September 2022 – HamGab

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Secretary’s Beat – Meeting Minutes

Friday Aug. 5, 2022 Hamfesters amateur radio club w9aa club meeting 7:38 pm

Roll: Nora kc9mlv, Jim w9jpr, Kurt wb9fmc, Patti kc9lye

Tonight there were; 27 members, no visitors. Welcome everyone.

This is our first club meeting at our current location at South Bridge church. Our next club meeting will be on Friday
Sept. 2, at 7:30 pm.
Please check the wbsite hamfesters.org for updates.

Minutes: July club minutes approved by John kb9fbq, & Paul Batchel.

Treasurer’s Report: by Kurt wb9fmc, club has spent $209.00 for our hamfest on Sunday.

Education: by Brian w9hlq, club will offer a tech class in the fall. Check our website.

Programs: Sunday at our hamfest DXing, and 3D printing.
Oct. or Nov. Steve Cooper
Dec 2 Fri. Christmas party at the Garden Chalet resturant in Worth.
Steve w9kxt, & Peggy k9qlm, will pickup cupcakes for the party.
No other details at this time.

Club Merch: Tonight Rick w9doq, is selling Hamfesters shirts, sweatshirts, & t-shirts.
Please wear it on Sunday’s hamfest.

Hamfest 2022: by Jim w9jpr, Our hamfest is Sunday Aug. 7th 6:00 am to 1:00 pm at
the Will County Fairgrounds in Peotone, ILL. About 100 advanced tickets have been sold.

New Business: Our next Club meeting will be here on Friday Sept. 2nd at 7:30 pm.
Bob n9wdv, is the club’s membership chairmen. Welcome Bob, thanks.
By John kb9fqb, The Chicago Marathon Sunday Oct. 9th needs ham volunteers,
contact Rob Orr k9rst, contact k9rst@ARRL.org

Adjournment: John kb9fqb, & Bob n9kwg, 8:15 pm

Split-the pot winner: Jim kd9ujk, Congratulations!

Hamfest Ticket Sales

de Jim Riley W9JPR

This is the final report on hamfest ticket sales for 2022. We did a little less than last year on both advance and gate sales. The lower gate sales could be due to high gas prices keeping people from driving all the way to Peotone. The dire weather forecast probably kept some people away too.

Thanks to Steve Peters W9KXT and Keith Rich W9VCI for taking advance tickets to sell. Keith sold 25 to be our top advance ticket seller. Other sales came online, through the mail, and at meetings for a total of 102, down five from last year.

Selling at the gate were Nora Pointer KC9MLV, Kurt Pawlikowski WB9FMC, Keith Rich W9VCI, Dan Haug KA9BAR, Linas Matonis KC9PCP, Bob N9KWG and Cathy KC9NRH Fleischmann, Lenny McCain KB9OUQ, Rick Reynolds W9DOQ, Brian Davis W9HLQ, Gene Phillips W9PNG, Ron Kalat KB9TCX, and Dan Haug KA9BAR. Dan worked two shifts. He’s our iron man at the gate.

Top gate seller was Keith W9VCI who sold his entire batch of 100 tickets. Cathy took the bragging rights on the trip home as she outsold Bob 34-26 in the middle shift at the east gate.

The final gate total was 289, about 20 down from last year. I’m sure it was due to the rain that came midway through the last shift.

On a personal note, I was able to put some faces to voices as I got the chance to meet a few of the people I’ve been talking to on the nets. It was a successful fest based on the comments we received from happy sellers and buyers. Let’s do it again next year—minus the rain.

FOR SALE by Owner

FOR SALE by Ayman N9SES:

• Kenwood TS-570D Used Very Good Condition
• MFJ-651Microphone Equalizer New
• Icom IC-V8000 VHF Transceiver Used Very Good Condition
• EB-104 HF AMPLIFIER KIT W/EXTRAS New Never Assembled
• Navy Receiver Model R-1051B/URR (Rare) Working But One Dial Slips Sometimes
• Navy Receiver Model R-1051B/URR (Rare) Working 100% Very Accurate HF Receiver
• Navy Transmitter T827B/URT Very Extremely (Rare) Working Condition
• Alinco DJ-175T VHF FM TANSCEIVER Like New Codition
• RM Italy KL703 Liner Amplifier Used Very Little.

Contact Ayman N9SES through his QRZ page.

FOR SALE by Kurtt WB9FMC

Flex 6400 with ATU and extended warranty (good until June 2025).

New Flex Price	What I paid (Jun2021)
Flex 6400 w/ATU       $2,429.00	$2,289.00
Extended warranty     ??	$175.00
________	____________
Total                          $2,429.00	$2,464.00

Asking $2,200.00

Note: To transfer the warranty costs $89.00

Also: I have a Maestro on order for $1,199.00 with a 2023 delivery date. The price is currently $1,299.00. I don’t know if that price will “hold” until they build them, but I might be willing to split the difference when it becomes available.

Drake Equipment

Note: I have listed here what WB4HFN gathered prices for this equipment in 2009.*

	WB4HFN 2009 prices
2-B receiver	$201
2-BQ speaker & Q multiplier	$160	(both: $435)
T-4XC transmitter	$340
R-4C receiver	$570
AC-4 power supply	$193
MS-4 speaker	$127
FS-4 frequency synthesizer	$585	(complete station: $1,815)
DC-3 power supply	$68

2-B/2-BQ Asking $400

4 Twins w/FS-4: Asking $1,500

Note: I would like to sell the 2B/2BQ as a set as well as the Drake 4 twins and FS-4 as a set. I am open to all offers.

* See: http://www.wb4hfn.com/DRAKE/DrakeSalePriceHistory.htm

Kurtt  WB9FMC kurtt@pinrod.com (773) 284-9500

Mory’s Law

• A selection of Mory’s laws relating to Ham Radio
• The amount of space required is proportional to the amount available squared.
• Radios are always ’4” wider than the space you measured for them in the shack.
• When cutting a piece of wire for use in a project it will always be 5mm shorter than needed.
• Antennas are always too short once they are installed.
• If you knock your soldering iron off the bench you will always catch it at the hot end.
• All work tools will be well ordered and sorted into a tool box except the one required that will be hiding in plain sight on the workbench.
• A transistor protected by a fast-acting fuse will protect the fuse by blowing first.
• Components will be damaged in direct proportion to their value.
• A necessary item goes on sale only after you have purchased it at the regular price.
• When tidying up the shack put all parts you want to throw out into a box … it will make them easier to find when needed a week later (Do not throw out).
• You will always find that misplaced component 30s after you order a replacement.
• Dropped components always land far under the desk.
• Wife helps by vacuuming the shack for you, removing your stock of dropped SMD”s.
• The Postman will always give your wife parcels you wanted to smuggle into your shack.
• Any circuit design must contain at least one part which is obsolete, two parts which are unobtainable and three parts which are still under development.
• In cold weather do not pour hot water on frozen windows, your computer won’t like it.
• It is impossible to make radios foolproof because fools are so ingenious.
• When all else fails, read the instructions.
  

Ten Commandments of Electronics

de
W5AAX

1. Beware of the lightning that lurketh in an undischarged capacitor, lest it cause thee to be bounced upon thy buttocks in a most ungentlemanly manner.
2. Cause thou the switch that supplies large quantities of juice to be opened and thusly tagged, so thy days may be long on this earthly veil of tears.
3. Prove to thyself that all circuits that radiateth and upon which thou worketh are grounded, lest they lift thee to high-frequency potential and cause thee to radiate also.
4. Take care that thou useth the proper method when thou taketh the measure of high-voltage circuits so that thou doth not incinerate both thee and the meter; for verily, though thou has no account number and can be easily replaced, the meter doth have one, and as a consequence, bringeth much woe upon the Supply Department.
5. Tarry not thou amongst those who engage in intentional shocks, for they are surely nonbelievers who are not long for this world.
6. Take care thou tampereth not with interlocks and safety devices, for this will incur the wrath of thy seniors and bringeth the fury of the safety officer down about thy head and shoulders.
7. Work thou not on energized equipment, for if thou doeth, thy buddies will surely be buying beers for thy widow and consoling her in other ways not generally acceptable to thee.
8. Verily, verily I say unto thee, never service high-voltage equipment alone, for electric cooking is a slothful process and thou might sizzle in thine own fat for hours on end before thy maker sees fit to end thy misery and drag thee into His fold.
9. Trifle thou not with radioactive tubes and substances, lest thou commence to glow in the dark like a lightning bug, and thy wife be frustrated nightly and have no further use for thee except thy wage.
10. Commit thou to memory the works of the prophets, which are written in the instruction books, which giveth the straight dope and which consoleth thee, and thou cannot make mistakes, sometimes, maybe.

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 2022 Contest Calendar

From WA7BNM Contest Calendar Website

+ All Asian DX Contest, Phone	0000Z, Sep 3 to 2359Z, Sep 4
+ Wake-Up! QRP Sprint	0600Z-0800Z, Sep 3
+ Colorado QSO Party	1300Z, Sep 3 to 0400Z, Sep 4
+ AGCW Straight Key Party	1300Z-1600Z, Sep 3
+ CWOps CW Open	2000Z-2359Z, Sep 3
+ PODXS 070 Club Jay Hudak Memorial 80m Sprint	2000Z, Sep 3 to 2000Z, Sep 4
+ Tennessee QSO Party	1800Z, Sep 4 to 0300Z, Sep 5
+ MI QRP Labor Day CW Sprint	2300Z, Sep 5 to 0300Z, Sep 6
+ ARS Spartan Sprint	0100Z-0300Z, Sep 6
+ EACW Meeting	1900Z-2000Z, Sep 8
+ FOC QSO Party	0000Z-2359Z, Sep 10
+ WAE DX Contest, SSB	0000Z, Sep 10 to 2359Z, Sep 11
+ SKCC Weekend Sprintathon	1200Z, Sep 10 to 2359Z, Sep 11
+ ARRL September VHF Contest	1800Z, Sep 10 to 0300Z, Sep 12
+ North American Sprint, CW	0000Z-0400Z, Sep 11
+ 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Sep 12
+ NTC QSO Party	1900Z-2000Z, Sep 15
+ AGB NEMIGA Contest	2100Z-2359Z, Sep 16
+ ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest	0600 local, Sep 17 to 2359 local, Sep 18
+ Scandinavian Activity Contest, CW	Cancelled for 2022
+ Texas QSO Party	1400Z, Sep 17 to 2000Z, Sep 18
+ QRP Afield	1500Z-2100Z, Sep 17
+ New Hampshire QSO Party	1600Z, Sep 17 to 2200Z, Sep 18
+ Washington State Salmon Run	1600Z, Sep 17 to 2359Z, Sep 18
+ New Jersey QSO Party	1600Z, Sep 17 to 0359Z, Sep 18
+ Wisconsin Parks on the Air	1600Z-2300Z, Sep 17
+ North American Sprint, RTTY	0000Z-0400Z, Sep 18
+ Run for the Bacon QRP Contest	2300Z, Sep 18 to 0100Z, Sep 19
+ 144 MHz Fall Sprint	1900 local-2300 local, Sep 19
+ CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY	0000Z, Sep 24 to 2359Z, Sep 25
+ Maine QSO Party	1200Z, Sep 24 to 1200Z, Sep 25
+ AGCW VHF/UHF Contest	1400Z-1800Z, Sep 24
+ SKCC Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Sep 28

Club Information

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