Mohawk Amateur Radio Club

09/03/2026

A modest turnout today, for the September Old Timers' Luncheon at the Westminster (MA) Cafe, with eleven in attendance. Lots of good food was enjoyed, and lots of stories shared. One bit of good news was announced to all by Scott, KC1QVO, (Westminster) who proudly reported his Dad, Douglas, KA1VV (Westminster) renewed his license within the past few days and is good for 10 more years!

In attendance (clockwise from l. front) Dave, KF4GAF (Phillipston); Dave, K1ZS (Marlow, NH); Brent, WM1T (Westminster); Jim, NS1J (Royalston); Scott, KC1QVO (Westminster); Mohawk Treasurer Nils, KA1IMO (Gardner); Western MA Section Manager Ray, AA1SE (Lunenburg); Jim, N1EKO (Millbury); Mohawk President Paul, W1SEX (Gardner); and Leo, KC1YAX (Ashburnham). Also attending was Mary, W1KKM (Royalston).

All licensed amateur radio operators of any age, licensed at any level, for any length of time, member of any club or not, qualify as “Old Timers.” If you’re an Old Timer, we’d love to have you join us for a chat and some food from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., first Wednesdays, at the Westminster (MA) Café. If you happen to know someone interested in ham radio, bring ‘em along!

(Prices range from +/- $5/coffee and English muffin, to $11-$15 for full breakfast or lunch.)

09/03/2026

We netted NINE on the first of the autumn Net Night Wednesdays, and a chatty nine, at that, with many folks still enjoying the memories of the Mohawk Amateur Club's 40th Anniversary Summer Potluck, held last Saturday in Gardner at the "Prez's Place!"

This post's graphic is in honor of Kevin, N1ERS and Nils, KA1IMO, for reasons you'll read farther along...

As it turns out, the Prez, himself, Paul, W1SEX was the evening's Net Control Wednesday, September 2, 2026. He reported he, "...had a BLAST" at the summer gathering, and because of his grillmaster duties, didn't get to spend as much time chatting as he might have otherwise. With the wingding over, he's setting about fabricating some new brackets so he can pop his pop up higher over the new deck.

Also enjoying the party, was WB1CEA, Dave from Petersham, was coming in pretty scratchy, but his message about, "having a TERRIFIC time at the party," was clearly understood!

NS1J, Jim from Royalston missed out on the party, and claims his XYL flat refused to Uber cookies over... (Put a pin in that!) He also claims the highlight of his week thus far was today's Old Timers' Luncheon. He and Brent, WM1T, and Nils, KA1IMO were having quite the confab down that end of the table.

The Club's History Teacher Emeritus and Senior Statesman, Dave, KF4GAG of Phillipston enjoyed the summer gathering, but current events were weighing heavily on him. Dave beamoaned the condition of the USS Lincoln as it "limped into port in Thailand... it looks like she's been in mothballs for 20 years with all that rust. And you can't have sailors hanging over the side while she's underway!" He also allowed as how he wasn't on the Lindsay Clancy jury... "it's just sad." He reported sitting next to K1ZS, Dave, a good friend with whom Dave shares many interests and hobbies and having a wonderful time chatting. Oh, Dave added today was his Grandson Kaleb's first day in the Royalston Community School kindergarten class, and he somehow managed to get called to the principal's office... "Just like his old man," claims Dave!

W1MWF, Larry from Ashburnham was on a mobile, and he disappeared by the time it was his turn to contribute to the Net... better luck next time, Larry!

Kevin, N1ERS tried his best, but his work keeps getting in the way of the Old Timers' Luncheon... "Some Day I'll be old and able to attend." He began his workday in Palmer, spent most of his day in Rutland, and didn't make it back to his Gardner call until last thing. He was positively giddy about the new 30' push up mast on the Club's EmComm trailer! With kudos to Chris, KC1TAT, Kevin explained the special 3D-printed bracket securing the mast to the trailer and the guying O-rings for securing the antenna when it's fully extended. Kevin provided some detail on the various antenna options, thanks to this recent addition.

The second to last 2026 POTA Activation is slated for this Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. says, Kevin, N1ERS, at the Savage Hill Wildlife Management Area just off of Route 62 in Princeton, right at the Hubbardston line. He'll be shipping off an e-mail with all of the details. He encourages anyone who hasn't to give it a try!

Mary, W1KKM of Royalston wants to make it abundantly clear she did NOT refuse to Uber cookies to the potluck. By the time she was home on party day, she missed her chance to bake everyone some cookies. She promises she'll do better in the future (and hopefully deliver them in person!)

Nils, KA1IMO in Gardner reports he's still enjoying the last of the summer get-together chili... usually on crackers... and he'll be dispatching the remainder real soon because, as he accurately states, "sometimes things DON'T get better with age; they can go the wrong way!" He had, "...a lot of fun at the BBQ." He also reported that he and Kevin, N1ERS have been, "...doing a little fine tuning of things" with the repeater. There's been a fair amount of, "I wonder if..." and then if it could be done with little or no money, it was tried. Nils says they provide more details at a later date.

Sadly, by the time it was John, KC1GOI's turn, the Gardner ham had disappeared.

President Paul, W1SEX wrapped up the September 3, 2026, Wednesday Night Net and turned the repeater back to general use at 1923 hrs.

09/02/2026

TONIGHT; WEDNESDAY NIGHT NET 1900hrs!
Can we start the first autumn “MODULATOR month” weekly check-in with the same or better number as the final summer weekly check-in of 13 hams?! (Hint: We can if YOU check in!)

09/02/2026

It's Old Timers' Luncheon Time again! Wednesday, Sept. 2nd!

Any licensed amateur radio operators of any age, licensed at any level, for any length of time, member of any club or not, qualify as “Old Timers.” If you’re an Old Timer, we’d love to have you join us for a chat and some food from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., first Wednesdays, at the Westminster (MA) Café. (Prices range from +/- $5/coffee and English muffin, to $11-$15 for full breakfast or lunch.)

Do you know someone interested in ham radio? We encourage you to bring ‘em along!

08/27/2026

We DID IT! The highest number of check-ins (on 8/26/2026) for the Mohawk Amateur Radio Club since May, with 13 HAMS! Our “MODULATOR month” averages crept up from six check-ins per week for May / June to seven weekly check-ins for June / July, then shot up in July / August to an average of 11 check-ins each week!

President Paul, W1SEX (Gardner) was first up, with reminders about Saturday’s summer gathering at his house. Don’t forget to RSVP via e-mail so he can go shopping Thursday for burgers and dogs! He also said he’d been hard at work cleaning out the garage and building a deck; there’s even a new patio set on the deck so he and XYL Janet are ready to party! Bring a chair and your dish to pass.

Jim, NS1J (Royalston), in between continual lawn mowing, has been chatting with Kevin, N1ERS (Gardner) on the Club’s 145.37 repeater, as Kevin travels hither, thither, and yon for work.

According to Kevin, N1ERS, he has been making what he calls “adjustments” to the repeater, and testing on the sly. He’s been trying to assess the changes in transmission and reception without giving away any secrets, so as “not to bias anyone’s opinions; a blind study, of sorts.” Kevin requests that if anyone who notes any changes in the quality of the repeater transmissions – good or bad – please let him know. He’ll be at the cookout on Saturday, so you can catch him there, if not on air.

Also, Kevin, N1ERS says the next POTA Activation will be September 5, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (or so) at the Savage Hill Wildlife Management Area in Princeton… just barely in Princeton… Chris, KC1TAT (Hubbardston) says you’ll enjoy a nice drive through Hubbardston on your way to POTA!

Chris, KC1TAT also says he’s got the broomstick antenna base ready to go… he says he’ll chat with Nils, KA1IMO (Gardner) to coordinate assembly of that antenna.

One of Mohawk’s other Net Controllers, Shawn, N1REK (Gardner) took a break from sealing his driveway to say hey, and 73 to all!

Chuck, KA1MWP (Gardner) says he’s got a nice little FT8 setup over on Lovewell. If anyone wants to buzz on over, he says he has a Comet 2m/44, 6’-7’ tall antenna to give away. I believe Kevin, N1ERS jumped in on that one; says the Club may be able to use it.

Bob, KB1DPD (Gardner) hopped on to say hello. “Nothing to report, but I’m glad to check-in!”

Larry, W1MWF (Ashburnham) has been entertaining relatives from Texas… having a great time with them. He just wanted to stop by, on portable, to check in with the net.

Dave, WB1CEA (Petersham) reported to Kevin he has noted that the repeater has been sounding better… stronger the pass. Known to tweak an antenna or two himself, he will be listening even more carefully for changes so he can help Kevin adjust the repeater to maximum quality.

Ray, KC1ZWS (Hubbardston) checked in to say hello, and John, KC1GOI (Gardner) also decided to check in with the Net tonight.

Kevin, N1ERS requested Dave, WB1CEA and Larry, W1MWF stick around after the Net to discuss changes to the repeater.

MaryB., W1KKM, Net Control, returned the repeater to general use at 1922 hours following the Mohawk Amateur Radio Club’s weekly, Wednesday Night Net.

08/26/2026

We’re on track to set some Wednesday Net Night check-in records… be sure to check in tonight at 1900 hrs!

08/23/2026

08/23/2026

Norcross Hill Wildlife Management Area was the site of Mohawk Amateur Radio Club's seventh POTA Activation of 2026. Thanks to Kevin, NIERS (Gardner) for organizing the event, and Chris, KC1TAT (Hubbardston) for setting up his Yaesu FT-710 and antenna. Also attending were Jim, NS1J (Royalston); Nils, KA1IMO (Gardner); and Mary, W1KKM (Royalston).

It was a gray day with somewhat threatening skies, but it was dry for the duration of the POTA station between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Kevin was trying out some new logging software for which he attended a session at the recent HamXposition - The ARRL New England Convention, Ham2K Portable Logger (AKA: Ham2K PoLo), a highly efficient version of POTA logging software that is suited for use with a cell phone. Kevin had it set up on a tablet so everyone could give it a try during this activation.

Operating on 20m was rewarding as it opened to the west... a contact was made as far away as Washington State and Utah. The majority of contacts came from closer in, with bunches in the Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin area, and then again, down south in the Florida, Carolinas, Texas triangle. A special event station in Indiana was logged.

At one point during the activation, the radio kept cutting out. Was it RF? Was it battery? Was it connections? Was it the mic? Lots of trouble shooting; lots of variables. Although it's not been conclusively proven, it appears to have been a loose connection in the battery box, likely from jostling around while in a vehicle... more on that at a later date!

The final two summer Club POTA Activations are slated for Saturdays, September 12th and 26th, locations TBA. Anyone who is not licensed as an amateur radio operator may earn chances to win a complete ham radio starter package with TWO radios, antenna, ARRL Tech License manual, and many other goodies just by transmitting (under the license of one of the Club members) at either of these events. Let your non-ham friends know - especially the younger ones: Participants 25 years and younger earn TWO chances for each event where they transmit! The drawing will be held at the Club's 40th Anniversary Annual Meeting on September 24, 2026.

08/21/2026

POTA ACTIVATION TOMORROW!
Norcross Hill Wildlife Management Area
(Off of Route 68 in Baldwinville, on Norcross Hill Road. Plenty of parking.)

If you’re bringing your own equipment, give Kevin Erickson, N1ERS a heads-up with what you’re bringing. Eric says, “…bring binoculars (great spot for birding). If you are curious or new to POTA this is a great opportunity to learn with some folks on hand to assist you. This includes our Technician license holders. We operate under the club call with a control operator so no issues there.”

Pop-ups will be set up in case of rain. Bring your own chair, bug repellent, and in case of sun, sunscreen!

08/21/2026

One of Saturday's sessions at the HamXposition - The ARRL New England Convention, Aug. 13-16, 2026 in Marlborough, MA was under the cumbersome title, DOOMSDAY POTA: WHY PORTABLE HAM RADIO IS THE ULTIMATE PREPPER HOBBY, with Mindy Hull, KM1NDY. The description (nearly as cumbersome as the title) stated, "It is not a secret that a percentage of recently licensed amateurs entered the radio hobby in order to level-up their survivalist game. And not unexpectedly, a contingent within our ranks likes to mock those performing low-commitment efforts communication preparedness such as buying -- and quickly shelving -- unused, cheap, dual-band handi-talkies. And they have a point. Ham radio is not a particularly easy tool to learn on the fly in the middle of a potentially world-ending event! Let's talk about how amateur radio, and in particular portable operations such as SOTA and POTA, offers a menagerie of opportunities to develop and practice real-life communications, and other emergency skills."

KM1NDY, the Amateur Extra from South Boston, nailed it!

She gave both "Preppers" and the "Prepared Public" their due for #1. Giving a Darn; #2. For looking ahead to potential problems; #3. For investing time and effort into preparedness.

Minday spent some introductory time defining "Preppers," spoke to the array of "Prepper Archetypes," addressed the differences between "Prepping" and "Emergency Management," and placed the communications component of Doomsday POTA into what she referred to as the "Twelve Pillars of Preparedness."

She also aimed her niche talk at INDIVIDUALS and HOUSEHOLDS, ie: Preppers, specifically excluding government agencies, and formal amateur radio groups like ARES, RACES, etc.

Most of her presentation was dedicated to showing how SOTA and POTA "fun" is actually practice for emergency conditions. Using photos from some of her own OTA adventures, Mindy spoke about what is needed to make communications work when nothing else is working. She addressed considerations for challenging conditions and offered some useful workarounds for when things don't go as planned... many of which were the answers she arrived at when things didn't go as planned for her!

DOOMSDAY POTA is one of those programs that could easily be suitable for a broader audience than just amateur radio operators, but Minday managed to provide the necessary background and focus mainly on the communications angle. Worth the time to see - maybe even more than once!



https://hamxposition.org/