[PVRCNC] April PVRCNC-East Meeting Summary

[NX9T at aol.com]

PVRCNC-East March Meeting Notes
 
We enjoyed a solid turnout and an excellent program during our March  
gathering. Our meeting conditions were a little rougher this time due to “our  room” 
being double booked and being forced to meet in the public area with lots  of 
QRM.  We appreciate the patience of our chapter members as we dealt with  the 
unexpected challenge.  Efforts will be made to ensure that this  situation 
does not reoccur.  The 13 in attendance were: W0UCE, Jack; N4CW,  Bert; N4TMO, 
Jim; K4CIA, Bill; NX9T, Jeff; N4TL, Tom; W4KAZ, Keith; K4QPL, Jim;  W4MY, 
Marty; K1ZW, Larry; NT4D, Jay; NT4Q, Jerry; and first time attendee and  soon to be 
regular, N1LN, Bruce.
 
K4QPL welcomed the group and outlined the evenings agenda.  WA2JFK  
introduced himself with his new moniker, N4TMO. Congrats Jim!
 
W0UCE conducted the regular “Paper Contest.”  This months contest was  in “
Sprint” fashion requiring both speed and accuracy. K4CIA firmly established  
himself as the “king” after winning his third paper contest.  Bill, being  the 
gentleman that he is, donated his prize (a protractor set) to W4TMO’s  
daughter who has been looking for just such an instrument.
 
Jim, K4QPL, presented a very interesting and informative program entitled,  “
Single Op, Two Radios...What, Why, When, Where, and How.”  Jim was  challenged 
to present the program under difficult circumstances due to our  meeting room 
issue, but, he came through with a superb summary of SO2R and all  left with 
added insight and understanding of what it takes to play SO2R and why  it is 
so appealing to many who are seeking that extra advantage.  This  program will 
ultimately be accessed via the PVRC website but can be obtained  directly in 
either powerpoint or Adobe PDF format directly from Jim.
 
The program schedule for next month is:
 
April: AD4L- Software Defined Radios 
 
Member Reports:
 
N1LN: Bruce made his first, of what promised to be many, appearances at  
PVRC.  He is moving to 2 ½ acres near Chapel Hill in May and will be  building a 
significant station consisting of multiple towers and several  stacks.  Welcome 
Bruce!  One meeting is “in the log,” one more to go  and you are in with the 
premier contesting club!
 
N4CW: Bert’s contesting efforts have been limited by family obligations  
lately, but he plans to operate some this weekend with W4TMO during the ARRL DX  
SSB.
 
W4TMO: Jim (formerly known as WA2JFK), operated some during ARRL DX CW and  
plans to be on with N4CW during the ARRL DX SSB. 
 
K1ZW: Larry joined us after being away a few months due to health  issues.  
Welcome Back!  He is recovering now after a hip replacement  and has begun 
putting up some new antennas.  Larry plans to operate during  the ARRL DX SSB.

K4CIA: Bill is celebrating 51 years as a ham radio  operator.  Congrats!  He 
got on during the ARRL DX CW and operated  QRP..had a grand time.  Recent DX 
snag was the YJ0 on 160m.
 
NX9T: Jeff got in on during the ARRL DX CW for a few hours, had a terrific  
time while in the CQ 160SSB, and played for a couple hours in the NC QSO  
party.  He reported that he enjoyed chasing 3Y0X all over the bands.   Jeff plans 
to be on during the ARRL DX SSB and WPX.  Described how  propagation was 
horrible for the February SSB Sprint.
 
W4MY: Marty congratulated W0UCE for a fine job during the recent ARRL DX CW  
test.  He reported that he operated mobile (10 counties) during the NC QSO  
party.  Meeting day was his birthday...Happy Birthday Marty!  The good  news is 
that Marty has started a new job.  The bad news is that his job  will likely 
keep him away from meetings for the next several months.  He  assured the group 
that he will be in contests and will stay in touch.  
 
K4QPL: Jim described how the NY4A effort during the ARRL DX CW was a huge  
success.  The crew is holding on to the number 3 spot in NA- M2.  Jim  played 
some in the NC QSO party and hopes to get on some for the ARRL DX  SSB.
 
N4TL: Tom entered the ARRL DX CW and plans to be during the ARRL DX  SSB.  He 
reported that he worked the 3Y0X on several bands and modes.
 
W4KAZ: Keith has not been able to be on the air much lately due to a “bug”  
that went through the family.  Hopes to be on some during the ARRL DX SSB.  

W0UCE: Jack reported that he and Dan, N3ND, had a great time  during the ARRL 
DX CW.  They are planning on making this an annual  event.  He was also quite 
pleased to announce that the insurance check  finally arrived following the 
significant lightening damage he incurred a few  months ago.
 
NT4D:Jay reported that he operated some during the ARRL DX CW and plans to  
operate MS during the ARRL DX SSB with Jerry, NT4Q. 
 
NT4Q: Jerry is looking forward to operating with NT4D during the ARRL DX  
SSB.  He indicated that he is in the final stages of getting items together  to 
put his tower up.  
 
Reports via Email:
 
K4CZ: Barry reports working 408 contacts in the CQ WPX RTTY test  recently.  
This is a new all time personal best for him.  Way to go  Barry!!!  He also 
worked the ARRL DX CW and NAQP RTTY contests as well as  bagging the 3Y0X after 
fighting his way through the pileups.  Barry is  planning to get on during the 
ARRL DX SSB.  After this weekend, Barry  states that he will be lessening his 
operating time so that he can get serious  about getting his tower and C4 up 
in the air!
 
KA1ARB: Rob advised that work commitments will hinder his ability to attend  
meetings for the next few months.  Nonetheless, he is planning to operate  
this weekend during the ARRL DX SSB with a ham friend in New Hampshire. 
 
We look forward to another great gathering in April!  Don’t miss  out...mark 
your calendars now for April 6 and come join us and learn about  Software 
Defined Radios.  
 
73,
jeff nx9t