WA4TFZ - The Albemarle Amateur Radio Club
Serving Albemarle and surrounding counties since 1970
Announcements
Bob Dorsey W4RQ SK
With great regret I learned that our good friend Bob W4RQ went SK in the early hours of the morning of March 5. As soon as we learn of any memorial plans, they will be passed on. Meanwhile, thoughts and prayers are going out to Bob's family. W4RQ will be greatly missed. These details just available, the service will be Thursday, March 11 at the Church of the Incarnation with visitation at 11:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial: 12:15 p.m.
...UPCOMING PUBLIC SERVICE EVENTS...
The first two public service events of the 2010 calendar year are approaching fast. First, Saturday March 27 is the Bel Monte Mountain Run, starting and ending from Lake Sherando in Augusta County. This event starts very early (O'Dark:30 AM) but should wind up mid afternoon. At least 4 stations are required for this event. Then, Sunday March 28 is the Jefferson Cup Bike Race and 2010 is the 20th year of this event, each year having been supported by the AARC. We will need many volunteers for this event. Races are scheduled in the morning and afternoon, so if you don't have the entire day available, half a day will be greatly appreciated. For those working the entire event, lunch will be provided. Staging takes place at Walton Middle School, and the races will take place on the Kluge Loop as before. No changes are expected in our tasks for this event. If you haven't worked this bike race before, plan on coming out to ride along with one of the AARC old timers, and see just how much fun it is.
...VIRGINIA HAM RADIO CRUISE-IN...
The Virginia Ham Radio Cruise-In will be at Darden Towe Park on May 1, 2010. Click here for the flyer, registration, and event information.
...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.
...AARC MEMBERSHIP NEWS...
Congratulations to everyone for the quick and enthusiastic response to requests for 2010 membership renewal. As of the first of March, we have 109 members. The AARC 2010 Membership Directory is printed and will be available for distribution at the March meeting, so make sure you attend. Be advised, in March, we will be meeting in the smaller conference room behind the auditorium.
...AARC PHOTO GALLERY HAS NEW PICTURES RECENTLY 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
... TWO CALL CHANGES, ONE NEW ONE TO NOTE, AND AN UPGRADE ...
Chris Bortz is now W4VK and John Gallant is now AJ4UN. Jonathan Scott is KJ4RPW. This just in, Elmer KF4UCI has upgraded to General. Congratulations to all. Mark those changes in your copy of the Member Directory
...MAY DAY VA HAM RADIO CRUISE-IN IS LISTED ON VA ARES WEBSITE...
A story about the AARC Va Ham Radio Cruise-In is the lead story on the Virginia ARES website. Check it out at: aresva.org. And while you are there register with ARES to serve during a ARES call-up for public service.
...REPEATER LISTING...
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...
Updated AARC Bylaws Posted
Bylaws changes which were approved at the October, 2009 annual business meeting have been uploaded to the website. Click on the link "About the Club" in the right hand panel to get a copy of the current document. Thanks to Jim K4JEC and the rest of the Bylaws Committee for this important Club business.
2010 Officers and Directors Update
At the October meeting, following the adoption of the Bylaws changes that provide for a sixth Director position, the Nominating Committee reported a slate of officers for 2010. As there were no further nominations, this slate was elected. Club leadership for 2010 is:
| Callsign | Name | Position |
|---|---|---|
| K4DND | Dave Damon | President |
| K4JEC | Jim Crosby | Vice President |
| K4PMC | Patsy Crosby | Secretary |
| N4UVA | Don Eason Jr. | Treasurer |
| AD6JV | Bill Phillips | Director |
| K4BAV | Jim Wilson | Director |
| K4CGY | Jim Owen | Director |
| K4DU | Bob Pattison | Director |
| KI5LLB | Linda Beard | Director |
| N4PGS | Greg Faust | Director |
...IRS Letter of Determination Received...
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.
...UPCOMING... MARK YOUR CALENDARS...
Virginia Ham Radio Cruise-In
The Albemarle Amateur Radio Club will present the first ever Virginia Ham Radio Cruise-In scheduled for May 1, 2010. The Saturday event will kick-off at 10 a.m. and run through 4 p.m. rain or shine in Darden Towe Park on Route 20 1/2-mile from Route 250 on the east side of Charlottesville. There is no entry or registration fee; just a great opportunity to showcase mobile ham stations for each other and the public. Pre-registration is requested and all registrants will receive a Certificate of Participation as a keepsake. Pack a picnic lunch and join the fun for a day in the park with your fellow hams. Talk-In will be offered on the Charlottesville Repeater 146.760 WA4TFZ with no tone required. A secondary repeater will be on 146.895 as a back up. Pre-registration can be accomplished by sending an email to k4jec@arrl.net showing your CALL, FULL NAME, and COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS. No mobile equipment is required to register and participate. It would be great to list the ham equipment you have onboard and the approximate value of it for planning purposes. Plan now to join the cruise to Charlottesvile and send us a note to register or seek additional information. Spread the word and bring your fellow hams -- we expect it to be the ham event of the year.!
The March Club Meeting is set for Tuesday, March 9
The March Club Meeting at NRAO at 7:30 p.m. will feature a workshop and forum on handheld radios led by Dennis - K4THE. All have been asked to bring a handheld for show and tell. We would like to hear what you like or dislike about your particular handheld radio. The board will meet at 7 p.m. prior to the general meeting. See you there!!!
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 Membership List
This is the list of active members of the AARC for 2008. See the complete list...
2009 AARC Membership List
This is the list of active members of the AARC for 2009. See the complete list...
2010 AARC Membership List
This is the list of active members of the AARC for 2010. 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.
