Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Reminder: November 4th, 2024 MEMA RACES/ACS Communications Test Net

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment
Hello to all,
 
   This email is the typical monthly message to let everyone know that Monday evening, November 4th, 2024 is our first non-holiday Monday of the month and, as such, will be the next RACES/ACS/Preparedness Net night. 

  I will be unable to act as NCO for the Sector 2A net as this month’s net falls on my work shift and I cannot guarantee that I will have ready access to a radio at the scheduled net time. If anyone is interested in taking on the Net Control duties for this sector net this month, please reach out to me and let me know.  
 
   In our recent monthly nets, Sector 2B has had very low turnout. While we do not have many RACES operators for the communities in this sector at the moment, it would be appreciated if operators from other, nearby sectors would also check into this sector net to help maintain our NCOs net management skills and to make the net at least a little more fun and interesting or all those involved. A net with 2 people participating on a regular basis is really not something that many of us would look forward to taking the time to check into. With this in mind, hats off to WA1ZLQ and WA1BEE for their dedication in maintaining the presence of the Sector 2B net on a monthly basis even with so few other participants. 
 
      For any operators interested in performing the duties of Net Control Station (NCS), there are materials available to make the task fairly simple and straight forward. The net pre-amble and role call lists are available at http://wc1mab.org/RACES_R2_Interim_Preamble.pdf and http://wc1mab.org/Month.php with the role-call lists on the left column near the bottom. If anyone is worried that they may mess up running a net, please remember that, in many cases, a less than perfect net is WAY better than no net at all! At the conclusion of any net, any operator that acted as Net
Control Operator is asked to please send a note to WC1MAB@gmail.com <mailto:WC1MAB@gmail.com>  letting me know who ran the net and who checked in so that the proper numbers can be reported to our served agencies. We
cannot always count on our normal net control operators to be available in the event of a large scale emergency, so every RACES operator should be prepared to act as NCO if needed when disaster and emergency strikes!
 
Winlink Net Instructions From Don Rolph: 
 
*Winlink Net*
 
To participate:
– create a check-in form using the Winlink standard checkin form
– send via Winlink after 6 AM EST Mon. November 4th and before midnight EST November 5th
  (any mode, but include mode in check-in form) to KF1D
 
   I continue to ask that any operators who have the time, please try to
check into sector nets from near-by sectors. This will allow our Net
Control Operators to practice fielding nets with a strong check-in count and
will also serve to help practice with relays or modified sector assignments
in the event that a single repeater is out of service.
 
   For those operators who serve as Net Control Operators, please try to
remember to send me a list of the stations and communities that check into
your nets. The numbers are reported to MEMA to show them our level of
participation. I am continuing to work on a graphical map based report to
show which parts of our section have strong coverage and which areas may
need a more targeted recruitment campaign to improve our ability to provide
back-up communications in an emergency.
 
    I appreciate you all answering the call to help our communities remain
prepared. Thank you all for helping us keep things on track and prove that
we remain a consistent source of communication capability to the
Commonwealth. This net provides a monthly reminder to our communities and
served agencies that we stand ready with a quiet professionalism prepared to
serve as a voice to whomever needs one to get help and resources to where
they need to be.
 
 If you know someone who would benefit from being on this list, please have
them contact me at   <mailto:WC1MAB@gmail.com> WC1MAB@gmail.com and I will
add them to this distribution. Thank you all!
 
      If anyone has any questions or comments I can be reached by e-mail or
cell phone. Thanks for being a part of our team and I look forward to
hearing back on who can participate this month.
 

Sincerely,

Michael Leger (N1YLQ)
MEMA Region #2 RACES Officer
C: 508_995_0203 

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday November 4th, 2024 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater System

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

The November Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday November 4th, 2024 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.

For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have several announcements for the net including updated information for the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on 11/9/24 from 10 AM-12 PM, the Western Massachusetts ARES Simulated Emergency Test (SET) for Sunday 11/10/24 and 2024 SKYWARN Recognition Day slated for Saturday 12/7/24 from 0000-2400 UTC.

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
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Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Massachusetts RACES Nets – Monday 11/4/24 for HF, Region 2D VHF, NBEMS & Winlink – Times and Details Below

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Don Rolph, AB1PH, Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:

The MEMA RACES nets are held on the first Monday of the month, unless the first Monday is a holiday, when it is delayed one week, For Nov 2024, the MEMA RACES nets will be held on Mon Nov 4 at:

********************************************************************************

80 meter Voice net
6:45 PM
Frequency: 3930 KHz working up until the first free frequency
Jeff N1JCM will be net control

*********************************************************************************

Region 2D VHF net:
7:30 PM ET VHF net on 146.865 MHz PL 103.5 (Sharon Repeater)
We will have a general call up of any RACES, ARES, or other interested stations. If there is time, we will have a simplex test.
Don using WA1PLE will be net control.

********************************************************************************

HF 80 meters NBEMS net:
7:00 PM ET
Dial Frequency: 3584.5 MHx
Center Frequency: 1500 Hz
Initial mode: THOR22
We will have checkins, followed by an ICS-213 format message using FLMSG.

Don AB1PH will be net control

*********************************************************************************

Winlink Net:
Bryan Marcotte KF1D will be net control.
Send a winlink checkin form to KF1D, copy AB1PH, between 0600 Monday Nov 4 and 2400 Monday Nov 4.

We look forward to you checking in!

—

73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

USCG Auxiliary Divisions 5 / 12 Radio Net 3 NOV 24

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Joseph Fratto-K1UN – FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License writes:

The USCG Auxiliary Divisions 5 / 12 Radio Net was held this Sunday 3 NOV 2024 at 1015 hrs.

Check Ins: Radio Wilmington
Radio Roslindale

Net Control: Radio Waltham NCS

Traffic: The net was held. Stations were able to radio test their facilities. Signals were
L / C on the Roslindale repeater.

Auxiliarist Don Zidik acting ASC for Sector Boston sent an update of upcoming
events.

Parades: Veterans Day – Boston 9 NOV 24 muster by 1030 and marching
1200 to 1400.

Thanksgiving Day – Plymouth MA. 23 NOV 24 muster by 0800
marching 1000 -1200 further info to follow.

Please be advised that the Boston CGX is not handling laundry and tailoring as a
new contract with a vendor was not renewed.

Uniform inspections are due by 31 DEC 24 please contact your FC.

The Division 5 Change of Watch is scheduled for Saturday 25 JAN 2025 at 1800
at the Old Colony YC in Dorchester.

Boat Crew Training is available please contact your FC or Flotilla FSO-MT for further
info.

There are opportunities to assist the active duty side on the FRC’s and Stations. Please
contact Auxiliarist Zidik for further information and point of contact.

The ID machine is still down. If you need a temporary paper ID to get on the base please
contact Charles in DIRAUX office.

The NE Boat Show will be held on JAN 8 – 12 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition
Center. If you want to volunteer please contact Donald Zidik more info to follow as soon
as the contract is signed.

The “Auxiliary Net” on Ham Radio is going strong. Every Sunday at 1100 following the
USCG Auxiliary Nets. The Auxiliary Net is on the MMRA Minuteman Repeater Association
repeater network on Ham Radio. The net is going strong with a lot of check ins. This net
has been a great public relations tool for the District 1 North COMMS Program.

During the upcoming winter months the Division 5 Radio Net will be activating for the
purpose of SKYWARN as needed. We will try to schedule a SKYWARN training update
with National Weather Service NWS on Zoom conference.

The Net thanks all the members for their participation on all our various radio nets. As we
have said in the past the USCG Auxiliary COMMS are the only “Auxiliary” radio group that
is credentialed, vetted, has a security clearance, is uniformed, assigned a robust suite of
exclusive federal government frequencies, has a chain of command, trained, tested and
is part of Team Coast Guard.

Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License

All

First Region and Eastern Area Nets Time/Frequency Change

- by kw1u - Leave a Comment

With the change from Daylight Savings to Standard Time, the afternoon sessions of the First Region Net (FRN) now meet daily at 1400 and 1600 local time on 3950 Khz . Alternate frequency is 7243 Khz. The Eastern Area Net (EAN) continues to meet on 7243 Khz daily but now at 1430 EST. Any traffic going beyond the New England region should be  brought to the earlier session of FRN whenever possible to allow for faster delivery via the Eastern Area Net at 1430.

All

Eastern MA October, 2024 Section Update

- by Jon McCombie - Leave a Comment

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! Welcome to the October 2024 EMA Section Update! I am publishing this update to the EMA Section and NE Division websites and sending it to all the clubs I have email addresses for. Please distribute this widely. The email-blast-to-all-section-members function is still down, a casualty of the cyber-attack on ARRL HQ; there is currently  – still – no ETA.  

 It’s now officially Autumn. That means the population of our Cape Cod communities has reverted to mostly normal. Many businesses have shuttered for the season. This is by far my favorite season, as the temperatures moderate, the traffic calms down, the leaves turn, and things quiet down. And I’ll take my beverages without pumpkin spice, thank you very much!  

 

* Election for ARRL New England Division Director  

Incumbent Director Fred Kemmerer AB1OC faces Director Emeritus Tom Frenaye K1KI in the upcoming election for ARRL Director, New England Division. You should have received an email and a USMail postcard with directions on how to vote electronically or to request a paper ballot. If you’ve already voted, thanks! If not, vote NOW! Voting ends at noon (ET), November 15, 2024. Whomever your choice is, I strongly encourage you to vote in this very important election! 

 

* ARRL Sweepstakes Coming Up 

A reminder: the ARRL Sweepstakes – the oldest domestic ham radio contest – is coming up in November. ARRL Sweeps CW is Nov 2, 2024, 2100Z to Nov 4, 2024, 0300Z. That’s THIS WEEKEND! And ARRL Sweeps SSB is Nov 16, 2024, 2100Z to Nov 18, 2024, 0300Z. I hope to work you in one or both of the contests! Full details are at https://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes  

 

* Police Amateur Radio Team (PART) of Westford, MA has Several POTA Activations  

The Police Amateur Radio Team (PART) of Westford, MA reports having tons o’ fun with POTA activations, both as a club activation and as a group of PART members gathering for POTA activations as individuals. They describe it as “a bunch of hams came together at Great Brook Farm State Park to have great fun together, enjoy the great weather, and make some QSOs.”  

Have you or your club activated some POTAs? Let me know, so I can give you a shout-out in the Section Update! 

 

* Eastern MA Simulated Emergency Test (SET Saturday, Nov 9, 1000-1200 EST 

Eastern Massachusetts ARES will conduct a section exercise and Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on Saturday 11/9/24 from 10 AM-12 PM dubbed “November Gale”. The exercise will practice similar skills as previous exercises conducted over the course of 2024 and will serve as a means of practice heading into the 2024-2025 winter season.  

Full details at https://ema.arrl.org/2024/10/28/eastern-massachusetts-ares-simulated-emergency-test-set-operation-november-gale-saturday-11-9-24-10-am-12-pm-edt/  

 

* Barnstable ARC members QRV for Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) 

Members of the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club (BARC) were active on the air for Scouting America’s (nee Boy Scouts of America) Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), an international event in which Scouts worldwide use Amateur Radio to chat with other scouts. BARC members demonstrated a wide variety of Amateur Radio technologies, including an ARES go-kit for VHF communications; HF voice, CW, and FT8; and DMR. A good time was had by all, and many JOTA badges were given away. More details at https://ema.arrl.org/2024/10/19/barnstable-arc-qrv-for-jamboree-on-the-air-october-19-2024/  

 Was your club active for JOTA or other Scouting America events? Let me know so I can give you some free publicity!

