Public Service

Amateur radio public service events

Public Service

Rocky Neck 5K Walk/Run Team Challenge, Gloucester, May 6, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

CAARA logoChris Winczewski, K1TAT writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:

We are looking for operators to staff the Rocky Neck 5K Walk/Run Team Challenge on Sunday, May 6th 10:00 AM.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by Thursday, May 4th so I can plan staffing positions for the event.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use (i.e.: Mobile; HT; ¼-Wave Mag-Mount; OEM Rubber-Duck; etc.) so we have a better idea of where to locate you along the event course per the potential of your equipment.

The 2018 Rocky Neck 5K Run/Walk & Team Challenge takes off from under the banner on the Rocky Neck Causeway adjacent to Rocky Neck Park.  Participants proceeded from Rocky Neck Avenue, turning right onto Eastern Point Road and, from there, turning left onto Grapevine Road.  For 2016 Race, participants turned left  of of Grapevine onto High Popples Road.  They continued on High Popples until it ends at Atlantic Road, where they turned right. Proceeding along Atlantic Road, participants went right onto Farrington Avenue to begin their return to Rocky Neck  via Eastern Point Road.  The Finish Line was positioned just beyond the Causeway, on Rocky Neck Avenue.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

CAARA Public Service Team.

Clubs / Emergency Communications / Public Service

Sturdy ARES Exercise at World War 1 Memorial Park, April 22, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARCMembers of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC ARES group held a drill in World War 1 Memorial Park in North Attleboro on  Sunday, April 22, 2018 at 10:30 AM.  As it coincided with Earth Day, the participants also volunteered to help clean up the park. 

For many years the venue has used by SMH ARC for its annual Field Day event.

(Thanks, sturdyradioclub.org)

Public Service

Westford Apple Blossom Parade Ham Volunteers Needed, May 12, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

PART of Westford logoThe Police Amateur Radio Team of Westford is seeking volunteers for the Apple Blossom Parade Communications Event on Saturday, May 12, 2018. 

“If you’ve never done a public service event, this is a great first time event. We will pair you up with a “veteran” ham so you get the chance to be part of a team,” says Terry Stader, KA8SCP. “Parades are always fun… so why not join us on a Saturday morning, bring the kids and your XYL, bring mom and dad, enjoy.”

The parade starts around 10 AM near the junction of Graniteville Road and Main Street and ending at Abbot School. You will need to be available from 8:30/9:00AM until 11:00AM/noon at the latest. All you need to bring is a 2 meter handheld and some good walking shoes. “We need about a dozen operators for this event.”

If interested, please contact Terry Stader, KA8SCP at ka8scp at wb1gof dot org. 

Emergency Communications / Public Service

Amateurs Provide Communications at Seabrook Graded Exercise, April 4, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

map of Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Planning ZoneAmateurs at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Region One Headquarters in Tewksbury provided communications resources during a recent Seabrook Station Graded Exercise.

“Since 1991, when the Seabrook nuclear power plant first came online, local hams have provided communications resources to the various local and state emergency management agencies,” writes Terry Stader, KA8SCP, Communications Coordinator. “This is a different role than some of the public service events many hams participate in. Our role as communicators is varied from the typical using two way radios to FAX, TTY and telephone switchboard operations. Our regular single-shift operations require five communicators. All operators get cross trained in all communications center operations.”

The event required the Emergency Operations Center staff to be “in the area” but not pre-staged at the Region One EOC. “We were paged via the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Health & Homeland Alert Network System (HHAN).”

Approximately forty people were involved with coordination from state agencies like the Massachusetts State Police, the MA Department of Transportation, MA Department of Public Health, American Red Cross as well as volunteers who act as community liaisons, transportation, emergency medical services, radiological monitoring, technical resources and many other roles in support of the exercise. “Multiple FEMA representatives were present to evaluate/grade us on our ability to respond to the changing scenario at the plant and elsewhere,” added Stader. The event lasted six hours from the initial callout to exercise termination.

Various Massachusetts and New Hampshire towns and cities in the Emergency Planning Zone participated in the April 4 exercise. Massachusetts communities included: Amesbury, Merrimack, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury, and West Newbury.

Although Amateur Radio was not used for this particular exercise, KA8SCP explained they are required to review how ham radio could be used. “We have the capabilities to operate from 75 meters through 440 MHz.”

Participants at MEMA Region One Headquarters in Tewksbury included: Communications Officer Charles Suprin, AA1VS; radio operators Dave Welsh, WI1R; Rich Cuti, N1HY; Bob Snyder, W1RS and Communications Coordinator Terry Stader, KA8SCP.  

