September 2023 - RI ARRL (American Radio Relay League)

Welcome to your September 2023 RI Section Newsletter

Outreach and the spirit of collaboration remain my top take-aways after three months as your new RI Section Manager. Thank you for contributing!

Contents

Contesting

Avid Rhode Island contesters who are more often competing against one another than collaborating, teamed up recently to conquer together the CQ World Wide WPX Contest – chasing “thousands of unique callsign prefixes from hundreds of DX entities in the world’s largest everyone-works-everyone radio contests.”

The collaborating team results were impressive: FIRST in the US, SECOND in North America, and THIRD in the World during the recent “immensely popular” global CQ World Wide WPX Contest.

Congrats to the RI Section Technical Coordinator and YCCC RI organizer, Dave Neal, W2DAN who combined forces with Don Rosinha, WA1BXY – using his club call sign NC1CC. Along with RI operators Melissa Rosinha, KC1BXY and Amanda Carr, KB1OHC and nearby MA contester, Charles Morrison, N1RR from Seekonk.

Way to go, NC1CC – Newport County Contest Club!

Parks on the Air (POTA) – Activate All RI 2023

Over the five days of Wednesday to Sunday September 6 – 10, 2023 every one of Rhode Island’s 53 POTA parks was activated at least 4 times for a total of at least 262 POTA activations; at least 11,000 QSOs were made by at least 35 radio amateur activators exploring every part of our state during splendid New England fall weather.

Over 50% of these POTA activations happened because of the generous outpouring of support by nationally-known POTA operators in solidarity with Jim Garman, KC1QDZ and his vision of all that the first-ever Activate All RI could be. Adding in the regional POTA community networking Jim, KC1QDZ had built as he grew from POTA newbie to a passionate POTA leader, and the outcome stands as an unforgettable reminder of what’s possible when we reach out and come together to flexibly deliver on a shared mission led by a next-generation leader.

Read more: POTA – Activate All RI wildly successful

https://ri-arrl.org/pota-activate-all-ri-wildly-successful/

The Providence Radio Association’s 102nd Annual Awards Dinner

This annual PRA tradition began in 1921 to recognize the club’s new affiliation with the ARRL. The Providence Radio Association (W1OP) remains one of the oldest amateur radio clubs in the United States. http://w1op.com/

Under the leadership of Dave Tessitore, K1DT, the club has embarked on a remarkable revitalization mission – welcoming 30 new members to join long standing ones. His recent 2023 HamXpo talk on Club Revitalization is one that I often hear about from hams across the region who found it particularly timely and memorable.

Here are some of the delightful Awards from the PRA’s 102nd Awards dinner held September 16, 2023 in Johnston, RI:

The following Awards were handed out by PRA President, Dave Tessitore, K1DT:

Jim Meltzer – K1TNX: “Mobile Antenna Award”, Limited Space DXing
Bob Hart – KC1NAB: “Volunteer of the Year”, Always There to Help
Neville Bedford, Esq. – W1ESQ: “Jolt Award”, Fueling Progress
Andy Stenberg – AJ1S: “The Lad” Award, Antenna Experimentation
Domenic Mallozzi – N1DM: “Wizard Award”, Technical Guidance
Dave Smith – WA1UWU: “FBOM Award”, Unwavering Dedication
Ron Cameron – WA1FOS: “I Got That Award”, Most Helpful Member
John Good – W1GS, “Old Buzzard Award,” 67 Years of Contribution
Frank DePetrillo – W1EYH: “Godfather Award”, Longest Continuous Member – since 1955!

Fidelity Amateur Radio Club and area team Fox Hunting

Newly-elected Fidelity ARC Officer Jim Ferranti, N1ZJI, encourages area hams to participate in the follow-up Fox Hunt offered by the Bristol County Repeater Association and scheduled for November 18th, 2023 from 10:00am to 1:00pm.

Jim, N1ZJI writes:

On Saturday, September 23rd, 2023, the Bristol County Repeater Association held a Fox Hunt from 10:00am to 1:00pm EST within a 5 mile radius of 120 President Avenue, Fall River, MA. To make the challenge more exciting, the hunt consisted of two foxes to be found within the allotted time frame. Both foxes operated with a 5-watt signal and transmitted 1 minute of tone followed by Morse Code ID and 4 minutes of silence.

Fox 1 activated at 10:00am on 146.565 MHz FM, manned by Sheldon, K1KOS, located in a Jeep Gladiator Pickup Truck.

Fox 2 activated at 10:02:30 am on 146.430 MHz FM, unmanned, located in Kevin’s, N1KJS, blue Toyota Pickup Truck. Once found, a picture of the truck, with the sign in the window, was to be sent to Kevin for verification.

