The Handiham Program office is a busy place as always. We have had many new members join us recently, we released stage one of the new multistage application process for Radio Camp, and we did another really important thing that we have been working on for months. We hired a new administrative assistant! I want to introduce Melissa to everyone. While she is not currently a ham, she is interested in learning about the hobby, and I am sure our members will be happy to share their knowledge. Please join me in welcoming her to the Handiham Program. You can reach her at 612-775-2291 or handiham@allina.com. The best times to reach her by phone are Mondays through Thursdays between 9am and 12pm Central time in the US. Melissa is also looking forward to meeting everyone in person at Radio Camp in September!
We have some sad news to report. Long-time Handiham volunteer John Hoenshell, N0BFJ, is a silent key, and members Marshall Levett, KI5YIA, and Charles Dickens, N6EYD, are also silent keys. Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones during this difficult time.
If you live in Minnesota and are attending the Midwinter Madness Hamfest on Saturday, please stop by the Handiham booth to say hi. If you are planning to attend Dayton Hamvention in May, we will have a booth there as well. We would love to visit with you for an eyeball QSO!
The 2024 Radio Camp is coming up fast. September will be here before we know it! If you have not received stage one of the application (the scholarship offer) and you want to attend camp this year, please contact us so we can get that sent to you. The second stage will be going out soon to everyone who has returned their first stage of the application. We have some great classes and activities planned for Radio Camp including a lot more hands-on radio time! The instructors are planning for classes, and Jerry, W0UH, has been writing new music to entertain us during camp.
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 topics 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 fun time to get together with other hams throughout the world and enjoy some good conversation.
We are in the second semester of the Advanced Morse Code Class, and our students are preparing for their final on air test to earn their class certificate. The advanced code class is two semesters with a long break between semesters, and we only offer it every couple years. 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 Handiham@allina.com so we can add you to the list for an application.
The two-semester virtual General Class License Class just finished week 22. 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 last two weeks of class will be practice tests as we help students get ready to schedule their exams.
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 an email to Handiham@allina.com to be added to the list for an application. This class will run for 30 weeks due to the large amount of material we have to cover. The class includes interactive Zoom classes along with class recordings and handouts sent via email to students each week.
The Handiham Radio Club is getting radio active! Jerry, W0UH, our Handiham Radio Club president will hold the next monthly meeting on Sunday, April 7th 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 at no additional cost. Just send an email to handiham@allina.com to let us 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.
73,
Melissa and Lucinda AB8WF