Pass your license exam?  Get some new equipment?  Win an award?  Want to buy or sell some equipment?  Win the lotto?  Send us your announcements to K8HRC@arrl.net.

Posted 06/01/21

The next Zoom net will be Thursday, June 17, at 7:00pm.  If you've never used Zoom before, it is an online videoconferencing app that runs on your computer, tablet or smart phone.  A link will be sent out a few days before the net.  If you do not receive the link and want to participate, simply email K8HRC@arrl.net requesting the link and we’ll send it to you.  We'll try to run it like a regular net.  Update your Zoom name to your first name and call sign.  We only have 40 minutes so hopefully we'll be able to get through everyone, maybe even two rounds.  Hope to see lots of people Zoomed in!  You don’t have to be a licensed amateur to participate.

Field Day is June 26-27.  The club has no plans to sponsor a Field Day activity this year.  Check the ARRL Field Day locator page for a nearby site.  (HCARC Field Day page)  (ARRL Field Day home page)  (ARRL Field Day locator page)  (ARRL Field Day merchandise)

Amateur examination applicants will be required to provide an FCC Registration Number (FRN) to the Volunteer Examiners (VEs) before taking an amateur exam.  This is necessary due to changes the FCC has made to its licensing system.  Amateur candidates who already have an FCC license, whether for amateur radio or in another service, already have an FRN and can use the same number.  All prospective new FCC licensees, however, will be required to obtain an FRN before the examination and provide that number to the volunteer examiners on the Form 605 license application.  An FCC instructional video provides step-by-step instructions on how to obtain an FRN through the FCC’s Commission Registration System (CORES).  (ARRL story)

The FCC is seeking comment on the impact of the continuing global shortage of semiconductors.  The FCC’s May 11 Public Notice stated its concern is focused on the impact the shortage could have on the communications industry, agency initiatives,

Posted 05/25/21

Former club member Bill Perry KD8QLB, of Litchfield, became a Silent Key on May 22.  Click here to view the obituary.

Posted 05/20/21

Congratulations to Daniel Hubbs II KE8SCN of Reading for being granted Technician privileges on May 18.

Posted 05/08/21

There is a new in the county.  The FCC ULS address for Thea Kirkwood KE8IMU was recently updated to Cement City from Temperance.

Posted 04/25/21

There are two new hams in the county.  Kenneth Schlehuber KG7GNW recently updated his FCC ULS address to Cement City from Washington State.  Fred Stocking NE8T recently updated his FCC ULS address to Hillsdale from Livonia.  Please welcome them when you hear them on the air.

Posted 02/01/21

The Board has decided to sponsor the Monday Night Net Exceptional Participation Award for 2021.  Three points are awarded to the net control station, two points for participating in both rounds and one point for participating in less than both rounds.  Club members get 20 bonus points, pro-rated for new members.  The certificate will be awarded to any amateur that attains at least 75 points during the year.  The purpose of the award is to encourage participation in the net, both as check-ins and as net control station.  Rules and results are posted in the Net Participation section of the Calendar page on the club website.  The net currently is held every Monday at 7pm on 147.06 MHz simplex.  Participating regularly in a directed net helps you keep your operating skills sharp.

Posted 01/01/21

The FCC has agreed with ARRL and others that its proposed $50 fee for certain amateur radio applications was “too high to account for the minimal staff involvement in these applications.”  In a Report and Order released on December 29, the FCC scaled back to $35 the fee for a new license application, a special temporary authority (STA) request, a rule waiver request, a license renewal application, and a vanity call sign application.  All fees are per application.  There will be no fee for administrative updates, such as a change of mailing or email address.  The effective date of the fee schedule has not been established, but it will be announced at least 30 days in advance.  (ARRL story)  The FCC originally proposed in August to impose a $50 fee.  (ARRL story)

Effective on June 29, amateur radio licensees and candidates must provide the FCC with an email address on all applications.  If no email address is included, the FCC may dismiss the application as “defective.”  Licensees can log into the ULS License Manager System with their FRN and password at any time and update anything in their FCC license record, including adding an email address.  The FCC is fully transitioning to electronic correspondence and will no longer print or provide wireless licensees with hard-copy authorizations or registrations by mail.  (ARRL story)  The FCC has also added a reminder message on the Universal Licensing Service (ULS) landing page.  (ARRL story)