Author: admin

Members of the Caribbean Buddies 2010 team (including one from Eastern Massachusetts) will mount a DXpedition to St. Lucia (J6) February 2-10, 2010. Nine operators from eight states will have fixed operations from a cliff-top villa and portable operations from various points on the island using CW, SSB, and digital modes. The team consists of the following operators: Chris Drummond (W6HFP), Budd Drummond (W3FF), B. Scott Andersen (NE1RD), Dan Gagnon (WZ1P), Steve Galchutt (WG0AT), Mike Greenwood (KC4VG), Guy Hamblen (N7UN), Paul Van Dyke (KB9AVO), and Weymouth Walker (K8EAB). Licensing is not yet complete but each operator is expected to receive their owncall sign. QSL via LoTW, eQSL, or mail to operator’s home call (SASE required).

The Zola Center for Adults with Disabilities (zolacenter.org)along with the Boston ARC held a licensing class at which 8 new Hams obtained their licenses. Now, BARC is assisting in getting those folks on the air from the community center.

Eric (K1NUN)  writes:

“It was a beautiful day for Donna (KB1QVT and director of the Zola Center), Jeff (KB!QVW), Jean (KB1QVV), Alex (KB1SSN), Tom (KB1P), Hank (K1QK), Phil (K9HI), Eric (K1NUN, and John Rice to assemble, build, and install two Ham Radio antennas at the Brigham House in Newton.

Getting an early start, Hank, Tom, and Eric inserted eye-bolt ring insulators at the sunroom corners. These would be the end termination points for the inverted-V antenna. Indoors, Jeff, Jean, Donna, and Alex built the Cushcraft AR270 V/UHF collinear antenna. Eric and Phil ran around distributing hardware, wire, and tools, and performing quality control on the Cushcraft. Hank and Tom, in the attic, mounted the inverted-V antenna at the top of the attic window  and draped the ends down to the standoff insulators and dropped the two coaxial cable transmission lines down to the sunroom. The MFJ pass-thru panel was cut to size and inserted in a rear window. Hank had hand-made a similar panel for the attic window to allow installing the V/UHF antenna indoors, inside the attic.

Jean, Donna, and Eric made several trips up and down, delivering tools, hardware, and encouragement.

Indoors, cables were attached to the pass-thru panel, into the corner cabinet, and it was done!

Tom connected the Boston Amateur Radio Club’s Yaesu FT-897 transceiver to test out the antenna. All worked as expected! Primarily, the V/UHF antenna is our first priority to allow visitors to connect and make contacts through local repeaters. Later, the inverted-V may need pruning for better matching on 20 meters and up through six meters, but the antenna is fine for casual short-wave broadcast listening.

John Rice showed up to pass his approval on the installation. John, by the way, was elected ward alderman just this week, and he continues to serve on the Brigham House Board of Advisors. He said he is pleased to see the Ham Radio antenna and station installation as a means to encourage greater participation in the House’s activities as a community center.”

Way to Go Gang !  A job well done!

Hello to all..

From MEMA Public Information Officer Peter Judge, a Siren Demonstration will be done at the Seabrook, NH Nuclear Plant on Wednesday November 18th, 2009 at 1230 PM. In addition to the Siren Demo Card, a Word document press release has been produced as well. Details are listed in the Word Doc and PDF as provided by MEMA:

http://ares.ema.arrl.org/local/Siren_Demo_Card_2009-11-18.pdf

http://ares.ema.arrl.org/local/News_Release_Seabrook_Sirens_Demo_09.doc

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

The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association will hold its Eleventh Annual FARAFEST Amateur Radio Fleamarket and exam session at the Upper Cape Regional Tech School, 220 Sandwich Road, Bourne, MA from 9 AM to noon on November 7th, 2009.

Check the FARA web page, falara.org, and click FARA Events at the top of the page for directions and advance registration information. Tables are provided for indoor spaces only. Outdoor spaces are available, weather permitting. 8 foot spaces are $10.00. Refreshments are available and provided by Culinary program students at the school.

VE session will run from 9 AM to 11 AM on-site.

This year, an Electronic Recycler will be available at the site. Bring your old computer monitors and other unwanted electronics (no TV’s please) and dispose of them for a small fee.

Talk-in will be on the FARA repeater, 146.655 (-) PL 88.5.

Hope to see you there!

