Subj : The Triple Play (5) To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Tue May 14 2019 12:04 am Ham For The Holidays - The 12 Days Of Hamming And now...with a Christmas In July theme...never mind longing for cooler weather in summer (especially in August in Arkansas), the Cabot Nightflyers Net is proud to present "Ham For The Holidays". Using the melody of the song "TheTwelve Days Of Christmas", I've created a new tune, as it were..."TheTwelve Days Of Hamming". Instead of more ham radio pun humor, it's now a gift giving scene, with Radio providing gifts for Ham, and the harmonics...and I'm sure that some may be glad that the majority of the dry humor is over...at least for now (hi hi). However, while metrically correct in what will be noted...since any singing on the airwaves is defined as music...no matter how badly one sings...and since music is prohibited on the amateur radio frequencies, as per FCC rules, I obviously can not sing these lyrics on the air, or with this recording. That even means not even tenor solo...which is ten or eleven miles away, and so low that no one can hear it (hi hi). Anyway, each of these are different items that are experienced in the hobby, and it's by no means an all inclusive list...because there is just too much in amateur radio to just cover 12 categories. For each one listed, though...I have included a brief explanation of each one. This could be for the ham radio operator who has, or wants everything (hi hi). On the 1st day of Hamming, my radio gave to me: A license, callsign, from the FCC. This is obviously needed for one getting on the air in the first place. Today, the Technician Class license is the entry level license into amateur radio. Morse Code is no longer required for a ham radio license... but you can still learn and use the original digital mode, CW...and many amateur radio operators do just that. But, you no longer have to prove that you know Morse Code at the license exam session. There are several options for studying for a ham radio license exam... which are multiple choice, and can be with, or without schematic diagrams. If you pass an exam, congratulations. Unlike years ago, when you had to have the paper copy of your license "in hand" before you transmitted for the first time...you now can get on the air as soon as your callsign appears in the FCC ULS database, which can be anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks or more after the exam session. You're the ONLY one in the world with that specific callsign. Depending on the workload of the FCC, you may have your callsign in as little as 5 days after the exam. But, if it has been more than 2 weeks since your exam, and you still don't see the callsign, you can call the Exam Team Leader (Liaison), who can contact the Volunteer Examiner Coordinator, to find out what the delay is, and get back to you. Also, as of Feb. 17, 2015, the FCC is NO LONGER ISSUING PAPER LICENSES to amateur radio operators. However, one will be able to logon to the FCC ULS website on the internet at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls with their Federal Registration Number and password, and either print an "official copy" for ones shack (and ones wallet), or an "unofficial reference copy", to show at a future license exam session, if you decide to upgrade your license, so you can get proper credit. The default will be an "electronic copy", but if you must have a "paper copy" mailed to you, you can request such from the FCC ULS website. For more information on how to get this done, go to http://www.arrl.org/obtain-license-copy You won't have a choice in the first callsign that you get...but you can apply for a new sequential callsign, or choose your own vanity callsign. The format of the callsign is limited by both the current license class that you hold, and if such a callsign is available. As of Sept. 3, 2015, there is no longer a fee required for a vanity callsign, but there is an 18 to 21 day waiting period (sometimes longer) once you apply for the vanity callsign, and to when it is issued. Once the new vanity callsign is issued, your former callsign is no longer valid for use on the air. So, before you apply for a vanity callsign, be sure that you want to CHANGE your current callsign. Note that once you're issued your first callsign by the FCC, it will NOT change, UNLESS you request such. Unfortunately, not every amateur radio operator has passed a license exam on the first try...and for some, it takes a large amount of tries to pass their exam. However, it must be stressed that there is NO DISGRACE if you fail an exam. But, once you do pass the exam (even if just barely), as far as anyone else is concerned...once you have your callsign, you made a perfect score on the test(s) the first time...and it's no one else's business on what your score was, how many times it took you to pass the exam, etc. Examinees who are disabled in some way, or who may have learning disabilities, or other issues...can request special exam accommodations at the exam session. However, they must contact the Exam Session Leader as far in advance of the exam session as possible, so proper arrangements can be made...such as large print exam books, or reading of the exams to them, with the examinee telling the examiner which answers to mark on the answer sheet, or even giving a test at the examinees home. Medical documentation may be required, if the disability is not obvious. On the 2nd day of Hamming, my radio gave to me: Two license upgrades, and a license, callsign from the FCC. Starting with the Technician Class license, the other two licenses available are General...the one that most hams hold, and the Amateur Extra Class license. While Novice and Advanced Class operators are still around, no new licenses for these are being issued...but holders of these licenses may renew them at the appropriate time. Also, once you have your license and callsign, if you pass a higher license class exam at a test session, you can use your new privileges immediately, with special suffix identifiers, when you are on the upgraded bands...until your upgrade shows up in the FCC ULS. Once the upgrade shows up in the FCC ULS, you no longer have to use the special suffix identifiers. Plus, General, Advanced, and Amateur Extra Class licensees can also apply to become Volunteer Examiners, who give and grade the exams...as long as their license is valid and unexpired, it has never been suspended or revoked, and they are at least 18 years of age. Once they've passed the accreditation process by the particular Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC), they can serve at any license session done by that VEC, providing the Test Session Liaison OK's them to serve. The VE's license class determines which exams they can give, and grade. As a side note, being a Volunteer Examiner is the most rewarding thing that I've ever done in amateur radio...because you are giving back to the hobby, and getting new hams licensed. If you remember how thrilled you were when you got your first license, you can imagine how thrilled the Volunteer Examiners are, when you do pass the exam. --- SBBSecho 3.07-Win32 * Origin: RadioWxNet: The Thunderbolt BBS tbolt.synchro.net (801:1/2) þ Synchronet þ Temple of Doom BBS - tod.eothnet.com .