WECT Member Andy Garabedian KB1JRX is looking for about 6 - 8 amateur radio ops to assist with the Grafton Gazebo 5 Mile Road Race on Saturday, May 3 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Ops will need to have a dual band HT with enough battery power to last the event. Assignments will include checkpoints and water stops along the route, ambulance, and shadowing officials. This is a rain or shine event, so all volunteers must dress appropriately for the weather the day of the event.

For more information or to sign up, contact Andy KB1JRX, and let him know if you have radios capable of DCS / DPL on 440 MHz.

Team Member Ralph Swick KD1SM is looking for 30 to 40 amateur radio operators for the Groton Road Race on Sunday April 27 from 9:15 AM to 3:00 PM (although times vary greatly by assignment).

Volunteers will need a 2M HT and battery power to last through the event. Lunches and drinks should be provided to volunteers, but it may be wise to bring these just in case. Some assignments may allow for volunteers to be near their vehicles, but not inside them. All volunteers should also be dressed appropriately for the weather that day.

Ralph's description of the event:

"The 2014 Groton Road Race will be held on Sunday, April 27. Again this year I am not anticipating significant changes from the past several years. If you want reminders of how the event ran in previous years, please see the NVARC Public Service Events page.

We have quite a few new Hams in the past 11 months. Congratulations to all of you. As you know from your exam study materials, contributing to the public good is one of the reasons Amateur Radio exists. Our public service events are a key opportunity for us to show our colors, volunteer our skills and equipment, and demonstrate why it is in the public's interest to continue to allocate precious RF spectrum to our the Amateur Radio Service.

If you are interested in helping at these events but unsure of what is expected of you or what equipment you may need, please ask me. If I make you nervous, you can also talk with Stan KD1LE or John KK1X.

The Squannacook River Runners and the Groton Police Department repeatedly praise and express their appreciation for your assistance in providing communications for this event. I do hope you will be able to join us this year; please let me know."

If you are interested in helping with this event, please contact Ralph KD1SM.

Treasurer Matt Brennan NM1B is looking for about 7 - 11 amateur radio operator volunteers to assist with communications for this year's March for Babies in Worcester. The event is on Sunday, April 27 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM in downtown Worcester.

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 Matt NM1B.

The Worcester Area VE Team will be holding an amateur radio test session for all license classes at Higgins Labs, Room 202, Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Thursday, April 17, 2014 at 6:30 PM.

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.

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 Matt Brennan NM1B 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.

ARRL Western MA District Emergency Coordinator Bob Beausoleil KA1OTQ is looking for about 12 amateur radio operators to assist with the Sutton Chain of Lights on Saturday December 7 from 9 AM to 5 PM. This is a town holiday festival that involves several local businesses and community activities. Amateur radio support is once again being called on to provide logistics and tracking for the trolley buses that transport patrons to and from several of the activity locations within the town. More information on the event can be viewed on the town's website.

Amateur radio volunteers will need an 440 MHz HT or mobile rig that has DCS/DPL capabilities and enough battery power to last the entire event. An antenna that is external to the trolley is highly recommended, but please note that the trolleys are made primarily of fiberglass, so magnet mount antennas will not work as designed. Duct tape or clamps are usually used to complete the setup. Also, it is suggested to dress in layers as they may be placed in a variety of temperatures throughout the day. Usually a bag lunch and drink is provided, or operators may find something to purchase to eat or drink at a stop, as well as potentially do some holiday shopping.

This is one of the more fun, low key public service events in the Central MA region. It is highly recommended for any amateur radio operator, even those with no prior public service or emergency communications experience.

Please contact Bob KA1OTQ for more information or to sign up.

The Worcester Area VE Team will be holding a special amateur radio exam session in Gardner to follow up for a licensing course taught there. The session will also be open to the public and for all license classes.

This session will be held at South Gardner Fire Station #1 / EOC, 2nd floor, 61 East Broadway, Gardner, MA (at the intersection with Prospect Street) on Saturday November 16 at 9:00 AM.

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 145.370 MHz W1GCD repeater.

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 Matt Brennan NM1B 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.

The Worcester Area VE Team will be holding an amateur radio test session for all license classes at Kaven Hall, Room 115, Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 6:30 PM.

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.

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 Matt Brennan NM1B 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.

Hi Folks,

I'm looking for about fifteen hams to provide communications assistance for the Run Around Hopkinton Marathon Relay in Hopkinton on Sunday, October 6th. It occurs from 8:30 am to about noon. It will be held in Hopkinton in and around the Hopkinton State Park. More info is available on the event's website. Assignments are mostly checkpoints along the course as well as a couple shadows and possibly a support vehicle.

If you are interested, please send me an E-Mail and let me know if you have UHF equipment with DCS / DPL. Thanks!

Thanks,
Matt, NM1B