Police Amateur Radio Team
of Westford, Massachusetts
An ARRL Special Service Club
WB1GOF
Welcome to PART of Westford, an ARRL Special Service Amateur Radio club serving Eastern Massachusetts! We have monthly meetings, breakfasts, kit-building sessions, and many operating and social events throughout the year, and we welcome everyone with an interest in Amateur Radio, whether licensed or not.
Our diverse membership has interests ranging from public service support and community outreach, to radio contesting, equipment construction, radio fox hunting, and more. In fact, it is the diversity of our interests that has kept the club strong and vibrant throughout its 45+ year run.
If you have an interest in ham radio but don't know how to get started, please join us at one of our club meetings, either in person, or online. To get on the invitation list for our meetings, including a link for the video-conference, just join our email group (instructions at the bottom of this page).
It's easy to become a PART member. Just scroll to the bottom of this page to the "Join PART" section and fill out an application.
Click on the menu tabs at the top of this page to learn more about us.
Our diverse membership has interests ranging from public service support and community outreach, to radio contesting, equipment construction, radio fox hunting, and more. In fact, it is the diversity of our interests that has kept the club strong and vibrant throughout its 45+ year run.
If you have an interest in ham radio but don't know how to get started, please join us at one of our club meetings, either in person, or online. To get on the invitation list for our meetings, including a link for the video-conference, just join our email group (instructions at the bottom of this page).
It's easy to become a PART member. Just scroll to the bottom of this page to the "Join PART" section and fill out an application.
Click on the menu tabs at the top of this page to learn more about us.
Club News
- PART recently conducted a CW course using the CWops curriculum. The photo above shows five of our graduates: Kevin, KC1TJD, Dom, AG8D, Andy, KB1OIQ, John, WB2OSZ, and CJ, NS1N. (Not shown: Ginny, KC1TJE) Congratulations to our new operators!
- The presentation on "SWR and Simple Antennas" given at the February 2024 PART meeting by Bob, W1IS, can be seen in the Club Presentations tab.
- In recognition of PART's performance over the last two years, and our potential in the years to come, we have again been named an ARRL Special Service Club! This designation is effective until December, 2025. Congratulations to all the PART members who contributed to this achievement!
- At the November PART meeting, the following were elected as PART officers for 2024: President: George, K1IG, Vice President: Rich, AB1HD, Secretary: Geoff, W1GCF, Treasurer: Alan, W1AHM.
- A local club has put out an alert about recent fraudsters attempting to directly contact older hams, and in the case of Silent Keys, their families. They have been posing as club affiliates and have attempted to buy or get people to donate their equipment to them. If you are directly solicited by someone posing as a club member or officer trying to buy your gear, do not engage them. We have heard that others will try to buy or get you to donate equipment using a fake callsign. If in doubt, contact PART leadership.
- Welcome to new PART members Adam, KC1HSE, of Acton, MA, Steve, KC1QKT, of North Billerica, MA, and Len, KC1HLU, of Hudson, NH!
- General information for PART members, including descriptions and availability of loaner gear, can now be found on the "Member Assistance" tab.
- Compliance with FCC RF exposure rules will become mandatory on May 3, 2023. It takes very little effort to evaluate your station; you can use the ARRL's RF Exposure Calculator for every frequency band, antennas, and the maximum power level to obtain a complete environmental analysis. See May 2023 QST, page 64, for more information.
PART member Bob, W1IS, has been interviewed on the QSO Today podcast for March 4, 2023. You can read the show notes and listen to the podcast here. QSO Today has interviewed three other PART members as well; click on the links to listen: Scott, NE1RD, Fred, AB1OC, and George, K1IG.
PART member Andy, KB1OIQ, has made a Hackaday video presentation about "Andy's Ham Radio Linux," a distro for Linux users that provides all the Linux software you need for a complete ham station. You can view it here.
The Repeaters tab now shows a map of WB1GOF repeater coverage around New England.
PART has been awarded a grant of $22,000 by the ARRL Foundation for incorporation of amateur radio functionality into the Minecraft online game. Congratulations to Lucas, W1BTR, for leading this effort! Learn more about this project by visiting the Minecraft page on this site.
Club Meetings
Weekly Two Meter Net
Every Sunday 8 PM
146.955 (-) pl 74.4
Echolink: WB1GOF-R
Every Sunday 8 PM
146.955 (-) pl 74.4
Echolink: WB1GOF-R
Monthly club meetings are conducted in-person at the Cameron Senior Center, and online via the Webex video conferencing system. A link for joining the meeting is sent to everyone on our email list a few days before the meeting. Join the list and attend a meeting no matter where you live!
Upcoming Meetings: .
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Rob Macedo, KD1CY, will give a presentation on SKYWARN.
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Field Day plans.
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Rob Macedo, KD1CY, will give a presentation on SKYWARN.
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Field Day plans.
WB1GOF Repeater Status
There are three WB1GOF repeaters: a 2 meter analog repeater, and two D-Star repeaters. For full info on repeater frequencies, access, new antennas, and coverage, click here.
All repeaters are operational
Echolink is operational
Join the WB1GOF D-Star users group here.
Join the WB1GOF DMR users group here.
