Author: k9hi

Emergency Communications

Latest MARS Exercise Instructions

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Tom Kinahan, N1CPE, writes:
 
At this time, we are being asked to reach out to amateurs and capture the following information. There may be MARS operators gathering this sort of information using their amateur callsigns on amateur frequencies, or on 60 meters using their MARS callsigns looking for Amateurs station reports.
  • Status of 50 kW AM broadcast stations: This is for all of the stations in this category in New England. Are they on the air? Need county and city of reporting station.
  • Ping Time to 8.8.8.8. Bring up a command prompt and ping that IP address. The result is an average ping time. Report that, ISP name, town.
  • Grid Status: Report power voltage, frequency, power company name, city and county
  • Dial tone: Provider name, Local, Long Distance, type (landline, VOIP) city and county
  • NOAA Weather broadcasts on about 162 MHz: Report which frequencies that you can hear reports on, City and county you are located in.
  • Infrastructure reports: Any known failures of infrastructure: Water, power communications, broadcast, hospital, sewage etc, City and County.

The exercise culminates next Saturday night with a 60 meter broadcast.

The exercise takes a hiatus on Monday November 11, 2019, in honor of Veterans Day, and resumes on Tuesday.

 

-from wma.arrl.org

Clubs

Framingham ARA Members Tour Museum of Broadcast History in Woonsocket, RI

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On November 9, 2019, members of the Framingham Amateur Radio Association (W1FY) made a field trip to the Museum of Broadcast History in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.  Photos from the tour can be found on the club’s Facebook page.

From the Museum of Broadcast History’s web page:
 

“The Museum’s first floor is dedicated primarily to videotape systems. It also features an early audio/radio control area.

“The second floor features a wide variety of vintage television cameras and related production equipment displayed in an operational studio setting. Sets and live production elements typical of the early TV era will fill out the display in the future.
 
“The Museum exhibits are housed in a 15,000 square foot building in the heart of downtown Woonsocket, Rhode Island.”
 
The museum is open to the public on a ‘by appointment’ basis. Appointments can be made by contacting them at maindesk@wmbt.org.
 
 
Organization

December, 2019 Issue of Digital QST Now Available

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From ARRLWeb:

The December issue of Digital QST is now available for viewing on your desktop or laptop. It is also available for reading on your Apple, Android, or Kindle Fire device.

● Build a Slot Cube antenna for 6 meters.

● See the excitement of Amateur Radio at the World Scout Jamboree.

● Browse the 2019 ARRL Field Day results.

● Take a look back at the October 1969 QST.

…and much more!

Clubs

Norfolk County Radio Association Awards ARRL Elmer to W1MA and W1JAW

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Dick Bean, K1HC, writes:

[Norfolk County Radio Association] Associate members Ed Lajoie, W1MA, and Jack Wyatt, W1JAW, both Cape Cod residents, received a double surprise when NCRA President Dick Bean, K1HC, invited them to lunch on November 6 with a mystery guest, who turned out to be their long-time mutual friend and fellow NCRA member and club Secretary, Dave, K1HRV. 

Pictured, left to right: W1MA, K1HC, W1JAW. Photo courtesy K1HRV

The second part of the surprise was presenting both Ed and Jack the ARRL Elmer award.  Ed has been an Elmer to many hams in several clubs and was a [World Radiosport Team Championship] volunteer in the past local WRTC competition.  Jack was an Elmer to many hams, and Dick, related how Jack came back to Jack’s high school alma mater, Catholic Memorial [CM] High School in West Roxbury, to meet with and encourage the then current members of the amateur club, including Dick, who was then WN1KDL. Ed was also a member of the Catholic Memorial Amateur Radio Club but preceded both Jack and Dick in his years of attendance at CM. 

 

Operating

K1USN QRV for Veterans Day, November 11, 2019

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K1USN QSL cardThe K1USN Radio Club will once again be on the air November 11, 2019, to celebrate Veterans Day to show their appreciation for those who have served. They anticipate opening up around 8:30 AM on the HF bands using SSB and CW until late afternoon.  Local hams are invited to visit them at the Watson Museum & Research Library, 85 Quincy Avenue in Braintree. 
 

K1USN QSL cards will be available for all contacts with K1USN. Send # 10 SASE to K1RV or DX stations QSL via bureau.

QSL via K1RV
URL: http://www.k1usn.com
Contact: Pi, K1RV
Email: k1rv@arrl.net

“Please drop by if you want to operate or just to chat and have some coffee. Let me know if you want to be added to the growing list. We will make room for everyone. This is a fun event and a wonderful way to those who served,” writes K1USN Radio Club’s “Pi” Pugh, K1RV. 

Licensing Education & Training / Youth

New England Sci-Tech Technician License Course, December 7-8, 2019

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New England Sci Tech logoFor junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults interested in wireless communications and electronics, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the Amateur Radio Technician license exam.

Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Some preliminary reading and study is necessary to get the best results from this course. Material will be sent a few days before the course.

The Technician level course runs on Saturday, 9 AM-4 PM and Sunday, 9 AM-1 PM, followed by the FCC Technician exam at 1:00, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick. [Full description]

Licensing Education & Training / Youth

New England Sci-Tech General Class Course, Natick, December 14-15, 2019

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New England Sci Tech logoFor junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults who already have a Technician level license, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the GENERAL license exam. Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum.  Some preliminary reading and study is necessary to get the best results from this course. Material will be sent approximately a week before the course.

The GENERAL level course runs Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday, 9 am to 1 pm, followed by the FCC General exam at noon, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick.

Included with course fee: printed handouts, lecture study guide, license fee if tested at our location, a guest pass to the NEAR/STARS Radio Room and radio club meetings for 2 months, and free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate during the course. Advance registration and payment required.

For more information and to register, visit <https://www.nescitech.org/product/weekend-general-class/>. For questions, e-mail bobphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.

Public Service

Cape Cod Amateurs Provide Communications for the 2019 Cape Cod Marathon in Falmouth

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Amateur radio well-advertised. KB1TLR photo

Approximately 30 Cape Cod amateurs provided communications  for the annual Cape Cod Marathon and Half Marathon in Falmouth on October 26-27, 2019. The premiere event is limited to 1,200 participants and serves as a qualifying race for the BAA Boston Marathon.

“The weather was excellent for running on Saturday, but a completely different story for the full marathon on Sunday,” writes Falmouth Amateur Radio Association President and Communications Coordinator Barry Hutchinson, KB1TLR. “With strong winds and heavy rains along Falmouth’s coastline both runners and radio operators were put to the test.”

Hutchinson reports that “banners for [the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club], FARA along with the new ARRL radio communications banner were all displayed along the finish line gates. “This created many positive comments about amateur radio.”

Amateur radio volunteers kept race officials abreast of runners who dropped out, allowing them to be picked up by the  “Tired Runner Vans” or transferred to the medical tent. KB1TLR received praise from the Marathon staff which he passed it along to his team. “It was an excellent team to work with.”

Cape Cod Marathon Net Control operators. K1CB photo
Emergency Communications

Amateurs to Contact Military Station on 60 Meters During Simulated Emergency Test, November 3, 2019

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Tom Kinahan, N1CPE, writes:

As you may know, WMA section is conducting an ARRL Simulated Emergency Test on Sunday [November 3, 2019]. As a connection to that, I am getting a government station on 60 meters to communicate with amateur stations on channel 1 at 9 AM tomorrow.

——

Amateurs Contact Military Stations on 60 Meters

A government station call up amateur stations on 60-meter channel 1 (Dial 5.3305 MHz) at 9am Sunday (11/3/19) for the purpose of getting situational awareness reports. Amateurs will be asked for any known failures of infrastructure in their county such as water, power, telecommunications, sewer, medical, and also their zip code. If they don’t know of any failures, then they report no failures. Reports of no failures are just as important as failures.

This call up will be shortly after the Western Mass Emergency Net on 3.944 at 8:30 AM.

There will be a 60-meter broadcast on Nov 17 at 0301Z. (That is Saturday night in two weeks.)

The broadcast will be voice and digital. The Digital mode is M110A, and the software is available on the usarmymars.org website under software.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pYDj7kQbm-QAyY4RPtx0dOXKohjaEjq9

under x86 MS-DMT.

Amateurs can use this mode on 60 meters only, and will facilitate interoperation with Military and other government stations.

All reports must be real life reports. Do not make up situations.

[See also: MARS Members to Work with Radio Amateurs during SET and DOD COMEX 19-4]
 
Emergency Communications / Public Service

Eastern MA Hospital Net, November 2, 2019

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John O’Neill, K1JRO, writes:

Good Morning Everyone,

Net Control for the November 2, 2019 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be Allan Cox K1VQ from the Mansfield Emergency Management Agency.

The net will commence at the usual time of 10:00 AM using the following repeaters / frequencies in the order listed: 

  1. Sharon 146.865 Mhz tone 103.5
  2. Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
  3. Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0
  4. Simplex 147.42 Mhz

The Net will then return to the Sharon 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.

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@outlook.com. 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 the monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event. The following list of repeaters is 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)
West Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

We look forward to hearing from you all on the Net.

Respectfully,

John O’Neill – K1JRO 

—

South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group – W1SSH
55 Fogg Road, Box 42
South Weymouth, MA 02190

Emergency Communications

Western MA ARES Simulated Emergency Test, November 3, 2019

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From wma.arrl.org:

After a long hiatus, the Western Massachusetts ARES Section will conduct a simplified Simulated Emergency Test (SET) to determine our current capacities for communications within the 5 counties in the section.

The exercise will begin at noon local time on Sunday November 3 and last until approximately 3PM. Inter-section communications -MAY- be attempted in the 3PM to 4PM timeframe if the appropriate equipment can be put into place. More information on this will appear on this website prior to Nov 3 or be announced in an update during the regular ARES nets on the Sunday morning od the SET.

The SET will attempt to communicate across counties using our normal repeaters for an initial callup at 1200 local time, followed by county – to – county VHF simplex testing from 1230 to 1255.

[Full story]
Clubs

K5TEC: “Ideas for Attracting Youth and Families to Amateur Radio” at Framingham ARA, November 7, 2019

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Framingham ARA logoThe Framingham Amateur Radio Association‘s general meeting on November 7, 2019 will feature Bob Phinney, K5TEC, from New England Sci-Tech who will present “Ideas for attracting youth and families to amateur radio.” 

Come and hear what sparks kids’ interests in wireless technology and how we might apply that knowledge to get more youth and families into amateur radio and interested in joining FARA. 

Public Service

YuKanRun Ocean View 5K and Half Marathon, Ipswich, November 3, 2019

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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 Ocean View 5K & Half Marathon on Thursday, November 3rd in Ipswich. Please be on location at your Check Point by 8:00 for a 8:30 AM start. Start, finish at Ipswich High School, 134 High Street, Ipswich, MA 01938.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by November 2nd 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!

 

 

Public Service

Norton Halloween Parade, October 27, 2019

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

A sincere thank you from Sharon, Norton Parks & Recreation Director, for a job well done under adverse weather conditions. While it is still fresh in your mind, can you please forward me any comments you may have as to what worked, what didn’t work and suggestions for next year. Thanks to everyone especially to Rick for his job as Command and to Will who had to take all the abuse from drivers who thought they were special and the detour shouldn’t apply to them!!

