While today’s weather was much better than the torrential rain yesterday, the RF environment proved to be quite challenging with the IARU HF Contest underway today and tomorrow. It was hard to hold a frequency open. On top of that, the TS-570D simply refused to enter RX from time to time.
Nevertheless, Paul K1YBE, John K1JSM, Willy W1LY, Pete W1LAB, and Jim KA1ZOU actually had a very successful activation of Nashawena Island, making it officially MA017S about a half-hour after getting on the air. Thanks to all the stations that helped and continued to contact them.
Nashawena Island is privately owned, and permission to go ashore is quite difficult to obtain. In a process that began months ago, they finally received permission yesterday and immediately changed their plans to activate it today.
Nashawena is located right next to Cuttyhunk, on the eastern end of the Elizabeth Islands
The bands were quite full today, busy with the IARU HF Contest, but they managed to find a hole to operate in.
Pileups were impressive all day long as you can hear here:
The Island only has 2 full time residents who tend to it and the cattle that graze there:
Two of the many cattle on the island, with Jim KA1ZOU logging, and Willy W1LY at the mic
Jim KA1ZOU logging, Willy W1LY at mic, John K1JSM sitting, and Paul K1YBE standing
The photos have been provided by Pete W1LAB who always is behind the lens, but here is a picture of him aboard the support boat:
Pete W1LAB hears that happy news that Nashawena can be activated
Support boats in foreground. John’s cabin cruiser and Pete’s RIB. Antenna at waterline.
As of 11:25 AM, the crew has been forced to QRT. Their radio would not transmit on 20 meters at all this morning, and just died on 40 meters as well. However Naushon Island was officially activated so is MA006S. Thanks to everyone who took the time to contact them today! They will be back to the Elizabeth Island chain later this summer.
As of 11:10 AM Local Time (15:10 UTC), the activation was official, and Naushon Island is now officially MA006S. The heavy rain from two days ago resulted in some rig issues that they are still suffering through. They will not be on 20 meters today, and may have to QRT shortly.
Crew is on Naushon Island (MA006) FN41ol due to wind. They are on 7.233 MHz. A minor solar storm is causing them to be a tad weaker than normal. Should improve later today.
Jim KA1ZOU at mic, John K1JSM logging, Willy W1LY and Paul K1YBE looking over cove
Crew is on Naushon Island in Tarpaulin Cove (NE most red mark) to shelter from WSW winds
Bad Propagation across all bands
*** Saturday July 8 Update – NOW QRT ***
The crew is unable to activate the island on 40 meters and is now QRT for the day. Many thanks to all of those they worked on 20 meters.
As of 12:40 Local time, W1SYE is on a lunch break. They may try 40 meters, 7.233 MHz, when they get back on. But they have been having issues with their TS570D losing RX audio.
Things are still hot and heavy on 14.262.5 MHz. Really appreciate everyone’s help.
As of 11:21 Local (15:21 UTC), the activation became official. Nashawena Island is now officially US Islands MA017S.
As of 10:50 Local, they are on the air. IARU Contest making 20 a full band. They are on 14.262.5 MHz.
According to Captain Pete W1LAB, the crew received permission to land at Nashawena Island (Quicks Hole side) MA017, FN41nk. This is another new island (never officially activated), and they are on the way there. Expect them on-air around 10:30 AM beginning with 20 meters around 14.260 MHz
Pete W1LAB hears that happy news that Nashawena can be activated
Activation location should be on the East shore
*** Friday July 7 Update – Now QRT ***
The crew pulled the plug at 2:40 PM local time. They are heading back to their temporary home to get ready for tomorrow’s activation of Naushon Island, about 10 nm to the NE from Cuttyhunk. Expect them to begin operating around 10:30 AM on 20 meters near 14.260 and transition to 40 meters after lunch. The weather is expected to be much better tomorrow, but there is always a chance of a pop-up thunderstorm. Check back for updates tomorrow. Thanks to all the many stations that worked W1SYE on Penikese Island today!
As of 2:10 PM Local, W1SYE is on 40 meters, 7.233 MHz. They had some antenna issues and are using a temporary antenna. They will be on for another hour if the band holds up.
As of 11:55 Local (15:55Z) they are on 14.256 MHz in heavy rain.
