[Wma-ares] VHF Simplex tests

Wed Sep 10 06:36:05 EDT 2025

Michael, it sounds as though you will be a key node in making this all work
particularly on the digital side.  I'm also copying Matt, K1VN who is
working on the digital side in Berkshire County.

73 de Chuck, WS1L
Amateur Radio Emergency Service ®
Section Emergency Coordinator
Western Massachusetts
chandlerusm at gmail.com

On Tue, Sep 9, 2025 at 2:35 PM Michael Scantlen <michael.scantlen at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Status: From KC1IZC QTH 2025-0909 1400, this is the summary of calls I
> received on 146.520
>
> WG1J/Mobile Glen, Portsmouth, NH
> KC1CBI Wayne, Agawam, MA "MEMA stand-in" (Fully quieting via simplex to
> each other at our QTH's)
> N1PVX Steve, Westfield, MA (Excellent signal quality)
>
> Being able to reach N1PVX via simplex means we have a path around/over
> Provin Mountain which would work well as a relay.
>
> Here is my 1400 status:UP or DOWN
>
>    - No other callsigns heard than documented above.
>    - KC1IZC QTH remains on frequency and have operated six hours on
>    battery with an HF (yesterday's VARA test Rig) and a 10W VHF/UHF radio both
>    powered on.
>    - 91% remaining of 2000W battery storage remaining.  UP
>    - Starlink Internet on UPS.  UP
>    - Winlink (IC213)Telnet Post Office over AREDN on UPS. UP
>    - AREDN 413 Area Code PBX hosted at KC1IZC QTH (AREDN Mesh Phone) over
>    Starlink active [Reaches beyond affected disaster areas]. UP
>    - Note: Hamsoverip.com VOIP is accessible via Starlink Satellite
>    Internet  UP (alternative VOIP telephone for non-AREDN Nodes) [Reaches
>    beyond affected disaster areas]) UP
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Sep 9, 2025 at 12:48 PM Jerry Rogich via WMA-ARES <
> wma-ares at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>
>> I cannot hit Gardner from around  town Leominster
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 9, 2025, 12:18 PM Chuck Chandler via WMA-ARES <
>> wma-ares at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>>
>>> From Whitcomb Hill, no luck getting into either of the Fitchburg
>>> repeaters, 2M or 440.  Gardner was full quieting and I chatted with Paul,
>>> W1SEX.
>>>
>>> Gardner has backup power, but I am still wondering if the link to the
>>> Fitchburg repeater would remain up in case of power and internet loss.
>>>
>>> Can the Holden and Leominster sites reach the Gardner repeater?  Can
>>> MEMA Framingham reach the Gardner repeater?
>>>
>>> If anyone knows or would like to test, please let us know!
>>>
>>> 73 de Chuck, WS1L
>>> Amateur Radio Emergency Service ®
>>> Section Emergency Coordinator
>>> Western Massachusetts
>>> chandlerusm at gmail.com
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Sep 9, 2025 at 8:10 AM Michael Scantlen <
>>> michael.scantlen at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> In Agawam, I am now on 146.520 and will monitor for any transmissions
>>>> received.  I will be on battery power all day.
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Sep 9, 2025 at 7:59 AM Chuck Chandler via WMA-ARES <
>>>> wma-ares at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Some time later this morning I am going to drive up to Whitcomb Hill
>>>>> on Route 2 and see if my mobile unit can reach the Fitchburg 145.45-
>>>>> repeater from there.  Since it has a backup generator it can be a key part
>>>>> of our test, particularly if MEMA HQ in Framingham is able to participate.
>>>>>
>>>>> If anyone is free today and wants to help out, I would also like to
>>>>> test:
>>>>> Whitcomb Hill to Plainfield Fire Department
>>>>> Whitcomb Hill to Morey's Hill (Beckett, Route 20)
>>>>>
>>>>> I will be on 146.52 simplex, running about 50 watts to a full-sized
>>>>> dual band mobile antenna.  I'll post here when I am heading out if anyone
>>>>> wants to join me!
>>>>>
>>>>> Other VHF simplex routes that I would like to see tested before
>>>>> October 4th:
>>>>> Plainfield Fire Department to Morey's Hill
>>>>> Plainfield Fire Department to Agawam
>>>>> Morey's Hill to Agawam
>>>>> Poet's Seat (Greenfield) to Fitchburg 145-45- repeater
>>>>> Poet's Seat to Agawam
>>>>>
>>>>> If anyone (or, I guess, any two or more) would like to test some of
>>>>> these paths, please post your results here, as they will be of great value
>>>>> to us going forwards.
>>>>>
>>>>> 73 de Chuck, WS1L
>>>>> Amateur Radio Emergency Service ®
>>>>> Section Emergency Coordinator
>>>>> Western Massachusetts
>>>>> chandlerusm at gmail.com
>>>>> ______________________________________________________________
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