NTS

National Traffic System (NTS), traffic handling

MASSACHUSETTS TRAFFIC REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2019

Below is the traffic report for both Eastern and Western Massachusetts.  I hope everyone is enjoying fall in New England with all its many colors.  It has been quite gorgeous this year.  Lots of public service events going on and also time to get those antennas ready for  a winter I hear could be quite cold and snowy.  If you haven’t tried handling a formal message we hope you will give it a try.  It isn’t that hard, it is fun, and some day you may be called upon to handle a  message in an emergency.  Training and help is always available.  Just ask, me, your net manager or any of the net control stations.
 
Thanks to all for your support of the nets and 73,
Marcia KW1U
STM EMA and WMA
 
MA STM REPORT Sep-19          
               
NET SESSIONS QTC QNI QTR NM FREQ Net Time
               
WMTN C1 25 0 215 73 KD2JKV 146.91 10:00 Daily
WMTN C2 30 4 141 62 N1YCW 146.91 13:00 Daily
MARI 30 116 131 430 KW1U 3565 KHz 19:00 Daily
EM2MN 30 89 238 628 KC1HHO 145.23 20:00 Daily
CM2MN 16 6 98 118 KK1X 146.97 21:00 Daily
HHTN 18 21 122 255 W1HAI MMRA Rptrs 22:00 Su,M,W,F
CITN 16 7 58 157 AC7RB 147.375 19:30 Tu,Th, F,Sa
MARIPN 12 9 39 98 N1LAH 3978 KHz 18:00 Tu,Th,Sa
WARPSN 5 10 77 NA N1IQI 147.225 08:30 Su
WMEN 4 0 73 57 W1JWN 3944 KHz 08:30 Su
               
SAR ORG REC SENT DEL TOTAL BPL BPL = 500+ points
               
KW1U 0 272 264 0 536 X  
N1IQI 0 46 252 4 302    
W1RVY 0 65 20 0 85    
N1TF 0 22 32 8 62    
KC1HHO 0 36 8 14 58    
KE1ML 0 10 19 13 42    
WA1LPM 0 16 24 0 40    
KD2JKV 0 18 18 0 36    
WA1VAB 0 9 9 9 27    
N1LAH 0 12 12 0 24    
NV1N 0 6 12 0 18    
W1PLK 0 8 3 6 17    
               
PSHR (Min 70 Points) 1 2 3 4 5 6 TOTAL
               
KW1U 40 40 30 0 0 20 130
N1TF 40 40 30 5 0 0 115
KE1ML 40 40 10 0 10 10 110
N1IQI 40 40 10 10 0 10 110
W1RVY 40 40 30 0 0 0 110
KD2JKV 40 40 30 0 0 0 110
KC1HHO 25 40 20 20 5 0 110
WA1LPM 40 40 10 0 0 0 90
N1LAH 34 24 20 0 0 0 78
               
DRS RCV FWD TOTAL        
               
KW1U 623 644 1267        
N1IQI 46 252 298        
W1RVY 0 6 6        
               
NTS / Public Information

KW1U Featured on Pittsfield Community TV, WTBR-FM, September 18, 2019

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Marcia Forde, KW1U, in the WTBR-FM studio

Massachusetts Section Traffic Manager Marcia Forde, KW1U, was the featured guest on Ham On! (episode 3), simulcast on Pittsfield Community Television and WTBR-FM 89.7. The early morning program was produced and moderated by Western MA Assistant Section Traffic Manager Peter Mattice, KD2JKV. Marcia discussed the ARRL National Traffic System and her experiences with message handling.

The 60-minute program can be viewed online at <http://www.pittsfieldtv.net/CablecastPublicSite/show/32638?channel=1>.

[Ed. note: the video may not play properly in all browsers.]

MASSACHUSETTS TRAFFIC REPORT FOR AUGUST 2019

Greetings All,  Below you will find the August net and traffic report for Eastern and Western Mass.  

Last weekend I enjoyed the annual ARRL New England Division convention, otherwise now known as Northeast HamXposition in Boxboro MA.  It was great to see so many friends there.  I enjoyed some of the interesting forums including one on message handling and net control by our own Doc Kinne KE1ML who gave an excellent and very lively presentation.  If you missed the convention this year I hope you will be able to attend next year, again the weekend after Labor Day.

