WRTC 2014 Testing – Volunteers Sought

Mark Pride, K1RX writes:

Hello from the WRTC 2014 organizing committee!

Thanks too all of you who have stepped forward and volunteered to help with the WRTC testing effort we’re planning for this July (trial run). And for those that yet to sign up, please review the following with your fellow club members and contact me if you can volunteer for this July (or beyond).

We’re interested to making sure that the sites we have approval to use will work as well as we hope they will (and are not too good or too bad), and we need to work through the process of setting up and taking down stations using the configuration we are planning to use in 2014.

There are three parts of the process:

Station set-up Operating Station tear-down

Full details on WRTC 2014 can be found at: http://www.wrtc2014.org/

Station Set-Up

The set-up process is currently estimated to take 5-6 hours, and would take place on Thursday or Friday. A team of at least four people will be needed for each location.

Each site runs independently, with a 1kw generator, tent, table, etc. We have successfully tested a tilt-over Rohn 25 tower with tri-bander and 40/80m dipoles. All of this should fit in a pick-up truck and weighs roughly 350 pounds.

The tower/antennas use the falling-derrick method to get them up – no climbing needed (nor wanted).

Once installed, we will need someone to spend the night to monitor the equipment until the contest starts (Saturday morning at 8am).

Operating

The contest runs from 8am Saturday until 8am Sunday. We would like to see the station active for the full time period if possible. For 2012 we are only envisioning one station and one operator but if you want to be ambitious and plan for two, go for it. You will need a triplexer if there are two stations using the tribander.

During the contest we will be monitoring all stations .

Two demonstration events are planned leading up to the July, 2012 trial run.

1. May 4 and 5, 2012 at the NEARfest event in Deerfield, NH

2. At the QTH of Mark, K1RX in Kensington, NH on June 2 (directions and RSVP can be found at the YCCC.org web site)

I am inviting participation from ALL New England based amateur radio clubs to join us at the NEARfest or at my place on June 2 to get first hand training and experience with every aspect of the tower and antenna assembly and operation.

Note also that the towers, generators, antennas will be offered to clubs that help in this significant undertaking at a considerable discount. More details to follow on this opportunity to help the local clubs in New England.

Quannapowitt RA To Offer License In A Day Class, May 5, 2012

You can get your FCC Amateur Radio License in One Day

(Note: Morse code is no longer needed for any amateur radio license)

How?
If you can spare one Saturday, chances are very good you can get your amateur radio Technician license in one day. Don’t worry if you’re not technically inclined, this method depends more on short-term memory than technical knowledge or background. By spending six hours studying the question pool, you’ll remember enough to pass the exam given at the end of the class. We provide the study material. The test is 35 multiple-choice questions. You only need 26 correct to pass. This method has worked with teenagers to senior citizens.

Why?
With a Technician license, you can use VHF and UHF amateur radio bands, when the phones go dead and your cell phone doesn’t get reception, you will be able to get a message out with a simple hand-held radio. For emergency workers, adding Amateur Radio capability adds to your communications abilities. And best of all, it is great fun and there are many interesting people to meet.

Help?
So after I get my license, what’s next? Members of the Quannapowitt Radio Association are ready and willing to teach you the practicle matters of getting “on the air”. We will answer your questions on how to get on the air and help with what radio to buy, etc.

Schedule
Date: Saturday, May 5th, 2012
Time: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (includes exam)
Place: Meeting Room at: Reading Police Department, 15 Union Street, Reading, Mass.
To Save Your Spot Contact
Jim Fisk 978-475-7284 – JIMBOGRQ@verizon.net
Tim McNulty 978-535-1259
Cost & Requirements
Fee: $5 (includes materials & snacks)
Test Cost: @15 (requires by FCC)
Bring photo ID, Social Security Number and 2 pencils.

Boston Brain Tumor Society Bike Ride Ham Help Requested, May 20, 2012

Jim Bradley, KB1JKJ writes:

For the second year, hams are needed for the Boston Brain Tumor Society bicycle rides on Sunday, 20 May 2012. We have been asked to help ensure the safety of the riders and make this event a success. There are three routes: a 10 miles, 25 miles, and 50 miles. All rides start and finish at the front parking lot of Reservoir Woods, Waltham, MA.

Ride starting times are between 0800 and 1000, and and will end in the early afternoon. The routes have similarities and have paths in Waltham, Lincoln, Concord, Carlisle, Acton, Westford, and Weston. Ham assignments will be at water stops, in sweep and recovery vehicles, and shadows. Hams are asked to be at the various assignments between 0700 and 1000. There will food and entertainment available afterward at Reservoir Woods.

A 2-meter, 5 watt hand-held radio is satisfactory for this event. A better antenna then the “rubber duck” antenna that came with your radio is desirable, and a magnetic mount antenna would be helpful if you are assigned to a vehicle.

Our ham supported public service events are interesting and fun experiences. The communication load is light, but safety and support for the participants are always primary. If you are new to this facet of ham radio, and want to get more public service experience, this is an excellent opportunity to learn the ropes. If you are an experienced public service volunteer, we definitely need your help.

If you are available for this event, please reply to me with all of the following information as soon as possible. Reply by email is the best method. If you know other hams who would like to volunteer, ask them to send the following information to me.

Your assistance is valuable. Please let me know promptly if you can help. I will get the assignments and more details to you as soon possible. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Full name

On-air name

Call sign

Postal mailing address (including 9-digit ZIP code)

Evening phone

Day phone

Cell phone

Email address

Does your 2-meter radio have CTCSS (PL)?

Do you have a dual-band radio?

Do you have a magnetic mount antenna?

T-shirt size

73,

Jim Bradley, KB1JKJ
kb1jkj@arrl.net
978.663.7114

South Coast CERT Training Sessions

N1WCO writes on Facebook:

The Southcoast CERT Collaborative comprised of the Emergency Management Agencies from the communities of Dartmouth, Freetown, New Bedford and Westport will be conducting TWO Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training courses in our area beginning next month. The first class to be held in New Bedford will start on Wednesday 02 May and every Wednesday until the 27th of June. The New Bedford class will run from 18:30 hrs (6:30pm) to 21:30 hrs (9:30pm) and will be held at the Brooklawn Park Senior Center, 1997 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford.

The second class will be held at the Westport Fire Headquarters located at 54 Hix Bridge Road, Westport and will start on Thursday 03 May and will continue every Thursday evening from 18:30hrs to 21:30hrs through the 28th of June. Participants must attend all sessions to be eligible for a Certificate of Completion.

THE 24+ HOUR BASIC CERT TRAINING COVERS:

Disaster Prepardness
Disaster Medical Operations Part 1- Triage and Treating life
threatening Injuries
Disaster Medical Operations Part 2- Assesment and Treatment of Common
Injuries
Light Search and Rescue
Terrorism Awareness
Fire Safety Disaster Psychology
Course Review and Disaster Simulation

There is no cost for this training the CERT Classes are FREE!

MS Journey of Hope Help Needed, May 12

Rick Savage, KB1LYJ writes:

The Multiple Sclerosis Journey of Hope Walk on Saturday, 12 May 2012, is a 7.5 mile course which starts and finishes at Natick High School, with the course on the streets of the town. We have been asked again to help make the event safe for the walkers, spectators and staff. We will assign hams to key intersections and as shadows for staff and medical support.

The communication load for this event is light and is an excellent opportunity for those who are new to ham public service. For those who have done this before – your help is needed again more than ever.

Hams are asked to assemble at 0800 and our assignments should be complete by early afternoon. Lunch will be provided for all participants and volunteers. The Natick High School is located at 15 West St in Natick, MA

A 2-meter and 70-cm, 5 watt dual band hand-held is required for this event. A better antenna than the “rubber duck” antenna that came with your radio is best for public service events. Be sure to have sufficient batteries to last the day.

We need your assistance to help make this event successful. If you can help with this event, please reply to me with all of the following information as soon as possible. Email is the best method.

Full name
On-air name
Call sign
Postal mailing address (including 9-digit ZIP code)
Evening phone
Day phone
Cell phone
Email address
Do you have a dual-band radio?
Do you have a magnetic mount antenna?
T-shirt size

If you know other hams who would like to volunteer, ask them to send the above information to me. If you are new and want to get public service experience, let me know and you will be accommodated as best we can.

Please let me know promptly if you can help. Assignments and more details will be sent shortly before the event. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

73,

Rick Savage, KB1LYJ
rpsavage@comcast.net
781.289.7364 (H)
617.905.9686 (C)

Algonquin ARC Donates Latest ARRL Library Book Collection to Towns’ Libraries

Algonquin ARC library book donationThe Algonquin Amateur Radio Club, N1EM, recently donated five 2012 editions of the “ARRL Library collection” books to libraries of the metro west towns of Hudson, Bolton, Stow, Northborough, and the 1st Lt. Charles W. Witcomb Middle school in Marlborough.

Shown here (L-R): K1DIN, W1UE, Don Cusson, KB1WTO, KB1WTB, KV1J, WB6VVA, KA1OS, W1SHK, N1ZCD, N1QQP, KA1HIH and K1IX.

 

 


Run of the Charles Volunteers Needed, April 29, 2012

The 2012 Run of the Charles races canoes and kayaks from Needham to Allston. Once again, we have been asked to provide safety and administrative communications for the 30th running of this exciting event on Sunday, 29 April.

There are nine dams that require portaging by the paddlers and other hazards to be monitored. All races finish at Artisani Park (across from the WBZ studio) on Soldiers Field Road in Allston. Our assignment start times vary from 0700 to 1100 and should complete from 1000 to 1500, depending on location.

Safety and support for the participants is our primary concern, but a good dose of wet excitement is built in (for the racers, usually not the hams). Your ham communication help is essential.

A 2-meter, 5 watt hand-held is satisfactory but a dual-band radio is preferred. An antenna better than the “rubber duck” that came with your radio is essential. Be sure to charge your radio’s battery and have enough battery backup to last the day.

If you are new to ham public service or have limited experience and want to support this event don’t be concerned. Assignment difficulties vary and they can be based on experience. All hams, regardless of experience, are encouraged to volunteer for this event. For those who have done this before, your help is needed more than ever.

Ham public service is interesting and offers fun experiences, but the safety and support for the participants are always our primary concern. If you can help with the 2012 Run of the Charles on Sunday, 29 April, please reply with all of the following information as soon as possible. Email is the best method.

Full name

On-air name

Call sign

Postal mailing address (including 9-digit ZIP code)

Evening phone

Day phone

Cell phone

Email address

Does your 2-meter radio have CTCSS (PL)?

Do you have a dual-band radio?

Do you have a magnetic mount antenna?

T-shirt size

Let me know if you have volunteered for this event before and would like the same assignment. While I cannot guarantee it, I will try to give you the assignment you want. If you know other hams who would like to volunteer, ask them to send the above information to me. If you are new and want to get more public service experience, this is an excellent event to get your feet wet (figuratively). This event is an opportunity to learn the ropes.

Your assistance is valuable. Please let me know promptly if you can help. Assignments and more details will be sent as soon as available. If you have already volunteered, bear with me and also reply to this message.

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

73,

Bob Salow, WA1IDA
wa1ida@arrl.net
508.650.9440

RACES/ACS Transition Program Update from Acting State RACES Radio Offier Mike Neilsen-W1MPN

Hello all stations

I hope you all had a good Easter Holiday.  I have an important update on the ACS transition project, and some other announcements.

The management at MEMA has informed us that they are still developing their ACS Program guidelines, and they are desirous of postponing any further transition activities.  This means we will continue with the present RACES program until further notice.  I will also remain in the State RACES role (albeit temporary) until we begin the transition process again.

MEMA has been hard at work at this process, but it had to attend to several important projects first in order to make this change a reality.  One of the most important was finalizing the State Interoperable Operations Guide, and defining how new communication positions will support the state Communication Leader (COML) program.  For example, the Radio Operator (RADO) position will be important to us.

We are now anticipating receiving MEMA’s draft plan for our comment sometime early next month.  After our review, we will enter into discussions to finalize the plan.  Assuming we do not suffer any major disasters this Spring, we *may* be able to begin the transition process again in July.  So please go about your normal RACES routine until you hear from me again with the approved plan.

I can tell you that rumors have hurt us in the past few months.  I have always been honest with you.  If you have questions, please ask one of us on the transition team.  You are encouraged to contact any of the following team members:

Mike Neilsen, W1MPN, SRO

Terry Stader, KA8SCP, RR1

Mike Leger, N1YLQ, RR2

Gil Hayes, WK1H, WECT

Rob Macedo, KD1CY, EMA SEC

John Ruggiero, N2YHK, WMA SEC

Carl Aveni, N1FY, EMA ASEC

Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, Cape Cod and Islands DEC

I guarantee we will have the best information!

News:

RACES and ARES will activate in stand-by mode from 0730 to 1800 on Monday to support any issues occurring outside of the Boston Marathon Race Zone.  This is for those of you who are not already committed to supporting the Marathon.  A unified command center (RACES/ARES) will be stood up in the SEOC and the EMA ARES ICP in the town of Bridgewater.  We are also hoping that WECT can be available.  These facilities are expected to begin to function within 15 minutes.  We would like other RACES stations to be able to mobilize within 30 minutes.  Please see the RACES OPLAN to be passed under separate cover.

2. The Hurricane training conference will be held on May 9th in the former Ft. Devens complex.

3. Please plan on a normal “emergency communications” night on Monday May 7th.  As before, we will conduct system checks only on tactical frequencies.  We will be looking to you to set up relays for simplex comms.  Please try to use battery power.  Pass administrative and club traffic on resource nets, digitally if possible.  Finally don’t miss the opportunity (and fun) of checking in with the HF gang.  NVIS anyone?

4. The FCC has invited comments on the use of AR in emergency communications.  I will be submitting comments on behalf of the AR community in MA.  If you want us to consider any issue in our submission, please forward them to my email at w1mpn@arrl.net.

5. Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to avail yourself to SKYWARN training classes to be held in various venues around the state.  See the schedule at wx1box.org.  Remember too, you can always practice your skills at a public service event.

Thank you again for your help and participation.  I will be talking to you again soon.

de W1MPN

Regards and 73,

Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
State RACES Officer (Acting);
Member of the MEMT;
Member of the MA State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC), and Policies and Programs subcommittee;
Chairperson, Amateur Radio Working Group
Office Answering Service: 978.293.7858
******************************************************************

RACES Operations Plan for Operations Outside the Boston Marathon Race Zone

Hello to all..

The following is from acting state RACES Radio Officer, Mike Neilsen-W1MPN. See below:

Please download attachment for use tomorrow Monday April 16th, 2012:

http://ares.ema.arrl.org/local/RACES_OPLAN_4-16-12-2.pdf

Regards and 73,

Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
State RACES Officer (Acting);

Member of the MEMT;
Member of the MA State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC), and Policies and Programs subcommittee;
Chairperson, Amateur Radio Working Group
Office Answering Service: 978.293.7858

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

Boston Marathon Coordination Message #1 – Monday April 16th, 2012

Hello to all..

..Eastern Massachusetts ARES to be placed on stand-by effective from 7 AM-7 PM Monday April 16th, 2012 to support any significant issues that may occur outside of the Boston Marathon event. Amateur Radio Operators that are involved in ARES that are supporting the Boston Marathon are expected to continue to support that event as their number one priority. The standby is for Eastern Massachusetts ARES members who are unable to support the Boston Marathon for this year but may be available for other duties in the event a significant issue occurs outside of the Boston Marathon event and route..

..Record breaking heat is expected for the 2012 Boston Marathon with temperatures in the 80’s to possibly even the lower 90s. This will potentially cause stress on the runners, volunteers and infrastructure resources more so than in the past 8 or 9 Boston Marathon events covered in recent history. In addition, with the very dry conditions since the beginning of 2012, hot tempeatures and gusty west winds, there will be an increased fire weather risk across the area. This message will discuss weather safety for Monday April 16th for those deploying and involved in the Boston Marathon and potential risks for any significant issues outside of the Boston Marathon route that may require ARES assistance with those ARES members that are unable to support the Boston Marathon event but may be able to support an issue outside of the Boston Marathon event. We stress again for those ARES members who have commited to the Boston Marathon event, you are to support that commitment as your top priority as your assistance at the marathon will be very important this year given the weather conditions..

While this may be a bit off topic for some SKYWARN Spotters, Amateur Radio Operators and Red Cross volunteers, many of which are SKYWARN Spotters, will be involved in the Boston Marathon on Monday April 16th. To reach out to the highest level of Amateur Radio Operators involved in the event, this coordination message is being sent out to the SKYWARN email list and posted to the various Amateur Radio lists. We appreciate everyone’s patience with this message. This is likely to be the only coordination message on the Marathon unless a significant change in the weather forecast occurs. See information below:

Eastern Massachusetts ARES members not participating in the Boston Marathon should be in a stand-by mode for the Boston Marathon event on Monday April 16th from 7 AM-7 PM for any significant issues outside of the Boston Marathon that may require Amateur Radio Emergency Communications support. With over 300 Amateur Radio Operators staffing the Boston Marathon route, the start line and the finish line, if an issue arises needing Amateur Radio support outside of the Marathon route, it is important that any ARES members not involved in the marathon can help with any response that is required. There will be two backup operation centers including the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net Control Center at the town of Bridgewater EOC monitoring the Boston Marathon event and events outside of the Marathon. The biggest issues that could occur outside of the Marathon route is as follows.

1.)    A large brush fire due to the extreme dry conditions since the start of 2012 causing a mobilization of resources outside of the marathon event.
2.)    Another unexpected issue that requires a major response of resources.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) at the SEOC (State Emergency Operations Center) will be active for the Boston Marathon with the MACC (Mutual Aid Coordination Center) stood up at the SEOC. Amateur Radio Operators will be at the SEOC to support backup operations and to provide situational awareness to MEMA and agencies that are supporting the Boston Marathon event. See media advisory below:

http://ares.ema.arrl.org/local/Boston_Marathon_Media_Advisory_MACC_Activation.pdf

The weather outlook for the Boston Marathon is one that is extremely unfavorable for volunteers and runners. The Weather Forecast across the Boston Marathon route is for record breaking heat to occur. Conditions are expected to be sunny throughout the day. There will be a ‘hot’ land breeze blowing along the marathon route with winds of 10-20 MPH with gusts of 25 MPH. Temperatures along the marathon route will range in the Upper 50s to lower 60s early in the morning warming to 75 to 85 degrees by mid to late morning to the 85 to 90 degree range by afternoon with lower 90 readings not out of the question. This means that conditions for the runners and even volunteers will be extreme for being outside and in the sun’s exposure for the entire event. The amount of ambulance requests along the route could rival or eclipse records set in the 2004 Boston Marathon. The BAA has sent a notice that inexperienced runners and runners with medical conditions consider not participating in the 2012 Boston Marathon and even for conditioned runners to take it slow as it will not be a day for breaking marathon records. This has been seen at various Boston Media outlets and an article on the notice sent out is listed below from WCVB-TV Channel 5:

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/sports/30894553/detail.html

For Amateur Radio, Red Cross and all other volunteers along the route, it is recommended that you do the following:

1.)    Dress for the hot weather. Wear loose fitting and ligher color clothing to try and keep your body cool as best as possible.

2.)    Sun screen will be a must given the intense heat and bright sunshine. Make sure to cover exposed skin particularly those folks that could get sun burn easily during sunny and hot conditions. This can cause significant health issues if not taken care of properly. A hat for your head can also protect your head from sun burn.

3.)    Be sure to drink liquids and eat properly during the event and that you are self-sufficient so that you can be of full help to the function and not distract everyone from the main purpose of supporting the runners by having a health issue on your end that can be avoided. No rain is expected at this time so there should be no need for rain gear.

4.)    Be highly vigilant to any runners that may be in distress along the route. With the intense heat, there is likely to be a high number of runners affected in some way by the weather conditions.

5.)    Also, be highly vigilant of cigarette butts or other flammables that could be tossed out in grassy areas. With the very dry ground coupled with hot and dry conditions, it will not take much for a brush fire to occur as elevated fire weather conditions exist and may prompt the issuance of fire weather watches/red flag warnings for Monday but at a minimum, elevated fire weather conditions will exist. Take care of any of these disposals and assure they will not cause a fire issue that can be avoided.

Barring a significant change in the weather forecast, this will be the only coordination message on the Boston Marathon. We appreciate everyone’s support in this event and hope those that volunteer enjoy themselves and feel the self-satisifcation of supporting this historic event and those that are monitoring the Marathon or events outside of the Marathon realize that the monitoring is an important function as well and is a testament to being able to scale other incidents beyond the marathon if required. Thanks to all for their support!

Respectfully Submitted,

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

Operators/volunteers needed for W1S, May 12-13 at Watch City Festival

W1S is currently seeking operators and loggers for the station, as well as volunteers to help with the setup. Technician class licensees may operate under supervision of higher class licensees. Advice on antennas, etc. also appreciated. We need your presence, your ideas, and your expertise.

On May 12-13, 2012, the City of Waltham, Massachusetts and the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation host “Watch City Festival, Waltham: the Original Steampunk City,” with a projected attendance of 15,000. More information on the festival is available at:

http://www.crmi.org/events-2/international-steampunk-city

http://watchcityfestival.com

W1S, sponsored by the Waltham ARA, will be part of the festival, showcasing ham radio to the public and local emergency management.

For more information or to volunteer, Contact:

Bill McIninch, KA1MOM/E

KA1MOM@aol.com

617-254-5963

All volunteers are asked to include which day and what hours they will be available; minimum time requested is 2 hours. Victorian/steampunk attire not required, but some appropriate items will be made available for station staff.

Tentative details of the operation:

Transceiver will be disguised in a simulated sparkgap station based on the Massie station at the New England Wireless and Steam Museum. Operations on SSB on 14.280 MHz (locked in due to deadline for listing in CQ)

SCHEDULE: 1300-2300Z (0900-1900 EDT) May 12 and 13..

ANTENNA: zepp or fat dipole.

 

New England QSO Party, May 5-6, 2012

New England QSO Party logo

Tom Frenaye, K1KI writes:

Greetings!

The New England QSO Party is coming in just one month – the weekend of May 5-6 – and we’d sure appreciate it if you would spread the word within your club through your newsletter or at the next meeting and help us to encourage activity from Eastern Massachusetts. Last year we had 222 different stations from all Eastern Massachusetts counties on the air, and we’d like to have more activity this year.

The NEQP is a great way to test your antennas on 80-10 meters and to be the focus of a lot of activity as stations from around the world look for Eastern Massachusetts stations.

Here is a summary of the New England QSO Party rules:

Object: To contact as many New England stations (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) in as many New England counties as possible on 80-40-20-15-10m. (New England stations work anyone)

Date: First full weekend of May. (May 5-6 in 2012)

Contest Period: 2000Z Saturday until 0500Z Sunday (4pm EDT Saturday until 1am EDT Sunday) and 1300Z Sunday until 2400Z Sunday (9am EDT Sunday until 8pm EDT Sunday).

Categories: Single-operator high power, low power(150w or less) and QRP(5w or less) categories, plus multi-operator, single transmitter. Same four categories for mobiles. Single-operator stations using assistance during the contest (packet or Internet spotting nets, etc.) will compete in the multi-single category.

Contest Exchange: Send signal report and state/province (DX stations send signal report and “DX”). New England stations send signal report, county and state.

QSO Points: Count one point per phone QSO, two points per CW (includes digital modes)QSO.

Multiplier: Stations outside of New England use counties as multipliers for a total of 67 (CT/8 MA/14 ME/16 NH/10 RI/5 VT/14). New England stations use states(50)(Count DC as MD), Canadian provinces(14) and DXCC countries as multipliers.

Scoring: Total score is QSO points times the multiplier. Mobiles count QSO points per county and multipliers from all counties (counted once).

Suggested frequencies: CW – 3540 7035 14040 21040 28040, SSB – 3850 7280 14280 21380 28380. ** Now that the broadcast stations are mostly out of 7125-7200, try 7180 on 40m SSB.**

Reporting: Logs should indicate times in UTC, bands, modes, calls and required contest exchange. All stations include your club’s name in the log header or summary. Entries must be submitted within 30 days and sent to NEQP, P.O.Box J, West Suffield CT 06093 or via e-mail to logs@neqp.org (Cabrillo format preferred).

Awards: Certificates will be awarded to the top scorers (25 QSO minimum) in each New England county, U.S. state, Canadian province and DXCC country. A number of special plaques will also be awarded to top scorers.

Additional details can be found on the NEQP web site at http://www.neqp.org

See if you can have a competition within your club for the top scorer. Several Massachusetts clubs are challenging each other for the best club score.

We’re especially looking for mobile stations to put the rarest counties on the air. In Eastern Massachusetts, that’s Suffolk and Nantucket.

If you think you might be on for at least a short time in the NEQP, let us know with a brief message to us at info@neqp.org

Thanks!


Tom/K1KI for the NEQP Committee

——————————————————————————————–
New England QSO Party – http://www.neqp.org – May 5-6, 2012

FCC Seeks Public Comments on Emergency Communications by Amateur Radio and Impediments to Amateur Radio Communications

Hello to all..

Please see the following notice in regards to Amateur Radio and Emergency Communications and a study that is being executed. Time is short with a 45-day comment period as proposed by the FCC and the ARRL is looking for comments over the next 3 weeks to collate a common report. Please don’t delay and provide comments. Thanks to all for their support. The text of the memo from ARRL HQ is listed below:

We need your assistance!

The FCC has released a Public Notice soliciting input for the Congressional directed study of Amateur Radio Emergency Communications and Impediments to the amateur’s ability to provide those communications.  This is the ARRL-proposed study which we have been seeking for the last 3 years.

To assist the ARRL in gathering pertinent information for their comments – and to spread the word to the Amateur community as quickly as possible, I am asking that your please send the following to the various email lists/distribution mechanisms in your sections.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!   The FCC is only allowing 45 days for comments and will be closed on May 17, 2012.  In order to allow the ARRL to review the comments from the members and include them in our comments, we have set up the mechanism described below to allow quick input from members.  To allow us the time to compile this information we are asking the information be provided to us by WEDNESDAY APRIL 25, 2012.

Thanks for your assistance in this project.  We are in a position to try and obtain some relief for those who live in deed-restricted / CC&R limited communities. NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!

Thanks and 73!

Dan Henderson, N1ND
Regulatory Information Manager
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio
860-594-0236
dhenderson@arrl.org

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you live in a CC&R- restricted community or participate in EmCom activities?  Have deed restrictions / HOA covenants prevented you from erecting amateur radio antennas? Have these restrictions prevented you from full participation in emergency communications activities during disasters?

If your answer is “Yes”, ARRL needs to hear about your experience.

As you are probably aware, Congress has directed the FCC to conduct a study of the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio Service communications in emergencies and disaster relief.  The FCC was directed to identify ” impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio Service communications, such as the effects of unreasonable or unnecessary private land use restrictions on residential antenna installations”. Finally, the study is to make “recommendations regarding the removal of such impediments.”

The FCC has issued a Public Notice – DA 12-523- soliciting input from the public as part of their study.  The ARRL is gathering comments from the Amateur Radio community to present as part of its comments on the public notice.

The ARRL is looking specifically for input in two specific areas:
*        Recent Amateur Radio involvement in actual emergency communications and disaster relief;
*        Specific details about how CC&Rs and other private land use restrictions have impaired licensed Amateurs to participate fully in these disaster relief communications.

If your ability to participate in ARES, RACES, SKYWARN, CERT, or other emergency and disaster relief communications has been limited because the inability to have adequate antennas due to CC&Rs, you are asked to provide that information to the ARRL.

First, we recommend that you prepare a narrative of your exact situation, in as much detail as practical. Some areas for you to consider in writing your story might be:
*        Were there alternative properties without CC&Rs in the area you wished to reside?
*        What exactly does your CC&R allow / prohibit (please include a copy of the specific wording)
*        Have you applied for a waiver of the CC&R with the Home Owner’s Association / Architectural Review Committee but were denied?  If so, what was the reason?

To assist you in sharing your information with the ARRL, please visit the special ARRL website built to allow you to readily provide the pertinent information at www.arrl.org/ccr-study-information

This page will present you with an overview of what we are asking and have links to the two forms for you to complete.  Please be as factual as you can with the information you provide and please provide only information about events and activities in which you were directly involved.

If you wish to write out the details of your situation in advance, please do so.  The, they can be either uploaded from the website or they can be sent as an email attachment to an email sent to CCRinfo@arrl.org

Keep in mind that the FCC study does not apply to ordinances and zoning laws implemented by the government – such as towns, cities or counties.  PRB-1 covers those situations.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!  Congress directed that the FCC provide the report back within 180-days and that clock is already counting.  The FCC is only accepting comments for a 45-day period, which will end May 17,2012.  In order for the ARRL to collate your information in a common report, we ask that you send in your information no later than WEDNESDAY APRIL 25.  If you need more information, please contact reginfo@arrl.org   The time to act is NOW!

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

Reminder: Monthly Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net for April 2012

Hello to all…

A reminder that the monthly ARES Net for April is rapidly approaching. The monthly ARES Net for April is Monday April 2nd, 2012, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. This is after the MEMA 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 this 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

STM Report EMA March 2012

STM REPORT MARCH 2012
NET SSNS  QTC QNI QTR NM
EM2MN 28 183 190 455 KB1ENV
MARIPN 19 53 43 135 N1LKJ
WARPSN 4 12 89 NA NI1X
HHTN 22 41 86 344  N1LUM
SAR ORG REC SENT DEL TOTALS
N1IQI 0 512 1160 0 1672
KW1U 2 428 371 37 836
N1TF 0 121 134 14 269
N1LKJ 0 87 83 0 170
 W1PLK 0 7 4 6 17
PSHR 1 2 3 4 5 6 TOTALS
KW1U 40 40 30 0 0 20 130
N1IQI 40 40 10 10 0 10 110
N1LKJ 40 40 20 0 0 10 110
N1TF 40 40 10 0 0 0 90
W1PLK 17 17 10 0 0 0 44
BPL EARNED 500 OR MORE QTC   N1IQI  1216 N1IQI 1672 KW1U 836
MARCIA FORDE STM -MA
Thanks to Jim N1LKJ for assistance in compiling this report