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

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