ARRL NC Section Newsletter - October 2015
Posted Nov 1, 2015
Greetings from Karl W4CHX, your ARRL NC Section Manager!
NOW, "CLARITY ON PARITY" - THE VIDEO! - In August, the ARRL
responded to the concerns expressed by community and neighborhood
associations regarding HR 1301 and S 1685 Amateur Radio Parity Act of
2015 by publishing, "Clarity on Amateur Radio Parity." This
document clarifies that the Bill would not result in new federal policy
on outdoor amateur radio antennas and it would not require approval of
large antenna towers by homeowner associations. For further
information on the document, see
HR 1301 AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT OF 2015 (UPDATE) - As of October
29th, HR 1301 has 107 co-sponsors, including 5 Representatives from
North Carolina: David Price (D-NC-4); Walter Jones, Jr (R-NC-3);
Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10); David Rouzer (R-NC-7); and, Renee Elmers
(R-NC-2). For further information, see
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 October 27th, 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
AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT OF 2015 PAGE ON ARRL WEBSITE (REMINDER) - 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
ARRL FIELD DAY RESULTS NOW AVAILABLE - Breaking news! The results of
ARRL Field Day 2015 are available, see
THE 2016 ARRL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IS NOW OPEN! - The ARRL
Foundation is currently accepting applications from eligible radio
amateurs pursuing higher education. In 2016, more than 80 scholarships
will be awarded with amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000. One applicant
will be selected for the prestigious William R. Goldfarb Memorial
Scholarship, which is presented to a high school senior pursuing a
degree in business, computers, medical, nursing, engineering, or
science. The application window opened on October 1, 2015 and it will
close at 11:59 PM EST, January 31, 2016. Transcripts must be received
by Thursday, February 18, 2016. For further information, see
"ARRL NATIONAL PARKS ON THE AIR" EVENT TO MARK NATIONAL PARK
SERVICE CENTENNIAL - In 2016, the National Park Service (NPS) will
celebrate its 100th anniversary, and radio amateurs will be able to
help mark the occasion with the ARRL National Parks on the Air (NPOTA)
event. The event begins at 0000 UTC on January 1, 2016 and continues
throughout the rest of the year. Amateur radio operations will be
promoted and encouraged from any of the more than 430 official NPS
administrative units and affiliated areas across the US. Participants
in NPOTA can be a Chaser, an Activator, or both. Chasers attempt to
make contact with amateur radio operators in as many NPS units as
possible, whereas Activators attempt to "put on the air" as many
NPS units as possible. Chaser and Activator totals will be posted
online using LoTW data. For further information on NPOTA, see
JOTA STATIONS URGED TO FILE THEIR 2015 REPORTS - On October 20th, an
article on the ARRL website urged JOTA stations to submit their 2015
reports. After submitting a station report, a confirmation email will
be received along with a link to download a 2015 JOTA Certificate. For
further information, see
WESTERN BRANCH ARES-AUXCOMM FALL MEETING (10/31) - Last minute
reminder! On Saturday, October 31st, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, the NC
Western Branch ARES-AUXCOMM Fall Meeting will be held at the WPCC
Foothills Higher Education Center, 2128 S Sterling St, Morganton, NC
28655. For further information, see
BARNES AND NOBLE MINI MAKER FAIRES (11/6-8) - Another last minute
reminder! Barnes and Noble Booksellers Inc announced it will be
holding Mini Maker Faires at all of its retail locations during the
weekend of November 6-8, 2015. This is a great opportunity for all
Hams - clubs and individuals - to meet with attendees and introduce
them to amateur radio. For further information, see
ARRL INVITES NOMINATIONS FOR 2015 INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AWARD
(12/31) - Nominations are now being accepted for the 2015 ARRL
International Humanitarian Award. The Award is conferred upon an
amateur or group of amateurs who demonstrate devotion to human welfare,
peace and international understanding through amateur radio. The ARRL
established the annual prize to recognize amateur radio operators who
have used ham radio to provide extraordinary service to others in times
of crisis or disaster. The deadline for submitting nominations is
December 31, 2015. For further information, see
GERALD L. AGLIATA, W2GLA RECEIVES 2015 RADIO CLUB OF AMERICA AWARD - The Radio Club of America (RCA) has announced the recipients of its 2015 awards. Gerald L. Agliata, W2GLA of Wake Forest will be receiving the Edgar F. Johnson Pioneer Citation in appreciation of his longtime and substantial contributions to the success of the Radio Club of America. Gerald W2GLA and other RCA Award recipients will be honored at the RCA 2015 Awards Banquet and Technical Symposium on November 21 in Cupertino, California.
According to the Raleigh Amateur Radio Society newsletter, The Exciter:
"Jerry Agliata's early interest in SWL brought him to amateur radio.
He graduated from RCA Institute in New York and planned a career as a
radio technician. He worked in the military electronics business as a
technical writer, systems test engineer and other engineering related
positions. He eventually found work in the Radio Common Carrier
Industry, the independent firms that competed with the telephone
company for mobile telephone and radio paging service prior to cellular
telephone deployment in 1985. He owned an RCC in New York Metro
together with radio tower sites that served extensive land mobile radio
systems. He was one of the founders of the predecessor company to AT&T
Wireless, known then as Cellular Telephone Company (CTC) in New York.
He was a partner in the design, development and construction of the NYC
Metro CTC cellular system. He founded, owned and operated a number of
wireless antenna site companies. He coauthored the publication: Tower
Operations & Equipment Installation Handbook. He was Executive
Director of the National Antenna Consortium, an industry antenna issues
advocacy organization. He was a founding member of the Personal
Communications Industry Association, an antenna site trade group based
in Washington, D.C. He is a Fellow in the Radio Club of America and
the RCA Board recently announced the awarding of the Edgar F. Johnson
Pioneer Citation in November 2015. He received the ARRL President's
Award in 2004 primarily for his extensive issues advocacy work in New
York State for amateur radio antenna rights issues. He also received
the New York State Gubernatorial Citation from Governor George E.
Pataki for promoting amateur radio interests in New York State. In
addition, he received a Special Citation from the Senate of the State
of New York for his work promoting amateur radio. Jerry is a member of
the Raleigh Amateur Radio Society and the ARRL. Jerry resides in Wake
Forest, NC together with his wife Jo Ann of 43 years" (from
USE OF 146.52 MHz FM SIMPLEX FREQUENCY CLEARED FOR ARRL CONTESTS -
The ARRL Programs and Services Committee unanimously adopted a
recommendation from its VHF and Above Revitalization Committee to
remove the rule prohibiting use of 146.52 MHz simplex for making
contest contacts. It was concluded that the restriction was no longer
needed; and, permitting use of 146.52 MHz would allow new/curious
contesters possessing only FM-mode radios to encounter more contacts,
increasing the probability of further interest in VHF+ contesting. The
change will go into effect on January 1st. For further information, see
PALMYRA DXPEDITION TO SIGN ON AS K5P - The Palmyra DXpedition will be
using the call sign, K5P, when it begins operations in January, 2016.
Palmyra and Jarvis Islands (KH5) rank number 9 on ClubLog's DXCC Most
Wanted List. The Pacific Islands DXpedition Group will be activating
Cooper Island in the Palmyra Atoll between January 11th and 26th. Five
stations will be operated during the Palmyra DXpedition by a team of 12
operators, including Lou Dietrich, N2TU, Co-Team Leader, of
Mooresville; and, Dick Williams, W3OA, also from Mooresville. For
further information, see
LICENSING CLASSES -
Gastonia (NC): Technician licensing class, November 7, 2015, sponsored
by Greater Gaston Radio Society, contact Tony Jones, KK4TRL by phone at
(704) 827-2138 or by email at
MEDIA HITS AND REPORTS - The following media hits and reports are
included in this month's newsletter:
On Greensboro Amateur Radio Association holding its annual open house,
see
On the Run the Valley Half-Marathon (Badin) and the Stanly County
Amateur Radio Club, see
On Richmond County Amateur Radio Club looking for new members, see
On East Timor, 6m operations, and life - the video interview of
Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV (of Turkey, NC), Executive Vice President,
North American Sales, Yaesu conducted by Tim Duffy, K3LR, Chief
Operating Officer, DX Engineering and ARRL WPA Section Manager, see
On DXing and DXpeditions (video), see
Following a discussion of preferred websites for monitoring adverse
weather, this email was received from Bill McDowell, K4CIA: "Here is
a good weather map...customizable in many ways.
The following report was received from Marv Hoffman, WA4NC: "High Country UHF Digital Net. Thanks to those who checked in last night [9/29]. A count shows that we had 23 participants, which is quite good and I hope that the net continues to grow. In future net sessions we will have additional brief updates about ARES/Auxcomm, Skywarn, and severe weather information, answering questions about DRM generally and PRN specifically and using the net so that we have a vehicle for increasing camaraderie among our various clubs. Here is the breakdown of check-ins on September 29 by club: Foothills 1; Lenoir 3; Mayland 10; and, Watauga 9. If you didn't check in, I hope you will do so next Tuesday. We covered upcoming ARES/Auxcomm events (ICS-300 sessions and the upcoming Western Branch Meeting), local severe weather due to flooding in the mountains, the advisories for (now Hurricane) Joaquin, and learned a little bit about operating for four linked repeaters. ..... Everyone with a DMR portable or mobile radio that can reach the Boone-Sugar Local, Spruce Pine Local, or Lenoir Local talk groups is welcome to join us for the net, which meets each Tuesday evening at 8:00 p.m. The net normally ends around 8:30 and the link remains active for informal contacts across the four repeaters until the link is automatically taken down at approximately 9:05 p.m. Thanks go out to K4ITL, Danny, and Scott, KF4DBW, for linking the repeaters for the net. ..... Marv, WA4NC, Boone."
On October 28th, Marv WA4NC sent the following update: "Amateurs in the area who have digital mobile radios operating on the PRN system are invited to meet weekly on the High Country UHF Digital Net, which continues to pick up additional check-ins. Boone Local, Sugar Local, Spruce Pine Local, and Lenoir Local are patched together from 7:55 to 9:05 p.m. each Tuesday night. Beginning November 3rd, West Jefferson Local will be added to the linked repeaters for the net. Marv WA4NC." Thanks to Marv Hoffman, WA4NC, President, Watauga Amateur Radio Club, for providing these reports!
The following report and media hit was received from Janice Hopkins,
KJ4JPH: "..... Maysville Hamfest made the Jacksonville Daily News
10/9/2015. As usual a good time was had by all. People from
Hampstead, Raleigh, New Holland, and all the local areas renewed old
friendships once again. Even the threat of bad weather did not stop
them! 73, Janice KJ4JPE ....." For the newspaper article, see
The following report was received from Stan White, KI4NC: "Two Town
Thank You. All, The Hampstead Hams appreciate opportunities to provide
communications support for charitable events in Pender County. We are
volunteers with a shared interest in providing a public service for our
community. I am proud to be a part of such a great group of Hams.
During the Two Town Half Marathon, we accounted for 109 volunteer
hours! The event was a huge success, in part, by the service you
provided for race officials and athletes alike. Thank YOU for making a
difference! A special thanks to the following Ham Volunteers: Bob
Kiehlmeier WA3IRG; Bobby Humphrey N4NPH; Charlie Wilson KM4ODO (call
sign posted today!); Dan Sears KD4AGQ; Frank Divinie KO4FD; Jeff
Conerly WB4GQO; Jeff Holmes NC4JF; Joey Stith KI4DUK; Lucas Coleman
KK4FVC; Mack Coleman KK4IRV; Marisa Sears KJ4TAL; Max Gregor KM4HFM;
Nick Zedlar KK4FYL; Ron Bovender KC4RB; Ron Covil KM4CXP; Stan Harts
KK4WCW and his son, Cory Harts; Stephen Russ NI4SR; and, Sue Conerly
WA4SAZ. All proceeds from the Two Town Half Marathon benefit the
Pretty In Pink Foundation and all monies help ladies, some our
neighbors, right here in Pender County. We are proud to wear PINK!
Follow links below to our website ..... to enjoy a few snapshots from
the event, see
The following report was received from Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE: "Eastern North Carolina Participated in JOTA 2015! Four amateur radio clubs in Eastern North Carolina participated in the 58th Annual Jamboree On The Air with the Boy Scouts of America/East Carolina Council on the weekend of October 16-18, 2015.
Pamlico Amateur Radio Society worked with Boy Scout Troop/Cub Scout Pack 683 at Camp Sea Gull in Pamlico County. Bill Olah KR4LO directed the JOTA. Billy Blanchard KM4EFX, a visiting Ham worked with a 10 year-old Scout who contacted Cub Scouts from Camp Sam Hatcher in Carteret County on 2 meters. Janice Hopkins KJ4JPE assisted the Carteret Cub Scouts on her 2 meter HT. The Boy Scouts also worked on HF via 40 and 20 meters with Jaime King KJ4JK.
Carteret County Amateur Radio Society worked with the Croatan Trails District at Camp Sam Hatcher under the direction of Brian Alexander W4BTA. Seven members of the club set up the equipment, drove the emergency communications trailer to and from the site, and worked with the Scouts. They worked 40 and 20 meter HF with 90 scouts who made 94 contacts including Cuba!
The Onslow Amateur Radio Club worked with the White Oak River District Cub Buddy Family Campout in Jacksonville, NC. Dobie Hoffman KK4MGK worked with his crew planning the set up of tents and antennae on Friday night and the take down on Saturday afternoon, a very well organized job. Bill Wilson KA5GHI worked with the Scouts and taught them basic radio fundamentals. Mike McLain KK4VBG and Michael Pratt KK4VBH worked with the boys on HF along with Hershel Criner KK4UFJ.
The New Bern Amateur Radio Club worked JOTA under the direction of Ken McCain K4KDM at St. Andrews Lutheran Church on Neuse Blvd in New Bern. Bob Melle AJ4XS and Dave Warwick K4DJW worked with Ken, both on HF and VHF. With Pack 1884 and Troop 13, they made 40 contacts from CT to FL with about 25 Scouts, including a 7 year-old Scout, a Ham's grandson and future Ham. A good time was had by all. We are all looking forward to the 59th JOTA! Respectfully submitted, Janice Hopkins KJ4JPE" Thanks to all Hams and their clubs for sponsoring and operating these JOTA stations; and, to Janice Hopkins, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer for providing this report!
The following report was received from Dave Price, K4KDP: "JOTA Results Tuscarora Council. Here are some really nice notes to be able to share about JOTA 2015. JOTA early results: 50 plus Scouts/Leaders and visitors; 23 Scouts completed Radio Merit Badge. One Girl Scout and 2 Cub Scouts also attended the Radio Merit Badge class. One Pack 34 Cub Scout earned his Morse Code Interpreter Strip. He is the first Boy Scout or Cub Scout that I know of in the Tuscarora Council to be able to wear the Morse Code Interpreter Strip. Last Morse Code message sent to him was "LOOK UNDER YOUR CHAIR" - that is where he found his newly-earned Boy Scout Morse Code Interpreter Strip, taped to the bottom of his chair. Radio contacts made with small HT "walkie talkie", mobile, and Base station radios. PSK "text messaging on the radio without a cellphone or internet" contacts made and received. Three G5RV Jr antennas, some near 100 feet high at highest point, requiring almost 500 feet of support rope/string. One hundred-sixty feet of coax "antenna cable." Eight Morse Code practice keys and one automatic Morse Code paddle keyer. One 12-volt power supply with cover off and checked with electronics multi-meter so Scouts can learn how it works. Four Scouts completed some parts of Electronic and Safety Merit Badge. As reported by some of our guests, "a good time had by all". Finally, at least one very sore adult Scout leader..... Radio Operators: Joe Melendez N0TGO; Wilson Hines AA5AZ; Brett Wilde LM4LNM; Pete Wene WA5T; Mike Saviak KE4LJV; and, Dave Price K4KDP. Mike KE4LJV is handling the registration and station logs on the JOTA website. Adam Kornegay NC4AK is verifying and updating contacts with eQSL and Logbook of the World. Thanks, K. Dave Price, K4KDP ....." Thanks to all Hams for sponsoring and operating this JOTA station; and, to Dave Price, K4KDP, Boy Scout Troop 258 Chaplain, Torhunta District Committee Member, and Trustee, Tuscarora Radio Club KT4BSA, for providing this report!
NTS SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2015 - QNI (total check-ins): 1,708; Total messages passed: 456. Station Activity Reports (SARs), total number: K4IWW 292, WB4ZIQ 166, W4DNA 136, KC4PGN 120, AK4RJ 108, KJ4JPE 52, W4TTO 52, KE4AHC 34, KW4EMG 29, W4EAT 22, W2EAG 0. Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR), total number: KW4EMG 214, W4DNA 170, WB4ZIQ 150, K4IWW 130, KK4LGM 109, AK4RJ 100, W4TTO 100, KJ4JPE 90, KM4HXX 80, W2EAG 0. 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: William Charles ("Willie") Harris, WA4RVD (SK) of Nebo; Harrison Rowland ("Mac") McCray, Jr, K4PDY (SK) of Charlotte; J. Barry Mulvaney, K4QW (SK) of Matthews; and, Robert Wrenn ("Robbie") Spencer, Jr, N4DXA (SK) of Louisburg. 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 - No Special Event Stations in the NC Section
are listed for the period October 27 to December 31, 2015. Special
Event Station listings in the NC Section newsletter are based on what
appears on the ARRL website, see
UPCOMING HAMFESTS AND CONVENTIONS -
October 31: 19th Annual Grand Strand ARC "Beachfest 2015", Grand
Strand Amateur Radio Club, Conway, SC, see
The Tar Heel Emergency Net (THEN) is the North Carolina ARES net on the HF bands. It is on the air every evening at 7:30 PM local time on 3.923 MHz. The purposes of the THEN are to provide emergency communications, provide training in net operations, serve as a forum for discussion, and promote fellowship among radio amateurs. All Hams are invited to participate - check it out!
On Thursday evenings, the NC Section Manager serves as the Net Control Station for THEN. This was not something I knew about prior to becoming the NC Section Manager, hi hi! I was worried about conducting the THEN initially, but Elmering from colleagues, especially Bill N2COP and Tom N4TAB, helped greatly! Soon, I became comfortable with net control duties and that made it much easier to meet and interact with new friends via the THEN! By the way, I would like to thank all Hams - past or present - that have participated as a Net Control Station or Participant in the THEN. Great job, everyone!
It is remarkable that the THEN has been on the air since 1947! If you
would like to learn more about the THEN, see
I was pleased to learn about the new operating event for 2016, National Parks on the Air, which celebrates the US National Park Service Centennial. I am looking forward to this event. Hopefully, you are, too! National Parks on the Air should be fun with the added bonus of being able to do portable operations in outdoor settings. See you in the pile-ups!
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