Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM Report for November 2024

The Massachusetts – Rhode Island STM Report for November  2024 can now be found at https://ema.arrl.org/massachusetts-rhode-island-stm-report-for-november-2024/. Note reports from the net managers about new and returning traffic handlers and trainees, holiday greetings via radiogram, information about Station Activity Reports (SAR), and POTA – thoughts about emergency preparedness. Holiday greetings to all!

“Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s antenna laboratory, Software Radio Design course, and STEM in general at WPI” at Sci-Tech ARS, December 17, 2024

New England Sci Tech logoTue, December 17, 2024 at 7 PM: “Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s antenna laboratory, Software Radio Design course, and STEM in general at WPI” by Alexander M. Wyglinski, WPI Professor & Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. 

Bio: Dr. Wyglinski is an internationally recognized expert in wireless communications, cognitive radio, spectrum coexistence, 5G/6G, connected vehicles, software-defined radio, dynamic spectrum access, satellite communications, and vehicular technology. Dr. Wyglinski is a Full Professor of Electrical Engineering and Robotics Engineering as well as the Director of the Wireless Innovation Laboratory (WILab) at WPI. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Wyglinski has published nearly 50 journal papers, over 120 conference papers, nine book chapters, and three textbooks. Dr. Wyglinski is a Senior Member of the IEEE, as well as a member of Sigma Xi, Eta Kappa Nu, and the ASEE.

USCG Auxiliary Division 5 / 12 Radio Nets – 8 DEC 24 & 1 DEC 24

K1UN-Joseph Fratto – USCG Coast Guard Auxiliary & FCC General Radiotelephone Operator writes:

The USCG Auxiliary Division 5 / 12 Radio net was held Sunday 8 DEC 24 at 1030 hrs.

Check Ins: Radio Roslindale
Radio Wilmington
Radio Winthrop
Mobile 5F
Mobile 5G

Net Control: Radio Waltham NCS

Traffic: Traffic consisted of radio checks this morning. Just a reminder that if the
weather conditions warrant we will be activating our SKYWARN net on
the Roslindale repeater. Stations are encouraged to check in and report
weather conditions and other happenings. (wires down or trees down and
power outages etc.)

The theme of this week’s net is safety when handling Christmas decorations.
Whether indoors or outside, be careful and use caution. Remember that the
Christmas lights we handle can shock and kill you when defective or not
handled and set up properly.

Our Ham Radio Auxiliary Net we sponsor on the MMRA network is going well.
The following stations checked into the net this morning.

N1DFL
KA1CUH
KB1WGK
N1GWY
KC1VJH
K1HGT
N1MSK
KC1VHN
W1JVC
KB1MWD
KC1ULA
KC1PFF
W1JDZ
KA1GFN
K1UN Net Control Sta.

Please pass the word around to other members that the Auxiliary Radio net
is held weekly at 1100 hrs. on the MMRA network. Please join in, all you need
is a Ham Radio callsign. This is a wide area network so most stations will be
able to access the network. You can even hear it on your scanner. Please tune
into 146.82 or 146.79 Mhz and you will hear us.

The MMRA is sponsoring an “Elmer Training Session” this Wednesday evening
on Zoom Net. The Elmer net will be once a month and it will be manned by Ham
radio experts and engineers. They will answer and explain any radio related
questions. Please look up mmra.org to get the sign on Zoom link information. This
elmer net is open to all and has been very well received as an excellent source of
knowledge. The best part is it’s free.

There are numerous sites online that offer free tutoring to obtain your entry level
Technician class Ham radio license. It is easier than ever to take the FCC exam
to get licensed. Equipment to get on the air is now very inexpensive to buy.

Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License

The USCG Auxiliary combined Divisions 5 / 12 Radio Net was held this Sunday 1 DEC 24 at 1015 hrs.

Check Ins: Radio Wilmington
Radio Winthrop
Radio Roslindale
Mobile 5F
Mobile 5G

Net Control: Radio Waltham

Traffic: Radio traffic was limited. With the talk of inclement weather remember the SKYWARN weather
net will activate on the Roslindale repeater if needed. In conversation with NWS personnel we
will offer a SKYWARN training class around April for members on Zoom.

There are still openings to assist and work at the upcoming Boat Show. Please contact your FC
or Don Zidik directly to volunteer.

Hope everyone ate well on this Thanksgiving Holiday. Jim Healy is still on Sick Leave Roster we
hope he is feeling better. The Auxiliary Net on the MMRA network is still going strong. The following
stations checked in this morning:

WB1EMS
W1ATO
K1UVH
KA1CUH
KB1WGK
W1JVC
KS1E
K1KWP
N1DFL
KC1VJH
K1HGT
N1MSK
W2KER
N1OSG
KB1MWD
KC1DKW
KB1OQA
KC1VHN
K1UN Net Control Station

Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License

2025 Boston Marathon Volunteer Registration Expected to Open on Monday 12/9/24

The Boston Marathon Communications Committee writes:

Volunteer registration for the 2025 Boston Marathon is expected to open on Monday, December 9th. Returning volunteers will receive an email from the BAA that includes registration instructions. In order to make registration as smooth as possible, we are providing specific instructions for our Amateur Radio Operator (ARO) volunteers.

If you haven’t previously volunteered, or have a friend who would like to volunteer, please go directly to the Volunteer Registration page and follow the instructions for new volunteers.

Step by Step Sign Up Guide:
https://hamradioboston.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/44002570599-2025-volunteer-registration-step-by-step-guide

A few notes for volunteers:

Almost all amateur radio positions are single person assignments. We are not able to group people on a single assignment, but we will try to accommodate which segment you are assigned to in order to allow for similar start/end times.

Do you want to run Boston?

In recognition of the contribution the Amateur Radio Communications team provides to the Boston Marathon every year, the BAA has granted us an invitational bib to be awarded to one of our volunteers! Here’s how it works:

Applicants must be Boston Marathon volunteers who have served on the Amateur Radio Communications Team in at least one (1) of the most recent three (3) Boston Marathons.

Applicants must agree that if selected, they will pay the applicable entry fee ($375) to the BAA.

Applicants must agree to comply with all terms and conditions set by the BAA.

Applicants must be capable of completing the Boston Marathon within the allotted time.

Applicants must hold a valid Amateur Radio license (of any class) issued by the FCC (or regulatory body in the applicant’s home country) at the time of application.

Applicants must be eligible to participate in BAA events.

The Amateur Radio Communications Committee will utilize the following criteria to determine how the Invitational Entry will be awarded:

All interested eligible parties must fill out the linked Google Form to express their interest

Applications must be received by January 3, 2025.

All applicants will be entered into a random drawing for the Invitational Entry following the application deadline.

The selected applicant will be notified by email by January 6, and is required to formally respond and accept within seven (7) calendar days. If after seven days, the selected applicant has not accepted the Invitational Entry, that applicant’s Entry will become void and a second drawing will be held for the Entry to be reassigned.

Following receipt of an Invitational Entry from the Amateur Radio Communications Team, recipients will be ineligible to receive this Invitational Entry again until the fourth Boston Marathon following their award.

Help us get the word out by forwarding this email to your club and other amateur radio operators who might wish to volunteer. Most volunteers first learn about the event through word of mouth. If you know new licensees who might like to join us, please make sure to let them know about it. Even just a quick mention at your club meeting can be a big help!

If you have any questions about the upcoming volunteer registration period, the invitational amateur radio bib program, or the 2025 Marathon in general, please get in touch anytime. Volunteering at the Marathon is a big job and we appreciate the time and effort everyone puts into it. We’re happy to do what we can to make your work fun, comfortable, and effective.

We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Thank you, and 73,

Boston Marathon Communications Committee
contact@HamRadioBoston.org

Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net (EMHN) – Saturday 12/7/24 at 1000 AM

Good Evening,

On Saturday December 7, 2024 the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10:00AM.

