NH ARRL Web site

NH ARES

NH Field Organization

Section Manager - Peter Stohrer, W1FEA

Section Emergency Coordinator -  Al Shuman, K1AKS

Section Traffic Manager-  John Gotthardt, K1UAF

Section Youth Coordinator - Phil Donovan, N1UNH

Affiliated Club Coordinator-  Al Shuman, K1AKS

Public Information Coordinator - "Skip" Camejo, AC1LC

 NH Section and NTS traffic net times and frequencies

Vermont / New Hampshire CW Traffic Net (VTNH) 7p Daily 3539khz

Granite St Traffic Net (GSTN) 9p Daily N1IMO 146.79 Repeater Pittsfield

Capital Area Digital Net (CADN) 8p Wednesday 146.94 Concord

NH ARES Section Net 8:30a Saturday 3976 khz

1RN C2 Early (LSB) Traffic Net  1:45p Daily   3948 khz (7233 khz condX)

Eastern Area Net (LSB)  2:30p Daily 7222 khz

1RN C2 Late ( LSB) Traffic Net  3:30p Daily   3948 khz

1RN C4 Early CW Traffic Net   7:45p Daily   3598 khz

Eastern Area Net (CW)            8:30p Daily   3552 khz

1RN C4 Late  CW Traffic Net   9:30p Daily   3598 khz

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Amateur Radio HAPPENINGS around the Section

For the latest NH Hams news -

Congratulations to Paul Blais, KC1KMM for completed the Intermediate Emcomm course from the ARRL. Paul is the Emergency Coordinator of the Greater Manchester ARES Group. To find out more about Emcomm training go to www.arrl.org/emcomm-training-faqs 

 Send your club information for posting to w1fea@arrl.net

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 Hello NH Radio Amateurs

The Amateur Radio we know today owes its existence primarily to the lobbying efforts by the ARRL in the early part of the 20th century. After the creation of the Amateur Radio Service by the Federal Radio Commission (predecessor to the FCC), the US government quickly realized how valuable a resource Amateur Radio is to the public, especially during emergencies.  In the Northeast in 1936, nearly 200 people lost their lives during February floods that inundated most towns where major rivers flowed and without the services of the Amateur Radio operator, according to League historian Clinton DeSoto, fatalities would have been much greater.

As was the case in 1936 and since then, Amateurs have been engaged in relaying messages and providing communication when conventional means fail during times of emergencies. It is important to realize this resource is a major reason our government continues to acknowledge and recognize the need for the Amateur Radio Service. As it did in the early part of the 20th century, the League today continues to advocate for the Amateur Radio Service and our continued use of the RF spectrum.

 If you are new to Amateur Radio (or even a seasoned operator), and looking for a new challenge, why not join the over 200 NH Amateurs currently using their radio skills with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service also known as ARES. ARES operators are “Radio Minutemen” who make their stations available for public service events and during times of emergencies. Typically, ARES groups meet together once a month and most have weekly on air meetings to discuss various aspects of emergency communications and message handling. These activities help hone their skills for the time when they may be called to serve during an emergency.

 NH has 12 ARES groups, roughly divided up by county. Each group is led by an Emergency Coordinator (EC). Each EC may have an Assistant Emergency Coordinator (AEC) whose focus may be on specified tasks within the group. An Amateur Radio license and willingness to participate are the usual prerequisites to join. A listing of the ARES group nearest you can be found at the NH ARES web site www.nh-ares.org

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Membership Challenge

Many of you have already heard of the ARRL board decision to increase membership dues and make changes in the way we receive magazines, such as QST.  If not, I invite you to read ARRL President Rick Roderick’s (K5UR) letter dated July 23, 2023 in an ARRL bulletin. It is available on the ARRL web site.

For the past year or so, our division directors and other League officials have been warning us about the serious financial situation that the ARRL has been in the past few years, caused primarily from inflation, especially the rampart cost increases of print media such as QST.  In May, members were asked to take the membership dues survey. About 20% of ARRL membership answered that call and the Board has taken the results of that survey and made the tough choices.

Like many of you, I do not relish the idea of a dues increase, and especially I do not like that the print magazines will no longer be part of the membership benefits (you still get the digital versions of all the magazines free with membership). Now to receive a printed QST, On The Air, NCJ, or QEX magazine, you have to subscribe separately. I am one of those that still likes to hold a paper book or magazine.

But then, I think how much the ARRL, ham radio clubs (most of them ARRL-affiliated) and my fellow amateur radio operators mean to me. It boils down to people, to friendship, and camaraderie.  If not for the ARRL and for all of the clubs and ham radio events, I would miss out on the great friendships I have forged through the past 27 years. It is my relationship with the League, affiliated clubs and all the individuals I have met through them that has made such a positive impact on my life. I love the coffee meets, hamfest gatherings, convention get-togethers, club suppers, and all the ham radio nets where we get to chat, laugh, innovate, maybe even instigate, and otherwise socialize.

There is no doubt in my mind that this amazing hobby and service would not exist as it is today without the ARRL. The League’s advocacy and lobbying is why we have so many amateur radio bands and modes. There are many other commercial entities that want some of our spectrum. It is a constant battle that continues today. What chance would we have in keeping our frequency privileges without the ARRL’s effort?  Very little in my opinion.

Instead of seeing these dues increases and other changes at the ARRL as a negative, let’s instead support the League even further. Last year the ARRL lost about a million dollars. This year that figure is expected to more than double. Dues increases alone will not make up for all of that. 

If you can afford it, I challenge you to do one or more of the following:

1. Upgrade to one of the Diamond Club memberships. The additional financial support will help close the gap and get the League into better financial health.

2. Donate to one of the ARRL funds, such as Spectrum Defense, Education & Technology, W1AW Endowment, or the General fund. https://home.arrl.org/action/Donate

3. If you are a Life Member, consider making a monthly or annual donation.

4. If you are not already an ARRL member, become one! 

Some may think the ARRL has not been a good steward of our membership money. While any business can benefit from frequent analysis of expenditures and tightening of the belt at times, I do not believe the ARRL is wasting our money. As Maine section manager, I have met and continue to meet many League officials in person and on-line and they are doing their best in a difficult inflationary time. 

Today I made a donation to the ARRL general fund. In November when my membership is due to renew, I will upgrade to the Diamond Club. I will adapt and get used to reading QST on my iPad. I appreciate all that the League continues to do, and I am thankful for all the friendships I have made because of the ARRL and affiliated clubs. Please, if you can afford to do so, accept my challenge. Turn a negative into a positive!

73,

Phil Duggan N1EP

Maine ARRL Section Manager

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April 13, 2023

Revised NH ARRL website needs your pics!

One of the goals of the New Hampshire ARRL Field Organization is to
promote Amateur Radio. This includes sharing the accomplishments,
capabilities and interests of both New Hampshire individuals and clubs
to those outside of Amateur Radio.

We are in the process of revising the New Hampshire Section website
(www.NHRADIO.org) and we need your help.

There is nothing better to spark interest in our hobby then through
photos of Hams in action. With this goal in mind, I am calling on
individuals and clubs to submit digital photos for possible use as page
backgrounds or to be highlighted in our photo gallery.  We have created
a way to easily upload your photos. Go to this link...

https://www.nhradio.org/nhimages/

The photos must be appropriate for publication and should "tell a story
at first glance". We are especially interested in action photos, but all
pictures of Ham Radio activities are welcome for consideration. We will
give credit to the photographer or the person/club who submitted the
picture. Please only submit pictures that you took, or that you have
permission from the photographer to submit.

Have an original story to tell along with your photo? You should direct
it to Al Shuman at akshuman@comcast.net

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