Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net – Saturday 7/9/22 – Moved from Saturday 7/2/22 Due to Long Holiday Weekend

Good evening,

Due to the first Saturday of July being the July 4th weekend we will be moving the Net to the following Saturday July 9, 2022, the South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10AM.

We realize that the usual locations for some individuals and groups are still unavailable due to ongoing COVID restrictions. We encourage everyone who is affected by these restrictions to utilize their home or mobile stations to check into the net.

We will use the following repeaters and NEDECN DMR system in the order listed.

1. Plymouth Repeater 146.685 tone 131.8
2. Falmouth Repeater 147.375 tone 110.9
3. DMR – EMHN Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot 1 on select NEDECN repeaters: Boston 449.175 CC1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC1, Bourne 145.200 CC10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC11, and Martha’s Vineyard 145.180 CC10 repeaters
4. Attleboro Repeater 147.195 tone 127.3 (SMH)
5. Return to Plymouth Repeater for 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.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.

We extend an invitation to any health care facility, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members to check in during the NET.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.

We hope to hear you Saturday.

Jeff N1SOM, Secretary, and the SSH group
N1SOM – W1SSH

South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group
55 Fogg Rd. Mail-Stop 42
South Weymouth, MA 02190

Double Fox Hunt This Weekend in Belmont and Waltham, June 18-19, 2022

Eliot Mayer, W1MJ, writes:

This weekend (June 18-19, 2022) K1MJC and I are putting our foxes out in the same general area.

Fox #1
Call:  K1MJC
Frequency:  146.565 MHz
Location: Rock Meadow, Belmont, MA
On air now through Monday morning.

Fox #2
Call:  W1MJ
Frequency:  446.075 MHz
Location:  Beaver Brook Reservation North, Waltham, MA (accessible from Rock Meadow by foot bridge)

Map:  https://walthamlandtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-29-GOS-Beaver-Brook-North-Reservation.pdf

On air from 10 AM Saturday until 5 PM on Sunday

Best place to park for both foxes:  Rock Meadow parking area on Mill St. in Belmont.  If the lot is full, parallel parking on Mill St. is allowed.

The following link shows a map of the area containing both foxes.  From Rock Meadow, the Western Greenway Trail crosses a wooden bridge into Beaver Brook Reservation North near back-left-corner (sorta) of Rock Meadow:

https://www.trailforks.com/region/rock-meadow-conservation-area-belmont/?activitytype=1&z=16.0&lat=42.40183&lon=-71.20170

73,

Eliot, W1MJ

Blue Hill Observatory Wireless Society Communications with Mt. Washington, June 11, 2022

Blue Hills Observatory WS special event, June 11, 2022BlueHill Observatory (@bhobservatory) tweeted at 0:20 PM on Sat, Jun 11, 2022:

We are excited to have the inaugural event of the BHO&SC Wireless Society happening today. The hams are hoping to connect with Mount Washington as communications between BHO and Mount Washington Observatory were done over 70 years ago. They are also doing a ham contest today. https://t.co/DX8CNB3eXv

Bristol County RA Fox Hunt, June 11, 2022

From bcra-club groups.io list:
 
* Time: 10:00 am to 2:30 pm  — check-in starts at 9:45 am on the BCRA repeater, 145.150 MHz PL 123
* Location: The Foxes will be located within a 10-mile radius of the center of the Veteran’s Memorial bridge connecting 
Fall River and Somerset MA on US Route 6 (41.7266508, -71.1516237).
* Fox1 will activate at 10:00 am on 146.565 MHz FM 
  Fox2 will activate at 10:02:30 on 146.430 MHz FM 
 
Communications with “Fox Control” can all be done over the BCRA repeater, including checking in when you have found the fox. You may also speak with us in the control vehicle using physical distancing if you wish.
 
There will be TWO foxes – one manned by KB1CNB, Skip, and one by N1KJS, Kevin. When you find one of the foxes, you will get a hint to help you find the second (if you want!).
 
Check-ins will begin at 9:45 am on the BCRA repeater, 145.150 MHz PL 123. Chat and help on the repeater also.
 
