Upcoming MA, RI SKYWARN Classes

SKYWARN logo

Eastern MA Assistant SEC Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes:

There have been two additional SKYWARN Classes schedules for the fall season. Both will be taught by an Amateur Radio Coordinator. Details on the class can be seen via the WX1BOX SKYWARN Training Class Schedule.

Detailed schedule info listed below:

Thursday September 29th, 2016 – 7-10 PM
Whitman Police Department
20 Essex Street
Whitman, MA
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: Pre-registration required. Email Rob Macedo-KD1CY at rmacedo@rcn.com

Saturday October 22nd, 2016 – 10 AM-1 PM
Charlestown Police Department – Emergency Operations Center (EOC) room
4901 Old Post Road
Charlestown, RI
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: Pre-registration required. Email Rob Macedo-KD1CY at rmacedo@rcn.com

These classes will also show on weather.gov/boston over the next several days. Please spread the word on these additional Fall 2016 SKYWARN classes.

BAA Half Marathon Volunteers Sought, Oct. 9

Brett Smith, AB1RL writes on the Boston ARC list:

The BAA Half Marathon is just a couple weeks away now. If you haven’t already, this is your last chance to register to volunteer on the BAA web site http://www.baa.org/races/half-marathon/event-information/volunteer-information.aspx for the ham radio team. We can always use more help, and we’d love to have you join us.

If you haven’t worked this event before, it’s practically the best of both worlds: it has all the polish you’d expect from a large BAA event, but it still keeps that great supportive community atmosphere. And it benefits the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, so it’s for a good cause. You’ll need to report for your assignment at 6:00 AM, and then we finish shortly after lunch.

I hope you’ll sign up this weekend to join us. You don’t need to join any group when prompted; just select no group, then on the next screen, request an assignment with “Ham Radios.” Of course, if you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.

Volunteers Sought for Baystate Marathon Games, Oct. 16

Terry Stader, KA8SCP writes:

The Lowell CERT Communications Team has been asked to support once again the Baystate Marathon and Half Marathon. This year the event is on Sunday, October 16th. Our operational time period is from approximately 0700 until event completion (estimated 1400). Our assistance has been requested by Lowell Office of Emergency Management and Lowell Fire Department. The communications team will be employing Amateur Radio to provide this communications asset. Amateur Radio will be used for two functions:

* Medical operations: the purpose of this net is to provide a communications link for medical requests/status to the incident command post.
* Accountability net: the purpose of this net is to coordinate with a race public information booth the status of runners who are unable to complete the race for any issue to any one is seeking this information.

Race info may be found at http://baystatemarathon.com/raceinfo.

Please contact Terry M. Stader at ka8scp@wb1gof.org if you are able to assist or would like more information.

Harvard Wireless Club QRV For California QSO Party

HWC shieldBill Collins, W1PL writes on the Harvard Wireless Club reflector:

Hello all,

The Harvard Wireless Club will be participating in the 51st run of the California QSO Party next weekend, starting from Saturday 10/1 12 Noon until Sunday 10/2 6 PM. Any HWC licensed ham wishing to participate please let me know. No experience necessary. Those participating in this contest will be provided with a CQP t-shirt. One of our new members, Benjamin Lee ’20 K7JS, has expressed interest in operating Sunday afternoon. Benjamin comes to Harvard and the HWC already with his extra class ticket! Welcome to the HWC, Benjamin. So let me know if you desire to do the CQP, and when you would be available. Plenty of time slots open!

Thanks again,

Bill Collins

 

 

 

SUPPORT H.R. 1301, THE AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT!

Eastern MA ARRL Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW writes:

Last week in my EMA Section News, I urged everyone to go on on line and contact our US Senators to support the Amateur Radio Parity Act. If you have yet to do so, please read on. ARRL has made it very easy.

We have an opportunity to positively affect Amateur Radio for years to come. H.R. 1301, the Amateur Radio Parity Act, has unanimously passed the House of Representatives and moved on to the Senate for consideration. All you need to do is spend two minutes of your time to send an email to your two Senators supporting the Bill. By doing so, you will have helped the future of Amateur Radio by guaranteeing our ability to have an effective outdoor antenna in a deed-restricted community.

The number of people living in such communities grows exponentially each year. Often, a ham homeowner has no choice but to live in a community restricted by covenants. There are nearly 3/4 of a million licensed hams in the United States, more than ever before. But that may change if we are forced to live in a community that refuses to allow an antenna.

Help yourself and help your fellow hams. Go to this link:

https://arrl.rallycongress.net/ctas/urge-senate-to-support-amateur-radio-parity-act

Enter your zip code and follow the prompts. The letters are there. All you need to do is fill in the blanks, hit save, then send.

That’s it. Under 2 minutes and you’re done.

If you haven’t yet done so, please do so today. Your voice counts!

Thank you,

Tom Walsh K1TW

——————————————————————–
ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
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JACK BOWLES N1OTC SK

It is with great sadness that I inform those traffic handlers who worked with him over many years that Jack N1OTC became a silent key this morning, Monday September 19, 2016.  He had been plagued with multiple health issues over the past months and was not up to getting on the air, but he missed his traffic handling friends, the traffic and all the nets and TCC skeds he was involved with.  He was very special to me and he had wanted me to thank all of you for your good wishes and prayers.  We, and especially I, will miss him as well as that musical bug.  Rest in Peace Jack and 88,

Marcia KW1U

 

A gravesite service will be held at the National Cemetery in Bourne MA on Friday, September 23, 2016 at 11:15 AM.  Obituary can be found at http://concordfuneral.tributes.com/obituary/read/John-J.-Jack-Bowles-103965685

NTS PRESENCE AT BOXBORO CONVENTION SEPTEMBER 10-11

The 2016 New England Division ARRL convention is being held September 9-11 at the Sheraton Boxboro in Boxboro MA.  In 2015 NTS had a table in the exhibit hall where folks could stop by and greet friends or get information on message handling and traffic nets in the area.  We will again have a table this year and you are invited to stop by and say hello.  If any traffic handlers have some time we would welcome you to help man this table during Saturday and Sunday.

This year we will also have an NTS forum scheduled at 11 AM Saturday morning.  Check the schedule for room location and come join us to meet friends, ask questions, learn more about NTS and message handling.

Marcia KW1U

CAPE AND ISLANDS TRAFFIC NET REACTIVATED

Thanks to Bob N1SYC, the Cape and Islands 2 Meter Traffic Net has been reactivated.  Bob says the net will meet Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM on the Falmouth 147.375 repeater, PL 110.9.  The net will be expanded to more evenings as net control stations become available.  We’re happy to once again see this outlet to Cape Cod and the Islands made available especially to folks who can’t reach the Boston area repeaters. Check it out and check in.  When your STM lived on Martha’s Vineyard there was an active group of folks and good friends were made.