a field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
The July STM report for the combined sections of EMA, WMA and RI is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-july-2026/. Note new appointment for Section Traffic Manager for Western Mass, Eric Wilhelm, W1RVY of Southbridge MA effective August 1, 2026. Also please note Call for Help with radiogram traffic to W1AW/1 contacts from Massachusetts.
FYI: An opportunity to assist students with a balloon project
I am Drew Deskur, KA1M, and I am the Director of the Kopernik Observatory, a public observatory and Informal STEM Education Center in Vestal NY. We are once again running a High Altitude Balloon camp for local high school students next week.
On the payload of the balloon, we will be running APRS (K2ZRO-11) for tracking and we will also be flying SSTV on 145.600 using Martin 1 mode throughout the flight.
We plan to launch on Wednesday, August 19, hopefully between 10 to 10:30 am (1400-1430Z) and the balloon should reach over 100,000 feet. Last year we had SSTV reports from New England, Canada, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland.
Would it be possible to send out a bulletin to ARRL members in the Northeast to alert them of this opportunity to track the flight on APRS (http://aprs.fi/) and download the SSTV images? We would love to get copies of images received from stations in the Northeast so we can share with the students how altitude matters on VHF. SSTV
Images and signal reports can be sent to: k2zro@kopernik.org
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Net
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Frequency/Offset
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Time
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Sector 2A
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147.00 /+0.60 PL
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19:30 Local
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Sector 2B
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145.39/-0.60 PL 67.0
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20:00 Local
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Sector 2C
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Winlink Net Check-In
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6AM-Midnight Local Time
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Sector 2D
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146.865/-0.60 PL 103.5
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19:30 Local
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6-Meter State Net
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53.31 / -1.0 PL 71.9
Note: Net activity on this repeater has been hit and miss. Please report any activity.
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19:00 Local
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MA RACES HF Net
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3942 KHz LSB moving up to 3955 KHz until there is a clear frequency.
NOTE: If a clear frequency cannot be located, the NCO may scan as low as 3935kHz to locate a clear frequency to use.
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18:45 Local
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MA MEMA NBEMS Net
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Frequency: 3584.5 MHx, Center Frequency: 1500 Hz, Initial mode: THOR22
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19:00 Local
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I continue to ask that any operators who have the time, please try to check into sector nets from near-by sectors. This will allow our Net Control Operators to practice fielding nets with a strong check-in count and will also serve to help practice with relays or modified sector assignments in the event that a single repeater is out of service.
For those operators who serve as Net Control Operators, please try to remember to send me a list of the stations and communities that check into your nets. The numbers are reported to MEMA to show them our level of participation. I am continuing to work on a graphical map based report to show which parts of our section have strong coverage and which areas may need a more targeted recruitment campaign to improve our ability to provide back-up communications in an emergency.
I appreciate you all answering the call to help our communities remain prepared as we close out the year for RACES/ARES operations. Thank you all for helping us keep things on track and prove that we remain a consistent source of communication capability to the Commonwealth. This net provides a monthly reminder to our communities and served agencies that we stand ready with a quiet professionalism prepared to serve as a voice to whomever needs one to get help and resources to where they need to be.
If anyone has any questions or comments I can be reached by e-mail or cell phone. Thanks for being a part of our team and I look forward to hearing back on who can participate this month.
Hello to all…
The August Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday August 3rd, 2026 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.
For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)
We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have several announcements for our monthly net. Be advised that the September 2026 Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net will be on the second Monday of the month on Monday September 14th, 2026 due to the Labor Day Holiday weekend.
Thanks for your continued support of ARES!
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
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Don Rolph, AB1PH, Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:
The MEMA RACES nets are held on the first Monday of the month, unless the first Monday is a holiday, when it is delayed one week, For Aug 2026, the MEMA RACES nets will be held on Mon Aug 3 at:
********************************************************************************
80 meter Voice net
*** Note new frequency of 3942 Khz ****
This is to avoid another established net
6:45 PM
Frequency: 3942 KHz working up or down until the first free frequency
Jeff N1JCM will be net control
*********************************************************************************
Region 2D VHF net:
7:30 PM ET VHF net on 146.865 MHz PL 103.5 (Sharon Repeater)
We will have a general call up of any RACES, ARES, or other interested stations. If there is time, we will include a Simplex test.
Don using WA1PLE will be net control.
********************************************************************************
HF 80 meters NBEMS net:
7:00 PM ET
Dial Frequency: 3584.5 MHx
Center Frequency: 1500 Hz
Initial mode: THOR22
We will have checkins, followed by an ICS-213 format message using FLMSG.
