Posted July 24, 2014

ARRL NC Section Newsletter

 

July, 2014

 

 

 

Greetings to all Hams across North Carolina from Karl W4CHX, your ARRL NC Section Manager! 

 

 

HR 4969 AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT OF 2014 AND THE ARRL GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN – The following announcement is an alert that your help is needed during the next few weeks.  Recently, there have been 2 announcements from the ARRL regarding HR 4969 Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2014.  This bill has been introduced in the US House of Representatives and it calls on the FCC to apply the "reasonable accommodation" three-part test of the PRB-1 federal pre-emption policy to private land-use restrictions, such as neighborhoods with antenna restrictions enforced by Home Owner Associations (HOAs).  Antenna relief in neighborhoods with private Covenants, Codes, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) is critical in North Carolina because, according to the North Carolina Home Owners Association, 62% of housing units in the state fall under HOAs, and the 2007 state antenna law does not apply to HOAs.  HR 4969 would overturn private CC&Rs.

 

 

 

HR 4969 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  Representative Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR), chairs that panel's Communications and Technology Subcommittee, which will consider the measure.  According to the article which was posted on June 26^th, ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB said the most urgent task now is to get additional co-sponsors to sign onto HR 4969.  For further information on the first announcement, see http://www.arrl.org/news/house-bill-would-require-fcc-to-extend-prb-1-coverage-to-restrictive-covenants

 

 

 

In July, a follow-up article was published regarding a grassroots effort, which was underway to encourage radio amateurs to promote co-sponsorship of HR 4969 Amateur Radio Parity Act.  The grassroots campaign is focused on contacting Members of Congress or their staffers at or through their district offices.  The article discussed strategies for making such contacts.  The primary point that needs to be communicated is that the greatest threat to Amateur Radio volunteer emergency and public service communications is restrictions that prohibit the installation of outdoor antenna systems.  For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/grassroots-campaign-underway-to-promote-co-sponsorship-of-amateur-radio-parity-act

 

 

 

Supplemental information regarding the HR 4969 grassroots campaign has been posted on the ARRL website.  The link is located on the homepage under the heading, “What’s Popular”.  Click on “HR-4969” and you will be directed to the webpage, http://www.arrl.org/hr-4969.  On the HR-4969 webpage, you will find information on: the bill and what it will do; how you can help get the bill passed; who is your Congressperson; where your letter should be sent; and, the key “talking points” you should know when discussing the bill.  It is my understanding that updates on HR 4969 and the grassroots campaign will be posted on this webpage as they become available. 

 

 

Other links regarding HR 4969 Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2014 include:

 

http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-president-issues-call-to-action-to-gain-support-for-hr-4969-amateur-radio-parity-act which provides a link to a video call to action to gain support for HR 4969 by ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN; and,

 

http://www.arrl.org/news/centennial-convention-provides-springboard-for-amateur-radio-parity-act-hr-4969

 

 

 

From the standpoint of clubs and individual members, it is recommend that discussions are initiated about HR 4969 Amateur Radio Parity Act, that decisions are made about the grassroots actions that could be pursued, and that letters are prepared.  Please note that specific "talking points" need to be included in the letter.  Again, the supplemental information at http://www.arrl.org/hr-4969 provides the guidelines that will be needed for the grassroots campaign.  You are encouraged to monitor the news section of the ARRL website for updates.  Also, please consider subscribing to the ARRL Legislative Update, which can be done via Edit Email Subscriptions on your ARRL website account. 

 

 

 

Thanks to Bill Morine, N2COP, Assistant Section Manager; John Doolos, WB5EVF; Gerry Agliata, W2GLA; Chuck Decourt, W3WZN, State Government Liaison; and, Steve Ewald, WV1X, ARRL Supervisor, Field Organization Team, for their assistance with this matter!

 

 

 

ARRL AND FEMA SIGN MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT AT NATIONAL CENTENNIAL CONVENTION – ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the ARRL and FEMA on July 18^th at the ARRL National Centennial Convention 2014.  The MOA will enhance cooperation between the League and the federal agency in the area of disaster communication.  Fugate was the keynote speaker at the ARRL National Centennial Banquet later that evening, with more than 800 people in attendance.  For further information, see http://www.arrl.org/news/fema-and-arrl-sign-agreement-fema-administrator-calls-ham-radio-resilient

To read the full text of the Memorandum of Agreement, see

http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service/FEMA/FEMA-ARRL-2014.pdf

 

 

W1AW CENTENNIAL QSO PARTY – Even though the ARRL National Centennial Convention is over, the 100^th anniversary of the ARRL is still being celebrated!  The W1AW Centennial QSO Party is still “on the air” and it consists of two main activities: 1) portable operation of W1AW in each state and most territories; and, 2) The Centennial Points Challenge which is the accumulation of points from qualifying contacts made throughout 2014.  For further information on the W1AW Centennial QSO Party, see http://www.arrl.org/centennial-qso-party

 

 

 

COMMENTS FROM TIM SLAY, N4IB ABOUT KEEPING YOUR ARRL-AFFILIATED CLUB ACTIVE – In the last two newsletters, I described some of the requirements and benefits of ARRL affiliation.  Once your club is affiliated, it stays affiliated.  But you need to update the club’s records at ARRL HQ at least once per year.  An on-line form is available for this at http://www.arrl.org/club-update.  Should two years go by without ARRL headquarters receiving an annual report, your club status will be changed to inactive status.  If this happens, you can return your club to active affiliated status at any time by simply confirming 51% ARRL membership among your voting members and then filing a Club Update.  So maintaining your club’s ARRL affiliation – and access to affiliated club benefits – is easy!  Next month I’ll share some information about incorporation and tax considerations. 

 

 

 

The ARRL website has lots of great information to help clubs get started, including a sample constitution and bylaws and an application kit for affiliation.  More information can be found at www.arrl.org/affiliated-club-resources.  Thanks to Tim Slay, N4IB, Assistant Section Manager and Affiliated Club Coordinator, for providing this information!

 

 

 

NC MOUNTAIN STATE FAIR AND SPECIAL EVENT STATION, N4F (September 5-14) – Several months ago, I became aware of an initiative undertaken by amateur radio clubs in western North Carolina to introduce amateur radio to the attendees of the NC Mountain State Fair.  This Fair, a major event, extends over a 10-day period and last year, it attracted more than 190,000 people.  The club members staffed their fair booth and they ran a special event station, N4F, during the Fair.  I was impressed, to say the least!  The clubs want to repeat their efforts for 2014.  Since it is believed that you would like to know what these clubs are doing to promote amateur radio, I asked Howard Hazelrigg, W4PH of Asheville and Philip Jenkins, N4HF of Fairview to provide information about their experience.  Here is their edited report:

 

 

 

The NC Mountain State Fair – held for 10 days the second week in September at the Agricultural Center near the Asheville Airport – has had various ham radio demo stations over the years, but on a small scale, and not every year.  The Road Show ARC, which is based in Skyland, NC, contacted as many ham clubs in western NC as we could find.  We visited several of those clubs with a PowerPoint presentation to show exactly what our plans were and to solicit their help.  It was not possible for the Road Show ARC to do it alone.  The following clubs contributed greatly by providing manpower (set up, break down, operating, answering visitors' questions) and financial support: Blue Ridge ARC (Henderson County), Haywood County ARC, CARGO (Catamount Amateur Radio Group, the Western Carolina University radio club), and Cleveland County Amateur Radio Service.  In addition, other individuals were welcomed as well to help with the effort.

 

 

 

We had a large tent for the general public with information and demonstrations, including: D-STAR; Echolink; IRLP; APRS; WinLink; MARS; an SDR receiver (paired with a Drake tube transmitter!); a MESH (Broadband-Hamnet) network with cameras linked to the internet; videos on the history and contributions of ham radio, and the facets of ham radio; and, a quite popular 2 meter GOTA station.  Behind the tent, there was a smaller operations trailer where the Special Event Station contacts were made.  Icom generously loaned the Road Show ARC two high-end HF rigs, a D-STAR mobile rig, and a D-STAR HT.   

