BOSTON AMATEUR RADIO CLUB The Boston Amateur Radio Club is a non-commercial association of persons interested in Amateur Radio,organized for the promotion of interest in Amateur Radio communication and experimentation and education, for the establishment of emergency communications in the event of disasters or other emergencies, for the advancement of the radio art and the public welfare, for the representation of the radio amateur in legislative matters, and for the maintenance of collegiality and a high standard of conduct. The Boston Amateur Radio Club ("The Club") is an ARRL-affiliated Special Service Club and is a member of the council of Eastern Massachusetts Amateur Radio Clubs (CEMARC) and the New England Spectrum Management Council (NESMC). The Club is a participant in "Partnerships Advancing Technical Hobbies Which Attract Youth to Science" (PATHWAYS). The Club is also an associate member of the Courage HANDI-HAM System, and cooperates with the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay (ARCMB under a Memorandum of Understanding. The Club is open to all persons interested in Amateur Radio, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, handicap, or sexual preference. Our general meeting location is handi-cap accessible. Other meetings and activities are handicap accessible by arrangement. The Boston Amateur Radio Club is a relatively new club. It was founded in 1989 by a few hams in the Red Cross and has grown to a membership of approximately 225. The club meets on the third Wednesday of every month at the Lotus Corporation on First st. in Cambridge. Each monthly meeting features a guest speaker to present a different aspect of the hobby or a topic of interest to the membership. At every meeting members are available to answer any question you might have about amateur radio. the club also maintains a resource list of hams who are willing to help hams interested a particular aspect of the hobby such as satellites, digital mode, Morse Code, computers and much more. Dues for membership is $20.00 per year. Dues for family members not receiving club mailings are $10.00 per year. The club also publishes a monthly newsletter currently known as "The SPARC" which every member receives. Any questions regarding the B.A.R.C., membership, becoming a ham can be directed to any of the club officers or to: Sandy Brooks,N1IWR BARC Membership or via E-Mail or home phone PO Box 15585 Kenmore Station Sandy Brooks, N1IWR 617-825-9168 Boston, MA 02215 n1ils@world.std.com Amateur Radio--America's Number One Hobby Amateur Radio (often called "ham radio") is the leading public service hobby in the US. It is authorized by the US Federal Communications Commission and has a 75-year history of providing service to the community and developing a valuable pool of trained technicians and communication experts. Amateur Radio operators are people of any age, sex, profession, or nationality who are fascinated with communication via two-way radio. Generally a skilled group, they are required to pass examinations to receive the authorization to operate an Amateur Radio station. The typical Amateur has a variety of interests, and the hobby provides for a multitude of individual preferences. Amateurs engage in general chit-chat; emergency operations, including participation in Civil Preparedness; sending, relaying, receiving, and delivering free Radiograms for the public; providing communication support for civic functions such as local parades, marathons, etc; making friends with Amateurs in foreign countries; investigating the mysteries of radio signal propagation; building, modifying, and designing radio equipment, antennas, and accessories; launching and using amateur radio satellites for earth-to-space communication; winning awards for operating proficiency in many areas; helping others prepare for Amateur Radio FCC license examinations; and many more exciting and valuable activities. The FCC grants five classes of licenses to operate Amateur Radio stations,each requiring the candidate to demonstrate progressive levels of ability and knowledge. Each successive class of license allows greater operating privileges and access to more usable radio frequencies. For most persons, the initial license is Novice operator. It requires the applicant to pass an elementary written test and to demonstrate the ability to understand Morse code when sent at just 5 words per minute (wpm). The second step up the ladder is the Technician Class. Another written examination is required. Next up is General Class. Another written examination must be passed, as well as a test to demonstrate the ability to understand Morse code at 13 wpm. The fourth step up the ladder is Advanced Class. For this level, another written examination is required. The final step up the ladder is Amateur Extra Class. Another written examination and 20 wpm Morse code proficiency is required. This license authorizes all Amateur Radio privileges and frequencies. For all licenses, the examinations are administered by at least three local amateur operators serving as Volunteer Examiners (VEs). Their efforts are coordinated by a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC). The VEC makes public the questions used in the written examinations. The administering VE's may charge the candidate a nominal fee as stipulated by the FCC for certain reimbursable expenses incurred in preparing, processing, or administering the examination (currently $5.25 per exam session, regardless of how many exam elements are taken). Many licensed amateurs enjoy joining and participating in local Amateur Radio clubs. These clubs provide comradeship, coordinate special activities, support members via exchange of information and often conduct free FCC exam preparation classes. Amateur Radio is a truly unique and thrilling avocation that can give years of unforgettable pleasure and allow you to serve your community in a very distinctive way. Believe it or not, you can get on the air and have a ball on a shoestring! Lots of amateurs obtain their first set of transmitting and receiving equipment as a loaner, gift or at minimal cost from other amateurs who have accumulated spare equipment. To get a ham radio license takes most people a month or less to study Morse code and theory to pass the Novice exam. Amateur Radio vs Citizen's Band (CB) Radio Many people incorrectly confuse ham radio with the more ubiquitous CB. Amateur Radio and Citizen's Band (CB) are two systems of two-way communication regulated and authorized in the US by the Federal Communications Commission. USES PERMITTED Amateur Radio: Noncommercial public service-oriented communication service. Hobby and experimental communications. Home computing by radio. Emergency and routine public service. Providing reliable two-way radio contact for special community events and activities. Transmission and delivery of free Radiograms on behalf of the general public. CB: Business and casual conversations. Public aid channel for emergencies. OPERATING RANGE Amateur Radio: Unlimited. Amateurs have communicated with orbiting astronauts. International communications are commonplace. CB: Limited by Federal Law to less than 150 miles. CB users typically talk within less than 4-5 miles. FREQUENCIES OFFERED Amateur Radio: More than two dozen Amateur frequency bands are spread across the entire airwave spectrum, from 1.8 kHz to 250 GHz. CB: One frequency band of 40 channels, from 26.96 to 27.41 MHz POWER PERMITTED: Amateur Radio: Up to 1,500 watts, if needed. Essentially unlimited antenna height and configuration. CB: Less than 5 watts. Antenna height is limited by Federal Law. HOW TO TELL WHO IS WHO Amateur Radio: Government-issued call signs indicating country/zone of operator, as well as personal identification. Formal station identification is required at frequent intervals. Operators also typically identify themselves in ordinary conversations using their real names. Most states offer licensees special Amateur Radio call sign license plates. CB: No formal system of identification.Users typically identify themselves by aliases or "handles." HOW TO GET STARTED IN AMATEUR RADIO Getting started in Amateur Radio has never been easier! You can usually find a ham radio class in your area sponsored by friendly volunteers who will help you learn the "ropes." Two Entry-Level Licenses To Choose From The Novice Class license lets you talk by radio using voice, Morse code or computers. You'll take a relatively easy exam on radio operating practices, FCC rules and basic electrical theory. You'll also pass a 5 words-per-minute Morse code test. Novice Class operating privileges include FM voice, digital packet, single-sideband voice and Morse code. Novice operators can use many of the popular shortwave frequencies (below 30 Megahertz) to communicate worldwide using Morse code, and on one shortwave frequency band they can even use voice. The Technician Class license NO LONGER REQUIRES A MORSE CODE EXAMINATION, and gives you all ham radio privileges above 30 Megahertz. You'll pass a relatively easy exam on radio operating practices, FCC rules and basic electrical theory. Technician Class operating privileges include FM voice, digital packet, satellite, television, single-sideband voice and several other interesting modes. You can make international radio contacts via satellites, using relatively simple equipment. Where Do I Start? The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and others publish ham radio license study guides to help you learn the things you'll need to pass your exam and have fun with Amateur Radio. The Boston Amateur Radio Club regularly holds licensing courses that run for eight weeks. The Club also conducts license exams on the first Monday of each month. The exams are held at the Lotus Corporation in Cambridge. For more information on the exams call Bob Wondolowski, N1KDA at 617-593-1955. Software Library One of the many resources of the Boston Amateur Radio Club is the Software Library. The club's librarian is Scott Erlich WY1Z. Scott is responsible for locating and collecting ham-radio-related software programs for any type of computer and operating system. As a result of this Scott can distribute the programs, or information on where the programs are located, to club members who are interested in obtaining them. Scott uses his "full-blown" access to the Internet system along with a computer account with a lot of disk storage, to search for public-domain (shareware and freeware) programs. Scott makes these programs available to members at each monthly meeting. If you have E-Mail capability you can reach him at wy1z@world.std.com or just come to a meeting and see what the library has to offer! Where to hear Amateur Radio Whether you have amateur equipment or just a scanner, here is where you can hear lots of hams in and around the Boston area. Boston 145.230 - Dorchester 145.210 - Northestern U. 145.310 - Dedham 147.210 + Dedham 147.390 + Quincy 146.670 - Stoneham 146.715 - Wakefield 147.075 + Waltham 146.640 - Wellesley 147.030 + Weston 146.820 - Weymouth 147.300 + This is just a quick reference list. The A.R.R.L. Repeater Directory contains over 3500 repeater listings covering the United States, Canada and Mexico. Boston 145.23 Repeater The Boston Amateur Radio Club owns and operates a 2 meter repeater which is located on the Federal Reserve Bank building in downtown Boston near South Station. The height of the antenna is 620 feet above ground. The antenna height provides a very wide area of coverage. The repeater output frequency is 145.23 mhz. and the input is 144.63 mhz. This repeater is open for all to use and does not require any tones to access it. There is a PL tone of 146.20 on the output for your convenience. The club strongly encourages all users of the repeater to speak in plain english. Lingo found on some radio bands will only add confusion to those not familiar with it and it may interfere with the ability of other stations trying to relay emergency traffic. Every day various groups of people gather on 145.23. These groups are commonly referred to as "nets". Each night at 8:00 p.m. the National Traffic System net meets to pass messages to and from all parts of the world. This net is very interesting to listen to and the net managers will invite you to check-in and send a message or pass one on to its destination. On Monday nights at 9:00 p.m. is the Boston Amateur Radio Club net. The purpose of this net is to keep club members informed of what's happening in the club and to answer any questions about the club or ham radio in general for anyone who happens to be listening. Each Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. a group called the Eastern Mass. Public Safety net meets to discuss issues for those involved or interested in Public Safety. Thursday and Sunday nights at 9:00 p.m. you will hear the ATARA net which stands for the Aleppo Temple Amateur Radio Association. These are the guys with the funny hats. But seriously, the ATARA net is a group of hams who are also Shriners, well known for their Burn Centers that provide free medical care to seriously burned children all over the country. Repeater operating "Do's and Don'ts" Phil Temples K9HI DO let the repeater tail drop between transmissions. This lets the timer reset, and gives others the opportunity to break in. DON'T ever acknowledge any unidentified transmissions, or stations who you think are illegal. If you do, you're giving them the attention they're looking for. DO immediately recognize "Call Please." This is a way of indicating you wish to contact a station and communicate briefly, in order to arrange to move to another frequency. DON'T say "Break" or Call Please" if you merely wish to join a conversation in progress. Just say your callsign duringa pause. DO try and be a good listener. If you are unfamiliar with a topic being discussed, use the opportunity to listen, ask questions, and learn. DON'T discuss the same topic time and time again. Others who are listening appreciate variety. Too much of a "good" thing can quickly drive other users to another frequency, or to the on/off switch on their radio. DO try and limit the amount of time you spend on the air daily. The repeater is like a telephone party-line: the more you talk, the more you discourage others from initiating their own calls and conversations. Keep an "internal timer" running in your mind, and consider how many minutes per day constitutes your fair share of operating time. DON'T tie up the repeater for local or base-station conversations. The Boston repeater is a wide-area coverage system;many people benefit from its operation. After establishing contact, move to a simplex frequency, or a local-coverage repeater if possible. Give mobiles and portables priority for the repeater's use. DO get into the habit of asking, "Is the frequency (repeater) in use?" before making a call or announcing that you are listening. It is not enough to merely listen for five or ten seconds. You could find yourself interupting an ongoing conversation, or even a traffic accident report in progress. DON'T use excessive ham "jargon". Say "my name is..." rather than, "handle (personal) on this end is...". Similarly, avoid Q-signals, which were invented for Morse code communication. Avoid the use of non-existent words and phrases such as, "I'm destinated." Just say, "I'm at my destination." And stay away from "cute" phonetics that may confuse non-native English speakers (and English speakers, for that matter!). Use the approved international phonetics if it is necessary. Speak with normal inflection and a normal tone of voice, as if you were talking to someone face-to-face. Finally, DO act toward others on-the-air as you would want them to act toward you. We all deserve to be treated with respect and kindness. But, we all have different levels of skill and expertise. Don't be so quick to judge when the other person fails to measure up to your standards. Remember, we were all "new" at this once. BOSTON AMATEUR RADIO CLUB Application for Membership - 1993 Please type or print clearly: New ___ Renewal ____ Full Name ______________________________________ Callsign ____________ Name Used on Air ________________________________ Address ___________________________________ Eve Ph. ____________ ______________________________________ Day Ph. ____________ Zip+4 _______________ 3rd Ph. ____________ Packet and/or E-mail address ____________________________________________ FOR CLUB FAMILY MEMBERSHIP ONLY: (Each club member in the family must complete a separate form.) I am the family member to receive club mailings: ____ YES ____ NO Other club family member(s) at this address:__________________________________________ Note: dues for each family member are 1/2 the dues for the regular member LICENSE CLASS: ARRL MEMBERSHIP: RED CROSS VOLUNTEER: ____ Novice _____ Life Yes ___ No ___ ____ Technician _____ Annual If Yes, ____ General _____ Not a member Service: ___________ ____ Advanced ____ Extra BARC periodically distributes the membership roster to members only. ____ Former Ham Do you wish to omit your: address (Y/N)? Telephone #(Y/N)? ____ Not yet a Ham Badge information (for new or upgraded members--check desired fields) _____Full first name } at least ____ Last name (optional) or } one is _____ On-air name } required ____ City/town (optional) Signature _______________________________ Date ________________________ =================================================================== * Dues for 1993 membership are $20.00. * Dues for family members not receiving club mailings are $10.00. * Individuals who join after June 31 will pay only $10.00 for the remainder of the calendar year. * Your cancelled check will be your receipt. * Make checks payable to: BOSTON AMATEUR RADIO CLUB. * Please write your call sign (if licensed) on your check. * If mailing, send completed application(s) and check to: Boston ARC, PO Box 15585, Kenmore Station, Boston MA 02215