Archives 2011

There is some good news to report in regards to the repeater site. As most everyone one knows by now the site lost its AC power source due to catastrophic event at the site this last summer related to the AC power control and distribution.  It was thought that soon repairs would be made by the site owners and the repeaters would be back online. But due to budget constraints the site owners chose to delay making necessary repairs until financial resources might be available in the future.  So the AC power was and still is not restored.

During the month of December VARC members met with both EMA and Valdosta Utilities leadership to identify a alternative AC power source and ask for permission to relocate repeater equipment into a small shelter that is located inside of the water tank its self.  Immediately the Valdosta Utilities leadership was very responsive and supportive of the VARC by giving permission for requests.  Upon permission approval technical arrangements were made to proceed.

The plans are during the first quarter of 2012 to install  necessary wiring in order to restore AC power to the old VARC repeater shelter.  The next part of the plan is to prepare the area inside the tank for both the analog and D-STAR repeater equipment.  Since gaining approval both VARC members and non-members have rallied to provide either financial resources or their personal time in support of the project.

The Valdosta and Lowndes County radio amateurs are very grateful to both the EMA and the Valdosta Utilities department for their continued support of the VARC and emergency communications for the community.

The VARC wishes you and yours a happy and safe holiday season!  This a great time to remember our families and to also focus special attention upon our creator for all good things that he has blessed has us in our lives.  Ham radio is one of those blessings of which we all should be grateful.  So please take the time to appreciate and enjoy it.  Listen for us on the air next year!

On Saturday November the 12th the Thomasville Amateur Radio Club again held their annual fish fry in Thomasville.  Approximately 72 amateurs and their families gathered at the Morningside Methodist church annex to share in a fantastic meal and fellowship.  The TARC hosts this yearly event to honor our military veterans and invites the whole amateur radio community to come join them in this special time of the year.  The TARC also takes time to honor those of their group and their achievements.  This year several very young and newly licensed folks received awards.

Several from the Valdosta and surrounding areas attended and greatly enjoyed the fellowship with those that they speak to over the air but do not have a chance to see in person too often.  One reported that the Thomasville folks are very friendly, the food was super, and we have the chance to talk about amateur radio… what more can you ask for?

After the event was over this writer had a chance to interview TARC newsletter editor Buddy Peeples WD4CJI about what makes the TARC presently the leading amateur radio club in the region.  Buddy responded by saying its simple we are a family organization and we strive to involve not only individual amateurs but also their families especially the children.  The children are our future to be there to replace us as we grow older and to ensure the sustainability of the hobby.  Buddy also shared that the core members of the club are not only committed to the ham club itself but each and everyone of them are truly good close friends who love to be around each other even outside of normal club activities.

So it sounds like the simple recipe for a truly successful amateur radio organization is number one the family unit and number two taking the time to hang out with and look out after each other.  It sounds like the old saying “If you want friends then try being a friendly yourself” does have some relevance after all.

Make plans to attend the next TARC fish fry in November of 2012…

Amateur Radio license testing was held again at the public library in Valdosta on Saturday November 12th.  The preregistered folks where not able to make it to this testing session for personal reasons but they are still planning on testing at a later date.  There was one walk in who tested for general and passed with flying colors. Congratulations on passing general and we hope to hear you on HF soon!

We would like to take time here to appreciate our testing volunteers Larry Leonard, Gene Milton, Jim Freeman, and Frank Thompson for the giving of their personal time to help those who want to become amateurs or to advance the ranks.  Thanks guys for the super job you are doing!

Remember the next testing session will January 14th at the Valdosta public library.  Please contact us if you plan to attend the session.

On November 5th through the 6th was Georgia’s largest hamfest located in Lawrenceville in east Atlanta.  If you are reading this post then you missed one of the best and largest hamfests in the southeastern U.S.  Several amateurs from the south Georgia region attended and had a great time buying and selling gear. Many also enjoyed seeing and visiting with others of amateur radio family.

Even with the slower economy there were more vendors and hams selling in the flea market areas than ever.  Great deals where everywhere to be found.  Whether if you wanted to build a new station or expand a existing ham shack this was the place to be.  So if you missed this one then make the resolution now to be there next year the first weekend of November!

Up coming hamfests are the Stark, FL (November), Tampa, FL (December) and Orlando, FL (February).

On a beautiful Saturday October the 8th amateurs from the VARC and the local area assisted the Valdosta / Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Department with the 2011 Honey Bee Festival Bike Ride by providing communications and GPS tracking support. Amateur radio voice communications were carried out via the 145.310 repeater in Nashville and the 147.075 repeater in Valdosta.  Both of  the VARC repeaters are still offline due to lightening damage from earlier in the year and are still awaiting funding so they could not be utilized for the event this time.

Packet data communications were carried out on Digi-repeaters operating on 144.390 MHz which were located in Adel and Valdosta.  These stations carried the GPS tracking data from the “Sag wagons” or route vehicle to the I-gate through to the internet.   Both the internet and cell phone technologies where heavily relied upon by both the participating amateurs and event sponsors since there are fewer eligible amateur radio operators available to support these types of events.

This year’s bike event based out of Hahira consisted of a 31, 63 and 103 mile ride.  The 103 mile ride goes far north as Enigma on Highway 82 and is the most grueling ride of the three courses.  The other two lesser courses can be just as challenging as described from the words provided by some of the riders.

Two from the area amateur radio community rode in the event this year.  Not only did one of them test their skills in physical endurance but actually finished route and came back conduct communications support.  Now that is dedication!

The next bike ride support event will be during the first part of March 2012.  The VLCPR leadership says they need your support and the hope you will be there!  So take time to become a eligible amateur radio communications provider.

On Saturday September 10th the dedicated Amateur Radio exam team met once again to give exams to two new potential hams.

For a number of years now Larry Leonard- KI4JKB, Jim Freeman- KF4OVP and Gene Milton- N1AZZ have been meeting on the 2nd Saturday of each odd month to give exams at the Valdosta Public Library.  Though they are not affiliated with the VARC they have been faithful to the Amateur Radio community in their efforts to see that exams are available to both amateurs and non-amateurs in the Valdosta area.  Hats off to all three of these guys for their true volunteer ham spirit.

Congratulations to the two new amateurs who are from Florida!

Last Saturday July 9th the dedicated Amateur Radio exam team met once again to give exams to new potential hams and to others looking to upgrade their license class.

For a number of years now Larry Leonard- KI4JKB, Jim Freeman- KF4OVP and Gene Milton- N1AZZ have been meeting on the 2nd Saturday of each odd month to give exams at the Valdosta Public Library.  Though they are not affiliated with the VARC they have been faithful to the Amateur Radio community in their efforts to see that exams are available to both amateurs and non-amateurs in the Valdosta area.  Hats off to all three of these guys for their true volunteer ham spirit.

Congratulations to the following on their new license or upgrade-

William H. Albaugh-KK4CNI from Tallahassee who upgraded to General.

Aubrey B. Hutchison- KK4AXI from Valdosta who upgraded to Extra.

Sometime around June the 30th the VARC repeater site suffered a catastrophic electrical event that has left all equipment off line.   One of the volunteer technicians reported that the large breaker panel feeding the site looked as if it had a welder cut a hole in the front of it. It appears that as the breaker panel caught fire it sprayed fire hot molten metal over all area in front to the panel its self.

So for the time being the repeaters will be offline until the repairs to the site electrical systems can be repaired.  VARC volunteer technicians are presently working with the site owners and making previsions to check VARC equipment for damage.  So far it has been confirmed that the W4VLD-1 digi-repeater was damaged by the event.

It is believed that either lightening or a electrical short caused the electrical damage.  Once new information is discovered it will be posted.

VARC members and area amateurs are encouraged to utilize other area repeaters in order to carry out their communications activities.  You are thanked for your continued support of the VARC.

CQ CQ CQ Field Day this is Whisky Four Victor Lima Delta… W4VLD….

These were calls given out over the amateur radio bands from VARC Field Day operators.  During the twenty-four hour event over 900 contacts where made with stations all over the country making this one of the most successful VARC Field Day events in recent history.  Several amateurs came to operate but others came to enjoy barbeque, fishing or to just enjoy each others company.  Still others who are not presently amateurs came to learn more about “Ham Radio.”  Field Day is a national event sponsored by the ARRL and is held during the last week end each June.