Volunteers Sought for Baystate Marathon, Sunday October 21, 2018

Terry Stader, KA8SCP, writes on the PART of Westford listserv:

The Lowell CERT Communications Team has been asked to support once again the Baystate Marathon and Half Marathon. This year the event is on Sunday, October 21th. Our operational time period is from approximately 0700 until event completion (estimated 1400). Our assistance has been requested by Lowell Office of Emergency Management and Lowell Fire Department. The communications team will be employing Amateur Radio to provide this communications asset. Amateur Radio will be used for two functions:

  • Medical operations: the purpose of this net is to provide a communications link for medical requests/status to the incident command post.
  • Accountability net: the purpose of this net is to coordinate with a race public information booth the status of runners who are unable to complete the race for any issue to any one is seeking this information.

Race info may be found at http://baystatemarathon.com.

Please contact me if you are able to assist or would like more information.

Please share this request with your local clubs. This is a pretty laid back event and suitable for first time public event participation.

Jimmy Fund Walk, BAA Half Marathon Public Service Events

Brett Smith, AB1RL, Boston ARC Public Service Coordinator, writes:

We have two public service events lined up this fall, and you can sign up for both right now.

The first is the Jimmy Fund Walk on Sunday, September 23. This is the Jimmy Fund’s annual fundraising walk along the Boston Marathon route. There are positions available to work with a medical team at each rest stop along the route, so there’s a variety of locations and volunteer times available. To sign up, just e-mail me back to let me know, and I’ll add you to our roster. Let me know if you have any scheduling requirements or location requests—I can’t accommodate everyone but I’ll do my best.

The second is the BAA Half Marathon on Sunday, October 7. As usual for BAA events, we’ll work with medical teams at different points along the route to provide them with any necessary communication, including EMS dispatch requests if necessary. Volunteer registration for this event is on the BAA’s web site. Please register by September 12.

If you aren’t able to join us, you can still help out by spreading the word about these events. Both can use volunteers of any experience level. Feel free to share this email with your friends or clubs.

If you have questions about either event, please don’t hesitate to ask.

 

Marlborough Household Hazardous Waste Day, September 29, 2018

Eric Williams, KV1J, Marlborough EMA Communications Officer writes in the Algonquin ARC QRZ newsletter:

Please join us as we support the biannual joint Hudson-Marlborough Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on September 29th .

Our support is a combined effort by our Algonquin Amateur Radio Club and the Marlborough Emergency Management Team. Using our radio communications skills, we manage the traffic flow and validate residency for the approximately 400 cars that come to the event. We use both our N1EM repeater and the Emergency Management’s UHF radios.

We setup at 8 AM and the event runs from 9 AM to 1 PM. The event is next to the Marlborough Resident Drop­-Off Facility, located at 860 Boston Post Road East in Marlborough, behind the Half Way Café near Home Depot. I will send out an email reminder before the event. Event Flyer from the Marlborough City web: https://www.marlborough­ma.gov/sites/marlboroughma/files/uploads/household_hazardous_waste_fall_2018.pdf.

Boston Marathon Article Featured in September QST

September 2018 QSTThe September, 2018 issue of QST features a full-length article entitled “Public Service in Action at the Boston Marathon.” Authored by Assistant Editor Caroline Kenney, the story describes Amateur Radio communications at one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting events:

“There are radio operating teams in all aspects of the complex system surrounding the starting line… transport and parking, aiding elite or disabled runners, attending to the volunteer core of 1,000 people, and working the information booths. “

Mark Richards, K1MGY, and Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY, are quoted in the article. 

The September edition of Digital QST is available at http://www.arrl.org/news/the-september-edition-of-digital-qst-is-now-available-1.

WQ1O and Cape Cod ARES Receives Certificate of Recognition From Barnstable County Commissioners

Certificate of Recognition awarded to WQ1O on August 1, 2018Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, and the Cape Cod ARES team  received high praise from the Barnstable County Commissioners for his hard work during the intense storms that impacted the Cape in March.

