Beavertail Lighthouse Activation

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Admin Admin

Five NCRC members, Paul N1PSX, Steve KC1AQQ, Scott WX1X, Mike AA1XQ, and Dave KC1GPA, activated Beavertail Lighthouse yesterday during the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend. Operating as W1SYE, they made approximately 80 contacts on 20 meters from about noon until 3 PM. Band conditions were beyond horrible yesterday, with long duration deep fades.

Station setup in tent just in back of the lighthouse. Paul N1PSX just visible on left

Rather than use the 63 foot base loaded vertical, the team erected a dipole using greenstick, a better choice for 20 meters

Thanks to Scott WX1X for the photos.

Regular Meeting SPECIAL NIGHT Tuesday Aug 15

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Admin Admin

Due to the state holiday, our next regular NCRC meeting will be at 7 PM on TUESDAY August 15 at KVH Manufacturing.

Following a short business meeting, Pete W1LAB will be giving a presentation on the recent Elizabeth Island Activation.

Successful Activation of East Island – Now RI029S

Posted on July 26, 2017 by Admin Admin

Pete W1LAB, Jim KA1ZOU, John K1JSM, and Willy W1LY, had another island adventure on Saturday July 22. They traveled with two RIB boats to East Island, which is a few thousand feet from Sakonnet Point. They were on the air shortly after 10:30 AM, and were off the air right after 1 PM. All operations were carried out on 20 meters. This time there were no RF issues and they made a large number of contacts, officially activating East Island as RI029S

Jim KA1ZOU logging, Willy W1LY at Mic, and John K1JSM supervising

A view from East Island back to the mainland to the North. A rare sighting of the stealthy Pete W1LAB can be seen near the middle-left.

East Island Activation

Posted on July 20, 2017 by Admin Admin

***Saturday July 22 Update – Now QRT ***

The team has taken down the station and are heading back home after another successful activation done entirely on 20 meters. East Island is now officially RI029S.

The NCRC Activation Crew is anticipating an activation of East Island, which is located off of Sakonnet Point this Saturday July 22. They should be on the air around 10:30 AM and will start on 20 meters (14.260 +/-), and shift to 40 meters (7.230 +/-) around lunch time.

This will be a new US Islands activation, since it hasn’t been activated before it is listed as RI029, but hopefully will become RI029S with a successful activation as W1SYE this Saturday.

Another Successful Activation – Naushon Island MA006S

Posted on July 9, 2017 by Admin Admin

If it’s not one thing (heavy rain, HF Contest), it’s another (solar storm, failing TX). Nevertheless, the Activation Crew of Jim KA1ZOU, Willy W1LY, Pete W1LAB, John K1JSM, and Paul K1YBE, had an exciting time activating one never before on the air island a day in the Elizabeth Island chain.

Today’s activation became official at about 15:10 UTC, meeting the US Island program rules, making Naushon Island MA006S. Even thought Murphy was nipping at their heals, causing their radio to fail to transmit on 20-meters this morning, he was behind the curve just enough to allow them to make 30 contacts before the rig refused to transmit on 40-meters as well. Whew!

The crew setup in Tarpaulin Cove to be leeward of the WSW winds.