Author: Nancy Austin

Operating / RI History

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

- by Nancy Austin

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

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

Chris, K1KMA writes:

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

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

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

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

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

 

Operating / Public Service / Technical

Amateur TeleVision and ARESⓇ Public Service

- by Nancy Austin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HamXposition “Be a Speaker” + RI Forum planned

- by Nancy Austin

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

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

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

Hamfests, Flea Markets & Conventions

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

- by Nancy Austin

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

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