Operation Equinox – Portable HF Ops Event Update – 9/28/18

Cape Ann ARES Emergency Coordinator KA1BTK-Gardi Winchester II, writes:

All:

‘Operation Equinox’ is definitely taking on a life of its own! From it’s humble beginnings as a suggestion that we try setting up a CAARA member’s new portable antenna mast to an event almost as big as Field Day itself, it has blossomed in just five days! The ideas have come down so fast that I just can’t keep up with administering it! With the numbers of people who are informed and planning to attend, I doubt making many QSOs are going to be likely.

But that is not what it’s all about!

As of right now, the basic plan is for a portable equipment test and set-up practice of our (your) remote emergency communications response plans, on a more individual level, as opposed to Field Day exercises that run more at a club level. We’ve been ‘dodging the bullet’ as of late, and the latest hurricane, Florence, was certainly a big Red-Flag. There are still areas of the Carolinas and Virginia that are relying on Amateur Radio communications for life support.

Are YOU ready?

So, come and bring your Go-Kits and exercise your emergency operations plans and test your equipment for readiness, Check out the plans of other Hams and maybe get some new and fresh ideas. Help us show the public what Ham Radio can do for their safety and well-being, and show newer Hams what the craft holds with higher license grades.

While there has been very little time to plan for this event, we’re sort of ‘winging-it’ this year. But, that works a bit in our favor, as a real emergency will give very little time to prepare and may give a more accurate assessment of our responses. Plans and possibilities for future events are endless!

Hope to see you there!

Operation Equinox:
Sunday, September 30th
12:00 Noon until 5:00PM +
Hospital Hill, Top of Summit Ave.
Rockport, MA, 01966

Semper Paratus! & 73’s ___________________#\____

Gardner H. Winchester II, KA1BTK, ARRL EC Cape Ann

“The most important tool for disaster recovery is communication”.
gardiw2@gmail.com
http://www.google.com/profiles/gardiw2

SEMARA Flea Market, October 6, 2018

SEMARA Flea Market flyerThe SEMARA Flea Market 2018 will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the SEMARA Clubhouse located at 54 Donald Street, Dartmouth, MA.  The event will be held rain or shine from 9:00 AM to 12 noon, with vendor setup beginning at 8:00 AM.  There is handicapped parking and access available.  Over the air talk-in will be on the SEMARA 147.000 repeater.  We will also be conducting a VE exam session inside the clubhouse at 10:30 AM for anyone interested in obtaining or upgrading their amateur radio license.

For more information, please contact us at (508) 997-7070 or hamfest [at] semara [dot] org.

Portable HF Ops Event

Cape Ann ARES Emergency Coordinator KA1BTK-Gardi Winchester II, writes:

Who:  All Amateur Radio Operators:

What:  Portable HF Operations and equipment exercise.
When: Next Sunday, September 30th (Weather permitting) from about 12:00 Noon – 5:00 or 6:00 PM
Where: Hospital Hill, at the top of Summit Avenue (through the stone pillars) in Rockport, MA, 01966
Why:  Fellowship, practice, making sure your go-bag plans are complete and all of your equipment is functional, and a whole host of reasons!
Come and join fellow Hams in exercising and testing your equipment and plans, and have fun walking all over one another in a remote area!  Hospital Hill is a large field area and Dog Park (Yes, bring your pets) that we have been using as our portable operations base for some time.  We have running permission to operate from there.  There are some nice hiking and walking trails to explore and beautiful vistas to see from up on the hill!  There is no power so bring a generator or hook into your vehicle power.

Please pass this along!

 
Semper Paratus!  &  73‘s  ___________________#\____
 
Gardner H. Winchester II, KA1BTK, ARRL EC Cape Ann
 
“The most important tool for disaster recovery is communication”.
 

Cape Cod ARES Participates in Falmouth Public Safety Fair

Cape Cod ARES District Emergency Coordinator WQ1O-Frank O’Laughlin writes:

I felt just well enough to attend the Falmouth Emergency preparedness/Safety fair day here on Cape Cod to support my new ARES ADEC Henry Brown K1WCC who headed up the event for the Falmouth ARES area of the Cape Cod and Islands ARES District. I was pleased to see the aluminum case kit that I built for him a few years back and the cooler based kit he personally built. I only brought my small camera bag radio kit. It was well attended and organized by Assistant Falmouth EMD Kim Strohm. Several Falmouth ARES folks were there. It was nice to see Henry get interviewed by Falmouth TV. It was also great to see our partners such as CERT, MRC, CC DART, Red Cross, DCR, public safety, MEMA, NWS and many others at the public safety fair.

Display of Cape Cod ARES Go Kits at the Falmouth Public Safety Fair
Close-up of Cape Cod ARES Go Kit
Close-up of Cape Cod ARES Go-Kit
Close-up of a Cape Cod ARES Go-Kit

 

Cape Cod ARES Assistant District Emergency Coordinator, K1WCC-Henry Brown being interviewed on Falmouth Cable Access Television

W1PJE Presents at 37th Annual ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference

Dr. Phil Erickson, W1PJE, was the invited banquet speaker at this year’s annual ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference held on September 14-16, 2018, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Erickson is an assistant director and head of MIT’s Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences group at Haystack Observatory.  He holds B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering and space plasma physics from Cornell and is a member of the American Geophysical Union and the International Radio Science Union. Dr. Erickson is an Extra class ham and member of TAPR, ARRL, RSGB, Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club and the HamSCI initiative. He is the lead principal investigator of a National Science Foundation-sponsored UHF Megawatt class ionospheric radar at MIT Haystack and has authored or co-authored over 75 articles about the ionospheric and magnetospheric phenomena and radio physics.

W1PJE’s talk was entitled, “Towards A 21st Century Understanding of Earth’s Upper Atmosphere: The Value of Radio Based Amateur-Scientist Partnerships.” 

Whitman ARC Offering Technician Class, September 4-27, 2018

Recent licensing class held by the Whitman ARCThe Whitman Amateur Radio Club is currently conducting a Technician training class at the Whitman police station at 20 Essex Street on Tuesdays until September 27, 2018. Ross Hochstrasser, W1EKG, and Paul DeLory, W1GTX, are instructing. The class will culminate in a volunteer exam on October 2, 2018. For details, visit http://www.wa1npo.org/training/training.htm.

Amateur Radio Newsline Highlights Eastern MA ARES Standby for Merrimack Valley Incident, VoIP Hurricane Net Support

Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes:
 
Amateur Radio Newsline #2134 for Friday, September 21, 2018, featured a story about the recent Eastern MA ARES standby for the Merrimack Valley gas explosions and fires, and the VoIP Hurricane Net report. The text transcript and audio can be found at:
 
 

Barnstable ARC Presence at Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival, September 15, 2018

Barnstable ARC at the Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music FestivalThe Barnstable Amateur Radio Club had a presence for the second year at the Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival on September 15, 2018 from 10 AM – 6 PM. The festival featured food trucks, music, community and vendor tables, and a bicycle event.

According to BARC organizers, “excellent weather and band condition made for a good weekend.”

IPAWS National Test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

UPDATE:  Due to the ongoing Florence storm activities, this test has been postponed to October 3, 2:18 PM EDT.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on September 20, 2018. The WEA portion of the test commences at 2:18 p.m. EDT, and the EAS portion follows at 2:20 p.m. EDT. The test will assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine whether improvements are needed.

https://www.fema.gov/emergency-alert-test

Mass Jam Volunteers Needed, Falmouth, October 6-9, 2018

Falmouth Amateur Radio AssociationGlen Dowden, KC1GKT writes:

The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association is looking for volunteers on October 6 through October 9, 2018 for Mass Jam.

Mass Jam is held at the Barnstable County Fairgrounds in East Falmouth. The event brings Scouts from all over Massachusetts and Rhode Island for a weekend of activities. Mass Jam provides the scouts the opportunity to participate in fellowship and activities throughout the weekend. We would be providing an opportunity for Scouts to learn more about Amateur Radio and the opportunity to get on the air. Falmouth Amateur Radio Association can provide the necessary equipment (Radio equipment and antennas), but we will need operators. All operators at the event will have to be registered as volunteers at the event and will have to take the Boy Scouts of America Youth Protection Training (this is available at http://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/).

If you are available or are already planning on attending the event with your local Scout Troop/Post/Ship and are interested in assisting with operating, please reach out to Glen.dowden@gmail.com and indicate dates and times you are available. This is a great opportunity to reach Scouts from your local area.

Thank you,
Glen KC1GKT
Falmouth Amateur Radio Association

“Woodstock of Amateur Radio”: NEAR-Fest, October 12-13, 2018

NEAR-Fest logoNEAR-Fest will be held on October 12-13, 2018. It is held twice annually, spring and fall, rain or shine, at the Deerfield Fairgrounds in Deerfield New Hampshire beginning on Friday at 0900 and ending Saturday at 1500 hours.

Admission is $10. Persons under 18 and over 80 are admitted free of charge upon presentation of government-issued ID. Inside parking is available for $10 and includes a “reasonable amount of flea market selling space” for PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS selling their own personal property. Commercial vendors must register and pay applicable fees. If you are wondering if you are a “commercial vendor” you probably are. One complimentary inside commercial space is available for clubs, estates and other “non-profit organizations” on an “as available” basis.

Overnight camping, trailer and RV hookups are available. Three food vendors provide meals and snacks at reasonable prices. The Deerfield Community Church ladies serve up a breakfast that has to be consumed to be believed. Angelino’s offers hamburgers, steak, sausage submarines and other great “fair food” specialities and Patty’s Polish Kitchen menu features wonderful “Mitteleuropa” cuisine. No one goes hungry at NEAR-Fest. We are extremely proud of the high quality of food that these vendors offer our guests while they are at the ‘Fester.

NEAR-Fest typically attracts attendees from the six New England states, NY, NJ, PA, MD and other states as well as from Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in Canada. Some attendees travel great distances; one gentleman from Los Angeles has attended fifteen events and in 2010 one radio amateur traveled from Greece to join us for the fun.

The program of activities and events at NEAR-Fest is extensive; a huge outdoor electronic flea market, three buildings full of commercial vendors, forums, technical seminars and symposia, demonstrations, exhibits, displays, licensing examinations, special events radio stations, a “jam session”, good food, fellowship, fun and general mishigoss. NEAR-Fest is the largest event of its kind in the Northeast and has once been described as the “Woodstock of Amateur Radio”.

See also: NEAR-Fest XXIII to Host Youth Science and Technology Expo

Volunteers Sought, Lone Gull 10K, Gloucester, September 30, 2018

map of course, Lone Gull 10k, Gloucester MAChristopher Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA list:

CAARA has a great public service team. Come out and have some fun with us. We have loaner radios if you need one. Come out and join the event. Contact us and we will set you up with a radio.

We are looking for operators to staff the Lone Gull 10K on Sunday, September 30th. Please be on location at your Check Point by 8:30 for a 9:00 AM start. Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by September 28th so I can plan staffing positions for the event..

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use ( mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; rubber duck, etc.) so we have a better idea of where to locate you along the event course per the potential of your equipment.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Chris K1TAT

Lone Gull 10K Communications Team

Gloucester, Mass

Last Updated: 9/16//2018 1:20 am

Event date: Sunday, September,23, 2018

On Location: 8:30 am

Starts: 10 k Run = 9:00 am

Frq: W1GLO Repeater 145.130 – PL:107.2, Back up Simplex 146.585

W1HFN Fox Deployed in Littleton

Barry Fox, W1HFN, writes on the foxhunting list on September 15, 2018:

Barring sudden catastrophe, the W1HFN fox will be loose at:  

https://littletonconservationtrust.org/tws_holding/bumblebee-park/

UPDATE 7:36 AM, September 16, 2018:

 

Sorry, I left out the important bits;  146.565, it runs constantly, no tones needed.  A 20 second voice ID every minute, so there is 40 seconds of no signal.  Makes for a bit of a challenge.

 

Hopefully, it will run through Thursday the 20th.  In any event, it will be recovered then.

 

Good luck,

 

Barry – W1HFN

 

PMC Kids Ride, Volunteers Requested, Manchester-by-the-Sea, September 22, 2018

Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF writes on the North Shore RA mailing list:
 
I have a last minute event that has come up.  I need a few people to help with a KIDS PMC event.
 
Rick, WZ1L, in Gloucester has asked if I can get a few people to help him with a friends event to raise money for a kids cancer charity event.
 
The event is next Saturday, September 22 in the AM before noon in Manchester-by-the-Sea.
 
I know some people are doing a public service event on Sunday as well, but if you can help out I only need a few.
 
I don’t have all the details yet and I myself will not be able to attend, but I told Rick I would see who I could round up..
 
If you can help please let me know.  The PMC Kids Ride for children between the ages of 6 and 16 is only a 5 mile ride, so it should not take many people and should be a quick event.
 
Thanks
 
Eric, KA1NCF

Ride to Defeat ALS, Volunteers Needed, September 23, 2018

David Wolfe, KG1H writes:

The Worcester Emergency Communications Team is looking for volunteers on Sunday 9/23/18 for the Ride to  Defeat  ALS.  This is a low key event with the primary focus being on charity rather than racing.  

The 70 mile bicycle course begins at the Longfellow club in Wayland and continues through several towns with rest stops in Hudson, Bolton, Acton, Concord, and Sudbury.  While the race runs from 6AM to 3PM, some stations open as late as 9AM and some close as early as 11AM.  

Operators working at a course station can report directly to their station.  Lunch is provided for operators in Wayland.  There will be two roving race vehicles that will require a mobile radio.  We will have both 2m and 70cm repeaters linked for this event. 

If you are available, please reply to  nb1h@wect.org and indicate if you are able to provide a mobile radio for a roving assignment, and indicate your location and what hours you are available.  I will attempt to locate you at a station closer to your home if possible.

Thanks,
Ben NB1H
Worcester Emergency Communications Team

Lawrence/North Andover, Mass Natural Gas Related House Fire Situation and Eastern Massachusetts/North Shore ARES Monitoring

Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes:
 
While we have Eastern Massachusetts Amateurs engaged in Hurricane Florence monitoring, we are well aware of the incident and are prepared to support any agencies if necessary. Please see our status update from North Shore ARES DEC, KB1KQW-Jim Palmer. We are sending this to Mike-KI1U as well at his request as he wanted a status update
 
Hello to all…
 
At approximately 5:00pm this evening, an incident involving several home explosions and fires began unfolding in the Merrimack Valley, specifically affecting the towns of Andover, North Andover, and Lawrence.  There have been numerous evacuations as a result of the incident which remains very much in progress, and North Shore and Eastern MA ARES teams continue to closely monitor the situation.  We have informally activated on the Danvers-145.47 repeater to pass along pertinent information to people in the affected area and take availability reports as needed.
 
At this time, there have been no requests for ARES support at any of the shelters.  If you would like to pass along your availability for the next 24 hours, please send me an e-mail and we will add it to our list in the event an activation becomes necessary.  As always, please do not self-deploy and if you are in the area follow the directions of your local public safety officials.
 
This will be the only message planned for this event unless there is a change to the situation.  Thanks again for your continued help and support of ARES!
 
Jim Palmer – KB1KQW
North Shore ARES DEC
978-609-0967 (cell)
 
Please also let me know of any questions or concerns. Thanks!
 
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
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box
 

UPDATE:

 

The Danvers-47 repeater was activated at approximately 5:30pm to monitor the situation in the Merrimack Valley. At this time no requests for support have been received but have been in communication with Jonathan Goldfield-KB1ZRB from Red Cross and they are gathering general availability on their end for overnight operations. We are doing the same and gathering availability in the event our services are needed. Mark-K1MGY is requesting availability from his area as well. Otherwise we are passing along pertinent information over the repeater and on my Facebook page as well to get the word out.

Request For Operators, YuKanRun Half-By-The-Sea Half Marathon, September 23, 2018

YouKanRun Manchester-by-the-SeaChris Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA mailing list:
 

CAARA has a great public service team!

Come out and have some fun with us. We have loaner radios if you need one. Come out and join the event. Just contact us and we will set you up with a radio.

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Half-By-The-Sea Half Marathon. on Sunday, September 23rd. Please be on Location at your Check Point by 9:30 AM for a 10:00 AM start.

Manchester Essex Memorial Elementary School, 43 Lincoln Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by September 22nd so I can plan staffing positions for the event..

While CAARA’s repeater performance has greatly improved the we may still experience some difficulty with communications especially with low-powered HTs, so we’ll be looking for higher powered equipment to staff those areas.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use ( mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; rubber duck, etc.) so we have a better idea of where to locate you along the event course per the potential of your equipment.

