December 2022 – HamGab

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Secretary’s Beat – Meeting Minutes

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de Jim Riley

This year’s Christmas party will be at The Garden Chalet, 110^th and Ridgeland Avenue in Worth on Friday, December 2. Anyone who has been there for any occasion knows the food is excellent and so is the service. There is more information available here in the Hamgab, and also on the website.

I’m here to tell you how to get tickets. The November meeting is your last chance to get tickets in person. If you’d rather get them through the club’s secure payment system before the next meeting, I’ll have them for you there. If you wait until after the meeting, I’ll have them for you the night of the event.

If you prefer to pay by check, please make it payable to Hamfesters Radio Club.    This is always a fun event. Hope to see you there.

A Word from the Editor

I am a week late on putting together this month’s HamGab. It’s been a crazy November for my family.

Paula and I participated in a Toys For Tots sorting event. Talk about a worthwhile event! And it’s organized by the Marines! How awesome is that!

My duties as secretary of my lodge tend to monopolize my time during November & December. Dues time! My respect goes out to our secretary (Patty KC9LYE) and the membership coordinators (Brian W9HLQ & Rob N9WDV)!

Paula’s grandma passed away. Paula’s health has been slowly improving since the surgey on Aug 29th. Doctors put a drain in to drain off the infection that had developed. The drain was taken out this morning! Hooray! We still have to do IV antibiotics everyday. I think she is still progressing though.

Thanksgiving was at our house. Yummy! There was no shortage of food everywhere. Five days after Thanksgiving, we finally finished our last meal of turkey leftovers. It has occurred to me that if I didn’t eat so much turkey once a year, I might want to actually have turkey during the year! LOL!

Friends, as we fly through Christmas and the new year, take a moment to pray for 2023. There is a lot going on in the world. Christmas gives us an opportunity to reflect on the important things around us. I am grateful that I have so many friends and family to lean on when times get tough. And yes… Hamfesters is part of my family!

So from my family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May the holiday season bring you special moments and happy memories.

Hamfesters Dues Reminder

I want to thank those of you who paid their dues at the November meeting.   The Dues Desk will be open again at the November meeting.  The funds are used to support the ongoing activities and expenses of the club.  Dues are payable on Jan 1, of the coming year.  Please remember you can pay your dues anytime online at:

https://www.hamfesters.org/main/club-information/

You can check your dues status at:

https://www.hamfesters.org/main/members-only/

The club is pleased that you joined Hamfesters and we trust you will find an area of club activities where you can participate and help support your club. -=Brian, W9HLQ=-

FOR SALE by Owner

FOR SALE by Ayman N9SES:

• Kenwood TS-570D Used Very Good Condition SOLD!
• MFJ-651Microphone Equalizer New
• Icom IC-V8000 VHF Transceiver Used Very Good Condition
• EB-104 HF AMPLIFIER KIT W/EXTRAS New Never Assembled
• Navy Receiver Model R-1051B/URR (Rare) Working But One Dial Slips Sometimes
• Navy Receiver Model R-1051B/URR (Rare) Working 100% Very Accurate HF Receiver
• Navy Transmitter T827B/URT Very Extremely (Rare) Working Condition
• Alinco DJ-175T VHF FM TANSCEIVER Like New Codition
• RM Italy KL703 Liner Amplifier Used Very Little.

Contact Ayman N9SES through his QRZ page.

FOR SALE by Kurtt WB9FMC

Flex 6400 with ATU and extended warranty (good until June 2025). SOLD

Asking $2,200.00 SOLD!

Note: To transfer the warranty costs $89.00

Also: I have a Maestro on order for $1,199.00 with a 2023 delivery date. The price is currently $1,299.00. I don’t know if that price will “hold” until they build them, but I might be willing to split the difference when it becomes available.

Drake Equipment

Note: I have listed here what WB4HFN gathered prices for this equipment in 2009.*

	WB4HFN 2009 prices
2-B receiver	$201
2-BQ speaker & Q multiplier	$160	(both: $435)
T-4XC transmitter	$340
R-4C receiver	$570
AC-4 power supply	$193
MS-4 speaker	$127
FS-4 frequency synthesizer	$585	(complete station: $1,815)
DC-3 power supply	$68

2-B/2-BQ Asking $400

4 Twins w/FS-4: Asking $1,500

Note: I would like to sell the 2B/2BQ as a set as well as the Drake 4 twins and FS-4 as a set. I am open to all offers.

* See: http://www.wb4hfn.com/DRAKE/DrakeSalePriceHistory.htm

Kurtt  WB9FMC kurtt@pinrod.com (773) 284-9500

ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program

from ARRL VEC VE Newsletter

The ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program went into effect on April 19, 2022. ARRL will cover the one-time $35 application fee for new license candidates younger than 18-years old for tests administered under the ARRL VEC program. The $35 FCC application fee will be reimbursed after the ARRL VEC receives the completed reimbursement form and the new license has been issued by the FCC. The reimbursement check will be mailed to the fee payer. Also, candidates younger than 18-years old would pay a reduced exam session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC VE team at the time of the exam. The $5 fee is for all candidates under the age of 18 regardless of the exam level taken. Proof of under 18 status is required at the session. Visit the ARRL website for the program instructions and reimbursement form at www.arrl.org/youth-licensing-grant-program<http://www.arrl.org/youth-licensing-grant-program>.

The ARRL Board approved the “Youth Licensing Grant Program” at its July 2021 meeting in Hartford, Connecticut, expanding on the scope of the original motion proposed by ARRL Southeastern Division Director Mickey Baker, N4MB. The new program will cover the $35 FCC license application fee for candidates younger than 18-years old. The Board believes that “the recruitment and training of young amateur radio operators is a necessary and proper mission of the ARRL, and that subsidization of the $35 fee will reduce the number of new amateurs that otherwise would be lost from these groups,” the Board said. Initially the new program would serve up to 1,000 new license applicants under 18 years old. The program length is indefinite; it may be renewed or terminated by the Administration and Finance Committee or by the Board of Directors. The motion carried with applause from Board members.

Hamfesters VE Testings

Important Note: Amateur Radio Exams

1. Bring 2 pencils for the answer sheet, and a Black ink ball point pen for the FCC VEC 605 form we provide.  (FCC registration form)
2. Exam Candidates: Prior to your arrival. You are REQUIRED to register in the FCC CORES system online and receive a FCC Registration Number (FRN) before exam day.
   Once you have obtained the FRN number, please bring it with you to the exam location. To apply for the FRN, please go here.>>>  https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do 
   Already Licensed? Please bring your Official Amateur License and Photo Copy of Your License. The FRN number is printed on your FCC License. (also found on the GMRS license if you have one) ALL Copies are filed with all testing materials. You will keep the originals. The FCC ULS CORES system must have a valid email address.  Otherwise you may not get your License.
   The FRN number is a requirement on the FCC 605 form we provide and your Exam answer sheet.
3. A fee of $15 dollars is charged for the examination. Payment is Cash ONLY — no credit cards or checks accepted.
4. Please bring a photo ID such as a Government Drivers License or US passport.
5. Exam location is at Oak Forest City Hall 15440 S. Central Ave. Oak Forest.  Enter through the Police Station Door and follow the ARRL EXAM Signs to the Exam Area.
6. Yes, You may bring your calculator, however you must demonstrate that all memories are erased.

NOTE:     Starting  April 19, 2022 the FCC $35.00 Amateur Application Fee Starts. This new fee will only apply to applicants for a new 10 year License, renewal, rule waiver or a new vanity call sign.  (The $35.00 Application Fee is non-refundable) There will be no charge for future License Upgrades or administrative updates, such as a change of mailing address or email address.

The New $35.00 Fee will NOT be collected by the VE’s (Volunteer Examiners). ALL Exam paperwork including exam fees, answer sheets and Form 605s are mailed to the ARRL-VEC headquarters.  If you passed your exam the ARRL-VEC will submit your information to the FCC. Once the FCC runs batch processing, they will email you the process to pay the $35.00 fee. (usually credit card) You will have Ten calendar days to pay per instructions giving by the FCC. If payment is properly transferred, the FCC will then email instructions to download your License.  You will have 30 days to download the Amateur license. 

Again, The FCC must have your valid email address in the ULS CORES system.

ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program starts on April 19, 2022

Anticipating the implementation of the fee in 2022, the ARRL Board of Directors, at its July 2021 meeting, approved the "ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program <https://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-board-establishes-program-to-cover-initial-fcc-license-fee-for-young-applicants>." Under the program, ARRL will cover a one-time $35 application fee for license candidates younger than 18 years old for tests administered under the auspices of the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (ARRL VEC). Qualified candidates also would pay a reduced exam session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC upon examination.

