[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] FW: QCWA Chapter 119 Event Horizon Jan 26 - 29 2007

[Rick and Karen Bunn]

Good stuff.

73 Rick
-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Rucker [mailto:rrucker at verizon.net] 
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 4:06 PM
To: Ch91 members; Ch91 friends
Cc: Vic Culver
Subject: Fwd: QCWA Chapter 119 Event Horizon Jan 26 - 29 2007

Thought you might like to read the excellent newsletter written by Vic
Culver, W4VIC, good friend and former member of Chapter 91.

73, Dick Rucker, KM4ML


From: Vic Culver <vic.w4vic at verizon.net>
Date: January 26, 2007 3:30:19 PM EST
To: "Vic Culver, W4VIC" <vic.w4vic at verizon.net>
Subject: QCWA Chapter 119 Event Horizon Jan 26 - 29 2007

QCWA Chapter 119, Inc.
EVENT HORIZON Jan 26 - Jan 29, 2007

Good (Friday) morning, Ladies and Gentlemen.  There are many Events on the
QCWA Chapter 119 Inc. Horizon this weekend and beyond so let's get right to
it.

QCWA CHAPTER 119 ON THE AIR:  I suppose the big event this weekend, for
some, is the CQWW 160 meter CW contest.  At least three of our members are
known to be making some kind of effort is this activity
-- and probably more.  You can not only work for score, but also to pick up
band/mode counters toward your WAS award and/or DX entities toward 160 meter
DXCC/WAZ awards.  Please remember to let me know how it goes for you if you
do join in, and let me know your score. It's just nice to know that our
members and friends are out there playing the game.

Several of our members and friends have distinguished themselves with the
group winding down now at VU7, Lakshadweep (Laccadive Islands), the second
most sought after DX entity among the 395 current entities.  If you didn't
make it into their logs and you want to be there you may have only a few
hours left to get the job done.  VU7MY, Minicoy, will stay active until 30
January 2007 but the main operations from other locations have already shut
down. Let somebody know what you need and let's see if we can help you to
make it happen.

Additional events taking place this weekend include the BARTG RTTY Sprint,
sponsored by the British Amateur Radio Teletype Group.  This might be a good
chance to add to your country total on RTTY, if you do that sort of thing.
The REF French Contest (CW) is also operating this weekend as is the UBA SSB
Contest sponsored by the Royal Union of Belgian Amateur Radio.  There are
ample opportunities to add to  
whatever operating goal you might be working toward this weekend.   
Further details can be found in January QST, P. 98, or contact your Chapter
Secretary for further information.

An on-going activity that you really ought to look into is the Virginia
Quadricentennial Award, sponsored by our very good friends in QCWA Chapter
91 (Vic Clark Chapter) in NOVA.  Details to acquire this handsome
certificate can be found in January QST, P. 96.  An excellent way to collect
a number of Virginia QSO's to qualify for this award is to join in the
Chapter 119 HF net on Sunday morning.  
Several Chapter 119 members and friends have made the effort to earn this
certificate and we're awaiting the arrival of the first certificates in our
Chapter.  You know I've sent in my log!

QCWA CHAPTER 119 HF NET:  Bob, K4JDJ, our irrepressible host on the HF net
will bring order out of chaos at 0700 local time (1200 UTC) on
3.947 MHz.  This net sometimes begins informally as early as 0600 for you
very early risers and runs till (frequently past) 0900 local time (1400
UTC).  Listen for WQ4CWA and help us to continue to celebrate our new
Chapter call sign.

QCWA CHAPTER 119 SUNDAY ROUNDTABLE:  Why round?  Because nobody gets  
cornered there, of course, and everyone is welcome around the table.   
The net begins at 0900 hours local time, this week shepherded by Barry,
K5VIP and will run till approximately 1000 local time (1400 -- 1500 UTC).
WQ4CWA can be heard on the VBEARS repeater in Virginia Beach, 146.895- or on
the back-up CARS repeater on 146.82 - (TA  
162.2).   Come join in and share yourself with your fellow members  
and friends.

WQ4CWA QSL CONTEST:  Check out WQ4CWA on the QRZ.COM web pages.  See the
temporary QSL card devised by Barry, K5VIP.  Please submit your idea for a
Chapter 119 QSL card -- we are running a QSL 'contest' to find a 'permanent'
QSL card design for Chapter 119 Inc.  You need not produce anything fancy --
just let us know what your idea for a Chapter QSL card would look like and
we can flesh it out.  There will be an appropriate 'reward' for the person
submitting the chosen design -- probably a free lunch!

WHAT MAKES QCWA A GREAT ORGANIZATION?  At a recent meeting of QCWA Chapter
91 (Vic Clark Chapter) National President John Johnston, W3BE, made the
following remark:  "A question I'm frequently asked
is: 'Why is there an organization for hams licensed at least 25 years ago?'
My revisionist answer is: 'It seems it takes that long to appreciate that
ham radio is about a lot more than radios. It is also about the fascinating
people who make our hobby great.'"  Very well spoken, John -- well said.
John went on to illustrate this point with some reflections on special folks
who have had special relevance to Chapter 91.  His remarks can be read in
more detail on the excellent web site maintained by long-time Chapter
Secretary, now semi-retired from that duty, Dick Rucker, KM4ML at http:// 
homepage.mac.com/rrucker/chapter91/   -- and I encourage you to check  
out not only John's remarks, but the whole Chapter 91 operation -- a really
great bunch of guys.

They, like you all, are examples of John's major point -- QCWA is about
PEOPLE, not just radios.  Amateur radio is a UNIQUENESS we share, if unique
can be shared.  If nothing else, your amateur radio call sign is a
once-in-the-universe thing that makes you a truly unique person.  Unique or
not, it is the seasoned things in this life that have the real quality,
whether it be a twenty-five year tenure as an amateur radio operator, a fine
wine, an old paintings, quality music, or good friends.  Experience is not
an instant gratification kind of thing -- sometimes it takes a lifetime of
experience to really distill the goodness from this thing that binds us all
together.  And yet we know by virtue of the great folks we have on our
Friends List that all that is quality has not yet met the test of time.  And
so we are all works in progress, collectors of experience, some with filters
more finely detailed than others, some with but rudimentary experiential
filters -- but all worthy QCWA members and friends.  Congratulations on your
appreciation for the things that make QCWA a GREAT ORGANIZATION, and for
your support of QCWA and, particularly, of Chapter 119, Inc.

QCWA CHAPTER 119 GOES TO FROSTFEST:  Chapter 119 has reserved two tables at
Frostfest, 2007, sponsored by the Richmond Amateur Telecommunications
Society (RATS), on Sunday, February 18.  One table is reserved, unashamedly,
for PROMOTION of QCWA Chapter 119 Inc., the other for members to use on a
shared basis for anything they may want to offer to the Frostfest attendees.
Electricity is available at the table if you want/need to demonstrate
something. Your BOD offers this to you as a Chapter 119 member benefit and
hopes that you can take advantage of this opportunity.  If you have
something you'd like to SEND, as opposed to TAKE, to Frostfest for the
Chapter 119 community table please contact your Chapter Secretary for
logistical support.

QCWA CHAPTER 119 FEBRUARY MEETING PLACE:  The February informal meeting of
QCWA Chapter 119 Inc. will be held, as usual, on the THIRD FRIDAY in
February but at a NEW MEETING PLACE.  This meeting will be held in a
reserved meeting room at Frankie's Place for Ribs, located  
in the   Fairfield Shopping Center, Kempsville Road at Providence  
Road, Virginia Beach.  Frankie's offers a full service menu sure to please
any palate/pocketbook -- on the lighter side, salads from $2.95, a varied
luncheon menu, including Frankie's special Baby Back Ribs, from $4.95 to
$7.75, and entrees running about as heavy as you  
might care to get -- fish and steak entrees from $9.95 to $21.95.   
Please join us on February 16th and let us know if you care to continue
meeting at this location.

QCWA CHAPTER 119 WANTS YOU:  There are many opportunities to participate in
the activities of QCWA and your local Chapter 119.  
There are those who provide enthusiastic service to the membership -- those
who, when an activity comes along, quickly volunteer to take on
responsibility.  It seems to be that about 10% of any organization provides
about 90% of the activity related to that group.  This is not a complaint --
just a statement of the way things seem to be all over the globe in many
different organizations.  It would be a terrible thing, however, if you
wanted an opportunity to be of service to your fellow members and friends
and were not provided that opportunity.  It is your responsibility to make
known your desire to participate on a higher level than you are perhaps
presently doing if you want action.  If there is nothing currently on the
horizon that you would like to do then we can make something happen for the
benefit of the Chapter and you can take on all the responsibility you
desire.  There are current opportunities for someone to step into the
rotation of Net Control Stations for the VHF Sunday Roundtable, or to serve
the Chapter as Log Master for WQ4CWA, or as QSL Manager.  The strength of
the organization lies in the willing participation in the life of the
Chapter by the membership.  If all you can do for your fellow members and
friends right now is to just be there, then that is your contribution.  But
let NO ONE feel left out if a higher level of participation is desired.

QCWA, INC 2008 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION:  The local steering committee for
the 2008 Convention is busy at work.  Proposals from several oceanfront
hotels are in hand and will be reviewed by the committee and by QCWA
National prior to final site selection.  Once the foundation has been set
there will be opportunities aplenty for involvement in this great endeavor.
Keep watch for further developments as this process matures.

MEMBERSHIP LIST:  Enclosed with this report is the latest membership list.
Note that there are still a few entries that are not bolded and are of
slightly smaller type font.  That signals that 2007 Chapter dues are still
outstanding.  Several of the few remaining are out-of-town members who will
most likely find us at Frostfest. We look forward to editing the list to
include all who are presently listed as well as new members as they step
forward.  The Chapter 119 Constitution and By-Laws do not make provision for
extending  
membership beyond the end of January for anyone not current in dues.   
That period will be extended, however, as a courtesy to the far-off members
through Frostfest.

And with that I will pronounce these proceedings closed for the present.
Although we have bright sun and clear blue skies today the air outside is
chilly indeed.  Take care of yourself if you go out, be extra vigilant if
you drive, and look out for the other person who might not be looking out
for themselves.  73, Vic


Victor I. Culver, W4VIC
Secretary/Treasurer, QCWA Chapter 119, Inc.




QCWA Chapter 119 Inc. is a membership organization.  Individuals wishing to
become members must have been licensed at least 25 years ago and must be a
member of the National QCWA organization.  Chapter
119 membership year extends from 1 January through 31 December of any
calendar year.  Membership in Ch. 119 costs $6.00 per year.  
Information about National QCWA membership may be obtained on the Internet
at http://www.qcwa.org or by writing:  QCWA, Inc., P.O. Box 3247.
Framingham, MA, 01705-3247.  You may also contact the Chapter
119 Secretary/treasurer.  Anyone not meeting the basic membership
requirement who wishes to associate him/herself with Chapter 119 Inc.  
until they become eligible for membership should contact the Chapter
Secretary.


If you do not wish to receive any further communications from QCWA Chapter
119 Inc. then please let me know so that I may remove your name and address
from our distribution list.  Thank you.  W4VIC