NCRC POTA Group

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The NCRC Parks On The Air (POTA) Group is growing, with many successful activations in the month of October.  Fairly simple radios and antennas are deployed in state or national parks recognized by the ParksOnTheAir program. An example of a recent activation is Coccumcussoc State Park in North Kingstown.  It was activated for the first time by Ryan KC1KUF.  Ryan, 14 and a freshman at North Kingstown High School, started working on his radio license 2 years ago, and completed his General this summer.  In that time he has become an accomplished Winter & Summer Field Day operator, so it is only natural that he would find new ways to get on the air in the field.

Ryan KC1KUF activating Coccumcussoc State Park. Gear: Icom IC-7000, 30 AH LiFePO4 battery, and 20-m HamStick antenna.

Sometimes a single operator is involved, and sometimes a few people join in to put multiple stations on the air.  It is a wonderful opportunity to get outside in the fresh air and have a chance to meet up with our fellow hams in a safe way.  If you would like to join in on the fun and be kept aware of new activations, please email POTA at w1sye.org

The November 9th club meeting (7 PM via Zoom) will have a short presentation on POTA, with plenty of time to ask questions about antennas, rigs, and batteries.

Congratulations new hams & upgrades!

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Jack K1JK, with the help of many other VEs (Rob KC1ZOU, Mike AA1XQ, Mike AC1DV, Bob W1YRC, Bob WB4SON, John K1JSM, Willy W`1LY, Kelly K1GKW, Paul K1YBE, Nancy KC1NEK, Mary KC1NEB, Jim KA1ZOU, Rich N1ZSR, Mike K1NPT, Ed W1NQH), held a great drive-in VE session this morning; the crowning touch on the fall classes offered by Paul K1YBE and Bob WB4SON.

Congratulations to Scott Fetters and Kelley Lynch, who both passed their General.  And congratulations to following new hams, who passed their technician exam:

  • David Quinn
  • Thomas Hall
  • Michael Kelley
  • Patricia Sherblom
  • Jared Morris
  • Donald Kirby
  • Nicholas Macedo
  • Robert Daniels
  • Christopher Stenning
  • Mary Nassaney
  • Penny Crane
  • Robyn Linde
  • Marilee Jones
  • Anthony Macari

Very Successful POTA Activation at Ninigret Park

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NCRC members John K1JSM, Willy W1LY, Jim KA1ZOU, and Bob WB4SON met up around 09:30 local time at Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, POTA Park K-0515.  Three separate stations were setup on 40m, 20m and 17m.  The 20m station used an end-fed half-wave, the 40m station used a random end-fed wire (actually about 35 feet), and the 17m station used a HamStick on the truck roof.  All three stations had successful activations (meaning a minimum of 10 contacts).

A fine time was had by all.  Jim KA1ZOU fed the crew a fantastic beef-barley-vegetable soup, which hit the spot given the cool weather.  Besides being outdoors, and on-the-air, the best part was being able to see friendly faces and chat in a safe setting.

We invite new members to join us on Friday mornings while the weather holds.  Email POTA at W1SYE.org for details.

NCRC Meeting: Monday November 9 @ 7:00 PM

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Our next meeting of NCRC will be on Monday November 9th at 7 PM via ZOOM.  Members will receive an email with the invitation details a few days before the meeting.  We will have our usual business meeting, including the formal election of officers (see the list on the Minutes from last month).

After the meeting, Bob WB4SON, will give a short presentation about POTA, with information on how the program works, and simple gear that will allow you to “Activate” parks.  Following this presentation, we will have a Q&A discussion helping our newest members get on HF (or VHF).

NCRC Meeting Monday Oct 12 at 7 PM

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Our monthly NCRC meeting will be via Zoom at 7 PM on Monday October 12th.  Expect to receive an email invitation in the next day or so.

The business meeting will include the induction of new members as well as regular committee reports.  The second reading of the proposed bylaw change will happen, along with a vote on the change.  And the nomination committee will present a slate of 2021 officers to the membership (the vote will happen in November).

After the business meeting, Jim Johnson, K1GND, will give a presentation on simple HF antennas that can be used by our new members.

Hope to see everyone online Monday!