Category Archives: POTA

Parks On The Air: K-0517

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*** UPDATED October 9 @ 13:50UTC ***

NCRC POTA People met at Trustom Pond today and were on the air on 20-meter SSB (14.270) by 13:50 UTC.  The following six participated:

  • John Mills K1JSM
  • Willy Macclean W1LY
  • Jim Sammons KA1ZOU
  • Rich Russel KA1ARO
  • Bob Beatty WB4SON
  • Jim Johnson K1GND

It was the first time that particular park had been activated.  The weather was stunning, and the company was excellent!  We were happy to have Jim Johnson, K1GND, one of the directors of The Consortium program join us as well (Jim is giving a presentation on Small HF Antennas at Monday’s meeting).

Driving into the park, which is along RI’s southern coast

From Left to Right: Rich KC1ARO, John K1JSM (Jim KA1ZOU to John’s right), and Willy W1LY

(L to R): John K1JSM paper logging, Jim K1GND on the air, and Jim KA1ZOU electronically logging

The gear used was the same as last time.  FT-897 with tuner, 20-meter end-fed half-wave antenna, and 30 AH LiFePO4 battery.  Rich and Willy both operated on 40 meters as well.

 

The NCRC Activation Gang will be activating Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge, which is located along the southern coast of RI, on Friday October 9.  Expect them on 14.265 +/- around 14:00Z (10 AM local time).  Calls in use will be KA1ZOU, K1JSM, W1LY, and WB4SON.  40 meter SSB operation may occur along with CW on 14.060 MHz.  It is our belief that this park has never been activated before.

 

Park On The Air Friday 1000L, 1400Z

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**** 14:20Z. WB4SON on air CW 14.060 ****

**** 14:00Z. K1JSM on air 14.257 ****

**** 13:30z  W1LY on air 14.257 ***

The NCRC Activation Crew will be at Brenton Point State Park tomorrow October 2, which is POTA K-2870  They should be on the air by 10 AM local time (14:00Z).  Expect SSB operation on 14.265 +/- and CW operation on 14.060 +/-

Operators, using their own calls:

  • Willy W1LY
  • John K1JSM
  • Bob WB4SON

The following entities are activated by this group:

  • POTA K-2870 (Brenton Point State Park)
  • IOTA NA-031 (North American Island Group)
  • USI RI006S (Aquidneck Island)
  • ARLHS USA-0082H (Brenton Reef Lighthouse Historic)

In this view from above, the crew was located at the end of the park, located in the upper-right corner

Rich KC1ARO stopped by to say hi, as Willy W1LY was on the air and John K1JSM was logging

John K1JSM at the mic

A rare sighting of Bob WB4SON at an activation running CW

Equipment info:

  • Yaesu FT-897
  • PAR End-Fedz end-fed half wave 20 meter antenna
  • 30 AH LiFePO4 battery (Bioenno)

Fox Hunt Finishes at Beavertail

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The NCRC Open Fox Hunt has finished at Beavertail.  A total of FIVE hidden transmitters were placed throughout the park.  Multiple teams of hunters braved brambles and cool sea breezes to find the Foxes.  From setup to takedown, the event took about 4 hours.

Congratulations to Paul, N1PSX, and Steve, KC1AQQ, who finished with the best score.

Many thanks to Jim, KA1ZOU, for organizing the event and to all those who participated.

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Evil Jim, KA1ZOU, rides off to place the hidden foxes (music from Wizard of Oz playing)

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Fox Control — Coordinating the activities

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Two Pauls: Paul N1PSX on the left, and Paul K1YBE During setup

Fredette Brothers Paul and Dave using a HandiFinder to hunt

The Fredettes, Paul and Dave, using a HandiFinder to hunt

 

National Park on the Air: N1PSX, TR23, 14.252 MHz

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Rich Russell (KC1ARO) and Paul Silverzweig (N1PSX) have hiked up in Northwestern RI to put “TR23”, which is part of the Washington – Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail National Scenic Trail, on the air (they are in the Parker Woodland.  They are using N1PSX as the call, and are on 14.252 MHz.

By the way, the pile-up is huge.  They are working a station every 15 seconds with no signs of it stopping.  And I can’t say this enough — they are doing a fantastic job of managing a large pileup.

This is a BIG Deal for the ARRL.  Much like the Centennial QSO Party, they have setup dedicated webpages for this, leaderboards, etc.  Once the QSOs are uploaded to LotW, you will receive your points for working that park automatically.

See this website:  https://npota.arrl.org/index.php

Click on the “On the Air” tab and look for TR23 and you will see Paul and Rich’s details — as well as all the other parks on the air.

Once the LotW setup is complete NCRC member can start using the W1SYE call sign for other NPOTA events.

Rich, KC1ARO, making NPOTA Chasers Happy

Rich, KC1ARO, making NPOTA Chasers Happy

Paul, N1PSX, Dulcet Tones Make for a Joyful Pileup

Paul, N1PSX, Dulcet Tones Make for a Joyful Pileup