Don AB1PH will be net control
********************************************************************************
Winlink Net:
John KC1VMZ will be net control.
Send a winlink checkin form to WC1VMZ, copy AB1PH, between 0600 Monday Aug 3 and 2400 Monday Aug 3..
********************************************************************************
Experimental APRS net
Operators who wish to participate must send the message “CI” (Charlie Indigo or Check In) to MAARES-1.
This can be done via RF or Internet by any APRS-capable device or software.
Sending “H” for help will provide more commands that you can perform while checked into the net.
Be sure to beacon your location as well so it is logged as part of the net.
To check out of the net, send “CO” (Charlie Oscar or Check Out),
This net will be available from 0600 to 2100 Eastern time.
Questions can be sent to kc1vmz@gmail.com at any time.
*********************************************************************
We look forward to you checking in!
—
73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph
_._,_._,_
Hello to all…
**Apologies for the late notice though it does add realism to a scenario where a situation happens with limited notice and ARES needs to react to the given situation.**
Eastern Massachusetts ARES will conduct a section mini-exercise on Saturday 8/1/26 from 10 AM-12 PM dubbed “Mini-Test 26”. The exercise will practice similar skills as previous exercises conducted in 2024 to 2025 and the Eastern Mass ARES staff wanted to get this exercise done now since the winter exercise was canceled due to major winter storm/blizzard activity in that timeframe.
The detailed drill document can be seen at the following link:
https://ema.arrl.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/EasternMA-ARES-Summer-Mini-Exercise-2026-V1.3-.pdf
While we encourage participation by Eastern Massachusetts ARES members, RACES/AUXCOMM/USCG Auxiliary Operators and Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters, all are welcome to participate including those outside of the Eastern Massachusetts section. Our intent is to make this the only exercise for 2026 as we look toward having some form of virtual workshop and training for ARES members targeting the October/November 2026 timeframe with the potential for a larger ARES exercise in the first part of February 2027.
Thanks in advance for your support of this exercise and Eastern Massachusetts ARES!
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio
Jeff-N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH writes:
Good Evening,
On Saturday August 1, 2026 the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10:00AM.
Home or alternative locations are also welcome to check into the net. Even if you cannot reach all the systems being used, please check-in on those you can.
We will use the following repeaters in the order listed.
1. West Bridgewater repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. Attleboro Repeater 147.195 tone 127.3
3. DMR -Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot :1 on the following NEDECN repeaters: Boston 449.175 -5.M CC:1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC:1, Sagamore 145.200 – 0.6M CC:10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC:11, East Falmouth 145.210 -0.600 CC:9, Martha’s Vineyard145.180 -0.600 CC:10, and Walpole 145.380 -0.600 CC:12.
4. Sharon Repeater 146.865 tone 103.5
5. Simplex 147.420
We will then return to the West Bridgewater Repeater for Net closing.
NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check-in procedure which is: Here is.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.
We extend an invitation to any health care facility, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members to check in during the NET.
We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible.
We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.
We hope to hear you Saturday.
73,
Jeff N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH
Larry Krainson, W1AST, the Western MA ARRL Affiliated Clubs Coordinator, writes with a unique opportunity!
The second operation of Massachusetts W1AW/1 is taking place August 11th through the 18th. He is currently looking for clubs or individuals to operate the activation. Also, HamX is right smack dab in the middle of this operating window and there will be W1AW/1 operations on both Friday and Saturday from HamX itself.
If you are interested please contact Larry direct!
Barry, KB1TLR, writes on the Barnstable ARC mailing list:
We have a unique opportunity this year; National Lighthouse Day is Aug. 7th and Lighthouse Weekend falls on the 8th & 9th. We have received clearance from Ross Comstock @ the Chatham Coast Guard Station to access the facility to conduct operations for the 3 days.
On Friday we will operate under “W1MGY” ( the Titanic / Marconi Memorial Radio Assoc. of Cape Cod) then Sat. &
Sunday we can operate under W1MA or possibly W1MGY. In discussing this with Rob / K1UI we decided to set up on Thursday afternoon; tower trailer, a 10-80 m dipole and an R-5 vertical. We will run two Icom 7300 stations w/ logging computers, as we normally do.
What we MUST have is a list of all members who be taking part. This is a requirement of the station as it is a government facility. It must be turned ahead of time so please respond to this as soon as possible.
We will be in need of workers to set up and take down, operators,loggers and liaisons to inform the public what is transpiring and why. This is a great opportunity for new hams to do some HF operating.
Barry states that he will be making up QSL cards with both call signs to hand out send out. Banners will be up and the public will be invited! It will be a great opportunity to outreach to the public and most of all, fun!
