Nashoba Valley ARC: “A Whole Lotta Sortin’ Goin’ On”

Nashoba Valley ARC meeting/QSL sortingMembers of the Nashoba Valley ARC spent a large portion of a recent club meeting pre-sorting cards for the first call district. Stan, KD1LE addressed the group briefly “explaining the purpose and process for the pre-sort.” The group then went on to sort an amazing 12,000 cards in 1 1/2 hours! NVARC wrapped up the meeting and pre-sort with food and refreshments. —Nashoba Valley ARC Signal, November 2003

[Pictured: Diane, K1LG sorting away; Dennis K1LGQ in the background. Photo courtesy KA1RV]

New England Division Cabinet Meeting January 4, 2004

ARRL flagTo: New England Division Section Managers, Assistant Directors, Advisory Committee members, and Affiliated Club Presidents

“I’d like to invite you to an ARRL New England Division Cabinet meeting on Sunday, January 4, 2004 in Springfield MA. We usually have 30-35 people from all ends of New England – this will be an opportunity for you to provide direct input to the ARRL on policy issues. The meeting will run from 9:00 AM until 4:30 PM, with a break for lunch at noon – and as in the past we’re asking for your contribution of $15 to help cover some of the cost for breaks and for lunch.

“There is an ARRL Board meeting scheduled for January 16-17 – this will give us a chance to talk about issues you think the Board should be considering. What would you like to see on the agenda for the meeting?

“The meeting will be at the Sheraton Springfield Hotel (413-781-1010) at One Monarch Place in Springfield MA (If you like basketball, it’s real close to the new Basketball Hall of Fame). Directions are at:

http://www.sheraton-springfield.com/Directions.htm

“Please let me know by December 31st (earlier is better!) if you will be coming so we can plan for a big enough room and enough food. Park in the hotel parking area – we’ll cover the costs. Both Vice Director Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, and I are looking forward to seeing you there!

Very 73!

——————————————————————————————-
Tom Frenaye, K1KI ARRL New England Division Director k1ki@arrl.org
P O Box J, West Suffield CT 06093 Phone: 860-668-5444

Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF ARRL New England Division Vice Director k1twf@arrl.org
85 High Street, Chelmsford MA 01824 Phone: 978-250-1235

Waltham 04/64 “Crunchies” Gone

WalthamRichard Amirault, N1JDU writes on wara64 list:

“As a result of the work party a week ago, the “crunchies” that have been so much a pain lately are now gone on the [Waltham 146.04/146.64] machine.

“The work party installed a coax run for the previously installed secondary antenna. However, there was a problem with the coax and the single antenna system was hooked up again. Andy [WA1GEP], however, removed the notch filter for the intermod problem … since it was not helping anyway … and now the crunchies are gone.”

Eastern Massachusetts Web Site Outage

Construction logoThe Eastern Massachusetts ARRL web site, including ema.arrl.org, ares.ema.arrl.org and nts.ema.arrl.org, were off the ‘net from approximately 4:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. today (Sunday, December 7). The hosting site lost its T1 line and connectivity to the interenet. It is currently operating on generator/solar power. I apologize for any inconvenience this outage may have caused.

73,

Phil Temples, K9HI
ARRL Section Manager,
Eastern Massachusetts

Eastern Massachusetts Web Site Outage

Construction logoThe Eastern Massachusetts ARRL web site, including ema.arrl.org, ares.ema.arrl.org and nts.ema.arrl.org, were off the ‘net from approximately 4:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. today (Sunday, December 7). The hosting site lost its T1 line and connectivity to the interenet. It is currently operating on generator/solar power. I apologize for any inconvenience this outage may have caused.

73,

Phil Temples, K9HI
ARRL Section Manager,
Eastern Massachusetts

EMa ARES Update (expired but UHF info still needed)

***** EMa ARES Update *****
***** ARES relay stations may be needed *****
***** Please test the UHF repeaters listed below during windstorm *****

As of 0045, most of the section is enduring a bruising from an early winter
storm, with only minor damage so far. This may change overnight or during
the day Sunday.

It is important that you stay in place until we request that you do
otherwise. SKYWARN will certainly need reports and ARES may need relay
stations during the day tomorrow. This request follows our shelter-in-place
doctrine which is detailed at
http://ares.ema.arrl.org/mod.php?mod=userpage&menu=2904&page_id=67 .

While you are assisting in the ways listed above, we request that you gather
signal reports from the list of repeaters listed below DURING the windstorm.
Please list:

Your location and time
List of repeaters worked
Whether home or mobile
Power on input
Antenna type
Other comments (i.e. unusually good or bad location, etc.)

Please send reports to me at w1mpn@ema.arrl.org

List of repeaters:443.450-Westport Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

443.700-Gloucester Repeater No PL Listed

444.200-Bourne Repeater PL: 118.8 Hz

445.175-Newton Repeater PL: 141.3 Hz

446.575-Boston Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

449.925-Marlborough Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz Part of
MMRA System

446.725-Stoneham Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz Part
of MMRA System

447.075-Kingston Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

447.175-Boston Repeater PL: 110.9 Hz

447.325-Truro Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

447.575-Concord Repeater PL: 110.9 Hz

447.975-North Attleboro Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

448.125-Framingham Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

448.975-Walpole Repeater PL: 141.3 Hz

449.075-Waltham Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

The following repeaters were considered Good location, good local coverage,
may have extended coverage and has linking capability (to either other
repeaters, IRLP, Echolink or a combination of each):

442.450-Westford Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

443.350-Pack Monadnock, NH PL: 110.9 Hz

443.500-Dennis Repeater PL: 141.3 Hz Part
of Cape Cod Link Sys.

443.800-Dartmouth Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

444.200-North Truro Repeater PL: 141.3 Hz

444.250-Falmouth Repeater PL: 141.3 Hz Part
of Cape Cod Link Sys.

