Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #2

Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on the SKYWARN-announce list on June 23, 2023 at 10:41 AM:
 

..The following is the second in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 20 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program..
..2023 Field Day weekend, unlike the past few years, will have the potential for showers, thunderstorms and isolated severe weather. Not every Field Day site will see a shower, thunderstorm or severe weather and a widespread washout is not expected. Some Field Day sites could be dry all weekend but other Field Day sites could be quite wet depending on where showers and thunderstorms develop..
..With the thunderstorms, a few of them could be strong to severe with strong to damaging winds, hail, and heavy downpours leading to urban and poor drainage flooding. The severe weather potential remains focused on Saturday and Sunday Afternoon and Evening though some showers and isolated thunderstorms may occur late Friday Night into Saturday Morning making any shower and thunderstorm redevelopment Saturday Afternoon and Evening more uncertain..

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Severe Weather & Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend Coordination Message #1

Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on the SKYWARN-announce list on June 22, 2023 at 10:07 AM:
 
Hello to all..

..The following is the first in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend and providing information on the weather during this period. This is a tradition spanning over 20 years for Amateur Radio Operators involved with Field Day and the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Program..
..2023 Field Day weekend, unlike the past few years, will have the potential for showers, thunderstorms and isolated severe weather. Not every Field Day site will see a shower, thunderstorm or severe weather and a widespread washout is not expected. Some Field Day sites could be dry all weekend but other Field Day sites could be quite wet depending on where showers and thunderstorms develop..

..With the thunderstorms, a few of them could be strong to severe with strong to damaging winds, hail, and heavy downpours leading to urban and poor drainage flooding. The severe weather potential is focused on Saturday and Sunday Afternoon and Evening. Any thunderstorms have lightning potential which is a safety hazard for all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Amateur Radio Field Day sites are encouraged to guard their local Amateur Radio SKYWARN frequency and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts during the course of this Field Day weekend including by cell phone/Internet and NOAA Weather Radio..
..Conditions will be warm and very humid Friday through Sunday. Temperatures will range between the mid-70s in coastal areas to the Upper 70s to mid 80s in interior areas depending upon how much heating occurs each day. Dewpoints in the low 70s will create very humid conditions. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids and guard against heat exhaustion especially during Amateur Radio Field Day setup and takedown..
..Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend is an annual event where Ham Operators across the United States setup at Emergency Operations Centers, field locations, home locations etc. to operate and test their equipment and skills and make as many radio contacts as possible during the weekend..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions throughout Field Day weekend and activate as needed to guard Amateur Radio Field Day sites to provide weather information as well as to gather reports meeting SKYWARN reporting criteria throughout this weekend..

Here are some links to information on these Amateur Radio Field Day Sites from across the region.

Amateur Radio Field Day Information: https://www.arrl.org/field-day
Amateur Radio Field Day National Locator: https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator
Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Home Page: https://ema.arrl.org/field-day/
Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Directory: https://ema.arrl.org/field_day/

 
For Amateur Radio Field Day weekend, unlike past years, there will be thunderstorm potential throughout the entire period particularly in the afternoon and evening period from Friday to Sunday. For Friday, thunderstorms main potential hazards to Field Day sites will be heavy downpours and frequent lightning. On Saturday and Sunday, the thunderstorm potential is increased with the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms in addition to heavy downpours and frequent lightning. It will be warm and very humid during the weekend. The headlines of this message give the current thinking and coverage area. Here is a breakdown of the hazards by each day:
 
Friday Afternoon and Evening:
Thunderstorms can occur particularly in Western and Central Massachusetts and Connecticut with heavy downpours and frequent lightning. The threat of severe weather is minimal and coverage will be isolated to scattered in nature and will be monitored.
 
Saturday Afternoon and Evening:
Thunderstorms are possible anywhere in Southern New England with the greatest coverage and strongest thunderstorms from the I-95 corridor north and west throughout interior Southern New England. The coverage will be more numerous than Friday with the potential for isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms. The activity will be slow moving which could also cause localized flooding in areas where thunderstorms train over the same area. This will bear close monitoring given Saturday is the more active of the 2 days of Amateur Radio Field Day weekend.
 
Sunday Afternoon and Evening:
Similar setup to Saturday Afternoon and Evening. More details will follow in future coordination message Friday and Saturday.
 
SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor conditions throughout Field Day weekend and activate as needed to guard Amateur Radio Field Day sites to provide weather information as well as to gather reports meeting SKYWARN reporting criteria throughout this weekend. Below are links to the NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion, Hazardous Weather Outlook and Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
 
NWS Boston/Norton Area Forecast Discussion:
NWS Boston/Norton Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.html

NWS Boston/Norton Experimental Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=box

Amateur Radio Field Day sites are encouraged to bring a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio, monitor various cell phone weather apps where Amateur Operators may have those available and have a dedicated Ham Radio that can monitor their local SKYWARN frequency for their area as a best safety and preparedness practice as there is a threat for thunderstorm development and any thunderstorm can be a threat to the safety of Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Also sites that have mobile Internet capability can utilize that capability as a way to monitor for weather information. With Mobile Internet capability, utilizing Echolink to monitor the New England Reflector system on Echolink Conference *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123/IRLP 9123 would be helpful as well. Please see the link below for the latest SKYWARN Frequency information for the region:
https://wx1box.org/southern-new-england-skywarn-frequency-list/

During setup and takedown of Amateur Radio Field Day sites and even while operating, be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat accordingly. The link below features information on Heat Safety:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat

With the thunderstorm threat for this weekend, now is the time to remind folks that lightning is a threat to any and all Amateur Radio Field Day sites. Remember your lightning safety tips and details on lightning safety can be seen at the following link and we have also added a link from this week’s NWS Boston/Norton Lightning Safety Awareness Week and Public Information Statements on Lightning Safety. See links below:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning

 
The next Amateur Radio Field Day weekend coordination message will be posted by 10 AM Friday Morning. We hope the Amateur Radio community participating in Field Day has a great weekend!
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)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
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Waltham ARA, Montachusett ARA Field Day in Princeton MA, June 24-25, 2023

2023 Field Day logoThe Waltham Amateur Radio Association is partnering with the Montachusett Amateur Radio Association  for Field Day, June24 – 25. We will operate on the summit of Mt. Wachusett in Princeton, MA. Setup will begin at 9 AM on Saturday, the 24th. We hope to have enough participation to support 3 HF stations and a VHF station, providing plenty of opportunity for phone, CW, and digital operation from 2 PM Saturday until 2 PM on Sunday. There will also be a  “Get on the Air” (GOTA) station for new hams, future hams, and any Technician class operator.

Field Day participation has numerous facets:

·        This is a wonderful opportunity to participate first-hand in an emergency communications preparedness event at a national level. 

·        Field Day provides a ready-made opportunity to introduce family and friends, to what we, as amateu rradio operators, find rewarding in these endeavors. 

·        It’s a perfect event to introduce young / new folks to the amateur service.

Come for an hour… or come for the whole event.  Combine it with a day out on the mountain.  Don’t worry about rain in the forecast… it’ll be warm, plus we all drip dry   

This is the first big chance, post-COVID, for a radio in-person social event!!

Looking forward to seeing you there.

73,
W1ENB

Sci-Tech ARS Field Day, Natick, June 24-25, 2023

2023 Field Day logoOpen to all licensed amateur radio operators worldwide, ARRL Field Day is both a contest and a practice exercise of radio skills. Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the most popular event in ham radio.

 

WHAT:
Family Friendly Event! Ham Radio Field Day has Educational Demonstrations, Maker Activities, Telescopes (weather permitting). Hosted by members of Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS), New England Amateur Radio (NEAR), and New England Sci-Tech (NEST).

WHEN:
2023, Sat June 24, 2pm to Sun, June 25, 2pm.
Public is welcome: Sat 2 pm – 5 pm and Sun 10 am to 2 pm for tours, soldering workshop, maker activities, hidden transmitter hunts, and license testing. (License exam is 7 pm Saturday)

WHERE:
New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick. (Field Day runs outside in vans and tents running off alternative power to simulate emergency conditions. However, the building is open for tours, restrooms, maker activities, etc.)

WHO MAY PARTICIPATE:
Members of the general public, radio amateurs, scouts, and their friends and families are welcome to participate. You don’t need a radio license to participate, as you can operate with one of the club’s General or Extra class licensees as the control operator. On-site training will be provided.

