I enjoy engaging in amateur radio public service activities throughout the year. The bulk of my work is with the Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association (CAARA), which runs runner safety nets for half marathons March through December (and where I help coordinate volunteer staffing). I also participate in other events as they become available, including the Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles, and others.
This is a record of my public service activities.
BAA Half Marathon 2025 - 2025-11-09
Another year of waking up at 4:30AM and biking into Boston! This year I was stationed at water stop 5, on Jamaicaway just north of Craftson Way. I met up with the rest of the volunteers at the main medical tent in Franklin Park, and then after our briefing biked the three miles from Franklin Park to the station. Once there, I met up with the water stop crew from Shamrock Running Club of Woburn. We lucked out with the weather; it was warmer than expected when I left the house (maybe 50°F), and during the race it was mostly sunny and approaching 60°F towards the end.
Ocean View Half Marathon 2025 - 2025-11-02
The Ocean View Half Marathon runs through Ipswich and around Great Neck. This year I was stationed at checkpoint 3, at the intersection of East St & Jeffrey's Neck Rd. This was a particularly interesting experience, because I was without a car. I was fortunate to get a ride there from Steve K8ZBE (who fortuitously lives nearby, and it turns out that we also both play in the community band!), but I had to pack everything with me rather than relying on my car for storage. It also meant my trip home was a bit longer, since it involved walking from my station to the Ipswich commuter rail stop (about a mile), and then taking public transit home.
Baystate Marathon 2025 - 2025-10-19
This is my second year working at the Baystate marathon. It looks like they're expecting just about 2500 runners this year. Last year I was stationed at one of the medical tents at the Tsongas center. This year I was stationed out on the course at water stop #6, along the Merrimack River and across from American Legion post 247 in Tyngsborough. We were accompanied by groups of student volunteers from the Tyngsborough HS cross country team, the Lowell HS National Honor Society, and possibly one other group.
Ride to Defeat ALS September 2025 - 2025-09-20
The Ride to Defeat ALS is a bicycle ride to raise funds for research into treatements for ALS. This is my first year volunteering at this event, and also my first time volunteering in a SAG vehicle. I was operating in SAG #1 along with Matt Brennan, NM1B, who coordinate the radio volunteer effort for this event.
By the Sea Half Marathon September 2025 - 2025-09-14
I was stationed at checkpoint 5 near the intersection of Chebacco Rd. and Essex St. I have put together a course map with checkpoint locations. This wasn't as scenic as some other locations; Essex St. is relatively busy. Joe the Hamilton police officer closed down one side of the road to help keep runners safe.