The ARRL Cape Cod and Islands ARES District Emergency Coordinator and the Cape Cod ARES team were awarded a Certificate of Recognition from Commissioners Ronald Beaty, Mary Pat Flynn, and Leo Cakounes at a Regional Emergency Planning Committee Meeting on August 1, 2018.

“I want to give thanks to all and especially to my crew who worked hard and long hours last winter during storm operations. Our group devoted several hundred person-hours to the operations,” writes WQ1O. “As Cape and Islands ARES insists on self sufficiency, our volunteers are self-equipped regardless if there is equipment on scene. This helps guarantee redundancy.”

 

Marlborough Labor Day Parade, September 3, 2018

AARC logoThe Algonquin Amateur Radio Association is looking for volunteers to assist in the Marlborough Labor Day parade on September 3. The parade is one of the club’s highest profile public service events. 

According to AARC’s Ed Fitzgerald, K1DIN, “The early recruiting for this year’s parade and the great response may give us the opportunity to try some operational upgrades. Each year that we’ve filled our roster, we have made some changes which seem to have worked well.”

Jim Babish, K1UUM, has agreed to assist Ed as his assistant team organizer “so that he might learn all the steps to getting the parade team ready.” Says K1DIN: “Of similar importance, we need to continually ‘deepen our bench’ so that in years when some of our volunteers have other commitments for parade day, we still can have complete coverage… We have a few experienced volunteers who have been able to fill in for folks who have last minute emergencies, for which I will be forever grateful.”

Those wishing to volunteer should contact K1DIN at: edfitz1@earthlink.net.

Request For Operators: YuKanRun Triple Threat Half Marathon and 5K, August 5, 2018

 

Chris Winczewski, K1TAT writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Triple Threat Half Marathon and 5K on Sunday, August 5, 2018. Please be on location by 8:00; starts at Rockport High School, 24 Jerdens Lane, Rockport, MA 01966.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by August 3rd so I can plan staffing positions for the event.

While CAARA’s repeater performance has greatly improved with the replacement of our new antennas, the northern regions of this course may still experience some difficulty with communications especially with low-powered HTs, so we’ll be looking for higher powered equipment to staff those areas.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use (ie: 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.

The course will be open and supported by CAARA for four hours. Runner safety is everyone’s top priority. 

Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Chris K1TAT

Triple Threat Communications Team.

Rockport, Ma

Last Updated: 7/22//2018 06:00pm

Event date: August 5, 2018

On Location: 8:00 am All Check Points Are For The Half And 5K

Starts: 5K Run = 8 am Half Marathon Run = 9 am

Frq: W1GLO Repeater 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up:Simplex 146.565

Volunteers Needed For Falmouth Road Race, August 19, 2018

Falmouth Amateur Radio AssociationBarry Hutchinson, KB1TLR writes on the Falmouth ARA Facebook page:

Good day to all hope everyone is enjoying this cooler weather.

I need your help. Aug. 19th is the Falmouth Road Race and I’m short several key operators.

I need two for the info booth, at least one who lives in Falmouth and is familiar with the area. I need an alternate at net control to help Joan & Shelly. I would also like to see a couple of Falmouth area residents sign up as standby in case something comes up and someone cannot make it. 

This is one of the events that puts FARA in a favorable public eye. Can any of you help? QRZ for my e-mail or private message me, thank you. 

Urgent Request: YuKanRun Parker River Half Marathon, Byfield, July 8, 2018

Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT writes:

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Parker River Half Marathon on Sunday July 8, 2018 , 8:00 am  We have three volunteers and we need more! Be on location by 7:30 am, Triton High School 112 Elm Street Byfield, MA.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by  the 6th of July. so I can plan staffing positions for the event.  

Request For Operators: Norwood Fourth of July Parade

Norwood ARCBarry Devine, K1BFD writes on the Norwood ARC mailing list:

Our next support event is the July 4th Parade (hot event) in Norwood. Lou, me, Keith, Jeff, and Chris  are already on board for this event. However, we could still use a few more hands.

