a field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
Starting next month in January 2003, the monthly ARES Net will change to the third Sunday of each month and will start earlier at 2000, right after the weekly Youth Net. We will also be implementing some changes to the format, but they will be announced by email prior to any changes taking place. W1MPN.
The EMa Section ARES will be conducting another in a series of communications exercises on Saturday February 8, 2003, based on the format used in the November 9th SET. All ARES members are invited to participate, and a speical invitation is extended to clubs with emergency communication teams. Please check the “Exercises” area under the “Departments” button to the left. W1MPN
I wanted to share this Request For Information from the ARRL Volunteer Resources Committee, via Steve Ewald at ARRL Hq. VRC feels that more cooperation is needed between ARES and NTS programs. They are looking for input from Section Managers, Section Traffic Managers and Section Emergency Coordinators as to how this might occur.
Additionally, I invite comments from any ARES or NTS participants.
73,
Phil Temples, K9HI
ARRL Section Manager,
Eastern Massachusetts Section
k9hi@arrl.orgARRL Section Managers,
The ARRL Volunteer Resources Committee has asked me to forward this letter to you.
Thank you very much for your help.
73,
Steve, WV1X
sewald@arrl.org
_______________
Dear Section Managers,
It has never been more important for the volunteers in ARRL’s
emergency communications programs to serve with professionalism and
excellence. During the past year, the Volunteer Resources Committee
has been studying the ARRL’s programs related to emergency
communications (see Minute 35, Board of Directors meeting, January
2002, March QST, page 64). This review was undertaken not only because
of the growing concern for homeland security following September 11,
2001, but also because of the ongoing need to ensure that Amateur
Radio responds effectively to disasters unrelated to terrorism —
floods, hurricanes, forest fires, earthquakes, hazardous materials
incidents, etc.
Several inter-related themes have emerged during the study. One is
that Amateur Radio must earn and maintain increased credibility with
served agencies, both nationally and at the local level. Another is
that Amateur Radio emergency communications volunteers must be more
actively involved in a variety of training experiences throughout the
year. Finally, although ARES and NTS are (and will continue to be)
structurally separate in your Section Field Organizations, these two
volunteer programs need to work more cooperatively, functioning as
part of one coherent emergency communications program at the Section
level.
The VRC believes that both ARES and NTS are valuable programs, and so
we will propose no structural change at the Section Level. We are
convinced that more cooperation is needed, however.
Some Sections have achieved a high degree of functional integration
and cooperation between ARES and NTS. In other Sections, each may
operate as though the other did not exist. The VRC believes that close
cooperation between ARES and NTS, with mutual respect and pooling of
expertise, is the best way to serve agencies effectively and to earn
credibility as fully-skilled emergency communicators.
The VRC will recommend that leadership officials in both ARES and NTS
be strongly encouraged to achieve certification in the ARRL’s
Emergency Communications certification program. We will also recommend
that grass-roots volunteers be encouraged to pass at least the Level 1
certification. Along with the many other benefits of certification,
ARES and NTS operators will gain better understanding of and
appreciation for the value of both programs.
The VRC requests all Section Managers (in consultation with your SEC’s
and STM’s) and the three NTS Area Staff Chairmen to develop a vision
of how a closer working relationship can be effected between ARES and
NTS.
Input from all Section Managers is needed, because Sections are very
different from one another.
1. If your Section has already brought ARES and NTS together quite
well, please describe how it is done, what problems may have arisen,
and how the problems were resolved. Your success stories will provide
ideas to other Section Managers.
2. If your Section’s ARES and NTS are functionally separate now,
you are asked to work with your SEC and STM to develop a plan for
bringing them into closer cooperation. Please describe your thought
process: what do you see as the major issues to be considered, the
important problems to be solved, and the major goals to be achieved?
Please post comments as soon as possible on the SM reflector. ARRL HQ
Staff will see that your input is relayed to the VRC, so it can be
considered as we prepare our report to the Board.
Thank you for working with us toward the goal of serving our
communities and our country to the best of Amateur Radio’s capability.
73,
The VRC
I’ve posted the latest Section News column on the ARRL EMA web page at http://www.arrl.org/sections/?sect=EMA. I have also appended our STM’s traffic totals.
All the best to EMA ARRL members and their families for a safe and prosperous holiday and New Year!
