Hello, welcome to another month. With this one coming around operators’ thoughts of Field Day are dancing in their sleep. Some clubs are looking at new sites and others are securing their usual spots for this year. Planning either way should be in earnest now as how and what to set up, site permits (if any), and the all important porta-potti if needed. The important thing to consider is inviting all those new hams you have invited to their club and mentored to get active. Wait, you did not do that? Why??? Field Day is the best place to have a social event, tech education, show off your setup, eat lots of food to fill up the porta-potty! 😊 And above all try to get those younger hams involved so they can carry on the tradition!

   In 2025 Western Mass. Got 148 new hams licensed. Overall, for the year we still ran at a 0.2% drop in league membership. No one section or division posted increases. I would love to know how many of the newbies became members, and how many were told of the league and their benefits of membership. VE teams need to look at what interaction they do AFTER they pass the test to at least introduce them to a club, the league, a mentor. I know from experience when I got my license, it was “now what?”

   One of the things I have observed is people getting their licenses because they want to be prepared in an emergency. That’s great. The problem is that they are not active and after 10 years, they have forgotten about it and let their license drop. In a time when world events get goofy like they are now, people need to know about what they can do with amateur radio and the need to prepare and practice now, and not when the “stuff” hath swatted the fan. Again, the importance of being proactive and help those to get active and teach them right at the handing of the CSCE! Consider these when you have that VE session, or thinking of a club activity, Field Day, etc.

   Mt. Tom Club has gone through a changing of the guard with the election of a new president, vice president, treasurer. They seem to be moving their meetings to Holyoke Hospital where HCRA holds theirs, and their website is getting a revamp. This is the result of a group participation and supporting each other. There are clubs struggling as they seem to think one person will do it all. That only leads to burnout and frustration and give up. I wish Mt. Tom the best of luck and much success.

   Think Spring! Remember, Field Day will be here before you know it!

Take care and 73

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

   Hello WMA! I just got back from 24 days on a west coast trip to Arizona. And I came back to this? What was I thinking! It was warm and sunny there! One of the things I wanted to do was go to Quartzfest which is a radio event in Quartzite, 15 min from the California border. This event is seven days in the desert with mountains surrounding it. This event has been going on since 1995 and has grown a little since then. This year it was just shy of 450 people (that actually registered). Some notables were there such as Dave Cassler KE0OG and Gordon West WB6NOA and a few ARRL officials like me. There were a lot of presentations for RV enhancements, Antennas, etc. Also, they had 4 balloon launches, telescopes for stargazing, nightly campfires with someone playing a guitar, a hootenanny, a potluck dinner, there was definitely something for someone. If you want to see more go to https://quartzfest.org/ I could go on and on about it. It was a great time! (I would post pictures but my phone is being stupid!)

   The one thing I did there was join Gordon West and learn about ExamTools with Stephen Hutchings WM7X who conducts remote exams daily with his team for 12-14 hours a day. He even had one member drive there from Maine in only 3 days! (yikes!) He has a large crew as far away as Singapore. Stephen is now the leagues go to for training on this platform and is extremely helpful to anyone needing assistance.

   The ARRL Board Meeting is now in the books. Shortly after, the news broke that the Atlantic Division Director Bob Famiglio K3RF has been removed as he declined to sign the certification statement as required by Article 46. A lawyer, he also provided some legal advice. As a result of this action, the EPA section manager resigned his post. Yes, I’m scratching my head.

   The planned ARISS contact planned by CMARA has been pushed out to around October due to the medical incident by one of the astronauts. It was a little disappointing as it was getting close, but it will happen.

   There are our annual two hamfest’s coming up. First one is the Algonquin hamfest which is Saturday Feb 14 at the Charles Whitcomb school in Marlboro. And the Mt Tom event at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee, Sat. Feb 28^th. Both good events and I do plan on being there.

   One thing I would like ALL the clubs to do is go to the ARRL website and update your club’s information. It should be done every year and it is important to have your president and email correct in order to get information to you if needed. We sent a message regarding the ARRL WAS 250 W1AW event and some did not receive it. Larry, W1AST, our Club Coordinator, needs this to aid in informing clubs of activities and club related information. Also as an affiliated club you need this and to maintain a fifty percent or more membership to the ARRL to maintain that status.

   I’m sure there may be something I missed. I’m still getting “New England-fied” again. Have a great month!

73 Ray AA1SE