Licensing Education & Training

Licensing, education, and training

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

SKYWARN Training at Waltham ARA Meeting, May 30, 2018

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The May 30 [Waltham Amateur Radio Association] meeting will be a severe weather spotter training session.  The training is presented by Rob Macedo, KD1CY, in association with the National Weather Service SKYWARN program.  Everyone age 16 and older who stays to complete the training will be able to become trained NWS weather spotters.
 
Waltham ARA logoSKYWARN logoThe training includes a two-hour thirty-minute computer-based presentation, which discusses the development of thunderstorms, the criteria for “severe” thunderstorms, as well as the cloud features associated with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Additional information will be presented about winter storms and proper snow measurement and reporting of coastal flooding, river, stream, and urban flooding and rainfall measurements. The session will also present the procedure for reporting weather information to the National Weather Service. Safety procedures for the various forms of summer severe weather (severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning), winter storms, and flooding will also be covered in the training session. Anyone attending should bring a pen or pencil and bringing a notebook is optional.


The number of seats is limited, so pre-registration is strongly advised.  Use the following link:

For any questions or further info, contact Rob at rmacedo@rcn.com.

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

CAARA “Tech In A Day” Graduates New Techs

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Attendees at CAARA Tech in a Day who passed their Technician license exam
Stephanie Frontiera, Alison Miniter & Lillian Reilly, members of Ipswich CERT who passed their Technician license exam.

Stephanie Frontiera is one determined young woman. At this spring’s Tech in a Day held at the Lanesville Community Center, she was one of seven students—and one of three from the Ipswich CERT. These CERT members were given radios and encouraged to get their Amateur Radio Technician license. She was determined to do it.

Tech in a Day is a program modeled after the Ham Cram program. It is a study session of the FCC question pool of 426 questions for the exam. There are 35 sections in the question pool, corresponding to the 35 questions on the exam. Every question a student sees on the test will be in the pool.

The good thing? The answers have always been part of the pool. Do the students learn all they have to know about Amateur Radio this way? No, the aim is to pass the test. The students are unlikely to learn everything from a book either—it takes practice and more often the help of a friendly Elmer, or a club to teach the practical matters of operating. After six 45-minute study sessions, the students are ready for the test.

This session was relatively easy—seven exams, plus two walk-ins for testing. CAARA’s crack team of volunteer examiners: Bill Poulin, WZ1L; Dave Robertson, KD1NA; Tony Sarracino, AB1KX; Larry Beaulieu, AJ1Z; Hank McCarl, W4RIG; Stan Stone, W4HIX and VE team liaison Rick Maybury, WZ1B conducted the exam session.

So why did I say that Stephanie was so determined? She told me that she was going to pass this test—and get her General soon after that. But Stephanie was distracted during the session and it took her three tries to finally pass the exam. We all cheered when she made it. So, this session gave us seven out of seven for students and another two walk-ins who passed. All in all, it was a good day. 

[CAARA News May, 2018]
Emergency Communications / Licensing Education & Training

SKYWARN Training at Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC, May 15, 2018

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SKYWARN logoSKYWARN training will be offered at the Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC on May 15 from 7-9 PM.

According to SMHARC’s Ray Cord, K2TGX, “This is both training for new SKYWARN spotters as well as re-certification training for existing spotters.

The training is in lieu of the regular ARES and general club meetings. It will be conducted by the Amateur Radio SKYWARN Coordinator in the Sturdy Memorial Hospital Rice-Webb Auditorium, 211 Park Street, Attleboro. 

Emergency Communications / Licensing Education & Training

2018 NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Training Class Schedule

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picture of tornado on radar screenRob Macedo, KD1CY writes on the SKYWARN_Announce list:

The following is the 2018 NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Training Class Schedule for the spring season. Additional SKYWARN Training classes are in planning. This includes a class in Waltham which will be posted by the end of next week. a class in Windham County CT and a class in the Swanesa, Mass area. There will also be a slate of SKYWARN classes in the Fall of this year. Links to the classes schedules are listed below:

NWS Boston/Norton Web Site SKYWARN Class Schedule:
http://www.weather.gov/box/skywarn#fragment-2

WX1BOX SKYWARN Training Class Schedule:
http://wx1box.org/2018/04/20/special-announcement-2018-nws-boston-norton-skywarn-training-class-schedule/

The complete listing is also provided below for convenience:

Tuesday, April 24th, 2018 – 7:00-9:00 PM:
Braintree Police Department
282 Union St
Braintree, MA
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nws-spotter-training-session-braintree-ma-tickets-43555653131

