[PVRCNC] ARRL NC Section news

[Roberts, Will]

As Mike said, that was a nice plug for contesting in general. I don't really know N2COP, however I did meet and shake his hand at Dayton this year. He had seen the "NC" callsign and wanted to say hello.
After seeing the section news, I e-mailed COP with info. on our PVRCNC chapters as a way that N.C. hams could find out more about contesting, etc. He is planning to put info. about PVRCNC in his next edition.

73,

Will AA4NC
(currently peeking out from under an avalanche of PJ5 QSLs to answer!)


Date: Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:34:40 GMT
From: mike at bentwire.net<mailto:mike at bentwire.net>
Subject: [PVRCNC] ARRL NC Section news
To: "PVRCNC" <pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net<mailto:pvrcnc at mailman.qth.net>>,
Message-ID: <20101022173108.6055F8A817 at mailman.qth.net<mailto:20101022173108.6055F8A817 at mailman.qth.net>>
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The ARRL is a favorite target for many, and often not without cause.
However, the new edition of the NC Section newsletter just dropped in my inbox, and the following appeared at the end of the newsletter. As members of THE PREMIER CONTESTING CLUB in NC ;-) we should be happy to see such kind words coming from the League officialdom. I'm not sure how many NC ARRL members receive the newsletter or what percentage bother reading it (I usually skim it at best), but we'd be hard pressed to ask for better PR.

73, Mike N4GU



from the NC Section Newsletter, October 2010

LAST WORD: CONTESTING FOR THE REST OF US. Contesters are a special breed, and a breed we should look up to. The biggest contests of the year in terms of activity are coming up: the 'November Sweepstakes'.
The CW portion is November 6-8, and the Phone version is November 20- 22. When you hear a seasoned contester in action, you are hearing the essence of Amateur Radio. Cool, concise, efficient and meticulous are adjectives which describe them. Contesters are many times the ones we admire when we wish we could become better operators.

Like anything in life, contesters have worked hard to achieve their success. What's more interesting is that in more casual day-to-day operating, contesters still stand out as exemplary operators. Their habits spill over to normal operating. If you want to become a better operator, there is no substitute for getting on the air, becoming a better listener, and trying a contest or two. But where to begin?
Here are some suggestions:

First, if you have expanded HF privileges as a General or Extra, devote an uninterrupted block of time to an upcoming contest. The November Sweepstakes are overwhelming, but you will hear contesting at its utmost. Concentration could net you some unexpected QSOs you might not otherwise get. If you can handle Sweepstakes, you can handle any contest. Listen to segments an hour at a time so you won't burn out.
Soon you'll begin to see patterns and rhythms which will help you.

Next, work your way up to the pace of Sweepstakes. State QSO parties are a wonderful starting point. In CW, there are some 4 hour sprints that will really help your CW skills to improve. An excellent source for all kinds of contests, especially ones for rookies, is WA7BNM's Contest Calendar at http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal

Finally, in North Carolina, 46% of all Amateur Radio licensees are Technicians. Many are seeking a migration path to motivate them to General. With the upper bands opening up again, 10 meter contesting is making a comeback. Techs have the grandfathered Novice CW privileges plus HF SSB privileges 28.300-28.500 MHz. Try a 10-10 contest. More info at http://www.ten-ten.org Also, the VHF Sweepstakes are January 22-24. Try some 6 meter or 2 meter sideband. According to the "Most Wanted Grids" map at
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/FFMA/Most%2520Wanted%2520Grids%25202007
pdf, North Carolina is home to three highly desired Maidenhead grids:
FM25 and FM26 in the Outer Banks, and FM13 at Kure Beach, Fort Fisher and a portion of Bald Head Island. Have your club sponsor a DXpedition in a rare grid or close to home, and open up the world of contesting to Technician licensees.

Getting on the air is the best prescription to becoming a better operator. Happy Halloween to all, and be safe. C U DN THE LOG.

73 de Bill
Bill Morine, N2COP
ARRL North Carolina Section Manager