Latest SKYWARN Training Schedule

SKYWARN logoSKYWARN Weather Spotter Training season is upon us. The training is free and open to the public. Hams and non-hams alike are welcome to attend the training and learn about identifying and reporting severe weather patterns to the National Weather Service. Additionally, those that have previously taken the class are advised that it is a good idea to retake the class every five years or so to ensure that your skills and abilities are up to date and cutting edge.

The schedule is available on the WX1BOX Taunton Skywarn website.

–Thanks, wma.arrl.org

Reminder: Monthly ARES Net for May

Hello to all….

A reminder that the monthly ARES Net for May is rapidly approaching.

The monthly ARES Net for May is Monday May 7th, 2007, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. This is after the RACES Nets earlier in the evening.

Make the first Monday of the month, “Emergency Communications Night” and check into your local RACES Net and then check into the ARES Net on the MMRA Repeater System. We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net.

We will have several interesting announcements for the net that evening and we look forward to everyone’s participation. Updates will be posted via email and on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Web Site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

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://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
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Eastern Mass. ARES Stand-By Activation Sunday into Monday

Hello to all….

….Eastern Massachusetts ARES Stand-By Activation Requested due to Major Nor’easter and some localized requests for Amateur Radio support for the Nor’easter and with large Amateur presence for the Boston Marathon for Monday…
….Stand-By ARES Activation to start Sunday Morning and last into Monday Afternoon/Evening with the time frame to be better defined Saturday Evening or Sunday Morning and updated through the ARES web site….

It is hard to believe as I write this request on Saturday 4/14 that we are expecting a powerful nor’easter. It is a beautiful Saturday with temperatures around 50 degrees and its one of the nicer days we have had in some time in our region.

Nonetheless, a major nor’easter is expected to bring a variety of weather threats to the region Sunday into Monday with the worst of the conditions Sunday and some level of residual impact on Monday. Please refer to Storm Coordination Messages that are posted on the NWS Taunton SKYWARN web site for the weather details at the following link:

http://www.wx1box.org/

While the worst of the storm seems centered around Sunday and we would typically wait a bit longer to go into stand-by mode, with many Amateurs preparing to support the Boston Marathon Monday and the fact that there have been a couple requests for support from served agencies for the nor’easter, now seems a good time to alert people to the storm and place ARES in stand-by mode in case a worst case scenario storm occurs and the storm causes a lot of problems while the Marathon is taking place.

What is ARES Stand-by mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event, Given this is a weather situation, ARES folks are asked to support the SKYWARN program with reports per the reporting criteria and monitor SKYWARN frequencies. The wx1box.org web site has the reporting criteria and frequencies available for review.

Any general Amateurs assigned to volunteer for the Boston Marathon should fulfill their commitment unless their safety/health/physical condition will be affected by the rainy, raw conditions. Any ARES/RACES/SKYWARN Amateurs assigned to volunteer for the Boston Marathon should fulfill that assignment unless called back by their ARES EC or DEC, RACES Radio Officer or EMA Director or if you feel your safety/health/physical condition will be severely affected by the rainy and raw conditions that are expected.

Given the race is expected to go on and conditions will be less than ideal but not as bad as initially thought at this time, the role of Amateurs in the marathon is even more important to protect the runners and be ready to do ambulance requests. The ARES stand-by mode is to get Amateurs that will not be at the Marathon monitoring to support storm operations for SKYWARN and ARES mobilization with little impact to the Amateurs already assigned to the Boston Marathon.

Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required.

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://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
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Reminder: Monthly Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net for April 2007

Hello to all….

A reminder that the monthly ARES Net for April is rapidly approaching.

The monthly ARES Net for April is Monday April 2nd, 2007, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. This is after the RACES Nets earlier in the evening.

Make the first Monday of the month, “Emergency Communications Night” and check into your local RACES Net and then check into the ARES Net on the MMRA Repeater System. We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net.

We will have several interesting announcements for the net that evening and we look forward to everyone’s participation. Updates will be posted via email and on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Web Site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

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://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
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Boxboro ARES-SKYWARN Presentation On-line

Richard Amirault, N1JDU writes on the warc64 mailing list:

The ARES-SKYWARN talk moderated by [Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator] Rob Macedo, KD1CY at the 2006 ARRL New England Division Convention in Boxboro is now on-line in streaming video. Real Player and a broadband connection is needed to view:

http://n1jdu.org/videos/Boxboro_06_Skywarn.ram

Richard Amirault
Boston, MA, USA
http://n1jdu.org
http://n1jdu.org/Fandom/science.htm

Reminder: Monthly Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net for March 2007

Hello to all….

A reminder that the monthly ARES Net for March is rapidly approaching.

The monthly ARES Net for March is Monday March 5th, 2007, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. This is after the RACES Nets earlier in the evening.

