Cape Ann ARA Morse Code Class Begins on Feb. 5

Cape Ann ARA logoThe Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association will conduct a Morse code class beginning Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 9 AM until 12 noon, according to CAARA Clerk Dean Burgess, KB1PGH.

Burgess says that the class will be led by CAARA member Rick Maybury, WZ1B. The class will run throughout the month of February at the CAARA club house, 6 Stanwood Street, in Gloucester. CAARA has held successful Morse code classes in the past.

Framingham Flea Market Is “ARRL Approved”

Framingham ARA 75h anniversary logoARRL Convention Program Manager Gail Iannone, has notified Framingham Amateur Radio Association Director Beverly Lees, N1LOO that FARA’s spring flea market on April 3, 2011 has been designated an “ARRL Approved” hamfest. New England Division Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI made the approval.

The club is encouraged to prominently display the ARRL diamond in its emails, advertisements, and other program material. In return, the League makes available to approved hamfests at low- or no-cost brochures, hanging and standing banners, tabletop displays, table throws, and other giveaways (pens, magnets and stickers). A list of available items can be found at http://www.arrl.org/shop/Forms-and-Media-Warehouse/.

“We wish you the best for a successful event, wrote Iannone, who added, “Let us know if there is anything else we can do to help with your hamfest plans.”

[More information about the FARA flea market can be found at <http://fara.org/flea/>.]

 

 

 

 

Eastern MA Staff Change

I’m pleased to announce the appointment of Jeremy Breef-Pilz, KB1REQ as the new ARRL Assistant Section Manager for Youth Activities. Breef-Pilz replaces Jason Sample, KB1PQB, who officially tendered his resignation, citing time constraints.

Jeremy Breef-Pilz is active on the HF and VHF bands. He’s involved in public service, SKYWARN, and Eastern Massachusetts ARES. In addition, KB1REQ is a member of the Whitman Amateur Radio Club and the Mansfield Emergency Management Agency.

Please join me in welcoming Jeremy to this important section leadership position.

Phil Temples, K9HI
ARRL Section Manager
Eastern Massachusetts Section

Cape & Islands ARES Winter Exercise, Jan. 22, 2011

The Cape and Islands ARES district will hold a winter exercise on Saturday, January 22, 2011 from 10 AM to 12 PM.

According to Cape and Islands District Emergency Coordinator Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, the group will set up an outside field station and operate on 2 meter FM, 6M repeater, FM and SSB. They will also operate on 3.925 and 7.232 MHz using NVIS.

[Full story]

Cape Cod ARES Winter Exercise 1/22/11 10 AM-Noon ET

Hello to all,

My apologies for the late posting due to the winter storm that hit the region at the end of this week. If you have time this weekend, please participate in the Cape and Islands ARES district exercise being held this Saturday from 10 AM through Noon. Feel free to contact Cape Cod ARES as listed on the timeline in the document at the link below and here is Frank O’Laughlin-WQ1O Cape Cod ARES DEC messasge on the exercise:

http://ares.ema.arrl.org/local/CCARESdrill_42Doc01-16-11.pdf

Cape and Islands ARES district will be holding its winter exercise this Saturday from 10am-12pm. We will be setting up an outside field station and operating on 2 meter FM, 6M repeater, FM and SSB. We will also be on 75m at 3925khz and 40m at 7232khz using NVIS configuration. I have attached the exercise document and station operational timeline. Please feel free to contact us as listed on the timeline.

Thanks and have a great weekend!

73’ Frank WQ1O
Cape and Islands ARES DEC

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://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org

 

New England Area Flea Markets, 01/15/11

New England Area Ham – Electronic Flea Market *** DATES *** 2011 P 1 of 2
All events are Ham Radio/ Electronic related except ~_____~

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2011 Contact Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5 Feb Chelsea ME AARA @CrystalFalls Bill K1NIT 207 623 9075 A

