Emergency Communications – Eastern Massachusetts ARRL

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 …

WX4NHC Annual On-The Air Station Test – Saturday June 1st, 2019 – 900 AM-500 PM EDT (1300-2100z)

May 30, 2019June 16, 2019 - by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Hello to all… Please see the following information from WD4R-Julio Ripoll, Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator on the 2019 WX4NHC On-Air Communications Test which will be held this Saturday June 1st, 2019 from 9 AM-5 PM EDT (1300-2100 UTC) across various bands and modes on Amateur Radio. We encourage Amateur Radio Operators in our region to participate. See link below: Special Announcement: WX4NHC Annual On-The Air Station Test – Saturday June 1st, 2019 – 900 AM-500 PM EDT (1300-2100z) Respectfully Submitted, Robert Macedo (KD1CY) ARES SKYWARN Coordinator Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM) Home/Data …

Eastern MA Hospital Net, June 1, 2019

May 26, 2019May 27, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

John O’Neill, K1JRO writes: Net Control for the June 1, 2019 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be W1SMH Sturdy Memorial Hospital. The net will commence at the usual time of 10:AM using the following repeaters in the order listed. Fall River 146.805 tone 67.0 Norwood 147.210 tone 100.0 Boston 145.230 Tone Encode 88.5 Decode 100.0 Simplex 147.42 mhz The Net will then return to the Fall River 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.., …

Local Amateurs Participate in Joint American Red Cross, FEMA Exercise

May 25, 2019May 25, 2019 - by k9hi - 1 Comment

Amateurs in Eastern Massachusetts along with dozens of hams along the US East Coast demonstrated Amateur Radio’s ability to deliver messages without commercial power, infrastructure, or permanently established stations for officials of the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. [Story, courtesy KC1CIC]

Emergency Communications

KD1CY on ARRL Public Service Communications Panel Discussion, Hamvention®, May 17, 2019

May 15, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Eastern Massachusetts Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY, will participate in an ARRL Public Service Communications panel discussion at the Dayton Hamvention® on Friday, May 17 from 2:25 to 3:40 PM in Room 3. Those attending the panel discussion will hear from representatives from Amateur Radio’s largest organizations active during times of disaster and emergency. According to the ARES E-Letter, “An update will also be given on the new ARES Plan and changes that were asked for by volunteers and partner agencies on training, reporting, identification, leadership development, and more. Sponsored by ARRL, this forum will feature Rob Macedo, KD1CY, …

Littleton Volunteer Corps

May 9, 2019May 12, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Terry Stader, KA8SCP, writes on the PART-List: Last night, Wed. May 8th, I had the privilege to speak to the Littleton Volunteer Corps at the Littleton Fire station to about 20 participants. This group will be serving as a team to work as CERT and MRC combined to support their community in various roles. Last night I spoke to them about the resource of Amateur Radio. Some of the attendees were hams, but most were not. Those not initially familiar became very interested and asked about what it takes to become a ham (Question: What does “ham” mean? was asked). …

Emergency Communications

NBEMS Demo at South Shore Hospital

April 17, 2019April 17, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Cape Cod and Islands District Emergency Coordinator Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, presented on VHF/UHF Narrow-Band Emergency Message System (“NBEMS”) at an Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net meeting at the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth on April 6, 2019. According to O’Laughlin, the meeting was “well attended by many, including Assistant DEC Henry Brown, K1WCC, and Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY. “

HF Operations on Marathon Monday

April 14, 2019 - by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Marc Stern, WA1R, writes: The Massachusetts HF Net will open sign-on Monday morning at 6 a.m. in standby mode in support of Marathon operations and will remain in this mode until at least 1800 hours local time. Eastern Mass. ARES leadership has asked all amateurs not involved directly to also standby. This year, like last year, there will likely be rain starting about the time runners gather for the morning’s run. Unlike last year, which was complicated by energy-sapping cold and rain, this year’s rain is supposed to be warm and there is a chance of thunderstorms and …