The 3C0L DX-pedition to Annobon has been fun chasing the past few days.  It’s pretty rare DX with big pileups.  Big signal last night on 160. Just worked ’em on 12 meter CW….nice signal.  Turns out to be just two Latvian ops who are doing a great job under somewhat difficult circumstances.  A power supply and one of their K3s blew up.

Since they have no internet, you can’t confirm QSOs on line thru ClubLog.  So I looked up their website and found a link describing their 20-meter-and-up antenna on FoldingAntennas[DOT]com.  It’s a version of the Hexbeam that looks quite interesting and could be of interest to club members looking for an alternative to a tower/Yagi installation.

When you go to the website, hit “translate” from German…although the translation is a bit like Sgt. Schultz.  Hit “design” for a detailed description.  Although, primarily designed for quick portable installation, it could be fixed as well.  Collapsed, it folds into a 45 inch long nylon bag which reminds me of our two folding chairs that the wife and I take to free outdoor summer concerts.

Anyone interested in pursuing this further and maybe even buying one?  Any opinions or thoughts on the design? Actually, this could be a great Field Day antenna.  Should the club buy one?  The basic price delivered to North America is $500 (no VAT).  There is a long list of various optional parts separately priced.   All things considered , that’s not a bad price.

Any takers?  Comments please.

Take a look at this great presentation by K9LA and W3LPL. If you don’t have time to watch the full presentation you can fast forward to 9 minutes when Frank, W3LPL starts his band-by-band forecast.

https://youtu.be/kPydjVi6qLw

 

Another great resource is the VOACAP site, just plug in your location and antennas and you will get a great idea which band will be open when.

http://www.voacap.com/planner.html

 

Lars, KE1J

I‘ve always maintained that the most important club office is that of Contest Manager; Kudos to James, K1SD, who has effectively prodded CTRI participation in the recent past.  Since no one was elected CM at the most recent meeting, I suggest that we all become club “contest managers” and encourage contest participation with web postings of your favorite activities. Here’s my take on that.

Our next immediate contest coming up is the CQ World-Wide SSB DX Contest the last weekend of the month.  This is a biggee.  Lots of options:  all band, single band, high low or QRP power, assisted or not, classic,  rookie, etc.  Pick a category and go to it for as many hours as you wish. Exchange is “59 5” (we are in zone 5).

Looking ahead to November, here’s another idea.  Historically, the club has from time to time made a special concerted effort to maximize our club aggregate score.  Remember “one million or bust” in the New England QSO Party?  Special 1 X 1 call-signs in the NEQP?  A mighty 10 meter contest effort?  All highly successful club ventures.

Our club membership has increased in recent months. Some are newcomers to radio contesting.  What upcoming contest could we consider for a concerted effort by all?  I suggest the ARRL November Sweepstakes:  CW Nov. 4 – 5 and SSB Nov. 18 -19.  Why?  It’s a domestic contest, USA and Canada, so a big station is not required.  A dipole at 40 feet is just what the doctor ordered.

Commencing in 1930, SS is the grand-daddy of all contests with an exchange patterned after  the preamble of message traffic….the basis upon which the ARRL was founded!  True, everyone is not conversant in “the code.”  That’s OK.  There is an SSB weekend. This has been my favorite contest for some 50+ years.  It is ideal for newcomers with modest stations.

Here’s how CTRI has done in recent Sweepstakes contests.

2016:  8 entries for 597,756 points

2015:  10 entries for 603,022 points

2014:  10 entries for 755,662 points

2013:  10 entries for 1,060,126 points

   Clearly, we have been going down-hill.  With increased emphasis on a greater number of participants and perseverance, we could do much better. How about “2 million points or bust” as a battle cry?  What a great way to get our newer members — along with our stalwarts — to  contribute to our club’s overall success.  Apathy is not an option. See page 96 October QST for details.

I invite comment here with discussion at the October 14 meeting.

 

 

 

We are invited!!   I have gone to this before and learned a lot.  I will be there on the 18th.

=============================================

Yankee Clipper Contest Club is pleased to announce a Contest University

 

CONTEST UNIVERSITY – Wednesday Oct 18 @ N1RR

Professors: Randy Thompson – K5ZD

Dennis Egan – W1UE

Charlie Morrison – N1RR

Wednesday,October 18  6PM @ N1RR – Seekonk, MA

 

Pizza @ 6:30PM and social hour.

A short regional YCCC meeting will be held

Presentations and Q&A to follow.

 

Limited to 24-28 adults.

(Please consider bringing a folding chair for someone in case we go over.)

 

Location: 1287 Newman Ave (RT 152)

Seekonk, MA 02771

Call: 401-742-7240

 

RSVP:  charles.morrison.n1rr@nullgmail.com

 

Antenna farm tours will be available prior to pizza & social hour since sunset will be 6PM. Tour of shack is not likely. Look for a summer event announcement in 2018.

 

The Newport Radio Club is putting an amateur radio presence at the Mini Makers Faire in Fall River this Sunday.

This sounds like a great opportunity to appeal to young science/radio/experimental nerds like we used to be !!

73 James k1sd

===================++++++++++++++++===============

Hello all,

 

NCRC has a booth at the Southcoast MiniMakerFaire at the Fall River YMCA on Sunday October 1.

 

Details at: http://southcoast.makerfaire.com/

And our both description at: http://southcoast.makerfaire.com/maker/entry/31/

We need some help setting up on Sunday morning before 10 am and help running the station in a GOTA mode similar to Field Day from 10 am to 4 pm.  Some of us are going to help on soldering at another booth but will have a 40/20m station and show Pixies operating CW. Bring your Pixie if you want.

We also plan to erect a 40m dipole on Thursday afternoon to simplify setup on Sunday.  Help may be needed for this.

Please contact Paul Fredette, k1ybe@nullyahoo.com or 401 339 3024 if you can help and of course all are welcome to come and enjoy the event.

 

 

73, Paul (K1YBE)

The Museum of Wireless and Steam has their Yankee Steam Up this Saturday in East Greenwich.

The New England Wireless & Steam Museum

It’s pretty neat.

73 James k1sd

Attached is a spreadsheet I figured we could populate for the CQ WW RTTY Contest.  I figure I could be at John W1AN’s all day Saturday.  Evenings will be difficult for me.

Please populate / contact me if there are issues.

CQ RTTY

73, Mike   KB1RFJ

 

The September CTRI meeting will be held at the W1XX QTH in South Kingstown.  Quick directions:  48 Shannock Road…it’s a right-hand turn off Rte 1 South just before the Charlestown line…then 3rd driveway on the left…best parking near mailbox and across the street…top of the driveway will be blocked by 160 antenna awaiting verticality.

The meeting is the usual 10 AM, but there will be a 160 meter vertical antenna raising at 9:30 with all help much appreciated.  Hard hats if you have one recommended.

Hotdogs and hamburgers on the grill post meeting.  There will also be a door prize.  For anyone interested there will be a tour in the woods of my 80 meter “el cheapo” 4-square antenna. If you expect to attend, post “comments” or email to w1xx [AT] cox [DOT] net  appreciated.

Hope you will all come on down to South County. 73!  — John, W1XX

Can’t make this one. But meanwhile Did anyone go to Boxboro? Anyone planning anything for CQWW RTTY?

 

Jim KS1J

Exch: Ser # and Name, 10-160m, HP/LP/QRP, 4-hr ‘session’ only [3 sessions avail in 24 hr period].  I may just op Session 1 tonite; possibly, Session 3 as well from Sat Sept. 2nd 16z-24z. [Session 2 is from 8am-noon on Sat Sept. 2nd].

Any CW takers as additional teammate(s) from CTRI??  Shake the CW rust off and have some fun!!  Plz advise ASAP but n.l.t. 7:45pm Fri, either here or via:  wbliss1[at]cox[dot]net  so I can register a team.  TNX es 73!   Bill W1WBB

P.S.  1st post on new site — TNX to John K1JSM

Greetings Fellow Contesters,

There’s not been much major contest activity lately; but you can usually find some kind of test to play in. Hawaii QSO Party, NAQP SSB, WAE DX CW, SARTG RTTY have been recent. If anyone has put in some efforts that you want to share, please do.

Upcoming events: Boxboro of course. Sept 8, 9, 10. Who has some definite plans to go? Let us know so’s we can maybe congregate all together like.

The following week: Sept 16, CTRI Meeting 10am, North Kingstown Library.

September 23 – 24: CQ WW RTTY DX Contest. Who has plans to operate? What class? Need operators?

73 James K1SD

Attendees:  W1AN (TNX John for coffee/muffins), K1DM, W1XX (in the chair), K1HSY, K1ECU, K3IU, WB2VVV, K1JSM, K1PAD, K1SD, NG1G (late, no penalty), forget anyone?

Treasurers report de KB1RFJ via NG1G and W1XX.  Still solvent.  Mike was clearing the way for his tower project with a rules change at his homeowners meeting.

Contest Manager’s report de K1DS.  Slow summer time, but picking up soon.

Votes were taken to catch up on the membership status of several more recent attendees, namely Dean, K1HSY, Charles, K1ECU, Chris, WB2VVV, and Rick, K1PAD…the latter having a summer residence at the unpronounceable village of “Quonnie” in Charlestown.  After  successfully executing the secret handshake, all were welcomed into the “official” CTRI family.  Also not sure of past action or inaction, Ernest, N1EYE, was confirmed as a member.  Congratulations all.

The upcoming Solar Eclipse QSO Party, August 21,  was discussed. See August QST for details.

Highlight of the meeting, John, K1JSM gave a detailed report on the status of the new website, ctri [dot] club, now running in parallel with the old website.  Most members have already been registered for access by John who provided details on access.  This has been followed up by an e-mail to all as to access procedure.  Any problems  incurred can be straightened out by John with an email to k1jsm [AT] arrl [DOT] net. A rousing round of applause was given to John on the Herculean efforts on this project.

W1XX gave a shameless plug for antenna raising help at the September 16 meeting at his QTH in South Kingstown…with an early 9:30 AM arrival prior to the meeting.  Bribery includes hotdogs and hamburgers on the grill.  Details to follow.

Apologies for any omissions…written from memory.  Respectfully. — John, W1XX

The Solar Eclipse QSO Party on August 21 runs from 1400 until 2200 UTC. Stations will exchange a signal report and six-character grid locator on 160 through 6 meters (excepting 60, 30, 17, and 12 meters). Participants may work the same station again after 10 minutes have passed. Preferred modes are CW, RTTY, and PSK31, because automated receiving networks will record the contacts, but phone and digital contacts are okay too.

see more:  http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-participation-is-key-to-university-solar-eclipse-experiment

The N1MM+ log type:   ECLIPSE

Logged on as k3iu. I notice that there are no categories to select. Perhaps this is a good thing.?.?.?

Ken

Members Meeting on Sat Aug 12 at 10 AM

at North Kingstown Public Library