This sub sure doesn't get a lot of activity...

Wondering what clubs in Chicago do a decent amount of both HF and VHF FM digital modes. Looking to find more reasons to use them "for real."

If anyone is interested in doing some VHF FM digital work let me know. I have Winlink up and running but would like to try out more of the possibilities using Fldigi on FM.

Tonight, starting at 6pm is the 6m Sprint - a four hour “mini-contest” sponsored by the Central States VHF Society. There will be many stations on the air this evening both local and far away. Please give a thought to getting on the air and working a few stations SSB, FM simplex, CW, or FT-8.

In the UHF sprint a couple of weeks ago the difference between the top scoring stations and those in the middle of the pack was just a few contacts. If more folks in Chicagoland were on the air to make contacts, 9 land would have a better showing at the top of the list.

The exchange is simple - just your call and 4 character maidenhead grid square. Even if you’re not working the contest, jump on the air and make a few contacts. I hope to work you tonight!

There will be a VE session this Saturday 4/16 @ the DuPage OHsEM Building located at 418 N County Farm Rd. From 10am-1pm

Hello all!

I'm new to reddit, so I'll apologize if I'm doing it wrong.

I've been an electronics hobbyist for decades. Recently I was describing to my wife how, as a kid, I would lie in bed at night and listen to my crystal radio, and how it worked with no 'power source'. She was very intrigued, so I bought a kit online for us to build together (I could have built one from scratch, but a kit would be easier for her and would look nicer). She's very excited but wants to have a few 'themed' alcoholic drinks while building.

Your ideas please as to what would be a Crystal Radio Themed Beverage?

Thanks!

On Saturday, starting ay noon central, and going through the weekend is the ARRL VHF contest. There will be lots of stations on 6m and above. Stations will be operating on SSB, FT8, CW and even FM. Get on the air, put out a call and work some stations. I’ll be on 6m, 2m, and 440 and there will be stations all around Lake Michigan trying to work you - even on 220 or 1.2GHz. So turn on that radio and make some contacts!

Don’t worry about submitting a log if you don’t want to. Just have some fun and keep the VHF and above bands alive with activity.

Today, from 2300z to 0300z (6pm Central to 10pm Central) is the 6m Sprint. Stations all over the US, Canada, and beyond will work each other on 6m. Communication can be SSB, FM simplex, FT8/FT4, CW, or any simplex mode of exchanging you call and grid square.

You don’t have to keep a log, or submit a score. Just participate for fun and work all the other stations that will be on. Have a 5W HT with 6 meters? Give a call out on 52.525 and see who’s there. Want to try out that new HF rig? Put up a dipole and call on FT8. It’s not about being a killer station with stacked beams running a KW, it’s really about having fun connecting with others and keeping the bands alive.

Want to know more? Check out the Central States VHF Society page for the sprints at https://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/home/2021-information. I hope I get to work you tonight. See you on the air!

In the US, tonight is the UHF sprint. Stations from all around the country will be attempting to contact as many other stations as they can from 7pm to 11pm in your local time zone. Anyone can participate and you don’t have to keep a log or submit entries. Reaching out to make a few contacts with others is what its all about. For those of us in an around Chicagoland more contacts is always better...let’s show them 9 land is active on UHF!

Any mode will work (FM, SSB, FT8, CW) on any simplex frequency.

Turn on your radio and listen for calls on any of these frequencies to get started:

FM simplex 446.000 SSB/CW calling 432.100 FT8 432.174

The UHF sprint is sponsored by the Central States VHF Society. You can find out more at https://sites.google.com/site/springvhfupsprints/home/2021-information.

I got this from the NS9RC email list:

There is a free Extra Class license class starting up that is completely online and 100% free. The instructor, Rol Anders, is the Chairman of the Question Pool Committee that creates the license exams. Everyone who takes his class says he's a great instructor. The class will be taught via Zoom. It will run 11 weeks, starting Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. Classes are 6:30-9:30pm Eastern Time. If you'd like to sign up, please email Rol Anders, K3RA, at [roland.anders@comcast.net](mailto:roland.anders@comcast.net).

This is not an entry-level class. It is intended primarily for those who already have their General Class license. However, if you do not yet have your General Class license, Rol tells me that you are still welcome to participate as long as you are at least studying for the General Class license and are "somewhat experienced in technology."

Just curious about what Chicago-area ham-related groups the members/lurkers of this sub actively participate in. What club(s) are you a member of? What nets to you check into? How often are you active?

If you wish to attend the VE session Sunday, September 13, 2020, in Melrose Park, IL, please do the following:

Go to https://hamstudy.org/login

Indicate if you are applying for a new license or an upgrade.

Find the September 13 session on the list and click on it.

Register with this site, filling in all requested data.  Please include your phone number and email address, as well as the required entries.

If you are seeking a new license and do not have a Federal Registration Number, you will be diverted to the FCC site to get one.  Your Social Security Number goes only to the FCC, we do not see it.

