Eastern Massachusetts ARRL

Terry Stader, KA8SCP writes:

As we have done for many years, [the Police Amateur Radio Team of Westford] will once again be providing a Pumpkin Patrol service to the Town of Westford. Many of you are veterans and others may be volunteering for the first time… which ever you are… thank you in advance for your help!

Pumpkin Patrol involves the use of Amateur Radio volunteers proving additional eyes and ears to the Town of Westford during the annual Trick or Treat event to observe and report any potential safety issues back to the PART Pumpkin Patrol Net Control Station which will be located at the Westford Police station. A report from one of our patrols will get handed off to the Westford PD Dispatcher and addressed by the Town’s public safety services. Our role is only to report what we see and provide input to our Town’s public safety officials.We normally require 5 – 8 radio operators that will patrol various geographical sections of town. Maps and a checklist of locations to watch will be provided when you check-in for your assignment. Check-in occurs at the Westford Police station where we record your call sign and your vehicle information. You do NOT need to be a resident of the Town of Westford to volunteer, but a basic familiarity to the town’s roads is a plus!

The normal time for Trick or Treaters is 6 PM until 8 PM. Our activities have been varied over the years, but we normally will run the operation from 5:30 PM until 10:00 – 11:00 PM. If the weather is lousy, the net closure time will be adjusted accordingly. We try and accommodate every individuals schedule… we have run with 2 shifts in the past… an early and a late shift. We will accept your offer to assist at any time throughout the course of the evening.

The plans are to use the PART 2 meter WB1GOF repeater on 146.955 (PL 74.4) for the entire event. So all a volunteer needs is a radio capable of operating on that frequency. A vehicle will help too… but if you don’t drive and want to ride shotgun with another ham, that can be accommodated as well.

Feel free to drop me a note with any questions and/or if you would like to volunteer. Pass this along to others who may be interested.

Terry M. Stader
MEMA Region 1 Communications/RACES Officer
President, The Police Amateur Radio Team of Westford, MA – WB1GOF
(978) 692-2069 Home
(508) 397-4142 Work Cell
(508) 303-4370 Work
(978) 490-8150 Nextel
180*262823*22 Nextel D/C
(508) 899-9075 Arch Pager

The Southeastern MA Amateur Radio Association plans to operate in the FISTS Fall Sprint from 1700 UTC until 2100 UTC on Saturday, October 8, 2005.

“We are a FISTS member,” writes Ron Silvia, WB1HGA. Silvia and company will be ready with two stations for the event. “We need operators. Speed is not a requirement–only the desire to have a good time.”

SEMARA operated in an earlier FISTS on-air event in February, 2005, logging contacts across the US and Canada.

FISTS is the International Morse Preservation Society, offering nets, “code buddies”, a QSL bureau and merchandising of clothing sporting pro-CW messages.

Bill Mc Ininch, Jr., KA1MOM writes:

In four weeks, on Saturday Nov 5, the Clay Science Center at Dexter and Southfield Schools in Brookline will be hosting the National Weather Service’s Annual Weather Conference. (Details at http://www.sneweatherconf.org/index.shtml and http://www.claycenter.org/weatherfest.)

This event typically draws a crowd of several hundred weather science enthusiasts and Weatherfest family attendees. There will be weather-related vendors, displays, and gift-sales tables, as well as a program of lectures.

Volunteers are needed to run a ham radio display to promote ham radio to kids and families. You can promote your own clubs at the same time. The attendees come from all over greater Boston, including Walpole, Norwood, north and south shores, etc. I would love to have a special table promoting SKYWARN.

If you are available, call Bob Phinney, K5TEC, at 617-454-2718 or e-mail bphinney@dexter.org.

Members of the Billerica Amateur Radio Society set up a very successful Amateur Radio station exhibit for the Town of Billerica’s “Yankee Doodle Day” at the Billerica Memorial High School on September 17, 2005.

