The New England QSO Party on May 2nd and 3rd is a great time to check out antenna systems and offers a moderately paced opportunity to work new states and countries. You’ll find a wide variety of participants, from newcomers to experienced contesters, all interested in making contacts with New England stations.
Our goal is to get every one of the counties in New England on the air so we hope you will encourage your members to join in the fun! Even if you can only join the fun for a couple of hours, we’d appreciate it! Will you be QRV? Let us know with a message to info@neqp.org
The New England QSO Party is 20 hours long overall, in two sections with a civilized break for sleep on Saturday night. It runs from 4 pm Saturday until 1 am Sunday, then 9 am Sunday until 8 pm Sunday. Operate on CW, SSB and/or digital modes (not FT-4/8) on 80-40-20-15-10 meters. For each QSO you’ll give your callsign, a signal report and your county/state. Top scorers can earn a plaque and everyone who sends in a log with 25 valid QSOs or more will get a certificate. The goal is to work stations anywhere in the world – and their goal is to work New England stations, so you’ll be very popular!
Last year we had logs from 214 New England stations and 493 more logs from around the country and world.
The full rules are here -> www.neqp.org/rules
The 2025 results are posted -> https://neqp.org/2025-new-england-qso-party/
Please make some QSOs even if you don’t want to send in a log!
Thanks!
73 Tom/K1KI
New Ham List for April
Clubs, Please review the new hams in your area and extend a welcome and invite and help get them active.
Report for 2026-04-01
Lawrence A Scherpa, KC1ZCT – FCC
24 Tower Ter
Agawam, MA 01001-1407
Robert W McCarthy, KC1ZCK – FCC
196 Elm St
Agawam, MA 01001-2405
Anna M LaChance, K1WTS – FCC
21 Sunset Ave Apt 2
Amherst, MA 01002-2017
Ryan J Crouser, KC1ZGU – FCC
9 Williams St
Easthampton, MA 01027-1937
Edwin J Brennan, KC1ZED – FCC
10 McConnell Ave
Goshen, MA 01032-9602
Wesley N Daningburg, KC1ZDC – FCC
17 Pleasant St
Huntington, MA 01050-9758
Charles E Womeldorf, K2CEW – FCC
116 Ridge Trail Rd
Westfield, MA 01085-1407
Edward A Sagan, KC1ZCV – FCC
PO Box 2
Greenfield, MA 01302-0002
Ralph R Messick, KC1ZFQ – FCC
14 High St
Turners Falls, MA 01376-1707
Kevin M Allen, KC1ZET – FCC
6 Reed St
Leominster, MA 01453-4519
Richard B Haggett, KC1ZHC – FCC
8 Van Ness Ave
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-2629
Emily Rittershaus, KC1ZEV – FCC
8 Van Ness Ave
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-2629
Rohan Das, KC1ZHE – FCC
23 Redland St
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-4375
Kelly McCarthy, KC1ZDH – FCC
15 Maple St
West Brookfield, MA 01585-2923
Shubham Dutta, KC1ZDK – FCC
285 Plantation St Apt 218
Worcester, MA 01604-7728
Jason Kuehne, KC1ZGZ – FCC
9 Windsor St Apt 1
Worcester, MA 01605-4108
Alex Tarallo, KC1ZDF – FCC
34 Somerset St
Worcester, MA 01609-2110
Michael Campbell, KC1ZGX – FCC
4 E Central Street
Worcester, MA 01613-2221
2026 World Soccer Tournament Special Event Station
The 2026 World Soccer Tournament is coming to Massachusetts. There will be Special Event Stations running each of the following days. This is a worldwide event with games happening here in Massachusetts.
There are 7 games being played at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
Those 7 days hams are needed to run a special event callsign – W1C. A special QSL card will be available. All modes and bands can be active.
