K1USN Veterans Day QSL

K1USN Veterans Day QSL cardPi, K1RV wrote:

“I wanted everyone to see the special Veterans Day QSL we are issuing for K1USN contacts made on November 11, 2003.

“Thanks to K1VV for help producing the special QSL. On November 11th we made over 160 contacts on 40, 20 and 17 Meters SSB/CW between 1300-2000 UTC. We made additional contacts on IRLP and Echolink. Operators were W1YR, N1ZZN and K1RV. We were joined by K1GUG later in the afternoon.

“The K1USN Veterans Day operation has always been a most enjoyable time. Many Veterans enjoy getting an opportunity to make contact with the USS Salem and we wanted to be able to offer a special QSL card… The QRZ page has been updated to show our normal operating frequencies as well as the dates for the 2004 International Museum Ships Weekend on July 17-18, 2004. Please mark your calendars!”

HPM Memorial Award Nominations Open

ARRL flagDo you know of an exceptional young Amateur Radio operator in your club or community? Please consider nominating him or her for the prestigious ARRL Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award! Nominations of Eastern Massachusetts candidates are due to Phil Temples, K9HI by March 31, 2004.

According to the ARRL web site, “The HPM Award goes each year to an enthusiastic and active amateur licensee aged 21 or younger whose contributions to Amateur Radio and to the community are of the most exemplary nature.”

ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section Manager Phil Temples, K9HI spoke of the qualities in a nominee. “Specific accomplishments may include involvement in public relations or public service, or exhibiting leadership to peers.” Temples added, “By honoring a young ham with this award, we are helping to promote the message that ham radio is a microcosm of the general public. Our hobby-service includes many fine young men and women.”

The winner of the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award will receive an engraved plaque and a check for $1500. Complete information is available on the ARRL HPM Award Web page, which includes a link to the nomination form.

ARRL 2003 Frequency Measuring Test…

is this week! (Nov 18, 2003) — The 2003 ARRL Frequency Measuring Test (FMT) will take place on Thursday, November 20 (UTC). It will be conducted using essentially the same format as last year’s FMT, although transmissions will be longer to give stations more time to take measurements. The 2003 FMT will run November 20 at 0245 UTC (that’s November 19 at 9:45 PM EST). Please visit the ARRL FMT Article for more details on the test.

WF1F: ARISS Certification in Moscow

Int'l Space StationMiles, WF1F (Chelmsford, MA) writes on BARS List:

“Hi Everyone:

This week I am in Moscow, trying to get past the next phase of testing new ham projects for the International Space Station. We are trying to get certification approvals for a new 2/440 station, new antennas, and Slow Scan TV. The 2/440 Kenwood D700 is currently on ISS. However, it can not be used until we finish a full systems test, which we just did.

All of the offical testing is going very well. I’ll send more details after I return.”

Miles

W1BOS to Operate From Blue Hill Observatory for SKYWARN Recognition Day

Boston ARC logoMembers of the Boston Amateur Radio Club will operate W1BOS/MQE on December 6th, from 9am to 4 pm on 20 and 2 meters from the Blue Hills Observatory in observance of SKYWARN Recognition Day.

According to Mark Duff, BARC Executive Committee member and ARES DEC, “For several decades, hams have assisted the National Weather Service by providing real-time reports of severe weather and storm conditions. Many NWS Offices including NWS Taunton have permanently installed Amateur Radio Equipment. To celebrate SKYWARN, Amateur Radio operators will set up radio stations at the National Weather Service (NWS) offices and other weather related locations and contact similar stations around the world.”
Amateur radio operators recently played a key role by providing communications during the hurricanes that affected the East Coast and Bermuda. Although the NWS operates a network of 120 Doppler radars to track severe storms, at greater ranges weather radar has a difficult time sampling conditions close to the ground. The information radio operators located near a storm provide plays a key role in aiding forecasters.Blue Hill Observatory

Stations who contact W1BOS/MQE are eligible to receive a commemorative QSL card. A complete list of participating SKYWARN Recognition Day stations is available via the NOAA web site.

