Public Service

Volunteers Sought for YMCA Middleboro Run and Walk, June 2, 2018

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YMCA Run Walk 2018Ham volunteers are requested for communications for the 18th Annual Middleboro YMCA Tispaquin Run And Woody’s Walk 2018. 

“We meet at the Dunkin Donuts at Route 28 and 105 (Middleboro) at 7:30 AM for assignments and get in position around 8 AM.  Usually the last of us are out around 11 AM, or as soon as the last running/walker is past your position,” explains John Miller, N1UMJ.

“This is an easy event, and a hand held is all you need–though if you want, you can park at most positions and use your mobile.”

If you can assist with the event, contact John at n1umjjohn@gmail.com.

Public Information

Invitation to Meet and Greet Marconi’s daughter, Princess Elettra Marconi, May 31, 2018

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Princess Elettra Marconi
​2014, Princess Elettra Marconi touching remains of her father’s South Wellfleet Wireless Station built in 1901. The station site is now part of Cape Cod National Seashore.

​Barbara Dougan, N1NS writes:

Hello amateur radio operators and friends,

On May 31, 2018 at 10 am, you are invited to a meet and greet with Marconi’s daughter, Princess Elettra Marconi at Cape Cod National Seashore.  The plan is to arrive about 10 am and gather to stand along the entrance walkway when the Princess arrives about 10:30 am (or indoors if the weather is bad).

Location: Cape Cod National Seashore’s Headquarters Building
99 Marconi Site Rd, Wellfleet, MA  02667

Princess Marconi is now 86 years young, this may be one of her last visits to Cape Cod National Seashore.  I hope you will join us in welcoming her and honoring her father’s contributions to wireless.

After the meet and greet at the headquarters’ building (estimated 45 minutes), you are welcome to travel to the historic Marconi Site about 1 mile from the headquarters building. The Princess and her party will join us there.

There will be a photo shoot opportunity, but at this time I am not sure if it will be at the Headquarters building or at the historic station site or both.  

KM1CC/Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club and the Greater Orleans Amateur Radio Club plan to set up an HF radio station on the platform at the Wireless Station Site so the Princess can make a scheduled two way contact. Hopefully, this contact will be with the SONRA Club- Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs in St John’s Newfoundland, the site where Marconi received the letter “S” on December 12, 1901 from his Poldhu station.

​No reservations required.  Please share this invitation on club websites or by email.

For more information contact Barbara Dougan N1NS/KM1CC trustee at km1cc.capecod@gmail.com

Public Service

Rocky Neck 5K Walk/Run Team Challenge, Gloucester, May 6, 2018

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

We are looking for operators to staff the Rocky Neck 5K Walk/Run Team Challenge on Sunday, May 6th 10:00 AM.

Please let me know if you can staff a communications check-point for the event by Thursday, May 4th 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 2018 Rocky Neck 5K Run/Walk & Team Challenge takes off from under the banner on the Rocky Neck Causeway adjacent to Rocky Neck Park.  Participants proceeded from Rocky Neck Avenue, turning right onto Eastern Point Road and, from there, turning left onto Grapevine Road.  For 2016 Race, participants turned left  of of Grapevine onto High Popples Road.  They continued on High Popples until it ends at Atlantic Road, where they turned right. Proceeding along Atlantic Road, participants went right onto Farrington Avenue to begin their return to Rocky Neck  via Eastern Point Road.  The Finish Line was positioned just beyond the Causeway, on Rocky Neck Avenue.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

CAARA Public Service Team.

Emergency Communications / Licensing Education & Training

SKYWARN Training at Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC, May 15, 2018

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SKYWARN logoSKYWARN training will be offered at the Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC on May 15 from 7-9 PM.

According to SMHARC’s Ray Cord, K2TGX, “This is both training for new SKYWARN spotters as well as re-certification training for existing spotters.

The training is in lieu of the regular ARES and general club meetings. It will be conducted by the Amateur Radio SKYWARN Coordinator in the Sturdy Memorial Hospital Rice-Webb Auditorium, 211 Park Street, Attleboro. 

Operating

Web Resources: Radio Amateur Call Books on Archive.org

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Bruce Blain, K1BG writes in the April, 2018 Nashoba Valley ARC Signal:

I’m constantly asked “how do I research an old callsign” or “my uncle who lived in Joplin MO in the 1950’s was a ham, but I can’t remember his callsign. How can I find it?” Well, there is an interesting site that is informally known as “The Wayback Machine”, and they have scanned a large number of documents. Among those are many (many) call books.

The site is archive.org, and by clicking on https://archive.org/search.php?query=subject%3A %22callbook%22. You can search their documents based on the keyword “callbook”. The search gives 103 results. That’s 103 call books that have been individually scanned. The call books are fully searchable, and provide you with all of the “matches” it finds. One word of caution – because thse books were “scanned,” optical character recognition technology is used to match your search. It’s not 100% accurate. So if you are looking for all the hams in “Pepperell” in a particular call book, try a subsequent search for “01463”. Between the two searches you should be able to find what you are looking for.

Once you pick on a call book, there are submenus to help you narrow how much information you are looking through. For instance, you would only want to search through the “1” area for a W1 call or for an address in New England. The sub-menus allow you to select which call area to look at.