445.175-Barnstable Repeater PL: 141.3 Hz Part
of Cape Cod Link Sys.

447.875-Brookline Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz Part
of MMRA/Has Echolink

446.675-Marlborough Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz Part of
MMRA System

The following repeaters have good location but unknown or questionable
coverage. Some of these repeaters may have IRLP or Echolink coverage:

441.075-Chelmsford Repeater PL: 100.0 Hz

441.400-Assonet Repeater PL: 192.8 Hz

441.400-Plymouth Repeater PL: 100.0 Hz

441.500-Medfield Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

441.750-Seekonk Repeater PL: 192.8 Hz

441.850-Bradford Repeater PL: 127.3 Hz

442.250-Marlborough Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz -Has Echolink
capability

442.500-Braintree Repeater PL: 118.8 Hz

442.800-Danvers Repeater PL: 136.5 Hz

442.900-Pepperell Repeater PL: 100 Hz

443.200-North Andover Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

443.600-Norwell Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz -Has Echolink
capability

444.100-Wilmington Repeater PL: 123.0 Hz

444.300-Saugus Repeater PL: 123.0 Hz

443.350-Fall River Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

444.550-Bridgewater Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

444.600-Newton Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

444.700-Boston Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

446.525-Reading Repeater PL: 151.4 Hz

446.875-North Reading Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

446.925-Medford Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

447.025-Peabody Repeater PL: 110.9 Hz

447.275-Haverhill Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

447.625-Lawrence Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz

447.675-Natick Repeater PL: 203.5 Hz -RACES?

449.650-Belmont Repeater PL: 67.0 Hz

449.725-Cambridge Repeater PL: 114.8 Hz

449.825-Woburn Repeater PL: 136.5 Hz

Please also visit the website to vote in the poll about UHF usage. Thanks
in advance for your help.

Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN, EMa SEC
978.562.5662 Voice
978.389.0558 FAX/Secondary Voice
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
w1mpn@ema.ares.org

WINTER STORM WARNING (expired)

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY.

SKYWARN Logo [SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton is likely late Friday and particularly Saturday for the entire region. This Activation will most likely curtail some of the originally planned SKYWARN Appreciation Day activity. A final announcement on plans for SKYWARN Appreciation Day activity will be made on Friday pending latest Watches and Warnings from NWS Taunton – KD1CY.]

From KD1CY 0540 6 Dec 03

Hello to all…

….Dangerous Major Winter Storm Hammering Southern New England….
….Additional Snowfall of 5-10″ will occur between 8 AM and 8 PM Today.
Further additional Significant Snow Accumilations will occur after 8 PM
Today. Near Blizzard Conditions are possible….
…..Coastal Flood Watch Now Issued for Portions of the East Coastal
Massachusetts Coast….
…..SKYWARN Activation Recommences within 30 minutes either side of 7 AM
with Ops at NWS Taunton….
….ARES/RACES Groups Should Consult with their leadership as Activation
Could Occur in Hardest Hit Areas….

This Coordination Message is occuring without a full product update with NWS
Taunton as we make preparations to head back to NWS where we may remain for
the remainder of the event. Already 4-7″ of snow if not more has fallen
across much of the region. An additional 5-10 inches of snow will occur
between 8 AM and 8 PM today with further significant accumilations after
that timeframe of snowfall. Strong Winds will also occur creating near
Blizzard conditions. The combination of snow and wind could knock down trees
and power lines causing scattered power outages. Total Snowfall will range
at least 10-20″ with the potential for snowfall of around 2 feet in some
areas.

A Coastal Flood Watch has now been issued for the Sunday Morning high tide.
Details on this are featured in the Area Forecast Discussion issued by NWS
Taunton.

SKYWARN Activation will begin within 30 minutes either side of 7 AM and
continue through the entire day and into the night. Activation may continue
into Sunday as this major storm unfolds. ARES and RACES groups should be
prepared for potential activation later today and into tomorrow particularly
if infrastructure damage occurs from the combination of wind and snow as
well as from Coastal Flooding.

The National Center for Environmental Prediction is issuing Storm Summaries
on this major event.

This will be the last message for this event as we go into full activation
mode for SKYWARN for the entire day from NWS Taunton. Below is the Area
Forecast Discussion from NWS Taunton that has updates on the situation:A MAJOR SLOW MOVING WINTER STORM WILL IMPACT MUCH OF S. NEW
ENGLAND & SW NH WITH PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW AND
INCREASINGLY GUSTY WINDS THROUGH SUNDAY.

SNOW WILL BECOME STEADIER & HEAVIER THIS AFTERNOON & EVENING.
THE COMBINATION OF HEAVY SNOW & GUSTY NE WINDS MAY PRODUCE
NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS TONIGHT ESPECIALLY OVER ACROSS NORTHEAST
MASSACHUSETTS. THE RAIN SNOW LINE WILL PROGRESS NORTHWARD TO A
PROVIDENCE TO TAUNTON TO PLYMOUTH LINE TONIGHT. MIXED PRECIPITATION
WILL KEEP ACCUMULATIONS DOWN ALONG SE COASTAL SECTIONS OF
NEW ENGLAND.

LOW PRESSURE WILL TRACK JUST SE OF CAPE COD TONIGHT THEN HEAD
ACROSS GEORGES BANK ON SUNDAY. INCREASING NO. WINDS BEHIND THE
DEPARTING LOW ON SUN MAY PRODUCE WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH OR GREATER
ALONG COASTAL LOCATIONS. THE COMBINED WEIGHT OF THE SNOW & GUSTY
WINDS MAY CAUSE SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES SUNDAY.

MOTORISTS WILL NEED TO USE CARE WHEN DRIVING.AS MANY ROADWAYS ARE
SNOW COVERED & ICY. BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS ON ANY UNTREATED
SECONDARY ROADS.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO.OR YOUR FAVORITE MEDIA OUTLET.
FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THIS DEVELOPING WEATHER SITUATION.

MAZ019-061700-
EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-
658 AM EST SAT DEC 6 2003

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR EASTERN PLYMOUTH COUNTY THROUGH SUNDAY.

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT. SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL
AND WILL BE HEAVY AT TIMES TODAY. EXPECT ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS
OF 2 TO 4 INCHES BY THIS EVENING. SNOW MAY MIX WITH & CHANGE TO
RAIN FROM HANOVER TO PLYMOUTH & ESPECIALLY POINTS SO. THIS
AFTERNOON & TONIGHT. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS BY SUN AFTERNOON SHOULD
RANGE FROM 8 TO 15 INCHES. IN ADDITION SOME BLOWING & DRIFTING SNOW
WILL OCCUR ON SUN AS WINDS INCREASE FROM THE NORTH. WINDS MAY GUST
TO 50 MPH SUN AFTERNOON. SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES MAY BE POSSIBLE
SUNDAY DUE TO THE COMBINED WEIGHT OF THE SNOW & GUSTY WINDS.

$$

CTZ002>004-MAZ002-003-008>011-061700-
EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-
WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WINDHAM CT-
658 AM EST SAT DEC 6 2003

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR N. CT & WESTERN
MASSACHUSETTS THROUGH SUNDAY.

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT. LIGHT SNOW WILL BECOME
HEAVIER & STEADIER THIS AFTERNOON. EXPECT ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS
OF 4 TO 8 INCHES BY THIS EVENING. STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS BY SUNDAY
AFTERNOON SHOULD RANGE FROM 8 TO 15 INCHES. IN ADDITION EXPECT SOME
BLOWING & DRIFTING SNOW WILL OCCUR ON SUN AS WINDS INCREASE FROM
THE NORTH.

$$

MAZ004>006-012-026-NHZ011-012-015-061700-
CNTL MIDDLESEX COUNTY MA-CHESHIRE NH-EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-
NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-NORTHWEST MIDDLESEX COUNTY MA-
SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-WESTERN & CNTL HILLSBOROUGH NH-
WESTERN ESSEX MA-
658 AM EST SAT DEC 6 2003

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR CNTL & INTERIOR NORTHEAST
MASSACHUSETTS & S. NH THROUGH SUNDAY.

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT. LIGHT SNOW WILL BECOME
HEAVIER & STEADIER TODAY. EXPECT ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS
OF 5 TO 10 INCHES BY THIS EVENING. STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS BY
SUNDAY AFTERNOON SHOULD RANGE FROM 14 TO 22 INCHES. IN ADDITION
BLOWING & DRIFTING SNOW WILL OCCUR ON SUN AS WINDS INCREASE
FROM THE NORTH. SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES MAY BE POSSIBLE DUE TO THE
WEIGHT OF THE SNOW & GUSTY WINDS.

$$

MAZ013-017-018-RIZ001>005-061700-
BRISTOL RI-EASTERN KENT RI-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-
NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-WESTERN KENT RI-
WESTERN NORFOLK MA-WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-
658 AM EST SAT DEC 6 2003

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR INTERIOR SE MASSACHUSETTS AND
NORTHERN RI THROUGH SUNDAY.

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT. LIGHT SNOW WILL BECOME
HEAVIER & STEADIER TODAY. EXPECT ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS
OF 4 TO 8 INCHES BY THIS EVENING.EXCEPT LOCALLY UP TO 10 INCHES IN
PORTIONS OF N. PROVIDENCE & WESTERN NORFOLK COUNTIES.
SOME SLEET MAY MIX WITH THE SNOW TONIGHT. STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS
BY SUN AFTERNOON SHOULD RANGE FROM 10 TO 20 INCHES. IN ADDITION
BLOWING & DRIFTING SNOW WILL OCCUR ON SUN AS WINDS INCREASE
FROM THE NORTH. WINDS MAY GUST TO 45 MPH SUN AFTERNOON.

$$

MAZ007-014>016-061700-
EASTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-
SUFFOLK MA-
658 AM EST SAT DEC 6 2003

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR THE IMMEDIATE BOSTON VICINITY AND
ADJACENT NO. SHORE LOCATIONS THROUGH SUNDAY.

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT. SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO FALL
AND WILL BE HEAVY AT TIMES TODAY. EXPECT ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS
OF 3 TO 6 INCHES BY THIS EVENING. SOME SLEET MAY MIX WITH THE SNOW
TONIGHT. STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS BY SUN AFTERNOON SHOULD RANGE
FROM 10 TO 18 INCHES. IN ADDITION SOME BLOWING & DRIFTING SNOW WILL
OCCUR ON SUN AS WINDS INCREASE FROM THE NORTH. WINDS MAY GUST TO
50 MPH SUN AFTERNOON. SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES MAY BE POSSIBLE
SUNDAY DUE TO THE COMBINED WEIGHT OF THE SNOW & GUSTY WINDS.

$$

MAZ020-021-RIZ006-007-061700-
NEWPORT RI-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-WA RI-
658 AM EST SAT DEC 6 2003

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SO. COASTAL MASSACHUSETTS.SOUTHERN
RI WITH THE EXCEPTION OF BLOCK ISLAND & CAPE COD & THE
ISLANDS THROUGH SUNDAY.

