W1AA To Activate Scituate Light

W1AA/Scituate Lighthouse QSLK1VV and K1WCC plan to activate Scituate Light USA742 & Scituate North Jetty USA1273 as W1AA on Saturday, August 2, 2008 from 7:00 AM EDT (1100 UTC) until about 2:00 PM EDT (1800 UTC).

“Whitey” Doherty, K1VV notes that he and Henry will begin operations on 75 meters around 3994 kHz plus/minus. “Later, we will go to 40 phone around 7234 and 7040. On 20, we’ll be on 14270 plus/minus. If there’s too much QRM we will be above 14310.”

K1VV says they will run K1WCC’s station simultaneously and cover two bands. “We have bandpass filters, but we may not be able to run both stations that close to each other.”

DX QSLs can be sent via the Bureau. Stateside cards should be sent to W1AA with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the QRZ.com address.

“All are welcome to come by,” says Whitey. “We will be set up in the parking area next to the light. [Look for the] silver 2007 Toyota Tacoma pickup with a 33-foot mast on the back of the truck.”

Volunteers Needed For Cranberry Country Triathlon, August 24, 2008

Cranberry Country Triathlon logoRoland Daignault, N1JOY writes on BCRA-Club list:

Just a reminder that the Cranberry Country Triathlon is on August 24 and we’re looking for radio operators to cover the course. If this race runs the same as the Patriot event, the swim portion didn’t really require radio ops, and the running race was over by noon time. Then the bike race lasted until about 4:30 PM. I will be hauling out the HAMCOW for Net Control. Operators will need at least a 2 Meter HT, and we will be using repeaters and simplex. The start point will be at the Ted Williams baseball camp in Lakeville, which is a nice facility if you’ve ever been there.

Check out the triathlon web site, complete with maps of the course.

http://www.cranberrycountrytri.com/

I hope to see you there!

New MEMA Courses Offered

Mass. Emergency Management Agency logoTom Kinahan, N1CPE writes on MRAS-Leaders:

The following new courses have been added to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency’s training calendar:

* Hazmat Awareness at Brockton VA Hospital BLDG #22 on September 10, 2008

* Incident Command System 100 at Newburyport High School, Room 127 on August 20, 2008

* Incident Command System 100 at Boxborough Woods Holiday Inn on August 22, 2008

Visit our web site at http://tinyurl.com/ypzh5y for more details.

Waltham ARA 146.64 Now Mixed Mode Analog/APCO P25

Waltham ARA logoJohn Mullaney, K1BOS writes:

The Waltham Amateur Radio Association‘s 2-meter repeater (146.640 MHz) is now a APCO P25 mixed mode Quantar. It will stay mixed mode only if the analog users don’t complain too loudly. If you have VHF P25 radios you are free to use it, but please give right of way to analog users, and keep P25 use out of drive time.

For regular non-digital users a transmit CTCSS of 100.0 Hz has been added so that you don’t have to hear P25 digital noise. The input is still carrier squelch so folks without CTCSS (I guess there are still a few) can still use the repeater but CTCSS 100.0 Hz will also work and will keep your radio silent during P25 activity. For digital folks the NAC is 293.

We would also be interested in range reports compared to the GE Master 2 that was removed from service.

146.640 MHz – 100.0 Hz out
146.040 MHz Carrier Squelch in
NAC293 (input for P25)

–Thanks, Boston ARC The SPARC, July 2008

CAARA To Activate Thatcher I.

Cape Ann ARA logoMembers of the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association are formulating plans to operate from Thatcher Island, off the coast of Cape Ann. The activity is tentatively scheduled for August 16, 2008.

According to CAARA’s Briggs Longbothum, AB2NJ, “the Fish and Wildlife Service will be issuing a Special Use Permit for our activity at the North Tower.” He writes, “the Thatcher Island Association is being very supportive of our plans.”

Longbothum will review the group’s plans at their next planning meeting, scheduled for this weekend.

“I’m hoping that our Thatcher Island activation becomes a recurring event with the CAARA name on it.”