Peter Doherty KC1HHO, manager of the EM2MN has announced he will be beginning a training program for new hams and older ones who haven’t had the courage to actually handle traffic and control a net. Thanks to Peter for stepping up to this project.  I hope folks will take advantage of this very worthwhile opportunity on the EM2MN which meets daily at 2000 hours on the Boston 145.230 repeater, PL 88.5.  This is a very important aspect of amateur radio as well as a very fun one.

On Wednesday morning September 18 I will be in Pittsfield MA participating in a local TV program conducted by Western Mass ASTM Peter Mattice KD2JKV.  Peter’s TV series will be promoting Amateur radio and on September 18 he will be interviewing me about  the various aspects of message handling and NTS and my experiences there.

As previously mentioned, the ARRL’s Public Service Enhancement Working Group (PSEWG) has begun to turn its attention to the NTS and we look forward to more information on this in the coming months.  Among other things, there will be efforts made to effect greater coordination between the ARES and NTS programs.  I encourage folks to take part in upcoming public service events as well as the online emergency courses offered by ARRL so that we can be better prepared to help out as needed.  Hopefully in time the two programs can help support one another.

Happy Fall to all.

73, Marcia KW1U  STM EMA/WMA

MA STM REPORT Aug-19            
                 
NET SESSIONS QTC QNI QTR NM FREQ Net Time  
                 
WMTN C1 31 1 278 203 KD2JKV 146.91 10:00 Daily  
WMTN C2 26 2 194 87 N1YCW 146.91 13:00 Daily  
MARI 31 127 135 497 KW1U 3565 KHz 19:00 Daily  
EM2MN 31 90 237 649 KW1U 145.23 20:00 Daily  
CM2MN 19 11 101 152 KK1X 146.97 21:00 Daily  
HHTN 17 35 141 308 W1HAI MMRA Rptrs 22:00 Su,M,W,F  
CITN 18 10 87 234 AC7RB 147.375 19:30 Tu,Th, F,Sa  
MARIPN 14 9 47 113 N1LAH 3978 KHz 18:00 Tu,Th,Sa  
WARPSN 4 8 58 NA N1IQI 147.225 08:30 Su  
WMEN 4 0 91 78 W1JWN 3944 KHz 08:30 Su  
                 
SAR ORG REC SENT DEL TOTAL BPL BPL = 500+ points
                 
N1IQI 0 100 435 4 539 X    
KW1U 0 242 157 8 407      
W1RVY 0 97 37 0 134      
KE1ML 0 46 46 6 98      
N1TF 0 41 50 4 95      
WA1LPM 0 19 37 0 56      
WA1VAB 0 16 16 16 48      
NV1N 0 11 32 1 44      
KC1HHO 0 24 11 8 43      
KD2JKV 0 21 21 0 42      
N1LAH 0 13 17 0 30      
W1PLK 0 6 4 1 11      
W1JWM 2 2 4 1 9      
K1BML 0 0 0 0 0      
                 
PSHR (Min 70 Points) 1 2 3 4 5 6 TOTAL  
                 
KW1U 40 40 30 0 0 20 130  
N1TF 40 40 30 5 0 0 115  
KE1ML 40 40 10 0 15 10 115  
N1IQI 40 40 10 10 0 10 110  
W1RVY 40 40 30 0 0 0 110  
KD2JKV 40 40 30 0 0 0 110  
N1LAH 40 30 20 0 0 0 90  
KC1HHO 25 40 20 0 5 0 90  
WA1LPM 40 40 10 0 0 0 90  
NV1N 29 40 10 0 0 0 79  
                 
DRS RCV FWD TOTAL          
                 
KW1U 691 1084 1775          
N1IQI 100 435 535          
W1RVY 3 29 32          

MASSACHUSETTS TRAFFIC REPORT FOR JULY 2019

As noted last month we lost two of our fellow traffic handlers and friends in the month of July. Jim Ward N1LKJ and Greg Bennett KC1CIC are both greatly missed.
 
The nets continue on however and we welcome Peter Doherty KC1HHO as the new net manager of the EM2MN.  Peter is interested in training and we plan to incorporate that into the net.  We welcome all to participate in this net as we do all our traffic nets, but we feel it is important for fellow amateurs to have the skills in accurate message handling and net operation and we hope to see folks take advantage of this training.
 
Part of the fun of these nets is the fellowship and camaraderie among its participants. On Sunday August 4 we experienced this at a picnic in Concord MA where 25 folks enjoyed plenty of food, demonstrations and conversation including a discussion of NTS today and what is ahead. Pictures and an article about this picnic written by Doc Kinne KE1ML can be found elsewhere on this website.
 
Our next big event will be at the HamXposition in Boxboro MA Friday September 6 through Sunday September 8.  There will be a presentation on traffic handling by Doc Kinne KE1ML followed by an NTS Forum conducted by Betsey Doane K1EIC, former CT Section Manager for many years and current manager of the First Region SSB Net.  This forum will be a chance to meet other traffic handlers and take part in discussions about topics of current interest to traffic handlers.  We hope to see you there.
 
Thanks to all for your support.  The July traffic report for Massachusetts follows below.
73, Marcia KW1U STM
 
MA STM REPORT Jul-19          
               
NET SESSIONS QTC QNI QTR NM FREQ Net Time
               
WMTN C1 29 3 291 219 KD2JKV 146.91 10:00 Daily
WMTN C2 27 7 225 191 N1YCW 146.91 13:00 Daily
MARI 31 114 136 502 KW1U 3565 KHz 19:00 Daily
EM2MN 31 126 248 685 KW1U 145.23 20:00 Daily
CM2MN 20 6 62 84 KK1X 146.97 21:00 Daily
HHTN 18 25 143 263 W1HAI MMRA Rptrs 22:00 Su,M,W,F
CITN 16 5 74 199 AC7RB 147.375 19:30 Tu,Th, F,Sa
MARIPN 12 12 49 126 N1LAH 3978 KHz 18:00 Tu,Th,Sa
WARPSN 4 8 59 NA N1IQI 147.225 08:30 Su
WMEN 3 0 65 60 W1JWN 3944 KHz 08:30 Su
               
SAR ORG REC SENT DEL TOTAL BPL BPL = 500+ points
               
KW1U 0 336 290 7 633 X  
N1IQI 0 82 261 4 347    
N1TF 0 23 45 3 71    
W1RVY 0 59 9 0 68    
KE1ML 0 23 30 10 63    
WA1VAB 1 13 11 13 38    
NV1N 0 11 21 4 36    
N1LAH 0 10 16 0 26    
KC1HHO 0 12 6 6 24    
W1PLK 0 9 6 8 23    
WA1LPM 0 6 15 1 22    
KD2JKV 0 7 7 0 14    
W1JWM 1 3 4 3 11    
               
PSHR (Min 70 Points) 1 2 3 4 5 6 TOTAL
               
KW1U 40 40 30 0 0 20 130
N1TF 40 40 30 5 0 0 115
KE1ML 40 40 10 0 15 10 115
N1IQI 40 40 10 10 0 10 110
W1RVY 40 40 30 0 0 0 110
N1LAH 40 26 20 0 0 0 86
KD2JKV 40 7 30 0 0 0 77
KC1HHO 28 24 10 0 10 0 72
WA1LPM 40 22 10 0 0 0 72
               
               
DRS RCV FWD TOTAL        
               
KW1U 477 566 1043        
N1IQI 82 261 343        
W1RVY 0 0 0        
NTS

“Traffic Handlers Converge on Concord”

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

NTS traffic handlers converged at the home of Eastern MA Section Traffic Manager KW1U for the Eastern MA Traffic Handler’s Picnic on August 4, 2019 in Concord, MA. Twenty-five individuals–including regular traffic handlers and net control stations, three Section Managers, and the New England Division Director–were in attendance.  Doc, KE1ML, describes the event. 

Traffic handlers picnic group photo
Bottom row: KB1LRL, N1IQI, KE1ML, Audrey Wilhelm (W1RVY harmonic), KC1HHO, W1JWM; Top row: K1TW, N1LAH, W1HAI, WA1LPM, NV1N, K1UAF, N1PZP, K1VR, KE1CN, W1FX, N1MF, KW1U, W1RVY, WA1VAB, N1TF; Not shown: KB1ZFP
Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

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

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Good evening,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We look forward to hearing you all on the Net.

Respectfully,

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

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

NTS

NEW MANAGER FOR EASTERN MASS 2 METER TRAFFIC NET

- by kw1u - Leave a Comment

We were saddened to lose the services of Greg Bennett KC1CIC as net manager of the Eastern Mass 2 Meter Traffic Net.  Greg did a terrific job over the past few years and is certainly missed.  Notice of his passing with link to his obituary can be found elsewhere on this website.

We now welcome the services of Peter Doherty KC1HHO as new net manager effective August 1, 2019.  Peter has been a regular participant as Net Control and handler of many messages.  I know Peter will do a fantastic job as Greg did welcoming all who wish to participate in message handling and net operation.  Our thanks to Peter for taking on this important job.  Join us on EM2MN at 8:00 PM daily on the Boston 145.230 repeater PL 88.5.

73, Marcia KW1U Section Traffic Manager

NTS

ANNUAL TRAFFIC HANDLERS PICNIC SUNDAY AUGUST 4, 2019

- by kw1u - Leave a Comment

The annual traffic handlers picnic will be held Sunday August 4 beginning at noon at the home of KW1U in Concord MA.  All traffic handlers and anyone interested in message handling is welcome to attend.  As usual hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided.  Bring your beverage of choice, a lawn chair if you have one (I do have some if you don’t), and anything you might want to share with the group although this is a suggestion and not required.  I have requested no rain on that date and for the most part the weatherman has come through :-).  I look forward to seeing you here at 44 Raymond Rd, Concord MA.  Please let me know if you plan on coming so I can have an approximate head count  for planning food.  Thanks and 73,

Marcia KW1U STM

MASSACHUSETTS TRAFFIC REPORT FOR JUNE 2019

This month of July saw the passing of two of our own in NTS, Jim Ward N1LKJ and Greg Bennett KC1CIC.  Both were great supporters of NTS and both were great men who cared not only for NTS and message handling but cared for those folks who particpated and were always ready to help.  We will miss them both very much.  73 Jim and Greg!
 
We will have our annual traffic handlers picnic Sunday August 4 beginning at noon at the home of KW1U in Concord MA.  As usual hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided.  Bring your beverage of choice, a lawn chair if you have one (I do have some if you don’t), and anything you might want to share with the group although this is a suggestion and not required.  I have requested no rain on that date and for the most part the weatherman has come through :-).  I look forward to seeing you here.
73, Marcia KW1U STM
 
MA STM REPORT       June 2019    
               
NET SESSIONS QTC QNI QTR NM FREQ Net Time
WMTN C1 30 5 288 258 KD2JKV 146.91 10:00 Daily
WMTN C2 25 8 241 266 N1YCW 146.91 13:00 Daily
MARI 30 97 112 475 KW1U 3565 KHz 19:00 Daily
EM2MN 30 98 284 703 KC1CIC 145.23 20:00 Daily
CM2MN 13 10 89 104 KK1X 146.97 21:00 Daily
MARIPN 11 12 46 109 N1LAH 3978 KHz 18:00 Tu,Th,Sa
CITN 15 10 68 203 AC7RB 147.375 19:30 Tu,Th, F,Sa
HHTN 16 13 131 239 W1HAI MMRA Rptrs 22:00 Su,M,W,F
WMEN 4 0 100 83 W1JWN 3944 KHz 08:30 Su
WARPSN 5 10 87 NA N1IQI 147.225 08:30 Su
               
SAR ORG REC SENT DEL TOTAL BPL BPL = 500+ points
N1IQI 0 102 501 4 607 X  
KW1U 0 319 252 11 582 X  
KC1CIC 0 27 37 11 75    
W1RVY 0 60 11 0 71    
KE1ML 0 14 16 9 39    
N1TF 0 11 13 2 26    
KC1HHO 1 6 12 6 25    
WA1VAB 0 7 9 7 23    
WA1LPM 0 5 17 0 22    
N1LAH 0 14 8 0 22    
NV1N 0 4 13 0 17    
W1PLK 0 5 2 3 10    
KD2JKV 0 2 2 0 4    
               
PSHR (Min 70 Points) 1 2 3 4 5 6 TOTAL
KC1CIC 40 40 30 35 0 10 155
KW1U 40 40 30 0 0 20 130
N1IQI 40 40 10 10 0 10 110
W1RVY 40 40 30 0 0 0 110
KE1ML 40 39 10 0 10 10 109
N1TF 24 26 30 5 0 0 85
N1LAH 40 22 20 0 0 0 82
KD2JKV 40 4 30 0 0 0 74
KC1HHO 26 25 10 0 10 0 71
               
DRS RCV FWD TOTAL        
KW1U 780 906 1686        
N1IQI 102 501 603        
KC1CIC 19 9 28        
W1RVY No Activity 0 0        
               
MARCIA KW1U STM     GREG KC1CIC ASTM EMA     PETER KD2JKV ASTM WMA  
NTS

GREG BENNETT KC1CIC SK

- by kw1u - Leave a Comment

I was shocked to learn today of the passing of Greg KC1CIC on July 19, 2019.  Greg had been very active in NTS activities in Eastern Mass, serving as Net Manager of EM2MN and as Assistant Section Traffic Manager.  He was invaluable in many ways, not only on the nets, handling traffic and assisting new participants, but with his technical background was especially helpful with digital messaging.  Greg also served with the South Shore Hospital group and was a DEC in ARES for helping to coordinate NTS and ARES activities.  He was always ready to help when asked and that included keeping the antennas in the air at station KW1U.  Greg last checked into the EM2MN Tuesday July 16 indicating that he was relocating to Florida.  His health issues were known but not the extent.  As his obituary states he left “on his own terms”.  Greg will be very greatly missed as a fellow ham and as a great friend.  The link to his obituary can be found here: https://keohane.com/services/gregory-a-bennett/ 

Rest in peace Greg!!

73, Marcia KW1U

 

Clubs / Field Day / NTS

Marcia Forde, KW1U, Commended For Field Day Message Origination Assistance

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW, received a commendation letter from ARRL Special Service Club PART of Westford acknowledging the efforts of Eastern MA Section Traffic Manager Marcia Forde, KW1U, “for her professionalism and patience … in preparing members of PART for Field Day 2019 National Traffic System messaging.”

PART President Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, writes, “[Marcia] worked with two of our members over the course of several weeks to advise on software and protocols.” KW1U’s knowledge and expertise allowed PART to earn an additional 200 points for message handling. 

Stewart added, “her dedication to the Amateur Radio art reflects great credit on the Eastern Massachusetts section.”

 

 

NTS

JIM WARD N1LKJ SK – JULY 8, 2019

- by kw1u - Leave a Comment

We very much regret the passing of Jim Ward N1LKJ on Monday July 8, 2019.  Jim had been active in amateur radio for many years, serving in various capacities including Net Manager and Section Traffic Manager prior to your current STM.  He was also very active in the region and area sideband nets.  Jim used to host the annual traffic handlers picnics in Raynham.  He was a good friend and all around great guy and will be greatly missed.

His obituary can be found at https://www.ccgfuneralhome.com/obit/james-t.-ward
 Visitation will be Thursday July 11 from 4:00 to 8:00 at the Prophett-Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 98 Bedford St, Bridgewater MA.

MASSACHUSETTS TRAFFIC REPORT FOR APRIL AND MAY

Greetings all,
 
My apologies for not getting the April report out sooner, but it is included here along with the May report, both compiled by Greg KC1CIC with many thanks.
 
The nets have been humming with new check-ins the past few months, especially the 2 meter nets.  Of particular note we welcome Doc KE1ML who is a new ORS (Official Relay Station) appointee and also NCS on EM2MN Wednesday nights.  Morgan KB1ZFP has also begun handling traffic and is interested in trying out NCS.  Scott KE1CN of the CITN reports Al N1MF has also been putting into practice the things he has been learning through their training sessions on the net and is handling traffic.  We are also happy to hear other new regulars and hope to hear them handling traffic in the future.  With that in mind, if any folks are interested in training in message handling on the Boston repeater let me know.  We would like to help you get some confidence in taking part in this important aspect of the hobby. 
 
Upcoming events include Field Day June 22-23. Field Day sites can be found on the section website ema.arrl.org. See the Field Day tab. 
 
There will be summer picnic get-togethers for both East and West Mass.  The West Mass folks will have a picnic at Mt Greylock on Sunday, July 14.  Contact Peter KD2JKV for details.  The East Mass picnic will be in Concord at the KW1U QTH on Sunday August 4.  Of course any traffic handlers from other sections are invited to this event.  More information will be forthcoming in July.
 
The annual ARRL New England Division convention will be held in Boxboro September 6-8.  Our own Greg KC1CIC will be one of the speakers. I know it will be a very interesting presentation. Greg gave a very informative presentation last year.
 
I hope all have a great summer.  See you on the nets.
73, Marcia KW1U
 
MA STM REPORT       April 2019    
               
NET SESSIONS QTC QNI QTR NM FREQ Net Time
WMTN C1 30 1 234 189 KD2JKV 146.91 10:00 Daily
WMTN C2 24 7 228 195 N1YCW 146.91 13:00 Daily
MARI 30 103 135 413 KW1U 3565 KHz 19:00 Daily
EM2MN 30 96 223 586 KC1CIC 145.23 20:00 Daily
CM2MN 25 29 158 214 KK1X 146.97 21:00 Daily
MARIPN 13 40 47 153 N1LAH 3978 KHz 18:00 Tu,Th,Sa
CITN 17 13 77 231 AC7RB 147.375 19:30 Tu,Th, F,Sa
HHTN 18 39 154 300 W1HAI MMRA Rptrs 22:00 Su,M,W,F
WMEN 4 0 93 78 W1JWN 3944 KHz 08:30 Su
WARPSN 4 8 67 NA N1IQI 147.225 08:30 Su
               
SAR ORG REC SENT DEL TOTAL BPL BPL = 500 Points
N1IQI 0 189 581 4 774 X  
KW1U 0 307 304 1 612 X  
N1LAH 0 45 49 0 94    
W1RVY 0 78 13 2 93    
N1TF 0 35 44 1 80    
WA1LPM 0 20 34 1 55    
KC1CIC 0 25 22 4 51    
KD2JKV 0 22 22 0 44    
KC1HHO 0 7 10 6 23    
WA1VAB 0 6 3 6 15    
W1PLK 0 4 5 2 11    
KE1ML 0 1 1 1 3    
W1JWM 0 1 1 1 3    
               
PSHR (Min 70 Points) 1 2 3 4 5 6 TOTAL
KD2JKV 40 40 30 110 0 0 220
W1RVY 40 40 30 80 0 0 190
KC1CIC 31 40 30 35 0 10 146
KW1U 40 40 30 0 0 20 130
N1TF 40 40 30 5 0 0 115
N1IQI 40 40 10 10 0 10 110
N1LAH 40 40 20 0 0 0 100
KC1HHO 30 23 10 25 0 0 88
WA1LPM 36 40 10 0 0 0 86
               
DRS RCV FWD TOTAL        
KW1U 745 1302 2047        
N1IQI 189 581 770        
KC1CIC 21 12 33        
W1RVY 1 0 1        
               
MA STM REPORT       May 2019    
               
NET SESSIONS QTC QNI QTR NM FREQ Net Time
WMTN C1 30 3 401 309 KD2JKV 146.91 10:00 Daily
WMTN C2 25 4 210 200 N1YCW 146.91 13:00 Daily
MARI 31 64 119 336 KW1U 3565 KHz 19:00 Daily
EM2MN 31 89 246 657 KC1CIC 145.23 20:00 Daily
CM2MN 21 17 143 173 KK1X 146.97 21:00 Daily
MARIPN 13 20 46 112 N1LAH 3978 KHz 18:00 Tu,Th,Sa
CITN 17 12 82 283 AC7RB 147.375 19:30 Tu,Th, F,Sa
HHTN 18 31 173 286 W1HAI MMRA Rptrs 22:00 Su,M,W,F
WMEN 4 0 99 71 W1JWN 3944 KHz 08:30 Su
WARPSN 4 8 71 NA N1IQI 147.225 08:30 Su
               
SAR ORG REC SENT DEL TOTAL BPL BPL = 500 points
N1IQI 0 85 391 4 480    
KW1U 0 232 235 2 469    
KC1CIC 0 46 28 0 74    
W1RVY 0 52 9 0 61    
KD2JKV 0 17 17 0 34    
KE1ML 1 8 17 5 31    
N1LAH 0 13 16 0 29    
KC1HHO 0 6 13 6 25    
NV1N 0 6 17 0 23    
W1PLK 0 8 4 7 19    
WA1LPM 0 1 14 0 15    
WA1VAB 0 2 4 2 8    
W1JWM 0 1 1 1 3    
               
PSHR (Min 70 Points) 1 2 3 4 5 6 TOTAL
KC1CIC 33 40 30 35 0 20 158
KW1U 40 40 30 10 0 20 140
KD2JKV 40 34 30 15 0 0 119
N1IQI 40 40 10 10 0 10 110
W1RVY 40 40 30 0 0 0 110
KC1HHO 32 25 10 30 0 0 97
N1LAH 40 29 20 0 0 0 89
KE1ML 40 31 0 10 0 0 81
               
DRS RCV FWD TOTAL        
KW1U 595 898 1493        
N1IQI 85 391 476        
KC1CIC 31 11 42        
               
MARCIA KW1U STM     GREG KC1CIC ASTM EMA     PETER KD2JKV ASTM WMA  
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
   
 
Emergency Communications / NTS / Public Service

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

- by kc1cic - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

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

For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:

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

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

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

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

Rob Macedo, KD1CY

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Emergency Communications / NTS / Public Service

Emergency Messaging Demonstration for Red Cross, FEMA is a Success

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Courtesy ARRLWeb:

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

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

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

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

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

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

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

Respectfully Submitted,

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

Emergency Communications / NTS / Public Service

Local Amateurs Participate in Joint American Red Cross, FEMA Exercise

- by k9hi - 1 Comment
Photo courtesy KW1U

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

[Story, courtesy KC1CIC]

MASSACHUSETTS TRAFFIC REPORT FOR MARCH 2019

As April showers bring May flowers, I have been enjoying watching the daffodils and other spring flowers bloom and the buds on the trees begin to open up.  I’m also anticipating the erection of a new tower and getting the antennas atop that tower in good working order.  I suspect some of you are also looking to upgrade your antennas.  This is an exciting time of year.
Dayton Hamvention is coming up in May and I’ve heard of several folks heading to Ohio for one of the biggest ham events of the year.  Field Day in June will be here before we know it, and the convention at Boxboro in September as well and it is time already to make plans for those.
 
Not to be forgotten is the annual traffic handlers picnic which will again be held in Concord at the KW1U QTH on the traditional first Sunday of August.  Set aside August 4 and plan to join us.  Details will follow later.
 
Nets are going well.  Conditions on 80 meters have got past the long skip of winter and signals have been much improved.  Do join us on the HF nets.  HHTN has seen a big boom in check-ins especially with the availability of Echolink.  Speaking of Echolink, the West Mass 2 meter nets are also now accessible via Echolink.  Look for the K1FFK repeater.  The Boston 145.230 repeater has been experiencing some rough times during inclement weather but the EM2MN folks are a hardy group and deal with the uncertain conditions.  I’m told the folks who maintain the repeater will be making some adjustments as soon as it is possible.  CITN has also seen new check-ins and it is good to see that net doing well.   Thanks to all for your support.
 
Below is the traffic report for March, again with thanks to Greg KC1CIC ASTM.
 
73, Marcia KW1U STM
 
 
MA STM REPORT MARCIA KW1U / STM March 2019    
               
               
NET SESSIONS QTC QNI QTR NM FREQ Net Time
WMTN C1 31 6 321 275 KD2JKV 146.91 10:00 Daily
WMTN C2 29 8 258 195 N1YCW 146.91 13:00 Daily
MARI 31 81 121 396 KW1U 3565 KHz 19:00 Daily
EM2MN 31 97 163 476 KC1CIC 145.23 20:00 Daily
CM2MN 25 12 143 189 KK1X 146.97 21:00 Daily
MARIPN 13 14 42 126 N1LAH 3978 KHz 18:00 Tu,Th,Sa
CITN 17 4 64 178 AC7RB 147.375 19:30 Tu,Th, F,Sa
HHTN 18 47 120 314 W1HAI MMRA Rptrs 22:00 Su,M,W,F
WMEN 5 0 123 74   3944 KHz 08:30 Su
WARPSN 5 10 73 NA N1IQI 147.225 08:30 Su
               
SAR ORG REC SENT DEL TOTAL BPL BPL = 500+ pts
N1IQI 0 105 390 4 499    
KW1U 0 211 171 1 383    
N1TF 0 33 61 2 96    
W1RVY 1 57 26 0 84    
KD2JKV 0 35 35 0 70    
N1LAH 0 31 38 1 70    
KC1CIC 0 40 19 2 61    
WA1LPM 0 12 35 0 47    
KC1HHO 0 5 19 3 27    
WA1VAB 0 8 6 3 17    
NV1N 0 2 11 1 14    
W1PLK 0 5 1 2 8    
               
PSHR (Min 70 Points) 1 2 3 4 5 6 TOTAL
KC1CIC 40 40 30 15 0 20 145
KW1U 40 40 30 0 0 20 130
KD2JKV 40 40 30 10 0 0 120
N1TF 40 40 30 5 0 0 115
W1RVY 40 40 30 0 0 0 110
N1IQI 40 40 10 10 0 10 110
N1LAH 40 40 20 0 0 0 100
WA1LPM 40 40 10 0 0 0 90
KC1HHO 32 27 10 10 0 0 79
               
DRS RCV FWD TOTAL        
KW1U 880 1157 2037        
N1IQI 105 390 495        
KC1CIC 16 16 32        
W1RVY 14 12 26        

MASSACHUSETTS TRAFFIC REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2019

Greetings All.  Below is the February Traffic Report,  just in time before we start on the March reports.  Your STM was distracted by a vacation, a computer hack while on vacation and a period of post vacation catch-up.  This traffic report was submitted to ARRL March 15 but due to an early QST deadline it will have to wait to make the next QST. 
 
Just a word about the use of pro-words and non pro-words.  Here is a link to our section website where you will find a list of common prowords and introductory words/phrases: https://ema.arrl.org/prowords-and-introductory-words-phrases/.  You will notice it is introduced with a quote from the “Methods and Practices Guidelines (MPG) available on the ARRL website.
“Do what the trained receiving operator expects and confusion and errors will be minimized.”  As our local and section nets are for training, let me stress that we are all learning and do not expect perfection.  Remember the goal is to learn how to do things better, more accurately and more efficiently.  I encourage all to refer to the information in this article.
 
Also in the interest of good practice and efficiency we strive to eliminate extraneous and unnecessary words or phrases, such as “check of”, “going to”, “break for text”, “and the signature is” , and perhaps most widely used “how copy”.  We should know the order of the format and shouldn’t need to introduce each part of the radiogram.  At the end we say “end no more” or “end more”.  If the receiving station needs fills he/she will ask.  If no fills are needed, he/she will respond with “roger”.
 
All on our nets are doing a great job and it is much appreciated.  These are just a few tips that can help us to do even better. 
 
Thanks for your support and 73,
 
Marcia KW1U STM
 
MA STM REPORT       February 2019    
               
NET SESSIONS QTC QNI QTR NM FREQ Net Time
WMTN C1 28 3 235 161 KD2JKV 146.91 10:00 Daily
WMTN C2 19 0 154 117 N1YCW 146.91 13:00 Daily
MARI 28 106 120 534 KW1U 3565 KHz 19:00 Daily
EM2MN 28 102 164 518 KC1CIC 145.23 20:00 Daily
CM2MN 19 21 111 164 KK1X 146.97 21:00 Daily
MARIPN 12 10 36 103 N1LAH 3978 KHz 18:00 Tu,Th,Sa
CITN 16 3 52 180 AC7RB 147.375 19:30 Tu,Th, F,Sa
HHTN 16 27 108 233 W1HAI MMRA Rptrs 22:00 Su,M,W,F
WMEN 4 0 113 80   3944 KHz 08:30 Su
WARPSN 4 8 71 NA N1IQI 147.225 08:30 Su
               
SAR ORG REC SENT DEL TOTAL BPL = 500+ pts  
N1IQI 0 157 470 4 631 X  
KW1U 1 263 251 2 517 X  
N1TF 0 33 46 5 84    
KC1CIC 0 46 22 3 71    
W1RVY 0 53 16 2 71    
WA1LPM 0 26 37 0 63    
KD2JKV 0 21 21 0 42    
KC1HHO 0 12 23 6 41    
N1LAH 0 20 19 0 39    
WA1VAB 0 13 6 11 30    
NV1N 0 4 13 0 17    
W1PLK 0 2 4 4 10    
K1BML 0 2 0 1 3    
               
PSHR (Min 70 Points) 1 2 3 4 5 6 TOTAL
KC1CIC 40 40 30 10 0 20 140
KW1U 40 40 30 0 0 20 130
N1TF 40 40 30 5 0 0 115
N1IQI 40 40 10 10 0 10 110
W1RVY 40 40 30 0 0 0 110
KD2JKV 40 40 30 0 0 0 110
N1LAH 40 39 20 0 0 0 99
WA1LPM 40 40 10 0 0 0 90
KC1HHO 28 40 10 0 0 0 78
               
DRS RCV FWD TOTAL        
KW1U 1011 1338 2349        
N1IQI 157 470 627        
KC1CIC 30 42 72        
KC1EGK 0 1 1        
W1RVY 0 0 0        
               
Marcia KW1U STM; Greg KC1CIC ASTM EMA; Peter KD2JKV ASTM WMA    
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
     
Emergency Communications / NTS / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net for Monday April 1 at 8:30pm

- by kc1cic - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

The monthly ARES Net is Monday April 1, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.

We had an issue with last months net but that has been resolved.

For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:

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

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

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

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

Rob Macedo, KD1CYEastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator