KG4NXT

It was cold, very cold at 7 AM on December 7, 2024. Just in time for the 78th annual Manassas Christmas Parade. We met for a Chick-fil-A breakfast.   George, K4GVT, was the liaison and photographer. Sam, KQ4SL, pulled the trailer with his son, Oliver. Theresa, KG4TVM, got our trailer entered as a parade float and she also took the lead in decorating the trailer. Dianne, KI4FVV, was net control. George visited all of the OVH members at their locations. When he reached City Hall, George located Noah, KQ4IDI, and John, KG4NXT. George asked them if they needed anything and John replied “Beer”. About 45 minutes later, George showed up with a foam cup of beer. OVH members supporting the parade included David, KG4GIY; Byron, AK4XR; Theresa, KG4TVM; John, KG4NXT;  … Read more >>

By John Heartney, as told to “The Other Ken”, KN4DD Willing Warriors is a privately-funded 501 (c)(3) charitable organization offering cost-free getaways from the hospital environment where Warriors and their families can come to relax, spend quality time together, and reconnect.  Their programs include more than 40+ cost-free educational and recreational activities, including seminars that address the issues of dealing with PTS and TBI. The big SOWW fund raiser is their Annual Warrior Bike Ride. This event is based out of The Farm Brewery at Broad Run, where the event both begins & ends. Local hams (called spotters) provide communication across the race courses spanning Loudoun, Fairfax and Prince William counties. Last Saturday, September 7th, was a beautiful day for a bike ride with a daily high of only 74° … Read more >>

The 13 Colonies Event runs in early July and consists of contacting special event stations in each of the original 13 colonies. Contacting all 13 constitutes a “SWEEP”. There are three bonus stations: England, France and Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Many OVH members participated. Click the small image to get a much bigger view of the certificate.

OVH had a table at Thawfest II in Ruckersville, Virginia on April 13, 2024. The first priority was to distribute OVH Tailgate flyers for our Tailgate Party on June 1. Theresa, KG4TVM, was able to distribute all but 5 of the flyers we brought, so that was a success. The second priority was to sell the TS-950SD HF radio and the SM-230 monitor that Bob Zaepfel, K4HJF, had donated to the club. We had brought them to two previous hamfests, but they did not sell. At Thawfest, we WERE able to to sell them. Jeff, K9VEG, also put one of his radios on the table and was able to sell it. Other OVH members at Thawfest included Bruce, KN4GDX; John, KG4NXT; Ron, K3FR and Woody, N4MQ.

Our OVH trailer has spent a number of years parked in the City of Manassas Electric Utility yard. We recently received a phone call saying we had to move our trailer. The city was clearing out all non-city property to make room to store transformers for the new data centers being built. As we now needed a new place for the trailer, Gil, KM4OZH, volunteered to take it for a while. THANKS GIL. James, KQ4CAX, volunteered his truck to haul the trailer. On Saturday, April 5, James, Al, KB4BHB and John, KG4NXT, moved the trailer to Gil’s home. Backing into Gil’s place is never easy, but it got done. The trailer is now parked at Gil’s home. Click on the photo on the left to expand the article for more … Read more >>

OVH had a table at Vienna’s Winterfest on March 10, 2024. We distributed tailgate flyers and sold some gear. Table sitters were Don, WA2SWX; Theresa, KG4TVM and John, KG4NXT. Don sold all of the gear that he had brought. Every table was sold and we noticed that attendance was very good. We all saw people that we knew. OVH members that we spotted include Mark, WA4KFZ; Gene, N4HFW; Woody, and Gil, KM4OZH. PRIZE WINNERS – See here –> https://viennawireless.net/wp/winterfest-2024-raffle-winners/

On Dec 1, several local hams helped with the City of Manassas Christmas Tree lighting. They are members of CERT – Community Emergency Reaction Team. The tree lighting involved Santa arriving on a VRE train, and then Santa got on a hay wagon and went to the grounds of the Manassas Museum. At the museum, Santa then talked to the crowd and the tree was lit, complete with artificial snow. After the lighting of the tree, Santa went to the ice skating rink and visited with the children. While Santa was listening to the children’s Christmas lists, there were also free hayrides for everyone. The CERT team was there for safety and first aid and they were a direct report to a police officer. This year that was Lt. Barahona.  … Read more >>