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Various interoperability projects are receiving high praise from ARRL, and Eastern MA amateurs are playing a prominent role in a couple of them.

In his monthly QST column, “It Seems To Us” ARRL Chief Executive Officer Dave Sumner, K1ZZ writes about Amateur Radio’s role in communications interoperability. He describes the progress made in applying advanced technologies to emergency communications, as reported at the Third Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference (GAREC-07), held in Huntsville on August 16-17.

Sumner cites the success of the VoIP Hurricane Net. “It was a pleasure to hear how the VoIP Hurricane Net (…) is utilizing both EchoLink and IRLP to provide ‘ground truth’ reports to the National Hurricane Center.”

A lot of the success for this program can be credited to Eastern Massachusetts amateur Rob Macedo, KD1CY. Macedo serves as Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net. He also serves as the Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator and is an ARRL Assistant Section Manager.

The VoIP Hurricane Net web site is hosted by another active Eastern MA amateur, Phil McNamara, N1XTB. McNamara built the web reporting form and linked database for the web-based reports.

Coincidentally, N1XTB is also a prominent player in another interoperability area mentioned in Sumner’s editorial: increased collaboration in linking the digital networks among the Army, Air Force and Navy-Marine Corps MARS organizations.

[See also: MARS to Assist TSA “When All Else Fails”]

Sumner’s column can be found at: http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2007/10/01/1/.

Boston Amateur Radio Club members who are also a part of Eastern Massachusetts ARES participated in a Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) exercise on September 23, 2007.

Sponsored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the SNS is a national repository of antibiotics, chemical antidotes, antitoxins, life-support medications, IV administration, airway maintenance supplies, and medical/surgical items. The SNS is designed to supplement and re-supply state and local public health agencies in the event of a national emergency anywhere and at anytime within the U.S. or its territories. [Full story]

Bob Salow, WA1IDA writes on 9/30/07:

I just got the information on the WGBH Open House, and hams are needed.

It’s very late (in our terms), but the WGBH staff has been overwhelmed by the move into their new grand facilities on Market Street in Brighton and then planning the Open House. After months of inquiry, I finally have firm enough info to put together a plan for ham deployment.

For this year, at least, WGBH will hold an Open House instead of the Ice Cream FunFest. SATURDAY, 13 OCTOBER, and SUNDAY, 14 OCTOBER. We will be needed on both days from 0800 to about 1500. 5-7K visitors are expected both days. For over 20 years the Boston Amateur Radio Club has responded to their request for communications to assist and protect the visitors at WGBH.

Because the new facility has very limited parking, two solutions have been arranged. Shuttle buses will run from near three T stations and from two remote parking lots all day. Hams will be located at each site and at the WGBH building to relay visitor congestion and parking problems. You may go directly to your assigned location.

Unlike past support, it will be necessary to use a repeater to cover the territory – probably on 2 meters. Helpful is an antenna better than the “rubber duck” that came with your radio, as well as battery capacity to last the day. Depending on available hams, shift coverage may be arranged.

Time is short and your help is needed on one or both days. For those who have not done much ham public service, this is an excellent opportunity to get familiar without much effort. Please contact me as quickly as possible. Assignments and more details to follow. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

Bob Salow, WA1IDA
wa1ida@arrl.net
508.650.9440

The antenna of the Minuteman Repeater Association‘s Stoneham UHF repeater will soon be replaced, according to MMRA President Bob DeMattia, K1IW.

“The new antenna will provide a -30 db null toward the PAVE PAWS radar in Bourne, versus a current antenna gain of +5dB.”

[See ARRL Continues to Deal with DOD Over PAVE PAWS Sites and other related stories.]

DeMattia says the new antenna will provide a directional pattern with a major lobe directed at 345 degrees magnetic “creating a line through Woburn, Wilmington, Tewksbury, and Pelham, NH.” Stations in the major lobe could see a signal gain of 10 dB.

