Eastern and Western MA Section Traffic Manager Marcia Forde KW1U has posted the traffic reports for the combined Massachusetts sections.
They are available here.
Massachusetts Traffic Reports for October and November 2018
Youth Survey
This is a repost from the /r/amateurradio subreddit:
Hi all,
I’ve been talking with the ARRL, actually got a response from both the CEO and the Lifelong Learning Manager. I offered to use whatever contacts I have to try and get more hams involved, and to try and see how the younger hams like to operate.
If you’ve got a couple minutes, if you could please fill out this survey:
It’s a google survey. I’m not collecting email addresses, and don’t hesitate to skip anything that you don’t want to, or don’t feel comfortable answering. The information will be used solely to try and grow the hobby. Results will be shared in one way or another with people at the ARRL, and maybe I’ll reach out to the RAC/RSGB/etc if there’s sufficient results.
There’s a bunch of questions, but most should be pretty fast to click through.
Please only respond if you’re 26 or younger. While those of us slightly above that demographic may like to think we’re young, there’s enough of a disparity between what those of us in our late 20s/30s like and what the younger demographic likes that it’ll skew the results. 26 was chosen as that’s what the Youngsters on the Air group in IARU region 1 use.
I’m hoping to be able to give them real, actionable feedback on how they can help actually get young hams involved. If some of the feedback looks like we can use it here on Reddit, we can also do that.
Thanks everyone!
Amateur Radio License Class in Holyoke in January
The Hampden County Radio Association will be sponsoring an amateur radio class for those looking at getting their Technician license.
The class will run on Tuesday evenings from
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM running from January 15 through February 26. The class will be held in the Auxiliary Conference Center at the Holyoke Medical Center at 575 Beech Street in Holyoke.
The class costs $30 and includes a copy ARRL Amateur Radio License Manual.
It is suggested that you pre-register for this class with HCRA Vice-President Dave Fant WM1B to ensure that a copy of the manual is available to you at the time of the class. Any other questions about the class can also be directed to Dave.
Good luck to all and hope to hear you on the air soon!
Technical Specialists
Amateur Radio can be proud of its technical accomplishments. Throughout the history of the radio art, amateurs have continually made significant contributions to its development. And today, even in our “high-tech” world, there continue to be opportunities for amateurs to make a difference.
Technical appointees within the Western Massachusetts ARRL work towards assistance the section’s amateur radio community on various technical matters. Whether it’s promoting technical advances and experimentation with specialized technologies and operating modes, working closely with enthusiasts in these fields within the section, or helping amateurs with various RFI and TVI problems, the technical appointees rendering technical assistance as needed.
Appointees
Technical Coordinator
The Technical Coordinator (TC) is a section-level official appointed to coordinate, organize and conduct all technical activities within the Section. The TC must be an ARRL full member holding a Novice class or higher amateur license.
The Western MA Technical Coordinator is Greg Algieri WA1JXR.
Technical Specialists
The Technical Specialist (TS) is a station-level official to a specific area of jurisdiction or expertise, and is responsible for working with many individuals and clubs within the section to answer technical questions and solve RFI problems. The TS must be an ARRL Full member holding a Novice class or higher amateur license.
Formal Messaging
During disasters or other emergencies, radiograms are used to communicate information critical to saving lives or property, or to inquire about the health or welfare of a disaster victim. In amateur radio, we call these formal messages and radiograms “traffic”.
The National Traffic System was developed in the early days of amateur radio, with a specific purpose of getting formal messages across town or across the country quickly and concisely.
The Western Massachusetts and Eastern Massachusetts sections have consolidated its NTS organizations. View more on the consolidated NTS organization on the Eastern Massachusetts NTS website.
Appointees
Section Traffic Manager
The STM supervises National Traffic System 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.
Western Masschusetts STM is Marcia Forde KW1U. She is assisted by Assistant STM Peter Mattice KD2JKV.
Official Relay Stations
This is a traffic-handling appointment that is open to all classes of license. This appointment applies equally to all modes and all parts of the spectrum. It is for traffic-handlers, regardless of mode employed or part of the spectrum used.
The potential value of the skilled operator with traffic know-how to his country and community is enhanced by his ability and the readiness of his station to function in the community interest in case of emergency. Traffic awareness and experience are often the signs by which mature amateurs may be distinguished.
Ellis Rud N1MWJ, SK
It is with sad regret to announce Ellis Rud N1MWJ has become a silent key on Nov 27.
Ellis was currently the EC for North Berkshire county, prior to that he was the past president of NoBARC in Adams. His career was for the state as a park ranger for Mt Greylock until his retirement.
Details can be found here:
https://flynndagnolifuneralhom
73,
Ray KB1LRL
Sutton Chain of Lights
Worcester Emergency Communications Team President Brian Loverro K1BML is looking for a few more ham radio volunteers to help support the Sutton Chain of Lights this Saturday December 1, 2018 from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The event is a town-wide holiday celebration featuring open houses and activities at a large variety of locations throughout the town. For more on the event, visit the Sutton Chain of Lights Facebook page.
The role of amateur radio is to coordinate the trolley buses that shuttle people to and from various locations throughout the town. You will need an external antenna. The trolleys’ roofs are made of fiberglass, so you’ll need another means of attaching the antenna to the trolley other than mag mount. Duct tape has often been used in the past. HT’s should be OK but portable mobiles are preferred. No DC power is available from the trolley so everything will need to be run by battery.
This is a very fun, festive and low-key event, perfect for those wanting to get into public service for the first time. Operators will also likely have opportunities to get out at some of the stops to shop and the like.
To sign up or for more information email K1BML and confirm that you have the equipment listed above. Thank you for your help and support.
Government Advocacy
One of the responsibilities of the ARRL, in all of its forms and on all levels, is to interact with government agencies for the benefit of amateur radio.
What value would you place on a group of people who:
- Can provide instant wireless communication during a disaster or community event with little advance notice;
- Have established relationships with local served agencies and law enforcement;
- Take enormous pride in being able to give their technical expertise back to their communities when asked?
In all areas of the country, Amateur Radio operators serve their communities through disaster communications, public service, and facilitating the instruction of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) topics at all educational levels. For the past century, through FCC encouragement, Amateur Radio has been a valuable laboratory for wireless communications technology development, which ultimately flows to the benefit of consumers and business.
Appointees
State Government Liaison
The section’s State Government Liaison is the primary contact for all governmental affairs having the potential to affect amateur radio. The SGL helps inform legislative and regulatory entities of the importance in amateur radio considerations in each bill, and potentially helps muster a section wide amateur radio publicity campaign to bills as needed.
This appointment is presently open. If you are an ARRL member in good standing living within Massachusetts and are interested in this appointment, please contact the Section Manager.
Local Government Liaisons
Local Government Liaisons are appointed throughout the section and responsible for monitoring proposals and actions by local government bodies which may affect Amateur Radio. They work with the local ham radio community to alert area amateurs to problems and opportunities involving local government agencies, and coordinate local responses.
Section Manager Report December 2018
Hello everyone, I am sure you are still digesting the feast and overdosing on football games still. I hope you had a truly splendid Thanksgiving.
First thing is to express my sincere thanks to Tom K1KI for his many years as Director of New England. As you know, he was narrowly beat out by Fred Hopengarten K1VR for that position. I wish Tom well in his endeavors and keeping up the good fight wherever it may lead him.
Earlier this month, ACC Gil WK1H and myself went to the Hampden County Radio Association meeting and I did a presentation there which included an open forum to hear what was on their mind. They had a big crowd there which would make a lot of other club’s drool in envy. This is a fine example of a club which actively participates in many facets of the hobby. They also have a great emphasis of bringing in new hams and mentoring them to become an active part of the hobby. Congratulations to this fine group and keep up the great job.
As of now there are some other irons in the fire going on but I will not elaborate just yet. Keep in mind some of these changes are based on the feedback that you have given me. Also remember the help wanted sign is still out.
It’s hard to imagine 1 year is approaching as your Section Manager. It has been one where I feel the biggest accomplishment has been being visible to as many of you as possible and next year will be no different. I am going to sit in on a webinar for ARES connect and see if I can get this new system understood and start getting this set up and in use for our group.
Most clubs at this time are having their annual Holiday parties instead of meetings. I hope you will have a great time in celebration. At this time, I want to wish all of you a happy, safe, wonderful Holiday Season. And of course, a Happy New Year.
73,
Ray KB1LRL
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
Within each ARRL section, the main outlet for emergency communications needs within the field organization is the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES). ARES consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.
ARES Membership
Click here to apply for Western Massachusetts ARES membership.
Every licensed amateur, regardless of membership in ARRL or any other local or national organization, is eligible to apply for membership in ARES. Training may be required or desired to participate fully in ARES. Please inquire at the local level for specific information. Because ARES is an Amateur Radio program, only licensed radio amateurs are eligible for membership. The possession of emergency-powered equipment is desirable, but is not a requirement for membership.
Areas / Maps
Organization
Section Emergency Coordinator
The section’s Section Emergency Coordinator is the main coordinator of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service within the Western Massachusetts section.
The Western Massachusetts Section Emergency Coordinator is Charles Chandler WS1L.
Assistant Section Emergency Coordinators
The SEC is assisted by several Assistant Section Emergency Coordinators. The ASECs take on special tasks and assignments, and generally assist in various local areas throughout the section.
District Emergency Coordinators
The section is further divided into districts, and each district is divided into local areas. Each district has a District Emergency Coordinator to coordinate ARES within the region, specifically leading up regional nets and training opportunities.
Emergency Coordinators
Each local area has an Emergency Coordinator to coordinate ARES on the local level, and is the primary point person interacting with local served agencies within the local area.
Official Emergency Stations
At any level within the ARES organization, Official Emergency Stations may be appointed. The OES appointee must be an ARRL member and set high standards of emergency preparedness and operating. The OES appointee makes a deeper commitment to the ARES program in terms of functionality than does the rank-and-file ARES registrant. The OES appointee is appointed to carry out specific functions and assignments designated by the appropriate EC or DEC. The OES appointee and the presiding EC or DEC, at the time of the OES appointment, will mutually develop a detailed, operational function/assignment and commitment for the new appointee. Together, they will develop a responsibility plan for the individual OES appointee that makes the best use of the individual’s skills and abilities.