Well, here we go again! Another summer coming, June has returned and with that..Field Day! Field Day the contest, Field Day the communications drill. I don’t think that debate will ever go away. Regardless what you think it is, it’s an operating event that utilizes both, and you mix in a dose of public relations, promoting, education, comradery, and food. I hope you Field Day incorporates all of it or some parts of it. We all will be praying to the weather gods for good weather for the event. I will again be doing the tour of sites despite the big pinch in fuel cost. Make sure your event is listed in the ARRL Field Day locator site. https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator. Also, have someone take photos. Send them to me and I will forward to the league and use for next months report.

   Most clubs will be wrapping up their meeting season taking the break for July and August. Remember, there are events going on and clubs hopefully will participate. As I mentioned last month of the event at Quabbin Hill Observation Tower in Belchertown. CMARA had an event for May 30 but unfortunately got washed out. They were going to demonstrate radio at a Wings and Wheels event in Southbridge. Unfortunately, it was rescheduled for, surprise, Field Day! We’ll see what happens there. Mohawk is having various POTA events in and around the greater Gardner area, Quaboag is having a Foxhunt event. A lot of summer activities like these helps the club be healthy and grow. You don’t need much, even having an antenna party at a ham’s house to help them get on the air. You’d be surprised what some burgers and potato salad can do!

   As you are aware, our annual convention is coming in Marlboro. https://hamxposition.org As usual, the committee is doing a great job in putting together a great event. Thursday will feature a magic show. Some great forums are going to give something for everyone. I will be doing my flea market like last year as well as being in charge of it. At least I did not get as baked as previous years!

   I hope everyone has a warm,fun,safe summer season. Support your clubs and participate in this year’s Field Day event. Hope to see you out there.

  73, Ray AA1SE

Here we are again! Has been a busy month for sure. Seems the project list are getting larger and the stuff you are doing just get’s slower, except the time. Oh well!

   We just had our annual event in Near-Fest. I cannot believe it is now 20 Years old! I have been going to it since day 1. And what’s Near-Fest without rain which happened Saturday morning and pretty much washed out the day for me. Friday was a good turnout and it was great to see many who stopped by to say hi. Hope to see you and more in the fall event. Next stop HamExposition in August.

   Field day planning is likely in full swing now. I will be doing “the tour” as usual. I was actually tempted to take the camper but at 4 dollars a gallon and less than 10 MPG I will likely not do that. Let me know if the location will be different so I can pay a visit.

   Look for the announcement for a general class license course I will be starting June 2 on Zoom. Pass it along to those interested. Just to remind everyone, if you have an announcement like classes, special events, public service, etc. send me a write-up so I can post it here.

   I am looking to see if there is someone who would be willing to volunteer their talents to creating a website and provide some training so yours truly can maintain it. It would be for the license instruction I run and maybe for myself. I do not have great proficiency in this and tell people “Climbing telephone poles do not give those skills” Let me know if interested.

   The NOBARC club is looking to set up a balloon launch and planning is in the beginning stages. I hope they succeed and is successful. The CMARA club is still planning a ARISS event with the Worcester Ecotarium. They had it planned for march but the issue with the astronaut having a medical issue had to push it out to sometime in October. HCRA has put together some foxhunting activities to get those interested in finding “stuff” with radio. Direction finding is a fun sport and a great skill to find noise issues, etc.

   Brad, W1BCC, former president of the Franklin Co. club is having a GOTA_POTA_SOTA day on June 20 At the Quabbin Hill Observation Tower. Email Brad at brad@councilman.com for more information.

   The Technician class license question pool is changing on June 30. A number of questions were changed to provide some clarity which can cause some confusion leading in an incorrect answer. The pool as some mentioned is not “dumbing down” the testing. The actual question changes seem to be minimal and people could still use this version of the manual as long as they review the new questions which are now posted on many practice sites.

   I am very happy to see the emphasis in outreach and mentoring new hams, and providing activities to encourage participation growing among individuals and clubs. Many, along with myself have been talking about it for years and now getting traction. Youth is still a challenge as the almighty cellphone has them hypnotized. We need some good creativity to break that force field. Some school districts are stopping it’s use in schools. Maybe that will help.

   For those active with the league, section, clubs, outreach, I want to sincerely thank you for your efforts! I do see those in the trenches working at it! Keep at it!

73, Ray AA1SE