Author: Nancy Austin

ARES / Clubs / Public Service / RI ARES

RI ARES – Open Letter to the RI Section from K1JST

- by Nancy Austin

Jeremy Taylor, K1JST
Section Emergency Coordinator
Rhode Island ARES®
[email protected]
www.riares.org

March 4, 2024

Re: Open Letter to All Amateur Radio Operators, Clubs, Groups and Associations in the Rhode Island Section

Greetings,

As the Section Emergency Coordinator I have two very important duties that I need your assistance with. The first is to promote and encourage the development of local ARES groups. Contrary to popular belief, RI ARES is not a club, nor would I like to see it promoted as one. ARES should provide training, organize and coordinate activities. We are happy to assist people who are interested in learning and improving their operating abilities, but I am by no means an expert. There are many Amateurs who have vast amounts of experience and knowledge they can share with less experienced amateurs. I know there exist many clubs, groups and associations of amateurs in RI (hereafter referred to as clubs), and most have a subset of members who are interested in Public Service. What I propose is that these clubs form a local ARES group as part of their club. This would create an opportunity for people to work together to become better operators and expand their capabilities, making us better prepared to assist during Public Service activities, events, emergencies and disasters. Many of the activities that clubs are already doing together are great ways to improve operating skills that are useful for public service. The ARRL is adding a listing for ARES groups on their website, similar to the ARRL Affiliated Clubs list. Should your club opt to form an ARES Group we can facilitate adding it to the list. Local ARES group members are not required to sign up for RI ARES, but it is encouraged.

Another responsibility I have as SEC is to collect reports of public service related activities in our section and assemble them into a report to the League each month. I understand that some people might not support the League for various reasons, but one thing I think we all can agree on is that the ARRL is advocating for Amateur Radio. The public service activity report that each SEC submits each month is used to calculate the value of the time the Amateur Radio community dedicates in service to the public. Our public service function is the very first principle listed in Part 97.1 Basis and purpose of the Amateur Radio Service. Our ability to assist the public is a very important part of how we justify the spectrum allocated to Amateur Radio, which we all know would sell for billions of dollars on the FCC auction block. There are many schools of thought around these reports, but the ARRL’s Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnson KE5MHV and I are of the opinion that these reports should be liberal in their application and include not just activities that are official “ARES” activities, but all activities in the Amateur Radio Community that are applicable.

I am requesting that each club nominate at least one liaison to ARES (even if you don’t opt to form an ARES group) that can report the information and club’s activities each month that fall under the following categories:

Participants

  • The total number of ARES participants in your group (it’s ok if this is only the liaisons, activities still count, though we welcome everyone with an interest)

Nets (total number of each)

  • ARES group or other club Training, Practice or Emergency Preparedness Nets held
    • Includes repeater or simplex nets on any band or mode
    • Formal, Directed, or Informal nets
    • Nets that test equipment, coverage, exchange info, handle messages, or practice skills
  • Of those nets, how many included a NTS liaison
  • Total number of participants of those nets for the month

Activities (number and total person hours in each)

  • Exercises (can report local exercises or participation in other exercises)
  • Training Events (including the training and practice nets reported above, and club activities)
  • Public Service Events
  • Community Service Events
  • Emergency Events (any activation in service to an emergency)
  • SKYWARN Events (any activation in service to SKYWARN)
  • ARES group meetings (or the portion of your club meetings spent discussing related activities)
  • Unclassified Events

Narrative

  • A brief summary of any activities and any administrative or other comments

We will provide training on what and how to report, but I have devised two methods of reporting. Liaisons can either complete a brief online form to report each activity and I will compile the totals, or they can compile an online summary report form for the month. Liaisons that do a thorough job, report on time each month, regularly participate in statewide practice nets, training, and/or and exercises, and are working towards completing their ARES task books would be eligible for appointment as an Assistant Emergency Coordinator or even Emergency Coordinator. Also, ARRL Affiliated Club stations that regularly participate in ARES practice nets, exercises and activations would be eligible to apply for designation as an Official Emergency Station.

I really appreciate your willingness to help in this matter. One of my goals is to ensure that Rhode Island is accurately reporting data that can be used to advocate for our rich and diverse hobby.

Best Regards,

Jeremy S. Taylor K1JST

RI Section Manager Newsletter

Welcome to your RI Section Newsletter for February 29, 2024

- by Nancy Austin

Welcome to your RI Section Newsletter for February 29, 2024  

February Club Talk Highlights

The Space Weather Enthusiasts Dashboard & DX

On February 22, 2024 the W1AQ-Associated Radio Amateurs of Southern New England (an ARRL affiliated club since 1931 with their own clubhouse in Rumford, RI) gathered hams from across RI clubs to hear avid DXer and contester Charlie Morrison, N1RR to hear his deep dive on the NOAA Space Weather Enthusiasts Dashboard. N1RR walked us through this free on-line tool, introducing how to use on-line, real-time data to figure out what bands are best for where you want to work. From the Solar Lasco C3 panel to the Solar Wind panel, on to the Aurora forecast and the Ionosphere panel’s D-region absorption prediction tool to leverage real-time information as you become a better operator. Charlie Morrison, N1RR reminded us of the ancient awareness of sunspots, as well as reviewing the scientific understanding of sunspots after Galileo’s telescope experiments began in 1609 (with public demonstration from the Janiculum in Rome, 1611). https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/sciences/sunspots1.asp

Reach out too W1AQ Club Officer for more information: Doug Troughton, N2RDF, via [email protected]

Great to see this outreach across RI and Division clubs for combined remote and in-person knowledge sharing. Thanks to W1AQ-Associated Radio Amateurs of Southern New England and the Yankee Clipper Contest Club (YCCC) for putting this together.

See also: 

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

Portable Operation Power, Off Grid POTA HF Operation

by Bob Beatty, WB4SON, Newport County Radio Club (NCRC), February 2024

On February 12, 2024 the W1SYE-Newport County Radio Club (an ARRL affiliated club since 1949) presented a very-well received presentation on batteries and off-grid portable power by excellent educator and operator, Bob WB4SON. His presentation would be of interest to many and is available on the NCRC website: https://w1sye.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Portable-Operation-Power.pdf

  • the Power Requirements of typical HF rigs
  • Battery Technology and Sizing
  • Solar Panels
  • Charge Controllers

Reach out to Bob, WB4SON with questions or comments: WB4SON at gmail.com

Please also know Bob WB4SON will be running a free Zoom Technician class series from April 23 until June, with the opportunity to take your exam June 8th, 2024.  I recommend his class highly!

Please sign up as soon as possible for either here: 

Bob’s Technician classes begin April 23, 2024 at 6 PM. 

https://w1sye.org/?page_id=151

The NCRC June 8, 2024 digital VE Session details are here:

https://hamstudy.org/sessions/65b17598f51b305159bae0ff/1

ARRL School Club Roundup, Feb & Oct 2024

Intro

Rhode Island’s participation in the February 2024 ARRL School Club Roundup (SCR) was a great demonstration of why these twice a year SCR weeks should be on more ham calendars. FYI – the next ARRL School Roundup is scheduled for M-F October 21-25, 2024. You do NOT need to be an official school club to participate. Join in as a School or make QSOs as an individual operator. Find out more about Special Event Callsigns here: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/amateur-radio-service/special-event-call-signs

For backstory on this unfolding story in Rhode Island, please see: 

  • https://ri-arrl.org/arrl-school-roundup-updates15feb2024/
  • https://ri-arrl.org/school-roundup-feb2024/

It’s SO simple, easy, and fun. 

In 2023, only 1 New England university participated (Northeastern) and only 1 New England individual operator (from NH) turned in logs. As the ham community seeks to engage next gen hams, this SCR seems like a ready-made solution to leverage and support.

Rhode Island is now well-positioned to have this winter’s SCR be a marker for revitalizing both the URI and Brown Amateur Radio Clubs. This is important for many reasons, especially as we continue to prioritize communicating why the ham radio community can deliver value building RI’s next gen workforce skills. 

With minimal effort, we can all reach out and make QSOs across the country with young operators, as we support K-12 amateur radio educator outreach, and mentor the revitalization of Amateur Radio collegiate clubs in Rhode Island. These are important initiatives for so many reasons, from joining a growth-mindset mentoring community, to future workforce development skill building, to raising awareness of the many radio amateur related college scholarships available: https://www.arrl.org/scholarship-descriptions

N1ASA – STEM Charter School 

Mike Cullen’s middle school students had a blast and reported this: 25 QSOs to 12 States and 10 Schools for a score of 1,600. Time operating: about 40 min a day for 3 days, after school 3-4:30. Success was clear hearing the student’s enthusiasm.

Brown University 2024 pilot participation as K1D

School QSOs getting started: KC1NEK operating as Brown, K1D only on Th, Fri. With Digital QSOs from results thanks to team Jose, Jeremy, Adam. (They had some tech challenges and both Jeremy and Adam were sick and/or out of work with sick children. 

Brown University K1D first entry score for Feb 2024: 4,972

School to School QSOs: 18, including Purdue (W9YB); U of North Dakota (K0UND);  (WA4AUG) in Augusta (GA) University. 

W1KMV, University of Rhode Island (URI) Amateur Radio Club

Thanks again to URI Faculty Brian Maynard, K1NW, for helping launch the W1KMV URI ARC revitalization project during this recent ARRL School Roundup. I can’t wait to see the impact of this momentum by next October’s School Roundup. His 75 minutes of dedicated operating put the URI club on the map this year with a respectable score of 3,131. I look forward to seeing how many other New England Universities participated in Feb 2024 because in 2023 the only one was Northeastern. In any case, this first mission-driven effort was amazing with proof that even a little more than an hour of operating as a URI School call was noted far and wide. Huge thanks to all who helped get this revitalization campaign started. 

Individuals can also log in support of the ARRL School Roundup. 

KC1NEK was a first time Individual operator M-W operating for only about an hour over 3 days M-W. max time per session about 30 min. (Not a big ask.): Individual score 1,184

16 QSOS, all with Schools (13 unique across 4 bands 2m Simplex, 20m, 40m, 15m PH)

9 US States: CO, GA, IN, MI, OK, RI, SC, TX, WI

13 unique schools:  4 University clubs – URI (W1KMV), Purdue (W9YB), Michigan State (W8SH), U of Wisconsin (W9YT)

3 High Schools  in CO, OK, IN and six Middle Schools  in RI, SC, GA, TX

Standby: RI Collegiate Clubs Joint Technical Talks & the upcoming local Citizen Science Eclipse projects

Meanwhile, hope to see the Brown and URI Collegiate Clubs doing well, with hams stepping up to help. Stay tuned for planned SME technical talks in the works for Spring 2024, and open to all.  

(RWU) Roger Williams University’s Adria Updike, KC1LOK & Physics Dept plans for the Solar Eclipse Monday April 8th

Adria Updike KC1LOK, Physics has enthusiastically agreed to do what she can to promote an Amateur Radio Club at RWU.  (Possibly joining the Astronomy Club, for now.)  Adria, KC1LOK previously had her students build and launch a weather balloon. One idea is to do outreach for an RWU Amateur Radio Club on Monday April 8th 1-5pm when she is already set for a campus demo around during the solar eclipse. Her teaching/outreach includes workshops on:  build your own sensors, APRS tracking for gathering balloon data, Arduinos, SDR, electronics, etc. Let’s see how we can collaborate to help build out a robust RWU amateur radio club. Want to get involved? Reach out to Dr. Updike, KC1LOK.

Fall ARRL School Roundup & JOTA synergy?

The next ARRL School Roundup is scheduled for M-F October 21-25, 2024 (The third full school week of October2024.) This would seem like a synergistic  follow-up to the weekend of amateur radio upskilling planned for the annual Scouting Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), taking place “the third full weekend in October” – or Sat/Sun October 19-20, 2024.

Get on the Air!

Welcome FIVE (5) New RI Technician-licensed hams! 

From the ARRL “New License Report” for 2024-02-05

  • Herbert Peterson, KC1TZK – Barrington
  • Patrick Foster, KC1TYM – Newport
  • Ruben Morawicki, KC1UBS – Warwick
  • Geovanny Maldonado, KC1UBF – Warwick
  • Shana Saunders, KC1UBA – Westerly

If you hear a “KC1″x3 call sign with a suffix starting with a “T” or “U”, ask if the caller is a newly licensed ham and send CONGRATS! WELCOME!!!