The group set up an “impressive antenna array” consisting of a 40M dipole and verticals for VHF and 17 meters.

According to BARS Newsletter Editor Ken Caruso, WO1N, the crowds consisted of many hams as well as the general public. “What was unusual this year was the number of hams that stopped by and introduced themselves–lots of former BARS members and some new faces, too.”

According to Caruso, always a highlight with the kids was the Morse code sending exhibit. Thirty youngsters earned certificates proclaiming their exposure to and interest in CW by sending their name in code while the hams copied what they sent. “The look of surprise on their faces when we were able to guess their name from what they sent was worth a million bucks!” remarked WO1N.

The Yankee Doodle Day operation made some 40 contacts on the high frequency bands. In addition, NF1A demonstrated VHF packet and internet 802.11b connectivity. BARS plans to mail stylish certificates to stations with whom contacts were made.

“We’re looking for someone with a bit more artistic ability to punch up some of our displays and signs for next year’s [Yankee Doodle Day operation], but we have the process, site location and interest for next year,” adds Caruso.

Pictured (l-r): Dick Eastman, K1OJH; Ken Caruso, WO1N.

—Thanks, Billerica ARS Newsletter, October, 2005

New England Area   Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2005 P 1 of 1

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

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

2005                                                    Contact          Source

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

2 Oct Queens NY HoSARC @9A                       Stephen WB2KDG 718 898 5599 W

7,8 Oct Hopkinton NH HossTraders @FG x7 I89           Joe K1RQG 207 469 3492 W
8 Oct Nashua NH NE Antique RC $15/T@7 $2@9 @StStan's      Marty 603 938 5051 F
8 Oct Lake Placid NY NNYARA  $5+$10/T FriSetup    Thomas WB2KLD 518 827 4852  
9 Oct Wallingford CT Nutmeg Conv $20/sp $7@9         John N1GNV 203 440 4468 W
15 Oct Kingston NS GARC @GreenwoodComm Ctr $3@10      Guy VE1NC 902 825 6151 R
16 Oct Cambridge MA          FLEA at MIT                   Nick 617 253 3776

                Third Sunday April thru October                               
22 Oct Montreal PQ MSSARC $5@9 $10/T@6           Georges VE2GXE 450 922 8352 R
23 Oct Lindenhurst NY TOBARES @KoC $6@9 $25/T@7   Walter KA2RGI 631 957 0218 W
4 Nov Feeding Hills MA HCRA Auction @CongCh @6:30PM    Jim KK1W 413 245 3228  
5,6 Nov Watertown MA Photographica ~photo~              Ed Shaw 617 965 0807  
5 Nov Londonderry NH IRS @Lions Club $10@7 $3@9       Paul K1NL 603 883 3308  
  Nov Framingham MA  ** Cancelled **  see March 26 2006   Gordy K1GB          +
12 Nov E Falmouth MA FARA @KoC $3@9 $9/S@7           Jim WA1GPO 508 548 6405 F+
3 Dec Windsor CT VintgeR Museum @8AM @115 Pierson Ln       John 860 673 0518 W

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

2006                                                    Contact          Source

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

25 Feb Milton VT RANV @HS $5@8AM $10@6:30            Mitch W1SJ 802 879 6589 T+
18 Mar Pomfret CT ECARA @CommSch Rt101+169 $2@8 $10/TPaul KE1LI 860 928 2456 T
26 Mar Framingham MA FARA                            Gordy K1GB               +
10-11 June Newington CT NARL @HS  $20/T@5 $8@8:45     Dan K3UFG 860 206 3379 T+
25-27 Aug Boxboro MA FEMARA NE Conv @HI              Mike K1TWF 978 250 1236 A
9 Sept BallstonSpa NY SCRACES fri6P $5+5/T+15cmp  Darlene N2XQG 518 587 2385  +

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

LAST UPDATE 10-1-05 de W1GSL                                         P 1 of 1

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

Source    F= Flyer  T= tentative early info     + = new info this month

          A= ARRL R= RAC list  W= web         WR NV CQ QST = Mags

This list has been compiled from many sources.  While we believe the info to

be accurate the author can not be responsible for changes or errors.

