ARRL-SC Archive Page

In order to keep the ARRL-SC Homepage easy to navigate, this archive page was created.  Whenever an item is removed from the home page, it will be placed on this page.  The items are not in any particular order, and obviously not up-to-date!

2/8/04-As of this date, I will be adding an "Archive Page" to the ARRL-SC Website.  It is available on the left sidebar.  Whenever I remove an item from this page, it will be moved to the archive page.  Remember that anything on the archive page will not be in any particular order, and obviously will not be up-to-date.  This is to keep this home page easy to navigate and not be cluttered with too much information, while still keeping older information intact.  Enjoy!

5-7-08 - From Jack N4JJ, ASM4:

4-29-08 - From Jack N4JJ, ASM4:

9-23-07 - JAMBOREE ON-THE-AIR

N2ZZ Note-This is an excerpt from Dennis KG4RUL, PIC's note to our PIO's.  This gives excellent information regarding JOTA, which will be coming up next month.  We encourage all that are able to participate in this important event!

The 50th anniversary of JOTA is coming up in October. We urge you to contact your local Boy Scout council to see if they have a local JOTA station listed. Ironically, the local scout office may know of a ham that normally doesn’t go through club or PIO channels who’s spearheading the JOTA effort. Or, better yet, volunteer to promote JOTA. To find your nearest local Boy Scout council, go to http://www.scouting.org/ and type [WCM1] in your zip code, or go to the national Girl Scout website at http://www.girlscouts.org/councilfinder/ and find the nearest council.

Remember: JOTA is not only the largest official scouting event in the world with an expected 500,000 participants (ten times larger than the Boy Scout National Jamboree), but it’s also open to both Boy and Girl Scouts, making one of the few joint events between the two scout organizations, and one of the few internationally sponsored events. Another great resource for JOTA is the ScoutRadio group inside Yahoo Groups.

The theme of JOTA 2007 is "Around the world in 50 hours". This year JOTA is being held on 20-21 October with the operating window extended to 50 hours for this anniversary event from Friday (19 October) 22:00 local to Sunday 24:00 local.

In the greater Charleston area there are expected to be five JOTA sites this year including a large campout (over 250 scouts and leaders) on Johns Island, Camp Hohnanwah (I hope this is spelled right) also on Johns Island, Camp Moultrie in Moncks Corner, Laurel Hill Plantation near Mt Pleasant and onboard USS Yorktown at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant.

Information on JOTA can be found at:
http://www.arrl.org/scouts/jota/
http://www.arrl.org/scouts/jota-resources/jota2007september.pdf

Some other good information on youth activities, scouting and Ham Radio:
http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2007/06/01/3/?nc=1

JOTA is a golden opportunity for PR as it has the elements of a good story - Kids and Scouts.

9-12-07 - The Columbia Amateur Radio Club will be sponsoring the 5th annual SC QSO
party this weekend!

TIME: 1300Z Sept 15 - 2100Z Sept 16, 2007
 
EXCHANGE: SC Stations - Sequential Serial Number and SC County.
 
AWARDS: Plaques for high score in each category.  Certificates for
2nd, 3rd, 4th place scores in each category.
 
Full details: http://carc.ham-radio-op.net/scqsoweb2007.shtml

SC Chapter #89, QCWA Meeting Saturday September 29, 2007

Palmetto State Chapter #89 Annual Meeting Notice:  will be held at Ryan's 1304 Bower Parkway (exit
104 off I-26) Columbia, SC   on Saturday, September 29th, 2007.  The meeting is in the same
restaurant as before.  Please try to arrive about 11:00 AM for a period of fellowship prior to the
meeting, which will begin about 11:30 AM.  Please make every possible effort to be present.  Note
that there will be a presentation of certificates to Forrest, W4MPR (60 years), Ken, K4KXO (50
years) and Don, W3MIF (50 years).   Congratulations to these three on attaining these milestones.

PS....Dues Renewal!

QCWA Palmetto State Chapter #89 Net....
Saturday 9:00 AM  3930  Come join in the fun......
N4RM Ralph Mott
 

8-27-07 - Sept 30th  Seventh Annual PALSNet and Two Meter Picnic, Cheraw State Park and VE Session

This years PALSNet Picnic will again be held at Cheraw State Park on Sunday
Sept. 30, 2007, food starting at about Noon.  All Amateurs interested in Two
Meters and all PALSNet users are invited.  The picnic is a family reunion
style picnic where everyone brings something they would like to share, we
pile it all on the table and everyone eats too much.  We again have the Boat
Launch Picnic Area reserved and this year the signs say that the Parking Fee
is a donation and is not mandatory.  Be sure to read the sign on the
collection box in case they change it again before the Picnic.

The Boat Launch Picnic Shelter can be reached by turning into the Cheraw
State Park Main Entrance on US-52, just south of the intersection of US-52
and US-1 south of Cheraw.  Follow the main road to the Stop sign.  The
picnic area is to the left beyond the old bathhouse/Main Park Office, the
Golf Course Clubhouse, where the VE session will be held, is to your right.

For those interested in upgrading, the Florence WCARS VE Team is scheduling
a session at the PALSNet Picnic.  The session is scheduled for 1:30PM, so
mark your calendars.  The VE session will be held in the Golf Clubhouse in
the room across from the Pro Shop.

The Florence WCARS VE Team would like the licensed Amateurs to bring:
1) Two forms of ID, one a Photo ID, the other can be your license.
2) A copy of your current license and the original (will be returned).
3) A copy of any CSCEs that you want credit for and the original CSCE (will
be returned).
4) A copy of your FRN, if it doesn't appear on your license.  See the FCC
ULS website (http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.html) and check out your
callsign administrative section, you may have a FRN assigned, but not have
it printed on your license.  If the FCC ULS website doesn't have a FRN
listed, we will need your Social Security Number to get a
FRN issued to you at the same time the upgrade paperwork goes in.
5) Test fees are $10.  Cash is preferable, but a check made out to WCARS VEC
is also acceptable.

For persons taking the test for the first time, the Florence WCARS VE Team
will need:
1) Two forms of ID, one a Photo ID, the other can be anything with your name
and current address.
2) We will need your Social Security Number, unless you have had a FRN
issued to you for another radio service, then we will need your FRN.
3) Test fees are $10.  Cash is preferable, but a check made out to WCARS VEC
is also acceptable.

The reason for all the emphasis on the FRN is that the FCC recently changed
their software so that your SSN can only be used once to obtain a FRN,
thereafter only the FRN is accepted.  Many folks may have gotten their
licenses before FRN's were issued, so they may need to get an FRN assigned,
or they may have a FRN assigned, but not have it printed on their license or
they may have a FRN issued from another service, but not associated with
their Amateur License.  The FCC's change of software was supposed to protect
your SSN, but it has had a number of unexpected side effects.  So to speed
your application/upgrade process, please check to see if you have a FRN and
if not we'll get you one.


73s
Suzie, KG4YVJ
Secretary, PALSNet Association
 

8-3-07- A message from Thalia, KF4UMR:

It is time again to do training rides for the MS 150 bike tour.  I know that a lot of you are not planning to go work the bike ride in Myrtle Beach this year. (Although we could really use your help.)

I am planning a training ride starting at the Lexington Crab Shack, (they have dubbed it Tour de Crab Shack).  This is going to be a ride that can be either 31 or 62 miles, with three rest stops (two of which are the same).  The route is a figure 8 with one of the rest stops being right in the center so they will reach it both ways.

The training ride is going to be held on Saturday, August 11th at 8:00.  Riders can start anytime from that 8:00 time to 9:00.

I need HAMS out on the route insuring the safety and well being of all of the riders.  I would really appreciate it if as many of you that can would come out to assist us. 

With the restaurant as a sponsor, we are having the riders pay a $10 registration fee and that will include lunch for them at the Crab Shack.  We will also be offering $1 beers in the bar.  The restaurant has agreed to offer to our HAMS the same menu at $5.  This includes a non-alcoholic beverage.  Sorry it couldn't be free, but it will be a great meal at a great price.

Please let me know if you are able to work this event for me and if you are willing to work the MS 150 in Myrtle Beach.  Thank you in advance for all of your help.  Also, if I missed anyone in my list this is sent to, please forward it to them to see if they would like to help.
 

8-2-07 - A note from John Crockett KC4YI - July has been a good month for the SC HEARTS Linked Repeater Project. The antennas have now been installed in Florence, Columbia and Awendaw. UHF repeaters have been installed at Columbia on 441.725 123pl and Awendaw on 441.725 91.5pl. The repeater system consists of an eight bay Comprod 11.4 db gain antenna, cross band coupler, 900 ft of 1 5/8 inch transmission line, Celwave duplexer, Motorola Quantar repeater with internal controller. The Link Com controller and IRLP computer will be installed in the future. There are borrowed Kenwood repeaters at Awendaw 146.76 123pl and Whitehall 146.715 123 pl. The repeater at Whitehall has been on line since the end of May and Awendaw came on line today.

Any reports on the coverage of the new repeaters will be greatly appreciated.

73,

John
KC4YI
crockett@scetv.org  

5-24-07 - A message from Dennis Zabawa KG4RUL, PIC: I am proud to announce that the Trident Amateur Radio Club (TARC) is holding a Tailgate Party on 11 August 2007.  This will hopefully be the first of many and will grow into a larger event in the future. The event is being held at the Moncks Corner FOP Lodge 19, Highway 17, 1319 S Live Oak Drive, Moncks Corner, SC, from 09:00 to 15:00 EST. This is an ARRL sanctioned event and detailed information, including a locator map,  is available at:
http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html?dosel=1&subtype=section&selsect=SC#listing

5-1-07 - From Suzie KG4YVJ and Mac K4AVR: There will be an Air Show at the Florence Regional Airport on Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27 (Memorial Day weekend).  Radio operators with 2M HTs are needed to help with safety communications each of the two days.  The show runs from 8AM to 5PM both days. The more Hams we have helping, the shorter the Shifts will be.  If you can help, please contact John Germain, KA3JAL, at <ka3jal@aol.com> or Bob Austin, K7DVB at <k7dvb@bellsouth.net> before May 13. You will receive two passes for your family ($15 each value) together with an entry pass and a lunch pass for yourself for your help and efforts.

This has been an outstanding airshow in previous years and sounds to be shaping up to be even better this year. This is a chance to show the public  what Ham Radio is all about and enjoy a fantatic Airshow at the same time!

Again, if you can help, please contact John, KA3JAL  or Bob, K7DVB prior to May 13. In order for a sufficient quantity of passes, entry armbands, and meal tickets to be obtained.
 
Thanks for your help,

Suzie, KG4YVJ
Secretary, PALSNet Assoc.

Jack, N4JJ
PIO-FARC

NOTE: For further information on the event, go to: www.mayflyairshow.com

4-07-07 - Received this link from KE4RVF via WA4GPS.  This is emergency communications, 1950's style:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2943570522939177086&hl=en

4-07-07 - South Carolina Sideband Net 49th anniversary!

This evening net session of the South Carolina Sideband Net marks 49 years of service that the net has provided to Amateur Radio and the people of South Carolina.  This will be a special net session, and I encourage all that are able to check into the net and participate!  The South Carolina Sideband Net meets nightly at 7pm local time on 3915 kHz.  Please share your participation with the net this evening!

3-18-07 - Amateur (Ham) Radio Training/License Course

The South Carolina Healthcare Emergency Amateur Radio Team (SCHEART) project is a state-wide initiative designed to provide backup communication support for the Palmetto 800 MHZ system, using an amateur radio network to link healthcare facilities.  This system will be open to all licensed operators for routine transmissions.  However, in the event of an emergency or during training exercises the system will be strictly controlled and operated by trained hams under the direction of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) organization.

The SCHEART project will begin testing systems in June 2007 and the infrastructure is schedule for completion on August 31, 2007.  To meet the demands of the hospitals that will be a part of the SCHEART network, the USC Center for Public Health Preparedness (USC-CPHP) in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) and the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA) will sponsor a two day training and licensing course via satellite broadcast on April 20- 23, 2007.  We have decided to have the training on Friday and Monday to encourage weekend study prior to taking the exam.  The USC-CPHP will cover the cost of training materials and food, however, each participant will be responsible for the testing fee on day two ($14.00).  The actual viewing location will be determined after each region has had the opportunity to sign up. 

I have attached a flyer for circulation or posting.  To read this flyer, please click HERE.  Please take a look at your calendars and send us the name and e-mail address of each individual interested in attending a session in your area.  Participants may contact us at 803-978-7570 or e-mail dease@sc.edu , additional information can be found at http://www.sph.sc.edu/acphp/hams_scheart.htm.
 


William D. Dease, MA, KI4PKO
Project Coordinator
Center for Public Health Preparedness
University of South Carolina
1233 Washington Street, Suite 700
Columbia SC 29201
DP (803) 978-7570
CELL (803) 622-5640
FAX (803) 978-7586
 

3-9-07 - The ARRL has released a position statement regarding background checks for the Red Cross and ARES volunteers.  View the text at: http://www.arrl.org/announce/ARRL-ARC-bg-check.html .  There is more on the ARRL news page: http://www.arrl.org/?artid=7288 .

2-3-07 - I had the pleasure of attending the Charleston Hamfest, the South Carolina State Convention, held in Ladson, SC.  The Exchange Park building was packed with both vendors and hamfest attendees!  I spoke with Jennie Myers, Hamfest Chairperson, after the hamfest and she estimated about 500 participants!  I spoke with a number of the hamfest committee members and vendors, and they were very happy with the turnout.  We were pleased to have Allen Pitts, Media and Public Relations Manager from ARRL HQ at the hamfest.  Allen was happy to return to South Carolina, as he has roots here; He is a graduate of USC, worked for SLED earlier in his career, and has family in Lexington! The ARRL Forum was held at 10 am, and I am very happy to say that it was packed!  It was the best turnout for an ARRL forum that I have seen!  There was a fairly extensive discussion of the SCHEARTS Project, which deals with the statewide linking of hospitals.  Charlie AE4UX, SEC initiated the discussion, and John Crockett KC4YI, Manager of Transmitter Operations at SCETV also made a presentation.  I thank them and all involved in the SCHEARTS project, as it appears to be rapidly moving forward!  Following the ARRL Forum, Allen Pitts W1AGP gave a presentation on Emcomm and Public Relations activities for 2007.  His main message was that we are doing an excellent job in providing communications during emergencies, but not telling anyone about it!  He mentioned that there was not one picture of a ham providing communications during the Katrina disaster.  He envisions PIO's being close to ARES activations to document their efforts; one at the Joint Information Center, and one in the field. 

Being a media guru, I asked Allen to give us a comment:

One of the joys of traveling to various sections is to watch the reactions of hams when an idea or opportunity is presented and see who picks up on the situation.  The SC trip has been more than usually enjoyable as not only were ideas presented, but within hours there was a response and a plan formed by the attendees.

There is no question but that we must create closer ties between PIOs and ARES activities so that ham operations in emergencies are not only recognized, but shared with the public through the media.  For most of the American population, it is only through the eyes of the media that they hear or see anything about us, and without PIOs in in the right place with a good message, this will not happen.  By presenting this need and to the SC convention, I had hoped that there would be some thought given to the problem.  Well, not only was there thought, but before the end of the day there was a plan and even some well-qualified volunteers reporting to the Section Manager to make it happen.

The “can-do” attitude of the South Carolinian ham community, in this PR/ARES effort, in the SCHEARTS project, and in support for the Amateur Radio Service overall, is a credit to the Section leadership and once again will result in templates for activity that can be reproduced in other areas.  This indeed is a joy to see.

--Allen Pitts W1AGP, Media and Public Relations Manager, ARRL HQ

As Allen mentioned above, two PIO's came up to me after the talk, and offered me their services as PIC (Public Information Coordinator).  More on this later!

Thanks to Jenny Myers WA4NGV, Hamfest Chair; Doc W4MUR, Forum Organizer; and the entire Charleston Hamfest Committee for a wonderful hamfest!

QST de W1AW 
ARRL Bulletin 5  ARLB005
From ARRL Headquarters 
Newington CT  January 24, 2007
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB005
ARLB005 It's official! Morse code requirement ends Friday, February 23.

Circle Friday, February 23, on your calendar. That's when the
current 5 WPM Morse code requirement will officially disappear from
the Amateur Radio Service Part 97 rules. On or after that date,
applicants for a General or Amateur Extra class Amateur Radio
license no longer will have to demonstrate proficiency in Morse
code. They'll just have to pass the applicable written examination.
Federal Register publication January 24 of the FCC's Report and
Order (R&O) in the "Morse code proceeding," WT Docket 05-235, starts
a 30-day countdown for the new rules to become effective.  Deletion
of the Morse requirement - still a matter of controversy within the
amateur community - is a landmark in Amateur Radio history.

"The overall effect of this action is to further the public interest
by encouraging individuals who are interested in communications
technology or who are able to contribute to the advancement of the
radio art, to become Amateur Radio operators; and eliminating a
requirement that is now unnecessary and may discourage Amateur
Service licensees from advancing their skills in the communications
and technical phases of Amateur Radio," the FCC remarked in the
"Morse code" R&O that settled the matter, at least from a regulatory
standpoint.

The League had asked the FCC to retain the 5 WPM for Amateur Extra
class applicants, but the Commission held to its decision to
eliminate the requirement across the board. The R&O appearing in the
Federal Register constitutes the official version of the new rules.
It is on the web in PDF format at,
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov
/2007/pdf/E7-729.pdf.

Until 1991, when a Morse code examination was dropped from the
requirements to obtain a Technician ticket, all prospective radio
amateurs had to pass a Morse code test. With the change the US will
join a growing list of countries that have dropped the need to
demonstrate some level of Morse code proficiency to earn access to
frequencies below 30 MHz.

The new rules also put all Technician licensees on an equal footing,
whether or not they've passed a Morse code examination. Starting
February 23, Technicians will gain CW privileges on 80, 40, 15
meters and CW, RTTY, data and SSB privileges on 10 meters.

Once the revised rules are in place, an applicant holding a valid
Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) for
Element 3 (General) or Element 4 (Amateur Extra) may redeem it for
an upgrade. A CSCE is good for 365 days from the date of issuance,
no exceptions. For example, a Technician licensee holding a valid
CSCE for Element 3 may apply at a Volunteer Examiner Coordinator
(VEC) test session, pay the application fee, which most VECs charge,
and receive an instant upgrade.

The FCC R&O includes an Order on Reconsideration in WT Docket 04-140
- the so-called "omnibus" proceeding. It will modify Part 97 in
response to ARRL's request to accommodate automatically controlled
narrowband digital stations on 80 meters in the wake of other rule
changes that became effective last December 15. The Commission
designated 3585 to 3600 kHz for such operations, although that
segment will remain available for CW, RTTY and data. The ARRL had
requested that the upper limit of the CW/RTTY/data subband be set at
3635 kHz, so that there would be no change in the existing 3620 to
3635 kHz subband.

The ARRL has posted all relevant information on these important Part
97 rule revisions on its "FCC's Morse Code Report and Order WT
Docket 05-235" Web page, http://www.arrl.org/fcc/morse/.

1-21-06 - From Gene Hipps, WA4UKX -

On Friday 01/05/07 at 2:20 pm, my wife and I were shopping in Simpsonville and my 440 ht picked up a Weatheralert via the aa4lb/wa4ukx repeater regarding a tornado watch followed by a tornado warning for the Upstate of SC. Outside, the wind was picking up and clouds were moving in fast. Knowing my sons were driving home from school,  I sent them a text message about the alert and to take cover ASAP.  Josh KG4LEX and Gene KG4HPW called me back, and I told them to get off the road until the storm passed.  They, in turn, forwarded the alert text to many of their friends. As  Josh got off I-385, a blinding rain hit and the result was multiple car accidents (5) on the road just ahead, with at least two people airlifted to the ER.  We know that this early warning helped prevent harm to many people.  We feel that Lee Barnett AA4LB and Keith Thackston KF4PRR should be commended for keeping this Emergency Alert system active on their repeater for many years now!

'73,

Gene Hipps WA4UKX (Diamond club ARRL)
Josh Hipps KG4LEX( ARRL member)
Gene T. Hipps Jr. KG4HPW( ARRL member)

1-20-06 - From Mike Wells WA4HVP - Thanks for this information about the Legacy of the Morse Code!

1-18-06 - From Kirk Morrison, KA4PXK - I will be holding a Tech Class at the Camden SC Red Cross on Dekalb St. on 3/24, 3/31 and 4/7/2007 from 9:30 until 2:00 PM.  We will be using the Q&A books and we will have discussion on the Various sections and some handouts. I can use additional help and possibly some VEs although the following weekend there is a VE session in Columbia.  Contact ka4pxk@arrl.net   I am hoping to get more ARES volunteers and maybe the core to start a Club in Kershaw County.

1-5-07 - Information from Maria Somma AB1FM, Manager ARRL VEC by way of Bill Lemmon, KA4TWK:

Technician Class Licensees

FCC modifies the Amateur Radio Service rules by eliminating the Morse code exam requirements.

The effective date of the FCC's action will be 30 days after publication in the Federal Register
-- most likely in February.

In an historic move, the FCC has acted to drop the Morse code test requirement for all Amateur
Radio license classes. The Commission adopted the long-awaited "Morse code" proceeding (WT Docket
05-235), and released it December 19. The FCC's action will eliminate the Morse code test as a
licensing requirement to operate on HF.

Technicians Gain Operating Privileges

Once the changes are in effect, all Technician licensees -- whether or not they have passed a
Morse code examination -- will have "Tech Plus" operating privileges. This means you will have all
of your current VHF/UHF and above frequencies and also will have access to the Novice/Technician
Plus frequencies on HF.

No Morse Code Test to Upgrade

Technicians can upgrade to General by passing the General (Element 3) written exam and to Amateur
Extra by also passing the Extra (Element 4) written exam.  No Morse code test will be required.
Visit the ARRL VEC exam search web page  http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml  for test
session locations.

Navigating through the Upgrade Process

1.  Technician Amateurs who wish to upgrade to General have a couple of options.  

a.  We recommend that Technician licensees who have NOT yet passed the General written exam
(Element 3) wait until the new rules take effect to upgrade.  At a session, the candidate must
present a photo ID and their current license, pay the $14 test session fee and fill out the NCVEC
form 605.  If the Element 3 written exam is passed, the VE team will issue the candidate a CSCE
for the upgrade to a general class license.

b.  Technician licensees who have already passed the General written exam (Element 3) or wish to
pass the General written exam before the rules take effect, will then have to apply for the
upgrade at a VE session once the new rules are in place.  At a session, the candidate must present
a photo ID, their current license and the non-expired CSCE document, pay the $14 test session fee
and fill out a NCVEC form 605.  If the Element 3 written exam credit is valid, the VE team will
issue the candidate a CSCE for the upgrade to a general class license.  If the CSCE for Element 3
credit has expired (a CSCE is only valid for 365 days), you will have to retake the examination
element in order to receive the credit toward your upgrade.

2.  Post Session Process

The VE Team must prepare and mail all session paperwork to the coordinating VEC.  Once the session
arrives at the VEC, in accordance with FCC rules, the VEC staff must verify all session
documentation.  All 605 forms and CSCEs must have the candidate's signature and 3 VE signatures.
The CSCEs used for General written exam element credit must be validated as being passed within
the previous 365 days and/or the test documents must be confirmed as being passed.  Finally, the
session data and information from the 605 forms can then be keyed and submitted to the FCC.  The
upgrade should appear in the FCC database  http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/  within a few hours and a
new license copy will arrive in the mail in 7 to 10 days.

VEC Test Fee

As you can see, much of the same work is involved in both types of General class upgrades,
therefore the administrative costs are embedded in the process.