 

* Nationwide NTS Traffic Handling Zoom Training Session Held October 14, 2024 

On Monday, October 14 at 7:00 PM NTS luminaries held an interactive Zoom session to introduce the National Traffic System (NTS). This training incorporated videos and open discussion to get participants started with an exciting aspect of the hobby that’s been around for over 100 years! … 

 

* Recruiting Volunteer Webmaster(s) for the EMA Website 

 Phil, K9HI has done a fantastic job of maintaining the https://ema.arrl.,org website. I (still) need to recruit some backup resources. If you have basic skills with WordPress and can help maintain the website – mostly posting new articles at the suggestion of me and others – please contact me at n1ilz@arrl.org. You’ll be helping me – and the League – immensely! 

 

* Recruiting a New Section Youth Coordinator 

Last month I reported that our Section Youth Coordinator, Paul K1YUB, had stepped down from his position. I’m even more sad to report that Paul is now a Silent Key. I need to fill this important position on the EMA Section Staff. The SYC requirement and job description is at https://www.arrl.org/section-youth-coordinator  If you are interested in this volunteer position, please contact me at n1ilz@arrl.org  – I’ll appreciate it greatly! 

 

* N1ILZ for a Final  
 
Stay safe and warm out there!  Autumn is here, the vehicular traffic is (mostly) calming down – at least in vacation areas – and the weather forecasters are predicting – well, who listens to those crazy long-term weather forecasters anyway?  Go pick some apples, go peep at some leaves, and enjoy all that New England Autumn has to offer! And get those outdoor antenna projects done before the snow starts flying fierce and it’s too cold to go out, proving a great excuse to stay by the space-heater – I mean linear amplifier – and make some QSOs! 

 Can you write a paragraph or two about what you’re up to, so I can publish it in the Section Update? Let me know via email at n1ilz@arrl.org!  
 

* For always up-to-date news, please visit the EMA Section website at http://ema.arrl.org  
 
This Section News Update is brought to you by Section Manager Jon N1ILZ. 

 

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net (EMHN) – Saturday 11/2/24 – 1000 AM ET

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Jeff N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH writes:

Good Evening,

On Saturday November 2, 2024 the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10:00AM.

We realize that some locations, individuals, and groups may be subject to COVID restrictions. We encourage everyone who is affected by these restrictions to utilize their home or mobile stations to check into the net if possible. Even if you cannot reach all the systems being used, please check-in on those you can.

Also we will be using our repeater (147.345 tone 110.9) this month as a test after having some maintenance done and I would be seeking footprint/coverage information from net check ins.

We will use the following repeaters in the order listed.

1. Plymouth Repeater 1146.685 tone 131.8
2. West Bridgewater Repeater 1146.775 dcs 244
3. DMR -Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot :1 on the following NEDECN repeaters: Boston 449.175 -5.M CC:1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC:1, Sagamore 145.200 – 0.6M CC:10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC:11, East Falmouth 145.210 -0.600 CC:9, Martha’s Vineyard145.180 -0.600 CC:10, and Walpole 145.380 -0.600 CC:12.
4. Falmouth Repeater 147.375 tone 110.9
5. Simplex 147.420

We will then return to the Plymouth Repeater for Net closing.

NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check-in procedure which is: Here is.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.

We extend an invitation to any health care facility, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members to check in during the NET.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.

We hope to hear you Saturday.

73,

Jeff N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH

Public Service

CQ Licensed Amateurs and Current Volunteer Race Staff: Additional Volunteers Needed for Happy Holidays Half-Marathon, Gloucester, December 8, 2024

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
race mapGreat News! We are fully staffed for the November 3rd Ocean View Half-Marathon.
 
We still need 2 additional volunteers for the December 8th Happy Holidays Half-Marathon
Volunteers needed for Checkpoints 1 & 4.
 
This race is always difficult to staff as it’s so close to the holidays. If you can, please consider volunteering!
 
Email me to sign up, W1TAT@outlook.com
Many thanks & 73,
Chris, W1TAT
Clubs / Operating

Wellesley Amateur Radio Society POTA Event, November 2, 2024

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Parks On The Air logoDATE : Saturday, Nov 2, 2024 (rain date – Sun 11/3)
 
TIME : 11am – 3pm
 
PLACE : Elm Bank Reservation – Lot B
                900 Washington St.
                Wellesley, MA
 
Talk-in Frequency : 146.55 MHz
 
 
Join the fun of operating outdoors in the crisp fall air ! We are meeting in Lot B which is opposite Lot A at the top of the first hill where the road bends. Turn right into Lot B.
 
We’ll be using the club radio, antennas, and coax, but feel free to bring your own gear to operate. Leandra has graciously offered to setup our club station callsign (W1TKZ) for POTA operation.
 
The October SparkGap has a GREAT checklist on Page 11 of some things you may wish to bring.
 
SEE YOU THERE FOR POTA FOTA – Fun-On-The-Air !
Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

UPDATED: Eastern Massachusetts ARES Simulated Emergency Test (SET) – Operation November Gale – Saturday 11/9/24 – 10 AM-12 PM EDT

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

Eastern Massachusetts ARES will conduct a section exercise and Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on Saturday 11/9/24 from 10 AM-12 PM dubbed “November Gale”. The exercise will practice similar skills as previous exercises conducted over the course of 2024 and will serve as a means of practice heading into the 2024-2025 winter season.

The detailed drill document can be seen at the following link: https://ema.arrl.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/EasternMA-ARES-Fall-Exercise-2024-V2.0-11-03-24.pdf This document will likely be final but will be updated if necessary by Friday 11/8/24 for any last minute changes.

While we encourage participation by Eastern Massachusetts ARES members, RACES/AUXCOMM/USCG Auxiliary Operators and Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters, all are welcome to participate including those outside of the Eastern Massachusetts section.  We will also discuss the SET on the November Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net.

Thanks in advance for your support of this SET and Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
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Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

USCG Auxiliary Division 5 / 12 Radio Net 20 OCT 2024 at 1015 AM

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Joseph Fratto-K1UN – FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License writes:

The USCG Auxiliary Combined Divisions 5 / 12 Radio Net was held on Sunday 20 OCT 2024 at 1015 hrs.

Check Ins: Radio Wilmington
Vessel 323088
Mobile 5F
Mobile 5G
Radio Roslindale

Net Control: Radio Waltham NCS

Traffic: Facility radio tests were made. The repeater located in Falmouth MA. was shut down and
removed. We are looking for another location in Falmouth. This location would service a
number of stations operating on Cape Cod. Hopefully LCDR Wilcox may have a spot on
his tower to support the repeater.

Traffic included several announcements including the Division 5 meeting is Thursday and
it will be online. ID cards for D1 are on hold as the ID machine is undergoing technical
upgrades. The D1 Conference will be held on APR 2025 25, 26 and 27. The Boat Show in
Boston is coming soon and very early. The dates are JAN 9, 10, 11, and 12. If you wish to
participate please contact your FC or await further info to come out.

Auxiliarist Jim Healy is still on the mend and recuperating.

The Auxiliary Net held on the MMRA network is now averaging 20 participants weekly. The
MMRA has extended our net time until 1230 hrs to accommodate our check ins. We asked
that the Barnstable VHF repeater located in Hyannis be tied into the Auxiliary Net to allow
Hams and Auxiliarists on Cape Cod to be able to participate. This request is going through
the process.

Non Ham members can listen to the Auxiliary Net on their police scanner radio. The frequency
is 146.820 or 146.670. You can tune in and listen or become a Ham by taking a very easy
entrance level exam and getting your callsign. Amateur Radio or Ham Radio exams are given
at numerous locations and times during the month. You can even make arrangements to take
exams online in the comfort of your home. Hams can use the Echo-Link system to check into
the Auxiliary Net on the MMRA network.

Several stations mentioned that they are working on antennas today. Being a very nice WX
day it is perfect for antenna repairs. Now is the time to do those repairs. Don’t wait for the
cold and snow.

Stations are reminded to monitor the 5 Mhz 60 Meter channels during emergency conditions.
The 5 Mhz channels are the best frequencies for Ham radio operators to contact federal stations.
On the Auxiliary Net today we explained the SHARES Net. SHAred RESources Net. The net
was established right after the Cuban missile crisis by President Kennedy. The USCG had a
major role in getting the SHARES net off the ground and operational. If you Google Shared
Resources SHARES National Communications System you will find an old video that shows
the SHARES network in operation.

Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License

All

Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM Report for September 2024

- by kw1u - Leave a Comment

The Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM report for September 2024 can now be found here. Note a link to the NTS2.arrl.org website with information on what’s happening with the NTS 2.0 project. Particularly find at this site a link to the NTS Letter archive and instructions on subscribing to receive this newsletter in your email mailbox monthly. Also note information on the Radiogram Portal, a web-based means to send messages via the National Traffic System without checking into a net or accessing the Digital Traffic Network. This is available to non-hams and hams alike. We also acknowledge the passing of two of our own over the past few months, Bernie KC1MSN and Doc KE1ML with links to their obituaries. We are also looking for CW operators to help out with MARI CW traffic net. 

Clubs

N1DQ: “PSK Reporter” at Nashoba Valley ARC Meeting, October 17, 2024

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Nashoba Valley ARC logoBruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s October meeting is TOMORROW, Thursday, October 17th at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell). We start gathering at 7 PM to socialize before the meeting starts.

For October, our guest speaker will be Phil Gladstone, N1DQ, author of PSK Reporter. PSK Reporter is an amateur radio signal reporting and spotting network which allows hams to see where their radio signals are being received. The platform works by collecting digital signal reports from software clients like WSJT and FLDIGI, then mapping them to show which stations are being heard by other clients.

I personally can’t wait to hear this presentation!

Come and join the fun!

Need directions? Click here and put your own address in box “A”.

Thanks and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Bruce, K1BG

978-772-2773 or bruce.blain@charter.net

 

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

AREDN Comes to Dartmouth

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

N1WBV-Ben Jackson on the Southeast Mass Amateur Radio Association Email list writes:

Hi Everyone:

If you have ever thought about becoming involved with AREDN (https://www.arednmesh.org/) but also wondered “Well it sounds interesting, but who would I communicate with around the South Coastal MA Area?” I am happy to report that I have established an outdoor node just a touch NNE of UMass in FN41lp.

What is AREDN? AREDN is the Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network which provides a way for Amateur Radio operators to create high-speed ad-hoc data networks for use in emergency and service-oriented communications. This is often done via consumer or “pro-sumer” 802.11 wireless networking gear running custom software. Currently, there are mesh networks in Rhode Island and they
reach as far as Tiverton, and there is an emerging effort on Cape Cod.

As I am always over engineering things I have also opted to make my node 100% solar powered and I’ve also put it up at 20ft AGL. Right now, I am putting it in “open Beta” and I want to let people know about it, however, I will expect it to randomly go down for testing as I am still hammering out bugs.

So if you have a 5GHz directional WiFi Access Point, please point it my way on Channel 149 of your 5GHz dial; and if you WANT to grab a 5GHz directional access WiFi Access Point, (especially if you have a tower!) please just let me know and I would be happy to point you in the right direction. I am also working out a full Bill of Materials (BOM) for what I assembled my node for.

73

Ben, N1WBV

Licensing Education & Training

Nashoba Valley ARC Amateur Radio Course, Ayer, Starting November 4, 2024

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Nashoba Valley ARC logoBruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club (NVARC) is offering a free amateur radio licensing course beginning on November 4th. The eight night course will prepare students for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technician licensing exam that will be offered at the completion of the course. The Technician level radio operator’s license is the first of three amateur licenses offered by the FCC. Each license has increased levels of operator privileges.

The course consists of twice weekly sessions beginning on Monday, November 4th, and meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays for four weeks (with a break on Thanksgiving week ). The course will be held at the Grady Research building, 323 West Main St., in Ayer. Sessions will start at 7PM and last for 2 hours. An FCC license exam will be scheduled for the end of the sessions. The course is free, but there will be an FCC required $15 testing fee if you take the exam. The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, 5th edition, will be the study guide used for the class. A limited number of study guides may be purchased from the instructor for $30 or online from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) or Amazon.

This course is open to all, there are no age limits. Pre-registration is required, no walk-ins will be allowed. To register you must contact the instructor, Bruce Blain at (508) 341-5124 or via email at bruce.blain@charter.net.  

[Course announcement]
Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service / Technical

FLDIGI/NBEMS Training On-Air and via Zoom

- by Jon McCombie - Leave a Comment

Jon N1ILZ writes

We will be holding two Zoom sessions to help people get familiar with FLDIGI using NBEMS to pass formatted messages (Radiograms, ICS-213s, etc.); and net operations, specifically how to check-in to and interact with the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Digital (NTS) Net (MARIDN). 

Thursday October 17, focused on the NBEMS programs FLMSG, FLAMP for message passing, and 

Thursday October 24, focused on how to interact with a digital NTS Traffic Net, specifically, the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Digital Net (MARIDN). 

Both sessions are 7:00 PM – ~8:30 PM or until finished. Zoom coordinates (below) are the same for both sessions. 

A PREREQUSIITE for these courses is to have the FLDIGI suite configured and operational at your station (computer and radio). If you successfully completed the FLDIGI session with Don AB1PH on October 10, you have met the prerequisite. 

You will be attending a Zoom session from the PC controlling your station.  The training host will transmit several messages over the air in different formats. We will work with you to ensure that you successfully copy the messages.  If there are failures, we will work to debug them via screen sharing during the Zoom session.   In some cases, issues will be resistant to debugging during the session and we will deal with these individuals in one-on-one sessions later. 

To participate effectively in the Zoom session, your Zoom session and FLDIGI connected to your radio should be running on the same computer. 

The Zoom invitation follows:

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Join Zoom Meeting 
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89342243637?pwd=RfasbGHaXGLU2xdhUDXQfIVBkBpPGx.1 
 
Meeting ID: 893 4224 3637 
Passcode: 013058 
 
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Please contact Jon N1ILZ (n1ilz@arrl.org) with questions. 

 

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

USCG Auxiliary Divisions 5 / 12 Radio Net – Sunday 13 OCT 2024 at 1015 AM

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Joseph Fratto-K1UN – FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License writes:

The USCG Auxiliary combine Divisions 5 / 12 Radio Net was held on Sunday 13 OCT 2024 at 1015 AM.

Check Ins: Wilmington Radio
Vessel 323088
Mobile 5F
Mobile 5G

Net Control: Waltham Radio NCS

Traffic: Radio tests were made of all radio facilities. It was announced that Flotilla elections are
forthcoming. January 10th is the Boat Show. Discussions of the Hurricane Milton and
Hurricane Helene events. Amateur Radio did a great job helping with communications.

Our Auxiliary Net held on the MMRA amteur radio network is going strong. This morning
we had 17 check ins. K1UVH Mike from Holbrook, a retired firefighter gave an account of
his assistance with Hurricane milton. Mike was on scene in the area at a IAFF convention
and volunteered his time working with their fire departments. He worked there for a week.
In addition to rescues they had several large working building fires to deal with.

Florida has a very progressive state and local government system and they did a great
job. It seems they were on top of everything and the fatality count was low. I saw a news
clip of the USCG Helo working a rescue. A gentleman’s boat went down during the storm
and the survivor was able to cling to a large ice cooler. He stayed afloat all night through
the storm until spotted by the USCG and rescued the following morning.

The D7 USCG Auxiliary COMMS. Team assisted the USCG and State government with
radio communications assistance throughout the storm. Hopefully we will continue on
through the month of November with NO more storm activity. I think it will show that the
tornados did more destruction and caused more loss of life than the hurricanes.

Emergency Ham radio communications for the hurricane are still on Broadcastify APP.
Use the N2GE repeater network on the APP.

Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License