Public Service

Amateur radio public service events

Public Service

Volunteer Registration for 2019 BAA Marathon Now Open

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

On behalf of the BAA Amateur Radio Communications Committee, we want to wish you a Happy New Year. It’s hard to believe that 2018 has come to a close and we are heading into 2019, and with the new year also comes the 123rd running of the Boston Marathon. 

Today, January 3rd, 2019, volunteer registration will open for the marathon which is taking place this year on Monday, April 15, 2019. The sign-up process will be the same as last year and will provide you with a direct link once registration is open. Please be on the lookout for an email from the BAA, and we will also be asking for everybody’s assistance in getting the word out about volunteering to help with recruitment.

If you have any questions about the upcoming volunteer registration period, or the 2019 Marathon generally, please get in touch anytime. Volunteering at the Marathon is a big job, and we appreciate the time and effort everyone puts into it. We’re happy to do what we can to make your work more comfortable or effective.

We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Thank you, and 73,

Matthew Forman, K6MCF
for the Boston Marathon Communications Committee
contact@hamradioboston.org

Emergency Communications / Operating / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net – Saturday January 5th, 2019 at 1000 AM

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Good Morning Everyone,

Net Control for the January 5, 2019 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be W1SSH the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club. The net will commence at the usual time of 10:00 AM using the following repeaters in the order listed.

1. Plymouth 146.685 Tone 131.8
2. Boston 145.230 Tone Encode 88.5 Tone Decode 100.0
3. Norwood 147.210 Tone 100.0
4. Simplex 147.42

The Net will then return to the Plymouth Repeater for final comments and Net closing.

NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check in procedure which is: Here is.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.

We extend an invitation to any health care facility or EOC of any city or town that is served by one of the participating hospitals to join the Net. We also extend an invitation to any RACES or ARES member to check in during the NET.

Any hospital wishing to join the net that needs assistance with equipment or personnel should contact us at ssharc@gmail.com. We can assist you with getting your location on the air.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested please let us know. Our goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct the monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event. The following list of repeaters are available for our use. Only a few systems are used each month with the selection of those used made by Net Control for that month. More systems are being added to the list on a regular basis.

REMINDER: The BARC Repeater is now using split tone. Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0

Repeaters
Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)
Belmont 145.430 tone 146.2
Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0
Fall River 146.805. tone 67.0
Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9
Mansfield EMA 446.925 tone 100.0
Mansfield 147.015 tone 67.0
Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0
Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
Plymouth 146.685 tone 131.8
Salem 146.88 tone 118.8
Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
W. Bridgewater 146.775 DCS 244
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

We look forward to hearing you all on the Net.

Respectfully,

John Barbuto

KS1Q

—
—
South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club – W1SSH
55 Fogg Road, Box 42
South Weymouth, MA 02190

Public Service

SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) 2018 Friday Evening 11/30/18 at 7 PM Through Saturday 12/1/18 at 7 PM

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
SKYWARN logo

Rob Macedo, KD1CY writes on wx1box.org:

The following is a special announcement on SKYWARN Recognition Day 2018. This announcement will be updated either Thursday Evening 11/29/18 or Friday Morning 11/30/18.

**We hope all SKYWARN Spotters and Amateur Radio Operators had a very Happy Thanksgiving. On behalf of the NWS Boston/Norton forecasters and the entire WX1BOX Amateur Radio Team, we are fortunate to have such a strong and vibrant program with the support of all of you in the field and we appreciate another tremendous of year of service in weather spotting for the community. Thanks for all you do for us and the community!**
**Below is the annual Special Announcement on SKYWARN Recognition Day 2018.**

Announcement text is listed below:

The National Weather Service in Boston/Norton Amateur Radio Station, WX1BOX, will once again be active for SKYWARN Recognition Day 2018. In addition, for the twelfth straight year, the National Weather Service Gray, Maine Office will also be active under call-sign, WX1GYX. The Boston Amateur Radio Club will also be active as they have been over the past several years at the Blue Hill Observatory under call-sign WX1BHO from 9 AM-3 PM Saturday December 1st, 2018.

This will be the 20th year of SKYWARN Recognition Day and its anticipated that 80-100 NWS Forecast Offices will be participating once again this year. A Web link to information on SKYWARN Recognition Day can be seen at the following link: http://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition

WX1BOX will be monitoring the *NEW-ENG3* conference node 9123/IRLP 9123 system throughout the SRD event from 7 PM-12 AM Friday Evening 11/30/18 and from 7 AM-7 PM Saturday 12/1/18. Our HF station will be active on the various HF bands during the same time period. What bands/modes we operate on will be dependent on propagation and operator availability. We will attempt to announce the different HF frequencies will be on via our Facebook and Twitter feeds as well as on the DX Spotter/cluster system dxsummit.fi for people that wish to contact us on HF.

The following is a schedule of repeaters that will be utilized along with simplex being utilized during certain timeframes on Friday Evening 7 PM-12 AM and Saturday 7 AM-7 PM at WX1BOX. We hope Amateurs will utilize this schedule and try and work WX1BOX during these various timeframes. If you don’t hear NWS, feel free to call for WX1BOX and if the office is monitoring, a response will be given. When you make contact, give your current sky condition and temperature as required. Below is the tentative schedule of operations:

Friday November 30th, 2018:
7:00-7:30 PM: 146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8 Hz)
7:30-8:00 PM: 147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
8:00-8:30 PM: 147.000-Dartmouth Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
8:30-9:00 PM: 146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4 Hz)
9:00-9:30 PM: 146.790-Vernon, CT Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz) (linked via IRLP.)
9:30-10:00 PM: 147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz) (likely linked via Echolink)
10:00-10:30 PM: KA1RCI Repeater System (Primary) 146.760-Scituate, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz) (Alternate)
10:30-11:00 PM: 145.470-Danvers, MA Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
11:00-11:30 PM: 146.955-Barnstable, MA Repeater PL: 88.5 or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater PL: 110.9
11:30 PM-12:00 AM: 146.640-Waltham Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)

**Will Attempt to monitor both the New England Network and the *WX-TALK*/IRLP Reflector 9219 systems during this entire timeframe.
**It is possible we may switch off to different repeaters or simplex during time slots if we run out of contacts.

Saturday December 1st, 2018:
7:00-8:30 AM: 146.595 Simplex
8:30-9:00 AM: Litchfield County Linked System via KB1AEV repeater system
9:00-9:30 AM: 145.230-Boston Repeater (PL: 88.5 Hz)
9:30-10:00 AM: 146.640-Waltham Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
10:00-11:00 AM: NWS Boston/Norton will participate in the Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net
11:00-11:30 AM: 146.895-Walpole Repeater (PL: 123.0 Hz)
11:30-12:00 PM: 147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz)
12:00-12:30 PM: 145.470-Danvers Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
12:30-100 PM: 146.790-Vernon, CT Repeater (Linked via IRLP.)
1:00-1:30 PM: 146.595 Simplex
1:30-2:00 PM: 145.37-Gardner/145.45-Fitchburg/147.39 Repeaters via IRLP 9122
2:00-2:30 PM: 146.685-Plymouth Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz)
2:30-3:00 PM: KA1RCI Repeater System or 146.760-Scituate RI Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
3:00-3:30 PM: 146.955-Barnstable (PL: 88.5 Hz) or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater (PL: 110.9 Hz)
3:30-4:00 PM: 146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4 Hz)
4:00-4:30 PM: 146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8 Hz)
4:30-5:00 PM: 145.370-Coventry, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
5:00-5:30 PM: 146.760-Scituate, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
5:30-6:00 PM: 147.000-Dartmouth Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
6:00-6:30 PM: 147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
6:30-7:00 PM: 147.225-Whitman Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)

**Will Attempt to monitor both the New England Network and the *WX-TALK*/IRLP Reflector 9219 systems during this entire timeframe.
**It is possible we may switch off to different repeaters or simplex during time slots if we run out of contacts.

For this year, we will not actively rove 6m repeaters. We may check-in periodically on the 53.31-Mount Wachusett Repeater and the 53.17 Portsmouth, RI KA1RCI Repeater systems.

The following is information on EchoLink/IRLP operations during SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX_TALK* Echolink Conference node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system. Further updates to follow as we get closer to the event. See the list of NWS offices below:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: Open
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0200-0300: WX4MLB (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0300-0400: WX1BOX (Time slot from last year)
0400-0500: WX9GRB (Time slot from last year)
0500-0600: WX9LOT (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Confirmed time slot for this year)
0700-0800: Open
0800-0900: Open
0900-1000: Open
1000-1100: Open
1100-1200: Open
1200-1300: W7NWS (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1300-1400: WX2PHI (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1400-1500: WX1AW (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Time slot from last year)
1600-1700: WX4NC (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1700-1800: WX2PHI (Confirmed time slot for this year)
1800-1900: Open
1900-2000: K0MPX (Confirmed time slot for this year)
2000-2100: WX4MLB (Confirmed time slot for this year)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Confirmed time slot for this year)
2300-2400: WX6NWS (Confirmed time slot for this year)

Also, for 2018, we will have the ability to link up DSTAR/DMR systems into the network. The details on this will be posted in the next update.

There will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by the NWS Boston/Norton, Mass. and NWS Gray, Maine offices from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG3* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices. This is a great place to move off the *WX_TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 system after your scheduled time if other Amateurs or NWS offices whish to make contact with you.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years and have multiple reflector channels and Echolink conferences available. There is reflector 9250/Echolink Conference *HI-GATE* node: 357564, IRLP 9251 and the *WORLD* Echolink Conference node: 479886, IRLP 9257/*DCF-ARC* Echolink Conference node: 336037 and IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 152566 open for NWS offices. Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western Reflector.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG3* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system. The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for their support!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box

Emergency Communications / Public Service

October 2018 – Eastern Massachusetts Section ARES Report

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

The following is the Eastern Massachusetts Section ARES Report for October 2018 highlighting the number of community or public service events, regular ARES nets (under training and exercises) and SKYWARN Activations completed in the section in the past month. The report can be seen here:

https://ema.arrl.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ARES-Monthly-Section-Emergency-Coordinators-Report_ARES-004_KD1CY_October_2018.pdf

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box


Public Service

Request For Operators YuKanRun Happy Holidays Half MerryThon, Gloucester, December 2, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA list:

CAARA has a great public service team. Come out and have some fun with us.

You are using amateur radio to provide a needed public service to ensure the safety and smooth running of a public event in local communities.

I would, but I do not have a radio. No excuse, we have loaner radio’s available with a mag mount that will work in your car just by just plugging it into the cigarette lighter socket. We have loaner hand held radios as well!

I don’t have transportation. No excuse, we will pick you up and drop you off at your house. I do not have the time to spare for a whole race. Well, you can commit to a time slot, for just two hours. We will bend over backwards to get you to participate.

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Happy Holidays Half Marathon on Sunday December 2nd 9:00 AM for a 10:00 AM start time. Start, finish at Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, MA 01930.

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

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use ( mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; 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!

Happy Holidays Half MerryThon Communications Team
Gloucester, Mass
Last Updated: 11/19//2018 2:26 am
Event date: Sunday, December,2, 2018
On Location: 9:00 am
Starts: Half Marathon Run = 10:00 am
Frq: W1GLO Repeater 145.130 – PL:107.2
Simplex: 146.858
Public Service

KD1CY Receives Blue Hills Observatory Outstanding Service Award

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

The Blue Hill Observatory awarded Rob Macedo, KD1CY, with their Outstanding Service Award on November 9, 2018. The award was presented at a Blue Hills Observatory fundraising event by meteorologist and Weather Channel personality Jim Cantore and former Weather Channel meteorologist Mish Michaels. The honor was especially meaningful for Macedo as it coincided with his birthday.

“It’s both rewarding and humbling to receive [the award] in the presence of some of the most respected people in the meteorology profession,” remarked KD1CY. “It wouldn’t be possible without the support of hundreds to thousands of SKYWARN spotters and Amateur Radio operators who support the program and give their reports during times of severe weather…”

Macedo serves as the ARES SKYWARN Coordinator, and Section Emergency Coordinator for Eastern Massachusetts.

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

November 3, 2018 Eastern MA Hospital Net Announcement

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

John O’Neill-K1JRO writes:

Good Morning Everyone,

Net Control for the November 3,2018 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be W1SSH The South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club . The net will commence at the usual time of 10:AM using the following repeaters in the order listed.

1. Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)
2. Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
3. Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
4. Simplex 147.42

The Net will then return to the Attleboro Repeater for final comments and Net closing.

NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check in procedure which is: Here is.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.

We extend an invitation to any health care facility or EOC of any city or town that is served by one of the participating hospitals to join the Net. We also extend an invitation to any RACES or ARES member to check in during the NET.

Any hospital wishing to join the net that needs assistance with equipment or personnel should contact us at ssharc@gmail.com. We can assist you with getting your location on the air.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested please let us know. Our goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct the monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event. The following list of repeaters are available for our use. Only a few systems are used each month with the selection of those used made by Net Control for that month. More systems are being added to the list on a regular basis.

REMINDER: The BARC Repeater is now using split tone. Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0

Repeaters
Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)
Belmont 145.430 tone 146.2
Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0
Fall River 146.805. tone 67.0
Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9
Mansfield EMA 446.925 tone 100.0
Mansfield 147.015 tone 67.0
Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0
Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
Plymouth 146.685 tone 131.8
Salem 146.88 tone 118.8
Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
W. Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

We look forward to hearing you all on the Net.

Respectfully,

John O’
K1JRO
– – –
South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club – W1SSH
55 Fogg Road, Box 42
South Weymouth, MA 02190

Public Service

Norton Halloween Parade, October 28, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

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

Just a reminder to those who signed up or those who now want to help stage the Annual Norton Halloween Parade.

We will meet this Sunday October 28th at 10:30 AM in the Parking lot behind the Oasis Night Club on Pleasant St at the Norton Attleboro Line. The parade steps off at Noon and goes down Route 123 to Saint Mary’s Church. We should be done by 1:00PM

Uniform of the day is [high visibility] jackets or vests, baseball cap, and comfortable shoes.

Hams will use 147.42 direct, no tone; all others, FRS Channel 4, no tone.

Hope to see you all there.

Clubs / Public Service

Volunteers Requested, PART of Westford Pumpkin Patrol, October 31, 2018

- by k9hi - 1 Comment

PART of Westford logoTerry Stader, KA8SCP, writes on the PART of Westford mailing list:

A couple of weeks ago I thought it was time to start thinking about our annual Pumpkin Patrol on Halloween Night in Westford. Well, it is next week and I am still looking for a few more volunteers!

As we have done for many years, PART provides additional eyes and ears around our cemeteries and public buildings. We are looking for some hams to watch for tricksters and let us know (NCS is stationed at Police HQ) when there are issues so we can get a police officer dispatched if necessary.

Halloween Night is next week, Wednesday October 31st. Our Pumpkin Patrol runs from 5:45 until 10 PM. but we’ve been known to be released by 9:00 PM if the weather is cool and activity on the street low. You do not have to be there for the entire event. Some folks have come in for the 2nd half of the evening, after 8 when Trick or Treat official hours are over.

We’d love to have you join our crew. Got any questions, drop me a note.

Public Service

YuKanRun Ocean View 5K and Half Marathon, Ipswich, November 4, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA list:

CAARA has a great public service team. Come out and have some fun with us.

You are using amateur radio to provide a needed public service to ensure the safety and smooth running of a public event in local communities.

