Phil Temples

Two CT Clubs Disband to Form the Southeastern Connecticut Amateur Radio Society

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On Thursday, May 19, 2022, the Radio Amateur Society of Norwich (RASON) and the Tri-City Amateur Radio Club both voted to disband and create a new club, the Southeastern Connecticut Amateur Radio Society, SECARS!  These are exciting times!  The new club will have significantly greater membership, and we will be taking the best of both clubs to strengthen the amateur radio community in Southeastern CT.

Among our activities are Field Day, fox hunts, communications support for local community events, emergency preparedness and support, regular presentations

that feature technical talks and discussions of operating practice, a summer picnic and auction fundraisers.  To find out more and to join the club, please visit SECARS.org.

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This email was sent by Kevin, KA6PDG, Public Information Officer for the Southeastern CT Amateur Radio Society-

Hermon (ME) Hamfest, June 4, 2022

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Pine State ARC logoThe 34th Annual Hermon Hamfest will be held on June 4, 2022 at the Hermon High School at 2415 US 2, Hermon, Maine 04401. 

Rain or Shine!!!   7:30 AM for tailgaters & 8:00 AM for all others
Admission is $5.00 (12 & under FREE) — Exam fee is $15.00. Just coming for the Exam? No admission needed unless you plan to stay before or after testing.

Planned Events:
– License testing: all classes at 9:00 AM ***No Walk-Ins for ham testing***

 Email Pete Bither -AI1O to pre-register
-Great Food
– 50/50 raffle
– Tailgaters
– QCWA meeting after Hamfest at a local restaurant — (1:00 PM)

Talk-in is on 146.940 -0.600 offset and a 136.5 tone.

This venue has a huge parking area for easy distancing! Large lodge to get under cover.

 Contact Jerry, K1GUP, at k1gup -at- roadrunner -dot- com if you have any questions.

Candlewood ARA POTA Event, Lovers Leap State Park, New Milford CT, May 22, 2022

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Map of Lovers Leap State ParkJohn G. Morelli, W1JGM, writes on the Candlewood ARA mailing list:
 
Members of the CARA club will be meeting Sunday May 22 around 9-9:30 AM at Lovers Leap State Park in New Milford, CT to activate K-1691.
 
There have been only 8 activations and 237 QSOs from the park, I made 1 and 42 QSOs  on 4/30/2022. It is an easy activation.
 
Again, let’s bring the newer members in and share the fun.
 
For those that will set up a station, I suggest you bring your portable radio set up, a small table & chair, a pop-up canopy, POTA signs, your logging equipment. As for lunch I suggest the we all bring a pot luck type lunch. I will bring a cooler with Ice, soda and water.  
 
Let have some fun.
 
Lovers Leap SP is off Still River Road off RT 7 & 202   Next to Sonic 
 
 
73
John G. Morelli (W1JGM)
 
VP Candlewood Amateur Radio Association (CARA)
 

Project Big E Progress Continues

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Big E Recruitment FlyerProject Big E General Chairman Larry Krainson, W1AST, writes on the ProjectBigE mailing list:

As everyone knows, we have been accepted to host a ARISS contact. That’s exciting news and a small team is in place working out the details.

Also, I managed to find a local company that does creative work and will do the live streaming, video editing, projection enhancement and recording of the ARISS contact.  The company is Black Helicopter Creative and they are donating their time and effort to make this contact and the live stream a professional view for all. They have done work for the RedSox, Fenway Park, ESPN and others. You can learn more at:  https://www.blackhelicoptercreative.com/.

Also, I spent an hour on the phone with ICOM the other night and they are very enthusiastic about the booth. They offered to lend us a few HF and VHF/UHF/D-Star radios for the booth. Once the upper management approves, we’ll be locked in for ICOM on our operating table. The goal is to have a hotspot operating too with D-Star, DMR and possibly Fusion able to use it to demonstrate some digital modes.

There is more being planned.

Right now, we are looking for those that have done demonstrations and may have booth displays. The Nashua Club has offered to lend us a few items and we are looking for more from other clubs as well. If you have something, can you either post it here in a picture or email me direct with a description and photo’s please. W1AST@arrl.net.

We have a questionnaire out on the New England Division website: https://nediv.arrl.org/project-big-e  read down to “How Can I Help” and fill in the Google Form Signup Sheet link.

For those of you traveling from more than 2-3 hours away, I am looking for more HOST families in my area that could accommodate  a few people that want to stay and volunteer. I’m hoping my home club, the HCRA, steps up in a big way for this. My wife and I can accommodate 3 to maybe 4 people. Maybe 2 more if you have a sleeping bag and air mattress or a cot. But, we’re working on that.

