************************
MDC Section News
Vol. 9 No. 3
March 14, 2014
************************

* FOUNDATION FOR AMATEUR RADIO SCHOLARSHIP DUE SOON
* MDC SECTION-WIDE ECHOLINK NET FRIDAY, MARCH 21st
* UPCOMING HAMFESTS
* AMSAT - HIGH-ALTITUDE BALOON LAUNCH 
* UPCOMING AMATEUR RADIO CLASSES
* FEBRUARY, 2014 T-MARC NEWS
* RAGNAR RELAY RACE ASKING FOR VOLUNTEER HAMS
* MDC SECTION ARES® REPORT
* SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER'S REPORT
* FINALLY



==> FOUNDATION FOR AMATEUR RADIO SCHOLARSHIP DUE SOON

The Foundation for Amateur Radio (F.A.R.) a non-profit,
all volunteer organization, manages 52 scholarships,
worth an aggregate of $72,100, all to be awarded to
licensed amateur radio operators who complete
applications.

We are presently accepting applications for scholarships
for the 2014 / 2015 school year. 

The application form is available on the F.A.R. web site
at: <http://www.farweb.org/2014-scholarship-information>.

This is a treasured opportunity, especially in difficult
economic times, to assist in making the cost of academic
studies affordable. 

Many parent(s), as licensed Amateurs, encourage their
children to seek a FCC radio license – knowing the rewards
it might bring. 

Although the challenges for passing the FCC exam may seem
monumental at the time, the challenges of funding a
college degree are now upon you. 

Help the F.A.R. and our college-bound students achieve
their dreams.

There are no restrictions on age for any of the
scholarships, nor is their a requirement that the
students be attending a four year institution.

However, all of the scholarships do require that the
candidates be full time students.

Please forward this information to help get the word
out to as many students as possible.

Thank you!

Dave Prestel, W8AJR
Chairman
F.A.R. Scholarship Committee

For information about the F.A.R. visit <www.farweb.org>
or contact: Dave Prestel, W8AJR - Chairman of the
Scholarship Committee via e-mail at:
<dave.prestel@gmail.com.>



==>  MDC SECTION-WIDE ECHOLINK NET MARCH 21st

This month's MDC section-wide Echolink net will be held on
Friday, March 21st at 8:00 PM EDT on the Echolink
*WASH_DC* node 6154.

The echolink net is held on the third Friday evening of
every month at 8:00 PM local time. 

I would like to thank Marty, KB3MXM, the MDC ACC for
acting as NCS for the February 21st Echolink net.

If you would like to join in on RF, the following
repeaters and IRLPs have linked in for previous Echolink
nets:

- KA2JAI-R operates through the KB3CMA repeater 442.300(+), 
  PL=107.2 in Annapolis, MD
- WB3GXW-R, 147.225(+), PL=156.7, located in Calverton, MD
- N3HF-L, 443.45(+), PL=151.4, located near Ocean City, MD
- N3HF-R, 443.45(+), PL=156.7, located near Silver Spring, MD
- W3ICF-R, 146.73(-), PL=141.3, located near Frederick, MD
- K3CAL-R, 146.985(-), PL=156.7, located near Sunderland, MD
- W3SMR, 147.150 MHz(+), PL=114.8, Brandywine, MD
- N3RO-L, 145.545, Simplex, Frederick Co
- W3SMD-L, 147.51 Simplex, N. St Mary's Co
- K3GMR-R 146.61, No PL, Cheverly, MD

Everyone is encouraged to join in and give any updates on
what is going on in your part of the ARRL Maryland-DC
Section.

If you don't have Echolink on your computer, you may
download the free software from: <www.echolink.org>.

As always, we thank John Creel, WB3GXW, for making the
WASH_DC Echolink server and his WB3GXW-R repeater
available for the Echolink nets.



==> UPCOMING HAMFESTS

You may view upcoming hamfests in the Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Maryland-DC, West Virginia and Virginia area by clicking on
the ARRL MDC Section web page at:
<http:www.arrl-mdc.net/hamfest.htm>.

    -----

Greater Baltimore Hamboree and
Regional Emergency Preparedness Expo
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Sponsor: Baltimore Amateur Radio Club
Location: Maryland State Fairgrounds
2200 York Road
Timonium, MD
Website: <http://www.gbhc.org>
Talk-In: 147.67
Public Contact: Sharon Dobson, K3DUH
PO Box 120
Reisterstown, MD 21136
Phone: 443-590-1444
Email: <w3ft67@yahoo.com>

-------------------------------------

York Hamfest
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Sponsor: York Hamfest Foundation
Website: <http://www.yorkhamfest.org>
Location: Porters Community Fire Company
1199 Porters Road
Spring Grove, PA 17362
Talk-In: 147.33+ (PL 123.0) & 147.495 simplex
Contact: Duane Sterner, KB3QLQ
7197 Hershey Road
Spring Grove, PA 17362
Phone: 717-332-1385
Email: <duane.sterner@yahoo.com>

--------------------------------------

Great Hagerstown Hamfest
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Sponsor: Antietam Radio Association
Location: Washington County Ag Center
7313 Sharpsburg Pike
Boonsboro, MD
Website: <http://w3cwc.org/Menu/Hagerstown-Hamfest>
Talk-In: 147.090+ 100.0Hz CTCSS
Contact: Herman Niedzielski, K2AVA
21512 Leitersburg-Smithsburg Road
Hagerstown, MD 21742
Phone: 301-791-5841
Email: <k2ava@myactv.net>

----------------------------------

Memorial Day Hamfest
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Sponsor: Maryland FM Association
Location: Howard County Fairgrounds
2210 Fairgrounds Road
West Friendship, MD 21794
Website: <http://www.marylandfm.org>
Talk-In: 146.16/76 (PL 107.2)
Contact: John Elgin, WA3MNN
518 Copley Lane
Silver Spring, MD 20904
Phone: 301-641-5313
Email: <marylandfm@verizon.net>

-------------------------------------

Breeze Shooters Hamfest and Computer Show
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Sponsor: Breeze Shooters Amateur Radio Club
Website: <http://www.breezeshooters.org>
Location: Butler Farm Show Grounds
627 Evans City Road
Butler, PA
Talk-In: 147.300+
Contact: Robert W. Benna, N3LWP
c/o Breezeshooter ARC
1010 Willow Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: 412-366-0488
Email: <N3LWP@verizon.net>

-------------------------------------

Manassas Hamfest
Sunday June 8, 2014
Sponsor: Ole Virginia Hams ARC
Website: <http://manassashamfest.org>
Location: Prince William County Fairgrounds
10624 Dumfries Road
Manassas, VA
Talk-In: 146.970- (PL 100) 442.200-
  and D-STAR 442.5125+
Contact: Terry Erlacher, KC4DV
10855 Felicia Court
Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: 571-292-1490
Email: <kc4dv@arrl.net>

------------------------------------

Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention
(Firecracker Hamfest & Electronics Expo)
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Sponsor: Harrisburg Radio Amateurs Club
Type: ARRL Convention
Website: <http://www.w3uu.org>
Location: HACC Campus
Shumaker Public Safety Center
3599 Industrial Road
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Talk-In: 146.76 (PL 100)
Contact: Tim Lehman, KB3OZA
PO Box 453
Hummelstown, PA 17036
Phone: 717-982-8550
Email: <kb3oza.r@gmail.com>

---------------------------------------

64rd Annual Berryville Hamfest
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Sponsor: Shenandoah Valley Amateur Radio Club
Website: <http://www.shenvalarc.org/hamfest>
Location: Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds
Business Route 7
Berryville, VA
Talk-In: 146.820-
Contact: John Cottrell, WD4GEK
989 Black Bear Road
Maurertown, VA 22644
Phone: 540-436-3818
Email: <BerryvilleHamfest@gmail.com>

-----------------------------------------

Southern Maryland Tailgate Fest
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Sponsor: St. Mary's County ARA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Location: Hollywood Volunteer Fire Dept
24801 Three Notch Road
Hollywood, MD 20636
Talk-In: 146.64 (PL 146.2)
Website: http://www.k3nhk.org>
Contact: Ken McNeely, KB3YPY
21837 North Essex Drive
Lexington Park, MD 20653
Phone: 301-862-4105
Email: <ken.mcneely@yahoo.com>


---------------------------------

Click on: <www.arrl-mdc.net/hamfest.htm> and mark
your calenders!



==> AMSAT - HIGH-ALTITUDE BALOON LAUNCH 

Pat Kilroy, N8PK, is organizing the AMSAT booth and
display for this event at the Timonium (Baltimore)
Hamfest in April.

Pat says, "Conditions permitting the demonstrations may
include flying a small experiment on a high-altitude
balloon."
  
He is planning to staff a three table AMSAT display
indoors at the hamfest.

You may contact Pat via e-mail at <n8pk@amsat.org> to
volunteer your services and offer your ideas for the
display.



==> UPCOMING AMATEUR RADIO CLASSES

Below are the classes listed on the Maryland-DC Section web
page, <http://www.arrl-mdc.net> and is in the "Quick Clicks
Bar" marked "Upcoming Ham Radio Classes."

The direct link is <http://www.arrl-mdc.net/Classes.htm>.

Location: Davidsonville, Md.
Start/End Dates: 04/26/2014 - 06/14/2014
Times: 9 AM to Noon
Number of Sessions: 6
Class level: General
Morse code offered: No
Pre register required: No
Fee: $0.00
Pre Study required: No
Class Type: Traditional
Exam offered: Yes
Sponsoring Club/Organization: Anne Arundel Radio Club
Instructor: KK4GV
Contact: Rick Creager KK4GV
Phone: (301) 855-2278
Email: <kk4gv@arrl.net>
Location: Davidson Family Recreation Center
3789 Queen Anne Bridge Road
Davidsonville, MD 21035

You may view upcoming amateur radio classes in your
area by clicking on:
<http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class>
and searching in your area.



==> FEBRUARY, 2014 T-MARC NEWS

Applications in Process:
K3RIC – 
 Received Application for Coordination for a narrow-band
 2 meter pair in Salisbury, Md.
 Sent Notice of Proposed Coordination to neighboring
 coordination groups. 
 Sent Construction Coordination for 145.2800-.
 
N3JDR – 
 Received Application for Coordination for move of
 447.1250- to Hagerstown, Md.
 Sent Notice of Proposed Coordination to neighboring
 coordination groups. 
 Sent revised coordination for location change and
 CTCSS change.
 
Kent Island ARC –
 Received request to change sponsorship to Queen Anne's
 County RACES for 146.9400- and 448.2250- at
 Centerville, Md.
 Sent revised coordinations.
 
Calvert Amateur Radio Club – 
 Sent Final Coordinations for Upper Marlboro, Md. and
 Hollywood, Md. links.
 
Network Engineers Repeater Assoc. – 
 Received application for 900 MHz link freq.
 Sent Construction Coordination
 
Southern Md. ARC – 
 Sent revised coordination for ERP decrease and AGL
 increase on 147.1500+.
 
KA4DCS – 
 Received on air confirmation for un-published 449-
 pair in Washington, D.C. (Freq. change).
 Sent final coordination.
 
On Air Status Requests sent to:
 147.0300+  KE4JSV Luray, Va.
 223.9600-  N3EKQ  Bel Air, Md.
 224.2200-  N3HXT  Winchester, Va.
 224.3600-  KE4JSV Luray, Va.
 224.4400-  W3WMD  Greenwood, Del.
 900 Link   AMROS  Port Penn, Del.
 
Coordinations Withdrawn / Cancelled:
 Unpublished 449  KA4DCS  Washington, D.C.
 (Freq. change)

Other:
Area Repeater Coordination Council Notice of Proposed
Coordinations:
 1 – 2 Meters



==> RAGNAR RELAY RACE ASKING FOR VOLUNTEER HAMS

The RAGNAR Relay Race from Cumberland, Maryland to
Wahington, DC is a 24-hour a day relay foot race that runs
a total of 193 miles.  

During the relay race, each team member runs three legs,
with each leg ranging between three and eight miles with
varying degrees in difficulty.

Butch Eigenbrode, NI2W in Hagerstown, tells us that RAGNAR
contacted him and asked for amateur radio support when the
race passes through western Washington County on Friday,
September 12, 2014.

Based on his experience in the past two years, he expects
to need 11 amateur radio volunteers.  

Three net controllers between the hours of 12:00 noon
through 12:00 midnight.

Two at the I-68 exit near Hancock, two shifts at the
Widmyer Park in Hancock, two shifts at the Hancock Church
of God, and two shifts at Fort Frederick State Park.

The above assumes one individual per shift. It is better if
two people are at a location for each shift except for net
control where one per shift is sufficient.

If you are interested in volunteering please advise me if
you wish to volunteer.

Thanks and 73

Butch, NI2W
E-Mail: <mee42@myactv.net>
Home: 301-824-5373
Cell: 908-343-1704



==> MDC SECTION ARES® REPORT

ARRL Section: Maryland-DC  Month:February  Year: 2014
____________________________________________________
AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE
Total number of ARES members: 607
Change since last month:   +2
Number of DECs/ECs reporting this month: 4
Number of ARES nets active: 9
Number with NTS liaison: 4
Calls of DECs/ECs reporting: KB3KOW, WB0EGR, WB3KAS, NI2W, W3JCT
Number of drills, tests and training sessions this month:7 Person
hours:89
Number of public service events this month: 4  Person hours: 4
Number of emergency operations this month:  0  Person hours: 0
Total number of ARES operations this month:11  Total Person hours: 93
 
Comments from around the Section:

de Section Emergency Coordinator WB3KAS
 
I'd like to thank everyone for taking the time to write their monthly
EC reports.  The number of submissions are declining and I hope this
not the norm to see in the future. There is one vacant DEC slot left
for the Central Region Section.  If you are interested, and up to the
challenge, please contact me or the Section Manager, WI3N for more
information.
 
I am still looking for ICS 205 Frequency Plans. I have received only a
few.  Please get it to me by the end of the month.
 
Wanda, KA3AHI, and I continue to schedule visits to as many ARES and
club groups as possible.  We have two presentations I think would be
worth your while to hear.  One on Section Interoperability and the
other is the Section Hospital EmComm Program.  If you have interest in
this, and have room on your meeting agenda for us, please contact me.

======================
de PRGE County WB3KAS:
 
PRGE ARES Web Page: http://www.pgares.org
PRGE ARES Internet Forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PG-AresRaces/
Nets: Held four regularly scheduled monthly training VHF nets on
145.23MHz (-) pl 110.9 on Tuesdays at 1930L. The monthly HF Hospital
Net is held the Wednesday following the third Monday of the month on
3820KHz at 1930L.  Meetings: Monthly meeting held the 3rd Monday of the
month at the Fire Services Building, 6820 Webster St, Landover Hills, MD
at 1930. Eyeball QSOs at 1900.
 
At the February ARES meeting Feb 18, W3CB gave a talk on application of
Winlink's RMS Relay and how we may make use of its capability.  WB2IFS/3
brought in and demonstrated his HSMM station and explained how HSSM
might be the Amateur Radio technology of the future.
=====================
de KA3AHI AEC PRGE Hospital Project:
 
Our next PRGE Hospital Drill will be April Tuesday April 1st.  If you'd
like to join us and participate, please email me at KA3AHI@aol.com
======================
de WASH County de NI2W
 
Nothing of signifance to report this period.  [Butch will have surgery
on March 17. It will be a slow three week recovery, however we wish him
a speedy one.]
======================
de WICO County  W3JCT
 
Local Net: Delmarva Amateur Radio Enhancement Net every Monday night at
9:00 p.m.  The DAR Net is sponsored by the Delmarva Amateur Radio Club
which is now an ARRL Affiliated group operating a repeater on 146.820
MHz PL 156.7 Hz. 
Wicomico County RACES/ARES  participated in the Radio Merit Badge
course at the Salisbury University Merit Badge College on March 1,
2014. All thirteen scouts accomplished ON-THE-AIR training with help of
amateur radio operators from both  The Peninsula Radio Operators Society
(PROS) and Delmarva Amateur Radio Club (DARC).  The Boy Scout Merit
Badge College is held at the Salisbury University Campus with
approximately 500 Scouts working on 34 merit badges.
======================
Signature: Jim Montgomery
Call sign: WB3KAS
Maryland-DC SEC
Email: wb3kas@aol.com



==> SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER'S REPORT    

MDC NTS NETS:

MEPN 1402 W3YVQ QND/28 QNI/326 QTC/120 MINS/759
BTN 1402 KB3MXM QND/28 QNI/331 QTC/9 MINS/542
MDD 1402 AA3SB QND/56 QNI/335 QTC/114 MINS/535
MSN 1402 W8CPG QND/28 QNI/129 QTC/46 MINS/819

PSHR: KK3F 140, W3YVQ 135, W3CB 129, KB3MXM 110,
WB4FDT 100, KB3LNM 100, AA3SB 100, WB3FTQ 90, N3ZOC 90,
W4OTN 43;

TFC: KK3F 1102, WB3FTQ 160, N3HFC 126, AA3SB 114,
WB4FDT 83, KB3LNM 64, KB3MXM 50, N3ZOC 49, W3YVQ 48,
W4OTN 29, W3CB 17, KC3Y 2

==========

HF propagation continues to be excellent with
daytime MUFs above 10 meters during this Cycle
24. NTS nationwide nets have enjoyed generally
good conditions. The Cycle 2 afternoon 3RN net
has lost W3DWD as NM but participants from MDC,
EPA, WPA, and DE have been working to sustain
the net and maintain the link to EAN/C2.

Welcome to James, NF8I, to the MDC DRS team
supporting the NTSD connection to MEPN.

All MDC ARES(r) jurisdictions are encouraged to use
the Radio-email Layer 4 to communicate with each
other, served agencies, and the stations operating in
the MDC NTS/NTSD affiliated nets. Peer-to-peer Radio-
email connections may also be used for backup.
Stations on MEPN can accept direct and network
connections for Radio-email via HF PacTor and post
Radiogram traffic directly to the NTSD when needed.

Thanks to all the NTS net controls, liaisons, and traffic
handlers for the continuing effort to keep the nets
running and traffic moving. Well done!

Bruce, W8CPG, MSN Net Manager, is back on the air
now from Huttonsville, WV 26273. Welcome back Bruce.
---

Thank you for your continued support of MDC integrated
ARES(r)/NTS/NTSD operations.

73, W3YVQ, MDC ASM, STM
w3yvq atsign arrl dot net



==> FINALLY

In spite of all the snow we received on March 3rd and the
cold temperatures during the following days, the first day
of March marked the meteorological beginning of spring.

The actual vernal equinox, the astronomical beginning of
spring will occur on March 20, 2014 at 12:57 PM EDT.

In either case, the arrival of spring means that it's
time to start thinking about 'Field Day 2014.'

Field Day is always the fourth full weekend of June,
beginning at 1800 UTC (2:00 PM EDT) on Saturday and runs
through 2059 UTC (4:59 PM EDT) on the next day, Sunday.

The 2014 Field Day will be held June 28-29.

Click on: <www.arrl.org/field-day> for all the information
and to get your club's supplies.

If you want to tell the world about your 2014 Field Day
operation, or are looking for a group to operate during
Field Day, you may use the Field Day Locator, 
<http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator>, to help you
do both!

My ASM, Al Brown KZ3AB, and MDC staff plan to be traveling
around the MDC Section and visiting as many Field Day sites as
we can.  

Let me know if your club would like for us to visit your
Field Day site. 

Please include your exact Field Day 2014 site, either by
address or by latitude and longitude, so we may use our
GPS to find you.

My e-mail address is: <WI3N@ARRL.ORG>.

73 and remember, I am always at your service.
Jim Cross WI3N
ARRL MDC Section Manager
<WI3N@ARRL.ORG>