Amended: Limited Volunteer Positions Still Available for Boston Marathon, April 20, 2015

Mark Richards, K1MGY writes on PART list:

The Boston Marathon is one of the most visible events for Amateur Radio in New England, and perhaps the country. As of today there are 276 of your fellow Amateur Radio licensees volunteering their time and skills to keep the medical logistics and reporting operations working at top efficiency to support the 30,000 runners expected in 2015.

However, 276 radio operators is just barely sufficient — we’d like a few more. If you are interested and available for a full day of high-value public service, please let me know. If you are possibly interested but have some questions before deciding, please ask me those questions; I’ll do my best to get you answers.

The official BAA volunteer registration deadline has long passed. The BAA is working with us to get a few more hams into the system. This window won’t be open for long, so please do not hesitate too long if you are going to consider this request.

———-

04/04/15:

The BAA Boston Marathon needs three (3) additional Amateur Radio communications volunteers for the COURSE segment of the event.  These openings are at the Net Control Operations Centre, and in one or more Medical Stations.

The Boston Marathon is one of the most visible events for Amateur Radio in New England, and perhaps the country.  As of today there are 273 of your fellow Amateur Radio licensees volunteering their time and skills to keep the medical logistics and reporting operations working at top efficiency to support the 30,000 runners expected in 2015.

However, 273 radio operators is just barely sufficient to staff our comprehensive communications plan — we’d like a few more.  If you are interested and available for a full day of high-value public service, please let me know.  If you are possibly
interested but have some questions before deciding, please ask me those questions; I’ll do my best to get you answers.

The official BAA volunteer registration deadline has long passed.  The BAA is working with us to get a few more Hams into the system.  This window won’t be open for long, so please do not hesitate too long if you are going to consider this request.

/Mark Richards
K1MGY

Mark Richards
29 Juniper
Littleton, MA 01460
617 592 4392
kmalittl1@gmail.com
k1mgy@arrl.net

MS Walk Boston Volunteers Sought

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 12th. It starts at Boston University’s Nickerson Field, Harry Agganis Way in Boston, and runs along the Charles River. Volunteers will check in at 8:00 AM, and stay until the early afternoon.

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, postal 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?

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

CERT Class at the Winthrop EOC

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and ARES Members Kathy Savage (KB1LPW) & Rick Savage (KB1LYJ) will be running a CERT ( Citizens Emergency Response Training) January 31st, plus 4 evenings ( February 11th & 25th, & March 4th & 18th) at Winthrop’s EOC. Guest lecturers for the training include Brittany Collins (KB1ZPS) and Jim Palmer (KB1KQW). More information can be found on the website – http://www.region4bvolunteer.org and click the upcoming events button and look for the CERT class registration information under Upcoming Events.

Kathy Savage
KB1LPW

WRTC2014 Volunteer Training Session, May 31

WRTC2014 logo The WRTC2014 Organizing Committee and the Yankee Clipper Contest Club will conduct a joint meeting on May 31, 2014 beginning at 8:30 AM at Milara, Inc., 49 Maple Street, Milford. The purpose of the meeting is to recruit and provide training for volunteers who will be involved in the WRTC2014 event. Everyone is invited. The main door prize will be a TX38 tribander.

Registration for the training will begin around 7:30am (everyone will be asked to sign a release form if they have not already). Coffee and donuts will be available for breakfast.

The training starts promptly at 8:30am with a short indoor classroom-style review of the station setup process, including changes from last year. Two (possibly three) complete WRTC2014 stations will be constructed outside. The session is expected to conclude by 3 PM. Lunch will be served.

This is a “rain or shine” event. If it is raining, bring rain gear!

PART of Westford Halloween Pumpkin Patrol

PART of Westford logo

Alan Martin, W1AHM writes on PART-L:

Halloween and PART Pumpkin Patrol
Wednesday, October 31st, 2012

As we have done for many years, PART will once again conduct Pumpkin Patrol in Westford on Halloween. Many of you are veterans and others may be volunteering for the first time… whichever you are… thank you in advance for your help!

Pumpkin Patrol is Amateur Radio volunteers providing additional eyes and ears to the Town of Westford during Trick or Treating. Our purpose is to observe and report any potential safety concerns back to the PART Pumpkin Patrol Net Control Station located at the Westford Police station. Reports from our patrollers are handed off to the Westford PD dispatcher and addressed by the Town’s public safety services. Our role is ONLY to report what we see and provide input to our Town’s public safety departments.

We like to have at least 6 mobile radio operators to patrol all the neighborhoods in the town, plus one net control operator at the police station. We can still use at least three more volunteers, including the distinguished role of Net Control.

Maps and a checklist of locations to watch will be provided when you check-in for your assignment. Check-in occurs at the Westford Police station where we record your call sign, vehicle and cell phone information. You do NOT need to be a resident of the Town of Westford to volunteer; by the time we’re done, you’ll have a real feel for the town’s geography!

The town specifies that Trick-or-Treating run from 6 PM until 8 PM. We normally run the operation from 5:30 PM until 10:00 – 11:00 PM. If the weather is lousy or the streets are quiet, the net closure time will be adjusted accordingly. We try and accommodate every individual’s schedule, we have run with 2 shifts in the past… an early and a late shift. We will accept your offer to assist at any time throughout the course of the evening. If there is interest, we will unwind at the British Beer Company after the event.

We plan to use the WB1GOF 2 meter repeater, 146.955MHz (P/L 74.4), for the entire event. So all a volunteer will need is a 2m radio. If you want to ride shotgun with another ham, that can be accommodated as well.

Feel free to drop me a note with any questions and/or if you would like to volunteer. Pass this along to others who may be interested.

North Attleboro Santa Parade Seeks Volunteers

The Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC will again provide communications support for the annual North Attleboro Santa Parade on November 25, 2012.

“First, let me thank those who have already signed up for the Santa Parade. If you would like to participate, but haven’t signed up as yet, there is still plenty of time,” writes SMHARC’s Bruce Alexander, KA1IG.

This year, KA1IG intends to introduce a new twist: tracking capabilities using several of the volunteers’ Kenwood D7 handhelds and other GPRS-capable radios. “This is an idea, hopefully, which will enable the parade committee to better know where gaps are happening.”

To volunteer, contact Bruce at ka1ig at verizon dot net, or phone at (508) 643-0008. KA1IG can also be found on the air on 447-975 or 147-195.

South Shore Hospital ARC Seeks Volunteers For Run to the Rock Road Race

John O’Neill, KB1QEM writes:

We are looking for Amateur Radio Volunteers for the annual “Run To The Rock” Road Race in Plymouth. This is an exciting event as we cover 3 separate race courses that converge on the Finish Line at Plymouth Rock.

Amateur Radio public service is interesting and offers a fun experience. The communication load for this event is fairly light, but safety and support for the participants and staff are always our primary concern. It is an excellent event for hams new to public service that want to gain experience.

A 2-meter hand-held portable is needed at most assignments however we do have a few locations that can be covered by a mobile unit. An antenna better than the “rubber duck” that came with your portable radio should be used for all public service events. Be sure you charge your radio’s battery before the event. An extra battery pack is sometimes helpful.

If you can help with this event on Saturday, September 8, 2012 please reply with all of the following information as soon as possible. If you have already volunteered, bear with me and reply to this message, also.

Full name

Call sign

Postal mailing address (including 9-digit ZIP code)

Home phone

Cell phone

Email address

Does your 2-meter radio have CTCSS (PL)?

Do you have a mobile 2 meter radio?

T-shirt size ( I believe we will be given one)

Please let us know if you have volunteered for this event before and would like the same assignment. While we cannot guarantee requested assignments, we will try our best to meet your preference. Please respond soon. If you know other hams who would like to volunteer, please pass along this email.

