Month: May 2019

Emergency Communications / NTS / Public Service

Emergency Messaging Demonstration for Red Cross, FEMA is a Success

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Courtesy ARRLWeb:

With Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials monitoring, dozens of radio amateurs along the US east coast on May 23 demonstrated Amateur Radio’s ability to deliver messages without commercial power, infrastructure, or permanently established stations. The event took place in coordination with ARRL. The demonstration was a mock response to a simulated disaster scenario — a major hurricane with mass casualties. During the event, radio amateurs at portable stations from New England to the Carolinas delivered message traffic to W1AW, which coordinated and delivered the information to officials attending a joint Red Cross-FEMA meeting in Baltimore.  [Full story]

See also: Local Amateurs Participate in Joint American Red Cross FEMA Exercise 

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

WX4NHC Annual On-The Air Station Test – Saturday June 1st, 2019 – 900 AM-500 PM EDT (1300-2100z)

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Hello to all…

Please see the following information from WD4R-Julio Ripoll, Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator on the 2019 WX4NHC On-Air Communications Test which will be held this Saturday June 1st, 2019 from 9 AM-5 PM EDT (1300-2100 UTC) across various bands and modes on Amateur Radio. We encourage Amateur Radio Operators in our region to participate. See link below:

Special Announcement: WX4NHC Annual On-The Air Station Test – Saturday June 1st, 2019 – 900 AM-500 PM EDT (1300-2100z)

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

Operating

Seeking Ops for 13 Colonies Special Event Station K2H, July 1-7, 2019

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Bob Kelley, K1KVV writes on the Southeastern MA ARA web site:

I’m seeking operators for K2H, the shared Special Event callsign for all Massachusetts.

Please let all members of our club know about this opportunity. I can add both W1AEC and home station operators to the official 13 Colonies K2H operators list.

Do you want to have the experience of being called instead of calling to make a contact? You’ll get calls from both domestic and DX operators who want to qualify for the certificate endorsements. As an operator of K2H, you will automatically qualify for a certificate. You can also contact the other 13 Colonies S/E stations to earn your own endorsements.

You’d be surprised at how many contacts you can make with a simple wire antenna. You can work as many or few hours as you wish during the week. Each operator is self-scheduled by using an on-line calendar to reserve Band, Mode, and Hour blocks of air time. Also, at the end of the week, each operator submits their own Cabrillo logs to the Massachusetts QSO / QSL coordinator, Joe Casieri, KA1JBE and QSO totals to Ken Villone-KU2US, event organizer.

More details will be available shortly. Meanwhile, go to 13colonies.net for more info. There you can then click on Massachusetts / K2H for other details. [This information will be augmented shortly.]

This event is NOT a contest; so 12m, 17m and 30m bands may be used.

Contact me if you would like to participate and/or if you need more information, etc.

— 73 de Bob K1KVV

Clubs

W1LSB: National Company Talk, Waltham ARA, May 29, 2019

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Waltham ARA logoThe National Company of Malden, Massachusetts was a world-class manufacturer of commercial and amateur radio communications equipment from the early 1930s until the late 1960s. Their HRO series was used extensively by numerous allies during World War II, and can be credited with helping in the effort to receive coded messages from behind enemy lines. At the May 29 meeting of the Waltham Amateur Radio Association, George Maier, W1LSB, will take us through the company’s history, products, and talk about some National employees that he knew personally.
 
For general information about the meeting, and the meeting before the meeting, see https://walthamara.org/meetings/.
 
Licensing Education & Training

New England Sci-Tech Introductory Morse Code Class, Natick, Begins June 29, 2019

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Are you interested in learning Morse code?  Have you heard it on the air or as part of a movie? Learn to copy and send all the letters, numbers, punctuation, and pro-signs in only eight weeks. Register for an introductory Morse code class at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick.

Saturday mornings, from 9:00-10:30 a.m. starting June 29, 2019. Dates: June 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, Aug 3, 10, 17.

Full details at https://www.nescitech.org/product/introductory-morse-code-class/.

