President’s Letter November 2026 At our next OVH meeting on Tuesday Nov  17,  we will have a presentation on advanced POTA gear and software by new OVH member Glen KA0SOC. Expect to see a portable carbon fiber vertical with tuner built into the loading coil.   Also expect to see some non wsjt-x  FT8 software. After our last meeting, a number of OVH members participated in the FARA  pumpkin ride.   It was a bike ride with pumpkin goodies at every rest stop except Rest Stop 1 , which Gene N4HFW  and I manned.   The ride was chaired by Scott KR4BNF and was well attended. Mark WA4KFZ held a VE session on Halloween – during the day.  All applicants passed with the session generating threenew Generals and one new Extra.  The VEs … Read more >>

The OVH VE team held another successful exam session on Saturday, October 31st, 2026 at the Chantilly Regional Library. A total of four applicants attended, and everyone passed their exams on the first try. We now have three new General Class operators and one new Amateur Extra Class operator in our local Ham radio community. This was our first opportunity to use the Android tablet computers graciously donated to the club by David KG4GIY. The tablet computers are a HUGE improvement over the old laptop computers and make bringing equipment to the testing location so much easier! I will eventually donate a rolling case to make equipment transport even more convenient next time. Thank you to the VE team members who helped on Saturday: AK4XR Byron M Dillon KG4GIY David … Read more >>

President’s Letter October 2026 At our next OVH meeting on October 20, we will have an Emergency Communications presentation by Bruce KN4GDX. The main purpose of the presentation is to introduce members to the recently created R3Emcomm Digital Communications group (R3EC); and to discuss the technical focus of the group which includes HF and VHF digital messaging and FM voice nets. R3EC is focused on regional readiness and training on digital techniques, as well as national digital communications among Emcomm groups. R3EC includes BBS and File access services on both HF and VHF. R3EC members have access via HF across Eastern US and via VHF from NoVA and parts of Maryland to the Charlottesville area. Training is provided through several knowledgeable digital communications veterans and is also supported through the … Read more >>

The 13 Colonies event occurs in early July each year. The object is to work special event stations in each of the 13 original colonies. For example, the commonwealth of Virginia is designated K2B. If you work them all, you have what is called a “Clean sweep”. There are also three bonus stations, the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, a station in Great Britain and a station in France. This year, the certificate was much better than in previous years and included a bright gold seal. To see an example of the certificate, click the small image. This year, Don, WA2SWX/HC4DA , got a sweep from Ecuador. We did not submit his log until July 21 but his certificate arrived 2 months ahead of Johns, KG4NXT. Other OVH club members known … Read more >>

On Sunday, September 20, OVH activated Sky Meadows State park. There was rain in the forecast but it did not rain on us. We set up on a hill with lots of tall pine trees. We shot a 40m halfwave end fed antenna into the pines. Mark, WA4KFZ registered on the POTA website and did his first activation. He had well over 16 POTA contacts on 40m and only needed 10 to have a successful activation. Since then, Mark has done some POTA hunting. Thanks to Theresa, KG4TVM for cooking a delicious hot dog lunch. Bruce, KN4GDX brought a nice salad and Mark brought chips. If you click into the small picture, you will see a couple more pictures.