Month: November 2018

Operating

KC1DKY Fox Deployed, Chelmsford, November 30, 2018

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Nick Mollo, KC1DKY, writes on the fox-hunting list:

The KC1DKY fox is once again out and about in Chelmsford on town land.  Fox is on 146.565 MHz.  Send a DTMF of 1 to activate the fox.  If the fox does not seem to be responding, send a couple DTMF # and then a 1 to possibly whack it back into shape.  The fox will signal for 30 seconds and be silent for 15 seconds, and repeat for 15 minutes.  The fox is located about a quarter of a mile from the parking area and only about 30 ft. in from the trail.  Don’t forget to sign the log book in the plastic bag next to the fox.

******SPOILER ALERT*****

Read it backwards to get a clue:

TSEROF NWOT DNA DNOP LLIM LLESSUR

Emergency Communications

Eastern MA Hospital Net, December 1, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

John O’Neill, K1JRO writes:

Net Control for the December 1, 2018 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be  W1SSH The South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club . The net will  commence at the usual time of 10 AM using the following repeaters in the  order listed. 

  1. W. Bridgewater 146.775 DCS 244
  2. Salem 146.88 tone 118.8
  3. Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0
  4. Simplex 147.42

The Net will then return to the  W. 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 any health care facility or 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

Repeaters
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  
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 131.8
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.

Clubs

International Museum of World War II, Natick

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
International Museum of World War II logo

Rob, WA1UMU, writes in the Wellesley ARS “The Spark Gap”, November, 2018:

I had a terrific visit to the WWII Museum in Natick recently. 

To my surprise, they had a lot of radio gear including this biscuit tin radio, which reminded me of Bruce, KC1FSZ’s peppermint bark tin QRP rig at Field Day.

The founder of the museum, Kendall Rendell, states:

“The mission of the Museum is to have people gain a sense of direct contact with the World War II generation, to see them as people ourselves today, to identify with their concerns and fears, to understand what caused World War II internationally, and how it was brought to an end at a terrible price.”

The museum has revolving exhibits specializing on subjects such as women of WWII, the resistance, Enigma machines, etc. They seek donations of artificats and volunteers. If you’ve not been there, I highly recommend it. 

The International Museum of World War II
8 Mercer Street
Natick, MA 01760
https://museumofworldwarii.org/

The Museum is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 AM to 4 PM for walk in visitors. Last entry is 3 PM. You do not need to schedule your visit ahead of time. You do need to fill out a waiver form beforehand and bring an I.D.

Licensing Education & Training

“Virtual Elmer” Project Envisioned

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Gerry Hull, W1VE, writes on the YCCC reflector:

There’s a Facebook Group called “Ham Radio – New to the Hobby”.

I’ve seen many posts in this group with people stating “I’ve had my General or Extra for a while.  However, I’ve never had an HF QSO.”

Reasons?

– Don’t know how to use the radio.
– Don’t know the procedure for making a QSO
– Mic fright.
– Don’t want to screw up and get in trouble with the FCC.

Lots of these guys are outside any club territory.

So, I created a poll on that site this morning.   Here’s what I got for responses:

More than 56 people interested in getting into an online QSO  — in less than a day.   However, Jim, K1IR, pointed out it would be a much better process to combine some needy hams with some Elmers.   We can do this virtually.    A really good use of Internet technology.

So, I registered the domain virtualelmer.org   I’m going to use that to gather people and co-ordinate.

To be an Elmer, you’d need to have some form of Video Chat (Facebook Messenger, Skype, etc). and some time.   You could help the new ham understand how to use their rig.   How to connect an antenna.  How to choose what band to get on.

And most importantly, get on the air and help them with a First QSO — with you. If you are interested, send me an email and tell me of your interest. I’ll get you hooked up with some of these folks.  You set the date, time with them.

Clubs / Operating

YCCC Net, Wednesdays at 8 PM

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Bill Barber, NE1B, writes on the YCCC reflector:

For those of you who have a DMR radio, we have setup a net on Wednesday nights, available on the 91 New England Network repeaters.  It is basically an intercom covering ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, and areas of NY (Albany, Mt. Beacon, Long Island).  Access by NETAC1 (New England TAC1 – “Talk Group” 8801).  Just key PTT to activate and call-in.

