FARA Comm Trailer in 60th Falmouth Christmas Parade

The FARA Community Communications Support Vehicle was one of 77 "floats" or groups participating in the 60th Falmouth Christmas Parade.  

Great publicity for FARA and amateur radio, while supporting a wonderful Falmouth Christmas tradition.  

Thanks to Ralph--N1YHS, Jeremy--WA1JRC, and the other FARA members who assisted.

FARA Fest 2023

We had a great turnout, with 28 vendors and 104 buyers. 

All the volunteers did an awesome job, with all aspects of the event--Parking, Club Table, Ticket Table and Raffle.  Thanks to all of the volunteers who make the event possible: Ralph-N1YHS, Don-N1JCT, Henry-K1WCC, Matt-KB1MLP, Tim-W1TCD, Will-KB1WLY, Chris-WA1CMR, Charlie-K1CB, Steve-KC1TMJ, Randy-K1RCO, Mel-KC1ELB, Alden-K1IZB.

The FARA VE team held exam sessions.  Jesse-KC1KCZ, passed his Extra exam and Nicholas passed his Technician exam.  Both people joined FARA.  Thanks to the VE team members present at FARA Fest: George-N1GJ, Mel-KC1ELB, Bob-KC1FNI, Earl-W1EEB, Gene-KX1C, and Lee-NQ1L.

The Culinary Arts students did a great job with the food services, providing coffee, Danish, cookies, brownies, hot and cold drinks, hotdogs, clam chowder and pulled pork sandwiches.

If you missed FARA Fest 2023, be sure to put FARA Fest 2024, November 2, on your calendar.

Technician License Class Results

A “Tech in the Weekend” License Class was held on Sept 22, 23 and 24, 2023 at the Falmouth Fire and Rescue Headquarters Station, EOC Room.   The class was taught by Ralph, N1YHS and Charlie, K1CB.  Thirteen students attended the class.

The license exams were given by Lee, NQ1L and the FARA VE crew.  Ten students passed the exam: Dennis (KC1TMH), David (KC1TMN), Mark (KC1TMO), Chris (KC1TMK), Linda (KC1TMQ), Dina (KC1TMP), Dick (KC1TMI), Steve (KC1TMJ), Scott (KC1TMF).  (one student is still waiting for a license to be issued).

Congratulations to each of the new hams.  Look for them on the air. Welcome them to the hobby and to FARA.

FARA Provides Communication Support for Falmouth Road Race

The 51st running of the Falmouth Road Race was one of the fastest on record.   The Falmouth Road Race was established in 1973 and has become one of the premier running events of the summer season. Each year the race draws an international field of Olympians, elite, and recreational runners out to enjoy the iconic 7-mile seaside course.   In 2023, there were approximately 10,000 runners in the race. 

Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) once again provided communication support for the race.  Barry, KB1TLR coordinated a team of 28 amateur radio operators.  These volunteer operators covered the various water stops and medical tents, as well as two public information tents.

FARA's new communication trailer served as net control, stationed at the band shell in Falmouth's Marina Park.

The Falmouth Road Race is one of many public events supported by FARA volunteers throughout the year.  The Cape Cod Marathon in early October is next on the schedule.

Images courtesy of Frank-WQ1O, Will-KB1WLY, Richard-KC1TCA, and Virginia-K1VJ

Technician License Class Sep 22-24, 2023

“Tech in the Weekend” License Class on Sept 22, 23 and 24, 2023 at the Falmouth Fire and Rescue Headquarters Station, EOC Room.  See complete details at: https://www.falara.org/exams-classes/license-classes

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

FARA and BARC Team Up at Mass Maritime Summer Camp

The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) and the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club (BARC) teamed up to present an overview of amateur radio to 200 junior high school boys and girls at a two week summer camp held at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne on Monday, July 17.  The two hour evening program covered:

• HF and VHF operation
• CubeSat amateur radio satellites
• amateur radio for public service and emergency operation 
• making amateur radio contacts with local club members

The benefit of  amateur radio for anyone pursuing an engineering career was highlighted.  Local opportunities to earn a technician license were offered to students, including mentoring and donations of equipment to get started.  Antennas were setup on-site to provide the ability for students to make radio contacts with local club members, who were operating from their home stations.

Presenters Norm, WA1NLG (BARC President), Bruce, WA3SWJ and Chris, WA1CMR (FARA President) with support by club members Ralph, N1YHS, Rob K1UI and Lem, W1LEM (taking photo below) answered questions following the presentation and helped some of the students make a radio contact. 

Many of the attendees expressed an interest in learning more about amateur radio and obtaining a license. 

(text from an article by Rob Leiden, ARRL NE Division, nediv.arrl.org)

(photos courtesy of Rob Leiden)

Presenting to Students	Setting up antennas to allow radio contacts
Program Presenters
Go Box

Field Day 2023 Results

FARA Field Day 2023:

2023 was the first year since COVID that FARA operated in class 2A (two transmitters) during Field Day.  Thirty-four people signed in during the event.  A good-sized crew showed up at the club container on Friday to load and transport the gear to the school site.  Preliminary setup of the towers and related items was completed Friday.  Mike-KC1HKW, brought scaffolding and platforms to make installing the beams on the towers much easier and safer.  On Saturday, the towers were raised, coaxial cables run and stations setup.  Ralph, N1YHS brought the communications trailer from storage and set it up on-site.  Jim, "Killer Mouse Electric" provided the generators and propane. We were ready to go well before the 1400 start time on Saturday.

The traditional Saturday cookout was well attended.  Mike-KC1HKW organized the food and beverages for the entire weekend.  Jim, KC1KM, made his usual sausage and egg breakfast early Sunday morning with assistance from Charlie, K1CB.  Gene-KX1C, cooked on Saturday and the "leftovers" lunch on Sunday.

ARRL Section Manager Jon McCombie-N1ILZ and ARRL Eastern Division Director Fred Kemmerer-AB1OC visited on Friday.  FCTV visited the site and interviewed Chris-WA1CMR.  The interview will be posted on the FARA website when a copy is available.  State Representative Steve Xiarhos visited with a copy of the proclamation of Amateur Radio Day in Massachusetts.   

Mel-KC1ELB, Henry-K1WCC, George-K1GRH, Ralph-N1YHS, Patrick-KC1SBO, and Jeremy-WA1JRC operated the SSB station.  They made 621 SSB (voice) contacts working on 20 and 40 meters.  Greg-W1KM, Nelson-W1CN, and Tom-K1TH made 1,146 CW (Morse code) contacts working 15, 20, and 40 meters.  Larry-W1IZZ, made one satellite contact via the ISS.  Chris-WA1CMR, setup and manned the GOTA station.

Contacts were made in 48 of 50 states, 12 of 14 Canadian provinces, and 11 countries, including China, and one through the  ISS (space station).

FARA's Field Day score is a mixture of points for contacts, and bonus points for completing various items that promote or demonstrate amateur radio:

Contacts:

CW - 1,146 x 2 points per contact = 2,292 points

SSB - 621 x 1 point per contact = 621 points

Total contact points 2,913 x 2 (power multiplier) = 5,826 points

Bonus points = 1,150 points (includes 100 points for the satellite contact)

Claimed Score = 6,976 points 

This is good score for a 2A operation, particularly considering that we did not operate for the full 24 hour period.  Band conditions were also not optimal.

FARA Field Day 2023 was successful thanks to all of the volunteers who contributed their time, effort, and expertise.

Field Day 2024 is just around the corner.  Save the dates now, June 21-23, 2024. (always the 4th full weekend in June)

A few photos of Field Day 2023 are below.  Additional photos are in slideshow format on the bottom left of the website homepage.

 

	Loading gear from the club container
Tower setup with TH5 beam installed	Mel operating SSB
Greg operating CW	Jim and Charlie preparing Sunday breakfast