Marine Lodge Supports Falmouth ARA Communications Trailer Project

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

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

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

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

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

ARRL Seeking Emergency Management Director

From ARRL Web:

ARRL is seeking an emergency management director to oversee a team responsible for supporting ARRL emergency communication programs and services, including the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) and National Traffic System (NTS), and to work with staff to develop standards, protocols, and processes designed to support the Field Organization. This is a full-time, exempt position at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut.

This individual would serve as the official point of contact and liaison to key partners and other served agencies at the regional and national level. Duties would include representing ARRL at served agency and partner meetings, conventions, and exercises as well as organizing and providing presentations for various relevant audiences. [Full story]

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

Matt Brennan-NM1B writes:

Hi Folks,

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

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

Thanks.
-Matt

Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC Meets September 17, 2019

Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARCRay Cord, K2TGX, writes on the SMH ARC mailing list:

This is to announce that the September Meeting of the SMH ARC will be held this coming Tuesday evening, September 17 [in Attleboro] at the Hospital in Conference Room D & E.

Please note that there will be an abbreviated ARES meeting starting at 7:00PM and the business meeting will start at 7:30PM to allow time for a presentation by Pierre Guimond, N1EZT.

Hope to see you all there.

Efforts Continue to Enhance ARES Program, Add Resources

The ARRL Board of Directors, committees, and Headquarters administrative staff are continuing efforts to enhance the venerable Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) program. A major ARES Plan has been adopted, providing new direction going forward. In addition, a standardized training plan has been adopted and a new ARES Emergency Communicator Individual Task Book approved and published.

At its July meeting, the ARRL Board considered the report of its Public Service Enhancement Working Group (PSEWG). A “change log” was proposed for the Task Book that will highlight changes made as the document is periodically revised and updated. ARES position guidelines were posted to the online ARES Workbook and a major revision and update of ARRL’s Introduction to Emergency Communicationscourse — now designated as IS-001 — has been completed.

[Full story]

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

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

Cape Cod ARES August 10th 2019 Exercise Plan

Cape Cod ARES and SKYWARN Provide Support in Rare Cape Cod Tornado Event

From ARRLWeb:

Storm damage in Harwich, MA
Photo courtesy N2KNL

Cape Cod, Massachusetts, ARES, and SKYWARN Amateur Radio volunteers were promptly pressed into action as a storm system on July 23 produced severe thunderstorms that spawned three tornadoes over the Cape. Hurricane-force wind also resulted in significant tree and utility wire damage across Cape Cod, with particularly hard-hit communities including Hyannis, Yarmouth, and Chatham. Some pockets of wind damage also occurred in the northwest corner of Martha’s Vineyard.

Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters were the first to provide critical ground truth information regarding the significant wind damage and tornadoes across Cape Cod. Under the direction of Cape Cod District Emergency Coordinator Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, and Eastern Massachusetts Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY, a SKYWARN net ran for several hour on a Barnstable, Massachusetts, VHF repeater. Numerous damage reports were received during the net and for a couple hours after the storm had passed. [Full story]

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

Good evening,

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

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

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

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

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

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

We extend an invitation to any health care facility or EOC of any city or town that is served by one of the participating hospitals to join the Net. We also extend an invitation to any RACES or ARES member to check in during the NET.

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

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct the monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event. The following list of repeaters is available for our use. Only a few systems are used each month with the selection of those used made by Net Control for that month. More systems are being added to the list on a regular basis.

Repeaters
Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)
Belmont 145.430 tone 146.2
Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0
Fall River 146.805. tone 67.0
Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9
Mansfield EMA 446.925 tone 100.0
Mansfield 147.015 tone 67.0
Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0
Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
Plymouth 146.685 tone 131.8
Salem 146.88 tone 118.8
Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
W. Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

We look forward to hearing you all on the Net.

Respectfully,

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

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

Eastern MA Hospital Net, August 3, 2019

John O’Neill, K1JRO writes:

Good Morning Everyone,

The August 3, 2019 Eastern MA Hospital Net is approaching. We do not have anyone signed up to conduct the August net.

If anyone is interested in taking a turn as Net Control Station please let us know. 

Below are the repeaters we have available for our use. Let us know which 3 or 4 repeaters you would like to use and we will make all the notifications. We will also send you a copy of our net preamble if you like which you may modify for your own use. 

73’s,

John  O’- K1JRO

Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)
Belmont 145.430 tone 67.0
Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0  
Fairhaven 145.490 tone 67.0    
Fall River 146.805. tone 67.0
Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9
Mansfield EMA  446.925 tone 100.0
Mansfield 147.015 tone 67.0
Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0      
Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
Plymouth 146.685 tone 82.5
Salem 146.88 tone 118.8        
Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5    
Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
W. Bridgewater 146.775 dpl 244 
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

 

South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group – W1SSH

55 Fogg Road, Box 42

South Weymouth, MA 02190

Eastern MA Hospital Net – July 6, 2019

Hi Everyone,

Net Control for the July 6, 2019 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be W1SSH, The South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group. The net will commence at the usual time of 10:00 AM using the following repeaters in the order listed.

1. Plymouth 146.685 tone 131.8
2. W. Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244
3. Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
4. Simplex 147.42 MHz

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

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

We extend an invitation to any health care facility or EOC of any city or town that is served by one of the participating hospitals to join the Net. We also extend an invitation to any RACES or ARES member to check in during the NET.

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

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct the monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event. The following list of repeaters is available for our use. Only a few systems are used each month with the selection of those used made by Net Control for that month. More systems are being added to the list on a regular basis.

Repeaters
Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)
Belmont 145.430 tone 146.2
Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0
Fall River 146.805. tone 67.0
Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9
Mansfield EMA 446.925 tone 100.0
Mansfield 147.015 tone 67.0
Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0
Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
Plymouth 146.685 tone 131.8
Salem 146.88 tone 118.8
Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
W. Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

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

Respectfully,

John Barbuto
KS1Q

South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group
55 Fogg Rd. Mail-Stop 42
South Weymouth, MA 02190

Falmouth ARA Emergency Communications Trailer Project

Falmouth Amateur Radio AssociationThe Falmouth Amateur Radio Association has embarked upon an ambitious project to raise $14,000 by September 1, 2019 for the purchase a 16-foot utility trailer and to “assemble a professional, self-contained, mobile communications platform that would be utilized for emergency and non-emergency, public safety and public service events.”

FARA intends to outfit the trailer with a number of operator positions that would “allow operation on a multitude of communications networks and frequencies … including local amateur radio repeaters that link local and regional communications for storm shelters, hospitals and aid stations.” The trailer would also be utilized for non-emergency events like road races, marathons, July 4th celebrations, fairs, and community service events.

The Falmouth ARA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to “providing emergency and routine radio communications support to the citizens of the Town of Falmouth and the surrounding communities.”

[Full story]

 

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net for Monday June 3 at 8:30pm

Hello to all…

The June ARES Net is Monday June 3, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.
The July ARES net will be Monday July 1, at 8:30 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:

http://www.mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_index_by_linkstate.html

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. As part of our relationship with MARS and our own situational awareness gathering we will be asking for any known infrastructure issues that you are aware of. The information must either be personally observed, or obtained “over the air” via amateur radio. Items considered to be infrastructure include but are not limited to: electrical power, water, medical facilities, sanitation, communications, and transportation. Examples of failure would be: small or large area power failure, water main breaks, hospitals’ ER closed, sewage issues, TV/radio station off the air (including public safety), interstate highway or major road closed. No known issues are just as important as reporting failures.

Additionally we are interested in relay of any weather information from airport ATIS/ASOS stations that you can directly receive via radio. These stations broadcast continuously in the 120.000 – 138.000 MHz frequency range using amplitude modulation. Information from the ATIS should include airport, temperature, altimeter (barometer), wind, precipitation, and visibility.A list of stations with their frequencies and a map can be found at: <https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/weather/asos/?state=MA>. A brief introduction to ATIS can be found at: <https://www.vatsim.net/pilot-resource-centre/general-lessons/understanding-atis>. We will have several interesting announcements for the net that evening and we look forward to everyone’s participation.

