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A Technician licensing course will be offered next month by the Concord-Carlisle Adult and Community Education program in conjunction with the Colonial Wireless Association. The course will meet each Tuesday and Thursday night from October 17 – October 26 at the Concord-Carlisle Regional High School L-Building in Concord. The fee is $20. At this time, the course still has openings.

For more information and to enroll, please visit http://www.ace.colonial.net/Default.html, then “Browse” for “Communications and Speech” courses, then select “Concord Ham Radio Class”.

“The long-standing relationship between The Salvation Army Boston Headquarters and BARC will soon change dramatically.

“The Salvation Army feels that their mission will be better served by forming their own [SATERN] group which will in large measure take over the support that BARC has historically provided to them. As we understand it, this group will be solely devoted to the public safety mission of the Army and will not conflict with historic BARC activities. If called upon to do so, BARC will continue to offer communication support to The Salvation Army, as we have in the past.

“Unfortunately, as a consequence of forming and maintaining their group, the Army has decided that effective December 7, 2006 they will no longer provide space for BARC meetings and activities in their Boston headquarters. Thus we must find a new venue for our meetings. Any changes in location will be announced promptly.

“Responding to member interest for some time, BARC has been looking at alternative sites for meetings in the Greater Boston area. Most have been unsatisfactory in one way or another. We do have some leads, however, and these are being examined. We ask for your input regarding meeting places. All ideas are solicited and will be considered.”

–From “BARC and The Salvation Army Changing Relationship,” Hank Buccigross, K1QK, September, 2006 SPARC

The Framingham Emergency Expo was a huge success, according to Framingham Amateur Radio Association president Gordy Bello, K1GB. [See Framingham ARA To Participate In Emergency Preparedness Expo.]

“We had crowds of interested people listening, asking questions, etc.” Bello also writes that kids in attendence were enthusiastic about what the amateurs were doing and showing at the club’s exhibit.

“Without a doubt, the biggest attraction at the booth was Ed Weiss, W1NXC’s code ‘test,'” remarked Bello. “The kids loved it! Who said that CW is dead?”

K1GB adds that each individual who particpated in the code test received a certificate. “We also had them make their own call sign badges.”

FARA members who assisted at the event include: KB1LOY (who liased with the scouts), W1NXC, N1FTB, WA1HAM, KB1NIV, W1VIV, KB1FHJ, KA1HGL, and K1VEA.

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

Sep  8  Hyannis    MA MS Challenge Walk            John N1PYN    508-588-3250
        to Brewster                                            n1pyn@arrl.net
Sep  9  Brewster   MA MS Challenge Walk            Clayton KB1IBB
        to Eastham                                       arcywick@comcast.net
Sep 10  Brewster   MA MS Challenge Walk            John N1PYN    508-588-3250
        to Dennis                                              n1pyn@arrl.net
Sep 17  Hopkinton  MA Jimmy Fund Walk              Steve W3EVE   508-922-9688
        to Boston  MA                                          w3eve@arrl.net
Sep 30  Hollis     NH Applefest Half Marathon      Fletch N1MEO  603-673-3036
                                                               n1meo@arrl.net
Oct  1  Cambridge  MA Alzheimer's Memory Walk      Bruce KC1US   781-275-3740
                                                   kc1us005@amateur-radio.net
Oct  7  Pepperell  MA Pepperell Fall Classic       John KK1X     617-834-5787
                                                             kk1x@verizon.net
Oct  8  Boston     MA BAA Half Marathon            Bob WA1IDA    508-650-9440
                                                              wa1ida@arrl.net
Oct  8  Pepperell  MA Pepperell Fall Classic       John KK1X     617-834-5787
                                                             kk1x@verizon.net
Oct  8  Westford   MA Tour de Westford Bike Ride   Dave WI1R     978-692-7797
                                                                wi1r@arrl.net
Oct  8  Monroe     MA Monroe Trail Races           Richard KD1XP 
                                                              kd1xp@kd1xp.org
Oct  9  Pepperell  MA Pepperell Fall Classic       John KK1X     617-834-5787
                                                             kk1x@verizon.net
Oct 20  Cambridge  MA Head of the Charles Regatta  Jeff K1EMS    978-536-2842
                                                          RWJeffA@comcast.net
Oct 21  Cambridge  MA Head of the Charles Regatta  Jeff K1EMS    978-536-2842
                                                          RWJeffA@comcast.net
Oct 22  Cambridge  MA Head of the Charles Regatta  Jeff K1EMS    978-536-2842
                                                          RWJeffA@comcast.net
Nov 11  Lowell     MA Lowell Youth Soccer Tourn.   Ron KB1KRG    781-752-5885
                                                              kb1krg@arrl.net
Nov 12  Lowell     MA Lowell Youth Soccer Tourn.   Ron KB1KRG    781-752-5885
                                                              kb1krg@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. 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 packet) KD1SM@K1UGM.#EMA.MA.USA,
(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.