Nashoba Valley ARC Supports 49th Longsjo Classic

Longsjo Classic amateur participantsMembers of the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club and the Mohawk Amateur Radio Club provided communications support for the 49th running of the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic on July 3-6, 2008. Although the first day started with rain, the skies eventually cleared and participants were treated to a fine day of Olympic-level racing.

Amateur Radio volunteers were stationed at thirteen critical locations around the road race course. They were tasked with providing communications between the finish line at the summit of Mt. Wachusetts and the race director as well as relaying lead racer positions to the next location so that the course marshals and Princeton and Westminster police officers could control the vehicle traffic. Amateurs were also prepared to summon aid for any serious medical emergencies.

Sunday featured the Criterium race in downtown Fitchburg. Five radio operators covered this short course, alerting the marshals to racers passing critical intersections so that spectators could be kept off the course.

Thanks to the following operators for volunteering for this event: AB1CV, K1JHC, K1KKY, K1YTS, KA1GCN, KA1JL, KA1QCB, KB1ESR, KB1LRL, KD1LE, KD1SM, KK1X, KT1I, N1XYT, W1SEX, and WA1VVT.

–Photo courtesy KD1SM. Thanks, Nashoba Valley ARC Signal, July 2008

Twenty Years Later, MS Bike Tour NCS Passes The Mic

by Joe Reynolds, KA1GDQ

John Mahon, N1PYG
CAPE COD, MA June 28-29, 2008–Every year since the mid 1980s, the Central New England Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society has held a bikeathon to raise money to help fight the deadly disease of MS. Before there were cell phones, there was a group of people who, at one time, were a part of Metro Motorist Aid REACT Team in the Boston/South Shore Area. They used CB radios and went to GMRS when introduced by the FCC. After a few years, more and more individuals were obtaining their Amateur Radio licenses to better support the ride. The ride has gone through a few name changes. The latest was from the Great Mass Get-a-Way to the present name of the Cape Cod Get-a-way. The event is a two-day event starting in Quincy, MA and ending on day two in Provincetown, MA with a mid-stop over night stay (and party) in Buzzards Bay, MA.

Shown here: John Mahon, N1PYN
The Cape Cod Get-a-Way (CCG, formerly Great Mass Get-a-Way) would leave Marina Bay in Quincy on the fourth Saturday of June at 7 a.m. Cyclists would pedal through the towns across the South Shore, most of it right along the coast, taking little back roads and side streets with rest stops every 15 to 20 miles. After the lunch Stop in Duxbury (Rest Stop #3), the route would split.

Back in the mid 80s and early 90s not everyone had cell phones, and there weren’t many GMRS repeaters that provided adequate coverage for both routes. With so many miles to cover, and an increase in the number of cyclists, John Mahon, N1PYN saw the need for assistance in communications. The help came from Amateur Radio operators. He proceeded to recruit amateur operators from the area, as well as encourage his wife Tina, KA1YAY and close friends Jim, KA1YCV and Steve, KB1NMJ to get their amateur licenses. The introduction of amateur radio to the event was a big success. Since then, a countless number of GMG/CCG volunteers, as well as several MS Staff members, have become amateur operators.

MS Volunteer Coordinator Brenda Barbour, KB1MVJ was always proactive to raise awareness of our effectiveness and the need for additional amateurs for this large-scale event. The biggest obstacle is that the MS Bike Tour usually falls on the same day as the ARRL nationwide Field Day weekend due to scheduling conflicts at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

Mahon, a member of the Genesis Amateur Radio Society in Plymouth, MA, has just completed his 20th year with the event. He began preparation for the ride several months prior to organize the hams for the tactical net and would coordinate the use of repeaters [Norwell AC1N Repeater, 145.25mhz; Plymouth 146.685 now owned by Genesis ARS, formerly was run by the Mayflower ARC, Falmouth 146.655, Dennis/Yarmouth Repeater (146.955) and the now former Provincetown Repeater (147.255)]. He would also coordinate some of the 440 MHz repeaters for the event (now they are all shut down due to PAVE PAWS) for tactical operations to coordinate immediate attention to major problems.

