Author: kd1cy

Hello to all…

This will be the first in a series of monthly Eastern Massachusetts ARES reports that we will begin publishing on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES web site and will redistribute via the ARRL Section News provided we can meet the Section News deadline with our report. In the future, we plan to include additional statistical information on number of SKYWARN and ARES activations, total number of ARES members in the section as well as a narrative report in key happenings in Eastern Massachusetts ARES. We hope everyone finds these reports informative.

It has been a very active month of August from an ARES-SKYWARN perspective. A total of 7 SKYWARN activations have occurred between early August through early September. The largest activations were for Tropical Storm Henri and its impacts to mostly Southeast, South-Central and Southwest Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut and the remnants of Ida which occurred last Wednesday Night into Thursday. During Henri, Eastern Massachusetts ARES was placed on standby and over 120,000 lost power in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut with the most power outages in Rhode Island where over 80,000 lost power which is around 15-20% of the state of Rhode Island. The WX1BOX Amateur Radio team was active with self-activation gathering reports from ARES-SKYWARN teams all across the NWS Boston/Norton coverage area with numerous reports sent to WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, where reports from our network made the 11 AM August 22^nd, 201 National Hurricane Center advisory. Some of this activity was covered by ARRL HQ and here are links to those articles:

http://www.arrl.org/news/grace-and-henri-keep-amateur-radio-weather-spotters-busy

http://www.arrl.org/news/hurricane-watch-net-turns-attention-to-henri-as-storm-hits-new-england

The remnants of Ida slammed the region with a widespread 3-8” of rain with isolated amounts approaching 9” causing widespread significant pockets of flash flooding. The remnants of Ida also caused severe weather in the from of straightline wind damage from wind gusts between 40-55 MPH with isolated higher winds of 60-80 MPH in thunderstorms in Dartmouth, Rochester and Yarmouthport, Massachusetts with an EF0 Tornado in Dennis Massachusetts. Cape Cod ARES-SKYWARN was active overnight and provided critical damage reports during the overnight hours through the efforts of KB1QCQ-Tom Wruk. Later in the morning based on some reports of storm damage received in Yarmouthport Massachusetts, KB1TLR-Barry Hutchinson, was able to provide excellent photos of the damage area and Tom and Barry’s information were part of the NWS Boston/Norton storm survey to determine that a EF0 Tornado occurred in Dennis Massachusetts with max winds of 75 MPH and straightline wind damage of 80 MPH occurred in Yarmouthport Massachusetts.

More information on these activations with post storm reports and photos will be posted on wx1box.org over the course of the next week.

Cape Cod ARES conducted a district exercise on Saturday August 7^th. The drill went well with communications via NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System), Winlink, HF and 2m simplex all practiced during the exercise. The exercise also received excellent publicity from Cape Cod ARES via the following link:

https://www.barnstablecounty.org/2021/08/10/local-volunteer-ham-operators-integral-part-of-regions-emergency-response-complete-summer-field-exercise/

A reminder that the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net for the month of September will be on the second Monday in September on Monday 9/13/21 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater Network due to the holiday on the first Monday of the month immediately following the RACES Nets which are also moved due to the Labor Day holiday. Hope to hear folks check into the net on Monday 9/13.

As we go through the month of September, we will be approaching the peak of hurricane season. Given the very wet weather pattern of the last few months, we must remain vigilant for any tropical systems that could impact our region as either a Tropical Storm/Hurricane or a remnant system for both SKYWARN and ARES activations.

Thanks to all for their continued support of 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)
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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Hello to all…

Cape Cod ARES will conduct a district exercise “Operation Big Blow” as an advanced level exercise. Given the significant push for Amateur Radio volunteers for the 2021 Boston Marathon, several ARES District Emergency Coordinators who are either out of area or dealing with significant professional/personal workload and the high level of SKYWARN Activations during the month of July, formal section participation from the exercise has been dropped but anyone wishing to participate from outside of the Cape Cod district is more than welcome to do so and can reach the Cape Cod ARES district via 2m simplex, HF and digital modes such as Winlink and NBEMS.  This is the exercise plan: Cape Cod ARES District “Operation Big Blow” Exercise.

In mid-November, we will plan another section wide exercise. This will allow for large events such as support for Northeast HamXposition and the Boston Marathon to complete as well as support for Amateur Radio hurricane nets for the upcoming Atlantic Hurricane Season which is expected to ramp up and become more active as we head into mid-August. Amateur Radio Operators in the Eastern Massachusetts section should think about and prepare for what they would do if a landfalling hurricane were to strike Southern New England. The last direct landfalling hurricane to affect Southern New England was Hurricane Bob in August 1991, 30 years ago. The last major hurricane strike (Cat-3 or higher) to affect the region was Hurricane Carol in 1954. Now is a great time to prepare for the “what if” of a landfalling hurricane by preparing your station and augmenting its capabilities participating in SKYWARN Net Activations for localized severe weather events and participating in public service events where available. If a hurricane landfall does not occur this season, you will be more prepared for a major incident, weather related or otherwise, that could require Amateur Radio and ARES support.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES and SKYWARN!

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

Hello to all…

The August Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday August 2nd, 2021 at 830 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:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. For this month’s ARES Net, we will have announcements around a final extension for anyone interested in volunteering at the 2021 Boston Marathon, Northeast HamXposition and an exercise on Saturday 8/7/21 being run by Cape Cod ARES. This exercise will not be section wide due to all of the SKYWARN activations over the month of July in the region but all in the section are welcome to participate.

Thanks for your continued support of 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)
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

Hello to all…

The July Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday July 12th, 2021 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. It is on the second Monday of the month due to Monday July 5th being the observed holiday for US Independence Day.

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:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. For this month’s ARES Net, we will have comments on an upcoming ARES exercise we are planning on Saturday August 7th, 2021, past SKYWARN activation information and the continued need for Amateur Radio volunteers for the 2021 Boston Marathon.

Thanks for your continued support of 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)
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

Hello to all…

The June Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday June 7th, 2021 at 830 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:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. For this month’s ARES Net, we will have comments regarding past ARES Workshop and virtual SKYWARN training, past ARES exercise in May and the pivot towards public service events as Massachusetts reopens as COVID restrictions are relaxed.

Also, we will pay tribute this evening to the loss of longtime town of Walpole EMA Director and strong supporter of ARES/RACES/SKYWARN, W1ZSA-Roger Turner, who passed away Wednesday Evening. Please join us for a memorial last call up to be held at the start of the ARES Net tonight.

Thanks for your continued support of 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)
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

The Eastern MA Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) will conduct an exercise in conjunction with the National Red Cross exercise. Operation “Unify” on May 8th, 2021 from 10 AM to 12 Noon (setup to start at 830-9 AM where needed) to test its capability in establishing communications with stations inside and outside of the section. Operation “Unity” will attempt to build upon the lessons learned from past operational exercises.

The exercise scenario involves a power grid failure caused by an X range solar flare. Eventually, hundreds of thousands of people in Eastern Massachusetts are left without power due to this solar flare.

“This exercise guideline is deliberately broad and generic in nature similar to our previous exercises. ARES groups are free to adapt this scenario and conduct their exercise as needed for their group,” writes District Emergency Coordinator Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O.

“This is another great opportunity, similar to the Fall and Winter exercises, for new Amateur Radio Operators, whether they are involved in ARES or not, to check into nets, provide simulated information and exercise traffic, or just check in and learn how nets work and what ARES can do during an actual event. This includes the National Weather Service SKYWARN component of ARES despite a non-weather scenario” writes Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator.

With the ongoing COVID-19 situation in MA, it will be unlikely that groups will be able to operate at EOCs and other municipal locations. Therefore any activation of shelters will be simulated by role play. It is likely that most of the operations involved in this exercise will utilize home stations along with field sites on Cape Cod and at other local ARES groups and those local groups’ discretion.

Some exercise objectives include:
• Simulate the activation of shelters in your area;
• Simulate the activation of EOC stations in your area;
• Establish and conduct a tactical net on simplex 2m FM/ repeater for your group;
• Simulate contact with any Town EOC RACES stations (Home stations is OK if COVID restricted) ;
• Establish contact with other ARES districts where possible;
• Establish an HF 75 meter voice net for all of MA (and potentially other areas);
• Establish an HF 60 meter voice net for all of MA (and potentially other areas);
• Pass an NTS type message on 2 meters VHF and/or 440 MHz;
• Pass a SKYWARN and/or tactical message on voice 2 meters and on the HF net;
• Optional components of the exercise to pass information digitally via Winlink and NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System) on VHF and HF between stations locally and to Red Cross

