The CTRI monthly meeting is Saturday, April 15, at the North Kingstown Free Library at 10 AM. Agenda includes:  [1]  NEQP.  [2] Field Day.  I got a call from Jim Crawford, our benefactor at Skyscrapers, and he wanted to know if we were operating Field Day there again this year. We are very much welcome.  So we need to decide yes or no at this meeting. [3] Any matters arising.

It would be nice if someone would volunteer to provide the DD Box of Joe and donuts.  If so, please post as comments.

Our esteemed prez is off to Washington on assignment for the Trump administration, so I will be your substitute commander-in-chief.

73, John, 1XX

The 2016 New England QSO Party results are now posted on NEQP [DOT] org.  The good news is that CTRI again topped the New England clubs.  The bad news is that we eked out the victory by a mere 339 points with 189,603 points over the Hampden County Radio Assn.  Can you believe it?  We — who hold the club record of over 1.5 million points in 2011 —  almost lost to the HCRA.  What a disgrace!

I suggest tbat we discuss CTRI participation in the 2017 NEQP (May 6 – 7) at our next meeting.  Hey, conditions were terrible in the 2016 contest, but we can do much better. What say?  — John, W1XX

 

 

Call:  W1XX (W1XX Op)

Class:  SOSB/40

Op Time (hrs): 11

40M:  570 QSOs;  82 Countries; Score = 139,728

Club:  CTRI Contest Group

Comments:  Holy Moly!  He’s B A C K ! !   Rick, KI1G.  6.8M points ! !  Congrats ! !  so far top score SO All Band.  See 3830scores DOT com. Hold on to your hats, folks…more contests coming up.  Next weekend CQ 160 SSB…followed by ARRL DX Phone the following weekend.  Warm up (or locate) your mycrofonie.  GL ! — John, W1XX

 

Call: W1XX

Class:  Single Op HP

Time (hrs):  21.7

QSOs = 907  State/Prov = 56  Countries = 50  Score= 323,830

Club:  CTRI Contest Group

Comments:  This is a really fun contest.  The really top contestants have some pretty elaborate stations especially antenna-wise.  But you can have a lot of fun with far less. Sunspots — or the lack thereof — are just now coming into favor for the low bands.  For us in New England, it’s all about working Europe.  First night was not so good, but the 2nd night produced long runs of EU responding to my CQ.  Plus you need to work as many of the states and provinces. The “RI” multiplier is always a boon…took me several hours to work before Ed, W1HI called in.  Only other one was W1OP.  The phone version of this contest comes up the last weekend of the month…so I encourage anyone to give it a shot.  Antenna?  Use whatever you got.  Anyone else posting a score under “comments?”

The January CTRI Meeting is this Saturday, Jan. 14., at 10 AM in the main floor meeting room of the North Kingstown Free Library, 100 Boone Street., Wickford, RI. With the holidays, it’s been two months since our last meeting…so good time to get together for a program treat.  Member Lars Mohlin, KE1J (ex-SM0GMG) will give a presentation on the Reverse beacon Network (RBN) .. info we could all use.  Lars is one of the ops at the K2LE super contest station in southern Vermont.  Not only that but K1DM, W1AN, K1SD, W1XX, and W1YRC will be wearing their NPOTA hats while giving a photo wrap=up of their multiple National Parks On the Air activations.

It’s been a long time since I hosted refreshments at my house…fortunately no antennas have fallen down…so I will provide the box of DD Joe and donuts.  The agenda will no doubt include the usual items for discussion.  So…see you at the meeting. 73 & HNY. — John, W1XX

 

Post SS Phone Scores Here:  Keep up the club interest by posting scores.

