RATS Membership Meeting Friday 7:30, Ukrop's 10K Volunteers Needed, and more RATS news
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RATS General Mailbox
Mar 12, 2024, 12:33:54 AM3/12/24
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Richmond Amateur Telecommunications Society
General Announcement
In this email:
- Membership meeting Friday night - 7:30 PM
- Join us for the Virginia QSO Party - March 16 & 17 at Laurel Park
- Request for Volunteers: Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K - April 20
- Winter Field Day Update
- 2024 Club Election - Nominating Committee Needed [Re-Broadcast]
- Kenny Silverman K2KW to present at DDXG - March 23
- RARC Extra Class License Prep Class
- Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Association (K4KDJ) Special Event Station: 100 Years on the Air - March 15 & 16
- Raleigh Hamfest - April 6
- Help Wanted: Desktop Publishing, Graphics Design, Photography for club printed materials
- Next Meetings & Club Contact Info
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Membership meeting Friday night - 7:30 PM
The monthly RATS Membership Meeting is this Friday, March 15 at 7:30 PM on Zoom.
Minutes for the last RATS meeting (February 16) have been posted to rats.net/minutes for membership review and approval at this week's meeting.
If you missed last month's presentations on the Virginia QSO Party and QRP operations, you can find those videos at rats.net/minutes. See Part 2 for the VA QSO Party, and Part 3 for QRP.
The monthly RATS Membership Meeting is this Friday, March 15 at 7:30 PM on Zoom.
Minutes for the last RATS meeting (February 16) have been posted to rats.net/minutes for membership review and approval at this week's meeting.
If you missed last month's presentations on the Virginia QSO Party and QRP operations, you can find those videos at rats.net/minutes. See Part 2 for the VA QSO Party, and Part 3 for QRP.
This month we'll be discussing our upcoming club activity: The Virginia QSO Party at Laurel Park.
Steve Crow KG4PEQ will give a presentation on various non-ham personal radio services. In particular, we will take a look at the capabilities and benefits of the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) which has enjoyed a surge in popularity over the last few years. And we'll briefly cover a few other Part 95 services you might want to include in your well-equipped communications toolbox. There will be plenty of opportunity for Q&A after the meeting.
The club is currently looking for presenters at the April meeting and beyond. If there's some topic you'd like to talk about or a presenter you'd like to see, get in touch with our Program Committee, prog...@rats.net.
We currently have one new membership application up for vote this month. Adam Humphrey KQ4OTH of Midlothian is a new ham just licensed in February. His application states, "I’m interested in doing SOTA/POTA and doing 10m band. I’m currently studying for the General exam and hope to test in about a month." A quick check of the FCC database says that Adam has already upgraded all the way to EXTRA since he submitted his RATS application, so congratulations Adam! We look forward to meeting you.
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Join us for the Virginia QSO Party - March 16 & 17 at Laurel Park
VAQP is designed to promote amateur radio activity in Virginia's 95 counties and 38 independent cities. This contest offers an abundance of certificates and plaques for operators of all skill levels and capabilities. RATS has sponsored the Single Operator VHF Only plaque for many years.
You'll find the full contest rules here. Here's an excerpt with the key points from the rules as currently published:
- Virginia stations work all stations. Out-of-State stations work Virginia stations only.
- Work fixed stations once per band/mode.
- Work Virginia Expeditions, Rovers, and Mobiles in each Virginia County or Independent City from which they operate.
- Stations on County or Independent City lines count as one QSO and one County/Independent City multiplier.
- Mobile, Rover, and Expedition stations must use appropriate suffix in call sign.
- Satellite contacts allowed.
- No cross-mode or repeater QSO's.
- Spotting nets, DX clusters, etc., may be used to locate other stations.
- Self-spotting permitted.
Activity timeline:
- Saturday 3/16, 8:00 AM - Meet Technical Committee at the club storage unit near Chesterfield Town Center to pick up and transport radio equipment. If you're available to assist, contact pres...@rats.net.
- Saturday approx. 10:00 AM - Begin equipment setup and antenna-hanging at Laurel Park
- After setup, and until midnight - VAQP operations
- Sunday 3/17, 8:00 AM to no later than 2:00 PM - VAQP operations
- Sunday by 2:00 PM - RATS activities end. All equipment returns to storage. We may end early, depending on turn-out and weather.
- NOTE: The QSO Party continues until 8:00 PM Sunday, so there's plenty of time to participate from home!
Please note: This is a low budget activity. RATS is not providing food. Covered picnic tables and a grill are available, and you're encouraged to bring your own food. Numerous restaurants, convenience stores, and supermarkets are just a few minutes away. Bottled water, coolers with ice, and basic grilling supplies will be provided.
Map to the RATS Field Day/VAQP site at Laurel Park. Click for larger version.
