Albemarle Amateur Radio Club

At Saturday's Amateur Radio License Examination Session, we had twelve candidates take a total of 20 exams. All candidates earned a new license class. There was one Extra, two General and nine Technician licenses earned. We had a great showing of nine AARC Volunteer Examiners to proctor the test session. Present were, Mark Gorlinsky/WA1A, David Damon/K4DND, Donald Eason/N4UVA, James Owen III/K4CGY, William Arnold/K4IB, Robert Pattison/K4DH, Harry Dannals/W2HD, Peter Thorsen/W4PRT and Dorsey Thacker/WD4LT.
The next test session will be Saturday, September 8, at 9 am at NRAO.
Reported by Mark Gorlinsky WA1A, AARC License Examination Coordinator.

Our quarterly FCC Amateur Radio License Examinations will be offered on Saturday, June 2, starting at 9 am. The exam will be offered in the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 520 Edgement Road, Charlottesville. Examinations will be available for all class licenses.

The meeting will take place at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Headquarters, 520 Edgement Road, Charlottesville. You won't want to miss this program because it will be a unique opportunity to hear from a very unique author with a great insight into Amateur Radio.
For June 2012, we will feature Ken Reitz, Features Editor, at Monitoring Times, a monthly publication about all things radio. He’ll be talking about the Future of Amateur Radio.
There will be a board meeting at 7 pm.

Through a cloudy and overcast beginning, the Third Annual Cruise-In enjoyed warm sunshine, cold blustery rain and back to a thick cloud cover all during the six-hour period of the event. Despite the weather anomalies 38 persons signed in of which 14 were non-club members. Some of the discussion groups enjoyed the rapt attention of a goodly number of attendees. Some radios were programmed and some equipment traded hands during the swap meet part of the day. The HF GOTO station drew a lot of attention and attracted a few potential amateurs. There was a great deal of interest in the vehicle wiring demo and many confessed to learning from the experience. The largest group of the day surrounded the Solar Power demo which occurred during the brightest and warmest part of the entire day. Jay Jennings W4BSB from Virginia Beach stated, “I am happy to report that the demo's of the Internet remote access to HF stations for the Third Annual Virginia Ham Radio Cruise-in in Charlottesville, VA went extremely well considering that propagation on HF was very poor.

We have made some more changes in the Third Annual VA Ham Radio Cruise-In. We will offer souvenir QSL Cards and Program folders to all attending and we have added discussion groups such as Emergency Solar Power with a demonstration and discussion, as well as Remote Operations by Jay James W4BSB from Virginia Beach. Seeing these set ups will make the trip worthwhile alone.
The activities we plan for the day now include:
Third Annual Cruise-In Schedule of Activities
10 am - Repeater Use & Protocol discussion group led by Jim K4CGY
11 am - Emergency Solar Power for home and field discussion group led by Linda KI5LLB and Roland KK4EDU. The Beards will be on hand with their mobile solar power unit to demonstrate and outline an how-to-do-it.
Noon - Picnic time - tailgating party time.
1 pm - HF GOTO Station operation and discussion led by Bill Phillips AD6JV (Station will be running most of the day)

The Club Photo Gallery (left edge line-up) has been updated with eight new member ID photos in addition to the pictures from the Jefferson Cup Bike Races. Check it out. They are viewed best by reducing your page size to 75% otherwise you will miss an entire column on the ight unless you scroll back and forward.

Sunday, April 1 was the second AARC Public Service event in support of the Jefferson Cup Bike Races. It was a great day for the racers,, despite a couple of minor mishaps that resulted in at least 2 cyclists being transported to the hospital.

Many thanks to the following and a well-deserved pat on the back: KJ4YHE, KI5LLB, KE4DDR, KJ4ZIL, K4CGY, KF4UCI, KJ4KIH, KF4UHU, N4PGS AA4DH, KK4CEQ, K4THE and KJ4VJR. Ruth was very pleased with our contribution to her successful event.

The 2012 AARC Public Service Event Schedule is off to a great start. March 24 was the leadoff event and a great success thanks to the efforts of the following participants.

Mike KA4JJD, Jim K4CGY, Doug KK4CEQ, Linda KI5LLB, Roland KK4EDU, Donna KG4FOL, Dayton AA4DH, Elmer KF4UCI, Marty W4MBW, Jim K4JEC, Patsy K4PMC, Manny K4MSR, Shannon KJ4VJR, and Harry W2HD.

Thank you all for your outstanding performance and the many hours spent in the rain and cold. Coming up right away is the Jefferson Cup Bike Races on Sunday April 1.

Jim K4JEC emailed the club:

Planning for the Third Annual Cruise-In is underway. We are planning a day in the park with a “bring your own picnic fare – a tailgating party if you like.” Remember, it is a rain or shine event with no cancellation possible. We are adding a “Swap Meet” so bring any amateur radio equipment you have to sell or swap. Swap meet negotiations will be strictly person-to-person with no club fees are involvement. Be sure to bring your mobile or portable amateur radios to show and tell, discuss or gain help with programming and/or operating. We will have a HF GO TO Amateur Station setup for your use compliments of Bill Phillips (AD6JV) and you can bring your own for field testing especially non-grid power sources. If you have programming software, please bring it and offer assistance to those who do not have such. Power will be available for laptops, radios, etc. K4JEC will have programming software for the Wouxun. Come one, come all – children, spouse, special friends are invited as well -- especially prospective amateur candidates.

Here is the 2012 PS schedule of events. This list will be updated as needed so check back here from time and mark these dates on your personal schedule. Volunteers are always needed and appreciated.

March 24 – Saturday – Bel Monte Endurance Run – Blue Ridge Parkway
April 1 – Sunday – Jefferson Cup Bike Races – Kluge Loop
May 5 – Saturday – Devil’s Backbone Mt Cross – Nelson County
May 27 – Sunday – Bike Race – Miller School Loop
June 9 – Saturday – Day 1 MS-150 Bike Tour – UVA Park
June 10 – Sunday – Day 2 MS-150 Bike Tour – UVA Park
July 7 – Saturday – Jefferson Sprint Triathlon
August 25 – Saturday – Devil’s Backbone Mt Cross – Nelson County
September 22 or 23 – Saturday or Sunday – Boys and Girls Club Cycling Challenge
September 29 – Saturday – UROC – Blue Ridge Parkway and Wintergreen