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ARRL NC Section Newsletter January 2018

Greetings from Karl W4CHX, your ARRL NC Section Manager!

ARRL HUDSON DIVISION DIRECTOR PROMOTES AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEE – ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, testified Thursday (January 25) before a session of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation regarding Amateur Radio’s readiness to respond in an emergency. The session, “This is not a Drill: An Examination of Emergency Alert Systems,” was called in the wake of an incoming missile warning erroneously released in Hawaii earlier this month. Lisenco said Amateur Radio played a role not only in responding to the warning but in disseminating word that the missile alert had been issued by mistake. … Lisenco took the opportunity to address how private land-use regulations can preclude Amateur Radio disaster response capabilities. … For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-hudson-division-director-promotes-amateur-radio-parity-act-before-senate-committee (source: ARRL website)

ARRL CEO TOM GALLAGHER, NY2RF, TO RETIRE – ARRL’s chief executive officer for the past 2 years, Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, announced his retirement as CEO, as the ARRL Board of Directors prepares to meet January 19-20. He will step down on March 2. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-ceo-tom-gallagher-ny2rf-to-retire (source: ARRL website)

BOARD RE-ELECTS RICK RODERICK, K5UR, AS ARRL PRESIDENT; BARRY SHELLEY, N1VXY, IS CEO-ELECT – Incumbent ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, has been re-elected by the League’s Board of Directors for a second term. The Board convened for its Annual Meeting January 19-20. President Roderick, the League’s 16th President, received 9 votes, while the only other nominee, New England Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI, received 6 votes. Current ARRL Chief Financial Officer Barry Shelley, N1VXY, was elected as Chief Executive Officer, to replace Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, who announced his retirement on January 18 after 2 years at ARRL Headquarters. Gallagher will step down on March 2. Shelley will serve until the Board selects a new CEO and is expected to serve in an advisory role to assist with the transition beyond that. The Board will create a CEO Search Committee. Shelley was unopposed as ARRL Board Secretary. For further information, including the results of other Board elections, see http://www.arrl.org/news/board-re-elects-rick-roderick-k5ur-as-arrl-president-barry-shelley-n1vxy-is-ceo-elect (source: ARRL website)

ARRL BOARD OF DIRECTORS AGREES TO REVIEW OF CODE OF CONDUCT FOR DIRECTORS – For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-board-of-directors-agrees-to-review-of-conduct-code-for-directors (source: ARRL website)

ARRL BOARD MEETING MINUTES POSTED – The minutes of the 2018 ARRL Annual Board of Directors Meeting held January 19-20, 2018, are now available on the ARRL website. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-board-meeting-minutes-posted (source: ARRL website)

Z60A FIELDING THREE STATIONS TO HANDLE HUGE PILEUPS FOR NEW DXCC #1 (ENDING 2/18) – Three Z60A stations are up and running with DL3DXX, DL5CW, DJ5IW, IK0FVC, and VE7NY handling operating duties. The special activation to mark the addition of the Republic of Kosovo to the DXCC List has reached 50,000 contacts and counting. … – Thanks to Martti Laine, OH2BH. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/z60a-fielding-three-stations-to-handle-huge-pileups-for-new-dxcc-1 (sources: OH2BH, ARRL website)

BOUVET ISLAND DXPEDITION TEAM HAS ARRIVED AND WILL SOON BEGIN OPERATIONS – For further information, see http://www.bouvetdx.org/news-and-updates/ (source: Bouvet Island DXpedition website)

VOLUNTEERS INVITED TO ASSIST IN 2018 BOSTON MARATHON (DEADLINE, 2/7) – Opportunities for Amateur Radio and non-amateur volunteers are available for the 122nd running of the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 16, sponsored by the Boston Athletic Association (BAA). … – Thanks to Matthew Forman, K6MCF, and Rob Macedo, KD1CY, of the Boston Marathon Amateur Radio Communications Committee. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/volunteers-invited-to-assist-in-2018-boston-marathon (sources: K6MCF, KD1CY, ARRL website)

SCHOOL CLUB ROUNDUP WINTER/SPRING TERM IS FEBRUARY 12-16 (2/12-16) – The winter/spring term of the twice-yearly School Club Roundup (SCR) takes place Monday through Friday, February 12-16. The objective is for school radio clubs at the elementary, middle, high school, and college levels to exchange information in a competitive context. Non-school clubs and individuals are encouraged to participate. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/school-club-roundup-winter-spring-term-is-february-12-16 (source: ARRL website)

USA ARDF CHAMPIONSHIPS SET FOR JUNE 13-17 IN CALIFORNIA, WITH TRAINING DAYS IN NORTH CAROLINA BEGINNING FEBRUARY 17 – The 18th USA Championships of Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) will take place June 13-17 near Truckee, California, some 30 miles southwest of Reno, Nevada. … Training Days in February. Nine days of ARDF training sessions will take place beginning on February 17 in the Raleigh, North Carolina, area, with former Ukrainian ARDF team member Illia Ivanko as the primary instructor. Now living in the US, he was a medal winner at the 2017 IARU Region 2 ARDF championships with the best five times in both classic events. The training sessions will be held in the Triangle area near Raleigh-Durham Airport. The Backwoods Orienteering Klub is sponsoring the event. Contact event organizer Joseph Huberman, K5JGH for more information. – Thanks to ARRL ARDF Coordinator Joe Moell, K0OV. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/usa-ardf-championships-set-for-june-13-17-in-california (sources: K0OV, ARRL website)

NOAA SEEKS COMMENTS ON DISCONTINUING WWV-WWVH NORTH ATLANTIC AND NORTH PACIFIC MARINE STORM WARNINGS (DEADLINE, 2/23) – NOAA is once again considering ending North Atlantic and North Pacific Marine storm warning announcements at minutes 8, 9, and 10 of each hour on WWV, and minutes 48, 49, 50, and 51 of WWVH. … – Thanks to Matt Deutch, N0RGT. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/noaa-seeks-comments-on-discontinuing-wwv-wwvh-north-atlantic-and-north-pacific-marine-storm-warnings-1 (sources: N0RGT, ARRL website)

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR HamSCI WORKSHOP AIMED AT HAMS AND SPACE SCIENCE/WEATHER RESEARCHERS (2/23-24) – Registration now is open for a 2-day HamSCI — the Amateur Radio citizen science initiative — workshop February 23-24 at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/registration-now-open-for-hamsci-workshop-aimed-at-hams-and-space-science-weather-researchers (source: ARRL website)

NC QSO PARTY 2018 (2/25) – The NC QSO Party 2018 will held on Sunday, February 25, 2018, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM EST. For further information, see http://ncqsoparty.org/ (source: NC QSO Party website)

ARRL INVITES NOMINATIONS FOR SIX AWARDS (DEADLINES, 3/15 – 4/30) – ARRL invites nominations for awards that recognize educational and technological pursuits in Amateur Radio. Nominations are also open for the League’s premier award to honor a young licensee – the Hiram Percy Maxim Award. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-invites-nominations-for-six-awards (source: ARRL website)

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR PHILIP J. MCGAN MEMORIAL SILVER ANTENNA AWARD (DEADLINE, 5/19) – Nominations are open for ARRL’s annual Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award, which recognizes and honors the efforts of individuals who create greater awareness and understanding the services and benefits that Amateur Radio provides to the general public. The deadline to submit a nomination is May 19, 2018. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/nominations-sought-for-philip-j-mcgan-memorial-silver-antenna-award (source: ARRL website)

NCVEC QUESTION POOL COMMITTEE RELEASES ERRATA TO NEW TECHNICIAN QUESTION POOL – For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/ncvec-question-pool-committee-releases-errata-to-new-technician-question-pool (source: ARRL website)

GRID CHASERS: MAKE SURE TQSL INCLUDES YOUR GRID SQUARE – For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/grid-chasers-make-sure-tqsl-includes-your-grid-square (source: ARRL website)

AMENDMENT TO ARRL DXCC RULES WILL EXPAND DXCC LIST – For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/amendment-to-arrl-dxcc-rules-will-expand-dxcc-list (source: ARRL website)

PUERTO RICO, US VIRGIN ISLAND AMATEURS ARE INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AWARD WINNERS – The ARRL Board of Directors has conferred the 2018 International Humanitarian Award jointly on the Amateur Radio population of Puerto Rico – served by ARRL Section Manager Oscar Resto, KP4RF – and the radio amateurs of the US Virgin Islands, served by ARRL Section Manager Fred Kleber, K9VV. Radio amateurs in Puerto Rico and in the US Virgin Islands aided in relief and recovery after a punishing hurricane season in the Caribbean. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/puerto-rico-us-virgin-island-amateurs-are-international-humanitarian-award-winners (source: ARRL website)

DOMINICA POST-DISASTER NEEDS ASSESSMENT CITES AMATEUR RADIO’S ROLE AFTER MARIA – A post-hurricane disaster needs assessment published this past fall by the Government of Dominica points up the significance of Amateur Radio’s role in the relief and recovery effort on the tiny Caribbean island nation in the wake of Hurricane Maria last September. It also calls for expanding the pool of radio amateurs on the island who could help in future disasters. … – Thanks to Brian Machesney, K1LI. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/dominica-post-disaster-needs-assessment-cites-amateur-radio-s-role-after-maria (sources: K1LI, ARRL website)

WORK PROGRESSING TO INCORPORATE CQ MAGAZINE’S WAZ AWARD PROGRAM INTO LoTW – Beta testing for bringing CQ Magazine's Worked All Zones (WAZ) award program into ARRL’s Logbook of the World (LoTW) system continues to move forward, officials from CQ and ARRL have assured. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/work-progressing-to-incorporate-cq-magazine-s-waz-award-program-into-lotw (source: ARRL website)

ARRL COMMENTS ON TECHNOLOGICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL SPECTRUM POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS – For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-comments-on-technological-advisory-council-spectrum-policy-recommendations (source: ARRL website)

ARRL SUGGESTS FCC MAY NEED TO INTERVENE TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE ANTENNA RIGHTS – Commenting in response to an FCC Public Notice (DA 17-1180) released last month, ARRL addressed the extent of Amateur Radio’s response to recent hurricane disasters and efforts needed to expand the use of Amateur Radio services when it comes to planning, testing, and providing emergency communication. … ARRL raised three areas where action by the FCC could ensure and enhance the ability of radio amateurs to provide emergency communication, including the current Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2017 (S. 1534), now in the US Senate. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-suggests-fcc-may-need-to-intervene-to-ensure-effective-antenna-rights (source: ARRL website)

LICENSE CLASSES – Wilkesboro (NC): Technician license class, February 5 to April 9, 2018, sponsored by Foothills Amateur Radio Club, contact Dave Ritter ND4MR by phone at (336) 838-6124 or by email at nd4mr at juno dot com for further information. Gastonia (NC): Technician license class, February 10, 2018, sponsored by Greater Gaston Amateur Radio Society, contact Tony Jones N4ATJ by phone at (704) 827-2138 or by email at n4atj at twc dot com for further information. Asheville (NC): Technician license class, beginning February 13, 2018, sponsored by Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society, contact Norman Harrill N4NH by phone at (828) 253-1192 for further information (this class is not listed on the ARRL website) Kannapolis (NC): General/Amateur Extra license class, February 20 to March 6, 2018, sponsored by Cabarrus Amateur Radio Society, contact Dave Whiteley W4DPW by phone at (704) 786-7441 or (704) 918-8146, or by email at hospiceforcars at windstream dot net for further information (this class is not listed on the ARRL website). Raleigh (NC): Technician license class, March 3 to April 7, 2018, sponsored by Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, contact Carl Davis W8WZ by phone at (773) 949-5243 or by email at w8wz at aol dot com for further information. Goldsboro (NC): Technician license class, March 8 to April 7, 2018, sponsored by Neuse River Basin Amateur Radio Assn, contact Wilson Hines AA5AZ by phone at (919) 394-4346 or by email at wilsonhines at gmail dot com for further information. To find upcoming classes, go to www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class Please note that a license class sponsored by your club or organization will not be listed on the ARRL website unless you register your class. ARRL Registered Instructors may list upcoming classes on the ARRL website. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/License-instructor-registration Also, please let me know if your club is sponsoring a license class. Thanks! (sources: ARRL website, N4HF, W4DPW)

MEDIA HITS AND REPORTS – The following media hits and reports are included in this month’s newsletter:

For information and news on the Puerto Rico – Caribbean Recovery 2017, see http://www.arrl.org/puerto-rico-caribbean-recovery-2017 (source: ARRL website)

The following report (edited) was received from Ralph Wallio, W0RPK: “630m operations in ARRL Roanoke Division and nationwide. You folks may be interested in how 630m Amateur Radio operation in the U.S. is growing since our new Ham band was approved and numerous Hams have received UTC approval to operate starting mid-October 2017. Our latest weekly 01Jan18 ARRL 630m WAS list of stations participating in QSOs is attached [unable to include list in the Newsletter]. As of this morning [1/2], we have 82 active 630m stations participating in QSOs in 34 states with these 6 stations in our ARRL Roanoke Division: North Carolina (N1DAY David Day of Hendersonville, KC4SIT Ernest Hollingsworth of Flat Rock, N4PY Carl Moreschi of Louisburg); South Carolina (K4LY Doug Allen of Inman}; and, Virginia (WA1ZMS Brian Justin of Forest, W4IQ Randall Nealy of Blacksburg). … Updated 630m WAS lists and maps are available via http://njdtechnologies.net/north-american-630-meter-operator-list/ Many of these 630m stations and several others participate in WSPR transmitting, receiving, and reporting. … WSJT-X Digital Mode JT9 is favored for brief 630m QSOs with other digital modes being tested for keyboard-to-keyboard rag-chewing performance via MF propagation. CW is often used for both brief and extended QSOs. John Langridge KB5NJD maintains daily discussions of 630m activity via http://njdtechnologies.net/category/630-meters/ The longstanding 600m Research Group (active since 2006) discussion board archive back to Jan13 is available via http://w7ekb.com/pipermail/600mrg_w7ekb.com/ I have been involved with (what is now called) 630m since 2006. After 61 years of Ham Radio at age 75, 630m is another very interesting facet of our jewel of a hobby. – TNX es 73 de Ralph Wallio W0RPK.” Thanks to Ralph Wallio, W0RPK of Greenville, for providing this informative report! (source: W0RPK)

The following reports on Winter Field Day (edited) were received from Dave Price K4KDP and Wilson Hines AA5AZ: “The Neuse River Basin Amateur Radio Association held a Winter Field Day event at the historic Goldsborough Battlefield location next to the Neuse River near Goldsboro. Stations included 160, 80, 40, and 20 meters. They used the barn on site as a base station for visitors to enter and receive information about the exhibit. An added event was to gather around a fire started in an old brick fireplace to enjoy stew and cobblers while planning for the evening/ night shift schedule and welcoming myself and some other guests. Even though this club is less than a year old, they worked well together to organize a nice event that attracted county employees and several local business people. Dave, K4KDP …”

“We ran a 60 (outside, non-insulated) station and had amazing support from the Wayne County Emergency Services who provided generators and even portable crank-up towers. … Wilson Hines, AA5AZ …” Thanks to Dave Price, K4KDP ARRL NC Section Youth Coordinator – Scouting, and Wilson Hines, AA5AZ, President, Neuse River Basin Amateur Radio Association, for providing these reports! (sources: K4KDP, AA5AZ)

The following report was received from Tom Land, KA4HKK: “Winter Field Day 2018. Members of LARC [Lenoir Amateur Radio Club] and their friends operated Winter Field Day at the home of K4HRM. It was a dreary weekend and the bands were in poor shape. We ended up talking to each other more than making contacts. But fun was had by all and compliments to the chef and helpers! 73 de KA4HKK.” Thanks to Tom Land, KA4HKK, Emergency Coordinator (Caldwell County), for providing this report!

The following report was received from Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE: “Winter Field Day 2018. 14 members of Onslow Amateur Radio Club participated in WFD over the weekend. We worked 20 meter, 40 meter, and PSK31. Our newest member Sage worked throughout the night.” Thanks to Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer, for providing this information! (source: KJ4JPE)

NTS SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2017 – QNI (total check-ins): 2,554; Total messages passed: 786. Activity Reports (SARs), total number: KB4RGC 426, KW9EMG 329, K4IWW 273, AA3N 271, KC4PGN 232, W4DNA 232, WK4WC 190, WC9CW 166, WB4ZIQ 131, KJ4JPE 120, W4EDN 46, W4EAT 43, KN4AAG 36, KE4AHC 35, W3HL 11, KI4UDZ 0, W4TTO 0. Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR), total number: KW9EMG 350, WC9CW 200, KJ4JPE 165, W4DNA 150, WK4WC 140, K4IWW 130, KB4RGC 130, KI4UDZ 117, KE4AHC 110, AA3N 100, WB4ZIQ 100, KN4AAG 71, W4TTO 0. Thanks to all stations for participating in NC Section traffic activities; and, to Dave Roy, W4DNA, Section Traffic Manager, for providing this information! (source: W4DNA)

SILENT KEYS – With deep regret, the passing of the following amateur radio operators is reported: Gilbert Herman (“Gil”) Hoellerich, WB0KTZ (SK) of Raleigh; and, Paul Eugene ("Gene") Scarborough Jr, W4YBQ (SK) of Burlington. 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 have been posted for the NC Section on the ARRL website through April 2018. Special Event Station listings in the NC Section newsletter are based on what appears on the ARRL website, see http://www.arrl.org/special-event-stations Please consider listing your Special Event Station at least 60 days before the event, see http://www.arrl.org/special-events-application Also, please let me know if your club is sponsoring a Special Event Station. Thanks! (source: ARRL website)

UPCOMING HAMFESTS AND CONVENTIONS – March 9-10: Charlotte Hamfest/ARRL North Carolina Section Convention, Mecklenburg Amateur Radio Society, Concord, NC, https://charlottehamfest.org/ March 31: 44th Annual RARSfest/ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, Raleigh, NC, http://www.rarsfest.org/ April 21: 20th Annual Catawba Valley Hamfest, McDowell Amateur Radio Association, Morganton, NC, http://cvhamfest.com May 12: 13th Annual Rockingham County Swapfest, Rockingham County Amateur Radio Club, Reidsville, NC, http://n4iv.org July 7: 33rd Annual 2018 Firecracker Hamfest, Rowan Amateur Radio Society, Salisbury, NC, http://www.rowanars.org/firecracker-hamfest/ July 21: Mid-Summer Swapfest, Cary Amateur Radio Club, Cary, NC, http://www.qsl.net/n4nc/ July 28: WCARS Hamfest, Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society, Waynesville, NC, http://wcars.org August 11: 20th Annual Cape Fear ARS Swapfest, Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society, Fayetteville, NC, http://www.cfarsnc.org August 31 – September 2: 62nd Annual Shelby Hamfest/ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Shelby Amateur Radio Club, Shelby, NC, http://shelbyhamfest.org It is not too early to apply for ARRL-affiliation of your club’s upcoming hamfest! For more information, see http://www.arrl.org/arrl-sanctioned-events (source: ARRL website)

QUA* – Happy New Year! On Saturday, January 6th, I attended the Winston-Salem FirstFest, which is sponsored by the Forsyth Amateur Radio Club. It was fun to renew friendships and meet new colleagues. Thanks to the club members for their hospitality and for putting on a great hamfest!

On Saturday, January 27th, Tom Brown, N4TAB and I drove to Charlotte to attend the annual winter training event for Mecklenburg ARES/NC AUXCOMM. Cliff Greene WB4NCQ, Emergency Coordinator (Mecklenburg County) organized the event, which featured “hands on” training with emergency power supplies, including solar panels. The event was educational and well attended. Thereafter, we drove to Troutman to visit the Winter Field Day site of the Iredell County Amateur Radio Society (ICARS). Their field day site was located at the Lowe’s Home Improvement store; the tents and antennas were very visible to the store patrons. We were impressed by the interactions between ICARS and the local public safety personnel, which allowed use of two emergency shelters by the amateur radio operators. Tom N4TAB and I enjoyed visiting these events and interacting with everyone! Thanks to all participants for taking the time to focus on emergency preparedness and relationships in your communities.

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 w4chx@arrl.org or via cell phone. As always, thank you for sending your emails, photos, and club newsletters – they keep me informed about your activities and programs! Thanks for everything you are doing for amateur radio and your community. 73, Karl Bowman, W4CHX, ARRL North Carolina Section Manager, (919) 669-6068 (cell)