The Fox1 will activate at 10:00 am on 146.565 MHz FM and Fox2 at 10:02:30 on 146.430 MHz FM with a 5-watt signal and both will transmit 1 minute of tone followed by Morse Code ID and 4 minutes of silence. As the hunt progresses we may increase the transmission times – that will be announced on the BCRA repeater. The hunt will last until 2:30 pm or until all checked-in participants have found the transmitters, whichever comes first.
 
The Foxes will be located within a 10-mile radius of the center of the Veteran’s Memorial bridge connecting Fall River and Somerset on US Route 6 (41.7266508, -71.1516237).
 
The Fox1 (in Skip’s vehicle, a blue/grey Jeep Commander marked BCRA) will be in a public place and will be manned at all times. When you have found the fox your time and order of arrival will be recorded and a personalized certificate will be emailed to each participant.
 
The Fox2 (in Kevin’s vehicle, a blue Toyota Tacoma marked BCRA) may not be obvious from a town/city road.  But is on public property with road access.  This fox will be in a public place and will be manned at all times. When you have found the fox your time and order of arrival will be recorded.
 
Participants are encouraged to work in teams and are asked to drive carefully and observe all applicable guidelines, both from the FCC and the state & local governments. Since participants are receiving only (except for radio check-ins) an amateur radio license is not required.
 
Email questions to Skip at kb1cnb@bcra.club or text to 774-644-3469. After the hunt, your comments, impressions, and suggestions will be welcome!
 
Join us and have some good amateur radio fun!

Reminder: June 6th, 2022 MEMA RACES/ACS Communications Test Net

Mike Leger, N1YLQ, MEMA Region 2 RACES Radio Officer writes:

Hello to all,

      This email is a reminder that this evening, June 6th, 2022 is the first non-holiday Monday of the month and, as such, is our RACES/ACS/Preparedness Net night. We will be holding our sector nets on the normally assigned frequencies.

      As always, I am looking for Net Control stations to staff our sector nets for the evening. This month I will be able to run the Sector 2A net, but if anyone is interested in trying it out, please let me know.  I am looking for NCS operators to lead the Sector 2B (Plymouth County) nets. Sector 2D has already arranged for an NCS operator for this month’s net and Sector 2C is now a Winlink only net on a monthly basis.

For any operators interested in performing the duties of Net Control Station (NCS), there are materials available to make the task fairly simple and straight forward. The net pre-amble and role call lists are available at http://wc1mab.org/RACES_R2_Interim_Preamble.pdf and http://wc1mab.org/Month.php with the role call lists on the left column near the bottom. If anyone is worried that they mess up running a net, please remember that, in many cases, a less than perfect net is WAY better than no net at all! At the conclusion of any net, any operator that acted as Net Control Operator should send a note to WC1MAB@gmail.com letting me know who ran the net and who checked in so that the proper numbers can be reported to our served agencies. We can not always count on our normal net control operators to be available in the event of a large scale emergency, so every RACES operator should be prepared to act as NCO if needed when disaster and emergency strikes!

Winlink Net Instructions From Don Rolph: 

*Winlink Net*

To participate:

– create a checkin form using the Winlink standard checkin form

– send via winlink after 6 AM EST Mon. June 6  and before midnight EST June 7 (any mode, but include  mode in check-in form) to AB1PH

   I continue to ask that any operators who have the time, please try to check into sector nets from near-by sections. This will allow our Net Control Operators to practice fielding nets with a strong check-in count and will also serve to help practice with relays or modified sector assignments in the event that a single repeater is out of service. 

   For those operators who serve as Net Control Operators, please try to remember to send me a list of the stations and communities that check into your nets. The numbers are reported to MEMA to show them our level of participation. I am continuing to work on a graphical map based report to show which parts of our section have strong coverage and which areas may need a more targeted recruitment campaign to improve our ability to provide back-up communications in an emergency.

The Region #2 and State Net Schedule for this evening is as follows:

Net Frequency/Offset Time
Sector 2A 147.00 /+0.60  PL 19:30 Local
Sector 2B 145.39/-0.60  PL 67.0 20:00 Local
Sector 2C Winlink Net Check-In 6AM-Midnight Local Time
Sector 2D 146.865/-0.60  PL 103.5 19:30 Local
6-Meter State Net 53.31 / -1.0  PL 71.9  

 

Note: 53.31 has been reported to be having difficulties lately.

The appropriate people are aware and working to remedy any issues.

19:00 Local
MA RACES HF Net 3930 KHz LSB moving up to 3955 KHz until there is a clear frequency 18:45 Local
MA MEMA NBEMS Net Frequency:  3584.5 MHx, Center Frequency: 1500 Hz, Initial mode: THOR22 19:00 Local

    I appreciate you all answering the call to help our communities remain prepared. Thank you all for helping us keep things on track and prove that we remain a consistent source of communication capability to the Commonwealth. This net provides a monthly reminder to our communities and served agencies that we stand ready with a quiet professionalism prepared to serve as a voice to whomever needs one to get help and resources to where they need to be.

 If you know someone who would benefit from being on this list, please have them contact me at   WC1MAB@gmail.com and I will add them to this distribution. Thank you all!

      If anyone has any questions or comments I can be reached by e-mail or cell phone. Thanks for being a part of our team and I look forward to hearing back on who can participate this month.

Sincerely,

Michael Leger (N1YLQ)

MEMA Region #2 RACES Officer

C: 386-566-7666

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday June 6th, 2022 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater System

Hello to all…

The June Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday June 6th, 2022 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. We will have several announcements on upcoming events.

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

Massachusetts RACES Nets – Monday 6/6/22 for HF, Region 2D VHF, NBEMS & Winlink – Times and Details Below

AB1PH-Don Rolph, Norfolk County ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:

For June, Monday June 6 is the first Monday of the month, and will be the date for the MEMA RACES nets.

The Races nets will be held on Mon June 6 at:
********************************************************************************
The HF net will start at 6:45 PM EDT: using the following frequency plan:
We will start at 3930 KHz moving up to 3955 KHz until there is a clear frequency,
Marc Stern WA1R will be net control.
*********************************************************************************
Region 2D VHF net: please note sector 2D net will be on Sharon Repeater
7:30 PM EDT VHF net on 146.865 MHz PL 103.5 (Sharon Repeater)
We will have a general call up of any RACES, ARES, or other interested stations. If there is time, we will have a simplex test.
Don Rolph AB1PH will be net control.
********************************************************************************
HF NBEMS net:
7:00 PM EDT
Dial Frequency: 3584.5 MHx
Center Frequency: 1500 Hz
Initial mode: THOR22
We will have checkins,followed by an ICS-213 format message using FLMSG.
Don Rolph AB1PH will be net control.
*********************************************************************************
Winlink Net:
To participate:
– create a checkin form using the Winlink standard checkin form
– send via winlink after 6 AM EDT Mon. June 6 and before 0000 EDT June 7 (any mode, but include mode in checkin form) to AB1PH
– Tues I will create the checkin report and send to all of you
*************************************************************************************

We look forward to you checking in to any or all nets!

73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph

Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net – Saturday 6/4/22 at 1000 AM

Jeff-N1SOM writes:

Good evening,

On Saturday June 4, 2022, the South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10AM. We realize that the usual locations for some individuals and groups are still unavailable due to ongoing COVID restrictions. We encourage everyone who is affected by these restrictions to utilize their home or mobile stations to check into the net.

We will use the following repeaters and NEDECN DMR system in the order listed.

1. W.Bridgewater Repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
3. Plymouth Repeater 146.685 tone 131.8
3. DMR – EMHN Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot 1 on select NEDECN repeaters:
Boston 449.175 CC1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC1, Bourne 145.200 CC10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC11, and Martha’s Vineyard145.180 CC10 repeaters
4. Boston 145.230 tone enc. 88.5 dec (in) / dec (out) 100.0
5. Return to W.Bridgewater Repeater for 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.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.

We extend an invitation to any health care facility, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members to check in during the NET. We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible. We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event. We hope to hear you Saturday.

Jeff N1SOM, Secretary, and the SSH group
N1SOM – W1SSH

South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group
55 Fogg Rd. Mail-Stop 42
South Weymouth, MA 02190

“Last Call” for K2H Operators

K2H QSL card, 2021

Larry Krainson, W1AST, writes:

 
This is the last call for any hams in Massachusetts who may want to be a 13 Colonies Team K2H Massachusetts operator.
 
The Special Event runs from July 1 through July 7.
 