 

As provided by SATERN Coordinator for Boston Salvation Army, Frank Murphy-N1DHW via the MRAS General email list:

Dear Officers, Staff, Board Members, and EDS Volunteers,

It always is an exciting, delightful opportunity when our programs are extensively promoted to the public. But in this particular occasion, it is time for our Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) Ministries to shine!

On Sunday night – September 13, from11:00 pm – 11:30 pm (“The Jordan Rich Show”), WBZ Radio 1030 will highlight The Salvation Army’s EDS program. Jordan Rich, acclaimed talk show host, will interview Chris Farrand, our Massachusetts EDS Director and Mike Orfitelli, The Salvation Army’s Territorial EDS Coordinator and Trainer,  on-air. The broadcast will not only reach the entire Commonwealth but also 38 states including Michigan, Ohio and Florida. It will also reach portions of Canada.

The interview will highlight:
1) Discussions on The Salvation Army as a reputable, reliable support responder to police, firefighters and all other disaster first responders for any and all disaster events – local, regional and national.
2) The response of The Salvation Army to the 9/11 Tragedy, an event that remains significant in our minds, even as we commemorate it today.
3) EDS Training Programs that will inform and equip our volunteers to provide mass care such as food & hydration, clothing, shelter, emotional & spiritual care, and reconstruction & re-establishment of devastated communities as they rise up from the ashes. The Salvation Army does all of these – depending on the need – both short-term and long-term.

The public can call-in with questions.   It is my sincere hope that we all set aside some time to listen, and even participate when we can to the forum.

Sincerely,
       Major William H. Bode
       Divisional Commander

————————————————————————————————————-
LIVE FIELD EXERCISE REMINDER:
I also wanted to use this opportunity to remind anyone who has not yet responded the invitation to participate in the live EDS field exercise scheduled for Sat. Sept. 26th. This mock disaster drill will train the different response services we provide from feeding to emotional triage to Incident Command operations. The event will be at Camp Wonderland in Sharon, MA and is scheduled to take place from 8:45am until 3:30pm (with lunch being served from the canteens). This is a great opportunity to learn more about deploying to an actual disaster, as well as build your skills for the field. Please contact me if you are interested in attending or with any further questions. Thank you.

Chris Farrand
Director
Emergency Disaster Services

The Salvation Army
Massachusetts Division
147 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116-5197

Phone: 617-542-5420 (ext.320)
Cell: 978-509-5665
Fax: 617-451-8195
Chris.Farrand@USE.SalvationArmy.org
www.salvationarmy-ma.org

Hello to all..

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), who is in coordination with MEMA (Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency) has launched a Communications Campaign on H1N1. Below are details on the communications campaign and what you and your family should know to stay protected this flu season:

Links to Flu Wallet Card and 60-Second Flu Video:

Flu Wallet Card: http://ares.ema.arrl.org/local/Wallet_Card.pdf

Flu 60-Second Video: http://ares.ema.arrl.org/local/60_sec_Vaccine_Hands_new.wmv

Greetings,

Please see important information H1N1 below and tune into WBVC tomorrow night at 7pm…

Mike

Michael L. Raskin
Associate Director
Operations and Field Services
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
400 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702-5399
Office:   508.820.1422
Main:     508.820.2000
Cell:       617.828.5852
Fax:       508.820.2030
www.mass.gov/mema

From: Joshi, Archana (DPH) [mailto:Archana.Joshi@state.ma.us]
Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 1:31 PM
Cc: Liisa Jackson ; Monahan, Josh; Daly, Steve; Jones, Brenda; Somers.Tarah@epamail.epa.gov; Regan Checchio; Michael Raskin ; Ann McCobb; Baggs Judy ; Betsy Fijol; Bob Landry ; Bob Leupold ; Brent Reagor ; Dave Black; Diane Fielding; Dorisca, Betsy; Doug Halley; Ed Wirtanen; Ellen Hartnett; Ethan Mascoop; Gail Nixon; Gerard Cody; Heidi Porter ; Ira Grossman; Jack Wallace; James A. Garreffi ; Jennifer Murphy; Jim White ; John R. Fralick ; Judy Jelloe; Justin Snair; Karen DaCampo ; Karen D’Angelo; Kathy Fox ; Kathy Whittaker; ksweet@townofmaynard.net; Leslie A. Cahill; Leslie Chamberlin ; Linda Fantasia; Lise Mespelli ; Louis Fazen; Mark Oram; Melissa Stuart; Mercer, Leila; Michael Delfino ; Michele D Cavallaro ; Nancy Bennotti; Ravi Nadkarni ; Robin Chapell; Ruth Mori ; Sam Wong; Scott Moles; Sharon Mastenbrook; Sheila Miller; Shelly Newhouse; Steve Calichman; Victoria Parsons; Walter Sweder; Wendy Diotalevi
Subject: FW: MDPH – H1N1 Communications Campaign
Importance: High

