FARA Fest November 1

FARA Fest will be held at the Upper Cape Regional School in Bourne, as in past years.  The Fest runs 0900 to 1200.

Table space can be purchased via the FARA website or by sending a check.

See the Fest Flyer for details: 

Fest Flyer

FARA Technician License Class

 

This fall's Technician license class was attended by five students.  Four of the students passed the exam that is given at the end of the class.  The fifth student was take the exam at the regular October VE session.

The class was taught by Ralph-N1YHS and Charlie-K1CB with assistance from other FARA members.

Please welcome new the newly licensed amateurs: Doug-KC1YJF); Tom-KC1YJH, John-(Call Pending), and DK-(Call Pending).

FARA Support at 2025 Falmouth Road Race

The 2025 ASICS Falmouth Road Race was the 53rd running of the 7-mile event on August 17, 2025, which saw 11,400 runners participate in ideal, though hot and humid, conditions with a tailwind.   It was also the 50th running of the wheelchair division, which is the oldest competitive wheel chair race in the country.

As in many past years, Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) volunteers provided communication support and information tent support for the race.  Barry-KB1TLR led a team of 25 volunteers that staffed water stops, medical tents, information tents, and race control.

Volunteers: Joan-KC1KZ, Charlie-K1CB, Helen-N1HVB, Gene-KX1C, Harold-N1ZTV, Paul-K1COD, Al-WW1RF, Doug-N1OEI, Will-KB1WLY, Barbara-N1BOG, Henry-K1WCC, Jeremy-WA1JRC, Randy-K1CRO, Andy-K7ADA, Don-KT1OK, Richard-KC1TCA, Tim-W1TCD, Brian-N1RHM, Steve-KC1TMJ, Ralph-N1YHS, Jim-KB1ZJO, John-KC1SAT, Chris-WA1CMR, Barry-KB1TLR, Hunter-KC1MUD.

Thank you to all of the volunteers for helping to make the Falmouth Road Race a successful and safe event.

Photos courtesy of Barry-KB1TLR. Chris-WA1CMR, Ralph-N1YHS, Steve-KC1TMJ, Richard-KC1TCA

ARES Exercise "Summer Strike"

FARA members participated in the summer ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) exercise "Summer Strike" on August 2, 2025  Operations were conducted from the Falmouth EOC (Emergency Operations Center) at the Main Street Falmouth Fire Station and from the Falmouth Field site, setup using the FARA communications trailer.

Operations were conducted on VHF-FM, HF-SSB, and digital modes.  Another successful ARES exercise demonstrating the capability of amateur radio to provide communication during an emergency.

Photos courtesy of Frank-WQ1O and Martha-K1VJ.

FARA Activates Nobska Lighthouse

 

National Lighthouse Day, was on August 7 this year.  It commemorates the day in 1789 when the U.S. Congress passed an act supporting lighthouses, beacons, buoys, and public piers.  

A group of FARA members activated Falmouth's Nobska Light, USA 550, using the callsign W1NOB.  The Friends of Nobska Light conducted lighthouse tours and children's activities.

FARA members Henry-K1WCC and Chris-WA1CMR, operated the station. Steve KC1TMJ, Gene KX1C and Jeremy WA1JRC also participated.

They put up two antennas and operated voice on 20 and 40 meters from 10:00 to 14:00.  The bands were quiet, and only one contact was made. 

The crew did have a fun time chatting about the history of Nobska and ham radio with the folks visiting the lighthouse for tours and the other special events being held for National Lighthouse Day.

 

UPDATE: Technician License Class

Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) is offering an amateur radio license class in September.   Details of the class are shown below.  

Technician Class License Course:

Class Dates: Sept. 19 - 21, 2025

Class Schedule:

Friday: Sept. 19, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: Sept. 20,  8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:  Sept. 21, 8:00 AM – Noon, Lunch break and Test Session

(Please sign up by September 4th, to receive your study guides and materials in time for you to properly prepare for the class.)

Exam: Sunday, Sep. 21 after class

Location: Falmouth Fire Station, Main Street, 2nd Floor, EOC Room

Text: Provided

Course Fee: $50

The course fee includes the following:

1) Fifteen hours of classroom instruction
2) ARRL Course Manual
3) Online test practice and tutoring
4) Refreshments
5) Access to instructors for questions & tutoring
6) License exam
7) 1-year membership with FARA
8) Admission to the next FARA Fest
9) VHF/UHF handheld radio (if the student passes the examination).

This is a great value for anyone seeking to get their license, as the total cost of the individual items is well over $100.

Contact Charlie Bresnahan, K1CB via email at: kilo1cb@aol.com for further information.  See https://www.falara.org/exams-classes/license-classes for complete details.

Paul White Road Race Comm Support

FARA volunteers supplied communications and medical support for the 46th Annual Paul White Road Race in North Falmouth. This is a new volunteer opportunity for FARA. Held every July, the 4.81-mile race begins and ends on Chester Street between North Falmouth Library and Megansett Park (the site of the market owned by Paul White and his wife, Audrey, for many years). This race was created to commemorate local legend Paul White.  The Race is the main fundraiser for the North Falmouth Village Association. The monies raised will be used to fund NFVA operating costs and four college scholarships for North Falmouth graduating seniors.

FARA members Mel-K1ELB, Barry-KB1TLR, Ralph-N1YHS, Jeremy-WA1JRC, Matt-KB1MLP, Tim-W1TCD, Chris-WA1CMR, Tegan-KC1VOS, Henry-K1WCC, Alden-K1IZB, Phil-KB1DOS, and Glen-KC1GKT volunteered to assist with the event.  Mel and Alden worked with the Medical Team.  Phil and Glen did double duty with both Communications and Medical.

Some photos and a video clip of the event follow: