June 2024 – HamGab

Hamfesters Nets

2 Meter Net

Every Monday evening at 9PM
on 146.640 MHz -600 shift 107.2PL
Tom, KA9ZXN is net control.

10 Meter Net

Every Sunday evening at 8PM
on 28.410 MHz
Tom, KA9ZXN is net control.

Field Day Ride

de Patti Gulch KC9LYE

I am looking for a ride to Field Day on Saturday June 22nd if anyone can assist. Thank you in advance.

Secretary’s Beat
Meeting Minutes

de Patti Gulick KC9LYE

Friday May 3, 2024, Hamfesters Amateur Radio Club meeting W9AA 7:40 pm.

Roll: Nora KC9MLV, Steve W9KXT, Kurt WB9FMC, Don KC9EQQ, Dennis KC9DSP, Keli KD9YDK, Gene W9PNG, John KB9FQB, Patti KC9LYE

Please check www.Hamfesters.org for important club updates.

26 members, 2 visitors Welcome everyone.

Visitors; Jason KE9ALH, & John Anderson KE9ALX,

Programs: Tonight, a video about the ARRL.

Minutes: April club minutes approved by: Steve W9KXT, & Al N9ZD

Treasurer's Report: by Kurt WB9FMC, checking $7,197.00 savings $10,000.00.

Education: by Dennis KC9DSP, Technician license classes June Tues. and Thurs. at Oak Forest Hospital. Contact; Dennis KC9DSP, or Al N9ZD.

Field Day 2024: Here at South Bridge Church, June 22, and 23, June 22nd setup 8:00 am, transmit at 1:00 pm. Field Day ends the 23rd at 1pm.

New Business: by Dennis KC9DSP, the club will order our merch. from Mount Greenwood Embroidery.

South Bridge church on June 29th "Elvis Show" tickets $25.00 each. 

Adjournment: Bob N9KWG, & John KB9FQB 8:36 pm 
Split The Pot Winner: Nora KC9MLV
Door Prize Winner: Tim KD9ZMW   

Volunteers Responded

Hamfesters members responded to a request for volunteers. Several members helped with communications needs for the Helen Keller 5k run. The volunteers were organized by Cindy Shlaustas, N9CAS. Thanks to Cindy and all who volunteered their time.

Southbridge Church Fundraiser

de Kurt Pawlikowski WB9FMC

Who: Rick Saucedo, Elvis Impersonator
What: Dinner and show
Where: Southbridge Church,15500 S. 73rd Ave, Orland Park, IL 60465
When: 5:30 PM (Dinner), 7 PM to 9 PM (Show), Saturday 29 June 2024
     Price: $25.00 (Early Bird Price)
How: Either On Line (Rick Saucedo-Elvis Gospel and Classics) 
or, for a printed ticket, at the church on Sunday mornings or via me 
(kurtt WB9FMC). Okay! That’s it
Thanks for your support!

Health & Welfare

Rick W9DOQ, and Gregg, AB9MZ, are having health issues.

Please keep these members in your prayers.

CQ Field Day

de Jim Riley W9JPR

Last month I reported that a quick reading of the Field Day rules showed no substantive changes for this year. I was wrong. A more thorough reading uncovered this nugget:

7.3.18. Field Day Responsibilities Bonus (new for 2024): A 50-point bonus may be earned by having a person ensure that the Field Day site is free of hazards, and that safety precautions have been taken throughout the entire event, as well as providing a point of contact to the visiting public or served agency officials. A signed copy of the Field Day Responsibilities Check List must be included in the supporting documentation sent to ARRL HQ in order to claim this bonus.

If you would like to take this on, let me know. Here is a link to the checklist: ARRL Field Day Responsibilities Checklist PDF

  Speaking of bonus points, does anyone have solar panels that we can use to make alternate power contacts? Five contacts get us 100 points. We get 100 points for visits by an elected official or a visit by a member of a served agency (police, fire, EMA, etc.) Is anyone able to help with that? I will be sending press releases to media all over the area. Keep an eye out for them in your local paper. I will need an actual copy to send to the ARRL. Bring it to Field Day. 