FYI

From: Bowen, Nyca (DPH)
Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 1:05 PM
To: DPH-DL – All DPH Staff
Subject: H1N1 Communications Campaign
Importance: High

Flu Facts : What You Need to Know

Tune in to a live broadcast tomorrow, Thursday, September 10 th to see
Dr. Lauren Smith discuss the latest information on H1N1 (swine) Flu.

Dr. Smith will be on Channel 5 WCVB Boston at 7:00 p.m.

I want to let you know about the work we are doing to educate the residents of Massachusetts about the H1N1 Flu this fall. Our strategy incorporates a number of new messages, particularly around vaccination.  The DPH Communications Office is in the process of launching a communications campaign that incorporates messages about key areas of H1N1, with the goal of reducing morbidity and mortality associated with flu.  It has 3 main objectives:  Vaccination – encourage people to get a seasonal flu shot, and an H1N1 flu shot, especially if they are considered high-risk; Prevention – increase behaviors that prevent the spread of flu such as hand washing and covering your cough/sneeze; and Mitigation – encourage people to stay home when sick and to keep their kids home when sick.

The campaign involves messages in a variety of languages, through multiple channels and across several media markets. The channels of communication for the campaign will include:

       The Press:  Medi a relations will continue to form the backbone of our communications response.  In addition to regular briefings, we will proactively support our response by pitching relevant stories to support our messages around vaccination, prevention and mitigation.

·        Print:   advertisements will be placed in the Metro, as well as Spanish, Portuguese Chinese, Vietnamese, and H aitian Creole language newspapers.  The print campaign will also include display advertising on mass transit on the 5 major transit authorities in the state.  A copy of one of our web ads is attached as an example of some of our work.

·        Radio:  paid ads and public service announcements in multiple languages will be distributed to stations throughout Massachusetts.  Particular attention will be paid to utilizing ethnic radio outlets.

·        TV:  We are partnering with Channel 5 (WCVB) to conduct a live television show which will air this Thursday at 7:00.  Tune in as Heather Unruh leads a discussion with Dr. Lauren Smith, Medical Director of DPH and Dr. Richard Besser, National Health Correspondent for ABC that answers all the basic questions about H1N1. In addition to this live TV show, we will be taping a 30 minute television show that will air statewide on Comcast OnDemand as well as on cable access stations.  And we will be placing advertisements on both the Boston and Springfield area TV and cable stations, including a Spanish language station.  A copy of one of our TV ads in English is attached to this email.  ( Please note, you many need to save the file to your desktop in order to view.)

·          Social Networking : A variety of social media will be utilized including podcasts, You Tube videos, Facebook, Twitter and blogs.

The campaign began this week, and will continue throughout flu season.  As always, we will continue to use the DPH H1N1 webpage and blog to disseminate a wide variety of information for the public as well as providers and various target groups.  Our website has recently undergone a major revision in an attempt to make the massive amount of information on it more manageable.  You can find it at www.mass.gov/flu .

Please feel free to share this information with your colleagues and family.

Thank you.

Suzanne Crowther, MPH
Director, Communications
Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Office:  (617) 624-5195
Fax:      (617) 624-5206
Email:    suzanne.crowther@state.ma.us
Blog:       http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us

Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Workshop Saturday 10/3/09 in Acushnet, Massachusetts..

There will be an Emergency Communications Workshop on Saturday October 3rd,
2009 from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM at the Acushnet Emergency Management Agency on 14
Thomas Street in Acushnet Massachusetts. This session is being put on by the
ARES Section Staff through the efforts of South Coastal Massachusetts ARES
Emergency Coordinator and Acushnet Communications Officer, Ed Caron,
KA1RSY, and the cooperation of the Acushnet Emergency Management Agency
Director, Jerry Bergeron, W1AFD. This Emergency Communications Workshop
will provide the background and information to serve Amateur Radio Operators
when they need to respond to a communications emergency or when supplemental
communications via Amateur Radio is required. It will feature an
Introduction and Conclusion to Emergency Communications, and five 1-hour
training sessions on topics including:

Overview of Eastern Massachusetts ARES-RACES-SKYWARN Programs
Net Operations
NTS Traffic Message Handling
Basic Overview of ICS
Go Kits

This training will also feature a 1-hour lunch that will be provided at no
coerced cost to any Amateur who attends the session. The presentations will
be given by other Amateur Operators well versed in the topics listed above.
The training will be a worthwhile endeavor not just for emergency
communicators but for anyone who is an Amateur Radio Operator, and wants to
learn more about the hobby.  Preregistration is requested but is not
required in case anyone would like to attend at the last minute. Please try
to preregister by Monday September 28th, 2009 to assure the meeting place
is setup properly and we have enough refreshments for breaks between
lectures and for the lunch break. We will, however, accept any last minute
preregistrations after that day or any walk-ins as long as space permits.

Directions to Acushnet Emergency Management Agency Headquarters:

Please see the link from the Acushnet Emergency Management Agency (AEMA)
web site for directions to the facility:
http://www.acushnetema.com/directions.htm

Talk-In will be on the 145.490-Fairhaven Repeater PL: 67.0 Hz.

GPS users:
Please note that many GPS devices attempt to take you to Thomas Street via
roads that are no longer in existence via Pembroke Avenue. For best
directions, please utilize the directions link provided in this press
release via the Acushnet EMA web site and if using a GPS follow Main
Street to either Hope or Cushman Streets per the directions on the web
site.

For any additional information and to preregister for the workshop, please
contact:

KA1RSY-Ed Caron ka1rsy@comcast.net
KD1CY-Rob Macedo rmacedo@rcn.com

This training should be a worthwhile endeavor for anyone interested in
learning more about emergency communications and amateur radio in general.
Please forward this on to anyone you feel may benefit from this workshop.

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

Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Workshop Saturday August 8th, 2009:

There will be an Emergency Communications Workshop on Saturday August 8th, 2009 from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM at the Boston Salvation Army Headquarters on 147 Berkley Street, enter on Columbus Avenue in Boston Masachusetts. This session is being put on by the ARES Section Staff through the efforts of Metro Boston ARES District Emergency Coordinator (DEC), Blake Haskell, K1BTH, and the cooperation of the Massachusetts Division of the Salvation Army through the efforts of Frank Murphy-N1DHW, leader of the Boston SATERN team. This Emergency Communications Workshop will provide the background and information to serve Amateur Radio Operators when they need to respond to a communications emergency or when supplemental communications via Amateur Radio is required. It will feature an Introduction and Conclusion to Emergency Communications, and five 1-hour training sessions on topics including:

Overview of Eastern Massachusetts ARES-RACES-SKYWARN Programs
Net Operations
NTS Traffic Message Handling
Basic Overview of ICS
Go Kits

The Boston SATERN Team will also give an overview of the SATERN/TSA agreement that was put in place a number of months ago.

This training will also feature a 1-hour lunch that will be provided at no coerced cost to any Amateur who attends the session. The presentations will be given by other Amateur Operators well versed in the topics listed above. The training will be a worthwhile endeavor not just for emergency communicators but for anyone who is an Amateur Radio Operator, and wants to learn more about the hobby.  Preregistration is requested but is not required in case anyone would like to attend at the last minute. Please try to preregister by Monday August 3rd, 2009 to assure the meeting place is setup properly and we have enough refreshments for breaks between lectures and for the lunch break. We will, however, accept any last minute preregistrations after that day or any walk-ins as long as space permits.

Directions to Salvation Army Massachusetts Division Headquarters:
Please see the link from the Boston Amateur Radio Club (BARC) web site as they hold their Amateur Radio Club Meetings at this site:
http://www.barc.org/exec.html

Talk-In will be on the 145.230-Boston Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz.

For any additional information and to preregister for the workshop, please contact:

N1DHW-Frank Murphy n1dhw@comcast.net
K1BTH-Blake Haskell k1bth@aol.com
KD1CY-Rob Macedo rmacedo@rcn.com

This training should be a worthwhile endeavor for anyone interested in learning more about emergency communications and amateur radio in general. Please forward this on to anyone you feel may benefit from this workshop.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Pager #: (508) 354-3142
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 1-800-445-2588 Ext.: 72929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org