“One such ongoing collaboration is between the WPI Archives and Special Collections and the WPI Wireless Association…”

[Full story]

Brattleboro Reformer: “Ham radio operators on the air for nationwide event”

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SHAFTSBURY — Ham radio operators from the Southern Vermont Amateur Radio Club (SOVARC) and the Greater Bennington County Area will be participating in a national amateur radio exercise from 2 p.m. on Saturday until 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 28 and 29. The event is ARRL Field Day (www.arrl.org/field-day), an annual amateur radio activity organized since 1933 by ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio in the United States. [Full story]