April 2022 – HamGab

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MEETING SPACE:  Thank you to Don KC9EQQ for securing the space for our future meetings in May, June and July.  As it stands now, we will continue for those three months to meet at the Bridgeview Community Center, 7902 S. Oketo Ave., Bridgeview, Illinois.

HAMFEST:  Flyers and Tickets are in.  Members, if you want this to be successful, we need promotion and sales.  Contact Jim, W9JPR and grab some flyers to pass out and tickets to sell to your friends.

APRIL MEETING:  WILL BE A ZOOM MEETING.  See website for details and be sure to Register.  This presentation will be our annual Basic Weather Spotter course given by Dave, N9KPD. PLEASE NOTE- Sorry, but this is not an open attendance event.

HEALTH AND WELFARE:  Hope everyone is staying safe and well.  Prayers are also being sent to those members who are suffering or struggling.  Ed WA9EOL we miss you and are thinking about you.

PRODUCT:  We have T-Shirts and Polos (and a few sweat shirts) for sale.  Prices as follows:   T-Shirts at $15.00 and Polo Shirts at $20.00 and (sweat shirt $25.00).  Try to bring exact change please.  See our Quartermaster, Rick W9DOQ.  Our next order will be for Hoodies, but we need a minimum amount to place the order.  If you are interested, please add your name to the list.

POSITIONS OPEN:  We are still looking for a volunteer to do the coffee, pop and water and Sweets for the meetings. 

NEW MEMBERS:  Welcome to Keith Rich KA9HPL, Bill Piva N9WJP and James Johanson.

PROGRAMS:  If you know someone or something that may be of interest to the Club, please let Don KC9EQQ know.  We are looking for new ideas, so now is the chance to provide names of speakers and topics etc. for future programs.

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter.           As always, we ask you to keep an eye on the website (Hamfesters.org) (dutifully brought to us by Brian DavisW9HLQ and Gene Phillips W9PNG for the most current happenings in our club. Remember to Like us on our Hamfesters Page and spread the word about our great club too! We are the fun place to have a good time of fellowship at all of our events!

Secretary’s Beat – Meeting Minutes

No Minutes Posted

de Jim Riley W9JPR

Spring has sprung, we’re in Daylight Savings Time, and there are 103 days to Field Day as I write this on March 14.

There are some changes of note in this year’s rules:  
*ALL stations are limited to 100 watts PEP regardless of operating class. This should make things interesting. No more hearing those “big guns” who can’t hear us. The playing field will be more level, too.

*Individual stations can contribute their scores to an aggregate club score. All you have to do is put Hamfesters Radio Club on your entry form. This means you can operate from your home station and still help your club. We would prefer you come to the site but if you can’t or still don’t feel comfortable being in a group, we would love to add your score to ours. Every contact counts. You will need to send me your ADI file or paper log so I can add it to my report for Hamgab. BTW, I’d much prefer the ADI file.

*If you operate from home (Class D), you can contact other Class D stations. This was prohibited in the past. They allowed it for the pandemic, but it looks like they’re going to keep it around for this year, at least.

*It used to be you could just show your attempt to get publicity for FD but now you have to show an actual article from a newspaper. But they’ve given us an out. A screen shot of a Facebook post or website will do.   In other news, I have added Hamfesters to the ARRL Field Day locator. You can check it out here https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator.

Finally, the most important news: Connie AC9CK will be providing lunch and Rick W9DOQ will be doing dinner Saturday night and breakfast Sunday morning. If conditions are lousy, at least we’ll eat well. All we need now is some good weather.

Hamfesters Field Day 2022 is June 25 and 26 at SouthBridge Church on Wheeler Drive (155^th St.), just west of Harlem. Operations go from 1800Z Saturday to 1800Z Sunday. Setup Saturday begins at 0800. Everyone is welcome.

Hamfest Ticket Sales

Many of you may know that I got my old job back last year and am now your interim Hamfest ticket sales chair. As such, it’s my duty to inform you that Hamfest tickets and flyers are now available. Since our next meeting is via Zoom, you’ll have to wait until the May meeting to pick up them up for yourself or for sale. Yes, I know that’s almost two months away.

