Presidents Letter

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Presidents Letter:   Greetings All, I hope that everyone had a happy and safe Halloween. Oh, all of the left over candy. Are your batteries charged??  Is your radio configured properly??  If not, then this may be the time to ensure they are.  With the weather getting colder, and the recent hurricane season, this is the perfect time to check the functionally of them.  For the newer members, don’t hesitate to ask someone for assistance if you need it. Also, December 2nd is For those that are D-Star folks, stay tuned for updates. I want to pass this along. It is from the ARRL Virginia Section Manager, Dr. Joseph G Palsa, K3WRY. “ SKYWARN™ Recognition Day (SRD) will take place this year on Saturday, December 2 from 0000 until 2400 … Read more >>

VP’s Corner

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VP’s Corner Jeff Fuller WB6UIE The approaching holiday season and year’s end are traditionally a time for reflection and giving thanks for our many blessings.  This Veteran’s Day, lets take a moment to express thanks to our veterans – the young ones who are in harm’s way today defending our freedoms, and those who have gone before, sometimes giving all. In honor of Veteran’s Day, here’s an account of some brave WWII vets who put their electronic  knowledge and amateur radio skills to work in an amazing example of extreme homebrew. It begins in 1941 with Wendell Fertig, a recent college graduate on his first job as a mining engineer in the Philippines. Having earned an Army Reserve commission through ROTC, Fertig soon found himself called to active duty as war clouds darkened in the Pacific. Within months Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, followed shortly afterward by … Read more >>

The Making of a full size 160 Horizontal Loop

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Jeff Fischer, WB4TT, recently decided to add a 520 foot horizontal loop to his antenna farm. Jeff wanted this to be a homebrew antenna and not an off the shelf antenna. He made his own 1:1 balun rated at a kilowatt out of 12 gauge magnet wire over which he applied a 3M coating for extra insulation. With the help of neighbor, Gil Thompson , KM4OZH, he created  antenna mount points for the trees from hardware store hardware. These mount points are designed to flex with the trees to avoid snapping the antenna wire through metal fatigue. The mounts consists of an 8 inch eye bolt in the tree connected to two pulleys. The pulley connected to the eye bolt is connected to Dacron rope that is a loop to … Read more >>

New Club Member Peaches Attending Club Meetings

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So it appears as though I have been remiss in introducing a new recent member to our club that has been attending our Ole Virginia Hams club meeting recently and I thought I would correct my oversight tonight via a post. Almost two and a half months ago, a new Ole Virginia Hams member was introduced at our monthly club meeting by Rosalie Fuller, call sign WIFE to our Vice President, Jeff Fuller, WB6UIE. Rosalie brought Peaches to the club meeting and it appears Peaches had an uncanny familiarity with the club and of course fit right in with our members. Since that club meeting in August, Peaches has been religiously attending every club meeting with Rosalie and cheering on the club in all of its endeavors. Please welcome Peaches … Read more >>

Jamboree On The Air – 2017

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On Saturday, October 21st, 2017, several OVH members worked with local scouts during JOTA – Jamboree On The Air! The event was organized by John Heartney, KG4NXT, along with Ken Carpenter, KD6DBX, with Troop 581 of National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. It was a perfect fall day, lots of sunshine at the Braemar Swim Club. Antennas went up, radios were tuned up and contacts were made between 9 am and 2 pm. John KG4NXT set up his ICOM 756Pro with a windom antenna. Don WA2SWX set up a DSTAR station. Wayne N7QLK and Kevin KX4KU worked with the scouts. Everyone did an outstanding job getting these scouts on the air. Gil KM4OZH was traveling but was able to have QSO’s on 2-meters with his home-made mobile … Read more >>

Annual 42nd Marine Corps Marathon

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The Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.  For many of our W4OVH members, we register with the Prince William County ARES (PWCARES) organization and as all Ham radio Operators know, “When All Else Fails… Amateur Radio” is there! You need to be equipped with sustaining skills. What if when you get to a location, there is no food and the sleeping conditions are undesirable? Before you leave on your assignment, you need to make sure you have coping skills that enable you to be able to do your job operating under the conditions you are assigned to—from hardship conditions to making sure you’re able … Read more >>

Club Member Spotlight – KK4BZ

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Every once and awhile the Sunshine Committee does a Club Member Spotlight.  This time it is our member Duane, KK4BZ.  By  Theresa, KG4TVM. Many of you have met Duane, KK4BZ, formerly known as KM4RTB. He has been a club member for a little while now. Duane has managed to incorporate ham radio into his horse riding activities. During the March Virginia QSO party, he was horse mobile. Duane participates in endurance rides and would appreciate any ham radio assistance for these events. The riders use Baofeng HT’s to communicate during the events. Duane is available at martindh@iname.com for anyone that would like additional information. Here is some information from Duane: The “local” endurance rides are hosted by Old Dominion Endurance Rides, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization. I am very proud … Read more >>