Section Manager’s Report June 2025

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   I think you would agree with me that most of these weekends you should be operating maritime mobile. My hopes is the weather changes before field day and we get some great weather. Last year was interesting as storms were threatening and occurred during the event.

   Speaking of Field Day, don’t forget to go to the leagues website and enter your event in the Field Day Locator. https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator As I previously mentioned, I will be visiting the sites and hope to visit all of them in my section.   

   The July’s edition of QST will announce nominations for Section Manager to serve for the next two years starting in January. I encourage anyone interested to visit http://www.arrl.org/section-terms-nomination-information to learn more. Yep, Western Mass is up. Do you feel the need to boot me off the throne? 😊

   As clubs are anticipating summer activities, the theme of the season are POTA parties. Some clubs have had one with great success and others are in the works. They are not hard to put together either. It’s a great way to get the new ham involved with the club and radio.

   Clubs will be wrapping up their meeting season this month which usually involves elections for officers. I have seen some clubs struggle with getting members to fill in the positions. It adds a greater burden to those still in office and it snowball’s, leading to continued erosion of what was once a vibrant club. Don’t let this happen to your club. Get involved! It’s really not rocket science.

   I hope everyone has a successful Field Day and a fabulous, safe Summer. See you at FD or at the convention in Marlboro in August.

73, Ray AA1SE

New Ham Report April 2025

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Kenneth P Lamothe, W1WXX – FCC
66 Dogwood Ln
Agawam, MA 01001-3645

Julian J Lee-Choi, KC1WSB – FCC
15 Hartman Rd
Amherst, MA 01002-1413

Jensen Gilbert, KC1WNW – FCC
6 Cheryl Cir
Belchertown, MA 01007-9764

Robert S Waskiewicz, KC1WOB – FCC
95 Chmura Rd
Hadley, MA 01035-9727

Diana L David, W1CBL – FCC
9 Fernwood Rd
Southwick, MA 01077-9514

Mark G Plaquet, KC1DZG – FCC
129 Clayton Rd
# 422
Ashley Falls, MA 01222-9713

Timothy M Jones, KC1WSC – FCC
155 W Bare Hill Rd
Harvard, MA 01451-1626

Patrick J McEvilly, KC1WNU – FCC
305 Reservoir Rd
Lunenburg, MA 01462-1532

Amanda Vollum, KC1WNX – FCC
PO Box 7
Berlin, MA 01503-0007

Thomas Dings, KC1WNT – FCC
147 Old Colony Rd
Princeton, MA 01541-1604

Kaushik Satheesh Kumar, KC1WNO – FCC
101 Brookdale Cir
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-5446

Zarius Dubash, K7HHH – FCC
15 Joseph Rd
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-7715

Joseph Bonapace, KC1WOK – FCC
30 Cassie Ln
Uxbridge, MA 01569-3114

Zoran Mladenovic, KC1WQL – FCC
3A Spring Brook Ct
Mendon, MA 01756-1334

Section Manager’s Report May 2025

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Hi there, yes, I am a little late this month as I wanted to give a report on Near-Fest that was just held. Despite the few showers that kept our tarps busy, overall, the event went well. I cannot tell you that even where I was which I called the “Cheap Seats” It is really encouraging to see many people stop at my table and say hi to me. I did and do receive feedback and constructively use it. And I believe I mentioned it before here but having the table gives me the opportunity to mentor hams in a big way. (It also helps me from spending money too!) 😊Next adventure is the convention in Marlboro. https://hamxposition.org/ August 21-24. Hope to see you there!

   The nice weather is upon us and with that our thoughts turn to Field Day. Plans are underway fast and furious. I do plan on doing the tour again. Always a fun time to visit the sites and see everyone in action. If there is a site I do not know of please let me know so I can stop over.

   License classes and test sessions are plenty. Every time I poke around the net or email, I see another new one spring to life. I will not say much but do not miss the opportunity to welcome and mentor those that have succeeded and help those that want to come onboard. To those that put these together, THANK YOU!

   The Hampton County Radio Assn. https://hcra.org/ is having a Share the Knowledge session on Foxhunting May 17 at 10 AM At the Holyoke Medical Center, 575 Beech Street Holyoke, Ma. Any Ham regardless of experience or membership can join in. HCRA has had some big Foxhunt events in the past. Go to the website or Facebook for more. If your club has an event coming up, let me know and I can post it on the WMA website.

   There have been a number of Hams that have become Silent Key lately. One of note was Jack Noble W1JWN. In my early days as a Ham, it was Jack that I heard on the Western Mass Emergency Net. (Sundays at 0830 on 3944 KHz) He had done that and was involved with the Red Cross and other EMCOMM functions. I have heard a bunch of things that Jack has done throughout his time. He will be missed by many. 73’s and rest well, Jack.

   That’s it for this month. Hope to see you soon live or on the airwaves.

73

Ray AA1SE

New England QSO Party May 3 & 4

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The New England QSO Party on May 3rd and 4th 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 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 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 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 212 New England stations and 516 more logs from around the country and world. 

The full rules are here -> https://neqp.org/rules/ 

The 2024 results were posted last weekend -> https://neqp.org/2024-new-england-qso-party/ 

It’s just under three weeks until the 2024 NEQP. Please make some QSOs even if you don’t want to send in a log!

Thanks!

    73 Tom/K1KI

VIRTUAL NTS TRAINING NET

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Many Technician class amateurs miss out on fun and skills learning of traffic handling because they reside in areas of the country where local traffic nets on VHF repeaters don’t exist. The Virtual NTS Training Net (VNTN) seeks to address this problem with the creation of a Zoom-based local traffic net that can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection.

VNTN will accept check-ins and radiogram traffic utilizing standard phonetics and pro-signs; in short, participants will enjoy the same experiences as those who check into conventional “RF” traffic nets.  The net will incorporate a “hands-on” training approach in traffic procedures, radiogram creation, and relay.

It is our hope that new amateurs who participate in VNTN will be motivated to join section and region nets on HF after upgrading to a higher license class.

The Net meets Wednesdays at 7:00 PM ET.  Plans are underway to move the time to 8 PM ET in May. The VNTN URL is: <https://bitl.to/3xj4>.

For updated information, please subscribe to the VNTN list at: <vntn+subscribe@groups.io>.
—

Phil Temples <phil@temples.com>

New WMA Amateurs for March 2025

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

Felicity Goeckel, KC1WJG
300 Harkness Rd
Amherst, MA 01002-9782

Carol A Vanderheiden, KC1WJV
281 Chauncey Walker St Lot 547
Belchertown, MA 01007-9196

Jeffrey S Macphee, KC1WKP
152 Wales Rd
Brimfield, MA 01010-9748

Elizabeth Hickin, KC1WJI
55 Munson Rd
Chesterfield, MA 01012-9712

Eli S Martin Eberhardt, AC1TV
44 College Ln
Northampton, MA 01063-6303

Matthew A Yee, KC1WJX
75 Pearl St
South Hadley, MA 01075-1021

Keith A David, KC1WKB
9 Fernwood Rd
Southwick, MA 01077-9514

Ramon G Lapointe, KC1WJN
227 Little River Rd
Westfield, MA 01085-5404

Kyle G Christensen, KC1WLV
290 Horrigan Rd
Clarksburg, MA 01247-9754

Stanley E Haley, KC1WJS
60 Benton Pl
Athol, MA 01331-1969

Nathan N Davis, KC1WJT
95 Maple Ln
Petersham, MA 01366-9740

Preston Sturdevant, KC1WJL
22 Barbara Ave
Auburn, MA 01501-2902

Jinghao Luo, KC1WKL
31 Liberty Cir
Holden, MA 01520-2225

Anthony Davis, KC1WJH
65 Windsor Ridge Dr
Whitinsville, MA 01588-2041

13 Colonies Special Event Looking for Local Ham Radio Ops

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13 Colonies Massachusetts is looking for a few new ops to join Team K2H.

13 Colonies takes place every July 1-7. We’re looking for volunteers who can operate for at least 2 hours per day for at least 4 of the 7 days.

Operating as K2H is a blast. You become the DX, and stations want to work you. You don’t have to be a contest op to volunteer. Anyone interested and available is welcome. As part of team K2H for the past few years, we have made around 20,000 contacts. 

If you are interested, please contact Larry, W1AST, 13 Colonies Massachusetts state manager, at W1AST@arrl.net before May 15th.

Thanks and 73,
Larry, W1AST

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