From: George Miller W3GWM EPA Section Manager
Subject: May Section News
Date: May 8, 2021
Contact: w3gwm
Hello Eastern Pennsylvania Hams!
Wow! What a busy month with so much to report to you!
Yesterday was my birthday. How did all the years go by so quickly? For the curious, I’m 74 now and going strong. I have no intention of slowing down.
Several opportunities for Zoom conferences are coming, beginning with the Winlink Basics program next Saturday, May 12th.
Our EPA-ARRL.ORG website now includes a link for registering for webinars. (https://epa-arrl.org/classes/)
Other classes will be added soon.
Here’s a look at what’s coming:
May 12th 10:00 EST Winlink Basics – Mark Wheeler KZ3MW
June 5th 10:00 AM Radio Frequency Interference – Barry H. Feierman,
K3EUI
TBA:
July Radiogram Fundamentals
Other programs are coming soon.
If you are an expert in ANY aspect of Ham Radio, think about sharing your knowledge. Email me (w3gwm) to become part of our EPA Speakers Bureau.
Here’s a little REALLY good news. Hamfests are back!
07/03/2021 – Firecracker Hamfest, ARRL Pennsylvania State Convention
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Harrisburg Radio Amateurs Club
Website: http://www.W3uu.org
07/04/2021 – Murgas ARC Hamfest and Computerfest
Location: Plains, PA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Murgas ARC
Website: http://hamfest.murgasarc.org
07/17/2021 – Valley Forge Hamfest
Location: Phoenixville, PA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Mid-Atlantic Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://marc-radio.org/hamfest2.htm
07/31/2021 – CVARC 2021 Hamfest
Location: Chambersburg, PA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://w3ach.org
08/07/2021 – Reading Radio Club Hamfest
Location: Sinking Spring, PA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Reading Radio Club, Inc.
Website: http://www.qsl.net/w3bn/
10/02/2021 – Red Rose Repeater Association Hamfest
Location: New Holland, PA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: N/A
Website: http://w3rrr.org
* More Hamfests may be added to our calendar later.
** Contingent on Covid-19 restrictions
The Good Lord willing, I will attend each of these Hamfests. Look for the ARRL Table and stop to say "Hello".
The Harrisburg Hamfest (The Firecracker Hamfest) on July 3rd is our State Convention. We are lining up speakers and expect this to be an outstanding Hamfest. Speakers and seminars will be announced soon.
As this is our State Convention, representatives from the West PA Section will also be attending.
ON THE AIR
Thanks to all the CW Operators who have begun checking into the Pennsylvania Traffic Net (PTN) on 3585 KHz. It’s very encouraging to hear people checking in again.
If you have been following PTN you know we have a desperate need for Net Control Stations. If you are proficient at CW, we need you as an NCS. We will train anyone interested in helping. It really isn’t hard to be an NCS, but a little more is required in CW than is required for a phone net.
Several nights during the past week the net was not called. This is unacceptable. Please volunteer to help out.
We need several County Emergency Coordinators for ARES. Carbon, Susquehanna, Juniata, Union, Sullivan and Tioga counties all need Emergency Coordinators. If you live in any of these counties and are interested in Emergency Communications, please contact me
(w3gwm)
A District Emergency Coordinator is also needed for District 2; Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Schuylkill Counties.
Field Day is coming fast! (June 26-27) Rules are similar to last year.
You may operate from home and combine your score with other members of your club as a Club Entry. See the Field Day Rules at http://www.arrl.org/field-day
I will not be able to visit Field Day Sites again this year but will be participating from my home. Watch for W3GWM.
100 Bonus Points are available for every organization that sends a report to the Section Manager. The report MUST leave your site over the air and any return message must also travel the last mile over the air.
Field Day is busy every year. Help make my job easier by sending your section manager email via Winlink.
If you are sending the bonus radiograms, include those in a Winlink message, too.
Of course, the section nets will be held as scheduled during Field Day.
(EPAEPTN on 3918 KHZ at 5 PM and PTN on 3585 KHz at 7 PM.
As always, I am available to visit your club via Zoom. Just have an officer from your club send me an invitation and a link to your on-line meeting. When Covid subsides, I expect to begin in person visits again.
Until next month, stay healthy and GET ON THE AIR!