Thanks,

John O’Neill, KB1QEM
South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club – W1SSH
southshorehospital.org

Run of the Charles Volunteers Needed, April 29, 2012

The 2012 Run of the Charles races canoes and kayaks from Needham to Allston. Once again, we have been asked to provide safety and administrative communications for the 30th running of this exciting event on Sunday, 29 April.

There are nine dams that require portaging by the paddlers and other hazards to be monitored. All races finish at Artisani Park (across from the WBZ studio) on Soldiers Field Road in Allston. Our assignment start times vary from 0700 to 1100 and should complete from 1000 to 1500, depending on location.

Safety and support for the participants is our primary concern, but a good dose of wet excitement is built in (for the racers, usually not the hams). Your ham communication help is essential.

A 2-meter, 5 watt hand-held is satisfactory but a dual-band radio is preferred. An antenna better than the “rubber duck” that came with your radio is essential. Be sure to charge your radio’s battery and have enough battery backup to last the day.

If you are new to ham public service or have limited experience and want to support this event don’t be concerned. Assignment difficulties vary and they can be based on experience. All hams, regardless of experience, are encouraged to volunteer for this event. For those who have done this before, your help is needed more than ever.

Ham public service is interesting and offers fun experiences, but the safety and support for the participants are always our primary concern. If you can help with the 2012 Run of the Charles on Sunday, 29 April, please reply with all of the following information as soon as possible. Email is the best method.

Full name

On-air name

Call sign

Postal mailing address (including 9-digit ZIP code)

Evening phone

Day phone

Cell phone

Email address

Does your 2-meter radio have CTCSS (PL)?

Do you have a dual-band radio?

Do you have a magnetic mount antenna?

T-shirt size

Let me know if you have volunteered for this event before and would like the same assignment. While I cannot guarantee it, I will try to give you the assignment you want. If you know other hams who would like to volunteer, ask them to send the above information to me. If you are new and want to get more public service experience, this is an excellent event to get your feet wet (figuratively). This event is an opportunity to learn the ropes.

Your assistance is valuable. Please let me know promptly if you can help. Assignments and more details will be sent as soon as available. If you have already volunteered, bear with me and also reply to this message.

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

73,

Bob Salow, WA1IDA
wa1ida@arrl.net
508.650.9440

Operators/volunteers needed for W1S, May 12-13 at Watch City Festival

W1S is currently seeking operators and loggers for the station, as well as volunteers to help with the setup. Technician class licensees may operate under supervision of higher class licensees. Advice on antennas, etc. also appreciated. We need your presence, your ideas, and your expertise.

On May 12-13, 2012, the City of Waltham, Massachusetts and the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation host “Watch City Festival, Waltham: the Original Steampunk City,” with a projected attendance of 15,000. More information on the festival is available at:

http://www.crmi.org/events-2/international-steampunk-city

http://watchcityfestival.com

W1S, sponsored by the Waltham ARA, will be part of the festival, showcasing ham radio to the public and local emergency management.

For more information or to volunteer, Contact:

Bill McIninch, KA1MOM/E

KA1MOM@aol.com

617-254-5963

All volunteers are asked to include which day and what hours they will be available; minimum time requested is 2 hours. Victorian/steampunk attire not required, but some appropriate items will be made available for station staff.

Tentative details of the operation:

Transceiver will be disguised in a simulated sparkgap station based on the Massie station at the New England Wireless and Steam Museum. Operations on SSB on 14.280 MHz (locked in due to deadline for listing in CQ)

SCHEDULE: 1300-2300Z (0900-1900 EDT) May 12 and 13..

ANTENNA: zepp or fat dipole.

 

South Shore Hospital ARC Requesting Volunteers in Norwell for St. Patricks Day Road Race – Saturday 3/17/12

The South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club has been asked to provide communications support on St. Patricks Day March 17th @ 9:00am. It is a 4 mile race starting at McGreals Tavern in Norwell on March 17th at 9:00 am. The race last for about 2 hours and is lots of fun. All that is required is a 2m radio (preferably handheld with a fully charged battery).  If you are a new ham this is a great opportunity to get some field experience.

