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ARRL NC Section Newsletter

April 2017

Greetings from Karl W4CHX, your ARRL NC Section Manager!

OUTER BANKS REPEATER ASSOCIATION RECEIVES 2017 GOVERNOR'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD – The Outer Banks Repeater Association (OBRA) in North Carolina has been presented with the 2017 Governor's Volunteer Service Award. OBRA President Andrew Darling, AA3YQ, accepted the citation at the April 17 Dare County Commissioners meeting in Manteo. The citation, signed by Governor Roy Cooper, said that OBRA members set themselves apart from other volunteer organizations "by always being available, even when the weather drives other organizations to sit back and stay out of harm's way." The citation said, "During other events they are often the first to arrive and the last to leave as they set up post to coordinate communications, ensuring that the event runs smoothly. And, when needed there is a focal point to deliver seamless coordination with emergency response personnel." The citation said OBRA's "disciplined, patient, and knowledgeable operators" are the result of an in-depth training licensing process. OBRA supports Dare County Emergency Management during storms and other major emergencies and provides communication support for numerous public events. — Thanks to Peregrine White, KI4IBF, OBRA PIO. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/outer-banks-repeater-association-receives-2017-governor-s-volunteer-service-award (sources: ARRL website, KI4IBF, KJ4JPE)

SB 364, HB 831 BRIAN GARLOCK ACT UPDATE AND CORRECTION REGARDING FIRST RESPONDERS – The progress of SB 364 and HB 831 Brian Garlock Acts as they progress through the NC legislature is being monitored. Presently, both Bills remain "in committee" and may not be acted upon during this legislative session. Regardless, we will keep you informed. In the event that you plan to write a letter to your State Senator or State Representative regarding exclusion of mobile amateur radio operations from these Bills or any similar proposed legislation in the future, it would be incorrect to refer to amateur radio operators as emergency responders. For further information, please see the statement below.

The following statement was received from Bill Morine, N2COP, ARRL Roanoke Division Vice Director: "First, I want to thank North Carolina Section Manager Karl Bowman, W4CHX, for the opportunity to send this message to NC ARRL members. As a former North Carolina Section Manager myself, I and my predecessors retain an interest to look out and act on issues, which impact Hams in our home state. In the first week of April, I became aware of state bill SB 364, "An Act To Make Using A Mobile Telephone Or Electronic Communication Device Unlawful While Operating A Motor Vehicle On A Public Street, Highway, Or Public Vehicular Area Unless Hands-Free Equipment Is Used By The Operator". The bill has a short title of the "Brian Garlock Act". It is named after a young man who tragically lost his life in 2008 in the Charlotte area while using a mobile device. The measure is part of a nationwide effort to curtail distracted driving. According to Wikipedia, such laws have already been enacted in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia (plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

ARRL has always vigorously opposed any legislation, which would curtail mobile operations. In 2009, the National Safety Council (NSC) wrote to ARRL that it was not aware of any accidents due to the use of mobile Amateur Radio equipment, and furthermore NSC does not support "legislative bans or prohibitions" of mobile use. That statement is embodied in ARRL's 2014 Mobile Amateur Radio Policy Statement, which can be found at http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Regulatory/Mobile%20ARS%20Policy%202014%20October.pdf

During the first week of April, I helped to craft a letter to my state senator Michael Lee (NC9-New Hanover), who represents my home district of Wilmington, and is one of the three primary sponsors of SB 364. In my haste to compose a sample letter for Wilmington area Hams to send to Sen. Lee, I included a sentence in which I said NCDOT recognizes Amateur Radio operators as First Responders. I should have recognized that my template would go viral across the state, and it became the de facto correspondence, which many NC Hams sent to their respective senators. As soon as the letter began to circulate around the state, many Hams contacted me to say Amateur Radio operators are not First Responders. After researching the matter further, they are correct.