According to the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center “the observatory is located at the top of a scenic mountain range south of Boston and it is a unique American institution. Founded in 1885 by Abbott Lawrence Rotch as a private scientific center for the study and measurement of the atmosphere, it was the site of many pioneering weather experiments and discoveries. The earliest kite soundings of the atmosphere in North America in the 1890s and the development of the radiosonde in the 1930s occurred at this historic site. Today, the Observatory is a National Historic Landmark and remains committed to continuing its extensive, uninterrupted climate record with traditional methods and instruments.”

Thanks, N1VUX, KB1EKN, BlueHill.org

ARRL Eastern Mass SET a success!

EMA ARES logo“THIS IS A DRILL. This is WX1BOX… the National Weather Service in Taunton. We have a Winter Storm Warning for interior sections of Southeastern Massachusetts. A High Wind Warning is in effect for interior Southeast Massachusetts and Cape Cod and the Islands. A low-pressure system has formed over the Atlantic, 25 miles southeast of Nantucket. The system brings with it, heavy wet snow with possible accumulations of 1-2 feet in the Winter Storm Warning area. Also expect strong, damaging winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to 60-65 MPH. The combination of strong gusty winds and heavy snow will cause power outages due to trees and power lines being knocked down. Coastal flooding is likely on all north and east facing beaches with the worst being Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and East Coastal Massachusetts. THIS IS A DRILL.”

No, this wasn’t TV Weather; it was Amateur Radio operator, Rob Macedo – KD1CY, who operates the Skywarn Amateur Radio equipment at the National Weather Service’s Taunton, MA office. Rob sends the word out to and compiles data from numerous Skywarn trained Amateur Radio Operators throughout Southern New England during severe weather events. Rob is also the ARRL District Emergency Coordinator for Plymouth and Bristol Counties. This advisory was the actual opening message for the ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section’s annual Simulated Emergency Test. The exercise, a test of ARES emergency communications capabilities and procedures, is held annually to practice and train ARES personnel. ARES Teams from many area Amateur Radio Clubs, amateur radio communications volunteers for the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Massachusetts Emergency Management RACES radio operators, all take part in the drill. As noted in the NWS Announcement, a major Nor’easter was on the way! Station WC1MA at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency in Framingham liaised with Regional MEMA headquarters across the state, and with the ARES Metro headquarters station, W1MSA, at the Salvation Army in Boston. Several dozen pieces of message traffic were sent and received on HF and VHF. Operators at WC1MA included: State RACES Officer Tom Kinahan – N1CPE, RACES Operator, Dennis Brothers – KE6DPL, Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator, Mike Neilsen – W1MPN and Eastern MA Section Manager Phil Temples – K9HI. “I heard a lot of good on-air procedure throughout the morning,” said Section Manager Temples. “This SET underlined the importance of proper radiogram procedures. Knowing how to send written messages in a timely fashion that can be copied correctly the first time is crucial. And knowing how to properly ask for “fills” is even more important. We as Amateurs do this better than any public service agency. But there’s always room for improvement.”

Both RACES and ARES enjoy a close working relationship in the Commonwealth. The leadership of RACES and ARES hold regular meetings to coordinate their activities. “As many as 20 or more individual communities across the state opened their local EOC’s and simulated a response to a winter storm,” said Tom Kinahan, N1CPE. “Even though Massachusetts has 2 ARRL Sections, communities, ARES Groups, and individual hams from both sections took part in the SKYWARN, ARES and RACES components of the drill, as though it were a single event as would happen if it were real.” Region II – MEMA with Bob Mims – WA1OEZ at the controls, operated from 09:00 until 12:00, providing a link between the communities and state headquarters. Bob operated on 40 meters, 6 meters and 2 meters, contacting Western MA, State Headquarters in Framingham and several communities involved in the exercise. He also established communications with Nantucket, Hyannis and Sandwich on Cape Cod. Western Massachusetts also participated and the Worcester Emergency Communications Team, or W.E.C.T., tried their new “Send Word Now” activation system. Dick Bedard, W1FIX, Deputy Director of Worcester Emergency Management activated the system at approximately 11:00 AM and it sent multiple notifications to most of their key personnel. They were instructed to check in with the EOC by phone or radio. Of approximately 53 names on their roster, they received 42 responses and all within minutes! “One team member, who was traveling in California”, said Mark Rubin – WB1ARZ, Worcester RACES Radio Officer, “actually called in when he received the notification… now that’s dedication!”

“During the drill, we had an actual incident activating ARES in my district,” said Rob Macedo – KD1CY. “A major gas leak occurred in Bridgewater. This caused an evacuation of a 3 to 4 block area.” Carl Aveni – N1FY, ARES Emergency Coordinator for the area, was already at the Town of Bridgewater EOC with Phil McNamara – N1XTB. A shelter was opened and another Amateur Radio Operator was sent to the shelter. The situation was monitored until roughly 2:00 PM when the Emergency Management Director for the Town of Bridgewater, released the Amateurs from the activation at the shelter and the EOC. Frank Murphy – N1DHW, Eastern Mass. Section ACC and Massachusetts SATERN Coordinator, noted that the Boston SATERN team operated two Net Control Stations at the Boston Salvation Army EOC. ARES, RACES, SATERN, Red Cross and MEMA… a fine piece of work and a tremendous showing of dedication and teamwork. The November Eastern Mass Simulated Emergency Test was a total success thanks to the many dedicated and trained Amateur Radio Communications Volunteers.

High Wind Warning for S. New England

SKYWARN Logo From Rob, KD1CY

Hello to all….

….High Wind Warning is in Effect for All of Southern New England for Today
and Tonight….
….Strong Winds to At Least Wind Advisory Criteria will continue into
Friday….
….Wind Damage in pockets is Likely Over a Wide Swath of Southern New
England. The greatest threat is over the higher elevations and coastal areas
but all areas could see potential wind damage in pockets. People Should
Prepare for Possible Power Outages especially over coastal locations and the
higher elevations….
….SKYWARN Self-Activation is Requested Beginning at 11 AM This Morning.
SKYWARN Formal Activation Could Occur anytime after Noon Today….
….ARES and RACES Groups Should Closely Monitor This Situation and consult
advice from appropriate ARES and RACES leaders. Activation Could Occur in
localized areas hit hardest by the wind damage….A High Wind Warning is in effect for today and tonight for all of Southern
New England. Winds will pick up this morning across the entire region. By
Midday, stronger winds with wind gusts up to 60 MPH will begin to impact the
region and continue through tonight. In Western New York, wind gusts to 60
MPH have already been measured and Automated Observing stations in their
region. These winds will be enough to cause wind damage and potential
infrastructure damage to trees and power lines resulting in power outages.
These winds could maintain similiar intensity or slowly die down into Friday
but at least wind advisory critieria could be met during Friday. This
prolonged and strong period of winds could cause a prolonged period of wind
damage to the region. The strong winds are being caused by a very intense
storm system combined with strong high pressure causing a very tight
pressure gradient across the area. It is also noted that a Storm Warning is
in effect for the entire Southern New England coastline.

SKYWARN Self-Activation is requested at Noon for the entire area. Ops at NWS
Taunton could occur beginning around or shortly after noon. If Ops at NWS
Taunton are not done, we will do Ops from the W1AEC, SEMARA (Southeast
Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association) station in South Dartmouth,
Massachusetts. This station will provide sufficient capability to reach much
of the same area as NWS Taunton. SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio
Operators are requested to report wind gusts of 46 MPH or greater and any
wind damage via the Amateur Radio Nets that will get active over the course
of the afternoon. It is possible that a net may not be active at first but
then activate as wind damage reports are received or specific requests have
been made to activate.

The strength of the winds plus the duration of the event has prompted
concern that enough infrastructure damage could occur to cause shelter
openings and a possible ARES/RACES response to some areas. Please monitor
guidance from RACES/EMA and ARES leadership personnel from your area in case
this occurs. In the Eastern Massachusetts section, ARES Section Emergency
Coordinator, Mike Neilsen, W1MPN, has asked all ARES personnel in Eastern
Massachusetts to be on stand-by in case enough infrastructure damage occurs
over a localized area to cause ARES Activation for shelter openings or
damage assessment from the Red Cross or RACES groups.