The FCC has mandated that all paperwork only upgrades be done through a VEC via their VE Teams.
The processing and administration of FCC "projects" such as this, actually places a greater demand
on all the VECs.  This is not a special case involving only a few people; we expect to receive a
flood of upgrades to General.  The paperwork only upgrade is not automatic for the amateur and the
forms may not be sent directly to the FCC or the VEC office (again the upgrade must occur at a
test session and follow FCC guidelines).  The VEC test session fee is regulated (per annual
agreement) by the FCC.

A New Era

When the new rules are in place, we hope you explore your new band allocations, enjoy your new
privileges and have fun!

73,
Maria A. Somma,  AB1FM
Manager,  ARRL/VEC

==========================================================================

1-1-07 - HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007!!

!2-15-06 -From the ARRL Website- In an historic move, the FCC has acted to drop the Morse code requirement for all Amateur Radio license classes. The Commission today adopted a Report and Order (R&O) in WT Docket 05-235. In a break from typical practice, the FCC only issued a public notice at or about the close of business and not the actual Report & Order, so some details -- including the effective date of the R&O -- remain uncertain. Also today, the FCC also adopted an Order on Reconsideration, in WT Docket 04-140 -- the "omnibus" proceeding -- agreeing to modify the Amateur Radio rules in response to an ARRL request to accommodate automatically controlled narrowband digital stations on 80 meters in the wake of rule changes that became effective today at 12:01 AM Eastern Time. The Commission said it will carve out the 3585 to 3600 kHz frequency segment for such operations. Prior to the long-awaited action on the Morse code issue, Amateur Radio applicants for General and higher class licenses had to pass a 5 WPM Morse code test to operate on HF. The Commission said today's R&O eliminates that requirement for General and Amateur Extra applicants.

Typically, the effective date of an FCC Order is 30 days after it appears in the Federal Register. That would mean the Morse requirement and the revised 80-meter segment for automatically controlled digital stations would likely not go into effect until late January 2007.

Full story available here: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/12/15/104/?nc=1

11-29-06 - ARLB028 FCC corrects error in "Omnibus" Report And Order

QST de W1AW 
ARRL Bulletin 28  ARLB028
From ARRL Headquarters 
Newington CT  November 29, 2006
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB028
ARLB028 FCC corrects error in "Omnibus" Report And Order

The FCC has released an Erratum that corrects one error in the
recent Report and Order (R&O) in WT Docket 04-140 -- the so-called
"omnibus" Amateur Radio proceeding -- that inadvertently limited J2D
emissions to an occupied bandwidth of 500 Hz. J2D emissions are data
sent by modulating an SSB transmitter.

Had it been left to stand, the error would have rendered illegal
below 30 MHz PACTOR III at full capability as well as Olivia and
MT63 when operated at bandwidths greater than 500 Hz bandwidth, 1200
baud packet, Q15X25 and Clover 2000.

The FCC Erratum revises 97.3(c)(2) of the Amateur Service rules
going into effect December 15 to read:

Data. Telemetry, telecommand and computer communications emissions
having (i) designators with A, C, D, F, G, H, J or R as the first
symbol, 1 as the second symbol, and D as the third symbol; (ii)
emission J2D; and (iii) emissions A1C, F1C, F2C, J2C, and J3C having
an occupied bandwidth of 500 Hz or less when transmitted on an
amateur service frequency below 30 MHz. Only a digital code of a
type specifically authorized in this part may be transmitted.

The Erratum is available on the FCC Web site,
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-268642A1.pdf

The FCC incorporated some unrelated editorial revisions in the
version of the R&O that appeared November 15 in the Federal
Register,
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov
/2006/pdf/E6-19189.pdf.
The "omnibus" rule changes -- including those accounted for in the
Federal Register and the Erratum -- take effect Friday, December 15,
at 12:01 AM EST (0501 UTC).
 

11-22-06 - The purpose of this announcement is to solicit nominations for the Roanoke Division Service Award for the year 2006. The Roanoke Division ARRL Service Award was instituted in 1968 by Roanoke Division Director, Vic Clark, W4KFC. Vic intended the award to be recognition for a long history of significant and consistent contribution to Amateur Radio. The amateur selected would have, over the years, dedicated much of his or her time to Amateur Radio and the ARRL.

Nominees and resumes are encouraged and accepted from the Roanoke Division amateur population. Winners of the Roanoke Division Service Award become members of the selection committee and vote on which nominee should be honored the next year. An individual can receive the award only once. The administration of the award is done by the Roanoke Division Director.  Following is chronological list of recipients:

Below is a list of recipients by year.
 
 1968  Donald B. Morris, W8JM *
 1969  L.Phil Wicker, W4ACY *
 1970  Victor Clark, W4KFC *
 1971  Theodore Mathewson, W4FJ*
 1972  Ethel Smith, K4LMB *
 1973  Katherine Anderson, W8DUV
 1974  William Grenfell, W4GF *
 1975  Ed Redington, W4ZM *
 1976  Charles Wright, W4PED
 1977  Monte Cone, WA4PBG *
 1978  Harold Richmond, W4CIZ *
 1979  Theodore Cohen, N4XX
 1980  Gay E. Milius, Jr., W4UG *
 1981  Stuart Meyer, W2GHK *
 1982  Paul Rinaldo, W4RI
 1983  Karl Thompson, K8KT
 1984  John C. Kanode, N4MM
 1985  Authur Thiemens, AA4AT
 1986  Harold Robinson, W4QR *
 1987  Jimmy Walker,WD4HLZ
 1988  Reynold L. Nitsch, W4NTO
 1989  Clayton H. Merrell, W4FX *
 1990  T. Hunter Wood, W4ANK *
 1991  Dennis Bodson, W4PWF
 1992  Nancy K. Draheim, NK4U
 1993  Harry D. Vorhauer, W4PVA
 1994  James B. Macleod, W4NHV
 1995  Robert V. Southworth, KI4YV
 1996  Leland E. Patience, W4DRF*
 1997  Oliver N. Rinehart, WD8V
 1998  Norman G. Harrill, N4NH
 1999  Emmie B. Patience, KA4LRM
 2000  Richard W. Maylott,  W2YE
 2001  Tom Gregory, N4NW
 2002  Elias (Bus) Etheridge, K4IX *
 2003  Les Shattuck, K4NK
 2004  Ron Sokol, K4KHZ
 2005 Dr. James Boehner, MD, N2ZZ
 2005  John Covington, W4CC
 
 * Deceased

NOMINATION FORM

I hereby nominate the following Roanoke Division Amateur to receive the Roanoke Division ARRL Service Award.

Name__________________________________________________________________ Call ________________________

Address____________________________________________________________________________________________

City _____________________________________________ State________________________ Zip _________________

Nominated By ______________________________________________________ Call____________________________

Please attach resume. List all significant Amateur Radio achievements. Any documentation is helpful. Attach Amateur Radio magazine reference, club newsletters, newspaper clipping, etc. Closing date for nomination is December 22, 2006.

Return this form with resume and any documentation to:

ARRL ROANOKE DIVISION DIRECTOR
Dennis Bodson, W4PWF
233 N Columbus Street
Arlington, Virginia 22203
 
Date ______________________________

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Roanoke Division
Director: Dennis Bodson, W4PWF
w4pwf@arrl.org
 

11-22-06 - ARRL Bulletin 27  ARLB027
From ARRL Headquarters 
Newington CT  November 22, 2006
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB027
ARLB027 "Omnibus" Amateur Radio Report and Order Takes Effect
December 15

With publication in the Federal Register November 15, the
long-awaited changes to the amateur rules are set to take effect 30
days later, at 12:01 AM EST December 15. The so-called "Omnibus"
Amateur Radio proceeding, WT Docket 04-140, includes a significant
expansion of the 75 meter phone band and a variety of other changes.
The highlights:

*  For Amateur Extra class licensees, the 75 meter phone band will
start at 3600 kHz, while Advanced class licensees start at 3700 kHz
and Generals at 3800 kHz. The high end of the CW/RTTY/Digital band
is now 3600 kHz (although CW is allowed on the entire band).

*  On 40 meters, Amateur Extra and Advanced licensees will be able
to operate phone beginning at 7125 kHz, while Generals start at 7175
kHz. The top end of the CW/RTTY/Digital band will be 7125 kHz
(although CW is allowed on the entire band).

*  There are no changes to the 20 meter band.

*  On 15 meters, the General class phone band now starts at 21275
kHz.

*  On 10 meters, Novice and Technician Plus licensees can now
operate CW/RTTY/Digital from 28000 kHz to 28300 kHz.

*  In addition, Novices and Tech Plus licensees can use CW only on
the same frequencies as General and Advanced licensees on the 80, 40
and 15 meter bands: 3525 kHz-3600 kHz; 7025 kHz-7125 kHz and 21025
kHz-21200 kHz.

The Report&Order as published in the Federal Register clarified two
items that had raised some concerns when it was first released
October 10: That the 80/75 meter band split applies to all three
IARU Regions, and that FCC licensees in Region 2, which includes
North America, can continue to use RTTY/data emissions in the
7075-7100 kHz band.

Several controversial aspects of the proceeding are still to be
resolved, although the FCC is working on an erratum for the
inadvertent elimination of J2D emissions of more than 500 Hz
bandwidth. The Commission intends to release the erratum by the
December 15 effective date.

The FCC also took several other miscellaneous actions.
 

11-20-06 - Thanks to Tom K2PJ for bringing an Interesting article on Amateur Radio from Mobile Radio Technology Magazine to my attention:  http://mrtmag.com/mag/radio_back_basics_2/
 

11-20-06 - I just received a link below that is excellent PR for Amateur Radio.  Interviewed was none other than the Hudson Division Vice Director, Joyce Birmingham, KA2ANF!

http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/radio?date=06.10.06

Click on the above link.  Wait for the web  page to load.  Once the page is loaded, look for this audio: Amateur Radio Operators Provide A Vital Communications Link if it does NOT start to play on its own.  Then click on it and ENJOY.

11-18-06 - The 2006 South Carolina QSO Party results are available by clicking on the "SC QSO Party" on the left sidebar!  Additional information is available on the Columbia ARC website: http://www.kf4ghc.net/

11-18-06 - MISSING YCARS EQUIPMENT: The following equipment was removed from the York County ARS Clubhouse:

ICOM IC-781 HF Transceiver:  Early model,  serial number 01003. Well-worn
faceplate, knobs and controls, but operative. 

KENWOOD  TS-440S  HF Transceiver:  Serial number unknown, but  K4YTZ
etched on rear of cabinet, chassis.  Very good condition

Anyone with information is requested to contact Bob Bacharach by email at
 WA2EMF@ARRL.NET
 

11-17-06 - New Vice Director Elected for Roanoke Division (Nov 17, 2006) -- Patricia Hensley, N4ROS, has been elected as Vice Director of the Roanoke Division. Ballots were counted today at ARRL Headquarters. She defeated incumbent Les Shattuck, K4NK, 2280 to 996. A total of 3281 ballots were received; five ballots were not able to be counted, being declared spoiled or invalid. The three year term begins at noon EST, January 1, 2007.
Full Story

ARRL Bulletin 19  ARLB019
From ARRL Headquarters 
Newington CT  October 12, 2006
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB019
ARLB019 FCC releases long-awaited ''Omnibus'' Amateur Radio Report and Order

Ending a protracted waiting period, the FCC's Report and Order in the so-called ''Omnibus'' Amateur Radio proceeding, WT Docket 04-140, was adopted October 4 and released October 10, 2006. In it, the FCC adopted nearly all of the proposed changes in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released back in 2004. The FCC has:

+ expanded the phone subbands in the 75 and 40 meter bands;

+ permitted auxiliary stations to transmit on portions of the 2 meter band;

+ permitted the use of spread spectrum on 222-225 MHz;

+ permitted amateurs to retransmit communications from the International Space Station;

+ permitted amateur licensees to designate a specific Amateur Radio club to receive their call sign in memoriam;

+ prohibited an applicant from filing more than one application for a specific vanity call sign;

+ eliminated certain restrictions on equipment manufacturers;

+ permitted Amateur Radio stations in Alaska and surrounding waters more flexibility in providing emergency communications;

+ clarified that ''amateur stations may, at all times and on all frequencies authorized to the control operator, make transmissions necessary to meet essential communication needs and to facilitate relief actions'';

+ deleted the frequency bands and segments specified for RACES stations;

and

+ deleted the requirement for public announcement of test locations and times.

In addition, the FCC took several other miscellaneous actions.

In ''refarming'' the frequencies currently authorized to Novice and Technician Plus licensees, the Commission increased the voice segments for General, Advanced and Amateur Extra licensees.

On 75 meters, Generals will be able to use voice from 3800-4000 kHz, an increase of 50 kHz. Advanced class licensees will be able to use voice from 3700-4000, an increase of 75 kHz, and Amateur Extras will be able to use voice from 3600 to 4000 kHz, a generous increase of 150 kHz.

On 40 meters, Advanced and Extra Class licensees will be able to use voice from 7125-7300 kHz, an increase of 25 kHz. General class licensees will be able to use voice on 7175-7300 kHz, an increase of 50 kHz.

On 15 meters, General class operators will have phone privileges on 21275-21450 kHz, an increase of 25 kHz.

ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, expressed the ARRL's gratitude to the FCC Commissioners in a letter dated October 11: ''On behalf of the ARRL and the Commission's licensees in the Amateur Radio Service I want to express appreciation for your release yesterday of the
Report and Order in WT Docket 04-140 (FCC 06-149) amending Part 97 of the Commission's Rules. The Commission's action in clearing this pending proceeding will assist the Amateur Radio Service in meeting its objectives, particularly with regard to providing emergency and public service communications.''

The changes will go into effect 30 days after the R&O is published in the Federal Register.

Note:  For the FCC's full Report and Order, click HERE!

9-13-06 - I received this great news from ARRL HQ:

Leona G. Adams
Field and Educational Services Assistant
 

I am proud to continue to serve as your ARRL Section Manager!

02-24-06 - Amateur Radio Mentioned in Report to White House

Yesterday, February 23, "The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned," http://www.whitehouse.gov/reports/katrina-lessons-learned/index.html was submitted to the White House.  Over the last four months, at the direction of President Bush, a team of White House staff members and colleagues across the country at all levels of government reviewed the Federal government's role and performance in preparing for, responding to and recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

Along with a detailed list of lessons learned and recommendations, the report also recognized what went right during the Katrina disaster and its aftermath.

Amateur Radio is specifically mentioned in Appendix B of "The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned," under the subheading "Non-governmental Organizations." http://www.whitehouse.gov/reports/katrina-lessons-learned/appendix-b.html

"Other organizations worked tirelessly to assist emergency responders that, due to the storm, did not have the equipment and means to effectively carry out their duties. Amateur Radio Operators from both the Amateur Radio Emergency Service and the American Radio Relay League, monitored distress calls and rerouted emergency requests for assistance throughout the U.S. until messages were received by emergency response personnel. A distress call made from a cell phone on a rooftop in New Orleans to Baton Rouge was relayed, via ham radio, from Louisiana to Oregon, then Utah, and finally back to emergency personnel in Louisiana, who rescued the 15 stranded victims. Ham radio operators voluntarily manned the amateur radio stations at sites such as the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Watch Net, Waterway Net, Skywarn and the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network."

Frances Fragos Townsend, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, presented and discussed the document yesterday in Washington, DC.  The appendix to the report also recognized many other organizations that helped in the hurricane relief efforts. 

"The number of volunteer and non-profit organizations providing support to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort was truly extraordinary. Virtually every national, regional and local charitable organization in the U.S., and many from abroad, contributed aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina."

2-16-07 - The Salkehatchie ARS WCARS VE team is having a special VE test session on Feb 24, 2007 at 9:30 AM at the First Baptist Church in Barnwell, SC.  Fee is $10.  Bring your license and a copy, Certificates for elements you have passed and two IDs.  E Mail for more information.  wa4bhk@bellsouth.net

02-09-06 - A message from Roger Gregory W4RWG:

To our Loyal Dealers, and the ham radio community,

The Union County Amateur Radio Club has decided to cancel their hamfest scheduled for April 1. Higher expenses, declining club membership, and low attendance over the last few years contributed to our decision. We appreciate the loyalty of those that supported us over the years. We have made lasting friendships.

Roger W. Gregory W4RWG
President UCARC

02-05-06 - I would like to offer my thanks to the Charleston Hamfest Committee for organizing a great hamfest this last Saturday!  The Charleston Hamfest was this past weekend, and I had the pleasure of presiding over the ARRL forum.  Accompanying me was Les K4NK, our Vice Director of the Roanoke Division.   It was a very enjoyable hamfest, and I look forward to attending again next year!  My special thanks to Bryce K4LXF, Mike WA4HVP, and John W4HNK for taking the time to give me information about the Charleston linked repeater system!

01-20-06 - ARRL First Vice President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, of Judsonia, Arkansas, will be the League's president for the next two years. He'll succeed Jim Haynie, W5JBP, who chose not to run for a fourth term in the uncompensated, volunteer post. Gathering in Windsor, Connecticut, for its annual meeting, the Board voted 10 to 5 to choose Harrison over ARRL Central Division Director Dick Isely, W9GIG, the only other nominee. Harrison, 47, said he believes Amateur Radio is looking at a different society--and pool of potential licensees--in the 21st century than in the past.  The full report can be found on the ARRL website: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/01/20/2/?nc=1

1-15-06 - The Greenwood hamfest was held this past Saturday at the Greenwood Civic Center.  Speaking with the hamfest officials, it was one of the best attended hamfests in their recent history!  Many commercial vendors were present, along with those selling used equipment as well.  As in recent years, this was a very enjoyable hamfest, with a lot of opportunities to revisit with those we have not seen in several months.  This hamfest was also the hamfest debut of the Aiken County Emergency Services Trailer!  Bob K4NJN, ASM6 drove the trailer up to Greenwood for display and tours.  Those assisting Bob with demonstrating the trailer were Paul KB4GYT; John K4JCC; Tony N4ADM, TS; Charlie AE4UX, SEC, and a few others from Aiken.  We were fortunate to be visited by the Greenwood County Sheriff and the Greenwood County EMD director, as well as the Saluda County EMD director.  I am very pleased that our county officials are taking an interest in Amateur Radio, and our capabilities.  In my discussions with the Sheriff, I mentioned that Amateur Radio has certification programs in Emergency Radio Communications, the ARRL EMCOMM levels I, II and III.  That made me think-when I returned home, I checked the ARRL database of those who have successfully completed the EMCOMM courses in our state.  We have 27 who have completed all three levels, 16 who have completed two levels, and 80 who have completed level I!  I would like to see more taking the courses, but those numbers are great for a state our size!

12-4-05 - The South Carolina QSO party final results!

From Ken N2IXX ASM3:

11-21-05 -  Message from Charlie AE4UX, SEC:

The 2005 Coastal Exercise dates have been set.  The exercise will be on Monday and Tuesday, December 12 and 13, 2005.  However, Radio operators will only be needed on Monday the 12th.  I expect that the  radio operators will be released from exercise participation after the After Action Review (Hot Wash) late on Monday afternoon.  The USC Center for Public Health Preparedness has again offered to reimburse travel expenses for those amateur radio operators who travel to the exercise from out of town.  That includes mileage from your home and  Sunday night's stay in a Charleston area hotel.  There is an upper limit on the hotel reimbursement.  I'll have to get the current number from them for those who decide to participate.

Communications is a major focus of this exercise.  We have an opportunity to show the served agencies what we can do.  Although there are a lot of amateur radio operators in the Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester area; additional operators will be needed to do this right.

We are responsible for supporting three venues, Sterett Hall, Project Seahawk, and the I-26 Weigh Station.  However, we are interested in utilizing our folks in other areas to increase awareness of our resource capabilities.  Other venues will be supported based on the resources we have available.

Please spread the word to your folks.  I've included the operators who participated in last year's exercise on the cc: distribution so that they can get an early notice of the drill.

I will need to submit a list of operators planning to attend.  Please send me an e-mail if you think that you might attend.  Do that even if you might have to back out later.  I need the names of those coming from out of town as well as those who are local to the exercise area.


73 Charlie Miller, AE4UX
South Carolina Section Emergency Coordinator

09-13-06 - The South Carolina QSO party is this weekend!  Please plan to participate in our section’s on-the-air event!  The contest runs from 1300Z Sept 16 to 2100Z Sept 17.  The object is to contact as many South Carolina stations in as many South Carolina Counties as possible.  There are three divisions; SC fixed stations, SC mobile stations and out of state stations.  There are plaques for the high score in each category, with certificates for 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th place.  The Exchange is: sequential serial number and county for SC stations; sequential serial number and state/province/country for non-SC stations.  The SC QSO party is sponsored by the Columbia Amateur Radio Club, and full information is available on their website: http://www.kf4ghc.net/scqsoweb2006.shtml .  Remember, contact with either myself (N2ZZ) or the CARC club station KF4GHC will add 300 points to your score!  Hope to see everyone on the air, and I really hope to see some roaming mobiles.  A few years ago, we had two mobiles that operated from each of the 46 counties in SC.  Any takers?

09-12-06 - I had the pleasure to travel to Shelby, NC for the Shelby hamfest over Labor Day Weekend.  The weather was fantastic, and it was great to see everyone again, after a very long Summer.  The ARRL forum was given by our Vice Director of the Roanoke Division, Rev. Les Shattuck, K4NK.  I was pleased to see the Director and the Vice Director of the ARRL Southeastern division, Frank Butler W4RH and Sandy Donahue, W4RU who also attended the forum.  North Carolina’s Section Manager Tim Slay N4IB was unable to attend, due to a back injury.  We all wish him a speedy recovery.  Les touched on a number of topics of interest to the amateur radio community, including BPL, FCC issues, the Grass Roots initiative, and happenings at ARRL headquarters.  I learned of an honor that was bestowed on Les by the President of the ARRL, Joel Harrison, W5ZN.  At ARRL headquarters, generally only Directors are asked to head committees.  Les accepted the invitation to become chairman of the historic committee of the ARRL, a very prestigious assignment with a great deal of responsibility.  I met with Joel and Les at the SVHF conference earlier this year, and was very impressed with the respect Joel had for Les.  We should all be proud to have Les K4NK as our Vice Director!

06-10-06 - The VoIP Hurricane Net is seeking ARES, RACES, SKYWARN and other  emergency communication groups such as REACT, MARS and SATERN to utilize the VoIP Hurricane Net as another means to pass weather, damage and other pertinent reports to WX4NHC and other national agencies.

“In 2005, we’ve had the National American Red Cross Headquarters check into our net on several occasions and during Hurricane Dennis, we passed the status of shelters from the Mobile, Alabama EOC to the National Red Cross. They were also able to hear the weather and damage reports as  Dennis made landfall from spotters reporting their information to WX4NHC” said Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net.

The VoIP Hurricane Net has a weekly preparedness net that meets at 0000 UTC Sunday which is Saturday Evening for most of North America. The net currently meets on IRLP reflector 9508 and utilizes the EchoLink Conferences *VKEMCOMM*, Node: 270177 and *WX-TALK* Node: 7203 in one integrated net. During activations, the net would meet using the same system. This is currently the backup system as the main Raleigh 9210 IRLP reflector system is undergoing an upgrade. Net activation connect status will be posted on the voipwx.net site.

“The utilization of EchoLink and IRLP is another way for Amateurs to gain access to WX4NHC and other national agencies. It’s another tool in the toolbox for the emergency communicator that does not replace other modes of operation.” Macedo said.

“It is also been utilized as alternative means to connect EOC’s, National Weather Service Forecast Offices, and other emergency response agencies when no other communications are available. When HF propagation becomes poor, this is but another path that allows even our technician class operators to assist with reports and utilize the net as a way to communicate with WX4NHC and other agencies that are on the system” said Danny Musten-KD4RAA, co-Net Manager of the VoIP Hurricane Net.

“During Hurricane Rita, we had the National Weather Service Offices in Shreveport, Louisiana, Houston, Texas and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas along with the National Hurricane Center on the net. We received surface reports from the Livingston Texas Memorial Hospital of measured winds over 100 MPH, significant roof damage to a school shelter along with damage to the emergency room doors of the hospital through the efforts of WM6V-Flo Garneau” said Kevin Anderson-KD5WX, co-Net Manager of the VoIP Hurricane Net.

