Category: SwapFest

Due to unforeseen conflicts, the date of the annual Swap Fest has been changed from March 18 to April 1.

See updated original Swap Fest post for details.

Saratoga County Amateur Radio Assn.

SWAP FEST

Attention! Date changed, now April 1!

Saturday, April 1, 2023
Doors Open at 7 am

50 West High Street (Solar Bldg)
2 blocks west of Rt. 50
Ballston Spa, NY 12020

VE Test Session at Noon

Talk-in – 147.00 or 147.24  (PL = 91.5)

Hi all.

Just a simple reminder about our March meeting.

I am pleased to announce that we will be having our traditional March Swapfest to be held in person (!!) for the first time after the last 2 years in COVID isolation. We will be holding it on Saturday, March 19 at its usual location in the Cornell Cooperative Extension Building at 50 West High Street in Ballston Spa The doors will officially open at 8:00 AM so come on out and get an eyeball QSO with your fellow hams. If you have some items you wish to give a give a new home to, bring them along also. Tables will be available until they’re all used up. We will have to close down the swapfest at 11:00 AM so that we can ready the room for a VE Test session at Noon.

If you are going to take a test session for either a new or upgraded ham license, here are a few things you MUST bring along:

• A copy of your current FCC license. We need to attach the license copy to the paperwork when you upgrade. It will have your FRN number which you need to have to fill out Form 605. If you don’t have a copy of your license you can visit https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/universal-licensing-system to obtain one.
• If you are unlicensed, the FCC requires that you have a FRN. You can obtain a FRN in just a few minutes before the exam session by visiting FCC FRN Registration. You simply apply for the FRN on line (you will receive it immediately), and you will have it with you when you come to the test session.
• You need an email address to enter on the FCC form 605. This is the address that the FCC will use to communicate with you.
• Another form of ID, a driver’s license is great, or any other form of ID. If you don’t have a driver’s license, (perhaps you are too young for the DMV) the ARRL suggests something as simple as a library card, or even a piece of mail addressed to you at your residence.
• A pen and pencil (with a good eraser). The pen is for filling out the FCC form 605, and the pencil is to fill out the bubble answer sheet.
• The proper testing fee. Currently it is $15.
• Your WITS. It is not a hard exam, so don’t get too anxious about it.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the exam start time in order to fill out the paperwork, and for the VE’s (Volunteer Examiners) to review it.

Another thing to bear in mind, is that for many of the testing sessions, the VE team will have alternate versions of the various exam elements available for you to try a retake of the exam. If you do desire to take an alternate version, we must you charge you an additional testing fee.

If you DO NOT NEED to take any alternate versions, you may take the next higher level of exam for NO additional costs. For example, if you take and pass the Technician exam, you may take the General exam if you so desire, and there will be no additional fees. I have witnessed a few people who have come into the session unlicensed, and walk away with the Extra Class license.

Jim KG2H

Hello All

Due to the concern about the Covid 19 virus, the Saratoga County ARA Swapfest and the related Test Session is being canceled this weekend.

We are sorry to do this, but I hope you understand the situation.

Don’t worry, the September hamfest is far away in time, and is not affected by this announcement.

Jim KG2H

I will be reminding you all again, but here is your first reminder.

March is our annual Swapfest meeting. The Swapfest is Saturday, March 9, at the Cooperative Extension building in Ballston Spa. Attached is a beautiful 2019 SWAPFEST flyer by Peter (W2BEW) Feel free to copy it to all your friends.
Remember this Swapfest is just a fun time. We don’t charge admission, so we don’t make any money from it. Its a “Spring is Coming” celebration.

After the Swapfest, we are holding a Test Session at Noon. I get a lot of questions about what to bring to the session. I am attaching a list of test session requirements with suggestions to bring to the test session. Again, feel free to pass it along to anyone who wants to participate. Just one note on that document. While the FCC is presently accepting the Social Security number on Form 605, the rule will be changing so that an FRN will be the only valid ID that they accept in that box on the form, so it is best for new applicants to actually get an FRN from the FCC.

Also don’t forget, because of the Swapfest on Saturday, we WILL NOT be holding our normal monthly meeting on Monday, March 11.

I hope to be seeing you at the Swapfest.

Jim KG2H