Northern Berkshire Amateur Radio Club ARRL Field Day

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WINDSOR, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire Amateur Radio Club (NoBARC) is inviting members of the public to attend the American Radio Relay League's (ARRL) 2026 Field Day exercise on June 27–28 at Windsor Town Park.
 
Held annually across North America, ARRL Field Day is a nationwide emergency communications exercise that brings together thousands of amateur radio operators to demonstrate their ability to establish and maintain communications under challenging
conditions. 
 
The event showcases the critical role amateur radio can play when traditional communication systems are unavailable due to natural disasters, severe weather, or other emergencies, stated a press release.
 
Members of NoBARC will construct and operate temporary radio stations powered independently of commercial infrastructure and maintain continuous operations from noon Saturday through noon Sunday, making contacts with stations throughout the United States and around the world. 
 
The exercise highlights emergency preparedness, public service, technical skills, and the resilience of amateur radio
communications.
 
The public are encouraged to visit throughout the weekend to observe live radio operations, photograph activities, interview operators, and learn more about amateur radio and emergency communications. Visitors will have the opportunity to see how radio communications are established, explore equipment and antennas, and discover how amateur radio operators support communities during emergencies, public events, and severe weather situations.
 
"Field Day is one of the best opportunities each year for people to experience amateur radio firsthand," said Cory Adelt, President of NoBARC. "Whether you're interested in emergency preparedness, technology, public service, or simply communicating around the world, Field Day offers something for everyone. We encourage the community to come visit and see what amateur radio is all about."
 
Admission is free and visitors of all ages are welcome.
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Q&A with State Representative Challenger Andrew Fitch

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — On Sept. 1, voters in the First Berkshire District will decide whether they want to send a new representative to Beacon Hill in Boston.
 
Andrew Fitch, currently a city councilor in the district's largest municipality — and the commonwealth's smallest city — is challenging former North Adams Mayor John Barrett III, who won the First Berkshire seat in a 2017 special election, in the Democratic Party primary.
 
There is no Republican on the primary ballot for the First Berkshire seat so the primary will effectively be the election for the seat. 
 
The two candidates met for their only debate on Aug. 13 at Williams College. iBerkshires.com reached out to both candidates to follow up on some of the points raised in the debate and get their thoughts on some other issues facing the district.
 
Below are excerpts from a conversation with challenger Andrew Fitch:
 
Question: From the very beginning, you talked about the campaign as a listening experience, and this week you're continuing that with the bike tour …
 
Andrew Fitch: Knocking on doors that have never been knocked on before. … I was riding through, I believe it was Hinsdale coming into Windsor, and they started to yell at me, 'No!' And then the guy was like, 'Wait a second. That's Andrew Fitch.' They actually knew who I was, and they were actually wanting to chat with me.
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