As in years past, Patti KC9LYE will be taking orders for Field Day pins at the June meeting. I’ll be placing the order first thing the next morning so sales will close at the end of the meeting. Pins will be $8.00 each including tax and shipping. They’ll be distributed Field Day morning. 

  As of this writing, there will be no tents at this year’s Field Day unless someone wants to set up a VHF-UHF and/or satellite station. Our luck with tents has not been good these last few years. 

  Kurt WB9FMC will operate 20-meter CW from the church’s library. Dennis KC9DSP will do 20-meter phone from the trailer. John KB9FQB will be in his trailer running 20-meter digital. Steve W9KXT will head up the GOTA station from the garage. That’s where the public info station will be and we will direct visitors there. Our GOTA call will be KC9CDL. GOTA operators, practice your phonetics. 

  Al N9ZD will be on hand to guide any newbies or visitors through the process of making their first HF contact(s). 

  We have a last-minute substitution in the food department. This is one of those years where Field Day is not on the last weekend of the month and Connie AC9CK has a scheduling conflict. Gregg AB9MZ has offered to provide his own taco bar. Helen Pawlikowski will bring her famous meatball sandwiches too. 

We will need a crew to set up and tear down tables in the gym.

  Field Day is June 22 and 23 at Southbridge Church, 15500 73^rdAve. in Orland Park. Setup begins at 0800 local time Saturday morning and operations begin at 1300 local or 1800 UTC.

Hamfest Ticket Sales

de Jim Riley W9JPR

Last month I let you know that Nora was holding the Hamfest tickets and flyers while I was out of town. I also told you to see her at the May meeting if you wanted to purchase tickets, take some to sell, or pick up flyers to hand out. Apparently, you all chose none of the above. Be sure to see me at the June meeting to do at least one of the above. The Hamfest will be only two months away at that time. 

That being said, there is still some news to report. As I write this, there are two tickets that were sold online and they’re awaiting USPS pickup in my mailbox. That brings the total number of tickets sold to 29.

Hamfester’s 89th Hamfest

Hamfesters 2024 Hamfest PDF

General Meeting Security Update

de 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.

Member Spotlight

de Dennis Calderone KC9DSP

The Basics
Name: Dennis Calderone
Call Sign: KC9DSP
License Class: Amateur Extra
Licensed Since: 2003
Career: Cook County Sheriff’s Lieutenant (ret.)
Family: Keli (wife, KD9YDT), Ashley (daughter, non-ham), Max (son-in-law, non-ham), Rachel (daughter, non-ham), Austin (son-in-law, non-ham), Jacob (son, KQ4OBJ), Josh (stepson, non-ham), Kollyns (granddaughter, someday ham), Titan, Theia, Zina, Roxi, Minnie, Elliot, Harley, Sabrina, Finx and Gus.

I was first licensed in 2003. My brother, Drew, KF4YMB, had recently moved to North Carolina, where amateur radio is big, and got his license. Drew talked me into getting my ticket, so I researched and studied and took my test with Hamfesters. I bought a Kenwood TH-D7 A/E handheld used. Then my dad bought me an Icom IC 706MkiiG as a gift. I was active the first couple years on 2 meters and 70 centimeters with the intention of upgrading to the General Class license to get on HF.

Life got busy and I stepped away from the hobby. I didn’t have a lot of room in my vehicle to install a radio and I joined the hobby of touring on a motorcycle during the little free time I had.

In 2016 I bought a vehicle that would accept the installation of a radio. My Icom IC-706MKIIG was too large for the newer vehicles so I picked up a Yaesu FT-8900R. I slowly started getting back on the local repeaters and nets. I reconnected with some old friends and made some new ones.

