Tag: #ares

NIMS (ICS) for Field Day Planning

The National Incident Management System (NIMS)

not just for Disasters any more
not just for Command any more

Many of the “served agencies” in our ARES work will be trained in, and use during emergencies, a common jargon and organizational structure called “NIMS” (or NIIMS; formerly called ICS). This is an outgrowth of experiences in California wildfire management, where firefighters and other emergency personnel from various agencies regularly have to work together in different groupings than they’ve drilled. Use of NIMS is now mandatory on all Fire departments and HazMat operations (including private sector!) has been adopted by FEMA and MEMA and increasing numbers of local Emergency Management Agencies (EMA’s).

 

Incident Command Org chart
Standard Wildfire / Firefighting / Disaster NIMS/ICS structure, from FEMA standards

NIMS has been used for planning in advance and execution of non-emergency events. For instance, according to the FEMA trainer, Fidelity (the major Boston investment house) planned and executed it’s annual employee Christmas party (a pretty big event) using NIMS (which was a major success, and validated their use of NIMS for both business and environmental emergencies).

Incidents/Events that can Utilize the NIMS Incident Command System

  • Fires, hazardous materials, and multi-casualty incidents.
  • Single and multi-agency law enforcement incidents.
  • Multi-jurisdiction and multi-agency disaster responses.
  • Search and rescue missions.
  • Oil spill response and recovery incidents.
  • Air, rail, water, or ground transportation accidents.
  • Planned events, e.g., celebrations, parades, concerts.
  • Private sector emergency management programs.17-03-I402-SL

It will be easier for us to provide communications support to served-agencies’ operations if we are comfortable with their jargons and drills too. Indeed, demonstrated familiarity with their procedures and jargon may be necessary to get the foot in the door in some situations.
Training in NIMS is available through FEMA/MEMA, on the WWW, private-sector commercial training, and (unofficially) via ARES.

NIMS and Field Day Planning

Most clubs have a usual committee structure for their Field Day planning. The people planning and the people doing on Field Day are probably the same people — and are exhausted by the time to clean up and prepare the logs for transmission. Most clubs’ usual committee structures are probably — due to the structures of common sense — similar to the NIMS-inspired structure proposed below. Some clubs may even already have assigned clean-up/demobilization/after-FD roles, which are so useful to avoid volunteer burn-out. The major advantages predicted for using NIMS titles for your FD committees are (a) practice with the served-agency jargon; (b) emphasis on staffing by specific responsibility and in shifts; (c) remembering to plan and recruit for take-down and follow-up as well as the more glamorous set-up and operations.

A NIMS Structure for Field Day Planning & Operations

The following is offered as a customizable template, not a carved-in-stone one-true-way. Clubs should do what feels natural, don’t wreck your Field Day! But if they can migrate towards using NIMS terminology and structures in their major events such as Field Day and PSE’s (public service events), they’ll be better positioned to provide communications to events and emergency agencies using the NIMS. So feel free to edit the heck out this for your club, adjusting for how your club is comfortable dividing responsibility.

NIMS ICS for Field Day
NIMS ICS for Field Day

You don’t need a large bureaucracy to do this … One tenet of NIMS is that several conceptual levels of hierarchy can be internalized into one person. The person responsible for a function splits out only the sub-roles that need delegating: but the NIMSNames for the Roles let him/her quickly communicate to the various delegates who is doing what and make sure nothing is forgotten.

  • Incident Commander = Field Day Chair
    • Safety Officer — See KC1US’s FD Safety Officer memo and related Safety Posts and Weather Posts
    • Information Officer / Public Relations = Public Information Officer (PIO)
      • Press releases before
      • Hospitality / Public relations at event
      • Press releases after
      • Might include VE Exam(*) or other public-service/member-service function. 
        (*) Question pools not infrequently change July 1, making Field Day a fun time for a last-chance test on the old study guides.
    • Planning Section [Field Day Chair & committee; or, Planning Chief may be Committee Secretary]
      • Situation Unit: Situation Supervisor may also be Site Safety Officer, or works closely with. Watching the fires; liason with Skywarn with Logistics/Services/Comm or just listening to NWS to track incoming weather. ARES Real-World / Homeland Security Liaison with Logistics/Services/Comm. Site security?
      • Resources Unit (recruiting): Help other committees schedule people before FD. May utilize Talk-In (Logistics/Services/Comms) to recruit club members in real-time on Field Day.
      • Demobilization Unit (takedown planning): Planning who/how to take it all down, and (via Logistics) get it all, and everyone, back to where they belong.
      • Documentation: Preserve guest book, contest logs with Operations/Bonus Unit? May help plan logging process, process/submit logs afterwards?
    • Logistics Section
      • Service Branch
        • Communications Unit (this is where we, ARES/RACES hams, usually fall within someone else’s NIMS operation!): Talk-in and any other non-contest comms operations, whether on radio/cell/internet, whether on ham, commercial or PS licensed, or part 15/FRS radios. Might include scoring the NTS points with/instead of Operations/Bonus Unit. Guard the usual repeaters, 146.52, and club simplex frequency for queries, provide communications Liaison with RACES / SKYWARN / ARES for Planning/Situation and Safety Officer, relay information for any Supply Also, set up wireless or wired internet access for Skywarn radar. unit and shuttle mobiles.
        • Medical Unit: First Aid plan / focal-point; cooperate with Safety.
        • Food Unit: (all important!) – Can break down into Planning & Shopping, Drinks, Snacks, Cooking, Breakfast, Dessert. Can leverage the Support Branch to find & move the stuff once a list & Budget are prepared.
      • Support Branch
        • Supply Unit: (truck-type transport; leg-work on purchasing for food and supplies; transporting borrowed equipment for other sections’ unfilled requirements, e.g. antenna tuner, and return!)
        • Facilities Unit: (arrangements & interface with landlord/host; renting outhouses and other equipment; arranging borrowing of real estate and capital equipment based other sections’ unfilled requirements, e.g., generator.)
        • General Ground Support
          • General hands / Labor Details — everyone! (Antenna and tent raising, lugging)
          • Shuttle & Errands Group (car-type or passenger-van-type transport for people: shuttle to public transit stop, last-minute shopping, pizza-run)
          • Power Group runs the generator(s), charges batteries, manages available power. (does this fall under Facilities or General Ground? who cares, it’s Support! Once you’re operational, it’s the primary component of Support, along with errands & shuttles transport. Works with, may be combined with, Safety Officer & Operations-Bonus. This is a great place for the ARES hams, since they need Generator practice.)
    • Finance & Admin Section (club treasurer or Field Day treasurer; Frequently will be Club Treasurer and other Club officers handling their roles.)Club officials with spending authority; approve purchases based on club rules and FD budget.
      • Time Unit – Can handle ARES Sign-in, although Planning: Documentation probably does that. In a PSE or activation, a Time Unit can tally up Volunteer hours for ARRL or Red Cross reporting. For Field Day, attendance logs fall under Operations/Bonus and Planning/Documentation, since we’re not Billing or estimating equivalent Donated time, but logging such may be good practice.
      • Procurement Unit – Support for contracting with PortaPotty and other suppliers. Normally for ARES and Field Day, actually purchasing is delegated to Food or Logistics/Support/Supply, with Treasurer providing simple reimbursement. In a large deployment, Agency professionals will do real Purchasing and Supply will just pick it up.
    • Operations SectionThis is where everyone thinks all the action is, but anyone who’s been through Field Day realizes half the fun is in the above, everything else.· Shift Leaders are Deputy Contest or Deputy Operations Chiefs who lead while the Chief sleeps, or who rotate main Operational leadership if the IC is “acting” as Ops & Contest Chief. In NIMS, Operations is divided into functional Branches as needed; with further geographic or functional Divisions or Groups, as needed. Most of our functional Divisions can naturally be called “Stations”.
      • Contesting Branch (Contest Chief; Plus Shift Supervisors who act as Chief)Each Station counted in your 7-Alpha Field Day class would be one “Division” or “Group” for NIMS purposes, both for planning and operations. Most clubs probably have a pre-existing idea of what equipment is required for each station and usually where to get it. Under NIMS, a Station Captain can ask for Logistics / Support / Supply assistance in getting loan (or purchase, if approved) for items that it’s own staff can’t loan or borrow from customary sources. [See more detail below.]
        • HF SSB Division Station (Station leader; shift operators, shift loggers)
        • HF CW Division (ditto)
        • VHF+ Division(s) (ditto)
        • Digital Division(s) (ditto)
        • Satellite Division (ditto)
        • Shift Leaders are Deputy Contest or Deputy Operations Chiefs who lead while the Chief sleeps, or who rotate main Operational leadership if the IC is “acting” as Ops & Contest Chief.
        • … see Field Day Scoring thoughts
      • Bonus Branch &/or ARES Branch = Emergency Coordinator or AEC, or NTS Net Manager, or …In using NIMS, the club ARES unit can be made responsible for many of the Field-Deployment exercises of Field Day, in particular, Logistics (getting and keeping running the generator). However, the “contest” part of Field Day has many aspects that, while they belong in Operations, are still more ARES-like, in particular, the bonus points some of may cross into other NIMS Divisions, but may be included in Bonus Branch and/or ARES Branch:
        • Operations
          • Ensuring power is according to operating class, i.e., emergency power.
          • Handling NTS traffic (for points)
          • Any other special points available (satellite or digital if no station?)
          • Making Natural Power contacts (for points)
          • Demo points
        • Logistics
          • Services – Communications·
            • Sending SM/SEC radiogram (for points) (Communications)
            • NTS origination/delivery could be Communications too.
            • Real-world Liaison-– Skywarn, ARES, Homeland Security. (Also Services – Communications)
          • Support – Power · Operating as Power-management Group under Logistics above
        • Planning: Documentation or Admin: Time
          • Taking role call / check-in of ARES-enrolled members present (for SM/SEC radiogram)
          • Checking that PIO is logging visitors
          • Setting up and Preserving Contest station logs
        • Planning: Situation
          • Safety (With Safety Officer)
          • Real-world Liaison-– Skywarn, ARES, Homeland Security. (Also Services – Communications)