In the pre 9-11 and Hurricane Katrina era, Amateur Radio operators often were with First Responders. Before there was universally available internet, cell phone coverage, and social media, Hams often were the primary source of communications at the front lines. That image was reinforced with the uniquely plain license plates issued by NCDOT for Amateur Radio in which there are no background graphics. Folklore overtook fact checking as I wrote my letter, and I made a wrong assumption. NCDMV MVR-35 is the form to apply for an Amateur Radio license plate. The form, which has not been revised since 1986, states, "…I have purchased a portable radio suitable for use in emergencies." No mention of First Responder status. An unofficial, but very informative, website on North Carolina license plates at https://www.ricksplates.com/northcarolina/nccurr-per.htm has a section on Amateur Radio tags. The website explains that, "'First in Flight' graphic plates do not have a place for a legend to identify the plate type, so amateur radio operators must make do with these plain, non-graphic plates, which are similar to commercial or weighted vanity plates."

So, my error must bring to an end the enduring myth that North Carolina Amateur Radio operators are First Responders. However, with the sunset of this falsehood should spring the dawn of how Hams respond to emergencies. Government agencies and Non-Government Organizations, or "NGOs" like the American Red Cross, North Carolina Baptist Relief, etc are increasingly requiring their volunteers to have professional training, mainly FEMA's National Incident Management System/Incident Command System courses, known as NIMS/ICS courses. In a widespread disaster, Hams of all levels of training and license classes may be needed. But for those who want to contribute on declared government and NGO deployments, they will need ICS courses 100, 200, 700, and 800 at a minimum. Even if you are never involved in an exercise where this training is mandatory, your understanding and appreciation for an organized response to an emergency will be enhanced.

To bring home lessons learned from the campaign to attain an Amateur Radio exclusion in SB 364 and HB831, here is a summary of what we as North Carolina Hams need to know and do: 1) we are not First Responders; 2) never self-deploy to a government declared disaster without clearance from your chain of command in the Amateur Radio unit through which you respond, be it ARES®, NC AUXCOMM, MARS, Red Cross, etc; 3) if you have not already, please complete NIMS/ICS courses 100, 200, 700, and 800; and, 4) use common sense when in your vehicle or responding to an emergency. The National Safety Council has declared it knows of no Amateur Radio accidents due to mobile operation. Let's keep it that way. And finally, I apologize to the North Carolina Section for my mistake. It was an honest one, but one from which I hope we all can close chapters on misconceptions, and open doors to a bright future of unfettered mobile use and meaningful emergency communications response. 73, Bill N2COP." Thanks to Bill Morine, N2COP ARRL Roanoke Division Vice Director, for providing this correction! (sources: N2COP, W4CHX)

ARMED FORCES DAY CROSSBAND MILITARY/AMATEUR RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TEST IS MAY 13 (5/13) – The US Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard will sponsor the traditional military/amateur radio communication tests on Saturday, May 13 to mark the 66th annual Armed Forces Day (AFD). Armed Forces Day is May 20, but the AFD Crossband Military-Amateur Radio event will take place a week earlier in order to avoid schedule conflicts with those attending Hamvention. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/armed-forces-day-crossband-military-amateur-radio-communications-test-is-may-13 (source: ARRL website)

HISTORIC NSS CALL SIGN TO BE REACTIVATED FOR FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN 40 YEARS (5/13-14) – Operators from the US Naval Academy Radio Club (W3ADO) and the Potomac Valley Radio Club (W3GRF) will reactivate the historic NSS call sign on May 13-14 during the Armed Forces Day Crossband Military/Amateur Radio Communications Test. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/historic-nss-call-sign-to-be-reactivated-for-first-time-in-more-than-40-years (source: ARRL website)

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE 2017 BILL PASTERNAK YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR (DEADLINE, 5/31) – Nominations for the 2017 Bill Pasternak/Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year (YHOTY) will be accepted until May 31. Candidates for the award must be 18 or younger and reside in the US (or its possessions) or Canada. Nominees must hold a valid Amateur Radio license issued by the US or Canada. A candidate needs to have accomplished something outstanding as an Amateur Radio operator, whether by recruiting new hams, engaging in a community service project, or helping to benefit Amateur Radio in other ways. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/nominations-are-open-for-the-2017-bill-pasternak-young-ham-of-the-year (source: ARRL website)

DEADLINE FOR THE QST ANTENNA DESIGN COMPETITION IS JUNE 1 (DEADLINE, 6/1) – The deadline to submit entries for the 2017 QST Antenna Design Competition is Thursday, June 1. Enter in one of three categories – 160 meters, LF, or VLF; 80 through 10 meters, and 6 meters and higher bands. Only one entry per person or team will be accepted. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/deadline-for-the-qst-antenna-design-competition-is-june-1 (source: ARRL website)

ARRL FIELD DAY SITE LOCATOR IS LIVE FOR 2017, PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AVAILABLE (6/24-25) – ARRL Field Day is June 24-25. The Field Day site locator is now up and running, and, to date, around 400 sites already are in the database. To find a Field Day site near you, type in your town and state in the "Location or Call Sign" box at the upper left. Listings also are available by state or Canadian province. To add a site, visit the Add Field Day Station page. The 2017 Field Day public service announcements (PSAs) for event publicity are now available in audio or video formats. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-field-day-site-locator-is-live-for-2017-public-service-announcements-available (source: ARRL website)

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR USA ARDF CHAMPIONSHIPS (7/31 to 8/6) – Registration is now under way for the 2017 USA and International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 2 championships of Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF), which will take place August 3-6 near Harrison, Ohio, northwest of Cincinnati near the Indiana state line. Three optional training days are planned for Monday through Wednesday, July 31-August 2 near Harrison, just prior to the championships. If you have never experienced a full ARDF course, this is your chance to do so in a friendly environment. Your only opponent will be the clock. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/registration-now-open-for-usa-ardf-championships (source: ARRL website)

CLUB LOG IS NOW A LOGBOOK OF THE WORLD TRUSTED PARTNER – Club Log has become the first logging service to achieve Trusted Partner™ status for Logbook of the World® (LoTW), ARRL and Club Log have announced. Radio amateurs holding LoTW "callsign certificates" who have uploaded logs to Club Log now can readily cross-post them to the highly secure LoTW – world's largest repository for confirming Amateur Radio contacts. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/club-log-is-now-a-logbook-of-the-world-trusted-partner (source: ARRL website)

REVISED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN ARRL AND FCC STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS – The ARRL Executive Committee (EC) has directed that work begin on finalizing the language of a revised memorandum of understanding between ARRL and the FCC regarding the Amateur Auxiliary (Official Observer) program. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/revised-memorandum-of-understanding-between-arrl-and-fcc-still-a-work-in-progress (source: ARRL website)

ARTICLE LINKS AMATEUR RADIO GROWTH TO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS – An April 11 article, "Emergency Communications Driving Increase in Amateur Radio Operators," in Emergency Management magazine links the growth in Amateur Radio numbers to interest in emergency communications. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/article-links-amateur-radio-growth-to-emergency-communications (source: ARRL website)

RARSFEST HOST 2017 ARRL ROANOKE DIVISION CONVENTION – The 45th annual RARSfest on April 15 – sponsored by the Raleigh Amateur Radio Society – hosted the 2017 ARRL Roanoke Division Convention. The convention was held indoors at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, in Raleigh. ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, who represented the League at the event, said a youth-operated special event station was among the activities aimed to appeal to younger attendees. In a presentation highlighting some ARRL Second Century activities, Inderbitzen noted the ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Initiative, intended to bolster activity at college and university ham radio clubs. Emphasizing some of the goals of the ARRL Strategic Plan, he further encouraged all radio amateurs to work closely with ARRL to help new licensees get involved, get active, and get on the air. ARRL Roanoke Division Director Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, presented the 2016 Roanoke Division ARRL Service Award to Matthew W. McGuire Jr., AF4UZ. The award was instituted in 1968 by then-Roanoke Division Director and past ARRL President Vic Clark, W4KFC (SK). It recognizes an individual's history of significant and consistent contributions to Amateur Radio. Among the many ARRL volunteers represented at the convention were North Carolina Section Manager Karl Bowman, W4CHX; Section Youth Coordinator for Scouting Dave Price, K4KDP; DXCC Card Checker and Raleigh Area QSL Manager Bill McDowell, K4CIA; Berkeley County (SC) ARES Emergency Coordinator Linda Selleck, KJ4EVV; Roanoke Division Assistant Director Chuck Littlewood, K4HF; and Roanoke Division Vice Director Bill Morine, N2COP. Event photos are posted to the ARRL Facebook page. For further information, including links to the ARRL Strategic Plan and event photos, see http://www.arrl.org/news/rarsfest-hosts-2017-arrl-roanoke-division-convention (source: ARRL website)

IMPORTANT NOTICE – NEW MF AND LF BANDS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE TO USE! – The new 630-meter and 2200-meter bands are not yet available for Amateur Radio use. The effective date of the recent FCC Report & Order (R&O) granting these allocations has not yet been determined, and until the start date has been set, it is not legal under an Amateur Radio license to transmit on either band. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/important-notice-new-mf-and-lf-bands-are-not-yet-available-to-use (source: ARRL website, KA1UFZ)

SPRING ISSUE OF RADIO WAVES IS NOW AVAILABLE – The spring edition of ARRL's license instruction and radio science education news e-magazine Radio Waves is on the virtual newsstand. Featured stories: "KID Museum Station Powers Up at Maker Faire," "Amateur Radio Sparks Interest at Elementary School," and "Making a Good Hobby Better through Post-Licensing Enrichment," and "Teaching with the Solar Eclipse." There's also news on the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, and word of a new "passive method" to learn the code. The spring edition reviews the latest Boy Scouts' "Radio" merit badge requirements, and it includes a calendar of upcoming events, opportunities, and deadlines. Radio Waves is free! For further information, including a link to Radio Waves, see http://www.arrl.org/news/spring-issue-of-radio-waves-is-now-available (sources: ARRL website, KA1UFZ)

LICENSE CLASSES –

Gastonia (NC): Technician license class, June 17, 2017, sponsored by Greater Gaston Amateur Radio Society, contact Tony Jones, N4ATJ by phone at (704) 827-2138 or by email at N4ATJ at bellsouth dot net for further information.

Gastonia (NC): General license class, June 17, 2017, sponsored by Greater Gaston Amateur 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 license 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 license class. Thanks! (source: ARRL website)

MEDIA HITS AND REPORTS – The following media hits and reports are included in this month's newsletter:

On an amateur radio operator raising funds for eye surgery, see http://www.mydailyrecord.com/eedition/a-main/2017/04/26/radio-man-raises-11k-for-eye-surgery/ and http://www.mydailyrecord.com/eedition/a-main/2017/03/27/dunns-guiding-voice-in-need-of-direction/ (source: Google search)

The following report was received from John Brier, KG4AKV: "Thanks to everyone at RARS [Raleigh Amateur Radio Society] who helped me set this up, especially Ian who got me on the PA and loaned me a table and answered a lot of questions. https://spacecomms.wordpress.com/2017/04/16/raleigh-hamfest-satellite-demos-success/." Thanks to John Brier, KG4AKV of Raleigh, for providing this report! (source: KG4AKV)

The following (edited) information was received from Dave Price, K4KDP: "2017 SR-7B Conclave OAX Exhibitor Information. … On Saturday April 22nd, Jonathan Sharp KM4RAD, Geoffrey Rudy KK4MOV, William Thompson KK4ZIU (remote via radio), and myself set up a Radio exhibit at the Boy Scout Order of the Arrow Conclave event at Camp Raven Knob near Mount Airy, NC. We were placed on the hill just above a place where three gravel roads meet in an area that had a lot of foot traffic. The ARRL banner was placed so it could be seen and read several hundred feet away to those walking near the exhibits. Jonathan had a lot of interest in his QRP backpack setup (LNR Precision LD-5 transceiver, Elecraft T1 tuner, random length end-fed antenna with a 9:1 unun) and explained to the Scouts how he would hike up a mountain and transmit. Geoffrey was running FLDIGI software on his tiny Raspberry Pi computer and using PSK-31. In addition, he had a small TV monitor display. The Raspberry Pi matched with the radio had parents coming up and asking to see the exhibit their son had talked about. I had three different kinds of Morse Code practice keys and RTTY reception on my Icom 706. A lot of the Scouts enjoyed practicing code by "sending" their names. Once the ARRL banner was put in place, we had about 20 people waiting to see the exhibit, even before the exhibit area opened. Mr. William was standing by to talk with Scouts, if we needed a QSO. Thanks to those involved and for the use of the ARRL banner, it made for a great exhibit that attracted a lot of attention. The repeater search and recommendations along with other pre-planning by William made things a lot easier. 73, K. Dave Price, K4KDP, Boy Scout Troop 258 Chaplain, Torhunta District Committee Member, Trustee, Tuscarora Radio Club KT4BSA…" Thanks to everyone for providing an outstanding educational experience to the Scouts; and, to Dave Price, K4KDP, ARRL NC Section Youth Coordinator – Scouting, for providing this report! (sources: K4KDP, KM4RAD, KK4MOV)

