Just a reminder that our monthly meeting will be Monday February 13 at 7:00 PM at KVH Manufacturing: 75 Enterprise Drive, Middletown, RI
So what are Pixie Nights?
For the next three club meetings, in addition to a very short business meeting, we will be working on a Club Build project — A “Pixie”, which is a small, inexpensive, low power transceiver kit that can be used by anyone holding an Amateur Radio License.
For February’s meeting we will be holding a hands-on tutorial in soldering skills (and desoldering skills too). KVH has been nice enough to setup a large number of solder stations with tools for us to use. This is a unique opportunity, especially for those who have never done any electronic kit building. Mentors will be on hand to guide you through the process.
In addition, John, WA1ABI, will be giving an introduction to the Pixie hardware to give you a good understanding of how the circuitry works.
Subsequent meetings will cover assembly of the Pixie, as well as Debug and Test.
For $10, you can’t go wrong, and will be able to point to the tiny Pixie radio, knowing you built it with your own hands, and have a low power transceiver that members have been using to make contacts hundreds of miles away.
If you would like to purchase a Pixie kit and join the fun, we have them in stock. This is really a very fun assembly project, and we will be working with you hand-in-hand to teach you how to solder, how the kit goes together, and help get it on the air. To purchase your Pixie, please use the Paypal button on our website at this URL:
Rich Bredlinger – Silent Key
It is with regret that we report the passing of Rich Brendlinger, N3RWB. Rich, was a resident of Jamestown and is survived by his two sons and daughter, as well as his sister. Rich often helped at NCRC events, and last joined us for Thursday Breakfast just a few weeks ago. Rich lost his battle with Cancer early this morning, after battling the disease for several years.
In addition to his love of Amateur Radio and DX hunting, Rich had an exciting life as a sailor — having single-handed a sailboat around the world, and skippering several large sailboats. He was also a private pilot.
At Rich’s request there will be no services.
73 from your friends at NCRC. You will be missed.
Pixie Project is Live
NCRC is embarking on a “Build Night” project that will span our Feb-Apr meetings. We will be assembling a QRP 40 Meter CW Transceiver. Interested parties who can attend the next few meetings are encouraged to visit our Pixie Page, by clicking on Pixie on our menu tabs. You will find details of the project and can even order one or more Pixie boards (which will be delivered to you at one of our upcoming meetings.
Dirmid Gray, K1UFD, Silent Key
It is with deep regret that Newport County Radio Club announces that Dirmid, K1UFD, passed away on Friday January 6th. Dirmid was an active member of the club, always offering a helping hand to setup our events. In his radio life, he volunteered for many public service events, such as the Tour de Cure, and he participated in many on-air communication drills supporting Narragansett and South Kingstown EMAs. His obituary has been posted below.
Dirmid I. Gray, 72, of Narragansett, passed away unexpectedly on Friday. He was the beloved husband of Janet (Murchie) Gray. Born in South Kingstown, he was a son of the late William E. “Bub” and Ethel M (Wright) Gray. He was a graduate of South Kingstown High School. He served proudly and honorably in the US Air Force during the Vietnam Era. Mr. Gray retired from Sulzer Process Pumps of Easley, SC as a System Administrator. He was a life member of the Narragansett Steam Fire Engine Company # 1 of Peace Dale and the New England States Veteran Firemen’s League, and veteran member of the former South County Ambulance & Rescue Corp, and a member of the Newport Company Radio Club-Ham Radio sign K1UFD. Mr. Gray also volunteered his time with the Narragansett Emergency Management Agency, the Portsmouth EMA Communications Team, and the Southern RI Volunteer CERT Team, and the Peer to Peer Counselor for the Union Fire District. Besides his wife he is survived by a daughter, Jody Ann Gray of Marblehead, MA; a brother, Jereld Gray and his wife Edythe of West Hartford, CT and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday 10 am in St. Francis of Assisi Church. Burial with military honors will follow in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours will be held in the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, Wednesday, 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Animal Rescue RI, PO Box 458, Wakefield, RI 02882.
Club Meeting Monday January 9, 7PM @ KVH
Happy New Year everyone!
The first meeting of NCRC will be held Monday January 9 at 7 PM at KVH.
Beyond a short business meeting, Paul, K1YBE, will be describing an upcoming “Build Night” project to be held after the February and March meetings. The project is a simply QRP 40 meter transceiver that can be used by any licensed ham.