a field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
John Salmi, KB1MGI writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:Easy find.
Below is the April traffic report for the combined sections of East and West Mass. As always we are indebted to Greg KC1CIC for compiling these reports. Thanks also to all those who submitted their reports. Our sections are doing very well. Anyone is welcome to submit a Station Activity Report (SAR) and/or a Public Service Honor Roll report (PSHR) but remember to be counted on the Honor Roll you must have attained 70 points or higher. Information is on the website ema.arrl.org/national-traffic-system. Note that points are given for various aspects of public service, not just traffic related functions.
It is good to see more folks handling traffic and some are even reaching out to become net control stations. Some are also learning how to handle messages using packet and pactor. Speaking of messaging using digital modes, save the weekend of September 8 and 9 (weekend after Labor Day). Greg and I will be giving a presentation on messaging using Packet and Pactor and the Winlink software for both NTS and Emcomm. The schedule is not yet available but stay tuned.
I am fortunate this spring to be able to attend Dayton Hamvention, one might call the “Mecca” of ham conventions. This year the emphasis is on public service. It should be interesting. If anyone has a chance to attend I’m sure you will enjoy it.
Happy spring to all and see you on the nets.
73, Marcia KW1U
STM East and West Mass
| MA STM REPORT | APRIL 2018 | ||||||
| NET | SESSIONS | QTC | QNI | QTR | NM | FREQ | Net Time |
| WMTN C1 | 30 | 3 | 174 | 170 | KD2JKV | 146.91 | 10:00 Daily |
| WMTN C2 | 23 | 9 | 212 | 182 | N1YCW | 146.91 | 13:00 Daily |
| MARI | 29 | 79 | 98 | 359 | KW1U | 3565 KHz | 19:00 Daily |
| EM2MN | 30 | 152 | 224 | 675 | KC1CIC | 145.23 | 20:00 Daily |
| CM2MN | 22 | 6 | 143 | 189 | KK1X | 146.97 | 21:00 Daily |
| MARIPN | 12 | 9 | 40 | 120 | N1LAH | 3978 KHz | 18:00 Tu,Th,Sa |
| CITN | 21 | 7 | 95 | 312 | N1SYC | 147.375 | 19:30 M,T,T, F,Sa |
| HHTN | 17 | 14 | 65 | 191 | W1HAI | MMRA Rptrs | 22:00 Su,M,W,F |
| WMEN | 4 | 0 | 103 | NA | W1JWN | 3944 KHz | 08:30 Su |
| WARPSN | 5 | 10 | 73 | NA | N1IQI | 147.225 | 08:30 Su |
| SAR | ORG | REC | SENT | DEL | TOTAL | BPL | |
| KW1U | 0 | 355 | 367 | 0 | 722 | X | |
| N1IQI | 0 | 109 | 417 | 4 | 530 | X | |
| KC1CIC | 0 | 79 | 62 | 9 | 150 | ||
| N1TF | 1 | 52 | 57 | 8 | 118 | ||
| N1LAH | 0 | 34 | 35 | 3 | 72 | ||
| N1SYC | 0 | 20 | 17 | 8 | 45 | ||
| W1RVY | 1 | 20 | 23 | 0 | 44 | ||
| KC1HHO | 0 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 43 | ||
| WA1LPM | 0 | 15 | 25 | 0 | 40 | ||
| NV1N | 0 | 12 | 25 | 1 | 38 | ||
| W1PLK | 0 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 14 | ||
| AC7RB | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||
| K1BML | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 | ||
| PSHR (Min 70 Points) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | TOTAL |
| W1RVY | 37 | 40 | 20 | 80 | 0 | 0 | 177 |
| KC1CIC | 40 | 40 | 30 | 40 | 0 | 20 | 170 |
| KW1U | 40 | 40 | 30 | 25 | 0 | 20 | 155 |
| N1TF | 40 | 40 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 115 |
| N1IQI | 40 | 40 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 115 |
| N1SYC | 40 | 37 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 107 |
| N1LAH | 0 | 40 | 40 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| K1BML | 19 | 2 | 10 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 91 |
| KC1HHO | 29 | 40 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 84 |
| NV1N | 33 | 38 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 81 |
| WA1LPM | 29 | 40 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 79 |
| DRS | RCV | FWD | TOTAL | ||||
| KW1U | 867 | 1043 | 1910 | ||||
| N1IQI | 109 | 417 | 526 | ||||
| KC1CIC | 31 | 20 | 51 | ||||
| KC1EGK | 0 | 3 | 3 | ||||
| W1RVY | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||||
| BPL = 500 POINTS EARNED | |||||||
| MARCIA FORDE STM MA | |||||||
| GREG BENNETT ASTM EMA | |||||||
On July 1, 2018 a new Element 2 Technician class question pool will take effect for examinations. VECs and VEs will have new test designs available for use at exam sessions effective that date.
The newly revised pool released in January 2018 (updated and re-released February 12, 2018) by the Question Pool Committee (QPC) of the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) must be in use starting July 1. There are three graphics required for this pool and 423 questions in this pool, down slightly from 426 in the previous pool.
ARRL VEC will be supplying all its (near 1,000) Field Stocked VE teams with new test booklets about the 3rd week in June. Do not destroy the 2014 versions of the Technician exams until June 30!
With the Technician class exam questions changing July 1, new test designs must be used effective that day. Previous ARRL VEC supplied Technician class exam booklet versions (2014 series) and computer-generated Technician class exams created from the 2014 question pool are only valid until midnight June 30, 2018. At that time VE Team leaders should destroy or throw away the old versions of the Technician exams (do not return them to VEC). To avoid a mix-up at the session, do not save old exam versions!
Field Stocked teams that no longer meet the field stock requirements or who have not conducted a session in the past year and non-field stocked teams that have been keeping supplies without qualifying through the VEC will not receive an updated package. Non-stocked VE Teams should be returning their exam packages and supplies to ARRL VEC after each session is completed. The officially stocked VE Teams receive their exam supplies in a large box which is a 6-month-to-1-year supply depending on the team’s activity levels. To see if your team qualifies to be field stocked with a bulk quantity of our test materials visit http://www.arrl.org/field-stocked-ve-teams.
The question pools review is part of a regular process and each question pool is reviewed and updated on a four year rotation. The General pool is scheduled for an update in 2019. All current question pools and useful information pertaining to the pools can be viewed on the ARRL Web atwww.arrl.org/question-pools. To view all three questions pools, visit the NCVEC web site at www.ncvec.org/.
–ARRL VE Newsletter, May 2018
For high school students and adults, this fast-paced, two-day course will get you ready to take the Technician license exam. Topics range from the science of radio electronics to the FCC rules governing the radio spectrum. Some preliminary reading and study is necessary to get the best results from this course. Material will be sent approximately a week before the course.
The Technician level course runs Friday, June 1, 6:00-9:00 PM and Saturday, June 2, 8 AM to 3 PM, followed by the FCC Technician exam at 3:00 PM, at New England Sci-Tech, 16 Tech Circle, Natick. The $85 course fee covers exam fee, cold cuts and salad lunch, coffee and snacks, and printed materials. Advance registration and payment required.
NOTE: Another Technician course will be offered June 29-30, if you can’t make this one.
For questions, see http://www.ne1ar.org/event/amateur-radio-license-in-a-weekend-course-technician-level/ or e-mail bphinney at nescitech.org or call 508-720-4179.
Ann Weldon, KA1PON writes on the Algonquin ARC mailing list:
The radio club as always is committed to watching the Marlborough High School the following dates. Please consider assisting on: May 25, 26, 27, 28; June 1 ,2, 3, 8, 9. Starting time is between 7-8 PM and finishing between 11-12 PM. Ed Fitzgerald is organizing the first weekend. His email is edfitz1@earthlink.net. I am doing the other dates. Please let us know when you are available.
Thank you on behalf of the City and the Club.
Ann, KA1PON
alwma2005@yahoo.com
Chris Winczewski, K1TAT writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:
We are looking for operators to staff the Motif #1 Day 5K, on Saturday, May 19 at 9:00 AM in Rockport. Please be on location by 8:30 AM.
Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by Thursday, May17th so I can plan staffing positions for the event.
Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use. (i.e.: mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; OEM rubber duck; etc.) so we have a better idea of where to locate you along the event course per the potential of your equipment.
This is the seventh annual 5k and 1-mile fun run for the Rockport Public Schools Health and Wellness Programs. The race was born from the desire to get the students and community more involved in health and wellness activities. The money raised from this event goes directly to the health and wellness programs at the Rockport Public Schools. Last year the money they raised went to planting trees to shade some of the classrooms, a new water fountain with the capability to fill a bottle, hydroponics planting system for their science room and lots more. They were thrilled to be able to purchase 35 pairs of snowshoes for their physical education classes to use this winter.
Location: Harvey Park in Downtown Rockport
Address: 4 High Street, Rockport, MA 01966
Brett Smith, AB1RL, Public Service Coordinator, Boston Amateur Radio Club writes:
Now that our busy kick-off month of April is in the books, it’s time to start planning for the summer public service events. At both of these events we support the medical team to make sure everyone gets treated promptly—a critical job when temperatures start climbing.
First is the BAA 10K on Sunday, June 24. This is a fast race through the heart of the Back Bay, from the Boston Common to Boston University and back. Assignments will run from the early morning until around noon. Volunteer registration is open now on the BAA web site, and will close on May 23.
Second is the Finish at the Fifty on Tuesday, July 3. This is a combination 5K/10K at Gillette Stadium, ending right on the 50-yard line. Assignments run from about 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. If you’d like to join the team, just write back to let me know.
Getting together teams for both of these events is always a challenge, due to the overlap with Field Day and July 4. Please join us if you’re able. It means a lot to me, the medical team, and the runners that you’re willing to offer your time supporting these events.
If you have questions about either event, feel free to ask in email or call me at (859) 466 5915.
The 19th Annual Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Directory contains some of the most comprehensive Field Day resource pages of its kind.
According to Bill Ricker, N1VUX, the Directory offers both detailed historical and current information on individual field day club operations along with the complete event operating rules and helpful safety tips. The Directory’s software will automatically compute your field day site’s Maidenhead Grid locator for VHF recommended ‘Grid Chase’ extra exchange. “We report third level, six-character grid; for example, LL99ii–which is useful for some microwave aiming tools–but you only need four (LL99) in the on-air exchange.”
“Clubs which are reactivating a previous Class A or F site can confirm to the EMA Directory by simply putting their pin in at the ARRL Field Day Locator – also conveniently linked from our directory. I’ll pick that up and mark them confirmed. I would appreciate an email from new clubs in Class A or F, clubs with new sites, clubs whose details on their EMA directory need updating, or who are definitely not using the site they had last year.”
The Directory also links to updated information on how to handle NTS radiogram traffic, and score bonus points during the event.
“A major goal always has been helping (and encouraging) EMA ARRL staff and leadership to plan visits to nearby field day sites, as is our custom — and helping us hit as many different ones as possible. From the staffs’ comments last year about how many sites they didn’t find, I’d like to suggest that if your big banner isn’t visible from the road, place some Realtors(tm)-style foamcore and wire signs at the entrance and leading visitors through the maze.” Bill adds, “‘Public Welcome’ and an arrow are recommended. If you’re not conducting a 24-hour operation, a statement of hours would be good on both the sign and on the EMA FD Directory and Headquarters Locator.”
N1VUX also invites you to post your comments and memories from field day on the ARRL Soapbox. “We’ll link them in the Directory for history. If your club has memories on a website or Facebook page that we don’t have linked, send me the link and I’ll make sure it’s included.”
The Eastern MA Field Day Directory can be viewed at http://fd.ema.arrl.org. N1VUX can be reached at his arrl.net address.
Barry Fox, W1HFN writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:
The W1HFN fox box will be deployed at the Lime Quarry on Rte 110 [in Chelmsford] today [Wednesday, May 9, 2018]. Frequency is 146.565. There is a 20 second voice message / ID every 3 minutes and a log to sign. The unit is quite small–about the size of a deck of cards.
I will leave it out for a week, at that duty cycle batteries should last.
Good luck to all.
The training includes a two-hour thirty-minute computer-based presentation, which discusses the development of thunderstorms, the criteria for “severe” thunderstorms, as well as the cloud features associated with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Additional information will be presented about winter storms and proper snow measurement and reporting of coastal flooding, river, stream, and urban flooding and rainfall measurements. The session will also present the procedure for reporting weather information to the National Weather Service. Safety procedures for the various forms of summer severe weather (severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning), winter storms, and flooding will also be covered in the training session. Anyone attending should bring a pen or pencil and bringing a notebook is optional.
The number of seats is limited, so pre-registration is strongly advised. Use the following link:
For any questions or further info, contact Rob at rmacedo@rcn.com.
Stephanie Frontiera is one determined young woman. At this spring’s Tech in a Day held at the Lanesville Community Center, she was one of seven students—and one of three from the Ipswich CERT. These CERT members were given radios and encouraged to get their Amateur Radio Technician license. She was determined to do it.
Tech in a Day is a program modeled after the Ham Cram program. It is a study session of the FCC question pool of 426 questions for the exam. There are 35 sections in the question pool, corresponding to the 35 questions on the exam. Every question a student sees on the test will be in the pool.
The good thing? The answers have always been part of the pool. Do the students learn all they have to know about Amateur Radio this way? No, the aim is to pass the test. The students are unlikely to learn everything from a book either—it takes practice and more often the help of a friendly Elmer, or a club to teach the practical matters of operating. After six 45-minute study sessions, the students are ready for the test.
This session was relatively easy—seven exams, plus two walk-ins for testing. CAARA’s crack team of volunteer examiners: Bill Poulin, WZ1L; Dave Robertson, KD1NA; Tony Sarracino, AB1KX; Larry Beaulieu, AJ1Z; Hank McCarl, W4RIG; Stan Stone, W4HIX and VE team liaison Rick Maybury, WZ1B conducted the exam session.
So why did I say that Stephanie was so determined? She told me that she was going to pass this test—and get her General soon after that. But Stephanie was distracted during the session and it took her three tries to finally pass the exam. We all cheered when she made it. So, this session gave us seven out of seven for students and another two walk-ins who passed. All in all, it was a good day.
[CAARA News May, 2018]
Members of the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association have hit upon an innovative fundraising opportunity that also provides a valuable social component for its members: breakfast is served at the “Cafe CAARA” twice each month at its Stanwood Street club house in Gloucester.
“One [breakfast] is for the scholarship fund which we give two $250 scholarships to Rockport and Gloucester High graduating seniors who will be going to a technical, engineering college or someone entering the trades,” reports CAARA president Jon Cunningham, K1TP. “The second breakfast proceeds go to our building fund. We are eating our way to balancing the budget, improving the club facility, and funding a CAARA Scholarship Fund. Stop over the club and enjoy a delicious meal.” Cunningham says this year CAARA plans refinish the club house’s first-floor hardwood floor.
The club took in proceeds of $363 at its last breakfast.
The breakfast menu typically consists of “eggs your way”, pancakes, french toast, bacon, sausage, hash browns, english muffins, wheat toast, orange juice, and coffee.
“Everyone has a great time,” adds the club’s “top chef” Bill Morris, W1WMM. “I’m very happy we are doing the food events. The breakfasts are great for club fellowship.”
Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:
We are looking for operators to staff the YMCA Back shore 5 mile, Thursday, May 17th, Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, 6:30 PM. be on Location by 6:00 PM.
Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by Thursday, May15th so I can plan staffing positions for the event.
Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use. (i.e.: mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag-mount; OEM rubber duck; etc.) so we have a better idea of where to locate you along the event course per the potential of your equipment.
Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available to help ensure everyone enjoys the day and remains safe.
<…>
Chris Winczewski, K1TAT
k1tat@outlook.com
On Sunday, May 6, 2018, MEMA Region 2 RACES/ACS <wc1mab@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello to all,
I am writing to remind everyone that tomorrow Monday May 7th, 2018 is the first non-holiday Monday of the month and, as such, is our monthly RACES/ACS drill night. I would like to thank all operators who assisted with the Boston Marathon operations in April and those who participated in the ARES standby for the day. As you probably already know, the event was a great success, both for the BAA and from an Amateur Radio perspective. Everyone performed impressively under very adverse conditions.
While we are a separate entity from ARES, we often do have ARES operators check into our nets for training and awareness purposes. I would like to ask all Net Control Operators to continue to ask any ARES operators to identify themselves when checking in and annotate on the net log which stations did. I can pass this information along to their local EC’s and DEC’s to show them that their operators are indeed staying active and current which can be a challenge in the winter months.
I will again attempt to activate an APRS station as WC1MAB-1 from Region #2 HQ tomorrow night and I invite operators who have APRS capabilities to send me a message during the communications test activities. Any operators who are able, please attempt to make contact to help test our capabilities with this tool.
I have continued to be contacted by individuals who are very interested in getting RACES “on-line” in their communities. This is a fantastic thing! I am working with the MEMA Region #2 staff to try to get these operators connected with willing EMDs to continue growing our net community.
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 | 146.955/-0.60 PL 88.5 | 20:00 Local |
| Sector 2D | 146.865/-0.60 PL 103.2 | 19:30 Local |
| 6-Meter State Net | 53.31 / – 1.0 PL 71.9 | 19:00 Local |
| MA RACES HF Net | 3930 KHz LSB moving up to 3955 KHz until there is a clear frequency | 18:45 Local |
For the Region 2 operators and Net Control team members, I would like to know who may be available to assist from the Region 2 bunker or who may be able to assist as a NCO from home. Any operators who would like to take a net, please respond and let me know if and how you might be participating. While we do try to keep a log at Region 2 Headquarters, it would be very helpful for Net Control Stations to please e-mail their net reports to me at WC1MAB@gmail.com in the days following the nets.
As always, if anyone has been interested in participating as Net Control Stations, the call for operators is an open one. This is a great skill to practice and can be a big help for our region in the event that the State EOC is operating in lieu of the Region Office, but communications still need to happen. If any local RACES operators who have participated in nets recently are interested in acting as NCO please let me know and we will see how we can get you into the fray. As always, if anyone is receiving this note and does not wish to receive further messages of this kind, please reply and let me know. Also, if you know someone who would benefit from being on this list, please have them contact me at WC1MAB@gmail.com and I will add them to this distribution. Thank you all!
If anyone has any questions or comments I can be reached by e-mail or cell phone. Thanks for being a part of our team and I look forward to hearing back on who can participate this month.
Sincerely,
Michael Leger (N1YLQ)
MEMA Region 2
Emergency Communications Officer
C: 386-566-7666
If your ham club is like ours, you’re always on the lookout for new venues for field trips. We just learned that most of the ham clubs in the region aren’t aware of our museum. Your group might be interested in visiting; we’re not all that far away and there are good restaurants nearby for lunch after your visit.
See our website: www.vrcmct.org. If you do plan to visit, please email or call the museum, and we’ll make sure the shack is presentable!
73,
Bernie Michaels, W2LFV
W1VCM Museum Ham Club Secretary
Vintage Radio & Communications Museum of Connecticut
*PMC Kids Ride to benefit the Jimmy Fund*
Date: Sunday, June 17, 2018
Time: 0700-1200
Location: Willard Elementary School, Concord, MA
On Sunday, June 17, 2018, PMC Kids Rides will be coming to
Concord at the Willard Elementary school. This is an annual
fundraising event for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s
Jimmy Fund. Ages 5 to 15 are invited to ride either a
1,4,8, or 12 mile route.
Since the PMC Concord Kids Ride started in 2008, over
$320,400 has been raised towards the fight against cancer.
Volunteers are needed for:
* Amateur Radio Communications
o Aboard or as SAG vehicles
o At the event headquarters NCOC
o At Road Marshall locations
* SAG Drivers
o With communications specialist aboard
Contact ASAP: Mark Richards, K1MGY
kmalittl1@gmail.com
k1mgy.usa@gmail.com
617 592 4392
Mark Richards, K1MGY writes:
*RIDE to End Alzheimer’s*
Date: Saturday, June 9, 2018
Time: Morning to mid-day; Late morning to afternoon
Location: Odiorne State Park, Rye, NH 03870
The RIDE is a fully-supported cycling event with 100, 62
and 30 mile courses, and 5 pit (medical, hydration, and
snack) stops. It begins and ends at the NH seacoast.
The courses extend west to Newton, NH and south into
Rowley, MA. For riders and volunteers alike, it’s a
fantastic day, a great way to make new friends, and
quite the party!
This event was formerly headquartered at Devens, MA and
was supported by NVARC.
Volunteers are needed for:
* Amateur Radio Communications
o Aboard or as SAG vehicles
o At PIT stops
o At the event headquarters NCOC
* SAG Drivers
This is a large, complex event. We need your help!
Mark Richards
29 Juniper
Littleton, MA 01460
617 592 4392
kmalittl1@gmail.com
k1mgy.USA@gmail.com
Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ writes on PART of Westford email list:
Hi Everybody,
I have deployed both the 2m fox and the new 80m fox!
Both are located within a 1 mile radius of my home. My info is good on QRZ.com.
There is no logbook. However, cell phone photos are accepted as “proof” that you found the fox(es). 🙂
Have a lot of fun, and 73,
Andy
John Barbuto, KS1Q writes on the South Shore Hospital ARC mailing list:
Net Control for the May 5, 2018 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be Greg Bennett, KC1CIC. The net will commence at the usual time of 10:00 AM using the following repeaters in the order listed.
There will not be a simplex test this month.
The Net will then return to the Bridgewater repeater for 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.
Any hospital wishing to join the net that needs assistance with equipment or personnel should contact us at ssharc@gmail.com. We can assist you with getting your location on the air.
We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested please let us know. Our goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many 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 are 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.
REMINDER: The BARC Repeater is now using split tone. Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
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.
The Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) will sponsor the traditional military/Amateur Radio communication tests to mark the 67th annual Armed Forces Day (AFD) on Saturday, May 12. Armed Forces Day is May 19, but the AFD Crossband Military-Amateur Radio event traditionally takes place one week earlier in order to avoid conflicting with Hamvention. Complete information, including military stations, modes, and frequencies, is available.
The annual celebration is a unique opportunity to test two-way communication between radio amateurs and military stations (authorized under §97.111 of the Amateur Service rules). It features traditional military-to-amateur crossband SSB voice, CW, practice using legacy interoperability waveforms, and the opportunity for participating hams to utilize more modern military modes, such as MIL-STD Serial PSK and Automatic Link Establishment (ALE). Military stations and Amateur Radio stations are authorized to communicate directly on certain 60-meter interoperability channels.
These tests give Amateur Radio operators and shortwave listeners (SWLs) a chance and a challenge to demonstrate individual technical skills in a tightly controlled exercise scenario and to receive recognition from the appropriate military radio station. QSL cards will be available for stations successfully contacting participating military stations. [ARRL Letter]