TZUTC: -0500   
   MSGID: 381.fidonet-ls_arrl@1:2320/33 289cc4cb   
   PID: Synchronet 3.19b-Win32 master/a2a9dc027 Jan  2 2022 MSC 1928   
   TID: SBBSecho 3.14-Win32 master/a2a9dc027 Jan  2 2022 MSC 1928   
   BBSID: TBOLT   
   CHRS: ASCII 1   
   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)   
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