Updated Radio Frequency Exposure Rules Become Effective on May 3 (arrl.org)

OET 605b

RF Exposure – ARRL

Exposure calculator

Another exposure calculator

Contrary to what you may have heard or read, the collection of
application fees for the amateur radio service and certain other
services will NOT begin on April 19, 2021.

Although April 19, 2021 is the date the rules in the FCC Report and
Order adopted last December generally take effect – i.e., one month
after the R&O was published in the March 19, 2021 Federal Register –
certain parts of those rules, including collection of the application
fees for the amateur radio service, will NOT begin on that date.

The effective date for new amateur radio fees has not yet been
established. The FCC explicitly states in the published Notice that the
fees will not take effect until:

     *  the requisite notice has been provided to Congress; AND
     *  the FCC’s information technology systems and internal
procedures have been updated; AND
     *  the Commission publishes [FUTURE] notice(s) in the Federal
Register announcing the effective date of such rules.

The League’s counsel for FCC matters estimates that the effective
start date for collecting the fees will be some time this summer, but
regardless of the exact timing we will have advance notice. Stay tuned
for further developments on this. 

Keep in mind that one can only renew their amateur license within 90
days in advance of the expiration date. If you, or a club station
license you are trustee for, are within that 90 day window now, I’d
renew as soon as possible to avoid the new fee.

If you are thinking of switching to a vanity callsign, I’d also
seriously suggest you apply for that special callsign sooner rather than
later.  (Of course, if you are an Extra class seeking a new shorter 1X2
or 2X1 callsign, competition for those calls in the future MIGHT be a
bit less due to the new fees! We’ll see…)

73;
Mike
W7VO

When disaster strikes, being prepared can make a big difference. A preparedness tool called ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System will be activated in Oregon on March 11.  Already in place in California, ShakeAlert detects significant earthquakes quickly and sends an alert to people before shaking arrives at their location. The time between receiving the alert and feeling the shaking, gives people critical seconds to protect themselves.

No action needs to be taken on March 11 and no sign up is required. These important alerts come automatically on most cell phones making a distinctive sound and a text message that reads “Earthquake Detected! Drop, Cover, Hold On. Protect Yourself.” The ShakeAlert message is available in Spanish for phones set to receive alerts in that language. Another way to receive ShakeAlert notices is to download the QuakeAlertUSA mobile app.

While there is no way to know when an earthquake will strike, the precious seconds of advance warning provided through ShakeAlert will give people time to take protective actions to reduce risk, minimize casualties and reduce damage. 

Learn more at shakealert.org or Lincoln County Emergency Management – What’s Happening Now .

I am writing to thank all of our local stations for all of the friendship, laughs, information and technical help. Today marks just about one year since I found my way back into amateur radio.  I am amazed at how much I have learned and how much fun it has been for the last 12 months.

When I originally received my Technician and then General ticket back in June of 2013, my shack had only a few pieces of equipment. A power supply, FT-2900 (as a base VHF radio), FT-60, Baofeng UV-5RE and a Kenwood TS-590S.

I did a lot of VHF, but never did get an HF antenna installed before life kept me too busy for HAM (late 2014 – 2019).  I am so happy that I set my shack up again in February 2020 anticipating that I would have a lot more time when I retired June 30, 2020. 

And what a year it has been – VHF, HF, APRS, WinLink, DSTAR, Fusion, CW and more. And great groups too – LCARC and ACS.

This is a picture of my shack today. It needs a clean up because I have had so many interests going on at once. Some stations may notice that I need to complete my station grounding.

So again, thank you to all of those that have provided amazing help. And that you to all stations that have participated in our various nets. I do not even know what some of you look like so I am looking forward to when we can get back to safely getting together in person.
73 all
KG7EAB

Participating can be as easy as calling out on the national FM simplex calling frequency, 146.520. SSB, CW and other modes are also used. More information an the ARRL website:

http://www.arrl.org/january-vhf

How to identify parts for the beginner

By: Joe Joncas WA7MHB

• https://youtu.be/dLC-GP26dVc

Approximately 45 minutes for beginners

We ordered 10 of these for the club. If we are out the Pixie kit can be bought at https://www.pixiekits.com

You can find useful information there and many other kits and supplies.

The FCC has adopted a fee schedule, reducing the proposed $50 license fee for new licenses, renewals, and vanity call signs. An ARRL article is here.

Interestingly, the Report and Order also reduces the fee for a GMRS license to $35, making it much more affordable. The Report and Order may be downloaded here.

Thanks everyone! We have more paid memberships for 2021 than we have had for some time. We will start banging the drum for 2022 dues in November or December.

Club dues for 2021 remain at $20 for an individual and $30 for a family. Download the Membership Form here.

Times, links, and frequencies for meetings and nets:

This information has been moved to a separate page.

• Lunchtime Net each Monday-Friday at noon on 145.370 with 167.9 tone:  
• Weekly Club Net each Tuesday (except the 2nd Tuesday) at 7:30 pm on 145.370 with 167.9 tone.