Month: October 2010

Terry Stader, KA8SCP writes:

The Lowell CERT communications team was called to action this past Sunday, October. 17th, to provide multiple communications activities for the Bay State Marathon, now the third largest marathon in New England. Communications unit leader Terry Stader, KA8SCP was contacted several weeks ago with the thought that Amateur Radio could provide a link from one of the medical groups housed in the visitor’s locker-room at LeLacheur Field in Lowell, to the incident command post located at the base of the Rourke Bridge. They were also asked, during the course of planning, if they would be able to provide a link for “accountability”, where family and friends of runners could be advised the status those runners on the course. Both medical and accountability nets were established for the race by the CERT team members. The entire ham radio operation was conducted using 2 meter simplex frequencies and after a couple of key antenna placement issues, flawless communications was established.

Additional Lowell CERT personnel were used on the course for various runner support activities as well. The incident command staff were pleased with the hams ability to overcome radio communications obstacles they had encountered in the past. Lowell CERT Communications Unit members are active ARES (Northern Middlesex ARES) and RACES (Region 1 RACES) members who also support the Upper Merrimack Valley MRC when needed. This is the first time the Lowell CERT unit was activated for a special event and will be more than likely be called to return to the Bay State Marathon as well as other Lowell-area events. Stader thanks all the ham that assisted as well as the Lowell public safety (Fire and Office of Emergency Management) personnel that asked for Amateur Radio support for this event and displayed their ability to communicate, when all else failed.

Terry M. Stader, KA8SCP
MEMA Region 1 Communications/RACES Officer
ARRL EMA Assistant Section Manager
NESMC Eastern Massachusetts Director
Senior Club Advisor, PART of Westford, MA – WB1GOF
WB1GOF and K1HRO D-Star Gateway Administrator
WB1GOF-R (Node 380799) Echolink Administrator
(978) 692-2069 Home
(978) 490-8150 Nextel
180*262823*22 Nextel D/C

The Whitman Amateur Radio Club has been informed that it is the recipient of a $500 Harvard Pilgrim Community Spirit 9/11 Mini-Grant. WARC’s Elayne Tovet, KB1IKH, a Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare employee, submitted the application for the grant on behalf of the WARC.

In the letter, Laura S. Peabody, Chair, and Karen Voci, Executive Director of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, respectively, wrote: “The Foundation gives you this grant to support and enhance your community program. We greatly appreciate the work you do.”

The Community Spirit 9/11 Mini-Grants Program was created by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care to commemorate the first anniversary of September 11, 2001 through a special contribution to its Foundation. The Foundation administers this special fund and distributes the Mini-Grants to non-profit organizations that Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Health Plans Inc. and Dell Perot employees nominate.

WARC will use the funds to help construct an emergency communications “Go Kit.”

Congratulations to the Whitman Amateur Radio Club in securing this special funding to help further their service to the Whitman community!

–Thanks, Whitman ARC Spectrum (“The Voice of the Humble Electron”), October 2010

Paul Laconto, W1NP writes:

On October 16, 17, 2010 the Cape Cod and Island Council of the Boy Scouts of America is sponsoring the annual Jamboree On The Air scouting communication event at Camp Greenough along with fellow ham radio operators to communicate with scouts in the United States and the world. The event is an international undertaking and will be held at the pavilion near the administration building at the camp. Barnstable Amateur Radio Club amateurs and others along with Cape Cod Explorer Post 73 amateurs will be operating the stations [under the call sign W1EXP]. The event will begin on Saturday Oct. 16 at 9:00 AM and continue into the evening. On Sunday Oct 17 the event will begin at 9:00 AM and continue to about 3:00 PM. This event is opened to Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Explorers and Venturers.

During the event ham radio operators will establish a contact with other JOTA stations or individual ham stations and allow our scouts to have conversations with other scouts or radio amateurs in various parts of the country and the world. The ham radio operators will also demonstrate various modes of communication that they use.

The modes of communication planned are as follows:

HF communication via voice contacts on the 6, 10, 15, 20, 40, and 80-meter radio frequency bands where the scouts will communicate with each other throughout the United States and the world.

VHF communication via voice contacts on the 2-meter radio frequency band through repeaters. Scouts will be able to talk to other scouts in the New England area in this mode.

PACKET communications via Radio and computer together connecting to other packet stations to relay messages directly or into their station mailbox. Winlink connection will able scouts to send emails through the radio to their families and friends.

APRS communications (automatic positioning reporting system) With the use of VHF radio, computer and GPS units, this mode of operation allows ham stations to send beacons which get displayed on a map and from this map messages can be sent from station to station. Mobiles with GPS units and radios in their vehicle will have their signals transmitted to the map as well at a predetermined interval. Therefore you can watch the vehicle travel on the map to its destination.

PSK31 communication is a digital mode with the use of HF radios and computers to connect to ham stations throughout the world. This mode requires less power to connect and the conversations are through a computer keyboard.

ECHOLINK communications is a computer to computer or a computer to radio mode, which connects to the Internet where you can select a station who you wish to talk to from a list. This mode of operation, stations listed are from all over the world.

CW mode also known as Morse code. At this mode you can have communication with stations over the world and was one of the first modes that ham operators needed to learn and is still popular today.

SLOW SCAN TV MODE This mode of communication allows for sending pictures between stations through radio and computers combined.

There are additional modes we may demonstrate depending on equipment availability.

You will be able to see and experience the equipment needed that ham operators use such as different types of radios, power supplies, antennas and other misc. equipment.

We will also have other related activities during the event for participation.

We will have literature available and we will have a limited amount of 100 aniversary of scouting JOTA patches for distribution to the scouts for those who participate.

Boy scouts who plan on working toward their Radio merit badge can achieve some of their requirements at this event.

We will also have a signup for any youth or adult wishing to take a class to to get his or her ham radio license which will be given on the Thanksgiving weekend at the Marconi museum in Chatham, MA. and after the class will take the Technician license exam.

Members of the Southeastern MA Amateur Radio Associaton demonstrated Amateur Radio at a Friends of the Forest outing in the Freetown-Fall River State Forest on September 26, 2010.

The demonstration featured an operational ham station on HF with a long wire antenna, along with 2 meters, 220, 440, and 900 MHz. A large camper with solar power was supplied by W1BEP; it sported the SEMARA club banner.

Club members made on-air contacts, and “spoke with a lot of people about the hobby.”

–Thanks, SEMARA Zero Beat, October 2010

Shown here (lower left): Brad Paiva, W1BEP with Smokey the Bear, SWL. Upper right, L-R: Marcel, W1MLD; Joe, N1IXC; Paul, KA1IB; Brad Paiva, W1BEP; Sonny, K1USW. Not shown: Marty, KA1YFV.

We are in the process of looking for hams who would be available to support Red Cross stations, on land and on water. This year’s event will be [October 22, 23 and 24, 2010]. If you are available for any portion of these 3 days, all help would be appreciated.

We are looking for individuals with HT capabilities to [provide] emergency communications on boats, at a Red Cross tent, and [….] for walk teams at first aid stations.

Specific times will come soon but rough schedules are…. Friday (22nd) starting around 12 pm. Saturday (23rd) and Sunday (24th) starting around 6am.

If you are available and can assist, please send me the following information.

Name
Call Sign
Email address
Best available phone number
How many years you have been doing The Head of The Charles
Your preferred station
Dates of availability
Jacket/T-Shirt size

Please note:

I can not guarantee station assignments until closer to the event.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. As the event gets closer you will be receiving more information.

Please note I am also looking for certified lifeguards over the age of 16. If you know of any who would be interested in volunteering as well, please send them my way.

Thank you!

Heather Arnold
Emergency Communications Coordinator
978-882-5081
LG1HOCR@gmail.com
Heather Arnold
978-882-5081
BBM: 32278A57

The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association is having its 12th Annual FARA FEST from 9 a.m. til 12 noon on November 13, 2010 at the Upper Cape Regional Tech School, 220 Sandwich Road in Bourne, MA. The event will feature ham, computer, and electronics equipment; a VE testing session; and E-recycling. Doors open to vendors at 7 a.m.

Admission for buyers is $5.00; free for children under 14. There is plenty of free parking.

Sellers will be provided tables for 7-foot indoor spaces for $10.00 per space ($9.00 if mailed by Nov. 1, 2010). Bring your own tables for outdoor space, weather permitting. Advanced Registration can be made using PayPal or Check.

Talk-in will be provided on 146.655 MHz (-600 KHz) and 444.250 (+5 MHz pl: 141.3).

For more information and detailed directions, visit http://www.falara.org/FleaMarket/farafleas.html.

Bob Leiden, K1UI writes on www.barnstablearc.org:

Dana Henrique [WA1KYU] will be offering another Technician Amateur Radio License in a weekend course to be taught Friday – Sunday of the 2010 Thanksgiving weekend.

Amateur Radio Class
Technician Level (Element 2)
Dates: November 26 – 28, 2010
Time: 1 – 5 PM Each day
Registration Deadline: November 12, 2010 – contact
Dana at 508-432-1383 or dec123@comcast.net

Location: Chatham Maritime Marconi Center
847 Orleans Road., N. Chatham, MA 02650

Duration: 3 sessions of 4 hours each

Fee: This class is offered free of charge. Instructors volunteer their time and materials – we receive no payment for our services. Donations to the organization are welcomed but not required.

Materials: You will need to purchase a copy of the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual #0830 and have it in your possession well in advance of the first class. It is available from the ARRL for $24.95. http://www.arrl.org. Call them toll free at: 1-888-277-5289.

Age: There is no specific age requirement to hold an Amateur Radio license but a certain level of ability, knowledge, and concentration are necessary to pass the test. Children 12 years and up generally do well. Itʼs possible a younger child could pass the exam given sufficient desire to do so, commitment, and ability to learn.

Parents: Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. You will be expected to attend the classes with your child so plan on making this an activity you do together. No parent/guardian, no class, no exceptions.

Pre-study:
Before attending the first session, the student will be expected to have read and memorized the questions in Chapters 1, 6, 7, and 8 of the Ham Radio License Manual. These chapters are: “Welcome to Amateur Radio”, “Communicating with Other Hams”, “Licensing Regulations”, and “Operating Regulations”. Class time wonʼt be devoted to these topics, other than to answer specific questions someone may have at the start of the first class. You will need to know this material in order to pass the license exam which immediately follows the last class.

Instructor:
Dana S. Henrique, WA1KYU. Dana holds an Extra Class Amateur Radio License and a commercial General Radiotelephone Operator License. Heʼs an ARRL registered instructor, as well as a certified Volunteer Examiner for both the ARRL and Laurel Amateur Radio Club. Heʼs a member of ARRL, Pilgrim Amateur Radio Club, Barnstable Amateur Radio Club, and Greater Orleans Amateur Radio Club. You may contact him at 508-432-1383 or email dec123@comcast.net

Co-instructor: Paul Laconto, W1NP. Paul holds an Extra Class Amateur Radio License and is a certified Volunteer Examiner for both the ARRL and Laurel Amateur Radio Club. Heʼs well known for excellent work with the Boy Scouts and is a member of ARRL, Pilgrim Amateur Radio Club, Barnstable Amateur Radio Club, and Greater Orleans Amateur Radio Club. You may contact him at 508-430-0109 or email w1np@juno.com

According to The Boston Globe, “Datz Hits, an FM broadcast pirate radio station with community ties in Mattapan, Dorchester, and Roxbury, is facing closing and a $30,000 fine from the Federal Communications Commission.” They’ve collected more than a thousand signatures on a petition asking that they be allowed to continue operating.

“Whitey” Doherty, K1VV writes:

The Marconi Radio Club will operate two HF stations to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the first rescue of an airship (America) by wireless. This was also the first wireless operation from an airship. Two stations will be operating, one representing the Airship America with W1AA/W and a second representing the rescue ship SS Trent with W1AA/RNR. America and SS Trent used these calls in 1910.

In the fall of 1910, Walter Wellman a newspaperman, built a new dirigible called America. Wellman’s plan was to fly to Europe in his airship America. He had a crew of four including Jack Irwin as his wireless operator. The call sign of America was “W”. Yes, that is correct, it was the single letter “W”. This was years before any issuing of wireless call signs by the government or any regulation. America left Atlantic City NJ on Oct. 15, 1910 and flew in a huge arc past Cape Cod and then southeast for over 1,000 miles before engine trouble forced the journalist and his crew to abandon ship not far from Bermuda. Wellman brought the ship down within a mile of the SS Trent a passing steamer, which made spark gap wireless contact with the America and rescued all on board. The SS Trent then delivered Wellman and his crew to safely shore. This Atlantic adventure set a record for the longest airship flight to that time in aviation history. It was also the first operation of a wireless from an airship and the use of wireless communication, which resulted in the rescue of the American airship crew.

DX please QSL via the Bureau. Stateside via W1AA address OK on QRZ.COM. Two QSL cards are available W1AA/W for The America Airship and W1AA/RNR for the rescue vessel SS Trent. STATESIDE PLEASE SEND A BUSINESS SIZE #10 ENVELOPE – S.A.S.E

A certificate is also available to all stations who confirm QSOs with both “W” and “RNR”.PLEASE send a large S.A.S.E. , big enough for the 8 ½” x 11″ Certificate with enough postage for 3 ounces. $1.50 in stamps will cover most of the USA. DX stations must include enough postage to cover the return mailing cost to their country.

Watch the DX Summit for W1AA Spots. Use the W1AA Call SEARCH function on the DX Summit to find the recent W1AA postings. If you work us, please spot us on the DX Summit because any spot scrolls off the page in 5 minutes.

The full text of the new Massachusetts anti-texting law is now on-line at http://www.mmra.org/massachusetts_anti_texting_bill.pdf. The portion pertaining to the Amateur Radio exemption is highlighted in bold.

–Thanks, KB1OQA and the Minuteman Repeater Association

Larry Caruso, K1LGC writes in PRA625 list:

Saturday, October 9, 2010 members of the Pentucket Radio Association will be at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge headquarters building to help them kick off National Wildlife Refuge Week. We will have an HF rig on the air, much like a field day set-up, and intend to significantly light up the airwaves as we get the word out for this noble cause. Our special event call sign is once again “K1W.” The event is also slowly growing; to date there are thirteen other NWR sites scattered throughout the country which will also be on the air at the same time. For a complete list see this website: http://www.nwrweek-radio.info/activesites.htm

The refuge headquarters building is located at 5 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA. If you’re a licensed ham interested in making a few contacts we’d love to see you. Or you can come with your family and spend the day enjoying the refuge. If you have friends with children (or without) invite them along too. It’s not just a radio event and Refuge manager Graham Taylor has events planned for the day which folks of all ages can enjoy! There will be a live animal touch tank from 10 am to noon and a curious creatures live animal show from 12:30 – 2:00pm. Out on the refuge itself will be a duck banding demonstration from 9 – 11 am (park at Refuge Lot 1) and a Plum Island History interpretive walk from 1 – 2:30 pm (pre-registration required; meet at the refuge headquarters building).

I will be there around 8:00 am to set up radio operations. Set-up is pretty simple and help is always appreciated. Dave Robertson has graciously offered his K3 for the event, so the old Icom 706 will be resting in the truck. Hope to see many of you there.