W1AA To Activate Butler Flats Lighthouse July 1, 2006

W1AA/Butler Flats QSL cardN1DT and K1VV plan to activate Butler Flats Lighthouse (ARLHS USA 099) under the call W1AA on Saturday, July 1, 2006 from 10:30 UTC (6:30 AM EST) until 18:00 UTC (2:00 PM EST).

“Conditions have been less than ideal. If you do not hear us on a posted frequency, hang in there–the bands are ever changing,” writes Robert “Whitey” Doherty, K1VV. “See you all on Saturday. Please be there.”

Whitey notes that he and Don will begin operations on 75 meters, above 3980 kHz. In the past, 3997 has been used. “On 40 phone, tune for us between the nets, most likely below 7270, down to 7225.” Whitey says they’ll also use 20 phone later in the morning above 14310, or 17 meters above 18150. “We will return to 40 phone about 1530 to 1600 UTC, about noon local time.”

Morse code operation will be conducted roughly on the half hour, on 7035, 10116, 14035 and 18080 kHz, plus or minus QRM.

“We will be posting our spots on the DX Summit. but we would appreciate any and all W1AA spots by the members.” He adds, “DX QSLs are via the W1 Bureau and stateside are via W1AA please with an SASE. A photo of the Butler Flats Lighthouse will be furnished.”

Located in New Bedford at the mouth of the Acushnet River, Butler Flats Lighthouse can be seen from the shore along East Rodney French Boulevard, and from the ferries leaving New Bedford for Martha’s Vineyard and Cuttyhunk. The station was established in 1898. The current lighthouse tower was built in 1898 and automated in 1978. The brick and cast iron structure is 53 feet high, and features a white light that flashes every four seconds.

[See also: Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society]

PART To Decommission 146.52 Simplex Emergency Station

Police Amateur Radio Team of Westford logoThe Police Amateur Radio Team of Westford has voted to decommission its 146.52 emergency station. The historic public service operation will come to a halt after almost 26 years of operation, writes PART’s President “Bo” Budinger, WA1QYM. PART voted 10-to-5 for the change at its June, 2006 meeting.

PART still provides emergency phone patch facilities directly into the Westford Police Department (WFD), the Massachusetts State Police, the New Hampshire State Police, and police departments in several of the surrounding towns via their 2 meter and 440 repeaters.

“We are only decommissioning the 146.52 direct operation,” stresses Budinger. “We have not had a call into WB1GOF for ages. The .52 station will remain in the dispatch area for use in emergency communications between the WPD and PART.”

Budinger adds that he is forming a committee to facilitate the station’s decommissioning. AA1VS has volunteered to be a committee member; WA1QYM is looking for more people to join.

“Our job will be to see that the PART signs on I-495 and Route 3 as well as on the local Westford streets come down and are disposed of properly.” He adds that the club also needs to notify the greater Boston Amateur Radio community of the decommissioning.

“I envision a formal closing ceremony for this historic public service operation,” Budinger adds.

Framingham ARA Members To Visit ARRL Hq. In Newington

Framingham ARA logoMembers of the Framingham Amateur Radio Association are planning a special field trip to ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut on July 28, 2006.

“We’ll be going ‘caravan style,'” writes FARA President Gordy Bello, K1GB. “We will stop for a break along the way. When we are done with our visit, we’ll have dinner at Rein’s Deli.”

K1GB reminds those attending to bring copies of their current ham license if they wish to operate the W1AW station after the tour.

CAARA Members To Assist In NASA High-Altitude Balloon Workshop in Rockport

Northeast Ballooning Workshop artwork

Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association members have been requested to assist in tracking high-altitude balloons at the Northeast Ballooning Workshop in Rockport on July 6-8, 2005.

Co-sponsored by NASA’s Northeast Space Grant Consortia and the New England Space Science Initiative in Education (NESSIE), the workshop affords college faculty, students, and selected minority high school students the opportunity to participate in mission-related NASA research by assembling scientific payloads for launch aboard balloons. In the process, workshop participants will gain value experience in implementing data recording and communications technologies, processing and interpreting scientific data, and preparing, launching, and recovering balloon payloads.

Linda Wright, KB1MWG and her husband Curt, AA3JE are two CAARA members interested in helping to track the balloons. “We have a good-sized boat and I will put out the word to our members and see if some would like to join us.”

“The balloons will have beacons and they will use APRS digital protocol,” writes one of the event organizers, Carolyn McWilliams. “The maximum height of the balloons should be approximately 70,000 feet. They will collect basic scientific information. The tracking should be straight forward. Since we will launch the balloons over the ocean in Rockport, we expect to recover them at sea.”

The balloons will transmit on 144.39 and 144.34 Mhz. every 60 and 30 seconds, respectively.

Eastern MA Field Day Photo Links

2006 Field Day logoA number of field day groups have posted URLs to on-line collections of photos, videos, etc. of their Field Day operations.

In no particular order:

Police Amateur Radio Team http://home.comcast.net/%7Epkrc/FD_Collage.jpg (KB1MCS)

Waltham ARA http://n1jdu.org/wara/wara_slideshow1.ram (N1JDU)

Wellesley ARS/Framingham ARA http://www.fara.org/gallery/v/FD2006/?g2_navId=xed345cd3 (WA1HAM)

“The Green Bean” http://www.train-sim.com/landrover/fd06.htm (K1UR/K1NR)

Billerica ARS/MITRE-Bedford ARC http://home.comcast.net/~n1rxv/barsfd06_w/ulthm1.htm (N1RXV)

Braintree Emergency Management Agency (ARRL web site!) http://www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox/index.html?con_id=106&ofst=30 (N1PAY)

We will post additional photo links in the form of comments to this post as they become known. -Phil]

“Whitman Ham Radio Operators Test Their Readiness”

Whitman ARC logoHam radio operators test their readiness

By Allan Stein, Enterprise correspondent

ABINGTON — Seated at a table under a tarp, William F. Hayden ignored the hissing rain Saturday, manning a ham radio set in a clearing at Ames Nowell State Park.

Hayden and 13 other local ham radio enthusiasts braved the foul weekend weather to conduct a yearly test of their emergency communications readiness.

The 24-hour exercise was part of a large-scale coordinated effort by ham radio operators from across North America.

“The purpose (of the test) is to contact and log as many radio stations as we can over the U.S. and Canada,” said Hayden, president of the Whitman Amateur Radio Club.

Formed in 1962, the club has more than 90 members and conducts yearly ham radio license exams.

The exercise at Ames Nowell State Park began at 2 p.m. Saturday and was to end Sunday at 2 p.m. Results of the test will be sent to the American Radio Relay League, the club’s umbrella agency, in Newington, Conn.

[Full story]

W1AA To Activate Palmer Island Lighthouse June 24

W1AA/Palmer Island LighthouseN1DT and K1VV plan to activate Palmer Island Lighthouse (ARLHS USA 578) under the call W1AA on Saturday, June 24, 2006 from 10:30 UTC (6:30 AM EST) until 18:00 UTC (2:00 PM EST).

“You all are the reason we activate these lights,” writes Robert “Whitey” Doherty, K1VV. “See you all on Saturday. Please be there.” The Palmer Island operation will preceed the annual ARRL Field Day event.

Whitey notes that he and Don will begin operations on 75 meters, above 3980 kHz. In the past, 3997 has been used. “On 40 phone, tune for us between the nets, most likely below 7270, down to 7225.” Whitey says they’ll also use 20 phone later in the morning above 14310, or 17 meters above 18150. “We will return to 40 phone about 1530 to 1600 UTC, about noon local time.”

Morse code operation will be conducted roughly on the half hour, on 7035, 10116, 14035 and 18080 kHz, plus or minus QRM.

“We will be posting our spots on the DX Summit. but we would appreciate any and all W1AA spots by the members.” He adds, “DX QSLs are via the W1 Bureau and stateside are via W1AA please with an SASE. A photo of the Palmer Island Lighthouse will be furnished.”

The Palmer Island Lighthouse was originally established in 1849. In 1941, the station was automated. It was deactivated in 1963, but relighted in 1999. The 24-foot structure is made of stone and maintained by the City of New Bedford. Although it is not open to the public except by sepecial arrangement, the lighthouse can be reached on foot at low tide via the hurricane wall in New Bedford Harbor.

Harvard Wireless Club Members “Brown-bagging” It

Harvard Wireless Club shieldMembers of the Harvard Wireless Club are “brown-bagging” it over the summer months. Proposed by HWC member George Clark, W1XW, the informal brown-bag lunches are held bi-weekly at the Science Center fountain in good weather, or inside the Science Center or at nearby restaurants in case of inclement weather. The group held its first brown-bag lunch on June 7.

“As a newbie, I find it useful to have time to talk with experienced amateurs informally about radio topics that I need help on, like contest log etiquette, antennas, and so on,” writes Clark. “We don’t always have time for that at the meetings during the year.”

Boston ARC Field Day Press Release

BostonThe Boston Amateur Radio Club is inviting you to a live, on-air demonstration of Emergency Ham Radio.

When: Saturday June 24th 1400 through 1700

Where: Mass. Salvation Army Div. Headquarters, corner of Berkeley St. and Columbus Ave., Boston, Mass. (across from Ladder 17) (free parking in lot beside building)

On the last weekend of June each year, the Nation’s amateur radio club operators test their unique ability in providing emergency radio communications to both themselves and the Nation’s First Responders.

This demonstration is usually done over a 24-hour period in the Field, under simulated emergency conditions, utilizing auxiliary power and all portable field equipment. The Boston Club has done this successfully each year since the late 1980s.

While most groups continue to operate in the field, this year, BARC, and many other nationwide radio clubs, will operate from State/City/Town and Non-Government agency EOC permanent radio rooms to test the equipment’s preparedness.

This will be a great opportunity for you to drop by and see what licensed local ham radio operators, and their knowledge of emergency communications have to offer your community in times of future emergency and disaster responses.

Knowledgeable Police, Fire, and experienced Emergency Response club members will be on hand to answer all your questions. You will also be able to get on the air yourself and talk to operators from across the nation.

Interoperability is NEVER a problem with ham radio.

Boxboro Training, Forums Planned

Boxboro logoTom Kinahan, N1CPE writes on mass_races_ares_skywarn@yahoogroups.com:

Hi Everyone!

We’ve been working on a bunch of things for the Boxboro New England Division ARRL convention on August 25, 26, and 27th.

Here are a few things we’re planning:

Friday August 25:

9am-5pm ICS-100 Training. This is one of the requirements to work with any Emergency Management and even NGOs like Red Cross and Salvation Army, going forward.

1pm-5pm Hurricanes – by Rob Macedo

See the Boxoboro Website for details here:

http://www.boxboro.org/2006/friday.htm

On Saturday August 26:

10am-11am Winlink 2000 with DoC, W1EO and I, N1CPE

11am-12pm The New Standard for Emergency Communications with Don Carlton, W3DEC and I, N1CPE

12pm-1pm SKYWARN with Rob Macedo, KD1CY

1pm-2pm SEC Forum hosted by Rob Macedo, KD1CY

On Saturday we also have confirmation that MEMA will have the Mobile EOC from 9am to 5pm on site for tours.

On Sunday August 27:

10am-11am Introduction to Digital Amateur Radio – Steve Schwarm, W3EVE (Not directly EMComm related, but by a member of this group)

See the Boxboro web site for Saturday and Sunday here:

http://www.boxboro.org/2006/events.htm

There are many more events happening as well. We’re working to complete the signup forms for the ICS-100 class and when we do, we’ll try to get the widest distribution possible of that event information.

We can always use friendly faces in the crowds, so please help start get the words on out these opportunities.

