ARRL NC Section Newsletter - June 2015
Posted July 2, 2015
Greetings to all Hams across North Carolina from Karl W4CHX, your ARRL NC Section Manager!
S 1685 AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT OF 2015 INTRODUCED IN US SENATE - On
June 25th, S 1685 Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 was introduced in the US Senate by
Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) as the initial co-
sponsor. The wording in S 1685 and HR 1301 are identical. S 1685 was read twice and
referred to the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which
is chaired by Senator John Thune (R-SD). For further information, see
HR 1301 AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT OF 2015 (Update) - As of June 30th, HR
1301 has 83 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). For further information, see
ARRL WEBSITE HAS NEW AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT OF 2015 PAGE - Since
there is Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 legislation in the US House of
Representatives and the US Senate, the ARRL has setup a combined web page to
accommodate activities related to HR 1301 and S 1685, and to provide a central location
("clearing house") for all 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
ARRL 2015 HURRICANE SEASON WEBINAR (7/20) - The ARRL will host a 2015
Hurricane Season webinar on Monday, July 20th, beginning at 8:00 PM EDT (July 21,
0000 UTC). The approximately 90 minute-long webinar will discuss the role of Amateur
Radio during the 2015 Hurricane Season. Anyone interested in hurricane preparedness
and response is encouraged to attend this webinar. Thanks to Mike Corey, KI1U, ARRL
Emergency Preparedness Manager, for providing this information! For further
information, see
COLORADO TO HOST US AMATEUR RADIO DIRECTION FINDING
CHAMPIONSHIPS (8/27-30) - Registration is open for the 15th USA and 8th IARU
Region 2 Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) championships, which will be held on
August 27-30, in Elbert, CO. An optional ARDF "training camp" will take place on
Monday through Wednesday, August 24-26, just prior to the Championships. Thanks to
Joe Moell, K0OV, ARRL Amateur Radio Direction Finding Coordinator, for providing this
information! For further information, see
NEW YORK HAM INAUGURATES "COLLEGIATE HAM RADIO OPERATORS"
FACEBOOK GROUP - Sam Rose, KC2LRC of Syracuse, NY has started the
"Collegiate Ham Radio Operators" Facebook Group. The Group is open to anyone
interested in college ham radio clubs, including members, alumni, faculty, and
prospective college ham radio club members. For further information, see
FCC CHAIRMAN AND LAWMAKERS ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO SCALE BACK
FIELD OFFICE SHUTDOWNS - An agreement has been reached between the US
House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders and FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to
amend the Commission's plans, which were announced in March, to close FCC field
offices. Under the revised plan, 15 of 24 FCC field offices will be kept open. For further
information, see
LICENSING CLASSES -
Raleigh (NC): Technician licensing class, July 11 to August 1, 2015, sponsored by
Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, contact Murray Merner, K4MHM by phone at (919) 803-
7973 or by email at
MEDIA HITS AND REPORTS - The following media hits and reports are included in this
month's newsletter:
On advice for the upcoming storm season, see
On Stormfest at the Cape Fear Museum, see
On the Lenoir Amateur Radio Club and Field Day, see
On "Lunch N Learn" about amateur radio presented by Terry Brown, AK4D, see
On a special Field Day Newsletter from the Lenoir Amateur Radio Club, see
On Stormfest 2015 at the Cape Fear Museum, see
On the 6th Annual Stormfest at the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, see
On the Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Club and Field Day, see
On the Watauga Amateur Radio Club and Field Day, see
On Emergency Services Summer Camp and amateur radio, see
On the Shelby Amateur Radio Club, the Cleveland County Amateur Radio Service, and
Field Day, see
On the Gastonia Area Amateur Radio Club and Field Day, see
On amateur radio helping a teen with disabilities, see
On the Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club, Wilmington VHF Association, and New
Hanover County ARES; and, Field Day, see
On the Iredell County Amateur Radio Society and Field Day, see
On the Forsyth Amateur Radio Club and Field Day, see
On Onslow Amateur Radio Club Field Day 2015 with WCTI Chief Meteorologist Donnie
Cox, see
On the Onslow Amateur Radio Club and Field Day, see
The following report regarding amateur radio operations (NI4BK) from the WWII battleship, USS North Carolina (BB-55), during the Museum Ships Weekend (6/6-7) was received from Jack Jacobs, WD4OIN: "The Museum Ships Weekend for 2015 was a big success! Success was not measured in total contacts but by total participation. This year we had 16 operators, which was a record number. Several local operators, who were not physically able to climb onto the ship, spotted us on the various DX clusters all weekend. We made a total of 712 contacts using SSB, CW, and Digital, and had a great time. The operators included: Jeff Holmes NC4JF, Jeff Wingfield KI4JDE, Bob Kiehlmeier WA3IRG, Steve Wilder AJ4JJ, Norm Clemmons KI4YSY, Hutch Hutchison NK0S, Jeff Bixby W4BIX, Allan Pellnat KX2H, Jay Barton N3QH, Brad Bradberry WD4FTR, David Williams N4JGD, Todd Chase KM4JGV, Bill Morine N2COP, James Kapetsky K3DEP, Stephen Russ NI4SR, and Jack Jacobs WD4OIN. Jack WD4OIN" In a separate email communication, Jack WD4OIN sent me an image of the commemorative certificate that was provided to the NI4BK operators - it looks great! Thanks to the operators for supporting Museum Ships Weekend; and, to Jack Jacobs, WD4OIN, Battleship Committee Coordinator, Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club, for providing this report!
The following information on learning Morse code was received from Ro Maddox,
K4HRM: "Do you have a youngster that would like to learn Morse Code? ICOM and
Boy's Life have teamed up to create a Morse code game to help teach very basic Morse
code:
The following report was received from Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE: "To all, Onslow County Amateur Radio Club members David W4JKU, Mike KK4VBG and Raeford WA4HMR spoke about Amateur Radio, Field Day 2015 and Onslow Amateur Radio Club on June 11, 2015 on Raeford's [96.3] Thunder Country [Radio] Show. 73, Janice KJ4JPE" Thanks to Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer for providing this report!
The following email was received from Marv Hoffman, WA4NC. Since it had been more than 10 years since the Watauga Amateur Radio Club participated in Field Day, his report on the Club's renewed Field Day effort is being shared with you: "Our first attempt at Field Day in over ten years was a great success and we owe a number of people our heart-felt thanks for their efforts. First, I want to thank James Harrison, WS4JH, who managed the event, working with Watauga Parks and Recreation to obtain permission to use the Howards Knob site, and for coordinating media outreach. Because of his efforts, we had visitors to our Field Day site and had the opportunity to explain ham radio to visitors who indicated their intent to take the Tech Class that is scheduled to begin on July 13. The goals of giving non-hams the opportunity to see ham radio in action, to get on the air and to inform the public about ham radio were met. Secondly, we all owe big "thank you's" to Stan Ferguson, WA4SGF, and Jack Bechtel, KB4JEB, who should be recognized for their cooking skill and for the excellent food they prepared on the mountain. I doubt that many other clubs had food that was as tasty or as well prepared as did our club. While antennas were being put up, we had water, coffee and snacks. Stan and Jack cooked a hot meal for dinner on Saturday with hamburgers, hot dogs, sweet sausage with rolls, all the fixings, plus a delicious Banana Pudding dessert prepared by Bonnie Baublitz. We had fresh fruit, snacks, hot coffee and water throughout the night. The cooks made a hot breakfast of pancakes, link sausage, and hot coffee and prepared sandwiches for the lunch on Sunday. Jack, Stan and Bonne, you did a great job. Kudos go also to the crew that set up antennas, and brought rigs, generators, heaters, tents, cables, tools and expertise as well as spending time operating and sharing the fun. John Dinkins WA4J, Danny Horney KE4AAP, Scott Douglass K2SD, Jack Bechtel KB4JEB, Stan Ferguson WA4SGF, James Harrison WS4JH, Steve Baublitz W9SLB, David Hooper N4DE, Marv Hoffman WA4NC, Gus Perry WA4JPC, Randy Combs KC4ZSM, Doug Hall WA4UNS, Vern Dyer W5VM, Steve Marks N4SCM, Tim Harmon KE4KFV, Adam Lentz W9ACL, and Benson Wills NE4W all helped out. I am sorry if I have overlooked anyone. Overnight operators braved a long, windy and cold night on the mountain. Temps in the low 50's with winds in the upper 20's. Apprehension over rain squalls that passed to the north, east and south, and those rain storms that stopped by to check us out posed challenges to the Overnighters who kept the generator running, the plastic sheets intact, the heaters going and the rigs humming. David and Mary Hooper, Danny Horney, James Harrison, Stan Ferguson and I spent the night on the mountain and made contacts during the night. So, despite weather challenges and poor band conditions, 2015 Field Day will go down in my book as a success. What we may have missed in terms of large numbers of contacts was more than offset in terms of the fellowship and practical problem-solving experience that was gained by operating in difficult conditions. Thanks to each of you for making our club the success that it is. Marv, WA4NC" Thanks to the members of the Watauga Amateur Radio Club for your participation in ARRL Field Day 2015; and to Marv Hoffman, WA4NC, President, Watauga Amateur Radio Club for providing this report!
NTS SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT FOR MAY 2015 - QNI (total check-ins): 2,028; Total messages passed: 544. Station Activity Reports (SARs), total number: K4IWW 309, W2EAG 196, WK4WC 146, KC4PGN 133, AK4RJ 122, K4JHB 122, W4DNA 81, WB4ZIQ 77, KF4OCU 61, W4TTO 59, KW4EMG 42, KE4AHC 34, KJ4JPE, 32, N2RTF 16, W4EAT 16. Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR), total number: KW4EMG 275, WB4ZIQ 180, WK4WC 155, W4DNA 150, KJ4JPE 147, K4IWW 130, W2EAG 110, AK4RJ 105, W4TTO 100, N2RTF 91, K4JHB 80, KF4OCU 76. 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: Charles Otis ("Charlie") Brown, Jr, W4VFJ (SK) of Wake Forest; William Dewey ("Bill") Lambert, AK4H (SK) of Benson; and, Herman Coy Williams, WA4FGI (SK) of Knightdale. 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 -
July 15-17: Royal Rangers 2015 Camp-o-Rama, 1500Z-2200Z, K4R, Browns Summit,
NC. Royal Rangers. SSB 21.250 14.250 7.150; CW 21.100; PSK-31 7.070. QSL. Steven
R. Allen, 5691 Howell Dr, Dublin, VA 24084. Royal Rangers is a boys Ministry of the
International Pentecostal Holiness Church and the Assembly of God Church.
UPCOMING DXPEDITIONS - It is hoped that you enjoyed the challenge of working K1N
Navassa Island 2015 and made at least one QSO with the on-island team. In case you
were wondering, here are some website links that provide information on four upcoming
DXpeditions:
TX3X Chesterfield Islands DXpedition, October 1-12, 2015, see
UPCOMING HAMFESTS AND CONVENTIONS -
July 11, 2015: 30th Annual Firecracker Hamfest, Rowan Amateur Radio Society,
Salisbury, NC, see
This year, I visited 12 clubs during the Field Day weekend. On Friday afternoon, the Field Day sites for the KnightLites - WQ4RP in Wake Forest, and PVRCNC - N4C in Creedmoor were visited. That evening, I drove to Suffolk, VA and stayed overnight with my son and his family. On Saturday, I visited the following clubs: The Albemarle Amateur Radio Society - K4WO in Elizabeth City; Pamlico Amateur Radio Club - K4BCH in Washington; Brightleaf Amateur Radio Club - W4AMC in Greenville; Wayne County Amateur Radio Association - W4HS in Goldsboro; Pamlico Amateur Radio Society (PARS) - N4PRS in Oriental; and, Onslow Amateur Radio Club Inc - NC4OC in Swansboro. On Sunday, I visited Hampstead Hams - NC4PC in Hampstead; NHC Emergency Prep Group - NC4NH in Wilmington; and, Brunswick Shores Amateur Radio Club in Southport. The NHC Emergency Prep Group was composed of members from the Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club, Wilmington VHF Association Inc, and New Hanover County ARES. Although adverse weather was present during the weekend, it was fun to visit the sites, learn about the setup of radios and antennas, and talk with club members. The hospitality that was extended to me was appreciated greatly! By the way, I drove more than 1,000 miles during Field Day weekend!
Earlier this month (6/8), I drove to Salisbury to attend the monthly meeting of the Rowan Amateur Radio Society. The turnout was excellent; and, the opportunity to present information about the NC Section was appreciated greatly. Thanks to the Members of the Rowan Amateur Radio Society for their friendship!
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
*QUA is an international Q signal (prosign) meaning, "Have you news of _____?" In the absence of a question mark, QUA means, "I have news of ____."