John Heartney

The January VHF contest was held January 18th to 20th. There was severe weather that weekend. Gil, KM4OZH, who normally competes in the Rover class, stayed off the roads. His neighbor and OVH member Jeff, WB4TT, operated FM only from his house. The log submission date was Jan 30th and ARRL has posted the raw scores. Jeff came in first in the single operator, FM only class. https://contests.arrl.org/rawscores.php?cn=janvhf Jeff is 280 points ahead of the next highest score, so we expect he will remain on top as the scores are audited. Additionally, Jeff and Gil recently added another tower (below) which tilts down using torque from an electric drill.  

On Feb 1, 2025, Theresa, KG4TVM, and John, KG4NXT, went to the Middle Peninsula Hamfest in Gloucester, Virginia. We had a table and our primary purpose was to distribute OVH tailgate flyers, which we did. Ron, K3FR, attended too. We also asked for consignments to make the table more interesting. Ron, K3FR, provided us with a chrome Bencher key and a Brother inkjet printer. We were able to sell the Bencher key. The printer is still for sale at $25. Ken, KE2N, provided us with an Elecraft KX3 which generated a lot of interest but did not sell at $1,600.00. We will be taking the printer and KX3 to Vienna Winterfest unless we are able to sell them first. We will be happy to take any other consignment items to … Read more >>

Before all the snow came, Al, KB4BHB, mounted a new vertical antenna on a military fiberglass mast. John, KG4NXT, and Gene, N4HFW, were part of the crew. The antenna is guyed by 2 lengths of parachute cord and an antenna bracket mounted on the soffit of this house. The coax used was LMR 400. The PL-259 connector on the LMR 400 was damaged when John and AL were ramming it through a hole in the brick wall. A new connector was installed and the antenna works great. It will give AL 440 MHz capability for the Virginia QSO Party, 13 Colonies and VHF/UHF contests. Gene, N4HFW, has been having a problem getting into the 97 repeater from his shack in the basement. He has been using the Android app to … Read more >>

This year the holiday party was held at the home of John, KG4NXT, and Theresa, KG4TVM. There is a possibility that the party could return to Yorkshire Restaurant next year. The OVH members who attended included Al, KB4BHB; Ken, KN4DD; Cat, KM4PBD; Luis, KQ4GBC; his XYL Daniela, KQ4IKQ; Gus, N4MLE; Byron, AK4XR, and his XYL Jane; Bill, AF4LL, and his friend Dana; Ron, K3FR; Jeff, WB5UIE; his XYL Pinky, KN4ZLY, as well as John and Theresa. There was an abundance of great food. Theresa cooked both a turkey and a ham while John once again made venison chili. There were many tasty dishes brought by the party goers since it was a potluck. Daniela entertained everyone with her story and pictures of how she had learned to gut, skin and … Read more >>

It was cold, very cold at 7 AM on December 7, 2024. Just in time for the 78th annual Manassas Christmas Parade. We met for a Chick-fil-A breakfast.   George, K4GVT, was the liaison and photographer. Sam, KQ4SL, pulled the trailer with his son, Oliver. Theresa, KG4TVM, got our trailer entered as a parade float and she also took the lead in decorating the trailer. Dianne, KI4FVV, was net control. George visited all of the OVH members at their locations. When he reached City Hall, George located Noah, KQ4IDI, and John, KG4NXT. George asked them if they needed anything and John replied “Beer”. About 45 minutes later, George showed up with a foam cup of beer. OVH members supporting the parade included David, KG4GIY; Byron, AK4XR; Theresa, KG4TVM; John, KG4NXT;  … Read more >>

By John Heartney, as told to “The Other Ken”, KN4DD Willing Warriors is a privately-funded 501 (c)(3) charitable organization offering cost-free getaways from the hospital environment where Warriors and their families can come to relax, spend quality time together, and reconnect.  Their programs include more than 40+ cost-free educational and recreational activities, including seminars that address the issues of dealing with PTS and TBI. The big SOWW fund raiser is their Annual Warrior Bike Ride. This event is based out of The Farm Brewery at Broad Run, where the event both begins & ends. Local hams (called spotters) provide communication across the race courses spanning Loudoun, Fairfax and Prince William counties. Last Saturday, September 7th, was a beautiful day for a bike ride with a daily high of only 74° … Read more >>