November 2023 – HamGab

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Secretary’s Beat – Meeting Minutes

September Minutes

Hamfesters W9AA club meeting Sept. 1, 2023 @ 7:40 pm

Please check Hamfesters.org for updates.

Roll: Nora kc9mlv, Jim w9jpr, Kurt wb9fmc, Patti kc9lye, Steve w9kxt, Don kc9eqq, Bob n9wdv, Rick w9doq.

There are 22 members here tonight. Welcome!

Health & Welfare: John kb9fqb, wife is in hospital. Welcome back to Gregg ab9mz, it’s great to have you here.

Programs: Tonight DMR radio by Al n9zd. Oct. Amateur Radio & W.W.II by Don kc9eqq. Also in Oct. we will dicuss officers, & Board members for 2024.

Minutes: Approved by Don kc9eqq, & Gregg ab9mz

Treasurers Report: by Kurt wb9fmc, we made a small profit at our hamfest. Our club has funds in: checking, savings, & CDs.

Hamfest 2024: by Don kc9eqq, Thanks to everyone who, attended. We will have a hamfest in 2024. We sold enough tickets to pay for venue, & made a small profit.

Membership: by Bob n9wdv, we have a new member kd9vqj.

Publicity: by Jim w9jpr, publicity was sent for tonight’s meeting.

New Business: by Nora kc9mlv, is anyone interested in becoming a board member in 2024? If so get intouch with an officer, or a board member.

Ajournment: Connie ac9ck, & Steve w9kxt, @ 9:35 pm

Split the Pot winner: Jim Lendi kd9ylo Congratulations Jim!

August Minutes

Hamfesters W9AA Club meeting Aug. 4, 2023 at 7:40 pm
Please check hamfesters.org for updates.

Roll: Nora kc9mlv, Jim w9jpr, Kurt wb9fmc, Don kc9eqq, Gene w9png, Bob n9wdv, Steve w9kxt, Rick w9doq. There are 30 members, here and 1 visitor n9xqq. welcome!

Health & Welfare: Terry Mack n9rfy, is SK. His ham gear is here, and at our hamfest on Sunday.

Minutes: approved by Don kc9eqq, & John kb9fqb

Treasurers Report: by Kurt We have funds in the club’s; checking, savings, & CDs.

Programs: Sept. DMR radios by Al n9zd Tonight’s program Our hamfest on Sunday by Don kc9eqq

Hamfesters hamfest 2023: by Don kc9eqq, setup in tomorrow at 4:00 pm at the Will County fair grounds in Peotone, ILL. Tomorrow night at 7:00 pm there will be pizza for the vendors.

On Sunday there will be two speaker; Debbie Dawn 3D Printing, and Ron Delpier RF How to do it, how to do better.

Vendors are responsible for there own tables. Although, we will help where we can. What vendors bring they must take home. Items can’t be thrown away on the site. 146.43 will be Talk In, or contact at fairgrounds. There will be VE testing.

John kb9fqb, will be running a Special Events station at hamfest.

In the main building the bathrooms are where to seek shelter in bad weather.
There will be food for sale, in the main building at Honey’s.

Adjounrment: Bob n9kwg, & Don kc9eqq @ 8:40 pm

Split The Pot Winner Vince w9vec

Christmas Party

It’s that time of year again. Hamfesters Christmas party tickets went on sale at the October meeting and they’re going fast. We’ve sold almost three so far. Your next (and last) chance to buy them in person will be at the November meeting. If you can’t wait that long or will not be able to make the meeting, you can order via the club’s website. Click Here!

As in years past, the party will be on our regular December meeting night but will be at Garden Chalet, 11000 S. Ridgeland in Worth. The date is December 1 and doors open at 6 pm.

Tickets are $25 each and include an excellent family-style meal, good fellowship, and a lot of fun. Be sure to see me at the meeting.

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

September 2023 Contest Calendar

From WA7BNM Contest Calendar Website

Club Information

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