Greetings to all Hams across North Carolina from Karl W4CHX, your ARRL NC Section
Posted May 31, 2014
TIM SLAY, N4IB APPOINTED AFFILIATED CLUB COORDINATOR - Effective April 30,
2014, Tim Slay, N4IB of Mooresville has been appointed Affiliated Club Coordinator for the NC
Section. As the Affiliated Club Coordinator (ACC), Tim N4IB will be the primary contact and
resource person for the amateur radio clubs in the NC Section. For further information on the
role of the ACC and how Tim N4IB can assist your club, please see
Tim N4IB will continue as Assistant Section Manager providing valuable input on matters related to the Charlotte metropolitan area and western North Carolina. Similarly, Bill Morine, N2COP of Wilmington, who is also an Assistant Section Manager, will provide valuable input on matters related to eastern North Carolina. It is worth noting that Tim N4IB and Bill N2COP were NC Section Managers from 2006-2010 and 2010-2014, respectively. THANKS TO MIKE LEWIS, WA4KE, FORMER AFFILIATED CLUB COORDINATOR - On behalf of the NC Section, I would like to thank Mike Lewis, WA4KE of Fuquay-Varina for his service to amateur radio and the clubs in North Carolina as the former Affiliated Club Coordinator (ACC). Mike WA4KE has served as the ACC since 2006. Mike WA4KE asked to be relieved of his duties due to increased personal and business commitments, but agreed to continue in the position until his replacement could be identified. Thanks again, Mike!
COMMENTS FROM TIM SLAY, N4IB ABOUT THE ARRL-AFFILIATED CLUB
PROGRAM - There's a saying that if there are three hams in a town, there's going to be at least
two ham radio clubs! Rather than a reflection of the trouble hams sometimes have agreeing with
each other, I think this is an indication of the passions and varied interests represented in our
dynamic hobby. There are 70 ARRL affiliated clubs in the North Carolina Section. Affiliated
clubs have access to reasonably priced liability insurance through the ARRL, an especially
important benefit in our litigious society. Clubs can also insure their equipment through ARRL
programs. Affiliated clubs have access to mailing labels and lists of hams in their area, including
new hams and recent upgrades. The ARRL will also refer prospective hams in the area to your
club for follow up and recruitment and include information about your club on
RED BADGES ON THE AIR (JUNE 1) - The ARRL has announced the first round of "Red Badges on the Air", which is scheduled for Sunday, June 1 (UTC). The event will run from 0000 UTC through 2359 UTC. As reported on the ARRL website, "The object is to provide an opportunity for Centennial QSO Party participants to work more ARRL officers, elected officials - such as Director or Section Manager - and Headquarters staffers and volunteers, which offer higher point value in the yearlong event. "The badges they wear at hamfests, conventions, and other formal occasions are red, hence the term 'Red Badges on the Air,'" explained ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X. .....QSOs with "Red Badges" are worth a lot of points - as much as 300 points per contact for working ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN - so participants can increase their Centennial QSO Party tally very quickly. Kutzko stressed that the event is "an activity day, not a contest." There is no required amount of operating time. Participants can call "CQ ARRL Centennial QSO Party" on phone or "CQ CENT" on CW or digital modes. While the event is focused on encouraging those with ARRL red badges to hand out Centennial QSO Party points, all activity is welcome, regardless of point value; every ARRL member is worth at least one point in the Centennial QSO Party. Participants get credit for each band/mode contact, regardless of point value." (http://www.arrl.org/news/red-badges-on-the-air-centennial-qso-party-activity-set-for-june-1, accessed on May 28, 2014). For further information, see the website listed above. Thanks to Sean Kutzko, KX9X, Media and Public Relations Manager; and, Steve Ewald, WV1X, Supervisor, Field Organization Team for providing this information!
ARRL FIELD DAY 2014 (JUNE 28-29) - This year, ARRL Field Day 2014 will be held on
June 28-29, 2014. Although many clubs and individuals are already making plans for Field Day,
it is not too late to consider participating in this year's event. For further information on ARRL
Field Day 2014, eg, dates, bands, rules, entry forms, and information, Field Day supplies, etc, see
ARRL CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES (JULY 17-19) - The 100th anniversary of
the ARRL is being celebrated during 2014 and as reported before, there will be many
opportunities to commemorate this milestone. The W1AW Centennial QSO Party is "on the air"
and it consists of two main activities: 1) portable operation of W1AW in each state and most
territories; and, 2) The Centennial Points Challenge which is the accumulation of points from
qualifying contacts made throughout 2014. For further information on the W1AW Centennial
QSO Party, see
The ARRL National Centennial Convention 2014, will be held from Thursday to Saturday, July
17-19, 2014, in Hartford, CT. Activities planned for Thursday (7/17) include: all-day training
sessions in public service, technology, and radiosport (8:30 AM to 4:30 PM); luncheon with
guest speaker, ARRL First Vice President Rick Roderick, K5UR; and, international guest
reception. Contest University, DX University, and Public Service Communications Academy
seminars will be held on Thursday (7/17). Activities planned for Friday and Saturday (7/18-19)
include: exhibit hall featuring ARRL program representatives, amateur radio manufacturers,
equipment sellers, and indoor flea market; forums and presentations; ARRL Centennial Banquet
with keynote speaker, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ (Friday night); ARRL
Wouff Hong Ceremony (Friday, 10:00 PM); Presidents Breakfast (Saturday morning); and,
closing ceremony (Saturday evening). Tours of ARRL headquarters and W1AW will be
available Thursday through Sunday. For more information, see
LICENSING CLASSES -
Salisbury (NC), Technician licensing class, June 11-21, 2014, sponsored by Rowan Amateur
Radio Society.
