NTS

Mike Leger, N1YLQ, Region 2 RACES Radio Officer writes:

Hello to all,

      This email is a reminder that this evening, May 2nd, 2022 is the first non-holiday Monday of the month and, as such, is our RACES/ACS/Preparedness Net night. We will be holding our sector nets on the normally assigned frequencies.

      As always, I am looking for Net Control stations to staff our sector nets for the evening. This month I will be able to run the Sector 2A net, but if anyone is interested in trying it out, please let me know.  I am looking for NCS operators to lead the Sector 2B (Plymouth County) nets. Sector 2D has already arranged for an NCS operator for this month’s net and Sector 2C is now a Winlink only net on a monthly basis.

              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 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 should send a note to 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 can not 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 checkin form using the Winlink standard checkin form

– send via winlink after 6 AM EST Mon. May 2  and before midnight ET May 2 (any mode, but include  mode in check-in form) to AB1PH

    I continue to ask that any operators who have the time, please try to check into sector nets from near-by sections. 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.

The Region #2 and State Net Schedule for this evening is as follows:

    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   WC1MAB@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

Hello to all…

The May Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday May 2nd, 2022 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 on upcoming events.

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 (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
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Don Rolph-AB1PH writes:

For May, Monday May 2 is the first Monday of the month, and will be the date for the MEMA RACES nets.

The Races nets will be held on Mon May 2 at:
********************************************************************************
The HF net will start at 6:45 PM EDT: using the following frequency plan:

We will start at 3930 KHz moving up to 3955 KHz until there is a clear frequency,

Marc Stern WA1R will be net control.
*********************************************************************************
Region 2D VHF net: please note sector 2D net will be on Sharon Repeater

7:30 PM EDT 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.

Jeff Marden N1JCM will be net control.
********************************************************************************
HF NBEMS net:

7:00 PM EDT
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 Rolph AB1PH will be net control.
*********************************************************************************
Winlink Net:

To participate:
– create a checkin form using the Winlink standard checkin form
– send via winlink after 6 AM EDT Mon. May 2 and before 0000 EDT May 3 (any mode, but include mode in checkin form) to AB1PH
– Tues I will create the checkin report and send to all of you
*************************************************************************************

We look forward to you checking in to any or all nets!

—

73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph

Hello to all…

The April Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday April 4th, 2022 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 on upcoming events.

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 (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

AB1PH-Don Rolph writes:

For Apr, Monday Apr. 4 is the first Monday of the month, and will be the date for the MEMA RACES nets.

The Races nets will be held on Mon Apr. 4 at:

********************************************************************************
The HF net will start at 6:45 PM EDT: using the following frequency plan:

We will start at 3930 KHz moving up to 3955 KHz until there is a clear frequency,

Marc Stern WA1R will be net control.
*********************************************************************************
Region 2D VHF net: please note sector 2D net will be on Sharon Repeater

7:30 PM EDT 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 Repetti WJ1R will be net control.
********************************************************************************
HF NBEMS net:
7:00 PM EDT

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..
Alan Richards WA1AR will be net control.
*********************************************************************************
Winlink Net:

To participate:
– create a checkin form using the Winlink standard checkin form
– send via winlink after 6 AM EDT Mon. Apr 4 and before 0000 EDT Apr 5 (any mode, but include mode in checkin form) to AB1PH
– Tues I will create the checkin report and send to all of you
*************************************************************************************

We look forward to you checking in to any or all nets!

—

73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph

John O’Neill-K1JRO, South Shore Amateur Radio Group writes:

Good evening,

This coming Saturday the South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10AM. We realize that the regular locations for some groups are still unavailable due to ongoing COVID restrictions.

We encourage those effected to use their home or mobile stations to check into the net.

We will use the following repeaters and systems in the order listed.

1. Plymouth Repeater 146.685 tone 131.8
2. W.Bridgewater Repeater 146.775 dcs 244
3. DMR – EMHN Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot 1 on select NEDECN repeaters: NEDECN – Boston, Hingham, Bourne, Dennis, and Martha’s Vineyard repeaters
(The MV repeater is currently disconnected from the network).
4. Falmouth Repeater 147.375 tone 110.9 Hz
5. Simplex Test on 147.420

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 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.

John O’ and the SSH group
K1JRO – W1SSH

Tom Kinahan-N1CPE, US Army Military Auxiliary Radio System, writes:

ARMY MARS to reach out to Amateur Stations for Reception Reports

Due to current events, the BBC has resumed shortwave broadcasts into Ukraine and Russia. In order to improve Amateur to MARS communications, MARS stations will be requesting to see if amateur stations can provide a reception report for these BBC transmissions. The BBC broadcasts are :

Frequency English Broadcast
15730 kHz 1300-1500Z
5875 kHz 2000-2200Z

The request is to see if you can hear any of these daily broadcasts, and get your report to a MARS station near you. MARS stations for their part will be reaching out on normal amateur frequencies, using their amateur callsigns. You will be asked for your callsign a signal report, time and frequency of the report, and your city and state.

