Uncategorized

The Western Massachusetts Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) section recently concluded its annual Simulated Emergency Test (SET), demonstrating outstanding readiness across all four WMA counties. Organized under Section Emergency Coordinator leadership, the exercise simulated a severe regional grid collapse and widespread telecommunications blackout across the Commonwealth. More than 70 emergencyContinue Reading

As seasonal weather patterns bring severe thunderstorms, microbursts, and winter blizzards to the Pioneer Valley and Berkshire hills, Western Massachusetts SKYWARN spotters stand ready. Working in direct partnership with the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast office in Norton, trained amateur radio spotters relay real-time ground-truth weather reports during high-impact storms.Continue Reading

Amateur radio operators in Western Massachusetts are adopting digital messaging technologies at record speed. Winlink Global Radio Email gateways are now operational across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties, enabling radio operators to transmit email messages, ICS-213 emergency forms, and high-resolution weather attachments without commercial internet or cellular infrastructure. UsingContinue Reading

Rising 3,491 feet above sea level, Mount Greylock is the highest peak in Massachusetts and home to vital amateur radio repeater infrastructure. The Northern Berkshire Amateur Radio Club (K1FFK) and local repeater custodians have recently upgraded high-altitude repeater equipment on Greylock, dramatically extending line-of-sight communications throughout Berkshire County and adjacentContinue Reading

Serving the easternmost portion of the WMA ARRL section, the Central Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association (CMARA) and Worcester area radio clubs maintain a robust network of emergency nets. Operators throughout Worcester County tune into nightly VHF and UHF repeaters to exchange formal NTS traffic, practice net control protocols, and testContinue Reading

Perched high atop Mount Tom in Holyoke, Massachusetts, the Mount Tom Amateur Repeater Association (MTARA) operates critical high-altitude repeater infrastructure serving Western Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut, and Southern Vermont. Operating under the iconic call sign W1TOM, the association delivers robust voice and digital communications coverage across the regional valley terrain. MTARA’sContinue Reading

The Hampden County Radio Association (HCRA) stands as one of the cornerstone amateur radio organizations in Western Massachusetts. Founded to foster camaraderie, technical education, and community service among local radio operators, HCRA brings together enthusiasts across Hampden, Hampshire, and surrounding counties. Each year, HCRA hosts dynamic events ranging from seasonalContinue Reading