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
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

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

Boston Marathon Volunteer Registration Now Open

Hi Folks,

The Boston Marathon will take place on Monday, April 21st, 2025. I am a member of the amateur radio leadership team for the event. With time running out before volunteer registration closes, we have filled less than half of our needed volunteer slots. Volunteer registration closes February 7 at 5 PM.

Volunteers are needed to support operations throughout the 26.2-mile course, along with amateur support in the Start and Finish areas and along the transportation bus network.

Here is a link to register to volunteer. Also, here is a quick tutorial on the volunteer registration process if you find yourself needing the reference.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions.

Best,
Marty Sullaway, NN1C
Member, BAA Communications Committee

Section Manager’s Report January 2025

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

New WMA Amateurs from June – November 2024

With the ARRL’s new ham reports now back up and running, we can resume posting them here.

Please welcome the recent licensed amateur radio operators in the WMA section!

Steven W Furr, KC1UXR
87 Felix St
Chicopee, MA 01020-1030

Anthony J OBrien, KC1UXN
9 Sandra Rd
Easthampton, MA 01027-2533

Lyle H Smith, AC1SE
40 Bethany Rd
Monson, MA 01057-1104

Edward Cook, KC1VAQ
319 Marshall St
Fitchburg, MA 01420-2452

Nicholas E Firmani, KC1VAU
45 Dailey Ter
Fitchburg, MA 01420-7222

Robert A Cameron, KC1UYA
200 W Main St Apt B
Millbury, MA 01527-1423

Chris A Carleton, KC1UXX
80 Houghton Rd
Princeton, MA 01541-1214

Thomas L Obrien, KC1UWW
15 Rivelly St
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-4354

