Tag: #skywarn

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Reminder: Monthly Eastern Massachusetts ARES Net for March 2014

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Hello to all…

A reminder that the monthly ARES Net for March is rapidly approaching. The monthly ARES Net for March is Monday March 3rd, 2014, 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

In addition, if the Echo-IRLP node on the MMRA hub is available, we will likely link that to the New England Reflector system on IRLP 9123/Echolink Conference *NEW-ENG* Node: 9123.

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.

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!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES 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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SKYWARN Recognition Day Operations

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

SKYWARN logoThe Taunton SKYWARN Amateur Radio Club, WX1BOX, will once again be active for SKYWARN Recognition Day 2013. In addition, for the seventh straight year, the National Weather Service office in Gray, Maine will also be active under call sign WX1GYX. The Boston Amateur Radio Club will also be active as they have been over the past several years at the NWS Blue Hill Observatory under call sign W1BOS from 9 AM-3 PM on Saturday, December 7, 2013. This will be the 15th year of SKYWARN Recognition Day and it is anticipated that over 100 NWS Forecast Offices will be participating this year.

Full story

 

 

All / Emergency Communications

Boxboro Hamfest/New England ARRL Division Convention 2012 Features ARES/RACES/SKYWARN Booth/Presentations

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Hello to all..

The Boxboro Hamfest and New England ARRL Division Convention will be held Friday August 24th-26th, 2012 at the Holiday Inn in Boxboro Massachusetts. General information on the Hamfest/Convention including the complete forum program, schedule, dinners, vendors and other events can be seen via the following link:

http://www.boxboro.org

There will be a RACES/ARES/SKYWARN booth at the Boxboro Hamfest/New England Division Convention staffed by Eastern Massachusetts ARES, RACES, SKYWARN personnel who can answer questions on the various EMCOMM programs in Massachusetts and direct folks within the New England Division to resources within their section. Please stop by and visit the booth during the convention/hamfest. Sign-ups for ARES and SKYWARN and various email lists will be taken at the booth throughout the convention timeframe. Additional booths by other organizations will be present and see boxboro.org for more information.

The Hamfest and New England Division Convention will feature the following in regards to SKYWARN/ARES/RACES/MARS/EMCOMM related items:

-SKYWARN Training on Friday August 24th, 2012 from 1-4 PM in the Cotillion Room at the Holiday Inn in Boxboro. The session is open to anyone wishing to receive SKYWARN training and will count for full training class credit.

Emergency Communications/SKYWARN Presentations on Saturday August 25th, 2012 in the Seminar Conference Room:

-MA Interoperable Program Mike Neilsen – W1MPN from 9 AM-10 AM

-9/11 – A 10 Year Retrospective Steve Schwarm – W3EVE from 10 AM-11 AM

-SKYWARN Overview presented by Rob Macedo-KD1CY from 11 AM-Noon.

-ARES SEC (Section Emergency Coordinator) Forum moderated/presented by Rob Macedo-KD1CY with representation from various ARES Section Emergency Coordinators and their designees Noon-1 PM.

It is also noted that at the Boxboro Banquet on Saturday Evening August 25th, Connecticut TV Meteorologist Geoff Fox-K1GF will be the guest speaker.

Emeregency Communications Presentations on Sunday August 26th, 2012:

-Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines MARS Joint Meeting moderated by Bob Veth-K1RJV/NNN0FCC in the Cotillion Conference Room from 10 AM-Noon. Open to all Amateur Radio Operators

Once again, a complete forum schedule, vendors and other information on the Boxboro Hamfest/New England Division Convention are available via their web site at http://www.boxboro.org

We look forward to seeing many folks at the convention!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES 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

All / Emergency Communications

Special Announcement: National Hurricane Conference Amateur Radio Workshop and Livestreaming

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Hello to all..

The National Hurricane Conference is coming up next week from Monday March 26th through Thursday March 29th. Amateur Radio will be represented at two sessions during the conference as well as at a function at the Orange County Florida Emergency Operatons Center Monday Evening March 26th where Dr. Richard Knabb of The Weather Channel will be present.

All workshops will be livestreamed. The livestream links that are available are as follows:

http://www.nsradio.org/stream.htm
http://www.voipwx.net/files/stream.htm

Information on the presenters including presenters from the NWS Taunton Amateur Radio Program are listed via the link below:

http://www.arrl.org/news/2012-national-hurricane-conference-to-feature-amateur-radio-activities

This information is also posted in the ARES E-Letter via the following link:

http://www.arrl.org/ares-el?issue=2012-03-21

We encourage folks to watch the livestream as presenters go through the role of the Amatuer Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, WX4NHC, the WX4NHC group’s role in the Haiti mission, an in-depth review of Amateur Radio’s role in the response to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene and other topics as listed. We will be looking into archiving the information via video on the web for those that cannot watch the livestream as it happens. Thanks to all for their support!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES 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

All

SKYWARN Recognition Day 2011

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Rob Macedo, KD1CY writes on SKYWARN Announcement List:

** SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) 2011 Friday Evening December 2nd at 7 PM Through Saturday December 3rd at 7 PM **

The following is a special announcement on SKYWARN Recognition Day. This announcement also appears on the WX1BOX home page via the following link:

http://www.wx1box.org/node/1556

Announcement text is listed below:

The National Weather Service in Taunton Amateur Radio Station, WX1BOX, will once again be active for SKYWARN Recognition Day 2011. In addition, for the fifth straight year, the National Weather Service Gray, Maine Office will also be active under call-sign, WX1GYX. The Boston Amateur Radio Club will also be active as they have been over the past several years at the NWS Blue Hill Observatory under call-sign W1BOS/MQE from 9 AM-3 PM Saturday December 3rd, 2011.

This will be the 13th year of SKYWARN Recognition Day and its anticipated that over 100 NWS Forecast Offices will be participating once again this year. This event was featured on page 68 of the December 2011 Issue of QST Magazine and web links to information on SKYWARN Recognition Day can be seen at the following links:

http://hamradio.noaa.gov

The following is a schedule of repeaters that will be utilized along with simplex being utilized during certain timeframes on Saturday at WX1BOX. We hope Amateurs will utilize this schedule and try and work WX1BOX during these various timeframes. If you don’t hear NWS, feel free to call for WX1BOX and if the office is monitoring, a response will be given. When you make contact, give your current sky condition and temperature as required.

Below is the tentative schedule of operations.

Friday December 2nd, 2011:

7:00-7:30 PM: 146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8 Hz)
7:30-8:00 PM: 147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
8:00-8:30 PM: 145.490-Fairhaven Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
8:30-9:00 PM: 146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4 Hz)
9:00-9:30 PM: 146.79-Vernon, CT Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz) (linked via IRLP.)
9:30-10:00 PM: 147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz)
10:00-10:30 PM: 146.760-Scituate, RI Repeater PL: 67.0 Hz
10:30-11:00 PM: 145.470-Danvers Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
11:00-11:30 PM: 146.955-Barnstable PL: 88.5 or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater PL: 110.9
11:30 PM-12:00 AM: 146.640-Waltham Repeater

**Will Attempt to monitor both the New England Network and the *WX-TALK*/IRLP Reflector 9219 systems during this entire timeframe.

**It is possible we may switch off to different repeaters or simplex during time slots if we run out of contacts.

Saturday December 3rd, 2011:

7:00-8:30 AM: 146.595 Simplex
8:30-9:00 AM: Litchfield County Linked System via KB1AEV repeater system
9:00-9:30 AM: 145.230-Boston Repeater (PL: 88.5 Hz)
9:30-10:00 AM: 146.640-Waltham Repeater
10:00-10:30 AM: 146.895-Walpole Repeater (PL: 123.0 Hz)
10:30-11:00 AM: 147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz)
11:00-11:30 AM: 145.470-Danvers Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
11:30 AM-Noon: 146.79-Vernon, CT Repeater (Linked via IRLP.)
Noon-1:00 PM: 146.595 Simplex
1:00-1:30 PM: 146.685-Plymouth Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz)
1:30-2:00 PM: 145.130-Gloucester Repeater (PL: 107.2 Hz)
2:00-2:30 PM: 146.955-Barnstable (PL: 88.5) or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater (PL: 110.9)
2:30-3:00 PM: 146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4)
3:00-3:30 PM: 146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8)
3:30-4:00 PM: 147.165-Exeter, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0)
4:00-4:30 PM: 146.760-Scituate, RI or 145.37-Coventry, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0)
4:30-5:00 PM: 145.490-Fairhaven Repeater (PL: 67.0)
5:00-5:30 PM: 147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0)
5:30-6:00 PM: 449.375-Pack Monadnock, NH Repeater (PL: 88.5 Hz)
6:00-6:30 PM: 146.895-Walpole Repeater (PL: 123.0)
6:30-7:00 PM: 147.000-Dartmouth Repeater (PL: 67.0)

**Will Attempt to monitor both the New England Network and the *WX-TALK*/IRLP Reflector 9219 systems during this entire timeframe.