 

Clubs / Field Day

Northeast Amateur Radio Club Field Day, June 22-23, 2019, Humarock Point, Scituate

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Bill Kretschmer, N2KNL, writes on the Pilgrim ARC web site:

The Northeast Amateur Radio Club, N1ERC, will conduct Field Day at the Fourth Cliff Recreation Area at Humarock Point in Scituate on Friday and Saturday, June 22-23, 2019.

Pilgrim ARC members Russ Apgar, K1RTA, (NEARC President) and Bill Kretschmer, N2KNL,  (NEARC Vice President) and other members will set up a tower trailer, antennas and transceivers on Friday, June 21. We will have cookouts Friday and Saturday evenings, and group breakfasts at the Omelet Factory in Pembroke on Friday and Saturday mornings.

If you would like to attend the event and join our club, feel free to bring food and drinks. The site is about 90 minutes from the Cape Cod area. MA State Route 3, Marshfield Exit 12, then east to Humarock Point overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Overnight camping is available on site.

Humarock Point is located on an Air Force campground. The area was originally used during World War II. There were two active six-inch gun turrets and a control bunker.  A personal note: I have attended many field day events since 1990. This is the most scenic location I have ever been to.

Field Day

PART of Westford Field Day, Final Countdown

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PART of Westford logoGeorge Allison, K1IG, writes on the PART of Westford list:
 
Field Day is just four weeks away, and the final countdown has begun. Some of you are old hands at Field Day, but for those of you who may not have attended one in the past, I’m providing some Frequency Asked Questions below to help you get ready:
 
Q. I’ve heard that Field Day is the highlight of everyone’s year.  Is it possible to overdose on fun?
A. Yes!  This is actually a frequent occurrence, especially for those who haven’t participated before and who may be unused to fun in such high doses.  Symptom of FDO (Field Day Overdose) include general euphoria, feelings of superiority over non-hams, and impatience while waiting for the next Field Day to begin.  There is no cure for FDO, but symptoms may be alleviated (or heightened if you desire) by attending as much of Field Day as possible.
 
Q. Where and when is it going to be?
A. Our Field Day will be at the Concord Rod & Gun Club, 74 Strawberry Hill Road, Concord, MA. Look for the “Field Day” sign at the entrance. The operating period starts at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 22, and runs for 24 hours.
 
Q. Will there be anything to interest me?
A. We’ll have stations operating on CW, voice, digital (FT-8!), satellite, and VHF. There will be at least one hidden transmitter for a fox hunt. A messaging station will let you send radiograms for free anywhere in the U.S. And, as usual, our gourmet food team will be serving up an epicurean dinner.
 
Q. I don’t have a license.  Does that mean I won’t have fun?
A. Your lack of a license may mean you’ll have even more fun!  Our Get-On-The-Air (GOTA) station run by Andy, KB1OIQ, will give everyone, licensed or not, young or old, to get on the air and make contacts. Tell your non-ham friends to come by and see what they’re missing.
 
Q. I’ve got a Technician license. Does that mean I won’t be able to operate the main stations?
A. Not at all!  This year we’ve got a special station just for Technicians that will let you operate using your privileges on six and ten meter SSB. Technicians may get on the air on any of our stations (CW, voice, digital) on any amateur frequency as long as a properly licensed control operator is in charge.
 
Q. I just realized that Field Day is only four weeks away!  What should I being doing now to get ready?
A. Here are some suggestions for what you should do as the big weekend approaches:
    1. Treat your Field Day clothes with Permethrin. This is an insect repellent chemical that will give you good protection against ticks and other biting insects.  It’s probably a good idea to treat all your clothes with this, not just those you’ll be wearing at Field Day.
    2. Read the “Field Day By The Numbers” article on pages 76-77 of June QST to get some preparation suggestions. 
    3. Brush up on your CW.
    4. Volunteer for Field Day jobs.  Dale, KB1ZKD, our Field Day safety officer, sent an email about needing assistants – this would be a good way to learn all about Field Day safety and general ham radio safety.  Our antenna setup is scheduled for Friday, June 21, from noon to 5:00 PM, and we can always use help putting them up.  No experience necessary.  To take care of visitors, we’ll need a few “Field Day Ambassadors” who can escort them around to the various stations and explain the operations.  Contact me or Andy, KB1OIQ, to volunteer.
    5. Attend the PART club meeting on Tuesday, June 18, for a complete briefing on Field Days planning and operations.
 
