Public Service

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 suite 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 24. 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 7:30 AM at far start points to 11:00 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. For more information, visit the race Web site.

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 call sign, full name, and name you prefer on the air
• Phone numbers where you can be reached (cell, home, office)
• Your preferred e-mail address
• The transmit band(s) of your radio(s), and other equipment you could bring. Start sites that accept new registrations could benefit from a larger setup—think 10W+ and an antenna like a magmount or better. If you’re able and willing to bring that extra equipment, 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 run, 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

The Boston Athletic Association still needs Amateur Radio volunteers for the 120th Boston Marathon on April 18, 2016.

Radio team members provide communications linking the Hopkinton-based locations, net control, various course locations, including: first aid and water stations, observation points, supply vehicles, MEMA, sweep buses, and medical operations.

If interested, visit http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/event-information/volunteer-information.aspx to signup.

Henry Brown, K1WCC writes on Facebook:

Barry, KB1TLR still needs more operators to assist at the Cape Cod Marathon on October 25. Contact him at: timefliestoo@verizon.net.

Barry has stepped up to the plate to organize the race this year since Gene, KX1C will be away.

…

FARA provides primary communications for this event and your participation is important. To find out more about the race, check out the race website, http://www.capecodmarathon.com/marathon/.

Remember that participation is staggered, you do not always have to be at your station for the entire race, depending on your assignment.

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
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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 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

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!

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

K1EJ writes on PART of Westford list:

The North Middlesex ARES Group could use some communications aid at the Chelmsford Road Race and Parade on the 4th of July from about 8AM to 12M. If you are looking to do some community service with your HT and can join us, please let me know.

Thanks and 73,
Darrel K1EJ, EC
k1ej@arrl.net

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.

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.

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

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

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.