[PVRCNC] PVRCNC-EAST November Meeting Minutes 11/3/2005

[NX9T at aol.com]

Lots of premeeting talk about CQWW SSB just finished and the upcoming  
contests. Lots of enthusiasm among the new members for contesting, improving  their 
stations and improving their skills. We were very pleased to welcome Barry  
Baker, K4CZ, to his second meeting and he was promptly inducted into the club by 
 acclamation. Barry lives in Durham. He's originally from near Pittsburgh. ( 
PA,  not Pittsboro, NC) Go to QRZ.com and look up K4CZ to read a very  
interesting bio and information on his station, operating activities and other  
interests.
 
A reminder was given for the December meeting on the first Thursday of  
December at Manchesters.   This is the special holiday meeting and  we've arranged 
an all inclusive menu with really top quality entrees. Spouses  and guests are 
also welcome to start the holiday season with a real PVRC  family reunion. 
PLEASE, put this on your calendar and let Jeff-NX9T know.  Reservations must be 
made in advance. Deadline for booking is one week ahead so  make your 
arrangements with Jeff before Thanksgiving. Full details on the  website at 
pvrcnc.org. 
 
The first PVRCNC-EAST Meeting On The Air was deemed a success by the  
participants despite a bit of challenging copy with members on the fringes  like 
N2NFG and W4MY. But it was a lot of fun and everyone agreed to do it  again. We're 
going to have an old-fashioned 3830 style gabfest this  coming Wednesday at 
9:30 on 28.450 SSB. Make some notes on your high and  low points of SSCW this 
weekend, have a summary of your results  and operating times, and share these 
with the local gang. Guaranteed  you'll have fun and maybe pick up a few tips 
for the next contest. 
 
Remember, MOTA 28.450 on Wednesday, November 9 at 9:30 p.m. (0230Z  11/10) 
 
Program chairman Jack, W0UCE, reported on some exciting new programs to  kick 
off the New Year. In January, our resident antenna guru and master of all  
things radio frequency, Guy, K2AV, will present another of his entertaining and  
highly educational programs on getting RF energy out of your radio and into 
the  one at the other end.  
 
Following months will feature selections from the world  famous PVRC DVD 
contesting set. These will not be just reruns,  but chosen to stimulate local 
discussion of various topics at the meetings.  This will be open ended for at 
least a few months in 2006 and could become a  regular feature. Jack and Rob, 
KA1ARB, are making their resources of digital  projectors, etc. available to the 
club so that we'll have full multi-media  presentations for these upcoming 
programs including Guy's. 
 
Mark your new 2006 diaries and calendars, paper and digital, for the  FIRST 
THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH. 
 
The ever popular W0UCE radio quiz was conducted in Sprint fashion. A  
shortage of writing instruments put some members into an involuntary MOOP mode  
(Multi Op One Pencil) which caused severe handicaps and some blank entries. Some  
of the trivia was so old that if you had a letter in front of the number in 
your  original call you probably couldn't answer them. Anyhow, the winner of a 
Harbor  Freight multimeter was the owner of "spook radio" Bill, K4CIA. Obviously 
no  leaks there! The hat was passed for future prizes and the group agreed to 
 support program prizes by donating 50 cents per meeting to be placed in a 
"prize  fund."
 
Member reports: 
 
As Jeff was out of town, and the member who volunteered to pinch hit  
couldn't make it either (no names, but if you were on the last MOTA, y'all know  who 
it was!) your chairman (Tnx 'QPL...greatly appreciated de nx9t) relied  on 
memory to a far greater extent than was justified. Definitely can't remember  all 
the WW reports. See the last report on the reflector. If you want to sue him  
for slander, better find a good lawyer! 
 
KA4ARB Rob was on for WW. Planning a big effort on SS phone. His station is  
available if needed for SSCW. 
 
K2AV. Guy had a couple of monster fire engine red toroids for show and  tell 
that are intended for an upcoming project. I didn't catch the details  as he 
and W0UCE were engaged in technical talk way over my head. Based on the  
parties, I must assume it relates to 160M. Guy says his plans for SS are  uncertain 
but should be on for "up to 30 hrs" whatever that means.
 
W0UCE. Jack is still happy with his log periodic and again thanked all for  
assistance in this big project. He'll be in SSCW and hosting others at his  
station for SS phone. He and Jim, K4QPL are talking about doing CQWW cw as a  
multi since neither will have time for a full effort.
 
W4KAZ. Keith had a lot of fun and good results in WW phone. Is looking  
forward to improving his cw in SS this weekend and then putting in a big effort  
for SS phone.
 
K4CIA. Bill listened a bit in WW but didn't get on. He'll be on for SS and  
at least look for PVRC'ers. 
 
N4TL. Tom was on for WW SSB and had a great time using N1MM log and packet  
for the first time. Was working those spots like shooting fish in a barrel! 
Will  get on for the upcoming contests as well.
 
W4MY. New member Marty also had fun in WW and is looking forward to the  
upcoming tests. Will have some locals in Rocky Mount join him for a multi in SS  
phone. Here's hoping that Bob and his group in VA emphasize that "Alpha" on the 
 end of W4MYA! He put his first posting on the PVRC reflector and was really  
encouraged by all the positive "offline" responses he received from other  
members.
 
K4CZ. Barry was welcomed as a new member. He's really pumped up for all the  
upcoming contests and getting involved with the club. More details in the main 
 section.
 
N4PY. Carl continues to be involved with radio software for the major radio  
brands like Ten-Tec, Icom, etc. Very supportive of the contesting efforts of  
harmonic, Nate, N4YDU.
 
N4YDU. Nate intended to be a major player in WW SSB, but upon returning  from 
a break to find the desk covered in gunk which escaped from the filter caps  
of his amplifier, was a bit demoralized and raised his "spirits" by attending 
a  party Saturday night. He's hoping to have more time as his duties as HS 
football  coach wind down for the season. Planning 10 hrs. or so in SS, but a 
major effort  in WW CW at the end of the month.
 
K4QPL. Jim got on for a few hours in WW SSB, but his activities have been  
focused on cheerleading for the PVRC club effort in SS and trying to get enough  
logs in to put SMC and NCCC in their rightful place at the low end of the  
band BELOW PVRC. He'll be doing a full time effort in SS CW. For  SS Phone he 
will be teaming up with Jack, W0UCE, to operate the first half  there as NY4A. 
When the rate drops he'll be operating from home as K4QPL. Won't  have enough 
time to go down to N4AF/NY4A  for WW CW so may team up with  Jack again for a 
multi-single.
 
NX9T. Jeff was out of town on a business trip so he put in an email report.  
He operated some in WW SSB and plans to be on for both modes of SS. Working on 
 some 80 and 40 meter wires to enhance the antenna farm."
 
See you all next month for the December  meeting!