Marathon, WalkAmerica highlight busy April

by Marc, WA1R

April is traditionally one of the busiest public service month's in the FARA calendar with the Boston Marathon and March of Dimes WalkAmerica Walkathon as two key events.
Although it might be a tad late to join those who will be working on Marathon Day, if you are interested you can contact WA1IDA at 650-9440 for further information.
There's still time to participate in WalkAmerica, though. Slated for April 26, the 10K Walkathon will wind its way from Framingham High School and on along Concord Street to the downtown area where it will turn back north up Union Avenue, pass the Common and then head down Central Street toward the High School where it began.
Amateurs will be needed at four checkpoints. And, operators will be needed in the pickup van and/or supply van. There will also be a net control station. All told, seven or eight operators will be needed for the even which begins about 9 a.m. Operators will be needed at 8:30 for a briefing.
A signup sheet will be available at the club meeting or you can contact WA1R at the phone number listed in the Club Information box in this newsletter.
There may also be the possibility of club involvement with the Framingham Cleanup Day, as well as in the state's emergency management response exercise Response 98. More information will be available either elsewhere in this newsletter or at the meeting.

Skywarn Spotter Training at Club Shack April 8

There will be a Skywarn spotter training session at the club shack on April 8. Sponsored by the FAAREN/Skywarn net, the training will feature a guest

speaker from the National Weather Service who will present training materials on how to recognize and report severe weather occurrences.
Every year, thousands of hams across the country are the "real-time" eyes and ears of the weather service providing first-hand reports of tornadoes, hailstorms, or thunderstorms in the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, hams provide snowstorm information, including snow depths, wind information, or ice and snow conditions.
It's an important job that the Amateur community has supported for years. It's a job whose need is still paramount even in an age of Doppler radar and computer measurement. Many times, even these instruments provide only a "global" view of an area. In other words, the view is of a wider area than that which may be impacted by a thunderstorm or hailstorm. The Skywarn spotter network provides the local "eyes and ears" the Weather Service needs to accomplish its mission.
To that end, the FAAREN net has agreed to become part of Eastern Mass. Skywarn and will respond whenever weather warnings warrant net activation. To effectively participate, the net is sponsoring the evening of training beginning at 7 p.m. April 8.
The training is open to everyone in FARA and any others who may not be members but who may be interested in participating.
It's a rewarding evening that will lead to credentials as a Skywarn spotter and will lead you to some exciting participation in rewarding radio work.
Don't think, though, that the evening is open only to new spotters. It is open to those who may have taken spotter training some years ago, but who want to renew or update their training.
So, plan to attend the spotter training, you'll be glad you did.

Sources For  Articles on the Previous Page
"New Temporary License Class"
Submitted anonymously
Originally found in the Internet newsgroup:
rec.radio.amateur.dx
"DXpedition to New Island"
Worldradio April 1998: 29

QSL Card

The monthly QSL card will return next month.  In the coming months look for a card submitted by Paul, N1VAM and a very special card from our guest at the March Meeting.

FARA Night Out

Don't forget FARA Night Out on May 2.  More information and a reservation form can be found on the enclosure with this months newsletter.