Operating
Operating, on-the-air events and activities, contests, DXing
Bristol County Repeater Association Fox Hunt, Dartmouth, November 5, 2022
Where:
5 mile radius from The intersection of US Route 6 and Reed Road, Dartmouth, MA (823 State Road (41.6384678, -71.0361075)
Organizer: Skip Denault, kb1cnb@bcra.club, 774-644-3469
* Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm — check-in starts at 9:45 am on the BCRA repeater, 145.150 MHz PL 123
* Fox1 will activate at 10:00 am on 146.565 MHz FM
* Fox2 will activate at 10:02:30 on 146.430 MHz FM
$10 Dunkies Card to the first team to reach each fox!
Communications with “Fox Control” can all be done over the BCRA repeater, including checking in when you have found the fox. You may also speak with us in the control vehicle using physical distancing if you wish.
There will be TWO foxes – one manned by KB1CNB, Skip, and one by N1KJS, Kevin. When you find one of the foxes, you can get a hint to help you find the second (if you want!).
Check-ins will begin at 9:45 am on the BCRA repeater, 145.150 MHz PL 123. Chat and help on the repeater also.
The Fox1 will activate at 10:00 am on 146.565 MHz FM, and Fox2 at 10:02:30 on 146.430 MHz FM with a 5-watt signal, and both will transmit 1 minute of tone followed by Morse Code ID and 4 minutes of silence. As the hunt progresses we may increase the transmission times – that will be announced on the BCRA repeater. The hunt will last until 2:00 pm or until all checked-in participants have found the transmitters, whichever comes first.
The Fox1 (in Skip’s vehicle, a blue/grey Jeep Commander marked BCRA) will be in a public place and be manned at all times. When you have found the fox, your time and order of arrival will be recorded, and a personalized certificate will be emailed to each participant.
The Fox2 (in Kevin’s vehicle, a blue Toyota Tacoma marked BCRA) will be in a public place and be manned at all times. When you have found the fox, your time and order of arrival will be recorded.
Participants are encouraged to work in teams and are asked to drive carefully and observe all applicable guidelines, both from the FCC and the state & local governments. Since participants are receiving only (except for radio check-ins), an amateur radio license is not required.
Email questions to Skip at kb1cnb@bcra.club or text to 774-644-3469. After the hunt, your comments, impressions, and suggestions will be welcome!
Join us and have some good amateur radio fun!
AC1JR First Fox Hunt
Mike Cormier, K1MJC, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 4:41 PM on October 29, 2022:
Congratulations to Jeff AC1JR for his inaugural fox hunt (mobile; he was parked in a secret location) with his homemade fox.
In true ham fashion, he designed and built from scratch this fox, and I’ll let him go further into the further details of it, but I found it to be an impressive feat; some thing that would make my brain hurt pretty bad for sure!
I got wind of the fox being activated on my way home from completing the hunt for the KD1D fox in Littleton, and so I had begun to guess at some possible locations based on knowledge of my hometown and where he may possibly be, suffice it to say…. I was wrong! Lol
After checking out a few locations where I thought he may be, I kept getting indications in one particular area which I spent the majority of my time looking.
After dropping my daughter off, I continue to hunt and was able to find him within five minutes after; I actually had wanted to check the backside of a location that would require me to drive the long way around and, in the process of doing so, I got full quieting without an antenna on a handheld… a ways before I was to reach the destination I was heading for, and so sometimes the old-school methods work the best!
As it turns out, only two of the five or six bearings that I had taken with my app “FoxHunt Pro“ were accurate and actually pinpointed him where they crossed; that’s the problem, sometimes you don’t know which bearings are the accurate ones!
I’ve been working on a fox that I could use for mobile hunts like this, and so I’m inspired to finish it now, and join in the fun!
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Simulated Emergency Test (SET) – Saturday 11/12/22 – 1000 AM-1200 PM EDT
Hello to all…
Eastern Massachusetts ARES will be doing its Simulated Emergency Test (SET) for Saturday 11/12/22 at 1000 AM-1200 PM coincident with the national Winlink exercise. Our scenario will be customized from the ETO National Winlink exercise and the details including an exercise document will be released between 11/1/22-11/5/22 or earlier if time allows. Some of the items we will be looking to do are as follows:
- Using Winlink to send a field situation report on HF/VHF to gather reports of damage and damage to infrastructure including items such as NOAA Weather Radio based on the exercise scenario. Details will be released in the exercise document by early November.
- Voice Activities: When checking into nets, list all NOAA Weather radio stations you can hear. Give Call-Signs and frequencies of the stations heard and your location. List the signal strength of the WX Station and whether you were using indoor or outdoor antennas to monitor – can be done tactically or by NTS – this will be in addition to any other simplex testing that is done as part of the nets
- HF Nets 75m/60m – normally used HF exercise frequencies (Frequencies to be published in early November)
- Echolink 9123 node and MMRA RPTR System – use as normally used in exercises
- Localized 2m repeaters – local call up nets ARES/RACES (Frequencies to be published in early November)
- Simplex nets – simplex call-up nets or have stations do simplex to simplex on a frequency they choose and come back to the main net (optional simplex activities)
- NBEMS activity – Optional
- NTS Operations – Pass an NTS message by voice and have it sent by digital to KD1CY (or local ARES designee, local NTS person or KW1U-Marcia – Section Traffic Manager)
- The WC1MA 53.31 PL 71.9 Hz 6-meter Mount Wachusett Repeater is now back up and running and if we have the coverage, we will look at having a 6m component as part of this exercise both on that repeater and via simplex.
Again, we will have the exercise document and further information on the SET exercise released between 11/1/22-11/5/22 or earlier if time allows. We hope many Eastern Massachusetts ARES members can participate in our SET.
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
The KD1D Fox Returns, Westford, October 21, 2022
Alan Hicks, KD1D, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list on October 21, 2022 at 1:09 PM:
The KD1D Fox is on the loose again. As usual, it transmits on 146.565 MHz FM for about 25 seconds and repeats every 60 seconds.
As of noon on Friday, October 21, the FOX can be found somewhere in the Grassy Pond conservation in Westford. Parking can be found on the west side of Plain Road between Almeria Circle and Villanova Drive (both of which are on the east side of Plain Road). Come on out – there are still some fall colors to be seen and ,if you’re so inclined, you can try some of the exercise stations along the trail.
The KD1D FOX will be on the air until about noontime on Monday, 10/24.
There’s a pleasant farm stand nearby where you can get coffee and other delights to fuel your adventure,
More information is available at
https://
73 and good hunting from KD1D
New England Sci-Tech ARS (W1STR) QRV for School Club Roundup
W1STR will be open and operating School Club Roundup on Thursday [October 20, 2022] from 7 pm to 9 pm and Friday [October 21, 2022] 6 pm to 8 pm, all are welcome to come and operate. New hams, youth, and anyone interested in ham radio will be able to operate this event on HF.
Bands:
All amateur bands except 60, 30, 17 and 12 meters are permitted.
Repeaters are not to be used. Only recognized simplex frequencies may be used. U. S. A. examples include 144.90-145.00; 146.49, .55, 58; and 147.42, .45, .48, .51, .54 and .57 MHz. The national calling frequency, 146.52 MHz, may not be used. Similar restrictions apply in other countries.
Suggested HF Frequencies:
Phone (MHz): 1.855-1.865; 3.850-3.880; 7.225-7.255; 14.250-14.280; 21.300-21.330; 28.440-28.460
CW (MHz): 1.800-1.810; 3.530-3.540; 7.030-7.040; 14.030-14,.040; 21.130-21.140; 28.130-28.140
More details at: https://www.arrl.org/school-club-roundup
Boston ARC “QRPumpkin” / POTA Event, October 15, 2022
Brendan Baldonado, NW1S, writes on the Boston ARC mailing list:JOTA Activity in Westford
Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ, is hosting Scouts for Jamboree On The Air on October 15 at his Westford QTH.
“If you are available, please listen on the 955 WB1GOF repeater from noon until 3 p.m. on Saturday. I will have Scouts making calls around that time. Also, if you are able to join us on an HF frequency, we can negotiate that on 955,” Andy writes.
Cape Ann ARA Portable Operations Session, Rockport, October 15, 2022
Dean Burgess, KB1PGH, writes on the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association mailing list:
Hello to all club members,
There will be a informal HF portable ops session next Saturday, October 15 starting at noon until the end of the day. The location will be in Rockport on the top of Hospital Hill, at the end of Summit Avenue—the same place field day was held. There will be hot dogs and hamburgers. This is a time for anyone who wants to set up any equipment to operate portable and to see some HF stations. Basically, we’re just hanging out, having some fun and playing radio.