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Sturdy Memorial Hospital QRV for Field Day, North Attleborough, June 25-26

2023 Field Day logoSMHARC Secretary/Treasurer Ray Cord, K2TGX, writes:

On Saturday, June 25th, we would like to see a better turnout for Field Day this year than last. We need setup people on Saturday morning, We need pack up people on Sunday afternoon. BUT MOST OF ALL, WE NEED OPERATORS FOR ALL HOURS OF THE 24 HOUR OPERATION!

We would love to see all those members that we haven’t seen at a meeting lately at the June meeting but at Field Day, also. You don’t have to be a “contester” to operate any of the stations, We are not super competitive, we just want to have a good time. We can have an experienced operator with you to log and guide you. Even if you don’t have your license yet, you can operate with one of our licensed members as control operator.

DON’T BE THE SILENT MAJORITY!! Come on out and renew old friendships, relearn some rusty skills and have a GOOD TIME!

Hope to see you there.

Tnx 73,

Ray, K2TGX
Secretary/Treasurer

Nashoba Valley ARC Field Day, Pepperell, June 24-25, 2023

2023 Field Day logoBruce Blain, K1BG, writes:

Once again, the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club will participate in this year’s ARRL Field Day, operating in Pepperell’s Heald Street Orchard. The event starts this coming Saturday, June 24th at 2 PM and finishes on Sunday, June 25th at 2 PM.

Setup begins on-site around 8:30 AM on Saturday, and some of us have breakfast at Charlotte’s Cozy Kitchen in Pepperell at 7:30 AM.

We will be using the club callsign, N1NC. Plans are to have two transmitters operating simultaneously on amateur bands between 80 and 10 meters (and a third station on 6 and 2 meters and satellite). There will be plenty of opportunity for anyone who “walks up” to operate the stations and meet other members of the club.

NVARC has a casual Field Day that members and friends use as a social gathering – not just operating. There is a covered gathering area with tables, chairs, lemonade, and snacks. Feel free to help us set up, operate, or just have a look and make some friends..

To get there, put “112 Heald Street, Pepperell, MA” into your GPS. You will find a sign at the entrance to the Heald Street Orchard. Head south through the open gates onto an unpaved road for about 0.1 mile to the mowed parking area in the meadow.

PLEASE NOTE: There is work being done to a bridge on Heald Street, and you may have a detour, depending on how you get there. The detour is well marked and you should have no problems finding the site.

Talk in wil be on the N1MNX repeater (the same repeater we use for our club nets). 147.345+, PL 100.0 Hz

I plan on being there most of the time, and I look forward to meeting YOU. Thanks and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Bruce, K1BG

978-772-2773 or bruce.blain@charter.net

PS. Feel free to call me on this number during field day.

 

 

North Shore Radio Association Field Day, Topsfield

2023 Field Day logoEric Horwitz, KA1NCF, writes on the NSRA mailing list:
 
We will be having Field Day at Fair View Farm, 114 Boston St. Topsfield on June 23rd thru 25th! It is at the top of the hill just before the Topsfield Fair Ground entrance that we went to last year. 
 
I am planning to present all our plans at the next [North Shore Radio Association] meeting on Tuesday, June 20th—even though it will be JUST before Field day weekend.
 
If you are planning to help or want to, please let me know, so I can include you in the few emails I am planning on sending out in the days before Field day 2023!
 
I have been talking to a few of you as we have been trying to get this year going. Thanks for your help and see you all soon.
 
Currently we are planning to make the site similar to last year with two or three operating positions. Food as always, and hopefully a great time operating on the bands..
 
Thanks,
 
 

Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF

North Shore Radio Association
email: ka1ncf@nsradio.org

Cape Ann ARA Field Day is Happening, Rockport MA

2023 Field Day logoCAARA President Brandon Hockle, NQ1W, writes in CAARA News, June 2023:

Field Day 2023 is happening on Saturday June 24th – mark your calendars! Our plan this year is to once again to take over Hospital Hill in Rockport, MA, operating Saturday afternoon together outside in the field. We will all meet up there late morning at 11:00 AM to setup and enjoy each other’s company before the official 2pm start time. I hope many of you members will join us.

We are still looking for Field Day volunteers to help setup and transport materials from the club house to the Hill. Helpers will meet at the clubhouse around 10:00AM that morning before we head up to the Hill.  Please consider helping if you can.

The topic of the June members meeting, June 10th at noon, will be Field Day, including final plans and operating stations. Anyone considering participating in Field Day is strongly encouraged to attended this informative meeting at the club house. Even if you are not able to do Field Day with us together at Hospital Hill, this meeting will go over the Field Day scoring and general procedures, relevant for those operating as individuals at home too.  

Apart from the exciting Field Day event, we also have food gatherings and public service events coming up in June. More information to come via members email and our nightly Nets on the repeater.

Boston ARC Field Day, June 24-25, 2023, Westwood

2023 Field Day logo[The Boston Amateur Radio Club] will be holding Field Day in 2023 at the Andrew Cucchiara Learning Center at Hale Education (https://hale1918.org/) in Westwood, MA. Directions are here: https://www.barc.org/directions-to-hale-education-westwood/. Note that if you are coming to this event, you do not need to pay the normal entrance fee to enter the Hale Education site. Everyone, including guests and those who are not yet licensed, is welcome.

Operating times are from 2:00 pm Saturday, June, 24, until 2:00 pm Sunday, June 25. We will be in class 3A, operating 3 HF stations and a VHF/UHF station using SSB, CW, and digital modes. We are also planning to make a satellite contact. People who wish to participate are encouraged to help with setup on Saturday morning and/or teardown on Sunday afternoon.

We will have pizza on Saturday evening, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday will be provided. Spots for tent camping will be available, though facilities will be minimal (portable toilets and a small sink but no other running water).

Talk around will be on the BARC simplex frequency, 147.420 MHz.

If you are planning on coming, please let us know using the Google form at https://forms.gle/JFYhn53M8j8BkfZz5.

More information on Field Day can be found on the ARRL website at http://www.arrl.org/field-day and questions about BARC should be sent to w1bos@arrl.net.

73,

Joe Chapman NV1W / Secretary, Boston Amateur Radio Club.

Falmouth ARA Field Day 2023

2023 Field Day logoMORSE POND SCHOOL JONES ROAD, FALMOUTH

JUNE 23 (setup), JUNE 24 and 25

Field Day 2023 will be dedicated to Geoff Allsup, W1OH (SK)

The planning for FARA Field Day 2023 is underway. As always, we cannot do Field Day without help from many club members.

This year, we would like to run a 2A station as we did pre-pandemic. This means erecting 2 of our military towers. Station power will be supplied by Jim, KC1KM, and his propane generator.

Setup will begin as usual by meeting at the club’s container off Currier Road in Falmouth, next to the cell tower. GPS coordinates are 41.615659, -70.538876.

We’ll meet there at 1 PM on Friday, June 23 and will need many hands to load the towers. We already have two trucks lined up but could use more, especially one with roof racks to load the beam antennas. We will then proceed to the Morse Pond School and begin setup. Setup will continue the next morning at 8:30 AM.

We will have the FARA comms trailer on site as an operating station and will also use the permanent on-site tents as a food shelter and rest area. A porta-john will be on site as usual.

We are planning for our usual Saturday evening cookout at 5 PM. Mike, KC1HKW, and Gene, KX1C, will plan and cook the food. We could use a few casserole, salad and dessert dishes. Please contact me at k1wcc@comcast.net and let me know if you can bring something. On Sunday morning, Jim, KC1KM, and Charlie, K1CB, will be cooking breakfast for members at 7 A.M.

Operating will be conducted from the trailer on-site. Greg, K1KM, will be operating CW this time along with a few other club members. If you would like to schedule some phone operating, please let me know. We operate a 24 hour schedule. If you are interested in organizing a GOTA station on-site, please let me know.

Takedown is at 2 PM Sunday, when we lower the towers, disassemble the antennas and return all items to our container. This is a labor intensive activity so we need as many hams on hand as possible. We will again require at least two trucks for the towers and a vehicle with racks for the antennas.

Let’s hope for good weather, good bands and especially a SAFE and FUN Field Day!

Henry, K1WCC

Contact:

phone 774-392-1158

k1wcc@comcast.net

#ARRLFD #FARA

PART of Westford Field Day Invitation

2023 Field Day logoGeorge Allison, K1IG, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

To All PART Members and Friends,

It’s only two weeks until Field Day, and this year should be a good one! Propagation conditions are improving, the weather shouldn’t be too hot, and best of all, we’re going to have a lot of food. 

