News & Announcements
K4AMG SK
THANK YOU to everyone who has supported our mentoring efforts.
It is with great sorrow, we announce the K4AMG Memorial Amateur Radio Club,Inc., will be disestablished as of December 31, 2020. Since 2006, our club has mentored students in electronics and wireless communications in Chesapeake, VA. We began mentoring at the Chesapeake Center for Science and Technology and finished at Great Bridge High School. At our recent 2020 annual Board of Directors meeting we were unable to fill vacant Broad of Directors and most officer positions.
At the same time, the Great Bridge High School Amateur Radio Club (W4GBH - “the Mars Generation”) is being disestablished, as the school is not interested in our mentoring program. We have introduced many students to amateur radio and broadcast technologies and have many success stories.
Over the years we had been looking to the stars, fund raising for our students to fabricate, test, and launch an amateur radio satellite that would orbit the earth. The satellite was to carry the W4GBH call sign. It would have been one of the few high schools in space! Our students and amateur radio operators around the world would have be able to communicate over it. These satellites are called “OSCARS” - Orbiting Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio. Many of our students have communicated through OSCAR Satellites. We made many pitches to principals, teachers, school board members, and others in the city of Chesapeake – most showed very little or no interest in supporting our mentoring program.
The funds raised for the satellite project will now be distributed as part of our closer and to satisfy the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for distribution of assets to other non-profit organizations with similar missions. These organizations have supported K4AMG and will receive funds and/or equipment:
Radio Club of America (RCA)
Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL)
The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation – North America (AMSAT – NA)
USS Wisconsin Amateur Radio Club, Inc.
Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR)
The K4AMG portable SATCOM Station was donated to the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group – K4LRG for STEM youth activities.
The K4AMG hand held SATCOM station was donated to the Scout Venture Crew 80 National Capital Area - W3BSA
Classroom amateur radio equipment and spare radios will be donated to the Radio Club of America for youth activities.
The W4GBH repeater is currently in a “limbo status” - held up buy the bureaucracy in the city of Chesapeake, WHRO – Public Radio and TV, and other factors. Hopefully there will be end with good results.
Happy QSO to You
by Richard Siff, W4BUE
Composed in 2012
(Sing to the tune from “The Roy Rogers Show” theme song "Happy Trails to You")
Happy QSOs to you, until we meet again.
Happy QSOs to you, "keep smiling", until then.
Who cares about the propagation when we are QSOing together? Just sing our Happy Song brings in the DX better Happy QSOs to you, 'til we meet again.
Some QSOs are happy ones, Others are blue.
It's the way you rag chew that counts. Here is a happy QSO song for you.
Happy QSOs to you, until we meet again.
Happy QSOs to you, "keep smiling", until then.
Who cares about the propagation when we are QSOing together? Just sing our Happy Song bring in the DX better Happy QSOs to you, 'til we meet again. Happy QSOs to you, 'til we meet again.
73 & 88s
"DAB GUMITANOTHER MISSED QSO, QRM, QSB, QRN, AND ME"
by Richard Siff, W4BUE
Composed in 2012
(Sing to the tune from “The Roy Rogers Show” theme song "Happy Trails to You")
Happy QSOs to you, until we meet again.
Happy QSOs to you, "keep smiling", until then.
Who cares about the propagation when we are QSOing together? Just sing our Happy Song brings in the DX better Happy QSOs to you, 'til we meet again.
Some QSOs are happy ones, Others are blue.
It's the way you rag chew that counts. Here is a happy QSO song for you.
Happy QSOs to you, until we meet again.
Happy QSOs to you, "keep smiling", until then.
Who cares about the propagation when we are QSOing together? Just sing our Happy Song bring in the DX better Happy QSOs to you, 'til we meet again. Happy QSOs to you, 'til we meet again.
73 & 88s
"DAB GUMITANOTHER MISSED QSO, QRM, QSB, QRN, AND ME"
W4GBH GOTA Net Retired
The W4GBH Get On The Air Net held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 P.M. will be decommissioned on October 1, 2020. Many of the students who were running the net have graduated. COVID-19 prevents us from working with new students to replace the graduates. As such, the net is retired for now.
Congratulations to Connor Black, W4IPC, on Winning the Young Hams Lend a Hand Contest
Connor is a 17 year old amateur radio operator. He was first licensed in 2018 and spoke at the Dayton hamvention youth forum in 2019. He has been instrumental in helping the members of the Great Bridge High school Amateur Radio club get licensed and get on the air.
Connor is an avid contester and DXer and has been helping get High school students interested in contesting and DX chasing. He has also paired up with Remote Ham Radio to expand remote ham radio stations in schools and colleges for youth to operate from anywhere in the world. He has been a pioneer in this endeavor by using his own home station as the first remote youth only station for him and his friends to use.
Connor is very big into contesting, mostly operating CW and SSB. Most recently with a team that included several youth friends, operated M/M remote from Maine and set a new US record and possibly won 1st place in the world for the CQWPX SSB contest.
He has also invited youth to his home station in the past to compete in the Virginia QSO party. As well as inviting youth over to operate contests, he has also brought a satellite station to his house and let his friends operate and make contacts on satellites. Connor has, along with some friends started a contest called WWSAC Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest that is only 1 hour long and gives more points for working youths and YLs.
Connor will be graduating high school this year and hopes to finish his associates degree and continue on to finish his bachelors degree at Virginia Tech.
Connor is an avid contester and DXer and has been helping get High school students interested in contesting and DX chasing. He has also paired up with Remote Ham Radio to expand remote ham radio stations in schools and colleges for youth to operate from anywhere in the world. He has been a pioneer in this endeavor by using his own home station as the first remote youth only station for him and his friends to use.
Connor is very big into contesting, mostly operating CW and SSB. Most recently with a team that included several youth friends, operated M/M remote from Maine and set a new US record and possibly won 1st place in the world for the CQWPX SSB contest.
He has also invited youth to his home station in the past to compete in the Virginia QSO party. As well as inviting youth over to operate contests, he has also brought a satellite station to his house and let his friends operate and make contacts on satellites. Connor has, along with some friends started a contest called WWSAC Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest that is only 1 hour long and gives more points for working youths and YLs.
Connor will be graduating high school this year and hopes to finish his associates degree and continue on to finish his bachelors degree at Virginia Tech.
Congratulations to Audrey Strite – KN4CHI of Stephens City, VA. Youth Plaque winner Virginia QSO Party
Join Our New Social Net on Saturdays at 11 a.m.
Today, 28 Mar 2020, we had our first "experimental" social net on the K4AMG repeater. We had a nice turnout with 13 folks with Rich, W4BUE, serving as net control. During these hard times of social distancing, this is a good way to reach out to others and just rag chew and share your thoughts. Please join us on Saturdays at 11 a.m. on the W4AMG repeater on 145.15 MHz, PL tone 103.5 Hz.
Our Youth Participate in the Virginia QSO Party!
Andrew Wright, KN4YGE (2nd from left in back row) and Aaron Gomez, KN4MVN (3rd from left in back row) both participated in the Virginia QSO party this weekend (21-22 March, 2020). According to Andrew, they made several stateside contacts and at least one DX contact (Canada). Well done, guys and good to see you actively participating in activities and getting on the bands!
Aaron, KN4MVN, working the Virginia QSO party from Andrew's, KN4YGE, station! Aaron and Andrew worked together from Andrew's station for the event.
Aaron calling CQ for the Virginia QSO Party.
Congratulations for Accomplishments!
Congratulations to Andrew Wright, KN4YGE, on his upgrade from Tech to General. Andrew took his test at the FrostFest in Richmond back in February. Several members of the BOD worked with Andrew to get him successfully on the air. Great job, Andrew and we hope to hear you on the air soon.
We also congratulate Russell Stewart, KO4CNI, on getting his Technician license at the VE Session held at the school on 3 March, 2020. Great job, Russell and we can't wait to hear you on the air. (Picture to the left is Russell receiving his signed CSCE from Ed Williams, KN4KL.) The VE team consisted of Ed, Butch KE4AZL, Don KE4RMO, Rich W4BUE and Duane KJ4YKG.
We also congratulate Russell Stewart, KO4CNI, on getting his Technician license at the VE Session held at the school on 3 March, 2020. Great job, Russell and we can't wait to hear you on the air. (Picture to the left is Russell receiving his signed CSCE from Ed Williams, KN4KL.) The VE team consisted of Ed, Butch KE4AZL, Don KE4RMO, Rich W4BUE and Duane KJ4YKG.
We have digital in de house!
The station at Great Bridge High School, W4GBH, now has digital capability. Don, KE4RMO and Connor, W4IPC installed the WSJT-X software on the computer which now enables the station to receive, decode and send on various digital modes including FT8 and FT4. Having these digital modes will enable the students using the station far more flexibility in making contacts around the world.
Connor Black, W4IPC, working FT8 at W4GBH station.
First contact using FT8 at W4GBH station.
NASA Day at Slover Library
K4AMG was invited to participate in NASA Day at Slover Library, Norfolk, VA on August 9, 2019. The club displayed a CubeSat Simulator curtesy of AMSAT, amateur radio satellite communications, HF operations using a remote setup, and contacting with Continuous Wave (CW).
Check the link to see a presentation of the event developed by Slover Library.
Check the link to see a presentation of the event developed by Slover Library.
K4AMG Youth (Left to Right): Aaron, KN4MVN; Connor, K4IPC; and Nick, KN4OKP and one "Old Man". Hi Ed!
Herman Munster on Ham Radio:
The Munsters, "If a Martian Answers, Hang Up", Season 1, Episode 18, 21 January 1965, Universal Studios
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Talk to us on the K4AMG Repeater
145.15 MHz
minus (-) 600 Hz Offset
Tone 103.5 Hz
Yaesu System Fusion Capable
Chesapeake, VA
Join in the W4GBH Get-On-The-Air Youth Net
Tuesday's (Analog FM) and Thursday's (System Fusion/WiresX) at 6:30 P.M.
(Check out Repeater Operations under Club Projects)
145.15 MHz
minus (-) 600 Hz Offset
Tone 103.5 Hz
Yaesu System Fusion Capable
Chesapeake, VA
Join in the W4GBH Get-On-The-Air Youth Net
Tuesday's (Analog FM) and Thursday's (System Fusion/WiresX) at 6:30 P.M.
(Check out Repeater Operations under Club Projects)
Morgan, KN4RXI working her new Technician license.
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Testing Session Awards A New Tech and GeneralA testing session conducted at Great Bridge High School on January 23rd, resulted in the awarding of a new Technician and General license. Morgan, KN4RXI (pictured left), received her Technician license and Aaron, KN4MVN (shown below), is now working the General bands.
Morgan is a 12 year old student at Churchland Middle School. She received a lot of training and operational experience from her Dad who is the Secretary and Director of K4AMG. She often checked into our evening Youth net with her Dad. It was no surprise when she took over as net control right after getting her call sign. She did a great job. Aaron is anxious to get on the General bands. The club is working on getting him a loaner HF rig. You should be hearing him soon. |
W4GBH Receives Transceiver from W4AQL
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The W4GBH Great Bridge High School Amateur Radio Club has received a donation of a Yaesu FT-1000D 200W HF all mode transceiver from W4AQL Georgia Tech Amateur Radio Club (GTARC). This transceiver is taunted by Yaesu as being the "The Best of the Best". This transceiver has been the choice of many DXers for years.
Our Connor, W4IPC and his family drove to the campus in Atlanta, GA and met with members of the GTARC were they transferred the rig to Connor. K4AMG will take responsibility for the rig and insure its proper use at Great Bridge High School. Many thanks go out to Philip Lucius, KJ4IQA, President, Bruce Yang, KN8U, Vice President/Secretary and to the members of the Georgia Tech club for this donation. Check out the Georgia Tech club at www.w4aql.gtorg.gatech.edu/ . So how did Georgia Tech get involved with K4AMG? We must thank Connor for that. All he did was Get On The Air. Connor has taken his General license seriously. He is often heard on any band that is open making DX contacts, contesting, or just plain old rag chewing. In particular, his turning of the dial brought him across a group called the Young Amateurs Radio Club (www.yarc.world and www.n0ssc.com). It was through this group that he connected with the Georgia Tech club. The rest is history. This only goes to show that Youth are active on the bands. Get your license and go out and find them. Posted: December 2018 |
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K4AMG Youth Take Over The WFOS Studios
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On Wednesday, August 29th, K4AMG was invited to tour the WFOS studios. Five of our youth took part in the tour--Xavier, KN4IPE; Connor, W4IPC; Aaron, KN4MVN; Tyler, KN4JRC; and Jacob. We were greeted by Karl Doherty, the disc jockey for the “The Hall of Fame” show. Karl discussed the station and some of its history. He led them into the control booth where he described the workings of the equipment and how the music and spots are controlled. He showed them how spots such as “On this day in history” are prepared, had them build a spot, and then encouraged them to read it on the air. They all took him up and you can hear them in the brief videos below. We completed the tour with lunch at Wendy’s. What a great day. Listen live to WFOS, 88.7 FM. Find a link to WFOS on our "Amateur Radio Links" page.
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Nick Is Now KN4OKP
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K4AMG announces our newest Technician. Congratulations to Nick, KN4OKP on passing his Technician license. He is seen here with President Duane receiving his radio at the Virginia Beach Court House. You can't get more official than that.
(Posted: August 31, 2018) |
K4AMG Demonstrates Basic Electronics To Our Youth
The club has four summer visits to local libraries planned to introduce our youth to electronics using our Squishy Dough and CW demonstration. The four libraries located in Chesapeake and the dates are:
- Major Hillard July 11, 2018 @ 2:30 P.M.
- Russell Memorial July 17, 2018 @ 11:00 A.M.
- Central July 17, 2018 @ 2:00 P.M.
- Greenbrier August 2, 2018 @ 2:30 P.M.
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Major Hillard Visit
July 11 2018 |
K4AMG Youth participate in Field Day
A hardy K4AMG Thank You to The Virginia Beach Amateur Radio Club (VBARC) for inviting us to their field day event at Great Neck Park in Virginia Beach. Four K4AMG youth participated. Connor, W4IPC; Xavier, KN4IPE; Aaron, KN4MVN; and Tyler; KN4JRC manned the Get On The Air (GOTA) station on Saturday, June 23, 2018. The club showed the new hams a great time. They all made contacts, learned from the control operator Bill, KC2DLR, and feasted on a dinner provided by the club. Thank you John, WB4AY, President of VBARC and the beach club for a great time.
WAVY TV 10 had a reporter on the scene. Tyler was manning the station and he was one of the featured operators on her report that was televised on Tuesday, June 26, 2018. Good job Tyler.
Posted: June 27, 2018
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Tyler, KN4JRC, was featured in a WAVY 10 TV interview by Kara Dixon. You would think he has been doing this for years. Great spokesman for our hobby.
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Appreciation Day
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The club held its first ever Appreciation Day on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Pirate's Cove Restaurant in Chesapeake. The club members were recognized for their commitment to the club, but we also took the time to recognize 4 friends of the club who have been there when we needed them. Certificates of Appreciation were given to Ed Williams, KN4KL, Butch Burke, KE4AZL, Glenn James, NV4NV, and James Morgan, NA3Z. Our founder Rich, W4BUE, followed up with special certificates to the members and others that have given so much to the club. Members, guests, and their wives enjoyed a beautiful day, a good meal, good company, and a healthy dose of comradeship. Thanks to all who attended.
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I worked the Virginia QSO Party over the weekend and I was pleased to run into some youthful operators. Our very own Connor, KN4IPC worked it at our founder's Rich, W4BUE station. (See picture at right).
I also had the pleasure of working Lacy, W4LCY. Lacy is a young eight year-old lady who has her General license and was doing quit well I may add. Check out the short video below and see for yourself. Another young lady was Audrey, KN4CHI. It looks like we will have some competition this year for the Youth Plaque our club sponsors. It makes my heart feel good knowing there are youth ready to take over the hobby we all love.
(Posted: March 22, 2018)
I also had the pleasure of working Lacy, W4LCY. Lacy is a young eight year-old lady who has her General license and was doing quit well I may add. Check out the short video below and see for yourself. Another young lady was Audrey, KN4CHI. It looks like we will have some competition this year for the Youth Plaque our club sponsors. It makes my heart feel good knowing there are youth ready to take over the hobby we all love.
(Posted: March 22, 2018)
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Lacy, W4LCY works the Virginia QSO Party.
(Posted: March 22, 2018) |
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We also gained another young Technician over this past week. Let's all bring our hands together and applaud Martin Powell, KN4KTI. Martin has been working with the W4GBH Radio club over the past two years. He is also in the school's ROTC program so he has to juggle his time between the radio club and ROTC drill. He'll be receiving his radio in the near future so get ready to welcome our newest ham.
(Posted: March 22, 2018) |
Martin Powell, KN4KTI. Senior at Great Bridge High School makes Technician.
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Tyler, KN4JRC, receives his radio at the USS Wisconsin Radio Club meeting on Saturday, February 10, 2018.
(Posted: February 15, 2018) |
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On Thursday, February 1, 2018, Tyler attended an exam session conducted by the Virginia Beach Amateur Radio Club and passed his Technician test. Great job Tyler. Ed, KW4GF, has been mentoring Tyler since September last year. A lot of hard work by Tyler has paid off. We should know his call sign late in the week of February 4th. He will be receiving his K4AMG radio at the USS Wisconsin Radio Club meeting on Saturday, February 10th.
(Posted February 8, 2018) |
Tyler building keyer kit.
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On Saturday, January 20, 2018, Ed (KN4KL), Butch (KE4AZL), John (KM4LGD), and myself (KJ4YKG) conducted a work party at the QTH of Jim ( WB4UBD) to lower and disassemble two towers and their antenna arrays. Jim has donated his complete radio shack to K4AMG. He is truly a special person. The club wishes Jim a huge Thank You and Good Luck!
(Posted January 21, 2018) |
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K4AMG is starting up a Get-On-The-Air Youth net. This net will be Wednesday and Friday on the K4AMG repeater starting at 7:00 P.M. ET. and feature our new Technicians from Great Bridge High School. This net is designed to train our new hams in the operation of a control net. It is scheduled to be on the air through February but may continue based upon interest. See you on the air.
(Posted: January 16, 2018) |
W4GBH Get On The Air Net
Please Check In Now.
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Our new hams received their K4AMG radios Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at the Great Bridge High School Amateur Radio Club meeting. Presenting the radios was Mr. Jeff Johnson, Principal Great Bridge High. Also in attendance was Ms. Karen Black, Vice Principal Great Bridge High. Check out the Great Bridge High page (School Projects, Great Bridge HS) for more information.
(Posted 01/04/2018) |
Left to Right: Mr. Johnson, Connor Black, KN4IPC, Xavier Coté, KN4IPE, Wanita Green, KN4IPD, and Duane Ettwein, KJ4YKG.
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This is not new but it is a "Blast from the Past" announcement. Bill, N3WM, our club treasurer was leafing through his new ARRL Antenna Handbook that Santa brought him and when, what to his wondering eyes should appear, but a picture of our Founder, Rich, W4BUE with Kristina too. This photo was taken during a School Club Roundup at Chesapeake Center for Science and Technology in 2008. Kristina was one of our first K4AMG youth who attended the Radio Broadcasting class at the school. This was in the heyday of the school. The class is no longer taught. How sad. (Posted: December 29, 2017) |
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We have fun giving and mentoring our youth, but the real satisfaction comes when you know a project works. A Thank You can be the vehicle to provide that satisfaction. Now we have solid proof that a project is working, and the recipient appreciates our efforts. Last August your club presented a grant to Zechariah, WX4TVJ, and Faith Hannah, AE4FH, Lea to assist them in the purchase of course books to pursue college level courses. It worked. We received a Thank You card from Zechariah and Faith Hannah and by the look of it, they have done excellent work. Check out the card and be proud of our success.
(Posted: 12/20/2017) |
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The club now has a PayPal account and it can now accept donations using PayPal or any major credit card. I understand this is not a technology breakthrough but it is new for this Old Man (OM) and our website. Check it out. Look under the "Donate" tab. Oh look, there is one to the right as well. Isn't technology great? And don't forget to take your tax deduction. K4AMG is certified by the IRS as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Happy Holidays!
Posted: 12/17/2017 |
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Our founder, Richard Siff, W4BUE, has been working with other members the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) on a proposal to develop a CubeSat simulator. His outstanding contribution to this work was recognized by AMSAT at their 2017 Reno National Convention by presenting him with a certificate of recognition supporting AMSAT Educational Relations. Members like Richard demonstrate the quality of mentoring K4AMG has to offer the youth in our community. Well done Rich. (Posted: 12/5/2017)
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Carissa Ferguson, KJ4EZA and Carole Perry, WB2MGP at the 2017 RCA Technical Symposium.
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Carissa Ferguson, KJ4EZA, presented "Robots and Radio" at the 2017 RCA Technical Symposium. This brief compared amateur radio and robotics and how they complement each other within each field. To demonstrate this, she designed and built simple and inexpensive microprocessors, as well as additional circuits, to control a wide range of tasks and functions seen in robotics and amateur radio.
Carissa is no stranger to K4AMG. She was the winner of the 2016 Virginia QSO Party, Youth Plaque sponsored by K4AMG. Carissa enjoys exploring and experimenting with all aspects of amateur radio as well as participating in robotics with her high school team. She plans on pursuing a career in biomedical engineering upon graduation from high school. Do you think she knows how to integrate a hobby into a career? That is what the Mars Generation does. (Posted: 12/4/2017) |
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A little youthful play? Not for these two K4AMG youth. Watch and see how Hope, KM4IPF and Grace, KM4TXT make their first contact on AMSAT's new Fox-1B (AO-91) satellite. Hope, Grace, and family now live in Florida. (Posted: 11/24/2017)
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