RI ARRL (American Radio Relay League)
A field organization of the National Association for Amateur Radio®
Radio clubs
Long-time RI Section Manager Bob Beaudet, W1YRC wrote:
Greetings:
The next Consortium is Monday at 7:00 PM. Jim will present a summary of the function controls on an IC-7300 and how to use them.
73,
John, N1SXB writes:
One of the best resources for new hams is the ARRL website at www.arrl.org. There is a wealth of information available to all hams whether you are an ARRL member or not.
A resource on the site that I found extremely valuable when it was time for me to upgrade my General Class license was the ARRL Exam Review for Ham Radio section that can be found
at https://www.arrl.org/examreview.
This section is available to both non-members and members, and simply requires you to create an account which is free. The section covers all three license classes, Technician, General and Extra, and setting up your personal account allows you to track your progress.
Once you indicate the license grade you wish to review for, the section has three options:
If you use the ARRL license manuals to study for the test, the Review for Exam option allows
you to review exam questions by chapter, following the same topics that are laid out in the
manual. This was the feature I found most helpful – after I read a section in the Extra Class
manual, I would review the questions in that section until I could answer all of the questions.
You can also review by subelement if you want to review by following the FCC topics.
Once I was done with all of the chapters, I took practice exams to gauge how well I knew the
material, and once I was able to obtain passing grades on the practice exams, I signed up for
a VEC session and passed the exam.
Congrats to John, N1SXB!
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
Nets (total number of each)
Activities (number and total person hours in each)
Narrative
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
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.
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/)
Interested in helping revitalize the URI student Amateur Radio Club? Reach out to Brian Maynard here: https://web.uri.edu/pse/meet/brian-maynard/
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]
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.
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]
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])
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/
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].
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
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!
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.
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.
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].
The Providence Radio Association’s Dave Steussie, W3DRE is hooked on POTA and last weekend’s bitter cold didn’t stop him from offering his monthly Providence Radio Association POTA (Parks on the Air) Meet-Up. Indeed, when I joined the group near the RI-CT border at Pulaski State Park (K-7508), he and Dom Mallozzi, N1DM were toasty in their heated tent and almost sweating as they racked up QSOs. As we look ahead to Winter Field Day, it was impressive to see the care Dave had taken to make portable operating enjoyable – in a park, or on a summit. I’d be interested to hear more about a talk Dave, W3DRE gave on this topic to his club, the Providence Radio Association (PRA). Meanwhile, he shared stories about how visitors enjoy seeing the worldwide map of the QSOs he logs in real time using HAMRS. His tent is warmed with a portable propane heater, but he also makes sure to have a carbon monoxide monitor to be safe. For this activation, W3DRE set up an EndFedz wire off of a 40′ telescoping Spiderbeam mast. But he is also prepared to do quick activations from his truck if that makes more sense.
The park was a winter wonderland with people cross-country skiing, dog walking, and active outdoors. Dave’s Eskimo tent and antenna drew curious visitors, and became an impromptu GOTA station. It’s a fabulous way to strike up a conversation with an inactive ham who suddenly thinks – wait! I want to get active on the air again so I can join in. Thank you, Dave, for your welcoming leadership on a chilly weekend.
Your inspiring example made a difference.
73, Nancy, KC1NEK
This weekend the Blackstone Valley Amateur Radio Club (BVARC) held its annual Holiday Party in northern RI, with good cheer all around. BVARC club president Ken Trudel, N1RGK recounted a few club highlights from the year, including news of BVARC’s steadily growing membership to now around 70. Amateur radio is alive and well in Rhode Island!
An Awards plaque was presented to Marc Caouette, W1MCX for his years of service as BVARC Vice President and ARRL Assistant Section Manager to Bob Beaudet, W1YRC.
Marc is a working IT professional looking forward to a new chapter of adventures in amateur radio. Can’t wait to see where your journey takes you!
Marc Caouette, W1MCX (center) with his service award from BVARC. Shown with TeriDiIorio, W1PUP – BVARC/RI ARES and John Brewer, N1SXB – ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator. (2Dec2023)
From nediv.arrl.org:
Kudos to members of the Providence Radio Association in Johnston, RI, Wrapping up 2023, the PRA completed a challenging project: providing additional long term storage at the W1OP clubhouse.
A foundation was carefully measured and constructed by volunteers. Then a multi-purpose container and was delivered to the site and installed on the foundation.
Writes PRA President Dave “Tess” Tessitore, K1DT, “Thanks to all who worked on this project for several weeks, especially our House Chair [Bob Hart], KC1NAB!”
(via Facebook, photos by Gil Brown, N1BBM)