We realize that some locations, individuals, and groups may be subject to COVID restrictions. We encourage everyone who is affected by these restrictions to utilize their home or mobile stations to check into the net if possible. Even if you cannot reach all the systems being used, please check-in on those you can.

We will use the following repeaters in the order listed.

1. West Bridgewater repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. Dartmouth Repeater 147.000 tone 67.0
3. DMR -Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot :1 on the following NEDECN repeaters: Boston 449.175 -5.M CC:1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC:1, Sagamore 145.200 – 0.6M CC:10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC:11, East Falmouth 145.210 -0.600 CC:9, Martha’s Vineyard145.180 -0.600 CC:10, and Walpole 145.380 -0.600 CC:12.
4. Sharon Repeater 146.8655 tone 103.5
5. Simplex 147.420

We will then return to the West Bridgewater Repeater for Net closing.

NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check-in procedure which is: Here is.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.

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

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

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

We hope to hear you Saturday.

73,

Jeff N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday December 2nd, 2024 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater System

Hello to all…

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday weekend and we are thankful for your support of Eastern Massachusetts, ARES, SKYWARN, RACES and public service! The December Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday December 2nd, 2024 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.

For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have several announcements for the net including SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) 2024 information which is on Saturday 12/7/24 – 0000-2400 UTC (Friday Evening 12/6/24 7 PM EST-Saturday Evening 12/7/24 at 7PM EST) and volunteer registration for the 2025 Boston Marathon will be opening on Monday 12/9/24.

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Massachusetts RACES Nets – Monday 12/2/24 for HF, Region 2D VHF, NBEMS & Winlink – Times and Details Below

Don Rolph, AB1PH, Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:

The MEMA RACES nets are held on the first Monday of the month, unless the first Monday is a holiday, when it is delayed one week, For Dec 2024, the MEMA RACES nets will be held on Mon Dec 2 at:

********************************************************************************
80 meter Voice net
6:45 PM
Frequency: 3930 KHz working up until the first free frequency
Jeff N1JCM will be net control

*********************************************************************************
Region 2D VHF net:
7:30 PM ET VHF net on 146.865 MHz PL 103.5 (Sharon Repeater)
We will have a general call up of any RACES, ARES, or other interested stations. If there is time, we will have a simplex test.

Jim WJ1R will be net control.

********************************************************************************
HF 80 meters NBEMS net:
7:00 PM ET
Dial Frequency: 3584.5 MHx
Center Frequency: 1500 Hz
Initial mode: THOR22
We will have checkins, followed by an ICS-213 format message using FLMSG.
Don AB1PH will be net control

*********************************************************************************
Winlink Net:
Bryan Marcotte KF1D will be net control.
Send a winlink checkin form to KF1D, copy AB1PH, between 0600 Monday Dec 2 and 2400 Monday Dec 2.

We look forward to you checking in!

73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph

Swampscott High School Special Event Station W1B “Permission for Fun Day,” November 27, 2024

Swampscott High School logoEric Cottrell, WB1HBU, writes on the Billerica ARS mailing list:

Swampscott High School , MA, USA . SPECIAL EVENT

Listen for us on the on the Air today Wed 11/27 as W1B

2024 Permission For Fun Day! Wed 27 Nov, 2024

Each year on the day before Thanksgiving break, our school holds a “Permission for Fun” day where teachers and students share their hobbies and interests and take part in fun and creative activities together.

This year we will be hosting an amateur radio station using the special event 1×1 callsign, W1B and having students try their hand at making contacts around the globe!

Control operator for the station is Brian, KC1OOH, a Chemistry/AP Environmental Science/Earth Sciences teacher at the school.

We will be operating voice on 10m SSB (possibly 17m, and 20m) depending on band conditions and propagation.

Some local VHF/UHF possible too.

No digital modes

November 2024 Section News Update

HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone!! Welcome to the November 2024 EMA Section Update! I am publishing this update to the EMA Section and NE Division websites and sending it to as many clubs as I have email addresses for. Please distribute this widely. The email-blast-to-all-section-members function is still down, a casualty of the cyber-attack on ARRL HQ; there is currently no ETA.  

