May 2022 – HamGab

[print_link]

We will continue for May, June, & July to meet at the Bridgeview Community Center, 7902 S. Oketo Ave., Bridgeview, Illinois

Secretary’s Beat – Meeting Minutes

No Minutes Posted

de Jim Riley W9JPR

As mentioned last month, we’re set up for all our meals at Field Day. So the most important part is covered.

    Also important is who’s doing what. Al N9ZD will head up the trailer team. Kurt WB9FMC will be in charge of 20-meter CW and outlandish antenna concoctions. Brian W9HLQ will be your POTA leader. John KB9FQB will be your digital guy. Tim KC9POS and his crew will be chasing satellites.

    I have to work the command station for Homer Fest Friday and Saturday evenings. When I arrive for setup will depend on how late I get home Friday night/early Saturday morning and what time I drag myself out of bed too few hours later. I won’t be at Field Day Saturday evening at all. Steve W9KXT will be your overseer in my absence.

   Speaking of Steve, he expects we’ll have a new GOTA tent this year. He’s been doggedly pursuing our tent maker but there’s no definite answer yet.

   Finally, we need to have an idea of who will be operating overnight. We can’t have everyone going home and leaving everything out in the open.    Field Day 2022 is June 25 and 26 at SouthBridge Church on Wheeler Drive (155^th St.), just west of Harlem. Operations go from 1800Z Saturday to 1800Z Sunday. Setup Saturday begins at 0800. Everyone is welcome.

Hamfest Ticket Sales

de Jim Riley W9JPR

We’re going to be meeting in person this month. It’s a perfect time to pick up Hamfest tickets and flyers for sale and distribution. After this meeting we’ll have only three months to get the word out and get tickets sold. Let’s get them in circulation. They’re not doing any good sitting here in my closet.

See me before, during, or after the meeting.