**It is possible we may switch off to different repeaters or simplex during time slots if we run out of contacts.

The following is information EchoLink/IRLP operations during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Further updates to follow as we get closer to the event:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign 0000-0100: WX0GLD (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0200-0300: WX4MLB (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0300-0400: W0ABR (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0400-0500: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot but can swap if needed)
0500-0600: WX9GRB (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0700-0800: N0NWS (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
0800-0900: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS – NWS Fairbanks AK)
0900-1000: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS – NWS Fairbanks AK)
1000-1100: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS – NWS Fairbanks AK)
1100-1200: WX4HUN (Taking WX7PHX Time Slot and relinguishing their 1400-1500 UTC time slot)
1200-1300: W7NWS (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1300-1400: KL7FWX (Confirmed to keep time slot. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS – NWS Fairbanks AK)
1400-1500: Open
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot but can swap if needed)
1600-1800: WX4NC (Confirmed to keep the time slot, 2 hour time slot and time slot is from last year)
1800-1900: WX6MTR (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
1900-2000: K0MPX (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
2000-2100: WX4MLB (Confirmed to keep the time slot)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Time slot from last year)
2300-2400: WX6NWS (Confirmed the NWS Sacramento California Office for this time slot)

There will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by the NWS Taunton, Mass. and NWS Gray, Maine offices from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years on reflector 9250 and have its gateway system on IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 125266 open for NWS offices. Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western Reflector.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system.

The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for there support!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES 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

All

SKYWARN Training In Ipswich, Nov. 19

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

Rob Macedo, KD1CY writes on SKYWARN Announce list:

There will be a SKYWARN Class in Ipswich, Massachusetts on Saturday November 19th, 2011 from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Ipswich Town Hall, 25 Green Street, Ipswich, Massachusetts. The SKYWARN Class will be taught by Amateur Radio Coordinators. Below is a link to the Special announcement on the SKYWARN Class and the SKYWARN training Schedule link:

Special Announcement: Ipswich SKYWARN Training Class – Saturday November 19th, 2011 11 AM-2 PM:

http://wx1box.org/node/1546

SKYWARN Training Schedule link: http://wx1box.org/2018/04/20/special-announcement-2018-nws-boston-norton-skywarn-training-class-schedule/.

No preregistration is required for this session.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES 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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Upcoming SKYWARN Training Sessions in Eastern MA

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

SKYWARN logoRob Macedo, KD1CY writes:

The following are SKYWARN Training Sessions booked for late July/Early August 2011. Further training sessions will be booked over the course of the year so check http://www.wx1box.org/node/36 frequently for updates.

Saturday July 30th, 2011: 10 AM-1 PM:
Marlborough Central Fire Department
215 Maple Street (Route 85)
Marlborough, Mass.
Taught by: Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required

Saturday August 6th, 2011: 10 AM-1 PM:
Beverly Emergency Management Agency
43 Airport Road
Beverly Mass.
Taught by Amateur Radio Coordinator
Registration: None Required

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KD1CY Discusses SKYWARN On Radio Program

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

SKYWARN logoEastern MA ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator and SKYWARN Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY along with several town and Red Cross officials were featured recently on the WFCR radio program, “Focus Western New England: Tornado Aftermath” discussing the recent Western Massachusetts tornados.

An audio recording of the show can be heard on-line at http://tinyurl.com/5s393bm. Macedo can be heard at approximately 40 minutes into the recording.

See also: Special Announcement: WFCR 88.5 FM Amherst Massachusetts Talk Show on Western Massachusetts Tornadoes 6/29/11 4-5 PM.

 

 

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WX1BOX SKYWARN Presented With Vinyl Banner by TACG

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

WX1BOX banner, courtesy TACGThe Taunton SKYWARN Amateur Radio Club, WX1BOX recently received a gift of a high quality vinyl banner, courtesy of the Taunton Area Communications Group. It is on display at the NWS Taunton offices. TACG president Greg Glynn, W1VFB made the presentation to Carl Aveni, N1FY, who is Eastern MA ARRL Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator, and one of the primary SKYWARN operators at the Taunton SKYWARN ARC.

“I have found in the past that identification of a service or entity is essential to getting the message out as to what we do as amateur radio operators,” remarked Glynn. “When clubs or operations identify who they are, people will stop and ask about who and what we are and when you don’t they will tend to look and walk on by.”

