Barstow Amateur Radio ClubNAR 78668, Tripoli 15803, Level 2
Amateur Extra, W6DPS
Registered Ham Instructor and VE
Don’t miss the May meeting is Thursday, May 12. We will be having a brief presentation introducing the use of a NanoVNA for ham radio. We will also be discussing specifics of our Field Day plan and be able to flesh out some of the details. Please plan to attend at 7PM on Thursday, May 12, at the American Legion Hall, 2181 Armory.
The ARRL Field Day page has been updated with location and other details. We are planning a three-station club entry (3A) located at Barstow Community Hospital. All hams are welcome to participate, and we will be having a “GOTA” station to allow anyone interested in amateur radio to try it out, as well as allow Technician class hams to experience HF operation. We will also have a VHF/UHF station, to allow contacts with local hams. No matter what class of license you have, or for those who don’t have a license yet, there will be opportunities to join the fun.
We will be holding actual meetings again, at the Barstow American Legion Hall, 2181 Armory Road. Hope to see everyone there!
We will continue to have breakfast meetings at 7AM on Friday mornings at Denny’s at 1200 E. Main in Barstow. All hams welcome!
The ARRL has released a video about Field Day. It includes basic information and some specific for this year. The video is a bit over 8 minutes, and worth watching. This year Field Day will be June 26 to 27, as always the fourth full weekend in June. We will be planning our Field Day entry shortly, and hope to have an actual Field Day event like we have had historically. Be sure to attend the April and May club meetings if you are interested in helping with the planning. All ideas welcome!
Starting today the club has a new Post Office Box for receiving QSL cards, dues checks, etc. If you mail a dues check (hint, hint) please make it payable to Barstow Amateur Radio Club. Note the Zip Code. Our new mailing address is:
Barstow Amateur Radio Club
P.O. Box 2141
Barstow CA 92312-2141
The FCC published a rulemaking notice that email addresses will be required on applications. When you include an email address they will send a link to an official copy of your license grant. You can also update your ULS listing with an email address when you log in.
Effective on June 29, 2021, amateur radio licensees and candidates must provide the FCC with an email address on all applications. If no email address is included, the FCC may dismiss the application as “defective.”
For more information: http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-to-require-email-address-on-applications-starting-on-june-29-2021
The FCC issued an update to the NPRM for license application fees. On a slightly positive note, they said the fees will not apply to administrative updates, and are reduced from $50 to $35 for application fees.
There is currently no implementation date, so fees will not start immediately.
Going forward, the FCC will impose a fee for each new license application and modification. So for example, someone getting their first license, upgrading their license class, or applying for a vanity callsign would be subject to the $35 fee.
Note that this is separate from the testing reimbursement charged by VECs. ARRL has said their maximum fee will remain $15. GLAARG, for the time being, will continue to charge $10 for online tests, and $5 for in person tests.
Barstow Amateur Radio Club would like to extend a hearty Happy New Year to our members, friends, and followers! We hope everyone is healthy, and look forward to more normal operation when it is safe and prudent.
We have scheduled two online license classes in 2020 to help those interested prepare for the Technician class test. One class will be on for consecutive Monday evenings starting September 21. The other will be two consecutive Saturdays starting September 26. If you are interested, or know someone who is, there is more information and a registration form on the License Class Page. As always, there is no charge for the class.
Many hams will be working from home for Field Day, and most have FM capabilities. Even with an HT it may be possible of make a number of contacts.
Some suggested simplex frequencies: 146.49, 146.505, 146.52, 146.535, 146.55, 146.58, 146.595, 147.42, 147.435, 147.45, 147.465, 147.48, 147.495, 147.51, 147.525, 147.54, 147.555, 147.57, 147.585, 223.42, 223.44, 223.46, 223.48, 223.50, 223.52, 446.00
Barstow Amateur Radio Club 