Thanks, Terry Stader, KA8SCP and PART of Westford PARTicles, April 2018

Photos courtesy Terry Stader, KA8SCP

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[Show slideshow]
Emergency Communications / Public Service

Storm & Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message #3 – Sunday Evening April 15th 2018-Monday April 16th 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

..Winter to be felt through early Monday Morning followed by heavy rain and strong winds with isolated thunderstorms for Patriots Day/Marathon Monday. This is a combined Storm & Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message and these will continue to be combined through potentially Monday Morning..
..A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through 8 AM Monday for Franklin, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for up to 0.20″ radial ice accumulations and result in slippery road conditions. If 0.20″ or more of icing occurs, isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages may develop..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 2 AM Monday Morning for Central and Southeast Middlesex, Essex, and Southern Worcester Counties of Massachusetts for light icing and accumulations up to 0.10″ inches and slippery road conditions..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 2 AM Monday Morning for Northern Connecticut, Eastern Hampden and Eastern Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts for up to 0.10″ radial ice and slippery road conditions..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 2 AM Monday Morning for Northwest Providence and Western Kent Counties of Rhode Island for a trace of radial ice accumulation and slippery road conditions..
..Patriots Day/Marathon Monday will have widespread rainfall with the heaviest rainfall during the late morning to early evening timeframe. Strong wind gusts of 30-45 MPH are possible across interior Southern New England with wind gusts of 45-50 MPH possible in Southeast New England. Isolated thunderstorms and lightning are also possible. This is detailed in the Boston Marathon Weather portion of this coordination message. Also, a coastal flood advisory is now in effect for Eastern Essex County Massachusetts from 10 AM-2 PM for Eastern Essex County for minor flooding of coastal shore roads at the time of high tide cycle..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the icing conditions Sunday into early Monday Morning. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence at 600 AM Monday for the storm on Marathon Monday lasting through 600 PM Monday Evening..

The light icing conditions for late tonight through early Monday Morning are covered in the headlines of this coordination message. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the icing conditions Sunday into early Monday Morning. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:

NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

The second part of this message is a special announcement – Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message as issued in prior years:

While this may be a bit off topic for some SKYWARN Spotters, Amateur Radio Operators and Red Cross volunteers, many of which are SKYWARN Spotters, will be involved in the Boston Marathon on Monday April 16th. To reach out to the highest level of Amateur Radio Operators involved in the event, this coordination message is being sent out to the SKYWARN email list and posted to the various Amateur Radio lists. We appreciate everyone’s patience with this message. This is a joint message between the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)-SKYWARN program at NWS Boston/Norton and Eastern Massachusetts ARES. Due to the storm conditions and the fact some level of SKYWARN Activation will occur, messages will occur through at least Sunday Evening on the storm event.

Eastern Massachusetts ARES members not participating in the Boston Marathon are requested to be on standby for marathon activities on Monday April 16th from 6 AM-7 PM for any significant issues outside of the Boston Marathon that may require Amateur Radio Emergency Communications support and for any unexpected issues on the Boston Marathon route. With over 280 Amateur Radio Operators staffing the Boston Marathon route, the start line and the finish line, if an issue arises needing Amateur Radio support outside of the Marathon route or an unexpected issue arises in marathon operations, it is important that any ARES members not involved in the marathon can help with any response that is required. The Amateur Radio Station at the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, WX1BOX, will be active on Monday April 16th for the Boston Marathon to provide weather support to the Amateur Radio community participating in the marathon and to gather any weather reports of significance during the marathon. This station will also be used to coordinate any ARES response to any significant incidents regarding Amateur Radio support outside of the marathon zone including any incidents that need to be provided to the State EOC for situational awareness information.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) at the SEOC (State Emergency Operations Center) will be active for the Boston Marathon. Amateur Radio Operators will be at the SEOC to support Amateur Radio communications and will be on the air under call sign, WC1MA, while many agencies will be there performing primary operations for the marathon.

The weather outlook is definitely less than ideal for volunteers and is also not ideal for runners though not as significant as a warm weather event would be for the runners. Rain will be widespread across the marathon route in the morning hours and the heaviest rain is expected in the late morning through early evening. This may result some poor and drainage street flooding in the region. Rainfall will be in a 1-2″ range with isolated higher amounts to 2.5″ possible. Strong winds are also possible with wind gusts in the 30-45 MPH range in the interior with the highest gusts as you get closer to the Metro Boston areas. Isolated higher wind gusts are possible in hilly interior areas and potentially in East and South Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This could result in isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages. An isolated thunderstorm or two with attendant lightning risk is also possible but exact locations and whether they would occur on the marathon route are difficult to determine. It is notable that thundersleet were reported in a few areas Sunday Evening in Western Massachusetts. All runners, volunteers and spectators should monitor future weather forecasts and should prepare accordingly for these conditions. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence at 600 AM Monday for the storm on Marathon Monday lasting through 600 PM Monday Evening. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Coastal Flood Advisory Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and snow and ice maps:

