AMATEUR RADIO CALENDAR by BRUCE EGGERS WA9NEW Volume 1 AUGUST 1, 1989 Number 17. PURPOSE: To provide information about Amateur Radio activities and organizations in the Triangle area. I offer no guarantee that all items are correct or that all items of interest are included. All I guarantee is that I'll try to provide a useful service. Readers are invited to submit corrections and additions. You may leave a message for me on the Capitol Opus-PC Board, 919-781-4203, send a piece of traffic to me via the National Traffic System, or find me most nights on the Raleigh Amateur Radio Society 04/64 net at 8 PM or the Piedmont Coastal Traffic Net on the 28/88 repeater at 9 PM. DISTRIBUTION: I'll post this file just before the 1st and 15th of each month on Capitol Opus-PC. I invite any reader to re-post the file, or any portion of it, on any board. I request only that you include these Purpose and Distribution paragraphs and let me know. FULL DETAILS ON MOST EVENTS IN THE CALENDAR APPEAR BELOW IN NOTES. (Note: Changes from the previous two issues are prefixed with a *. Effective with this issue, I have made numerous editorial changes to the notes in order to make more room available for the current events portion of the Calendar.) DATE EVENT TIME PLACE SOURCE Aug 2 RARS meeting 7:30 PM Hillsborough St "Y" Aug 3 Triangle ARC meeting 7:30 PM Durham Red Cross 147.225 Aug 5 UPGRADE EXAMS! 9:00 AM New Bern N4UFJ Aug 8 DFMA meeting 6:00 PM Old NC BBQ N4IQA Aug 9 Data General ARC mtg 12:15 PM Club station, RTP KF4PV Aug 9 RARS' Homebrew SIG 7:30 PM K4ZAD's QTH K4ZAD Aug 10 RARS' VHF-UHF SIG 7:30 PM WA4MJF's QTH WA4MJF Aug 15 Triangle East ARA mtg 7:30 PM G Corral, Smthfld WK2F Aug 16 RARS Board meeting 7:30 PM Hillsborough St "Y" Aug 17 JARS meeting 7:00 PM G Corral, Benson KE4EM A 19-20 High Point HAMFEST High Point, NC SERA Aug 24 Cary ARC meeting 7:30 PM W-P Mthd Church AB4S Aug 31 RARS' FM SIG contact WA1WXL/AA4MY AA4MY S 2&3 Shelby HAMFEST Shelby, NC SARC Sep 2 UPGRADE EXAMS! 9:00 AM Shelby Hamfest SARC Sep 5 Ham Classes! Montgomery Comm College, Troy NC N6LHE Sep 6 RARS meeting 7:30 PM Hillsborough St "Y" Sep 7 Triangle ARC meeting 7:30 PM Durham Red Cross 147.225 Sep 9 UPGRADE EXAMS! 9:00 AM Durham V.A. Hosp. WD4LOO Sep 11 Ham Classes! 7:30 PM Raleigh (See Notes) N4BYO Sep 12 DFMA meeting 6:00 PM Old NC BBQ N4IQA Sep 13 Data General ARC mtg 12:15 PM Club station, RTP KF4PV Sep 14 Ham Classes! 7:30 PM Raleigh (See Notes) N4BYO S 16-17 VA Section Conv & HAMFEST Virginia Beach, VA SERA Sep 18 Ham Classes! 7:30 PM Raleigh (See Notes) N4BYO Sep 19 Triangle East ARA mtg 7:30 PM G Corral, Smthfld WK2F Sep 21 JARS meeting 7:00 PM G Corral, Benson KE4EM Sep 21 Ham Classes! 7:30 PM Raleigh (See Notes) N4BYO Sep 25 Ham Classes! 7:30 PM Raleigh (See Notes) N4BYO Sep 28 Ham Classes! 7:30 PM Raleigh (See Notes) N4BYO Sep 28 Cary ARC meeting 7:30 PM W-P Mthd Church AB4S Oct 1 JARS HAMFEST 8:00 AM Benson, NC SERA Oct 1 UPGRADE EXAMS! JARS Hamfest AA4MY Oct 1 Rock Hill, SC HAMFEST (Date not confirmed) SERA Oct 8 Maysville HAMFEST (Date not confirmed) SERA Oct 21 TEARA HAMFEST 8:30 AM Selma, NC WK2F Oct 21 UPGRADE EXAMS! TEARA Hamfest WK2F Nov 5 Concord HAMFEST (Date not confirmed) SERA Nov 10 Project DOVE Launch Date! ON-THE-AIR OPERATIONS (All frequencies in Megahertz): DAILY, ALL OPERATORS WELCOME: TIME FREQ NET NAME PURPOSE INFO Cont. 147.54 Packet Radio LAN WDCG Cont. 145.49 VHF RTTY Mailbox (TX -600) KB4EXL 7:45 AM 3.927 NC Morning Net Traffic WD4MRD 6:00 PM 3.715 Carolinas Slow Net (CSN) Traffic/Trng AA4MP 6:30 PM 3.923 NC Evening Net Traffic WB4WII 7:00 PM 3.573 Carolinas Net (CN) Traffic K4IWW 7:00 PM 3.907 Coastal Carolina Emer Net Emer/Tfc W4AJT 7:30 PM 3.923 Tar Heel Emergency Net Emer/Tfc KA4LHW 7:30 PM 3.938 NC Single Sideband Net Emer/Tfc WA4MLY 8:00 PM 146.64 RARS Club Net Tfc/Club K4ABJ 8:30 PM 147.27 JARS Club Net Club KM4TC 9:00 PM 146.88 Piedmont Coastal Tfc Net