Lunchtime Net adds monthly specialty topic on Emergency Preparedness

Starting Friday February 23rd, Michael Dane, W7ALX, curator and creator of the Lunchtime Net, is adding a specialty topic. The last Friday of each month, the conversation will revolve around all things to do with “Emergency Preparedness”. Wanting to share lessons learned, Michael wants to focus on ideas you may have in an effort to be prepared for any emergency conditions that come our way. Be sure to check in at noon on the Otter Crest Repeater 145.370 to share and learn!

Club Library Listing Now Online

As LCARC ramps up to vacate “the barn”, we have created a PDF file of all handbooks and technical books on just about all topics ham related. The listing can be found under the Documents page tab, along with several other informative links, including club by-laws and the membership form. At this writing, Mike Eastman, N7ONP is the custodian of the 5 box library. So, go check it out and contact Mike to “check it out”!

Ramblings of an Old Noob

It’s Christmas Eve morning around 4 a.m. and I can’t sleep. It isn’t the thought of sugar plums keeping me awake, but rather….you…..me……us. Looking ahead to a new year, each day brings so much opportunity for growth, both individually and as a club. What will our contributions be? I’ve never been big on resolutions, but maybe this year….

Back in the 70’s, cable television pioneer, Ted Turner, coined the slogan, “Lead, follow or get out of the way” (paraphrased). I always liked that….something for everyone. Even those who can’t (or won’t) participate, have the opportunity, dare I say obligation, to not impede those who are more motivated to guide or learn. I’m going to suggest a minor alteration to that inspirational slogan. Lead, follow or get in the way. Of course I don’t mean for anyone to literally impede. I mean to ‘get in the way’ of ham radio. I realize I am “preaching to the choir”, as they say. Many of you have forgotten more about ham radio than I will ever know. But if you aren’t actively involved in the club now, I encourage you to once again, or maybe for the first time, lead, follow or get in the way. Even stepping up to embrace something new gives those more experienced the opportunity to mentor. We all remember someone in our ham lives who gave us the courage to push that mic key for the first time. Just this week, a seasoned and respected club member was stretching his comfort zone to embrace FT8. That desire to learn opened the door for someone to have the opportunity to elmer. 

2023 heard a rallying cry for Volunteers On The Air. In our club, let 2024 be the year of renewed involvement. We are incredibly fortunate to have knowledge and experience that can propel LCARC to even greater heights! I look forward and resolve to create and meet the goals and challenges in the coming year.

73,

John/KN4RTK

W7FLO Wires-X Workshop July 29

W7FLO Wires-X Workshop:                        July 29th 11am Miller Park (Florence)

Are you interested in working with your Wires -X Capable Radio more than you already? Maybe you would like to brush up on operating skills or just learn more about digital radio. We will practice connecting and disconnecting to the club repeater, entering and exiting wires-x rooms as well as finding nets to participate in. All hams and perspective hams welcome. 

This is a Ham teaching Ham workshop, so please share your knowledge, interests or homebrew projects. 

Bring your Wires -X capable radio out to Miller Park In Florence July 29th 11:00 AM to 1:00PM Eastside main parking lot. 

If you don’t have a wires-x radio, come anyway and borrow one!  
All perspective Ham Operators are welcome.

Lincoln County WIRES-X operators may want to participate by linking to the Glenada Repeater at this time.

FCC Application system down

Update: The system was back up, then has been up and down off and on. Just know that there have been some ongoing difficulties since the implementation of the $35 fee-collection system. We’ll have to be patient while they iron out the wrinkles. -N7ONP

The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) reports that the FCC
Universal Licensing System (ULS) electronic batch filing (EBF)
system has been down since midday Tuesday, April 19, 2022, which is
the day the FCC application fees became effective for amateur radio.

On Wednesday, in a notice to all VECs, the FCC asked them to refrain
from submitting any session or application files while they work to
resolve the issue.

ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, said the FCC did not estimate
how long the system would be down. Some applications were processed
through the system before the FCC notice was released to the VECs.

Applicants should expect delays with license and application
processing.

ARRL VEC will provide an update when the FCC communicates that the
filing system is back online.

——————————————————————–
ARRL Northwestern Division
Director: Michael T Ritz, W7VO
w7vo@arrl.org
——————————————————————–

License Fee Clarification

ARRL News | New FCC Application Fee Will Not Apply To Amateur Radio License Upgrades

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) staff has clarified in response to an ARRL request that the new $35 application fee will not apply to most license modifications, including those to upgrade an Amateur Radio Licensee’s operator class and changes to club station trustees.

The FCC staff explained that the new fees will apply only to applications for a new license, renewal, rule waiver, or a new vanity call sign. As previously announced, the new fees take effect on April 19, 2022.“

We are pleased that the FCC will not charge licensees the FCC application fee for license upgrade applications,” said ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM. “While applicants for a new license will need to pay the $35 FCC application fee, there will be no FCC charge for future upgrades and administrative updates such as a change of mailing or email address.

Most current licensees therefore will not be charged the new FCC application fee until they renew their license or apply for a new vanity call sign.” ARRL previously reported that the new $35 application fee for Amateur Radio licenses will become effective on April 19, 2022. Further information and instructions about the FCC Application Fee are available from the ARRL VEC.