March 2023 – HamGab

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Secretary’s Beat – Meeting Minutes

Hamfesters Club Meeting Feb. 3, 2023 at 7:45 pm This meeting was both Zoom, and in person.
Please check Hamfesters. org for news updates.

Roll: Nora kc9mlv, Jim w9jpv, Kurt wb9fmc, Patti kc9lye
22 members attended; 5 on Zoom, 1 visitor Paul n9pjk, Welcome Paul, welcome everyone.

President’s Report: by Nora kc9mlv, Thanks, to Kurt wb9fmc, & Mike wa9zpm, for hooking up and running Zoom.

Health & Wellfare: Gregg ab9mz, (on Zoom) is being treated for Cancer, and so is his Mom.
All our best for their improved health.

Minutes: The Jan. club minutes were approved by Steve w9kxt, & Al n9zd.

Treasurer’s Report: by Kurt wb9fmc, the club gave South Bridge church a donation, we have our club meetings here since summer 2022. And, since 2018 Field Day too. We have PayPal connected to our club accounts. We have tickets & flyers for Hamfest Aug. 6, 2023. We have a new GOTO tent for Field Day.

Programs: Tonight Antennas by Kurt wb9fmc March Annual White Elephant sale, here in the gym. March 3, 6:30 pm. There will be tables.

Hamfest 2023: by Don kc9eqq, Aug. 6, We will try to find guest speakers.

New Business: by Patti kc9lye, Join hams, & their families at the All State Arena, March 19th 3 pm, for the Chicago Wolves hockey game.
Contact Pat n9jpv, fireworks.pat@gmail.com

Hamgab: by Gene w9png, Trying to make the club’s website more user friendly.

Adjournment: Gene w9png, & Don kc9eqq, 9:27 pm

Split the pot winner: Steve w9kxt

Door prize winners: Patti kc9lye, Carl wb9avw, Al n9zd, Bob n9kwg

CQ Field Day

Jim Riley W9JPR

The big news for this month is our new GOTA tent has been delivered. It’s a 10×20 pop-up with removeable sides. Granted it’s a lot smaller than the old one but it should be much easier to set up and will provide plenty of protection in bad weather. It’s still in the shipping box in my garage but we’re supposed have some relatively warm weather the next few days. That will allow me to open the box and check it out.

   I’m still in need of pictures from last year for my presentation in June. Please get them to me as soon as possible.

   Field Day is June 24-25 at SouthBridge Church in Orland Park. Setup begins at 0800 Saturday morning and operations begin at 1800Z or 1300 local.

Hamfest Ticket Sales

Jim Riley W9JPR

   Hamfest tickets were available at the February meeting and almost one ticket went out for sale. That is to say, no one picked up any tickets to sell. I hope to move a lot more at the White Elephant Sale.

   I was happy to see a bunch of flyers go out for distribution. That includes about 250 that John Swanson KB9FQB took to Hamcation in Orlando. If you’re traveling to hamfests, please make sure you have a bunch of flyers to pass out. They don’t do us any good sitting in a box in my basement.

General Meeting Security Update

Jim Riley W9JPR

At the request of Pastor Dean, the front door of our meeting place at SouthBridge Church will be kept secure before, during, and after our meetings. The door will be unlocked at 7 p.m. with someone posted there. It will be locked at 7:30. If you arrive after that time, you can call W9AA on 146.43 MHz or call Jim at 708-218-0695.

The new changes in Illinois law require this policy for the security of the facility and safety of all meeting attendees.

FOR SALE by Owner

ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program

from ARRL VEC VE Newsletter

The ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program went into effect on April 19, 2022. ARRL will cover the one-time $35 application fee for new license candidates younger than 18-years old for tests administered under the ARRL VEC program. The $35 FCC application fee will be reimbursed after the ARRL VEC receives the completed reimbursement form and the new license has been issued by the FCC. The reimbursement check will be mailed to the fee payer. Also, candidates younger than 18-years old would pay a reduced exam session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC VE team at the time of the exam. The $5 fee is for all candidates under the age of 18 regardless of the exam level taken. Proof of under 18 status is required at the session. Visit the ARRL website for the program instructions and reimbursement form at www.arrl.org/youth-licensing-grant-program<http://www.arrl.org/youth-licensing-grant-program>.

