New DXCC Entity – Z6, Kosovo

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The ARRL DXCC Advisory Committee revised their rules and have therefore admitted a new entity to their DXCC list: Kosovo, who’s calls begin with “Z6”.

There has been a fairly large DXpedition in Kosovo, using the callsign Z60A for the past few weeks.  Some nice NCRC member (I won’t mention names, but his call sign is W1LY), has already worked Kosovo for the club (twice)!

This is a fairly easy country to work before sunset on 40 meters and the activity, though stiff, is starting to calm down a bit.  Give it a try!

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Don’t Forget – International Grid Chase

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The ARRL’s International Grid Chase is a contest that runs all year long, but it actually resets at the first of every month.  So everyone has a chance to participate on an even footing with every new month.  February just started, so get on the air and have some fun!

As a reminder, all you need to do is make contacts and upload your log to LotW.  There are no special exchanges required, although some folks might choose to activate rare grids that are not near population centers and call CQ accordingly.

You can check your standing at the Leader Board, which is updated about every four hours.  The features are still being worked on, and it isn’t clear how things will finally be displayed month-by-month, but it is keeping track of your score.

Digital modes can be quite useful, especially the new FT-8 mode.  Our next club meeting on February 12th, will feature a presentation from Mike, K1VI (a repeat of the January Consortium meeting).

And They Are Off and Running

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W1SYE Winter Field Day is off and running.  Things were delayed a bit by black ice and closed bridges, but everything was ready when the event began at 2 PM.  There are two stations:  A Fone Station that will be on the air for the full 24 hours, and a CW or Digital mode station that will swap in/out depending on activity.  We had a satellite station on-air for a single contact (all that is allowed) in the afternoon.

Things are still going on tomorrow through 2 PM.

Willy W1LY used his pneumatic cannon to get two dipole antennas up in the trees for WFD 2018

Conditions were warm for winter (about 50 degrees) but very windy — Even so, it’s going to be cold at night!

Conditions were great — This is a map of the coverage of our 20 meter signals

Great 40 meter coverage into Europe

Satellite Station (used for a single contact) — antenna visible out the side window

Good Signal Levels on 80 meters tonight!

Need Volunteers for Winter Field Day

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We are in need for a lead for the Phone Tent, as well as operators willing to remain at the location overnight (so the gear can remain).  In addition we would like to accommodate anyone who would like to try their hand at operating on HF.  Please contact John King WA1ABI (wa1abi at cox.net)

Meeting Monday Jan 8 at 7 PM

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Happy New Year!

Our first meeting of 2018 will be this coming Monday at KVH (75 Enterprise DR, Middletown RI) at 7 PM

We have 19 new member applicants and upcoming Winter Field Day to discuss, in addition to regular business items. Our program after the meeting will be a showing of the NOVA film “Secrets of the Sun” (about 50 minutes long).

Hope to see everyone there.