Phil Temples, K9HI
ARRL Section Manager,
Eastern Massachusetts Section
The Whitman Amateur Radio Club conducted a two-day special event from the Plimoth Plantation over the weekend following Thanksgiving.
Bruce Hayden, President of the Whitman Club reports that 16 area amateur radio operators “hams” set up five base stations and portable antennas at the re-creation of the 17th century Pilgrim settlement and Indian homesite. They exchanged contacts with just over 170 other amateur radio operators in 32 States, 8 foreign countries and 4 Canadian Provinces…The ham operators spread the word of Plimoth Plantation over the airways. They explained about the living museum and how they found the visitors, especially the children, amazed by the actors, dressed as Pilgrims and trained to speak in the language of the time. The ‘settlers’, to stay ‘in part’ would not acknowledge the existence of any of our modern technical wonders as they explained about the harsh reality of early Pilgrim life.
In preparation of the event, notice of the program was published in QST. The crew found amateur radio operators from all over the world waiting to make contact with Plimoth Plantation.
Each amateur who contacted the club station WA1NPO, was entitled to receive a certificate suitable for framing which includes a picture of the Mayflower II and confirms the date and time of the contact.
Along with listening to one of the conventional voice stations, Walter Dolson K1BZD of Whitman set up a message center and 36 visitors took advantage of the opportunity to send messages to friends or relatives. Walter was able to explain to the visitors to the plantation how we practice sending routine messages, via radio to amateur radio operators in the local neighborhood who pick up the phone and deliver the message free of charge. Walter also explained how these routine messages could quickly change to priority or emergency messages in times of National emergencies.
The Licensed operators who were able to participate in this special event were Jeff Tracey N1SOM and Mike Marinucci N1FRV of Abington, Roy Logan KB1CYV of Bridgewater, Ed Meehan N1NTZ of Brockton, Bill McInerney N1KBV of Buzzards Bay, Chris Tilden N1WWI and George Pedro KE1KR of E. Bridgewater, George Davis KC1FZ of Hingham, John Coombs WQ1L and Jim Gilbert W5IRW of Marshfield, Jim Halpin KB1ETW, Jim O’Rourke WG1L and Don Keene KA1PJX of No. Weymouth, Bruce Hayden NI1X of Raynham and Bill Hayden N1FRE and Walter Dolson K1BZD of Whitman. —Thanks, MARANews
The Atlantic On-line web site features a well-written article on volunteerism in the wake of 9/11 entitled, America’s Secret Weapon in the War on Terror: Americans. It specifically mentions the work of Amateurs and the ARRL. It’s great PR for the League, and for our hobby service!
K1VV writes:
Celebrating The 100th Anniversary of Guglielmo Marconi’s First Wireless transmission between the United States and Europe on January 11 – 19, 2003.
From atop high, sandy cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, Marconi transmitted a simple, 54-word greeting from President Theodore Roosevelt to Great Britain’s King Edward VII. Within hours, the King acknowledged receiving the message, and the spark of global communications was lit.
The Marconi Radio Club, W1AA, and the Marconi Cape Cod Memorial Radio Club, KM1CC, working in partnership with the National Park Service at Cape Cod National Seashore, will operate a Special Event station from January 11-19 at the former Coast Guard station at Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, Massachusetts, from near the site of the original Marconi 1903 Station. From 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, the public will be able to tour the station, listen to voice and Morse Code discussions with other radio operators around the world, and learn about wireless technology and the significance of Marconi’s achievement. For Details See: http://personal.tmlp.com/k1vv/w1aa
January 18, 2003 will mark the centennial of Marconi’s groundbreaking transatlantic wireless transmission with a reenactment of this historic scientific achievement, rivaling the Wright Brother first flight at Kitty Hawk.
Marconi’s daughter Princess Elettra Marconi is scheduled to attend the event.
A PRESIDENTIAL Commemorative message is anticipated from President George W. Bush.
NASA International Space Station Link – Selected Students from three Cape Cod High Schools (Cape Cod Vocational Technical High School-Harwich, Provincetown High School- Nauset Regional High School) will communicate with astronauts aboard the orbiting International Space Station.
For a complete events calendar, go to www.nps.gov/caco and click on “In Depth,” then “News.”
Bob Doherty K1VV
Pres. Marconi Radio Club W1AA
http://personal.tmlp.com/k1vv/w1aa
k1vv@tmlp.com
N1DHW writes:
This week’s CEMARC Youth Net reached its second milestone.
Young Kelsey McGovern, using her father John’s call, W1JMC, acted as Net Control for the net entirely on her own this week. She performed her net control duties perfectly by maintaining control, generating a platform for participant discussion, and overall, sounded like a professional NC with years of experience.
“Kelsey, congratulations on your performance.”
For those of you who haven’t taken the time to encourage young hams, or future hams that you are aware of, whether are your own, a relative’s, a neighbor’s or a friend’s, to join this wonderful group of young adults in their ham radio experience on the air, shame on you.
If we don’t encourage these young adults now, then we are doing them, and ourselves a disservice. Take a minute, think of who might enjoy getting on the air with them. Call their parents. Offer them your assistance in getting on the air. Review your club rosters for family memberships, and contact that member and remind them of the net. If you’re connected to a Scout group, arrange to have them over your shack on Sunday. Thanks to the MMRA linked system, it’s possible for almost any youngster to join in.
It’s up to all of us now to help build this fine group. Keep them active and help the net grow. Give our youth a minute of your time, make a call.
Note: Ann Weldon, KA1PON, was presented a well deserved Certificate at the CEMARC meeting Saturday for her outstanding, and continuing contributions to the children of the ham community.” Congratulations and thank you, Ann”. Additionally, Kevin, K1KWP, and the MMRA Control Operaters were also recognized for their contributions in helping to make the Youth Net possible.
Remember, this net is for children ONLY.
Weekly Schedule – Sunday 7:00pm MMRA Repeaters
Attention EMA clubs:
Please consider getting involved in this worthwhile project.
73,
Phil Temples, K9HI
Duane Wyatt, WA0MJD writes:
“Time is short to have Santa talk to the sick kids this Christmas via amateur radio.
“Please look at the new, easy, revised information about how to do this—an amateur radio presence is not needed on-site and no transmissions need to be made in the hospital. The new information is seen in the “Holiday Hams” section of the www.hobbiesforhealing.com website.
“I want to expand this program before next Christmas—can you help me? My new email address is: ss011148@southeasttech.com Thanks very much.”
Duane Wyatt WA0MJD
Happy Thanksgiving, EMA traffic handlers!
I wanted to share this Request For Information from the ARRL Volunteer Resources Committee, via Steve Ewald at ARRL Hq. VRC feels that more cooperation is needed between NTS and ARES programs. They are looking for input from Section Managers, Section Traffic Managers and Section Emergency Coordinators as to how this might occur.
Additionally, I invite comments from any NTS or ARES participants.
73,
Phil Temples, K9HI
ARRL Section Manager,
Eastern Massachusetts Section
ARRL Section Managers,
The ARRL Volunteer Resources Committee has asked me to forward this letter to you.
Thank you very much for your help.
73,
Steve, WV1X
sewald@arrl.org
_______________
Dear Section Managers,
It has never been more important for the volunteers in ARRL’s
emergency communications programs to serve with professionalism and
excellence. During the past year, the Volunteer Resources Committee
has been studying the ARRL’s programs related to emergency
communications (see Minute 35, Board of Directors meeting, January
2002, March QST, page 64). This review was undertaken not only because
of the growing concern for homeland security following September 11,
2001, but also because of the ongoing need to ensure that Amateur
Radio responds effectively to disasters unrelated to terrorism —
floods, hurricanes, forest fires, earthquakes, hazardous materials
incidents, etc.
Several inter-related themes have emerged during the study. One is
that Amateur Radio must earn and maintain increased credibility with
served agencies, both nationally and at the local level. Another is
that Amateur Radio emergency communications volunteers must be more
actively involved in a variety of training experiences throughout the
year. Finally, although ARES and NTS are (and will continue to be)
structurally separate in your Section Field Organizations, these two
volunteer programs need to work more cooperatively, functioning as
part of one coherent emergency communications program at the Section
level.
The VRC believes that both ARES and NTS are valuable programs, and so
we will propose no structural change at the Section Level. We are
convinced that more cooperation is needed, however.
Some Sections have achieved a high degree of functional integration
and cooperation between ARES and NTS. In other Sections, each may
operate as though the other did not exist. The VRC believes that close
cooperation between ARES and NTS, with mutual respect and pooling of
expertise, is the best way to serve agencies effectively and to earn
credibility as fully-skilled emergency communicators.
The VRC will recommend that leadership officials in both ARES and NTS
be strongly encouraged to achieve certification in the ARRL’s
Emergency Communications certification program. We will also recommend
that grass-roots volunteers be encouraged to pass at least the Level 1
certification. Along with the many other benefits of certification,
ARES and NTS operators will gain better understanding of and
appreciation for the value of both programs.
The VRC requests all Section Managers (in consultation with your SEC’s
and STM’s) and the three NTS Area Staff Chairmen to develop a vision
of how a closer working relationship can be effected between ARES and
NTS.
Input from all Section Managers is needed, because Sections are very
different from one another.
1. If your Section has already brought ARES and NTS together quite
well, please describe how it is done, what problems may have arisen,
and how the problems were resolved. Your success stories will provide
ideas to other Section Managers.
2. If your Section’s ARES and NTS are functionally separate now,
you are asked to work with your SEC and STM to develop a plan for
bringing them into closer cooperation. Please describe your thought
process: what do you see as the major issues to be considered, the
important problems to be solved, and the major goals to be achieved?
Please post comments as soon as possible on the SM reflector. ARRL HQ
Staff will see that your input is relayed to the VRC, so it can be
considered as we prepare our report to the Board.
Thank you for working with us toward the goal of serving our
communities and our country to the best of Amateur Radio’s capability.
73,
The VRC
Cape Cod Times, November 17, 2002.
“Houston, We Have a Program”
Students from Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, Provincetown High School and Nauset High School will be chatting with astronauts in orbit as part of the 100-year anniversary of the first trans-Atlantic radio transmission.
See the Cape Cod Times Online for the full story and photo.
The Massachusetts SATERN EOC, at Mass. Div. HQ’s. was the designated Metro-Boston District EOC for the EMass. ARRL ARES/RACES SET conducted on November 9th. The Metro-Boston ARES DEC, Bill Ricker, N1VUX, was in command, assisted by both SATERN Team Leader, Frank Murphy, N1DHW and BERT Leader, Rick DeSisto, NG1L. ( Boston ARC ” Emergency Response Team”)…The purpose of this season’s drill was to test the ability of Primary Field Teams (PFT’s) to tactically communicate without the use of repeaters. Additionally, having PFT’s relay traffic from outlying district EOC’s and PFT’s to Metro-Boston EOC and MEMA. All tactical traffic between field teams and EOC’s was passed using 2m, 6m, and 70cm simplex only. Traffic between outlying District EOC’s and Mass. State Emergency Management sites was passed using RACES NTS formal HF messaging on 6 and 40 meters. (NVIS)
The SATERN EOC was manned by 6 SATERN members including the Massachusetts SATERN Coordinator, Bill Foley, kb1glf. One of the Boston canteens was manned by Rick Meuse, N1HID, and equipped for HF and vhf/uhf communications, and designated as Boston Tactical Remote Vehicle.
PFT’s were organized from the Boston Amateur Radio Club ” Emergency Response Team”, and were dispatched to two remote “high” areas outside Metro-Boston. Many of this group, 30 strong, are SATERN members; some of whom were active at “Ground Zero”. Individual “mobile and home players” provided tactical traffic related to “simulated emergency conditions/situations” that could be arise around Metro-Boston”. Additionally, the town of Hingham’s Emergency Management EOC was tied in, since it is located within contact range of the “Cape Cod and Islands District”. It was manned by the EM, Mark Duff, KB1EKN, the Hingham Deputy Fire Chief, and a radio officer.
Radio Equipment Used:
EOC – SATERN/METRO BOSTON
Yaesu FT900, Icom 706MKIIG, Icom 2100, Knwd TM-G707, Knwd 315A and individual Ht’s, and EOC scanners.
The SA location, 5 stories high, had a 5 band vertical, 6 mtr vertical, and a 40 mtr dipole(NVIS), along with 2, 220, and 440 vertical. (G5RV not used)
Commercial Power was used; however multiple rechargeable marine batteries and generators were available.
Tactical Remote Vehicle – A30:
Icom 706MKIIG, Knwd dual bander, Ht’s, and truck’s scanners. This vehicle is also equipped with direct Fire Alarm communications with Metro-Boston.
HF was with an Outbacker Antenna and trucks HF whip. VHF/UHF was with truck mounted antennas and mobile magnet mounts.
Primary Field Teams –
North – Located at Chelsea Veterans Home (Malone Park)
4 BERT/SATERN Members
NG1L ~ Rick – BERT Team Leader
AA1XS ~ James
N1LRT – Paul
KA1RDZ – Dan Equipped with 2 – 706 MKIIG (Mobile Verticals) / and dual band mobiles
South/West – Located at Larz Anderson Park, Brookline (BARC FD Site)
WA1IDA ~ Bob
N1ZKR ~ Paul / Pres. BARC
KB1IBG ~ Walter
Results and What We Learned:
The drill was a success, but not without its problems.
First, the drill as outlined, proved that we (SATERN and BERT) could communicate successfully to State EM without the use of repeaters in the Eastern Mass. Section. The SATERN EOC was able to directly communicate with all Mass. Emergency Management Agency locations on air. We were also able to communicate with all of our PFT’s, our Tactical Vehicle on HF, and the Hingham EOC on both HF and VHF simplex. The DEC used 6 meters to conduct drill discussions with the SEC, w1mpn. Additionally, we received and passed traffic from outlying district PFT’s, and also passed American Red Cross traffic from members of the Western Mass. Section, who were conducting an American Red Cross Hospital drill at the same time.
We learned that once our Primary 40m (NVIS) frequency was taken over by a non-participating slow-scan video station, that the secondary HF frequency became too crowded. (needs Net Control Operator) The primary Tactical VHF frequency was also too crowded. (it also needed a Net Control)
The Frequency Table provided was adequate, but not utilized correctly by most.
While the locations selected for the remote sites were optimum for individual team communications, today’s high power equipment, good antennas, and the presence of a “lift condition”, created a condition on simplex similar to most DX pile-ups. Without a Net Control Operator to sort out the hailing stations and directing us to alternate frequencies to pass traffic, weaker, distant stations were not recognized, or if they were on alternate frequencies, they were not heard. Emphasis must be placed on proper use of hailing frequencies/initial contact freq’s, with direction to an alternate by a NCS. (Thought should be given by Section Manager and SEC, to assigning individual club simplex frequencies for better hailing.)
The next step for our SATERN/BERT Group must be to test our ability to communicate within the ring of “high ground”. We must dispatch mobile operators, or the canteen, to many of the shelters, hospitals, and local EOC’s to recognize those problem communication area’s we may encounter in a real world disaster in Metro-Boston . Also, the equipment used at the EOC was provided by SATERN members and took considerable time to transport, erect antennas and set-up. The Salvation Army Mass. Division MUST purchase its own equipment, and provide a permanently equipped in house EOC location, that can be opened and manned in a reasonable time to be able to respond quickly. The Sharon, Mass. “Camp Wonderland” should also be equipped and tested as an alternate EOC location.
Some areas we have to work-on are:
1 – separation of EOC operators (too distracting hearing multiple traffic)
2 – assign tactical calls to our own PFT’s for easier recognition of hailing
3 – assign a recorder to each operator, and a separate NTS writer for traffic
4 – build a retractable operating shelf in the canteen for HF radio equipment
5 – wire external antenna connectors
6 – provide seating for the mobile operator.
7 – SOP for SATERN and BERT teams/ tested and distributed to all members.
8 – better participation of club members to drill training efforts. Only 12 members participated from BERT,40%, and 8% of total BARC membership.
9 – request additional “home/mobile players” participate in next drill to test real world LOAD on EOC’s ability to steer and pass tactical info correctly.
10- establish a list of HF hailing freq’s to other New England SATERN and American Red Cross EOC’s.
The final CEMARC meeting of the year will be hosted by the Algonquin Amateur Radio Club on December 7th at 9:00 am. Location will be the Central Fire Station in Marlborough. The address is 255 Maple Street (Route 85).
A tour of the Marlborough EOC will be conducted prior to the meeting.
Please submit agenda items to: n1dhw@arrl.net
The drill began for us at 10am. That was 1 hour later than the official start of the section SET. This was due to our operations plan having been completed before the Section plan was complete.
Cape Cod ARES dispatched 2 field teams. One was deployed to assist Sandwich Emergency Management office. The other was sent to the Lower Cape Regional Technical High School in Harwich MA…Communications were quickly established with K1PBO Cape cod ARES EOC and both teams via 2m FM simplex.
Communications were also quickly established via 40m NVIS on 7230khz (severe interference was observed from a slow scan TV Net on 7228kzh). NVIS signals were very strong even for such close range. Although CCARES has done this numerous times in our last 10 drills, the NVIS signals were the best we have encountered to date.
We attempted to initiate comms on 75m NVIS, but signals were very poor. It was certain that 40m would be the band of choice today. We were able to establish comms with our EC on Martha’s Vineyard Brad KB1QL on 40m. An attempt to establish communications with Region II on our liaison frequency of 147.465. Contact was unsuccessful.
Several NTS and tactical messages were exchanged between our field teams and CCARES EOC. We were able to fulfill envelope 1 by deploying team members to the Sandwich EM site. We were initially unable to successfully act on envelope #3 as a path had not been located.
Successful check-in was made to WC1MAB Region II anchoring the EMA/RI RACES Net on 7246khz. Signals were excellent.
An initial NTS message on current shelter status was sent to WC1MAB on 40m. We then learned that Region II had indeed heard us calling on the 2m liaison frequency (147.465)earlier. They could not get a sufficient signal back to us. Once a relay path was made, we were able to send an NTS message destined for W1MPN via 40m.
An NTS message was relayed to us from Central MA Red cross on the 40m Net(7246khz). We had contact with many stations on 40m NVIS(7230khz). Several RI EOCs checked in with us having super signals. Our local operations continued normally untill mid afternoon.
Participation of CCARES Members
Number of CCARES members participating in the Exercise: 12
WQ1O-Frank
WA1KCC-Jim
KB1EAJ-Ritchey
W1VZT-Ben
N1ZPO-Mark
W1PPY-Chris
W1RBF-%@!#%& (also Sandwich EM Director)
N1CP-Chris
WA1JSE-Paul
KC1KM-Jim
K1WCC-Henry
N1PIV-Trenor
Modes and bands Used in Exercise
2m FM
2m SSB
6m FM
6m SSB
40m NVIS
40m Normal deploy
Packet Radio 2m
Number of Messages Passed
NTS format – 15
Tactical Messages – 24
NTS using packet radio – 3
Number of off Cape Stations Worked
40m – 7 stations
Operational Objectives
Deploy field teams – Successful
Logistical Resupply(Food) – Partially successful
Conduct NVIS operations with other off Cape stations – Extremely successful
Conduct all mode operation between fied teams and EOC – Extremely successful
Establish Contact to Region II on Simplex 2m FM – Unsuccessful* (warrants further technical investigation as we were unable to hear WC1MAB on 2m, but they could hear us)(we also worked other stations further away than WC1MAB on 2m FM with no difficulty)
Provide relief operators at the field sites – Successful
Observations and Analysis of Operations
1. The goal of getting numerous stations to play in the EMa Section, WMa Section and RI was well represented. It was good to see all those call signs in there.
2. 40m was incredibly reliable for this exercise. It is interesting to note that CCARES has observed the situation in which communications with just one station using an NVIS antenna can do well even if the other station is using normal antenna configurations. We have observed this concept in 6 of our last 10 drills. When we were communicating with WC1MAB on 40m, we were using a normal dipole at 45 feet. Signals were good. As we approached the end of the 40m Net on 7246khz, I conducted a test with WC1MAB (W3EVE as NCS). We switched our antenna to our NVIS 40 meter dipole (6′ off the ground with a counterpoise wire 5% longer underneath). Steve reported a dramatic signal increase after the switch(thanks Steve!). This is a great demonstration of how NVIS can be used for significant advantage.
I also want to take this opportunity to note the professionalism in operations by the RACES Region station operators. Net operations were done very effectively. I want to thank Steve W3EVE and Bob WA1OEZ for helping WC1MAB anchor the net. Great Job to all. My thanks to WMa SEC Dennis Zonia and also the RI groups who participated. We are also very lucky to have Mike W1MPN as our SEC here in the east. My desire was to see people get in the field to operate. I used to believe for years that I was prepared for field ops. That belief was shaken to the core after CCARES began our series of field drills shortly after the 9-11 attacks. You never realize just how unprepared you are until your operation ceases because you failed to bring a 50 cent item. After that, you never forget that item again. During our May 18th drill, we had downpours all day long with strong winds. I learned more from that drill than any other to date. I never would have learned those lessons without going out and experiencing it. It was great to see all you guys “in action” today. You should all be proud of yourselves for doing a great job today! My thanks to all who put in time and hard work to make the exercise possible.
73s and Happy Holidays to all!
Respectfully Submitted,
Frank WQ1O
Cape Area ARES DEC
Don’t forget that the annual club auction is this coming Saturday November 16th. Complete information is on our club website at www.wara64.org/auction/
The main reason for this message is that our steadfast printer of our newsletter has, sadly gone out of business and the newsletter has yet to make it to the post office. We’re working hard to make that happen but it’s getting so close to the auction that I wanted to ask folks to talk it up on the air and with friends. This is our main fund raiser for the club for the year so anything you can do to help get the word out will be appreciated.
73 for now,
Ron, N1USS
Happy Veterans Day!
Today we were able to activate K1USN from 9 AM – 3:30 PM. K1VV, K1RV, W1BT, KB1IUB, N1VTI and NI1X were on the air using both HF stations in Radio Room 5. We also activated the IRLP from Node # 4320.
We were able to work well over 100 contacts on 20-17-15 and 10 meters SSB. Band conditions were very good with many excellent signal reports from throughout the US, South America, Europe and Africa. We made many contacts with veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces.
We were able to work several other Museum Ships and also spoke with some of our friends associated with other ships that were not activated today. We did work the USS Clamagore just before they had to secure due to bad wx conditions! AA2WN-Harry said that the USS New Jersey is gearing up for this year’s Scouting program.They can be contacted on IRLP Node # 3740. VA3USN-John told us that the HCMS Haida was due to enter dry-dock within the next 10 days and several of their members have been spending time onboard the USS The Sullivans and USS Croaker. They expect more activity from the USS Little Rock soon. They also hope to get active on the IRLP soon.
The USS Kid was quite active and we did work them several times using the IRLP on Node # 8560 but not on HF. They also had well over 100 QSO’s today.
We spoke with one of the guys from the USS Hornet Radio Club – NB6GC, who tried to “hook us up” on 15 meters. We never did get to work them, but I did speak with several stations who had worked them. They may also be getting active with IRLP soon.
There were many stations working the USS Missouri – KH6BB today, but we never seemed to have good propagation to Pearl Harbor. Perhaps we should have tried the Echolink which was quite successful during the Museum Ships Weekend!
Thanks to all who participated today and encourage any other Museum Ships to let us know if they were active for Veterans Day.
73 , Pi – K1RV / K1USN
The Boston Amateur Radio Club’s recent JOTA operation garnered some great publicity in the form of an article and two photos in the Hingham Journal. Thanks, n1dhw.
***** 2002 SET Update *****
*** Generic Exercise Plan Available ***
Greetings to all,
I’m pleased to report that good progress is being made toward the 2002 SET on Saturday November 9. A generic exercise plan is now available for you to view on the EMa ARES website, http://www.emaares.com/Drills/SET2002_1.html. It will give you and/or your club a good idea of what will be happening that day. Please note that play is district-by-district, so please look for your final district plan containing details of the players, schedule, and frequencies on our website, and check in with your DEC. You can still join a team if you haven’t already done so. We now have 6 teams, and more are forming. Interested clubs can still join in.
Please contact your DEC as soon as possible, or me if you need to. If you’re not sure what district you’re in, our website has a map and list to help you at http://www.emaares.com/districts.html. Come on and join the fun!
Look forward to working with you then! 73,
Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
Section Emergency Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts Section
Pager: 1-800-759-8888 PIN 1155084
Admin: w1mpn (symbol for at) arrl.net
978-562-5662 Primary/Voice Mail
978-389-0558 FAX/ EFax Voice Mail
The next one day class will be held Saturday February 8, 2003.. Cost is free to BARS members and their family, $15.00 to non BARS members. Please contact Bruce Anderson (W1LUS) for details at 978-851-2886 or the following email address W1LUS@arrl.net