May 2000 QST

an activity we enjoy so much can be a tremendous benefit toour communities, especially during disasters. DFMA sponsored26th annual Durhamfest May 27. Support our hamfestsand enjoy the fellowship of putting a face with the voices youhear on your radio. Feb tfc: W4EAT 423, AB4E 316, AA4YW296, KI4YV 166, K4IWW 163, NC4ML 146, W4IRE 111,KE4JHJ 97, AC4DV 81, K4AIF 41, AB4W 39, KE4AHC 35,AD4XV 30, NØSU 30, W3HL 29, W4CC 17, KF4OZF 16,WD4MRD 15, WA2EDN 13, KL7NL 11, AC4ZO 8, NT4K 8,W4DYW 7, KR4OE 6, WA4SRD 5, KT4CD 4, N2JLE 3,KF4YHG 2.SOUTH CAROLINA: SM, Patricia M. Hensley, N4ROS—I amvery honored to have been newly appointed as your SectionManager for South Carolina. It is with a sincere interest infurthering Amateur Radio generally and representing the morethan 6000 operators in our state specifically, that I acceptthis responsibility. I truly believe that only through our cooperativeefforts, under the guidance of the ARRL, will our hobbycontinue to be rewarding in the future. Therefore, may I askyour initial support in three areas: 1) encouragement, trainingand subsequent licensing of young people; 2) developmentof an extended club-sponsored mentoring program fornew licensees; and 3) increased participation in Section appointeepositions. I hope to have met many of you in Marchat the Charlotte Hamfest and hope to meet more of you atthe Upstate Hamfest. On-the-air activities can be found onthe SC SSB Net (daily at 1900 hours 3915 kHz) and the SCARES/RACES Net (first/third Monday at 1800 hours 3993.5kHz). Tfc: KT4SJ 134, KA4LRM 108, KA4UIV 79, W4DRF70, K4JMV 56, WA4UGD 49, KG4BZH 36, K4BG 16, W4CQB14, KQ4SY 6.VIRGINIA: SM, Lynn Gahagan, AF4CD—SEC: K4EC. ASM/A: KE4NBX. ASM/B: W4TLM. ASM/C, TC: W4IN. ASM/D:KC4ASK. PIC: W2MG. ASM/D, SEC, OOC: KR4UQ. ACC,STM: AF4CD. Time is really flying by, and it is once againgetting close to Field Day. It’s time to start finalizing plans forthis fun summer event. This year try to get some of theyounger folks involved and show them how much fun AmateurRadio can be. We have got to recruit more of our youngergeneration into our hobby in order for it to survive. Field Dayis a great tool to use for this. Plan on making it a family outing.Invite some of your neighbors to join in. I was invitedover to the Eastern Shore by our DEC 8, Bill K4BW to attendthe ESARC annual banquet meeting in March. ASM/A,KE4NBX, Earl also made the trip over with me. We had agreat dinner and enjoyed the fellowship of the fine group assembledin Nelsonia. Earlier in the day Earl and I had theopportunity to visit the 911 center and the amateur repeatersites located in Accomac. Ben, KD4NVK, EC Accomack Cogave us the tour of the center. The Accomac 911 center isresponsible for quite a large area, from the north side of theChesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in Northampton Co to theMaryland - Virginia boarder, a stretch of over 70 plus miles.At the center, the ARES/RACES group has a complete setup to assist with back up communications when the needarises. This includes HF, VHF, UHF, phone and digital modes.There have been several times that they have been calledupon to assist. After a discussion with K4EC our SEC, I havedecided to consolidate the three Area Operations ASEC positionswith the Area ASM positions. With this change I haveappointed Earl KE4NBX ASEC/A and Ed W4IN ASEC/C, tothe ASM positions. Area B will remain headed up by TerryW4TLM who has had the ASM appointment for almost twoyears. With these changes, these gentlemen will work directlyunder the SEC and myself to make sure the ARRL guidelinesand Va. Section policies are carried out. If you have questionsfeel free to ask any of these people. They are eager tohelp you. Last but not least, Ben, KC4ASK, our Digital OperationsASEC will become the ASM/D for Digital Operations.Ben has done an excellent job along with all the other sysopsaround the section to completely turn around our digital operationsstatewide. Congratulations guys on your new appointments!73 de AF4CD. Tfc: N4ABM 248, KR4MU 242,WA4DOX 235, W3BBQ 194, K4MTX 122, K4YVX 116, W4UQ63, WB4ZNB 58, KD4FUN 54, W4CAC 49, KE4PAP 40, KØIBS32, AF4CD 28, W4YE 23, WB4UHC 15, KB4CAU 7, W4TZC4, W4IN 2, KF4HJW 2, W4VIC 2.WEST VIRGINIA: SM, O.N. (Olie) Rinehart , WD8V—STM:KC8CON. SEC: W8XF. ASEC: KA8ZOO. SGL: K8BS. TC:K8LG. OOC: N8OYY. ACC: WD8MKS. APRSC: W8XF. TheRoanoke Division has new Director. Dennis Bodson, W4PWF,past Vice Director was appointed to the Director position. Mostof you already know Dennis, and let me assure you that wewill enjoy a cooperative relationship and support from him.First and foremost in my mind and I believe in the minds ofall amateurs is this April 15, 2000, date. The day the newlicense structure and examination elements for obtaining anAmateur license will be effective. It will be a matter of seriousconcern to VEs to ascertain those elements taken before thisdate are acceptable. As of Feb 15, the 610 form no longer isvalid - use the 605. The FCC Enforcement Division is still,and according them, will be extremely active. Most recentevents have been investigation of improperly handled VE sessionswith several amateurs having their license issuance orupgrade revoked or suspended until they are re-tested. Hey!Hamfest season is open - hope to attend all - See you inCharleston, Beckley, Gassaway and all the rest including theState ARRL Convention at “The Mill” August 26, 2000. Tfc:KA8WNO 260, WD8V 125, WD8DHC 93, W8WWF 36. PSHR:WD8DHC 128, KA8WNO 119, WD8V 108, KC8CON 115,WVFN 1094/127/29 KC8CON; WVMDN 551/26/493, KC8CO;WVN E 150/83/29W8WWF; WVN L 143/75/29 W8WWF.ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISIONCOLORADO: SM, Tim Armagost, WBØTUB—ASM: Jeff Ryan,NØWPA. SEC: Mike Morgan, N5LPZ. STM: Mike Stansberry,KØTER. ACC: Ron Deutsch, NKØP. PIC: Erik Dyce, WØERX.OOC: Karen Schultz, KAØCDN & Glenn Schultz, WØIJR. SGL:Mark Baker, KGØPA. TC: Bob Armstrong, AEØB. BM: JerryCassidy, NØMYY. All of the VE sessions I’ve seen in the pasttwo months have been full to overflowing. I’ve seen sessionssponsored by VE Teams in Denver (Mile High), ColoradoSprings (PPRAA) and Woodland Park (MARC), and I’ve seenmany folks passing the General and Extra written tests.Although I’ve seen and heard some negative comments122