–Thanks, TACG News, Feb. 2011

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SKYWARN Recognition Day, Dec. 4, 2010

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

SKYWARN logoRob Macedo, KD1CY writes in SKYWARN Newsletter #267:

The National Weather Service in Taunton Amateur Radio Station, WX1BOX, will once again be active for SKYWARN Recognition Day 2010. In addition, for the fourth straight year, the National Weather Service Gray, Maine Office will also be active under call-sign, WX1GYX. The Boston Amateur Radio Club will also be active as they have been over the past several years at the NWS Blue Hill Observatory under call-sign W1BOS/MQE from 9 AM-3 PM Saturday December 4th, 2010. We are also working on a special station for SRD at the Southern New England Weather Conference, which will be on the same day as SRD, sponsored by the Worcester Emergency Communications Team (WECT). Further details on the Southern New England Weather Conference station will be available as we get closer to the event.

This will be the 12th year of SKYWARN Recognition Day and its anticipated that over 100 NWS Forecast Offices will be participating once again this year. This event was featured on page 62 of the December 2010 Issue of QST Magazine and web links to information on SKYWARN Recognition Day can be seen at the following links:

http://hamradio.noaa.gov
http://www.arrl.org/news/skywarn-recognition-day-set-for-december-4

The following is a schedule of repeaters that will be utilized along with simplex being utilized during certain timeframes on Saturday at WX1BOX. We hope Amateurs will utilize this schedule and try and work WX1BOX during these various timeframes. If you don’t hear NWS, feel free to call for WX1BOX and if the office is monitoring, a response will be given. When you make contact, give your current sky condition and temperature as required. Below is the tentative schedule of operations:

Friday December 3rd, 2010:
7:00-7:30 PM: 146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8 Hz)
7:30-8:00 PM: 147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
8:00-8:30 PM: 145.490-Fairhaven Repeater (PL: 67.0 Hz)
8:30-9:00 PM: 146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4 Hz)
9:00-9:30 PM: 146.79-Vernon, CT Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz) (linked via IRLP.)
9:30-10:00 PM: 147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz)
10:00-10:30 PM: 146.760-Scituate, RI or 145.370-Coventry RI Repeater PL: 67.0 Hz
10:30-11:00 PM: 145.470-Danvers Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
11:00-11:30 PM: 146.955-Barnstable PL: 88.5 or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater PL: 110.9
11:30 PM-12:00 AM: 146.640-Waltham Repeater

**Will Attempt to monitor both the New England Network and the *WX-TALK*/IRLP Reflector 9219 systems during this entire timeframe.

**It is possible we may switch off to different repeaters or simplex during time slots if we run out of contacts.

Saturday December 4th, 2010:
7:00-8:30 AM: 146.595 Simplex
8:30-9:00 AM: Litchfield County Linked System via KB1AEV repeater system
9:00-9:30 AM: 145.230-Boston Repeater (PL: 88.5 Hz)
9:30-10:00 AM: 146.640-Waltham Repeater
10:00-10:30 AM: 146.895-Walpole Repeater (PL: 123.0 Hz)
10:30-11:00 AM: 147.225-Killingly, CT Repeater (PL: 156.7 Hz)
11:00-11:30 AM: 145.470-Danvers Repeater (PL: 136.5 Hz)
11:30 AM-Noon: 146.79-Vernon, CT Repeater (Linked via IRLP.)
Noon-1:00 PM: 146.595 Simplex
1:00-1:30 PM: 146.685-Plymouth Repeater (PL: 82.5 Hz)
1:30-2:00 PM: 145.130-Gloucester Repeater (PL: 107.2 Hz)
2:00-2:30 PM: 146.955-Barnstable (PL: 88.5) or 147.375-Falmouth Repeater (PL: 110.9)
2:30-3:00 PM: 146.955-Westford Repeater (PL: 74.4)
3:00-3:30 PM: 146.970-Paxton Repeater (PL: 114.8)
3:30-4:00 PM: 147.165-Exeter, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0)
4:00-4:30 PM: 146.760-Scituate, RI or 145.37-Coventry, RI Repeater (PL: 67.0)
4:30-5:00 PM: 145.490-Fairhaven Repeater (PL: 67.0)
5:00-5:30 PM: 147.180-Bridgewater Repeater (PL: 67.0)
5:30-6:00 PM: 449.375-Pack Monadnock, NH Repeater (PL: 88.5 Hz)
6:00-6:30 PM: 146.895-Walpole Repeater (PL: 123.0)
6:30-7:00 PM: 147.000-Dartmouth Repeater (PL: 67.0)

**Will Attempt to monitor both the New England Network and the *WX-TALK*/IRLP Reflector 9219 systems during this entire timeframe.

**It is possible we may switch off to different repeaters or simplex during time slots if we run out of contacts.

The following is information EchoLink/IRLP operations during SKYWARN Recognition Day. Further updates to follow as we get closer to the event:

Time in UTC NWS Office Call-Sign
0000-0100: WX0GLD (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0100-0200: WX1GYX (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0200-0300: WX4MLB (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0300-0400: W0ABR (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0400-0500: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot but can swap if needed)
0500-0600: WX9GRB (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0600-0700: WX4HUN (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0700-0800: N0NWS (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
0800-0900: KL7FWX (New NWS Office in Fairbanks Alaska. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS)
0900-1000: KL7FWX (New NWS Office in Fairbanks Alaska. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS)
1000-1100: KL7FWX (New NWS Office in Fairbanks Alaska. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS)
1100-1200: WX7PHX (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
1200-1300: W7NWS (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
1300-1400: KL7FWX (New NWS Office in Fairbanks Alaska. Will Show Up on Echolink as KL2GS)
1400-1500: WX4HUN (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
1500-1600: WX1BOX (Confirmed to keep the time slot but can swap if needed)
1600-1800: WX4NC (Confirmed to keep the time slot, 2 hour time slot and time slot is from last year)
1800-1900: WX6MTR (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
1900-2000: K0MPX (Confirmed to Keep Time Slot)
2000-2100: WX4MLB (Confirmed to keep Time Slot)
2100-2300: WX4NHC (Confirmed to keep Time Slot)
2300-2400: Open

There will be other conference systems utilized for SKYWARN Recognition Day. They are as follows:

The New England Reflector Gateway System will be utilized by the NWS Taunton, Mass. and NWS Gray, Maine offices from 0000-0500 UTC and 1200-2400 UTC. The New England Gateway system is on EchoLink Conference server *NEW-ENG* Node: 9123, IRLP reflector 9123. If other NWS offices would like to join the system, they are welcome to do so and participants in SKYWARN Recognition Day can also use that system to make contact with various NWS offices.

Also, the Western Reflector will be having NWS offices calling CQ as in past years on reflector 9250 and have its gateway system on IRLP 9258/EchoLink Conference *NV-GATE* Node: 125266 open for NWS offices. Please contact Kent-W7AOR for additional information on the Western Reflector.

A few technical reminders for folks interested in making contacts with the NWS Forecast Offices on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP 9219 and New England Reflector Gateway IRLP 9123/*NEW-ENG* Echolink Node: 9123 systems:

-The system allows both EchoLink and IRLP connections. For EchoLink users, you connect to the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 conference system. For IRLP users, you would connect to IRLP reflector 9219.

-If you are using EchoLink, the RF node or PC that you’re using must have EchoLink conferencing disabled. If it is not disabled, the system will automatically kick the node or PC off of the system.

The reason this occurs is to prevent unintentional interference from a conferencing station that may not know the node is connected somewhere else. This will keep traffic moving on the net and reduce interference considerably.

For more information on VoIP Technical Configuration Tips, please go to our web site at http://www.voipwx.net where we have a link to that information on the main menu of the web site. This announcement will also be on the web site.

We are looking forward to another fun SKYWARN Recognition Day on the *WX-TALK* Node: 7203/IRLP reflector 9219 system, New England Reflector Gateway system and Western Reflector system. Thanks to all for there support!

All / Emergency Communications

Boxboro Hamfest/New England ARRL Division Convention Features ARES/RACES/SKYWARN Booth/Presentations

- by admin - Leave a Comment

Hello to all..

The Boxboro Hamfest and New England ARRL Division Convention will be held Friday August 27th-29th at the Holiday Inn in Boxboro Massachusetts. General information on the Hamfest/Convention including the complete forum program, schedule, dinners, vendors and other events can be seen via the following link:

http://www.boxboro.org

There will be a RACES/ARES/SKYWARN booth at the Boxboro Hamfest/New England Division Convention staffed by Eastern Massachusetts ARES, RACES, SKYWARN personnel who can answer questions on the various EMCOMM programs in Massachusetts and direct folks within the New England Division to resources within their section. Please stop by and visit the booth during the convention/hamfest. Sign-ups for ARES and SKYWARN and various email lists will be taken at the booth throughout the convention timeframe. Additional booths by other organizations will be present and see boxboro.org for more information.

The Hamfest and New England Division Convention will feature the following in regards to SKYWARN/ARES/RACES/MARS/EMCOMM related items:

-SKYWARN Training on Friday August 27th, 2010 from 1-4 PM in the Cotillion Room at the Holiday Inn in Boxboro. The session is open to anyone wishing to receive SKYWARN training

-ICS-100 Training Class on Friday August 27th, 2010 from 9 AM-4:30 PM in the Seminar Room

Emergency Communications/SKYWARN Presentations on Saturday August 28th, 2010 in the Seminar Conference Room:

-Winlink 2000/Winmor presentation by Massacusetts State RACES Radio Officer Tom Kinahan-N1CPE from 9-10 AM.