NWS Boston/Norton Coastal Flood Advisory Statement:

http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.whus41.KBOX.html

NWS Boston/Norton Hazardous Weather Outlook:

http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.html

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/box/ehwo

NWS Boston/Norton Snow/Ice Maps:
https://www.weather.gov/box/winter

From a SKYWARN perspective, the 146.64-Waltham Repeater and 145.23-Boston Repeater are being utilized for Marathon operations. From an ARES perspective, the Minutemen Repeater Association Repeater Network is being utilized for marathon operations. Please review the SKYWARN Frequency listing for your closest alternate repeater from a SKYWARN or ARES perspective.
http://www.wx1box.org/node/37

For Amateur Radio, Red Cross and all other volunteers along the route, it is recommended that you dress in layers for this event so that you can put on or take off clothes as needed for comfort. Rain gear is a must either with a clear poncho or a rain coat where you can still display appropriate credentials outside of the raincoat. Be sure to drink liquids and eat properly during the event and that you are self-sufficient so that you can be of full help to the function and not distract everyone from the main purpose of supporting the runners by having a health issue on your end that can be avoided. For volunteers, the BAA has sent around via email weather safety tips and suggestions on clothing and other safety tips.

For those people that are planning to go to the Boston Marathon as spectators, the following link details guidelines for spectators for the 2018 Boston Marathon:
http://www.wx1box.org/local/2018_Marathon_Spectator_Guidelines_Final.pdf

Another coordination message will be posted Monday Morning if time allows and a significant upgrade to the situation occurs otherwise this will be the last Storm and Boston Marathon weather coordination message for this event. We appreciate everyone’s support in this event and hope those that volunteer enjoy themselves and feel the self-satisfaction of supporting this historic event and those that are monitoring the Marathon or events outside of the Marathon realize that the monitoring is an important function as well and is a testament to being able to scale other incidents beyond the marathon if required. Thanks to all for their support!

Respectfully Submitted,

Marek Kozubal
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Email Address: kb1ncg@gmail.com

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Assistant 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

 

Emergency Communications / Public Service

Storm & Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message #2 – Sunday April 15th 2018-Monday April 16th 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

..Coordination Message updated for Winter Weather headlines. No changes to current thinking for Marathon Monday. Updates on Marathon Monday Forecast will be posted in the evening coordination message update..
..Winter to be felt through early Monday Morning followed by heavy rain and strong winds for Patriots Day/Marathon Monday. This is a combined Storm & Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message and these will continue to be combined through Sunday Evening/Monday Morning..
..A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through 8 AM Monday for Franklin, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for up to 0.20″ radial ice accumulations and result in slippery road conditions. If 0.20″ or more of icing occurs, isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages may develop..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 2 AM Monday Morning for Central and Southeast Middlesex, Essex, and Southern Worcester Counties of Massachusetts for light icing and accumulations up to 0.10″ inches and slippery road conditions..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 2 AM Monday Morning for Northern Connecticut, Eastern Hampden and Eastern Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts for up to 0.10″ radial ice and slippery road conditions..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 9 PM Sunday Evening for Providence and Kent Counties of Rhode Island, Norfolk, Suffolk and Northern Bristol Counties of Rhode Island for a trace of radial ice accumulation and slippery road conditions..
..Patriots Day/Marathon Monday will have widespread rainfall with the heaviest rainfall during the late morning to early evening timeframe. Strong wind gusts of 30-45 MPH are possible across interior Southern New England with wind gusts of 45-50 MPH possible in Southeast New England. Isolated thunderstorms and lightning are also possible. This is detailed in the Boston Marathon Weather portion of this coordination message..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the icing conditions Sunday into early Monday Morning. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence at 600 AM Monday for the storm on Marathon Monday lasting through 600 PM Monday Evening..

The light icing conditions for late tonight through early Monday Morning are covered in the headlines of this coordination message. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the icing conditions Sunday into early Monday Morning. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:

NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

The second part of this message is a special announcement – Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message as issued in prior years:

While this may be a bit off topic for some SKYWARN Spotters, Amateur Radio Operators and Red Cross volunteers, many of which are SKYWARN Spotters, will be involved in the Boston Marathon on Monday April 16th. To reach out to the highest level of Amateur Radio Operators involved in the event, this coordination message is being sent out to the SKYWARN email list and posted to the various Amateur Radio lists. We appreciate everyone’s patience with this message. This is a joint message between the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)-SKYWARN program at NWS Boston/Norton and Eastern Massachusetts ARES. Due to the storm conditions and the fact some level of SKYWARN Activation will occur, messages will occur through at least Sunday Evening on the storm event.

