CTRI Meeting March 9, 2019

Attendees: K1HSY (Dean); W1XX (John); NA1CN (Chuck); NG1M (Mike); NG1G (Pat); K1DM (Mike); W1AN (John); K1JSM (John); KA1J (Gary); K1MD (Rich); AA1AC (Mark); K3IU (Ken); KS1J (Jim)

Treasurer’s Report (NG1M) – As of Date, $10,151.84 balance
We are all set with Insurance. Thanks Mike!

Contest Manager Report (K1ECU)
Charlie said that he had looked back three years to see club participation in some of the key contests. Basically considering membership, there hasn’t been a ton of logs submitted. However the ARRL DX CW 2019 did have seven logs and total score of 10Meg. Note that Rick KI1G was the largest contributor.

Some discussion followed on the old intra-club competition. Ken K3IU updated everyone on how tracking had become painful and John W1XX commented that this initiative, although initially effective, had run its course.

John W1XX did say he would provide Charlie with a list of those contests that generated the greatest CTRI participation. These mostly include RTTY (ARRL and CQ) and SSB tests.

Charlie encouraged all members to post contest scores to 3830. That site makes it easy to summarize by club. It also allows one to see how they did against the competition.

It was mentioned that the Russian Contest (March 16) and CQ WPX SSB (3/26) are coming up this month. The Russian contest is everyone work everyone with bonus for Russian oblasts and calls. The WPX SSB contest is always popular and John (W1AN) said that his station would be open for that one.

Charlie reminded all to check the website since upcoming contests are also posted there.

YOTA Committee (K1ECU, W1WBB and W1MBF) – No report since Bill couldn’t make the meeting.

Field Day
W1XX first asked if there was interest in 2019 participation. There was enthusiastic endorsement! Following this, John accepted the position of Field Day Chair. This was followed by some preliminary discussions mostly about antennas. Pat wondered if the club should get a second Hex Beam because of the superior performance he experienced with the first one last year. John W1XX said he wasn’t convinced about the performance edge. Further discussion raised the issue at to whether the rather substantial effort to raise the Mega Wire antenna was also worth it. Other specialized antennas for the low bands were discussed as possibilities considering the lack of high band propagation now. Because of these various alternatives, an ad-hoc Antenna Committee was organized consisting of KS1J, KA1J, and K3IU. Jim will reach out to the other members and target a report out by the next meeting. A decision on the antenna portfolio is needed fairly soon because if we were to get another hex beam ($700), the lead time from Folding Antennas is about 4 weeks, construction and testing another 4 weeks. W1XX said he would forward info on the Mega Wire antenna to KS1J. All pretty much agreed that the TH-3 was not a real alternative.

Also discussed was the possibility of trying different modes, especially Satellite, FT8(6 meters) and other digital modes.

John W1XX then covered the upcoming meetings and mentioned that a number of great presentations were on tap.

4/20 – Meet at North Kingstown Library. Bob WB1SON will talk about Satellite communication.
5/11 – Meet at North Kingstown Library. John K1JSM will talk about US Islands on Air activation. At this meeting we also will decide if a special 6/1 meeting be held to finalize Field Day preparation.
6/8 – Meet at North Kingstown Library. W1XX was especially enthused about the scheduled presentation by NM1Y (Jeff). Jeff is an experienced DXpeditioner (K1N, 3Y0Z) and will discuss his experiences. Because of the general interest in this, John has contact Bob W1YRC to see if other clubs might want to attend this presentation. Related to his visit, it was agreed that a $100 contribution to a DX foundation would be made as an expression of the club’s appreciation of NM1Y’s visit.
6/22- 6/23 FIELD DAY!
W1XX listed other possible forums (no dates yet): Portable Antenna (W1MBF); FT8 (K1SX); 6W (AA1C); Station Renovation (K1MD)

Chuck mentioned that on 6/23 at Norwich Free Academy there would be a presentation on robotics plus a VE session.

Chuck then delivered his presentation on Fox Hunting. He described how these events are organized and what challenges they present the participants. He described a number of different directional antennas and passed around a couple including a three element tape measure job. He mentioned how attenuation plays a role in zeroing in on the fox and how TDOA (time difference of arrival) antennas can also help.
It was a super presentation!

Next meeting 4/20!

QRZ KE1S Update

Greetings all

I made the suggested changes to the KE1S QRZ biography especially the QSL info. I thought I would also add some biography info. So I pulled some of the info off  the Home page of this website. However, I noted that the information on this page is pretty out of date and needs revision. It is great history but not relevant today. An it is a tad too long. Anyway,  I am not ready to revise it on my own but suggest that it should be a kind of group effort.  As a starting point I edited it somewhat for QRZ. I am sure this can be improved upon! So take a look at KE1S on QRZ and see what you think.

Meanwhile, I also added the club website link.

