<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Inside This Issue:</strong></h1>
<p>\u2615 <strong>President’s Message</strong> – 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!</p>
<p>\U0001f399\ufe0f <strong>May Meeting: Program to be Announced</strong> – 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”!</p>
<p>\U0001f4fb <strong>From the Editor’s Desk</strong> – 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.</p>
<p>\U0001f389 <strong>Special Events & Opportunities</strong></p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Field Day 2026</strong> – 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</li>
<li><strong>Westford Apple Blossom Parade</strong> – May 16th, volunteers still needed for this perfect first-time public service event</li>
<li><strong>USA 250 W1AW/1 Operation</strong> – August 12-21, Massachusetts hams wanted for the special event station</li>
<li><strong>HamX Call for Speakers</strong> – Submit your presentation proposal</li>
<li><strong>Nearfest</strong> – May 1-2, New England’s premier hamfest!</li>
</ul>
<p>\U0001f4c5 <strong>May Contest Calendar</strong> – 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!</p>
<p>\U0001f338 <strong>Photo Feature: Flowers</strong> – 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!)</p>
<p>\u2705 <strong>Club News</strong></p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>VE Session Results: 2 new Technicians (David KC1ZJA, Stephen KC1ZIX), 1 General upgrade, 1 Extra upgrade</li>
<li>Membership update: 139 members, 36 renewals still needed</li>
<li>Saturday breakfast gatherings continue at Stelio’s</li>
<li>Field Day antenna lead position still open – contact Tim K1DC!</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Plus:</strong> FCC reminders, HamStudy.org exam tips, Zoom Elmering, recurring CW contests, and a groan-worthy Tolkien pun in the Parting Shot!</p>
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<p><strong>BARS – Billerica Amateur Radio Society</strong><br><em>News For and By BARS Members</em><br>Editor: Marla Wallace, WA1GSF</p>
<p class="has-text-align-left">Download your copy at <a href="https://www.w1hh.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/BARSMay2026Newsletter.pdf">https://www.w1hh.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/BARSMay2026Newsletter.pdf</a></p>
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<div data-wp-interactive="core/file" class="wp-block-file aligncenter"><object data-wp-bind--hidden="!state.hasPdfPreview" hidden class="wp-block-file__embed" data="https://www.w1hh.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/BARSMay2026Newsletter.pdf" type="application/pdf" style="width:100%;height:600px" aria-label="Embed of BARSMay2026Newsletter."></object><a id="wp-block-file--media-caf8453e-f2ec-4e2b-b0da-a38517068add" href="https://www.w1hh.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/BARSMay2026Newsletter.pdf">BARSMay2026Newsletter</a></div>
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<p>Go to this post online: https://www.w1hh.org/may-2026-billerica-amateur-radio-society-newsletter/</p>
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