Taunton-area amateurs will conduct an Amateur Radio Technician Class on Mondays from 7:30-9:30 p.m. from October 23 – December 11, 2006 in the Morton Hospital Cafeteria, 88 Washington Street, in Taunton.

The course, conducted by Carlos Wharton, WP4US, will cost $15.00; it will include all materials. The examination will cost an additional $15.00.

“The course will cover all aspects of Amateur (Ham) Radio to prepare the participants for the exam to get their ham radio license,” writes Wharton.

To register, email Carlos Wharton at wp4us@comcast.net or call 508-386-3479.

Bob Salow, WA1IDA writes:

This is one of the last of the ham public service events for this year, so you can relax (except for the “real” disasters). Here we are at the Sixth Annual BAA Half Marathon. For the past five years this event received huge acclaim – largely because of the skills and experience of the organizers and support staff (we are definitely a part of that). The Half is run almost entirely in Boston (2% in Brookline), with about 5000 local, national and international athletes expected. Proceeds benefit the Jimmy Fund.
Our ham radio team has been asked again to support communications for this event doing our usual medical, water and administrative tasks. We definitely need your help – and more hams. Time is short.

The Half Marathon will be held on SUNDAY, 8 OCTOBER 2006. Time and other details are below. The course is along the length of the “Emerald Necklace” (as beautiful as you can get in Boston). The out-and-back route starts and finishes at Clemente Field in the Fenway. It follows the Riverway, Jamaicaway, and Arborway to the Franklin Park Zoo for a turnaround and return on almost the same route.

The weather is likely to be cool and the 13.1-mile course should not be a strain on the athletes. Water and medical stations are spaced appropriately. We also have assignments at several hazardous points. Our duties on the course will be to support these locations, but we also serve as observers of the runners, spectators and local residents (some of their streets are to be closed). Most stations serve both outbound and inbound runners. At Clemente Field, we have a number of fixed and roving medical assignments.

If you are assigned to a station on the course, and you wish to drive, you may go directly to the assigned location. I hope to have a ham course Traveler who will deliver your identity (long sleeve) shirt. If you are willing to drive directly to your station on the course, I will send you a Vehicle Permit (as an email attachment in MS Word) for you to print out. Those assigned to course stations must be on site at 0700 so the Traveler can meet you briefly and move on. The Traveler will call your station as he approaches. Be ready and go to the Traveler’s car or bus for the ID shirt and any last minute information.

If you do not plan to drive to an assigned course station, you must arrive at Clemente Field at 0600. A parking lot for volunteers only will be located about three blocks away from Clemente. You will receive an ID shirt and any last minute information. There will be transportation from Clemente to the course station assignments.

Hams assigned to posts at Clemente Field must be present at 0700 for a briefing and the amenities. Keep in mind that parking in the Fenway area is limited, so allow time to find a space, use the volunteer parking lot, or take the T (if running at that hour – see http://www.mbta.com). The area is T accessible from several directions. Parking (at that hour) will also be available at the Landmark Center (formerly the Sears store) on Park Drive at Brookline Ave. There is a charge for the Landmark parking.

