Eastern Massachusetts ARRL

K1UN-Joseph Fratto – USCG Coast Guard Auxiliary & FCC General Radiotelephone Operator writes:

The USCG Auxiliary Division 5 / 12 Radio net was held Sunday 8 DEC 24 at 1030 hrs.

Check Ins: Radio Roslindale
Radio Wilmington
Radio Winthrop
Mobile 5F
Mobile 5G

Net Control: Radio Waltham NCS

Traffic: Traffic consisted of radio checks this morning. Just a reminder that if the
weather conditions warrant we will be activating our SKYWARN net on
the Roslindale repeater. Stations are encouraged to check in and report
weather conditions and other happenings. (wires down or trees down and
power outages etc.)

The theme of this week’s net is safety when handling Christmas decorations.
Whether indoors or outside, be careful and use caution. Remember that the
Christmas lights we handle can shock and kill you when defective or not
handled and set up properly.

Our Ham Radio Auxiliary Net we sponsor on the MMRA network is going well.
The following stations checked into the net this morning.

N1DFL
KA1CUH
KB1WGK
N1GWY
KC1VJH
K1HGT
N1MSK
KC1VHN
W1JVC
KB1MWD
KC1ULA
KC1PFF
W1JDZ
KA1GFN
K1UN Net Control Sta.

Please pass the word around to other members that the Auxiliary Radio net
is held weekly at 1100 hrs. on the MMRA network. Please join in, all you need
is a Ham Radio callsign. This is a wide area network so most stations will be
able to access the network. You can even hear it on your scanner. Please tune
into 146.82 or 146.79 Mhz and you will hear us.

The MMRA is sponsoring an “Elmer Training Session” this Wednesday evening
on Zoom Net. The Elmer net will be once a month and it will be manned by Ham
radio experts and engineers. They will answer and explain any radio related
questions. Please look up mmra.org to get the sign on Zoom link information. This
elmer net is open to all and has been very well received as an excellent source of
knowledge. The best part is it’s free.

There are numerous sites online that offer free tutoring to obtain your entry level
Technician class Ham radio license. It is easier than ever to take the FCC exam
to get licensed. Equipment to get on the air is now very inexpensive to buy.

Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License

The USCG Auxiliary combined Divisions 5 / 12 Radio Net was held this Sunday 1 DEC 24 at 1015 hrs.

Check Ins: Radio Wilmington
Radio Winthrop
Radio Roslindale
Mobile 5F
Mobile 5G

Net Control: Radio Waltham

Traffic: Radio traffic was limited. With the talk of inclement weather remember the SKYWARN weather
net will activate on the Roslindale repeater if needed. In conversation with NWS personnel we
will offer a SKYWARN training class around April for members on Zoom.

There are still openings to assist and work at the upcoming Boat Show. Please contact your FC
or Don Zidik directly to volunteer.

Hope everyone ate well on this Thanksgiving Holiday. Jim Healy is still on Sick Leave Roster we
hope he is feeling better. The Auxiliary Net on the MMRA network is still going strong. The following
stations checked in this morning:

WB1EMS
W1ATO
K1UVH
KA1CUH
KB1WGK
W1JVC
KS1E
K1KWP
N1DFL
KC1VJH
K1HGT
N1MSK
W2KER
N1OSG
KB1MWD
KC1DKW
KB1OQA
KC1VHN
K1UN Net Control Station

Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License

The Boston Marathon Communications Committee writes:

Volunteer registration for the 2025 Boston Marathon is expected to open on Monday, December 9th. Returning volunteers will receive an email from the BAA that includes registration instructions. In order to make registration as smooth as possible, we are providing specific instructions for our Amateur Radio Operator (ARO) volunteers.

If you haven’t previously volunteered, or have a friend who would like to volunteer, please go directly to the Volunteer Registration page and follow the instructions for new volunteers.

Step by Step Sign Up Guide:
https://hamradioboston.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/44002570599-2025-volunteer-registration-step-by-step-guide

A few notes for volunteers:

Almost all amateur radio positions are single person assignments. We are not able to group people on a single assignment, but we will try to accommodate which segment you are assigned to in order to allow for similar start/end times.

Do you want to run Boston?

In recognition of the contribution the Amateur Radio Communications team provides to the Boston Marathon every year, the BAA has granted us an invitational bib to be awarded to one of our volunteers! Here’s how it works:

Applicants must be Boston Marathon volunteers who have served on the Amateur Radio Communications Team in at least one (1) of the most recent three (3) Boston Marathons.

Applicants must agree that if selected, they will pay the applicable entry fee ($375) to the BAA.

Applicants must agree to comply with all terms and conditions set by the BAA.

Applicants must be capable of completing the Boston Marathon within the allotted time.

Applicants must hold a valid Amateur Radio license (of any class) issued by the FCC (or regulatory body in the applicant’s home country) at the time of application.

Applicants must be eligible to participate in BAA events.

The Amateur Radio Communications Committee will utilize the following criteria to determine how the Invitational Entry will be awarded:

All interested eligible parties must fill out the linked Google Form to express their interest

Applications must be received by January 3, 2025.

All applicants will be entered into a random drawing for the Invitational Entry following the application deadline.

The selected applicant will be notified by email by January 6, and is required to formally respond and accept within seven (7) calendar days. If after seven days, the selected applicant has not accepted the Invitational Entry, that applicant’s Entry will become void and a second drawing will be held for the Entry to be reassigned.

Following receipt of an Invitational Entry from the Amateur Radio Communications Team, recipients will be ineligible to receive this Invitational Entry again until the fourth Boston Marathon following their award.

Help us get the word out by forwarding this email to your club and other amateur radio operators who might wish to volunteer. Most volunteers first learn about the event through word of mouth. If you know new licensees who might like to join us, please make sure to let them know about it. Even just a quick mention at your club meeting can be a big help!

If you have any questions about the upcoming volunteer registration period, the invitational amateur radio bib program, or the 2025 Marathon in general, please get in touch anytime. Volunteering at the Marathon is a big job and we appreciate the time and effort everyone puts into it. We’re happy to do what we can to make your work fun, comfortable, and effective.

We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Thank you, and 73,

Boston Marathon Communications Committee
contact@HamRadioBoston.org

Good Evening,

On Saturday December 7, 2024 the South Shore Hospital Amateur Radio Group will hold an Eastern MA Hospital Net commencing at 10:00AM.

We realize that some locations, individuals, and groups may be subject to COVID restrictions. We encourage everyone who is affected by these restrictions to utilize their home or mobile stations to check into the net if possible. Even if you cannot reach all the systems being used, please check-in on those you can.

We will use the following repeaters in the order listed.

1. West Bridgewater repeater 146.775 dcs 244
2. Dartmouth Repeater 147.000 tone 67.0
3. DMR -Talkgroup 8851 Time Slot :1 on the following NEDECN repeaters: Boston 449.175 -5.M CC:1, Hingham 146.430 -1.5M CC:1, Sagamore 145.200 – 0.6M CC:10, Dennis 146.470 -1.5M CC:11, East Falmouth 145.210 -0.600 CC:9, Martha’s Vineyard145.180 -0.600 CC:10, and Walpole 145.380 -0.600 CC:12.
4. Sharon Repeater 146.8655 tone 103.5
5. Simplex 147.420

We will then return to the West Bridgewater Repeater for Net closing.

NET Protocol: Please wait for Net Control to ask for Check-ins. When asked to check in please use the standard net check-in procedure which is: Here is.., un-key, wait 3 seconds to check for doubling, then give your or your facilities call sign, your first name, and your facility’s name.

We extend an invitation to any health care facility, EOC of any city or town as well as RACES or ARES members to check in during the NET.

We are always looking for groups or organizations to try their hand at Net Control duties. If you are interested in trying your hand at Net Control please let us know. We can be reached by sending an email to ssharg@outlook.com or replying to this message. The goal is to rotate Net Control practice and the experience among as many individuals and groups as possible.

We thank the repeater trustees for their generosity in allowing us to conduct these monthly nets and the use of their systems in an actual event.

We hope to hear you Saturday.

73,

Jeff N1SOM and the South Shore Hospital Group W1SSH

Hello to all…

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday weekend and we are thankful for your support of Eastern Massachusetts, ARES, SKYWARN, RACES and public service! The December Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday December 2nd, 2024 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.

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:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have several announcements for the net including SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) 2024 information which is on Saturday 12/7/24 – 0000-2400 UTC (Friday Evening 12/6/24 7 PM EST-Saturday Evening 12/7/24 at 7PM EST) and volunteer registration for the 2025 Boston Marathon will be opening on Monday 12/9/24.

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
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Don Rolph, AB1PH, Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:

The MEMA RACES nets are held on the first Monday of the month, unless the first Monday is a holiday, when it is delayed one week, For Dec 2024, the MEMA RACES nets will be held on Mon Dec 2 at:

********************************************************************************
80 meter Voice net
6:45 PM
Frequency: 3930 KHz working up until the first free frequency
Jeff N1JCM will be net control

*********************************************************************************
Region 2D VHF net:
7:30 PM ET VHF net on 146.865 MHz PL 103.5 (Sharon Repeater)
We will have a general call up of any RACES, ARES, or other interested stations. If there is time, we will have a simplex test.

Jim WJ1R will be net control.

********************************************************************************
HF 80 meters NBEMS net:
7:00 PM ET
Dial Frequency: 3584.5 MHx
Center Frequency: 1500 Hz
Initial mode: THOR22
We will have checkins, followed by an ICS-213 format message using FLMSG.
Don AB1PH will be net control

*********************************************************************************
Winlink Net:
Bryan Marcotte KF1D will be net control.
Send a winlink checkin form to KF1D, copy AB1PH, between 0600 Monday Dec 2 and 2400 Monday Dec 2.

We look forward to you checking in!

—

73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph

Joseph Fratto-K1UN – FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License writes:

The USCG Auxiliary Division 5 / 12 Radio Net was held this Sunday 17 NOV 24 at 1015 hrs.

Check Ins: Radio Wilmington
Radio Roslindale
Radio Winthrop
Mobile 5F
Mobile 5G

Net Control: Radio Waltham NCS

Traffic: Stations were able to radio test their facilities. Mobile 5F and Mobile 5G were at the beach
in the Hull area working on servicing their boat. Radio Winthrop’s boat has been put away
for the winter. Radio Wilmington’s boat is also out of the water and in the shop for service.

The Auxiliary Net on the MMRA is going strong and we increase our check ins weekly.
This is a fellowship unofficial net on Ham Radio with a lot of interest. We depend on Hams
to help us out if needed with communications.

Check Ins: WB1EMS
N1DFL
KB1WGK
KC1VHN
K1UVH
KB1NZZ
K1HGT
KC1VJH
KB1ZSW
N1MSK
KB1MWD
W1JVC
KC1VMG
N1KMX
KA1GFN
KW1W
WA1APC
WV1D
KC1LNQ
KC1VPU
N1WRN
N1JSM
KS1E
KA1GFN
KB1OQA
KA1GDQ
W1ATO
K1UN

Keeping these stations on our network is a good way for testing the performance of the linked
repeater network. The only traffic for the net was for the Thanksgiving Parade coming up on the
23 NOV 24 at 0800 Muster and Marching from 1000 to 1200 hrs. Contact your FC or Don Zidik
for further info. The New England Boat Show is coming up on JAN 8 to 12 at the Boston Convention
and Exhibition. Any interest in working the show please contact your FC or Don Zidik directly.

We mentioned the Military Auxiliary Radio System, a DOD sponsored Ham Radio Auxiliary servicing
DOD. Attached is a short video on USAF MARS which I am an emeritus member of.

Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License

Hello to all…

The November Eastern Massachusetts ARES section net will be Monday November 4th, 2024 at 830 PM on the MMRA Repeater system.

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:
https://mmra.org/repeaters/repeater_linking.html (Click the ARES box to see the repeaters and other systems linked)

We look forward to your participation and remember, we are always looking for Net Controls to run the ARES Net. We will have several announcements for the net including updated information for the Eastern Massachusetts ARES Simulated Emergency Test (SET) on 11/9/24 from 10 AM-12 PM, the Western Massachusetts ARES Simulated Emergency Test (SET) for Sunday 11/10/24 and 2024 SKYWARN Recognition Day slated for Saturday 12/7/24 from 0000-2400 UTC.

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
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503
Email Address: rmacedo@rcn.com
https://ares.ema.arrl.org
https://www.wx1box.org
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wx1box
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wx1box
Subscribe on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@wx1box-nwsboston-amateur-radio

Don Rolph, AB1PH, Walpole area ARES Emergency Coordinator writes:

The MEMA RACES nets are held on the first Monday of the month, unless the first Monday is a holiday, when it is delayed one week, For Nov 2024, the MEMA RACES nets will be held on Mon Nov 4 at:

********************************************************************************

80 meter Voice net
6:45 PM
Frequency: 3930 KHz working up until the first free frequency
Jeff N1JCM will be net control

*********************************************************************************

Region 2D VHF net:
7:30 PM ET VHF net on 146.865 MHz PL 103.5 (Sharon Repeater)
We will have a general call up of any RACES, ARES, or other interested stations. If there is time, we will have a simplex test.
Don using WA1PLE will be net control.

********************************************************************************

HF 80 meters NBEMS net:
7:00 PM ET
Dial Frequency: 3584.5 MHx
Center Frequency: 1500 Hz
Initial mode: THOR22
We will have checkins, followed by an ICS-213 format message using FLMSG.

Don AB1PH will be net control

*********************************************************************************

Winlink Net:
Bryan Marcotte KF1D will be net control.
Send a winlink checkin form to KF1D, copy AB1PH, between 0600 Monday Nov 4 and 2400 Monday Nov 4.

We look forward to you checking in!

—

73,
AB1PH
Don Rolph

Joseph Fratto-K1UN – FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License writes:

The USCG Auxiliary Divisions 5 / 12 Radio Net was held this Sunday 3 NOV 2024 at 1015 hrs.

Check Ins: Radio Wilmington
Radio Roslindale

Net Control: Radio Waltham NCS

Traffic: The net was held. Stations were able to radio test their facilities. Signals were
L / C on the Roslindale repeater.

Auxiliarist Don Zidik acting ASC for Sector Boston sent an update of upcoming
events.

Parades: Veterans Day – Boston 9 NOV 24 muster by 1030 and marching
1200 to 1400.

Thanksgiving Day – Plymouth MA. 23 NOV 24 muster by 0800
marching 1000 -1200 further info to follow.

Please be advised that the Boston CGX is not handling laundry and tailoring as a
new contract with a vendor was not renewed.

Uniform inspections are due by 31 DEC 24 please contact your FC.

The Division 5 Change of Watch is scheduled for Saturday 25 JAN 2025 at 1800
at the Old Colony YC in Dorchester.

Boat Crew Training is available please contact your FC or Flotilla FSO-MT for further
info.

There are opportunities to assist the active duty side on the FRC’s and Stations. Please
contact Auxiliarist Zidik for further information and point of contact.

The ID machine is still down. If you need a temporary paper ID to get on the base please
contact Charles in DIRAUX office.

The NE Boat Show will be held on JAN 8 – 12 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition
Center. If you want to volunteer please contact Donald Zidik more info to follow as soon
as the contract is signed.

The “Auxiliary Net” on Ham Radio is going strong. Every Sunday at 1100 following the
USCG Auxiliary Nets. The Auxiliary Net is on the MMRA Minuteman Repeater Association
repeater network on Ham Radio. The net is going strong with a lot of check ins. This net
has been a great public relations tool for the District 1 North COMMS Program.

During the upcoming winter months the Division 5 Radio Net will be activating for the
purpose of SKYWARN as needed. We will try to schedule a SKYWARN training update
with National Weather Service NWS on Zoom conference.

The Net thanks all the members for their participation on all our various radio nets. As we
have said in the past the USCG Auxiliary COMMS are the only “Auxiliary” radio group that
is credentialed, vetted, has a security clearance, is uniformed, assigned a robust suite of
exclusive federal government frequencies, has a chain of command, trained, tested and
is part of Team Coast Guard.

Submitted: Joseph Fratto
FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License