April 2024 – HamGab

Secretary’s Beat
Meeting Minutes

de Patti Gulick KC9LYE

Friday March 1, 2024, Hamfesters W9AA club meeting began at 8:02 pm.

Please check Hamfesters.org for club up to the minute updates. You wouldn’t want to miss out. Would you? 
Roll: Nora KC9MLV, Jim W9JPR, Kurt WB9FMC, Steve W9KXT, Don KC9EQQ, Bob N9WDV, Dennis KC9DSP, Keli KD9YDT, & Patti KC9LYE.

Tonight, there were: 28 members, 3 visitors: Tim KC9RZX, Brian KB9RHM, & Dan KC9OXI. Welcome everyone.

Keli KD9YDT, is our club’s new Quarter Master, & Dennis KC9DSP, is our HamGab editor. Keli’s email is KD9YDT@gmail.com. Dennis’ HamGab email is: KC9DSP@gmail.com. Thank You Keli, & Dennis! 

Cindy N9CAS, needs 15 hams to volunteer for the annual Lion’s Club 5K run. It’s Sunday April 29th, at the Richard’s High School in Oak Lawn.

Health & Welfare: Bob Heil is a SK, he created the world’s best microphones. We held a moment of silence for him. 

March Birthdays: Kurt WB9FMC, & Connie AC9CK.

The February club minutes were approved by: Dennis KC9DSP, & Connie AC9CK.  

Treasurer’s Report: by Kurt WB9FMC, (amounts are approximated) club purchased club t-shirts etc., checking $7000.00, savings $10,000.00. 

New Members: by Bob N9WDV, the Larson’s a husband & wife, no call signs yet. 

Programs: Tonight, our Annual White Elephant Sale, April 5th Weather Spotters held here, & on Zoom. See Hamfesters.org & the HamGab for details.

No program set for May yet & June program Field Day 2023. 

Publicity: For tonight’s program sent out by Jim W9JPR. 

Field Day 2024: by Jim W9JPR, FD June 22-23, 2024, here at Southbridge church. 

Hamfesters Merch: We will have Hamfesters coffee mugs, and the usual cool clothing. See Keli KD9YDT .

Adjournment: 8:20 pm by Cindy N9CAS, & Mike WA9ZPM. 

Split-the-Pot winner tonight was Paul K9RRY.

Volunteers Needed

de Cindy Shlaustas N9CAS

The Lions Club needs volunteers for the 5K run on April 28, 2024 at 8AM.

Cindy N9CAS is looking for about 15 hams to volunteer for the Lions Club 5K run. It will be starting at Richard’s High School on 107th and Central Ave. in Oak Lawn. It should go from 8AM-11:30 AM.

Volunteers can contact Cindy N9CAS at (708) 829-9637. She will have a signup sheet at the meeting.

Southbridge Church Fundraiser

Southbridge Church helps support our club by letting us use the facility without any fees. I’d like us to help support the church, and here’s your opportunity… (Contact kurtt WB9FMC by either e-mail (kurtt@pinrod.com) or phone (773) 284-9500. Thanks for your support!

Health & Welfare

Rick W9DOQ, is in hospital.

Gregg AB9MZ

CQ Field Day

de Jim Riley W9JPR

I don’t have much news for this month except for two items. Brian KD9ZGT has graciously offered to provide Field Day breakfast Sunday morning in addition to supper Saturday night. Thank you, Brian.  

  Tim KCPOS, our long-time satellite chaser who once wrote on his leg to log a contact, has decided to operate with his fellow employees at Argonne Lab. Thanks for your participation, Tim, and good luck at Argonne. 

  For our newer members who aren’t sure what we’re talking about when we discuss Field Day, check out the ARRL’s Field Day page. If you don’t know where our Field Day is, this will help: ARRL’s Field Day Locator. Just enter W9AA where it asks for a location or call sign. 

  Last month, I opened nominations for a GOTA call. So far, the only nomination is KC9CDL. KC9CDL was nominated for the history and contributions to the ham radio community. Click here for a brief history of KC9CDL. If you have another nomination, please let me know. The nominee should be a regular Field Day operator whose call we haven’t used previously. No offense to other classes but we prefer our nominees to be Amateur Extras, so we have access to all the bands. 

