SHORT SKIP - FROM THE PARADE STAND
By Tim McGillen/N9CA 2021 LCARC President May 2021 Hi Everyone, Hope everyone is well as these days are getting warmer, brighter, and longer. If you are into HF DX, thanks to spring-time TEP (Trans Equatorial Propagation) 17m, 15m, 10m, and even 6m has opened up on various recent days especially with the FT8 digital mode. The solar flux is low still so get your chance at TEP openings before summer. Look for Central America, South America, and the Caribbean Islands. Club Repeaters Late April some of you have noticed the time clock on our repeaters has gotten out of synch. It is being resolved. Last month’s program Thank you Carl Leutselschwab K9LA ARRL Central Division Vice Director who presented “Solar Cycle 25 and ARRL Update” www.K9LA.us HAMFESTS ARE BACK ! DEKALB HAMFEST 05/02/2021 Start Date: 05/02/2021 End Date: 05/02/2021 Location: Sandwich Fairgrounds 1401 Suydam Road Sandwich, IL 60548 Website: http://www.karc-club.orgStarved Rock Radio Club Hamfest06/06/2021 Start Date: 06/06/2021 End Date: 06/06/2021 Location: Mendota Tri-County Fairgrounds 503 First Ave. Mendota, IL 61342 Website: http://www.w9mks.org The May 20th 2021 HAMVENTION will be virtual with free on-line presentations. www.hamvention.org Club News May 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th Wednesdays at 8:00pm LCARC “Information Net”. 147.000 and 442.075 pl 131.8 linked Club repeaters. Informal, informative, and fun. A great way to stay connected with local hams. You do not have to be a Club member to check-in. Typically 30 minutes May 11th Club Board Meeting via ZOOM at 7:00pm. A ZOOM link has been emailed to all current Club members May 14th 7:00pm Club Meeting Program: “How to use A Raspberry Pi Micro Computer With Ham Radio” Presented by George Suprenant N9GWS. Look for the ZOOM link to join this meeting posted on www.W9LJ.org and on our FaceBook page. May 15th VE License Session: A session is scheduled for Saturday May 15nd at 9:00am at the Lake County Government Complex Building 2900 W. 93rd Ave Crown Point Indiana 46307. The 7 story building is on the North side of 93rd across from the Government Center. Limited to 12, all license levels. Proper masks (not bandanas), social distancing, surfaces disinfected, temperatures taken, windows will be open. Contact Tim/N9CA at 219-769-0673 and leave a message. The fees $15 check or cash. Bring your photo ID, a copy of your current license if upgrading, two #2 lead pencils, an ink pen, your FCC FRN. Obtain FRN or look it up via “ULS” at www.FCC.gov June Physical Club meetings: We’re anticipating the resumption of physical Club meetings rather than via ZOOM at the EMA Building 7:00pm on June 11th. *Covid may delay this New HR licensees may be eligible for a 2 band fully programmed HT starting June 2021. You must be a dues paying member of LCARC, and provide proof you were newly licensed in 2020 or 2021. This limited time program is to help new Hams get on the air… where we belong! Renewing and new 2021 Club members: Thank you for your continued support! We are all looking forward to seeing friends and meeting our new ones… in person very soon. 2021 Club Dues are still only $20. Help support your local HR Club. LCARC, PO Box 90, Crown Point IN 46308. Licensed amateurs, who have never been a member of LCARC, can join with 2021 membership dues waived. Applications at www.W9LJ.org or email thru Club’s website. OTHER HR NEWS Real Time Propagation Maps: www.DXmap.com www.WSPR.org www.APRS.fi Indiana ARES District 1 is conducting a weekly net every Tuesday evening at 1900L - 2000L (7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. CST). Visit www.ARESd1.com Updated Radio Frequency Exposure Rules Become Effective on May 3 2021 The FCC has announced rule changes governing RF exposure standards go into effect on May 3, 2021. The new rules do not change existing RF exposure (RFE) limits but do require that stations in all services, including amateur radio, be evaluated against existing limits, unless they are exempted. For stations already in place, that evaluation must be completed by May 3, 2023. After May 3 of this year, any new station, or any existing station modified in a way that’s likely to change its RFE profile — such as different antenna or placement or greater power — will need to conduct an evaluation by the date of activation or change. Visit www.ARRL.org FCC PENDING HR ACTION – Possibly Q3 2021 • RM-11708 “Greater Flexibility in Digital Communications” • Increases allowed symbol rate in digital communications to 2.8 kHz bandwidth, rather than specifying a maximum 300 baud data rate • Authorizes faster PACTOR 4 for ARES EmComm HF Winlink messaging use • Some want this modified to include a ban on ACDS that does not incorporate “busy” detector technology • RM-11759 “Realignment of the 80 meter amateur band” • Modifies the 80-meter RTTY/Data sub-band so that it extends from 3500 kHz to 3650 kHz (adds 50 kHz) • RM-11828 “Technician Class Enhancement” • Expand amateur Technician Class privileges to include phone privileges at 3.900 to 4.000 MHz, 7.225 to 7.300 MHz, and 21.350 to 21.450 MHz FCC HR ACTION TAKEN IN 2021 • 3.3-3.5 GHz (9 cm) Band • FCC called for auctioning off 3.4-3.5 GHz for 5G network expansion • Called for sunsetting of ALL amateur activity on the entire band by 2022 • The ARRL bitterly opposed this proposed action • In March 2021 the FCC adopted final rules for 3.45-3.55 GHz: • Amateurs can keep secondary allocation from 3.3 to 3.45 GHz indefinitely until further FCC action • Amateurs will need to cease operations in 3.45-3.5 GHz sometime in early 2022 to allow for new users • 5.850-5.925 GHz (5 cm) Band • Unlike 3.3 GHz, there was no plan to sunset amateur activity, we would remain secondary • But, would allocate the bottom 45 MHz for unlicensed Wi-Fi routers, etc., and the upper 20 MHz for Ford’s autonomous vehicle program • In Nov 2020 the FCC confirmed we would remain a secondary allocation, but would have to learn to live with new users on the band THE AMERICAN RED CROSS + ARRL + ARES The ARRL and the American Red Cross (ARC) have renewed their long-standing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for another 5 years. The MOU spells out how ARRL and the American Red CTross will work cooperatively during a disaster response. The INQP (Indiana QSO Party) – The first Saturday in May (May 1-2 UTC) This year, the rules are back to "normal" for multi-single and multi-multi stations considering progress with the vaccination program. Remember, ops using their individual stations (e.g., home, portable, etc.) plus multi op stations may submit logs indicating club affiliation to count toward club competition. . Keep an eye on the rules page here. Here are 25 counties which might be considered rare ones: Spencer, Pike, Jefferson, Crawford, Martin, Union, Floyd, Shelby, Newton, Owen, Clay, Scott, Orange, Gibson, Jay, Knox, Kosciusko, Jackson, Marshall, Decatur, Rush, Posey, Cass, Dearborn, and Jasper. Have fun! See the INQP website for more info. Mark your calendars! See you on ZOOM 73, Tim/N9CA Comments are closed.
|
Short SkipThe Official Newsletter of the LCARC
|