<div dir="ltr"><h1 class="gmail-text-text-100 gmail-mt-3 gmail--mb-1 gmail-text-[1.375rem] gmail-font-bold">BARS Newsletter - February 2026</h1>
<h2 class="gmail-text-text-100 gmail-mt-3 gmail--mb-1 gmail-text-[1.125rem] gmail-font-bold">Your Preview of This Month's Edition</h2>
<p class="gmail-font-claude-response-body gmail-break-words gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-leading-[1.7]"><strong>Inside This Issue:</strong></p>
<p class="gmail-font-claude-response-body gmail-break-words gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-leading-[1.7]">\U0001f334 <strong>From the Editor's Desk</strong> - Fresh back from New Zealand (though not without adventure!), Editor Marla Wallace shares why this edition is fashionably late and why she's happy to be back in snowy New England.</p>
<p class="gmail-font-claude-response-body gmail-break-words gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-leading-[1.7]">\U0001f4fb <strong>President's Message</strong> - Doug Bruce, N1WRN, highlights exciting DX opportunities including the rare Desecheo Island expedition, introduces a game-changing RF noise filter from new member Ray NR1R, and announces the return of flea market tables at club meetings starting in March!</p>
<p class="gmail-font-claude-response-body gmail-break-words gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-leading-[1.7]">\U0001f3af <strong>Special Operating Events</strong></p>
<ul class="gmail-[li_&]:mb-0 gmail-[li_&]:mt-1 gmail-[li_&]:gap-1 gmail-[&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 gmail-[&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 gmail-list-disc gmail-flex gmail-flex-col gmail-gap-1 gmail-pl-8 gmail-mb-3">
<li class="gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words gmail-pl-2"><strong>USA 250 Semiquincentennial</strong> - Massachusetts hams can operate as W1AW/1 during two special weeks in 2026</li>
<li class="gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words gmail-pl-2"><strong>HamX 2026 Call for Speakers</strong> - Share your amateur radio expertise at the Northeast's largest ham convention</li>
<li class="gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words gmail-pl-2"><strong>HamSCI Workshop</strong> - March 14-15 at Central Connecticut State University, including exclusive ARRL headquarters tours</li>
</ul>
<p class="gmail-font-claude-response-body gmail-break-words gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-leading-[1.7]">\U0001f4c5 <strong>Get On The Air</strong> - Andy Wallace, KA1GTT, provides a comprehensive contest calendar for February, including the ARRL International DX Contest (CW), CQ WW RTTY WPX, and numerous state QSO parties.</p>
<p class="gmail-font-claude-response-body gmail-break-words gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-leading-[1.7]">\U0001f3d6\ufe0f <strong>Photo Feature: Beach-Themed QSL Cards</strong> - Escape the winter snow with gorgeous QSL cards from tropical DXpeditions and island paradises around the globe.</p>
<p class="gmail-font-claude-response-body gmail-break-words gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-leading-[1.7]">\u2705 <strong>Club Updates</strong></p>
<ul class="gmail-[li_&]:mb-0 gmail-[li_&]:mt-1 gmail-[li_&]:gap-1 gmail-[&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 gmail-[&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 gmail-list-disc gmail-flex gmail-flex-col gmail-gap-1 gmail-pl-8 gmail-mb-3">
<li class="gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words gmail-pl-2">New VE exam results: 4 new licensees!</li>
<li class="gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words gmail-pl-2">Updated membership count and renewal information</li>
<li class="gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words gmail-pl-2">Wednesday night net schedule</li>
<li class="gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-break-words gmail-pl-2">ARRL membership renewal benefits for the club</li>
</ul>
<p class="gmail-font-claude-response-body gmail-break-words gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-leading-[1.7]"><strong>Plus:</strong> Important FCC email address reminders, online exam resources, Zoom Elmering opportunities, and much more!</p>
<hr class="gmail-border-border-200 gmail-border-t-0.5 gmail-my-3 gmail-mx-1.5">
<p class="gmail-font-claude-response-body gmail-break-words gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-leading-[1.7]"><em>The complete February 2026 BARS Newsletter is now available. Don't miss the full details on all these stories and more!<br></em>Read it here: <a href="https://www.w1hh.org/february-2026-billerica-amateur-radio-society-newsletter-2/">https://www.w1hh.org/february-2026-billerica-amateur-radio-society-newsletter-2/</a><em></em></p>
<p class="gmail-font-claude-response-body gmail-break-words gmail-whitespace-normal gmail-leading-[1.7]"><strong>BARS - Billerica Amateur Radio Society</strong><br>
<em>News For and By BARS Members</em><br>
Editor: Marla Wallace, WA1GSF</p></div>