The Rhode Island NTS Traffic Network - Home Page
The Rhode Island ARES Tactical Training
Net
Net Control calls the RI ARES Tactical
training
net on the 2nd and 4th Mondays
of every month at 7:00 PM on the KA1RCI Repeater
Network.
Johnston, RI *
145.190 - offset with PL of 67.0 for access
Exeter, RI * 146.985 - offset with PL of 67.0 for access
Portsmouth, RI * 147.075 + offset with PL
of 67.0 for access
Westerly, RI * 147.390 + offset with PL of 67.0 for access
This is a formal directed training net for
ARES activities in the Rhode Island area.
All amateur radio operators are encouraged
to join the net.
Check back often for more updates as they
become available.
ARRL Contacting ARRLARES
News last updated: Wed, June 17, 2009 at 8:21 AM ET
Greetings fellow Rhode Islanders:
In less than two weeks, the most popular single ham activity of the year will be under way. Field Day 2009 is June 27-28 and will engage thousands of hams, family members and supporters into action. I sincerely hope that band conditions are favorable so that you may work a great many stations and have a lot of fun. Don't forget the locator tool available to find any registered Field Day site. Go to the ARRL Field Day locator at http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/fd/locator.php, enter location or Zip code and stand back. As of writing time, we have four affiliated clubs and three non club groups registered in RI. Hope to see you at one of the seven sites of ARRL affiliated clubs in RI.
Looking ahead to July, we have the Ocean State 2-Meter FM Simplex Challenge taking place on July 18-19. This second annual running of this RI produced contest is sponsored by the CTRI Contest Group. John, W1XX designed the contest and has produced detailed information for the event, including downloadable logs. These documents may be found at http://www.wa1rr.org/. This contest, to be held concurrent with the CQ World-Wide VHF Contest, is to encourage Amateurs in and near Rhode Island to learn the basics of contest operating in a low pressure and friendly event, provide a concentrated time to make QSOs on 2-Meter FM Simplex, and expand the scope of their VHF operating beyond that needed for repeater operation. Because the contest takes place on simplex frequencies, useful information regarding the length of effective communications paths will be revealed. This is very necessary information to those who work in emergency communications. In an emergency, some repeaters will likely be off the air and your effective 2 meter simplex ability will be essential to getting through. In addition, those who simply wish to become more skilled operators should participate. Look for CTRI club call, WA1RR and if you can work that call, you'll earn 100 bonus points. Different club members around the state will be using the call sign WA1RR at different times in order to give participants all over RI a fair chance to make a contact. Check out the details and I'm looking forward to seeing you on 2 meter simplex (not 146.52).
Six members of the Washington County Emergency Net participated in the Westerly/Pawcatuck Memorial Day Parade representing ARES members and Amateur Radio in general. Three mobile units and marchers took part and carried Em Comm banners. The member-participants were Bud K1RKJ, Ann K1RKJ-XYL, Dean K1DAB, Jim KB1MAO, Kaz AA1EM, Sally KB1RHD, and John N1ELK. The group was well received and was invited to return. Nice PR work folks. Very good work.
While writing about the Westerly area activity, DEC Jim KB1MAO reported that they conducted a simulated anthrax mass vaccination and medical distribution drill, known as MEDS POD on June 6th. A very nice story mentioning Amateur radio participation was published in the Westerly Sun. See it at http://www.thewesterlysun.com/articles/2009/06/07/news/local/doc4a2b4d7c09b48477263353.txt . Very nice work all! This exposure with the public and professional service providers does great work in enhancing the image of Amateur radio and creating a positive impression of all Amateurs. Thank you all very much.
The regular ARES 2 meter net will be meeting on the KA1RCI repeater network on the 1st Monday of each month. The net will continue on the 3rd Monday as usual on the K1CR 146.70 repeater.This change is suggested because ARES members in Charlestown and Westerly as well as HT users elsewhere have reported difficulty in reaching the 146.70 repeater. Members were queried and this two repeater compromise seems to be a workable solution.So, the net on July 6th will be held on the KA1RCI network. Use any of the linked network repeaters listed at http://ka1rci.net:80/ka1rci_repeater/ .
The RI NTS traffic net held 13 regular sessions on the KA1RCI network in May and reports that 110 check-ins handled 121 messages. Net Manager K1YCQ has been hospitalized and we all wish Byron best wishes for a speedy return.
Dave, W2DAN is running a Winlink Radio Message Server from his home in Tiverton. It's on 145.010 MHz and he reports that it's working great. Some users in the Newport area have been using it with success and soon the Cape Cod area will be on board. The Winlink RMS will provide e mail service in an emergency if and when normal Internet service is lost. Questions may be directed to Dave at w2dan@arrl.net .
Band conditions have continued to be fairly flat although usable for daily contacts with many parts of the world. NASA experts are suggesting that the peak of Cycle 24, which is having a very tough time getting started, will not occur until the first part of 2013! How depressing! The upward slope of the new cycle should have already taken effect but we're hopeful to see improving conditions soon, maybe this fall.
The Amateur license count as well as the number of ARRL members has been rising over the last several months. Still, many new hams are totally ignorant of the importance of ARRL in protecting their hard earned new privileges. They have no idea that our granted spectrum must be protected from being taken by commercial users around the world. They don't appreciate that ARRL has full time staff whose job it is to work with Washington officials and IARU members to preserve our beloved life in ham radio. Of course, we all must do our part in that our existence as Amateurs is always in the public's interest. But, as important is our need to inform new hams of the importance and constant need for a viable agency like ARRL to work for us in monitoring and lobbying for favorable legislation and vigilance against international and domestic take over of our spectrum. Educate the new hams you meet to visit www.arrl.org regularly, use the tools available and learn about our hobby. Please encourage new hams to click the large box on the right side of ARRL's web page titled "JOIN NOW". Of course, they may also simply go to http://www.arrl.org/join and join the rest of us and doing our part to preserve privileges for ALL Amateurs, even those non members who let us support their share of the responsibility.
I just sent in my check to support the ARRL's Technology and Education Fund. I'm also a Diamond Club Life Member and support the Spectrum Defense Fund. Please consider more than your $39 dues per year as sufficient support. In these times, we need to think in larger terms if possible. All help is appreciated and very necessary.
In a recent discussion with young professional and a former member who was complaining about paying $39 per year for his membership, I pointed out what ARRL does for him, even though he doesn't support them and then reminded him that his annual membership only costs him the price of one latte per month. He understood my point and agreed that he could afford to make that sacrifice.
Thanks and 73 for now. CU at Field Day.
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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