Maine Island Activations Sept 15-17
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1935 UTC ****
With a long drive ahead of them, and pooped from the six activations of the past two days, the crew decided to call it quits today. Thanks to everyone who helped them activate the islands on their adventure!
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1935 UTC ****
They had success with all three islands today, and should be back for more tomorrow. Stay tuned!
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1750 UTC ****
They are on Center Island 14.280 MHz
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1730 UTC ****
The gang officially activated Little Snow Island, which is now ME-128S. They are packing up and heading off to Center island, ME-127
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1700 UTC ****
They are on the air, 14.271, from Little Snow Island ME-128
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1630 UTC ****
The crew completed the activation of Bear Island, so it is officially ME-116S.
They are underway to Little Snow Island ME-128. On air about 16:45 UTC
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1525 UTC ****
Have moved to 7.260 +/- on Bear Island Maine ME-116
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1425 UTC ****
They are on Bear Island making contacts 14.260 MHz US Islands ME-116
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1425 UTC ****
It was a long slog out to Bear Island. They are accessing landing spots and will be ashore soon. Expect initial operation 14.260 MHz (both 20 and 40 seem pretty dead from RI). On air between 1445 and 1500 UTC.
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1330 UTC ****
Pete, John and Willy are on their way to Bear Island ME-116 this morning. Expect them to be on the air about 1400 UTC. They should be back to their usual frequencies 7.265/14.265 +/- QRM
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1800 UTC ****
Headed back to the dock for today. Congratulations on 3 successful activations today. More tomorrow. Expect first island (TBD) to be on the air about 1400 UTC
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1800 UTC ****
Now on 7.263 MHz
*** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1800 UTC ****
Now on Malaga Island, ME-129 . 14.328 MHz
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1720 UTC ****
They officially activated Yarmouth, now ME-121S, and are in route to Malaga, ME-129
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1555 UTC ****
Now on 14.328 MHz
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1555 UTC ****
They are now activating Yarmouth Island ME-121. On 7.263 MHz
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1520 UTC ****
The Crew is back underway with the replacement radio on board. They expect to make Yarmouth Island in about 30 minutes and be on the air by about 1600 UTC (local noon).
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1435 UTC ****
The Raspberry Island Activation was successful, it is now ME-130S. Just in time, because their rig failed! Good news is they have a spare. Bad news is it is back at the dock in Cundy’s Harbor, so they are motoring back. They will return later for their next activation on Yarmouth Island ME-121. Stay tuned!!
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1400 UTC ****
The 1st activation is underway – Raspberry Island ME130. They are on 7.247 MHz.
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Da Boys in Da Boat (Lovingly referred to by Jim KA3UNQ) are at it again, this time in Maine. They will be activating a series of islands in Cumberland County, not far from Cundy’s Harbor, where they are staying. The proposed islands are:
- Bear Island ME116
- Bushy Island ME126
- Center Island ME127
- Little Snow I. ME128
- Malaga Island ME129
- Merrit Island ME117
- Pole Island ME118
- Ragged Island ME119
- Raspberry Island ME130
- Yarmouth Island ME121
As usual these islands have never been activated before. Only three operators this time; Pete W1LAB, John K1SJM, and Willy W1LY. The islands selected each day of the activation will be highly dependent on weather, tide levels and landing conditions. They have actually hired a landing craft to use this time that has a ramp in the front, but rocky shores may prevent that from being viable.
Their usual operating frequencies are 14.265 or 7.265 MHz +/- QRM, and as always they will be using the callsign W1SYE. Check the spotting networks for that call, and please spot them if you work them.
The operating schedule is currently unknown, but usually their first activation happens around 10 AM EDT (1400 UTC).
Check back here, at this post, for operating updates.
Meeting Reminder: Monday Sept 9, 7 PM @ KVH
Just a quick reminder that our next club meeting is Monday September 9th at 7 PM at KVH.
Following a quick business meeting, one of our newest members, Dr. Adria Updike, KC1LOK, a faculty member at Roger Williams, along with her student Jenna Lowe, will give a presentation on a high-altitude balloon experiment that they conducted this summer. Adria was quick to apply her new ham radio skills as the balloon used APRS for tracking.
Hope to see everyone on Monday at 7 PM
Lighthouse and Island Activation Underway
*** UPDATE 16:00 UTC ***
Still on Pomham Rocks & Pomham Light, but have moved to 14.265 MHz
*** UPDATE 15:20 UTC ***
The crew is on Pomham Rocks (RI-037), home of the Pomham Lighthouse USA-643. Work them on 7.265 MHz
*** UPDATE 14:55 UTC ***
The crew is now on Pomham Rocks, the physical location of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse ARLHS USA-643. Pomham Rocks will be RI-037 when qualified.
*** UPDATE 14:11 UTC ***
Ruth Island is officially RI-038S, congratulations for a successful activation! They are still on the air, 7.265 MHz and are activating Pomham Rocks Lighthouse ARLHS USA-643.
*** UPDATE 13:30 UTC ***
The guys are on Ruth Island (RI-038) and are on 7.265 ARLHS USA-643.
Photos by Pete W1LAB
The Boys in D’a Boat are underway…
First stop is Ruth Island: RI-038, which is just to the east of Pomham Rocks/Lighthouse (RI-039 & USA-643).
Expect them on the air near 13:30 UTC on Ruth, near 14.260 and 7.260 MHz
Lighthouse & Island Activation Sunday Aug 18
Pomham Rocks and Ruth Island activations:
We will try to activate both islands in one day, Sunday August 18. These two islands are only about 100 yards apart. Pomham has both a dock and a lighthouse. Ruth has only weeds and a shallow water beach. High tide on the August 18 is between 10-11 AM.
US Islands nos: Pomham: RI-037, Ruth Island: US-038;
Pomham lighthouse ARLHS no. USA-643
Schedule:
0800 Meet at Brewer Cove Haven marina (address below)
0830 Depart for Ruth Island
0930 Operational on Ruth Island
1100 Goto Pomham Rocks island
1300 (approx) Successfully terminate radio ops
Logistics:
TURMOIL, our trusty 24 foot RIB, will be at Brewer Cove Haven 101 Narragansett Ave, Barrington, 401-246-1600
After action debrief at: Thames Waterside Bar & Grill, 251 Thames St, Bristol Next to DeWolf Tavern. YL’s welcomed.