Eastern Massachusetts ARRL

The ARRL participated in a teleconference call on Wednesday, September 19, with the Department of Defense (DoD) regarding Amateur Radio repeaters interfering with the Air Force’s PAVE Paws radar system.

According to ARRL Regulatory Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, “The DoD acknowledges that it has seen changes at some repeater sites, but not all of them.” He said the DoD has revisited the Massachusetts repeaters, located near Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod, to “remeasure the numbers. Some Massachusetts repeater owners have volunteered to completely turn off their systems and some others have made changes, but more is needed at both PAVE Paws radar sites.”

The DoD, Henderson continued, has identified additional sources of interference in Massachusetts. “This was not really unexpected and is part of what has become an ongoing project. The ARRL will begin working with these repeater owners as soon as the DoD provides us with specific information,” he said.
In California, where more than 100 repeaters are being scrutinized by the DoD, Henderson said the majority of repeaters have not been mitigated: “The Air Force has not had a chance to revisit Beale Air Force Base for new measurements, but it will be happening soon.”

Reports have circulated that a number of California repeater owners have decided to take no further action about mitigating the interference unless they receive official notice from the Federal Communications Commission. “If these reports are true,” Henderson said, “it is unfortunate. The FCC has stayed abreast of the discussions between the League and the DoD, and they are prepared to act appropriately if they are contacted by the DoD.”

He continued: “The DoD has indicated they are willing to allow the ARRL to continue its attempts to mitigate the interference; however, they have expressed a sense of urgency that this must come to a conclusion. Those waiting for FCC action may find it coming sooner rather than later.”

–The ARRL Letter Vol. 26, No. 38 September 21, 2007

See also:
eHam.com: FCC/DOD Says Power Down: UHF Repeaters in Calif. Reduced to 5 Watts
Cape Cod Times: “Ham radio users face military interference”
Barnstable ARC 443.500 Repeater Off The Air
ARRL Submits Plan to Mitigate Repeater Interference to Military Radars
ARRL Aiding Effort to Mitigate Repeater Interference to Military Radars
NESMC PAVE PAWS/UHF Repeater Update

The Massasoit Amateur Radio Association and the Whitman Amateur Radio Club in Bridgewater and Whitman, respectively, are looking at the possible impact on emergency communications needs and disaster assistance requirements should a casino be build in Middleborough, according to Eastern MA South Shore District Emergency Coordinator and MARA President Carl Aveni, N1FY. “We are in the discussion phase of what possible scenarios could occur and what Amateur Radio emergency communication requirements may be needed.”

On July 28, 2007, Middleborough residents approved by a 2-to-1 margin a deal to bring the state’s first casino to this mostly rural town south of Boston.

–Thanks, MARA News, September, 2007

Amateurs from the Whitman Amateur Radio Club recently attended the 21st World Scout Jamboree in Hylands Park, Chelmsford, England. Paul Moss, KB1MTW and Mike Supple, KB1OEP spent ten days visiting London and Paris with Whitman Troop 22. While in England, they spent one day visiting the Jamboree and special events station GB100J. The station commemorated the 100-year anniversary of scouting which started in 1907 in England.

“Echolink was down at the site due to lack of Internet access, start-up problems. [We] did get to do a two-meter simplex connection with the group at the station and an Echolink QSO through the base station connection to a local club repeater link,” reports KB1MTW. Paul also spoke to a father and son who are involved in scouting.

Approximately 40,000 scouts from 200 countries participated in the Jamboree. A contact was made between scouts at GB100J and Clay Anderson, KD5PLA on-board the International Space Station. Another contact was made via Echolink with Whitman ARC member Don Burke, KB1LXH in Taunton.

Shown here: Scott Supple and Koby Ward of Whitman trading patches.

–Thanks, Whitman ARC Spectrum, September, 2007

The Pentucket Radio Association will celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week from the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge with a special event operation as K1W.

The group will operate on or near the following frequencies: 21.130 14.265 7.240 3.880 MHz.

The group encourages all interested parties to come out and visit the great outdoors. “October is a wonderful time of year to get out and visit your local Refuge. The weather is great, animals are active (bring binoculars) and the scenery can be spectacular! What a perfect opportunity to combine our love for the outdoors and amateur radio.” For additional on where to go in your area, visit http://www.fws.gov/refuges.

