Month: July 2023

RI Section Manager Newsletter

RI Section July Newsletter (July 31, 2023)

- by Nancy Austin

Welcome to your July 2023 RI Section Newsletter   [with updates*]

1. Field Day 2023 update

Congratulations to the 24 Field Day entries submitted from RI by the deadline last Tuesday July 25, 2023. https://field-day.arrl.org/fdentriesrcvd.php

In our evolving post-pandemic new normal, it’s worth taking a look at the ways RI radio amateurs chose to participate this June 2023. (ARRL members and ARRL-affiliated clubs are in bold font.)

50% operated from Home Stations 

Either on commercial power or battery, as classes D or E. (12 of 24 entries) Half of these entries affiliated their participation with a club. 83% were ARRL members and/or associated with an ARRL affiliated club. 

It’s great to see this pathway continue to be available to hams who want to operate from their Home Station, for whatever reason, and continue to feel part of the annual ARRL Field Day tradition. 

  • AJ1DM Randallstown ARC (MD)  1D RI
  • K1OS Ocean State ARG 1D RI
  • K1MD no club 1E RI
  • K1NPT NCRC 1E RI
  • KC1QYD (youth) Providence Radio Assn 1D RI
  • N1ECT Albert J DiMascolo Jr  1D RI
  • N1ET no club 1D RI
  • NC1CC [WA1BXY] 2E RI
  • W1ARR no club 1D RI
  • W1D Providence Radio Assn 3E RI
  • W1WIU no club 1D RI
  • WB2VVV CTRI Contest Club 1D RI

25% operated as traditional class A stations 

These were set up specifically for Field Day by a club or non-club group of three or more licensed amateurs. (6 of 24 entries; 83% ARRL member/affiliated club) 

All of Rhode Island’s largest and most established ARRL-affiliated clubs offered this Field Day opportunity. 

  • W1AQ – Associated Radio Amateurs of Southern New England 1A RI
  • W1DDD/NA1Q – Blackstone Valley ARC 2A RI
  • W1MB/K1NQG – Fidelity Amateur Radio Club 2A RI
  • W1OP/W1C  – Providence Radio Assn 3A RI
  • W1RI – Friends of W1RI 2A RI
  • W1SYE/NE1RI – Newport County Radio Club 2A RI

12.5% operated as 1 or 2 person portable stations in class B.

Using non-commercial power. (3 of 24 entries; 100% ARRL members) 

  • K1TNX Providence Radio Assn 1B1
  • N6KM no club 1B1B RI
  • W1HSB no club 1B1 RI

12.5% operated at an established Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) in class F. 

Opportunities to participate in class F Field Day stations are growing. (3 of 24 entries; 33% ARRL member/affiliated club) 

  • KC1CUE Coventry (RI) EMA 2F RI
  • W1CRR Charlestown EOC ARES 2F RI
  • WA1USA / KB1BCT RICOMU 2F RI – Thanks for your leadership!

Congrats again to all who participated. 

What worked in 2023 and how best to plan forward? It’s always interesting to dig into the results to be published in November 2023. What were the total participation numbers? How do you and/or your club develop tactics for Field Day “success” – defined by what metrics? How to maximize the options available for RI operators who want to participate and haven’t quite found the best way yet? As your new Section Manager, I look forward to helping you achieve your Field Day 2024 goals. 

For those who are not yet ARRL members or not yet set up as an ARRL-affiliated club, you can find out more information here: https://www.arrl.org/membership and here: https://www.arrl.org/affiliated-club-resources. 

2. RI Presence @HamXpo

Rhode Island hams will have a big presence at the upcoming HamXpo in Marlborough, MA (off RT 495). General admission tickets are $18, with lots to do Friday to Sunday August 25 – 26 – 27, 2023. 

The Forum Schedule is now published here: https://hamxposition.org/Schedule/index.html

Saturday, August 26, 2023

  • *10am: David Tessitore, K1DT
    • Club Revitalization: Improve It and They Will Come
  • 11am: Domenic Mallozzi, N1DM
    • DMR – Introduction to the NEDECN Network in New England
  • 11am-1pm: Marcia Forde, KW1U [MA-RI Traffic Manager]
    • NTS Now and into the Future
  • 1pm: Keith Raposa, W1KJR – RI RFI Team Lead on software mapping updates
    • RFI Team Meeting, Rob Leiden, K1UI – New England Division Assistant Director for Spectrum Protection & Use
  • 2pm: Paul Fredette, K1YBE
    • ARTEN – Amateur Radio Training Experiment Network / Microwave Mesh
  • 4pm: Nancy Austin, KC1NEK – RI Section Manager
    • Welcome to RI’s first Meet & Greet Town Hall Forum

Sunday, August 27, 2023

  • 10am: Dave Neal, W2DAN
    • Co-founder of Hamshack Hotline

Looking forward to seeing many of you there! 

https://hamxposition.org/welcome-to-hamxposition.html

3. Spectrum Defense: ARRL is there for you

Context

Spectrum Defense was the number one priority chosen by 78% of ARRL members who responded to the recent survey. 

https://www.arrl.org/dues-survey-results-accessible-version

Question 3: I value my membership for ARRL’s work in the following areas: 

Top five priorities: 

  • 78% Spectrum Defense
  • 73% Advocacy in local, national, and international regulation and policymaking 
  • 69% Promoting amateur radio to the public
  • 67% Support for amateur radio licensing, instruction, and exams: 
  • 65% ARRL’s fight against interference and spectrum pollution

90% answered True or Maybe to the statement in Question 10: 

“Without ARRL, amateur radio might not exist today.”

Let’s unpack that.

There are about 160,000 ARRL members in the US. 

For comparison, there are over 60 million AAA members. Or, consider that the Audubon Society in the state of Massachusetts alone has 160,000 members. 

Licensed amateur radio operators provide a public service making use of a natural resource that has a market value of… is it billions or trillions? FCC spectrum auction proceeds from 1994 – 2017 can be viewed here: https://www.fcc.gov/auctions-summary 

Please raise awareness around just two of the Spectrum Defense policy issues where the ARRL is currently defending our ability to operate as radio amateurs. None of this ARRL advocacy on members’ behalf is free of course, and yet it has never been more critical against well-resourced opposition at a time of lightning-fast change. 

Private Stock Traders & the Milli-Second Advantage 

This one is slipping under the radar but deserves your attention. It’s not easily summarized, but here are links and an introduction. 

Stocks can be traded at rates of a million plus per second. It is a competitive advantage to anticipate an order flow. This milli-second advantage may be worth little per transaction, but at scale, this difference adds up to big numbers. The HF spectrum adjacent to the amateur bands is being looked at again by traders as a way to leverage or optimize a milli-second advantage. It would seem the business model would have to include selling proprietary gleaned data channel information. 

Consequential precedents are being explored here in recent developments. Transparency is not top of mind for the Shortwave Modernization Coalition that has a petition in front of the FCC right now. The ARRL is concerned and engaged. 

A recent  ARRL post is here:

https://www.arrl.org/news/commercial-interests-petition-fcc-for-high-power-allocation-on-shortwave-spectrum

ARRL wrote: “The FCC has assigned the petition RM-11953. Comments are due by July 31, 2023, and reply comments by August 15. While the petitioners exclude the amateur bands, high power operations on immediately adjacent bands are proposed. A copy of the petition is at: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/1042840187330/1 (PDF).”

For more context from an informed radio amateur, I found it helpful to subscribe for free access to Experimental Radio News, run by Bennett Z. Kobb, AK4AV. https://www.experimentalradio.news/ 

This is a “free newsletter that highlights FCC-authorized experiments of special interest. These are licensed in the Experimental Radio Service or granted Special Temporary Authority. They include new technologies, stealth-mode and startup companies, research projects, product development and demonstrations. Topics include consumer electronics, satellites, radar, high-frequency stations, security systems and mobile communications on land, sea or in the air.”

Experimental Radio News reports on the history of  High Frequency Trading:

See, for example, coverage beginning with Experimental Radio News 3 published in January 2022: https://www.experimentalradio.news/experimental-radio-news-3/

“Several stations licensed in the Experimental Radio Service (ERS) transmit data for automated trading to foreign exchanges in the shortwave or high-frequency (HF, 3-30 MHz) spectrum.

High-Frequency Trading (HFT) is a form of automated trading that employs low-latency, high-speed telecommunications to minimize response times. The term is not related to the shortwave or HF spectrum, but this article concerns transmission of HFT messages on HF frequencies.”

Subsequent Experimental Radio News newsletters from 2022  to May 2023 shed light on the Coalition partners and the different ways their agenda has been explained and/or positioned. 

Comments to the FCC are due by July 31, 2023, and reply comments by August 15. 

Stay tuned. Thank you for taking the time to learn about these seemingly oblique issues. 

The ARRL is in the game, defending our amateur radio spectrum privileges. 

*UPDATE 3AUG2023: https://nediv.arrl.org/2023/08/02/arrl-files-comments-against-seriously-flawed-hf-rules-petition/

Radio-Literate Citizenry & HOA restrictions 

H.R. 4006

“I reintroduced the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act to remove barriers to disaster and emergency communications and training, and to promote education in STEM subjects related to critically needed wireless technology,” Congressman Johnson said in a release. “Passage of this bill will promote developing and sustaining our nation’s wireless future and facilitate and encourage amateur radio operations as a public benefit.”

