Category: News

Each year on the fourth full weekend in June, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) holds a special operating event known as Field Day where more than 35,000 radio amateurs in the US and Canada meet to operate from remote locations.

Field Day provides an opportunity to observe amateur radio in action, practice radio techniques, and enjoy good food and fellowship.

---

This year the McHenry County Wireless Association will hold its Field Day event at the Rush Creek Conservation Area in Harvard, IL.  The site is located off of McGuire Road, just east of Route 14. For reference, the Walmart is located on the corner of McGuire Road and Route 14.

MCWA invites you to stop by during the Field Day weekend to have an opportunity to get on the air or just observe. Stay as long as you wish!

For more information, email the Field Day team at info@mcwa.org 

Steve Maresso (KB9OLD) announces that VE testing will resume in August.

Please call Steve at 847-477-3518 in advance of each test date to secure your spot. 

NO WALK-INS WILL BE ALLOWED.

Two testing sessions have been announced: August 17^th and November 16^th, both at 7:00 PM.  

Location will be at the Free Methodist Church, 934 N. Seminary, Woodstock, IL  60098.

For more information, visit VE Testing Information

The first Lake County Maker Faire will be held virtually on April 17th from 10 AM to 3 PM.  Admission is free, but you need to register in advance by visiting the website Maker Faire Lake County .

MCWA is delighted to be part of the Faire and was looking forward to showcasing ham radio last year until the event was canceled due to COVID.

MCWA will be presenting a program titled “Amateur Radio in the 21st Century” at 10:45 AM.

 

 

 

Complete schedule of presentations

The inaugural McHenry County Century Bike Run will be held on May 30th from 6:30 AM to around 3 PM. 

MCWA was contacted to ask if any amateur radio operators would be able to assist in event communications.  Wendell Smith (N9REP) has been in touch with the coordinators and is looking for volunteers to assist in the event.

Wendell says that it is a lot of fun and a great opportunity for the newer hams to get involved in public service. It is also a way to showcase amateur radio’s capabilities.

Please contact Wendell for more information and to sign up to help.

Beginning on June 29th, 2021, amateur radio licenses and applicants MUST provide the FCC with a valid email address. Failure to do so may lead to the application being rejected as “defective”.

Furthermore, if the FCC sends an email that is returned as undeliverable, the operator license is subject to revocation or suspension.

Under new Section 97.23, each license must show the grantee’s correct name, mailing address, and email address. “The email address must be an address where the grantee can receive electronic correspondence,” the amended rule will state. “Revocation of the station license or suspension of the operator license may result when correspondence from the FCC is returned as undeliverable because the grantee failed to provide the correct email address.”

Go to the FCC’s ULS License Manager System and log in with your FRN and password prior to June 29, 2021 and confirm or add an valid email address.

For more information read the ARRL News Item FCC to Require Email Address…