Listed in reverse chronological order -- (Date) = Date Posted on Page
MVARC News Archive
| Amateur Radio Class (September 27, 2001) - Scouting Venture Crew 80 and the Mount Vernon Amateur Radio Club will offer an entry?level course for the Technician Class amateur radio license starting in January 2002. Morse Code is not required for this license.
The course will be held at the First Christian Church, 2723 King St. in Alexandria, VA on four successive Saturdays beginning on January 5th and concluding on January 26th with the license exam. The fee is $40, which includes two textbooks and a CD-ROM.
To sign up or get additional information, send an email inquiry to [email protected] or call Bill Schmitt, KD4CNS at 703-960-9301. Deadline for registration in December 15, 2001. Additional information is available in Acrobat format. |
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| New Members (September 24, 2001) - Welcome to new Mount Vernon Club Member, Charles F. Crizer, Jr.; KF4MNE. We also welcome back a former member who was with the original Fort Belvoir ARC, Jim Sohn, WA4DGB. Jim setup the repeater at Jim WD4PDP's house. Welcome Aboard!!!! |
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| UPDATED - Urgent Call to all northern Virginia Hams (September 17, 2001) - ARES VA is supporting the Salvation Army in the effort to provide coordinated communications due to the terrorist attack on the Pentagon on the morning of 9-11-01. The Salvation Army has many canteen trucks that will be providing relief to the rescue workers at the Pentagon during the next few weeks of cleanup from the terrorist attack there. Coordination of these trucks and supplies back to Headquarters on Glebe Rd are needed. Groups of 6 Hams are needed from 5am-12 midnight on shifts everyday for the next several weeks. Your help is needed. For additional information or to register go to http://www.aresva.org/help.htm
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| Urgent Call to all northern Virginia Hams (September 14, 2001) - The Salvation Salvation Army has sent out a call for help to northern Virginia Hams to provide communications at the Pentagon disaster site. In support of the search and recovery operations, the Salvation Army has dispatched 5 mobile canteens to provide sustenance for the rescue workers. Amateur Radio communications and 8 operators are required on a 24 hour day/7 day a week effort until further notice. If you can help send your capabilities and availability to Chuck, N4HCP, at [email protected]. |
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| MVARC Supports City of Alexandria (September 13, 2001) - As a result of the disaster at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, MVARC emergency operations were activated to support the City of Alexandria at 1017 hours. Amateur radio operators were assigned to the Alexandria Hospital, which received some of the Pentagon injured, Alexandria Red Cross, and Alexandria Fire Dispatch to provide backup to the normal communications channels. Operations were terminated at 1934 hours. Additional information will probably be posted in the next newsletter Well Done MVARC!!! |
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| FCC Registration Number Becomes Mandatory in December (September 7, 2001) - Get ready for the FRN! Starting December 3, 2001, everyone doing business with the FCC--licensed or not--must obtain and use a 10-digit FCC Registration Number--or FRN. The FCC called the move "a first step" toward streamlining fee collection and tracking. Many amateurs registered with the Universal Licensing System (ULS) were assigned a 10-digit FRN by the Commission Registration System--or CORES--in a one-time cross-registration last year. Affected amateurs were notified by mail.
For additional information click here. |
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| Stafford ARA Hamfest (August 28, 2001) - A new event is sponsored by the Stafford Amateur Radio Association. On October 13, 2001 between 0800 and 1500 hours a hamfest is being held at the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church parking lot, Route 657 (Toluca Rd), Stafford, Virginia. The admission is free to all, but a $10 per space charge is being made for selling your wares. For additional information click here. |
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| FARfest (August 28, 2001) - A reminder that the Foundation for Amateur Radio is hosting its 44th Annual FARfest in Bowie, Maryland on September 30, 2001. Mount Vernon ARC members man the announcement booth during the event which is one of the larfer hamfests in the DC area. For additional information click here. |
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| New Member (August 27, 2001) - Welcome to new Mount Vernon Club Member, Dennis Gracanin, AG4KF. Dennis took and passed all of his examination elements at the August MVARC VE session to become a Extra Class. Congratulations Dennis!!!! |
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| Marine Corps Marathon - Update (August 13, 2001) - The best way to volunteer to help at the Marine Corps Marathon is by going to the MCM Amateur Radio web site and clicking on "Register online." For questions send an email to Rick Bunn, N4ASX. |
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| Marine Corps Marathon (August 10, 2001) - It is not too early to think about volunteering for the 2001 Marine Corps Marathon which is on October 28th. This is an annual, large scale event for the amateur radio community which requires between 85 and 100 hams to cover the race in support of the Navy Medical Corps. Additional information may be obtained at the MCM Amateur Radio web site. To volunteer or for questions send an email to Rick Bunn, N4ASX. |
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| MVARC Public Service Event (August 10, 2001) - Steve, K3IZ, is looking for volunteers to assist with the Antiques Show, Lee District Park on August 18th and 19th. This is part of our committment for the use of the facility every month for our VE session. If you can help contact Steve at his email |
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| New Family Members (August 10, 2001) - We would like to welcome new members to MVARC: Jeff McWhirt, KC4RON and his wife Ann, KF4OSL. Jeff is the ARES District Emergency Coordinaotr and long time Fairfax County Emergency Coordinator.
Welcome Jeff!!! |
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| New ARRL Virginia Section Web Page (July 18, 2001) - The revised ARRL Virginia Section has placed a new web page on the Internet. This is the official web page for the Virginia Section authorized by Section Manager Carl Clemment, W4CAC. The web page is available at http://www.arrlva.org
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| Report on Field Day 2001 (June 26, 2001) - The Mount Vernon ARC Field Day 2001 operated K4US with 3 CW and 2 SSB stations from the Pohick Bay Regional Park on June 23 & 24. For a more complete initial report of the event Click Here
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| Field Day 2001 (June 4, 2001) - The Mount Vernon ARC Field Day 2001 will be operated from the Pohick Bay Regional Park on June 23 & 24. Come operate, setup, or just plain visit!!! Don't forget the club picnic Saturday at 5 P.M. For additional information and directions Click Here
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| MVARC Repeater Takes Lightning Hit (June 4, 2001) - During a thunderstorm on evening of May 25th, the MVARC repeater went off the air. The repeater committee was unable to check on the equipment because the Masonic building also lost its elevators until late Sunday. Dick, WA4USB, went to the repeater site on Tuesday and ascertained that the receiver, exciter, and controller seemed to be working, but the RF amplifier was putting out zero power.
On June 3rd, Doug, WA3WEP, and Frank, K4EC, went to the repeater and confirmed that the repeater had taken a lightning hit which "toasted" some of the RF amp. The repeater went back on the air using the exciter from the old repeater which is putting out about 20 watts. Low power, but better than not being on the air.
We need to find a replacement RF deck since the existing board is probably beyond repair. |
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| Repeater Distance & Direction Calculator Added (May 24, 2001) - New member Delbert, KG4NMC, has developed a program to calculate repeater distance & direction has been added to the MVARC web page. Enter your latitude & longitude and the distance & direction to the MVARC repeater at the George Washington Masonic Memorial will be given to you. It can be found at the MVARC repeater page.
Thanks Delbert for this handy tool!!!
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| ARRL Declares VA Section Manager Position Vacant - New SM Named (May 17, 2001) - The ARRL Executive Committee has declared the office of Virginia Section Manager vacant. The office had been held since April 1998 by Lynn Gahagan, AF4CD, of Chesapeake, who was re-elected without opposition to another term last year. Carl A. Clements, W4CAC, of Portsmouth has been named to fill the declared vacancy. Clements will fill the remainder of the current term, which ends next March 31.
The details of the new release are available at the ARRL web page. |
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| New Members (May 16, 2001) - We would like to welcome a new member to MVARC: Delbert Matlock, KG4NMC. Delbert passed his ham exam at the May VE session and immediately joined the club
Welcome Delbert!!! |
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| Mount Vernon ARC Club Handbook (April 13, 2001) - A milestone in club history was reached when outgoing President Mary Morris presented the new club handbook to the membership. This multi-year project has finally reached a conclusion. Thank you for all of the hard work by the members who contributed to the publication of the handbook. You may contact one of the club officers to obtain your copy of the handbook. The handbook will also be placed on the web page in Acrobat PDF format. |
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| New Officers Elected (April 13, 2001) - The slate of officers presented by the Nominating Committee for the coming year was voted on by the membership at the April meeting. |
| President |
George Coyne, N1BV |
| Vice President |
John Reiser, WQ4L |
| Secretary |
Glenn Bilger, W4OCC |
| Treasurer |
John Tyburski, K2VPR |
| No nominations were presented from the floor. A vote was cast with all members except one voting for the officers. The lone dissenting vote was from John, K2VPR, the incumbent Treasurer elect. Congratulations to the officers!! |
| April Meeting Program (March 26, 2001) - John, WQ4L, advises that Mike Marti, K3RFI, radio frequency investigator for PEPCO will give a presentation following the April business meeting. Mike has a new truck and a lot of new gear since he make his presentation to our club several years ago. He is also now involved in training RFI investigators for other power utilities. Mike was scheduled for the January meeting, but a last minute assignment at work forced him to cancel. |
| New Member (March 23, 2001) - We would like to welcome new member Jim Rice, KE4TOI, to the MVARC ranks. Jim lives on No. Kings Highway, Alexandria. Welcome Jim!!! |
| New and Rejoined Members (March 12, 2001) - We would like to welcome rejoined members to MVARC: Carl Gray - W4ACM; Lynn Healey - AC4SM; Wallace Johnson - KF4QQP; Beth Partridge - KE4BUM; Jerry Pryor - KD4TAB; Bob Scott - KD4EBM.
We also say hello to new members: Carol M. Cutchall, Jr. - KB8TNU; Leila H. Cutchall - KG4HTJ; Carol M. Cutchall, Sr. - KG4HTK; and James Sauers and Richard Pethtel, Jr. who are waiting for their callsigns Welcome All!!! |
| New Slate of Offiers Presented (March 9, 2001) - The Nominating Committee presented a new slate of officers for the coming year at the March meeting. |
| President |
Goerge Coyne, N1BV |
| Vice President |
John Reiser, WQ4L |
| Secretary |
Glenn Bilger, W4OCC |
| Treasurer |
John Tyburski, K2VPR |
| The new officers will be elected at the April meeting and begin duties on May 1. Good Luck!! |
| MVARC Field Day 2000 Photos (March 5, 2001) - Glenn, W4OCC, has provided a couple of photos from the MVARC Field Day 2000 event. To view them click here |
| New MVARC Member (February 28, 2001) - We would like to welcome new member Brian Hummel, KB3GFJ. Brian passed his Technician Class license at the Vienna WInterfest VE session on February 24th and immediately joined MVARC.
Welcome Brian!
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| March 10th VE Session (February 28, 2001) - The March 10th volunteer examination session is being held at the Fairfax County Franconia Government Center, 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA - MAP
The remainder of the exams for 2001 will be at our regular location at the Fairfax County Lee District Park Recreation Center.
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| Technican and General Class Training (January 22, 2001) - The Alexandria Radio Club will be offering license classes for both the Technician and General classes starting Tuesday, February 13, 2001 at 7 PM and running for 10 weeks. Location is the Alexandria Fire Department Training Center, co-located with the Nanny J. Lee Rec Center, 1108 Jefferson St. in
Alexandria, VA.
Cost is $30 which includes textbook and exam fee. For information, call Rich, KA4GFY at (703)644-3920 or e-mail: [email protected] - MAP
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| February Meeting Program (January 12, 2001) - The Mount Vernon ARC February meeting program is scheduled to be on GPS and APRS. Our Vice-President George Coyne, N1BV, will be exponding his knowledge on the subject and it should prove interesting.
On a side note, John, K2VPR, showed his $50 GPS refurbished receiver which he obtained from DeLorme. He has used it with his mapping program on a portable computer with excellent results.
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| George Washington Birthday Special Event Station (January 12, 2001) - The Mount Vernon ARC will place a special event station on the air during the February 17th and 18th, 2001. This annual club event commemorates George Washington's Birthday and is a popular event for the ham community.
Phone stations will be operated on 40, 20 and 10 meters and CW on 30 and 17 meters using the lower general class portions of the band.
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| January Meeting Program Cancelled (January 12, 2001) - The Mount Vernon ARC program at the monthly meeting on January 11th was cancelled. Mike Marti, K3RFI, the RFI investigator from PEPCO, was called to duty at the last minute for a problem in southern Maryland. Mike apologized and stated that this is the first time he has ever had to cancel a presentation to a radio club. Mike will give his presentation at a future meeting.
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| January Meeting Program (January 8, 2001) - The Mount Vernon ARC meeting on January 11th will have the Mike Marti, K3RFI, the RFI investigator from PEPCO. Mike has a new truck and a lot of new gear since he make his presentation to our club several years ago. He is also now involved in training RFI investigators for other power utilities.
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| New MVARC Mail Reflector (January 3, 2001) - The Mount Vernon ARC has initiated a new servcie for its members with email capabilities. We now have a MVARC email reflector which allows members to send messages of interest to club members to all on the list without having to maintain individual email lists. Just address your messages to [email protected] and all club members will get the message. Presently, there are 96 email addresses.
To keep members from getting unwanted emails from outside the MVARC group, only those on the mail list are able to post messages to the list. This is a restricted and controlled system. Enjoy!!
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| Ruth Frock, KU4WH (January 3, 2001) - We would like to welcome MVARC member Ruth Frock, KU4WH. Roland recently joined MVARC, but we have seen her at Field Day and helpign with our VE testing. Welcome on board Ruth!!
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| Glenn Shumaker, WO4R (December 26, 2000) - Glenn Shumaker, formerly N4VYW, has a new callsign. You can now find him on the air with the call WO4R. Congratulations, Glenn!!!!
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| MVARC Ham of the Year (December 15, 2000) - Steve Schneider, K3IZ, was presented with the Anson Hyde Memorial Award as Mount Vernon ARC Ham of the Year at the annual club holiday party. Steve has long been a pillar and the backbone of our club and this presentation to him is long over due. Congratulations Steve!!!!
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| January VE Session Location Change (December 14, 2000) - The January 13, 2001 volunteer examination session conducted by the Mount Vernon ARC will be at the Fairfax County Franconia Government Center, 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA - MAP This change is because of a scheduling conflist at out normal venue. There may be additional venue changes in 2001 so check back for additional information.
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| Wade Jensen, KG4KAH (December 12, 2000) - We would like to welcome another new MVARC member Wade Jensen, KG4KAH. Wade recently joined our ranks. Welcome Wade!!
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| Joel Harding, KE3YK (December 4, 2000) - We would like to welcome a new MVARC member Joel Harding, KE3YK. Joel is "re-entering ham radio after a 3 year hiatus" and recently joined MVARC and we hope to see him often at our various events.
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| Roland Morrisette, KG4KAG (December 2, 2000) - We would like to welcome new ham and MVARC member Roland Morrisette, KG4KAG. Roland recently joined MVARC and we hope to see him often at our various events.
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| January 2001 Meeting Program (November 20, 2000) - John, WQ4L, the Program Committee Chairman, has announced that Mike Martin, PEPCO Interference Investigator and ham (call unknwon), will present a program on RF Interference and Investigation at the January 2001 meeting. Mike gave a presentation to the club about 5 years ago. He will give us the latest poop and bring his investigation vehicle, loaded with all kinds of new equipment, to the meeting.
It is amazing how far interference can travel. A few years ago I was going to work a contest from Steve's, NR4M x-NJ4F, location in SPotsylvania County. Less than a week before the contest, a 10db over S9 noise developed on 80 meters. That would not do well during the contest. The Virginia Power interference investigation crew, based in Richmond, came to the rescue. They discovered some arcing insulators on a power line over three miles from Steve's house. They rounded up a repair crew and had the insulators replaced by Thursday.
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| Fairfax County Police MVARC Search Team (November 13, 2000) - The Fairfax County Police MVARC Search Team calling tree and procedures are available on the web in pdf or Adobe Acrobat format. Because some of the information is sensitive, the files are only available in a restricted directory. If you want the info on how to obtain the files, contact Steve, K3IZ, [email protected] or Frank, K4EC, [email protected]
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| MVARC Holiday Party (November 13, 2000) - The Mount Vernon ARC annual holiday party will be held on December 14, 2000 at the Olde Country Buffet, Route 1, (Hybla Valley) Alexandria, VA. For those wishing to participate in a grab bag gift exchange, bring a wrapped gift of about $10 in value. See you at the party!!
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| Kingman Reef DXpedition (November 13, 2000) - When you one of the lucky ones to contact the Kingman Reef 2000 DXpedition? If so you can make sure that you are in the log or other info concerning the DXpedition by going to the following url: http://www.qsl.net/krpdxg/krlog.html
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| Fairfax County Police Amateur Radio Search Team Training (October 13, 2000) - The Fairfax County Police Mount Vernon District Station is organizing an Amateur Radio Search Team to assist the police when searching for missing children, Alzheimer's patients, etc., require addition manpower. The Police are providing specialized training for those hams who volunteer to ensure that the search procedures are in accordance with police policies and procedures.
The initial training session is scheduled for October 24th at 1930 hours at the Mount Vernon District Police Station. If you have not already done so, but would like to volunteer to become a member of this team contact Steve, K3IZ.
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| 25th Annual Marine Corps Marathon (October 13, 2000) - The Virginia District 2 ARES/RACES organization is still looking for operators, especially packet operators, to support the 25th running of the Marine Corps Marathon on October 22nd.
If you would like to volunteer go to the ARES Marathon web page and register to help. |
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| Dick Dickson, KB4DHD - SK (September 6, 2000) - It is with regret that we annouce that Dick Dickson, KB4HDH, a long time MVARC member is a Silent Key. Dick, who was called "The Mayor of Springfield" and referred to himself as MVARC's "most active participating non-participant," moved to Norfolk a few years ago to be closer to his children. A memorial service is to be held at Arlington National Cemetery later this month. |
Click on image for a larger image |
| New MVARC On Line Membership Application (August 30, 2000) - A new MVARC On Line Membership Application has been placed on the MVARC web page. Anyone interested in applying for membership may now complete the form and click on the submit button. This will send all of the information to John, K2VPR, the club Treasurer.
Additionally, the membership form is a good way for current members to notify John of any changes such as call sign, email address, etc. Just fill in your name, callsign, any changed info, make a notation in the comments field and submit the form. It is not necessary to complete the entire form, just enter any changed info.
The membership form is available here or from several of the club info pages. |
| New Weather Link (August 29, 2000) - A new link which will bring you up to date weather and forcast for the Alexndria area, a national active watches and warnings map, and linnks to weather images and tropical outlook has been added to the MVARC web page. The link is available at the Other Links of Interest page. |
| New Virginia Emergency Net Procedures (August 24, 2000) - Revised Virginia Emergency Net Standard Operating Procedures have been issued. All members interested in Public Service activities should refer to the VEN SOP. |
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| New Vanity Callsign (August 11, 2000) - One of our members has received a new callsign under the FCC vanity callsign program. Paul, KD4ZLJ, is now AA8O. Congratulations Paul. |
| MVARC Field Day Participation Pin (August 1, 2000) - For all MVARC Field Day participants - You are eligible to receive an ARRL Field Day 2000 pin which is on the right. If you are interested in obtaining a FD pin contact Steve, K3IZ and let him know so the order can be submitted. |
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| ARRL Members Certificate (August 8, 2000) - The ARRL Members Only site now will generate an ARRL membership certificate ready for printing and suitable for framing--in full color if you have a color printer. It's very simple. Visit the Membership Certificate Maker on the ARRL Web site. When you click the "Generate certificate" link, the Web server will present you with an Adobe PDF file containing the certificate. The certificate will bear the name and membership status of the ARRL member who's logged on to the Members Only site at the time. The certificate maker supports all varieties of ARRL membership, from Life Member through Associate and International members. |
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| Marine Corps Marathon (August 7, 2000) - The Marines and ARES/RACES are looking for a few good men and women to support the annual Marine Corps Marathon on October 22, 2000. This is a special event since it is the 25th running of the event and the Marines are for the fist time allowing 25,000 runners to register. For information or the event or to register to support the event go to the following web page. http://www.erols.com/crexroad/ |
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| Fairfax ARES/RACES (August 7, 2000) - The Fairfax County ARES/RACES has a new web page at http://www.qsl.net/fairfaxares/. Check here often for Fairfax County ARES/RACES news and calendar of events. This page is also linked from the MVARC links page. |
| New MVARC Meeting Location (August 3, 2000) - The MVARC meeting location has changed effective August 10, 2000. The new meeting location is the Eng Conference Center, 2nd floor, Mount Vernon Hospital. A map showing the street location is available by clicking on the
MAP link
A map to the meeting room is available by clicking on the MV Hospital Meeting Room
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| MVARC Field Day Results (August 4, 2000) - The results are in for the MVARC Field Day 2000 event from Pohick Bay Regional Park. The facility was excellent and we operated with 2 SSB and 3 CW stations in a 5A category. This is a first where the CW stations out numbered the phone stations.
The results are listed below with the 1999 Field Day provided as a comparison. Although the number of participants was lower than last year, we all had a great time.
| Field Day 1999 - 7A |
| Band |
Mode |
QSOs |
| 80 |
CW |
1 |
| 75 |
SSB |
501 |
| 40 |
CW |
789 |
| 40 |
SSB |
395 |
| 20 |
SSB |
321 |
| 15 |
SSB |
557 |
| 10 |
SSB |
48 |
| 6 |
Phone |
82 |
| 2 |
Phone |
63 |
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Total |
2757 |
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| Field Day 2000 - 5A |
| Band |
Mode |
QSOs |
| 80 |
SSB |
278 |
| 40 |
CW |
689 |
| 40 |
SSB |
448 |
| 20 |
CW |
268 |
| 15 |
CW |
180 |
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Total |
2160 |
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See you all during the 4th full weekend in June for Field Day 2001.
| Berryville Hamfest (August 1, 2000) - The Shenandoah Valley Amateur Radio Club is hosting the 50th Annual Winchester Hamfest and Computer Show, also known as the Berryville Hamfest, this Sunday, August 6th, at the Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds in Berryville, Virginia.
The MVARC usually has a table at this event. If you need more information click on the Berryville Hamfest.
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