Public Service

Hello to all…

The April Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday April 4th, 2022 at 830 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:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have several announcements on upcoming events.

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

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
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AB1PH-Don Rolph writes:

For Apr, Monday Apr. 4 is the first Monday of the month, and will be the date for the MEMA RACES nets.

The Races nets will be held on Mon Apr. 4 at:

********************************************************************************
The HF net will start at 6:45 PM EDT: using the following frequency plan:

We will start at 3930 KHz moving up to 3955 KHz until there is a clear frequency,

Marc Stern WA1R will be net control.
*********************************************************************************
Region 2D VHF net: please note sector 2D net will be on Sharon Repeater

7:30 PM EDT VHF net on 146.865 MHz PL 103.5 (Sharon Repeater)

We will have a general call up of any RACES, ARES, or other interested stations. If there is time, we will have a simplex test.

Jim Repetti WJ1R will be net control.
********************************************************************************
HF NBEMS net:
7:00 PM EDT

Dial Frequency: 3584.5 MHx
Center Frequency: 1500 Hz
Initial mode: THOR22

We will have checkins,followed by an ICS-213 format message using FLMSG..
Alan Richards WA1AR will be net control.
*********************************************************************************
Winlink Net:

To participate:
– create a checkin form using the Winlink standard checkin form
– send via winlink after 6 AM EDT Mon. Apr 4 and before 0000 EDT Apr 5 (any mode, but include mode in checkin form) to AB1PH
– Tues I will create the checkin report and send to all of you
*************************************************************************************

We look forward to you checking in to any or all nets!

—

73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph

John O’Neill-K1JRO, South Shore Amateur Radio Group writes:

Good evening,

This coming Saturday the South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10AM. We realize that the regular locations for some groups are still unavailable due to ongoing COVID restrictions.

We encourage those effected to use their home or mobile stations to check into the net.

We will use the following repeaters and systems in the order listed.

1. Plymouth Repeater 146.685 tone 131.8
2. W.Bridgewater Repeater 146.775 dcs 244
3. DMR – EMHN Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot 1 on select NEDECN repeaters: NEDECN – Boston, Hingham, Bourne, Dennis, and Martha’s Vineyard repeaters
(The MV repeater is currently disconnected from the network).
4. Falmouth Repeater 147.375 tone 110.9 Hz
5. Simplex Test on 147.420

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.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.

We hope to hear you Saturday.

John O’ and the SSH group
K1JRO – W1SSH

Tom Kinahan-N1CPE, US Army Military Auxiliary Radio System, writes:

ARMY MARS to reach out to Amateur Stations for Reception Reports

Due to current events, the BBC has resumed shortwave broadcasts into Ukraine and Russia. In order to improve Amateur to MARS communications, MARS stations will be requesting to see if amateur stations can provide a reception report for these BBC transmissions. The BBC broadcasts are :

Frequency English Broadcast
15730 kHz 1300-1500Z
5875 kHz 2000-2200Z

The request is to see if you can hear any of these daily broadcasts, and get your report to a MARS station near you. MARS stations for their part will be reaching out on normal amateur frequencies, using their amateur callsigns. You will be asked for your callsign a signal report, time and frequency of the report, and your city and state.

The signal report can take the form of: Good Readable, Readable, Poor, Unreadable. If you listened, but didn’t hear anything, we want to know that with an Unreadable report.

The end result will be for stations to learn if their stations can receive these international broadcasts, to indicate a possible need for station improvement.

The exercise will last through March 25, but if you have gathered some reports, please don’t lose them, and send them after that time, to me by email, if you were unable to identify a local ARMY MARS station.

Let’s have some fun with this! Thanks for your support.

Tom Kinahan
US Army Military Auxiliary Radio System
Region One Director
aaa1rd@usamars.us

KB1PGH-Dean Burgess, Cape Ann ARES Emergency Coordinator, writes:

We will be hosting a meeting of the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association (CARA) Emergency Communications group on Tuesday April 5th, 2022 at 7 PM at the CAARA Clubhouse on 6 Stanwood Street in Gloucester Mass. We’ll be discussing how to create disaster go bags. Everyone is invited to bring their own disaster go kits down and to show them off as well.

73,Dean-KB1PGH
Cape Ann ARRL/ARES Emergency Coordinator

Hello to all…

The March Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday March 7th, 2022 at 830 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:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have several announcements on upcoming events and also update the strong wind and possible severe weather potential for tonight in our area.

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

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

John O’Neill-K1JRO writes:

Good evening,

Tomorrow South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10AM. We realize that the regular locations for some groups are still unavailable due to ongoing COVID restrictions.

We encourage those effected to use their home stations to check into the net.

We will use the following repeaters and systems in the order listed.

1. W.Bridgewater Repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. DMR – EMHN Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot 1 on select NEDECN repeaters:
NEDECN – Boston, Hingham, Bourne, Dennis, and Martha’s Vineyard repeaters
(The MV repeater is currently down).
3. Attleboro Repeater 147.195 tone 127.3
4. Dartmouth Repeater 147.000 tone 67.0
5. Falmouth Repeater 147.375 tone 110.9
6. Simplex Test on 147.420
7. Return to W. Bridgewater Repeater for 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.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in joining the group please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.

We hope to hear you tomorrow.

John O’ and the SSH group
K1JRO – W1SSH

Hello to all…

The February Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday February 7th, 2022 at 830 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:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have a “last call” for Assistant ARES District Emergency Coordinator, K1EJ-Darrel Mallory, who passed away on Friday January 21st, 2022 as well as several announcements.

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

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

Hello to all…

***EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES PLACED ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS EFFECTIVE 11:00PM FRIDAY, JANUARY 28 THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING, JANUARY 30 DUE TO POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM FORECASTED BLIZZARD***

***BLIZZARD WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF EASTERN MA SECTION INCLUDING CAPE COD/MARTHAS VINEYARD FROM MIDNIGHT SATURDAY THOUGH 5:00AM MONDAY.  WINTER STORM WARNINGS UP FOR NW MIDDLESEX AND FRANKLIN/HAMPDEN/HAMPSHIRE/WORCESTER COUNTIES IN MA***

***COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR EASTERN ESSEX/PLYMOUTH/BARNSTABLE COUNTIES FOR THE SATURDAY MORNING AND EVENING HIGH TIDES.  POCKETS OF MINOR TO PERHAPS ISOLATED MODERATE COASTAL FLOODING LIKELY.

***WIND GUSTS OVER 60MPH POSSIBLE ALONG THE IMMEDIATE EASTERN MA COAST.  GUSTS TO HURRICANE FORCE POSSIBLE ON THE CAPE AND ISLANDS***

*** PLEASE PLAN TO REPORT SKYWARN CRITERIA ACCORDING TO THE STANDARD SKYWARN OPERATING PROCEDURE.  PICTURES OF STORM DAMAGE MAY BE SENT TO PICS@NSRADIO.ORG ***

*** ARES AVAILABITY REQUESTED THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING – PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DEC WITH AVAILABITY WITH A CC TO HURRICANE@W1MV.ORG ***

Models continue to agree a trend that brings a period of heavy snow and strong winds to the region starting in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 29 and continuing heavy at times throughout the day before tapering off late in the evening.  Widespread snowfall accumulation of 18-24+ inches is possible across much of Eastern Massachusetts with 24-30 inches possible across the South Shore.  Isolated higher amounts are possible depending on where the heaviest snow bands set up over the area

Wind speeds in the blizzard warning area are forecasted to increase to 25-35mph sustained with gusts of 50-60mph likely across much of Eastern MA with gusts of 60-70mph possible along the immediate coast.  It is possible that the outer Cape may experience wind gusts over 70-75mph which would be close to hurricane force.  Winds of this magnitude may cause power outages along with pockets of scattered damage.  Travel during the storm is not recommended.  For further meteorological updates, including the latest Blizzard Coordination Message, please see the NWS Taunton SKYWARN home page at http://www.wx1box.org

A coastal flood advisory is also in effect for pockets of minor to low-end moderate coastal flooding along the Eastern MA coastline.  High tide is anticipated at approximately 9am Saturday morning, and another high tide around 9pm Saturday evening. 

For a complete listing of current warnings, please refer to the NWS Boston website at www.weather.gov/boston.  While no immediate requests for support have been received, we are closely monitoring the situation for any activation of local or regional shelters.

SKYWARN activation will monitor the progress of the storm, and we appreciate any reports of wind damage / flooding that you may have.  If you have any pictures of the damage, please send them to pics@nsradio.org.   SKYWARN will be running various nets across our section on the assigned SKYWARN repeaters, and the list of SKYWARN repeaters can be found at:  http://wx1box.org/southern-new-england-skywarn-frequency-list/.  In addition, here is a preliminary list of SKYWARN nets across the section and their start times:

600 AM: Cape Cod and Islands WX Net – 147.375-Falmouth Repeater PL: 110.9 Hz
630 AM: Western Mass Emergency Net – HF – serving Western and Eastern Mass and surrounding areas: 3944 KHz
645 AM: MMRA Repeater Network
700 AM: South Coast SKYWARN Net: 147.000-Dartmouth Repeater PL: 67.0 Hz
700 AM: Norfolk County SKYWARN Net: 146.895-Walpole Repeater PL: 123.0 Hz
700 AM: Worcester County SKYWARN Net: 146.970-Paxton Repeater PL: 114.8 Hz
700 AM: Western Mass SKYWARN VHF Net: 146.940-Mount Tom Repeater  PL: 127.3 Hz
715 AM: Boston SKYWARN Net – 145.230 PL: 88.5 Hz
715 AM: NB1RI RI SKYWARN Net: NB1RI linked repeater system
730 AM: Hartford-Tolland County SKYWARN Net – 146.790-Vernon, CT Repeater – PL: 82.5 Hz
730 AM: Metro Boston/Middlesex County SKYWARN Net: 146.640-Waltham Repeater – PL: 136.5 Hz
800 AM: Cape and Islands SKYWARN Net – 146.955-Barnstable Repeater PL: 88.5 Hz
800 AM: North Shore SKYWARN Net – 145.470-Danvers Repeater PL: 136.5 Hz
900 AM: Westford/PART – Northern Middlesex County SKYWARN Net – 146.955-Westford Repeater PL: 74.4 Hz
** – The Echolink *NEW-ENG3* Conference node: 9123/IRLP 9123 will be monitored throughout the duration the event. The 147.180-Bridgewater Repeater will be connected through that system and some of the nets listed above will be connected for those repeaters that have Echolink and IRLP capability.
*** – Other repeaters may be monitored on an as needed basis based on Amateur Radio Operator availability.

The latest SKYWARN coordination message for this storm (issued on 1/28 at 10:00pm) can also be located at http://wx1box.org/2022/01/29/blizzard-coordination-message-5-late-friday-night-1-28-22-saturday-night-1-29-22-blizzard-major-winter-storm-impacts/

As we continue to progress through the storm, please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime from this evening 1/28 through Monday Evening, 1/31. We are creating a list of availability for ARESMAT deployment if needed for various local EOC’s, Red Cross, Salvation Army, NWS Storm Survey Teams, and hospitals as required. Keep your situational awareness level high for any updates from ARES leadership by checking your email for updates and our ARES web site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org and monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies for any updates on this developing situation.

When sending your availability, please send the following: Name, Call-sign, License Class, Capability (HF / VHF / UHF), Availability, and any other special notes we should be aware of. We ask that as you contact your DEC, please send a copy of the message to hurricane@w1mv.org where multiple members of the EMA ARES Leadership will be able to access your availability.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region is fully understood.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Jim Palmer (KB1KQW)
North Shore ARES District Emergency Coordinator

SEC/ASEC:
SEC – KD1CY – kd1cy@comcast.net
ASEC – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net

DECs:
Essex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Middlesex County – W1AHM – AMartin.MA.UltraNet@RCN.Com

Metro-Boston – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Norfolk County – W1SHS – w1shs@arrl.net

Bristol County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Plymouth County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Cape & Islands – WQ1O – wq1o@comcast.com

KD1CY/KB1KQW

Hello to all…

Planning is well underway for the 2022 Boston Marathon! The BAA opened volunteer registration continues to be open and it will close on Friday, February 18, 2022. Returning volunteers should have received an email from the BAA with details about how to register.

New volunteers can sign up via http://register.hamradioboston.org/

We have also provided a step by step guide on how to select Amateur Radio volunteer positions during the registration process:
https://hamradioboston.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/44002294773-2022-volunteer-registration-step-by-step-guide

If you have any questions about the upcoming volunteer registration period, or the 2022 Marathon generally, please get in touch anytime via the email address contact@hamradioboston.org

Thank you, and 73,

Boston Marathon Communications Committee
contact@HamRadioBoston.org

Good evening,

It is with great disappointment that I send this note notifying you all that we will not hold a January Net. We had hoped that we could start the new year off on a positive note and even though most of you have still not returned to your regular facilities shacks, we were hoping for a large turnout from home and mobile stations. Being able to run the net from South Shore Hospital’s shack and communicate with its wide area coverage would make that possible.

We do have access to our shack. however, we have been informed by our group’s Vice President, Karen N1VI, also a medical professional at South Shore hospital that given the hospitals current environment, high patient counts and staff shortages (which comes as no surprise, all hospitals statewide are in the same boat) that it would be advisable for our group to cancel our January meeting (and net) and not tempt Covid with our presence.

I occasionally kid Karen about her call N1 Very Intelligent, and how appropriate it is. We all have great respect for her knowledge and opinion especially regarding anything of a medical nature. Our group agreed to take Karen’s suggestion.

We hope everyone is being very cautious, getting vaccinated and boosted, and wearing a mask in public in the presence of people you don’t know the status of.

I gave a neighbor a ride to an appointment for eye surgery the other day. Even though I knew both of us are fully vaccinated and boosted we both wore KN95 masks.

I look forward to next month. hopefully things will be better and we can all get back to our monthly net.

Keep your fingers crossed and mask up.

73,
John O’ K1JRO and the members of the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group

Hello to all…

The January Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday January 3rd, 2022 at 830 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:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have several announcements detailing plans for the new year.

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

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

John O’Neill-K1JRO writes:

Hello,

We wish everyone a Happy New Year.

The first Saturday of the month being New Years Day we will not hold a net until the 2nd Saturday in January. We will be sending out an announcement with the repeaters that will be used sometime over the weekend.

We look forward to hearing you all January 8th. Remember, if you do not have access to your regular location, we encourage you to check in from home or your mobile if possible.

Regards,
John O’Neill
South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group

Rob Macedo, KD1CY, writes on WX1BOX.org:

SKYWARN Recognition Day 2021 (SRD’21) will occur this year but modified due to COVID19 and the fact NWS offices are not allowed to have volunteer Amateur Radio Operators at any NWS office due to COVID. Similar to last year, a social media component will be added to engage non-Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters more with 2021’SRD. An additional update on SRD’2021 will be posted Friday Morning 12/3/21.

Due to COVID19, typical WX1BOX Amateur Radio Operations will not occur at NWS Boston/Norton. There is a possibility similar to last year through the efforts of employees at NWS Norton who have Amateur Radio licenses, the WX1BOX station will be on the air for a few hours during SRD. Otherwise, the WX1BOX Amateur Radio team will be operating remotely via their home stations. The NWS Gray Maine office cannot be active at the office due to the same restrictions on volunteers at NWS offices nationwide but will have remote SRD operation for 2021.

For WX1BOX Amateur Radio operations, we will cover the typical SKYWARN repeaters on VHF/UHF as well as simplex and be on HF via the various remote home stations along with our WX1BOX social media pages. In addition, contacts with other Amateur Radio SKYWARN stations will count towards NWS certificates. Similar to 2020, there will be a social media component to engage non-Amateur Radio and Amateur Radio SKYWARN spotters alike. The current set of information is available and additional information will be made available on the SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) web site via the following link:
https://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition.

Also, all participants are welcome to register on the SRD web site. They can obtain a SRD number. The SRD Number for this year is part of the QSO exchange but is not a requirement. It is something new since 2020’SRD so as always there will likely be some glitches and delays in getting the SRD number but if you register and obtain your SRD number, please feel free to add that to your exchange.