Dale's Tales for January 2022

Greetings, welcome to "Dale's Tales" for January, 2022.

OUR THOUGHTS have been with our friends in the Kentucky Section as they have dealt with the tragedy of the recent tornadoes. We wish them all the best through the continuing recovery effort.

RESOLUTIONS: How well I remember a discussion with my boss while I was still a teen, about New Year Resolutions. My argument was: "If it was worth a Resolution, it had to be worth Resolving NOW and not waiting for January 1". I have pretty well stuck with that, but I admit that at the end of each December, I look at what I had resolved to get accomplished throughout the past year and kinda renew those "instant resolutions".

2021 has been no different. I still need to level a few feet of sidewalk, my 75 meter dipole feed line needs a rework and my 160 meter antenna is still rolled up in the garage. And those are the delinquencies I will admit.

Other more recent items added to the current resolution list are a few things like boosting ARRL's relationship with local clubs, completing the development of a new ARRL Investment Management Structure and pressing for an upgrade for both Logbook of the World and the ARRL's Web Pages.

Without doubt, the forthcoming ARRL Board Meeting this January will bring some new and interesting challenges. Some changes to the Board composition will happen and as the Board elects our Officers, some new faces may show up in those roles. Most importantly, the Standing Committees will have new appointees, and those committees have the greatest effects upon those of us in the field. The Administration and Finance Committee, the Programs and Services Committee (PSC) will likely see changes in their composition and the Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee is all new as it takes over some of the former duties held by the PSC. While it is very rare for all members on any given committee to change, this turnover is appropriate as it brings new ideas and new processes to each committee.

HAMVENTION A Special not from the Hamvention Committee:

The Hamvention organization needs your help to get the most deserving individuals and clubs nominated for the yearly awards to be presented in May at Hamvention 2022. It is time to get your Hamvention Awards nominations in.

If you know an individual or club that deserves recognition for their efforts on behalf of amateur radio and want to nominate them for a 2022 Hamvention award don't delay. Nominations for the Technical Achievement, Special Achievement, Amateur of the Year and Club of the Year close Feb. 15.

The Technical Achievement Award will be given to a selected amateur radio operator who has achieved technical excellence in the world of amateur radio. Examples are inventions, processes, discoveries, experiments and other technical accomplishments or any other outstanding technical achievement that contributed to amateur radio.

The Special Achievement Award will be given to a deserving amateur that made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the radio art and or science. This award is usually given to a respected amateur who spearheaded a single significant project.

The Amateur of the Year Award is given to a ham that has made a long-term commitment to the advancement to amateur radio. This individual will have a history of ham radio contributions and has had a dedication to service, professionalism and the advancement of the avocation of amateur radio.

The Club of the Year will be honored for clearly demonstrating their involvement in varied aspects of Amateur Radio for the greater good of their community and/or their nation.

Nomination forms, available at https://hamvention.org/event-details/awards/, are dedicated to the appropriate award nomination. At a minimum, each form should be completed with the information indicated but additional documentation is welcome. Please make sure that the nominating person is identified with a method to reach them in the case of questions from the nominating committee.

Forms may be submitted using the following methods: Email: awards@hamvention.org; U.S. Postal Mail: Hamvention Attn: Awards Committee. Box 964, Dayton, OH 45401-0964

Thank you and please address any questions to awards@hamvention.org

Hamvention, an official ARRL Sanctioned Event, will be held Friday-Sunday, May 20-22 2022 at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center.

Keep the date open on your calendar and plan to attend. This is your opportunity to see everything that is new in our great hobby, the newest products, the newest ideas and the latest from our Amateur Radio vendors. Hamvention also brings great speakers to their forum agenda, check the Hamvention web pages for full details. For more information visit www.hamvention.org

SCOTT'S STUFF: Comments from your ARRL Vice Director Scott, N8SY.

Happppppy New Year to one and all!! I am so glad that 2021 is now officially behind us. I am hopeful that 2022 will be a much better and a more fun year than last. Have any of you gotten your “Jelly of the Month Club” jelly yet? I’m so looking forward to getting mine.

With all that has happened this past year it seems to just be a “bump in the road” compared to what happened on December 10th in Kentucky, when a violent, long-tracked tornado moved across Western Kentucky, producing severe to catastrophic damage in numerous towns, including Mayfield, Benton, Dawson Springs, and Bremen. A total of 76 persons lost their lives in this outbreak. The tornadoes ranged from EF-1 to EF-4 leaving a path of destruction in its wake. The hardest-hit areas include Mayfield, Dawson Springs and Bowling Green. Please, above all else keep those folks in the Kentucky Section that have lost so much in your hearts and prayers as we move forward into 2022.

