At our team's request, the WX1BOX SKYWARN team will be giving a SKYWARN Weather Spotter training session here in Worcester. Given that it is sometimes a hassle for some WPIWA members to get up to Skyline Drive, we've worked with all involved to have it at WPI.

The SKYWARN Training will be on Wednesday March 23rd, 2016 from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Higgins Lab, Room 116.

The session is free and is open to the public so anyone interested can attend. Anyone that hasn't been to this training within the last 5 years or so should probably retake it as a refresher as reporting criteria do change slightly over time.

IMPORTANT: Whether you are a WECT member or not, please pre-register using this sign-up form. We are expecting a decent turn-out and need to ensure that we have capacity. If you are not very familiar with WPI, reference the campus map for the exact location. We will also be monitoring WECT's 146.480 MHz Worcester repeater for talk-in and assistance.

The Sutton Chain of lights will be held again this year on the 5 December 2015. Most of you have worked it last year, and I am hoping will work it again this year. I am looking for operators to work this event. If you are available, and would like to contribute your communications knowledge to this event please let me know by e-mail. Looking forward to working with you. More info available at the Town of Sutton's website or on the Sutton Chain of Lights Facebook page.

KA1OTQ
District Emergency Coordinator, Western Massachusetts Section / Central Massachusetts

WECT is supporting the Ride to Defeat ALS on Sunday September 27 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. Operators working at a course station can report directly to their station. Lunch is provided for operators in Wayland. Due to the large area covered, some stations will require a mobile radio.

If you are available, please respond to the @ and indicate if you have a station preference and if you have a mobile radio with 2M or 440 capability.

The Worcester Area VE Team will be holding a special amateur radio test session for all license classes at Higgins Labs, Room 230, Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 6:30 PM. The session is open to the general public.

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.

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.

Any questions regarding this session can be directed to @.

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 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 13th.

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 John an email and let him know if you have UHF equipment with DCS / DPL.

The Worcester Area VE Team will be holding an amateur radio test session for all license classes at Kaven Hall, Room 116, Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at 6:30 PM. The session is open to the general public.

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.

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.

Any questions regarding this session can be directed to @.

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.

WMA ARES Section Emergency Coordinator John Ruggiero N2YHK is looking assistance with this season's Massachusetts State Triathlon in Winchendon at the Lake Dennison Recreation Area on Sunday, July 12 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.

For more details on the amateur radio assignments or to sign up please send email to our events coordination email address and let us know if you have UHF equipment with DCS / DPL capabilities.

The Governor of Massachusetts, as well as the Massachusetts State Senate, have proclaimed this weekend Amateur Radio Weekend in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Thanks to WMA Section Manager Ed Emco, W1KT, for his work in making this happen.

Check out WECT's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WorcEmCommTeam for copies of the proclamations.