Category Archives: Activation

Lighthouse and Island Activation Underway

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*** UPDATE 16:00 UTC ***

Still on Pomham Rocks & Pomham Light, but have moved to 14.265 MHz

Using clandestine photo techniques, Evan captured this rare photo of Pete W1LAB on the air!

 

*** UPDATE 15:20 UTC ***

The crew is on Pomham Rocks (RI-037), home of the Pomham Lighthouse USA-643.  Work them on 7.265 MHz

Willy W1LY on mic with lighthouse in the background USA 643 (Pomham Light)

John K1JSM, Willy W1LY, and Jim KZ1ZOU at Pomham Light

 

Rare sighting of Pete W1LAB (of course taking a photo kneeling in light blue shirt) — Thanks to Evan for photo!

 

*** UPDATE 14:55 UTC ***

The crew is now on Pomham Rocks, the physical location of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse ARLHS USA-643.  Pomham Rocks will be RI-037 when qualified.

Evan & Willy looking for a location for the station on Pomham Rocks. Lighthouse looking fine!

 

*** UPDATE 14:11 UTC ***

Ruth Island is officially RI-038S, congratulations for a successful activation!  They are still on the air, 7.265 MHz and are activating Pomham Rocks Lighthouse ARLHS USA-643.

 

*** UPDATE 13:30 UTC ***

The guys are on Ruth Island (RI-038) and are on 7.265  ARLHS USA-643.

On the Air!

Setting up: Willy W1LY, John K1JSM, Mike AC1DW, Evan K1GEA

RIB TURMOIL, and Antenna on Ruth Island

Photos by Pete W1LAB

 

The Boys in D’a Boat are underway…

First stop is Ruth Island: RI-038, which is just to the east of Pomham Rocks/Lighthouse (RI-039 & USA-643).

Expect them on the air near 13:30 UTC on Ruth, near 14.260 and 7.260 MHz

 

Lighthouse & Island Activation Sunday Aug 18

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Pomham Rocks and Ruth Island activations:

We will try to activate both islands in one day, Sunday August 18. These two islands are only about 100 yards apart. Pomham has both a dock and a lighthouse. Ruth has only weeds and a shallow water beach. High tide on the August 18 is between 10-11 AM.

US Islands nos:  Pomham: RI-037, Ruth Island: US-038;

Pomham lighthouse ARLHS no. USA-643

Schedule:

0800 Meet at Brewer Cove Haven marina (address below)

0830 Depart for Ruth Island

0930 Operational on Ruth Island

1100 Goto Pomham Rocks island

1300 (approx) Successfully terminate radio ops

Logistics:

TURMOIL, our trusty 24 foot RIB, will be at Brewer Cove Haven 101 Narragansett Ave, Barrington, 401-246-1600

After action debrief at: Thames Waterside Bar & Grill, 251 Thames St, Bristol Next to DeWolf Tavern. YL’s welcomed.

Beach Island Activation

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*** UPDATE ***

The activation was successful, but it was hard going as band conditions were awful.

On Beach Island – John K1JSM in the background, Willy W1LY on Left, Jim KA1ZOU on right. Photo by Pete W1LAB

A good friend of Island Activations, who we lovingly call Lighthouse Jim (KA3UNQ — a club member too) calls the NCRC Island Activators “The Boys in the boat”.

Well, activation season is underway, and today, June 30th, will be the first for this summer season.  They are on Beach island, USIslands RI-015, which has never been activated.  They just got on the air, at 14.265 MHz, and will move to 7.265 a bit later on (plus/minus QRM).

Weather is always a challenge, and today is keeping with that trend.  Severe thunderstorms are in the forecast, so they may have to get off the air quickly.

Thanks to all that support these efforts!

Maine Island Activations Underway

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The NCRC Activation crew (Pete W1LAB, John K1JSM, Willy W1LY, and Jim KA1ZOU) was at it again, this time in Maine.  They activated three never before on the air islands on Wednesday Oct 3 and Thursday October 4.

Pete W1LAB supplied many of the photos below and is the boat operator (RIB Goblin).  He hosted the crew in Cundy’s Harbor.  Willy W1LY supplied the stunning photo below:

 

Update Oct 5:  Bad weather is preventing any additional activations on this trip.  Thanks to all that participated on Wed & Thu and helped to complete three new island activations.

Update: Oct 4 15:56Z  The Crew has changed to 14.283 MHz, still on Snow Island – Bad weather is moving in so this may be the only activation today.

Update: Oct 4 15:16Z The activation crew is setting up on Snow Island in Quahog Bay and should be on the air shortly. They are currently on 7.266 and later near 14.252.

Operators on Snow Island: Willy W1LY, Jim KA1ZOU, and John K1JSM (left to right)

Jim KA1ZOU logging and Pete W1LAB on the air. Sonw Island is the home of around the world sailor Dodge Morgan

Antenna can be seen by the dock at Snow Island

A closer view of the antenna.

Update:  Oct 3 As of 18:50Z Flash Island has been qualified and the crew is packing to return to home base (Cundy’s Harbor) for a debriefing.

Update: As of 18:15Z Flash Island is being qualified. On 14.252 (Note the US Islands # has not been allocated for this island yet)

John and Willy at the operating desk on Flash Island Maine

A view from the North on Flash Island.  Antenna and Goblin Support boat in view

 

Update: As of 23:45Z Bush Island was qualified and the crew packing the station up for today.

UPDATE: As of 23:00Z they are at Bush Island on 14.251 MHz (Note the US Islands # has not been allocated for this island yet).  They were on 40 meters prior to that, and had no luck making contacts.

Islands are often privately owned and require special permission. This is Nat Pulsifer, the owner of Bush Island

Here is the “shack” in the woods just to the right of the dock. The antenna can be seen to the right

What the operators see looking out from Bush island — Note antenna to the left

A close up of the “Shack”. John K1JSM logging and Willy W1LY on the air