PICTURES FROM AUGUST PICNIC
WARC held a picnic August 5 at Julian Price Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Over 25 members and guests attended, and a good time was had by all.
WA4J PARTICIPATES IN 2024 NC QSO PARTY!
On Sunday, February 25, WARC participated (for the second time ever) in the North Carolina QSO party. A Group of enthusiastic Contesters assembled at the QTH of K2ODV, and operated from 10 AM till 8 PM. We used two stations in the Low-Power1 (100W) & Mixed (Cw/SSB) mode.
Operators included George-K2ODV, Corey-WB0RXQ, Eric-NI4E, and Rich-K1HE. Also, assisting were Mark-K4CK, Steve-N4SCM, and Dennis-KA4BOE.
BAND QSOs last year (2023)
80 116 30
40 407 170
20 265 0392
15 32 31
10 6 1
2 4 00
TOT 830 624
The final result had been published, and once again we took third place in our category. Our score was better than last year, and we think we can see a path to perhaps winning next year.
CALL COUNTY SCORE QSOs
K4MN CUMB 337,835 1053
W4MR JOH 289,375 907
WA4J WAT 253,160 829
–GREETINGS FROM THE HIGH COUNTRY
The High Country is about to become very busy and it is time to make your plans for a visit in order to look at the changing colors in the mountains. Leaf lookers may want to check out Dr. Howard Neufeld’s predictions from Appstate at https://wataugaonline.com/fall-color-report/ . There is already a hint of the changing leaf colors up here at 3850 feet above sea level.
Fall officially begins at 8:04 a.m. on September 22.
Ham radio remains very active up this way as shown at https://wataugahamradio.net/?page_id=103 but there are other fun activities for the entire family as well:
- Trade Mill and Native Heritage Days, September 21 and 22. Just over the state line in Trade, TN, and off US 421, this event features bands, hit & miss engines, museum, powwow, craft & food vendors, kids zone, petting zoo, dancing, magic show, blacksmith, clogging, flute playing, storytelling and so much more. Info at https://tennesseerivervalleygeotourism.org/entries/trade-mill-and-native-heritage-days/af7461bb-0b11-4a1b-ab2b-daefdf092a9d .
- Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train (Fridays and Saturdays, September 20-October 26), info at https://tweetsie.com/
- Brushy Mountain Apple Festival in downtown North Wilkesboro on October 5. Info at http://www.applefestival.net/festival.php
- Sugar Mountain Resort Oktoberfest (October 12-13), info at http://oktoberfest.skisugar.com .
- Carolina Balloon Fest (October 18, 19 and 20) near Statesville. Info at https://www.carolinaballoonfest.com/
- Valle Country Fair (near Banner Elk), October 19, info at https://www.vallecountryfair.org/
- 47th Annual Wooly Worm Festival, in downtown Banner Elk, October 19, info at https://www.vallecountryfair.org/
The NC State Fair (https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/ncstatefair/2024) is held in Raleigh from October 17-27. Hams may want to volunteer for a shift in operating a ham station and talking to visitors and prospective hams about amateur radio. If interested in a free fair ticket and the opportunity to operate, please contact Travis Russell at kn4wjl@proton.me to sign up for a shift.
Our State magazine lists a number of other activities near Grandfather Mountain that you may want to consider. Take a look at the locations cited in https://www.ourstate.com/8-outings-for-a-mile-high-fall-vacation/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFKsglleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbhssJbh1JeeeStM4BlhhV2vzSPNpgtF9ZGqHqDYzLtaal_ew1qJIjGjXg_aem_UmfdvJF0AyfbamyeQ7CtsA
ARRL MATTERS
Efforts continue aimed at restoring a variety of systems at ARRL HQ following the IT and ransomware attack in mid-May. Priority has been given to maintaining LOTW and DXCC. Financial systems are being rebuilt but the bulk email normally available to Section Managers and Division Directors is not expected to be restored until the end of 2024. The hamfest and convention calendar cannot at present be updated and upcoming hamfest are listed in this newsletter.
Periodic reports on ARRL IT restoration efforts can be found at http://arrl.org/news/arrl-systems-service-disruption.
SECTION TRAFFIC REPORT
Dave Price, W4DNA, prepares a monthly report on the activity on various nets within North Carolina. His entire monthly report can be viewed at ncarrl.org.
Thanks go out to Dave and the various traffic handlers, net managers, and participants in the listed nets.
W4DNA – NC Section Net Report – AUGUST 2024
| NET | NMGR | QNI | LISTED | PASSED | TIME | SESSIONS | TFC % | |
| SECTION NETS | ||||||||
| CN | AA4MP | 307 | 142 | 138 | 536 | 62 | 97.18% | |
| CSN | KI4KZS | 133 | 23 | 23 | 691 | 31 | 100.00% | |
| NCEN | WK4WC | 365 | 95 | 95 | 475 | 31 | 100.00% | |
| NCMN | W3OJO | 347 | 160 | 160 | 573 | 31 | 100.00% | |
| THEN | K4SEH | 288 | 0 | 0 | 364 | 21 | N/A | |
| LOCAL TRAFFIC NETS | ||||||||
| CWTN | N4CNX | 372 | 131 | 131 | 624 | 31 | 100.00% | |
| ENCTN | W4DNA | DELAYED | #DIV/0! | |||||
| PCTN | W4TTO | 208 | 54 | 54 | 244 | 31 | 100.00% | |
| SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP NETS | ||||||||
| C-MNN | KI4FAQ | NA | NA | N/A | ||||
| TOTAL | 2020 | 605 | 601 | 3507 | 238 | 99.34% | ||
ARRL LIBRARY SET
ARRL affiliated clubs are encouraged to donate a set of ARRL books to a local library, including colleges, school libraries, and student radio clubs. Books in the library set include:
The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications (softcover)
The ARRL Antenna Book for Radio Communications (softcover)
The ARRL Operating Manual for Radio Amateurs
The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual
The ARRL General Class License Manual
The ARRL Extra Class License Manual
Understanding Basic Electronics
Basic Antennas — Understanding Practical Antennas and Designs
Get On the Air with HF Digital
Your First Amateur Radio HF Station
FCC Rules and Regulations for the Amateur Radio Service
The cost is $250 (including shipping). Some titles may be sold out. Information can be found at www.arrl.org/library-book-set .
UPCOMING HAMFESTS
- September 21, Clingman Hamfest which is located between Wilkesboro and Elkin. Info can be found at https://www.clingmanhamfest.com/ .
License exams will be given. Info on the materials needed to be able to take an exam can be found at https://www.clingmanhamfest.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22&Itemid=956.
- September 28, 3rd Annual Lexington Hamfest sponsored by the W4PAR Healing Springs Mountain VHF Society. Info at https://www.w4par.org/2024-lexington-hamfest. License exams will be given. Contact kk4mar@mac.com for info about exams.
- October 12, Rock Hill Hamfest, near Charlotte, information at https://www.ycars.org/hamfest.
- November 17, JARSFEST, sponsored by the Johnston Amateur Radio Society. License exams will be given. Information can be found at https://www.jars.net/jarsfest-2024/
Other Matters
- JAMBOREE ON THE AIR. Scouts around the world will be on the air between October 18-20 as part of the Jamboree on the Air.
Hams who are not involved in scouting may want to help a local scout troop get on the air if the troop does not already have an amateur radio sponsor. Information about how you can help can be obtained by dropping a line to Dave Price, K4KDP, NC ARRL Section Youth Coordinator and a strong sponsor of scouting. He will steer you to the appropriate scouting council who can provide information about local scout activities in your area. Dave’s email address is daveprice@nc.rr.com .
- The Great American Shake Out will be held on October 17. Information on how you can participate and increase your understanding of earthquake activity and preparedness can be found at https://www.shakeout.org.
- Are AM Radios Going to Be Omitted from New Vehicles?
The House Energy and Commerce Committee by a 45-2 vote recommended that AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act (H.R. 8449) be sent to the full House of Representatives for a vote.
This is a battle between automobile manufacturers, particularly EV manufacturers, who want to drop AM
Manufacturers claim that the growing problem on interference from the numerous computer processors in the cars leads them to want to drop AM radio. The car companies claim that suppressing the rf noise from the microprocessors will significantly add to the price of a new car. The broadcasters reject that claim. And, FEMA has joined the fight by pointing at that there are many parts of the country where citizens will not receive storm warnings while driving if there is no AM radio in the vehicle. Some manufacturers are already omitting AM radios. If passed, the law would direct automobile manufacturers to comply with the law within two years. Stay tuned.
- The official name of the Clingman’s Dome in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park has been changed to reflect the original name, Kuwohi, used by the Cherokee Nation. The Clingman’s Dome name originated on a surveyor’s map and referred to Confederate General despite the centuries of history in which the Cherokee Nation considered it to be a sacred place. It is the highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and is visible within the Qualla Boundary, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. For information go to https://www.cnn.com/travel/clingmans-dome-tennessee-kuwohi-name-change/index.html
- Based on a finding that there is a national cybersecurity threat, the FCC has banned approval for any equipment containing the Kaspersky cybersecurity or anti-virus software. Notice of the ban can be found at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-24-886A1.pdf . A complete list of equipment deemed to pose a threat to the security of the United States can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/supplychain/coveredlist.
- Sunday, September 22, marks 35 years since Hurricane Hugo caused massive destruction across South Carolina and particularly in the Charlotte area.
| CLOSING COMMENTRegardless of which candidates you favor or dislike your opportunity of vote in the upcoming Presidential, Congressional, State and Local elections is coming soon. In North Carolina, these dates are provided by the North Carolina State Board of Elections: Sept. 20: Ballots distributed to military and overseas citizen voters who have requested them. Sept. 24: Absentee ballots distributed to all other voters who have requested them. Oct. 11: Voter registration deadline (5 p.m.).* Oct. 17: In-person early voting begins; same-day registration available. Oct. 29: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 p.m.).* Nov. 2: In-person early voting ends (3 p.m.). Nov. 5: General Election Day. Nov. 5: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30 p.m.).**Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines are different for military and overseas citizen voters. Marv, WA4NCNC Section ManagerBooneMkhoffman2006@gmail.com |