ARRL NC Section Newsletter
June – July 2017
Greetings from Karl W4CHX, your ARRL NC Section Manager!
AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT IS INTRODUCED IN US SENATE – The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017 was introduced in the US Senate on July 12, marking another step forward for this landmark legislation. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are the Senate sponsors. The measure will, for the first time, guarantee all radio amateurs living in deed-restricted communities governed by a homeowner's association (HOA) or subject to any private land use regulations, the right to erect and maintain effective outdoor antennas at their homes. The Senate bill, S. 1534, is identical to H.R. 555, which passed the US House of Representatives in January. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-parity-act-is-introduced-in-us-senate (source: ARRL website)
ARRL PRESIDENT ISSUES CALL FOR MEMBERS TO REACH OUT TO THEIR SENATORS TO SUPPORT S1534 – ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, is calling on League members to urge their US Senators to support the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017, S. 1534. ARRL has opened a RallyCongress page to simplify the task. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-president-issues-call-for-members-to-reach-out-to-their-senators-to-support-s-1534 (source: ARRL website)
REMINDER! 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: K0OV, ARRL website)
DAVE KALTER, KB8OCP, MEMORIAL YOUTH DX ADVENTURE SET TO START ON AUGUST 3 (8/3-7) – Dave Kalter Memorial Youth DX Adventure (YDXA) Team Leader Jim Storms, AB8YK, said this year’s YDXA contingent of three youths, three parents, and two leaders will travel to Costa Rica on August 3 and plan to be on the air that evening. TI5/<home call sign> operations will continue until the evening of August 7. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/dave-kalter-kb8ocp-memorial-youth-dx-adventure-set-to-start-on-august-3 (sources: The Daily DX, ARRL website)
CFARS SWAPFEST (8/12) – The following information (edited) was received from Irv McWherter, K3IRV. The 19th Annual Ole Fashioned CFARS SwapFest, sponsored by the Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society, will be held in Fayetteville on Saturday, August 12th, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 NOON. The SwapFest will be held at the Cumberland County Shrine Club, 7040 Ramsey St (US Hwy 401 N). There are no fees for admission or tables. Please help us keep this event free by placing a monetary contribution in the donation box, so we can cover the rent on the building! Talk-in: K4MN Repeater, 146.910 MHz, (-), CTCSS 100 Hz. VE test session: walk-ins only, registration 9:00 AM, testing 9:30am. For information and table reservations contact David KR4OE, kr4oe@nc.rr.com or (910) 624-1394. For information on ARRL VE Testing contact Pat N4UGH, n4ughpat@aol.com or (910) 425-5994. Set-up begins at 6:30 AM. If you need tables, please call or email in advance. On the morning of the SwapFest, see David KR4OE for tables. Table reservations recommended. Tail-gating available, also free! Thanks to Irv McWherter, K3IRV, ARRL Public Information Coordinator, for providing this information! (source: K3IRV)
MANY SPECIAL EVENTS WILL BE ON THE AIR TO MARK THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE IN AUGUST (8/21) – For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/many-special-events-will-be-on-the-air-to-mark-the-total-solar-eclipse-in-august (source: ARRL website)
61st ANNUAL SHELBY HAMFEST/ARRL NC STATE CONVENTION (9/1-3) – The 61st Annual Shelby Hamfest/ARRL NC State Convention, sponsored by the Shelby Amateur Radio Club – W4NYR, will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 1st to the 3rd, at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 1751 East Marion Street, Shelby, NC 28150. On Friday, the hours of operation are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. On Saturday and Sunday, the gates open at 7:00 AM. The inside Dealer Buildings will be open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM on Friday, 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. For further information on the Shelby Hamfest, see http://www.shelbyhamfest.org/ (source: Shelby Hamfest website)
REMINDER! W4DXCC DX AND CONTEST CONVENTION REGISTRATION NOW OPEN (9/22-23) – Registration now is open for the 2017 W4DXCC DX and Contest Convention, the Southeast’s largest and most popular DX and contesting event, September 22-23, at the MainStay Suites in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The convention will feature presenters speaking on DX and contesting, equipment manufacturers – on hand to demonstrate new products and answer questions face to face, and a banquet. This year’s event will continue the Ham Radio Bootcamp to mentor newcomers and experienced hams alike on station and antenna construction, operating, digital modes, DXing, and contesting. The convention website has full details. – Thanks to Dave Anderson, K4SV. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/w4dxcc-dx-and-contest-convention-registration-now-open (source: K4SV, ARRL website)
BOY SCOUTS’ JAMBOREE ON THE AIR ANNOUNCES THEME FOR 60TH ANNUAL EVENT (10/20-22) – “60 Years Connecting Scouts” is the theme for the Boy Scouts’ 2017 Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), set for October 20-22. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/boy-scouts-jamboree-on-the-air-announces-theme-for-60th-annual-event (source: ARRL website)
BOUVET ISLAND 3Y0Z DXPEDITION ORGANIZERS PLANNING FOR 14 TO 16 DAYS ON THE AIR (JANUARY, 2018) – The organizers of the January 2018 3Y0Z DXpedition to Bouvet Island — the second most-wanted DXCC entity, according to Club Log’s DXCC Most Wanted List — said the team continues to refine its plans and, “depending on weather and other factors,” hopes to be on the air for 14 to 16 days. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/bouvet-island-3y0z-dxpedition-organizers-planning-for-14-to-16-days-on-the-air (sources: K0IR, K4UEE, and LA6VM for the 3Y0Z team; ARRL website)
THIRTEEN US SCHOOLS/GROUPS MOVE CLOSER TO HOSTING ARISS CONTACTS – Thirteen schools and organizations will move into the second phase of the selection process to host the earthbound end of an Amateur Radio contact with an International Space Station (ISS) crew. Moore Square AIG/GT Magnet School in Raleigh is one of 13 schools being considered. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/thirteen-us-schools-groups-move-closer-to-hosting-ariss-contacts (source: ARRL website)
ARRL STILL SEEKING VINTAGE DXPEDITION LOGS FOR ARCHIVE – ARRL continues to solicit paper logs of prominent DXpeditions that took place predominantly in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, for inclusion in The DX Log Archive Endowed by JA1BK. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-still-seeking-vintage-dxpedition-logs-for-archive (source: ARRL website)
BAND PLAN PROPOSED FOR EVENTUAL 472-479 KHZ USE – ARRL 630-Meter Experiment Coordinator Fritz Raab, W1FR, has proposed an informal band plan for the pending 472-479 kHz band. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/band-plan-proposed-for-eventual-472-479-khz-use (source: ARRL website)
GROUP SELECTED TO PURSUE DXPEDITION TO BAKER ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE – The Pacific Islands Refuges and Monuments Office of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has selected the Dateline DX Association (DDXA) — the DXpedition group that activated Howland Island in 2009 and Wake Island in 1998 — to pursue a DXpedition to Baker Island. Dates have not yet been determined. Baker and Howland Islands (KH1) are part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRIMNM), created by former President George W. Bush in 2009. Baker and Howland is the fourth most-wanted DXCC entity on Club Log’s DXCC Most Wanted List. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/Group%20Selected%20to%20Pursue%20DXpedition%20to%20Baker%20Island%20National%20Wildlife%20Refuge (source: ARRL website)
REVISED FCC FORM 605 WILL ASK APPLICANTS “THE FELONY QUESTION” – A revised FCC Form 605 — Quick-Form Application for Authorization in the Ship, Aircraft, Amateur, Restricted and Commercial Operator, and General Mobile Radio Services — going into effect in September will ask all applicants to indicate if they have been convicted of or pled guilty to a felony. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/revised-fcc-form-605-will-ask-applicants-the-felony-question (source: ARRL website)
CQ ANNOUNCES RULE CHANGES FOR 2017 CQ WORLD WIDE SSB AND CW EVENTS – CQ has announced updates to its rules for the CQ World Wide SSB and CW contests, effective this fall, and said complete rules will be published soon. The changes clarify the definition of multioperator, single transmitter (MS); spell out club definitions and residency requirements; restrict ITU Region 1 stations transmitting frequencies on 40 and 160 meters; address audio recording requirements; and, impose greater penalties for so-called “rubber clocking.” … The SSB weekend is October 29-30. The CW weekend is November 26-27. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/cq-announces-rule-changes-for-2017-cq-world-wide-ssb-and-cw-events (source: ARRL website)
ARRL PUBLISHES ITS 2016 ANNUAL REPORT – For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-publishes-its-2016-annual-report (source: ARRL website)
ARRL CONTEST RULE CHANGES, CLARIFICATIONS REFLECT “BEST PRACTICES” IN RADIOSPORT – Just ahead of the 2017-2018 contest season, ARRL has announced rule changes and clarifications to League-sponsored contests. These include an improved process for submitting logs and reporting scores. Unless otherwise noted, these changes become effective starting with the September VHF Contest. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-contest-rule-changes-clarifications-reflect-best-practices-in-radiosport (source: ARRL website)
ISLANDS ON THE AIR (IOTA) OFFICIALLY LAUNCHING NEW WEBSITE IN SEPTEMBER – For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/islands-on-the-air-iota-officially-launching-new-website-in-september (source: ARRL website)
LICENSE CLASSES –
Gastonia (NC): Technician license class, August 19, 2017, sponsored by Greater Gaston Amateur Radio Society, contact Tony Jones N4ATJ by email at n4taj at bellsouth dot net for further information.
Gastonia (NC): General license class, August 19, 2017, sponsored by Greater Gaston Amateur Radio Society, contact Tony Jones N4ATJ by email at n4taj at bellsouth dot net for further information.
Raleigh (NC): Technician license class, September 16 to October 14, 2017, sponsored by Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, contact Carl Davis W8WZ by phone at (773) 949-5243 or by email at w8wz at aol dot com 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 the Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club, see http://www.starnewsonline.com/entertainment/20170614/azalea-coast-amateur-radio-club (source: ARRL website)
On Lenoir Amateur Radio Club and Field Day, see http://caldwelljournal.com/amateur-radio-holds-public-demo-of-emergency-communications-june-24-25/ (source: ARRL website)
On the Rowan Amateur Radio Society, Field Day, and the 32nd Annual Firecracker Hamfest, see http://www.salisburypost.com/2017/06/15/roundabout-whats-happening-june-15-21/ (source: Google search)
On the Watauga Amateur Radio Club and Field Day, see https://www.hcpress.com/blowing-rock/watauga-amateur-radio-club-invites-public-field-day-2017-june-24-25-blowing-rock.html (source: Google search)
On the Hampstead Hams and Field Day, see http://www.starnewsonline.com/entertainment/20170617/24-hour-amateur-radio-field-day (sources: N2COP, Google search)
On the Gaston County Amateur Radio Society/ARES and Field Day, see http://www.gastongazette.com/entertainment/20170621/5-things-to-do-this-weekend (source: Google search)
On the Shelby Amateur Radio Club and Field Day, see http://www.shelbystar.com/news/20170622/music-arts-and-bit-of-radio-for-weekend (sources: K4ZXN, ARRL website)
On the Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Club and Field Day, see http://www.blueridgenow.com/news/20170623/ham-radio-field-day-is-this-weekend (source: ARRL website)
On the Cape Fear area amateur radio groups and Field Day, see http://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20170623/cape-fear-groups-participate-in-amateur-radio-field-day (source: Google search)
On the Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club and Field Day (interview featuring Bill Morine, N2COP and Bill Jefferson, K4BUX), see http://www.wect.com/story/35737402/ham-radio-field-day-happening-this-weekend (sources
: Google search, ACARC newsletter)
On the Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Club and Field Day, see http://www.blueridgenow.com/news/20170624/local-amateur-radio-club-takes-part-in-annual-field-day (source: Google search)
On the Forsyth Amateur Radio Club and Field Day (images), see http://www.journalnow.com/gallery/news/forsyth-amateur-radio-club-field-day/collection_95d09d26-59d4-11e7-a525-a387eac41a15.html (source: ARRL website)
On the Brightleaf Amateur Radio Club and Field Day, see http://www.reflector.com/News/2017/06/26/On-the-same-wavelength-Amateur-radio-bridges-the-gap.html (sources: W4YDY, KG4WEZ, ARRL website)
On the Rowan Amateur Radio Society and the 32nd Annual Firecracker Hamfest, see http://www.salisburypost.com/2017/06/29/roundabout-whats-happening-june-29-july-5/ and http://www.salisburypost.com/2017/07/06/roundabout-whats-happening-july-6-12/ (sources: Google search, ARRL website)
On the Wilson Amateur Radio Association and amateur radio, see http://www.wilsontimes.com/stories/vital-air-time-ham-radio-still-needed-in-emergencies,88307 (sources: W4BRG, ARRL website)
On the Rowan Amateur Radio Society and the 32nd Annual Firecracker Hamfest, see http://www.salisburypost.com/2017/07/10/tuning-ham-radio/ (source: ARRL website)
On visits to ARRL Field Day sites in western North Carolina (a HamRadioNow video), see https://www.hamradionow.tv/episodes/2017/7/12/hrn-334-field-day-tour (source: KN4AQ)
On the Moore County Amateur Radio Society, see http://www.montgomeryherald.com/news/article_92817b3e-6728-11e7-a70f-275b5c556c67.html (source: ARRL website)
The following (edited) report was received from Stan White, KI4NC: “2017 Tour de Blueberry. All, 640 cyclists participated in this year's Tour de Blueberry and 16 Hams provided communications and an added layer of safety for cyclists, event organizers, and support staff. Hams contributed 106 volunteer hours during the event! Your public service spirit and volunteerism are matched by very few! BZ! Thank you for using your ham radio license to help others! A special THANK YOU to those who volunteered: Stan KK4WCW - Ham Coordinator/Shadow; Bob WA3IRG - Net Control; Nick KK4FYL - Net Control; Rick KD4JRX - Net Control/Weather Briefings; Ron KM4CXP - Shadow/Supply Truck; Randy KA4SQN - Water Stop 1; Steve KM4UIB - Water Stop 1; Kirk KD5OSN - Water Stop 1; Al KM4TTK - Rest Stop 1; Jeff NC4JF - Rest Stop 1; Russ KM4DVD - Water Stop 2; John KM4QZV - Water Stop 2; Bill WN4OVA - Water Stop 2; Lucas KK4FVC - Rest Stop 2; and, Mack KK4IRV - Rest Stop 2. For those who were unable to participate due to prior commitments, work schedules, etc: please know we missed you. Join us next year! The Cape Fear Cyclists extend their appreciation too and a letter was posted on their website mentioning the ham volunteers. … 73 Stan KI4NC.” Thanks to all of the Hams for their efforts to assure the success of this event; and thanks to Stan White, KI4NC, Secretary, Hampstead Hams, for providing this report! (source: KI4NC)
The following report was received from Dave Langley, W4YDY: “Field Day PR. Howdy, Field Day interview this morning [6/22] at 6:25 AM on WITN in Greenville, NC. About 2-1/2 minutes. I captured and put it on the W4AMC.COM web site for a few days.
A newspaper article from the Cherokee Scout announcing the Field Day plans for the Murphy Chapter of the Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society/Cherokee County ARES was received from Kevin Heyboer, KD4UYR. Unfortunately, an electronic version of the article is not available. Subsequently, Kevin KD4UYR sent this report, which was written Saturday evening, during Field Day operations: “Field Day Newspaper Coverage. We do have a couple of operators staying overnight. … We did early setup on Friday, so we will only be operating until 2 pm Sunday, and we have been known to start shutting down around 1 pm. … I am very pleased because we have a 5A station this year, which is the largest number of transmitters we have ever had since Cherokee County ARES was reformed/created in 2012. I personally made 40 contacts on 20 meters today, while also acting as safety officer and monitoring the local talk in frequency… We operated both phone and digital modes. Most importantly, one of our county commissioners whom I invited did show up and we spoke at great length about the importance of ham radio for emergency communications and how we can send an email with attachments out of a disaster zone back to the ROC or SEOC using digital modes. … I also sent the local radio station, WKRK 1320 AM the same press release, but… I do not know if they announced it or not. … since you visited in 2014, we have been given a travel trailer to use as a mobile communications unit. It is registered to the Murphy Chapter of the Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society. We are still working on improvements to it, but it is air-conditioned and can handle 2 operators with full HF gear, and one additional with VHF/UHF. We hope to add a permanent HF antenna in the future. … 73 and safe travels, de Kevin Heyboer KD4UYR …” Thanks to Kevin Heyboer, KD4UYR, Emergency Coordinator (Cherokee County), for providing this report! (source: KD4UYR)
The following report (edited) was received from Stan White, KI4NC: “Field Day – Fun Day. All, In June 2011, I received an email at work. My employer was looking to license ham radio operators to provide auxiliary/emergency communications within its disaster response teams. They would be offering a free, 2-day course, followed by a free, FCC amateur radio exam. I liked the idea of "free" but I really liked the idea of having a specialized skill-set that could help others in times of need. The course instruction, along with self-study, helped prepare me to take the FCC exam. I passed the Technician exam in August 2011 and began my journey in emergency communications and public service. This was, and still is, my concentration in ham radio. However, I quickly realized there is so much more to ham radio! There really is something for everyone! This couldn't have been any more true than at this weekend's Hampstead Hams Field Day site. Phone, digital, CW, set-up, logging, antenna builds, experimentation, HF, VHF, UHF, simplex, SSB, PSK, DX, elmering, fellowship, camaraderie, team work, and so much more. To share this with family, friends, and neighbors is what makes Field Day so special. Field Day 2017 surpassed all of our expectations! With our new location, we expected a few more guests, but we never imagined a total of 66 would be in our log. We had folks from Pender County, New Hanover County, Onslow County, Duplin County, Wake County, and Orange County; all in attendance. We had husbands, wives, moms, dads, children, grandchildren, and neighbors; all in attendance. What was Field Day for the Hams turned into Fun Day for everyone. Field Day success is not a result of the work of one, but a result of the work of many. If you are reading this email, you are one of those "MANY." Thank YOU! This Field Day really turned out to be a community event. The NC Forest Service granted us unlimited access and use of the Topsail fire tower site. Pender County Emergency Management provided a brand new portable generator. Andrews Mortuary erected a large tent to give us shade on a hot and muggy weekend. Star-News, Port City Daily, and WECT news helped promote Field Day across their media platforms. We had a lot of help and we are grateful for the community wide support we receive from our public service partners. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. And so...you are fortunate. I will let the pictures tell the story of Field Day. You can see them here on our website: http://hampsteadhams.com/field-day-2017/ I especially like the ones of the kids who picked up a mic for the first time and experienced the magic of radio! The look on those faces was priceless, as was the look on the faces of their dads and granddads. And that's how Field Day became Fun Day for us ALL! 73 Stan KI4NC.” Thanks to Stan White, KI4NC, Secretary, Hamstead Hams, for providing this report! (source: KI4NC)
The following report was received from David Macchiarolo, AJ4TF: “High Point (NC) Amateur Radio Club in the News for Field Day. … Please find at the following links, some of the media attention that the High Point ARC was able to generate during our Field Day activities, thanks to Matt Flyer, KM4WON (a relatively new ham) who took on the Publicity Committee role for the club. Matt was also the GOTA station operator for our Field Day station (W4UA). Matt's wife Lynn (KN4BUJ) who is very recently licensed also came out for a while and helped us operate. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2ou6_FM_CAscGJjTHA4aFc2U3M/view This is an article in the High Point Enterprise newspaper, for which Matt gave a 20-minute interview. https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2ou6_FM_CAsckxJcWcycDFSZ1U This is a short news story aired several times by WGHP – Fox 8 last weekend. Hams featured are Matt KM4WON (shown operating the GOTA station), 12-year-old Mindy Riewe KM4UHV (shown briefly at the beginning) and Chris Riewe AE4TI, Mindy's dad. Chris and Mindy together made over 300 contacts by themselves! Sincerely, David Macchiarolo AJ4TF …” Thanks to David Macchiarolo, AJ4TF, Secretary and Special Activities Committee, High Point Amateur Radio Club, for providing this report! (source: AJ4TF)
A newspaper article from the Jacksonville Daily News detailing the Field Day activities of the Onslow Amateur Radio Club was received from Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE. The article was very informative. Unfortunately, an electronic version of the article is not available. Thanks to Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer, for providing this information! (source: KJ4JPE)
The following report (edited) on Scouting was received from Dave Price, K4KDP: “… 6,442 Boy Scouts completed and were presented the Radio Merit Badge in 2016. This places the Radio Merit Badge in 74th place between Railroading and the Reptile and Amphibian Study Merit Badges. There were 137 different Merit Badges that were eligible in 2016. Along with many optional merit badges, this resulted in 2016 having the least number of Radio Merit Badges earned over the last five years. The previous four years were: 2012 = 6,957; 2013 = 7,208; 2014 = 6,665; and, 2015 = 6,709. Part the reduction in 2016 was due to Hurricane Matthew shutting down numerous Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) exhibits along the east coast area of the United States. JOTA is typically a time when groups of Scouts start or complete their Radio Merit Badge requirements. Mr. Jim Wilson, K5ND, has a lot of good information for teaching the Radio Merit Badge on the Boy Scout Radio website, www.k2bsa.net Jamboree On The Air weekend is October 20-22, 2017. Now would be a good time to start preparing for JOTA and making contacts with your local Scouts concerning a JOTA exhibit. Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts, along with church groups such as AWANAs and Royal Rangers, may also find your Jamboree On The Air exhibit beneficial. If you need more information please contact me, k4kdp at arrl dot net. 73, K. Dave Price, K4KDP…” Thanks to Dave Price, K4KDP, ARRL NC Section Youth Coordinator – Scouting, for providing this report! (source: K4KDP)
The following report from Madison County was received from Ralph Rognstad, Jr, W4RRJ: “… On July 8, Madison County ARES, with support from Buncombe and Haywood Counties, provided communications for the 12th Annual Hot Doggett. The Madison County Rotary Club fund-raiser drew 275 bicycle riders that rode one of three routes covering much of the county. The longest route was 100 miles with three major climbs, including Doggett Mountain. Communications were provided by 21 amateur radio operators located at rest stops and in SAG vehicles. Several of the areas lacked cell phone coverage, so radio communication was critical to ensure a safe event. Fortunately, there were no significant accidents and the predicted rain held off until the event ended. … Thanks. 73 …” Thanks to all Hams providing support to this event; and, to Ralph Rognstad, Jr, W4RRJ, Emergency Coordinator (Madison County), for providing this report! (source: W4RRJ)
NTS SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT FOR MAY 2017 –
QNI (total check-ins): 1,856; Total messages passed: 636.
Station Activity Reports (SARs), total number: K4IWW 263, KB4RGC 228, KW4EMG 211, AA3N 178, WC9CW 169, WB4ZIQ 160, W4DNA 105, KC4PGN 92, WK4WC 88, W4EDN 59, W4EAT 45, W4TTO 40, KE4AHC 37, KF4OCU 37, KJ4JPE 28, KN4AAG 15, W3HL 11, KI4UDZ 8.
Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR), total number: KW4EMG 350, W4DNA 170, WB4ZIQ 170, KI4UDZ 162, WC9CW 160, W4TTO 155, WK4WC 140, K4IWW 130, KB4RGC 130, AA3N 115, KJ4JPE 108, KE4AHC 97.
Thanks to all stations for participating in NC Section traffic activities during May 2017; and, to Dave Roy, W4DNA, Section Traffic Manager, for providing this information! (source: W4DNA)
NTS SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT FOR JUNE 2017 –
QNI (total check-ins): 1,675; Total messages passed: 656.
Station Activity Reports (SARs), total number: WC9CW 295, K4IWW 248, KW4EMG 216, KB4RGC 207, AA3N 164, KC4PGN 144, W4DNA 101, WK4WC 78, KJ4JPE 72, KF4OCU 67, W4EAT 58, W4EDN 43, W4TTO 38, KE4AHC 35, KN4AAG 35, W3HL 23, W4CC 5, KI4UDZ 2.
Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR), total number: KW4EMG 375, KJ4JPE 285, KI4UDZ 210, AA3N 165, W4DNA 160, WC9CW 160, K4IWW 130, KB4RGC 125, WK4WC 120, W4TTO 98, KE4AHC 95, KJ4OCU 80.
Thanks to all stations for participating in NC Section traffic activities during June 2017; 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: Charles Harvey ("Duke") Harrison, K2MZ (SK) of Mebane; William Raymond Kress III, K4FGA (SK) of Raleigh; and, Lewis Ford Robertson, Jr, W4GKC (SK) of Raleigh. 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 3-6: 20th Anniversary Catawba Valley Hamfest, 2300Z-2100Z, W4R, Morganton, NC. Catawba Valley Hamfest Association. 28.400 14.250 7.200 3.840. QSL. Tom Land, 4515 Diamond St, Hudson, NC 28638. Some CW in the Novice/Tech portions of each band. Possibly some digital and SSTV too. May operate on VHF frequencies also, CW and Voice. www.cvhamfest.com
August 13-26: Total Solar Eclipse in Franklin, NC, 0401Z-0359Z, N4C, Franklin, NC. Franklin Amateur Radio Club. 14.230 14.076 7.180 7.076. Certificate & QSL. Franklin ARC, 505 North Sugar Creek Drive, Franklin, NC 28734. The special US postage stamp for the Eclipse will be included. www.k2bhq.com
August 21: Solar Eclispe 2017 Lexington South Carolina, 0000Z-1900Z, N4S, Gastonia, NC. Greater Gaston Amateur Radio Society. 14.235 7.195 7.180 3.895. QSL. Robert Wells, 409 Elizabeth Street, Gastonia, NC 28054. w7csa@yahoo.com or www.ggars.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! (source: ARRL website)
UPCOMING HAMFESTS AND CONVENTIONS –
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: 19th Annual Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society Swapfest, Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society, Fayetteville, NC, http://www.cfarsnc.org
September 1-3: 61st Annual Shelby Hamfest/ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Shelby Amateur Radio Club, Shelby, NC, http://www.shelbyhamfest.org
March 31, 2018: RARSfest. ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, Raleigh, NC, http://www.rars.org/hamfest/
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* – Your assistance is needed with S 1534 The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017! Please take the time to contact your US Senators and request their support by voting favorably for this Bill. A link to the RallyCongress page is provided to make it easy for you to generate letters to your US Senators, see https://arrl.rallycongress.net/ctas/urge-us-senate-to-support-amateur-radio-parity-act Thanks!
During Field Day weekend, I visited eleven (11) club sites on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. On Friday evening, I visited the Raleigh Amateur Radio Society in Knightdale. Then, on Saturday morning, I got up early and visited the following sites in western NC, accompanied by Gary Pearce, KN4AQ: Forsyth Amateur Radio Club in Winston-Salem; Foothills Amateur Radio Club in Moravian Falls; Watauga Amateur Radio Club in Blowing Rock; Mayland Amateur Radio Club in Bakersville; Haywood County Amateur Radio Club in Clyde; Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Club in Hendersonville; and, Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society in Asheville. On Sunday, we drove home and visited these clubs on the way: Lenoir Amateur Radio Club/Caldwell ARES in Lenoir; Foothills Community Workshop in Granite Falls; and, Iredell County Amateur Radio Society in Statesville. As always, It was great seeing all of the Field Day sites, meeting everyone, and learning about each club’s solutions for operating in a temporary, portable setting. I regret that I was unable to travel as far west as Cherokee County to visit Field Day sites in the area. However this year, I was able to visit four (4) clubs in western NC that I did not visit during my trip in 2014. I wish that I could have been in two places at once! Please take a look at the HamRadioNow video on our Field Day site visits: see https://www.hamradionow.tv/episodes/2017/7/12/hrn-334-field-day-tour
On Saturday, July 15th, I attended the Mid-Summer SWAPFEST in Cary. The weather was clear, but hot. As always, it was great visiting with everyone!
On July 21st, the building housing one of the Field Day sites that we visited, the Foothills Community Workshop in Granite Hills, was destroyed by fire. Fortunately, no one was injured. For further information, see http://fcwhack.com/
Finally, in the ARRL Contest Update for July 26, 2017, I found this link to a website with information on schematics and service information for Astron power supplies. I thought this information would be very useful, in addition to contacting the manufacturer for assistance. And, I thought you might find it useful, as well. Here is the link: http://www.repeater-builder.com/astron/astron-index.html Thanks to the ARRL Contest Update and the ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Initiative Facebook page for providing this information!
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)