The event, which is open to anyone who wishes to participate, proved to be very challenging despite its five mile radius. There were a total of six teams who participated in this event and despite the weather, everyone seemed to have had a good time, utilizing their fox hunting skills to locate these foxes. We look forward to the next fox hunt, which will be on November 18th, 2023 from 10:00am to 1:00pm EST. All are welcome to take part in this Fox Hunting event.

For more information, go to https://bcra.club/bcrawprel/fox-hunting/.

73, Jim, N1ZJI – Fidelity Amateur Radio Club https://k1nqg.wordpress.com/

In other news from Fidelity Amateur Radio Club, the club has elected the following new officers:

President: Sal Caiozzo, WN1B
Vice President: Jim Ferranti, N1ZJI
Secretary: Nick Kettle, KC1DWH
Treasurer: Steve Williams, WA1GNB
Member at Large: Bob Berlyn, N1PWU

The Associated Radio Amateurs of Southern New England (ARASNE | W1AQ) continues to offer monthly walk-in VE Sessions at their historic club house in Rumford.

Would you like to take your VE session license exam this fall near Providence, RI at W1AQ’s historic 1920s radio club house? The address is 54 Kelley Ave, Rumford 02916 and the building is hard to miss with its 50′ railroad signal tower mast out front. The ARASNE club’s scheduled VE Session dates are this Saturday September 9, and also October 7, November 11, and December 2, 2023 at 9:30am. Walk-ins are welcome, too.

For more, please see: VE Session near Providence this Saturday September 9, 2023

https://ri-arrl.org/providence-area-amateur-radio-license-exam-options-continue-at-historic-1920s-club-house-walk-ins-welcome/

Big E & New England Division Volunteer Outreach at the Ham Radio Booth

For more, see the Project BIG E Coverage in The ARRL Letter!

https://nediv.arrl.org/2023/09/24/project-big-e-coverage-in-the-arrl-letter/

These photos capture some of my favorite moments sharing the excitement of amateur radio at the Big E in Springfield, MA this September 2023.

New Section Manager Training at ARRL HQ & operating the historic W1AW station

The ARRL HQ staff did a phenomenal job orienting new Section Managers from across the country. We gathered in Newington, CT for a recent Friday-Sunday training and retreat, with presentations by leadership across all ARRL departments, tours of the buildings, operating from W1AW, and important opportunities to compares notes about ARES, club vitality, and prioritizing as volunteer new Section Managers on a mission to serve, and with lots to do.

Here’s a humorous note: some Section Managers had to travel 5-7 hours to visit every club in their Section and foster collaboration. And that, of course, is a totally different scale of travel than what we face in RI – despite our state’s cultural resistance to drive an hour without, you know, needing to pack a suitcase! On-air connecting plus remote meetings make ongoing collaboration easier than ever, but there is still no substitute for opportunities to get together in person.

As new Section Managers, we were given tours of the Technical Lab, QRT editorial offices, and a comparison of the Ham Shack of the past and cord-free future. It was a valuable orientation and I look forward to leveraging this opportunity for the benefit of the RI Section. (I might note that I was the only Section Manager who came to the role through an election.)

Providence EOC tour offered by the Providence Radio Association (PRA)

Barry Noel, W1BSM, the RI-ARES Providence-County District Emergency Coordinator (DEC), PRA Club Member, and Sunday night RACES net control, arranged an insightful presentation and tour today of the Providence EMA.

It was a pleasure to meet with PEMA Director DeCerbo and others critical to our state’s resilient communication readiness requirements.

This is another example of positive, productive networking and outreach across clubs (PRA – plus also Brown University’s Michael Umbricht, W9GYR), ARRL RI-Section leadership (SM Nancy Austin, KC1NEK), and served agencies as we all work together for the shared goal of becoming better operators prepared to provide situational awareness. Or, for some, commit to more advanced training available via CERT, RACES, MARS, and/or ARES. Thank you to all for an important opportunity to build bridges and plan enhanced collaboration.

Upcoming VE Sessions & RI Classes

Many thanks to these RI Clubs who are offering in-person VE sessions during October 2023. https://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

W1AQ (Associated Radio Amateurs of Southern New England) on Saturday October 7, 2023 at 9:30am (Rumford, RI)
Blackstone Valley ARC (BVARC) on Saturday October 14, 2023 at 9am (Woonsocket, RI)

License Exam Prep via HamStudy.org. License prep has never been easier than with this transformational learning platform offering self-paced study and practice tests. Available on demand, for free.

OR: Do you know someone who would prefer to set a goal and achieve their first Tech license studying with a weekly instructor-led class?

Interested NYAH (Not Yet a Ham) folks can sign up now for the excellent Zoom Technician course led by long-time NCRC educator Bob Beatty, WB4SON. It will begin Tuesday October 17th at 6pm and wrap up with an exam session December 9th. For more information, please see:

Amateur Radio Technician Class (Zoom) Begins Tuesday Oct 17th at 6 PM: https://w1sye.org/?p=7456
Become a Ham: https://w1sye.org/?page_id=151
ARRL Find an Amateur Radio License Class in Your Area: https://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class

Congrats to these 29 new FCC licensed RI Radio Amateurs and 29 FCC License Upgrades over the last six months (April 7 – September 5, 2023)

A. Let’s welcome these 29 new/renewed RI hams and help them get active on the air in 2023:

April 5, 2023 report of 13 new RI hams

Curt Moan, KC1SRM – Coventry (+upgrade listed below)

Arthur Dennis, KC1SQC now W1ACD – Newport

Maria Chytka, KC1SPI – Portsmouth

Jared Ladino, KC1SSS – Warwick

Stephen Sheriff, KC1SOX – Warwick

Jack Cole, K1JWC – Warwick

Chris Cinieri, KC1SRO – North Smithfield

Jared Niedzwiadek, KC1SQR – N Smithfield (+upgrade listed below)

William G Ranson, KC1SON – Providence

Patricia Gallagher, KC1SRT – Providence

Dante M Catoni, AC1OR – East Providence

John Greene, KC1SRK – Rumford

Michael Villella, KC1SOD – Johnston

May 8, 2023 report of 9 new RI hams

Christopher Carman, W1CEC – Providence

Michael Viveiros, KC1SVQ – West Warwick (+2 upgrades listed below)

David Halford, KC1SWD – Westerly (+upgrade)

Annaliva Rayne, KC1SWJ – Charlestown (+upgrade)

Bjorn Wellenius, KC1SWK – North Kingstown (+upgrade)

Michael Crittenden, KC1SWL – Portsmouth

Nathaniel J Pakuris, KC1SWM – Saunderstown

Jacqueline Day, KC1SWT – Saunderstown

Linda Matthews, KC1SWV – East Greenwich

June 5, 2023 report of 2 new RI hams

Joseph Paravisini, KC1SXY – Providence

Christopher Pilla, KC1SYY – Woonsocket

July 6, 2023 report of 1 new RI hams

Eric R Roderick, KC1TDS – Cumberland

August 8, 2023 report of 1 new RI hams

Andrew P Dunham, KC1TER – Coventry

September 5, 2023 report of 3 new RI hams

Alfred J Watterson, KC1TGV – Warwick

Steven Figella, KC1TJG – Warwick

Michelle A Dupuis, KC1TJH – Pawtucket

B. Congrats to these 29 FCC License Upgrades over the last six months (April 7 – September 5, 2023)

April 7, 2023 report of 4 RI ham FCC license-class upgrades

Jeremy Dennis, KC1SFF now N1JAD – Upgrade, Newport

Robert Matose, KC1RFM – Upgrade, Middletown

John Jackman, N1SMX – Upgrade, North Kingstown

Scott Toner, N1SWT – Upgrade, Tiverton

May 8, 2023 report of 5 RI ham FCC license-class upgrades

James Manahan, KC1NOP – Upgrade, Ashaway

David C Zaluski, KC1SHF – Upgrade, Barrington

Octavio Vieira, N1RHH – Upgrade, Bristol

Patricia Strong, K2PRU – Upgrade, Prudence Island

Thomas Anthony Viscione, KC1QIF – Upgrade, Warwick

June 5, 2023 report of 6 RI ham FCC license-class upgrades

Randy Parrott, N1OTG – Upgrade, Harrisville

Howard Welsh, W1HOW – Upgrade, Warwick

Michael Viveiros, KC1SV – Upgrade, West Warwick

Jared Niedzwiadek, KC1SQR – Upgrade, N Smithfield

Paul Fontana, KC1IEN – Upgrade, North Providence

Steven J Serapiglia, N1OSI – Upgrade, Smithfield

July 6, 2023 report of 7 RI ham FCC license-class upgrades

David Halford, KC1SWD – Upgrade, Westerly

Michael Viveiros, KC1SVQ – Upgrade, West Warwick

Scott Owen, KC1RQL – Upgrade, Riverside

Annalivia Rayne, KC1SWJ – Upgrade, Charlestown

Sandra Velazquez, KC1PUX – Upgrade, Middletown

Jim Garman, KC1QDZ – Upgrade, Newport

Nolan Bryne, K1PRU – Upgrade, Prudence Island

August 8, 2023 report of 3 RI ham FCC license-class upgrades

Curt Moan, KC3CIL – Upgrade, Coventry

Andrew Dunham, KC1TER – Upgrade, Coventry

Chris Ertl, N3OEW – Upgrade, Rumford

September 5, 2023 report of 4 RI ham FCC license-class upgrades

Michael Cullen, K6MAC – Upgrade, Newport

John B Scungio, KC1KEJ – Upgrade, Lincoln

Christopher Alekna, N3UBU – Upgrade, West Kingston

Michael D Della Bitta, KC1PQA – Upgrade, Providence

CONGRATS!!!

General housekeeping note to RI resident hams who might have relocated to RI: For information on updating your FCC license address for free, see:

https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/knowledge-base/common-amateur-filing-tasks/common-amateur-filing-task-changing

There is no fee for “Filing a Request to Update Administrative Information on a License in ULS”: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/knowledge-base/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/updating-administrative

Thank you for being an ARRL member.

Stay tuned for the launch next week of an October ARES-MARS entry-level Situational Awareness exercise open to all licensed amateurs.

73, Nancy Austin, KC1NEK

RI Section Manager

[email protected]

POTA – Activate All RI wildly successful

September 25, 2023October 1, 2023 - by Nancy Austin

Parks on the Air (POTA) is one of the most popular ways to get on the air and practice portable operations.

What can we say now that two weeks have passed since Rhode Island hosted the first and wildly successful Parks on the Air (POTA) – Activate All RI? This community building initiative was proposed and led by Jim Garman, KC1QDZ. It was hosted by the Newport County Radio Club and aligned to wrap-up at Colt State Park with the club’s annual “Outdoor Adventure” picnic.

Here’s a preliminary review of the available POTA – Activate All RI data with some first lessons learned.

Over the five days of Wednesday to Sunday September 6 – 10, 2023 every one of Rhode Island’s 53 POTA parks was activated at least 4 times for a total of at least 262 POTA activations; at least 11,000 QSOs were made by at least 35 radio amateur activators exploring every part of our state during splendid New England fall weather.

Over 50% of these POTA activations happened because of the generous outpouring of support by nationally-known POTA operators in solidarity with Jim Garman, KC1QDZ and his vision of all that the first-ever Activate All RI could be. Adding in the regional POTA community networking Jim, KC1QDZ had built as he grew from POTA newbie to a passionate POTA leader, and the outcome stands as an unforgettable reminder of what’s possible when we reach out and come together to flexibly deliver on a shared mission led by a next-generation leader.

Here are preliminary data take-aways:

1) POTA National Ambassadors

Five top POTA operators traveled to RI at their own expense to inspire and support this first-ever POTA: Activate All RI outdoor adventure. Thank you!

Their phenomenal passion and dedication set a memorable high bar for all of us to aspire towards in the years ahead. It was frankly astonishing to watch these disciplined radio amateur operators, all of whom have made 10,000 to 200,000 QSOs activating hundreds or thousands of POTA parks.

With patience and unflappable commitment, they pretty much activated from sunrise to past sunset for our five day marathon, calmly logging 132 POTA activations and over 5000 QSOs.

Thank you to these unforgettable POTA radio amateurs who delivered an average of over 1000 QSOs per operator:

Kerri Wright, KB3WAV from Maryland; currently #2 on the POTA Top Activator Leaderboard
Brian Duddy, N2BTD from New York; he was a comet of QSOs for his few days available
Lou Nickles, WZ3J from Maryland
Scott Major, K3SDM from Kentucky
Curtis Turner, KB3CMT from Pittsburgh

2) RI & Regional POTA Heroes

Pilgrim Amateur Wireless Association (Taunton, MA)

Another group of activators had been mentoring Jim, KC1QDZ since he was a new POTA operator; they had all become close friends along the journey. These hams rallied around his vision for a welcoming and collaborative Activate All RI, and stepped up to the fun. Special thanks to these three top operators from PAWA, an Eastern Massachusetts radio club in nearby Taunton, MA. All very active in POTA, these hams brought camaraderie and the experience of each having completed between 10-40,000 POTA QSOs.

Fran Kelly, KC1NDQ
Rob, WC1N
Mike, N1NTM

Rhode Island POTA Heroes – a remarkable collaboration

POTA – Activate All RI was remarkable for a new spirit of collaboration across RI radio clubs and operators.

Providence Radio Association (W1OP)

Between September 6-10, 2023, this dynamic large club contributed six activations and over 500 QSOs to POTA – Activate All RI. This is in addition to the club’s already impressive commitment to activate Beavertail Lighthouse with over 30,000 QSOs already logged.
PRA club member Dave, W3DRE went further and stepped up to activate at least eight other parks during the September 6-10, 2023 special event window, contributing 584 QSOs. Pre and post-event, Dave continues to actively get on the air via POTA, and has completed his POTA certificate for Activated all US – RI. Congrats!

RI / CT Individual + Other Club Contributor Heroes

Brian, N1BS – a highly active POTA operator offered over ten activations in less-frequently activated rural RI parks. Activated All US – RI.
Kathy, KA1THY – thank you for an impressive contribution of at least ten activations and over 500 QSOs logged during September 6-10, 2023.
John, K9JFB – another highly active reliable operator for difficult parks, delivering at least seven activations and 566 QSOs. Activated All US – RI.
Glen, W1GHD – thank you for spending your weekend in RI helping activate four parks and offering hunters a hundred QSOs.
Matt, NA1Q – thank you for joining in from MA to contribute three activations and 45 QSOs as inspiration to keep activating RI POTA parks.
Peter, K1AV (BVARC – former club president) – great to meet you at the recent HamXpo, and thank you for activating two parks with Dave, W3DRE from W1OP. Positive cross-club collaboration, for sure!
Jason, AA1VV (Fidelity Amateur Radio Club) – thank you for contributing three activations and at least 185 QSOs. Can’t wait to see how your POTA journey unfolds!
John, AJ1DM (Westerly Amateur Radio Team and ARRL RI Section NTS CW Traffic Handler) – Great to see your contribution joining POTA for a first activation. Thank you!

Plus, thanks to the four visitors to Rhode Island who jumped in while traveling to activate a park or two:

Ray, K1RAH
Dimitris, NE1D
Michael, KC1OCA
William, K2HVN

3) Newport County Radio Club (NCRC)

About fourteen NCRC members helped activate parks during Activate All RI. Going into the event, only two club members were in that “passionate about POTA” camp – with over 10,000 logged activator QSOs. For the rest of us, POTA is probably more like a prompt to have fun getting on the air quickly with a flexible portable set-up. Many hams new to POTA expressed an interest in making that first activation, and more needs to be done to understand what kind of resources would deliver a bias toward action.

Jim, KC1QDZ assigned those who signed up to specific parks they were to activate – and everyone delivered on their commitment. This happened without the use of a master daily schedule of who would be where at what time each day and on what band (as some felt would have delivered better results).

There is no getting around the reality that this first Activate All RI was unique and special because of the outpouring of support among the larger national and regional POTA community for Jim, KC1QDZ and his enthusiasm to make this happen as a gift for RI and those seeking to hunt RI parks. Were a club plan to rely only on in-club activators, it would require significant prep getting new operators trained and ready to deliver and log the kind of QSO rate found in this premier POTA – Activate All RI, 2023.

Stay tuned for Jim’s ongoing commitment to lead POTA – Activate All RI in a 2024 variation.

NCRC Accomplished POTA Activators (Activator QSOs: 10,000-20,000; both already completed Activated All US – RI. Both accomplished contesters and top Field Day contributors.) Both actively and selflessly supported others to achieve their goals during this ambitious venture..
- POTA Lead – Jim KC1QDZ – more than 7 activations during Activate All RI
- Willy Maclean, W1LY – 12 park activations during Activate All RI, including helping a club member achieve a goal of activating Block Island; contributed 654 QSOs, including from parks difficult to activate.

NCRC Advanced Beginner Activators (QSOs: 50-1500) Thank you!
- Mike, AA1XQ > 6 activations / 179 QSOs
- Randy, K8ZFJ > 5 activations / 75 QSOs
- Bob, WB4SON > 4 activations / 143 QSOs
- Rob, KB1ZZU > 3 activations / 104 QSOs
- Scott, N1SWT > 3 activations / 102 QSOs
- John, K1JSM > 3 activations / 83 QSOs
- Nancy, KC1NEK > 2 activations / 81 QSOs
- Jim, KA1ZOU > 2 activations / 31 QSOs
- Corry KE1AK > 1 activations / 41 QSOs

NCRC First time as POTA Activators – Congrats!
- Greg Bonaguide, WA1VUG
- Bruce Braga, W1UQN (CW)
- Paul K1YBE: no logs uploaded – first POTA (pending) (microwave band)

Summary Finding 2 weeks out*

*Best estimate based on POTA log data as of 23 Sep 2023

POTA – Activate All RI parks (September 6-10, 2023)

Project Lead: Jim Garman, KC1QDZ

Club Host: Newport County Radio Club (NCRC)

Sept 6-10, 2023 POTA Activate RI	5-day Total	Natl POTA Ambassadors	RI & Region Heroes	Newport County Radio Club host	Travelers
Activations	262	132 (50%)	75 (29%)	55 (21%)
QSOs	11,104	5,182 (47%)	4,082 (37%)	1,840 (17%)
Activators	36	5	13	14	4
QSO/Op avg	308/op	1,036/op	314 /op	131 / op
Activations/op		26 avg	6 avg	4 avg

Congrats to at least 4 new POTA Activators: K1YBE, WA1VUG, W1UQN, AJ1DM

PLOA Wrap-up Picnic

Thank you for making this a successful collaboration. It was wonderful to meet so many of you and your families at the Outdoor Adventure wrap-up picnic at Colt State Park on Sunday September 10, 2023 hosted by the Newport County Radio Club.

Thank you for making this year’s picnic so remarkable.

ARRL National, Division, and RI Section Leadership:

Kevin Beal, K8EAL (CT); Phil Temples, K9HI (Boston)

ARRL RI Section Cabinet: Mike Corey, KI1U; Dave Neal, W2DAN

NCRC Officers: Nancy Austin, KC1NEK; Paul Fredette, K1YBE; Rob White, KB1ZZU

NCRC Executive Committee: Bob Beatty, WB4SON; Willy Maclean, W1LY; John Vecoli, KC1KOO; Dick Bianco, KC1IPJ

POTA – Activate All RI project lead: Jim Garman, KC1QDZ

PLOA – picnic project leads: John Mills, K1JSM; Willy Maclean, W1LY; Jim Sendrak, KC1YG

PLOA 2023 – Honoring Silent Key Jack Garforth, N1JK

POTA National Activators:

Lou Nickles, WZ3J from Maryland
Scott Majors, K3SDM from Kentucky
Curtis Turner, KB3CMT from Pittsburgh

POTA RI & Regional Hero Activators:

Fran Kelly, KC1NDQ (Pilgrim Amateur Wireless Association – PAWA)
Rob, WC1N (PAWA)
Mike, N1NTM (PAWA)
Dave, W3DRE (Providence Radio Association – W1OP)
John, K9JFB
Glen, W1GHD (CT)
Jason, AA1VV (Fidelity Amateur Radio Club)

NCRC POTA Activators (not mentioned earlier)

Mike Seil, AA1XQ
Randy Jones, K8ZFJ
Scott Toner, N1SWT
Greg Bonaguide, WA1VUG

NCRC Members at the wrap-up PLOA picnic (not mentioned earlier)

Alan, KB1DJ

AnnaLivia, KC1SWJ

Bill, W3CJK

Bob, KC1RFM

Bob, NE1E

Brian, N1TBT

Crystal, KE1KAT

Dave, KC1IPA

Ed, W1NQH

Hayden, KC1IPM

Jacqueline, KC1SWT

Jeff, N1CSE

Jim, KJ6YKT

John, N1SXB

Keith, KC1LPV

Keith, W1KJR

Linda, KC1SWV

Mark, KB1RYX

Mike, WA1KSN

Nolan, K1PRU

Patricia, K2PRU

Rich, N1ZSR

Scott, WX1X

Sean, K1SDM

Steve, KC1AQQ

Steve, N3VHI

Teri, W1PUP

Thank you to everyone for making this experience so unforgettable.

73, Nancy Austin, KC1NEK

NCRC club president (2022-2023)

RI Section Manager

For more on POTA, see: https://ri-arrl.org/pota/

Public Information

Project BIG E—Urgent Request for Additional Volunteers, September 23, 2023

September 21, 2023September 21, 2023 - by Phil Temples

Larry Krainson, W1AST, writes:

We need at least one extra person for the first session from 9:30 to 4:00 pm and the second session from 3:30 pm to 10:00 pm.

Can you please help? Saturdays are very busy days and at least three people are needed in the booth.

You will be reimbursed for admission and parking after the Big E has ended.

Contact Larry Krainson, W1AST, at <[email protected]>.

[See https://nediv.arrl.org/project-big-e/ for details]

Public Service

Amateur Volunteers Sought for Grills Preserve Trail Run, October 28, 2023

September 17, 2023 - by Phil Temples

Jim Creamer, KB1MAO, writes on the RI-ARES list:

I am looking for hams to support the Grills Trail Run on the morning of Saturday 28 October 2023. This race is not your regular race we have supported in the past. This race is 2 courses, a 10 K and a 10mi, through the woods of the Grills Preserve in Bradford, RI. Both courses showcase Grills Preserve in Westerly, and the 10-Mile course also features beautiful trails, bridges, and riverfront in the Grills Wildlife Sanctuary in Hopkinton. The course is a mix of about 80% single-track and 20% double-track. Last year was the first time we supported the race and found it was more challenging than the usual races on roads. Last year’s hams reported enjoying the new challenges and the race organizers and participants were happy to have the hams providing that additional piece of mind. Most supporting hams will need to be able to walk short distances and have good portable equipment including antennas. GPS is a plus even though the course is well marked. I will provide GPS files as we get closer to the event.

I am looking for hams that ride off road bicycles for this event to act as SAG. You may also ride to your post on a bicycle if you want, just let me know.

This is an excellent way to improve your emergency communicating skills as well as your equipment.

Please mark your calendars and save the date.

Share this with your clubs and friends.

Here is the link to the race web site: http://www.westerlytrackclub.org/grills.html?rand=2250

Jim Creamer
Westerly Amateur Radio Team
2 David Ave.
Westerly, RI 02891
P: 401-596-2720
C: 401-864-4510

Ham Outreach / Operating / POTA

RI QSO hunters – this is your week!

September 6, 2023September 12, 2023 - by Nancy Austin

Scene at Block Island today, *POTA -Activate All RI*: Jim, KC1QDZ (RI) and Fran, KC1NDZ (MA) with Scott, K3SDM (KY).

RI QSO hunters – this is your week!

Starting today through Sunday (Sept 6-10, 2023) a collaborating team of about twenty POTA – Parks on the Air enthusiastic activators from across the country, region, and state are setting up their portable rigs across the 52 officially-recognized POTA parks.

Already this morning from just before 8am until around Noon, I was able to hunt 12 unique parks across the SSB bands of 40m, 20m, 17m and 15m from my home QTH. I was logged by 11 unique operators, including Kerri Wright, KB3WAV (with over 170,000 POTA QSOs to her credit) as well as the NCRC organizer of this event, Jim Garman, KC1QDZ – taking a break from his farm between tomatoes and turnips.

POTA hunters, near and far, are encouraged to keep an eye on POTA Spotting and join the fun. It’s a great way to understand your band propagation and make progress on your POTA – Worked All RI award.

Real time POTA spotting information here: https://pota.app/#/

The list of the 52 RI POTA parks can be found here: https://pota.app/#/parklist. Select United States, and then the drop down filter to select Rhode Island.

Eager to jump in and activate? Go for it! And maybe bring along a licensed operator who hasn’t been able to get on the air recently for whatever reason. Second and even third operators are always welcome.

Meanwhile, kudos to the team currently activating Block Island park K-0513: Jim Garman, KC1QDZ from Newport, RI. Shown here with Fran Kelly, KC1NDQ from nearby Swansea, MA and hosting event visitor Scott Majors, K3SDM from Kentucky. (Another NCRC team will be activating Block Island again tomorrow – so check back frequently. )

Huge shout out to the POTA RI Park Activators I spoke to already this morning,

Kerri, KB3WAV
Brian, N1BS
Kathy, KA1THY
Brian, N2BTD
Lou, WZ3J
Dave, W3DRE
Willy, W1LY
Jim, KC1QDZ
Fran, KC1NDQ
Scott, K3SDM
John, K9FDB
John, K1JSM

Thanks to so many for voluntarily traveling to RI to amplify everything we love about radio in RI. Thank you to the many Rhode Island hams activating and collaborating to show what’s possible with amateur radio today.

With special thanks to the Newport County Radio Club for supporting new ham Jim Garman, KC1QDZ and his vision for POTA – Activate All RI.

What’s not to love about the ham community?

73, Nancy Austin, KC1NEK

Newport County Radio Club outgoing club president
new RI Section Manager

Don’t miss POTA – Activate All RI (Sept 6-10, 2023)

Remember, POTA Hunters do not need to submit logs.

Activators will need to keep and submit their log of at least 10 time- and frequency- marked QSOs for an official activation to be recognized by POTA. QSO credit will then be awarded to both parties, almost instantly.

Lots of activators – but still. Small State; Big Pile-up.

Have fun! Get on the Air! Meet new hams.

For more on what’s possible with POTA, check out: https://ri-arrl.org/pota/

Clubs / Licensing, Education & Training / RI History

Providence-area Amateur Radio License Exam Options continue at Historic 1920s Club house; walk-ins welcome.

September 5, 2023September 12, 2023 - by Nancy Austin

VE Session near Providence this Saturday September 9, 2023

Recently I enjoyed a welcoming visit with the Associated Radio Amateurs of Southern New England (ARASNE | W1AQ) at their club house, and encourage everyone to reach out and say hello to this vigorous club actively seeking new members, both remote and local.

Here are some of the interesting things I’m learning about the club:

W1AQ (1926) is a historic call sign.

Last weekend on the ARRL Audio News I heard that the ARRL HQ historic callsign, W1AW, of the Maxim Memorial Station in Newington, Connecticut, was celebrating its 85th Anniversary; it was dedicated September 2, 1938.

If you are interested to learn more about the history of Amateur Radio call signs, I can recommend:

An Overview of Amateur Call Signs Past and Present (QST, May 1994)
Amateur Radio Call Books (limited dates 1909-1997 digitized and available for free on the Internet Archive)

Sure enough, W1AQ is listed in the Amateur Radio Stations of the United States (June 30, 1928) running 500 watts from their East Providence club house.

W1AW is also listed in the June 1928 Call Sign directory, but as the personal call sign for Hiram Percy Maxim (1869-1936), co-founder of the ARRL – American Radio Relay League (1914).

At this point, I turned for a RI comparison to an excellent history of another RI historic club, the Providence Radio Association, W1OP, written by Dominic Mallozzi, N1DM in 2016. He covers the history of the PRA’s club’s W1OP call sign and club house (1955-58; p.7). The Providence Radio Association is one of the oldest ARRL-affiliated clubs in the country, founded in 1919.

