News last updated: Wed, January 13, 2010 at 10:18 PM ET
Greetings fellow Rhode Islanders:
Welcome back from the holiday season. I hope you survived and feel charged up to face this New Year. We sure have challenges. My best wishes to you.
Since last month's report, three unrelated complaints reached me concerning poor operating, foul language and generally CB like behavior on different repeaters. I'm confident that the violators are not readers of this report or even members of ARRL. They would know better. But we all should be aware that apparently, a greater amount of poor operating practices has moved in and getting the attention of average hams. Repeater operations that I usually hear do not measure up to standards that would earn anyone membership in the A-1 Operator Club.
See http://www.arrl.org/awards/a1-op/a1v11.html#who for the standards.
Part 97 rules apply to everyone equally, whether old timer or converted CBer. The most common problem reported was lack of identifying, in some cases total lack of an ID for the user's entire time on the repeater. The rules state that we must identify our station at least every ten minutes during a contact and at the end of our contact. I realize that on many repeaters, most everyone knows one another without hearing a call but regardless, the rules established by the agency that granted us our license state clearly that we all must identify using our call sign, without exception if everyone knows you.
From my observation, I would add that phone operators should speak slowly, plainly and clearly. Don't mumble, swallow your words or see how fast you can say your call, please. You are simply identifying yourself, not in a contest to see how fast you can say your call, but in a contact with others who also must identiy. Of course, foul language should never be used on any ham frequency. Remember to identify, please!
The NTS Traffic Net met in nine sessions in December, handling 79 pieces of traffic. A total of 74 check-ins were recorded. Thanks to Net Manager K1YCQ for this report. The net meets on the KA1RCI repeater network every Monday and Wednesday evening at 9PM and all are welcome. For more information on the KA1RCI network, go to http://www.ka1rci.net/ka1rci_repeater/ and select a repeater that you can reach. From what I have seen, there is probably not a square inch of RI from which a modest 2 meter station cannot solidly access at least one of the network repeaters. I believe that every one of the different repeaters requires users to transmit a PL tone of 67 Hz.
Shawomet District Boy Scouts will be having their winter camporee at Cranston Scout Reservation on Saturday, 13 February. Matt, KB1FUP is chairing this event and has asked for help from the Amateur community to come and demonstrate CW operation to the Scouts. A station will be set up, all that is needed is a few good CW ops to make some QSOs at 5 to 15 words per minute and explain CW to those interested in learning more. Volunteers should contact Matt at matthew-e-hackman@cox.net as soon as possible. I know that Matt would appreciate having one or two CW ops lend a hand.
High speed ability is not required, just the desire to help and patience to explain. The location of the camporee is 223 Scituate Ave in Cranston, off Rt. 12. Coffee and lunch will be provided to volunteers. But, please do not drop in unannounced. For the safety of the Scouts, public visiting is discouraged. Thank you for your support.
The news in the print media is full of articles about agencies and companies reviewing the use of all radio spectrum. Nothing is off the table, it appears. We all know that spectrum is precious and some companies and agencies are willing to pay staggering amounts of money to be granted use of certain portions of spectrum for all sorts of uses. We Amateurs are primary users of several bands that we have been granted over the years. Our value in emergency service has proven that we are worthy shepards of our allocations. Regardless, money talks and when millions or possibly billions of dollars are thrown around by bidders, we must be very concerned that we can hold on to what we have. ARRL's Frequency Defense Fund vigorously fights for all of us, so that our precious band space will not be taken from us. ARRL is our only viable voice to defend against those who wish to take over our space. Of course, the ARRL tries to preserve spectrum for all Amateurs, not only its members. But only its members normally provide support and have to carry the entire financial burden for all Amateurs. You all know how I feel about free-loaders. Have you donated to the Defense Fund? We all should, now more than ever before! Please go to https://www.arrl.org/forms/fdefense/ and consider making a generous donation. Every cent qualifies as tax deductible.
I realize that I am preaching to the choir, but I have noticed that ARRL membership has slipped in Rhode Island. We lost 18 members in 2009, compared to the end of 2008. Overall, ARRL gained 1,500 members in the past year. Why is RI's number falling?
The economy is in bad shape elsewhere also. If I'm not working hard enough, please tell me. Clubs need to promote ARRL membership. ARRL members need to promote club participation also. We all must reach out to those who are not members of either.
