Eastern Massachusetts ARRL

New England Area   Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2006 P 1 of 2

All events are Ham Radio/ Electronic related except ~_____~

************************************************************************ *******

2006                                                    Contact Source

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~

18 Mar Pomfret CT ECARA @CommSch Rt101+169 $2@8 $10/TPaul KE1LI 860 928 2456 F+

18 Mar New Windsor NY OCARC @TempleHillSch         Edward N2XJI 845 534 3492 A+
19 Mar Henniker NH CVRC @ Comm School                  Jim NS1E 603 428 7436 A+
25 Mar Lewiston ME AARC @Ramada $8/T $5@8            Rick N1WFO 207 740 1266 W
25 Mar Rochester NH GBRA @CommCtr @9 $10/T@8       Karen KB1KBE 207 698 1618 W
25-26 Mar Timonium MD GBHC  6AM @FG                  Doug N3VEJ 410 HAM FEST A+
26 Mar Framingham MA FARA @WalshSch $5@9 $20/T@7:30 Kevin W1MEX 508 653 2863 W
8 Apr Londonderry NH IRS @Lions Club $10@7 $3@9    Gayle KB1LHA 781 598 1442
15 Ap S Portland ME PAWA @AmLegion                   Roger N1XP 207 671 0671 A
16 Apr Cambridge MA          FLEA at MIT                   Nick 617 253 3776

                Third Sunday April thru October
22 Apr Nashua NH NE Antique RC $15/T@7 $5@8 $2@9 @StStan  Marty 603 755 2839
22 April Montreal PQ MARC @LaSalleRCL $4@9 $8/T@8         James 514 697 7205 R
23 Ap Southington CT SARA @HS $5@9 $10@8:30 $20/T@6:30     Chet 860 628 9346 F
23 Ap LaGrangeville NY MtBeaconARC @TymorPk          Rich N2ZKX 845 344 2720 A+
23 Ap Enfield CT NEWS E VHF/UHF Conf                 Mark K1MAP 413 566 2404 W+
29-30 Ap Watertown MA Photographica @ACEC ~photo~          John 781 592 2553 W+
5,6 May Hopkinton NH HossTraders @FG x7 I89           Joe K1RQG 207 469 3492 T
6 May Goshen CT SBARC @FG Rt 63                       Lee K1LEE 860 435 0051  +
13 May Halifax NS HARC @ForumAnnex B@9 S@6:30     Murray VE1MMD R
13 May Rensselaer NY EGARA @FireHse $5@8 $10/T@6  Thomas KC2FCP 518 272 1494 F+
21 May Cambridge MA          FLEA at MIT                   Nick 617 253 3776
27 May Vernon CT NARC @Tolland AG Ctr               Wayne N1GUS 860 487 1921 A
28 May SorelTracy PQ STARC $5@9 $15/T@6              Luc VE2DWE 450 743 8676 R+
2 June Feeding Hills MA HCRA TG Party @CongCh @6PM   Dave KB1MU 413 596 6605
2-4 June Rochester NY RARA @FG                      Harold K2HC 585 424 7184 A
3 June Hermon ME PSARC @HS                         Roger KA1TKS 207 848 3846 A+
4 June Queens NY HoSARC 47-01 111st $5@9 $10/sp@7:30      Steve 718 898 5599 F+
11 June Newington CT NARL @ShrinerHall             George AB1GL 860 463 0948 A+

************************************************************************ *******

LAST UPDATE 3-18-06 de W1GSL

P 1

   List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version
************************************************************************ *******

Additions/ Corrections via e-Mail   w1gsl@mit.edu  ***

Page 3 Electronic distribution only.  This page has the overflow if any P3

from the paper version.

************************************************************************ *******

2006                                                    Contact Source

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~

************************************************************************ *******

LAST UPDATE 3-18-06 de W1GSL P 3

   List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version
Additions/ Corrections via Internet  w1gsl@mit.edu
                           US Mail  W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139

(c)2006 W1GSL   http://www.swapfwst.us        SASE for updated copy as issued.

unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety

************************************************************************ *******
  List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version
Be sure to check for the latest version as updating is under the control
of the page owner.
* You can have the list e-mailed directly to you as it is updated.

*

* Just send a request to be added to the distribution to   w1gsl@mit.edu

*
                             73 Steve F

                                W1GSL
***********************************************************************

New England Area  Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  ***     P4

Links to New England Hamfest Web Sites                (c) 2006 W1GSL

***********************************************************************

This section is only included in the electronic distribution.
Cambridge MA    Flea at MIT     http://www.swapfest.us
Hopkinton NH    Hosstraders     http://www.qsl.net/k1rqg/
Amherst MA      Mt. Tom ARC     http://www.mtara.org/hamfest/flea.html
Adams MA        N BerkshireARC  http://www.nobarc.org/hamfest
Boxborough MA   NE ARRL Conv    http://www.boxboro.org/
Framingham MA   FARA            http://www.fara.org/
Newton MA       Waltham ARA Auction    http://www.wara64.org/auction/
S Dartmouth MA  SEMARA          http://www.semara.org/flea/fleamkt.htm
Watertown MA    Photographica   http://www.phsne.org/ +
Whately MA      FranklinCARC    http://www.fcarc.org/flea.html
Enfield CT      VHF/UHF Conf    http://www.newsvhf.com/vhfconf.html +
Newington CT    NARL            http://www.narl.net/1.htm
Southington CT  SARA            http://www.chetbacon.com/sara.htm
Wallingford CT  Nutmeg CT Conv  http://www.nutmeghamfest.com
Windsor CT      Vintage R Mus http://www.NationalCommunicationsMuseum.org/
Lewiston ME     AARC            http://www.mainearrl.org/convent.htm
Portland ME     PAWA            http://www.qsl.net/pawa/fleamarket.html
Henniker NH     CVRC            http://www.qsl.net/k1bke/
Rochester NH    GBRA            http://www.kb1kbe.com/hamfest06.html
Bergen NJ       BARA            http://www.bara.org/
Lake Placid NY  NNY ARA http://www.northnet.org/nnyham/hamfest_flyer2004.htm
Lindenhurst NY  ToB ARES        http://www.tobares.org/hamfest.html
Long Island NY  LIMARC          http://www.limarc.org/fest.htm
Massapequa NY   GSB ARA         http://www.gsbarc.org/
Queens NY       Hall of Science http://hosarc.org/hamfest.html
Rensselaer NY   E Greenbush ARA http://www.com-tech.org/EGARA.html
Rochester NY    AWA             http://www.antiquewireless.org/
Rochester NY    RARA            http://www.rochesterhamfest.org/
Greenwich RI    Fidelity ARC    http://users.ids.net/~newsm/dates.html
Essex Junction VT   Burlington ARC  http://www.vtstetson.net/fest02.pdf
Milton VT       RANV VT Conv    http://www.ranv.org/milton.html
Drummondville PQ  leCRdeD http://www.9bit.qc.ca/ve2crd/hamfest/index.html
Montreal PQ     MARC            http://www.marc.qc.ca/fest/fest.html
Montreal PQ     WIARC           http://www.pubnix.net/wiarc/hamfest.htm
Montreal PQ     MS-SARC         http://www.ve2clm.ca/hamfesta.htm
Sorel-Tracy PQ  CRAS-T          http://www.hamfest.qc.ca/
Summerside PEI  SPARC http://www.summersidearc.com/fleamarket.htm
St Therese PQ   CRALL           http://www.ve2crl.qc.ca/hamfest2002.htm
Halafax NS      HARC            http://www.halifax-arc.org/
Timonium MD     GBHC            http://www.gbhc.org/ +
Canada          RAC List http://rac.eton.ca/data/racfleas.taf?function=form
Phila. Area     VARA List       http://www.qsl.net/w2vtm/hamfest.html
USA             ARRL List       http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html

		

The ARRL has announced its 2006 Summer Teachers Institutes on Wireless Technology, funded by generous contributors and support from League members. The hands-on program teaches the basic concepts of wireless, space and robotics technology in the classroom. The workshops are targeted at active and interested school teachers at elementary, middle or high school level, or leadership in enrichment or after-school programs. An Amateur radio license in not required.

The four, one-week-long, expense paid sessions are limited to 12 participants to maximize participation and individual attention.

Dates and locations:

* June 19-23        Parallax, Roseville, CA
* July 24-28        ARRL, Newington, CT
* July 31-Aug 4     ARRL, Newington, CT
* Aug 7-11          Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ

The application deadline is May 15, 2006

If you know of any teachers in Eastern Massachusetts who might benefit from these innovative programs, please have them visit http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ti.html for more information and to apply.

Bob Salow, WA1IDA writes:

As you can see in the Subject line above, this is a plural event. The Multiple Sclerosis Society is organizing not only its historic Boston/Cambridge walk, but at the same time, a walk from Wellesley to Boston. And so we start off the 2006 season of ham radio public service events.

We have been asked to support communications for both events which increases our need for your help on Saturday, 8 April. Yes, these are on a Saturday!

The ham assembly time for the usual Boston/Cambridge walk is 1000 on Boston Common near the intersection of Beacon St and Charles St. The Walk route will proceed west on the Boston side of the Charles River, cross to Cambridge, go east on Memorial Drive and back to Boston. Our tasks should be completed by early afternoon. The usual hearty lunch will be provided for all volunteers.
The “Journey For Hope,” as the Wellesley to Boston walk is called, starts at Elm Bank along the Charles River and proceeds along Route 16 to Route 30 (Commonwealth Ave) in Newton, and then to the Boston Common. There will be several checkpoints along the way. Hams assigned to the start and the checkpoints can go directly to their assignments. The start will need communications at 0700, but the other locations will be later. Lunches will be provided.

For both walks, there are several hazardous or confusing locations, some shadows, and possibly mobile units. Net Control for both events will be in our tent on Boston Common. Present plans call for the Boston/Cambridge walk to use 2 meters and the Journey to use 70 cm, but this is subject to change.

If you are new and want to get more public service experience, this is an excellent event to get your feet wet. These MS Walks are a low impact opportunity to learn the ropes.

Your assistance is valuable. Please let me know promptly if you can help. I will get more details to those who volunteer as soon possible. If you have already volunteered, bear with me and reply to this, also. Get back to me if you have any questions or would like to recommend another ham to join us.

73,

Bob Salow, WA1IDA
wa1ida@arrl.net
508.650.9440

An emergency communications workshop will be held on Saturday April 8th, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Walpole Town Hall, 135 School Street in Walpole, Massachusetts. [Full story]

Hello to all….

An Emergency Communications Workshop will be held at the Walpole Town Hall in Walpole, Massachusetts on Saturday April 8th, 2006 from 9 AM-4 PM. The following link has all the details as well as information on preregistration being preferred:

http://users.rcn.com/rmacedo/emrgshop.htm

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Pager #: (508) 354-3142
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 1-800-445-2588 Ext.: 72929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
1

The Framingham Amateur Radio Association will hold a Technician “License in a Weekend” course on March 17, 18 and 19 at the Danforth Museum in Framingham. The cost is $40 and covers all materials, lunches, and exam fee.

For more information, email Ed Weiss, W1NXC, at w1nxc@arrl.net or phone 508-881-2301.

New England Area   Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2006 P 1 of 2

All events are Ham Radio/ Electronic related except ~_____~

*******************************************************************************

2006                                                    Contact          Source

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4 Mar Montreal PQ UMdeSM @CtrRoussin $5@9 $10/t@7        Pierre 514 521 7765 R

18 Mar Pomfret CT ECARA @CommSch Rt101+169 $2@8 $10/TPaul KE1LI 860 928 2456 F+
18 Mar New Windsor NY OCARC @TempleHillSch         Edward N2XJI 845 534 3492 A+
19 Mar Henniker NH CVRC @ Comm School                 Jim NS1E 603 428 47436 A
25 Mar Lewiston ME AARC @Ramada $8/T $5@8            Rick N1WFO 207 740 1266 W
25 Mar Rochester NH GBRA @CommCtr @9 $10/T@8       Karen KB1KBE 207 698 1618 W
26 Mar Framingham MA FARA @WalshSch $5@9 $20/T@7:30 Kevin W1MEX 508 653 2863 W 
8 Apr Londonderry NH IRS @Lions Club $10@7 $3@9    Gayle KB1LHA 781 598 1442  
15 Ap S Portland ME PAWA @AmLegion                   Roger N1XP 207 671 0671 A
16 Apr Cambridge MA          FLEA at MIT                   Nick 617 253 3776

