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Field Day 2018: Satellite Challenge

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By John Lindholm, W1XX

Field Day 2018 – June 23-24 – is the highlight activity of the CTRI Contest Group. Getting everyone engaged is a hallmark of our Field Day.  2018 will be no exception. 

   Our operating venue is courtesy of “Skyscrapers” of the Seagrave Memorial Observatory in North Scituate. We will be rolling out details as we get closer to the actual start. Some prep is well underway. 

   Ken, K3IU, is assembling the new “folding antenna” hex-beam recently purchased by the club.  Radios are earmarked from K3IU, KE1J, K1JSM and computers from W1AN.  KS1J is a GOTA captain. KB1RFJ is the Commissary Captain. Generator de KB1RFJ with backup de K1JSM.  Etc., etc. We’ve done this several years running, so we don’t have to reinvent the wheel.   But right now I’d like to put out a challenge for someone in the club to see that we get a satellite QSO for extra bonus points. 

   The June issue of QST (p. 61) has a neat how-to article by KX9X on FD satellite operation.  It has an easy to follow “Intro to FM Satellites.”  Check it out.  We’ve got a little over a month for someone or maybe more to gear up.  Read the article and see if you want to give it a try.  It could even be a club project with “Educational Activity” bonus points for Field Day.  Post your comments of interest here. 

   Much more Field Day stuff to follow. 73!      

Meeting – Sat May 12 at 0900

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A reminder – there will be a members meeting on Sat April 14th at 0900.

This is a time change from previous announcements.

Venu:  the South Kingstown Public Library, aka Peacedale Library.

QTH: 1057 Kingstown Rd, Wakefield RI 02879

Minutes of CTRI Meeting on April 14, 2018

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Abbreviated Minutes:  CTRI Meeting April 14, 2018

By John Lindholm, W1XX

   Meeting called to order at about 9:15 at the South Kingstown (Peace Dale) Library.  Present:  W1XX (in the chair), KB1RFJ, K1ECU, W1YRC, K1MO, AB1BX, W1AN, KS1J, K1HSY, K1DM, KC1FUU with introductions all around. 

   Treasurer’s report by KB1RFJ included a synopsis the $500 CTRI scholarship funded thru the ARRL. 

   The upcoming NEQP, May 5 – 6, was hyped to encourage CTRI participation.  KS1J displayed the 2017 club plaque won again by CTRI with a total score of 596,912 with 11 entries. 

   W1XX gave a brief Field Day update:  (1) “Folding Antenna” hexbeam arrived from DL-land awaiting being put together with K1DM and K3IU volunteering to assist; (2) Jim Crawford was contacted re availability of the Seagrave Observatory venue…awaiting meeting of Trustees; (3) K1DM will renew our insurance certificate; 4) more updates to come as we get closer to Field Day date of June 23 – 24.  

   In a surprise but welcome move, as Charlie K1ECU, began to express his willingness to give the vacant Contest Manager’s job a shot, a quick motion was passed to so elect Charlie. Congratulations!

   Welcome to two newly elected members:  Dave, K1MO from Cumberland and Andy, AB1BX from Warren.  It was pointed out that Warren is in rare Bristol County for NEQP purposes.  K1JSM will send them website access info. 

   Next meeting:  May 12 at time and venue TBD.  As a further prep for FD and for gaining familiarity with N1MM+ logging program, a video by Larry, K8UT on YouTube will be shown (TNX K3IU for info). K1JSM:  Please bring projector.  Donuts/coffee will be picked up by K1HSY.  

   The formal part of the meeting was adjourned for our Section Manager Bob, W1YRC, who did the commentary on the historic 1S1A 1973 video of the first credited DX-pedition to the Spratly Islands. It was most entertaining as Bob had a connection to the operation serving as its QSL Manager. 

​  73.