July 2024 – HamGab

Hamfesters Nets

2 Meter Net

Every Monday evening at 9PM
on 146.640 MHz -600 shift 107.2PL
Tom, KA9ZXN is net control.

10 Meter Net

Every Sunday evening at 8PM
on 28.410 MHz
Tom, KA9ZXN is net control.

Secretary’s Beat
Meeting Minutes

de Patti Gulick KC9LYE

Hamfesters Amateur Radio club W9AA meeting Fri. June 7, 2024, 7:37 pm

 Remember to check out Hamfesters.org, and HamGab for club updates.

 Roll: Nora KC9MLV, Jim W9JPR, Steve W9KXT, Gene W9PNG, John KB9FQB,

       Bob N9WDV, Don KC9EQQ, Dennis KC9DSP, Keli KD9YDT, Patti KC9LYE

 Here tonight 24 members, and 6 visitors, Welcome everyone.

 Visitors; Joey K9JFS, Scott KB9LCD, Julianna KE9ALT (a brand-new ham!),

           Mike KB9ZLW, Will W9WSS, and Rachel, Gregg’s AB9MZ, YL.

 Health & Welfare: Gregg AB9MZ, I couldn’t hear very well, his parent’s health.

                   Patti KC9LYE, on Field Day weekend June 22-23rd, I need a ride.

                   My email address is on the club’s roster, and on QRZ.

 Minutes: The May club minutes were approved by Dennis KC9DSP, & Gregg AB9MZ.

 Treasurer’s Report: None, Kurt WB9FMC, wasn’t here.

 Programs: Tonight Field Day 2023 by Jim W9JPR

           July 5 Potluck picnic here in the gym.

           Aug. 2 Our Hamfest on Aug. 4th.

 Education: by Dennis KC9DSP, Hamfesters is having a Tech license course.

            It began this week, see Hamfesters.org

 Membership: by Bob N9WDV, new member Jerry KD9PKI.

 Field Day 2024 pins for sale tonight, $8.00 each, see Patti KC9LYE.

 Field Day 2024: by Jim W9JPR, Field Day here June 22-23rd, setup Saturday 8:00 am,

                 FD begins Sat. at 1:00 pm, ends Sunday at 1:00 pm.

                 This year field day will be held inside the church building.

                 Because the past two years we’ve had our tents blow away! 

                 Jim W9JPR, will order a sign, or a banner for Field Day, So that

                 people know that we’re inside. See Hamfesters.org

 Publicity: by Jim W9JPR, it was sent for tonight’s meeting.

 Hamfest 2024: by Don KC9EQQ, Sunday Aug. 4th we need more vendors, and crafters.

               by Al N9ZD, We will have VE testing at our Hamfest this year.

 Hamfest tickets: by Jim W9JPR, buy them, sell them! We’ve 120 tickets out now.

 HamGab: by Dennis KC9DSP, “Ham Spotlight” How did you become a ham? Tell us.

         Dennis can interview you or write it yourself.

 Club Merch: by Keli KD9YDT, & Dennis KC9DSP, we are now getting our merch from

             a local shop in Mount Greenwood. Merch is better quality, selection,

             and price.

 Adjournment: Dennis KC9DSP, & Don KC9EQQ, at 8:36 pm.

 Split-the-Pot Winner: Gregg AB9MZ

Door Prize Winners: Gregg AB9MZ, Connie AC9CK, KD9YLO, Al N9ZD, Chris KE9ALR.

Health & Welfare

Rick W9DOQ, and Gregg, AB9MZ, are having health issues.

Please keep these members in your prayers.

CQ Field Day

de Jim Riley W9JPR

Field Day is this week. I finally heard from Linas. There will be a VHF/UHF station. 

If you haven’t already, it’s time to start gathering your gear making sure you know where everything is and that it’s in good working order. 

For those logging, our preferred software is N3FJP FD version 6.6.8 but any software that will export an adi file will work. 

Sunscreen and bug spray are a must. 

That’s all I can think of right now. Let me know if you have any questions. 

Hamfest Ticket Sales

de Jim Riley W9JPR

We sold three whole tickets at the June meeting our total is now a paltry thirty-two tickets sold
for the year with 120 tickets out for sale.
A few members took flyers but there is still a bunch of them in my garage. They don’t do any
good there. The July meeting will be your last chance to pick up flyers while they can still do
your club some good. If you want them sooner, give me a call. I’ll be glad to get them to you any
way I can.

Hamfester’s 89th Hamfest

Hamfesters 2024 Hamfest PDF

We will be holding a VE session at this years HAMFEST.

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 Jim Riley W9JPR

My interest in ham radio started with a huge, to me as a toddler, piece of furniture in our apartment at 80th and Rhodes. There were cabinets on either side that stored 78-rpm records and a big speaker in the lower part of the center between them. Above that was a door that swung down revealing a radio that rolled out on wheels that had a record player on top. The radio had AM and FM, a police band, and shortwave bands. It amazed me that these voices from all over
could come across the world and into our front room on those shortwave bands.

When we moved into our house at 79th and Aberdeen, we got a Grundig Majestic that I wired up to our downspout/antenna to listen to those same voices again.

My cousin, Ray Anderson WB9FLP at the time, got his ham license in 1971 and let me talk to DX stations. I was hooked. But, with a young family to raise and a business to run, I got into CB instead. That was OK but not good enough.

In 1988 one of my bowling buddies, Gordon Lakomy WM9T, started missing the first Friday of each month of our league. He told me he had joined an Amateur Radio club called Hamfesters. That got my attention. Over the following winter I took Novice licensing classes from Hamfesters, passed the written test easily and barely passed the 5-wpm CW test. About six weeks later, the FCC granted me Amateur Radio license KB9CYL which I changed to W9JPR in 2016. Three months after getting my novice, I upgraded to Technician at Hamfesters Hamfest in Peotone.

My first HF rig was a Tenn-Tech Argosy II. It put out 50 watts, but ten meters was booming at the time and I had a blast. You could work the world on ten watts and a wire coat hanger. A few years later, I upgraded to General after passing the written test with flying colors and failing the 13-wpm CW test at least a dozen times before passing it. That upgrade couldn’t have come at a better time. Ten meters was failing, and the general gave me phone privileges on all bands.

I don’t come from a technical background and math was not my best subject in high school or college so I had to enjoy my General privileges until they eliminated the Advanced class and the CW requirement for Extra. It was obvious that no amount of studying, or practice was going to help me pass the 20-wpm CW test.

I upgraded to Amateur Extra in 2011. It was my only written test without a perfect score. The free Advanced test they let me attempt after passing the General doesn’t count. I failed it spectacularly. My station includes an ICOM 7300, a Yaesu FTM 6000 VHF/UHF rig, and a Kenwood TM-331A 1.25 MHz rig. I have another 7300 for POTA activations and a Yaesu 2-meter rig in my car.

I’ve been Hamfesters’ Field Day chair since 1994, club president in 1996 and 1997, and vice president longer than anyone can remember. Having a ham radio license got me involved in emergency communications with the Red Cross and Salvation Army at the Plainfield Tornado.

That led me to the Homer Glen Emergency Agency where I’ve been a member since its inception and am currently Deputy Coordinator.

So what have I done with ham radio? Worked All States, Worked all Continents, and DXCC. I’ve operated from the radio room of the U-505 submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry, operated from the SS Badger car ferry on a radio voyage across Lake Michigan, and played a small role in a contact between the MIR space station and a dozen lucky middle school students who got to talk to an astronaut. All these operations were with Hamfesters. I am the Sunday net control on the Nite Patrol on W9ANL and Friday net control on the Grumpy Net on K9ONA.

That’s all well and good but the best part of ham radio is the people. I’ve talked to people all over the world and made some good friends along the way. Some of them I see on a regular basis and others I know only by voice and will never meet them in person. I feel very close to them because they’re all brothers and sisters in this great hobby of ham radio.

Upgrades

I am unaware of any upgrades this month.

New Members

de Bob McDonald N9WDV

Bring a friend to a meeting. Licensed or unlicensed. Lets get them interested in the hobby and grow our membership.

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

South Milwaukee Amateur Radio Club SWAPFEST July 8, 2024
American Legion Post #434
9327 S. Shepard Ave.
Oak Creek, WI 53154
6:30AM – ?
Talk-in Frequency 146.910 MHz pl 127.3
South Milwaukee ARC WI9SM 2024 Swapfest

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 conducted 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. If you were unable to attend, you can take the course online. It can be found here: COMET – MetEd Education and Training. It states 2 hours, but it’s a little less and done in two parts. You can also save your progress and return later.

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

Check into the local weekly Skywarn nets
Northern Cook County Skywarn net Sundays@8PM 147.345 PL 107.2
Tri-Town Weather Net Sundays@8PM 146.805 PL 107.2
South Suburban Skywarn Mondays@8PM 442.375 PL 114.8
Will County Skywarn Mondays@8PM 444.550 PL 114.8
Illinois Radio League Skywarn Mondays@8PM 145.210 PL 107.2
LaPorte Count ARES Skywarn Tuesdays@8PM 146.970 PL 131.8
STARS Skywarn Wednesdays@7PM 146.640 PL 107.2
Will County Skywarn Wednesdays@7:30PM 444.600 PL 114.8
DuPage County Auxcomm Thursdays@7:30PM 444.875 PL 114.8
BARS Skywarn and Training Net Thursdays@8:30PM 147.330 PL 107.2
443.525 PL 114.8
More information can be found at Chicagoland Skywarn.

Regional Skywarn Repeaters

City	Frequency (MHz)	PL (Hz)	Internet Node	Area Served
Grant Park	442.375+	114.8		Tinley Park/Chicago Heights
Homewood	441.3+	114.8		Monee/Kankakee
Malta	146.73	100.0		Rockford/DeKalb
Milwaukee	146.91-	127.3		SE Wisconsin
Libertyville	147.18+	107.2		Libertyville/Fox Lake
Northrbook	147.345+	107.2		Chicago/Schaumburg
Valparaiso	146.865+	131.8		Gary/Valparaiso

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

Club Merchandise

de Keli Calderone KD9YDT

Support your club! Buy some swag!

The club has short and long sleeve T-Shirts, Polos, Sweatshirts and Pullover Hoodies for sale. I will bring what is available in stock to the monthly meetings. You can email me at KD9YDT@gmail.com to see if I have your size in stock or if it needs to be ordered. 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).

We have decided to use a new vendor to supply our shirts, polos and sweatshirts. Moving forward will be using Mount Greenwood Embroidery. Prices are comparable and it is local. In addition, the owner had said that he can embroider our logo on items you already own. They do not need to be new, but they do need to be clean. We have been using Mount Greenwood Embroidery to add our names and callsigns on the shirts and sweatshirts that were previously ordered. To add a name and callsign is $10 in addition to the cost of the shirts that at this time will remain the same price. There is also an online catalog where you can pick jackets, vests and other items: Mount Greenwood Embroidery. Here’s hint, go to Sam’s or Costco and pick up some shirts or jackets cheap and we can get our logo and your name and call embroidered.

New shirts for our Hamfest! Order being placed very soon.
Get yours ordered today!

We are also about to place an order for hi-vis yellow shirts with a full color logo on the front left and “STAFF” in black on the back for when we volunteer and to wear at our hamfest. Cindy, N9CAS ordered these several years ago. They have gone up in price a little but I’ve worked a decent deal. These shirts will be $23. One difference from the old style is the addition of YOUR call sign on the left sleeve. Yes they will be personalized. Cindy is wearing her’s in this picture. We have a list. Let me know if you want one. This price has a minimum, which we have already met.

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

VE Testing Results for June

de Al Bukowski N9ZD

On June 8, 2024 we had 4 people earn their Technician Class license and 1 person earn his Amateur Extra Class license.

July 2024 Contest Calendar

From WA7BNM Contest Calendar Website

July 2024
RAC Canada Day Contest	0000Z-2359Z, Jul 1
ARS Spartan Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Jul 2
Venezuelan Ind. Day Contest	0000Z-2359Z, Jul 6
NZART Memorial Contest	0800Z, Jul 6 to 1100Z, Jul 7
Marconi Memorial HF Contest	1400Z, Jul 6 to 1400Z, Jul 7
PODXS 070 Club 40m Firecracker Sprint	2000Z, Jul 6 to 2000Z, Jul 7
IARU HF World Championship	1200Z, Jul 13 to 1200Z, Jul 14
SKCC Weekend Sprintathon	1200Z, Jul 13 to 2359Z, Jul 14
QRP ARCI Summer Homebrew Sprint	2000Z-2300Z, Jul 14
4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Jul 15
NTC QSO Party	1900Z-2000Z, Jul 18
LABRE DX Contest	0000Z, Jul 20 to 2359Z, Jul 21
IARU Region 1 70 MHz Contest	1400Z, Jul 20 to 1400Z, Jul 21
North American QSO Party, RTTY	1800Z, Jul 20 to 0559Z, Jul 21
CQ Worldwide VHF Contest	1800Z, Jul 20 to 2100Z, Jul 21
Run for the Bacon QRP Contest	2300Z, Jul 21 to 0100Z, Jul 22
SKCC Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Jul 24
RSGB IOTA Contest	1200Z, Jul 27 to 1200Z, Jul 28
ARS Flight of the Bumblebees	1700Z-2100Z, Jul 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

June 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.