Wednesday April 25th, 2018 – 7:00-9:30 PM:
Foster Center Volunteer Fire Company
86 Foster Center Rd
Foster RI
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-training-class-foster-ri-tickets-44382961633

Saturday April 28th, 2018 – 10:00 AM-12:30 PM:
Manchester RCC
321 Olcott Street
Manchester, CT
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-training-class-tickets-43915232643

Saturday April 28th, 2018 – 2:00 PM-4:30 PM (Afternoon Session as morning session is full):
Manchester RCC
321 Olcott Street
Manchester, CT
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-traning-class-manchester-ct-afternoon-class-tickets-45194505984

Tuesday May 8th, 2018 – 7:00-9:00 PM:
Worthington Town Hall
160 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nws-spotter-training-session-worthington-ma-tickets-43858400657

Thursday May 10th, 2018 – 7:00-9:30 PM:
Ipswich Town Hall – Lower Level
25 Green Street
Ipswich, MA
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-training-class-tickets-43915331940

Saturday May 12th, 2018 – 1000 AM-1230 PM:
Middletown Fire Department – Community Room
239 Wyatt Road
Middletown RI
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration Required via Eventbrite the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-training-class-middletown-ri-tickets-44373833330

Tuesday May 15th, 2018 – 7:00-9:30 PM:
Montague Public Safety Complex Community Room
180 Turnpike Road
Turners Falls, MA
Taught by: NWS  Forecaster
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nws-spotter-training-session-turners-falls-ma-tickets-43564640011

Tuesday May 15th, 2018 – 700-930 PM:
Sturdy Memorial Hospital – Rice-Webb Auditorium
211 Park Street
Attleboro, MA
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-training-class-attleboro-ma-tickets-44562542765

Wednesday May 16th, 2018 – 7:00-9:30 PM:
Great Hall on 2nd floor at the Halifax Town Hall
499 Plymouth Street
Halifax, MA
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nws-spotter-training-session-halifax-ma-tickets-43563686158

Tuesday May 22nd, 2018 – 7:00-9:30 PM:
Theater Room North Brookfield Jr/Sr High School
10 New School Street
North Brookfield, MA
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nws-spotter-training-session-north-brookfield-ma-tickets-43555173697

Saturday June 2nd, 2018 – 10:00 AM-1230 PM:
Littleton Fire Department
20 Foster Street
Littleton, MA
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-training-class-littleton-ma-tickets-45378324791

Will provide updates when new SKYWARN training classes are added to the schedule. Thanks to all for their support of the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN program!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Assistant 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
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Licensing Education & Training

Amateur Extra License Class, Whitman, April 10-May 29, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Recent licensing class held by the Whitman ARCThe Whitman Amateur Radio Club is offering an Amateur Extra License Class beginning Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at the Whitman Police Station, 20 Essex Street, Whitman from 7-9 PM.  The class will meet each Tuesday and Thursday and culminate in an exam session on May 29.  The training coordinator is Ross Hochstrasser, W1EKG. He can be reached at: (781) 447-9104 or email at: bavarianradio@comcast.net.

Ross follows the ARRL published license manual. He reviews the exam questions, discusses the answers, and takes any questions from the students. He also uses an online flashcard system projected at the front of the class for question review, presented with multiple choice answers as with the actual exam.

The class is free of charge.

For more information, see <http://www.wa1npo.org/training/training.htm>.

 

 

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

Fox Hunting Training, Westford, April 21, 2018

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PART of Westford logoAndy Stewart, KB1OIQ writes on PART-L:

Mark your calendars for Saturday morning, April 21st, at 11 AM.  We will  hold a fox hunting training exercise at the Westford Town Common, which is across the street from the JV Fletcher Library, 50 Main Street.  The rain date will be Sunday morning, April 22nd, at 11 AM.

What is a “fox hunting”?  Otherwise known as “Amateur Radio Direction Finding”, fox hunting involves locating a hidden transmitter.  We’ll hide the transmitter, and you’ll find it.  No license is needed to find the transmitter, so ANYBODY can do it!

John (KB1MGI), Andy (KB1OIQ), and anybody else who wants to help will teach you the techniques used to find 2m, 70cm, and 80m low power transmitters.  We will supply the transmitters and some gear that you can borrow as you learn.

PART did this a few years ago.  It was well attended and quite fun.

