Emergency-Communications

IMPORTANT: Clear Frequencies for Caribbean Hurricane Impacts

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hurricane flagsBrian Szewczyk, NJ1F, writes on the YCCC list:

Some very important information about frequency to keep clear this weekend..

As the Caribbean faces potential hurricane impacts, IARU Region 2 has activated emergency nets on the following frequencies:

  • 40 meters: 7.198 MHz and 7.098 MHz
  • 20 meters: 14.198 MHz

If the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) activates, they will be operating on:

  • 14.325 MHz
  • 7.268 MHz

The amateur radio station at the National Hurricane Center, WX4NHC, will also be monitoring the HWN frequencies for real-time weather and situation reports.

This weekend coincides with the CQ World Wide SSB Contest, one of the busiest times on the bands. All operators are urged to exercise extra vigilance and avoid transmitting on or near these emergency and hurricane watch frequencies.

These nets are providing critical communication links supporting the Caribbean Islands and affected regions. Please ensure they have clear and reliable access to designated frequencies.

In summary:

  • Keep clear of 7.198, 7.098, 7.268, 14.198, and 14.325 MHz
  • Be aware of possible emergency or health-and-welfare traffic on nearby frequencies
  • Operate responsibly and help maintain open frequencies for those supporting hurricane response efforts.

Updates at https://www.arrl.org/news/tropical-storm-melissa-update

Brian

NJ1F

Connecticut ARES Assists in Bridgeport Hospital Drill

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Screenshot of EmComm Drill St. Vincent Med Ctr Publicity CT ARESMark O’Grady, KC1UHV, writes on the Greater Bridgeport ARC mailing list:
 
[Connecticut Amateur Radio Emergency Service was mentioned favorably in this television news story.] 
 
From NEWS12 Connecticut: “From Dozens of nurses and doctors at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport spent Tuesday morning engaged in a hands-on emergency preparedness drill. The drill, which began just after 9:30 a.m., involved several scenarios designed to strengthen coordination among staff members and departments.” [Full story]
 

Portsmouth (R.I.) Dam Exercise, September 26, 2025 (approx.)

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ARES logoJeremy Taylor, K1JST, writes on the RI ARES news list:
 
We have been invited to participate along with several other VOADs in the Portsmouth Dam Emergency Damage Assessment Exercise to practice and demonstrate Volunteer Comms capabilities for the RI Local Emergency Management Directors.
 
We are looking for volunteers to participate as assigned during the Field Exercise, to provide communications during Dam Emergency Damage Assessments.
 
We are also looking for volunteers for a strike force to establish a remote internet link for personnel in Exeter to observe the event in real-time.
 
To sign up, please complete the form here: https://forms.gle/xovzjCK2PoErbj8aA 
 
 
Meetings
ARES will discuss our participation at a meeting on September 17th via Zoom.
 
Exercise Timeline 
(Exact dates TDB, but likely September 21 – 26 for remote play, Saturday September 27th for Filed Exercise)
 
Week before STARTEX – Teams may test equipment & Familiarize themselves with the Area at locations.
Tue – Wed 2000 – Request for Resources Drill for Comms and UAS teams/operators.
Sat – 0800 STARTEX – Report to Volunteer Reception Center/Staging Area.
          0900 – Deploy to assignment & perform safety brief, systems checks & updated safety brief.
          1015 – Commence Damage Assessments, Info. Flo & Mgmt.
          1140 – Arrive back at VRC/Staging Area and check in.
          1150 – Commence Hot Wash.
          1200 FINEX
 
Jeremy Taylor K1JST
k1jst@taysol.net
401-484-0484

Volunteer Opportunity – Ride to End Alzheimer’s – June 14th

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K1DSL-Dan Loveman writes:

On June 14th, cyclists will return to Hampton Beach to begin their 2025 New England Ride To End Alzheimer’s, and I’m writing today to ask for your help in supporting them!

The event details are as follows:
Saturday, June 14th
Hampton Beach State Park, Hampton, NH
Volunteer roles vary and range from 6am-4pm

**SAG team members are asked to commit to the whole day, rest stop volunteers may have shorter shifts depending on where they are stationed.

If you’re able and willing, I’d like to invite you to join the Amateur Radio team for the 2025 Ride To End Alzheimer’s. You can find all the event details here and the direct registration link is here.

This is a very important event. The riders at this event are raising money to fund research that will one day put an end to Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Our job is to staff the communications network that helps keep them safe while they do it.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thanks and 73,
Dan Loveman /K1DSL
alz@k1dsl.net

Julio Ripoll – Founder & Coordinator of National Hurricane Center Amatuer Radio Station – WX4NHC Receives Prestigious Dayton Hamvention Special Achievement Award

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From WX1BOX.org:

WD4R-Julio Ripoll, founder and Amateur Radio Coordinator for WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami FL, which has been active during landfalling New England tropical systems received the prestigious Dayton Hamvention Special Achievement Award. Further details including a picture of Julio receiving the award can be seen below:

Special Announcement: WD4R-Julio Ripoll – Founder & Coordinator of National Hurricane Center Amatuer Radio Station – WX4NHC Receives Prestigious Dayton Hamvention Special Achievement Award

ARRL CT Section NCS Operator Training Workshop, Newington CT, February 1, 2025

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Douglas Sharafanowich, WA1SFH, writes on the CT-ARES mailing list:CT ARES logo

What:   Net Control Station Operator Training Workshop

Date:   Saturday, February 1, 2025

Time:   0830 – 1200  

Place: Newington Volunteer Fire Dept. – Company #1, 1485 Main Street, (Cross Street: Centerwood Road), Newington,  CT

The ARRL CT Section is excited to announce its upcoming, in-person, Net Control Station (NCS) Operator Training Workshop.

Target Audience:
Members of ARES*, Skywarn, the National Traffic System (NTS), and other Hams wanting to build more skills.

–  This comprehensive, fast paced, hands-on workshop is designed to not only to give attendees the foundational training they need to start conducting a Radio Net successfully, but also to provide “a refresher” for experienced Net Control Station Operators.

Be Part of our NCS Operator Team!

Don’t Miss it!

REGISTER TODAY at:  https://tinyurl.com/mw9e6und

Pre-Workshop Reading Assignment

Please read “The First 15 Minutes” presentation, and write down your observations.

We will begin the Workshop with a discussion of what happened, focusing on:
The Good, The Bad, and THE UGLY.

LINK: https://tinyurl.com/yc5erdcm

 

Note:

* ARES members

This workshop prepare you for the ARES Emergency Communicator Individual Task Book – Level 2 Participation requirement: “Serve as Net Control”

 

Western MA ARES Simulated Emergency Test, November 10, 2024

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WMA Section logoFrom wma.arrl.org:

The Western Massachusetts Section will be holding a Simulated Emergency Test next month.  The tentative date is Sunday, 10 November though that is subject to change.  The test will involve stations reporting damage after a severe storm and flooding.

Further information will follow on the WMA ARES email list and on normally scheduled WMA ARES nets.

Thanks and 73,
Chuck Chandler WS1L
WMA ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Connecticut Section Simulated Emergency Test, October 26, 2024

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CT ARES logoPhil Crombie, K1XFC, writes:
 
As I’ve been announcing on the Sunday night analog and DMR ARES nets, the Connecticut SET will take place on Saturday October 26 from 0900 to 1200 hours.  The purpose of the SET is to engage as many ARES members as possible in testing their emergency communications capabilities.  We do this following a probable scenario that could impact Connecticut.  Last year was a hurricane with information that built up during the week before the test.  On SET Saturday we tested VHF, UHF, HF and digital communications modes.  We also activated a number of local EOCs.  Details on this years scenario will be provided as we get closer to October 26; thirty days from today.
 
The purpose of this email is to get the event on your calendars and to encourage everyone to set aside the time to participate.
 
More information to follow.

73,
Phil Crombie, Jr., K1XFC
Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC)
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
Connecticut Section
Cell: 860-338-6332
crombiejr@snet.net

CNHARC Receives Repeater System Donation

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CNH ARC bannerCNHARC President Rick Zach, KK1RZ, writes:
 
[The Central New Hampshire Amateur Radio Club] has received a donation of a replacement UHF repeater system at the summit of Gunstock. Thank you K1IW!
 
In fact, all three CNHARC Gunstock repeater systems are being completely replaced in a phased in approach,  6m, 2m & UHF.
 
Part of that system replacement  includes a simplex, frequency-agile 2m “remote base”.  These are very popular in California but are somewhat new to the New England mindset.  I am aware that ARES has been looking for a central high site for simplex use to connect to other state regions during past drills.
 
That remote-base capability will exist within the next month or so with more technical details to follow. But in a nutshell, once activated on demand, the state net control station only accesses the 2m remote base via UHF as required by FCC rules. This will be a hub and spoke system with all area representatives of the state communicating to net control on 2m simplex using your pre-arranged ARES simplex freq as you always have in the past. The end user experience  is not changed.  The only operational difference is that the “high site” is now VERY high. So this in no way changes your statewide simplex model.
 
You can use the Gunstock 2m repeater (recently replaced) to roughly gauge the coverage of the 2m remote base.  
 
146.985 -600  PL-123.0
 
Please send me your ARES 2m simplex frequencies of choice so that we may program the 2m remote base accordingly.  
 
===============
 
CNHARC has 100% new leadership with a very different, open culture. In fact we call it “CNHARC 2.0” and the remote base is part of that new culture.