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!

Since it was such a success last year, we're going to run the early-bird Field Day sign-up raffle again this year!

Raffle Rules:

• The raffle is completely free.
• All participants whom have signed up for WECT's Field Day by end of day May 31 will be automatically enrolled in the raffle. This is the only way to enroll into the raffle.
• Only amateur radio operators are eligible for the raffle. However, entrants do not need to be WECT members.  You do not need to be a WECT member to participate in our Field Day.
• Winners will be chosen randomly and notified sometime during the day June 1.
• Winners must notify the Field Day Event Coordinators of their selection of prize no later than end of day June 7 or forfeit their prize to another winner selected at random.
• Winners must collect their prize at our Field Day event.
• If a winner doesn't show up to our Field Day, they forfeit their prize to another winner selected at random.

First Place:
An ARRL Field Day 2016 T-Shirt in the size and color of the winner's choosing. They are available in either Chocolate Brown or Tan.

Second Place:
The winner's choice of either an ARRL Field Day 2016 hat or mug.

More details on our Field Day is available on our Field Day Info page or sign up using the online Field Day Signup Form.

Thanks and 73,
Brad Miller KB1TDP
Gil Hayes WK1H
WECT Field Day 2016 Event Coordinators

WMA ARES Section Emergency Coordinator and WECT Member John Ruggiero N2YHK is looking for amateur radio assistance with the New England Season Opener Triathlon at the Hopkinton State Park on Sunday, May 15 from 7:00 AM to 12:00 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.

For more details on the amateur radio assignments or to sign up contact WECT Events, and let John know if you have UHF equipment with DCS / DPL when you sign up.

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 7 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Ops will need to have a dual band HT capable of DCS / DPL 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 a dual band HT capable of DCS / DPL.

The Worcester Emergency Communications Team will be meeting at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, May 11 in Meeting Room A at 50 Skyline Drive in Worcester.

The meeting will feature a presentation by Director of Worcester Emergency Management Rich Fiske on the city's new 800Mhz digital trunked radio system that is currently being placed into service, as well as the new dispatch center that is currently being constructed. The meeting is open to the general public so all are welcome to attend.

Additionally, we will hold nominations for WECT's executive board elections that will occur at a later meeting. The following positions are up for election this year:

• President, currently held by Ben Holmes, NB1H
• Treasurer, currently held by Matt Brennan, NM1B
• Director, currently held by Rob Capizzio, KC2EMA
• Director, currently held by Paul Poirier, AB1ES

If you are interested in any of these positions and would like to learn more about them, please let me know. If you would like to nominate someone or be nominated but cannot attend the meeting, let me know and I can make a nomination for you. Please note that only WECT members in good standing can vote or be nominated or elected to a WECT office.

Thanks and hope to see everyone,
Ben NB1H
President, WECT