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ARRL NC Section Newsletter

Posted Aug 31, 2015

Greetings from Karl W4CHX, your ARRL NC Section Manager!

HR 1301 AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT OF 2015 (UPDATE) - As of August 28th, HR 1301 has 94 co-sponsors, including 4 Representatives from North Carolina: David Price (D-NC-4); Walter Jones, Jr (R-NC-3); Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10); and, David Rouzer (R-NC-7).

S 1685 AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT OF 2015 (UPDATE) - In June, it was announced that S 1685 Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 had been 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 August 28th, there is only 1 co- sponsor, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who is the original co-sponsor of the Bill. For comments by Senator Wicker on the benefits of S 1685, see http://www.arrl.org/news/senate-sponsor-of-amateur-radio-parity-act-of-2015-said-bill-promotes-regulatory-transparency-equali

AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT OF 2015 PAGE ON ARRL WEBSITE - A combined web page has been setup by the ARRL to accommodate activities related to HR 1301 and S 1685, and to provide a central location for information on these identical Bills. ARRL members are urged to contact their Members of Congress in the House of Representatives and the Senate and ask them to sign on to the Bills as a co-sponsor. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-website-has-new-amateur-radio-parity-act-of-2015-page and http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-parity-act

AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT WOULD NOT VOID "PRIVATE CONTRACTS," ARRL GENERAL COUNSEL SAYS - Chris Imlay, W3KD, ARRL General Counsel, has responded to concerns that the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 would represent an unlawful intrusion into "private contracts" and would invalidate architectural limitations and rules regarding the installation of ham radio antennas in residential neighborhoods. For further information, see the article on the ARRL website at http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-parity-act-would-not-void-private-contracts-arrl-general-counsel-says and the interview, "Parity is in the Senate", with Chris Imlay, W3KD, ARRL General Counsel and Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, Hudson Division Director on HamRadioNow at http://arvideonews.com/hrn/HRN_Episode_0213.html

ARRL "CLARITY ON AMATEUR RADIO PARITY" STATEMENT SEPARATES FACT FROM FICTION - THE Steps have been taken by the ARRL to address concerns raised by community associations about HR1301 and S 1685 Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015. The ARRL has just released a statement entitled, "Clariy on Amateur Radio Parity." For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-clarity-on-amateur-radio-parity-statement-separates-fact-from-fiction and http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Regulatory/Clarity%20on%20Parity.pdf

DR. MARVIN HOFFMAN, WA4NC RECEIVES 2015 KB4C - MIRIAM SMITH MEMORIAL AWARD - The recipient of the KB4C - Miriam Smith Memorial Award for 2015 is Dr. Marvin Hoffman, WA4NC, of Watauga County. The award was presented to Marvin WA4NC by Carl Smith, N4AA, at the WCARS Hamfest in Waynesville on July 25, 2015. The KB4C - Miriam Smith Memorial Award, a Roanoke Division Award, honors an amateur radio operator within the 16 western counties of North Carolina who is active in their commitment to emergency and public service communications through the ARES/RACES programs.

The following information about Dr. Hoffman was provided by Bob Rodgers, KC4TVO: "Marv WA4NC presently holds the following offices within the ARES and AUXCOMM community: Watauga County ARES Emergency Coordinator (EC) Watauga County; Assistant District Emergency Coordinator (ADEC), NC ARES Area 12, and is one of the most active amateurs in the area. He presently hosts 3 repeaters (2 DMR, 1 Analog) in the high country area. Dr. Hoffman presently holds an Extra Class Amateur License and has completed 12 of the 16 courses listed on the NC AUXCOMM database. He is directly responsible for the installation and operation of two Mototrbo DMR repeater systems in Avery and Watauga Counties, allowing connections to many parts of the NC, SC, and VA systems through the NC PRN network. Dr. Hoffman has completed all requirements for the NC Communications Unit Leader (COM L) AHIMT Type 3 and is presently awaiting State credentialing." Congratulations to Dr. Marvin Hoffman, WA4NC on receiving the 2015 KB4C - Miriam Smith Memorial Award; and, thanks to Bob Rodgers, KC4TVO, District Emergency Coordinator (Area 12), for providing this information!

DAVE PRICE, K4KDP RECEIVES BSA COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION ("SQUARE KNOT") / ARRL AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE TO SCOUTING AWARD - Dave Price, K4KDP of Goldsboro received the BSA Community Organization ("Square Knot") / ARRL Amateur Radio Service to Scouting Award at a special meeting of the Wayne County Amateur Radio Association and Kinston Amateur Radio Society on August 13, 2015 in Goldsboro, NC. The award recognizes Scout leaders making important contributions by providing Scouts with memorable and valuable experiences in amateur radio. Dave K4KDP has provided extensive service to Scouting. Based on information in the Nomination Forms, his activities include: organization and direction of Radio Merit Badge (College) in support of Merit Badge Day yearly for the last 10 years; participation in teaching the Radio Merit Badge at the District level on more than 5 occasions; assisting the Program Director at Camp Tuscarora in Summer, 2013, with others, and provided in- depth HF radio demonstration to the camp attendees; organizing and leading JOTA at the District level since 2003 and elevating it to the Council level in 2008; participating in the JOTA events and demonstrating Morse Code, HF voice, and HF PSK31; participating in more than 3 Council Camporees by setting up and demonstrating amateur radio to Scouts; teaching the Morse Code section of the Signaling Merit badge to more than 300 Scouts; setting up a radio exhibit for Radio Merit Badge for two Troops (2009, 2014); teaching Morse Code to a Cub Scout Pack in 2010; providing a radio communications hands-on exhibit for 2 Cub Family Campout weekends in 2014; and in 2015, responsibility for the amateur radio exposition at the SR-7B Order of the Arrow Conclave, the largest in the nation, which exposed more than 1200 Scouts to amateur radio. In addition to his activities in amateur radio, Dave K4KDP provides leadership and guidance to Scouts as the Council Chaplain. Congratulations to Dave Price, K4KDP on receiving the BSA Community Organization / ARRL Amateur Radio Service to Scouting Award! And, thanks to Peter Wene, WA5T, President of the Wayne County Amateur Radio Association and Christopher S. Henson, Assistant Council Commissioner, Tuscarora Council, Goldsboro for providing the nomination information, which is included in this announcement! For further information on the award, see http://www.arrl.org/news/boy-scouts-recognize-arrl-amateur-radio-service-to-scouting-award and http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-recognizing-amateur-radio-service-to-scouting-award-winners-with-certificate

59th ANNUAL SHELBY HAMFEST/ARRL ROANOKE DIVISION CONVENTION (9/5-6) - The 59th Annual Shelby Hamfest/ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, sponsored by the Shelby Amateur Radio Club - W4NYR, will be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 5th and 6th, at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 1751 East Marion Street, Shelby, NC 28152. Gates open at 7:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday. The inside Dealer Buildings will be open 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Saturday, and 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM on Sunday. Talk-In: 146.880 MHz (-), no tone, W4NYR Repeater.

VE testing will be done on site at 4:00 PM Tuesday through Thursday at the Fairgrounds and at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 5th at Cleveland Community College. WCARS is providing the VE testing for a cost of $10.00. For more information on VE testing, please contact testing@shelbyhamfest.org Forum presentations on Saturday will include: the ARRL Membership Forum with ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN and Dan Henderson N1ND, ARRL Regulatory Information Manager; "Sounds of Amateur Radio", an audio/video presentation by Dan Henderson N1ND; updates on the Roanoke Division and NC Section with Dr. Jim Boehner N2ZZ, Roanoke Division Director, Bill Morine N2COP, Roanoke Division Vice Director, and Karl Bowman W4CHX, NC Section Manager; "Panadapters: History, Connection Technologies, and DX/Contesting Operating" presented by David Shoaf, KG6IR, Elecraft K3/KX3 International Distributor and Customer Support; "AMSAT" presented by Barry Baines WD4ASW and John Kludt K4SQC; "Introduction to Digital Mobile Radio for Amateur Radio (DMR), Introduction to the North and South Carolina's PRN DMR Network, and question and answer period, as time permits", presented by Eddie King, N4HEK, Edison Technology Corp; and, "Comparison of Digital Voice Systems", presented by Roland Kraatz, W9HPX, Charlotte Digital Radio Group. Additional forum presentations may be confirmed soon.

Please be certain to visit the ARRL Booth and assist us in the letter-writing campaign for HR 1301 and S 1685 The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015. All you need to do is provide us your call sign and we will generate letters to you US Representative and Senators for your signature. The letters will then be hand-delivered by ARRL representatives on Capitol Hill.

For further information on the Shelby Hamfest, including forum times, VE testing, flea market, vendors, camping, accommodations, tickets, and prizes, see http://www.shelbyhamfest.org/

We look forward to seeing you there! Dr. Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, Roanoke Division Director; Bill Morine, N2COP, Roanoke Division Vice Director; and, Karl Bowman, W4CHX, North Carolina Section Manager.

LARGEST HAM RADIO DEMONSTRATION IN THE SOUTHEAST - N4F AT THE NC MOUNTAIN STATE FAIR (9/11-20) - The following information was received from Philip Jenkins, N4HF: "The LARGEST ham radio demonstration in the Southeast - N4F will be held during the 10 day-long NC Mountain State Fair! To see what we've done in past years, check out the article in September 2015 QST, pages 65-66, and www.HamRadioNow.tv, episode 171. For the third consecutive year, there will be a Special Event Station - and ham radio demonstrations for the general public - at the NC Mountain State Fair, September 11- 20, near Asheville, NC. This year we welcome new friends - Lenoir ARC, Mayland ARC, Thermal Belt ARC, and individuals from Watauga ARC - as well as our "old faithfuls" from the Cleveland County ARS, Blue Ridge ARC, The Road Show ARC, and other individuals from Haywood County ARC. WHY are we doing this? To spread the word about ham radio as an interesting, multi- faceted hobby to members of the public who may not have ever heard of ham radio. We've gotten 20-25 new hams each of the past two years, and rekindled interest in some who have been inactive, or have let their licenses lapse. WHAT are we doing to accomplish this? There are two prongs. First, N4F is a Special Event Station - see details in September 2015 QST, page 94 - so we can let other hams and clubs nationwide know what we are doing, and encourage other clubs to band together to engage in their own large publicity events like ours. There's also a visitor's tent - with attached antenna farm - where the public can come in and not only see different modes of ham radio communication and experimentation, but actually do it hands-on! Proposed new activities for this year in the visitor's tent are: workshops on building tape measure antennas for working the International Space Station (ISS); daily fox-hunts using those tape-measure antennas; teaching a few characters of CW; decoding AO-73 telemetry; a PSK-31 station; an HF SSB/CW station; SO-50 QSOs; ISS APRS/packet; a WinLink/Pactor station; and video via Broadband-Hamnet of the Fair's blacksmith (Billy, KB4YKP). Past activities that may be included this year include: D- STAR demonstration; 2 meter GOTA station; IRLP demonstrations; videos on the history and contributions of ham radio; an active APRS set-up; brochures on ARES/MARS; and, a kit-building/rig repair station. HOW do we do all this? Almost all of the equipment - except for the visitor's tent - is being loaned to N4F by members of participating clubs. Elecraft and Icom have generously provided HF and some VHF radios to use at the Fair. We also ask for contributions and donations from the ham community to help with expenses, eg, tent rental, banner printing, some equipment and supply rentals, etc. WHEN does this happen? On different days, different local/regional ham clubs volunteer to staff the visitor's tent and answer questions about the various dimensions of ham radio, how someone who is interested can get a ham license, etc. Fair hours (for us) are 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; and, 3:00 to 10:00 PM on Monday - Thursday. We still need individuals (and clubs) to step up to help on both Fridays (9/11, 9/18), Saturday (9/12), both Sundays (9/13, 9/20), Monday (9/14) and Tuesday (9/15). People are also encouraged to help with the Fair station set-up on Wednesday (9/9) and Thursday (9/10), and break-down on Monday (9/21). You do NOT have to be a member of ANY club to participate with the N4F event at any time! So, WHERE does all this take place? At the NC Agricultural Center, Highway 280, just across from the Asheville Airport, exit 40 on I-26. All the fun starts the weekend AFTER the Shelby Hamfest. HOW can I help? And, WHERE do I get more information? Contact Philip Jenkins, N4HF at n4hf@arrl.net for general information about the Fair/N4F; and, Bill Van Nuys, N4OOC at n4ooc@arrl.net for Fair scheduling. For additional information, see www.theroadshowarc.com" Thanks to Philip Jenkins, N4HF, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer for providing this information! For further information on the NC Mountain State Fair, see http://www.wncagcenter.org/p/mountainstatefair

CLUB UPDATE INFORMATION ON ARRL WEBSITE AND SPECIAL SERVICE CLUB PENNANTS - The following email message from Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, Assistant Manager, ARRL Field Service and Radiosport Department was forwarded by Steve Ewald, WV1X, Supervisor, ARRL Field Organization Team. The message is being included in the NC Section Newsletter because it contains information on the Club Update process on the ARRL website and the new SSC Pennants for ARRL Special Service Clubs. Here is the message from Norm W3IZ: "The Club Update mechanism has been upgraded. Now when a club updates the information on the ARRL club pages the changes are displayed as soon as the information is submitted. The tutorial on the club page www.arrl.org/clubs has been updated to reflect the changes in the updating procedure. Here is the direct link to the pdf tutorial, http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Clubs/Club%20Update%20Online_20150806.pdf

At the July meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors, the board directed HQ to issue one of our new SSC pennants to each Special Service Club. Please reach out to your Special Service Clubs and have them verify that the club information is correct and that their Special Service Club status is up to date. http://www.arrl.org/ssc-application

Having this [club update] information correct will reduce the number of items returned to HQ because of a bad address. ..... If you have any questions about any of this or other club business please contact me at w3iz@arrl.org or call me at (860) 594-0230. 73, Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, Assistant Manager, Field Service and Radiosport Dept." Thanks to Norm W3IZ and Steve WV1X for providing this information!

FCC UNIVERSAL LICENSING SYSTEM AND OTHER APPLICATIONS TO BE DOWN FOR MAINTENANCE (9/2-8) - FCC website maintenance in early September will make the Universal Licensing System (ULS), the Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS), the Electronic Document Management System (EDOCS) and other public applications unavailable for more than 5 days. The outage will begin at 2200 UTC on Wednesday, September 2, and continue through the Labor Day weekend. The FCC website work should be completed by 1200 UTC on Tuesday, September 8. During the ULS outage, it will not be possible to file any Amateur Radio applications. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-universal-licensing-system-other-applications-to-be-down- for-maintenance

FCC INVITES COMMENTS ON PROPOSED RULES FOR NEW LF AND MF AMATEUR ALLOCATIONS (8/31, 9/30) (REMINDER) - The FCC is requesting comments on its recent proposals to authorize Amateur Radio operations on two new bands: 135.7 to 137.8 kHz (LF, 2200 meters); and, 472 to 479 kHz (MF, 630 meters). Amateur radio operations would be secondary on both bands. Please note that comments are due by August 31, 2015. Reply comments - in other words, comments on comments filed - are due by September 30, 2015. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-invites-comments-on-proposed-rules-for-new-lf-and-mf- amateur-allocations

JOTA: JAMBOREE ON THE AIR (10/16-18) (REMINDER) - Jamboree On The Air (JOTA), sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America, will be held on October 16-18, 2015. If you, or your club, are planning on participating in JOTA, please send information on your plans so that it can be included in the September Newsletter, which will be published at the end of that month.

LICENSING CLASSES - Jacksonville (NC): Technician licensing class, September 24-27, 2015, sponsored by Onslow County Amateur Radio Club, contact Michael Pratt by phone at (570) 768-6922 or by email at Michael_R.Pratt@yahoo.com for further information. Please note this licensing class is not listed on the ARRL website. Skyland (NC): Technician licensing class, September 24 to November 5, 2015, sponsored by WA4TRS, contact William Van Nuys, N4OOC by phone at (828) 243-0888 or by email at n4ooc@aol.com for further information. Kinston (NC): Technician licensing class, October 1 to November 19, 2015, sponsored by Kinston Amateur Radio Society, contact Ron Knapp, W9EF by phone at (252) 559- 2070 or by email at rknapp19@suddenlink.net for further information. Raleigh (NC): Amateur Extra licensing class, October 3 to November 14, 2015, sponsored by Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, contact Murray Merner, K4MHM by phone at (919) 803-7973 or by email at k4mhm@arrl.net for further information. Skyland (NC): General licensing class, November 9 to December 3, 2015, sponsored by The Road Show Amateur Radio Club, contact William Van Nuys, N4OOC by phone at (828) 243-0888 or by email at n4ooc@aol.com 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!

MEDIA HITS AND REPORTS - The following media hits and reports are included in this month's newsletter: On Field Day 2015 and the Kinston Amateur Radio Society, see http://www.kinston.com/article/20150627/NEWS/150629114

On the Rural Heritage BikeFest and amateur radio, see http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/community/chapel-hill-news/chn- sports/article30916035.html

The following report was received from Keith Andrew, KK4LGM: "Twelve members of the Stanly County Amateur Radio Club participated in the "Tour de Elvis" Bike event on August 15, 2015. This was organized by the Albemarle Parks and Recreation Department. The funds raised from this event go towards the Roger F. Snyder Greenway Fund for the City of Albemarle. This was the first time ham radio operators participated in this annual event.

There were 3 biking courses for this event: 65 mile, 45 mile, and 25 mile. The 65-mile course circled almost the entire 405 square miles of the county. There were 9 club members stationed along the 65 mile course (5 at crossroads: Clyde Sawyer KM4HSO, Hal London WB4ZIQ, William Thomas KI4JDA, Chad Peckham KM4KDW, and James Jarrett KK4ZAL; 4 at rest stops: Lane Kendall WK4WC, Ed Griffin W4KMA, Tom Finley KE4UFG, and Jesse KM4AVJ; 2 in support vehicles: Marc Hunt KM4HXX and Keith Andrew KK4LGM; and, 1 served as Control at the start/finish line: Ray Sipe KI4UDZ). We used a 2m repeater with 3 repeaters ready for backup. One station (William KI4JDA) sent a packet test to an offsite monitor (Carl Starnes W4EAT) during this event.

Interestingly, about 30 minutes into the event, we started receiving chatter from a few Georgia Hams, 240 miles away. Turns out, they were using the same frequency and PL tone as we were, and the atmospheric conditions were just right or wrong (depends on how you look at it!). Fortunately, they were friendly and moved off frequency when Ray KI4UDZ advised them we were participating in an event." Thanks to the Stanly County Amateur Radio Club for participating in this public service event; and, to Keith Andrew, KK4LGM, Emergency Coordinator, Stanly County, for providing this report!

From the August 2015 edition of The Official Organ, the official newsletter of the Johnston Amateur Radio Society, Inc: "We have succeeded in forming the Johnston County ARRL VE team. Our first session will be on Monday, September 28th, 7PM at the Four Oaks Chamber of Commerce located at 204 North Main Street in Four Oaks, NC 27524. If you are a current ARRL certified VE and wish to help, contact Mike Callam KD4MC at mcallam@centurylink.net" Congratulations to the Johnston County ARRL VE Team on becoming established; and, thanks to Mike Callam, KD4MC, President and Newsletter Editor, Johnston Amateur Radio Society Inc, for providing this information!

NTS SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT FOR JULY 2015 - QNI (total check-ins): 1,572; Total messages passed: 489. Station Activity Reports (SARs), total number: K4IWW 290, AK4RJ 153, W2EAG 137, WB4ZIQ 136, WK4WC 136, KC4PGN 85, W4DNA 80, W4TTO 64, KE4AHC 44, KW4EMG 42, KJ4JPE 32, W4EAT 30, N2RTF 22. Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR), total number: KW4EMG 220, KJ4JPE 192, W4DNA 170, WB4ZIQ 140, K4IWW 130, WK4WC 130, W2EAG 110, W4TTO 100, AK4RJ 95, N2RTF 92, KK4LGM 86, KM4HXX 80. Thanks to all stations for participating in NC Section traffic activities; and, to Dave Roy, W4DNA, Section Traffic Manager, for providing this information!

SILENT KEYS - With deep regret, the passing of the following amateur radio operators is reported: Clarence B. Beaver, Jr, K4SHU (SK) of Salisbury; James Howard ("Jim") Brown, N4ZY (SK) of Vale; William George ("Bill") Ewald II, K4WGE (SK) of Apex; Douglas Marx, N3DUG (SK) of Point Harbor; Sidney Henderson ("Sid") Purvis, WA4VBC (SK) of New Bern; Milton W. Rice, Jr, KC4YOT (SK) of Gastonia; Dr. Ernest E. Rossi, KY8U (SK) of Cary; and, Charles Gary ("Chuck") Wright, KD4TLG (SK) of China Grove. 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 - August 29: 125th Anniversary of Casar, NC, 0900Z-2359Z, K4C, Lawndale, NC. W4JL David Ledford. PSK 14.070 7.070; 14.262 7.262. Certificate. David Ledford, 2333 Curt Ledford Rd, Lawndale, NC 28090. September 10-21: The North Carolina Mountain State Fair, 1300Z-0100Z, N4F, Fletcher, NC. The Road Show Amateur Radio Club. 7.245; 40 20 15 10 meters. Certificate and QSL. Bill Van Nuys, N4OOC, 57 Echo Lake Dr, Fairview, NC 28730. Check club website throughout the event for current operating frequencies on 40, 20,15, and 10 meters. Send SASE for QSL, large SASE ($0.98 postage) and $5 for QSL and Certificate. www.theroadshowarc.com September 12: 47th Annual National Hollerin' Contest, 1500Z-2200Z, N4C, Spivey's Corner, NC. Sampson County Amateur Radio Service. 14.264 7.264. Certificate. Cliff Ireland, KK4NC, 170 Pincroft Dr, Dunn, NC 28334. www.nationalhollerincontest.com September 26: Everybody's Day, 1300Z-1700Z, NC4AR, Thomasville, NC. Tri-County Amateur Radio Club. 7.210. Certificate. NC4AR, PO Box 747, Trinity, NC 27370. Follow instructions to receive email certificate on www.qrz.com/db/nc4ar or www.nc4ar.org October 3: Commemoration of The Battle of Kings Mountain, 1230Z-2030Z, NA4CC, Shelby, NC. Cleveland County Amateur Radio Service. 14.283. QSL. CCARS, PO Box 864, Shelby, NC 28151. For QSL card, please send your card with report and a stamped and addressed envelope. http://ccarsnc.org/ October 17: USCG Auxiliary 76th Anniversary, 1400Z-2200Z, K4C, Merritt, NC. Oriental, NC Auxiliary Flotilla 054-20-03. 7.270. QSL. Wayne G. Mulligan, 57 Mercer Dr, Merritt, NC 28556. http://orientalaux.com 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 - September 5-6: 59th Annual Shelby Hamfest/Roanoke Division Convention, Shelby Amateur Radio Club, Shelby, NC, see http://shelbyhamfest.org September 12: Virginia Beach Hamfest/Virginia Section Convention, Tidewater Radio Conventions, Virginia Beach, VA, see http://vbhamfest.com/ September 25-26: W4DXCC DX and Contesting Convention, SouthEastern DX and Contesting Organization (SEDCO), Pigeon Forge, TN. This event includes Ham Radio Bootcamp (9/25), see http://www.w4dxcc.com/index.html October 3: 62nd Annual Rock Hill (SC) Hamfest, York County Amateur Radio Society, Rock Hill, SC, see http://www.rockhillhamfest.com October 31: 19th Annual Grand Strand ARC "Beachfest 2015", Grand Strand Amateur Radio Club, Conway, SC, see http://www.w4gs.org November 15: JARSFest 2015, Johnston Amateur Radio Society, Benson, NC see http://www.jars.net It is not too early to apply for ARRL-affiliation of your club's 2015 hamfest! For more information, see http://www.arrl.org/arrl-sanctioned-events QUA* - I owe an apology to the Kinston Amateur Radio Society for omitting them from the list of club Field Day site visits, which was published in the June 2015 NC Section Newsletter. The error was discovered while updating my PowerPoint presentation on the NC Section. While revising the slide with the list of clubs visited during Field Day, I decided to review that Newsletter to make sure no one had been forgotten. Well, it was noted in the Newsletter that 12 visits were made, but only 11 clubs had been named. Again, my apologies to the Kinston Amateur Radio Society!

During August, I visited one hamfest and 3 club meetings. On Saturday, August 8th, I drove to Fayetteville to attend the 17th Annual CFARS Swapfest. On Tuesday, August 11th, I drove to Greenville to attend the Brightleaf Amateur Radio Club meeting and made presentations on the NC Section and the Collins HF communications receivers, focusing on the 51S-1. On Thursday, August 13th, I attended a special meeting of the Wayne County Amateur Radio Association and the Kinston Amateur Radio Society. At that meeting, I participated in the BSA Community Organization / ARRL Amateur Radio Service to Scouting Award ceremony for Dave Price, K4KDP. On Saturday, August 22, I got up early and drove to Morehead City to attend the breakfast meeting of the Carteret County Amateur Radio Society. Thank you very much for the opportunity to visit Swapfest, make presentations at your club meetings, and participate in your special events! As always, it was great to see everyone and learn more about your club activities! By the way, the sunrise during my drive to Morehead City was pretty!