The following information was received from Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE: "OBRA award. The Outer Banks Repeater Association received the North Carolina Governor's Volunteer Service Award on April 17, 2017. This took place at the Dare County Commissioners meeting in Manteo. President Andrew Darling AA3YQ along with Jim Bailey N4ACT-Emergency Coordinator, Beryl Iven KK4BI-AEC, and Jim Kranda N4WYO-AEC, accepted the award from Lorelei Costa and Bruce Austin from OBCF. 73, Janice KJ4JPE …" Congratulations to the Outer Banks Repeater Association on receiving this award; and, thanks to Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer, for providing this information! Please see the related article above. (sources: KJ4JPE, ARRL website)

The following report, accompanied by four images, was received from Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE: "2017 Down East Hamfest. A very successful down East Hamfest was held on April 22, 2017 at the Lenoir Community College in Kinston, NC. The National Traffic System was represented by John KJ4EJH, Janice KJ4JPE, Bernie KI4HHU, Joanne AA3N, Joe W3OJO, and Dave W4DNA. Basic Spotter class was given by NWS Newport's Hal Austin NC4HA. John Hopkins, Newport Skywarn EC worked with Hal at the table. Many individual vendors were there. Community Emergency Response Team had a wonderful table of information. 73, Janice KJ4JPE…" Thanks to Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer, for providing this information! (source: KJ4JPE)

The following report was received from James Johnson, KI4TAT: "Springfest etal. Update: 1) Springfest was a great time, lots of interest and great weather. Thanks to all that participated including Chris-KA3LR, Susan-KA3LJR, Tom-KA8BJB, J-N4BRD, Robert-KK4YBJ, Jimmy-K4BRO, Bob-W3RJD, Mark-KJ4ZEK, Colleen-K4ZEJ, Ernie-KR4W, Mark-KI3KQZ, and Severt-AK4RY. 2) With great sadness our member and friend General Robert L. Johnson (100) passed away 4/25/2017. Our prayers are with his wife, Shirley and family." Thanks to James Johnson, KI4TAT, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer and member of the Moore County Amateur Radio Society, for providing this report! (source: KI4TAT)

The following (edited) information was received from Dave Price, K4KDP: "[Radio Merit Badge Class] … I am scheduled to teach two Radio Merit Badge classes on May 13th in Goldsboro. We have the entire course down to 3-1/2 hours and Scouts completing all requirements. If someone is interested in attending or assisting with the class, they may contact me for more information. [daveprice at nc dot rr dot com] There are 20 – 30 different Merit Badges being taught that day. There is a small possibility the date may change, but that is the latest information that I have. …" Thanks to Dave Price, K4KDP, ARRL NC Section Youth Coordinator – Scouting, for providing this information! (source: K4KDP)

NTS SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT FOR MARCH 2017 –

QNI (total check-ins): 1,793; Total messages passed: 631.

Station Activity Reports (SARs), total number: K4IWW 294, KC4PGN 235, WC9CW 192, WB4ZIQ 175, KW4EMG 161, AA3N 122, WK4WC 111, KB4RGC 109, W4DNA 109, KW4PD 62, KJ4JPE 49, W4TTO 43, KE4AHC 37, W4EAT 35, W3HL 27, KI4UDZ 0.

Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR), total number: KW4EMG 340, WC9CW 200, KW4PD 165, W4DNA 155, WB4ZIQ 155, WK4WC 140, K4IWW 130, KB4RGC 130, KJ4JPE 115, KI4UDZ 113, W4TTO 100, AA3N 90, KE4AHC 88.

Thanks to all stations for participating in NC Section traffic activities; and, to Dave Roy, W4DNA, Section Traffic Manager, for providing this information! (source: W4DNA)

SILENT KEYS – With deep regret, the passing of the following amateur radio operators is reported: Thomas Edward Bower, W4TEB (SK) of Murphy; Edward Gunter, N2VEA (SK) of Kinston; Robert L. ("Bob") Johnson, W9WQT (SK) of Whispering Pines; Lyman Wesley ("Wes") Jones, WJ4DX (SK) of Kernersville; Donald Stewart Miller, WD4CWE (SK) of Burlington; and, Doyle Eugene Sturdivant, WZ4DS (SK) of Elkin, NC. 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 –

There are no NC Special Event Stations listed through July 31, 2017. 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! (source: ARRL website)

UPCOMING HAMFESTS AND CONVENTIONS –

May 13: 13th Annual Rockingham County Swapfest , Rockingham County Amateur Radio Club, Reidsville, NC, http://n4iv.org

May 27: 43^rd Annual DurHamFest, Durham FM Association, Durham, NC, http://www.dfma.org/dfmaDHF.html

June 3: Winston-Salem Classic Hamfest, Forsyth Amateur Radio Club, Winston-Salem, NC, http://www.w4nc.com/events.htm

July 8: Firecracker Hamfest, Rowan Amateur Radio Society, Salisbury, NC, http://www.rowanars.org/firecracker-hamfest/

July 15: Mid-Summer SWAPFEST, Cary Amateur Radio Club, Cary, NC, http://www.qsl.net/n4nc/

July 29: WCARS Hamfest 2017, Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society, Waynesville, NC, http://wcars.org/

August 5: 20th Annual Catawba Valley Hamfest, McDowell Amateur Radio Association, Morganton, NC, http://www.cvhamfest.com

August 12: 19^th Annual Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society Swapfest, Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society, Fayetteville, NC, http://www.cfarsnc.org

September 1-3: 61^st Annual Shelby Hamfest/ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Shelby Amateur Radio Club, Shelby, NC, http://www.shelbyhamfest.org

It is not too early to apply for ARRL-affiliation of your club's upcoming hamfest! For more information, see http://www.arrl.org/arrl-sanctioned-events (source: ARRL website)

QUA* – Please accept my apology for the delay in sending out this Newsletter. I have been very busy during April and the first part of May. On Saturday, April 15, I attended the 45th Annual RARSfest and ARRL Roanoke Division Convention in Raleigh. It was great to see friends, interact with the crowd, and meet individuals I talk to on-the-air! The Raleigh Amateur Radio Society did a great job putting on another outstanding hamfest. Congratulations!

During the week of May 1-5, I attended the NC Disaster Communications School at the Charlotte Police and Fire Training Academy in Charlotte. This was an outstanding event consisting of 2-4 days of intense training, depending on the course taken, followed by an emergency communications exercise. The course work and exercise were comprehensive and challenging, which is what individuals training to provide NIMS/ICS-compliant communications in adverse conditions should expect. I really enjoyed working with, and learning from, my colleagues during the course and exercise. If you are interested in emergency communications, it is recommended that you consider attending the NC Disaster Communications School next year. If you need additional information, please call me at (919) 669-6068; or, contact Tom Brown, N4TAB, ARRL NC Section Emergency Coordinator, NC AUXCOMM Coordinator, and NC COML Type III AHIMT NC0004, by email at n4tab at earthlink dot net or by phone at (919) 971-3100.

This year, I will be visiting ARRL Field Day sites sponsored by clubs in western NC. I am looking forward to seeing everyone and looking at the beautiful scenery. I am not so sure, however, that I am looking forward to the long drive! Although I have not finalized my itinerary, I am planning on leaving Raleigh on Friday; making site visits on Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday morning; and, returning to Raleigh on Sunday afternoon. Please let me know what your club is planning for Field Day, particularly in western NC. Also, please don't forget to incorporate a safety plan for your participants during the Field Day activities.

I was pleased to learn that Dr. Jim Boehner, N2ZZ and Bill Morine, N2COP, our Roanoke Division Director and Vice Director, respectively, have initiated a Roanoke Division Newsletter. This is great news! The Newsletter will inform Hams in our Division – West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina – about events, awards, and other matters in the Roanoke Division. For further information, see http://arrl-roanoke.com/Roanoke%20Newsletter%20Spring%202017%20PDF.pdf

Finally, although there has been little news this month on HR 555 Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017, please stay tuned! There is more work to be done on the Bill and we will likely need your assistance again.

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! 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)