Ham Outreach

Field Day / Ham Outreach / Public Service

Field Day & Resilient Rhode Island

- by Nancy Austin

Field Day & Resilient Rhode Island

Source: World Risk Poll Resilience Index https://wrp.lrfoundation.org.uk/news/united-states-resilient-individuals-fragile-society

https://wrp.lrfoundation.org.uk/publications/resilience-in-a-changing-world

The new World Risk Poll Resilience Index reports: 

“The United States is the world’s largest economy and third most populous country. It is also one of the world’s more resilient countries, scoring a total of 63/100 on the Resilience Index. This places the U.S. 27th out of 141 countries measured by the World Risk Poll – comfortably above the global average score of 57, but some way below the top scoring countries.

The Resilience Index is an average score of four smaller sub-indexes: individual, household, community, and societal resilience. The vast majority of countries – 111 of them – have significantly higher scores for societal resilience than individual resilience. In other words, societies generally score higher for resilience than individuals within them.

Very few countries – just nine – show the opposite effect, where individual resilience is significantly higher than societal resilience. The US is among these nine countries and ranks as by far the most unevenly resilient among them.

No other country in the world has such resilient individuals living in such a fragile society.”

Please join the Rhode Island Amateur Radio Community this Field Day weekend as we showcase all we are doing to support resilience on every level

https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator

FREE & Open to the Public to Visit, Ask Questions, Operate at the GOTA Station
SATURDAY June 22 – SUNDAY June 23, 2024

ARRL Affiliated Clubs – Rhode Island’s Historic “Big 5”

Newport County Radio Club (W1SYE) – Glen Park, Gilbert Barker Rd off Glen Rd, Portsmouth, RI [with Portsmouth RI K1PMA EmComm vehicle demo]

Fidelity Amateur Radio Club (W1MB) – New England Wireless and Steam Museum, East Greenwich, RI

Providence Radio Association (W1OP) – Masonic Youth Center, 116 Long St, Warwick, RI

Blackstone Valley Amateur Radio Club (W1DDD) – 1315 Chopmist Hill Rd, N. Smithfield, RI

Associated Radio Amateurs of Southern New England (W1AQ) – Slater Memorial Park, Pawtucket, RI

Participating Emergency Management / Operation Radio Clubs

(Call to confirm they will be open to the public and operating at the time you plan to visit. Contact information on site map call-sign pop-up here: https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator)

RICOMU/RIEMA (WA1USA) – 279 Danielson Pike, N. Scituate, RI

Providence EMA RACES (KK1PMA) – 591 Charles St.Providence, RI

Coventry RI EMA (KC1CUE) – 1675 Flat River Rd, Coventry, RI

Charlestown EOC Ham Radio Club (W1CRI) – Ninigret Park, Charlestown, RI

Why Ham Radio? So many reasons!

For example:

Tech-In-A-Day FCC License Class – SIGN UP

Offered Sat. 24 Aug 2024 at this summer’s ARRL Northeast Division HamXposition

Tech-In-A-Day Study Course

Hope you can join in!

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

Field Day / Ham Outreach / Mentoring / NCRC

Surfing the Airwaves from Newport County

- by Nancy Austin
Libby, visiting from Portland OR, was surprised and delighted chatting over the airwaves with local Newport County Radio club members during last weekend’s Jane’s Walk Newport RI. Shown here being  mentored by Paul Fredette, K1YBE, NCRC-VP.

 

https://www.centeraquidneck.com/airwaves

Every day across Newport County, amateur radio operators get on the air to talk with one another without needing to rely on the internet or commercial power. This diverse community of FCC-licensed “hams” take advantage of the radio spectrum frequencies allocated to licensed amateurs as part of this critical but invisible infrastructure that is the radio spectrum. 

Last weekend’s Jane’s Walk was about sharing the experience of a resilient community forged by a diverse group of local hams licensed since the pandemic, welcomed by a community of old-timers and “Elmer” mentors. We still check in daily on scheduled “nets” to say hello, offer updates about what’s happening in our part of the island, compare notes, and generally learn something new. Any licensed amateur can join in. 

It’s also about public service to our community. During bad weather, we have practiced and are prepared to set up Skywarn nets and report relevant information up to the National Weather Service at W1BOX in nearby Norton/Boston. Some of us dig deeper and practice how to send National Traffic System Health & Welfare Radiograms out of the region, should that ever be necessary. Anyone can join this amateur radio community after studying and passing a license exam that does not require knowing Morse Code.

Didn’t make it to last weekend’s Jane’s Walk?  The annual ARRL Field Day national amateur radio demo weekend is June 22-23, 2024.

The Newport County Radio Club (W1SYE) will be offering a “Get On the Air” station at Glen Park in Portsmouth, RI. All are welcome to stop by and learn more. Ham radio – the original social media. People talking to people, even if the internet is down. Amateur Radio – Communication when all else fails.

