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Secretary’s Beat – Meeting Minutes

No minutes to report.

Technician Class is back in session!

Questions and to register: Contact Brian Davis, W9HLQ at w9hlq@hamfesters.org or Mike McGuire, K9ACM at k9acm@arrl.net

CQ Field Day

de Jim Riley W9JPR

Depending on when you read this, it will be my final Field Day article for 2020 or my first for 2021.
I’ll clear out 2020 as quickly as possible so we can hopefully move on to better things in 2021. It was a strange year for just about everything and Field Day was no exception. We couldn’t gather as we always have and all our 1D and 1E entries from our home stations went to the ARRL individually with the option of aggregating them into a club score. There were some other rule changes, too. For the first time, Class Delta stations were allowed to operate other Delta stations. According to QST, there were 8,298 Delta and Echo entries but only 611 Alpha entries. Total entries were 10,213 or three times normal but total participants were way down because of the lack of visitors.
Normally, I’d give a breakdown on how we did in our division, state, and class but that wasn’t an option this year due to the aggregate system caused by the pandemic. The best I can do is show how we did against some other clubs in our area. The following breakdown lists the name of the club, their score, and how many home stations submitted their scores to that club.

Club Name	Score	# of Stations
Metro DX	17,501	10
DuPage	13,359	20
Tri-Town	6,826	5
Hamfesters	3,089	10
STARS	2,116	3
Six Meter Club	1,680	7

As you can see, we did OK operating from home but it just wasn’t anywhere near as much fun. With that, we won’t talk about 2020 ever again.

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All I can say for sure about 2021 is Field Day will be June 26 and 27. The crystal ball is murky beyond that. It might be at Southbridge Church in Orland Park with setup at 0800 and operations beginning at 1300 local or 1800Z. Or it might be in your home, car, or in your back yard as I did. Only time will tell.
If we’re allowed to have a meeting, I’ll need pictures of your home operating setup for my FD program in June.
Stay tuned, it’s going to be interesting.

FCC Decides on $35 Application Fee

From ARRL

The FCC, based on input from the ARRL and its Members, agreed to in the Report and Order for MD Docket No. 20-270 to lower the  “Personal License Application Fee” that applies to Amateur Radio licensees from the originally proposed amount of $50 to $35.  For more information please read the news story on the ARRL website.

http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-reduces-proposed-amateur-radio-application-fee-to-35

It’s Dues Time!

The Hamfesters radio club values each member. We hope you enjoy the club, whether it be the monthly meetings, the Field Day outing, or the Christmas dinner meeting. Even in this time of Covid virus the club appreciates your support. You can always get technical help and advise from other club members. If you are looking for help getting an antenna up or advice on getting a new radio, perhaps some club members can help. Of course, all of the activity costs money.

It is that time of the year when I take a look at our membership dues payment records. We really would like to keep you in the club and on the Hamfesters Roster. If you see me at the next meeting, please consider submitting your dues to me, or better yet, do it now by using our web site and using our online form. You can also send a check to the Membership Chairman, Brian Davis, 17038 Oconto Ave. Tinley Park, IL 60477. Be sure your call sign is on the check or
letter so I know who sent the funds! Pay your dues here: https://www.hamfesters.org/main/club-information/

Thank you in advance for renewing your dues.
73,
Brian, W9HLQ, Membership Chairman

VE Testing

Hamfesters VE Testing Report
Al Bukowski N9ZD – VE coordinator

No VE Sessions until March 2021

The Hamfester’s VE examinations to Continue on APPOINTMENT TIMES ONLY for the remainder of the year. NO WALK-INS

The Hamfester’s Radio Club VE test session(s) for xxxxxxxxx  will be Appointment only.

Candidates MUST email to get an appointed time (earliest 8AM), other instructions, and directions to the Exam Location
Liaison Al Bukowski (N9ZD)        ( aln9zd@gmail.com )

TEST Location: TBD – Oak Forest, IL  60452  (will be using a VE’s Garage for now unless Oak Forest City Hall reopens)

VE Stock test material will be in Plastic protective sleeves to protect the next user after disinfectant cleaner applied.

NOTE: Since Hamfester’s average candidate attendance the past years has been average of 4, the 
Appointment times will be 3 candidates 8:00 AM / 3 candidates 9:30AM /  3 candidates 11:00AM  / Flexible as needed

A Special ‘Thank You’ to All the VE’s volunteering there Saturday morning to assist me at the Exam sessions.

Because it is touching sensitive areas of your machine it will ask your permission to make the changes it needs to. Simply click [YES]. Then agree to the license agreement on the next screen.

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Club Information

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Pics from the November Meeting

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