Reminder: Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net – Monday June 5th, 2023 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater System

Hello to all…

The June Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday June 5th, 2023 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.

For frequencies that will be linked into the ARES Net on the MMRA Network, please see the following link from the MMRA web site detailing the repeaters that will be linked in through Hub 1:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have several announcements for the net Monday evening.

Thanks for your continued support of ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
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Reminder: June 5th, 2023 MEMA RACES/ACS Communications Test Net

N1YLQ-Mike “Sparky” Leger – MEMA Region 2 RACES Radio Officer writes:

Hello to all,

      This email is a reminder that Monday evening, June 5th, 2023 is the first non-holiday Monday of the month and, as such, is our RACES/ACS/Preparedness Net night. We will be holding our sector nets on the normally assigned frequencies.

      As always, I am looking for Net Control stations to staff our sector nets for the evening. This month I will not be able to reliably run the Sector 2A net due to work requirements and I will be looking for someone to run this net in my absence. I am also looking for NCS operators to lead the Sector 2B (Plymouth County) net. Sector 2D has already arranged for an NCS operator for this month’s net and Sector 2C is a Winlink only net on a monthly basis.

           The 6-meter net has generally been a very informal net. We have received an update that repairs have been implemented on the repeater. Please report any comms testing on the repeater so that those repairs can be verified.

              For any operators interested in performing the duties of Net Control Station (NCS), there are materials available to make the task fairly simple and straight forward. The net pre-amble and role call lists are available at http://wc1mab.org/RACES_R2_Interim_Preamble.pdf and http://wc1mab.org/Month.php with the role call lists on the left column near the bottom. If anyone is worried that they mess up running a net, please remember that, in many cases, a less than perfect net is WAY better than no net at all! At the conclusion of any net, any operator that acted as Net Control Operator should send a note to WC1MAB@gmail.com letting me know who ran the net and who checked in so that the proper numbers can be reported to our served agencies. We can not always count on our normal net control operators to be available in the event of a large scale emergency, so every RACES operator should be prepared to act as NCO if needed when disaster and emergency strikes!

Winlink Net Instructions From Don Rolph: 

*Winlink Net*

To participate:

– create a check-in form using the Winlink standard checkin form

– send via Winlink after 6 AM EST Mon. June 5th  and before midnight EST April 6th (any mode, but include mode in check-in form) to KF1D

   I continue to ask that any operators who have the time, please try to check into sector nets from near-by sections. This will allow our Net Control Operators to practice fielding nets with a strong check-in count and will also serve to help practice with relays or modified sector assignments in the event that a single repeater is out of service. 

   For those operators who serve as Net Control Operators, please try to remember to send me a list of the stations and communities that check into your nets. The numbers are reported to MEMA to show them our level of participation. I am continuing to work on a graphical map based report to show which parts of our section have strong coverage and which areas may need a more targeted recruitment campaign to improve our ability to provide back-up communications in an emergency.

The Region #2 and State Net Schedule for this evening is as follows:

Net Frequency/Offset Time
Sector 2A 147.00 /+0.60  PL 19:30 Local
Sector 2B 145.39/-0.60  PL 67.0 20:00 Local
Sector 2C Winlink Net Check-In 6AM-Midnight Local Time
Sector 2D 146.865/-0.60  PL 103.5 19:30 Local
6-Meter State Net 53.31 / -1.0  PL 71.9  

 

Note: 53.31 has been reported as being repaired and back online. Please report tests on this repeater so that we can verify the repairs/improvements made to the repeater.

19:00 Local
MA RACES HF Net 3930 KHz LSB moving up to 3955 KHz until there is a clear frequency 18:45 Local
MA MEMA NBEMS Net Frequency:  3584.5 MHx, Center Frequency: 1500 Hz, Initial mode: THOR22 19:00 Local

    I appreciate you all answering the call to help our communities remain prepared. Thank you all for helping us keep things on track and prove that we remain a consistent source of communication capability to the Commonwealth. This net provides a monthly reminder to our communities and served agencies that we stand ready with a quiet professionalism prepared to serve as a voice to whomever needs one to get help and resources to where they need to be.

 If you know someone who would benefit from being on this list, please have them contact me at   WC1MAB@gmail.com and I will add them to this distribution. Thank you all!

      If anyone has any questions or comments I can be reached by e-mail or cell phone. Thanks for being a part of our team and I look forward to hearing back on who can participate this month.

Sincerely,

Michael Leger (N1YLQ)

MEMA Region #2 RACES Officer

C: 386-566-7666

Massachusetts RACES Nets – Monday 6/5/23 for HF, Region 2D VHF, NBEMS & Winlink – Times and Details Below

AB1PH-Don Rolph-Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:

The MEMA RACES nets are held on the first Monday of the month, unless the first Monday is a holiday, when it is delayed one week,
For June 2023, the RACES nets will be held on Mon June 5.

The RACES nets will be held on Mon June 5 at:
********************************************************************************
The HF net will start at 6:45 PM ET: using the following frequency plan:
We will start at 3930 KHz moving up to 3955 KHz until there is a clear frequency,
Marc Stern WA1R will be net control.
*********************************************************************************
Region 2D VHF net:
7:30 PM ET VHF net on 146.865 MHz PL 103.5 (Sharon Repeater)
We will have a general call up of any RACES, ARES, or other interested stations. If there is time, we will have a simplex test.
Jeff Marden N1JCM will be net control.
********************************************************************************
HF NBEMS net:

7:00 PM ET
Dial Frequency: 3584.5 MHx
Center Frequency: 1500 Hz
Initial mode: THOR22

We will have checkins, followed by an ICS-213 format message using FLMSG.

Don Rolph AB1PH will be net control.
*********************************************************************************
Winlink Net:

Bryan Marcotte KF1S will be. net control.
Send a winlink checkin form to KF1D, copy AB1PH between 0600 Monday June 5 and 2400 Monday June 5

We look forward to you checking in!

73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph

Volunteers Needed, MS Cape Cod Getaway, June 24-25, 2023

Cape Cod MS GetawayRick Savage, KB1LYJ, writes:
 

Bike MS Cape Cod Getaway will be happening again this year on Saturday and Sunday, June 24-25, 2023.

We again hope you will volunteer to participate either as:
– amateur operators in SAG wagons
– operators at rest stops
– net control

If you would like to sign up go to:

 

 

and select:  amateur radio operator for Sat/Sun or both
 
 We anticipate you will bring your own equipment.
 
Thanks for your assistance in the past and we look forward to your assistance this year!
 

Donna Halper: “Hams In Broadcasting” at Billerica ARS Meeting Online, June 7, 2023

Billerica ARS logoDonna Halper will be presenting about the role amateurs played in early commercial radio and sports broadcasting [on June 7 at 7:00 PM.]

Donna was born here in Massachusetts and began working in the broadcasting field in 1968 as a DJ and music director. In 1974, while at WMMS in Cleveland she “discovered” the progressive rock band Rush.

She has written several books, including the first book-length study devoted to the history of women in American broadcasting, Invisible Stars: A Social History of Women in American Broadcasting. She also has taught college-level courses in broadcasting, media criticism, media history and radio programming and has a PhD from UMass Amherst.

There’s a Wikipedia article about her at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Halper and she has a website (and blog) at http://donnahalper.com/.

[For Zoom conference details, email Bruce Anderson, W1LUS, at w1lus -at- hotmail -dot- com.]

New England Division Town Hall Meeting, June 15, 2023

ARRL logoFred Kemmerer, AB1OC, writes on the New England ARRL members list:

Phil Temples K9HI, our Assistant Directors, and I will hold our next New England Division Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, June 15th, at 7 pm ET. The purpose of the meeting will be to provide you with an ARRL update, get your thoughts on what we should be focusing on, and answer any questions that you might have about the ARRL and what we are doing on behalf of ARRL members here in New England.

We plan to spend a good deal of our time together answering your questions. If you’d like to send us a question in advance, you can do so via an email to ab1oc@arrl.org, or you can just plan to ask your questions during the Town Hall Meeting.

We will hold our Town Hall Meeting via a Zoom Webinar. You can get a personal link to join the Town Hall Meeting via the following link (paste the link in your browser to register) –

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e5ufUAYVQFaVOzWXr8O0XQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

We hope to see you on June 15th!

——————————————————————–
ARRL New England Division
Director: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC
ab1oc@arrl.org
——————————————————————–

Eastern Massachusetts Hospital Net (EMHN) – Saturday 6/3/23 – 1000 AM EDT

Good evening,

On Saturday June 3, 2023, the South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10:00AM. We realize that the usual locations for some individuals and groups are still unavailable due to ongoing COVID restrictions. We encourage everyone who is affected by these restrictions to utilize their home or mobile stations to check into the net.

We will use the following repeaters and NEDECN DMR system in the order listed.

1. Sharon Repeater 146.865 tone 103.5
2. Attleboro Repeater 147.195 tone 127.3​
3. DMR -Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot :1 on the following NEDECN repeaters: Boston 449.175 -5.M CC:1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC:1, Bourne 145.200 –0.6M CC:10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC:11, East. Falmouth 145.210 -0.600 CC:9, Martha’s Vineyard145.180 -0.600 CC:10, and Walpole 145.380 -0.600 CC:12.
4. Simplex 147.420
5. Sharon Repeater for Net closing.

NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check-in procedure which is: Here is.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.

We extend an invitation to any health care facility, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members to check in during the NET. We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible. We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.

We hope to hear you Saturday.

Jeff N1SOM, Secretary, and the SSH group
N1SOM – W1SSH

South Shore Health Amateur Radio Group
55 Fogg Rd. Mail-Stop 42
South Weymouth, MA 02190

Request for Volunteers Twin Lobster #2, Gloucester, June 4, 2023

Christopher Winczewski, K1TAT, writes on the CAARA list:

[Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association] Has A Great Public Service Team. Come Out And Have Some Fun With Us. Why?

You are using amateur radio to provide a needed public service to ensure the safety and smooth running of a public event in local communities.

If you are unable to be there for the whole race, any amount of time you can give would be helpful. If you don’t have a radio, we have loaner radios available with a mag mount that will work in your car by just plugging it into the cigarette lighter socket. We have loaner handheld radios as well!

Please let me know if you can staff a communications checkpoint for the event so I can plan staffing positions.

Please let us know what type of equipment you plan to use ( Mobile; HT; ¼-Wave Mag-Mount; Rubber-Duck; etc.) so we have a better idea of where to locate you along the event course per the potential of your equipment.

The course will be open and supported By CAARA. For Four hours Runner safety is everyone’s top priority.

Local EMT crews and ambulances will be available for three hours to help.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Twin Lobster Communications Team.
Gloucester, Mass.
Last Updated: 5/30/2023. 02:19 pm
Event date: Sunday June 04 2023
On Location: 7:45 am
Starts: Half Marathon Run = 8:00am
Freq: CAARA W1GLO 145.1300 – PL:107.2 Back Up. 443.700 + PL:107.2

Billerica ARS Field Day Announcement, June 24, 2023

Billerica ARS logoBillerica ARS Vice President Mark Nelson, KA1INE, writes:

I’m proud to announce that the Billerica Amateur Radio Society is having its annual field day on June 24, 2023 at 2:00 PM at 67 Alexander Road in Billerica.

The goal of the event is to set up portable radio stations to simulate an emergency situation and to make contact with other hams around the world. It’s a fun day of making new friends and exploring this exciting hobby.

We hope the public can join us to see what amateur radio is about. There will be a BBQ at meal time and plenty of water and coffee to keep everyone nourished.

If there are any questions, feel free to write to me at KA1INE@ARRL.net.

Mark Nelson
KA1INE

K1MJC Fox is Out, Belmont, May 26, 2023

Mike Cormier, K1MJC, writes on the NEMassFoxHunters list at 2:05 PM on May 26, 2023:

Yes, the K1MJC Fox is out ….

I put it out today, Friday afternoon, and it will be picked up in the afternoon Monday. 

The Fox is in somewhere in an area within the Rock Meadow  conservation area in Belmont. 

It’s a 15 milliwatt Fox transmitting on 146.565 MHz. 

Also, there is a logbook you can sign in with if you wish.

There are a few places to enter Rock Meadow on either Concord Avenue or Mill Street; the parking area for Rock Meadow is off of Mill Street.

One of The maps on this page would prove useful!

Trail Guides

Happy hunting!

Mike C , K1MJC, …… 73!

Ops Needed at WW2MAN for Museum Ships Weekend Event, June 3-4, 2023

WW2MAN QSL cardMichael Davis, WA1MAD, writes:

I am still in PEI Canada and will be during the two-day [Museum Ships Weekend] event on June 3 and 4. I am the trustee for WW2MAN, the two-man mini sub at the Quincy shipyard. It’s in front of the USS Salem.

As of this moment, Henry Brown, K1WCC ( former trustee), K1WCC@comcast.net, has agreed to operate on Saturday and be the “go to” guy in my absence. So I’m looking for another (or more) ops for Saturday and Sunday. As little as a few hours or for the day, either Saturday or Sunday. 

Thanks and 73.

WA6EZV: “Radio Orienteering” at Sci-Tech ARS Hybrid Meeting, May 23, 2023

New England Sci Tech logoTue, May 23 at 7:00 PM: “Radio Orienteering” by Bob Frey, WA6EZV

Description: Radio Orienteering combines the skills of Orienteering, the equipment and expertise of Radio Direction Finding, and the athleticism of cross country running and combines them into a fun and competitive sport. Besides an introduction into basic orienteering using topographical maps, this presentation will cover how to get started in Radio Orienteering/ARDF (Amateur Radio Direction Finding) focusing on 2M hunts. Discussion will include how Radio Orienteering differs from classic orienteering, and what equipment is required for 2M and 80M hunts. A variety of receivers, different attenuators, and an inexpensive Yagi antenna for 2M ARDF/RO along with some basic transmitters and an inexpensive controller will also be discussed. Suggestions for practice events and where to get additional information will also be covered.

Bio: Bob holds an Extra Class license and was first licensed in 1968. He has been active in Foxhunting for over 50 years and has been a speaker for the Foxhunt/ARDF forum at Dayton Hamvention for nearly 30 years. Bob sets ARDF practice courses, including at the YOTA Camp in 2021 and 2022. He has competed in 20 U.S. National ARDF Championships, and is a four time champion. He has co-chaired three championships and participated in four World Championships. Bob’s ARRL appointments include ARRL Volunteer Examiner, DXCC Field Checker, HF Awards Manager, and Member of ARRL RO/ARDF Sub-Committee.

Cape Cod Amateurs Assist in Alzheimer’s Spring Walk

On May 20th the Cape Cod ham community came together to assist the Alzheimer’s Family Foundation in the annual running of their Spring walk along the Cape Cod Canal fundraising event. The walk took place at Scusset Beach State Reservation in Bourne MA.

Eight ham operators from the Barnstable Am. Radio Club, Falmouth Amateur Radio Association and an unaffiliated ham from Plymouth joined together to help out.

The joint communications team set up a 2 meter simplex directed net using mobile, portable, and HT radios. They coordinated a pair of six-person golf carts and supported a course staff of more than 20 people, over a walk venue covering more than a mile. The weather was threatening all morning and the rain finally came, but the event went off without a hitch.

The Cape Cod ham radio community did a great job working as a single team drawn from various clubs and towns in southeastern Massachusetts, and helped a worthy charity do their important work. Thanks to all who participated! We look forward to helping again when the foundation runs their annual walk in Provincetown this fall.

There are lots of things to do with our communications skills and equipment. Perhaps the most satisfying is when we help out our neighbors in support of their invaluable efforts to meet the needs of the greater community.