The entire event should be over before 1130, and all roads will be (progressively) opened. This schedule is what is known now. Better details later.

Because the entire course is compact, very few repeaters need be used. Our present plan is to use both 2-meters and 70-cm, both bands with CTCSS.

WE NEED YOU TO VOLUNTEER. As in the past, we are committed to reliable, professional performance, and the requirements below lead to this goal. Please note them and sign up quickly. Each ham must have his or her own radio and accessories – no sharing of equipment can be permitted during the event. Each ham must be self sufficient for the entire period, as we cannot assure partnered assignments.

1. For the duration of this event you are considered a member of the Boston Amateur Radio Club (BARC) and a BAA volunteer. BARC carries a liability insurance policy.

2. To assist in identification and security, you must wear a badge with your name and call sign. Your volunteer credential will be a special long-sleeve shirt provided at the beginning of the day and your bright orange “Emergency Communications” cap (available for $5.00 – let me know if you need one).

3. Our communications support is provided only by licensed Amateur Radio operators, Technician class or above. Be sure to have a good photocopy of your valid license with you.

4. Because of the terrain and expected radio traffic congestion, you should have a full size antenna (that is, better than a minimal “rubber duck”) and a battery supply sufficient to run at your maximum power if necessary. While you will mostly listen and rarely transmit, the best guide is for 10 hours of battery capability. The ambient noise level may be high, so an inexpensive headset (not just an ear plug) is strongly recommended.

5. To present ourselves as professional and proficient, you must be neatly dressed. The bright orange “Emergency Communications” cap is essential for identification. Local residents and the media will be watching.

6. Expect the media. If you are interviewed, state that you are a ham radio operator, and give only a very brief statement about what your assignment is. Then refer the interviewer to our public relations staff (call Net Control for direction). Please do not offer prolonged descriptions of the joys of ham radio.

NOTE:

More hams are needed. Please spread the word in your local club and to your on-the-air friends! Anyone interested should contact me directly ASAP. We also need you to understand that although we must call for more hams now, final staffing needs may not match the number of ham volunteers. Therefore, a very small possibility exists that we still may not be able to give everyone an assignment.

As the event date gets closer, instead of formal briefings, those who volunteer will receive an email with the assignment, a detailed description of the assignment site and other information.

If you can give this event your help, please contact me as soon as possible. We also need to know if your radio has 2-meters with CTCSS and if you have the 70-cm band. If you have any questions about participation, do not hesitate to contact me at once.

When you reply, please include the following information:

Your best email address for last minute information.

Can you open an MS Word email attachment?

Are you available to drive, and, if assigned on the course (not assured), would you drive there directly?

Your shirt size.

If you have already informed me that you are available, please reply to this message anyway.

73,

Bob Salow, WA1IDA
508.650.9440 (H)
617.650.0062 (Cell)
wa1ida@arrl.net

© 2006 WA1IDA – S /060912

Priscilla Richardson, N1VQY writes to Mystic Valley Amateur Radio Group members:

This Sunday [September 17, 2006] from 12 noon until 4 p.m., Paul, N1OIL and Buddy, N1ZMB will be involved with “Celebrate Milton Day” with the Fire Auxilary in Milton. Buddy will also be demonstrating Amateur Radio as he did last year and trying to make contacts. We [the Mystic Valley Amateur Radio Group] have all been invited to join them to either observe or operate ham radio.

This event will be held at the Milton High School, 25 Gile Road, Milton, about 1/4 mile up from the Town Hall. Directions to the Town Hall can be found at www.townofmilton.org.

Hello to all….