Want to know where K9AQP was licensed in the 1950s? Want to know who the hams were who lived in East Providence, RI in the 1960s? This is a great place to research that stuff. If you run into any problems or need some help, just let me know. Have any interesting internet sites you would like to share? Let me know and I’ll include them in future articles. Thanks and 73. de Bruce, K1BG

Clubs / Emergency Communications / Public Service

Sturdy ARES Exercise at World War 1 Memorial Park, April 22, 2018

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Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARCMembers of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC ARES group held a drill in World War 1 Memorial Park in North Attleboro on  Sunday, April 22, 2018 at 10:30 AM.  As it coincided with Earth Day, the participants also volunteered to help clean up the park. 

For many years the venue has used by SMH ARC for its annual Field Day event.

(Thanks, sturdyradioclub.org)

Operating / Technical

New England Wolf Pack Fusion Net

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Brian Gudzevich, WO1VES writes on the NSRA mailing list:
 
This is for all the Fusion radio owners out there, as well as some DMR and Echolink users.  I am starting a new monthly Fusion net on the last Friday of every month at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.  The first net will be this Friday, April 27th.  It will be based on the main repeater of the Wolf Pack Repeater System, the 147.075 WA1RHN repeater in Stoneham, Mass.
 
The net will be called the New England Wolf Pack Fusion Net.  This will be a New England centric net, and will cover topics of interest to operators living in the region.  I’m also going to offer a question and answer portion to help operators get the most out of their Fusion radios.
 
The following radios made by Yaesu are Fusion capable: FTM-100, FTM-400, FT-1D, FT-1XD, FT-2D, FT-70, FTM-3200, FTM-3207, FTM-7250, FT-991, and FT-991A.  If you have one of these models, you can get into the net through any of the links.  You can also access with a DMR radio and a SharkRF OpenSpot.
 
The net will take place on the Wolf Pack Network, which in addition to the main repeater in Stoneham, offers links through Wires-X, YSF Reflectors, and Echolink.  Here are the current linking options:
 
1) If you have a Fusion radio and you are within range of the 147.075 repeater, you can come in direct to the net.  There is nothing special needed to access the repeater.
 
2) With a Fusion radio, and access to another linked Fusion repeater, or a Fusion node working with the Yaesu HRI-200.  You can connect with Wires-X to room 28941, called Wolf-Den.
 
3) A Fusion radio and a hotspot, such as a SharkRF OpenSpot, DV4Mini, ZUMSpot, etc.  These can connect to YSF Reflectors..  In there, you will find a reflector called “US WolfDen”.  This is full time connected to the Stoneham Repeater, and will be connected for the net.
 
4) DMR Radio operators with a SharkRF OpenSpot can connect to the YSF Reflector “US WolfDen”.  If you need help setting that up, let me know.
 
5) If you don’t have a Fusion radio yet, but wish to check out the net, Echolink is available.  Just look for “WO1VES/R” node 813502.  There is currently a limit of 4 connections.
 
If you know anyone in New England with a Fusion repeater or Node, please encourage them to link in for the net.  The more users from New England, the better.  Any repeaters that I can confirm will be connected for the net, I will list on the Wolf Pack website at www.wo1ves.com.
Public Service

Westford Apple Blossom Parade Ham Volunteers Needed, May 12, 2018

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PART of Westford logoThe Police Amateur Radio Team of Westford is seeking volunteers for the Apple Blossom Parade Communications Event on Saturday, May 12, 2018. 

“If you’ve never done a public service event, this is a great first time event. We will pair you up with a “veteran” ham so you get the chance to be part of a team,” says Terry Stader, KA8SCP. “Parades are always fun… so why not join us on a Saturday morning, bring the kids and your XYL, bring mom and dad, enjoy.”

The parade starts around 10 AM near the junction of Graniteville Road and Main Street and ending at Abbot School. You will need to be available from 8:30/9:00AM until 11:00AM/noon at the latest. All you need to bring is a 2 meter handheld and some good walking shoes. “We need about a dozen operators for this event.”

If interested, please contact Terry Stader, KA8SCP at ka8scp at wb1gof dot org. 

Emergency Communications / Licensing Education & Training

2018 NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Training Class Schedule

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picture of tornado on radar screenRob Macedo, KD1CY writes on the SKYWARN_Announce list:

The following is the 2018 NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN Training Class Schedule for the spring season. Additional SKYWARN Training classes are in planning. This includes a class in Waltham which will be posted by the end of next week. a class in Windham County CT and a class in the Swanesa, Mass area. There will also be a slate of SKYWARN classes in the Fall of this year. Links to the classes schedules are listed below:

NWS Boston/Norton Web Site SKYWARN Class Schedule:
http://www.weather.gov/box/skywarn#fragment-2

WX1BOX SKYWARN Training Class Schedule:
http://wx1box.org/2018/04/20/special-announcement-2018-nws-boston-norton-skywarn-training-class-schedule/

The complete listing is also provided below for convenience:

Tuesday, April 24th, 2018 – 7:00-9:00 PM:
Braintree Police Department
282 Union St
Braintree, MA
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nws-spotter-training-session-braintree-ma-tickets-43555653131

Wednesday April 25th, 2018 – 7:00-9:30 PM:
Foster Center Volunteer Fire Company
86 Foster Center Rd
Foster RI
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-training-class-foster-ri-tickets-44382961633

Saturday April 28th, 2018 – 10:00 AM-12:30 PM:
Manchester RCC
321 Olcott Street
Manchester, CT
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-training-class-tickets-43915232643

Saturday April 28th, 2018 – 2:00 PM-4:30 PM (Afternoon Session as morning session is full):
Manchester RCC
321 Olcott Street
Manchester, CT
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-traning-class-manchester-ct-afternoon-class-tickets-45194505984

Tuesday May 8th, 2018 – 7:00-9:00 PM:
Worthington Town Hall
160 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nws-spotter-training-session-worthington-ma-tickets-43858400657

Thursday May 10th, 2018 – 7:00-9:30 PM:
Ipswich Town Hall – Lower Level
25 Green Street
Ipswich, MA
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-training-class-tickets-43915331940

Saturday May 12th, 2018 – 1000 AM-1230 PM:
Middletown Fire Department – Community Room
239 Wyatt Road
Middletown RI
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration Required via Eventbrite the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-training-class-middletown-ri-tickets-44373833330

Tuesday May 15th, 2018 – 7:00-9:30 PM:
Montague Public Safety Complex Community Room
180 Turnpike Road
Turners Falls, MA
Taught by: NWS  Forecaster
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nws-spotter-training-session-turners-falls-ma-tickets-43564640011

Tuesday May 15th, 2018 – 700-930 PM:
Sturdy Memorial Hospital – Rice-Webb Auditorium
211 Park Street
Attleboro, MA
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-training-class-attleboro-ma-tickets-44562542765

Wednesday May 16th, 2018 – 7:00-9:30 PM:
Great Hall on 2nd floor at the Halifax Town Hall
499 Plymouth Street
Halifax, MA
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nws-spotter-training-session-halifax-ma-tickets-43563686158

Tuesday May 22nd, 2018 – 7:00-9:30 PM:
Theater Room North Brookfield Jr/Sr High School
10 New School Street
North Brookfield, MA
Taught by: NWS Forecaster
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nws-spotter-training-session-north-brookfield-ma-tickets-43555173697

Saturday June 2nd, 2018 – 10:00 AM-1230 PM:
Littleton Fire Department
20 Foster Street
Littleton, MA
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration is required via Eventbrite at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skywarn-training-class-littleton-ma-tickets-45378324791

Will provide updates when new SKYWARN training classes are added to the schedule. Thanks to all for their support of the NWS Boston/Norton SKYWARN program!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Assistant 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

Amateurs Provide Communications at Seabrook Graded Exercise, April 4, 2018

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map of Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Planning ZoneAmateurs at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Region One Headquarters in Tewksbury provided communications resources during a recent Seabrook Station Graded Exercise.

“Since 1991, when the Seabrook nuclear power plant first came online, local hams have provided communications resources to the various local and state emergency management agencies,” writes Terry Stader, KA8SCP, Communications Coordinator. “This is a different role than some of the public service events many hams participate in. Our role as communicators is varied from the typical using two way radios to FAX, TTY and telephone switchboard operations. Our regular single-shift operations require five communicators. All operators get cross trained in all communications center operations.”

The event required the Emergency Operations Center staff to be “in the area” but not pre-staged at the Region One EOC. “We were paged via the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Health & Homeland Alert Network System (HHAN).”

Approximately forty people were involved with coordination from state agencies like the Massachusetts State Police, the MA Department of Transportation, MA Department of Public Health, American Red Cross as well as volunteers who act as community liaisons, transportation, emergency medical services, radiological monitoring, technical resources and many other roles in support of the exercise. “Multiple FEMA representatives were present to evaluate/grade us on our ability to respond to the changing scenario at the plant and elsewhere,” added Stader. The event lasted six hours from the initial callout to exercise termination.

Various Massachusetts and New Hampshire towns and cities in the Emergency Planning Zone participated in the April 4 exercise. Massachusetts communities included: Amesbury, Merrimack, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury, and West Newbury.

Although Amateur Radio was not used for this particular exercise, KA8SCP explained they are required to review how ham radio could be used. “We have the capabilities to operate from 75 meters through 440 MHz.”

Participants at MEMA Region One Headquarters in Tewksbury included: Communications Officer Charles Suprin, AA1VS; radio operators Dave Welsh, WI1R; Rich Cuti, N1HY; Bob Snyder, W1RS and Communications Coordinator Terry Stader, KA8SCP.  

Thanks, Terry Stader, KA8SCP and PART of Westford PARTicles, April 2018

Photos courtesy Terry Stader, KA8SCP

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[Show slideshow]
Public Information / Youth

Volunteers Requested, Ham Radio Demo at Boy Scout Camp Squanto, May 5, 2018

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camp squanto signJack Foley, N1QE is requesting 6-12 hams to assist with an Amateur Radio “emergency communications information station” at Camp Squanto on Saturday, May 5 from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Foley is a former Scoutmaster and currently serves as a District Commissioner. He’s also the trustee of the BSA Camp Squanto Radio Club, W1CSQ. The Camp is located in Plymouth.

