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ARRL NC Section Newsletter - December, 2015

Posted Jan 5, 2016

Happy New Year from Karl W4CHX, your ARRL NC Section Manager!

HR 1301 AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT OF 2015 (UPDATE) - As of January 2nd, HR 1301 has 116 co-sponsors, including 5 Representatives from North Carolina: David Price (D-NC-4); Walter Jones, Jr (R-NC-3); Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10); David Rouzer (R-NC-7); and, Renee Elmers (R-NC-2). Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1301/cosponsors, copy and paste this link into your web browser.

S 1685 AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT OF 2015 (UPDATE) - In June 2015, S 1685 Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 was introduced in the US Senate. The wording in S 1685 and HR 1301 are identical. Senator Roger F. Wicker (R-MS) introduced S 1685 into the US Senate. As of January 2nd, there are 3 co-sponsors: Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the original co-sponsor of the Bill; Senator Al Franken (D-MN); and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS). Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1685/cosponsors; copy and paste this link into your web browser. For further information on HR 1301 and S 1685 Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015, see http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-parity-act

2015 ROANOKE DIVISION ARRL SERVICE AWARD (DEADLINE, 1/15) - Nominations are being accepted for the 2015 Roanoke Division ARRL Service Award. The Award was instituted in 1968 by then Roanoke Division Director Vic Clark, W4KFC (SK). Vic W4KFC (SK) intended the Award to be recognition for a long history of significant and consistent contributions to amateur radio. The amateur selected would have, over the years, dedicated much of his/her time to amateur radio and the ARRL. Nominations and resumes are encouraged and accepted from the ARRL members in the Roanoke Division. Winners of the Roanoke Division ARRL Service Award become members of the selection committee and vote on subsequent nominees. An individual may receive the Award only once. The Award is administered by the Roanoke Division Director. Please contact Dr. James Boehner, N2ZZ, Roanoke Division Vice Director at n2zz@arrl.org for further information on the Award and the nomination procedures. The deadline for nominations is January 15, 2016. Thanks to Dr. James Boehner, N2ZZ, Roanoke Division Vice Director, for providing this information!

REMINDER! 2016 ARRL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IS NOW OPEN (DEADLINE, 1/31) - The ARRL Foundation is currently accepting applications from eligible radio amateurs pursuing higher education. In 2016, more than 80 scholarships will be awarded with amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000. One applicant will be selected for the prestigious William R. Goldfarb Memorial Scholarship, which is presented to a high school senior pursuing a degree in business, computers, medical, nursing, engineering, or science. The application window will close at 11:59 PM EST, January 31, 2016. Transcripts must be received by Thursday, February 18, 2016. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-program (source: ARRL website)

REMINDER! ARRL INVITING NOMINATIONS FOR SIX AWARDS (DEADLINES, MARCH - APRIL, 2016) - The ARRL is inviting nominations for six (6) awards honoring excellence in amateur radio. The awards include: 1) the Hiram Percy Maxim Award, which honors a young amateur radio operator; 2) the ARRL Herb S. Brier Instructor of the Year Award; 3) the ARRL Microwave Development Award; 4) the ARRL Technical Service Award; 5) the ARRL Technical Innovation Award; and, the Knight Distinguished Service Award. For further information on these awards and others, the nomination procedures, and deadlines, see http://www.arrl.org/news/nominations-solicited-for-six-arrl-awards-2 and http://www.arrl.org/arrl-award-nominations (source: ARRL website)

AUXILIARY COMMUNICATIONS (AuxComm) COURSE TO BE OFFERED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ORLANDO HAMCATION 2016 (2/9-11) - The Office of Emergency Communications, Department of Homeland Security will be offering their Auxiliary Communications (AuxComm) Course on February 9-11, 2016 in the Orlando, FL area. More than 1,200 amateur radio operators in the US have taken the course. The purpose of the AuxComm course is train qualified amateur radio operators to assist local, county, and state government with ICS-compliant emergency backup communications, if requested. Registration for the AuxComm course is now open. Please note that applicants must meet all course prerequisites; and, only students with pre-approved registration will be allowed to attend the AuxComm course. The course is limited to 40 students. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/ares-el?issue=2015-12-16#toc11 and http://www.hamcation.com/?page_id=551. Registrations and questions regarding this course should be sent to: OEC@hq.dhs.gov, with the key word "Orlando HamCation 2016" in the subject line. (sources: ARRL ARES E-Letter, December 16, 2015; and, Orlando Hamcation website, http://www.hamcation.com/)