The dates ops are needed:
Sat, June 13
Tue, June 16
Fri, June 19
Tue, June 23
Fri, June 26
Mon, June 29
Thur, July 9
If you are available to operate any or all of these dates, please contact:
Section Manager’s Report. April 2026
Hello, welcome to another month. With this one coming around operators’ thoughts of Field Day are dancing in their sleep. Some clubs are looking at new sites and others are securing their usual spots for this year. Planning either way should be in earnest now as how and what to set up, site permits (if any), and the all important porta-potti if needed. The important thing to consider is inviting all those new hams you have invited to their club and mentored to get active. Wait, you did not do that? Why??? Field Day is the best place to have a social event, tech education, show off your setup, eat lots of food to fill up the porta-potty! 😊 And above all try to get those younger hams involved so they can carry on the tradition!
In 2025 Western Mass. Got 148 new hams licensed. Overall, for the year we still ran at a 0.2% drop in league membership. No one section or division posted increases. I would love to know how many of the newbies became members, and how many were told of the league and their benefits of membership. VE teams need to look at what interaction they do AFTER they pass the test to at least introduce them to a club, the league, a mentor. I know from experience when I got my license, it was “now what?”
One of the things I have observed is people getting their licenses because they want to be prepared in an emergency. That’s great. The problem is that they are not active and after 10 years, they have forgotten about it and let their license drop. In a time when world events get goofy like they are now, people need to know about what they can do with amateur radio and the need to prepare and practice now, and not when the “stuff” hath swatted the fan. Again, the importance of being proactive and help those to get active and teach them right at the handing of the CSCE! Consider these when you have that VE session, or thinking of a club activity, Field Day, etc.
Mt. Tom Club has gone through a changing of the guard with the election of a new president, vice president, treasurer. They seem to be moving their meetings to Holyoke Hospital where HCRA holds theirs, and their website is getting a revamp. This is the result of a group participation and supporting each other. There are clubs struggling as they seem to think one person will do it all. That only leads to burnout and frustration and give up. I wish Mt. Tom the best of luck and much success.
Think Spring! Remember, Field Day will be here before you know it!
Take care and 73
Section Managers Report March 2026
As all of you know, we got walloped with that winter storm on the 23rd. The southeast and Rhode Island got the brunt of it and is still digging out of it. I remember another one back in 1978. Different areas were pleading mercy. I do not remember how ham radio played a role in it back then, but this time around we were pretty active everywhere providing weather conditions and snowfall reports. It would be interesting to compare the two.
WMA ARES made an addition in John Rokicki, KC1VMZ as a Asst. SEC. Chuck WS1L has tasked Gil, WK1H with admin and membership duties and John is going to handle net operations. This is largely due to a medical issue Chuck is dealing with and wish him speedy recovery.
Mt. Tom club regretfully had to cancel it’s hamfest due to low turnout of vendors. They will return again next year. The club has also undergone a leadership change. Sue, the president had a serious car accident and is recovering. She did indicate she was stepping down prior to that. A president, treasurer and vice president have been elected. The hamfest was a long running event and I hope those who bought tables then come back and bring some others along as well. The one problem with this hobby graying out is some of these hamfests are graying out as well. A ripple effect I don’t think anyone has thought of.
It is great to see that license classes and exam sessions are plentiful lately. I have been transitioning my team to electronic testing as the league is no longer supplying materials. I had the pleasure in Arizona to learn more about ExamTools from Stephen, WM7X who is the guru of it. I was joined by none other than Gordon West WB6NOA. I found the application to be really streamlined so the learning curve not so bad. It will be interesting getting to know this.
If you have not read about it, the League has made changes to the Section Manager election process. There will be only 1 election a year for all candidates everywhere on their cycle (odd or even years) The terms start on July 1, so that means since I just started my new term, it will be extended another 6 months to June 30 then will be yearly after that. Keep in mind this and other appointments are open and available. Just drop an email if you are interested in volunteering.
