The Blue Ridge Echo . . Echo.

Echo
..

Official Transmitter of the Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Club -

W4YK -

Volume 24, Number 3 – March 2011

The Prez Sez — Wow! Can you believe this weather? It really makes me look forward to spring but
beware! March is still ahead and winter snows are still possible so stay prepared. There are a number of
activities ahead of us where we need volunteers. I know it is difficult to participate in every one of them but I
would love to see every member get involved in at least one of the activities this spring. Dan will have some of
them listed in this edition of the Echo and we will have sign up sheets at our next meeting for upcoming events.
The closest event to us takes place Sunday, February 27 from 12:00 noon until 10:00 pm. This is our own NC
QSO Party. Please get involved either at the club or at home. It is a lot of fun and I know for myself I learn
something new each time I participate. See you soon.

73s Danny NA4X

Our Next Meeting: March 1, 2011

7:00 pm – “Anderson Power Poles”

For this meeting, if you have any of these connectors or jumpers, please
bring them. Also, any cool or interesting ideas that you may have used these
for would be greatly appreciated.

MEETING MINUTES OF February 1st, 2011 — Meeting called to order by President Danny
Rector at 1900 hours local time.

Pledge of Allegiance followed. The attendance roster was sent around.

Rusty, K4SAA gave a rundown of upcoming contests as well as current and planned DX-peditions. Rusty also
reported that the Club had scored 38,190 points in the NAQSO party. We had 335 contacts and 47 states.
Minutes and the Treasurers reports were approved as published.

Discussion of FD locations followed. Consensus is that Fletcher Park still seems to be the preferred location.

The program was conducted by Jonathan, KF4NVX. He presented a how-to on building the “DBJ-1,” a vhf-uhf
dual band J-pole antenna.

Following a brief description of the project, the members broke into groups to try building one.

Meeting adjourned while the building was going on.

Respectfully submitted,

Dick Smith
W4RSS (a poor substitute for W4IOE!)
BRARC Member to be recognized – This just in -- Our own Duke, W4DK, has been honored
with this year's Roanoke Division Service Award. Only one radio amateur in the 4 Roanoke Sections receives it.
It will be formally presented by Dennis Bodson, W4PWF, probably at the Charlotte Hamfest.

Good work, Duke. And thank you for taking the lead in so much of amateur radio in Western North Carolina.

Michael, AI4GR

Bob Felt is Henderson County’s ARES Emergency Coordinator – Bob, W4RYF, is

now the Emergency Coordinator for ARES in Henderson County. He recently granted this exclusive interview
to Michael, AI4GR, ECHO’s guest reporter.

ECHO: Bob, how did you become so involved with amateur radio?
Bob: I won an H/T at a hamfest, and afterward decided to become an amateur operator and use it. Thereupon, in
1992 I was licensed and started having fun using the repeaters of Louisiana. My interest quickened while in the
armed forces, stationed in Korea. I set up a great station for communicating through satellites while there, and
used it to become one of the few Americans to earn the All-Japan award. Now I am a member of Army MARS
and the BRARC.

ECHO: What’s in your radio shack?

Bob: It’s an all-ICOM shack. My main rig is an IC-7600 that works into a 300’ horizontal loop 45’ up. I work
satellites using my UHF/VHF crossed yagi. But for VHF contests, I take to the mountains for greater range. I
enjoy precise frequency measurement, and have taken a 1st in the under 1-HZ category.

ECHO: How do you view the role of ARES in Henderson County?

Bob: ARES is here to assist emergency management and our disaster relief agencies. We have an important
role; but communications technology is changing and we must be creative as we go forward. We can expect to
be called upon for assistance that extends beyond our usual communications efforts.

For instance, the Henderson County Chapter of the American Red Cross has definite needs for our
communications assistance when shelters are opened or when disaster assessment is in progress. However,
while we are on-site with them we can help with set-up and take-down of facilities. This sort of help would add
to our emergency responsiveness. Emergency service is key –we must be mobile and agile.

ECHO: How can a licensed amateur join ARES?

