a field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
Emergency communications and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®)
The Southeastern MA ARA activated ARES on Monday, December 1, 2003 in response to a widespread power outage that extended from the Plymouth area to Provincetown, Cape Cod and the Islands, extending roughly from Dartmouth/Westport eastward across much of South Coastal Massachusetts. [Full story]
Hello to all…
SEMARA ARES was self-activated by ARES Assistant Emergency Coordinator, Tony Duarte-N1XRS, as a power outage gripped an area from the Plymouth area to Cape Cod and Islands and appeared to extended from roughly Dartmouth/Westport eastward across much of South Coastal Massachusetts.
The ARES Net was started at 6:30 PM and preempted a Swap Net that would typically be held at 7 PM that evening on the 147.000-Dartmouth Repeater. [Please read on by pressing link below – W1MPN]A total of 20 check-ins were recorded. Amateurs relayed information of where the power was out, any public safety issues and when power was restored to their specified areas. I was enroute home from work when the event occurred and when notified by Tony-N1XRS, I went to man the Southeast Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association (W1AEC) so that additional district coverage could be maintained from our affected area to other parts of the Eastern Massachusetts section. Southeastern Massachusetts district relay was done to the Metro Boston Area and the Cape Cod districts via the 146.685-Plymouth Repeater where contact was made with Metro Boston ARES District Emergency Coordinator, KB1EKN, Mark Duff and Cape Cod and the Islands District Emergency Coordinator, WQ1O, Frank O’Laughlin. Liaison was also maintained with ARES DEC’s and ARES Section Emergency Coordinator, Mike Neilsen, W1MPN via AOL Instant Messenger during the latter portions of the event.
Power started being restored across the area at approximately 7 PM and was fully restored to all areas by 8 PM with South Dartmouth, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard being some of the last areas where power was restored. Amateur Operators checked in from the area as power was restored and also reported if they still did not have power. With Frank, WQ1O, tied up talking with Emergency Management directors, I established contact with Nantucket Island RACES Radio Officer, N1NBQ-George Allen and he told us when power was restored for the island via the main line power cable.
The ARES Net was secured at 8:30 PM. The following Amateurs checked in on the 147.000-Dartmouth Repeater.
1.) KB1FYF-Brian
2.) K1AHA-Dick
3.) W1RJC-Rick
4.) W1AEC/KD1CY-Rob
5.) K1KID-Carl
6.) KB1HJL-George
7.) W1VRP-Joe
8.) N1XKD-Peter
9.) WA1CRA-Dick
10.) W1EAV-Chris
11.) W1GYL-Henry
12.) N1EBW-Ray
13.) KB1EVX-Ray
14.) W1DBX-Larry
15.) WA1ZCB-Ed
16.) K1IBR-Bill
17.) N1NBQ-George
18.) N1VDM-Bob
19.) N1ZZN-Jeff
20.) N1XRS-Tony (NCS)
Mike Neilsen-W1MPN, when informed of the ARES Self-Activation and the response of the Amateurs from the SEMARA club, was tremendously pleased and thankful for the efforts of the SEMARA ARES team. He stated that he was pleased that the workshop and exercises were increasing awareness and resulting in such a strong response to a real event and was very impressed with the fact that SEMARA ARES responded quickly to an event that had no advanced warning.
Please let me know if any check-ins were missed during this event or if there are any additional major points that should be included in this report. Thanks!
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Southeast Massachusetts ARES District Emergency Coordinator
SEMARA ARES Emergency Coordinator
Pager #: (508) 354-3142
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 1-800-445-2588 Ext.: 72929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
On behalf of all the Eastern Massachusetts (EMa) DEC’s and EC’s, I would like to extend a cordial invitation to play in our annual Section Emergency Test (SET), scheduled for Saturday November 8th. As most of you know, it is our annual opportunity to formally evaluate our emergency communication skills, and readiness to respond to exigencies.
This year we will be emphasizing local response with a mandatory interdistrict communication element. Please contact your DEC to coordinate your efforts on this year’s exercise.
The ARES Leadership is reminded to keep a detailed roster and/or logs of those stations participating in the SET.
s/Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
Section Emergency Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts Section
Please check for more coordination details by pressing the link below.Cape Cod ARES Plan
Press this link CCARESsetOutline&Scenario.pdf to view specific planning material that your ARES leadership will use.
Middlesex District Plan
Press this link Middlesex District ARES SET.pdf to view specific planning material that your ARES leadership will use.
South Shore/Bristol Plan (SE Mass ARES)
Press this link South Shore/Bristol Plan.pdf to view specific planning material that your ARES leadership will use.
Metro Boston Plan, and from Mark, KB1EKN, Metro DEC
Press this link Metro Boston Plan.pdf to view specific planning material that your ARES leadership will use.
