[FARC] Rockville Science Day 2009 & MDC QSO Party

[Bob Moroney]

Here's a blurb from Jim Cross WI3N on the Ham Radio exhibit on Sunday down in Rockville.  Note that the Laurel VEC will be holding a free test session, if you been looking for one in the general area.  

73, Bob K9CMR

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* HAM RADIO EXHIBIT AT SCIENCE DAY 2009 IN ROCKVILLE
  * 2009 MDC QSO PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT

==> HAM RADIO EXHIBIT AT SCIENCE DAY 2009 IN ROCKVILLE

On Sunday, April 26, there will be a ham radio exhibit at
Science Day 2009 held at Montgomery College, Rockville
Campus from 12-5 pm.  Stop by to visit and bring your kids and
grandkids.  

Support their special event station, N3S, on 20 and 40 meters by taking
a moment to work them and demonstrate HF to the attendees.

Local Amateur Radio operators will be featuring an Amateur
Radio display with lots of interesting radios, kits and
videos.

For more information on this and other exhibits please click:
<http://www.rockvillescience.org/rcsday.html>.

There will also be a free Amateur Radio exam session held
from 1 pm -- 3 pm by the Laurel VEC in the Student Lounge.
Walk-ins are welcome and pre-registration is appreciated.
Please contact John Creel, WB3GXW, at 301.572.5124 or Mona
Singleton, NY7P, at 301.874.5124 to pre-register and find
out what to bring with you.

==> 2009 MDC QSO PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT

Most of you know that the Antietam Radio Association has
been the primary sponsor of the Maryland-DC QSO Party
(The "Fun Contest")for roughly the past 20 years.  Please
see <http://www.w3cwc.org>.

There are a few things that make this years MDC Party Extra
Special.

First, the ARRL has declared 2009 as the "Year of the State
QSO Party.  See: <http://www.arrl.org/awards/ysqso/>.

As such, the ARRL is encouraging the support of all ARRL
volunteers and appointees to participate in all of this
year's state QSO parties.

Second, this year is historically significant in MDC QSO
Party history because it signifies the end of one era leads
into the start of another.

Back in the late 50's or early 60's, we believe the original
MDC QSO Party was started by the Maydale Radio Club.  This
first era continued much the same way under the Maydale Club
and Later the Columbia ARA.  Sadly the first era came to a
close and the party died.

About 20 years ago, Ken Cohen, NI3F, ARRL Section Manager at
the time, put out a call for the party to be restarted and
the Antietam Radio Association answered that call.

ARA made many changes to the old rules and the party grew
most every year to where it's a welcome activity on many ham's and
club's calendars both within and outside the state of MD and the
District of Columbia. This developed into the Modern MDC QSO Party as
it exists today.

2009 will be the last MDC QSO Party under ARA's direct care
and as the sponsor after 20 years and is passing the torch to another
responsible club at the conclusion of 2009 activity.

We, at ARA, would like to thank those who have supported our
version of the party over the years. We still have a QSO
Party scheduled for August 8 and 9, 2009. 

But, we still have three or four plaque categories without
a plaque sponsor.  For $35, an individual or a club could
sponsor one of the as yet un-sponsored plaques for 2009's
contest.

If you would like to help with a plaque this year, send
funds to the Antietam Radio Association, P.O. Box 52,
Hagerstown, MD, 21741.

Finally, we'd like to announce some good news.

With with the blessings of both Jim Cross, WI3N, ARRL MDC
Section Manager, and the reigning MDC QSO Party Sponsor,
the Antietam Radio Association, Inc. reached an agreement to
hand over sponsorship of the 2010+ MDC QSO Parties to the
Anne Arundel Radio Club, W3VPR, and Anne Arundel Radio
Club, Jr, KI3DS.

We're told the 2010 QSO Party will have Bob Rose, AA3RR,
as the coordinator.  We're sure AARC and AARC, Jr would
appreciate your support in future MDC QSO Parties.

Thank you.

Page Pyne  WA3EOP
Capt. John Smith, W3SPY
Coordinators and Co-chairs
2009 MDC QSO Party
"The Fun Contest"

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Maryland-DC Section
Section Manager: James E. Cross, WI3N
wi3n at arrl.org