The signal report can take the form of: Good Readable, Readable, Poor, Unreadable. If you listened, but didn’t hear anything, we want to know that with an Unreadable report.

The end result will be for stations to learn if their stations can receive these international broadcasts, to indicate a possible need for station improvement.

The exercise will last through March 25, but if you have gathered some reports, please don’t lose them, and send them after that time, to me by email, if you were unable to identify a local ARMY MARS station.

Let’s have some fun with this! Thanks for your support.

Tom Kinahan
US Army Military Auxiliary Radio System
Region One Director
aaa1rd@usamars.us

KB1PGH-Dean Burgess, Cape Ann ARES Emergency Coordinator, writes:

We will be hosting a meeting of the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association (CARA) Emergency Communications group on Tuesday April 5th, 2022 at 7 PM at the CAARA Clubhouse on 6 Stanwood Street in Gloucester Mass. We’ll be discussing how to create disaster go bags. Everyone is invited to bring their own disaster go kits down and to show them off as well.

73,Dean-KB1PGH
Cape Ann ARRL/ARES Emergency Coordinator

Hello to all…

The March Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday March 7th, 2022 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 on upcoming events and also update the strong wind and possible severe weather potential for tonight in our area.

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 (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

John O’Neill-K1JRO writes:

Good evening,

Tomorrow South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10AM. We realize that the regular locations for some groups are still unavailable due to ongoing COVID restrictions.

We encourage those effected to use their home stations to check into the net.

We will use the following repeaters and systems in the order listed.

1. W.Bridgewater Repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. DMR – EMHN Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot 1 on select NEDECN repeaters:
NEDECN – Boston, Hingham, Bourne, Dennis, and Martha’s Vineyard repeaters
(The MV repeater is currently down).
3. Attleboro Repeater 147.195 tone 127.3
4. Dartmouth Repeater 147.000 tone 67.0
5. Falmouth Repeater 147.375 tone 110.9
6. Simplex Test on 147.420
7. Return to W. Bridgewater Repeater for 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 these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.

We hope to hear you tomorrow.

John O’ and the SSH group
K1JRO – W1SSH

Hello to all…

The February Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday February 7th, 2022 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 a “last call” for Assistant ARES District Emergency Coordinator, K1EJ-Darrel Mallory, who passed away on Friday January 21st, 2022 as well as several announcements.

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 (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

Hello to all…

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES PLACED ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS EFFECTIVE 11:00PM FRIDAY, JANUARY 28 THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING, JANUARY 30 DUE TO POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM FORECASTED BLIZZARD***

***BLIZZARD WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF EASTERN MA SECTION INCLUDING CAPE COD/MARTHAS VINEYARD FROM MIDNIGHT SATURDAY THOUGH 5:00AM MONDAY.  WINTER STORM WARNINGS UP FOR NW MIDDLESEX AND FRANKLIN/HAMPDEN/HAMPSHIRE/WORCESTER COUNTIES IN MA***

***COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR EASTERN ESSEX/PLYMOUTH/BARNSTABLE COUNTIES FOR THE SATURDAY MORNING AND EVENING HIGH TIDES.  POCKETS OF MINOR TO PERHAPS ISOLATED MODERATE COASTAL FLOODING LIKELY.

***WIND GUSTS OVER 60MPH POSSIBLE ALONG THE IMMEDIATE EASTERN MA COAST.  GUSTS TO HURRICANE FORCE POSSIBLE ON THE CAPE AND ISLANDS***

*** PLEASE PLAN TO REPORT SKYWARN CRITERIA ACCORDING TO THE STANDARD SKYWARN OPERATING PROCEDURE.  PICTURES OF STORM DAMAGE MAY BE SENT TO PICS@NSRADIO.ORG ***

*** ARES AVAILABITY REQUESTED THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING – PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DEC WITH AVAILABITY WITH A CC TO HURRICANE@W1MV.ORG ***

Models continue to agree a trend that brings a period of heavy snow and strong winds to the region starting in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 29 and continuing heavy at times throughout the day before tapering off late in the evening.  Widespread snowfall accumulation of 18-24+ inches is possible across much of Eastern Massachusetts with 24-30 inches possible across the South Shore.  Isolated higher amounts are possible depending on where the heaviest snow bands set up over the area

Wind speeds in the blizzard warning area are forecasted to increase to 25-35mph sustained with gusts of 50-60mph likely across much of Eastern MA with gusts of 60-70mph possible along the immediate coast.  It is possible that the outer Cape may experience wind gusts over 70-75mph which would be close to hurricane force.  Winds of this magnitude may cause power outages along with pockets of scattered damage.  Travel during the storm is not recommended.  For further meteorological updates, including the latest Blizzard Coordination Message, please see the NWS Taunton SKYWARN home page at http://www.wx1box.org

A coastal flood advisory is also in effect for pockets of minor to low-end moderate coastal flooding along the Eastern MA coastline.  High tide is anticipated at approximately 9am Saturday morning, and another high tide around 9pm Saturday evening. 

For a complete listing of current warnings, please refer to the NWS Boston website at www.weather.gov/boston.  While no immediate requests for support have been received, we are closely monitoring the situation for any activation of local or regional shelters.

SKYWARN activation will monitor the progress of the storm, and we appreciate any reports of wind damage / flooding that you may have.  If you have any pictures of the damage, please send them to pics@nsradio.org.   SKYWARN will be running various nets across our section on the assigned SKYWARN repeaters, and the list of SKYWARN repeaters can be found at:  http://wx1box.org/southern-new-england-skywarn-frequency-list/.  In addition, here is a preliminary list of SKYWARN nets across the section and their start times:

600 AM: Cape Cod and Islands WX Net – 147.375-Falmouth Repeater PL: 110.9 Hz
630 AM: Western Mass Emergency Net – HF – serving Western and Eastern Mass and surrounding areas: 3944 KHz
645 AM: MMRA Repeater Network
700 AM: South Coast SKYWARN Net: 147.000-Dartmouth Repeater PL: 67.0 Hz
700 AM: Norfolk County SKYWARN Net: 146.895-Walpole Repeater PL: 123.0 Hz
700 AM: Worcester County SKYWARN Net: 146.970-Paxton Repeater PL: 114.8 Hz
700 AM: Western Mass SKYWARN VHF Net: 146.940-Mount Tom Repeater  PL: 127.3 Hz
715 AM: Boston SKYWARN Net – 145.230 PL: 88.5 Hz
715 AM: NB1RI RI SKYWARN Net: NB1RI linked repeater system
730 AM: Hartford-Tolland County SKYWARN Net – 146.790-Vernon, CT Repeater – PL: 82.5 Hz
730 AM: Metro Boston/Middlesex County SKYWARN Net: 146.640-Waltham Repeater – PL: 136.5 Hz
800 AM: Cape and Islands SKYWARN Net – 146.955-Barnstable Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz
800 AM: North Shore SKYWARN Net – 145.470-Danvers Repeater PL: 136.5 Hz
900 AM: Westford/PART – Northern Middlesex County SKYWARN Net – 146.955-Westford Repeater PL: 74.4 Hz
** – The Echolink *NEW-ENG3* Conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123 will be monitored throughout the duration the event. The 147.180-Bridgewater Repeater will be connected through that system and some of the nets listed above will be connected for those repeaters that have Echolink and IRLP capability.
*** – Other repeaters may be monitored on an as needed basis based on Amateur Radio Operator availability.

The latest SKYWARN coordination message for this storm (issued on 1/28 at 10:00pm) can also be located at http://wx1box.org/2022/01/29/blizzard-coordination-message-5-late-friday-night-1-28-22-saturday-night-1-29-22-blizzard-major-winter-storm-impacts/

As we continue to progress through the storm, please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime from this evening 1/28 through Monday Evening, 1/31. We are creating a list of availability for ARESMAT deployment if needed for various local EOC’s, Red Cross, Salvation Army, NWS Storm Survey Teams, and hospitals as required. Keep your situational awareness level high for any updates from ARES leadership by checking your email for updates and our ARES web site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org and monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies for any updates on this developing situation.

When sending your availability, please send the following: Name, Call-sign, License Class, Capability (HF / VHF / UHF), Availability, and any other special notes we should be aware of. We ask that as you contact your DEC, please send a copy of the message to hurricane@w1mv.org where multiple members of the EMA ARES Leadership will be able to access your availability.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region is fully understood.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Jim Palmer (KB1KQW)
North Shore ARES District Emergency Coordinator

SEC/ASEC:
SEC – KD1CY – kd1cy@comcast.net
ASEC – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net

DECs:
Essex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Middlesex County – W1AHM – AMartin.MA.UltraNet@RCN.Com

Metro-Boston – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Norfolk County – W1SHS – w1shs@arrl.net

Bristol County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Plymouth County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Cape & Islands – WQ1O – wq1o@comcast.com

KD1CY/KB1KQW

Hello to all…

Planning is well underway for the 2022 Boston Marathon! The BAA opened volunteer registration continues to be open and it will close on Friday, February 18, 2022. Returning volunteers should have received an email from the BAA with details about how to register.

New volunteers can sign up via http://register.hamradioboston.org/

We have also provided a step by step guide on how to select Amateur Radio volunteer positions during the registration process:
https://hamradioboston.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/44002294773-2022-volunteer-registration-step-by-step-guide

If you have any questions about the upcoming volunteer registration period, or the 2022 Marathon generally, please get in touch anytime via the email address contact@hamradioboston.org

Thank you, and 73,

Boston Marathon Communications Committee
contact@HamRadioBoston.org