Inside This Issue:
☕ President’s Message – Doug Bruce, N1WRN, thanks members for renewed in-person meeting attendance and announces coffee and donuts at the May 6th meeting! Field Day is just 8 weeks away, current DXpeditions include Central African Republic, Liberia, Nauru and Montserrat, plus Doug shares his love of QSL cards and recounts finding a pristine Collins 30L1 amplifier at Nearfest. Remember: BARS is a G.O.T.A. Club!
🎙️ May Meeting: Program to be Announced – Details coming soon for the May 6th meeting at the Chelmsford Bible Church. Coffee and donuts will be served! Plus: flea market continues – bring your excess gear to sell or give away as “free stuff”!
📻 From the Editor’s Desk – Marla Wallace, WA1GSF, reflects on 60 years as a ham! From her Novice license in 1966 through the Technician “dead end” era, designing the W1DC repeater controller, to her computing distraction and recent return to the air. A fascinating personal journey through six decades of amateur radio evolution.
🎉 Special Events & Opportunities
- Field Day 2026 – June 27-28, only 8 weeks away! Same location as last year (Nan’s house). Food from What The Fork caterers, phenomenal Sunday breakfast. Volunteers needed – contact Doug N1WRN or Tim K1DC
- Westford Apple Blossom Parade – May 16th, volunteers still needed for this perfect first-time public service event
- USA 250 W1AW/1 Operation – August 12-21, Massachusetts hams wanted for the special event station
- HamX Call for Speakers – Submit your presentation proposal
- Nearfest – May 1-2, New England’s premier hamfest!
📅 May Contest Calendar – Andy Wallace, KA1GTT, highlights the New England QSO Party (a GREAT contest for us!), CQ WW WPX Contest CW (perfect for CW beginners with simple 599 + serial number exchange), plus 7th Call Area, Indiana, Delaware, Canadian Prairies, and Arkansas QSO parties. Not a huge contest month – great time for antenna maintenance!
🌸 Photo Feature: Flowers – This month’s QSL card theme celebrates spring with beautiful flower-themed cards from around the world. (Editor admits to grasping for themes – suggestions welcome!)
✅ Club News
- VE Session Results: 2 new Technicians (David KC1ZJA, Stephen KC1ZIX), 1 General upgrade, 1 Extra upgrade
- Membership update: 139 members, 36 renewals still needed
- Saturday breakfast gatherings continue at Stelio’s
- Field Day antenna lead position still open – contact Tim K1DC!
Plus: FCC reminders, HamStudy.org exam tips, Zoom Elmering, recurring CW contests, and a groan-worthy Tolkien pun in the Parting Shot!
BARS – Billerica Amateur Radio Society
News For and By BARS Members
Editor: Marla Wallace, WA1GSF
Download your copy at https://www.w1hh.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/BARSMay2026Newsletter.pdf
