Amateur License Testing

Bruce N7RR is leading an Extra class self-study program which will culminate with a exam at 4142 Britton Loop  District 4 fire training facility in Bellingham on February 12 at 2pm local time.  The exam is open to ALL classes (Tech-Gen-Extra), no registration required.  Please look over the Exams info on this site for details on completing required forms and exam prep.

MBARC CW/Digital Contest

The MBARC CW/Digital Contest runs the entire month of February, which means you get a bonus day this year.  Details about the contest are on the EVENTS section of the MBARC web site.  The purpose of this contest is to have FUN and get people to try something new.  This year the rules were tweaked to allow contacts at your lowest transmitter setting.  We don’t want to exclude participants just because their transceiver can’t be set at or below 5 watts.  If you have a Google account, you can use the customized spreadsheet template to submit your log.

Meetings Cancelled

Due to weather, the following meeting are cancelled this week (Jan 16-20):

Jan 16 – MBARC Repeater Group – Re-scheduled for 7pm Monday Jan 30 at Bob’s Burgers, BBL @ I5

Jan 17 – MBARC Digital Group

Jan 18 – Blaine ACS

Lyman 145.19 Off-Line

The following was sent out by W7ABF, Skagit County EC/RO

Hello group

As some of you know the 145.19 repeater is down due to unknown problems. We will be using 145.19 SIMPLEX for the radio checks this means we will have to relay stations in to Net Control This will be a good test on how we can communicate in a real disaster granted we won’t be on emergency power. we will use the 444.50 repeater for comments and primary communications for the radio checks. We will start the Radio Checks on 444.50 and then as directed by Net Control.

Note: Skagit Hospitals, Arlington, EOC’s  and Fire Stations using the FT-8900 145.19 Simplex is programmed in channel 650.

P/S Please forward This email to any in your groups that may not be on my list.

 

Eight New Techs

The three Saturday Technician License classes held at the American Museum of Radio & Electricity culminated with eight students passing the Technician exam on Saturday, October 15.  Big thanks to Anne and the staff at AMRE, and my fellow instructors Phil AE6K, Bill N7BA, and Lenny WA7LA.  Lenny and Bill were also part of the VE team.

-KNØN

Updated with call signs from Oct 20 FCC records:

KF7SDB	Kinder III, Gordon D	10/20/2011	Technician	WA	98229
KF7SDC	Jarvie, Naomi	10/20/2011	Technician	WA	98262
KF7SDD	McCabe, James R	10/20/2011	Technician	WA	98228
KF7SDE	McCabe, Deborah	10/20/2011	Technician	WA	98228
KF7SDF	Dinsmore, Adam B	10/20/2011	Technician	WA	98229
KF7SDG	Sitzenstock, David J	10/20/2011	Technician	WA	98248
KF7SDH	Kimball, Thomas D	10/20/2011	Technician	WA	98262
KF7SDI	Edwards, Joseph	10/20/2011	Technician	WA	98225

Local Bi-Monthly Exams End

The group of volunteers that administered Amateur license exams at the Ferndale Library every two months has discontinued the practice.  Big thanks to Robby, W5NYT and his crew for running these events over the years.   Currently, the only other area exams I am aware of are the ones we run at the conclusion of licensing classes at the American Museum of Radio & Electricity.  If you know of another local group offering VE exams, or want to create one, please drop me a note.

Practice Exams

A member of our Technician License classes pointed out that the practice exams at the QRZ.com site are now limited, requesting a subscription for use beyond an introductory period.  The following links will hopefully provide unlimited random exam generation for your practice session.  The links all randomly generate exams for any of the license classes (Technician, General, or Extra)

http://www.eham.net/exams/

http://aa9pw.com/radio

http://www.radioexam.org/exam   -  allows selection of group(s)

D*STAR Seminar

The DSTAR workshop is back in Federal Way November 5.

Details / Registration at http://www.fwarc.org/dstar/index.asp

Cost $35 advance / $45 at the door

MBARC Kit Building Promotion

The MBARC (Mount Baker Amateur Radio Club – Bellingham area) Board of Directors has announced a program to promote kit building and sharing. Suggest a kit idea to the board and if they accept it, they will reimburse up to $50 toward the cost of the kit after you have completed the kit and shared your experience with the club.  The following is the official announcement of the program.

The purpose of this program to to promote electronic kit building within the members of the MBARC.

Requirements:

1.    Must be an active member to the MBARC

2.     Electronic kit must be amateur radio related (suggestions:)

a.  CW keyer

b. computer interface

c.  transceiver  QRP   ( tuna tin, small wonder etc. )

d.  SDR receiver    ( software defined radio )

e.  Test equipment     SWR bridge,  watt meter,

3.   Limit one kit per year

The program to run from November 1^st. To June 1^st each year. The MBARC will reimburse the builder up to the sum of  $50.00 for a completed kit.If the total cost to the builder is less than $50.00 then in full.The builder shall report the the club as to his/hers progress during the project.The builder shall demonstrate or make a presentation to the club at a regular meeting with the completed project

Any and all decisions shall be made be the MBARC board of directors.

ACES Bellingham Class

The first ACES-Basic certification class held in Whatcom County concluded with all 14 attendees completing the program.  Congratulations to (L-R KF7NJU. K7OLF, WA2LA (in back), KE7YOB, WA2TND, KF7PEG, N7BA, W7WCS, KG6SKO, N7KWD (in back), KAØWFI, KF7NEJ, KP2X.  Apologies for my poor group photography skills.  Instructors KF7AFE, KF7AFF, and KNØN ran the class over an intensive three day period October 7-8-9 at the North Whatcom Fire / Whatcom County Sheriff’s substation on Guide Meridian at Laurel.  Special thanks to Blaine Police Department  and Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office for logistical support.  All fees for books and class materials for BPD and WCSO ACS members were covered by their sponsoring agencies.

Most of the attendees also completed the “Train the Trainer” supplemental session and intend to make themselves available to conduct future ACES Basic classes in the area.  The ACES courses are open to ALL licensed radio amateurs regardless of group affiliation.  Although the class is designed for entry-level communications volunteers, even the experienced attendees commented on the value of the Basic course.  If your group, club, or organization is interested in putting on an ACES Basic class, please go to WashingtonACES.org to learn more, then use the “CONTACT US” link to get in touch with instructors in your area.  Snohomish County will be putting an ACES Basic class November  4-5 and 11-12 in Everett. Contact n7ss@arrl.net to register.