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The RT-66 On the Air event will be held the 11th through the 19th of September. The special event call W6E has been approved for use by the Barstow Amateur Radio Club during the event. The event is to commemorate the “The Mother Road”. U.S. Highway 66, established in 1926, was the first major improvement to link the west coast with the nations heartland. The highway was officially decommissioned in 1986 having been replaced by the Interstate Highway System. Today small portions of the RT 66 still exist in towns and rural areas in several states.

This year marks the 21st year of this great radio event. Originally started by the Northern Arizona DX Association, and carried on by the Citrus Belt Amateur Radio club, it is a way to allow amateur radio operators a way to “Relive the Ride” and celebrate the highway’s rich history.

Amateur radio clubs operate from cities on or near the route using special 1×1 callsigns. Hundreds of operators worldwide aim to contact as many radio club operators as possible who take part in the annual event.

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!

Link to ARRL Field Day 2021 Video

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.

FCC Reduces Proposed Amateur Radio Application Fee to $35 (arrl.org)http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-reduces-proposed-amateur-radio-application-fee-to-35?fbclid=IwAR2rcpdcDFj5MuKNzWYu4tfO3HRWeDV5OvAAXnDPr11wSQ-3Tbm85UZNAZ8

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

An example and instructions for how to fill out the 2020 Field Day entry form are available via our event page, or you can link directly from here. If you have questions please bring them up during the weekly nets or use the Contact page or the reply link below to ask.