I will get the information and review it to be sure you completed all information required.

Save the PIN number you will be assigned when you register for the test.

If you do not appear, that is OK.  You simply need to register in order to participate in that session if you do show up.  If in doubt, register anyway.  You can always do it again at a later date and time.

Your test, if all goes well, will be done on a laptop computer that we will provide.  If it does not work as planned, I have the paper forms and will do the session the legacy way.

You need bring only yourself, $15 cash or check to ARRL-VEC, and a government issued photo ID.

Revisiting the thread found here: https://www.reddit.com/r/CHIhamradio/comments/7t78ot/dmr_help_in_western_subs/

I have a TYT MD380 that I've had for year with no use. I cannot seem to figure out if DMR is just dead in the Chicagoland area or I just am doing something wrong. I downloaded the codeplug that's found on the http://chicagoland-cc.org/index.html website. I cant seem to figure it out and what the different zone's are for and the short acronyms such as ichi-BMk and the Marc channels. I'm also new to DMR and overall new to amateur radio so trying to figure it all out.

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Thank you!

Michael - KD9JSK

Stolen from the ARRL hamvention calendar

• HAMFEST/CONVENTION
  06/01/2019 | IRA Hudsonville Hamfest
  Location: Hudsonville, MI
  Type: ARRL Hamfest
  Sponsor: Independent Repeater Association
  Website: http://www.w8ira.org
  Learn More
• 📷HAMFEST/CONVENTION
  06/02/2019 | Starved Rock Radio Club/ Princeton Hamfest
  Location: Princeton, IL
  Type: ARRL Hamfest
  Sponsor: Starved Rock Radio Club, W9MKS
  Website: http://w9mks.org
  Learn More
• 📷HAMFEST/CONVENTION
  06/16/2019 | 61st Annual Hamfest
  Location: Wheaton, IL
  Type: ARRL Hamfest
  Sponsor: Six Meter Club of Chicago
  Website: http://k9ona.com
  Learn More
• 📷HAMFEST/CONVENTION
  06/16/2019 | 61st Annual Hamfest
  Location: Wheaton, IL
  Type: ARRL Hamfest
  Sponsor: Six Meter Club of Chicago
  Website: http://k9ona.com
  Learn More

This used to be an analog repeater of a Spanish speaking club. It seems they've converted to DMR and are carrying TG3300. There are occasional long periods of what seems like an open key with an unknown DMR ID.

I find this a very useful list for my activities. Some of the nets are much more active than others. It's a nice way to know their are other amateur radio enthusiasts out there, even some close by.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YdopCuQOizD7iSrC_PO3Tnn62rknWkQM_FJ0ASDg1V8/edit#gid=0

The Wheaton Community Radio Amateurs and the Medinah Shrine Radio Unit are teaming up to provide a Technician Class.

• When: Sturday August 4 and 11 (This is a two day class)
• Where: Medinah Shriners, 550 N Shriners Drive, Addison, IL 60101
• Cost: The class is free, testing is $15, and the book is $22 (supplied by the student)
• Book "Technician Class 2014-18 FCC Element 2 Radio License Preparation 9th Edition" by Gordon West (Amazon Link)

To register for this class, please contact Dale Kwarta, NJ9E at tis02[at]aol[dot]com. If you have any questions, email NJ9E or PM me and I'll do my best to answer.

The title pretty much says it all. I'm looking for a field day site in the western suburbs (Dupage Co.). Looking for a site that goes through the night as I'll be home from work around 8pm. Be nice to meet other redditors and play with some RF.

While this is an amateur radio group, there is a lot of cross over, and this training is being put on by a radio club!

Wheaton Community Radio Amateurs will be hosting:

 Storm Spotters Class
 May 5, 9am-12pm
 Addison Fire Station 2
 666 S Vista, Addison 

In lieu of a program at our club's monthly meeting the night before, our own Rich Jirsa will be conducting this class. If you are interested in attending, please respond by May 4th...PM me, email markspoo[at]gmail[dot]com (not OP) or leave a message on the club's phone 630-923-5447.

I have known Rich longer than I've been a ham, and his expertise on weather is extensive. If any of you remember the old Multi County Warning System hosted by DuPage OEM, he was the Weather Officer there for years, communicating directly with NWS staff.

This training is also open to no hams, so bring your spouse or friends!

Hi, I'm looking to tweak a couple of my antennas and hoping to borrow something like a MFJ-259C or similar. Anyone have anything they are willing to lend out for a few days local to Chicago? Hoping for one that will cover HF and VHF.

73, John W1OFS

Hi, I've got TYT-380 less than a month ago, was able to put md380tools on it (thanks Travis!), configured for DMRPlus but was not able to make any QSO so far - got stuck with codeplugs. Is there any friendly ham around who can spend some time together to check my configuration and point on my mistakes? I think I am really close, just need a final kick. I am in Naperville, but can drive to Starbucks or pub around in the area as long as some DMR repeater will be in proximity. Coffee/beer bill is on me. Thanks!