MARS / Amateur Interoperability Nets Starting The Week of April 7, 2021

MARS logoTo: All New England Amateur Radio Operators

Starting this week, on April 7 and for the first week of every month going forward, US Army Auxiliary Radio System members will conduct nets on 60 meters channel 1 (5.3305 MHz) with the goal of exercising the mission of MARS to Amateur interoperation.

These Nets will start at 8pm local time on April 7, for one hour and will repeat on Friday April 9 and be run by MARS Stations in Region One. On April 8 and 10 at 8pm ET the nets will be run by MARS stations in Region 2 and 4, but also encourage Amateur Radio check ins.

In addition, on Thursday April 8, Friday April 9 and Saturday April 10, nets will be conducted at noon ET, with NCS in New England.

All amateur stations with 60 meter capability and the time are asked to check in and participate in these nets. The goal of these nets is to train MARS stations with Amateur Radio stations on 60 meter channels. Initially, these nets will just involve check ins, but over time, we will practice ICS-213 messages on these nets in both voice and digital methods. The nets will last 1 hour.

 

Net Time Wednesday April 7 Thursday April 8 Friday April 9 Saturday April 10
Noon local No Net MARS /Amateur Interop Net MARS /Amateur Interop Net MARS /Amateur Interop Net
8pm Local MARS /Amateur Interop Net NCS Region 2 MARS /Amateur Interop Net NCS Region 2

 

These Nets will repeat in the first week of each month.

If you have questions, please let me know.

Tom Kinahan

U.S. Army Military Auxiliary Radio System
Region One Director
tom.kinahan@verizon.net
 

Western MA ARES Seeks Volunteers for Simulated Emergency Test (SET) Exercise, May 2021

WMA ARES logoWestern Massachusetts Section Emergency Coordinator Bob Meneguzzo, K1YO, has announced plans to hold a section-wide Simulated Emergency Test (SET) early in May. Volunteers with HF and VHF capabilities are being sought. 

For full details, see <https://wma.arrl.org/blog/2021/03/13/western-massachusetts-ares-looking-for-help-in-simulated-emergency-test-set-exercises/>.

 

2021 National Weather Service Boston Virtual SKYWARN Training Sessions Announced

SKYWARN logoDue to COVID-19 concerns, SKYWARN Training classes will again be held virtually in 2021. SKYWARN Training sessions will occur on three weeknights and two weekends in April and May. The weeknight sessions will be taught by NWS forecasters and the weekend sessions taught by Amateur Radio operators.

[Full story]

KD1OM Appointed as Maine Section Emergency Coordinator

Maine iconRobert Gould, N1WJO, writes:

I am pleased to announce that Steve Jordan, KD1OM, has accepted the position as Section Emergency Coordinator for Maine. Please welcome him aboard in his new position.

Steve will be a great asset for the State of Maine. He comes from some great knowledge of communications having been in the police department. With Steve’s guidance I am sure that Maine’s amateur communications will become strong and be set for years to come.

SKYWARN Certification Class at Newport County (RI) Radio Club, February 8, 2021

SKYWARN logoThe Newport County (RI) Radio Club, along with RI ARES, are pleased to offer a full SKYWARN Certification class, presented by Rob Macedo, KD1CY, who is the ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Boston/Norton, Massachusetts.  This class will take two hours to complete.  Please note, even if you have been certified in the past, it is recommended that you repeat the class every 2-3 years.

The class will begin at 7:30 PM on February 8th.  There is no charge for the class, but you must register beforehand.  Please register using this link as quickly as possible as space is limited:  https://forms.gle/uUHducXbJDjswCFeA.

“I have sent invitations to all our club members, as well as RI ARES, and 31 people have signed up for the class so far,” writes Newport County RC President Bob Beatty, WB4SON. “We are now happy to open up the class to others, but are limited to only 100 participants for our Zoom meeting.  […] I believe we can allow another 50 people to join the meeting.”
 

Eastern Massachusetts ARES Exercise – “Operation Frozen Days” – Saturday 2/6/21 – 1000 AM-1200 PM EDT

EMA ARES logoThe Eastern MA Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) will conduct an exercise in conjunction with the Cape Cod ARES exercise Operation “Frozen Days” on February 6, 2021 from 10 AM to 12 Noon (setup to start at 830-9 AM where needed) to test its capability in establishing communications with stations inside and outside of the section. Operation “Frozen Days” will attempt to build upon the lessons learned from past operational exercises.

