FARA Fest in Bourne, November 10, 2007

Falmouth ARA logoThe Falmouth Amateur Radio Association will hold its Ninth Annual FARA Fest featuring ham, computer, electronics equipment and a VE testing session on Saturday, November 10, 2007 from 9:00 am until 12 noon at the Upper Cape Regional Tech School, 220 Sandwich Road, Bourne, MA.

Buyers pay $5.00 for admission; there is plenty of free parking. Vendor setup starts at 7 a.m. Sellers receive 8-foot spaces for $10.00 per space (bring your own tables for outdoor space). Tables are supplied for indoor spaces. Advanced registrations, if submitted by Nov. 1, 2007 (PayPal accepted), $9.00/space.

Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Talk-in: 146.655 MHz (-600 KHz) PL 88.5. ARRL VE Exam Session on site: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Registration for VE session accepted at the door by 9:00 a.m.

Eastern MA Amateurs Participating In CQWW

CQ Magazine logoSeveral Eastern MA amateurs are operating from exotic locations in this weekend’s CQ World Wide phone contest. They include:

* Scott Andersen, NE1RD, who is currently on St. Kitts I. operating as V4/NE1RD. He’s been heard and worked by members of the Police Amateur Radio Team on 15 meters.

* Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, who emailed members of the Harvard Wireless Club on their reflector to say that he is QRV from Oahu at multi-multi station KH7X.

CQWW contest rules can be found at http://www.cqww.com.

PAVE PAWS Report from Pacificon Forum

PAVE PAWS installationThe eHam.net web site is carrying a report and accompanying comments from the Pacificon Forum on the latest developments in the PAVE PAWS situation. Although it focuses primarily on the impact to west coast UHF repeater systems the summary states, “The USAF has either written letters to East Coaster or had the FCC do so to notify the hams they must comply. We now know on the east coast they have until November 15 to comply.”

See also:
MMRA Changes Repeater Antenna To Help Protect PAVE PAWS
eHam.com: FCC/DOD Says Power Down: UHF Repeaters in Calif. Reduced to 5 Watts
Cape Cod Times: “Ham radio users face military interference”
Barnstable ARC 443.500 Repeater Off The Air
ARRL Submits Plan to Mitigate Repeater Interference to Military Radars
ARRL Aiding Effort to Mitigate Repeater Interference to Military Radars
NESMC PAVE PAWS/UHF Repeater Update

Boston Teen Arrested For Allegedly Interfering With Police Communications

A Jamaica Plain teen was arrested at his Child Street home last night for allegedly interfering with Boston Police Department radio communications.

An article in today’s Boston Herald reports that Paul Lydon, 17, was charged with disorderly conduct and receiving stolen property. Police also say that the FCC has been called to investigate, which could result in federal charges.

Lydon will appear in West Roxbury District Court this morning for his arraignment.

The QRZ.com database lists Paul M. Lydon, KB1OYI residing at 29 Child Street, Boston, MA 02130. He holds a Technician class license. Childs has been licensed since April, 2007.

Thanks, N1JDU and WARA64 List

Boston Logan Airport/Eastern Mass. ARES SET Details for Saturday 10/27 at 10 AM

Hello to all….

The following is detailed information on the Boston Logan Airport Drill serving as the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Simulated Emergency Test or SET.

Date and Timeframe of Exercise

Saturday October 27th, 2007
Start Time 10 AM
End Time: 12:30 PM
Duration: 2.5 Hours
-Please allow time for setup/take down of any equipment during this exercise.

Purpose

Eastern Massachusetts ARES will participate in the Boston Logan Airport Drill which will serve as the Simulated Emergency Test or SET for 2007. The primary support agency for this SET will be the American Red Cross. The Red Cross will be providing Mass Care operations on site at Logan Airport and will be activating 4 of its 5 field offices starting at 1030 AM and ending around Noon time. Those field offices include Cambridge, Waltham, Peabody, and Brockton and a communications test will be done between all of the field offices utilizing 47.42 MHz, 2 Meter and 440 Simplex along with local area repeaters. Eastern Massachusetts ARES has been requested to supply 1-2 Amateurs per field office except for the Peabody office where 2-3 Amateurs have been requested. Please do NOT self-deploy. If you’re interested in the deployment please contact your ARES EC or DEC for your area.

Concept of Operations

The concept of operations for this exercise will be to have Amateurs start on HF and their local SKYWARN and RACES repeater. From there, we will shift to simplex operations and then shift to the MMRA Repeater Network to round out the exercise. For the call-up via HF and on their local SKYWARN or RACES frequency, we will be looking to gather information on if this was an actual incident, what you’re availability would be to support the operation and in what capacity (i.e.: deployment to the airport, deployment to a Red Cross field office, net control, home station support etc.). No deployments other than the Red Cross field office deployments mentioned in the purpose section will be done but gathering the info on who is available for deployment will simulate real action. For the call-up on Simplex, we will gather any deployment information not already received by stations and also request signal reports on the Red Cross field offices for use by the Red Cross to determine if communications can be sustained over simplex either directly or through the use of relays.

Below is a rough schedule of repeaters and simplex frequencies to be tested:

1000-1030 AM: HF 3943 KHz and local area repeaters.
1030-1100 AM: 147.420 Simplex
1100-1130 AM: 446.000 Simplex
1130-Noon: MMRA Repeater Network

Notes:

*–The 145.23-Boston Repeater, 3943 KHz HF and the New England Reflector network (EchoLink Conference Node: 9123 *NEW-ENG*/ IRLP 9123) will be monitored during this entire timeframe as control points for folks who cannot reach simplex or the repeater networks. This is particularly important for Amateurs in the Boston area who may only have HT’s or EchoLink capability due to antenna limitations/restrictions. The town of Bridgewater EOC will serve as the net control center and control point for these operations.

*–ARES DEC’s and EC’s will utilize their local SKYWARN and/or RACES repeaters as control points for those that cannot make contact via simplex. Check with your local DEC or EC for this information.

*–The Eastern Massachusetts ARES SEC will be located at the net control center at the town of Bridgewater EOC.

*–For the call-ups on Simplex, the Net Control Center at the Bridgewater EOC will act as the first center for call-up and the Red Cross in Cambridge will act as the second call-up. For the 1030 AM timeframe, the call-up will start with the town of Bridgewater EOC calling for general stations and then calling for the Red Cross field offices. This is because the Red Cross field offices will first test their capability on 47.42 MHz first starting at 1030 AM and then move to 147.42 Simplex when their 47.42 MHz test is completed. For the 11 AM Simplex test on 440 MHz, the Red Cross field offices will be called first to see if they can all be heard and can communicate with one another.

-The primary HF Net frequency for this exercise will be 3943 KHz with 7245 KHz serving as backup.

-We ask all participating stations to try all 5 frequencies even if they feel they cannot reach a specific repeater or don’t have reasonable simplex coverage. It will be a good way to determine the range of your station and holes in coverage when using this specific set of repeaters or Simplex. Use HF, VoIP and Digital modes as control points.

If you are participating and cannot or do not feel you can hit any of the slated repeaters, simplex or control points on HF, VoIP or digital modes, please contact your local ARES EC/DEC or SEC so we can assist you in some way to participate in this exercise.

The following are links to information on the Packet/Winlink system in the region that have frequency and usage information for those that would like to send message traffic during the exercise:

Winlink Information: http://ares.ema.arrl.org/mod.php?mod=userpage&menu=3119&page_id=92

Packet Information:
http://www.powersrvcs.org/EMaPacket/PAKETMAP.HTM

There are additional local frequencies that maybe utilized in this drill at your local town/city level or at a regional level as another means to follow where the net goes for stations who may not hit the selected repeaters. Please contact your ARES DEC or EC for further information on additional frequencies that maybe utilized in your specific area during the drill.

This document could be updated again on Thursday October 25th, 2007 or Friday October 26th, 2007 after a conference call with the Red Cross if any changes are needed.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section 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://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org
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TACGroup and Whitman ARC join forces for JOTA

The Taunton Area Communications Group and the Whitman Amateur Radio Club will join together on Saturday, October 20, 2007 during the Jamboree On The Air at Camp Norse in Kingston, Massachusetts.

Annawon Council BSA will be hosting the Covered Wagon. Cub Scout from Sachem District will take part in several Scout activities which this year will include Amateur Radio and JOTA.

Don Burke, KB1LXH and Paul Moss, KB1MTW will be joined by eight other local hams. KC1TAC and WA1NPO will operate from 0900 until 1400 local time.

W1BSA On The Air For JOTA, Oct. 21-22, 2007

Watson Research Center LibraryHarold “Pi” Pugh, K1RV writes:

The K1USN Radio Club will activate W1BSA for the Jamboree On The Air on October 20-21, 2007 at the Watson Research Center Library on Quincy Avenue in Braintree.

The hours of operation will be 10 AM – 4 PM Saturday and Noon – 4 PM Sunday. We currently have two scout groups scheduled to attend. The cub pack from Bridgewater is scheduled for 1 – 3 PM Sunday and the Webelos den from Pack 73, Weymouth will arrive on Saturday at noon.

There will be a special presentation ceremony on Saturday to honor the family of a local Braintree resident who was the first woman telegrapher for the railroad station at Braintree in 1862.

We hope to once again have representatives from the Braintree Emergency Management (BEMA) participating with us.

This event is open to all and we especially want to encourage any local scout groups or individuals to attend.

JOTA is an international Scouting event to promote friendship around the world through Amateur Radio. It engages Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Guides in an annual international Amateur Radio operating event each October.

Clay Center Weather Festival 10/27/07

Clay Center ARC logoThe Clay Center in Brookline will hold weather festival events in collaboration with the Blue Hill Weather Observatory and the National Weather Service on Saturday, October 27, 2007. Many activities have been planned for families and children. Admission is free, although some activities require purchase of tickets or kits.

Activities planned include: demonstrations, planetarium shows, lightning shows, kite-building, rocket launches, hands-on educational activities, educational displays and handouts for all ages. Ride a Segway! Make Instant Snow! Talk on Amateur Radio!

For additional information, see Weather Festival Public Event.

[See also: Southern New England Weather Conference]

SEMARA WebCam In Operation

SEMARA logoThe Southeastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association now has a webcam broadcasting live video of the club house, according to SEMARA’s Tim Smith, N1TI.

“Thanks to the efforts of Dave, W1DJG, SEMARACAM is now live and on the air. To view, simply visit http://www.semara.org and follow the links to the SEMARACAM.”

According to Smith “some fine tuning still remains” but he encourages everyone to “give it a try.”

Boston Logan Airport Drill to Serve as Eastern Mass. ARES SET on Saturday 10/27

Hello to all….

Eastern Massachusetts ARES has been requested to support the Mass. Bay Red Cross for the Boston Logan Airport Drill for Saturday October 27th, 2007. This drill will be utilized for credit for the 2007 ARES Simulated Emergency Test.

Details for the drill and the work required is still being defined by Massachusetts Bay Red Cross and further details will be posted as they become confirmed. The timeframe of the drill will largely involve the morning hours possibly into the early afternoon. Specific details on the timeframe of needs are still being defined and will be made available in the next update. The drill will involve three components.

1.) Deployment of Red Cross resources to Logan Airport with Amateur Radio and 47.42 MHz communications. No ARES resources have been requested for this portion of the exercise.

2.) Brief Communications Test of Red Cross Field offices in Waltham, Brockton, Cambridge and Peabody. (Note: Peabody site is currently tentative but were assuming resources for this facility will be needed for the test at the present time.). ARES resources have been requested for this component of the exercise to assist with staffing of these field offices and to assist with relaying between field offices where required. Please contact your ARES EC or DEC if you’re available for this part of the operation. This component will involve 1 to 3 Amateurs for each red cross office and will involve operations some time in the morning and/or early afternoon hours contingent on when these Red Cross offices can be opened.

3.) Call-up of ARES resources via multiple modes to assess what Amateur Operators would be available to respond to this incident if it was a real situation. This is to qualify this drill as the ARES Simulated Emergency Test exercise for 2007.

Further details will be posted as information becomes available. Thanks to all for their support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES and Mass. Bay Red Cross in this exercise.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section 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://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org

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BCRA Member Receives Nice Media Plug

BCRA/FRARC logoA Bristol County Repeater Association member was featured in a well-written human interest story appearing in the Westport Shorelines newspaper. The article highlights Ken Smith, K1ICM of Tiverton, RI, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and his short book, “Coast Guard Follies: My Humor in Uniform.” In the article, Smith recounts his experiences in the service and describes his favorite pastimes–among them, Amateur Radio.

–Thanks, N1JOY

Framingham ARA Donates To Courage Center Handiham System

Framingham ARA logoThe Board of Directors of the Framingham Amateur Radio Association has voted to donate $100 to the Courage Center Handiham System, according to FARA President Gordy Bello, K1GB.

Guest speaker and Handiham volunteer Phil Temples, K9HI presented at the Association’s September 6, 2007 general meeting. Temples’ talk included a showing of the Handiham promotional video “Making Contacts… Making Friends” produced by Pat Tice, WA0TDA and directed by Gary Gordon, K6KV.

“The board made its decision based on what we saw in [the] presentation and felt it was a worthwhile cause. We were moved by both the courage of the campers and the dedication on the part of the instructors who gave up their own operating time to serve others,” wrote K1GB.

Whitman CERT Assists At Kids Fitness Festival

KB1OAV at Kids Fitness FestivalMembers of the Whitman Emergency Management Agency Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) participated at the Kids Fitness Festival at the Whitman-Hanson High School on September 29, 2007.

Six CERT members provided traffic- and people safety patrols during the four-hour event. GMRS radios were used for communications.

The Kids Fitness Festival featured various fitness and mental challenges, including: karate, yoga, dance, “Build a Veggie Race Car”, and obstacle courses. It attracted hundreds of citizens, young and old, from Whitman and Hanson. It was presented by the Whitman Hanson Education Foundation, Inc. and sponsored by the Rockland Hanson Rotary Club.

Shown here: Gloria Chiaramonte, KB1OAV (wearing yellow vest)

–Thanks, Whitman ARC Spectrum, October 2007

Philips ARC Proposes Club Kit-building Project

VK5JST antenna analyzer kitA Philips Amateur Radio Club member is proposing an antenna analyzer kit-building project for fellow members. Tony Brock-Fisher, K1KP came across the kit, put together by Australian amateur VK5JST. “All the eHam reviews are very positive,” Brock-Fisher writes. “Complete kits of parts are available from the South Coast Amateur Radio Club for a reasonable price.”

K1KP thinks that this “might be an interesting winter project which would bolster meeting attendance and provide a fun and useful project for members.”

If interest warrants, Brook-Fisher suggests that the club buy one set of parts. He would build it as a ‘pilot run’ and if successful, club members would work together to construct additional kits at meetings.

[Philips ARC, W1HP, was formerly the Hewlett-Packard Andover ARC.]

–Thanks, K1KP