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