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

May 2022 Contest Calendar

From WA7BNM Contest Calendar Website

+ AGCW QRP/QRP Party	1300Z-1900Z, May 1
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	0000Z-0100Z, May 2
+ ICWC Medium Speed Test	1300Z-1400Z, May 2
+ OK1WC Memorial	1630Z-1729Z, May 2
+ ICWC Medium Speed Test	1900Z-2000Z, May 2
+ Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest	0100Z-0159Z, May 3
+ ARS Spartan Sprint	0100Z-0300Z, May 3
+ ICWC Medium Speed Test	0300Z-0400Z, May 3
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, May 3
+ Phone Weekly Test	0230Z-0300Z, May 4
+ A1Club AWT	1200Z-1300Z, May 4
+ CWops Test	1300Z-1400Z, May 4
+ VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest	1700Z-2000Z, May 4
+ Mini-Test 40	1700Z-1759Z, May 4
+ Mini-Test 80	1800Z-1859Z, May 4
+ CWops Test	1900Z-2000Z, May 4
+ MIE 33 Contest	2300Z, May 4 to 0300Z, May 5
+ Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest	0000Z-0100Z, May 5 and   0200Z-0300Z, May 6
+ CWops Test	0300Z-0400Z, May 5
+ CWops Test	0700Z-0800Z, May 5
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, May 5
+ NRAU 10m Activity Contest	1700Z-1800Z, May 5 (CW) and   1800Z-1900Z, May 5 (SSB) and   1900Z-2000Z, May 5 (FM) and   2000Z-2100Z, May 5 (Dig)
+ EACW Meeting	1900Z-2000Z, May 5
+ SKCC Sprint Europe	1900Z-2100Z, May 5
+ NCCC RTTY Sprint	0145Z-0215Z, May 6
+ NCCC Sprint	0230Z-0300Z, May 6
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	2000Z-2100Z, May 6
+ 10-10 Int. Spring Contest, CW	0001Z, May 7 to 2359Z, May 8
+ RCC Cup	0300Z-0859Z, May 7
+ Microwave Spring Sprint	0800-1400 local, May 7
+ F9AA Cup, Digi	1200Z, May 7 to 1200Z, May 8
+ ARI International DX Contest	1200Z, May 7 to 1159Z, May 8
+ SKCC Weekend Sprintathon	1200Z, May 7 to 2400Z, May 8
+ 7th Call Area QSO Party	1300Z, May 7 to 0700Z, May 8
+ Indiana QSO Party	1500Z, May 7 to 0300Z, May 8
+ Delaware QSO Party	1700Z, May 7 to 2359Z, May 8
+ New England QSO Party	2000Z, May 7 to 0500Z, May 8 and   1300Z-2400Z, May 8
+ WAB 7 MHz Phone	1000Z-1400Z, May 8
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	0000Z-0100Z, May 9
+ 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, May 9
+ ICWC Medium Speed Test	1300Z-1400Z, May 9
+ OK1WC Memorial	1630Z-1729Z, May 9
+ ICWC Medium Speed Test	1900Z-2000Z, May 9
+ RSGB 80m Club Championship, SSB	1900Z-2030Z, May 9
+ Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest	0100Z-0159Z, May 10
+ ICWC Medium Speed Test	0300Z-0400Z, May 10
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, May 10
+ Phone Weekly Test	0230Z-0300Z, May 11
+ A1Club AWT	1200Z-1300Z, May 11
+ CWops Test	1300Z-1400Z, May 11
+ Mini-Test 40	1700Z-1759Z, May 11
+ VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest	1700Z-2000Z, May 11
+ Mini-Test 80	1800Z-1859Z, May 11
+ CWops Test	1900Z-2000Z, May 11
+ CWops Test	0300Z-0400Z, May 12
+ CWops Test	0700Z-0800Z, May 12
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, May 12
+ EACW Meeting	1900Z-2000Z, May 12
+ NCCC RTTY Sprint	0145Z-0215Z, May 13
+ NCCC Sprint	0230Z-0300Z, May 13
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	2000Z-2100Z, May 13
+ Portuguese Navy Day Contest – CT1DBS Memorial	0900Z, May 14 to 0900Z, May 15
+ CQ-M International DX Contest	1200Z, May 14 to 1159Z, May 15
+ VOLTA WW RTTY Contest	1200Z, May 14 to 1200Z, May 15
+ Canadian Prairies QSO Party	1700Z, May 14 to 0300Z, May 15
+ 50 MHz Spring Sprint	2300Z, May 14 to 0300Z, May 15
+ Run for the Bacon QRP Contest	2300Z, May 15 to 0100Z, May 16
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	0000Z-0100Z, May 16
+ ICWC Medium Speed Test	1300Z-1400Z, May 16
+ OK1WC Memorial	1630Z-1729Z, May 16
+ ICWC Medium Speed Test	1900Z-2000Z, May 16
+ Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest	0100Z-0159Z, May 17
+ ICWC Medium Speed Test	0300Z-0400Z, May 17
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, May 17
+ Phone Weekly Test	0230Z-0300Z, May 18
+ A1Club AWT	1200Z-1300Z, May 18
+ CWops Test	1300Z-1400Z, May 18
+ VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest	1700Z-2000Z, May 18
+ Mini-Test 40	1700Z-1759Z, May 18
+ Mini-Test 80	1800Z-1859Z, May 18
+ CWops Test	1900Z-2000Z, May 18
+ RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data	1900Z-2030Z, May 18
+ Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest	0000Z-0100Z, May 19 and   0200Z-0300Z, May 20
+ NAQCC CW Sprint	0030Z-0230Z, May 19
+ CWops Test	0300Z-0400Z, May 19
+ CWops Test	0700Z-0800Z, May 19
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, May 19
+ NTC QSO Party	1900Z-2000Z, May 19
+ EACW Meeting	1900Z-2000Z, May 19
+ NCCC RTTY Sprint	0145Z-0215Z, May 20
+ NCCC Sprint	0230Z-0300Z, May 20
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	2000Z-2100Z, May 20
+ SARL VHF/UHF Digital Contest	0300Z-0500Z, May 21 (6m) and   0500Z-0700Z, May 21 (2m) and   0700Z-0900Z, May 21 (70cm) and   0300Z-0500Z, May 22 (6m) and   0500Z-0700Z, May 22 (2m) and   0700Z-0900Z, May 22 (70cm)
+ UN DX Contest	0600Z-2100Z, May 21
+ YOTA Contest	0800Z-1959Z, May 21
+ NZART Sangster Shield Contest	0800Z-1100Z, May 21 and   0800Z-1100Z, May 22
+ EU PSK DX Contest	1200Z, May 21 to 1200Z, May 22
+ His Maj. King of Spain Contest, CW	1200Z, May 21 to 1200Z, May 22
+ Arkansas QSO Party	1400Z, May 21 to 0200Z, May 22
+ Feld Hell Sprint	1600Z-1759Z, May 21 and   2000Z-2159Z, May 21
+ Baltic Contest	2100Z, May 21 to 0200Z, May 22
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	0000Z-0100Z, May 23
+ QRP ARCI Hootowl Sprint	0000Z-0100Z, May 23
+ ICWC Medium Speed Test	1300Z-1400Z, May 23
+ OK1WC Memorial	1630Z-1729Z, May 23
+ ICWC Medium Speed Test	1900Z-2000Z, May 23
+ Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest	0100Z-0159Z, May 24
+ ICWC Medium Speed Test	0300Z-0400Z, May 24
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, May 24
+ SKCC Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, May 25
+ Phone Weekly Test	0230Z-0300Z, May 25
+ A1Club AWT	1200Z-1300Z, May 25
+ CWops Test	1300Z-1400Z, May 25
+ Mini-Test 40	1700Z-1759Z, May 25
+ Mini-Test 80	1800Z-1859Z, May 25
+ CWops Test	1900Z-2000Z, May 25
+ CWops Test	0300Z-0400Z, May 26
+ CWops Test	0700Z-0800Z, May 26
+ QRP Minimal Art Session	1400Z-2200Z, May 26
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, May 26
+ RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW	1900Z-2030Z, May 26
+ EACW Meeting	1900Z-2000Z, May 26
+ NCCC RTTY Sprint	0145Z-0215Z, May 27
+ NCCC Sprint	0230Z-0300Z, May 27
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	2000Z-2100Z, May 27
+ CQ WW WPX Contest, CW	0000Z, May 28 to 2359Z, May 29
+ K1USN Slow Speed Test	0000Z-0100Z, May 30
+ ICWC Medium Speed Test	1300Z-1400Z, May 30
+ QCX Challenge	1300Z-1400Z, May 30
+ OK1WC Memorial	1630Z-1729Z, May 30
+ RSGB FT4 Contest	1900Z-2030Z, May 30
+ ICWC Medium Speed Test	1900Z-2000Z, May 30
+ QCX Challenge	1900Z-2000Z, May 30
+ Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest	0100Z-0159Z, May 31
+ ICWC Medium Speed Test	0300Z-0400Z, May 31
+ QCX Challenge	0300Z-0400Z, May 31
+ RTTYOPS Weeksprint	1700Z-1900Z, May 31

Club Information

[donotprint]

Photos from the March Meeting

[/donotprint]

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.