PVRC NEWSLETTER SEPT 99
Note: Some of the paper edition is done by cut and paste (as in glue)
so is not passed into the electronic edition. Notes in brakets []
indicate material missing in this electronic edition.
[ Paper issue contained an order form for THE PVRC STORE ]
POTOMAC VALLEY RADIO CLUB - NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 1999
PVRC CALENDAR
Weekly Wed BWI Regional weekly breakfast. Wednesdays 7:30 AM,
Basil's Deli, Elkridge Landing Rd near BWI.
Monthly Fri SWVA meeting night at a Roanoke location that
varies each month. Please check with K4IQ.
Monthly Over-the-Hill Luncheon. Date to be announced.
Hosts listed on reference page.
Sep 3 Thu PVRC/NC meeting, Ryans at Crossroads Shopping
Center, Cary, NC.
Sep 11/12 ARRL VHF QSO Party. 5 Mil award contest with
club competition.
Sep 13 Mon Central meeting at Patrick Henry Library, Vienna.
Sep 21 Tue Northwest meeting, Tully's Grill, 1080 W.
Patrick St, Frederick, MD at 7:30 pm
Sep 21 Tue Tidewater Colony. New location is The Golden
Corral in Chesapeake. VA. Meeting with VA-DXCC.
Sep 26 Sun PVRC meeting at the FARfest near Bowie, MD.
Please watch packet and reflector for time & location.
F.A.R.FEST '99 AT NEW LOCATION (PVRC meeting details at 'fest TBA.)
The Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR) will sponsor
the 42nd annual F.A.R.Fest amateur radio hamfest on
Sunday, Sept 26, 1999, at Prince George's Stadium 1/4
mile south of the junction of US-50 on US-301 in
Bowie, MD between Washington, DC and Annapolis, MD.
This is a new location for F.A.R.Fest, with a paved
area that accommodates over 700 tailgaters. Vendors
and other sellers will be able to set up under the
canopy of the stadium concourse. General admission
tickets into F.A.R.Fest '99 are $5.00 at the gate;
$10.00 for tailgating, which requires the purchase of
general admission. Vendors and other exhibitors
should contact Marry Morris, N4TCI at 703-971-3905 or
[email protected] for info.
The Special Events station W3PRL-AM will be on
display. Talk-in on 146.520 & 147.105 MHz. For
general infor-mation, contact Al Brown, KZ3AB, 8645
Tower Dr, Laurel, MD 20723-1244, 301-490-3188 or
[email protected]. Routes:
>From points North:
Take I-95 south to the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) to
Exit 4 (I-97 South) toward Annapolis. On I-97 South,
take Exit 7 (Route 3 South - Bowie/Odenton). Take
Route 3 for approximately 11 miles. After passing
under the Route 50 overpass, proceed to second traffic
light and turn left into Stadium Drive. NOTE: Route 3
changes to Route 301 after you pass under Route 50.
>From points South:
Take I-95 North to Exit 104 (Route 301 North). Take
301 North past Upper Marlboro. Go through the traffic
light at the Route 197 intersection (Rip's Country Inn
will be on the right). At the next traffic light,
turn right into Stadium Drive.
>From points East:
Take Route 50 West to Exit 13A (Route 301 South). At
the second traffic light, turn left into Stadium Drive.
>From points West:
From I-70 East, follow directions coming from points North.
>From D.C. or the Capital Beltway:
From D.C., take New York Avenue to Route 50 East, or
the Capital Beltway, Exit 19A (Route 50 East). Take
Route 50 to Exit 11 (Route 197). Go South on Route
197 for approximately 1.5 miles to Route 301. Turn
left onto Route 301 and remain in the right lane.
Turn right at first traffic light into Stadium Drive.
SUMMER TREASURER REPORT by Dave Baugher, WR3L.
On behalf of PVRC I would like to thank you for the
generous contributions in June, July and August. At
the W3LPL open house I collected over $300 in
donations and $100 from a 50-50 drawing. It was a
true 50-50 drawing with $50 to K2PLF and $50 to PVRC.
The Fowlfest was also productive with another $100
collected. Donations were received from the
following, K4RB, W4NL, KA4S, W9LT, K4CGC, K3SC, W3CB,
KW4T, W3MR, KC3VO, NR4M, K2PLF, K3HH, K3VQ, K3MLA,
K3SB, K4AW, W3AZD, WF3J, N3UMA, K1HTV, WX3B, W3RFC,
WJ1R, W3ZN, W2YE, K4IX, W4ZV, W3JRY, W4TKR, W3IKE,
K2YWE, and K3OSX. If I missed you please let me know
as I want to keep the records accurate.
Please remember to forward your ARRL membership
renewals (and new memberships) to me as well as your
donations. Looking forward to the approaching contest
season and hoping to see members also contributing to
the club scores.
On another subject, I find it impractical to have an
open house here in September due to the lack of open
weekends on my part, the holiday, contests, our Monday
meeting and Bowie.
PVRC OFFICERS & OTHER CHANGES FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM
by Tyler Stewart, K3MM, President
In harmony with the "decentralization" of PVRC, I
think it's timely to give greater consideration to
"un-central" members who would like to become an
elected official of PVRC.
Traditionally, the PVRC President and Vice President
have presided over the central meetings and conducted
all voting and other global club business from that
venue. However, it has become obvious with the great
success our new regional structure that this is
probably no longer in the best interest of the club as
a whole.
I propose for 2000 that we will turn over the central
region to an appointed regional chairman, to be run as
he/she sees fit, as we do now with all other regions.
This could be a club officer, but is not a
requirement. This could also be split between 2
members: one for the MD meetings and one for VA.
This will free up the officers from their traditional
geographic boundaries and hopefully allow a more
global approach to running the club activities. With
the internet, etc., I really see no need to place
geographical limitations, official or effectual, on
the selection of PVRC officers.
Certainly we should also allow for more participation
of the regions in club decisions requiring an official
vote, such as election of officers, changes to the
Club Constitution, etc. I'll be consulting with the
other club officials to see if we can come up with the
best way to accomplish this without compromising the
security or integrity of PVRC. We may not be able to
get this done before the next set of elections, but
certainly we can get the ball rolling for next year.
In the meantime, I want to assure everyone that we
will give serious consideration to anyone who is
interested in serving PVRC in any official capacity,
elected or otherwise, without regard to geographic
barriers.
NOV SWEEPSTAKES RULE CHANGES (Paraphrased from ARRL bulletin)
Effective with the 1999 running of the November
Sweeps the following rules are changed:
1. A single operator unlimited category is added
that allows use of Packet. No power differentiation.
2. The multi-operator category, is one transmitted
signal but unlimited band changes.
See new rules in Oct '99 QST and www.arrl.org/contests.
WRTC 2000 INVITATION by Tyler Stewart, K3MM, Pres.
PVRC has been invited to send a team to Slovenia for
the WRTC 2000 extravaganza!
As before, the PVRC team will consist of one PVRC
member and one non-member from anywhere in the US, and
will take place concurrent with the IARU 2000 contest
July 7th and 8th.
If you feel you are qualified to represent PVRC in
this prestigious capacity, we invite you to notify the
club officers of your interest. Please send us a
letter or email stating your desire to be considered
along with a brief synopsis of your contesting
achievements. Since it appears that the 2000 running
will put an even heavier weight on CW skills than ever
before, an applicants CW skills should be excellent.
I'd say we need to have all "applications" in by
September 15th so the officers have plenty of time
to make their decision.
NOTES FROM PENNSYLVANIA by STEVE CUTSHALL, K3TZV
Pete, KC3TL, received his award for first place (EPA
Section) single op, hi-power in last years
sweepstakes. Congratulations Pete.
Several work sessions at K3SWZ produced a KLM
rotatable dipole, and a new Force 12 C3X and a HyGain
Tailtwister to turn them. While no meeting was held
assisting were K3WC, NE3H and I believe K3LHD.
Wally, AA3RC, reports that his application for a code
variance was not approved. He will be taking down the
tower that was erected and make a new application for
a tower at a different location on his property. I'm
sure we'll be having several works sessions/meeting to
get this done and hopefully Wally will be on the air
with his new Force 12 C3X later this fall.
OVER-THE-HILL LUNCH by Ben Shaver, AA4XU
The Over-The-Hill Division of the PVRC met for lunch
and discussion at Tom Weston's Restaurant in
Annandale, VA on August 18, 1999. The following
attended: W4RX Jim Algren, K3ZO Fred Laun, W3AZ Bill
Leavitt, W3UJ Henry Herman, K7CMZ Mel Woods, W4DM Dale
Harris, K6ETM George Sinclair, W3CB Cliff Bedore,
W6AXX Howard Leake, W3GN Lawrence Fadner, K3WX Tony
Faiola, W3CP Jim Headrick, W3XE Andy Andersen, AA4XU
Ben Shaver.
SWVA ROANOKE HAMFEST MEETING by John Mitchell, K4IQ
The SWVA PVRC Chapter had an open meeting at the
Roanoke Hamfest on August 21. SWVA members attending
were K1GG, Gordon; N4GU, Mike; W4YE, Buddy; and K4IQ,
John. We were very pleased to have N4MM, John as an
out-of-town PVRC'er join us. Guests present were
W4JAM, John, and his XYL W0MAN, Susanne; KK4WW, Dave;
and K4ORD, Riley. After some brief introductory
comments about the PVRC, and our fledgling branch here
in SWVA, K4IQ asked Buddy W4YE and John N4MM to
explain some of the history and tradition of the club.
We then went around the room, and members shared
station descriptions, upgrades, and operating
interests and then we heard from each of the guests
about their contesting interests and ham backgrounds.
W4JAM John, recently moved into the Lynchburg area
from Florida, where he participated in multi-op
contesting with the Florida Contest Group. He pointed
out that his XYL, Susanne W0MAN, was no slouch either,
with over 280 confirmed. John and Susanne are looking
for some Rohn 55 in the local area to start growing an
antenna farm. Dave, KK4WW, told us about his
activities with the international radio foundation
FAIRS, with which he has been closely associated for
many years. Dave has quite a station, with stacked
yagis on six towers, and is open to guest op'ing. We
are hopeful Dave will consider the many benefits of
PVRC membership in the very near future. (Yes, we
realize we can benefit from his station, too). Riley,
K4ORD, is an active member of the local club, and told
us about the wire antennas he specializes in. John,
N4MM, told us about the large tower he has in his
front yard and how Lenny C. used to have miles of
AB-105 available to PVRC'ers. The common theme of
PVRC'ers helping each other build and improve was once
again reinforced by the recounting of such anecdotes.
After a brief discussion of the picnic next weekend at
K4IQ's, the group meeting adjourned so members and
guests could watch the grand prize drawing for the
hamfest. K4IQ's daughter, Amanda, age nine, spun the
barrel and drew the winning tickets, but, alas, no
PVRC'ers were lucky this time.
SHORT NOTES BY THE EDITOR
Eric, R3/K3NA ([email protected]) notes that Roland Anders,
K3RA, of Elkridge, Maryland, and an Ohio operator were
named the recipients of the Herb S. Brier Instructor
of the Year Award. Congratulations.
Bob Dannals, W2GG's station caught a lightning strike
and will be off packet for awhile. Meanwhile, please
send scores to him via email at [email protected].
Fred Laun, K3ZO, worked Prose Walker, W4BW, on 7018
kHz on the 9th of August. Prose asked that best
wishes and greetings to all his old friends in PVRC.
He is 89 years old, lost his XYL on July 6, so he has
moved from Tallahassee to live with a daughter in a
suburb of Rochester, NY. He has an Alinco DX-77 and
threw up a wire and worked WAC in the first 24 hours.
He hopes to acquire his first computer soon, and when
he does he plans to join the reflector.
Chas Weir, W6UM, dropped a note with his reunion score
of 107 Q 14 mult for 2,996.
THE FAR AWARDED THE FIRST PVRC $1000 SCHOLARSHIP
On July 1st, the Foundation for Amateur Radio
announced the award of the first annual $1000 PVRC
scholarship to Daniel Zimmerman, N3UMH, of Erie, PA.
To the right is a reduced copy of the certificate
(before Tyler signed it) and a photo of our
scholarship recipient.