Additional info available on http://nedecn.org

Public Service

SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) 2018 Friday Evening 11/30/18 at 7 PM Through Saturday 12/1/18 at 7 PM

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
SKYWARN logo

Rob Macedo, KD1CY writes on wx1box.org:

The following is a special announcement on SKYWARN Recognition Day 2018. This announcement will be updated either Thursday Evening 11/29/18 or Friday Morning 11/30/18.

**We hope all SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators had a very Happy Thanksgiving. On behalf of the NWS Boston/Norton forecasters and the entire WX1BOX Amateur Radio Team, we are fortunate to have such a strong and vibrant program with the support of all of you in the field and we appreciate another tremendous of year of service in weather spotting for the community. Thanks for all you do for us and the community!**
**Below is the annual Special Announcement on SKYWARN Recognition Day 2018.**

Announcement text is listed below:

The National Weather Service in Boston/Norton Amateur Radio Station, WX1BOX, will once again be active for SKYWARN Recognition Day 2018. In addition, for the twelfth 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 Blue Hill Observatory under call-sign WX1BHO from 9 AM-3 PM Saturday December 1st, 2018.

This will be the 20th year of SKYWARN Recognition Day and its anticipated that 80-100 NWS Forecast Offices will be participating once again this year. A Web link to information on SKYWARN Recognition Day can be seen at the following link: http://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition

WX1BOX will be monitoring the *NEW-ENG3* conference node 9123/IRLP 9123 system throughout the SRD event from 7 PM-12 AM Friday Evening 11/30/18 and from 7 AM-7 PM Saturday 12/1/18. Our HF station will be active on the various HF bands during the same time period. What bands/modes we operate on will be dependent on propagation and operator availability. We will attempt to announce the different HF frequencies will be on via our Facebook and Twitter feeds as well as on the DX Spotter/cluster system dxsummit.fi for people that wish to contact us on HF.

The following is a schedule of repeaters that will be utilized along with simplex being utilized during certain timeframes on Friday Evening 7 PM-12 AM and Saturday 7 AM-7 PM 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 November 30th, 2018:
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: 147.000-Dartmouth Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
8:30-9:00 PM: 146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4 Hz)
9:00-9:30 PM: 146.790-Vernon, CT Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz) (linked via IRLP.)
9:30-10:00 PM: 147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz) (likely linked via Echolink)
10:00-10:30 PM: KA1RCI Repeater System (Primary) 146.760-Scituate, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz) (Alternate)
10:30-11:00 PM: 145.470-Danvers, MA Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
11:00-11:30 PM: 146.955-Barnstable, MA Repeater PL: 88.5 or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater PL: 110.9
11:30 PM-12:00 AM: 146.640-Waltham Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)

**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 1st, 2018:
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 (PL: 67.0 Hz)
10:00-11:00 AM: NWS Boston/Norton will participate in the Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net
11:00-11:30 AM: 146.895-Walpole Repeater (PL: 123.0 Hz)
11:30-12:00 PM: 147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz)
12:00-12:30 PM: 145.470-Danvers Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
12:30-100 PM: 146.790-Vernon, CT Repeater (Linked via IRLP.)
1:00-1:30 PM: 146.595 Simplex
1:30-2:00 PM: 145.37-Gardner/145.45-Fitchburg/147.39 Repeaters via IRLP 9122
2:00-2:30 PM: 146.685-Plymouth Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz)
2:30-3:00 PM: KA1RCI Repeater System or 146.760-Scituate RI Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
3:00-3:30 PM: 146.955-Barnstable (PL: 88.5 Hz) or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater (PL: 110.9 Hz)
3:30-4:00 PM: 146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4 Hz)
4:00-4:30 PM: 146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8 Hz)
4:30-5:00 PM: 145.370-Coventry, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
5:00-5:30 PM: 146.760-Scituate, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
5:30-6:00 PM: 147.000-Dartmouth Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
6:00-6:30 PM: 147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
6:30-7:00 PM: 147.225-Whitman Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)

**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.

For this year, we will not actively rove 6m repeaters. We may check-in periodically on the 53.31-Mount Wachusett Repeater and the 53.17 Portsmouth, RI KA1RCI Repeater systems.

The following is information on EchoLink/IRLP operations during SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX_TALK* Echolink Conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system. Further updates to follow as we get closer to the event. See the list of NWS offices below:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: Open
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0200-0300: WX4MLB (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0300-0400: WX1BOX (Time slot from last year)
0400-0500: WX9GRB (Time slot from last year)
0500-0600: WX9LOT (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0700-0800: Open
0800-0900: Open
0900-1000: Open
1000-1100: Open
1100-1200: Open
1200-1300: W7NWS (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1300-1400: WX2PHI (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1400-1500: WX1AW (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Time slot from last year)
1600-1700: WX4NC (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1700-1800: WX2PHI (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1800-1900: Open
1900-2000: K0MPX (Confirmed time slot for this year)
2000-2100: WX4MLB (Confirmed time slot for this year)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Confirmed time slot for this year)
2300-2400: WX6NWS (Confirmed time slot for this year)

Also, for 2018, we will have the ability to link up DSTAR/DMR systems into the network. The details on this will be posted in the next update.

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 Boston/Norton, 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-ENG3* 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. This is a great place to move off the *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system after your scheduled time if other Amateurs or NWS offices whish to make contact with you.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years and have multiple reflector channels and Echolink conferences available. There is reflector 9250/Echolink Conference *HI-GATE* node: 357564, IRLP 9251 and the *WORLD* Echolink Conference node: 479886, IRLP 9257/*DCF-ARC* Echolink Conference node: 336037 and IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 152566 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-ENG3* 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 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
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Emergency Communications / Public Service

October 2018 – Eastern Massachusetts Section ARES Report

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

The following is the Eastern Massachusetts Section ARES Report for October 2018 highlighting the number of community or public service events, regular ARES nets (under training and exercises) and SKYWARN Activations completed in the section in the past month. The report can be seen here:

https://ema.arrl.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ARES-Monthly-Section-Emergency-Coordinators-Report_ARES-004_KD1CY_October_2018.pdf

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


Public Service

Request For Operators YuKanRun Happy Holidays Half MerryThon, Gloucester, December 2, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA list:

CAARA has a great public service team. Come out and have some fun with us.

You are using amateur radio to provide a needed public service to ensure the safety and smooth running of a public event in local communities.

I would, but I do not have a radio. No excuse, we have loaner radio’s available with a mag mount that will work in your car just by just plugging it into the cigarette lighter socket. We have loaner hand held radios as well!

I don’t have transportation. No excuse, we will pick you up and drop you off at your house. I do not have the time to spare for a whole race. Well, you can commit to a time slot, for just two hours. We will bend over backwards to get you to participate.

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Happy Holidays Half Marathon on Sunday December 2nd 9:00 AM for a 10:00 AM start time. Start, finish at Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, MA 01930.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by November 30th 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.

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!

Happy Holidays Half MerryThon Communications Team
Gloucester, Mass
Last Updated: 11/19//2018 2:26 am
Event date: Sunday, December,2, 2018
On Location: 9:00 am
Starts: Half Marathon Run = 10:00 am
Frq: W1GLO Repeater 145.130 – PL:107.2
Simplex: 146.858
Clubs / Operating / Public Information

Whitman ARC Plimoth Plantation Special Event Operation, November 24-25, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Whitman ARC logoWhitman Amateur Radio Club members, assisted by other area amateurs, will set up tables and a portable station over the Thanksgiving weekend and operate a special events station at the Plimoth Plantation, the home of the Mayflower II in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  The participants will demonstrate Amateur Radio to tourists and visitors.  In the past the group has logged over a hundred HF and VHF contacts with US and foreign amateurs, including a contact with Plymouth, England.

This year’s event will be held on November 24-25, 2018. Setup takes place on Friday, November 23 at 10 AM at the Plantation’s lower parking lot. On-air operations run from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM on Saturday, November 24, and Sunday November 25. The “take down” begins at the conclusion of the Sunday operations.