If you would like to start selling sooner like at the Sandwich Hamfest or at Dayton, and I hope you do, call me at 708-218-0695 and we can make arrangements to get them to you.

Dues and Membership

Hamfesters: I am writing to review the membership dues process for you.

1) Hamfester’s annual dues are for the year beginning January 1. We give credit for partial years if you join us early or late. Most members pay early for the following year. I appreciate it if you can pay during October and November time for the upcoming year. I try to avoid collecting dues at our Christmas Party dinner and at Field Day.

2) You can pay your dues several ways: (1) cash at a meeting, (2) credit card or check at a meeting, (3) mail a check to Brian Davis, W9HLQ at the address on the web site, or (4) on the web site. You don’t need PayPal to use this facility (you can put the fee on your credit card). We have held the dues to $20 per year. https://www.hamfesters.org/main/club-information/

3) I get a lot of questions regarding their dues status. You can check your dues status anytime by going to the Hamfesters “Club Information/Dues” page. For privacy, you must log in with the club password to see the information. Get that password from a Hamfesters officer or club member.
1) Once you are at the W9AA Member List, choose “Sort by Suffix”. You now can easily find your call and other information in alphabetical order.

2) The dues information is in the form of two digits for the years you have paid. Those with a continuous history of dues paying will have their years paid filled in with dashes. (Ex. 99—->22)

4) While you are on the membership page please look around and verify that your personal data is correct, such as your phone number, email address is correct. Let me know of any corrections to your information.

73,
Brian Davis, W9HLQ
Membership Chmn.

Hamfesters VE Testings

Hamfesters conducts FCC authorized VE (volunteer examiner) tests for Technician, General, and Extra class licenses monthly.

Date: 2nd Saturday of each Month

Location: Oak Forest City Hall, 15440 Central Ave, Oak Forest, IL 60452

Time: 0900 hrs

Walk-ins accepted with FRN number in hand

Exam Candidates: You are REQUIRED to register in the FCC CORES system and receive a FCC Registration Number (FRN) before exam day. Already Licensed? Please bring your Amateur License and Copy of Your License. Also, Bring any CSCE from previous Exams and A Copy if FCC has not acted upon.

Exam Session Requirements
Candidates could go directly to the FCC CORES User Account and Registration
page: https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do

FEES: (currently $15) for the test. We urge you to bring the exact amount of cash. NO CHECKS or CREDIT CARDS EXCEPTED!

VE Coordinator: Al Bukowski – N9ZD

N9ZD@ARRL.NET

PLEASE – NO TELEPHONE CALLS!

Exam Day
What to Bring to an ARRL Exam Session:

1. One legal photo ID (identification):
   a. State Driver’s License
   b. Government issued Passport
   c. Military or Law Enforcement Officer Photo ID card
   d. Student School Photo ID card
   e. State Photo ID card
2. If no photo ID is available, two forms of identification:
   a. Non-photo State ID card (some states still have them)
   b. Birth certificate (must have the appropriate seal)
   c. Social security card
   d. Employer’s wage statement or Minor’s work permit
   e. School ID card
   f. School or Public Library card
   g. Utility bill, bank statement or other business correspondence that specifically names the person; or a postmarked envelope addressed to the person at his or her current mailing address as it appears on
   the Form 605.
3. Students/minors without a photo ID need to bring only one of the above items if a legal guardian presents their photo ID; otherwise two non-photo IDs are required. Minor children (under the age of 18) may be accompanied in the room by an adult during the test.
4. FCC Registration Number (FRN): VECs are required by the FCC to submit your FRN with your license application form.
   New license applicants MUST create an FCC user account and register their Social Security Number (SSN) in the FCC Commission Registration System (CORES) before attending exam sessions.
   Registrants will be assigned an FRN which will be used in all license transactions with the FCC. Examinee Must bring their FRN number to the Exam Session.
   For instructions on how to register your SSN and receive an FRN from the FCC, visit the FCC’s Registration page and the FCC’s Registration instructions page. Per FCC rules, a valid email address is also mandatory on the application form.
5. If applicable, bring a printed copy of either your official Amateur Radio license or a reference copy available from the FCC website, or the original(s) and photocopy(s) of any Certificates of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) you may hold from previous exam sessions. If your license has already been issued by FCC, the CSCE showing license credit is not needed. The photocopy(s) will not be returned.
   Instructions on how to obtain an official FCC license copy are on our Obtain License Copy web page.
6. Two number two pencils with erasers and a pen for in-person sessions.
7. A calculator with the memory erased and formulas cleared is allowed. You may not bring any written notes or calculations into the exam session. Slide rules and logarithmic tables are acceptable, as long as they’re free
   of notes and formulas. Cell phone must be silenced or turned off during the exam session and the phones’ calculator function may not be used. In addition, iPhones, iPads, Androids, smartphones, Blackberry devices
   and all similar electronic devices with a calculator capability, may NOT be used.

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April 2022 Contest Calendar

From WA7BNM Contest Calendar Website

+ QRP Fox Hunt	0100Z-0230Z, Apr 1
+ NCCC RTTY Sprint	0145Z-0215Z, Apr 1
+ NCCC Sprint	0230Z-0300Z, Apr 1
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	2000Z-2100Z, Apr 1
+ RSGB FT4 International Activity Day	0800Z-2000Z, Apr 2
+ PODXS 070 Club PSK 31 Flavors Contest	1000Z, Apr 2 to 0400Z, Apr 3
+ EA RTTY Contest	1200Z, Apr 2 to 1200Z, Apr 3
+ Missouri QSO Party	1400Z, Apr 2 to 0400Z, Apr 3 and
	1400Z-2000Z, Apr 3
+ Florida State Parks on the Air	1400Z-2200Z, Apr 2 and
	1400Z-2200Z, Apr 3
+ Mississippi QSO Party	1400Z, Apr 2 to 0200Z, Apr 3
+ Louisiana QSO Party	1400Z, Apr 2 to 0200Z, Apr 3
+ SP DX Contest	Cancelled for 2022
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	0000Z-0100Z, Apr 4
+ OK1WC Memorial	1630Z-1729Z, Apr 4
+ RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW	1900Z-2030Z, Apr 4
+ Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest	0100Z-0159Z, Apr 5
+ ARS Spartan Sprint	0100Z-0300Z, Apr 5
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Apr 5
+ Phone Weekly Test	0230Z-0300Z, Apr 6
+ A1Club AWT	1200Z-1300Z, Apr 6
+ CWops Test	1300Z-1400Z, Apr 6
+ Mini-Test 40	1700Z-1759Z, Apr 6
+ VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest	1700Z-2000Z, Apr 6
+ Mini-Test 80	1800Z-1859Z, Apr 6
+ CWops Test	1900Z-2000Z, Apr 6
+ UKEICC 80m Contest	2000Z-2100Z, Apr 6
+ Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest	0000Z-0100Z, Apr 7 and
	0200Z-0300Z, Apr 8
+ CWops Test	0300Z-0400Z, Apr 7
+ CWops Test	0700Z-0800Z, Apr 7
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Apr 7
+ SARL 80m QSO Party	1700Z-1900Z, Apr 7
+ NRAU 10m Activity Contest	1800Z-1900Z, Apr 7 (CW) and
	1900Z-2000Z, Apr 7 (SSB) and
	2000Z-2100Z, Apr 7 (FM) and
	2100Z-2200Z, Apr 7 (Dig)
+ EACW Meeting	1900Z-2000Z, Apr 7
+ SKCC Sprint Europe	2000Z-2200Z, Apr 7
+ NCCC RTTY Sprint	0145Z-0215Z, Apr 8
+ NCCC Sprint	0230Z-0300Z, Apr 8
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	2000Z-2100Z, Apr 8
+ QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party	0000Z-0600Z, Apr 9
+ JIDX CW Contest	0700Z, Apr 9 to 1300Z, Apr 10
+ IG-RY World Wide RTTY Contest	1200Z, Apr 9 to 1800Z, Apr 10
+ DIG QSO Party, CW	1200Z-1700Z, Apr 9 (20m-10m) and
	0700Z-0900Z, Apr 10 (80m) and
	0900Z-1100Z, Apr 10 (40m)
+ OK/OM DX Contest, SSB	1200Z, Apr 9 to 1200Z, Apr 10
+ FTn DX Contest	1200Z, Apr 9 to 1200Z, Apr 10
+ SKCC Weekend Sprintathon	1200Z, Apr 9 to 2400Z, Apr 10
+ Nebraska QSO Party	1300Z, Apr 9 to 0100Z, Apr 10 and
	1300Z-2200Z, Apr 10
+ Texas State Parks on the Air	1400Z, Apr 9 to 0200Z, Apr 10 and
	1400Z-2000Z, Apr 10
+ New Mexico QSO Party	1400Z, Apr 9 to 0200Z, Apr 10
+ North Dakota QSO Party	1800Z, Apr 9 to 1800Z, Apr 10