This event is a joint effort with Commonwealth REACT and is critical to the town of Norwood. Basically, we are responsible for staging and dispatching the parade acts from the staging point in South Norwood. We also staff the reviewing stand at the Norwood Commons, and provide forward spotters to identify the acts before they arrive at the reviewing stand. This information is passed on to the PA and cable TV announcers.

The majority of our support is needed in South Norwood. However, we can still use another body or two for the reviewing stand. If you are available and have a couple of hours to help us out, let me know by e-mail (barry@barryfdevine.org) or phone (781 591 2331).

Thank you for your support.

Request for Operators: YuKanRun Parker River Half Marathon, Byfield, July 8, 2018

Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT writes:

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Parker River Half Marathon on Sunday July 8, 2018 , 8:00 am be on Location by 7:30 at Triton High School, 112 Elm Street, Byfield, MA.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by  the 6th of July 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.

The course will be open and supported by CAARA for four hours. Runner safety is everyone’s top priority. Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help ensure everyone enjoys the day and remains safe.

Parker River Communications Team

Byfield, MA

Last Updated: 6/28//2018 10:00pm
Event date: July 8, 2018
On Location: 7:30 am
Starts: Half Marathon Run = 8:00 am
Freq: K1KKM West Newbury 146.625 PL:131.8 Back up: Simplex 146.565

North Attleboro Kid’s Day, Volunteers Requested, June 19-22, 2018

Ray Cord, K2TGX writes on the Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC mailing list:

After a very successful Norton Founders Day it is now on to the next Large Scale Public Event. North Attleborough Kids Day Thursday June 19th through Sunday June 22nd. While all the details are in Scott Bumpus’s email below,  it is important to note a few things:

1- It is a four day event

2- Hours of Operation are 11AM to 11PM Thursday-Saturday and 11AM to 6PM on Sunday.

3- There is a 5K Road Race on Sunday morning at 8AM-

4- EMA-CERT-MRC-HAM Volunteers have been asked to support Parking Lot operations.

5- There will Fireworks both Friday and Saturday

6- Meal Tickets will be available for Volunteers 

While we would love to have everyone volunteer to work the entire 12 hour shift Thursday through Sunday, we recognize that is both unrealistic and unhealthy. Past history has shown that the first hour and the last  hour each day is the slowest. Friday Saturday nights are the busiest because of the Fireworks at 9:15 PM. Having said that, we would like to have each Team pick a Day and a Time slot or more for their Team. If that is not practical because of work schedules,  then individuals can fill in as they see fit. We are looking at possible 12 Noon to 5:30 and 5:00PM to 10:30PM Schedules each of the days. The 8AM 5K Road race is only an hour or so on Sunday and should be easy to fill.

If you know of other Teams that did not get this email or an earlier one from MEMA please forward it to them.

Please do your best to help fill these hours. It is Fund raising  Event that helps the N.A. Firefighters Association support programs for needy children during the course of the year.

If you wish to help out for one shift or more (or even a partial shift) please send an email to scott.bumpus@nafirefighterskidsday.org with your schedule. Also please put me on copy so I can develop a Roster of Volunteers.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. There will be more info forth coming as we get closer.

Request For Operators, YMCA St. Peter’s Fiesta 5K Run, Gloucester, June 28, 2018

Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:

We are looking for operators to staff the YMCA St Peter’s Fiesta 5K Run on Thursday, June 28 2018, 6:30pm be on location by 6:00pm Gloucester.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by Thursday, May10th so I can plan staffing positions for the event.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use. We need 50 watt mobile units (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.

St Peter’s Fiesta 5K Run Communications Team
Gloucester, Mass
Last Updated: 6/18//2018 10:00pm
Event date: June 28, 2018
On Location: 600:pm
Starts: 5K Run = 6:30 pm
Freq: W1GLO 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up: Simplex 146.565

Request for Operators: YMCA Father’s Day 5k and 10k, Rockport, June 17, 2018

Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:
 
The YMCA Father’s Day 5K & 10K will be ran as one event,  one net control and we have two lead vehicles. Check points 1. 5 and 6 are both 5k and 10k check points in case there is limited staff. and it is less confusing with one net control. We tried this last year on the 5k and 10k event and it worked well 

 

ROCKPORT FATHER’S DAY 5K ROAD RACE COURSE DIRECTIONS

Start: From Ramsden Way (Access Road at school) right onto Jerden’s Lane

From Jerden’s Lane turn right onto South Street

From South Street turn left onto Marmion Way

Stay on Marmion Way turning right onto Old Garden Road

(Water Stop at Old Garden Beach)

Stay on Old Garden Road turning left onto Norwood Avenue

Take next right onto Atlantic Avenue

From Atlantic Avenue turn left onto Mount Pleasant Street (which turns into South Street)

From South Street take right onto Jerden’s Lane turning left onto Ramsden Way to the finish.

ROCKPORT FATHER’S DAY 10K ROAD RACE COURSE DIRECTIONS

Start: Jerden’s Lane (stone wall at top of street)

From Jerden’s Lane turn right onto South Street

Stay on South Street until the South Street/Thatcher Road fork

Take left to stay on South Street take left onto Penzance Road

(Water Stop at Pebble Beach on Penzance Road)

Stay on Penzance Road turning right onto Eden Road

(Water Stop right before South Street turn)

From Eden Road right onto South Street

From South Street turn right onto Marmion Way

Stay on Marmion Way turning right onto Old Garden Road

(Water Stop at Old Garden Beach)

Stay on Old Garden Road turning left onto Norwood Avenue

Take next right onto Atlantic Avenue

From Atlantic Avenue turn left onto Mount Pleasant Street (which turns into South Street)

From South Street take right onto Jerden’s Lane turning left onto Ramsden Way to the finish

YMCA Fathers Day Communications Team
Rockport, Mass
Last Updated: 6/8//2018 5:00pm
Event date: 6/17/2018
On Location: 8:30 am
Starts: 5K Run = 9 am Half Marathon Run = 10 am
Freq: W1GLO 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up: Simplex 146.565 MHz

ARRL to Sponsor the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season Webinar, June 11, 2018

Rob Macedo, KD1CY writes on SKYWARN_Announce:
 
The ARRL will be sponsoring the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season Webinar on Monday 6/11/18 at 800 PM EDT. Details on how to register for this very interesting webinar can be seen at the following link:
 
 

The webinar will go through an overview of the historic 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season, lessons learned from the season, key Amateur Radio group’s preparedness for the new season and how Amateur Radio operators and SKYWARN spotters can become involved. These Amateur Radio Groups include, WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, which is now in its 37th year of service, the Hurricane Watch Net, the VoIP Hurricane Net, SATERN (the Salvation Army Team Emergency Response Network) and the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Also, an Amateur Radio operator who is the Warning Preparedness Meteorologist at the Canadian Hurricane Centre will be giving the meteorological overview of the 2018 season.

We hope many folks can join the 2018 ARRL Hurricane Webinar!

Volunteers Sought for YuKanRun Twin Lobster Half Marathon, June 3, 2018

Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Twin Lobster Half Marathon at Gloucester High School on Sunday, June 3 2018, Th event begins at 8:30 AM; be on Location by 8:00  AM.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by Thursday, May 30th so I can plan staffing positions for the event.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use. We need 50 watt mobile units. (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.

The course will be open and supported for four hours. Runner safety is everyone’s top priority. Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help ensure everyone enjoys the day and remains safe.

YuKanRun has a one-mile warm up race at 8:00 that we will not be covering so if you see runners out you are not late. they have a short warm up for the Twin Lobster.

I will not be able To make this e doing the Emailing and setup but will not be able to make it on race day. We Will need net control for the Twin Lobster I will be out of the city that Weekend.

Chris, K1TAT

“Groton Road Race–Wet But Successful”

Continuing this year’s pattern of rainy foot races, Sunday April 29 challenged the 27th running of the Groton Road Race with threats of rain. That did not seem to affect participation much, however. Perhaps the runners were basking in the relative warmth compared to Marathon Monday.

The Groton Road Race is hosted by the Squannacook River Runners. NVARC has been providing radio communications for this event since its second year; this is our 26th “run”. The race committee and the Groton Police Department consider Amateur Radio to be a vital component of this event. This year thirty-six Amateur Radio operators turned out to provide the event communications. [Many police departments participate and they don’t all use common frequencies, so we’re the “glue” that holds the race together. Ed.] 

A change introduced this year seems to have been met with appreciation. The race committee moved the start times of the 5k and 10k races 90 minutes earlier. According to Race Director Ryan McMeniman this was done to avoid interfering with kids’ afternoon activities. At least one of our radio operators confirmed that as soon as we were secured from race duty he was off to a soccer game. Groton Police Deputy Chief Jim Cullen noted also that as several main roads through town are closed for the race the earlier timing was also a plus. 

If you missed us this year, please consider joining the radio team in 2019. We’ve always had a rewarding time regardless of the weather. Mark April 2019 on your calendars. In recent years the Groton Road Race has been on the last Sunday of April. We’ll await word on the exact date of next year’s Race.

The Squannacook River Runners and the Groton Police Department thank everyone who volunteered: AB1CV, AB1PM, AB1WQ, K1JHC, K1JKR, K1NKR, K1RAU, K1YTS, K9AEN, KB1HFT, KB1KTP, KB1LRL, KB1NMJ, KB5JR, KC1EIV, KC1IGD, KD1LE, KD1SM, KK1X, KW2T, KX1M, N1ALO, N1HTS, N1ICB, N1KLK, N1MOR, N1QDZ, N1RKO, N1SPA, N1YFK, N8VIM, NA1T, NF1A, NW1U, W0TJP, WA1VVT, and WY1X.

Ralph, KD1SM, from the Nashoba Valley ARC’s Signal, May 2018

Volunteers Requested for C.A.T.S. Dogtown Trail Run, May 20, 2018

The Cape Ann ARA is requesting hams to assist with staffing for the Cape Ann Trail Stewards Dogtown Trail Run on Sunday, May 20, 2018. 

“Please let us know if you can staff a communications checkpoint for the event by Thursday, May 17 so we can plan staffing positions.  I will supply you with an information packet by email on Friday morning.  Accessing checkpoint locations may require up to a mile of walking over varying terrain and are not accessible by vehicles,” writes Chris Winczewski, K1TAT.

“I have made up .KMZ files (Google Earth) of pertinent positions and access trails.  These can be accessed on most modern GPS plotters and Smart-phones to guide you to the check-points.  I will also provide paper maps and directions in the information for each check-point in the information packets which you can print out.

“Radio operations will be on the Gloucester 443.700 MHz repeater (+ Shift, PL 107.2).  Note the new PL tone on this repeater.  Please let us know if you need help programming the repeater information into your radios.

“This event starts at the Dogtown Road parking lot off of Cherry Street at 09:00 and runs through trails in the heart of historical Cape Ann.  There will be a support meet-up at the Dogtown Road parking lot at 07:00.  There you will be teamed up with medical first responders and other event staff to man your checkpoint.  Checkpoint operators will proceed to their stations after the meeting.  The run will start at 09:00 and support cut-off time will be about  four hours.

“Radio propagation to the [Cape Ann ARA 440 MHz] repeater tested good along the entire route of the run.  Accessing the checkpoint locations will require some physical effort, mainly the ability to hike over varying terrain for upwards of a mile and back. Make sure to bring hydration, wear loose clothing and good hiking shoes.”

“Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use (i.e.; HT; OEM rubber duck; 440 MHz capability, etc.) so we have a better idea of where to locate you along the event course per the potential of your equipment.  Also please provide me with your cell-phone number for reference.  This may present a good opportunity to test your go-kit plan.”