It’s remarkable that RI has two ARRL-affiliated clubs continuously active since the 1920s. Both owning clubhouses and organized as Associations. This all deserves a follow-up conversation to compare notes, further document this history, and consider insights relevant today. Our shared goal is collaboration and outreach to welcome and support radio amateurs, offering a range of robust and varied clubs across the state.

W1AQ’s Historic Club House (1926)

The Associated Radio Amateurs of Southern New England set up shop in East Providence at the border of the industrial Phillipsdale and residential Rumford sections. The club located their clubhouse just up the hill from the significant industrial wire, telecom cable, steel and other fabrication businesses already established in Phillipsdale on the banks of the Seekonk River and Omega Pond.

Phillipsdale, off Roger Williams Ave, is an historically interesting but little known area of RI where, among other things, Roger Williams originally settled in 1636. The streets were platted out in the 1850s-1890s. After about 1900, this industrial, coastal neighborhood became known as Phillipsdale. See: Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission: East Providence (1976: 4,5,20,30-33,44,72-73) and Phillipsdale Historic District National Register Nomination (2011: 60)

Once you turn off Roger Williams Ave on to Wilson and then take the first left towards 54 Kelley Ave, it is easy to identify this Rumford clubhouse because of its two prominent railroad signal towers used as 50′ antenna masts. (See image above.)

The W1AQ club house has an elevated line of sight across the Seekonk River to downtown Providence and the contemporary Art Deco Industrial Trust or Superman Building (1925-27). The father of one of the club founders was an executive there. It’s worth remembering the Superman Building was built with an eye toward zeppelin airships tethering to the top of these early skyscrapers. It’s remarkable to imagine the boundless vision of the future that inspired this club’s founding. W1AQ’s current leadership remains deeply committed to the club and all it can bring to a new generation.

In the 21st century, Phillipsdale’s industrial buildings have gone through major adaptive reuse campaigns. In 2022, Phillipsdale Landing sold for over $8 million and is now home to a vibrant community of entrepreneurial innovator businesses and artisan studios. It would seem a natural fit to connect the Phillipsdale community to their nearby neighbors at the ARASNE clubhouse.

RI’s centuries of industrial innovation relied on the skilled artisans working with other kinds of engineers, designers, and technical problem solvers. In 2023, it’s exciting to consider what’s possible connecting the W1AQ club’s deep bench of skilled radio/electronic maker/fabricators (who prefer to make everything themselves) with the sympatico industrial design and other studio neighbors down the street in Phillipsdale. Stay tuned to see what kind of continued mentoring and welcoming radio amateurs near and far is happening at 54 Kelley Ave, East Providence.

W1AQ has an open door social meeting almost every Friday night from about 7-9pm to discuss radio building questions. In this time of remote work, it’s a welcome change to shift from talking to the world for work to unwind with your fellow local hams in person. Amateur Radio offers a wealth of neighborhoods, and clubs are one way to find your people in a new place and join in. A place to return to and know you will belong.

Looking to get an amateur radio license this weekend? Saturday September 9, 2023 at 9:30am? Reach out with questions to the W1AQ club VP Martin Dean Chapman, W2FQ at [email protected]

Ham Outreach / Operating / POTA

NCRC POTA demo helps new Generals GOTA

September 2, 2023September 2, 2023 - by Nancy Austin

“I learned more from your POTA demo today than I learned as a new ham over the last year! Thank you!” – Mike, KC1NFG (visiting Newport and welcomed to join in and GOTA.)

Today’s Newport County Radio Club (NCRC) POTA demo at Brenton Point Park was well attended by club members as well as a ham just passing by. All were curious to jump in and learn how to quickly deploy a portable antenna and POTA setup to get on the HF bands quickly and make contacts. Jim Garman, KC1QDZ and Randy Jones, K8ZFJ were ideal mentors, helping some make their first POTA QSOs.

From September 6-10, 2023, the NCRC is hosting a collaborative effort to activate all 52 RI POTA parks. For more information on POTA – Activate All RI and resources for getting started with Parks on the Air, please bookmark: https://ri-arrl.org/pota/

Public Service

The Surftown Half Marathon and 5K Needs More Amateur Volunteers, September 10, 2023

September 1, 2023September 2, 2023 - by Phil Temples

Jim Creamer, KB1MAO, writes on the RI-ARES mailing list on September 1, 2023:

I can still use a few more hams. This is a large event and requires a substantial number of hams. Non hams are welcome also because they are a great help to the hams providing the communications. See the attachments for details. If you are available please let me know.

The Hartford Marathon Foundation’s web address for the event is: https://www.hartfordmarathon.com/surftown-half-marathon-5k/