The ARRL Board approved the “Youth Licensing Grant Program” at its July 2021 meeting in Hartford, Connecticut, expanding on the scope of the original motion proposed by ARRL Southeastern Division Director Mickey Baker, N4MB. The new program will cover the $35 FCC license application fee for candidates younger than 18-years old. The Board believes that “the recruitment and training of young amateur radio operators is a necessary and proper mission of the ARRL, and that subsidization of the $35 fee will reduce the number of new amateurs that otherwise would be lost from these groups,” the Board said. Initially the new program would serve up to 1,000 new license applicants under 18 years old. The program length is indefinite; it may be renewed or terminated by the Administration and Finance Committee or by the Board of Directors. The motion carried with applause from Board members.

Hamfesters VE Testings

Important Note: Amateur Radio Exams

1. Bring 2 pencils for the answer sheet, and a Black ink ball point pen for the FCC VEC 605 form we provide.  (FCC registration form)
2. Exam Candidates: Prior to your arrival. You are REQUIRED to register in the FCC CORES system online and receive a FCC Registration Number (FRN) before exam day.
   Once you have obtained the FRN number, please bring it with you to the exam location. To apply for the FRN, please go here.>>>  https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do 
   Already Licensed? Please bring your Official Amateur License and Photo Copy of Your License. The FRN number is printed on your FCC License. (also found on the GMRS license if you have one) ALL Copies are filed with all testing materials. You will keep the originals. The FCC ULS CORES system must have a valid email address.  Otherwise you may not get your License.
   The FRN number is a requirement on the FCC 605 form we provide and your Exam answer sheet.
3. A fee of $15 dollars is charged for the examination. Payment is Cash ONLY — no credit cards or checks accepted.
4. Please bring a photo ID such as a Government Drivers License or US passport.
5. Exam location is at Oak Forest City Hall 15440 S. Central Ave. Oak Forest.  Enter through the Police Station Door and follow the ARRL EXAM Signs to the Exam Area.
6. Yes, You may bring your calculator, however you must demonstrate that all memories are erased.

NOTE:     Starting  April 19, 2022 the FCC $35.00 Amateur Application Fee Starts. This new fee will only apply to applicants for a new 10 year License, renewal, rule waiver or a new vanity call sign.  (The $35.00 Application Fee is non-refundable) There will be no charge for future License Upgrades or administrative updates, such as a change of mailing address or email address.

The New $35.00 Fee will NOT be collected by the VE’s (Volunteer Examiners). ALL Exam paperwork including exam fees, answer sheets and Form 605s are mailed to the ARRL-VEC headquarters.  If you passed your exam the ARRL-VEC will submit your information to the FCC. Once the FCC runs batch processing, they will email you the process to pay the $35.00 fee. (usually credit card) You will have Ten calendar days to pay per instructions giving by the FCC. If payment is properly transferred, the FCC will then email instructions to download your License.  You will have 30 days to download the Amateur license. 

Again, The FCC must have your valid email address in the ULS CORES system.

ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program starts on April 19, 2022

Anticipating the implementation of the fee in 2022, the ARRL Board of Directors, at its July 2021 meeting, approved the "ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program <https://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-board-establishes-program-to-cover-initial-fcc-license-fee-for-young-applicants>." Under the program, ARRL will cover a one-time $35 application fee for license candidates younger than 18 years old for tests administered under the auspices of the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (ARRL VEC). Qualified candidates also would pay a reduced exam session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC upon examination.

To give yourself practice on all the questions: Please click on the Website below that contains Exam Flash Cards Go to  >>>  https://hamexam.org/   Click on the Flash Cards for the Class of Exam you wish to study. You can also take the practice Exams found on the same Web Site. It’s free and a good practice prior to any Exam Session.

73’s   Al – N9ZD   VE examiner

Feburary 2022 Contest Calendar

From WA7BNM Contest Calendar Website

Club Information

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Disclaimer

Notice: Beginning with Feb 2021, all HamGab issues will be gluten and salt-free. This is part of my commitment to provide you with the healthiest and environmentally friendly reading possible. You will notice no degradation in image quality due to the clever design of the editor. If you choose to print HamGab we suggest you use low-fat, vegetarian-based ink in your printer.