Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Mini-Exercise – Operation Mini-Test 26 – Saturday 8/1/26 – 10 AM-12 PM ET

Hello to all…

**Apologies for the late notice though it does add realism to a scenario where a situation happens with limited notice and ARES needs to react to the given situation.**

Eastern Massachusetts ARES will conduct a section mini-exercise on Saturday 8/1/26 from 10 AM-12 PM dubbed “Mini-Test 26”. The exercise will practice similar skills as previous exercises conducted in 2024 to 2025 and the Eastern Mass ARES staff wanted to get this exercise done now since the winter exercise was canceled due to major winter storm/blizzard activity in that timeframe.

The detailed drill document can be seen at the following link:
https://ema.arrl.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/EasternMA-ARES-Summer-Mini-Exercise-2026-V1.3-.pdf

While we encourage participation by Eastern Massachusetts ARES members, RACES/AUXCOMM/USCG Auxiliary Operators and Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters, all are welcome to participate including those outside of the Eastern Massachusetts section. Our intent is to make this the only exercise for 2026 as we look toward having some form of virtual workshop and training for ARES members targeting the October/November 2026 timeframe with the potential for a larger ARES exercise in the first part of February 2027.

Thanks in advance for your support of this exercise and Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

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)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
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Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net (EMHN) – Saturday 8/1/26 – 1000 AM ET

Jeff-N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH writes:

Good Evening,

On Saturday August 1, 2026 the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10:00AM.

Home or alternative locations are also welcome to check into the net. Even if you cannot reach all the systems being used, please check-in on those you can.

We will use the following repeaters in the order listed.

1. West Bridgewater repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. Attleboro Repeater 147.195 tone 127.3
3. DMR -Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot :1 on the following NEDECN repeaters: Boston 449.175 -5.M CC:1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC:1, Sagamore 145.200 – 0.6M CC:10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC:11, East Falmouth 145.210 -0.600 CC:9, Martha’s Vineyard145.180 -0.600 CC:10, and Walpole 145.380 -0.600 CC:12.
4. Sharon Repeater 146.865 tone 103.5
5. Simplex 147.420

We will then return to the West Bridgewater Repeater for 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, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members 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 trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.

We hope to hear you Saturday.

73,

Jeff N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH

Want to operate as W1AW/1?

Larry Krainson, W1AST, the Western MA ARRL Affiliated Clubs Coordinator, writes with a unique opportunity!

The second operation of Massachusetts W1AW/1 is taking place August 11th through the 18th. He is currently looking for clubs or individuals to operate the activation. Also, HamX is right smack dab in the middle of this operating window and there will be W1AW/1 operations on both Friday and Saturday from HamX itself. 

If you are interested please contact Larry direct!

Falmouth ARA Activating Nobska Light for Lighthouse Day

National Lighthouse Day is celebrated annually on August 7th to honor the maritime history of lighthouses and the keepers who maintained them. The date commemorates the 1789 signing of the Act for the Establishment and Support of Lighthouses, Beacons, Buoys, and Public Piers by the first U.S. Congress.

FalmouthARA has been invited to activate Nobska Light. using the callsign W1NOB. 
 
Look for us on the air on 7 August 2026.
 

BarnstableARC activating Chatham Coast Guard Station on Lighthouse Weekend

Barry, KB1TLR, writes on the Barnstable ARC mailing list:

We have a unique opportunity this year; National Lighthouse Day is Aug. 7th and Lighthouse Weekend falls on the 8th & 9th. We have received clearance from Ross Comstock @ the Chatham Coast Guard Station to access the facility to conduct operations for the 3 days.
On Friday we will operate under “W1MGY” ( the Titanic / Marconi Memorial Radio Assoc. of Cape Cod) then Sat. &
Sunday we can operate under W1MA or possibly W1MGY. In discussing this with Rob / K1UI we decided to set up on Thursday afternoon; tower trailer, a 10-80 m dipole and an R-5 vertical. We will run two Icom 7300 stations w/ logging computers, as we normally do.
What we MUST have is a list of all members who be taking part. This is a requirement of the station as it is a government facility. It must be turned ahead of time so please respond to this as soon as possible.
We will be in need of workers to set up and take down, operators,loggers and liaisons to inform the public what is transpiring and why. This is a great opportunity for new hams to do some HF operating.

Barry states that he will be making up QSL cards with both call signs to hand out send out. Banners will be up and the public will be invited! It will be a great opportunity to outreach to the public and most of all, fun!

Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM Report for May-June 2026

With apologies for the late posting of the May STM report, here is the link to the combined May and June report for 2026 at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-may-june-2026/. Note especially the Annual Traffic Handlers Picnic in Concord MA on Sunday, August 2. All traffic handlers and anyone else interested in traffic handling are welcome. Note also the Northeast HamXposition August 13-16 which will include a Traffic Handlers Meet and Greet, followed by an NTS presentation on relevance today.

Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net (EMHN) – Saturday 7/11/26 – 1000 AM ET

Jeff-N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH writes:

Good Evening,

On Saturday July 11, 2026 the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10:00AM.

Home or alternative locations are also welcome to check into the net. Even if you cannot reach all the systems being used, please check-in on those you can.

We will use the following repeaters in the order listed.

1. West Bridgewater repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. Plymouth Repeater 146.685 tone 131.8
3. DMR -Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot :1 on the following NEDECN repeaters: Boston 449.175 -5.M CC:1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC:1, Sagamore 145.200 – 0.6M CC:10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC:11, East Falmouth 145.210 -0.600 CC:9, Martha’s Vineyard145.180 -0.600 CC:10, and Walpole 145.380 -0.600 CC:12.
4. Sharon Repeater 146.865 tone 103.5
5. Simplex 147.420

We will then return to the West Bridgewater Repeater for 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, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members 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 trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.

We hope to hear you Saturday.

73,

Jeff N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH