What is an Elmer in Ham Radio?

21/01/19 at 12.41pm   /   by Martin Brossman   /   0 Comment

“The term “Elmer“–meaning someone who provides personal guidance and assistance to would-be hams–first appeared in QST in a March 1971 “How’s DX” column by Rod Newkirk, W9BRD (now also VA3ZBB).”
–Rick Lindquist, N1RL

This discussion is between Carl Davis W8WZ and myself, Martin Brossman KI4CFS. Carl W8WZ is a board member of RARS (The Raleigh Amateur Radio Society) https://www.rars.org/

My In Memory of my first Elmer Dick Bitner – W8HYD http://inmemoryofamentor.blogspot.com/2007/02/in-honor-of-dick-bitner-w8hyd.html

In memory of Dick Bitner, W8HYD, RARS President January 1, 2006 – February 19, 2007

In memory of Dick Bitner, W8HYD, RARS President January 1, 2006 – February 19, 2007 “ELmer” https://www.rars.org/bitner.htm

Inspiration, Elmer “Bud” Frohardt Jr, W9DY, SK http://www.arrl.org/news/elmer-inspiration-elmer-bud-frohardt-jr-w9dy-sk If you are in North Carolina and a Ham Operators https://www.facebook.com/groups/NCHamRadioOperators Martin Brossman KI4CFS http://KI4CFS.com #HamRadioElmer #RARS #Elmer #AmateurRadio #KI4CFS

NC QSO Party – a time when the world wants to talk to NC Amature Radio Operators!

21/01/16 at 12.48pm   /   by Martin Brossman   /   0 Comment

Once a year North Carolina has the NC QSO Party and this is the time when everyone in the world wants to reach out and contact us! Here are some videos about it and some questions and answers addressed about the NC QSO Party. The first time I tried it I had a challenge jumping in and wanted to create more resources to help new people participate.

“The first running of the NC QSO Party was sponsored by RARS in 1970. Since that time the contest has been run by the Alamance ARC and the Forsyth ARC, and in 2013 returned to the Raleigh ARS.”

I had the pleasure to interview Marty Young, W4MY, NCQP Committee Chairman.

An the NC QSO Van:

NCQP Ops In Focus

Some questions from Ham’s new to The NC QSO Party and the answers from the NC QSO Party team!

Q. What is the etiquette for calling out?  Can you give at least a few examples?
A. CQ, CQ, CQ, [callsign] calling CQ for the North Carolina QSO Party, CQ. Repeat

Q. Can you participate if you are not logging your calls? 
A. Of course, there is no requirement to log your calls, but if you make contacts you can expect SASE from your contacts requesting your QSL card, even if you don’t have one.

Q. Any advice on starting frequencies to try to connect to someone?
A. Really from year to year, it depends on how to bands are. If they are open you’ll have a great time, if they are not, it will be a disappointing year.

Q. If you are just a Technician with a 2 meter / 440 handheld what would it take to participate? 
A. A Technician Class operator can participate but have to follow their band limitations. For this QSO party, I recommend working with a licensed operator above Technician class and use their call sign to make the contacts. Then upgrade to General and above.

Q. Can you just suggest some staring places for beginners?
A. There really isn’t a “place” for beginners, that is what “Elmers” are for. I HIGHLY recommend going to a local club and letting an “Elmer” show you how it’s done. Elmers are Instrumental in teaching us how things work. 

Q. What are the main frequencies that can be used in the contest? –
A. This is a statewide event and most of the activity will be on these bands – Operate on 80/75, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, and 2 meters. No 160, WARC, or above 2 meters. Suggested operating frequencies (MHz) CW: 3.540, 7.040, 14.040, 21.040, 28.040, 50.040, 144.040. Phone: 3.860, 7.260, 14.260, 21.360, 28.360, 50.160 (SSB), 52.040 (FM), 144.260 (SSB), 146.520(FM). Digital: (Use standard digital frequencies per band plan) No cross-band QSOs are allowed. No repeater, satellite, or other relaying devices may be used to complete a QSO for award credit.

Thanks to Kenn Kubacki NE4Y and Marty Young, W4MY for their support.
– Martin Brossman KI4CFS

Learn more and the latest information at http://ncqsoparty.org/