See you at Field Day!
 
73, George, K1IG
Field Day Chairman
Emergency Communications / Public Service

Eastern MA Hospital Net, June 1, 2019

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John O’Neill, K1JRO writes:

Net Control for the June 1, 2019 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be W1SMH Sturdy Memorial Hospital. The net will commence at the usual time of 10:AM using the following repeaters in the order listed. 

  1. Fall River 146.805 tone 67.0
  2. Norwood 147.210 tone 100.0
  3. Boston 145.230 Tone Encode 88.5 Decode 100.0
  4. Simplex 147.42 mhz

The Net will then return to the Fall River 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 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.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in joining the group please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to: ssharg@gmail.com. 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.

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.

Respectfully,

John O’Neill
K1JRO 

—
South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club – W1SSH
55 Fogg Road, Box 42
South Weymouth, MA 02190

Operating

Local Area Activity for Museum Ships Weekend, June 1-2, 2019

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The USS Cassin Young, WW2DD, will be among the museum ship stations on the air for Museum Ships Weekend. Mike Rioux, W1USN, and Bob Reiser, AA1M, will activate the famous Fletcher-class destroyer, DD-793. According to Wikipedia, the Cassin Young served as a part of the Fast Carrier Task Force. On April 28, 1944, this force sortied for air attacks on Japanese strongholds at Truk, Woleai, Satawan, and Ponape, during which Cassin Young operated as a picket ship, assigned to warn her group of possible enemy counterattack. The ship is on permanent loan to the National Park Service. She is berthed at the Boston Navy Yard, part of the Boston National Historical Park in Charlestown.

Henry Brown, K1WCC, plans to activate the German Seehund Midget Submarine U-5075 as WW2MAN. According to its QRZ page, the Seehund is located at the United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum Massachusetts Military Research Center in Quincy. Seehund means “seal.”  It was the most successful of several German attempts to perfect a midget submarine. Operated by two men and carrying two underslung torpedoes, the Seehund was used very effectively in the waning months of World War II, sinking over 120,000 tons of allied shipping. 

Rick Emord, KB1TEE and crew will be activating the USS Massachusetts from Battleship Cove in Fall River using the callsign NE1PL.  The USS Massachusetts (BB-59), known as “Big Mamie” to her crew members during World War II, was a battleship of the second South Dakota class. She was the seventh ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the sixth state, and one of two ships of her class (along with her sister Alabama) to be donated for use as a museum ship. Massachusetts has the distinction of having fired the US Navy’s first and last 16-inch (406 mm) shells of the war.

Watch for all of these ships on the Cluster.

USS Cassin Young/ WW2DD

 

NE1PL QSL card

Emergency Communications / NTS / Public Service

Local Amateurs Participate in Joint American Red Cross, FEMA Exercise

- by k9hi - 1 Comment
Photo courtesy KW1U

Amateurs in Eastern Massachusetts along with dozens of hams along the US East Coast demonstrated Amateur Radio’s ability to deliver messages without commercial power, infrastructure, or permanently established stations for officials of the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

[Story, courtesy KC1CIC]
Operating

K1USN QRV for Museum Ships Weekend, May 31-June 2, 2019

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Pi Pugh, K1RV, writes:
 
As of today there are now 106 ships/museums listed as active participants and K1USN will be on the air beginning Friday evening, May 31st at 0000 UTC (8:00 PM EDST).  Check out the list at  http://www.nj2bb.org/museum/.
 
We want to stay on the air as much as possible during the entire 48 hour weekend event. Operators are needed to help keep our three HF stations on the air. We are looking for operators for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Drop me a note at pi.k1rv@gmail.com. Please let me know if you are available to spend some time during the weekend.
 
Remember that K1USN was the originator of this fantastic operating event that is now sponsored by the crew onboard the Battleship New Jersey. They have done a wonderful job promoting this event and continue to issue special certificates to stations that manage to work 15 participants during the weekend.
 

You can check out the current list of ships/museums on their website – http://www.nj2bb.org/museum/index.html

 

Field Day

New England Sci-Tech to Partner with MIT Lincoln Labs for Field Day

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New England Sci Tech logoNew England Sci-Tech (NEST) is partnering with MIT Lincoln Labs to host ARRL Radio Field Day on June 22-23, 2019, which involves participants all over North America. We will operate stations in tents and vans and run off generators and solar power to simulate emergency conditions. The public will be invited to learn about radio and try out some contacts. It will be a good day to show off NEST and Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) and attract new members. We hope that many of our leadership team can help.  [NEST website]

Public Service

Operators Requested, YuKanRun Twin Lobster Half-Marathon, Gloucester, June 2, 2019

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Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Twin Lobster Half Marathon at Gloucester High School on Sunday, June 2, 2019. The event begins at 9:00 AM; be on location by 8:30  AM.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by Thursday, May 30th so I can plan staffing positions for the event.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use (i.e.: mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; OEM 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 for four hours. Runner safety is everyone’s top priority. Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help ensure everyone enjoys the day and remains safe.

I will not be able to make this event. I will be doing the emailing and setup but will not be able to make it on race day. We will need a net control for the Twin Lobster. I am doing another event that weekend.

Chris, K1TAT

Regulation & Advocacy

Massachusetts Hands-free Mobile Device Legislation Update

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MA State HouseHands-free mobile device legislation moved one step closer to becoming law, passing in the Massachusetts House on May 16. But by all accounts Amateur Radio operation while driving will remain unaffected.

Eastern Massachusetts section staff who have been in touch with legislative aides in both the House and Senate have learned the language that defines mobile devices will continue to exempt “federally-licensed 2-way radios.”

“MGL Chapter 90 Section 13 provides for the use of a federally licensed 2-way radio while driving. The hands-free bill being considered (House Bill 3793) does not alter this provision,” according to a staffer in Rep. Ferrante’s office. Another staffer from Rep. Hecht’s office also confirmed the preservation of the existing language in Chapter 90 Section 13 pertaining to federally licensed 2-way radios.

The full text of the H.3793 can be found at
<https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H3793>.

The text of General Law Part I, Section XIV, Chapter 90, Section 13 can be found at <https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section13>.

The Massachusetts Senate is expected to take up the measure in June.

Operating

USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. NB1CR, QRV for Museum Ships on the Air, June 1-2, 2019

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Ed Fitzgerald, K1DIN, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:
 
There are roughly fifteen days before the AARC will send operating teams to put the Destroyer Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. on the air for the 2019 Museum Ships weekend June 1 and 2. Ship museums from all over the world will have ham operators on ships of all kinds for this special event. Hams all over the world will be contacting as many ships as they can and collecting QSL cards from each. As of this writing, there are 104 ships are listed for the event. For a list and full details: https://www.qsl.net/w/wa2tvs//museum/
 
AARC will operate on 40, 20, 17. (No points for same ship on different bands.) Join the fun.
 
As team participants, we do occasionally get pile ups and dead spots, but, we also get to chat with “Tin Can Sailors” who served on ships in Fall River and elsewhere. And, of course, there are the excited first timers who really want to tell us that we are their “Number 30” and, certainly, we enjoy contacting the other ships on the air.
 
The Radio Room on the JPK, Jr. is big enough to house three stations comfortably. Normally, at his time of the year, we have two of our bands open at the same time most of our relatively short days. We try to operate from 10-4 on Saturday and 10-3 on Sunday (need to be packed up and out the gate by 5 on both days). Teams have been meeting at the Middle School at 8 AM to pool as much as possible to Battleship Cove each day. We enter the Cove all at the same time.
 
Team size each day usually ranges from 3 to 6 so that loggers (hand logging) and operators can swap duties. So far, most operators have preferred to do their own logging.
 
If you would like to be part of a team, please let me know what day or days you can attend, and I will get back to you to confirm. 
 
I will send a sheet to team members with specifics about the trip (route, operating procedure, etc.) when I complete the roster for each day.
 
(BTW: You can bring your own food for lunch and snacks, but there is food concession in the mess hall on the USS Massachusetts.
 
(There will be a local radio club operating from the USS Massachusetts.)
 
 
73,
Ed
 
K1DIN
774 245-2788
Field Day

Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC Field Day 2019

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Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARCJust a reminder that Field Day is the weekend of June 22nd and 23rd [at World War I Memorial Park in in North Attleboro]. Setup will begin at about 9 AM on Saturday. Operation will start at 2 PM. Operation will stop at 2 PM on Sunday and tear down will finish up at about 4:30 PM.

If you have not been able to attend the club meetings this is your chance to get involved again. If you would like to help setup or tear down and all help is welcome please come on down. If you would like to operate please let me know by return email what day and times you are available.

Keep in mind that if you are not licensed for HF you can still operate with a higher licensed operator as control operator.
We will even have the opportunity for unlicensed visitors get on the air with control operators.

Talk in will be on the K1SMH 147.195+ 127.3 repeater.

Come on down and have some fun and get back into the swing of things.

Tnx 73 
Ray K2TGX
SMHARC Secretary

Public Service

Call for Volunteers, Norton Founders Day, June 15, 2019

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Ray Cord, K2TGX, writes on the Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC list:

This is the Official call for EMA, HAM, CERT and MRC Volunteers to help at Norton Founders Day

Those Agencies that are supplying equipment have been contacted separately for Mutual Aid 

WHAT: Norton Founders Day- An Evening long Family Town Picnic with Games, Music, Vendors,  Classic Cars Cruise Night
           Food Court Bands and ending with Fireworks at Dark

WHEN: Saturday June 15th from 5:00PM to 9:00PM

WHERE: H.A. Yelle School Campus, 64 East Main St., Norton, across from Honey Dew Donuts.

WHO: Everybody. Volunteers can bring their families and friends

THE MISSION: Starting at about 1:00PM the Committee will start setting up the Food Court, Vendor Booths, Games and Command Post
While we will need a handful of Volunteers with this portion of the setup, the bulk of the Volunteers are being asked to report at 4:00PM.

The Shift will be 4:00PM to 9:30/10:00PM depending on how long it takes to get the cars out of the lots.

There will be a supper (Pizza and soda/water) served at about 7:30PM and breaks (Hydration) will be provided as needed.

NEMA is responsible for providing Light and Power to the Food Court and Various Venues on Campus

Our Mission is to manage the on campus Parking Lots and assist the Police with Pedestrian safety both before, during and after the Fireworks. During the Fireworks we will assist the Fire Dept with Cold Zone Perimeter Security and Hot fireworks patrol as needed.

After the Fireworks we will assist the Police Detail in safely getting cars from the Parking Lots to the Street and make sure that 
Pedestrians and Cars don’t mix.

We recognize that this is a long event but would appreciate what ever time you can give us. If you have mobility issues we can put you where you are not on your feet (EMA/CERT Info Booth etc) or bring a lawn chair.

Please reply to this email ASAP to give us the time shift you can work so that we may start plugging people into ICS positions

 Thank You 
Ray Cord Deputy Director
Norton EMA
508-726-1054

Public Service

Volunteers Sought for YuKanRun Twin Lobster Half Marathon, Gloucester, June 2, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Twin Lobster Half Marathon at Gloucester High School on Sunday, June 2, 2019. The event begins at 9:00 AM; be on location by 8:30  AM.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by Thursday, May 30th so I can plan staffing positions for the event.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use (i.e.: mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; OEM 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 for four hours. Runner safety is everyone’s top priority. Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help ensure everyone enjoys the day and remains safe.

I will not be able to make this Event. I will be doing the emailing and setup but will not be able to make it on race day. We will need a net control for the Twin Lobster. I am doing another event that Weekend.

Chris, K1TAT