Eastern Massachusetts ARES members not participating in the Boston Marathon are requested to be on standby for marathon activities on Monday April 16th from 6 AM-7 PM for any significant issues outside of the Boston Marathon that may require Amateur Radio Emergency Communications support and for any unexpected issues on the Boston Marathon route. With over 280 Amateur Radio Operators staffing the Boston Marathon route, the start line and the finish line, if an issue arises needing Amateur Radio support outside of the Marathon route or an unexpected issue arises in marathon operations, it is important that any ARES members not involved in the marathon can help with any response that is required. The Amateur Radio Station at the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, WX1BOX, will be active on Monday April 16th for the Boston Marathon to provide weather support to the Amateur Radio community participating in the marathon and to gather any weather reports of significance during the marathon. This station will also be used to coordinate any ARES response to any significant incidents regarding Amateur Radio support outside of the marathon zone including any incidents that need to be provided to the State EOC for situational awareness information.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) at the SEOC (State Emergency Operations Center) will be active for the Boston Marathon. Amateur Radio Operators will be at the SEOC to support Amateur Radio communications and will be on the air under call sign, WC1MA, while many agencies will be there performing primary operations for the marathon.

The weather outlook is definitely less than ideal for volunteers and is also not ideal for runners though not as significant as a warm weather event would be for the runners. Rain will be widespread across the marathon route in the morning hours and the heaviest rain is expected in the late morning through early evening. This may result some poor and drainage street flooding in the region. Strong winds are also possible with wind gusts in the 30-45 MPH range in the interior with the highest gusts as you get closer to the Metro Boston areas. Areas of Southeast New England will have wind gusts to 45-50 MPH and this may result in Wind Advisories as we get closer to the event. This could result in isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages. An isolated thunderstorm or two with attendant lightning risk is also possible but exact locations and whether they would occur on the marathon route are difficult to determine. All runners, volunteers and spectators should monitor future weather forecasts and should prepare accordingly for these conditions. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence at 600 AM Monday for the storm on Marathon Monday lasting through 600 PM Monday Evening.

From a SKYWARN perspective, the 146.64-Waltham Repeater and 145.23-Boston Repeater are being utilized for Marathon operations. From an ARES perspective, the Minutemen Repeater Association Repeater Network is being utilized for marathon operations. Please review the SKYWARN Frequency listing for your closest alternate repeater from a SKYWARN or ARES perspective.
http://www.wx1box.org/node/37

For Amateur Radio, Red Cross and all other volunteers along the route, it is recommended that you dress in layers for this event so that you can put on or take off clothes as needed for comfort. Rain gear is a must either with a clear poncho or a rain coat where you can still display appropriate credentials outside of the raincoat. Be sure to drink liquids and eat properly during the event and that you are self-sufficient so that you can be of full help to the function and not distract everyone from the main purpose of supporting the runners by having a health issue on your end that can be avoided. For volunteers, the BAA has sent around via email weather safety tips and suggestions on clothing and other safety tips.

For those people that are planning to go to the Boston Marathon as spectators, the following link details guidelines for spectators for the 2018 Boston Marathon:
http://www.wx1box.org/local/2018_Marathon_Spectator_Guidelines_Final.pdf

Another coordination message will be posted by 1100 PM Sunday Evening. We appreciate everyone’s support in this event and hope those that volunteer enjoy themselves and feel the self-satisfaction of supporting this historic event and those that are monitoring the Marathon or events outside of the Marathon realize that the monitoring is an important function as well and is a testament to being able to scale other incidents beyond the marathon if required. Thanks to all for their support!

Respectfully Submitted,

Marek Kozubal
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Email Address: kb1ncg@gmail.com

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Assistant 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

Public Service

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day Report, 14 April 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Eric Williams, KV1J writes on the Algonquin ARC list:

We had perfect weather today and great support for another successful joint Hudson-Marlborough Household Hazardous Waste Collection day!   Everything went smoothly with the usual rush in the beginning that stayed at a steady flow for the first 3 hours.  The total was 432 cars, 33 more than last Fall’s event.  Marlborough had 246 vehicles and Hudson had 186. We used the new Kenwood UHF portables.  We share the frequency with a regional public service communications in Worcester county.  We could also hear their communications and they were also conducting a Hazardous Waste Collection day so it made it interesting.  I’ll see if I can add a PL tone squelch to the radio programming to eliminate that in the future.