 

 

 

Even with all of this manpower, we still had expenses, so we solicited private and business sponsors, either for equipment loans or cash donations.  We didn't expect to make money, but neither did we expect to go into the hole like we did.  To that end, we decided for this year's effort – and we already have verbal commitments from several of the clubs who participated last year – to have the funds up front for such expenses.

 

 

 

This year, we welcome ham visitors from wherever – not just NC – to come and visit, to help with logistics (set up, breakdown) and operating, and especially, to answer questions from our non-ham visitors and explain the demonstrations.  We had visitors in 2013 who had been inactive, but are now on the air again; visitors who had never heard of ham radio, but are now licensed; and, visitors who had always wanted to get into ham radio, but had been putting it off or didn't know any hams, etc.  Our goal for the Fair last year was to license 50 new hams.  We know of at least 15 individuals who got their license, either directly or indirectly, because of the Fair.  We can do even better than that this year!

 

 

 

The NC Mountain State Fair will be held at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center in Fletcher, NC and it will run from September 5-14, 2014.  For further information, see  http://www.mountainfair.org/mountain-state-fair.html or contact Phil N4HF at n4hf@arrl.net.  Thanks to Philip Jenkins, N4HF and Howard Hazelrigg, W4PH for providing this information!

 

 

 

GOVERNOR PAT MCCRORY PROCLAIMS JULY “AMATEUR RADIO RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION MONTH” – Although this has been reported previously, here is the link to the proclamation, http://www.governor.state.nc.us/newsroom/proclamation/20140701/amateur-radio-recognition-and-appreciation-month.  Thanks to Raymond “Woody” Woodward, K3VSA for providing this information!

 

 

 

LICENSING CLASSES AND VE TESTING –

Raleigh (NC), General licensing class, starting August 2-16, 2014, sponsored by Raleigh Amateur Radio Society. 

Boone (NC), VE testing session, August 25, 2014, 6:00 PM, sponsored by Watauga Amateur Radio Club.  Location: Lois Harrill Senior Center, Poplar Grove Road, west of Boone, NC.  Walk-ins are welcome but, to assure that sufficient tests are available, please contact Vern Dyer, W5VM at builder@skybest.com regarding your intent to test.

Raleigh (NC), Amateur Extra licensing class, starting October 4-November 1, 2014, sponsored by Raleigh Amateur Radio Society (this class has not been posted on the ARRL website at the present time).  To find upcoming classes, go to www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class.  To register a class that your club or organization is sponsoring, go to www.arrl.org/register-a-new-license-class.  Please note that the licensing class sponsored by your club or organization will not be listed on the ARRL website unless you register your class!  Thanks to Marv Hoffman, WA4NC and CJ Orr, NC4CJ, for providing this information.

 

 

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

 

During the week of June 23-27, 2014, members of the Carteret County Amateur Radio Society visited the Croatan Trails Cub Scout Day Camp at Camp Sam Hatcher, Broad Creek (NC).  They set up a “hands-on” amateur radio display and answered questions about ham radio.  Participants included Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE; Sterling Hudson, N4WKG; John Hopkins, KJ4EJH; and, Joe Frohwitter, WO3F.  Thanks to Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE, ARRL PIO, NC Section, for providing this information!  

 

 

On the Field Day activities of Forsyth Amateur Radio Club and 6 year-old Frankie Lansing, KM4CBQ, believed to be the youngest licensed ham in NC, see http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/amateur-radio-operators-test-skill-in-annual-competition/article_825c8430-2187-5b6b-9ea3-c980ff755d51.html  Thanks to Don Edwards, WS4NC for providing this information!

 

 

 

On July 2^nd, the Iredell County Amateur Radio Society Field Day exercise was featured on WSIC 1400am – TV 21.2.  Thanks to Howard Hecht, W1HO for providing this information!

 

 

 

On the Field Day activities of the Union County Amateur Radio Society, see http://www.enquirerjournal.com/news/x1625943644/Local-amateur-radio-society-participates-in-Field-Day  In addition, the "Photo of the Day" was Andy Kabasakalian, WB2WZC and Daniel Brinneman, KG4DNI at Field Day.  Thanks to David Keever K8IP; Paul Jones, K4VCF, ARRL PIO, NC Section; Raymond “Woody” Woodward, K3VSA, ARRL Public Information Coordinator, NC Section; and, Bill Morine, N2COP, Assistant Section Manager, for providing this information!

 

 

 

On July 9^th, Michael Callam, KD4UJC, discussed amateur radio and the Johnston County Amateur Radio Emergency Service during an interview on WARZ TV 34, see http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/49869316.  Thanks to Bob German, KB4RGC; Michael Callam, KD4UJC; and, Chuck Decourt, W3WZN, State Government Liaison, for providing this information!

 

 

On July 12^th, the following report regarding Hurricane Arthur in NC was provided by Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE, ARRL PIO, NC Section:  Members of the Onslow County Amateur Radio Club helped repair a 2 meter antenna damaged by Hurricane Arthur the week before, July 3-4 2014.  The eye of the storm touched down on Cape Lookout in Carteret County at 11:15 PM with over 100 mph winds, Category 2.  The outer bands of the storm reached many miles causing power outages and flooding all along its trip through North Carolina, leaving through the Outer Banks later on July 4th.  Newport SKYWARN was activated at 4:00 PM, July 3^rd, by NWS Newport Warning Coordination Meteorologist John Cole.  Newport SKYWARN EC John Hopkins, KJ4EJH and Net Control Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE ran the net from 4:00 PM, July 3^rd through 12:15 AM, July 4^th using multiple repeaters and an IRLP link to reach all 15 counties in our SKYWARN.  We were in touch with NWS Newport and NHC Miami as well as NC AUXCOMM.  The local Crystal Coast was well represented with ARES members in the counties of Onslow, Craven, Pamlico, and Carteret.  County ECs Jeff Thigpen WM4YD, Ed Wafford W4EDW, Mike Hurm K4HPS, and Bob Chambers K4GRW worked with their EOCs staffing ARES nets and shelters through out the storm.  Thanks to Janice Hopkins, KJ4JPE, ARRL PIO, NC Section, for providing this information!

 

 

 

On the Hurricane Watch Net activities during Hurricane Arthur, see http://www.arrl.org/news/view/hurricane-watch-net-shuts-down-after-21-hours-of-activation-for-first-2014-atlantic-hurricane

 

 

 

On the 29^th Annual Firecracker Hamfest, Rowan Amateur Radio Society, July 12^th, see http://www.salisburypost.com/article/20140714/SP01/140719841/

 

 

 

NTS SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT FOR JUNE, 2014 –

 

QNI (total check-ins): 2,679; Total messages passed: 638.

Station Activity Reports (SARs), total number: K4IWW 404, WK4WC 213, W4DNA 195, W2EAG 184, AK4RJ 173, WB4ZIQ 135, KC4PGN 88, KJ4JPE 75, KF4OCU 65, W4TTO 64, KK4BVR 60, KE4AHC 45, N2RTF 26, WB4Y 18.

 

Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR), total number: W4DNA 400, KJ4JPE 250, KK4BVR 200, K4IWW 180, WB4ZIQ 170, WK4WC 160, AK4RJ 130, W4TTO 115, W2EAG 110, N2RTF 106, KF4OCU 80, WB4Y 68.  Thanks to Dave Roy, W4DNA, Section Traffic Manager, for providing this information!

 

 

PUBLIC SERVICE – Please consider checking into the Ham Public Service Net, which meets every Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM EST on the Carolina 440 Link System.  The Ham Public Service Net is a great place to learn about public service events that need your participation or it can be used to solicit help for your upcoming public service activity.  For further information, including the location of a 440 MHz repeater close to you, go to http://rars.org/public-service.  Thanks to John Snellen, AI4RT, for providing this information!

 

 

 

SILENT KEYS – An email communication has been received about a Silent Key.  However, it is not possible to post information about amateur radio operators that have become Silent Keys without confirmation via a copy of an obituary or death certificate.   

 

 

SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS –

 

September 4-15: North Carolina Mountain State Fair, 1900Z-0500Z, N4F, Fairview, NC, sponsored by The Road Show Amateur Radio Club, Inc. 40 20 15 10 Meters; 7.245.  Certificate and QSL. The Road Show Amateur Radio Club, Inc, 57 Echo Lake Dr, Fairview, NC 28730. Check website throughout the event for live video feed and current operating frequency. Send SASE for QSL, Large SASE ($0.98 postage) and $5 for QSL and Certificate. For information, contact Mountain State Fair Special Event Chairman at www.theroadshowarc.com

 

September 12: 46th Annual National Hollerin' Contest, 1400Z-2200Z, KK4NC, Dunn, NC, sponsored by Sampson County Amateur Radio Services. SSB: 14.264 7.264; CW: 14.030; PSK31: 14.070. Certificate. Cliff Ireland, 170 Pinecroft Dr, Dunn, NC 28334.

 

September 27: Everybody's Day, 1400Z-1930Z, NC4AR, Thomasville, NC, sponsored by Tri-County Amateur Radio Club. 7.210. Certificate. NC4AR, PO Box 747, Trinity, NC 27370. Certificate instructions at URL. www.qrz.com/db/NC4AR or www.nc4ar.org

 

October 11: Uwharrie Mountain Festival, 1400Z-1800Z, NC4MC, Troy, NC, sponsored by Montgomery Amateur Radio Society. 14.250 14.030 7.250. Certificate. Donald L Grady, KG4ZRH, 120 Woodline Dr, Troy, NC 27371.

 

 

 

UPCOMING HAMFESTS –

July 26: WCARS Hamfest 2014, Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society, Waynesville, NC, http://wcars.org

August 23: 16th Annual Ole Fashioned CFARS SwapFest, Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society, Fayetteville, NC, http://www.cfarsnc.org/

 

August 30-31: North Carolina State Convention (58^th Annual Shelby Hamfest), Shelby Amateur Radio Club, Shelby, NC, http://www.shelbyhamfest.org

October 12: Maysville Hamfest, Maysville Hamfest Association, Maysville, NC, email: bhighland@nc.rr.com

 

 

 

QUA* – I had a great time at the ARRL National Centennial Convention 2104!  I departed Raleigh on Wednesday (7/16), and drove to Hartford, CT.  That journey took longer than expected!  The next morning (7/17), I attended DX University, a series of presentations for individuals interested in DX and DXpeditions.

 

 

On Friday and Saturday (7/18-19), I assisted at the convention registration booth in the morning.  It was great seeing friends and making new acquaintances during this time!  Thereafter, I visited the exhibit hall featuring ARRL program representatives, amateur radio manufacturers and sellers, and a small indoor flea market; and, listened to several presentations.  In addition, I attended the ARRL Centennial Banquet with keynote speaker, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ (Friday evening); the ARRL Wouff Hong Ceremony (Friday, 10:00 PM); the Presidents Breakfast (Saturday morning); and, the closing ceremony (Saturday afternoon).  I toured ARRL headquarters and W1AW on Friday afternoon.  I left Hartford on Sunday morning and drove to Reston, VA to visit my son, Brooks K4BRX.  On Monday afternoon, I returned to Raleigh.

 

 

 

I thought the highlights of the ARRL National Centennial Convention were the luncheon on Thursday (7/17) featuring guest speaker, ARRL First Vice President Rick Roderick, K5UR (“…..what is your legacy?”); DX University; the presentations by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ (Friday evening) and Nobel Prize winner, Joe Taylor, K1JT (Saturday noon); and, the Section Manager meetings.  For further information on Dr. Taylor’s presentation, see http://www.arrl.org/news/nobel-laureate-joe-taylor-k1jt-to-conventioneers-amateur-radio-will-thrive

 

Two special memories from the Convention were seeing the Collins Communications Van and operating 40m SSB from W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, using the call sign, W100AW.  

 

 

 

Over the next 6 weeks or so, I plan on attending the WCARS Hamfest in Waynesville (7/26); the CFARS Swapfest in Fayetteville (8/23); and, the NC State Convention/Shelby Hamfest in Shelby (8/30-31).  I look forward to seeing you at one of these events!

 

 

 

In closing, 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.  Thanks for everything you are doing for amateur radio!  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 ____.”