Section Manager’s Report April 2025

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Helloooo Spring! This is the transitional time where we stop complaining about the cold and start complaining about the heat! 😊 It’s true!

   April brings also the awakening of outdoor activities, antenna maintenance, hamfest’s, POTA activation’s and more. Take advantage and enjoy the outdoors.

   The league has an event on April 18 in Ham Radio Open House which coincides with the IARU World Amateur Radio Day https:/https://www.arrl.org/world-amateur-radio-day/www.arrl.org/world-amateur-radio-day This is designed for clubs and others to go out and showcase amateur radio to the public, students, etc. Go to the site to learn more.

   On the 21st approximately 300 hams will arrive in Boston in the wee hours and get ready to do our part in the Boston Marathon. We work with all the agencies to help keep this event, safe and smooth running. I will be there likely in a medical sweep van doing the route. This is a huge logistical event to make sure the 26 miles run smoothly. Hope to see you there.

   I have observed that there has been an increase in radio license classes and exam sessions. This is excellent and hope all involved does well. I have just concluded a general class course on Zoom which had 15 students participate. VE’s, this is a great opportunity to start mentoring from the handing of the CSCE. Don’t give them the congrat’s and handshake and just let them go. Take the time to talk to them, invite them to a club, give them mentor contact information, give them handouts, make them feel welcome and happy they made the decision to become part of this hobby. If you want a guide you can customize go to this link: https://wma.arrl.org/western-massachusetts-section-mentoring-program/ You can download this and make it your own. Put all your contact information for the clubs in your area, repeaters mentors and more. Give that newbie a good start!

   And of course, we cannot forget a now traditional event and that’s Near-Fest https://near-fest.com/ coming May 2 & 3 at the new location at the Hillsborough Cty. Fairgrounds 14 Hilldale Lane New Boston NH. Can you believe it’s been 18 years when Mr. Mike started it?  Wow! I hope the weather gods will work with us this year.

   Speaking of Hamfest’s, I was at the Mt. Tom https://mtara.org/ hamfest earlier this month and saw the same attendance fall-off as with Algonquin’s in Feb. I wonder what the other hamfest’s are seeing. I know some prices have gone up (like everything else!) I do not know if that is what’s driving it. Support your hamfest event. For some clubs it finances worthy projects and keeps their club running. It was nice to see everyone there.

   I hope everyone has a great April and take that radio outdoors and have fun!

73 Ray AA1SE

New WMA Amateurs for February 2025

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Please welcome the recent licensed amateur radio operators in the WMA section!

Michael A Perkins, KC1WHJ
94 Fairgrounds Rd
Cummington, MA 01026-9701

Declan J Flood, KC1WGJ
841 Southbridge Rd
Warren, MA 01083-2146

Jonathan A Wynn, KC1WIO
229 Cadwell Rd
Pittsfield, MA 01201-7929

David G McKearney, KC1WHG
325 Savoy Rd
Cheshire, MA 01225-9012

Dana L Davidsen, KC1WEC
70 Egremont Plain Rd
Great Barrington, MA 01230-1691

Alejandro E Vazquez, KC1WFT
61 Arroyo Way
New Marlborough, MA 01230-2196

Carol L Gillette, KC1WEH
PO Box 42
Southfield, MA 01259-0042

Brendan Hanrahan, KC1WEY
47 North St
Grafton, MA 01519-1212

John H Cook, KC1WFZ
1 Sidoti Ln
Rutland, MA 01543-1250

Brian Hanlon, KC1WFR
7 Krula Way
South Grafton, MA 01560-1151

Steven Watroba, KC1WIA
22 Lawrence Rd
Dudley, MA 01571-5850

Eliot R Guerin, KC1WIP
122 Singletary Ave
Sutton, MA 01590-1839

Logan M Mombourguette, KC1WDJ
32 Stone School Rd
Sutton, MA 01590-2926

Xavier N Corapi, KC1WFF
47 Field Pond Rd
Milford, MA 01757-1284

Section Manager’s Report Mar. 2025

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Well, another month gone. Not like I’ll miss it. It was challenging with the snow and cold we had. Hopefully the worst is over and the good stuff will return,

   A shout out goes to the NOBARC club in Pittsfield. They have ramped up Tech classes, and VE sessions to boost their club. Eric KA1SUN, Cory N1XWS, and Chuck WS1L and others have been working on boosting the hobby in them thar hills 😊and their efforts are evident! Other clubs can benefit from this as the evidence is showing favorably that outreach and mentoring is working and benefits YOUR club! It does take some effort by all members to make it happen!

   As usual, I was at the Algonquin Hamfest in Marlboro and it was a good one despite the attendance was a bit off. I think the weather scared off some people as a storm was approaching. I know I was quite busy the whole time and I Did spend time doing some mentoring to some newbies. An added bonus to having tables with goodies there. Try it out sometime! The next one is on March 1 in Chicopee for the Mt. Tom club. Hopefully we will have a dandy crowd there. See flyer elsewhere.

   With any luck the function of sending an email via the league to the section members is fixed. YAY! Only been 9 months. Gee a rebirth! I will try it when this gets published.

   Phil, K9HI, Jon K1ILZ the Eastern Ma Section MGR., myself along with other’s have continued to work on the revitalization of NTS. We are currently regrouping and rearranging things to move things forward more. Anyone can go to nts2.arrl.org and see information user accessible video’s, trainings, and more highlighting our efforts. If you want to get involved we would love to hear from you. Just email myself or k9hi@arrl.org to find out more.

   The New England Convention is making some noise as August will be fast approaching. They are looking for speakers and passing out flyers. They were actually at the Marlboro Flea market promoting the event.

   At this point all I can say to end this is COME ON SPRING!!!!!

73

Ray AA1SE  

MTARA Hamfest on March 1

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The Mount Tom Amateur Repeater Association is holding its annual Amateur Radio and Electronics Hamfest on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Drive in Chicopee. All amateurs and those interested are invited!

Admission is $5 for adults and children 12 and under are free. Doors open at 6:30 AM for vendors only and 8:30 AM for general admission.

The hamfest will feature:

  • A snack bar serving coffee, soda, donuts, breakfast sandwiches and the like.
  • An amateur radio license exam session will be run at 10:30 AM provided by PVVET
  • Several raffles (tickets 6 for $5)

Those wishing to reserve a table for selling, please contact Brian Mullarney N1FI.

Talk-in for the hamfest will be on the W1TOM repeater (146.940 MHz, PL 127.3).

WMA Section Manager Ray Lajoie AA1SE will be at the hamfest.

YLRL Scholarships Available for Students

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The Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL) has announced its Memorial Scholarship program for 2025. The scholarship program is aimed at female amateur radio operators studying radio, communications, electronics or amateur radio related arts and sciences. 

There are three Memorial Scholarship award categories:

•The Ethel Smith, K4LMB, Memorial Scholarship — $2,500 award

•The Mary Lou Brown, NM7N, Memorial Scholarship — $2,500 award

•The Martha “Marte” Wessel, KØEPE, Memorial Scholarship — $1,500 award

“YLRL is committed to investing in women in amateur radio, and we believe that every act of volunteerism through amateur radio, even a small one, helps turn the world into a better place,” said Vicki Zumwalt, N6KLS, President of YLRL. “We hope that our scholarships will not only encourage students to learn more about science, technology, and engineering but also inspire them to take pride in being an amateur radio operator and to encourage others to do so as well.”

The YLRL believes that education in the fields or radio, communications, electronics, and amateur-related arts and sciences will play an important role in shaping the world’s future. Through these memorial scholarships, YLRL hopes to encourage female students to learn more about amateur radio.

To qualify, students must be female, have an amateur radio license, meet the requirements listed on the YLRL website and apply using the online application. Applications are due by April 30, 2025. Winners will be announced in July 2025.

The Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL) is an international non-profit organization of female amateur radio enthusiasts. It was founded in 1939 and is the longest-running YL club in the world.

New Ham Report Feb. 2025

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Here are the new ham report as of Feb 1. Club officials, review the list and reach out to those in your footprint and invite, welcome them. Offer assistance as well!

Report for 2025-02-01

Ian A McIntosh, KC1WCZ – FCC
96 Lyman Barnes Rd
Brimfield, MA 01010-9621

David Gage, KC1WCQ – FCC
228 Barry St
Feeding Hills, MA 01030-2765

Andrew W Serra, KC1VZO – FCC
197 Batchelor St
Granby, MA 01033-9736

Stephanie J Billings, KC1VZE – FCC
8 Shepherds Hollow Rd
Leeds, MA 01053-9707

Francis M Dicarli, KC1WAW – FCC
106 Sandalwood Dr
Wilbraham, MA 01095-1794

David A Dupuis, KC1WDF – FCC
119 Maple Rd
Longmeadow, MA 01106-3101

Richard J Radzick, KC1WBF – FCC
32 Skyline Trl
Hinsdale, MA 01235-9390

Noah J Duarte, KC1VZP – FCC
64 Hawk Hill Rd
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370-9504