We were under the able leadership of Ted Scott, Marlborough DPW. Thanks to the following volunteers from the Algonquin Amateur Radio Club and the Marlborough Emergency Management Team:

Charlie Regan
Ann Weldon KA1PON
Frank  McInnis K1IX
Tim  Ikeda KA1OS
Rich Landau W1IBN
James Houston AB1YQ
Joe  Reynolds KA1GDQ
Eric Williams KV1J

Also thanks to Kelli Calo and Eddie St Louis from the Hudson Heath Department and  Bill Dunbar from the Marlborough Conservation Commission.

Thank You,
Eric Williams
Communications Officer – Marlborough EMA 

Emergency Communications / Public Service

ARES & SKYWARN Prepare for the 2018 Boston Marathon

- by KB1NCG - Leave a Comment

SKYWARN link: http://www.wx1box.org/node/4071
EMA ARRL link: https://ema.arrl.org/2018/04/14/marathon-2018-1/

Hello to all…

..Winter to be felt late tonight through early Monday Morning followed by heavy rain and strong winds for Patriots Day/Marathon Monday. This is a combined Storm & Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message and these will continue to be combined through Sunday Evening/Monday Morning..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 8 AM Monday for Franklin, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for up to 0.20″ radial ice accumulations and result in slippery road conditions. If 0.20″ or more of icing occurs, isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages may develop..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 4 AM Sunday Morning to 8 PM Sunday Evening for Central Middlesex, Western Essex, and Southern Worcester Counties of Massachusetts  for light icing and accumulations up to 0.10″ inches and slippery road conditions..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 6 AM Sunday Morning to 8 PM Sunday Evening for Northern Connecticut, Eastern Hampden and Eastern Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts for a light glaze of ice and slippery road conditions..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 6 AM Sunday Morning to 5 PM Sunday Evening for Providence and Kent Counties of Rhode Island, Norfolk, Suffolk and Northern Bristol Counties of Rhode Island for a trace of radial ice accumulation and slippery road conditions..
..Patriots Day/Marathon Monday will have widespread rainfall with the heaviest rainfall during the late morning to early evening timeframe. Strong wind gusts of 30-45 MPH are possible across interior Southern New England with wind gusts of 45-50 MPH possible in Southeast New England. Isolated thunderstorms and lightning are also possible. This is detailed in the Boston Marathon Weather portion of this coordination message..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the icing conditions Sunday into early Monday Morning. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence at 600 AM Monday for the storm on Marathon Monday lasting through 600 PM Monday Evening..

The light icing conditions for late tonight through early Monday Morning are covered in the headlines of this coordination message. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the icing conditions Sunday into early Monday Morning. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:

NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

The second part of this message is a special announcement – Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message as issued in prior years:

While this may be a bit off topic for some SKYWARN Spotters, Amateur Radio Operators and Red Cross volunteers, many of which are SKYWARN Spotters, will be involved in the Boston Marathon on Monday April 16th. To reach out to the highest level of Amateur Radio Operators involved in the event, this coordination message is being sent out to the SKYWARN email list and posted to the various Amateur Radio lists. We appreciate everyone’s patience with this message. This is a joint message between the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)-SKYWARN program at NWS Boston/Norton and Eastern Massachusetts ARES. Due to the storm conditions and the fact some level of SKYWARN Activation will occur, messages will occur through at least Sunday Evening on the storm event.

Eastern Massachusetts ARES members not participating in the Boston Marathon are requested to be on standby for marathon activities on Monday April 16th from 6 AM-7 PM for any significant issues outside of the Boston Marathon that may require Amateur Radio Emergency Communications support and for any unexpected issues on the Boston Marathon route. With over 280 Amateur Radio Operators staffing the Boston Marathon route, the start line and the finish line, if an issue arises needing Amateur Radio support outside of the Marathon route or an unexpected issue arises in marathon operations, it is important that any ARES members not involved in the marathon can help with any response that is required. The Amateur Radio Station at the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, WX1BOX, will be active on Monday April 16th for the Boston Marathon to provide weather support to the Amateur Radio community participating in the marathon and to gather any weather reports of significance during the marathon. This station will also be used to coordinate any ARES response to any significant incidents regarding Amateur Radio support outside of the marathon zone including any incidents that need to be provided to the State EOC for situational awareness information.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) at the SEOC (State Emergency Operations Center) will be active for the Boston Marathon. Amateur Radio Operators will be at the SEOC to support Amateur Radio communications and will be on the air under call sign, WC1MA, while many agencies will be there performing primary operations for the marathon.