-Tom Kinahan N1CPE

Braintree EMA Field Day Press Release

Town of Braintree sealBraintree, MA –- Thousands of Ham Radio operators will be showing off their emergency capabilities this weekend. Over the past year, the news has been full of reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications in emergencies world-wide. During Hurricane Katrina, Amateur Radio – often called “Ham radio” – was often the ONLY way people could communicate, and hundreds of volunteer “hams” traveled south to save lives and property. When trouble is brewing, ham radio people are often the first to provide critical information and communications. On the weekend of June 24-25, the public will have a chance to meet and talk with these ham radio operators and see for themselves what the Amateur Radio Service is about. Showing the newest digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications and even historical Morse code, hams from across the USA will be holding public demonstrations of emergency communications abilities.

This annual event, called “Field Day” is the climax of the week long “Amateur Radio Week” sponsored by the ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. Using only emergency power supplies, ham operators will construct emergency stations in parks, shopping malls, schools and back yards around the country. Their slogan, “Ham radio works when other systems don’t! ” is more than just words to the hams as they prove they can send messages in many forms without the use of phone systems, internet or any other infrastructure that can be compromised in a crisis. More than 30,000 amateur radio operators across the country participated in last year’s event.

“We hope that people will come and see for themselves, this is not your grandfather’s radio anymore,” said Allen Pitts of the ARRL. “The communications networks that ham radio people can quickly create have saved many lives in the past months when other systems failed or were overloaded.”

At Braintree Sunset Lake, the Braintree Emergency Management Agency will be demonstrating Amateur Radio at BEMA Annex @ Sunset Lake on June 24th and 25th. They invite the public to come and see ham radio’s capabilities and learn how to get their own FCC radio license before the next disaster strikes.

There are 660,000 Amateur Radio operators in the US, and more than 2.5 million around the world. Through the ARRL, ham volunteers provide emergency communications for the DHS Citizens’ Corps, Red Cross, Salvation Army, FEMA and thousands of state and local agencies, all for free.

To learn more about Amateur Radio, go to http://www.hello-radio.org. The public is most cordially invited to come, meet and talk with the hams. See what modern Amateur Radio can do. They can even help you get on the air!

New England Public Service List, June 18, 2006

PSLIST

Listing public events at which Amateur Radio communications is providing a public service and for which additional volunteers from the Amateur Community are needed and welcome. Please contact the person listed to identify how you may serve and what equipment you may need to bring.

The most up-to-date copy of this list is maintained as http://purl.org/hamradio/publicservice/nediv.

**** Every event listed is looking for communications volunteers ****

Date      Location     Event                       Contact       Tel/Email

Jul  1  Princeton  MA Fitchburg Longsjo Classic    Ralph KD1SM  978-582-7351
                                                              kd1sm@arrl.net
Jul  2  Fitchburg  MA Fitchburg Longsjo Classic    Ralph KD1SM  978-582-7351
                                                              kd1sm@arrl.net
Jul  4  Chelmsford MA 4th of July Parade           Darrel K1EJ  978-251-4805
                                                               k1ej@arrl.net
Sep  3  Boston     MA Boston Triathlon             Bob WA1IDA   508-650-9440
                                                             wa1ida@arrl.net
Sep 30  Hollis     NH Applefest Half Marathon      Fletch N1MEO 603-673-3036
                                                              n1meo@arrl.net
Oct  8  Boston     MA BAA Half Marathon            Bob WA1IDA   508-650-9440
                                                             wa1ida@arrl.net

This list is published periodically as demand warrants by Stan KD1LE and Ralph KD1SM. Our usual distribution is via packet to NEBBS, via Internet mail to the arrl-nediv-list and ema-arrl distribution lists, and on the World Wide Web. If other mailing list owners wish us to distribute via their lists we will be happy to oblige. Permission is herewith granted to republish this list in its entirety provided credit is given to the authors and the Web address below is included. Send comments, corrections, and updates to:

(via packet) KD1SM@K1UGM.#EMA.MA.USA
(via Internet) KD1SM@ARRL.NET

We make an attempt to confirm entries with the coordinator unless the information is from another published source. We very much appreciate the assistance we have been receiving from our ‘scouts’; everyone is welcome to send us postings.

Refer to http://purl.org/hamradio/publicservice/nediv for the most recent version of the PSLIST.

New England Area Flea Markets, June 9, 2006

New England Area   Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2006 P 1 of 2
All events are Ham Radio/ Electronic related except ~_____~
*******************************************************************************
2006 Contact Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
11 June Newington CT NARL @ShrinerHall $6@8 $20/T George AB1GL 860 463 0948 +

11 June Bethpage NY LIMARC @Briarcliff Rick K2RB 516 526 6975 A

18 June Cambridge MA FLEA at MIT Nick 617 253 3776
Third Sunday April thru October

8 July Union ME PBARC @CommCtr Scott KB1DSW 207 354 6809 A

16 July Cambridge MA FLEA at MIT Nick 617 253 3776

22 July Nashua NH NE Antique RC $15/T@7 $5@8 $2@9 @StStan Marty 603 755 2839 F

12 Aug St Albans ME PARC @ Snownobile club George WA1JMM 207 965 8864 A

12 Aug Ledyard CT RASON @Fire Co Rt 12 Tom KB1JIJ 860 536 6430 A+

19 Aug St Albans VT STARC 8AM @ Highgate Common Arn N1ARN 802 285 6457 W

20 Aug Cambridge MA FLEA at MIT Nick 617 253 3776

20 Aug Adams MA NoBARC @BoweFld @8AM S@6 Al K1SAV 413 743 1619 W

25-27 Aug Boxboro MA FEMARA NE Conv @HI Mike K1TWF 978 250 1236 A

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

9 Sept Windsor ME AARA @FG Rt32 @8 Bill K1NIT 207 623 9075

10 Sept Dartmouth MA SEMARA @54 Donald St Tim N1TI 508 758 3680 +

16 Sept Forestdale RI RIFMRS @VFW rt146 8A flea+auct Rick K1KYI 401 725 7507

16 Sept Alexander ME SCVARC @ElmSch Skip KB1HXC 207 454 2156 +

16 Sept Montreal PQ WIARC @Shriners $5@9 $15/T@8 VE2CWI W+
*******************************************************************************
LAST UPDATE 6-9-06 de W1GSL P 1
List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version
*******************************************************************************
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.
*******************************************************************************
2007 Contact Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
22 April Enfield CT NEWS East VHF UHF Conf Mark K1MAP 413 566 2404 +
*******************************************************************************
LAST UPDATE 6-9-06 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)2006 W1GSL http://www.swapfest.us SASE for updated copy as issued.
unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety
*******************************************************************************

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) 2006 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.htm

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/ +

Watertown MA Photographica http://www.phsne.org/ +

Whately MA FranklinCARC http://www.fcarc.org/news.htm +

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

Newington CT NARL http://www.narl.net/1.htm

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

Wallingford CT Nutmeg CT Conv http://www.nutmeghamfest.com

Windsor CT Vintage R Mus http://www.NationalCommunicationsMuseum.org/

Lewiston ME AARC http://www.mainearrl.org/convent.htm

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

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

Rochester NH GBRA http://www.kb1kbe.com/hamfest06.html

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

Lake Placid NY NNY ARA http://www.northnet.org/nnyham/hamfest_flyer2004.htm

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/

Queens NY Hall of Science http://hosarc.org/hamfest.html

Rensselaer NY E Greenbush ARA http://www.com-tech.org/EGARA.html

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

Rochester NY RARA http://www.rochesterhamfest.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

St Albans VT STARC http://www.starc.org/

Drummondville PQ leCRdeD http://www.9bit.qc.ca/ve2crd/hamfest/index.html

Greenwood PQ GARC http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/esmith/GARC/activities.htm

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

Montreal PQ WIARC http://shell.pubnix.net/~wiarc/hamfest.htm +

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

Laval PQ CRALL http://www.ve2crl.qc.ca/

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

Summerside PEI SPARC http://www.summersidearc.com/fleamarket.htm

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

Halafax NS HARC http://www.halifax-arc.org/

Timonium MD GBHC http://www.gbhc.org/

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

CAARA Considers Forming Emergency Communications Team

CAARA logoThe Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association‘s board of directors is exploring the formation of an active emergency communications team, according to CAARA member Curtis Wright, AA3JE.

“We are all hams, and hams have a proud and honorable tradition of rising to assist in times of trouble,” writes AA3JE. “But in the modern era it takes more than good intentions to be useful and effective.”

Wright says that CAARA needs to be prepared in advance “to fit into the already existing ARES and RACES structures, needs to have its emergency materials and procedures in place and ready to go, and to have identified individuals who are trained, ready and willing to help.”

Wright encourages any interested CAARA member to contact him by phone or at Cwright@IDDS.com, or to contact any CAARA officer.

“If we are ready, we can be of use, but if we wait until the emergency develops, we will not. This is a real chance to do something that matters.”

Thanks, CAARA “Stanwood News” May, 2006

QRP Group To Sponsor Bi-weekly Field Trips

QRP Power book coverA new, as-yet unnamed QRP club will begin holding bi-weekly field trips beginning Sunday, June 18, according to SEMARA member and QRP enthusiast Ron Silvia, WB1HGA.

“We meet by 11:00 a.m. at [the Southeastern MA ARA] club house to discuss particulars: food, location, equipment, et cetera.”

Silvia says that the planned dates are: June 18, July 2, 16, 30, August 13, 27, and September 10 and 24.

WB1HGA writes that there are few requirements to participate: an HF radio that can be powered by battery, a portable antenna, and perhaps a small table and chair. Silvia will be happy to answer any questions; his email address is roncasa@verizon.net.

“This new QRP group has only one rule,” says Silvia. “No rules, just fun!

[See also: QRP, QRPp, Kit Building Interest Group Forming in S.E. Massachusetts]

PART of Westford Field Day Press Release

PART of Westford logoWestford, MA – Ham Radio operators across the US and Canada will be showing off their emergency capabilities this weekend. Over the past year, the news has been full of reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications in emergencies world-wide. During Hurricane Katrina, Amateur Radio (often called Ham radio) – was often the ONLY way people could communicate, and hundreds of volunteer hams pitched in to save lives and property along the Gulf Coast. Hams are often the first to provide critical information and communications in emergencies.

On the weekend of June 24-25, the public will have a chance to meet and talk with these ham radio operators and see for themselves what the Amateur Radio Service is about. Showing the newest digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications and even historical Morse code, hams from across the USA will be holding public demonstrations of emergency communications abilities.
This annual event, called “Field Day” is the climax of the week long “Amateur Radio Week” sponsored by the ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. Using only emergency power supplies, ham operators will set up emergency stations in public places across the country. Their slogan, “Ham radio works when other systems don’t! ” is more than just words to the hams as they prove they can send messages in many forms without the use of phone systems, internet or any other infrastructure that can be compromised in a crisis. More than 30,000 amateur radio operators in the US participated in last year’s event.

In the Westford area, the Police Amateur Radio Team will be demonstrating Amateur Radio at the field adjacent to the Abbott Middle School on June 24 and 25, 2006. They invite the public to come and see ham radio’s capabilities and learn how to get their own FCC radio license before the next disaster strikes.

There are 660,000 Amateur Radio operators in the US, and more than 2.5 million around the world. Ham volunteers provide emergency communications for the Red Cross, Salvation Army, FEMA and other Federal, state and local agencies, all for free.

To learn more about Amateur Radio, go to www.hello-radio.org. The public is most cordially invited to come, meet and talk with the hams. See what modern Amateur Radio can do. They can even help you get on the air!

Boston ARC Hosting Mini-Golf Tournament

Boston ARC logoThe Boston Amateur Radio Club is hosting its first annual “Mini-Golf Tournament” and welcomes all Amateur Radio operators, their families and Eastern MA Amateur Radio Clubs to join them for an afternoon of competition and comradeship.

Each team will be made up of different club members to balance the field. There may be playoff games for each club. Who knows–just come and have fun! Nify prizes will be awarded.

Please RSVP to Blake T. Haskell, K1BTH at k1bth@arrl.net by July 20, 2006 with the number of members of your family or club planning to attend.

Be advised, BARC has never lost a mini-golf tournament so be very afraid!