Nicholas R Girolamo, KC1VZS – FCC
25 School St
Sunderland, MA 01375-9503

Raymond S Kagels, KC1WCN – FCC
123 Manchaug St
Douglas, MA 01516-2101

Richard K Cote, KC1VZX – FCC
116 Westwood Dr Apt 4
Sturbridge, MA 01566-1352

Jack Sullivan, KC1WBZ – FCC
PO Box 53
Dudley, MA 01571-0053

Section Manager’s Report Feb. 2025

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Hello! I’m sure by now a lot of you are getting a case of cabin fever. February is kind of a transition month where there may be some decent days in which to get out and do something. Hopefully one thing on the list is a visit to the Algonquin club’s Hamfest coming up on Feb 15. I always look forward to that to see friends, sell some treasures, and one thing I do is use it as an opportunity to do some mentoring. I hope other sellers do the same thing. Especially when someone just passed their test and is exited to get started.

   I got the opportunity to go visit some clubs last month. It is nice to see new faces in attendance. One thing I do observe is some clubs are thin with attendance and are adding Zoom to the meetings to get others in attendance and to have guest speakers from distances present to the club. I am seeing that clubs that is showing some growth are the ones actively interacting with new hams helping to get started an on the air. Now that it’s come back, we do publish the new ham report on our Western Ma. website. Clubs should have someone looking at who is in their footprint and reach out to them. VE teams are encouraged to get an email address on a separate sign-up sheet so you can email the club presidents that this person passed. I have been doing it…IT WORKS!

   I know we are a little early but clubs are starting to look ahead to Field Day. A couple of clubs are going to new sites in June. Let me remind those that if you are having a group field day, please let me know where. I like to visit and meet and greet people and observe your operation.

   You may not have noticed but on the WMA website you see my name with the articles published. I have been working with Gil, WK1H, our webmaster and am learning how this WordPress thing works. Gil has been keeping an eye on me so I don’t blow anything up. This is to assist Gil with content when he cannot due to family or business. See, Even I can be mentored in things. Many thanks Gil!

   Anyone that is a VE, in the January QST (p.78) and elsewhere, the announcement came out that They have started transitioning to an electronic platform using ExamTools.com. You will be able to use that to conduct your sessions and will automatically upload the results. No more mailing! They will be phasing out sending exams and forms also. This all will take place during this year. VE liaisons should be discussing this to your team to learn the new procedures and look at how you will be administering the test’s. The good thing is you can still do paper along with electronic at least for now.

   That’s enough mischief for now. Hope to see you at Marlboro or Mt Tom hamfest’s or at a local club near you!

73

Ray AA1SE

New Ham Report. Jan 2025

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Here is the listing of our newest ham’s! Clubs should be finding the ones near you and inviting them to meeting’s and offering mentoring to get them active. Promote and grow your club!

Kristopher Boutin, KC1VXU
23 Ruffino Rd
East Longmeadow, MA 01028-3220

Alexander S Moore, KC1VVK
PO Box 29
N Hatfield, MA 01066-0029

Anthony E Gentile, W1AEG
PO Box 29
N Hatfield, MA 01066-0029

Jerry M Sambrook, KC1VWB
104 S Loomis St
Southwick, MA 01077-9441

Robert Jurkowski, KC1VVJ
111 Granville Rd
Southwick, MA 01077-9775

Mark Robertson, KC1VVF
144 City View Rd
Westfield, MA 01085-4120

Mark T Leary, KC1VVL
PO Box 2431
Westfield, MA 01086-2431

Teresa R Flynn, KC1VXR
31 Halfrey Rd
Hubbardston, MA 01452-1169

Tal N Cohen, KC1VVP
118 Arlington St
Leominster, MA 01453-2728

David Wilson, KC1VYF
21 Emerson Ln
Leominster, MA 01453-5037

Zachary X Harrison, KC1VUY
11 The Clearing St
Lunenburg, MA 01462-2510

Daniel T Spulecki, KC1VUO
5 Chestnut St
Blackstone, MA 01504-1102

James Mullally, N1JWM
267 Brattle St
Holden, MA 01520-2030

Jennifer N Lockfort, N1JNL
267 Brattle St
Holden, MA 01520-2030

Adam Porcaro, KC1VVX
PO Box 2
Jefferson, MA 01522-0002

Stephen A McDonald, KC1VUZ
6 Eliot Rd
Northborough, MA 01532-2738

Brian Abend, KC1VYI
6 Mohawk Dr
Westborough, MA 01581-1821

Preston A Hill, KC1VYG
32 Peach Tree Dr
Sutton, MA 01590-4804

Arjun B Ramakrishnan, K3GGS
105 Longfellow Rd Apt 1
Worcester, MA 01602-2769