Public Service

Amateur radio public service events

Public Service

Massachusetts General Hospital HAZMAT Exercise Seeks Volunteer “Victims,” November 14, 2019

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John O’Neill, K1JRO, President, South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group writes:

On November 14, Massachusetts General Hospital will host a HAZMAT Full-Scale training exercise from 5:30am to 9:30am.  MGH is seeking volunteers from outside the MGH community to act as victims for the exercise.  The MGH contact for the exercise is Stefanie Lane. If you are interested in volunteering please contact her at slane18@mgh.harvard.edu.

If you have never participated in a Full-Scale drill this is valuable experience. 

Attached are two documents. One explaining the exercise and volunteer information, the other a Volunteer Waiver:

 

Volunteer Services Victim Letter current

Release form Volunteers Hazmat Exercise_FINAL (1)

Public Service

Cape Cod Amateurs Provide Communications for the 2019 Cape Cod Marathon in Falmouth

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Amateur radio well-advertised. KB1TLR photo

Approximately 30 Cape Cod amateurs provided communications  for the annual Cape Cod Marathon and Half Marathon in Falmouth on October 26-27, 2019. The premiere event is limited to 1,200 participants and serves as a qualifying race for the BAA Boston Marathon.

“The weather was excellent for running on Saturday, but a completely different story for the full marathon on Sunday,” writes Falmouth Amateur Radio Association President and Communications Coordinator Barry Hutchinson, KB1TLR. “With strong winds and heavy rains along Falmouth’s coastline both runners and radio operators were put to the test.”

Hutchinson reports that “banners for [the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club], FARA along with the new ARRL radio communications banner were all displayed along the finish line gates. “This created many positive comments about amateur radio.”

Amateur radio volunteers kept race officials abreast of runners who dropped out, allowing them to be picked up by the  “Tired Runner Vans” or transferred to the medical tent. KB1TLR received praise from the Marathon staff which he passed it along to his team. “It was an excellent team to work with.”

Cape Cod Marathon Net Control operators. K1CB photo
Emergency Communications / Public Service

Eastern MA Hospital Net, November 2, 2019

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John O’Neill, K1JRO, writes:

Good Morning Everyone,

Net Control for the November 2, 2019 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be Allan Cox K1VQ from the Mansfield Emergency Management Agency.

The net will commence at the usual time of 10:00 AM using the following repeaters / frequencies in the order listed: 

  1. Sharon 146.865 Mhz tone 103.5
  2. Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
  3. Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0
  4. Simplex 147.42 Mhz

The Net will then return to the Sharon Repeater for final comments and Net closing.

NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check-in procedure which is:   Here is.., 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 or EOC of any city or town that is served by one of the participating hospitals to join the Net. We also extend an invitation to any RACES or ARES member 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 joining the group please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com. 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 the monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event. The following list of repeaters is available for our use. Only a few systems are used each month with the selection of those used made by Net Control for that month.  More systems are being added to the list on a regular basis.

Repeaters

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 131.8
Salem 146.88 tone 118.8        
Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5    
Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
West Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

We look forward to hearing from you all on the Net.

Respectfully,

John O’Neill – K1JRO 

—

South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group – W1SSH
55 Fogg Road, Box 42
South Weymouth, MA 02190

Public Service

YuKanRun Ocean View 5K and Half Marathon, Ipswich, November 3, 2019

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Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA list:

CAARA has a great public service team. Come out and have some fun with us.

You are using amateur radio to provide a needed public service to ensure the safety and smooth running of a public event in local communities.

I would, but I do not have a radio. No excuse, we have loaner radio’s available with a mag mount that will work in your car just by just plugging it into the cigarette lighter socket. We have loaner hand held radios as well!

I don’t have transportation. No excuse, we will pick you up and drop you off at your house. I do not have the time to spare for a whole race. Well, you can commit to a time slot, for just two hours. We will bend over backwards to get you to participate.

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Ocean View 5K & Half Marathon on Thursday, November 3rd in Ipswich. Please be on location at your Check Point by 8:00 for a 8:30 AM start. Start, finish at Ipswich High School, 134 High Street, Ipswich, MA 01938.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by November 2nd so I can plan staffing positions for the event.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use ( mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; 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 course will be open and supported by CAARA  for four hours. Runner safety is everyone’s top priority.  Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

 

 

Public Service

Norton Halloween Parade, October 27, 2019

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Ray Cord, K2TGX, writes on the Study Memorial Hospital ARC mailing list:

A sincere thank you from Sharon, Norton Parks & Recreation Director, for a job well done under adverse weather conditions. While it is still fresh in your mind, can you please forward me any comments you may have as to what worked, what didn’t work and suggestions for next year. Thanks to everyone especially to Rick for his job as Command and to Will who had to take all the abuse from drivers who thought they were special and the detour shouldn’t apply to them!!

Now on to the next parade… North Attleborough DANA Santa Parade the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Ray

Public Service

Request for Operators, YuKanRun Around Cape Ann Half-Marathon, October 20, 2019

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Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT, <K1TAT@outlook.com> writes:

YuKanRun Around Cape Ann Half Marathon on October 20th.

CAARA has a great public service team. We have loaner radios if you need one. Come out and join the event. Just contact us and we will set you up with a radio.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event  so I can plan staffing positions for the event.

While CAARA’s repeater performance has greatly improved the we may still experience some difficulty with communications especially with low-powered HTs, so we’ll be looking for higher powered equipment to staff those areas.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use (mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; 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 course will be open and supported by CAARA for four hours. Runner safety is everyone’s top priority.  Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help. Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help

Thank you in advance for your participation!

YuKanRun Around Cape Ann Communications Team.  
Gloucester, Mass  
Last Updated: 10/11/2019 9:02 AM  
Event date: Sunday, October,20, 2019  
On Location: 8:30 AM  
Starts: Half Marathon Run = 9:00 AM  
Freq: W1GLO Repeater 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up W1GLO 443.700+PL:107.2

 

Public Service

Volunteers Needed for Halloween Watch, Marlborough, October 31, 2019

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Joe Reynolds, KA1GDQ, writes on the Algonquin ARC list:
 
As you know, Halloween Watch is around the corner.  I am going to need 15 volunteers (including a Net Control). 
 
 
 
School Minimum
Hihgh School 4
Middle School 3
Hildreth School * 2
Kane School 1
Richer School 1
Jaworek School 1
Bigalow School 1
Senior Center 1
NET CONTROL 1
MINIMUM NEEDED 15
 
If you are available, school watch is from 7pm – 11pm. We do this to help the school system out, who donates the cafes at the middle school for the Flea Market and the Library for our meetings.  The club saves a couple of grand a year or more by volunteering every year.  
 
Please email me with what school you would like to volunteer for.  If you want to be teamed up with another club member I will do my best to keep you and your buddy assigned at the same school if possible.  I need 4 for the High School, 3 for the Middle School and AT LEAST 1 for each of the others.  The Hildreth School should have 2 but we can bring it to one.  
 
Note:  The minimum means Locations at the school  have 3 in one vehicle can’t help.  However if your spouse wants to join you to keep you company, please have them come. 
 
Thank you very much 
 
V/R
 
Joe Reynolds
KA1GDQ
774-222-2542
ka1gdq@arrl.net
 
Clubs / Emergency Communications / Public Service

Marine Lodge Supports Falmouth ARA Communications Trailer Project

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The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association has received a generous donation in support of their communications trailer project from Marine Lodge, the town’s Masonic Lodge. On October 3, 2019, Marine Lodge Master Erich F. Horgan and Lodge member Maxwell J. Weinfuss, KC1MAX, presented a $5,000 check to the FARA Board of Directors. The goal of the trailer project is to assemble a professional, self-contained, mobile communications platform that will be used to support emergency, and non-emergency, public safety and public service events.  [Full story]

Public Service

Head of the Charles, Volunteers Sought, October 19-20, 2019

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Henry Brown, K1WCC, writes on the Falmouth ARA Facebook page:
 
This is a fun event with Amateur Radio being a big part of it. Contact Jeff Arnold, K1EMS, directly if interested. Dates are October 19-20. It’s great way to meet other volunteers and do something useful with your HT.
 
—
This is the final request for more help for this year’s HOCR
I have 1 water open for Saturday
5 land on Friday
2 water on Sunday
Pass the word around. Registration ends this coming Tuesday
Thank you in advance
Jeff
*******************************************************
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Jeffrey Arnold
Aleppo2010@comcast.net

 

Emergency Communications / Public Information / Public Service

Cape Cod ARES at Falmouth Community Emergency Preparedness & Fire Prevention Fair, September 21, 2019

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Cape Cod radio amateurs participated in the seventh annual Falmouth Community Emergency Preparedness and Fire Prevention Fair at the Gus Canty Community Center, Falmouth, on September 21, 2019 from 10 AM to 2 PM. The fair featured “more than 60 organizations and numerous children’s activities, including a Touch-A-Truck in the parking lot.”

Falmouth Hospital ARES (W1HQH) had a table prominently on display, staffed by Tom Wruk, KB1QCQ, Gene Bradeen, KX1C, and Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O. “We set up some display kit gear and answered questions from the public on communications,” writes Cape and Islands District Emergency Coordinator WQ1O. “It was great to hook up with our friend, NWS Boston/Norton warning coordination meteorologist Glenn Field [KB1GHX].”

Left to right: Gene Bradeen, KX1C; Glenn Field, KB1GHX; Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O; Tom Wruk, KB1QCQ
Public Service

Request for Operators, YuKanRun Half-By-The-Sea Half Marathon, Manchester, September 22, 2019

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YouKanRun Manchester-by-the-SeaChris Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA mailing list:
 

CAARA has a great public service team!

Come out and have some fun with us. We have loaner radios if you need one. Come out and join the event. Just contact us and we will set you up with a radio.

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Half-By-The-Sea Half Marathon. on Sunday, September 22. Please be on location at your Check Point by 9:30 AM for a 10:00 AM start.

Manchester Essex Memorial Elementary School, 43 Lincoln Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by September 20 so I can plan staffing positions for the event..

While CAARA’s repeater performance has greatly improved the we may still experience some difficulty with communications especially with low-powered HTs, so we’ll be looking for higher powered equipment to staff those areas.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use ( mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; 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 course will be open and supported by CAARA for four hours. Runner safety is everyone’s top priority. Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Chris, K1TAT

Half by the Sea Communications Team

Manchester, Mass

Event date: Sunday, September 22, 2019

On Location: 9:30 am

Starts: Half Marathon Run = 10:00 am

Frq: W1GLO Repeater 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up: N1SRA 145.470 PL 136.5

 

 
Emergency Communications / Operating / Public Service

Volunteers Needed: Buzzards Bay Du/Triathlon – Sunday, September 15th

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Matt Brennan-NM1B writes:

Hi Folks,

I’m looking for about fifteen hams to provide communications assistance for the Buzzard’s Bay Triathlon in Westport on Sunday, September 15th. It occurs from 9AM (hams will meet at 8AM) until about 1PM (some assignments should secure by noon). It will be held in Horseneck Beach State Park and includes a swim, bike and run that travels through the town of Westport. There is also a duathlon option. More info online: www.maxperformanceonline.com. It is a very scenic area.

Please send a note to events@wect.org if you’re able to help. This is well outside WECT’s normal operating area, so if you know anyone not included on our distribution lists that may be willing to help please feel free to forward this to them. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks.
-Matt

Public Service

WECT Public Service Events

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Courtesy wma.arrl.org:

The Worcester Emergency Communications Team is looking for ham radio operators to assist with two more upcoming public service events.  Both of these events are out of WECT’s normal operational area.

The Buzzard’s Bay Triathlon in Westport on Sunday, September 15th. It occurs from 9 AM (hams will meet at 8 AM) until about 1 PM (some assignments should secure by noon). It will be held in Horseneck Beach State Park and includes a swim, bike and run that travels through the town of Westport. There is also a duathlon option. It is a very scenic area.

The Ride to Defeat ALS on Sunday September 22 from 6 AM to around 3 PM (depending on assignment).This is a low key event with the primary focus being on charity rather than racing. The 70-mile bicycle course begins at the Longfellow club in Wayland and continues through several towns with rest stops in Hudson, Bolton, Acton, Concord, and Sudbury. While the race runs from 6AM to 3PM, some stations open as late as 9 AM and some close as early as 11 AM. Operators working at a course station can report directly to their station. Lunch is provided for operators in Wayland. There will be two roving race vehicles that will require a mobile radio.

If you are interested in participating, please send an email to events@wect.org and let them know if you have UHF equipment with DCS / DPL.

Public Service

Amateur Radio Volunteers Requested, Cystic Fibrosis Cycle for Life, October 5, 2019

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Dave Gilman, KC1DDH, writes:
 
Mark Richards, K1MGY and I head up the Cystic Fibrosis Cycle for Life event based out of Holliston and we are coming up woefully short of volunteers from our usual pool. We are in need of Amateur Radio operators to operate at rest stops and as SAG vehicles roaming the course to keep an eye on and assist the cyclists.
 
The event is on Saturday, October 5th based at Fatima Shrine in Holliston.  There are three routes:  12 mile, 30 mile and 65 mile courses traversing Holliston, Sherborn, Medfield, Medway and Hopkinton.  We can also take non-licensed folks who would be willing to help out as we have some commercial radios available as a secondary system.
 
Anyone wishing to help out should contact Mark Richards <kmalittl1@gmail.com> or David Gilman <KC1DDH@gmail.com>.
 
Public Service

Ham Assistance Requested, Marlborough Labor Day Parade, September 2, 2019

- by k9hi - 1 Comment
Algonquin ARC logoEd Fitzgerald, K1DIN, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:
 
This email is intended for AARC members who have not participated as security observers before in the Marlborough Labor Day Parade. We usually have our members posted at 12 to14 locations throughout the Parade and connected via the repeater to Net Control. Our mission is to report emergencies or anything unusual to Net Control which is in direct contact with MPD Dispatch and has the MPD Incident Commander in close proximity. All observers have MPD Officers assigned nearby who are in touch with Dispatch. In short, an observer reports a disturbance to Net Control who, in turn, reports to MPD Dispatch which will alert the officers nearest to the observer to handle the problem. 
 
Mostly we report on causes for Parade delays, minor accidents, illnesses, and sometimes strange folks doing strange things. We also time the parade, list all reported happenings, and send our complete log to the Parade Director. We also have to be ready for a serious event and maybe even an assumption of command by MEMA. At that moment, we act as agents of Homeland Security.
 
This year we are lucky to have all our usual stations filled with experienced observers, and what we would like to do is offer members who have not previously or recently participated to “apprentice” with those experienced observers. Hopefully, this will “deepen our bench” and allow more members to have the opportunity to do some Ham Radio public service for Marlborough. It will allow us to rotate our crew so that we can have a full staffing of our stations with experienced observers when folks’ family events or other opportunities prevent them from participating.
 
Please let me know right away if you are interested in being with an observer for this Marlborough Labor Day Parade. We would love to have you try it out to see if you would be willing to be on our call list each year. 
 
All participants, of course, are welcome to the Pizza Party after the Parade in the Verizon Parking lot around Pete’s RV (Net Control 2).
 
Many thanks in advance,
Ed 
K1DIN 
Public Service

Amateur Radio Support for Baystate Marathon & Half Marathon, Lowell, October 20, 2019

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Terry Stader, KA8SCP, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

Amateur Radio operators have been asked once again to support the Baystate Marathon and Half Marathon. This year the event is on Sunday, October 20th. Our operational time period is from approximately 0700 until event completion (estimated 1400). Our assistance has been requested by Lowell Office of Emergency Management and Lowell Fire Department. The communications team will be employing Amateur Radio to provide this communications asset.

Amateur Radio will be used for:

      * Accountability net: the purpose of this net is to coordinate with a race public information booth the status of runners who are unable to complete the race for any issue to any one is seeking this information.

Race info may be found at http://baystatemarathon.com. Course map is found at http://baystatemarathon.com/course-maps-descriptions.html

Please contact me if you are able to assist or would like more information.

Please share with others that may be interested. This is a pretty laid back event and suitable for first time public event participation.

Terry M. Stader – KA8SCP
MEMA Region 1 RACES Officer
EMA District Emergency Coordinator

Clubs / Public Service

Algonquin ARC, Marlborough EMA Support for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, September 14, 2019

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Eric Williams, KV1J, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:

To: Algonquin Radio Club and Marlborough EMA Team

Please mark your calendars for our support of the biannual joint Hudson-Marlborough Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday, September 14th. 

Our support is a combined effort by the Algonquin Amateur Radio Club and the Marlborough Emergency Management Team.  Using our radio communications skills, we manage the traffic flow and validate residency for the approximately 400 cars that come to the event.  We use the Emergency Management’s UHF radios.  If you have them, please bring your Ham UHF portable radio since we will use the club repeater output frequency as a backup.

Please also bring your EMA vest or EMA yellow jacket if you have them.  I will bring vests for those that do not have one.

We setup at 8 AM and the event runs from 9 AM to 1 PM.  The event is next to the Marlborough Resident Drop-Off Facility, located at 860 Boston Post Road East in Marlborough, behind the Half Way Café near Home Depot.

We are also supporting the Marlborough Labor Day Parade.  If you are not already signed up, please let Ed Fitzgerald know if you can help

Thanks and 73,  Eric  KV1J   Marlborough EMA Communications Officer

 

Emergency Communications / Operating / Public Service

Cape Cod ARES Summer Exercise – Saturday 8/10/19 1000 AM-1200 PM

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Rob Macedo-KD1CY writes:
Cape Cod ARES will conduct their summer exercise on Saturday August 10th, 2019 from 1000 AM-1200 PM. The exercise will be led by Cape Cod ARES District Emergency Coordinator, WQ1O-Frank O’Laughlin. All are welcome to participate. The Cape Cod ARES Exercise document can be seen at the following link:

Cape Cod ARES August 10th 2019 Exercise Plan

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net – Saturday August 3rd, 2019 – 1000 AM EDT

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Good evening,

Since we do not have a Net Control Volunteer for the upcoming August Net, the South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group – W1SSH will once again act as Net Control.

The net will commence at the usual time of 10:00 AM using the following repeaters and simplex frequency in the order listed.

Please note: The simplex frequency for this month’s net has changed. Because we will be using the frequency in simplex mode, without tone, if it is not already programmed into your radio, the frequency can easily be entered into your radios “VFO” channel without the need for regular channel programming.

1. Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
2. Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
3. Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
4. Simplex 146.580 MHz

The Net will then return to the Sharon Repeater for any final comments and Net closing.

NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check-in procedure which is: Here is.., 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 or EOC of any city or town that is served by one of the participating hospitals to join the Net. We also extend an invitation to any RACES or ARES member to check in during the NET.

We are always seeking groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in joining the group please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com. 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 the monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event. The following list of repeaters is available for our use. Only a few systems are used each month with the selection of those used made by Net Control for that month. More systems are being added to the list on a regular basis.

Repeaters
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 131.8
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 dcs 244
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

We look forward to hearing you all on the Net.

Respectfully,

John O’Neill – K1JRO
President – SSHARG
ARES – DEC – Hospital Liaison

South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group – W1SSH
55 Fogg Road, Box 42
South Weymouth, MA 02190