Field Day

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Field Day

Eastern MA Section Manager Field Day 2024 Trip Report

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Jon McCombie, N1ILZMy favorite job as Section Manager is touring Field Day sites. This year was no exception! 
 
I got started Saturday morning and headed directly to the FD site for the NorthEast Amateur Radio Club (N1ERC), in the beautiful Fourth Cliff recreational area in Humarock, MA. When I arrived, they were just finishing setup, and waiting for the fun to start at 1400.  The site provides an especially dramatic view overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately for me, the fog was in, so no views for me. Maybe next year? 
 
Next was a visit with the Braintree Emergency Management group (KC1KWC) set up as a field site in the garage/storage area given by the Town of Braintree. Nice setup there, gents! Well done! 
 
Next on the visit list was Sci-Tech in Natick. Congrats to Bob Phinney and the crew at Sci-Tech for creating and running an operation I consider to be one of the crown jewels of the Section; really of the whole country. 
 
My next visit was the Boston ARC (W1BOS), set up in Westwood, MA. For the last several years, they’ve set up FD at the same campsite, providing shelter from wind and rain and plenty of trees for antennas. Very nice! 
 
My first stop on Sunday was the Whitman ARC (WA1NPO) site in the YMCA campgrounds in E. Bridgewater. Another outstanding selection for FD site: a shelter from wind and rain, plenty of antenna supports in a convenient location. 
 
Next on the list was a visit to the Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) site in Falmouth, MA. FARA had a fantastic setup, with three towers erected, a few dipoles, and their crown jewel, the FARA communications trailer. The trailer provides at least three operating positions and has a patch-panel to connect radios to antennas. What an outstanding example of engineering! Well done, Ralph, N1YHS, and FARA! 
 
Alas, traffic leaving Falmouth was horrendous, so I couldn’t get to the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club (BARC) before they had finished breaking down after FD. 
 
This was a great – if tiring – Field Day for me. I’m very much looking forward to visiting FD sites next year. Did you have a great FD? Could you write a few paragraphs about your setup and how you did FD? Have some pix to publish? Send ‘em my way, and I’ll see about getting it on the EMA Section website! 
Field Day

Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #2, June 21-23, 2024

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on SKYWARN_Announce:
 

Hello to all…

..The following is the second in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 20 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program..

..This year’s Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend will feature the risk for Isolated to Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It will remain warm and humid over most of Southern New England with some relief in Northeast Massachusetts Friday Afternoon into Saturday before warm and humid conditions resume there for Sunday. A Heat Advisory remains in effect through 7 PM for Northern Connecticut, Hampden, Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts for heat indices to 95 degrees.
..The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed Western and Central Massachusetts, Connecticut and interior Rhode Island in a Marginal Risk for severe weather Friday. Threat timeframe between 1-8 PM Friday. SPC has placed Western, Central and interior Northeast Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut in a marginal risk for severe weather Saturday. Threat timeframe 1-8 PM Saturday as well. SPC has placed all of Southern New England in a marginal risk for severe weather. Timing will be better known for Sunday’s severe weather potential on Saturday..
..Strong to damaging winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours leading to urban and poor drainage flooding are the main threats this weekend..
..At this time, not every Field Day site will see a shower, thunderstorm or severe weather and a widespread washout is not expected. Some Field Day sites could be dry all weekend but other Field Day sites could be quite wet depending on where showers and thunderstorms develop. This will be monitored throughout the weekend..
..Any thunderstorms have lightning potential which is a safety hazard for all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Amateur Radio Field Day sites are encouraged to guard their local Amateur Radio SKYWARN frequency and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts during the course of this Field Day weekend including by cell phone/Internet and NOAA Weather Radio..
..Conditions will be warm and humid Friday through Sunday though not as hot as earlier this week particularly in areas of Northeast Massachusetts which will have less heat and humidity Friday and into Saturday before becoming warm and humid again. Portions of Western Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut and Northern Rhode Island may continue to have heat similar to the previous days through Friday before conditions cool slightly Saturday but remain warm and humid over this time period..
..Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend is an annual event where Ham Operators across the United States setup at Emergency Operations Centers, field locations, home locations etc. to operate and test their equipment and skills and make as many radio contacts as possible during the weekend..

..SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are likely Friday Afternoon and Evening in interior Southern New England for the severe weather and flood potential and possible Saturday through this weekend. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions throughout Field Day weekend and activate as needed to guard Amateur Radio Field Day sites to provide weather information as well as to gather reports meeting SKYWARN reporting criteria throughout this weekend..

Here are some links to information on these Amateur Radio Field Day Sites from across the region.

Amateur Radio Field Day Information: https://www.arrl.org/field-day
Amateur Radio Field Day National Locator: https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator
Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Home Page: https://ema.arrl.org/field-day/
Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Directory: https://ema.arrl.org/field_day/

 
On Wednesday, severe weather activity which was expected to stay north of Southern New England spilled into Northwest and North-Central Massachusetts with pockets of wind damage and flooding noted across parts of Franklin, Hampshire and Northwest Worcester Counties. See the Amateur Radio Report log and Local Storm Report info below:
 
WX1BOX Amateur Radio Log:
 
NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
 
Thursday saw the severe weather coverage increase in area with pockets of wind damage and hail across Western, North-Central and Northeast Massachusetts. See the Amateur Radio Report log and Local Storm Report info below:
 
WX1BOX Amateur Radio Report log:
 
NWS Boston/Norton Local Storm Report:
 
For Friday as we enter into Amateur Radio Field Day weekend, the thunderstorm and greatest severe weather potential will be across Western and Central Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut and North-Central Rhode Island. For Saturday, the greatest severe weather potential is Western, Central and interior Northeast Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut and for Sunday all of Southern New England has the potential for thunderstorms and severe weather. Here is a breakdown of potential hazards by each day:
 
Friday Afternoon and Evening:

The Severe Thunderstorm potential maybe a bit more isolated, perhaps similar to Wednesday of this week. It will be dependent on the frontal position that will bring cooler air into Northeast Massachusetts and amount of shear that overlaps with greater instability in the marginal risk area. Threat timeframe is 1-8 PM. In addition to the severe weather and lightning potential, flooding from very heavy downpours will bear close watching for flooding issues in areas that get repeated downpours.

Saturday Afternoon and Evening:

This will depend on what occurs Friday and if the front that will be over the region separating warmer and more humid air from somewhat cooler air shifts northeast or holds its current position. If it shifts northeast, much of Southern New England would have thunderstorm and severe weather potential. If it doesn’t shift much, the current area of Marginal Risk denoted by SPC will be the impacted area and this will be updated in future updates. Threat timeframe is 1-8 PM like Friday.

Sunday Afternoon and Evening:

This could be a day where much of Southern New England has severe weather potential but will depend on prior day’s convection, cloud debris, frontal position/triggering mechanism etc. and will be better known as we get to Saturday. Wind shear profiles appear a bit stronger for Sunday. All of Southern New England has a marginal risk for severe weather per SPC. Hazard timing will be better known on Saturday.

 
While not as hot as earlier in the week, it will still be warm and humid for outdoor activities over the Field Day weekend period so Field Day sites should have plenty of liquids on hand and a place nearby to cool down whether it be a building or cars with AC to stay cool from the heat. Heat tips and safety guidelines are also included in this message. Northeast Massachusetts will have the most relief from the heat Friday into Saturday but the heat will return there as we get into Sunday.
SKYWARN Self-Activation with Amateur Radio Call-Up Nets are likely Friday Afternoon and Evening in interior Southern New England for the severe weather and flood potential and possible Saturday through this weekend. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions throughout Field Day weekend and activate as needed to guard Amateur Radio Field Day sites to provide weather information as well as to gather reports meeting SKYWARN reporting criteria throughout this weekend. Below are links to the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook, SPC Day-1, Day-2 and Day-3 Convective Outlooks and NWS Norton Heat Advisory Statement:
NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box
 
SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook:
 
SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:
 
SPC Day-3 Convective Outlook:
 
NWS Boston/Norton Heat Advisory Statement:
 