The next message will be posted either Thursday Night or Friday Morning
depending on the extent of the threat and the state of on-going SKYWARN
Operations. Below is the High Wind Warning and Hazardous Weather Outlook
statements:

WWUS71 KBOX 131057 CCA
NPWBOX

URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
553 AM EST THU NOV 13 2003…CORRECTION FOR TYPO

…HIGH WINDS BEGINNING AFTER SUNRISE…

AT DAYBREAK…STRONG LOW PRESSURE WAS LOCATED NEAR TORONTO…WITH ITS
TRAILING COLD FRONT MOVING THROUGH THE BERKSHIRES. THIS SHARP COLD
FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND SHORTLY AFTER
SUNRISE…WITH WINDS ABRUPTLY SHIFTING TO THE SOUTHWEST…THEN WEST
TONIGHT. IN ADDITION…WINDS WILL QUICKLY INCREASE TO 30 TO 40 MPH
AFTER THE FRONTAL PASSAGE. THE LOW PRESSURE CENTER WILL RAPIDLY
INTENSIFY TODAY…AS IT MOVES ACROSS NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND.
THUS…THE STRONGEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP AROUND MIDDAY…WITH GUSTS 50
TO 60 MPH. THESE VERY STRONG WINDS WILL CONTINUE INTO TONIGHT.

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>008-131821-
BARNSTABLE MA-BLOCK ISLAND RI-BRISTOL RI-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX COUNTY MA-
CHESHIRE NH-DUKES MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-
EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-
EASTERN KENT RI-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-HARTFORD CT-
NANTUCKET MA-NEWPORT RI-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-
NORTHWEST MIDDLESEX COUNTY MA-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-
SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-
SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-SUFFOLK MA-TOLLAND CT-
WASHINGTON RI-WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-WESTERN ESSEX MA-
WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
WESTERN KENT RI-WESTERN NORFOLK MA-WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-WINDHAM CT-
554 AM EST THU NOV 13 2003

…HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH TONIGHT…

SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 30 TO 40 MPH SHORTLY AFTER SUNRISE
ACROSS ALL OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. THE STRONGEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP
AROUND MIDDAY…WITH GUSTS OF 50 TO 60 MPH AND CONTINUING INTO
TONIGHT.

A HIGH WIND WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WINDS OF 40 MPH ARE
EXPECTED FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR, WITH GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR GREATER AT ANY
TIME. DAMAGE TO TREES, POWER LINES, AND PROPERTY ARE POSSIBLE WITH
WIND OF THIS MAGNITUDE.

THE STRONG AND GUSTY WINDS WILL MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE…
ESPECIALLY HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES SUCH AS VANS…RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
AND TRACTOR TRAILERS. BE CAREFUL WHEN DRIVING OVER BRIDGES OR
OVERPASSES.

THE STRONG WINDS MAY CAUSE POWER OUTAGES. HAVE EXTRA BATTERIES AND
FLASHLIGHTS READY IN CASE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD LOSES POWER.

STRONG WIND CAN BLOW AROUND LOOSE OBJECTS. TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO SECURE
TRASH CANS, LAWN FURNITURE, AND OTHER LOOSE OUTDOOR OBJECTS.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR FAVORITE MEDIA OUTLET FOR
THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THIS DEVELOPING WEATHER SITUATION.

$$

NOCERA

FLUS41 KBOX 131126
HWOBOX
CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>008-141000-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
625 AM EST THU NOV 13 2003

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE…
MASSACHUSETTS EAST OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY…NORTHEAST CONNECTICUT AND
RHODE ISLAND.

.DAY ONE…
A HIGH WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT THROUGH TONIGHT FOR ALL OF OUR
FORECAST AREA. REFER TO THE STATEMENT UNDER THE WMO HEADER WWUS71
NPWBOX.

SUSTAINED WINDS OF 30 TO 40 MPH WILL OCCUR BEGINNING LATE THIS
MORNING AND CONTINUING THROUGH TONIGHT. WIND GUSTS IN THE 50 TO 60
MPH RANGE ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT…ESPECIALLY IN
THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS…AND ALONG THE MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE
ISLAND COAST. THESE WINDS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BRING DOWN TREES…
BRANCHES AND POWER LINES AND CAUSE NUMEROUS POWER OUTAGES.

