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ARRL NC Section Newsletter

September, 2016

Greetings from Karl W4CHX, your ARRL NC Section Manager!

COMMENTS REGARDING HURRICANE MATTHEW FROM TOM BROWN, N4TAB, NC SECTION EMERGENCY COORDINATOR – At the present time, the impact of Hurricane Matthew on the State of NC, and parts of NC, is not known. Please observe your local weather conditions and make plans to be safe. As information becomes available about the need for your assistance, it will be disseminated. You may also find information on the NC ARRL and US AUXCOMM websites, see www.ncarrl.org and http://auxcomm.us Please do not self-deploy. If your Amateur Radio skills are needed, rely on your local EC and/or Emergency Management Agency to request your activation. Again, please be safe. Tom Brown, N4TAB, ARRL NC Section Emergency Coordinator and NC COML AHIMT Type III #0004

HURRICANE WATCH NET RAMPS UP TO “CATASTROPHIC RESPONSE MODE” FOR MATTHEW – For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/hurricane-watch-net-ramps-up-to-catastrophic-response-mode-for-matthew (source: ARRL website)

MOMENTUM BUILDING TO URGE SENATE PASSAGE OF THE AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT – The response to ARRL’s call to action urging the support of US Senators for the Amateur Radio Parity Act, H.R. 1301, has been gratifying — although the campaign continues. More than 50,000 e-mails have been sent to Capitol Hill via Rally Congress, and all 100 US Senate members have been contacted. The League continues to encourage members of the Amateur Radio community who have not yet done so to reach out to their two US Senators seeking their support. Just where things stand with respect to the bill’s future in the US Senate is not yet entirely clear. “As of this moment, we have no date set for action by the Senate,” said ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, who has been deeply involved in promoting passage of the legislation. “The Senate will adjourn the September work period soon and members will return home to campaign. If we do not achieve consideration before they go into hiatus, we will have to wait until they return after Election Day.” For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/momentum-building-to-urge-senate-passage-of-the-amateur-radio-parity-act (source: ARRL website)

Presently, the US Senate has recessed without acting upon the Amateur Radio Parity Act. But, that does not mean ARRL Members should take a break – your help is still needed! As of October 4th, more than 60,000 letters have been sent to Capitol Hill, including 997 letters from our Section that have been delivered to the offices of Senators Burr and Tillis. If you have not sent letters, please use the Rally Congress tool to contact your NC Senators – Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis – to request their support of HR 1301 Amateur Radio Parity Act by voting favorably for the Bill. Here is the website for the Rally Congress tool: https://arrl.rallycongress.net/ctas/urge-senate-to-support-amateur-radio-parity-act (source: Dan Henderson, N1ND, ARRL Regulatory Information Manager)

N4TL WINS SEPTEMBER QST COVER PLAQUE AWARD – The winning article for the September 2016 QST Cover Plaque award is “Arduino CW Trainer” by Tom Lewis, N4TL of Raleigh. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/n4tl-wins-september-qst-cover-plaque-award. Congratulations, Tom N4TL! (source: ARRL website)

ARDF TEAM USA ENJOYS SUCCESS IN BULGARIA WITH SEVEN MEDALS – Fifteen of the best on-foot hidden transmitter hunters in the US are back home after picking up seven medals in the 18th World Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) Championships and World Cup events in Bulgaria, August 30 to September 9. Members of Team USA included Team USA Captain Ruth Bromer, WB4QZG and Joseph Huberman, K5JGH, both from Raleigh. Ruth WB4QZG won 2 individual bronze and 1 team bronze medals during the competition. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/ardf-team-usa-enjoys-success-in-bulgaria-with-seven-medals (source: ARRL website)

NORTH CAROLINA HAM WINS ROOKIE PLAQUE IN 2016 CQWW WPX SSB CONTEST – The following information was received from Tom Lewis, N4TL: “… Tucker [McGuire] W4FS from Efland, NC won the Rookie Plaque in the 2016 CQWW WPX SSB contest. His picture is in this month's CQ magazine. Congratulations Tucker! …” Thanks to Tom Lewis, N4TL, Vice President, Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, for providing this information!

MORE THAN 200 US STATIONS SIGNED UP FOR SCOUTING’S JAMBOREE ON THE AIR (10/14-16) – As of September 28th, 219 US stations have registered to take part in Scouting’s 2016 Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), which will take place October 14-16. Registration remains open for the 59th annual event. Last year, 400 US stations registered. JOTA officials are asking JOTA 2016 participants not only to register for this year’s event, but to follow up with a post-JOTA report. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/more-than-200-us-stations-signed-up-for-scouting-s-jamboree-on-the-air (source: ARRL website)

COMMENTS ON JAMBOREE ON THE AIR (JOTA) FROM DAVE PRICE, K4KDP, ARRL NC SECTION YOUTH COORDINATOR FOR SCOUTING (10/14-16) – The following information was received from Dave Price, K4KDP: “JOTA (Jamboree On The Air) is on the weekend of October 14-16, 2016. If you are planning to operate a JOTA station please register at www.k2bsa.net/jota-station-registration/ The following websites may also provide some additional information: www.jotajoti.info and www.scouting.org/jota.aspx We have an update email that is being sent out for North Carolina, if interested please email k4kdp@arrl.net to be added to the list. This year, ARRL has a patch for the Girl Scouts to work on, visit http://www.arrl.org/girl-scouts-radio-patch for more information. We have also received permission to use some DMR and 2 meter repeaters. If you hear a Scout calling CQ, please take a moment to briefly speak to the Scouts. They should only be on the repeaters for a few minutes at a time to allow for others to use the repeaters. We would love to have more JOTA stations. Contact a local Scout leader or Scout office if you would like to support JOTA. The Scouts can complete a large part of the Radio Merit Badge visiting a JOTA event. If you set up one station as an emergency station and explain how to send S-O-S, stop transmitting for emergency traffic, and explain how you can transmit with your own power/radio/antennas, the Scout should be able to sign off step 7a of the Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge, which is a requirement toward earning their Eagle Scout rank. Please contact me if you need more information, k4kdp@arrl.net.” Thanks to Dave Price, K4KDP, ARRL NC Section Youth Coordinator – Scouting, for providing this information! (source: Dave K4KDP)

AMATEUR RADIO – MILITARY INTEROPERABILITY EXERCISE SET FOR OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 1 – An Amateur Radio-military interoperability exercise will take place October 31 and November 1. The event will begin at 1200 UTC on October 31 and continue through 2359 UTC on November 1 on 60 meter channels 1-4 – 5.3305 MHz, 5.3465 MHz, 5.357 MHz, and 5.3715 MHz, respectively. During this exercise, military stations will attempt to make radio contact with stations in as many of the 3007 US counties as possible. Radio amateurs providing “county status” information will receive a US Department of Defense “interoperability QSL card.” For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-military-interoperability-exercise-set-for-october-31-november-1 (source: ARRL website)

REMINDER! COMMENTS IN FCC “SYMBOL RATE” RULE MAKING PROPOSAL DUE BY OCTOBER 11 (DEADLINE, 10/11) – The FCC will accept public comments in response to a July FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in WT Docket 16-239 — the “Symbol Rate” proceeding — until October 11. Reply comments — ie, comments on comments already filed — are due by November 10. For further information, including a hyperlink to the Electronic Comment Filing Service, see http://www.arrl.org/news/comments-in-fcc-symbol-rate-rule-making-proposal-due-by-october-11 (source: ARRL website)

REMINDER! APPLICATION WINDOW OPENS ON SEPTEMBER 1 FOR PROSPECTIVE ISS HAM RADIO CONTACT HOSTS (DEADLINE, 11/1) – The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is seeking proposals from schools and formal or informal educational institutions and organizations — individually or working in concert — to host Amateur Radio contacts next year with ISS crew members. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/application-window-opens-on-september-1-for-prospective-iss-ham-radio-contact-hosts (source: ARRL website)

REMINDER! NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE GEORGE HART DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD (DEADLINE, 11/1) – The ARRL will accept nominations until November 1 for the George Hart Distinguished Service Award. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/nominations-open-for-the-george-hart-distinguished-service-award-3 (source: ARRL website)

ARRL FOUNDATION INVITES SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS FOR 2017-18 ACADEMIC YEAR (DEADLINE, 1/31/17) – The ARRL Foundation will begin accepting scholarship applications on October 1st from eligible radio amateurs planning to pursue post-secondary education during the 2017-18 academic year. Completed applications must be received by January 31, 2017. For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-foundation-invites-scholarship-applications-for-2017-18-academic-year (source: ARRL website)

ARRL NATIONAL PARKS ON THE AIR 2016 – For information on rules, answers to frequently asked questions, activator tips and NPS documents, NPOTA documents, answers to basic questions from NPS employees, the Leaderboard, list of NPOTA units, merchandise, NPOTA on social media, and latest news, see http://www.arrl.org/NPOTA (source: ARRL website)

LICENSE CLASSES –

Raleigh (NC): General license class, October 1 to October 22, 2016, sponsored by Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, contact Murray Merner, K4MHM by phone at (919) 803-7973 or by email at k4mhm at arrl dot net for further information.

Greenville (NC): Technician license class, October 1 to October 28, 2016, sponsored by Brightleaf Amateur Radio Club, contact Jeff Meyer, K4DKW by phone at (252) 717-9442 or by email at jeffreymeyer55 at gmail dot com for further information (this license class is not listed on the ARRL website).

Gastonia (NC): Technician license class, October 8, 2016, sponsored by Greater Gaston Amateur Radio Society and VE Team, contact Tony Jones, N4ATJ by phone at (704) 827-2138 or by email at n4atj at bellsouth dot net for further information.

Gastonia (NC): General license class, October 8, 2016, sponsored by Greater Gaston Amateur Radio Society, contact Tony Jones, N4ATJ by phone at (704) 827-2138 or by email at n4atj at bellsouth dot net for further information.

Smithfield (NC): Technician license class, October 22-23, 2016, contact Michael Callam, KD4MC by phone at (919) 934-9623 or by email at mcallam at centurylink dot net 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! (source: ARRL website)

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

On The Albemarle Amateur Radio Society and Field Day, see http://www.dailyadvance.com/News/2016/06/26/Local-club-holds-ham-radio-field-day.html (source: Google search)

On Hatteras CERT activity following Tropical Storm Hermine, see http://islandfreepress.org/2016Archives/09.05.2016-HatterasCERTMembersHardAtWorkAfterTheStorm.html (source: Google search)

On National Preparedness Month and Stanly County ARES, see http://www.thesnaponline.com/opinion/don-t-wait-make-your-emergency-plan-today/article_db0e6fb6-74fc-11e6-a0d1-df9b2d39bcd9.html Thanks to Dr. Keith Andrew, KK4LGM for writing this article and forwarding the hyperlink for inclusion in the Newsletter! (sources: Keith KK4LGM, ARRL website)

On Bike MS: Historic New Bern Ride 2016, see http://www.wcti12.com/news/bike-ms-historic-new-bern-ride-expected-to-attract-thousands-over-the-weekend/75676721 (source: ARRL website)

On CW operation and amateur radio, see http://www.wusa9.com/travel/open-road/morse-code-man/319351895 Thanks to Don Daso, K4ZA; and, Dr. Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, ARRL Roanoke Division Director, for providing this hyperlink!

The following report was received from Don Edwards, WS4NC: "Lewisville, NC Special Event Station. … We had an opportunity at the Lewisville 25th Anniversary Special Event station this past weekend [8/13]. Rep Virginia Foxx dropped by and is shown [image not available] with 13-year-old Mason Matrazzo, KM4SII. Mason is one of our new and highly enthusiastic hams. Shown in the [image are] Harold, N4HER and Steve, WA3RTC. … There were many HF contacts from the Lewisville Special Event station, N4C. QSLs are in process right now. Operation was primarily on 20 meter SSB, but there were a few 40-meter SSB contacts. We are blessed that a lot of new, enthusiastic hams, and most especially blessed that several youngsters like Mason recently got their licenses through FARC testing and training programs in the last several years. … It is nice to see ham radio growing with such a young crowd and they get on the air a lot. … Regards, Don WS4NC.” Thanks to all Hams participating in the Lewisville NC Special Event Station; congratulations to all the new youth Hams; and, thanks to Don Edwards, WS4NC, Newsletter Editor, Forsyth Amateur Radio Club, for providing this report!"

The following report (edited) was received from Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE: “The 4th Annual Boots on the Run 5k which benefited the USO of NC Jacksonville Center took place on 9/10/2016 in Jacksonville NC. The Onslow Amateur Radio Club supplied the communications support for this event. Jeff Thigpen WM4YD was the net control for the event, which involved 10 members at checkpoints and 3 Rovers on bicycles. Also included 1 USO Shadow. Members were equipped with HT's, and 3 members also used DMR HT's. They used their Communications Vehicle located at the USO building for the Net Control station. [Photos sent with the email included] 1) OARC members; 2) Rovers 2a and 2b, Liz KC8CEE and Victoria KM4MKZ; 3) Rovers 2a and 2b, Liz KC8CEE and Victoria KM4MKZ before race outside of communications vehicle. …” Thanks to the members of the Onslow Amateur Radio Club for their public service; and, to Janice Hopkins KJ4JPE, an ARRL-trained Public Information Officer for sending this report!

The following report was received from Dave Ritter, ND4MR: “The Foothills Amateur Radio Club rented a booth space for the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival held on October 1st. Typical attendance at this event, one of the largest in Wilkes County, is usually more than forty to fifty thousand, and with perfect weather for this year's event, attendance may well have been higher. Through the influence of one FARC member, who was also a member of the festival's sponsoring organization, the club's booth space was a "prime" spot – right across from the food court (whose delicious aromas wafting from the various food vendors posed a constant source of temptation throughout the day). Foothills club members had a demonstration station on the air from their booth and handed out more than 1100 colorful fliers about the wonders of ham radio. They also recruited a number of potential hams who will attend their upcoming Technician license class. Twenty-two hams from outside the area signed-in the club's guest registry.” Thanks to all Hams participating in the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival; and, to Dave Ritter, ND4MR, Vice President, Foothills Amateur Radio Club, for providing this report!

