MEMA ICS Training Classes
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is offering Incident Command System (ICS) training classes this month in Harwich, Norwood, Framingham, and other cities and towns. [Full story]
MMRA 22/82 Brookline Repeater Status
The Minuteman Repeater Association’s 146.820 repeater in Brookline has been taken off the air, reports MMRA President Bob Dematia, K1IW.
“Ongoing problems with intermod has forced us to remove this repeater from service and bring it back to the shop for additional work.” As part of the refurbishment “the system will be getting a new link radio and will have the various cavities and filters in the transmission system re-tuned and/or replaced.”
Dematia adds, “to increase accessibility, the ’82 machine will soon be placed back in service at the old Marlborough East site. We will give it a good work out here before putting it back in Brookline.”
—The Minuteman, Volume 36, Number 2, November 2006
Chatham Considering Best Use For Marconi buildings
A Boston.com story reports that the Town of Chatham is mulling over three proposed bids “to renovate the historic buildings built by inventor Guglielmo Marconi — turning what was created for a global wireless communication network into affordable housing, a fishing association headquarters or a museum.” [Full story]
TACGroup Lights “Ham Radio Spark” For Scouts
The Taunton Area Communications Group (TACGroup) held the first of several special events and activities, demonstrating Amateur Radio to scouts in Plymouth on November 4.
The Tulpe Lodge 245 of the Order of the Arrow invited the TACGroup to its fellowship weekend at Camp Norse BSA. The club members “showed their wares” to approximately 40 scouts who visited the TACGroup’s station.
John Miller, N1UMJ operated HF on 20 and 40 meters, while Greg Glynn, KB1NLX manned a 2-meter station. Despite a “finicky” HF radio, several contacts were made nationally, complementing local QSOs via the Bridgewater W1MV repeater. An amateur from Taunton, England checked in via Echolink, much to the delight of the scouts.
Other operators at the event were: Neal Harrington, KB1LXL, Rudy Burer, KB1LXI, Dave Souza (Assistant Scout Master, Troop 61, Norton, MA), W1DFS, and TACGroup President Don Burke, KB1LXH.
Several scouts who stopped by expressed an interest in becoming Amateur Radio operators. The TACGroup hopes that their efforts may have “lit the spark” that will begin a new Technician class in the spring!
The Order of the Arrow is an Honor Camper Society within scouting whose members must prove themselves in “brotherhood, cheerfulness and service.” Membership in the Order of the Arrow is considered a high honor.
Reminder: Monthly ARES Net for November
Hello to all….
A reminder that the monthly ARES Net for November is rapidly approaching.
The monthly ARES Net for November is Monday November 6th, 2006, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. This is after the RACES Nets earlier in the evening.
Make the first Monday of the month, “Emergency Communications Night” and check into your local RACES Net and then check into the ARES Net on the MMRA Repeater System. We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net.
We will have several interesting announcements for the net that evening and we look forward to everyone’s participation. Updates will be posted via email and on the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Web Site at http://ares.ema.arrl.org
Thanks for your continued support of ARES!
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
Wellesley ARS Support For Hospital Emergency Communications
The Wellesley Amateur Radio Society stands ready, willing and able to assist the Newton-Wellesley Hospital with emergency communications, according to WARS President Dan Brown, W1DAN. Brown writes that the hospital recently indicated a desire to explore a role for hams to assist in emergencies.
“Mike Healy, a Project Manager for Newton-Wellesley Hospital, wants to speak to us about our antenna on the roof of the hospital as well as Amateur Radio emergency communications.”
Brown reports that he and two other WARS members have already contacted Mr. Healy to see how the club might serve the hospital. “At this time, we have not held a meeting, and they may want us as emergency communicators for the hospital during an emergency. We will keep you posted.”
–WARS The Sparkgap, October 2006
Eastern MA Clubs Excel in Field Day!
The ARRLWeb published statistics from the 2006 Field Day, and Eastern MA radio clubs and groups have once again proven their abilities in this “non-contest” operating exercise.
Of course, the published scores for Eastern MA reflect only a small portion of the story. What goes unreported are other important aspects that cannot be quantified: selflessness and comaradarie; Elmering and training; establishing safety and organization out of chaos; preparing wonderful food (and, of course, consuming it!) and the story-telling.
Kudos to the top three Eastern MA finishers: the Falmouth ARA (K1RK), category 2A with 31 participants and a total score of 8,726. Also, the MITRE-Bedford ARC/Billerica ARS W1ON operation, also in class 2A with 26 participants and 8,434 points. Finally, another great showing by the Nashoba Valley ARC/N1NC crew, 24 strong, in the 2A category with 5,202 points.
Congratulations to all clubs and groups who participated in this famous, annual institution known as Field Day.
[See also: The 2006 ARRL Field Day Results: It’s Our Time To Shine… and EMA Field Day Homepage]New England Area Flea Markets, Oct. 28, 2006
New England Area Ham - Electronic Flea Market *** DATES *** 2006 P 1 of 2
All events are Ham Radio/ Electronic related except ~_____~
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2006 Contact Source
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28 Oct Waterford CT TCARC Auction @OswegatchieSch@10 Tom WA2RYV 860 464 6555 T28 Oct Montreal PQ MSSARC @PlDesaulniers $5@9$10/T@6 Roch VE2DU 514 765 0363 W
28-29 Oct Watertown MA Photographica @ACEC ~photo~ John 781 592 2553 W
3 Nov Feeding Hills MA HCRA Auction @CongCh @6:30PM Jim KK1W 413 245 3228
4 Nov Londonderry NH IRS @Lions Sellers$10@7 $3@9 Gayle KB1LHA 781 598 1442
11 Nov E Falmouth MA FARA @KoC $5@9 $10/S@7 Ralph N1YHS 508 548 6405 F
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2007 Contact Source
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17 Feb Marlborough MA AARC @MidSch $5@9 $20/T@7 David 508 357 2272 ext 1# F24 Feb Milton VT RANV @HS Mitch W1SJ 802 879 6589
25 Feb Hicksville NY LIMARC @LevvitHall $6@9 $20/T@8 Rich K2KNB 516 694 4937 F+
4 March WashingtonTwnshp NJ BARA Auction 1PM Jim K2ZO 201 664 6725 F
15 April Cambridge MA FLEA at MIT Nick 617 253 3776
Third Sunday April thru October22 April Enfield CT NEWS East VHF UHF Conf Mark K1MAP 413 566 8118
28-29 April Watertown MA Photographica @ACEC ~photo~ John 781 592 2553 F+
12 May Halifax NS HARC+DARC @Forum $4@9 Sell@6 Murray VE1MMD 902 490 6421 R
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LAST UPDATE 10-28-06 de W1GSL P 1
List is normally updated twice a month - look for the latest version
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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.
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2007 Contact Source
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LAST UPDATE 10-28-06 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.swapfest.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
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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.htm
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/ +
Watertown MA Photographica http://www.phsne.org/ +
Whately MA FranklinCARC http://www.fcarc.org/news.htm +
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
St Albans VT STARC http://www.starc.org/
Drummondville PQ leCRdeD http://www.9bit.qc.ca/ve2crd/hamfest/index.html
Greenwood PQ GARC http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/esmith/GARC/activities.htm
Montreal PQ MARC http://www.marc.qc.ca/fest/fest.html
Montreal PQ WIARC http://shell.pubnix.net/~wiarc/hamfest.htm +
Montreal PQ MS-SARC http://www.ve2clm.ca/hamfesta.htm
Laval PQ CRALL http://www.ve2crl.qc.ca/
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
“Pretty Cool, Huh?”
Pictured here: George Clisham, W1YR demonstrates Amateur Radio to scouts at the K1USN/W1BSA Jamboree On The Air event at the Watson Center in Braintree on October 21, 2006.
-Thanks, K1USN Radio Club web site
[See also K1USN To Operate In JOTA Oct. 21]Algonquin ARC Halloween Patrol QRV
Members of the Algonquin Amateur Radio Club will again assist the Town of Marlborough by providing eyes and ears for a Halloween patrol/school watch. Interested parties are urged to contact Quin Spear, K1ZFH.
–Thanks, Algonquin ARC QRZ, October, 2006
Eastern MA September, 2006 PSHR, Traffic Totals Posted
The September, 2006 EMA traffic net and Public Service Honor Roll totals have been posted to http://nts.ema.arrl.org under “Main Menu | STM Monthly Report“.
NSRA Names New AECs: KX1KTY, KB1MRH
The North Shore Radio Association has announced that it has named two Assistant Emergency Coordinators (AECs) to help in administering its ARES team.
Gordon Gravelese, KX1KTY has been named the Operations AEC. He will participate as a key team leader during NSRA ARES activations.
Matt Dempsey, KB1MRH has been named the Administrative AEC working with the Emergency Coordinator (EC) and the North Shore District Emergency Coordinator (DEC) on “behind-the-scenes” details.
The NSRA reminds its members that the Eastern MA Simulated Emergency Test will take place on Saturday, November 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. NSRA looks forward to having all of its members participate in this exercise. On-air activity will occur on the 145.470 Danvers repeater. Planners will be looking for volunteers to assist with liaison work, to be announced once the exercise begins.
For more information, please contact Jim Palmer, KB1KQW, NSRA EC, or Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF, the North Shore DEC. Both can be reached via email at ares@nsradio.org.
–Thanks, NSRA News, Fall 2006
PART “Branding” For The 21st Century
“PART of Westford, Massachusetts is a group of amateur radio operators that assists their community with emergency and public service auxillary communication needs. The club was founded in the mid-1970’s and has been continuously operating for over 30 years in this role. 
The logo (seen to the right) has represented the club since its very early days. And, while it had served well to identify the club and its members, some thought it might be time to refresh the club’s artwork.