Bob: That’s easy; just contact me or any other member of ARES. Joining involves minimal paper work and a
few on-line courses administered by FEMA. A good start would be to listen in or join our Wednesday net on
146.640MHz at 8:30pm.
WCARS VEC testing session – We had the February test session at Mountain Home Fire
Department on the 12th of February, 2011. Those V.E.’s attending were:

Dan Maxwell, K2DRM Debbie Hicks, AD2H Duke Knief, W4DK

Eric Mauney, W4ENC Norman Harrill, N4NH Sid Hendricks, W4IOE
Will Hicks, WI1L

Two came for testing, and Doug Davis, KJ4WWN, upgraded from Technician Class to General Class.
Congratulations Doug!

DuPont Marathon 2011– Well, it's a half-marathon these days. Henderson County hams have
supported this event since the inception in 2002 and your help is needed again this year to provide the health and
welfare security that the runners should have. The event will be held on Saturday, 9 April at the DuPont forest.
The time is from sunrise until approximately noon. If you can help out, call Duke W4DK 891-4359. I need some
sort of commitment ASAP so I can see how our manning is shaping up. Thanks

AMATEUR RADIO CLASS – A Technician radio class will start March 10, 2011. Class will be each
Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 to 9:00pm at AB TECH in the Elm building in room 318. The class will use
the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 2010 which will be available at the class. For more information, please
call 828-253-1192

Mark Your Calendar —

5-6 March – ARRL DX Contest, Phone

12 March – Charlotte Hamfest (Concord, NC)
26-27 March – CQ WPX SSB
17 April – ARRL Rookie Roundup SSB

Please notify the editor if dates change, or as new events arise.

ITEMS FOR SALE

ICOM-746Pro HF/VHF Transceiver - w/TCXO installed and mods for MARS, CAP bands, excellent condition,
recent factory calibration ..... Asking $875.00 OBO w/box, manual, etc

RS-PRO 96 Digital Trunk Tracking - all mode digital scanner, VIPER ready, excellent condition.... asking
$195.00 OBO, w/box, AC adapter, manual, & (free) Win96 programming software

Contact //Bob - W4RYF tel 828-696-4103

Kenwood HF Transceiver TS-50S (Estate Sale item) HF 160-10m incl WARC bands, SSB, FM, CW, AM 100
WATTS [25 AM] Receives 500 kHz to 30 MHz. Can be modified for MARS operation (simple)
Clean and operational. With manual. Asking $400. Duke W4DK 891-4359

If you have items for sale, or need something, notify the editor.

– DUES FOR 2011 ARE DUE –

PTT ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Ham Radio in the news:

The ARRL is asking its members to contact their US representatives in opposition to the
sections of HR 607 that could affect the Amateur Radio Service allocation at 420-440
MHz. More at http://www.southgatearc.org/news/february2011/hr607.htm

A small team of amateur radio operators are keeping the lines of communication open in
earthquake-hit areas of Christchurch. More at
http://www.arrl.org/news/new-zealand-amateurs-assist-in-earthquake-s-aftermath

