February 2025 NEWSLETTER
February, 2025
ROANOKE DIVISION SERVICE AWARD NOMINATIONS – Since 1968, the Roanoke Division has selected one person each year who exemplifies the spirit of excellence and selflessness in making Amateur Radio better for all. In that time, 56 fellow operators have been deemed extraordinary, and now the time has come to select #57. Whether in areas of DXing, contesting, mentoring, exam testing, leading on-air activities or project building, we all know a special person who stands out in going above and beyond. The award is always for the previous year, so nominations are now open for the 2024 award. The judges are past award winners. They look for long term bodies of work, commitment and dedication in our hobby. Don’t assume someone else will nominate whom you have in mind. Please make a nomination before the deadline of March 21, 2025. Details and the nomination form are available on the division website at: www.arrl-roanoke.org/awards. Don’t forget to include copies of citations, media references and any other supporting documentation. The winner will be announced in March. Don’t wait!
ANTENNA RELIEF BILL REINTRODUCED – Identical versions of The Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act have been reintroduced in Congress in both the House and the Senate. If passed and signed into law, the legislation would require homeowner associations to accommodate the needs of FCC-licensed Amateur Radio operators by prohibiting the enforcement of private land use restrictions that ban, prevent, or require the approval of the installation or use of Amateur Radio station antennas. Among other provisions, this legislation would prohibit homeowner association rules that would preclude or ban Amateur Radio antennas, specify an approval process for installing Amateur Radio antennas, and provide a federal private right of action to Amateur Radio operators in disputed cases. The bill numbers are HR1094 for the House version and S459 for the Senate bill. ARRL will be coordinating a grassroots campaign to have members contact their congressional representatives for support.
MEET YOUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS – Each of the 15 ARRL divisions has representatives to two standing advisory committees – one on DX and other on contesting. These committees provide advice to the members of ARRL’s Programs and Services Committee (PSC), of which Roanoke Division Director Dr. Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, is a member. The PSC oversees contests, awards and recognition of DX entities. In the Roanoke Division, the long-time representative to the Contest Advisory Committee (CAC) is Don Daso, K4ZA, from Charlotte, NC. A Ham now for over 60 years, Don has achieved ARRL awards DXCC #1, 5B-DXCC, 5B-WAZ (all CW, although there’s no endorsement for that) and WAS-160. He’s an A-1 OP and is a contributing editor to ARRL’s National Contesting Journal (NCJ). Don has also headed many forums at Dayton Hamvention. If you have a question on contesting, feel free to reach out to Don by email at: k4zadondaso@juno.com
Representing our division on the DX Advisory Committee (DXAC) is Lou Dietrich, N2TU, from Morrisville, NC. Lou recently replaced the venerable Gary Dixon, K4MQG, who was the division’s DXAC representative for 36 years. Lou’s the real deal having attained Top of The Honor Roll and Ten Band DXCC. He’s operated from U.N. headquarters, the Vatican, Thailand, Bermuda and has been part of DXpeditions to Sable Island (CY0S) , Palmyra (K5P), Wake Island (K9W) and Swain’s Island (NH8S). Lou says he applied for N2TU as his vanity call because he wants to “thank” all who participate in our marvelous hobby. If you have a DX questions, you can reach Lou at n2tu@yahoo.com.
2023 ANNUAL REPORT NOW AVAILABLE – As an incorporated non-profit corporation, ARRL produces an annual report. Usually it is available in July, but the cyberattack in May, 2024 postponed the release of the 2023 report, the most recent year available. The 54-page report contains narratives on ARRL, its current status and objectives, and financial reports. There is a three-page section entitled Report To America, a handy reference guide to use when dealing with government officials and members of the public. The Report To America describes how Amateur Radio is a tax free community resource in times of natural and manmade disasters. You can download a copy at: www.arrl.org/annual-reports.
STATE QSO PARTIES – All four states in the Roanoke Division will be holding their annual state QSO parties. Please join them and get on the air to let operators everywhere get a chance to work not only your state, but also your county or independent city.
FEBRUARY 22 – South Carolina QSO Party scqso.com
FEBRUARY 23 – North Carolina QSO Party ncqsoparty.org
MARCH 15-16 – Virginia QSO Party www.qsl.net/sterling/VA_QSO_Party/2025_VQP/2025_VQP_Main.html
JUNE 21 – West Virginia QSO Party www.wvarrl.com
UPCOMING HAMFESTS:
State Convention with ARRL Forums And Added Prizes
FEBRUARY 22 – Glenville, WV Talk-In: 145.29 (PL 91.5)
MARCH 1 – Charleston, WV – Charleston Area Hamfest https://qsl.net/w8gk
MARCH 7&8 – Concord, NC – Charlotte Hamfest www.charlottehamfest.org
MARCH 9 – Vienna, VA – Winterfest www.viennawireless.net/wp/events/winterfest
APRIL 5 – Raleigh, NC – RARSfest www.rarsfest.org
APRIL 5 – Batesburg-Leesville, SC – Ridge Tailgate Party www.w4rrc.org
APRIL 26 – Columbia, SC – Swapfest www.w4cae.com
Remember – if your club has Zoom capability, one of us can join you as a guest speaker. Drop us an email to see if we can be part of your meeting. Meanwhile, enjoy the winter contesting season and the excellent propagation as we approach the expected top of Solar Cycle 25. Hope to see you at a hamfest soon or hear you on the air.
Bill Morine, N2COP
Roanoke Division Vice Director
n2cop@arrl.org
Jim Boehner, N2ZZ
Roanoke Division Director
n2zz@arrl.org