Many thanks to Rebecca Noon and Jed Brainerd from Center Aquidneck for convening Jane’s Walk 2024.

The Airwaves Jane’s Walk was fun and memorable thanks to all the local hams who got on the local repeater to chat with our visitors.  Thank you!

Newport native & “Not Yet A Ham” Jed Brainerd from Center Aquidneck, getting on the air!

Clubs / Ham Outreach / Mentoring

ARRL Division Cabinet Meeting Recap, May 6, 2024

- by Nancy Austin
This week’s ARRL New England Division meeting featured a panel presentation by active New England club leaders from CT, NH and MA who shared their thoughts on how to mentor and grow their respective clubs. This 30 minute segment was recorded and is now available to watch on the ARRL New England Division website, linked here:
Get inspired!  Share widely.  Let us know about your club’s successes with outreach and club growth. Highly recommended. 
Clubs / Ham Outreach / Licensing & Continuing Education

How the ARRL website helped me pass the Extra exam

- by Nancy Austin

Contributed by John Brewer, N1SXB – the RI Section Affiliated Club Coordinator (ACC) and new Extra Class license holder

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:

  • Review for Exam
  • Take Practice Exam and
  • Print Practice Exam

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!

https://arrl.org/examreview

Consortium / Ham Outreach / Operating

“How to Set Up Your First Ham Shack” at The Consortium Dec 4, 2023

- by Nancy Austin

The Consortium is an informal free class on ham fundamentals that is held monthly. Everyone is welcome. The Consortium was founded about 20 years ago by Bob Beaudet W1YRC, and the classes are run by BVARC’s award-winning Elmer, Jim Johnson K1GND.

December’s topic will be a demo on “How to Set Up Your First Ham Shack“. This is sure to be of interest to many.  Hope to see you there as the RI amateur radio community continues to build connections across our small state.

What: The Consortium  | When: Monday December 4, 2023 7pm.  | Where: The Sportsmen’s Club at 250 High St., Manville

Consortium website:  http://www.w1ddd.org/consortium.html 

Posts on The Consortium include:

https://ri-arrl.org/the-consortium-continues-free-ham-training-in-manville-ri

https://ri-arrl.org/how-to-set-up-your-first-ham-shack-at-the-consortium-dec-4-2023

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…..

Ham Outreach / Scouting / Youth

Scouting Special Event Station for “Turkey-in-the-Dirt 2023”

- by Nancy Austin

Mike Cullen K1NPT organized a wonderful Special Event last weekend using the K2BSA/1 callsign.  He writes:

This is BSA Troop 3 Newport’s annual pilgrimage to historic Yawgoog Scout Reservation, 1800 acres of forest in Rockville, Rhode Island (Washington County). The Camp is currently celebrating its 106th season.

Scouts dig a deep pit, line it with hot coals, and then cook 2-3 turkeys for several hours. Families and guests enjoyed an early Thanksgiving meal on Saturday night, November 11th.

Stations were invited to receive a picture of our activities that we sent via Winlink using VARA FM. 

Mike Cullen, K1NPT organized the Special Event Call Sign K2BSA/1 for the RI Narragansett Council Scouts 2023 “Turkey-in-the-Dirt” family cookout.
Clubs / Fox hunting / Ham Outreach

Foxhunt this Saturday November 18, 2023

- by Nancy Austin

Sheldon, K1KOS (BCRA) writes: The Bristol County Repeater Association (BCRA) is hosting a Foxhunt this upcoming Saturday November 18, 2023 from 10am-1pm.  Check-in starts at 9:45 am on the BCRA repeater, 145.150 MHz PL 123. The organizer is Skip Denault [email protected]

There will be TWO foxes within a 5-mile radius of 25 Church St., Swansea MA. Each operating with a 5 watt signal, each will transmit 1 minute of tone followed by Morse Code ID and 4 minutes of silence.

FOX1 will activate at 10:00 a.m. on 146.565 MHz FM and will be manned by K1KOS, Sheldon, in a Green Jeep Gladiator, plate K1KOS

FOX2 will activate at 10:02:30 a.m. on 146.430 MHz FM and will be manned by K1NDU, Tom, in a Red Chevy Blazer, plate FF4332

Communications with “Fox Control” can all be done over the BCRA repeater, including
checking in when you have found the fox. You may also speak with us in the Fox
vehicle using physical distancing if you wish. Chat and help on the repeater also.
When you have found the fox, your time and order of arrival will be recorded, and a
personalized certificate will be emailed to each participant.

Join us and have some good amateur radio fun!

 

Careers / Ham Outreach

RIC’s new Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies (And Why Radio Literacy Matters)

- by Nancy Austin
Jen Easterly, Director of CISA, speaking at the launch of the new Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies (6 November 2023, Providence RI)

This morning Rhode Island College celebrated the launch of the Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies, which will be chaired by former RI Congressman Jim Langevin, a RIC alum. 

The Keynote Speaker was Jen Easterly, Director of CISA, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Other speakers included Gov. Dan McKee, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman Seth Magaziner, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, Postsecondary Education Commissioner Shannon Gilkey, and RIC President Jack Warner. 

As Governor McKee and Director Easterly observed, this cyber career pathway is uniquely housed in the Business School and should prove transformational in providing Rhode Islanders the highly-paid, skilled workforce needed to face the challenges ahead. 

Everyone talks about the pressing problem of the cyber talent pipeline. In my strong and unchanged opinion, the Amateur Radio community has work to do to better explain how we are already contributing. 

From our proven hands-on and free experiential learning community model open to every age. Our ability to communicate around the world with no internet or commercial power. Our commitment to Public Service. Our deep bench of technical experts willing to jump in and contribute to problems around spectrum, sensors, satellites, emergency communication, situational awareness, software/hardware, drones, electronics old and emerging, … the list goes on and on.  

And yet at the gathering this morning, everyone I did a post-pandemic catch-up with was interested in my pivot to ham radio – but really had limited understanding of what amateur radio is, why it might be relevant in 2023, and how the ham community has already been a welcoming, mentoring high-tech career pathway pipeline for over a century. Cybersecurity is about more than IT. Radio literacy matters. This is a huge opportunity for amateur radio to paint a different portrait of itself. 

As the Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies takes off, with the support of so many influential stakeholders across Rhode Island dedicated to its success, I encourage every RI radio amateur to continue being that positive ambassador in their own networks. Take the time to explain, again, what it is we do, why it matters, and what about this resonates with their audience?  Rhode Island’s motivated radio amateurs are team players ready to participate. Let’s tune up and talk. 

73, Nancy Austin KC1NEK

ARRL Rhode Island Section Manager

[email protected]

https://ri-arrl.org

ARES / Ham Outreach / Public Service

RX on the Aviation Band

- by Nancy Austin

23 radio amateurs contributed 26 results during last weekend’s RI ARES MARS Airport Weather Practice Exercise. Thank you! 

It was open to all anytime from 10am Saturday to 10pm Sunday October 7-8, 2023. As noted, 23 hams joined in. Two of these reported hearing nothing and one of the 26 submissions was a landline verification report. These are not shown in the data summary charts below. 

Given this generous 36-hour window of time in which to submit results from home, 23 hams participated. Is this a large turnout, or less than expected? Too early to say. For comparison, the 2m RI ARES VHF Simplex net last night lasted about 45 minutes and had 15 check-ins from across 4 of the 5 RI counties. The month before, the RI ARES Simplex net had 20 check-ins across all 5 counties. Just FYI as we seek to understand baseline interest and commitment – and work to build aligned skill-development opportunities and continued outreach. 

Top Challenge: AM Aviation Band (108-137MHz) awareness & solutions for your FM radio, scanner, or SDR

The Practice Exercise asked hams to listen on their radios and report what, if anything, they heard when tuned to 5 specific frequencies between 120-135 MHz, on the AM Aviation Airband. 

Listed below are two of the FM radios used by this weekend’s practice exercise participants. These familiar ham radios do include the ability to receive on the aviation band. 

  • 5w Yaesu FT-60R (c. $190) w Diamond wide receive SRHF40A
  • 50w Icom 5100 base 

Add to the mix: reviewing how to program a new frequency, the benefits of a wideband receive antenna, and making time and effort to participate within the timeframe. 

Location still matters: Nancy, KC1NEK used the Yaesu HT to clearly hear 4-5 airport weather stations over the last week from Middletown, RI. But then heard nothing when testing from the grounds of the New England Wireless & Steam Museum in East Greenwich.

This Practice Exercise was also an opportunity to learn about FM modulation/demodulation and slope detection.  (Thank you, Steve, WA1GVM from Coventry!) Some people got creative with police scanners and planned SDR solutions. Yes, it was a good practice exercise. Stay tuned!

Join us tonight, Wednesday October 11, 2023 at 7:30pm on Zoom to share your experiences and tips. (For the Zoom link and more events, please see the RIARES.org calendar.)

What changes, if any, do you plan to put in place before the actual Simulated Emergency Test planned for Oct 21-22?

County [ham entries] TF Green Newport N. Central Block Island Westerly
Bristol* [0]
Kent [5] 5 1 1
Newport [9] 5 9 3 3 1
Providence* [2] 2 1
Washington [6] 1 1 2 4
Outside RI [1] 1

*Requesting ambassadors especially for Bristol and Providence Counties. ARES looks to the team-building leadership role of the DEC and ECs to build this prepared capacity. This is a great opportunity to encourage, mentor, and learn while supporting a state-wide shared mission. 

For more, see:

Join the RI ARES MARS Airport Weather Exercise starting this weekend