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.
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.
Crew is on Naushon Island in Tarpaulin Cove (NE most red mark)
Unfortunately there was a Geomagnetic Storm going on today as well, making conditions very poor on both 20 and 40-meters.
Bad Propagation across all bands
Jim KA1ZOU at mic, John K1JSM logging, Willy W1LY and Paul K1YBE looking over the cove
Paul K1YBE, John K1JSM, Willy W1SYE (standing), Jim KA1ZOU
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.
John K1JSM, Pete W1LAB, Willy W1LY, Paul K1YBE, and Jim KA1ZOU had a successful activation of Penikese Island (FN41mk) today, which officially became US Island MA060S at 11:06 AM local time. The weather was dreadful, and most of their work was on 20 meters due to some issues on 40 meters, but a temporary antenna got them on the air on that band for their final 40 minutes. They began operation at 10:25 AM and were off the air at 2:40 PM local time.
The crew sheltered under two tents on Penikese Island
Willy W1LY at the mike, with Paul K1YBE (left) and Jim KA1ZOU (right)
Another view of the operation with John K1JSM walking to his boat in the upper left. (That is the NE part of Penikese visible across the cove in the upper left of the photo)
They got hammered with at least two inches of rain in a few hours (parts of the Cape received 4″).
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.