As of 11:06 Local (15:06Z) the activation became official with the required number of contacts (25 total and 2 DX). Thanks to Don, W9DC, for being #25 MA060S
As of 10:25 Local time, they are on 14.260 — they will be on 40 meters a bit later in the morning. There is quite a bit of bad weather to the west and south of them, but so far its dry. Penikese Island is pointed out in the image below.
The crew spent the night in Cuttyhunk and despite what is supposed to be very foul weather between 10 AM and 3 PM, are planning on setting up their station this morning around 9 AM. They should be on Penikese Island and on the air around 10 AM. The plan has changed to start on 40 meters, change to 20 around noon, and change back around 2 PM. Try 7.233 and 14.265 +/- QRM.
The NCRC Activation Crew will be going on a multi-day sea adventure starting next week, planning on activating several Elizabeth Islands that have not been on the air before, using the club call W1SYE.
In general they will be on the air starting around 10:30 AM (perhaps a bit earlier), on 14.260, and shifting to 7.235 after lunch for a couple of hours, then switching back to 20 meters to finish up between 3 and 4 PM.
The following comes in from Jim WA1ZOU, reporting on the Gooseberry (West Passage, off Hope Island) activation of RI002S (Note, RI002S was originally listed as Gooseberry off of Hazard’s Beach in Newport, for indeed there are two, that second Gooseberry Island will be renumbered in the future):
The NCRC Bay Activators were finally able to activate Gooseberry Island (West Passage) on August 7th. An earlier attempt was abandoned when it became evident that several species of gulls were actively nesting. This activation was our Scarborough Reef—steep rocky flanks with very little surface for our station setup. With clever engineering by Willy, W1LY, we were on the air by 11:00 AM. In response to requests from local hams, we started on 40 meters and it quickly became clear that we were on the downhill side of solar cycle 24. Contacts were slow in coming, but picked up in mid-afternoon on 20 meters with strong QSB. The final log shows 75 contacts and 4 DXCC entities.
Thanks to Pete, W1LAB, who is behind the lens in these photos, and provided transportation for the crew as well as on-air talent.
Rocky shoreline of Gooseberry Island is evident
Wily, W1LY, sets up the 4BTV
Willy, W1LY (on left), and Jim, WA1ZOU (on right), on the air
Two wild and crazy guys enjoying a rocky activation!
Officially RI027S as of 15:14 UTC, (VE5XU happened to be the 25th contact), Evan, K1GEA, is still busy adding contacts to the log, having started at 14:47 UTC.
Their operation will be on 20 meters ONLY today, 14.260 +/-
Evan, K1GEA, rowing onto Rabbit Island with all the gear
Rabbit Island Operating Position — Could the antenna be more in salt water?
Evan, K1GEA, operating W1SYE from Rabbit Island
Log shows 25th contact about 27 minutes after the first contact.
Goblin, Pete’s (W1LAB) hard-bottomed inflatable support boat
Hazard of operating near the shore — rising tide! (Evan had to move the coax a bit shortly after this)
Today’s activation of RI026, Cornelius Island, is on the air as of 14:34 UTC.
Evan, K1GEA, and Jim, KA1ZOU, are today’s operators. They are starting out on 7.235 MHz as there been feedback from near-by states that 20-meter copy is challenging so close by. They will shift to 14.260-265 at some point in the future.
To hit 40-meters, they are using a new Hustler 4-BTV vertical today — it does 20 meters as well. This is unlike the R6000 which does 20 but not 40-meters.
As of 15:14 UTC, Cornelius Island was officially activated and became RI-026S. And as of 16:00:00 UTC they have moved to 14.260 MHz.
Tune in tomorrow for an activation of Rabbit Island (not qualified but hopefully soon to be RI027S). Will start on 40m and move to 20m starting about 14:00 UTC.
Jim, KA1ZOU, on left, Evan, K1GEA, on right. 4BTV on the left, and R6000 on the right
KA1ZOU, Jim, at the controls
Operating at the edge of the water is the key — the antennas should be less than 1/2 wave from the water’s edge
Propagation is NOT stellar for sure, but the pileups are persistent:
As the winds were picking up, operation was shut down around 2 PM. But not before putting 63 40-meter QSOs in the log along with 78 20-meter QSOs.
