ARESMAT SITREP #2

Hello to all…

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES RETURNED TO STAND-BY STATUS UNTIL 6PM SUNDAY FOR NORTHSHORE / MIDDLESEX / METRO BOSTON DISTRICTS BUT ALL AREAS SHOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR***

***NO NEW REQUESTS FOR SERVICE HAVE BEEN RECEIVED, HOWEVER THE POTENTIAL REMAINS FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT REQUESTS OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS***

***ARES LEADERSHIP CONTINUES TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE SITUATION***

The following is a sit-rep to update the ARES activities that have been taking place in the Eastern Massachusetts section.   A limited ARES deployment took place today at 12:00 at the Newbury Red Cross shelter to support damage assessment and shelter operations.  Four operators traveled to the shelter in the event additional communications were necessary to assist with the operation, however by early afternoon ops had ended early and ARES members remained at the shelter through the afternoon to provide additional support if required and secured at 18:00 with no major incidents taking place.  The following operators were deployed: 

Charlie Rocheleau – W1CPR
Andy Kulhavy – KB1PGF
Bruce Pigott – KC1US
Jim Palmer – KB1KQW (On-site coordination with American Red Cross officials) 

While the activity this afternoon was minimal, this proved a fantastic training exercise as well as an opportunity to continue to network with our served agency partners in Northeast Massachusetts.  All activity was conducted on the Danvers NSRA 145.47 ARES/SKYWARN repeater with the Gloucester CAARA 145.13 repeater at the ready in the event coverage on Danvers was less than expected.  Thanks to both clubs, as well as all our operators who were ready to provide support in the event additional requests were received. 

As of 17:30 on Saturday, the number of reported power outages was approximately 17,500 with a majority of these outages centered over the North Shore through National Gird.  There are still several communities that have a large number of outages with local residents seeking shelter for the evening.  A few shelters remain open across the region (Newbury remains open this evening with a few occupants) with a minimal amount of occupancy reported through early afternoon at other area shelters; however this may change with time depending on weather conditions overnight and through tomorrow if it appears power restoration will take longer than expected.  With this expected to last through Sunday, we must remain vigilant in the event an additional request to support sheltering or recovery operations takes place.  In the event it looks unlikely further deployments will take place, ARES will be allowed to secure by early Sunday evening.   

Please continue to coordinate your availability for Sunday with your DEC or local EC who will relay this information to Eric-KA1NCF and myself.  Remember to take this time to check your go-kits to ensure everything is prepared for operations.  Your DEC and EC are all available to answer any questions you may have regarding this operation.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Jim Palmer – KB1KQW
Eastern Massachusetts Asst. Section Emergency Coordinator
North-side Operations

Carl Aveni – N1FY
Eastern Massachusetts Asst. Section Emergency Coordinator
South-side Operations

ARESMAT SITREP #1

Hello to all…

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES HAS BEEN FULLY ACTIVATED FOR ESSEX – MIDDLESEX – SUFFOLK COUNTIES TO SUPPORT POTENTIAL SHELTER OR DAMAGE ASSESSMENT OPERATIONS FOR THE AMERICAN RED CROSS OF NORTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS UNTIL 6PM SUNDAY***

***REMAINING COUNTIES IN THE EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION ON ARES STAND-BY STATUS NOW UNTIL 6PM SUNDAY***

***NO FORMAL DEPLOYMENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE AT THIS TIME WHILE ARES LEADERHSIP CONTINUES TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE SITUATION***

The following is a sit-rep to update the ARES activities that are currently ongoing in the Eastern Massachusetts section.   ARES teams in the North Shore, Middlesex, and Metro Boston areas have been put on activation due to request for potential support of the American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts.  We have been requested to potentially provide operators to assist with shelter communications or to assist with point-to-point communications during damage assessment operations.  The exact needs are still being refined through ongoing communication with Red Cross officials.   

As of this update, no formal deployments have taken place, and we do not expect to have any operators deploy until Saturday morning.  It is certainly possible that after future coordination, it will be determined that support is no longer necessary.  However, due to the remaining power outages in the area, we will remain on a heightened state of alert through the weekend in the event that the situation deteriorates further and additional requests for support come through.  Please coordinate your availability with your DEC or EC who will relay this information to Eric-KA1NCF and myself.  Even if deployments become unnecessary, this is the perfect time to check your go-kits to ensure everything is prepared for operations.  Your DEC and EC are all available to answer any questions you may have regarding this operation.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Jim Palmer – KB1KQW
Eastern Massachusetts Asst. Section Emergency Coordinator
North-side Operations

Carl Aveni – N1FY
Eastern Massachusetts Asst. Section Emergency Coordinator
South-side Operations

ARES Team Mobilization – Important Update

North Shore ARES Notification #1  Red Cross, Newburyport Request for Support

OVERVIEW – Updated

North Shore ARES moved to full activation status by KB1KQW and KA1NCF effective Friday afternoon at 13:00 due to request for help by Red Cross Newburyport.  Numerous power outages remain and shelters operation are being planned as well as some Disaster Assessment teams being deployed.  Shelters are for displaced residents and this is expected to continue through at least Sunday night.

Please continue to send your availability to ares@nsradio.org.

SUMMARY

*  North Shore ARES is currently in FULL ACTIVATION mode for ARES-MAT support to affected areas.
*  Pictures of damage or coastal flooding are requested by FEMA from this event, please send to pics@nsradio.org.
*  The next update to this message will be Friday late afternoon as information becomes available, time and information permitting.

JRP/ENH
Eric Horwitz  KA1NCF
North Shore ARES District Emergency Coordinator

ARES Team Mobilization – Important Update

North Shore ARES Notification #1 – Red Cross, Newburyport Request for Support

OVERVIEW – Updated
 
North Shore ARES moved to full activation status by KB1KQW and KA1NCF effective Friday afternoon at 13:00 due to request for help by Red Cross Newburyport.  Numerous power outages remain and shelters operation are being planned as well as some Disaster Assessment teams being deployed.  Shelters are for displaced residents and this is expected to continue through at least Sunday night.

TIMEFRAME OF ACTIVATION / FREQUENCIES – Updated

North Shore ARES remains active is fully active at this time and lasting through Sunday evening – subject to change. 
At this Time we are looking for people who can be available between now until Sunday Night as needed as the information comes into us we will provide instruction.
Deployment instructions will only be provided by e-mail if additional deployment becomes necessary.

Please continue provide pictures of storm damage and recovery operations through email at pics@nsradio.org.

AGENCY SUPPORT – Updated
 
ARES-MAT support has been requested into portions of Northern Essex County, in the Newbury area for communications between shelters and their Red Cross office.  As well as a few to be deployed with Desater asesment teams for local Communications.

Support is expected to start Late Today or Tomorrow and continue through Sunday night and does have the potential to last through Monday if conditions do not improve in the affected areas. 
Please continue to monitor your email and the Danvers Repeater for further updates as they become available.

Deployment instructions will only be provided by e-mail if additional deployment becomes necessary.
 
 
REQUEST FOR AVAILABILITY – Updated
 
We seek available stations to assist with various recovery operations currently being planned.  Some of these operations may include mobile operations, base operations, net control stations, and field ARES opportunities, which will be refined in the near future. 
 
Note:  Please let us know if you are available FROM FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY, along with specific times and means to contact you.  Remember, please DO NOT SELF DEPLOY!  It is just as high an honor to submit your readiness as it is to work in the field. 
 
If deployed, you will need a mobile radio, power supply, antenna, coax, microphone, and an HT for backup communications.   Please also have backup and emergency power considerations, as there may or may not be power where deployment takes place. As always, please make sure your personal needs are taken care of as well.
 
Please send your availability to ares@nsradio.org at this TIME WE ARE ONLY TAKING EMAILS!!! and we will add you to the list.  I would like to have everyone’s availability coordinated ASAP, since we are currently in an activated mode.
 
 
CALL TO ACTION
 
As the recovery operation continues to take place, we remain in need of the following:

ARES-MAT Assistance
Shelter operations
Net Control Volunteers
Pictures of storm damage as requested by FEMA (VERY important – send to pics @ nsradio.org)
Other emergency communications duties as requested
 
Please continue to send your availability to ares@nsradio.org
SUMMARY
 
*  North Shore ARES is currently in FULL ACTIVATION mode for ARES-MAT support to affected areas.
*  Pictures of damage or coastal flooding are requested by FEMA from this event, please send to pics@nsradio.org
*  The next update to this message will be Friday late afternoon as information becomes available, time and information permitting.
 
 
JRP/ENH
Eric Horwitz – KA1NCF
North Shore ARES District Emergency Coordinator

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Stand-by Activation for February 25-26 Wind Storm

Hello to all…

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES PLACED ON STAND-BY FOR ESSEX / MIDDLESEX / SUFFOLK COUNTIES FOR POSSIBLE MOBILIZATION STARTING AT 12 AM ET FRIDAY LASTING THROUGH AT LEAST 10PM FRIDAY EVENING DUE TO MAJOR STORM WITH SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AFFECTING PORTIONS OF THE EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION***

***OTHER AREAS SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THIS SITUATION FOR ANY SIGNIFCANT CHANGES***

***SKYWARN ACTIVATION WITH OPS AT NWS TAUNTON CONTINUES UNTIL 2AM MONITORING FOR WIND DAMAGE AND COASTAL FLOODING REPORTS***

A significant coastal storm continues to affect portions of Eastern Massachusetts with most of the significant damage confined to Northeast Massachusetts.  Due to the significant damage that has been reported, we are placing portions of Eastern Massachusetts ARES including ESSEX, MIDDLESEX, and SUFFOLK counties in stand-by mode from 12 AM ET Friday through at least 10pm Friday Evening in the event that support is requested by our served agencies.  BRISTOL, PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK, BARNSTABLE, and the ISLANDS should closely monitor this situation in the event of a rapid change to the situation.  There have been numerous reports of downed trees and power lines, power outages, and significant damage across Northeast Massachusetts into New Hampshire.  A complete listing of storm damage reports from NWS-Taunton can be found at:

Local Storm Report:  http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.nwus51.KBOX.html

Public Information Statement:  http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.nous41.KBOX.html

Coastal Flood Warning:  http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.whus41.KBOX.html

Flood Warning:  http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wgus41.KBOX.html

Winter Storm Warning:  http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

Due to the damage caused in our neighboring New Hampshire section, including reports of several towns losing police and fire dispatch communications as well as 9-1-1 services, NHARES has activated in a Level-3 status with support to the New Hampshire State EOC.  For damage reports and warning information for Rockingham County NH and points north, please visit www.erh.noaa.gov/gyx.

Back home, Massachusetts RACES has not been formally activated to support the Massachusetts State EOC.  At this time, there have been no formal requests for assistance from our served agencies in Eastern MA and our Eastern Massachusetts ARES leadership continues to closely monitor this changing situation.

We’d like to have ARES personnel continue to assist with SKYWARN reporting of any wind damage and power outages, along with reports of coastal flooding.   Keep your situational awareness level high for any updates from ARES leadership by checking your email for updates and our ARES web site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org, monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies and reporting into the nets and monitor local media on this potentially significant storm.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Jim Palmer – KB1KQW
Eastern Massachusetts Asst. Section Emergency Coordinator
North-side Operations

Carl Aveni – N1FY
Eastern Massachusetts Asst. Section Emergency Coordinator
South-side Operations

New ARRL website launch date pushed back

We are once again postponing the Web launch until March 24th.  We are now confident that we have the majority of the content loaded into the site.  In fact some of you have been viewing the new site and commenting on it during the past few weeks.  We appreciate all of your help with this effort as the site continues to improve daily.

The current delay is necessary to assure that we have all of the data connections correct.  These include data feeds such as hamfests, classes, special events, the new e-store, etc.  We also have not tested the member sign up and member transaction portion of the site.  These are obviously critical functions and both Fathom and our team will be working on this during the next few weeks.

After two years of work, this delay feels like an eternity to me and the rest of the launch team.  Believe me, we all feel terrible about missing yet another deadline.  However, this is a large and complex Web site.  It is used not only by our members, but also by people around the world who have an interest in Amateur Radio.  We want to make sure that we have everything working right when we launch the site.

Along with the Board, staff and SMs, we will be communicating this news to our membership as well.  We will put up a news story tomorrow on our current Web site about this delay.

73,

Harold

Harold Kramer, WJ1B

Chief Operating Officer

ARRL – The national association for Amateur Radio.
225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111
Telephone: 860 594 0220
email: hkramer@arrl.org
web: www.arrl.org/

Massachusetts Pending Cell Phone Legislation H-4475

Hello to all…

Massachusetts ARRL State Government Liaison, Shawn O’Donnell-K3HI, has been following and has put together a summary on pending cell phone legislation bill H-4475 and what it says and does not say about Amateur Radio. We encourage Amateurs to closely follow Shawn O’Donnell’s instructions in his info that we have posted to the ema.arrl.org web site. See link below:

http://ema.arrl.org/node/1661

It is noted that ARES Emergency Coordinator for Scituate, Massachusetts, Bob Callahan-W1QWT, has already been successful in getting state representative Jim Cantwell from his district to push an ammendment exempting federally licensed Amateur Radio Operators specifically from this legislation. When writing to your state senator, it may be good to mention this ammendment and the fact that this ammendment was in similar cell phone bill legislation a few years ago but that whole cell phone bill legislation was later defeated in the legislature.

Thanks to all for their support!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: (508) 346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://www.wx1box.org
http://ares.ema.arrl.org


Pending Legislation Update

Subject: Pending Legislation Update

Hello all stations:

Some of you have written me expressing concerns about the pending legislation concerning use of telecommunication devices that may include the use of Amateur Radio devices. Please be advised that Headquarters DOES NOT lobby on our behalf in the states, just the federal government. We, collectively, need to take action.

Our SGL, K3HI, has been following this issue closely and summarizes it for you. He also provides recommended approaches you can use to influence your state representative.

K3HI message follows:
============================

QST MASSACHUSETTS AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS

A bill that could restrict amateur radio mobile operations has been
passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives. It is hard to
say whether the proposed law would cause practical difficulties for
amateur mobile operations and emergency preparedness exercises. Just
to be safe, however, we should take action now to minimize the
potential harm.

The full text of the bill, as adopted by the House, is available at
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/186/ht04pdf/ht04475.pdf

Q: What would H-4475 do if it becomes law?

Among the goals of H-4475 are the following: (a) prohibit the use of
cell phones by any driver under the age of 18, (b) require hands-free
cell phones for all other drivers, and (c) ban the use of a broad range
of handheld communications devices while operating a motor vehicle (for
such activites as text- or instant-messaging, email, web-surfing, etc.)

Q: What does the proposed law say about amateur radio?

Nothing. This could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your
perspective. On the one hand, it doesn’t say, “Hams can’t do X.” On
the other hand, it doesn’t say, “This law does not apply to hams.”

Q: So what should we do about this?

If you would like to oppose or seek amendment of H-4475, your best bet
is to contact your state senator on Beacon Hill.

If the prospects for the bill remain good, it will be in our best
interest to try to get the bill amended, rather than simply trying to
defeat it.

Q: What makes for an effective communication with a senator or Beacon
Hill staffer on this topic?

1. Speak to the right person. Call YOUR senator, not someone else’s.
Unless you’re calling to donate to the campaign chest, elected
officials don’t care much about you if you’re from outside their
district. See below on how to find out who is your senator–if you
don’t know.

2. Have a clear message. Informed citizens are more inclined to vote,
so if you call your senator and sound like an informed citizen, they’ll
expect you’re a likely voter. If you want to sound informed, a good
place to start is knowing the number of the bill you’re calling about.
It’s H-4475. (The H is for the House, where the bill originated.)

3. Have something to say about the substance of the bill. Have an
argument for why your position is more justified than the opinion of
someone who calls and urges the opposite. Make our side look smart.

4. Avoid the following: shouting, swearing, threatening, use of
Q-signals, quotes from FCC rules, etc. Be reasonable. Go ahead and
mention the emergency & public service contributions of amateur radio,
but don’t exaggerate. It will undermine your credibility.

Here’s a template for a call or email to a senator regarding H-4475:

“Hello, my name is Elmer Q. Ham, and I am a constituent of the
Senator’s in [your town here.] I am calling/writing to ask that the
Senator oppose passage of H-4475 unless it is amended to protect
amateur radio. In particular, I am concerned that the law might be
interpreted so as to make mobile amateur radio operations illegal. An
exemption for FCC-licensed amateurs in the law would allow us to
continue training for & providing emergency & public service
communications to our communities. [Here’s where you can tell a story
or two of hams in your town providing communications for the marathon
or bike-a-thon or the Memorial Day Parade or SKYWARN, etc.] …And we
couldn’t do that if amateur radio operators weren’t allowed to
communicate while on the road.”

Close by repeating your request. Then thank the senator (or more
likely, staff member) for his/her time. Offer contact information
about yourself; it will help them tell if you really are a constituent.
And who knows–maybe they’ll call back to ask for more details.

If you really want to make a concrete suggestion, you might “propose
that the passage in Chapter 90, Section 13 which exempts Citizen Band
radio also include an exemption for amateur radio operators.”

Q: I don’t know who my state senator is. How do I find out?

The best way to get the name of your state senator is to call your city
or town election board. In some parts of the state, senators cover
large areas. There, knowing the town you live in is enough. If you
live in a more densely populated part of the Commonwealth, your city or
town may have multiple senators. Unless you know what ward & precinct
you’re in, the State Senate’s web site will not be able to help you.
But your city/town election board will definitely know.

Town hall may also have the senator’s phone number or email address; if
they don’t, check out the Massachusetts legislature’s web site.

Senate districts & senator names are listed at:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/sendis03.htm

Senate phone numbers & email addresses are available at:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenus.htm

Make that call/send that email ASAP!

End of K3HI message=====================

73, de W1MPN

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Stand-by Activation for 2/10-2/11/2010 Major Winter Storm

Hello to all..

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES TO BE PLACED ON STAND-BY FOR POSSIBLE MOBILIZATION
STARTING AT 10 AM ET WEDNESDAY LASTING THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING FOR MAJOR
NOR’EASTER TO AFFECT PORTIONS OF THE EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION***

***SKYWARN ACTIVATION WITH OPS AT NWS TAUNTON WILL COMMENCE AT 10 AM ET WEDNESDAY
THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING***

***RACES ACTIVATION AT THE STATE EOC WILL COMMENCE AT 10 AM WEDNESDAY
MORNING LASTING THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING***

A major nor’easter will affect the region Wednesday Morning through early
Thursday Morning bringing with it heavy snow accumulations, some of it will be
of the heavy and wet snow variety that clings on trees and power lines and
strong to damaging winds are also possible. The worst of the storm will be
in areas of the Eastern Massachusetts section along and south of the Mass
Pike. A period of near blizzard conditions are likely in coastal areas of
Eastern Massachusetts particularly in Southeast Massachusetts. The storm
could cause tree and power line damage and power outages in the area along
and south of the Mass Pike and in particular in coastal areas of Southeast
Massachusetts. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton will start at 10
AM Wednesday Morning. In addition, RACES we will be activating the State
EOC starting at 10 AM Wednesday Morning.

Due to the threat of this storm and RACES State EOC activation, we are
placing Eastern Massachusetts ARES in stand-by mode from 10 AM ET Wednesday
through Thursday Morning for the impact of this major winter storm to
affect portions of the Eastern Massachusetts section. Winter Storm
and High Wind Warnings are in effect for portions the Eastern Massachusetts
section. Please see the Storm Coordination Message posted at the link below:

http://www.wx1box.org/node/133

We will place the town of Bridgewater EOC as the Eastern Massachusetts ARES
Incident Command Post on stand-by as well as the Acushnet EOC on stand-by
for potential activation. The Acushnet EOC will likely be activated later
today has the area of greatest impact from this major winter storm will
be Southeast Massachusetts.

We’d like to have ARES personnel assist with SKYWARN reporting of snowfall,
whiteout conditions, thunderstorms with heavy snow as well as any wind damage
and power outages. Keep your situational awareness level high for any updates
from ARES leadership by checking your email for updates and our ares web site at
http://ares.ema.arrl.org, monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies and
reporting into the nets and monitor local media on this potentially significant
storm.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is
possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be
taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have
batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any
requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate.
Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is
an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is
just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES
leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is
required after the impact of this major storm to the region.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: (508) 346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://www.wx1box.org
http://ares.ema.arrl.org

Cape Ann ARS Amateur Radio Flea Market March 20th

The Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association will hold its amateur radio flea market on Saturday, March 20th at the Pigeon Cove Circle Center which is located at 6 Breakwater Ave, Rockport Mass. The doors will open to sellers only at 7 AM and the doors will open to all buyers at 9 AM.

The price of admission will be $ 5.00 for buyers and if you wish to rent a sellers table the price will be $10.00 in advance and $15.00 the day of the flea. You may reserve a table by contacting the flea manager Dick Copithorne KR1G at 1-201-674-3485 or by e-mail at dickc911@yahoo.com. The talk in frequency is our club repeater frequency whcih is 145.130 MHZ with no PL tone.

There will be no computers or monitors sold at this event. For more detailed directions you may go to our club website at www.caara.net at clicking on the events update section on the front page of the website.

Boxboro New England Divsion ARRL Convention 2010 Ticketing Is Open

Greetings! Tickets for the 2010 ARRL New England Convention – “Boxboro!” are now available at the convention website:

http://www.boxboro.org

We are working on a convention schedule full of interesting speakers as well as bringing in leading vendors from across the country.  Best of all, we are holding all ticket prices at 2008 levels.  I hope you will plan to attend!

73,
Mike – K1TWF
Boxboro Convention Committee Chairman

================
You have received this email because you provided your email address to us at a previous ticket registraton.  If you wish to be removed from this list, please contact k1iw@boxboro.org.  FEMARA, c/o Bob DeMattia, PO Box 198, Berlin, MA 01503

36TH ANNUAL EASTERN VHF/UHF CONFERENCE APRIL 16, 17 & 18, 2010

As posted by Jim Evans-N1HTS on the Billerica Amateur Radio Society (BARS) email list:

To all NEWS Members – WEB asite to be updated shortly.

Subject: COMING TO YOUR AREA – 36TH ANNUAL EASTERN VHF/UHF CONFERENCE APRIL
16, 17 & 18, 2010

Please join us at the Eastern VHF Conference. Registration will open shortly. Thanks Bruce N2LIV

Call for Papers and presentations for the 36th Annual Eastern VHF/UHF Conference April 16, 17 & 18th, 2010 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Enfield, Ct.

The NorthEast Weak Signal Group (NEWS) is calling for the submission of papers and presentations for the upcoming 36th Annual Eastern VHF/UHF Conference to be held once again at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Enfield, Ct. on April 16, 17 & 18th, 2010. Papers and presentations are solicited on both the technical and operational aspects of VHF, UHF and Microwave weak signal amateur radio.

In general papers and presentations on non weak signal related topics will not be accepted but exceptions may be made if the topic is related to weak signal. The deadline for the submission of papers and presentations is March 15, 2010. All submissions for the proceedings should be in Microsoft Word (.doc) or PDF formats. Submissions for presentation at the conference should be in PowerPoint (.ppt) format, and delivered on either a USB memory stick or CDROM or posted for download on a web site of your choice. Pages are 8 and 1/2 by 11 inches with a 1 inch margin on the bottom and ¾ inch margin on the other three sides. All text, drawings, photos, etc. should be in color if possible for inclusion in the Conference Proceedings CD. Station shots and rover operations are welcome.

Please indicate when you submit your paper or presentation if you plan to attend the conference and present there or if you are submitting just for publication. Papers and presentations will be published in a CD format conference proceedings. Send all questions, comments and submissions to the program chair, Bruce Wood N2LIV via N2LIV@optonline.net.

We will have a Hospitality Suite for early arrivals on Friday Evening starting at 7:00PM to 11:00 PM. Conference registration will begin on Saturday at 7:30 AM and talks and band sessions will start at 8:30 AM. A banquet dinner, Triva quiz and prize raffles will begin at 7:00 PM. On Sunday an outdoor flea market, weather permitting, will begin at 8:00 to 11:00 AM. Starting this year flea market admission will be FREE for both buyers and sellers. VHF and above relate equipment items only..

We are planning several auctions both in the morning and afternoon sessions to help raise money to help defray costs of future conferences. If you have any decent shape equipment you would like to donate please bring it along to help support the cause and to clean out your shack.

– Compliments of Greg WA1VUG and R&S we will have the following test capabilities available at the conference: If you want things to happen we need your HELP- see below!!!

R&S ZVA and ZVL Vector Network Analyzers for component test (filter responses, amplifier gain vs. freq, etc.) from 9 kHz to 40 (hopefully 50) GHz R&S FSUP Signal Source Analyzer for phase noise measurement of oscillators to 26 GHz (hopefully 50 GHz) R&S FSQ Spectrum Analyzers for Noise Figure measurements (to 24 GHz) and spectrum measurements (harmonics, spurs) to 26 GHz R&S FSH handheld Spectrum Analyzer/Vector Network Analyzer for antenna measurements/transmission line fault measurements (mobile installations).

We are looking for a few volunteers to help Greg and watch the equipment when he takes a break, Also, we need a few 12v power supplies, soldering station, solder and small tools and jumper cables to assist the
measurements. If you can help please email me N2LIV@optonline.net

Registration is now open for this years conference on April 16, 17 & 18th, 2010 in Enfield,Ct. A block of Hotel Rooms is available at the Crowne Plaza, Enfield under the NEWS group for $99. Call fo local in-house hotel
registration.

SEE OUR WEB SITE FOR FUTURE INFORMATION & PAYPAL or MAIL REGISTRATION.

http://www.newsvhf.com/vhfconf.html

Further info to follow as it develops.

Thank you,

Bruce N2LIV
Conference Chairman

New England Area Ham-Electronic Flea Markets Updates Feb 1, 2010

From: New England Area  Ham - Electronic Flea Market  <flea@mit.edu>
To: flea@mit.edu
Subject: [Flea@MIT] New England Ham - Electronic Fleamarket Dates * February * update
Date: Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:51:27 -0500

New England Area   Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2010 P 1 of 2
All events are Ham Radio/ Electronic related except ~_____~

*******************************************************************************
2010                                                    Contact          Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6 Feb Chelsea ME AARA @Crystal Falls                 Bill K1NIT 207 623 9075 A