  I still need pictures from last year’s Field Day or my presentation in June will be very short.   

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

Hamfest Ticket Sales

de Jim Riley W9JPR

We sold two more tickets at the March meeting so now we’re up to a grand total of four tickets sold. 

  That same meeting saw a bunch of flyers go out along with a hundred tickets handed out for members to sell. That makes 120 out so far. 

  I will not be at the May meeting so be sure to stop by at the April meeting to purchase tickets for yourself, take some to sell, and grab some flyers to get the word out. There will still be tickets to take or buy and plenty of flyers at the May meeting. I just won’t get my commission. LOL

LOST AND FOUND DEPT.

de Jim Riley W9JPR

Someone left a backpack at the March meeting. It looks like it’s the right size for a laptop. If you can tell me what color it is and what it says on the front, it’s yours. Contact me at my phone number in the roster or via email at w9jpr2016@gmail.com. Jim Riley W9JPR.

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

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a member who was active in our club several years ago and actually pretty famous in the ham radio community. I met Rita Wright, KC9CDL, whose license had expired. She was still within the grace period though. Luckily, I was able to help her renew her license. If you never met Rita or don’t know who she is, Rita was a teacher in Burbank at the Luther Burbank School for 38 years. That in itself is impressive. Another remarkable thing about Rita is that she set up a ham club at her school. On top of that, Rita was instrumental in setting up the first ever ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) contact. Rita and her husband Bill, KC9HRB, are very nice people, and I had a really good afternoon talking with them and helping them set up an email account for Rita and navigating the FCC website. When I returned to deliver Rita’s official copy of her license, Bill and Rita showed interest in returning to the ham community. I helped them program their HTs with all the local repeaters, and Bill has decided to get a new ham shack up and going. He ordered a new radio, I’ve programmed it with 133 local repeaters plus, of course, the ISS upload and download stations. Brian, KD9ZGT, and I will be installing Bill’s antenna to get him on the air again. Welcome back Bill and Rita! If you want to read more about Rita and the first ARISS contact, you can read these two articles and a letter written by Rita herself about the experience.
Illinois Students To Make First Ham Radio Contact with Space Station

Celebrating the First ARISS School Contact: Luther Burbank School, Burbank, Illinois USA December 21,2000

Remember, We’re Pioneers! The First School Contact with the International Space Station

Upgrades

Unfortunately, I am unaware of any upgrades this month.

New Members

de Bob McDonald N9WDV

Chris Larsen and his wife Sue Larsen, of Midlothian. Neither is currently licensed. Please welcome them and encourage them or assist them to get their licenses.

Jim Hull, W9JGH, and his wife Dawn Hull, KA9ERS, of Brookfield. Jim is an Extra and Dawn is a Technician. Jim and Dawn are members of and active in several clubs and bring a lot experience to our club. Please welcome them.

Robert Cox KD9TRH, of Orland Park. Robert is a General.  Please welcome him.

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

Madison Hamfest April 13, 2024
Mandt Community Center
400 Mandt Parkway
Stoughton, WI 53589
8AM-12PM
Talk-in MARA’s wide Area Repeater 147.150 MHz (+600) pl 123.0
Madison Hamfest 2024

The Ozaukee Radio Club 44^th Annual Indoor Swapfest
April 27, 2024
Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Center
W67N890 Washington Ave.
Cedarburg, WI 53012
8AM-12PM
Talk-in 146.970 MHz pl 127.3
The Ozaukee Radio Club Indoor Swapfest

Henry Co Hamfest April 29, 2024
New Castle Armory
1537 Grand Ave.
New Castle, IN 47362
8AM-12PM
Talk-in W9OB repeater 147.390 MHz pl 127.3
Henry County Hamfest

