A Devastating Loss: Rest in Peace Trooper

 

Massachusetts State Police Announce the Death of Trooper in Off-Duty Motorcycle Crash

With heavy hearts, the Massachusetts State Police announce the unexpected death of Trooper Jacob Mick who died from injuries sustained in an off-duty motorcycle crash in Grafton.

A member of the 88th Recruit Training Troop assigned to the Holden Barracks, the life of this 31-year-old Northboro native has been cut short by this enormous tragedy. 

Speaking of the late Trooper, the Superintendent of the State Police, Colonel Geoffrey Noble said, “Together, we mourn Trooper Jacob Mick, and extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, their infant daughter, his family, and all who loved him. He was a proud Trooper and public servant who never hesitated to answer the call. We remember and honor Trooper Mick’s years of service, and all he gave to the Commonwealth as well as to the Department.”

Trooper Mick graduated from the Massachusetts State Police Academy in 2023. 

The facts and the circumstances of the crash remain under investigation by the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.

At this time, the Mick Family requests privacy as they grieve. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

I'm personally devastated by this. I'm not 100% sure, but this young Trooper looks like the young off duty trooper who assisted me at the scene of a motorcycle accident in Grafton last October. I was the first to arrive and together we applied first aid including a tourniquet. I'll never forget his calm professionalism and compassion. 

Whether this is the same trooper or not, it makes no difference. This is a devastating loss for his loved ones, the Commonwealth and all of us. 

Rest in peace Trooper.

Goodnight Chesty, Wherever You Are

 

Happy Birthday, Chesty

I Miss You Dad

 

For all Hams: "This Too Shall Pass"

Beware of Killer Thumb Drives

Posted in The Broadcaster's Desktop Resource

By Barry Mishkind

You may never look at a USB thumb drive or cable the same way after reading this. What was just a precaution that seemed like overkill now may be a warning we need to know. See how this all progressed.

USB devices are so common that most people plug them in without a second thought. But that casual habit carries real risks — from data theft to hardware destruction. Here is why you should think twice before connecting an unknown USB device.

Some years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the office of a fairly well-known Group Chief Engineer. As we talked, I offered him a flash drive with information about a matter about which we had previously spoken and emailed. His response surprised me.

“That will not work. All the USB ports in our computers have been disabled and/or blocked. The only exception is one completely isolated unit in the studio for talk show guests,” he said. “If you want to get that information to me, just send it in an email.”

POLICY OVERKILL?

At first, I was taken aback. Flash drives were the key to the “sneaker network” many of us used all the time.

Getting information from studio to transmitter, for example was much easier when we could put it in our pocket and connect on site. IP and network connections, logins, and directory searches were bypassed in a moment.

But, here, all the USB ports were not only disconnected, many (most?) were actually blocked from accepting the plug at all.

A REASON FOR THE TIME

It only took a few minutes for the group chief to explain why this policy evolved.

Learn More About SDR

The Boston Software Defined Radio User Group, SDR-Boston, is hosting the New England Workshop for Software Defined Radio 2026 (NEWSDR), June 4 - 5, at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The primary goal of this workshop is to provide a forum that enables software defined radio (SDR) enthusiasts to get together, collaborate, and introduce SDR concepts to those interested in furthering their knowledge of SDR capabilities and available resources. NEWSDR 2026 welcomes experienced SDR enthusiasts as well as individuals who are interested in getting started with SDR.

John Swoboda, Ph.D., Geospace Research Scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Haystack Observatory, said the two-day event is open to all amateur radio operators who want to learn more about SDR.

“This an opportunity...to explore more opportunities...using SDR, how it works, and the advantages of SDR technology,” said Swoboda. “You don’t have to quit using the tactile touch of tuning a transceiver or give up tubes. SDR still has all of those familiar functions.”

The keynote speaker this year is ARRL Member Gregory Charvat, N8ZRY. A radar expert in his professional life, he operates SSB equipment that he has designed/built from scratch and vintage gear that he has restored. His work has been featured in QST magazine, on Hackaday, and many other publications. Charvat is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). His YouTube channel is Gregory Charvat - YouTube.

NEWSDR 2026 will be held at WPI, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, Massachusetts. The main event is scheduled for Friday June 5, 2026, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Eastern). Tutorials are scheduled Thursday June 4, 5:00 – 9:00 PM (Eastern). Attendance is free, but advance registration is required. Visit newsdr.org/workshops/newsdr-2026/.