Category Archives: IOTA

W1SYE on-air from Cornelius Island

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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.

RabbisIsl

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.

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Jim, KA1ZOU, on left, Evan, K1GEA, on right. 4BTV on the left, and R6000 on the right

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KA1ZOU, Jim, at the controls

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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:

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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.

W1SYE at Fox Island on Air: 14.262

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After a few rig hiccups, W1SYE is on the air at Fox Island, soon to be RI025S, and beginning to work their pileup.  Close to this author’s location, their signal is booming, and I can’t help but notice that I am not hearing the stations they are working.  So their salt-water vertical is doing a wonderful job.  They have worked at least one DX entity and many US stations so far.

From US Islands Website:

Fox RI025 Narragansett Bay Washington NA-031 -Not yet qualified

Above Video taken by David Brown — many thanks Dave!

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2m White Stick, Vertical, and shack. Pete, W1LAB, taking some photos.

At the desk, John, K1JSM, and Jim, KA1ZOU. Pete, W1LAB standing. (Evan taking photos)

At the desk, John, K1JSM, and Jim, KA1ZOU. Pete, W1LAB standing. (Evan taking photos)

As of 14:43 UTC, the activation is official, they are now RI025S

Fox Island Activation Coming July 16

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The NCRC intrepid activation crew will be activating Fox Island, (US Islands RI025S once qualified).  This is a rare/unique opportunity, as the island is now owned by a corporation and visitors are not allowed.  Through good fortune and our ability to show a series of successful activations in the past two years, Jim, KA1ZOU, was able to secure one time permission to activate the island.

Expect the gang to be on the air by 10 AM local time and to remain until at least 2 PM (or later if band conditions support it).  Check around 14.260-14.265 MHz, using callsign W1SYE.

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Patience Island Activated

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NCRC Members Jim, KA1ZOU, Evan, K1GEA, John, K1JSM, and Pete, W1LAB are activating Patience Island On The Air near 14.262 MHz.  This is US Island On The Air RI024S (or will be once they make it official).

Jim, Evan, and John on Patience Island (Pete behind the lens)

Jim, Evan, and John on Patience Island (Left to Right with Pete behind the lens)

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View of antenna mounted a few feet from tide line, with radio shelter in the background

Nice view from the operating position

Nice view from the operating position — see how close the antenna is to the water, the key to success

Transportation to the island is via boat -- that beautiful hard bottomed inflatable on the right

Transportation to the island is via boat — “Goblin” the hard bottomed inflatable on the right

W1SYE Activates a New Island – Cranberry

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The intrepid NCRC crew activated another island, Cranberry, in the Providence River at 11 AM today. The irony that it was colder today than during Winter Field Day didn’t escape anyone.  Rich, KA1ARO, Paul, N1PSX, and member hopeful Mike, KA1IOO decided that snow/ice and cold weather wouldn’t keep them away.

Paul (left) and Rich (right) activate Cranberry Island, RI022

Paul N1PSX (left) and Rich KC1ARO (right) activate Cranberry Island, RI022R

The first contact was made at 15:00 UTC on 14.252 MHz and the pileup continued for a few hours.  Within less than 30 minutes they had contacted 25 stations and 2 DX stations, making the activation of US Islands RI022R official.