The Arrowhead Radio Amateur Club Hamfest May4, 2024
Head of the Lake Fairgrounds
4700 Tower Ave.
Superior, WI 54880
9AM-1PM
Talk-in W0GKP Repeater 146.940 MHz pl 103.5 Duluth
146.940 MHz pl 151.4 2Harbors
147.000 MHz pl 103.5 Mahtowa
The Arrowhead Radio Amateur Radio Club Hamfest

North Central Indiana Hamfest May 4,2024
Hart’s Celebration Center
3031 E 450 N
Marion, IN 46953
7AM-12PM
Talk-in 146.70 MHz pl 141.3
North Central Indiana Hamfest PDF

DeKalb Hamfest May 5, 2024
Sandwich Fairgrounds
1401 Suydam Road
Sandwich, IL 60548
8AM-1PM
Talk-in KARC Repeater 146.730 MHz pl 100.0 or 146.520 MHz Simplex
DeKalb KARC Hamfest

Dayton Hamvention May 17-19,2024
Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center
210 Fairground Road
Xenia, FL 45385
Talk-in DARA Repeater 146.940 MHz pl 123.0
alternative 146.985 MHz pl 123.0
Dayton Hamvention

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 will be conducting 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.

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

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

New Quartermaster

Keli Calderone, KD9YDT, has graciously volunteered to be the new quartermaster. Keli will bring what is available in stock to the monthly meetings. You can email her at KD9YDT@gmail.com to see if she has your size in stock or if it needs to be ordered.

Club Merchandise

de Keli Calderone KD9YDT

The club has short and long sleeve T-Shirts, Polos, Sweatshirts and Pullover Hoodies for sale. 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).

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 a nice instructional sheet for how to conduct yourself on the different nets. Click here for an 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

April 2024 Contest Calendar

From WA7BNM Contest Calendar Website

April 2024
ARS Spartan Sprint	0100Z-0300Z, Apr 2
SARL 80m QSO Party	1700Z-2000Z, Apr 4
PODXS 070 Club PSK 31 Flavors Contest	1000Z, Apr 6 to 0400Z, Apr 7
Louisiana QSO Party	1400Z, Apr 6 to 0200Z, Apr 7
SP DX Contest	1500Z, Apr 6 to 1500Z, Apr 7
QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party	0000Z-2359Z, Apr 13
JIDX CW Contest	0700Z, Apr 13 to 1300Z, Apr 14
SKCC Weekend Sprintathon	1200Z, Apr 13 to 2359Z, Apr 14
IG-RY World Wide RTTY Contest	1200Z, Apr 13 to 1800Z, Apr 14
New Mexico QSO Party	1400Z, Apr 13 to 0200Z, Apr 14
Georgia QSO Party	1800Z, Apr 13 to 2359Z, Apr 14
Hungarian Straight Key Contest	1500Z-1700Z, Apr 14
4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Apr 15
NTC QSO Party	1900Z-2000Z, Apr 18
Holyland DX Contest	2100Z, Apr 19 to 2100Z, Apr 20
ES Open HF Championship	0500Z-0859Z, Apr 20
Worked All Provinces of China DX Contest	0600Z, Apr 20 to 0559Z, Apr 21
YU DX Contest	0700Z, Apr 20 to 0659Z, Apr 21
QRP to the Field	0800 local-1800 local, Apr 20
CQMM DX Contest	0900Z, Apr 20 to 2359Z, Apr 21
Michigan QSO Party	1600Z, Apr 20 to 0400Z, Apr 21
Ontario QSO Party	1800Z, Apr 20 to 1800Z, Apr 21
ARRL Rookie Roundup, SSB	1800Z-2359Z, Apr 21
Run for the Bacon QRP Contest	2300Z, Apr 21 to 0100Z, Apr 22
SKCC Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Apr 24
10-10 Int. Spring Contest, Digital	0001Z, Apr 27 to 2359Z, Apr 28
SP DX RTTY Contest	1200Z, Apr 27 to 1200Z, Apr 28
Helvetia Contest	1300Z, Apr 27 to 1259Z, Apr 28
Florida QSO Party	1600Z, Apr 27 to 2159Z, Apr 28
BARTG Sprint 75	1700Z-2059Z, Apr 28

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

March 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.