Jake McGill, W1JKM

BARC Club Secretary
and Alzheimer’s Walk Comms Team Captain

ARRL Survey Reminder

ARRL logoOn May 1st, ARRL began a survey for members to provide feedback on some changes it’s considering to ARRL dues and membership.  The ARRL survey will remain open until May 31st.  It is very important that you take a few moments and share with the League your opinions how changes could be made to ensure the long-term viability of ARRL.  Raising dues is not something any organization enjoys doing, but this will mark only the second time in 22 years that ARRL is considering it.

Your input is very important to the League.  The decisions ARRL leadership is considering should be influenced by all members. If you have already taken the survey, thank you! If you haven’t yet, please do so soon.

The results from the survey will be tabulated and shared with members on the ARRL website in June.  Responses will ultimately help guide the future of ARRL.  The survey is only available to ARRL members.  Why?  Because you have a stake in the outcome! 

Please make sure you log into www.arrl.org to participate.

Thank you for being an active member, and for your ongoing support of amateur radio and ARRL.

AA1SE: “The BIG E” at Nashoba Valley ARC Meeting, May 18, 2023

Nashoba Valley ARC logoThe Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club’s May meeting is Thursday, May 18th at 7:30 PM at the Pepperell Community Center (in Pepperell). We start gathering at 7 PM to socialize before the meeting starts.

May’s speaker will Ray Lajoie, AA1SE, who will speak to us regarding “The BIG E.” The BIG E (short for the Eastern States Exposition) is the largest agricultural event on the eastern seaboard and the filth-largest fair in the nation. The BIG E represents all six New England States and features entertainment, unique foods, competitive livestock shows, shopping, a circus and much more. In 2022, Amateur Radio got top billing at the BIG-E, and plans are underway for 2023. I’m sure this will be an interesting talk. Please join us.

Need directions? Click here and put your own address in box “A”.

Thanks and 73. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Bruce, K1BG
978-772-2773 or bruce.blain@charter.net

Early Speaker Callout, HamXposition / New England Division Convention, August 25-27, 2023

HamXposition logoHamXposition Programs Committee Chair Phil Temples, K9HI, writes:

Don’t just attend the 2023 Northeast HamXposition @ Marlborough—BE A PART OF IT! 

The HamXposition Committee seeks fresh and exciting presentations for this year’s ARRL New England Division Convention, August 25-27, 2023. We’re looking for talks of both technical and non-technical natures. As a HamXposition speaker, you will have the opportunity to share your subject and knowledge with amateur radio operators from around New England, the surrounding states, and Canada.

In addition to workshops on Friday, we will feature forums throughout the day Saturday, Saturday evening entertainment, and a half-day Sunday program.

If you represent a regional club or organization (e.g. YCCC, NEQRP, WRONE, MARS, etc.) we can help facilitate open forums or closed meetings by providing you a meeting space.

Non-profit groups who wish to set up information tables should get your requests in early. While the tables are offered without charge, we ask for some volunteer time in return to assist us with ticket sales and other logistics during the convention.

To register as a speaker or presenter (or if you’d like to suggest someone), please go to https://hamxposition.org/speaker-form-t.html or email if you have additional questions.

We look forward to seeing you at the Convention.

N1CPE: “US Army Military Auxiliary Radio System” at North Shore Radio Association Meeting, May 15, 2023

North Shore Radio Association logoThis month we have an IN PERSON Speaker!!
 
Tom Kinahan will talk about the US Army Military Auxiliary Radio System.
 
Meeting [Monday, May 15, 2023] starts at 7:30 pm, doors open at 7 pm at Peabody Municipal Light Plant.
 
NOTE: To get to the meeting location of the Peabody Municipal Light Plant, Warren St Ext. for the next few months, you MUST turn right on to Endicott St from Rte 114; Endicott Street at Lowell Street has been closed.
 
Hope to see you there.
 
Eric Horwitz, KA1NCF

North Shore Radio Association