Contest Chief & Shift Supervisors

The Contest Chief may have Shift Supervisors to spell him/her on the Line. They should ensure operations conform to FCC and contest regulations, to protect the club’s score & reputation and the license trustee. The Contest Chief or Shift Supervisor is responsible for seeing that there is a Control Operator of appropriate license grade supervising each station in use.
One particular concern for contest regulations to monitor is ensuring that the number of transmitters in use never exceeds the number permitted by the contest class, including ensuring that no two transmitters are under the same exemption at once. Some clubs have used physical Tokens for each counted and exempted transmitter, others expect active coordination with the Chief/Supervisor; others may fudge but that is not appropriate in a NIMS operation! [comments]

Station Leader works with Planning/Resource-Recruiting to schedule operators & loggers; with Logistics to acquire (and return!) the equipment; and likely with the Contest Chief & Shift Supervisors during Operations.

Caution!

Reading through the online documentation and training on NIMS and using a NIMS inspired committee structure is only the beginning. Please do not claim your Field Day was 100% NIMS compliant just because you use the above outline as a committee template. This will set rather higher expectations in your local Emergency Management Agency than you would be ready to fill, unless all your Section and Branch chiefs have already been through FEMA-approved intermediate NIMS training!

However, if the Field Day chair and one or more Section Chiefs (particularly Planning section chief if separate) had attended IS-100, the introductory NIMS training workshop, or worked through the online equivalent materials, others have seen the A.R.E.A. NIMS course, and others were signing up for the next NIMS offerings, you’d be well on your way.

Resources

A short “Introduction to the Incident Command System for Amateur Radio” was published back before the federal rename to NIMS by a Michigan Fire Chief. Aside from the change from ICS to NIMS name, it is still mostly correct and is not a bad first read.

See the Emergency Communications section and your local ARES EC (or RACES / EMDirector as appropriate) for more resources, including training schedules.

 

Bill Ricker, N1VUX (formerly EC & DEC Boston & Training; currently editor EMA FD Directory)

Originally written for FD2000, updated periodically

Field Day Scoring Hints

Introduction

While Field Day is officially an “Operating Event” and not a “Contest,” we still have “Points” to score.

Clubs and ARES teams operating in Field Day can collect points for making contacts of course, same as any Contest. But there are some points specifically available for ARES/NTS/RACES related activities at Field Day.

Specific rules and points vary from year to year, so check the annual Field Day rules download, usually available early in the new year at http://www.arrl.org/contest-rules.  Look for the “Bonus Points” section and see what is on offer this year.  Some Bonuses are available to all stations, others only to Club and EOC stations, others to those on specific kinds of emergency or natural power.

Contacts and “Multipliers”

The basic points are the count of stations contacted, per band, per mode, multiplied by “the Multipliers.” Multipliers are a common concept in Contesting but for the casual conversationalist or public-service operator: Multipliers are conditions which increase the points per contact by a multiple.

Bands   – So the first way to get multiple points for a near-by, easy to work station is to plan to work then on every band open on the day.

Modes  – And then recontact them on each of Voice, Morse/CW, and Digital text.  (Note: all voice modes are considered equivalent. On HF below 10m, this isn’t an issue, since we wouldn’t use AM for efficient context or emergency operation, so it’s SSB. (But it’s important to remember that at 10m and up, FM Voice and SSB voice count the same and would be duplicates if the same station is worked both ways.) Likewise all non CW/Morse digital contacts are considered a single mode for contest and duplicate purposes — working the same remote station on both PSK31 and RTTY on the same band would dup, but on different bands would be OK.  (Contest Branch will probably have to rule how simplex digital voice counts, as that should have good range, but is it Voice or Digital?)

(Providing positive control of count of Transmitters and simultaneous band use is the subject of a separate article.)

Traditionally, Morse Code (“CW”) contacts count 2x in a context compared to Voice contacts because they take longer to make. (No, not because the whitebeards value them more, this dates from before the Code Wars.) Modern Digital has also been a 2x multiplier to encourage its use, and as it can be slow if hand typed. So adding some Digital modes to your Field Day stations is good too.

Power The other Multiplier is the Power Multiplier. Stations operating at medium or low power are rewarded by scoring more points per contact, compared to the QRO home stations with the max legal linear amp. (Typically, 1x for power > 150W; 2x for upto 150W; and 5x for upto 5W., but check the annual rules and score sheet for latest.)

One point of advice: Do any Bonus contacts such as “Alternate/Solar/Natural Power” contacts early in the operating period, as your site’s regular, likely higher power stations will work the strongest nearby stations fairly quickly as they open each band, and a Duplicate contact on same Band/Mode likely won’t count, so “have dessert first”.  A Satellite QSO isn’t as urgent, as long as a single satellite station is a Free station and treated as a separate band. They count as QSOs normally as an extra band and a big bonus for doing at least one!  (Note: Must be Earth-Sat-Earth exchange, not just a packet download. Limit one QSO per single-channel FM sat to avoid congestion.)

Move them Up – HF stations and VHF stations should have easy reference to a list of what other bands and modes are (a) being worked now and (b) possible at this site, in case a station contacted asks — and if they’re not in a hurry, you can ask them what else they have, and refer them.

VHF+ Agility If your VHF+ station has a multiband multimode radio and antennae, you can move a 2m FM/SSB contact down to 6m SSB/CW/FM and up to 440 SSB/CW/FM, and where else both stations have available. Just be sure you don’t have two stations on FM and SSB on the same band at once!
(Remember, no points for repeater contacts. Check detailed rules for “spotting” and “sked” rules.)

How many bands can you support? If there are 900MHz or 1.2GHz repeaters in the area, the mobile rigs and HTs can also be used for Simplex for Field Day. If you set up a good antenna and base, other nearby hilltop stations will be able to work you.  If a really good hilltop, get that one club member that does the microwave contest to bring the 2.4/5/10 GHz hilltopping kit, and plan to meet other microwave-capable hilltop clubs on e.g. 440 SSB or FM Calling.

NTS Traffic Handling

One of the usual activities at Field Day involves exercising formal message handling skills for both ARRL and ARES liaison, using the National Traffic System (NTS) formal message format. The NTS team shared a post in 2018 on that, which has been adapted into an ongoing article “Field Day Traffic Tips“; and do check for newer posts.

Section FD Message(s) – This has typically included originating a message from the FD site to the ARRL Section Manager (SM) and/or to the ARRL ARES Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) noting your location, number of participants, and number of ARES-enrolled operators attending.

Handling – Some years, there are additional points available for “handling” formal traffic (other than your station’s  SM/SEC message above) — this can be originating third party greetings traffic from visitors, or relaying traffic from one NTS net to another NTS net, or delivering messages to the final recipient.  This is particularly easy if the SM or SEC is visiting your site at net time: collect their messages for them from the NTS Net and hand them a stack of hard copy!

(Note that the above messages must enter and leave the Field Day site on Amateur Radio Radio-frequency — Internet access to the NTS Bulletin Board via commercial provider does not count.)

W1AW Bulletin – Another kind of message handling is copying a bulletin transmitted by W1AW (and K6KPH west-coast) as a “Code Practice” and reception test bulletin.  The transmission schedule will be in the annual information packet. Copy (transcribe) the bulletin off-air and provide a copy with your scores packet.

ARES & PIO Functions

Various things your club’s Amateur Radio Emergency Services team would practice in a Simulated Emergency Test are valuable to Field Day as a more public demonstration of emergency capability too, and thus in the gamification of the Operating Event as a quasi Contest, are awarded points.

Organizing the Field Day committee for both planning and execution according to the National Incident Management Standard (NIMS) will allow the ARES team to practice their training and nomenclature between Public Service events and may remind the committee of things that need to be covered).

generator
Generator with grounded distribution, and fire extinguisher. (W1BOS; photo: N1VUX)

100% Emergency Power bonus applies if all transmitters are on emergency or natural power. Typically this only applies to the transmitters; running lights and computers and the coffee pot on commercial power is usually acceptable. (In most years, a town or agency EOC operating in Class F can also claim this bonus if the EOC has a big enough generator that the town  tests on a weekday but won’t let the EOC use for a voluntary ham drill on the weekend.)

 

 

Site Visitation – Visits by Elected town officials and/or a representative of a local Served Agency (whom the club or local ARES team has a relationship with) “as a result of an invitation”. 

Note that the police patrol does not qualify, unless the patrol officer is also town Emergency Manager, was invited, and is patron recipient of ARES/RACES services. (Alas it specifically says Elected, so hired, professional Town Managers only qualify if there’s a ARES/RACES relationship.) 
Also, ARRL Leadership & Staff visits also don’t earn points; we encourage those for reasons other than points!

 Safety Officer – You’ll want a Safety Officer anyway, but if they complete the Field Day packet’s Safety Check List, they earn points too!

Public Information Officer / PR

Public Welcome Sign
Sign clearly saying Amateur Radio Field Day – Public Welcome (N1ERC, photo: N1VUX)

Your Club Public Information Officer (PIO) can provide Public Relations help for Field Day, and can get ARRL handouts through the Section Public Information Coordinator (PIC).  See Public Information section for more information. Typically the Government Liaison gets a Proclamation or two; if the Section Manager brings them by, get photos of them at your site!

Public Location (a requirement for Class A operation, bonus also available for B and F) – The intent is for amateur radio to be on display to the public. So be welcoming the public with signs that look inviting.  Take photos for both later publicity and to document that it was public.

Minimalist Information Table (photo: N1VUX)

Public Information Table:  The purpose is to make appropriate handouts and information available to the visiting public at the site. A copy of a visitor’s log, copies of club handouts or photos of the display and folders is sufficient evidence for claiming this bonus.  It’s good to have a club Public Information Officer staffing the table or at least on lookout for wandering public too.

Press Release (W1BOS; photo: N1VUX)

Media Publicity – Getting the announcement of the national Field Day exercise into local press/media is important — so important that attempting it is rewarded. Save a copy of the your press release. Obviously, a clipping or video clip from the news or local TV magazine is even better!

Useful things the PR/PIO team can do to support the above –

  • Get Press Release carefully edited — to attract a newspaper or TV News editor’s attention! — and released early for Calendar section lead-times.
  • Push message origination at Booth, since it’s good for points (see under NTS heading) as well as public outreach.
  • Guided tours
  • PR or Central table whiteboard might be used to list States Worked, running tally score, Bonus’s scored, next scheduled event. PR or Central table signboards show what bands are in operations and current & authorized # of TX’s.
  • “Public Welcome” sign may need to be BIG if located in a remote corner of a larger parks: some FD sites wind up looking like a private event.

 

Outreach / Education / Licensing

Clubs often help prospective new hams earn their license with classes and/or VE exams, help hams upgrade by same, and help lapsed hams re-install their gear, renew their license, etc. See also Licensing/Education/Training and Youth sections.

GOTA – Get On The AIr  The larger (A and F) stations get one free extra station called GOTA that operates with a second callsign, should they so choose. This station is for non-Ham guest operators to make contacts supervised by a control operator and for Hams to make contacts on bands/modes not within their license with a control operator or not within their usual operating practice or home station capability. The number of contacts per guest operator and points for each varies year to year, so check current rules. The GOTA station must have a GOTA Coach / Control Operator both for legal operation and for the terms of the bonus.

( Guest operators are permissible (with a control operator if not licensed for the band) on the main stations too, once they’ve achieved their GOTA quota, there’s just no specific bonus reward for those contacts. )

Youth Contact in progress with Control Operator / Coach. (W1BOS; photo: N1VUX)

Youth Participation  – Youth Participation bonus is per Youth completing one or more contacts, apparently on either the GOTA or main stations. (They may be the control operator of the station or a guest operator.)

Educational  / Demonstration – Varies per year – Demonstration of certain modes not eligible for QSO credit has been a bonus in prior years; more recently, a formal “Educational Activity” has been the bonus. See the annual packet for latest details. One local club has a seminar in the classroom of the building they get lights&coffee power from and use the restrooms in; another had a Soldering class.

There hasn’t been a bonus for holding a public VE exam session at Field Day but some clubs do it anyway. Whether that makes sense or not depends on your staffing and facilities! But be sure to invite visitors to classes and exams and exam and class participants to next Field Day, as they can GOTA even before they get licensed. (And if you’re having one, let the EMA FD Directory know, as we list the time each year for you.)

Emergency Communications

Eastern MA Hospital Net, June 2, 2018

- by kc1cic - Leave a Comment

John Barbuto, KS1Q writes on the South Shore Hospital ARC mailing list:

Net Control for the June 2, 2018 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be W1SSH, The South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club . The net will commence at the usual time of 10:00 AM using the following repeaters in the order listed.

1.Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
2 Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0
3.Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0

Simplex 147.42

The Net will then return to the Sharon Repeater for final comments and 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 yours or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.

We extend an invitation to any health care facility or EOC of any city or town that is served by one of the participating hospitals to join the Net. We also extend an invitation to any RACES or ARES member to check in during the NET.
Any hospital wishing to join the net that needs assistance with equipment or personnel should contact us at ssharc@gmail.com. We can assist you with getting your location on the air.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control. If you are interested please contact us at the email address listed above. Our goal is to rotate Net Control throughout the year among as many groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct the monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event. The following list of repeaters are available for our use. Only a few systems are used each month with the selection of those used made by Net Control for that month. More systems are being added to the list on a regular basis.

REMINDER: The BARC Repeater is now using split tone. Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0

Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)
Belmont 145.430 tone 146.2
Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0
Fall River 146.805. tone 67.0
Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9
Mansfield EMA 446.925 tone 100.0
Mansfield 147.015 tone 67.0
Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0
Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
Plymouth 146.685 tone 131.8
Salem 146.88 tone 118.8
Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
W. Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

We look forward to hearing you all on the Net.
Respectfully,

John Barbuto
KS1Q

—
South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club – W1SSH
Box 42
55 Fogg Road,
South Weymouth, MA 02190

Emergency Communications

Eastern MA Hospital Net, May 5, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

John Barbuto, KS1Q writes on the South Shore Hospital ARC mailing list:

Net Control for the May 5, 2018 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be Greg Bennett, KC1CIC.  The net will commence at the usual time of 10:00 AM using the following repeaters in the order listed. 

  1. Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67
  2. Sharon146.865 tone 103.5
  3. Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5, tone decode 100.0  

There will not be a simplex test this month.

The Net will then return to the Bridgewater repeater for final comments and 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 or EOC of any city or town that is served by one of the participating hospitals to join the Net. We also extend an invitation to any RACES or ARES member to check in during the NET.

Any hospital wishing to join the net that needs assistance with equipment or personnel should contact us at ssharc@gmail.com. We can assist you with getting your location on the air.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested please let us know. Our goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct the monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event. The following list of repeaters are available for our use. Only a few systems are used each month with the selection of those used made by Net Control for that month.  More systems are being added to the list on a regular basis.

REMINDER: The BARC Repeater is now using split tone. Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0

Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)
Belmont 145.430 tone 146.2
Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0  
Fall River 146.805. tone 67.0
Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9  
Mansfield EMA  446.925 tone 100.0
Mansfield 147.015 tone 67.0
Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0      
Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
Plymouth 146.685 tone 131.8
Salem 146.88 tone 118.8        
Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5    
Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
W. Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244 
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

We look forward to hearing you all on the Net.

Emergency Communications / Public Service

ARES & SKYWARN Prepare for the 2018 Boston Marathon

- by KB1NCG - Leave a Comment

SKYWARN link: http://www.wx1box.org/node/4071
EMA ARRL link: https://ema.arrl.org/2018/04/14/marathon-2018-1/

Hello to all…

..Winter to be felt late tonight through early Monday Morning followed by heavy rain and strong winds for Patriots Day/Marathon Monday. This is a combined Storm & Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message and these will continue to be combined through Sunday Evening/Monday Morning..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect through 8 AM Monday for Franklin, Western Hampshire, Western Hampden, Northern Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Massachusetts for up to 0.20″ radial ice accumulations and result in slippery road conditions. If 0.20″ or more of icing occurs, isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages may develop..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 4 AM Sunday Morning to 8 PM Sunday Evening for Central Middlesex, Western Essex, and Southern Worcester Counties of Massachusetts  for light icing and accumulations up to 0.10″ inches and slippery road conditions..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 6 AM Sunday Morning to 8 PM Sunday Evening for Northern Connecticut, Eastern Hampden and Eastern Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts for a light glaze of ice and slippery road conditions..
..A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 6 AM Sunday Morning to 5 PM Sunday Evening for Providence and Kent Counties of Rhode Island, Norfolk, Suffolk and Northern Bristol Counties of Rhode Island for a trace of radial ice accumulation and slippery road conditions..
..Patriots Day/Marathon Monday will have widespread rainfall with the heaviest rainfall during the late morning to early evening timeframe. Strong wind gusts of 30-45 MPH are possible across interior Southern New England with wind gusts of 45-50 MPH possible in Southeast New England. Isolated thunderstorms and lightning are also possible. This is detailed in the Boston Marathon Weather portion of this coordination message..
..SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the icing conditions Sunday into early Monday Morning. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence at 600 AM Monday for the storm on Marathon Monday lasting through 600 PM Monday Evening..

The light icing conditions for late tonight through early Monday Morning are covered in the headlines of this coordination message. SKYWARN Self-Activation will monitor the icing conditions Sunday into early Monday Morning. Below is the NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:

NWS Boston/Norton Winter Weather Advisory Statement:
http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.wwus41.KBOX.html

The second part of this message is a special announcement – Boston Marathon Weather Coordination Message as issued in prior years:

While this may be a bit off topic for some SKYWARN Spotters, Amateur Radio Operators and Red Cross volunteers, many of which are SKYWARN Spotters, will be involved in the Boston Marathon on Monday April 16th. To reach out to the highest level of Amateur Radio Operators involved in the event, this coordination message is being sent out to the SKYWARN email list and posted to the various Amateur Radio lists. We appreciate everyone’s patience with this message. This is a joint message between the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)-SKYWARN program at NWS Boston/Norton and Eastern Massachusetts ARES. Due to the storm conditions and the fact some level of SKYWARN Activation will occur, messages will occur through at least Sunday Evening on the storm event.

Eastern Massachusetts ARES members not participating in the Boston Marathon are requested to be on standby for marathon activities on Monday April 16th from 6 AM-7 PM for any significant issues outside of the Boston Marathon that may require Amateur Radio Emergency Communications support and for any unexpected issues on the Boston Marathon route. With over 280 Amateur Radio Operators staffing the Boston Marathon route, the start line and the finish line, if an issue arises needing Amateur Radio support outside of the Marathon route or an unexpected issue arises in marathon operations, it is important that any ARES members not involved in the marathon can help with any response that is required. The Amateur Radio Station at the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, WX1BOX, will be active on Monday April 16th for the Boston Marathon to provide weather support to the Amateur Radio community participating in the marathon and to gather any weather reports of significance during the marathon. This station will also be used to coordinate any ARES response to any significant incidents regarding Amateur Radio support outside of the marathon zone including any incidents that need to be provided to the State EOC for situational awareness information.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) at the SEOC (State Emergency Operations Center) will be active for the Boston Marathon. Amateur Radio Operators will be at the SEOC to support Amateur Radio communications and will be on the air under call sign, WC1MA, while many agencies will be there performing primary operations for the marathon.

The weather outlook is definitely less than ideal for volunteers and is also not ideal for runners though not as significant as a warm weather event would be for the runners. Rain will be widespread across the marathon route in the morning hours and the heaviest rain is expected in the late morning through early evening. This may result some poor and drainage street flooding in the region. Strong winds are also possible with wind gusts in the 30-45 MPH range in the interior with the highest gusts as you get closer to the Metro Boston areas. Areas of Southeast New England will have wind gusts to 45-50 MPH and this may result in Wind Advisories as we get closer to the event. This could result in isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and isolated power outages. An isolated thunderstorm or two with attendant lightning risk is also possible but exact locations and whether they would occur on the marathon route are difficult to determine. All runners, volunteers and spectators should monitor future weather forecasts and should prepare accordingly for these conditions. SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Boston/Norton will commence at 600 AM Monday for the storm on Marathon Monday lasting through 600 PM Monday Evening.

From a SKYWARN perspective, the 146.64-Waltham Repeater and 145.23-Boston Repeater are being utilized for Marathon operations. From an ARES perspective, the Minutemen Repeater Association Repeater Network is being utilized for marathon operations. Please review the SKYWARN Frequency listing for your closest alternate repeater from a SKYWARN or ARES perspective.
http://www.wx1box.org/node/37

For Amateur Radio, Red Cross and all other volunteers along the route, it is recommended that you dress in layers for this event so that you can put on or take off clothes as needed for comfort. Rain gear is a must either with a clear poncho or a rain coat where you can still display appropriate credentials outside of the raincoat. Be sure to drink liquids and eat properly during the event and that you are self-sufficient so that you can be of full help to the function and not distract everyone from the main purpose of supporting the runners by having a health issue on your end that can be avoided. For volunteers, the BAA has sent around via email weather safety tips and suggestions on clothing and other safety tips.

For those people that are planning to go to the Boston Marathon as spectators, the following link details guidelines for spectators for the 2018 Boston Marathon:
http://www.wx1box.org/local/2018_Marathon_Spectator_Guidelines_Final.pdf

Another coordination message will be posted by 1100 AM Sunday Morning. We appreciate everyone’s support in this event and hope those that volunteer enjoy themselves and feel the self-satisfaction of supporting this historic event and those that are monitoring the Marathon or events outside of the Marathon realize that the monitoring is an important function as well and is a testament to being able to scale other incidents beyond the marathon if required. Thanks to all for their support!

Respectfully Submitted,

Marek Kozubal
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Email Address: kb1ncg@gmail.com

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org
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Follow us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/wx1box

Emergency Communications

Eastern MA Hospital Net, April 7, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

John O’Neill, K1JRO writes:

Net Control for the April 7, 2018 Eastern MA Hospital Net will be W1SSH, The South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Club . The Net will commence at the usual time of 10:00 AM using the following repeaters in the order listed:

  • Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
  • Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0
  • Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0
  • Simplex 147.42

The Net will then return to the Sharon repeater for final comments and 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 facility’s call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.

We extend an invitation to any health care facility or the EOC of any city or town that is served by one of the participating hospitals to join the Net. We also extend an invitation to any RACES or ARES member to check in during the Net.

Any hospital or EOC wishing to join the net that needs assistance with equipment or personnel should contact us at ssharc@gmail.com. We can assist you with getting your location on the air.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested please let us know. Our goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct the monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event. The following list of repeaters are available for our use. Only a few systems are used each month with the selection of those used made by Net Control for that month.  More systems are being added to the list on a regular basis.

PLEASE NOTE: The Plymouth Genesis Amateur Radio Society’s Repeater 146.865 is now a dual mode repeater. The analog CTCSS (PL) tone has been changed to 131.8.  The Eastern MA Hospital Net will continue to use this repeater in analog mode with the new tone. Also a reminder that the Boston ARC 145.23 repeater uses split tone of encode 88.5, decode 100.0.

  • Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)
  • Belmont 145.430 tone 146.2
  • Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
  • Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
  • Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
  • Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0
  • Fall River 146.805. tone 67.0
  • Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9
  • Mansfield EMA  446.925 tone 100.0
  • Mansfield 147.015 tone 67.0
  • Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0
  • Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
  • Plymouth 146.685 tone 131.8
  • Salem 146.88 tone 118.8
  • Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
  • Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
  • W. Bridgewater 146.775 dcs 244
  • Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2

We look forward to hearing you all on the Net.

Emergency Communications

Monthly EMA ARES Net 4/2 8:30pm

- by KB1NCG - Leave a Comment
Hello to all…

We will be continuing our monthly ARES Net in April. The monthly ARES Net for April is Monday the 2nd, at 8:30 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:

http://www.mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_index_by_linkstate.html

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net.

As part of our relationship with MARS and our own situational awareness gathering we will be asking for any known infrastructure issues that you are aware of. The information must either be personally observed, or obtained “over the air” via amateur radio. Items considered to be infrastructure include but are not limited to: electrical power, water, medical facilities, sanitation, communications, and transportation. Examples of failure would be: small or large area power failure, water main breaks, hospitals’ ER closed, sewage issues, TV/radio station off the air (including public safety), interstate highway or major road closed. No known issues are just as important as reporting failures.

Additionally we are interested in relay of any weather information from airport ATIS/ASOS stations that you can directly receive via radio. These stations broadcast continuously in the 120.000 – 138.000 MHz frequency range using amplitude modulation. Information from the ATIS should include airport, temperature, altimeter (barometer), wind, precipitation, and visibility.

A list of stations with their frequencies and a map can be found at: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/weather/asos/?state=MA

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!

Marek Kozubal, KB1NCG
EMA Section Emergency Coordinator

Clubs / Emergency Communications / Public Service

Barnstable ARC Members Provided EmComm At Shelters

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Barnstable ARC logoBarnstable Amateur Radio Club members were active with the Cape and Islands ARES call-up.  “They were the primary operators at the Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwich,  and the Barnstable Intermediate School in Barnstable,” reports Barnstable ARC president Mark Petruzzi, WA1EXA. Both of the locations were opened to shelter individuals affected by the nor’easters that struck Cape Cod. The BARC members provided 90 hours of communication services during the storms.

Emergency Communications

ARES ending Stand-By and Active Service 1500 March 15th, 2018

- by KB1NCG - Leave a Comment

See this message on the web at https://ema.arrl.org/2018/03/15/ares-stand-by-ends-20180315/

*** EFFECTIVE AT 1500 THURSDAY MARCH 15TH ARES WILL END STAND-BY AND ACTIVE OPERATIONS ***

The ARES leadership would like to thank all the amateur operators who volunteered their time and equipment during this last major blizzard. Operations on Cape Cod covered 7 operators across the Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) and 3 active shelter locations. Operations included overnight operations as nearly 200,000 customers were without power, AT&T cell service was down, as well as numerous tree and wire damage. ARES would also like to thank the amateurs who volunteered for the ARESMAT to the Cape and provided your support to the operations. The HF net was active during the storm and was active from 0600 Tuesday through 2300 Tuesday on 75 meters.

Additionally everyone’s SKYWARN reports that made it to the SKYWARN operations center at the NWS Taunton office were of tremendous value and help give a broadened situational awareness across the region to this storm. Storm totals topped out at 25.5 inches in Dracut, MA. Snow fall rates hit 3-4 inches/hour in multiple areas. Wind gusts hit 88 MPH at Davis at Otis AFB, 81 on Nantucket, 76 at the Barnstable County EOC, and 75 MPH at Woods Hole, MA.

If anyone has pictures from this storm please send them to pics@nsradio.org to be included in the SKYWARN photo album and for damage assessment. Please include picture credit, date/time taken, and location.

Thanks again to all the amateurs who helped out and stood by on various repeaters to allow the ARES and SKYWARN nets to pass their traffic and to the clubs and organizations that maintain our repeater network in Eastern Massachusetts.

Respectfully submitted,
Marek Kozubal, KB1NCG
EMA ARES SEC
kb1ncg@arrl.net

Emergency Communications

ARESMAT Requested for Cape Cod Shelter Support for March 13th

- by KB1NCG - Leave a Comment

*** ARES SUPPORT REQUESTED FOR SHELTERS ON CAPE COD ***

At the current time three shelters are being opened on Cape Cod and an ARES Mutual Aid Team (ARESMAT) has been requested for Cape Cod support. There are wide spread outages with AT&T cellular service, power outages covering approximately 125,000 customers, etc. Communications support is requested for the Sandwich, MA and Barnstable, MA shelters and it is possible a fourth shelter will open Wednesday that may also need ARESMAT support.

If you are available to help with the shelter in Sandwich, MA or Barnstable, MA for this evening’s overnight or possibly other locations on the Cape please email blizzard@nsradio.org, with your availability for tonight and tomorrow, what equipment you are able to bring, and what ability to travel to the Cape you have.

We are currently looking for volunteers for this evening overnight and planning for the possibility of continued operations Wednesday.

Do not self-deploy, please only respond to requests for support from ARES leadership. ARES leadership will tell you where to go and who to contact when you arrive.

Respectfully submitted,
Marek Kozubal, KB1NCG
EMA ARES SEC
Emergency Communications

EMA ARES on Stand-By for Coastal Blizzard Starting 2300 Monday March 12th

- by KB1NCG - Leave a Comment

See this message on the web at https://ema.arrl.org/2018/03/12/ares-standby-20180312/

*** EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES PLACED ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS EFFECTIVE 2300 MONDAY, MARCH 12TH UNTIL CANCELED DUE TO POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM FORECAST COASTAL STORM AND BLIZZARD ***

*** BLIZZARD WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 2300 MONDAY EVENING THROUGH 2000 TUESDAY EVENING FOR EASTERN ESSEX, PLYMOUTH, BARNSTABLE, AND DUKES COUNTIES FOR 10-18 INCHES OF SNOW WITH ISOLATED 20+ INCH AMOUNTS WITH 30-40 MPH WINDS WITH GUSTS TO 65+ MPH ***

 

*** SNOW IN THE BLIZZARD WARNING AREA IS LIKELY TO BE HEAVY AND WET WITH THE STRONG WINDS COULD RESULT IN ISOLATED TO SCATTERED POCKETS OF TREE AND WIRE DAMAGE AND SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES ***

 

*** WINTER STORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS FROM 2300 MONDAY TO 2000 TUESDAY FOR 10-18+ INCHES OF SNOW WITH WINDS 20-30 GUSTING TO 50-55+ MPH ***

 

*** SNOW IN THE EASTERN AND SOUTHERN ARES OF THE WINTER STORM WARNING COULD BE WET AND HEAVY WITH THE STRONG WINDS COULD RESULT IN ISOLATED TO SCATTERED POCKETS OF TREE AND WIRE DAMAGE AND SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES ***

 

*** COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 0800 TUESDAY TO 1200 TUESDAY FOR EASTERN PLYMOUTH COUNTY, CAPE COD,  NANTUCKET, EASTERN ESSEX, AND DUKES COUNTY FOR MINOR COASTAL FLOODING DURING THE HIGH TIDE CYCLE ***

 

*** SKYWARN OPS AT NWS-TAUNTON TO COMMENCE AROUND 0400 TUESDAY ***

A major storm will be impacting the region Monday evening through Tuesday evening. All amateurs are asked to prepare for a powerful coastal storm which will bring blizzard conditions along the coastal parts of Massachusetts and Cape Cod. Across the region 12-18 inches of snow is forecast with isolated amounts reaching 20+ inches. The snow may be wet and heavy causing additional strain on already weakened trees and infrastructure from the previous two Nor’Easters especially in the eastern and southern areas of the warning area. Some coastal flooding is expected during the Noon Tuesday high tide cycle. A high wind warning is also in effect for Nantucket for sustained winds of 30-40 MPH with gusts to 65 MPH.

Please notify ARES leadership of availability to deploy for any post storm support. All amateurs during the storm are asked to shelter in place and monitor their local SKYWARN repeaters to help relay damage; infrastructure issues; coastal, river, and urban flooding; change over to snow; and any other pertinent information. ARES members are advised to continue to maintain readiness at home and check your emergency power and antenna situation. Secure any loose objects that can blow around easily.

The Cape Cod MACC (Multi-Agency Coordination Center) will be operating starting around 0600 Tuesday. Nets will be run on 146.955- PL88.5 Dennis repeater. The ARES HF net will also be running on 3.930 +/- 5 kHz QRM with calls at the top (:00) and bottom (:30) of the hour starting at 0600 Tuesday. SKYWARN will be running various nets across our section on the assigned SKYWARN repeaters.

The list of SKYWARN repeaters can be found at: http://wx1box.org/node/37

The latest SKYWARN coordination message for this storm is at: http://wx1box.org/node/4054

For the latest bulletins please visit http://wx1box.org/

In advance of the storm, please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC (SEC/DEC listed below) of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime over the weekend. We are creating a list of availability for ARESMAT (ARES Mutual Aid Team) deployment if needed for various local EOC’s, Red Cross, Salvation Army, NWS Storm Survey Teams, and hospitals as required. Keep your situational awareness level high for any updates from ARES leadership by checking your email for updates and our ARES web site at http://ema.arrl.org/ares and monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies for any updates on this developing situation.

When sending your availability, please send the following: Name, Call-sign, License Class, Capability (HF / VHF / UHF), Availability, and any other special notes we should be aware of. Also, please let us know if you can do an ARESMAT to another part of the Eastern Massachusetts section as this will be a large area impact storm for this anticipated blizzard. We ask that as you contact your DEC, please send a copy of the message to blizzard@nsradio.org where multiple members of the EMA ARES Leadership will be able to access your availability.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region is fully understood.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Marek Kozubal (KB1NCG)
ARES Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator

SEC/ASEC:
SEC – KB1NCG – kb1ncg@arrl.net
ASEC – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
ASEC – KD1CY – kd1cy@comcast.net

DECs:
Essex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Middlesex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Metro-Boston – KB1NCG – kb1ncg@arrl.net
Norfolk County – W3EVE – w3eve@arrl.net
Bristol County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Plymouth County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Cape & Islands – WQ1O – wq1o@comcast.com

Emergency Communications

EMA ARES Ends Stand-By Status

- by KB1NCG - Leave a Comment
*** EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES ENDS ITS STAND-BY STATUS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY ***
The Eastern MA ARES staff would like to thank all the amateur radio volunteers who supplied their availability and for those who helped out during the back-to-back severe weather events that impacted the section. Everyone’s SKYWARN reports greatly helped expand the situational awareness for the National Weather Service, MEMA, the cities and towns, and media for coverage of these significant events.
At the peak of the first storm there were 450,000+ customers without power and various shelters and warming centers opened across the section. As of this note there remains about 66,000 customers without power but service is expected to be restored by the end of day Sunday at the latest.
SKYWARN operations were conducted at the National Weather Service office in Taunton, MA and photo albums have been made for both storms:
The ARES and SKYWARN staff are keeping an eye on a possible storm in the Monday/Tuesday timeframe. However it is too early to say what this storm might bring to the region.
Thanks again to all the operators and spotters who helped collect information and aid with communications during these severe winter storms.
Respectfully submitted,
Marek Kozubal, KB1NCG
Eastern MA ARES SEC
Emergency Communications

ARES Stand-By Update for Wednesday Winter Storm

- by KB1NCG - Leave a Comment

See this message on the web at https://ema.arrl.org/2018/03/05/ares-standby-update/

*** EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES CONTINUES TO BE ON STAND-BY FOR THE SECTION DUE TO LINGERING DAMAGE FROM LAST WEEKENDS STORM AND THE POTENTIAL FOR WEDNESDAY’S STORM TO INTERFERE WITH REPAIR CREWS AND HIGHER IMPACT TO WEAKENED INFRASTRUCTURE ***
*** WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING FOR NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK COUNTIES AND REGIONS NORTH FOR 6″+ OF SNOW ***
*** STRONG WINDS WITH GUSTS UP TO 50+ MPH ARE POSSIBLE WHICH COULD HAVE HIGHTENED IMPACT ON WEAKENED TREES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ***
*** SKYWARN OPS AT NWS-TAUNTON ARE LIKELY, UPDATED SKYWARN MESSAGE WILL BE POSTED LATER THIS EVENING ***

A major storm impacted the region Friday morning through Saturday. As crews continue to repair the damage from that storm another storm will impact the region on Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. Various shelters across the region have been closing as of Monday morning, however with the risk of increased damage from this upcoming storm it is possible more shelters and warming centers will be needed. All amateurs are asked to prepare for a significant snow fall event of 6-12″+ of heavy wet snow, especially in the northern part of the section. Trees and various infrastructure are still in a weakened state, with the possibility of heavy snow combined with moderate winds there is a higher risk for impactful damage. The location of the rain/snow line is still uncertain and will greatly affect how much snow impacts the region as well as where the maximum snow will hit.

Please notify ARES leadership of availability to deploy for any post storm support. All amateurs during the storm are asked to shelter in place and monitor their local SKYWARN repeaters to help relay damage; infrastructure issues; coastal, river, and urban flooding; snow amounts; precipitation type; and any other pertinent information. ARES members are advised to continue to maintain readiness at home and check your emergency power and antenna situation. Secure any loose objects that can blow around easily.

The ARES HF net will be running on 3.930 +/- 5 kHz QRM with calls at the top (:00) and bottom (:30) of the hour. SKYWARN will be running various nets across our section on the assigned SKYWARN repeaters.

The list of SKYWARN repeaters can be found at: http://wx1box.org/node/37

The latest SKYWARN coordination message for this storm is at: http://wx1box.org/node/4047

For the latest bulletins please visit http://wx1box.org/

In advance of the storm, please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC (SEC/DEC listed below) of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime through the weekend. We are creating a list of availability for ARESMAT (ARES Mutual Aid Team) deployment if needed for various local EOC’s, Red Cross, Salvation Army, NWS Storm Survey Teams, and hospitals as required. Keep your situational awareness level high for any updates from ARES leadership by checking your email for updates and our ARES web site at http://ema.arrl.org/ares and monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies for any updates on this developing situation.

When sending your availability, please send the following: Name, Call-sign, License Class, Capability (HF / VHF / UHF), Availability, and any other special notes we should be aware of. Also, please let us know if you can do an ARESMAT to another part of the Eastern Massachusetts section as this will be a large area impact storm for this anticipated storm. We ask that as you contact your DEC, please send a copy of the message to blizzard@nsradio.org where multiple members of the EMA ARES Leadership will be able to access your availability.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region is fully understood.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Marek Kozubal (KB1NCG)
ARES Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator

SEC/ASEC:
SEC – KB1NCG – kb1ncg@arrl.net
ASEC – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
ASEC – KD1CY – kd1cy@comcast.net
DECs:
Essex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Middlesex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Metro-Boston – KB1NCG – kb1ncg@arrl.net
Norfolk County – W3EVE – w3eve@arrl.net
Bristol County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Plymouth County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Cape & Islands – WQ1O – wq1o@comcast.com

Emergency Communications

Monthly EMA ARES Net 3/5 8:30pm

- by KB1NCG - Leave a Comment
*** NOTICE ***
The standard RACES nets on the first business Monday of the month have been canceled due to on going operations supporting clean up after the severe coastal storm last weekend.

The monthly ARES net however will go on as scheduled. ARES remains in a stand-by operational state as clean up continues and another storm is predicted to impact the region on Wednesday. A separate stand-by update notice will be sent out later this evening.

*** Standard monthly notice continues below with RACES net information removed. ***

Hello to all…

We will be continuing our monthly ARES Net in March. The monthly ARES Net for March is Monday the 5th, at 8:30 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:

http://www.mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_index_by_linkstate.html

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net.

As part of our relationship with MARS and our own situational awareness gathering we will be asking for any known infrastructure issues that you are aware of. The information must either be personally observed, or obtained “over the air” via amateur radio. Items considered to be infrastructure include but are not limited to: electrical power, water, medical facilities, sanitation, communications, and transportation. Examples of failure would be: small or large area power failure, water main breaks, hospitals’ ER closed, sewage issues, TV/radio station off the air (including public safety), interstate highway or major road closed. No known issues are just as important as reporting failures.

Additionally we are interested in relay of any weather information from airport ATIS/ASOS stations that you can directly receive via radio. These stations broadcast continuously in the 120.000 – 138.000 MHz frequency range using amplitude modulation. Information from the ATIS should include airport, temperature, altimeter (barometer), wind, precipitation, and visibility.

A list of stations with their frequencies and a map can be found at: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/weather/asos/?state=MA

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!

Marek Kozubal, KB1NCG
EMA Section Emergency Coordinator

Emergency Communications / Licensing Education & Training

New Hampshire ARES Academy Registration Open

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

NH ARES logoThe seventh annual  New Hampshire ARES Academy will be held in Concord, New Hampshire on March 24.

A few of the courses offered at the daylong event include: Net Control, ARES 101, Go Kit Basics, ARESMAT Mutual Aid, and Basic NBEMS, and Tactical Comms for Events and Disasters.

To register, contact Dave, WA1ZCN at wa1zcn@myfairpoint.net and indicate your course choices along with your home or mobile number.

03/21/18: The ARES Academy workshop is open to Eastern MA amateurs.  According to NH Section Manager K1PJS, there are still seats available.

 

 

Emergency Communications

EMA ARES on Stand-By for Major Costal Storm Starting 0900 Friday March 2nd

- by KB1NCG - Leave a Comment

*** EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ARES PLACED ON STAND-BY FOR ALL AREAS EFFECTIVE 0900 FRIDAY, MARCH 2ND UNTIL CANCELED DUE TO POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM FORECASTED COASTAL STORM ***
*** COASTAL FLOOD WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR EAST COASTAL MASSACHUSETTS INCLUDING CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS FROM 9 AM FRIDAY TO 3 AM SUNDAY FOR THE POTENTIAL OF MAJOR COASTAL FLOODING OVER MULTIPLE HIGH TIDE CYCLES ***
*** HIGH WIND WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM SATURDAY FOR NORFOLK, BRISTOL AND PLYMOUTH COUNTIES FOR 20-40 MPH WINDS WITH GUSTS TO 70+ MPH ***
*** HIGH WIND WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM SATURDAY FOR CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS FOR 30-40 MPH WINDS WITH GUSTS TO 75+ ***
*** HIGH WIND WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 7 AM SATURDAY FOR MIDDLESEX AND ESSEX COUNTIES FOR 25-35 MPH WINDS WITH GUSTS TO 65+ ***
*** THESE WINDS WILL CAUSE SCATTERED TO NUMEROUS TREE AND WIRE DAMANGE WITH POSSIABLE POWER OUTAGES ***
*** A WINTER STORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO 4 AM SATURDAY FOR NORTHERN MIDDLESEX COUNTY FOR 4-7″ OF SNOW, WITH AMOUNTS TO 10″ POSSIBLE ***
*** ANY SNOW WILL BE HEAVY AND WET AND COUPLED WITH THE STRONG WINDS COULD DOWN SCATTERED TREES AND POWER LINES CAUSING SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES ***
*** THE AMOUNT AND CHANGE OVER TO SNOW REMAINS LOW CONFIDENCE AND SNOWS AMOUNTS COULD BE SUBJECT TO REVISION ***
*** SKYWARN OPS AT NWS-TAUNTON TO COMMENCE AROUND 0800 FRIDAY ***

A major storm will be impacting the region Friday morning through Saturday. All amateurs are asked to prepare for a powerful and long duration coastal storm which will bring during multiple high tide cycles significant major coastal flooding to East Coastal Massachusetts along with the potential for strong to damaging winds including hurricane force wind gusts for Cape Cod and the Islands, heavy rainfall (up to 3-4″) that could lead to urban, poor drainage, and potentially river and stream flooding, and rain changing to snow with the potential for significant snow accumulations in portions of interior Southern New England. The potential for heavy snow remains the lowest confidence portion of the forecast.

Please notify ARES leadership of availability to deploy for any post storm support. All amateurs during the storm are asked to shelter in place and monitor their local SKYWARN repeaters to help relay damage; infrastructure issues; coastal, river, and urban flooding; change over to snow; and any other pertinent information. ARES members are advised to continue to maintain readiness at home and check your emergency power and antenna situation. Secure any loose objects that can blow around easily.

The Cape Cod MACC (Multi-Agency Coordination Center) will be operating starting around 0900 Friday. Nets will be run on 146.955- PL88.5 Dennis repeater. The ARES HF net will also be running on 3.930 +/- 5 kHz QRM with calls at the top (:00) and bottom (:30) of the hour. SKYWARN will be running various nets across our section on the assigned SKYWARN repeaters.

The list of SKYWARN repeaters can be found at: http://wx1box.org/node/37

The latest SKYWARN coordination message for this storm is at: http://wx1box.org/node/4045

For the latest bulletins please visit http://wx1box.org/

In advance of the storm, please advise your local EC/DEC/ADEC (SEC/DEC listed below) of your availability to support a potential deployment anytime over the weekend. We are creating a list of availability for ARESMAT (ARES Mutual Aid Team) deployment if needed for various local EOC’s, Red Cross, Salvation Army, NWS Storm Survey Teams, and hospitals as required. Keep your situational awareness level high for any updates from ARES leadership by checking your email for updates and our ARES web site at http://ema.arrl.org/ares and monitoring local SKYWARN/ARES/RACES frequencies for any updates on this developing situation.

When sending your availability, please send the following: Name, Call-sign, License Class, Capability (HF / VHF / UHF), Availability, and any other special notes we should be aware of. Also, please let us know if you can do an ARESMAT to another part of the Eastern Massachusetts section as this will be a large area impact storm for this anticipated blizzard. We ask that as you contact your DEC, please send a copy of the message to hurricane@nsradio.org where multiple members of the EMA ARES Leadership will be able to access your availability.

What is ARES Stand-By mode?

ARES stand-by mode is to alert Amateurs within ARES that a mobilization is possible on a wide-scale and that some localized mobilizations are or could be taking place in isolated areas. It means to take a look at your Go-Kit and have batteries and equipment ready to go and charged up and take care of any requirements at home in case a mobilization is required and you can participate. Do NOT self-deploy. Wait for guidance from leadership for any deployment. It is an honor to be ready even if you don’t deploy for the event. Hopefully, this is just another exercise of our preparedness and capabilities. If not, the ARES leadership looks forward to working with you if any wide scale mobilization is required after the impact of this major storm to the region is fully understood.

Thanks for your continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES!

Respectfully Submitted,

Marek Kozubal (KB1NCG)
ARES Eastern MA Section Emergency Coordinator

SEC/ASEC:
SEC – KB1NCG – kb1ncg@arrl.net
ASEC – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
ASEC – KD1CY – kd1cy@comcast.net

DECs:
Essex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Middlesex County – KB1KQW – kb1kqw@nsradio.org
Metro-Boston – KB1NCG – kb1ncg@arrl.net
Norfolk County – W3EVE – w3eve@arrl.net
Bristol County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Plymouth County – N1YLQ – mpleger@comcast.net
Cape & Islands – WQ1O – wq1o@comcast.com

Emergency Communications

Eastern MA Hospital Net, March 3, 2018

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

John O’Neill, K1JRO writes:

The March 3, 2018 Eastern MA Hospital Net is approaching. We are always looking for groups or organizations to take a turn at Net Control duties. If you are interested in trying your hand as Net Control please let us know. Our goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many groups as possible.

Below are the repeaters we have available for our use. Let us know which 3 or 4 repeaters you would like to use and we will make all the notifications. We’ll also send you a copy of our net preamble if you desire which you may modify for your own use.

Attleboro 147.195 tone 127.3 (Sturdy Memorial Hospital)

Belmont 145.430 tone 146.2

Boston 145.230 tone encode 88.5 tone decode 100.0
Bridgewater 147.180 tone 67.0
Danvers 145.47 tone 136.5
Dartmouth 147.000 tone 67.0
Fall River 146.805. tone 67.0
Falmouth 147.375 tone 110.9
Mansfield EMA  446.925 tone 100.0
Mansfield 147.015 tone 67.0
Marshfield 145.390 tone 67.0
Norwood 147.210 tone 100.00
Plymouth 146.685 tone 82.5
Salem 146.88 tone 118.8
Sharon 146.865 tone 103.5
Weymouth 147.345 tone 110.9 (South Shore Hospital)
W. Bridgewater 146.775 dpl 244
Wrentham 147.09 tone 146.2
Emergency Communications

ARES Exercise: Operation “Ice Assault” Feb. 10, 2018

- by k9hi

Hello everyone!

This Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon EMA ARES will be having an operational exercise simulating a severe ice storm hitting Cape Cod. This will be a Cape Cod and Islands centric exercise, however the entire section will be participating and practicing various communications skills. Field sites will be setting up around 9 am.

The operational guide for the exercise is located at:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w4eFcma-juG_-vySsXgpw_58GYnD8HrH/view?usp=sharing

Please read the entire document as it contains important information about how the exercise will be conducted. There is an addendum at the end for stations operating on the main land and at the end is an ICS-205 with the frequencies that will be in play for the exercise.

A quick summary of the goals for this exercise are practicing and testing communications on and off the Cape via HF and VHF, collection of weather and infrastructure status back to a central location off the Cape, practice operating on a net, and moving traffic between nets.

We look forward to any and all stations, whether ARES affiliated or not, to get onto our nets and help relay traffic, especially on the HF bands which have had very poor location propogation recently.

A sample of locations with official ARES stations that will be on the air for this drill:• Sandwich

  • Falmouth
  • Acushnet
  • Walpole
  • Marlborough
  • Stow
  • Gloucester

And again to see what frequencies we will be using consult the ICS-205 at the end of the linked PDF document above.

For any questions about the exercise please contact Frank, WQ1O, wq1o@comcast.net for Cape and the Islands items, and contact Marek, KB1NCG, kb1ncg@arrl.net for the rest of the section.

Marek, KB1NCG

Eastern MA ARES SEC

 

All / Emergency Communications

New England Area Flea Markets, Feb. 2, 2018

- by k9hi

New England Area   Ham – Electronic Flea Market  ***  DATES ***   2018 P 1 of 2

All events are Ham Radio/ Electronic related except ~_____~
*******************************************************************************
2018                                                    Contact          Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

10 Feb Springfield VT CVFMA @VFW @8 B/Free $5/T@7     Dave K1ZS 603 446 7312

17 Feb Marlboro MA AARC @MidSch $5@9 $20/T@6:30       Tim KA1OS 508 919 6136 F+

24 Feb S Burlington VT RAoNV @HI  I89x14 $9@8 $15@6  Mitch W1SJ 802 879 6589

24 Feb Augusta ME AARA @ClbCalume                    Bill K1NIT 207 512 0312 A+

25 Feb Hicksvile NY LIMARC @LevitHall$6@9+$22/T@7 Richard K2KNB 516-694-4937 W+

4 Mar Nashua NH NEARC RadioXLIX @CrtYdMarriott antique $10@8    603 772 7516 F+

10 Mar Chicopee MA MtTomARA @Castle $5@8:30 S@6:30 Brian KC1BDF 860 478 6790

18 Mar Southington CT SARA @HS $5@8 $20/T@6:15      John WA1JKR 860 621 8791  +

18 Mar Henniker NH CVRC @CommSch                    Jeff KB!WTI 603 428 7109 A+

30,31 Mar Lewiston ME AARC ME Conv @Ramada @8        Ivan N1OXA 207 784 0350

7 Ap Hampton NH PCARC @Masonic  $5@8 $10/T@7          Mark K1RX 603 231 8965

8 April Framingham MA FARA 9AM@KeefeHS $25/T     Andy KC1DMM at 508 310 5913  +

14 Ap Newton MA PHSNE Photographica Sat Only @AmLegion @9A John 781 592 2553
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List is normally updated twice a month – look for the latest version
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(c)2018 W1GSL unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety
<FF>
New England Area  Ham – Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2017  P2 of 2

*******************************************************************************
2018                                                    Contact          Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

15 April Cambridge MA           Flea at  MIT              Mitch 617 253 3776 F+
Third Sunday April thru October

21 Apr Gales Ferry CT RASON @FireCo auction         Gary WT1SND 860 884 4218  +

22 April Manchester CT NEWS EVHF/UHF @Baymont 8AM    Mark K1MAP 413 777 9828 +

29 April Thompson CT ECARA @ Raceway  $3 $10/sp      Jon KA1MPG 508 943 4467 F+

29 April Middletown NY  OCARC @ CommCtr             Bruce K2ULZ 845 391 3620 A+

4-5 May Deerfield NH NEARfest XXIII @FG              Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235

12 May E Greenbush NY EGARA FireCo                   Tom KC2FCP 518 272 1494 A+

19 May Goshen CT   SBARC @FG $5@8  $10/T            Stan W2VID  518 369 2863 F+

20 May Cambridge MA             Flea at  MIT              Mitch 617 253 3776 F+

3 June Fishkill MtBARC @DwnStCorr                   Adam KC2DAA 845 849 3666 A+

17 June Cambridge MA            Flea at  MIT              Mitch 617 253 3776 F+

15 July Cambridge MA            Flea at  MIT              Mitch 617 253 3776 F+

11 Aug St Albans VT STARC @VFW                        Arn N1ARN 802 309 0666

19 August Cambridge MA           Flea at  MIT             Mitch 617 253 3776 F+

19 Aug Adams MA NoBARC @FG B$5@7 S$10@6:30          Eric KA1SUN 413 743 9975 F+

8,10 Sept Boxboro MA FEMARA NE Conv                  Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235 A+

9 Sept Ballston Spa NY SCRACES @FG $6@7                Jim KG2H 518 703-9558  +

12-13 Oct Deerfield NH NEARfest XXIV @FG             Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235  +

16 September Cambridge MA        Flea at  MIT              Mitch 617 253 3776 F+

21 October   Cambridge MA        Flea at  MIT              Mitch 617 253 3776 F+

27 Oct Gales Ferry CT TCARC @FireCo auction          Tom WA2RYV 860 464 6555  +

3 Nov Bourne MA FARA @UpperCC VoTech $5@9 $10/S@7   Ralph N1YHS 508 548 0422  +
*******************************************************************************
LAST UPDATE 2-2-18 de W1GSL         http://swapfest.us               P 2 of 2
List is normally updated twice a month – look for the latest version
Source    F+= Flyer  T= tentative early info     + = new info this month
A= ARRL R= RAC list  W= web         WR NV CQ QST = Mags
This list has been compiled from many sources.
While we believe the info to be accurate the author can not be responsible for
changes or errors. Check with the sponsoring organizations for more details.
This list will be posted monthly to USENET.
Mailed copies are sent when additions are made.
*******************************************************************************
Additions/ Corrections via e-Mail   w1gsl@mit.edu  <- SUBSCRIBE
US Mail  W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139
(c)2017 W1GSL unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety

<FF>

New England Area  Ham – Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  *** 2017 -> ***
Page 3 Electronic distribution only.  This page has the overflow if any
from the paper version.

