Operating

Operating, on-the-air events and activities, contests, DXing

Clubs / Operating

Whitman Amateur Radio Club Amateur Radio Open House

- by Jon McCombie - Leave a Comment

Whitman ARC logoRoss W1EKG writes:

The Whitman Amateur Radio club will be hosting an Amateur Radio open house  on July 12th 2025 between 8 AM and noon. Location is the Knights Of Columbus, 1195 Bedford Street in Whitman MA.  This is an indoor/outdoor event which will include operating demonstrations, equipment displays, and  general information about “Ham Radio”. There will be several clubs participating and refreshments will be available. Come and learn about Amateur radio and sign up for our Technician license class  which starts in September. Please email  Ross W1EKG at bavarianradio@comcast.net   or visit our website http://wa1npo.org for more information. 73’s 

History / Operating

Special Event Stations On-Air Celebrating FDA Approval of Polio Vaccine

- by Jon McCombie - Leave a Comment

John Griffin, AB1UA writes

Hello!  My name is John Griffin, AB1UA, and I’m writing on behalf of the Narwhal Amateur Radio Society, NR7WL.
We’re holding a ham radio on-the-air contest to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the approval of Dr. Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine approval by the FDA, which was April 12, 1955; hence, from April 5-19, 2025, we’ll be celebrating this momentous occasion with our “Polio on the Air” event.  Any station, around the world, is invited to contact all of W7P, W7O, W7L, W7I, and W0O in that timeframe to receive QSL cards, honor, and glory, as well as to share the incredible achievement that was the Salk polio vaccine and, more broadly, vaccination against diseases that used to kill or permanently injure so many people around the world.
We’re inviting ham radio operators of all levels (including Technicians!) to participate by contacting the event stations, or even by operating them!  Please find more information at our website, https://nars.narwhal.be/polio .  Look for us on the air calling CQ SALK from April 5-19.  For questions, please contact us at nars@narwhal.be . See you on the air!
Operating

13 Colonies Massachusetts K2H Seeks Operators, July 1-7, 2025

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
2021 K2H QSL card design

Larry Krainson, W1AST, writes:

13 Colonies Massachusetts, is looking for a few new ops to join Team K2H.

13 Colonies takes place every July 1-7. We’re looking for volunteers who can operate for at least 2 hours per day for at least 4 of the 7 days.

Operating as K2H is a blast. You become the DX, and stations want to work you. You don’t have to be a contest op to volunteer. Anyone interested and available is welcome. As part of team K2H for the past few years, we have made around 20,000 contacts. 

If you are interested, please contact Larry, W1AST, 13 Colonies Massachusetts state manager, at W1AST@arrl.net before May 15th.

Thanks and 73,

Larry, W1AST
ARRL WMA Affiliated Club Coordinator
Northeast HamX Committee Member: W1AST@HamX.org
Team K2H – 13 Colonies Massachusetts State Manager
Proud Member of ARRL, HCRA, FEMARA & YCCC
413-348-3289
WB1DBY@gmail.com
I hope to see you at this year’s HamX! – www.HamX.org

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday April 7th, 2025 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater System

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

The April Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday April 7th, 2025 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 for the net.

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
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
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Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Reminder: April 7th, 2025 MEMA RACES/ACS Communications Test Net

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment
Mike “Sparky” Leger, N1YLQ, ARES DEC – MEMA Region 2 RACES Radio Officer writes:
 
Hello to all,
 
This email is the typical monthly message to let everyone know that Monday evening, April 7th, 2025 is our first non-holiday Monday of the month and, as such, will be the next RACES/ACS/Preparedness Net night. 

For those who participate in the WinLink net, please note that there is a different NCO noted for the WinLink net this month with messages being routed to KF1D with a copy to AB1PH. 

 
Due to family constraints, I may not be able to reliably act as NCO for Sector 2A and I will be looking for someone to fill this role. 
 
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 may 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 is asked to please send a note to WC1MAB@gmail.com <mailto: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
cannot 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!

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

Net Frequency/Offset Time
Sector 2A 147.00 /+0.60  PL 19:30 Local
Sector 2B 145.39/-0.60  PL 67.0 20:00 Local
Sector 2C Winlink Net Check-In – 

NCO: KF1D with copy to AB1PH

 6AM-Midnight Local Time
Sector 2D 146.865/-0.60  PL 103.5 19:30 Local
6-Meter State Net 53.31 / -1.0  PL 71.9  

 

Note: Net activity on this repeater has been hit and miss. Please report any activity.

 19:00 Local
MA RACES HF Net 3930 KHz LSB moving up to 3955 KHz until there is a clear frequency 18:45 Local
MA MEMA NBEMS Net Frequency:  3584.5 MHx, Center Frequency: 1500 Hz, Initial mode: THOR22 19:00 Local
Winlink Net Instructions From Don Rolph: 
 
*Winlink Net*
To participate:
– create a check-in form using the Winlink standard checkin form
– send via Winlink after 6 AM EST Mon. March 7th and before midnight EST April 8th
  (any mode, but include mode in check-in form) to KF1D with a copy to AB1PH.
 
I continue to ask that any operators who have the time, please try to
check into sector nets from near-by sectors. 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.
 
I appreciate you all answering the call to help our communities remain
prepared as we close out the year for RACES/ARES operations. 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   <mailto:WC1MAB@gmail.com> 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
C: 508_995_0203 
Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Massachusetts RACES Nets – Monday 4/7/25 for HF, Region 2D VHF, NBEMS & Winlink – Times and Details Below

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Don Rolph, AB1PH, Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:

The MEMA RACES nets are held on the first Monday of the month, unless the first Monday is a holiday, when it is delayed one week. For Apr 2025, the MEMA RACES nets will be held on Mon Apr 7 at:

********************************************************************************
80 meter Voice net
6:45 PM
Frequency: 3930 KHz working up until the first free frequency
Matt KC1PFA will be net control

*********************************************************************************
Region 2D VHF net:
7:30 PM ET 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 N1JCM will be net control.

********************************************************************************
HF 80 meters NBEMS net:
7:00 PM ET
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 WA1AR will be net control

*********************************************************************************
Winlink Net:
Bryan KF1D will be net control.
Send a winlink checkin form to KF1D , copy AB1PH, between 0600 Monday Apr 7 and 2400 Monday Apr 7.

We look forward to you checking in!

—

73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net (EMHN) – Saturday 4/5/25 – 1000 AM ET

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Jeff-N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH writes:

Good Evening,

On Saturday April 5, 2025 the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10:00AM.

We realize that some locations, individuals, and groups may be subject to COVID restrictions. We encourage everyone who is affected by these restrictions to utilize their home or mobile stations to check into the net if possible. Even if you cannot reach all the systems being used, please check-in on those you can.

We will use the following repeaters in the order listed.

1. West Bridgewater repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. Plymouth Repeater 146.685 tone 131.8
3. DMR -Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot :1 on the following NEDECN repeaters: Boston 449.175 -5.M CC:1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC:1, Sagamore 145.200 – 0.6M CC:10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC:11, East Falmouth 145.210 -0.600 CC:9, Martha’s Vineyard145.180 -0.600 CC:10, and Walpole 145.380 -0.600 CC:12.
4. Sharon Repeater 146.865 tone 103.5
5. Simplex 147.420

We will then return to the West Bridgewater Repeater for 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, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members 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.

73,

Jeff N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

USCG Auxiliary Radio Nets Sunday 30 MAR 25

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

K1UN-Joseph Fratto – USCG Coast Guard Auxiliary & FCC General Radiotelephone Operator writes:

The Sunday morning Division 5 / 12 radio net has been postponed indefinitely due to a lack of
participation and coverage of our repeaters.

The Sunday morning Auxiliary Net on the MMRA Minuteman Repeater Association network was held
at 1100 hrs. Auxiliarists on the net were advised of the upcoming training in April and the mandatory
TCO radio training. Hopefully there will be a Zoom media training presentation at a later date for all
those members who missed the required training presentation. The Net ended at 1230 hrs.

Checking into the MMRA network Auxiliary Net were the following:

N1DFL
KB1MWD
KB1WGK
KA1CUH
KA1SCS
KA1GFN
KC1VJH
KS1E
N1MSK
WB1EMS
KB1VXY
KC1URV
W1JVC
N1CVO
KC1DAA
N1UIO
KC1VZH
K1UVA
KC1WJP
K1HGT
KC1VXV
WA1APC
W1MJ
KC1PCC
KC1VHN
K1UN net control

Submitted: Joseph Fratto K1UN

Operating

NE1PL/ USS Massachusetts Scout Operating Event, Fall River, April 19, 2025

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

NE1PL QSL cardThe USTNR [Uncommon Service to Nautical Radio]  plans to activate the USS Massachusetts on April 19, 2025, according to Rick Emord, KB1TEE.

“We plan to get on the ship around 0800 to celebrate scouting. We will pack up at 1530. Come on down if you can only spend a few minutes or any times, just come to the ship’s gift shop and sign the page with my name on it.”

—Thanks, Massasoit ARA March 2025 newsletter

 

Operating / Public Information

Ham Radio Open House Coming in April

- by Jon McCombie - Leave a Comment

Mike Walters, W8ZY writes:

Ham Radio Open House is coming in April and clubs across the country are urged to participate.

It’s now possible for a radio club or school to add their station open house to the ARRL Ham Radio Open House Locator.

The Open House Locator is linked from the World Amateur Radio Day page at www.arrl.org/world-amateur-radio-day, or go directly to the locator at www.arrl.org/open-house.

Details about Ham Radio Open House are at World Amateur Radio Day

 

Mentoring / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Virtual NTS Training Net Begins March 5, 2025

- by Jon McCombie - Leave a Comment

Phil, K9HI writes:

Many Technician class amateurs miss out on fun and skills learning of traffic handling because they reside in areas of the country where local traffic nets on VHF repeaters don’t exist. The Virtual NTS Training Net (VNTN) seeks to address this problem with the creation of a Zoom-based local traffic net that can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection. 

VNTN will accept check-ins and radiogram traffic utilizing standard phonetics and prosigns; in short, participants will enjoy the same experiences as those who check into conventional “RF” traffic nets.  The net will incorporate a “hands-on” training approach in traffic procedures, radiogram creation, and relay.

It is our hope that new amateurs who participate in VNTN will be motivated to join section and region nets on HF after upgrading to a higher license class.

The Net will meet weekly, and hold its inaugural session on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET. The VNTN URL is: <https://bitl.to/3xj4>.

 

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday March 3rd, 2025 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater System

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

The March Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday March 3rd, 2025 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 for the net.

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
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Massachusetts RACES Nets – Monday 3/3/25 for HF, Region 2D VHF, NBEMS & Winlink – Times and Details Below

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Don Rolph, AB1PH, Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:

The MEMA RACES nets are held on the first Monday of the month, unless the first Monday is a holiday, when it is delayed one week. For Mar 2025, the MEMA RACES nets will be held on Mon Mar 3 at:

********************************************************************************
80 meter Voice net
6:45 PM
Frequency: 3930 KHz working up until the first free frequency

Jeff N1JCM will be net control

*********************************************************************************
Region 2D VHF net:
7:30 PM ET 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.

Don WA1PLE will be net control.

********************************************************************************
HF 80 meters NBEMS net:
7:00 PM ET
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 AB1PH will be net control

*********************************************************************************
Winlink Net:
Jon N1ILZ will be net control.
Send a winlink checkin form to N1ILZ , copy AB1PH, between 0600 Monday Mar 3 and 2400 Monday Mar 3.

We look forward to you checking in!

—

73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph

Clubs / Licensing Education & Training / Mentoring / Operating

New Hams Report for Feb 1, 2025

- by Jon McCombie - Leave a Comment

Here is the new ham report as of Feb 1, listing newly licensed hams. Club officials, please review the list and reach out to those in your footprint and invite, welcome them. To all: please welcome these folks when you hear them on local repeaters. Offer assistance as well!

Report for 2025-02-01

Waiming Wong, KC1WCV – FCC
133 Foster St
Littleton, MA 01460-1541

James N Gonthier, KC1WAY – FCC
8 Currier Dr
Framingham, MA 01701-3623

David Kula, KC1VZH – FCC
29 Belcher Dr
Sudbury, MA 01776-1244

Nicholas Cioffi, KC1WCS – FCC
10 Fieldstone Dr
Burlington, MA 01803-4213

Alistair J McBrien, KC1WCR – FCC
11 Brady Loop
Andover, MA 01810-3223

Nelson Rodriguez, KC1VZA – FCC
39 High St
Andover, MA 01810-3527

Cameron G Cooke, KC1VZF – FCC
46 Groveland St
Haverhill, MA 01830-6417

Jason Lay, KC1VZG – FCC
3 Strawberry Ln
Methuen, MA 01844-1562

Sarah Wagner, KC1WDC – FCC
19 Ripley St
N Chelmsford, MA 01863-1723

Jeffrey Hodgson, KC1VZN – FCC
40 Birchmont St
Tyngsboro, MA 01879-1308

Louis C Potvin, KC1WAD – FCC
101 Shawsheen Ave
Wilmington, MA 01887-2699

Sandra Surette, KC1WBW – FCC
60 Dudley St
Saugus, MA 01906-1827

Raymond C Macdougall, KC1WBP – FCC
21 Lothrop St
Saugus, MA 01906-2211

Derrick Feole, KC1WBC – FCC
56 North End Blvd
Salisbury, MA 01952-2204

Thomas Lopolito, KC1VZD – FCC
18 Fletcher St
Foxborough, MA 02035-2766

Stephen F Pineault, KC1WCE – FCC
PO Box 485
Marshfield, MA 02050-0485

Preet H Shah, KC1WCK – FCC
3 Cypress St
Medfield, MA 02052-1904

Alexi A Ambarchian, KC1WCF – FCC
361 Washington St Apt 2R
Cambridge, MA 02139-2741

Frederick S Morlock, KC1WCG – FCC
58A Willow Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2916

Yifei Sun, KC1VZR – FCC
39 Beltran St
Malden, MA 02148-2501

Strephon B Treadway, KC1VZW – FCC
2 Laurel St
Chelsea, MA 02150-1006

Sean Klingensmith, AC1TN – FCC
68 Fells Ave
Medford, MA 02155-1953

Cyprien Laplace, KC1WCC – FCC
505 Congress St Unit 901
Boston, MA 02210-2907

Joseph M Clark, KC1WBU – FCC
150 Carver Rd
Plymouth, MA 02360-5211

John B Dunne, KC1WCW – FCC
101 Eliot Ave
West Newton, MA 02465-1710

Jacob C Moon, KC1VZM – FCC
69 Garfield St
Watertown, MA 02472-4913

Christopher T Pacejo, KC1WCB – FCC
255 Lake St
Arlington, MA 02474-8228

John F Barry, AC1TL – FCC
104 Spy Pond Pkwy
Arlington, MA 02474-8260

Scott N McClure, KC1WBB – FCC
349 Gray St
Arlington, MA 02476-6039

Michael J Gareau, KC1WDA – FCC
PO Box 81445
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-0005

John E Robinson, KC1VZJ – FCC
63 Dawson Dr
Needham, MA 02492-4265

Chester Fojas, KC1WAF – FCC
PO Box 606
Provincetown, MA 02657-0606

Kenneth A Okin, KC1WAG – FCC
PO Box 606
Provincetown, MA 02657-0606

Bethany M Whitten, KC1WAS – FCC
90 Nottingham Dr
Yarmouth Port, MA 02675-1532

Patrick G Engelman, KC1WBA – FCC
877 Horseneck Rd
Westport, MA 02790-1354

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

USCG Auxiliary Division 5 / 12 Radio Net 9 FEB 25

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

K1UN-Joseph Fratto – USCG Coast Guard Auxiliary & FCC General Radiotelephone Operator writes:

The Division 5 / 12 Radio net was held this morning 9 FEB 25 at 1030 hrs on the Roslindale repeater.

Check Ins: Radio Roslindale
Radio Harvard
Radio Wilmington
Mobile 5F
mobile 5G

Net Control: Radio Waltham NCS

Traffic: Traffic consisted of radio checks and a few administrative messages. The Auxiliary Net
on the MMRA system went very well. We had 19 check-ins this morning on the net.
The SKYWARN network was activated on the MMRA and several other amateur radio
repeaters. This was due to the overnight snowfall. The National Weather Service NWS
was looking for snow totals and wind reports. There was very little if any damage to the
electric grid or internet infrastructure. Stations that checked into the Auxiliary net were
given the opportunity to give a report to NWS stations.

This is good radio net practice. The Auxiliary net serves as a force multiplier for a number
of agencies. The Prudential Building repeater will be down for at least six weeks. It was
determined that a new antenna is needed. The antenna used is imported from Ukraine.

Check Ins: KB1WGK
KA1CUH
N1CVO
W1HAI
KA1GFN
WA1SCS
N1WEN
KC1VJH
KB1NZZ
N1JSM
WB1EMS
N1DFL
N1MSK
W1JVC
KC1VZH
KB1MWD
N1STE
KC1VHN

Net Control: K1UN

Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License.

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday February 3rd, 2025 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater System

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

The February Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday February 3rd, 2025 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 for the net including a reminder on volunteer registration for the 2025 Boston Marathon which closed on Friday February 7th, 2025 at 5 PM ET.

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
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Massachusetts RACES Nets – Monday 2/3/25 for HF, Region 2D VHF, NBEMS & Winlink – Times and Details Below

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Don Rolph, AB1PH, Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:

The MEMA RACES nets are held on the first Monday of the month, unless the first Monday is a holiday, when it is delayed one week, For Feb 2025, the MEMA RACES nets will be held on Mon Feb 3 at:

********************************************************************************
80 meter Voice net
6:45 PM
Frequency: 3930 KHz working up until the first free frequency
Jeff N1JCM will be net control

*********************************************************************************
Region 2D VHF net:
7:30 PM ET 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.
Don WA1PLE will be net control.

********************************************************************************
HF 80 meters NBEMS net:
7:00 PM ET
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 AB1PH will be net control

*********************************************************************************
Winlink Net:
John Rokicki KC1VMZ will be net control.
Send a winlink checkin form to KC1VMZ , copy AB1PH, between 0600 Monday Feb 3 and 2400 Monday Feb 3.

We look forward to you checking in!

—

73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net – Saturday 2/1/25 at 1000 AM

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Jeff-N1SOM & the South Shore Hospital Group writes:

Good Evening,

On Saturday February 1, 2025 the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10:00AM.

We realize that some locations, individuals, and groups may be subject to COVID restrictions. We encourage everyone who is affected by these restrictions to utilize their home or mobile stations to check into the net if possible. Even if you cannot reach all the systems being used, please check-in on those you can.

We will use the following repeaters in the order listed.

1. West Bridgewater repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. Falmouth Repeater 147.375 tone 110.9
3. DMR -Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot :1 on the following NEDECN repeaters: Boston 449.175 -5.M CC:1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC:1, Sagamore 145.200 – 0.6M CC:10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC:11, East Falmouth 145.210 -0.600 CC:9, Martha’s Vineyard145.180 -0.600 CC:10, and Walpole 145.380 -0.600 CC:12.
4. Sharon Repeater 146.865 tone 103.5
5. Simplex 147.420

We will then return to the West Bridgewater Repeater for 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, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members 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.

73,

Jeff N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

FINAL UPDATE – Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Exercise – Operation Clear Ice – Saturday 2/1/25 – 10 AM-1200 PM EST

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

Eastern Massachusetts ARES will conduct a section exercise on Saturday 2/1/25 from 10 AM-12 PM dubbed “Clear Ice”. The exercise will practice similar skills as previous exercises conducted over the course of 2024.

The final detailed drill document can be seen at the following link:
https://ema.arrl.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EasternMA-ARES-Winter-Exercise-2025-V1.5-01-31-25.pdf

The key document changes were to highlight that the 146.955-Westford Repeater net will start call-ups at 1030 AM and the availability of the N1ABC-10 Marlborough RMS Node for Winlink messages.

While we encourage participation by Eastern Massachusetts ARES members, RACES/AUXCOMM/USCG Auxiliary Operators and Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters, all are welcome to participate including those outside of the Eastern Massachusetts section.

Thanks in advance for your support of this exercise and Eastern Massachusetts 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)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
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Clubs / Operating

Boston ARC Winter Field Day, January 25-26, 2025

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Ponkapoag AMC Cabin
Ponkapoag AMC cabin

From K1USN Happenings, 1/23/25:

Winter Field Day is an exciting annual event for amateur radio enthusiasts, taking place on the last full weekend of January. It offers a unique opportunity for radio operators to set up field operations in remote locations, enabling them to connect with other participants worldwide. You may choose to participate solo or get your your friends, family, or whole club involved. Winter Field Day is organized by the Winter Field Day Association. The association strongly believes that ham radio operators should practice portable emergency communications in winter environments. This is because freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and other hazards pose unique operational concerns.

Several local groups are planning Winter Field Day activation and encourage you to visit, participate and enjoy some brisk Ham Radio fun.

Scott – K1SU has extended an invitation to all K1USN members to join the winter FD crew @ Ponkapoag AMC – https://ponkapoagcamp.org/

Boston ARC Winter Field Day Crew
Boston ARC Winter Field Day Crew

The Boston Amateur Radio Club is delighted to announce that we will be resuming our operations at AMC Ponkapoag this year. If your schedule permits and you find yourself in the vicinity, we cordially invite you to visit us at the distinguished Marion cabin. Contact Scott – K1SU for details – shellback1998@gmail.com