The Heavy Hitters Traffic Net
The Heavy Hitters Traffic Net (HHTN) is a local net in the National Traffic System (NTS). It started on the Waltham 146.64 MHz repeater in the mid 1970’s, operating seven nights a week.
In the early 70s, traffic nets were primarily on CW and SSB on HF. Allan Bacon, K1BA, started bringing messages from those nets to the Waltham repeater, handing them off to stations who delivered them by making toll-free local phone calls; back then there were charges for making calls outside one’s local area. This informal message handling process evolved into the Heavy Hitters Traffic Netwith Allan the first Net Manager, followed by Rick “Bones” Palm K1CE in the late 70’s.
In the mid-1990s the net expanded its coverage by moving to the MMRA linked network of repeaters. Additional repeaters are linked in via EchoLink and IRLP to provide coverage over most of Massachusetts. HHTN still uses the Waltham ’64 repeater as a backup frequency, and can use our EchoLink to widen the network as needed.
Bob Sparkes, KC1KVY, recently took the reins as Net Manager from Joe Weisse, W1HAI. The net meets nightly at 10:00 PM.
449.075 is now mixed-mode P25
Our 70cm repeater now supports both analog FM and P25 digital. Learn more here →
Next WARA Meeting: Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 7:00 PM
We continue to meet online.
Zoom Meeting Info
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
https://zoom.us/j/91712742209?pwd=SoVV46s5YaUsFht7ZXlfvcMltZWwBs.1
Meeting ID: 917 1274 2209
Passcode: 449075
One tap mobile:
+13052241968,,91712742209#,,,,449075# US +13092053325,,91712742209#,,,,449075# US
Proposed Update to Constitution & Bylaws
To the best of our knowledge, our “current” constitution is the original one from 1938. The bylaws are undated but, but both documents are terribly outdated. These documents can be found on our History page.
Eliot W1MJ, with help from Matt N1ZYY, has drafted updates to bring these documents in line with the way WARA actually operates. They are present here for review by the members. Comments are welcome.
Constitution Draft Update 01/04/2026
Bylaws Draft Update 01/04/2026
Rich Comer, K1RBC, Silent Key
The Waltham ARA has lost one of it “movers and shakers”. Rich Comer, K1RBC, passed away recently after a prolonged illness. Rich became WARA Treasurer in 2016 and generously donated his time and skills to the club until very recently. He held the club together during a low point during and after the COVID pandemic even though he had moved to northern NH and joined a local club there. In addition to his Treasurer duties, Rich has been sending out meeting reminders, shared his pro Zoom account for WARA meetings, arranged holiday gatherings, and more. Rich will be greatly missed for all of his contributions to keeping WARA running, and for his kind approachable style. – Ned W1NED and Eliot W1MJ
Another Successful WARA Holiday Party
The WARA holiday party was held for the third time at The Great Wall Restaurant in Bedford, MA on Wednesday, December 10. Fifteen WARA folks attended. Good food, good company!
Geno W1GNO was the lucky winner of our raffle for a $100 DX Engineering gift certificate.
EmComm Presentation at April 2025 WARA Meeting
Terry Stader, KA8SCP, made an excellent presentation about Emergency Communications (EmComm) at our April 30, 2025 meeting. He explained how radio amateurs assist with EmComm, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Skywarn, and more.
Here is Terry’s presentation:
Repeater Updates: ’64 EchoLink & 900 MHz P25
The WARA 146.64 MHz repeater now has a connection to EchoLink directly at the repeater site. Roger WA1NVC set up the new equipment, and installed it on December 10, 2024 with help from Tom KA1GXR and Eliot W1MJ. The procedure for making EchoLink connections from a radio using DTMF tones has changed – see About / Repeaters.
The 927.1375 MHz repeater now supports P25 digital voice as well as FM. See About / Repeaters.
Roger WA1NVC prepared the equipment for these updates, and installed it over two December site visits with help from Tom KA1GXR and Eliot W1MJ.
The Waltham ARA Repeater Site in Prospect Hill Park
Great picture of the repeater site – from Mt. Wachusett!
While at Boxboro a fellow HAM W1AWX introduced himself and showed me this great pic of WARA’s site taken from almost 40 miles away! Thanks Arthur! -Ron / KG1T
