July 2021 – HamGab

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THANKFUL:  To be having our regular meetings in person again.  Thank you members for coming out to the meetings.

Thank you to Jim Riley W9JPR for his program on what to see and expect at Field Day.  Jim mentioned he has been our Field Day Chairman now for over 28 years.  Please give him a nice thank you for all he does when you see him. We are all excited to get back to Field Day and hope everyone can make a stop by and support the Club and our activities.  We always need help setting up and on Sunday for taking everything back down. 

HEALTH AND WELFARE:  Hope everyone is staying safe and well.  Prayers are also being sent to those members who are suffering or struggling.

THEY ARE IN:  We will have T-Shirts and Polos for sale at the next meeting.  Prices as follows:   T-Shirts at $15.00 and Polo Shirts at $20.00.  Try to bring exact change, please.

JULY MEETING:  We are having our usual holiday gathering and will have music and some food to share to celebrate the holiday.  Members are encouraged to bring a side dish or dessert to share.

SPECIAL:  There will be Fireworks from Ozinga Field that evening (after showing a movie).  Not sure what time, but we may get lucky to see some if they are not too late.

At the July Meeting, we will have Hamfest tickets, which will be the last time you can get your ticket at the presale price.  So bring your cash.  Be prepared to volunteer and sign up to help at our Club’s Hamfest.

 Since our August meeting falls after Hamfest, we hope to discuss a few things for Hamfest at the July meeting.  Then maybe having a Zoom Meeting the Friday before Hamfest to be sure we have everything in order.

AUGUST 1, 2021 –  The return of Hamfest.  Members, you wanted Hamfest, so it is back.   At the July Meeting, we will have Hamfest tickets, which will be the last time you can get your ticket at the presale price.  We are still looking for Volunteers for several things.  We especially need help in setting up the tables the Saturday afternoon before the Hamfest.

 We will have a speaker.  Ron Delpiere-Smith, KD9IPO, Vice President, Chicago Suburban Radio Association and ARRL Assistant Section Manager-Illinois.  The program is titled “Working the Pile-up”.  The intended audience of this presentation is those new to HF contesting, special events or just want to learn a little bit more. 

 There will be NO VE Testing at the Hamfest this year.NEW MEMBER:  Welcome to Paul Truback, KD9RRY.  On a side note, Al’s N9ZD newest licensees are: Paul Ganze KD9SYD and Austin Amsler KD9SYE.  Congratulations to both of them.

 On behalf of Don and myself, we wish everyone a very safe 4^th of July.

 As always, we ask you to keep an eye on the website (dutifully brought to us by Brian Davis and Gene Phillips) 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

The Hamfesters Radio Club general meeting for June 5, 2022, was called to order by President Nora Pointer at 1930 hours.

President’s Report: There was a moment of silence for Rose Broniarczyk, wife of Ed WA9EOL.

Announcements: Cindy N9CAS reported that T-shirts and polos are on the way.

Health & Welfare: Brian W9HLQ reported that Gregg AB9MZ is doing OK. Chuck N9DKJ reported his hiccups were resolved by acupuncture.

Motion to approve the minutes of last general meeting was made by Connie AC9CK and seconded by Ron KB9TCX. All voted to approve.  

Treasurer’s Report was given by Kurt WB9FMC.                

Secretary’s Report: Secretary Patti KC9LYE was unable to attend. Vice President Jim W9JPR took the minutes.

Standing Committees

Membership: Brian W9HLQ reported on the website’s password.

Program: Nora KC9MLV reminded everyone about our July meeting and the salute to veterans. Pizza will be served.

Publicity: Jim W9JPR reported on publicity for this meeting and for Field Day.

Hamfest: No report

Field Day: Jim W9JPR discussed meals and Rick W9DOQ talked about his breakfast and supper menus. Jim also did his annual Field Day presentation.

Awards:  No report.

Education: Brian W9HLQ said there will be a technician class in the fall.

Special Committees

Old Business: Connie AC9CK suggested some kind of kids’ activities for hamfest.  

New Business: None

Motion to Adjourn was made by Kurt WB9FMC and seconded by Steve W9KXT . The meeting adjourned at 2050 hours.

Hamfester of the Year!

VE Exams By Appointment

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

Date: 2nd Saturday of each Month

Location: TBA upon email registration

Time: Start time of Exam: TBD time by slots – (0900 hrs) – (1100 hrs) 3 candidates per time Slot

NO WALK-INS ALLOWED!

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!

The $35 FCC Application Fee has NOT been implemented yet.

CONTACT: Al Bukowski – N9ZD >> Registration by email ONLY!

N9ZD@ARRL.NET – primary OR aln9zd@gmail.com – secondary

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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Hamfest 2021!

• When: August 1st, 2021
• Where: Will County Fairgrounds
• How Much?
  • Advance Tickets: $8.00 (w/ double stub)
  • At door: $10 (w/ Single Stub)
  • Kids under 12 are Free!
• We already have vendors signing up!
• Tickets can be purchased online here.

A Note from the Editor

Gene W9PNG

Welcome back to another HamGab! Independence day is just a few days from now where a lot of people will watch or fire off their own fireworks. I hope you all take a moment to reflect on our great country and how came into our independence from Britain.

Field Day is here! Sadly I will have to miss Field Day. Please take pictures and share them on social media! I will be living vicariously through you!

I do also include information submitted by the readers. The content must be respectful and related to Ham Radio in some way. You can email content to me at hamgab@hamfesters.org

Thank you all for reading my ramblings! Gene

Be well and safe my friends,

Gene W9PNG

The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner

July 2021 Contest Calendar

From WA7BNM Contest Calendar Website

+ RAC Canada Day Contest	0000Z-2359Z, Jul 1
+ DL-DX RTTY Contest	1100Z, Jul 3 to 1059Z, Jul 4
+ Marconi Memorial HF Contest	1400Z, Jul 3 to 1400Z, Jul 4
+ ARS Spartan Sprint	0100Z-0300Z, Jul 6
+ SKCC Weekend Sprintathon	1200Z, Jul 10 to 2359Z, Jul 11
+ IARU HF World Championship	1200Z, Jul 10 to 1200Z, Jul 11
+ QRP ARCI Summer Homebrew Sprint	2000Z-2300Z, Jul 11
+ 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Jul 12
+ IARU Region 1 70 MHz Contest	1400Z, Jul 17 to 1400Z, Jul 18
+ CQ Worldwide VHF Contest	1800Z, Jul 17 to 2100Z, Jul 18
+ North American QSO Party, RTTY	1800Z, Jul 17 to 0559Z, Jul 18
+ Run for the Bacon QRP Contest	2300Z, Jul 18 to 0100Z, Jul 19
+ RSGB IOTA Contest	1200Z, Jul 24 to 1200Z, Jul 25
+ ARS Flight of the Bumblebees	1700Z-2100Z, Jul 25
+ SKCC Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Jul 28

Club Information

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Photos from the June 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.