Updates will be posted via email and on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Web Site at <https://ema.arrl.org/ares>. Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

Rob Macedo, KD1CY

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Emergency Messaging Demonstration for Red Cross, FEMA is a Success

Courtesy ARRLWeb:

With Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials monitoring, dozens of radio amateurs along the US east coast on May 23 demonstrated Amateur Radio’s ability to deliver messages without commercial power, infrastructure, or permanently established stations. The event took place in coordination with ARRL. The demonstration was a mock response to a simulated disaster scenario — a major hurricane with mass casualties. During the event, radio amateurs at portable stations from New England to the Carolinas delivered message traffic to W1AW, which coordinated and delivered the information to officials attending a joint Red Cross-FEMA meeting in Baltimore.  [Full story]

See also: Local Amateurs Participate in Joint American Red Cross FEMA Exercise 

WX4NHC Annual On-The Air Station Test – Saturday June 1st, 2019 – 900 AM-500 PM EDT (1300-2100z)

Hello to all…

Please see the following information from WD4R-Julio Ripoll, Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator on the 2019 WX4NHC On-Air Communications Test which will be held this Saturday June 1st, 2019 from 9 AM-5 PM EDT (1300-2100 UTC) across various bands and modes on Amateur Radio. We encourage Amateur Radio Operators in our region to participate. See link below:

Special Announcement: WX4NHC Annual On-The Air Station Test – Saturday June 1st, 2019 – 900 AM-500 PM EDT (1300-2100z)

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box

Eastern MA Hospital Net, June 1, 2019

John O’Neill, K1JRO writes:

Net Control for the June 1, 2019 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be W1SMH Sturdy Memorial Hospital. The net will commence at the usual time of 10:AM using the following repeaters in the order listed. 

  1. Fall River 146.805 tone 67.0
  2. Norwood 147.210 tone 100.0
  3. Boston 145.230 Tone Encode 88.5 Decode 100.0
  4. Simplex 147.42 mhz

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

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

We extend an invitation to any health care facility or the EOC of any city or town that is served by one of the participating hospitals to join the Net. We also extend an invitation to any RACES or ARES member to check in during the NET.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in joining the group please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to: ssharg@gmail.com. Our goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many groups as possible. 

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct the monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event. The following list of repeaters are available for our use. Only a few systems are used each month with the selection of those used made by Net Control for that month.  More systems are being added to the list on a regular basis.

Repeaters

Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)
Belmont 145.430 tone 146.2
Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0  
Fall River 146.805. tone 67.0
Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9  
Mansfield EMA  446.925 tone 100.0
Mansfield 147.015 tone 67.0
Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0      
Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
Plymouth 146.685 tone 131.8
Salem 146.88 tone 118.8        
Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5    
Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
W. Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244 
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

We look forward to hearing you all on the Net.

Respectfully,

John O’Neill
K1JRO 


South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club – W1SSH
55 Fogg Road, Box 42
South Weymouth, MA 02190

Local Amateurs Participate in Joint American Red Cross, FEMA Exercise

Photo courtesy KW1U

Amateurs in Eastern Massachusetts along with dozens of hams along the US East Coast demonstrated Amateur Radio’s ability to deliver messages without commercial power, infrastructure, or permanently established stations for officials of the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

[Story, courtesy KC1CIC]

KD1CY on ARRL Public Service Communications Panel Discussion, Hamvention®, May 17, 2019

Eastern Massachusetts Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY, will participate in an ARRL Public Service Communications panel discussion at the Dayton Hamvention® on Friday, May 17 from  2:25 to 3:40 PM in Room 3. Those attending the panel discussion will hear from representatives from Amateur Radio’s largest organizations active during times of disaster and emergency.

According to the ARES E-Letter, “An update will also be given on the new ARES Plan and changes that were asked for by volunteers and partner agencies on training, reporting, identification, leadership development, and more. Sponsored by ARRL, this forum will feature Rob Macedo, KD1CY, VOIP WX Net and VOIP Hurricane Net; Paul English, WD8DBY, US Army MARS; David Stapchuk, KD9DXM, US Air Force MARS; Bill Feist, WB8BZH, SATERN; Ross Merlin, WA2WDT, Department of Homeland Security, SHAred RESources (SHARES); Ted Okada, K4HNL, Chief Technology Officer, FEMA; and Malcolm Kyser, KG4G, Chief of Communications, Civil Air Patrol.”

The Dayton Hamvention® in Xenia, Ohio, is host to this year’s ARRL National Convention.