12 Feb Windsor CT VR+C Mus 115 Pierson LN @8AM Indoor John 860 673 0518

19 Feb Marlborough MA AARC @MS $5@9 $20/T@6:30 Tim KA1OS 978 333 0067 F

20 Feb Westford MA GBARC RadioXLII $12@8 @Regency Antique 866 371 0512 F

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

27 Feb Hicksville NY LIMARC @LevitHall $6@9$20/T@7 Richie K2KNB 516 694 4937 +

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

19 Mar Dayville CT ECARA @StJosephCh $3@8 $10/T Paul KE1LI 860 928 2456 F

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

25 Mar Lewiston ME ME AARC StConv @ Ramada Ivan N1OXA 207 577 5152 A

26 Mar Middleetown NY OCARC @CommCtr Neil AC2O 914 490 2001 A

27 Mar Henniker NH CVRC @CommSch Donald N1ZIH 603 651 8000 A

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

10 Ap LaGrangeville NY MtBARC @TymorPk David KC2AFK 845 677 5079 A

16 Ap Manchester NH NHAntqRC @Bingo $10 @7:30 $3 @8:30 Charlie 603 898 4821 F

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

New England Area Ham – Electronic Flea Market *** DATES *** 2011 P2 of 2

*******************************************************************************
2011 Contact Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

29,30 April Deerfield NH Nearfest IX @FG Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235

30 Ap 1 My Wakefield MA Photographica @AmericalCtr ~photo~ John 781 592 2553

14 May E Greenbush NY EGARA @FD $6@8 +$6/sp@6 Tom KC2FCP 518 272 1492

15 May Cambridge MA FLEA at MIT Nick 617 253 3776 F

20-22 May Dayton OH

4 June Windsor CT VR+C Mus 115 Pierson LN John 860 673 0518

4 June Goshen CT SBARC @FG Lee K1LEE 860 435 0051 A+

19 June Cambridge MA FLEA at MIT Nick 617 253 3776 F

17 July Cambridge MA FLEA at MIT Nick 617 253 3776 F

21 Aug Cambridge MA FLEA at MIT Nick 617 253 3776 F

28 Aug Adams MA NoBARC @FG Timothy KE3HT 413 822 7075 A

10 Sept Ballston Spa NY SCRACES @FG @7 Al KA1IEG 518 677 3316

10 Sept Windsor CT VR+C Mus 115 Pierson LN John 860 673 0518

18 Sept Cambridge MA FLEA at MIT Nick 617 253 3776 F

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

14,15 Oct Deerfield NH Nearfest X @FG Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235 T

16 Oct Cambridge MA FLEA at MIT Nick 617 253 3776 F

15,16 Oct Wakefield MA Photographica @AmericalCtr ~photo~ John 781 592 2553

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

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

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

3 Dec Windsor CT VR+C Mus 115 Pierson LN @8AM Indoor John 860 673 0518

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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.
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New England Area Ham – Electronic Flea Market *** DATES *** 2011 -> ***
Page 3 Electronic distribution only. This page has the overflow if any P3
from the paper version.
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2011 Contact Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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LAST UPDATE 1-15-11 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
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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

***********************************************************************
New England Area Ham – Electronic Flea Market *** DATES *** P4
Links to New England Hamfest Web Sites (c) 2010 W1GSL
***********************************************************************
This section is only included in the electronic distribution.

Cambridge MA Flea at MIT http://www.swapfest.us

Hopkinton NH Hosstraders RIP 🙁 http://www.qsl.net/k1rqg/

Adams MA N BerkshireARC http://www.nobarc.org/hamfest.htm

Boxborough MA NE ARRL Conv http://www.boxboro.org/

Dartmouth MA SEMARA http://www.semara.org/flea.htm

Falmouth MA FARA http://www.falara.org/

FeedingHills MA MTARA http://www.mtara.org/node/13

Framingham MA FARA http://www.fara.org/

Marlboro MA AARC http://www.qsl.net/n1em/FleaMarketFlier2008a.pdf

Newton MA Waltham ARA Auction http://www.wara64.org/auction/

Rockport MA CAARA www.caara.net

S Dartmouth MA SEMARA http://www.semara.org/

Wakefield MA Photographica http://www.phsne.org/

Whately MA FranklinCARC http://www.fcarc.org/news.htm

Worcester MA WPI ACM http://acm.wpi.edu/swapmeet/

Enfield CT VHF/UHF Conf http://www.newsvhf.com/vhfconf.html

Gales Ferry CT RASON http://www.rason.org/

Goshen CT SBARC http://www.w1baa.org/

Newington CT NARL http://www.narlhamfest.org/

Newtown CT CARA http://www.danbury.org/cara/Hamfest.html

North Haven CT http://www.yankeehamfest.com

Southington CT SARA http://www.chetbacon.com/sara.htm

Wallingford CT Nutmeg CT Conv http://www.nutmeghamfest.com

Windsor CT Vintage R Mus http://vrcmct.org/

Chelsea ME AARA http://www.w1tlc.com/

Hermon ME PSARC http://n1me.org/index.php?pr=Hamfest

Lewiston ME AARC http://www.mainearrl.org/convent.htm

S. Portland ME PAWA http://www.pawa-maine.org/

St. Albans ME PARC http://www.qsl.net/parc/hamfest/hamfest.html

Thomaston ME PBARC http://penbayarc.org/

Windsor ME AARA http://www.w1tlc.com/

Deerfield NH NEAR-Fest http://www.near-fest.com/

Henniker NH CVRC http://k1bke.org/

Manchester NH NEAntiqueRC http://www.nearc.net/

Londonderry NH IRS www.irs.nhradio.org/

Rochester NH GBRA http://www.w1fz.org/

Bergen NJ BARA http://www.bara.org/

Sussex NJ SCARC http://www.scarcnj.org/www.scarcnj.org/flyer_2007.htm

Ballston Spa NY SCRACES http://wa2umx.net/_Hamfest_2008.html

LaGrangeville NY MtBARC http://www.wr2abb.org/

Lake Placid NY NNY ARA http://www.northnet.org/nnyham/hamfest_flyer2004.htm

Lindenhurst NY ToB ARES http://www.tobares.org/hamfest.html

Lindenhurst NY GSB ARA http://www.gsbarc.org/Hamfest.htm

Long Island NY LIMARC http://www.limarc.org/fest.htm

Middletown NY OCARC http://www.ocarc-ny.org/

Queens NY Hall of Science http://www.hosarc.org/

Rensselaer NY E Greenbush ARA http://www.w2egb.org/

Rochester NY AWA http://www.antiquewireless.org/

Rochester NY RARA http://www.rochesterham.org/hamfest.htm

Wallkill NY OCARC http://www.ocarc-ny.org/

Greenwich RI Fidelity ARC http://users.ids.net/~newsm/dates.html

Colchester VT HAM-CON VT Conv http://www.ranv.org/hamcon.html

Swanton VT STARC http://www.starc.org/

Windsor VT CVFMA http://www.cvfma.org/

Moncton NB TCARC http://www.ve9tca.org/

Quispamsis NB LCARC http://www.lcarc.ca/

Drummondville PQ leCRdeD http://www.raqi.ca/ve2crd/hamfest/index.html

Greenwood PQ GARC http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/esmith/GARC/activities.htm

Laval PQ CRALL http://www.ve2crl.qc.ca/

Montreal PQ MARC http://www.marc.qc.ca/fest/fest.html

Montreal PQ WIARC http://www.wiarc.ca/ +

Montreal PQ MS-SARC http://www.ve2clm.ca/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=120

Montreal PQ UMS http://www.ve2ums.ca/agenda/pub_2007_hamf.pdf

Sorel-Tracy PQ CRAS-T http://www.hamfest.qc.ca/

St Romuald PQ ARES http://www.aresqc.org/

St Therese PQ CRALL http://www.ve2crl.qc.ca/hamfest2002.htm

Summerside PEI SPARC http://www.summersidearc.com/fleamarket2009.htm

Greenwood NS GARC http://www.greenwoodarc.org/

Halifax NS HARC http://www.halifax-arc.org/ +

Timonium MD GBHC http://www.gbhc.org/

Montreal Area MARC List http://www.marc.qc.ca/fest/festcal.html

Canada RAC List http://rac.eton.ca/events/upcoming.php

Phila. Area VARA List http://www.qsl.net/w2vtm/hamfest.html

USA ARRL List http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html

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P4 LAST UPDATE 8-1-10 de W1GSL P 4
Additions/ Corrections via Internet w1gsl@mit.edu
US Mail W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139
(c)2010 W1GSL http://www.swapfest.us SASE for updated copy as issued.
unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety
*******************************************************************************

South Shore Hospital ARC Established

South Shore Hospital ARC meeting, Dec. 11, 2010 A new Amateur Radio Club has been established at the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth. A driving force behind the club’s formation was employee John O’Neill, KB1QEM. O’Neill helped the hospital specify what equipment to purchase and include in a hospital “Go Kit”, funded from a homeland security grant. The grant was secured thanks to the efforts of Joan Cooper-Zack, R.N., KB1UBZ, who serves as the hospital’s Emergency Preparedness Manager. ARES District Emergency Coordinator Carl Aveni, N1FY also assisted in educating the group about the various services available through Amateur Radio and ARES.

