March EPA Newsletter
March 6, 2022
Reply: w3gwm
Sorry about being a little late with this month’s newsletter. This has been a very eventful month. There is certainly no shortage of news this month.
Most newsworthy is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. I had hoped I’d never see anything like this again. Please keep the people of the Ukraine in your prayers. Don’t forget the families of the Russian soldiers. Many don’t want to be there. Many people will never see their husbands and sons again on both sides of this conflict.
The problem isn’t with the people of these countries. It’s always the leaders. Remember, the citizens of Russia and Ukraine are just like us.
When you watch the TV News, remember you are only seeing what an editor has chosen to present. There is always part of the story you won’t hear, regardless which news source you use. Plus, there’s a lot of misinformation being spread by both sides in this conflict.
By the way, many Russian stations are on the air trying to reach out to us. I’ve also heard a few stations from Ukraine, from the Russian controlled sectors. Ham privileges have been suspended in the Ukraine.
The FCC sent out a notice this month reminding us that it’s illegal to use radios in the commission of a crime. Duh!
On a sad note, Joe Ames, W3JY has become SK. Joe suffered a massive heart attack earlier this week and passed away Saturday morning.
Joe was a former East PA Section Manager. He was a long time member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Phone and Traffic Net and served as the Sunday evening Net Control for many years. Joe was also active on the Sunday morning Eastern Area RACES Net where he was also a net control.
Joe used his station as a digital hub for relaying radiograms coming into the 3rd Region to DTN stations.
Joe was one of the founders of Radio Relay International (RRI) and was one of the officers.
He was active in scouting with 2 sons.
I know I’m overlooking something. Joe was an extremely valuable Ham to our section and will be missed.
The ARRL has many grants available to clubs for a variety of projects. If your club has been considering some project but lack the necessary funding, check out the ARRL Grants. Here are a few. If you need help, contact me.
Education and Technology Grants (arrl.org)
Colvin Award Grants (arrl.org)
And others. Visit the ARRL Website, ARRL.ORG, search for “Grants” and see which your club may qualify for.
Also coming is a special grant for Ham Clubs. Details are not available yet.
Volunteers are the backbone of any organization. We need volunteers to step up for appointments within EPA. Visit this webpage for information: http://www.arrl.org/field-organizatiuon
We have openings in all areas. No experience necessary other than a desire to serve. Contact me for more information.
Cycle 25 is shaping up to be an outstanding experience. 10 Meters is open daily, and DX is rolling in on all bands. I’ve been having QSO’s with DX on every band every day, and it’s going to get better.
Latest forecasts indicate Cycle 25 is going to exceed expectations.
Please exercise care to not operate outside of your allotted privileges. Recent reports from Riley Hollinsworth, K4ZDH, are revealing some Hams are not observing FCC Rules and are operating out of band. Technician licenses have been found all over the bands instead of where they have been granted privileges.
Tech’s aren’t the only people abusing privileges. General and Advanced Class licensees have been observed yielding to temptation and going after that DX Station that’s just out of reach.
If you want expanded privileges, UPGRADE!
Warnings have been issued to many Hams this month. Perhaps it would be good to remind people just what their privileges are. See Hambands4-web_color_11x17_9-22-17 (arrl.org) for a chart of privileges. I’ll have copies available at Hamfests this year.
Emphasize to your club members that operating on the Ham Bands is a privilege and is not to be abused.
Hamfests season is coming! Here are Hamfest scheduled as of March 6th.
· 04/30/2022 – York Hamfest
Location: Spring Grove, PA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: York Hamfest Foundation
Website: http://yorkhamfest.org
Learn More
HAMFEST/CONVENTION
05/01/2022 – Warminster ARC Hamfest, ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention
Location: Bristol, PA
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Warminster ARC
Website: http://www.k3dn.org/hamfest/
Learn More
HAMFEST/CONVENTION
07/02/2022 – Firecracker Hamfest, ARRL Pennsylvania State Convention
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Harrisburg Radio Amateurs Club
Website: http://www.w3uu.org
Learn More
HAMFEST/CONVENTION
07/03/2022 – Murgas Hamfest & Computerfest
Location: Plains, PA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Murgas Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://hamfest.murgasarc.org
I will be attending as many as possible this year and look forward to talking with you. We’ll have an ARRL Table at each Hamfest.
Once again, the League is promising an upgrade to the ARRL.ORG website. I’ve been hearing this for years. I hope this time they mean it. While they are doing upgrades, maybe they will modernize our Section Managers Email. For an organization of the cutting edge of technology, it’s embarrassing to send email to our section using 1980’s technology.
The ARRL is offering many no-cost or low-cost educational program. More information can be found at Learning Programs (arrl.org). Take advantage of these programs for a refresher course
The Eastern Pennsylvania ARES program is stronger than ever thanks to our newly appointed Section Emergency Coordinator, Bob Wilson, W3BIG, and our dedicated District Emergency Coordinators and County Coordinators.
We have room for more dedicated volunteers. We have an urgent need for Emergency Coordinators in Carbon, Susquehanna, Tioga, Sullivan, Union, and Juniata counties. We are also looking for District Emergency Coordinators in several Districts.ARES members are always welcome. ARES membership does not require being a member of the ARRL. Contact Bob, W3BIG, for more information.
If your club is sponsoring Ham Licensing Classes and VE Exams, please send me an email. I’d like to include a listing in each months’ newsletter.
Congratulations to the Reading Radio Club for reaching 100 Years as an ARRL Affiliated Club. They even have their original appointment certificate signed by Hiram Percy Maxim!
The Reading Radio Club will hold a celebratory banquet on May 7th. I’ll be attending as well as representative from ARRL Division and from Headquarters.
A personal note, I’m sure you are receiving calls from all sorts of telemarketers. I am too. I don’t need a home warranty, health insurance, magazine subscriptions or a car warranty. I’ve been forced to screen all incoming calls to avoid wasting time.
If you aren’t on my list of accepted callers, you will be sent to voicemail. Please leave me a message and I’ll call you back. I welcome hearing from everyone in our section.
Remember, I’m your representative to the ARRL. I need to know what you are thinking.
Get on the air and operate! The bands are better every day. I’ll see you on the air soon.
73
George Miller W3GWM
ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Manager
Phone: (570) 250-1007