BTW, I will also notify the W1 Incoming QSL Bureau not to process incoming QSL cards for KE1S.

73

Jim KS1J

 

 

 

ARRL RTTY ROUNDUP 2017

It was cold in the shack despite the heater going so I operated about 8 hours. I couldn’t tell if conditions were good or bad since my tower was cranked down so had to depend mostly on the verticals. I find this contest tougher on the ears than even CW since the diddles are so monotonously (sp?) the same.

I heard only W1AN and never did work another RI station!

 

73 Jim KS1J

Anyhow, here is my score:

ARRL RTTY Roundup

 

Call: KS1J

Operator(s): KS1J

Station: KS1J

Class: Single Op LP

QTH: RI

Operating Time (hrs):

 

Summary:

Band  QSOs

————

80:   47

40:   74

20:  154

15:    8

10:    0

————

Total:  283  State/Prov = 47  Countries = 15  Total Score = 17,546

 

Club: CT RI Contest Group

KE1S QSL

Still waiting for LOTW certificate. I sent an inquiry to the League asking where it might be. I may have to do it over again.

Meanwhile I have received a request for a KE1S QSL Card for a QSO on May 28 at 0708 on 80 meters CW. Any idea who used the call then? We have had the call assigned since 2/2/16.

Next question – What do we do about QSL Cards? I suggest we order 100 or so for the time being. Not sure if we want to use the WA1RR design with a just a change in call to KE1S.

Thoughts?

Jim KS1J

New Junior Op

We have a new junior op. Molly passed her Technician test today! It will be about two weeks before she gets her call and license. For the time being she will be operating from KS1J. If I were to guess, I think it will be mostly CW. Hmmm, I wonder how long before she gets her General and I can set up a multi-op!

73

Jim KS1J

Congrats W1XX W1AN

Just got my January CQ mag where the results for the 2015 CQWW VHF Contest were posted.

John W1XX (3rd ) and John W1AN (2nd) for USA all band standings!

Congrats to both for a great showing!!

Jim KS1J

Youth

FYI

A little more background on todays discussion.

Here is my original email to Bob on the subject. (I replied to the wrong email and subsequently sent it direct to him).

Note this was in response to the following email Bob had sent to his list of RI hams. (So you CT guys didn’t get it). It was *not* a Division meeting but a prep meeting for the semi-annual Board of Directors meeting.

…………………….

I am planning to attend the New England Cabinet meeting in Springfield on

January 9th. Our Director, Tom K1KI typically holds an all-day meeting a

week before the regular semi-annual ARRL Board of Directors meeting. Tom

invites all New England Section Managers and ARRL affiliated club Presidents

in addition to other division leaders. At the Cabinet meeting, participants

may bring up timely topics to discuss and possibly move K1KI to bring them

to the Board’s attention. Do you have issues that you would like me to bring

to the meeting? Please e mail your suggestions and questions to me at

w1yrc ASAP.

I promised you a short Activity Report this month and I intend to keep my

promise. Sincere wishes from your ARRL staff workers for a wonderful

Christmas and happy, healthy and DX filled New Year. Thank you for your

support this year. I’m hoping for more of it in 2016. See you next year….

73,

Question on NPOTA credit

For everyone who might be interested in this aspect of the NPOTA!

73

Jim KS1J

From: Bob Beaudet [mailto:w1yrc@nullverizon.net] Sent: Monday, January 25, 2016 3:18 PM
To: ks1j@nullarrl.net
Subject: Fw: Question on NPOTA credit

Hi Jim,

Here is your answer, straight from the head of the program.

73, Bob

From: Kutzko, Sean, KX9X

Sent: Monday, January 25, 2016 10:15 AM

To: Beaudet, Robert, W1YRC

Subject: RE: Question on NPOTA credit

Hi Robert-

For National Historic Trails, the following rules apply:

k) Operations from National Historic Trails may be conducted within one hundred (100) feet of the trail itself. Operations from private property are prohibited, unless permission has been received.

m) Activations of National Historic Trails, National Scenic Trails, National Parkways, National Rivers and National Wild and Scenic Rivers may not be conducted from fixed-location, permanent stations ("home" stations).

So, KS1J can hand out Blackstone from his home QTH, but not the Rochambeau trail. To activate the trail, he must operate away from his home station.

73,

Sean Kutzko, KX9X

Media and Public Relations Manager

ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio

225 Main St.

Newington, CT 06111

860-594-0328

skutzko

Web: www.arrl.org

www.twitter.com/arrl_pr

From: Beaudet, Robert, W1YRC
Sent: Monday, January 25, 2016 10:11 AM
To: Kutzko, Sean, KX9X
Subject: Question on NPOTA credit

Hi Sean,

Thank you for your help when I was starting up to be active in the NPOTA program. I am all set now, I believe, and have made several contacts with more to come.

As Section Manager, I am the target for many questions from members. After all, that’s what they pay dues for, right?

Jim, KS1J lives in Barrington, RI. The Washington-Rochambeau Trail runs from Newport to Washington, DC and goes through Barrington, on Routes 114 and 103, not far from Jim’s home.

Jim asked me this morning if he must literally be set up directly on the road such as in a mobile or RV to qualify as activating the Wash-Roch Trail. He lives a short distance away in the same town.

Can he activate the Trail from his home? My personal feeling is if the Trail runs through a particular town, everyone in that town should qualify. The station does not need to be set up on the centerline of the highway.

My personal situation is a little different since I am in Blackstone River Corridor, HP49. The map for the Corridor includes my town (and many others) as part of the 400,000 acres designated.

Thank you for helping.

73,

Bob Beaudet, W1YRC
ARRL Section Manager
Rhode Island

ctricg Permanent change of address for KB1LN Bobby Rogers

From Bobby

From: ctricg@nullyahoogroups.com [mailto:ctricg@nullyahoogroups.com] Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2015 5:01 PM
To: Erin & Garry Rogers; John Lindholm; James Bowman; CTRI Contest; George Emery; Bob Beaudet; Ken Wagner; Andy Clark; James Setzler; James Harper; Karen Simpkins; Garry Rogers; Anne Tony Manna; darrell.l.griffin@nulllmco.com; bgjones49@nullverizon.net; k1dm.dr.michael@nullgmail.com; ‘Grey John’ ; Jack Hunter; Dave St. Onge ; Ken Carr; brian.halpin@nullnavy.mil
Subject: [ctricg] Permanent change of address for KB1LN Bobby Rogers

Hello Everyone!

Just thought I’d send out my new address change to some of my closest friends, co-workers and other people who might need or want the info. I don’t yet have a new phone number. That’s coming in about 2 weeks or so. My e-mail address will remain the same.

My permanent mailing address is changing as of the date of this e-mail to:

91 Reservoir Road Middletown RI 02842-5832.

I can be reached at work at 401-832-8562.

Feel free to write back if you’d like to. I try to check my e-mail at least once each day.

Bobby V. Rogers

__._,_.___

KO1H needs help

Hi

Here’s a message that John KO1H posted on our yahoo email group. Not sure where John is residing now

Jim KS2J

From: ctricg@nullyahoogroups.com [mailto:ctricg@nullyahoogroups.com] Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2015 3:28 PM
To: Bob Beaudet; John Lindholm; w1sne@nullarrl.net; Daniel Roy; Patrick Atwood; Al NN1U Testing; Mercier, Michael; Bob Rogers; Daniel Roy; Adam k1ocd; ham-antennas@nullyahoogroups.com; Chris Prata; Bob DiPippo; Rogers, Bobby V CTR NUWC NWPT; Boyes Bill; Allen Zatonsky; aa1vu@nullcox.net; ctricg@nullyahoogroups.com
Cc: Mat
Subject: [ctricg] update gear and antenna help needed

Update: I found a transceiver for my bedroom and a power supply. What I need is install help for the antennas. etc. I know everyone is busy and its a bad time of year! But, what I need is a few hands for a full day of antenna and feed line install. If I get a few volunteer’s I will gladly list off the details. I will try to do as much as I can myself or at least have the components ready.

I hope some of you can help as my woods walking days are over at least for a while.

de John ko1h

HI All, To make the story short on 10/16 I found myself unemployed. Then on 10/18 I found myself disabled. I took a bad fall coming out of a minor surgery at my dermatologist. My spine hit the curbstone when I went down in the parking lot and although things have gotten a little better. I went down again on 10/30 and the doctors have gotten me a little better straightened out found the reason for the falling and we are progressing. Meanwhile I’m trying to get a little station going here at my qth. I had a dipole up for a short time but had trouble with it. It broke and fell down in a recent wind storm. I don’t want to make this email sound like begging. But, I need help restoring the dipole and putting up two others that I’ve had for a while.

Other than antenna help, Items that I need are more durable antenna wire. I was using double 18g speaker wire. It did not do well. Also items that I need because I am required to spend lots of time in bed. I’m trying to build a small station next to my bed. Items that I need to complete it are a Power supply (regulated preferred 30 amps or better but beggars cant be choosers) and a transmitter (Fldx400 or tx599 or something else ) to match up with the receiver I have (Radio shack dx100). I only have a pair of Long wires (separate receive and transmit ) but they work fine. I would love to find someone who has a multiband vertical for very cheap or just wants to get rid of it.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks de John KO1H

__._,_.___

From Alfa to Zebra

Hi All

If you turn to page 25 of the latest CQ Magazine (November), you will see a whimsical article presenting my daughter’s take on the phoenetic alphabet. If you have a spare copy that you would like to donate to me, I would greatly appreciate it! Mine got kinda wrinkled by our friends in the USPS.

73

Jim KS1J