Tag: #cert

Technical

Dan’s Tech Night: Transistors, December 12, 2019

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Dan Pedtke, KW2T, writes:

TechNight is this Thursday, Dec 12, 2019, at the usual time and place: 7 PM, Grady Research building [in Ayer].  See the website www.DansTechNight.com for info and directions.

This month I had a request to talk about the various types of transistor amplifiers:  Common Emitter, Common  Base, Emitter Follower, Cascode, Darlington, etc.  This came up due to the TNRadio using a variety of these, mainly for educational purposes, and from last months SPICE circuit simulation touching on some of these.

I’ll go over about 10 different transistor amplifier arrangements and talk about how they work and their characteristics, and where they are used.  We might use SPICE to measure some of the characteristics.

We’ll also have a short presentation by Jim Wilber about the Pepperell CERT program he is involved with, getting ham radio to be involved with local FEMA authorities.  He has gone through the certification program along with a couple other NVARC members.

Should be a good meeting.  Hope to see you there, and that the weather cooperates.

Emergency Communications

Burlington Emergency Communications Meeting, October 30, 2019

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Amateurs and public safety officials met in Burlington on October 30, 2019 to discuss emergency communications and preparedness for the Town, according to Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY. “We had a successful meeting and presentation [attended by] a lieutenant from the Burlington Police Department, the Fire Chief/Director of Emergency Management, and the Director of Burlington’s Medical Reserve Corps along with several  hams,” said Macedo.  “The amateurs will work with the town officials to help establish strong contact with the local police, fire, and the Burlington Emergency Management Agency to assist with community events, hold exercises, and reach out to other amateurs in the community at the appropriate time.”
 
“It was a well informed and very educational meeting on emergency communication and preparedness,” remarked Burlington resident and Quannapowitt Radio Association president Don Melanson, W1DM.  “I believed it opened everyone’s eyes on just what Amateur Radio operators’ skills are. I have suggested using hams for some of the local events to start, like the town parades, car shows and other events for exposure and training.”
 
QRA member and Middleton resident Ron Draper WA1QZK, also spoke to the group about RACES, FEMA, and ARES involvement during emergencies.
 
Currently Burlington is looking for residents in the town to volunteer for community service for hazardous waste day, blood drives, flu clinics, and other events. The Town will kick off a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)  beginning in early 2020, according to the police department’s spokesperson. Melanson hopes a large number of hams will become involved in the CERT effort.
 
 
Public Service

Call for Volunteers, Norton Founders Day, June 15, 2019

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Ray Cord, K2TGX, writes on the Sturdy Memorial Hospital ARC list:

This is the Official call for EMA, HAM, CERT and MRC Volunteers to help at Norton Founders Day

Those Agencies that are supplying equipment have been contacted separately for Mutual Aid 

WHAT: Norton Founders Day- An Evening long Family Town Picnic with Games, Music, Vendors,  Classic Cars Cruise Night
           Food Court Bands and ending with Fireworks at Dark

WHEN: Saturday June 15th from 5:00PM to 9:00PM

WHERE: H.A. Yelle School Campus, 64 East Main St., Norton, across from Honey Dew Donuts.

WHO: Everybody. Volunteers can bring their families and friends

THE MISSION: Starting at about 1:00PM the Committee will start setting up the Food Court, Vendor Booths, Games and Command Post
While we will need a handful of Volunteers with this portion of the setup, the bulk of the Volunteers are being asked to report at 4:00PM.

The Shift will be 4:00PM to 9:30/10:00PM depending on how long it takes to get the cars out of the lots.

There will be a supper (Pizza and soda/water) served at about 7:30PM and breaks (Hydration) will be provided as needed.

NEMA is responsible for providing Light and Power to the Food Court and Various Venues on Campus

Our Mission is to manage the on campus Parking Lots and assist the Police with Pedestrian safety both before, during and after the Fireworks. During the Fireworks we will assist the Fire Dept with Cold Zone Perimeter Security and Hot fireworks patrol as needed.

After the Fireworks we will assist the Police Detail in safely getting cars from the Parking Lots to the Street and make sure that 
Pedestrians and Cars don’t mix.

We recognize that this is a long event but would appreciate what ever time you can give us. If you have mobility issues we can put you where you are not on your feet (EMA/CERT Info Booth etc) or bring a lawn chair.

Please reply to this email ASAP to give us the time shift you can work so that we may start plugging people into ICS positions

 Thank You 
Ray Cord Deputy Director
Norton EMA
508-726-1054

Emergency Communications / Public Service

Littleton Volunteer Corps

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Terry Stader, KA8SCP, writes on the PART-List:

Last night, Wed. May 8th, I had the privilege to speak to the Littleton Volunteer Corps at the Littleton Fire station to about 20 participants. This group will be serving as a team to work as CERT and MRC combined to support their community in various roles. Last night I spoke to them about the resource of Amateur Radio. Some of the attendees were hams, but most were not. Those not initially familiar became very interested and asked about what it takes to become a ham (Question: What does “ham” mean? was asked). Several of this team had been to SKYWARN training and learned how Amateur Radio and NWS work together in this program. We talked about ARES and RACES as well as the history of PART.

The take away from this meeting is a future evaluation and testing the communications challenges from several locations around the  community. Down the road, maybe the group will do a drill or exercise to test their ability to provide services needed.

So, Littleton hams (and others too), we may be looking for some of your time to work with this team and even become a contributor to providing your skills in communications.

 

Emergency Communications

Falmouth CERT Class Begins January, 2019

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CERT logoThe Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office has announced dates for its next winter Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program for volunteers interested in becoming a CERT member. Classes start January 15, 2019 and run six consecutive Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30 PM through February 19, 2019. Classes are held at the Harborview Conference Room, 3195 Main Street, Barnstable Village. To qualify for CERT you must be at least 16 years of age and willing to attend each session.

The BCSO CERT Program is taught by emergency personnel to train residents, community organizations or workplaces in basic response skills. CERT members are then integrated into emergency response capability for their area so that if a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community’s professional response, CERT members can assist by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they learned during training.

There is no charge to participate in the program. All participants must complete and submit a CERT application and CORI form which can be found on the Community Programs page on the BCSO website at www.bsheriff.net. For questions please contact the BCSO Emergency Management Director Joe Gordon at (508) 563-4319 or jgordon@bsheriff.net.

Falmouth CERT manages the Falmouth High School’s shelter which is equipped with an Amateur Radio station.

Affiliated Clubs / Licensing Education & Training

CAARA “Tech In A Day” Graduates New Techs

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Attendees at CAARA Tech in a Day who passed their Technician license exam
Stephanie Frontiera, Alison Miniter & Lillian Reilly, members of Ipswich CERT who passed their Technician license exam.

Stephanie Frontiera is one determined young woman. At this spring’s Tech in a Day held at the Lanesville Community Center, she was one of seven students—and one of three from the Ipswich CERT. These CERT members were given radios and encouraged to get their Amateur Radio Technician license. She was determined to do it.

Tech in a Day is a program modeled after the Ham Cram program. It is a study session of the FCC question pool of 426 questions for the exam. There are 35 sections in the question pool, corresponding to the 35 questions on the exam. Every question a student sees on the test will be in the pool.

The good thing? The answers have always been part of the pool. Do the students learn all they have to know about Amateur Radio this way? No, the aim is to pass the test. The students are unlikely to learn everything from a book either—it takes practice and more often the help of a friendly Elmer, or a club to teach the practical matters of operating. After six 45-minute study sessions, the students are ready for the test.

This session was relatively easy—seven exams, plus two walk-ins for testing. CAARA’s crack team of volunteer examiners: Bill Poulin, WZ1L; Dave Robertson, KD1NA; Tony Sarracino, AB1KX; Larry Beaulieu, AJ1Z; Hank McCarl, W4RIG; Stan Stone, W4HIX and VE team liaison Rick Maybury, WZ1B conducted the exam session.

So why did I say that Stephanie was so determined? She told me that she was going to pass this test—and get her General soon after that. But Stephanie was distracted during the session and it took her three tries to finally pass the exam. We all cheered when she made it. So, this session gave us seven out of seven for students and another two walk-ins who passed. All in all, it was a good day. 

[CAARA News May, 2018]
Public Service

Baystate Marathon Amateur Assistance Requested, Oct. 22, 2017

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The Lowell CERT Communications Team has been asked to support once again the Baystate Marathon and Half Marathon. This year the event is on Sunday, October 22nd. Our operational time period is from approximately 0700 until event completion (estimated 1400). Our assistance has been requested by Lowell Office of Emergency Management and Lowell Fire Department. The communications team will be employing Amateur Radio to provide this communications asset. Amateur Radio will be used for 2 functions:

* Medical operations: the purpose of this net is to provide a communications link for medical requests/status to the incident command post.
* Accountability net: the purpose of this net is to coordinate with a race public information booth the status of runners who are unable to complete the race for any issue to any one is seeking this information.

Race info may be found at http://baystatemarathon.com

Please contact  Terry-KA8SCP ka8scp@wb1gof.org if you are able to assist or would like more information.

Please share this request with your local clubs. This is a pretty laid back event and suitable for first time public event participation.

Terry-KA8SCP

Terry M. Stader – KA8SCP
MEMA Region 1 RACES/Communications Officer
PART of Westford-WB1GOF, Senior Club Advisor
NESMC EMA Director

Public Service

CERT Class at the Winthrop EOC

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Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and ARES Members Kathy Savage (KB1LPW) & Rick Savage (KB1LYJ) will be running a CERT ( Citizens Emergency Response Training) January 31st, plus 4 evenings ( February 11th & 25th, & March 4th & 18th) at Winthrop’s EOC. Guest lecturers for the training include Brittany Collins (KB1ZPS) and Jim Palmer (KB1KQW). More information can be found on the website – http://www.region4bvolunteer.org and click the upcoming events button and look for the CERT class registration information under Upcoming Events.

Kathy Savage
KB1LPW