October 2008 – Eastern Massachusetts ARRL

PART of Westford To Provide Halloween Patrol

October 25, 2008 - by admin - Leave a Comment

Police Amateur Radio Team of Westford logo Terry Stader, KA8SCP writes on PART-L list:

Halloween and the Police Amateur Radio Team of Westford‘s Pumpkin Patrol is Friday, October 31st, 2008 as announced on the net and at the recent meetings.

As we have done for many years, PART will once again be providing a Pumpkin Patrol service to the Town of Westford. Many of you are veterans and others may be volunteering for the first time… which ever you are… thank you in advance for your help!

Pumpkin Patrol involves the use of Amateur Radio volunteers proving additional eyes and ears to the Town of Westford during the annual Trick or Treat event to observe and report any potential safety concerns back to the PART Pumpkin Patrol Net Control Station which will be located at the Westford Police station. A report from one of our patrols will get handed off to the Westford PD dispatcher and addressed by the Town’s public safety services. Our role is only to report what we see and provide input to our Town’s public safety departments.

We normally require 5 – 8 radio operators that will patrol various geographical sections of town. Maps and a checklist of locations to watch will be provided when you check-in for your assignment. Check-in occurs at the Westford Police station where we record your call sign and your vehicle information. You do NOT need to be a resident of the Town of Westford to volunteer, but a basic familiarity to the town’s roads is a plus!

The normal time for Trick or Treaters is 6 PM until 8 PM. Our activities have been varied over the years, but we normally will run the operation from 5:30 PM until 10:00 – 11:00 PM. If the weather is lousy, the net closure time will be adjusted accordingly. We try and accommodate every individuals schedule, we have run with 2 shifts in the past… an early and a late shift. We will accept your offer to assist at any time throughout the course of the evening.

The plans are to use the WB1GOF two meter repeater on 146.955 (PL 74.4) for the entire event. So all a volunteer will need is a radio capable of operating on that frequency. A vehicle will help too… but if you don’t drive and want to ride shotgun with another ham, that can be accommodated as well. If you’d like to do a bike or foot patrol, please contact me and we could talk thru that kind of an operation.

Feel free to drop me a note with any questions and/or if you would like to volunteer. Pass this along to others who may be interested.

Terry Stader – KA8SCP
PART of Westford, Senior Club Advisor
(H) 978-692-2069
(C) 978-490-8150

W1P Special Event Station Commemorates Portland Loss

October 25, 2008March 22, 2018 - by admin - Leave a Comment

W1P QSL card K1WCC, K2LP, KB1GSO and the KM1CC Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club will operate special event station W1P on November 28, 2008 commemorating the sinking of the Steamship Portland.

November 27, 1898 was New England’s “Night to Remember”, the day on which almost 200 souls lost their lives aboard the steamship Portland when she foundered off Cape Cod during the great gale which bears her name. She has often been called “New England’s Titanic” for the magnitude her loss had on local communities, especially her namesake city.

According to Henry Brown, K1WCC, “Since 2005, hams from the Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club have commemorated the day with a Special Event Station set up overlooking Cape Cod Bay. This year, on Friday, November 28th, Highland Light in Truro will be the location of the commemoration of the 110th anniversary of the tragedy. Two HF stations (CW and SSB) will be in operation from 9 AM local time to about 4 PM at the lighthouse, and tours will be conducted of the museum and lighthouse. Special Event callsign is W1P, with QSLs to K1WCC. We will also be activating Highland Light, USA-110, for those who collect lighthouse numbers.”

Operations are expected on the following frequencies:

CW: 7.030, 14.030 and 18.070
SSB 7.260, 14.260, 18.160

Adds Brown, “Combine a visit to the beautiful Outer Cape with a lighthouse tour and possibly some guest operating. Bring your portable HF rig and work us from the parking lot or beach.”

–Thanks, K1WCC

All

MMRA Stoneham Repeaters Moved To Burlington

October 20, 2008 - by admin - Leave a Comment

Minuteman Repeater Association logo Steve Telsey, N1BDA writes:

The Minuteman Repeater Association has successfully moved its repeaters from Stoneham to atop Lahey Hospital in Burlington. The old hospital building in Stoneham is scheduled to be demolished, hence the move.

The 2m machine is fully functional on 146.715, PL 146.2. We hope the coverage will be equal to or better than the coverage from Stoneham. Please let me know what your experiences are.

The 70cm system, previously on 446.725, is currently off the air and will return in about 2 weeks on a new frequency of 146.775 (sic–perhaps 446.775?), PL 88.5, which we hope will alleviate interference with Pave Paws and allow us to resume omni-directional coverage. Again, reports will be welcome.

Eric and Den, please let me know how the systems function from your QTHs.

Please check www.mmra.org for future announcements.

All

FEMA Independent Study (IS-802) Communications Class

October 15, 2008 - by admin - Leave a Comment

Hello to all….

Manager of Preparedness and Response at ARRL HQ, Dennis Dura-K2DCD, noted a relatively new FEMA Online Independent Study Course on Emergency Support Function (ESF) #2 online class on communications. See info from Dennis below:

Many of you may already be aware of this course, or have taken it. Nevertheless, here is information on a relatively new FEMA online independent study course that presents the concepts of Emergency Support Function #2-Communications. For those that have heard my presentations around the country, I strongly encourage integrating ARES in the local, county, regional or state government emergency operations plan. This presents us a variety of mission options, not beholding to any one specific group, and we become more aligned with the emergency management structure.

The course will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Please distribute this information as appropriate within your Section.

http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS802.asp

73
Dennis

Dennis C. Dura, CBRM
K2DCD
Manager, Emergency Preparedness & Response
ARRL, The national association for Amateur Radio

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All

New England Area Flea Markets 10/07/08

October 9, 2008February 17, 2018 - by admin - Leave a Comment

New England Area   Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2008 P 1 of 2

All events are Ham Radio/ Electronic related except ~_____~ 
*******************************************************************************

2008                                                    Contact          Source

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

10-11 Oct Deerfield NH NearFest @FG                  Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235 W
12 Oct Wallingford CT Nutmeg Conv $20/sp $7@9        John N1GNV 203 440 4468  
18 Oct Manchester NH NEAntqRC @BingoCtr $15@7:30$5@8:30 Charlie 603 898 4821 F
18 Oct Greenwood NS NSARA @CommCtr  $3@10 S@8       Burt VE1AMA 902 847 7073 W
19 Oct Cambridge MA              FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776

                 Third Sunday April thru October     
25 Oct Waterford CT TCARC Auction @Oswegat Fire  @10 Tom WA2RYV 860 464 6555  +
25 Oct Longueuil PQ MS-SARC @PlDesaul $5@9 $10/T@6 David VE2EDF 450 672 9791 W
26 Oct Hicksville NY LIMARC @LevitHall            Richard K2KNB 516 694 4937 A+
1 Nov Londonderry NH IRS @Lions Sellers$15@6 $3@8   George N1NAZ 603 421 0940 + 
7 Nov Feeding Hills MA HCRA Auction @CongCh @6:30PM    Jim KK1W 413 245 3228  
8 Nov Bourne MA FARA @UpperCC VoTech $5@9 $10/S@7   Ralph N1YHS 508 548 0422  
6 Dec Windsor CT VR+C Mus 115 Pierson LN @7AM Indoors      John 860 673 0518

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

LAST UPDATE 10-7-08 de W1GSL         http://swapfest.us                    P 1

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

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

Additions/ Corrections via e-Mail   w1gsl@mit.edu

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Pentucket RA To Operate At Parker River NWR Oct. 12

October 7, 2008 - by admin - Leave a Comment

Pentucket Radio Association logo Larry Caruso, K1LGC writes on PRA625 list:

It’s that time of year again. The Pentucket Radio Association will be at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters this Sunday, October 12th from 1500Z to 2000Z for National Wildlife Refuge Week. The weather looks promising; partly sunny with highs in the 70s – a nice fall day. If you missed us last year, we set up similarly to a Field Day operation by stringing an antenna and feedline from a tree to a flagpole and running over to a transceiver set up under a shelter outside the Refuge Headquarters. There will be several other Refuges on the air at this time we might be able to contact. In the process we promote the National Wildlife Refuge System to all we contact and encourage folks to get outside, to visit a refuge near them!

The Refuge Headquarters building is located at 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA. We will begin set-up at 9:00 am (1300Z). I could use a couple hams to help me set up. This should go pretty smoothly, especially since you’ve all practiced at the NEARfest on Friday and Saturday! I will be bringing an easy-up shelter, radio, antenna, feedline and tuner. Also a 6′ folding table and a couple chairs. If last year was any indication, this event is fixing to be a great time once again. The bands should be active and we should be able to make lots of good contacts. […]

Hope to see you all there. Bring your families and spend some time perusing the displays in the headquarters building. Then head for the refuge, which is just a short drive up the road. There’s lots of nice walking trails and beaches to explore; you never know what you’ll see. The refuge is home to hawks, deer, foxes and other four-legged critters. It is also a major stop-over area for migrating waterfowl. Bring binoculars and/or a camera so you can take home some memories.

All

General “Crash Course” from Framingham ARA

October 7, 2008 - by admin - Leave a Comment

Framingham ARA 75th anniversary logo The Framingham Amateur Radio Association is putting on a General “crash course” for all amateurs in the metrowest and central Massachusetts areas (and beyond) on 10/18/2008 and 10/25/2008 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM each day. No text, no fee; Techs and Novices welcome. The course will be held at the club shack at 123 Union Avenue, Framingham, MA, or GPS coordinates Lat 42.28148 N Long 71.41855 W. Park in the Library parking garage on Lexington St, then walk away from the library, down the alley between the Danforth and the parking garage, and enter through the double doors at the bottom of the stairwell. Talk-in on telephone at 508-879-8097 and W1FY repeater at 147.15+ (no PL).

—Thanks, wma.arrl.org

All / Licensing Education & Training
KY1N List of New England VE Sessions, October 6, 2008

October 6, 2008February 25, 2018 - by admin - Leave a Comment

The KY1N Memorial List
Scheduled Amateur Radio Volunteer Examinations - CT MA ME NH RI VT
10/06/08 Rev A
Jim, WW1Y, Editor
Date Time Contact Location Phone
10/08/08 19:00 Bruce Anderson, W1LUS Billerica 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 10:00 Bruce Anderson, W1LUS Deerfield NH 978-851-2886
10/11/08 09:00 Ben Fleck, K2LYE Falmouth MA 508-540-2583
10/11/08 09:00 Steven Ewald, WV1X Newington CT 860-594-0265
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, KD1XP Amherst MA 413-665-2211
10/20/08 19:00 Skip 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 Paul Lux, K1PL Portland CT 860-635-1742
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, W1FAB Holyoke MA 413-575-2950
10/25/08 09:00 Randy Horn, N1SP Bennington VT 802-442-8004
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
11/01/08 08:30 David Wilbur, K1ZS Keene NH 603-446-7312
11/02/08 10:00 Richard Williamson, WA1YQE Milford CT 203-877-5020
11/03/08 18:00 *Bryce Rumery, K1GAX Topsham ME 207-799-1116
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
11/08/08 09:00 Steven Ewald, WV1X Newington CT 860-594-0265
11/09/08 12:00 Bob Quinn, WV1A Gloucester MA 978-283-4660
11/10/08 19:00 Jim Clogher, N1ICN Brookline MA 617-364-4658
11/10/08 18:30 Ralph T Stetson III, KD1R Burlington VT 802-878-6454
11/11/08 19:00 Lawrence Polowy, KU1L Thomaston CT 860-283-4089
11/12/08 19:00 *Bruce Anderson, W1LUS Billerica MA 978-851-2886
11/12/08 19:30 *James Weckback, W1EQW Framingham MA 508-435-6487
11/13/08 19:30 Louis Harris, N1UEC Canton MA 508-668-0858
11/13/08 19:00 Louis Mester, W1CH Providence RI 401-263-6045
11/13/08 19:00 Kevin Cellini, N1KGM Trumbull CT 203-268-5015
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
11/17/08 19:00 Skip Denault, KB1CNB Fall River MA 774-644-3469
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
11/19/08 19:00 Robert E Moreland, KA1ZMF Milford CT 203-934-4059
11/20/08 19:30 Louis Harris, N1UEC Canton MA 508-668-0858
11/21/08 09:00 Jim Heedles, WW1Y Nashua NH 603-673-7395
11/22/08 09:00 William D Wilson, K1IN Bloomfield CT 860-869-1059
11/22/08 09:00 Kenneth Carr, KB1AWV Cranston RI 401-828-1665
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
11/22/08 09:30 Ernest Laug, KA1NGG Stamford CT 203-348-3993
11/24/08 19:00 Walton G Congdon, W1ZPB Northfield MA 413-498-2729
11/26/08 19:00 *Paul Upham, KD1YH Shirley MA 978-597-6535
11/28/08 18:00 David Cote, W1FAB Holyoke MA 413-575-2950
11/29/08 14:30 George Rinalducci, KB1KBC Greenland NH 603-231-1392
11/29/08 13:30 Ivan Lazure, N1OXA South Paris ME 207-784-0350
12/06/08 09:00 Don Tarbet, KD1XU Bangor ME 207-327-1453
12/06/08 11:30 Frank Sileo, N1PE Bethel CT 203-438-0218
12/06/08 10:30 Larry Houbre, AA1FS Dartmouth MA 508-991-6055
12/06/08 08:00 Conrad Ekstrom, WB1GXM Newport NH 603-543-1389
12/07/08 10:00 Richard Williamson, WA1YQE Milford CT 203-877-5020
12/08/08 19:00 Jim Clogher, N1ICN Brookline MA 617-364-4658
12/09/08 19:00 Lawrence Polowy, KU1L Thomaston CT 860-283-4089
12/10/08 19:00 *Bruce Anderson, W1LUS Billerica MA 978-851-2886
12/11/08 19:30 Louis Harris, N1UEC Canton MA 508-668-0858
12/11/08 19:00 Louis Mester, W1CH Providence RI 401-263-6045
12/11/08 19:00 Kevin Cellini, N1KGM Trumbull CT 203-268-5015
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
12/13/08 09:00 Jack P Garforth, N1JK Middletown RI 401-683-2250
12/13/08 09:00 Steven Ewald, WV1X Newington CT 860-594-0265
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
12/17/08 19:00 Robert E Moreland, KA1ZMF Milford CT 203-934-4059
12/18/08 19:30 Louis Harris, N1UEC Canton MA 508-668-0858
12/20/08 09:00 William D Wilson, K1IN Bloomfield CT 860-869-1059
12/20/08 09:00 Bill Wade, K1IJ Marlborough MA 617-699-3670
12/22/08 19:00 Skip Denault, KB1CNB Fall River MA 774-644-3469
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, W1FAB Holyoke MA 413-575-2950
12/27/08 12:00 +Daniel Lee, W1DFL Danvers MA 978-352-4513
12/27/08 09:00 Bob Jones, WB1P Slatersville RI 401-333-4787
01/08/09 19:00 Louis Mester, W1CH Providence RI 401-263-6045
01/09/09 18:30 Ralph T Stetson III, KD1R Burlington VT 802-878-6454
01/10/09 08:45 +William J Needham, K1WN Braintree MA 781-843-4400
01/10/09 09:00 Ben Fleck, K2LYE Falmouth MA 508-540-2583
01/11/09 12:00 Bob Quinn, WV1A Gloucester MA 978-283-4660
01/12/09 19:00 Jim Clogher, N1ICN Brookline MA 617-364-4658
01/14/09 19:00 Bruce Anderson, W1LUS Billerica MA 978-851-2886
01/15/09 19:30 Louis Harris, N1UEC Canton MA 508-668-0858
01/17/09 09:00 Bill Wade, K1IJ Marlborough MA 617-699-3670
01/19/09 19:00 Richard Strycharz, KD1XP Amherst MA 413-665-2211
01/19/09 19:00 Skip Denault, KB1CNB Fall River MA 774-644-3469
01/20/09 19:00 Paul Lux, K1PL Portland CT 860-635-1742
01/21/09 19:30 Nick Altenbernd, KA1MQX Cambridge MA 617-253-3776
01/23/09 18:00 David Cote, W1FAB Holyoke MA 413-575-2950
01/24/09 12:00 +Daniel Lee, W1DFL Danvers MA 978-352-4513
01/28/09 19:00 *Paul Upham, KD1YH Shirley MA 978-597-6535
02/07/09 10:30 Larry Houbre, AA1FS Dartmouth MA 508-991-6055
02/08/09 12:00 Bob Quinn, WV1A Gloucester MA 978-283-4660
02/09/09 19:00 Jim Clogher, N1ICN Brookline MA 617-364-4658
02/11/09 19:00 Bruce Anderson, W1LUS Billerica MA 978-851-2886
02/12/09 19:00 Louis Mester, W1CH Providence RI 401-263-6045
02/13/09 18:30 Ralph T Stetson III, KD1R Burlington VT 802-878-6454
02/14/09 09:00 Ben Fleck, K2LYE Falmouth MA 508-540-2583
02/16/09 19:00 Skip Denault, KB1CNB Fall River MA 774-644-3469
02/17/09 19:00 Paul Lux, K1PL Portland CT 860-635-1742
02/18/09 19:30 Nick Altenbernd, KA1MQX Cambridge MA 617-253-3776
02/19/09 19:30 Louis Harris, N1UEC Canton MA 508-668-0858
02/21/09 09:00 Bill Wade, K1IJ Marlborough MA 617-699-3670
02/25/09 19:00 *Paul Upham, KD1YH Shirley MA 978-597-6535
02/27/09 18:00 David Cote, W1FAB Holyoke MA 413-575-2950
02/28/09 12:00 +Daniel Lee, W1DFL Danvers MA 978-352-4513
02/28/09 09:00 Jim Heedles, WW1Y Nashua NH 603-673-7395
03/08/09 12:00 Bob Quinn, WV1A Gloucester MA 978-283-4660
03/09/09 19:00 Jim Clogher, N1ICN Brookline MA 617-364-4658
03/11/09 19:00 Bruce Anderson, W1LUS Billerica MA 978-851-2886
03/12/09 19:00 Louis Mester, W1CH Providence RI 401-263-6045
03/13/09 18:30 Ralph T Stetson III, KD1R Burlington VT 802-878-6454
03/14/09 08:45 +William J Needham, K1WN Braintree MA 781-843-4400
03/14/09 09:00 Ben Fleck, K2LYE Falmouth MA 508-540-2583
03/16/09 19:00 Skip Denault, KB1CNB Fall River MA 774-644-3469
03/17/09 19:00 Paul Lux, K1PL Portland CT 860-635-1742
03/18/09 19:30 Nick Altenbernd, KA1MQX Cambridge MA 617-253-3776
03/19/09 19:30 Louis Harris, N1UEC Canton MA 508-668-0858
03/21/09 09:00 Bill Wade, K1IJ Marlborough MA 617-699-3670
03/25/09 19:00 *Paul Upham, KD1YH Shirley MA 978-597-6535
03/27/09 18:00 David Cote, W1FAB Holyoke MA 413-575-2950
03/28/09 12:00 +Daniel Lee, W1DFL Danvers MA 978-352-4513
04/04/09 10:30 Larry Houbre, AA1FS Dartmouth MA 508-991-6055
04/08/09 19:00 Bruce Anderson, W1LUS Billerica MA 978-851-2886

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

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TACG And WARC Will Conduct Joint JOTA Operation 10/18/08

October 6, 2008 - by admin - Leave a Comment

The Taunton Area Communications Group and the Whitman Amateur Radio Club will join forces on Saturday, October 18, 2008 during the 51st Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) at Camp Norse in Kingston, Massachusetts.

Annawon Council BSA will be hosting the Covered Wagon Derby. Cub Scouts from Sachem District will take part in several Scout activities which will include Amateur Radio and JOTA. Last year KC1TAC and WA1NPO put over 130 Cub Scouts on air. This year we hope to expand to greater numbers by opening a second station for Boy Scout Troops and Venture Crews. Don Burke, KB1LXH and Paul Moss, KB1MTW will be joined by other local hams and Scouts to operate KC1TAC and WA1NPO from 0800 until 1500 local time.

Don, KB1LXH reports: It is out hope to put every Scout on-the-air that wants to speak. We have two to four HF stations and multiple 2M stations to operate from. Last year’s condition were not good for HF, so we opened up 2M rigs and made several contacts over the region. That is the plan again for this year. We have tentative arrangements to talk to the surrounding Scout Councils. They are Cape and Island, Narragansett, Boston Minuteman, Old Colony and Annawon just to name a few. We are still looking for other Scout groups and Amateur Radio Stations that would like to be added to our contact list. We will also be operating on the World Scout Frequencies 80M: 3.690 & 3.940 MHz, 40M: 7.090 & 7.190 MHz, 20M: 14.290 MHz and 17M: 18.140 MHz.

The Jamboree-on-the-Air, or JOTA, is an annual Scouting and Amateur Radio event sponsored by the World Scout Bureau. Thousands of amateur radio stations around the world participate. If the conditions are right, it is common to contact a hundred scouting countries during the weekend.

In the United States, Cub Scout dens and Boy Scout patrols visit a local amateurs’ ham shacks during JOTA. Many districts and councils hold events that coincide with JOTA, where amateurs set up stations giving Scouts and leaders a chance to exchange greetings with Scouts from other areas.

—Thanks, KB1LXH

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UPDATED: Seabrook Siren Demo – Saturday Oct 25 12:30 PM

October 5, 2008 - by admin - Leave a Comment

The following information came from MEMA Region 1 Communications Officer, Terry Stader-KA8SCP and I have added a press release from Peter Judge at MEMA Headquarters:

The Seabrook Power Station will be conducting a “demonstration” of their emergency siren system beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25.

This demonstration means the Power Station will be simultaneously sounding all 121 of their emergency sirens for a time frame of 3 to 5 minutes on that day. There are 27 sirens in Massachusetts and 94 in New Hampshire.

MEMA will be working in conjunction with Seabrook and FEMA on this demonstration. More information will be available through local cable TV, newspapers, the fire and police radio frequencies and electronic signboards on highways.

Local safety officials are hoping to notify as many people as possible about the demonstration so that the public is aware that there is no emergency taking place at the power plant and to prevent an influx of calls to 911 from concerned citizens wondering why the sirens are sounding.

The Press Release in Word Document format can be seen at the following link:

News Release Seabrook Sirens Demonstration

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Simulated Emergency Test and the August 2008 Hurricane Matt Exercise

October 5, 2008 - by admin - Leave a Comment

Hello to all….

Many ARES/RACES/SKYWARN/MARS and EMCOMM Amateurs are aware that traditionally in the Fall of each year, the ARRL sponsors a Simulated Emergency Test on the first weekend in October with the Simulated Emergency Test taking place in many sections in New England between early October through mid-November of each year. In August 2008, we conducted the Hurricane Matt Massachusetts Statewide Hurricane Exercise which went quite well. After coordination with ARRL Manager of Preparedness and Response, Dennis Dura-K2DCD, he has agreed to allow that drill to count for our Simulated Emergency Test for 2008 understanding the extremely high level of SKYWARN Activations that have occurred in the region and the large overlap in Amateurs that support both SKYWARN and ARES along with the fact that an exericse was completed roughly 2 months prior to the traditional SET timeframe. We appreciate Dennis allowing us to make this count as our SET for the Eastern and Western Massachusetts sections.

