A bit late, but good news, nonetheless.
Congratulations to the Hampden County Radio Club for coming in first place at this year’s ARRL New England Club Newsletter Awards.
More details here:
https://nediv.arrl.org/2024/08/27/new-england-club-newsletter-award-2024/
Greetings all,
As you know, we have an election for the division director to serve the next three years here in New England. Fred Kemmerer AB1OC is the incumbent and Tom Frenaye K1KI is the challenger. Below I have an message from Phil Temples K9HI as to the elections with instruction on voting as it will be electronic with a mail option. Please read.
Your vote counts and I urge you to do your research in your selection for New England’s Director.
Thank you!
73,
Ray AA1SE
WMA Section Manager
Within the next week or so, you should be receiving voting instructions for the ARRL New England Director election. ARRL has contracted with Election Services Corporation (ESC) to conduct the election, and for the first time we’ll be able to vote online. ESC will send postcards to eligible members with the instructions on how to use their online voting site to access candidate statements, photos, and the electronic ballot. The postcard will also have instructions for requesting a paper ballot if preferred. Members with an email address on file with ARRL will receive the postcard and an email message from ESC. Members without an email address on file will receive only the postcard.
ESC provides the online voting website, collects and processes electronic and paper ballots, and computes the election results. If you require assistance or have questions, ESC will provide help. You can contact ESC at (866) 720-4357, or via email: ARRLElection@ElectionServicesCorp.com.
To ensure you get a ballot, you should review the email and mailing addresses associated with your ARRL membership by going to www.arrl.org/myARRL. You must be logged in to the ARRL website to view your account.
Ballots (paper or electronic) must be received by noon on November 15, 2024.
73,
Phil Temples, K9HI
Interested in NTS and Traffic Handling? Join us Monday, October 14 at 7PM on Zoom and receive training.
Hosted by Ray AA1SE (ARRL Western MA Section Manager) and joined by Marcia KW1U (Eastern MA, Western MA and RI Section Traffic Manager), Bob KC1KVY, and Shawn N1CVO, we will provide the training on the basics of proper handling of NTS traffic as well as participating on a net. This will be a combination of videos and open discussion to get started in this aspect of the hobby that’s been around for over 100 years. All ham operators are invited to join whether you are experienced or not. Below, please find the link for this training. This will be first come-first served and limited to 100 participants. We hope to see you on Zoom. Any questions email Ray AA1SE at aa1se@arrl.net.
Topic: NTS Traffic Training
Time: Oct 14, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86391167095?pwd=EE7QXsDKRQPqzlUgZxc4HUfk27Ja9Z.1
Meeting ID: 863 9116 7095
Passcode: 346199
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+19292056099,,86391167095#,,,,*346199# US (New York)
+13017158592,,86391167095#,,,,*346199# US (Washington DC)
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Meeting ID: 863 9116 7095
Passcode: 346199
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Well, here it is. The end of summer 2024. Wow, did it scream by! It also was a toasty one too. How many operated at the beach?
I have pretty much recovered from HamXposition. Again, I was a lovely shade of red. That is a HOT parking lot! Why do I do this you ask? Well, yes, I do sell treasures and make some coin, but there is another good reason and that’s the opportunity to mentor. I cannot tell you how many times a new ham is looking for information on antennas, wire, connections, even first radio. The time out there is worth it if a newbie gets on the air.
The convention again was another winner. More vendors, forums and people. It was great to see a lot of acquaintances as well as making new friendships. Sunday, I had my WMA forum and the 20 or so people got updates as to what I have been doing and Chuck WS1L also talked about ARES. All in all, it was well received. And I did it without PowerPoints! The early number showed ticket sales and attendance was up from last year and word was they already maxed out the hotel. They are looking at the trade center up the street with shuttle service. This can equate to more vendors coming to it. The Space Weather Lady did a great job in presenting her talk. It was not geeky as some have been and at times quite funny. Don’t miss next year. Your participation is what’s driving its success.
I wish to ask those that do VE sessions, club officers, and other related items to look at your programs and see if you can start, upgrade, expand your mentoring. I run a VE session and what I do is have a separate sheet to add the candidates name, town and email. When the person passes the test, I then email the nearby club at let them know there is a new ham and to reach out to them and invite them to the club. I give the person a mentoring guide, an ARRL membership application and my card and spend time talking to them. These are important things to welcome a new ham and to get them started. Not only will your club benefit but the newbie will feel their time studying was well worth it. Doing these things have already shown signs of success. These efforts by all will only make your club grow and be more active. If more VE’s and clubs do this, who knows what they will look like.
With September rolling in is the start of club meeting season. As I have likely mentioned before a good meeting should have some agenda and not just toss around stories of “back in the day” It does not have to be old/new business all the time. Refreshments are a bonus. A presentation is recommended. Whether is from a member or from outside. How about a subject or an activity to teach newer hams. Mix it up. Have no one? There is a TON of presentations online. Having a lively meeting program will keep them coming next month. Live demonstrations even a homebrew/kit build night. Offer up some prizes.
That’s enough for now. Don’t sit on the easy chair and say “someone else will do it” That someone else is YOU! Mentor the future of radio, help grow your club.
Thanks, and 73,
Ray AA1SE