News Bits

ARRL VEC ANNOUNCES EXAM FEE INCREASE

On November 6, The ARRL VEC announced
that as of January 1, 2009, the fee to take an ARRL Volunteer Examiner
(VE)-administered Amateur Radio license exam will increase by $1, from
$14 to $15. According to ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, ARRL VE
teams may retain up to $7 of this fee to directly reimburse their teams'
out-of-pocket examination expenses; currently, VE teams keep $6. This is
the first time in four years that the examination fee has been adjusted.

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The October meeting minutes have been posted, taken in absence of the club secretary be our PIO Mickey, KE4TFD: Enjoy!

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SOLAR CYCLE UPDATE: "Solar minimum is behind us," declares NASA sunspot forecaster David Hathaway. He bases the assertion on a flurry of new-cycle sunspots in October 2008. For the first time, active regions from new Solar Cycle 24 are outnumbering active regions from old Solar Cycle 23. Solar activity remains generally low, but the sun is showing signs of life.

November is picking up where October left off with the formation of yet another new-cycle sunspot, provisionally numbered 1008. It appeared today at the location circled in this SOHO UV image of the sun:

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SKYWARN Recognition Day Set for December 6 (Oct 30, 2008) -- The 10th Annual SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) Special Event will take place Saturday, December 6, 2008. SRD is co-sponsored by the ARRL and the National Weather Service (NWS) as a way to recognize the commitment made by Amateur Radio operators in helping to keep their communities safe. According to SRD Coordinator David Floyd, N5DBZ, Amateur Radio operators can visit their local participating NWS office, working as a team to contact other hams across the world throughout the 24 hour event.

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Invitation to Participate in GARS TechFest 2009
January 10, 2009
The Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society and Gwinnett ARES will be hosting our 11th annual TechFest. TechFest is an ARRL sanctioned HamFest and the most informative Winter HamFest in North Georgia. We also have a Chili Cookoff! Bring a crock pot of chili to be judged by our experts.
This HamFest is a little different than most. It is geared toward demonstrating different aspects of ham radio to the attendees. A means of introducing many different amateur radio modes and methods. As you can see from the information which is attached, many aspects of our hobby will be on display. We will also have an outside tailgate from 8:00 til 11:00. Space will be free, you'll need to bring your own tables if you need them. While retail sales organizations are invited to participate, no retail sales will be allowed. Demonstration and Knowledge only.