+ Georgia QSO Party	1800Z, Apr 9 to 0359Z, Apr 10 and
	1400Z-2359Z, Apr 10
+ Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest	2100Z, Apr 9 to 2100Z, Apr 10
+ International Vintage Contest HF	0700Z-1100Z, Apr 10 and
	1500Z-1900Z, Apr 10
+ WAB 3.5/7/14 MHz Data Modes	1000Z-1400Z, Apr 10 and
	1700Z-2100Z, Apr 10
+ Hungarian Straight Key Contest	1500Z-1600Z, Apr 10
+ ARRL Rookie Roundup, SSB	1800Z-2359Z, Apr 10
+ RSGB RoLo SSB	1900Z-2030Z, Apr 10
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	0000Z-0100Z, Apr 11
+ 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Apr 11
+ OK1WC Memorial	1630Z-1729Z, Apr 11
+ RSGB FT4 Contest	1900Z-2030Z, Apr 11
+ 144 MHz Spring Sprint	1900 local – 2300 local, Apr 11
+ Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest	0100Z-0159Z, Apr 12
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Apr 12
+ NAQCC CW Sprint	0030Z-0230Z, Apr 13
+ Phone Weekly Test	0230Z-0300Z, Apr 13
+ A1Club AWT	1200Z-1300Z, Apr 13
+ CWops Test	1300Z-1400Z, Apr 13
+ VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest	1700Z-2000Z, Apr 13
+ Mini-Test 40	1700Z-1759Z, Apr 13
+ Mini-Test 80	1800Z-1859Z, Apr 13
+ CWops Test	1900Z-2000Z, Apr 13
+ CWops Test	0300Z-0400Z, Apr 14
+ CWops Test	0700Z-0800Z, Apr 14
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Apr 14
+ EACW Meeting	1900Z-2000Z, Apr 14
+ NCCC RTTY Sprint	0145Z-0215Z, Apr 15
+ NCCC Sprint	0230Z-0300Z, Apr 15
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	2000Z-2100Z, Apr 15
+ Holyland DX Contest	2100Z, Apr 15 to 2100Z, Apr 16
+ ES Open HF Championship	0500Z-0559Z, Apr 16 and
	0600Z-0659Z, Apr 16 and
	0700Z-0759Z, Apr 16 and
	0800Z-0859Z, Apr 16
+ Worked All Provinces of China DX Contest	0600Z, Apr 16 to 0559Z, Apr 17
+ YU DX Contest	0700Z, Apr 16 to 0659Z, Apr 17
+ CQMM DX Contest	0900Z, Apr 16 to 2359Z, Apr 17
+ Michigan QSO Party	1600Z, Apr 16 to 0400Z, Apr 17
+ EA-QRP CW Contest	1700Z-1800Z, Apr 16 (10m) and
	1800Z-1900Z, Apr 16 (15m) and
	1900Z-2000Z, Apr 16 (20m) and
	2000Z-2100Z, Apr 16 (40m) and
	2100Z-2300Z, Apr 16 (80m) and
	0700Z-0900Z, Apr 17 (40m) and
	0900Z-1000Z, Apr 17 (20m) and
	1000Z-1100Z, Apr 17 (15m) and
	1100Z-1200Z, Apr 17 (10m)
+ Feld Hell Sprint	1800Z-2159Z, Apr 16
+ Ontario QSO Party	1800Z, Apr 16 to 0500Z, Apr 17 and
	1200Z-1800Z, Apr 17
+ Dutch PACCdigi Contest	0700Z to 1900Z, Apr 17
+ Quebec QSO Party	1200Z-2000Z, Apr 17
+ Run for the Bacon QRP Contest	2300Z, Apr 17 to 0100Z, Apr 18
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	0000Z-0100Z, Apr 18
+ DARC Easter Contest	1500Z-1730Z, Apr 18
+ OK1WC Memorial	1630Z-1729Z, Apr 18
+ Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest	0100Z-0159Z, Apr 19
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Apr 19
+ 222 MHz Spring Sprint	1900 local – 2300 local, Apr 19
+ Phone Weekly Test	0230Z-0300Z, Apr 20