—— K2DRM is clear.
 Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Club $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Points of Contact
President: Financial Report: February 2011 - Lil Clark
Danny Rector, NA4X - 828-698-3231
rectordl@bellsouth.net Balance as of 1/31/11 $ 1658.33
Vice President:
Jonathan Williams, KF4NVX - 828-429-1007 Plus: 1 Deposits 60.00
jsw007@bellsouth.net Less: Expenses 0.00
Secretary:
Sid Hendricks, W4IOE - 828-684-8130
Balance as of 2/17/11 $ 1718.33
w4ioe@bellsouth.net
Treasurer: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Lil Clark, KG4GFP - 828-877-5223
peregrine13@citcom.net
Members-At-Large:
Craig Miller, KE4DFV – 828-884-5773
ke4dfv@arrl.net
Rusty Jones, N4SAA - 828-674-9350 Purpose: The purpose of the club is to further the
n4saa@arrl.net exchange of information and cooperation between
Antennas: Walt Wernsing, KO4JN - 828-891-9956 members, to promote radio knowledge, fraternalism
walter134@mchsi.com
Echo Editor: Dan Maxwell, K2DRM - 828-243-1347 and individual operating efficiency, and to promote
danmaxwell@dan-maxwell.com and conduct programs and activities as to advance the
Webmaster: Dick Smith, K4KQJ - 828-687-9531 general interest and welfare of amateur radio in the
k4kqj@arrl.net community.
ARRL Emergency Coordinator: Bob Felt, W4RYF
828-696-4103 Elmers: We have many “Elmers.” An Elmer is a
VE Testing: Sid Hendricks, See above knowledgeable amateur radio operator who is willing
Membership: - Lil Clark, See above to help new hams and “students” with questions or
Public Relations: Dick Smith, See above procedures and help them to understand more about
Trustee: Steve Smith, KC5F - 828-697-6388
the hobby.
kc5f@arrl.net
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ Volunteer Examinations: Every 3 months, our
volunteer examiners provide an opportunity to get your
Club Information amateur license or to upgrade your status.
NEXT SESSION: May 14, 2011
Address: Blue Ridge Amateur Radio Club
PO Box 831, Horse Shoe NC 28742 Contact Sid, W4IOE, for details.
Website: http://www.radioclub.org/ Classes: We occasionally have classes so you can
learn how to get your own amateur radio Technician
Dues: Our dues cover the period from January through
class license.
December. Dues for additional related members in the
same household as a Full or Associate member are
one-half the applicable rate. Dues for full-time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
students of an accredited school are one-half the
regular rate as long as student status is maintained.
A message from the editor....... Articles and
New members joining between July and December pay
submissions for the Echo should be sent by the
one-half the applicable rate for membership through
15th of each month.
the end of the year. This year’s dues are $20.00 per
If you have something to add to our newsletter,
person; $10.00 per additional family member.
send it to: Dan, K2DRM.
Please send your renewals to: Lil Clark, 15 Autumn Call me at: 828-243-1347 or E-mail me at:
Glen Ct., Brevard, NC 28712 danmaxwell@dan-maxwell.com
Meetings: We meet at the Stoney Mountain
Activity Center at 7:00 pm on the first Tuesday of !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
each month.
 Nets and On-The-Air Activities

Net Freq / PL Day Time

BRARC Net 146.640 MHz/ 91.5 Sunday 8:00 PM

Henderson County ARES Net 146.640 MHz / 91.5 Wednesday 8:30 PM
High Country Swap & Rag Chew 442.225 MHz/107.2 Monday 9:00 PM
Red Cross Communicators 146.640 MHz/91.5 Sunday 9:00 PM
Mount Mitchell 6m Net 53.630 MHz/100 Friday 9:00 PM
QCWA Chapter 76 3.625 MHz (SSB) Saturday 8:45 AM
Buncombe ARES Net 146.910 MHz/ 91.5 Wednesday 9:00 PM
Good Morning Net 146.760 MHz M-W-F 9:00 AM
WCARS Info. Net 146.910 MHz/ 91.5 Monday 9:00 PM
6600 Net 145.190 MHz Saturday 9:00 PM
Blue Ridge Traffic (SC) 146.610 MHz Daily 9:00 PM
Mount Pisgah 220 Net 224.260 MHz Sunday 9:00 PM
Mount Mitchell 220 Net 224.540 MHz Monday 8:00 PM
NC ARES Area 15 Roll Call Net 146.640 MHz/ 91.5 Thursday 8:00 PM
Tarheel Emergency Net 3.923 MHz (SSB) Daily 7:30 PM
NC Morning Net 3.926 MHz (SSB) Daily 7:45 AM
SATERN Net 14.265 MHz Daily 10:00 AM
NC Evening Net 3.923 MHz (SSB) Daily 6:30 PM
Carolinas Slow Net 3.571 MHz (CW 5-8 wpm) Daily 8:00 PM
Carolinas Net (Late) 3.573 MHz (CW 15-18 wpm) Daily 10:00 PM
Carolinas Net (Early) 3.573 MHz (CW 20-22 wpm) Daily 7:00 PM

If this information has changed, please contact Dan at danmaxwell@dan-maxwell.com.

Club Meeting Tuesday

January 4, 7:00 pm
Stoney Mountain Activity Center

Subsequent club meeting

February 1, 7:00 pm
Stoney Mountain Activity Center

Henderson County ARES

Training Session
Fourth Monday of month
Etowah Lions Club, 7pm

— Find us on the web at < http://www.radioclub.org > —