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NH Simulated Emergency Test, November 4, 2023

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ARES logoDave Colter, WA1ZCN, writes on Twin State Radio Club mailing list:

The NH-AREs Simulated Emergency Test (SET) is scheduled for next Saturday, November 4, from 8am to 1pm. However, the actual time commitment is minimal.

If you didn’t see the original announcement several weeks ago (attached,) we’re doing a re-run of last year’s 1938 hurricane-based SET with a small expansion. For purposes of this exercise, we’re assuming that all repeaters are down, and that HF conditions are poor. That leaves us with mostly 2m simplex operations on 146.51 (no tone) which can require “high-point” relay stations, both for local coverage and a path to the State EOC (SEOC) and Red Cross in Concord. This year, we’re primarily concerned with the paths to the Bow Relay point on Quimby Hill in Bow, which has a commanding “view” of the capital region and points east and south, and seems to work well for long-haul paths (not Coos, of course.)

We have a state-wide list of known sites that have proven to have a path to Bow Relay, or have that potential. We are looking for even more sites, because you never know which ones will be accessible after a major hurricane. Attachment K, High Point Relay, is attached.

I’d like West Central ARES members to test all the sites on the list in in our area, as well as identify others. All this requires is attempting to contact Bow Relay (tactical call) from that location during the SET, which should only require a few minutes. If you live near one of these sites, of know of one with a good long eastern view (even your own home!,) please let me know. (We have a preference for “drive up” sites rather than “hike-in” for obvious reasons.) Just make contact with Bow Relay, and report the signal quality to me. I tested Bly Hill in Newbury last year, so I won’t be trying that one again.

Be aware that “hidden transmitter” syndrome will be a big issue with every active group in the state trying to reach Bow Relay as they test various sites. Listen for a while to be sure Pete W1FEA at Bow Relay isn’t talking to anyone else.

We’re a small group, so we need as many folks as possible to lend a hand with this test. If you have questions or site ideas you want to talk about, send me a note. Hope to hear you on the air!

73

Dave Colter WA1ZCN
Interim EC – West Central NH ARES
ASEC, Training – NH-ARES
www.nh-ares.org
Hamshack Hotline: Ext. 4806
DHS SHARES: NNA1DC

CT ARES Region 2 Drill, November 11, 2023

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Douglas Sharafanowich,WA1SFH, writes on the ct-ares list:

Hello CT ARES members in REGION 2:

We will be holding a FUN FALL Drill in 2 Weeks.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR for:

DATE:  Saturday – Nov. 11

WHAT:  A “DAM” Drill

HOURS:  1030 – 1200

More information about this “DAM” Drill is available at:
http://www.ctaresregion2.org/events/a-dam-drill/9045/?filter_reset=1

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73, Douglas Sharafanowich – WA1SFH
ARES District Emergency Coordinator (DEC)
Region 2 – Connecticut Section
email: wa1sfh “at” arrl “dit” net

ARRL Section Youth Coordinator – Connecticut Section
email: connecticutSYC “at” gmail “dit” com

ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR: “What’s New at ARRL” at Billerica (MA) ARS Meeting Online, November 1, 2023

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Billerica ARS logoFrom ema.arrl.org:

Doug Bruce, N1WRN, writes in the Billerica ARS November newsletter:

I am pleased to announce that our guest speaker for the November 1, 2023, club meeting via Zoom will be none other than Rick Roderick, K5UR, the current President of the ARRL!

Rick will give a talk on what’s new at the ARRL and will share valuable insights on our great hobby. You will definitely want to make sure and attend this Zoom Presentation to be given by a true pioneer in ham radio!

[For Zoom conference details, email Bruce Anderson, W1LUS, at w1lus -at- hotmail -dot- com.]

 

Nashua Area Radio Society Ham Bootcamp Online, November 11, 2023

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Nashua Area Radio Society QSL/logoThe Nashua Area Radio Society (NARS) will host their Ham Bootcamp program on November 11, 2023, from 10 AM to 6 PM ET. This program includes a series of online demonstrations and tutorials designed to help newly licensed Technician, General, and Amateur Extra class license holders get on the air. It’s available to all licensed and prospective amateur radio operators.

Visit NARS’s Ham Bootcamp program web page to register and for additional information.

Maine Simulated Emergency Test Status

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Maine iconKeith Anoe, KE4UCW, writes on the Maine-Section ARES RACES mailing list:

Good morning all from Lisbon. We currently intend to hold the SET as planned.

With that said, be safe and follow all local guidance regarding to your safety. We plan for emergencies and hope to support our local agencies.

At this time, the Androscoggin ARES/RACES will operate from home. Please check with your team’s leadership on how to contribute to your team’s safely and SET.

If you feel that you cant participate that is totally exemptible, I ask that you let you leadership know.

The last thing—if you need something let someone know to include me. There is nothing wrong with asking; simply help each other.

Stay safe all!!

VR
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Maine Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC)
https://groups.io/g/MaineSection-ARES-RACES/messages
Androscoggin County Emergency Coordinator (EC)
keith@anoe.us
(207)629-7197

60m Band Proposed Changes—File Your Comments with FCC!

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Recently, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) which effects Amateur Radio use of the 60m band.  The FCC proposes to allocate 15 kHz of contiguous bandwidth between 5351.5 – 5366.5 kHz on a secondary basis with a maximum power of 15 W EIRP (equivalent to 9.15 W ERP). This allocation was adopted at the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15).

The NPRM leaves open the question of whether the existing five 60m channels can still be used for Amateur Radio operation as well as if the 100w power level may still be used.

The FCC has requested comments relative to existing channel and power issue.

In 2017, the ARRL petitioned the FCC to keep the four 60-meter channels that fall outside the new band, as well as the current operating rules, including the 100 W ERP limit.

We need as many amateurs as possible to comment on this NPRM and urge the FCC to keep 1) the four existing channels and 2) the 100 w power limit.

Comments are due by October 30th, 2023 – ET Docket No. 23-120.

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/standard

60 spectrum chart, present and proposed

Western Massachusetts ARES To Hold Annual Simulated Emergency Test, October 21-22, 2023

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WMA ARES logoThe Western Massachusetts Amateur Radio Emergency Service will hold its 2023 Simulated Emergency Test from 10:00 AM on Saturday, 21 October to 10:00 AM on Sunday, 22 October 2023.  ARES members will attempt to receive and report airport weather information to the Department of Defense via the US Army Military Affiliate Radio System.   [Details]

RadioCraft Mod a Big Hit at HamXposition

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Minecraft imageGeorge Allison, K1IG, writes:
 
Minecraft is the largest selling video game of all time with over 240 million copies sold, and it’s estimated that there are over 140 million active players world-wide, most of whom are under the age of 21. Thanks to a grant from the ARRL Foundation, Lucas, W1BTR, and the Police Amateur Radio Team (PART) of Westford, MA, have undertaken a project to incorporate ham radio functionality into the game; essentially to build a “ham radio simulator” that players can install as a game modification (the Radiocraft mod) and then use to build radios and antennas and make voice and CW contacts in the game with other players. 
 
The project started in January, 2023, with the hiring of a professional coding team, and over the ensuing months, radios, antennas, solar panels, batteries, and even a solar weather station were developed and tested. Lucas debuted the project at the Northeast HamXposition in Marlborough, MA, in August 2023, with a capabilities presentation, an installation workshop, and a day-long demonstration in the lobby of the HamXposition site where attendees could actually play Minecraft with the ham radio mod on three computers. 
 
Those three events, the presentation, workshop, and online demonstration, were notable because of the ages of the attendees; the average ages were about 18, and several were as young as eight, and included both boys and girls. Instead of parents bringing their kids to a ham radio show, the kids were excitedly escorting their parents to the Radiocraft events and learning how they could use ham radio to enhance their favorite game.
 
The lobby demonstration was continually active with youngsters playing the game, and notably, without any instruction. They were able to use the gaming skills they already had to build working radios and antennas, while most of the parents just watched in awe. Attendees of all ages were enthusiastic about the project. Lucas and his team look forward to appearing at the 2024 HamXposition with a larger display and presentation.
 
At this time, development of the project continues, and a small group of players is presently testing the mod before it goes into general release later this year. Final checks include searching for program bugs and polishing the user interfaces. When the mod is released it will be a free download and documentation will include links to ARRL and licensing information.
 

Rhode Island ARES & MARS SET Underway

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From ri-arrl.org:

The October ARES Simulated Emergency Test (SET) is a longstanding ARRL opportunity for Sections to come together and evaluate how hams can contribute value to statewide preparedness efforts. Are we organized, reliable, disciplined? A supportive and inclusive team able to problem solve in real time, and collaborate with a sincere interest to provide a public service? Is this a team served agencies can trust to turn to?

Each July QST issue has, for decades, highlighted each Section ARES and other teams that have come together to participate in the annual October SET challenge. It is one measure of a Section’s preparedness maturity to be able to follow up in this way and self-report their own progress year over year.  RI ARES has not been in a place to report results for at least a decade. But the good news is that is changing in October 2023.

The RI ARES official SET started this Saturday October 21 and will run until Sunday at 10pm. We held two nets so far this weekend, with this summary of Saturday reports to date:

  • 15 check-ins
  • 8 airport weather traffic reports for 4 RI airports
  • accurately passed to at least 2 MARS members
  • via 80m and 2m voice, and so open to all license classes,
  • including a new Technician ham licensed less than 2 months. (wow!)

The Sunday SET nets will begin October 22nd at Noon, with the last one at 10pm.

Want to join the momentum? Please see RIARES.org and the Incident Action Plan put together by A-SEC, Jeremy Taylor, K1JST.

For more on the Practice Exercise held  two weeks ago , please see: