All

RACES, SKYWARN, ARES, and MARS will participate in a statewide hurricane drill on Monday, June 4, 2007. [Full story]

The Algonquin Amateur Radio Club has offered its assistance to emergency planners in helping to map radio coverage for the Marlborough Hospital.

AARC members plan to send volunteers “roaming through several towns” to locate dead zones for radio communication. Don Cusson, Marlborough’s Emergency Management Agency Director, will provide topographic maps to guide the efforts which are slated to begin on May 21, 2007 and continue into June.

A map of radio coverage is mandated for emergency preparedness for all hospitals in Massachusetts.

–Thanks, AARC QRZ, April 2007 and Marlborough Amateur Radio Emergency Group

Hello to all….

MEMA Region Two will be having its region RACES hurricane exercise on Monday June 4th, 2007 from 7-9 PM. As has been done in past years, the drill scenario will be taken statewide by broadening the Region Two scenario and will include the State EOC and other MEMA Regions participating as RACES. ARES, SKYWARN and MARS partners will also participate in the exercise. Operations will be active at the NWS Taunton Forecast office for the exercise.

Region Two will use a special reporting form as they have done in previous years while the remaining RACES participants along with ARES, SKYWARN and MARS will use tactical messages, NTS and their traditional forms of traffic to handle messaging. Scenario details for RACES Operators in Region Two will be handled through a briefing at Region Two Headquarters. For the remainder of the participants and controllers in the state, information will be provided via the web and email over the next week to week and a half.

Thanks to all for their support of this exercise!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Pager #: (508) 354-3142
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 1-800-445-2588 Ext.: 72929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
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The ARRL Foundation has announced the recipients of 61 scholarship awards totaling more than $56,500 for the 2007-2008 academic year. Three of the recipients hail from Eastern Massachusetts.

Bryce Salmi, KB1LQC, of Chelmsford, MA and three other youths were awarded a Dayton Amateur Radio Association Scholarship worth $1000 each.

Gillian Davies, KB1KGP, of Chelmsford, MA and four other youths were awarded a New England Federation of Eastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association (FEMARA) Scholarship worth $1000 each.

Brenton Salmi, KB1LQD, Chelmsford, MA was the recipient of the Yankee Clipper Contest Club Youth Scholarship totaling $1000.

Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients, and especially to the Eastern Massachusetts student winners.

[See also: PART’s “Tool Box Talks” To Debute At Field Day]

“Bo” Budinger, WA1QYM writes on PART-L:

Below is the current list of volunteers for [the Police Amateur Radio Team of Westford] Field Day “Tool Box” Talks and the subjects of these talks. We still have room for many more talks. These are short (15-30 minute) talks or demonstrations given in a very casual and interactive manner. Many will be held outdoors (weather permitting) and some will be held in doors in the entry way of our Field Day site… the new Westford Highway Department Building. These are directed toward the new ham radio operator but from the list you can see there is something for all of us new and old!

Anyone out there willing to sign on for additional talks? You don’t need to be an expert and the subject can be anything related to ham radio… how to wire a PL 259 connector, electrical safety in ham radio, antenna design, how to chase DX, scanners for the ham radio operator… the list can go on and on!

Let me know if you are willing to present one or more of these talks.

And remember: Field Day is FUN !

Bo
WA1QYM
President
PART of Westford

Tool Box Talks for PART Field Day 2007

Weak Signal VHF Operation Allison (KB1GMX)
Solar Power for Field Day Allison (KB1GMX)
HF Propagation for the Beginner Bo (WA1QYM)
PSK31 Rich (KB1MCS)
Buddipole Demo Scott (NE1RD)
Buddistick Demo Scott (NE1RD)
Sigma 5 Vertical Demo Scott (NE1RD)
Fishing Pole Vertical Scott (NE1RD)
What is a Contest Scott (NE1RD)
Computer Logging in Contests Scott (NE1RD)
Using an Antenna Analzyzer Scott (NE1RD)
Portable Operations Scott (NE1RD)
Dipole construction Ron (WQ1Z)
Buying and Selling Ham Gear on Ebay Rick (W1RAG)
Working the EasySats Allison (KB1GMX) (tenative)
APRS Andy (KB1OUQ)
Basic Knots Steve (N1BDA) Sat only
NVIS Antennas Steve (N1BDA) Sat only
Improving your SSB audio Ron (WQ1Z)

Amateur radio operators, weather enthusiasts, and public safety officials from throughout New England turned out in numbers for the 2007 Hurricane Awareness Tour, hosted by the National Weather Service in Taunton, MA at Quonset State Airport in North Kingstown, RI on April 30, 2007.

The day featured tours by the personnel of the NOAA WP3 Orion Hurricane Hunter aircraft which was open to the public. The Tour marked the start of an annual campaign to raise awareness and preparation for the upcoming hurricane season.

Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY coordinated the efforts of nearly 40 ham volunteers from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut to provide communications support throughout the event. A special Winlink station operated by hams demonstrated e-mail communications via Amateur Radio in lieu of the internet. EchoLink contacts also highlighted Amateur Radio’s emergency communications capabilities. Macedo assisted in establishing communications via Amateur Radio between Bill Prozena, Director of the National Hurricane Center with Prozena’s office in Miami, Florida.

Nine members of the Taunton Area Communication Group demonstrated Amateur Radio capabilities by operating two 2-meter FM stations and one HF station. TACGroup established stateside QSOs, as well as DX contacts with Italy, the Netherlands and Russia. They also made contacts with area hams via local repeaters.

[Seated, left-right: Hurricane Specialist Michelle Mainelli; Rob Macedo, KD1CY; Dan Roy, KA1BNO, Bulletin Manager, R.I.]

–Thanks, Whitman ARC Spectrum, May 2007

Public Service Volunteer Opportunities in the New England Division

Listing public events at which Amateur Radio communications is providing a public service and for which additional volunteers from the Amateur Community are needed and welcome. Please contact the person listed to identify how you may serve and what equipment you may need to bring.

The most up-to-date copy of this list is maintained as
http://purl.org/hamradio/publicservice/nediv

**** Every event listed is looking for communications volunteers ****

Date    Location      Event                       Contact      Tel/Email

May 19  Portsmouth NH NH Lung Clean Air Challenge  Dave KA1VJU
     to 20                                                  ka1vju@cnharc.org
May 20  Devens     MA Parker Road Race             Stan  KD1LE   978.433.5090
May 20  Hadley     MA Hadley Mem. Day Road Race    Richard KD1XP 
                                                              kd1xp@kd1xp.org
Jun 16  Longmeadow MA Road Race                    Eric  N1QKO
                                                               n1qko@arrl.net
Jun 16  Mt WashngtnNH Mt Washington Road Race      Cliff N1RCQ
                             n1rcq@amsat.org or Dave KA1VJU ka1vju@cnharc.org
Jun 28  Feeding Hills MA American Turners Festival Eric  N1QKO
     to 30                                                     n1qko@arrl.net
Jul  7  Mt WashngtnNH Newton's Revenge cycle race  Cliff N1RCQ
                             n1rcq@amsat.org or Dave KA1VJU ka1vju@cnharc.org
Aug 18  Mt WashngtnNH Mt. Wash. Bicycle Hill Climb Cliff N1RCQ
                             n1rcq@amsat.org or Dave KA1VJU ka1vju@cnharc.org
Aug 19  Mt WashngtnNH Mt. Washington Century Ride  Cliff N1RCQ
                             n1rcq@amsat.org or Dave KA1VJU ka1vju@cnharc.org
Sep 29  Bristol    NH NH Marathon                  Cliff N1RCQ
                             n1rcq@amsat.org or Dave KA1VJU ka1vju@cnharc.org
Oct  6  Hollis     NH Applefest Half Marathon      Jim  WD4JZO   603.889.4429
                                                              wd4jzo@arrl.net

This list is published periodically as demand warrants by Stan KD1LE and Ralph KD1SM. Our usual distribution is via packet to NEBBS, via Internet mail to the arrl-nediv-list and ema-arrl distribution lists,
and on the World Wide Web (see address above). If other mailing list owners wish us to distribute via their lists we will be happy to oblige. Permission is herewith granted to republish this list in its entirety provided credit is given to the authors and the Web address below is included. Send comments, corrections, and updates to:

(via Internet) KD1SM@ARRL.NET.

We make an attempt to confirm entries with the coordinator unless the information is from another published source. We very much appreciate the assistance we have been receiving from our ‘scouts’; everyone is welcome to send us postings.

Refer to http://purl.org/hamradio/publicservice/nediv for the most recent version of the PSLIST.

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club was recently awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the Town of Groton Selectmen for its participation in the Adopt-A-Highway program. Accepting the award on behalf of NVARC was club president Stan Pozerski, KD1LE.

NVARC held its first road cleanup of the year on April 21, 2007. A large number of members turned out for the event, picking up 38 bags of trash along the club’s assigned stretch of Route 119.

The Nashoba Valley ARC has been participating in the program now for ten years.

–Thanks, Nashoba Valley ARC Signal, May 2007

Mike Pride, K1RX writes on the YCCC web site:

The Yankee Clipper Contest Club celebrates its 30th year of competing in the unlimited club category from the Northeastern US.

Now having a membership count of nearly 400, the club has steadily grown since its inception (1977), the current officers of the YCCC offer the following on-the-air fun event for both the membership as well as our fellow contesters worldwide. For the balance of 2007, commencing immediately, YCCC members may sign their calls /30, indicating our 30-year anniversary, as a way to positively promote the YCCC on the air. A special certificate will be provided after confirming contacts with at least 10 members. This confirmation and request for the special certificate can be done via email at yccc30@gmail.com. Please indicate the date, time, frequency, call sign of member along with your mailing address so we might send you the certificate. QSL cards may be used to confirm these contacts as well and by sending them to Dave, W1CTN who will administer the program. Additionally, the complete list of YCCC members can be found at http://www.yccc.org then click on “Members Only” in the left-side menu and follow the directions to enter the site (open to all). Look up “roster” in the right-side menu for the complete list of members active within the YCCC.

All eligible QSOs for the award must be completed by December 31, 2007, with the request for the certificate submitted no later than February 1, 2008.

QSLs may be sent to:

David Arruzza, W1CTN
32 Benz Street
Ansonia, CT, USA 06401

Also for those attending the Dayton Hamvention, watch for the special YCCC 30th badges members will be wearing and congratulate them when you see them!

Regards,

Mark, K1RX/30

Good luck and happy hunting!

FARA President Gordy Bello, K1GB writes on FraminghamARA-L:

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Weisse, W1HAI as the Framingham Amateur Radio Association‘s new Publicity Officer. Joe has a lot of experience in information and outreach as this is his full time job!

Please welcome Joe on board, and feel free to give him any ideas you may have.

The Barnstable Amateur Radio Club‘s 440 repeater has been removed from service for an indefinite period of time, according to a recent article posted on the club’s web site.

Possible interference to the U.S. Air Force’s PAVE PAWS facility on Cape Cod prompted the BARC Board of Directors to remove the 443.500 MHz repeater from service until such time as the FCC makes a ruling on the matter.

According to Barnstable ARC Vice President Jim Bradbury, WA1KCC, “This is a voluntary move by the club; we have not been cited for any interference at this time.”

See also:
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

NEWINGTON, CT, May 11, 2007 (via ARRLWeb) — The ARRL has submitted an interference mitigation plan to the US Department of Defense (DoD) as part of an effort to resolve reported interference from dozens of 70 cm amateur repeaters to US military radar systems on both coasts. Since Amateur Radio is secondary to government users from 420 to 450 MHz, hams must not interfere with primary users and, under the rules, can be forced to cease operation. Earlier this year, the US Air Force asked the FCC to order dozens of repeater systems to either eliminate interference to its “PAVE PAWS” missile and satellite detection and tracking radars in Massachusetts and California or shut down. [Full story]

See also:
ARRL Aiding Effort to Mitigate Repeater Interference to Military Radars
NESMC PAVE PAWS/UHF Repeater Update

Framingham ARA President Gordy Bello, K1GB writes on FraminghamARA-L:

“It gives me great pleasure to announce that this year’s Framingham Amateur Radio Association Scholarship is awarded to Benjamin Bradley of Framingham High School. His teacher, Ms. Denise Barlow, who teaches electronics and computers, has selected Benjamin as he is the best student in her classes. He will be studying engineering at Wentworth College next fall.

The presentation of the scholarship will be made next Thursday evening at the Framingham High School awards ceremony by our scholarship chairman, Richard Cosma, AA1VI. We will also be inviting both Benjamin and Ms. Barlow to our June meeting. Please make every effort to attend and give them a warm FARA welcome, and to congratulate Benjamin on his accomplishments and future endeavors.”

Photo, courtesy WA1HAM: FARA scholarship winner Benjamin Bradley (right), and Richard Walcek, head of Framingham High School’s guidance department.

K1VV and N1DT plan to activate East Chop (USA 259) and West Chop (USA 877) Lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard Island on Saturday May 12, 2007 from 7:00 AM EDT (1130 UTC) until about 2:00 PM EDT (1400 UTC).

Whitey, K1VV notes that he and Don, N1DT will begin operations on 75 meters around 3996 kHz plus/minus 5 kHz. On 40 phone, look for W1AA between the nets. “Tune for us between the nets, most likely around 7234,” writes K1VV. They’ll be on 20 phone later in the morning above 14310, or 17 meters above 18150. “We will return to 40 phone about 1530 to 1600 UTC, about noon local time.”

Morse code operation will be conducted roughly on the half hour, on 7035, 10116, 14035 and 18080 kHz, plus or minus QRM.

“We should be able to access the RF packet node so we will be posting our spots on the DX Summit. But we would appreciate any spots,” Whitey adds. See http://oh2aq.kolumbus.com/dxs/hfdx25.html .

DX QSLs are via the W1 Bureau and stateside are via W1AA please with an SASE. A photo of the lighthouse will be furnished. “Remember that the postal rates change on May 14, 2007. So make sure you have enough postage on your SASE,” writes K1VV.

The first lighthouse at West Chop was a 25-foot stone tower built in 1817 for $5000. In 1976, West Chop Light became automated. The original Fresnel lens is still in the lantern room. Today the active aid to navigation exhibits its white flash, visible for 15 miles. A red sector in the lens warns mariners away from two dangerous shoals.

The lighthouse and grounds are not open to the public, but you can easily view the station from West Chop Road or the ferries in and out of Vineyard Haven.

–Thanks, K1VV and Keep The Lights Shining