[Fourlanders] History of the Fourlanders

[Sherman Banks]

 From the June 1994 Southeastern DX Club Newsletter:

The Club was organized in late 1982, early 1983 for the express purpose 
of building an organization devoted to competing favorably in VHF radio 
contests. The core startup group was initially approached by Ron,
(WB4NMA then, now AB4RU), who had been heavily involved in previous years.

The first major problem to be overcome was the lack of funds to obtain 
necessary antennas, towers, rotators, etc. for club use. With only a 
limited number of members, this resulted in membership dues in the $50 - 
$100 per year range for several years. As a result, the membership never 
grew.

Regardless, the core group pressed on. As can be imagined, the amount of 
work involved in putting on a strong effort was enormous in and of itself.

The operating site for the first several years was on Oglethorpe 
Mountain, near Jasper, Georgia in EM74. With the elevation at this 
location at just over 3000' ASL, the club never was considered a true 
national competitor.
Winning the Southeastern Division wasn't a problem, but obtaining top 
ten ranking nationally among multiop stations was.

In 1984-5, a much improved site (within reasonable driving distance), 
Mount Toxaway in extreme southwestern North Carolina, became available 
to the group. The elevation here was just over 4700' ASL, offered good 
facilities and accommodations. It was clearly a major improvement in 
terms of location. In fact, it was from this site that the group was 
able to capture its one and only national multiop first place, the 1986 
ARRL September QSO Party. Unfortunately, within another year the 
availability of the Toxaway site was withdrawn.

The next and current contesting site the group uses is Roan Mountain in 
northwestern North Carolina on the Tennessee border. The elevation here 
is 6600' ASL, and again offers reasonably good facilities and excellent
access.

The group has gone through a lot of activities over the years, but has 
never grown. In an effort to expand its membership, the dues have been 
lowered to a more reasonable fee, the club's constitution and bylaws 
have been rewritten. This has been done to make membership for the 
interested Amateur more affordable and much easier to obtain.

The club is currently considering the establishment of a training 
program for new Amateurs in the art of radio contesting, along with 
developing other methods of fund raising in order that operations be 
properly supported.

The club will continue to strive to remain a serious VHF contest 
competitor on a national basis. This plan will be implemented by good 
leadership and safe practices. The club is ARRL affiliated and carries a 
one million dollar liability policy for the protection of itself and its 
members.

Officers for 1994: President, Ron, AB4RU. Secretary, Charles, WD4MBK. 
Treasurer, Jim, N3AHI.