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


On Tue, Sep 9, 2025 at 2:35 PM Michael Scantlen <michael.scantlen@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@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@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


On Tue, Sep 9, 2025 at 8:10 AM Michael Scantlen <michael.scantlen@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@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
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