Section Manager’s Report Mar. 2025

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  

MTARA Hamfest on March 1

The Mount Tom Amateur Repeater Association is holding its annual Amateur Radio and Electronics Hamfest on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Drive in Chicopee. All amateurs and those interested are invited!

Admission is $5 for adults and children 12 and under are free. Doors open at 6:30 AM for vendors only and 8:30 AM for general admission.

The hamfest will feature:

  • A snack bar serving coffee, soda, donuts, breakfast sandwiches and the like.
  • An amateur radio license exam session will be run at 10:30 AM provided by PVVET
  • Several raffles (tickets 6 for $5)

Those wishing to reserve a table for selling, please contact Brian Mullarney N1FI.

Talk-in for the hamfest will be on the W1TOM repeater (146.940 MHz, PL 127.3).

WMA Section Manager Ray Lajoie AA1SE will be at the hamfest.

YLRL Scholarships Available for Students

The Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL) has announced its Memorial Scholarship program for 2025. The scholarship program is aimed at female amateur radio operators studying radio, communications, electronics or amateur radio related arts and sciences. 

There are three Memorial Scholarship award categories:

•The Ethel Smith, K4LMB, Memorial Scholarship — $2,500 award

•The Mary Lou Brown, NM7N, Memorial Scholarship — $2,500 award

•The Martha “Marte” Wessel, KØEPE, Memorial Scholarship — $1,500 award

“YLRL is committed to investing in women in amateur radio, and we believe that every act of volunteerism through amateur radio, even a small one, helps turn the world into a better place,” said Vicki Zumwalt, N6KLS, President of YLRL. “We hope that our scholarships will not only encourage students to learn more about science, technology, and engineering but also inspire them to take pride in being an amateur radio operator and to encourage others to do so as well.”

The YLRL believes that education in the fields or radio, communications, electronics, and amateur-related arts and sciences will play an important role in shaping the world’s future. Through these memorial scholarships, YLRL hopes to encourage female students to learn more about amateur radio.

To qualify, students must be female, have an amateur radio license, meet the requirements listed on the YLRL website and apply using the online application. Applications are due by April 30, 2025. Winners will be announced in July 2025.

The Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL) is an international non-profit organization of female amateur radio enthusiasts. It was founded in 1939 and is the longest-running YL club in the world.

New Ham Report Feb. 2025

Here are the new ham report as of Feb 1. Club officials, review the list and reach out to those in your footprint and invite, welcome them. Offer assistance as well!

Report for 2025-02-01

Ian A McIntosh, KC1WCZ – FCC
96 Lyman Barnes Rd
Brimfield, MA 01010-9621

David Gage, KC1WCQ – FCC
228 Barry St
Feeding Hills, MA 01030-2765

Andrew W Serra, KC1VZO – FCC
197 Batchelor St
Granby, MA 01033-9736

Stephanie J Billings, KC1VZE – FCC
8 Shepherds Hollow Rd
Leeds, MA 01053-9707

Francis M Dicarli, KC1WAW – FCC
106 Sandalwood Dr
Wilbraham, MA 01095-1794

David A Dupuis, KC1WDF – FCC
119 Maple Rd
Longmeadow, MA 01106-3101

Richard J Radzick, KC1WBF – FCC
32 Skyline Trl
Hinsdale, MA 01235-9390

Noah J Duarte, KC1VZP – FCC
64 Hawk Hill Rd
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370-9504

Nicholas R Girolamo, KC1VZS – FCC
25 School St
Sunderland, MA 01375-9503

Raymond S Kagels, KC1WCN – FCC
123 Manchaug St
Douglas, MA 01516-2101

Richard K Cote, KC1VZX – FCC
116 Westwood Dr Apt 4
Sturbridge, MA 01566-1352

Jack Sullivan, KC1WBZ – FCC
PO Box 53
Dudley, MA 01571-0053

Section Manager’s Report Feb. 2025

Hello! I’m sure by now a lot of you are getting a case of cabin fever. February is kind of a transition month where there may be some decent days in which to get out and do something. Hopefully one thing on the list is a visit to the Algonquin club’s Hamfest coming up on Feb 15. I always look forward to that to see friends, sell some treasures, and one thing I do is use it as an opportunity to do some mentoring. I hope other sellers do the same thing. Especially when someone just passed their test and is exited to get started.

   I got the opportunity to go visit some clubs last month. It is nice to see new faces in attendance. One thing I do observe is some clubs are thin with attendance and are adding Zoom to the meetings to get others in attendance and to have guest speakers from distances present to the club. I am seeing that clubs that is showing some growth are the ones actively interacting with new hams helping to get started an on the air. Now that it’s come back, we do publish the new ham report on our Western Ma. website. Clubs should have someone looking at who is in their footprint and reach out to them. VE teams are encouraged to get an email address on a separate sign-up sheet so you can email the club presidents that this person passed. I have been doing it…IT WORKS!

   I know we are a little early but clubs are starting to look ahead to Field Day. A couple of clubs are going to new sites in June. Let me remind those that if you are having a group field day, please let me know where. I like to visit and meet and greet people and observe your operation.

   You may not have noticed but on the WMA website you see my name with the articles published. I have been working with Gil, WK1H, our webmaster and am learning how this WordPress thing works. Gil has been keeping an eye on me so I don’t blow anything up. This is to assist Gil with content when he cannot due to family or business. See, Even I can be mentored in things. Many thanks Gil!

   Anyone that is a VE, in the January QST (p.78) and elsewhere, the announcement came out that They have started transitioning to an electronic platform using ExamTools.com. You will be able to use that to conduct your sessions and will automatically upload the results. No more mailing! They will be phasing out sending exams and forms also. This all will take place during this year. VE liaisons should be discussing this to your team to learn the new procedures and look at how you will be administering the test’s. The good thing is you can still do paper along with electronic at least for now.

   That’s enough mischief for now. Hope to see you at Marlboro or Mt Tom hamfest’s or at a local club near you!

73

Ray AA1SE

New Ham Report. Jan 2025

Here is the listing of our newest ham’s! Clubs should be finding the ones near you and inviting them to meeting’s and offering mentoring to get them active. Promote and grow your club!

Kristopher Boutin, KC1VXU
23 Ruffino Rd
East Longmeadow, MA 01028-3220

Alexander S Moore, KC1VVK
PO Box 29
N Hatfield, MA 01066-0029

Anthony E Gentile, W1AEG
PO Box 29
N Hatfield, MA 01066-0029

Jerry M Sambrook, KC1VWB
104 S Loomis St
Southwick, MA 01077-9441

Robert Jurkowski, KC1VVJ
111 Granville Rd
Southwick, MA 01077-9775

Mark Robertson, KC1VVF
144 City View Rd
Westfield, MA 01085-4120

Mark T Leary, KC1VVL
PO Box 2431
Westfield, MA 01086-2431

Teresa R Flynn, KC1VXR
31 Halfrey Rd
Hubbardston, MA 01452-1169

Tal N Cohen, KC1VVP
118 Arlington St
Leominster, MA 01453-2728

David Wilson, KC1VYF
21 Emerson Ln
Leominster, MA 01453-5037

Zachary X Harrison, KC1VUY
11 The Clearing St
Lunenburg, MA 01462-2510

Daniel T Spulecki, KC1VUO
5 Chestnut St
Blackstone, MA 01504-1102

James Mullally, N1JWM
267 Brattle St
Holden, MA 01520-2030

Jennifer N Lockfort, N1JNL
267 Brattle St
Holden, MA 01520-2030

Adam Porcaro, KC1VVX
PO Box 2
Jefferson, MA 01522-0002

Stephen A McDonald, KC1VUZ
6 Eliot Rd
Northborough, MA 01532-2738

Brian Abend, KC1VYI
6 Mohawk Dr
Westborough, MA 01581-1821

Preston A Hill, KC1VYG
32 Peach Tree Dr
Sutton, MA 01590-4804

Arjun B Ramakrishnan, K3GGS
105 Longfellow Rd Apt 1
Worcester, MA 01602-2769

Upgrade your Ham Radio License!

