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!

So it rained steadily all day long.  So what?  NCRC members were there to have fun, and they did!

Parks On The Air has been a club activity that we’ve enjoyed all season and we carried it right into yesterday’s event.

Band conditions were excellent!.  Members made over 100 contacts throughout the day.

Joe Demarco (WA1VEE), POTA Coordinator, explained how the club’s desire is to get as many members possible to participate in Parks On The Air.

And as usual, the food was sensational!

Braving the weather as the antenna went up.

… as the little Honda kept us powered all day.

Photos by, Crystal, Keith & Jim

  PETE LAWSON OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

The 4th annual Pete Lawson Outdoor Adventure will be at Colt State Park

Sunday September 7, 2025.

Register and Save the Date Now!

The picnic starts Sunday at 11:30AM and runs to 3:00PM.

Delicious catered luncheon by Common Pub & Grille, Bristol, RI (same as last year).

 Colt State Park is US-2872 in the Parks-On-The-Air (POTA) radio system. We will have a station set up so members can make one contact. For that QSO, you get one ticket.               Later in the day, tickets will be drawn for prizes!

                      Several       …and other cool stuff!

  The PLOA Sunday picnic event is free for all NCRC members and their families.             You may wish to make a donation of any amount but not required.

             WE NEED A HEAD COUNT  to accurately forecast the amount of food to order.           PLEASE SIGN UP NOW!

 Registration link

If you wish to make a donation to help offset event costs, you can click the link below (Average cost PP $20)

Donation link

Swap Meet!

                    Got some gear you want to Swap, Sell, or Donate?  BRING IT!

(We’ll also have some equipment from the Estate of Jack Garforth)

Got a favorite homemade desert?

Consider bringing a small plate to share with fellow members.

Hope to see you there. Register now!