Section Managers Report March 2026

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As all of you know, we got walloped with that winter storm on the 23rd. 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

Section Managers Report Feb. 2026

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   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 28th. 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

Algonquin ARC Flea Market, Marlborough, February 14, 2026

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The Algonquin Amateur Radio Club will be holding its annual hamfest at 1Lt Charles W. Whitcomb Middle School at 25 Union St. in Marlborough, MA.  The hamfest is very popular among hams in both the Eastern MA and the eastern portions of the Western MA ARRL sections.

The hamfest will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 12 noon.  General admission is $5 and includes a chance at the $200 Cash Door Prize.

An amateur radio exam session will be run at the hamfest at 9:00 AM for those how wish to get licensed or upgrade.

Vendors may reserve 6 foot tables at the hamfest at $25 each if purchased by February 6, 2026 ($30.00 each accepted at the door if space is available).  Vendors may arrive at 6:30 AM for setup.  For more information or to reserve a table, email fleamarket@n1em.org.  A mail in order form is also available on the bottom of the hamfest’s official flyer.

Talk in will be on the N1EM/R repeater system: 446.675- (PL 88.5).

Hope to see you there!

New WMA Amateurs for December 2025

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Please welcome the following newly licensed radio amateurs to the Western Massachusetts area!

Benjamin J Everton, KC1YPT
329 Springfield St
Agawam, MA 01001-1511

Paul W Fenn, KC1YPW
7 Hemlock Holw
Belchertown, MA 01007-9255

Benjamin S Feldman, KC1YQD
130 Old Bay Rd
Belchertown, MA 01007-9348

Brendan Kavanaugh, KC1YPX
250 Southampton Rd
Westhampton, MA 01027-9531

Daniel P Oneill, KC1YPR
131 Burnett St
Granby, MA 01033-9709

William H Bulman, KC1YRP
8 Holbrook St
Palmer, MA 01069-1306

Dynelle M Longto, KC1YTC
PO Box 117
Russell, MA 01071-0117

William M Marengo, KC1YSG
28 Cottage St B
West Warren, MA 01092

David L Smith, KC1YRR
348 Mountain Rd
Wilbraham, MA 01095-1723

Dan A Bisson, WE1FNK
118 Undine Cir
Springfield, MA 01109-1540

Tracy N Rackauskas, KC1YQX
47 Beacon St
North Adams, MA 01247-2703

Kent I Byron, KC1YSL
66 N Main St
Petersham, MA 01366-9502

Roseanna E Stanley, KC1YSN
32 East St
Petersham, MA 01366-9739

John G Root, KC1YSV
32 East St
Petersham, MA 01366-9739

Anthony J Ruggiero, KC1YTB
429 Parker St
Gardner, MA 01440-3733

Saabir Ameer, KC1YQG
3 Longfellow Rd
Northborough, MA 01532-2712

Aydin Dagli, KC1YQJ
4 View St
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-2631

Syed Bilal A Adnan, KC1YQF
350 Grafton St
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-4013

Aleena Haq, KC1YRD
51 Brookdale Cir
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-5442

Alexander Anderson, KC1YPM
37 Stonybrook Ln
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-5478

Srivatsan Mukunthraj, KC1YPL
59 Beverly Hill Dr
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-5823

Taqwa Yahyaoui, KC1YQK
7301 Arbor Dr
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-6019

Louis J Leblanc, KC1YSM
30 Heritage Rd
Uxbridge, MA 01569-1256

Mohammed Boresa, KC1YQH
22A Nome St
Worcester, MA 01605-1662

John F Barre, KC1YRW
45 Uncatena Ave
Worcester, MA 01606-1661

Selman Ahmed, KC1YQI
30 Everett Gaylord Blvd
Worcester, MA 01608

Nithya Sudharshan, KC1YPK
100 Institute Rd
Worcester, MA 01609-2247

Shriya Sudharshan, KC1YPN
100 Institute Rd
Worcester, MA 01609-2247

Year of the Club Special Operating Event

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Attention all Massachusetts Clubs,

This is your chance to participate in the Year of the Club special operating event!

If you would like to operate W1AW/1 as a club and reserve a 4-hour block of time between February 11th and the 18th please contact Larry, W1AST, no later than January 20th.

Email: FunHamRadio@gmail.com

The station can set up as a club, at a club member’s house, or as an individual; an individual can sign up to operate the whole week (we share a spreadsheet with the ops who have signed up). A club has a day, band(s), time, and mode(s), usually for a 4-hour block. The club or op can set up anywhere in Massachusetts. No other special rules except operators etiquette and only one op per band/time/mode at a time. For example, you could have 3 stations on 20M using 3 different modes.

All ops would need to be listed when the logs are turned in to me no more than 2 days after 2/18. ALL logging must be by computer so an log ADIF file can be sent to me at the end.

So far, the Barnstable ARC and the Mohawk ARC are the only clubs to have signed up. We really need more Massachusetts representation for the event. Please consider it! It is a rush to have stations calling you just like being a DX station.

Thank you,
Larry, W1AST
ARRL WMA Affiliated Club Coordinator

Section Manager’s Report Jan. 2026

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Hello and Happy New Year! Yes, it did take me a couple of tries to get the right year on the title! It’s only a few weeks of winter and I’m already tired of it.

   Speaking of winter, Winter Field day is approaching on the fourth weekend. This event has been gaining in popularity and activities are being planned both individually and with clubs. If you tolerate the colder temps (I don’t) give it a try. This year I will be traveling to warmer climates in Arizona and attending Quartzfest. This is one of the bucket list things for me. Quartzfest is held in Quartzite, AZ out in the desert. 7 days of radio, fellowship, presentations, cast iron cooking and potluck. Gordon West will likely be there and around 750 others. I will be driving there so I’m sure the sights will be great.

   With the New Year the ARRL has now launched the “Year of the Club” https://www.arrl.org/year-of-the-club theme for the year. One event is the W1AW/x event to celebrate the nations 250th anniversary and promote operating award for WAS for the event. Larry, W1AST our WMA Club Coordinator sent word out to the clubs in EMA and WMA to get clubs to participate in this. I am disappointed to report that NO clubs in all of Massachusetts responded! Larry is now looking for individual time slots from operators. Our first one will be in February. Please contact Larry at w1ast@arrl.net to participate and for more information, go to www.arrl.org to see what they have planned.

   It is now Jan 1st and today I am starting a new term as your SM. I have been at this for eight years now. There have been some improvements during this time although slower than I hoped for. All this time not one challenged me for this position. (I call it a “landslide” victory) This is your section too! You should try and make our section lively and active. Not taking Geritol and napping in your well-worn chair. Get your club to do a POTA activation, be a mentor, have activities that will create an interest in your club and in ham radio. There are lots of stuff out there at your disposal. If you need assistance drop me an email.

   That’s all for now. Stay warm and safe. Remember, glowing tubes creates heat, and also contacts. Take advantage and use it also to promote radio to the future generations. I hope 2026 is really good to you!

73, Ray AA1SE Your Western Mass. Section Manager

New WMA Amateurs for November 2025

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Please welcome the following newly licensed radio amateurs to the Western Massachusetts area!

Christopher D Morgan, KC1YNY
64 Pleasant St Apt 1R
Easthampton, MA 01027-1142

Karen Angelica M Smith, KC1YNJ
234 Glendale Rd
Hampden, MA 01036-9111

David Berner, KC1YLB
303 Prospect St
Northampton, MA 01060-2049

Gregory J Curtis, KC1YNN
11 Chileab Rd
South Hadley, MA 01075-1219

Michelle E Surprenant, KC1YNB
PO Box 15324
Springfield, MA 01115-5324

Mark B Cooper, KC1YLQ
103 Bolton Rd
Harvard, MA 01451-1801

Kara Kramer, KC1YLA
105 Ragged Hill Rd
Hubbardston, MA 01452-1619

Phillip A Valeri, KC1YNF
639 Mechanic St
Leominster, MA 01453-4401

Kiirja Paananen, KC1YLO
121 Cortland Cir
Leominster, MA 01453-4576

Timothy R Dubois, KC1YMH
PO Box 418
Blackstone, MA 01504-0418

Darren K Rogers, KC1YKQ
38 Forest St
Worcester, MA 01609-1730

Branko Djokic, AC1VC
3A Spring Brook Ct
Mendon, MA 01756-1334

Foxhunt on New Years Day

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If there is anyone interested in foxhunting here is an activity that has been held on New Years Day for some years now. It’s not your average foxhunt. Read on:

Greetings Foxhunters,

Keeping with tradition, I will be hosting a Foxhunt on New Years Day at 1pm.

This hunt will be conducted in the same manner that we have previously conducted live foxhunts.  The hunters will assemble at the  91 Ayers Road in South Windsor, CT, home of the old Wapping Elementary School, be set up and ready to start by 1pm. The fox will take a roll call at 1pm on the BEARS repeater, 145.110 MHz, PL tone is 77.0 Hz.  This hunt will be conducted using the repeater for all communication and information sharing.  I encourage communication between participants and any base stations that can supply helpful information to the hunters.  Once you have spotted the fox you should stop all transmissions.  Pay attention, if someone says they are going to check an area and you never hear from them again, that might be a clue.  Remember not to hunt the repeater output frequency as that will just lead you to the repeater.  I will not be there.  You will want to listen on the repeater input frequency, 144.510MHz.  That is the frequency the fox will be transmitting on.

The fox will be located within 20 air miles of the starting point and not within Hartford or Springfield.  The fox will be on publicly accessible property that will not require anything other that a standard passenger car for access.  The fox will host a “tailgate” party at the end of the hunt at the “den”. 

If this is your first hunt, I would recommend riding along with someone who has done this before.  Dress warmly as you will be outside at the end for the party, the rest of the time you will be in and out of the car taking bearings etc.

Experience has shown that hunters will start arriving in the den about 1 hour after the start.  The event has a two hour time limit not including socializing in the den at the end.

Current information regarding this and other foxhunts in Connecticut are on groups.io. If you are not already a group member, you may want to consider signing up for the groups.io CTFOXHUNTER so that you do not miss any important foxhunt related news.

73,Paul, N1TUP

2026 Boston Marathon Ham Radio Volunteer Registration Opens

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Volunteer registration for the 2026 Boston Marathon is expected to open this week! Returning volunteers will receive an email from the BAA that includes registration instructions. In order to make registration as smooth as possible, we are providing specific instructions for our Amateur Radio Operator (ARO) volunteers.

If you haven’t previously volunteered, or have a friend who would like to volunteer, please go directly to the Volunteer Registration page and follow the instructions for new volunteers.

Step by Step Sign Up Guide:
https://hamradioboston.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/44002570599-2026-volunteer-registration-step-by-step-guide

A few notes for volunteers:
  • Almost all amateur radio positions are single person assignments. We are not able to group people on a single assignment, but we will try to accommodate which segment you are assigned to in order to allow for similar start/end times.

Do you want to run Boston?

In recognition of the contribution the Amateur Radio Communications team provides to the Boston Marathon every year, the BAA has granted us an invitational bib to be awarded to one of our volunteers! Here’s how it works:

  1. Applicants must be Boston Marathon volunteers who have served on the Amateur Radio Communications Team in at least one (1) of the most recent three (3) Boston Marathons.
  2. Applicants must agree that if selected, they will pay the applicable entry fee ($375) to the BAA.
  3. Applicants must agree to comply with all terms and conditions set by the BAA.
  4. Applicants must be capable of completing the Boston Marathon within the allotted time.
  5. Applicants must hold a valid Amateur Radio license (of any class)  issued by the FCC (or regulatory body in the applicant’s home country) at the time of application.
  6. Applicants must be eligible to participate in BAA events.

The Amateur Radio Communications Committee will utilize the following criteria to determine how the Invitational Entry will be awarded:

  • All interested eligible parties must fill out the linked Google Form to express their interest
  • Applications must be received by December 16th, 2025.
  • All applicants will be entered into a random drawing for the Invitational Entry following the application deadline.
  • The selected applicant will be notified by email by December 23rd, and is required to formally respond and accept within seven (7) calendar days. If, after seven days, the selected applicant has not accepted the Invitational Entry, that applicant’s Entry will become void and a second drawing will be held for the Entry to be reassigned.
  • Following receipt of an Invitational Entry from the Amateur Radio Communications Team, recipients will be ineligible to receive this Invitational Entry again until the fourth Boston Marathon following their award.

Help us get the word out by forwarding this email to your club and other amateur radio operators who might wish to volunteer. Most volunteers first learn about the event through word of mouth. If you know new licensees who might like to join us, please make sure to let them know about it. Even just a quick mention at your club meeting can be a big help!

If you have any questions about the upcoming volunteer registration period, the invitational amateur radio bib program, or the 2026 Marathon in general, please get in touch anytime. Volunteering at the Marathon is a big job and we appreciate the time and effort everyone puts into it. We’re happy to do what we can to make your work fun, comfortable, and effective.

We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Thank you, and 73,

Boston Marathon Communications Committee
contact@hamradioboston.org