Important Message from ARRL VEC

By Maria Somma, AB1FM, ARRL VEC Manager

The FCC released a Public Notice on March 23, 2022, stating that the amateur radio application fees, including those associated with Form 605 application filings, would become effective on April 19, 2022. The Federal Communications Commission’s authority to impose and collect fees is mandated by Congress.

The $35 application fee, when it becomes effective on April 19, will apply to new, renewal, and modification applications that request a new vanity call sign. The fee will be per application.

Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, and modification applications to upgrade an amateur radio licensee’s operator class*, will be exempt from fees. (*this new information was just confirmed by FCC staff on Tuesday, March 29.)

Hats off to Mike AA1XQ and all the VEs that helped at All Saints STEAM Academy on Saturday December 11th.  Five new Technicians successfully passed their tests.

Congratulations to the following new hams (call signs pending, of course):

• Robert Matose (Middletown)
• Peter Cole (Coventry)
• James Garman (Newport)
• Christopher Dorsey (Coventry)
• Maurice Levesque (West Warwick)

NCRC club member Dave Neal, W2DAN, is YCCC RI Area manager and wants you to be aware of two big CQ WW contests at the end of this month and next.

CQ WW Contest Dates

Anyone looking to join the Yankee Clipper Contest Club ( http://yccc.org/ )  should contact Dave Neal

Email:  w2dan@arrl.net
Cell:  401-241-9888

The current condition of the shed:The changes that  will be proposed to the Town of Portsmouth:

NCRC Shed Design Pg 1

NCRC Shed Design Pg2

A proposed Memo of Understanding (MOU) with the proposed changes will be submitted as soon as a letter of agreement with 4H of RI is received.  4H indicated agreement but we are waiting for the letter to be provided.

JOTA-JOTI is the world’s largest digital Scout event taking place online and over the air. The educational event brings together more than 2 million Scouts every year in October for a weekend of Scouting and friendship.

NCRC has supported this activity at the Glen in Portsmouth for many years.  We are planning a number of activities but in the minimum you can participate from home by being available for QSOs with the Scouts. Save some time on October 16.  More at the meeting on the 13th and at  https://www.jotajoti.info/