+ A1Club AWT	1200Z-1300Z, Apr 20
+ CWops Test	1300Z-1400Z, Apr 20
+ VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest	1700Z-2000Z, Apr 20
+ Mini-Test 40	1700Z-1759Z, Apr 20
+ Mini-Test 80	1800Z-1859Z, Apr 20
+ CWops Test	1900Z-2000Z, Apr 20
+ RSGB 80m Club Championship, SSB	1900Z-2030Z, Apr 20
+ Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest	0000Z-0100Z, Apr 21 and
	0200Z-0300Z, Apr 22
+ CWops Test	0300Z-0400Z, Apr 21
+ CWops Test	0700Z-0800Z, Apr 21
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Apr 21
+ EACW Meeting	1900Z-2000Z, Apr 21
+ NTC QSO Party	1900Z-2000Z, Apr 21
+ NCCC RTTY Sprint	0145Z-0215Z, Apr 22
+ NCCC Sprint	0230Z-0300Z, Apr 22
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	2000Z-2100Z, Apr 22
+ 10-10 Int. Spring Contest, Digital	0001Z, Apr 23 to 2359Z, Apr 24
+ QRP to the Field	0800-1800 local, Apr 23
+ SP DX RTTY Contest	1200Z, Apr 23 to 1200Z, Apr 24
+ Helvetia Contest	1300Z, Apr 23 to 1259Z, Apr 24
+ North American SSB Sprint Contest	0000Z-0400Z, Apr 24
+ ANZAC Day Contest	1200Z, Apr 24 to 1159Z, Apr 25
+ UA1DZ Memorial Cup	1300Z-1859Z, Apr 24
+ BARTG Sprint 75	1700Z-2059Z, Apr 24
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	0000Z-0100Z, Apr 25
+ QCX Challenge	1300Z-1400Z, Apr 25
+ OK1WC Memorial	1630Z-1729Z, Apr 25
+ QCX Challenge	1900Z-2000Z, Apr 25
+ Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest	0100Z-0159Z, Apr 26
+ QCX Challenge	0300Z-0400Z, Apr 26
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Apr 26
+ SKCC Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Apr 27
+ Phone Weekly Test	0230Z-0300Z, Apr 27
+ A1Club AWT	1200Z-1300Z, Apr 27
+ CWops Test	1300Z-1400Z, Apr 27
+ Mini-Test 40	1700Z-1759Z, Apr 27
+ Mini-Test 80	1800Z-1859Z, Apr 27
+ CWops Test	1900Z-2000Z, Apr 27
+ 432 MHz Spring Sprint	1900 local – 2300 local, Apr 27
+ UKEICC 80m Contest	2000Z-2100Z, Apr 27
+ CWops Test	0300Z-0400Z, Apr 28
+ CWops Test	0700Z-0800Z, Apr 28
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Apr 28
+ EACW Meeting	1900Z-2000Z, Apr 28
+ RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data	1900Z-2030Z, Apr 28
+ NCCC RTTY Sprint	0145Z-0215Z, Apr 29
+ NCCC Sprint	0230Z-0300Z, Apr 29
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	2000Z-2100Z, Apr 29
+ Feld Hell Sprint	0000Z-2359Z, Apr 30
+ SBMS 2.3 GHz and Up Contest and Club Challenge	0600 local, Apr 30 to 2359 local, May 1
+ UK/EI DX Contest, CW	1200Z, Apr 30 to 1200Z, May 1
+ Russian WW MultiMode Contest	1200Z, Apr 30 to 1159Z, May 1
+ Florida QSO Party	1600Z, Apr 30 to 0159Z, May 1 and
	1200Z-2159Z, May 1

Club Information

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Photos from the March Meeting

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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.