Continuing Kudos to these RI hams from the ARRL From the ARRL “New License Report” for 2024-01-10 & 2023-12-05 (11)

  • John Macvittie, KC1TVX – Coventry
  • David Walker, KC1TVM – East Greenwich
  • Richard Tucker, AC1QR – Lincoln
  • John Flanders, KC1TVQ – Saunderstown
  • Edward Dufresne, KC1TVR – Warren
  • Michael O’Neil, KC1TUR – Warwick
  • Darrell Wood, KC1TXB – Woonsocket
  • Jose Sandoval, KC1TWM – Providence
  • Frank Saccoccio, KC1TWB – Johnston
  • Scott Vigneau, KC1TTH – Warwick
  • Aaron Sucov, KC1TRG – Cranston

Congrats to the LATEST RI License Upgrades

From the ARRL “New License Upgrade Report” for 2024-02-05

  • Mark W Beezer, W1NZR – Jamestown
  • Stephen Crawford, AI1IA – Westerly
  • Michael Vincent, KB1EVH – Chepachet

Continuing Kudos to these 3 RI hams from the ARRL “New License Upgrade Report”: for 2024-01-10 & 2023-12-05 (3)

  • Dennis Hobert, KC1OYW – Harrisville
  • Matthew Sarasin, KB1HEG – Warren
  • Alfred J Watterson, KC1TGV – Warwick

Get licensed! Upgrade? Upcoming RI In-person VE Sessions 

Many thanks to these 3 RI Clubs for consistently offering publicly-announced, in-person VE sessions. Here’s what they are offering March 2024.. https://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

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. 

Prefer to study with a class? Check out the ARRL listing for classes here, and check back often as 2024 classes get posted: https://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class

OR: check out the respected WEEKEND ZOOM License Class boot camps being offered all-remote this winter/spring by The Nashua Area Radio Society (N1FD) https://www.n1fd.org/amateur-radio-license-class/

Upcoming Regional Remote Amateur Radio License Class Weekend Bootcamps

  • General License Class – March 16th and 17th, 2024
  • Extra License Class – April 19th, 20th, and 21st, 202

For more information see: https://www.n1fd.org/amateur-radio-license-class/

Get on the Air! 

  • Showcase your GOTA station at Field Day, June 22-23, 2024
  • THANK YOU!  TO W1OP for sponsoring the GOTA station at the upcoming New England Division HamXposition August 22-25, 2024 in nearby Marlborough, MA

https://hamxposition.org/2024/02/03/providence-radio-association-to-sponsor-2024-official-hamxposition-station-w1xpo/

Did you know: “This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first ARRL New England Division Convention, and Northeast HamXposition committee members are discussing ways to commemorate the milestone….”  https://hamxposition.org/2024/02/21/new-england-division-convention-to-celebrate-100th-anniversary/

RI ARES Updates

Net Control Training rescheduled

The new RI ARES Net Control Manager is Jim Ferrantes, N1ZJI. Reach out if you are interested  in joining the Net Control Training via Zoom that he has rescheduled for this Monday, March 4, 2024 at 7pm.  

ARES Net Schedule

An updated RI ARES Practice and Training Net Schedule can be found here: https://riares.org/nets

ARES Practice and Training Nets are normally held at 19:30 local time and are open to all licensed operators. These are Directed Nets, the Net Control Station will control all communication on the net.

1st Tuesday of the month – Repeater Net

2nd Tuesday of the month – Simplex Net

3rd Tuesday of the month – Repeater Net

4th Tuesday of the month – Repeater & Digital Net

5th Tuesday of the month (when there is one) – TBA

Every Wednesday at 7:30pm – RI ARES SKYWARN Training Net

Winlink & the Local Weather Template EXERCISES

The February 27, 2024 RI ARES net included a rapid test exercise where members were asked to fill out the Local Weather Template with the requested information and send it to the RI EMA, with the flag EXERCISE. This was a successful small scale test exercise as the RI SEC, Jeremy Taylor, K1JST continues positive collaborations with the RI EMA and WA1USA to plan a Spring Simulated Emergency Test for RI ARES members. Great to see the people making time to participate here and on the Wednesday night Skywarn nets as we develop best practices and mutual support 

FEMA Region One continues to send out an unannounced monthly Winlink test that interested hams must self-monitor. The February exercise required the time sensitive Winlink Local Weather template to be filled out and sent as requested. Across New England, 50 Amateurs responded, with only 5 from RI this month. (CT reponse 25 and MA 19). Many thanks to these NCRC radio amateurs who responded: John Brewer N1SXB; Corry Thibault KE1AK; Mike Rousseau KC1NEJ; Mike Cullen K1NPT; and myself, Nancy Austin KC1NEK. The next unannounced test will occur sometime in March 2024. 

Andrew Staub, KC1OKI appointed ARRL Rhode Island Section Government Liaison (SGL)

I am thrilled to announce attorney Andrew Staub KC1OKI is now available to serve in this role. Further, Andrew’s RI Section Government Liaison team will include the remarkable North Kingstown High school student and blind ham, Ryan Lukowicz, KC1KUF.  Ryan previously served in the RI State House as the youngest Page ever. https://ri-arrl.org/youth/ 

Andrew Staub, KC1OKI of Barrington, is a results-driven litigation attorney with a strong background in managing complex cases and a passion for applied technology, particularly unmanned aerial systems involving first person view and analog radio transmission. 

He is a skilled communicator adept at distilling concepts and unifying people around practical concepts. At the present time he is transitioning from a successful career in civil litigation and pursuing opportunities in developing technology advocacy by leveraging knowledge in both legal and technological domains.

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island
  • Rhode Island State Bar

Andrew is a drone advocate who builds and flies his own drones. He became a ham to comply with the Technician-class requirements of flying FPV drones. His public service includes presentations on drones to the Newport County Radio Club, and discussing drone technical capabilities with Ray Perry, KC1IPC and the Portsmouth, RI EMA Communications team.

For more on this emerging technology, please bookmark this RI Section tab: https://ri-arrl.org/drones/

At this week’s New England Division Mesh Networking group, Andrew was right at home discussing open-source software with John Jobin McAuliffe, KD2ZWN, the new Digital RF Engineer at the ARRL. Conversation with Andrew is always dynamic as he raises awareness about the many ways a Technician Amateur Radio license is a key to understanding emerging aspects of the microwave bands and wireless communications. There is an urgent need for informed conversation as we shape viable regulation and legislation to leverage future business and education opportunities in this rapidly developing technology space.

Until next month:  https://youtu.be/9pEqyr_uT-k?feature=shared

73, Nancy Austin, KC1NEK – RI Section Manager

Careers / Clubs / Operating / STEM / Youth

ARRL School Roundup Updates

- by Nancy Austin

Despite Tuesday’s blizzard,  Rhode Island stations got on the air to participate daily, Monday to Wednesday February 12-14, 2024.  Here are updates and what to expect before this Roundup wraps on Friday 7pm February 16, 2024.

W1KMV – University of Rhode Island

Special thanks to URI amateur radio club call sign trustee, Brian Maynard, K1NW for operating as W1KMV during Tuesday’s storm and then again Wednesday to make QSOs with dozens of schools and individuals. Highlights included contact with the Cornell Club station, W2CXM, where he was station master for several years in the 1980s.  Brian, K1NW reported having a great time contacting young operators at several school stations, mostly  on 20m with excellant band conditions. (W1KMV may be back on the air Th/Fri to bring this ARRL School Roundup to the finish line. Standby! Keep an eye on https://www.dxwatch.com/)

URI Faculty Brian Maynard, K1NW operated the URI call sign during Tuesday’s heavy snowstorm.

Interested in helping revitalize the URI student Amateur Radio Club? Reach out to Brian Maynard here: https://web.uri.edu/pse/meet/brian-maynard/

N1ASA – RI STEM Middle School

All Saints STEAM Academy (Middletown, RI) M to Th 3-4:30pm
  • After-School Club Lead: Mike Cullen, K1NPT operating as N1ASA

Thanks to its lively Middle School amateur radio club enthusiastically led for a decade by Newport’s Mike Cullen, K1NPT, the All Saints STEAM Academy in Middletown, Rhode Island is a long-time ARRL Club Roundup participant. This year was no exception. Mike, K1NPT really understands how to match the exuberant curiosity of middle school students to radio hands-on learning puzzles.

Many thanks to the RI hams who reached out to make an “Individual” Roundup QSO with these eager students on Monday and Wednesday.  (School was canceled Tuesday due to snow.)

TODAY is Thursday Feb 15th, and it’s not too late to listen for their N1ASA CQ at 4pm on 2m SIMPLEX 146.550. Or look for N1ASA on a dx spotting site on 20m or 40m SSB today between 3-4:30pm.  Huge thanks to the RI hams who took time to chat with these confident, cheerful young operators who sounded like they were having SO much fun!

Interested in helping Mike K1NPT mentor youth in radio across the state? Reach out to Mike Cullen here: [email protected]

Individual Roundup Operator Experience

This was my first time participating in any ARRL School Club Roundup, and it’s easy to see why this is such a beloved opportunity to encourage youth and college clubs.  Operating from my home QTH for about an hour each day (mostly between 3pm to 6pm on 20m, 40, 15m SSB and 2M FM Simplex) it was great fun to talk with experienced student operators at college clubs including University of Wisconsin, W9YT and Michigan State, W8SH.  And also the many Middle and High School new operators across the country (CO, SC, TX, IN, OK, GA, RI). A surpise to me was the opportunity to log a QSO with the almost 40% of Middle or High student operators I contacted who were young women.

K1D -Brown University Radio Amateur

The snowstorm, sickness and technical difficulties contributed to the challenges getting this call sign on the air before the expected Brown University, K1D ARRL School Roundup activation push planned for Thursday 3pm to Friday 7pm.  Keep an eye on https://www.dxwatch.com/

As a Brown alum, my plan is to be out there offering QSOs on 20m and 40m SSB to support this initiative. So don’t be surprised to hear Nancy, KC1NEK operating briefly today and tomorrow as K1D as we plan forward revitalizing the Brown Amateur Radio Club.

Interested in helping revitalize the Brown University student Amateur Radio Club? Reach out to Jose Sandoval, KC1TWM, a Brown student and the club revitalization contact: [email protected]

Fall ARRL School Roundup & JOTA synergy?

The next ARRL School Roundup is scheduled for M-F October 21-25, 2024 (The third full school week of October2024.) This would seem like a synergistic  follow-up to the weekend of amateur radio upskilling planned for the annual Scouting Jamoboree on the Air (JOTA), taking place “the third full weekend in October” – or Sat/Sun October 19-20, 2024.

Meanwhile, hope to see the Brown and URI Collegiate Clubs doing well, with hams stepping up to help. Hope to hear you on the air, even today, as we mentor and offer encouragement to others.

73, Nancy Austin, KC1NEK – RI Section Manager ([email protected])

Careers / Clubs / Operating / STEM / Youth

Support URI, Brown, & Steam Academy during ARRL School Roundup QSO Week

- by Nancy Austin

ARRL School Roundup Feb 12-15, 2024

Momentum is underway revitalizing Rhode Island’s collegiate clubs and K-12 after school amateur radio clubs. Please hunt these ARRL School Roundup call signs this week and spread the word. Let’s put RI innovators on the map. Help hunt all schools participating. Check for “School Club Roundup” on DX spotting websites, like https://www.dxwatch.com/

RI Best Dates/Times – possible frequencies- but check https://www.dxwatch.com/ 

  • Tues Feb 13, 2024 3:30-4:30pm + Wed 3-6pm
  • 20m (14.250-280 MHz) & 40m (7.225-255 MHz) – per ARRL
    Phone (MHz): 1.855-1.865; 3.850-3.880; 7.225-7.255; 14.250-14.280; 21.300-21.330; 28.440-28.460  [check https://www.dxwatch.com/ ]
  • Monday update: Lots of schools participating, especially on 20m.

Exchange: (Plan is to use “S” for School) So expect this exchange: N1ASA or W1KMV or K1D,  Signal report, Class (“School”), U.S. State = RI (Multi-operator group stations must choose one call sign to use for the whole operating period.)

Scoring: Stations may be contacted once per band and mode | Multiplier: [Number of U.S. States plus Canadian Provinces/Territories plus DX countries/entities] plus 2× [Number of Clubs contacted] plus 5× [Number of Schools contacted].