To receive a special commemorative QSL for this event, along with a refuge brochure, please send an SASE to:

Larry Caruso, K1LGC
77 Whittier Road
Haverhill, MA 01830

“Operating Schedule: On Sunday, October 7th, from 1500-2000Z we will be operating from Refuge Headquarters, located at 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA

“We will be on the air at various other times during the week as our schedules allow. Check the club’s announcement page for updates.”

[See also: Pentucket Radio Association To Operate in NWR Event]

A Technician licensing course will be offered in October by the Concord-Carlisle Adult and Community Education program in conjunction with the Colonial Wireless Association. The course will meet each Tuesday and Thursday night from October 16 – October 25 at the Concord-Carlisle Regional High School L-Building in Concord. The fee is $20. At this time, the course still has openings.

For more information and to enroll, please visit http://www.ace.colonial.net/Default.html, then “Browse” for “Communications and Speech” courses, then select “Concord Ham Radio Class”.

Bob Salow, WA1IDA writes:

The ham public service events are winding down for this year, so soon you can relax (except for the “real” disasters). Here we are at the Seventh Annual BAA Half Marathon. For the past six years this event received huge acclaim in the athlete’s world – largely because of the skills and experience of the organizers and support staff (we are definitely a part of that). The Half is run almost entirely in Boston (2% in Brookline), with more than 5000 local, national and international athletes expected. Proceeds benefit the Jimmy Fund.

Our ham radio team has been asked again to support communications for this event doing our usual medical, water and administrative tasks. We definitely need your help – and more hams. Time is short.

The Half Marathon will be held on SUNDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2007. Time and other details are below. The course is along the length of the “Emerald Necklace” (as beautiful as you can get in Boston). The out-and-back route starts and finishes at Clemente Park in the Fenway. It follows the Riverway, Jamaicaway, and Arborway to the Franklin Park Zoo for a turnaround and return on almost the same route.

The weather is likely to be cool and the 13.1-mile course should not be a strain on the athletes. Water and medical stations are spaced appropriately. We also have assignments at several hazardous points. Our duties on the course will be to support these locations, but we also serve as observers of the runners, spectators and local residents (some of their streets are to be closed). Most stations serve both outbound and inbound runners. At Clemente Field, we have a number of fixed and roving medical assignments.

If you are assigned to a station on the course, and you wish to drive, you may go directly to the assigned location. I hope to have a ham course Traveler who will deliver your identity (long sleeve) shirt. If you are willing to drive directly to your station on the course, I will send you a Vehicle Permit (as an email attachment in MS Word) for you to print out. Those assigned to course stations must be on site at 0700 so the Traveler can meet you briefly and move on. The Traveler will call your station as he approaches. Be ready and go to the Traveler’s car or bus for the ID shirt and any last minute information.

If you do not plan to drive to an assigned course station, you must arrive at Clemente Field at 0600. A parking lot for volunteers only will be located about three blocks away from Clemente. You will receive an ID shirt and any last minute information. Before the race begins there will be transportation from Clemente to the course station assignments.

Hams assigned to posts at Clemente Field must be present at 0700 for a briefing and the amenities. Keep in mind that parking in the Fenway area is limited, so allow a few minutes to use the volunteer parking lot. Although the area is T accessible from several directions, the T may not be running at that hour – see www.mbta.com). Parking (at that hour) will also be available at the Landmark Center (formerly the Sears store) on Park Drive at Brookline Ave, but there is a charge for the Landmark parking.

The entire event should be over before 1130, and all roads will be progressively opened. This schedule is what is known now. Better details later.

Because the entire course is compact, very few repeaters need be used. Our present plan is to use both 2-meters and 70-cm, both bands with CTCSS.

WE NEED YOU TO VOLUNTEER. As in the past, we are committed to reliable, professional performance, and the requirements below lead to this goal. Please note them and sign up quickly. Our duties at this event are straight forward and are well suited for hams who have little experience at public service. Each ham must have his or her own radio and accessories – no sharing of equipment can be permitted during the event. Each ham must be self sufficient for the entire period, as we cannot assure partnered assignments.

