Category Archives: Operating

It’s a Wrap (JOTA)

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NCRC just completed its fourth JOTA at Glen Park, and it was a complete success.  In the end, scouts from five troops participated.  Sixteen scouts completed their Radio Merit Badge, and 3 more have a few things to finish up. Although dipping down to just above freezing Saturday morning, the weather was fantastic; blue skies the entire weekend.

When the radio gear was setup, the RF conditions were horrible, the earth having jusy been pummeled by a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) the day before.  But by Saturday when the real RF fun began, things has quietened down, with lots of European DX to be had, as well as many stateside contacts. The scouts had plenty to choose from with two HF and two VHF stations in use.

A real surprise for the event was how busy DSTAR was with scouts from all over the world linked into Reflector 33A.  Thanks to Ted W1GRI for setting up a DSTAR radio for JOTA!

Bob WB4SON with Charlie at the Mic

Bob WB4SON with Charlie at the Mic

 

NCRC All Set for JOTA

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Members of Newport County Radio Club were back at Glen Park in Portsmouth today getting stations ready for the Jamboree on the Air which begins later tonight and runs through noon on Sunday.  This is the fourth JOTA that NCRC has held.

Boy Scouts from four troops in RI are coming to the Glen to earn their Radio Merit Badge, which includes on-air contacts on 2 HF stations, as well as a VHF FM & DSTAR station.  Thirty scouts are expected to take the merit badge class.

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Club members Rob KB1ZZU, Willy W1LY, Paul N1PSX, Chuck N1CKT, Rich KC1ARO, Bob WB4SON, Mike AA1XQ, Pete W1LAB, Paul KC1AQP, and Dave KC1AAA helped get gear setup on Friday.

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

 

Upcoming Activation: Sept 3 – Spectacle Island

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The NCRC Island Activation Team will be activating Spectacle Island in Island Park Cove, Portsmouth RI.  This is a first time activation, and in fact it hasn’t been assigned a potential island number yet (there are two other islands in that cove; Tommy and Hen that have yet to be numbered as well).

The crew should be on 7.235 MHz starting at 10 AM or possibly a bit earlier, and will shift to 14.260 after the first hour.

 

Spectacle Island

Field Day 2016 is a Wrap

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It’s now just a fond memory; Field Day 2016 is now in the books.  Great fun, great food, great teams, and great results.  It looks like our score will be up this year.

A wonderful visitor to Glen Park, David Brown, took the time to provide a unique view of Field Day with this Drone video.  It’s 2 minutes long:

David will be talking about the equipment used to make the video at our next meeting!