Licensing Education & Training / Youth

Clay Center ARC Technician Class Begins March 28, 2018

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Clay Center ARC logoThe Clay Center Amateur Radio Club, in conjunction with Brookline Adult and Community Education (BA&CE) and Newton Community Education (NCE)  will offer a six-week Technician Class course beginning Wednesday, March 28, 2018 for adults and child-parent pairs to facilitate their successful completion of the FCC radio license test. Children who pass the test receive a free membership in the Clay Center ARC, the largest youth-oriented radio club in New England. Yes, this course is geared toward children! (Ages 11 and up.) Adults without children are also welcome. To register, go to <http://www.brooklineadulted.org/> or  <https://registration.xenegrade.com/nce/coursedisplay.cfm?schID=11469>.

The Clay Center Amateur Radio Club is a youth club, and as such strives to provide educational opportunities for students as well as parents.

Licensing Education & Training

ARRL Seeks EC-001 Mentors

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ARRL has an immediate need for new mentors for the EC-001 Emergency Communications training program.

“Our mentors represent the best in Amateur Radio public service communications training and make a substantial difference in how students approach service to their communities and Amateur Radio. The mentors take the written text of a course and bring it life for these amateurs, many of whom they will never meet face to face.”

[full story]
Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

Cape Ann ARA Tech Class, April 21, 2018

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CAARA logoBill Poulin, WZ1L writes on the Cape Ann ARA list:

The Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association will hold a one-day study course for those interested in earning the FCC Technician class Amateur Radio license. The course will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2018 from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM at the Lanesville Community Center, 8 Vulcan Street in Gloucester.  An exam will be held at the conclusion of  the class.

There is a $20.00 fee for course materials, snacks and the FCC test fee.

You must register in advance by e-mailing techinaday@caara.net.

Licensing Education & Training / Public Service

SKYWARN Training Session in Braintree, April 24, 2018

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SKYWARN logoThe National Weather Service office in Taunton is offering a SKYWARN training session on Tuesday, April 24th, 2018 from 7:00-9:00 PM at the Braintree Police Department, 282 Union Street in Braintree. Registration is required.

For additional training sessions, see http://wx1box.org/2018/04/20/special-announcement-2018-nws-boston-norton-skywarn-training-class-schedule/.

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

Genesis ARS Tech Course Begins April 7, 2018

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Genesis ARS logoChris Johnson, N1IR writes on the Genesis ARS list:

The Tech course for April 7, 21 and May 5th is a go! We are located at the Plymouth Airport Community Room have 6 students so far and the list is growing, again of you know anyone who is interested in taking the tech course please pass this on. Thanks to all that volunteer without your effort the hobby and this class would not be a success.

Call out to volunteer instructors, anyone wish to teach a section please email me.

Saturday April 7, 2018
09:00 – 9:15 Setup, Introduction, Books Materials
09:15 – 10:00    T1 (FCC Rules Part A)
10:00 – 10:45    T1(FCC Rules Part B)
10:45 – 11:30    T2 (Operating Procedures)
11:30 – 12:15    Lunch
12:15 – 13:00    T3 (Radio Waves and Propagation)
13:00 – 13:45    T4 (Station Setup and Operation)
13:45 – 14:00     Breakdown

Saturday April 21, 2018

09:00 – 09:15     Setup
09:15 – 10:00     T5 (Electrical and Electronic Principal)
10:00 – 10:45     T6 (Electrical Components and Functions)
10:45 – 11:30     T7 (Operating Procedures)
11:30 – 12:15     Lunch
12:15 – 13:00     T8 (Operating Modes and Special Operation)
13:00 – 13:45     T9 (Antenna and Feed Lines)
13:45 – 14:00     Breakdown

Saturday May 5, 2018
09:00 – 09:15     Setup
09:15 – 10:00     T10 (Electrical and RF Safety)
10:00 – 10:30     Q + A / VEC Setup
10:30 – 12:30     VE TESTING

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

Framingham Flea Market and VE Session, April 8, 2018

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Framingham ARA logoThe Framingham ARA Spring Flea Market will take place on April 8, 2018 at the Keefe Technical School, 750 Winter Street in Framingham. Admission for buyers is $5, and under 12 is free. Tables are $20 in advance and $25 at the door if available. There will be refreshments, a VE session and door prizes.

For complete information, visit http://www.w1fy.org/flea.aspx.

Emergency Communications / Licensing Education & Training

New Hampshire ARES Academy Registration Open

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NH ARES logoThe seventh annual  New Hampshire ARES Academy will be held in Concord, New Hampshire on March 24.

A few of the courses offered at the daylong event include: Net Control, ARES 101, Go Kit Basics, ARESMAT Mutual Aid, and Basic NBEMS, and Tactical Comms for Events and Disasters.

To register, contact Dave, WA1ZCN at wa1zcn@myfairpoint.net and indicate your course choices along with your home or mobile number.

03/21/18: The ARES Academy workshop is open to Eastern MA amateurs.  According to NH Section Manager K1PJS, there are still seats available.

 

 

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

Genesis ARS Linux Workshop Sessions

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Genesis ARS logoThe Genesis Amateur Radio Society linux training sessions continue through March, 2018.

According to GARS Project Manager Jack Buckley, W1AKN, the sessions will address:

  • March  3: Linux application install, setup, and configure for specific users, i.e. callsign, location, grid, station data, rig control settings, etc.
  • March 17: Continue work with the many ham applications included in Andy’s Ham Radio Linux 

The training sessions run from 9 AM until 12 noon in the Genesis ARS meeting room at the Plymouth Airport.

Licensing Education & Training

Middleborough Licensing Class “A Success”

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Middleborough amateur Phil McNamara, N1XTB has concluded a six-week Technician licensing class with great results.  “Twelve folks passed, three did not. Two more couldn’t attend the exam session and will be going to a different session.”

The Eastern MA Amateur Radio Group in Canton conducted the testing session.

McNamara conducted the class at the request of the local Medical Reserve Corps  coordinator. “He agreed  that we could open it up to the local boy scouts.  Several of the scouts passed, so we have some new young hams!”

All / Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

Falmouth ARA Technician Licensing Class, March, 2018

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Falmouth Amateur Radio AssociationBrent Putnam, W1NCH writes:

The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) is holding a Technician class licensing course over the course of three Saturdays: March 17, 24 and 31 from 9 AM to noon at the Falmouth Fire Rescue Department headquarters, 399 Main Street (entrance on King Street), in the 2nd Floor EOC/training room.

The exam for the students will be held in the same location immediately after the May 31 session.

Cost of the class is $50 and includes:

  • Nine hours of classroom instruction
  • Manual
  • Online test practice and tutoring
  • Refreshments
  • Access to instructors for questions & tutoring
  • License exam
  • 1-year membership with FARA
  • Admission to the 2018 FARAfest
  • Radio (if the student passes)

This is a great value for anyone seeking to get their license, as the total cost of the individual items is well over $100.

Interested? Contact Brent Putnam, FARA President, at W1NCH@arrl.net.

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training / Youth

Clay Center ARC Courses in March, April 2018

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Clay Center ARC logoThe Clay Center ARC has announced it will conduct three courses for the public, starting in late March and April, 2018.

“We have teamed up with Brookline Adult and Community Education (BA&CE) and Newton Community Education (NCE) to offer a radio Technician Class course for adults and child-parent pairs to facilitate their successful completion of the FCC radio license test.  Children who pass the test receive a free membership in the Clay Center Amateur Radio Club, the largest youth-oriented radio club in New England.”

Clay Center will also hold Technician and General Class “License In A Weekend” events.

For full details, visit http://www.cc-arc.org/courses/.

Licensing Education & Training / NTS

TRAFFIC AND TRAINING SYMPOSIUM SATURDAY FEBRUARY 10

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Here is an opportunity to learn more about basic traffic handling techniques, net operation with an introduction to the use of Winlink in Emergency Comms.  It is presented by the New Hampshire traffic folks, but anyone interested is invited to register.  This is a half day event in Concord NH.  I plan to be there and hope I can see some folks from Massachusetts there as well.  Note the information below.

73, Marcia KW1U STM EMA/WMA

The 2018 NH Traffic and Training Symposium will be  held Saturday, February 10 from 9a until noon at Concord Bible Fellowship 25 Rockingham St. in Concord, NH. This year’s symposium will focus on basic traffic handling techniques, net operation and an introduction in the use of Winlink in Emergency Communications.  Registration is requested. Simply send an email to peter@k1pjs.com with “I would like to attend” in the subject line.

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

Whitman ARC General License Class, January 9, 2018

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Whitman ARC logoThe Whitman Amateur Radio Club will hold a weekly General license class beginning Tuesday, January 9, 2018 from 7-9 PM at the Whitman Police Station. The class will conclude with a volunteer exam session on February 27. Material will be based on the ARRL General Class License Manual.

The course is offered free of charge. Interested parties are asked to contact the course instructor, Ross Hochstrasser, W1EKG via email at bavarianradio@comcast.net or by phone at 781-447-9104.

Licensing Education & Training

Cape Ann ARA Tech In A Day, May 13, 2017

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Rick Maybury, WZ1B writes on caaramail:

Do you know anyone who may be interested in becoming a ham? CAARA is holding another Tech in a Day study session on 13 May, Saturday. This is a great opportunity for a new prospective ham to get their Tech license and a way to recruit new members. … We currently have 17 people signed up for this class.

73, Rick

email: rmaybury@ppg-i.com