The exercise scenario involves a series of coastal storms battering Cape Cod and the Islands with winds over 90 MPH over several storms. Eventually, hundreds of thousands of people in Eastern Massachusetts are left without power due to this series of coastal storms. [Full story]

Hearty New Englanders Brave the Cold for 2021 Winter Field Day

Winter Field Day Association logoAmateurs from across New England are braving record cold temperatures this weekend to participate in the annual Winter Field Day event–like Jay Hoisington, KB1RZA, who writes on the Connecticut Valley FM Association list:

“Any Brave souls going to set up for Winter Field Day 2021? I plan on taking a stab at 1-O , battery power this afternoon.  I’ll be heading out to set up in awhile.   It is going to be a chilly one.  It is an Even 0.0 F here on top of the hill right now. A bit of an improvement from -4 F  at 5:30AM this morning.  Wind chill advisory until 11AM. Wind is calm here for the moment but forecasted to be N-NW at 5-10MPH.  Bundle up!”

Greater Bridgeport (CT) ARC QRV for Winter Field Day 2021

Winter Field Day Association logoGBARC President Emily Clarke, N1DID, writes:

This weekend is Winter Field Day, and all GBARC members are eligible to participate from their home QTH.  All hams from Extra to Technician can make contacts and contribute to the overall GBARC Score on many different bands and modes.

I’ve done a complete write-up and you can read all you need to know to get started on the GBARC Winter Field Day page

I am also offering to loan my Xeigu G-90 and a 40m dipole that will let you get on 40 and 15 meters.  If you are a technician and adventurous you can use this radio to try out operating CW.   Contact me if you are interested in borrowing it – first come first served.

Winter Field Day starts tomorrow at 2pm local time, and will run through 2pm on Sunday.

Cheers,

Emily N1DID

Winter Field Day/Parks On The Air Event, Lincoln Woods State Park, R.I., January 30, 2021

Sean McGrath, W1SMM writes:

RI ARES Winter Field Day

Saturday January 30th and Sunday January 31st

Lincoln Woods State Park

Main Beach Parking Lot.

Address:  2 Les Pawson Loop, Lincoln, RI 02865

Saturday:  Set-up starting at 10am. After set-up, we will operate as a Parks on the Air Station K-2878 until the official start of Winter Field Day at 2pm.  We will run as the Winter Field Day Station until the Park Closes around sunset.

Sunday:  Set-up starting at 9am. After set-up, we will operate as the Winter Field Day Station until 2pm, which is the official end of Winter Field Day. We can then continue operating as a Parks on the Air Station K-2878 until the park closes around sunset. 

Email w1smm@arrl.net to advise what day/time you will arrive, and how long you will stay.

map of Lincoln Woods State Park, R.I.

Winter Field Day, January 30-31, 2021

Winter Field Day Association logoWe encourage all New England clubs and groups to participate in the 2021 Winter Field Day, January 30-31, 2021. From WinterFieldDay.com:

Winter Field Day Association (WFDA) is a dedicated group of Amateur Radio Operators who believe that emergency communications in a winter environment is just as important as the preparations and practice that is done each summer but with some additional unique operational concerns.

 We believe as do those entities of ARRL Organizations like ARES & RACES that maintaining your operational skills should not be limited to fair weather scenarios. The addition of Winter Field Day will enhance those already important skills of those that who generously volunteer their time and equipment to these organizations. This is why WFD is open to all licensed amateur radio operators worldwide.

 Disasters are unpredictable by nature and can strike when you least expect them. WFDA’s goal is to help enhance your skills and ready you for all environmental conditions found in the US and Canada during the spring, summer, fall and winter Preparedness is the key to a professional and timely response during any event and this is what local and state authorities are expecting when they reach  out to the emergency service groups that offer their services.

 If you are serious about emergency communications as we are; we welcome you to join us for our yearly event. We are sure you will find this event a pleasant change and challenge to that of a normal summer time field day.