The Southeastern VHF Society (SVHFS) holds a Technical Conference once a year. The goal of the conference is to raise the technical level of amateurs by providing a forum for presenting technical papers relating to VHF, UHF, and Microwave, to provide a focal point for discussions on operating practices and procedures, on exploration of modes such as EME, MS, FAI, E-skip and other topics that promote operation on Amateur bands above 50MHz. Annual membership in the society is extended as a benefit of attending the conference.

In August, 2010 the Southeastern Repeater Association's (SERA) Repeater Journal highlighted the SVHFS 2010 Conference that was held at Morehead State University in 2010. The article was written by John Farler, K4AVX, and provides additional information. For a look at the article, follow this link.

The SVHFS conducts an antenna competition at each year's conference, where homebrew antennas are judged for performance. More information is available here.

The officers and the board of directors are pleased to announce the 2012 conference will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 20 and 21, 2012. This year's conference leadership team is lead by co-chairman Bill Fisher, W4GRW and Guy Tittman, W4NUS.

The Carolina DX Association is hosting the 2012 SVHFS Charlotte Conference, and welcomes everyone to the Carolinas and Charlotte.

The 2012 SVHFS Conference has been approved as an ARRL Operating Specialty Convention

The Details

Friday Luncheon

This year we are pleased to announce ARRL President Kay Craigie N3KN, will be our guest speaker for Friday’s luncheon. First licensed in 1983, Kay has been a Volunteer Examiner for more than 20 years. In 1986, she became ARRL Section Manager for Eastern Pennsylvania, in 1990 she became Atlantic Division Vice Director. Six years later, she became Atlantic Division Director, in 2006 she was elected First Vice President, in 2010 she was elected to President of ARRL.

On the air, Kay enjoys DXing - that’s what attracted her to ham radio in the first place - award-hunting, and contesting. She is no stranger to VHF, where she holds VUCC on 6 meters. On HF she has earned 5BDXCC (endorsed for 12, 17, and 30 meters), the DXCC Challenge award, WAZ, and WAE Class 1 CW. She enjoys digital modes such as RTTY and PSK31, as well as CW and phone.

Saturday Dinner Banquet

We are pleased to announce that Dr Joseph Taylor, K1JT will be our Dinner Banquet speaker. Joe attended and spoke at the 2006 SVHFS Greenville conference.

Dr Joe Taylor, K1JT is an American astrophysicist and Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics for his discovery of a new type of pulsar that opened up new possibilities for the study of gravitation. Joe Taylor first obtained his Amateur Radio license as a teenager, which led him to the field of radio astronomy. Taylor is well known for his contributions to Amateur Radio the field of weak signal communication.

His Amateur Radio feats have included mounting an 'expedition' in April 2010 to use the Arecibo Radio Telescope to conduct moon bounce communication with Amateurs around the world using voice, Morse Code, and digital communications.

Joe has invented weak signal protocols such as WSJT "Weak Signal Communication, by K1JT”, JT65 and WSPR "Weak Signal Propagation Reporter" that utilize computer-generated messages in conjunction with radio transceivers to communicate over long distances with other amateur radio operators. These protocols are useful for passing short messages via non-traditional radio communications methods, such as moon bounce and meteor scatter and other low signal-to-noise ratio paths. It is also useful for extremely long-distance contacts using very low power transmissions.

Lodging

• Complimentary 24-hour shuttle to Charlotte International Airport, (CLT)
• Shuttle service to LYNX Light Rail Station
• 173 guest rooms and suites
• TreeTops Café and Lounge
• In-room dining
• 24-hour fitness center
• 24-hour business center
• High speed Internet access
• Outdoor pool and courtyard
• Complimentary parking

Family Programs and Activities

Charlotte is home to many outstanding attractions.

Billy Graham Library

The immaculate grounds of the Billy Graham Library are a beauty to behold, with flower gardens and a quiet setting providing the perfect place to enjoy North Carolina’s natural landscape.

Reminiscent of Billy Graham’s upbringing on a dairy farm on the outskirts of Charlotte, the building is styled after a dairy barn. Built on the same property as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the Billy Graham Library is situated on 20 landscaped acres only a mile from our host hotel. More than 540,000 visitors have been through the Library since its opening in 2007. After your tour, stop by the The Graham Brothers Dairy Barn for a taste of Mama Graham’s original recipe for chicken salad or other fresh sandwiches, salads, cookies, and ice cream.

US National Whitewater Center

The U.S. National Whitewater Center is an outdoor recreation facility set on the banks of the Catawba River featuring over 400 acres of woodlands, home to the world's largest recirculation river, 14 miles of biking, hiking and running trails, and one of the world's largest outdoor climbing facilities. A variety of activities including, whitewater rafting, climbing, flatwater kayaking, whitewater kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, mega zip, climb 2 zip, adventure course, canyon crossing, eco trekking and mountain biking are all available. The Canopy Tour is the newest addition to the many activities at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. The Canopy Tour is a guided experience through the trees and along the Catawba River and portions of the Historic Tuckaseegee Ford and Trail.

NASCAR Hall of Fame

You can do it all at the Hall! The NASCAR Hall of Fame in Uptown Charlotte, is a 150,000-square-foot interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR.

This high-tech venue is designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike. You'll marvel at historic cars and have the opportunity to learn first hand about the various degrees of banking at race tracks across the country. From there, you'll spend time playing with over 50 interactive exhibits and viewing the most impressive collection of historical memorabilia. You'll also witness memorable tributes to the legends that shaped the sport and lots to engage visitors of all ages and interest.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Minutes away in the nearby town of Belmont, the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, the “Carolinas' Garden for All Seasons” is located. Come find out why HGTV named Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden one of the nation's "20 Great Gardens" and why USA TODAY says the Garden is one of the nation's best places to "welcome fall with a flourish." Committed to the best in Southern horticulture, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is a must-see for all ages.