Employees, volunteers, and friends of the hospital met for the first meeting of the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club (W1SSH) on December 11, 2010. Eighteen people were present. Photo ID badges were issued, and a presentation was given by Jim Tovet, W1JT on packet radio. Tovet demonstrated how amateurs at the hospital could send and receive text messages with other packet terminals and PBBSes outside of the area. Tovel also demonstrated Winlink. A test message goint to one of the hospital officials was received in the form of an email that originated as an amateur radio packet message.

A January meeting is planned that will feature a talk about the National Traffic System and NTS radiograms as a part of an ongoing training program. Already, an area-wide simplex test was conducted to test radio coverage. Interestingly, the test revealed de-sensitization problems caused by the hospital’s paging transmitter.

The formation of the club, and implementation of the training program at South Shore Hospital has been such a success that KB1UBZ and KB1QEM have been approached by other local health care institutions who are also interested in developing similar programs.

KB1QEM says there are several parts of the country where hams have joined their resources together to form radio networks for area hospitals. “It would be a tremendous asset for area institutions to be able to communicate with each other on a predefined network of simplex frequencies and repeaters. I have my sites set for the creation of a system along those lines as we and other hospitals in the area get our groups established.”

Also attributing to the success of the club’s formation was an Amateur Radio Technician Class sponsored by both the South Shore Hospital and the Whitman Amateur Radio Club. Sessions were held on two Saturdays, using classroom facilities at South Shore Hospital. The class resulted in six hospital employees receiving their licenses, which brought the total of licensed employees to eight. Additionally, several orientation sessions were held to educate area ham volunteers with the South Shore Hospital volunteer program, policies, and culture.

Radio equipment purchased includes a Yaesu FT-8800 VHF/UHF transceiver, a Yaesu FT-450 AT HF transceiver, a Kantronics KAM XL TNC, a 35-amp Samlex power supply, and a Yaesu FT-60R handheld. The items are housed in a case with a removable platform, ready to be used as a base station. A dual-band 2-Meter/70 cm antenna and HF antenna for base station use was also purchased. The antennas have been installed on the hospital roof, and coax lines routed inside the hospital.

Photo: Jim Tovet, W1JT giving a packet radio presentation at SSHARC’s first meeting on December 11, 2010

–Thanks, Bruce Hayden, NI1X

Foundation for Amateur Radio Scholarships Now Available for 2011-2012

Foundation for Amateur Radio logo“The non-profit Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR) is now accepting applications for 48 scholarships for the academic year 2011-2012 to assist radio amateurs pursuing higher education. FAR fully funds two of scholarships and administers 46 others without cost on behalf of various club and individual donors. Amateur Radio licensees pursuing a full-time course of study beyond high school and accepted by or enrolled in an accredited university, college or technical school are eligible to apply. Scholarship grants range from $500 to $5000, and preference in some cases goes to applicants living in particular geographical areas or pursuing certain studies. Non-US residents are eligible to apply for some of the scholarships.”

[Full story]

New England Cabinet Meeting 01/15/11 Notes On-line

New England division logoMeeting notes from the January 15, 2011 New England Division Cabinet Meeting in Springfield, Massachusetts have been posted on-line for your reading pleasure. The bi-annual Cabinet meetings are held approximately one week before regular ARRL Board of Director meetings to allow Section Managers, Assistant Directors, Advisory Committee members and Affiliated Club Presidents the opportunity to voice their opinions and provide feedback to the Director and Vice Director.

 

 

 

BAA Marathon Volunteers Sought

Marathon Amateur Radio Communications 2011 logoBob De Mattia, K1IW writes:

Volunteer registration for the 2011 Boston Marathon is now open! The Marathon will be held on Monday April 18th. Radio operators are needed to provide safety communications and to assist the Red Cross. Assignments are available in Hopkinton, along the route, and in downtown Boston. To volunteer, go to http://marc.mmra.org and follow the instructions.

 

 

Framingham ARA License In A Weekend, March 19-20, 2011

Framingham ARA 75h anniversary logoThe Framingham Amateur Radio Association announces its License In A Weekend on March 19-20, 2011 in the Danforth Museum, Lexington Street, in Framingham, MA. The $42 fee includes lunch on Saturday and Sunday, a textbook and the FCC exam fee.

The class schedule is as follows:

– Saturday 9 am to 5 pm

– Sunday 9 am to 4 pm

– FCC Technician license exam on Sunday 2 pm

To reserve a seat, contact Ed Weiss (W1NXC) at 508-881-2301 or email W1NXC@arrl.net. Pre-registration is required, and applications must be received no later than Feb. 21, 2011. (NOTE: there are limited FREE openings for Boy and Girl Scouts.)

Marlborough Ham Radio Flea Market, Feb. 19, 2011

AARC logoThe Algonquin Amateur Radio Club is again holding its winter Ham Radio Flea Market on February 19, 2011 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the 1Lt Charles W. Whitcomb School (formerly the Marlborough Intermediate /Middle School), 25 Union St., Marlborough, MA.

A VE session will be held beginning at 9:00 AM. General admission is $5. Vendor tables are $15 before February 11, or $20 at the door and each table includes one admission.

For more information, contact Tim Ikeda, KA1OS at 978-333-0067 (before 9:00 PM), email fleamarket@n1em.org or visit http://www.qsl.net/n1em/2011flier.pdf.

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Stand-By Beginning at 5 AM EST Wednesday 1/12/11 Through Noon Thursday 1/13/11

Hello to all..

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES TO GO ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS BEGINNING AT 5 AM EST WEDNESDAY MORNING JANUARY 12TH 2011 THROUGH NOON THURSDAY JANUARY 13TH 2011 DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF MOBILIZATION DUE TO THE EFFECTS OF THE MAJOR WINTER STORM/BLIZZARD TO THE EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS SECTION.***
***SKYWARN ACTIVATION WITH OPS AT NWS TAUNTON WILL COMMENCE AT 3 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING AND LAST THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING**

A major winter storm/nor’easter will likely pound the Eastern Massachusetts Section with heavy snow, blizzard conditions, and strong to damaging winds with the strong to damaging winds particularly affecting coastal areas. Blizzard/Winter Storm/High Wind Warnings are in effect for much of the Eastern Massachusetts section. For further specific information on warnings in effect for the section, see the latest Blizzard Coordination Message link listed below that has greater details on the storm scenario.

http://www.wx1box.org/node/498

We’d like to have ARES personnel assist with SKYWARN reporting of measured snowfall, any changeover in precipitation in extreme Southeast Massachusetts, snow/wind damage reports and by providing damage and storm related pictures where possible. 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.

If you have not already done so, please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime from now through Thursday January 13th, 2011. This is to support parnter agencies (Red Cross, Salvation Army, Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) etc.) that are also on some form of standby. The Massachusetts State EOC and its regional offices are in a partial activation mode with RACES staffing at the State EOC and certain regional offices.

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://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org

Youths Explore Amateur Radio at Post 73

Explorer Post 73 logoYouths on Cape Cod are being given the opportunity to become modern-day “explorers” of Amateur Radio and communications–in a non-traditional Scouting environment.

According to Post 73‘s Committee Chair Tam Garran, K1TAG, “If you aren’t familiar with today’s Explorer program, it is a part of the Learning for Life program, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America. There are no ranks or badges to be earned or uniform to wear, and it’s open for both boys and girls from 14 to 20 years of age.” Garran says the Post has been operational now for about a year. All of its members hold Technician class licenses. The Post is sponsored by the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club.

The Post, which meets at the police station in South Dennis, is governed by “lead advisors and advisors” as well as a “Post Committee.” Garran adds, “To date we have three very faithful members and one waiting to hit his 14th birthday and who regularly attends as a guest.”

According to Garran, there is keen interest in the members working to upgrade to General Class. Many of their bi-monthly meetings focus on General class instruction.

“We have just voted to participate in what we call Joint Venture Training. JVT is where we invite other Hams to join with our Post for training. We have the backing and support of the local Scout Council who administer the Learning for life program and hope to start classes in the next few weeks,” remarks Garran.

The safety of the youths is closely adhered to. Says K1TAG, “Because of the Youth Protection Program, we have to make sure that our youths are never in a one-on-one situation with non-Explorer folks, youth or adult, and for that matter we have to always have not less than two leaders with one member or two members with one adult. Since we have nine active adults, most of which belong to the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club, this is not a problem.”

Several of the Post 73 youths are also members of the sponsoring Barnstable ARC and active in BARC’s events. In fact, says, Garran, “One of the boys won the BARC fox gunt that we had back in October, 2010. And all of them were an active part of Field Day this past June.” Garran goes on to explain that the Post 73 crew were “key operators during the 2010 Jamboree on the Air event” held this past fall, as well as a Cape Cod Council Camporee in May, 2010. That event featured an impressive demonstration of Amateur Radio sponsored by the Barnstable club.

K1TAG and the other committee members and advisors are actively seeking youth participation at several different levels. “I think the biggest hurtle we have to overcome is the mentality of, ‘I can talk anywhere you can talk to on my cell phone.’ At each meeting,” he explains, “we try to have a program which presents different topics and interactive activities to prove that mentality isn’t quite correct.”

New Eastern MA ARRL Field Organization Begins January 1, 2011

EMA ARRL logoEffective January 1, 2011, Phil Temples, K9HI, begins his two-year term as ARRL Section Manager for Eastern Massachusetts. A copy of his introductory text to all EMA ARRL members can be found at http://www.arrl.org/sections/view/eastern-massachusetts, along with his January Section News column.

Temples has retained some key section staff, while also appointing several new people. Staying in their current posts are: Affiliated Club Coordinator “Bo” Budinger, WA1QYM, of Westford; Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY, of New Bedford; State Government Liaison Shawn O’Donnell, K3HI, of Framingham; and Section Traffic Manager Jim Ward, N1LKJ, of Raynham.

New staff named are: Assistant Section Manager/Youth Activities Jason Sample, KB1PQB, of Groveland; Official Observer Coodinator Ed Parish, K1EP, of North Reading; Public Information Coordinator Bob Salow, WA1IDA, of Natick; and Technical Coordinator Eric Falkof, K1NUN, of Wayland.

Temples has promised a more “club-centric” approach to structuring of the field organization, with emphasis on supplying affiliated clubs with more resources, recruiting more field appointments, and beefing up the local National Traffic System organization in the section.

KM1CC Trans-Atlantic Anniversary Operation, 1/17-1/18

KM1CC QSL cardThe Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club invites interested amateurs to operate the KM1CC station on January 17-18, 2011 during the anniversary of Marconi’s first trans-Atlantic transmission from the USA to Europe.

The station is located at the Coast Guard Station on Coast Guard Beach in Eastham. Planned hours of operation are 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM on both dates. If there is interest, the station may also be operational the evening of January 17.

According to station trustee Barbara Dougan, N1NS, two HF stations will be set up — one for CW, the other for phone. Operations will be conducted on 17, 20, 40, 75 and 80 meters.

“There is a need for phone operators anytime of the day, and CW operators late afternoon and the evening of Monday, January 17,” she adds.

For full details, see http://ema.arrl.org/local/km1cc_2011_announcement.pdf.

NEW SECTION MANAGER

NEW SECTION MANAGER

Phil Temples K9HI has become the new SM effective January 1, 2011. Phil has served
in this position in the past and we certainly welcome him back. Phil has always been a
supporter of NTS and is already laying the ground work for finding ways to increase
participation in our Traffic Nets. This would include training sessions and working with
Ares and Races in ways that will benefit all. I know you will all give your best support to
Phil in the coming months. Happy New Year to all.
Jim Ward N1LKJ  STM-EMA

 

Cape Ann ARA, CERT Members Staff Gloucester EOC During Blizzard

WW1N et al at the Gloucester EOC, Dec. 2010Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association members, along with Gloucester Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members staffed the Gloucester Emergency Operations Center Dec. 26-27 during the recent blizzard that struck New England over the holidays.

 

According to CAARA president Stan Stone, W4HIX, “This was the first time that EOC has been activated, so there was a lot to do in getting set up. The CERT members went to work on a work/sleep schedule, scrounged furniture and supplies from around the Fuller School, made coffee, and generally got the facility operational.”

The operation had to overcome several obstacles along the way. “The EOC suffered a power failure and the generator worked for a couple of hours until it failed. The Internet service was routed through the school system, so it had many restrictions, and ultimately failed because the backup generator at Gloucester High School failed.”

The CERT operation lasted approximately 15 hours.

“I will say [the operation center] was quite successful for the first time,” remarked Gloucester’s Emergency Management Director Miles Schlichte.

“It was quite an experience, and a great shakedown exercise,” said Stan Stone. Stone has had subsequent meetings with Gloucester IT managers to make the Internet connection more robust, and he also plans to meet with city professionals to discuss radio improvements for the Gloucester Fire Department, and data communications for the Department of Public Works.

Said Stone: “The key lesson was that you have to test every system and learn their failure modes.”

Photo: Ruth E. Hodsdon, WW1N  (standing) in the Gloucester EOC

–Thanks, CAARA Newsletter, January, 2011

Reminder: Monthly Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net for January 2011

Hello to all…

A reminder that the monthly ARES Net for January is rapidly approaching. The monthly ARES Net for January is Monday January 3rd, 2011, 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     
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://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org