Category Archives: Breaking News

Local hams support Lighthouse to Lighthouse race!

Today, local hams from around the region supported the annual Lighthouse to Lighthouse race in Long Island sound off Norwalk’s Shady Beach.  This event raises fund for the Achilles foundation which helps those with disabilities participate in mainstream running races.

Many thanks, in no particular order, to:  Toy K1WYQ, Bill WG1HM, Greg KC1CRT, Lisa KC1YL, Marilyn KB1YYO, Marty Ka1WBN, Tom KD1UL, and Paul W1PPL.  Operators were stationed at the beach, on Sheffield Island, on three race support boats and the Coast Guard Auxiliary tower.

We used a go-kit with a Yaesu FT-8800 and a Sea Ranger marine radio. Antennas were an Ed Fong, and a wide band mag mount on a pie plate.

Thanks for helping, Paul WB2JVB

 

GNARC Summer Picnic!

Members! Come one, come all. Bring the YL, XYL, OM, kids, etc. SARA and GFARA have been invited as well! Don’t miss it, its one of best events of the year!

The annual summer picnic will be July 30th from 2:30 to 7:00pm. The location is the same as last year:  58 Woodhill Rd in Wilton Ct. Thanks to Lisa, KC1YL for providing the excellent venue! Here is the map. The rain date will be determined later,  if necessary. Read More →

GNARC portable operation from CT MA RI border!

On June 10th, 2017, KC1YL, W1PPL and WB2JVB traveled to the CT/MA/RI tri-point, where all states meet. This is near Thompson, CT and is at 700′ elevation. It was about a 1.5 mile hike into the woods up the mountain.  Radio was an Icom IC-706 MkIIG into a Buddipole at 20′.  Power supply was a Bioenno Lithium Iron Phosphate 15Ah battery. Picnic lunch was also enjoyed.

Over 50 contacts were made on 20m, including Alaska and several in California. Lots of midwest contacts as well.

Tons of fun, other than the millions of caterpillars that were everywhere! If you have ideas for a portable op, let Lisa know!

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Beam Repair May 18, 2017

Curt W1FSM, Charles N1LLL, Mike N1PLH, Dee N1ZD and Paul W1PPL worked on the beam.
I am told that they replaced the Balun and the Balun Straps. Installed the proper spacers in the crossover network, tightened up several loose bolts and installed a new cable from the tower to the beam. Also the tri-band vertical was removed from the top of the tower and will be relocated at a later date.
On Saturday 5/20, Curt and I put the beam through its paces and it appears to be fixed. the SWR is between 1.5:1 and 2.5:1 depending which direction it is pointed, probably due to the steel roof.

So, I am VERY HAPPY to tell the club that the beam is back in service. 

ALSO, while we were testing antennas we found that there is an intermittent problem with the All-Band OCF antenna causing the SWR to swing. Curt said that he will address this ASAP.

From: Tom K1TA

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Sheffield Island Cleanup

Two GNARC members participated in the Sheffield Island Lighthouse cleanup and get ready for opening day. The Norwalk Seaport Association lets us operate from the island, so its good to help them out. Plus we got a free ferry ride, free lunch and a nice day on the island. Don’t miss it next year! And we got in the local paper.

2017 Sheffield Island Clean up

Steve K1RF’s presentation on inexpensive test equipment

Here is the PDF of Steve’s presentation on test equipment you can find on Ebay.

Low Cost Test Equipment that you can buy on EBAY

Trailer organizing complete

Today we finished installing the shelving and wood strapping around the trailer. The tents are now help upright at the front, with eye hooks and bungee cords/rope.  All power cords, coax, surge protectors, Ethernet cabling, etc is stored in the totes you see on the shelves. The tables and plywood are leaning on the left side. A more permanent way to keep them secure is still needed, but what we have works. The heaviest bins, with the ropes and lights stay on the floor with the coolers.

See attached photos.