                Third Sunday April thru October

22 Apr Nashua NH NE Antique RC $15/T@7 $5@8 $2@9 @StStan  Marty 603 755 2839  
22 April Montreal PQ MARC @LaSalleRCL $4@9 $8/T@8         James 514 697 7205 R
23 Ap Southington CT SARA @HS $5@9 $10@8:30 $20/T@6:30     Chet 860 628 9346 F
23 Ap LaGrangeville NY MtBeaconARC @TymorPk          Rich N2ZKX 845 344 2720 A+
5,6 May Hopkinton NH HossTraders @FG x7 I89           Joe K1RQG 207 469 3492 T
6 May Goshen CT SBARC @FG Rt 63                       Lee K1LEE 860 435 0051  +
13 May Halifax NS HARC @ForumAnnex B@9 S@6:30     Murray VE1MMD              R
13 May Rensselaer NY EGARA @FireHse $5@8 $10/T@6  Thomas KC2FCP 518 272 1494 F+
21 May Cambridge MA          FLEA at MIT                   Nick 617 253 3776   
27 May Vernon CT NARC @Tolland AG Ctr               Wayne N1GUS 860 487 1921 A+
28 May SorelTracy PQ STARC $5@9 $15/T@6              Luc VE2DWE 450-743-8676 R+
2 June Feeding Hills MA HCRA TG Party @CongCh @6PM   Dave KB1MU 413 596 6605  
2-4 June Rochester NY RARA @FG                      Harold K2HC 585 424 7184 A 
3 June Hermon ME PSARC @HS                         Roger KA1TKS 207 848 3846 A+
4 June Queens NY HoSARC 47-01 111st $5@9 $10/sp@7:30      Steve 718 898 5599 F+
11 June Newington CT NARL @ShrinerHall             George AB1GL 860 463 0948 A+

*******************************************************************************

LAST UPDATE 3-3-06 de W1GSL                                             P 1

   List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version

*******************************************************************************

Additions/ Corrections via e-Mail   w1gsl@mit.edu   ***

Page 3 Electronic distribution only.  This page has the overflow if any    P3

from the paper version.

*******************************************************************************

2006                                                    Contact          Source

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*******************************************************************************

LAST UPDATE 3-3-06 de W1GSL                                             P 3

   List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version

Additions/ Corrections via Internet  w1gsl@mit.edu

                           US Mail  W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139

(c)2006 W1GSL   http://www.swapfwst.us        SASE for updated copy as issued.

unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety

*******************************************************************************
  List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version       
Be sure to check for the latest version as updating is under the control

of the page owner.                                                           
* You can have the list e-mailed directly to you as it is updated.            *

* Just send a request to be added to the distribution to   w1gsl@mit.edu      *
                             73 Steve F

                                W1GSL
***********************************************************************

New England Area  Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  ***     P4

Links to New England Hamfest Web Sites                (c) 2006 W1GSL

***********************************************************************

This section is only included in the electronic distribution.
Cambridge MA    Flea at MIT     http://www.swapfest.us                        
Hopkinton NH    Hosstraders     http://www.qsl.net/k1rqg/
Amherst MA      Mt. Tom ARC     http://www.mtara.org/hamfest/flea.html
Adams MA	N BerkshireARC	http://www.nobarc.org/hamfest                 
Boxborough MA   NE ARRL Conv    http://www.boxboro.org/
Framingham MA	FARA		http://www.fara.org/                          
Newton MA       Waltham ARA Auction    http://www.wara64.org/auction/
S Dartmouth MA  SEMARA          http://www.semara.org/flea/fleamkt.htm       
Whately MA	FranklinCARC 	http://www.fcarc.org/flea.html                
Enfield CT      VHF/UHF Conf    http://www.newsvhf.com                       
Newington CT 	NARL 		http://www.narl.net/1.htm
Southington CT  SARA            http://www.chetbacon.com/sara.htm
Wallingford CT  Nutmeg CT Conv  http://www.nutmeghamfest.com                 
Windsor CT      Vintage R Mus   http://www.NationalCommunicationsMuseum.org/  
Lewiston ME     AARC		http://www.mainearrl.org/convent.htm         
Portland ME     PAWA            http://www.qsl.net/pawa/fleamarket.html       
Henniker NH     CVRC            http://www.qsl.net/k1bke/                     
Rochester NH    GBRA            http://www.kb1kbe.com/hamfest06.html         
Bergen NJ	BARA		http://www.bara.org/
Lake Placid NY  NNY ARA	 http://www.northnet.org/nnyham/hamfest_flyer2004.htm 
Lindenhurst NY  ToB ARES 	http://www.tobares.org/hamfest.html           
Long Island NY  LIMARC          http://www.limarc.org/fest.htm                
Massapequa NY   GSB ARA	        http://www.gsbarc.org/          
Queens NY       Hall of Science http://hosarc.org/hamfest.html               
Rensselaer NY   E Greenbush ARA http://www.com-tech.org/EGARA.html            
Rochester NY 	AWA		http://www.antiquewireless.org/
Rochester NY    RARA            http://www.rochesterhamfest.org/            
Greenwich RI    Fidelity ARC    http://users.ids.net/~newsm/dates.html
Essex Junction VT   Burlington ARC  http://www.vtstetson.net/fest02.pdf
Milton VT       RANV VT Conv    http://www.ranv.org/milton.html
Drummondville PQ  leCRdeD	http://www.9bit.qc.ca/ve2crd/hamfest/index.html
Montreal PQ     MARC            http://www.marc.qc.ca/fest/fest.html        
Montreal PQ	WIARC		http://www.pubnix.net/wiarc/hamfest.htm       
Montreal PQ     MS-SARC         http://www.ve2clm.ca/hamfesta.htm
Sorel-Tracy PQ  CRAS-T		http://www.hamfest.qc.ca/                     
Summerside PEI  SPARC		http://www.summersidearc.com/fleamarket.htm  
St Therese PQ	CRALL		http://www.ve2crl.qc.ca/hamfest2002.htm       
Halafax NS 	HARC            http://www.halifax-arc.org/
Canada          RAC List   http://rac.eton.ca/data/racfleas.taf?function=form
Phila. Area	VARA List	http://www.qsl.net/w2vtm/hamfest.html         
USA             ARRL List       http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html

		

N1JOY and others are planning their annual trek to the Gay Head Lighthouse on Martha’s Vineyard to operate in the Islands On The Air (IOTA) contest and the New England QSO Party. According to Roland Daignault, Jr., N1JOY of Westport, “We’ve been doing this trip for so long, I’m losing track of just how many consecutive years. Twelve? Thirteen? Fourteen? Who knows for sure?”

Daignault describes the operation as a great trip, and a chance to make a few QSOs. Tentative plans call for a setup crew to head out on the afternoon of Thursday, May 4, and stay all weekend; then, head home the evening of Sunday, May 7.

According to N1JOY, “This will be a Field Day-style setup, operating on generator power the entire time. As in previous years, Daignault will be hauling out his “rusty and trusty” radio trailer.

“Much of the radio operating will be from the relative comfort of the trailer.” He adds, “Unfortunately my new, bigger and better trailer will not be ready in time for this year’s trip, so we’ll have to get one more trip out of the old faithful camper.”

The Martha’s Vineyard DXpedition will overlap with the New England QSO Party on May 6-7.

If you are planning to join N1JOY and crew, or would like more information, please contact him at: n1joy@arrl.net.

—Thanks, SEMARA Zero Beat, March 2006

Youths in the Tiger Cub Scouts took a field trip to the club shack of the Southeastern MA Amateur Radio Assocation on January 21. The Tiger Cubs clearly enjoyed themselves–they especially had fun with the Morse code keyers. Mike Miller, N1ITQ hosted the youngsters. (Question: what are they doing on Field Day ’06?)

Photo (l-r): Mike Miller, Jr.; Logan Avelar; Samuel Dahlbert; Brandon Harrison; Lucas Ferreira; Alex Stalter. Not pictured: Dalton Harrison. Thanks, SEMARA Zero Beat, March, 2006

NEWINGTON, CT, Feb 17, 2006–The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) and the HF digital e-mail system Winlink 2000 all got positive mentions in a post-Katrina report from the US House of Representatives. US Rep Tom Davis (R-VA) chaired the panel. References to ARES, MARS and Winlink appear in “A Failure of Initiative”–the final report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to investigate the preparation for and response to Hurricane Katrina.

“LIKE all levels of government,” the 364-page report notes, the National Communication System (NCS), “was not able to address all aspects of the damage to the communications infrastructure of the Gulf States.”

MARS was cited for its role as part of the Shared Resources High Frequency Radio Program (SHARES), an emergency federal communication system put into play when other resources are unavailable. The report says that “within days” of Katrina’s landfall, NCS called upon more than 430 SHARES stations across the US to, among other things, assist first responders conducting search-and-rescue missions by relaying information to government agencies, by relaying logistical and operational information among FEMA EOCs in Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana, and by handling health-and-welfare messages between volunteer agencies in Georgia and the American Red Cross national headquarters.

“ADDITIONALLY, the NCS coordinated the frequencies used by the nearly 1000 Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) volunteers across the nation who served in the Katrina stricken area providing communications for government agencies, the Red Cross and The Salvation Army,” the report continued. “Emergency communications were conducted not only by voice, but also by high-speed data transmissions using state-of-the art digital communications software known as Winlink.”

THE report further noted, “In Mississippi, FEMA dispatched Amateur Radio operators to hospitals, evacuation centers, and county EOCs to send emergency messaging 24 hours per day. It further cited comments from Bay St Louis Mayor Edward A. “Eddie” Favre that Amateur Radio operators “were especially helpful in maintaining situational awareness and relaying Red Cross messages to and from the Hancock County (Mississippi) EOC.”

ACCORDING to the report, radio amateurs at airports in Texas and Louisiana “tracked evacuees and notified families of their whereabouts,” while the Red Cross “deployed Amateur Radio volunteers at its 250 shelters and feeding stations, principally in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.”

THE Salvation Army, the report pointed out, operates its own system of Amateur Radio volunteers known as SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network). “During the Hurricane Katrina response and recovery effort, SATERN joined forces with the SHARES program and received over 48,000 requests for emergency communications assistance utilizing federal frequencies made available via the SHARES program,” the report noted.

“THE extent of destruction and damage to the communications infrastructure and services caused by Katrina exceeded that of any other natural disaster experienced by the Gulf Coast states,” the report concluded. “Simply put, Katrina’s devastation overwhelmed government resources at all levels.”

“A Failure of Initiative” asserted that the loss of power and the failure at various levels of government “to adequately prepare for the ensuing and inevitable loss of communications” hindered the hurricane response “by compromising situational awareness and command and control operations.”

“DESPITE the devastation left by Katrina, this needn’t have been the case,” the report stressed. “Catastrophic disasters may have some unpredictable consequences, but losing power and the dependent communications systems after a hurricane should not be one of them.”

The full report is available at: http://katrina.house.gov/

The 2006 edition of the “Swiss Army Knife for PIOs” is here. To reduce mailing costs, please get together with your Section PIC Ron Wood, W1PLW and let me know if you want one. I will be placing an order shortly. I can be reached at w1plw@aol.com or by calling 508-481-0272.

Does your club have someone who handles the public Information for your club? Would you like to have someone do it but don’t know how to get it started? Let me know and I will work with your club or public information person.

This past year we have gotten some great publicity and some not so good. Let’s all work together to send out a positive image of Amateur Radio. In taking with people throughout the state this past year, I was amazed at how many people didn’t even know we were still around. Let’s change that this year. Field Day will be here soon. Let’s get the word out. Invite the public and your local officials to your site. Let them see what we can offer them.

I am always updating the speaker list for Ea. Ma. If you are interested in passing your knowledge on to another club or group let me know and I’ll get you on the list. The list is an aid for clubs looking for speakers.

I would like to say thank you to all the well wishes while I was in the hospital for bypass surgery this past Oct. I’m am doing much better and getting stronger and back up to speed. Rehab is going well. If you’re in the Marlborough area look for me while I’m out doing my daily walks. At least the weather has been good for that. I look forward to seeing some of you at Field Day and all of you at Boxboro this year.

I look forward to a great year.

Ron Wood W1PLW
Public Information Coordinator E. Ma. Section ARRL
235 West Main St #5
Marlborough, Ma. 01752
508-481-0272
w1plw@aol.com