Eastern Massachusetts ARRL

Hi, all,

I will be organizing a special event station using my call sign — NE1R — at the American Red Cross of Central and Western Massachusetts (Worcester) Saturday, March 10 starting at 8 AM ET. The station was setup Friday March 9th and we QRT’ed at 6 PM ET. Good work given propagation: 93 QSOs (contacts), 27 states, and 6 countrys. We will be operating at least one HF station trying to make as many contacts as possible to promote awareness that March is American Red Cross Month. This is a local aspect of an effort being carried on in several chapter across the country.

If you are so inclined, I ask you to (1) follow me on Twitter — @NE1R — for near real-time up-dates on where we are operating, (2) contact me about volunteering to operate/log/tweet etc. at the event, (3) contact us on the air and give us a contact, (4) help spread the word about the event through your social medial, e-mail lists and reflectors, and on-air contacts. This isn’t really a “contest.” But, a bit of effort has been put into promoting this event and bragging rights would be a nice result. Also, it could be a long day if we don’t get a lot of activity.

If you can’t follow me on Twitter, look for us around 14.327 and 21.327 Mhz.

Thanks,
73,
Tom Carrigan
NE1R

The following information was provided to MEMA by the Federal Emergency Management Agency:

Location: Global

•The largest solar flare in five years is racing toward Earth, threatening to unleash a torrent of charged particles that could disrupt power grids, global positioning systems (GPS) and airplane flights
•The sun erupted Tuesday evening, and the effects should start hitting Earth around 7 a.m. EST Thursday, according to forecasters at the Space Weather Prediction Center
◦The solar storm is likely to last t! hrough Friday morning, but the region of the sun that erupted can still send more blasts, a scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said
•Solar storms can disrupt technology on Earth through magnetic, radio and radiation emissions
◦All three types of disruptions are likely to be strong with the current storm, the scientist reported
•The magnetic part of the storm has the potential to trip electrical power grids, and power companies have been alerted to possible outages
•The storms can also make GPS less accurate, can cause communication problems and add radiation around the north and south poles, which will likely force airlines to reroute flights
•Satellites could also be affected

NEW:  Follow me on Twitter @WC1MA, and Facebook handle WC1MA

Regards and 73,

Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
State RACES Officer (Acting);
Member of the MEMT;
Member of the MA State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC), and Policies and Programs subcommittee;
Chairperson, Amateur Radio Working Group
New Office Answering Service: 978.293.7858
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The Genesis Amateur Radio Society, in Cooperation with Jordan Hospital, will be holding Amateur Radio – Technician License Classes and Exam sessions on the following dates.
…
The classes are broken up into 3 days. Day 3 will also include testing.

The Classes will be held at Jordan Hospital Conference/Class Rooms as shown below.
ALL CLASSES IN THE BOYNTON
Fri March 9, 2012 6:30p-9:30p
Sat March 10, 2012 9a-5p
Sat March 17, 2012 9a-5p

The 3rd class date also includes the test session going from approx 3:00p – 5pm.
Walk-ins registration allowed for testing ONLY starting at 2:30pm-3:00pm.

It is recommended to take all 3 classes, but not Mandatory.
Registration is a must due to limited seating.

If you attend the last class only, please download the Study Guide Below <http://genesisars.org/education/handouts/Tech_Study_Guide_2010.pdf> and study it for the testing session.

Any one and everyone is allowed to attend the last class from 9am-2pm on Saturday Aug 27. Please notify Education.Registration@genesisars.org

that you are planning on attending. There are at least 8-12 seats available.

If you are interested, please drop Joe Reynolds or Chris Johnson an email at
Joe: ka1gdq@gmail.com Voice-mail of 508-296-3622 Cell: 774-222-2542
Chris: n1ir@arrl.net

<=You will need a copy of the ARRL Q&A Technician Manual

The Technician License Manual is an Optional Book to help you with your studying.; More in-depth information. Ask how to obtain your book when you email or call Joe or Chris. =================================>>

Testing (paid on date of testing) will be $15.00 per ARRL Testing Guidelines.

