From Team Member Ralph Swick KD1SM:

The Memory Ride for Alzheimer's Research is a 100-mile bicycle ride in which hundreds of riders collect sponsorships to raise money for research to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. The course starts in Devens and proceeds through Ayer, Harvard, Bolton, Lancaster, Clinton, Boylston, West Boylston, Sterling, Shirley, Groton, Townsend, Pepperell, Hollis NH, and Amherst NH finishing back in Devens. Three shorter versions of the full course offer 62, 30, 20, and 11 mile rides.

In its 15th year, 2011 Memory Ride for Alzheimer's Research will be held on Saturday, July 23rd. This is the fourth year this event is held in our communities in Central and North Central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Over 327 bicycle riders are already registered for the event, suggesting a substantial increase in the number of participants this year over 2010.

This is also the fourth year that Amateur Radio operators have been asked to provide health and safety and logistical communications for the event. With such a large area being covered, there is a substantial need for communications between the six pit stops, the medical chase vehicles, the SAG vehicles, and the event director. The Alzheimer's Association MA/NH Chapter is very appreciative of our service and impressed with the professionalism demonstrated by the radio operators the past three years.

If you are available on Saturday July 23 to volunteer please contact me. Some positions are a few hours or half-day while many (most) require an all-day (7am to 5pm) commitment. A mobile radio is also required, though I may be able to provide a limited number on loan.

Information about the event itself is available on the ride's website.

Thanks es 73,
-Ralph KD1SM

The Worcester Area VE Team will be holding an amateur radio test session for all license classes at National Guard Building / Worcester Emergency Management, 50 Skyline Drive, Worcester on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 6:00 PM. This is a special requested session by the Worcester Emergency Communications Team as several of their Field Day participants have expressed interest in upgrading their license. However, this session is open to everyone, and you do not need to participate in their Field Day event to take an exam at the session.

If you have never registered with the FCC's ULS system and received a FRN number, please read the notice in the Read More link below.

We will try to provide a talk-in on the WE1CT repeater (449.875 MHz PL 103.5).

Please bring:

• AN ORIGINAL AND A PHOTOCOPY of your current license and any CSCEs or other paperwork you are submitting
  
• A basic calculator
  
• Two forms of state acceptable ID (one must be a picture ID)
  
• $15 exam fee (if check, payable to "ARRL VEC")
  
• Pen or pencil

The photocopies of your paperwork are very important as we must submit a copy of your records to the ARRL VEC if you are successful.

Any questions regarding this session can be directed to Gil Hayes WK1H or John Ruggiero N2YHK.

NOTICE ABOUT PRIVACY CONCERNS - FCC REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

Some amateurs have been concerned over the FCC's requirement for your Social Security Number (SSN). The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134, requires all federal agencies to collect Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs) from all persons doing business with the agency. This includes all applicants and holders of FCC licenses. For an individual, your TIN is your SSN.

It is suggested that all applicants register in the FCC's Universal Licensing System to obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN) prior to attending a VE session. When you register for an FRN, your SSN will not be disclosed to the public and it must be given only once. You may then use your FRN in place of your SSN on all future applications, including the Form 605 you will complete at the VE session. The Commission has taken several steps to ensure the privacy of your SSN. Electronic registration on the Internet is accomplished using the FCC's secure Web server.

To register for an FRN, go to http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls and click on REGISTER. Once you obtain your FRN, write it down and bring it with you to the VE session. Be sure to keep a record of your FRN and password for future use. If you do not register before the VE session, you will be required to provide your SSN on Form 605 at the VE session in order for your application to be processed.

This summary is from ARRL WMA Section Emergency Coordinator and WECT Secretary John Ruggiero N2YHK regarding the June 1, 2011 response.

Hi All,

Just a quick note about the assistance that amateur radio provided during and after the recent series of tornadoes that affected the area from Westfield to Southbridge in the Western MA Section:

* SkyWarn was active and amateur radio operators assisted in gathering severe weather reports on the Mt. Tom, Paxton and other associated repeaters. Initial reports of a tornado striking Westfield were relayed to NWS via amateur radio and SkyWarn.

* Tom Doyle, N1MUV, DEC Hampden / Hampshire, and his team provided assistance to the Red Cross by staffing the Springfield Chapter and three shelters in Springfield, Monson and Brimfield.

* Tom and his team also provided assistance to several local EOCs, as well as support to RACES operations at the MEMA Regional HQ in Agawam.

* Charlie Dunlap, K1II, EC Hampden West, and his team provided assistance to Southwick and surrounding communities, as well as support to RACES operations at the MEMA Regional HQ in Agawam.

* Tim Mongeau, KB1LZF, EC Worcester, staffed the Worcester Emergency Communications Team / MEMA Region 4 Radio Room and provided assistance in gathering reports for SkyWarn.

* Amateur radio operators were present with NWS survey teams today.

* The ARRL has posted a news article about amateur radio's response on their website.

* At this time, amateur radio operations are winding down and no further requests for assistance are pending.

Thank you all for your assistance and continued support of WMA ARES!

John, N2YHK
WMA SEC

Field Day is on its way!

Mark your calendars for June 25 and 26. If you are an amateur radio licensee (regardless if you are a member of our team or not) and would like to participate in our Field Day activity, please sign up using the online form. Our event will be at the National Guard Building at 50 Skyline Drive in Worcester.

Our open house for the general public will be from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Saturday June 25. If you don't have an amateur radio license, please feel free to come up at that time to check out our team, station, and operation. You'll even have the opportunity to get on the air and make some contacts yourself! No sign up is required for people that don't have an amateur radio license, just come up and we'll be happy to show you around!

More details can be viewed on our Field Day 2011 information page. This year our Field Day Event Coordinator will again be Dirk Hart KB1HKN. Any and all questions relating to our Field Day event can be sent to him.

See you at Field Day!

We will be holding our Q2 Quarterly Meeting on Monday May 23 at 7:00 PM in Meeting Room B at 50 Skyline Drive. The meeting is for all team members and anyone interested in our team.

The first 30 minutes or so will be updates on various events and actions done since our last quarterly meeting, as well as near future plans including the upcoming Statewide Hurricane Drill and Field Day planning.

The main presentation will be by State RACES Officer Tom Kinahan N1CPE on WinLink 2000. Tom will explain what WinLink 2000 is, how it works, and how it's used throughout the Commonwealth in amateur radio emergency communications. After Tom's presentation, if anyone wants to bring in their TNC and laptop, we will help configure the setup with you.

WECT Member and Holden RACES Officer John Henrion WE1C will be giving a presentation on the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) at the next monthly Central Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association meeting. This will be a general overview of the MARS service, what it is and what it does.

The meeting will be on Thursday April 28 at 7:00 PM at the Holden Senior Center. More on CMARA and the meeting directions are available on the CMARA website.

A Skywarn Weather Spotter Training session will be at the Uxbridge High School at 62 Capron Street on Wednesday April 27 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

No RSVP or pre-registration is required for this session. It is strictly walk-in basis only.

Anyone can become a trained Skywarn Weather Spotter but it is highly recommended for amateur radio operators, especially those involved in emergency communications efforts.

Historically, most of our team's activations have been related to severe weather, so we highly encourage all of our members to become Skywarn Weather Spotters.

ARRL Western MA Section Emergency Coordinator and WECT Secretary John Ruggiero N2YHK is looking for about 6 - 9 amateur radio operator volunteers to assist with communications for this year's March for Babies in Worcester. The event is on Sunday, April 17 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM in Downtown Worcester. This is the day before the Boston Marathon, which is on Monday, April 18th.

Typical assignments include NCS, Victory Vans, Shadows, Checkpoints and Observation Points. Radio operators will need an HT with batteries to last a few hours. Speaker-Mics and/or headset/headphones are suggested. A small mobile antenna is a good idea if you are put in a vehicle. For details or to sign up, email John N2YHK.