Douglas Sharafanowich, WA1SFH, writes on the CT-ARES mailing list:
What: Net Control Station Operator Training Workshop
Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025
Time: 0830 – 1200
Place: TBA (Greater Hartford/Central CT)
The ARRL CT Section is excited to announce its upcoming, in-person, Net Control Station (NCS) Operator Training Workshop.
Target Audience:
Members of ARES*, Skywarn, the National Traffic System (NTS), and other Hams wanting to build more skills.
– This comprehensive, fast paced, hands-on workshop is designed to not only to give attendees the foundational training they need to start conducting a Radio Net successfully, but also to provide “a refresher” for experienced Net Control Station Operators.
Last night we celebrated the completion of our 2024 Technician License Class at the Meriden Amateur Radio Club. The Technician License is the entry level ham radio license today and for the past two years, our club has partnered with the Wallingford Adult Education Program to offer a licensing class to the local community.
Coordinating the project for the club has been a labor of love for me and once again I have enjoyed our weekly classes over the past nine weeks.
Next Tuesday our students sit for their license exams. I wish them good luck and hope they return in February when we will be offering our license upgrade class when they can pursue the next license level – the General Class.
Ever wondered what it would be like to talk to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station, setup your home with an emergency communications station, or send and receive email over the airwaves without a local Internet connection? Find out about the many aspects of amateur radio, better known as ham radio, during a Ham Radio Meet ‘N Greet at the Henry D. Moore Library in Steuben on Monday, December 16 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.
Find out how to earn an FCC amateur radio license, when a ham radio class is scheduled, watch a short presentation on the highlights of ham radio, and chat with experienced hams about this amazing and fun hobby and public service.
There is no age limit for earning an amateur radio license. People aged 6 to 96 have earned their “tickets” and met people on the air across the globe using many fun modes of operation, including voice, digital, and old but reliable Morse code. Come to the Meet ‘N Greet and learn all about it!
(L-R): ARRL VE team liaison Joe Devonshire, AB1YO and Maine Assistant Section Manager Cory Golob, KU1U, showing off their VE “Go Kit” at the recent Windsor, Maine Hamfest.
Maine is adopting change and getting prepared for when the ARRL VEC moves to exam tools by 2026. A group of Volunteer Examiners moved toward this goal at the Windsor Maine hamfest on September 7th.
We held a test session for walk-ins where four applicants took their test using tablets and the examtools interface. Ahead of the session, the examiners signed up for an examtools account and learned the process the day of the hamfest.
All applicants who arrived for their exam had already signed up for an FRN, which helped expedite the process since it is required for testing. Next, the applicants registered to take an exam, which was created in the system for the Windsor Hamfest. Once they filled out the form online, they were placed in the session queue. The applicant was then given a Kindle Fire tablet with examtools on it to use for the exam.After verifying their ID, they were asked to verify their information listed from when they registered (most importantly their email address). The next step was to enter the session identifier and pin number.After clicking on join test session, examiners were briefed on “action items” and how to complete them.Examiners must complete an action item to admit an applicant into the exam, provide them with an exam, and grade an exam. Each action requires the examiner to enter their password, validating it is them performing the action.
The applicant navigates a continuous webpage on the tablet with 35 (or 50) questions. They select their multiple choice answer and continue on to the next question. If they skip a question, an orange dot with the question number populates in the upper left hand corner of the screen. The applicant can click on the dot to be brought to the missed question instead of scrolling back to it. Once they are ready for grading, they click on the “grade exam” button. The VE will perform the action item and it scores immediately.The applicant then has a chance to take the next element if they would like or they can finish by signing their documentation on the tablet.
Once all of the examiners are in agreement, they electronically sign the CSCE which is then emailed to the applicant. They are marked complete by the coordinator and when all people have finished testing, the session is finalized, the two files for the VEC are downloaded and submitted. It is quite the streamlined process.
Additionally, examiners can watch the progress of the applicant as they are taking their test; A blue line progresses as an applicant answers questions. This new process was well received by the examiners and they went from being timid at first to being very excited to operate this way during the next exam session.
A big thank you to all of examiners and observers who showed up at the Windsor Hamfest: Joe Devonshire, AB1YO; Peter Bither, AI1O; Karl Richards, K1KSR; Gabriel Zacchai, KC1OJR; Dustin Hinds, N1HN; Michael Courtenay, W1MLC; John Oakes, WC1G; Paul Leonard, KE6PIJ; and Martin Brown, KC1PKQ. A special thank you to Stephen Hutchings, WM7X, for mentoring and helping us all, especially with the behind-the-scenes work and Robert Latlippe, NC1RL, for the use of the testing kit which contained the tablets, laptop, and calculators. We appreciate Maine Section Manager Phil Duggan, N1EP, as well as New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, and Assistant New England Director Anita Kemmerer, AB1QB, stopping by to witness this event.
Exploring your desire to leave behind a legacy by which fellow hams can remember you
Using part or all of your station assets to support amateur radio causes
Planning in advance will help your family or friends. Creating YOUR plan can be a simple, fulfilling way to share your commitment to amateur radio with future generations.
The Eastern Connecticut Amateur Radio Association will conduct Technician classes starting on April 3,2024 in Putnam, Connecticut. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6-9 PM for 10 weeks followed by FCC Volunteer Exams given on site.
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