Emergency Communications

Latest MARS Exercise Instructions

November 10, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

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 …

Emergency Communications

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

November 2, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

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, …

Eastern MA Hospital Net, November 2, 2019

November 1, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

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: Sharon 146.865 Mhz tone 103.5 Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0 Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0 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: …

Emergency Communications

Western MA ARES Simulated Emergency Test, November 3, 2019

October 30, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

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 …

Marine Lodge Supports Falmouth ARA Communications Trailer Project

October 4, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association has received a generous donation in support of their communications trailer project from Marine Lodge, the town’s Masonic Lodge. On October 3, 2019, Marine Lodge Master Erich F. Horgan and Lodge member Maxwell J. Weinfuss, KC1MAX, presented a $5,000 check to the FARA Board of Directors. The goal of the trailer project is to assemble a professional, self-contained, mobile communications platform that will be used to support emergency, and non-emergency, public safety and public service events. [Full story]

Cape Cod ARES at Falmouth Community Emergency Preparedness & Fire Prevention Fair, September 21, 2019

September 21, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Cape Cod radio amateurs participated in the seventh annual Falmouth Community Emergency Preparedness and Fire Prevention Fair at the Gus Canty Community Center, Falmouth, on September 21, 2019 from 10 AM to 2 PM. The fair featured “more than 60 organizations and numerous children’s activities, including a Touch-A-Truck in the parking lot.” Falmouth Hospital ARES (W1HQH) had a table prominently on display, staffed by Tom Wruk, KB1QCQ, Gene Bradeen, KX1C, and Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O. “We set up some display kit gear and answered questions from the public on communications,” writes Cape and Islands District Emergency Coordinator WQ1O. “It was great …

Emergency Communications / Organization

ARRL Seeking Emergency Management Director

September 21, 2019September 29, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

From ARRL Web: ARRL is seeking an emergency management director to oversee a team responsible for supporting ARRL emergency communication programs and services, including the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) and National Traffic System (NTS), and to work with staff to develop standards, protocols, and processes designed to support the Field Organization. This is a full-time, exempt position at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. This individual would serve as the official point of contact and liaison to key partners and other served agencies at the regional and national level. Duties would include representing ARRL at served agency and partner meetings, …

Volunteers Needed: Buzzards Bay Du/Triathlon – Sunday, September 15th

September 12, 2019September 12, 2019 - by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Matt Brennan-NM1B writes: Hi Folks, I’m looking for about fifteen hams to provide communications assistance for the Buzzard’s Bay Triathlon in Westport on Sunday, September 15th. It occurs from 9AM (hams will meet at 8AM) until about 1PM (some assignments should secure by noon). It will be held in Horseneck Beach State Park and includes a swim, bike and run that travels through the town of Westport. There is also a duathlon option. More info online: www.maxperformanceonline.com. It is a very scenic area. Please send a note to events@wect.org if you’re able to help. This is well outside WECT’s normal …

Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC Meets September 17, 2019

September 12, 2019September 12, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Ray Cord, K2TGX, writes on the SMH ARC mailing list: This is to announce that the September Meeting of the SMH ARC will be held this coming Tuesday evening, September 17 [in Attleboro] at the Hospital in Conference Room D & E. Please note that there will be an abbreviated ARES meeting starting at 7:00PM and the business meeting will start at 7:30PM to allow time for a presentation by Pierre Guimond, N1EZT. Hope to see you all there.

Eastern Mass Hospital Net Cancelled for September 7, 2019

September 6, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

John Barbuto, KS1Q writes: We have decided to cancel the Eastern Mass Hospital Net scheduled for Saturday, September 7th given this weekend is Boxboro. We anticipate a number of Net Members will be attending the event which begins tomorrow. The next Net will be held Saturday, October 5th beginning at 10:00 AM.

Efforts Continue to Enhance ARES Program, Add Resources

August 24, 2019August 24, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

The ARRL Board of Directors, committees, and Headquarters administrative staff are continuing efforts to enhance the venerable Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) program. A major ARES Plan has been adopted, providing new direction going forward. In addition, a standardized training plan has been adopted and a new ARES Emergency Communicator Individual Task Book approved and published. At its July meeting, the ARRL Board considered the report of its Public Service Enhancement Working Group (PSEWG). A “change log” was proposed for the Task Book that will highlight changes made as the document is periodically revised and updated. ARES position guidelines were posted to the online ARES Workbook and a major revision …

Cape Cod ARES Summer Exercise – Saturday 8/10/19 1000 AM-1200 PM

August 9, 2019 - by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Rob Macedo-KD1CY writes: Cape Cod ARES will conduct their summer exercise on Saturday August 10th, 2019 from 1000 AM-1200 PM. The exercise will be led by Cape Cod ARES District Emergency Coordinator, WQ1O-Frank O’Laughlin. All are welcome to participate. The Cape Cod ARES Exercise document can be seen at the following link: Cape Cod ARES August 10th 2019 Exercise Plan

Emergency Communications

Cape Cod ARES and SKYWARN Provide Support in Rare Cape Cod Tornado Event

August 2, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

From ARRLWeb: Cape Cod, Massachusetts, ARES, and SKYWARN Amateur Radio volunteers were promptly pressed into action as a storm system on July 23 produced severe thunderstorms that spawned three tornadoes over the Cape. Hurricane-force wind also resulted in significant tree and utility wire damage across Cape Cod, with particularly hard-hit communities including Hyannis, Yarmouth, and Chatham. Some pockets of wind damage also occurred in the northwest corner of Martha’s Vineyard. Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters were the first to provide critical ground truth information regarding the significant wind damage and tornadoes across Cape Cod. Under the direction of Cape Cod District …

Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net – Saturday August 3rd, 2019 – 1000 AM EDT

August 1, 2019August 3, 2019 - by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Good evening, Since we do not have a Net Control Volunteer for the upcoming August Net, the South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group – W1SSH will once again act as Net Control. The net will commence at the usual time of 10:00 AM using the following repeaters and simplex frequency in the order listed. Please note: The simplex frequency for this month’s net has changed. Because we will be using the frequency in simplex mode, without tone, if it is not already programmed into your radio, the frequency can easily be entered into your radios “VFO” channel without the need …

Eastern MA Hospital Net, August 3, 2019

July 25, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

John O’Neill, K1JRO writes: Good Morning Everyone, The August 3, 2019 Eastern MA Hospital Net is approaching. We do not have anyone signed up to conduct the August net. If anyone is interested in taking a turn as Net Control Station please let us know. Below are the repeaters we have available for our use. Let us know which 3 or 4 repeaters you would like to use and we will make all the notifications. We will also send you a copy of our net preamble if you like which you may modify for your own use. 73’s, John O’- K1JRO …

Eastern MA Hospital Net – July 6, 2019

July 3, 2019 - by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Hi Everyone, Net Control for the July 6, 2019 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be W1SSH, The South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group. The net will commence at the usual time of 10:00 AM using the following repeaters in the order listed. 1. Plymouth 146.685 tone 131.8 2. W. Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244 3. Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5 4. Simplex 147.42 MHz The Net will then return to the Plymouth 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 …

Falmouth ARA Emergency Communications Trailer Project

June 27, 2019June 27, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association has embarked upon an ambitious project to raise $14,000 by September 1, 2019 for the purchase a 16-foot utility trailer and to “assemble a professional, self-contained, mobile communications platform that would be utilized for emergency and non-emergency, public safety and public service events.” FARA intends to outfit the trailer with a number of operator positions that would “allow operation on a multitude of communications networks and frequencies … including local amateur radio repeaters that link local and regional communications for storm shelters, hospitals and aid stations.” The trailer would also be utilized for non-emergency events …

Emergency Communications / Field Day

Braintree Emergency Management Agency Field Day 2019

June 21, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Tom Holmes, AE1TH, writes: The Town of Braintree Emergency Management Agency will operate field day from our garage location at 30 Safford Street (Sunset Lake). We will be using the Technician portion of the 10 meter band and 6 meters, using the call sign KC1KWC. Call or text 781-664-0859 with any questions.

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net for Monday June 3 at 8:30pm

June 2, 2019June 2, 2019 - by kc1cic - Leave a Comment

Hello to all… The June ARES Net is Monday June 3, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. The July ARES net will be Monday July 1, at 8:30 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. As part of our relationship with MARS and …

Emergency Messaging Demonstration for Red Cross, FEMA is a Success

May 31, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

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 …