ARRL NC Section Newsletter - December 2014
Posted Jan 1, 2015
Greetings to all Hams across North Carolina from Karl W4CHX, your ARRL NC Section Manager!
HR 4969 AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT OF 2014 AND THE ARRL GRASSROOTS
CAMPAIGN - The following email communication from ARRL Chief
Executive Officer Dave Sumner, K1ZZ was sent to the Section Managers on
December 15th. His message is included in the Newsletter because it
provides a succinct summary of the HR 4969 grassroots campaign,
provides information about its future in 2015, and thanks all ARRL
members for their participation in the grassroots campaign. Here is
the message from Dave K1ZZ: "The members of the U.S. House of
Representatives have headed home for the holidays, marking the end of
the 113th Congress on that side of Capitol Hill. When the 114th
Congress convenes in January a new legislative cycle will begin. We
expect the Amateur Radio Parity Act to be reintroduced in the House
with a new number; H.R.4969 will no longer apply. On behalf of the
ARRL Board and staff I want to thank you, and through you the field
organization volunteers and members in your Section, for your help in
gathering legislative support for H.R. 4969. We had hoped to gain 30
co-sponsors for the bill and ultimately ended up with 69, plus the
sponsor. The overwhelming majority of these 70 supporters are
returning in January, which gives us a good base on which to grow
additional support. Once we know the new number of the bill we will
once again be asking for your help in recruiting co-sponsors. The
objective is to continue the momentum, gathering enough support to move
the bill through the Energy & Commerce Committee. We have received
expressions of interest from the Senate side and are hoping to have the
bill introduced there as well. Thanks for all you do on behalf of
Amateur Radio. Best wishes for the holidays. 73, Dave Sumner, K1ZZ,
Chief Executive Officer." I, too, would like to thank you for
everything you did to support the grassroots campaign for HR 4969
Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2014. For further information, see
RED BADGES ON THE AIR (12/31) - On December 29th, the following information was sent to the NC Section by email. Since Red Badges on the Air may still be in progress when you receive this Newsletter, it is being posted once again. In any event, it is hoped that you enjoyed participating in the ARRL Centennial QSO Party!
Here is the original email message: It is hard to believe that the ARRL
Centennial QSO Party will be ending on December 31st at 2359 UTC! On
New Year's Eve (UTC), there will be one last opportunity to acquire a
large number of ARRL Centennial QSO Party points, because during that
24-hour period, red ARRL identification badge bearers will be on the
air. ARRL officers; elected officials, eg, Director or Section
Manager; ARRL Headquarters staff and volunteers; and, other members of
the ARRL family are expected to be on the air for this event. Contacts
with red badge wearers are worth as much as 300 points per contact, eg,
by working ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN. Please note that while
the focus is to encourage ARRL red badge holders to hand out Centennial
QSO Party points, all activity is welcome, regardless of point value.
For further information, see
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NEUSIOK TRAIL RUN (1/3) - On December 29th, the following information was sent to the NC Section by email. Since this event may still need volunteers when you receive this Newsletter, it is being posted once again.
The following announcement was received from Keith Stroud, KK4PLI, President of the Carteret County Amateur Radio Society: "On Saturday, January 3, 2015, five (5) amateur radio clubs, Carteret County Amateur Radio Society W4YMI, Hampstead Hams NC4PC, New Bern Amateur Radio Club W4EWN, Onslow Amateur Radio Club NC4OC and the Pamlico Amateur Radio Society N4PRS will be handling race communications for the Neusiok Trail Run. The Neusiok Trail is a part of the Mountains to Sea Trail situated in the Croatan National Forest in Carteret and Craven Counties. It is a 21.5 mile primitive trail that goes through pine forest, pocosin swamps and hardwood ridges from the Newport River to the Neuse River. In 2014 the race attracted 85 runners competing in three legs of 21.5 miles, 45 miles and 100K. The five clubs will be providing communication support to the four (4) race aid stations along the trail. The unique thing about this trail run is that runners on the 100K leg have up to 18 hours to complete the distance, which means runners are still on the trail in the forest well after the sun goes down. Communication will be through the K4GRW 2 meter repeater with back up provided by the WO3F 440 repeater. Many thanks to Bob Chambers (K4GRW), Joe Frohwitter (WO3F) and Pete Wenk (W3ENK) for the generous use of their repeaters for this event." In his email message, Keith KK4PLI commented, "If any outside Hams want to come in and help as well, they will be more than welcome - Operating time slots are from 7 AM till Midnight! They can contact me directly at [keith dot stroud at wasteindustries dot com] or call me at 252-241-1831." Thanks to the 5 amateur radio clubs for supporting the Neusiok Trail Run; and, to Keith KK4PLI, President, Carteret County Amateur Radio Society, for providing this information!
