2024 Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride

 2024 is the 13th year we have been honored to have the Soldier Ride come to Falmouth.  Warriors from the most current conflicts took part in this rehabilitative bicycling ride on Cape Cod, as part of the Wounded Warrior Project’s National Soldier Ride. 

The Warriors come from all parts of the country. Approximately 40 brave Warriors rode specially adapted bicycles on the Shining Sea Bike Path starting in North Falmouth, traveling to Woods Hole and then returning to North Falmouth.  

 A number of people came out at various points along the bike path with flags and other patriotic symbols to cheer the riders.  The local Coast Guard facility was well represented, greeting the riders at the Woods Hole turnaround.  Falmouth's public safety agencies provided traffic control, escorts, and paramedic support.  Falmouth's Elks Lodge provided refreshments at the turnaround.

Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) members, along with the FARA Communications Trailer, provided communication support along the bike path.  Thanks to members: Mel-KC1ELB, Ralph-N1YHS, Matt, KB1MLP, Gene-KX1C, Irish-KC1TNX, Jay-WB4KYW, Randy-K1RCO, Harold-N1ZTV, Phil-KB1DOS, and Henry-K1WCC, for helping to make this event a success.

(Photos from: Randy, Larry, Mel, Sandy, Henry, Ralph)

The Finish	Cheering riders on	Cheering riders on
Woods Hole turnaround	Coast Guard greeters	Riders approaching Woods Hole
FARA Communications Trailer	K1WCC's grandson on duty	Heading out at start
Coming in at the end of ride	Crossing Ter Huen Drive	Under the Palmer Av Bridge
Under the Palmer Av Bridge	Comm Trailer Operating Station	Ralph, N1YHS, Net Control

Communications Support for Dave Birtwell Walk for Alzheimer's

 On Saturday, May 18th, ham radio operators from FARA and BARC provided communications support for the Dave Birtwell Walk for Alzheimer's, held at the Scusset Beach State Reservation in Sandwich. 

Jon-N1ILZ was net control and Irish-KC1TNX staffed the Med Tent.  Doug-N1OEI and Stephen-KC1QEM provided comm for two golf carts. Rich Fox-KC1TCA and John Grullon-KC1SAT worked water stops. Barry-KB1TLR monitored the walk turn-around, keeping folks on course. Chris-WA1CMR teamed up with Jamie Crowell, the Walk Captain, in a third golf cart to monitor the course.  

Despite the inclement weather we got the job done. We have received numerous thanks from the walk organizers and compliments on our professionalism. Well done team! 

Chris WA1CMR

Falmouth Soldier Ride 2024 - June 7

Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) will provide communication support for the 2024 Falmouth Soldier Ride.  A group of wounded veterans will ride the Shining Sea Bikeway, starting in North Falmouth, riding to the Steamship parking lot in Woods Hole and returning to North Falmouth. 

There will be a refreshment stop in Woods Hole.

FARA volunteers, coordinated by Mel - KC1ELB, will staff positions along the path.

Mark your calendar and plan to come out and support our veterans.

CHIRP Radio Programming Class

Ralph, N1YHS and Chris, WA1CMR,  are offering a CHIRP radio programming class at 11:00am on Saturday, May 11 at the Falmouth Fire Headquarters on Main St. in Falmouth.

They will review downloading and setting up CHIRP, creating a channel file and programming your radio. They request that participants bring a laptop, their radio and a programming cord. 

They will have laptops, some cords and preset channel files available.  

Everyone is welcome. 

International Marconi Day Special Event

Date:   Saturday, April 27, 2024

What:  International Marconi Day  - Honoring Marconi on his 150th Birthday

Marconi’s 150th birthdate is April 25, 2024 (born 1874).  To celebrate his contributions to wireless, simply turn on a radio and give a nod and a smile to Marconi for his lifetime efforts in advancing wireless.

International Marconi Day is Saturday, April 27, 2024. Historic Marconi radio stations around the world go on the air to make two-way contacts with each other and other amateur radio operators. 

Where:  Marconi Station Site, Wellfleet, MA      Saturday April 27 from 10 AM-3 PM.  (The event will be held inside the Salt Pond Visitor Center, Eastham in case of inclement weather.) 

Who:  The Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club and the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club are partnering with Cape Cod National Seashore to serve as an official International Marconi Day Station.  

The public is invited to visit the site to learn about Marconi’s historic Wireless Station that is famous for sending the first wireless transatlantic message from the USA to Europe (1903) and its ship-to-shore messages.  High frequency radio operators will make live contacts around the world using Morse code and voice. A radio talk in station is planned for visitors to make local radio contacts and learn how to become amateur “ham” radio operators.  Weather permitting, a kite antenna will be used for some radio contacts.

For more information:
Barbara Dougan, trustee Marconi Cape Cod Radio Club-KM1CC
km1cc.capecod.fn51@gmail.com

Field Day 2024

Hard to believe, but there are less than 100 days to Field Day 2024.  We have the Morse Pond School field reserved, with a tentative plan of operating two stations and a GOTA (Get On The Air) station.

Field Day is the weekend of June 22 and 23.  Save the date and stay tuned for further updates.

Winter Field Day 2024

Winter Field Day set up started after the FARA member's meeting on Saturday, and only took a couple hours.  The R5 vertical and a newly acquired end fed half wave dipole were setup, allowing two operating stations.

Operation started at 2:00 pm local time, and stopped around 7:30 pm local, when the bands started to dry up. 

87 contacts were made on three bands (10,20, and 40), operating both stations, with the score of  261 points. Contacts were made throughout the USA and Canada, including 2 contacts with stations in Alaska.

WFD participants were as follows: Henry Brown-K1WCC, Ralph Swenson-N1YHS, Mel Trott-KC1ELB, Gene Bradeen-KX1C, Jay Sherlock-WB4KYW, Jeremy Cadrin-WA1JRC, Chris Ranney-WA1CMR, Steve Siegert-KC1TMJ, Chris Leger-KC1TMK, Matt Trott-KB1MLP, Glen Dowden-KC1GKT, Paul Godfrey-N1MZO, Larry Murphy- KC1TNX and Patrick McPherson-KC1SBO. 

As usual, a fun time was had by all!

Mel - KC1ELB

(Photos by Ralph, N1YHS and Steve, KC1TMJ)

Communications Trailer	R5 Vertical