FCVET March 2022 Testing Session Report

Test, Testing

Thanks to the FCVET Volunteer Examiners consisting of KK4QEF, K4EUP, K3UI, KX4ZQ, N4MQU, KO4TWA, and AI8U we had a successful exam session Saturday March 5, 2022. It was the first session for K3UI. 
Thanks to the Wendell United Methodist Church for allowing us to use the facility for the testing.  Thanks to the Laurel VEC for allowing us to offer no charge amateur radio exams.

The following amateurs upgraded to Extra

WD4RDT Wilbur M Gross, Jr of Raleigh 

KN8DAP David Peterson of Knightdale

KN8DAP David Peterson of Knightdale 

KN8DAP David Peterson of Knightdale

We recognize the following new amateurs to the amateur radio fraternity. Be sure to answer the new voices you will be hearing on the radio.

KO4YGD David Bass of Cary

KO4YGD David Bass of Cary

KO4YGF Grayson Morris of Nashville

KO4YGF Grayson Morris of Nashville

KO4YGG Daniel Bennett of Wilmington

KO4YGG Daniel Bennett of Wilmington

KO4YGE Jimmy Blythe Jr of Creedmoor   

KO4YGE Jimmy Blythe Jr of Creedmoor


KO4YGH Johnathan Webb of Elm City

KO4YGH Johnathan Webb of Elm City

 

High Frequency Antennas for Beginners

Amateur Radio, Antennas, Test, Workshop

A rod to support one end of an HF antenna

The public is invited to attend an introduction to high frequency antennas at Wendell United Methodist Church. The speaker will be Curt Phillips The workshop takes place on Saturday August 7 at 1:00 PM.

This one-hour workshop will be focused on HF (shortwave) antennas for those new to HF and those with space or other restrictions.  Handouts with web links for additional information will be distributed.  

Curt Phillips (W4CP) has been a licensed amateur radio operator since he was 13 years old, over 50 years now.  He has written on radio, electronics and engineering topics for numerous national publications, and has taught radio, electronics and energy engineering topics at NC State and Virginia Tech among other universities, as well for several local community colleges.  He is a Life member of the American Radio Relay League. 

Amateur radio exams will be given following the workshop at 2:30. All applicants must have a FRN issued by the FCC or a call sign and a valid email address.  There is no charge for the exam. Walk-ins will be accepted but registration is preferred.  Please register at https://fivecountyhre.org/study-tips-and-registration/

For background

FCHRE was recently recognized by the largest amateur radio fraternity in the United States the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) North Carolina section manager for their superior efforts involved in organizing Volunteer Examination Sessions during the COVID 19 Pandemic.

From the Federal Communication Commissions website

The amateur and amateur-satellite services are for qualified persons of any age who are interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest. These services present an opportunity for self-training, intercommunication, and technical investigations. Twenty-nine small frequency bands throughout the spectrum are allocated to this service internationally. Some 1,300 digital, analog, pulse, and spread-spectrum emission types may be transmitted.  
HF antennas provide more choices for communication at all times before during and after communication outages. Amateur radio operators are licensed by the FCC to operate on amateur radio frequencies.

Johnston County Tornado Photo By Paul Dunn