Rather than run a formal net, tonight’s session was mostly to check the viability of using 10-meter 28.305 for a RI net. We had 16 folks check in and give singal reports. In general, people were very readable.
At least one Technician who had never made a HF contact joined the fun.
Technicians and anyone with 10-meter gear are invited to join us for a new 10-meter net that will be held on 28.305 MHz every Thursday at 7:30 PM local time.
A simple 10-meter dipole antenna is only 16 feet long (8 feet per side) making it easy to erect.
With solar activity on the upswing, getting on 10-meters is a great way to discover the magic of HF DXing.
NCRC will have its regular meeting on Monday April 11 at 7 PM via Zoom. Invitations will be sent to members via email.
Continuing with our desire to keep meetings short, we will have a short business meeting (15 min) to deal with items requiring a vote (new members and purchases). Members are reminded to check the Committee Reports for regular information like the education report here: https://w1sye.org/?page_id=6044
Following the business meeting, John K1JSM will give a presentation on Logbook of the World, which is used by ARRL members as a secure way of confirming contacts and applying for ARRL awards (like WAS or DXCC).
And as usual, after the presentation, those desiring to stick around for a chat are welcome to do so.
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.)
In a move long delayed and telegraphed by the FCC, they will begin collecting a $35 fee for Amateur Radio licenses starting April 19, 2022. The fee will be collected for new licenses, vanity call sign applications, and renewals. It is our belief that they will not collect a fee for an address change (required by FCC rules to always be current) or upgrades of existing licenses (Ed)
You can see the announcement here: DA-22-307A1