Amateur Radio Field Day sites are encouraged to bring a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, monitor various cell phone weather apps where Amateur Operators may have those available and have a dedicated Ham Radio that can monitor their local SKYWARN frequency for their area as a best safety and preparedness practice as there is a threat for thunderstorm development and any thunderstorm can be a threat to the safety of Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Also sites that have mobile Internet capability can utilize that capability as a way to monitor for weather information. With Mobile Internet capability, utilizing Echolink to monitor the New England Reflector system on Echolink Conference *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123/IRLP 9123 would be helpful as well. Please see the link below for the latest SKYWARN Frequency information for the region:
https://wx1box.org/southern-new-england-skywarn-frequency-list/During setup and takedown of Amateur Radio Field Day sites and even while operating, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat accordingly. The link below features information on Heat Safety:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat

With the thunderstorm threat for this weekend, now is the time to remind folks that lightning is a threat to any and all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Remember your lightning safety tips and details on lightning safety can be seen at the following link and we have also added a link from last year’s NWS Boston/Norton Lightning Safety Awareness Week and Public Information Statements on Lightning Safety and will update with this year’s statements in a future coordination message. See links below:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning

The next Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day weekend coordination message will be posted by 10 AM Saturday Morning due to likely SKYWARN Operations this afternoon and evening. We hope the Amateur Radio community participating in Field Day has a great weekend!
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)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
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Field Day

Field Day Touring Support

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

ARRL Field Day 2024 logoBill Ricker, N1VUX, writes:

Greetings of the season.

I have posted GPS zip, KML, CSV extracts for use by Eastern Mass Field Day tourists. (Download link https://fd.ema.arrl.org/field_day/history/GPS_files_FD24.zip is on Tours page https://fd.ema.arrl.org/field_day/history/tours.html below the 2024 logo.   If there are any updates Friday, I’ll repost and re-email.)

If any Leadership Tourists have specific plans, I’d be happy to post plans ahead of time (including touring elsewhere in NE Div). (As usual I’ll be visiting Scituate Fourth Cliff, not committing to any other visits.)

 -73-
Bill    n1vux@arrl.net
editor https://ema.arrl.org/field_day/ 25th Annual EMA Field Day Directory

Field Day / NTS

Bonus Points For NTS Traffic During Field Day

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

ARRL Field Day 2024 logoPeter Doherty, KC1HHO, writes:

As ARRL Field Day approaches please keep in mind that you or your group can earn up to 200 Bonus Points by sending NTS Radiogram traffic from your Field Day site.

Relay stations will be calling out on the local Eastern MA repeaters and simplex calling frequency throughout the event asking for traffic.  You can also bring your traffic to a local traffic net, please see link below for net information.

Please review the rules 7.3.5 and 7.3.6, printed below as well as the address information for the Section Manager and Section Emergency Coordinator and links to other vital information and resources

7.3.5. Message Origination to Section Manager: 100 bonus points for origination of a formal message to the ARRL Section Manager or Section Emergency Coordinator by your group from its site. You should include the club name, number of participants, Field Day location, and number of ARES operators involved with your station. The message must be transmitted during the Field Day period and a copy of it must be included in your submission in either standard NTS or ICS-213 format (or have the equivalent content) or no credit will be given. The message must leave or enter the Field Day operation via amateur radio RF.

The Section Manager message is separate from the messages handled in Rule 7.3.6. and may not be claimed for bonus points under that rule. Available to all Classes.

Use the following address for the Eastern Massachusetts ARRL SECTION MANAGER

JON W MC COMBIE N1ILZ
ARRL SECTION MANAGER EMA
EASTHAM, MA 02642
Email: n1ilz@arrl.net

Use the following address for the Eastern Massachusetts ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator.

ROBERT D MACEDO KD1CY
ARRL SECTION EMERGENCY COORDINATOR EMA
NEW BEDFORD, MA 02740
Email: rmacedo@rcn.com

For messages sent under rule 7.3.6 please ensure your “send to addresses”  contain full name, address, telephone and or email including zip code.  They can be sent to anyone, not just amateur radio stations.

Below you will also find links to the 2024 ARRL Field Day Rule (complete) ,a link to the NTS Radiogram form and link to EMA traffic Nets.

7.3.6. Message Handling: 10 points for each formal message originated, relayed or received and delivered during the Field Day period, up to a maximum of 100 points (ten messages). Copies of each message must be included with the Field Day report. The message to the ARRL SM or SEC under Rule 7.3.5. does not count towards the total of 10 for this bonus. Messages claimed under this bonus must be in either standard NTS or ICS-213 format (or have the equivalent content). All messages claimed for bonus points must leave or enter the Field Day operation via amateur radio RF. Available to all Classes.

Rules

2024 ARRL Field Day Rules

Radiogram

RADIOGRAM-2011.pdf (arrl.org)

EMA NTS page (Scroll down to NTS Nets in Massachusetts)

https://ema.arrl.org/national-traffic-system/

We are looking forward to making your field day a full amateur radio experience.  Hope to hear from you. 73

Peter KC1HHO
Asst Traffic Manager EMA
Eastern MA 2 Meter Traffic Net Manager
Official Relay Station

Field Day

Nashoba Valley ARC Field Day Press Release

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Nashoba Valley ARC logoNEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
For additional information contact:
John Bielefeld
19 Ernie Drive
Littleton, MA 01460
Cell: 508-254-5863
Email: jeb2117@gmail.com
 
Ham Radio Operators On the Air for Nationwide Event June 22nd – 23rd
 
Ham radio operators from the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club in Pepperell and surrounding towns will be participating in a national amateur radio exercise from 2PM] on Saturday until 2PM on Sunday, June 22nd – 23rd. The event is ARRL Field Day (www.arrl.org/FieldDay), an annual amateur radio activity organized since 1933 by ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio in the United States.
 
Hams from across North America ordinarily participate in Field Day by establishing temporary ham radio stations in public locations to demonstrate their skill and service. Their use of radio signals, which reach beyond borders, bring people together while providing essential communication in the service of communities. Field Day highlights ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent, wireless communications network.
 
Some hams from New England will also use the radio stations set up in their homes or taken to their backyards and other locations to operate individually or with their families. Many hams have portable radio communication capability that includes alternative energy sources such as generators, solar panels, and batteries to power their equipment.
 
This year’s event is also noteworthy given that a particularly active hurricane season is predicted. “Hams have a long history of serving our communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers,” said John Bielefeld (call sign K1JEB), NVARC’s Field Day chairperson. “Ham radio functions completely independently of the internet and phone systems and a station can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. Hams can quickly raise a wire antenna in a tree or on a mast, connect it to a radio and power source, and communicate effectively with others,” Bielefeld added.
 
During Field Day 2021, more than 26,000 hams participated from thousands of locations across North America. According to ARRL, there are more than 750,000 amateur radio licensees in the US, and an estimated 3 million worldwide.
 
Among the tenets of the Amateur Radio Service is developing and practicing skills in radio technology and radio communications, and even contributing to international goodwill. Hams range in age from as young as 9 to older than 100. A self-study license guide is available from ARRL: The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual (www.arrl.org/shop/Ham-Radio-License-Manual) and for Kindle (https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B07DFSW94G). For more information about ARRL Field Day and ham radio, contact John Bielefeld at jeb2117@gmail.com and visit www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio.
###
Field Day / Public Information

Field Day Publicity Suggestions

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

ARRL Field Day 2024 logoBill McIninch, KA1MOM, writes:

This is from the Facebook open group for Field Day, a page read almost entirely by hams:

1) Posting in the Field Day group on Facebook is not likely to get you any more visibility with the public or get people to come visit your site. So if your goal is to get visitors, especially non-ham visitors, rethink where you are posting.
 
2) Make sure that your posts contain all the necessary information such as:
 
  • What the event is all about (make it understandable for non-hams)
  • Why someone might want to visit
  • Where the event is (include an address)
  • When the event is (use local times), especially when it’s open for public tours
  • Who is involved (include point of contact info) and who is invited
  • How to get more info (maybe use a QR code that takes people to a website)
3) Consider creating an Event, not just a post. Events are shared by Facebook.
 
4) Avoid technical jargon.
 
5) For other hams to find you, make sure you put your location in the Field Day Locator.
Field Day / Public Information

Boston ARC Field Day Promotional Story

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Boston ARC field day photoFrom the Westwood Minute:

Amateur Radio “Field Day” June 24 and 25, 2023, Demonstrates Science, Skill, and Service.

The public is invited by the Boston Amateur Radio Club to view the proceedings on Saturday from 2 to 8 PM and on Sunday from 10 to 1 PM at Hale Reservation, 80 Carby Street, Westwood, MA. Drop by to see them in action, learn how to join in on the hobby.

Free

Hale Reservation
80 Carby Street
Westwood, MA 02090

[Story]

 

Field Day

Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #2

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on the SKYWARN-announce list on June 23, 2023 at 10:41 AM:
 

..The following is the second in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 20 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program..
..2023 Field Day weekend, unlike the past few years, will have the potential for showers, thunderstorms and isolated severe weather. Not every Field Day site will see a shower, thunderstorm or severe weather and a widespread washout is not expected. Some Field Day sites could be dry all weekend but other Field Day sites could be quite wet depending on where showers and thunderstorms develop..
..With the thunderstorms, a few of them could be strong to severe with strong to damaging winds, hail, and heavy downpours leading to urban and poor drainage flooding. The severe weather potential remains focused on Saturday and Sunday Afternoon and Evening though some showers and isolated thunderstorms may occur late Friday Night into Saturday Morning making any shower and thunderstorm redevelopment Saturday Afternoon and Evening more uncertain..

[Full story]
Field Day

Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #1

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on the SKYWARN-announce list on June 22, 2023 at 10:07 AM:
 
Hello to all..

..The following is the first in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 20 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program..
..2023 Field Day weekend, unlike the past few years, will have the potential for showers, thunderstorms and isolated severe weather. Not every Field Day site will see a shower, thunderstorm or severe weather and a widespread washout is not expected. Some Field Day sites could be dry all weekend but other Field Day sites could be quite wet depending on where showers and thunderstorms develop..

..With the thunderstorms, a few of them could be strong to severe with strong to damaging winds, hail, and heavy downpours leading to urban and poor drainage flooding. The severe weather potential is focused on Saturday and Sunday Afternoon and Evening. Any thunderstorms have lightning potential which is a safety hazard for all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Amateur Radio Field Day sites are encouraged to guard their local Amateur Radio SKYWARN frequency and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts during the course of this Field Day weekend including by cell phone/Internet and NOAA Weather Radio..
..Conditions will be warm and very humid Friday through Sunday. Temperatures will range between the mid-70s in coastal areas to the Upper 70s to mid 80s in interior areas depending upon how much heating occurs each day. Dewpoints in the low 70s will create very humid conditions. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids and guard against heat exhaustion especially during Amateur Radio Field Day setup and takedown..
..Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend is an annual event where Ham Operators across the United States setup at Emergency Operations Centers, field locations, home locations etc. to operate and test their equipment and skills and make as many radio contacts as possible during the weekend..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions throughout Field Day weekend and activate as needed to guard Amateur Radio Field Day sites to provide weather information as well as to gather reports meeting SKYWARN reporting criteria throughout this weekend..

Here are some links to information on these Amateur Radio Field Day Sites from across the region.

Amateur Radio Field Day Information: https://www.arrl.org/field-day
Amateur Radio Field Day National Locator: https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator
Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Home Page: https://ema.arrl.org/field-day/
Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Directory: https://ema.arrl.org/field_day/

 
For Amateur Radio Field Day weekend, unlike past years, there will be thunderstorm potential throughout the entire period particularly in the afternoon and evening period from Friday to Sunday. For Friday, thunderstorms main potential hazards to Field Day sites will be heavy downpours and frequent lightning. On Saturday and Sunday, the thunderstorm potential is increased with the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms in addition to heavy downpours and frequent lightning. It will be warm and very humid during the weekend. The headlines of this message give the current thinking and coverage area. Here is a breakdown of the hazards by each day:
 
Friday Afternoon and Evening:
Thunderstorms can occur particularly in Western and Central Massachusetts and Connecticut with heavy downpours and frequent lightning. The threat of severe weather is minimal and coverage will be isolated to scattered in nature and will be monitored.
 
Saturday Afternoon and Evening:
Thunderstorms are possible anywhere in Southern New England with the greatest coverage and strongest thunderstorms from the I-95 corridor north and west throughout interior Southern New England. The coverage will be more numerous than Friday with the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms. The activity will be slow moving which could also cause localized flooding in areas where thunderstorms train over the same area. This will bear close monitoring given Saturday is the more active of the 2 days of Amateur Radio Field Day weekend.
 
Sunday Afternoon and Evening:
Similar setup to Saturday Afternoon and Evening. More details will follow in future coordination message Friday and Saturday.
 
SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions throughout Field Day weekend and activate as needed to guard Amateur Radio Field Day sites to provide weather information as well as to gather reports meeting SKYWARN reporting criteria throughout this weekend. Below are links to the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion, Hazardous Weather Outlook and Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
 
NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
NWS Boston/Norton Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.html

NWS Boston/Norton Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

Amateur Radio Field Day sites are encouraged to bring a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, monitor various cell phone weather apps where Amateur Operators may have those available and have a dedicated Ham Radio that can monitor their local SKYWARN frequency for their area as a best safety and preparedness practice as there is a threat for thunderstorm development and any thunderstorm can be a threat to the safety of Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Also sites that have mobile Internet capability can utilize that capability as a way to monitor for weather information. With Mobile Internet capability, utilizing Echolink to monitor the New England Reflector system on Echolink Conference *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123/IRLP 9123 would be helpful as well. Please see the link below for the latest SKYWARN Frequency information for the region:
https://wx1box.org/southern-new-england-skywarn-frequency-list/

During setup and takedown of Amateur Radio Field Day sites and even while operating, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat accordingly. The link below features information on Heat Safety:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat

With the thunderstorm threat for this weekend, now is the time to remind folks that lightning is a threat to any and all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Remember your lightning safety tips and details on lightning safety can be seen at the following link and we have also added a link from this week’s NWS Boston/Norton Lightning Safety Awareness Week and Public Information Statements on Lightning Safety. See links below:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning

 
The next Amateur Radio Field Day weekend coordination message will be posted by 10 AM Friday Morning. We hope the Amateur Radio community participating in Field Day has a great weekend!
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)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
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Field Day

Waltham ARA, Montachusett ARA Field Day in Princeton MA, June 24-25, 2023

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

2023 Field Day logoThe Waltham Amateur Radio Association is partnering with the Montachusett Amateur Radio Association  for Field Day, June24 – 25. We will operate on the summit of Mt. Wachusett in Princeton, MA. Setup will begin at 9 AM on Saturday, the 24th. We hope to have enough participation to support 3 HF stations and a VHF station, providing plenty of opportunity for phone, CW, and digital operation from 2 PM Saturday until 2 PM on Sunday. There will also be a  “Get on the Air” (GOTA) station for new hams, future hams, and any Technician class operator.

Field Day participation has numerous facets:

·        This is a wonderful opportunity to participate first-hand in an emergency communications preparedness event at a national level. 

·        Field Day provides a ready-made opportunity to introduce family and friends, to what we, as amateu rradio operators, find rewarding in these endeavors. 

·        It’s a perfect event to introduce young / new folks to the amateur service.

Come for an hour… or come for the whole event.  Combine it with a day out on the mountain.  Don’t worry about rain in the forecast… it’ll be warm, plus we all drip dry   

This is the first big chance, post-COVID, for a radio in-person social event!!

Looking forward to seeing you there.

73,
W1ENB

Field Day

Sci-Tech ARS Field Day, Natick, June 24-25, 2023

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2023 Field Day logoOpen to all licensed amateur radio operators worldwide, ARRL Field Day is both a contest and a practice exercise of radio skills. Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the most popular event in ham radio.

 

WHAT:
Family Friendly Event! Ham Radio Field Day has Educational Demonstrations, Maker Activities, Telescopes (weather permitting). Hosted by members of Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS), New England Amateur Radio (NEAR), and New England Sci-Tech (NEST).

WHEN:
2023, Sat June 24, 2pm to Sun, June 25, 2pm.
Public is welcome: Sat 2 pm – 5 pm and Sun 10 am to 2 pm for tours, soldering workshop, maker activities, hidden transmitter hunts, and license testing. (License exam is 7 pm Saturday)

WHERE:
New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick. (Field Day runs outside in vans and tents running off alternative power to simulate emergency conditions. However, the building is open for tours, restrooms, maker activities, etc.)

WHO MAY PARTICIPATE:
Members of the general public, radio amateurs, scouts, and their friends and families are welcome to participate. You don’t need a radio license to participate, as you can operate with one of the club’s General or Extra class licensees as the control operator. On-site training will be provided.

[Full story]
Field Day

Sturdy Memorial Hospital QRV for Field Day, North Attleborough, June 25-26

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

2023 Field Day logoSMHARC Secretary/Treasurer Ray Cord, K2TGX, writes:

On Saturday, June 25th, we would like to see a better turnout for Field Day this year than last. We need setup people on Saturday morning, We need pack up people on Sunday afternoon. BUT MOST OF ALL, WE NEED OPERATORS FOR ALL HOURS OF THE 24 HOUR OPERATION!

We would love to see all those members that we haven’t seen at a meeting lately at the June meeting but at Field Day, also. You don’t have to be a “contester” to operate any of the stations, We are not super competitive, we just want to have a good time. We can have an experienced operator with you to log and guide you. Even if you don’t have your license yet, you can operate with one of our licensed members as control operator.

DON’T BE THE SILENT MAJORITY!! Come on out and renew old friendships, relearn some rusty skills and have a GOOD TIME!

Hope to see you there.

Tnx 73,

Ray, K2TGX
Secretary/Treasurer

Field Day

Nashoba Valley ARC Field Day, Pepperell, June 24-25, 2023

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

2023 Field Day logoBruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

Once again, the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club will participate in this year’s ARRL Field Day, operating in Pepperell’s Heald Street Orchard. The event starts this coming Saturday, June 24th at 2 PM and finishes on Sunday, June 25th at 2 PM.

Setup begins on-site around 8:30 AM on Saturday, and some of us have breakfast at Charlotte’s Cozy Kitchen in Pepperell at 7:30 AM.

We will be using the club callsign, N1NC. Plans are to have two transmitters operating simultaneously on amateur bands between 80 and 10 meters (and a third station on 6 and 2 meters and satellite). There will be plenty of opportunity for anyone who “walks up” to operate the stations and meet other members of the club.

NVARC has a casual Field Day that members and friends use as a social gathering – not just operating. There is a covered gathering area with tables, chairs, lemonade, and snacks. Feel free to help us set up, operate, or just have a look and make some friends..

To get there, put “112 Heald Street, Pepperell, MA” into your GPS. You will find a sign at the entrance to the Heald Street Orchard. Head south through the open gates onto an unpaved road for about 0.1 mile to the mowed parking area in the meadow.

PLEASE NOTE: There is work being done to a bridge on Heald Street, and you may have a detour, depending on how you get there. The detour is well marked and you should have no problems finding the site.

Talk in wil be on the N1MNX repeater (the same repeater we use for our club nets). 147.345+, PL 100.0 Hz

I plan on being there most of the time, and I look forward to meeting YOU. Thanks and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Bruce, K1BG

978-772-2773 or bruce.blain@charter.net

PS. Feel free to call me on this number during field day.

 

 

Field Day

North Shore Radio Association Field Day, Topsfield

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
2023 Field Day logoEric Horwitz, KA1NCF, writes on the NSRA mailing list:
 
We will be having Field Day at Fair View Farm, 114 Boston St. Topsfield on June 23rd thru 25th! It is at the top of the hill just before the Topsfield Fair Ground entrance that we went to last year. 
 
I am planning to present all our plans at the next [North Shore Radio Association] meeting on Tuesday, June 20th—even though it will be JUST before Field day weekend.
 
If you are planning to help or want to, please let me know, so I can include you in the few emails I am planning on sending out in the days before Field day 2023!
 
I have been talking to a few of you as we have been trying to get this year going. Thanks for your help and see you all soon.
 
Currently we are planning to make the site similar to last year with two or three operating positions. Food as always, and hopefully a great time operating on the bands..
 
Thanks,
 
 

Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF

North Shore Radio Association
email: ka1ncf@nsradio.org