Please download this registration <http://genesisars.org/Forms/TECH%20CLASS%20FORM%20March%202012.pdf> and email it to education.registration@genesisars.org <mailto:education.registration@genesisars.org>

TECH REGISTRATION FORM <http://genesisars.org/Forms/TECH%20CLASS%20FORM%20March%202012.pdf>

STUDY GUIDE MATERIAL <http://genesisars.org/education/handouts/Tech_Study_Guide_2010.pdf>

(if you know of a good place to post this, get the owners permission first. Thanks)

—
Joe Reynolds
KA1GDQ
PO BOX 10
BUZZARDS BAY, MA 02532
ka1gdq@gmail.com
http://ka1gdq.us/

Greetings!

This is for Boston, MA area hams. It is that time again… Public service season is here. We are now looking for help for this year’s Project Bread Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 6, 2012.

This will be the 44th running of the event. We need people to provide communications support for the Project Bread staff and volunteers along the 20 mile walk.

If you are interested in helping out this year, go to http://www.mmra.org/wfh/ to log in and fill out the signup form.

If you have questions please send an email to: wfh12@mmra.org.

73,

Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF
Walk For Hunger 2012
Amateur Radio Communications Coordinator

All,

Many of you asked for some follow-up information on the presentation last Saturday.  I have prepared a press release for amateur radio use only that fills in some details and answer some questions with as much information as we have now.  See the link below for the press release:

http://ares.ema.arrl.org/local/PR_ACS2.pdf

More information will be available in a few weeks after my team and I have met with the MEMA Director.  You may direct any questions you may have (that we can answer now) to me, the Regional RO’s, and the WMA and EMA SEC’s.

NEW:  Follow me on Twitter @WC1MA, and Facebook handle WC1MA

Regards and 73,

Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
State RACES Officer (Acting);
Member of the MEMT;
Member of the MA State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC), and Policies and Programs subcommittee;
Chairperson, Amateur Radio Working Group
New Office Answering Service: 978.293.7858
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According to a story posted Feb. 27 on Wicked Local, the Arlington Emergency Management Agency is seeking Amateur Radio operators who are willing to assist the Town during emergencies. [Story]

John O’Neill, KB1QEM writes:

The South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club has been asked to provide communications support on St. Patricks Day March 17th @ 9:00 am. It is a 4 mile race starting at McGreals Tavern in Norwell on March 17th at 9:00 am. The race last for about 2 hours and is lots of fun. All that is required is a 2m radio (preferably handheld with a fully charged battery). If you are a new ham this is a great opportunity to get some field experience.

They let the runners choose the charities. They have 3 that we setup: Kathy Frank Scholarship Fund, The Boys & Girls Club of Plymouth and Friends of South Shore Hospital. Runners also have the option of setting up their own charity, bringing friends to run for their charity, and then we will make the donations post-race based on the number of runners each charity has run for them.

If you are interested in joining us please write to SSHARC@gmail.com.

Bob Salow, WA1IDA writes:

The Multiple Sclerosis Society has again requested ham support for the 2012 MS Boston Walk on Sunday, 1 April. As it has for the past several years, the walk starts and finishes at the Harvard Athletic Complex in Allston. The courses are a 3- or 5- mile walk along both sides of the Charles River, ending in mid-afternoon. Our assignments begin at 0900 and should be complete between early and mid-afternoon. An excellent lunch is provided for all walkers and volunteers.

This event has its hazards and quirks, but our communications support will make the day safe and smooth for participants, spectators and staff. For those who are new to ham public service, this event is a good introduction, and we need your help. For those who have done this before, your help is needed more than ever.

A 2-meter, 5 watt hand-held is needed. A dual-band radio is desirable, but not required. An antenna better than the “rubber duck” that came with your radio should be used for all public service Be sure you charge your radio’s battery before the event. An extra battery pack will be most helpful.

Ham public service is interesting and offers fun experiences. The communication load for this event is light, but safety and support for the participants are always our primary concern.

If you can help with the Multiple Sclerosis Boston Walk on Sunday, 1 April 2012, please reply to this email with all of the following information as soon as possible.

Full name
On-air name
Call sign
Postal mailing address (including 9-digit ZIP code)
Evening phone
Day phone
Cell phone
Email address
Does your 2-meter radio have CTCSS (PL)?
Do you have a dual-band radio?
Do you have a magnetic mount antenna?
T-shirt size

Let me know if you have volunteered for this event before and want a similar assignment. While we cannot guarantee requested assignments, we will try our best to meet your preference. Please respond as quickly as you can.