They let the runners choose the charities.  They have 3 that we setup:  Kathy Frank Scholarship Fund, The Boys & Girls Club of Plymouth and Friends of South Shore Hospital.  Runners also have the option of setting up their own charity, bringing friends to run for their charity, and then we will make the donations post-race based on the number of runners each charity has run for them.

If you are interested in joining us please write to SSHARC@gmail.com.

Thanks,
John O’Neill
KB1QEM

South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club – W1SSH

55 Fogg Road, Mail Stop #40
South Weymouth, MA 02190

Ham Volunteers Needed For Jimmy Fund Walk, Sept. 18

Steve Schwarm, W3EVE writes:

The Jimmy Fund Walk is Sunday, September 18, 2011. Hams are needed for the Buses and First Aid Stations. Times run from 5 AM to 7 PM. There are some half day assignments for the Morning. Everything is normally done by 7PM. This event is on the Boston Marathon Course but most of the activity is on the last half.

This a great event for a new ham who wants to try out public serve. Every thing will be on 2 Meters. A good antenna for an HT with extra batteries is what is needed for the First Aid Stations. A mobile antenna is needed for the buses. Drop me an email at w3eve at arrl dot net if you can help. Please put Jimmy Fund in the subject. Give me a call or send an email if you have questions.

South Shore Hospital ARC Seeks Volunteers for Run to The Rock Road Race

Amateur Radio Club – W1SSH July 10, 2011

To: All Amateur Radio Operators, a request to volunteer.

The South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club has been asked by the organizers of the Plymouth Boys & Girls Club “Run To The Rock Road Race” to assist them with their communications needs on September 10,2011.

Joining forces with the South Shore Hospital group are members of the Whitman Amateur Radio Club and the Genesis Amateur Radio Society. This event is shaping up to be a fun and challenging event. If you’ve never had the opportunity to volunteer for such an event this is shaping up to be a fun and worthwhile experience.

We are in need of both experienced and inexperienced Operators to assist us in manning positions along the 3 different routes the runners will be traveling throughout Plymouth. Standard 2 meter equipment is all that is required.

There is a cookout for the runners and volunteers at the conclusion of the race.

Please volunteer to join us on September 10, 2011. Let’s demonstrate to the public the fellowship, spirit, and value of Amateur Radio. Information about the race is available at http://runtotherock.webs.com. To volunteer, please send an email to SSHARC@GMAIL.COM. Please include your name, call-sign, and phone number.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
John O’Neill, KB1QEM
President South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club – W1SSH
Email: oneilljr at gmail dot com
55 Fogg Road
South Weymouth
Massachusetts
02190-2455
southshorehospital.org

K1USN RC International Museum Ships Weekend Wrap-up

USS Lawence/ K1USN QSL card“Pi” Pugh, K1RV writes on K1USN RC list:

The 2011 International Museum Ships Weekend was a resounding success!

We had quite a group of operators, helpers and visitors last weekend and we were able to make close to 1000 contacts with 46 states, 31 DXCC countries and 24 participating Museum Ships! The K1USN QSL requests are already pouring in! We hope to have our new cards printed ASAP.

We arrived at 7 PM Friday evening to get the HF stations ready to go. We ran the Yaesu FT-920 and 500 watt Ameritron Amplifier on 20 meters into the Sommer yagi. It performed flawlessly.

We decided to use the Kenwood TS-690-S into the G5RV antenna as our second station and concentrated on 40 meters.

We had over 250 contacts before shutting down for the night at 11:30PM.

Many of the K1USN crew went to Jamies in Braintree at 7 AM for breakfast before heading over to operate. Saturday morning we had both stations operational throughout the day and continued to rack up contacts. Although we did some operating on 17, 15 and 6 meters we pretty much stuck to the “bread n’ butter” bands of 20 and 40 meters.