“She maintained contact with her local EOC on one frequency, while communicating to our net, providing critical surface reports. We need more efforts like what Flo did during Hurricane Rita in other hurricane prone areas” said Anderson.

The VoIP Hurricane Net also has close ties to a program called StormStudy and it’s outreach arm, the Storm Education Team. That program is led by John Van Pelt-K4JVP and Danny Musten-KD4RAA is the team’s communications engineer. It is a program dedicated to teaching people about dangerous hurricanes and severe weather safety, but more importantly for us, provides surface reports directly from the hurricane’s potential affected areas.

“Joining the Storm Education Team is something I’ve decided to do as an extension of my technical VoIP support for reporting during hurricanes. I have been a strong supporter of John’s StormStudy effort and in 2005 made an active decision to join him on the road and this year, outfit my Suburban as the SET2 vehicle. The SET2 truck also has Baron Mobile Threat Net radar system and Davis Instruments weather gathering gear, but has been equipped with a very strong emphasis on communications - which includes VoIP as well as HF/VHF/UHF and satellite modes for redundant communications at the various staging areas” said Musten.

During this hurricane season they will be able to cover more targeted areas with two trucks and will deploy a portable UHF repeater linked to our VoIPWX net that will not only facilitate their reporting, but also allow locals to check in with reports. John and Danny are hoping to deploy additional weather stations, that either we or other local hams can monitor in areas where there might not be Skywarn or other ARES nets active. IRLP and EchoLink repeaters are growing plentiful, but are not currently in every remote coastal area that they have visited during the 2005 season.

“I’ve worked with the VoIP Hurricane Net since 2002 and was the first reporting station on scene of a hurricane to utilize VoIP. It’s very convenient to be able to hit my space bar on my laptop and talk with WX4NHC via EchoLink. I’m really happy to have Danny as my partner in StormStudy and to have his VoIP and communications expertise with me when we deploy into hurricanes is really exciting” said John Van Pelt-K4JVP.

The VoIP Hurricane Net is not just a US operation. Some of its most critical reports have also come from areas outside of the United States. One example last year was during Hurricane Emily as she affected the Caribbean islands of Trinidad, Tobago, Grenada and the Grenadines in early July 2005.

“Emily rapidly intensified into a Strong Category 1 Hurricane as she went through the Caribbean islands during the overnight hours. Our net was able to make contact with stations in Trinidad, Dominica and Grenada and they relayed reports from their 75 Meter HF Weather Net to our net via VoIP so we could send critical damage reports to WX4NHC. Here is a case where we would not have been successful without utilizing both HF and VoIP modes in coordination with one another” Macedo said.

“In addition to more participation from US stations and emergency groups, we are looking for more stations in the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico to utilize our net as another mode to pass information to WX4NHC.” Macedo said.

Julio Ripoll, WD4R, Assistant National Hurricane Center Coordinator, endorses the efforts of the VoIP Hurricane Net. “Clearly, we have gained additional critical reports to the WX4NHC mission of saving lives via the efforts of the VoIP Hurricane Net and the WX4NHC team urges Amateurs to utilize the VoIP Hurricane Net as another way to reach us with critical damage and weather reports when a hurricane strikes. We monitor the net as much as possible when we have activations” Ripoll said.

More information on the VoIP Hurricane Net including a link to their VoIP Hurricane Net email list can be found at http://www.voipwx.net.
 

03-27-06 - How about an Amateur Radio Museum? 

KF4VGX sent this to me:

03-22-06 - A note from Alex KR1ST:

Statewide 2 Meter FM PSK31 Net

A group of hams in the greater Charleston area has started a PSK31 net that takes place Sunday nights at 9:30pm and Wednesday nights at 8:00pm. It takes place on 144.145 MHz in the FM mode. This net was started by Skip Teller, KH6TY, the developer of the most successful free PSK31 software, Digipan. Skip, who lives in Mt. Pleasant, is also the Net Control for this informal net.

The FM mode was chosen instead of the more commonly used USB mode because more people have access to VHF FM transceivers than multimode VHF transceivers. Also, the FM mode does not require great frequency stability as other modes do at VHF frequencies. Since this net takes place on 2 meters, any licensed ham can participate. It's a great opportunity for both beginning and seasoned hams to explore digital modes without having to invest a great deal of money in ham equipment.

Besides having fun, the goal of this net is to explore the possibilities of using digital modes on VHF and gain experience exchanging information using such modes. You can participate in this net with nothing more than a simple 2 meter FM transceiver, a computer with a soundcard, and software like Digipan (http://www.digipan.net). If you have an APRS setup that uses your computer's soundcard, then you're already ready for business. You'd only need to use PSK31 software, like Digipan, instead of your favorite APRS application.

Most participants use horizontal antennas, but don't let that keep you from participating! Some folks use vertical antennas with great success. Two meter FM PSK31 signals can be copied successfully much further than FM voice signals. Cross polarization is hardly an issue for 2 meter FM PSK31 signals up to 25 miles and antennas of average height.

Everyone is invited to check into the 2 meter PSK31 Net Sundays at 9:30pm and Wednesdays at 8:00pm. You can send reception reports to Skip Teller, KH6TY (hteller@comcast.net), and contact him with any questions or suggestions you may have.

Hope to see you soon!

3-16-06 CAROLINA EDGE OF SPACE PROJECT

Richard Dodd, KG4PBG and a group of Charlotte area hams will be launching a high-altitude weather balloon with an amateur radio payload on March 18th.  The balloon will take APRS equipment (KG4PBG-15 on 144.39MHz) and cameras up to 100,000ft and travel 200 miles in around 2 hours of flight time.  When the balloon bursts, it will fall via parachute and the payload will land somewhere in the Carolinas.  The project team will be chasing the balloon via aircraft and on the ground, but since they don't know where it's going they're looking for help with the recovery.   The Tarheel Emergency Net will be active during the flight on 7.232MHz.  Stations with APRS equipment in NC and SC are invited to check in, help track the balloon, and assist with recovery should it land near your area.  More information is available via a link at www.ridemaps.com.
 

3-7-06 - I regret to report that on March 2nd, John Hennessee, N1KB became a silent key at age 42.  John's hometown was Cheraw, SC where he was first licensed as KA4AUR at age 14.  In 1986, after he graduated from Wingate College in NC, he joined the ARRL Headquarters staff.  He worked in the Field and Educational Services branch of the ARRL as a Regulatory Information Specialist, and was the primary author on the ARRL FCC Rule Book.  Survivors include his mother, Carole Hennessee, two sisters and his beloved cat, Darlene. A service will be held Thursday, March 9, 11 AM, at First Methodist Church, Cheraw, South Carolina. Visitation begins at 10 AM.  We will all miss John.  For further information, please view the web link on the ARRL.ORG website: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/03/07/3/?nc=1

10-5-06 - The Rock Hill Hamfest and Computer Expo will be held Saturday, October 7th, at the Rock Hill American Legion Post 34, 199 South Cherry Road, Rock Hill, SC.  Gates open at 6am.  Admission is $7 and includes one outdoor flea market space!  Talk-in frequency is 147.03- , and driving directions are available from the hamfest website: www.rockhillhamfest.com .  The ARRL Forum will be held at 9:30am and VE testing will follow promptly at 10:00am.  Please make plans to attend!  I hope to see everyone there!

06-13-06 - Information from Susan AF4FO, SM of Georgia:

08-23-06 - Postmark KATRINA will air on the Weather Channel, Sunday and Monday August 27 and 28 at 7:00 P.M. Central Time. 'Postmark Katrina' Produced by Les Rayburn, N1LF, is a Weather Channel one hour special that tells the story of a service by Ham Radio to restore critical mail service to the battered Gulf Coast area in the wake of Katrina.

Rayburn and his crew were fully embedded with Federal Law Enforcement Officers from the U.S. Postal Service Enforcement Agency within hours of Katrina making landfall. Critical High Frequency Communications for the National Communications System SHARES, was provided.

This program is recommended viewing for Ham Radio Operators.

Thanks to W5RXU in Arkansas for passing along this information!

03-26-06 - The Tenth Annual South Eastern VHF Society (SVHF) Conference to be held in Greenville, SC on April 28th and 29th!

3-22-06 - A note from Brian KR4SP, ACC:

Foxhunt    Foxhunt    Foxhunt.

April 22,    2PM,    Bi- Lo Plaza ,   Pendleton on Rte 76, SC.

The ACC Open Transmitter Hunt.

-This event is open to anyone having a radio, preferably fitted with an “S” meter, able to receive the 2m Amateur band – you do not need to have an Amateur license.
-This event is suitable for both the beginner and the experienced hunter as it will have varying levels of difficulty and more than one fox
-Helpful additional equipment:- Directional antenna, Active or passive attenuator
-For information on building inexpensive directional antennas and active attenuators go to  http://home.att.net/~jleggio/projects/rdf/rdf.htm

Directions:

From the South:  From the traffic light on Rte 76 at exit 19 on I-85 go North 5.9 on Rte 76 miles to the Bi-Lo Plaza on the left (West) side of the road. Meet under the big sign between the Palmetto Bank and the Dairy Queen

From the North:  From the traffic light in Clemson at the intersection of Rtes 123 and 76, (adjacent to the Ramada Inn) , go South on Rte 76 for 4.8 miles  to the Bi-Lo Plaza on the right (West) side of the road. Meet under the big sign between the Palmetto Bank and the Dairy Queen.

For anyone needing further information please E-mail me at kr4sp-1@juno.com

73 de Brian  kr4sp 
Affiliated Club Coordinator,
South Carolina Section  ARRL

Dixie ARC: http://members.tripod.com/~dixieradioclub/index.html

01-18-06 - The ARRL Web's News Page, http://www.arrl.org/, presents the following  announcement about "SuitSat."

"SuitSat" Now Tentatively Set for February 2 Deployment

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has announced that the International Space Station crew is tentatively scheduled to deploy "SuitSat" Thursday, February 2. Possibly the most unusual Earth satellite ever, SuitSat consists of a surplus Russian Orlan space suit converted into a transmit-only satellite with an FM downlink frequency of 145.990 MHz. Using the call sign RS0RS, it will transmit voice messages, telemetry and an SSTV image on a nine-minute cycle as it orbits Earth. The batteries powering the satellite are expected to last about a week after deployment, and SuitSat's free-floating, decaying orbit should cause it to re-enter Earth's atmosphere after some six weeks in space. The SuitSat signal should be strong enough to hear using a VHF transceiver or scanner and a simple antenna--thus making it an ideal project for students to monitor and track. SuitSat's payload also includes a CD containing hundreds of school pictures, artwork, poems, and student signatures. For more information, see article "This is SuitSat-1 RS0RS!" by Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, on the AMSAT Web site. http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/BauerSuitsat/index.php

1-7-06 - I have received this information from several sources:

SOLE SURVIVING WEST VIRGINIA MINER KC8VKZ STILL CRITICAL

The only survivor of the January 3 mine explosion in Tallmansville, West Virginia is Randal McCloy Jr, KC8VKZ, of Philippi, West Virginia. At press time, he was listed in critical condition at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he is undergoing specialized treatment. Hams may wish to send a note of support on a QSL card to Randal McCloy Jr, KC8VKZ, PO Box 223, Philippi, WV 26435.

1-1-06- HAPPY NEW YEAR 2006!  This e-card was sent to me by Sue N4ENX, OOC!  Enjoy!

 http://web.icq.com/friendship/swf/0,,16961_rs,00.swf

12-24-05 - On this Christmas eve, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year!

One of the members in our section sent me a link to a wonderful holiday card, and I would like to share it with everyone! Just copy and paste the following link into your internet browser:

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=2700206623

I wish everyone a very happy holiday season!

'73 de Dr. Jim N2ZZ

1-12-05 - Please make plans to attend the Greenwood Hamfest, which will be held Saturday, January 14th at the Greenwood Civic Center, HWY 72 East. Doors will open at 9 am. VE Exams will be "walk-in", starting at 10:30 am-Please bring your original license and a copy. Talk-in will be on 147.165+, alt 146.52.

I hope to see everyone there!

---------------------------------2007--------------------------------

January 13, 2007-Greenwood Hamfest to be held at the Greenwood Civic Center.  Talk-in will be available on 147.165+ / ALT 146.52.  Click HERE to see their hamfest flyer!

!HAMFEST ALERT!

Note:  I have filled out the hamfest events for the full year of 2005-some have not been registered with the ARRL yet. and they are listed when they would normally fall during the calendar year.  Please forward any corrections to me at n2zz@arrl.org .

January 8, 2005-Greenwood Hamfest to be held at the Greenwood Civic Center.  Talk-in will be available on 147.165+ / ALT 146.52. For further information, go to http://www.w4gwd.org/hamfest.html .  Click HERE to see their hamfest flyer!

 February 5, 2005-Charleston Hamfest and Computer Show to be held at the Exchange Park Fairground, 9850 Highway 78, Ladson, SC.  Exit 203 off of I-26, College Park Road.  Riley Hollingsworth K4ZDH, FCC's special counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement will give a presentation.  Click HERE to see their hamfest flyer!

March 12 & 13, 2005-Charlotte, NC Hamfest and ComputerFair  to be held at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart on 2500 E. Independence Blvd in Charlotte, NC.  For further information, check out the Mecklenburg ARS hamfest webpage: http://www.w4bfb.org/hamfest.html

 April 2, 2005-Union County ARC Hamfest.  Hamfest information is available here: http://www.qsl.net/k4usc/activity.html .  Information from Roger W4RWG- The Union Hamfest will be held Saturday, April 2, at the Union County Fairgrounds. Gates will open at 8:00am. We will have sausage biscuits and coffee for breakfast and hotdogs and soft drinks for lunch. We will have a drawing for a 2 meter handi-talkie at 1:00pm. Gate price is 5:00 which includes tailgating. We have a few tables inside at 10.00 each.

May 7, 2005-Upstate Hamfest to be held in Spartanburg, SC.  For further information, go to http://www.upstatehamfest.org or contact John Hoyt W5UGD hamfest@brars.org .

May 20-22, 2005-The DAYTON HAMVENTION!  Visit www.hamvention.org for details!

May 21, 2005-The 27th Annual Lake Hartwell hamfest will be held at Sadler's Creek State Park in Anderson.  To view the hamfest flyer, please click HERE.

June 18, 2005-CHESTER ARES Tailgate party will be held at Chester State Park, from 8am to 1pm.  Talk-in 145.31.  To view their flyer, please click HERE.

September 3 & 4th, 2005-The 48th Annual SHELBY Hamfest will be held in Shelby, NC at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds.  Talk-in will be on 146.88-.  For further information, go to: www.shelbyhamfest.org .

October 1, 2005-Rock Hill Hamfest at the Rock Hill American Legion Post 34 and the York County Fairgrounds, 199 South Cherry Road, Rock Hill.  For further information, visit their website at www.RockHillHamfest.Com , or contact WA2EMF@arrl.net .

October 8, 2005-Augusta, GA Hamfest, 9am-3pm at Evans Middle School, 4318 Washington Road, Talk-in 145.490-

October 22, 2005-Sumter Hamfest to be held at the Sumter County Fairgrounds.  For further information, go to: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/2695/sara.htm or contact Carl Ecabert AA1MD aa1md@ftc-i.net .

October 29, 2005-Grand Strand Beachfest to be held in Conway, SC.  For further information, go to: http://www.w4gs.org or contact Jim Wood, KF4CJE kf4cje@w4gs.org

January 14, 2006-Greenwood Hamfest to be held at the Greenwood Civic Center.  Talk-in will be available on 147.165+ / ALT 146.52.  Click HERE to see their hamfest flyer!

February 4, 2006-Charleston Hamfest and Computer Show to be held at the Exchange Park Fairground, 9850 Highway 78, Ladson, SC.  Exit 203 off of I-26, College Park Road. &n