Albemarle Amateur Radio Club

Please join your AARC colleagues for an Introduction to the Arduino Single-Board Computer workshop on Saturday, 21 February 2015, from 8am until noon at the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS) building at 828 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (the intersection of US-250 and McIntire Road, http://mapq.st/1sAWbCF). There is no charge to participate in this workshop, but registration is required, space is limited to 20 participants, and there are workshop materials that you will need to acquire in advance in order to get the most out of the workshop.

To register, please go to http://vols.pt/orZ1wc

To get the most out of this workshop, you will need:

• (1) Laptop computer with at least one USB port (Windows, Mac OS, or Linux)
• (1) Arduino Uno Board
• (1) USB cable to connect the Arduino to your computer
• (1) breadboard
• (13) hook-up wires
• (6) 220 ohm resistors
• (1) 10k ohm resistor
• (6) LEDs
• (1) potentiometer
• (1) momentary switch, button, or toggle switch

If you already have the components you need, great! If not, I highly recommend the Vilros Arduino Uno Ultimate Starter Kit + LCD Module, which contains a genuine Arduino Uno, the necessary components (and much more), and a very fine instruction manual that walks you through a number of projects.

If you can’t bring these materials to the workshop will we do our best to buddy you up with someone.

We'll start with an overview of the Arduino Uno and its capabilities; install and familiarize ourselves with the Arduino software; then work through some example projects such as:

• http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/Blink
• http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/DigitalReadSerial
• http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/AnalogInOutSerial
• http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ForLoop

By the end of the morning you should feel comfortable enough to explore the more advanced possibilities on your own. Coffee and donuts will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!

73, Mike KQ9P

Thanks to all 29 people who responded to the survey! The survey results are available at:

https://qtrial2014.az1.qualtrics.com/WRReport/?RPID=RP2_1AqEM6VLWgAWjTT&...

There is plenty of interest to warrant a workshop, so planning is in full gear. Bill AD6JV, Bill K4IB, Bill N0WP, and Dave K4DND (but we'll call him Bill just to avoid confusion) have all agreed to assist me in coaching and problem-solving during the session.

Look for a detailed announcement with all the logistics shortly.

Thanks and 73, Mike (Bill) KQ9P

On October 18th six cub scouts from Pack 75 along with their adult leaders were hosted at K4DU for Jamboree
on the Air. A great time was had by all. - Bob K4DU

The 2014 AARC Annual Awards Banquet will be held on Tuesday, 9 December 2014, at the Blue Ridge Cafe at 8315 Seminole Trail, Ruckersville, VA. The event will begin at 6pm with a cash bar, followed by dinner at 6:30pm and presentation of Club recognitions after dinner.

Reservations are required and need to be made no later than 2 December 2014 so we can give a final number to the caterer. You can make reservations either by: downloading the PDF reservation form attached to this article, filling out the form at the bottom, and returning the form with a check via US Mail to Don Eason N4UVA, 725 Montei Dr., Earlysville, VA 22936; or by sending email to Don at deason[at]comcast[dot]net and bringing cash or check to the event.

The food should be yummy and the fellowship fellowshippy, so sign up now and come to the party!

73, Mike KQ9P
Banquet Committee

Image from web site

AARC will be providing communications support for the 2014 Gran Fondo Virginia Bike Ride.
http://www.sport-vista.com/page/show/730868-gran-fondo-virginia
This is a relatively new event (I think last year was the first) and is seriously understaffed. It appears that ham radio operators will be the only rest stop staff at some or all rest stops to free up scarce event volunteers.

Contact KK4SHO to volunteer.

more below the fold...

Presentation:
Mike McPherson KQ9P will tell us about Mesh Link.
Bill Pond N0WP will discuss the club repeater system.

Location:
NRAO Auditorium, 520 Edgemont Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903.

• 6:30am: Day of registration and check-in begins at Old Trail Swim Club
• 8:00am: Cycling Challenge Pre-ride announcements and ride starts!
• 10:00am: Family Ride Starts - 8 miles out and back to Chiles Peach Orchard
• 11:00am: After-Party festivities begin with catered lunch, beer, wine and live music! Riders will be trickling in throughout the afternoon

We had a great time last year operating the AARC booth at the inaugural Charlottesville Mini Maker Faire. We talked with a steady stream of technically-minded people of all ages curious about all aspects of ham radio. The first event was such a huge success that this is destined to become an annual affair.

The second annual Faire is coming up on Saturday, 4 October 2014, from 10am until 4pm at Monticello High School (see the Faire event site for more details). We've put in for a booth again this year. Although we've not yet gotten confirmation, it is very likely that our application will be accepted.

If you are interested in helping out with planning, setting up, working a shift, or tearing down, please contact Mike KQ9P at mike[at]kq9p[dot]us.

2013 Picnic
Photo Credit: AK4OL, CC-BY-3.0-US

The annual club picnic is on Tuesday. A silent auction will be held; bring your surplus amateur radio related equipment and/or cash.

The club will provide the hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments, and drinks. Each member is requested to bring a dish to share appropriate to a summer barbecue. You are also invited to bring any items of amateur radio that might be surplus to your needs and place them on the auction table. This is a great opportunity for good fellowship, as well as an opportunity to pick up something for your own ham shack.

We need a pretty accurate head count so we can have enough food and drink for everyone. The reservation deadline is the Friday before the Tuesday of the event and that is September 5 with the event on September 9. The time is 6 p.m. with cut-off for bidding set for 8 p.m.

We had a great weekend with the first of what should be an annual special event honoring the Civilian Conservation Corps (see the pre-event story on this site). Total activations ended up being 16 CCC-related sites in 9 states across the US. Locally, we successfully activated Camp Albemarle in White Hall, VA. A number of AARC members participated: helping with setup and teardown, operating, or showing up to be supportive. We got some low-timers doing HF work, and a few veterans trying out digital modes for the first time. We made a total of 44 contacts in a relaxed and fun operation.

Our next AARC meeting is set for August 12 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will convene at the NRAO and feature Marty Wangberg, W4MBW who will talk about amazing "skyhooks," magnetic loop antennnas.
Note that meeting is at 7PM, a half houtlr earlier than in the past.

Public welcome.

NRAO Auditorium, 520 Edgemont Road, Charlottesville, VA

Roanoke Hamfest Saturday 2014-08-02 http://w4ca.com/page.php?5
Berryville Hamfest Sunday 2014-08-03 http://www.shenvalarc.org/hamfest

The Albemarle Amateur Radio Club has established an Awards Committee to
oversee the development and presentation of Club awards. The Committee
is particularly interested in awards that recognize and thereby foster
operating by new hams, encourage participation in Club activities, and
increase the fun of amateur radio. The Board of Directors will approve
all awardees proposed by the Committee.

The Awards Committee currently includes Michael KA4JJD, Dave K4DND, and
Bob K4DU, but other interested club members are invited to join. 
Suggestions for additional awards would be much appreciated.

Opinion and correspondence regarding the Awards Committee should be
sent to Michael KA4JJD: mfr6t[at]virginia[dot]edu, 434-977-4281, 109
Sturbridge Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22901-2113

Read below the fold for details of the available awards...

SUNDAY, July 27th, 2014 starting at the Miller School of Albemarle

Volunteers needed!

Same as usual. No rest stops, SAG vehicles involved, hams needed at corners where we have been before, lunch is provided, safety meeting before race.

Ed N3US at home station
Photo by AK4OL
CC-BY-3.0-US

Meeting starts at 7:30pm and ends at 9PM. Board meeting starts at 7PM.
Presentation: Ed Berkowitz N3US will present on DXing (long distance radio contacts).

Meeting is in the NRAO auditorium, 520 Edgemont Rd, Charlottesville, VA
Lat/Long: geo:38.036817,-78.518115
google map

Public is welcome to attend. Wheelchair accessible.

Update: slides from the presentation have been attached.

Dreamhost has helped to upgrade the hosting software version for security fixes.

AARC 2013 Field Day Station Morse Code (HF CW) Station
Photo Credit: Mark Whitis AK4OL, License: CC-BY-3.0-US
Scan this QR Code with
Your Cell Phone or Tablet

http://www.albemarleradio.org/field_day_2014/

Click on this button
now to add this event to your google calendar (operating hours only, see below for a link which includes setup and teardown).

The public is invited to visit the Albemarle Amateur Radio Club (AARC) Field Day Station From 2PM Saturday June 28 until 2PM Sunday June 29, 2014. The AARC will be operating this temporary station and camp as an emergency communications exercise and public outreach event as part of the ARRL Amateur Radio Field Day 2014, the biggest ham radio event in the US. The station will be setup in the lot behind the:
Earlysville Volunteer Fire Station
283 Reas Ford Rd, Earlysville, VA 22936
http://www.earlysvillefire.org/
google maps
Latitude/Longitode: geo:38.144678,-78.491183.
Maidenhead Grid Locator: FM08SD14BR
Talk in: 146.760Mhz, Transmit Offset -600Mhz, CTCSS tone in: 151.4Hz,
CTCSS tone out: none, Modulation: FM

See CBS19 TV Coverage of last years field day.

This page is still under construction.
Permanent URL: http://www.albemarleradio.org/field_day_2014/

More info below the fold.

AARC is once again providing communications support for the Bike MS Tour De Vine (formerly known as the MS-150) which is a two day bike ride on Saturday June 14 and Sunday June 15. AARC has supported this event for decades.

More details below the fold.

We invite you to join us for the next step in this exploration, a ?Digital EmComm Summit,? to be held on Saturday, 31 May 2014, from 9am until noon at the Dunlora Community Clubhouse, 1195 River Oaks Ln., Charlottesville, VA, 22901. There is no charge for participation in this event, and there is ample free parking next to the clubhouse. I will be sure that coffee and donuts are available to fuel creativity! :-)

RSVP to KQ9P so he knows how many donuts to bring.