NORTH CAROLINA QSO PARTY (2/28) - The North Carolina QSO Party, sponsored by Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2016, from 1000 EST to 2000 EST. For further information, see http://www.rars.org/ncqsoparty/

ARRL NATIONAL PARKS ON THE AIR 2016 - The ARRL National Parks On The Air is QRV! Help the National Park Service (NPS) celebrate its 100th anniversary by activating NPS units, promoting the NPS, and demonstrating amateur radio to the public via participation in this operating event! For information on rules, answers to frequently asked questions, activator tips, NPOTA documents, answers to basic questions from NPS employees, the Leaderboard, list of NPOTA units, merchandise, NPOTA on social media, and latest news, see http://www.arrl.org/NPOTA (source: ARRL website)

REMINDER! UPCOMING DXPEDITIONS - Early January 2016: Antipodes Island (ZL9A), see http://iotahunter.org/ Thanks to Bernie McClenny, W3UR and the Weekly DX for providing this information! January 12-25, 2016: Palmyra Atoll (K5P), see http://palmyra2016.org/index.html January 17-25, February 1-9, 2016 (projected dates): South Sandwich Island (VP8STI) and South Georgia Island (VP8SGI), see http://www.intrepid-dx.com/vp8/index.php For information on other upcoming DXpeditions, see http://www.cdxa.org/ , click on Coming Events, click on DXpeditions Listed On NG3K.

JAMBOREE ON THE AIR (JOTA) PARTICIPATION DIPS FOR THIRD YEAR - Scout participation in Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) for 2015 declined 8 percent from 2014, even though there was little change in the number of registered stations and station reports. Since only 208 of 346 (60%) of registered stations filed a station report, the overall activity may have been higher. In 2015, twenty-two (22) stations were registered for JOTA participation in the NC Section. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/scouting-s-jamboree-on-the-air-jota-participation-dips-for-third-year

LICENSING CLASSES - Raleigh (NC): Technician licensing class, January 16 to February 6, 2016, sponsored by Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, contact Murray Merner, K4MHM by phone at (919) 803-7973 or by email at k4mhm at arrl dot net for further information. Kenansville (NC): Technician licensing class, January 21-24, 2016, sponsored by Duplin Emergency Communications Alliance Inc, contact Robert Steen, N7ZKO by phone at (910) 285-5745 or by email at deca dot info15 at gmail dot com; or, contact Michael Pratt, KK4VBH, by phone at (570) 768-6629 or by email at kk4vbh at yahoo dot com for further information. As of January 4th, this information was not posted on the ARRL website. Goldsboro (NC): General licensing class, January 26 to March 1, 2016, sponsored by Wayne County Amateur Radio Association, contact Peter Wene, WA5T by phone at (919) 440-2937 or by email at pete at wene dot net for further information. Wilkesboro (NC): Technician licensing class, February 1 to April 11, 2016, sponsored by Foothills Amateur Radio Club, contact Dave Ritter, ND4MR by phone at (336) 838-6124 or by email at david dot ritter at wilkescc dot edu for further information. Gastonia (NC): Technician licensing class, February 13, 2016, sponsored by Greater Gaston Radio Society, contact Tony Jones, N4ATJ by phone at (704) 827-2138 or by email at n4atj at bellsouth dot net for further information. To find upcoming classes, go to www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class Please note that a licensing class sponsored by your club or organization will not be listed on the ARRL website unless you register your class. ARRL Registered Instructors may list upcoming classes on the ARRL website. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/License-instructor-registration Also, please let me know if your club is sponsoring a licensing class. Thanks! (sources: ARRL website)

MEDIA HITS AND REPORTS - The following media hits and reports are included in this month's newsletter: On amateur radio operators John (KJ4EJH) and Janice (KJ4JPE) Hopkins; and, SKYWARN Recognition Day 2015, see http://www.jdnews.com/article/20141205/News/312059922/0/SEARCH

On Pender County ARES, see http://issuu.com/post-voice/docs/postvoice_11.26.15, see pages 7 and 13. Thanks to Stan White, KI4NC, President, Hampstead Hams, for providing this report!

On Gaston County Amateur Radio Society providing assistance to the community, see http://www.gastongazette.com/article/20151209/NEWS/151209011 (source: ARRL website, see Media Hits)

On the Foothills Community Workshop (Granite Falls) and amateur radio, see http://caldwelljournal.com/foothills-community-workshop-fcw-features-a-ho-scale-model-railroad/ (source: Google search) and, http://n4lnr.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/LARC-1-2016C.pdf, pages 5-6. Thanks to Tanner Greer, KK4SZI, President, Lenoir Amateur Radio Club, for providing this information!