KIDS DAY IS JANUARY 4TH (1/4) - The next Kids Day, sponsored by the
ARRL and The Boring (Oregon) Amateur Radio Club, will occur on Sunday,
January 4, 2015, from 1800 to 2400 UTC. For further information, see
CSRA (GA-SC) D-STAR UNIVERSITY, AIKEN, SC (1/17) - As reported last
month, the Aiken SC D-STAR Club will hold a one-day CSRA D-STAR
University on January 17, 2015 at University of South Carolina, Aiken
campus, in Aiken, SC. The event will begin at 12:00 PM (noon) and run
until 5 PM EST. The D-STAR workshop will provide information and
training on all levels of D-STAR, the Digital Smart Technology for
Amateur Radio. There is no charge to attend the D-STAR University and
light refreshments will be served. For further information, see
K1N NAVASSA ISLAND DXPEDITION 2015 (EARLY-FEBRUARY, 2015) - The K1N
Navassa Island DXpedition 2015 is likely to begin in early-February,
2015. At this time, however, the exact dates of operation have not
been posted. It is recommended that interested Hams visit the K1N
Navassa Island DXpedition website frequently for update information,
see
NORTH CAROLINA QSO PARTY (3/1) - The following report was received
from Marc Sullivan, W4MPS, Logs Manager, regarding the upcoming North
Carolina QSO Party: " The North Carolina QSO Party will hold its
45th annual event on Sunday, March 1, 2015. The QSO party starts at
1500 UTC (10:00 AM Eastern local time) and runs for 10 hours through
0059 UTC (8:00 PM Eastern local time). Complete details can be found
at the NCQP website:
ARRL SOLICITING NOMINATIONS FOR 6 AWARDS - The ARRL is soliciting
nominations for 6 awards: the Hiram Percy Maxim Award, the key award
honoring a young amateur radio operator (deadline, 3/31); the ARRL Herb
S. Brier Instructor of the Year Award (deadline, 3/15); the ARRL
Microwave Development Award (deadline, 3/31); the ARRL Technical
Service Award (deadline, 3/31); the ARRL Technical Innovation Award
(deadline, 3/31); and, the Knight Distinguished Service Award
(deadline, 4/30). For further information on these awards, including
the nomination procedures, see
PAUL JONES, K4VCF APPOINTED PUBLIC INFORMATION COORDINATOR - Paul B. Jones, K4VCF has been appointed Public Information Coordinator for the NC Section. Paul and his wife, Cheryl, live in Charlotte. He is retired from the US Department of Homeland Security where he served as Senior Adviser to the Department's Chief Medical Officer. Paul previously served in the same capacity for the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, US Department of Transportation. Paul worked on Capitol Hill for nine years serving as Communications Aide to then Congressman Jim Martin, who later became North Carolina's Governor. Paul was Director of the Governor's Highway Safety Program under Governor Martin. Paul is responsible for coining the phrase, "Click It or Ticket", which became a state and national campaign to promote seat belt safety. He later worked for the late Insurance Commissioner Jim Long serving as his Director of the NC Safe Kids Campaign. Paul has an extensive background in media and media relations. He was a broadcast journalist in Tennessee, Charlotte, and Durham covering politics and government at the state and local levels. Paul is a late-comer to amateur radio, since work and travel schedules precluded his attempts to study and test for his license. Retirement has finally afforded him the time to pursue the hobby and earn his Extra Class license. Paul has been a ham for two years, but his passion for the hobby has existed for decades. The call sign, K4VCF, belonged to Carl Campbell, K4VCF (SK), the uncle of Paul's wife. Paul honors the ham who encouraged him the most to get his license and GOTA. In March 2013, Paul, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer, was appointed as a Public Information Officer in the NC Section. Paul says that unless we (Hams) toot our own horn, no one will toot it for us and amateur radio will not get the exposure it deserves! Thanks for everything you have done, and are going to do, for the NC Section!
