Posted: September 1, 2016

ARRL NC Section Newsletter

August, 2016

Greetings from Karl W4CHX, your ARRL NC Section Manager!

AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT RECEIVES FAVORABLE HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE REPORT – An amended version of the Amateur Radio Parity Act, H.R. 1301, received a unanimous favorable report on July 13 from members of the US House Energy and Commerce Committee.  The bill now will go to the full House for consideration.  There is no current timetable for that action.  When more information is available, it will be posted to the ARRL Web.  For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-parity-act-receives-favorable-house-energy-and-commerce-committee-report and http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-parity-act  (source: ARRL website)

60^th ANNUAL SHELBY HAMFEST/ARRL NC STATE CONVENTION (9/2-4) – The 60th Annual Shelby Hamfest/ARRL NC State Convention, sponsored by the Shelby Amateur Radio Club – W4NYR, will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 2^nd to the 4^th, at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 1751 East Marion Street, Shelby, NC 28150.  On Friday, the hours of operation are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  On Saturday and Sunday, the gates open at 7:00 AM.  The inside Dealer Buildings will be open 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM on Saturday, and 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Sunday.  Talk-In: 146.880 MHz (-), no tone, W4NYR Repeater.  WCARS is providing the VE testing for a cost of $10.00.  For more information on VE testing, please contact chairman@shelbyhamfest.org 

Forum presentations on Saturday (9/3) will include: “Your call sign – the names have been changed to protect the innocent”, an audio/video presentation by Dan Henderson, N1ND, ARRL Regulatory Information Manager; “ARRL membership forum and Roanoke Division/NC Section combined meeting”, presented by Dan Henderson, N1ND, Dr. Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, Roanoke Division Director, and Bill Morine, N2COP, Roanoke Division Vice Director; “National Parks on the Air”, presented by Margie Spangenberg, KK4AGN, Anderson Radio Club; “DMR: where we are and where we are headed”, presented by Marv Hoffman, WA4NC, Boone, NC and Roger Mull, KD4JQJ. Irmo, SC; “MARS forum”, presented by Billy Pearson, AAA4NC, Army Mars North Carolina State Director; and, “AMSAT”, presented by Barry Baines, WD4ASW, President of AMSAT and John Kludt, K4SQC.

Please visit the ARRL Booth and meet your Division Leaders, Dr. Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, Roanoke Division Director and Bill Morine, N2COP, Roanoke Division Vice Director.  For further information on the Shelby Hamfest, including forum times, VE testing, flea market, vendors, camping, accommodations, tickets, and prizes, see http://www.shelbyhamfest.org/  (sources: Shelby Hamfest website, Tom Forgas, KB0PD of the Shelby Amateur Radio Club)

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.  The NPRM now has been published in The Federal Register, thus opening the respective 60-day and 30-day comment/reply comment windows.  In response to a 2013 ARRL Petition for Rule Making (RM-11708), the FCC proposed to revise the Amateur Service Part 97 rules to eliminate current baud rate limitations for data emissions, consistent with ARRL’s Petition, but it declined to propose a bandwidth limitation for data emissions in the MF and HF bands to replace the baud rate limitations.  ARRL had asked the FCC to change the Part 97 rules to delete the symbol rate limits in §97.307(f) and replace them with a maximum bandwidth for data emissions of 2.8 kHz on amateur frequencies below 29.7 MHz.  Interested parties may comment on the NPRM in WT Docket 16-239 via the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing Service (EFCS), as well as by mail.  For further information, including a hyperlink to the EFCS, see http://www.arrl.org/news/comments-in-fcc-symbol-rate-rule-making-proposal-due-by-october-11  (source: ARRL website)

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.  The window to accept proposals opens on September 1, and the deadline to submit a proposal is November 1.  ARISS anticipates that contacts will take place between July 1 and December 31, 2017.  Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. The ARRL website includes proposal information and documents.  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)

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.  The award honors long-time ARRL Communications Manager George Hart, W1NJM (SK), the chief developer of the National Traffic System™ (NTS).  Established by the ARRL Board of Directors in 2009, the Award is given annually to an ARRL member for exemplary service to the League’s Field Organization.  For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/nominations-open-for-the-george-hart-distinguished-service-award-3  (source: ARRL website)

JAMBOREE ON THE AIR (JOTA) STATIONS ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER AND FILE POST-EVENT REPORTS – Jamboree on the Air (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.  As an incentive, all stations filing reports will automatically be entered to win an Icom ID-51A hand-held transceiver. The 59th annual JOTA takes place October 14-16.  For further information on JOTA, including a hyperlink to the JOTA Guidelines for Amateur Radio Operators, see http://www.arrl.org/news/jamboree-on-the-air-jota-stations-encouraged-to-register-and-file-post-event-reports  (source: ARRL website)

EMCOMM EXERCISES TO BE HELD IN NORTH CAROLINA DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER – In the NC Section, ARES – NC AUXCOMM Society will conduct two (2) emergency communications (EMCOMM) exercises this year. The first exercise will occur in mid-November and the second will occur in mid-December.  Both statewide exercises will emphasize digital communications, with a focus on HF Winlink.  Units with VHF Winlink capability and VHF/UHF voice capability can also participate.  The exercises will encourage Hams to learn and use the Winlink system, and ICS messaging, as they are employed in NC.  The training and experience gained in these exercises will help Hams develop the skills needed to make a difference when NC faces EMCOMM challenges.  Additional information regarding the EMCOMM exercises will be posted on the NC ARRL and NC AUXCOMM Society websites, see http://www.ncarrl.org/ares/ and http://auxcomm.us/main/  Please note that the NC Section will not be participating in the 2016 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test, which is scheduled for October 1-2, 2016.  Thanks to Tom Brown, N4TAB, ARRL NC Section Emergency Coordinator, for providing this information!

GROWTH IN NEW AMATEUR RADIO LICENSEES AHEAD OF LAST YEAR’S – The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) reports that 20,447 new US Amateur Radio licenses have been issued since January 1.  For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/growth-in-new-amateur-radio-licensees-ahead-of-last-year-s  (source: ARRL website)

BOUVET 3Y0Z DXPEDITION WEBSITE GOES LIVE – The website for the 3Y0Z Bouvet DXpedition planned for early 2018 is now open. Bouvet is the second most-wanted DXCC entity.  Bouvet, a dependency of Norway, is a subantarctic island in the South Atlantic.  For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/bouvet-3y0z-dxpedition-website-goes-live  (source: The Daily DX via the ARRL website)

ARRL ENCOURAGES COMPREHENSIVE NOISE FLOOR STUDY – In anticipation of an FCC Technological Advisory Council (TAC) investigation into changes and trends to the radio spectrum noise floor to determine if there is an increasing noise problem, ARRL asserted that such a study is long overdue.  The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) announced plans for the TAC study in mid-June and invited comments and answers to questions that the TAC posed concerning the methodologies for such a study.  The League’s comments also praised the TAC — an advisory group to the FCC — for tackling the issue and expressed the hope that the noise study might, for the first time, provide a useful, objective basis for spectrum overlays and other future allocation decisions.  For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-encourages-comprehensive-noise-floor-study  (source: ARRL website)

REMINDER!  QSL BUREAU LETTER SORTERS NEEDED – The following request for assistance was received from Paul Sturpe, W3GQ:  “QSL Bureau Letter Sorters.  … I could use one or maybe two new sorters.  …  Paul Sturpe, W3GQ, QSL Bureau Mgr, 4th Call Area, W4 K4 N4 Prefixes.”  If you are interested in becoming a QSL Bureau Letter Sorter, please contact Paul Sturpe, W3GQ, by email at sturpe at gmail dot com.  For further information on incoming and outgoing QSL service, see http://www.arrl.org/qsl-service  (source: ARRL website)

CLYDE SAWYER, JR, WC9CW, NEW NET CONTROL STATION FOR TAR HEEL EMERGENCY NET – Clyde Sawyer, WC9CW of Albemarle has volunteered to become the Net Control Station for the Tar Heel Emergency Net on Wednesday evenings.  Clyde WC9CW has just been appointed Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Stanly County.  The Tar Heel Emergency Net (THEN) is looking for a Net Manager and additional Net Control Stations.  All individuals with ARES appointments – Assistant Emergency Coordinators, Emergency Coordinators, and District Emergency Coordinators – should consider participating as the Net Manager or as a Net Control Station.  For further information, see http://www.ncarrl.org/nets/THEN/index.html or contact Karl Bowman, W4CHX, ARRL NC Section Manager, at w4chx at arrl dot org.  Again, thanks to Clyde WC9CW for supporting the Tar Heel Emergency Net!  (source: NC 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 –

Wilmington (NC): Technician license class, September 10 to October 1, 2016, sponsored by Pender, New Hanover, and Brunswick County Ham clubs, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, contact Fred Carroll, AJ4CN by phone at (704) 756-3951 or by email at aj4cn at yahoo dot com for further information.

Goldsboro (NC): Technician license class, September 20 to November 8, 2016, sponsored by Wayne County Amateur Radio Association, contact Peter Wene, WA5T by phone at (919) 440-2937 or by email at pete at wene dot net for further information.

Kitty Hawk (NC): Technician license class, September 21 to November 2, 2016, sponsored by Outer Banks Repeater Association, contact Jim Bailey, N4ACT by phone at (252) 480-3065 or by email at n4act at earthlink dot net for further information.

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.

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.

