127th Boston Marathon Amateur Radio Volunteers Still Needed

Please forgive the lateness of this post as I realized I forgot to post to the website!

Volunteer applications for the 127th running of the Boston Marathon and BAA 5K are open and are still looking for volunteers! I’m sure some of you have already gotten some emails about this if you’ve volunteered before but I’ve included the instructions from the BAA Communications Committee below. Please consider volunteering!

Volunteer registration for the 2023 Boston Marathon is open.  Returning volunteers will get an email from the BAA later this morning with instructions.  In order to make registration as smooth as possible we are providing specific instructions for our Amateur Radio Operator (ARO) volunteers.

If you haven’t previously volunteered, or have a friend who would like to volunteer, please go directly to the Volunteer Registration page after 10:00 AM EST and follow the instructions for new volunteers.

Step by Step Sign Up Guide: 

https://hamradioboston.freshdesk.com/en/support/solutions/articles/44002389087-2023-volunteer-registration-step-by-step-guide

A few notes for volunteers:
Almost all amateur radio positions are single person assignments.  We are not able to group people on a single assignment, but we will try to accommodate which segment you are assigned to in order to allow for similar start/end times.

Don’t delay! Volunteer registration closes on Friday, February 10 at 5:00 PM EST. It would help our planning processes if you could please complete your registration by Friday, January 27.

Help us get the word out by forwarding this email to your club and other amateur radio operators who might wish to volunteer. Most volunteers first learn about the event through word of mouth. If you know new licensees who might like to join us, please make sure to let them know about it. Even just a quick mention at your club meeting can be a big help.

If you have any questions about the upcoming volunteer registration period, or the 2023 Marathon generally, please get in touch anytime. Volunteering at the Marathon is a big job and we appreciate the time and effort everyone puts into it. We’re happy to do what we can to make your work fun, comfortable, and effective.

We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Thank you, and 73,

Boston Marathon Communications Committee

Volunteers Needed for the Head of the Charles Regatta – Friday 10/21/22-Sunday 10/23/22 – 0600-1800 Daily

KC1AEI-Matt Knowles writes:

Volunteers are needed for the Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) from Friday 10/21/22-Sunday 10/23/22 from 0600-1800 daily.  The Head of the Charles Regatta is a rowing event taking place on the Charles River in Boston. We staff safety boats on the water and first aid stations on land to provide emergency communications to event organizers. The HOCR is sponsored by BNY Mellon, Vineyard Vines, etc. and is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization. For more information, see the event web site and volunteer registration web site links below:

Event Web Site: https://www.hocr.org

Volunteer Registration site (Select Emergency Services (HAM Radio – Land Station) or Emergency Services (Ham Radio – Safety Launch): https://volunteer.regattacentral.com/hocr/browse

Any skill level is accepted, please reach out with any questions. Thanks!

Regards,

KC1AEI-Matt Knowles

Email: matthewsknowles@gmail.com

Call for volunteers: The Big E

(From Larry, W1AST, via Bruce Blain, K1BG)

The Big E is coming up fast and the first day is Friday, September 16th.

As of right now there are 12 clubs and around 110 people signed up to staff the ham radio booth. We are looking for a few more to help us lock down the schedule. Are you available on any of these dates and times?

Each day is broken into two sessions. The first runs 9:30 am through 4:00 pm and the second runs 3:30 pm through 10:00 pm. The overlap is to help the new arrivals for the 2nd session learn what had been working during the first session so they could continue. The sessions are named Session 1 and Session 2.

Here is where we need volunteers as of right now:

Monday, Sept 19, session 1 – need 2 people
Monday, Sept 19, session 2 – need 3 people
Tuesday, Sept 20, session 2 – need 3 people
Sunday, Sept 25, session 2 – need 3 people
Tuesday, Sept 27, session 2 – need 4 people
Friday, Sept 30, session 2 – need 3 people
Saturday, Oct 1, session 1 – needs 1 person
Sunday, Oct 2 (Final Day), session 1 – needs 2 people
Sunday, Oct 2 (Final session), session 2 – needs 2 people

Are you available to help? If yes, please volunteer or add a session to what you have already volunteered for.

As a reminder, everyone that volunteers gets their Big E fairgrounds parking reimbursed and their admission reimbursed (or free tickets provided to them).

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9_iH1ZucHuCFCNwreEuVPWnmLOT5D_s92vHPuEUASS78Tew/viewform

Learn more here: https://nediv.arrl.org/project-big-e

I hope you are available to help us lock in these last few days of the schedule for the ham radio booth.

Thank you and 73,

Larry, W1AST

ARRL WMA ACC
HCRA President
Visit my Ham Radio club website at: www.HCRA.org
Team K2H – 13 Colonies Massachusetts State Manager
Project Big E 2022 Organizer
Proud Member of ARRL, BARS, FCARC & YCCC
413-348-3289

Ham Assistance Requested: 2022 Cystic Fibrosis Cycle for Life

Hi all, Dave Gilman KC1DDH is looking for amateur radio volunteers for the 2022 Cystic Fibrosis Cycle for Life. Please see below for more information

The 2022 Cystic Fibrosis Cycle for Life is coming up on Saturday October 1st, 2022 and I am in need of Amateur Radio Operators to volunteer for SAG (Support & Gear) operations and if there is sufficient quantity of volunteers we will also be staffing the rest stops.

For those who have not worked this event before, it is a charity bicycle ride starting and finishing in Holliston Massachusetts.  Funds raised benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in their quest for a cure.

There are 3 routes.  A 12 mile, 30 mile and 62 mile loop and 4 rest stops traversing several towns around Holliston.

If you are available to help out please fill out this form and I will be in touch with more details as the date gets closer.

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP LINK

Thank You,
Dave Gilman KC1DDH
Course Safety & Communications Coordinator
KC1DDH@Gmail.com

Volunteer Registration Open For The 2022 BAA Half Marathon

Hi all,

Some of you may have already gotten an email from the BAA but volunteer registration is open for the 2022 BAA Half Marathon taking place on 11/13/22 starting in Franklin Park! There is a need for amateur radio volunteers so if you are free that day and interested please sign up. If you have volunteered at a BAA event in the past the process is very similar and you should see a banner once you log in. If you have not volunteered at a BAA event in the past follow these steps:

  1. Go to https://www.baa.org/races/baa-half-marathon/volunteer and follow the link to sign up for an Athletes’ Village account.
  2. After creating your account and logging in you should see a 2022 B.A.A Volunteer Program banner with a button that says “To Volunteer Click Here”. Click the button
  3. Fill out all the information in Steps 1 and 2
  4. For Step 3 choose “General”
  5. For Step 4 choose “Yes, I am an Amateur Radio Operator” and fill in your callsign and equipment
  6. For Step 5 choose “Apply as an individual”
  7. For Step 6 choose “Amateur Radios, Operations — Sunday, 11/13/2022”

You should get a confirmation number and an email shortly after. Registration closes October 21st at 5pm so don’t delay.

73,
Ethan KC1OIP
BARC Public Service Chair

Ham Assistance Requested: Tour de Cure New England Charity Ride – Lexington, MA – August 21st

Hi all,

Please see below from Jim Bradley KB1JKJ regarding ham support for the Tour de Cure New England Charity Ride on August 21st, 2022.

Hi –

I am Jim Bradley, KB1JKJ, of the  North Shore Radio Association.  We have been asked to help ensure the safety of the riders and make this American Diabetes eventevent a success.   I am coordinating hams and we need your help. 

This is a new post covid regional Tour de Cure New England Charity Ride starting in Lexington, MA at the office of Fractyl Health. 

We need hams for sag and rest stops on Sunday,  August 21, 2022.  There are 4 routes; 15-mile, 30-Mile, 62-Mile, 100-Mile.  All rides start and finish at the Fractyl Health parking lot in Lexington, MA. For more information on the routes >https://donations.diabetes.org/site/TR?pg=informational&fr_id=13438&type=fr_informational&sid=26840

SAG (Support and Gear) Drivers

DESCRIPTION

Location: On Routes, beginning at Fractyl Health, 17 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421

Hours 5:30am – 4:00pm

• You must provide your own vehicle which has the capacity to easily transport a cyclist and bicycle.

• Pick up cyclists and bicycles for transport to the nearest rest stop or available bike mechanic. 

• Respond to calls and directions from the Command Center to aid cyclists who need road assistance. SAG drivers may be accompanied by mobile HAM radio volunteers.

• Patrol route watching for injured riders, mechanical troubles, and signage problems. Relay information to the Command Center.

Please sign up here > https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/75698315274408604/false#/invitation

If you would like to be stationary at a rest stop please email me directly.

Our ham supported public service events are interesting and fun experiences.  The communication load is light, but safety and support for the participants are always primary.  If you are new to this facet of ham radio, and want to get more public service experience, this is an excellent opportunity to learn the ropes.  If you are an experienced public service volunteer, we definitely need your help. 

I will get the assignments and more details to you as before the event.  Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. 

73,

Jim Bradley, KB1JKJ

Thanks!

Ethan KC1OIP
BARC Public Service Chair

Volunteer Registration Open For The 2022 BAA 10K

Hi all,

Some of you may have already gotten an email from the BAA but volunteer registration is open for the 2022 BAA 10K taking place on 06/26/22! There is a need for amateur radio volunteers so if you are free that day and interested please sign up. If you have volunteered at a BAA event in the past the process is very similar and you should see a banner once you log in. If you have not volunteered at a BAA event in the past follow these steps:

  1. Go to https://www.baa.org/races/baa-10k/volunteer and follow the link to sign up for an Athletes’ Village account.
  2. After creating your account and logging in you should see a 2022 B.A.A Volunteer Program banner with a button that says “To Volunteer Click Here”. Click the button
  3. Fill out all the information in Steps 1 and 2
  4. For Step 3 choose “General”
  5. For Step 4 choose “Yes, I am an Amateur Radio Operator” and fill in your callsign and equipment
  6. For Step 5 choose “Apply as an individual”
  7. For Step 6 choose “Amateur Radios, Boston Common — Sunday, 06/26/2022”

You should get a confirmation number and an email shortly after. Registration closes June 10th so don’t delay.

73,
Ethan KC1OIP
BARC Public Service Chair

MS Walk Boston April 3 Request For Help

From Rick Savage KB1LYJ:

After a 2-year hiatus MS Walk Boston is back. Throughout the year, the National MS Society organizes walks to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research and patient advocacy.  The Boston walk has long relied on hams to help ensure everyone’s safety. 

This year’s MS Walk Boston is on Sunday, April 3rd.  It starts and ends  at Boston University’s Nickerson Field in Boston, and runs along  Commonwealth Ave and Boston University.  Volunteers will check in at 8:00 AM, and stay until the early afternoon. 

To volunteer, register online at https://nmss.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=659389

I’ll be organizing the hams for this event.  In addition to registering, please respond me with the following information:
* Your call sign, full name, and name you prefer on the air
* Contact information: your e-mail address, and phone numbers where you can be reached (cell, home, office)
* Your shirt size
* The transmit band(s) of your radio(s), and other equipment you could bring
* Do you have any needs or requests we should consider when making your assignment?

I addition to contacting me All Volunteers  must
 This is a requirement of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Thanks for volunteering, and 73,

Rick Savage KB1LYJ
rpsavage@comcast.net

Boston Marathon volunteers still needed

From Bruce Blain, K1BG:

Please let your membership know that the Boston Marathon is in need of an additional 80 – 100 volunteers to provide communications for the 2022 Boston Marathon. It’s a great opportunity to provide a public service, meet many fellow hams, and just have fun enjoying amateur radio during this event. It’s a great way for new hams and old hams alike to show what amateur radio is all about.

Make your membership aware! By email, webpage, local 2 meter/440 net, social media, newsletter, etc. Please get the word out.

For more information, please go here: https://ema.arrl.org/2022/01/23/boston-marathon-amateur-radio-volunteers-still-needed-race-day-monday-4-18-22-volunteer-registration-closes-2-18-22/

Volunteer at the Run of the Charles, April 29

The Run of the Charles is one of the most unique public service events for hams each year. It’s a series of canoe and kayak races for all different group sizes and course lengths. The variety draws all kinds of participants, and they all rely on us to help keep the event running safely and smoothly.

This year’s Run of the Charles is on Sunday, April 29. The full 26-mile course runs from Riverdale Park in Dedham down to Artesani Park in Brighton. Assignment check-in times vary by location, from 7:00 AM at far start points to 10:00 AM at portages near the finish. Since the CRWA relies on hams for all kinds of logistics, from on-site check-ins to rules infractions, there’s a position for volunteers at any experience level.

Volunteers for this event must have a dual-band (2m and 70cm) handheld radio and an antenna with improved gain over the stock rubber duck. These are necessary because many volunteer sites are low-lying areas where it can be a challenge to reach repeaters. If you can help, please get in touch and let me know:

  • Your name and call sign
  • Phone numbers where you can be reached (cell, home, office)
  • Details of the equipment you’re willing to bring. Start sites that accept new registrations could benefit from a small field setup—think 10W+ and an antenna like a magmount or better. If you can bring that, please let me know.
  • Your shirt size
  • Do you have any needs or requests we should consider when making your assignment?

If you have questions about the event, please get in touch by e-mail or phone (859) 466 5915.