Dan was first licensed as a Tech Plus in 1995, He
became an Extra class in June 1999 so he could nail
the juicy DX below .025. Dan has worked 246 DXCC
counties with the hope of reaching 250 before he heads
back to the campus. Dan has complete two years at
Clarkson University as a Physics major with a 4.0
average. PVRC is proud to place our scholarship into
such able hands.
[ The paper edition contained the following on this page:
Copy of scholarship certificate
Photo of N3UMH
Advertisement for the R F CONNECTION ]
W3YOZ's PVRC/NCDXA Fowlfest - August 14, 1999 By Tyler Stewart K3MM
It was a lovely day for a picnic! All of these
wonderful people had a good time and some great
barbecued chicken courtesy of Marty, W3YOZ and his
regular chicken chef Mark, who was flown in at
great expense from NH just for the occasion! In
attendance were: K3MM, XYL Laurie, and YYL
Tayler, W2BZR, K3UT, K1HTV w/ XYL Phyllis KN1WSN,
N3HSA, W3IKE, K1DQV, W4LIP, W3LEO, K7CMZ, N1KC,
KD4BK, K3OSX, W3AZD, WB3ANE, NA1DX, W2YE, K3CHP,
N3OC, N3HSA, KE3Q, KF3BE, W3AMY, K3ZO, N3UMA,
WB3ANE plus guest Betty, W3HVQ, W3AZ, N3FZB, K3DI,
W3BIR, W3MR, W3EKT, K2YWE, W3YOZ, W3UJ, W2GG,
WR3Z, W3LPL, K4VV, and WR3L.
K3MM announced that PVRC has received a formal
invitation to send a team to the WRTC 2000 to be
held in Slovenia in conjunction with the IARU
contest. Anyone interested in being considered
for the PVRC Team Captain, please contact the
officers of the club.
Nominations for PVRC officers will be held at the
October Central meeting, with voting to take place
at the November meeting. Anyone anywhere in the
PVRC circle interested in being considered for any
position should contact one the current officers
or board members. We are currently working on
legislation to more decentralize the club to allow
and encourage more official participation from all
regions.
We're trying to get a better jump on the Christmas
dinner this year and are currently looking for a
location. Rich KE3Q continues to support using
the Olive Garden and has suggested moving it to a
Saturday evening to attract more out-of-towners.
K3MM is more in favor of moving back to a large
private room with a buffet like we had at Andrews
AFB. W3LPL says moving the dinner to the weekend
would be a disaster because of peoples personal
commitments on the weekends that close to the
holidays. We invite comments from out-of-towners
if they are in favor of the move to Saturday
night.
W3LEO will be attempting to wrap up the PVRC 50th
Anniversary booklet soon and all that haven't are
encouraged to send in their questionnaire and/or
pictures for inclusion. The questionnaire is
available on the PVRC web site ( www.pvrc.org ).
K3DI is putting together an Autocall Magazine ad
to take advantage of the free annual ad page
offered to FAR member clubs. It will feature a
brief description of the club and identify all
regional contacts for further information.
N1KC is handling PVRC paraphernalia and is still
taking orders for all sorts of club logo items
including clothing and personalized PVRC mugs.
His latest item is a very attractive 1 inch club
logo pin!
K3MM reminded all that he is still offering a 15
percent discount on ICE and PAR filters as well as
a 10 percent donation to the club on sales to club
members. Additional info as well as some cute
baby pictures are available at www.erols.com/k3mm!
PVRC trounced the competition in the ARRL 10 meter
contest last year! We amassed an uncontested 31
million points with about 75 entries to emerge the
lone Unlimited Category entry and more than double
the points of the next highest club!
Congratulations to all!
The 1999-2000 5 Million Award contest series will
start a little earlier this year with the addition
of club competition in the September ARRL VHF QSO
Party, which is held the second full weekend of
September. Be sure to get on and support this
higher activity!
We had a hearty round of applause in thanks to
Marty, W3YOZ and chef Mark for putting on yet
another completely successful Fowlfest! Marty was
presented with one of the new PVRC pins as a small
gesture of our appreciation.
[ paper edition has a full page of photographs taken
at the Fowlfest. ]
REFERENCE PAGE. Please send corrections to the editor.
August changes are underscored (in the paper edition).
PVRC Officers
President:
K3MM Tyler Stewart 301-414-5444 [email protected]
Vice President:
N3OC Brian McGinness 301-652-6768 [email protected]
Secretary:
KE3Q Rich Boyd 301-464-8014 [email protected]
Treasurer:
WR3L Dave Baugher 410-DX1-WR3L [email protected]
Historian:
K3SA Steve Affens 301-774-0558 [email protected]
Membership Sec:
W2GG Bob Dannals 410-472-2004 [email protected]
PVRC Charter Members:
W3GRF (SK), W4AAV (SK), W4KFC (SK), N0FFZ (SK), W4LUE,
W7YS, VP2VI (W0DX), W3IKN, W4KFT.
PacketCluster Contest/DX System, MHz:
W3LPL Glenwood MD 145.590 441.250
KE3Q Bowie MD 145.570 445.375
WR3L Baltimore MD 145.610 440.950
N3RR Rockville MD 145.510 441.325
K3SKE Frederick MD 144.930
N4OHE Mt.Weather VA 145.710 440.925
K3MQH S Mountain PA 145.630
N4SR Woodbridge VA 145.630 *
K4FJ Mt. Vernon VA 145.770 *
W4XP Bull Run Mt " 144.990 <----- New node
This system is sponsored by the Potomac
Valley DX Spotting Network except "*"
are independently funded by each SYSOP.
PVRC on Internet.
PVRC web site by K3SA:
http://www.pvrc.org
PVRC/NC web site by KS4XG
http://www.pagesz.net/~pvrcnc
PVRC reflector: (editor N4AF)
Get latest scores & activities info here
To post: [email protected]
To join* send email to: [email protected]
Text: SUBSCRIBE PVRC
*Members only.
If your call is not within your URL, then send msg to
[email protected].
PVRC dues and ARRL renewals: The annual
dues are by donation - hopefully at
least $10. Club gets a cut from ARRL
renewals sent via PVRC. Both dues and
renewal checks should be made to PVRC
and sent to Dave Baugher, WR3L, 615
Rockway Beach Av, Baltimore, MD 21221.
Thank you.
Newsletter & Autocall column Editor:
Dick Wilder, K3DI, 913 Shore Acres Rd,
Arnold, MD 21012-1724. Voice
410-757-6706, FAX/modem 410-757-6720,
Dxcluster packet, and [email protected].
The Newsletter deadline is normally
ABOUT the day after the third Friday of
each month. The FAR deadline is 60 days
prior to the issue date.
CENTRAL: The Central Meeting is always
the second Monday (except June, July,
and August) at 7:30 pm. The central
meeting generally alternates between MD
and VA locations. A pre-meeting dinner
is usually held between 5:00 and 6:30
pm. Check via 147- repeater.
VA LOCATION: The Patrick Henry
(Public) Library, Route 123, Vienna, VA.
Pre-meeting dinner at Outback, Old
Branch Ave.
MD LOCATION: Church of the Nativity
(Episcopal), Route 5, Temple Hills, MD.
Pre-meeting dinner at Topolino's.
NORTHWEST: Greg Altig 410-775-7313
[email protected]. Meets at 7:30 pm on the
third Tuesday every month at Tully's
Grill, 1080 W. Patrick St, Frederick,
MD. Same center as Shoppers Food
Warehouse. Essentially includes WEST
VIRGINIA area.
NORTH CAROLINA: Chair: Jim Stevens,
K4MA, [email protected]; Sec: Pete
Soper, KS4XG, [email protected], hm:
919-362-4635, wk: 919-481-6874.
Activites: Jim Stevens, K4MA. POC is
K4MA & KS4XG. Howie Hoyt, N4AF,
[email protected] is PVRC reflector editor.
PVRC/NC meets at 6:00 pm the first
Thursday of every month at Ryan's Family
Steakhouse at Crossroads in Cary.
TIDEWATER (VA) COLONY OF PVRC:
Don Lynch W4ZYT 757-486-0728
[email protected]. Meetings are
the 3rd or 4th Tuesday of every month
are held jointly with the VA DXCC at The
Golden Corral corner of Battlefield Blvd
and Volvo Dr in Chesapeake, VA. Easy
access from I-64 at Rte 168 exit. Dinner
at 1830 and meeting at 1930.
SOUTHWEST VA CHAPTER: Coordinator: John
Mitchell, K4IQ, Catawba, VA
540-384-7377, [email protected]. Monthly
meetings alternate between Roanoke area
locations
THE BWI REGIONAL/PVRC: Weekly
breakfast Wed at 7:30 AM at Basil's Deli
Port on Elkrdige Landing Rd 1/4 mile
South of Winterson Road 410-850-4333.
Director: Ike Lawton, W2EOS,
410-263-2830. Secretary: Howard Leake,
W6AXX, 410-465-7008, [email protected]
OVER-THE-HILL LUNCH BUNCH: Rotating
hosts announces meeting info. Ben
Shaver, AA4XU, 703-534-4740; Andy
Anderson, W3XE, 301-384-7771,
[email protected], Holiday Inn, College
Park MD; and Bill Leavitt, W3AZ,
301-292-5797, Ramada Inn, Oxon Hill
PENNSYLVANIA: Steve Cutshall, K3TZV,
[email protected], 717-763-0462.
RAPPAHANNOCK: Steve Bookout, NR4M
(ex-NJ4F) [email protected]. Also, Larry
Schimelpfenig, K7SV, [email protected]
WOODBRIDGE: Jack O'Mara W4NF,
[email protected] 703-680-4106 and Cliff
Deel W4CE, [email protected] 703-491-0841
CENTRAL VA: Bob Morris, W4MYA
804-457-9011 [email protected]
SOUTHERN MD: Chair: Barry Shapiro,
WR3Z. H:301-862-2466
[email protected]
Usually on the first Monday of Sep, Dec,
Mar, and May at N1WR's.
EASTERN-SHORE (DEL-MAR-VA): Dallas
Carter, W3PP 302-875-0550 [email protected]
SHENANDOAH: Bill Hinkle KB3AUG
[email protected] 304-567-3138
NORTHEAST: WR3L See info above.
ANNAPOLIS: K3DI. See info at left
column.
OTHER MEETINGS based on prior year(s):
May. Meeting at Dayton Hamvention
Jun. W3LPL open house Sat before Field
Day. With joint FRC/PVRC meeting on
alternate years. (1999, 2001, ...)
summer. When joint FRC/PVRC is at FRC,
and FRC announces the date.
Jul. PVRC/NC cook out
Jul. Open house, W4MYA, Goochland,
Aug. NCDXA/PVRC Fowlfest at W3YOZ
Aug. VHF++ meeting/workshop at ND3F
Sep. PVRC meeting at the FARfest Bowie
Sep. Open house, WR3L, Baltimore
Dec. Christmas dinner, DC area.
5 MILLION (CLUB COMPETITION) AWARD
Month and number of the full week end.
Jan 3 ARRL VHF Sweepstakes
Jan Last CQWW 160m CW
Feb 3 ARRL DX CW
Feb Last CQWW 160m SSB
Mar 1 ARRL DX SSB
Mar Last CQWW WPX SSB
May Last CQWW WPX CW
Sep 2 ARRL VHF QSO Party
Oct Last CQWW DX SSB
Nov 1 ARRL Sweepstakes CW
Nov 3 ARRL Sweepstakes SSB
Nov Last CQWW DX CW
Dec 1 ARRL 160m Mixed
Dec 2 ARRL 10m Mixed
Standings at http://jctc.org/pvrc5m.htm
Roster updates at: http://www.pvrc.org/pvrcmm98.htm
ATTENTION ELMERS: A FREE COPY OF CT
6.26 with updated CTY and SEC files is
available from K3DI. Send an request to
[email protected] for a copy returned as
an email attachment. CT 6.26 was
released by K1EA as shareware, therefore
it can be legally distributed to
prospective contesters.
[ Paper edition contained PVRC QSL order form and
HRO advertisement on the last two pages. ]