Month: November 2011

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RACES Update Message from Acting Massachusetts State RACES Radio Officer Mike Neilsen-W1MPN

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The following is from Acting Massachusetts State RACES Radio officer, Mike Neilsen-W1MPN:

Hello all Stations:

I want to take this opportunity to thank you all again for the great support you provided your towns/cities/state government and volunteer organizations during the October storm as part of the RACES/ARES/SKYWARN/MARS teams.

In its aftermath, many of you understandably turned your attention to the impact and damage from the storm on your own and neighbor’s homes.  Consequently, we had to shelve our ACS, ARWG, and MRAS meetings temporarily.  We are now in process of rescheduling these meetings in December and January as best we can considering the holidays.  We have scheduled a leadership meeting for further exploring the ACS path for AR EMCOMM work on December 17th.  The ARWG will pick up its role to best leverage the new environment for hams.  We then want to expand the discussions to the MRAS group in January.  Additionally, a select group of the leadership will be available to speak to EMCOMM centric clubs who are interested in contributing to these discussions.

Many of you know that I place a very high value on readiness.  Our focus on system preparedness, particularly in the simplex mode has borne significant fruit for us.  Some stations are setting up relays to enable communication between those repeater dependent stations.  I applaud these efforts.  In coming months we will also focus on exercising our emergency power and antenna systems, in an effort to hone those skills.  I am also pleased to say that our nets are simultaneously getting more accustomed to passing routine and logistic traffic on resource and administrative nets.  Remember there are also several traffic passing nets meeting regularly such as the “heavy hitters”, just to name one where you can practice these skills.  When did you work with VHF/UHF SSB and HF NVIS last?

Some of you have expressed interest and/or concern that tactical traffic skills may languish.  In the late spring or early summer we will have an operational exercise for passing voice and digital traffic.  One of my long term readiness goals is the greater use of digital modes.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a wonderful thanksgiving celebration.  Please travel safely as well.

I desire the widest dissemination of this message.

Regards and 73,

Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
State RACES Officer (Acting)
Chairperson, Amateur Radio Working Group
Member of the MA State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC), and Policies and Programs subcommittee
Office Answering Service/FAX 978.389.0558
******************************************************************

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SKYWARN Recognition Day 2011

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Rob Macedo, KD1CY writes on SKYWARN Announcement List:

** SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) 2011 Friday Evening December 2nd at 7 PM Through Saturday December 3rd at 7 PM **

The following is a special announcement on SKYWARN Recognition Day. This announcement also appears on the WX1BOX home page via the following link:

http://www.wx1box.org/node/1556

Announcement text is listed below:

The National Weather Service in Taunton Amateur Radio Station, WX1BOX, will once again be active for SKYWARN Recognition Day 2011. In addition, for the fifth straight year, the National Weather Service Gray, Maine Office will also be active under call-sign, WX1GYX. The Boston Amateur Radio Club will also be active as they have been over the past several years at the NWS Blue Hill Observatory under call-sign W1BOS/MQE from 9 AM-3 PM Saturday December 3rd, 2011.

This will be the 13th year of SKYWARN Recognition Day and its anticipated that over 100 NWS Forecast Offices will be participating once again this year. This event was featured on page 68 of the December 2011 Issue of QST Magazine and web links to information on SKYWARN Recognition Day can be seen at the following links:

http://hamradio.noaa.gov

The following is a schedule of repeaters that will be utilized along with simplex being utilized during certain timeframes on Saturday at WX1BOX. We hope Amateurs will utilize this schedule and try and work WX1BOX during these various timeframes. If you don’t hear NWS, feel free to call for WX1BOX and if the office is monitoring, a response will be given. When you make contact, give your current sky condition and temperature as required.

Below is the tentative schedule of operations.

Friday December 2nd, 2011:

7:00-7:30 PM: 146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8 Hz)
7:30-8:00 PM: 147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
8:00-8:30 PM: 145.490-Fairhaven Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
8:30-9:00 PM: 146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4 Hz)
9:00-9:30 PM: 146.79-Vernon, CT Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz) (linked via IRLP.)
9:30-10:00 PM: 147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz)
10:00-10:30 PM: 146.760-Scituate, RI Repeater PL: 67.0 Hz
10:30-11:00 PM: 145.470-Danvers Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
11:00-11:30 PM: 146.955-Barnstable PL: 88.5 or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater PL: 110.9
11:30 PM-12:00 AM: 146.640-Waltham Repeater

**Will Attempt to monitor both the New England Network and the *WX-TALK*/IRLP Reflector 9219 systems during this entire timeframe.

