2024 WMA ARES SET Summary

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The Simulated Emergency Test for the Western Massachusetts Section ran from 0830 to 1200 local (1330-1700 Zulu) Sunday, 10 November 2024. We developed a scenario based upon Hurricane Helene and its impact in the mountainous terrain of western North Carolina. In our scenario heavy rainfall over the Western Massachusetts area began to fall on soil already saturated from prior storms. Over the course of 24 hours rainfall totals across the area ranged from 11 to 31 inches. The resulting damage to infrastructure left many areas isolated. Cellular, landline, roads and power were destroyed in many areas. Water systems were damaged or contaminated in many areas.

Amateur radio operators checked in to our regular ARES Nets and reported damage in their immediate area using a simplified reporting system that accounts for building damage, flooding and transportation status. Net Control Stations collected reports from their check-in stations and forwarded this data out of the affected area via WinLink or email, in the same manner as was done in Hurricane Helene.

Participating stations were given 90 minutes to send damage reports and could use any one of multiple channels ranging from VHF and UHF FM to HF single sideband voice. Repeaters on Mount Greylock, Mount Tom and other locations provided wide-area coverage. Net Control Stations were given 2 hours to move information out of affected areas. We demonstrated our unique capabilities in several ways:

Dispersed: Operators are located throughout the Commonwealth
Resilient: Operators are capable of maintaining, repairing and adapting their own stations to meet the needs of the situation or to compensate for damage
Redundant: The only service authorized to use multiple bands and modes of operation, with the experience to choose the method most suitable to the situation

I am pleased to report that 30 stations participated in our SET.  Reports were received from almost every corner of the WMA Section.

After Action Review

Thing that went well –

  • Participants reported being well prepared for the exercise. Extensive pre-exercise publicity led to informed participants.
  • Reporting nets went smoothly, participants understood the situation, what they needed to do, and what info was requested
  • Franklin County was able to find a location to set up in the field after finding out Greenfield was lacking an EOC
  • County-level collaboration worked well between ARES leadership and gave a sense of the simulated magnitude of the event

Areas we could improve –

  • Some voice traffic was passed too quickly for accurate copy, requiring time-consuming repeats.
  • Backhaul needs more resiliency. Internet-based email can work when net control is outside the affected area but WinLink, NBEMS, DMR or other options should be improved.
  • More ARES members should be capable of setting up in the field in case of damage to home stations or other need.
  • More county/community level leadership to triage reports when the traffic level is larger.

I would like to thank every participant who helped to make the SET a success, in particular the Net Control Stations who were key in making this work as well as it did. As we saw in North Carolina, the work of the NCS is a critical component in these efforts.

I hope to see you all again next year for SET 2025!

73,
Charles Chandler WS1L
WMA ARES Section Emergency Coordinator

Section Manager’s Report December 2024

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Here we go again! Another silly season is upon us. Where between contacts we are writing Santa Ham for that special toy to find under the tree. Hmmm, someone needs to write a Holiday special we can see every year.

Of course, I use this time of year to assess how we have been doing so far as a section. I can honestly say we moved the needle a little. There has been a growing emphasis on new hams and mentoring. I have been pushing mentoring more and it is starting to catch on. I have also been getting VE’s to be more proactive when that person has passed the test. I have been encouraging clubs that, in order to grow their clubs, they need to have an active part in this. Not just have an old-geezers social circle and talk about the ham that has become SK.

Another thing that has gathered renewed interest is our ARES program. Chuck WS1L recently had the WMA SET and was met with some good activity reports and a number of people who have joined ARES and have taken the ARRL EMCOMM courses and the ICS ones as well. Chuck has done a yeoman’s job of setting up the baseline standard for it and set up the email service so everyone gets notified. There is good stuff to build and expand on the program. Keep it up!

The Mt. Tom club has been experiencing a very nice growth spurt due to an increased presence in Facelessbook and some good outreach. This is what somebody’s efforts have produced. Other clubs can learn from this. Well done people!

The election for director is now over and Tom K1KI has been elected back into that role. This did come as a bit of a shock for me. My hopes are that whoever is on the board take this role and chart the direction for the league to best benefit Amateur Radio, the organization, and its members. It can be a daunting task, but if they put aside their differences, and egos and work together, good things can be accomplished. No one person cannot be the cause, cure and blame for what’s been happening lately. This also includes the membership not just in WMA but NATIONWIDE! We ALL need to work together!

I am looking at 2025 with optimism based on what we have done this year. We all need to play that part however small in a hobby that has brought joy to a lot of people to bring more people, teach more people, let them know that ham radio is a happy, healthy hobby to be in. And with that, it is my hopes ALL of you have a very Happy Healthy, Safe season.

73 to all,
Ray AA1SE

Ham Support for Sawmill River 10K Run – January 1, 2025

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Once again the Montague (MA) Parks & Recreation Department has asked for our help during the Sawmill River 10K Run on New Year’s Day. In a letter from Jon Dobosz, the Parks and Recreation Director, he thanked the Hams who had provided “critical safety, security and communication services along the race route” in the past.

The race course is short, only 10 kilometers, but there are many turns and much of the course is in areas with poor or no cell coverage.  The race begins at 10 AM and is followed by snacks and delicious baked potatoes.  The commitment that morning would be from 9:00 to 11:30.  The central site is the Montague Common Hall, 34 Main St, Montague, MA 01351.

One change from last year is that we will use a repeater for race communications.

If you can help, please email me directly.  Please mention what type of 2 meter equipment you can bring, a hand held, a mobile with external antenna, etc.  If you have participated in this race before, let me know if you have a preferred location along the course.  

There are three special roles required.
1. A volunteer to drive the “sweep vehicle” who will follow the last runners.  
2. A volunteer with a mobile radio, battery and antenna to ride with the race director in his vehicle
at the front of the runners.
3. A volunteer to help me run the Net Control desk.
Please let me know if you are interested in one of these positions.

You may get more than one copy of this request since I am sending to several mailing lists and I have no way of knowing who is on which list.  

Thank you,
Mark Swartwout, NX1K
nx1K@arrl.net

Section Manager’s Report November 2024

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Hello WMA. By now, you are cursing fall every time you look out the window and see all those leaves on the ground. Also knowing the silly season is around the corner. Of course, we all have our Santa Ham list at the ready, right?

There is plenty of stuff going on though. I hope you have placed your vote for the director of New England for the next three years. The deadline is noon Nov 15. The candidates have been busy visiting clubs doing their own campaigning for their agenda’s.

Another goodie is the upcoming SET which is on Nov 10. Thanks to Chuck WS1L for putting it together and getting the word out. Hopefully the participation will be good. Remember, this is open to ALL hams whether they are in ARES or not. It’s all about communications preparedness.

On Oct 14, I hosted an NTS training on Zoom and it was really successful with 82 in attendance from across the country. There is now an edited recording of it available on the nts2.arrl.org website. Many thanks to Marcia KW1U, Bob KC1KVY and Shawn N1CVO for being part of the session. I do plan on doing it again at a later date and maybe some other things as well.

Tuesday Oct 29, I start a Technician License course on Zoom. This is part of the WMA Train and Test Group I formed and the program has been getting great feedback not to mention new hams licensed. The one thing I have been emphasizing is mentoring, finding a club, and other things to get that new ham off to a good start and be on the air.

I’m sure you got word that DXCC is back online. They are now processing the backlog of submissions. There is still work to do, (like our arrl.org email address!) but are making progress.

The new location for Near-Fest was met with great reviews. Friday was reported a packed fairground. The fairground seemed a bit more compact, but was adequate for their needs. It even had heated restrooms! Hopefully they will have a good relationship for many years to come.

The recent events in North Carolina and Florida does serve as a reminder of the value amateur radio has as a hobby for ourselves, but also as a service to our communities. We did receive some good publicity from the media as to our efforts there. We need to promote ham radio to as many as possible. That is by getting on the air, starting relationships with our served agencies, training and mentoring, the list goes on. Everyone with a license needs to be participating in something for not only that, but to add new hams to keep this hobby vibrant and active for many years to come. NEVER assume someone else will do it. YOU need to be the solution, not the problem.

If I do not see you soon, I hope you all have a wonderful, happy, and safe Thanksgiving and see you next month.

73 Ray AA1SE

Nov 10 2024 WMA ARES SET Instructions

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The following is the Simulated Emergency Test for the Western Massachusetts Section for the calendar year 2024.  The test period will run from 0830 to 1200 local (1230-1700 Zulu) Sunday, 10 November 2024. 

SITUATION (What is happening?)

Tropical Storm Hiram formed in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and rapidly intensified before making landfall as Hurricane Hiram on the west coast of Florida.  Weakening again to Tropical Storm strength it moved rapidly northeastward towards New England. 

As it approached the area Canadian high pressure blocked its further movement and heavy rainfall over the Western Massachusetts area began to fall on soil already saturated from prior storms. 

Over the course of 24 hours rainfall totals across the area range from 11 to 31 inches.  The resulting damage to infrastructure has left many areas isolated.  Cellular, landline, roads and power are destroyed in many areas.  Water systems are damaged or contaminated in many areas.

MISSION (What are we going to do about it?)

Amateur radio operators will check in to our regular Sunday ARES Nets and report damage in their immediate area using a simplified reporting system that accounts for building damage, flooding and transportation status.  An example of a report might be:

“This is a drill. K1FFK, Berkshire County, North Adams, Notch Road. Two buildings severely damaged.  One building moderately damaged.  Three buildings with basement flooding.  No buildings with first floor flooding.  Our road is passable.  This is a drill”

Net Control Stations will collect reports from their check-in stations and forward this data out of the affected area.  This can be done via email over WinLink or Telnet, internet email, a web reporting tool, via HF or DMR, or any other method that moves traffic out of the impacted area.

EXECUTION (How are we going to do it?)

Amateur operators may generate a simulated damage report using the table below.  This table is based upon the primary color of houses on your street or block.  If you live in an apartment or development with the same color scheme, you may use the colors of vehicles parked to right and left of your own.  The goal is to generate simulated numbers to represent damage for this exercise reporting.

RedBuilding severely damaged/uninhabitable
GreenBuilding moderately damaged/habitable
BrownBuildings with first floor or greater flooding
BlueBuildings with basement flooding
YellowRoad is blocked with debris

For example, your street has ten homes on it.  Three are mostly red, four are mostly blue, two are mostly brown and one is green.  None are yellow.  You would check in to your local ARES net and your report for the SET would be:

“This is a drill. WS1L, Berkshire County, North Adams, Church Street. Three buildings severely damaged.  One building moderately damaged.  Four buildings with basement flooding.  Two buildings with first floor flooding.  Our road is passable.  This is a drill”

For another example, you live in a condo where all the buildings are a shade of grey.  When you park your vehicle the vehicles around it include one red vehicle, three green vehicles, two blue vehicles and three yellow vehicles.  You would check in to your local ARES net and your report for the SET would be:

“This is a drill.  W1AW, Franklin County, Charlemont, Main Street. One building severely damaged.  Three buildings moderately damaged.  Two buildings with basement flooding.  Our road is blocked with debris.  This is a drill.”

If you are able, please consider operating on emergency or backup power, or operating from a portable set up, or from a location away from home.  Any of these adds realistic challenges to overcome. 

Sunday ARES Nets

  • 3.944 Western MA Emergency Net Sundays at 0830
  • 0845 Mt Tom 146.940 127.3 Hamden/Hampshire County ARES Net
  • 0850 Worcester 147.210 88.5 SW Worcester ARES Net
  • 0900 Fitchburg, MA 145.450- 74.4 W1GZ repeater. Montachusett Amateur Radio Association ARES Net  (Linked with Gardner 145.37 pl 136.5 and IRLP9127)
  • 0900 Greylock, MA 146.910- 162.2 Western Massachusetts ARES Net
  • 0915 Paxton, MA 146.970- 114.8 Worcester County ARES Net
  • 0915 Mt Tom 443.200 127.3 Hamden/Hampshire UHF ARES Net
  • 0930 Greylock, MA 53.23-/162.2 Western Massachusetts ARES Net
  • 0945 Greylock, MA 449.425-/162.2 Western Massachusetts ARES Net
  • 1000 Greylock, MA 224.10 out, 222.5 in, PL 162.2 Western Massachusetts ARES Net

A PDF of these instructions is also available here.

Please join us on Sunday, November 10th on your local ARES net!

73 de Chuck, WS1L
Amateur Radio Emergency Service ®
Section Emergency Coordinator
Western Massachusetts

WMA ARES 2024 Simulated Emergency Test Plan

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Introduction

The following is the Simulated Emergency Test for the Western Massachusetts Section for the calendar year 2024.  The test period will run from 0830 to 1200 local (1230-1700 Zulu) Sunday, 10 November 2024. 

SITUATION (What is happening?)

Tropical Storm Hiram formed in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and rapidly intensified before making landfall as Hurricane Hiram on the west coast of Florida.  Weakening again to Tropical Storm strength it moved rapidly northeastward towards New England. 

As it approached the area Canadian high pressure blocked its further movement and heavy rainfall over the Western Massachusetts area began to fall on soil already saturated from prior storms. 

Over the course of 24 hours rainfall totals across the area range from 11 to 31 inches.  The resulting damage to infrastructure has left many areas isolated.  Cellular, landline, roads and power are destroyed in many areas.  Water systems are damaged or contaminated in many areas.

MISSION (What are we going to do about it?)

Amateur radio operators will check in to our regular Sunday ARES Nets and report damage in their immediate area using a simplified reporting system that accounts for building damage, flooding and transportation status.  An example of a report might be:

“This is a drill. K1FFK, Berkshire County, North Adams, Notch Road. Two buildings severely damaged.  One building moderately damaged.  Three buildings with basement flooding.  No buildings with first floor flooding.  Our road is passable.  This is a drill”

Net Control Stations will collect reports from their check-in stations and forward this data out of the affected area.  This can be done via email over WinLink or Telnet, internet email, a web reporting tool, via HF or DMR, or any other method that moves traffic out of the impacted area.

EXECUTION (How are we going to do it?)

Amateur operators may generate a simulated damage report using the table below.  This table is based upon the primary color of houses on your street or block.  If you live in an apartment or development with the same color scheme, you may use the colors of vehicles parked to right and left of your own.  The goal is to generate simulated numbers to represent damage for this exercise reporting.

RedBuilding severely damaged/uninhabitable
GreenBuilding moderately damaged/habitable
BrownBuildings with first floor or greater flooding
BlueBuildings with basement flooding
YellowRoad is blocked with debris

For example, your street has ten homes on it.  Three are mostly red, four are mostly blue, two are mostly brown and one is green.  None are yellow.  You would check in to your local ARES net and your report for the SET would be:

“This is a drill. WS1L, Berkshire County, North Adams, Church Street. Three buildings severely damaged.  One building moderately damaged.  Four buildings with basement flooding.  Two buildings with first floor flooding.  Our road is passable.  This is a drill”

For another example, you live in a condo where all the buildings are a shade of grey.  When you park your vehicle the vehicles around it include one red vehicle, three green vehicles, two blue vehicles and three yellow vehicles.  You would check in to your local ARES net and your report for the SET would be:

“This is a drill.  W1AW, Franklin County, Charlemont, Main Street. One building severely damaged.  Three buildings moderately damaged.  Two buildings with basement flooding.  Our road is blocked with debris.  This is a drill.”

If you are able, please consider operating on emergency or backup power, or operating from a portable set up, or from a location away from home.  Any of these adds realistic challenges to overcome. 

Sunday ARES Nets

  • 3.944 Western MA Emergency Net Sundays at 0830
  • 0845 Mt Tom 146.940 127.3 Hamden/Hampshire County ARES Net
  • 0850 Worcester 147.210 88.5 SW Worcester ARES Net
  • 0900 Fitchburg, MA 145.450- 74.4 W1GZ repeater. Montachusett Amateur Radio Association ARES Net  (Linked with Gardner 145.37 pl 136.5 and IRLP9127)
  • 0900 Greylock, MA 146.910- 162.2 Western Massachusetts ARES Net
  • 0915 Paxton, MA 146.970- 114.8 Worcester County ARES Net
  • 0915 Mt Tom 443.200 127.3 Hamden/Hampshire UHF ARES Net
  • 0915 Paxton 146.970 114.8 Worcester ARES net
  • 0930 Greylock, MA 53.23-/162.2 Western Massachusetts ARES Net
  • 0945 Greylock, MA 449.425-/162.2 Western Massachusetts ARES Net
  • 1000 Greylock, MA 224.10 out, 222.5 in, PL 162.2 Western Massachusetts ARES Net

Please join us on Sunday, November 10th on your local ARES net!

2024 WMA ARES Simulated Emergency Test Tentatively Scheduled

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The Western Massachusetts ARES 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

Section Manager’s Report October 2024

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Hello earthlings! It’s October and it’s that time for raking leaves, cooler weather, and NEAR-Fest which is on the 4th and 5th. Remember, it is at a new location in New Boston, NH. Hope to see you there.

If anyone is interested in Traffic Handling, I am hosting a training session on how to send, receive traffic and net controls. This will be joined by Marcia KW1U and Bob KC1KVY and Shawn N1CVO from the Heavy Hitters Net which is held every weeknight at 2145 hours. This is to provide the training for those interested but also, I am hoping to encourage hams in participating in this time-honored part of our hobby, to bring more traffic to our nets and to volunteer in being net control, and other functions. If you are not aware, ever since I started as your Section Manager, I have had no one step up to be our Section Traffic Manager locally within our section. Marcia from EMA has been so kind to help us with that and I am grateful for that. We really do need one in our section.

My intent this month was to get some club visits in but have been having some family issues to deal with. I do apologize and will try to get out there soon. Keep trying to make your meetings interesting and in the Hollywood terms, “Leave them wanting more!” Look to sources locally and nationally for ideas. Move the meeting to a Saturday or Sunday and have a foxhunt, POTA activation, antenna party, etc. Sure beats the “old business, new business” meetings. Many clubs now are adopting separate business meetings, or having business meetings every few months and there is no harm in that.

If you are not aware the ARRL New England Division election is here and it is a contest. Fred Kemmerer AB1OC is the incumbent and Tom Frenaye K1KI is the challenger. An email was sent from the League and a postcard will be also sent. This is now an electronic ballot process with the option to get a mail ballot by following the instructions sent to you. Please do some homework and make an informed decision. Your vote counts!

Our ARES program is getting a little noisier with the help from Chuck WS1L. He has been working on MUCH improved communication to all the members and are getting more interest in EMCOMM. There is a couple of served agencies that are getting involved as well. We have been creating standards that are in line with SAFECOM and an updated task book is now in place. Thank you, Chuck, for all your efforts!

So that’s enough noise from me. Think about volunteering for something or think about a bigger, more active club. Thanks to those that have worked hard in our section.

73, Ray AA1SE

ARRL New England Division Director Elections

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Greetings all,

As you know, we have an election for the division director to serve the next three years here in New England. Fred Kemmerer AB1OC is the incumbent and Tom Frenaye K1KI is the challenger. Below I have an message from Phil Temples K9HI as to the elections with instruction on voting as it will be electronic with a mail option. Please read.

Your vote counts and I urge you to do your research in your selection for New England’s Director.

Thank you!

73,
Ray AA1SE
WMA Section Manager

Within the next week or so, you should be receiving voting instructions for the ARRL New England Director election. ARRL has contracted with Election Services Corporation (ESC) to conduct the election, and for the first time we’ll be able to vote online. ESC will send postcards to eligible members with the instructions on how to use their online voting site to access candidate statements, photos, and the electronic ballot. The postcard will also have instructions for requesting a paper ballot if preferred. Members with an email address on file with ARRL will receive the postcard and an email message from ESC. Members without an email address on file will receive only the postcard.

ESC provides the online voting website, collects and processes electronic and paper ballots, and computes the election results. If you require assistance or have questions, ESC will provide help. You can contact ESC at (866) 720-4357, or via email: ARRLElection@ElectionServicesCorp.com.

To ensure you get a ballot, you should review the email and mailing addresses associated with your ARRL membership by going to www.arrl.org/myARRL. You must be logged in to the ARRL website to view your account.

Ballots (paper or electronic) must be received by noon on November 15, 2024.

73,
Phil Temples, K9HI