The course will be open and supported by CAARA for four hours. Runner safety is everyone’s top priority. Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Chris K1TAT

Half by the Sea Communications Team

Manchester, Mass

Last Updated: 8/1//2018 3:50pm

Event date: Sunday, September,23, 2018

On Location: 9:30 am

Starts: Half Marathon Run = 10:00 am

Frq: W1GLO Repeater 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up: N1SRA 145.470 PL 136.5

 

 

Flea at MIT in Cambridge, September 16, 2018

This Coming Sunday, the September  Flea at MIT

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Summary: Buy Sell SWAP    Ham Radio    Electronics Computers    9AM – 2PM  ***

!!!!  In our Traditional GARAGE  !!!!!  ****
          so come rain or shine or super heat the Flea is on !!!

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Summary: Buy Sell SWAP    Ham Radio    Electronics Computers    9AM – 2PM

*** !!!!  In our Traditional GARAGE   !!!!  ****
         so come rain or shine or super heat the Flea is on !!!

*********  $1  buyers discount with hardcopy of this notice ********

COMPUTERS – ELECTRONICS – HAM RADIO – COMPUTERS – ELECTRONICS – HAM RADIO

                            FLEA all SUMMER at MIT
                         Sunday September 16th 2018
                                   9AM-2PM

Come to the city for a great flea – plenty of free parking.

        MIT’s  electronics and ham radio flea will take
        place on the third Sunday of each month this summer,
        April thru October.

        There is tailgate space for over 300 sellers!

        Buyers admission is $6  (you get $1 off if
        you’re lucky enough to have a copy of our ad)
        and sellers spaces are $20 for the first and
        $15 for each additional at the gate.

        Early Bird Buyers admission is $15, allows
        entry after the prepaid sellers ~ 7:15AM
        See registration form for season rate.

        The flea will be held at the corner of Albany and
        Main streets in Cambridge; right in the Kendall
        Square area from 9AM to 2PM, with sellers set-up
        time starting at 7AM.

        SEASON PASS + Advance Discounts

        A sellers discount season pass is available which
        offers a 30% discount. By prepaying you get a
        discount and earlier admission. See the registration form
        for full seller info.

        *** Attention Sellers ***
                Prepaid vendors.. Season Pass or monthly,
                will be admitted FIRST.
                Separate lines will form prior to gate opening
                for prepaid and nonprepaid vendors

        !! RAIN or SHINE !!  Have no fear of rain, a covered
        well illuminated tailgate area is available for all
        sellers (6’8″ clearance).

        Talk-in: 145.23- (PL 88.5) W1BOS/R  and
                 W1XM/R-449.725/444.725 (PL 114.8/2A).

        Sponsors: MIT Electronics Research Society
                  MIT UHF Repeater Association (W1XM)
                  MIT Radio Society (W1MX)
                  Harvard Wireless Club (W1AF)

        For more info / advanced reservations 617 253 3776

********** $1  buyers discount with hard copy of this notice ************

Mail the coupon below by the July 5th for advanced reservations.

           FLEA at MIT     2018 Rates

SELLERS

To use your spaces the named vendor MUST be present.
Rates include one admission per space.

Season Pass     $99 First Space – includes $70 for Cambridge Vendor Licenses
                  $70 Each additional space

Advance         $17 First space – includes $10 Cambridge Vendor License
                  $12 Additional Spaces
                        Must be received by the 5th of the month.

Gate Admission  $20 First Space – includes $10 Cambridge Vendor License
                  $15 Additional Spaces
                      Admission is after the prepaid vendors

Early Bird Buyer -Admission after the prepaid vendor line is admitted. ~ 7:15AM
                ** You may not sell. **
                $15 per person at the gate.
                $70 Season Early Bird Buyer

   cut and return
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FLEA at MIT 2018       Advance Space Application

   _____ 1st Season Pass @ $99   _____ Additional Season Spaces @ $70

   ____April    ____May    ____June   ____ July  ____Aug   ___Sept   ____Oct
          @ $17  for the first each month  + $12 each additional

   _____ Season Early Bird Buyer   @ $70   ** NB You may not sell. **

Name    ________________________     Call  __________        $ Included______

Address ________________________     Phone  __________     Make Check to
                                                                                       The MIT Radio Society
City  ____________________ State  _______  Zip  _______       PO Box 397082
                                                                                       Cambridge MA 02139
E-mail  _____________________________________________

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Steve Finberg                              W1GSL                              w1gsl@mit.edu
PO Box 82 MIT Br           Cambridge MA  02139-7082             617 258 3754
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