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 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, 2025. Your submittal options are found here:
qsl.net/sterling/VA_QSO_Party/2025_VQP/2025_VQP_Log_Submittal.html
A $1.00 donation to help defray the costs of printing and mailing is encouraged.
If you prefer “snail mail”, submit log entries by mail to:
The VA QSO Party
Call Box 599
Sterling, VA 20167
If you have problems, please send an email to vqp@arrl.net.
Back on March 18th, the presentation at our monthly meeting was by Jerry Stuckle, AI0K, of NWS, who gave a presentation on SKYWARN. Thank you, Jerry. Normally, we would post the slide set on our website, but Jerry asked us not to, and we will honor his wishes. I know I will be signing up for the Basic SKYWARN courses, after the current kerfuffle with the Federal Government settles down, and also after I heal.
With that segue, a quick note that on April 2nd, I will be having my second knee replacement surgery, and so expect to be out for several months. John, KG4NXT, will be taking over my website duties from April 2nd until about April nineth. At which point, I should be done with the pain medications and back to at least my duties as proof reader and webmaster. My duties as “the A/V Guy” will be distributed.
Back on March 22nd, the OVH held another VE Session. On the one hand, 100% of the candidates passed. On the other hand, there was only one candidate.
I’d like to thank the VEs who attended: Mark, WA4KFZ (VE Session Lead); your truly, Ken, KN4DD; James, KQ4CAX & finally, Byron, AK4XR.
Saturday, April 12th, has lots going on that one day.
Our monthly breakfast returns this Saturday, April 12th 8:00 AM. We do get together every Saturday before our monthly meetings at a table or two in the back of Yorkshire Restaurant for some good food and good conversation.
Yorkshire Restaurant
7537 Centreville Rd.
Manassas, VA 20111
(703) 368-4905
Thawfest III at Ruckersville, Virginia is also April 12th – OVH has a table. If you can, you could head down there and devote some time supporting OVH’s table.
Hamfest at Ruckersville, Virginia Admission $10
Saturday, April 12th
8 AM – 11:30 AM
Madison County High School
68 Mountaineer Lane
Madison, VA 22727
The parking lot is near the football stadium.
Talk in: 145.470 – 151.4 MHz
https://gcvarc.net/thawfest
board@gcvarc.net
Our next monthly meeting Tuesday, April 15th –
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM EDT
Buckhall VFD Hall
7190 Yates Ford Road
Manassas, VA 20111
Our presenter will be Wayne, N7QLK, who will give a Zoom presentation about his trip to HamCation in Florida.
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.
The Virginia QSO Party Award Presentations with Gordon Miller, NQ4K, is expected to take place at our Tailgate Party (in lieu of a Hamfest). More details when they become available.
Speaking of our Tailgate Party for 2025, the date is June 7th. Planning is well underway, as is 2025 Field Day planning. Both committees could use some extra help. If you have the time and inclination, we’d love to see you there.
Also, a reminder to check in to the OVH’s Thursday night VHF/UHF repeater net at 8 PM.
The details for that are on the OVH’s web site: https://w4ovh.net
Questions, comments and/or war stories can be directed to my e-mail: KN4DD@arrl.net
73,
Ken / KN4DD