[W1SMH] Fwd: Reminder: November 2nd, 2020 MEMA RACES/ACS Communications Test Nets

[Ray Cord]

Ray CordDeputy DirectorNorton E.M.A.508-726-1054
 On Sunday, November 1, 2020, MEMA RegionTwoRaces <wc1mab at gmail.com> wrote:

Hello to all,

   I hope this message finds everyone safe and healthy. With recent world events it continues to be important that we remain prepared to assist in the event of any incidents that may overload the typical routine and emergency communications systems.  While there are no anticipated issues associated with the upcoming election, all RACES stations should maintain a heightened state of readiness as the possibility of leadership change in our country comes with an increased vulnerability to things such as cyber attack. We also continue to keep a close watch on the CoVID-19 numbers as we enter the time of year that health authorities have indicated may be particularly challenging in the control of the illness.
     Tomorrow, November 2nd 2020 is the first non-holiday Monday of the month and, as such, is our RACES/ACS/Preparedness night. We will be holding our sector nets on the normally assigned frequencies. As with last month, many EOCs and Community operating points are not accessible by our operators, so I continue to ask those who can't get to their EOC or normal RACES operating post to please check in from home or a mobile rig if possible. 

     One item of note is that the Sector 2D net will continue to meet on the WALPOLE REPEATER instead of the SHARON REPEATER due to the Sharon Repeater being temporarily off the air. The net will be hosted at its normal time (19:30 EDT) on 146.895 Mhz PL 123.0. As there are other users on the Walpole repeater close to our Net Time, the Sector 2D net will be an abbreviated net with no simplex test being held. We very much appreciate the Walpole Repeater Trustees allowing us to use their repeater to support our preparedness activities!       As always, I am looking for Net Control stations to staff any of the four sector nets for the evening. This month I will be able to act as NCO for the Sector 2A (Bristol County) net. Sector 2D is already covered as it always is.  I am looking for NCS operators Sector 2B (Plymouth County) and 2C (Cape and Islands.) Please let me know if you are available and interested.  
    Last month I had no NCO volunteers for the Cape and Islands portion of our net and I was unable to get into the Sector 2C repeater to run the net from my QTH. It would be greatly appreciated if any stations that have a strong signal into the 2C repeater would take on the Sector 2C Net Control duties. 
     For this month's net we will conduct our normal check-in and simplex test followed by a round of comments. During the comments round any stations who have a marked change in community posture toward COVID-19 can report that information at that time. 
   I continue to ask that any operators who have the time, please try to check into sector nets from near-by sections. This will allow our Net Control Operators to practice fielding nets with a strong check-in count and will also serve to help practice with relays or modified sector assignments in the event that a single repeater is out of service. 

   For those operators who serve as Net Control Operators, please try to remember to send me a list of the stations and communities that check into your nets. The numbers are reported to MEMA to show them our level of participation. I am continuing to work on a graphical map based report to show which parts of our section have strong coverage and which areas may need a more targeted recruitment campaign to improve our ability to provide back-up communications in an emergency.

The Region #2 and State Net Schedule for this evening is as follows:

| Net
 | Frequency/Offset
 | Time
 |
| Sector 2A
 | 147.00 /+0.60  PL
 | 19:30 Local
 |
| Sector 2B
 | 145.39/-0.60  PL 67.0
 | 20:00 Local
 |
| Sector 2C
 | 146.955/-0.60  PL 88.5
 | 20:00 Local
 |
| Sector 2D
 | 146.895/-0.60  PL 123.0
 | 19:30 Local
 |
| 6-Meter State Net
 | 53.31 / - 1.0  PL 71.9  
Note: 53.31 has been reported to be having difficulties lately.The appropriate people are aware and working to remedy any issues.
 | 19:00 Local
 |
| MA RACES HF Net
 | 3930 KHz LSB moving up to 3955 KHz until there is a clear frequency
 | 18:45 Local
 |


    I appreciate you all answering the call to serve even when things are uncertain and tough to manage as they can be right now. Thank you all for helping us keep things on track and prove that we remain consistent. This net provides a monthly reminder that we stand ready with a quiet professionalism prepared to serve as a voice to whomever needs one to get help and resources where they should be.
 If you know someone who would benefit from being on this list, please have them contact me at   WC1MAB at gmail.com and I will add them to this distribution. Thank you all!

      If anyone has any questions or comments I can be reached by e-mail or cell phone. Thanks for being a part of our team and I look forward to hearing back on who can participate this month.

Sincerely,Michael Leger (N1YLQ)MEMA Region #2 RACES OfficerC: 386-566-7666