To refresh you memory, here is the essential information: 

   Location: Concord Rod & Gun Club, 74 Strawberry Hill Road, Concord, MA
   Dates: Saturday, June 24, to Sunday, June 25. Antenna setup will be on Friday, June 23, starting at 11:00 AM (you can show up any time after 11).

   Operating Time: Field Day operating runs from 2:00 PM (Local) on Saturday until 2:00 PM on Sunday. We usually start setting up around 9:00 AM on Saturday. We start tear-down on Sunday at 2:00, and it usually takes about 2 hours to get everything packed up.

More info:

–  This is a public event, so family, friends, and neighbors are all invited. This is an opportunity for those with no knowledge of ham radio to find out what it is… invite everybody! People without licenses can make contacts at our Get-On-The-Air (GOTA) station.
–  You can operate from your home station and have your score added to the club score. If you intend doing this, be sure to read the Field Day rules here.
–  Antenna setup is on Friday and we need about 12 -16 participants. No experience necessary! Send me an email (k1ig@arrl.net) if you can help.
–  Meals: We’ll be providing four meals: Saturday lunch (cold cut sandwiches and drinks); Saturday dinner: Lasagna; Sunday breakfast (pancakes); Sunday lunch: Cold cuts. As usual, we’ll have lots of coffee.
–  This could be a bad year for ticks, so be sure to treat your clothing with Permethrin. This week is a good time to do it.
–  We can get bonus points for sending radiograms via ham radio. If there’s a friend or relative that you want to notify of your Field Day exploits, you’ll be able to fill out a radiogram form at the June 20 PART meeting.
–  We need some large coolers for sodas and water. If you can provide one, send me an email (k1ig@arrl.net).
–  On Friday night, June 24, the Rod & Gun club is having a Comfort Food Friday; featuring not-too-spicy Creole Jambalaya, starting at 6:00.

Cost is $15 per person. If you want to participate, notify Dale, KB1ZKD (dale@chayes.org).

Full Field Day details will be presented at the June 20 PART meeting. See you there and see you at Field Day 2023!

73,
George, K1IG
President, PART of Westford
wb1gof.org

Billerica ARS Field Day Announcement, June 24, 2023

Billerica ARS logoBillerica ARS Vice President Mark Nelson, KA1INE, writes:

I’m proud to announce that the Billerica Amateur Radio Society is having its annual field day on June 24, 2023 at 2:00 PM at 67 Alexander Road in Billerica.

The goal of the event is to set up portable radio stations to simulate an emergency situation and to make contact with other hams around the world. It’s a fun day of making new friends and exploring this exciting hobby.

We hope the public can join us to see what amateur radio is about. There will be a BBQ at meal time and plenty of water and coffee to keep everyone nourished.

If there are any questions, feel free to write to me at KA1INE@ARRL.net.

Mark Nelson
KA1INE

Billerica ARS Members Turning Out for 2022 Field Day

Billerica ARS logoBillerica Amateur Radio Society members will be turning out for the 2022 ARRL Field Day on Saturday June 25 through Sunday afternoon June 26. The club callsign W1HH will be used on the air during this event.  The location is the same as our last field day, namely the Billerica EMA Barracks-Garage located at 67 Alexander Rd, Billerica, MA.

Field Day Chair Mark Nelson, KA1INE, and his team are planning operations on the 80-40-20-15-10 meter HF Bands. At least two stations will be on the air and possibly a third will be put on-the-air, if needed.

On air operations will be from approximately 2 PM – 9 PM Saturday, and 9 AM – 2PM Sunday. Help on Saturday morning for Set Up and Sunday afternoon for take down will be much appreciated.

Visitors are welcome, especially new hams or anyone interested in learning about Ham Radio. Mark Nelson says our primary objective is to help the new members gain amateur radio experience.

Food will be plentiful, especially if you are there in the late afternoon Saturday for a traditional Field Day dinner gathering. Get there early enough in the afternoon on Saturday to put in your preferred food order.

You can get additional details at https://ema.arrl.org/field_day/ClubDetail.php?club=BARS

Tom K1TW