Blog

he Waltham ARA is partnering with the Montachusett ARA (MARA) for Field Day, June 24 – 25. We will operate on the summit of Mt. Wachusett in Princeton, MA. Setup will begin at 9 AM on Saturday, the 24th. We hope to have enough participation to support 3 HF stations and a VHF station, providing plenty of opportunity for phone, CW, and digital operation from 2 PM Saturday until 2 PM on Sunday. There will also be a “Get on the Air” (GOTA) station for new hams, future hams, and any Technician class operator.

If you are interested in being fed for the weekend, for a cost of $20, please let us know by June 16 using our general Contact Form. You can also use this form to ask questions, to let us know about equipment you may be able to bring, etc

Zoom opens at 6:30 PM for informal pre-meeting meeting.

We will discuss our plan for Field Day., which will be a joint venture with the Montachusett ARA on the summit of Mt. Wachusett in Princeton, MA. Eliot W1MJ will present “Contesting 101”, customized for this event.

Online via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2695622043?pwd=WEJwSkhYYWtyZndjbitJQXFFNWY4dz09

Meeting ID: 269 562 2043
Passcode: 362611

One tap mobile:
+13126266799,,2695622043#,,,,*362611# US (Chicago)
+16469313860,,2695622043#,,,,*362611# US

Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kvk7xrZVv

Zoom opens at 6:30 PM for informal pre-meeting meeting.

This meeting will be online only.

Guest speaker Fred Cirera, W6BSD will present, “Digital Voice Modes for Amateur Radio” (re-scheduled from last month). You don’t need a General or Extra class license to enjoy QSOs with people worldwide. All amateur license classes can use Digital Voice (DV) modes such as Fusion, D-Star, DMR, and many others to connect with people throughout the US and other countries using digital repeaters or amateur hotspots. During his presentation, Fred will discuss the differences between the DV modes and how the backend infrastructure works.

We will also discuss plans for Field Day.

Online via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2695622043?pwd=WEJwSkhYYWtyZndjbitJQXFFNWY4dz09

Meeting ID: 269 562 2043
Passcode: 362611

One tap mobile:
+13126266799,,2695622043#,,,,*362611# US (Chicago)
+16469313860,,2695622043#,,,,*362611# US

Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kvk7xrZVv

For logistical reasons, this meeting will be online only. We hope to return to hybrid meetings next month.

Online via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2695622043?pwd=WEJwSkhYYWtyZndjbitJQXFFNWY4dz09

Meeting ID: 269 562 2043
Passcode: 362611

One tap mobile:
+13126266799,,2695622043#,,,,*362611# US (Chicago)
+16469313860,,2695622043#,,,,*362611# US

Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kvk7xrZVv

In Person: First floor conference room of the New York Life Insurance building, 201 Jones Rd, Waltham, MA. Doors should be open by 6:30. We will host the zoom meeting from that location. FACEMASKS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND IN-PERSON.

Online via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2695622043?pwd=WEJwSkhYYWtyZndjbitJQXFFNWY4dz09

Meeting ID: 269 562 2043
Passcode: 362611

One tap mobile:
+13126266799,,2695622043#,,,,*362611# US (Chicago)
+16469313860,,2695622043#,,,,*362611# US

Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kvk7xrZVv

At the September 28, 2022 club meeting, Eric Balles, W1ENB, was unanimously elected as the new president of the Waltham ARA. Rich Comer, K1RBC, and Eliot Mayer, W1MJ, were re-elected into their roles as Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, respectively. The positions of Vice President and Secretary remain open.

The 2022 Cycle for Life is coming up on Saturday October 1st, 2022 and I am in need of Amateur Radio Operators to volunteer for SAG (Support & Gear) operations and if there is sufficient quantity of volunteers we will also be staffing the rest stops.

For those who have not worked this event before, it is a charity bicycle ride starting and finishing in Holliston Massachusetts.  Funds raised benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in their quest for a cure.

There are 3 routes.  A 12 mile, 30 mile and 62 mile loop and 4 rest stops traversing several towns around Holliston.

If you are available to help out please fill out this Volunteer Sign Up Form and I will be in touch with more details as the date gets closer.

Thank You,
Dave Gilman KC1DDH
Course Safety & Communications Coordinator
KC1DDH@Gmail.com

Eric Balles, W1ENB, has answered our call for leadership, offering to serve as President of the Waltham ARA. Eric was licensed in 1994, and upgraded to Extra class in 2021. He operates QRP with an FT-818 on hiking and bicycle outings, and uses an IC7300 at home. Being mostly retired from work now, Eric has more time for volunteer activities, including communications support for community events, and now offering to take the helm at WARA. A longer bio about Eric will appear in the Summer issue of PHI.

We still need candidates for the open Vice President and Secretary positions. These are 1-year terms, with an option to run for re-election.  Anyone interested in these positions should contact Rich Comer, K1RBC, at rich.comer@live.com.

A Special Election will be held at the September 28 club meeting.

Officer Elections at the May 25th Waltham ARA Chime (online) meeting came up short of candidates. We presently have no President, Vice President, or Secretary.    For the club to continue to function,  we need members to volunteer and assume a little bit of extra responsibility.  These are 1-year positions, with an option to run for re-election.  Anyone interested in any of these positions should contact Rich Comer, K1RBC, at rich.comer@live.com.

Filling the role of president is of course vital. The main responsibility is chairing monthly meetings (or delegating that task when unable to attend). Past President Eliot Mayer, W1MJ, is offering to mentor, and may be reached at eliotmayer@yahoo.com.