Licensing Education & Training

K7REX writes:

Please plan to attend tomorrow’s, Wednesday, November 04 Zoom session.

10:00 PM AST / 9:00 PM EST / 8:00 PM CST / 7:00 PM MST / 6:00 PM PST / 5:00 PM AKST / 4:00 PM HST

Topic:  Amateur Radio Emergency Services Mutual Assistance Team (ARESMAT)

Speaker: Don Coltrane, KJ4UC   http://www.qrz.com/db/KJ4UC

Today’s meeting will be OPEN for all to attend. Please feel free to invite others.

• This meeting will be recorded. By participating you consent to being recorded. 
• Please change your display name to Your FirstName, CallSign (or organization) and Location, e.g. Dan K7REX Idaho. 
• Please stay muted until ready to speak. Your space bar works like a PTT for unmuting
• To be fair to everyone, there will be a three minute limit for each person during Q & A

• You may ask questions in chat; please stay on topic while using chat.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2128884758?pwd=YUdPMmJOT3plM2J5SDYxdkprdVB0QT09

Meeting ID: 212 888 4758
Passcode: ARESMAT
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,2128884758#,,,,,,0#,,4867531# US (Houston)
+16699006833,,2128884758#,,,,,,0#,,4867531# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
Meeting ID: 212 888 4758
Passcode: 4867531

Why do hams participate in on-air contests? How would I benefit from contesting? What do I need to get started in contesting? What are good contests for beginners? Where can I learn more? This session will answer all of these questions and more.

Tuesday, November 3, 2020, 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Visit the ARRL Learning Network website (a members-only benefit) to register for upcoming sessions and to view previously recorded session. The schedule is subject to change.

Dan Marler, K7REX, writes:

Please plan to attend Thursday, October 29, Zoom session. Winlink Workshop WK 11 of WK 12. Winlink setup and use for beginners and how to send Red Cross ARC-213 forms.

9:00 PM AST / 9:00 PM EDT / 8:00 PM CT / 7:00 PM MDT / 6:00 PM PDT / 5:00 PM AKDT / 3:00 PM HST

This Thursday, October 29, Linda Kangas, W5LDK, and Dave Underwood, WB5HJV will be conducting a beginner’s Zoom Winlink class that includes how to send ARC-213 forms. 

If you plan to participate in the November 14 American Red Cross drill, you will need to know both; please note that this training DOES NOT address Linux or individual radio configurations.

Before attending this class, you will need to of completed the following. 

1. Go to WinLink Express https://winlink.org/WinlinkExpress
2. Click on Download
3. Click on User Programs
4. Click on Winlink_Express_install_1-5-32-0.zip , download and install the software on your computer.
5. Register your Winlink Software (there is no cost for registration). Save your confirmation email; you’ll need to use your WinLink registration number during the training. 

If you have not done so already, I recommend you join SEC-ARES groups.io https://groups.io/g/SEC-ARES. SEC-ARES currently has 720 members (and growing), and it is there that we discuss everything related to ARES and disaster communications. You can no doubt get answers to your Linux and individual radio configurations questions there; plus, this is where discussions of the upcoming American Red Cross November 14 Drill will take place.

Please note: This Zoom session is open for all to attend and that the only requirements are listed above. 

• This meeting will be recorded. By participating you consent to being recorded. 
• Please change your display name to Your FirstName, CallSign (or organization) and Location, e.g. Dan K7REX Idaho. 
• Please stay muted until ready to speak. Your space bar works like a PTT for unmuting
• To be fair to everyone, there will be a three minute limit for each person during Q & A

You may ask questions in chat; please stay on topic while using chat.Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2128884758?pwd=cm94K3U3Nys1aHl4akJlaG9PK1pKUT09

Meeting ID: 212 888 4758
Passcode: ARCWinlink
One tap mobile
+13462487799,,2128884758#,,,,,,0#,,0015332482# US (Houston)
+16699006833,,2128884758#,,,,,,0#,,0015332482# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
Meeting ID: 212 888 4758
Passcode: 0015332482

Western Massachusetts Section Manager Ray LaJoie, KB1LRL, writes:

Calling all VEs and Teachers:

The Western Mass. section needs your help! As you know Covid has squashed most of the classes and testing sessions this year. I have been informed by Ken Burstall, WB8PKK, that the Masonic Hall in Gardner has a new air filtration system and is allowing us the use of their dining hall to host a Tech-in-a-day course and an open and walk-in VE session. We need volunteer teachers and VEs to assist in conducting the testing and teachings. There are also 25 Boafeng radios preprogrammed for those that have passed.

This will be in compliance with the guidelines of the Board of Health and testing materials will be sterilized using UV-C process and heat-sealed bags. Ken has provided the materials for sterilization and has provided the means to get this off the ground.

Session dates are open and can be either a Saturday or Sunday in January or February. We need to know who can participate to do what and when in order to secure the date to advertise. Please contact Ken at backhoeken@yahoo.com. This invitation will also be open to our EMA neighbors as well.

Thank you, Ken, for your generous effort and donation. Please pass this along to anyone interested. And please let’s not let this opportunity pass by.

From http://www.arrl.org/arrl-learning-network:

ARRL’s Learning Network is offering the following presentations during the month of October.  Do you have questions? Email ARRL Lifelong Learning. Have an interesting topic you want to share? Submit your presentation idea through our Call for Speakers form.

Is your device ready? Before the webinar we encourage you to review the system requirements and check your computer system to ensure the best viewing experience.

Grounding & Bonding for Home HF Stations
Ward Silver, NØAX
This presentation is an overview of the grounding and bonding requirements for home HF stations. “Grounding” and “bonding” are defined along with their benefits to lightning protection and RF management in the station.  While not a “cookbook” topic, several useful references and guides are presented for hams to apply these techniques at home.
Tuesday, October 6, 2020, 10 AM PDT / 1 PM EDT (0500 UTC)
Register Now >

Welcome to the World of Arduino
Glen Popiel, KW5GP – ARRL author
This is an introduction to the exciting world of microcontrollers and Open Source hardware and software. The Arduino is an inexpensive microcontroller that has become widely popular among electronics hobbyists and ham radio operators. Hams use these powerful devices to create new projects and amateur station gear. Projects can be built quickly and used as-is, or they can be expanded and enhanced with your own personal touches.
Thursday, October 15, 2020, 5 PM PDT / 8 PM EDT (0000 UTC on Friday, October 16)
Register Now >

• This meeting will be recorded. By participating you consent to being recorded.
• Please change your display name to your FirstName, Call Sign, and Location, e.g. Dan K7REX Idaho.

The Blackstone Valley Amateur Radio Club is holding a special outdoor event at Our Saviour’s Parish, 500 Smithfield Road (146A), Woonsocket, Rhode Island on October 10 at 9:00 AM. Pre-registration and pre-completed 605 form is preferred.

Exam details and video.

From http://www.arrl.org/sections/view/maine:

Saturday, October 3 9 am, Warren Sanitary District, 442 Cushing Rd (Rt 97). Look for sign at entrance, pre-registration is REQUIRED. Please call ahead spaces are filling up quick. There is a need for a few more tables. If you can bring one with you please contact trainbee@aol.com. Sponsor: PBARC, Contact: Joseph  Devonshire 549-0061 trainbee@aol.com.

Saturday, October 17 6 pm, Wells Activity Center, 113 Sanford Rd, Wells. Face masks are required please bring your own mask, Email Pre-registration is required. Sponsored by the Southern ME Packet Group, Contact: Roger Pience, roger@n1xp.com 608-9635.

If you are interested in the  video-supervised online exam sessions. Contact:  Amanda Grimaldi, N1NHL, ARRL VEC Assistant Manager agrimaldi@arrl.org.

These are tentative dates only. Please check with the contact person before traveling to verify date, time, location and exams being offered.  Bring two forms of identification, including a photo ID as well as the original and photocopies of all current FCC licenses and certificates of successful completion of exam. The photocopies will not be returned. Persons needing special accommodations should check with the contact person.

The Nashua (NH) Area Radio Society VE Team has received permission by the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator to administer online exams. Their first exam session will occur at the end of their Technician Class on September 27, 2020.

Students who register for the NARS online license classes can register for the exam at the same time that they register for the class.  The $15 exam fee will be collected at the time of registration.  In order to take an online exam, the student must have the following:

• A Windows 7 or higher PC or recent Mac computer with a web browser and a reliable high-speed internet connection capable of supporting real-time, 2-way video.
• A  computer with a working video camera, microphone, and speaker.
• The computer must be in a non-cluttered, private work area away from any bulletin boards or pinned up papers or notes.
• An internet-connected smartphone with a camera

–NARS website