Saint Albans Amateur Radio Club, Inc.

QST QST QST - STARC MONTHLY MEETING

Thursday, July 25, at 7 PM

Let's get together for a our STARC Monthly Meeting on Zoom. This is the last meeting before our annual Hamfest, which is coming up on August 10th, at the St. Albans VFW on Lake Street.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72412474559?pwd=xr7f3ppUmRehgFASZghmJp6vyhyAvS.1

This is an update from Rob N1XSS on the 2024 Vermont 100

" FW: Hams needed for the 2024 Vermont 100

Due to a last-minute cancellation , I am in need of an operator for the last aid station; Polly's at mile 96 along the course. Polly's is open from 4:30 PM on Saturday the 20th to 8:40 AM on Sunday. I am looking for radio coverage for this station. The great thing about Polly's is that the runners have less than 5 miles to go, their family and friends are there to cheer them on. It has been voted one of the best aid stations on the course. If you are free next weekend and want to come out to have some fun and get to play radio ( what could be better) please reach out to me. I can offer a tee shirt and chicken barbeque. 😊

If you can’t assist please consider sharing this email with your fellow hams.

Rob Mather

N1XSS

C- 802-591-7277
H-802-886-5478
1-199 "

73 de STARC

Happy Birthday Mike N1FBZ

QST QST QST - Radio Operators Needed!

This is from Rob N1XSS and he is looking for AROs to help out with a public service event later this month.

" Help Needed for the 2024 Vermont 100

As it would be we are needing some additional Hams for the 2024 Vermont 100 July 20th 2024.

If you have some time and would like a chance to play radio this is time and one of the best events in the state! Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sport has winter and summer programs for people with disabilities across the state. https://www.vermontadaptive.org/ the Vermont 100 is a benefit for Vermont Adaptive Ski and sport. https://vermont100.com/ It takes over 60 licensed Amateur Radio Operators to have a successful event. If you can’t assist please consider sharing this email with your fellow hams.

Below are the stations that I need to fill.

Hold #2 High Brook 9:45 AM 2:30 PM

Hold #3 Mitchell’s 1:00 PM 6:45 PM

Hold #4 Tuacknbach 3:00 PM 9:45 PM

Hold #5 O&H 6:00 PM 2:00 AM

Thank you 73

Rob Mather

N1XSS
C- 802-591-7277
H-802-886-5478
200-399 "

73 de STARC

Home - Vermont 100 Endurance Race     July 19-21, 2024 | 100mi start: 4am | 100km start: 9am 450 Runners. 70 Horses. 17,000 Vertical Feet. 30 Hours. Learn About Entry       – All Proceeds Support Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports – Do you have what it takes? Endurance athletes travel from around the world to test their limits a...

Question from the Extra License Class question pool:

" Which of the following can cause shielded cables to radiate or receive interference?

A. Low inductance ground connections at both ends of the shield
B. Common-mode currents on the shield and conductors
C. Use of braided shielding material
D. Tying all ground connections to a common point resulting in differential-mode currents in the shield "

Put your answer in a 'Comment'. If we 'LIKE' your answer, then you are correct. Good luck!

73 de STARC

Question from the General License Class question pool:

" Which of the following might be useful in reducing RF interference to audio frequency circuits?

A. Bypass inductor
B. Bypass capacitor
C. Forward-biased diode
D. Reverse-biased diode "

Put your answer in a 'Comment'. If we 'LIKE' your answer, then you are correct. Good luck!

73 de STARC

Question from the Technician License Class question pool:

" What formula is used to calculate current in a circuit?

A. I = E  R
B. I = E / R
C. I = E + R
D. I = E - R "

Put your answer in a 'Comment'. If we 'LIKE' your answer, then you are correct. Good luck!

73 de STARC

More FCC rules and regulations that you really should know.

" §97.15 Station antenna structures.

(a) Owners of certain antenna structures more than 60.96 meters (200 feet) above ground level at the site or located near or at a public use airport must notify the Federal Aviation Administration and register with the Commission as required by part 17 of this chapter.

(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, a station antenna structure may be erected at heights and dimensions sufficient to accommodate amateur service communications. (State and local regulation of a station antenna structure must not preclude amateur service communications. Rather, it must reasonably accommodate such communications and must constitute the minimum practicable regulation to accomplish the state or local authority's legitimate purpose. SeePRB-1, 101 FCC 2d 952 (1985) for details.)

(c) Antennas used to transmit in the 2200 m and 630 m bands must not exceed 60 meters in height above ground level. "

73 de STARC

QST QST QST – ARRL VE Test Session, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in St. Albans, VT

This is a QST.

The Northwestern VT ARRL VE Team will be having a test session Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 9:00 am, at the VFW post 758, 353 Lake Street, Saint Albans, VT 05478-2268.

See this for more info: https://www.starc.org/amateur-radio-licensing-exams/

Exam location:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Veterans+of+Foreign+Wars+Post+758/@44.8119648,-73.1030396,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cca1af325fa96f3:0x38721d4ed6ddb5d1!8m2!3d44.8119648!4d-73.1030396!16s%2Fg%2F1tdr2yd2?entry=ttu

Please contact: Eric Lessard NJ1S, phone: (802) 497-9000, or email: [email protected] if you would like to take an exam. (Walk-ins allowed)

BYOM – Bring Your Own Mask. Masks not mandatory but recommended. Social distancing also necessary.

You MUST have a FRN number to take an exam. See this: https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do if you do not already have one and need to get one.

You also need to provide a valid email address on your 605 Form to get your license.

We look forward to testing you and telling you, “Congratulation, you passed your exam”.

73 de STARC

The Vintage Radio & Communications Museum in Windsor, CT needs help.

"Help Volunteer-Run Museum in CT with Unexpected Expenses"
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-CT-museum-with-expenses?attribution_id=sl:6afc15fe-edbc-4325-af90-fc17b4e56846&lang=en_US

73 de STARC

Donate to Help Volunteer-Run Museum in CT with Unexpected Expenses, organized by John Ellsworth The Vintage Radio & Communications Museum in Windsor, CT offer… John Ellsworth needs your support for Help Volunteer-Run Museum in CT with Unexpected Expenses

This is from the ARRL about LogBookOfTheWorld returning.

"LOGBOOK OF THE WORLD RETURNS TO SERVICE

MEMBER BULLETIN

July 1, 2024

Dear ARRL member,

Effective 12:00pm ET / 16:00 UTC we will be returning Logbook of The World® (LoTW®) to service.

As work progressed on the network, some users encountered LoTW opening briefly during which some 6600 logs were uploaded. The logs were not processed until this weekend as we tested that the interfaces to LoTW were functioning properly.

We are taking steps to help manage what will likely be a huge influx of logs. We are requesting that if you have large uploads, perhaps from contests or from a DXpedition, please wait a week or two before uploading to give LoTW a chance to catch up. We have also implemented a process to reject logs with excessive duplicates. Please do not upload your entire log to “ensure” your contacts are in LoTW as they will be rejected. Lastly, please do not call ARRL Headquarters to report issues you are having with LoTW. You can contact support at [email protected].

Through the end of the year, you may experience planned times when LoTW will be unavailable. We have been using this time to evaluate operational and infrastructure improvements we would like to make to LoTW. Those times will be announced.

We appreciate your patience as we worked through the challenges keeping LoTW from returning to service. We know the importance of LoTW to our members, and to the tens of thousands of LoTW users who are not ARRL members. LoTW, just behind QST, is our second most popular ARRL benefit.

Copyright © 2024 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other purposes require written permission. "

73 de STARC

QST QST QST - The 13 Colonies Special Event is going on now!

See this: http://www.13colonies.us/ for more info.

73 de STARC

The Annual 13 Colonies Special Event 2024 Event Dates / July 1 (9AM Eastern) to July 7 (Midnight Eastern) (July 1, 2024-1300 UTC to July 8, 2024-0400 UTC) YOU DO NOT NEED ALL 13 COLONIES TO GET THE CERTIFICATE YOU DO NOT NEED TO GET THE 2 BONUS STATIONS FOR A CLEAN SWEEP SpottingIf you work a colony station, you are encouraged to spot....

Let's get together for a our STARC Monthly Meeting on Zoom. The meeting starts at 7 pm.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79898882077?pwd=khtL6IYQwuxpNLCUaJeugw705qhCNs.1

Meeting ID: 798 9888 2077
Passcode: 3x0NR1

We hope to see you tonight!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_J-tjkYTYA

Field Day, 2024, Radio Amateurs of Northern Vermont (RANV), W1NVT We had to move our site from Williston, VT to Essex Junction, VT, but this provided us with more room and seemed to work well. Thanks to the Vermont Forrest...

Who from STARC is going to operate for Field Day 2024 this weekend?

73 de STARC

CONGRATULATIONS!

STARC would like to congratulate Donald KC1UWE (Technician)
and George KC1UYC (Technician) on finally getting your callsigns assigned by the FCC.

George KC1UYC is only 12 yrs old! He is perhaps the youngest ARO that we have tested. He needs our support, so listen for his callsign, encourage him to keep studying, and talk to him when you hear him.

STARC looks forward to talking to you 'On-The-Air' using your newly earned license privileges.

73 de STARC

These guys are not big fans of the ARRL, that is for sure.
They never even say what their Amateur Radio callsigns are.

Do you agree with what they have to say? 🤨

73 de STARC

🔴The ARRL is Failing: We Expose the Problems Plaguing the Largest Ham Radio Organization Join hosts Ian and Joseph as they delve into the numerous issues facing the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the largest ham radio organization in the wor...

https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/roots-of-radio/what-to-do-with-that-old-antique-radio?lrh=71b4364eadec2eaab816195f2a954f9161a1b61e58313fea6641ca28e6362373

What to Do With That Old Antique Radio - Radio World Radio World spoke with several restoration experts. Here’s what they told us about the right and wrong ways to handle these artifacts.

This is from the ARRL about the League getting hacked.

" MEMBER BULLETIN

June 6, 2024

Dear ARRL member,

We are writing to inform you of a serious incident that has impacted ARRL’s operations. On or around May 12, 2024, ARRL was the victim of a sophisticated network attack by a malicious international cyber group. We immediately involved the FBI and engaged with third party experts to investigate.

On May 16, on the eve of the ARRL National Convention in Ohio, we posted a notice on our website to inform members about the incident. Since then, we have made substantial progress to mitigate the impact of this attack on our organization. We have been posting regular updates, including the status of restored services. Please refer to our dedicated news post at https://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-systems-service-disruption.

We are aware that certain members believe we should be openly communicating everything associated with this incident. We are working with industry experts, including cyber crime attorneys and the authorities, who have directed us to be conservative and cautious with our communications while restoring the ARRL network.

Many of our services and programs have been impacted by this attack. We have been diligently assessing each system to ascertain the extent of compromise. For example, while the Logbook of The World® server and related user data were unaffected, we have taken the precautionary measure of keeping the service offline until we can ensure the security and integrity of our networks. Similarly, access to Online DXCC is unavailable, although individual award data remains secure.

Fortunately, some of our key systems, such as the ARRL website and our association membership system, were unaffected. Despite the severity of the attack, no personal information was compromised.

Additionally, ARRL does not store credit card information anywhere on our systems, and we do not collect social security numbers.

Our Directors have heard from some members who are concerned about managing their membership renewals. Members can renew online at www.arrl.org/join or by phoning ARRL.

We understand the frustration and inconvenience this incident has caused, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as our dedicated staff and partners continue to work tirelessly to restore affected systems and services.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Copyright © 2024 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other purposes require written permission. "

73 de STARC

https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/roots-of-radio/how-the-army-handled-d-day-communications

How the Army Handled D-Day Communications - Radio World June 6 marks 80 years since that historic massive invasion

Question from the Extra License Class question pool:

" What is meant by IARP?

A. An international amateur radio permit that allows U.S. amateurs to operate in certain countries of the Americas
B. The internal amateur radio practices policy of the FCC
C. An indication of increased antenna reflected power
D. A forecast of intermittent aurora radio propagation "

Put your answer in a 'Comment'. If we 'LIKE' your answer, then you are correct. Good luck!

73 de STARC

Question from the General License Class question pool:

" Until an upgrade to General class is shown in the FCC database, when must a Technician licensee identify with “AG” after their call sign?

A. Whenever they operate using General class frequency privileges
B. Whenever they operate on any amateur frequency
C. Whenever they operate using Technician frequency privileges
D. A special identifier is not required if their General class license application has been filed with the FCC "

Put your answer in a 'Comment'. If we 'LIKE' your answer, then you are correct. Good luck!

73 de STARC

Question from the Technician License Class question pool:

" If your license has expired and is still within the allowable grace period, may you continue to transmit on the amateur radio bands?

