The Worcester Area VE Team will be holding an amateur radio test session for all license classes at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Kaven Hall, Room 208 on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 6:30 PM. The session is open to the general public.  Please be aware that this room is not handicap accessible.

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.

If you have never registered with the FCC's ULS system and received a FRN number, please read the privacy concerns notice 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.

Any questions regarding this session can be directed to @.

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.

We are supporting the Ride to Defeat ALS on Sunday September 23 from 6 AM to around 3 PM (depending on assignment).This is a low key event with the primary focus being on charity rather than racing. The 70 mile bicycle course begins at the Longfellow club in Wayland and continues through several towns with rest stops in Hudson, Bolton, Acton, Concord, and Sudbury. While the race runs from 6AM to 3PM, some stations open as late as 9AM and some close as early as 11AM. Operators working at a course station can report directly to their station. Lunch is provided for operators in Wayland. There will be two roving race vehicles that will require a mobile radio. We will have both 2m and 70cm repeaters linked for this event.

If you are available, please reply to @ and indicate if you are able to provide a mobile radio for a roving assignment, and indicate your location and what hours you are available. I will attempt to locate you at a station closer to your home if possible.

The Worcester Area VE Team will be holding an amateur radio test session for all license classes at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Campus Center, Mid-Century Room (third floor) on Thursday, September 20, 2018 at 6:30 PM. The session is open to the general public.

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.

If you have never registered with the FCC's ULS system and received a FRN number, please read the privacy concerns notice 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.

Any questions regarding this session can be directed to @.

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.

WECT member 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 an email to @ and let them 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 Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Kaven Hall, Room 116 (room to be confirmed) on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at 6:30 PM. The session is open to the general public.

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.

If you have never registered with the FCC's ULS system and received a FRN number, please read the privacy concerns notice 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.

Any questions regarding this session can be directed to @.

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.

We're looking for assistance with this season's Massachusetts State Triathlon in Winchendon at the Lake Dennison Recreation Area on Sunday, July 8 from 7:00 AM to 1:00 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. More details on the triathlon is available on the Max Performance website.

This is an Olympic Distance Triathlon, with a 0.9 mi swim, 22 mi bike and 6.2 mi run. Registration often fills up. The expanded course will continue, down into the centers of Gardner and Baldwinville. This means our communications plan will involve using a variety of systems on both 2m and 70cm, including deploying portable repeater systems. Maps, frequency plans and details about the event will be provided to those signed up.

For more details on the amateur radio assignments or to sign up please send email to @ and let us know if you have UHF equipment with DCS / DPL capabilities.

The Worcester Area VE Team will be holding an amateur radio test session for all license classes at the Worcester Emergency Communications Team Field Day on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at 4:00 PM. The session is open to the general public.

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.

If you have never registered with the FCC's ULS system and received a FRN number, please read the privacy concerns notice below.

We will try to provide a talk-in on the WE1CT VHF 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.

Any questions regarding this session can be directed to @.

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.

UPDATE: 

The raffle winners are:

• First prizes: KB1TDP and NS1A
• Second prizes: NM1B and KC1EEI
• Third prize: AB1ES

Thanks to all whom signed up early and participated in the raffle!

Since it was such a success in previous years, we're going to run the early-bird Field Day sign-up raffle again this year, this time with more chances to win!

Raffle Rules:

• The raffle is completely free.
• All participants whom have signed up for WECT's Field Day by end of day May 31 will be automatically enrolled in the raffle. This is the only way to enroll into the raffle.
• Only amateur radio operators are eligible for the raffle. However, entrants do not need to be WECT members.  You do not need to be a WECT member to participate in our Field Day.
• Winners will be chosen randomly and notified sometime during the day June 1.
• Winners must notify the Field Day Event Coordinator of their selection of prize no later than end of day June 7 or forfeit their prize to another winner selected at random.
• Winners must collect their prize at our Field Day event.
• If a winner doesn't show up to our Field Day, they forfeit their prize to another winner selected at random.

2 First Place Prizes:
An ARRL Field Day 2018 T-Shirt in the size and color of the winner's choosing. They are available in either blue or white.

2 Second Place Prizes:
The winner's choice of either an ARRL Field Day 2018 mug.

1 Third Place Prize:
A book package containing an ARRL Amateur Radio Public Service Handbook and an ARES Field Resource Manual (donated by the ARRL via WMA Section Manager KB1LRL, thanks Ray!)

More details on our Field Day is available on our Field Day Info page or sign up using the online Field Day Signup Form.

Thanks and 73,
Gil Hayes WK1H
WECT Field Day 2018 Event Coordinator
@