WA4TFZ - The Albemarle Amateur Radio Club
Serving Albemarle and surrounding counties since 1970
Announcements
...AARC NEWSLETTER "THE BEACON"...
If you are looking for the AARC newsletter, use the link on the right of this page marked "Member and Ham Resources". The link to newsletter archives is the second link on that page. If you are not receiving an email notification when the next issue is posted, please contact Bob Dorsey at w4rq@yahoo.com
...AARC MEMBERSHIP NEWS...
As of the April meeting, AARC membership is 108, so we have exceeded our 2008 membership roster. However, don't sit back on our laurels just yet, we have a ways to go to reach the 137 membership the AARC had back in the mid-90s. Go down this page and click on the link for 2009 membership to see who is or is not a member for this year. If you don't see someone listed as a member for this year, give them a friendly reminder that we all would like to have them back on the membership.
...AARC PHOTO GALLERY ADDED...
A Photo Gallery has been added to our site. Look over to your right and find "Photo Gallery" near the bottom of the list. Click on it and there you are. Email any pictures you would like to submit for posting in the Gallery to: jecrosby@comcast.net
Gordon WW4GW, has updated the repeater listing found under "Member & Ham Resources". This lists the AARC repeaters as well as other repeaters in the central Virginia area that you might want to program in your radios. Thanks Gordon and good job. To go directly to the updated Repeater Listing.. See the updated list...
2009 Officers and Directors Update
Jeffrey N4LFJ in a typical unselfish manner agreed to step down as an AARC Director due to his relocation to the Lynchburg area for work. He will continue to support the AARC as our Public Information Coordinator. Many thanks Jeffrey for all your hard work in the past year. I am pleased to announce that Patsy Crosby K4PMC has agreed to accept an appointment as an AARC Director in charge of the Publications Committee. I, as well as the rest of the AARC Board, look forward to working with Patsy in the coming year.
...AARC CHARTER AND BYLAWS CHANGE...
With pleasure, we can report that the quest to achieve IRS recognition of our tax-exempt status has finally concluded, and with success. The AARC has now been officially recognized as a 501(C)(3) organization. This means that the AARC can receive gifts that can be deducted as contributions to a charitable organization with the assurance of an IRS "Letter of Determination." Many thanks to Don N4UVA, Sharon Blodinger, and Bob Blodinger W4NPX. Without the continual time and effort of these three, this process would never have been completed.
AARC Participation in MS-150 Bike Tour, June 13-14, 2009
What a great turnout of AARC members we had for the MS-150 Bike Tour de Vine last weekend. Over 500 riders took to the complicated courses on Albemarle, and Greene County back roads to ride the weekend event, after raising over $320,000 to support the MS Society. Thanks to all who participated, many of whom worked both days of the event: Mike KI4RIX, Stan K2SSB, Lee K4ISW, Bill N0WP, Ken KJ4HOE, Manny K4MSR, Kenneth KJ4JIH, Joe W2PVY, Wes K4WLE, Greg N4PGS, Dave K4DND, Linda KI5LLB, Elmer KF4UCI, Jon KF4UCI-2nd harmonic, John KI4DJT, Don KE4DDR, Patsy K4PMC, Jim K4JEC, Gordon WW4GW, Dale KD4EAP (our newest AARC member), and Lenny N4LXP (not an AARC member but no MS-150 would be possible without him). A rough estimate of the number of AARC manhours for this event is 360 -that is 9 weeks of a normal work schedule! Thanks everyone for your great patience and even greater performance. Each and everyone of you was a real credit to the AARC.
...UPCOMING... MARK YOUR CALENDARS...
ARRL Field Day June 27-28, 2009
Join us at the Earlysville Fire Station anytime during the weekend of June 27-28. The WA4TFZ station will operate from 2PM Saturday through 2PM Sunday. Setup is scheduled for Friday June 26 starting at 2PM and takedown will immediately follow the end of the contest period on Sunday. If you are able, join us for dinner on Saturday evening, bring a side dish, the AARC will furnish hotdogs and hamburgers. Field Day is great opportunity to get on the HF bands when there is a lot of activity with short and quick exchanges. And the best part is, who cares if you mess up, you aren't using your call sign :)!!! Everyone is welcome and if you aren't comfortable getting on the mike right away, start out logging for another operator, see how its done and then switch places. If you would like more information or if you decide to come and have some dinner with us, please call Dave K4DND at 973-5866 or email him at k4dnd@k4dnd.net
AARC Meeting Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Be sure to join us for the next meeting of the AARC on July 14 at 7:30 p.m. The program will feature a forum on public service communications. Jim K4JEC will set the stage with a PowerPoint presentation followed by an open discussion about "best practices". Rides are always needed for some club members, if you can help get someone to the meeting who otherwise might not make it, please call Dave K4DND at 973-5866 or email him at k4dnd@k4dnd.net
Features
Digital HF Presentation
If you missed the April presentation on operating HF Digital modes, you can review much of the information by looking at the linked powerpoint. If you have questions or comments, please contact K4DND. To see the slides go to...HF Digital Slides.
Broadcast HD Radio Presentation
The presentation at the December, 2008 meeting was a very informative discussion of broadcast HD radio given by Mike KI4RIX and Mark KJ4IEA. I think everyone who attended this meeting will agree that both did a great job, especially considering the short notice they had to put this presentation together. Mike and Mark generously agreed to make their presentation available on this site. To see the slides go to...HD Radio Slides.
AARC SK Member List
Please remember these former AARC members and friends who are QRT. If anyone knows of a former member or friend who should be added to the list please contact K4DND. ....UPDATED AS REQUIRED.... See the complete list...
2008 AARC Current Membership List
This is the current list of active members of the AARC for 2008. If you are not on this list, and have reason to believe you should be, please contact Alan K9MBQ. ....UPDATED MONTHLY.... See the complete list...
2009 AARC Current Membership List
This is the list of active members of the AARC who have renewed so fat for 2009. If you are not on this list, please fill out a complete membership application and send it in with your dues for 2009. ....UPDATED MONTHLY.... See the complete list...
2008-2009 AARC Public Service Event Participation
Participation of AARC members in public service events is now being tracked. The 2009 Public Service season has begun. Check here to see AARC participation and congratulations to the many AARC members who are making our public service schedule an outstanding success. ...UPDATED AS REQUIRED.... See the complete list....
AARC Volunteer Examiners
The AARC VE team is currently led by Bruce, AB3BB, who is in charge of the VE schedule of the AARC. For a complete list of club members who are ARRL Accredited Volunteer Examiners go to: See the complete list....
Resources
Northern Piedmont Emergency Net "Net Control" Operator Script
For operators filling the Net Control position on our local emergency
net, we have the suggested "script" in Microsoft
Word Format (right click this link to download the file). This will
enable you to modify the script for your particular station, and save
or print it. If you do not have Microsoft Word, we also have it as a text
file, and a .pdf
file.
The Northern Piedmont Emergency Net is held every Thursday night at 8
p.m. local time.
Dues & Membership
Another year has gone by, and it's time to send in your dues for AARC membership. The membership form is available by clicking on this link. Print it out and fill it out. Please include any changes in callsign, address, etc., along with your payment. The form and payment can be sent to;
AARC MEMBERSHIP
POST OFFICE BOX 6833
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22906
Application for Membership
If you would like to join the AARC, please print and fill out the AARC membership application form and mail it, along with your initial club dues (see the form for information) to the address above.
Waynesboro Repeater Association Membership
The 147.075 repeater of the Wayensboro Repeater Association has one of the most extensive coverage patterns of any repeater in Virginia. It's about 60 feet from the Appalachian Trail on Bear Den Mountain, and both valleys East and West, are clearly visible from the location. Please consider supporting their effort by becoming a member. Here's a membership form. Print it out, fill in the information (they want a copy of your FCC license if you are a first-time member) and send it in.
