Public Service

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

Barry 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. 

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.  

Barry 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.

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

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.

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

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

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.”

Brett Smith, AB1RL writes in the Boston Amateur Radio Club’s, The Sparc, May 2018:

April is always a jam-packed month for public service events, and we always close it with the Run of the Charles. This is a really unique and fun event, a series of canoe and kayak races to support the Charles River Watershed Association. The organization works to protect the natural ecology of the Charles River, and keep it safe and clean for people to enjoy as well.

At this event, we handle on-site registrations, reports of rules violations, and of course we’re always keeping an eye on participants’ safety. All the rain over the week prior made for strong currents, which unfortunately led to a lot of boats capsizing, including one that got stuck on a bridge and required emergency assistance. That didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirits, though; we handled 24 registrations throughout the day, which is in line with most years, and everyone had a safe race.

Thanks to all twenty volunteers who came out to support this event and the Charles River: Jeff PinterParsons, W5UVO; Alan Lewis, K1ALL; Mark Richards, K1MGY; David Cantrell, WH6DSN; Henry Brown, K1WCC; Rick Savage, KB1LYJ; Kathy Savage, KB1LPW; Gary Schwartz, N1ZCE; Bill Bridgham, N1RYT; Keilin Bickar, KE1LIN; Cheyenne Greatorex, N1QZS; Dave Allen, KC1GEQ; Jim Clogher, N1ICN; Ed Curley, KC1CLA; Lyman Smith, W1LKS; Lela Smith, KC1ACV; John Marcus III, W1JWM; Dave Gilman, KC1DDH; Brian Mallory, KB1WZU; and Thomas Achtemichuk, KC1TA.

Brett Smith, AB1RL writes:

The National Brain Tumor Society is planning their 2017 Boston fundraising bike ride and they’re looking for amateur radio volunteers. The ride takes place on Sunday, May 21, starting at 7:00 AM from 200 West Street in Waltham. Volunteers will work from until the early afternoon, with lunch provided.

Jim Bradley, KB1JKJ, is organizing the hams for this event. To volunteer, please write him with the following information:

• Your preferred assignment: SAG in your own vehicle; SAG in another person’s vehicle; or rest stop
• Your call sign, full name, and name you prefer on the air
• Your cell phone number, and any other number(s) you like to be reached at
• Your shirt size
• The transmit band(s) of your radio(s), and other equipment you could bring
• Do you have any needs or requests we should consider when making your assignment?

Jim can also answer any questions you have about the event.