Have you gotten your NIMS training completed yet? With winter coming on, now is a great time to get that all important training in when the weather is bad, and you just can’t find a good contest to get excited about. Why just sit and watch a boring TV show when you can be getting that ever so important training in. All of the classes that are suggested in the ARES Plan – including 300 and 400 are now available on-line. You may have to look around a bit to find the elusive 300 – 400 classes, but they are out there and just ready for you to sign up and get started on! Don’t be one of those folks that say “I don’t need this training because nothing ever happens here!” It does, and will, and the more we are prepared, the better it will be.

January is a busy month for contests. We start the month off (January 01) with Straight Key Night. On January 2nd we have Kids Day and well as the RTTY Roundup. January 16-18 we have the January VHF contest as well.

Congratulations to the University of Michigan (UM) and to the Portage County Amateur Radio Service (PCARS) for their write-ups in the December issue of the ARRL Club News. Has your club done things that are newsworthy? The ARRL Club News is for radio clubs to show how they are working in the community and the hobby to advance amateur radio. If your club does a project, supports an event, does an EmComm activation or activates a park, Headquarters wants to hear about it. You can submit your newsletter article to: clubs@arrl.org

Ham Radio University is going virtual for 2022. Have you gotten registered yet for the 2022 HRU? It’s being held in conjunction with the New York City / Long Island Section Convention on January 8th.

Registration is required, so you’ll need to act fast if you haven’t already registered. A $5 donation is being asked, if you can. The forums are featuring an ARRL forum, contesting, basic HF operating, ham radio logging, intro to DX’ing, how to learn and have fun with CW and many more. If you are interested, here’s a link to their site: https://hamradiouniversity.org/

Dale and I are both getting ready for the upcoming Board meeting the week of January 17th in Newington. There’s a lot on the agenda and you’ll be hearing more about all of the activities from the meeting later.

That is going to do it from here this month. Stay safe and “Catch Me On The Air”!!!

--73, Scott Yonally N8SY, Vice Director, Great Lakes Division

HAMFESTING:

Here is the current listing of Great Lakes Division ARRL Sanctioned hamfests through mid 2022. Please note that all are subject to change, so please stay current by checking the sponsoring club's web page before making your travel arrangements.

It is nice to see this list continue to grow. Be sure to invite your ARRL Officials as soon as your date is set.

Please feel free to reproduce and publish in your local Club Newsletter with credit to the source.

ARRL Sanctioned Hamfests through May 2022:

01/16/2022 - SCARF Hamfest, Shade, OH

01/23/2022 - Hazel Park Swap, Royal Oak, MI

02/05/2022 - HARA Swap, Negaunee, MI

02/12/2022 - Cherryland, Traverse City, MI

02/26/2022 - Livonia Swap, Redford, MI

03/05/2022 - Cave City, Cave City, KY

03/12/2022 - MOVARC Hamfest, Bidewll, OH

03/13/2022 - NOARS Winter Hamfest, Elyria, OH

03/20/22 - Toledo Mobile Radio Assn Swap, Perrysburg, OH

04/09/2022 - Cuyahoga Falls, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

04/24/22 - Athens Hamfest, Athens, OH

05/07/22 - Cadillac Hamfest, Cadillac, MI

05/20 to 05/22/2022 - Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH

05/21/22 - GMARC Trunk Swap, Shelby Twp., MI

If your club plans to request ARRL Hamfest Sanctioning, they should do so well in advance of the planned Hamfest date, as this allows adequate time for QST Listings. QST announcements require a 3 month lead time.

If a swap is cancelled or the date is going to change, please notify ARRL HQ.For the latest detail on regional hamfests, check the ARRL web page at:
http://www.arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar


73, If the bands seem too quiet, call someone!

Dale Williams WA8EFK
Director
Great Lakes Division
wa8efk@arrl.org

Dale's Tales for December

Greetings, welcome to "Dale's Tales" for December, 2021.

HAMVENTION: After a two year hiatus, the Dayton Amateur Radio Assn. has everything in gear to bring us back to the major ham radio event in the world. And it all happens here in the Great Lakes Division. It is major, it is local, and we all can step out and support Hamvention by being there. Go for all three days or go for one day, just be there!

See the super-sized ham radio flea market, visit the vendor booths and see the latest and greatest radio products, attend the forums and get updated on that-is-happening-now in ham radio. Get those plans in place to attend in 2022.

Here are some words from the Hamvention Committee:
Special for the Great Lakes Division "Dale's Tales"

Ticket, booth and flea market space sales for Hamvention 2022 are underway earlier than usual. In the past, these sales have not opened until late December. General Chairman Rick Allnutt, W8SG, said the earlier sales were made possible through the hard work of several of committee chairs and the Assistant General Chair, Jim Storms, AB8YK.

Storms said that anyone who rolled over Hamvention tickets, booths or flea market spaces from 2020 or 2021 should have received 2022 tickets by now. If they have not they should contact the appropriate committee:  tickets@Hamvention.org, exhibits@Hamvention.org or fleamarket@hamvention.org.