My plans for the Nov 8th SET are as follows.
1.) Send Bill Foley & the Army a formal written invitation to participate in the Nov 8th SET.
2.) I will be hosting a meeting at the Chelsea EOC on the Oct 21st. for all Metro-Boston ARES Members to discuss and plan our participation in Nov. A notice is going out in the SPARK on Thur. about the meeting. I would like the group to plan collectively for the SET.
View generic plan
Press this link ARESsetOutline&Scenario.pdf to view generic planning material that your ARES leadership will use. Please note that frequencies will probably be developed for this exercise using standing (existing) district frequency plans. Please consult with your EC/DEC for details.
Marc Stern, WA1R wrote:
“For those folks interested in participating in the Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on Nov. 8, or in becoming more active in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, please plan to meet with me at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at the club shack.
The meeting is, more or less, a get-acquainted meeting with some discussion of plans for the SET and follow-on activities, as well as, possible organizational planning.
Thanks for reading,
73,
Marc, WA1R
ARES EC, Framingham
Metro Boston District Emergency Coordinator Mark Duff, KB1EKN is hosting a planning meeting for all amateurs who are interested in participating in the upcoming ARRL Simulated Emergency Test on November 8, 2003.
“Collectively, we will plan our participation in this most important training exercise,” Duff stated.
The meeting will take place on October 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Chelsea (MA) Emergency Operations Center at 500 Broadway in Chelsea. There is ample parking at Chelsea City Hall.
—Boston Amateur Radio Club, The SPARC, October 2003
Supplement the knowledge gained in the ECC courses with our all day workshop. Learn about actual communication procedures from experienced ARES leaders. Includes field equipment demonstrations and personal preparedness. Attendance is required for all active ARES members prior to any assignment.
Ed Burg, N1VSJ, DEC for Emergency Ops, conducting a “go-kit” demonstration. Click to enlarge. Photo courtesy W1MPN
There will be an Emergency Communications Workshop on Saturday October 25th, 2003 from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM at the Littleton Town Hall, 41 Shattuck Street in Littleton, Massachusetts. This session is being put on by the ARES Section Staff and through the efforts of ARES DEC for Field Operations Ed Burg-N1VSJ and Northern Middlesex County ARES Emergency Coordinator Darrel Mallory-K1EJ.
This Emergency Communications Workshop will provide the background and information to serve Amateur Radio Operators when they need to respond to a communications emergency. It will feature an Introduction and Conclusion to Emergency Communications, and training sessions on topics including:
*Overview of Eastern Massachusetts ARES-RACES-SKYWARN Programs
*Net Operations
*NTS Traffic Message Handling
*Basic Overview of ICS
*Practical discussions and “Go Kits” demonstration
*Interactive Exercises on Field Operations
This training will also feature a 1 hour lunch that will be provided at no coerced cost to any Amateur who attends the session.
Please press link to read more and find out how to sign up and directions.The Emergency Communications presentations will be given by Amateur Operators in the ARES leadership who are well versed in the topics listed above. The training will be a worthwhile endeavor not just for emergency communicators but for anyone who is an amateur radio operator, and wants to,learn more about the hobby.
Preregistration is requested but not required for this workshop. You are allowed to preregister right up until the workshop and walk-ins to the workshop will be allowed.
Directions to the Workshop:
From the South:
Take I-495 North to Exit 30, which is the Route 2A/Route 110 exit and head toward Littleton/Ayer. Merge on to MA-2A/King Street/MA-110 to Littleton Common and take a left on to Shattuck Street.
From the North:
Take I-495 South to Exit 30, which is the Route 2A/Route 110 exit and head toward Littleton/Ayer. Merge on to MA-2A/King Street/MA-110 to Littleton Common and take a left on to Shattuck Street.
Talk-in: 146.955 PL 74.4 PART repeater
For any additional information and to preregister for the workshop, please contact:
W1MPN-Mike Neilsen w1mpn@ema.arrl.org
K1EJ-Darrel Mallory darrelma@aol.com
This training should be a worthwhile endeavor for anyone interested in learning more about emergency communications and amateur radio in general.
[Webmaster note: View pictures of the last workshop at the ARES Workshop and SEMARA Cookout Photo Gallery.Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
SEMARA ARES Emergency Coordinator
Southeastern Massachusetts ARES District Emergency Coordinator
Pager #: (508) 354-3142
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 1-800-445-2588 Ext.: 72929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com, and personal website:
http://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
EMA Section Emergency Coordinator Mike Neilsen, W1MPN, has announced the date for this year’s Section Emergency Test (SET), scheduled for Saturday, November 8th. The SET affords interested amateurs and groups an opportunity to participate in emergency communications exercises on both the local and area level. The SET also allows ARES leaders the chance to evaluate our emergency communication skills and readiness to respond to exigencies. [Full story]
Mike Neilsen, W1MPN writes:
Please stand down from storm preparation activities, except specific areas along the coast, at the discretion of South Shore, Bristol, and Cape/Islands DECs. Hurricane Isabel has crossed the 75th meridian and is in the process of making landfall on the North Carolina Outer Banks. [Full story]
Please stand down from storm preparation activities, except specific areas along the coast, at the discretion of South Shore, Bristol, and Cape/Islands DEC’s.