STORM WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF THE COASTAL WATERS…BAYS…
HARBORS…AND SOUNDS. SEAS OF 10 TO 15 FEET ARE FORECAST FOR THE
WATERS JUST OFF THE COASTLINE…OUT TO 25 NAUTICAL MILES. THIS MAY
BE DANGEROUS FOR MARINERS IN SMALLER VESSELS OR FOR THOSE WITH LESS
EXPERIENCE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…
STRONG AND POSSIBLY DAMAGING WINDS ARE STILL POSSIBLE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON…WE WILL NEED TO WAIT AND SEE IF THE WARNING WILL NEED TO
BE EXTENDED…OR IF A WIND ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED FOR FRIDAY.

OTHERWISE…NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED SATURDAY THROUGH
MONDAY. A STORM SYSTEM MAY BRING RAIN TUESDAY INTO WEDNESDAY. THIS
HAS SOME POTENTIAL TO DEVELOP INTO ANOTHER WIND EVENT IF THIS STORM
STRENGTHENS AGAIN OVER SOUTHERN QUEBEC ON WEDNESDAY.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT…
SKYWARN ACTIVATION IS REQUESTED FOR THE WIND EVENT TODAY
THROUGH TONIGHT…AND POSSIBLY INTO FRIDAY. AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS
AND OTHER SKYWARN SPOTTERS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO RELAY REPORTS TO THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OF WIND DAMAGE…INCLUDING TREES OR WIRES
DOWNED…LARGE LIMBS DOWNED…ROOF OR WINDOW DAMAGE…ETC. ALSO…
REPORT ANY SUSTAINED WINDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH OR WIND GUSTS OF 58
MPH OR MORE.

$$
GAF

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Southeast Massachusetts ARES District Emergency Coordinator
SEMARA ARES 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

Possible High Wind Mobilization

***** ARES Net Controls Requested to Place Themselves on 18 hour Standby *****
***** Shelters May Open in Response to Anticipated Utility Damage *****

New EMA ARES ARES Net Controls are requested to place themselves on 18 hour Standby. Shelters may open in response to anticipated utility damage. The mobilization would be effective at approximately 1800 tomorrow. Updates will appear first on the website, followed by email messages. If you have any questions about the mobilization and the particulars for your local area, please contact your EC and/or DEC

I am expecting heavy winds with high enough wind gusts to cause some utility damage throughout the section, requiring our networks to be brought up. Some shelters may need to be opened due to the expected cold wx with this event. Please monitor Rob, KD1CY’s messages concerning the event.

I will be working from my home during the first part of the event, moving to the SEOC if they so desire. While at my QTH, I will guard 146.64, 146.955, 53.31, and listening on 449.925 and 3943/7245 KHz. I also have Echolink capability.

I hope we escape the brunt of this, but if not, I look forward to working with all of you.
Thank you and 73,

s/Michael P. Neilsen
Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
Eastern Massachusetts
Section Emergency Coordinator

Nuclear Power Plant Talk at Massasoit ARA

MARA logoMembers of the Massassoit Amateur Radio Association heard a presentation at its October meeting by Tom Sowdon, Superintendent, Emergency Preparedness for the Entergy Nuclear Generating Company in Plymouth. Sowdon discussed the plant’s reinforced containment features and outlined the ongoing security measures at the plant that have been enhanced over the years. These include measures such as palm readers for access and expanded perimeter no-trespassing zones—especially over water.

Sowdon explained the notification procedures for the surrounding area in the event of an “Unusual Event” that could lead to a General Emergency triggering an evacuation of all the residents within a specific area around the plant. The area in question, said Sowdon, would be key-shaped and would include a larger section in the direction of the prevailing winds. Residents—including children in schools—would be sent to host facilities in Bridgewater, Taunton and Braintree.

Members of the Massasoit ARA and the Whitman ARC have volunteered to assist local emergency management agencies in the nuclear power plant evacuation plan. —Thanks, MARA News

Harvard Wireless Club, Tobin School To Sponsor a “Big Project”

HWC logoThe Harvard Wireless Club will join with a Cambridge public school in filing an application for a Stations in Schools grant under the League’s Amateur Radio Education & Technology Program (a.k.a. “Big Project”), according to Mike Manafo, K3UOC and Tim McBride, N1QZY.