THANKS TO RAYMOND ("WOODY") WOODWARD, K3VSA, FORMER PUBLIC INFORMATION COORDINATOR - Raymond L. ("Woody") Woodward, K3VSA, has stepped down as Public Information Coordinator for the NC Section due to increased business and personal commitments. Woody, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer, was appointed as a Public Information Officer (PIO) in the NC Section in July, 2005. In February 2010, Woody was appointed as the Public Information Coordinator for the NC Section by Bill Morine, N2COP, NC Section Manager (2010-2014). When asked to provide input on Woody's accomplishments, Bill wrote: "Woody has always been innovative in public outreach. As an ARRL PIO, he arranged for the Orange County Radio Association (OCRA) to have its own sign on a highway where the club sponsored semi-annual road cleanups. He was among the first to place road signs on Field Day so media and the public could find FD sites easily. Woody encouraged non-Hams to experience Morse code by offering third party on air opportunities, then awarding them his "Talk With Your Hand" certificate. He worked with the Durham County Public Library and with the Durham Bulls minor league baseball team to demonstrate high altitude balloon launches and ATV. Woody's enthusiasm and passion for Ham Radio is unbounded."
My interactions with Woody began in Spring 2013, as we were preparing for and subsequently staffing an amateur radio booth at the 2013 and 2014 Maker Faire North Carolina in Raleigh. I quickly discovered that Woody was cheerful, helpful, and very effective in coordinating the myriad details associated with participating in Maker Faire. Later, I realized that my favorable impressions of Maker Faire were influenced greatly by Woody's contributions. I am sorry that Woody has decided to step down from his role as Public Information Coordinator, but I am very pleased (and grateful) to announce that Woody is going to continue as a Public Information Officer in the NC Section! Thanks for everything you have done, and are going to do, for the NC Section!
REVISED ARRL CONTESTING GUIDELINES - The ARRL HF Contesting
Guidelines have been revised, and the latest edition is now available,
see
AMATEUR RADIO INCLUDED IN NATIONAL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PLAN -
The new Department of Homeland Security 2014 National Emergency
Communication Plan includes amateur radio in its mix of media
supporting disaster and emergency communications. For further
information, see
JAMBOREE ON THE AIR (JOTA) PARTICIPATION DROPPED IN 2014 - The report
following the 57th Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) showed a drop in overall
JOTA participation in 2014 compared to the previous year. The report
noted, however, that a record number of Radio merit badges (7,208) were
earned in 2013. For further information, see
LICENSING CLASSES -
Grantsboro (NC), General licensing class, January 5 to March 2, 2015,
sponsored by Pamlico Amateur Radio Society, see
MEDIA HITS AND REPORTS - The following media hits and reports are
included in this month's newsletter:
On SKYWARN Recognition Day 2014 at NWS Newport (NC) and the Carteret
County Amateur Radio Society,
On the Ashe County Amateur Radio Club helping a ham-in-need, see
On the Lenoir Amateur Radio Club and its members, see
The following report was received from Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer: "Onslow Amateur Radio Club Volunteer Examiners met with 44 members of the Second Radio Battalion at Camp Lejeune, NC on December 19, 2014 to take their Technician Test. SGT Philip Rice of Camp Lejeune and Jerry Jones KF4ASE of Onslow Amateur Radio Club arranged a technician class for 44 Marines from the 2nd Radio Battalion from December 15th through December 19th. Jerry and his instructor team of Michael Pratt KK4VBH and Eric Smith KB8PNF worked together as a team with the Volunteer Examiners. Forty-four Marines tested and 44 Marines passed the FCC licensing test for Technician. Two Marines also passed their General test. SGT Rice KK4NBK also upgraded to General. Future plans are in the works for these Marines to assist with Emergency Services in Onslow County and any where else they are needed." Thanks to Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer, for providing this report!
The following email communication was received from Eric Webnar, K4FAN: "..... Just in time for the holidays, Steve [Koone], KA4YMY, installed a new Yaesu DR-1X System Fusion repeater today at Spencer Mountain. Frequency is 443.4375 + 5.0 MHz. The repeater runs 50W into an antenna at about 800'. The repeater is open for all to use, but is set to operate in the digital only mode. Therefore you need a System Fusion radio such as the FT1D HT or the FTM-400DR mobile, set to transmit in the DN digital mode. If you try it, post your signal reports here so we can all see how it does. 73, and Happy Holidays Roland [Kraatz], W9HPX." Thanks to Roland Kraatz, W9HPX and Eric Webnar, K4FAN for providing this information! In his email message, Eric K4FAN commented, "Please spread the word to other clubs in the region, as there is much interest in this new mode."
