A Silent Key Notice – KC1SD

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It is with great sadness that we report the passing lifetime member James W Kyle, KC1SD.

Jim has a long history of service to his country and his community. His love of Amateur Radio was obvious to all who knew him.

A memorial will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2018, at 2 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 4 Everett Street, Newport, RI

Jim was a mentor to many and was an early STEM educator when the term was not even created. His willingness to share the knowledge he accumulated in his 92 years was an inspiration.  He taught radio science in local schools and found a way to do it even without a teaching certificate.

His long history in underwater sound transmission and military systems had him leading the engineering department at the Navy’s New London Sound Laboratory and he later moved to Newport when the Lab was combined with the Naval Underwater Systems Center and now NUWC.

Jim was a lifelong sailor and cruised Vineyard Sound and beyond with his family and members of Ida Lewis Yacht Club.

He will also be missed at the Atria home where he resided because he led the garden club and was an active member of his church choir until recently. Of course, he had an off-center fed dipole there, an antenna design that he studied and championed.

His pride in his family and their talents was never far from his lips.

WARNING: No handheld radio use as of June 1st !!!!

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RI Hams are warned that effective June 1, 2018, you may no longer use any handheld devices while driving your car.  That includes your 2-meter microphone, or handheld radio.

Sadly, the marketplace has not caught up with the need for hands free radio operation. There are some very expensive commercial Bluetooth interfaces available for a few radios.  Some newer ham gear includes Bluetooth interface options.  Those of you with BaoFeng type connectors can find a Bluetooth interface via eBay.  But often the Bluetooth interface does not deal with PTT — you aren’t supposed to be holding a pushbutton in your hand either.

A reminder that some radios do have VOX operation.  The BaoFeng includes a headset with lapel mic and can be configured for VOX operation.  Just watch those comments when drivers cut you off — don’t want that on air!

Congratulations to new NCRC Members!

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Congratulations to the eight new NCRC members voted in during tonight’s membership:

  • John Mosher KC1JOL Bristol
  • Ava Smith KC1JQO Middletown (will be changing call)
  • Scott Zaminer KC1JRV Warwick RI
  • Chris Diorio K1TCP Wakefield RI (KHV)
  • Shella Lawless KC1JRT Bristol RI
  • Jodie Clougherty KC1JRS Coventry RI
  • Bernie Zetti KC1JRZ Coventry
  • Kevin Gilbody KC1JRY Providence RI

NCRC Membership now stands at 123.

Meeting Reminder: Monday May 14 7PM at KVH

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Just a reminder that our regular club meeting will be this Monday May 14th at 7 PM at KVH.

We will be discussing plans for Field Day (June 22-24 in Glen Park, Portsmouth) as well as our usual business meeting.  Assuming the regular meeting ends quickly we will be showing a video “The Last Big Field Day” about a Maryland FD with 50 transmitters on the air (the ARRL changed their rules the year after which is why it was the last “big” field day).

Hope to see everyone there.

W1SYE Official Hen Island Activated RI032S

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The Island Activation crew made it on the air at Hen Island today.  They were on the air shortly after 12:30 local time on the 40 meter band.  It was pouring rain, in the 50s as they setup.

As of 18:00 they were on 20 meters, 14.265 MHz.  At that point they have reached all the criteria for an official activation of RI032S.

Congrats to Pete W1LAB, John K1JSM, Evan K1GEA, Willy W1LY, Jim KA1ZOU, and Paul K1YBE.  They were QRT at 18:15 UTC.

Front to back: John K1JSM, Willy W1LY, Jim KA1ZOU, Evan K1GEA, Paul K1YBE — Operating in the rain

Antenna literally at the edge of the water (tide rising, antenna almost underwater @ 18:00Z)

John K1JSM (left), and Paul K1YBE under the tent out of the rain.

Thanks to Pete W1LAB for the photos — he’s usually on the other side of the lens.  However there was a sighting of the “Rare Pete” actually on Hen Island

Pete W1LAB standing, with Willy W1LY at the mic