Ken "The Other Ken" Brant

Hello Everyone, Well, with regard to the beginning of May, it sure looked like we were going to go directly into summer. While I don’t mind the warm days, I do like it cooler in the evenings. I sleep better in the cooler evenings, and I tend to think of it as “free air conditioning”. Thankfully, we seem to have returned to seasonal weather.   Theresa, KG4TVM, is once again proving herself to be a force of nature. As if May and June aren’t already the busiest months of our club’s year, she has acquired a cache of very old OVH Newsletters, and has been scanning them into her computer and uploading them into our website’s Newsletter Archive. With John, KG4NXT, assisting with the scanning, our website now has issues … Read more >>

Greetings to all. We start this month’s letter off with last month’s VAQP back on March 16th and 17th.  I hope everyone remembered to put our club down on their logs when they submitted them. If you haven’t yet submitted your logs, you have until April 15th, 2024. A $1.00 donation to help defray the costs of printing and mailing is encouraged. Submit log entries by online portal or mail to: The VA QSO Party Call Box 599 Sterling, VA 20167 or e-mail them to:   vqp@verizon.net. If you have problems, please send an email to vqp@arrl.net. Speaking of April 15th, Tax Day this year is April 15th. No extra time this year. Make sure your rich Uncle Sam receives his proper documentation from you on time. Back on March 19th, … Read more >>

Hello again, everyone. Welcome to what is shaping up to be a very wet March. In February we held our annual club officer elections during our monthly meeting. I’d like to thank everyone who participated. In a clean sweep, your entire officer cadre was reelected. John, KG4NXT; Don, WA2SWX; Gil, KM4OZH and I (Ken, KN4DD) were returned to our positions as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President, respectively, Also at our February meeting, Gordon, NQ4K, gave his presentation on the upcoming Virginia QSO party. His original presentation was over 133 slides long, but he graciously trimmed that down significantly to fit in his allotted time. And as usual, he was very well received. A big thank you to Gordon. Next, your annual dues, which are now $25, are due by … Read more >>

Hello, Everyone, After a wetter than normal January, we have been dealing with slightly above average temperatures during the first ten days of February. Those of you who know me, know that I am not a fan of the “s” word (snow). So, I look at the recent rain and think “at least it’s not snow”. Still thinking of winter, I am reminded of the great American philosopher, Yogi Berra, who once said “it ain’t over, till it’s over”.  He was talking about winter, wasn’t he? Speaking of spring like weather, now 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. Our monthly breakfast returns this Saturday, February 17th  at … Read more >>

Happy New Year to All, A quick reminder: Because of the MLK holiday, this month’s meeting will be on WEDNESDAY, January 17th, and NOT Tuesday. If you took part in the annual ARRL Straight Key Night (SKN) on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, congratulations. I think we had a pretty good year last year.  In 2023, the OVH supported: 5 Tri-It-Now mini triathlons • A return to the OVH Tailgate Party (in lieu of Hamfest) • Another successful Field Day – This time with Cat, KM4PBD, in her inaugural sitting in the Chairwoman’s chair. And a fine inaugural event she produced, too. • Our annual support of The Freedom 5K and 1-mile Fun Run. • The OVH fielded 28 spotters for the 2023 Warrior Bike Ride, this year … Read more >>

Greetings to All, As 2023 winds down, it is customary to review where we have been this year. With the pandemic in our rear view mirrors for over two years now, we continue our return to normalcy. The Ole Virginia Hams participated in, and oversaw the final season of the Tri It Now mini triathlons. We wish Ina Nenninger, owner & organizer, a happy retirement. Don, WA2SWX, and his team oversaw another successful Tailgate Party. He is also currently planning the 2024 Tailgate Party. It will be his last this time, as his house on the water is ready for his well-deserved retirement. He says he will be leaving us before January 2025, possibly as early as this summer. Cat, KM4PBD, took the helm for her inaugural run as Field … Read more >>

Greetings to All, On November 4th, the Ole Virginia Hams held a VE Session at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Clifton Campus. We had 7 candidates in total, 8 tests given as one gentleman took both the General Exam as well as his Extra. I am pleased to report that we had 6 new licenses or upgrades. I’d like to thank Lord of Life Church for once again allowing us space for our VE Sessions. The VEs who attended were:  Al, KB4BHB; John, KG4NXT; Jay, NQ4T; David, KY4MM; Byron, AK4XR and yours truly, Ken, KN4DD. Speaking of VE Sessions, John has been our Coordinator for years now, and has been wanting to take a break. I am pleased to announce that Mark, WA4KFZ, will be taking over that position … Read more >>