Boston Marathon Volunteer 2021 Update

Boston Marathon Communications Committee writes:

We hope you are all safe and healthy. We also hope you are having an enjoyable holiday season despite the impacts of COVID-19. We wanted to provide you a short update on 2021 Boston Marathon plans in light of today’s public statement from the BAA.

The BAA statement can be seen here: https://www.baa.org/2021-boston-marathon-updates 

Our team has been engaged with the BAA at both the Organizing Committee and Medical Committee levels regarding the 2021 Boston Marathon. We have also been meeting as an Amateur Radio Communications Committee over the course of the Fall to be ready for a potential Boston Marathon event in the Fall of 2021 and attempt to review some of the issues of past marathons more proactively and address them given the delay in a potential race to the Fall of 2021. 

Given the uncertainties brought about by the recent surge in COVID-19 along with how quickly a vaccine can propagate to the general populace, the BAA has pushed back their decision on a Fall race date to early 2021.

We will continue to update you as things change regarding a potential 2021 Boston Marathon race and what changes that might entail in light of the COVID-19 impacts. When the BAA is once again able to resume the Boston Marathon, we hope to see you again as part of the Amateur Radio Volunteers, presuming it is safe for you in your personal situation.  

We will keep you posted as updates occur and attempt to get updates out as appropriate in coordination with the BAA. Thanks to all for their continued support of the BAA and the Boston Marathon.

As always, we welcome your correspondence and questions on volunteering to our general mailbox: contact@hamradioboston.org.

Thank you, and 73,

Boston Marathon Communications Committee
contact@HamRadioBoston.org

Newcomers Roundtable Net Starting on the NoBARC Repeater

North Berkshire Amateur Radio Club (NoBARC) is once again starting their Newcomers Roundtable on the Mt. Greylock Repeater.

Specifically, the net is to provide a forum for new ham radio operators to ask questions, learn how to operate in a net environment, and meet hams that have been around for a while with plenty of experience and advise to share.

The net is held on the first Sunday of the month and if proven popular may also be held on the third Sunday as well.

The net meets at 6:00 PM local time. The net meets on the Mt. Greylock repeater, 146.91/-600, 162.2 CTCSS. Also you can connect with Echolink at K1FFK-R. For more information contact Net Manager Dave Foley W1TTT.

New Amateur Licensees October and November 2020

Congratulations to the latest new hams of Western Massachusetts:

Kimberly Lane, KC1NYK
500 Riverglade Dr
Apt E
Amherst, MA 01002-3673

Noah R Loebel, KC1NXU
77 S Maple St
Hadley, MA 01035-9736

Michael D Laferriere, KC1OCA
21 Ely Rd
Monson, MA 01057-9580

Alan R Seidner, KC1OCT
82 Thayer Rd
Greenfield, MA 01301-9630

David M Bellew, KC1OBX
95 Shawna St
Fitchburg, MA 01420-3683

Wayne D Nasiatka, KC1NYQ
123 Bickford Hill Rd
Gardner, MA 01440-2344

Sean M Walsh, KC1OCM
129 Sunny Rd
Lunenburg, MA 01462

Robert B Campbell, KC1OAB
308 Oxford St N
Auburn, MA 01501-1121

Robert V Aldenberg, KC1OAR
399 Whitney St
Northborough, MA 01532-1100

Danian Zheng, KC1OBV
1 Elizabeth Dr
Westborough, MA 01581-3833

Harrison Zheng, KC1OBZ
1 Elizabeth Dr
Westborough, MA 01581-3833

Moises Rodriguez, KC1OAY
124 Houghton St
Worcester, MA 01604-3938

Stephen Frasier, KC1OFO
10 Wildflower Dr
Amherst, MA 01002-3427

Jeffrey Smolen, KC1OEL
114 Cedar St
Sturbridge, MA 01566-1356

Lindsey A Gilman, KC1OFY
133 Glenview St
Upton, MA 01568-1219

Bren A Phillips, KC1OFZ
133 Glenview St
Upton, MA 01568-1219

Thomas Caraceni, KC1ODZ
25 Granite St
Apt 3R
Webster, MA 01570-2455

David Silva, KC1OCW
52 Country Club Blvd
Apt 112
Worcester, MA 01605-1509

Steven C Price, KC1ODA
39 Gibbs St
Worcester, MA 01607-1457

Section Manager Report December 2020

Hello once again. Sorry I’m a little late as the new job is putting a different spin on my weekdays.

As we near the end of 2020 it certainly places a lot of “what-ifs” to the new year, so many thing’s that will drive our livelihoods and our lives, My wish is to find normalcy in all facets of it, as I’m sure you all do as well.

I attended a Zoom meeting with the Hampden County Radio Association along with fellow invitees Fred, K1VR, our New England Division Director and Vice-Director Phil, K9HI. This was actually their virtual Holiday party. Fred gave us some information and fielded some questions from the group. It was a fun time and appreciate Fred and Phil for joining in.

Here is a little bit of breaking news. We are working on a new website and this is actually going to combine the crusty, dusty ARES website into our new website which is under a new host. The revamp also will remove the singular owner/admin and place it with a group that will share control and adapt to personnel changes as years go on. This will also be a huge improvement on how ARES is accessed. It will be much easier to apply, report, and maintain databases. Huge thanks go to Gil WK1H, Grant KC1KCE, and Aaron, KF1G for their collective web talents for putting it together. Also, thanks to Bob K1YO for instigating this! Hi-hi. Stay tuned, more to follow.

I hope that everyone has a safe, healthy, fabulous Holiday season in the best possible way. Take some time and warm up your shack and get on the air for a while.

Stay well and 73!
Ray KB1LRL

HCRA Remote Licensing Class Starting February 2021

The Hampden County Radio Association will be running an Online Technician Licensing Class starting this February.  The classes will be conducted over Zoom.

The class will run weekly for 5 weeks on Wednesday evenings from 7 PM to 9 PM.  The class will start on February 3 and conclude on March 3.

For more details or to register for the class, please see the sign up form on the HCRA website.

Please spread the word!