Category Archives: SM Report

Did you hear a loud scream lately? That was August flying by! Wow, Fall is just a few weeks away. It was a busy month for sure.

   Earlier this month I made a road trip and visited the NOBARC hamfest. Saw a number of people there and some treasures getting bought. I did not go there to sell. Instead, I was sitting in on their VE session which is now using the ExamTools web app for administering the tests. This is going to be the new standard as the ARRL is no longer producing any printed materials. Running the test electronically allows for the tests to be graded using your cellphone camera or any camera for that matter which I thought was pretty slick. Also, the paperwork and test results are instantly uploaded directly to the league for FCC processing. It is important before you start is get registered on ExamTools website as you need to get verified as an examiner, get a signature uploaded and a couple of other things. Embrace the future folks! Fear not! You can print out forms and test questions if needed. There are groups that can assist if needed.

   Of course, the big one was last weekend in the HamXposition convention. I don’t have the numbers but what I did hear was the inside vendors was sold out, there were over 60 forums which is more than Dayton and the flea market looked nearly sold out. I was running the flea market this year and with the help of my friend N1MGO, and the volunteers for the entrance. It ran pretty smooth. (I guess I did not goof it up too much! 😊) I did hear a fair amount of positive feedback and a good time was had there. I look forward to next year where I hope to see more growth and variety.

   With September here is the time clubs will be meeting again after their summer break. The ARRL has announced that 2026 will be celebrated as “The Year of the Club” There will be activities surrounding this and they are cooking up some incentives to encourage clubs to operate under their club callsign among other things. Details are in the works so stay tuned. This is a great tool to use to try to build up your club. People want more out of their club than just the usual old business, new business and who’s presenting what. Members need to participate and engage others to be creative and have some great fun. Don’t get discouraged if one thing flops, try something else. Keep trying and you may find that winning solution. What works for one may not work for the other. Invite your neighboring club along too!

   Chuck, WS1L is getting the plans for an upcoming SET for October. This is a great test of how your skills are in an emergency. It also helps to identify what or where we need to improve on. Contact Chuck with any questions or how to participate. I would love to see some good participation from all parts of Western Ma.

   What are your goals for the upcoming season? Upgrading your license? Mentoring a new ham? Learn to handle traffic? POTA activations? The possibilities are many. As they say…Be Radio-active!

   Have a great month!

73

Ray AA1SE

Greetings, I’m sure you are still resting from Field Day, scores are being tabulated, pictures shared, etc. Speaking of pictures, I would like to put together something for the League. Please send me pictures of the weekend’s activities. Thanks.

    Field day was a bit of a mix as I find the number of clubs or groups visited were down. I know of some that have ceased their FD activities and there were others that really pushed on improving their operation and I saw some nifty stuff going on. The CMARA club moved to a new location which was more public accessible and put on a public table to promote Ham Radio to others. Quaboag has a new location in the town common in West Brookfield. This location definitely shows promise in being a great location to show off what they can do to support their town. And the NOBARC club also has new digs not far from where they used to be in Windsor. There was a lot of radio activity with room to spare. I want to extend a “Well Done” to those and all the FD sites this year. Of course, as you unwind from this you are now looking to start planning next year’s event. The one thing I do see is by getting younger people into radio were the clubs that improved the most. Something to think about when starting your club meetings in September. I really enjoyed visiting all the clubs this year. Everyone made me feel welcome when I arrived.

   As I mentioned last month, the nomination period is on for the position of Section Manager. To learn more, go to  http://www.arrl.org/section-terms-nomination-information Don’t be bashful!

   On July 8^th, my team is holding a new Technician Class license course on Zoom if you know of someone interested in getting their Ham Radio License, see the flyer elsewhere on this website.

   I guess that’s enough jibber-jabber for now. Have a great time in whatever you are doing this summer and thanks.

73, Ray AA1SE

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

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  

Hello, the celestial odometer has clicked off another number! I hope everyone has a Happy New Year. Now the question is, will it be boring or exciting. As they say, time will tell.

First off, I received the news that Steve Boyson N1VLG passed away. He was the State Government Liaison for Eastern Mass. He also assisted WMA as that position could not be filled. The SGL position is described as such:

The section’s State Government Liaison is the primary contact for all governmental affairs having the potential to affect amateur radio. The SGL helps inform legislative and regulatory entities of the importance in amateur radio considerations in each bill, and potentially helps muster a section wide amateur radio publicity campaign to bills as needed. Requires full ARRL membership. The WMA SGL will be expected to work in lockstep with the EMA SGL as they would both be working to the same goals with the same state government.

If there is anyone interested in this please contact me. Ideally, both Massachusetts ARRL sections could have their own SGL. EMA had graciously assisted us and I appreciate that. That voice representing us is important!

As January 1 approaches we also have a changing of the guard in our division director as Tom K1KI takes over once again. I wish to thank Fred AB1OC for his three years of dedicated, hardworking service. I know one item on Tom’s agenda is to get the Tech class HF privileges that the FCC has sat on for years finalized, approved and placed in operation. This can be a huge step in getting more techs on HF to keep them active and advancing themselves in the hobby.

Usually, I look at the New Year and look at what kind of mayhem I can cause this year. 😊 I am still continuing to run license classes with a General class course coming soon. One thing is my club visits has fallen off largely due to my mother’s health issues and did not want to stray too far. Hopefully I will be able to get out and see you again.

One thing I am going to work on is increasing activity with traffic handling. I am asking nets to look at generating traffic to other hams and taking messages and delivering them. Many nets call for check in’s and ask if there is any traffic. This does have the potential to wake up the nets as there is more activity. Traffic can be within the net, between clubs, even section and country-wide. I have been presenting and hosting Zoom sessions on traffic and NTS and am planning more. I do have training materials available on the nts2.arrl.org website under training and documentation. The ema.arrl.org has a section worth looking at under National Traffic System. Contact me for any questions or for more information.

The next thing is the continuing saga of the practice of mentoring. (yah! That same ole rodeo) I continue to see where mentoring has had positive effect on that new ham. I have interacted with some new hams that have passed the exam at my session. I see firsthand the level of interest when you take an interest in them. Ok, it’s a little effort and with persistence it WILL pay off for your club. There is more to a club than going there to gulp down coffee and treats! Be an important part and participate to help the club grow with members and activity. Remember who taught YOU when you were a newbie.

Ok, the soapbox is creaking a little so I need to get off of it! My hopes are we can work together in raising the needle and keep the momentum moving. Thank you to all the participants in 2024 and hope we have bigger numbers in 2025! You know where I’m hiding.

73,
Ray AA1SE