NORTH CAROLINA SECTION NEWS - December, 2013
Posted Jan 3, 2014
Happy New Year to all Hams across North Carolina, and here's to a healthy, safe, prosperous and peaceful 2014 to you and your families.
KARL BOWMAN TO BECOME NEXT NORTH CAROLINA SECTION MANAGER - Karl Bowman, W4CHX, of Raleigh was the only nominee for the next term of office as ARRL North Carolina Section Manager (See Oct. QST, pg. 86, and Nov. QST, pg. 61). Current Section Manager Bill Morine, N2COP, of Wilmington decided not to seek a third two-year term to concentrate on his family's business. Karl is a veterinarian. He is an emeritus faculty member at the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine and co-owner of Bowman Animal Hospital and Cat Clinic, which was established by his wife, Gale K4GGB, who is also a veterinarian. Until recently, Karl was President of the Raleigh Amateur Radio Society (RARS); he is an avid DXer and contester. Karl and Gale have 3 sons: Karl Jr, Brooks (K4BRX), and Sean (KJ4EGT). Bill's present term expires April 1, but he may resign early because of upcoming business commitments for Karl to take over. Please welcome Dr. Karl Bowman, W4CHX, as the 17th North Carolina Section Manager.
CLUBS NEED TO FILE THEIR ANNUAL REPORTS - Attention all ARRL
affiliated clubs: please update your records online at
W1AW CENTENNIAL QSO PARTY KICKS OFF JANUARY 1 - 2014 marks the 100th
anniversary of ARRL, and there will be many events during the year to
celebrate the event. Starting off will be the W1AW Centennial QSO
Party. Throughout 2014, W1AW will operate portable from every state
twice. North Carolina and West Virginia are the first two states to
begin the year long QSO party. Spearheading W1AW in North Carolina
from January 1-7 will be Howard Hoyt, N4AF, of Blounts Creek in
Beaufort County. For times, frequencies and rules, go to the
Centennial QSO Party website at
NC QSO PARTY FEBRUARY 23rd - From 10 AM to 8 PM local (1500-0100Z)
Based on feedback, the NCQP organizers have made many exciting changes
and additions - two mobile categories, both of which can operate
mixed modes; a new digital category; and new awards, such as a
"Worked Most Counties" and an emergency communications (EmCOMM)
award, along with many other awards. Plan to put North Carolina on the
air to the rest of the world on February 23rd, then attend the NCQP
forum at RARSfest in April. You can see all the changes, updates and
rules at the NC QSO Party's website at
TRAFFIC NEWSLETTER - A quarterly newsletter devoted to traffic
handling called "QNI" is now available. It can be downloaded at
MEDIA HITS - Wrightsville Beach's Lumina News ran an extensive story on NI4BK operating onboard the Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, including the use of original receivers and CW transmitters. The Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club (www.ac4rc.org) puts the battleship on the air for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, the NC QSO Party (where it is a bonus station in the contest) and Museum Ships Weekend in June.
PUBLIC SERVICE - Jan. 4, Neusiok Trail Run, Havelock. Coordinated by Onslow, New Bern and Carteret County Amateur Radio clubs
LICENSING CLASSES - Jan. 9 - Technician Class, Wilkesboro; Jan. 18
- Technician Class, Raleigh; Feb. 11, Technician Class, Asheville.
To find upcoming classes, go to
NTS NOVEMBER SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT - QNI (Total Check-Ins) 2660. TOTAL MESSAGES PASSED 590. STATION ACTIVITY REPORTS (SARs) K4IWW 510 (Qualifies for BPL - Brass Pounders League), W2EAG 221, AK4RJ 184, W4DNA 184, WB4ZIQ 155, WK4P 119, KC4PGN 91, W4TTO 67, K4JUU 47, KJ4JPE 45, WK4WC 39, KK4BVR 37, W3HL 33, N2RTF 22. PUBLIC SERVICE HONOR ROLL (PSHR) - KJ4JPE 185, KK4BVR 177, WB4ZIQ 155, W4DNA 150, WK4P 140, WK4WC 137, K4IWW 130, K4JUU 120, W2EAG 110, AK4RJ 105, W4TTO 100, N2RTF 92.
SILENT KEYS - We regret to report the passing of Jay "Bootsy" Smith, Jr., KA4GYQ, of Charlotte and Alvin Burleson, WA4CFQ, of Albemarle.
ERRATUM - An error was made in reporting the top NC score for 5A class in Field Day. The winner was Iredell County Amateur Radio Society of Statesville.
Remind ARRL members they can get delivery of this monthly newsletter by
logging into their member profile at
QUA* - A new year represents a fresh start, and in that spirit I
welcome Karl Bowman, W4CHX, as the incoming North Carolina Section
Manager. The past four years have been fun-filled and exciting for me,
and I certainly hope the ARRL North Carolina membership feels the same.
We are blessed in our section to have many talented field leaders, so
credit for many accomplishments since my term began in 2010 must go
those who guided efforts which resulted in achievements like: a state
of the art emergency communications response team through ARES and its
evolving partner, AUXCOMM; the inclusion of Digital Relay Stations
(DRS) to our already robust National Traffic System (NTS) team;
vigilant Official Observers (OOs) who ensure we all enjoy our
privileges unencumbered; exceptional media coverage through our
diligent PIOs throughout the state; 69 strong and healthy ARRL
affiliated clubs; the highest concentration of working repeaters in the
southeast; a dynamic section website at
73 de Bill Morine ARRL North Carolina Section Manager
*QUA - CW Net procedural signal (Prosign) meaning "Do you have any news for me?"