Hello all,

This is the first traffic report for the Western Mass Section on its own in quite a number of years. We are starting off pretty small, with just one daily local net based in the section, and two reporting stations (one of them being yours truly), so there is definitely room to grow!

That being said, if you are a traffic handler in WMA and are not shown on this report, I invite you to send your Station Activity Report and Public Service Honor Roll information to me by either radiogram or email. In order to make the QST publishing deadline, reports are due by the 6^th of the following month.

The report shows nets covering WMA as well as some that cover both Eastern and Western MA. I’ve used a format very similar to what Marcia has been using in her joint section traffic reports.

If you would like to try sending and receiving third party messages (“traffic”), but don’t know where to start, check out these opportunities and resources:

• The Virtual NTS Training Net, every Wednesday at 7pm, via Zoom. See https://nts2.arrl.org/virtual-nts-training-net/ for more information.
• Any of our local traffic nets, which also serve as training nets. Examples are the Central Mass 2 Meter Net ( https://www.cm2m.net ), and the Heavy Hitters Traffic Net (on the MMRA repeaters, but also on Mt. Greylock and Gardner repeaters and Echolink), https://ema.arrl.org/heavy-hitters-traffic-net/
• The NTS2 web site, https://nts2.arrl.or

73

Eric, W1RVY

WMA STM

I added this message as the section has not had a real traffic system for a long time. I encourage members, clubs, everyone to consider adding traffic and message handling as part of your activities, not to mention good practice for when “stuff” hits the fan. Traffic handling has been the root of ham radio since it’s beginnings in 1914. Even in modern times, it is still a useful part of the hobby. There are just more toys to play with it! Reporting activities also adds value to justify our hobby and the spectrum the FCC gives us for free as well as to the served agencies who receives our service free to the communities we serve. Contact Eric or myself with any questions or comments.

Thanks, Ray AA1SE

September is here! That means school is in session, Summer is nearly over, and club meetings are now starting up for a new season. I was fortunate to see some activities personally and am encouraged to see some great stuff going on. I also see that some clubs have experienced growth. There are some clubs experiencing some challenges within the leadership. I surely hope everyone works together to resolve the issues and to keep focusing on continued growth and success.

   I just found out that NOBARC just got a grant from the ARRL Foundation. Not a huge one, but meaningful just the same. Congrats to them! There is money out there. Money for MESH projects, club outreach, repeater updates, etc. Something all clubs can look at to finance whatever they may need. The only downside is you have to be a 501c non-profit. Something that requires managing and yearly reports.

   The New England Convention is in the books and early indicators was similar attendance as last year. If you were there you know there was a lot of quality stuff to see and do. The speakers were great also. The committee has been really consistent lately of putting together a great event. One can only hope we could grow to compete with one or two of the “Big Guns.” As usual, it takes a number of people to put this together before, during and after. Consider joining us next year in some fashion.

   I also have seen that Division 1 (New England) has now entered the land of KD1 callsigns. I got my license as KB1LRL in 2004. That’s a lot of years! There are divisions that are well past that in KR and others in that area. I’ll leave that to chew on a little.

   Just as a reminder the WMA website has a list of presenters that is willing to zoom in or visit to enrich the curious minds at a meeting. Go to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qLesHfit7-elLKXI-e8sQfpiKtNLCmyTirWFdALmRWE/edit?gid=1857305376#gid=1857305376. Let me know if you wish to be added or removed as things do change.

   I have been notified that Greg Algieri, WA1JXR Has taken a position with the ARRL part time in the RF lab. He will be working mostly at home and will be working on stuff that radiates 😊. Because this is a paid position he had to step aside as the Technical Coordinator and the Assistant Section Manager. Greg did say that it is a temporary position with an unknown time. Hope Greg has a lot of fun with this position.

   With September being here, there is a number of license classes starting up. NOBARC has a live one coming up and the WMA team is looking at one in early October. Time frame will be determined when we can get the presentations updated to the new question pool. Keep you eyes open for others and spread the word. Remember, when you have classes and/or VE sessions, start the mentoring process by a warm welcome and resources to get them started in radio and on the air.

   That’s enough gossip Speaking of gossip, let me know of any going on in your neck of the woods.

Take care and 73

Ray, AA1SE