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 the trailer for a number of years in the City of Manassas Electric Utility yard, taking it out for missions such as Hamfest / Tailgate Parties & Field Days. We were asked to move the trailer as the city was clearing out all non-city property to make room to store transformers for the new data centers being built. Gil, KM4OZH, came to our rescue and volunteered to take it for a while.
Also in April, OVH’s own VE Session was held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church Clifton Campus. This was to be our last VE Session at this location, as that congregation sold that building. Not to worry though, a new location has been found. Planning has already begun for the 2025 VE Sessions.
A reminder that back in May, Theresa, KG4TVM, (OVH’s Club Historian) and John, KG4NXT, added substantially to our web archive. They acquired a cache of very old OVH Newsletters and scanned them into our website’s Newsletter Archive. Our website now has issues dating back to 1984.
If you want to see what used to be, just go to “About the Club –> Newsletters” and scroll down.
In June, Don, WA2SWX, and his team oversaw his last Hamfest / Tailgate Party. And another successful Tailgate Party, as we have come to expect from Don and his team.
Don and his bride, Edith, have since retired and moved to a house on the water in Ecuador.
Don was also longtime OVH Treasurer & his retirement created a vacancy. Jeff, K9VEG, graciously stepped forward. He is proving to be both a capable and dependable replacement. We hope he continues for quite some time.
Over 2024, we continued to support our sister clubs’ Hamfests, notably PVARC Ham Fest in Elkton, VA; Winterfest in Vienna, VA and Thawfest II (aka Hamfest at Ruckersville, Virginia).
Also in June, Cat, KM4PBD, came back to captain her helm for the second time as Field Day Chairwoman. Thank you for another successful Field Day. This year’s Field Day also had our first weather balloon launch, armed with a solar powered radio set up for WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter – pronounced “whisper”).
Back on the 4th of July, the OVH supported “The IMDC Freedom Firecracker 5k and Sparkler 1 Mile”, formerly “The Freedom Firecracker 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run”.
Also, back during the first week of July was the popular 13 Colonies Special Event – 2024.
Still in July, our Mt. Pone repeater shack suffered an $1,100.00+ air conditioning failure. Byron, AK4XR; Jeff, K9VEG; Gil, KM4OZH and John, KG4NXT, were instrumental in getting this project through committee, purchased and installed. If not for their help, this would have cost significantly more, as we would have had to purchase professional installation. Without this help, our Thursday night nets would have been problematic at best, and nonfunctioning at worst. Thanks guys.
On September 7th, the Ole Virginia Hams supported the SOWW 7th Annual Bike Ride. We had no major injuries for the day, but a few non-emergency needs which were reported by the OVH and promptly dealt with. We fielded 22 operators for that event. We helped them raise $95,000+ as we kept a watchful eye on their participants. I’d like to give thanks to everyone that came out and supported this very worthwhile charity.
On Thanksgiving morning, the Ole Virginia Hams once again provided communications support for the 5k portion of the Prince William Turkey Trot (5k) & Mashed Potato Mile. Their motto: “Trot, Eat, Sleep.” Thank you to our volunteers here.
On December 7th, George, K4GVT, once again lead the Ole Virginia Hams participation in the 78th Annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade.
George also roamed the parade route taking pictures, so check the following link for some additional pictures from this event. Manassas City Christmas Parade 2024
A big thank you to all.
Our World Famous OVH Christmas Party will be December 14th
at THE HEARTNEY HOUSEHOLD – DO NOT GO TO THE OLD LOCATION !
If you need directions, please contact John or Theresa Heartney, directly.
Please remember to bring unwrapped toy(s) for our Toys 4 Tots collection, as well as a potluck dish.
No monthly breakfast this month, due to the Holiday Season. We will resume our breakfast on Saturday, January 18th at 8:00 AM.
As our Christmas Party is also December’s monthly meeting, our next monthly meeting will be WEDNESDAY, January 22nd, 2025.
W4OVH Monthly Meeting
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM EST
Buckhall VFD Hall
7190 Yates Ford Road
Manassas, VA 20111
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
Another reminder: The annual ARRL Straight Key Night (SKN) returns on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, January 1, 0000 – 2359 UTC, which is 7:00 PM EST on December 31st. This promises to be a lot of fun for the novice (hint, hint, new members) as well as experienced CW operators – there is a surprising amount of activity on the HF bands. For more information, please follow the link:
https://www.arrl.org/straight-key-night
Get ready to renew your membership. Your annual dues are $25 now. Please remember the new amount when you make your payment. See the mail-in Flyer for renewing your club membership later in this Newsletter. Also, OVH’s web site, W4OVH.net, allows you to renew online. In order for you to be eligible to vote in our upcoming February election, you will need to be current with all of your dues.
Now would be a good time to start thinking about nominees for club leadership positions. You might even decide to serve your fellow members as an officer. You will still need to be a member in good standing to be on the ballot.
Thank you and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.
Questions, comments or war stories can be directed to my e-mail: KN4DD@arrl.net
73,
Ken, KN4DD