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 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)

(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MESSAGE)

After the birth of the harmonics, which was amazingly on a clear
frequency, in room 5-9-9, the harmonics were wrapped in dipoles, to
protect the fragile antennas and knobs. Connectors had to be used to hold
the dipoles in place, otherwise the harmonics would be naturally exposed.

While they had a extended warranty, they had to be sure that the harmonics
were properly immunized, and to protect the family from infection by
parasitic elements. After all, the RF cough and sneeze noise splatter was considered both messy, and unsanitary.

No word on the intensity or length of the labor process, how many harmonics there were, their genders, names, or birth weights. That was unavailable at
net time, due to HIPPA regulations...in this case, Harmonic Information Personal Protection Agreement.

As time passed, the harmonics would be instructed...digitally first...then
in voice. It turned out that Aunt Enna, with her son, Ray Dee Oh, and his
XYL, Olivia, would become trusted babysitters. Olivia was also very
attractive, and a cat lover...which made her purr-RTTY.

Ham and Radio were always having to packet...that is, the case with all the supplies for the harmonics, whenever they went somewhere. They also had to
be sure that they didn't watch too much slow scan TV...as it was bad for
their displays. However, they learned to speak the frequencies, by number,
and name, rather quickly.

Also, they would have to give the harmonics a QSO party, as the harmonics
aged a year. Many contacts were made, from many modes, with QSL cards of birthday wishes. Everyone seemed to have a Field Day with these parties. Entertainment was provided by the digital ensembles of RTTY, JT-65, CW,
PSK31, Packet, and other Open Band Groups. With such a large crowd, the
events were usually outdoors, with participants having to use logs to
sit on. As the event usually went on into the evening hours, illumination
of the activities was brought by several satel lights, which had a wide coverage area. But, caution had to be used with the evidence of certain
outdoor insects, so everyone was given a timely tick talk.

While the harmonics did learn early on how to be submersible in bathing,
care had to be taken with the dispensing of AC and DC brand juice, so
the parents and harmonics wouldn't float away, or be too emotionally
charged afterwards. Steps were also taken to prevent overheating, due
to extensive transmissions.

Cooking for all of their meals was done in a Digi-Pan, so the family was
well nourished, to say the least. No word on the exact cuisine, but they
did avoid eating ham. And, that was not because of kosher reasons, but
they didn't want to be thought of as cannibalistic. And, no word on if
any of the family had any digestive tract issues to deal with. But, with rapidly changing technology, the gaseous tubes of their ancestors were
removed via electric surgery long ago.

To keep the family comfortable, all wore telegraphy outfits, the Mores
Coat brand. This also kept the harmonics keyed in to their parents
commands, and their parents were keyed into what the harmonics were doing.
This also kept the family from getting bugs, and becoming ill. The
harmonics were also taught, as their parents were, to constantly greet
their friends, with a CW continuous wave. At night, the shack bedrooms
were illuminated by a soft satel light, with soft JT-65 music helping
everyone rest easier.

Next, the harmonics would learn at 5, 13, and 20 words per QSO exchange.
Then, they would be graded through five levels of education, Novice, Technician, General, Advanced, and Amateur Extra. They had to learn good operating habits, and to avoid being lids...as there were already enough
for their AC and DC brand juice glasses. They also had to listen to Radio,
so she wouldn't have to repeater self on what she said.

For the sake of privacy, there was no word on the amount of needing
changing of the dipoles, and switching to regular outfits. However, as
noted earlier, they preferred to go natural...especially on outdoor
events. Rumor has it they did learn to QRP rather quickly...probably from
all the AC and DC brand juice that they had been consuming over the years,
to keep from overheating.

As time passed, the family got bonded and grounded to each other. Thoughts turned to as the harmonics got older, it'd be time to get their licenses,
so they too, could enjoy what their parents had. Every 10 years, ham,
radio, and the harmonics would go in to have their licenses renewed,
even though they wouldn't have to be re-examined in such great detail, as
they were initially. They did have to pay a fee for such, but it was a
small price to pay for the office visit.

Unfortunately, medical and other issues would show up every so often, and
they had to go to the HRO or Gigaparts clinics for treatment. And, wouldn't
you know it, there was a long wait before they were seen by the staff.
However, the care at the facilities was excellent, as those who worked at
the facilities were very knowledgeable about their work, and they were
back at their QTH's in record time. Thankfully, the need for major surgical procedures was extremely rare.

No word on the need or extent of prescriptions, except for those to various amateur radio publications (such as QST and CQ), clubs and organizations
(such as the American Radio Relay League and Courage Kenny Handi-Hams), or
nets (such as the National Traffic System Nets). The Ham Radio Equipment Insurance sure made paying the medical bills a lot easier.

(CONTINUED NEXT MESSAGE)
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas (1:2320/33)