Calling for Volunteers for HamXposition in August 2026!

Calling for Volunteers for HamXposition in August 2026!

Thank you to all the dedicated volunteers who make HamXposition possible! Your smiling faces and eagerness to help make a difference to the attendees.

I’m reaching out to invite you to volunteer (again) this year! Here is the link to the form. https://registration.hamxposition.org/volunteer/

We have a big need for help again this year and have a number of positions for volunteers.

ASSIGNMENTS?

This year, based on your feedback, we have made it easier for you to indicate on the form if you would prefer a particular assignment–when I put out the list closer to the event, it will indicate an assignment, but, please note, we may have to have people switch as the need arises. The form defaults to “no preference”, so if you are willing to do any volunteer role, just leave it as is (and we appreciate those who are flexible!!)

As before, if you have restrictions re sitting/standing, please indicate that in the comments.

Below are the general descriptions of roles (there may be others as the need arises on site):

  • NO PREFERENCE (available for anything)
  • Ticketing/Registration
    • Selling tickets
      • Convention
      • Thursday magic show
      • Dinners Fri/Sat (if available)
    • Distributing tickets to those preregistered
    • Selling flea market spaces
    • Giving vendors info on arrival
    • Organizing cash/bringing it to safe area
    • Wayfinding/resource/answering questions
  • Exhibit Hall Entrance
    • Confirming that only appropriate people get in before allocated times
  • Exhibit Hall Lunch Runner (Saturday)
    • Collecting lunch orders from vendors and delivering food
  • Flea Market-outside
    • Set-up
    • Selling flea market tickets
    • Help bringing cash back to safe area
  • Setup (Thursday)
    • Outside
      • Signage
        • Parking
        • Handicapped area
        • Speaker area
        • Direction Finding
      • Cones/barriers
    • Inside
      • Video/audio equipment in each room
      • Signage outside each room
  • Takedown (Sunday)
    • What has been put up during set-up
    • Outside-signage and cones
    • Inside-forum rooms AV equipment
  • Ushers
    • Preparing tickets for Thursday magic show/Friday dinner/Saturday dinner
    • Preparing tickets for Sunday prize drawings
    • Taking tickets at the door for events listed
  • AV/Forum Support
    • Assist with technical problems in rooms
    • Help speakers with issues

TIME SLOTS?

  • 2 hr time slots available
    • Thursday Aug 13 8-10am, 10-12, 12-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8pm
    • Friday Aug 14 8-10am, 10-12, 12-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8pm
    • Saturday Aug 15 8-10am, 10-12, 12-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8pm
    • Sunday Aug 16 8-10am, 10-12, 12-2, 2-4pm

PERKS?

  • Option 1 – work 4 hours or more on one or more days – free admission

OR

  • Option 2 – for each day you work 4 hours or more (Thu, Fri, Sat) 1 lunch voucher. (up to three).
    • Lunch vouchers can only be redeemed on Fri and Sat during lunch.
    • For Sunday, since there is no lunch available, you get a free prize drawing entry instead.

NEED TO MAKE CHANGES?

If you want/need to update your preferences, please re-enter the database and update it there-I will receive your updates.

Please reach out with questions. I look forward to seeing you there!

73, Barbara KC1KGS
kc1kgs@hamx.org
Register to volunteer

New Ham Report for June

Here is the latest list of new hams. 15 of them! Please reach out to them and invite them to your club, and especially to Field Day!

Report for 2026-06-01

Robert D Walker, KC1ZQO – FCC
73 Leo Dr
Chicopee, MA 01020-2114

James R Gustafson, KC1ZQN – FCC
218 Batchelor St
Granby, MA 01033-9738

Paul F Lucchesi, KC1ZNM – FCC
154 Elm Street
Holyoke, MA 01040

Linus M Kuplast, KC1ZOO – FCC
PO Box 411
Southampton, MA 01073-0411

James E McCabe, KC1ZQY – FCC
PO Box 1941
Warren, MA 01083-1941

Scott A Sullivant, KC1ZNZ – FCC
PO Box 102
Westfield, MA 01086-0102

Richard C Ostrander, KC1ZMZ – FCC
16 Grove St Apt 2
Adams, MA 01220-2161

Michael D Bartos, KC1ZQZ – FCC
4 Wells St
Erving, MA 01344-9705

Christopher Mabry, KC1ZMV – FCC
101 Ayer Rd
Harvard, MA 01451-1412

Cooper B Baron, KC1ZNG – FCC
8 Poor Farm Rd
Harvard, MA 01451-1450

Ben Baron, KC1ZNS – FCC
8 Poor Farm Rd
Harvard, MA 01451-1450

Judith L Odonnell, KC1ZMM – FCC
18 Morgan Rd
Hubbardston, MA 01452-1603

Alexis Santos, KC1ZMU – FCC
348 Prospect St
Leominster, MA 01453-3415

Joseph J Guastella, KC1ZQE – FCC
81 Wyola Dr
Worcester, MA 01603-1632

Lexi Haley, KC1ZNF – FCC
14 Buckingham Rd
Worcester, MA 01605-3625

Section Manager’s Report June 2026

   Well, here we go again! Another summer coming, June has returned and with that..Field Day! Field Day the contest, Field Day the communications drill. I don’t think that debate will ever go away. Regardless what you think it is, it’s an operating event that utilizes both, and you mix in a dose of public relations, promoting, education, comradery, and food. I hope you Field Day incorporates all of it or some parts of it. We all will be praying to the weather gods for good weather for the event. I will again be doing the tour of sites despite the big pinch in fuel cost. Make sure your event is listed in the ARRL Field Day locator site. https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator. Also, have someone take photos. Send them to me and I will forward to the league and use for next months report.

   Most clubs will be wrapping up their meeting season taking the break for July and August. Remember, there are events going on and clubs hopefully will participate. As I mentioned last month of the event at Quabbin Hill Observation Tower in Belchertown. CMARA had an event for May 30 but unfortunately got washed out. They were going to demonstrate radio at a Wings and Wheels event in Southbridge. Unfortunately, it was rescheduled for, surprise, Field Day! We’ll see what happens there. Mohawk is having various POTA events in and around the greater Gardner area, Quaboag is having a Foxhunt event. A lot of summer activities like these helps the club be healthy and grow. You don’t need much, even having an antenna party at a ham’s house to help them get on the air. You’d be surprised what some burgers and potato salad can do!

   As you are aware, our annual convention is coming in Marlboro. https://hamxposition.org As usual, the committee is doing a great job in putting together a great event. Thursday will feature a magic show. Some great forums are going to give something for everyone. I will be doing my flea market like last year as well as being in charge of it. At least I did not get as baked as previous years!

   I hope everyone has a warm,fun,safe summer season. Support your clubs and participate in this year’s Field Day event. Hope to see you out there.

  73, Ray AA1SE

New Ham Report May 2026

Report for 2026-05-01

Ari Klopfer, KC1ZHU – FCC
215 N Valley Rd
Pelham, MA 01002-9770

Paul R Desrosiers, KC1ZLH – FCC
21 Summit St
South Hadley, MA 01075-2530

Harold F Kershaw, KC1ZHJ – FCC
15 Woodside Ter
Westfield, MA 01085-1228

Cyrus Rivera, KC1ZLA – FCC
1191 S Washington State Rd
Washington, MA 01223-9677

Keziah R Kelsey, KC1ZKZ – FCC
1191 S Washington State Rd
Washington, MA 01223-9677

Andrew Dechristopher, KC1ZJN – FCC
1 Wood Pl
Fitchburg, MA 01420-3166

Audrey M Johnson, KC1ZKP – FCC
34 Oakwood Ave
Auburn, MA 01501-1757

Towa Matsumura, KC1ZIN – FCC
PO Box 111
South Lancaster, MA 01561-0111

Alec J Wilson, KC1ZHS – FCC
295 Wigwam Rd
West Brookfield, MA 01585-3208

Abby Neal, KC1ZHZ – FCC
25 12 Dix St Apt 2
Worcester, MA 01609-2787

As a reminder reach out and welcome them to the hobby as well as to the club! Offer assistance to get them on the air and active.

Radio Activity Event Coming!

When: Saturday June 20 2026 10:00-2:00 (rain date TBD)

Where: Quabbin Hill Observation Tower, Belchertown MA  Google Maps.

Facilities: Plenty of parking. Portable toilets. Bring a chair. Limited # picnic tables.

No: Sorry, no dogs, open fires or antennas in trees. Friends of Quabbin Info.

Food: Coffee and hot dogs provided (while they last). Otherwise, BYO.

WiFi: Available via StarLink. Check sign-in board for password.

Power: This is a battery powered event.  Use ours, or bring your own.  Charging available.

Radios: Bring your own gear and power source or operate ours: IC-7300, 9700, 705.

Antennas: BuddiHex, wire and VHF antennas available.  4 masts available.

GOTA: It’s ARRL Kids Day and Father’s Day weekend. Bring a parent, child or  grandchild.

POTA: US-8391 Quabbin Park

SOTA: W1/CR-013 Quabbin Hill  (parking lot is within the activation zone)

Satellite: Gary Thomas AA1UE will deploy an IC-9700 and portable antennas.

Fox Hunt: Details at a later date.

Flea Market: Feel free to tailgate. Bring something for the Free Table

Talk In: 146.52

Questions/Volunteer: W1BCC Brad Councilman brad@councilman.com 413-773-0670

General Class License Course

The Western Mass Train and Test Group will be having a General Class License course beginning on June 2 on Zoom.

   Class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9 PM for 6 weeks.

         This is a free course, but you need to purchase the ARRL General Class 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 talk to the world and make friends! Learn new technologies. Volunteer for public service. Great for STEM Learning!                Join us! 

           Get your General Class License Now!                                                                                                                          

Section Manager’s Report May 2026

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

New England QSO Party is coming May 2 & 3

The New England QSO Party on May 2nd and 3rd is a great time to check out antenna systems and offers a moderately paced opportunity to work new states and countries. You’ll find a wide variety of participants, from newcomers to experienced contesters, all interested in making contacts with New England stations.

Our goal is to get every one of the counties in New England on the air so we hope you will encourage your members to join in the fun! Even if you can only join the fun for a couple of hours, we’d appreciate it!  Will you be QRV? Let us know with a message to info@neqp.org

The New England QSO Party is 20 hours long overall, in two sections with a civilized break for sleep on Saturday night.  It runs from 4 pm Saturday until 1 am Sunday, then 9 am Sunday until 8 pm Sunday.  Operate on CW, SSB and/or digital modes (not FT-4/8) on 80-40-20-15-10 meters.  For each QSO you’ll give your callsign, a signal report and your county/state.  Top scorers can earn a plaque and everyone who sends in a log with 25 valid QSOs or more will get a certificate.  The goal is to work stations anywhere in the world – and their goal is to work New England stations, so you’ll be very popular!

Last year we had logs from 214 New England stations and 493 more logs from around the country and world. 

The full rules are here ->   www.neqp.org/rules
The 2025 results are posted  ->  https://neqp.org/2025-new-england-qso-party/
Please make some QSOs even if you don’t want to send in a log!

Thanks!
73 Tom/K1KI

New Ham List for April

Clubs, Please review the new hams in your area and extend a welcome and invite and help get them active.

Report for 2026-04-01

Lawrence A Scherpa, KC1ZCT – FCC
24 Tower Ter
Agawam, MA 01001-1407

Robert W McCarthy, KC1ZCK – FCC
196 Elm St
Agawam, MA 01001-2405

Anna M LaChance, K1WTS – FCC
21 Sunset Ave Apt 2
Amherst, MA 01002-2017

Ryan J Crouser, KC1ZGU – FCC
9 Williams St
Easthampton, MA 01027-1937

Edwin J Brennan, KC1ZED – FCC
10 McConnell Ave
Goshen, MA 01032-9602

Wesley N Daningburg, KC1ZDC – FCC
17 Pleasant St
Huntington, MA 01050-9758

Charles E Womeldorf, K2CEW – FCC
116 Ridge Trail Rd
Westfield, MA 01085-1407

Edward A Sagan, KC1ZCV – FCC
PO Box 2
Greenfield, MA 01302-0002

Ralph R Messick, KC1ZFQ – FCC
14 High St
Turners Falls, MA 01376-1707

Kevin M Allen, KC1ZET – FCC
6 Reed St
Leominster, MA 01453-4519

Richard B Haggett, KC1ZHC – FCC
8 Van Ness Ave
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-2629

Emily Rittershaus, KC1ZEV – FCC
8 Van Ness Ave
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-2629

Rohan Das, KC1ZHE – FCC
23 Redland St
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-4375

Kelly McCarthy, KC1ZDH – FCC
15 Maple St
West Brookfield, MA 01585-2923

Shubham Dutta, KC1ZDK – FCC
285 Plantation St Apt 218
Worcester, MA 01604-7728

Jason Kuehne, KC1ZGZ – FCC
9 Windsor St Apt 1
Worcester, MA 01605-4108

Alex Tarallo, KC1ZDF – FCC
34 Somerset St
Worcester, MA 01609-2110

Michael Campbell, KC1ZGX – FCC
4 E Central Street
Worcester, MA 01613-2221

2026 World Soccer Tournament Special Event Station

The 2026 World Soccer Tournament is coming to Massachusetts. There will be Special Event Stations running each of the following days. This is a worldwide event with games happening here in Massachusetts.

There are 7 games being played at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.

Those 7 days hams are needed to run a special event callsign – W1C. A special QSL card will be available. All modes and bands can be active.

The dates ops are needed:
Sat, June 13
Tue, June 16
Fri, June 19
Tue, June 23
Fri, June 26
Mon, June 29
Thur, July 9

If you are available to operate any or all of these dates, please contact:

FunHamRadio@gmail.com

Thanks,
Larry, W1AST
ARRL WMA Affiliated Club Coordinator