Author Archives: Ray Lajoie

Hi, well for a traditionally quiet month actually turned exiting! The first piece of news is the appointment of Eric Wilhelm W1RVY as the new Section Traffic Manager. Please join me in welcoming him aboard. Eric has been involved with traffic since he got his license and has been a steady participant in traffic nets, and is the First Region Net Manager. For the loyal followers, I have been trying to get this position filled since I started. This section has been quite dormant regarding traffic and my hopes we can get some activity going again. I wish to thank Marcia Forde KW1U DEEPLY for supporting NTS, and Western Ma for all these years. We will continue to work with her in all things traffic as her efforts goes far beyond New England.

   The CMARA club on July 25 put on a very impressive demonstration of ham radio at the Worcester Ecotarium. Earlier they joined together to conduct an ARISS contact event, which is now scheduled for October. This demonstration featured CW demonstration, N1E special event station, an ARISS table, lots of brochures and information, etc. This was an impressive setup indeed! Other clubs can benefit although does not have to be to this scale, quite simply, partner with a venue or event, use your available resources. Just get out there. It provides a club activity, outreach, public service, or just plain FUN! You can see more about this event on a separate post here.

   Now that August is basically here, all thoughts are turning to HamXposition. https://hamxposition.org/ We now are looking for great attendance, education, fellowship, and of course fun. Yours truly will again this year will be in charge of the flea market and tabling my array of treasures which seems to be growing. In the past I used to have a section meeting but due to the timeframe and low attendance I have not been doing that. That does not mean I’m not doing section stuff. Feel free to come to me and chat, indoors or out. The one thing that I enjoy doing selling at the flea market is the opportunity to talk to members, and mentor new hams looking for advice and maybe locating something for their new found hobby. The convention is still looking for volunteers to help out. There are many things to help with and 4 hours will get you a free lunch or an entrance ticket. You can volunteer on the website and pick your time and job. Setting up and take down is one of the biggest needs. (I know that first hand! 😊)

   I am happy to see some good activity going on with some clubs this summer. We have been talking about this for some time and now it’s bearing fruit. Some clubs have invited other clubs to join and I can certainly encourage that more. We talk about it often, doing it is another thing. Just simply in the words of Larry the Cable Guy….” Git ‘er Done!”

   Take care and hopefully will see you at HamXposition!

73, Ray AA1SE

   Another year, another Field Day is behind us, and I’m sure those that participated are now recovering and gathering their results. I made the 400-mile tour and visited 8 sites. Some clubs have at one time had a big and active setup, now was drastically scaled back, while others have upped their game and had a very organized group and used their public area very well to promote to the visitors who came to see. Another had just built a building for the purposes of radio to promote, educate and yes, operate. They set up as a class D station. Fortunately, the weather was mostly cooperative. Some areas got some rain and then fog, but overall, it was not extremely hot as in the past. As some of you know, I have been running license classes and it was really encouraging to see students past and present actively participating in Field Day. It really proves that outreach and mentoring can really pay off for the clubs. Make them welcome and get them active. Yes, I do remind them every day about that. Some of those students have become officers of their respective clubs which is a bonus in itself.

   One thing I observed is the use of trailers in Field Day, the cargo type. (even though camping trailers work fine) These trailers can be set up to a simple setup to a full-blown comms center supporting multiple stations. Although this is nothing new to radio, more trailers have been showing up to events in WMA. I myself have one and have built it to serve multiple purposes for myself in various functions. Why do I say this? How about a very elaborate club project? You are setting up power, solar, radio’s, antenna mounting, weight management, computers and networking, etc. Even Starlink has made it possible to get internet from anywhere. New hams can learn so much by having one of those projects. Trailers can hold up to the weather better than tents and easy-ups for sure! Plus, it’s a good PR piece, you show off your skills on building equipment.

   Now that Field Day is over, remember, there is plenty of summer left. That means even though most clubs have taken their break from meetings for July and August, don’t forget to come up with some activities for radio-active fun. POTA is a hot one to do! (was there a joke there???) Even antenna builds and repairing. Anything can work especially if there is burning flesh on the grill 😊

   That’s enough for now, Enjoy the Summer, celebrate America’s 250^th, get together with family and friends, anything that creates memories. Have fun!

73, Ray AA1SE

   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