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT. SNOW WILL MIX WITH SLEET
AND RAIN THIS AFTERNOON & TONIGHT.THEN CHANGE BACK TO ALL SNOW
EARLY SUN MORNING. EXPECT ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 3
INCHES BY THIS EVENING. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS BY SUN AFTERNOON SHOULD
RANGE FROM 8 TO 14 INCHES. IN ADDITION SOME BLOWING & DRIFTING SNOW
MAY OCCUR ON SUN AS WINDS INCREASE FROM THE NORTH. WINDS MAY GUST
TO 50 MPH SUN AFTERNOON.

$$

MAZ022-RIZ008-061954-
BARNSTABLE MA-BLOCK ISLAND RI-
658 AM EST SAT DEC 6 2003

WINTER STORM WATCH FOR CAPE COD & BLOCK ISLAND SUNDAY.

A WINTER STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT. RAIN WILL CHANGE BACK TO SNOW ON
SUNDAY WITH A SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATION POSSIBLE. PRECIPITATION WILL
END SUN EVENING.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THAT THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR A PERIOD OF
HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATING MORE THAN 6 INCHES.OR A COMBINATION OF
HEAVY SNOW & SIGNIFICANT ICE.

$$

W1BOS Blue Hill Observatory Operation—Update

Skywarn logoIn a previous post we reported that members of the Boston Amateur Radio Club will operate W1BOS/MQE on December 6th, from 9 am to 4 pm from the Blue Hills Observatory in observance of SKYWARN Recognition Day. This operation is scheduled to occur as planned despite the major storm that is expected to impact our region over the weekend.

The Eastern Massachusetts ARES web site has additional information about special events at the Blue Hill and Taunton National Weather Service Stations (WX1BOX) as well as regularly updated weather advisories.

SKYWARN Recognition Day UPDATE!

NWS Special Event Logo
[Note: Prior arrangements MUST be made with KD1CY for entry to NWS Taunton Offices – W1MPN]

Hello to all…

The following is a modified plan for SKYWARN Appreciation Day participation
due to the major storm that is expected to impact the region. Right now, the
Blue Hill Observatory station will still particpate as planned. NWS Taunton
plans have been modified to be as follows:

Here is an update on NWS Taunton participation for SKYWARN Recognition
Day based on the SKYWARN Activation that will occur on that day.

QSL Cards will be done this year. You must send a SASE with your QSL
card in order to receive a QSL card for contacting NWS Taunton during
SKYWARN Appreciation Day. We are using the Boston Amateur Radio Club’s
mailing address and it as follows:

Skywarn Recognition Day (MQE) &/or (BOX)
c/o Boston Amateur Radio Club
PO Box 15585
Boston, MA 02215
*If you worked both W1BOS/MQE & WX1BOX, Please send 2 QSL’s & 1 SASE

Here is a schedule of where WX1BOX operations will be on 2 Meters and
440 MHz for both Friday Night and Saturday:

Friday December 5th, 2003 Schedule of Roving Operations for 2 Meters
and 440 MHz

7:00-7:30 PM 146.970-Paxton Repeater
7:30-8:00 PM IRLP link to the Wilbraham Repeater and then possibly to an
IRLP reflector.
8:00-8:30 PM 146.655-Falmouth Repeater
8:30-9:00 PM 147.000-Dartmouth Repeater
9:00-9:30 PM 145.230-Boston Repeater
9:30-10:00 PM 146.760-Scituate RI
10:30-11:00 PM 147.195-Attleboro Repeater

At this time, we plan to terminate operations one hour early to save
resources for the most significant part of the storm which is expected
Saturday into Sunday.

Saturday December 6th, 2003 Schedule of Roving Operations for 2 Meters and
440 MHz.

The schedule of being on various repeaters has been pre-empted due to the
potential for roving to various repeaters for storm reports. If you make
contact with us directly, we will honor QSL’s and log the contacts but we
cannot honor the previously set schedule as we may need reports from
repeaters at different time than the previous schedule. We appreciate
everyone’s understanding here and we thank all of you for your continued
support of SKYWARN including for this latest major storm.

Here is the HF Schedule. Friday Night’s Schedule is unchanged except to
shave one hour off the expected time we will be at NWS Taunton. For Friday
Night from 9-11 PM, we will guard near the 3943 KHz 75 Meter ARES/RACES
liaison frequency. For Saturday, we have made 40 Meters the primary band for
much of the daylight hours and 20 Meters the secondary band. On 40 Meters,
we will guard near or on the 7245 KHz ARES/RACES frequency.

Friday December 5th, 2003:

7-9 PM: Primary Band: 20 Meters Secondary Band: 75 Meters
9 PM-11 PM: Primary Band: 75 Meters Secondary Band: 20 Meters

Saturday December 6th, 2003:

7 AM-Noon: Primary Band: 40 Meters Secondary Band: 20 Meters
Noon-5PM: Primary Band: 40 Meters Secondary Band: 20 Meters
5-7 PM: Primary Band: 75 Meters Secondary Band: 20 Meters

We appreciate everyone’s support during this major winter storm and have
modified our plans to be as accomodating as possible to thank the SKYWARN
Spotters in the region as best as possible. We would like to thank everyone
for their past support and their support for this latest storm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Southeast Massachusetts ARES District Emergency Coordinator
SEMARA ARES Emergency Coordinator
Pager #: (508) 354-3142
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 1-800-445-2588 Ext.: 72929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://users.rcn.com/rmacedoThe fifth annual SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) will take place this year on Saturday, December 6, 2003. This is the day that Amateur Radio operators visit National Weather Service (NWS) offices and contact other operators around the world.

The purpose of the event is to recognize Amateur Radio operators for the vital public service they perform during times of severe weather, and to strengthen the bond between radio amateurs and their local National Weather Service office. The event is co-sponsored by the American Radio Relay League and the National Weather Service.

Traditionally, hams have assisted the National Weather Service during times of severe weather by providing real-time reports of severe events and storm evolution. “You simply can’t put a price tag on it”, says Scott Mentzer (N0QE), organizer of the event and Meteorologist-In-Charge at the NWS office in Goodland, Kansas. “The assistance that radio amateurs provide to the NWS throughout the year is invaluable”.

