Amateur radio public service

My volunteer activities

I'm keeping a log of my public service activities here.

Public service opportunities

BAA Boston Marathon

The BAA Boston Marathon is the largest amateur radio volunteer event in the region. In 2025 there were almost 300 radio operators involved.

Cape Anne Amateur Radio Assocation (CAARA) Race Support

The Cape Anne Amateur Radio Association provides race support for a number of half marathons between April and December around the Cape Ann region of Massachusetts. The races are generall organized by YuKanRun.

Cycle for Shelter

The Cycle for Shelter is Emmaus' signature fundraising event that raises money to support the organization's mission of providing emergency shelter, affordable housing, and services to those experiencing homelessness. The annual community cycling event features multiple route options (100-mile, 62-mile, 35-mile, 15-mile, and virtual rides) and brings together nearly 200 cyclists alongside dozens of local business sponsors to generate critical funding for Emmaus' programs serving homeless and impoverished families.

Ride to Defeat ALS

The Ride to Defeat ALS is an annual community fundraising bicycle event held in Massachusetts, typically on September 20th, that brings together riders to support people affected by ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). The annual Massachusetts Ride to Defeat ALS is an opportunity for friends, family, and the local community to join together to support those people affected by ALS in Massachusetts, with funds raised at this event helping to discover treatments and a cure for ALS, to serve, advocate for, and empower those living with the disease.

Baystate Marathon and Half Marathon

The Baystate Marathon is a marathon held in the city of Lowell, Massachusetts every October. It was first run in 1990 and has been run every year since. The course is known as one of the flattest and fastest marathon courses in the northeastern United States. This race is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Head of the Charles Regatta

The Head of the Charles Regatta is the world's largest two-day rowing event held annually on the penultimate complete weekend of October on Boston's Charles River, bringing thousands of rowers to compete in the world's largest 3-day regatta with more than 11,750 rowers from around the globe participating.

BAA Half Marathon

The Boston Athletic Association Half Marathon, now known as the Boston Half, is an annual 13.1-mile road race presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund that takes place in November in Boston. Since 2003, Dana-Farber has served as the race's presenting sponsor and exclusive charity team, with runners collectively raising more than $10 million to support groundbreaking cancer research.

More information on opportunities

• The Boston Amateur Radio Club public service page
• The ARRL volunteer opportunities page
• The Eastern Massachusetts ARRL website sometimes has information about upcoming volunteer opportunities

Articles and documentation about amateur radio public service

• Ham Radio Boston organizes amateur radio volunteers for the Boston Marathon. See in particular the Docs & Videos section.
• Public service packing checklist from AG6QR
• Public service operating guidelines from AG6QR
• HAM Radio Communications Can Support Public Events from K6MPN
• Amateur Radio Operator's Public Service Guide by NM5CR at the Los Alamos Amateur Radio Club
• How to be a ham radio operator during public service events and nets by the Marin Amateur Radio Society