May 2023 – HamGab

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Secretary’s Beat – Meeting Minutes

Hamfesters w9aa amateur radio club meeting Fri. April 7, 2023 7:30 pm.
Please check hamfesters.org for updates.
Tonight's activites were in person, and on Zoom.

Roll: Nora kc9mlv, Jim w9jpr, Kurt wb9fmc, Patti kc9lye, Steve w9kxt, Bob n9wdv.
Tonight's attendance 24 members, no visitors (today's Good Friday).
 
Tonight's program: Our annual basic weather spotter program by Dave n9pkd,
The program was presented on Zoom. Thanks, Al n9zd, for the tech support,
 setup here.

Minutes: The March club minutes were approved by Don kc9eqq, & Steve w9kxt.
 
Field Day 2023: by Jim w9jpr, FD June 24-25th here (outside) at 
 Southbridge church.

Download the latest version of the logging software.

Our new Goto tent will be setup before field day here, as a test.
We don't want unpleasant surprises.
 
Hamfest Aug. 6th, Jim has hamfest tickets, and fliers. 
Please buy, sell tickets.

Treasurer's Report: by Kurt wb9fmc, our club has $.

New Business: John kb9fqb, needs hams for the Chicago Marathon in Oct.

 Adjournment: at 9:45 pm 

 I don't know who won split the pot. 

Hellen Keller 5K Run/Walk

CQ Field Day

Jim Riley W9JPR

Last month, I wrote about the ARRL’s new Field Day rules. N3FJP has updated their Field Day software to reflect those changes. Updates include a new power category and the ability to display our score with our power multiplier applied. Click Settings > Power Multiplier. There is separate scoring for GOTA stations. For proper scoring, click Settings > Apply GOTA Point Scoring. To use these new settings, you must download Field Day software version 6.6.7 from N3FJP.

There is nothing else new this month. If we haven’t already, I expect to have a crew meet at the FD site to set up our new GOTA tent and get it all checked out. We will probably determine a proper location for it too.

Field Day is June 24-25 at SouthBridge Church in Orland Park. Setup begins at 0800 Saturday morning and operations begin at 1800Z or 1300 local.

Hamfest Ticket Sales

Jim Riley W9JPR

Ticket sales are moving along. Since last month, I have sold two via mail and one online. That adds up to fifteen advance tickets sold so far. We also have fifty tickets out for sale. Flyers are being distributed all over too.

I still have lots of tickets and flyers not doing much of anything in my garage. If you would like to sell some of the tickets or distribute some of the flyers, see me at the meeting and I will make sure you have plenty of both.

General Meeting Security Update

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.

April Fools 😉

FOR SALE by Owner

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

Feburary 2022 Contest Calendar

From WA7BNM Contest Calendar Website

Club Information

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