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 Watauga Amateur Radio Club and Field Day, see http://www.hcpress.com/boone/watauga-amateur-radio-club-participate-national-field-day-june-25-26.html  (Source: Google search)

On Forsyth Amateur Radio Club and Field Day, see http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/amateur-radio-operators-in-winston-salem-tune-in-to-weekend/article_56bad4d8-5b5b-50fd-ab86-0b8bfc2286f7.html  (source: Google search)

The following information was provided by Marv Hoffman, WA4NC:  “Interested in Leaf Looking or Skiing?  The Watauga Amateur Radio Club was given two gift certificates by Bernard Russo (NC0C/HH2B) and his wife Tessa (HH2BYL) who are the owners of the Taylor House Bed and Breakfast in Valle Crucis (near Banner Elk).  Each gift certificate has a face value of $175 for a night stay and other expenses at the inn and can be redeemed for use on Mondays-Thursdays.  The club is offering these two certificates to hams who want to come to the mountains for a visit.  Price: $125 per gift certificate.  Contact Marv Hoffman, WA4NC, at mkhoffman2006@gmail.com.  …  Thanks, Marv, WA4NC.”  Thanks to Marv Hoffman, WA4NC, President, Watauga Amateur Radio Club, for providing this information!

NTS SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT FOR JULY, 2016 –

QNI (total check-ins): 1,824; Total messages passed: 486.

Station Activity Reports (SARs), total number: K4IWW 307, WK4WC 195, KW4PD 152, KC4PGN 109, WB4ZIQ 109, AK4RJ 91, WC9CW 82, KF4OCU 72, W4DNA 60, W4EAT 59, W4TTO 52, KB4RGC 31, W3HL 21, KW4EMG 17, KJ4JPE 8, KE4AHC 0, W2EAG 0.

Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR), total number: KW4EMG 207, KW4PD 160, W4DNA 145, WB4ZIQ 140, WC9CW 140, WK4WC 140, K4IWW 130, KJ4JPE 123, KB4RGC 101, W4TTO 100, AK4RJ 90, KF4OCU 80, KI4UDZ 75.

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: Robert H. Christ, WD4BLG (SK) of Lake Wylie, SC; Amos Sanford Clark, Sr, W4ROE (SK) of Winston-Salem; William Curtis (“Bill”) Finch, Jr, AI4TN (SK) of Greenville; and, Robin D. Keller, KT4EE (SK) of Nashville.  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 –

September 1-4: 60^th Annual Shelby Hamfest Special Event, 1600Z-2200Z, W4NYR, Shelby, NC. Shelby Amateur Radio Club. All HF bands, SSB and CW. QSL. SARC, PO Box 2206, Shelby, NC 28151. Times will vary daily. www.shelbyhamfest.org

September 10: 48^th Annual National Hollerin’ Contest Spiveys’ Corner, 1500Z-2200Z, KK4NC, Dunn, NC. Sampson County Amateur Radio Service. 14.264 14.242 7.264 7.242. Certificate. Cliff Ireland (KK4NC), 170 Pinecroft Dr, Dunn, NC 28334. www.nationalhollerincontest.com

September 24: Everybody’s Day, 1300Z-1700Z, NC4AR, Thomasville, NC. Tri-County Amateur Radio Club. 147.00 7.210. Certificate. NC4AR, PO Box 747, Trinity, NC 27370. Follow instructions to receive your certificate by e-mail on qrz.com http://nc4ar.org/us/page.php?2

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/

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!  (source: ARRL website)

UPCOMING HAMFESTS AND CONVENTIONS –

September 2-4: 60^th Annual Shelby Hamfest/ARRL NC State Convention, Shelby Amateur Radio Club, Shelby, NC, http://shelbyhamfest.org 

September 24: FreeGate 2016, Qorvo Amateur Radio Club, Greensboro, NC, http://kd4rf.org/

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

March 10, 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: 45^th Annual RARSFest/ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Raleigh Amateur Radio Society, Raleigh, NC, http://www.rars.org/rarsfest/ 

It is not too early to apply for ARRL-affiliation of your club’s 2016 hamfest!  For more information, see http://www.arrl.org/arrl-sanctioned-events (source: ARRL website)

QUA* – Please remember: if the Amateur Radio Parity Bills are voted upon, your assistance will be needed, specifically to contact your Member(s) of Congress and request their favorable vote on the House (HR 1301) or Senate (S 1685) versions of the Amateur Radio Parity Act.

I have been very encouraged by emails regarding youths obtaining their Ham licenses.  This is outstanding news for the future of amateur radio and validation of club efforts to recruit, teach, license, and mentor these individuals.  Keep up the good work!  As an aside, if you would like to provide a report for publication on youth activities in ham radio, please remember that I do not (knowingly) publish the name and call sign of a minor without permission from the parent(s) or legal guardian(s).  Obtaining permission at the same time as submitting your youth activity report would be appreciated greatly.  Please contact me for further information on the permission process.  Thanks!  

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)

*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 ____.”