President’s Letter for September 2025

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Hello All,

A reminder that September is National Preparedness Month. So, while the weather is warm and mostly dry, now would be a good time to inspect any tree-supported antennas or get a new one up.

Left on our 2025 To-Do List, we have the Manassas Christmas parade on December 6th at 10 AM and our annual OVH Christmas Party. Preparations have begun.

Back on September 6th the Ole Virginia Hams supported the SOWW 8th Annual Bike Ride. It was ~93° and nice. And the rain waited until the evening.

A big thank you to new member, Jerry, KR4EZZ, who not only attended his first Bike Ride as a spotter, he wrote his first article as a contributor for our webpage, “My First Willing Warrior Ride”, immediately below this article.

Best of all, we had only a couple of minor injuries for the day: a report of someone falling and breaking their scapula. And another report of a woman who had low blood sugar, but the EMTs gave her something and she recovered. We were done about noon and everyone was driving off by 12:35 PM.

I have the following for you:

  • 277 Cyclists
  • 196 Volunteers
  • Over 1,115 volunteer hours dedicated and devoted to making this event a reality
  • We raised over $85,000 — a number that will allow us to host 35 new Warrior Guests at our retreat! Your contributions directly support our mission to provide cost-free retreats for wounded, ill, and injured service members, disabled Veterans, and their families.
  • NextPoint Group returned as our Presenting Sponsor, and we’re so thankful for their continued support. 82 employees attended and/or rode in the event.
  • Amazon partnered with us as a Premier Sponsor and over 50 participants for the ride.

We (SOWW) also extend our deepest thanks to our sponsors and partners: NextPoint Group, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, BMRA, Agile Business Concepts, Micron, Reston Bike Club, Dale City Moose 2165, NOVA Cycleworks, A-1 Cycling, UVA Health, Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Balanced Arch Massage, Calluna’s Lens, Freedom Property Management and Sales, Great Fall Fire Department, NAM Knights, and Image 360. Their support goes far beyond this single event, and it makes a real difference for our Warriors.

The Ole Virginia Hams fielded 21 operators for the event. Now, I’d like to acknowledge and give thanks to everyone that came out and supported this very worthwhile charity:

Byron, AK4XR; John, WB8WTK; Frank, K04FQW; Gene, KN4JMB; Chris, W3CUM; Duane, KK4BZ; Bruce, KN4TS; Greg, KM4CCG; Thomas, W4PIO; Scott, KQ4EOL; David, KG4GIY; Bruce, KNG4DX; Patsy, W4SFT; John, KK4TCE; Scott, KN4RPA; Jerry, KR4EZZ; Scott, KR4BNF; George, K4GVT; Evelyn, Assisting K4GVT; Dianne, KI4FVV as Net Control; Andy, KJ4MTP and Marc, N1BED.

Another big tip of the hat to Andy, KJ4MTP, for organizing and running the whole ham show.

Additional thanks to Ken, KE2N, and Jason, N3JLT, for setting up the temporary links between the OVH and Bluemont repeaters and then standing by in case we needed maintenance. We have offered Jason space at our Mt. Pone location. It is my hope that next year, we will not be setting up temporary links, but using permanent ones.

Next up is our monthly breakfast on September 13th at 8:00 AM. I hear it’s the most important meal of the day. Originally developed by Byron, AK4XR, we get together every Saturday before our 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

Our next monthly meeting Tuesday, September 16th
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM EDT
Buckhall VFD Hall
7190 Yates Ford Road
Manassas VA 20111

Mark, WA4KFZ, will give a presentation on his recent trip to Germany & his Hamfest experiences there.

A reminder that the 79th Greater Manassas Christmas Parade will take place on Saturday, December 6th @ 10 AM. Planning is underway, but we will need volunteer spotters. If interested and available, please contact George, K4GVT via e-mail   george@k4gvt.com

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
This is a great way to stay in touch.

Questions, comments or war stories can be directed to my e-mail: KN4DD@arrl.net

73,
Ken, KN4DD

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