“This would be one of a dozen or so stations dealing with treating wounds, first aid, etcetera. Ours would deal with emergency communications.”

If you can help in demonstrating ham radio and talking to scouts about emergency communications, please contact Jack Foley, N1QE at jackm.foley@proforma.com.

 

Licensing Education & Training

Amateur Extra License Class, Whitman, April 10-May 29, 2018

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Recent licensing class held by the Whitman ARCThe Whitman Amateur Radio Club is offering an Amateur Extra License Class beginning Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at the Whitman Police Station, 20 Essex Street, Whitman from 7-9 PM.  The class will meet each Tuesday and Thursday and culminate in an exam session on May 29.  The training coordinator is Ross Hochstrasser, W1EKG. He can be reached at: (781) 447-9104 or email at: bavarianradio@comcast.net.

Ross follows the ARRL published license manual. He reviews the exam questions, discusses the answers, and takes any questions from the students. He also uses an online flashcard system projected at the front of the class for question review, presented with multiple choice answers as with the actual exam.

The class is free of charge.

For more information, see <http://www.wa1npo.org/training/training.htm>.

 

 

Clubs

Eastern MA Club Speakers List

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Attention club officers:

The Eastern Massachusetts ARRL web site maintains a list of club presentations and speakers for use by affiliated clubs. The list is divided into two categories:

  • A listing of speakers who have registered with local ARRL section leadership to present on ham related talks to any club within a designated traveling area;
  • A “historical” listing of speakers who have presented–or will present–at a radio club on the date listed. 

The latter “historical” category contains over five years of information.

(Note: Inclusion in the historical section does not indicate a willingness or availability on the speaker’s part to present at other meetings, nor shall it be considered an endorsement on the part of the listed club, or the Eastern MA ARRL staff.)

The Speaker’s List can be downloaded from its Google Sheet format into: 

  • Microsoft Excel (.xlsx)
  • OpenDocument format (.ods)
  • PDF document (.pdf)
  • Web page (.html, zipped)
  • Comma-separated values (.csv, current sheet)
  • Tab-separated values (.tsv, current sheet)

Additions and corrections are welcome! Also, please consider sharing information about your speakers and presentations with Affiliated Club Coordinator Andy Stewart, KB1OIQ or Assistant Section Manager Phil Temples, K9HI.

Emergency Communications / Public Service

Storm & Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message #3 – Sunday Evening April 15th 2018-Monday April 16th 2018

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Hello to all…

..Winter to be felt through early Monday Morning followed by heavy rain and strong winds with isolated thunderstorms for Patriots Day/Marathon Monday. This is a combined Storm & Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message and these will continue to be combined through potentially Monday Morning..
..A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through 8 AM Monday for Franklin, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for up to 0.20″ radial ice accumulations and result in slippery road conditions. If 0.20″ or more of icing occurs, isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages may develop..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 2 AM Monday Morning for Central and Southeast Middlesex, Essex, and Southern Worcester Counties of Massachusetts for light icing and accumulations up to 0.10″ inches and slippery road conditions..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 2 AM Monday Morning for Northern Connecticut, Eastern Hampden and Eastern Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts for up to 0.10″ radial ice and slippery road conditions..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 2 AM Monday Morning for Northwest Providence and Western Kent Counties of Rhode Island for a trace of radial ice accumulation and slippery road conditions..
..Patriots Day/Marathon Monday will have widespread rainfall with the heaviest rainfall during the late morning to early evening timeframe. Strong wind gusts of 30-45 MPH are possible across interior Southern New England with wind gusts of 45-50 MPH possible in Southeast New England. Isolated thunderstorms and lightning are also possible. This is detailed in the Boston Marathon Weather portion of this coordination message. Also, a coastal flood advisory is now in effect for Eastern Essex County Massachusetts from 10 AM-2 PM for Eastern Essex County for minor flooding of coastal shore roads at the time of high tide cycle..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the icing conditions Sunday into early Monday Morning. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence at 600 AM Monday for the storm on Marathon Monday lasting through 600 PM Monday Evening..

The light icing conditions for late tonight through early Monday Morning are covered in the headlines of this coordination message. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the icing conditions Sunday into early Monday Morning. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:

NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

The second part of this message is a special announcement – Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message as issued in prior years:

While this may be a bit off topic for some SKYWARN Spotters, Amateur Radio Operators and Red Cross volunteers, many of which are SKYWARN Spotters, will be involved in the Boston Marathon on Monday April 16th. To reach out to the highest level of Amateur Radio Operators involved in the event, this coordination message is being sent out to the SKYWARN email list and posted to the various Amateur Radio lists. We appreciate everyone’s patience with this message. This is a joint message between the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)-SKYWARN program at NWS Boston/Norton and Eastern Massachusetts ARES. Due to the storm conditions and the fact some level of SKYWARN Activation will occur, messages will occur through at least Sunday Evening on the storm event.