Lastly, we are looking for some display cabinets. Does anyone or club have something? Please contact me.

We’re 4 months from the Big E right now. We need you to get the word out to local hams through your clubs. There is a flyer (bright green sheet at Near-Fest) that you can download on the NEDIV site too. We handed out around 250 the Friday of Near-Fest. More went out on Saturday. Get them out to your members please.

We have 17 days we need to man the booth for 12 hours per day per Big E rules. This booth we have is a $4000 booth that is being given to us. We have to make it look good and be there all the time. We set up the day into 2 6 hour shifts. Or anyone is welcome to do a 12 hour shift. It will be a long day, but very worth while. IF you’re wondering about meals, there will be 120 different food vendors there plus what may be available in the State buildings. You won’t go hungry!

So, once again, go here and volunteer:  https://nediv.arrl.org/project-big-e

Best 73 for an enjoyable weekend for all.

Fox Hunt in Wallingford (CT), May 15, 2022

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Dave Tipping, NZ1J, writes on ctfoxhunter on May 14, 2022:
 
We’ll have a live Fox Hunt on Sunday in Wallingford from 9:30 am until 11:00 am.

We’ll be using these three frequencies:  

There will be a 1 watt signal continuously on 146.565 MHz.  It will make a short beep every three seconds and will ID in Morse code every minute.

The 10 mW transmitter is on 147.475 MHz and will beep every three seconds and will ID in Morse Code every minute.

The 1 mW transmitter is on 146.290 MHz and beeps every three seconds.

 
There is no central starting location.  Other Fox Hunters can be contacted on the W1NRG repeater 147.360 with PL 162.2
 
Good luck.

Dave NZ1J

Marine Corps Veteran Honored in NEAR-Fest Closing Ceremony

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Mike Crestohl, W1RC, writes:

On April 30 2022, a very special presentation was made by Paul DePetrillo, W1PRA, to Michael “Mickey” O’Keefe, NV1C, at NEAR-Fest XXXI in Deerfield NH. 

NV1C is a Marine Corps veteran and a survivor of the Chosen Reservoir battles in Korea in 1950.  Several years ago Paul met him at NEAR-Fest and awarded him a Lifetime Pass for his service.  Last February at the Marlborough (MA) flea market I spotted a book on Mickey’s table called “Give Me Tomorrow” about the Marines with whom he served in Korea.  The photo on the cover depicted a Marine, cold and hungry but obviously still hopeful.  “That’s me!” Mickey exclaimed.

Some research revealed that the photo originally appeared in the December 25th 1950 issue of Life Magazine.  I searched online and found the article which I forwarded to Paul who showed it to Bob Curran, an artist friend of his.  Bob was so impressed by the picture that he felt compelled to recreate the powerful image in a beautiful painting.

At the NEAR-Fest Closing Ceremony April 30th 2022 Paul presented Bob’s painting to Mickey.  Obviously taken by surprise and almost speechless NV1C commented: I am no hero; I am a survivor.”

We beg to differ. All our service people who served in foreign conflicts are heroes.  To honor their service NEAR-Fest has created a special award; a Lifetime Pass to our Hamfest to any amateur who has been awarded a military decoration “of distinction” like a Bronze Star, Silver Star, Purple Heart, Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, etc.  For more information contact Paul at paulw1pra@gmail.com.

 
 
 

USS Nautilus N1S QRV for Museum Ships on the Air, Groton CT, June 3-5, 2022

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USS NautilusHarrison Solt, N1FAM, writes on the Radio Amateur Society of Norwich (CT) mailing list:

Museum Ships Weekend is three weeks away.  It will take place from 8:00 PM local time Friday June 3rd until 8:00 PM local time Sunday June 5th.  At last update there are 75 Ships/Museums registered.  We are good to go at the Submarine Force Library & Museum on Crystal Lake Road in Groton, site of the Historic Ship USS NAUTILUS.  We will use the call sign N1S.  

We have permission to access the site for the entire event period.  We will set up canopies and antennas Thursday afternoon, June 2nd starting at 1:00 PM.  Set up will be around the picnic patio. 

During the event we will have four or five operating positions.  If you are available on Thursday your help in setting up is appreciated.  During the event, all are welcome to visit and operate.  

More up-dates will be posted as the event nears as well as any pending needs, we find we have regarding gear, support or whatever.  Your thoughts on how to enhance or improve our operation and event are encouraged, requested, and appreciated.