Category: Public Service

The Sutton Chain of Lights is again requesting assistance with communications to coordinate the trolleys for their annual event. We’re looking for about 15 ham radio operators to ride the trolleys and help keep them on schedule moving people around between stops.

We will meet at 8:30 am on Sat December 6th in Sutton (location TBD – likely the Sutton High School). The event runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, although the final trolley drop off may be as late as 5:00 pm.

If you are only available for part of the day, we can cycle you in and out as necessary. Please indicate availability in the comments section of the form.

If you are available to help out, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/E8uj8sEbE7ReVCpN6

Thanks!

 ** Groton Road Race scheduled for Sunday May 4, 2025 **

Greetings all,

The Groton Road Race Committee has again requested the assistance of the Amateur Radio community for the Race on May 4. The Amateur Radio community have been providing situational awareness, health and safety communication for this event for over three decades.

The course circles Groton Hill, starting and ending at the Groton Hill Music Center as in 2024. This will be the third year the Race has followed this course.

The planned event schedule this year is similar to last year; the two main races start shortly after 10am. The communications support that we provide is expected to start around 9am and we should be done shortly after 1pm.

The Groton Road Race continues to be a major event for Amateur Radio in North Central Massachusetts. Those of you who have joined us in previous years know that the runners sincerely appreciate our presence. Many say so as they run past. This event is so large that Police Departments and other public safety organizations from several communities come to assist the Groton PD. Part of our role is to provide the communications from the Groton Police to these out-of-town officers who come to help with this event.

Contributing to the public good is one of the reasons Amateur Radio exists. Our public service events are a key opportunity for us to show our colors, volunteer our skills and equipment, and demonstrate why it is in the public’s interest to continue to allocate precious RF spectrum to our the Amateur Radio Service. The Groton Road Race is a low-stress event and a great way to gain more experience with the public service aspect of amateur radio. Please consider joining us on the 4th.

If you are a new Ham or know of another Ham who is interested in helping at these events but unsure of what is expected or what equipment may be needed, please do not hesitate to introduce yourself (or them) to me.

The Groton Road Race Committee and the Groton Police Department repeatedly praise and express their appreciation for our assistance in providing communications for this event for many years. I do hope you will be able to join us this year; please let me know.

Thanks and 73,
Ralph KD1SM
ralph@kd1sm.net