NY QSO Party 2025 - October 18th

 

NY QSO Party Objective :

● New York stations: Work as many stations inside and outside New York as possible during the contest period. 

● Stations outside of New York State: Work as many New York stations and as many New York counties as possible during the contest period. 

● Stations may be contacted on multiple bands and modes, subject to entry class. 

● 12-hour Contest Period: October 18, 2025, from 14:00:00 UTC through 01:59:59 UTC. (10:00 AM Eastern Time through 9:59:59 PM Eastern Time). 

More info at: https://nyqp.org/wordpress/

W2LB; Larry Brightenfield Sr. - Silent Key.

 

We lost another great one! Larry Brightenfield Sr; W2LB passed away this week. We were shocked and saddened to hear of Larry's passing! Larry was one of the nicest/helpful hams around! He was known across the Western and Central NY ham communities. Larry could be regularly found on the 145.11 Rochester repeater as well as many HF nets. 

We are glad we got to chat with him in person for a few minutes at the Roc City fest back in August. Sending our sincere condolences to all of Larry's friends and family!

RIP Larry.

Services will be Wednesday October 15th in Victor NY.

link to Larry's obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/laurence-brightenfield-obituary?id=59764277#guestbook

Pumpkin Patrol 2025

 The 2025 Pumpkin Patrol will take place on Wednesday and Thursday October 30-31st

 for Bridges on the New York State Thruway.

This event contributes to the safety of travelers on the New York State Thruway. It is a statewide event and is held in cooperation with the New York State Troopers and Amateur radio groups.

The Pumpkin Patrol was initiated as a volunteer effort in 1976 by Katherine St. Jacques in Fort Johnson, Montgomery County.  Ms. St. Jacques was talking to a truck driver on her citizens band radio when the windshield of his vehicle was struck by an object thrown from an overpass.  The driver sustained injuries from the broken glass of his windshield.  St. Jacques and two companions decided to stand watch on the three over passes that crossed the Thruway in the Fort Johnson area. The State Police assumed control of the Pumpkin Patrol in 1990 as part of the State Police crime prevention effort.  More than 300 volunteers will participate in this year’s safety efforts.

PLEASE SEND US YOUR GROUPS PLANS FOR 2025 to: UpstateHam@gmail.com

Upstate NY Counties participating:

Chautaqua County (Dunkirk):

NCARC and Chautauqua County Amateur Radio Club (CCAFMA)  Pumpkin Patrol : http://users.netsync.net/~ncarc/index.htm

Erie County (Buffalo area): 

Erie County ARES/RACES Pumpkin Patrol info: https://ecarham.org/announcements/

Monroe County (Rochester area): The RARA Pumpkin Patrol event captain, Ed Wilkonski, K1EM is preparing for this year's event. Please see his article elsewhere in this month’s Rag. For more information or to register for this month's events, see our Public Service page at https://rochesterham.org/public_service.htm for more information and to volunteer.

 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdr-KssQziuUPpDSEgn5SzqNZPIxgbGd9VmAmA-78UDttsTkg/viewform

Oneida & Madison County Counties:

MOARC Pumpkin Patrol event;Thursday, October 30th & Friday, October 31st, 6PM until 10PM (ish).

Please email Andy W2ZXN (w2zxn@arrl.net) with your name, address & callsign if interested. Looking to cover all bridges in Oneida & Madison Counties!!! If you have a preference, please include your preferred bridge/location.

Ontario County (Canandaigua):

 SIARC; Dave KB2KBY is still in need of operators for the Pumpkin Patrol on October 30 and 31. If

you can volunteer, contact Dave at kb2kby@rochester.rr.com. 

Onondaga County (Syracuse area): https://www.w2cm.com/public-service/

from RAGS Review 10/25 (Syracuse):