Hurricane Isabel has crossed the 75th meridian and is in the process of making landfall on the North Carolina Outer Banks. Please see latest advisory issued by SKYWARN chief, Rob, KD1CY, below, and/or direct links to NHC provided here:
For the latest position briefing on the Hurricane, please refer to the 5-day Hurricane diagram. For the most up-to-date discussion, please refer to the latest NHC discussion of Hurricane Isabel
s/Micheal P. Neilsen
Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN, EMa SEC
978.562.5662 Voice
978.389.0558 FAX/Secondary Voice
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
w1mpn@ema.arrl.org
Hi Folks,
New England area ARES/RACES Amateur Radio Operators went into full standby mode late this afternoon as word of the massive power outage filtered in. In the Eastern Mass Section, SEC Mike Neilsen – W1MPN placed all ARES/RACES Stations on Standby at 17:00 Thursday evening.
Several RACES/ARES stations checked in and monitored 3.943 Mhz for Massachusetts communications. WC1MA, the Mass State EMA Headquarters checked in and advised that they were on full alert. The Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC held their normally scheduled ARES Net and were joined by Rob Macedo – KD1CY, operating W1AEC, the Southeastern Mass ARC club station. Most ARES/RACES Teams had contacted their respective city/town EMA Directors, checked into their local repeaters and awaited further instructions. As word of the gradual restoration of power was made available, most stations were advised to “stand down” and were thanked for their assistance. The response was quick and organized, showing that our recent drills and training sessions have proved beneficial.
Thanks to all the local and regional ARES/RACES personnel that have given of their time to train our people in the techniques required to handle these situations. Also, thanks to the ARRL for their work with the ARECC (Amateur Radio Emergency Communicatons Course) program.
73,
Jim Duarte – N1IV
ARRL Public Information Coordinator
Eastern Mass Section
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Text of original instructions and press release follow:****** MASSIVE POWER OUTAGE ******
***** PLEASE BRING UP RACES/ARES IN STANDBY *****
A massive power outage has been reported in NYC and many Midwest cities including Canada. Media reporting “natural” occurrence not terrorism. It may or may not spread to our area.
NCS please bring up all ARES/RACES repeaters in standby mode. Advice of your presence, and require time between transmissions.
s/Michael P. Neilsen
Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN, EMa SEC
978.562.5662 Voice
978.389.0558 FAX/Secondary Voice
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
w1mpn@ema.ares.org
This is a precautionary move as many cities to our west including midwest and Canada have lost power. Terrorism in NOT suspected, but is felt to be part of an accidental breakdown. ISO New England has declared our power supply secure.
s/Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
Eastern Mass. Section Emergency Coodinator
Hi All!
In the Eastern Mass Section, SEC Mike Neilsen – W1MPN placed all
ARES/RACES Stations on Standby as of 17:07 this evening. Several RACES
Stations are already checked in and monitoring our 75 meter frequency.
Most ARES/RACES Teams have been in contact with their respective
city/town EMA Directors and are awaiting further instructions.
Regards,
Jim Duarte
Public Information Coordinator
ARRL Eastern Mass Section
Photos from the August 9, 2003 ARES Workshop/CEMARC Picnic at the Southeastern MA ARA are available for viewing.
The workshop was well-attended, and was taught by several ARES staff, including: W1MPN, WQ1O, KD1CY, W3EVE and N1VSJ.
Frank Murphy, N1DHW writes:
Time is getting close for the BBQ at the Southeastern MA ARA on August 9th. If you are planning to attend just the BBQ lunch, please reply to this email, or call me, Frank N1DHW, 617-491-8451 so SEMARA can plan for food. If you plan to attend just the BBQ, arrive about 10:00 a.m.
Spread the word to those in your club who might want to attend. You are on the CEMARC mail list and others in the club depend on YOU to forward CEMARC info. Talk it up on the repeater.
Better yet, attend the all day ARES Workshop being conducted at SEMARA that day, and really have a day out. The Workshop is from 9:00 – 4:30, with a 2 hour break for the BBQ lunch.
Workshop details, and directions to SEMARA can be found at:
http://users.rcn.com/rmacedo/emrgshop.htm
Hope to see you there.
