Month: May 2017

All / Emergency Communications

Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net – Saturday June 3rd, 2017 at 1000 AM EDT

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Good Evening Everyone,

Net Control for the June 3, 2017 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be KB1JJE, Mansfield Emergency Management Agency. The net will commence at the usual time of 10:AM using the following repeaters in the order listed.

1. Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
2. Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9
3. Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
Simplex 147.42

The Net will than return to the Bridgewater Repeater for final comments and Net closing.

NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check in procedure which is:   Here is.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.

We extend an invitation to the EOC of any city or town that is served by one of the participating hospitals to join the Net. We also extend an invitation to any RACES or ARES member to check in during the NET.

Any hospital wishing to join the net that needs assistance with equipment or personnel should contact us at ssharc@gmail.com. We can assist you with getting your location on the air.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested please let us know. Our goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct the monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event. The following list of repeaters are available for our use. Only a few systems are used each month with the selection of those used made by Net Control for that month.  More systems are being added to the list on a regular basis.

REMINDER: The BARC Repeater is now using split tone. Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0

Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)
Belmont 145.430 tone 146.2
Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0 
Fairhaven 145.490 tone 67.0   
Fall River 146.805. tone 67.0
Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9 
Mansfield EMA  446.925 tone 100.0
Mansfield 147.015 tone 67.0
Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0     
Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
Plymouth 146.685 tone 82.5
Salem 146.88 tone 118.8       
Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5   
Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
W. Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

We look forward to hearing you all on the Net.

Respectfully,

John O’
K1JRO

—

South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club – W1SSH
c/o Volunteer Services
55 Fogg Road,
South Weymouth, MA 02190

Field Day / Operating

Eastern MA 2017 Field Day Directory

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The 18th Annual Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Directory contains some of the most comprehensive Field Day resource pages of its kind.

According to Bill Ricker, N1VUX, the section Field Day pages offer detailed information on individual field day club operations along with the complete event operating rules and helpful safety tips.

“Clubs which are reactivating a previous Class A or F site can confirm to the EMA Directory by simply putting their pin in at the ARRL Locator – conveniently linked from our directory. I’ll pick that up and mark them confirmed. I would appreciate an email from new clubs in Class A or F, clubs with new sites, clubs whose details on their EMA directory need updating, or who are definitely not using the site they had last year.”

The site also links to updated information on how to handle NTS radiogram traffic, and score bonus points during the event.

“A major goal always has been helping (and encouraging) EMA Field Staff & Leadership to plan visits to nearby field day sites, as is our custom — and helping us hit as many different ones as possible.”

Email n1vux at his arrl.net address.

 

 

 

Public Service

Two SKYWARN Training Sessions in Lowell & Peabody

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SKYWARN logo The National Weather Service in Taunton is offering two SKYWARN training sessions in the coming weeks in our area:

Tuesday May 23rd, 2017 – 630-900 PM:
University Crossing – Room 158
220 Pawtucket Street
Lowell, MA
Taught by: NWS Taunton Forecaster
Registration: Required – Pre-register via email to Rob Macedo-KD1CY at rmacedo@rcn.com

 

Thursday June 8th, 2017 – 700-930 PM:
Portuguese American War Veterans Building
103 Tremont Street
Peabody, MA
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required

Public Service

BAA 10K, Ham Volunteers Sought, June 25, 2017

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Boston ARC logo Brett Smith, AB1RL writes:

Volunteer registration is open for the BAA 10K on Sunday, June 25. I know, I know—as usual, it’s on Field Day Sunday. But it just takes the morning (assignments run from approximately 6:00 AM to noon), and the summer weather means we’ve usually got work to do supporting the event medical teams. Come take a break from the rush for contacts, and join us to send some substantive traffic over the air.

All you need to help out is a dual band (2m and 70cm) handheld, preferably with a gain antenna. To volunteer for the 10K, sign up with the BAA directly following the instructions below.

Go to the BAA 10K volunteer site and press the “Volunteer Now” button.

There are separate buttons for “Returning” and “First Time” Volunteers. If you’ve volunteered at a BAA event before, select “Returning Volunteer.” If you don’t know your BAA Volunteer Loyalty Number, use the button labeled “Retrieve Your Volunteer Loyalty Number” to look it up. If it returns a Volunteer Loyalty Number for you, fill that in where prompted.

If the system does not provide you with a Volunteer Loyalty Number, or if you have not volunteered at a BAA event before, go through the “First Time Volunteers” button on the first page.

Complete the personal information.

Group status: Ham volunteers don’t need to join any group. You can answer “No” to both questions.

Assignment request: Select “Ham Radios” from the top pulldown menu on the page. You are not required to make any selections on the lower menus.

Complete the remainder of the application and make note of your application acknowledgment number. Seeing a acknowledgment number on the page is your indication that you have successfully completed the online application.

If you have any questions about the event or the sign-up procedure, feel free to get in touch with me at ab1rl@brettcsmith.org or (859) 466 5915.

Thank you, and 73,

Brett Smith, AB1RL
Public Service Coordinator, Boston Amateur Radio Club

Emergency Communications

SKYWARN Training in Plymouth, June 10, 2017

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SKYWARN logo Ed Caron, KA1RSY writes on Facebook:

PLYMOUTH SKYWARN CLASS

This class is open to anyone who is interested in becoming an official National Weather Service Spotter. Also this would be good refresher for anyone who hasn’t attended a SKYWARN class in a few years, there is no charge to attend. The class conveniently located right over the bridge so hope to see you all there. You must pre-register in order to attend.

Saturday June 10th, 2017 – 1000 AM-1230 PM:
Plymouth Community Room (co-located with the fire station)
2209 State Road
Plymouth (Cedarville), MA
Note: The EOC/community room is located in the back of the fire station with the main entrance on the lower parking level
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: Required – Pre-register via email to Rob Macedo-KD1CY at rmacedo@rcn.com

Public Service

Wellesley Veterans Parade, Amateur Volunteers Needed, May 21, 2017

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David Wolfe, KG1H writes:

The Wellesley Veterans Parade will be held on Sunday, May 21 and we hope you will be able to help.

The time commitment is: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 21st in Wellesley.

We meet at 11 a.m. at the Wellesley Community Center at 219 Washington Street.

The duties are to get the 125 units in order. The units arrive at Noon and they are told prior to arrival to go to a specific street and location. We need to check off that the unit has arrived and that it is in the proper location. Then we need to start the parade at 1 p.m. and key the units in order down the street.

A radio communications plan has been developed.

Are you able to help?

Please let Carl Nelson know if you can join the team. His email is cnelson111@comcast.net His cell phone is 781-929-9095.

Thank you for your service and help to our veterans.

Carl Nelson

Public Service

Yukan Run “Fast Half” Marathon, Ham Assistance Requested, May 13

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CAARA logoBob Spanks, Jr., WA1UCG writes on the CAARA list:

The Cape Ann ARA (CAARA) is still looking for volunteers to help at this Saturday’s (May 13) “Yukan Run Fast Half” Marathon starting at the Hamilton-Wenham High School.

CAARA has supported this event for the last several years. So if you are available to help out, please contact CAARA’s Road Race Chairman Chris, K1TAT, at k1tat@outlook.com.

Remember: CAARA has radio equipment for your use if you do not have any equipment.

The race begins at 9:00 AM so I would suggest you be on the course by 8:30 AM. You will complete your assignment by noon at the latest.

73,

Bob Spanks, Jr.

Public Service

Ham Volunteers Sought for National Brain Tumor Society Walk, May 21, 2017

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The National Brain Tumor Society is planning their 2017 Boston fundraising bike ride and they’re looking for amateur radio volunteers. The ride takes place on Sunday, May 21, starting at 7:00 AM from 200 West Street in Waltham. Volunteers will work from until the early afternoon, with lunch provided.

Jim Bradley, KB1JKJ, is organizing the hams for this event. To volunteer, please write him with the following information:

  • Your preferred assignment: SAG in your own vehicle; SAG in another person’s vehicle; or rest stop
  • Your call sign, full name, and name you prefer on the air
  • Your cell phone number, and any other number(s) you like to be reached at
  • Your shirt size
  • The transmit band(s) of your radio(s), and other equipment you could bring
  • Do you have any needs or requests we should consider when making your assignment?

Jim can also answer any questions you have about the event.

Thank you, and 73,

Brett Smith, AB1RL
Public Service Coordinator, Boston Amateur Radio Club

Emergency Communications

Reminder: Monthly EMA ARES Net 5/1 8:30pm

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Hello to all…
We will be continuing our monthly ARES Net in May. The monthly ARES Net for May is Monday the 1st, 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 detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:

http://www.mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_index_by_linkstate.html


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.

As part of our relationship with MARS and our own situational awareness gathering we will be asking for any known infrastructure issues that you are aware of. The information must either be personally observed, or obtained “over the air” via amateur radio. Items considered to be infrastructure include but are not limited to: electrical power, water, medical facilities, sanitation, communications, and transportation. Examples of failure would be: small or large area power failure, water main breaks, hospitals’ ER closed, sewage issues, TV/radio station off the air (including public safety),  interstate highway or major road closed. No known issues are just as important as reporting failures.

Additionally we are interested in relay of any weather information from airport ATIS/ASOS stations that you can directly receive via radio. These stations broadcast continuously in the 120.000 – 138.000 MHz frequency range using amplitude modulation. Information from the ATIS should include airport, temperature, altimeter (barometer), wind, precipitation, and visibility.

A list of stations with their frequencies and a map can be found at: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/weather/asos/?state=MA

A brief introduction to ATIS can be found at: https://www.ivao.aero/training/documentation/books/PP_ADC_ATIS.pdf
A more detailed introduction to ATIS/ASOS can be found at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/ASOS-book.pdf

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!

Marek Kozubal, KB1NCG
EMA Section Emergency Coordinator

Technical / Youth

NASA Chooses Six Local Student Projects

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Clay Center ARC logoBob Phinney, K5TEC writes in the Clay Center ARC mailing list:

Six student projects were chosen by NASA to fly in a rocket or high-altitude balloon this summer. As part of the activities offered by the Clay Center Amateur Radio Club (CC-ARC) at Dexter Southfield School, students designed projects for the NASA “Cubes in SpaceTM” program, the only program in the world to provide students (ages 11-18) with a free opportunity to design experiments to be launched into space on a NASA rocket or balloon.

Lead members include Julie KC1GMW, Morgan KC1GRZ, Nathan KB1RD, Hardy KC1ESU, Raif KC1GRX, Jason KC1GBV, Conrad KC1GBW, Rishi KC1BKX, and Sean K3FAY. Thanks to adult supervisors Christy KC1GAF, Bruce N9JBT, John AB1ZV, Ted KB1NTJ, Marlene Schwarz, and Dan Sage.