WMA Section Emergency Coordinator John Ruggiero N2YHK is looking for amateur radio operators for the Sutton Chain of Lights on the December 3, 2016 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.  Amateur radio operators will need to bring 70cm equipment with DCS/DPL capability. You will likely 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 @ and confirm that you have the equipment listed above.

The Worcester Area VE Team will be holding an amateur radio test session for all license classes at Campus Center (206 West Street, Worcester), Hagglund Room (3rd Floor), Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 6:30 PM. The session is open to the general public. Parking is available at the West Street parking lot (156 West Street) or the Library Lot (29 Boynton Street).

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.

If you have never registered with the FCC's ULS system and received a FRN number, please read the privacy concerns notice below.

We will try to provide a talk-in on the 145.310 / 449.025 W1WPI repeater. It is recommended that if you are not familiar with the WPI campus that you print out and bring with you the campus map.

Any questions regarding this session can be directed to @.

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.

Our team will be supporting the Ride to Defeat ALS on Sunday September 25 from 6 AM to around 3 PM (depending on assignment). This is a low key event with the primary focus being on charity rather than racing. The 70 mile bicycle course begins at the Longfellow club in Wayland and continues through several towns with rest stops in Hudson, Bolton, Acton, Concord, and Sudbury. While the race runs from 6AM to 3PM, some stations open as late as 9AM and some close as early as 11AM. Operators working at a course station can report directly to their station. Lunch is provided for operators in Wayland.

Due to the large area covered, some stations will require a mobile radio. There will be two roving race vehicles that will require a mobile radio. We will have both 2m and 70cm repeaters linked for this event.

If you are available, please respond to the @ email and indicate if you have a station preference and if you have a mobile radio with 2M or 440 capability.

The Worcester Area VE Team will be holding a special amateur radio test session for all license classes at Campus Center (206 West Street, Worcester), Hagglund Room (3rd Floor), Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 6:30 PM. The session is open to the general public. Parking is available at the West Street parking lot (156 West Street) or the Library Lot (29 Boynton Street).

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.

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 145.310 / 449.025 W1WPI repeater. It is recommended that if you are not familiar with the WPI campus that you print out and bring with you the campus map.

Any questions regarding this session can be directed to @.

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.

WECT member and WMA ARES Section Emergency Coordinator John Ruggiero N2YHK is looking for about a dozen hams to provide communications assistance for the Title 9 Women's Only Triathlon in Hopkinton on Sunday, September 11th.

This event is sold out, so it will be busy. It occurs from about 7am to Noon (some assignments should secure as early as 9:30am, and most by 11am). It will be held in Hopkinton State Park and includes a swim, bike and run that travels through Hopkinton, Southboro and Ashland.

If you are interested in participating, please send an email to @ and let them know if you have UHF equipment with DCS / DPL.

WMA ARES Section Emergency Coordinator and WECT member John Ruggiero N2YHK is looking assistance with this season's Massachusetts State Triathlon in Winchendon at the Lake Dennison Recreation Area on Sunday, July 10 from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Assignments will vary but will generally include various checkpoints along the route, start and finish line, and shadowing the triathlon coordinators. Times involved with each of the assignments will vary as well. More details on the triathlons are available on the Max Performance website.

This is an Olympic Distance Triathlon, with a 0.9 mi swim, 22 mi bike and 6.2 mi run. Registration often fills up. The expanded course will continue, down into the centers of Gardner and Baldwinville. This means our communications plan will involve using a variety of systems on both 2m and 70cm, including deploying portable repeater systems. Maps, frequency plans and details about the event will be provided to those signed up.

For more details on the amateur radio assignments or to sign up please send email to @ and let us know if you have UHF equipment with DCS / DPL capabilities.

As per normal, our team held its annual elections over Field Day weekend.  The election resulted in the following:

• President: NB1H was re-elected
  
  
• Treasurer: NM1B was re-elected
  
  
• Director: AB1ES was re-elected
  
  
• Director: K1BML was elected

Thanks to all who ran for office this year.  Congrats to our re-elected or new directors and officers!

What a great Field Day!  Photos from our Field Day are available on our Photo Gallery page.  The Field Day Info page has also been updated for historical purposes.

Some highlights:

• NM1B set up the logging laptops and networking. This year we used the N3FJP logging software for a more modern feel, features and ease of use / setup.
  
  
• NS1A and team made a couple contacts on amateur radio satellites, winning us that bonus.
  
  
• KB1UOD gave a show and explanation for our education activity bonus on "How to Make a Wide Band Receive Antenna (50 - 2000 MHz)".  Plans for the antenna are available here.
  
  
• We had a few visitors whom WK1H showed around and explained what we do and how we do it.
  
  
• KB1WXC got us the NTS traffic bonus, the traffic to SM/SEC bonus, and the W1AW bulletin.
  
  
• N7ECM deployed his 45' mast to hold up our 15m and 20m dipoles as well as our 6m beam with rotor. He also used his solar/battery combo to get us the natural power bonus.
  
  
• WK1H, NM1B and NB1H published photos and news posts of our event to our Facebook page, earning us the social media bonus.
  
  
• WK1H also manned the cook tent for Saturday night dinner and Sunday breakfast.

Thanks to everyone how was involved or visited our Field Day!