John & Jim would venture out and test repeater coverage from all checkpoints on both routes, adding extra markings so the riders would not get lost and test strategic route locations to ensure reliable coverage. On the day of the event, amateurs would setup their mobile stations at check points and John would “SAG” the route as he maintained net control operations.

As more and more riders joined, cell phones became more popular and some cyclists were using FRS Radios, there were still too many holes to maintain 100 percent effective communications. This is where Amateur Radio was proven to be the best effective method of communications for the bike tour. John created a friendly environment for the newest of the operators, instructed and guided them, sometimes on the air in a polite matter of fact manner that kept the net comfortable & professional. Event participants, staff & volunteers, seeing the camaraderie, friendly and very effective benefits of amateur radio, started to get their amateur licenses (John Siemiatkoski, Tour Director, KB1MOW) along with many, many others). We also have a motorcycle crew member with his ham ticket (Ross Chapman, KB1MGD). Through his efforts of showing the need for Moto-Crews to communicate, the number of these members with their amateur ticket has grown as well. We are still working on it, but every year, a few more individuals became licensed to join the ranks. To date, John’s efforts have resulted in over 20 new amateurs just for this event.

Finally it had arrived that the 2008 Tour, this year known as the Cape Cod Get-a-Way, had a new Net Control. So, after 20 years of being the MS Bike Tour Net Control, Mahon and his wife Tina, KA1YAY, the tour’s former Medical Director, decided to step down and pass the reigns to someone else. They remain involved by filling SAG, medical and Checkpoint assignments.

John will continue working hard with the Brockton Emergency Management Agency, continuing to recruit and train new operators. He also serves as President of the recently reactivated South Shore REACT, whose mission will be auxiliary communications in emergencies, disasters, public service events and promoting personal & family disaster preparedness throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod.

Again John, thanks for a job well done & best of luck with all of your future endeavors.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joe Reynolds
KA1GDQ

(assisted with re-write by John Mahon, N1PYN; Tina Mahon, KA1YAY & Steve Hawker KB1NMJ)

Two Eastern MA Youths Win FAR Scholarships

Foundation for Amateur Radio logoThe Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR) has announced the 2008 winners of 55 scholarships it administers. Two of the recipients hail from Eastern Massachusetts.

Bryce Salmi, KB1LQC, of Chelmsford, MA was the winner of the Leland Smith, Sr, W5KL, QCWA Memorial Scholarship worth $1600.

Brenton Salmi, KB1LQD, Chelmsford, MA was the recipient of the Wes Randles QCWA Memorial Scholarship worth $1100.

Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients.

Whitman ARC Fox Hunt, July 27

photo of foxMembers of the Whitman Amateur Radio Club will conduct a fox hunt on Sunday, July 27, 2008 somewhere in Hanson. NI1X will act as the “fox”; he will transmit for one minute on 146.565 simplex every five minutes between 2 and 4 p.m. while hiding in a public place. According to reliable sources, the fox will make “bonus transmissions” and some not-so-helpful hints to the hunters. Coordination will be on the Whitman repeater on 147.225 MHz (PL 67 Hz).

–Thanks, Whitman ARC Spectrum July 2008

EMA NTS PICNIC 2008

Jim N1LKJ

EMA TRAFFIC HANDLERS PICNIC SUNDAY AUGUST 3, 2008

The annual Traffic Handlers Picnic for EMA will be held Sunday August 3, 2008 at the Raynham Senior Citizen Center picnic area in Raynham, MA. The picnic will run from 12:00PM to 4:00PM. Your host Jim N1LKJ will provide hamburgers. Bring your own soft drinks. No Alcohol is allowed because its on Town Property. If you wish to bring cookies or cakes to share with the group, that would be great.

There are two barbecues for those who want to cook there oun food. There is also toilet facilities available. A great chance to eyeball people you have been hearing all year. A good time for all.

Directions: From RT 24 NORTH OR SOUTH. Take Exit 13 west to Taunton, which is route 44. Follow 44 west 1.5 miles to set of lights. Brooks Pharmacy on corner. Take right on to RT 104 Raynham. Follow 104 1/2 mile, take first left on to King Phillip ST. Follow King Phillip 1/4 mile to Raynham Senior Citizen Center on left. Pull right into parking lot. Picnic area on the left.

See you there.

Jim N1LKJ

MARS, MEMA Conduct Hurricane Exercise

W1MPN and N1CPE operate 2008 MARS joint hurricane drillAll three branches of the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) were involved in a four-hour, time-compressed hurricane drill affecting the eastern United States.

Army MARS was the lead branch with assistance from Air Force and Navy-Marine Corps MARS. The large drill focused on the recovery phase of a Category Four hurricane. The drill encompassed fifteen states, with most of the infrastructure damage, evacuations and flooding situated in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.

Tom Kinahan, N1CPE, the MA State RACES Officer and Mike Neilsen, W1MPN manned the Massachusetts State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and participated in the exercise. Situation reports were sent via Winlink to the Air Force Incident Command post at Hancock Air National Guard Base in New York.

Neilsen and Kinahan also used Echolink to communicate with Air Force MARS member Phil McNamara, N1XTB, of Middleboro, MA. Winlink messages were also exchanged with N1XTB, who monitored the progress of the exercise on the MARS HF command and control frequency and passed along notable drill occurrences; for example, the C-130 damage assessment overflight.

Also participating in the drill was Ed Barlow, K1ZIK, the MA Air Force MARS Director and Wilmington RACES officer.

Pictured here: Mike Neilsen, W1MPN (l) and Tom Kinahan, N1CPE at the Massachusetts SEOC

Whitman ARC Special Edition Field Day 2008 Newsletter On-line

Whitman ARC logoThe Whitman Amateur Radio Club has produced a special edition Field Day 2008 Newsletter available via its web site. The nine-page newsletter highlights the club’s activities during Field Day, listing the call signs of 39 club members and ten ham visitors. It also showcases their two youngest visitors: 6-year-old Patrick and 8-year-old Colben, who made contacts on 2-meter FM.

Congratulations to the Whitman ARC for a job well-done!

KY1N List of Volunteer Exam Sessions, July 7, 2008

                         The KY1N Memorial List
Scheduled Amateur Radio Volunteer Examinations - CT MA ME NH RI VT
7/07/08
Jim, WW1Y, Editor
Date Time Contact Location Phone
07/08/08 19:00 Lawrence Polowy, KU1L Thomaston CT 860-283-4089
07/09/08 19:30 *James Weckback, W1EQW Framingham MA 508-435-6487
07/10/08 17:00 Steven Ewald, WV1X Newington CT 860-594-0265
07/10/08 19:00 Louis Mester, W1CH Providence RI 401-263-6045
07/10/08 19:00 Kevin Cellini, N1KGM Trumbull CT 203-268-5015
07/11/08 18:30 Ralph T Stetson III, KD1R Burlington VT 802-878-6454
07/12/08 08:45 William J Needham, K1WN Braintree MA 781-843-4400
07/12/08 09:00 Ben Fleck, K2LYE Falmouth MA 508-540-2583
07/12/08 09:30 Ernest Laug, KA1NGG Stamford CT 203-348-3993
07/12/08 09:00 Norm Smith, NY1B Union ME 207-354-6853
07/13/08 12:00 Bob Quinn, WV1A Gloucester MA 978-283-4660
07/15/08 19:00 Orrin Riggott, AB1EL Portland CT 860-223-8867
07/16/08 19:00 Robert E Moreland, KA1ZMF Milford CT 203-934-4059
07/17/08 19:30 Louis Harris, N1UEC Canton MA 508-668-0858
07/17/08 18:30 John Ruggiero, N2YHK Worcester MA 508-982-0617
07/19/08 09:00 Bryce Rumery, K1GAX South Portland ME 207-799-1116
07/21/08 19:00 Richard Strycharz Jr, KD1XP Amherst MA 413-665-2211
07/21/08 19:00 Arthur Denault, KB1CNB Fall River MA 774-644-3469
07/22/08 12:00 Adam Woodbury, K1ADW Bedford MA 781-271-3062
07/23/08 19:30 Nick Altenbernd, KA1MQX Cambridge MA 617-253-3776
07/23/08 19:00 *Paul Upham, KD1YH Shirley MA 978-597-6535
07/24/08 18:00 Bryce Rumery, K1GAX South Portland ME 207-799-1116
07/25/08 18:00 David Cote, WA1DC Holyoke MA 413-575-2950
07/26/08 09:00 William D Wilson, K1IN Bloomfield CT 860-869-1059
07/26/08 09:00 Kenneth Carr, KB1AWV Cranston RI 401-828-1665
07/26/08 12:00 +Daniel Lee, W1DFL Danvers MA 978-352-4513
08/03/08 09:00 Richard Williamson, WA1YQE Milford CT 203-877-5020
08/08/08 18:30 Ralph T Stetson III, KD1R Burlington VT 802-878-6454
08/09/08 09:00 Ben Fleck, K2LYE Falmouth MA 508-540-2583
08/09/08 09:30 David Carberry, WA1IKN Gales Ferry CT 860-464-0225
08/09/08 09:00 Don Tarbet, KD1XU Saint Albans ME 207-327-1453
08/09/08 10:00 Bryce Rumery, K1GAX Topsham ME 207-799-1116
08/10/08 12:00 Bob Quinn, WV1A Gloucester MA 978-283-4660
08/12/08 19:00 Lawrence Polowy, KU1L Thomaston CT 860-283-4089
08/14/08 17:00 Steven Ewald, WV1X Newington CT 860-594-0265
08/14/08 19:00 Louis Mester, W1CH Providence RI 401-263-6045
08/14/08 19:00 Kevin Cellini, N1KGM Trumbull CT 203-268-5015
08/16/08 09:00 Bob Jones, WB1P Slatersville RI 401-333-4787
08/17/08 09:00 Thomas Jaworski, WA1MJE Adams MA 413-528-9002
08/18/08 19:00 Arthur Denault, KB1CNB Fall River MA 774-644-3469
08/19/08 19:00 Orrin Riggott, AB1EL Portland CT 860-223-8867
08/20/08 19:30 Nick Altenbernd, KA1MQX Cambridge MA 617-253-3776
08/20/08 19:00 Robert E Moreland, KA1ZMF Milford CT 203-934-4059
