Post by David (N4DLT) on Oct 23, 2010 7:15:22 GMT -5
NORTH CAROLINA SECTION NEWS – October, 2010
October and November are among the busiest months in Amateur Radio, so
lots to relay to you.
OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY – Greensboro Amateur Radio Association
(GARA) will hold an open house this Saturday, October 23rd, from 10 AM
to 4 PM at Hinshaw United Methodist Church at 4501 High Point Rd. The
purpose of the event is to encourage new Hams, inactive Hams or
wanna-be Hams to learn how to become licensed or improve their skills.
Hats off to GARA for holding this Elmer session. I hope other clubs
will think about this too. GARA designed a nice flyer for the event
which can be seen at www.w4gso.org If you can’t make it, say hello
to everyone at the Open House on the GARA repeater at 145.45 PL 100.0
UPCOMING TRAINING CLASSES – If your club is holding a class to earn a
Technician or General license, please send an email about it to our
section webmaster Susan Langley-Jones, WA4AKB, at wa4akb@arrl.net She
maintains a page on the section’s website at www.ncarrl.org dedicated
to clubs and training sessions. Winter is the perfect time to hold
entry level Technician licensing classes, and classes for Techs to
upgrade to Generals and Extras.
JOTA – Boy Scouts of America is celebrating its 100th anniversary
this year, and many section clubs and individuals participated last
weekend in the 53rd annual Jamboree On-The-Air (JOTA). JOTA is one of
the very few Scouting events which is international, and is open to all
scouts, meaning Cub Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
Here’s a summary of activities of NC clubs and individuals:
- Shelby Amateur Radio Club (SARC) hosted a JOTA station for 95 Girl
Scouts at Camp Oconeechee at Lake Lure. They demonstrated PSK31, RTTY
and D Star in addition to HF phone and VHF FM.
- Durham FM Association went to Camp Durant in Carthage (Moore Co.) and
demonstrated VHF-FM and APRS to 300 Cub Scouts.
- Davie Amateur Radio Club (DCARC) went to Camp Woodfield near Asheboro
where 70 Boy Scouts saw APRS, CW and made a satellite contact on AO-51.
- Cabarrus Amateur Radio Society (CARS) and Rowan Amateur Radio Society
(RARS) worked together at Camp Batnhardt in New London (Stanly Co.) They
had about 200 Cub Scouts and parents see HF phone, APRS and PSK31
- Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club of Wilmington went to Camp McNeill in
White Oak (Bladen Co.) and had about 100 Cub Scouts and parents talk on
HF phone
- Tim O’Rourke, W4YN, and two other Hams hosted a station for Troop
and Pack 49 in Hickory. 45 scouts came by and some made a satellite
QSO on SO-67
Although JOTA is always held the third full weekend in October, not all
major scout events take place on that weekend. ND4MR, Dave Ritter of
Wilkesboro, demonstrated Ham Radio to a large group of scouts the
weekend of October 9th, and this weekend the Cleveland County Amateur
Radio Society (CCARS) and the Shelby Amateur Radio Club (SARC) will
have special event JOTA station K2BSA/4 at the Centennial Redezvous
Camporee at Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Shelby, where an estimated
5,000 are expected to attend. Many thanks for showing our youth the
value of Ham Radio, and have your club plan to host a JOTA station next
year October 14-16, 2011
FAIRLY GOOD – Fall is the time for county fairs. Congratulations to
the Kinston Amateur Radio Society, which took 1st Place, Educational
Booth, at the Lenoir County Fair.
SENIOR MOMENT – Hats off to 96 year old Weldon Fields, W4AJT, of
Greensboro, who was just appointed as an ARRL Official Emergency
Station (OES). This is no ceremonial appointment. Weldon is active on
the Tar Heel Emergency Net and served a two hour shift as Net Control
Station during the HurrEx drill in May. In June, Weldon was honored by
the Greensboro Amateur Radio Association (GARA) for his 80th year of
holding an Amateur Radio license. Congratulation, Weldon!
SIMULATED EMERGENCY TEST (SET) - the NC ARES SET will be conducted on
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 0900 for a duration of 2+ hours.
Currently available information is available at
www.ncarrl.org/ares/set2010.html . Note that additional
details will be added as the exercise date approaches. Please look at
that info on a regular basis and remain informed. County ARES groups are
not required to participate in the State SET, but it is encouraged.
Note: this year's SET will be a very different event from most of the
SET exercises from recent years.
NC ARES WESTERN MEETING. - The annual NC ARES Western Meeting will
take place on October 30th in Morganton, NC from 0900 -1300. This
meeting will cover some new subjects, such as WebEOC and updates about
ongoing projects such as Winlink and ICS training opportunities.
Information about that meeting may be found at
www.qsl.net/kd4ozi/DEC/STATE%20MEETING%202010%20WB.htm.
SILENT KEYS - Byron King, K4NGJ, of Raleigh as the result of a
motorcycle accident
HAMFESTS – Sunday, November 21, 8 AM – 4 PM JARSfest, Johnston
Amateur Radio Society, American Legion Complex, Hwy 301, Benson.
Talk-In 147.27 and 146.97
PUBLIC SERVICE – Nov. 7, City of Oaks Marathon, Raleigh; Nov. 13,
Beach 2 Battleship iron distance Triathlon, Wilmington area; Nov. 21,
Makin’ Room For Turkey bike ride, Raleigh. Sign up to volunteer at
www.hampublicservice.org Organizers for public service events are
encouraged to file an ARRL Public Service Activity Report at
www.arrl.org/fsd-157-public-service-activity-report
SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS – Oct. 23, Lexington Barbeque Festival
1200-2200Z, 14.250 and 14.050; Oct 23, 22nd NASCAR Day Festival,
Tri-Count ARC, 14.270 and 7.208.
SEPTEMBER NTS REPORTS – QNI (Net station check-ins) 2,858, dn 84 or
2%. Messages passed – 464, dn 37 or 7%. STATION ACTIVITY REPORTS
(SARs) K4IWW 277, KI4YV 238, W2EAG 198, W4DNA 101, WK4P 99, W3HL 88,
W4TTO 57, KE4AHC 43, K8SKX 19, NC4VA 18. AUGUST PUBLIC SERVICE HONOR
ROLL (PSHR) NC4VA 168, W4DNA 140, K4IWW 130, W2EAG 110, W4TTO 105,
KI4YV 90.
ARES – Members, 753, up 78 or 11%. ICS credentialed – 245, up 35
or 16% DEC/EC reports – 37 out of 100 counties (down 2). ATTN ECs
and DECs – if you’re not filing your monthly reports, your ARES
members aren’t included in section reports.
LAST WORD – CONTESTING FOR THE REST OF US. Contesters are a special
breed, and a breed we should look up to. The biggest contests of the
year in terms of activity are coming up: the “November
Sweepstakes”. The CW portion is November 6-8, and the Phone version
is November 20-22. When you hear a seasoned contester in action, you
are hearing the essence of Amateur Radio. Cool, concise, efficient and
meticulous are adjectives which describe them. Contesters are many
times the ones we admire when we wish we could become better operators.
Like anything in life, contesters have worked hard to achieve their
success. What’s more interesting is that in more casual day-to-day
operating, contesters still stand out as exemplary operators. Their
habits spill over to normal operating. If you want to become a better
operator, there is no substitute for getting on the air, becoming a
better listener, and trying a contest or two. But where to begin?
Here are some suggestions:
First, if you have expanded HF privileges as a General or Extra, devote
an uninterrupted block of time to an upcoming contest. The November
Sweepstakes are overwhelming, but you will hear contesting at its
utmost. Concentration could net you some unexpected QSOs you might not
otherwise get. If you can handle Sweepstakes, you can handle any
contest. Listen to segments an hour at a time so you won’t burn out.
Soon you’ll begin to see patterns and rhythms which will help you.
Next, work your way up to the pace of Sweepstakes. State QSO parties
are a wonderful starting point. In CW, there are some 4 hour sprints
that will really help your CW skills to improve. An excellent source
for all kinds of contests, especially ones for rookies, is WA7BNM’s
Contest Calendar at www.hornucopia.com/contestcal
Finally, in North Carolina, 46% of all Amateur Radio licensees are
Technicians. Many are seeking a migration path to motivate them to
General. With the upper bands opening up again, 10 meter contesting is
making a comeback. Techs have the grandfathered Novice CW privileges
plus HF SSB privileges 28.300-28.500 MHz. Try a 10-10 contest. More
info at www.ten-ten.org Also, the VHF Sweepstakes are January
22-24. Try some 6 meter or 2 meter sideband. According to the “Most
Wanted Grids” map at
www.arrl.org/files/file/FFMA/Most%2520Wanted%2520Grids%25202007.pdf
, North Carolina is home to three highly desired Maidenhead grids: FM25
and FM26 in the Outer Banks, and FM13 at Kure Beach, Fort Fisher and a
portion of Bald Head Island. Have your club sponsor a “DXpedition”
in a rare grid or close to home, and open up the world of contesting to
Technician licensees.
Getting on the air is the best prescription to becoming a better
operator. Happy Halloween to all, and be safe. C U DN THE LOG.
73 de Bill
Bill Morine, N2COP
ARRL North Carolina Section Manager
For the latest news about Amateur radio in North Carolina, go to the
section’s website at ww.ncarrl.org and on Facebook at NC ARRL
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL North Carolina Section
Section Manager: Mr William C Morine, N2COP
n2cop@arrl.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------
October and November are among the busiest months in Amateur Radio, so
lots to relay to you.
OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY – Greensboro Amateur Radio Association
(GARA) will hold an open house this Saturday, October 23rd, from 10 AM
to 4 PM at Hinshaw United Methodist Church at 4501 High Point Rd. The
purpose of the event is to encourage new Hams, inactive Hams or
wanna-be Hams to learn how to become licensed or improve their skills.
Hats off to GARA for holding this Elmer session. I hope other clubs
will think about this too. GARA designed a nice flyer for the event
which can be seen at www.w4gso.org If you can’t make it, say hello
to everyone at the Open House on the GARA repeater at 145.45 PL 100.0
UPCOMING TRAINING CLASSES – If your club is holding a class to earn a
Technician or General license, please send an email about it to our
section webmaster Susan Langley-Jones, WA4AKB, at wa4akb@arrl.net She
maintains a page on the section’s website at www.ncarrl.org dedicated
to clubs and training sessions. Winter is the perfect time to hold
entry level Technician licensing classes, and classes for Techs to
upgrade to Generals and Extras.
JOTA – Boy Scouts of America is celebrating its 100th anniversary
this year, and many section clubs and individuals participated last
weekend in the 53rd annual Jamboree On-The-Air (JOTA). JOTA is one of
the very few Scouting events which is international, and is open to all
scouts, meaning Cub Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
Here’s a summary of activities of NC clubs and individuals:
- Shelby Amateur Radio Club (SARC) hosted a JOTA station for 95 Girl
Scouts at Camp Oconeechee at Lake Lure. They demonstrated PSK31, RTTY
and D Star in addition to HF phone and VHF FM.
- Durham FM Association went to Camp Durant in Carthage (Moore Co.) and
demonstrated VHF-FM and APRS to 300 Cub Scouts.
- Davie Amateur Radio Club (DCARC) went to Camp Woodfield near Asheboro
where 70 Boy Scouts saw APRS, CW and made a satellite contact on AO-51.
- Cabarrus Amateur Radio Society (CARS) and Rowan Amateur Radio Society
(RARS) worked together at Camp Batnhardt in New London (Stanly Co.) They
had about 200 Cub Scouts and parents see HF phone, APRS and PSK31
- Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club of Wilmington went to Camp McNeill in
White Oak (Bladen Co.) and had about 100 Cub Scouts and parents talk on
HF phone
- Tim O’Rourke, W4YN, and two other Hams hosted a station for Troop
and Pack 49 in Hickory. 45 scouts came by and some made a satellite
QSO on SO-67
Although JOTA is always held the third full weekend in October, not all
major scout events take place on that weekend. ND4MR, Dave Ritter of
Wilkesboro, demonstrated Ham Radio to a large group of scouts the
weekend of October 9th, and this weekend the Cleveland County Amateur
Radio Society (CCARS) and the Shelby Amateur Radio Club (SARC) will
have special event JOTA station K2BSA/4 at the Centennial Redezvous
Camporee at Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Shelby, where an estimated
5,000 are expected to attend. Many thanks for showing our youth the
value of Ham Radio, and have your club plan to host a JOTA station next
year October 14-16, 2011
FAIRLY GOOD – Fall is the time for county fairs. Congratulations to
the Kinston Amateur Radio Society, which took 1st Place, Educational
Booth, at the Lenoir County Fair.
SENIOR MOMENT – Hats off to 96 year old Weldon Fields, W4AJT, of
Greensboro, who was just appointed as an ARRL Official Emergency
Station (OES). This is no ceremonial appointment. Weldon is active on
the Tar Heel Emergency Net and served a two hour shift as Net Control
Station during the HurrEx drill in May. In June, Weldon was honored by
the Greensboro Amateur Radio Association (GARA) for his 80th year of
holding an Amateur Radio license. Congratulation, Weldon!
SIMULATED EMERGENCY TEST (SET) - the NC ARES SET will be conducted on
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 0900 for a duration of 2+ hours.
Currently available information is available at
www.ncarrl.org/ares/set2010.html . Note that additional
details will be added as the exercise date approaches. Please look at
that info on a regular basis and remain informed. County ARES groups are
not required to participate in the State SET, but it is encouraged.
Note: this year's SET will be a very different event from most of the
SET exercises from recent years.
NC ARES WESTERN MEETING. - The annual NC ARES Western Meeting will
take place on October 30th in Morganton, NC from 0900 -1300. This
meeting will cover some new subjects, such as WebEOC and updates about
ongoing projects such as Winlink and ICS training opportunities.
Information about that meeting may be found at
www.qsl.net/kd4ozi/DEC/STATE%20MEETING%202010%20WB.htm.
SILENT KEYS - Byron King, K4NGJ, of Raleigh as the result of a
motorcycle accident
HAMFESTS – Sunday, November 21, 8 AM – 4 PM JARSfest, Johnston
Amateur Radio Society, American Legion Complex, Hwy 301, Benson.
Talk-In 147.27 and 146.97
PUBLIC SERVICE – Nov. 7, City of Oaks Marathon, Raleigh; Nov. 13,
Beach 2 Battleship iron distance Triathlon, Wilmington area; Nov. 21,
Makin’ Room For Turkey bike ride, Raleigh. Sign up to volunteer at
www.hampublicservice.org Organizers for public service events are
encouraged to file an ARRL Public Service Activity Report at
www.arrl.org/fsd-157-public-service-activity-report
SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS – Oct. 23, Lexington Barbeque Festival
1200-2200Z, 14.250 and 14.050; Oct 23, 22nd NASCAR Day Festival,
Tri-Count ARC, 14.270 and 7.208.
SEPTEMBER NTS REPORTS – QNI (Net station check-ins) 2,858, dn 84 or
2%. Messages passed – 464, dn 37 or 7%. STATION ACTIVITY REPORTS
(SARs) K4IWW 277, KI4YV 238, W2EAG 198, W4DNA 101, WK4P 99, W3HL 88,
W4TTO 57, KE4AHC 43, K8SKX 19, NC4VA 18. AUGUST PUBLIC SERVICE HONOR
ROLL (PSHR) NC4VA 168, W4DNA 140, K4IWW 130, W2EAG 110, W4TTO 105,
KI4YV 90.
ARES – Members, 753, up 78 or 11%. ICS credentialed – 245, up 35
or 16% DEC/EC reports – 37 out of 100 counties (down 2). ATTN ECs
and DECs – if you’re not filing your monthly reports, your ARES
members aren’t included in section reports.
LAST WORD – CONTESTING FOR THE REST OF US. Contesters are a special
breed, and a breed we should look up to. The biggest contests of the
year in terms of activity are coming up: the “November
Sweepstakes”. The CW portion is November 6-8, and the Phone version
is November 20-22. When you hear a seasoned contester in action, you
are hearing the essence of Amateur Radio. Cool, concise, efficient and
meticulous are adjectives which describe them. Contesters are many
times the ones we admire when we wish we could become better operators.
Like anything in life, contesters have worked hard to achieve their
success. What’s more interesting is that in more casual day-to-day
operating, contesters still stand out as exemplary operators. Their
habits spill over to normal operating. If you want to become a better
operator, there is no substitute for getting on the air, becoming a
better listener, and trying a contest or two. But where to begin?
Here are some suggestions:
First, if you have expanded HF privileges as a General or Extra, devote
an uninterrupted block of time to an upcoming contest. The November
Sweepstakes are overwhelming, but you will hear contesting at its
utmost. Concentration could net you some unexpected QSOs you might not
otherwise get. If you can handle Sweepstakes, you can handle any
contest. Listen to segments an hour at a time so you won’t burn out.
Soon you’ll begin to see patterns and rhythms which will help you.
Next, work your way up to the pace of Sweepstakes. State QSO parties
are a wonderful starting point. In CW, there are some 4 hour sprints
that will really help your CW skills to improve. An excellent source
for all kinds of contests, especially ones for rookies, is WA7BNM’s
Contest Calendar at www.hornucopia.com/contestcal
Finally, in North Carolina, 46% of all Amateur Radio licensees are
Technicians. Many are seeking a migration path to motivate them to
General. With the upper bands opening up again, 10 meter contesting is
making a comeback. Techs have the grandfathered Novice CW privileges
plus HF SSB privileges 28.300-28.500 MHz. Try a 10-10 contest. More
info at www.ten-ten.org Also, the VHF Sweepstakes are January
22-24. Try some 6 meter or 2 meter sideband. According to the “Most
Wanted Grids” map at
www.arrl.org/files/file/FFMA/Most%2520Wanted%2520Grids%25202007.pdf
, North Carolina is home to three highly desired Maidenhead grids: FM25
and FM26 in the Outer Banks, and FM13 at Kure Beach, Fort Fisher and a
portion of Bald Head Island. Have your club sponsor a “DXpedition”
in a rare grid or close to home, and open up the world of contesting to
Technician licensees.
Getting on the air is the best prescription to becoming a better
operator. Happy Halloween to all, and be safe. C U DN THE LOG.
73 de Bill
Bill Morine, N2COP
ARRL North Carolina Section Manager
For the latest news about Amateur radio in North Carolina, go to the
section’s website at ww.ncarrl.org and on Facebook at NC ARRL
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL North Carolina Section
Section Manager: Mr William C Morine, N2COP
n2cop@arrl.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------