Skyland (NC), Technician licensing class, July 10 to August 21, 2014, sponsored by The Road
Show Amateur Radio Club, Inc. To find upcoming classes, go to
MAKER FAIRE NORTH CAROLINA (JUNE 7) - On Saturday, June 7th, four amateur radio
clubs from the Piedmont region, along with the NC Section, will sponsor a booth on amateur
radio at Maker Faire North Carolina. The goal is to introduce amateur radio to the attendees who
are interested, like us, in technology and do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. Hopefully, this will
result in more, new hams! Last year, approximately 5,000 individuals attended Maker Faire
North Carolina, about 200 people stopped by the amateur radio booth, and about 80 people
wanted more information on amateur radio. The clubs participating in this year's event are
Triangle Amateur Television, Orange County Radio Amateurs, Alamance Amateur Radio Club,
and Raleigh Amateur Radio Society. Maker Faire North Carolina will be held on Saturday, June
7, 2014 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the NC State Fairgrounds Exposition Center in
Raleigh. For more information on Maker Faire North Carolina, see
MEDIA HITS - Three (3) medias hits have been forwarded for inclusion in this month's
newsletter. The first media hit originates from Georgia:
NTS SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT FOR APRIL, 2014 - QNI (total check-ins): 2,156; Total messages passed: 463. Station Activity Reports (SARs), total number: K4IWW 301, W2EAG 268, WK4WC 130, KC4PGN 121, W4DNA 99, WB4ZIQ 78, AK4RJ 69, WB4Y 66, W4TTO 45, KE4AHC 42, W3HL 38, KJ4JPE 35, KK4BVR 26, KF4OCU 20, N2RTF 14. Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR), total number: KJ4JPE 235, KK4BVR 166, W4DNA 160, WB4ZIQ 150, WK4WC 135, K4IWW 130, W2EAG 110, W4TTO 105, AK4RJ 100, WB4Y 100, N2RTF 94, KF4OCU 90. Thanks to Dave Roy, W4DNA, Section Traffic Manager, for providing this information!
PUBLIC SERVICE - Please consider checking into the Ham Public Service Net, which meets
every Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM EST on the Carolina 440 Link System. The Ham Public
Service Net is a great place to learn about public service events that need your participation or it
can be used to solicit help for your upcoming public service activity. For further information,
including the location of a 440 MHz repeater close to you, go to
SILENT KEYS - We regret to report the passing of James A. (Jim) Babcock, K4ABJ of Raleigh; Kincheon H. (Bert) Bailey, Jr, W4FMN of Raleigh; Christopher M. (Chris) Linker, N4YMO of Concord, NC; and, Johnny A. Polk, KC4JOA of Albemarle. Please note: it is not possible to post information about amateur radio operators that have become Silent Keys without confirmation via printed obituary or similar.
SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS -
June 7: Badin Bomber Crash 70th Anniversary, 1400Z-1800Z, NC4MC, Troy, NC, sponsored
by Montgomery Amateur Radio Society. 14.250 USB 7.250 LSB 14.030 CW. Certificate.
Donald L. Grady, KG4ZRH, 120 Woodline Dr, Troy, NC 27371. 70th anniversary of the crash
of the USN "Badin Bomber" into Lake Badin, Badin, NC on June 8, 1944.
June 7-8: The retired battleship, USS North Carolina in Wilmington, will be on the air as
NI4BK, as part of Museum Ships Weekend. Overall details can be found at
UPCOMING HAMFESTS -
June 7: Winston-Salem Classic Hamfest, Forsyth Amateur Radio Club, Winston-Salem, NC,
QUA* - The month of May was really busy! On May 1st, I had the pleasure of visiting the New Bern Amateur Radio Club to award, on behalf of the League, the 2013 George Hart Distinguished Service Award to Mark Rappaport, W2EAG. Congratulations, Mark! Two days later, I attended the Down East Hamfest in Kinston (5/3), followed by visits to the Rockingham County Swapfest in Reidsville (5/10), the Dayton Hamvention (5/16-18) in Ohio, and finally, DurHamFest in Bahama (5/24). Yes, I did a lot of driving, but it was great to meet new friends!
I am looking forward to ARRL Field Day 2014! This year, I am planning on visiting Field Day operations in western North Carolina. I have not finalized my travel plans, but if you have any suggestions, please let me know. Again, a lot more driving, but it will be fun!
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
*QUA is an international Q signal (prosign) meaning, "Have you news of _____?" In the absence of a question mark, QUA means, "I have news of ____."