For full details, see the “Eastern MA Exercise Scenario and Guidelines” document at Eastern Massachusetts ARES Operation Unify Exercise – Saturday May 8th, 2021

Hello to all…

The May Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday May 3rd, 2021 at 830 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. For this month’s ARES Net, we will have comments regarding upcoming ARES Workshop training, virtual SKYWARN training (final class is Thursday 5/13/21 at 630 PM) and the Eastern Massachusetts ARES exercise coincident with a National Red Cross exercise on Saturday May 8th, 2021. Also, we’ll have some updates on COVID-19 and the recent announcements on restrictions being removed and how public service events such as road races and parades will be permitted later in May and beyond.

Thanks for your continued support of 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)
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

Hello to all…

**UPDATED ZOOM DETAILS FOR ALL REMAINING WORKSHOP TOPICS LISTED BELOW**

Eastern Massachusetts ARES will be hosting an ARES Workshop over the course of May 2021 covering a variety of topics that support public service and emergency communications. These workshops will also be recorded and posted online after the series of workshop topics are completed.

The following is the topic schedule complete with the current list of presenters and the timeframe for each workshop/Zoom call presentation:

Monday Evening 5/17 – 800 PM-900 PM – Go Kits Presenter: WQ1O-Frank O’Laughlin
Thursday Evening 5/20 – 800 PM-900 PM – NTS – Presenter: KW1U-Marcia Forde and one or two other members of the NTS team
Saturday Morning 5/22 – 1000 AM-1130 AM – Winlink and Vara Presenter: WQ1O-Frank O’Laughlin with members of his Cape Cod ARES team
Monday Evening 5/24 – 800 PM-900 PM – NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System) Presenters: WQ1O-Frank O’Laughlin and AB1PH-Don Rolph
Thursday Evening 5/27 – 800-900 PM – RF Exposure Rules Presentation Presenters: W1DAN-Dan Brown

Below are the Zoom Details for the Monday Evening 5/17/21, Thursday Evening 5/20/21, Saturday Morning 5/22/21, Monday Evening 5/24/21 and Thursday Evening 5/27/21 Workshop Topics:

Rob Macedo is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: ARES Workshop Topic: Go-Kits
Time: May 17, 2021 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87570553300?pwd=L3QvL0x0cWw0bGRmYVgzeFE0ZHQ0QT09

Meeting ID: 875 7055 3300
Passcode: 680020
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,87570553300#,,,,*680020# US (New York)
+13017158592,,87570553300#,,,,*680020# US (Washington DC)

Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 875 7055 3300
Passcode: 680020
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kwN3oUDGQ

Rob Macedo is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: ARES Workshop Topic: National Traffic System (NTS)
Time: May 20, 2021 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86239795511?pwd=cjU0Qllndk9Fb1M2TXVWRFlsVmpJQT09

Meeting ID: 862 3979 5511
Passcode: 426249
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,86239795511#,,,,*426249# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,86239795511#,,,,*426249# US (New York)

Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 862 3979 5511
Passcode: 426249
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kpKxQme7t

Rob Macedo is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: ARES Workshop Topic: Winlink and VARA
Time: May 22, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84497455727?pwd=SmFPWWFLbEoyZFFPSm1qZ00wS25hZz09

Meeting ID: 844 9745 5727
Passcode: 582282
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,84497455727#,,,,*582282# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,84497455727#,,,,*582282# US (New York)

Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 844 9745 5727
Passcode: 582282
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keKsYbIiV

Rob Macedo is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: ARES Workshop Topic: Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System (NBEMS)
Time: May 24, 2021 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84736841024?pwd=NlRrSm9uRUFGQ28xQnpKdm9XdjdtUT09

Meeting ID: 847 3684 1024
Passcode: 199764
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,84736841024#,,,,*199764# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,84736841024#,,,,*199764# US (New York)

Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 847 3684 1024
Passcode: 199764
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/knWNuOrqo

Rob Macedo is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: ARES Workshop Topic: RF Exposure Rules
Time: May 27, 2021 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81696588548?pwd=ZHNDUmh3Nk5IeEQwa0hqY3hKYzYzZz09

Meeting ID: 816 9658 8548
Passcode: 845025
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,81696588548#,,,,*845025# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,81696588548#,,,,*845025# US (New York)

Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 816 9658 8548
Passcode: 845025
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kqkGWdOTV

Please look for updates and we hope many can attend this series of ARES workshops and if they are unable to do so, they will be able to view the recordings that will be posted online after the entire workshop series is completed. Many thanks for everyone’s support of 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)
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

Hello to all…

The April Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday April 5th, 2021 at 830 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. For this month’s ARES Net, we will have comments regarding upcoming ARES training, virtual SKYWARN training and an exercise coincident with a National Red Cross exercise on Saturday May 8th, 2021.

