Eastern Massachusetts ARRL

****** NOTIFICATION OF POSSIBLE EMa ARES MOBILIZATION ******
***** MAJOR WINTER STORM TO IMPACT AREA *****
**** PLEASE COMMENCE PREPARATORY EFFORTS ONLY *****

Hello to all and Merry Christmas to you and your families…

IMPORTANT: I am requesting that ARES team leaders (including new teams from
the 11/9 exercise), and NCS skilled members contact me ASAP as to your
availability and probable location (i.e. you may be away from home with
family/friends). Please respond by direct email, or call at numbers noted
below in my signature.

A major winter storm is predicted to hit the EMa Section area with possibly
significant impact on travel and our community. Of particular concern, are
high winds forecast to develop during and after the snow event, which could
in turn damage the electrical distribution, telephone, and cable
distribution systems. There is some additional risk to the “cellular” tower
infrastructure in our section as well, further degrading the communications
infrastructure. Moreover, if towers and similar structures can be impacted,
so can public safety and EMA communications.

In view of us all commencing a major holiday celebration, and the
seriousness of the threat, I must ask all of you to consider yourselves on
36 hour standby for mobilization. Before I discuss the likely scenario to
trigger a mobilization, I would like to cover the activities you should
undertake now in order to be ready, IF we will be needed.

1. Secure your homes and family, and review your personal needs for a
mobilization. As you know from your ECC class and our Workshop, be sure you
have medicines, clothing, water, and other food and personal supplies. Much
like the oxygen mask from overhead in the plane, you can only help others
after you have helped yourself.

2. Charge batteries, test equipment, review your go-kits and program your
radios if necessary. We will be using familiar repeater frequencies. More
below.

3. I will update you all again tomorrow morning. If there is no message
because of technical difficulties, consider yourselves on 24 hour standby.
If the situation allows a stand down, I will notify you right away.

4. Keep “plugged-in” by email, especially to Rob’s KD1CY weather alert
messages. Monitor the wx radio frequencies and the broadcast media. Watch
for possible hype and mania with the latter, however. Most importantly,
ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY! This message is only to encourage you to think a little
about getting ready while you have your holiday celebrations with friends
and family.

The factor we are watching the closest is the high wind scenario during
which the snow that falls is wet. In high winds, it will be like blowing
wet plaster around. It is believed the vulnerabilities mentioned above will
be realized. You can watch for these factors to help you gauge how close we
will be getting to experiencing problems.

I have attached a frequency schedule of SKYWARN and RACES/ARES frequencies.
Please plan on using the RACES/ARES frequencies for ARES operations, as the
SKYWARN frequencies will be fully utilized. Please note the following
important exception: ARES will use the MMRA network in order to free up the
Waltham and PART repeaters for SKYWARN. Please visit www.mmra.org to get
frequencies, PL’s, and locations of repeaters in their network. We will
also use the Paxton repeater for coordination with Western Mass ARES as
needed on a shared basis with SKYWARN.

HF support is also requested during any mobilization. Please coordinate
with W3EVE, WQ1O, and N1CPE, with copy to W1MPN your capabilities and sked.

Let me say again, this is only a notification at this time. Please…enjoy
your celebration and the “White Christmas”. My best to you and your
families.

s/ Michael P. Neilsen
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 Framingham Amateur Radio Association proudly presents another “License In A Weekend” Class on March 14-16, 2003 at the Danforth Museum, Lexington Street, Framingham.

For more details, see http://www.fara.org/liaw03.gif or call Ed, W1NXC at (508) 881-2301.

Mark your calendars for the Marlborough, MA flea market on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003 at the Marlborough Middle/Intermediate Elementary School, Thresher Drive (off Union Street) or off Bolton Street (Rt. 85).

New Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Exam session will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Walk-ins for all Amateur Radio exams will be welcomed

5 1/2 ft. Round Tables or 10 ft. spaces
$12.00 before February 7, 2003
$15.00 February 7, 2003 or later
Tables and spaces include One Admission
Spaces provide own chairs, tables

Setup Time: 7:00 a.m.
Information: Ann Weldon, KA1PON
508-481-4988 (before 8 p.m.)

Talk-in: 146.61, 233.94, 449.925 (pl 103.5)

Grand door prize $200.00 awarded at 11:30 a.m.
Must be present to WIN
Other door prizes to be awarded during the flea market

See http://www.qsl.net/n1em/FleaMarketFlyer2-2003.htm

On behalf of Phil Temples, K9HI, and the EMa and ARES staffs, I would like to wish all of you and your families the best for the holidays, and a happy and prosperous New Year. Please drive safely wherever your travels take you.

I look forward to working with you in the year ahead.

Michael P. Neilsen, W1MPN
Section Emergency Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts Section

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

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

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

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

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.