Local ARES groups within the Eastern Massachusetts section that plan or intend to plan and execute a more localized exercise scenario are encouraged to do so. Please send any information on any localized exercises to me so it can be made known on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES web site as well as the various email lists for EMCOMM in the section. Also, we encourage Hams within our section to participate in neighboring section Simulated Emergency Tests where possible.

At a recent meeting with the Southeast Massachusetts Emergency Management Directors Association that I attended and presented, they are quite interested in a possible exercise which would potentially involve hospitals that are interested in Amateur Radio Emergency Communications. With the acceptance of the August 2008 exercise as the SET for Eastern Massachusetts, this should allow time to investigate this further and plan for a potential exercise in the February to March 2009 timeframe. In addition, it will allow for proper reporting of the August 2008 Hurricane exercise as the extremely high number of SKYWARN Activations, some of which prompting localized ARES activations or stand-by activations, has prevented the reporting from taking place sooner. It will also allow for other administrative and planning work to be completed.

We thank everyone for their support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES, the August 2008 Hurricane Matt exericse, and the tremendous support given with the extremely high number of SKYWARN Activations in the May through October 2008 timeframe. Thanks again for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

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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All / Emergency Communications
Reminder: Monthly Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net for October 2008

October 5, 2008March 2, 2018 - by admin - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

A reminder that the monthly ARES Net for October is rapidly approaching. The monthly ARES Net for October is Monday October 6th, 2008, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. This is after the RACES Nets earlier in the evening. For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site and the repeaters that will be linked in will be through Hub 1:

http://www.mmra.org/repeaters/map.html

In addition, if the Echo-IRLP node on the MMRA hub is available, we will likely link that to the New England Reflector system on IRLP 9123/Echolink Conference *NEW-ENG* Node: 9123.

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!

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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Hams Assist During Family Fall Frolic Road Race in East Bridgewater

October 3, 2008 - by admin - Leave a Comment

The East Bridgewater YMCA was again thankful for radio communication support of members from the Massasoit Amateur Radio Association and the Whitman Amateur Radio Club during the Family Fall Frolic Road Race on Sept 28. The walkers left the start line at 10:00 am; runners followed at 10:30. The 4-mile event encountered light- to moderate rain and standing water on parts of the roadway. It was a challenge for the walkers and runners who participated.

MARA and WARC members who participated included: N1FRE, K1VQ, KB1MOC, KB1MTW, NI1X, KB1CYV, N1XTB.

–Thanks, N1XTB

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Framingham ARA Grabs Some PR In Boston Globe

October 3, 2008 - by admin - Leave a Comment

Members of the Framingham Amateur Radio Association were interviewed for a front-page article in the Metrowest section of The Boston Globe entitled Ham Radio Showing Its Gray on October 2, 2008.

Despite the less-than-positive title, the article successfully depicted the lure of Amateur Radio, the excitement of making distant HF radio contacts and the devotion to the hobby by the FARA members.

Sumner Weisman, W1VIV was featured prominently in the article. Weisman described his “first crystal-controlled radio transmitter more than 50 years ago” consisting of a single vacuum tube, and the “long wire along the roof of his house.”

Other club members described Amateur Radio as “a hobby that requires patience – as well as knowledge, training, and skill – draws a more interesting class of people than does the Web.”

ARRL Public Relations Manager Allan Pitts, W1AGP was also quoted in the story. “Ham radio is attracting new fans from two groups: recent retirees who now have the free time to scratch some longtime itch to learn radio, and young people – late teens, early 20s – who ‘are interested in the emergency communication aspect of amateur radio.'”