The weather outlook is definitely less than ideal for volunteers and is also not ideal for runners though not as significant as a warm weather event would be for the runners. Rain will be widespread across the marathon route in the morning hours and the heaviest rain is expected in the late morning through early evening. This may result some poor and drainage street flooding in the region. Strong winds are also possible with wind gusts in the 30-45 MPH range in the interior with the highest gusts as you get closer to the Metro Boston areas. Areas of Southeast New England will have wind gusts to 45-50 MPH and this may result in Wind Advisories as we get closer to the event. This could result in isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages. An isolated thunderstorm or two with attendant lightning risk is also possible but exact locations and whether they would occur on the marathon route are difficult to determine. All runners, volunteers and spectators should monitor future weather forecasts and should prepare accordingly for these conditions. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence at 600 AM Monday for the storm on Marathon Monday lasting through 600 PM Monday Evening.

From a SKYWARN perspective, the 146.64-Waltham Repeater and 145.23-Boston Repeater are being utilized for Marathon operations. From an ARES perspective, the Minutemen Repeater Association Repeater Network is being utilized for marathon operations. Please review the SKYWARN Frequency listing for your closest alternate repeater from a SKYWARN or ARES perspective.
http://www.wx1box.org/node/37

For Amateur Radio, Red Cross and all other volunteers along the route, it is recommended that you dress in layers for this event so that you can put on or take off clothes as needed for comfort. Rain gear is a must either with a clear poncho or a rain coat where you can still display appropriate credentials outside of the raincoat. Be sure to drink liquids and eat properly during the event and that you are self-sufficient so that you can be of full help to the function and not distract everyone from the main purpose of supporting the runners by having a health issue on your end that can be avoided. For volunteers, the BAA has sent around via email weather safety tips and suggestions on clothing and other safety tips.

For those people that are planning to go to the Boston Marathon as spectators, the following link details guidelines for spectators for the 2018 Boston Marathon:
http://www.wx1box.org/local/2018_Marathon_Spectator_Guidelines_Final.pdf

Another coordination message will be posted by 1100 AM Sunday Morning. We appreciate everyone’s support in this event and hope those that volunteer enjoy themselves and feel the self-satisfaction of supporting this historic event and those that are monitoring the Marathon or events outside of the Marathon realize that the monitoring is an important function as well and is a testament to being able to scale other incidents beyond the marathon if required. Thanks to all for their support!

Respectfully Submitted,

Marek Kozubal
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Email Address: kb1ncg@gmail.com

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Assistant 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

Clubs / Public Service

Amateur Radio Operators Needed: Groton Road Race, April 29, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Ralph Swick, KD1SM writes:

April 29 will be the 27th running of [the Groton Road Race] and the race committee is again asking the Amateur Radio community to provide the logistics and safety communications for this high-profile event.

The Groton Road Race continues to be a major event for Amateur Radio in North Central Massachusetts. Those of you who have joined us in the past years know that the runners sincerely appreciate our presence. Many say so as they run past. This event is so large that Police Departments from several other communities come to assist the Groton PD. Part of our role is to provide the communications from the Groton Police to these out-of-town officers who come to help with this event.

Contributing to the public good is one of the reasons Amateur Radio exists. Our public service events are a key opportunity for us to show our colors, volunteer our skills and equipment, and demonstrate why it is in the public’s interest to continue to allocate precious RF spectrum to our the Amateur Radio Service. The Groton Road Race is a low-stress event and a great way to gain more experience with the public service aspect of amateur radio. Please consider joining us on the 29th.

If you are interested in helping at these events but unsure of what is expected of you or what equipment you may need, please do not hesitate to ask me, Stan KD1LE, or John KK1X.

The Squannacook River Runners and the Groton Police Department repeatedly praise and express their appreciation for your assistance in providing communications for this event. I do hope you will be able to join us this year; please let me know.

More info at https://www.n1nc.org/Events/2017/GRR/. Contact Ralph at ralph(at)kd1sm.net if you’re interested in volunteering.

Clubs / Emergency Communications / Public Service

Plymouth Repeater PL Tone Change

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Genesis ARS logoJohn O’ Neill, K1JRO writes on the South Shore Hospital ARC list:

The Genesis Amateur Radio Society‘s repeater, N1ZIZ, has a new PL tone as of April 1, 2018 . The PL has been changed  from 82.5 to 131.8 CTCS.

It is recommended you change both encode/decode on all your radios since the repeater is transmitting both analog FM and digital FM. This will help listeners to avoid hearing the noise digital operation produces on the analog side.

Short story: change your PL associated with 146.685 the N1ZIZ repeater to 131.8 CTCS post haste.

Please note the Eastern MA Hospital Net will continue to use analog communications.

Public Service

Wellesley Veteran’s Parade Assistance Requested, May 20, 2018

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Carl Nelson writes:

As in the past, I am a volunteer for the veterans parade in Wellesley and I am looking for radio communications help with the veterans parade.

The Wellesley Veterans Parade will be held on Sunday, May 20 and we hope you will be able to help.

This year — due to a generous donation by an individual — each radio personnel will be given a small stipend of $50 to cover their parade day expenses such as gas, mileage and any equipment maintenance.

The time commitment is: 11 AM to 3 PM on Sunday, May 20 in Wellesley.

We meet at 11 AM at the Wellesley Community Center at 219 Washington Street.

The duties are to get the 125 units in order.  The units arrive at Noon and they are told prior to arrival to go to a specific street and location.  We need to check off that the unit has arrived and that it is in the proper location.  Then we need to start the parade at 1 PM and key the units in order down the street.

A radio communications plan has been developed.

Are you able to help?

Please let me know either way if you can join us.   Thank you for your service and help to our veterans.

In service,

Carl Nelson
Wellesley Celebrations Committee
Tel: 781-929-9095

Public Service

Run of the Charles Assistance Requested, April 29, 2018

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Brett Smith, AB1RL writes:

The Run of the Charles is one of the most unique public service events for hams each year. It’s a series of canoe and kayak races for all different group sizes and course lengths. The variety draws all kinds of participants, and they all rely on us to help keep the event running safely and smoothly.

This year’s Run of the Charles is on Sunday, April 29. The full 26-mile course runs from Riverdale Park in Dedham down to Artesani Park in Brighton. Assignment check-in times vary by location, from 7:00 AM at far start points to 10:00 AM at portages near the finish. Since the CRWA relies on hams for all kinds of logistics, from on-site check-ins to rules infractions, there’s a position for volunteers at any experience level.

Volunteers for this event must have a dual-band (2m and 70cm) handheld radio and an antenna with improved gain over the stock rubber duck. These are necessary because many volunteer sites are low-lying areas where it can be a challenge to reach repeaters. If you can help, please write back with the following information:

  • Your name and call sign
  • Phone numbers where you can be reached (cell, home, office)
  • Details of the equipment you’re willing to bring. Start sites that accept new registrations could benefit from a small field setup—think 10W+ and an antenna like a magmount or better. If you can bring that, please let me know.
  • Your shirt size
  • Do you have any needs or requests we should consider when making your assignment?

If you have questions about the event, please get in touch by e-mail or phone (859) 466 5915.

Thank you, and 73,

Brett Smith, AB1RL
Public Service Coordinator,
Boston Amateur Radio Club

 

Clubs / Public Service

Household Hazardous Material Collection Day, April 14

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AARC logoEric Williams, KV1J writes on the Algonquin ARC list:

In two weeks we will be supporting the semi-annual Household Hazardous
Collections Day.  This is a joint Hudson and Marlborough event.
See –
https://www.marlborough-ma.gov/rubbishrecycling/files/household-hazardous-waste-collection-day

We need about 10 volunteers to help support the event.  Our support is a
joint Radio Club and Emergency Management Team effort.  We will be using the
Emergency Management UHF portables (new for this year).  So  open to all to
use the radios.  For those with a ham license, please bring a UHF walkie on
the N1EM repeater output-simplex frequency if you have one.  This will be as
a backup.

The event is open to residents from 9 AM to 1 PM and we start at 8 AM to
setup and handle the early bird customers.  Good to be there right at 8 AM
since the customers start lining up soon after that.   Same place as before
– the Marlborough Easterly Treatment Plant, 860 Boston Post Rd East.  This
is RT 20, behind the Half Way Café, not far from Home Depot.  When you go
down the access road, go past the scale, staying straight, and park near the
cell tower.

Please let me know if you can help out.  So far I have: Ann, KA1PON; Joe,
KA1GDQ; Rich, W1IBN; Frank, K1 IX, and myself.

Thank you in advance and Happy Holiday.

Emergency Communications / Public Service

Eastern MA Hospital Net Invites New NCSes

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John O’Neill, K1JRO writes:

The April 7,2018 Eastern MA Hospital Net is approaching. We are seeking groups and organizations to take a turn at Net Control duties. If you are interested in trying your hand as Net Control please let us know. Our goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many groups as possible.

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’ll also send you a copy of our net preamble if you desire which you may modify for your own use.

—

Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)
Belmont 145.430 tone 146.2
Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0
Fall River 146.805. tone 67.0
Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9
Mansfield EMA  446.925 tone 100.0
Mansfield 147.015 tone 67.0
Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0
Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
Plymouth 146.685 tone 82.5
Salem 146.88 tone 118.8
Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
W. Bridgewater 146.775 dpl 244
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

Emergency Communications / Public Service

NWS Forecast Office, WX1BOX Move to Norton Complete

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SKYWARN logoRob Macedo, KD1CY writes on SKYWARN_Announce:

The National Weather Service Forecast Office has now moved to its new facility in Norton Massachusetts and has been renamed to the National Weather Service Forecast office Boston/Norton. A Public Information Statement and a few photos of the facility can be seen at the following link:

https://www.weather.gov/box/moveday

The Amateur Radio Station at the new weather office will be brought online likely over the next couple of weeks as there are still a few important communications issues that are still in the process of being resolved for NWS operations and they will take priority. Once those are resolved, the Amateur Radio Station will be brought online. On the nearest weekend or weeknight that work is completed, we will hold a communications test of the Amateur Radio equipment to test out the station.

It is very important to note that WX1BOX, the Amateur Radio station at NWS Boston/Norton, will feature all new Amateur Radios and antennas. The Eastern Region and national headquarters of NWS made it a point to get the new facility and our station, all new Amateur Radio equipment, as a thanks and in recognition to ongoing efforts to support the NWS Forecast Office during times of severe weather and understanding the high utilization that it has due to the dedicated volunteers that man the station and the thousands of Amateur Radio and non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters who report in during severe weather. This could not be done without your continued support.

We have renamed our WX1BOX Twitter to the Boston/Norton name and the Facebook name change to Boston/Norton is pending approval. We will also make appropriate changes to the static pages on the wx1box.org web site.

We will send out another special announcement when the new Amateur Radio station at the NWS Boston/Norton facility is on air. Thanks to all for their continued support of the now NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN program and thanks to the city of Taunton for their support over the last 25+ years.

Clubs / Emergency Communications / Public Service

Barnstable ARC Members Provided EmComm At Shelters

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Barnstable ARC logoBarnstable Amateur Radio Club members were active with the Cape and Islands ARES call-up.  “They were the primary operators at the Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwich,  and the Barnstable Intermediate School in Barnstable,” reports Barnstable ARC president Mark Petruzzi, WA1EXA. Both of the locations were opened to shelter individuals affected by the nor’easters that struck Cape Cod. The BARC members provided 90 hours of communication services during the storms.

Clubs / Emergency Communications / Public Service

Cape Ann ARA: “Go Kits” Open House, March 20, 2018

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CAARA logoGardner H. Winchester II, KA1BTK writes on CAARA list:

“Please join us at [the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association] for Tuesday evening’s Open House, 4:00 – 9:00 PM or any time in between!

This week, we want to try something new.  We’re going to try to run a bit of an info session.  The topic will be Amateur Radio “Go-Bags” for emergency and public service operations.  Several members have assembled Go-Bags and Go-Kits and we would like to see what you have and share your thoughts.”

The Cape Ann ARA club station is located at 6 Stanwood Street, in Gloucester Massachusetts, Tel. # 978-282-7645. They operate the 2-meter W1GLO repeater on 145.130  MHz (– input,  with a 107.2 PL tone) 

Public Service

MS Walk Ham Volunteers Sought, April 8, 2018

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Brett Smith, AB1RL writes:

Throughout the year, the National MS Society organizes walks to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research and patient advocacy. The Boston-area walks have long relied on hams to help ensure everyone’s safety.

This year’s MS Walk Boston is on Sunday, April 8th. It starts and ends at Boston University’s Nickerson Field in Boston, and runs along the Commonwealth Ave and Charles River. Volunteers will check in at 8:00 AM, and stay until the early afternoon. Lunch is available at the finish.

Rick Savage, KB1LYJ, is organizing the hams for this event. To volunteer, please write him with the following information:

  • Your call sign, full name, and name you prefer on the air
  • Contact information: your e-mail address and phone numbers where you can be reached (cell, home, office)
  • Your shirt size
  • The transmit band(s) of your radio(s), and other equipment you could bring
  • Do you have any needs or requests we should consider when making your assignment?

In addition to contacting Rick all volunteers must register online. This is a requirement of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Rick can also answer any questions you have about the event.

Thanks for volunteering, and 73,

—
Brett Smith, AB1RL
Public Service Coordinator, Boston Amateur Radio Club

 

Licensing Education & Training / Public Service

SKYWARN Training Session in Braintree, April 24, 2018

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SKYWARN logoThe National Weather Service office in Taunton is offering a SKYWARN training session on Tuesday, April 24th, 2018 from 7:00-9:00 PM at the Braintree Police Department, 282 Union Street in Braintree. Registration is required.

For additional training sessions, see http://wx1box.org/2018/04/20/special-announcement-2018-nws-boston-norton-skywarn-training-class-schedule/.