The Worcester Area VE Team will be holding an amateur radio test session for all license classes at Washburn Shops, Room 323, Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 6:30 PM.

Update: Per request of WPIWA, we will also be running an additional session at Kaven Hall, Room 115, Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 6:30 PM. Again, we will be running both sessions.

If you have never registered with the FCC's ULS system and received a FRN number, please read the notice in the Read More link below.

We will try to provide a talk-in on the 145.310 / 449.025 W1WPI repeater. It is recommended that if you are not familiar with the WPI campus that you print out and bring with you the campus map.

Please bring:

• AN ORIGINAL AND A PHOTOCOPY of your current license and any CSCEs or other paperwork you are submitting
  
• A basic calculator
  
• Two forms of state acceptable ID (one must be a picture ID)
  
• $15 exam fee (if check, payable to "ARRL VEC")
  
• Pen or pencil

The photocopies of your paperwork are very important as we must submit a copy of your records to the ARRL VEC if you are successful.

Any questions regarding this session can be directed to Gil Hayes WK1H or John Ruggiero N2YHK.

NOTICE ABOUT PRIVACY CONCERNS - FCC REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

Some amateurs have been concerned over the FCC's requirement for your Social Security Number (SSN). The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134, requires all federal agencies to collect Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs) from all persons doing business with the agency. This includes all applicants and holders of FCC licenses. For an individual, your TIN is your SSN.

It is suggested that all applicants register in the FCC's Universal Licensing System to obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN) prior to attending a VE session. When you register for an FRN, your SSN will not be disclosed to the public and it must be given only once. You may then use your FRN in place of your SSN on all future applications, including the Form 605 you will complete at the VE session. The Commission has taken several steps to ensure the privacy of your SSN. Electronic registration on the Internet is accomplished using the FCC's secure Web server.

To register for an FRN, go to http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls and click on REGISTER. Once you obtain your FRN, write it down and bring it with you to the VE session. Be sure to keep a record of your FRN and password for future use. If you do not register before the VE session, you will be required to provide your SSN on Form 605 at the VE session in order for your application to be processed.

On August 10, 2012, the ARRL Executive Committee signed our application for ARRL Affiliation, making the relationship between the two organizations official, and allows for easier means for the League and our team to help each other.

As an affiliated "club" organization with the American Radio Relay League - the National Association for Amateur Radio - we are able to make use of a variety of benefits that the ARRL provides, including getting support from local and national League resources as needed.

"The Worcester Emergency Communications Team has been around for many years serving Central Massachusetts in an EmComm capacity for ARES, RACES, SKYWARN and others," said ARRL Western MA Section Manager Ed Emco W1KT. "I am very happy that they finally have become an affiliated club."

A few years ago our team began a long association with Western MA ARES, as all of our members are registered ARES operators with the section. Many of our members also serve in positions with the Western MA ARRL Section. Our affiliation with the ARRL now makes the association between these entities totally official.

"WECT's affiliation with the ARRL will allow us to have a greater presence in the amateur radio community through increased interaction with other organizations and new hams," said WECT President Rob Capizzio KC2EMA. "These resources provided by the ARRL will allow us to better serve our community when the need arises."

Congrats to the entire team on this milestone in our history!

WECT Secretary and WMA ARES Section Emergency Coordinator John Ruggiero N2YHK is looking for about a dozen hams to provide communications assistance for the Title 9 Women's Only Triathlon in Hopkinton on Sunday, September 9th.

This event is sold out, so it will be busy. It occurs from about 7am to Noon (some assignments should secure as early as 9:30am, and most by 11am). It will be held in Hopkinton State Park and includes a swim, bike and run that travels through Hopkinton, Southboro and Ashland.

If you are interested in participating, please send John an email and let him know if you have UHF equipment with DCS / DPL.

The Worcester Area VE Team will be holding an amateur radio test session for all license classes at Kaven Hall, Room 116, Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 6:30 PM.

If you have never registered with the FCC's ULS system and received a FRN number, please read the notice in the Read More link below.

We will try to provide a talk-in on the 145.310 / 449.025 W1WPI repeater. It is recommended that if you are not familiar with the WPI campus that you print out and bring with you the campus map.

Please bring:

• AN ORIGINAL AND A PHOTOCOPY of your current license and any CSCEs or other paperwork you are submitting
  
• A basic calculator
  
• Two forms of state acceptable ID (one must be a picture ID)
  
• $15 exam fee (if check, payable to "ARRL VEC")
  
• Pen or pencil

The photocopies of your paperwork are very important as we must submit a copy of your records to the ARRL VEC if you are successful.

Any questions regarding this session can be directed to Gil Hayes WK1H or John Ruggiero N2YHK.

NOTICE ABOUT PRIVACY CONCERNS - FCC REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

Some amateurs have been concerned over the FCC's requirement for your Social Security Number (SSN). The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134, requires all federal agencies to collect Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs) from all persons doing business with the agency. This includes all applicants and holders of FCC licenses. For an individual, your TIN is your SSN.

It is suggested that all applicants register in the FCC's Universal Licensing System to obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN) prior to attending a VE session. When you register for an FRN, your SSN will not be disclosed to the public and it must be given only once. You may then use your FRN in place of your SSN on all future applications, including the Form 605 you will complete at the VE session. The Commission has taken several steps to ensure the privacy of your SSN. Electronic registration on the Internet is accomplished using the FCC's secure Web server.

To register for an FRN, go to http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls and click on REGISTER. Once you obtain your FRN, write it down and bring it with you to the VE session. Be sure to keep a record of your FRN and password for future use. If you do not register before the VE session, you will be required to provide your SSN on Form 605 at the VE session in order for your application to be processed.

WMA ARES Section Emergency Coordinator and WECT Secretary John Ruggiero N2YHK is looking assistance with this season's Massachusetts State Triathlon Festival in Winchendon at the Lake Dennison Recreation Area. This year the event will run for two days. Saturday July 14 there will be a Coed Olympic Distance Race from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Sunday July 15 will feature a Title 9 Women Only Olympic Race from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Assignments will vary but will generally include various checkpoints along the route, start and finish line, and shadowing the triathlon coordinators. Times involved with each of the assignments will vary as well. Volunteers will need a dual band handheld with enough battery power to last the event, as well as refreshments and the proper attire for the weather that day. Be aware that courses involved have changed again from last year and cover more area involving even more hilly terrain, but a portable crossband repeater will continue to be used to service this event.

More details on this festival are available on the Max Performance website. For more details on the amateur radio assignments or to sign up contact John N2YHK, and please let John know which day(s) you are signing up for.

The Worcester Area VE Team will be holding a special amateur radio exam session in Gardner to follow up for a Technician licensing course taught there. The session will also be open to the public and for all license classes.

This session will be held at South Gardner Fire Station #1 / EOC, 2nd floor, 61 East Broadway, Gardner, MA (at the intersection with Prospect Street) on Saturday June 16 at 9:00 AM.

If you have never registered with the FCC's ULS system and received a FRN number, please read the notice in the Read More link below.

We will try to provide a talk-in on the 145.370 MHz W1GCD repeater.

Please bring:

• AN ORIGINAL AND A PHOTOCOPY of your current license and any CSCEs or other paperwork you are submitting
  
• A basic calculator
  
• Two forms of state acceptable ID (one must be a picture ID)
  
• $15 exam fee (if check, payable to "ARRL VEC")
  
• Pen or pencil

The photocopies of your paperwork are very important as we must submit a copy of your records to the ARRL VEC if you are successful.

Any questions regarding this session can be directed to Gil Hayes WK1H or John Ruggiero N2YHK.
*** NOTICE ABOUT PRIVACY CONCERNS - FCC REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS ***

Some amateurs have been concerned over the FCC's requirement for your Social Security Number (SSN). The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134, requires all federal agencies to collect Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs) from all persons doing business with the agency. This includes all applicants and holders of FCC licenses. For an individual, your TIN is your SSN.

It is suggested that all applicants register in the FCC's Universal Licensing System to obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN) prior to attending a VE session. When you register for an FRN, your SSN will not be disclosed to the public and it must be given only once. You may then use your FRN in place of your SSN on all future applications, including the Form 605 you will complete at the VE session. The Commission has taken several steps to ensure the privacy of your SSN. Electronic registration on the Internet is accomplished using the FCC's secure Web server.

To register for an FRN, go to http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls and click on REGISTER. Once you obtain your FRN, write it down and bring it with you to the VE session. Be sure to keep a record of your FRN and password for future use. If you do not register before the VE session, you will be required to provide your SSN on Form 605 at the VE session in order for your application to be processed.

WMA ARES Section Emergency Coordinator and WECT Secretary John Ruggiero N2YHK is looking for assistance with the New England Season Opener Triathlon at the Hopkinton State Park on Sunday, May 13 from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Assignments will vary but will generally include various checkpoints along the route, start and finish line, and shadowing the triathlon coordinators. Times involved with each of the assignments will vary as well. Volunteers will receive tickets for a professionally catered BBQ lunch, as well as a technical fabric t-shirts, instead of cotton. The ham radio team will also be provided with our own 10x10 tent to coordinate our efforts. More details on the triathlons are available on the Max Performance website.

For more details on the amateur radio assignments or to sign up contact John N2YHK, and let John know if you have UHF equipment with DCS / DPL when you sign up.

We will be holding our next Quarterly Meeting on Wednesday May 23 at 7:00 PM in Meeting Room A at 50 Skyline Drive. The meeting is for all team members and anyone interested in our team.

Our agenda will be several topics:

• Updates on various news items concerning the team
  
• WECT badge photos and information submission
  
• Field Day update
  
• Nominations to office
  
• Presentation on digital phone modes used on VHF and above (P25, DSTAR, etc.)

Hope to see you there!