Welcome to HamRadioBoston.org, the official information web site of the Boston Athletic Association Communications Committee for Amateur Radio.
Committee History
Prompted by the tragic bombing in 2013 and a subsequent increase in public safety concerns, the BAA formed a Communications Committee late in 2014 with a mandate to review and improve the entire communications program at the Boston Marathon. Security and operational challenges had increased, requiring Amateur Radio to function in a highly-structured environment, one following guidelines of the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System (ICS).
In 2015, as a result of its review, the Committee presented a set of recommendations to the BAA which were accepted and implemented. These included changes specific to the requirements of BAA and its public safety partners, resulting in a considerable body of training, planning and operational documentation and a management structure to support and execute the plans during event day.
2016 will be expressed as an evolution of the 2015 efforts, rather than a revolution involving major changes.
Leadership
The larger Committee membership is drawn from public safety, BAA, private ambulance services and commercial communications providers. Six Amateur Radio volunteers were selected to represent, manage and serve the almost 300 volunteers who provide communications for the BAA on event day. These members were chosen based on their common passion for public service, a desire to serve the BAA, and considerable experience with the BAA and its activities throughout the year. While a diversity of talent and interests may be found among the leadership team, a desire to expand, improve and assure the Amateur Radio volunteer experience at the Boston Marathon for years to come is a goal held by all.
Initiatives
BAA Boston Marathon
The Committee is responsible to the BAA for the provision of a variety of communications services on Marathon Monday. This complex event demands over six months of planning and preparation and hundreds of volunteers.
HamRadioBoston.org
The Committee maintains a web site presence which augments the BAA’s web site with information specific to the Amateur Radio service.
Technical Infrastructure Subcommittee (TIS)
Chaired by Communications Committee member Matthew Forman, the TIS is responsible for the entire technical communications facilities used by Amateur Radio at the BAA Boston Marathon. In 2015, the TIS is in process of being formed and will begin to assume and direct their role at the 2016 Marathon. Membership will be drawn from all Amateur Radio clubs throughout the region with a goal of diverse and strong technical representation and an efficient distribution of resources.
Documentation Subcommittee
Chaired by Communications Committee member Mark Richards, the Documentation Subcommittee is responsible for all training, planning, and operational documentation (in many forms) for Amateur Radio communications support at the BAA Boston Marathon.