Members of the Cape Cod ARES will conduct a summer communications exercise Saturday, July 19. The exercise, dubbed “Operation Long Haul” will test the ability of “EOCs, three field teams and multiple zone-based home relay stations to provide general communcations and relay coverage of the operational zones.” See http://ares.ema.arrl.org/article.php?sid=105 for the details.
Members of the Cape Cod ARES [held its] summer communications exercise Saturday, July 19. The exercise, dubbed “Operation Long Haul” will test the ability of “EOCs, three field teams and multiple zone-based home relay stations to provide general communcations and relay coverage of the operational zones.”
According to Cape and Islands District Emergency Coordinator Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, the exercise will utilize high frequency Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS), VHF/UHF FM and SSB. O’Laughlin adds, “we’ll attempt communications with other ARES districts if the opportunity arises.”
The drill will be the first CCARES exercise in which a field team conducts an NCS operation on the 6 meter band.
A description of Operation Long Haul can be found in the ARES web site links under “Departments/Programs | Training”.
The FCC has declared a Communication Emergency for the Texas Coast. Please see story by clicking link in lower left hand column, or the “read more” link.FCC declares communications emergency for Texas coast (Jul 14, 2003) — The Federal Communications Commission, in cooperation with ARRL South Texas Section Manager Ray Taylor, N5NAV, has declared a general communications emergency for the Texas coastal area due to Tropical Storm Claudette. The FCC Enforcement Bureau issued the declaration under the authority of §97.401 of the FCC rules. Effective immediately, the FCC said, the frequencies 7285 kHz (days) and 3873 kHz (nights) require protection. “Amateurs are required to refrain from using those frequencies, plus or minus 3 kHz, unless they are taking part in the handling of emergency traffic,” said the declaration from James Daily, Chief of Homeland Security within the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau. The declaration remains in effect until it’s rescinded.
Eastern Mass SEC and DEC’s completed a tour of Field Day sites during this past weekend. Additionally, SEC, W1MPN, showed club members the Amateur Radio Day Proclamation signed by Governor Mitt Romney.
Photos now available on the Section Website at 
href=http://ema.arrl.org/mod/gallery />http://ema.arrl.org/mod/gallery! And, while you’re there, please view the field day site page for some wrap up maps and statistics!
N1BDA arriving at PART Field Day site after touring. Click on photo to enlarge.
(photo courtesy W1MPN)
KD1CY writes on http://ares.ema.arrl.org:
“Since there will be many Amateurs out this weekend setting up these stations, many of which outdoors, we would like to briefly discuss the weather for Field Day weekend.
“At this time, the threat for thunderstorms and the potential for at least scattered severe weather is confined to Friday Afternoon and Friday Night from roughly Noon-9 PM. There is the potential for at least scattered severe weather tomorrow with at the very least pulse type activity. In any event, thunderstorms are a good bet for much of the region. Any Field Day sites planning to do setup on Friday should pay close attention to the weather and if threatening weather approaches seek safe shelter immediately.
“Even if severe weather does not occur at your specific site setup, lightning is one of the biggest threats to setup of these sites. Do NOT take chances. If thunderstorms approach, stop setup work and seek safe shelter. Lightning can strike as much as 20 miles away from the parent thunderstorm. Also, if you have antennas setup make sure they are properly grounded to avoid the loss of antenna equipment as best as possible. The current forecast now has the Saturday and Sunday dry with no threat of thunderstorms. [Full story]
The Falmouth ARA will feature a presentation by Eastern Mass. Section Emergency Coordinator Mike Neilsen, W1MPN, at its May 29, 2003 meeting. ARRL Section Manager Phil Temples, K9HI will also attend.
FARA meets monthly on the last Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Falmouth Town Hall in the Selectman’s meeting room (downstairs, east end of the building). Ample parking is available. —www.falara.org
(May 9,2003) — The Federal Communications Commission has declared a general communications emergency for the Oklahoma area. Effective immediately, amateurs are required to refrain from using 3900 kHz, plus or minus 3 kHz, unless they are taking part in the handling of emergency traffic. The declaration was announced May 9, 2003, in cooperation with ARRL Oklahoma Section leadership and under the authority of Section 97.401 of the FCC’s Amateur Radio Service rules and regulations [47 CFR Part 97]. The FCC said the declaration is to support amateur communications on behalf of The Salvation Army’s tornado relief efforts. The order, signed by Technical and Public Safety Division Chief Joseph P. Casey of the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, remains in effect until rescinded.
s/Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN, EMa SEC
EMa DEC’s, N1VSJ in the foreground and KD1CY in the background, operate as NCS’s during the 2003 Marathon, while W3EVE (not pictured), headed the effort.
Our special thanks to those ARES leaders and members who mobilized throughout the section as standby NCS’s during the day, as well as those who monitored our section frequencies.
