September 2023 – HamGab

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Secretary’s Beat – Meeting Minutes

No minutes to report.

Hamfest Ticket Sales

Jim Riley W9JPR

   

I don’t know if it was the damp weather on Hamfest morning or the general trend of hamfests these days but ticket sales were down again this year. Despite that, the main room at the Will County Fairgrounds was full and I saw a lot of happy buyers walking past the east gate with their treasures, some multiple times. Everyone seemed happy despite the small flea market. 

   In years past, I remember seeing long lines waiting to get into the east gate when I arrived around 0530. There was no one there this year. There wasn’t the usual rush to snag a prime spot outside either. Things picked up a little later as the mist and drizzle went away. 

   Advance ticket sales were down but only a little, 98 vs 102 last year. Our top advanced ticket seller was Steve Peters W9KXT with ten. Most of the advance tickets were sold the old-fashioned way—person to person. Online and mail orders totaled only six tickets.

   Our gate sales totaled 271 against 289 last year. The non-August weather may have been a factor. The east gate topped the west gate 188 to 83. Last year, it was 207 to 82.

   Our east gate ticket sellers were Nora Pointer KC9MLV and Linas Matonis KC9PCP 0600-0800, Cathy Fleischmann KC9NRH and Bob Fleischmann N9KWG 0800-1000, and Ron Kalat KB9TCX and Chuck Bilstrand KB9RGI 1000-noon. In the same shift order at the west gate were Cindy Shlaustas N9CAS with Dan Haug KA9BAR, Lenny McCain KB9OUQ with Rick Reynolds W9DOQ, and working alone was Larry Schwab KB9REV.

   Our top ticket seller at the gate was Cathy Fleischmann with 56, narrowly beating Linas Matonis who sold 54. 

   In the all-important competition between Cathy and Bob at the east gate, Cathy won handily over Bob’s total of 27. Bob’s comment: “She’s cuter than I am.” No argument there. 

   Thanks to all our ticket sellers. It wouldn’t be a hamfest without you.

ON RF & WHATS

Here’s WHAT!
Since our recent hamfest, it is developing that our leadership of Hamfesters Radio Club is working to make our Club Crest available not only on Club shirts, button caps, and jackets too! SOON!!! Their idea is, to expand our exposure within the membership’s wider community and better promote our Club, both now and into the future. I say it’s a fine idea and indeed, it could not come at a better time; after all, are we not celebrating our 90th year? Consider that by 1933, our nation was already suffering through the many, dark years of the Great Depression. Nevertheless, a very long line of our dedicated predecessors worked diligently to establish and grow this Club into the group of committed people that yet remains the viable and worthy one that it is, that includes all of us too. Sure, we’ve known some tough years in our time as well, with COVID, hyper-inflation ravaging our dollar, and fill in the blank for your etc. Nevertheless, we yet survive, now 90 years. That’s great indeed. But we dare not rest upon our many accomplishments. So our leadership has begun to sharpen their focus on the next ten years of our future, and humbly asking for increased participation and support in promoting Hamfesters Radio Club’s membership programs and activities, which in turn helps support the broader Amateur Radio Community as well.

Now far off as it seems, celebrating our 100th year in 2033 is a worthy goal indeed. That’s WHAT! (;>D)

73’s,
Rick W9DOQ

A Solar Flare Just Knocked Out Radio Across The US, And More Are on The Way

Story by Michelle Starr

A wild few days for the Sun are being felt around Earth as the effects of its tantrums lash us across the gulf of space.

On 7 August, the Sun unleashed a powerful, X-class flare that caused radio blackouts across North America.

Space weather forecasts also predicted a combined ‘cannibal’ coronal mass ejection (CME) that erupted several days ago on 5 August would clip our atmosphere in a glancing blow. While it might well still produce a late arriving solar storm, forecasters now suspect it may have missed altogether.

We might expect to see this sort of solar behavior increasing in the coming months, as the Sun escalates towards the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, predicted to take place in July 2025.

The Sun has been consistently spitting out daily eruptions for over 18 months now, but it’s definitely ramping up. June and July each saw an X-class flare, the most powerful classification we have for solar flares.

Moreover, in July, we recorded an M-class flare – the second-most powerful – almost every day.

We’re not even halfway through August, and we’ve already seen two X-class flares, and M-class flares every day; on 5 August, we saw, in addition to an X1.63 flare, two M-class flares and 9 less powerful C-class flares.

Link to Story on MSN

Ham Radio Ops sought for Chicago Marathon

This is the start of our 15^th year serving the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.  We are seeking 140 volunteers and currently we have 90 signed up!  If you have an interest in using your radio skills to help with a big community service project, please sign up to the link below or send a note to Rob@roborrproductions.com for more information. This event has really demonstrated to many agencies that ham radio can be effectively used to support large community events.

Please fill out the Google Form below to get the process started

2023 Ham Radio Chicago Marathon Com Team Register

Our sincerest thanks for your support!

Your volunteer leads:

Rob Orr, K9RST

Jerry Watts, K9LOT

Jeff VanBuren, KD9IPG

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.

April Fools 😉

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

September 2023 Contest Calendar

From WA7BNM Contest Calendar Website

Club Information

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