For no charge amateur radio exams exams in central North Carolina see Five County HRE website  

 

 

My personal station is a Icom 7100 with a Buckmaster   4-band OCF Dipole Antenna, 300 Watts . I can operate on 75, 40, 20, 17 without a tuner.  I like the 7100 because  it has HF/UHF/VHF all in the same unit but I do understand why you would want to have a different radio for UHF/ VHF.  I have used the 7100 portable and operate Satellite  with it. When I got my license we had to learn Morse code and I am so happy I did. I don’t use it too much but happy I know it.  I also still remember simophore from scouting.  I am an astronomy and radio merit badge counselor if you need my services.

 

Parks on the Air

N4MQU_POTA_Diamond_Hunter

 

I recently became involved with Parks on the air (POTA).  I had always tried to answer someone when I heard them call parks on the air so when we started planning the camping trip and a friend wanted to activate the Staunton River State Park, I finally activated my membership in September.  I was surpised to find I had 26 contacts that is the reason for the awards close together.

1. Silver Hunter 9/13/2021
2. Bronze Hunter 9/13/2021
3. Gold Hunter 9/13/2021
4. Platinum Hunter 9/19/21
5. Diamond Hunter 9/25/21

I have been licensed since 1980.  How did I get started in amateur radio? I was at a star party in the middle of nowhere (near Tidewater, VA) so I could view some astronomical objects away from city lights. I was about 25 years old at that time and a friend needed to call home. This was before cell phones so my friend Don Wright used his amateur radio to allow my friend to call home. Shortly after that event I started studying for my license. Speaking of ham radio, are you currently licensed or do you need to upgrade? For free? Be sure to navigate to my Five County Ham Radio Enthusiasts club page. A lot of information on how to study and resources you can use for this new adventure you are about to take. The FCC allows Volunteer Examiner Clubs to charge a fee to help offset the cost of processing the exam. I never felt right about charging. I had noticed a couple of years ago one of the biggest Hamfest does not charge. I started checking and found out the Laurel VEC did not charge. I found out who to contact and after getting information I signed up. It turned out I started the first free team in North Carolina. We have so far administered 80 exams saving our applicants $1200. There now have 7 free teams in North Carolina.

I am also a member of the Johnston Amateur Radio Society (JARS).  In 2018 I was interviewed about the Hambulance a converted ambulance with radio equipment on the Amateur Radio Newsline .

At the end of June will be field day.  Be sure to sign up here.

I started a new Facebook group called  Astronomy Meets Amateur Radio. This group is for individuals interested in astronomy and amateur radio. 

I hope you enjoy my website.