December 2021 – HamGab

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Secretary’s Beat – Meeting Minutes

Hamfesters Amateur radio club meeting Fri. Nov. 5, 2021 @ 7:38pm

Roll: Nora kc9mlv, Jim w9jpr, Kurt wb9fmc, Patti kc9lye

Christmas party Dec. 10th, buy tickets at hamfesters.org

Tonight 33 members, & 9 visitors. Welcome everyone!

Tonight’s program Steve Cooper and his Trio.
Dec. 10th, Christmas party see Hamfesters.org for details.

The flag was presented by Russell n9gix. Steve read a prayer for Veteran’s Day, a moment of silence.

Orders are taken for Hamfesters sweatshirts $17.95, & hoodies $24.50. Thanks, Cindy n9cas, for doing this.

Thanks, to all who brought treats tonight. Someone needs to volunteer to bring treats beginning Jan. 2022. See Nora KC9MLV or Don KC9EQQ for details.

Health & Welfare: Jim Riley’s w9jpr, wife Judy is cancer-free.
“Pete” William Peterson k9owq, is a sk. Pete was responsible for arranging our trips on the S.S. Badger, those were fun times.

Ed wa9eol, is in an assisted living place,(see Kurt wb9fmc, for address) please visit or call.

Treasurer’s Report: by Kurt wb9fmc, he’s renewing the club’s insurance. Coverage for; Christmas Party 2021, club meetings 2022, field day 2022,& hamfest 2022.

Minutes: approved by; John kb9fqb, & Russell n9gix.

Hamfesters Tech. class: Taught by Brian W9HLQ, & Mike K9AMC on Zoom. There were 3 students, one was Brian’s brother who is now KI5FGB. Thanks, Brian, & Mike.

Hamfest 2022: by Don KC9EQQ, we put down a deposit for the first Sunday in August.

Field Day 2022: by Jim W9JPR, June 25-26th.

Hamgab: Contact Gene W9PNG at hamgab@Hamfesters.org if you have ham gear to sell, or buy.

New Business: Connie AC9CK, program on Zoom “E Toys” IEEEChicago.org on Nov. 16th. “E Toys” are the new Legos, contact Connie.

Hamfesters monthly VE testing by Al N9ZA, the 2nd Saturday see Hamfesters.org

Adjournment: @ 9:40pm Bob N9KWG, Cindy N9CAS

Split-the-pot winner: Rich KA9HMV

Hamfester’s Dues

Hamfesters Radio club values your participation in the club. We need your dues support to keep the club running. Standard dues are $20/yr. And $10/yr for spouse or other family member. Current members will remain on the mailing list which announces the availability of HamGab and other important club news. In the early spring of the year, I remove those members who are delinquent from the list. Contact Brian, W9HLQ, if you are not getting these email announcements.

For the new members (and old members who forget!) here is a review of the dues process for Hamfesters. The final date for dues is the 31 st of December which pays for the following year’s dues. To facilitate the collection of dues I set up a table to make it easy for you to pay your dues. The table is set up for the October and November meetings. If you are going to pay in person I appreciate you pay your dues at either the October or November meeting. Thank you.

If you can’t attend either of these meetings, feel free to mail in your dues; payable to “Hamfesters Radio Club”. Send to Brian Davis, W9HLQ. When paying in person, we are equipped to accept your Visa or Master card if you don’t have cash handy. Also you can pay anytime online at our web site found here: https://www.hamfesters.org/main/club-information/

You can check your dues status by going to the Hamfesters web site and clicking on the “Members Only” link on the left side of the page. The years that you have paid for are shown as a two digit number for the years you have paid. You will need a password to access this information. If you are a paid member, contact any Hamfester officer to get the passcode.

Chrismas Party

Christmas Party tickets are now on sale!

     I will have tickets for this year’s gathering at the head table during the October and November meetings. They’re $25 each. You can pay with cash, or check made out to Hamfesters Radio Club. Can’t wait for the meeting? You can order through the club’s website and I will have them for you at the meeting.

   More info about the party is elsewhere in this issue or on the website: www.hamfesters.org.

   73, Jim W9JPR

$2.50 TRANCEIVER SENDS & RECEIVES CW

from Westlakes Amateur Radio Club November 2021 Newsletter

A short time back, Dennis VK2XDW asked if I could come up with a club project. Well now it exists. Meant for newcomers to amateur radio and those interested in learning CW, this project allows anyone including unlicensed people to use a homemade radio to communicate.
The devices work using the unlicensed WiFi band within a distance of around 30 meters, sending to other rooms in a building or in the outdoors. Two people equipped with these can transmit to each other legally. Doing this I believe will help with not being nervous when going for that first contact “on the air”. Anyone interested in microprocessors would know this is something quite new. Never wanting just to reinvent a wheel it is something I try for using new ideas. The heart of the devices are cheap ESP-01 modules which combine a microprocessor and a WiFi section as well as having a built-in antenna. The ESP-01 has been around for years and is very popular. There are many WiFi protocols around but I only found one that would do the job with no delay or latency as it is known. Initially, I could only find protocols needing an interent WiFi connection where code was sent and stored before actually returning it to a second device for decoding. Latency was as much as 11 seconds.
What was needed was a direct link between two devices and finding suitable libraries to allow this took a lot of time and experimentation. Finally, I found ESP-NOW created by Expressif who designed and manufacture the chips.
This is a fairly recent innovation designed for device-to-device communications, no doubt spurred on by the rapid takeup of IOT (internet of things) for controlling consumer devices around the home.
When the club opens again I will have it to demonstrate along with the transmitter and receiver codes for free – just bring a USB stick with you.

John, VK2ASU

Hamfesters Training for Fall 2021 Report

Hamfesters Radio Club ran a virtual training class for the Technician class amateur radio license.  We ran evening sessions for 5 weeks.  We had students from Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas and Dupage county.  At this time we know two have passed their VE test. Jim is K5LCE, and Lionel, KD9TVF.  Rob, our third student has been busy at work and family.  He has located a VE site and is planning on taking the test soon. 

I want to thank Mike, K9ACM, for hosting the event using his website and the use of Jitsi for the training.  I feel that virtual training can be as effective as classroom style.  Finding a suitable training room for low cost is quite difficult.  So the virtual training nicely solves this problem.  Mike has built a very professional and practical website for our training purposes.  It made teaching easy due to the convenient layout for the materials and the videos. 

Thanks, Mike.

Submitted by Brian, W9HLQ

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

The VE Team is NOT CONSIDERING any exams during the Hamfester’s Hamfest in August.

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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December 2021 Contest Calendar

From WA7BNM Contest Calendar Website

+ QRP Fox Hunt	0200Z-0330Z, Dec 1
+ Phone Weekly Test – Fray	0230Z-0300Z, Dec 1
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	1300Z-1400Z, Dec 1
+ VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest	1700Z-2000Z, Dec 1
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	1900Z-2000Z, Dec 1
+ Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest	0000Z-0100Z, Dec 2 and 0200Z-0300Z, Dec 3
+ QRP ARCI Topband Sprint	0000Z-0300Z, Dec 2
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	0300Z-0400Z, Dec 2
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	0700Z-0800Z, Dec 2
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Dec 2
+ NRAU 10m Activity Contest	1800Z-1900Z, Dec 2 (CW) and 1900Z-2000Z, Dec 2 (SSB) and 2000Z-2100Z, Dec 2 (FM) and 2100Z-2200Z, Dec 2 (Dig)
+ SKCC Sprint Europe	2000Z-2200Z, Dec 2
+ NCCC RTTY Sprint	0145Z-0215Z, Dec 3
+ QRP Fox Hunt	0200Z-0330Z, Dec 3
+ NCCC Sprint	0230Z-0300Z, Dec 3
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	2000Z-2100Z, Dec 3
+ ARRL 160-Meter Contest	2200Z, Dec 3 to 1600Z, Dec 5
+ UFT Meeting	0500Z-0800Z, Dec 4 and 1500Z-1800Z, Dec 4 and 0700Z-1000Z, Dec 5
+ Wake-Up! QRP Sprint	0600Z-0629Z, Dec 4 and 0630Z-0659Z, Dec 4 and 0700Z-0729Z, Dec 4 and 0730Z-0800Z, Dec 4
+ PRO CW Contest	1200Z, Dec 4 to 1159Z, Dec 5
+ Two-Meter Classic Sprint	1300Z-1330Z, Dec 4
+ INORC Contest	1400Z, Dec 4 to 1359Z, Dec 5
+ FT Roundup	1800Z, Dec 4 to 2359Z, Dec 5
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	0000Z-0100Z, Dec 6
+ OK1WC Memorial	1630Z-1729Z, Dec 6
+ Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest	0100Z-0159Z, Dec 7
+ ARS Spartan Sprint	0200Z-0400Z, Dec 7
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Dec 7
+ NAQCC CW Sprint	0130Z-0330Z, Dec 8
+ QRP Fox Hunt	0200Z-0330Z, Dec 8
+ Phone Weekly Test – Fray	0230Z-0300Z, Dec 8
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	1300Z-1400Z, Dec 8
+ VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest	1700Z-2000Z, Dec 8
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	1900Z-2000Z, Dec 8
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	0300Z-0400Z, Dec 9
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	0700Z-0800Z, Dec 9
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Dec 9
+ NCCC RTTY Sprint	0145Z-0215Z, Dec 10
+ QRP Fox Hunt	0200Z-0330Z, Dec 10
+ NCCC Sprint	0230Z-0300Z, Dec 10
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	2000Z-2100Z, Dec 10
+ PODXS 070 Club Triple Play Low Band Sprint	0000Z, Dec 11 to 2359Z, Dec 13
+ ARRL 10-Meter Contest	0000Z, Dec 11 to 2400Z, Dec 12
+ TRC Digi Contest	0600Z, Dec 11 to 1800Z, Dec 12
+ SKCC Weekend Sprintathon	1200Z, Dec 11 to 2400Z, Dec 12
+ ARI 40/80 Contest	1300Z, Dec 11 to 1300Z, Dec 12
+ International Naval Contest	1600Z, Dec 11 to 1559Z, Dec 12
+ QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint	2000Z-2300Z, Dec 12
+ CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run	2100Z-2259Z, Dec 12
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	0000Z-0100Z, Dec 13
+ 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint	0100Z-0300Z, Dec 13
+ OK1WC Memorial	1630Z-1729Z, Dec 13
+ Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest	0100Z-0159Z, Dec 14
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Dec 14
+ QRP Fox Hunt	0200Z-0330Z, Dec 15
+ Phone Weekly Test – Fray	0230Z-0300Z, Dec 15
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	1300Z-1400Z, Dec 15
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	1900Z-2000Z, Dec 15
+ Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest	0000Z-0100Z, Dec 16 and 0200Z-0300Z, Dec 17
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	0300Z-0400Z, Dec 16
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	0700Z-0800Z, Dec 16
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Dec 16
+ NCCC RTTY Sprint	0145Z-0215Z, Dec 17
+ QRP Fox Hunt	0200Z-0330Z, Dec 17
+ NCCC Sprint	0230Z-0300Z, Dec 17
+ AGB-Party Contest	1600Z-1700Z, Dec 17
+ Russian 160-Meter Contest	1800Z-2200Z, Dec 17
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	2000Z-2100Z, Dec 17
+ OK DX RTTY Contest	0000Z-2400Z, Dec 18
+ RAC Winter Contest	0000Z-2359Z, Dec 18
+ Feld Hell Sprint	0000Z-2359Z, Dec 18
+ ARRL EME Contest	0000Z, Dec 18 to 2359Z, Dec 19
+ Padang DX Contest	1200Z, Dec 18 to 1159Z, Dec 19
+ Croatian CW Contest	1400Z, Dec 18 to 1400Z, Dec 19
+ Stew Perry Topband Challenge	1500Z, Dec 18 to 1500Z, Dec 19
+ ARRL Rookie Roundup, CW	1800Z-2359Z, Dec 19
+ Run for the Bacon QRP Contest	2300Z, Dec 19 to 0100Z, Dec 20
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	0000Z-0100Z, Dec 20
+ OK1WC Memorial	1630Z-1729Z, Dec 20
+ Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest	0100Z-0159Z, Dec 21
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Dec 21
+ SKCC Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Dec 22
+ NAQCC CW Sprint	0130Z-0330Z, Dec 22
+ Phone Weekly Test – Fray	0230Z-0300Z, Dec 22
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	1300Z-1400Z, Dec 22
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	1900Z-2000Z, Dec 22
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	0300Z-0400Z, Dec 23
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	0700Z-0800Z, Dec 23
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Dec 23
+ NCCC RTTY Sprint	0145Z-0215Z, Dec 24
+ NCCC Sprint	0230Z-0300Z, Dec 24
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	2000Z-2100Z, Dec 24
+ Gedebage CW Contest	1200Z, Dec 25 to 1159Z, Dec 26
+ RAEM Contest	0000Z-1159Z, Dec 26
+ DARC Christmas Contest	0830Z-1059Z, Dec 26
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	0000Z-0100Z, Dec 27
+ QCX Challenge	1300Z-1400Z, Dec 27
+ OK1WC Memorial	1630Z-1729Z, Dec 27
+ QCX Challenge	1900Z-2000Z, Dec 27
+ Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest	0100Z-0159Z, Dec 28
+ QCX Challenge	0300Z-0400Z, Dec 28
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Dec 28
+ QRP Fox Hunt	0200Z-0330Z, Dec 29
+ Phone Weekly Test – Fray	0230Z-0300Z, Dec 29
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	1300Z-1400Z, Dec 29
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	1900Z-2000Z, Dec 29
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	0300Z-0400Z, Dec 30
+ CWops Mini-CWT Test	0700Z-0800Z, Dec 30
+ YOTA Contest	1200Z-2359Z, Dec 30
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, Dec 30
+ NCCC RTTY Sprint	0145Z-0215Z, Dec 31
+ QRP Fox Hunt	0200Z-0330Z, Dec 31
+ NCCC Sprint	0230Z-0300Z, Dec 31
+ Bogor Old and New Contest	0900Z-2359Z, Dec 31
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	2000Z-2100Z, Dec 31

Club Information

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Photos from the November 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.