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!

When:   Monday, Aug 11^th

Time:     7:00pm

Where:  St. Barnabas Church, 1697 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI – Drive around and park in the back

We’ve got a robust agenda prepared including …

• License upgrade classes with Ham Radio Prep
• Pete Lawson Outdoor Adventure
• POTA – progress
• “Help Wanted”
• Resilient Communication – Presentations by Mike K1NPT &  Bob Beatty WB4SON
• …and more!

You Don’t Want To Miss This Meeting!

But if you can’t make it in person, you can join us via Zoom using the link emailed to you.

The location of this Sunday’s (7/27) Parks On The Air has been changed to;

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge – US-0516

Click for map: MAP / WEBSITE Time: 10:00AM – 12:00PM (You might want to arrive earlier to help with setup)

John – K1JSM will be operating out of the back of his car, demoing his “radio suitcase”; using his K3 radio, a vertical WRC (wolf river coil) antenna without coil, magnetically attached to a metal folding chair. He’ll be logging with an iPad and the HamRS logging software. In addition, he will use the RBN website to test an Elecraft AX1 ultra-portable whip antenna. Set-up will be at 0945, on-the-air at 1000.
Jim – KA1ZOU will be operating from a portable table using an iCom 7300. There are two antenna options, the same K1JSM Wolf River antenna with coil in case 40 meters looks good, and a fishing pole-supported wire sloper for 20 and maybe 40 meters.
Logging will be with a Windows laptop and N3FJP’s AC Log set up for POTA. Set-up will start at 09:00.
As John says, all are welcome, and we will assist as best as two geezers can.
If others bring their radios and want to get on the air, they are encouraged to do so. Jim & John will help them get set up, will spot & log for them, and help as needed.

Please bring good propagation with you. Also suggest; bring a chair, hat, sunglasses, water, etc.

Come join the fun!

NCRC members enjoyed a productive POTA event this morning in East Greenwich.  We had 4 stations operating so that everyone had excellent oppertunities to get on the air. (Photos from Keith & Jim)

Some of today’s crew L to R … Corry (N1OI), Scott (WX1X), Keith (KC1LPV), Willy (W1LY), Jim (KC1LYG), Randy (K8ZFJ)

Stations readying antennas

On 40 meters, Keith begins calling out, “CQ POTA … CQ POTA”

Meanwhile, Joe starts racking up contacts on 20 meters.

A day to be enjoyed for sure!

Wolf River Coil gets packed away

Corry spools the radials

Couldn’t have said it better!

Solid foundation. Rube Goldberg, yes, but it works!

Continue reading →