Please send signal reports to repeater@wb1gof.org
Heavy Weather and Emergencies
During periods of heavy weather (snowstorms, blizzards, hurricanes) and public emergencies, monitor the WB1GOF 2 meter analog repeater (146.955 -, pl 74.4) for information.
All hams are encouraged to get SKYWARN training. For information on SKYWARN and SKYWARN training, click here.
All hams are encouraged to get SKYWARN training. For information on SKYWARN and SKYWARN training, click here.
Upcoming Events
Westford Apple Blossom Parade: May 18
The annual Westford Apple Blossom Festival parade will be held on Saturday, May 18. PART always provides communications support for the parade, and this is a short, fun event, especially for new hams; all you need is a 2-meter handheld that can access the WB1GOF analog repeater. If you can help out, contact Terry, KA8SCP.
The annual Westford Apple Blossom Festival parade will be held on Saturday, May 18. PART always provides communications support for the parade, and this is a short, fun event, especially for new hams; all you need is a 2-meter handheld that can access the WB1GOF analog repeater. If you can help out, contact Terry, KA8SCP.
Field Day 2024: June 22-23
Field Day is the most popular ham radio event of the year, with over 40,000 participants in North America. PART is investigating possible Field Day sites, and we expect to have five stations in operation: CW, phone, digital, VHF, satellite, and Get-On-The-Air (GOTA).
All hams, families, and visitors are welcome. Come out and enjoy the fun!
More details will be posted here and publicized at monthly PART meetings.
Field Day is the most popular ham radio event of the year, with over 40,000 participants in North America. PART is investigating possible Field Day sites, and we expect to have five stations in operation: CW, phone, digital, VHF, satellite, and Get-On-The-Air (GOTA).
All hams, families, and visitors are welcome. Come out and enjoy the fun!
More details will be posted here and publicized at monthly PART meetings.
Northeast HamXposition
The Northeast HamXposition (a.k.a. ARRL New England Division Convention) organizing committee has confirmed the dates for the 2023 convention: August 22-25, 2024. Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, will deliver the keynote address on Saturday morning, and the Saturday night banquet speaker will be the Space Weather Woman, Dr. Tamitha Skov, WX6SWW. As usual, there will be a flea market, license tests, and many forums. Tickets will go on sale soon.
The HamXpo will need volunteers to help with setup, parking, ticketing, speaker coordination, and more.
For more information, check out the HamXpostion website here.
The Northeast HamXposition (a.k.a. ARRL New England Division Convention) organizing committee has confirmed the dates for the 2023 convention: August 22-25, 2024. Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, will deliver the keynote address on Saturday morning, and the Saturday night banquet speaker will be the Space Weather Woman, Dr. Tamitha Skov, WX6SWW. As usual, there will be a flea market, license tests, and many forums. Tickets will go on sale soon.
The HamXpo will need volunteers to help with setup, parking, ticketing, speaker coordination, and more.
For more information, check out the HamXpostion website here.
Online License Training & Testing
The ARRL Learning Center on YouTube now offers online training for the Technician class license. This series of videos features Dave Casler, KE0OG, QST’s “Ask Dave” columnist, who leads viewers through The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual. These videos supplement the manual and provide an overview of the sections you’ll be studying, along with a few videos on how things work. The Technician training videos are available here.
Several organizations now offer online testing for Amateur Radio license exams. Click on the links to these websites for details:
Several organizations now offer online testing for Amateur Radio license exams. Click on the links to these websites for details:
- New England Sci-Tech
- HamStudy has a listing of sites around America
- MIT Radio Society
- Billerica Amateur Radio Society
Join PART
Would you like to become a member of PART? You can fill out the application and mail it to: PART of Westford, PO Box 503, Westford, MA 01886, or you can join at any PART club meeting.
Annual Dues
Annual Dues
- Full member: $25.00
- Family membership: $30.00
- Full-time Student member under 25: Free
- Senior member (over 64): $15.00.
- Associate member (non-Hams only): $10.00
- First year free for anyone first licensed less than a year prior to joining!
Subscribe to PART Email
PART uses Groups.io for club email and notifications. Groups.io gives us a lot of capability to manage email to members, and additionally provides space for files, photos, and even a wiki. Signing up and using the system is easy; go here and request to join. Be sure to put your call sign on the request to join.
ARRL Membership & Renewal
Does your ARRL membership expire in the next three months, or are you interested in joining ARRL (The National Association for Amateur Radio) and getting all the benefits? If so, fill out this application and bring it to the next PART meeting along with your ARRL dues payment. Joining ARRL or renewing ARRL membership through PART helps support our club.
PART Supports These Organizations
Westford Food Panty
The Westford Food Pantry provides services for individuals and families in the local community and surrounding towns with emergency, short and long-term needs for quality fresh and dry foods along with personal care and household items. You can donate food at five drop-box locations in Westford and at the Food Pantry itself. For a location list, go here.
The Westford Food Pantry provides services for individuals and families in the local community and surrounding towns with emergency, short and long-term needs for quality fresh and dry foods along with personal care and household items. You can donate food at five drop-box locations in Westford and at the Food Pantry itself. For a location list, go here.
Do you want to get an Amateur Radio license and participate in the world's greatest hobby? The American Radio Relay League licensing website is the place to start (click here), then come to a PART club meeting to get more information!
PART of Westford
PO BOX 503
Westford, MA 01886
PO BOX 503
Westford, MA 01886
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