If you know other hams who would like to volunteer, ask them to send in the above information. If you are new and want to get more public service experience, this is an excellent event to get your feet wet. As significant as our communications will be, this event is a low impact opportunity to learn the ropes.

Your assistance is valuable. We will get the assignments and more details to you as soon possible. If you have already volunteered, bear with us and reply to this message.

You might also note that April and May are busy months for public service events requesting ham support. We will also be coordinating hams for the following events:

15 April – BAA 5K and 1 mile Races – Boston
29 April – Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Races – Charles River, Needham to Boston
12 May – MS Journey of Hope Walk – Natick
20 May – Brain Tumor Bicycle Rides – Waltham to Concord
…and more in June and October

Your assistance will be valuable for these events also. Notices will be sent closer to the event schedule. Help if you can.

Got questions? Don’t hesitate to get in touch!

73, Bob Salow, WA1IDA
wa1ida@arrl.net
508.650.9440 (H)
617.650.0062 (C)

The Minuteman Repater Association (MMRA) has created an exclusively 222 MHz repeater network. All the MMRA 222 MHz repeaters are now full time linked together and to each other only. The network currently consists of: 223.94 Hopkinton, 224.40 Quincy, 224.70 Weston, 224.88 Marlboro. All use a PL of 103.5. 222 MHz has superior propagation to 440 MHz or 900 MHz and is free from the interference on those bands. For more information on the MMRA 222 MHz Repeater Network go to www.mmra.org.

New amateur gear for the 222 MHz band has recently come on the market: Jetstream mobile($230), Alinco mobile($230), Wouxun 144/222 MHz portable($100), Alinco 222 MHz portable($170), Alinco 222/900 portable($350), Kenwood 144/222/440 MHz portable($300), etc.

“Tuesday is 220 Day” similar to “Thursday is 900 Day” is being promoted by Jeff, N1ZZN, and Roger, WA1NVC.

The New England IRLP Reflector has created a New England Amateur Radio 220 MHz Network(Near-220) channel (9124) just like the Near-900 channel (9125).

The MMRA 222 MHz Repeater Network will also be connected to the Near-220 channel on Tuesdays. This will be implemented as soon as the IRLP node at the Weston site is working.

It’s official — delegates attending the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) have approved a new 7-kilohertz-wide secondary allocation between 472-479 kHz for the Amateur Radio Service. [Full story]

Hello all stations:

I have an important update to our meeting on the 25th.  Since I made the announcement, over 70 people have confirmed their attendance.  This caused a small crisis with MEMA in that there would not be enough room at the original venue, the SEOC, for all to attend.  MEMA suggested to me that folks be turned away until we got down to the 50 person limit.  Instead, I found another venue so that our people can come together to learn about the changes and talk about it.

I have been fortunate to secure another facility from a generous friend in private industry, which is prepared to welcome as many members as may want to come out.  This development has the added advantage of attracting more of our members from the western part of the state to join us.  Our original attendees should also find that little additional time would have to be built into their trips, except those coming from locations near to Framingham.

No change to the date (2/25) and time (1000).

The new location is Atlas Box and Crating Company, Inc., 223 Worcester Providence Turnpike, Sutton, MA 01590.  The road is also known as MA route 146.  For most folks, I90 (Mass Pike) to Exit 10A (US20/MA 146), then southbound MA 146 to EXIT 7 (Central Turnpike) for a U-Turn to rejoin MA 146 north.  Plant entrance is at bottom of the ramp to the right.  DO NOT REENTER HIGHWAY.  Bear left at the fork in the entrance road to park.

Their website is http://www.atlasbox.net, but no directions.  Use http://maps.google.com instead to plan your trip.

As this is also a secure facility, please be so kind as to RSVP me again at w1mpn@arrl.net so I know you got this change.  Your courtesy in the last round helped avert a major crisis, so my thanks to you again in advance.

I am looking forward to it!

NEW:  Follow me on Twitter @WC1MA, and Facebook handle WC1MA

Regards and 73,

Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
State RACES Officer (Acting);
Member of the MEMT;
Member of the MA State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC), and Policies and Programs subcommittee;
Chairperson, Amateur Radio Working Group
New Office Answering Service: 978.293.7858
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