Wow, that unseasonably warm weather we’ve been having this month is crazy, right? I’m not complaining, mind you – extra days for outdoor antenna projects and nice long walks are always welcome! I just wish we were not amid the driest 3-month period in recorded weather history.  I’m hearing stories of some cool POTA activations in the section.  Viva POTA! 

 

* Election for ARRL New England Division Director  

 By now I’m sure you’ve heard/seen the results of the election for new Division Directors.  In the New England Division, Tom Frenaye, K1KI (1,593 votes), of West Suffeld, Connecticut, was declared the winner, defeating incumbent Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC (1,452 votes). Thanks to all of you that voted in this important election. And congratulations to Tom on his return to the Board! I look forward to working with Tom in his new term. See also https://www.arrl.org/news/2024-arrl-board-of-directors-election-results  

 

* ARRL Sweepstakes Was Earlier This Month 

 The ARRL Sweepstakes – the oldest domestic ham radio contest – happens in November. ARRL Sweeps CW was Nov 2, 2024, 2100Z to Nov 4, 2024, 0300Z, and ARRL Sweeps SSB was Nov 16, 2024, 2100Z to Nov 18, 2024, 0300Z. Full details are at https://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes  

 Did you play in either of the sweepstakes? If you did, please email me at n1ilz@arrl.org to tell me about all the fun you had!  

 

* Eastern MA Simulated Emergency Test (SET) Saturday, Nov 9, 1000-1200 EST 

Eastern Massachusetts ARES conducted a section exercise and Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on Saturday 11/9/24 from 10 AM-12 PM dubbed “November Gale”. The exercise practiced skills like previous exercises conducted over the course of 2024 and will serve as a means of practice heading into the 2024-2025 winter season. 

 Full details at https://ema.arrl.org/2024/10/28/eastern-massachusetts-ares-simulated-emergency-test-set-operation-november-gale-saturday-11-9-24-10-am-12-pm-edt/  

 

* Cape & Islands ARES Sets Up AREDN Test Net for Served Agency Test 

 Members of the Cape and Islands Emergency Communications Network – Frank WQ1O, Bruce WA3SWJ, Al WW1RF, Rich KC1TCA, Rob K1UI, Chris WA1CMR, and Paul NM1Z –assisted Sandwich, MA Public Safety with a successful exercise, an important part of which including deploying an AREDN mesh network. More details at https://ema.arrl.org/2024/11/18/cape-and-islands-ares-aredn-test-nets-press-coverage-in-sandwichs-the-enterprise/  and https://ema.arrl.org/2024/11/15/cape-and-islands-ares-aredn-test-with-sandwich-public-safety/  

 

* Recruiting Volunteer Webmaster(s) for the EMA Website  

Phil, K9HI has done a fantastic job of maintaining the https://ema.arrl.,org website. I (still) need to recruit some backup resources. If you have basic skills with WordPress and can help maintain the website – mostly posting new articles at the suggestion of me and others – please contact me at n1ilz@arrl.org. You’ll be helping me – and the League – immensely! 

 

* Recruiting a New Section Youth Coordinator 

 Sadly our Section’s former Section Youth Coordinator, Paul K1YUB, is now a Silent Key. I need to fill this important position on the EMA Section Staff. The SYC requirement and job description is at https://www.arrl.org/section-youth-coordinator  If you are interested in this volunteer position, please contact me at n1ilz@arrl.org  – I’ll appreciate it greatly! 

 

* N1ILZ for a Final  
 
Stay safe and warm out there!  I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. Wrap up those Autumn antenna projects, and batten down the hatches just in case we have a killer Winter. 

Can you write a paragraph or two about what you’re up to, so I can publish it in the Section Update? Let me know via email at n1ilz@arrl.org!  
 

 
* For always up-to-date news, please visit the EMA Section website at http://ema.arrl.org  
 
This Section News Update is brought to you by Section Manager Jon N1ILZ. 

 

Nashoba Valley ARC: W1 QSL Bureau Sort, Pepperell, November 21, 2024

Nashoba Valley ARC logoBruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club‘s November meeting is Thursday, November 21st at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell). We start gathering at 7 PM to socialize before the meeting starts. The November meeting is traditionally our W1 QSL Bureau night where the club sorts several thousand QSL cards for the bureau.  Eric Williams, KV1J, the bureau manager, will give a short presentation on how the bureau works. Pizza and soft drinks follow the card sort.  It is, by far, my favorite club meeting of the year.  It’s a social experience you won’t want to miss, and it’s a lot of fun.  I personally can’t wait to hear this presentation!

As always, feel free to bring a friend

Come and join the fun!

If you need directions to the club meeting, please click <http://binged.it/smoogg> here and put your own address in box “A”.

Thanks and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Bruce, K1BG
978-772-2773 or  <mailto:bruce.blain@charter.netbruce.blain@charter.net

Cape and Islands ARES AREDN Test Nets Press Coverage in Sandwich’s “The Enterprise”

Screenshot from Sandwich's "The Enterprise"Lem Skidmore, W1LEM, writes on the Barnstable ARC mailing list:
 
Members of the Cape And Islands Emergency Communications Network–Frank WQ1O, Bruce WA3SWJ, Al WW1RF, Rich KC1TCA, Rob K1UI, Chris WA1CMR, and Paul NM1Z–assisted Sandwich Public Safety with a successful exercise.
 
Here’s some press coverage of the event (focus is on the Sandwich personnel, which is where it should be):
 
 

Minuteman Repeater Association “Elmer Forum” Meets Monthly on Zoom

Ken  Horton, KA1GFN, writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:

Starting in December, the Minuteman Repeater Association (MMRA) will start an Elmer Forum on Zoom on the second Wednesday of each month. There are currently four scheduled dates. The first of which is December 11th.

All are welcome to attend whether an MMRA member or not.

This is being started because statistics have shown that many new hams never get on the air and their license eventually expires without being renewed. These statistics have been presented to both the MMRA and Algonquin ARC by Fred, AB1OC.

See attached PDF for more information.

There is no need to respond if you plan to attend or not. If there is something important worth noting, then I will forward it on.

MMRA Elmer Forum

USCG Auxiliary Division 5 / 12 Radio Net 17 NOV 24

Joseph Fratto-K1UN – FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License writes:

The USCG Auxiliary Division 5 / 12 Radio Net was held this Sunday 17 NOV 24 at 1015 hrs.

Check Ins: Radio Wilmington
Radio Roslindale
Radio Winthrop
Mobile 5F
Mobile 5G

Net Control: Radio Waltham NCS

Traffic: Stations were able to radio test their facilities. Mobile 5F and Mobile 5G were at the beach
in the Hull area working on servicing their boat. Radio Winthrop’s boat has been put away
for the winter. Radio Wilmington’s boat is also out of the water and in the shop for service.

The Auxiliary Net on the MMRA is going strong and we increase our check ins weekly.
This is a fellowship unofficial net on Ham Radio with a lot of interest. We depend on Hams
to help us out if needed with communications.

Check Ins: WB1EMS
N1DFL
KB1WGK
KC1VHN
K1UVH
KB1NZZ
K1HGT
KC1VJH
KB1ZSW
N1MSK
KB1MWD
W1JVC
KC1VMG
N1KMX
KA1GFN
KW1W
WA1APC
WV1D
KC1LNQ
KC1VPU
N1WRN
N1JSM
KS1E
KA1GFN
KB1OQA
KA1GDQ
W1ATO
K1UN

Keeping these stations on our network is a good way for testing the performance of the linked
repeater network. The only traffic for the net was for the Thanksgiving Parade coming up on the
23 NOV 24 at 0800 Muster and Marching from 1000 to 1200 hrs. Contact your FC or Don Zidik
for further info. The New England Boat Show is coming up on JAN 8 to 12 at the Boston Convention
and Exhibition. Any interest in working the show please contact your FC or Don Zidik directly.

We mentioned the Military Auxiliary Radio System, a DOD sponsored Ham Radio Auxiliary servicing
DOD. Attached is a short video on USAF MARS which I am an emeritus member of.

Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License

Cape and Islands ARES AREDN Test with Sandwich Public Safety

Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, posts on the Cape and Island ARES Facebook page:

Several of the ARES guys in the CAIECN mesh group conducted a meshnet localized test with Sandwich Fire Chief Burke and Sandwich public safety/emergency management. We linked their warming center with the fire and police buildings. We tested video, IP phone, document transfer and data upload to an incident webpage. All of this was self contained and did not utilize any public internet or phone systems. We used VHF radio as additional support with our portable kits.

My thanks to all our guys for their time and efforts in making this happen. We will soon be working with Chief Burke for our next steps.

EMA Fall SET “November Gale” report for MARIDN

Jon N1ILZ writes:

As part of the Fall 2024 SET “November Gale,” we conducted a special session of the Massachusetts Rhode Island Digital Net (MARIDN). MARIDN is an affiliate of the National Traffic System (NTS) of the ARRL, convened to pass formal written traffic across MA and RI and to and from wherever third-party traffic is allowed, using the digital message-passing capabilities of the fldigi NBEMS software suite.

The MARIDN special session ran 1000-1203L (1500-1703Z). A total of 14 stations checked in, with a total of six pieces of traffic passed, including both Radiograms and ICS-213 messages. The exercise demonstrated passing traffic within the net and exchanging traffic with the greater National Traffic System (NTS).

N1ILZ was primary NCS. Special thanks to Don AB1PH for assisting as NCS. Thanks to the following stations for checking in to the special edition of MARIDN:

N1ILZ/NCS, WZ0C, AB1PH/NCS, N1RDN, KW1U, N1JCM, N1CPE, K1HRV, W1RVY, K1ELB, KX1C, KT1OK, NV1Y, AF1R

The special edition of MARIDN started on 80m. After 15-20 minutes it was clear that propagation was not in our favor – stations within ~25 mi of each other could relay traffic, but passing traffic from, say, Walpole, MA to Cape Cod was a non-starter, even with relays. MARIDN moved to its alternate 40m frequency and operations were much better.

The MARIDN team noted several lessons-learned, e.g., around net band-change and NCS handoff. These will be documented in a future document and incorporated into MARIDN processes.

Thanks again to all who participated!

73 de
—Jon N1ILZ

Reminder: November 4th, 2024 MEMA RACES/ACS Communications Test Net

Hello to all,
 
   This email is the typical monthly message to let everyone know that Monday evening, November 4th, 2024 is our first non-holiday Monday of the month and, as such, will be the next RACES/ACS/Preparedness Net night. 

  I will be unable to act as NCO for the Sector 2A net as this month’s net falls on my work shift and I cannot guarantee that I will have ready access to a radio at the scheduled net time. If anyone is interested in taking on the Net Control duties for this sector net this month, please reach out to me and let me know.  
 
   In our recent monthly nets, Sector 2B has had very low turnout. While we do not have many RACES operators for the communities in this sector at the moment, it would be appreciated if operators from other, nearby sectors would also check into this sector net to help maintain our NCOs net management skills and to make the net at least a little more fun and interesting or all those involved. A net with 2 people participating on a regular basis is really not something that many of us would look forward to taking the time to check into. With this in mind, hats off to WA1ZLQ and WA1BEE for their dedication in maintaining the presence of the Sector 2B net on a monthly basis even with so few other participants. 
 
      For any operators interested in performing the duties of Net Control Station (NCS), there are materials available to make the task fairly simple and straight forward. The net pre-amble and role call lists are available at http://wc1mab.org/RACES_R2_Interim_Preamble.pdf and http://wc1mab.org/Month.php with the role-call lists on the left column near the bottom. If anyone is worried that they may mess up running a net, please remember that, in many cases, a less than perfect net is WAY better than no net at all! At the conclusion of any net, any operator that acted as Net
Control Operator is asked to please send a note to WC1MAB@gmail.com <mailto:WC1MAB@gmail.com>  letting me know who ran the net and who checked in so that the proper numbers can be reported to our served agencies. We
cannot always count on our normal net control operators to be available in the event of a large scale emergency, so every RACES operator should be prepared to act as NCO if needed when disaster and emergency strikes!
 
Winlink Net Instructions From Don Rolph: 
 
*Winlink Net*
 
To participate:
– create a check-in form using the Winlink standard checkin form
– send via Winlink after 6 AM EST Mon. November 4th and before midnight EST November 5th
  (any mode, but include mode in check-in form) to KF1D
 
   I continue to ask that any operators who have the time, please try to
check into sector nets from near-by sectors. This will allow our Net
Control Operators to practice fielding nets with a strong check-in count and
will also serve to help practice with relays or modified sector assignments
in the event that a single repeater is out of service.
 
   For those operators who serve as Net Control Operators, please try to
remember to send me a list of the stations and communities that check into
your nets. The numbers are reported to MEMA to show them our level of
participation. I am continuing to work on a graphical map based report to
show which parts of our section have strong coverage and which areas may
need a more targeted recruitment campaign to improve our ability to provide
back-up communications in an emergency.
 
    I appreciate you all answering the call to help our communities remain
prepared. Thank you all for helping us keep things on track and prove that
we remain a consistent source of communication capability to the
Commonwealth. This net provides a monthly reminder to our communities and
served agencies that we stand ready with a quiet professionalism prepared to
serve as a voice to whomever needs one to get help and resources to where
they need to be.
 
 If you know someone who would benefit from being on this list, please have
them contact me at   <mailto:WC1MAB@gmail.comWC1MAB@gmail.com and I will
add them to this distribution. Thank you all!
 
      If anyone has any questions or comments I can be reached by e-mail or
cell phone. Thanks for being a part of our team and I look forward to
hearing back on who can participate this month.
 

Sincerely,

Michael Leger (N1YLQ)
MEMA Region #2 RACES Officer
C: 508_995_0203 

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday November 4th, 2024 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater System

Hello to all…

The November Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday November 4th, 2024 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.

For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have several announcements for the net including updated information for the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on 11/9/24 from 10 AM-12 PM, the Western Massachusetts ARES Simulated Emergency Test (SET) for Sunday 11/10/24 and 2024 SKYWARN Recognition Day slated for Saturday 12/7/24 from 0000-2400 UTC.

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
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Massachusetts RACES Nets – Monday 11/4/24 for HF, Region 2D VHF, NBEMS & Winlink – Times and Details Below

Don Rolph, AB1PH, Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:

The MEMA RACES nets are held on the first Monday of the month, unless the first Monday is a holiday, when it is delayed one week, For Nov 2024, the MEMA RACES nets will be held on Mon Nov 4 at:

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80 meter Voice net
6:45 PM
Frequency: 3930 KHz working up until the first free frequency
Jeff N1JCM will be net control

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Region 2D VHF net:
7:30 PM ET VHF net on 146.865 MHz PL 103.5 (Sharon Repeater)
We will have a general call up of any RACES, ARES, or other interested stations. If there is time, we will have a simplex test.
Don using WA1PLE will be net control.

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HF 80 meters NBEMS net:
7:00 PM ET
Dial Frequency: 3584.5 MHx
Center Frequency: 1500 Hz
Initial mode: THOR22
We will have checkins, followed by an ICS-213 format message using FLMSG.

Don AB1PH will be net control

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Winlink Net:
Bryan Marcotte KF1D will be net control.
Send a winlink checkin form to KF1D, copy AB1PH, between 0600 Monday Nov 4 and 2400 Monday Nov 4.

We look forward to you checking in!

73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph