John Heartney

OVH goes to Elkton Hamfest

by
Morgan K4RHD,(yellow vest) Rousseau KC4RCR, Al KB4BHB, John KG4NXT

On Feb 18, OVH went to the Elkton Hamfest to distribute OVH Tailgate flyers. Al, KB4BHB; Theresa, KG4TVM and John, KG4NXT left Manassas at 5 AM to get to Elkton before the 7 AM opening. We found the hamfest to be quite friendly and accommodating. After asking nicely, they let us take our dog Annie to our inside hamfest table where she was a good dog. We also saw Rousseau, KC4RCR who checks into our Thursday night net from Berryville and Morgan, K4RHD. Morgan is a published author, NVTN net control and exhibitor at our hamfests and tailgates. Click the picture for more pictures.

OVH supports Turkey Trot

by
Duane KK4BZ and XYL were runners

Early in the morning of Thanksgiving Day, OVH did communications support for the Manassas Turkey Trot, which is a 5k race event. We provided communications. The OVH members helping where Wayne, N7QLK (lead); Ken, KN4DD; Theresa, KG4TVM and John, KG4NXT. The race went smoothly. We did notice a large number of participants whose philosophy was ” Walk, don’t run”. Nevertheless, we all got home in plenty of time for Thankgiving dinner.

OVH VE Session Nov 19, 2022

by
OVH VE examiners

On November 19, 2022, OVH sponsored a VE session at a Centreville Library. Byron, AK4XR had secured the space. The VEs assisting were John, KG4NXT; Al, KB4BHB; Ken, KN4DD; Luther, WA3FMO; James, KQ4CAX, and Mark, WA4KFZ. Theresa, KG4TVM assisted with registration and ID checking.  She also prepared a handout which included a club application and the steps to follow to check on the application and pay the new $35 FCC fee.  We had 7 applicants and all passed. We have 5 new technicians and 2 new Generals.

13 Colonies Certificates arrive for 2022

by
13 Colonies 2022 certificate

The certificates from The Annual 13 Colonies Special Event are arriving.   If you get all 13 colonies, it is called a “CLEAN SWEEP”.   There are also bonus stations for the Liberty Bell, a station in England and a station in France.  Known club members participating include Al, KB4BHB;  Wayne, N7QLK; Ken, KE2N; Byron, AK4XR; Jim, KM4SXM and John, KG4NXT. Click on the small image of the certificate to see it bigger.

OVH Field Day Best in 20 Years

by
Bill AF4LL on sideband

For our 2022 Field Day, we claimed 5,266 points. As a reference, we claimed 2,648 in 2012 and 2,526 in 2021. We had terrific operators including Bill, AF4LL; Wayne, AG4ZZ; Ron, K3FR; Byron, AK4XR; Don, WA2SWX; Jim, KM4SXM; Mark, WA4KFZ and John, KG4NXT. We also had a super under 18 YL operator – Sarah Peart. She made 19 FT8 contacts. Cat, KM4PBD and Byron, AK4XR held a fox hunt. Cat made an expert field repair of the Fox and hid it on one of the signs in the park baseball field. Gil, KM4OZH was the first to find the fox and won the fox hunt. We had a very unusual antenna mount. Byron brought his cherry picker and Gil made an antenna rotator for it. This was used for the … Read more >>

Antenna Party

by
Gil KM4OZH and Byron AK4XR put on their climbing harnesses

Ken, Ke2n had determined that our old 2 meter repeater antenna had severe problems after a lot of rain. He ordered a new antenna but had a stroke before he was able to install it. Ken asked for members to come install it. The team consisted of Byron, AK4XR; Gil, KM4OZH; Al, KB4BHB; John, KG4NXT; Jeff, WB4TT and Cat, KM4PBD. Byron had previously climbed the water tower at Mount Pone. The first climb was cancelled because of a death on Byron’s family. On the second attempt, there was some sprinkles in the morning but the climb went on. Cat was unable to help because of work. The antenna was replaced on May 12, 2022 in a job that lasted from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The only lunch we had … Read more >>