According to Storms and Allnutt, sales thus far suggest that 2022 should be a good year for Hamvention which was cancelled in 2019 and 2020 because of Covid-19. Allnutt added that several changes are in the works to improve the Hamvention experience for all the hams attending.

Hamvention, an official ARRL Sanctioned Event, will be held Friday-Sunday, May 20-22 2022 at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center. For more information visit www.hamvention.org

CONGRATULATIONS: 78 ARRL members in our Great Lakes Division are celebrating their 50th Anniversary as ARRL members. Each individual will soon be receiving their 50 Year Commemorative Pin from the League.

We have not been able post the awards in the past, but now we have the opportunity to individually list the members in the Great Lakes Division who have recently achieved this honor. When you see them, please extend to them sincere congratulations.

Here is the listing of those to be recognized for their long term service.

From the Kentucky Section: Thomas T Frishe K4TZ, William I Donnermeyer Jr NM4A, Randell Young W4DRY, John V Morton WA4UMR, Barry Jackson WB4N, Peter Kragh K2UPD, and William K Alverson K4LM.

From the Michigan Section: Jon Griswold, Gary A Helmic, William G Le Lacheur, Samuel I Salo, Theodore A Rachwal K8AQM, Stanley Barczak K8MJZ, Robert E Inman K8QFH, Steven C Wolf KC8BW, Rick Arzadon N8XI, John A Forslund N9EZ, Henry Greg Chapoton NA8V, Roger A Shipman NG8O, Keith D Harris W8KD, Ray Stilwell WA4MLD. John M Ceranski WA8ALQ, Howard C La Tourneau WA8ILQ, Craig B Malkowski WB8FVA, Larry T Nitz WB8HGR, Michael A Hall WB8ICN, Kenneth R Appleman WB8IKJ, Dennis J Burger WB8JZC, Paul C Walcott WD8H, Ronald J Wilson, Bill Parris AA4R, Frederick K Crosher K6FC, Richard S Larsen K8MW, Robert J Hitchens K8VQC, John Gibson NO8V, Albert G Krieger W8BXV, Stephen C Dible W8CRH, Col Ret Ken M Irish Jr W8JVP, Richard L Johnson W8YV, and Alan E Van Antwerp WA8LKV.

From the Ohio Section: Anthony E Baltuz, Paul F Thacker, Alan R Smith, George A Proudfoot K3GP, John E Bastin K8AJS, Grant A Powell K8BCI, George E Benko K8BRW, Del R Muckenfuhs K8DEL, Robert R Kenyon K8LJ, John F Limbach K8NN, Gerald E Murphy K8YUW, Ltc Clifford E Hauser KD6XH, Doyle W Braun KI8L, Dr Robert D Hinkle KK8ZZ, Dr Edward A Wilson KØKC, Patrick C Green N8CQV, Joseph P Browne W2QID, David R Groen W8DRG, Stephen W Wolf W8IZ, Dr Don P Smith W8KGL, Norman J Bayse W8NJB, Thomas Harold Tenney W8OJM, Gerry L Geisel WA8ZPP, K M Samuelson WB8IEA, John L Dolnacko WB8IYR, Scott T Renz WB8JLT, Gene V Anderson WB8KKU, David A Jones WB8MON, David R Kishler WB8ODK, Dennis R Hildebrandt WB8WAA, Donald L Goodwin WB8YIC, Alfred Richardson Jr, Martin Davidoff K2UBC, Thomas J Bedocs K8DMM, Frederick R Schneider K9OHE, James J Martin W8AC, Robert Biggs WA8CBA, Gerd H Schrick WB8IFM, and Richard A Glenn W8GQO.

SCOTT'S STUFF: Comments from your ARRL Vice Director Scott, N8SY.

Merry Christmas; Mele Kalikimaka; Joyeux Noël; Frohe Weinachten; Feliz Navidad; Buon Natale; Feliz Natal; Vrolijk kerstfeest; Crăciun fericit; Wesołych świąt Bożego Narodzenia; God Jul; Veselé Vánoce or however you may pronounce it, Christmas is just 24 days away! Have you been good? I sure hope so and I hope that you get everything on your list as well!

I want to give a big shoutout to all the folks that have reached the 50-year mark with the ARRL (see listing in this newsletter). This is a huge milestone and if you happen to see any of these folks out and about, be sure to congratulate them on this huge accomplishment.

Do you have a child that is preparing for college? Are you touring campuses and working on that mountain of paperwork to help pay for tuition? Are they applying for scholarships and are looking for more of them? Hey, have you looked at the scholarships being offered through the ARRL? Applications for the 2022 ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program are being accepted now through December 31, 2021. Scholarship recipients will be notified in May 2022 via USPS mail and email.