K1IW writes, “The 3dB beamwidth is 60 degrees, so stations along the lines of Burlington, Carlisle, Westford and Reading, Andover, Haverhill will see 7 dB improvement. Once outside this wedge, signal strength drops off quickly. On the direct side of the antenna, signal is -20 dB. There are no appreciable minor lobes.

DeMattia says that signal reports are welcome.

NEAR-Fest organizers have announced that proceeds from the NEAR-Fest at the Deerfield, New Hampshire fairgrounds on October 10-11, 2007 will go to funding a fully operational amateur station at the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium in Concord, New Hampshire.

According to NEAR-Fest General Chairman Mike Crestohl, W1RC, “the planetarium staff are very excited at the prospect of having a radio station they can exhibit and operate, and with which they can communicate directly with the International Space Station and other NASA facilities.”

The Planetarium is currently building a new addition and have already pledged a permanent location for this purpose. Additionally, a local area radio club has offered to represent NEAR-Fest and assist Planetarium staff members become licensed and proficient in the use of the equipment. Crestohl says that a presentation to Planetarium officials will be made at the prize drawing ceremony at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 13th.

“NEAR-Fest I in May was an unqualified success, beyond our wildest dreams,” writes W1RC. “We promise you NEAR-Fest II is going to be bigger and even better — if that’s possible.”

New attractions include a number of technical symposia and workshops, such as the R-390 Workshop moderated by George Rancourt, K1ANX, a fascinating lecture on the WW-II German ENGIMA machine and its derivatives presented by Professor Tom Perera, W1TP and “DXing 101” hosted by Neil Kaltman, K6SMF.

Tickets are $10.00 for Friday and Saturday. Admission is reduced to $5.00 at 6:00 AM Saturday. The entry fee for vehicles entering the flea market is $10.00 with the exception of campers, RVs and trailers who pay a $20.00 charge which includes all hookup charges. Advance tickets are available and those holding them will be admitted first. Furthermore, there will be two special door prizes drawn exclusively for advance ticket holders.

See the NEAR-Fest Web site at www.near-fest.com for details on how to purchase advance tickets and passes by mail, or send to W1RC at his callbook address.

Members from the Whitman Amateur Radio Club and the Massasoit Amateur Radio Association joined forces on September 23, 2007 to provide communications and coordination for the third annual D. W. Field Park Triathlon in Brockton.

The race started with a 14.5 mile bicycle race followed by a 1.7 mile canoe and kayak race on Waldo Lake, and then a 10k (6.2 mile) road race. Teams consisted of 1-3 persons who cycled, canoed/kayaked, and ran. Forty seven bicycle teams and about 100 people participated. Proceeds from the Triathlon benefit the Brockton Neighborhood Health Center.

Hams were positioned around the race track; they reported on race progress. They also watched and reported to Net Control about any participants experiencing problems. A battery-operated, solar-powered 2-meter “Go Kit” supplied by N1XTB was kept on display in the registration area.

Shown here (L-R): K1REL, W1GMF, W1JOE, KB1CYV, N1LCY, N1FY, N1VTI, KB1MTW, N1XTB, NI1X. Photo courtesy N1XTB

–Thanks, NI1X

Venture Crew 47 (KB1PAL) is looking forward to another exciting year. A full calendar of events ranging from first aid classes to hands on operating is in store. In September the Crew will be providing communications support for the Aquila District Camporee at Camp Carpenter in Manchester New Hampshire. This event is a great opportunity to give the scouts hands on experience and to expose new faces to Amateur Radio.

The Crew will also be participating in the Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), a world-wide on air gathering of scouts. JOTA will take place on October 20th. We will be assisting with communications for a Railroading Merit Badge excursion that weekend as well. Other events scheduled for this year include: First Aid Training, Leadership Training, a mountain trip, and participation in the District’s Klondike Derby, Venturing Weekend, and the Spring Camporee.

Venture Crew 47 is a co-ed crew and is part of the Boy Scouts of America’s Yankee Clipper Council, in Northeastern Massachusetts. We are sponsored by the North Shore Radio Association in Peabody. As always the Crew is looking for more members. If you, or someone you know, is between the ages of 14 and 20, has completed the eighth grade, and is interested in joining the Crew or has any questions about what we do, please contact us by sending an email to crew47@nsradio.org. The Venturing program is a great way for young men and women to get involved in our hobby…e-mail us to sign up today!

–Thanks, KB1OHZ and KB1KQW

The ARRL participated in a teleconference call on Wednesday, September 19, with the Department of Defense (DoD) regarding Amateur Radio repeaters interfering with the Air Force’s PAVE Paws radar system.

According to ARRL Regulatory Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, “The DoD acknowledges that it has seen changes at some repeater sites, but not all of them.” He said the DoD has revisited the Massachusetts repeaters, located near Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod, to “remeasure the numbers. Some Massachusetts repeater owners have volunteered to completely turn off their systems and some others have made changes, but more is needed at both PAVE Paws radar sites.”

The DoD, Henderson continued, has identified additional sources of interference in Massachusetts. “This was not really unexpected and is part of what has become an ongoing project. The ARRL will begin working with these repeater owners as soon as the DoD provides us with specific information,” he said.
In California, where more than 100 repeaters are being scrutinized by the DoD, Henderson said the majority of repeaters have not been mitigated: “The Air Force has not had a chance to revisit Beale Air Force Base for new measurements, but it will be happening soon.”

Reports have circulated that a number of California repeater owners have decided to take no further action about mitigating the interference unless they receive official notice from the Federal Communications Commission. “If these reports are true,” Henderson said, “it is unfortunate. The FCC has stayed abreast of the discussions between the League and the DoD, and they are prepared to act appropriately if they are contacted by the DoD.”

He continued: “The DoD has indicated they are willing to allow the ARRL to continue its attempts to mitigate the interference; however, they have expressed a sense of urgency that this must come to a conclusion. Those waiting for FCC action may find it coming sooner rather than later.”

–The ARRL Letter Vol. 26, No. 38 September 21, 2007

See also:
eHam.com: FCC/DOD Says Power Down: UHF Repeaters in Calif. Reduced to 5 Watts
Cape Cod Times: “Ham radio users face military interference”
Barnstable ARC 443.500 Repeater Off The Air
ARRL Submits Plan to Mitigate Repeater Interference to Military Radars
ARRL Aiding Effort to Mitigate Repeater Interference to Military Radars
NESMC PAVE PAWS/UHF Repeater Update

The Massasoit Amateur Radio Association and the Whitman Amateur Radio Club in Bridgewater and Whitman, respectively, are looking at the possible impact on emergency communications needs and disaster assistance requirements should a casino be build in Middleborough, according to Eastern MA South Shore District Emergency Coordinator and MARA President Carl Aveni, N1FY. “We are in the discussion phase of what possible scenarios could occur and what Amateur Radio emergency communication requirements may be needed.”

On July 28, 2007, Middleborough residents approved by a 2-to-1 margin a deal to bring the state’s first casino to this mostly rural town south of Boston.

–Thanks, MARA News, September, 2007

Amateurs from the Whitman Amateur Radio Club recently attended the 21st World Scout Jamboree in Hylands Park, Chelmsford, England. Paul Moss, KB1MTW and Mike Supple, KB1OEP spent ten days visiting London and Paris with Whitman Troop 22. While in England, they spent one day visiting the Jamboree and special events station GB100J. The station commemorated the 100-year anniversary of scouting which started in 1907 in England.

“Echolink was down at the site due to lack of Internet access, start-up problems. [We] did get to do a two-meter simplex connection with the group at the station and an Echolink QSO through the base station connection to a local club repeater link,” reports KB1MTW. Paul also spoke to a father and son who are involved in scouting.

Approximately 40,000 scouts from 200 countries participated in the Jamboree. A contact was made between scouts at GB100J and Clay Anderson, KD5PLA on-board the International Space Station. Another contact was made via Echolink with Whitman ARC member Don Burke, KB1LXH in Taunton.

Shown here: Scott Supple and Koby Ward of Whitman trading patches.

–Thanks, Whitman ARC Spectrum, September, 2007