"I have no interest in studying something as foreign as radio and electrical theory, and I certainly don't want to take and exam." These are the words that Virginia Enzor would say to her brothers when they suggested that she get her Amateur Radio license. Today Virginia holds an Amateur Extra class license and serves as Emergency Coordinator for Central Carolina Skywarn.

Virginia, NC4VA and daughter Courtney, KI4HOS are active hams with Raleigh Amateur Radio Society (RARS)

First licensed as KG4PFA in September 2001 Virginia quickly got on the air with a radio supplied by her brother Robert Pierpoint, KG4BDX. She says that Robert played the "guilt card" by suggesting ham radio as a way to stay in touch with him and their brother Jim, W4CAD as well as their wives Beverly, N4BEV and Libby, KI4JWZ. Eventually Virginia earned her General class license and in July 2004 she earned her Amateur Extra license and changed her call to NC4VA.

Virginia's enthusiasm for Amateur Radio soon spread to her daughter Courtney. Playing the role of mentor, mom gave Courtney a Technician study manual and offered encouragement and guidance. Courtney, who is completing her Master's Degree in English at NC State, had no trouble with the material and passed her technician exam one day after reading the manual. With her new callsign, KI4HOS, Courtney is active in many public service events and serves as Net Control on the Carolina 440 Net.

Courtney says that her mother was her mentor and that she also received a lot of encouragement from her Uncle Robert, KG4BDX and another friend Randy Bittle, KE4PNT.

Virginia and Courtney are both members of the Raleigh Amateur Radio Society (RARS) and Virginia has served as Secretary for the club.

As an ARRL Special Service Club RARS is very active and monthly meetings have over 60 members of the 275 member roster in attendance. In addition to various on air activities like HF, VHF and UHF nets, RARS has licensing classes and Morse code classes as well as regularly scheduled exam sessions for those people who want to earn their Amateur Radio license or upgrade their existing license. The club has a long list of Elmers to help new hams get active.

As with most active clubs, ARRL Field Day is a much anticipated event for RARS where members come out to have fun, socialize and get on the air. The club also sponsors a hamfest and ARRL Section Convention. With a 100,000 square foot indoor venue it is the largest hamfest in the Piedmont area.

Courtney, KI4HOS operates from the home station that she shares with her mother, Virginia, NC4VA.

In addition to net activity and Field Day, RARS members can participate in the RARS HF Challenge. Virginia says "The HF Challenge is a fun competition among club members to encourage operation on the HF bands." For members that don't have HF privileges the club encourages on air activity by offering an award for those that work 64 club members through the club repeater on 146.64 MHz. The award is called the 64 on .64 Award. The .64 machine is one of three repeaters owned and operated by RARS.

Virginia and Courtney are active from a neatly appointed home station as well as in the car and with hand held radios. Their home station is capable of operation on frequencies on the HF, VHF and UHF Amateur bands. Although the antennas are restricted to the attic, Virginia has made contact with several DX countries as well as 48 of the 50 United States. "I am still looking for those elusive Delaware and Idaho contacts." says Virginia.

ARRL is committed to support Affiliated Clubs in their efforts to mentor new hams. [Full Story]

Courtney is active on the air talking to friends and participating in various nets where she often has duties as Net Control. She is also a trained Skywarn spotter and is active with Central Carolina Skywarn. Courtney says "Like most folks, the more involved I become with the hobby, the more I want to upgrade.", as she plans on upgrading to General after she finishes her education.

Virginia and Courtney are having a lot of fun with Amateur Radio. Their enthusiastic participation in many events and activities has helped many new hams in the Raleigh area become part of a healthy and active Amateur community. Not bad for someone who said that she would never study for a radio license.

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