PART of Westford Meets May 19, 2020

PART of Westford logo“The May 19 PART of Westford meeting will be held online via video conference, starting at 7:30 PM. Details will be sent to members via Groups.io. Our guest speaker at the May meeting will be Terry, KA8SCP, who will talk about recent repeater antenna upgrades.

“During this time of “social distancing,” there’s a new PART net on 10 meters. We meet occasionally at 7:30 PM local time on 28.400 MHz. There’s usually someone listening, so if you don’t hear anyone, just announce that you’re on frequency or call CQ. Thanks to Bob, W1IS, for setting this up.” -PART of Westford web site

PART of Westford Repeater Antenna Improvements

PART of Westford logoTerry Stader, KA8SCP, writes on the PART-L mailing list:

Last week, I sent this message out to our D-STAR users…. I am forwarding it since it contains some information that may be helpful.

The latest information is that new antennas are up and the new hardline is installed. There is a tentative switch over to the new water tower scheduled for next week. As soon as I know what day this is to occur, I will send a message out.

There will be some downtime where all three repeaters will be offline to conduct maintenance. All three repeaters have been on the air without any down time since December of 2018. That is over 11,500 hours EACH. We expect that the switch will be seamless, but please be aware that during the changeover, the repeaters may be up one minute and then down the next. If we encounter any issue with the changeover, we will revert to the previous configuration.

From: Terry M. Stader – KA8SCP
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2020 9:45 AM
To: wb1gof-dstar@groups.io
Subject: Re: [wb1gof-dstar] antenna Change

Change is coming… so let me expand on what is existing now and what is happening soon.

Today, the VHF analog VHF 146.955 and D-STAR UHF 442.450 antennas are sited on the top of the older Town of Westford Prospect Hill water tower built in 1918. The D-STAR VHF 145.330 repeater antenna is located on top of the communications building at the base of that water tower, 90 feet below to other two antennas located on the top of the water tower, hence, the difference in signal levels.

 

  

A new, bigger water tower was built adjacent to the old tower. The old water tower is scheduled to be torn down in the future.

Three NEW commercial grade replacement antennas were ordered and are waiting for the new coax lines to run, then the new antenna to be placed (all 3 of them) on top of the new water tower tank on a pedestal that has already been built. When the antennas and hardline runs have been tested and we have been advised they are ours, I will go to the site and start making the switch to the new antennas.

The latest word I have was just this week… the hardline/coax installation was to be started this week. I was asked about the new antennas, so hopefully they are being transported to the site/installer.

The new water tower is considerably larger than the old water tower. It is about the same height as the old tower, exact dimensions are not yet known. The new tower is about 80-100 feet away from the old tower. That does mean that the hardline/coax runs to the new antennas are longer. The antennas are the same antenna models we have had previously. Because there is a little shift to the north in physical location, we expect pretty much the same coverage on the 955 analog and the 442.450 D-STAR repeaters. We do expect a significant change in coverage of the VHF D-STAR 145.330 repeater. 

This is all the information I have at the moment. I will advise of any significant deviation from what was outlined above when known.

Thanks all for your support to our WB1GOF repeaters.

Terry

Terry M Stader KA8SCP
WB1GOF Repeaters/D-STAR Admin

WO1VES: “Digital Voice Hotspots for Ham Radio” at Billerica ARS Meeting, May 1, 2019

Andy Wallace, KA1GTT, writes on the Billerica Amateur Radio Society mailing list:

Everyone, I am excited to announce that Brian Gudzevich, WO1VES, will be our speaker for May.  Brian runs the “Wolf Pack Repeater System” in Stoneham and hosts the “Nut Net” on the Danvers repeater (145.47) at 11:15PM every day.

Brian explains his topic: “I will be presenting an introduction to digital voice hotspots for ham radio.  These hotspots are designed to link digital radios to reflectors over the Internet, and allow you to talk to people anywhere in the world without the use of a Repeater.  They will work with almost any make, model and digital mode.  I will also be giving a run down of the various digital modes, reflectors, and terminology.  Followed by a live demo.  I hope to give people a full understanding of how these hotspots work.”

That says it much better than I could. If, like me, you only use an FM rig to talk on repeaters this could be really eye opening and I am guessing it will also be a way to “work DX” with your HT or computer! I hope the turnout will be excellent.

In addition, the Near-Fest ham flea (May 3 and 4) and ARRL Field Day (June 22-23) are approaching fast and after Brian speaks we will have Club discussion about those events.

Andy, KA1GTT

President, Billerica Amateur Radio Society

Time:

Meetings begin promptly at 7:00 PM, first Wednesday of the month.

Location:
Our meeting location in Chelmsford is at:

Chelmsford Bible Church
128 Gorham St. (Route 3A)
Chelmsford, MA 01824

Please park in back and enter by the rear door. A map can be accessed by the “Club Meetings” notice on the right side of the website.

The Billerica ARS encourages members to get on the air! (GOTA). There are many exciting operating events over the coming cold months to enjoy. Let us know what you’re interested in.

Bring a friend (or aspiring ham) and join us!

Note: The weekly BARS Wednesday night net will not meet on this evening because of the club meeting. Members are encouraged to get on Billerica (147.12) on their way to/from the meeting instead.

 

Gloucester 440 Repeater on Wolf Pack Network

Brian Gudzevich, WO1VES, writes on the Cape Ann ARA mailing list:

 
I am happy to announce that I have the long awaited link from the Gloucester 443.700 Fusion repeater to the Wolf Pack Network up and running.  This network currently features four repeaters that are either part time or full time linked.  This includes:
 
Stoneham 147.075
Gloucester 443.700
Farmington NH 147.240
Methuen 443.825
 
There is also a YSF Reflector available for use with hotspots.  You can connect your hotspot to “US WolfDen”.  Echolink works as well; you can connect to “WO1VES-R”.
 
Note, this link is still in testing.  Expect issues, and let me know if you encounter any problems.
 
I hope to be at the meeting on Saturday if anyone has any questions about the link.
 
Thanks, everyone.  Comments are always welcome.
 
 

Eastern MA Hospital Net, June 2, 2018

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

Eastern MA Hospital Net, May 5, 2018

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.

Eastern MA Hospital Net, April 7, 2018

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.

Plymouth Repeater PL Tone Change

Genesis ARS logoJohn O’ Neill, K1JRO writes on the South Shore Hospital ARC list:

The Genesis Amateur Radio Society‘s repeater, N1ZIZ, has a new PL tone as of April 1, 2018 . The PL has been changed  from 82.5 to 131.8 CTCS.

It is recommended you change both encode/decode on all your radios since the repeater is transmitting both analog FM and digital FM. This will help listeners to avoid hearing the noise digital operation produces on the analog side.

Short story: change your PL associated with 146.685 the N1ZIZ repeater to 131.8 CTCS post haste.

Please note the Eastern MA Hospital Net will continue to use analog communications.

Monthly EMA ARES Net 4/2 8:30pm

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

MMRA North Reading Repeater Now Yaesu System Fusion

leftThe Yaesu DR2X purchased by [the Minuteman Repeater Association] in October has been installed at North Reading site.  This repeater is full-time automatic dual mode.  Yaesu System Fusion digital signals will be repeated locally in the same mode.  Analog FM signals will be repeated in Analog and linked to the MMRA HUB following the normal schedule.

Linking is not available in digital mode.

This is MMRA’s second YSF repeater.  The 449.575 repeater in Hopkinton is also full-time automatic dual mode.

Eastern MA Hospital Net Invites New NCSes

John O’Neill, K1JRO writes:

The April 7,2018 Eastern MA Hospital Net is approaching. We are seeking groups and 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

Monthly EMA ARES Net 3/5 8:30pm

*** 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

Eastern MA Hospital Net, March 3, 2018

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

Plymouth Repeater Going Digital

Genesis ARS logoJack Buckley, W1AKN writes on the Genesis ARS list:

We are getting closer to operating on N1ZIZ (147.835 -600) in the digital (NXDN) mode. The first of March will be the official date for using NXDN on N1ZIZ. The N1ZIZ repeater currently is operating on the analog FM mode with the repeater configured to operate in mixed mode which allows for both digital and analog operation.

The PL 82.5 must be reprogramed to the new PL 131.8. Anyone wishing to have assistance with this reprograming is invited to drop in next Sat Feb. 17. Come with the rig in question and we will see if we have the cable (bring the programming cable if you already have one) You may bring your cable and software (we will attempt to employ Chirp program, but cannot guarantee the rig is included in Chirp app yet) If you wish to get the app setup on your PC, bring your PC in (we are conducting GARS Linux training but you can bring MS for this session) You must have adapter and AC cord along with an extension cord to power you rig

Bottom Line N1ZIZ is configured as follows:

  • Both PL 82.5 and 131.8 are configured on the repeater right now
  • Only 131.8 will be supported post March 2018
  • Mixed Mode = NXDN to NXDN and or Analog to Analog
  • PL of less than 100 has been shown to be unreliable on the Icom Commercial FR5000 repeaters (this includes N1ZIZ)
  • PL 131.8 will be supported going forward

As always:

Please come join us at a Genesis ARS business meeting they are conducted every last Monday of each month.

GARS Business Meetings are at Plymouth Airport, Gate #2, Community Room AKA: precinct voting room, 7PM – 8PM with speakers most meetings!

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

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

 

CW Training Net, 146.97 MHz Paxton Repeater

Greg Algieri, WA1JXR writes:

The Central Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association (CMARA) will be conducting a “Learn CW Training Net” on the club repeater, W1BIM on 146.97 PL 114.8 on Monday nights at 7:30 PM starting January 15. Greg, WA1JXR will be the net control station and CW instructor. The purpose of the net is to teach hams new and old how to send and receive CW. The net will be a combination of FM voice as well as modulated CW (MCW) transmissions over the repeater.

CMARA members as a club project have built an MCW interface for their 2M FM radios which will allow them to send CW. If others are interested in obtaining a MCW Interface Kit they can contact Greg, WA1JXR at wa1jxr@comcast.net and I will start an interested list. If we get a minimum of 10 kit orders I will do a bulk buy of parts and circuit board and assemble more kits. So check it off on your calendar and check into the “Learn CW Training Net” on Monday nights and learn and have fun with the original digital mode, CW.

Cape and Islands Traffic Net Change

EMA NTS logoMike Wilbur, N2JWW writes:

I am glad to announce effective June 11 the Cape and Islands Traffic Net will move to the N1YHS 147.375 repeater, PL 110.9. It is a new machine in Falmouth with excellent coverage both on and off cape and both islands.

I hope this move will enhance the net and allow more folks to get into the net. As always I am looking for anyone who would like to be a net control, just drop me an e-mail at n2jww.at.arrl.net.

Try and stay cool and I look forward to hearing more folks on the net.

73 de Mike N2JWW Net manager CITN 1 1 1

Eastern Mass ARES/RACES Groups Monitoring Danvers Major Chemical Explosion

Hello to all….

Eastern Massachusetts ARES and RACES has been closely monitoring the situation in Danvers, Massachusetts concerning the chemical explosion. At this time, no requests for assistance have been received and an informal net continues on the 145.47 NSRA Danvers Repeater. ARRL Headquarters has been notified and has posted an article and the link is posted below:

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/11/22/100/?nc=1

Please monitor the Eastern Massachusetts ARES web site, http://ares.ema.arrl.org for further updates and changes as required. Thanks to all for their continued support of Eastern Massachusetts ARES.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Pager #: (508) 354-3142
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 1-800-445-2588 Ext.: 72929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
http://users.rcn.com/rmacedo
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