08/21/08 19:30 Louis Harris, N1UEC Canton MA 508-668-0858
08/22/08 18:00 David Cote, WA1DC Holyoke MA 413-575-2950
08/23/08 09:00 William D Wilson, K1IN Bloomfield CT 860-869-1059
08/23/08 12:00 +Daniel Lee, W1DFL Danvers MA 978-352-4513
08/25/08 19:00 Walton G Congdon, W1ZPB Northfield MA 413-498-2729
08/27/08 19:00 *Paul Upham, KD1YH Shirley MA 978-597-6535
08/30/08 14:30 George Rinalducci, KB1KBC Greenland NH 603-231-1392
09/02/08 18:30 Albert Noble, AA1CZ Saco ME 207-642-8830
09/06/08 11:30 Frank Sileo, N1PE Bethel CT 203-438-0218
09/07/08 09:00 Richard Williamson, WA1YQE Milford CT 203-877-5020
09/08/08 19:00 Dick Doherty, KA1TUZ Brookline MA 617-527-2968
09/09/08 19:00 Lawrence Polowy, KU1L Thomaston CT 860-283-4089
09/10/08 19:30 Bruce Anderson, W1LUS Chelmsford MA 978-851-2886
09/11/08 17:00 Steven Ewald, WV1X Newington CT 860-594-0265
09/11/08 19:00 Louis Mester, W1CH Providence RI 401-263-6045
09/11/08 19:00 Kevin Cellini, N1KGM Trumbull CT 203-268-5015
09/12/08 18:30 Ralph T Stetson III, KD1R Burlington VT 802-878-6454
09/13/08 08:45 William J Needham, K1WN Braintree MA 781-843-4400
09/13/08 09:00 Ben Fleck, K2LYE Falmouth MA 508-540-2583
09/13/08 08:00 Conrad Ekstrom, WB1GXM Newport NH 603-543-1389
09/14/08 12:00 Bob Quinn, WV1A Gloucester MA 978-283-4660
09/15/08 19:00 Arthur Denault, KB1CNB Fall River MA 774-644-3469
09/16/08 19:00 Orrin Riggott, AB1EL Portland CT 860-223-8867
09/17/08 19:30 Nick Altenbernd, KA1MQX Cambridge MA 617-253-3776
09/18/08 19:30 Louis Harris, N1UEC Canton MA 508-668-0858
09/20/08 09:00 Bill Wade, K1IJ Marlborough MA 617-699-3670
09/24/08 19:00 *Paul Upham, KD1YH Shirley MA 978-597-6535
09/26/08 18:00 David Cote, WA1DC Holyoke MA 413-575-2950
09/27/08 09:00 William D Wilson, K1IN Bloomfield CT 860-869-1059
09/27/08 09:00 Kenneth Carr, KB1AWV Cranston RI 401-828-1665
09/27/08 12:00 +Daniel Lee, W1DFL Danvers MA 978-352-4513
09/27/08 09:00 Jack P Garforth, N1JK Middletown RI 401-683-2250
10/04/08 10:30 Larry Houbre, AA1FS Dartmouth MA 508-991-6055
10/05/08 09:00 Richard Williamson, WA1YQE Milford CT 203-877-5020
10/06/08 19:00 Dick Doherty, KA1TUZ Brookline MA 617-527-2968
10/08/08 19:30 Bruce Anderson, W1LUS Chelmsford MA 978-851-2886
10/09/08 19:00 Louis Mester, W1CH Providence RI 401-263-6045
10/09/08 19:00 Kevin Cellini, N1KGM Trumbull CT 203-268-5015
10/10/08 18:30 Ralph T Stetson III, KD1R Burlington VT 802-878-6454
10/11/08 09:00 Don Tarbet, KD1XU Bangor ME 207-327-1453
10/11/08 09:00 Ben Fleck, K2LYE Falmouth MA 508-540-2583
10/12/08 12:00 Bob Quinn, WV1A Gloucester MA 978-283-4660
10/14/08 18:30 Wilburn A Scott, WA1YNZ Presque Isle ME 207-455-8333
10/14/08 19:00 Lawrence Polowy, KU1L Thomaston CT 860-283-4089
10/15/08 19:00 Robert E Moreland, KA1ZMF Milford CT 203-934-4059
10/16/08 19:30 Louis Harris, N1UEC Canton MA 508-668-0858
10/16/08 18:00 Bryce Rumery, K1GAX South Portland ME 207-799-1116
