THE AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION OF
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA Coming Events
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JOIN US FOR INFORMATIVE EDUCATIONAL & ENTERTAINING MONTHLY ARACC MEETINGS
THE AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION OF
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA Coming Events
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JOIN US FOR INFORMATIVE EDUCATIONAL & ENTERTAINING MONTHLY ARACC MEETINGS
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The next ARACC Club gathering is Saturday - FEBRUARY 11, 2012. It begins at 2P.M. at Carrow's Restaurant (Blackstone and Ashlan)in Fresno.
You'll benefit from joining us at the ARACC Meetings. Don't be late.
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In January ARRL launched DIY (Do It Yourself) Month. ARACC presented a special ARRL video -- THE DIY MAGIC OF AMATEUR RADIO! Randy/K6VAU also put his FLEX Radio System on the air at the meeting! SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO is the big thing in Amateur Radio these days.
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In December ARACC held the annual Holiday Awards Meeting. We honored members who met the special criteria for service and activities in public service and commitment to the ARACC Mission.
Recipients were: Randy/K6VAU -- Lew/KI6YWX -- Richard/K6RCV -- James/K6JDM -- Gerry (and Judy)/ KI6JDG -- LeRoy/KG6VWI. Congratulations to all. __________________________________________________________________________________________
In November, we continued with Part Two of Solar Wind and the way our radio communications are affected (good and bad) by the sun's energy. If you missed out on the presentation in October, check it out by clicking on the link in the next paragraph. __________________________________________________________________________________________
In October, ARACC elected officers for 2012. President Kim/KF6ZSW -- Vice President Randy/K6VAU -- Secretary Dan/KI6FLR -- Treasurer Gene/W7POR.
Newcomers to HF operations may be amazed at what's happening on the bands right now. Ten Meters is open nearly every day and some good distances with very low transmit power are commonplace. Yes, it's the 11 year solar cycle hams have been waiting for. But it also brings other things resulting from increased solar activity. Not all of it is good news. Technology has changed dramatically since the last time around. Use of cell phones has ballooned, satellites fill space, infrastructure is dependent on high tech control. All of these, and more, put us in a more vulnerable position. Now, put that altogether with the solar impact on the atmosphere and the oceans. Scientists have accumulated an unprecedented base of knowledge about our sun and the space around us. Predictive capability is astounding, so that we are better able to know when things will happen and what we can do to minimize possible damage. If you missed this presentation from ARACC Program Coordinator Randy Emerzian/K6VAU, here it is:
SOLAR WIND AND SPACE WEATHER
You pick a channel, push the button and PRESTO! -- a repeater comes back and you talk. Your little pip squeak signal is able to cover a much wider area than you can do normally. A miracle? You think? ARACC members and guests found out what it takes to build one of these wonder boxes. What's a duplexer? How about the costs? The politics? Are there differences in operation? Thanks to Randy K6VAU for a great presentation at ARACC's September 10, 2011 meeting.
Here's his presentation:
Here's a link to his presentation in PDF Format:
The annual ARACC Picnic was held on August 6, 2011. The McDougal residence (Gerry and Judy's place) again was the location. We had great food, fun, and the traditional hidden transmitter contest. First winner was Randy/K6VAU and second winner, Richard/K6RCV! __________________________________________________________________________________________
The July 9th meeting featured another excellent presentation by Randy/K6VAU. We learned more about coax and open wire feedlines,
along with methods of matching the rig to your antenna. Increasing effiency and getting the most from the antenna system was the
main focus. We examined samples of several coaxial cable types, ranging from smaller flexible to larger rigid examples.
Here's a link to his presentation in PDF Format:
At the ARACC Meeting on May 14, 2011, Lew/KI6YWX gave an outstanding demonstration of Anderson Power Poles. He presented a host
of fittings as well as optional tools to put them together. These handy little gadgets make it easy to interchange equipment and
power sources both at home and in the field.
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April 7, 2011. In keeping with ARACC Goals, we held a Ham Radio Exhibit and Demonstration at CART School. Several students took to the air and talked
with club members on the repeater. Thanks to John/AG6BP, Dennis/KI6NVG and Richard/K6RCV who talked to the students about what led them to Amateur
Radio, both as a hobby and a technical enhancement to their careers. Two of the students and one teacher recently earned their
Ham Licenses and several others plan to do the same. Our thanks to the school for providing an oppotunity to explain Amateur Radio
and hopefully inspire more young people to join our ranks.
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ARACC Members joined others at the International DX Convention in Visalia April 15 through April 17, 2011.
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On Saturday, February 12, 2011, ARACC members and guests received an update on the hot topic, "NARROWBANDING -- The truth about FCC narrow-banding of Amateur Radio equipment; dispelling rumors and misguided directives."
Here's the presentation in PDF Format:
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On Saturday, January 8, 2011, members and guests were treated to a presentation focussing on the G5RV Multiband HF Antenna. Several people requested that we post a copy
of Program Chairman, Randy's/K6VAU program on this website. Randy wants us to say that the information was obtained from various resources, referenced inside the article.
Those wishing to review a PDF file from his Power Point presentation can click here:
Randy also brought several VHF/UHF Antennas as examples of some commercial types.
Shane/W8GWP demonstrated his BuddiPole Portable HF antenna.
Thanks to both for sharing and mentoring those of us who are unfamiliar with some of the concepts for antenna design and use,
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THE GENERAL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, FAMILY AND FRIENDS. INVITE THEM ALL!
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Send an e-mail for more information about ARACC Club Meetings. Click on the link below
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AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE CLASSES
Sponsored by the Amateur Radio Association of Central California
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO EARN A LICENSE. LET US KNOW
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GETTING YOUR FCC AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE,
GIVE US A CALL AT 287-9051!
Or Click on the link below!
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ARACC HAS MORE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS AHEAD
Several more big Central Valley events are on tap. It's a chance to "show our stuff!" Look for details on this page.
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NEXT VALLEY ARRL VE TEAM TEST SESSION
TO BE DETERMINED Sponsor: VALLEY ARRL VE TEAM VEC: ARRL/VEC Time: 1:30 PM
(PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL BEFORE THE TEST DATE) Contact: KIM DAVIS
(559)287-9051 Email: kdavis@gotnet.net (Alternate Contact: GENE @ (559)706-3086) Location: FIG GARDEN REGIONAL LIBRARY (Southwest Corner of MARKS & BULLARD) 3071 W BULLARD AVE
FRESNO, CA 93711 ARRL VE Test Fee: $15
(NO CHECKS; EXACT CHANGE PLEASE).
Bring two forms of ID (one should be a photo ID, i.e., your California Drivers License),
the original and a copy, of your present Amateur license.
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THE VALLEY ARRL VE TEAM
The team is pleased to welcome ten new Technician Level Amateur Radio Licensees and one paper upgrade to General Class at the testing session in April, 2007!
The team also is happy to announce seven new upgrades to General Class status as a result of ARACC classes in May and June, 2007.
Another two Technician Class Licenses were earned at the testing on July 7th, one on October 7th, and three on November 15, 2007, three General Class (one a paper upgrade) and two new Techs, on January 6, 2008.
On March 24, 2008, four brand new Technician Licenses were earned as a result of ARACC lessons.
On April 6, 2008, three people passed their Technician exams, three succeeded in passing their Extra Class test, and one earned a new General Class License.
At the July 6, 2008 testing session, two candidates became new Technician Class hams, and one successfully upgraded to General Class.
At the October 5, 2008 session, There were three proud upgrades to EXTRA CLASS.
At the January 4, 2009 session, There were five successful Technician Licenses, three Generals (with one taking both Technician and General), and one upgrade to EXTRA CLASS.
At the April 19th, 2009 testing, 7 new Technician licensees joined the ranks of Amateur Radio. There were 3 upgrades to General, and 1 moved up to Extra. But hard study paid off for another newcomer to Hamdom. He devoured all three elements to become an Extra Class in one session!
Then, on April 27, 2009, one student from this year's ARACC entry level study group successfully completed Element One to become a new Technician licensee.
At the July 5, 2009 examination, there were six new Technician Licensees and one candidate passed both Tech and General exams!
Congratulations to all those who passed their exams Sunday, October 4, 2009. The ham world has a new Extra and two Technician Licensees as the result of their effots. One new ham drove here all the way from Lake Arrowhead in Southern California.
On October 3rd, 2010, we had one new Tech and three upgrades to General and Extra Class.
On May 1, 2011, we welcomed two new Tech Class Operators and one General Class Upgrade!
August 21, 2011 testing yielded one new Tech Class Amateur and two new General Class hams.
The November 6, 2011 session yielded two more Tech Class Licensees.
The January 15, 2012 examination resulted in two more people joining us in the ranks of Amateur Radio with new Tech Licenses.
We are very proud of these new Hams as they discover their "wings" in this exciting hobby and service we call Amateur Radio.
CONGRATULATIONS!
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CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST QUESTION POOLS
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CLICK HERE for The QRZ.COM Practice Study Link
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LOOKING FOR A TEST SESSION?
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LOST YOUR LICENSE? Here's a direct link to the FCC Paper License replacement page:
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