Category Archives: SM Report

Hey, did you hear that sonic boom? It was September going by! Just like the squirrels, we are probably gathering stuff and storing it so we can have projects where it’s inside and warm during the winter when we are not napping. Near-Fest is now a memory for this year. I am seeing the event being affected by the economic climate, 4.20 a gallon for gas, and the likely lack of Geritol. (yes, our advancing ages!) I truly hope things do turn around. These are fun events and the event bean-keepers need to keep things on the positive end of the break-even line. One thing to consider, anyone with tables invite someone on the younger side to tag along. What a great mentoring tool. I did see a couple of people with some youth getting educated on various things about radio. Good job mentors!

   So far, the meetings have started and I do see some of them gathering steam for a successful year. CMARA is working hard with the Worcester Ecotarium with their upcoming ARISS contact event coming in a couple of weeks. Shout outs to The Quaboag club and the Mohawk club on their 40-year anniversaries. A fine accomplishment. May they have many more. Mohawk has been putting on POTA activations every couple of weeks in the summer at various state parks in the area. Activities like these can certainly boost a club and keep them active and participating while promoting ham radio to others.

   Remember, clubs have a lot of resources available from the league to assist in membership, benefits, and individual assistance. Most of it is an email away or a phone call. I am also reachable too. No doubt some clubs could use a little help. It also takes individuals to put forth the effort. If you went to HamX in August there was great stuff in the seminars to promote just that!

   I know I have not been visiting club meetings as much as I would like. Yup the cost of fuel is a factor and time can be as well. I have been really busy lately as well. I will definitely work on that.

   That’s enough gossip for now. Remember the nice warm and hot days we had when the cold stuff returns!

Be well!

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

   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

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

As all of you know, we got walloped with that winter storm on the 23^rd. The southeast and Rhode Island got the brunt of it and is still digging out of it. I remember another one back in 1978. Different areas were pleading mercy. I do not remember how ham radio played a role in it back then, but this time around we were pretty active everywhere providing weather conditions and snowfall reports. It would be interesting to compare the two.

   WMA ARES made an addition in John Rokicki, KC1VMZ as a Asst. SEC. Chuck WS1L has tasked Gil, WK1H with admin and membership duties and John is going to handle net operations. This is largely due to a medical issue Chuck is dealing with and wish him speedy recovery.

   Mt. Tom club regretfully had to cancel it’s hamfest due to low turnout of vendors. They will return again next year. The club has also undergone a leadership change. Sue, the president had a serious car accident and is recovering. She did indicate she was stepping down prior to that. A president, treasurer and vice president have been elected. The hamfest was a long running event and I hope those who bought tables then come back and bring some others along as well. The one problem with this hobby graying out is some of these hamfests are graying out as well. A ripple effect I don’t think anyone has thought of.

   It is great to see that license classes and exam sessions are plentiful lately. I have been transitioning my team to electronic testing as the league is no longer supplying materials. I had the pleasure in Arizona to learn more about ExamTools from Stephen, WM7X who is the guru of it. I was joined by none other than Gordon West WB6NOA. I found the application to be really streamlined so the learning curve not so bad. It will be interesting getting to know this.

   If you have not read about it, the League has made changes to the Section Manager election process. There will be only 1 election a year for all candidates everywhere on their cycle (odd or even years) The terms start on July 1, so that means since I just started my new term, it will be extended another 6 months to June 30 then will be yearly after that. Keep in mind this and other appointments are open and available. Just drop an email if you are interested in volunteering.

   Things are likely going to be more active as the weather warms up (finally!) Clubs should look at group activities such as POTA to get out and operate and show people what we do and CAN do. It also keeps clubs active and interesting and is a great mentoring opportunity for the newbies.

   See you out there!

73, Ray AA1SE