Operating

Consortium / Ham Outreach / Operating

The Consortium continues free ham training in Manville, RI

- by Nancy Austin

Teri DiIorio, W1PUP writes:

The Consortium is a free class done monthly by Jim Johnson, K1GND and Bob Beaudet W1YRC. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other ham, find information and get recommendations of all things Ham related!

The Consortium has been operating for over 19 years, and everyone is welcomed.

November’s topic was The Importance of Grounding. The location is the Sportsmen’s Club at 250 High St., Manville. 7PM. The Consortium meets monthly on the first Monday of the month (unless that is a holiday).

The 2024 schedule of topics to be covered include:

Jan 8, 2024 – All About Vertical Antennas

Feburary 5, 2024 – All About Horizontal Antennas

March 4, 2024 – All About Half Wave End Fed Antennas And Transformers

April 1 – All About SSB Settings , Protocol And QSLing

May 6 -Getting Ready For Field Day

More details at http://www.w1ddd.org/consortium.html .

Jim, K1GND and Bob W1YRC support the Consortium.
This is a separate program from BVARC, supported by a few members who thought it was a good idea.
See you at the Consortium…..

ARES / Operating / Public Service

RI ARES & MARS SET Underway

- by Nancy Austin

The October ARES Simulated Emergency Test (SET) is a longstanding ARRL opportunity for Sections to come together and evaluate how hams can contribute value to statewide preparedness efforts. Are we organized, reliable, disciplined? A supportive and inclusive team able to problem solve in real time, and collaborate with a sincere interest to provide a public service? Is this a team served agencies can trust to turn to?

Each July QST issue has, for decades, highlighted each Section ARES and other teams that have come together to participate in the annual October SET challenge. It is one measure of a Section’s preparedness maturity to be able to follow up in this way and self-report their own progress year over year.  RI ARES has not been in a place to report results for at least a decade. But the good news is that is changing in October 2023.

The RI ARES official SET started this Saturday October 21 and will run until Sunday at 10pm. We held two nets so far this weekend, with this summary of Saturday reports to date:

  • 15 check-ins
  • 8 airport weather traffic reports for 4 RI airports
  • accurately passed to at least 2 MARS members
  • via 80m and 2m voice, and so open to all license classes,
  • including a new Technician ham licensed less than 2 months. (wow!)

The Sunday SET nets will begin October 22nd at Noon, with the last one at 10pm.

Want to join the momentum? Please see RIARES.org and the Incident Action Plan put together by A-SEC, Jeremy Taylor, K1JST.

For more on the Practice Exercise held  two weeks ago , please see:

Join the RI ARES MARS Airport Weather Exercise starting this weekend

 

 

 

Clubs / Ham Outreach / Operating / POTA

POTA – Activate All RI wildly successful

- 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/

Ham Outreach / Operating / POTA

RI QSO hunters – this is your week!

- 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/

Ham Outreach / Operating / POTA

NCRC POTA demo helps new Generals GOTA

- 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/

Emergency Communications / Operating / Public Service

RI Ham shares updates from Hawaii ARES net

- by Nancy Austin

Newport County Radio Club member Bill Cassidy, KC1NFM served in Hawaii for the Department of the Navy, and has been sharing updates on the NCRC nets.

Here is more information to share  with the radio community.

Special Presentation: Maui Wildfire Discussion Hawaii ARES Net 10 Aug 2023

From an emergency communications perspective, the following is very interesting. This is the Hawaii ARES net discussing wildfires, power outages, sirens which didn’t sound, communications outages, refugee status, and other observations from ham operators at the scene and across the state.

Operating / RI History

HAM radio Enigma Machine crypto challenge this Saturday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

Engima Machine History

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

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

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

Meanwhile, MRHS is collecting Coastal Station History 

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

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

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

What about Rhode Island’s Coastal Stations?!

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

“Rhode Island’s Radio Legacy Continues”

Operating / RI History

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

- by Nancy Austin

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

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

Chris, K1KMA writes:

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

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

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

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

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

 

Operating / Public Service / Technical

Amateur TeleVision and ARESⓇ Public Service

- by Nancy Austin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13 Colonies 2023 Special Event Station for Rhode Island K2C

- by Phil Temples

K2C QSL CardFrom QRZ.com:

Welcome to the 13 Colonies Special Event station for Rhode Island 2023

This Years Event Dates / July 1, – 9AM EST to July 7, – Midnight EST

July 1, -1300 UTC to July 8, -0400 UTC
QSL: Direct to W1KMA, S.A.S.E, NO BURO. LOTW, EQSL. Logs will uploaded after the event.
NO EMAIL QSL CARDS

QSL Manager W1KMA
Certificate Requests and info go to Ken, KU2US QRZ.COM

SPOTTING: If you work a colony station, you are encouraged to spot it for others.

We suggest:
http://www.dxsummit.fi/#/

This years operators are:

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

Any QSL requests for K2C Childhood Cancer Awareness on Feb. 15, 2023, go to W2TMR