March 1, 2026 NC ARRL Section Newsletter

GREETINGS FROM THE HIGH COUNTRY

Mark Twain is quoted as having said, “Everyone talks about the weather but no one does anything about it.”

Mild, Spring-like weather may be here for a few days but how long will it stay? 

Despite ice and some snow last week, North Carolina remains unusually dry.  Late on Sunday afternoon,  the temperature reached 62 degrees, Three weeks ago we experienced a low temperature of -2 degrees.

The most recent  drought report that is  issued each Thursday shows that the entire area of North Carolina is classified as being very dry.  Most of the state is in a Severe Drought except for two small portions of North Carolina which are shown to be in an Extreme Drought (which is more severe than the Severe Drought Category).  The maps can be found at www.ncdrought.org.

SECTION MANAGER ELECTION

On Tuesday afternoon earlier this week, ARRL Staff and an independent accounting firm counted the ballots that members cast for the NC Section Manager who will serve for a term that will will begin on April 1 2026 and end on June 30, 2028.

I want to express my thanks for the confidence you have placed in me during the election and for the opportunity you have given me to be the Section Manager for the past six years..   I am very grateful that 72% of membership who voted indicated their collective satisfaction with my leadership as Section Manager. Almost 1000 members mailed in ballots in the election that involved two candidates for the Section Manager post for the next two years. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

UPCOMING EVENTS

·        CHARLOTTE HAMFEST, sponsored by the Mecklenburg Amateur Radio Society, held at the Cabarrus Arena and Event Center (4751 Highway 49 N Concord NC) on Friday and Saturday (March 6 and 7).  Info at http://charlottehamfest.org.

·        RARSFEST, sponsored by the Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, held in the Jim Graham Building at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds on Saturday (April 4).   Info at http://www.rarsfest.org .  

·        If you plan to attend either of these hamfests, stop by the ARRL table and say hello.  Pick up an ARRL Band Plan card or other ARRL literature.  Be sure to tell me if there is something I can do to help with a ham radio problem that you or your club are facing.

YEAR OF THE CLUB

ARRL has designated 2026 as the Year of the Club and created a series of special activities to generate considerable on-the-air activity that includes:

1.         Each state has been assigned two one week periods (Spring and Fall) during which clubs and similar groups will be assigned operating periods and modes so that operators across the USA can make contacts for  a special Worked All States-250 award (even if an operator has already earned the traditional Worked All States award.

2.        Recognition of excellence in club newsletters that re successful  in informing interested persons about the fun involved in ham radio and offering information  about mentoring opportunities,

3.        Commendation to clubs for excellent newsletters containing information about club activities.

4.        Opportunities for clubs to receive a share of ARRL dues when the club processes applications for new and renewing ARRL members.

5.        Opportunities for clubs to submit photos of club activities for potential inclusion in QST and the ARRL webpage.

There are unique opportunities to showcase you club!!

North Carolina has two weeks during which clubs and similar groups can operate as W1AW/4.  The weeks are April 1 and September 2.  Paul Raische (N1XI) has graciously volunteered to be the Coordinator for the On the Air activities for North Carolina which will involve various modes, frequencies and assigned time slots.

 If your club wishes to operate s W1W/4 during a portion of North Carolina’s time slots please contact Paul at his special Year of the Club address (was250nc@gmail.com).

IF YOU WISH TO OBTAIN INFORMTION ABOUT ITEMS 2-5 (above) please refer to the instructions found t www.arrl.org/year-of-the-club.

RECENT FCC ACTIONS

·        Recent rule change that requires licenses to update their address information in the FRN database whenever your USPS mail address or email address changes.  The FCC rule requires that the update be entered in the FCC database with ten days of such a change.  Info can be found at http://arrl.org/news/new-60-meter-frequencies-available-as-of-february-13

·        Recent rule change that provides a small addition of low power operation on 60 meters.  Info at http://arrl.org/news/fcc-requires-that-frn-contact-information-be-updated-within-ten-days-of-a-change

CLOSING COMMENT

This will be an uncharacteristically brief Section Newsletter.  There is much to do to get ready for the Charlotte hamfest plus as the weather here improves there is  backlog of outdoor antenna work to be tended to. 

 Best wishes,

Marv, W4NC

NC SECTION MANGER

BOONE