10/16/08 18:30 John Ruggiero, N2YHK Worcester MA 508-982-0617
10/18/08 09:00 Bill Wade, K1IJ Marlborough MA 617-699-3670
10/18/08 09:00 Bob Jones, WB1P Slatersville RI 401-333-4787
10/20/08 19:00 Richard Strycharz Jr, KD1XP Amherst MA 413-665-2211
10/20/08 19:00 Arthur Denault, KB1CNB Fall River MA 774-644-3469
10/21/08 12:00 Adam Woodbury, K1ADW Bedford MA 781-271-3062
10/21/08 19:00 Orrin Riggott, AB1EL Portland CT 860-223-8867
10/22/08 19:30 Nick Altenbernd, KA1MQX Cambridge MA 617-253-3776
10/22/08 19:00 *Paul Upham, KD1YH Shirley MA 978-597-6535
10/24/08 18:00 David Cote, WA1DC Holyoke MA 413-575-2950
10/25/08 09:00 William D Wilson, K1IN Bloomfield CT 860-869-1059
10/25/08 12:00 +Daniel Lee, W1DFL Danvers MA 978-352-4513
11/02/08 09:00 Richard Williamson, WA1YQE Milford CT 203-877-5020
11/03/08 19:00 Dick Doherty, KA1TUZ Brookline MA 617-527-2968
11/08/08 08:45 William J Needham, K1WN Braintree MA 781-843-4400
11/08/08 09:00 Ben Fleck, K2LYE Falmouth MA 508-540-2583
11/09/08 12:00 Bob Quinn, WV1A Gloucester MA 978-283-4660
11/12/08 19:30 Bruce Anderson, W1LUS Chelmsford MA 978-851-2886
11/13/08 19:00 Louis Mester, W1CH Providence RI 401-263-6045
11/14/08 18:30 Ralph T Stetson III, KD1R Burlington VT 802-878-6454
11/15/08 09:00 Bill Wade, K1IJ Marlborough MA 617-699-3670
11/18/08 19:00 Paul Lux, K1PL Portland CT 860-635-1742
11/19/08 19:30 Nick Altenbernd, KA1MQX Cambridge MA 617-253-3776
11/20/08 19:30 Louis Harris, N1UEC Canton MA 508-668-0858
11/22/08 12:00 +Daniel Lee, W1DFL Danvers MA 978-352-4513
11/22/08 09:00 Jim Heedles, WW1Y Nashua NH 603-673-7395
11/26/08 19:00 *Paul Upham, KD1YH Shirley MA 978-597-6535
11/28/08 18:00 David Cote, WA1DC Holyoke MA 413-575-2950
12/06/08 10:30 Larry Houbre, AA1FS Dartmouth MA 508-991-6055
12/08/08 19:00 Dick Doherty, KA1TUZ Brookline MA 617-527-2968
12/10/08 19:30 Bruce Anderson, W1LUS Chelmsford MA 978-851-2886
12/11/08 19:00 Louis Mester, W1CH Providence RI 401-263-6045
12/12/08 18:30 Ralph T Stetson III, KD1R Burlington VT 802-878-6454
12/13/08 09:00 Ben Fleck, K2LYE Falmouth MA 508-540-2583
12/14/08 12:00 Bob Quinn, WV1A Gloucester MA 978-283-4660
12/16/08 19:00 Paul Lux, K1PL Portland CT 860-635-1742
12/18/08 19:30 Louis Harris, N1UEC Canton MA 508-668-0858
12/20/08 09:00 Bill Wade, K1IJ Marlborough MA 617-699-3670
12/24/08 19:30 Nick Altenbernd, KA1MQX Cambridge MA 617-253-3776
12/24/08 19:00 *Paul Upham, KD1YH Shirley MA 978-597-6535
12/26/08 18:00 David Cote, WA1DC Holyoke MA 413-575-2950
12/27/08 12:00 +Daniel Lee, W1DFL Danvers MA 978-352-4513
02/07/09 10:30 Larry Houbre, AA1FS Dartmouth MA 508-991-6055
04/04/09 10:30 Larry Houbre, AA1FS Dartmouth MA 508-991-6055
06/06/09 10:30 Larry Houbre, AA1FS Dartmouth MA 508-991-6055
08/01/09 10:30 Larry Houbre, AA1FS Dartmouth MA 508-991-6055
10/03/09 10:30 Larry Houbre, AA1FS Dartmouth MA 508-991-6055
12/05/09 10:30 Larry Houbre, AA1FS Dartmouth MA 508-991-6055

NOTES:
* = PREREGISTRATION MANDATORY
+ = PLEASE CALL TO GUARANTEE SEATING
T = Technician Exams only
Times are Local Time
Please check with the contact person as some dates are tentative!
For the latest examination information, check
http://www.ky1n.net/ky1n.html.
If attending a session please remember to bring:
1) One photo ID, or two non-photo ID's (one with address)
2) Original FCC-issued license plus a photocopy (if already licensed)
3) Original plus photocopies of all CSCE's you are claiming
4) The 2008 test session fee of $14.00
All VE Teams are invited to contribute.
For additions/corrections contact Jim Heedles, WW1Y, 603-673-7395,
via email at ky1n@ky1n.net

UPDATED 7/27/08: Mass Statewide Hurricane Drill – Monday August 4th 2008 at 7 PM

Hello to all…

..Updated Participants Manual to correct the title page, remove a paragraph on regional simplex that will not be done to this drill and corrected the Winlink Frequencies and added a link to the Winlink Documentation on the ARES web site. Remainder is unchanged..

In lieu of the RACES and ARES Nets for Monday August 4th, 2008, there will be a Massachusetts Statewide Hurricane Drill on Monday August 4th, 2008 starting at 7 PM. The drill will follow a similar format as past hurricane drills that have occurred in June of past years. The reason the drill is occurring later this year is because Region Two held a more concentrated/localized drill on the Cape Cod Emergency Traffic plan back in mid-May of this year.

The drill will follow a similar format seen in past statewide hurricane drills. The scenario has been finalized and the participants document can be seen via the link below:

Hurricane Matt 2008 Mass Statewide Hurricane drill

MEMA Region Two has determined that they will use NTS traffic for this exercise. A request is being made for utilization of Winlink/Airmail digital modes along with the various voice nets and voice liaison paths on HF, EchoLink/IRLP etc. as done in past drills.

Thanks to all in advance for supporting this drill!

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
1

Reminder: Monthly ARES Net for July

Hello to all…

A reminder that the monthly ARES Net for July is rapidly approaching. The monthly ARES Net for July is Monday July 7th, 2008, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. This is after the RACES Nets earlier in the evening.

Make the first Monday of the month, “Emergency Communications Night” and check into your local RACES Net and then check into the ARES Net on the MMRA Repeater System. We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net.

We will have several interesting announcements for the net that evening and we look forward to everyone’s participation. Updates will be posted via email and on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Web Site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!
1

Genesis Scores Big With Field Day PR!

The Genesis Amateur Radio Society made some impressive inroads in the publicity department from last weekend’s annual Field Day exercise. The club operated from their usual location at the Plymouth Airport in the 3A category. In addition, they operated a GOTA (“Get On The Air”) station for beginners.

“We had media publicity before and during [Field Day] and we are waiting for [one more] after the event,” reports GARS President John Williams, KB1EVY.

“A couple of weeks before Field Day, we were invited to meet with a reporter from the Plymouth Colonial. The story was published in print and also on their web site.”

Williams reports that radio station WATD (95.9 FM, Marshfield, MA) ran numerous promotional spots during the week of Field Day. Ten of those spots alone were aired on Friday. WATD also conducted a live interview with Williams on Saturday!

Shown, below: WATD’s Sam Kooper interviewing GARS President John Williams, KB1EVY at Field Day; Genesis ARS Field Day group photo

 

WATD's Sam Kooper interviewing GARS President John Williams, KB1EVY at Field DayGenesis ARS Field Day 2008 group photo

Table-top Hurricane Drill, Fall River July 8

Fall River ARC/BCRA logoRoland Daignault writes on the BCRA-Club mailing list:

Location: EMA / Fall River Fire Dept. Headquarters Airport Rd.
Date & Time: Tuesday July 8th at 6:00 PM

Please join us for a table-top hurricane drill exercise. Radios will not be required as this drill will focus on how the local Emergency Management agencies will conduct operations during a hurricane, and pass this information to the RACES operators. This is a good exercise for us to know how the documentation is utilized, to know who our EMA folks are (and vise versa).

The HAMCOW will also make its debut to the EMA community to showcase the awesome capability we now have. We will not be communicating to Bridgewater as we have in the past, so there is no need to bring any radios. If a few of us show up we can get a good refresher on how the system is supposed to work.

I’ll have the HAMCOW on site by 6:00 PM and a couple of helpers to set up and tear down will be appreciated. Even though we will not require the radio gear, I plan to do a full deployment (minus W2DAN’s tower & HF Yagi) for demonstration purposes.

We will also start evaluation a new software package written specifically for running a net control in a RACES environment. You may want to take a look at this installation and get familiar with its features and functions.

http://netlog.ka1ncf.org/

Thanks, and I hope to see you there!

Roland – N1JOY