Islands on the Air

Starting in 2012 and every year through 2020 a group of adventurous NCRC radio operators would pack up radio gear including antennas, grounding wires, batteries, chairs, tents, etc. and get into one or more boats and head to an island and get on the air.

Over that 9-year span:  11 members participated at one or more, and 60 islands were activated, most, if not all, for the first time.  The leader of this effort was Pete Lawson in his rigid inflatable named Goblin.  Peter could anchor his boat perfectly allowing us to easily disembark with all our gear.  He was usually accompanied by his wife Marshall.

Over that 9-year span:  NCRC activated 23 islands in both Florida and Rhode Island, activated 9 in Maine and 6 in Mass.

Many activations started at the Lawson’s home on the water with Pete’s signature Eggs Benedict and Bloody Mary’s.  At Pete’s urging, most activations ended with a “Proper Debrief”, which always included adult beverages.

Several of us, including Pete, had 50 or more activations.  Not once were we not successful in activating an island.

It was tremendous fun.  It was amateur radio at its best.

John Mills, September 15, 2024