2009 Fall Meeting - Largest EVER

Fall 2009 Meeting – Huge success!

Members from all directions of the compass ascended upon the fall meeting of the New England QRP Club in Nashua, NH Saturday—November 21st. A variety of club topics were presented with deep details for coming events which were wholly explained and questions, answers and profound explanations were fielded by members with deep authority, assurance and articulation. It is without doubt, the members of the New England QRP club are thoroughly engaged in amateur radio and extremely professional in their work. The club has a powerhouse of knowledge with a backdrop of expertise second to none. It was with great pleasure that we met, mingled, and exchanged our thoughts to promote amateur radio as were know it and what amateur radio ought to be.

Dave Siegrist – NT1U and Bruce Beford – N1RX both elucidated upon the newer, up-dated NEScaf filter and what coming features will be made. The SMT chip and reworked circuit board will be prototype in the coming months and the finished version should be ready by the end of February/March dates. Many amateurs across the country and the oceans have been emailing asking when the next version will be ready. It appears that the NEScaf filter has international fame and clam which the club deservedly accepts.

Jim Fitton – W1FMR told of his QRP cruise with the ARCI QRP Club and how it seems that no matter where you were on ship, there were antennas everywhere. Jim’s story only enticed the members to think about the next voyage in future months…QRP style.

Also at the Holiday Inn was the operating station W1N, helmed by Carl Achin – WA1ZCQ. Earlier in the morning, Carl had established a working station with antennas in the Inn’s courtyard to allow operators a chance at some CW, as well as phone, QRP power. Carl’s ICOM IC-703 did magic with several QSOs and a lot of CW chatter on the bands. The antenna was tentatively spun high into the courtyard trees with great success. Many members viewed this station as a chance to operate while at the meeting before heading home.

Rex Harper – W1REX gave a splendid detailed version of what Lobstercon was and how it achieved success to this point. Rex did said there is a ‘cut-off’ point because there are only so many people you can cater to before you lose control. The dates for 2010 Lobstercon will be the weekend AFTER the July Fourth holiday. Rex mentioned that Lobstercon has been in effect for over ten years and it continues to grow with enthusiasm. Both Rex and his daughter Kayti drove from Limerick, Maine to be a part of the Fall Meeting In Nashua.

As many now have a better understanding of the WEB site and the new NE QRP Lister, Scott Richardson – N1AIA spoke about how he maintains the WEB site and also up-graded the QRP Lister for all to use. Scott encourages members to pass the word that in order for the QRP Lister to be used, all member must subscribe for the messages to be read and answered. The Lister membership continues to grow and this is the club’s life’s blood stream for all to keep in contact. The ease and operability of the web site and its functions is a tribute to what Scott has done.

Chuck Ludinsky – K1CL discussed that the New England QRP CW net still meets every Thursday night at 8:30 local time and if no one calls the net to simply put out a call for others to hear. Also, it was suggested that Chuck entertain a design for a club QSL card, inasmuch, it is Chuck’s name who holds the call WQ1RP with the FCC. Several suggestions were offered and Chuck will decide at a later date what will be presented to the membership.

Greg O’Brien -- NE1OB spoke briefly about the MassCon QRP convention scheduled for March 2010 in Westford, Mass. Greg said that information could be found on the web and pre-registration can now be made. An entrance fee of $25 for a series of lectures by many QRPers from around the country can be bought as well as $40 for a dinner later in the evening. Details for this coming event are posted at Masscon.ORG.

The following members were in attendance at the fall meeting:

Scott Richardson – N1AIA, Berwick, ME
Don Ditullio – N1LU, Tuftonboro, NH
Jim Cluett – W1PID, Sanbornton, NH
Chuck Ludinsky – K1CL, Chelmsford, MA
Al Bates – W1XH, Chelmsford, MA
Ross Keating – KB1KGA, Mont Vernon, NH
Pete Spotts – KC1JB, Franklin, MA
Bruce Blain – K1BG, Harvard, MA
Charles Moizeau W2SH, Millington, NJ
Nick Thomas NT1A, Hampton Falls, NH
Don Shipman – W3RDF, No. Myrtle Beach, SC
Tom Doubek – AA1CA, Hampton, NH
Bob Schmeichel – N1RXV, Acton, MA
John Griswold – KK1X, Ayer, MA
Bruce Beford – N1RX, Newport, NH
Neal Swenor – KA1SAW, Northborough, MA
Ron Pfeiffer – W2CTX, Worcester, MA
Dave Siegrist – NT1U, Hudson, MA
Howard Weinstein – K3HW, Wilkes-Barre, PA
John Forrest – WB1HBE, Chelmsford, MA
Peter Mudgett – KB1PBA, Westford, MA
Carl Achin – WA1ZCQ, Hampton, NH
Jim Fitton – W1FMR, Salem, NH
Greg O’Brien – NE1OB, Marlborough, MA
Bud Valcourt – NY1Z, Salem, NH
Mark Dulcey – KE1L, Dorchester, MA
Norm Charron K1GRU, Rochester, NH
Rex Harper – W1REX, Limerick, ME
Kayti Harper – SWL, Limerick, ME
Allan Tastula – W1JOF, Hudson, NH
Dennis Marandos – K1LGQ, Brookline, NH

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Submitted by:
Dennis Marandos – K1LGQ