“The application was authored by Dr. Peg LeGendre, Science Mentor Teacher for the Cambridge Public Schools,” said Manafo, a Harvard alum and former HWC station manager. McBride, who is HWC’s current station manager, is coordinating efforts on behalf of Harvard Wireless Club.

The application, entitled Tobin Girls Ham it Up, outlines a comprehensive amateur radio educational program involving 16 elementary level girls at Tobin School in Cambridge, according to Manafo. “As we all know, it is becoming increasingly difficult to create interest among our youth in ham radio. With computers and many competing interests for our kids’ time, radio is a tough sell these days. Dr. LeGendre has, with Tim’s able input, proposed an amateur radio program that will appeal to elementary school-age children, specifically to girls. Many of them are minority children.”

Two teachers from Tobin Elementary School attended a productive meeting at Harvard Wireless Club on November 5.

“Peg LeGendre sent the application in and has already received some good feedback from ARRL,” said McBride. “If it’s approved, the ARRL will provide the girls with a radio and teaching materials.”

While many of the HWC members have indicated their interest, McBride is looking for as many people as possible to volunteer.

Post SET Comments

Contributed by Jim, N1IV, EMa PIC

THIS IS A DRILL. This is WX1BOX… the National Weather Service in Taunton. We have a Winter Storm Warning for interior sections of Southeastern Massachusetts. A High Wind Warning is in effect for interior Southeast Massachusetts and Cape Cod and the Islands. A low-pressure system has formed over the Atlantic, 25 miles southeast of Nantucket. The system brings with it, heavy wet snow with possible accumulations of 1-2 feet in the Winter Storm Warning area. Also expect strong, damaging winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts to 60-65 MPH. The combination of strong gusty winds and heavy snow will cause power outages due to trees and power lines being knocked down. Coastal flooding is likely on all north and east facing beaches with the worst being Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and East Coastal Massachusetts. THIS IS A DRILL.”No, this wasn’t TV Weather; it was Amateur Radio operator, Rob Macedo – KD1CY, who operates the Skywarn Amateur Radio equipment at the National Weather Service’s Taunton, MA office. Rob sends the word out to and compiles data from numerous Skywarn trained Amateur Radio Operators throughout Southern New England during severe weather events. Rob is also the ARRL District Emergency Coordinator for Plymouth and Bristol Counties. This advisory was the actual opening message for the ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section’s annual Simulated Emergency Test.

The exercise, a test of ARES emergency communications capabilities and procedures, is held annually to practice and train ARES personnel. ARES Teams from many area Amateur Radio Clubs, amateur radio communications volunteers for the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Massachusetts Emergency Management RACES radio operators, all take part in the drill. As noted in the NWS Announcement, a major Nor’easter was on the way! Station WC1MA at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency in Framingham liaised with Regional MEMA headquarters across the state, and with the ARES Metro headquarters station, W1MSA, at the Salvation Army in Boston. Several dozen pieces of message traffic were sent and received on HF and VHF. Operators at WC1MA included: State RACES Officer Tom Kinahan – N1CPE, RACES Operator, Dennis Brothers – KE6DPL, Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator, Mike Neilsen – W1MPN and Eastern MA Section Manager Phil Temples – K9HI. “I heard a lot of good on-air procedure throughout the morning,” said Section Manager Temples. “This SET underlined the importance of proper radiogram procedures. Knowing how to send written messages in a timely fashion that can be copied correctly the first time is crucial. And knowing how to properly ask for “fills” is even more important. We as Amateurs do this better than any public service agency. But there’s always room for improvement.”

Both RACES and ARES enjoy a close working relationship in the Commonwealth. The leadership of RACES and ARES hold regular meetings to coordinate their activities. “As many as 20 or more individual communities across the state opened their local EOC’s and simulated a response to a winter storm,” said Tom Kinahan, N1CPE. “Even though Massachusetts has 2 ARRL Sections, communities, ARES Groups, and individual hams from both sections took part in the SKYWARN, ARES and RACES components of the drill, as though it were a single event as would happen if it were real.” Region II – MEMA with Bob Mims – WA1OEZ at the controls, operated from 09:00 until 12:00, providing a link between the communities and state headquarters. Bob operated on 40 meters, 6 meters and 2 meters, contacting Western MA, State Headquarters in Framingham and several communities involved in the exercise. He also established communications with Nantucket, Hyannis and Sandwich on Cape Cod. Western Massachusetts also participated and the Worcester Emergency Communications Team, or W.E.C.T., tried their new “Send Word Now” activation system.

Dick Bedard, W1FIX, Deputy Director of Worcester Emergency Management activated the system at approximately 11:00 AM and it sent multiple notifications to most of their key personnel. They were instructed to check in with the EOC by phone or radio. Of approximately 53 names on their roster, they received 42 responses and all within minutes! “One team member, who was traveling in California”, said Mark Rubin – WB1ARZ, Worcester RACES Radio Officer, “actually called in when he received the notification… now that’s dedication!”

“During the drill, we had an actual incident activating ARES in my district,” said Rob Macedo – KD1CY. “A major gas leak occurred in Bridgewater. This caused an evacuation of a 3 to 4 block area.” Carl Aveni – N1FY, ARES Emergency Coordinator for the area, was already at the Town of Bridgewater EOC with Phil McNamara – N1XTB. A shelter was opened and another Amateur Radio Operator was sent to the shelter. The situation was monitored until roughly 2:00 PM when the Emergency Management Director for the Town of Bridgewater, released the Amateurs from the activation at the shelter and the EOC. Frank Murphy – N1DHW, Eastern Mass. Section ACC and Massachusetts SATERN Coordinator, noted that the Boston SATERN team operated two Net Control Stations at the Boston Salvation Army EOC. ARES, RACES, SATERN, Red Cross and MEMA… a fine piece of work and a tremendous showing of dedication and teamwork. The November Eastern Mass Simulated Emergency Test was a total success thanks to the many dedicated and trained Amateur Radio Communications Volunteers.

“Simulated” or “Real” Emergency Test?

EMA ARES logo
As our Fall Simulated Emergency Test was in full swing, a message came across 7245 Mhz, “This is not a drill – I repeat, this is not a drill”, the message said. “There is a major natural gas leak in the Town of Bridgewater and people are being evacuated as we speak”! The leak caused the evacuation of a 3 to 4 block area. Carl Aveni-N1FY, ARES Emergency Coordinator for the area, was already at the Town of Bridgewater EOC with N1XTB-Phil McNamara.There were also several other Amateurs from Carl’s team available and ready to assist. The Sturdy Hospital ARC and SEMARA ARES teams were placed on stand-by status to provide additional Amateur Radio Operators to assist if necessary. Word was passed as a priority message via the HF 40 Meter Net on 7245 KHz to MEMA Framingham to both Massachusetts State RACES Radio Officer Tom Kinahan-N1CPE and Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator Mike Neilsen-W1MPN. A shelter was opened and an Amateur Radio Operator was sent to the shelter. The shelter did not get any people as most of the people who were evacuated went to friends or other family members homes. The situation was monitored until roughly 2:00 PM when the Emergency Management Director for the town of Bridgewater released the Amateurs from the activation at the shelter and EOC.

Look for a story on the actual S.E.T. exercise, later in the week.

N1IV – EMA PIC

Frequency updates

Please change 147.05 to 147.405 in RACES/ARES/SKYWARN simplex frequency listing.

The following are updates to the 2003 SET frequency plans found in the main SET announcement below:

Middlesex District:

146.955/74.4 Pri
147.270/146.2 Sec
146.640 Liaison

53.31/71.9

3943, 3937, 7232, 7275

Stow and Westford EOCs will use VHF as listed plus any local freqs as needed

Cape Cod and Islands:

CCARES Guard Frequencies

Exercise Wrap-Up activities

From KD1CY…
Hello to all…

In addition to narrative reports or other report forms that are utilized for
after action reports in the drill, we should utilize the following SET forms
as attached in this email. I attached the two files but they are simply the
same form just in different formats. We can have EC’s, where possible, fill
out the information and if there aren’t EC’s available to fill out the info,
the DEC’s can do it. With these forms, all the data can be tabulated to come
up with district and then a section total for points and record keeping and
then Mike can send it to the ARRL. This should ease the burden on Mike and
if we can push it down to our EC’s, it eases the burden on all of us.Instead of sending this directly to “the first of the first responders” at
ARRL HQ in Newington, CT as instructed in the form, we should request the
EC’s to send the reports to the DEC’s and then we can give them or send them
to Mike to be sent to the ARRL. This way we follow “incident command” as
Mark would like to see.

This is NOT a replacement for our other more meaningful forms and narrartive
reports. Its just a way to record the needed info for ARRL HQ and make Mike
look awesome to our “superiors” or “the first responders”. 😉

Let me know if anyone has any questions. Thanks!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Southeast Massachusetts ARES District Emergency Coordinator
SEMARA ARES 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

Simulated Emergency Test to Receive PR on WBZ Radio

wbz logoMark Duff, KB1EKN writes:

“Thanks to the efforts of the Eastern Mass Public Relations Section Staff, tomorrow’s (11/8/03) Simulated Emergency Test will be mentioned on WBZ Radio. Yours truly was interviewed today over the telephone for a news release to be aired tomorrow morning. While you are sitting at home reporting the snow totals, you may also want to tune in 1030 AM [that’s frequency, not time] and enjoy the show.”

Mark J. Duff/KB1EKN
Metro-Boston DEC

Thanks to Bill McIninch – KA1MOM, ARRL Metro Boston PIO, for his work in making this interview happen. …N1IV

Falmouth Hams Use High Tech Devices to Track Runners

Falmouth ARA logo
Contact: Henry Brown, K1WCC , Publicist 508-274-5644
Falmouth Amateur Radio Association

FALMOUTH HAMS USE HIGH TECH DEVICES TO TRACK RUNNERS

Members of the Falmouth Amateur Radio Association combined GPS (Global Positioning System), ham radio and a laptop computer to track the location of the “tired runner” vans during the recent Cape Cod Marathon in Falmouth.

The system, called Automated Position Reporting System or APRS, was developed by a Maryland ham for automated weather and vehicle tracking by amateur radio operators.
Falmouth club members installed the operation in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Falmouth Fire and Rescue headquarters on Main St. Each tired runner van had an amateur operator on board as well as a VHF radio and GPS receiver. The VHF radio broadcast the van’s GPS position via the club’s repeater at Falmouth Hospital to the computer at the EOC. A large map of Falmouth was projected on a wall screen by the computer, with the location of each van indicated on the map within a few feet of its actual position. Knowing the exact location of the vans enabled radio operators at the EOC to more efficiently dispatch the vans to the nearest tired or injured runner. The system updated the van position every 30 seconds.

In addition to the vans, a club member roamed the race course in his own vehicle, also equipped with a GPS/radio combination.

Active during the race were 6 club members at the EOC and 26 more on the race course and at medical facilities as primary communications providers for event. The emergency amateur station at the Falmouth Hospital Emergency room was also activated.

The Falmouth Club decided to invest in the APRS equipment to enhance their capabilities during emergencies and special events such as the Cape Cod Marathon and the Falmouth Road Race. The actual APRS hardware in each van is extremely compact and unobtrusive.

The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association has long been primary communications provider for the Cape Cod Marathon, and also assists at the Falmouth Road Race, special events on Cape Cod and works with Falmouth Emergency Management during emergencies.

Anyone interested in learning more about amateur radio and its role in Falmouth is invited to attend the monthly club meetings held in the basement of Town Hall on the last Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM. FARA is one of the largest amateur radio clubs in New England, with over 200 members.

W1S Special Event Station!

Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC logoThe Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC will operate Special Event Station “W1S” from 00:00Z November 19 until 23:59Z November 23. They will be operating from the W1SMH Club Radio Room at Sturdy Memorial Hospital to celebrate their 25th Anniversary as an Amateur Radio Club. Approximate frequencies are 28.350, 21.400, 14.300, 14.050 and 7.250… these will probably vary. A nice Certificate will be available to anyone working the Station. Please send S.A.S.E. (9″x12″) and QSO info to our W1SMH Callbook address. More info is available on the club’s web site at www.w1smh.com