**It is possible we may switch off to different repeaters or simplex during time slots if we run out of contacts.

Saturday December 3rd, 2011:

7:00-8:30 AM: 146.595 Simplex
8:30-9:00 AM: Litchfield County Linked System via KB1AEV repeater system
9:00-9:30 AM: 145.230-Boston Repeater (PL: 88.5 Hz)
9:30-10:00 AM: 146.640-Waltham Repeater
10:00-10:30 AM: 146.895-Walpole Repeater (PL: 123.0 Hz)
10:30-11:00 AM: 147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz)
11:00-11:30 AM: 145.470-Danvers Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
11:30 AM-Noon: 146.79-Vernon, CT Repeater (Linked via IRLP.)
Noon-1:00 PM: 146.595 Simplex
1:00-1:30 PM: 146.685-Plymouth Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz)
1:30-2:00 PM: 145.130-Gloucester Repeater (PL: 107.2 Hz)
2:00-2:30 PM: 146.955-Barnstable (PL: 88.5) or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater (PL: 110.9)
2:30-3:00 PM: 146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4)
3:00-3:30 PM: 146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8)
3:30-4:00 PM: 147.165-Exeter, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0)
4:00-4:30 PM: 146.760-Scituate, RI or 145.37-Coventry, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0)
4:30-5:00 PM: 145.490-Fairhaven Repeater (PL: 67.0)
5:00-5:30 PM: 147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0)
5:30-6:00 PM: 449.375-Pack Monadnock, NH Repeater (PL: 88.5 Hz)
6:00-6:30 PM: 146.895-Walpole Repeater (PL: 123.0)
6:30-7:00 PM: 147.000-Dartmouth Repeater (PL: 67.0)

**Will Attempt to monitor both the New England Network and the *WX-TALK*/IRLP Reflector 9219 systems during this entire timeframe.

**It is possible we may switch off to different repeaters or simplex during time slots if we run out of contacts.

The following is information EchoLink/IRLP operations during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Further updates to follow as we get closer to the event:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign 0000-0100: WX0GLD (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0200-0300: WX4MLB (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0300-0400: W0ABR (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0400-0500: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot but can swap if needed)
0500-0600: WX9GRB (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0700-0800: N0NWS (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0800-0900: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS – NWS Fairbanks AK)
0900-1000: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS – NWS Fairbanks AK)
1000-1100: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS – NWS Fairbanks AK)
1100-1200: WX4HUN (Taking WX7PHX Time Slot and relinguishing their 1400-1500 UTC time slot)
1200-1300: W7NWS (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1300-1400: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS – NWS Fairbanks AK)
1400-1500: Open
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot but can swap if needed)
1600-1800: WX4NC (Confirmed to keep the time slot, 2 hour time slot and time slot is from last year)
1800-1900: WX6MTR (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1900-2000: K0MPX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
2000-2100: WX4MLB (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Time slot from last year)
2300-2400: WX6NWS (Confirmed the NWS Sacramento California Office for this time slot)

There will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by the NWS Taunton, Mass. and NWS Gray, Maine offices from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years on reflector 9250 and have its gateway system on IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 125266 open for NWS offices. Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western Reflector.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system.

The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for there 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://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org

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MA, NH, Seabrook Station To Conduct November 16th Siren Demonstration

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Please see the following as received by MEMA Public Information Officer Peter Judge:

On Wednesday, November 16th, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the state of New Hampshire, in conjunction with Seabrook Nuclear Power Station, will conduct an audible demonstration of all 121 of the Public Alert and Notification System (PANS) sirens that are located within Seabrook Station’s 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ).  There are 27 sirens located in Massachusetts, within the communities of Amesbury, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury and West Newbury, with 94 in New Hampshire.

This demonstration is a public information endeavor designed to increase public awareness of what the sirens sound like and what to do if they are ever sounded due to a declared emergency. The siren demonstration will begin at 12:30pm, lasting from 3-5 minutes, and will be ending at approximately 12:35pm.  No public action will be necessary.

While the PANS sirens can be used to notify the public of any kind of emergency (i.e. weather, homeland security event, etc.), the purpose of this November 16th demonstration is to provide the public within the 23 Seabrook Station EPZ communities an opportunity to again hear the siren tone that would be utilized by Massachusetts and New Hampshire to alert the public of an emergency at Seabrook Station. 

The demonstration is intended to complement information published annually in the Emergency Public Information Calendars for Neighbors of Seabrook Station in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  The annual emergency public information calendars advise the public that if they hear the PAN siren tone, for three to five minutes, tune to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) radio station for their state (93.7 FM, 92.5 FM, 1030 AM, 98.5 FM and 1450 AM in MA; 97.5 FM in NH) for specific information and directions.  The demonstration is intended to reinforce that message.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema. Follow MEMA updates on Facebook and Twitter.

Licensing Education & Training / Operating

Marlborough EMA To Host YCCC Contest University,

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

YCCC logoTony Brock-Fisher, K1KP writes on the YCCC reflector:

The Yankee Clipper Contest Club will host a Contest University and Local Meeting on Monday, November 21 from 6:30-10pm. The location is:

Marlborough Fire Headquarters
215 Maple Street (Route 85)
Marlborough, MA 01752
enter from the side door (signs will be posted)

map at: http://www.marlborough-ma.gov/Gen/MarlboroughMA_WebDocmnts/firedept_directions

‘professors’ K1DG, K1IR, and K1XM will lecture on tips, tricks and techniques to improve your contest score:

  • Maximizing score with limited station
  • Maximizing score with limited operating time
  • Specific strategies for your entry class (SO, Assisted, MS, M2, MM)
  • Propagation – what’s expected this year
  • Operating tips for running, S&P, DO’s and DON’Ts
  • Sleep strategy

This will also serve as a local meeting, so new members can join YCCC.

If you are interested in attending, please send an email to me at president[at]yccc.org

There will probably be a gathering for dinner at a nearby restaurant before hand; details to be announced.

Thanks to Eric, KV1J, SE Mass Area Manager for setting this up!

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Sector 2B (Plymouth County) RACES Repeater Frequency Change – 145.250/145.390 Frequency Swap (& PL Change)

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The following is from Jeff Lehmann-N1ZZN:

Time to reprogram your 2 meter radios and get on the air!

Last night, KC1HO and myself swapped the frequencies of the 145.250 and 145.390 repeaters.

145.390 (AC1M/R) will now be the Norwell repeater, with all of the features and links previously available on 145.250. 145.390 is a much cleaner frequency that does not suffer from the cable leakage that we have experienced in many areas on 145.250. Several months back, W1QWT moved the repeater out of his garage, and we were testing it at a lower coverage site in Norwell. We all thank W1QWT for maintaining the 39 machine for MANY years! You will now need a PL of 67.0 Hz to get into the 145.390 repeater in Norwell. The tone is on the input and output, so tone squelch can be used. The reason the tone was changed from 88.5, is because for some reason the Mt. Equinox repeater in Vermont would come through on many radios programmed with 88.5, even though their tone is 100.0… doesn’t make much sense, but 67.0 takes care of this problem.

145.390 is linked 90% of the time with 443.600, and can be accessed via EchoLink at NS1N-R and IRLP node 4320. 39 will now be the repeater used for the RACES nets on the 1st Monday of each month at 8 PM as well as the ARES net (linked with the MMRA) at 8:30. 39 will also link up with the MMRA each weeknight between 9:55 and 11 for the Heavy Hitters Traffic Net. 145.390 is also now the repeater with the IDAS digital repeater, for those of you using IDAS/NXDN, as it was previously on 145.250 the RAN is 1. For analog users, it’s a good idea to program the tone squelch so you don’t hear the digital noise.

145.250 (W1QWT/R) is now at the test site, also in Norwell, now with a PL of 77.0 in and out. Please do program tone squelch on your radios if you have it, as it will eliminate listening to all the cable leakage as you drive around. The 77.0 was chosen because 67.0 is on the output of one of the WB2BQW repeaters in NY. We have plans to move this repeater to a new, better location, TBA.