Special thanks goes to Warren, WA1YKF, for doing a fine job preparing the ends of our hardline cable run to give us the option of using the R-5 vertical which is mounted on the phone pole at the lower end of the parking lot. This enabled us to add a third HF station using the IC-746-PRO and R-5. As an added bonus we found that six meters was open on Saturday and the R-5 loaded quite well on that band, too.

BTW, we were able to work a number of old friends including several who spent many hours operating with us during previous MSW events onboard the USS Salem. Bruce, K1HTN and Norm, WA1DBR as well as former USS Salem crew member, Radar, N2GDY.

We were unable to get our vintage station operational this year, but we already have plans for some station improvements by W1EKG and KB1IIU. BTW, Bill has offered to supply a watertight box for completing the hardline installation.

We had a total of 976 contacts with 262 on CW and the rest on SSB.

We worked 46 states missing only Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota and Wyoming.

Here is a list of the 31 DXCC countries worked: K United States VE Canada EA8 Canary Islands KP2 US Virgin Islands KP4 Puerto Rico TI Costa Rica HA Hungary DL Germany OE Austria V3 Belize UR Ukraine UA European Russia SP Poland I Italy EA6 Balearic Islands YO Roumania ZA Albania PA Netherlands ON Belgium V4 St Kitts YU Yugoslavia S5 Serbia UL Kazakhstan F France LX Luxembourg G England CU Portugal HP Panama EA Spain LZ Bulgaria SM Sweden

Here is a partial list of those who particIpated with us during MSW 2011. My apologies for any omissions.

K1RV, K1WN, W1JT, W1ICU, KB1PVC, W1AY, W1BT, N1VTI, WA1YKF, KA1KIJ, KB1TEE, KB1SVY ( and XYL, Michelle), N1DC, KB1UBX, KB1VGN, KB1REQ, NI1X, W1EKG, KB1IIU, WA1TPC, K1WCC, N1CVI, KC1JET.

Here is a list of the 24 participating ships we worked this year:

Please QSL each ship directly

USS Lexington Aircraft Carrier Corpus Christi, TX W5LEX

USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier Charleston , SC WA4USN

USS New Jersey Battleship Camden, New Jersey NJ2BB

USS Massachusetts Battleship Fall River, MA N1EPL

SS Willis B Boyer Bulk Carrier Toledo, OH W8WBB

HMS Belfast Cruiser London, UK GB2RN

USS Littlerock Cruiser Buffalo, New York W2PE

USS Turner Joy Destroyer Bremerton, WA NS7DD

USS Slater Destroyer Escort Albany, NY WW2DEM

USCGC Mackinaw Icebreaker Mackinaw, MI W8AGB

*LS Nantucket Lightship East Boston, MA W1NLS

*LS Overfalls (LV 118) Lightship Lewes, DE KB3MIP

*Carl D Bradley Limestone Carrier Rogers City, MI W8CDB

USS LST-325 LST Evansville, IN WW2LST

MS Atlantis Minesweeper Dresden, Germany DK0MHD

SS Keewatin Passenger Steamship Saugatuck, MI K8CJQ

U-5075 Seehund Submarine Quincy, MA. WW2MAN S637 Espadon Submarine Saint-Nazaire France F6KBG

U-995 Submarine Laboe Germany DL0DMB

USS Batfish Submarine Muskogee, OK WW2SUB HMCS Onondaga Submarine Rimouski, Quebec VA2GNQ

SS American Victory Victory Ship Tampa, Florida W4AVM

*SS Lane Victory Sat Only 1600 to 2200Z Victory Ship Los Angeles, CA W6LV

Naval Tech’l Museum La SPEZIA A.R.M.I. Italy II1ICS

One final word to mention the VE exams this Saturday at K1USN! Please contact Bill, K1WN (k1wn@aol.com) if you want to take an exam.

73,

Pi – K1RV

Urgent! Ham Volunteers Still Needed for The Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race, MS Journey of Hope Walk

Tom Bertolino, KB1P writes:

I know I have sent emails asking to volunteer for these events, and you might have already volunteered for one of them. If have already volunteered for one of these event could you consider volunteering for the other. If have not volunteered for either event could you reconsider and volunteer for one or both of these events. We need your help.

The Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race on Saturday, 30 April 2010

This is very short notice, but more hams are needed for the Run of the Charles canoe races on Saturday, 30 April 2010. There are critical safety issues which need our communications support, and I would like to have your help.

Because of Easter being on the traditional date that this event is normally held, the Run of the Charles was moved to Saturday April 30, 2011. This has caused the Run of the Charles not only compete with other events which are normally held on the 30th of April, but also Near-Fest. We still need Hams to help insure the safety of the racers. We need your help. Water level of the Charles River is higher than normal this year due to the heavy snow we received this winter resulting in swifter water currents around potages and dams. This could cause some dangerous conditions for the racers attempting to navigate around these areas. Hams are post at these potential danger areas to help ensure the safety of the racers. We do not have enough Hams to cover all these points. Please reconsider and volunteer to support this event .We need your help. Some assignments begin as early as 0700; others begin up to 1200. Most assignments last about four to five hours, there are only, a few which run the full day until 1630. If you have time issue please let me know.

The MS Journey of Hope Walk, Saturday, May 7, 2011, Natick, MA

This is a 7.5 mile walk which starts and finishes at Natick High School (15 West St, Natick, MA), proceeding through several areas of Natick. Our assignments begin at 0700 and should be complete by early afternoon. Hams are stationed at critical intersections and water stations to help to insure the safety of the walkers. We do not have enough hams to fill these assignments. We need your help. This is an excellent event for hams new to public service to get experience.

If you can help for one or both events, please respond with the following information as soon as possible. To manage this I ask that you get back to me as quickly and as accurately as you can. As in all other events that we coordinate, email will be the primary means of communication between us. If you have already volunteered for one of these events please consider volunteering for the other. We need your help.

Event

Full name

On-air name

Call sign

Postal mailing address (including 9-digit ZIP code)

Evening phone

Day phone

Cell phone

Email address

Does your 2-meter radio have CTCSS (PL)?

Do you have a dual-band radio?

Do you have a magnetic mount antenna?

T-shirt size

73,

Tom Bertolino, KB1P
kb1p at arrl.net
781-608-6186

MS Journey of Hope Walk Seeks Ham Volunteers

The MS Journey of Hope, Saturday, May 7, 2011, is a 7.5 mile walk which starts and finishes at Natick High School (15 West St, Natick, MA), proceeding through several areas of Natick. Our assignments begin at 0700 and should be complete by early afternoon.

This event has hazards and quirks, but our communications will make the day safe and smooth. For those who are new to ham public service, this is a good introduction – and we need your help. For those who have done this before – your help is needed more than ever. In years past, we have been thanked and honored for our skilled service.

A dual-band 2-m/70-cm radio is required. The “rubber duck” antenna that came with your radio should all you need for this event, but if you have a better antenna for your radio bring it with you. Be sure to have sufficient batteries to last the day.

As ham public service events are interesting and fun experiences. The Ms Journey of Hope is no exception. The communication load for this event is light and an excellent opportunity for those who are new to public service to gain experience.

We need your assistance to ensure the safety of the participants and make this event successful. If you can help with this event, please reply to me with all of the following information as soon as possible. Reply by email is the best method.

Full name
On-air name
Call sign
Postal mailing address (including 9-digit ZIP code)
Evening phone
Day phone
Cell phone
Email address
Does your 2-meter/70-cm radio have CTCSS (PL)?
Do you have a magnetic mount antenna?
T-shirt size

If you know other hams who would like to volunteer, ask them to send the above information to me. If you are new and want to get more public service experience, this is an excellent event to get your feet wet. As significant as our communications will be, this event is a low impact opportunity to learn the ropes.

Your assistance is valuable. Please let me know promptly if you can help. I will get the assignments and more details to you as soon possible. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like to recommend another ham to join us.

73,

Rick Savage, KB1LYJ
rpsavage@comcast.net
781.289.7364

Possible Waltham May 12-13 Special Event Station Looking for Volunteers

Bill Mc Ininch, KA1MOM writes on the Waltham ARA mailing list:

On May 12-13 slightly over 10 square miles of Waltham will be transformed into the world of Jules Verne for an entire weekend to become International Steampunk City, an event expected to draw between 12,000 and 15,000 people. The staff of Charles River Museum of Industry, the headquarters of the event, would like to have a wireless station (the kind that glows in the dark if possible) to link the event to the rest of the world. Unusual possibilities may include being able to string a Zepp from a real miniature zeppelin. The museum is looking both for hams to staff a special event station and for possible backup communications for the various venues across town. Best way to see what’s planned while the internationalsteampunkcitywaltham.org site is being finished up is to Google the event name and read the scattered planning documents or to check it out on Facebook. Anyone with antique gear who might want to show it off is a! lso welcome.

Anyone interested in being a formal part of this event can get in touch with me or with CRMI director Ellen Hagney (Elln Hagney on Facebook). Anyone not able to be part of the crew but interested in a great way to unwind the week after Walk For Hunger should still check it out and come enjoy the mostly (everything outdoors) free fun. NOTE: for the non-free items, things will be run much like First Night.

For next year’s event: a non-transmitting copy of the Massie spark gap station should be finished in time to disguise more modern equipment, including the pump handle key.

BAA Marathon Volunteers Sought

Marathon Amateur Radio Communications 2011 logoBob De Mattia, K1IW writes:

Volunteer registration for the 2011 Boston Marathon is now open! The Marathon will be held on Monday April 18th. Radio operators are needed to provide safety communications and to assist the Red Cross. Assignments are available in Hopkinton, along the route, and in downtown Boston. To volunteer, go to http://marc.mmra.org and follow the instructions.

 

 

Halloween and PART Pumpkin Patrol, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010

PART of Westford logoTerry Stader, KA8SCP writes on PART-L:

As we have done for many years, [the Police Amateur Radio Team of Westford] will once again be providing the Pumpkin Patrol service to the Town of Westford. Many of you are veterans and others may be volunteering for the first time… which ever you are… thank you in advance for your help!

Pumpkin Patrol involves the use of Amateur Radio volunteers providing additional eyes and ears to the Town of Westford during the annual Trick or Treat event. Our purpose is to observe and report any potential safety concerns back to the PART Pumpkin Patrol Net Control Station which will be located at the Westford Police station. A report from one of our patrols will get handed off to the Westford PD dispatcher and addressed by the Town’s public safety services. Our role is ONLY to report what we see and provide input to our Town’s public safety departments.

We normally require 5 – 8 radio operators per “shift” that will patrol various geographical sections of town. Maps and a checklist of locations to watch will be provided when you check-in for your assignment. Check-in occurs at the Westford Police station where we record your call sign and your vehicle information. You do NOT need to be a resident of the Town of Westford to volunteer, but a basic familiarity to the town’s geography is a plus! We have quite a few new hams and club members this year. If warranted, a meeting prior to the event may be scheduled. This will give our new folks and veterans a chance to interact and become comfortable with the operation.

The normal time for Trick or Treaters is 6 PM until 8 PM. Our activities have varied over the years, but we normally will run the operation from 5:30 PM until 10:00 – 11:00 PM. If the weather is lousy, the net closure time will be adjusted accordingly. We try and accommodate every individual’s schedule, we have run with 2 shifts in the past… an early and a late shift. We will accept your offer to assist at any time throughout the course of the evening.

The plans are to use the WB1GOF 2 meter repeater, 146.955 (PL 74.4), for the entire event. So all a volunteer will need is a radio capable of operating on that frequency. A vehicle will help too… but if you don’t drive and want to ride shotgun with another ham, that can be accommodated as well. If you’d like to do a bike or foot patrol, please contact me and we could talk thru that kind of an operation.

As you may have noticed, Pumpkin Patrol occurs at the same time as our regularly scheduled PART Net. The PART Net will run as normal. Pumpkin Patrol operations will inject with their traffic as necessary, so please standby for that traffic if you hear it.

Feel free to drop me a note with any questions and/or if you would like to volunteer. Pass this along to others who may be interested.

Terry Stader – KA8SCP
PART of Westford, Senior Club Advisor
(H) 978-692-2069
(C) 978-490-8150

Cranberry TriFest – Aug 28 & 29, Volunteers Needed!

Hello to all..

Please see the notice below on the Cranberry Trifest from Roland Daignault-N1JOY. Please also note that this is the same weekend as the New England ARRL Division Convention and Hamfest in Boxboro, Massachusetts:

*_Cranberry Trifest Aug. 28th & 29th_*

* Volunters Needed!

Team HAMCOW will again be supporting the Cranberry Trifest on both days.

*Cranberry Trifest offers a terrific weekend of racing including a sprint distance triathlon, a kids duathlon and the “classic” olympic
distance triathlon which has been selected as the 2010 USAT Northeast Regional Club Championship.

*Event Dates, Times and Location:

*Saturday, August 28, 2010: Sprint triathlon (9:00AM start) and kids duathlon (12:00PM start).
Sunday, August 29, 2010: Olympic triathlon (8:00AM start). The site of  the Cranberry Trifest is the Ted Williams Camp in Lakeville, MA with
entrances off Precinct Street and Rte 18.
*Ted Williams Camp, 44-47 Precinct St., Lakeville, MA

Beneficiaries of the 2010 Cranberry Trifest:*
A portion of the proceeds from the Cranberry Trifest will be donated to the Ted Williams Camp. Other beneficiaries include the Kiwanis of
Bridgewater, West Bridgewater Drama Club and the Freetown-Lakeville Aquatic Program.

Many racers participate in the DetermiNation program to raise funds for the National Cancer Society and the fight against cancer. We all
know somebody touched by cancer, so this is a good opportunity to have some fun and fight back by supporting those who are donating their efforts to fund research.

*Event Distances:
*Sprint: Swim: 0.5 mile; Bike: 11.5 miles; Run: 3.1 miles
Kids Duathlon: 1km, 2km, 1km**
<http://www.active.com/triathlon/lakeville-ma/cranberry-trifest-kids-duathlon-2010>
Olympic: Swim: 0.9 miles; Bike 26.3 miles*; Run: 6.2 miles

Please check out the Cranberry TriFest web page at:
http://www.cranberrycountrytri.com/

The HAMCOW will be our net control station and operators will be needed around the course at checkpoints, water stops, course rovers, and
people to stay at the camp to monitor the swim, bike, and run transition areas. Camping on site will be allowed for the radio operators, so
please consider joining the gang and staying for the Friday and Saturday night activities.

After Sunday’s olympic triathlon, a nice catered meal will be provided for everybody. We also receive nice sports T-shirts and occasionally
hats. Free stuff is always cool!

Radio ops can use 2 Meters, 440, HT’s or mobiles. We have plenty of locations along the course to accommodate everybody.

I’m going to say it here so everybody is aware; this event falls on the same weekend as the Boxboro Hamfest, which puts extra pressure on
getting volunteers for the triathlon. Please pass the word along to anybody you might know who would be interested in supporting us at the
Cranberry, even for only one day. I have always tried to be accommodating to folks who need to depart early, so I can assign them to
a checkpoint that will clear out early, but we do need folks to stay the duration.

If you are interested, please contact me via e-mail (n1joy@arrl.net) or on my cell phone at (617)-839-9081.

Thanks!

Roland – N1JOY