The Western Mass Train and Test Group will be having a General Class amateur radio license course beginning on February 18. Class meets Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 7-9 PM on Zoom.

This is a free course, but you need to purchase the ARRL General Manual for your study guide.

**Email Ray Lajoie at ray.aa1se@gmail.com with questions**

**To register go to: https://forms.gle/DuvE1duskwLcJK8M6

Upgrade your license to expand your privileges to talk to the world and make friends! Learn new technologies. Great for STEM learning.

Join us! Get your General Class License now!

SKYWARN Nets to Activate for Jan 19 – 20 Storm

This message was sent over the WX1BOX SKYWARN Announcement email list:

Hello to all…

..Updated Amateur Radio Net Schedule for snowfall reports and other storm impacts for the Moderate snowstorm affecting much of Southern New England. For other snowstorm forecast details see Message #4 at the following link: https://wx1box.org/2025/01/19/storm-coordination-message-4-late-sunday-afternoon-1-19-25-early-monday-morning-1-20-25-moderate-snowstorm-potential/ for additional details..

Amateur Radio Net Schedule:

  • 146.940-Mount Tom Repeater: Hourly Nets 6-11 PM Sunday Evening, Final Snowfall Total Nets 7 and 9 AM Monday Morning
  • 146.970-Paxton Repeater: 630 PM, 830 PM, 1030 PM Sunday Evening, Final Snowfall Total Nets at 730 and 930 AM Monday Morning
  • 146.790-Vernon CT Repeater: 630 PM, 830 PM, 1030 PM Sunday Evening, Final Snowfall Total Nets at 700 and 930 AM Monday Morning
  • NB1RI Rhode Island Repeater System: Nets will be scheduled between 6-11 PM and 700-1000 AM – Exact Net Schedule will be updated on the wx1box.org web site
  • 147.225-Windham CT Repeater: 800 PM and 1000 PM Sunday Evening, 830 AM Monday Morning
  • 145.470-Danvers Repeater: 830 PM, 1030 PM Sunday Evening, 800 AM Monday Morning
  • 146.895-Walpole Repeater: 700 PM, 800 PM is the Norfolk County Emergency Preparedness Weekly Net, 900 and/or 1000 PM Sunday Evening, 700 AM Monday Morning
  • 146.955-Westford Repeater: 700 PM, 800 PM is the Police Amateur Radio of Team of Westford Weekly Net, 900 PM and 1000 PM, 900 AM Monday Morning
  • 147.180-Bridgewater Repeater: 845 PM, 1045 PM Sunday Evening, 745 AM Monday Morning
  • 147.000-Dartmouth Repeater: 900 PM, 1100 PM Sunday Evening, 815 AM Monday Morning

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
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Algonquin ARC Flea Market, Marlborough, February 15, 2025

The Algonquin Amateur Radio Club will hold its Marlborough Flea Market on February 15, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the 1Lt Charles W. Whitcomb School, 25 Union St., Marlborough, MA. Talk-in is on the MMRA repeater, 147.27+ (PL 146.2).

A VE session will be held beginning at 9:00 AM. General admission is $5. Vendor tables are $15 before February 9, 2024, or $20 at the door if space is available. Each table includes one admission.

For more information, email fleamarket@n1em.org or visit https://www.qsl.net/n1em/2025flyer.pdf.

New Section Government Liaison Appointed

    Please join me in welcoming our new Section Government Liaison, Steve Berian KC1KEZ. Steve has stepped forward in taking on this important role which has been vacant for a number of years. He will be monitoring activity at the State House and any other governmental issue that could affect amateur radio in Massachusetts. With the recent passing of the EMA SGL he will also be communicating to that section as well since EMA has done for us for so long. Steve is a member of the Hampton County Radio Association and the Mount Tom Amateur Repeater Association https://mtara.org/.

    We wish all the best for Steve and our appreciation for volunteering for this position.

73 de Ray AA1SE