Club News

OVH goes to Elkton Hamfest

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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.

President’s Letter for February 2023

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I hope you all are enjoying the recent spring like weather. I know I have. I also know that everything costs something, so I won’t be surprised if the bill comes due in the form of actual winter weather. Just the same, I wouldn’t mind if our recent weather stays around for the rest of the season. 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. I was informed of the results from the June 2022 ARRL VHF contests after I had published the January President’s Letter.  So, even though this is a bit late, I want to congratulate two of our own, Gil, … Read more >>

President’s Letter for January 2023

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Happy New Year to All, I heard what I thought was a great story this week. It is the kind of story that you hope is true. It seems that back in the late 1800s or early 1900s there was a telegrapher’s job opening, and a man went down to the office to apply. When the man got there however, there were about seven applicants ahead of him. Unconcerned, he took his seat to wait his turn. It was a busy office with a lot of office noise, and this being the past, lots of heavy clicking and clacking from the telegraph equipment. After a few moments, this man got up from his seat, and strode purposefully into the back office whereupon the door closed. This, of course, upset the … Read more >>

H.A.M. Analyzed

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Bruce KN4GDX presents on Quantum Computing

H.A.M. For 2023, rest assured a meaning has finally come into our hobby. After lengthy and never ending discussions on the meaning of ‘ham’, typically among oldies and newbies, and the assertions that it represents the initials of important people, the REAL answer has come to light (er, electromagnetic propagation). HAM stands for Heuristic Algorithmic Menagerie. (apologies to Arthur C. Clarke) Heuristic because … Heuristic — A heuristic, or heuristic technique, is any approach to problem solving or self-discovery that employs a practical method that is not guaranteed to be optimal, perfect, or rational, but is nevertheless sufficient for reaching an immediate, short-term goal or approximation. Wikipedia Algorithmic because … duh: algorithms are embedded in everything we do. Menagerie because … It’s obvious to any observer of the typical ham … Read more >>

President’s Letter for December 2022

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Greetings to All, Well, here it is December. The year is winding down and the OVH event calendar is over for the year. Overall, 2022 has been a lot better than the last two years, and we continue to grow back into normalcy. We returned to Hamfest this year from last year’s Covid inspired Tailgate Party. We had excellent turn outs for Field Day this year as well as our Mini-Tri and Warrior Bike Ride events. Things will continue to improve in 2023 and I am counting on your continued support of club activities. Get ready to renew your membership. Your annual dues are $25 now, after a club vote at the October meeting. Please remember the new amount when you make your payment. See the mail in Flyer for … Read more >>

OVH Supports 76th Annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade

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Santa & Mrs. Claus holding court

What a difference a year makes.  On December 3rd, the Ole Virginia Hams supported the 76th Annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade. While just cloudy last year, this year’s forecast called for poor weather. They got it part right. While the weather was gloomy during the preparation phase or setup phase of the parade, the weather did improve as the day went on. John, KG4NXT, Theresa, KG4TVM and yours truly met at the Manassas City Yard at 6:30 AM to collect & decorate the OVH trailer. It was about 50 ° at that time. Overnight and that morning we had about .3” of cold rain, which made lying on the ground to hook up the trailer and electrical just miserable. It was too wet to put a lot of decorations on … Read more >>

OVH supports Turkey Trot

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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

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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.