-Vermont RACES by Rob Schnell-W1RVT, John Borichevesky-N1TOX and Ray Machell-KC1BT from 10-11 AM.

-SKYWARN Overview presented by Rob Macedo-KD1CY from 11 AM-Noon.

-ARES SEC Forum moderated by Rob Macedo-KD1CY with presentations from various ARES Section Emergency Coordinators and their designees Noon-1 PM.

Emeregency Communications Presentations on Sunday August 29th, 2010:

-Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines MARS Joint Meeting moderated by Bob Veth-K1RJV/NNN0FCC in the Cotillion Conference Room from 10 AM-Noon. Open to all Amateur Radio Operators

Once again, a complete forum schedule, vendors and other information on the Boxboro Hamfest/New England Division Convention are available via their web site at http://www.boxboro.org

We look forward to seeing many folks at the convention!

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES 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

All

SKYWARN Training, Concord MA, May 15, 2010

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

SKYWARN logo

Steve Telsey, N1BDA writes:

There will be a SKYWARN Storm Spotter training class May 15 at Concord Academy, in the Ransome room of the Math and Arts Center which is located across from the Gym. Concord Academy is located at 166 Main Street in Concord. Parking at the school is limited; however, there is a municipal parking lot off of Main Street on Keyes Road. The training is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM.

Rob Macedo, KD1CY a 15-year veteran of the NWS SKYWARN program will be the presenter. The program covers topics such as hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, down bursts and other summer and winter weather events. This highly informative and timely program will also provide information on identifying cloud formations, identifying hail sizes and estimating wind speed.

This program is open to all and will be of particular interest to anyone who enjoys outside activities such as sports, camping, boating or is just interested in learning more about the weather. This program will also cover safety tips that are appropriate during severe weather events.

The workshop is free, the multi-media presentation is captivating, and the handouts (new this spring) are excellent and informative reference materials. At the end of the program participants will have the opportunity to join the National Weather Service SKYWARN Spotters Program.

Please pass the word and encourage hams and non-hams alike to join us on May 15. I’ll send a reminder in May, but wanted to get the info out early so it can go on calendars.

All / Field Day

Special SKYWARN Announcement for Field Day Sites

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

EMA ARRL FD 'logo'From: SkyWarn Announcement List <SkyWarn-list@oak.powersrvcs.net>
To: Skywarn-list@oak.powersrvcs.net <Skywarn-list@oak.powersrvcs.net>
Sent: Thu Jun 25 09:02:13 2009
Subject: Severe Weather/Amateur Radio Field Day Coordination Message #1

Hello to all..

..The following is the first in a series of messages on Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend. Amateur Radio Field Day Weekend is an annual event where Ham Operators across the United States setup at Emergency Operations Centers, field locations, home locations etc. to operate and test their equipment and skills and make as many radio contacts as possible during the weekend. Many locations can be visited by the public and Amateur Radio Field Day can be a form of outreach to Ham and non-Ham Operators. It is both a fun/preparatory event for Ham Radio Operators for Emergency Communications scenarios..
..As have been done over the past 10 years, this will be the first in a series of Severe Weather/Amateur Radio Field Day Coordination Messages to pass instructions to Amateur Radio Field Day sites on what to do if threatening weather approaches and to have Field Day sites guard their SKYWARN repeaters as required if threatening weather approaches..
..Field Day Weekend is expected to have better weather than what we have seen in the past several days, however, there will be the threat of Severe Thunderstorms with Damaging winds and large hail the primary threats across much of Southern New England Friday as SPC and NWS Taunton are in agreement on a Slight Risk for Severe Thunderstorms on Friday. There are additional risks for thunderstorms over the weekend. The threat of those thunderstorms over the weekend is uncertain and it is noted that overall the weather will be drier this weekend than the past 4 days, however, thunderstorms even if non-severe can contain dangerous lightning and that is a threat to any outdoor Amateur Radio Field Day sites in the region..
..This Week is also Lightning Awareness Week and safety information on lightning gets propagated during this period and has coincidentally coincided with Amateur Radio Field Day weekend and that information is included in this coordination message..
..SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton is likely on Friday. SKYWARN monitoring for even non-severe thunderstorms will be done over the weekend to protect Amateur Radio Field Day sites as best as possible..

There are a large number of Amateur Radio Field Day sites across the NWS Taunton County Warning Area and adjacent NWS County Warning Areas. Here are some links to information on these Amateur Radio Field Day Sites from across the region:

Amateur Radio Field Day National Announcement: http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/fd/
Amateur Radio Field Day National Locator: http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/fd/locator.php
Eastern Massachusetts Field Day Home Page: http://fd.ema.arrl.org/
Connecticut Section Field Day Information: http://ct.arrl.org/
New Hampshire Field Day Home Page: http://www.arrl-nh.org/fd2009.html
Western Massachusetts Field Day Information: http://wma.arrl.org/announce.php?id=163
Rhode Island Field Day Information: http://www.arrl.org/sections/RI.html

If there is additional Amateur Radio Field Day information that you would like to appear in these coordination messages, please contact me and I will add it to this section of the Amateur Radio Field Day Coordination Message.

On Friday, the dreary cool weather will abate completely and lead to warmer conditions. A Cold Front/trough will approach Southern New England and this will be the triggering mechanism for showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms will have the potential to become severe with damaging winds and large hail the primary threats and all thunderstorms have the threat of lightning. The threat timeframe will be in the mid-late afternoon and early evening hours. Key items that will affect the severe potential is the timing of the trough/cold front into the region and the amount of sunshine that will lead to heating and destablization along and ahead of the front. At the time of this coordination message, SPC has placed the region in a Slight Risk for Severe Thunderstorms and NWS Taunton is in agreement with this assessment. Further details on the Friday potential for severe weather will be posted in the Thursday Evening coordination message. Amateur Radio Field Day sites setting up on Friday should use caution and keep an eye to the sky and monitor their local SKYWARN Repeater, NOAA Weather Radio or weather information via Internet and media resources to guard against safety issues if thunderstorms, even if they are non-severe, occur in the region due to the potential lightning risk on radio equipment and antennas. Below is the NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC Day-2 Convective Outlook:

NWS Taunton Hazardous Weather Outlook: http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.flus41.KBOX.html
SPC Day-1 Convective Outlook: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day2otlk.html

SKYWARN Activation with Ops at NWS Taunton is likely on Friday. SKYWARN monitoring for non-severe thunderstorms and their lightning risk will be done throughout the weekend to protect Amateur Radio Field Day sites.

For the weekend, there will be the potential for isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms on Saturday with lesser chances for this activity on Sunday. Details on how the weekend will evolve are still not certain. As stated previously, the weekend is not expected to be a washout and conditions away from the immediate coastal areas should be better than the past 4 days or so with warmer and more summer like conditions but there will be the potential for an isolated to scattered shower or thunderstorm activity. Future coordination messages will better define the activity for this weekend.

Remember that non-severe thunderstorms can pose a threat to Amateur Radio Field Day sites due to the threat of lightning. Please keep this in mind if you have an outdoor Field Day site. This week is Lightning Awareness Week and the National Weather Service in Taunton has posted information on Lightning Safety Awareness Week. See links below for this information:

NWS Taunton Latest Lightning Safety Awareness Week Statement: http://kamala.cod.edu/ma/latest.nous41.KBOX.html
NWS Taunton Wednesday 6/24/09 Lightning Safety Awareness Week Statement: http://kamala.cod.edu/offs/KBOX/0906241320.nous41.html
NWS Taunton Tuesday 6/23/09 Lightning Safety Awareness Week Statement: http://kamala.cod.edu/offs/KBOX/0906231724.nous41.html
NWS Taunton Monday 6/22/09 Lightning Safety Awareness Week Statement: http://kamala.cod.edu/offs/KBOX/0906221445.nous41.html
NWS Lightning Safety Awareness Home Page: http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/

Field Day sites are encouraged to bring a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio and a dedicated Ham Radio that can monitor their local SKYWARN Frequency for their area or if they have mobile Internet capability, that is also a way to monitor for weather information if thunderstorms, even that are non-severe, approach your area. Please see the link below for the latest SKYWARN Frequency information for the region:
http://www.wx1box.org/node/37

The next coordination message will be posted by 1130 PM this evening.

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://ares.ema.arrl.org
http://www.wx1box.org

 

Emergency Communications

Belmont CERT Members Receive SKYWARN Training

- by k9hi - Leave a Comment

KD1CY presenting SKYWARN training to Belmont CERT members, 1 of 2Members of the Belmont Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) received training on how to recognize severe, violent, and unusual weather conditions. Rob Macedo, KD1CY, a 14-year veteran of the National Weather Service SKYWARN program presented to the attendees at Belmont High School on March 12.

Similar SKYWARN severe weather training will be held next month at the Dexter and Southfield Schools in Brookline.