Now on to the next parade… North Attleborough DANA Santa Parade the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Ray

Clubs / Youth

Antenna Raising in Style at New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society

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Photo of Ted Reimann, W1OG, in the 2.5 ton bucket lift for tree work to put up the new 80-meter dipole
Ted Reimann, W1OG, in the 2.5 ton bucket lift for tree work to put up the new 80-meter dipole

Members of New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) held an antenna-raising party to erect an 80-meter antenna on Saturday, October 26, 2019. Members included: Ted, W1OG; Bill, N1WEN; Leandra, AF1R; Alex, KB1SSN; Stu, W1SHS; Barbara, KC1KGS; Dan, W1DAN; Jeremy, KB1REQ; Bob, K5TEC; and Kenneth, KC1AHI.

 
According to Sci-Tech’s Bob Phinney, K5TEC, “A lot of tree limbs had to be cleared to make room for antenna wires. Ted and Alex did most of the work from the bucket lift while the rest of us were ground crew. It was especially helpful to have Bill, Leandra, Alex, and Jeremy helping up to the end, after dark, with the flagpole. And to Alex for bravely running the bucket lift to the top of the flagpole in the dark. “
 
KB1REQ used the antenna to make contacts in the CQ World Wide contest and reports the antenna is working well. 
 
According to Bob, the group still needs help in creating the spring and weight systems at the bottom “to allow for the swaying trees.” Bob also thanked KM1NDY for acquiring the antenna and coax.
Leandra MacLennan, AF1R, with saw while Barbara Irby, KC1KGS spots her, doing tree work to put up the new 80-meter dipole. -W1DAN photo
 
 
All

Framingham ARA Flea Market Suspended

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Framingham ARA logoJohn Iwuc, KB1VXY, writes on the Framingham ARA mailing list:

The Framingham Amateur Radio Association board has made the very difficult decision to suspend the club flea at this time.  So we will not be having a 2020 flea.   If at some point we decide to revive it we will announce that later.  We appreciate all the help and support that folks have provided in past years to make it successful.  We have posted this on our website http://w1fy.org/2020-flea-market.  

John KB1VXY
President of Framingham Amateur Radio Association
Operating

15-meter QRP FT8 Activity Night, Westford Vicinity

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Greg Troxel, N1DAM, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

Without any claim to authority, I’m declaring QRP 15m FT8 activity night tonight (October 21, 2019), from 2000 to 2100 local.

I have worked a bunch of stations, including DX, but am puzzled at the relationship of sent to received signal strengths — I receive usually 20 dB worse reports than I send.  So I am guessing that if a few of us are on, with a closed band, and all with the same TX power, perhaps I can understand better.  And perhaps others can shake out their equipment.

To participate, just either answer people calling CQ, or call CQ yourself, somewhere in the 15m FT8 frequency.  It’s probably useful to upload to PSK reporter; someday someone might write code to analyze a group of people participating in an activity night like this.

If you participate, please send me (tonight)

  call, city/town, state, antenna type, tx power

(please try to use 5W if you can, but tell me what you actually used), and I’ll send a summary to the mailing list tomorrow.

I realize some of you can’t operate on 15m, and surely we can do this again on 10m, 6m, 80m, or someplace else on some other night, perhaps next Monday, or perhaps someone else can organize.

73 de N1DAM

Licensing Education & Training / Youth

New England Sci-Tech General Class Course, Natick, November 16-17, 2019

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New England Sci Tech logoFor junior high and high school students, homeschool students, and adults who already have a Technician level license, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the GENERAL license exam. Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum.  Some preliminary reading and study is necessary to get the best results from this course. Material will be sent approximately a week before the course.

The GENERAL level course runs Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm and Sunday, 9 am to 1 pm, followed by the FCC General exam at noon, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick.

Included with course fee: printed handouts, lecture study guide, license fee if tested at our location, a guest pass to the NEAR/STARS Radio Room and radio club meetings for 2 months, and free coffee, tea, or hot chocolate during the course. Advance registration and payment required.

For more information and to register, visit <https://www.nescitech.org/product/weekend-general-class/>. For questions, e-mail bobphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.