David G Klimavich, KC1VAR
PO Box 342
Upton, MA 01568-0342

Katie Bercury, KC1VAM
6 Bradish Farm Rd
Upton, MA 01568-1019

Desmond Bercury, KC1VAO
6 Bradish Farm Rd
Upton, MA 01568-1019

Russell Bercury, KC1VAP
6 Bradish Farm Rd
Upton, MA 01568-1019

Peter Youssef, KC1VAK
PO Box 195
Uxbridge, MA 01569-0195

Lorriane B Tetreault, KC1UXM
96 Chase Ave
Webster, MA 01570-4326

John F Hickey, KC1VBL
259 Shrewsbury St Ste 4
Worcester, MA 01604-4644

Mark H Rousseau, KC1UWQ
5 Parker Rd
Mendon, MA 01756-1152

Aidan Bushell, KC1UYU
7 Treeland Dr
Milford, MA 01757-1512

Lanie Bushell, KC1VAE
7 Treeland Dr
Milford, MA 01757-1512

Wesley Bushell, KC1VAG
7 Treeland Dr
Milford, MA 01757-1512

George P Tavares, W1RZH
39 Stockwell Rd
Hadley, MA 01035-9535

Steven P Grainger, KC1VCA
PO Box 1464
Lanesborough, MA 01237-1464

Patrick Randall, KC1VDF
172 Jewell Hill Rd
Ashburnham, MA 01430-1407

Noyan Kinayman, KC1VCN
92 Slough Rd
Harvard, MA 01451-1837

Zachary T Correira, KC1VDS
37 Smith Rd
Charlton, MA 01507-1617

Brandon M Johannes, KC1VEV
475 S Washington St
Belchertown, MA 01007-9323

Brian E Scott, KC1VEP
PO Box 181
Bondsville, MA 01009-0181

William G Mackinnon, KC1WGM
PO Box 842
Bondsville, MA 01009-0842

Jeffrey R Auer, KC1VEO
94 Vermont St
Holyoke, MA 01040-1646

Ronald Schulz, KC1VHA
52 Bolton St
South Hadley, MA 01075-2810

Gary R Cardot, KC1VFV
43 Gale Ave
Pittsfield, MA 01201-5808

David Goddeau, KC1VEW
24 Williams St
Pittsfield, MA 01201-7406

Richard E Langevin, KC1VFW
12 Catherine St
North Adams, MA 01247-3120

Jason N Michalski, KC1VHJ
66 SE Main St
Douglas, MA 01516-2445

Christopher Choquet, KC1VEH
230 Roy Rd
Fiskdale, MA 01518-1031

Douglas N Brown, KC1VEG
218 Sterling Rd
Lancaster, MA 01523-2902

Thomas G Sullivan, KC1VHD
9 Smith Rd
Northborough, MA 01532-1051

Jennifer L Neely, KC1VEN
88 McGilpin Rd
Sturbridge, MA 01566-1230

William Chartrand, KC1VGQ
20 Oak St
Hopedale, MA 01747-1123

Joel T Martin, KC1VLA
37 E Hill Rd
Brimfield, MA 01010-9607

Rebecca A Martin, KC1VLB
37 E Hill Rd
Brimfield, MA 01010-9607

Nicholas Mazza, KC1VHZ
24 Western Ave
Westfield, MA 01085-2630

Rick Mazza, KC1VHS
40 Phillip Ave
Westfield, MA 01085-4724

Joseph Harden, N1KBD
2 Noel Dr
Ashburnham, MA 01430-1060

Karla St Peter, KC1VKN
204 Ashby Rd
Ashburnham, MA 01430-1123

David A Guimond, KC1VIY
263 Grove Ave
Leominster, MA 01453-2834

Evan D Delmolino, KC1VLX
20 Richmond Ln
Adams, MA 01220-1544

Michael B Dupont, KC1VMQ
PO Box 19
Lenox Dale, MA 01242-0019

Adam Feltman, KC1VND
PO Box 106
Wendell, MA 01379-0106

Joshua Schnee, KC1VNL
133 Pakachoag St
Auburn, MA 01501-3127

Thomas A Testa, KC1VNG
234 Lincoln St
Blackstone, MA 01504-1203

John Rokicki, KC1VMZ
17 Prouty Ln
Rutland, MA 01543-1353

Satheesh K Rajaram, KC1VMU
101 Brookdale Cir
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-5446

Daniel O Murphy, KC1VNR
9 Seconset St
Worcester, MA 01602-1265

Grahm Sturz, KC1VQZ
629 Berkshire Trl
Cummington, MA 01026-9659

Gabriel Rapoza, KC1VSX
19 Kingsberry Way
Easthampton, MA 01027-2576

David Roman, KC1VQE
60 W Glen St
Holyoke, MA 01040-2923

Raymond L Montagna, KC1VQF
56 Paulding Rd
Ludlow, MA 01056-1430

Kenneth M Wheeler, KC1VTC
15 Vin Hebert Blvd
Pittsfield, MA 01201-3160

Aaron M Tracy, KC1VRU
54 N Summer St
Adams, MA 01220-1563

Joshua L Shoestock, KC1VRJ
47 Highland Ave
Adams, MA 01220-1811

Lynn M Melchiori, KC1VRO
34 Wells Park
Cheshire, MA 01225-9778

Samuel L Weiskotten, KC1VRA
82 Grange Hall Rd
Dalton, MA 01226-2025

Edward F Munch, KC1VRZ
PO Box 851
Peru, MA 01235-0851

Thomas S Richey, KC1VRK
35 McCauley Ln
Williamstown, MA 01267-2756

John L Frothingham, KC1VTD
97 Tahanto Trl
Harvard, MA 01451-1632

James Mullally, AC1TB
267 Brattle St
Holden, MA 01520-2030

Jennifer N Lockfort, KC1VQV
267 Brattle St
Holden, MA 01520-2030

Mitchell Moss, KC1VRS
10 Carousel Dr
Millbury, MA 01527-4108

Stephen M Smith, KC1VPY
16 Shirley Ave
Millbury, MA 01527-4219

Michael Pashko, KC1VSM
126 Millbury Rd
Oxford, MA 01540-1314

Helmer Mosquera, KC1VQD
52 Newell Hill Rd
Sterling, MA 01564-1421

Hannah Poirier, KC1VRM
10 Budd Dr
Dudley, MA 01571-3806

Mark H Shear, KC1VSL
8 Lantern Ln
Worcester, MA 01609-1158

Nicholas R Moy, KC1VQX
28 Sever St Apt 3
Worcester, MA 01609-2186

Kent G Radoff, KC1VSI
95 Middle Rd
Southborough, MA 01772-1511

Robert Ryan, KC1VQT
11 Central St
Southborough, MA 01772-1649

2024 WMA ARES SET Summary

The Simulated Emergency Test for the Western Massachusetts Section ran from 0830 to 1200 local (1330-1700 Zulu) Sunday, 10 November 2024. We developed a scenario based upon Hurricane Helene and its impact in the mountainous terrain of western North Carolina. In our scenario heavy rainfall over the Western Massachusetts area began to fall on soil already saturated from prior storms. Over the course of 24 hours rainfall totals across the area ranged from 11 to 31 inches. The resulting damage to infrastructure left many areas isolated. Cellular, landline, roads and power were destroyed in many areas. Water systems were damaged or contaminated in many areas.

Amateur radio operators checked in to our regular ARES Nets and reported damage in their immediate area using a simplified reporting system that accounts for building damage, flooding and transportation status. Net Control Stations collected reports from their check-in stations and forwarded this data out of the affected area via WinLink or email, in the same manner as was done in Hurricane Helene.

Participating stations were given 90 minutes to send damage reports and could use any one of multiple channels ranging from VHF and UHF FM to HF single sideband voice. Repeaters on Mount Greylock, Mount Tom and other locations provided wide-area coverage. Net Control Stations were given 2 hours to move information out of affected areas. We demonstrated our unique capabilities in several ways:

**Dispersed: Operators are located throughout the Commonwealth**

**Resilient: Operators are capable of maintaining, repairing and adapting their own stations to meet the needs of the situation or to compensate for damage**

**Redundant: The only service authorized to use multiple bands and modes of operation, with the experience to choose the method most suitable to the situation**

I am pleased to report that 30 stations participated in our SET. Reports were received from almost every corner of the WMA Section.

After Action Review

Thing that went well –

Participants reported being well prepared for the exercise. Extensive pre-exercise publicity led to informed participants.
Reporting nets went smoothly, participants understood the situation, what they needed to do, and what info was requested
Franklin County was able to find a location to set up in the field after finding out Greenfield was lacking an EOC
County-level collaboration worked well between ARES leadership and gave a sense of the simulated magnitude of the event

Areas we could improve –

Some voice traffic was passed too quickly for accurate copy, requiring time-consuming repeats.
Backhaul needs more resiliency. Internet-based email can work when net control is outside the affected area but WinLink, NBEMS, DMR or other options should be improved.
More ARES members should be capable of setting up in the field in case of damage to home stations or other need.
More county/community level leadership to triage reports when the traffic level is larger.

I would like to thank every participant who helped to make the SET a success, in particular the Net Control Stations who were key in making this work as well as it did. As we saw in North Carolina, the work of the NCS is a critical component in these efforts.

I hope to see you all again next year for SET 2025!

73,
Charles Chandler WS1L
WMA ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Section Manager’s Report December 2024

Here we go again! Another silly season is upon us. Where between contacts we are writing Santa Ham for that special toy to find under the tree. Hmmm, someone needs to write a Holiday special we can see every year.

Of course, I use this time of year to assess how we have been doing so far as a section. I can honestly say we moved the needle a little. There has been a growing emphasis on new hams and mentoring. I have been pushing mentoring more and it is starting to catch on. I have also been getting VE’s to be more proactive when that person has passed the test. I have been encouraging clubs that, in order to grow their clubs, they need to have an active part in this. Not just have an old-geezers social circle and talk about the ham that has become SK.

Another thing that has gathered renewed interest is our ARES program. Chuck WS1L recently had the WMA SET and was met with some good activity reports and a number of people who have joined ARES and have taken the ARRL EMCOMM courses and the ICS ones as well. Chuck has done a yeoman’s job of setting up the baseline standard for it and set up the email service so everyone gets notified. There is good stuff to build and expand on the program. Keep it up!

The Mt. Tom club has been experiencing a very nice growth spurt due to an increased presence in Facelessbook and some good outreach. This is what somebody’s efforts have produced. Other clubs can learn from this. Well done people!

The election for director is now over and Tom K1KI has been elected back into that role. This did come as a bit of a shock for me. My hopes are that whoever is on the board take this role and chart the direction for the league to best benefit Amateur Radio, the organization, and its members. It can be a daunting task, but if they put aside their differences, and egos and work together, good things can be accomplished. No one person cannot be the cause, cure and blame for what’s been happening lately. This also includes the membership not just in WMA but NATIONWIDE! We ALL need to work together!

I am looking at 2025 with optimism based on what we have done this year. We all need to play that part however small in a hobby that has brought joy to a lot of people to bring more people, teach more people, let them know that ham radio is a happy, healthy hobby to be in. And with that, it is my hopes ALL of you have a very Happy Healthy, Safe season.

73 to all,
Ray AA1SE