[PVRCNC] PVRC-NC East May Chapter meeting

[Jim Jordan, K4QPL]

PVRC Dinner Mtg - May 2nd 2013, Manchesters Bar and Grill, Raleigh, NC

Despite many "regulars" being AWOL, the meeting came to normal disorder at 
the usual time and place with Jim, K4QPL filling in for Rob, K4OV on the job 
of herding cats. The light turnout did not prevent the raucous discussions 
which this time concentrated on the recent NCQP mobile activities and some 
secret plans for putting more counties on the air next year. Stay tuned!!

Will, AA4NC - Minimal radio activity since NCQP.  Reported that Rob NH6V 
(often operates as KH6LC) had a serious accident being run over by a car 
during the cycling portion of a triathlon and could use all the good 
thoughts and prayers you can send his way.  Will also announced that he will 
be operating as part of a networked multi-location station during IARU. 
Please contact him for details. Heading for Dayton again this year.

Tom, N4TL - Minimal radio activity recently but had a great visit to Italy. 
Showed a photo of the gateway for that rare entity, Knights of Malta 
(Prefix??) but unfortunately it was closed.

Tony, K4QE - Minimal contest activity recently but happily announced he has 
reached DXCC 250 Confirmed!

Guy, K2AV - Reported on interesting "tech support" saga involving a fellow 
in Hawaii who was having trouble working W/VE by making his 160M FCP antenna 
operate uphill over an extinct volcano between us and him.

Jack, W0UCE - Arrived with his chauffeur (XYL, Fran) directly from eye 
surgeon with clear patch over his eye.  Said the surgery went well and 
announced he is now getting started with distribution of his hamShack Switch 
product.  Will have 100 units available shortly and offered 10% discount to 
PVRC members as well as introductory free shipping for orders placed in May. 
The new gear will also be offered at Dayton this year. Also noted he will be 
operating WPX CW from N1LN.

Nate, N4YDU - Mostly casual operating lately.  Moved his shack from inside 
house back to where it was and where he can feel more comfortable drilling 
holes through the wall. Also Dayton-bound.

Bob, WX4G - Reported that he has taken down his towers and is moving to 
Florida to be closer to family. He'll be located near Sarasota and 
reinstating his activities with FCG. Bob has been a meeting regular and a 
great contributor to PVRC scores during his time in NC. Good luck, Bob. 
We'll miss you. Come back when you can.

Jim, K4QPL - Happy to report successful remote operation of his NC station 
from South Africa during a recent visit.  Not much activity otherwise. 
Also, he is looking forward to a driving trip to Dayton with several of the 
others.

Last, but not least, we welcomed for his first meeting, Barry, K6RM and XYL 
Judy - Newcomers to NC living South of Wilmington near the coast (FM03vx). 
Was active in NCCC  and former Director and Secretary/Treasurer of same. 
Licensed in 1959 in Philly (K3KOA), QRT until 1999, rediscovered HF and soon 
began contesting.  Mostly CW, some SSB and RTTY from home, enjoyed numerous 
Multi-ops (mainly SSB).  Outside "the circle" but looking forward to 
contributing points to PVRC for the NAQP inter-club competition. HOA-limited 
home station so looking to contribute to Multi-2, Multi-Multi, etc. 
elsewhere.  "Have Headset, Will Travel":-) Looking forward to his second 
meeting in June. Barry was immediately pressed into PVRC service to take 
roundtable notes as he seemed to be the only one present and prepared with a 
pen and notepaper to fill in for our normal scribe, W4KAZ who had called in 
with a reasonably legitimate excuse. I guess we can learn something from 
those NoCal contesters!

Hey, guys, let's show a few more eyeballs next month!

73,

Jim, K4QPL