13 Feb Marlboro MA AARC @MiddleSc $5@9 $20/T@6:30 Tim KA1OS 978 333 1329 F

14 Feb Westford MA GBARC @Regency   $11@8 Antique        Cindie 866 371 0512  +

27 Feb Colchester VT HAM-CON @Hampton $8@8 $15@6:30 Mitch W1SJ 802 879 6589 W

28 Feb Hicksville NY LIMARC @LevittHal $6@9 $20@7 Richard K2KNB 516 694 4937

6 Mar Feeding Hills MA MtTARA @TurnverneinClb        Mary N1TOY 413 967 4008 A

20 Mar Dayville CT ECARA @StJoseph Ch                Paul KE1LI 860 928 2456  +

20 Mar Rockport MA CAARA @PigeonCove @5@9 @15/T@7  Richard KR1G 207 674 3485  +

21 Mar Southington CT SARA @HS $5@8 $20/T@6:15 Norm W3IZ 860 584 1403 F

21 Mar Henniker NH CVRC @CommSch            Donald Curtis N1ZIH 603 717 2086 A+

27 Mar Lewiston ME AARC ME Conv @Ramada              Cory N1URA 207 514 0202 A

27 Mar Windsor CT VR+C Mus 115 Pierson LN @8AM Indoor      John 860 673 0518 W+

10 Apr Middletown NY OCARC @Wallkill ComCtr         Bruce K2ULZ 845 562 4226 A

11 April Framingham MA FARA @KeefeTech $5@9 $25/T     Bev N1LOO 508 626 2012

17 April Lindenhurst NY GSBARC  ** CANCELLED **      John W2HCB 631 669 6321 A+


17,18 Apr Wakefield MA Photographica @AmericalCtr ~photo~  John 781 592 2553 F

17 Apr S Portland ME PAWA @AmLegion $5@8 $10/T@6:30 Bryce K1GAX 207 799 1116 W

17 Apr Manchester NH NHAntqRC @Bingo $10 @7:30 $3 @8:30 Charlie 603 898 4821  +

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

25 April Unionvale NY MtBeaconARC @TymorPk            Jim K2JIM 845 427 2702 A

30 April 1 May Deerfield NH Nearfest VII @FG         Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235

8 May Rensselaer NY EGARA @FireCo                 Thomas KC2FCP 518 272 1494 A

*******************************************************************************
LAST UPDATE 2-1-10 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 <- SUBSCRIBE             
US Mail  W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139
(c)2010 unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety

New England Area  Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2010  P2 of 2
*******************************************************************************
2010                                                    Contact          Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
16 May       Cambridge MA        FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776 
Third Sunday April thru October

22 May Goshen CT SoBARC @FG $3@8 Lee K1LEE 860 435 0051

29 May Vernon CT NARC @TollandAgCtr                 Wayne N1GUS 860 487 1921 A+

5 June Rochester NY RARA                             Duane K2SI 585 594 4945 A

12 June Windsor CT VR+C Mus 115 Pierson LN @8AM Tailgate   John 860 673 0518 W+

13 June Queens NY HOSARC @HoS                    Stephen WB2KDG 718 898 5599 A+

20 June      Cambridge MA        FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776

18 July      Cambridge MA        FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776

15 August    Cambridge MA        FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776

22 Aug Adams MA NoBarc @ AggieFG $5@@8 $10Sell        Tim KE3HT 413 822 7075

27,29 Aug Boxboro MA FEMARA NE Conv                  Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235 A

11 Sept Windsor ME AARA @FG $5@8 Bill K1NIT 207 623 9075

11 Sept Windsor CT VR+C Mus 115 Pierson LN @8AM Tailgate   John 860 673 0518 W+

19 Sept      Cambridge MA        FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776

25,26 Sep Wakefield MA Photographica @AmericalCtr ~photo~  John 781 592 2553

2 Oct Manchester NH NHAntqRC @Bingo $10 @7:30 $3 @8:30  Charlie 603 898 4821  +

3 Oct Queens NY HOSARC @HoS                      Stephen WB2KDG 718 898 5599 A+

10 Oct Wallingford CT Nutmeg Conv $20/sp $7@9 John N1GNV 203 440 4468

15,16 October Deerfield NH Nearfest VIII @FG         Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235 T

17 October   Cambridge MA        FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776

30 Oct Gales Ferry CT TCARC Auction @FireCo @10    Darryl WA1DD 860 443 7799

5 Nov Feeding Hills MA HCRA Auction @CongCh @6:30PM    Jim KK1W 413 245 3228

6 Nov Londonderry NH IRS @Lions                           N1NAZ 603 421 0940

13 Nov Bourne MA FARA @UpperCC VoTech $5@9 $10/S@7 Ralph N1YHS 508 548 0422  +

4 Dec Windsor CT VR+C Mus 115 Pierson LN @8AM Indoor       John 860 673 0518 W+
******************************************************************************
LAST UPDATE 2-1-10 de W1GSL         http://swapfest.us P 2 of 2
List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version      
Source    F= Flyer  T= tentative early info     + = new info this month
A= ARRL R= RAC list  W= web         WR NV CQ QST = Mags
This list has been compiled from many sources.  While we believe the info to
be accurate the author can not be responsible for changes or errors. 
Check with the sponsoring organizations for more details.   This list will be
posted monthly to USENET.     Mailed copies are sent when additions are made.
*******************************************************************************
Additions/ Corrections via e-Mail   w1gsl@mit.edu <- SUBSCRIBE             
US Mail  W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139
(c)2010 unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety


New England Area  Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2010 -> ***
Page 3 Electronic distribution only.  This page has the overflow if any    P3
from the paper version.
*******************************************************************************
2010                                                    Contact          Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*******************************************************************************
LAST UPDATE 2-1-10 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)2009 W1GSL   http://www.swapfest.us SASE for updated copy as issued.
unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety    
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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

Attention: ARRL Affiliated and Special Service Clubs

Attention: ARRL Affiliated and Special Service Clubs

Affiliated Clubs

Even though your club has submitted an application as an ARRL Affiliated club  and this application has been approved…you still are required to submit an annual report each year to ARRL headquarters.  The date of your last club update is included in your club’s detailed page.

Any official of the club can submit this annual report although I would recommend that this be the job of the club secretary. It is easy to submit this report, simply locate your club in the ARRL database at: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/clubsearch.phtml. Once you’ve located your club, click on the club name to get to the detail page for your club. At the bottom of that page is a link you can click to update the detailed data. Submitting that update constitutes your annual report. Note, though, that you can submit an update whenever you need to.  Information about your club is given to prospective radio amateurs who want to learn more about our ho The Annual Report is our way of keeping your club records at HQ up-to-date.

(more…)

CAARA Tech-In-A-Day Class Adds 21 New Amateur Operators to the Service

On Saturday January 30th, the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association conducted its second Tech-in-a-Day program at the Lanesville Community Center in Gloucester. Students came from as far away as South Hadley, Massachusetts and Jaffrey, New Hampshire for a highly compressed day of studying to pass the FCC Element 2 examination. Twentyfour students attended the course, ages ranging from 9 to over 60 years old. The course consisted of six one-hour sessions, each session covering approximately 60 questions in the Element 2 question pool. Students were told to read the question and only the correct answer, which was indicated in bold. Very little lecture was conducted—this was a self-study program. Any tricks or associations were encouraged to memorize the largely unfamiliar material. After 45 minutes, students were directed to get up and move around for 15 minutes and enjoy some of the snacks and beverages that were provided. The next session started on the hour and the cycle was repeated. Three sessions were held in the morning and three in the afternoon.

It was a cold day for January, so the community center was chilly inside, actually the best condition for keeping the students sharp during the long periods of study. After the sixth session in the afternoon, the Element 2 exam was conducted by the CAARA V.E.’s, Bob Quinn, WV1A; Curtis Wright, AA3JE; Bill Poulin, WZ1L; Dean Burgess, KB1PGH; Stan Stone, W4HIX; Sandy Balzarini, N1MAU; Jim Cavan, AB1IV and Dave Suuronen, KB1KR.

Twentyone of the twentyfour students passed the exam with several getting perfect scores. Of the 21 students that passed their Element 2 exam, many went on to take the Element 3 and three of those passed, earning their General license. Two of the new General’s took the Element 4, and Bob Edwards, an electrical engineer from Topsfield passed, earning him an Extra–in one day. Bob and his son Allan joined CAARA on the spot–making Bob the third CAARA member in recent years to pass all three elements on one session (Briggs Longbothum, AB2NJ and Stan Stone, W4HIX were the other two).

Stan Stone developed and conducted the course from reports of similar courses that have been conducted around the country. Dean Burgess arrived early and helped coordinate the day’s activities. This session passing rate was 86%, down a bit from the first session’s success rate. Two students joined CAARA on the spot, and several more expressed a strong interest.

The challenge now will be to engage these new hams so that they actually get on the air. Follow-up e-mails have already gone out to congratulate them and encourage them to drop by the clubhouse on Sunday mornings for coffee, donuts and plenty of free advice.

CAARA’s Tech-in-a-Day program will likely be repeated in the fall.