I would, but I do not have a radio. No excuse, we have loaner radio’s available with a mag mount that will work in your car just by just plugging it into the cigarette lighter socket. We have loaner hand held radios as well!

I don’t have transportation. No excuse, we will pick you up and drop you off at your house. I do not have the time to spare for a whole race. Well, you can commit to a time slot, for just two hours. We will bend over backwards to get you to participate.

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Ocean View 5K & Half Marathon on Thursday, November 4th in Ipswich. Please be on location at your Check Point by 8:00 for a 8:30 AM start. Start, finish at Ipswich High School, 134 High Street, Ipswich, MA 01938.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by November 2nd so I can plan staffing positions for the event.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use ( mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; 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!

 

Emergency Communications / NTS / Operating / Public Service

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net for October – Monday 10/1/18 at 830 PM on MMRA Network

- by kd1cy - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

We will be continuing our monthly ARES Net in October. The monthly ARES Net for October is Monday the 1st, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:

http://www.mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_index_by_linkstate.html

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net.

As part of our relationship with MARS and our own situational awareness gathering we will be asking for any known infrastructure issues that you are aware of. The information must either be personally observed, or obtained “over the air” via amateur radio. Items considered to be infrastructure include but are not limited to: electrical power, water, medical facilities, sanitation, communications, and transportation. Examples of failure would be: small or large area power failure, water main breaks, hospitals’ ER closed, sewage issues, TV/radio station off the air (including public safety), interstate highway or major road closed. No known issues are just as important as reporting failures.

Additionally we are interested in relay of any weather information from airport ATIS/ASOS stations that you can directly receive via radio. These stations broadcast continuously in the 120.000 – 138.000 MHz frequency range using amplitude modulation. Information from the ATIS should include airport, temperature, altimeter (barometer), wind, precipitation, and visibility.

A list of stations with their frequencies and a map can be found at: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/weather/asos/?state=MA
A brief introduction to ATIS can be found at: https://www.vatsim.net/pilot-resource-centre/general-lessons/understanding-atis

We will have several interesting announcements for the net that evening and we look forward to everyone’s participation. Updates will be posted via email and on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Web Site at http://ema.arrl.org/ares

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

Rob Macedo, KD1CY
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Public Service

Volunteers Sought, Lone Gull 10K, Gloucester, September 30, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

map of course, Lone Gull 10k, Gloucester MAChristopher Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA list:

CAARA has a great public service team. Come out and have some fun with us. We have loaner radios if you need one. Come out and join the event. Contact us and we will set you up with a radio.

We are looking for operators to staff the Lone Gull 10K on Sunday, September 30th. Please be on location at your Check Point by 8:30 for a 9:00 AM start. Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by September 28th so I can plan staffing positions for the event..

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use ( mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; rubber duck, etc.) so we have a better idea of where to locate you along the event course per the potential of your equipment.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Chris K1TAT

Lone Gull 10K Communications Team

Gloucester, Mass

Last Updated: 9/16//2018 1:20 am

Event date: Sunday, September,23, 2018

On Location: 8:30 am

Starts: 10 k Run = 9:00 am

Frq: W1GLO Repeater 145.130 – PL:107.2, Back up Simplex 146.585

Public Service

PMC Kids Ride, Volunteers Requested, Manchester-by-the-Sea, September 22, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF writes on the North Shore RA mailing list:
 
I have a last minute event that has come up.  I need a few people to help with a KIDS PMC event.
 
Rick, WZ1L, in Gloucester has asked if I can get a few people to help him with a friends event to raise money for a kids cancer charity event.
 
The event is next Saturday, September 22 in the AM before noon in Manchester-by-the-Sea.
 
I know some people are doing a public service event on Sunday as well, but if you can help out I only need a few.
 
I don’t have all the details yet and I myself will not be able to attend, but I told Rick I would see who I could round up..
 
If you can help please let me know.  The PMC Kids Ride for children between the ages of 6 and 16 is only a 5 mile ride, so it should not take many people and should be a quick event.
 
