This is the time of year when we pause to say thank you to the many donors and volunteers that make it possible for us to accomplish the mission of the Handiham Program. Our faithful volunteers donate hundreds of hours of their time to help Handiham Program members with ham radio education, learning Morse code, making contacts, operating radios, and even learning about useful assistive technology. Donors provide both funds and equipment to help Handiham members get more active in the hobby. We thank you!
Things remain very busy in the Handiham Program office as we quickly approach the end of 2023. We are working on the search for a new administrative assistant, and hopefully we will have a new one soon. In the meantime, you can reach out to me at handiham@allina.com if you need assistance with anything.
The 2024 Radio Camp is just over 9 months away! Now is the time to start planning to attend. You can put September 4th through 11th on your calendar for next year to join us for a fun week of ham radio activities and fellowship with other Handiham members. We have even more fun things planned for campers in 2024 including a lot more hands-on radio time! To join us for the 2024 Radio Camp, just send an email to handiham@allina.com, and I will put you on the list for an application. Applications will be sent out in January so you will have plenty of time to complete them and plan your trip to Minneapolis.
Jerry, W0UH, our net manager, would like to invite you to check into the Handiham Radio Club net. We have great net control stations who faithfully keep the net running smoothly and provide interesting dialogue each day. The Handiham Radio Club sponsors daily nets at 11:00 am Central time and on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Central time on the Handiham Conference Server. Please join us as often as you can! It’s a great time to get together with other hams throughout the world and enjoy some good conversation.
The Advanced Morse Code Class is in its 10th week already, and the students are doing very well. Already, they are copying code at 18 to 20 words per minute, so we are increasing our final goal to 25 words per minute at the end of the second semester. The advanced code class is two semesters with a long break between semesters. For this class, you should have regular access to an HF station with Morse code capability. To become fluent in any language, including Morse code, students will need to get on the air to practice as part of the class.
If Morse code sounds like something you want to learn, we will have a virtual beginner class starting in September of 2024. This class is designed for Handiham Program members who are new to Morse code and will teach all the characters along with prosigns. At the end of the one semester class, students should be able to copy Morse code at five words per minute. If you want to join this class, send an email to me at Handiham@allina.com so I can add you to the list for an application.
The new 2023-2027 General Class question pool is available on the website in text, docx, Mp3, and DAISY format. On September 27th, we started a two-semester virtual General Class License Class that is now in its 9th week. This class is in the same format as the two-semester Technician Class we finished last April with interactive Zoom classes along with class recordings and handouts sent via email to students each week. The students are busy studying each week so they can be ready to take their tests at the end of the second semester.
Next September, we will start a virtual two-semester Extra Class License Class using the new question pool that will take effect on July 1 2024. If you want to be a part of this class, please send me an email at Handiham@allina.com to be added to the list for an application.
The Handiham Radio Club is getting radio active! Jerry, W0UH, our Handiham Radio Club president will hold the next monthly meeting on Sunday, December 3rd at 3:00pm Central Time. The Zoom link will go out to the radio club Groups.io list. If you have not yet joined the Handiham Radio Club, all current members of the Handiham Program are eligible to join. Just send an email to handiham@allina.com to let me know you want to be put on the email list for the club. Staying on that list allows you to keep up with everything that is happening in the club.
We put out new Handiham Program merchandise that includes tote bags, t-shirts, sweat shirts, hats, stickers, patches, and dog bandanas. If you are interested in ordering anything for yourself or for gifts, please let me know as soon as possible so we can make sure to ship it for a timely holiday arrival.
73,
Lucinda AB8WF