THE QCWACKER

QCWA Piedmont Chapter #126

December 2009

Next Meeting:  The next Chapter 126 meeting will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009 at Yarborough’s Restaurant, 321 Margo Blvd , Lexington , NC 27295 . Telephone (336) 956-7781. All Members and Guests and their ham badges are welcome.

When:  Plan to arrive at 11:30 AM to socialize, dinner at 12:00 PM then business and program at about 12:45 PM.  Board members are requested to arrive at 11:00 AM.

MEMBERS and GUESTS are WELCOME.

Program:  The program will be a presentation by Tim Slay, N4IB, the ARRL NC Section Manager on an update on ARRL local and national the league activities. Also, our 2010 Nominations Chair Wayne, W4HG will have a report.  

New Members:  We welcome the following new members to Chapter 126: Herb Lacey, W3HL of Cary, NC; Luke Sheridan, W7XQ of Greensboro, NC and Ernest Wall, NC4EW of Oak Ridge, NC. Herb was a guest at our September meeting.

Our newest Chapter Life Member is Ham Hicks, KB4BR of Wilmington, NC. 

Tidbits:  Sharon , KA4ZBJ continues to get well after her illness. The Raleigh Club Annual Field Day effort proved to be very successful as it topped the 7A Class and placed 29th nationally.  The key was to have obtained most all available bonus points and making a greater effort for more CW contacts. The GOTA Station allowed old and new hams to get their feet wet again for helping out in field day.  

Dave, ND4MR’s dad passed away a few months ago and he has our condolences. He is enjoying his work with CAP, the local ham club and animal fairs. Good to hear Bill, W4WNT check in from his Oak Island location. Jack, W4TJE enjoyed his VMI Class Reunion and provided some Bear photos from his abode off the Blue Ridge Parkway . We also hope those beagles have returned to good health.  Herb, W3HL and his wife Nina visited Brad Bennett, K4MR in Durham . Seeing and hearing are a bit of an issue but maybe he can do a little SWLing with some help. We were sorry to hear of the passing of Tom Boone, W4COC and Fred Fraley, W4DF longtime QCWA Members. Charlie, WB4DCM’s daughter Lauren is teaching in China after finishing her studies at Furman. Charlie did quite well again in the September QCWA QSO party, must be his deck replacement project is finished. Chuck, W4WXZ continues to keep his estate manicured as long as his health hold’s out.  We welcome Ken, WB2RFK to the net when his son’s health, church and Red Cross duties allow.

Neal, N4HAF in Raleigh joins us on the net now and then. New member Carl, KJ4WD has a great signal on the net and enjoys contesting. Kent, K4MK and others have noticed improved band conditions but they continue their ups and downs. Rick, N2RF has a new roof on the travel trailer and a new cement driveway, sure beats all that dirt. W4UW enjoyed his 1939 High school Class Reunion. Wes, WJ4DX has been busy in the local station broadcast business but manages a Saturday off now and then and even a trip to the beach with Linda. That SteppIR vertical continues to work for Joe, AF1E as does his vintage Drake station. We hope the weather held off for the recent regatta Owen.

Hank, K4HM and Selene, KG4RMT are enjoying their new travel trailer with the Ham RVers, etc. Sharon, KA4ZBJ and Terry, WA4BVY report Bill, KM4UO and his wife Grace are doing fairly well, now living in the Boone area. Family and college sports activities keep Ham, KB4BR busy on the road between Wilmington and Raleigh .

Late word from John, W4CC is that he is doing better now as he is recovers from a bout of the H1N1 Flu.

If any of you would like to be more involved in our Chapter 126 activities please pass that on to your chapter officers, K4MK, WB4DCM or K4HF. 

I hope to see some of you at the Benson, NC Hamfest this Sunday, November 15.

Don’t forget Lexington on December 5.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

73, K4HF