Ken "The Other Ken" Brant

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President’s Letter for April 2025

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Greetings to all. I would like to start this month’s letter off with the 2024 September VHF Contest results. This contest ran September 14 – 16, 2024. I’d like to recognize OVH’s own Vice President, Gil, KM4OZH, for placing second in his category, “Limited Rover” with 13,986 points. He is now “Officially Famous” with his listing in the current issue (April, 2025) of QST, pages 76 & 77. Next up is last month’s VAQP back on March 15th and 16th. Gil had plenty of (mis) adventures with this one, including a deer vs. car contest. If you can get him to tell the story, it is a good one and he tells it well. I am not sure I would have been as sanguine as he was. I do hope … Read more >>

President’s Letter for March 2025

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Greetings All, In February, we held our annual club officer elections during our monthly meeting. I’d like to thank everyone who braved the bad weather to participate. In a clean sweep, your entire officer cadre was reelected. John, KG4NXT; Jeff, K9VEG; Gil, KM4OZH and I (Ken, KN4DD) were returned to our positions as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President, respectively, Because of that bad weather, our featured speaker, Gordon, NQ4K, was not able to give his Virginia QSO party briefing. In his stead, John, KG4NXT was able to find us a video last minute. His video was “Parachuting into POTA”. While interesting, I don’t think many of our OVH members will be rushing out to try this one. The most common comment, and thus the lesson learned from this video, … Read more >>

President’s Letter for February 2025

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Greetings to all, A quick reminder: Because of the President’s Day holiday, this month’s meeting will be on WEDNESDAY, February 19th, and NOT Tuesday. Congratulations to OVH Member Jeff, WB4TT, who leads in the January VHF contest. The January VHF contest was held January 18th to 20th. You can get more information in John Heartney’s article, immediately below this article. When warmer and more seasonal weather returns, that would be a good time while we still have “see through trees” to get out there and check those antennas. Better now (and easier) than when the foliage returns. My own end fed antenna needed to be resecured to a tree just a couple of weeks ago. A big tip of the hat to John, KG4NXT, on that one. It’s once again … Read more >>

President’s Letter for January 2025

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Happy New Year to All, A quick reminder: Because of the MLK holiday, this month’s meeting will be on WEDNESDAY, January 22nd, and NOT Tuesday. Thank you to everyone to donated gifts to Toys 4 Tots. I am told we collected more toys than ever before. Thank you also to everyone who came out to our annual Holiday Party. Thanks too, to the Heartney’s for hosting us and providing us with the turkey and ham. A huge thank you especially to Theresa, KG4TVM, who, after finding out that the Yorkshire Restaurant would not be hosting us this year, stepped back in at near last minute to turn out another excellent Holiday Party for our club. If you took part in the annual ARRL Straight Key Night (SKN) on New Year’s … Read more >>

President’s Letter for December 2024

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Hello to All, As 2024 winds down, it is customary to review where we have been this year. This last year was the first year without the Tri-It-Now mini triathlons. They would have started up last March (2024), but Ina Nenninger, owner & organizer of Tri It Now retired and moved away.  I, for one, miss the activities, and our “new ham” members have lost a great way to wade in to our hobby. I really believe the OVH needs to replace this activity. If any of you have any ideas, please contact me or any of the other officers. In March we had the VA QSO Party. We performed quite well, yet again. A big nod to Gil, KM4OZH. In April, our OVH Trailer got rehomed. We had stored … Read more >>

President’s Letter for November 2024

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Hello again everyone, Last month’s opening statement in the President’s Letter had to do with OVH Vice President Gil, KM4OZH’s remarkable performance in September’s VHF contest, Limited Rover Class. Today, I am happy to report that Gil’s performance can be found on pg. 75 of the December issue of QST magazine. I am also pleased to announce that Mark, WA4KFZ, is working on scheduling our next VE Session. He has also told me he is planning on retiring this upcoming January after a long career. Well done, sir. November 11th is Veterans Day. As you probably know, originally it was designated as Armistice Day in remembrance of World War I veterans. It has since evolved in the US to honor ALL veterans of our military services.  So, I’d like to … Read more >>

President’s Letter for October 2024

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Hello All, I’d like to start with “reflected glory”. Once again, our Vice President, Gil, KM4OZH, has brought home the glory of Second Place Nationally in September’s UHF/VHF contest. Gil competes in the “Limited Rover” category, and achieved his highest raw score ever – 14,960. Gil has been licensed a relatively short time, compared to some of our more “seasoned” members, and he took to serious contesting early in his ham career. His tenacity and resilience and yes, his creativity (have you even seen his car?) have served him well in his contesting, which shines a positive light on the OVH, as well. Way to go, Gil! Be sure to read John’s, KG4NXT’s more detailed article on Gil’s most resent accomplishment on our website, immediately below this one. Next up, … Read more >>

President’s Letter for September 2024

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Hello All, As Hurricane Francine prepares to make landfall in Louisiana, if you will allow me, Hurricane Season (which ends December 1st) has been mild for the US this year. After predictions of a heavy 2024 hurricane season, this is only the second named storm hitting the mainland so far. And as always, I hope for a mild winter. A reminder that September is National Preparedness Month. So, while the weather is warm and mostly dry, now would be a good time to inspect any tree-supported antennas or get a new one up. Left on our 2024 To-Do List, we have the Manassas Christmas parade on December 7th at 10 AM and our annual OVH Christmas Party. Preparations have begun. Back on September 7th the Ole Virginia Hams supported the … Read more >>