We currently have 28 K2H ops and if you would like to join the team, please contact me before June 1 at W1AST@arrl.net.
 
Operators will spot themselves and wait for the pileups to start. It’s a heck of a lot of fun.

Contact Larry, W1AST  at W1AST@arrl.net if interested BEFORE JUNE 1.

 

Larry, W1AST

  • ARRL WMA ACC
  • HCRA President
  • Visit my Ham Radio club website at: www.HCRA.org
  • Team K2H – 13 Colonies Massachusetts State Manager
  • Project Big E 2022 Organizer

MMRA Fox is Hiding, Stow, May 20, 2022

Bob Evans, N1BE, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list on May 20, 2022 at 3:56 PM:

The MMRA Fox Box is at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Stow.

The Fox transmits on 145.63 MHz with a 146.2 Hz PL.

Transmissions repeat approx. every 165 seconds. 

I plan to retrieve the Fox on Tuesday, May 24th.

Email me directly if you want a hint to help locate the fox.

Happy hunting,

Bob Evans, N1BE

Eastern MA Museum Ships Getting Ready for Museum Ships Weekend, June 3-5, 2022

USS Salem
USS Salem, 549 South Street, Pier 3, Quincy, MA

Several museum ship stations in Eastern Massachusetts will be active during Museum Ships Weekend from 0000Z June 4 to 2359Z June 5, 2022.

The K1USN  Radio Club station, K1USN, is signed up to participate. According to station trustee “Pi” Pugh, K1RV, “We plan a full scale activation and will be looking for operators on CW, SSB, and FT4/8 as we get closer.”

Two additional museum ship stations plan will be QRV and are looking for operators: the USS Salem, N1SLM;  and the USS Massachusetts [Uncommon Service to Naval Radio], NE1PL.

Contact W1OF <w1of@nsradio.org> for the USS Salem, KB1TEE <kb1tee@verizon.net> for the USS Massachusetts, and K1RV <pi.k1rv@gmail.com> for the K1USN Radio Club.

For full details, visit <https://www.nj2bb.org/museum/>.

K1MJC Fox is “A-Foot,” Waltham MA, May 13, 2022

Mike Cormier, K1MJC, writes on the Waltham ARA list and NEMassFoxHunters list at 4:16 PM on May 13, 2022:

Yes, the K1MJC Fox’s  are  a-foot!

I put it them out  today, Friday.

The fox’s are close to each other somewhere in an area within the City limits of Waltham, MA.

 “School”  is the clue. 

The extra added bonus here is this time, I’ve placed a UHF fox out as well. 

This is an experimental unit, made up of a Arduino  pro mini 3.3 V with a 433 MHz  AM transmitter with very low power. 

It does tend to drift 10 kHz on either side of the stated frequency possibly with battery voltage; and for those of you who have “AM“ capabilities in your handheld, this is an extra added bonus.

Also, I’m not sure how long the battery life will last with the AM Fox so the sooner you hunt it the better ; ( possibly 2days?)

Note: It can be heard on FM, but it is scratchy and noisy. AM reception is the best!

Fox Frequencies are:

VHF 146.565

UHF 433.975 (thereabouts).

(There is only a log with the VHF fox. Nothing with the UHF fox).

As usual, they will be retrieved before Sundown Sunday.

One of The maps on this page would prove useful!

https://walthamlandtrust.org/trail-guides/

Happy hunting!

KB1OIQ 80m Fox Deployed, Westford MA, May 13, 2022

Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes on the  NEMassFoxHunters list at 9:27 AM on May 13, 2022:

The fox is on the loose!

I verified that the signal can be (weakly) heard from the Cider Mill Pond parking area.

It will be out all day today (Friday) and Saturday.

If you are in the neighborhood, feel free to visit my home QTH.  I should be there most of the day today.  My info is good on QRZ.com.

I am willing to tweak your R3500D fox receiver for peak performance by adjusting the capacitor and two transformers.  LMK if you are interested.

Have fun(!) and 73,

Andy

[See also: Interest for an 80m Fox?]

MMRA Fox Box On the Air Near Acton, May 11, 2022

Bob Evans, N1BE, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list on May 11, 2022 at 7:41 PM:

The MMRA Fox Box transmits on 145.63 MHz with a 146.2 Hz PL.

Transmissions repeat approx. every 165 seconds.

The box has been heard in the town of Acton, MA.

I plan to retrieve the Fox on Monday May 16.

Email me directly if you want a hint to help locate the fox.

Happy hunting,
Bob Evans, N1BE

Rare Grid Square Active in Northern NH, FN45, May 13-14, 2022

US Grid Square mapEthan Hansen, KC1OIP, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:

Forwarding this along from the NEDECN group. Might be of interest to those of you chasing grid squares or wanting to test out 6 meters.

For those of you that have VHF or UHF gear on 50/144/432  SSB/CW/Digital (FT8 and MSK144), look for this very rare Grid Square in Northern NH.  Mike (K1MUU) and Matt (KC1OFX) will setup early on FRIDAY and SATURDAY (5/13 and 5/14).

Due to the Weak Signal nature of propagation, they will probably spend most time on WSJT-X mode of FT8, but probably some early morning MSK144 if there are enough rocks falling!
 
MSK144 is on 50.260 and 144.150 MHz
FT8 is on 50.313 and 144.174 MHz
SSB is on 50.130 and 144.200 MHz
 
Some coordination will be available via VHF Slack (Rare Grids) and DMR New England Wide (3181).
 
Beam toward Pittsburg, NH and Listen in!
 
73,
Bill, NE1B

KB1OIQ Fox is On the Loose, Westford, May 8, 2022 (Updated)

Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list on May 10, 2022 at 6:36 AM:

Good morning fox hunters!

I have moved the KB1OIQ 2m fox.  It is still in Cider Mill Pond, but now you should(?) be able to hear the fox from the parking area.  The battery has been replaced and it should be good for the entire day.

Have fun and 73,

Andy

Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list on May 8, 2022 at 10:02 AM:

146.565 FM is the fox frequency.

Go to the Cider Mill Pond conservation area in Westford.

A fox awaits you.  Have fun and good luck!  Cider Mill Pond is a very large
area (100? acres).

I’ll leave it out there for today and Monday.

73,

Andy

Interest for an 80-Meter Foxhunt?

Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list on May 8, 2022:

I have a fox for the 80m band, and I’m wondering who has gear to receive the signal.

It is a real CW signal on the color burst frequency, roughly 3.579 MHz.

One possible receiver is shown here: http://crkits.com/r3500d.jpg

The fox has not been deployed.  I’m just assessing the interest level of such a fox hunt.

73,

Andy

Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net – Saturday 5/7/22 at 1000 AM

John O’Neill-K1JRO writes:

Good evening,

May 7,2022 Saturday, the South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10AM.

We realize that the usual locations for some individuals and groups are still unavailable due to ongoing COVID restrictions.

We encourage everyone who is affected by these restrictions to utilize their home or mobile stations to check into the net.

We will use the following repeaters and NEDECN DMR system in the order listed.

1. W.Bridgewater Repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
3. Plymouth Repeater 146.685 tone 131.8
3. DMR – EMHN Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot 1 on select NEDECN repeaters:
Boston 449.175 CC1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC1, Bourne 145.200 CC10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC11, and Martha’s Vineyard145.180 CC10 repeaters
4. Boston 145.230 tone enc. 88.5 dec (in) / dec (out) 100.0
5. Return to W.Bridgewater Repeater for 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.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.

We extend an invitation to any health care facility, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members to check in during the NET.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.

We hope to hear you Saturday.

John O’ and the SSH group
K1JRO – W1SSH

Cape Ann ARA “Meet Up” at Haskins Park, Rockport, May 29, 2022

CAARA logoCape Ann Amateur Radio Association President Brandon Hockle, NQ1W, writes on the CAARA list:
 
We are going to have a little informal meet up at Hospital Hill aka Haskins Park at the top of Summit Avenue in Rockport, MA during Memorial Day weekend on May 29th. We’ll get up there a little after breakfast and operate until we get bored or the hotdogs are finished. Some hotdogs and burgers will be provided please bring a beverage or water.
 
We hope to use this get together as a bit of a dry run for the upcoming Field Day 2022 event which we hope to have at the same location.
 
There will be radios and grills operating so please join us if you can!
 
Here is the location in Google Maps:
 
Haskins Park
 
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
 
Regards,
Brandon NQ1W