Traffic N4SVZ 10:00PM 3.573 Carolinas Net Late (CNL) Traffic K4IWW DAILY, BY ASSIGNMENT ONLY: TIME FREQ NET NAME PURPOSE INFO 1:45 PM 7.243 4th Region Net, Cycle 2 Region Tfc WA4QXT 2:30 PM 7.240 (Weekdays) EAN, Cycle 2 Area Traffic WB4PNY " " 7.050 (Weekends) " " 3:30 PM 7.243 4th Region Net, Cycle 2 Region Tfc WA4QXT 6:30 PM 3.670 Eastern Area Net, Cycle 3 Area Traffic K2KIR 7:45 PM 3.567 4th Region Net, Cycle 4 Region Tfc K4WJR 8:30 PM 3.670 Eastern Area Net, Cycle 4 Area Traffic K2KIR 9:30 PM 3.567 4th Region Net, Cycle 4 Region Tfc K4WJR SCHEDULED, ALL OPERATORS WELCOME: DAY(S) TIME FREQ NAME & PURPOSE Weekdays 6:15 AM 147.225 Possum Trot Net. Comradery and Fellowship for the Early to Work Bunch Tuesday 7:00 PM 28.364 Sir Walter Raleigh 10-10 Chapter Net Tuesday 7:30 PM 145.27 TEARA Club Net Tuesday 8:30 PM 52.525 RARS Six Meter Net (FM simplex) Thursday 8:00 PM 146.88 NC Section ARRL Field Organization Net Saturday 8:30 PM 146.64 Technical Information Exchange Net UNSCHEDULED: SKY WARN: Activated on the 146.88 repeater at the request of the NWS Forecast Office at RDU. NC EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS: Activated on 3.923, 7.232 and/or the 146.88 repeater at the request of the NC Emergency Management Division. * AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE, W1AW SCHEDULE: 1: SLOW CODE PRACTICE; 5, 7.5, 10, 13 and 15 WPM 2: FAST CODE PRACTICE; 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 13 and 10 WPM 3: CODE BULLETINS; 18 WPM (NOTE: ALL CW ON 3.58, 7.0475, 14.0475, 21.08 and 28.08) 4: TELEPRINTER BULLETINS; 3.625, 7.095, 14.095, 21.095 and 28.095 5: VOICE BULLETINS; 3.99, 7.29, 14.29, 21.39 and 28.59 LOCAL TIME SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 00:45 AM . . . 5 . . . 5 . . . 5 . . . 5 . . . 5 . . . 5 . . . 5 9:00 AM . . . . . . . 1 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . 2 . . . 1 10:00 AM . . . . . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 11:00 AM . . . . . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 4:00 PM . . . 1 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . 2 . . . 1 5:00 PM . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 6:00 PM . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 7:00 PM . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . 2 8:00 PM . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 9:00 PM . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 9:45 PM . . . 5 . . . 5 . . . 5 . . . 5 . . . 5 . . . 5 . . . 5 10:00 PM . . . 1 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . 2 . . . 1 11:00 PM . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 . . . 3 12:00 M . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 . . . 4 DURING COMMUNICATIONS EMERGENCY, SPECIAL BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE: VOICE, on the hour; TELEPRINTER, 15 min past; CW, 30 min past. (Complete details of W1AW operation appeared in June's QST.) NOTES TO THE CALENDAR * * * SPECIAL NOTE ON PROJECT DOVE * * * * Project DOVE, Digital Orbiting Voice Encoder, is a unique chance to carry the World of Amateur Radio into our classrooms this Fall. A separate file, DOVE.689, is on Capitol Opus-PC and provides more details on this AMSAT project. I encourage you to look for it and help bring Amateur Radio into our children's classrooms. Leave a message for me if you want more information. * * * CLASSES * * * * DURHAM: DFMA is considering sponsoring Novice classes this Fall. Details will appear here as soon as plans are known. * RALEIGH: RARS will sponsor classes at NCSU's McKimmon Center at the intersection of Western Blvd and Gorman St starting on Monday, September 11. The class will meet on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM for six weeks. RARS has had good success in taking people through Novice to Technician in six weeks. Those interested should register with the McKimmon Center. The regis- tration fee is $12.00, payable to the McKimmon Center, and course materials, which will be available on the first night, will cost an additional $25 or so. Additional information is available from the McKimmon center at 737-2265 or from RARS' Training Director, Jim, N4BYO, 781-9437. NOTE: RARS always welcomes the attendance of currently licensed Amateur Radio operators at these classes. Come and share your knowledge and experience with the newcomers. * TROY: N6LHE will be conducting Novice classes at Montgomery Community College in Troy on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7 PM to 8 PM starting on Tuesday, September 5. The course will last for six weeks and the Novice exam will be administered at the end of the course. Course materials will be available on the first night of class. Contact the College for further details. (I understand MCC is on NC 24/27 just east of Troy.) * * * CLUBS * * * CARY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB: An ARRL affiliated club, CARC normally meets on the fourth Thursday of each month in the Activities Building at the White Plains United Methodist Church, 313 SE Maynard Road in Cary at 7:30 PM. The club sponsors the Summer Swapfest in mid-July, has an annual Christmas Banquet in lieu of the November and December regular meetings, and publishes a news- letter, the Feedline, available by mail or on the K4IWW PBBS. Meetings are open to all. Further information available from Herb, N4UE, 467-9608. DATA GENERAL RTP ARC: An ARRL affiliated club, DGARC normally meets at 12:15 PM on the second Wednesday of each month in the club station at the RTP facility. A company sponsored activity, membership is restricted to those with Data General affiliation. Additional info from Data General, 62 TW Alexandar Dr, RTP NC, 27709, ATTN: Virgil Sealy. DURHAM FM ASSOCIATION: An ARRL affiliated club, DFMA normally meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Old NC BBQ in North Duke Mall on Roxboro St. in Durham at 6:00 PM. The club sponsors the WA4WTX repeaters on 144.85/5.25, 147.825/225, 222.34/3.94 and 449.10/4.10. DFMA also hosts the DurHamFest at South Square Mall in May each year. Meetings are open to all. Further information available from Tim, N4IQA, 851-7738. * JOHNSTON AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY: JARS normally meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Golden Corral in Benson at 6:00 PM. The club supports the AK4H 147.87/27 repeater and has a net each evening on the repeater at 8:30 PM. The new AK4H repeater is running at the old site and will soon be moved to the WPTF-TV tower. JARS will host its first Hamfest on Sun, October 1 (see below). Meetings are open to all. Additional info on the club net, from Dave, KE4EM, 934-0486 or Mark, N4MQU, 832-4960. NCSU AMATEUR RADIO CLUB: Somewhat inactive in recent years, the NCSU ARC holds club license W4ATC. Trustee is Dr. Grover Cobb, W4YZX, a faculty member in the Physics Dept. Further info is available from Doug, KK4VM, at 851-8630. All faculty, staff and students with an interest in Amateur Radio should support W4ATC, one of the oldest college club stations in the country. * RALEIGH AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY: An ARRL Special Service Club, RARS normally meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the YMCA, 1601 Hillsborough St, at 7:30 PM. RARS sponsors repeaters on 146.04/64, bearing the club call W4DW; 223.04/224.64, operating as WA4PEN; and 449.95/444.95, operating as WA1WXL, and plans to put a repeater on 6 meters this year. In addition to meetings, RARS sponsors a variety of events and activities throughout the year. They include the RARS Hamfest in April, an auction in November, a family picnic, Christmas party, Awards Banquet, Field Day, special event stations, licensing classes and upgrade exams. Members are invited to participate in club sponsored Special Interest Groups focusing on such topics as Repeaters, Special Events, Field Day, Homebrew, VHF/UHF, DX, Public Service/Emergency Training, Upgrade Exams, Training, and Newsletter production. Others may be added. The club publishes an award winning monthly newsletter, the RARS Exciter. Meetings are open to all and refreshments are served. Further information can be obtained on the nightly club net at 8 PM on the 146.04/64 repeater or from Tim, N4IQA, 851-7738. TRIANGLE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB: The club normally meets on the first Thursday of each month at the American Red Cross chapter house in Durham at 7:30 PM. Meeting announcements are made on the 147.825/ 225 repeater. I invite additional info for this posting. * TRIANGLE EAST AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION: An ARRL affiliated club, TEARA normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the Golden Corral Steakhouse on U.S. 301N in Smithfield at 7:30 PM (arrive early to eat). TEARA plans to put at least one repeater on the air in Smithfield, perhaps on two meters, perhaps on 440, perhaps both!. The club will host its first Hamfest this year on Saturday, October 21 (see below). Monthly meetings, open to all, will focus on technical topics. Further information from Andy, WK2F, 934-7979 or Kirk, KK4YP, 965-9577. WAKE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB: An ARRL affiliated club with the club license WB4TOP, the club meets at varied times and is restricted to those affiliated with the College. Trustee is Dr. K. H. "Bert" Bailey, W4FMN. The club has a well equipped operating station on campus. Further information from W4FMN, 787-1643. * * * HAMFESTS * * * BENSON: The Johnston Amateur Radio Society will host JARSFEST 89 at the American Legion Complex on 301N, Benson, Sunday, Oct. 1. $5.00 at the door, $4.00 advance to: JARS, PO Box 1154, Smith- field, NC 27577 with SASE. Fun, food and prizes, tables for rent, auction at 2:30, talk-in on 7.87/27. Upgrade exams available. CARY: CARC hosts the annual Mid-Summer Swapfest each year in mid- July at the VFW hall on Reedy Creek Road. A very fine, friendly and cheap (NO ADMISSION CHARGE!) get-together for all. Mark your calendar for July 14, 1990 (tentative) and watch for further info. CONCORD: The projected date of Nov 5 is based on last years date. A fine little Hamfest, I expect to have a confirmed date and some details by mid-August. DURHAM: DFMA sponsors the DurHamFest each year near the end of May at the South Square Mall. A fine little friendly Hamfest, mark Saturday, May 26, 1990 (tentative) and plan to attend! HIGH POINT: August 19 & 20, National Guard Armory off Bus I-85, Hwy 29-70. $5.00 at the door, $4.00 advance to: HPARC Hamfest, PO Box 1163, Jamestown, NC 27282, send SASE. Talk-in 147.765/165. MAYSVILLE: A fine, friendly little Hamfest of many years running, the date of October 8 is based on previous year's dates. I hope to have details by mid-August. RALEIGH: RARS sponsors "The Biggest and Best One-Day Hamfest in the South" each year in the Jim Graham Building at the NC State Fairgrounds on a Sunday near the middle of April. Mark April 8, 1990, on your calendar and PLAN NOW TO ATTEND! ROCK HILL, SC: The October 1 date is not confirmed. I'll try to have more details after I get the August issue of the Repeater Journal. SELMA: The Triangle East ARA will host its "First Annual" hamfest on Sat, Oct 21 at the Smithfield Moose Lodge at U.S. 70A and I-95 in Selma. Set-up 6:45, opens at 8:30. Tables for rent, outside flea market. Admission $4.00 at the door. Antenna Forum at 11, talk-in on 28/88. Exams available. Info: Andy, WK2F, 934-7979 or Kirk, KK4YP, 965-9577, evenings. * SHELBY: "The Grand-Daddy of Them All", Labor Day Weekend. $4.00 advance to: SARC, PO Box 2206, Shelby, NC 28151-2206, SASE please, or $5 at the gate, good for both days. Fifteen acres of flea- market, dealers inside, camping, prizes, Sunday School, bingo, food service, upgrade exams. Cleveland County Fairgrounds at the intersection of US 74-BUS and NC 180, East side of Shelby. Talk- in on 146.28/88. General info from John, N4GOQ, (704) 482-4507 or Larry, N4IJB, (704) 487-0470. Dealer info: Barbara Elliot, N4MRZ, PO Box 191, Fallston NC 28042, (704) 538-7919. * VIRGINIA BEACH: Sponsored by Tidewater Radio Conventions, Inc, an association of Tidewater ham clubs, this is always a first- class affair at an easy to get to convention center. Put Sept 16 & 17 on your calendar. Full details here as soon as I get the flyer or the August issue of the Repeater Journal. * * * ORGANIZATIONS * * * AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE: Founded in 1914, the ARRL is THE premier national organization for Amateur Radio and provides a key leadership role for the International Amateur Radio Union. It's the ARRL which provides the organizational structure required for the operation of the National Traffic System and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, presents a unified voice to the Congress and the Federal Communications Commission on matters of interest to Amateur Radio, and mobilizes the national societies throughout the world for unified representation at the International Telecommni- cations Union's World Administrative Radio Conferences. ARRL membership is open to all with a bona fide interest in Amateur Radio. Annual dues are $25.00 with a $2.00 discount possible through some affiliated clubs. Further information is available from any of the affiliated clubs noted in this file or ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington CT 06111. Membership includes a subscription to QST. (Reduced rates available to senior citizens, students, family members and the visually handicapped.) NORTH CAROLINA PACKET RADIO COUNCIL: An "umbrella" organization, NCPRC provides an avenue for coordinating Packet Radio standards and services, hosts informational meetings at major hamfests, has periodic business meetings and publishes a newsletter. Associate membership is $5.00 per year to: Jerry Malin, WA2LEI, 709 Madras Ln, Charlotte, NC 28211. Further information from AB4S, 469-1806. * PIEDMONT COASTAL REPEATER NETWORK: The PCRN sponsors a network of eight linked repeaters covering the State which is accessible through the 146.28/88 WB4TQD repeater located near the top of the WRAL 2,000 ft transmitting tower southeast of Raleigh. Local coverage and autopatch services are available on the 147.75/15 repeater. The PCRN provides an invaluable service within the Tar Heel State, particularly in times of emergencies and disasters. Suggested annual donation is $15.00 Further information available from AB4S or PCRN, P.O. Box 12734, Raleigh NC 27605. * RADIO AMATEUR SATELLITE CORPORATION (AMSAT): AMSAT NA is the lead national organization of what is now an international group of similar organizations which have coordinated the launching of 13 Amateur Radio satellites over the past 25 years. Five more, the "Microsats", including the one which will carry DOVE (see the "Special Note" at the beginning of this file), may be launched yet this year. Annual membership, which includes a biweekly news- letter, is $30.00 to AMSAT, P.O. Box 27, Washington, DC 20044. SOUTHEASTERN REPEATER ASSOCIATION: SERA is one of the largest frequency coordinating groups in the country, serving repeaters in a seven state area. If you use repeaters, you should support SERA. Associate Membership is available from SERA Associate Membership, P.O. Box 24292, Winston-Salem NC 27114-4292 for $6.00. Membership brings the quarterly publication, Repeater Journal. WAKE DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP: WDCG is an organization of local hams who wish to encourage the growth of packet radio in the Wake County area. While not a ham club, WDCG normally holds two meetings per year to define the group's objectives and determine avenues and resources available. Complete details are available on the K4IWW-1 PBBS on 147.54, from WDCG President WB4BAH, from members on the LAN on 147.54, or from members who tend to frequent the 147.15 repeater. * * * PUBLIC SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS * * * Part 97.1 of the Federal Communications Commission's Rules and Regulations establishes the Basis and Purpose for the existence of an Amateur Radio service in the United States. The first of five fundamental principles, part 97.1(a), states: "Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary non- commercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications." There are a variety of avenues by which Amateur Radio operators meet this tasking. Many are spontaneous, individual efforts which pass undetected by all but the operators and members of the public who benefit. Some are informal "organizations" which are open to all operators willing to provide assistance. Examples of these are the numerous maritime mobile nets, missionary 'phone-patch nets, medical assistance nets and Amateur Radio access to the spot frequency of 5167.5 kHz for emergency communications in Alaska. Organizations which provide funding support for such operations include most of the clubs and many of the organizations noted in the Calendar. Additional notes on this vital aspect of Amateur Radio follow: AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE (ARES): Funded by members of the ARRL, ARES is nationwide, open to all Amateur Radio operators, and extends into almost every county in the country. Elected Section Managers (SM) appoint a Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) who establishs a capability to meet the emergency communications needs of local government and public service organizations. ARRL fund- ing covers only a portion of overhead administrative, training and recruitment costs. In our area, SM Reed Whitten, AB4W, Cary, has appointed Tom Parker, N4MYB, Wilmimgton, as SEC; Bruce Morris, KI4ME, Raleigh, as District EC; Jerry Stuckle, AI0K, Raleigh, as EC for Sky Warn; and Mike Clark, AA4YH, Cary, as Wake County EC. HAM WATCH: Sponsored by the NC Dept of Crime Control and Public Safety, Ham Watch adds thousands of observers all over the state to aid the public by reporting accidents, hazards and crimes. Funding assistance is limited to recruitment and training. Reed Whitten, AB4W, our Section Manager, currently manages the program. A Ham Watch tag bearing the logo and your call sign is available for your front bumper for a cost of $4 through Reed. MILITARY AFFILIATE RADIO SYSTEM (MARS): Tracing its history back to 1925, MARS provides emergency, auxiliary and health and welfare traffic for the military services. Open to all U.S. Amateur Radio operators (Novice included), MARS is a most worthwhile avenue for public service communications. Operations are on a variety of different frequencies, most of which are sufficiently close to ham band allocations such that no significant equipment modifications are required. Requirements and benefits vary slightly between the three service programs. Information on any of the three programs is available from me, from many local hams, or from: Chief Army MARS Chief Navy MARS Chief Air Force MARS AS-OPS-OA Naval Comm. Unit AFCC/DOOCC Ft. Huachuca, AZ Washington, DC Scott AFB, IL 85613-5000 20390-5161 62225-6001 NATIONAL TRAFFIC SYSTEM: Hiram Percy Maxim's primary motivation in forming what became the American Radio Relay League in 1914 was the recognition of the possibility of a regularly scheduled method of relaying messages from an originator to an addressee by the new "wireless" techniques. Unlike Amateur Radio operators in many countries of the world, we in the U.S. have enjoyed governmental support of our ability to serve the public. Many of the nets in the Calendar are part of the NTS and participation is open to all Amateur Radio operators. The NTS has evolved over the years and continues to do so as new techniques become available. It is the primary training ground and operational avenue for public service communications in times of emergency. Some costs of recruitment, training and administration are funded by ARRL members. SKY WARN: Sky Warn provides the National Weather Service with hundreds of trained observers to assist in meeting its mission of providing severe storm warnings to the public. Some costs of recruitment and training are funded by the NWS. Frequently, as is the case at RDU, equipment installations are funded by individual hams, clubs and corporate donations. (Radio equipment at the NWS office at RDU was donated by Aerotron, the antenna and feedline was donated and installed by local hams.) * * * UPGRADE EXAMS * * * While the first step in the licensing process, the Novice Class exam, can be administered free of charge by two General Class or higher examiners (with just a few restrictions), any test element, including Novice exams, can be taken from a team of at least three volunteer examiners operating under the auspices of any of several Volunteer Exam Coordinators. Each VEC group will have different requirements. Some accept walk-ins, some do not. While the maximum fee is set by the FCC, some accept less. If you are a candidate for an Amateur Radio exam, establish contact with the group in advance to assure that you're not inconvenienced and disappointed. Groups administering exams noted in the Calendar: * BENSON: In conjunction with JARSFEST '89, Sunday, October 1. By pre-registration only through Sept. 23. Contact Mike Roebuck, AB4CH, 2216 Regina Dr, Raleigh, NC 27603, (919) 779-9051. * DURHAM: The DFMA hosts upgrade exams on the second Saturday of odd-numbered months (complementing RARS' schedule and local Ham- fests) at the Durham V.A. Medical Center, Allied Health Facility, Room 58, by pre-registration only. Contact Pete Goolsby, KY4Y, 120 Radcliff Cir, Durham, NC 27713, (919) 544-3215. A completed 610 is adequate for pre-registration. SASE for confirmation, map and further details. * KERNERSVILLE: This group has lost access to their exam site for the summer and will resume exams in September. The following information is left here for planning purposes: First and third Saturday of each month, 9:30 AM, Kernersville Public Library, walk-ins accepted, fee $4.75, TEARC VEC. First Saturday, contact Bob Gates, KJ4IC, (919) 996-5196. Third Saturday, contact Ray Anderson, AA4LT, (919) 882-3869. LEXINGTON: Exams available periodically, contact Rae Everhart, K4SWN, (704) 249-8734. * NEW BERN: New Listing! Craven Community College on US 70 near New Bern, August 5, 9:00 AM SHARP! No pre-registration, 610's available on site. Bring license, copy, ID and any certificates. Further info from Andy, W4ULD, (919) 247-0967. * RALEIGH: Exams are conducted in conjunction with RARS' meetings on the first Wednesday of even numbered months (complementing DFMA's schedule and local Hamfests). Contact Vince, AA4MY, 220 Carriage Tr., Raleigh NC 27614, (919) 847-8512, for details. * SELMA: In conjunction with TEARA's Hamfest, Saturday, Oct 21, by preregistration only. Contact Andy Singer, WK2F, 10 Berkshire Pl, Smithfield, NC 27577, (919) 934-7979. * SHELBY: By pre-registration only, Sat, Sept 2, 9 AM, Cleveland Community College adjoining the Hamfest. Cut-off August 26. Send 610 (9-87 or later), copy of license and certificates, check or MO $4.50 and what elements desired to: Charlotte VEC, 227 Bennett Ln, Charlotte NC 28213. Appointment tickets will be mailed. NO WALK- INS. Bring original license, copy, certificates and photo ID. * VIRGINIA BEACH: The hosts of this fine convention have usually offered Walk-In exams on both Sat. and Sun. Details when known. WILMINGTON: Exams available periodically, contact Don Conoway, AF4J, (919) 791-9460.