March 2012  

Greetings to all Amateur Radio Operators.  This is Marc, N4UFP with the March 2012 South Carolina Section Manager’s Report.  Please remember that the SC Section website can be found at: www.arrl-sc.org/ where my full SM report will be listed as well as up-to-the-date information on Amateur Radio in South Carolina.  

First I would like to remind everyone that there are two SC hamfests coming up in the near future.  On 21 April, the Columbia Amateur Radio Club will be holding the CARC Swapfest, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm at the SCETV Children's Center Columbia located behind SCETV Building on George Rogers Blvd. For more information, go to http://www.w4cae.com.  On 5 May at 8:00 am, the Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Society will be holding the Upstate Hamfest in Spartanburg, SC at the Fairgrounds. For directions and more information go to http://www.blueridgears.org/brars/upstate-hamfest/. I plan on attending both events and hope to see you there.  

The SC Legislature is still in session and both houses have yet to agree on an anti-texting bill. There is significant momentum within the Legislature to get a bill passed this year and the good news for amateurs is that the bills being considered to not directly impact mobile amateur operations, with the possible exception of text messaging via APRS and use of keyboard modes such as PSK31 or RTTY while driving. Our SGL, Michael Jordan, K3ZMD, and I continue to keep an eye on the State House, in case anything changes.  

Tammy, N4TAL, our PIC, would like to invite all of you to participate in one of the many events that the Columbia ARC supports during the year. As communications volunteers, they provide valued support to many non-profit groups where every penny counts.   CARC is now into its busiest season of the year. There are multiple events each weekend, and although not all events ask for communications support, they try to help those that do to the best of their abilities. They always conduct a pre-event meeting so that all hams are versed in what to expect from Net Control and how to best communicate the needs of the riders/walkers over the air. They also Elmer any ham not familiar with event protocol and welcome all hams regardless of club affiliation or experience level to participate in these opportunities for community service. To this end, she is listing their next set of events. When you volunteer, please make sure she has your current cell phone number and your t-shirt size. She also needs to know if you have a preferred post, need an Elmer, and your radio capabilities.  

May 5th - Tour de Cure - all proceeds go to the ADA. Supports research in finding a cure for diabetes. www.sctourdecure.com    Start/End at Little Mountain Reunion Park. Similar routes as last year. This is our 4th year supporting this event. It will be SAG heavy due to changes in rider timing!! This event grows every year and we typically need 40 hams for support. The event uses the Little Mountain repeater 147.210+ pl 156.7hz. We will also be using the SCHearts trailer for Net Control.  

This event request just came in. Due to the conflict with Tour de Cure, the CARC cannot officially support this, but 3 hams are needed and if anyone is interested, I will be happy to supply contact information for the event. May 5th - MS Walk - all proceeds go to the National MS Society. Supports research in finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. Start/End at SC State Museum. The coordinator at MS has asked for a Start/End, mid-route, and a Rest Stop ham. 9:30-12:30 participation expected.  This event would be conducted on simplex.  

May 12h - Tour de Midlands - all proceeds go to the Lexington Greenway Alliance. Supports building more greenways in Lexington County, SC. http://www.tourdemidlands.org    Start/End at Lexington High School. Similar routes as last year. This is our 1st year 'officially' supporting this event, although last year many of us went to assist and had a wonderful experience with the volunteer team coordinating the ride. This event will also use the Little Mountain repeater 147.210+ pl 156.7hz.  

May 19th - NAMI Walk - all proceeds go to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Supports public outreach in combating mental illness. http://www.nami.org/walkTemplate.cfm?Section=NAMIWALKS&template=/customsource/NAMIWalks/walksitedetail.cfm&walksiteID=201 West Columbia Riverwalk & Amphitheater The event typically requires 5 hams but could use more. This event would be conducted on simplex.   

 I have information regarding VE exam sessions that I would like to share. The first piece comes from Wayne Howell, W4ORW and relates to VE sessions in the Florence area.  

VE Test Sessions are held on the 2nd Saturday in October at 9:00 am, at the Methodist Manor, located at 2100 Twin Church Road.   Directions: Head toward Timmonsville on US 76 (W. Palmetto Street). About a mile outside of the city limits you will see a Honda auto dealership on your right. From the Honda dealership travel 2 1/4 more miles and go thru 3 traffic lights. When you come to the 4th traffic light, turn left onto Twin Church Road. The Methodist Manor is about 1,000 yards ahead.on you left.   If you are coming from I-95 turn at the Timmonsville-Florence interchange, exit 157, and head east toward Florence. About a mile away you will come to a traffic light. Turn right onto Twin Church Road and go about1,000 yards. The Methodist Manor will be on your left.  

VE Test Sessions are also held on the 2nd Saturday of December at 9:00 am at Carolinas Hospital, located on the Pamplico Hwy (SC 51), on the 2nd floor of Building B. All of the exterior doors on Buildings A and B are usually locked on weekends. Therefore, to enter Building B you enter thru the lobby of the tall main tower. Once inside you will see signs showing the entrance of Building B. Take the stairs or elevator to the 2nd floor. The room is in the middle of the 2nd floor of Building B.  

Important General Exam Information

• Please arrive early because the exam begins promptly at 9 a.m
• The cost of the exam is $10, payable by check or cash. We cannot make change when presented with a lot of $20 or larger bills. When paying by check; make it payable to W.C.A.R.S. (Western Carolina Radio Society). State on the check that it is for the amateur radio exam. We encourage checks made out to W.C.A.R.S. rather than cash.

• Each person must provide two ID’s.. One must be a photo ID driver’s license or passport, and the second one may be a plain credit card, club membership card, etc. with or without a photo.
• VERY IMPORTANT If you have a current and valid amateur license, you must bring it and a photo copy of your license before you can take an exam for an upgrade, change of address, renewal, name change, etc.
• If the person taking the exam does not have a driver’s license nor passport, an adult family member must get in touch with me before taking the exam.

  For additional information please contact Wayne Howell - w4orw 843-662-0733 or e-mail w4orw56@sc.rr.com  

The second piece of information comes from the York County Amateur Radio Society (YCARS)   The York County Amateur Radio Society offers VE Testing on the following Saturdays:

April 21, 2012
June 16, 2012
August 18, 2012
October 6, 2012 (To be held at the Rock Hill Hamfest)
December 15, 2012  

With the exception of the October session, all testing is done at the YCARS facility on Squire Road in Rock Hill, SC. Directions to the facility can be found at www.ycars.org    Everyone is welcome. Please bring two COPIES of two forms of identification ( at least one must have a photo) and 2 COPIES of your current license or any current CSCE’s that you may have. The test fee is, presently, $12.00. Please, contact Jason Starnes, AI4GY (jrstarnes@gmail.com) for further details.        

That is all for this month. I would like to thank everyone who submitted material for this report. And now, let’s do the numbers… :-)    

Net Reports
Net/Check Ins/Traffic/Sessions/Reported By
KCARC / 48 / 4 / 4 / KF4UKC
PALS Net / 928 / 57 / 31 / WD4HEM
SC SSB Net / 1688 / 121 / 31 / AJ4RK 
York Co. ARS 2m Net / 991 / 9 / 53 /KG4CDF 
 

Station Activity Reports
Station/Sent/Received/Delivered/Originated/Total None submitted for March 2012  

Until next month…..   73 de

Marc Tarplee N4UFP
ARRL Section Manager, South Carolina Section
www.arrl-sc.org