SKYWARN Recognition Day this year will be held from 0000 UTC to 2400 UTC on December 6, 2003. Scott Mentzer, the creator and promoter of the event, strives to involve more NWS offices and Amateur Radio operators each year. In 2002, participants logged nearly 23,000 QSOs during the 24-hour event. Last year nearly 70 countries were contacted. To learn more about this year’s event, check out the NOAA Web site:
http://hamradio.noaa.gov/. This site includes a link to a list of participating National Weather Service offices and their call signs.

Questions concerning this event can be directed toLarry Boyd, K0ILB, at larry.boyd@noaa.gov.

– –Thanks to David Floyd, N5DBZ,
Warning Coordination Meteorologist,
NWS Goodland, Kansas
david.l.floyd@noaa.gov

An announcement on SKYWARN Recognition Day also appears in November, 2003, QST, p. 90, and at the
SRD site Web page.

Norwood ARC Monthly C-CE Exams

Norwood ARC logoNorwood ARC offers Amateur Radio Emergency Communication Course Exams each third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Norwood Civic Center. Pre-registration is required. See http://www.norwood-arc.org/newscarrier/newscarrier.htm for details.

Norwood ARC K1JMR Newscarrier, November 2003

Billerica ARS Tech Class Graduates Five New Hams

Billerica ARS logoThe Billerica ARS One-Day Technician class on Saturday, November 15 was a complete success, according to BARS Treasurer Bruce Anderson, W1LUS. The five class participants successfully completed the class and were licensed at the end of the day.

“They’re now all BARS members and I hope we will be seeing them at upcoming BARS meetings,” commented Anderson.

The new hams are: Allison, KB1KNG; Everett, KB1KNH; Joseph, KB1KNI; Charles, KB1KNJ; and John, KB1KNK.

W1ES, K1LJN, N1HTS and K1TWF assisted in teaching the new hams. WA1LY helped with the Amateur Radio setup and demonstration.

BARS Newsletter, December 2003

Broadband over Power Lines Talk at Framingham ARA 12/15/03

Framingham ARA logoBob, W1RH writes on the CEMARC mailing list:

“The Framingham Amateur Radio Association is hosting a meeting featuring a talk by Ed Hare, W1RFI, of the ARRL. Ed will talk about the current broadband over power lines controversy. I have seen Ed’s talk and it is scary. Well worth attending.

Date: Monday, December 15
Time: 7:30
Place: Danforth Museum, Framingham, MA

See this link for directions: http://www.fara.org/info/mapfara.html

Talk-in on 147.15.

Ed wants a big crowd. We are inviting other area clubs to attend.

Bob
W1RH

HF Comms During WX Event (expired)

From WA1R,

All,

As you probably know by now, the Weather Service has issues a winter storm
watch for tomorrow night and Saturday. In addition, there is the possibility of
coastal flooding in southern New England, according to Skywarn and NWS.

Given this possibility, please guard 3.943 starting about mid-afternoon
tomorrow in case the storm becomes a reality and our assistance is needed
either by RACES or NWS or local/state EMA.

Given band conditions of late, I think it would be a good idea to keep 7.245
handy in a second VFO in case we need to run a net on that frequency.Also, I’d like to suggest here that we go into informal session beginning
between 1600 UTC and 1700 UTC Friday.

Also, I’d like to suggest a slight change in net operation, following this
week’s RACES drill. In future, if it becomes apparent that 3.943 +/-5 is too
crowded or there’s lots of QRM within 3 minutes of the start of the net, please
move up to 7.245 and run the net on 40. It was fairly clean Monday night.

I was able to hear the net well on my primary HF rig, but, I lost all phone
output. In fact, I am putting out plenty of power on AM/FM/CW, but, I have no
phone capability. I’m going to look through my service manual on this problem,
but, I may also be taking a run up to Groton Electronics tomorrow p.m. to drop
the offending rig off.

All this means is that I won’t have three HF stations for a bit, just two, the
FT-100 and my IC-706. I’ll probably use the 706 on HF as it has a the matching
longwire tuner. In place of my loop, I’ll be using a longwire and only 100
watts on 80 as that’s all the autotuner can handle.

73,

Marc, WA1R
mstern@wa1r.com

Possible SKYWARN Mobilization (expired)

(0808 4 Dec 03) From Rob, KD1CY:

SKYWARN Logo As many of you are aware, from Friday at 7 PM through Saturday at 7 PM is SKYWARN Recognition Day. It is unclear whether the storm will have a significant impact on SKYWARN Recognition Day activities at this time. This will be monitored as the storm track becomes more certain. We ask that all Amateurs who plan to contact us during SKYWARN Recognition Day give us current sky condition, snowfall total and temperature (if possible) during SKYWARN Recognition Day as we rove the various repeaters on the schedule we listed on our SKYWARN Newsletter. If we need to go into Activation mode, we will shift into that mode and attempt to notify the various SKYWARN Repeaters with a brief announcement that we are shifting into Activation mode or request Net Controls to come up on frequency and state that we have shifted from SKYWARN Recognition Day mode to SKYWARN Activation mode. Since we will already be active at NWS Taunton with Ops, Ops will be utilized if needed for this storm.

KD1CY at WX1BOX All SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters and Coordinators should continue to closely monitor the progress of this storm. The next coordination message will be posted by 11:30 PM this evening. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous WX Outlook and Special WX Statement and the NWS Taunton Area Forecast Discussion:

Rob Macedo, KD1CY, at the Taunton NWS office. Contributed by N1IV

New England Electronic Flea Market List 12/01/03

New England Area   Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2003 P 1 of 2
All events are Ham Radio/ Electronic related except ~_____~
*******************************************************************************
2003 Contact Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
6 Dec Windsor CT VintgeR Museum @33MechanicsSt $1@9$15/T@8 John 860 673 0518
*******************************************************************************
2004 Contact Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
17 Jan Nashua NH NE Antique RC $15/T@7 $2@9 @StStan's Marty 603 938 5051 F

14 Feb Marlboro MA AARC @MS $3@9 $15/T@7 Ann KA1PON 508 481 4988

14 Feb Chelsea ME AARA Bill K1NIT 207 623 9075 A+

28 Feb Milton VT RANV+ARRL Vt Conv @HS $10@6:30 $5@8 Mitch W1SJ 802 879 6589 W

29 Feb Hicksville NY LIMARC @LevitHall $6@9 $25/T@8 Diane K2DO 631 286 7562 W

20 Mar Pomfret CT ECARC @ComSch Rt169+101 $2@8 $10/T Paul KE1LI 860 928 2456

27,28 Mar Timonium MD GBARC @FG Doug N3VEJ 410 256 0257 F

17 April Nashua NH NE Antique RC $15/T@7 $2@9 @StStan's Marty 603 938 5051 F

17 April S Portland ME PAWA @AmLeg $5@8 $10/T Bryce K1GAX 207 799 1116 W+

17 April Montreal PQ MARC @RCLeg $4@7:30 $8/T@7:30 James VE2VE 514 697 7205 W+

18 April Cambridge MA FLEA at MIT Nick 617 253 3776 F
Third Sunday April thru October 24-25 April Waltham MA Photographica @HS ~photo~ Ed Shaw 617 965 0807 +

25 April Southington CT SARA @HS $5@9 $18@6:30 Alex KB7HCO 860 214 3013 F

30 Ap, 1 May Hopkinton NH HossTraders @FG x7 I89 Joe K1RQG 207 469 3492

16 May Cambridge MA FLEA at MIT Nick 617 253 3776 F

4-6 June Rochester NY Atlantic Div Conv Harold K2HC 585 424 7184 A

6 June Bethpage NY LIMARC Brian WB2YMC 631 286 7562 A

20 June Cambridge MA FLEA at MIT Nick 617 253 3776 F

17 July Nashua NH NE Antique RC $15/T@7 $2@9 @StStan's Marty 603 938 5051 F

18 July Cambridge MA FLEA at MIT Nick 617 253 3776 F

15 August Cambridge MA FLEA at MIT Nick 617 253 3776 F

11 Sept BallstonSpa NY SCRACES fri6P $5+5/T+15cmp Darlene N2XQG 518 587 2385

18 Sept Forestdale RI RIFMRS @VFW rt146 8A flea+auct Rick K1KYI 401 725 7507
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LAST UPDATE 12-01-03 de W1GSL http://mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/ne-fleas P 1 of 2
*******************************************************************************
Additions/ Corrections via e-Mail w1gsl@mit.edu ***
Page 3 Electronic distribution only. This page has the overflow if any P3
from the paper version.
*******************************************************************************
2004 Contact Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LAST UPDATE 12-01-03 de W1GSL P 3
List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version
Additions/ Corrections via Internet w1gsl@mit.edu
US Mail W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139
(c)2003 W1GSL SASE for updated copy as issued.
unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety
*******************************************************************************

This list has been posted... as a service of the individual home page
owners, to the following WWW sites.

http://flealist.senie.com/
http://mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/ne-fleas
http://www.k1ttt.net/flea.html
http://www.connix.com/~wz1v/ne-fleas.html
http://www.k1dwu.net/flealist.html
http://www.mmra.org/~mmra/flealist.htm
http://www.qsl.net/vhfnews/ne-fleas.html
http://uhavax.hartford.edu/~newsvhf/ne-fleas.html

List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version

Be sure to check for the latest version as updating is under the control
of the page owner.

* You can have the list e-mailed directly to you as it is updated. *
* Just send a request to be added to the distribution to w1gsl@mit.edu *

73 Steve F
W1GSL

***********************************************************************
New England Area Ham - Electronic Flea Market *** DATES *** P4
Links to New England Hamfest Web Sites (c) 2003 W1GSL
***********************************************************************
This section is only included in the electronic distribution.