The station will be operating on or near the following frequencies: 18.160 14.260 7.260 and 3.860, as well as the Whitman 147.225+ PL 67.0 repeater (EchoLink: WA1NPO-R and IRLP node 8691).

“Anyone wishing to operate at a specific time is encouraged to email wa1npo@gmail.com with dates/times and station preference and they will be added to the schedule; or,  just show up at the Plantation and find your way to either station.”

Additional information about the special event can be found at http://www.wa1npo.org/Plimoth/Plimoth2018.html.

Clubs

Quannapowitt Radio Association Turns 70 Years “Young” on November 19

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

QRA anniversary cakeDon Melanson, KA1MAP, QRA President writes:

The ARRL-affiliated Quannapowitt Radio Association (QRA), a general interest ham radio club founded November 19, 1948, is still active and open to new members. The club celebrates its 70th birthday at the December 20, 2018 meeting at 7 pm. In this current day of computers and the internet, this is a truly unusual achievement.

The QRA was founded by members of a World War II home front emergency communications organization known as the War Emergency Radio Service. After the end of WWII the WERS was disbanded, but the members reorganized themselves as an amateur radio club. From a core of ten members the club has waxed and waned through the years and currently has 20 actives and another 20 members at large. It continues the tradition of promoting radio technology, education about amateur radio, and being able to provide emergency communications when (fortunately rarely) needed.

Members of QRA are active in all facets of ham radio operation. Imagine the difficulty of sending a radio signal to the moon, and detecting its return two and a half seconds later. Imagine the difficulty in communicating with Europe using a signal with only the power of the nightlight in your bathroom. Imagine the difficulty of making radio waves, with the speed of light and with a crest-to-crest length of your knuckle, and then using those radio waves to communicate from the top of Mount Washington to Pennsylvania. These are the challenges that motivate and involve the members of the Quannapowitt Radio Association.

QRA is a general interest radio club serving the Boston and Boston-North suburb radio amateurs, computer enthusiasts and communities for seventy years. “QRA” stands for “amateurism” at its best. Membership meetings are autumn, Winter, and Spring months, third Thursday of the month, 7 PM, at the Pleasant Street Center, 49 Pleasant Street, Reading. Come on by and see what will keep us going to our club’s 100th birthday.

 

Organization

ARRL New England Director Election Results Announced

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

ARRL flagARRL has announced the results of contested elections for Director and Vice Director. Ballots were opened and counted on November 16 in seven contests within five ARRL Divisions.

In the New England Division Director contest,  Lincoln, MA amateur Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, edged out incumbent Tom Frenaye, K1KI, by a count of 1,432  to 1,383. 

Hopengarten will take office at noon on January 1, 2019.  

 
 

[Full story]

Clubs / Operating

Boston ARC QRV for SKYWARN Recognition Day, December 1, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

W1BOS/MQE operation, Blue Hills, December 6, 2003On December 1, 2018, and for the 16th consecutive year, [the Boston Amateur Radio Club] will once again participate in SKYWARN Recognition Day. SRD is a joint event support by the ARRL and the National Weather Service where weather stations and weather buffs from across the country contact each other for fun and to promote the SKYWARN Program.  Our station, WX1BHO, will be located at the summit of Great Blue Hill in Milton.

For several decades, hams have assisted the National Weather Service by providing real-time reports of severe weather and storm conditions. Although the NWS operates a network of 120 Doppler radars to track severe storms, at greater ranges weather radar has a difficult time sampling conditions close to the ground. The information radio operators located near a storm provide plays a key role in aiding forecasters.

SRD stations will exchange signal reports, location and a brief description of the current weather at their respective locations (“sunny,” “partly cloudy,” “windy,” etc.). BARC will be on the air from approximately 0900 to 1500 local time. The event itself is a great way in a low-key environment to make HF contacts and get your feet wet in the HF Spectrum.

In past years we have endured all kinds of weather including warm and cold days, clear and cloudy days, and yes, even a blizzard. Access to the summit is gained by a 20 minute hike from the base of Great Blue Hill located on Route 138 next to the DCR Trailside Museum or (if you arrive early in the day) by car.

