Craig Shea from the Sutton Chain of Lights is again requesting assistance with communications to coordinate the trolleys for their annual event. We're looking for about 10 ham radio operators to ride the trolleys and help keep them on schedule moving people around between stops. There will be 7 trolleys (and 1-3 buses to boost capacity) running on two different routes. For more information on the event and the trolley Stops this year click here.

We will meet at 08:30am on Sat 12/3/2021 in Sutton (location TBD - likely the Sutton High School). The event runs from 10:00am to 4:00pm, although the final trolley drop off may be as late as 5:00pm. If you are only available for part of the day, we can cycle you in and out as necessary.

A lunch will be provided to all event volunteers**

To optimize coverage, a temporary repeater will be set up for the event. A portable radio with a good antenna is sufficient for this event. Radios and accessories can be provided, if necessary.

If you are available to help out, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/bXEeEERFTrQZGZc19

** The event needs a head count of our volunteers for food ordering purposes by Friday 11/25, so we can only guarantee lunch to those who sign up by then. However, it is likely that additional lunches will be available day of.

WECT is looking for volunteers to provide amateur radio communications for two events that are happening at the SAME time on Sunday September 18th 2022. If you have any questions please email @.

Buzzards Bay Triathlon

This is a "sprint" duathlon/triathlon. The swim, bike, and run segments go through the scenic Horseneck Beach State Park and the Town of Westport. More event info at: https://maxperformanceonline.com/buzzardsbayrace/

• Hams will have a morning meeting at 8am
  
• Depending on assignment, stations are expected to secure between 12:00 and 1:30pm
  
• Amateur Radio Operators will be assigned locations along the bike & run courses and with key race organizers
  
• Those who use the link below to sign up should expect an email with assignments and event details on Friday.
  
• Update 9/16/2022: We are short 7 volunteers for this event. We would be happy to accept new Amateur Radio Operators up until 8am the morning of the event when the volunteer meeting starts. Please fill out the form below. Thanks to everyone who has signed up for both events so far!
  

Buzzards Bay DU/TRI Amateur Radio Volunteer Sign Up: https://forms.gle/HvaHZe14ARWWSGTM8

Ride to Defeat ALS

This is a low key event with the primary focus being on charity rather than racing. There are multiple bicycle courses (the longest of which is 70 miles) beginning at the Longfellow Club in Wayland. They continue through several towns with rest stops in Hudson, Bolton, Acton, Concord, and Sudbury.

• While the event runs from 6AM to 2PM, 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
  
• We will attempt to locate you at a station closer to your home if possible
  
• 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

Ride To Defeat ALS Amateur Radio Volunteer Sign up: https://forms.gle/LyE5SVaMuG6nq8ur8

We will be holding our next Quarterly Meeting on Wednesday February 19 at 7:00 PM in the Worcester Emergency Management center at 2 Coppage Drive in Worcester. The meeting is for all team members and anyone interested in our team.

Our guest speaker will be Jeremy Breef-Pilz KB1REQ.  Jeremy is quite knowledgeable in the different types of RF connectors that hams may encounter and recently gave a similar presentation at Boxboro.

Elections are also around the corner. This year, four positions are up for re-election: president, 2 director’s seats, and treasurer. Nominations will be accepted at the Q1 meeting, and the actual election will take place during field day (more info to come). A list of current executive board members and their term dates are available on the Executive Board page.

Hope to see you all there.

WECT President Brian Loverro K1BML is looking for amateur radio operators for the Sutton Chain of Lights Saturday December 7, 2019 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 @ and confirm that you have the equipment listed above. Thank you for your help and support.

We will be holding our next Quarterly Meeting on Wednesday September 25 at 7:00 PM in the Worcester Emergency Management center at 2 Coppage Drive in Worcester. The meeting is for all team members and anyone interested in our team.

Our guest speaker will be Rich Fiske, Director of 911 PSAP Operations for the Mass State Police. He will be talking about their deployment of Next Generation 911, how calls now are handled with the new system, text to 911 and so forth.

Hope to see you all there.

The Worcester Area VE Team will be holding an amateur radio test session for all license classes at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Salisbury Labs, Room 407 on Friday, September 27, 2019 at 6:30 PM. The session is open to the general public.

Please bring:

• AN ORIGINAL AND A PHOTOCOPY of your current license, 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. Walk-ins are always accepted but pre-registration is preferred.  To pre-register, email @.  Any questions regarding this session can be directed to that email address.

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.

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 is looking for about fifteen hams to provide communications assistance for the Buzzard's Bay Triathlon in Westport on Sunday, September 15th. It occurs from 9 AM (hams will meet at 8 AM) until about 1 PM (some assignments should secure by noon). It will be held in Horseneck Beach State Park and includes a swim, bike and run that travels through the town of Westport. There is also a duathlon option. It is a very scenic area.

Please send a note to @ if you're able to help. This is well outside WECT's normal operating area, so if you know anyone not included on our distribution lists that may be willing to help please feel free to forward this to them. Let us know if you have any questions.

We are supporting the Ride to Defeat ALS on Sunday September 22 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. 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 reply to @ and indicate if you are able to provide a mobile radio for a roving assignment, and indicate your location and what hours you are available. I will attempt to locate you at a station closer to your home if possible.