Check with the sponsoring organizations for more details.   This list will be

posted monthly to USENET.     Mailed copies are sent when additions are made.

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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 10-1-05 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)2005 W1GSL   http://www.swapfwst.us        SASE for updated copy as issued.

unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety

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This list has been posted... as a service of the individual home page

owners,  to the following WWW sites.                                         
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        http://www.k1dwu.net/flealist.html

        http://www.mmra.org/~mmra/flealist.htm

        http://www.qsl.net/vhfnews/ne-fleas.html

        http://uhavax.hartford.edu/~newsvhf/ne-fleas.html                    
  List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version       
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                             73 Steve F

                                W1GSL
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New England Area  Ham - Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  ***     P4

Links to New England Hamfest Web Sites                (c) 2005 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/                     
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

		

The Framingham Amateur Radio Association is collecting toys for ARRL’s 2005 toy drive to comfort Gulf Coast youngsters left homeless or displaced as a result of the hurricanes, according to FARA President Gordy Bello, K1GB.

“As the toys have to be received before Thanksgiving, I am making a request now for FARA members to buy one toy and bring it to the November general meeting.” Adds Bello, “it doesn’t have to be expensive.”

According to ARRL, country singer and ARRL member Patty Loveless, KD4WUJ, has agreed to serve as the honorary chairperson for the 2005 toy drive.

Last year’s FARA’s toy collection was a huge success.

The Weston repeater has returned to the air, now operating on 146.79 (-600), PL 146.2., according to Minuteman Repeater Association President Bob DeMattia, K1IW.

For ten days in August, members of the Whitman Amateur Radio Club staffed a special event station and Amateur Radio exhibit booth at the annual Marshfield Fair. Seventeen club members and four area hams volunteered for three-hour shifts, explaining Amateur Radio to the public and introducing youngsters to Morse code. The crew made approximately 150 contacts with 31 states, 15 foreign countries, and two Canadian provinces.

WARC has produced a Marshfield Fair special edition of its newsletter including lots of color photos and descriptions of the special events station and exhibit.

—Thanks, Whitman ARC Spectrum, September, 2005

Members of the Massasoit Amateur Radio Association and area hams assisted with communications support for the D.W. Field Triathlon on September 25, 2005 at the D.W. Field Park in Brockton.

Phil McNamara, N1XTB brought his portable “Go Kit” consisting of several boxed radios, a big battery contained in a plastic carrying case, and a solar panel.

Pictured here (left to right): Bruce Hayden, NI1X; Gil Follett, W1GMF; Carl Aveni, N1FY; Bob Keene, Jr., N1LCY; Phil McNamara, N1XTB; Roy Logan, KB1CYV; Ed Meehan N1NTZ. Not shown: Walt Fitzgerald, N1LHD.

—Thanks, Whitman ARC Spectrum, September 2005

The bi-annual Hosstraders Hamfest happens October 7-8, 2005 at the Hopkinton State Fairgrounds, off I-89, Exit 7, in Hopkinton NH.

Check the Official Hosstraders web site for more information.

The Sturdy Memorial Hospital Amateur Radio Club plans to offer a two-day Technician class targeted specifically at CERT members and Emergency Management Agency personnel, according to SMHARC President John Benson, N1FLO.

“The training classes will be held on two Saturdays–January 7 and February 11, 2006. The idea is to present the book, the program, and rough ideas on the first day. One month later, [we’ll] do a question and answer session, a recap, and then hit them with the test.”

Says N1FLO: “We want to boost our ranks with good operators and also, get ham radio out into the community.”

SMHARC members KB5TBB and N1EZT have offered their services to teach the class. “We could still use a few more volunteers,” adds Benson.

The Sturdy Memorial Hospital Amateur Radio Club recently donated $220 to the Red Cross for Katrina relief, writes SMHARC President John Benson, N1FLO.

“One hundred dollars came from the club’s treasury. The other one hundred twenty dollars came from the raffle of a fifty dollar gift card that was donated by the second meeting gang.”

Benson wishes to thank all those individuals who helped contribute to the effort.

Members of a Scituate Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) held a graduation drill and a BBQ on September 17. The team includes several hams in its ranks: W1QWT, K1CWS and NS1N. [Full story].

Members of a Scituate Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) held a graduation drill and BBQ on September 17. The team includes several hams in its ranks: W1QWT, K1CWS and NS1N.

“[CERT members] plan to buy MURS radios to communicate with the fire headquarters, and use Amateur Radio for MEMA and Red Cross communications,” notes Bob Callahan, W1QWT. “We have a 2-meter radio set up at the fire department which will be manned by W1BT.”

Callahan adds that another class is planned for the spring. “We hope to train twenty more individuals.”

W1QWT has been named Team Leader for the Scituate Center team, whose staging area is at the Scituate High School which doubles as the Town’s shelter. The Scituate fire chief has requested that Callahan further his skills by attending a future course in shelter management.

The popular wholesale chain BJ’s stocks 72 hour emergency kits, reports Carl Aveni, N1FY.

“[The kit] includes a three day supply of water, extra bags for storing more water, high energy food bars, a flashlight with batteries, a portable radio with batteries, plastic and tape for shielding windows, a rain poncho, small first aid kit, and a few other items I cannot remember,” writes Aveni, who is the Eastern MA District Emergency Coordinator for the South Shore.

According to N1FY, the kit is enclosed in an orange backpack. They can be found in the automotive section of BJ’s. “Not all stores seem to carry it–I noticed that the Avon store did not seem to have it, for instance.” He adds that the Taunton store carries the kit. The cost is around $30.

—Thanks, Massasoit ARA MARA News, September 2005 and N1FY

Bob Salow, WA1IDA writes:

This is likely to be the last of the ham public service events for this year, so you can relax (except for the “real” disasters). This event was so good for the past four years that the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) Half Marathon is now in the category of “Fifth Annual.” The event got huge acclaim – 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 about 5000 local, national and international athletes expected. Proceeds benefit the Jimmy Fund.

Our team has been asked again to support communications for this event doing our usual medical, water and administrative tasks. We definitely need your help. Time is short.
The Half Marathon will be held on SUNDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2005. 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 Field 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. There are also 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. 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 time to find a space, use the volunteer parking lot, or take the T (if running at that hour – see www.mbta.com). The area is T accessible from several directions. Parking (at that hour) will also be available at the Landmark Center (formerly the Sears store) on Park Drive at Brookline Ave. 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 so 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. 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 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 an Amateur 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. 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 at once.

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 (Cel)
wa1ida@arrl.net

© 2005 WA1IDA – S/050918

The Billerica Amateur Radio Society (BARS) is sponsoring a one day ham radio class to help you get your Technician class amateur radio license. Knowledge of the Morse code is NOT required for this class license. The class will cover all of the topics you need to know to pass the exam.

Date will be Saturday November 19, 2005. Location will be the Murdock Middle school. 42 Brick Kiln Road, Chelmsford MA. The class will run from 9 AM to 6 PM. At 6:30 PM there will be a VE exam session where you can take the Exam to get your license. The cost of the class is $15. The $15 fee includes BARS membership for one year. The fee is waved for current BARS members and their family. The exam will cost $14.00.

To prepare for the class it is recommended that you purchase and review the Book “Now You’re Talking!” 5th edition before the class. This book is available at HRO in Salem NH, on the web at ARRL.org and from Amazon.com. Please contact me if you wish to register for this class.

Space is limited. People will be registered on a first come basis.

E-mail to W1LUS@att.net
Phone 987 851 2886

—from PART mailing list