I started using my FT-8900R and the FT60R handheld pretty regularly. I started watching a few YouTube channels about ham radio. Josh (KI6NAZ) and Ham Radio Crash Course (HRCC) got me wanting to do more in amateur radio. I upgraded my mobile radio to the Yaesu FTM-300DR and my handheld to the Yaesu FT5DR. Now I was using my radios all the time and had a set schedule of nets that I entered into my iPhone calendar with alerts to notify me just prior to the start of the nets. Years ago, I wanted to upgrade to General Class and now I finally had the time. I found a General Class prep course that Hamfesters was conducting and signed up. Two weeks into the course the pandemic hit. Classes were moved to Zoom. I finished the course, but no one was testing.

With the pandemic, work got very busy. I worked for the Cook County Sheriff’s Department. I was a Lieutenant and worked 16 hours a day 7 days a week during the crisis. I was still able to keep in touch on the radio and not drop from the hobby. In 2021 I retired after 30 years from Sheriff’s Department. I was lucky to retire at a relatively young age (52). I also teach concealed carry as a part time instructor. That being said, I had some free time on my hands, and I returned to the hobby a little more enthusiastically. I even started to attend Field Days and other functions again. 

I met a guy, Josh, in one of my classes whose father Dan, W8FFF, was a ham. Josh was too busy and never got his license. I talked with Dan and made him my unofficial Elmer. I got a lot of information from him and still do.

I attended a Field Day and was pushed by some friends to start studying again. I upgraded to General Class on April 30, 2023, and it was granted May 1, 2023. I talked my XYL into taking the Technician Class test on the same day, and she passed, joining us in the hobby as KD9YDT. I guess I’ll have to loan her some radios. I also talked Josh into taking the test the same day. He joined us as KD9YFD.

On July 15, 2023, I upgraded to Amateur Extra Class. It was granted July 17, 2023.

Somehow, I became an Elmer. Besides getting my XYL and my buddy Josh into radio, my neighbor, Brian, was asking about the antennas that were popping up around my house. Brian said he had an interest in radio when he was younger. He started studying, and he took his Technician Class test on November 29, 2023. Brian got 100% on the test and joined our ranks as KD9ZGT. My son, Jacob, attended a Field Day with me. He blindly took the Technician Class test. He didn’t want to since he didn’t study, and his only experience with ham radio was watching me and listening to the group at Field Day. I paid the $15 and sat him down to take the test. He didn’t pass, but he got 16 right without opening a book. I bought him the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual and shipped it to him in Kentucky. He studied for a few weeks and earned his ticket, becoming KQ4OBJ. As a gift for him passing the test and earning his license, I did what my father did for me and bought him a new radio. Keli and Brian upgraded to General Class on January 22, 2024, the same day Jacob earned his Technician Class license. Keli upgraded to Amateur Extra Class April 15, 2024, as did Brian on April 28, 2024. Josh just changed jobs and is studying to upgrade to the General Class license.

I am an ARRL, W5YI and Laurel certified VE. I like participating in ARES and Skywarn. I am an advanced trained Skywarn storm spotter. I participate in the DuPage County AuxComm ARES group training.

Now it’s time to start learning morse code.

Recently I bought a few radios, I like my Yaesu radios. I bought an FTM500DR to add to my FTM300DR, FT5DR and FT-8900R. I moved my FTM300DR, FT8900R and Icom IC-706MKIIG to a desk and made a ham shack. I put up a Comet GP9 on a 21-foot fence top rail. The total height is 37 feet 9 inches. I made it to Lowell IN on simplex from Chicago Ridge several times. I have a few Yaesu FT-60R handhelds. I also have a Kenwood TH-F6A handheld. Since I upgraded to General Class and then Amateur Extra Class, I needed a HF radio, so I added a Yaesu FT-710 AESS with a Chameleon CHE EMCOMM II V2 antenna.

I am a member of a few local clubs. I also rag chew and participate in several nets almost daily. The first club I became a member of was Hamfesters, the club where I took my initial test and received my license. As of February 2024, I became the editor of the Hamfesters monthly newsletter, HamGab. I am also a member of OMISS, member ID 14930
73

Upgrades

Brian Guerin, KD9ZGT, earned his Amateur Extra class. Congratulations Brian!

New Members

de Bob McDonald N9WDV

Gerald H Klotz Jr, KB9PKI.
He has a General Class license, lives in Orland Park IL and is a firefighter.

Bring a friend to a meeting. Licensed or unlicensed. Lets get them interested in the hobby and grow our membership.

Amateur Radio News

Amateur Radio Newsline podcast can be found here.
New episodes air every Friday.

ARRL Audio News can be found here.
New episodes air every Friday.

ARRL On The Air can be found here.
New episodes air usually every second Thursday of the month.

You do not need to login to listen to any of these podcasts, Amateur Radio Newsline, ARRL Audio News or ARRL On The Air. Give them a listen to stay involved and keep up to date with things in the Amateur Radio hobby.

If you ever watched Ham Nation, it went off the air in December 2020. It aired on TWiT. After 8 years and 485 episodes, the show moved to the Ham Radio Crash Course YouTube channel. January 6, 2021 was the first episode on HRCC. The transition has brought many changes to the show but it remains very informative. You can subscribe for free and get notified when new episodes are available. Ham Nation airs every other Wednesday.

Ham Nation on HRCC can be found here.

International Ham Radio News & Opinion

Upcoming Hamfests

Independant Repeater Association Hamfest June 1, 2024
Hudsonville Fairgrounds
5235 Park Ave.
Hudsonville, MI 49426
8AM-12PM
Talk-in 147.16 repeater
2024 Hudsonville IRA Hamfest PDF

Starved Rock Radio Club Hamfest June 2, 2024
Mendota Tri-County Fairgrounds
503 1^st Ave.
Medota, IL 61342
8AM-1PM
Talk-in SRRC Repeater W9MKS 147.120 MHz pl 103.5
Starved Rock Hamfest

Kankakee Area Radio Society Hamfest July 21,2024
Will County Fairgrounds
710 S. West St.
Peotone, IL 60468
8AM-12P
Talk-in W9AZ Repeater 146.940 MHz pl 107.2
Kankakee Area Radio Society Hamfest

Elkhart East Hamfest August 3, 2024
Northern Indiana Event Center
21565 Executive Parkway
Elkhart, IN 46514
9AM-2PM
Talk-in K9DEW Mishawaka Repeater 147.330 MHz pl 131.8
Elkhart East Hamfest

Hamfesters Radio Club 89th Annual Hamfest August 4, 2024
Will County Fairgrounds
710 S. West St.
Peotone, IL 60468
8AM-1PM
Talk-in 146.520 Simplex
Hamfesters W9AA Hamfest

Educational Courses for Amateur Radio

If you are interesting in learning something new about Amateur Radio you can go to the ARRL Learning Center and take an online course. You don’t need to be a member of the ARRL but you do need to create an account and login if you’re not. It’s free to signup.
Whether you want to learn something specific, like bonding and grounding or maybe a new mode or possibly study to upgrade your license.

Skywarn Training

Hamfesters conducted Skywarn Basic Spotter Training on April 5, 2024 at the monthly meeting. This is very good information to have even if you’re not going to join a Skywarn net. It may very well save your life or the life of a loved one someday. If you were unable to attend, you can take the course online. It can be found here: COMET – MetEd Education and Training. It states 2 hours, but it’s a little less and done in two parts. You can also save your progress and return later.

After receiving your basic training you can get advanced training at
NWS State College online.

Check into the local weekly Skywarn nets
Northern Cook County Skywarn net Sundays@8PM 147.345 PL 107.2
Tri-Town Weather Net Sundays@8PM 146.805 PL 107.2
South Suburban Skywarn Mondays@8PM 442.375 PL 114.8
Will County Skywarn Mondays@8PM 444.550 PL 114.8
Illinois Radio League Skywarn Mondays@8PM 145.210 PL 107.2
LaPorte Count ARES Skywarn Tuesdays@8PM 146.970 PL 131.8
STARS Skywarn Wednesdays@7PM 146.640 PL 107.2
Will County Skywarn Wednesdays@7:30PM 444.600 PL 114.8
DuPage County Auxcomm Thursdays@7:30PM 444.875 PL 114.8
BARS Skywarn and Training Net Thursdays@8:30PM 147.330 PL 107.2
443.525 PL 114.8
More information can be found at Chicagoland Skywarn.

Regional Skywarn Repeaters

City	Frequency (MHz)	PL (Hz)	Internet Node	Area Served
Grant Park	442.375+	114.8		Tinley Park/Chicago Heights
Homewood	441.3+	114.8		Monee/Kankakee
Malta	146.73	100.0		Rockford/DeKalb
Milwaukee	146.91-	127.3		SE Wisconsin
Libertyville	147.18+	107.2		Libertyville/Fox Lake
Northrbook	147.345+	107.2		Chicago/Schaumburg
Valparaiso	146.865+	131.8		Gary/Valparaiso

FCC Color Printable License

de Dennis Calderone KC9DSP

I’m not sure if anyone else misses having a color license sent from the FCC to hang in their shack, but I do. Anyone licensed before February 17, 2015 would receive a copy of their license via USPS. The watermarks were in color. I found a place to generate your own for free. Follow the link, put in your callsign, print and sign and hang it in a frame.

From experience, do not print from your phone unless you resize it. it will show two (2) pages (second one will be blank) so only print the first page. When resizing if it shows more than two (2) pages some will be cut off. Also, allow the printing of the background or the blue watermark will not show up.

AE7Q Color Printable License

Club Merchandise

de Keli Calderone KD9YDT

The club has short and long sleeve T-Shirts, Polos, Sweatshirts and Pullover Hoodies for sale. I will bring what is available in stock to the monthly meetings. You can email me at KD9YDT@gmail.com to see if I have your size in stock or if it needs to be ordered. These can be purchased at our meetings. If your size is not on hand, they can be ordered. We can also order custom coffee mugs with your call sign and the Hamfesters logo (see below).

We have decided to use a new vendor to supply our shirts, polos and sweatshirts. Moving forward will be using Mount Greenwood Embroidery. Prices are comparable and it is local. In addition, the owner had said that he can embroider our logo on items you already own. They do not need to be new, but they do need to be clean. We have been using Mount Greenwood Embroidery to add our names and callsigns on the shirts and sweatshirts that were previously ordered. To add a name and callsign is $10 in addition to the cost of the shirts that at this time will remain the same price. There is also an online catalog where you can pick jackets, vests and other items: Mount Greenwood Embroidery. Here’s hint, go to Sam’s or Costco and pick up some shirts or jackets cheap and we can get our logo and your name and call embroidered.

New shirts for our Hamfest! Order being placed very soon.
Get yours ordered today!

We are also about to place an order for hi-vis yellow shirts with a full color logo on the front left and “STAFF” in black on the back for when we volunteer and to wear at our hamfest. Cindy, N9CAS ordered these several years ago. They have gone up in price a little but I’ve worked a decent deal. These shirts will be $23. One difference from the old style is the addition of YOUR call sign on the left sleeve. Yes they will be personalized. Cindy is wearing her’s in this picture. We have a list. Let me know if you want one. This price has a minimum, which we have already met.

Custom mugs are $18 including shipping.

Custom Club Name Badge

The Club has worked on getting name badges for those that are interested. The Board approved a few different styles from two vendors. Links will be provided for you to order your very own Hamfesters name badge.

Ham Crazy has redone our logo, the badge is approximately 3.25″ wide but you can order any size you want. There are also several colors to choose from. The logo and words are engraved into the badge. They are available with a pin back or a magnetic back for an additional dollar. It is suggested that if you have a pacemaker you should not order the magnetic back.

Ron Delpiere-Smith KD9IPO ARRL Assistant Section Manager – Illinois is able to print name badges. The cards are Credit Card Size 3 ⅜” X 2 ⅛”. The cards are configurable with pin, hanging clip for a lanyard or magnet for mounting. Again, it is suggested that if you have a pacemaker you should not order the magnet. You can order by sending Ron an email at kd9ipo@gmail.com. Put Hamfesters Name Badge in the subject line.

Local Radio Nets

de Dennis Calderone KC9DSP

You can meet a lot of friends on the local nets. I have the nets I want to check into in my calendar on my phone with an alert 15 minutes before check in. Click here for a list of local radio nets. This list has been created by and is updated monthly by Ben Straw, KC9UNS.

Checking into the different nets will get you accustomed to working the radio which is important to new hams who might be mic shy. Also, when we as hams are called into action to provide emergency communication, you will know not only how to use your radio, but how to communicate information to others.

Amateur Radio Net Formats

de Dennis Calderone KC9DSP

I know some hams don’t want to check into nets because they’re not sure of the format. Here is an instructional sheet for how to conduct yourself on the different nets. Click here for the instructional guide on Amateur Radio net formats.

Amateur Radio Insurance

If you’re looking for insurance for your radio equipment, check out these two links. I don’t have an affiliation with either but I know we spend a lot of money on our equipment. It would cost a lot to replace if stolen or disaster strikes.

ARRL Insurance Program

Ham Radio Insurance Associates (HRIA)

FOR SALE by Owner

ARRL Youth Licensing
Grant Program

de 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 ARRL Youth Licensing 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

de Al Bukowski N9ZD

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.>>>  FCC Registration Login 
   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.
7. Walk-ins no longer accepted, you must contact Al at N9ZD@arrl.net or aln9zd@gmail.com prior to testing date to register to test.

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 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  >>>  Ham Exam fee exams   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

VE Testing Results for May

de Al Bukowski N9ZD

On May 11, 2024 we had 4 people earn their Technician Class license and 1 person earn his Amateur Extra Class license.

June 2024 Contest Calendar

From WA7BNM Contest Calendar Website

10-10 Int. Open Season PSK Contest	0000Z, Jun 1 to 2359Z, Jun 2
Tisza Cup CW Contest	0200Z-1459Z, Jun 1
Wake-Up! QRP Sprint	0600Z-0800Z, Jun 1
Kentucky QSO Party	1300Z, Jun 1 to 0100Z, Jun 2
IARU Region 1 Field Day, CW	1500Z, Jun 1 to 1459Z, Jun 2
ARRL Inter. Digital Contest	1800Z, Jun 1 to 2359Z, Jun 2
ARS Spartan Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Jun 4
HA3NS Sprint Memorial Contest	1900Z-1959Z, Jun 7
VK Shires Contest	0000Z-2359Z, Jun 8
Asia-Pacific Sprint, SSB	1100Z-1300Z, Jun 8
Portugal Day Contest	1200Z, Jun 8 to 1200Z, Jun 9
SKCC Weekend Sprintathon	1200Z, Jun 8 to 2359Z, Jun 9
AGCW VHF/UHF Contest	1400Z-1800Z, Jun 8
GACW WWSA CW DX Contest	1500Z, Jun 8 to 1500Z, Jun 9
REF DDFM 6m Contest	1600Z, Jun 8 to 1600Z, Jun 9
ARRL June VHF Contest	1800Z, Jun 8 to 0259Z, Jun 10
4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Jun 10
SMIRK Contest	0000Z, Jun 15 to 2359Z, Jun 16
All Asian DX Contest, CW	0000Z, Jun 15 to 2359Z, Jun 16
IARU Region 1 50 MHz Contest	1400Z, Jun 15 to 1400Z, Jun 16
Stew Perry Topband Challenge	1500Z, Jun 15 to 1500Z, Jun 16
West Virginia QSO Party	1600Z, Jun 15 to 0400Z, Jun 16
ARRL Kids Day	1800Z-2359Z, Jun 15
Run for the Bacon QRP Contest	2300Z, Jun 16 to 0100Z, Jun 17
NTC QSO Party	1900Z-2000Z, Jun 20
Ukrainian DX DIGI Contest	1200Z, Jun 22 to 1200Z, Jun 23
His Maj. King of Spain Contest, SSB	1200Z, Jun 22 to 1200Z, Jun 23
ARRL Field Day	1800Z, Jun 22 to 2100Z, Jun 23
SKCC Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Jun 26

Kids Learning
Ham Radio

de Dennis Calderone KC9DSP

I watched a really good livestream program on “How to Teach Ham Radio with Drew AC3DS”.
Drew is a high school teacher teaching kids from grades 7-12 Amateur Radio. It sounds like a great program. They are also looking for donations. I will be donating to Drew to help offset the cost of sharing our hobby with these kids.
The program is here: HRCC: How to Teach Ham Radio. I will put a disclaimer here, It was one of HRCC’s longest livestreams. Lots of people watching were asking questions and it went over the normal hour that HRCC’s livestreams go, but it was definitely worth watching.
I emailed Drew to find out how to donate. He informed me that the school is renovating their building and making a second radio room. They will have 7 radio booths. Each booth will host two students. They are hoping to be able to have a HF and a VHF radio in every booth. The school is covering the cost of the renovation and the furniture. The students are figuring out how to acquire the equipment.
If the donation is in the form of money, the easiest and best way is by a check, sent to the school. Checks would be made out to Harborcreek School District, with a memo line of “for the Advanced Technologies Group”. The check could be sent to: Harborcreek High School, Attn: Drew Mortensen, 6375 Buffalo Rd., Harborcreek, PA 16421.
If the donation is in the form of equipment or materials, those items can be sent to: Harborcreek High School, Attn: Drew Mortensen, 6375 Buffalo Rd., Harborcreek, PA 16421.
They are appreciative of every coax connector, every jumper cable and every piece of hardware. Everything will find a home.

Elmers

de Dennis Calderone KC9DSP

We are looking for club Elmers. If you have expertise in a particular part or mode of amateur radio and want to be an Elmer, let us know.

A lot of times it’s hard to find Elmers who have knowledge for a particular part of amateur radio. As I stated in my bio when I became the HamGab editor, life became busy, and I stepped away from amateur radio for a few years. When I came back, there was a lot of new information and modes. I found a few YouTube channels that helped. I want to share those here. There are a lot more and I’m sure you can find some that you like.

Ham Radio Crash Course.

Ham Radio 2.0.

Dave Casler (KE0OG) Ask Dave.

LCARA HAMRadio.

Ham Radio for Non-Techies.

Solar Weather

de Dennis Calderone KC9DSP

As we all know, solar weather and activity affects radio communications. The conditions not only affect HF, but UHF and VHF as well. Dr. Tamitha Skov has a YouTube channel with weekly updates on what our sun is doing and how it is affecting our communications. You can find here channel here.

Amateur Radio Legislation

de Carl Luetzelschwab K9LA ARRL Central Division Director

U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.,
introduced Senate legislation (S.3690) to give amateur radio operators
the right to install their antennas and serve their community. The House
introduced the same bill (H.R.4006) in June 2023.
Homeowner association rules prevent amateur radio operators from
installing outdoor antennas on residential properties even though this
communication method has proven to be essential in emergencies and
natural disasters, such as hurricanes in states like Mississippi and
Connecticut.

ARRL Central Division
Director: Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA
k9la@arrl.org

S.3690 – Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act

ARRL Illinois Section

ARRL Illinois Section Website
A lot of information about Amateur Radio in Illinois.

Club Information

Meetings and VE Testing

Pictures from Meetings

May 2024 meeting

Disclaimer

Notice: Beginning with Feb 2021, all HamGab issues will be gluten and salt-free. This is part of Gene’s 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.