Recent Aricles - see left and below
2020
12/26 Rhett George, KE4HIH, sk
12/23 Rhett, KI4HIH - Thank You!
11/30 Dec 1 Prog: Christmas Meeting - Air
11/05 Corrected November Link
11/02 Nov 3 Prog: DFMA Meeting on the Air
10/03 Oct 6 Prog: DFMA Meeting on the Air
8/31 Sep 1 Prog: DFMA Meeting on the Air
7/31 Aug 4 Prog: DFMA Meeting, Elections
7/01 Jul 7 Prog: Marvin (WA4NC) NC Sect Mgr
6/30 Karl C. Ramm, N1XPB, sk
5/31 June 2 Prog: DFMA Meeting on the Air
5/02 May 5 Prog: DFMA Meeting on the Air
4/08 DurHamFest 2020 Canceled
4/03 Apr 7 Prog: DFMA Meeting on the Air
2/26 Joseph P. Fields, KF4QYY, sk
2/01 Feb 4 Prog: Software Defined Radios
1/07 Save Date: DurHamFest 2020 to be on May 30
1/05 Jan 7 Prog: Show and Tell
For older news         Press for 2019 News

News

Rhett Truesdale George Jr, KE4HIH, sk
December 14, 2020

Image courtesy Duke University

Hillsborough, North Carolina - Rhett Truesdale George Jr., 87, passed away on December 14, 2020 at Duke University Hospital in Durham. He was born in Columbia, South Carolina to the late Rhett Truesdale George, Sr. and Gladys Doughty George. Dr. George earned his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Duke University in 1955 and his PhD. from the University of Florida in 1965.

Dr. George was a professor emeritus of Electrical Engineering at Duke University. He was a member of McMannen United Methodist Church and was also involved in the Red Cross and the United States Power Squadron. His most passionate hobbies included trains and amateur radio, his radio sign being KE4HIH.

Dr. George is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joanna George; son, Charles R. George (Dawn); sister, Darien Pickens (Robert); grandchildren, Caitlin George Kalen (Alex), Ashlee George; and nieces, Barbara Pickens Foster (Ed) and Linda Pickens Cobb (Ty).

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to McMannen United Methodist Church: 4102 Neal Rd., Durham, NC 27705.

The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham. Online condolences may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com.

Taken from the Herald Sun, 12/26/20

Rhett, KE4HIH -- Thank You! -- A personal tribute

Dan, KR4UB talking to Rhett at the Train Layout
in 2011 Image courtesy of KU4GC

Rhett George was on the faculty of the Duke Electrical Engineering Department and I was in Computer Science, so I’m sure I met him as early as the 1970s, but had no closer interaction. It was not until my son (Karl, N1XPB) was an undergraduate in Computer Science that I really got to know him. Rhett advised and ran an Electric Car Club in Engineering and my son and his close friend (Sidik, WH6FUS) became involved in the club. (I also then learned of Rhett’s interest in electric tractors.) Rhett was such a nice person, always ready to help and an inspiration to the students. We would always exchange friendly words if our paths crossed on campus after that. About two years later, in 1996, Karl had a job working for MIT and got involved with campus life there. This led to his getting a ham license and subsequently giving me an HT for Christmas and my and my family’s life changed. We were all licensed within a few months. We got involved with OCRA and the DFMA and there was Rhett. I had not previously known of his amateur radio activities.

Rhett played many roles in the DFMA and all of us have much to thank him for. Rhett served as the DFMA president from 1998-1999. (He also served a term as vice president - program chair in 2005.) But it is the less official duties where Rhett really stood out. In 2000, a former DFMA member passed away and his widow contacted the club to donate his radio gear. His collection was vast and it took a party of club members two days with various pickups and vehicles to remove the equipment. So what to do with it? It was decided to auction off the stuff and Rhet volunteered his place for storing all of the stuff and on two successive Saturdays hams from the triangle area came to bid on Lou’s treasures.

For some years the DFMA had an annual picnic. It was usually held at Rhett’s house with Rhett and Joanna (KE4QOZ) hosting. There we also got to visit Rhett’s electric train layout. This was a large S gauge layout in the basement and all of us could enjoy it and think back on the trains we might have had in years gone by.

The DFMA Thursday night net on the 147.225 repeater has been going on since before I got my license in 1997. In the early years, Al (KE4IHX) was the most frequent net control and Rhett was an active participant. When Al became less involved (he became an active EMT in Person county), Rhett became the main driving force and the most frequent net control. He kept it going for many years until others stepped in to share the load. He had always been active in the Possum Trot net (for the early risers) and in recent years put most of his energy into keeping that functioning smoothly.

Joanna, KE4QOZ and Rhett eating with the Lambs
at the DFMA Christmas Dinner in 2018
Image courtesy of KU4GC

As might be expected from a professor, Rhett was usually involved when the DFMA did anything educational. Over the years license classes were offered from time to time and they often involved Rhett. He also hosted some kit project get-togethers in the Duke engineering labs when Duke was more open to visitors and parking was available at night and on weekends.

Rhett and Joanna were always an expected sight at every DFMA hamfest, as perennial managers of the club table. Joanna had to make sure that Rhett didn’t take home more than what was offered on the tables.

Over the years, meeting sites for the DFMA became a problem from time to time. He generously arranged for the DFMA to be able to meet at the McMannen Methodist Church for several years. His only possible ham-related weakness was his problems with Morse code. He remained at the Technician Class level until the code requirement was abolished. Then he quickly got his Extra Class license.

I’ve only touched on areas where my knowledge of Rhett’s service was clear. I’m sure he did much in areas I’m not even aware of or his work with the Power Squadron which I heard about. The bottom line is that the members of the DFMA and the hams in this area owe Rhett a lot. He will be sorely missed.

Dee, KU4GC 12/23/2020

December 1 Program: Christmas Festivities - DFMA Meeting on the Air

For the festivities, the club has sprung for some excellent restaurant gift certificates to Bullock's, Only Burger, and Kitchen. These will be given away, at random, as "door prizes" to those who check into the net. Therefore, be sure to check in, and tell your friends to join us as well. It also wouldn't be a December meeting without ham resolutions. You still have a few days left to accomplish the goals you made for this year! If you're struggling to come up with ideas for next year, remember that the club is looking for a vice president, Link editor, and Thursday night net controls.

In addition to the fun HAM activities, another very important thing that we do at the December meeting is pass around the hat for charitable contributions. Those contributions are pooled with a donation we make from the clubs funds. This year has been hard on many people, but particularly those among us who are most vulnerable. Therefore, I'm pleased to announce that the club is increasing its donation this year to $1000 total. I encourage you to consider doing the same as you are able. We will not be coördinating a toy collection this year, so you may want to do that in an alternative way.

73, Jack — KM4MBG, 11/30/20

Corrected Version of the November Link

The version of The Link placed on this website included an old set of minutes. (See Newsletter button on the left.) This has now been replaced by a corrected version.

Dee, KU4GC, 11/5/20

November 3 Program: DFMA Meeting on the Air

Until outbreak conditions improve, the DFMA will not be having in-person meetings. As we did in October, instead of our usual monthly meeting at Bullock's, we'll have a special net. The net will be at 7pm on November 3rd, our usual meeting time, on the linked 145.45- and 147.225+ repeaters (both have a PL tone of 82.5). You can also check-in over the Internet via Echolink/SVXLink to the WR4AGC-R node. The format of the net will be check-ins (in place of our usual introductions), officer reports and a rag chew round table discussion.

Best,

Jack, KM4MBG, 11/2/20

October 6 Program: DFMA Meeting on the Air

Until outbreak conditions improve, the DFMA will not be having in-person meetings. As we did in September, instead of our usual monthly meeting at Bullock's, we'll have a special net. The net will be at 7pm on October 6th, our usual meeting time, on the linked 145.45- and 147.225+ repeaters (both have a PL tone of 82.5). You can also check-in over the Internet via Echolink/SVXLink to the WR4AGC-R node. The format of the net will be check-ins (in place of our usual introductions), officer reports and a rag chew round table discussion.

Best,

Jack, KM4MBG, 10/3/20

September 1 Program: DFMA Meeting on the Air

Until outbreak conditions improve, the DFMA will not be having in-person meetings. As we did in August, instead of our usual monthly meeting at Bullock's, we'll have a special net. The net will be at 7pm on September 1st, our usual meeting time, on the linked 145.45- and 147.225+ repeaters (both have a PL tone of 82.5). You can also check-in over the Internet via Echolink/SVXLink to the WR4AGC-R node. The format of the net will be check-ins (in place of our usual introductions), officer reports and a rag chew round table discussion.

Best,

Jack, KM4MBG, 8/31/20

August 4 Program: DFMA Meeting on the Air - Election of Officers

Until outbreak conditions improve, the DFMA will not be having in-person meetings. As we did in June, instead of our usual monthly meeting at Bullock's, we'll have a special net. The net will be at 7pm on August 4th, our usual meeting time, on the linked 145.45- and 147.225+ repeaters (both have a PL tone of 82.5). You can also check-in over the Internet via Echolink/SVXLink to the WR4AGC-R node. The format of the net will be check-ins (in place of our usual introductions), officer reports and a rag chew round table discussion.

We will also deal with the annual election of officers and at-large board members. The actual voting will be by email. We are still accepting nominations for all slots -- you may nominate yourself or any other club member. So far we have at least one nomination for every postion except that of vice president. Email any nominations to km4mbg@km4mbg.org as soon as possible.

Further instructions related to the election will be posted and mailed to club members soon.

Best,

Jack, KM4MBG, 7/31/20

July 7 Program: NC ARRL Section Manager Marvin Hoffman, WA4NC

The July meeting will take place online via video conference at 7pm. We will be joined by North Carolina ARRL Section Manager Marvin Hoffman, WA4NC. He will be giving an introduction of his goals for the NC Section as well as highlighting the major issues facing the ARRL Board.

Video conference link: https://conference.km4mbg.org/b/jac-uld-ow6

Best,

Jack, KM4MBG, 7/1/20

Karl C. Ramm, N1XPB, sk

Karl at work in 2007
Image courtesy of KF4PAB

2/15/1973 - 6/28/2020
Karl died Sunday as a result of complications due to metastatic colon cancer.

Karl Christopher Ramm was born on February 15, 1973, to Mary Kathlyn Brigmon Ramm and Dietolf Ramm, in Durham, NC. The family moved to Hillsborough, NC in 1989. Karl attended Charles E. Jordan High School and earned a B.S. in Computer Science from Duke University in 1995. Following graduation, he moved to Cambridge MA, where he worked for MIT, a series of start-ups, and eventually Google, as a systems programmer/administrator. He bought a house and moved to Wilmington, MA in 2016.

Karl grew up in a home in which he had easy access to computers and immersed himself in all aspects of them at an extremely young age. Not long after most children were first learning to read, he was reading Berkeley Standard Distribution UNIX manuals cover to cover. There was never any doubt of what he would study in college or what he would choose as a career. Throughout his life, he became very interested in “retro computing” and preserving many of the computer systems that were prevalent during his childhood.

Perhaps inspired by both of his grandfathers, one of Karl’s primary hobbies was music. He excelled at playing the piano. He was told he had “perfect pitch” and could play music after having heard it just a few times. He was equally proficient at sight reading. Before his voice changed, he sang with the North Carolina Boys Choir for several years. His true passion was composing electronic music and he collected numerous synthesizers.

Working for and, later, in proximity to MIT, Karl took advantage of many activities there. Almost immediately after he started, he joined the MIT Radio Society and earned an FCC License in Amatur Radio (N1XPB) and quickly inflicted the hobby on his entire immediate family in North Carolina. He trained in Jiu-Jitsu many hours during the week. He was a Keyholder at MITSFS, MIT’s Science Fiction Library and was active in MIT’s Student Information Processing Board (SIPB), MIT’s Lecture Series Committee (LSC), and MIT Gilbert & Sullivan Players.

Karl was a voracious, lightning-fast reader and, in his younger years, would frequently finish at least one newly purchased book before arriving home from the bookstore. He particularly loved science-fiction novels and was always the best source of recommendations on what to read next.

Karl was loved by an amazing network of loyal friends who were supportive, long before and after his diagnosis in 2017. He is survived by his father, Dietolf Ramm, and sister, Lenore Ramm Hill with her husband, Jack Hill, all of Hillsborough, NC.

Lenore, KF4PAB, 6/30/20

PS: Memorial gift can be made to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance: https://impact.ccalliance.org/kcrfriends

June 2 Program: DFMA Meeting on the Air

Until outbreak conditions improve, the DFMA will not be having in-person meetings. Fortunately, our hobby supports communicating from a distance. As we did last month, instead of our usual monthly meeting at Bullock's, we'll have a special net. The net will be at 7pm on June 2nd, our usual meeting time, on the linked 145.45- and 147.225+ repeaters (both have a PL tone of 82.5). You can also check-in over the Internet via Echolink/SVXLink to the WR4AGC-R node. The format of the net will be check-ins (in place of our usual introductions), officer reports (including a special discussion about possible Field Day activities), and a rag chew round table discussion.

Jack, KM4MBG, 5/31/20

May 5 Program: DFMA Meeting on the Air

Until outbreak conditions improve, the DFMA will not be having in-person meetings. Fortunately, our hobby supports communicating from a distance. As we did last month, instead of our usual monthly meeting at Bullock's, we'll have a special net. The net will be at 7pm on May 5th, our usual meeting time, on the linked 145.45- and 147.225+ repeaters (both have a PL tone of 82.5). You can also check-in over the Internet via Echolink/SVXLink to the WR4AGC-R node. The format of the net will be check-ins (in place of our usual introductions), officer reports (including a special discussion about DurHamFest), and a rag chew round table discussion.

Jack, KM4MBG, 5/2/20

DurHamFest 2020 Canceled

At the "on the air" meeting last night DurHamFest was discussed. The Durham Public Schools had cancelled all rental reservation due to the ongoing pandemic. The question was, "Would they reopen things in time for our May 30th date and would they do it in time for people to prepare." Our contact with the rental facility expressed doubt that things would start up again in time. Also, many hams are in the more vulnerable demographic and will probably want to be extra careful.

A vote was taken on the motion to cancel DurHamFest 2020 and that was passed without opposition.

Dee, KU4GC, DurHamFest Chair: 4/8/20

April 7 Program: DFMA Meeting on the Air

What's going on with DFMA events? Until outbreak conditions improve, the DFMA will not be having in-person meetings. Fortunately, our hobby supports communicating from a distance. Instead of our usual monthly meeting at Bullock's, we'll have a special net. The net will be at 7pm on April 7th, our usual meeting time, on the linked 145.45- and 147.225+ repeaters (both have a PL tone of 82.5). You can also check-in over the Internet via Echolink/SVXLink to the WR4AGC-R node. The format of the net will be check-ins (in place of our usual introductions), officer reports (including a special discussion about DurHamFest), and a rag chew round table discussion.

Jack, KM4MBG, 4/3/20

Joseph P. Fields, KF4QYY, sk

Image courtesy of
Holloway Memorial Funeral Home

6/28/57 - 11/20/19
Joseph, KF4QYY, passed away on 11/29/2019 at the age of 62. He grew up in Durham, earned a law degree and worked as a tax consultant. Joseph first became a ham in 1997 and held a General class license. He was a DFMA member from 1997 to 2008 and served as DurHamFest chair for several years. He frequented the DFMA repeaters and was a regular on the DFMA Thursday Night Net. He will be fondly remembered for his upbeat presence on the air.

Dee, KU4GC, 2/26/20

February 4 Program: Software Defined Radios

Jack Hill, KM4MBG will be talking about software defined radios. Join the crowd for this timely topic as well as some good food and excellent company.

Dee, KU4GC; 2/1/20

SAVE the DATE: DurHanFest 2020 to be on May 30

DurHamFest will be a week later this year. For many years it was held on Memorial Day Weekend. A new policy of the Durham Public School system forbids the rental of the facility on holiday weekends. This is to make sure that DPS employees are not pressured to give up an extended weekend to work to open the facility.

The facilities coordinator asked if we would like to try for the weekend before or the weekend after Memorial Day. Since we did not want to compete with the Dayton hamfest, we requested the weekend after. Today our application was approved.

More on DurHamFest soon.

Dee, KU4GC; 1/7/20

January 7 Program: Show and Tell

Here's a chance to show off your Christmas gift. Or maybe there's something else of interest to share. Tuesday we will have the always fun and informative Show and Tell. Plan on spending about 5 minutes talking about it.

Dee, KU4GC; 1/5/20