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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 http://www.arrl.org/news/2010-arrl-field-day-results-now-online and will be published in the December issue of QST.

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: www.kd4ozi.org

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 www.cdxa.org) and two chapters of the Potomac Valley Radio Club – NC East based in Raleigh and NC West in Winston-Salem. More info at: http://pvrcnc.org Get on the air and make some DX!

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 n2cop@arrl.org with the date, time, frequency(ies) and location. I will alert ARRL’s Official Observer (OO) team to monitor the suspected frequencies. Also, with the heightened sunspot cycle, there may be unauthorized use of 10 meters. If you believe transmissions are originating from within North Carolina, again, please drop me an email describing the situation. We need to remain vigilant in protecting our frequencies from illegal use.

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 w4dna@arrl.net.

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 www.jars.net

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

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