ARRL NC Section Newsletter September, 2015
Posted Oct 16, 2015
Greetings from Karl W4CHX, your ARRL NC Section Manager!
HR 1301 AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT OF 2015 (UPDATE) – As of September 28th, HR 1301 has 99 co-sponsors, including 4 Representatives from North Carolina: David Price (D-NC-4); Walter Jones, Jr (R-NC-3); Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10); and, David Rouzer (R-NC-7).
S 1685 AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT OF 2015 (UPDATE) – In June, it was
announced that S 1685 Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 had been
introduced in the US Senate. The wording in S 1685 and HR 1301 are
identical. Senator Roger F. Wicker (R-MS) introduced S 1685 into the
US Senate. As of September 28th, there is only 1 co-sponsor, Senator
Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who is the original co-sponsor of the Bill.
For comments by Senator Wicker on the benefits of S 1685, see
AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT OF 2015 PAGE ON ARRL WEBSITE (REMINDER) – A
combined web page has been setup by the ARRL to accommodate activities
related to HR 1301 and S 1685, and to provide a central location for
information on these identical Bills. ARRL members are urged to
contact their Members of Congress in the House of Representatives and
the Senate and ask them to sign on to the Bills as a co-sponsor. For
further information, see
OPPONENTS’ REPRESENTATIONS OF PARITY ACT’S PURPOSE “JUST NOT
TRUE,” ARRL PRESIDENT SAYS – ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, has
taken strong exception to certain claims being made by community
association organizations about HR 1301 and S 1685 Amateur Radio Parity
Acts of 2015. In an interview with Ham Radio Now host Gary Pearce,
KN4AQ, during the ARRL Roanoke Division Convention in Shelby (9/5-6),
President Craigie stressed that passage of the legislation is critical
to ensuring the future of Amateur Radio. For further information, see
JAMBOREE ON THE AIR 2015 STATION REGISTRATION IS OPEN – Worldwide
station registration is open for the 2015 Boy Scouts Jamboree On The
Air / Jamboree On The Internet (JOTA/JOTI), which will take place over
the weekend of October 16-18, 2015. JOTA is focused on encouraging
Scout-to-Scout contacts across borders, and it is the largest Scouting
event in the world. For further information, see
ARISS PROPOSAL WINDOW OPEN SEPTEMBER 1 – NOVEMBER 1, 2015 – The
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is
accepting proposals until November 1, 2015 from US schools and
educational organizations wanting to host an amateur radio contact with
an International Space Station crew member during the period July –
December 2016. For further information, see
NAVY – MARINE CORPS MARS CEASES OPERATION AT 302359Z SEP 2015 –
After more than 52 years, the Navy – Marine Corps MARS will cease
operations at 2359Z on September 30, 2015. According to its
Communications Instructions NTP (8) D, “the Navy – Marine Corps
Military Auxiliary Radio System (NAVMARCORMARS) is a program conducted
by the Department of the Navy in which licensed US amateur radio
stations and operators voluntarily participate and contribute to the
mission of providing auxiliary communications on a local, national, or
international basis as an adjunct to normal naval communications”
(from
TX3X CHESTERFIELD ISLANDS DXPEDITION (10/1-12) – On September 28th,
members of the TX3X Chesterfield Islands DXpedition left Noumea, New
Caledonia on the sailing expedition vessel, Evohe, bound for the
Chesterfield Islands. Following arrival and setup, the team expects to
begin operations on October 2nd and continue until October 12th. One of
the goals of the TX3X DXpedition is to offer an ATNO (“all time new
one”) to as many Hams as possible. For further information, see
WESTERN BRANCH ARES-AUXCOMM FALL MEETING (10/31) – Coming soon! On
Saturday, October 31st, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, the NC Western Branch
ARES-AUXCOMM Fall Meeting will be held at the WPCC Foothills Higher
Education Center, 2128 S Sterling St, Morganton, NC 28655. For further
information, see
BARNES AND NOBLE MINI MAKER FAIRES (11/6-8) – Barnes and Noble
Booksellers Inc has announced that it will be holding Mini Maker Faires
at all of its retail locations during the weekend of November 6-8, 2015.
This is a great opportunity for all Hams – clubs and individuals –
to meet with attendees and introduce them to amateur radio. For
further information, see
SOUTH SANDWICH/SOUTH GEORGIA DXPEDITION DATES ANNOUNCED – The
Intrepid DX Group has announced its itinerary and operating schedule
for the upcoming South Sandwich (VP8SGI) and South Georgia (VP8STI)
DXpedition, which will occur in January, 2016. Both of these DX
entities are on the ClubLog Most Wanted DXCC list; the South Sandwich
Islands are #3 and South Georgia is #8. For further information, see
CAROLINA DX ASSOCIATION FORMS CAROLINA DX FOUNDATION – The Carolina
DX Association (CDXA) has announced the formation of the Carolina DX
Foundation as an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The purpose of
the Foundation is to provide financial support to DXpeditions,
specifically those conducting scientific research, exploration of HF
propagation, and education of the public. For further information, see
ARRL VEC REMINDS LICENSE APPLICANTS: THE FCC IS NOW PAPERLESS! – The
ARRL VEC reminds amateur radio license applicants that the FCC no
longer routinely prints or mails license documents. This was done to
streamline procedures and save money. However, there are still ways
that licensed Hams can obtain an official license document from the
FCC. For further information, see
LICENSING CLASSES –
Kinston (NC): Technician licensing class, October 1 to November 19,
2015, sponsored by Kinston Amateur Radio Society, contact Ron Knapp,
W9EF by phone at (252) 559-2070 or by email at
MEDIA HITS AND REPORTS – The following media hits and reports are
included in this month’s newsletter:
On veteran ham radio operator George Poteat, NC0G (video), see
On Edgar Cashwell, KA4GYX and his full life in Saxapahaw, see
On Dr. Ernest E. Rossi, KY8U (SK), see
On Milton William Rice, Jr, KC4YOT (SK), see
On Dr. William Fred ("Mac") McClure, AD4GX (SK), see
On the Russian side of the International Space Station, including
comments on amateur radio satellites, see
On the Shelby Hamfest, see
On flea market photos from the Shelby Hamfest by Thomas Witherspoon,
K4SWL, see
On the 2015 National Hollerin’ Contest, see
On the 2015 National Hollerin’ Contest, see
On the Voice of America shortwave transmission station in eastern NC,
see
On Edward T. Brady, W4ETB, see
On the use of “textspeak” in the age of the telegraph, see
During followup communications with Ralph W0RPK on the report above,
this email was received: “….. I used the ARRL publication search
facility to find an early CW abbreviation list that included HI (QST,
June 1920, p44) and forwarded it to article author Lauren Collister
[see article above]. I found a Morse Code abbreviation list for
railroad telegraphy that included HI, but as an abbreviation for HIGH,
see
The following report was received from Dudley Hale, W4WNC: “Eleven Haywood County ARC members, plus 6 Hams from surrounding counties, took part in the 6th Annual Blue Ridge Breakaway bike ride organized by the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce. There were 4 routes: 105 miles, 75 miles, 40 miles, and 25 miles. Philip Jenkins N4HF was Net Control and Cecil Yount KM4DOP was liaison between event organizers and Net Control using 70cm simplex. The organizers were monitoring the routes on a 55" TV, which showed them where motorcycle (SAGS) carrying APRS trackers were sweeping the routes. There were twelve Hams stationed at nine rest areas and intersections: Harold Lhoest W4HML; Adam Caudill WX4WNC; Bill Laney KF4GUW; Zach Thompson KM4BLG; Oliver Piercy KK4UZP; Michael Meeham N3TYA; David Bennett KK4HFR; Tony Knight KK4FFE; Steve Emery N4SET; John Eroh N4SME; Tony Jones KJ4CRO; and, Jim McCoy KS4DE. The MotoSAGS stopped at every rest stop to receive instructions from Ham Operators. Price Berryhill W4CPB rode his bicycle on the 25-mile route as a sweeper, and carried an HT and APRS tracker. He returned to Net Control to assist with the event. Paul Yeager W4SKI ensured all APRS trackers were properly installed and uninstalled on the motorcycles, and relieved Net Control when necessary. We used a 2m repeater with two backups and a 2m simplex frequency. We deployed 4 digipeaters, and 4 iGATE's to ensure full APRS coverage. When 60 riders on the Blue Ridge Parkway were drenched by a late afternoon rain storm and a temperature drop to 53 degrees, the emergency evacuation plan was activated. We had been monitoring the weather, had 5 Hams positioned along the Parkway, and were able to transport over 30 riders back to the finish line. The Amateur volunteers amassed 1,383 miles, 190 hours, and used $25,430.00 worth of radio equipment in preparation and during the event.” Thanks to all Hams providing communications support to this event; and, to Dudley Hale, W4WNC of Waynesville, for providing this report!
The following report was received from Vern Dyer, W5VM and Marv Hoffman, WA4NC: “Congratulations to these Hams who passed their tests at the [Watauga Amateur Radio Club] WARC VE Exam conducted in Boone on August 31st. Several of these folks also attended the WARC six-week long Technician Class. Joe Jackson KM4NCN, new General (passed both tests in one session); Donald Jamison KM4EAS, upgraded to General; and, new Technicians: JJ Jackson KM4NCL; Daniel Clemmer KM4NCI, Patricia Glen KM4NCJ, Marvin Gragg KM4NCK, Jessica Horney KM4NCM, Michael Maguire KM4NCO, and William Bauldry KM4NCP. 73’s, Vern Dyer W5VM.” Congratulations to these new Hams; and, thanks to Vern Dyer, W5VM of Boone and Marv Hoffman, WA4NC, President, Watauga Amateur Radio Club, for providing this information!
The following report was received from Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE: “The Onslow Amateur Radio Club / Onslow Amateur Radio Emergency Service provided the communications between Race Officials and the racers to keep everyone safe during the Third Annual Jacksonville NC USO Boots on the Run. Emergency Coordinator Jeff Thigpen [WM4YD] lead his members in running a very successful operation. The race took place on September 12, 2015. The race was done to recognize military, fire, police, and medical personnel. The goal of the USO is to lift the spirits of America's troops and their families.” Thanks to all members of the Onslow ARC and Onslow ARES for providing communications support to this event; and, to Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer, for providing this report!
The following report on the 2015 NC Mountain State Fair was received from Phil Jenkins, N4HF: “Year THREE of N4F – NC Mountain State Fair – has been put to bed! Thanks to all who worked – and supported – N4F, the special event station of the 10-day NC Mountain State Fair, this year. The propagation gods were not smiling on us, especially the latter half of the week and the last weekend, but we still racked up approximately 1,000 QSOs via CW, SSB, PSK-31, 2m, and FM satellite. More important, though, was our exposure of ham radio to the general public. Quite a few visitors had always wanted to be Hams. There were an amazing number of visitors who had had a relative who used to be a Ham. The Road Show ARC has about 17 prospective students registered for an upcoming Technician class, and Blue Ridge ARC has 10 judging from the level of interest from the Fair visitors.
Extra special thanks go to Elecraft and Icom for loaning us (respectively) a K3S/100 and a KX3 (with amplifier), and an IC7100 and an IC7600 for the Special Event Station and visitors’ tent station. We’d like to really thank our newest supporters, Lenoir ARC and Mayland ARC. A club who REALLY came through for the Fair this year were the members of Blue Ridge ARC; kudos to them! We also had support from a few members of NCDXCC, Thermal Belt ARC, Haywood County ARC, and other individuals, even from Spartanburg, SC and Atlanta, GA. There also in spirit was Cleveland County ARS. While ole man Murphy was alive and well at the Fair (particularly in attempting to get video streaming over the internet), we still made contacts, we still learned a lot, and we still had fun! Now, get a little rest before the planning for NEXT year’s Fair starts….. So start making YOUR plans to attend (and help our efforts) NOW!” Thanks to all the clubs, club members, and individual Hams for their hard work on N4F, the special event station at the 2015 NC Mountain State Fair; and, to Phil Jenkins, N4HF, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer, for providing this report!
The following report was received from Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE: “Pamlico Amateur Radio Society [of Oriental] NC recently donated a Technician Manual to each of the libraries in the area, Pamlico Public Library and Pamlico County Community College.” Thanks to Pamlico Amateur Radio Society for making these donations; and, to Greg Wadsworth, KM4DZM of Aurora and Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer, for providing this report!
NTS SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT FOR AUGUST 2015 – QNI (total check-ins): 1,762; Total messages passed: 466. Station Activity Reports (SARs), total number: K4IWW 336, KC4PGN 125, AK4RJ 117, WB4ZIQ 104, W2EAG 92, W4DNA 68, W4TTO 62, KE4AHC 35, KW4EMG 34, KJ4JPE 21. Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR), total number: KW4EMG 214, WB4ZIQ 160, W4DNA 150, K4IWW 130, KJ4JPE 126, W2EAG 110, KM4HXX 109, AK4RJ 100, W4TTO 100, KK4LGM 94. Thanks to all stations for participating in NC Section traffic activities; and, to Dave Roy, W4DNA, Section Traffic Manager, for providing this information!
SILENT KEYS – With deep regret, the passing of the following amateur radio operators is reported: James Robert ("Jim") Harp, WD4CEY (SK) of Southern Pines; Dr. William Fred ("Mac") McClure, AD4GX (SK) of Raleigh; and, Percy Lee McIver, WB4TOK (SK) of Clayton. 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 –
October 3: Commemoration of The Battle of Kings Mountain, 1230Z-2030Z,
NA4CC, Shelby, NC. Cleveland County Amateur Radio Service. 14.283. QSL.
CCARS, PO Box 864, Shelby, NC 28151. For QSL card, please send your card
with report and a stamped and addressed envelope.
UPCOMING HAMFESTS AND CONVENTIONS –
October 3: 62nd Annual Rock Hill (SC) Hamfest, York County Amateur
Radio Society, Rock Hill, SC, see
On Thursday, September 17th, I traveled to the ARRL Headquarters in Newington, CT to attend the Section Managers’ Workshop, which was held from Friday through Sunday (9/18-20). The Workshop was very informative. I learned more about ARRL programs and resources that could benefit individual Hams, clubs, and their communities. Topics discussed included: updates on media and public relations; emergency preparedness; education services; sales and marketing, including ARRL publications; the ARRL Lab; regulatory information; the Official Observer program; ARRL-affiliated clubs and radiosport; and, the ARRL Field Organization. Please contact me, if you would like more information. On Saturday afternoon, I was in the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station – W1AW and listening “over the shoulder” of another Section Manager when he made contact with the N4F Special Event Station! Unfortunately, when my turn came to operate W1AW, it was not possible to re-acquire N4F on that frequency.
At the end of last week, I drove to Pigeon Forge, TN to attend the W4DXCC DX and Contest Convention 2015. On Friday (9/25), the Ham Radio Bootcamp was held. The presentations were focused on the needs of new Hams, but there was plenty of important information for more experienced Hams. The presentation on QSLing was very interesting. On Saturday (9/26), the presentation topics included: working the bands from Europe; contesting; contest automation; radio frequency interference; and, recent DXpeditions, ie, VK9MT Mellish Reef, VU4KV Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and K1N Navassa Island. I want to congratulate the organizers and presenters for their hard work, which assured the success of the Convention. Many Hams and clubs from NC, eg, NC DX and Contesting Club and the Carolina DX Association, contributed to the success of the meeting, as well. Any Ham interested in DX and contesting is encouraged to attend next year’s W4DXCC DX and Contesting Convention 2016.
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