From the MRAS_General email list as provided by Massachusetts State RACES Radio Officer, Tom Kinahan-N1CPE, ICS classes are being offered across the region along with a couple of other classes. This information is also on the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency training calendar which can be found on the MEMA web site. Below are the classes and locations of the training:

Incident Command System at Framingham Police Dept. on September 18, 2006

Incident Command System at Wakefield Fire Department on September 20, 2006

Incident Command System at Northern Essex Community College on September 20, 2006

Incident Command System at Dracut Fire Dept. on September 21, 2006

Incident Command System at Marshfield Emergency Management Agency on September 22, 2006

Incident Command System at Crosspoint Towers on September 22, 2006

Incident Command System at Concord Public Safety Building on September 25, 2006

Incident Command System at Peabody Fire Department on September 25, 2006

Incident Command System at Lawrence Fire Department on September 25, 2006

Incident Command System at MBTA Transit Police Academy at The Naval Reserve Training Center on October 24, 2006

Modular Emergency Response Radiological Transportation Training T-T-T at Warren Hall-Bridgewater Correctional on September 19, 2006

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
1

John Miller, N1UMJ writes on Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC mailing list:

Sunday is the YGRRL dog walk at Borderland State Park from 11AM to around 3PM.

I understand there are other events going on that day and some people are busy, so far though we have no one confirmed to be there. If I can get transportation I’ll gladly help out but we really could use a few people, maybe 4 or 5 with HTs to help out. I don’t know what time is good to meet up but it doesn’t sound like there’s a lot to it so probably a little early, figure out where everyone will be and that’s good. We’ve done this for a few years now so hopefully we can come up with a few people for it.

Let me or Ray [Cord, K2TGX] know if you can make it, as I said, if I can get transportation I’ll gladly help out if I can. I hope you all had a good summer, remember the next Business meeting is this coming Tuesday and the ARES net is Thursday night at 8:30 PM on the 195 machine.

73,

John Miller, N1UMJ
AIM and yahoo messenger: N1UMJ

Ken Stringham, Jr., AE1X writes on the Waltham ARA mailing list:

We in the QRP community are having our field exercise contest the week. Please visit our website for details:

http://newenglandqrp.org/afield

We would really like to have many stations looking for us so we can make lots of contacts. The contest is this Saturday 16-September; see the website annoucement for details.

Ken, AE1X – NEQRP #653

ARRL Section Manager Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN writes on the ARRL Members list:

“I just returned from a wonderful vacation this evening, which allowed me to reflect on the question of whether to volunteer again to be your Section Manager. It is mixed emotions that I have decided not to continue in office past December 31st 2006, the last regular day of my term. It has truly been an honor to serve you.

“After much reflection on what will be a solemn day tomorrow for all of us, I now believe that my work is finished and I can move on to other pursuits. I have also come to the conclusion that is time the torch be passed to an individual with some different points of view of our hobby. It is my understanding that ARRL Headquarters will identify other candidates for you to consider and vote on this fall. The new SM will then assume my office on January 1st.

“I feel much has been accomplished since I assumed duties as the Section Emergency Coordinator in May 2001. Together with some very talented and devoted individuals, we have made our section one of the most ready for emergency communications in the ARRL national organization. That effort continued after I assumed office as SM on January 1st, 2004. We also instituted notable improvements in our communications suite with digital modes. Productive relationships continued with RACES and MARS. New life was breathed into our now robust relationship with the American Red Cross. Much work was done with Major Will Leslie of the Salvation Army to reestablish the Massachusetts Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (MVOAD). Moreover, we greatly improved our information sharing with members through our innovative website, as well as creating a very robust internet based emergency response database.