“A small group was formed to accomplish the goal of bringing the club’s logo into the 21st century. Many, many proposals were made and professional graphics artists specializing in brand identity and logos were utilized in the search. In the end, one design stood out and was approved unanimously, first by the PART Board of Directors, and then by the general membership at the club meeting held in October of 2006.”
–From PART Logo Project
W1BOS to Operate From Blue Hill Observatory for SKYWARN Recognition Day
On Saturday, 2 December 2006, SKYWARN Recognition Day will be held for the eighth straight year. SKYWARN Recognition Day is an event where National Weather Service Forecast Offices get on the air and make contacts with other NWS Offices as well as all Amateurs and any Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters. The purpose is to thank the thousands of Amateur Radio SKYWARN Spotters whose timely severe weather reports into NWS Forecast Offices across the country protect life and property.
The [Boston Amateur Radio Club] will participate for the fourth year in a row from the Blue Hill Observatory in Milton. Operating hours will be from 0900 to 1500. Details will be in the November newsletter but mark your calendars now for a fun event.
Fun – you want some fun? How’s about an antenna held 200 feet aloft by a kite in 2004? Then there was the gale-force snowstorm in 2003. [See CQ Snow.] There are antennas to be installed and HF/VHF/UHF stations to be operated and visitors to be greeted at the station with the oldest continuous weather records in the country.
On a good day the visibility is over 100 miles from the Blue Hill Observatory. We invite you and any other hams to help and participate. Contact Mark, KB1EKN at emgmgt@comcast.net.
–Thanks, Boston ARC’s The SPARC, October, 2006
Pilgrim ARC “Winterization”
Members of the Pilgrim Amateur Radio Club in Provincetown are battening down the hatches and preparing for winter. At its September meeting, the club’s members discussed the need to “winterize the repeater and shed.” WA1KZT, K1ATT, N1BX, KA1VCQ, KA1WSW, K1ISS, and N1FI all volunteered to help out with the project on October 28.
The Pilgrim ARC meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 PM at the Council on Aging (COA) building at 26 Alden Street in Provincetown.
IEEE Presentation: Distributed Load Monopole
The IEEE Providence Section is sponsoring a talk on Distributed Load Monopole (DLM) Antenna Technology by Robert Vincent, K1DFT.
The talk, along with an optional dinner, will be held on Thursday, November 9, at the Seekonk Ramada Inn. Social at 6:00, dinner at 6:30, presentation at 8:00. Prices for dinner and presentation: IEEE Member and guest, $7.50 each; Non-IEEE Members, $10 each; IEEE Student Members and guest and students: $5.00 each. There is no charge to attend just the presentation. For more information, directions, dinner choices and to register, please visit: http://ewh.ieee.org/r1/providence/dlm.htm.
Rob Vincent, KD1FT, a University of Rhode Island Physics Department employee, developed the revolutionary antenna design that dramatically reduces the size of an antenna while improving its efficiency and maintaining a broad bandwidth.
[See also: Revolutionary Antenna Design by KD1FT]–Thanks, SEMARA Discussion List
US Coast Guard “Special Event Radio Day” Oct. 28
Whitey Doherty, K1VV writes on discussion@semara.org:
US Coast Guard Auxiliary announces “Special Event Radio Day” (Oct 20, 2006) — The US Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGA) will hold a “Special Event Radio Day” Saturday, October 28, to support the International Search and Rescue Competition (ISAR 2006) and the 67th Anniversary of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.
More than two dozen USCG Auxiliary Amateur Radio stations will be active on the HF bands from the Atlantic to Hawaii and from Maine to the US Virgin Islands. Many will operate from US Coast Guard Bases.
A special QSL card (see photo) will be available by making contact with any station and sending an SASE. The USCGA invites the Amateur Radio community to join in the celebration.
Massasoit ARA, Whitman ARC Assist At YMCA Road Race
Members from the Massasoit Amateur Radio Association and the Whitman Amateur Radio Club provided communications support for the annual East Bridgewater YMCA 5K Fall Frolic Road Race on October, 15, 2006. Approximately 40 runners and walkers took part.
Shown here, l-r: NI1X, KB1MTW, N1FY, WA1CIM, KB1CYV and N1XTB
–Thanks, Whitman ARC Spectrum, October, 2006
Harvard Wireless, MIT Radio Society Weekly Social
The Harvard Wireless Club announces a “W1AF/W1MX Social” with the MIT Radio Society this Friday, October 20 at the HWC club station at 6 Linden Street in Harvard Square.
It is hoped that this social between the clubs of the two rival schools will continue as a weekly, on-going event.
Whitman Hams Assist At CERT Openhouse
Whitman Amateur Radio Club members assisted with recruiting efforts for CERT at the Whitman Fire Rescue open house on October 9, 2006.
Bill Hayden, N1FRE and Mat O’Malley, KB1MTZ were among the many volunteers who helped the Town’s Emergency Management Agency Director, Bob Schmitt, KB1MTY for the event. They explained the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer program and the importance of Amateur Radio communication to some 300 visitors.
–Thanks, Whitman ARC Spectrum, October, 2006. Photo courtesy N1FRE