N1ASA

All Saints STEAM Academy (Middletown, RI) M*,T*,W,Th 3-4:30pm –  N1ASA
  • Team Lead: Mike Cullen, K1NPT operating as N1ASA
  • Confirmed 12-15 Feb (Mon*, Tues*, Wed, Thurs) each day in the 3PM to 430PM window., SSB on 40M and 20M.  (* Possible only elementary school students students Monday; * likely no ops on Tues due to expected snow closure)
    Can you please get the word out to RI hams that each day Feb 12, 13, 14, 15  at 4PM,   the students will call CQ on 146.55 simplex and I’ll have students track the RI towns contacted.
  • Other:  Send us a small (10Kb or less) picture of your  operations via Winlink  and we’ll send one in return.  Use Winlink address of K1NPT.
  • Monday Feb 12th update: Day #1 a success on 20/40m and calling CQ at 4pm on Simplex across the state/region to map this form of resilient radio communicaton. Tuesday ops canceled due to the snowday and storm. Will be back Wed!

W1KMV

UNIVERSITY of RHODE ISLAND (URI), Confirmed T Feb 13, 2024 3:30-4:30pm + Wed 4:30-6pm / 20m (14.250-280 MHz) & 40m (7.225-255 MHz) – W1KMV
  • Team Lead: Brian Maynard, K1NW operating as W1KMV – URI Faculty & Call Sign Trustee
  • Asa McQueen, KE0HFF operating as W1KMV – former & future URI Physics Dept student and ongoing member of the 102nd Cyber Ops Squadron at Quonset
  • Chris Lirakis, AA9AL operating as W1KMV – Adjunct Faculty, Physics Dept (Quantum)

Favorite Sound Byte : “Quantum is just engineered RF (radio frequency) pulses and ham radio is an enabling way to learn … just so much!”  Chris Lirakis, AA9AL 

“Ham Radio is a Gateway to Technology”

K1D

BROWN University, Providence RI –  T Feb 13, 2024 3:30-4:30pm + Wed 4:30-6pm / 20m (14.250-280 MHz) & 40m (7.225-255 MHz) – K1D
  • Team Lead: Jose Sandoval, KC1TWM, operating as K1D – Brown student and club revitalization contact 
  • Adam Paul, KC1KCC, operating as K1D – Linux Admin, Brown staff
  • Jeremy Taylor, K1JST,  operating as K1D – ARRL RI Section Team SEC and mentor
  • Don Stanford KV4DN, operating as K1D – Brown Faculty and Brown Alum 


New Technician-class licensed radio amateur Jose Sandoval, KC1TWM operating during Winter Field Day January 2024. Brown University double major in Computer Science and Portuguese & Brazilian Studies.  Please reach out to Jose, KC1TWM if you want to get involved revitalizing the Brown Amateur Radio Club now!

STANDBY!

Rhode Island and Regional collaborative inspiration underway.  It’s not too late to see if your school can act quickly to participate and join the fun! Do you know who among students, faculty, staff, and alum are the licensed amateur radio operators – always ready to get on the air and help with communications? 
NEW – Bridgewater State (MA) Physics and Optical Engineering Dept – [K1YBE]
  • Team Lead: Paul Fredette, K1YBE (NCRC VP & BSU Adjunct Physics Faculty) 
  • Confirmed Wed Feb14 from  3-5pm on likely 20m (14.250-280MHz) & 40m (7.225-255) – CHECK  https://www.dxwatch.com/ ]
ARES / Emergency Communications / Operating / Public Service

2024 Boston Marathon Still In Need of Amateur Radio Volunteers – Volunteer Registration Extended Until End of Day Sunday 2/11/24

- by Nancy Austin

Rob Macedo, KD1CY & the BAA Amateur Radio Communications Committee write:

The 2024 Boston Marathon is still in need of Amateur Radio Volunteers. Therefore, Amateur Radio volunteer registration for the 2024 Boston Marathon has been extended until end-of-day Sunday 2/11/2024. Register now at register.hamradioboston.org! If you are unsure if you can volunteer but are interested in volunteering, please register now and just let us know within a reasonable amount of time if you ultimately can’t volunteer! Thanks to all for their support!

73,  Rob Macedo, KD1CY and the BAA Amateur Radio Communications Committee

RI Section Manager Newsletter

Welcome to your RI Section Newsletter for January 31, 2024

- by Nancy Austin

https://ri-arrl.org/ri-section-newsletter-2024-01-31 

Welcome to your RI Section Newsletter for January 31, 2024  

Upcoming DX talk by Charlie Morrison, N1RR open to RI hams at W1AQ clubhouse in Rumford 

W1AQ-Associated Radio Amateurs of Southern New England (an ARRL affiliated club since 1931) invites you: 

(SPACE LIMITED) Have you ever wondered “how do I reach this or that country so I can get my award?”  Or have you turned on the radio and wondered what might be the best band for dx, or domestic contacts?

Well, here’s what you need to know. Charlie, N1RR, an avid DX’er and contester, will be giving a presentation at the W1AQ club house on Thursday Feb-22 at 8pm to tell you all about how to use on-line, real-time data to figure out what bands are best for where you want to work. His presentation will cover:

  • Introduction to NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC)
  • Basics of Sun’s effects on H.F. communications
  • Using NOAA SWPC indicators for your H.F. operating?
  • What to do when conditions are good?
  • What to do when conditions are bad?
  • Get on the air, apply what you’ve learned, share your experiences.

The presentation will be at the W1AQ clubhouse, 54 Kelley Ave, Rumford, RI on 22-FEB-24 at 8PM. I hope to see you there.

Please RSVP for more information about joining in person at the W1AQ clubhouse or getting the link to the recording: 

RSVP TO:  Doug Troughton, N2RDF at [email protected]

Club Officer, W1AQ-Associated Radio Amateurs of Southern New England

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

ARRL School Roundup February 12-16, 2024

Lots of opportunities coming together to support youth and young adult outreach across RI.

The ARRL Letter for January 25, 2024 announced the Board has authorized a new, free ARRL membership for students. “For decades, ARRL has offered a reduced dues rate for young hams  [Under age 26], currently priced at $30 per year. At this meeting, the Board established a new option for a no-cost Associate membership for full-time students aged 21 and younger.”

The RI Section Newsletter (December 31, 2023) included this 2024 priority: 

  • Another recommended priority program focus is on revitalizing now-inactive clubs at Rhode Island superb colleges and universities. The ARRL’s Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, Director of Marketing and Innovation, is doing remarkable things in this space, and we welcome opportunities to collaborate (- And we have the teams identified and ready to take action.) Future postings will share more about the ARRL’s CARP initiative. “Since the ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program (CARP) was established in 2017, we’ve been growing our community of participating students and ham radio clubs at colleges and universities. CARP holds monthly Zoom meetups and makes connections through our CARP Facebook group and Discord.” See for example: https://www.hamcation.com/forums-speaker-info?event=71 and https://www.arrl.org/collegiate-amateur-radio 

Brown University undergraduate and new ham Jose Sandoval, KC1TWM, is all about outreach to bring together a team of Brown students, alum, faculty and staff motivated to take action revitalizing the Brown Amateur Radio Club and (sooner or later) get the historic K1AD call sign back active on the air. 

Jose KC1TWM and the Brown Amateur Radio Club revitalization team will participate in the upcoming ARRL School Roundup February 12-16, with details to follow. The team’s February goal is to spread awareness about the club relaunch and build a membership base ready to be recognized (again) as an active Official Brown student club in Fall 2024. Jose’s mission is to have enough identified student talent as the core of a competitive Brown team ready to show up for the October 2024 ARRL School Roundup. 

It will be great to see our RI Section hams step up to help with outreach and mentoring across Rhode Island’s many colleges and Middle/High Schools. You do not need to be an official school club to participate in the School Roundup. Go for it! Help others Get On the Air.

For example, Mike Cullen, K1NPT has been actively supporting Middle School students curious about amateur radio at All Saints Academy in Middletown, RI for over a decade. Recently his after school club launched a weather balloon and has participated in the ARRL School Roundup often, especially before the pandemic. See: https://contests.arrl.org/scrscoredetails.php?rid=610192

Will Mike, K1NPT be helping the Middle School students at All Saints Academy again this year? Yes! He wrote: 

    • Yep —  I’m planning to be on air 13-15 Feb (Tues, Wed, Thurs)  … 3 days ….  each day in the 3PM to 4:30 PM window.  
    • Our main ops will likely be SSB on 40M and 20M. 
  • Can you please get the word out to RI hams that each day Feb 13, 14, 15  at 4PM, the students will call CQ on 146.55 simplex and I’ll have students track the RI towns contacted. 

Are you interested in helping revitalize other college clubs? Mentor at a local Middle School? 

Please reach out to John Brewer, N1SXB – our RI Section Affiliated Club Coordinator (ACC) and/or Mike Cullen, K1NPT – active Middle School after-school mentor

Winter Field Day across RI Clubs

https://ri-arrl.org/2024-winter-field-day-ri-club-success/

  • W1MB, Fidelity Amateur Radio Club  – operated with great camaraderie out of the New England Wireless & Steam Museum.  They helped get one new Tech get on the air, and held a VE session Saturday morning to welcome another General and Extra license holder to RI.
  • W1SYE, Newport County Radio Club – operated from a field location at the Glen in Portsmouth.  WFD Lead and contesting guru Dave Neal, W2DAN mentored new General-license class hams on how to set up and just go!
  • W1DD, Blackstone Valley Amateur Radio Club, participated from a field location in Woonsocket.
  • KK1PMA, Providence Emergency Management Agency Races participated Sunday.  WFD Lead Barry Noel, W1BSN and team helped a new Tech get on the air.  
  • W1OP, Providence  Radio Association participated indoors from their club house in Johnston.
  • W1AQ,  Associated Radio Amateurs of Southern New England is looking to join next year from their club house in Rumford.  
  • Meanwhile, many RI licensed amateurs participated solo from their home station operating as 1-Home-Rhode Island. 

Thank you to all who helped their Rhode Island clubs get on the air last weekend to participate and mentor across our small state. 

New Technician Michelle Dupuis, KC1TJH (licensed 2023-08-29) was mentored by the PEMA RACES ARRL Affiliated Club team during Winter Field Day, January 2024.

Welcome (it’s ELEVEN) New RI Technician-licensed hams! 

If you hear a KC1 2×3 call sign with a suffix starting with a “T”, ask if the caller is a newly licensed ham and send congrats. 

[1Feb update – correct sum is 11: ELEVEN = NINE reported Jan 10, 2024 + TWO reported Dec 5, 2023]

From the ARRL “New License Report” for 2024-01-10 & 2023-12-05

  • John Macvittie, KC1TVX – Coventry
  • David Walker, KC1TVM – East Greenwich
  • Richard Tucker, AC1QR – Lincoln
  • John Flanders, KC1TVQ – Saunderstown
  • Edward Dufresne, KC1TVR – Warren
  • Michael O’Neil, KC1TUR – Warwick
  • Darrell Wood, KC1TXB – Woonsocket
  • Jose Sandoval, KC1TWM – Providence
  • Frank Saccoccio, KC1TWB – Johnston
  • Scott Vigneau, KC1TTH – Warwick
  • Aaron Sucov, KC1TRG – Cranston

Congrats to THREE RI License Upgrades

From the ARRL “New License Report” for 2024-01-10 & 2023-12-05

  • Dennis Hobert, KC1OYW – Harrisville
  • Matthew Sarasin, KB1HEG – Warren
  • Alfred J Watterson, KC1TGV – Warwick

Get licensed! Upgrade? Upcoming RI In-person VE Sessions 

Many thanks to these 3 RI Clubs for consistently offering publicly-announced, in-person VE sessions. Here’s what they are offering Jan-March 2024.Q1. https://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

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. 

Prefer to study with a class? Check out the ARRL listing for classes here, and check back often as 2024 classes get posted: https://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class

OR: check out the respected WEEKEND ZOOM License Class boot camps being offered all-remote this winter/spring by The Nashua Area Radio Society (N1FD) https://www.n1fd.org/amateur-radio-license-class/

Upcoming Regional Remote Amateur Radio License Class Weekend Bootcamps

  • Technician License Class –  February 17th and 18th, 2024
  • General License Class – March 16th and 17th, 2024
  • Extra License Class – April 19th, 20th, and 21st, 2024

For more information see: https://www.n1fd.org/amateur-radio-license-class/

RI ARES February Calendar

Curious about Regional Collaboration?

This Saturday February 3, 2024 from 10AM-Noon, our Eastern Massachusetts ARES neighbors will be conducting a Simulated Emergency Test EXERCISE to demonstrate gaps in how amateur radio operators can effectively collaborate to pass the structured information a served agency might request in a timely fashion over the air or via Winlink. This is a PRACTICE drill and you are welcome to listen in or participate if you feel prepared. Exercise objectives include passing a Radiogram over the National Traffic System (NTS):

    • Conduct an NTS voice net on 2m VHF FM
    • Conduct an NTS voice net on 75m and pass traffic
    • Attempt operations with the RI section on VHF and/or HF

This Simulated Emergency Test  will offer hams the opportunity to pass and receive basic Health and Welfare Radiograms over the National Traffic System net. An exercise such as this is a great time to learn more about NTS: 

You can download the Radiogram form at  the ARRL website here:

https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service/RADIOGRAM-2011.pdf

Daily NTS Nets in Rhode Island – follow up action. As we rebuild Rhode Island Traffic Handling skills, please take advantage of the collaboration offered through the MA-RI-Phone (CW & Digital) Nets held 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 

  • Mass Rhode Island Phone Net – 3.978 MHz at 5PM Local Time Monday thru Sunday.

Saturday Feb 3, 2024 NTS (National Traffic System) Mass Rhode Island Phone PRACTICE EXERCISE NET planned – 

NTS HF Phone Operations

The MA/RI NTS phone net will be operational for the duration of the exercise period,operating on 3978 khz LSB.

NTS VHF 2m operations – NTS will have a voice 2m net (EM2MTN) on the Boston 145.23- (PL88.5) repeater. 

Participants are welcome to join either net and try their hand at copying and sending a Radiogram as well. 

Here is a link to the basic ARRL Numbered Radiogram Health & Welfare messages that a licensed ham might be asked to send during an emergency if there was no internet and the primary public safety agencies are at capacity doing other things. Be the ham that is prepared and ready to offer public service help sending a Radiogram so that, for example, someone would get the message that a loved one is ok. https://nts2.arrl.org/numbered-texts/

RI ARES NETS

An updated RI ARES Practice and Training Net Schedule can be found here: https://riares.org/nets

ARES Practice and Training Nets are normally held at 19:30 local time and are open to all licensed operators. These are Directed Nets, the Net Control Station will control all communication on the net.

  • 1st Tuesday of the month – Repeater Net
  • 2nd Tuesday of the month – Simplex Net
  • 3rd Tuesday of the month – Repeater Net
  • 4th Tuesday of the month – Repeater & Digital Net
  • Every Wednesday – SKYWARN

RI ARES Monthly Members’ Zoom – February 7, 2024 8-9:45pm

For more information, please see: https://riares.org/membership

This month’s meeting will review the basics of a repeater and how to get comfortable deciphering Form ICS-205 – The INCIDENT RADIO COMMUNICATIONS PLAN.

For example, the deadline to sign-up as a Boston Marathon Public Service Amateur Radio Volunteer is Friday February 2, 2024 at 5pm. https://hamradioboston.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/44002497536-2024-volunteer-registration-step-by-step-guide

Part of being prepared to show up as an operator for this Boston Marathon event will be the ability to take the event’s provided ICS-205 and program your HT with the dozens of Simplex and Repeater frequencies you don’t usually ever use. This is an important skill that needs to be practiced often. 

The February RI-ARES Zoom session will help you better understand the various ways that input/output repeater frequencies are referred to, and how to read the ICS-205. Of course, you still have to be able to program your own HT. Start by understanding the basics behind what the ICS-205 Form is asking for.

Learning Platforms in 2024

It’s 2024 and remote meetings over video streaming platforms are common.

People have come to expect being able to learn almost anything on demand, on their own schedule, and as their own learning interest path unfolds in sometimes unpredictable ways. 

I’m a lifelong reader, with more books than most. But I also have moved my household twice in the last few years, and it was a wrenching, expensive, time-consuming ordeal to pack up all my books and belongings and venture on. At this time, I still do buy books on occasion, but I understand the merits of having more things “paperless” than I might have once thought I could ever get used to.  

This might be one reason I found it easier than some ARRL members to appreciate the new ARRL magazine app that allows me instant access to all four ARRL magazines, and in a searchable format.  Really a whole digital bookcase full of magazines to read as I choose – and I never have to physically move them.  

But here’s the thing. I like to read, and the many many hams who highly recommend I start learning via You-Tube videos just didn’t convince me. But I decided to be more open-minded and check out the On The Air companion You-Tube short videos that Becky, W1BXY bravely started offering to broaden the audience for On The Air. 

And you know what? Big kudos to the ARRL HQ You-Tube channel. 

Looking for a short, 3 minute video introduction to explain ham radio? I might start recommending this:

https://youtu.be/wDn-6SDxyD4?feature=shared

73, Nancy Austin, KC1NEK – RI Section Manager

Clubs / Emergency Communications / Mentoring

2024 Winter Field Day – RI Club Success

- by Nancy Austin

And Winter Field Day 2024 is a wrap.  Please see this event’s RI Club Photo Album Slider posted at: Clubs > Club News > 2024 Winter Field Day – RI Club Photos.

Many thanks to the RI Amateur Radio Clubs both large and small that gathered new and old operators to mentor and practice field operations –  despite the competition for your time.  At least one Tech made a first QSO. At least two Generals were mentored while making their first HF QSOs. And at least one club held a VE session that resulted in a new General and a new Extra. Congrats to all! A positive start to 2024.

Club News

Clubs / Emergency Communications / Field Day

Winter Field Day at RI Clubs wraps at 2pm

- by Nancy Austin

Another 24-hour Winter Field Day wraps this Sunday afternoon at 2pm. So there is still time to reach out to support our RI Amateur Radio clubs.

  • W1MB, Fidelity Amateur Radio Club  – operating with great camaraderie out of the New England Wireless & Steam Museum Visitors are welcome to this indoor East Greenwich location.
  • W1SYE, Newport County Radio Club – operating until 2pm outoors in Portsmouth at the Glen.  WFD Lead is Dave Neal, W2DAN who welcomes visitors to listen in as he brings the WFD operation into the home stretch.
  • W1DD, Blackstone Valley Amateur Radio Club participated yesterday with photos to follow.
  • KK1PMA, Providence Emergency Management Agency Races is participating Sunday. For more information, contact WFD Lead Barry Noel, W1BSN
  • W1OP, Providence  Radio Association is participating indoors from their club house in Johnston.
  • W1AQ,  Associated Radio Amateurs of Southern New England is looking to join in from their club house in Rumford.  For more information, contact Doug N2RDF

Meanwhile, any RI licensed amateur can participate solo from their home station operating as 1-Home-Rhode Island. 

The last ISS-satellite pass during WFD will be shortly at 12:38-12:44pm FYI. I’ll be seeing if I can make a QSO there despite the Atlantic SSW > ENE pass that is not great for me. Maybe hear you then?

You can also use this opportunity to send a Winlink message to the RI Section Emergency Coordinator, Jeremy Taylor at [email protected].

Careers / Innovation / Mentoring / STEM

Ham Radio & Medical Slow Scan TV

- by Nancy Austin

Dr. Greg Jay, W1EDY has stepped up to be a mentor on the team revitalizing the collegiate Brown University Amateur Radio Club, K1AD.  When asked for an example of how a background in amateur radio can help advance professional STEM innovation today,  Dr. Jay immediately thought of this recent research utlizing slow-scan television (SSTV) he had read in a 2023 issue of WILDERNESS & ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wem.2023.05.009

“Introduction—Point–of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is used in wilderness medicine and could potentially be the only imaging modality available. Cellular and data coverage is often lacking in remote areas, limiting image transmission. This study evaluates the viability of transmitting POCUS images from austere environments using slow-scan television (SSTV) image transmission methods over very-high-frequency (VHF) hand-held radio units for remote interpretation. …

Conclusions—Slow-scan television image transmission is a viable option for transmitting ultrasound images in remote areas where more modern forms of communication are unavailable or not practical. Slow-scan television may have potential as another data transmission option in the wilderness, such as electrocardiogram tracings.”

[Note: At  the December 2023 RI ARES meeting, Jeremy Taylor, K1JST (RI-SEC) gave a demo on Slow Scan TV apps and why he considers SSTV a ham skill worth knowing.]

 

Amateur Radio – a growth mindset community of curious innovators. 

Please reach out if you are interested in being a mentor helping revitalize any one of Rhode Island’s currently dormant collegiate Amateur Radio Clubs. Please share examples you would use to pitch how a background in amateur radio can be a professional super power.  

Exercise / Operating / RI ARES

RI ARES and FEMA Winlink exercises in January

- by Nancy Austin
[updated, including comments/photo at end, 25Jan2024]
RI ARES Winlink Exercise

The RI ARES weekly net for January 23, 2024 was a Winlink challenge prompt exercise. Who could respond quickly to a request to provide situational awareness information within a five hour window? Unannounced exercises like this help demonstrate an ARES member’s self-initiative and readiness to take follow-through action despite short notice, and capably provide the desired structured communication.  We have the shared goal of building a community of prepared RI ARES radio amateurs.

Jeremy Taylor, K1JST – the RI ARES Section Emergency Coordinator – offered the Winlink challenge exercise net as a further opportunity for RI hams to develop their Winlink skills and ask for futher mentoring if needed.  Here is the request K1JST sent out yesterday to the RI ARES mailing list:

“Send a WINLINK message to K1JST [@winlink.org] with the following information:

  • Subject: RI ARES Digital Net Check-in
    Body: Exercise – Exercise – Exercise
    Call Sign
    Current Location (City)
    Current Outdoor Temperature
    Source of your Current Outdoor Temperature
    How you are sending this message. Include Application, Radio and Band/Mode or specify Telnet (that’s ok too).

I’ll also announce this net on the repeater Network at 7:30pm tonight. … Check-ins received after midnight tonight will be considered late check-ins.”

The successful check-ins included two from Newport County – including Mike Cullen K1NPT from his reinstalled VARA-FM node at All Saints Academy. (Maybe a follow-up tour? See Post update at end). Two stations were from Kent County, and two from neighboring Massachusetts.

If you would like to join the RI ARES mailing list for future net exercise “heads-up” announcements, please send an email to: https://riares.org/membership 

FEMA Region One 2024 Winlink Exercise Underway

Gaining awareness of Winlink capabilites in Rhode Island (and across FEMA Region One) was the motivation behind a new 2024 series of monthly unannounced “thunderbolt” Winlink exercises that FEMA Region One began earlier this month for the amateur radio community.

During the initial January exercise, 47 stations signed up and almost 90% responded to the unannounced request for secific situational awareness information. Rhode Island amateurs represented almost 20% of those stepping up in the time window assigned.

Shout out to: Jason AA1VV;  Mike K1NPT;  Mike KC1NEJ; Nancy KC1NEK; Corry KE1AK; John N1SXB; Teri W1UP; Michael KB5RWX.

For those interested in joining this training opportunity now before the February exercise, here is a repost of the original:

“FEMA Region 1 will begin conducting monthly Winlink tests starting January 2024. The purpose of this test is to exercise the Regional PACE plan, Winlink is part of the “Emergency” category of the plan. We would like to include Amateur Radio and SHARES stations in New England in this test. Here are the details:

Testing Procedure: Each month FEMA Region 1 Disaster Emergency Communications Branch will generate a Winlink message to participating stations. The message will be sent via Winlink through an Amateur Radio or SHARES gateway. The message will contain simple instructions on how to reply – which form to use, information requested, response time, etc. The receiving stations will reply to FEMA Region 1 via Winlink with the requested information within a set timeframe. The date and time of the monthly test will vary.

Participating Stations – Open to Amateur Radio or SHARES stations in New England. Stations must have Winlink capability and a valid Winlink email address. Participating operators should be aware that this test is conducted without announcement, so it is important that Winlink messages are checked regularly.

How to Sign Up – Stations wishing to participate can sign up online at https://forms.gle/sTibzJjZhftHXR4J9

Please feel free to share the above information with those who may be interested in participating. Any questions, let me know.

Thanks, Mike

Mike Corey – Emergency Management Specialist | Disaster Emergency Communications, Response Division | FEMA Region I

[email protected]

Federal Emergency Management Agency
fema.gov

Blog Post Update Thursday January 25, 2024

Mike Cullen, K1NPT shared this additional information about Winlink Stations in RI:

Important architecture “factoids” for more RI hams to understand:

  • three VHF gateways continue to operate 24 hrs/day on 145.050
  • they’ve been running since early 2021
  • they use VARA-FM, not Packet, and can be selected by Winlink clients as VARA FM digipeaters
  • WB4SON-10 North Kingstown
  • N1ASA-10 Middletown (photo attached) – solar-powered
  • K1NPT-10 Newport