*******************************************************************************
2019                                                    Contact          Source
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3-4 May Deerfield NH NEARfest XXV @FG                Mike K1TWF 978 250 1235  +

*******************************************************************************
LAST UPDATE  2-2-18 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)2018 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
<FF>
New England Area  Ham – Electronic  Flea Market  ***  DATES  ***     P4
Links to New England Hamfest Web Sites                (c) 2016 W1GSL
***********************************************************************
This section is only included in the electronic distribution.

Cambridge MA    Flea at MIT     http://www.swapfest.us

Hopkinton NH    Hosstraders   RIP 🙁    http://www.qsl.net/k1rqg/

Boxborough MA   NE ARRL Conv    http://www.boxboro.org/

Adams MA        N BerkshireARC  http://www.nobarc.org/hamfest.htm

Chicopee MA     MTARA           http://www.mtara.org/

Falmouth MA     FARA            http://www.falara.org/

Framingham MA   FARA            http://www.fara.org/
http://www.n1em.org

Marlboro MA     AARC            http://www.qsl.net/n1em/

Newton MA       Waltham ARA Auction    http://www.wara64.org/auction/

Rockport MA     CAARA           www.caara.net

S Dartmouth MA  SEMARA          http://www.semara.org/

Wakefield MA    Photographica   http://www.phsne.org/

Westford MA     NEAntiqueRC     http://www.nearc.net/
moved to Nashua NH

Whately MA      FranklinCARC    http://www.fcarc.org/news.htm

Whitman MA      WARC            http://www.wa1npo.org

Worcester MA    WPI ACM         http://acm.wpi.edu/swapmeet/

Dayville CT     ECARA           http://www.qsl.net/k1muj/

Gales Ferry CT  RASON           http://www.rason.org/

Gales Ferry CT  TCARC           http://www.qsl.net/tricityarc/

Goshen CT       SBARC           http://www.sberk.org                     +

Hartford CT     ARRL 100th      http://www.arrl.org/convention-volunteers

Manchester CT   VHF/UHF Conf    http://www.newsvhf.com/
was Enfield

Manchester CT   PVRA            http://www.pvra.net

Meriden CT      Nutmeg CT Conv  http://www.nutmeghamfest.com
was Wallingford

Newington CT    NARL            http://www.narlhamfest.org/

Newtown CT      CARA            http://www.cararadioclub.org/

North Haven CT                  http://www.yankeehamfest.com

Southington CT  SARA            http://www.chetbacon.com/sara.htm

Vernon CT       NARC            http://hamfest.na1rc.org/

Wallingford CT  Nutmeg CT Conv  http://www.nutmeghamfest.com
moved to Meriden CT

Windsor CT      Vintage R Mus   http://vrcmct.org/

Agusta ME       AARA            http://www.w1tlc.com/

Alexander ME    StCVARC          http://stcroixvalleyamateurradioclub.org

Hermon ME       PSARC           http://n1me.org/index.php?pr=Hamfest

Lewiston ME     AARC      http://www.w1npp.org/pages/meconvention2018.html       +

S. Portland ME  PAWA            http://www.qsl.net/pawa/hamfest.html

St. Albans ME   PARC            http://www.qsl.net/parc/hamfest/hamfest.html

Thomaston ME    PBARC           http://penbayarc.org/

Windsor ME      AARA            http://www.w1tlc.com/

Brookline NH    NEAntiqueRC     http://www.nearc.net/

Deerfield NH    NEAR-Fest       http://www.near-fest.com/

Hampton NH      PCARC           http://www.w1wqm.org

Henniker NH     CVRC            http://k1bke.org/

Londonderry NH  IRS             www.irs.nhradio.org/

Manchester NH   NEAntiqueRC     http://www.nearc.net/
Moved to Westford MA
Moved to Brookline NH

N Conway NH     WMARC           http://www.w1mwv.com

Nashua NH       NEARC           www.nearc.net
was Westford MA

Rochester NH    GBRA            http://www.w1fz.org/

Bergen NJ       BARA            http://www.bara.org/

Sussex NJ       SCARC    http://www.scarcnj.org/www.scarcnj.org/flyer_2007.htm

Ballston Spa NY SCRACES         http://k2dll.net/

E Greenbush NY  E Greenbush ARA http://www.w2egb.org/

Fishkill NY     MtBARC          http://www.wr2abb.org/
was LaGrangeville

Lake Placid NY  NNY ARA  http://www.northnet.org/nnyham/hamfest_flyer2004.htm

Lindenhurst NY  ToB ARES        http://www.tobares.org/hamfest.html

Lindenhurst NY  GSB ARA         http://www.gsbarc.org/Hamfest.htm

Long Island NY  LIMARC          http://www.limarc.org/fest.htm

Middletown NY   OCARC           http://www.ocarc-ny.org/

Queens NY       Hall of Science http://www.hosarc.org/

Rochester NY    AWA             http://www.antiquewireless.org/

Rochester NY    RARA            http://www.rochesterham.org/hamfest.htm

Staten Island NY CPARA          http://www.wa2cp.org   +

Wallkill NY     OCARC           http://www.ocarc-ny.org/

Greenwich RI    Fidelity ARC    http://users.ids.net/~newsm/dates.html

Forestdale RI   RIFMRS          http://www.qsl.net/riafmrs/Auction.html

Woonsocket RI   BVARC           www.w1ddd.org

Colchester VT   HAM-CON VT Conv  http://www.ranv.org/hamcon.html
Moved to S Burlington

St. Albans VT   STARC           http://www.starc.org/

Springfield VT  CVFMA           http://www.cvfma.org/

Moncton NB      TCARC           http://www.ve9tca.org/

Quispamsis NB   LCARC           http://www.lcarc.ca/

Greenwood NS    GARC            http://www.greenwoodarc.org/

Drummondville PQ  leCRdeD       http://www.raqi.ca/ve2crd/hamfest/index.html

Greenwood PQ    GARC            www.greenwoodarc.org

Laval PQ        CRALL           http://www.ve2crl.qc.ca/

Montreal PQ     MARC            http://www.marc.qc.ca/fest/fest.html

Montreal PQ     WIARC           http://www.wiarc.ca/

Montreal PQ     MS-SARC         http://www.ve2clm.ca/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=120

Montreal PQ     UMS             http://www.ve2ums.ca/agenda/pub_2007_hamf.pdf

Sorel-Tracy PQ  CRAS-T          http://www.hamfest.qc.ca/

St Romuald PQ   ARESdQ          http://raqi.ca/ve2csq/

St Therese PQ   CRALL           http://www.ve2crl.qc.ca/hamfest2002.htm

Summerside PEI  SPARC      http://www.summersidearc.com/fleamarket2009.htm

Greenwood NS    GARC            http://www.greenwoodarc.org/

Halifax NS      HARC            http://www.halifax-arc.org/

Timonium MD     GBHC            http://www.gbhc.org/

Montreal Area   MARC List       http://www.marc.qc.ca/fest/festcal.html

Canada          RAC List        http://rac.eton.ca/events/upcoming.php

Phila. Area     VARA List       http://www.qsl.net/w2vtm/hamfest.html

USA             ARRL List       http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html

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P4 LAST UPDATE 7-7-17 de W1GSL                                          P 4
Additions/ Corrections via Internet  w1gsl@mit.edu
US Mail  W1GSL POB 397082 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139
(c)2017 W1GSL   http://www.swapfest.us        SASE for updated copy as issued.
unlimited reproduction permitted in entirety
*******************************************************************************

Emergency Communications

Reminder: Monthly EMA ARES Net 2/5 8:30pm

- by admin - Leave a Comment
Hello to all…
We will be continuing our monthly ARES Net in February. The monthly ARES Net for February is Monday the 5th, at 8:30 PM on the MMRA Repeater system. This is after the MEMA Nets earlier in the evening. 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:

http://www.mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_index_by_linkstate.html


Make this 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.

As part of our relationship with MARS and our own situational awareness gathering we will be asking for any known infrastructure issues that you are aware of. The information must either be personally observed, or obtained “over the air” via amateur radio. Items considered to be infrastructure include but are not limited to: electrical power, water, medical facilities, sanitation, communications, and transportation. Examples of failure would be: small or large area power failure, water main breaks, hospitals’ ER closed, sewage issues, TV/radio station off the air (including public safety), interstate highway or major road closed. No known issues are just as important as reporting failures.

Additionally we are interested in relay of any weather information from airport ATIS/ASOS stations that you can directly receive via radio. These stations broadcast continuously in the 120.000 – 138.000 MHz frequency range using amplitude modulation. Information from the ATIS should include airport, temperature, altimeter (barometer), wind, precipitation, and visibility.

A list of stations with their frequencies and a map can be found at: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/weather/asos/?state=MA

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!

Marek Kozubal, KB1NCG
EMA Section Emergency Coordinator