Make the first Monday of the month, “Emergency Communications Night” and check into your local RACES Net and then check into the ARES Net on the MMRA Repeater System. We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net.

We will have several interesting announcements for the net that evening and we look forward to everyone’s participation. Updates will be posted via email and on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Web Site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

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://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
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North Shore RA To Produce ARES Operations Manual

North Shore RA logoThe North Shore Radio Association‘s ARES team has begun production on an ARES Operations Manual, according to NSRA Emergency Coordinator Jim Palmer, KB1KQW.

“It is our hope that this manual will be used as a reference to the major operations conducted in our area: from severe weather to full-blown deployments,” writes Palmer. Palmer notes that the manual “is being compiled from various existing sources such as the ARRL and FEMA” as well as some original material.

KB1KQW invites NSRA members who have suggestions for the manual to contact the project leader, Assistant Emergency Coordinator Matt Dempsey, KB1MRH.

–North Shore RA News, Winter 2007

Eastern Mass ARES & Massachusetts SATERN in Local Statement of Understanding

Hello to all….

Eastern Massachusetts ARES and Massachusetts SATERN have signed a Local Statement of Understanding (LSOU) through the end of 2008 announcing mutual cooperation in exercises and support if disaster strikes and SATERN needs Amateur Radio support from ARES. The agreement was worked through Frank Murphy-N1DHW, Massachusetts SATERN Coordinator, Joe Fratto-N1RLO, Massachusetts SATERN Training Officer and SATERN’S ARES/MARS/SHARES/APCO liaison, and Bill Foley-KB1GLF Salvation Army of Massachusetts Emergency Disaster Services Coordinator.

The agreement was worked out in November 2006 with Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator, Rob Macedo-KD1CY and Metro Boston ARES District Emergency Coordinator, Blake Haskell-K1BTH. The agreement, approved by Dick Montgomery-N3DV, the Salvation Army SATERN Eastern Territory Coordinator, was signed off at the end of 2006 with a signed copy distributed early in 2007. SATERN-Boston (MaSATERN) has participated in several ARES exercises since 2001, as well as ARES Nets on the MMRA Repeater system under their call sign W1MSA. MaSATERN is also a NavyMarine MARS Club Station, call NNN0RNT.

The LSOU is in line with the national MOU between ARES and Salvation Army and institutes and reinforces that agreement at a more local level. Eastern Massachusetts ARES is very pleased to work with Massachusetts SATERN across the Eastern Massachusetts section.

ARES members are asked to please be prepared to support Massachusetts SATERN when required for exercises and actual diaster related incidents. Thanks to all of you for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

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://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
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Cape Cod ARES and Sturdy Memorial ARES Hold Exercises in Past 2 Weeks

Hello to all….

Cape Cod and Sturdy Memorial ARES both have both held exercises in the past 2 weeks to improve their readiness. Each group having several EOC’s and hospitals playing in the exercise. Both scenarios dealt with poor conditions from an ice storm.

The Cape Cod ARES exercise was Saturday February 3rd, 2007 led by Cape Cod ARES DEC, Frank O’Laughlin-WQ1O. Over a dozen stations participated in the exercise. The Cape Cod and Falmouth Hospitals both had Amateur participation for the first time in recent memory. EOC’s in Falmouth and Nantucket island were activated including what George Allen-N1NBQ, Nantucket RACES Radio Offier put in a note, a once in a lifetime opportunity to utilize the $500,000 dollar Nantucket mobile communications vehicle. The Red Cross in Hyannis was also used as a base of operation.

Simplex 6 Meters, 2 Meters, Packet and a portable 440 repeater on a portable tower was utilized along with a trailer. NVIS was attempted on both 40 and 75 Meters but band conditions were too poor for it to be utilized. ARES SEC, Rob Macedo, KD1CY, observed the Cape Cod ARES exercise from Red Cross Hyannis.

The Sturdy Memorial ARES team had an exericse on Sunday January 28th, 2007. The Sturdy Memorial ARES team had an exercise on an ice storm with numerous Amateurs participating in the Attelboro, North Attleboro, and Norton area. The club station at the Sturdy Memorial Hospital was activated. Their scenario also involved an ice storm and involved support for the Sturdy Memorial hospital and their local area.

Pictures were provided by the Sturdy Memorial team. The first picture shows Sturdy Memorial ARC Emergency Coordinator, John Benson-N1FLO at the mic of the Sturdy Memorial hospital station:

John Benson-N1FLO at the mic of W1SMH

The second picture shows several Amateurs at the station. From left to right is K2TGX, N1FLO, KB1DRL (foreground), W1TW hidden and N1DPY near the window. The picutre is shown below:

Amateurs gather at the Sturdy Memorial station

ARES SEC, Rob Macedo, KD1CY, participated in the exercise on the 147.195-Attleboro Repeater from home. He monitored and checked in with ARES EC John-N1FLO for any assistance they may require.

Special thanks to Frank-WQ1O and John-N1FLO for their efforts in making these exercises for their local ARES teams.

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://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
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Reminder: Monthly Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net for February 2007

Hello to all….

A reminder that the monthly ARES Net for February is rapidly approaching.

The monthly ARES Net for February is Monday February 5th, 2007, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. This is after the RACES Nets earlier in the evening.

Make the first Monday of the month, “Emergency Communications Night” and check into your local RACES Net and then check into the ARES Net on the MMRA Repeater System. We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net.

We will have several interesting announcements for the net that evening and we look forward to everyone’s participation. Updates will be posted via email and on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Web Site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

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://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
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North Middlesex ARES Kit-Building Session in February

Eastern MA ARES logokfallon@seneschal.com writes on the PART-L mailing list:

The North Middlesex ARES will sponsor a kit-building session featuring the Opentracker APRS encoder. Interested parties wishing to participate are invited to contact the group.

“Please also include the models of radio you’ll be connecting. We’re trying to order the connect cables at the same time, so everyone will be ready to test as soon as the solder cools.”

The order will be placed in early February and the actual kit-building will take place at the Billerica Emergency Management Agency building.

Updated: Cape Cod ARES Exercise Saturday February 3rd, 2007

Hello to all….

****Cape Cod ARES Document was updated and the link was updated. Remainder below is unchanged.****

Cape Cod ARES will hold an exercise this Saturday February 3rd, 2007 from 10 AM-Noon with setup time staring at 9 AM. The scenario is that after a major snowstorm strikes the Cape Cod region, a second storm hits causing significant icing and major communications outages. The goal will be to maintain communications on as many modes and bands possible without using repeaters.

Further details on the exercise can be seen in the following Word document at the following link:

Cape Cod ARES Exercise Document

Those outside of Cape Cod that would like to try and reach Cape Cod ARES are welcome to do so. A more general exercise for the Eastern Massachusetts section is set for Saturday February 24th from 10 AM-Noon. Details on that exercise will follow in the next week or so.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

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://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
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Cape Cod ARES To Conduct “Operation Icy Cover”

Cape Cod ARES logoThe Cape Cod and Islands District Amateur Radio Emergency Service will conduct an emergency winter weather exercise on February 3, 2007 to test its capability in establishing communications under emergency conditions.

“The emergency drill entitled ‘Operation Icy Cover’ will test the ability of “one field station to provide general communications and relay coverage for our operational zones,” writes ARRL District Emergency Coordinator Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O.

“It will also test some of our EOCs, hospital stations, primary stations and other ARES members’ home stations.” [Full story]

Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC To Conduct Winter EmComm Exercise

SMHARC ARES Team logo The Sturdy Memorial Hospital Amateur Radio Club will hold an emergency communications exercise on Sunday, January 28, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The drill will simulate a severe New England snow and ice storm with massive power outages, treacherous driving conditions and extended loss of commercial power. ARES team members will be stationed at the Sturdy Memorial Hospital’s radio room, along with remote stations manning mock shelters, damage assessment teams and local home relay stations.

“We’ve invited hospital [officials] to join and monitor us for that day,” writes ARES Team Leader John Benson, N1FLO.

The club’s radio room at the hospital is equipped with voice, slow-scan television, and APRS operating modes. N1FLO reports that the bulk of the exercise will be conducted from home stations “so if you want to join us and send a message, please do so.”

Training and Contact Information Updates for the ARES Database

Hello to all….

As we start 2007, the Eastern Massachusetts ARES staff is looking to assure that contact information is updated and that if you’ve taken training classes that the information is included in the database. I’ve also recently obtained feedback that its hard to find the online registration form and database page so on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES web site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org we have made a link right on the main menu that takes you directly to the registration form and database page. On the Main Menu, it is labeled Eastern Mass ARES Registration form and database. This will take you to the page where new ARES folks can register and existing ARES members can update their information. You can also reach the page by clicking Join Us on the Main Menu of the Eastern Mass. ARES web site.

Please take the time to make sure your contact information is correct. Also, if you have taken training and its not in your ARES record or you have started a training record and have not updated your record recently, please take the time to do so. Having an updated training record can tell your ARES EC, DEC, and SEC that you are keeping up on ICS, SKYWARN, Emergency Communications and preparedess training and remain active in the ARES program.

When we first unveiled the database, we did a one-time entry of all folks we knew were in the Eastern Mass. ARES program from rosters that ARES EC’s and DEC’s collected and from the old Access Database that we once utilized. When that occurred, an email was sent to all we had registered so that they could update their information and change their password. If you are a member of ARES and never received this notification, we welcome you to re-register and put in your information including your training and appreciate your patience in reentering the information for us. This database should prevent us from losing this information in the future.

Thank you for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

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://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
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