[PVRCNC] PVRCNC-EAST Meeting Notes

[NX9T at aol.com]

PVRCNC-EAST January Meeting Notes
 
We started off 2006 in grand style with a solid turnout from an excellent  
cross-section of our membership base.  General discussion about the  recently 
completed holidays, upcoming contests, antenna planning, new rigs, and  such 
filled the air prior the “official” kick off when the burgers, ribs,  pizzas, 
salads, soups, etc...starting showing up on the table.  The 14 in  attendance 
were: W0UCE, Jack; K2AV, Guy; KA1ARB, Rob; N4CW, Bert; WA2JFK, Jim;  K4CIA, 
Bill; NX9T, Jeff; K4HA, Bob; N4XD, Ron; N4TL, Tom; K4CZ, Barry; W4KAZ,  Keith; 
AD4L, Pete; K4QPL, Jim.
 
K4QPL thanked the group for being part of such a strong showing with great  
participation during the close of 2005 and encouraged all to maintain the  
enthusiasm as we head in to the 2006 contest season.  Jim offered  appreciation to 
all who help keep things running smoothly.
 
W0UCE conducted the regular “Paper Contest.”  This months contest  required 
some pretty strong knowledge of electronics “test equipment.”  Do  you know 
what a “Megger” measures?  How about what a “Galvanometer” is used  to 
measure?  Bill, K4CIA, showed that he knows his stuff and took home the  prize, a 
swivel headlamp.  Bob, K4HA, was nipping at his heels in a very  close second 
place.  
 
 
Jack requests that members make suggestions to him (W0UCE) about future  
programs and “Paper Contest” topics.  Jack intends to conduct these  contests 
each month and welcomes input on the topics/information involved.   These 
contests are not only fun, but often quite educational!

 
K2AV presented a very interesting and informational demonstration on  antenna 
modeling.  We appreciate Guy’s willingness to share his knowledge  and 
insight on a topic which many of us have little or no experience.
 
 
The program schedule for the next two months is as follows:
 
February: W0UCE- Tips on Working the Weak Ones
 
March: AD4L- Software Designed Radio Technology 
 
Member Reports:
 
KA1ARB: Rob operated SS SSB as a Multi-Op with long time buddy from New  
Hampshire, WB1ADR.  They had a great time, piled up a strong score, and are  ready 
to go at it again!  Rob also participated in the CQWW CW and 10m  contest and 
focused on polishing up his CW skills.   
 
AD4L: Pete worked hard in the SS SSB.  The hours prior to the contest  were 
filled with home-brewing ladder line feed which wound up playing very  well.  
Pete was really impressed with how his antenna system played on  80m.
 
N4CW: After returning from Maine, Bert engaged his son-in law WA2JFK to  play 
in the SS SSB.  Bert also operated various contests in the late fall,  played 
in the Stew Perry, and hopes to enter the RTTY contest this coming  weekend.
 
 
 
WA2JFK: Jim is the self-proclaimed “SSB part of Bert.” Being Bert’s  
son-in-law, he has access to the N4CW shack and first dibs for operating  multi-ops.  
(It was great to have Jim with us and hope he can be with us  regularly).  
Jim will operate Kids Day this weekend with his  daughter.
 
K4CIA: Bill operated in SS CW as a QRP warrior!  He also worked some  in the 
ARRL 160 and continues to chase DX.  Bill is putting the finishing  touches on 
his new K9AY loop.
 
NX9T: Jeff operated in SS CW and SSB, ARRL 160, and the ARRL 10m  contest.  
He spent more time than usual on cw during the 10m contest and  had a blast. 
Jeff hopes to entice his sons to get on for Kids Day this  weekend.
 
K4HA: Bob, while not operating much lately, has been keeping busy with  doing 
tower work for himself and others.  He (and friends) recently took  down 180 
feet of Rohn 55! That is a significant tower!
 
K4QPL: Jim operated both modes in SS along with a few others events late  
last fall.  He is planning to travel to N4AF to operate the ARRL CW.
 
N4XD: Ron has been focusing on 160m lately.  He operated the ARRL 160  and 
the Stew Perry.  Good DX catch of late was the VQ9 on 160m.  Ron  hopes to hit 
the 160m tests coming up in 2006.
 
N4TL: Tom operated both modes in SS, the ARRL 160, has been chasing DX, and  
recently picked up new a new project...Heathkit twins, SB301/401.  He was  
quite successful this year in getting his XYL and family members to come through  
as Tom received all five of his desired radio books provided on his annual  “
Christmas list.” 
 
K4CZ: Barry has been very active operating contests such as SS, CQWW,  
etc...and hopes to get in on the RTTY test this weekend..  He is enjoying  his TS930 
and is planning to add computer control to it any day now.  Barry  is 
thinking about putting up a tower and is considering various options.  
 
W4KAZ: Keith had a great time racking up 300+ Q’s in the SS SSB.  He  worked 
some in the SS CW and ARRL 160.  Keith hopes to operate ARRL DX as a  multi 
with NT4D and NT4Q. Big news from Keith was about an upcoming Dxpedition  to Sri 
Lanka in 2015. He handed out prototype QSL cards which might be  used.  The 
cards generated numerous comments and laughs.
 
W0UCE: Jack reported that his lightening damage estimate is now at  $15k.  He 
encouraged all to make a detailed inventory list, with receipts,  of their 
equipment in case they ever need it for insurance purposes.  Jack  operated in 
the ARRL 160, Stew Perry, and SS.  He plans to play in the CQ  160 and ARRL CW.
 
K2AV: Guy indicated that he was pleasantly surprised by the good conditions  
during the SS.  He discussed how the Multi-2 at N4AF wound up being a great  
success with around 4,500 q’s.  Their score is holding up well and  currently 
in first place in the U.S.
 
W4MY and KC4HDI: Marty and Chris, via email, indicated that they had a very  
nice Christmas, plan to operate many of the upcoming contests, as well as Kids 
 Day this weekend.  Marty is in a period of job transition and will likely  
be focusing some of his “contest energy” in that arena for the near  future.


Our PVRCNC brothers out West sent a reminder and invitation to attend the  
Forsth A.R.C. “FirstFest”this Saturday, January 7th, in Winston-Salem.   
Contact Don, WS4NC for more information.
 
We look forward to another great gathering in February!  Until then,  good 
luck in the contests and Happy New Year.
 
73,
jeff nx9t