On a related topic to those mentioned in the last two paragraphs, we must all do lots more to activate our bands. Tuning across most bands at any time of day or night will show little to no activity. Why? The bands are dead? No sunspots? I am on some band from 160 through 2 meters every day. I normally log a few DX contacts every day on CW, RTTY or SSB. Can you say the same? Interested non Amateur parties who want our spectrum are likely listening and recording our quiet bands to be used as evidence to show that we don't use what we have. They want our space and will pay for it. They will present a convincing argument.
ARRL is fighting for us but we must get on the air much more than we do. Make noise! Any mode, any time. Use the spectrum you have every day. As was said by someone much wiser than me, "Use it or lose it." These five words are so very true.
As I was preparing this report on January 12, the 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti and preliminary reports indicate massive destruction and loss of life and property. Third party traffic is legal to be handled with Haiti (HH) and its neighbor on the island of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic (HI), so feel free to handle any health and welfare messages coming from or destined for the stricken area. ARRL has issued a special bulletin and news release, http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2010/01/13/11288/?nc=1, asking everyone to be mindful of emergency net frequencies that will be used for the duration. Be considerate of those who are trying to handle emergency communications. Thank you.
73,
Bob Beaudet W1YRC
Ted Perry, W1WFZ, couldn't be distracted at Field Day by the camera guy's shout, "Hey Ted, steaks are ready."
ARRL Section Manager, Bob W1YRC is shown presenting a specially designed trophy to our CERT Chief Instructor, Dr. Bill Ewan W1VH, on behalf of many grateful CERT and ARRL members in RI.
It was a complete surprise to Bill and was presented at the conclusion of a routine planning meeting held in W1YRC's home on May 24th. The picture was taken in the shack, adjacent to the family room meeting place. Picture taken by Bob Jones, WB1P.
Members of The Southern RI DX and Propagation Society (Field Day 1964) left to right: Howard Allen W1BFB,
Walter Tefft W1WAN, Roy Fuller W1CJH, Raymond Hurlbut W1LWA, Robert Merriam W1NTE and a Leroi 10kw gas generator.
It probably took all of them to carry the generator.
The young man on the right, W1NTE is now (42 years later) the curator of our amazing New England Wireless and Steam Museum on Frenchtown Road in East Greenwich.
The Providence Radio Association (PRA) braved truly horrible weather conditions in Field Day 2006 to participate from their Beavertail location. Left to right: John Good W1GS, Nick DePetrillo N1CKD, Nick's Dad Paul W1PRA, Kathi Bacon (no call) watching Dave Tessitore K1DT operate W1OP.
Bob Jones, WB1P and Norm, W1AUT (l-r) as shown in Valley Breeze, January 4th. BVARC recently joined the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society and launched its program by activating the Point Judith Lighthouse back in November. Nice PR story for the public to see that Amateurs really enjoy their hobby.
Field Day site of the Narragansett Bay ARC, the s/v Bellerophon, owned by club member Brad Shipp, KA1SVW.
Note the ARRL flag flying proudly.
BVARC Lighthouse activation of Beavertail light on Jamestown, June 3, 2007. Club member Bernie KD5QHV took a turn operating the rig and worked fellow BVARC and El Paso club member Clay K5TRW. Clay was in El Paso. Bernie is also President of the El Paso ARC. Bernie flew up to RI to take part in the club lighthouse event. Now, that's what I call really supporting your club!
One of hundreds of visitors, on left, listening to the answer to his question. The August 18-19 International Lighthouse weekend activation of the Beavertail Lighthouse, ARLHS #048 on Jamestown Island was a great success. The weather was perfect and Allen, W1PX, dressed as an 1896 Lighthouse 2nd assistant Lighthouse Keeper. See the 2 on Allen's uniform?
Ernie N1SW's 30 ft sloop Destiny, NB1RI CW "tent" at Field Day.
The NB1RI Field Day crew 2008 afloat near Prudence Island - Steve, KA1RCI (center rear), Bruce, KD1BE (right), Ernie, N1SW (left) and Brad, KA1SVW (front)
Westerly ARES team does a great job of promoting Amateur Radio in the 2009 Westerly Memorial Day Parade. Thanks to N1ELK and KB1MAO for leading this effort.
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