The following report was received from Virginia Enzor, NC4VA, Emergency Coordinator (Central Carolina SKYWARN): "Ham Radio Spreads Holiday Cheer! Hams in the Triangle spread Christmas cheer on the 13th annual Tacky Tinsel Tour Net on Friday, December 19, on the Raleigh Amateur Radio Society's 146.64 repeater. The net, cohosted by mother-and-daughter team Virginia Enzor NC4VA and Courtney Enzor KI4HOS, featured descriptions of some the best holiday light displays in Wake Forest, Raleigh and Morrisville by on-site Tacky Tinsel Tour Correspondents John Snellen AI4RT, Bob Chapman NC1X, Jack Baker K4WFJ and Courtney Enzor KI4HOS. Between descriptions of decorations, net participants were quizzed on their knowledge of holiday trivia. Robert Pierpoint KG4BDX and Norman Young KA4PUV used their special magic to bring North Pole resident Santa Claus to the net. Santa described a Spark Gap Kit complete with a 1500 parts manual as the must-have item for good hams. RARS President Murray Merner K4MHM also joined the net to read Gary Pearce's KN4AQ poem, "A Ham's Night Before Christmas". At the close of the net, check-ins voted on the best holiday decorations. The winning residence, located on Sleepy Creek Road in Raleigh, was dubbed "Santa and His Snowmen" by TTT Correspondent Jack Baker K4WFJ. The house featured a spectacular display of lights synchronized to Christmas carols and broadcast on an FM frequency for passers-by to enjoy. Addresses of all TTT entries were shared so listeners could visit throughout the holiday season. A QSL card featuring the winner of the 2014 Tacky Tinsel Tour is available from NC4VA with SASE." Thanks to Virginia Enzor, NC4VA, Emergency Coordinator (Central Carolina SKYWARN), for providing this report!
On the South Wake Amateur Radio Club and their participation in ARRL
Field Day 2014, see
On Kent Winrich, K9EZ, becoming new head of Fibrant for Salisbury (NC),
see
On the financial difficulties of Hara Arena, home of the Dayton
Hamvention, see
On Weldon Fields, W4AJT being honored when the Civil Air Patrol
received the Congressional Gold Medal for service during World War II,
see
On Hara Arena, home of the Dayton Hamvention, and its future, see
NTS SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT FOR NOVEMBER, 2014 - QNI (total check-ins): 2,532; Total messages passed: 519. Station Activity Reports (SARs), total number: K4IWW 318, W2EAG 163, W4DNA 129, KC4PGN 121, AK4RJ 115, WK4WC 95, WB4ZIQ 59, KF4OCU 51, W4TTO 48, KJ4JPE 37, KE4AHC 35, KW4EMG 24, N2RTF 16. Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR), total number: KW4EMG 174, W4DNA 140, KJ4JPE 137, K4IWW 130, WB4ZIQ 130, WK4WC 125, W2EAG 110, N2RTF 106, W4TTO 100, AK4RJ 95, KF4OCU 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: Dr. Daniel Eddins Kirk, WB4RGS (SK) of New London; Ella Moore Porter, KA4PAY (SK) of Rocky Point; and, Raymond A. Stripling, Jr, K4LQO (SK) of Seven Devils. 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 -
January 24, 2015: Madison County Special Olympics Polar Plunge,
0700Z-1500Z, WA4TRS, Fairview, NC, sponsored by The Road Show Amateur
Radio Club. 14.245 7.245. Certificate and QSL. The Road Show ARC, 57
Echo Lake Dr, Fairview, NC 28730. This is also a USI Activation - USI
036R,
UPCOMING HAMFESTS -
January 10, 2015: FirstFest, Forsyth Amateur Radio Club, Winston-Salem,
NC, see
Once again, I would like to thank everyone for sending their emails and club newsletters - they keep me informed about the activities and initiatives that are being pursued in our Section. Your holiday greetings were greatly appreciated, too!
In closing, 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