OVH Minutemen

Gil, KM4OZH, taking down beam and tower

In late August, Butch, W4HJL, got a call asking that a beam and tower of a deceased member be taken down – IN ONE DAY.  The beam and tower had belonged to Milt, N4SN,  a long time member of OVH.   His estate was selling the house and was going to closing. The OVH got the beam and tower down in one day.   The crew consisted of Gil, KM4OZH, Al, KB4BHB, John, KG4NXT, and Bob, W4HJF.    Gil did the tower work and the rest were ground crew.   Gil had never operated a Gin pole before but did a superb job.   A Gin pole is a pole the clamps to the tower with a pulley on top to lift off the beam and tower segments one at  a time. There was … Read more >>

VP’s Corner

Amateur radio in Antarctica during the winter of 1956.

With the event filled months behind us, we slide into the slower days of summer and a sweltering heat wave. HF propagation is at its worst in many years. If the low sunspot blues have you down, check out six meters. There have been a number of afternoon sporadic E openings as far as the midwest and southern Florida. Time for a virtual cool down as we explore the exceptional contributions of a young ham named Art to several polar expeditions and to the field of HF radio communications. Born in 1909, Art took an early interest in emerging wireless technology. Licensed at the age of 14, he assembled his own station in the attic of his family’s midwestern home. Art first gained the attention of polar explorers during the … Read more >>

UPCOMING HALF MARATHON

Byron (AK4XR) and Duane (KK4BZ) at Deep Cut turnaround

On Sunday, September 29,   the OVH will again be running communications for the 4th Annual Prince William Half Marathon.    Last year,  the race had 1400 runners and an additional 500 runners for an included 5K race.    The OVH had 18 members participating.     The event can be done either with a 2 meter handheld or with a mobile.   Loaners are available.   Please save the date and volunteer to Wayne Phillips , N7QLK at (571) 237-0520 or at w99phi@gmail.com.