The talk-in will be CAARA repeater 145.130 MHZ with a 107.2 PL tone. So far, the weather looks good; if it does rain, the rain date will be following Saturday, so monitor the repeater if you decide to go. Hope to see you there.
73,
Dean Burgess, KB1PGH and Jon Cunningham, K1TP
WC1MA 53.31 6-Meter Mount Wachusett Repeater Is Back On the Air
Bruce Fant-KA1TZY Auburn RACES Officer – COMT/COML writes:
WC1MA It’s my pleasure to announce that the WC1MA 6 meter repeater 53.31 is back up and on the Air at Mt Wachusett with PL of 71.9. PL 162.2 will not work take note and change your PL if needed. The new repeater was donated in memory of Dale Thomas WA1RJC by John W1GPO. The Custom built antenna and tower work was donated by Clark N1PAH. After years of personally keeping it on the air then the Lightning strike over a year ago, myself and fellow coworker Alex-AB1FC started talking and looking at ways to bring it back. We had some help from some other volunteers on install day Mike Girard from MEMA and our intern Joe-KC1EGK.
I’m getting reports from stations that it’s working great around the state. Give it a try and report back please.
Bruce Fant / KA1TZY
Auburn RACES officer
ComT / ComL
New Hampshire SOTA/POTA Activation, October 9, 2022
Rusty Moore, K1FVK, writes on the STARS-radio list:
Lorena, KC1MWH, and I will be operating from the summit of Mount Kearsarge (elevation 2923′), northwest of Concord, NH tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 9. We hope to be on the air before 11 a.m., starting on 20m SSB, to activate both summit W1/HA-010, and park K-4918. We’ll try 2m simplex (146.520) as well, using a handheld Yagi and listen for friends back in MA. Hope to see you OTA.
Rusty, K1FVK
W1MJ Fox Hunt in Belmont, October 8-9, 2022
Eliot Mayer, W1MJ, writes on the NEMassFoxhunters list at 10:01 AM on October 8, 2022:
Noah and I are leaving in a few minutes to deploy the W1MJ 5-watt fox. Due to a busy schedule, this will probably our last deployment this month.
Inspired by avid hunter Jeff AC1JR, who was getting tired of the same old messages, I have updated the soundtrack a bit. It now goes for 18 minutes before repeating, a 50% improvement over the previous 12 minute loop.
On Air: October 8 (today) 11:00 AM, or sooner, until October 9 (tomorrow) at 5:00 PM
Frequency: 147.54 MHz
Location: Lone Tree Hill Conservation Area, Belmont, MA
Trail Map: https://www.belmont-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6831/f/file/file/lone_tree_hill_trail_map.pdf
Parking Lot (Goggle Maps): https://goo.gl/maps/Sst4rV3L4s1AGLQ27
The parking lot is close to the Rock Meadow parking lot, but on the opposite side of the street. It is a paved lot.
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday October 3rd, 2022 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater System
Hello to all…
The October Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday October 3rd, 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 the net regarding Eastern Massachusetts ARES and fall public service events in the region. In addition, we want to include this special request from Air Force MARS from AJ1Y-Joe Rogers regarding Amateur Operators being able to hear ASOS/AWOS sites.
We in 1st AFMARS Comm Wing Information are trying to identify which airport weather broadcasts that amateur radio operators can receive over the air in New England. These broadcasts are transmitted on VHF AM. If you or your contacts visit Surface Weather Observation Stations – ASOS/AWOS (faa.gov) and put in your state, you will see the frequencies for the VHF airport weather broadcasts in your state. If you or they could check out which ones if any you/they can receive the weather information from and send a message to me at aj1y@arrl.net or aj1y@winlink.org identifying the station(s) that you/they can receive, it would be greatly appreciated. If they could include their email/Winlink address so that we reach out to you if necessary.
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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Massachusetts RACES Nets – Monday 10/3/22 for HF, Region 2D VHF, NBEMS & Winlink – Times and Details Below
AB1PH-Don Rolph – 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 Oct, the RACES nets will be held on Mon Oct 3..
The Races nets will be held on Mon Oct 3 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:
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.
Don Rolph using WA1PLE 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. July 11 and before 0000 EDT July 12 (any mode, but include mode in checkin form) to Bryan Marcotte KF1D
– 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
_._,_._,_
The K1MJC Fox is Out, September 30, 2022
Mike Cormier, K1MJC, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 4:37 PM on September 30, 2022:
Yes, the K1MJC Fox is out.
I put it out today, Friday, and it will be picked up late afternoon Sunday.
The fox is in somewhere in an area within the Beaverbrook reservation north; it’s a 15 milliwatt fox transmitting on 146.565 MHz.
I’m hearing rumblings from Eliot [W1MJ] saying that his fox may also be put out sometime this weekend as well; his is a five watt fox, and on a different frequency. He’ll let you know that detail when and if he puts it out. You could end up with a “twofer” this weekend!
One of the maps on this page would prove useful!
https://walthamlandtrust.org/
Happy hunting!
Mike C. 73!
Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net – Saturday 10/1/22 at 10 AM EDT
Good evening,
On Saturday October 1, 2022, the South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10AM.
We realize that the usual locations for some individuals and groups are still unavailable due to ongoing COVID restrictions.
We encourage everyone who is affected by these restrictions to utilize their home or mobile stations to check into the net.
We will use the following repeaters and NEDECN DMR system in the order listed.
1. Plymouth Repeater 146.685 tone 131.8
2. Falmouth Repeater 147.375 tone 110.9
3. Sharon Repeater 146.865 tone 103.5
4. DMR – EMHN Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot 1 on select NEDECN repeaters:
Boston 449.175 CC1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC1, Bourne 145.200 CC10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC11, and Martha’s Vineyard145.180 CC10, Walpole 145.380 -0.600 CC12 repeaters
5. DMR Simplex 446.500 TG 99 both slots
6. DMR Simplex 145.790 TG 99 both slots
7. Return to Plymouth 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.
Jeff N1SOM, Secretary, and the SSH group
N1SOM – W1SSH
KD1D Fox On the Air, Westford, September 16-19
Alan Hicks, KD1D, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list:
The KD1D Fox transmitter operates on 146.565 MHz, transmitting a 25-second message every 60 seconds.
It is currently located in the “Stepinski Parcel” adjacent to the Stony Brook Conservation land in Westford, MA. Check out the following:
https://
for more information on location and access.
The KD1D Fox will be transmitting in this area from 3:30 pm from Friday, September 16 through Noon on Monday, September 19 ,
If you find it, please sign the logbook.
Happy hunting and 73 de KD1D, Alan
Volunteers Needed for the Head of the Charles Regatta – Friday 10/21/22-Sunday 10/23/22 – 0600-1800 Daily
KC1AEI-Matt Knowles writes:
Volunteers are needed for the Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) from Friday 10/21/22-Sunday 10/23/22 from 0600-1800 daily. The Head of the Charles Regatta is a rowing event taking place on the Charles River in Boston. We staff safety boats on the water and first aid stations on land to provide emergency communications to event organizers. The HOCR is sponsored by BNY Mellon, Vineyard Vines, etc. and is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization. For more information, see the event web site and volunteer registration web site links below:
Event Web Site: https://www.hocr.org
Volunteer Registration site (Select Emergency Services (HAM Radio – Land Station) or Emergency Services (Ham Radio – Safety Launch): https://volunteer.regattacentral.com/hocr/browse
Any skill level is accepted, please reach out with any questions. Thanks!
Regards,
KC1AEI-Matt Knowles
Email: matthewsknowles@gmail.com
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday September 12th, 2022 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater System
Hello to all…
The September Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday September 12th, 2022 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system as the first Monday, 9/5/22, was the Labor Day holiday so the net is on the second Monday of the month.
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 the net regarding Eastern Massachusetts ARES and fall public service events in the region.
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
Massachusetts RACES Nets – Monday 9/12/22 for HF, Region 2D VHF, NBEMS & Winlink – Times and Details Below
AB1PH-Don Rolph – Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:
Normally the MEMA nets are held on the first Monday of ther month. For Sep the first Monday of the Month was Sep 5 which was Labor Day, so the net is pushed out 1 week,
For Sep, the the RACES nets will be held on the second Monday of the month, which is is Sep 12..
The Races nets will be held on Mon Sep 12 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:
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.
Phil McLaughlin KB1CYO 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. July 11 and before 0000 EDT July 12 (any mode, but include mode in checkin form) to Bryan Marcotte KF1D
– 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
_._,_._,_