NORTH CAROLINA SECTION NEWS - April 2012
Posted Apr 28, 2012
LESS THAN 60 DAYS TO FIELD DAY - So far 24 North Carolina clubs have registered their
Field Day locations at
DO IT YOURSELF (DIY) - Saturday, June 16th in Raleigh will be an exciting day for
homebrewers and kit builders. That's the day for the third annual North Carolina MakerFaire at
the state fairgrounds.
Over the past few years, a new generation of electronic hobbyists have emerged and are using
forums such as the national MakerFaire movement to learn and exchange ideas. Many of these
new experimenters aren't aware of Amateur Radio and its history of homebrew. MakerFaire
fairs in California, New York and other locations have introduced thousands of electronic
hobbyists to Amateur Radio and its tradition of wireless experimentation. The interest in this
area from outsiders has become so pronounced that ARRL now has a 8 minute video dedicated
to prospective Hams called "DIY". It's available either on DVD or can be downloaded at
NORTH CAROLINA ENFORCEMENT UPDATES - Pages 67-69 of the May issue of QST describes the role of Official Observers (OO) and how they work to improve the airwaves for all us. Three recent North Carolina cases have been resolved. The Johnston County Amateur Radio Society (JARS) formed a committee to search for a station causing deliberate interference on its 147.27 repeater. Using fox hunting type skills, the club was able to identify the offender who stopped his misbehavior once discovered. In western NC, a Ham who accused another Ham of interfering a repeater net retracted his complaint when it was discovered the net doesn't exist. Finally, a Ham in the I-77 corridor who had been cited for ongoing malicious interference on 75 meter phone got a phone call from FCC Special Counsel for Enforcement Laura Smith who told him to cease or face action. Such cases are rare but North Carolina's conscientious OO team and other concerned Hams helped to root out perpetrators and remind them of their compliance with Part 97. By the way, did you know that OOs also send out notices for good operating skills? When exemplary on-air skills are heard, OOs will send out a "Good Operator Report".
PUBLIC SERVICE - April 30, TarWheel Century Bike Race, Elizabeth City. More info at:
MEDIA HITS - The Greenville Daily Reflector had a story about 100 year old Bill Finch, W4EHF, receiving the Order of the Long Leaf Pine at RARSfest. The McDowell News described how Amateur Radio is helping with the Tour de Lure bike race.
HAMFESTS - May 5, Foothills ARC Swapmeet, Wilkesboro Community College,
Wilkesboro. Talk-In 145.37 (PL 94.8) Details at
LICENSING CLASSES - TECHNICIAN CLASSES May 5-26, Graham. For details email
SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS - May 12, 10 AM-2 PM local, W4NCG, High Point.
Gold Wing Road Riders Association North Carolina Chapter NC-G. 147.555
7.215 7.210 7.205. Talk in will be on the W4GG repeater 145.250 - 88.5
NTS MARCH SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT - QNI (total check-ins) 3098 (up 508 or 19% over February). TOTAL MESSAGES PASSED 682 (up 68 or 11%). STATION ACTIVITY REPORTS (SARs) W4DNA 278, K4IWW 259, W2EAG 218, WK4P 173, KJ4RUD 119, KC4PGN 61, KE4AHC 55, W4TTO 50, W3HL 42, K4JUU 35, KJ4JPE 31, AK4RJ 28, N2RTF 28, KA4IZN 20. PUBLIC SERVICE HONOR ROLL (PSHR) KA4IZN 310, W4DNA 165, WK4P 150, KJ4JPE 136, K4IWW 130, W2EAG 110, W4TTO 110, K4JUU 95, KJ4RUD 80, N2RTF 78, AK4RJ 60.
SILENT KEYs - We regret to report the passing of Sam Franklin, KB4IL, of Wilmington; Don Sharer, AI4OZ, of Micro; and George Roraback, KE4UEM, of Fayetteville.
QUA* - May and June are the traditional highwater marks on the Amateur Radio calendar culminating in Dayton Hamvention and Field Day. Bookending these two events are a slew of Ham Radio activities in North Carolina. In addition to the ongoing advancement of emergency communications through ARES and the newly created NCAUXCOMM and occasions for fellowship such as hamfests and Field Day, it's rewarding to see the homebrew movement taking on new interest. Those of us who have been licensed for more than 25 years will remember when kits were the least expensive way to get into Amateur Radio. As Section Manager, I take great pride when I visit clubs, individual stations or Field Day locations where I marvel at the ingenuity of operators to overcome obstacles. Hams are truly the "MacGyvers" of communications. The DIY movement and MakerFaires attract the same kind of people with dedication to finding new solutions to problems through electronics. It's fun when these prospects realize they can get on the air through Amateur Radio with stuff they design and build. Experimentation is part of our heritage, and even if you only own commercially made gear, all of us have that bug of self-reliance which forces to come up with a homemade solution when a ready made one is unavailable. Nationally the MakerFaire movement has exposed thousands to Amateur Radio for the first time. Extend a hand to our inquisitive brethren and invite them to join us for the fun of Amateur Radio. QUA* is a Q signal in CW net use meaning "Do you have news for me?"
73 de Bill Morine, N2COP ARRL North Carolina Section Manager
Follow the ARRL North Carolina section on its website at