ARRL is helping raise awareness about this ongoing legislation: 

https://www.arrl.org/news/legislation-to-remove-private-land-use-restrictions-on-amateur-radio-introduced-in-congress

“Congressman Bill Johnson (OH-06) and Joe Courtney (CT-02) reintroduced a bill in the US House of Representatives on June 12 —  H.R.4006 (see full text of bill in this PDF) — to remove private land use restrictions that prohibit, restrict, or impair the ability of Amateur Radio operators from operating and installing reasonable antennas on property that they own or control. Similar legislation, H.R. 9670, was introduced by Congressman Johnson in 2022.” 

“As their actions during recent natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy proved, amateur radio operators in Connecticut can be a critical component of disaster response and emergency management. It is in our communities’ best interest that we give them the capabilities to operate at the highest level, and with the re-introduction of this bill, we’ve taken a strong step in that direction,” said Congressman Courtney.”

High Attendance at SM Monthly Meeting

At my first monthly meeting of US Section Managers this July 18, 2023 (convened by Mike Walters, W8ZY) I was heartened to see almost 60 of ARRL’s 71 Section Managers in attendance. Our agenda focus was on this bill, and other important ongoing policy strategies and initiatives shaping the future of Amateur Radio for decades to come in our connected present. West Gulf Division Director John Robert Stratton, N5AUS  gave a compelling presentation about ARRL strategy and other matters. Updates will be posted here in this ongoing story. Stay tuned. 

ARRL & Business Continuity

Thank you for being an ARRL member supporting Amateur Radio in Rhode Island.  We can’t build a strong future without you. 

As is well-known, the ARRL Board has approved a $10/year ARRL dues membership increase effective January 1, 2024: https://www.arrl.org/2024-dues-rates 

The new rate (in six-months) will be $59/yr. A monthly payment plan is being developed for Seniors over 70.  No new Life Memberships are being offered at this time. 

Diamond Club and other annual contributions are always welcome from those who are able. 

Some options are here: 

ARRL raised dues in 2016; 8 years ago, and before that 2001. 

For comparison, in 2001 stamps cost $.34 and as of July 2023 cost $.66, or almost double.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_United_States_postage_rates

Another comparison for those who drive is to recall that the average price of gas in June 2001 was $1.50 and in June 2023 was $3.70. 

How we communicate and exchange information has changed in the 21st century.  Email wasn’t really a thing until c.2001-5. While Zoom and Hybrid meetings only took off in 2021 during the recent pandemic.  

ARRL’s ability to drive savings in 2023 by delivering QST and other publications via digital editions makes sense given the increased cost of paper and stamps, and the shift to an always-on digital world. (Here’s what happens in 2023 in an Internet Minute.)

Did you know? An ARRL Digital Magazine Subscription continues to give members access to all four ARRL magazines in digital format online: 

QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ. 

Thank you again for being an ARRL member supporting Amateur Radio in Rhode Island.  We can’t build a strong future without you.  As many agreed: Ham radio is the hobby of a lifetime. 

4. RI Hosts Volunteers on the Air (VOTA)

ARRL is celebrating a year-long operating event honoring all ARRL volunteers: Volunteers On the Air, with more information here: https://vota.arrl.org/index.php

Rhode Island is currently hosting the Special Event call sign W1AW/1 from July 25 -August 1, 2023. 

Many thanks to Mike Corey, KI1U for organizing the RI event. 

Special thanks to those operating and/or organizing club participation – especially W1OP and W2DAN, along with K1JST, NJ1Q, and AJ1DM. THANK YOU!

On the VOTA Leaderboard, W1AW / 1 is currently in 12th place with 10,582 QSOs and 77,009 points reported to LoTW so far.  https://vota.arrl.org/leaderboard.php

RI hams have been actively participating in the VOTA Special Event all year, with almost 70,000 QSOs uploaded to LoTW already.  https://vota.arrl.org/leaderboard.php?state=RI&submit=Filter+by+State

As a first time Special Event Operator, I can share my own learning curve that led me to make small investments in my home station I might never have made without this prompt. We can all become better operators, and Special Events are one way to take on a few challenge-goals that are right for you. Amateur Radio is a welcoming growth mindset community, here to help you get on the air, have fun, and learn something new. 

Thank you again for being an ARRL member supporting Amateur Radio in Rhode Island.  We can’t build a strong future without you. 

73, Nancy Austin, KC1NEK

Rhode Island Section Manager

https://RI-ARRL.ORG 

https://ri-arrl.org/ri-section-july-newsletter-july-31-2023/

National Traffic System

Introduction to the Massachusetts Rhode Island Digital NTS Net (MARIDN)

- by Phil Temples

The Massachusetts Rhode Island Digital NTS Net (MARIDN) is a Section-Level net of the National Traffic System (NTS) of the ARRL. MARIDN meets weekly for the purpose of passing NTS messages within, into, and out of the sections of Eastern and Western MA and RI. MARIDN is supplemental to the Massachusetts Rhode Island Phone Net (MARIPN) and Massachusetts Rhode Island CW Net (MARICW). MARIDN uses digital modes rather than voice or CW, particularly the fldigi suite of software.

How to Participate in MARIDN

Participants in MARIDN use the fldigi software suite, particularly fldigi and flmsg. This introduction assumes the user has downloaded, installed and configured fldigi to run in their environment, and has a basic understanding of how to use the software, including the ability to receive and send using  fldigi, and send a message using flmsg. There are countless YouTube videos and other helpful documents to assist a new user with downloading and configuring fldigi; how to install and configure one’s fldigi setup is beyond the scope of this introduction.

MARIDN meets at 1800 local time every Tuesday. MARIDN may run additional sessions as needed, e.g., during declared emergencies and for ARES exercises.

To get started, set your system as follows:

Transceiver:

3583 kHz, USB (or USB-Data); Squelch off; AGC fast; Noise Reduction off; Noise Blanker off; Audio (Speech) Processing off;

fldigi: Mode: THOR22; center-point 1500 Hz; AFC off; RsID on for receive and transmit;

flmsg: application running; open the “Received Messages” window (Utilities -> Received Messages) and position the window to be easily visible

The Net Control Station (NCS) will call the net, including instructions for checking in. All stations are encouraged to check in, whether or not they have traffic.

When a station sends a message, fldigi will decode the message and pass it to flmsg for display. Each received message will create a new row in the Received Messages window. Select (click on) a row, then click the View button to see that message in flmsg and also in a browser window.

Other Thoughts

MARIDN participants run a Zoom call simultaneous with the net, to help with coordination. We encourage stations to connect to the Zoom, especially the first few times they check in to the net. For more information about MARIDN, including the Zoom link, please contact Net Manager Jon N1ILZ at [email protected].

Conclusion

MARIDN is an officially sanctioned net within the National Traffic System (NTS). Operators use the fldigi software suite to pass messages. In addition to traditional Radiograms, flmsg can natively send a wide variety of other forms, including ICS-213. We believe this can and will be an important part of NTS going forward. We encourage stations from all over Massachusetts and Rhode Island to join the fun!

Hamfests, Flea Markets & Conventions

HamXposition is Less Than 30 Days Away!

- by Phil Temples

HamXposition logo

HamXposition 2023 (a.k.a. ARRL New England Division Convention) in Marlborough, MA, is coming August 25-26-27 – less than 30 days away.

Our forum schedule is now available!    Come visit our website to browse over 100 forums, seminars, and workshops available at the convention.

Two new additions on Friday – an AREDN mesh networking workshop where you will be building your own working MESH node and a NanoVNA seminar – learn to use this small but powerful device to analyze antennas and other RF devices.

Our Friday  DXCC dinner will feature Don Greenbaum, N1DG. Don will present “DXpeditioning with a RIB”. Don will describe the genesis of the “Rig in a Box” (RIB) from the 2018 Baker Island expedition to implementation on C6AGU, FO/N1DG and the recently completed VP6A DXpedition to Ducie Island.

Our Saturday grand banquet features special guest “Chip” Cohen, W1YW, an inventor, scientist, and retired professor. Chip will talk about his amusing background, ‘ham-genuity’, and some the pitfalls and pleasures along that tortuous path of invention.

Come meet some old or new friends and maybe learn something new about our hobby!

Do you know someone who really should get their license?  Bill, WZ1L is back this year with his “Tech-in-a-Day” study course, and as always, VE exams are available.

If you wish to stay overnight, discounted hotel rates are available through August 1st – so there are only a few days left to grab the discounted rate.

Visit our website for all details and to purchase tickets in advance:

https://hamxposition.org

Dinner ticket purchasing closes August 20th.

All online ticketing closes August 23rd.

73,

Bob – K1IW
HamXposition 2023

Forums Fri-Sat-Sun
Flea Market Hours: Fri 12-5, Sat 9-5, Sun 9-1
Exhibit Hall Hours: Sat 9-5, Sun 9-1

Young Professionals

Curiosity is the Constant

- by Nancy Austin

                 

I spoke to a remarkable number of young software engineers at the successful Vintage Amateur Radio/Gear Tune-Up flea market held today at the hidden gem New England Wireless & Steam Museum. 