Call:  W1XX

Ops:  K1XA, W1XX

Class:  Multi-Op HP in RI 24 hours

80:  243

40:  740

20:  606

15:   28

TOTAL:  1617 x 83 Sections  Total score  = 268,422

In the event anyone in the club is in the market for a brand new in-th-box Elecraft K3S transceiver, this may interest you.  I am in the process of settling an insurance claim re lightning damage that will require my sending  $$$ to recover depreciation.  I expect to order the new Elecraft K3S 100 watt radio that contesters prefer.I will then sell it at a significantly DISCOUNTED price. The list price I will pay off the internet will be in the neighborhood of $3800. When buying an Elecraft you select items a la carte off the menu — from microphone choice to filters.  I have selected what will appeal to most…but can  adapt to YOUR choices.  Please forward this to anyone you think might be interested.  I also intend to do the same with a brand new Kenwood TS-2000 from HRO. Contact:  w1xx AT cox DOT net for details. TNX & 73!! — John, W1XX

Some of you took photos during Field Day.  Skyscrapers requested we send them some photos of our operation to share at one of their meetings.  Of course, it would be nice to see some at our July meeting as well.  Please send them to me as an attachment to w1xx AT cox DOT net.  K1DM is in the process of putting together our entry.  TNX & 73!  — John, W1XX

Congratulations to Molly Santaniello, KC1FTO, grand-daughter of Jim, KS1J, on earning her ham ticket.  You might remember Molly from last year’s Field Day.

The New England QSO Party is probably the contest most supported by CTRI thru the years.  We have had an iron grip on the New England club plaque…and we should not take it for granted. Some upstart club could try to wrestle it away from us.  What’s the message?  Get your station on the air this weekend.  We actually have some of the more rare counties that folks will be looking for….Bristol, Newport, Washington.

Speaking of rare counties.  In last year’s NEQP something strange happened.  There was a New England county not QRV….Dukes County Massachusetts a.k.a. Martha’s Vineyard.   Heavens to mergatrude!  That hasn’t happened since the year one.  The proverbial portable HAMCOW station, W1ACT, has been retired to pasture.  Tom K1KI has been pleading for someone to respond to this dilemma.

The call has been answered by CTRI.  W1AN, W1XX, along with K1XA have after endless e-mails and phone calls coordinated with the Vineyard Amateur Radio Assn. to activate a portable station (W1DX) in Vineyard Haven.  We will be catching an early morning ferry in Woods Hole  on Sunday morning with radio, computer, antennas, etc. W1DX should be QRV around 9:30 AM Sunday morning returning Sunday evening. Look for us primarily on 20 or 40 meters.

The most sensible feature of NEQP is that there is an off time from 1 AM – 9 AM Sunday.  This allows sleep time.  Check neqp dot org for details and to “reserve your county.”  A host of CTRI’ers have already indicated their intentions.  Don’t miss this really fun contest and the opportunity to help the CTRI club score.  GL!!  — John, W1XX

The 2015 NEQP results have been posted.  See neqp dot org.  Saturday’s meeting is the last one before the 2016 NEQP, May 7 -8.  Discuss plans?  — John, W1XX

Halleluyah!  There are new photos on the website masthead.  Looks great!  I presume we have John, W1AN to thank…unless it’s by remote control de OK.  Also, I was able to post without entering my password.  Think that’s different…hopefully a sign that access to the website is easier to locate for recruitment of new members.  Speaking of which:  anybody know AA1AC in Newport?  Worked him on CW this past weekend on 80M in the contest.  One more thing on the masthead…suppose we need to graphically change the club call-sign to KE1S.  Also, if John is willing, how about a big time ARRL DX Phone Contest  multi-2 effort by a large contingent of club members?  Out. — John, W1XX

Yipee. A breakfast meeting has now been scheduled for this Saturday, January 9, at 8 AM at “Ts Restaurant,” 91 Point Judith Rd., Narragansett. So as to prevent the uninitiated to the area from driving around in circles, here’s some info that will help you find the venue.  Point Judith Rd., is Rte 108.  T’s is a stand alone structure in the Salt Pond Plaza directly across from Stop and Shop Supermarket. Marshall’s is at the other end of the plaza.  “Tiffany’s” (a movie) was a joke started by some unnamed individual who should have his coax cut. TNX to KB1RFJ for going ahead and making a reservation.  Bon apetite!  — John, W1XX

The 2015 Field Day report including scores is now posted on the ARRL website…including the CTRI W1DX score in 2A.

The results of the 2014 NEQP have been posted with scores, write-up, etc. on www.neqp.org.  You can “reserve your county” for the 2015 NEQP May 2 – 3.  73!  — John, W1XX