October 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.

Illinois Repeaters

If you are looking for a complete list of Illinois repeaters, look here. All the Repeater Directors that can be bought are not up to date. The Illinois Repeater Association is the authority and is up to date.

Secretary’s Beat
Meeting Minutes

de Patti Gulick KC9LYE

 Hamfesters Amateur Radio Club W9AA meeting Friday Sept. 6, 2024, W9AA Hamfesters Amateur Radio Club meeting @ 7:35 pm
Please check Hamfesters.org for updates.
Roll: Nora KC9MLV, Jim W9JPR, Kurt WB9FMC, Don KC9EQQ, Steve W9KXT, Bob N9WDY,
Patti KC9LYE
There were 26 members, and 4 visitors in attendance. Welcome everyone!
There was a moment of silence of the victims of the school shooting in Georgia.
President’s Report: by Nora KC9MLV, Thanks to everyone who volunteered at our Hamfest,
and those who attended.
Health & Welfare: by Nora KC9MLV, Rick W9DOQ, continues his battle with cancer.
Minutes: August club minutes were approved by Don KC9EQQ, 2nd by Jim W9JPR.
Treasurer’s Report: by Kurt WB9FMC, club’s checking $8,000 savings $10,000
Our 2024 Hamfest made a profit of $1,700.00. we will
have a Hamfest in 2025.
Membership: by Bob N9WDY, we have 7 new club members.
Programs: Tonight’s program by Jim W9JPR, & Mike K9ACM POTA, aka Parks on the Air.
We need a program for next month October.
Hamfest 2024: by Jim W9JPR, our top gate ticket seller was Linas KC9PCP, 272 sold.
By Don KC9EQQ,: early in the day Bob N9KWG, fell while selling tickets.
By the end of the day Bob was taken to the hospital. He was treated
and released. Bob’s here with us tonight.
New Business: For 2025 we need a new Hamfest ticket chairmen Jim W9JPR, is stepping down.
Also, needed a new Hamfest chairmen Don KC9EQQ, is stepping down.
NOTE: You will not be high and dry! Jim and Don will help you learn the ropes.
Please think about volunteering!
Old Business: Oct. are nominations for club officers, and board members. Would you like to
run? Don’t be shy. Contact Nora KC9MLV, or Jim W9JPR. We’re a great club, come
join the team.
Adjournment: Bob N9KWG, 2nd by Don KC9EQQ. 8:57 pm
Split the Pot Winner: Nora KC9MLV
Door Prize Winners: Bob N9WDV, Jim KD9YLO, Paul Bleacher, Glenn KC9BPY, Mike K9ACM

Health & Welfare

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

Please keep these members in your prayers.

CQ Field Day

Next years Field Day will be June 28-29, 2025.

Hamfest Ticket Sales

de Jim Riley W9JPR

********Urgent*******

Once again, it’s time for me to step down. It’s getting more and more difficult to keep track of advance sales. My numbers were way off. I tried this once before but, just when I thought I was out, I got pulled back in. So let the search begin for a new Hamfest ticket sales chair. I’ll be happy to help the new chair with the transition and will still head up sales at the gates.

Don KC9EQQ is also stepping down as Hamfest Chairman.

We will need someone to step up and take over these two rolls. We are definitely planning on having a Hamfest. Hamfest will be August 3, 2025. While Jim and Don are stepping down, you will not be high and dry! Jim and Don will help you learn the ropes.
Please think about volunteering!

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 Kurt Pawlikowski WB9FMC

Member “Spotlight”: Kurtt WB9FMC (Life At Thirty Feet)

Yes, the spotlight energizes and slowly scans… AH! There he is! Quick! Don’t let him escape! Oh… so you weren’t talking about a jail break? But I thought… Oh! And I had some good stories too! Oh well! I guess the boring stuff will have to do!

So, who am I exactly? I was born at a very early age… Oh… maybe you don’t need quite that amount of detail! In the late 1960’s, my dad bought a CB for us (well, I think it was for me: No one else in the family was interested!). I can remember listening to people doing the CB version of rag-chewing. I can also clearly remember one of the conversations talking about ME! I don’t remember all that was said except that one of the people mentioned that I might have been listening… I was! I remember putting up a vertical on the house chimney. The ladder I borrowed reached to the top of said chimney rested against it with about two inches clearance on either side! One wrong wiggle and I’d have had a much more adventurous antenna raising! And it was already “interesting”! As I was raising this monstrosity to about “head level” to place it into the chimney mounts, the wind made it start to oscillate slightly, pulling away from me! Mind you that I had this twenty-foot-tall antenna, with its four radials, mounted on a three foot piece of water pipe… of which I had hold of only the last few inches! God was merciful and I neither dropped the antenna nor fell! Some years later, for whatever reason, I changed the antenna out for a Shakespeare non-radial antenna (think vertical dipole ala the GAP antennas). The last time I checked the house, that antenna was still mounted (I just checked Google Maps and it’s still there! That’s near 60 years!). Well, it’s nice to think that at least some things last!

