Serving ARRL members who reside in the New England sections
From wma.arrl.org:
The Western Massachusetts section of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service will hold their 2023 Simulated Emergency Test from 10:00 AM local time on Saturday, 21 October to 10:00 AM local time on Sunday, 22 October 2023. This test will involve ARES members attempting to receive and report airport weather information to the Department of Defense via the US Army Military Affiliate Radio System. [Full story]
Rhode Island ARES will participate in a Simulated Emergency Test and the “Communications Exercise 23-04 Airport Weather Report” conducted by the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) on October 7-8, 2023.RI ARES members will attempt to receive local airport weather broadcasts in the VHF-AM Aviation Band from 119-136 MHz. A list of local airport weather frequencies will be provided. Members may elect to establish a temporary station at an advantageous position in order to improve their chances of receiving one or more airports.
Members who are able to receive these reports will transcribe the weather reports so that they may be reported to US Army MARS.
Members who are unable to receive airport weather reports are requested to report that fact, along with their location, in order to alert authorities to any airports that may not be operational or that may have degraded weather reporting capabilities.
ARES members will check in to local ARES nets to pass the weather reports to any MARS station on the Net, or to Net Control who will aggregate these into a book of messages that can be passed to US Army MARS stations. Members may also send these reports via WinLink at any time during the exercise period. Members may alternatively complete a google form with the information.
Maine SEC Keith Anoe, KE4UCW, writes on the MaineSection-ARES-RACES list:
Good evening, all, I hope this messages finds you well and ready.
With the approach of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Lee the Maine Emergency Communication Net (MECN) will be activated and have its first net at 08:00hrs and then on the hour as needed.
Please remember that the primary purpose of any MECN is to facilitate “Emergency Communications” for supported agencies, i.e., between the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and a County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), EMA to EMA, or any other first responder agency Fire or Police Departments etc.
The secondary purpose is to facilitate information ARES/RACES Groups and supported agencies, ARES/RACES members and the public.
All Nets will be opened with request for ARES/RACES group repressive or supported agency, then other stations. Message traffic and status or information will be requested from the ARES/RACES group repressive or supported agency. After they have provided their status and/or information, the NCS will provide them with the opportunity to secure from the net. The intent is to give them the opportunity to return to their duty supporting their group. They do not need to secure, just be given the opportunity. Then the remainder of the net roster will be provided with the opportunity to provide information to the net.
We encourage participation that is short and to the point during emergency activation. We also encourage that you send any appropriate reports to your local town or county for action for processing and action.
Everyone stay safe
—
Maine Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC)
https://groups.io/g/MaineSection-ARES-RACES/messages
Androscoggin County Emergency Coordinator (EC)
keith@anoe.us
(207)629-7197
Hello, Section Managers, Section Emergency Coordinators, and Public Information Coordinators in the ARRL Connecticut, Eastern Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and Vermont Sections.
ARRL Headquarters is coordinating closely with our partners in hurricane response for any anticipated activation of amateur radio operators surrounding Hurricane Lee.
It is important for ARRL to be able to share with the larger amateur radio community and the general public what hams are doing to serve in the face of this storm.
Please include news@arrl.org in your internal and external communications about the event. It will help us keep track of what is going on out in the individual sections and to help tell that story, as appropriate.
Share with us news of preparation and activities that support readiness for activation, and especially word of actual activations.
We strongly encourage you to send any photos or video clips that you’re able to share from your preparation or activation.
Please only share visual assets that you have permission for ARRL to publish.
Thank you for the work you do to advance ARRL and amateur radio. Please stay safe if the storm does impact your area. ARRL HQ staff is here to assist, should you have any needs.
PICs, I can generate media contact lists for your areas, if you need.
73,
Sierra Harrop, W5DX
she/her/hers
Public Relations and Outreach Manager
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio®
225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1400 USA
O: (860) 594-0289
sharrop@arrl.org
www.arrl.org
linktr.ee/sierraharrop
Douglas Sharafanowich, WA1SFH, writes:
If you have General/Advanced/Extra Class HF privileges, you are invited to join us for this Connecticut STATEWIDE Radio Event.
WHAT: HF NVIS “Warm-Up” 2023
DATE: Saturday – September 16, 2023.
TIMES:
TEST #1: 75m phone @ 0800 hrs. on 3.965 MHz (+/-)
TEST #2: 40m phone @ 1100 hrs. on 7.280 MHz {+/-)
Information about HF NVIS “Warm-Up” 2023 at:
https://www.ctaresregion2.org/events/ct-ares-statewide-nvis-tests-75m-40m/9032/?filter_reset=1
YOUR Participation Matters.
Why? Great Question!
We are looking to see how well HF NVIS works across the State of Connecticut. And, we need a lot of stations participating (that’s YOU). With sufficient data (Signal Reports) from a bunch of stations across the state, we can get a better idea of how well this works and where the problems might be.
GET “READY” and STAY “RADIO ACTIVE!”
Have FUN with HF NVIS “Warm-Up” 2023
Good News
We now have about 1.5 weeks left to GET “READY” for this HF NVIS event.
Step 1
REGISTER to PARTICIPATE
This will help me immensely to prepare for the event.
Send an email to:
WA1SFH “aT” Optimum “diT” net
Step 2
Learn about NVIS and the types of antennas that work for HF NVIZ communications.
For more HF NVIS information
You will find HF NVIS related videos and articles at the link below that will help you learn about HF NVIS communications and present ideas for antennas to use and/or build.
LINK: https://www.ctaresregion2.org/forum/nvis
Step 3
Get your Gear “READY”
– HF Radio, NVIS Antenna/s, Coax, Antenna Supports, Etc.) for this event.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What is Douglas, WA1SFH doing to GET “READY”?
a) For this event, I am duplicating the simple dipole design for 75m and 40m antennas and installation as discussed in the video W0SV Club: NVIS Presentation (see link above).
BTW: I have obtained a working copy of the presenter’s Excel Spreadsheet.
With this Spreadsheet, you enter the Frequency you want to use, and it gives you a starting place with: key information about antenna lengths, heights about ground, and reflector lengths for that frequency.
– If you want it, please let me know and I will be happy to send it to you.
b) Got to scout around for a local Operating Site
Since my house does not have enough open land to run the 75m NVIS antenna and I have an S-7 noise level at home, I will need to “Go Portable”.
– I already have my eye on a local park where I can set up before 8 am.
YOU Make it Happen!
JOIN US for a FUN Time with HF NVIS “Warm-Up” 2023
SEE YOU “ON THE AIR”!
73,
Douglas Sharafanowich – WA1SFH
District Emergency Coordinator,
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
Connecticut Section – Region 2
Cell: 203-494-3885
Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator Stu Solomon, W1SHS, writes:
Eastern MA Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, writes on Facebook:
We conducted Cape and Islands ARES Exercise 78 on Saturday. We had our big mast up for VHF and it didn’t disappoint. HF had its challenges, but some of our other sites had some better luck. We had great turn out at our Mid Cape field site…..Thanks to all who participated at all our sites and at home/mobile.
Join us for the next NE-ECAPS (New England EmComm And Public Service) meeting this Thursday, July 13 at 8:00 PM, hosted by Jack Ciaccia, WMØG, Assistant Director for Emergency Communication and Public Service.
One of the most critical functions that ARES provides is situational awareness. And one of the tools to provide this vital information that we can use is Amateur Television (ATV)/Digital Television (DTV). Tonight’s presentation will be “ATV and Public Service.” Our guest speaker will be Jim Andrews, KH6HTV. Jim is one of the most knowledgeable persons on the subject, both as an ATV/DTV equipment developer and an experienced ARES member.
Maine ASM Cory Golob, KU1U, writes:
Mesh Network Communication Update 4
Monday June 5, 2023
Bill NG1P went to Blackstrap Mountain in Falmouth on Thursday June 1, 2023 to get the site online. The Switch and Point-to-Point dish were installed. The dish is pointing at Brunswick, however, they are not optimized at the moment. The connection will be improved when the smaller
lightweight dish for Brunswick comes in.
The key task is making sure we do not have to visit sites more than once (to keep costs down). We do not have permission to install panel antennas at the moment, only an agreement in place is to install one antenna. Waiting for approval on panel antennas.
The Falmouth Site is operational and shows up on the Mesh dashboard, however, signal strength will be low until equipment comes in for Brunswick.
Lightweight Dishes are expected to arrive at the end of June. The Rocket Radios are not due to arrive until September.
The next step will be to start making a path from Brunswick to either Litchfield or Wales, depending on which site makes it easier to approve getting equipment installed. Talks are being held to use the Litchfield site.
The green light has been given to build the connection between Dixmont to Dedham.
Bill NG1P has submitted an invoice for the tower work done on Blackstrap in Falmouth and is pending payment from MARF. There is a major concern about the tower costs. When quotes were obtained it was $100 per hour once the climber arrived on scene plus travel costs, but the travel cost on the initial bill showed the $100 per hour as part of travel time. The grant will not be sustainable for the project at this rate. If anyone knows of insured climbers that can keep the costs more in line with what was quoted, please contact me.
We are also seeking assistance from people who can help out going to tower sites and assist with installation and also those who are interested in helping with the programming of equipment. Please let me know if you are interested, or know somebody, who may be interested in these duties. This should not be a one person job and it would be nice to see the community pitch in to offer technical assistance.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cory Golob
