Albemarle Amateur Radio Club

Mark (WA1A), our License Exam Coordinator, reports, "We had 8 applicants. All passed the exams they tested for. 5 techs, 2 generals and 1 extra. "
The following Volunteer License Examiners were present to assist:

Mark Gorlinsky - WA1A
Dave Damon - K4DND
Skip Thacker - WD4LT
Harry Dannals - W2HD
Peter Thorsen - W4PRT
Kenneth Kang - KJ4KIH
William Arnold - K4IB
William Phillips - AD6JV
Wilfred Seay - KJ4XZ
Donald Eason - N4UVA

The next License Examination session is scheduled for June 2, 9 am, NRAO.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has scheduled a Skywarn Class in Charlottesville on April 19. This class is necessary to become a Weather Spotter in the Skywarn program of the NWS. The class will convene at 7 pm and conclude by 9:30 pm. The class will be held in the Albemarle County Office Building - South - Room A - Fifth Street Extended south of I-64. The contact for registration and information will by Jim Crosby - K4JEC - who can be reached by Email at k4jec[at]arrl[dot]net or by phone by calling 434-823-2277. The class is open to the public with limited seating available so early registration is suggested.

Public Service activities of the club will be the topic of discussion with several guests reporting from the agencies and organizations we serve. The program will be chaired by our Public Service Director Dave Damon. This is an important session of the club you won't want to miss on Tuesday, March 13, at 7:30 pm. in the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 520 Edgemont Road, Charlottesville. Put it on your calendar and plan to be with us. All are always welcome to our club meetings.

The AARC will kick-off a Technician License Class on March 5 to meet on Mondays thereafter at the Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad Building, 828 McIntire Road, Charlottesville. Spread the word to all who might be interested in obtaining their FCC Amateur Radio Station & Operators License. A poster offering details is linked below that can be downloaded and printed for information, posting and distribution. Queries should be sent by email to: k4jec[at]arrl[dot]net and by phone to 434 823 2277.

Twenty club members showed up at the Richmond Frostfest on February 4. The club had a table from which club members sold surplus items and a Virginia Ham Radio Cruise-In promotional table from which flyers were distributed. Jim Wilson set up a table to promote the Morse Telegraph club and demonstrated Morse Telegraph equipment. He was accompanied by the club president, Hubert Jewell.
Pictures from Frostfest are available for viewing on the Photo Gallery accessed from the menu on the left. Take a look!

The February 14 Club Meeting will be held at 7:30 pm at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 520 Edgemont Road, Charlottesville. The Board will meet at 7 pm. Linda (KI5LLB) and Roland Beard (KK4EDU) are doing the Feb program. It will feature a solar powered emergency power supply and radio system that they are constructing in a Yuppie Wagon Hauler they can take to a disaster or a radio event and run several radios, a computer, printer, and other things. They are hoping for an open forum on solar power. This will be a good one!

The Standing Committee and President's Annual Reports are available here for reading and/or downloading as a doc file.

The AARC Annual Meeting will be held on January 10 in the NRAO Building on Edgemont Drive in Charlottesville. The meeting will begin at 7:30 pm. The primary purpose of the annual meeting is to receive annual reports from officers, directors, and committee chairs; and to elect officers and directors for 2012. This is a very important meeting to attend and cast your vote for the leadership of the club for the coming year. Put it on your calendar and plan to participate. The board will meet at 7 pm to receive annual reports to be presented in writing to the secretary.

The reservation count for the AARC Annual Awards Banquet stands at 74 this morning. I was only dreaming when I asked if we could top 60. What a great membership. You are asked and you perform exceeding what could reasonably be expected. The AARC is truely the best amateur radio club in the world and that is because you make it so. You have every reason to celebrate!!!

The December Issue of the club newsletter, The Beacon, is now available. To download in pdf go to the index on the left.