NCRC Scores in Top 10 for Field Day 2018

Posted on by

Under the leadership of Silent Key John King, WA1ABI, the NCRC Field Day 2018 effort was another one for the record books.  Using the call sign W1LY for the main stations, and W1SYE for GOTA, the club placed 10th nationally and in 2nd place in New England.  Please note that the top ten finishers are among all classes of stations (as many as 15 transmitters, we had 2).  Here is the list published in the December QST:

So how significant is 10th place?  There were a total of 2,903 stations competing so NCRC placed 10th out of 2,903 entires.  Within our own 2A class, we were second place nationally, out of the more than 1,200 stations in that category.  Only 403 more SSB contacts, or 202 more CW contacts would have gotten 1st place in category 2A.

John, you will be missed in future years, but you did an excellent job of showing us how to run the event safely and smartly.  Thanks to all the operators, the folks that helped setting up and taking down, and the wonderful cooks that kept us all on our feet.

Next NCRC Meeting MONDAY Nov 12 at 7 PM

Posted on by

Hi,

Despite the fact that Monday Nov 12th is the observed Veteran’s Day holiday, KVH will be open that Monday, so we will have our meeting at the usual time.

This meeting will be the election for officers for the 2019 year.  Our nomination committee will report the slate of officers, but anyone is invited to run for any position, and the vote for officers will take place.  In addition Rob KB1ZZU and Jim KA1ZOU will be reporting on JOTA, and we may have Summer Field Day results (they haven’t been published yet, but since they appear in the December QST, it can’t be much longer).

VP6D Ducie DXpedition Finished!

Posted on by

Weather caused VP6D to roll up their tents and coax early.  Nevertheless it was an outstandingly successful DXpedtion.

Hard to imagine that they finished with 121,136 QSOs.  Even harder to imagine is that there were almost as many digital contacts (mostly FT8) as SSB contacts.  But of course CW continues to shine.  (56% CW, 24% SSB, 20% Digital).

Who says you can’t have a big DXpediton at the bottom of a solar cycle?

Posted in DX

Don’t forget VP6D Ducie Island is on the air until Nov 3

Posted on by

They are very easy to work in the early to late afternoon as their sun rises.  Openings will follow the time, with 20 meters open around noon, 17 meters around 1, etc.  Don’t miss listening for them on 10 meters at the band usually opens around 3:30 to 4 PM.

Real-time operating info is here:  http://www.dxa3.org/vp6d/

Their frequency list is here:  https://www.vp6d.com/index.php/dxpedition/frequencies

Posted in DX

Bruce NJ3K earns first CW Mobile QRP DXCC Award

Posted on by

One of the CW wizards that help us get into the top 10 nationally each year during Field Day (one of many talented CW operators that we are fortunate enough to have as members) just completed a pretty monumental task.  He has made confirmed contacts with 100 foreign countries, all at low power (5 watts or less), all on CW, and all using the mobile radio in his car.

Most of us have enough trouble driving, Bruce is able to decode Morse in his head and sends the code using a key that can be strapped to his thigh.

Congratulations Bruce!