With apologies for the late posting of the May STM report, here is the link to the combined May and June report for 2026 at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-may-june-2026/. Note especially the Annual Traffic Handlers Picnic in Concord MA on Sunday, August 2. All traffic handlers and anyone else interested in traffic handling are welcome. Note also the Northeast HamXposition August 13-16 which will include a Traffic Handlers Meet and Greet, followed by an NTS presentation on relevance today.
Jeff-N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH writes:
Good Evening,
On Saturday July 11, 2026 the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10:00AM.
Home or alternative locations are also welcome to check into the net. Even if you cannot reach all the systems being used, please check-in on those you can.
We will use the following repeaters in the order listed.
1. West Bridgewater repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. Plymouth Repeater 146.685 tone 131.8
3. DMR -Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot :1 on the following NEDECN repeaters: Boston 449.175 -5.M CC:1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC:1, Sagamore 145.200 – 0.6M CC:10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC:11, East Falmouth 145.210 -0.600 CC:9, Martha’s Vineyard145.180 -0.600 CC:10, and Walpole 145.380 -0.600 CC:12.
4. Sharon Repeater 146.865 tone 103.5
5. Simplex 147.420
We will then return to the West Bridgewater Repeater for Net closing.
NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check-in procedure which is: Here is.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.
We extend an invitation to any health care facility, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members to check in during the NET.
We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible.
We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.
We hope to hear you Saturday.
73,
Jeff N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH
KA1NCF-Eric Horwitz writes:
Hello to All:
The Cape Ann Rowing Club out of Gloucester, MA has asked the North Shore Radio Association to help with communications for their “Blackburn Challenge” event again this year.
Event date: July 11, 2026
Event time: 7 am until around 3 pm, we have some morning only spots as well..
Come spend the day on a chase boat and watch a great race..
Blackburn information:
“Considered the “Boston Marathon” of the open water racing world, the Blackburn Challenge is a 20-mile open water circumnavigation of Cape Ann, Massachusetts “Challengers” row or paddle seaworthy watercraft in a range of classes including Banks dories, fixed seat singles and doubles, multi-oars with/without coxswains, sliding seat tour/race rowing singles & doubles, SUP and prone paddle boards, single & double touring kayaks, single & double racing kayaks, single & double surfskis, and OC-1 through OC-6 outrigger canoes.”
Please email: ka1ncf@nsradio.org if you want to sign up or have questions.
Thanks
Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF
—
The historic W1BB callsign, long associated with amateur radio pioneer and ARRL icon Stew Perry, will return to the air on June 20, 2026, as part of International Museums Weekend. Operators Eric Pfeifer, N1JUR, and Shannon Gibney, KC1OHT, will activate a special event station from the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation in Waltham, Massachusetts, celebrating both the rich history of amateur radio and the legacy of one of its most influential figures.
Known worldwide as “Mr. 160 Meters,” Stew Perry, W1BB, helped shape low-band operating and remains a respected figure in amateur radio history. His contributions to the hobby continue to be recognized through the Stew Perry Topband Distance Challenge and the countless operators he inspired throughout his lifetime. The special event station will provide visitors and amateur radio operators an opportunity to learn about Perry’s contributions, the history of the W1BB callsign, and the role amateur radio has played in technical innovation and public service.
Members of the public are encouraged to visit the museum, follow along online, or listen for W1BB on the air during the event. Additional information about the activation, Stew Perry’s history, and operating details can be found at n1jur.com/w1bb. For questions or media inquiries, please contact Eric Pfeifer, N1JUR, at eric@n1jur.com.
The ARRL will have a LIVE Portable Antenna forum for ARRL members on June 23rd at 8:00PM ET. It is expected to be one hour long.
To access the forum go to the ARRL Learning Center, then follow on to On The Air Live Recordings to read about the forum. You will need to log in with your ARRL credentials.
Wow, Spring has come and is now almost gone! We’re just a few days away from the solstice, the longest day of the year. It’s been a bit warm for my taste, and we’re still in a bit of a drought. Traffic on the Cape is definitely on the uptick, but the real deluge will start on July 4th weekend. Oy!
Field Day 2026 is literally just around the corner, and preparations are coming together for HamXpositon in August. Wow, how time flies! Now, on with the show.
* Field Day 2026 is Just Around the Corner!
Yow, Field Day 2026 (June 27-28) is less than two weeks away. Has your group finished its plans and operating schedule? Tested all the coax, antennas, and other gear? Made your plans to send a Radiogram to your Section Manager (earn bonus points!).
A reminder to please update the FD locator site on the ARRL.org website, and also the EMA website at https://ema.arrl.org/field_day/. Bill N1VUX works hard to make this site useful for folks in the EMA Section, and especially “FD tourists” such as myself – folks that are planning to visit sites over the two days. As in previous years, I will be bringing around a signed original copy of Governor’s proclamation of Amateur Radio Days. Would you like me to visit your FD site this year? Would you like to snap some photos of the Governor’s proclamation? Send me an email!
Here is the new ham report as of June 1, 2026, listing newly licensed hams. Club officials, please review the list and reach out to those in your footprint and invite, welcome them. To all: please welcome these folks when you hear them on local repeaters. Offer assistance as well!
Patricia P Gale, KC1ZNA – FCC
86 Heald St
Pepperell, MA 01463-1249
David F Gale, KC1ZMQ – FCC
86 Heald St
Pepperell, MA 01463-1249
Lee L Duckett, KC1ZML – FCC
23 Ponderosa Dr
Townsend, MA 01469-1320
Ronald Draper WA1QZK RACES/Emergency Mgt Communications and Former FEMA MATF 1 Communications Specialist writes:
This year we will be at the Middleton Mass New Municipal Building Saturday in Conjunction with Middleton Fire Dept and Chief Doug LeColst, Emergency Management Director for town. (This also coincides with Chief Wills Day which starts after 4pm). Open To Public and for Scouts who are going for Merit Badge skills.
Emergency Preparedness & What you can do…
1. Interaction with Local responders in Augmentation of their Needs
2. Assist in Emergency Shelter operations
3. Ready your Family for situations that might occur.
Boy Scouts of America (BSA) offers extensive emergency management training, primarily through the Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge (an Eagle-required badge) and the Ready Scout initiative. These programs teach scouts to plan, respond to, and recover from disasters (natural/man-made). Key elements include creating family/troop plans, practicing emergency drills, and earning the First Aid merit badge.
Key Emergency Management Training Components:
Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge:
Focuses on actions before, during, and after emergencies, including fire, natural disasters, and hiking emergencies.
Ready Scout Initiative:
A specific patch and certificate program that includes three main merit badges (Emergency Preparedness, First Aid, Fire Safety) and three optional ones.
Skills Developed:
Scouts learn to create emergency supply kits, build home escape plans, understand incident command, and train in CPR/First Aid.
Emergency Service Project:
Participants must take part in a real or simulated emergency drill, ( ARRL Field Day) such as a disaster simulation or fire drill.
Afternoon Training Noon
Emergency Communications and Field Day Exercise
Radio Merit Badge Overview
Radio is a way to send information, or communications, from one place to another. Broadcasting includes both one-way radio (a person hears the information but can¹t reply) as well as two-way radio (where the same person can both receive and send messages).
Radio Safety
Explain the safety precautions for working with radio gear, including:
Grounding for direct and alternating current circuits, power outlets, antennas, and lightning.
Generators Safety
Preventing and treating electrical burns
Radio Fundamentals.
Setting up a Real Amateur Radio emergency Station and communicate with other stations across the USA and World.
Our Guest Instructor
Mr. Ronald Draper WA1QZK RACES/Emergency Mgt Communications and Former FEMA MATF 1 Communications Specialist
MEMA and CERTS, FCC certified Instructor and Examiner.
Email: rondraper@verizon.net
FIND US: https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator
-Ron-WA1QZK
Jeff-N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH writes:
Good Afternoon,
On Saturday June 6, 2026 the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10:00AM.
Home or alternative locations are also welcome to check into the net. Even if you cannot reach all the systems being used, please check-in on those you can.
We will use the following repeaters in the order listed.
1. West Bridgewater repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. Attleboro Repeater 147.195 tone 127.3
3. Sharon Repeater 146.865 tone 103.5
4. Simplex 147.420
We will then return to the West Bridgewater Repeater for Net closing.
NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check-in procedure which is: Here is.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.
We extend an invitation to any health care facility, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members to check in during the NET.
We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible.
We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.
We hope to hear you Saturday.
73,
Jeff N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH
Wayne Geiset, KC1ONM, writes on June 4, 2026, on the the Billerica ARS list:
In less than 48 hours we should be set up and on the air from the radio room on the Lightship in Boston Harbor. LV-112 hasn’t been activated since 2019!
I expect to be able to spot us once we find a suitable frequency. For those of you who won’t be joining us, I hope you will find yourself near a radio and be able to get in our log. We will be operating as W1NLS.
Cheers & 73,
Wayne (KC1ONM)