Robert Jacobson was one. 

A PhD mathematician and computer scientist, this Bristol County, Rhode Island resident spent his Covid lock-down time teaching himself how to restore a vintage 1940s television. A former Roger Williams University math professor, he points out we are living in a golden age of DIY learning and mentoring opportunities – something to celebrate. When he needed help learning to solder, he turned to his wife’s skills learned in fine arts metalwork. His successful hands-on adventure in electronics restoration led him to give a second life to some of the instrumentation he was showcasing at the flea market today. Inexplicably NYAH (Not Yet a Ham), I look forward to following Robert Jacobson’s professional and avocational interests as they weave through math, electronics, computer science, new ways to learn and be mentored, and on to AI. Curiosity is the constant. 

I also spoke with probably five other software engineers today at the Vintage Amateur Radio flea market event.

And all of these working professionals were also active radio amateurs. Busy with careers, raising families, participating with their radio clubs to the best of their abilities. Doing passion side radio projects as best they can. (Have a project you want to share an update on? Post it here!) Imagining that day when they retire and can devote more time to the radio hobby they love. Until then, thank you for everything you are doing and let the larger RI radio community know what you need help with between now and then.

Operating / RI History

HAM radio Enigma Machine crypto challenge this Saturday

- by Nancy Austin
Caesar cipher
An example of a simple shift or Caesar cipher

Thanks to SANS for sharing info on this Ham Radio Enigma Machine Challenge happening this Saturday at 4pm EDT / 2000Z.

For those of you with a HAM radio (receiver) setup and an interest in crypto, the MRHS (Maritime Radio Historical Society) and the Cipher History Museum have an Enigma challenge this Saturday (July 22, 2023)

The Maritime Radio Historical Society (MRHS) crypto challenge Saturday 4pm

“in cooperation with our good friends at the Cipher History Museum [we] will send a coded message in 5-letter groups via the facilities of coast stations KPH on Saturday July 22, 2023 Pacific time. The message will be encrypted using the famous Enigma code machine and is an authentic message sent by a U-boat in the North Atlantic in 1942.” 

Event details are here, including how to use a web-based Enigma simulator, learn about the two keys needed: both Day and Message, and brush up on your 15 wpm CW and RTTY skills:  https://www.radiomarine.org/mrhs-events

Tune-Up Flea Market In-person at the  Wireless Museum Saturday 9am – 3pm

This timely MRHS Crypto Challenge is being broadcast Saturday beginning at 4pm. …

 

Just after Rhode Island radio enthusiasts wrap up the 9am – 3pm Tune-Up Flea Market at the historic New England Wireless and Steam Museum in East Greenwich, RI.

 

For more info, see the earlier post here:  https://ri-arrl.org/tune-up-flea-mar…3-east-greenwich/  

All are welcome to join the Tune-Up Flea Market at the Wireless Museum in East Greenwich. Please do share advice on how to take part in the MRHS challenge.

Engima Machine History

For more on Enigma machines, be sure to watch the recorded February 2023 presentation by Tom Perera, W1TP for the Newport County Radio Club on “SPY” Radio Operations and Enigmas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fjEdlDPZpk

As many know, “Mr. Enigma” Tom Perera, W1TP  is a brilliant retired professor of neuroscience. He has been an active ham for over 69 years while collecting, researching, lecturing and writing about WW-II radios, telegraph keys and German Enigma cipher machines. 

His website: https://w1tp.com shows and describes over 3000 telegraph keys and radios and his online Enigma museum: https://EnigmaMuseum.com shows Enigma history. Not to miss!

Meanwhile, MRHS is collecting Coastal Station History 

https://www.radiomarine.org/historic-coast-stations

“But what did these stations actually look like?  We here at the MRHS have collected as many photos of these historic stations as we could find and posted them here for your enjoyment.  They range from many photos showing the big, well documented to a single photo for a small station that was in operation for only a few years.

Do you have photos like these you’d like to share?  Please let us know.  We’d be honored to post them.”

What about Rhode Island’s Coastal Stations?!

For more on Rhode Island’s coastal installations, ask W1OP – The Providence Radio Association president Dave, K1DT about their club’s ‘s incredible antenna history.  A glimpse of that coastal history is here: 

“Rhode Island’s Radio Legacy Continues”

Operating / RI History

Small State, Big Pileup for K2C – 13 Colonies Special Event RI Results

- by Nancy Austin

Mark your calendars for next year.  Following on Field Day every year is the popular and patriotic 13 Colonies Special Event. For the week around the United States July 4th holiday, teams of dedicated radio operators in each of the original thirteen colonies field QSO pileups with thousands of stations looking to make contact with as many of the event stations as possible, in as many modes as possible. But since this is a Special Event (and not a “Contest“)  every participant can be a winner and eligible for a 13 Colonies certificate by making even just one QSOs with a colony state or bonus station. 

Since 2013, the Rhode Island State Team of about a dozen K2C event operators has been led by Chris, W1KMA. He writes that although conditions were not great this year, the RI K2C team logged over 14,500 QSOs, up about 10% from last year. Congrats!

Chris, K1KMA writes:

  • Conditions were not that great at times but we did 14,534 Q’s    +1351 from 2022. [WOW!]
  • It has been a lot of fun getting hams into our logs. Many are looking for that “rare” RI contact for WAS (Worked All States).
  • The greatest joy about this event is working people who are so happy to make contacts with all 13 colonies to get a clean sweep and they tell you that you were their last one.
  • The tough part is being on this side of a pile-up.
  • If anyone would like to give it a try and help, we are happy to welcome you aboard. Just send me an email, so we can  connect with each other. CW ops are always in demand, but any mode you like to work is fine. [The K2C team offers : SSB, CW, Digital & Satellite]
  • New hams should not be afraid to try either, you will have a good time for sure. Everyone works at their own pace, this way you have fun and share fun at the same time. This year we had two brothers from upstate new camp out in Exeter working K2C QRP.

The French bonus station (TM13COL) in 2023 was hosted by the Clipperton DX club (CDXC) and the réseau des émetteurs français (REF). 

Rhode Island still accords special honors to the French for their pivotal support during the Revolutionary War, as witnessed by, for example, a monument to Rochambeau at King’s Park in Newport and ongoing historical commemoration. We tend to forget that the British occupied Aquidneck Island for three years from December 1776 to October 1779, with devastating consequences. For more on this history, see for example: https://battleofrhodeisland.org/learn-battle-of-rhode-island-timeline-and-maps/

Congrats again to the Rhode Island K2C 13 Colonies Team for their commitment to this Special Event and their dedication to make over 14,534 QSOs in 2023. 

PS – POTA people – Did you know the multi-state POTA Park K-4582 is the Washington Rochambeau Trail that crosses Rhode Island? An interactive map is here: https://w3r-us.org/trail-map/

 

Operating / Public Service / Technical

Amateur TeleVision and ARESⓇ Public Service

- by Nancy Austin

Have you ever wondered if Amateur Radio TV is really a thing? Who uses it in 2023 and why? 

Well, here is your chance to learn from experienced Boulder County ARES member Jim Andrews, KH6HTV. He has been a pioneer in Amateur TeleVision (ATV/DTV) equipment development and field deployment for decades and is a Fellow of the IEEE. 

Did you know that as far back as 2010 Amateur TeleVision (ATV) provided video coverage situational awareness for a week during the coordinated effort to contain the FourMile Canyon fire that destroyed over 7,000 acres of forest and 160 homes. The technical side of Amateur TeleVision has advanced continually since then, driven by hams with the ongoing mission to provide real-time Public Service situational awareness using video.  

RI Section radio amateurs  interested in ARESⓇ, situational awareness, or technical innovations are encouraged to attend the next NE-ECAPS Meeting this upcoming Thursday July 13th at 8:00 pm. If you haven’t already done so, join [email protected] for more information and the Zoom link for the upcoming meeting Thursday July 13, 2023 at 8:00 pm. 

This meeting will also offer RI hams a chance to consider what best practices RI might learn from the innovative ARES training programs developed in Boulder County, Colorado (BCARES). 

We are fortunate that Jack Ciaccia, WM0G, the new ARRL New England Division Assistant Director for Emergency Communication and Public Service was one of the leaders building this Boulder County ARES program. How can his experience help inform RI ARES at this time? 

Jack WM0G will be hosting Thursday’s NE-ECAP Zoom meeting. The RI Section in particular looks forward to welcoming Providence-native WM0G back to the region. 

  • What: next NE-ECAPS meeting Thursday July 13, 2023 at 8pm
  • Topic: ATV and Public Service, presentation by Jim Andrews, KH6HTV 
  • Zoom link contact: [email protected]
Hamfests, Flea Markets & Conventions

HamXposition “Be a Speaker” + RI Forum planned

- by Nancy Austin

It’s not too late to submit a proposal and be a Speaker at the upcoming Northeast HamXposition (Marlborough, MA) to be held August 25, 26, 27.

Best to try and submit a Speaker Proposal by this Saturday Noon here: https://hamxposition.org/speaker.html

Meanwhile, a Rhode Island Section Town Hall Listening Forum is planned for RI hams to gather at HamXposition for a meet and greet . It’s an opportunity for your new Section Manager and leadership team to hear what’s on your mind.  (Stay tuned for time and details.)

Hamfests, Flea Markets & Conventions

Tune-Up Flea Market Saturday July 22, 2023 East Greenwich

- by Nancy Austin

Thanks to Fidelity Amateur Radio Club president Dave Nelson, WV1H for sending along this Event Reminder. Hope to see many RI Section hams there.

Upcoming event at the non-profit New England Wireless and Steam Museum – an electrical and mechanical engineering museum at 1300 Frenchtown Road in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, with working steam engines and an early wireless station and technology archives. Admission is $15 per adult, $7 per child (age 6 to 17), $50 blanket family admission. NARM/ Museum Members free. Food & Drink options available for purchase or Tailgate option.

 

 

Organizational

RI Section Manager Welcome Email to Members

- by Phil Temples

July 4, 2023

Hello Rhode Island radio amateurs and Happy Fourth of July!

Thank you for this opportunity to serve as your RI Section Manager. I’m pleased to update you on these exciting initiatives underway:

  • Launch of a new RI Section website, July 5
  • Leadership team update
  • Club Outreach
  • Public Service & ARES® in RI
  • Contesting, Special Events and POTA

The RI Section’s first website: RI-ARRL.org

A team has been hard at work getting our section’s new website ready for release, with an anticipated Beta launch date of July 5th. Many thanks to ARRL New England Division Vice-Director, Phil Temples, K9HI for countless hours over the last busy month helping bring this communication platform to our state. It is a work-in-progress and the website will evolve with your contributed news, updates, and photos to come alive and best represent RI. Stay tuned!

Leadership team update

Several key cabinet positions have been filled, but we have more to match to the right folks. Our Section leadership team is focused on building relationships across the Amateur Radio community and with external partners, and empowering and encouraging the good work across the Section from individuals and clubs. Working together, I know we’ll get those positions filled in time. Here is the cabinet as it stands now:

Rhode Island Section Cabinet

Section Manager – Nancy Austin, KC1NEK

Assistant Section Manager/Public Information Coordinator – Mike Corey, KI1U

Technical Coordinator – Dave Neal, W2DAN

Section Government Liaison – Todd Manni, KB1PGR

Section Traffic Manager – Marcia Forde, KW1U

District Emergency Coordinator Kent County – Jeremy Taylor, K1JST

District Emergency Coordinator Providence County – Barry Noel, W1BSN

District Emergency Coordinator Washington County – Jim Creamer, KB1MAO

Assistant Section Government Liaisons

Two Rhode Island radio amateurs have been asked to assist the SGL in his duties: Ryan Lukowicz, KC1KUF and Andrew Staub, KC1OKI.

North Kingstown High School student Ryan Lukowicz, KC1KUF is a RI State House Page learning the mechanics and negotiation tactics required to get laws enacted. This experiential learning opportunity will prepare Ryan for a planned college major in policy, including laws that impact Amateur Radio and the future of communication and mobility.  Or maybe loop back into his interest in weather, SKYWARN® and meteorology?  All relevant ways to explore possible future career options in the Ocean State’s Blue Economy and our changing climate.

Andrew Staub, KC1OKI is an attorney in Rhode Island familiar with drone/UAV and technology law issues. There are emerging issues already tackled in neighboring Massachusetts, and it is exciting to get ahead of this topic here in Rhode Island with Andrew’s expertise. Andrew also supports the drone team at Portsmouth Emergency Management Agency.

Partner Agency Liaisons

We’re trying something new with the RI Cabinet, adding liaisons to partner agencies and organizations. Initially we’ve identified three liaison positions – RI EMA, RI VOAD, and NWS/SKYWARN. Their input is critical in understanding what is needed from our partners.

Positions still to be filled:

Section Emergency Coordinator – This is a critical position for the Rhode Island Section, and we are working on identifying the person who is the right fit for this role. The relationships built and fostered by the SEC help pave the way for our service back to our communities. Until the SEC position is filled, the DECs will serve on the Section Cabinet.

District Emergency Coordinators for Bristol and Newport Counties.

Section Youth Coordinator

Public Information Coordinator – This position will be filled by Mike Corey, KI1U, with a plan of identifying and recruiting a PIC within a year.

Section Traffic Manager – We are looking for an experienced traffic handler and RI resident to support Interim RI Section Traffic Manager Marcia Forde, KW1U. We will help her recruit and train RI skilled operators for the daily RI-MA Phone/CW NTS 2.0 traffic-handling nets.

This is an exciting time for Amateur Radio across Rhode Island! There is great opportunity, energy, and possibilities as your RI Section leadership team collaborates to forge new pathways and partnerships and lead positive change for the Amateur Radio community in Rhode Island.

And we look forward to including many of you as part of this team as we fill key Section level roles and local positions. If you feel called to step up and serve, please let me or one of the members of the leadership team know.

Biographical Statements and more about your new RI Section leadership team are posted on the RI-ARRL.org website. I’d like to again thank these volunteers for their willingness to serve and offer selfless leadership, guidance, and energy to better the whole ARRL Rhode Island Section.

Club Outreach

Congratulations to the growing ARRL-affiliated clubs in Rhode Island! It was inspiring to reach out and hear twelve clubs are active, despite the pandemic, with five general interest clubs having over 25 members and the largest RI club with almost 150 members. As it is, a number of RI hams already belong to more than one club, and better communication about what each club is like will only strengthen the overall radio ecosystem.

Two active regional contesting clubs are a big draw for many, while the clubs at Brown and the University of Rhode Island are germinating renewed possibilities. EMAs continue to support ARRL affiliated Amateur Radio Clubs among their membership – with positive possibilities for coordination around public safety missions and collaborative partnerships.

The RI-ARRL.org website will be a great place to post news, nets, etc. We look forward to hearing the history, current status and future vision each club has for the coming year.

Best of all will be the possibility in our small state to visit club gatherings in person and listen to all you are doing, need help with, and opportunities you see to collaborate with other RI hams.

Public Service & ARES in RI

Your Amateur Radio license is the doorway into a radio service that has much to offer and will challenge you to learn, grow, and engage in ways that are only limited by your desire and willingness. So, what next? The Public Service section of the RI Section website suggests pathways to learn, grow, engage – and how ARES fits in.

https://ri-arrl.org/public-service/ 

Your license got you in the door, but this house of Amateur Radio has many rooms….go explore!

Contesting, Special Events & POTA

The 13 Colonies Special Event is underway now from July 1 until midnight July 7th. This fun, patriotic get-on-the-air Special Event is a favorite for many. The RI Section thanks those dozen or so skilled hams who dedicate their time and skill to operate the RI event call sign, K2C, and brave the pile ups to give a small state a big presence in this event.

This year’s operators include: W1KMA – Chris – Warwick,  RI – QSL Manager – SSB & Digital; W2DAN – Dave – Tiverton, RI – SSB; W1WIU – Jim – North Scituate, RI – SSB & CW; WA1BXY – Don – Little Compton, RI – SSB, CW & Digital; KC1BXY – Melissa – Little Compton, RI – SSB & Digital; AJ1DM – John – Westerly, RI –  CW; N1KM – Mark – Bristol, RI – SSB, CW, Digital & Satellite; W1KDA – Ron – Warwick, RI – SSB & Digital; KI1U – Mike – Coventry, RI – CW & Digital; N1QDQ – Pete – Westerly, RI – Satellite; N6RFM – Robert – Bristol, RI – Satellite; N2FYA – John – Mystic, CT – (working Satellite in RI); KC2BNW – Jon – Mahopac, NY (camping in RI ) – QRP; KC2BNX – Michael- Mahopac, NY (camping in RI ) – QRP

W1AW/1 July 26 – August 1

Rhode Island will go on the air as W1AW/1 as part of the ARRL’s year long Volunteers on the Air event (VOTA). You are invited to be one of the operators that makes this happen. If you would like the chance to operate as W1AW/1 from your station, or would like some help being matched up with another station for the event, please contact Mike Corey, KI1U.

POTA – Activate All RI September 6-10 (NCRC)

Jim Garman, KC1QDZ has only been licensed a short while but fell in love with the popular Parks on the Air (POTA) program. He has brought together operators from across RI and nearby Massachusetts, along with POTA top operators to do a first of its kind, activate all 52 parks in RI over five days this September. This event is being hosted by the Newport County Radio Club and is only one example of new opportunities for cross-club networking and collaboration. Stay tuned!

Happy July 4th, 2023!

Twenty-first century amateur radio is so many things: an amazing and diverse hobby, a gateway for technology and twenty-first century upskilling, and a model collaborative community based on sharing the frequency and mentoring others. Between our new leadership team, ARRL members across Rhode Island, and our robust clubs we have a chance to collaborate on where our field organization and our programs may go, and how to help promote and grow this amazing Service in our state. Thank you for your support and stay tuned!

73, Nancy, KC1NEK

 

Nancy Austin, KC1NEK

Rhode Island Section Manager

[email protected]