Falmouth Road Race Support

As always, supporting the Falmouth Road Race provided excellent experience for our ham radio crew and a valuable public service to the Race. 

We were able to overcome the technical hurdles with repeater interference, apparently caused by a malfunctioning radio.  We provided a new service with communications with the Coast Guard Air Wing. We were able to communicate with the Coast Guard helicopter pilot on a simplex channel with Net Control and coordinate the flyover at the starting line with the singing of the National Anthem. It worked perfectly!

The Race was a great chance for new hams, as well as experienced hams, to participate in public service. This is a major, world class event that takes place in the confines of a small town.  The service we provide is a crucial factor in making the Race a success.

We had several people inquiring at the information tent looking for a family member or friend. Fortunately, there were few runners that were in a medical tent this year. We provided the information that the family or friend needed to locate their runner.

A teenage girl felt ill on the ball field at the finish line area before the race even started. This information was reported by ham radio and an ambulance was dispatched.

We make a difference in all that we do!  FARA had 26 licensed operators in 16 different locations for this year’s race. Thank you's to everyone who participated in the 2026 Falmouth Road Race.   (Report thanks to Ralph N1YHS)

 (Photos thanks to: KC1SAT, N1BOG, Chris-WA1CMR)

Falmouth ARA Activates Nobska Light

Several FARA members met and activated Nobska Light, W1NOB, for National Lighthouse Day, Friday August 7^th. We enjoyed the fantastic view and nice cooling breezes at our location in the garage.

Henry-K1WCC, Mel-K1ELB and Chris-WA1CMR operated the two stations from 0900 to 1500. Gene-KX1C and Steve-KC1TMJ assisted with the set up and take down of equipment and antennas.

We made more than 50 contacts and enjoyed talking with folks.   Several FARA members visited the lighthouse during the activation.

Our thanks to the Friends of Nobska Light for hosting us again this year.

Photos and information from Chris-WA1CMR

FARA VE's Conduct 1st Exam Using Exam Tools

ExamTools is a web-based platform utilized by Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams to manage, print, administer, and grade amateur radio license examinations for remote and in-person sessions.

The August FARA license exam session was originally cancelled to allow VE training for the new ARRL Exam Tools system.  However, a walk-in candidate was there ready to take the Technician exam. 

Since the system was setup, and a candidate was available, a "live" exam session was conducted.  When the candidate was ready, she logged into ExamTools, joined the exam session and started the online exam.  Gene-KX1C, Mel-K1ELB, and Keith-KM1USR were assigned as VEs for the session. 

The examiners were able to track how many questions she had completed as she progressed through the exam, and then received the notification that she had submitted the completed exam. 

The elecronic grading was authorized and  everyone was happy to see that the examinee received a passing score.  Each VE verified her score and electronically signed the results. ExamTools filled out the required forms with all of the information and electronic signatures.   The PDF was e-mailed to the candidate and the exam documents were submitted to the ARRL.  

The photo shows the new amateur radio licensee, Lauren-KC1ZZP, in the center, surrounded by the VE's.  FARA's first exam session using the new ARRL Exam Tools system, a historical moment! 

Thank you's to Keith-KM1USR and the FARA VE crew for doing the work to switch over to the new technology-based examination system.