Cambridge MA Flea at MIT http://www.swapfest.us +

Hopkinton NH Hosstraders http://www.qsl.net/k1rqg/

Amherst MA Mt. Tom ARC http://www.mtara.org/hamfest/flea.html

Adams MA N BerkshireARC http://www.nobarc.org/hamfest

Boxborough MA NE ARRL Conv http://www.boxboro.org/

Framingham MA FARA http://www.fara.org/

Newton MA Waltham ARA Auction http://www.wara64.org/auction/

S Dartmouth MA SEMARA http://www.semara.org/flea/fleamkt.htm +

Whately MA FranklinCARC http://www.fcarc.org/flea.html

Enfield CT VHF/UHF Conf http://www.newsvhf.com +

Southington CT SARA http://www.chetbacon.com/sara.htm

Wallingford CT Nutmeg CT Conv http://www.qsl.net/nutmeghamfest/

Lewiston ME AARC http://www.dlois.com/mainearrl/convent.htm

Portland ME PAWA http://www.qsl.net/pawa/fleamarket.html +

Henniker NH CVRC http://www.qsl.net/k1bke/ +

Bergen NJ BARA http://www.bara.org/

Lake Placid NY NNY ARA http://www.geocities.com/nnyara/

Lindenhurst NY ToB ARES http://www.tobares.org/hamfest.html +

Long Island NY LIMARC http://www.limarc.org/fest.htm +

Massapequa NY GSB ARA http://www.gsbarc.org/flyermay03.pdf +

Queens NY Hall of Science http://www.qsl.net/hosarc/hamfest.html

Rochester NY AWA http://www.antiquewireless.org/

Greenwich RI Fidelity ARC http://users.ids.net/~newsm/dates.html

Essex Junction VT Burlington ARC http://www.vtstetson.net/fest02.pdf

Milton VT RANV VT Conv http://www.ranv.org/milton.html

Montreal PQ MARC http://www.marc.qc.ca/fest/fest.html +

Montreal PQ WIARC http://www.pubnix.net/wiarc/hamfest.htm

Montreal PQ MS-SARC http://www.ve2clm.ca/hamfesta.htm

Sorel-Tracy PQ CRAS-T http://www.hamfest.qc.ca/

St Therese PQ CRALL http://www.ve2crl.qc.ca/hamfest2002.htm

Canada RAC List http://rac.eton.ca/data/racfleas.taf?function=form

Phila. Area VARA List http://www.qsl.net/w2vtm/hamfest.html +

USA ARRL List http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html

MMRA Fox Hunt December 6

Minuteman Repeater Assoc. logoBill, N1QPR wrote on mmra-list:

“The MMRA will be having another fox hunt this Saturday, December 6 starting at 10:00 a.m. on the 146.61 repeater (PL 146.2).

“I will try to make this an easy hunt and would like to encourage any new hunters to come out and join us.

“On these hunts information about directions and signal strength are shared which should make it a little easier for those that don’t do lots of hunting.”

Emergency Power Test for K1ARC RC Net

============================================
Emergency Power Test for K1ARC Red Cross Net
============================================

American Red Cross Logo K1ARC American Red Cross Emergency Training Net

On Wednesday, December 3, is the next American Red
Cross K1ARC Emergency Training Net. This net is open
to any amateur radio operator who is interested in HF
emergency communications.

All stations are requested to use EMERGENCY POWER when
checking into the December 3rd Net as we will be
conducting a test in preparation for the winter’s
upcoming Nor-Easters snow storms. This request is
optional.

The net meets at 8:00 P.M. (local) on 3.915 MHz, plus
or minus 5 kHz, Voice/LSB on the FIRST Wednesday of
each month.

Are you ready to operate an Emergency HF Radio Station
during the next blizzard or ice storm to hit the
area?!?

Now is a great time to test your emergency power
supply for your station.

But, please remember… SAFETY FIRST!!!

Portable generators can kill by electrocution, fire,
and carbon monoxide poisoning. Acid storage batteries
can maim and burn. For example, a 12-volt/300-amp
lead-acid storage battery can mutilate a finger in a
fraction of a second by shorting it through a wedding
ring and handheld screwdriver. Ouch!

Use extreme caution, and again, SAFETY FIRST!!!

Please note that using emergency power is requested,
but is it NOT required. So, please check-in even if
you are unable to use emergency power.

TNX ES 73,
WB1DMK
K1ARC Net Control

NOAA WX RADIO AWARENESS WEEK

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT…NOAA WEATHER RADIO AWARENESS WEEK

NWS Special Event Logo PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
515 PM EST TUE DEC 02 2003

…MASSACHUSETTS MARINERS URGED TO LISTEN TO THE GLOUCESTER
MARINE-ONLY NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR MARINE INFORMATION…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICES IN NEW ENGLAND HAVE DECLARED
THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 1ST THROUGH 5TH AS NOAA WEATHER RADIO AWARENESS
WEEK. THIS IS THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF FIVE PUBLIC INFORMATION
STATEMENTS HIGHLIGHTING THE BENEFITS OF OWNING A NOAA WEATHER RADIO.

A NOAA WEATHER RADIO TRANSMITTER DEDICATED TO AN ALL MARINE
BROADCAST IS AVAILABLE FOR THE MARINE COMMUNITY. THE NEW
TRANSMITTER…WHICH BEGAN OPERATION IN FEBRUARY 2003…BROADCASTS
FROM THE COAST GUARD TOWER AT EASTERN POINT LIGHT IN GLOUCESTER
MASSACHUSETTS. IT BROADCASTS ON A FREQUENCY OF 162.425 MHZ (VHF
MARINE RADIO CHANNEL 4) WHICH CAN BE HEARD ON A SEVEN-CHANNEL NOAA
WEATHER RADIO. OLDER THREE-CHANNEL MODELS WILL NOT RECEIVE THIS
FREQUENCY.

THE GLOUCESTER NOAA WEATHER RADIO CAN BE HEARD ALONG MOST OF COASTAL
NEW HAMPSHIRE AND EAST COASTAL MASSACHUSETTS…FROM PORTSMOUTH TO
PLYMOUTH TO PROVINCETOWN. BROADCAST CYCLE INFORMATION INCLUDES AN
HOURLY WEATHER ROUNDUP…BUOY REPORTS…COASTAL AND OFFSHORE MARINE
FORECASTS…TIDAL INFORMATION…SHORT AND LONG TERM WATCH…WARNING
AND WEATHER STATEMENT INFORMATION PERTINENT TO THE MARINE
COMMUNITY.

IN AN EFFORT TO SHORTEN THE BROADCAST CYCLE ON THE BLUE HILL NOAA
WEATHER RADIO TRANSMITTER…AT A FREQUENCY OF 162.475 MHZ (VHF
MARINE RADIO CHANNEL 3)…MARINE FORECASTS WILL BE REDUCED TO TWICE
PER HOUR. THIS REDUCTION WILL BEGIN BY MID DECEMBER. MARINE
WEATHER INFORMATION WILL NOT CHANGE ON THE CAMP EDWARDS/HYANNIS
TRANSMITTER WHICH SERVES CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS ON A FREQUENCY OF
162.55 MHZ (VHF MARINE RADIO CHANNEL 1).

$$
GF/NS/FNNational Weather Service Taunton MA
530 AM EST Thu Dec 4 2003

NOAA Weather radio specific area message encoding (same)

The National Weather Service offices in New England have declared the week of December 1St through 5th as NOAA weather radio awareness week. This is the fourth in a series of five public information statements highlighting the benefits of owning a NOAA weather radio.

NOAA Weather radio is your direct link to weather warnings issued by the National Weather Service. When a warning is issued, a burst of digitally encoded information (known as same encoding) is sent just prior to the warning to activate same-Alerted weather radios so that the warning will be heard. This digital information identifies the issuing office, the type of watch or warning, and specific county or counties for which the warning is valid.

A same-Alert weather radio can be programmed to listen to one of the seven NOAA weather radio broadcast frequencies and activate only when the same encoding identifies that the message is for the specific county or counties of interest. For example, the regular tone alerted weather radios will alert for all severe thunderstorm warnings in about a 40-Mile radius of the transmitter site, but your same-Alerted radio can be programmed to only alert you for storms in counties upstream of where you live. In addition to location, some same radios can be programmed to activate for pre-Selected specific types of weather warnings, for severe thunderstorms but not winter storm warnings, as an example.

The specific area message encoding technology developed at NOAA is now also used in the nation’S emergency alert system (eas). although the emergency alert system is regulated by the federal communications commission and state emergency communications committees, most of the warning messages carried by the eas system are weather-Related and originate from a NOAA weather radio broadcast. Special decoding equipment at radio and television stations monitor the NOAA weather radio broadcasts for certain warnings and relay the information when a warning is received. however, depending on each state’S plan, only certain types of warnings, such as those with an imminent threat to life and property, are carried as emergency alert system messages.

In the case of certain warnings, seconds can make the difference between life and Death. Because there is a delay in receiving the warnings through the emergency alert system, the best way to receive weather warnings is through NOAA weather radio. Not only do you receive life-Threatening warnings faster, but you can hear all warnings, not just those carried by radio and television stations.

This year, give a holiday gift that will provide those you love with an additional level of safety for many years to come — give a NOAA weather radio. And during this holiday season, also consider purchasing a weather radio for places where people congregate such as work places, schools, recreational complexes, malls, movie theaters, and places of worship.

…CORRECTION TO INCLUDE MARINE CHANNELS

National Weather Service Taunton MA
515 PM EST Tue Dec 02 2003

Massachusetts Mariners urged to listen to the Gloucester marine-Only NOAA weather radio for marine information

The National Weather Service offices in New England have declared the week of December 1St through 5th as NOAA weather radio awareness week. This is the second in a series of five public information statements highlighting the benefits of owning a NOAA weather radio.

A NOAA weather radio transmitter dedicated to an all marine broadcast is available for the marine community. The new transmitter, which began operation in February 2003, broadcasts from the coast guard tower at eastern point light in Gloucester Massachusetts. It broadcasts on a frequency of 162.425 mhz (vhf marine radio channel 4) which can be heard on a seven-Channel NOAA weather radio. Older three-Channel models will not receive this frequency.

The Gloucester NOAA weather radio can be heard along most of coastal New Hampshire and east coastal Massachusetts, from Portsmouth to Plymouth to Provincetown. Broadcast cycle information includes an hourly weather roundup, buoy reports, coastal and offshore marine forecasts, tidal information, short and long term watch, warning and weather statement information pertinent to the marine community.

In an effort to shorten the broadcast cycle on the Blue Hill NOAA weather radio transmitter, at a frequency of 162.475 mhz (vhf marine radio channel 3), marine forecasts will be reduced to twice per hour. This reduction will begin by mid December. Marine weather information will not change on the camp edwards/Hyannis transmitter which serves Cape Cod and the islands on a frequency of 162.55 mhz (vhf marine radio channel 1).

National Weather Service Taunton MA
313 PM EST Mon Dec 1 2003

An introduction to NOAA weather radio

The National Weather Service offices in New England have declared the week of December 1St through 5th as NOAA weather radio awareness week. This is the first in a series of five public information statements highlighting the benefits of owning a NOAA weather radio.

Weather has always been an integral part of life in New England. weather conditions change rapidly and can quickly become dangerous. to keep the public informed of these changing conditions, NOAA’S New England area National Weather Service offices broadcast forecasts and warnings on a network of government operated radio stations, known collectively as NOAA weather radio. Currently, there are 34 NOAA weather radio transmitters in New England. During the past couple of years, four new transmitters have been commissioned in Southern New England, in Gloucester MA, Peterborough NH, Egremont MA, and cornwall CT. Nationwide, there are more than 860 transmitters which provide coverage to all 50 states and the adjacent marine areas. These transmitters provide the public with a constant source of up-To-Date weather forecasts and warnings.

NOAA Weather radio’S regular broadcasts are specifically tailored to the weather-Information needs of the people within the service area of the transmitter. In general, the broadcasts include the latest forecasts and observations, a summary of the weather conditions that will affect the area, and climatic information. for stations along the coast, the broadcast also includes marine forecasts and observations. In addition, special weather forecasts and statements, watches, warnings, and advisories are broadcast, as needed.

While the signal can be heard on some scanners, the best way to receive these broadcasts is with a NOAA weather radio. NOAA Weather radios can be purchased from many electronic and outdoor recreation stores or from web merchants. The newest models have 7 channels which allows you to be assured of receiving the maximum number of stations when traveling. Also, it is important to get one with a warning alarm tone that is triggered when severe localized storms are imminent. The most advanced models even allow you to program them to alert for specific counties or specific types of weather.

This year, give a holiday gift that will provide those you love with an additional level of safety for many years to come — give a NOAA weather radio. And during this holiday season, also consider purchasing a weather radio for places where people congregate such as work places, schools, malls, movie theaters, recreational complexes, and places of worship.

For more information on NOAA weather radio, visit the NOAA weather radio web site at (in lower case): http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr