UPDATE: Marathon volunteer registration ends on February 10. If you intend on volunteering, please register before then.
Registration for ham volunteers at 2015 Boston Marathon is now open. There is a different registration procedure this year, so please read the following information carefully.
This year, the Boston Athletic Association is requiring all volunteers, including the hams, to register directly on their website. The BAA database is designed for general volunteers and does not collect enough ham-specific information. So in addition to signing up on the BAA website, you will also need to supply additional using the MMRA system that has been used in the past.
Click here to access the 2015 Boston Marathon Volunteer application.
Select ‘Returning’ or ‘First Time’ volunteer. Returning Volunteers: You need your Volunteer Loyalty Number and zip code. This information will be emailed to you on January 6, 2015. There is also a VLN look-up on the application.
Complete the personal information and select “no” when asked if you are a medical volunteer.
Group Status: You are welcome to create a group if you have a friend or a family member that you wish to be assigned with. For more information about creating a group, please click here.
Find your preferred Assignment in the drop down list:
Ham Radio: Ham Radios – Course
Ham Radio: Ham Radios – Finish Area
Ham Radio: Ham Radios – Hopkinton
Ham Radio: Ham Radios – Net Control
Complete the remainder of the application and make note of the on-screen confirmation number. Seeing the on-screen confirmation is indication that you have successfully completed the online application.
After this is completed, you will be asked to complete the MMRA Boston Marathon Registration form/database information as in past years. Click here to access the MMRA Boston Marathon Registration form/database.
Notification of acceptance and assignment will be emailed on or around March 10, 2015.
Contact Info: This appointment is presently vacant. If you are interested in this appointment, please contact the Section Manager.
State Government Liaison Appointment Description:
The State Government Liaison (SGL) is an Amateur Radio operator who is cognizant of state legislative and regulatory proposals in the normal course of events and who can monitor and respond appropriately to those proposals having the potential to affect Amateur Radio. This is an active, responsive mission, not merely a passive, “stand by the sidelines and watch” function.
Requirements: Full ARRL membership
Responsibilities:
Collects and promulgates information on state legislation and regulation affecting Amateur Radio and works closely with Clubs and the Section Manager(s) in assuring that the laws work to the mutual benefit of society and the Amateur Radio Service. The importance of working closely with clubs (the critically-important local representatives of Amateur Radio), and ARRL Section Managers, cannot be overemphasized. Keep in close contact with your clubs and SMs!
Guides, encourages and supports individual radio amateurs and clubs in representing the interests of the Amateur Radio Service at all levels, including the federal level, when needed and coordinated with the ARRL Headquarters. The active SGL also cooperates closely with other section-level officials, particularly the Section Emergency Coordinator and the Public Information Coordinator.
Reports directly to the Section Manager regularly and also keeps ARRL Headquarters informed of all appropriate activities and developments involving the interface of Amateur Radio and government legislative or regulatory matters, particularly those with policy implications. Ideally, the SGL will have access to, or a relationship with, the bill room at the state capitol in order to examine legislation as it is introduced. It is also helpful for the SGL to monitor the dockets of relevant state agencies such as the department of environmental protection, which might promulgate regulations affecting Amateur Radio. In addition, the SGL will monitor the news for stories of regulatory or legislative initiatives.
When monitoring and responding to state issues, SGLs should watch for key words that could affect Amateur Radio. Antennas (dish, microwave, PCS, cellular, towers, structures, satellite, television, lighting), Mobile radio, radio receivers, radio interference, television interference, scanners, license plates, cable television, ham radio, headphones in automobiles, lightning protection, antenna radiation, biological effects of radio signals are a few of the examples of what to look for.
In those states where there is more than one section, the Section Managers whose territories do not encompass the state capital may simply defer to the Liaison appointed by their counterpart in the section where the state capital is located. In this case, the Liaison is expected to communicate equally with all Section Managers (and Section Emergency Coordinators and other section-level League officials). In sections where there is more than one government entity (i.e., Maryland-DC and Pacific) there may be a Liaison appointed for each entity.
The job of heading off potentially undesirable state government actions is critically important to the Amateur Radio community! Be active and responsive, and above all, work closely with your clubs, Section Managers, and ARRL Headquarters.
I was first licensed in 1980 while living in Concord MA, having been introduced to ham radio by my son who was licensed at age 13. His call is now K1WU. After a year of WAS and DXing etc., in 1981 I followed in his footsteps and tried traffic handling. I’ve been active in this aspect of the hobby ever since.
I served as STM in EMA for 5 years during the 1980s and in 1984 became active in the TransContinental Corps (TCC), handling traffic between the Eastern, Central and Pacific Areas of the country. I have served as a TCC director for the Eastern Area, as well as manager of Eastern Area Net Cycle 2 (afternoon cycle) and for the past 10 years have been Chair of the Eastern Area Staff which oversees the NTS above the section level. I have been active on nets at all levels on both CW and voice. I run a 24/7 multiband scanning Pactor MBO on HF serving the continental US, with local outlet on VHF packet. I lived on Martha’s Vineyard from 1991 until 2009, but have returned to my home in Concord MA.
I believe the section and local level are the grassroots of the NTS and wish to become more involved in the promotion of traffic handling skills and also further the cooperation between ARES/RACES and the NTS to work together as a team in public service.
Section Traffic Manager Appointment Description:
The STM is appointed by the Section Manager to supervise traffic handling organization at the section level–that is, to coordinate all traffic efforts within the section, regardless of mode or National Traffic System affiliation, so that routings within the section and connections with other networks and digital traffic nodes will result in orderly and efficient traffic flow.
Requirements: Familiarity with traffic handling on all modes; Technician class license or higher; Full ARRL Membership
Responsibilities:
Establish, administer, and promote a traffic handling program at the section level, based on, but not restricted to, National Traffic System networks.
Develop and implement one or more effective training programs within the section that address the needs of both traditional and digital modes of traffic handling. Insure that Net Managers place particular emphasis on the needs of amateurs new to formal network traffic handling, as well as those who receive, send, and deliver formal traffic on a “casual” basis, via RTTY, AMTOR, and Packet based message storage and bulletin board systems.
Cooperate and coordinate with the Section Emergency Coordinator so that traffic nets and emergency nets in the section present a unified public service front.
Recommend candidates for Net Managers and Official Relay Station appointments to the SM. Issue appointments/cancellations and appropriate certificates. At the SM’s discretion, the STM may directly make or cancel NM and ORS appointments.
Insure that all traffic nets within the section are properly and adequately staffed, with appropriate direction to Net Managers, as required, which results in coverage of all Net Control and liaison functions. Assign liaison coverage adequate to insure that all digital bulletin boards and message storage systems within the section are polled on a daily basis, to prevent misaddressed, lingering, or duplicated radiogram-formatted message traffic.
Maintain familiarity with proper traffic handling and directed net procedures applicable to all normally-used modes within the section.
Collect and prepare accurate monthly net reports and submit them to ARRL Headquarters, either directly or via the Section Manager, but in any case on or prior to the established deadlines.
Encouraged to earn certification in Levels 1, 2, and 3 of the ARRL Emergency Communications Course.
Contact Info:
This appointment is presently vacant. If you are interested in this appointment, please contact the Section Manager.
Public Information Coordinator Appointment Description
The ARRL Public Information Coordinator (PIC) is a section-level official appointed by and reports to the Section Manager (SM) as the section’s expert on public information and public relations matters.
Requirements: Full ARRL membership; professional public relations, journalism experience, or background in dealing with the public media preferred.
Responsibilities:
The PIC is responsible for organizing, training, guiding and coordinating the activities of the Public Information Officers (PIOs) within the section.
Goals may range from recruiting potential hams for a licensing course to improving public awareness of amateurs’ service to the community. A successful PIC effectively conveys a story and generates the desired results.
PR activities must be well-timed and well-coordinated within the amateur community, so that clubs, Elmers, instructors and so on are prepared to deal with the interest the PR generates.
Effective PICs will convey this goal-oriented perspective and attitude to their PIOs and help them coordinate public relations efforts with others in their sections.
Advises the Section Manager on building and maintaining a positive public image for Amateur Radio in the section; keeps the SM informed of all significant events which would benefit from the SM’s personal involvement and reports regularly to the SM on activities.
Counsels the SM in dealing with the media and with government officials, particularly when representing the ARRL and/or Amateur Radio in a public forum.
Maintains contact with other section level League officials, particularly the Section Manager and others such as the State Government Liaison, Section Emergency Coordinator, Affiliated Club Coordinator and Bulletin Manager on matters appropriate for their attention and to otherwise help to assure and promote a coordinated and cohesive ARRL Field Organization.
Works closely with the section Affiliated Club Coordinator and ARRL-affiliated clubs in the section to recruit and train a team of Public Information Officers (PIOs). With the approval of the Section Manager, makes PI0 appointments within the section.
Works with the SM and other PICs in the division to develop regional training programs for PIOs and club publicity chairpersons.
Coordinates public relations efforts for events and activities which may involve more than one section, and provides input on matters before the League’s Public Relations Committee for discussion or action.
Establishes and coordinates a section-wide Speakers Bureau to provide knowledgeable and effective speakers who are available to address community groups about Amateur Radio, and works with PIOs to promote interest among those groups.
Helps local PIOs to recognize and publicize newsworthy stories in their areas. Monitors news releases sent out by the PIOs for stories of broader interest and offers constructive comments for possible improvement. Helps local PIOs in learning to deal with, and attempting to minimize, any negative publicity about Amateur Radio or to correct negative stories incorrectly ascribed to Amateur Radio operators.
Working with the PIOs, develops and maintains a comprehensive list of media outlets and contacts in the section for use in section-wide or nationwide mailings.
Helps local PIOs prepare emergency response PR kits containing general information on Amateur Radio and on local clubs, which may be distributed in advance to local Emergency Coordinators and District Emergency Coordinators for use in dealing with the media during emergencies.
Works with PIOs, SM and ARRL staff to identify and publicize League-related stories of local or regional interest, including election or appointment of ARRL leadership officials, scholarship winners/award winners, QST articles by local authors or local achievements noted or featured in QST.
Familiarizes self with ARRL Public Service Announcements (PSAs), brochures and audiovisual materials; assists PIOs in arranging air time for PSAs; helps PIOs and speakers choose and secure appropriate brochures and audiovisual materials for events or presentations.
At the request of the Section Manager or Division Director, may assist with preparation of a section or division newsletter.
Encourages, organizes and conducts public information/public relations sessions at ARRL hamfests and conventions.
Works with PIOs to encourage activities that place Amateur Radio in the public eye, including demonstrations, Field Day activities, etc. and assures that sponsoring organizations are prepared to follow-up on interest generated by these activities.
With the Section Manager’s approval, may appoint club publicity chairpersons or other individuals recommended by affiliated clubs as PIOs. Where the responsibility cannot or will not be assumed by a club, the PIC is encouraged to seek qualified League members who are willing to accept the responsibility of PIO appointments.
First licensed as WN1JXR in 1967. Amateur Radio lead me to pursue a career in Electrical Engineering, earning BSEE and MSEE degrees from the Univ. of R.I. I have worked for Raytheon Co. on RADAR Systems for 39 years, currently as a Senior Principal RF/uW Design Engineer.
I’m not a Contester or chase DX, but just a “Rag Chew” QSO operator. I’m mostly a CW Operator, enjoy QRP Operation. One of the founding members of the NE QRP Club. I also enjoy refurbishing and operating the old “hollow state” boat anchor tube rigs from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.
Enjoy teaching ham radio license classes and giving talks and seminars on Antennas, Transmission Lines, and Antenna Modeling, Circuit Modeling and Vector Network Analyzer antenna measurements.
Enjoy exposing new Ham operators to CW. The first digital mode! 73’s Greg WA1JXR dit dit
Technical Coordinator Appointment Description
The ARRL Technical Coordinator (TC) is a section-level official appointed by the Section Manager to coordinate all technical activities within the section. The Technical Coordinator reports to the Section Manager and is expected to maintain contact with other section-level appointees as appropriate to insure a unified ARRL Field Organization within the section.
Requirements: Novice class license or higher; Full ARRL membership
Responsibilities:
Supervise and coordinate the work of the section’s Technical Specialists (TS).
Encourage amateurs in the section to share their technical achievements with others through the pages of QST, and at club meetings, hamfests and conventions.
Promote technical advances and experimentation at vhf/uhf and with specialized modes, and work closely with enthusiasts in these fields within the section.
Serve as an advisor to radio clubs that sponsor training programs for obtaining amateur licenses or upgraded licenses in cooperation with the ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator.
In times of emergency or disaster, function as the coordinator for establishing an array of equipment for communications use and be available to supply technical expertise to government and relief agencies to set up emergency communications networks, in cooperation with the ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator. Refer amateurs in the section who need technical advice to local TS.
Encourage clubs to develop, and TS to serve on, RFI and TVI committees in the section for the purpose of rendering technical assistance as needed.
Be available to assist local technical program committees in arranging suitable programs for ARRL hamfests and conventions.
Convey the views of section amateurs and TSs about the technical contents of QST and ARRL books to ARRL HQ.
Suggestions for improvements should also be called to the attention of the ARRL HQ technical staff.
Work with the appointed ARRL TAs (technical advisors) when called upon.
Be available to give technical talks at club meetings, hamfests and conventions in the section.
We’ve relaunched the Western Massachusetts ARRL website on a new platform.
Please feel free to send and any all relevant content and especially latest club news and bulletins to the webmaster. I’ll be happy to post relevant amateur radio related news from around or that affects the WMA section here.
Requirements: Novice class license or higher class; Full ARRL membership
Responsibilities:
The ASM may serve as a general assistant to the Section Manager or as a specialist. That is, the ASM may assist the Section Manager with general leadership matters as the Section Manager’s understudy, or the ASM may be assigned to handle a specific important function that does not fall within the scope of the duties of the Section Manager’s other assistants.
At the Section Manager’s discretion, the ASM may be designated as the recommended successor to the incumbent Section Manager, in case the Section Manager resigns or is otherwise unable to finish the term of office.
The ASM should be familiar with the “Guidelines for the ARRL Section Manager,” which contains the fundamentals of general section management.
The Western Massachusetts (WMA) ARRL field organization serves American Radio Relay League (ARRL) members in the western part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, comprised of Worcester, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire and Berkshire counties.
Founded in 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim, ARRL is the national association for Amateur Radio in the US, serving members by protecting and enhancing spectrum access and providing a natural resource to the public. Today, with more than 161,000 members, ARRL is the largest organization of radio amateurs in the world. ARRL’s mission is based on five pillars: Public Service, Advocacy, Education, Technology, and Membership. If you haven’t already, be sure to visit ARRL Headquarters’ World Wide Web.
For general questions or information regarding the ARRL locally within the Western Massachusetts Section, feel free to contact the WMA Section Manager: Ray Lajoie AA1SE
245 Leominster Rd
Lunenburg, MA 01462
The website is run using the WordPress running on DreamHost hosting service. For any website related issues, contact the website team: Gil Hayes WK1H
Aaron Addison KF1G
For information on the ARRL nationally, contact League HQ directly: ARRL National Headquarters
225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111
Phone: 860-594-0200
First licensed as WN1JXR in 1967. Amateur Radio lead me to pursue a career in Electrical Engineering, earning BSEE and MSEE degrees from the Univ. of R.I. I have worked for Raytheon Co. on RADAR Systems for 39 years, currently as a Senior Principal RF/uW Design Engineer.
I’m not a Contester or chase DX, but just a “Rag Chew” QSO operator. I’m mostly a CW Operator, enjoy QRP Operation. One of the founding members of the NE QRP Club. I also enjoy refurbishing and operating the old “hollow state” boat anchor tube rigs from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.
Enjoy teaching ham radio license classes and giving talks and seminars on Antennas, Transmission Lines, and Antenna Modeling, Circuit Modeling and Vector Network Analyzer antenna measurements.
Enjoy exposing new Ham operators to CW. The first digital mode! 73’s Greg WA1JXR dit dit
Requirements: Novice class license or higher class; Full ARRL membership
Responsibilities:
The ASM may serve as a general assistant to the Section Manager or as a specialist. That is, the ASM may assist the Section Manager with general leadership matters as the Section Manager’s understudy, or the ASM may be assigned to handle a specific important function that does not fall within the scope of the duties of the Section Manager’s other assistants.
At the Section Manager’s discretion, the ASM may be designated as the recommended successor to the incumbent Section Manager, in case the Section Manager resigns or is otherwise unable to finish the term of office.
The ASM should be familiar with the “Guidelines for the ARRL Section Manager,” which contains the fundamentals of general section management.
The Mount Tom Amateur Repeater Association will hold their 27th Annual Amateur Radio & Electronics Hamfest on Saturday March 7, 2015 at 8:30 AM. The hamfest will be at the Moose Family Center/Chicopee Falls Moose Lodge 1849, 244 Fuller Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. The hamfest will feature raffle tickets / prizes, a VE exam session, and more.
We’ve relaunched the Western Massachusetts ARRL website on a new platform.