Things are likely going to be more active as the weather warms up (finally!) Clubs should look at group activities such as POTA to get out and operate and show people what we do and CAN do. It also keeps clubs active and interesting and is a great mentoring opportunity for the newbies.
See you out there!
73, Ray AA1SE
Mount Tom Hamfest has been cancelled this year!
Due to low vendor participation the hamfest for Mt.Tom has been cancelled. We hope for it’s return next year.
Ray AA1SE
Section Managers Report Feb. 2026
Hello WMA! I just got back from 24 days on a west coast trip to Arizona. And I came back to this? What was I thinking! It was warm and sunny there! One of the things I wanted to do was go to Quartzfest which is a radio event in Quartzite, 15 min from the California border. This event is seven days in the desert with mountains surrounding it. This event has been going on since 1995 and has grown a little since then. This year it was just shy of 450 people (that actually registered). Some notables were there such as Dave Cassler KE0OG and Gordon West WB6NOA and a few ARRL officials like me. There were a lot of presentations for RV enhancements, Antennas, etc. Also, they had 4 balloon launches, telescopes for stargazing, nightly campfires with someone playing a guitar, a hootenanny, a potluck dinner, there was definitely something for someone. If you want to see more go to https://quartzfest.org/ I could go on and on about it. It was a great time! (I would post pictures but my phone is being stupid!)
The one thing I did there was join Gordon West and learn about ExamTools with Stephen Hutchings WM7X who conducts remote exams daily with his team for 12-14 hours a day. He even had one member drive there from Maine in only 3 days! (yikes!) He has a large crew as far away as Singapore. Stephen is now the leagues go to for training on this platform and is extremely helpful to anyone needing assistance.
The ARRL Board Meeting is now in the books. Shortly after, the news broke that the Atlantic Division Director Bob Famiglio K3RF has been removed as he declined to sign the certification statement as required by Article 46. A lawyer, he also provided some legal advice. As a result of this action, the EPA section manager resigned his post. Yes, I’m scratching my head.
The planned ARISS contact planned by CMARA has been pushed out to around October due to the medical incident by one of the astronauts. It was a little disappointing as it was getting close, but it will happen.
There are our annual two hamfest’s coming up. First one is the Algonquin hamfest which is Saturday Feb 14 at the Charles Whitcomb school in Marlboro. And the Mt Tom event at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee, Sat. Feb 28th. Both good events and I do plan on being there.
One thing I would like ALL the clubs to do is go to the ARRL website and update your club’s information. It should be done every year and it is important to have your president and email correct in order to get information to you if needed. We sent a message regarding the ARRL WAS 250 W1AW event and some did not receive it. Larry, W1AST, our Club Coordinator, needs this to aid in informing clubs of activities and club related information. Also as an affiliated club you need this and to maintain a fifty percent or more membership to the ARRL to maintain that status.
I’m sure there may be something I missed. I’m still getting “New England-fied” again. Have a great month!
73 Ray AA1SE
Algonquin ARC Flea Market, Marlborough, February 14, 2026
The Algonquin Amateur Radio Club will be holding its annual hamfest at 1Lt Charles W. Whitcomb Middle School at 25 Union St. in Marlborough, MA. The hamfest is very popular among hams in both the Eastern MA and the eastern portions of the Western MA ARRL sections.
The hamfest will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 12 noon. General admission is $5 and includes a chance at the $200 Cash Door Prize.
An amateur radio exam session will be run at the hamfest at 9:00 AM for those how wish to get licensed or upgrade.
Vendors may reserve 6 foot tables at the hamfest at $25 each if purchased by February 6, 2026 ($30.00 each accepted at the door if space is available). Vendors may arrive at 6:30 AM for setup. For more information or to reserve a table, email fleamarket@n1em.org. A mail in order form is also available on the bottom of the hamfest’s official flyer.
Talk in will be on the N1EM/R repeater system: 446.675- (PL 88.5).
Hope to see you there!
New WMA Amateurs for December 2025
Please welcome the following newly licensed radio amateurs to the Western Massachusetts area!
Benjamin J Everton, KC1YPT
329 Springfield St
Agawam, MA 01001-1511
Paul W Fenn, KC1YPW
7 Hemlock Holw
Belchertown, MA 01007-9255
Benjamin S Feldman, KC1YQD
130 Old Bay Rd
Belchertown, MA 01007-9348
Brendan Kavanaugh, KC1YPX
250 Southampton Rd
Westhampton, MA 01027-9531
Daniel P Oneill, KC1YPR
131 Burnett St
Granby, MA 01033-9709
William H Bulman, KC1YRP
8 Holbrook St
Palmer, MA 01069-1306
Dynelle M Longto, KC1YTC
PO Box 117
Russell, MA 01071-0117
William M Marengo, KC1YSG
28 Cottage St B
West Warren, MA 01092
David L Smith, KC1YRR
348 Mountain Rd
Wilbraham, MA 01095-1723
Dan A Bisson, WE1FNK
118 Undine Cir
Springfield, MA 01109-1540
Tracy N Rackauskas, KC1YQX
47 Beacon St
North Adams, MA 01247-2703
Kent I Byron, KC1YSL
66 N Main St
Petersham, MA 01366-9502
Roseanna E Stanley, KC1YSN
32 East St
Petersham, MA 01366-9739
John G Root, KC1YSV
32 East St
Petersham, MA 01366-9739
Anthony J Ruggiero, KC1YTB
429 Parker St
Gardner, MA 01440-3733
Saabir Ameer, KC1YQG
3 Longfellow Rd
Northborough, MA 01532-2712
Aydin Dagli, KC1YQJ
4 View St
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-2631
Syed Bilal A Adnan, KC1YQF
350 Grafton St
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-4013
Aleena Haq, KC1YRD
51 Brookdale Cir
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-5442
Alexander Anderson, KC1YPM
37 Stonybrook Ln
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-5478
Srivatsan Mukunthraj, KC1YPL
59 Beverly Hill Dr
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-5823
Taqwa Yahyaoui, KC1YQK
7301 Arbor Dr
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-6019
Louis J Leblanc, KC1YSM
30 Heritage Rd
Uxbridge, MA 01569-1256
Mohammed Boresa, KC1YQH
22A Nome St
Worcester, MA 01605-1662
John F Barre, KC1YRW
45 Uncatena Ave
Worcester, MA 01606-1661
Selman Ahmed, KC1YQI
30 Everett Gaylord Blvd
Worcester, MA 01608
Nithya Sudharshan, KC1YPK
100 Institute Rd
Worcester, MA 01609-2247
Shriya Sudharshan, KC1YPN
100 Institute Rd
Worcester, MA 01609-2247
Year of the Club Special Operating Event
Attention all Massachusetts Clubs,
This is your chance to participate in the Year of the Club special operating event!
If you would like to operate W1AW/1 as a club and reserve a 4-hour block of time between February 11th and the 18th please contact Larry, W1AST, no later than January 20th.
Email: FunHamRadio@gmail.com
The station can set up as a club, at a club member’s house, or as an individual; an individual can sign up to operate the whole week (we share a spreadsheet with the ops who have signed up). A club has a day, band(s), time, and mode(s), usually for a 4-hour block. The club or op can set up anywhere in Massachusetts. No other special rules except operators etiquette and only one op per band/time/mode at a time. For example, you could have 3 stations on 20M using 3 different modes.
All ops would need to be listed when the logs are turned in to me no more than 2 days after 2/18. ALL logging must be by computer so an log ADIF file can be sent to me at the end.
So far, the Barnstable ARC and the Mohawk ARC are the only clubs to have signed up. We really need more Massachusetts representation for the event. Please consider it! It is a rush to have stations calling you just like being a DX station.