Thanks
 
Eric, KA1NCF
Public Service

Ride to Defeat ALS, Volunteers Needed, September 23, 2018

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David Wolfe, KG1H writes:

The Worcester Emergency Communications Team is looking for volunteers on Sunday 9/23/18 for the Ride to  Defeat  ALS.  This is a low key event with the primary focus being on charity rather than racing.  

The 70 mile bicycle course begins at the Longfellow club in Wayland and continues through several towns with rest stops in Hudson, Bolton, Acton, Concord, and Sudbury.  While the race runs from 6AM to 3PM, some stations open as late as 9AM and some close as early as 11AM.  

Operators working at a course station can report directly to their station.  Lunch is provided for operators in Wayland.  There will be two roving race vehicles that will require a mobile radio.  We will have both 2m and 70cm repeaters linked for this event. 

If you are available, please reply to  nb1h@wect.org and indicate if you are able to provide a mobile radio for a roving assignment, and indicate your location and what hours you are available.  I will attempt to locate you at a station closer to your home if possible.

Thanks,
Ben NB1H
Worcester Emergency Communications Team

Public Service

Request For Operators, YuKanRun Half-By-The-Sea Half Marathon, September 23, 2018

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YouKanRun Manchester-by-the-SeaChris Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA mailing list:
 

CAARA has a great public service team!

Come out and have some fun with us. We have loaner radios if you need one. Come out and join the event. Just contact us and we will set you up with a radio.

We are looking for operators to staff the YuKanRun Half-By-The-Sea Half Marathon. on Sunday, September 23rd. Please be on Location at your Check Point by 9:30 AM for a 10:00 AM start.

Manchester Essex Memorial Elementary School, 43 Lincoln Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by September 22nd so I can plan staffing positions for the event..

While CAARA’s repeater performance has greatly improved the we 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 ( mobile; HT; ¼-wave mag mount; 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

Half by the Sea Communications Team

Manchester, Mass

Last Updated: 8/1//2018 3:50pm

Event date: Sunday, September,23, 2018

On Location: 9:30 am

Starts: Half Marathon Run = 10:00 am

Frq: W1GLO Repeater 145.130 – PL:107.2 Back up: N1SRA 145.470 PL 136.5

 

 
Public Service

Buzzards Bay Triathlon, September 16, 2018, Request for Amateur Radio Support

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Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on the SEMARA list:
 
There has been a request for Amateur Radio support for the Buzzards Bay Triathlon on Sunday 9/16/18. This event has been supported in the past by a few amateur operators in the area but not in the last couple of years. The total need is for ten amateurs. A group in Western Massachusetts who deals with the organizer of this event and others in Western Massachusetts has about four hams committed and the need is for ten. Are there any local amateurs interested in supporting this event? Details are below from Matt Brennan, NM1B, and you can reply to me off list and copy the email address Matt lists below if you’re interested.
 
From: Matt Brennan, NM1B
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2018 11:51 AM
To: Events Team
Subject: Buzzards Bay Triathlon – Sunday, 9/16/18 – Westport, MA

 

Hi All,

 Max Performance has asked us if we’d be able to provide communications assistance to the Buzzards Bay Triathlon this Sunday in Westport, MA. The start time is 9 AM, so we would be meeting around 8 AM. We are trying to gauge interest as to whether or not we’d be able to assist with this event. 

 This is their final triathlon of the season. They have not had ham support at it for the last couple years. 

 More information on the race can be found here: https://maxperformanceonline.com/buzzardsbayrace/

 Please let events@wect.org know if you’d be able and willing to assist this Sunday. 

Thanks and 73,

-Matt, NM1B

Public Service

Volunteers Sought for Baystate Marathon, Sunday October 21, 2018

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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.

Public Service

Jimmy Fund Walk, BAA Half Marathon Public Service Events

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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.

 

Clubs / Public Service

Marlborough Household Hazardous Waste Day, September 29, 2018

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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.