September 2025 – HamGab

Hamfesters Nets

de Tom Antolak KA9ZXN

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 Fri. Aug. 1, 2025, 7:40 pm

  Please check Hamfesters.org for club updates.

  Roll: Nora KC9MLV, Jim W9JPR, Kurt WB9FMC, Don KC9EQQ, Steve W9KXT, Gene W9PNG, Bob N9WVP, John KB9FQB, Dennis KC9DSP, Keli KD9YDT, Patti KC9LYE

        Tonight; 30 members, 2 visitors welcome!

  Health & Welfare: Welcome back to Cathy KC9NRH, recovering from Knee surgery.

  Minutes: July club minutes were approved by: Bob N9KWG, & Dennis KC9DSP.

  Treasurer’s Report: by Kurt WB9FMC, paid $1,650.00 to Will County Fairgrounds.

                      The site of our Hamfest Aug. 2-3rd. Note: setup Aug. 2nd.

                      There will be more expenses for the Hamfest.

  Field Day 2025: by Jim W9JPR, FD report sent to the ARRL.

  Hamfest 2025: by Jim W9JPR, advanced ticket sales 104 sold.

  Hamfest Chairmen: Don KC9EQQ, Setup Sat. Aug. 2nd, 3 pm, Fairgrounds Peotone, ILL.  

                    Sat. night pizza for vendors, and setup crew.

                    Hamfest on Sunday Aug. 3rd, 6 am to 1:00 pm. tickets $10:00 each,

                    children under 12 yrs. free.

                    There will be VE testing, VE chairmen; Al N9ZD, and Dennis KC9DSP.

                    24 tables were sold to vendors: Dennis “The hat guy”, coax, crafts, and jewerly.

                    Cathy KC9NRH, will be our announcer, at the information, prize table.

                    If there is an emergency dial 911, then call Don on his cell phone.

  Programs: Sept. early start time 6:30 pm here at Southbridge church, outside.

            “Putting up antennas for field day” by Al N9ZD, & Dennis KC9DSP.

             Oct. John KB9FQB, Programs on ZOOM.

             Nov. Steve Cooper

             Dec. Christmas party

  Adjournment: 8:35 pm by Jim W9JPR, & John KB9FQB

  Split the pot winner: Dawn K9ERS

  Door Prize winners: Jim KD9YLO, Jim KE9AZT, Mike WA9ZPM, Bob N9KWG, Dawn K9ERS

Health & Welfare

Gregg, AB9MZ, is having health issues.
Ed Broniarczyk, WA9EOL, former club treasurer is SK. Ed (photo below) passed away in April 6, 2025.

Please keep them in your prayers.

CQ Field Day

de Jim Riley W9JPR

   Field Day 2025 is in the books, and it was a hot one like the last few Field Days. Unlike the last two there was no overnight thunderstorm to cool things off on Sunday. It just stayed hot. On the plus side, we ate very well again. Saturday lunch was Helen Pawlikowski’s meatball sandwiches. Saturday supper was roast beef sandwiches provided by Brian Guerin KD9ZGT and his girlfriend Kelli who Brian says is the driving force behind their meals. Sunday morning, they provided breakfast sandwiches and hash browns. Everything was excellent and they cleaned the place up like we were never there.

Kurt Pawlikowski WB9FMC operated CW from the trailer. He ran 222 contacts making him our top CW operator.

Al Bukowski N9ZD ran digital from the north hall of the gym and racked up 125 contacts. That made him our top digital operator again this year.

The fact that they were our only CW and digital ops does nothing to diminish their accomplishments.

John Swanson KB9FQB ran various bands on phone. He also ran the cooling center in his trailer.

Several of our participants took advantage of it as the heat got to them.

Linas Matonis KC9PCP covered VHF/UHF as usual and got us 100 bonus points by using his solar panel to make natural power contacts.

Steve Peters W9KXT headed up the GOTA station under my call. It was strange but very gratifying to hear others use my call and use it well. I also enjoyed using it in the early morning hours on Sunday. I got in about an hour after Ed Egan WB9STB packed it in on the overnight shift. Speaking of Ed, he was our top GOTA operator with 58 contacts. That leads us to something that I don’t recall happening in all the years I’ve been FD chair. We have a tie for top phone operator. John Swanson logged 58 contacts too.

The heat took its toll on everyone, and we never made it to the 1 p.m. official end of Field Day. Al was gone before breakfast. Steve and Linas, shortly after. John didn’t hang around much longer either. Kurt wanted to go the full 24 hours, but he would have had to break his antenna down himself. The takedown crew wanted to beat the heat. We were off the field by 11:30.

We had a total of 26 participants and all of two visitors signed in. There were probably a few more but they never signed in. Thanks to all. We’re looking forward to doing it again next year.

