We are in need of several Hams for another Trail Run. This run, the Li’l Rhody Run Around, is in the Burlingame State Park in Charlestown RI on Sunday 19 November 2023.
There are 2 courses, a 4 mi and an 8 mi. Both courses start and end in the vicinity of the Burlingame Picnic Grove.
Course Description: The terrain of the course is primarily dirt trails, with some dirt and asphalt roads. In order to minimize bunching up at the trail entrance, the race will first run just under one mile on Sanctuary Road, a quiet dead-end dirt road with very little traffic.
The 8-mile course will branch to the right and follow single-track trails counter clockwise around Watchaug Pond, finishing back at the picnic area parking lot. The 4-mile course will continue straight on Sanctuary Road, before branching off to trails in the DEM-owned Kimball Preserve, making a loop through Burlingame State Park campground, and returning to same start/finish via Sanctuary Road.
Hams will be providing safety communications along the course and will need to walk or ride a bicycle short distances carrying their equipment to their posts. The area is heavily forested and has multiple elevated areas that dan disrupt radio signals. Good radios, antennas and power supplies are essential. We are still testing radio coms on the course. The Info sheet has the current comm plan, which may change with further testing.
Please let me know if you are available or not.
Requirement:
Each participant and volunteer must wear at least 200 square inches of orange. Anyone not wearing orange will not be allowed to race per State of RI DEM mandate.
Thank you,
Jim Creamer, KB1MAO
Westerly Amateur Radio Team
2 David Ave.
Westerly, RI 02891
P: 401-596-2720
C: 401-864-4510
23 radio amateurs contributed 26 results during last weekend’s RI ARES MARS Airport Weather Practice Exercise. Thank you!
It was open to all anytime from 10am Saturday to 10pm Sunday October 7-8, 2023. As noted, 23 hams joined in. Two of these reported hearing nothing and one of the 26 submissions was a landline verification report. These are not shown in the data summary charts below.
Given this generous 36-hour window of time in which to submit results from home, 23 hams participated. Is this a large turnout, or less than expected? Too early to say. For comparison, the 2m RI ARES VHF Simplex net last night lasted about 45 minutes and had 15 check-ins from across 4 of the 5 RI counties. The month before, the RI ARES Simplex net had 20 check-ins across all 5 counties. Just FYI as we seek to understand baseline interest and commitment – and work to build aligned skill-development opportunities and continued outreach.
Top Challenge: AM Aviation Band (108-137MHz) awareness & solutions for your FM radio, scanner, or SDR
The Practice Exercise asked hams to listen on their radios and report what, if anything, they heard when tuned to 5 specific frequencies between 120-135 MHz, on the AM Aviation Airband.
Listed below are two of the FM radios used by this weekend’s practice exercise participants. These familiar ham radios do include the ability to receive on the aviation band.
5w Yaesu FT-60R (c. $190) w Diamond wide receive SRHF40A
50w Icom 5100 base
Add to the mix: reviewing how to program a new frequency, the benefits of a wideband receive antenna, and making time and effort to participate within the timeframe.
Location still matters: Nancy, KC1NEK used the Yaesu HT to clearly hear 4-5 airport weather stations over the last week from Middletown, RI. But then heard nothing when testing from the grounds of the New England Wireless & Steam Museum in East Greenwich.
This Practice Exercise was also an opportunity to learn about FM modulation/demodulation and slope detection. (Thank you, Steve, WA1GVM from Coventry!) Some people got creative with police scanners and planned SDR solutions. Yes, it was a good practice exercise. Stay tuned!
Join us tonight, Wednesday October 11, 2023 at 7:30pm on Zoom to share your experiences and tips. (For the Zoom link and more events, please see the RIARES.org calendar.)
What changes, if any, do you plan to put in place before the actual Simulated Emergency Test planned for Oct 21-22?
County [ham entries]
TF Green
Newport
N. Central
Block Island
Westerly
Bristol* [0]
Kent [5]
5
1
1
Newport [9]
5
9
3
3
1
Providence* [2]
2
1
Washington [6]
1
1
2
4
Outside RI [1]
1
*Requesting ambassadors especially for Bristol and Providence Counties. ARES looks to the team-building leadership role of the DEC and ECs to build this prepared capacity. This is a great opportunity to encourage, mentor, and learn while supporting a state-wide shared mission.
All interested RI licensed radio amateurs are welcome to join RI ARES Members for a MARS situational awareness practice exercise this weekend. We will be discussing this further on the RI ARES 1st & 3rd Tuesday night repeater NB1RI network nets, and in a Zoom meeting. (Details below.) This marks the beginning of RI ARES training exercises and monthly Zoom meetings scheduled for the rest of 2023. We welcome your participation.
Introduction
The following is the Simulated Emergency Test (SET) for the Rhode Island Section for the calendar year 2023.
We appreciate the leadership and support provided by Chuck Chandler, WS1L, the Western Massachusetts (WMA) Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) and Tom Kinahan, N1CPE, US Army MARS Region One Director as your new RI Section and ARES leadership put together a SET/Practice Exercise in time for ARRL’s SET.
We will run:
1) a Practice Exercise open to all interested RI licensed radio amateurs
from Saturday, October 7, 2023 beginning at 10:00 local (14:00 UTC), through Sunday, October 8, 2023 at 22:00 local (10/9/23 02:00 UTC).
2) the RI ARES Simulated Emergency Test will be held two weeks later:
from Saturday, October 21, 2023 beginning at 10:00 local (14:00 UTC), through Sunday, October 22, 2023 at 22:00 local (10/23/23 02:00 UTC).
Separate Instructions will be sent for the Simulated Emergency Test.
Rhode Island’s five Airport Surface Weather Observation Stations (ASOS/AWOS)
SITUATION
Repeated patterns of wet weather have been experienced throughout New England, leaving soils saturated and incapable of absorbing additional rainfall. Several instances of flooding have already led to road washouts impacting the transportation sector.
The first arctic cold front of the season approaches with a large pressure differential producing a sudden onset of high winds. With root systems already weakened in soft soil, large numbers of trees are felled throughout the region. Multiple roads become impassable. Wire and cable damage has led to degradation of the Public Switched Telephone, internet and cellular networks. Calls placed without GETS/WPS are taking up to one hour to complete. Limited internet access is available in some areas, with other areas suffering extended outages. High demand has made VoIP communications impossible.
Resource requests for high priority items are ready to transport via air to local airports but with no ability to receive local weather conditions at those airports ARES has been tasked with reporting local airport weather information.
MISSION
RI Radio Amateurs interested in participating will attempt to receive local airport weather broadcasts in the VHF-AM Aviation Band from 119-136 MHz. A list of local airport weather frequencies will be provided. Any weather reports received will be transcribed for later reporting.
For the Practice Exercise, participants will report their information via a Google Form located at:
A Simulated Emergency Test is a structured excercise. RI Radio Amateurs will attempt to receive local airport weather broadcasts in the VHF-AM Aviation Band from 119-136 MHz. A list of local airport weather frequencies in scope will be provided. Participants may elect to establish a temporary station at an advantageous position in order to improve their chances of receiving one or more airports.
For the Practice Exercise, participants who are able to receive these reports will transcribe the weather reports so that they may be reported to US Army MARS via the Google Form.
Participants who are unable to receive airport weather reports are requested to report that fact, along with their location, in order to alert authorities to any airports that may not be operational, or may have degraded weather reporting capabilities. Participating in this exercise also helps to build baseline awareness about who can hear what Rhode Island airport weather stations under good conditions. For the Practice Exercise, this should all be reported via the Google Form.
Two weeks later, the Simulated Emergency Test will involve passing this airport weather traffic over the air via one or more radio nets, or via WinLink.
ADMINISTRATIVE & LOGISTICS
This SET will require the following ICS forms:
ICS-202 Incident Objectives (summarizing this operations plan)
ICS-217 Communications Availability Worksheet (listing the five Rhode Island airport weather channels in scope)
ICS-213 General Message (printable Information Gathering Template)
The Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator will notify ARES members of this exercise in advance and solicit their participation. Any licensed amateur who expresses an interest is encouraged to take part.
An after-action review will be conducted soon after the conclusion of the Practice Exercise. Lessons learned will be implemented for the SET planned for two weeks later, October 21-22, 2023.
COMMAND & SIGNAL
The Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator has submitted this SET + Practice Exercise Operations Order to the Section Manager for their approval. Once approved, it will be disseminated to RI ARES members and those who have expressed interest in RI ARES for whom we have email addresses on file. It will also be announced on the RI ARES Repeater Net and posted to the RI section website: https:ri-arrl.org
The actual SET is anticipated to run for a 36-hour period from 1000 local on Saturday 21 October 2023 until 2200 local on Sunday 22 October 2023. This will allow participants to have sufficient time to monitor airport weather broadcasts and to report them. Participants may submit their Google Form at any time during the exercise period.
Participating in the Basic Practice Exercise is an important first step designed to be accessible for any interested radio amateur. All are welcome to give this a try.
Additional challenges and MARS crossband exercises are possible. The ARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book for Level 2 presumes annual participation in a Simulated Emergency Test, such as RI ARES is offering this October 2023. Please join in!
NOTES
You are invited to review additional documents at:
(The form will be available for practice before hand, but only data reported during the exercise will be utilized.)
Congratulations to Jeremy Taylor, K1JST for stepping up to put much of this together on short notice. Many thanks for contributing additional capacity to take on the new role as your volunteer RI Division Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator.
I am looking for hams to support the Grills Trail Run on the morning of Saturday 28 October 2023. This race is not your regular race we have supported in the past. This race is 2 courses, a 10 K and a 10mi, through the woods of the Grills Preserve in Bradford, RI. Both courses showcase Grills Preserve in Westerly, and the 10-Mile course also features beautiful trails, bridges, and riverfront in the Grills Wildlife Sanctuary in Hopkinton. The course is a mix of about 80% single-track and 20% double-track. Last year was the first time we supported the race and found it was more challenging than the usual races on roads. Last year’s hams reported enjoying the new challenges and the race organizers and participants were happy to have the hams providing that additional piece of mind. Most supporting hams will need to be able to walk short distances and have good portable equipment including antennas. GPS is a plus even though the course is well marked. I will provide GPS files as we get closer to the event.
I am looking for hams that ride off road bicycles for this event to act as SAG. You may also ride to your post on a bicycle if you want, just let me know.
This is an excellent way to improve your emergency communicating skills as well as your equipment.
Jim Creamer, KB1MAO, writes on the RI-ARES mailing list on September 1, 2023:
I can still use a few more hams. This is a large event and requires a substantial number of hams. Non hams are welcome also because they are a great help to the hams providing the communications. See the attachments for details. If you are available please let me know.
As we head deeper into hurricane season, it is as important as ever to build state and regional connections, face to face, with other radio amateurs.
The Big E, formerly known as The Eastern States Exposition, is billed as “New England’s Great State fair.” It is the largest agricultural event on the eastern seaboard and the sixth-largest fair in the nation. In 2022, the Big E had 1.6 million visitors.
For the second year, Larry Krainson, W1AST from western MA is leading an ambitious project to have an Amateur Radio booth staffed for the Fair’s duration by all the ARRL-affiliated clubs and individuals in New England. Last year, the BIG E featured an ISS-astronaut live chat. This year, Larry is again requesting support from RI. The ask is to support this major ham outreach and awareness project by signing up to cover 1 (or more) 6-hour shifts during the 10am-10pm period the New England Amateur Radio booth must be staffed each day for the 17 days the fair is open. Volunteers will be reimbursed for admission and parking. You can sign up individually, or carpool as a group from your club. Come experience what the Big E is all about while meeting other hams from across the region.
Suggest you download and print – Load into the radio.
Radio Bulletins RE: Maui Wildfires have affected phones, internet, and cell services across Maui.
No contact was established with Lahaina or its ham operators due to burned fiber lines and VERY limited hams in the area.
KH6COM Linked Repeater Update As of 9:15 am, operational in Kula, Maui (NH6Y & KH6UU)
Maui Winlink Status:
Stations are operational but some face internet disruptions.
Can still function as digipeaters.
HF Stations are suggested to monitor 7.088 LSB. Your participation is crucial during this time. SEE 40meter.net Informal Nets held at 9am, Noon and 4pm.
Normal Weekly HF ARES Net on Wednesday night 18:30 on 7.088 LSB
DMR-Hawaii- Lost Kula and West Maui repeaters.
Wailuku is still up on 444.9500 + CC3
Mauna Kea Repeater at the top of Big Island is on the air for EMCOMM purposes, 146.720, Negative Offset, – pl100.0 FM (4:33 PM 8/9/2023
Haleakala Digipeater Protocol:
Should KH6COM-10 encounter connectivity problems, it will continue as a Digipeater.
KH6ML and digipeat via KH6COM-10 on 441.000.
Change to 441.000 KH6ML Winlink Gateway to service Maui -Station: KH6ML: 441.000 VARA FM Kaneohe, Oahu
Status: Operational as a Winlink Gateway with internet
Note: Please limit testing to affected areas.
Hawaii Allstar Repeaters on-line on Maui County:
Maui
WH6AV – Wailuku 443.025 (+) PL 103.5 Repeater
WH6CYD – Pukalani 147.000 (+) PL 88.5 Repeater
WH6YF – Lahaina 147.540 PL 100 Simplex (Offline) Fire related
WH6FQM – Lahaina 444.800 (+) PL 88.5 Repeater (Offline) Fire related
Special Presentation: Maui Wildfire Discussion Hawaii ARES Net 10 Aug 2023
From an emergency communications perspective, the following is very interesting. This is the Hawaii ARES net discussing wildfires, power outages, sirens which didn’t sound, communications outages, refugee status, and other observations from ham operators at the scene and across the state.
Have you ever wondered if Amateur Radio TV is really a thing? Who uses it in 2023 and why?
Well, here is your chance to learn from experienced Boulder County ARES member Jim Andrews, KH6HTV. He has been a pioneer in Amateur TeleVision (ATV/DTV) equipment development and field deployment for decades and is a Fellow of the IEEE.
Did you know that as far back as 2010 Amateur TeleVision (ATV) provided video coverage situational awareness for a week during the coordinated effort to contain the FourMile Canyon fire that destroyed over 7,000 acres of forest and 160 homes. The technical side of Amateur TeleVision has advanced continually since then, driven by hams with the ongoing mission to provide real-time Public Service situational awareness using video.
RI Section radio amateurs interested in ARESⓇ, situational awareness, or technical innovations are encouraged to attend the next NE-ECAPS Meeting this upcoming Thursday July 13th at 8:00 pm. If you haven’t already done so, join [email protected] for more information and the Zoom link for the upcoming meeting Thursday July 13, 2023 at 8:00 pm.
This meeting will also offer RI hams a chance to consider what best practices RI might learn from the innovative ARES training programs developed in Boulder County, Colorado (BCARES).
Jack WM0G will be hosting Thursday’s NE-ECAP Zoom meeting. The RI Section in particular looks forward to welcoming Providence-native WM0G back to the region.
What: next NE-ECAPS meeting Thursday July 13, 2023 at 8pm
Topic: ATV and Public Service, presentation by Jim Andrews, KH6HTV
All interested RI licensed radio amateurs are welcome to join RI ARES Members for a MARS situational awareness practice exercise this weekend. We will be discussing this further on the RI ARES 1st & 3rd Tuesday night repeater NB1RI network nets, and in a Zoom meeting. (Details below.) This marks the beginning of 
Jim Creamer, KB1MAO, writes on the RI-ARES mailing list on September 1, 2023: