Welcome to the Triangle East Amateur Radio Association, also known as TEARA!! TEARA was founded in 1989, and has become one of the more active Amateur Radio Clubs in North Carolina.

TEARA membership averages about 75 members annually, and its membership reflects a wide variety of interests. HF operation and contesting, DXing, home-brewing, vintage radio equipment construction and restoration, CW, VHF/UHF multimode operation and contesting, packet and computers, amateur radio classes, special events, repeaters, Field Day operation, club meetings, the Feedline newsletter and more provide much activity for the newcomer and seasoned amateur alike.

This publication will give you a brief look at many of the TEARA functions.

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

The TEARA general membership meeting is the third Tuesday of each month, at a rotating location. You can determine the current location meeting location by selecting the [MEETING] button on the main "Club Ino" menu. We call our meetings, "Eat'n Meet'ns". People start showing up about 6:30 pm, and the meeting starts at about 7:30 pm. There's no need to miss a meal if you can't show up on time...they can (and often do!) continue to serve during the meeting until about 8:30 pm.

About every meeting, after the business meeting, we have a program of general interest to Amateurs. We usually hold fund raising raffle at each meeting where the winner takes half the pot, and the club treasury gets the rest.

LICENSE CLASSES

About annually, TEARA holds license classes for new Amateurs. The classes are aimed at the Technician license, both code and no-code, and run one even per week for about 8 weeks. Several members volunteer to teach one or two nights each in areas of their own special interest. The success rate has been very high, and instructors are usually available for one-on-one instruction if someone gets "stuck" in some area of instruction.

There have also been two upgrade classes held and were met with much success... 25 General Class and 5 Technician + licensee’s have emerged with big smiles on their faces! More upgrade classes will be held based on membership input.

VOLUNTEER EXAMINERS

TEARA Volunteer Examiners are accredited through the ARRL VEC. They give examinations on each 3rd Saturday monthly at the Smithfield public library, and at the end of each TEARA licensing class. Exams at the Smithfield Public library are "walk-in," but exams after the Ham Radio classes usually require pre-registration.

TEARA began administering examinations in March of 1992, and over 1000 licenses and upgrades have been issued due to our efforts!

SPECIAL EVENTS

Nearly every year there are public events that give us an opportunity to set up an operating station and demonstrate Amateur Radio. TEARA has operated special event stations commemorating the birthplace/birthday of Actress Ava Gardner (born in Smithfield), at the famous Spivey's Corner Holler'n Contest, and an annual event on Bear Wallow Mountain for the June VHF contest.

VHF/UHF CONTESTS

In June, TEARA operates from high atop Bear Wallow Mountain in the ARRL VHF/UHF QSO Party. The event is set up in a Field Day type portable operation, complete with camping and cookouts.

TEARA operates many of the other VHF/UHF contests from one member or another's home. It is a good way to have a "get together" without all the hassle of moving equipment, traveling great distances, etc. Respectable scores have been placed by the locally held contest groups. In the spring of 1994, TEARA placed 1st in our division in the ARRL Spring VHF/UHF QSO party from the home of Joe Motola N8RQR of Zebulon.

TEARA has operated the ARRL UHF QSO party from the 147.39 tower site in Clayton. The UHF yagi's and verticals for 222 SSB, 223.50 FM, 432 SSB and 446.0 FM were installed near the top of the 200 foot tower. In 1994, TEARA placed 1st place in our division in the UHF contest.

TEARA competed in the IARU HF championship in 1994, and 100’s of contacts were made.

FIELD DAY

The last full weekend in June is the ARRL sponsored Field Day, and TEARA doesn't miss a one!. We have quite an operation, with several tents and several complete stations. Our group is contest oriented, but they're also looking to have a good time, too! They usually operate in the "A" category, which is all emergency powered, and at 150 watts or less. TEARA usually has a respectable score and placed in the upper 1/3 of all Field Day stations nationwide in 1994.

The 1995 Field Day operation was a joint venture between TEARA and our sister club to the north, Franklin County Amateur Radio Club (FCARC). There were over 120 people present over the weekend, and lots of fun was had by all. The scores were SOOOOO good, and SOOOO much fun was had, that we make this an annual event!

The 1996 Field Day operation was another joint venture between TEARA and FCARC. There were over 150 people present during the weekend. The scores were in the upper 1/4 for our catagory, and everyone had a blast!

The 1997 Field Day operation was...you guessed it...another venture between TEARA and FCARC. There were about 200 people present during the weekend. The scores were great! We placed 2nd in the state of NC for our category, and in the top 10% or the national listing for our catagory.

The Field Day operation is more of a social event. First-time operators and new licensees will find guidance and encouragement to jump in and learn the ropes. There is also a station set up by, and operated under the call sign of one of the Novice/Technician operators.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

The Christmas Party in December is a big family event, with lots of food and fun. This is usually a catered event. It's a time to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, and look forward to the coming year. Lots of fellowship and tales are shared by all.

NETS

There is a weekly TEARA net operated on the 147.39 repeater in Clayton, the 442.400 repeater in Zebulon, and the 147.30 repeater in Wilson. A club member acts as Net Control and runs the TEARA net every Tuesday night at 8:30 pm, except on meeting night.

Other nets come and go -- don't be surprised to hear special-interest nets on and off throughout the year. TEARA Nets have operated in the past on 75 meters, 10 meters, and 440. Want to start a net? Please do! Contact the President or one of the club officers for info more.

ARRL

TEARA is a Special Service Club of the American Radio Relay League. ARRL is the main national organization for all radio amateurs and provides information on all aspects of Amateur Radio in its monthly journal QST. ARRL is the main voice for Amateurs to the Federal Government and the FCC and seeks to preserve our position and frequencies at international conferences. You and TEARA can both benefit by joining ARRL. TEARA offers a special discount to TEARA members wishing to join OR renew their ARRL membership.

The League is a source of most reference books used by amateurs today including amateur license training material. Some of the publications are available locally, at amateur radio equipment dealers or at "Hamfests" occurring periodically throughout NC and nearby states. They are also available by direct mail from ARRL Headquarters in Newington, CT. ARRL also provides, by radio, news and other happenings of interest to the amateur community as well as Morse code practice.

As a league member you have the opportunity to vote for your league field staff. TEARA recommends you consider joining the league, with or without holding an Amateur Radio license.

REPEATERS

TEARA owns two 2 meter repeaters and there are several member owned systems on the air in the area. The 147.390 repeater in Clayton and the 147.30 repeater in Wilson are club owned and sponsored. Both repeaters have open autopatches, and several other features available to members. A linking system is under construction to link the club repeaters to many of the member owned systems, as well as other distant systems to increase coverage.

LINKING SYSTEM

Our 147.300 repeater in Wilson and 147.39 repeater in Clayton is linked to the 442.400 in Zebulon. Work is still underway on this link to improve link speed and audio quality. These repeaters are linked on a full time basis.

The second part of the linking system is completed and operational, allowing users of the 147.39 repeater in Clayton to work 10 meters via the 29.620 repeater in Wendell. Any holder of a technician class or higher license can work DX on the 10 meter repeater from 2 meters through the link. Work is underway to allow access to the 10 meter repeater from any of the 3 repeaters mentioned above.