Then there were the adventures I had with the Hellicrafters S-118 receiver. Its tuning was a little touchy and touching the case would cause it to shift frequency a little, but it was the best I had at the time… WLS sounded good! It’s where I learned that, if you put a wire on the antenna terminal, the signal was louder. I didn’t understand much about it, but it was fun!

At that time, we lived one-half block from John Raiger, K9DRS. I remember visiting his shack watching him sort resistors and play Also Sprach Zarathustra on a reel-to-reel recorder at 15 inches per second. It was some real “highfalutin” equipment! That and his National NCX-5 transceiver with mechanical “digital” read out! I was clearly in my element! He invited me to come to his radio club meeting, Hamfesters Radio Club! At that time, they met in the Marquette Park field house, to which I could walk. There I was introduced to Amateur Radio more formally and, through the current president (Mr Holtz), passed my novice exam. Some equipment (A Viking Ranger II 75 wat transmitter and a Hammarlund HQ-170A), a “junk” antenna and some coax got me on the air. 

At that time, novices were crystal controlled. And you usually only had a few crystals for maybe one or two bands. You’d listen and/or sent a CQ, and then scan the entire band looking for a response! It was “just a little” bit different from operating today! But it was quite an adventure! It’s also how I met some of my closest Amateur friends “on-the-air.” There was Mike Serapin (SK W9MCS – then WN9BSZ) and Ed Holz (KA1SX – then WN9FVG). Mike lived about two blocks due South of me and Ed about one and a half miles South. That is to say, they were the loudest signals on the air! We were all about the same age (I think I was the oldest at 18!) and so, by Ed’s impetus, The 40 Meter Club was born! At its heyday, I think we sported a total of four members, but we’d occasionally have an all-night operating event or “just” get together and play poker. Ah! Youth! It was fun! As time went on, I “graduated” to the advanced license class and went to college (Souther Illusion University in Carbondale). I installed a Drake TR-3 in the car and traveled between college and home often “playing” as I drove. 

From the beginning time until now, I can highlight my Amateur carrier by some “spectacular failures!” The first that comes to mind, was trying to “burn the car down.”

Remember that TR-3? Well, it’s a 300-watt transmitter. It requires some 30 plus amps at 12 volts. And I wanted as much power to go to the transmitter as possible, so I used a really thick wire: solid 14 gauge and it worked just fine until I pulled a little too much on it and it shorted against the fire wall! It instantly melted the insulation and glowed a nice orange! Again, God was with me as I had some wire cutters handy, and just snipped it before it did more than melt some rubber gaskets! (I learned something about fuses that day!)

Then there was the earlier incident with the Viking Ranger. We had some sort of meter with probes, an D’Arsonval meter dial and an AC plug. To this day, I don’t know what it’s intended purpose was, but I remember plugging it in and touching the Ranger’s case and getting a nice spark! “Hum… that’s strange,” I thought. Ah well, no harm, no foul… or so I thought! The next time I attempted to transmit (remember, these were the old days when you had to “tune” and “load” the transmitter), the tube current meter pegged, and I just couldn’t get it to settle down. After a few attempts, I started hearing arching about every second… when I looked into the transmitter, the final (a single 6146) was glowing bright red and arching internally! Without really knowing anything about what I was doing, I replaced a bunch of small capacitors around the base of the chassis (I don’t even remember testing them for shorting) after which, I had no further transmit problems!

At one point during college, I had an SBE-33 SSB transceiver. It used a unique power supply design, incorporating a voltage tippler. It was so compactly built, that it had an insulating paper on the top cover to insure it didn’t short to the connections a fraction of an inch away. Well, it wasn’t working properly (some sort of receive problem) and I decided to power it up in my dorm room. The radio cleared the built in shelves with enough room for me to reach over the radio to access the back, where the power plug engaged. As that octal plug made contact (it was in the AC outlet) and my arm was resting across those now exposed terminals, I got a shock and a pinpoint burn… “Ah!” I thought! I then repeated the process, earning a second burn about a half-inch away from the first! Yeah, I wasn’t always the sharpest knife in the light socket!

In a more recent adventure, I wanted to see if one could use common PVC piping to erect a reasonable antenna mast. Okay, the short answer is “no,” but, if you’re willing to invest in lots and lots of rope, it’s “maybe.” So, there I was in the field by the church with PVC, rope and stakes with my wife, Helen, sitting in the car reading a book and occasionally glancing up to observe my progress (and possibly dial 911!). As I started to pull this very flimsy structure up, it started to rise… and then simply collapsed. It didn’t break but imagine trying to stand a wet piece of spaghetti on end! My wife said that it was a “spectacular failure!” All I can say is that if you don’t try, you’ll not understand what’s needed. Since that time, I discovered a way to erect an extremely stable thirty-five foot (or so) high mast that can be setup by one person (usually) and can hold a very heavy antenna. A direct result of “spaghetti-mast”? Ah… that’s a no! But the experience taught me a lot about what’s required. Failure yields knowledge. Just ask Space-X!

So, it is true that not all my adventures failed. I’ve tried some things that worked reasonably well and some things… well, not so much! But the main point is, I tried. And I would like to very much encourage you to try too! What are you curious about? What sparks your interest? Amateur Radio has hundreds of avenues of expression. Your journey won’t be the same as mine (or anyone else’s for that matter!), but no matter what you’re wondering about, there’s someone out there that has at least some hints about how to satisfy your “Amateur itch” as-it-were. Take some time to satisfy it! Yeah, you’ll learn something and have fun in the process. Will you always be successful? No. Will you always gain from trying? Yes!

kurtt WB9FMC

Upgrades

I am unaware of any upgrades this month.

New Members

de Bob McDonald N9WDV

We have another new member. We are growing.

Robert Sobkoviak K9NYO.  He lives in New Lenox, Illinois.  He has a General class license.

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

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).

Unfortunately our new vendor is closing shop. We will be looking for another local vendor to take care of our embroidery needs. We have three we are looking at right now. We prefer to use a local vendor instead of online. If you have an embroidery shop please email me and we will check out their prices.

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.

Ron also does an FCC Badge for $10. Provide a picture and he can make one for you.

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 September

de Al Bukowski N9ZD

On September 14th we had four test participants. 3 participants earned their Technician license and 1 participant earned her General license.

Congratulations to all the new hams.

October 2024 Contest Calendar

From WA7BNM Contest Calendar Website

October 2024
German Telegraphy Contest	0700Z-1000Z, Oct 3
SARL 80m QSO Party	1700Z-2000Z, Oct 3
Worked All Provinces of China DX Contest	0600Z, Oct 5 to 0559Z, Oct 6
Oceania DX Contest, Phone	0600Z, Oct 5 to 0600Z, Oct 6
California QSO Party	1600Z, Oct 5 to 2200Z, Oct 6
Peanut Power QRP Sprint	2200Z-2359Z, Oct 6
ARS Spartan Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Oct 8
10-10 Int. 10-10 Day Sprint	0001Z-2359Z, Oct 10
Makrothen RTTY Contest	0000Z, Oct 12 to 1559Z, Oct 13
QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party	0000Z-2359Z, Oct 12
Nevada QSO Party	0300Z, Oct 12 to 2100Z, Oct 13
Oceania DX Contest, CW	0600Z, Oct 12 to 0600Z, Oct 13
Scandinavian Activity Contest, SSB	1200Z, Oct 12 to 1200Z, Oct 13
SKCC Weekend Sprintathon	1200Z, Oct 12 to 2359Z, Oct 13
Arizona QSO Party	1500Z, Oct 12 to 0500Z, Oct 13
Pennsylvania QSO Party	1600Z, Oct 12 to 2200Z, Oct 13
South Dakota QSO Party	1800Z, Oct 12 to 1800Z, Oct 13
PODXS 070 Club 160m Great Pumpkin Sprint	2000Z, Oct 12 to 2000Z, Oct 13
4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Oct 14
AGCW Semi-Automatic Key Evening	1900Z-2030Z, Oct 16
NTC QSO Party	1900Z-2000Z, Oct 17
YBDXPI FT8 Contest	0000Z, Oct 19 to 2359Z, Oct 20
10-10 Int. Fall Contest, CW	0001Z, Oct 19 to 2359Z, Oct 20
New York QSO Party	1400Z, Oct 19 to 0200Z, Oct 20
Worked All Germany Contest	1500Z, Oct 19 to 1459Z, Oct 20
Stew Perry Topband Challenge	1500Z, Oct 19 to 1500Z, Oct 20
Asia-Pacific Fall Sprint, CW	0000Z-0200Z, Oct 20
Illinois QSO Party	1700Z, Oct 20 to 0100Z, Oct 21
Run for the Bacon QRP Contest	2300Z, Oct 20 to 0100Z, Oct 21
ARRL School Club Roundup	1300Z, Oct 21 to 2359Z, Oct 25
SKCC Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Oct 23
CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB	0000Z, Oct 26 to 2359Z, Oct 27

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.

Some Humor

Club Information

Meetings and VE Testing

Pictures from Meetings

September 6th 2024

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.