Further information is available by contacting Mark Duff, KB1EKN, at emgmgt@comcast.net. If you’re interested in hiking up the hill, contact Joe Chapman, NV1W, at nv1w@arrl.net. 

[Boston ARC’s “The SPARC”, November, 2018, by Mark Duff, KB1EKN]

Operating / Public Information / Youth

Western MA ARISS School Contact Draws ARRL Staffers, State, Local Officials

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

ARISS logoARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology alumnus Mariusz Zielinski, KB1MDS, invited ARRL Lifelong Learning Manager Kris Bickell, K1BIC, Lifelong Learning Administrator Ally Riedel, KM3ALF, and ARRL Communications Content Producer Michelle Patnode, W3MVP, to witness an exciting November 2 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with students at Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School in Palmer, Massachusetts, where Zielinski teaches. [Full story]

Emergency Communications

Falmouth CERT Class Begins January, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

CERT logoThe Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office has announced dates for its next winter Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program for volunteers interested in becoming a CERT member. Classes start January 15, 2019 and run six consecutive Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30 PM through February 19, 2019. Classes are held at the Harborview Conference Room, 3195 Main Street, Barnstable Village. To qualify for CERT you must be at least 16 years of age and willing to attend each session.

The BCSO CERT Program is taught by emergency personnel to train residents, community organizations or workplaces in basic response skills. CERT members are then integrated into emergency response capability for their area so that if a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community’s professional response, CERT members can assist by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they learned during training.

There is no charge to participate in the program. All participants must complete and submit a CERT application and CORI form which can be found on the Community Programs page on the BCSO website at www.bsheriff.net. For questions please contact the BCSO Emergency Management Director Joe Gordon at (508) 563-4319 or jgordon@bsheriff.net.

Falmouth CERT manages the Falmouth High School’s shelter which is equipped with an Amateur Radio station.

Public Service

KD1CY Receives Blue Hills Observatory Outstanding Service Award

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

The Blue Hill Observatory awarded Rob Macedo, KD1CY, with their Outstanding Service Award on November 9, 2018. The award was presented at a Blue Hills Observatory fundraising event by meteorologist and Weather Channel personality Jim Cantore and former Weather Channel meteorologist Mish Michaels. The honor was especially meaningful for Macedo as it coincided with his birthday.

“It’s both rewarding and humbling to receive [the award] in the presence of some of the most respected people in the meteorology profession,” remarked KD1CY. “It wouldn’t be possible without the support of hundreds to thousands of SKYWARN spotters and Amateur Radio operators who support the program and give their reports during times of severe weather…”

Macedo serves as the ARES SKYWARN Coordinator, and Section Emergency Coordinator for Eastern Massachusetts.

Clubs

Quannapowitt Radio Association 70th Anniversary Celebration

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

QRAThe ARRL-affiliated Quannapowitt Radio Association is seventy years young this November, according to QRA President Don Melanson, KA1MAP.

Melanson reports the club has decided to “combine their November 70th anniversary and December Christmas celebrations at the December meeting, to be held on December 20, 2018.” QRA’s actual birthday is November 18. The club meets at the Reading Senior Citizens Center, 49 Pleasant Street, in Reading.

Kudos to QRA and its membership on this historic occasion.

Emergency Communications

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net for Monday November 5 at 8:30 PM

- by kc1cic - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

We will be continuing our monthly ARES Net in November. The monthly ARES Net for November is Monday the 5th, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. 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

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.vatsim.net/pilot-resource-centre/general-lessons/understanding-atis

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://ema.arrl.org/ares

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

Rob Macedo, KD1CY
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Licensing Education & Training

Technician Licensing Class, Middleton, January, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

ARRL Ham Radio License Manual book coverRon Draper, WA1QZK, writes:

A Technician class course will be conducted in January, 2019, spanning three 3-hour sessions on January 2, 16, and 30, 2019 at the Middleton Council on Aging, 38 Maple Street, in Middleton. 

Those interested can sign up and pay at the Senior Center. The deadline is December 16, 2018. The class is intended for “scouts and citizens ages 15 and up.” The cost is $35 and includes all training materials. The FCC Technician exam session will be offered at the conclusion of the course for an additional $15.