Thanks for your continued support of 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)
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

Hello to all…

The March Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday March 1st, 2021 at 830 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. For this month’s ARES Net, we have a high wind event expected for the area Monday Night into Tuesday Morning so any reports of wind damage or wind gusts of 40 MPH or greater would be helpful to the National Weather Service. We will have comments regarding upcoming ARES training and an exercise coincident with a National Red Cross exercise on Saturday May 8th, 2021.

Thanks for your continued support of 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)
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

Hello,

Covid-19 restrictions are still in place for EOCs, and Amateur Radio Volunteers at Healthcare facilities are still locked out. Although some home stations have been participating in the Nets most home stations are unable to reach multiple repeaters unlike the Hospital Stations. Because of the diminished numbers and results, I am suspending the Eastern MA Hospital Nets until further notice.

We are nearing the point in time where a large majority of Hospital HAM Volunteers will be eligible to be vaccinated. Hopefully, once this is completed we will once again be able to man our hospital stations and resume the NETS.

Stay safe, 73s
John O’
K1JRO

Hello to all…

The February Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday February 1st, 2021 at 830 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. For this month’s ARES Net, given the major winter storm affecting the region, we’d like to ask all stations to provide a measured snowfall total, whether precipitation is occurring and their current temperature if they have thermometer. We will also have comments on the Eastern Mass ARES Section Exercise for Saturday February 6th, 2021 from 1000 AM-1200 PM.

Thanks for your continued support of 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)
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

The Eastern MA Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) will conduct an exercise in conjunction with the Cape Cod ARES exercise Operation “Frozen Days” on February 6, 2021 from 10 AM to 12 Noon (setup to start at 830-9 AM where needed) to test its capability in establishing communications with stations inside and outside of the section. Operation “Frozen Days” will attempt to build upon the lessons learned from past operational exercises.

The exercise scenario involves a series of coastal storms battering Cape Cod and the Islands with winds over 90 MPH over several storms. Eventually, hundreds of thousands of people in Eastern Massachusetts are left without power due to this series of coastal storms.

“This exercise guideline is deliberately broad and generic in nature like the fall exercise. ARES groups are free to adapt this scenario and conduct their exercise as needed for their group,” writes District Emergency Coordinator Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O.

“This is another great opportunity, similar to the Fall exercise, for new Amateur Radio Operators, whether they are involved in ARES or not, to check into nets, provide simulated information and exercise traffic, or just check in and learn how nets work and what ARES can do during an actual event. This includes the National Weather Service SKYWARN component of ARES” writes Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator.

With the ongoing COVID-19 situation in MA, it will be unlikely that groups will be able to operate at EOCs and other municipal locations. Therefore any activation of shelters will be simulated by role play. It is likely that most of the operations involved in this exercise will utilize home stations along with field sites on Cape Cod and at other local ARES groups and those local groups’ discretion.

Some exercise objectives include:
• Simulate the activation of shelters in your area;
• Simulate the activation of EOC stations in your area;
• Establish and conduct a tactical net on simplex 2m FM/ repeater for your group;
• Simulate contact with any Town EOC RACES stations;
• Establish contact with other ARES districts where possible;
• Establish an HF 75 meter voice net for all of MA (and potentially other areas);
• Pass an NTS type message on 2 meters VHF and/or 440 MHz;
• Pass a SKYWARN and/or tactical message on voice 2 meters and on the HF net;
• Optional components of the exercise to pass information digitally via Winlink and NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System)

For full details, see the “Eastern MA Exercise Scenario and Guidelines” document at Eastern Massachusetts ARES Winter Exericse – Saturday February 6th, 2021

Hello to all…

Happy New Year to all! The January Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday January 4th, 2021 at 830 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. For this month’s ARES Net, we will review events of the past month and talk a bit on ARES plans for 2021.

Thanks for your continued support of 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)
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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