This is a reprint because the Editor did not include it in last month.
Cast of Characters  (from sign-in sheet and FD chair’s memory)

Nora Pointer	K9MLV	Operator, logger, president
Don Pointer	KC9EQQ	Camera Guy
Jim Riley	W9JPR	Operator, Cat Herder
Patti Gulick	KC9LYE	Operator, logger, paperweight
Steve Peters	W9KXT	GOTA
Scott Pierson	KC9QM	CC Demrs
Bob Fleischmann	N9KWG	Setup, Operator
Al Bukowski	N9ZD	10-15-80-160 meters
Tim Robieson	KD9ZMW	Monitor, Cleanup
Ron Kalat	KB9TCX	Setup, Takedown
Ed Egan	WB9STB	Everything Else
Linas Matonis	KC9PCP	VHF/UHF
Glenn Bushey	KC9BPY
Don Sachnoff	KX9Q	Whatever
Jim Lendi	KD9YLO
Jim Liang	KE9AZT	Helper
John Swanson	KB9FQB	HF, cooling center
Ray Paschke	NW9S	USB
Mike Kiley	WA9ZPM	Setup, Takedown
Mike McGuire	K9ACM
Peggy Peters	K9QLM
Paul Truback	K9RRY
Dan Haug	KA9BAR	Setup, Takedown
Helen Pawlikowski		Saturday Lunch
Brian Guerin	KD9ZGT	Saturday supper, Sunday breakfast
Kelli Begley		Saturday supper, Sunday breakfast

W9AA + W9JPR Contest Summary Report for ARRL-FD 2025

 Total Contacts by Band and Mode:

 Band       CW   Phone     Dig   Total       %

 —-       —   —–     —   —–     —

   80        0       3     125     128      24

   40        0     119       0     119      23

   20      222      55       0     277      52

   15        0       1       2       3       1

   10        0       1       0       1       0

            —   —–     —   —–     —

 Total     222     179     127     528     100

 Total Contacts by Country:

 Country                      Total     %

 ——-                      —–   —

 USA                            498    94

 Canada                          19     4

 Puerto Rico                      5     1

 Azores                           1     0

 Bermuda                          1     0

 France                           1     0

 Hawaii                           1     0

 Hong Kong                        1     0

 St. Lucia                        1     0

 Total = 9

 Total DX Miles (QSOs in USA not counted) = 48,587

 Average miles per DX QSO = 1,620

 Total Contacts by Operator:

 Operator    Total     %

 ——–    —–   —

 WB9FMC        222    42

 N9ZD          129    24

 KB9FQB         58    11

 WB9STB         58    11

 W9JPR          25     5

 KC9LYE         19     4

 KC9MLV         10     2

 W9KXT           7     1

 Total = 8   

Statistics Abbreviated. For full statistics email w9jpr2016@gmail.com

Hamfest Ticket Sales

de Jim Riley W9JPR

Hamfest 2025 is in the books. Ticket sales, both advance and at the Hamfest gate, were up this year. It wasn’t much but any increase is good.

Here’s how it breaks down.
Advance sales totaled 96, up three from last year’s 93. This year’s top advance ticket seller was Steve Peters W9KXT. Nice work, Steve.
The weather on Hamfest day was absolutely perfect. Perhaps that brought out a few more vendors and buyers. There was a pretty good line of cars outside the east gate at 0530. This year’s ticket sales total was 287 versus 272 from 2024. The vendors and flea marketers seemed happy as lots of folks headed out the gate with their treasures. The west gate beat the east gate 241-46 against 214-58 last year. We may have to reconsider the west gate for next year. Between the first and second shift we sold a total of five tickets over four hours.
Linas Matonis was our top gate salesman selling one hundred tickets over the first two hours.
In the all-important competition between Bob Fleischmann N9KWG and his wife Cathy KC9NRH, there was no contest. Bob won handily 68-0. Instead of selling tickets, Cathy worked the head table as she recovers from knee surgery.

Thanks to everyone who made Hamfest 2025 a success.

Please note that I am actively seeking a replacement ticket sales chair. I will help in any way I can to make the transition as seamless as possible

Hamfesters 91th Annual Hamfest

August 1, 2026
Jim is looking for a replacement for ticket sales chair and Don is looking for a Hamfest chair replacement

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

Would you like your story featured here?

Upgrades

de Dennis Calderone KC9DSP

I am unaware of any upgrades this month.

New Members

de Bob McDonald N9WDV

 1. Tom Antolak – KA9ZXN He has an Extra class license and he is retired. Tom is a former member and the voice of our weekly net for many years.
 2. Philip Warning – KE9CFN He has an Extra class license and works as a communications electrician.
 3. Ernest Ilarde – KD9NYP He has a General class license and works in human resources.
 4. Joseph Sims – KD9JBU He has a General class license and he owns a roller rink.

Bring a friend to a meeting. Licensed or unlicensed. Lets get them interested in the hobby and grow our membership.

We still have several members who have not renewed. If you’re not sure you can contact Bob, N9WDV, or check online here. You can pay online too.

Amateur Radio News

de Dennis Calderone KC9DSP

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

de Dennis Calderone KC9DSP

2025 Amateur Radio Public Service/Events Calendar (N. IL)

de Kirk Musselman K9MSG

Click the here for Amateur Radio Events

Educational Courses for Amateur Radio

de Dennis Calderone KC9DSP

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

de Dennis Calderone KC9DSP

Hamfesters will be conducted Skywarn Basic Spotter Training on April 4, 2025 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.

I was just informed that the Grant Park and Homewood repeaters  are both off the air. The owner-tech for those repeaters turned them off and dismantled them both. I did some research and it turns out a friend of mine, Adam, W9AJI, is one of the new owners of the repeater pairs. I spoke with him and he said they will be linked to a group of 6 repeaters for Skywarn for the south suburbs. So at this time I will keep them on the list.

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

I found this one too. It’s nice and can be put in a frame. Personally I prefer the one above as it looks like an official FCC license, but some may like this one.

WT9V 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).

I have found a new place to get our embroidery done. My husband had to go to get some uniforms and what do you know, they have an embroidery machine. We will be giving them a try.

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

de Dennis Calderone KC9DSP

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

de Al Bukowski N9ZD

We had two VE sessions this month. STARS conducted our VE Session at the Hamfest and our traditional team handled the August 9th session.

September 2025 Contest Calendar

From WA7BNM Contest Calendar Website

September 2025
MI QRP Labor Day CW Sprint	2300Z, Sep 1 to 0300Z, Sep 2
ARS Spartan Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Sep 2
All Asian DX Contest, Phone	0000Z, Sep 6 to 2359Z, Sep 7
Wake-Up! QRP Sprint	0600Z-0800Z, Sep 6
SARL VHF/UHF FM Contest	0800Z, Sep 6 to 1000Z, Sep 7
IARU Region 1 Field Day, SSB	1300Z, Sep 6 to 1259Z, Sep 7
AGCW Straight Key Party	1300Z-1600Z, Sep 6
IARU Region 1 145 MHz Contest	1400Z, Sep 6 to 1400Z, Sep 7
PODXS 070 Club Jay Hudak Memorial 80m Sprint	2000Z, Sep 6 to 2000Z, Sep 7
CWOps CW Open	2000Z-2359Z, Sep 6
Tennessee QSO Party	1700Z, Sep 7 to 0300Z, Sep 8
K1USN SST Open	2000Z-2359Z, Sep 12
WAE DX Contest, SSB	0000Z, Sep 13 to 2359Z, Sep 14
FOC QSO Party	0000Z-2359Z, Sep 13
SKCC Weekend Sprintathon	1200Z, Sep 13 to 2359Z, Sep 14
Africa FT4 DX Contest	1500Z-1800Z, Sep 13
ARRL September VHF Contest	1800Z, Sep 13 to 0300Z, Sep 15
North American Sprint, CW	0000Z-0400Z, Sep 14
4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Sep 15
NTC QSO Party	1900Z-2000Z, Sep 18
AGB NEMIGA Contest	1600Z-1700Z, Sep 19
ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest	0900 local, Sep 20 to 0759 local, Sep 22
Scandinavian Activity Contest, CW	1200Z, Sep 20 to 1200Z, Sep 21
Texas QSO Party	1400Z, Sep 20 to 2000Z, Sep 21
New Jersey QSO Party	1400Z, Sep 20 to 0159Z, Sep 21
Iowa QSO Party	1400Z, Sep 20 to 0200Z, Sep 21
QRP Afield	1500Z-2100Z, Sep 20
Washington State Salmon Run	1600Z, Sep 20 to 2359Z, Sep 21
New Hampshire QSO Party	1600Z, Sep 20 to 2200Z, Sep 21
Wisconsin Parks on the Air	1600Z-2300Z, Sep 20
North American Sprint, RTTY	0000Z-0400Z, Sep 21
BARTG Sprint PSK63 Contest	1700Z-2059Z, Sep 21
Run for the Bacon QRP Contest	2300Z, Sep 21 to 0100Z, Sep 22
SKCC Sprint	0000Z-0200Z, Sep 24
CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY	0000Z, Sep 27 to 2359Z, Sep 28
YU DX Contest	1200Z, Sep 27 to 1159Z, Sep 28
Maine QSO Party	1200Z, Sep 27 to 1200Z, Sep 28
AGCW VHF/UHF Contest	1400Z-1800Z, Sep 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

de Don Pointer, KC9EQQ

Pictures from Hamfest 2025

Disclaimer

Notice: All information found here should be correct, but hey, I’m human. This is not AI and I’m busy. Have less free time now that I’m retired. Please think about sending me stuff to add.