1. For the duration of this event you are considered a member of the Boston Amateur Radio Club (BARC) and a BAA volunteer. BARC carries a liability insurance policy.

2. To assist in identification and security, you must wear a badge with your name and call sign. Your volunteer credential will be a special long-sleeve shirt provided at the beginning of the day and your bright orange “Emergency Communications” cap (available for $5.00 – let me know if you need one).

3. Our communications support is provided only by licensed Amateur Radio operators, Technician class or above. Be sure to have a good photocopy of your valid license and a call sign badge with you.

4. Because of the terrain and expected radio traffic congestion, you should have a full size antenna (that is, better than a minimal “rubber duck”) and a battery supply sufficient to run at your maximum power if necessary. While you will mostly listen and rarely transmit, the best guide is for 10 hours of battery capability. The ambient noise level may be high, so an inexpensive headset (not just an ear plug) is strongly recommended.

5. To present ourselves as professional and proficient, you must be neatly dressed. The bright orange “Emergency Communications” cap is essential for identification. Local residents and the media will be watching.

6. Expect the media. If you are interviewed, state that you are a ham radio operator, and give only a very brief statement about what your assignment is. Then refer the interviewer to our public relations staff (call Net Control for direction). Please do not offer prolonged descriptions of the joys of ham radio.

NOTE:
More hams are needed. Please spread the word in your local club and to your on-the-air friends! Anyone interested should contact me directly ASAP. We also need you to understand that although we must call for more hams now, final staffing needs may not match the number of ham volunteers. Therefore, a very small possibility exists that we still may not be able to give everyone an assignment.

As the event date gets closer, instead of formal briefings, those who volunteer will receive an email with the assignment, a detailed description of the assignment site and other information.

If you can give this event your help, please contact me as soon as possible. We also need to know if your radio has 2-meters with CTCSS and if you have the 70-cm band. If you have any questions about participation, do not hesitate to contact me.

When you reply, please include the following information:
Your best email address for last minute information.
Can you open an MS Word email attachment?
Are you available to drive, and, if assigned on the course (not assured), would you drive there directly?
Your shirt size.

If you have already informed me that you are available, please reply to this message anyway.

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

© 2007 WA1IDA – S/070904

The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association is seeking additional hams to assist in the Cape Cod Marathon on October 28, 2007. According to the club web site, “This is a true marathon and counts as a qualifier for many of the larger marathons. It might not attract as big a field as the [Falmouth] Road Race, but this is one race where FARA members are often busy in chase cars and on chase bikes, tracking down errant runners who stray from the course and may be in need of medical assistance.”

Hams participants also provide coordinating communications for the officials in addition to the medical communications.

A “pre-marathon meeting” is scheduled the day before on Saturday, October 27 in the rear of the Town Hall.

To sign up, visit http://www.falara.org/forms/joinmarath.pdf.

The Framingham Amateur Radio Association is sponsoring two “Crash” courses for hams wishing to upgrade to Extra or General. The Extra class meets on two successive Saturday mornings, 9 to 12 noon on September 22 and 29; the General class will also meet on two successive Saturday mornings on October 20 and 27, 2007.

Both sessions will be held at the club location, the basement of the Danforth Museum on Lexington Street in downtown Framingham. No fee is required, but prior registration is recommended. For further information call Ed W1NXC at 508-881-2301 or contact a FARA club officer.

Don Tanguay, N1DT and Bob “Whitey” Doherty, K1VV activated Lovell’s Island Range Lights USA456 and USA1114 and Narrows(Bug) Light USA960 under the call sign W1AA on Saturday, September 8, 2007. According to K1VV, this weekend’s operation marked the 64th, 65th and 66th activations for the “dynamic duo.”

For more information on Amateur Radio lighthouse activity, visit http://arlhs.com.

The Whitman Amateur Radio Club presented a donation of fifteen ARRL books to the Whitman Public Library on September 5, 2007. The book package was purchased from the League for approximately $200.00. The gift complements the library’s existing QST subscription that the club has provided for many years. A press release about the donation is being prepared for the local papers.

Shown here (left-right): WARC board member Paul Moss, KB1MTW; Jennifer Inglis, Director of the Whitman Public Library; WARC President Paul Burbine, N1VTI.

–Thanks, NI1X