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Request for Volunteers: Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K - April 20
The following request was received from RATS member Jim Rubin W4PKR:
Greetings All,
Saturday, April 20th, 2024 is the Ukrop's Monument 10K Race in Richmond, which we volunteered for the first time last year, supplying back-up communications support for race management (Sports Backers, Inc).
There will be a need for as many as 18-20 operators. I am taking names and information for those interested now. You do not need to be experienced operating events to join, as race management has approved having new people pair up with our more experienced operators to see what takes place at these events.
Volunteering for events is fun, it's a great way to give back to our community and it helps to hone our skills for operating under emergency conditions, should we ever be called to do so. Plus, it is a great way to show our community what we are capable of as hams.
Please get in touch with me if you are interested in joining us for the race at my email below. In your email, please include your name, call sign, a cell phone number, what portable equipment you have and if you have prior experience operating at events. Thanks for volunteering!
73,
Jim Rubin, W4PKR
jimrub...@gmail.com
Please contact Jim if you are able to assist.
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Winter Field Day Update
Our last member email blast recognized the generosity of several club members who donated to support our recent Winter Field Day at Pocahontas State Park. Shortly after that email went out, we got another donation which completed the full funding of Winter Field Day. Thank you Wayne Scarberry K9WVU for your generous support of RATS!
Winter Field Day cost the club around $763 for facility rental, food and beverage, and other related expenses. We received $781 in cash and online donations in support of the event. Thank you everyone who donated or participated! The club claimed a score of 3292 points, with 21 CW contacts and 214 phone contacts from 47 different states and provinces, and 4 different DX entities.
Our traditional summertime ARRL Field Day is just a few months away, June 22 and 23 at Laurel Park.
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2024 Club Election - Nominating Committee Needed [Re-Broadcast]
In accordance with the club by-laws, approximately half of the RATS Board of Directors is up for election each year. The Board of Directors is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the club. The Board meets monthly and works almost daily to keep the club running in service to our members and community. Being a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation adds additional obligations and complexity. The club's future depends on the dedicated service of well-qualified Board members.
In 2024, the positions of President, Vice President, and three Directors will be up for election. There are no term limits at RATS, so our President Jeff Walton KN4SYE, President of Vice Judi LeHuquet N4JDI, and directors Dan Bryant N4DOB, Rob Czyzewski KB2OYI, and Rob Marshall KI4MCW may run for re-election if they'd like. All members may compete for one of these five positions in the election.
To start the process, the club needs a Nominating Committee consisting of at least three Full members in good standing. The Nominating Committee solicits potential candidates and collects their biographical submissions for publication to the membership in July. This committee also designs the online ballot and oversees the official ballot count. They basically handle most of the election process from start to finish. We'll be looking for volunteers at the next Membership meeting. If you can serve in this role, contact bo...@rats.net. The Nominating Committee will be installed by the Board of Directors at their May 1 meeting.
All Board positions serve two-year terms. Board members elected this year will serve from October 2, 2024 to October 7, 2026.
In accordance with the club by-laws, approximately half of the RATS Board of Directors is up for election each year. The Board of Directors is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the club. The Board meets monthly and works almost daily to keep the club running in service to our members and community. Being a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation adds additional obligations and complexity. The club's future depends on the dedicated service of well-qualified Board members.
In 2024, the positions of President, Vice President, and three Directors will be up for election. There are no term limits at RATS, so our President Jeff Walton KN4SYE, President of Vice Judi LeHuquet N4JDI, and directors Dan Bryant N4DOB, Rob Czyzewski KB2OYI, and Rob Marshall KI4MCW may run for re-election if they'd like. All members may compete for one of these five positions in the election.
To start the process, the club needs a Nominating Committee consisting of at least three Full members in good standing. The Nominating Committee solicits potential candidates and collects their biographical submissions for publication to the membership in July. This committee also designs the online ballot and oversees the official ballot count. They basically handle most of the election process from start to finish. We'll be looking for volunteers at the next Membership meeting. If you can serve in this role, contact bo...@rats.net. The Nominating Committee will be installed by the Board of Directors at their May 1 meeting.
All Board positions serve two-year terms. Board members elected this year will serve from October 2, 2024 to October 7, 2026.
If you can serve the club by volunteering for the Nominating Committee please contact the Board as soon as possible.
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Kenny Silverman K2KW to present at DDXG - March 23
The following invitation was received from RATS member Tom Mundy N3GTG, president of the Dominion DX Group (DDXG). Tom says, "Looking at Kenny’s QRZ page, I see he has had amateur radio adventures all over the world. Should be interesting to hear about his 'Team Vertical' approach."
Kenny Silverman, K2KW, will be joining our Dominion DX Group meeting in person on Saturday, March 23rd, to present on "VP2VMM: A low power effort with big results: Using verticals-on-the-beach in the 2023 ARRL 10m Contest" Kenny is the leader of a group called Team Vertical, which uses verticals-on-the-beach to compete in contests such as CQWW CW, WPX CW, ARRL DX CW, and now the ARRL 10m contest. He almost exclusively operates CW and has led over 30 contest-expeditions and set many contest world-records along the way. He has operated from 5 continents including some more exotic locations such as KP5, 3D2, HL and VU. Please join us for Kenny's latest presentation on the trip to Anegada Island, a less-traveled island in the British Virgin Islands.
Our Saturday, March 23rd meeting begins at 9:00 AM, and Kenny’s presentation begins at 9:15 AM. Join us in person at Deep Run Recreation Center, 9900 Ridgefield Parkway, Richmond, VA, or via Zoom at the link below. Hope to see you then!
Tom, N3GTG
Dominion DX Group
tmu...@comcast.net
Thanks for the invite, Tom! Here's a link to the DDXG Zoom room:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88476544529?pwd=SStSSHVHVkRrMVV3bEliYytHc1pOdz09
Meeting ID: 884 7654 4529
Passcode: 969153
Meeting ID: 884 7654 4529
Passcode: 969153
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RARC Extra Class License Prep Class
There are still a few seats left for the Richmond Amateur Radio Club's Extra Class License Prep Class. If you're thinking about upgrading to Extra, this is a great opportunity to learn the material in a classroom setting where you can interact with others and ask questions. This 6-week course will meet Tuesday nights from April 2 to May 7 at Bon Air United Methodist Church. The registration deadline is March 22. You can find more information and a registration link on the RARC web site at https://rarclub.net/license/class-schedules/
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Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Association (K4KDJ) Special Event Station: 100 Years on the Air - March 15 & 16
The Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Association will be on the air to celebrate their 100th anniversary from 2:00 PM local time Friday, March 15 through 2:00 PM Saturday, March 16. You can find them on or around 7.150, 7.220, 14.256, and 14.340 MHz. They are offering a VTARA QSL card for HF contacts.
From their QRZ page: "The Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Association is a student-run organization dedicated to advancing the amateur radio hobby in the Virginia Tech community. VTARA provides field communications, emergency communications, education, and volunteer testing services to the local community. The origins of VTARA date back to 1913, but [it] was officially associated in 1922. Our principle members are current students at Virginia Tech."
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Raleigh Hamfest - April 6
The annual RARSfest will be held at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh on Saturday, April 6 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This is one of the larger annual hamfests in our region, hosted by the Raleigh Amateur Radio Society. Tickets are $10 through March 30, $12 after and at the door, with free admission for anyone earning their first ham radio license at the RARSfest exam session. Flea market tables are available. They've got more information on their web site, https://www.rarsfest.org/
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Help Wanted: Desktop Publishing, Graphics Design, Photography for club printed materials
Every now and then, the club could really use the help of some folks with desktop publishing and/or graphics design background, such as postcards and other mailings, fliers/PDFs announcing club activities, outreach and promotional materials for Field Day and other club activities. We're sure there are people in our club who are really good at this, and we'd like to know who you are. If you can volunteer your time to produce something beyond the basic stuff we have been making in Microsoft Word and Windows Paint, please send a note to bo...@rats.net and let us know. We don't need this very often, but it will be good to have a list of members who can help the next time the need arises.
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Next Meetings & Club Contact Info
Board Meeting - Wednesday, April 3 at 6:30 PM
Membership Meeting - Friday, March 15 at 7:30 PM
Weekly Club Net - Every Wednesday evening at 7 PM on the W4RAT 146.88 MHz repeater
Meetings are held via Zoom. See rats.net/meetings for current details.
You can find video and minutes from recent meetings at rats.net/minutes.
Questions and general comments about RATS or submissions for our web site or newsletter may be directed to the club's general mailbox, in...@rats.net
Membership questions or roster updates? secr...@rats.net
Questions about dues or other financial matters? trea...@rats.net
Want to give a presentation at a RATS meeting? prog...@rats.net
Want technical help or 1:1 mentoring from a RATS Elmer? help...@rats.net
Outage or technical trouble with a RATS RF system? tech...@rats.net
Board Meeting - Wednesday, April 3 at 6:30 PM
Membership Meeting - Friday, March 15 at 7:30 PM
Weekly Club Net - Every Wednesday evening at 7 PM on the W4RAT 146.88 MHz repeater
Meetings are held via Zoom. See rats.net/meetings for current details.
You can find video and minutes from recent meetings at rats.net/minutes.
Questions and general comments about RATS or submissions for our web site or newsletter may be directed to the club's general mailbox, in...@rats.net
Membership questions or roster updates? secr...@rats.net
Questions about dues or other financial matters? trea...@rats.net
Want to give a presentation at a RATS meeting? prog...@rats.net
Want technical help or 1:1 mentoring from a RATS Elmer? help...@rats.net
Outage or technical trouble with a RATS RF system? tech...@rats.net
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