Eastern Massachusetts ARES members not participating in the Boston Marathon are requested to be on standby for marathon activities on Monday April 16th from 6 AM-7 PM for any significant issues outside of the Boston Marathon that may require Amateur Radio Emergency Communications support and for any unexpected issues on the Boston Marathon route. With over 280 Amateur Radio Operators staffing the Boston Marathon route, the start line and the finish line, if an issue arises needing Amateur Radio support outside of the Marathon route or an unexpected issue arises in marathon operations, it is important that any ARES members not involved in the marathon can help with any response that is required. The Amateur Radio Station at the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, WX1BOX, will be active on Monday April 16th for the Boston Marathon to provide weather support to the Amateur Radio community participating in the marathon and to gather any weather reports of significance during the marathon. This station will also be used to coordinate any ARES response to any significant incidents regarding Amateur Radio support outside of the marathon zone including any incidents that need to be provided to the State EOC for situational awareness information.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) at the SEOC (State Emergency Operations Center) will be active for the Boston Marathon. Amateur Radio Operators will be at the SEOC to support Amateur Radio communications and will be on the air under call sign, WC1MA, while many agencies will be there performing primary operations for the marathon.

The weather outlook is definitely less than ideal for volunteers and is also not ideal for runners though not as significant as a warm weather event would be for the runners. Rain will be widespread across the marathon route in the morning hours and the heaviest rain is expected in the late morning through early evening. This may result some poor and drainage street flooding in the region. Rainfall will be in a 1-2″ range with isolated higher amounts to 2.5″ possible. Strong winds are also possible with wind gusts in the 30-45 MPH range in the interior with the highest gusts as you get closer to the Metro Boston areas. Isolated higher wind gusts are possible in hilly interior areas and potentially in East and South Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This could result in isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages. An isolated thunderstorm or two with attendant lightning risk is also possible but exact locations and whether they would occur on the marathon route are difficult to determine. It is notable that thundersleet were reported in a few areas Sunday Evening in Western Massachusetts. All runners, volunteers and spectators should monitor future weather forecasts and should prepare accordingly for these conditions. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence at 600 AM Monday for the storm on Marathon Monday lasting through 600 PM Monday Evening. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Coastal Flood Advisory Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook, Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook and snow and ice maps:

NWS Boston/Norton Coastal Flood Advisory Statement:

http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.whus41.KBOX.html

NWS Boston/Norton Hazardous Weather Outlook:

http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.html

NWS Boston/Norton Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook:
https://www.weather.gov/box/ehwo

NWS Boston/Norton Snow/Ice Maps:
https://www.weather.gov/box/winter

From a SKYWARN perspective, the 146.64-Waltham Repeater and 145.23-Boston Repeater are being utilized for Marathon operations. From an ARES perspective, the Minutemen Repeater Association Repeater Network is being utilized for marathon operations. Please review the SKYWARN Frequency listing for your closest alternate repeater from a SKYWARN or ARES perspective.
http://www.wx1box.org/node/37

For Amateur Radio, Red Cross and all other volunteers along the route, it is recommended that you dress in layers for this event so that you can put on or take off clothes as needed for comfort. Rain gear is a must either with a clear poncho or a rain coat where you can still display appropriate credentials outside of the raincoat. Be sure to drink liquids and eat properly during the event and that you are self-sufficient so that you can be of full help to the function and not distract everyone from the main purpose of supporting the runners by having a health issue on your end that can be avoided. For volunteers, the BAA has sent around via email weather safety tips and suggestions on clothing and other safety tips.

For those people that are planning to go to the Boston Marathon as spectators, the following link details guidelines for spectators for the 2018 Boston Marathon:
http://www.wx1box.org/local/2018_Marathon_Spectator_Guidelines_Final.pdf

Another coordination message will be posted Monday Morning if time allows and a significant upgrade to the situation occurs otherwise this will be the last Storm and Boston Marathon weather coordination message for this event. We appreciate everyone’s support in this event and hope those that volunteer enjoy themselves and feel the self-satisfaction of supporting this historic event and those that are monitoring the Marathon or events outside of the Marathon realize that the monitoring is an important function as well and is a testament to being able to scale other incidents beyond the marathon if required. Thanks to all for their support!

Respectfully Submitted,

Marek Kozubal
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Email Address: kb1ncg@gmail.com

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Assistant 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
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Emergency Communications / Public Service

Storm & Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message #2 – Sunday April 15th 2018-Monday April 16th 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Hello to all…

..Coordination Message updated for Winter Weather headlines. No changes to current thinking for Marathon Monday. Updates on Marathon Monday Forecast will be posted in the evening coordination message update..
..Winter to be felt through early Monday Morning followed by heavy rain and strong winds for Patriots Day/Marathon Monday. This is a combined Storm & Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message and these will continue to be combined through Sunday Evening/Monday Morning..
..A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through 8 AM Monday for Franklin, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for up to 0.20″ radial ice accumulations and result in slippery road conditions. If 0.20″ or more of icing occurs, isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages may develop..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 2 AM Monday Morning for Central and Southeast Middlesex, Essex, and Southern Worcester Counties of Massachusetts for light icing and accumulations up to 0.10″ inches and slippery road conditions..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 2 AM Monday Morning for Northern Connecticut, Eastern Hampden and Eastern Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts for up to 0.10″ radial ice and slippery road conditions..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 9 PM Sunday Evening for Providence and Kent Counties of Rhode Island, Norfolk, Suffolk and Northern Bristol Counties of Rhode Island for a trace of radial ice accumulation and slippery road conditions..
..Patriots Day/Marathon Monday will have widespread rainfall with the heaviest rainfall during the late morning to early evening timeframe. Strong wind gusts of 30-45 MPH are possible across interior Southern New England with wind gusts of 45-50 MPH possible in Southeast New England. Isolated thunderstorms and lightning are also possible. This is detailed in the Boston Marathon Weather portion of this coordination message..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the icing conditions Sunday into early Monday Morning. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence at 600 AM Monday for the storm on Marathon Monday lasting through 600 PM Monday Evening..

The light icing conditions for late tonight through early Monday Morning are covered in the headlines of this coordination message. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the icing conditions Sunday into early Monday Morning. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:

NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

The second part of this message is a special announcement – Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message as issued in prior years:

While this may be a bit off topic for some SKYWARN Spotters, Amateur Radio Operators and Red Cross volunteers, many of which are SKYWARN Spotters, will be involved in the Boston Marathon on Monday April 16th. To reach out to the highest level of Amateur Radio Operators involved in the event, this coordination message is being sent out to the SKYWARN email list and posted to the various Amateur Radio lists. We appreciate everyone’s patience with this message. This is a joint message between the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)-SKYWARN program at NWS Boston/Norton and Eastern Massachusetts ARES. Due to the storm conditions and the fact some level of SKYWARN Activation will occur, messages will occur through at least Sunday Evening on the storm event.

Eastern Massachusetts ARES members not participating in the Boston Marathon are requested to be on standby for marathon activities on Monday April 16th from 6 AM-7 PM for any significant issues outside of the Boston Marathon that may require Amateur Radio Emergency Communications support and for any unexpected issues on the Boston Marathon route. With over 280 Amateur Radio Operators staffing the Boston Marathon route, the start line and the finish line, if an issue arises needing Amateur Radio support outside of the Marathon route or an unexpected issue arises in marathon operations, it is important that any ARES members not involved in the marathon can help with any response that is required. The Amateur Radio Station at the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, WX1BOX, will be active on Monday April 16th for the Boston Marathon to provide weather support to the Amateur Radio community participating in the marathon and to gather any weather reports of significance during the marathon. This station will also be used to coordinate any ARES response to any significant incidents regarding Amateur Radio support outside of the marathon zone including any incidents that need to be provided to the State EOC for situational awareness information.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) at the SEOC (State Emergency Operations Center) will be active for the Boston Marathon. Amateur Radio Operators will be at the SEOC to support Amateur Radio communications and will be on the air under call sign, WC1MA, while many agencies will be there performing primary operations for the marathon.

The weather outlook is definitely less than ideal for volunteers and is also not ideal for runners though not as significant as a warm weather event would be for the runners. Rain will be widespread across the marathon route in the morning hours and the heaviest rain is expected in the late morning through early evening. This may result some poor and drainage street flooding in the region. Strong winds are also possible with wind gusts in the 30-45 MPH range in the interior with the highest gusts as you get closer to the Metro Boston areas. Areas of Southeast New England will have wind gusts to 45-50 MPH and this may result in Wind Advisories as we get closer to the event. This could result in isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages. An isolated thunderstorm or two with attendant lightning risk is also possible but exact locations and whether they would occur on the marathon route are difficult to determine. All runners, volunteers and spectators should monitor future weather forecasts and should prepare accordingly for these conditions. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence at 600 AM Monday for the storm on Marathon Monday lasting through 600 PM Monday Evening.

From a SKYWARN perspective, the 146.64-Waltham Repeater and 145.23-Boston Repeater are being utilized for Marathon operations. From an ARES perspective, the Minutemen Repeater Association Repeater Network is being utilized for marathon operations. Please review the SKYWARN Frequency listing for your closest alternate repeater from a SKYWARN or ARES perspective.
http://www.wx1box.org/node/37

For Amateur Radio, Red Cross and all other volunteers along the route, it is recommended that you dress in layers for this event so that you can put on or take off clothes as needed for comfort. Rain gear is a must either with a clear poncho or a rain coat where you can still display appropriate credentials outside of the raincoat. Be sure to drink liquids and eat properly during the event and that you are self-sufficient so that you can be of full help to the function and not distract everyone from the main purpose of supporting the runners by having a health issue on your end that can be avoided. For volunteers, the BAA has sent around via email weather safety tips and suggestions on clothing and other safety tips.

For those people that are planning to go to the Boston Marathon as spectators, the following link details guidelines for spectators for the 2018 Boston Marathon:
http://www.wx1box.org/local/2018_Marathon_Spectator_Guidelines_Final.pdf

Another coordination message will be posted by 1100 PM Sunday Evening. We appreciate everyone’s support in this event and hope those that volunteer enjoy themselves and feel the self-satisfaction of supporting this historic event and those that are monitoring the Marathon or events outside of the Marathon realize that the monitoring is an important function as well and is a testament to being able to scale other incidents beyond the marathon if required. Thanks to all for their support!

Respectfully Submitted,

Marek Kozubal
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Email Address: kb1ncg@gmail.com

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Assistant 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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Public Service

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day Report, 14 April 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Eric Williams, KV1J writes on the Algonquin ARC list:

We had perfect weather today and great support for another successful joint Hudson-Marlborough Household Hazardous Waste Collection day!   Everything went smoothly with the usual rush in the beginning that stayed at a steady flow for the first 3 hours.  The total was 432 cars, 33 more than last Fall’s event.  Marlborough had 246 vehicles and Hudson had 186. We used the new Kenwood UHF portables.  We share the frequency with a regional public service communications in Worcester county.  We could also hear their communications and they were also conducting a Hazardous Waste Collection day so it made it interesting.  I’ll see if I can add a PL tone squelch to the radio programming to eliminate that in the future.

We were under the able leadership of Ted Scott, Marlborough DPW. Thanks to the following volunteers from the Algonquin Amateur Radio Club and the Marlborough Emergency Management Team:

Charlie Regan
Ann Weldon KA1PON
Frank  McInnis K1IX
Tim  Ikeda KA1OS
Rich Landau W1IBN
James Houston AB1YQ
Joe  Reynolds KA1GDQ
Eric Williams KV1J

Also thanks to Kelli Calo and Eddie St Louis from the Hudson Heath Department and  Bill Dunbar from the Marlborough Conservation Commission.

Thank You,
Eric Williams
Communications Officer – Marlborough EMA 

Emergency Communications / Public Service

ARES & SKYWARN Prepare for the 2018 Boston Marathon

- by KB1NCG - Leave a Comment

SKYWARN link: http://www.wx1box.org/node/4071
EMA ARRL link: https://ema.arrl.org/2018/04/14/marathon-2018-1/

Hello to all…

..Winter to be felt late tonight through early Monday Morning followed by heavy rain and strong winds for Patriots Day/Marathon Monday. This is a combined Storm & Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message and these will continue to be combined through Sunday Evening/Monday Morning..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 8 AM Monday for Franklin, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for up to 0.20″ radial ice accumulations and result in slippery road conditions. If 0.20″ or more of icing occurs, isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages may develop..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 4 AM Sunday Morning to 8 PM Sunday Evening for Central Middlesex, Western Essex, and Southern Worcester Counties of Massachusetts  for light icing and accumulations up to 0.10″ inches and slippery road conditions..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 6 AM Sunday Morning to 8 PM Sunday Evening for Northern Connecticut, Eastern Hampden and Eastern Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts for a light glaze of ice and slippery road conditions..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 6 AM Sunday Morning to 5 PM Sunday Evening for Providence and Kent Counties of Rhode Island, Norfolk, Suffolk and Northern Bristol Counties of Rhode Island for a trace of radial ice accumulation and slippery road conditions..
..Patriots Day/Marathon Monday will have widespread rainfall with the heaviest rainfall during the late morning to early evening timeframe. Strong wind gusts of 30-45 MPH are possible across interior Southern New England with wind gusts of 45-50 MPH possible in Southeast New England. Isolated thunderstorms and lightning are also possible. This is detailed in the Boston Marathon Weather portion of this coordination message..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the icing conditions Sunday into early Monday Morning. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence at 600 AM Monday for the storm on Marathon Monday lasting through 600 PM Monday Evening..

The light icing conditions for late tonight through early Monday Morning are covered in the headlines of this coordination message. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the icing conditions Sunday into early Monday Morning. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:

NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

The second part of this message is a special announcement – Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message as issued in prior years:

While this may be a bit off topic for some SKYWARN Spotters, Amateur Radio Operators and Red Cross volunteers, many of which are SKYWARN Spotters, will be involved in the Boston Marathon on Monday April 16th. To reach out to the highest level of Amateur Radio Operators involved in the event, this coordination message is being sent out to the SKYWARN email list and posted to the various Amateur Radio lists. We appreciate everyone’s patience with this message. This is a joint message between the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)-SKYWARN program at NWS Boston/Norton and Eastern Massachusetts ARES. Due to the storm conditions and the fact some level of SKYWARN Activation will occur, messages will occur through at least Sunday Evening on the storm event.

Eastern Massachusetts ARES members not participating in the Boston Marathon are requested to be on standby for marathon activities on Monday April 16th from 6 AM-7 PM for any significant issues outside of the Boston Marathon that may require Amateur Radio Emergency Communications support and for any unexpected issues on the Boston Marathon route. With over 280 Amateur Radio Operators staffing the Boston Marathon route, the start line and the finish line, if an issue arises needing Amateur Radio support outside of the Marathon route or an unexpected issue arises in marathon operations, it is important that any ARES members not involved in the marathon can help with any response that is required. The Amateur Radio Station at the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, WX1BOX, will be active on Monday April 16th for the Boston Marathon to provide weather support to the Amateur Radio community participating in the marathon and to gather any weather reports of significance during the marathon. This station will also be used to coordinate any ARES response to any significant incidents regarding Amateur Radio support outside of the marathon zone including any incidents that need to be provided to the State EOC for situational awareness information.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) at the SEOC (State Emergency Operations Center) will be active for the Boston Marathon. Amateur Radio Operators will be at the SEOC to support Amateur Radio communications and will be on the air under call sign, WC1MA, while many agencies will be there performing primary operations for the marathon.

The weather outlook is definitely less than ideal for volunteers and is also not ideal for runners though not as significant as a warm weather event would be for the runners. Rain will be widespread across the marathon route in the morning hours and the heaviest rain is expected in the late morning through early evening. This may result some poor and drainage street flooding in the region. Strong winds are also possible with wind gusts in the 30-45 MPH range in the interior with the highest gusts as you get closer to the Metro Boston areas. Areas of Southeast New England will have wind gusts to 45-50 MPH and this may result in Wind Advisories as we get closer to the event. This could result in isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages. An isolated thunderstorm or two with attendant lightning risk is also possible but exact locations and whether they would occur on the marathon route are difficult to determine. All runners, volunteers and spectators should monitor future weather forecasts and should prepare accordingly for these conditions. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence at 600 AM Monday for the storm on Marathon Monday lasting through 600 PM Monday Evening.

From a SKYWARN perspective, the 146.64-Waltham Repeater and 145.23-Boston Repeater are being utilized for Marathon operations. From an ARES perspective, the Minutemen Repeater Association Repeater Network is being utilized for marathon operations. Please review the SKYWARN Frequency listing for your closest alternate repeater from a SKYWARN or ARES perspective.
http://www.wx1box.org/node/37

For Amateur Radio, Red Cross and all other volunteers along the route, it is recommended that you dress in layers for this event so that you can put on or take off clothes as needed for comfort. Rain gear is a must either with a clear poncho or a rain coat where you can still display appropriate credentials outside of the raincoat. Be sure to drink liquids and eat properly during the event and that you are self-sufficient so that you can be of full help to the function and not distract everyone from the main purpose of supporting the runners by having a health issue on your end that can be avoided. For volunteers, the BAA has sent around via email weather safety tips and suggestions on clothing and other safety tips.

For those people that are planning to go to the Boston Marathon as spectators, the following link details guidelines for spectators for the 2018 Boston Marathon:
http://www.wx1box.org/local/2018_Marathon_Spectator_Guidelines_Final.pdf

Another coordination message will be posted by 1100 AM Sunday Morning. We appreciate everyone’s support in this event and hope those that volunteer enjoy themselves and feel the self-satisfaction of supporting this historic event and those that are monitoring the Marathon or events outside of the Marathon realize that the monitoring is an important function as well and is a testament to being able to scale other incidents beyond the marathon if required. Thanks to all for their support!

Respectfully Submitted,

Marek Kozubal
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Email Address: kb1ncg@gmail.com

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Assistant 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

EmComm Vehicles Showcased at Dayton

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment
EmComm Vehicles Showcased at Dayton
From across the country EmComm vehicles will gather this year at the 2018 Hamvention to showcase Amateur Radio Emergency Communications and Community Services. Emergency communications groups such as ARES, RACES, MARS, CERT, SALVATION ARMY, DHS, NATIONAL GUARD, CGAUX or any groups who have a sincere interest in emergency communications are invited to display their emergency communications TRAILERS, VANS, TRUCKS or other displays at Dayton Hamvention®.
Emergency Communications

WX1BOX Communications Test, April 14, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

SKYWARN logoRob Macedo, KD1CY writes:

WX1BOX, the Amateur Radio Station at NWS Boston/Norton, will conduct an Amateur Radio VHF/UHF Communications Test this SaturdayAfternoon/Evening 4/14/18 to test out the VHF/UHF Amateur Radio Gear at the NWS office..

Over the last 2 weeks, NWS Boston/Norton Electronics Technician staff installed and connected up the 2 VHF/UHF antennas for the WX1BOX Amateur Radio Station. On Thursday 4/14/18, a very brief test was run and proved that one of the antennas is in proper working order for at least VHF if not UHF.

For Saturday Afternoon into early this evening, two Amateur Radio Operators will be at the NWS Boston/Norton office. The purpose will be to do a full communications test and to look for any problems with the current installation and assess capabilities. An initial assessment is that there will be a slight reduction in coverage due to the fact that the new NWS office facility is at a somewhat lower elevation. The original facility was on top of a hill in the Myles Standish Industrial Park. The newer facility does not have the same height above sea level. The antenna tower is the same height (if not higher) than the prior facility. The antennas are on the top of the antenna tower.

We will be doing a rotation around various SKYWARN Amateur Radio repeaters to conduct testing. Due to the fact that we will likely be doing radio programming, potentially debugging any issues with the setup and doing other setup work as part of the communications test, we can’t commit to a set schedule for this testing, however, the rough time window of testing will likely be from 3-8 PM this evening. Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters are encouraged to monitor local SKYWARN frequencies per the WX1BOX Amateur Radio frequency listing via the link below:

http://www.wx1box.org/node/37

We will announce that we are testing and feel free to answer back to us and give us signal reports. We will also try and post to our Facebook/Twitter feeds the frequencies we will be moving to as part of this testing.

The HF antenna installation is not complete yet. This will likely take place some time in May. When that is completed another communications test will be done specifically for the HF capability.

Depending on any issues detected in this VHF/UHF Communications test, we could potentially run another test once any issues that we cannot address on the Amateur Radio side is completed. Communications Test results will be posted if not over the weekend/Monday timeframe, by Thursday 4/19/18.

We appreciate everyone’s support of the NWS Boston/Norton overall SKYWARN program and the Amateur Radio component of the SKYWARN program.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Assistant 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