A. Yes, for up to two years
B. Yes, as soon as you apply for renewal
C. Yes, for up to one year
D. No, you must wait until the license has been renewed "

Put your answer in a 'Comment'. If we 'LIKE' your answer, then you are correct. Good luck!

73 de STARC

More FCC rules and regulations that you really should know.

" §97.201 Auxiliary station.

(a) Any amateur station licensed to a holder of a Technician, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be an auxiliary station. A holder of a Technician, General, Advanced or Amateur Extra Class operator license may be the control operator of an auxiliary station, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held.

(b) An auxiliary station may transmit only on the 2 m and shorter wavelength bands, except the 144.0-144.5 MHz, 145.8-146.0 MHz, 219-220 MHz, 222.00-222.15 MHz, 431-433 MHz, and 435-438 MHz segments.

(c) Where an auxiliary station causes harmful interference to another auxiliary station, the licensees are equally and fully responsible for resolving the interference unless one station's operation is recommended by a frequency coordinator and the other station's is not. In that case, the licensee of the non-coordinated auxiliary station has primary responsibility to resolve the interference.

(d) An auxiliary station may be automatically controlled.

(e) An auxiliary station may transmit one-way communications. "

73 de STARC

QST QST QST – ARRL VE Test Session, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in St. Albans, VT

This is a QST.

The Northwestern VT ARRL VE Team will be having a test session Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 9:00 am, at the VFW post 758, 353 Lake Street, Saint Albans, VT 05478-2268.

See this for more info: https://www.starc.org/amateur-radio-licensing-exams/

Exam location:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Veterans+of+Foreign+Wars+Post+758/@44.8119648,-73.1030396,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cca1af325fa96f3:0x38721d4ed6ddb5d1!8m2!3d44.8119648!4d-73.1030396!16s%2Fg%2F1tdr2yd2?entry=ttu

Please contact: Eric Lessard NJ1S, phone: (802) 497-9000, or email: [email protected] if you would like to take an exam. (Walk-ins allowed)

BYOM – Bring Your Own Mask. Masks not mandatory but recommended. Social distancing also necessary.

You MUST have a FRN number to take an exam. See this: https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do if you do not already have one and need to get one.

You also need to provide a valid email address on your 605 Form to get your license.

We look forward to testing you and telling you, “Congratulation, you passed your exam”.

73 de STARC

QST QST QST - Let's get together for a our STARC Monthly Meeting on Zoom tonight at 7 pm.

To join, just click the link below and you can join the meeting on your mobile, tablet, or computer.

us04web.zoom.us

QST QST QST - NEAR-Fest is moving to a new location!

This is a QST.

This is from Mr. Mike W1RC:

" Yes, the rumors are true. After 18 years at the Deerfield NH Fairgrounds NEAR-Fest is moving to a new location……..

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phil Brooks, KA1PXZ, Chief of NEAR-Fest, is pleased to announce that, effective October 4th, 2024, the New England Amateur Radio Festival, known as NEAR-Fest, will be held at the Hillsborough County Agricultural Society Fairgrounds and Youth Center located at New Boston NH, approximately 15 miles west of Manchester.

The reason for the permanent change in venue is due to ongoing scheduling conflicts with other events at the Deerfield (NH) Fairgrounds, NEAR-Fest’s home for the past eighteen years.

The hard decision to move the popular New England hamfest was taken by a unanimous vote of NEAR-Fest’s Board of Directors on May 17th, 2024.

In endorsing the decision NEAR-Fest’s Benevolent Dictator Emeritus, Michael Crestohl, W1RC, aka “Mister Mike” commented: “This was inevitable. The Deerfield Fairgrounds is becoming more and more popular with exhibitors and, as a designated agricultural fairgrounds, they have to give priority to agricultural events. We had a fabulous eighteen-year run. I am confident that Phil and Kelley, along with their team, will take NEAR-Fest forward at our new location for many years to come.”

Other than the location nothing else will change. It is still the same NEAR-Fest we have all known and loved since 2007!

NEAR-Fest # # will be held Friday October 4th and Saturday October 5th, 2024 at the Hillsborough County Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, located at 17 Hilldale Lane, (Route 13) New Boston NH. GPS Coordinates 42.9842430, -71.6793460.

See you there!

W1RC "

73 de STARC

The AROs of STARC remember and honor those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.

73 de STARC