KD1CY presenting SKYWARN training to Belmont CERT members, 2 of 2

Shown (right): CERT attendees; (left): Rob Macedo, KD1CY. Photos © 2009 Bill Ricker, N1VUX, reprinted with permission

All

Boston ARC To Operate SKYWARN Recognition Day

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Boston ARC logoMark Duff, KB1EKN writes in Boston ARC’s The SPARC:

On Saturday, December 6, 2008, SKYWARN Recognition Day, the Boston Amateur Radio Club will participate for the sixth straight year from the Blue Hill Observatory in Milton. Our operating hours will be from 0900 to 1500. Mark your calendars now for a fun event.

Fun – you want some fun? How about an antenna held 200 feet aloft by a kite in 2004? Then there was the gale-force snowstorm in 2003. There are antennas to be installed and HF/VHF/UHF stations to be operated. We have the opportunity to meet with visitors to demonstrate and explain the relationship between weather observation and ham radio. All this will be at the weather station with the oldest continuous weather records in the country.

On a good day the visibility is over 100 miles from the Blue Hill Observatory. We invite you and any other hams to help and participate. Operating at this location we will use the call sign W1BOS/MQE. The “MQE” reference is the original identifier for this meteorological station which holds the oldest continuous weather records in the country.

All

Taunton SKYWARN Ops Receive Award For Excellence

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SKYWARN awardMembers of the Taunton SKYWARN ARC Team received an Excellence Award from the meteorologists at the Taunton National Weather Service office on November 15, 2008.

The award was presented to the group by NWS Taunton forecasters Bob Thompson, Glenn Field, Bill Babcock and Eleanor Vallier-Talbot.

“Today was a special meeting,” remarked ARES SKYWARN Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY. “I wasn’t expecting the trophy that’s sitting on top of the power supply here at the station. I was surprised. Very well done, I must say.”

The award meant even more to the amateur radio team since it was funded not by NOAA but rather, by the forecasters at the station who paid for it out of their own pockets.
WX1BOX team
The award reads: “Presented to NWS-TAUNTON AMATEUR RADIO TEAM / WX1BOX With Sincere appreciation for your long-standing commitment to the National Weather Service and the people of southern New England… and with particular recognition for your tireless support during the unusual 2008 severe weather season.

NOAA / NWS – Taunton
November 2008”

photos courtesy Bill Ricker, N1VUX

All

SKYWARN Training, Boston, May 17, 2008

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SKYWARN logoBill Ricker, N1VUX writes on wara64 list:

As usual, the final training session of the spring is as close to the Hub as I can get it. Skywarn Training returns to the Museum Of Science Theater. Free Validated parking. I for one intend to walk through the cold front demonstration, it wasn’t up yet the last time we were there.

wx1box.org + weather.gov/box

Check out the 2008 Skywarn Training Schedule!

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/skywarnTraining.shtml

( a few other dates remain between now and …)

Sat May 17 2008
Boston Suffolk Co MA
**Museum of Science**
1 Science Park (Cambridge/Boston line dam)
Cahners Theater,Blue Wing, Level 2
*Bring parking ticket and it will be validated.
1 – 4 PM

—
Bill
n1vux@arrl.net bill.n1vux@gmail.com

All

SKYWARN Recognition Day Activities in Eastern MA

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SKYWARN logoThe Ninth Annual SKYWARN Recognition Day recognizes Amateur Radio operators for their commitment to help keep communities safe. Co-sponsored by the ARRL and the National Weather Service (NWS), the event is scheduled for 24 hours on Saturday, December 1. Two Eastern Massachusetts stations with a special connection to weather will be operating in SKYWARN Recognition Day.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Boston Amateur Radio Club will operate in SKYWARN Recognition Day as W1BOS/MQE at the Blue Hill Observatory in Milton, MA.

“We will set up antennas and stations at the Blue Hill Observatory at the top of Great Blue Hill in Milton,” writes Boston Amateur Radio Club President Bob Salow, WA1IDA. “You are invited to operate or just observe–or maybe lend a hand.”

Salow notes that the Blue Hills Observatory is the holder of the oldest weather records in the country.

The National Weather Service’s Amateur station in Taunton, WX1BOX, will once again be active for SKYWARN Recognition Day 2007.

“We hope Amateurs will utilize this schedule and try and work WX1BOX during various times,” writes NWS SKYWARN Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY.

“If you don’t hear NWS, feel free to call for WX1BOX and if the office is monitoring, a response will be given. When you make contact, give your current sky condition and temperature as required.”

Additional information about SKYWARN Recognition Day can be found on the NOAA web site at: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/hamradio/index.php.