The Groton Road Race organizers are again requesting the assistance of the Amateur Radio community for the 2026 Race on Sunday May 3. The Groton Road Race is a premier public event engaging over a thousand runners. NVARC and the ham community have been providing situational awareness, health and safety communication for this event for over three decades.

The course circles Groton Hill, starting and ending at the Groton Hill Music Center. This is the fourth year the Race has followed this course.

The planned event schedule this year is similar to 2025; the two main races start shortly after 10am. The communications support that we provide is expected to start around 9am and we should be done shortly after 1pm.

The Groton Road Race continues to be a major event for Amateur Radio in North Central Massachusetts. Those of you who have joined us in previous years know that the runners sincerely appreciate our presence. Many tell us so as they run past. This event is so large that several Police Departments and other public safety organizations from other communities come to assist the Groton PD. The Groton Police Department specifically looks to Amateur Radio for our added communications support.

Contributing to the public good is one of the reasons Amateur Radio exists. Our public service events are a key opportunity for us to show our colors, volunteer our skills and equipment, and demonstrate why it is in the public’s interest to continue to allocate precious RF spectrum to our the Amateur Radio Service. The Groton Road Race is a low-stress event and a great way to gain more experience with the public service aspect of amateur radio. Please consider joining us on May 3rd; let me know by email.

If you are a new Ham or know of another Ham who is interested in helping at these events but unsure of what is expected or what equipment may be needed, please do not hesitate to introduce yourself (or them) to me.

The Groton Road Race Committee and the Groton Police Department repeatedly praise and express their appreciation for our assistance in providing communications for this event for many years. I do hope you will be able to join us this year; please let me know.

Thanks and 73,

-Ralph KD1SM

Email Ralph or Email Ralph
[1] http://www.n1nc.org/Events/
[2] http://grotonroadrace.com/
[3] https://grotonhill.org/

I attended my first Hamcation this year in Orlando Fl.  It was great to escape the New England winter and meet up with others doing the same.  I enjoyed the large number of vendors, the expansive flea market, and some of the forums.  Here are some pictures from Hamcation 2026 (click on each thumbnail for each full size picture).

Les, N1SV

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s February meeting is Thursday, February 19th, at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (4 Hollis Street, Pepperell). We start gathering at 7 PM to socialize before the meeting starts.

Our February speaker, Jim Wilber AB1WQ, will present an overview of his experiences in the world of home 3D printing and some specific applications to Amateur Radio.

An NVARC member since 2014, Jim acquired a 3D printer in late 2024 and since then has been turning out a steady stream of toys for his pre-teen daughter (and truth be told, himself), as well as utilitarian and decorative objects, and a number of items useful in Amateur Radio. At Thursday’s meeting, Jim will talk about 3D printing in general and show off some 3D printed items hams might find useful.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Thanks, and 73. Please feel free to contact Bruce, K1BG, at 978-772-2773 or bruce.blain@charter.net if you have any questions.

here

Jim AB1WQ will discuss 3-D printing and the huge variety of items that can be made, both fun and functional!