Cold.  Bitter, bitter cold weather this past weekend (as you know).  But that didn’t stop the NCRC crew from erecting the five or so antennas that were going to be needed for the event.

Then, the equipment needed to be checked out before the event started at 11:00am, Saturday. All good!

And with the weather being so frightful we attempted to operate two differents stations, CW and SSB/Phone in the same cabin.  (So we could avoid setting up a tent outside.)

It worked! It worked just fine, with the assistance of headphones. Operators were able to stay out of each other’s way and score big points.

Ever compliant with WFD rules, we had plenty of off-the-grid power and heat.

Additional points earned after making Satellite contact with the International Space Station (ISS).

Several newer members got to experience Field Day for the very first time.

Into the night and early morning hours, operations continued.

At dawn, with heavy, heavy snow in the immediate forecast, the decision was wisely made to cease operations and safely pack it up.

And just as the last cable was coiled, the record breaking storm hit while everybody safely headed for home!

WFD Video featuring satellite contact with the ISS!  Click Here

See you at Summer Field Day!

This past Monday (December 8th, 2025) the Newport County Radio Club held its annual holiday party and dinner for members. .

Once again, we gathered in a private room at the Hometown Tavern in Warren. Food was great and the banter was lighthearted and friendly. Always nice to get together in person with members.

Mega thanks to Keith Henry for the array of marvelous photos.

Many thanks to Linda Maclean for running the popular Yankee Swap. Many of the participants pictured.

If you were there, hope you had fun. If you missed it, maybe next year!

Last night (12/1/2025) 15 members and a guest attended the NCRC Build Night in Portsmouth. The mission was to build 2-meter “J-Pole” antennas.

With the leadership of Chris Lirakis, W1QIS, members learned how to build this simple design antenna with either 300-ohm twin lead or 450-ohm ladder line wire.

Skills such as soldering wires together and utilizing antenna test equipment were also learned.

Also gratifying was the number of newer members who attended the evening’s event.

We all had fun and agreed to do it again. What Build Night topic would you like to recommend?

Greetings Members

Here is a consolidated report of things happening around the Newport County Radio Club.

Summer Field Day 2025 Results – In December 2025 QST magazine look on page 67.  The NCRC participated in the most competitive 2A category and placed third behind the Radio Amateurs of Northern Vermont. W1NVT, and the Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society, K4MN. (Almost tied for second place). Congratulations to all members who pitched in to make it a successful and fun Field Day!

2026 NCRC Annual Dues – At the November club meeting, after some healthy discussion, members agreed, voted on, and approved raising the annual dues from $25 to $40 beginning in 2026.  This move was driven by inflation factors (dues have been $25 for over 20 years), and the club’s desire to continue providing members with quality services such as a substantially upgraded W1SYE repeater system.

J-Pole Antenna Build Night – On Monday evening, December 1^st, we will be hosting a build night at St. Barnabas Church starting at 7:00pm. You can build yourself a functioning J-Pole antenna that you can use with your 2-meter radio. Please click the link to let us know that you are coming and what style of antenna you wish to build.  REGISTRATION   There will be a nominal cost for parts. Questions, please call or write Chris Lirakis 401-683-8700 or, Jim Sendrak (860) 985-8558.  clirakis@gmail.com  jimsendrak@comcast.net

NCRC Year-End Dinner Party – Please join us on Monday, December 8^th for our annual party. We will be at the Hometown Tavern in Warren, RI.  Click her for all the information, registration and ticket purchasing.  PARTY

2026 Winter Field Day – We are beginning to prepare for Winter Field Day, January 24^th & 25^th at the Glen in Portsmouth.  We will send out a survey to all members shortly.  In the meantime, if you are interested in participating in the event in any capacity, please call or write to Jim Sendrak.

Member Roster – We need to make corrections and update our member roster. This has not been done for quite some time. We will be sending an email to all members soon to help facilitate this.

W1SYE 2-Meter Repeater – Our current repeater system is sorely in need of replacement. This is being acted upon as we speak. You can look forward to top-notch, clear performance once again. We’d like to see more members using the repeater for friendly conversations not just during the nightly nets, but all through the day.

That’s it for now.  73s

Jim Sendrak – KC1LYG  (860) 985-8558

This past Saturday (October 18, 2025) the NCRC hosted a JOTA event at Fort Wetherill State Park in Jamestown.  Scout Troop 1, Rotary Club of Jamestown spent an afternoon of fun and amateur radio operating. The weather was perfect!

8 Scouts and 2 Troop Leaders joined NCRC’s Willy Maclean, Bill Bagwill and Jim Sendrak.

Scouts Matt, Alex and Logan made contacts in Canada, West Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana and West Virginia!

The boys were impressed by the radio technology. They all got to make several contacts around the country.

What? No cell phones or internet necessary??

Nope!