“Each important part of the hobby was represented by very talented individuals. I would like to specifically thank Rob, KD1CY, SEC, for a truly extraordinary job. I cannot begin to describe here the monumental contribution he has made to our section. He, in turn, is supported by the most professional volunteers I have been privileged to serve with. Much sage advice and friendship was provided by Carl, N1FY, my ASM and Chief of Staff. He also established our Incident Command Post, significantly enhancing our readiness. A well done to Phil, N1XTB, for his efforts in bringing our emergency database to life. Phil, K9HI, added a special measure to our information exchange with our members through his timely and interesting upkeep of our website. I am indebted to Mike, K1LJN, for staying on in my administration as our OOC even though he wanted to retire. Many thanks to Jim, N1LKJ, as our steadfast STM, Ron, W1PLW, our PIC and Shawn, K3HI, for his government relation work for both the EMA and WMA sections. Many others, too numerous to mention here, have also contributed to the betterment of our section during my term.

“When the new SM is identified, please throw your support his or her way. I know I will!

“My best regards to you all.”

73,

de W1MPN

Members of the Harvard Wireless Club plan to promote Amateur Radio and their club to new freshman at Harvard’s Freshman Activities Fair on September 11.

“I confirmed the table a couple weeks ago in Freshmen Dean’s Office. All are welcome to join me,” writes HWC Station Manager Tim McBride, N1QZY.

The Southeastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association announced that its 147.00 repeater is now interconnected with both IRLP and Echolink, thanks to members’ donations of time and equipment.

“It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to the world of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) linking on the SEMARA repeater,” writes SEMARA’s Repeater Administrator, Rick Cabral, W1RJC. “A show of hands revealed that mostly all of the members present agreed to give it a shot. I spent all night wiring it up to the repeater controller, and it is now fully operational.”

Cabral says that various club members travel or live out of state and they “will certainly find this new feature quite beneficial to communicate back with fellow hams on the South Coast.”

W1RJC adds that any member who has questions or concerns should email the SEMARA Technical Committee.

Free Amateur Radio License Course Offered

“The Whitman Emergency Management Agency will co-sponsor along with The Whitman Amateur Radio Club a Technician Radio Operators license course which no longer requires Morse Code.

“The classes will run for 8 weeks with a FCC license examination given on the ninth week. Early pre-registration is advised as the classes will begin on Wednesday, September 13, at 7:00 p.m. upstairs at the Whitman Fire/Rescue Station on Temple Street. To register call 781-447-1655, and leave your contact information.

“There are no age or special educational requirements, just a willingness to learn about this fascinating hobby. Basic electronics, radio theory, FCC rules, and safety are some of the study materials covered. Although the course is free, there is a required text book that costs about $20.

“In addition to the 48 trained Citizens Emergency Response Team members, last years (sic) class room effort produced five additional licensed radio operators that can legally operate the radio communications equipment at the Whitman EOC, as well as provide supplemental emergency communication assistance in time of need.”

—Whitman Express, September 7, 2006

What is a Fox Hunt? It’s simple enough in concept, a little more difficult to execute however, especially in Falmouth summer traffic. We have a neat little package that contains a 2m transceiver, batteries, and a box full of control circuitry. Somebody hides the package somewhere in town. You find the package using radio direction finding techniques.

What techniques? They can be as simple as using your body to shield the antenna on your HT so you can find a null in the signal from the Fox; or as complex as a phase shift detector with multiple antennas. In any case, when you find the null, the Fox is in the opposite direction. Why a null and not a peak? Simple, a null is usually deeper and more pronounced than a peak, especially with omni-directional antennas.

The fox will even bark for you if you tune to 146.565 simplex, key your rig and press the # key on your keypad for a second or so. The fox will respond with about 60 seconds worth of CW that reads:

FOX, followed by 50 seconds worth of beeps, and finally K1RK, whereupon it goes silent again. The FARA Fox should now be very healthy and rar’n to go; he says, find me if you can!

WHEN? Saturday September 9 at 0830.

WHERE? We meet in front of Town Hall, the Fox will be driven off to hide and the hunt kicks off from there. Hunt will run until the fox is found or 11:30, which ever happens first.

AND AFTER? All hunters are invited to lunch at John & Lyn Gould’s house, RSVP (508)540-5779 by Thursday, September 7.

–Thanks, Falmouth Amateur Radio Association web site