All applicants must be active, FCC-licensed amateur radio operators [NOTE: Active foreign amateur radio operators are eligible for the ARDC Scholarships]. All applicants must submit a completed online application.

NEW THIS YEAR: The ARRL Foundation is utilizing a new Scholarship Management Platform for the 2022 ARRL Foundation Scholarships.

Applicants will no longer choose which scholarships they would like to apply for; instead, the new software will match the applicants with all of the scholarships they qualify for. Transcripts and any additional required documents must be submitted WITH the application and not emailed separately as was done in the past. A number of scholarships require additional documents, such as a letter of recommendation from a sitting Officer of an ARRL-affiliated club. Applications without accompanying transcripts and additional required documents (if applicable) will not be considered. The ARRL Foundation Scholarship Committee will review all applicants for eligibility and award decisions. Want more information? Here’s a link to get you started... http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-program

December is the month a lot of clubs have parties to celebrate the season, and many of them also have election of officers as well. So, with that said December is a great time for your club officers (newly elected or not) to look to make sure that someone has filed-out your clubs’ annual report with ARRL. Since many clubs change officers in the December/January time frame, this is something that just falls through the cracks and the new officers aren’t aware that this wasn’t done and needs to be. Club Officers, please, check your clubs’ affiliation record annually. I highly recommend that you include this duty within your club’s By-Laws, that way there’s always a reminder that this needs to be done, just like paying your dues! Oh, and those clubs that have been - or are currently Special Service Clubs, make sure to check on your renewal date for that as well.

Since the SSC is renewed on a 2-year basis, this is even more forgotten about. Both renewals are quick and easy to do online.

ARRL’s YouTube channel is really getting some great videos for your club to share. Have you looked at the ARRL Learning Network lately? There’s a ton of great videos there for any ARRL member to view. Hey, I’ve shown a video that Joe Carcia, NJ1Q does where he takes a complete tour around W1AW showing you everything that’s there to several clubs around here and it was a real eye opener for them. If you’ve never been to Newington, this is a great way of seeing W1AW like you’ve never seen it before. ARRL has also launched a series of amateur radio Technician-class license video courses. These videos help lead viewers through The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual. The videos supplement the manual and provide an overview of the sections you will be studying, along with a few videos on how things actually work. This is an excellent way for your instructors to get that extra bit of help in teaching this material.

That is going to do it from here this month. Stay safe and “Catch Me On The Air!!

--73, Scott Yonally N8SY, Vice Director, Great Lakes Division

HAMFESTING:

Here is the current listing of Great Lakes Division ARRL Sanctioned hamfests through mid 2022. Please note that all are subject to change, so please stay current by checking the sponsoring club's web page before making your travel arrangements.

It is soooo nice to see this listing continue to grow. Be sure to invite your ARRL Officials as soon as your date is set.

2021/2022 Great Lakes Div. ARRL Sanctioned Hamfest calendar. Please feel free to reproduce and publish in your local Club Newsletter, please, with credit to the source.

ARRL Sanctioned Hamfests through June 2022:

12/04/2021 - Fulton Co Winterfest, Delta, OH

12/05/2021 - L'Anse Creuse Swap, Troy, MI

01/16/2022 - SCARF Hamfest, Shade, OH

01/23/2022 - Hazel Park Swap, MI, location to be announced

02/05/2022 - HARA Swap, Negaunee, MI

02/12/2022 - Cherryland, Traverse City, MI

02/26/2022 - Livonia Swap, Livonia, MI

03/05/2022 - Cave City, Cave City, KY

03/13/2022 - NOARS Winter Hamfest, Elyria, OH

04/19/2022 - Cuyahoga Falls, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

05/20 - 22/2022 - Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH

06/04/2022 - Fulton County, Wauseon, OH

06/05/2022 - Flying Beers Hamfest, Ferndale, MI

06/18/022 - GMARC Trunk Swap, Shelby Twp, MI

If you club plans to request ARRL Hamfest Sanctioning, they should do so well in advance of the planned Hamfest date, as this allows adequate time for QST Listings. QST announcements require a 3 month lead time. If a swap is cancelled or the date is going to change, please notify ARRL HQ.

For the latest detail on regional hamfests, check the ARRL web page at:
http://www.arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar

THE WRAPS: We close yet another strange year. We all have lost some friends while some of us strain to return to a normal life after enduring what Covid 19 has brought upon us. Club meetings are resuming in-person, hamfests are cautiously returning to the schedule, while we all remain optimistic about what this winter and being indoors may bring us.

Judy and I both send our greetings to all in this Holiday Season, hoping for each of you and your families a safe, healthy and happy coming New Year.


73, Light up those bands.

Dale Williams WA8EFK
Director
Great Lakes Division
wa8efk@arrl.org