Any questions, feel free to ask, and signal reports would be appreciated! 39 will soon have an amplifier, so things will only be getting better, but it’s working well now.

So remember it’s now 145.390 (PL 67.0) in Norwell and 145.250 (PL 77.0) still in Norwell, new location TBA.

73

Jeff N1ZZN

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Nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test – Wednesday 11/9/11 at 2 PM ET

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Hello to all..

As part of our nation’s ongoing efforts to strengthen our resilience against all hazards, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in close coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), will conduct the first ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System on Wednesday, November 9, at 2:00 p.m. EST. The test will occur simultaneously across the United States and the U.S. territories and will last approximately 30 seconds, after which regular programming will resume. The test will appear on all broadcast radio and television stations, cable television systems, satellite radio and television systems, and wireline video service systems. The test will not involve landline or mobile phones or other infrastructure such as power grids.

Further details on what will occur during this test is listed below in a press release by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

FEMA EAS Test Press Release:
http://www.fema.gov/eastest/

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

All / Emergency Communications

Reminder: Monthly Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net for November 2011

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Hello to all…

A reminder that the monthly ARES Net for November is rapidly approaching. The monthly ARES Net for November is Monday November 7th, 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

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SKYWARN Training In Ipswich, Nov. 19

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Rob Macedo, KD1CY writes on SKYWARN Announce list:

There will be a SKYWARN Class in Ipswich, Massachusetts on Saturday November 19th, 2011 from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Ipswich Town Hall, 25 Green Street, Ipswich, Massachusetts. The SKYWARN Class will be taught by Amateur Radio Coordinators. Below is a link to the Special announcement on the SKYWARN Class and the SKYWARN training Schedule link:

Special Announcement: Ipswich SKYWARN Training Class – Saturday November 19th, 2011 11 AM-2 PM:

http://wx1box.org/node/1546

SKYWARN Training Schedule link: http://wx1box.org/2018/04/20/special-announcement-2018-nws-boston-norton-skywarn-training-class-schedule/.

No preregistration is required for this session.

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

All / Emergency Communications

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Stand-By Lifted as of 900 PM 11/4/11 As the Region Recovers from Historic Major Winter Storm

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Hello to all..

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES STANDBY LIFTED AS POWER IS RESTORED TO MUCH OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND RESTORATION CONTINUES IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS***
***APPROXIMATELY 69000 REMAIN WITHOUT POWER MAINLY IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS (APPROXIMATELY 37,000 WESTERN MASS ELECTRIC, 32000 NATIONAL GRID)***

With power mostly restored in Eastern Massachusetts, the Westford shelter operation ending (further details to follow below) and the possibility of an ARESMAT to neighboring sections decreasing, the Eastern Massachusetts ARES stand-by has been lifted. There are still 69,000 without power in Massachusetts and 250,000 in Connecticut at the time of this message but no calls for communication assistance have been received since the possible need for support for a Red Cross shelter in Sturbridge in the Western Massachusetts section on Wednesday so while there is still a low probability of a call for support, with power continuing to be restored and shelters closing, this call for support is growing less likely to occur. Connecticut ARES remains on stand-by per the web site this evening in case support is required in their section.

The one active operation involving Amateurs in Eastern Massachusetts was with the shelter in Westford being manned by PART members who are also a part of Northern Middlesex County ARES. Terry Stader-KA8SCP reported Thursday that they have stood down from that operation and the shelter has been closed and thanked the section for being willing to support their operation if it was required. The closing of this operation was another factor in lifting the stand-by as stated previously. The following Amateurs from PART/Northern Middlesex County ARES participated in the operation:

KB1KTP-Carsten Turner
N1QGE-Hugh Maguire
W1AHM-Alan Martin
KB1FFM-Ken Rolt
KA8SCP-Terry Stader
W1IR-Dave Welsh

A link to the latest post historic October major nor’easter coordination message and ARRL web story on the Amateur Radio response to the major nor’easter and the are listed below:

Post Historic October Major Nor’easter Coordination Message #4: http://www.wx1box.org/node/1542

ARRL Web Story – Amateurs Assist with Comminications in Aftermath of Rare October Nor’easter : http://www.arrl.org/news/amateurs-assist-with-communications-in-aftermat…

The ARRL web story may be updated early next week and there may be one more post storm coordination message from a SKYWARN perspective that may be posted to wx1box.org late Sunday Evening or during the upcoming week. This will be the last update from an Eastern Massachusetts ARES perspective. We appreciate all those who stood by and were prepared in case a deployment was required and thanked those that gave their availability to the ARES EC/ADEC/DEC for their area. 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

All / Emergency Communications

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Stand-By Update #4 for October Anomalous Major Nor'Easter

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Hello to all..

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES REMAINS ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO IMPACTS FROM MAJOR NOREASTER IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND***
***POWER BEING RESTORED HOWEVER OVER 180,000 REMAIN WITHOUT POWER IN MASSACHUSETTS AS OF WEDNESDAY EVENING***

In the aftermath of the significant early season nor’easter, several shelters continue to be open to assist people that had no heat or electricity at their residence.  Additionally, numerous roads remain blocked due to downed trees and wires. If you have any pictures of storm damage, please continue to send them to pics at nsradio.org and credit will be given to the spotter when forwarding to media, emergency management, and the National Weather Service unless otherwise noted.  Here is the latest Post Historic October Major Nor’easter Coordination message that includes the latest Local Storm Reports and Public Information Statements from NWS Taunton and other important resources that may be useful to people in the affected area and also includes a link to the ARRL web story on the Amateur Radio response to the major nor’easter which is also included separately in this message:

Post Historic October Major Nor’easter Coordination Message #3: http://www.wx1box.org/node/1539

ARRL Web Story – Amateurs Assistat with Comminications in Aftermath of Rare October Nor’easter : http://www.arrl.org/news/amateurs-assist-with-communications-in-aftermath-of-rare-october-nor-easter

Most communications infrastructure remains in-tact throughout the region although there have been localized groups supporting communications needs in isolated areas in Massachusetts.  It is possible that additional requests may come in throughout the next day or two and ARES leadership continues to closely monitor the situation in the event additional requests for support are in fact received.

We received word shelter operations in Lexington Massachusetts appear to have ended. This is because the shelter has been closed and most of the power in Lexington has now been restored.

Shelter operations in the town of Westford continue and are expected to continue through at least Thursday Morning. Power is being restored in the Westford area as Terry-KA8SCP and others reported getting power back this evening. Terry Stader-KA8SCP shelter operations update appears in the ARRL web story and in Tuesday’s Eastern Massachusetts ARES Stand-By Message.

In Western Massachusetts, ARES had received a request for Red Cross shelter communications support in the Sturbridge area. Western Massachusetts ARES lined up a few Ham Operators to support the effort but the Red Cross determined that they had enough communications support and cancelled the Ham Radio support request. The situation will be monitored in case the need for Ham Radio communications is required later for this area or other areas.

In Connecticut, there are still over 490,000 without power. Connecticut ARES is in a level 2 stand-by and is monitoring the situation but have no unmet needs at present. Eastern Massachusetts ARES will continue to monitor that situation in case support is needed in Connecticut as the situation in Eastern Massachusetts continues to stabilize.

It is expected that EMA ARES will remain on stand-by through at least Friday largely monitoring the need for ARESMAT support to Western Massachusetts and/or Connecticut but also monitoring the situation in Westford though conditions appear to be improving there. We continue to compile a list of availability for ARESMAT deployment if needed for various local EOC’s, Red Cross, Salvation Army, NWS Storm Survey Teams, and hospitals as required. When sending your availability, please send the following: Name, Call-sign, License Class, Capability (HF / VHF / UHF), Availability, and any other special notes we should be aware of. We ask that as you contact your DEC, please send a copy of the message to aresmat@nsradio.org where multiple members of the EMA ARES Leadership will be able to access your availability.  As always, 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 and monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies for any updates on this developing situation.

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 is fully understood.

The next update to this message will be issued no later than Friday Evening. 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

All

Amateurs Assist with Communications in Aftermath of Rare October Nor’easter

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

ARRL reports:

“A rare October nor’easter brought historic snowfall and widespread damage and power outages from the Mid-Atlantic into the Northeast United States. Up and down the Atlantic seaboard [including Eastern Massachusetts] radio amateurs provided various critical services to the National Weather Service through the SKYWARN weather spotter program, and provided communications support to local, state and federal emergency management and non-governmental organizations.” [More]

All

W1Z To Commemorate Last Broadcasts From Historic WBZ Springfield Towers

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

WBZ first site in Springfield MABob Kelly, K1KVV writes on SEMARA-L:

Ham Radio Special Event Station W1Z

Last Broadcasts from Historic 1921 WBZ Springfield Towers

To commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the 1921 WBZ/Westinghouse Springfield MA towers before their demolition.

Please join us on the radio only, Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for the last signal to be emanating from these towers before their demise.

Special event station W1Z will be operating on 3875 +/- Kilocycles AM

Look for us on 160 if time and band conditions allow.

Sponsored by W1XOJ Yankee Network, Incorporated and Hampden Communications, Corp.

For information call Kurt Jackson W1OBQ 508-735-4213 (cell) or email: hampdencom@aol.com

AS THIS IS A DEMOLITION/CONSTRUCTION SITE NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE PREMISES

Shown above: WBZ’s first studio at the Hotel Kimball in Springfield

All

New England Area Flea Markets, Oct. 31, 2011

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment 
New England Area   Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2011 P 1 of 2
All events are Ham Radio/ Electronic related except ~_____~ 

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

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

5,6 Nov Wakefield MA Photographica @AmericalCtr ~photo~    John 781 592 2553   

5 Nov Londonderry NH IRS @Lions @8AM               Chris KB1QVM 603 434 6137   

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  

*******************************************************************************
LAST UPDATE 10-31-11 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)2011 W1GSL unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety

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

*******************************************************************************
2012                                                    Contact          Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

25 Feb S Burlington VT HAM-CON @HI I89x14 $8@8 $15@6 Mitch W1SJ 802 879 6589 +

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

4 Mar Hicksville NY LIMARC @LevitHall             Richard K2KNB 516 694 4937 A+

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

25 Mar Framingham MA FARA @KeefeTech                  Bev N1LOO 508 626 2012  

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



28 Ap Gales Ferry CT RASON Auction @FireCo          Gary WT1SND 860 884 4218  +

4,5 May Deerfield NH Nearfest XI @FG                 Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235  +

12 May E Greenbush NY EGARA @FD $6@8 +$6/sp@6        Glenn W2BK 518 482 5584  +

20 May Cambridge MA              FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776 F+

16 June Newington CT NARL @StMarySch                 Steve WV1X 860 594 0265  

17 June Cambridge MA             FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776 F+

15 July Cambridge MA             FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776 F+

12 Aug Adams MA NoBARC @BoweFld $5@9 $10/T            Tim KE3HT 413 822 7075  +

19 August Cambridge MA           FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776 F+

8 Sept Ballston Spa NY SCRACES @FG @7             Darlene N2XQG 518 587 2385  +

15 Sept Forestdale RI RIAFMRS @VFW $5/Sp@8           Rick K1KYI 401 864 9611  +

16 Sept Cambridge MA             FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776 F+

21 Oct Cambridge MA              FLEA at MIT               Nick 617 253 3776 F+

27 Oct Gales Ferry CT TCARC Auction @FireCo @10    Darryl WA1DD 860 443 7799 T+

28 Oct Hicksville NY LIMARC @LevitHall            Richard K2KNB 516 694 4937 A+

*******************************************************************************
LAST UPDATE 10-31-11 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)2011 W1GSL unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety     
 
            
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.
*******************************************************************************
2012                                                    Contact          Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*******************************************************************************
LAST UPDATE 10-31-11 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
(c)2011 W1GSL   http://www.swapfest.us        SASE for updated copy as issued.
unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety     
*******************************************************************************


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

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

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

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

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

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/                      
 
Westford MA	NEAntiqueRC     http://www.nearc.net/              +

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

Vernon CT       NARC            http://hamfest.na1rc.org/          

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/                        
	   Moved to Westford MA                                 +

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://k2dll.net/             

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

Forestdale RI   RIFMRS          http://www.qsl.net/riafmrs/Auction.html  +

Colchester VT   HAM-CON VT Conv  http://www.ranv.org/hamcon.html      
   Moved to S Burlington

St. Albans 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/                     

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

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

*******************************************************************************
P4 LAST UPDATE 9-5-11 de W1GSL                                          P 4
Additions/ Corrections via Internet  w1gsl@mit.edu                           
                           US Mail  W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139
(c)2011 W1GSL   http://www.swapfest.us        SASE for updated copy as issued.
unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety     
*******************************************************************************

All / Emergency Communications

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Stand-By Update #3 for October Anomalous Major Nor'Easter

- by admin - Leave a Comment

Hello to all..

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES REMAINS ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO IMPACTS FROM MAJOR NOREASTER IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND***
***POWER SLOWLY BEING RESTORED HOWEVER OVER 300,000 REMAIN WITHOUT POWER IN MASSACHUSETTS AS OF 1PM TUESDAY***
***NON-COMMUNICATIONS SHELTER SUPPORT STILL NEEDED FOR THE TOWN OF LEXINGTON***

In the aftermath of the significant early season nor’easter, several shelters opened overnight to assist people that had no heat or electricity at their residence.  Additionally, numerous roads remain blocked due to downed trees and wires, so it could be several hours if not days before the full impact of this storm is realized. If you have any pictures of storm damage, please continue to send them to pics at nsradio.org and credit will be given to the spotter when forwarding to media, emergency management, and the National Weather Service unless otherwise noted.  Here is the latest Post Historic October Major Nor’easter Coordination message that includes the latest Local Storm Reports and Public Information Statements from NWS Taunton and other important resources that may be useful to people in the affected area:

Post Historic October Major Nor’easter Coordination Message #2: http://www.wx1box.org/node/1536

We have received another request for additional volunteers in the Town of Lexington where a shelter has opened at the Lexington High School on Waltham St. They are looking for more operators to assist with shelter operations, however please note that this is mostly a non-communications role.  As of Tuesday Afternoon, much of Lexington remained without power and the shelter will remain open. If you are interested and/or available to assist with this request, please contact your EC/DEC who will forward your information to the proper contact.  If conditions change throughout the day and the request is cancelled, we will let you know accordingly.

Most other communications infrastructure remains in-tact throughout the region although there have been localized groups supporting communications needs in isolated areas in Massachusetts.  It is possible that additional requests may come in throughout the day and ARES leadership continues to closely monitor the situation in the event additional requests for support are in fact received.

Terry Stader-KA8SCP reported that Westford has one shelter open at the Blanchard Middle School and it is being staffed by the PART of Westford members who are also a part of Northern Middlesex County ARES working in conjunction with the Upper Merrimack Valley MRC. PART members along with the North Middlesex MA ARES team members having been providing services to this area Medical Reserve Team for many years. The shelter operation has seen upwards of 66 attendees at the peak to warm up, get a hot meal. Some return to their homes, still without power.

With almost 30% of the town still without power 3 days after the storm hit the region, the shelter will remain open for a number of days yet. The Cameron Senior Center is also open as a warm up center for residents which is also staffed by a ham radio operators. The Amateur Radio operators who are assisting to date: Hugh Maguire-N1QGE, Alan Martin-W1AHM, Ken Rolt-KB1FFM and Terry Stader-KA8SCP. The Eastern Massachusetts ARES leadership has offered Terry-KA8SCP additional Ham Radio support if he requires it.

It is expected that EMA ARES will remain on stand-by through at least Thursday Evening. We continue to compile a list of availability for ARESMAT deployment if needed for various local EOC’s, Red Cross, Salvation Army, NWS Storm Survey Teams, and hospitals as required. When sending your availability, please send the following: Name, Call-sign, License Class, Capability (HF / VHF / UHF), Availability, and any other special notes we should be aware of. We ask that as you contact your DEC, please send a copy of the message to aresmat@nsradio.org where multiple members of the EMA ARES Leadership will be able to access your availability.  As always, 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 and monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies for any updates on this developing situation.

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 is fully understood.

The next update to this message will be issued no later than Thursday Morning. 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