NORTH CAROLINA SECTION NEWS – October 2011
Posted Oct 28, 2011
FIELD DAY RESULTS – Congratulations to the combined FD station of
Orange County Radio Association and the Durham FM Association running
9AB and scoring a sizzling 17,035 points this year as the North
Carolina leader out of 73 clubs and individuals reporting. Nipping at
their heels was Raleigh Amateur Radio Society (RARS) with 16,606
points, and third was the Smith Chart ARS with 8,238. Thanks to all
clubs and individuals who participated in Field Day this year. Results
are available at
ARES – The annual Western Branch ARES meeting is this Saturday,
October 29th, at Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton from
9:00 to 12:30 PM. Details at:
CONTESTING – Wow, the upper bands are finally showing some muscle and
the excitement of HF DX is back in full force. Late fall into winter is
the perfect time to earn DXCC and endorsements. I’m meetings lots of
Hams who were inactive and are coming back using new tools for the
first time, such as computer logging programs, LOTW and DX reflectors.
November is when two of the granddaddies of contests take place – the
ARRL Sweepstakes. CW is Nov 5-7 and Phone is Nov 19-21. While these
two are big league events, there are plenty of ways to work your way up
to become a master contester. The best way remains to just get on the
air and do it. If you really want to hone your skills, consider
joining a DX club which emphasizes contesting. North Carolina is home
to the Carolinas DX Association (CDXA’s website at
UNAUTHORIZED BAND USAGE – Autumn is the time of year we hear
increased illegal usage of VHF and UHF frequencies as unlicensed
outdoorsmen, mostly hunters, use primarily 2 meters. Such transmissions
can be simplex and through repeaters. If you hear suspicious activity,
please send me an emal at
DRS – This is a new term you’ll be seeing more: Digital Relay
Stations (DRS). The National Traffic System (NTS) is looking for new
ways to move traffic, and every improving digital technologies offer
promise. Presently, there are three fulltime DRS in North Carolina,
but Section Traffic Manager (STM) Dave Roy, W4DNA, would like to open
more. Minimum requirements include an HF capability with a modem
capable of at least Pactor I. Experience in NTS traffic handling
extremely helpful. Stations should be capable of connecting to the NC
Section MBO (mailbox) to pick up traffic to bring to local nets. You
do not need a 24/7 dedicated station – traffic can be picked up by
manual connection at the operators leisure, but preferably a minimum of
two times daily. There is even a program that can loan you a radio
modem and cabling. For more details, contact STM Dave at
JOTA WRAP-UP – Many thanks to those Hams in Asheville, Shelby, Wilkesboro, Southport, Statesville and dozens of other locations across the Tar Heel state who helped to make the 58th annual Scouting Jamboree-On-The-Air on October 15th a great success. Many youth from these sessions go on to get licensed and are the future of our hobby. Kudos to all who participated.
NTS SEPTEMBER SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT – QNI (total check-ins) 3418, TOTAL MESSAGES PASSED 759. STATION ACTIVITY REPORTS (SARs) WK4P 303, W2EAG 248, K4IWW 244, W4DNA 204. PUBLIC SERVICE HONOR ROLL (PSHR) KA4IZN 166, W4TTO 145, WK4P 140, K4IWW 130, NC4VA 127, W4DNA 120, K4JUU 110, W2EAG 110, N2RTF 80, KG4GPJ 79, KD4SM 43, KK4ANZ 26.
HAMFESTS – JARSfest, Sunday, November 20, American Legion Complex,
Benson, NC. Talk-In 147.27. More details at
SPECIAL EVENTS - Nov 4-Nov 13, 0917Z-0917Z, N4V, Fayetteville, NC. Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society. 14.260 14.040 7.260 7.040. QSL. CFARS - N4V, PO Box 36106, Fayetteville, NC 28303. Heroes Homecoming honors Vietnam Veterans and celebrates phone patch as the main method of communicating back to the USA during that era. Details at: cfarsnc.org
Until the November newsletter, get on the air and have fun. 73, Bill N2COP
Follow the ARRL North Carolina section on the section website at