| Here's What OCRA Folks Have Been Up To:
OCRA responds to Tsunami Drill. During the evening of December 1st, a simulated tsunami drill was called by the ARRL, and the NC ARES Area 10 Net was activated. OCRA and Orange County ARES members were on the air to respond to the test. As a part of the drill's scenario, an undersea eruption near the Canary Islands had put the North Carolina coastal region in danger of a tsunami event, and Skip Fisher (N6LUZ), the Orange County EOC, was notified of the on-the-air net and was responding back to state and national level ARES with manpower/equipment numbers that we'd be able to provide.
Congratulations are in order for OCRA member Rick Taylor (KI4GND), who successfully completed the ARRL Volunteer Examiner requirements and has now received his ARRL VE credentials.
Five OCRA members were busy at the Orange County EOC building on Saturday, November 15th, running this year's Section Emergency Test ("SET"). The exercise involved setting up a temporary dual band antenna on the roof and testing the ability to (1) note which 2M and 70CM repeaters could be accessed, and (2) bypassing the OCRA repeater to communicate directly with club members. Thanks to Chris (N2JFP), Chris (K4CPS), Dan (KR4UB), Skip (N6LUZ), Woody (K3VSA), and the many OCRA and ARES members who checked in to the Orange County ARES Net and tested their simplex capabilities, and of course Clint at the EOC for assistance without which we could not have done anything. (Dual band ground plane going up for the SET. L to R: Clint, Woody (K3VSA), Skip (N6LUZ) and Dan (KR4UB). Credit photo: Chris Ferrer N2JFP)
 (Woody (K3VSA) calling the Orange County ARES net on Skip's go-kit rig. Credit photo: Chris Ferrer N2JFP)
The OCRA Cup was presented to Skip Fisher (N6LUZ) at the November, 2008 OCRA meeting. Chris Pope (KG4CFX), passed The Cup along to Skip in recognition of the many hours of work Skip has done in the name of emergency communications preparedness. Well done, Skip!
New evening test session has a successful beginning: Three candidates tested, all successfully, at the inauguration of VE sessions being held during the OCRA Monthly Meetings. It was an easy matter for enough ARRL certified VEs to slip away from the club meeting long enough to administer the exams.
Jackie Little (KD4OFG) was surprised to discover recently that she'd won a contest that she'd entered way back in December of 2007. On November 8, 2008, an envelope from the ARRL arrived, and she assumed it was for her husband, Robert (N4ZAK), but a couple of days later she looked at it more closely and saw it was addressed to her. Enclosed was a nice certificate that proclaimed that she'd placed first for both the North Carolina Section and the Roanoke Division in the 2007 ARRL 10 Meter SSB Contest. Congratulations, Jackie!
Six OCRA members braved an overcast sky and intermittant drizzle to trashpick along our assigned Adopt-A-Highway road section on Saturday, November 8th. Participating in the highway cleanup were Steve jackson (KZ1X), Ken Kauffmann (KR4FM), Elizabeth Pielak (KI4GUT), Gary Pielak (AI4GT), Peter Pielak (KI4GWB) and Woody Woodward (K3VSA).
New (Old) OCRA member: Mark Wright (KB2EHJ) has rejoined OCRA after some years' absence. For several weeks now, he's been showing up for the Saturday morning breakfasts at Bojangles and has decided to make his association with us official once again. Great to have you back, Mark, because we've missed you!
Field Day 2008 scores were posted by the ARRL on their website on October 30th. Our OCRA Field Day team finished a close second to West Valley ARA N6N, which scored 11,650 points with 1,190 QSOs. More info on the OCRA FD2008 web page.
The OCRA Cup was presented to Chris Pope (KG4CFX) at the October, 2008 OCRA meeting. "It's in recognition of Chris' willingness to help out," said Karen Snyder (KD4YJZ), who was the prior cupholder. Chris had been out of commission for several months due to illness, but he showed up for the October OCRA meeting on foot and in his usual good spirits. Way to go, Chris! (On his own two feet! KG4CFX walking again and holding The OCRA Cup. Credit photo: Woody Woodward K3VSA)
New OCRA member: Andy Yates (W4KIL) from Hillsborough, who likes operating CW. He has some issues getting a good antenna up, because he lives in an apartment, so let's all be sure to do the eyeball QSO thing with him whenever we can to help keep him motivated. Welcome, Andy!
In a press release issued October 2nd, the US Department of Homeland Security summed up the September National Preparedness Month campaign as a great success. More than 3,200 coalition members (including OCRA, of course!) worked through various activities to educate citizens about the importance of emergency preparedness. OCRA sent out press releases, held public operating events, and conducted emcomm nets. Thanks to all the OCRA members who helped make National Preparedness Month a winner!
New OCRA member: Edward Paradise (WA1YMP) from Chapel Hill, who's evidently been around Amateur Radio a while, as he knows that zeros should have slashes through them! Welcome, Edward!
As a part of the National Preparedness Month, of which OCRA is a participating member, several club members were on hand for The Orange County Emergency Preparedness event, held Saturday, September 20th at the Hillsborough Wal-Mart parking lot. Adriano (KI4OTN), Chris (N2JFP) and Bill (W1REP) were on hand at the OCRA table explaining ham radio's role and providing brochures, which were all taken up within the first two hours. Transceivers were on hand demonstrating Amateur Radio in action. (Bill (W1REP) on the air with his ingenious toolbox transceiver kit at the OC Emergency Preparedness event. Credit photo: Emma McClymont)
The OCRA Website got its own "favicon" on Saturday night. With some creative assistance from the webmaster's daughter, Michaela, the finishing touches on the little 16x16 graphic were completed, and it was uploaded to 1&1, our web host. We hope you all like it!
New OCRA Member: Wilson Lamb (W4BOH), a Hillsborough resident and veteran ham who's into CW, building antennas and equipment, and tube rigs. He's already checking in to the Saturday morning ARES nets, too. Welcome aboard, Wilson!
OCRA member Patrick Brooks (KJ4EWX) was presented with the "First Contact Award" at the September 2008 OCRA Membership Meeting by OCRA President Woody Woodward (K3VSA) "This is an award from the ARRL that recognizes a new ham's first on-the-air contact, which is a never-to-be-forgotten moment in a ham's life," said Woody. "Of course, Patrick is already well past that, and he owns an HF rig now and is putting up antennas and signing up to be a net control operator, too. He's really jumped in to Amateur Radio with both feet, and we're proud of him!"  (Left to right: Woody Woodward (K3VSA) presents Patrick Brooks (KJ4EWX) with the "First Contact Award." Credit photo: Mary Lisa Woodward KG4PFB)
OCRA submitted itself to be a part of the national coalition in support of the Department of Homeland Security's National Preparedness Month, which will take place during September of this year. The upcoming SET, or "Section Emergency Test," will count towards fulfilling our participation requirement, as will helping to publicize the need for preparedness. (see copy of the letter sent in to the "News of Orange County" on August 20th.)
OCRA member Mark Lunday (WD4ELG) had a letter about covenent antenna restrictions published in the "Correspondence" section of the September 2008 issue of QST (page 24). The text of Mark's letter, along with the reply from Dan Henderson (N1ND) of ARRL, can be read here in PDF form.
Several OCRA members had items for the "show and tell" portion of the August 11 2008 OCRA meeting. John Shadle (W4PAH) brought a single board transceiver he built. The ATS-3B radio, which will do digital modes with a PDA and PocketDigi software, or CW, puts out between 2.5 to 4 watts on one of six bands, selectable by means of a plug-in daughter card that contains the toroid coils. The project contains a number of surface mount components, and John has done an excellent job of construction. (W4PAH and his kit-built transceiver in an Altoids box. Band module is at upper end of main circuit card. Credit photo: Woody Woodward K3VSA)
Steve Jackson (KZ1X) had a most unusual project constructed of PVC plumbing components. After a "quess what it is" session, it was revealed to be a particularly clever audio enhancement device for CW reception that employs an air suspension speaker mounted between two air chambers, which act as a resonator at a specific audio frequency. CW signals at that frequency get an amplitude boost, making them stand out from the background.
 (KZ1X and his homebrew audio enhancer for CW reception The wide part in Steve's right hand sits on the desk, and the sound comes out of the little 45 degree fitting at the top. Credit photo: Woody Woodward K3VSA)
 (Note the speaker in between the upper and lower resonant cavities. Credit photo: Woody Woodward K3VSA)
New OCRA Member: John Oberlin (callsign pending), who passed both his Technician and General exams at the August 9th 2008 VE Test Session, joined the club at the August membership meeting. John has an extensive background as a data processing professional with the University of North Carolina, and, like any newly licensed ham, will have lots of questions about setting up and operating a station, so prepare to lend him the hand of fellowship and support. Welcome, John!
A July 26th surprise birthday party for Dewey Thompson (WA4AHR), who turned 70 years young on July 9th was attended by quite a few of his fellow OCRA members. The party was quietly announced at the July membership meeting. Dewey said he felt as good at age 70 as he did twenty years earlier, and we all hope he can make the same statement at his hundredth birthday party in the year 2038. (WA4AHR and XYL Rosie with birthday cake. Dewey, did that cake really have seventy candles? Credit photo: Woody Woodward K3VSA)
OCRA president Raymond "Woody" Woodward (K3VSA) and XYL Mary Lisa (KG4PFB) had key roles in the Orange Community Players presentation of Meredith Willson's "The Music Man," with four performances between Thursday July 17 and Sunday July 20th. Woody and Lisa portrayed River City Mayor George Shinn and his wife, Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn. Daughter Michaela also had a role in the production as one of the town's children. In addition to her performing, Lisa had the laborious job of assisting with costuming the more than fifty cast members. "It was fun in the end," said Woody, "But I'm glad it's over."  (Woody (K4VSA) portraying the loud and pompous Mayor Shinn, and Mary Lisa (KG4PFB) as his long-suffering wife, Eulalie, in the Orange Community Players' production of "The Music Man." Credit photo: Judy Root)
Eleven OCRA members turned out on the Saturday morning of July 19th 2008 to help clean up the club's "adopt-a-highway" road. Participating were Gary (AI4GT) and his daughter Charlotte (KI4FCK), Steve (KZ1X) and his daughter Emily and son Connor, Ted (KE4NBB), Ken (KR4FM), Dee (KU4GC), Patrick (KJ4EWX), Chris (N2JFP), and Woody (K3VSA). The cleanup was over in just about half an hour, and the participants were off to either Bojangles for breakfast or to the Cary Swapfest.
OCRA member Mary Lisa Woodward (KG4PFB) made the front page of the "News of Orange County" for their Wednesday, July 9th 2008 edition. She and another cast member of the Orange Community Player's production of "The Music Man," in which the Woodwards all have roles, are shown in costume rehearsing a scene from the play.
OCRA member John Shadle (W4PAH) is a proud father of baby boy Mason James Shadle, 8 lbs, 11 oz effective 0816L (8:16AM) on June 29, 2008. John reports that both his wife and his son are doing fine, but "no callsign" as of yet for Mason. Congratulations, John, for a great first contribution towards increasing the membership of OCRA! (W4PAH and his newborn son, Mason James Shadle. Credit photo: Mrs John Shadle)
Field Day 2008 is now history. The tents have been packed up and the antennas all taken down, and the operators are all back home now relaxing in a state closely resembling exhaustion. In general, the CW stations did better this year, but the 'phone stations did not do as well. We had bigger and better signage which, along with the ARRL's new Field Day locator feature and our new club website, drove more visitors to our operation than we've seen before. See the July OCRA Newsletter and the FD2008 webpage for further information as it's written.
Our new test session location got a successful inaugural on Saturday, June 14, 2008. Four ARRL VEs, VE Team Leader Dave Snyder (W4SAR), Gerald Jones (KI4MXP), Dee Ramm (KU4GC) and Woody Woodward (K3VSA) were on hand to test six candidates, five of which were new to Amateur Radio, and one who successfully completed his Extra exam. All of the five passed Technician, and one of them went on to pass his General, too. Several were local, and one of these joined OCRA on the spot. One candidate was a resident of Washington State!
Congratulations are in order for OCRA member Dietolf Ramm (KU4GC), who will become the 2008 president of the Durham FM Association, according to information shared with us at the June OCRA membership meeting. "Dee" pointed out that the entire body of DFMA's elected officials this year are also members of OCRA.
The OCRA Cup was presented to Steve Jackson (KZ1X) at the June, 2008 OCRA meeting. Kate Millard (KI4LLM) selected Steve to be the recipient because of his dedication in teaching Kate the Morse Code. (KZ1X gets The OCRA Cup from KI4LLM at the June 2008 OCRA meeting. Credit photo: Woody Woodward K3VSA)
Congratulations are in order for OCRA member Chris Staley (K4CPS) and XYL Pam, whose daughter Erin Brooke Staley was married to John Christopher Doser on June 7th 2008.
The W4UNC OCRA station received the first-place plaque for club stations within North Carolina in the 2008 North Carolina QSO Party. Operating W4UNC from the Meiers' QTH were Bruce (N1LN) and Laurie (N1YXU), Gary Pielak (AI4GT), and Dave Snyder (W4SAR). The plaque was shown at the June 9th, 2008 OCRA Meeting. (Bruce Meier holds the NC QSO Party plaque, won under the W4UNC club callsign. Credit photo: Woody Woodward K3VSA)
The first couple of "Got Ham" bumper stickers arrived on Saturday, June 7th, 2008, and one of them has been affixed to a certain YL's car. (An OCRA YL's car is the first to be graced with our new bumper sticker. Credit photo: Woody Woodward K3VSA)
A photograph of Dave Snyder's (W4SAR) American Revolution reenactment group is a part of the wall decor at the new Burger King in Hillsborough that opened on Thursday, June 4th, 2008. The photo shows the reenactors, dressed in their sixteenth century British uniforms, conducting a marching drill at the Hillsborough town welcome center on East King Street. Although Dave himself, who portrays a British captain of infantry, is not in the photo, he was presumably off to one side or the other supervising the drill when the shot was taken. (This photo of Dave Snyder's "redcoat" reenactment unit graces the wall of Hillsborough's new Burger King. Credit photo: Woody Woodward K3VSA, original artwork by David Hunt)
Brian McLamb (KI4YSZ) and the others in the Chancel Choir of Hillsborough's First Baptist Church put on an excellent and powerful presentation Sunday, June 1st 2008, called "God with us." Their choir is a precision musical instrument that is a wonder to hear.
OCRA webpages got their very own url recently thanks to a donation by an OCRA member who wishes to remain anonymous. Our webmaster used the funds to purchase www.ncocra.org and www.ncocares.org for our use. The new, up-to-date web hosting has allowed us to activate our OViR page, the "OCRA Virtual Repeater," which is a near real time "chat room" messaging system that will permit the world traveling members among us to "talk" with those of us who remain at home. As of May 26 2008, virtually all of the old pages have been transferred over to the new host.
Among the candidates at the test session we administered at the DurHamFest on Saturday, May 24 2008, was OCRA's own Jim Jingozian (KG4NEL), who passed his General exam with flying colors, just missing his stated goal of a perfect score. Congratulations, Jim!
OCRA member Dave Belt (NA4VY) won the advance ticket sales drawing held Friday, May 23rd 2008 by the DurHamFest Committee. He received a $50 check in the mail several days after the hamfest which, incidentally, he was not able to attend. The Friday evening drawing was held only for the benefit of those individuals who had purchased their hamfest tickets in advance. Dave said he used the award money to make a down payment on a new antenna tuner. (Dave Belt (NA4VY), winner of the DurHAMfest advance ticket drawing. Credit photo: Woody Woodward K3VSA)
OCRA member Jacqueline "Jackie" Little (KD4OFG) once again joined the other members of the Womens Voices Chorus in a concert of choral music at University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill on Sunday, May 4th 2008. Also singing in the group was OCRA member Ken Kauffmann's (KR4FM) daughter, Megan.
A number of OCRA members and their friends turned out Saturday, April 26th 2008, for a public Amateur Radio operating event held at the parking lot of Suntrust Bank on South Churton Street in Hillsborough. Two Yaesu HF transceivers and an Elecraft K2/100 were set up on a table under a canopy along with a VHF/UHF Alinco mobile radio that was used to call the Orange County ARES Net. Several passers-by stopped to see what was going on and got an explanation of ham radio and some ARRL brochures. Hams who participated were Chris (KG4HNC), Chris (N2JFP), Tom (KG4EDY), Adriano (KI4OTN), Brian (KI4YSZ), Lisa (KG4HNC) and Woody (K3VSA). More about this in the next OCRA Newsletter.
The Saturday, April 6th 2008 test session was one of our most successful despite a major glitch. VE Team Leader Dave Snyder (W4SAR) walked into the Orange County Public Library to find our exam room already occupied by another group. There were already 10 candidates present and waiting for the session to begin. Fortunately, Amateur Radio came to the rescue! Dave asked for help on the Orange County ARES Net, which was then in progress, and the Net Control Station, Chris Ferrer (N2JFP), came back at once to advise that he had access to New Horizon Church, where he is a member of the tech team, and volunteered to open the building for our use. Adriano Marcuz (KI4OTN) offered to lead a car caravan of candidates and examiners to the church. Thanks to timely help from two OCRA members, the test session was only delayed by twenty minutes. Six ARRL VEs were administering the tests. In addition to Dave and Adriano, Gary Pielak (AI4GT), Ken Kauffmann (KR4FM), René Couch (AI4WJ), and Gerald Jones (KI4MXP) were on hand to serve the thirteen candidates who showed up to take exams. All thirteen of them succeeded in either obtaining their first license or an upgrade. This was our largest recent test session other than during a hamfest. Congratulations to all the candidates, and our thanks to each of the examiners, who took time out of busy Saturday mornings to serve. Our special thanks to Chris and Adriano, who once again embodied the best tradition of Amateur Radio in going that extra mile to help!
On Friday, March 14th 2008, Dan (KR4UB) and Dee (KU4GC) were able to install the new repeater equipment for 442.150MHz. The work began at about 1100L (11:00AM) and was finished by 1300L (1:00PM). "We had a couple of tight fits getting everything into the cabinet, but it was OK," said Dan. Final remote measurements provided by Danny Hampton (K4ITL) confirmed that the new gear was working correctly. Already, OCRA members are noticing more bars on their receivers and better audio quality.
The OCRA Cup was presented to Kate Millard (KI4LLM) at the March 2008 membership meeting. Kate is the sister of Meg Millard (KI4LLL), who was presented with The Cup at the previous meeting. In presenting The Cup to her sister, Meg cited Kate's encouragement and support, which were instrumental in Meg's decision to become a ham radio operator. Well done, Kate!
Excessive wind postponed the erection of the 15 Meter beam antenna at the Meier's station this Saturday, March 1st 2008, but only by 24 hours. The following day, Bruce (N1LN) and Laurie (N1YXU), along with Steve Jackson (KZ1X) and several other members of the
Potomac Valley Radio Club, got it up and running with inaugural contacts to various locations around the world. Bruce reports that he and Laurie are now just past the halfway point of completing their antenna farm, with a harvest of DX and contesting fun anticipated when the work is all done. (Bruce Meier (N1LN) and Steve Jackson (KZ1X) installing the 15 Meter beam at Bruce's QTH. Credit photo: Laurie Meier N1YXU)
Fourteen OCRA members participated in the Adopt-A-Highway cleanup on Saturday, March 1st 2008. Helping to pick up litter were Adriano (KI4OTN), Chris (N2JFP), Dee (KU4GC), Chris (KG4HNC), Ken (KR4FM), Joe (K4SAR), Gary (AI4GT), Charlotte (KI4FCK), Peter (KI4GWB), Skip (N6LUZ), Steve (KZ1X) and his children Emily and Connor, and Woody (K3VSA). Interesting items found among the ever-present Budweiser cans and McDonalds wrappers were a rocking chair and a bicycle. The weather was almost perfect, and as usual, we were through to easily arrive at Bojangles in time for the breakfast and the ARES net.
OCRA members Dave Snyder (W4SAR) and his wife Karen (KD4YJZ) were a part of the February 23rd 2008 reenactment of the occupation of historic Hillsborough that took place near the end of the American Revolution. Dave portrays a British army captain, and Karen is his Lady. In March, they will be part of the reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in Greensboro. (British army captain Dave Snyder and his Lady, Karen Snyder, help the redcoats occupy historic colonial Hillsborough. Credit photo: Woody Woodward K3VSA)A photo of Karen, dressed in her colonial attire, was published in the Wednesday, February 27th edition of "The News of Orange County," to accompany a page one article about the reenactment.
"The News of Orange County" had a page 6 article in their February 20th 2008 edition about our three OCRA members who were honored at the February membership meeting. Adriano Marcuz (KI4OTN) and Chris Ferrer (N2JFP) had their names, occupations, and callsigns in print in commemmoration of their recent license upgrades, and Meg Millard (KI4LLL) was written up because of her being awarded The OCRA Cup.
Ready for the Power-up Test! Chris Lawless (KG4HNC) has completed the construction of his 100 Watt amplifier kit for his Elecraft K2 Transceiver. "It took me about eight hours of constuction time over three nights," he told OCRA. Having the use of Steve Jackson's (KZ1X) solder pot was very helpful in getting the enamel off the magnet wire that is wrapped onto the toroid coils and pre-tinning them prior to soldering them on the circuit board. Next stop is a visit to Steve's QTH for a final check-out, and then, watch out, Twenty Meters!  (Chris Lawless (KG4HNC) with his kit-built Elecraft K2 and Amplifier, on their way to Steve Jackson's (KZ1X) for final tests. Credit photo: Woody Woodward K3VSA)
"Chris did a great job on these kits," said OCRA President Woody Woodward (K3VSA). "We now have four hams in OCRA who are named 'Chris' and at least two of them are now active on HF. I think OCRA might just create an award called 'Which Chris' and present it to the first one of them who works all states."
According to the February 14th 2008 edition of "The News of Orange County," Jim Jingozian (KG4NEL) was named to the Dean's List at Virginia Tech, where he is pursuing an engineering degree. Jim is an Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Orange County ARES and a long time OCRA member. Well done, OM! (Virginia Tech Dean's List Student Jim Jingozian (KG4NEL) demonstrates HF to Congressman David Price at Field Day 2007. Credit photo: Joe Simpson K4SAR. Click here to listen to Congressman Price's message that he delivered to area hams over the Orange County ARES Net during his visit to Field Day 2003.)
Margaret Millard (KI4LLL) was awarded the OCRA Cup at the February 2008 membership meeting. January's Cup Holder, Laurie Meier (N1YXU) chose "Meg" to be the honoree on the basis of Meg's continuing work inspiring and motivating the students at the Central Park Charter School in Durham, where she teaches. Meg has both an HF and VHF/UHF station set up in her classroom and serves as the faculty advisor for the school's very lively Amateur Radio club. Congratulations and FB, Meg! (Laurie Meier (N1YXU), on the left, awards The OCRA Cup for February 2008 to Meg Millard (KI4LLL). Credit photo: Woody Woodward K3VSA)
Two OCRA members upgraded their licenses at the February 9th 2008 VE session that was conducted by the OCRA VE Team. Christopher Ferrer (N2JFP) passed his General exam (with flying colors, we might add). Adriano Marcuz (KI4OTN) now stands on the summit of Amateur Radio licensing by having passed his Extra exam. Adro will be receiving a new callsign, AJ4 something, as a result. Chris will also be getting a new callsign, having applied for KF2LA, the call his father (SK) once held. Bravo and FB to both of you gentlemen! (At the February meeting, OCRA President Woody Woodward (K3VSA), at center, congratulates Adriano Marcuz (KI4OTN), at left, and Chris Ferrer (N2JFP), at right, on their license upgrades. Credit photo: Mary Lisa Woodward KG4PFB)
OCRA member Jacqueline "Jackie" Little (KD4OFG) and other members of the Womens Voices Chorus had the sound of an angels' choir this Sunday afternoon (January 13th 2008) at the concert they held at Duke Chapel. At least five hundred people, maybe seven or eight hundred, were treated to several hours of the best choral music to be heard in the Triangle area.
Laurie Meier (N1YXU) was awarded The OCRA Cup for January 2008 by Dr Gary Pielak (AI4GT), the current cupholder. Gary cited Laurie's excellent work as OCRA Secretary, now beginning her second year's term in office. Because of Laurie, OCRA has a continuing, vibrant newsletter. She also is responsible for creating and administering the very popular "paper contests" we've been enjoying at the membership meetings. Splendid job, Laurie! (Dr Gary Pielak (AI4GT) proudly presents Laurie Meier (N1YXU) The OCRA Cup for January 2008. Credit photo: Woody Woodward K3VSA)
Work Party Was Fun! About a dozen OCRA members and associates were on hand New Year's Day 2008 morning to attend the annual repeater site cleanup and orientation at UNC's Mary Ellen Jones Building, the home of OCRA's 145.230MHz and 443.475MHz repeaters. Unfortunately, it will require another trip to enable the IRLP link on the 2 Meter machine, but the weather and sightseeing were awesome! Full details in next OCRA Newsletter... (The view from the top: Looking northward toward the UNC School of Public Health from the roof of the Mary Ellen Jones Building during our annual New Year's Day work session. Check out that hazeless horizon. On a clear day, you can see forever! Credit photo: John Shadle III W4PAH --see more photos from W4PAH)
OCRA member Brian McLamb (KI4YSZ) and his wife, Summer, along with 22 other members of the Chancel Choir of Hillsborough's First Baptist Church, put on an excellent concert of Christmas music on the evening of December 16th 2007. The sophistication of these song arrangements in this "Season of Wonders" presentation was astonishing. Make plans to attend this annual event next December, because it's well worth it!
OCRA member Gary Pielak (AI4GT), a professor of chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was interviewed as a part of a story on the increasing cost of helium, which he uses for superconducting magnets needed for his research projects. The story ran on the front page of the Saturday December 8th 2007 business section of the "Raleigh News and Observer."
Points results now posted as of November 5, 2007 show that the Orange County ARES Station, W4EZ, in conjunction with GOTA Station KI4LLL, achieved second place nationwide in Field Day Category 8AB. Our combined operation netted a total of 8,025 points. Number one in Category 8AB went to West Valley Amateur Radio Association's (California) N6N/W6PIY, which achieved a total of 10,745 points.
(Up it goes! Dave W4SAR (right) and other OCRA members raising the full size 80M vertical at FD2007. Credit photo: Chris Pope KG4CFX)
Eighteen Amateur Radio operators checking into the Saturday morning Orange County ARES Net on November 3, 2007 also participated in the 2007 North Carolina Simulated Emergency Test, or "SET," which tests the ability of the ham community to respond to emergency situations. This year's SET simulated loss of AC electrical power. All eighteen hams who participated from the Orange County ARES Net were operating on backup power and would therefore have been able to effectively provide emergency communications if this had been an actual emergency. In addition, the 442.150MHz repeater that was used to provide wide area communications coverage also would have operated on backup power if the commercial AC supply had actually been down. Stanley ("Skip") Fisher N6LUZ, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Emergency Coordinator for Orange County, provided liason communications via shortwave radio with North Carolina's Statewide Emergency Operations Center, located in Raleigh.
Effective October 9, 2007, an update to the Orange County ARES web pages has been completed which uses "style sheet" coding to help insure that the text size remains relatively uniform regardless of the web browser being used by the reader. Users of Mozilla Firefox had commented that the wording was being rendered in a print size so small that it was hard to read.
Six hams cut short their well earned sleep to come out this Saturday, September 22, 2007, to pick up roadside trash at Orange ARES' section of New Hope Church Road and help Amateur Radio participate in NC DOT's "Operation Litter Sweep" one more time. Participating were Steve Jackson (KZ1X), Ken Kauffmann (KR4FM), Gary Pielak (AI4GT), Peter Pielak, (KI4GWB), Dietolf "Dee" Ramm (KU4GC), and Raymond "Woody" Woodward (K3VSA). Super trouper award goes to Ken, who not only came out to do the highway cleanup, but also helped a Virginia lady whose car had a flat tire and then called the ARES net that day. Interesting items found included an intact "Caution-Work Zone" sign and a somewhat weathered placard advising passers-by about an Amateur Radio Field Day happening. (Now, who could have left THAT there??)
Many of the links from it are not properly working yet, but the revised OCRA Home Page was posted at www.qsl.net/w4unc as of September 16, 2007. The listing of OCRA members is a working link from the home page but the data on it may not be completely correct, because our treasurer, Dan Eddleman, has been away on vacation and not available for a sync on last minute dues paid. So, if your name shows that you've not yet renewed your OCRA membership, but you know you've done so, please be patient while we get our act together. Updates to the OCRA site will be made continually between now and our next meeting in October, by which time it should be essentially completed.
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