Rick N4ASX
January 2011
Club Repeaters: 147.315 (PL 107.2), 444.6 (107.2) (224.82(PL107.2), 53.13 (PL107.2), 1282.600 (PL 107.2) DSTAR 145.38Mhz, 442.060, 1284.600 NEW REPEATER – 927.6 (-25Mhz, 107.2 PL) NEXT CLUB MEETING Our next meeting is January 14th at Alexandria Hospital. This will be largely a business meeting so the new club officers can assemble this year’s budget, plan activities and get an idea of what the members what to do this year. If we have time, we’ll see a new DX video (BS7H or FT5XO0 MEETING LOCATION 2011 The INOVA Alexandria Hospital has agreed to let us use the HEC-1 and 2 conference rooms this month and for the rest of next year. This is from the Hospital CIO/CFO office!
NOVEMBER MEETING
The December 2010 meeting was the party at Mango Mike’s. I was in sunny Florida so I missed the party, but I understand that the turnout was not as good as expected but that those who did attend had a good time. We had 18 attendees, including 5YLs.
Up Coming Events:
WASHINGTON’S Birthday Parade and Events As we prepare for the winter, remember that time flies and keep your gear handy! In February we will have the Washington’s Birthday events (10K run
(2/19/11) and the parade (2/21/11). We need about 10 or 12 operators for both events who can work in a cold environment.
I think we plan to use the trailer as we did two years ago for both events and use D-Star Digital mode for the parade order of march. Last year’s parade was called off because of the snow.
HAMFESTS
Maryland Mobileers – this hamfest is often overlooked by hams on this side of the Potomac. It’s the first hamfest for the local area in the new year, usually the 4th Sunday in January, which puts it on January 23, 2011. I have found some really hard to find items at this one. It is in the back of the Odenton Firehouse on Rte 175. Take I-95 north to 175 east toward Ft Meade. It will be on the right.
Frostfest – Traditionally the 1st Saturday in February, which is February 5 for 2011. It’s sponsored by the Richmond Amateur Telecommunications Society. The location is at the Richmond Raceway Complex (the old VA State Fairgrounds) in Henrico County. Its about a 90 minute to 2 hour drive south.
The hamfest occupies two large buildings with lots of space for new and used equipment. If you are into firearms as well, there is also a gun show in a couple of adjacent buildings at the same time. Needless to say, there are many people who enjoy both hobbies and combining the two at the same facility is a great idea. I am sure both organizations benefit from slightly reduced cost for a first class facility. Hopefully, we won’t be snowed out this year.
Winterfest – Traditionally the 4th Sunday of February (February 27, 2011) at the Annandale campus of Northern VA Community College. The campus easy to find, just off I-495 and Rte 236. The Vienna Wireless folks put on a nice hamfest. While not the largest in the area, it does offer a good variety of spare parts and odds and ends, as well used equipment. Fortunately, the event is mostly indoors, but there a few hearty souls who tailgate in the elements. The club usually reserves a couple tables (inside) and a lot of equipment was sold at the ARC tables last year. This is a good opportunity to clean out your excess equipment and bring home a few bucks (towards some new equipment).
President’s Corner
Welcome to 2011. ARC members should be able to look forward to a number of great amateur activities coming up over the next few months:
Richmond Frostfest February 5 (early bird tickets are $8 available at www.frostfest.com )
George Washington Birthday Parade February 21 ( event information at www.washingtonbirthday.net/events )
Winterfest 2011 on February 27 (more information at www.viennawireless.org/winterfest.php )
The 2011 Virginia QSO Party the weekend of March 19-21 (more information at www.qsl.net/sterling/uf1.htm )
There will be more to discuss at our regular monthly meetings and weekly net’s, but as you can see, we have a lot great activities to look forward to in 2011!
Our new club officers for 2011
President – Marshall – KI4MWP
Vice President / Program Chair – Ian N8IK
Secretary – Tom – KJ4FUU
Treasurer – Ted -W9TCE
Thanks for taking on the club’s leadership
Social Events
We expect to be meeting at the Alexandria Hospital from now until our June
2011 meeting, so the pre-meeting dinner is now at Atlantis in the Bradlee Shopping Center at 6 PM. This is also a chance to meet our guest speaker as we offer to buy dinner for them prior to the meeting.
Monday Night Half Price Burgers – There is a group that gets together at Shooter McGee’s (Duke and Paxton Streets) on Monday evenings at 6:30 PM. A good burger and soft drink runs about $9.00.
Hope you had a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year_____