Minutes of CTRI Meeting on April 14, 2018

Abbreviated Minutes:  CTRI Meeting April 14, 2018

By John Lindholm, W1XX

   Meeting called to order at about 9:15 at the South Kingstown (Peace Dale) Library.  Present:  W1XX (in the chair), KB1RFJ, K1ECU, W1YRC, K1MO, AB1BX, W1AN, KS1J, K1HSY, K1DM, KC1FUU with introductions all around. 

   Treasurer’s report by KB1RFJ included a synopsis the $500 CTRI scholarship funded thru the ARRL. 

   The upcoming NEQP, May 5 – 6, was hyped to encourage CTRI participation.  KS1J displayed the 2017 club plaque won again by CTRI with a total score of 596,912 with 11 entries. 

   W1XX gave a brief Field Day update:  (1) “Folding Antenna” hexbeam arrived from DL-land awaiting being put together with K1DM and K3IU volunteering to assist; (2) Jim Crawford was contacted re availability of the Seagrave Observatory venue…awaiting meeting of Trustees; (3) K1DM will renew our insurance certificate; 4) more updates to come as we get closer to Field Day date of June 23 – 24.  

   In a surprise but welcome move, as Charlie K1ECU, began to express his willingness to give the vacant Contest Manager’s job a shot, a quick motion was passed to so elect Charlie. Congratulations!

   Welcome to two newly elected members:  Dave, K1MO from Cumberland and Andy, AB1BX from Warren.  It was pointed out that Warren is in rare Bristol County for NEQP purposes.  K1JSM will send them website access info. 

   Next meeting:  May 12 at time and venue TBD.  As a further prep for FD and for gaining familiarity with N1MM+ logging program, a video by Larry, K8UT on YouTube will be shown (TNX K3IU for info). K1JSM:  Please bring projector.  Donuts/coffee will be picked up by K1HSY.  

   The formal part of the meeting was adjourned for our Section Manager Bob, W1YRC, who did the commentary on the historic 1S1A 1973 video of the first credited DX-pedition to the Spratly Islands. It was most entertaining as Bob had a connection to the operation serving as its QSL Manager. 

  73.

   

Bob, W1YRC to narrate video of 1973 Spratly Island DXPedition at this Saturday’s (April 14th) meeting

NEWS FLASH!!!!  Our Rhode Island ARRL Section Manager, Bob W1YRC, will be providing commentary on a video of the Spratly Island Operation 1S1A of 1973, one of the early DX-peditions. Bob had a first had connection to this early operation to what are today’s now important islets in the South China Sea claimed by several countries and being build up  militarily by China.  Hear how early DX-peditioners  were shot in a war zone  at as they approached uninhabited islands during the closing years of the Viet Nam war.  Did you work the recent Spratly operation?  Time and place:  This Saturday April 14, 9 AM, South Kingstown (Peace Dale) Library.  Members, guests, etc. welcome.

73,

Pat, NG1G