NTS SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT FOR AUGUST, 2016 –

QNI (total check-ins): 2,339; Total messages passed: 659.

Station Activity Reports (SARs), total number: K4IWW 295, WC9CW 226, KC4PGN 180, WB4ZIQ 172, AK4RJ 110, WK4WC 110, W4DNA 88, KF4OCU 60, W4EAT 49, KW4PD 47, W4TTO 45, KJ4JPE 38, KE4AHC 35, KW4EMG 31, KB4RGC 23, W3HL 20, W2EAG 0

Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR), total number: KW4EMG 221, WB4ZIQ 170, WK4WC 170, WC9CW 160, W4DNA 150, KW4PD 140, KI4UDZ 137, K4IWW 130, KJ4JPE 113, KB4RGC 108, W4TTO 100, AK4RJ 90, KF4OCU 77

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: Barry S. Bennett, KJ4TGY (SK) of Archdale; Don Michael Cassidy, KG4IUC (SK) of Oak Island; Barry Richard Finley, AG4I (SK) of Lincolnton; and, John Shearer Irwin, N4YRB (SK) of Raleigh. 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 15: Official NC Fall Liver Mush Festival, 1200Z-2000Z, NA4CC, Shelby, NC. Cleveland County Amateur Radio Service. General portion of the 20 and 40 meter bands. QSL. Cleveland County Amateur Radio Service, PO Box 864, Shelby, NC 28151. A special QSL card designed using images and items from the festival will be printed after the event. For QSL please see website, festivalnet.com or www.qrz.com/db/na4cc

November 5: Veteran Day Parade, 1330Z-2100Z, W4YMI, Newport, NC. Carteret County Amateur Radio Society. 14.750 14.650 14.450 14.250. Certificate. Carteret County Amateur Radio Society, PO Box 1302, Newport, NC 28570. http://w4ymi.com/

November 11: The following information (edited) was provided by Irv McWherter, K3IRV: “American Legion Legionnaires will honor their fellow veterans in a special on-the-air amateur radio tribute on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2016. Members of The American Legion Amateur Radio Club (TALARC) will operate on the short wave bands starting at 9:00 AM through 4:30 PM EST (1400 - 2130Z), using the call sign K9TAL. Any ham radio operators who contact the station are eligible to receive an attractive full-color commemorative certificate. After working K9TAL, send a 9x12 inch self-addressed stamped envelope to The American Legion Amateur Radio Club, 700 N. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.” Thanks for Irv McWherter, K3IRV, Public Information Coordinator, for providing this information!

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! (sources: ARRL website, Irv McWherter, K3IRV)

UPCOMING HAMFESTS AND CONVENTIONS –

October 9: Maysville Hamfest, Maysville Hamfest Association, Maysville, NC, contact Byron Highland, K4BMH by phone at (252) 347-1498 or via email at bhighland at nc dot rr dot com for further information. (Cancelled due to Hurricane Matthew - webmaster)

November 20: JARSFest 2016, Johnston Amateur Radio Society, Benson, NC, http://www.jars.net

January 14, 2017: Winston-Salem FirstFest, Forsyth Amateur Radio Club, Winston-Salem, NC, http://www.w4nc.com/ws_classic_hamfest_2016.htm

March 10-11, 2017: Charlotte Hamfest, Mecklenburg Amateur Radio Society, Concord, NC, https://charlottehamfest.org/

April 15, 2017: Catawba Valley Hamfest, McDowell Amateur Radio Association, Morganton, NC, http://cvhamfest.com

April 15, 2017: 45th Annual RARSFest/ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, Raleigh, NC, http://www.rars.org/rarsfest/

April 28-29, 2017: 2017 SVHFS Conference, Southeastern VHF Society, Charlotte, NC, http://svhfs.org

September 1-3, 2017: 61st Annual Shelby Hamfest/ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Shelby Amateur Radio Club, Shelby, NC, http://www.shelbyhamfest.org

It is not too early to apply for ARRL-affiliation of your club’s 2017 hamfest! For more information, see http://www.arrl.org/arrl-sanctioned-events (source: ARRL website)

QUA* – As Hurricane Matthew approaches and you are making safety preparations for your family and property, please don’t forget to consider the wellbeing of your pets and livestock.

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! I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming hamfest or club meeting. 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)