On SKYWARN Recognition Day 2015 at NWS Newport, see http://www.jdnews.com/article/20151221/LIFESTYLE/151229305/0/SEARCH Thanks to Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer, for providing this media hit!

The following report on SKYWARN Recognition Day 2015 was received from Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE: "Skywarn Recognition Day 2015 was a very successful day for Newport Skywarn! Hal Austin NC4HA sent us our results for contacts with NWS Offices - 21. The office gets the Supercell Thunderstorm Certificate. Hal, a meteorologist at NWS Newport, gave tours of the facility and answered all questions that we all had. John Cole, NWS Newport Chief Coordinating Meteorologist, conducted a basic spotter training session and ten new spotters will receive their numbers soon! More than 20 Hams attended the festivities, and worked the radios on 20 meters and IRLP. We all put the face to the mic and had a great time. Carteret County Amateur Radio Society even had their Emergency Communications Trailer there for our use, also. Many thanks to them. My best contacts on IRLP were NWS Raleigh NC and NWS Miami FL, National Hurricane Center, along with 10 others! John Hopkins, KJ4EJH, Newport Skywarn EC, introduced folks, answered questions, and generally had a very successful SRD 2015! 73, Janice KJ4JPE." Thanks to Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE, Newport SKYWARN AEC and ARRL-trained Public Information Officer, for providing this report!

The following report was received from Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE: "To all, Here is the article with photo in Sunday's Carteret County News Times! Thank you to all of you who helped make this Skywarn Recognition Day 2015 so wonderful! One correction to article - we made 21 contacts together - Lee Lannoye WA9AOE, Richard Parrott KM6DH, and Janice Hopkins KJ4JPE. 73, Janice KJ4JPE." Note: an online link to the article could not be located. Thanks to Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer, for providing this report!

The following report was received from Ralph Wallio, W0RPK: "ARRL Members in our North Carolina Section may be interested: John Brier, KG4AKV, of Raleigh NC, documents his OSCAR operations with composite video productions. His "Space Comms Trailer January 2016", and following videos are available via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSBPdAmBx8k. John combines reception videos with satellite tracking maps and demodulation graphics to help us understand his operations. AMSAT-NA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, and numerous contributing OSCAR operators continuously update the, "AMSAT Live OSCAR Satellite Status Page", via http://www.amsat.org/status/. TNX es 73 de Ralph Wallio, W0RPK" Thanks to Ralph Wallio, W0RPK of Greenville, for providing this report!

The following report from Ed Kuebert, K5EK was forwarded by Bill Morine, N2COP: "2 Meter Repeater 145.130 (-0.600). HI: As many of you know I have been working to put up a local repeater in the Southport/St. James area for the past few months. Good things come to those who are patient - not one of my few virtues. Over the holidays Yaesu delivered the DR-1X I ordered. It is up and running (20 watts output) on the coordinated frequency of 145.13 MHz (-0.600). It is an analog/digital FM repeater running in what is known as the Auto/Auto Mode, which means that the output mode follows the input. So if you should hear a bunch of strange tones when listening just key your mic, identify, and ask the station to switch to analog (normal) FM. The tones are Yaesu's brand of digital communications known as C4FM. Note: this is not the same as Icom's digital signal (D-STAR). My long-term goal is to run this in the digital mode, but in the interim I will use either Auto/Auto or Auto/FM (analog FM output regardless of the input). No tone is needed for access. The output includes a 100 HZ tone so you can use tone squelch if you like. I anticipate that there will be many changes as I learn more about operating a repeater. The repeater will be off the air during lightning storms and/or other times when I would typically crank down my tower and disconnect the antennae. I had a lot of help, encouragement and advice putting this on the air and I want to thank N2MH, Mark; KD4GHL, Thomas; N4JDW, David; NI4SR, Stephen; K7BV, Dennis; K4EZ, Mike; and, many others who provided guidance, parts, coordination and lots of encouragement. This is a new learning experience for me and I appreciate all the help. Please feel free to use the repeater when you are in the area, and please let others know about it. I'd appreciate your feedback/comments so I can improve the service in the future. Happy New Year!!! Ed, K5EK." Thanks to Ed Kuebert, K5EK, Secretary, Brunswick Shores Amateur Radio Club, for providing this great resource to Hams in southeastern NC and northeastern SC; and, to Bill Morine, N2COP, Roanoke Division Vice Director, for forwarding this information!