To give yourself practice on all the questions: Please click on the Website below that contains Exam Flash Cards Go to  >>>  https://hamexam.org/   Click on the Flash Cards for the Class of Exam you wish to study. You can also take the practice Exams found on the same Web Site. It’s free and a good practice prior to any Exam Session.

73’s   Al – N9ZD   VE examiner

December 2022 Contest Calendar

From WA7BNM Contest Calendar Website

Dec-22
+ Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest	0000Z-0100Z, Dec 1 and
	0200Z-0300Z, Dec 2
+ QRP ARCI Topband Sprint	0000Z-0300Z, Dec 1
+ NRAU 10m Activity Contest	1800Z-1900Z, Dec 1 (CW) and
	1900Z-2000Z, Dec 1 (SSB) and
	2000Z-2100Z, Dec 1 (FM) and
	2100Z-2200Z, Dec 1 (Dig)
+ SKCC Sprint Europe	2000Z-2200Z, Dec 1
+ ARRL 160-Meter Contest	2200Z, Dec 2 to 1600Z, Dec 4
+ Kalbar Contest	0000Z, Dec 3 to 2359Z, Dec 4
+ UFT Meeting	0500Z-0800Z, Dec 3 and
	1500Z-1800Z, Dec 3 and
	0700Z-1000Z, Dec 4
+ Wake-Up! QRP Sprint	0600Z-0629Z, Dec 3 and
	0630Z-0659Z, Dec 3 and
	0700Z-0729Z, Dec 3 and
	0730Z-0800Z, Dec 3
+ PRO CW Contest	1200Z, Dec 3 to 1159Z, Dec 4
+ INORC Contest	1400Z, Dec 3 to 1359Z, Dec 4
+ FT Roundup	1800Z, Dec 3 to 2359Z, Dec 4
+ ARS Spartan Sprint	0200Z-0400Z, Dec 6
+ VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest	1700Z-2100Z, Dec 7
+ EACW Meeting	1900Z-2000Z, Dec 8
+ PODXS 070 Club Triple Play Low Band Sprint	0000Z, Dec 10 to 2359Z, Dec 12
+ ARRL 10-Meter Contest	0000Z, Dec 10 to 2400Z, Dec 11
+ TRC Digi Contest	Cancelled for 2022
+ SKCC Weekend Sprintathon	1200Z, Dec 10 to 2400Z, Dec 11
+ ARI 40/80 Contest	1300Z, Dec 10 to 1300Z, Dec 11
+ International Naval Contest	1600Z, Dec 10 to 1559Z, Dec 11
+ QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Sprint	2000Z-2300Z, Dec 11
+ CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run	2100Z-2259Z, Dec 11
+ 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint	0100Z-0300Z, Dec 12
+ NAQCC CW Sprint	0130Z-0330Z, Dec 14
+ VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest	1700Z-2100Z, Dec 14
+ Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest	0000Z-0100Z, Dec 15 and
	0200Z-0300Z, Dec 16
+ NTC QSO Party	1900Z-2000Z, Dec 15
+ AGB-Party Contest	1600Z-1700Z, Dec 16
+ Russian 160-Meter Contest	1800Z-2200Z, Dec 16
+ RAC Winter Contest	0000Z-2359Z, Dec 17
+ Feld Hell Sprint	0000Z-2359Z, Dec 17
+ OK DX RTTY Contest	0000Z-2400Z, Dec 17
+ Croatian CW Contest	1400Z, Dec 17 to 1400Z, Dec 18
+ Stew Perry Topband Challenge	1500Z, Dec 17 to 1500Z, Dec 18
+ ARRL Rookie Roundup, CW	1800Z-2359Z, Dec 18
+ Run for the Bacon QRP Contest	2300Z, Dec 18 to 0100Z, Dec 19
+ NAQCC CW Sprint	0130Z-0330Z, Dec 21
+ VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest	1700Z-2100Z, Dec 21
+ CW QRS Xmas Activity	0000Z, Dec 24 to 2359Z, Dec 31
+ RAEM Contest	0000Z-1159Z, Dec 25
+ DARC Christmas Contest	0830Z-1059Z, Dec 26
+ QCX Challenge	1300Z-1400Z, Dec 26
+ QCX Challenge	1900Z-2000Z, Dec 26
+ QCX Challenge	0300Z-0400Z, Dec 27
+ SKCC Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Dec 28
+ YOTA Contest	1200Z-2359Z, Dec 30
+ Bogor Old and New Contest	0900Z-2359Z, Dec 31

Club Information

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Disclaimer

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.