NTS SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2015 - QNI (total check-ins): 1,843; Total messages passed: 557. Station Activity Reports (SARs), total number: K4IWW 304, WK4WC 182, W4DNA 172, KC4PGN 148, WB4ZIQ 106, AK4RJ 97, W4TTO 75, W4EAT 72, KJ4JPE 61, KE4AHC 36, KW4EMG 36, KM4HSO 23. Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR), total number: KW4EMG 231, W4DNA 150, KJ4JPE 140, WB4ZIQ 135, WK4WC 135, K4IWW 130, KK4LGM 101, W4TTO 100, KM4HXX 96, AK4RJ 90, KM4HSO 63. Thanks to all stations for participating in NC Section traffic activities; and, to Dave Roy, W4DNA, Section Traffic Manager, for providing this information!

REMINDER! NET CONTROL STATIONS NEEDED FOR TARHEEL EMERGENCY NET - The Tar Heel Emergency Net (THEN) is the North Carolina ARES net on the HF bands. It is on the air every evening at 7:30 PM local time on 3.923 MHz. The purposes of the THEN are to provide emergency communications, provide training in net operations, serve as a forum for discussion, and promote fellowship among radio amateurs. Presently, additional Net Control Stations are needed. If you are involved in ARES - NC AUXCOMM activities, would like to participate in net operations, and improve your operating skill please consider becoming a Net Control Station for the THEN. For further information, see https://www.ncarrl.org/nets/THEN/index.html or contact me by email at w4chx at arrl dot org, or by cell phone at (919) 669-6068. (source: NC ARRL website)

SILENT KEYS - With deep regret, the passing of the following amateur radio operators is reported: George M. Allard, KE4WUJ (SK) of Sunset Beach; Robert Yates Hamrick, Jr, WA4RH (SK) of Manning, SC; Warren Robert Potter, W2GFJ (SK) of Franklin; Edgar Ernest ("Ed") Powell III, KF4AY (SK) of Lowgap, NC; George C. Richards, Jr, WA4EKJ (SK) of Raleigh; and, David D. Wager, W4JKU (SK) of Richlands. Please note it is not possible to post information about an amateur radio operator that has become a Silent Key without confirmation via a copy of an obituary or death certificate.

SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS - March 12-13: Battle of Guilford Courthouse - 235th Anniversary, 1300Z-1900Z, N4G, Greensboro, NC. Greensboro Amateur Radio Association. 21.325 14.325 7.235. QSL. N4G Special Event Station, GARA, PO Box 7054, Greensboro, NC 27417. DSTAR REF054C. This event is NPOTA activation (MP-04). Request SASE for QSL. www.n4g-gch.org Special Event Station listings in the NC Section newsletter are based on what appears on the ARRL website, see http://www.arrl.org/special-event-stations Please consider listing your Special Event Station at least 60 days before the event, see http://www.arrl.org/special-events-application Also, please let me know if your club is sponsoring a Special Event Station. Thanks!

UPCOMING HAMFESTS AND CONVENTIONS - January 9: Winston-Salem FirstFest, Forsyth Amateur Radio Club, Winston-Salem, NC, see http://www.w4nc.com/ws_firstfest_2016.htm March 11-12: Charlotte Hamfest, Mecklenburg Amateur Radio Society, Concord, NC, http://charlottehamfest.org April 2: 44th Annual RARSfest/ARRL NC Section Convention, Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, Raleigh, NC, http://rars.org/rarsfest May 28: 42nd Annual DurHamFest, Durham FM Association (DFMA), Durham, NC (new location), http://dfma.org July 9: 31st Annual Firecracker Hamfest, Rowan Amateur Radio Society, Salisbury, NC, http://www.rowanars.org/firecracker-hamfest July 16: Mid-Summer SWAPFEST, Cary Amateur Radio Club, Cary, NC, http://www.qsl.net/n4nc August 13: 18th Annual Cape Fear ARS Swapfest, Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society, Fayetteville, NC, http://www.cfarsnc.org/ September 3-4: 60th Annual Shelby Hamfest/ARRL NC State Convention, Shelby Amateur Radio Club, Shelby, NC, http://shelbyhamfest.org It is not too early to apply for ARRL-affiliation of your club's 2016 hamfest! For more information, see http://www.arrl.org/arrl-sanctioned-events (source: ARRL website) QUA* - Happy new year! Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or want to provide input on our Section. I can be reached via email at w4chx@arrl.org or via cell phone. As always, thank you for sending your emails, photos, and club newsletters - they keep me informed about your activities and programs! I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming hamfest or club meeting. Thanks for everything you are doing for amateur radio and your community. 73, Karl Bowman, W4CHX, ARRL North Carolina Section Manager, (919) 669-6068 (cell)