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N.O.R.M.A. NEWSLETTER P.O. BOX 562, GATES MILLS, OHIO 44040 December, 1999 NEW MEMBERS: W8AZO RENEWED MEMBER: KB8PED, K8CP, K8LP, N8TCU, KF8SA, KC8FMF, N8XCF, KB8VMV, KB8CV, WA8YXI, W4EU, WK8J, N8BAA, KC8BYP, N8OKI, N8NGX, W8ZB, KB8TZU (through Nov. 15, 1999). MEMBERSHIP: by WA8TPPI want to welcome W8AZO, Marv Grossman, as a new member. I also want to thank all those that renewed their memberships. Your continued support is encouraging. Again, the date of your last dues contribution is on the mailing label after your name and call, and, again, the dues are whatever you can afford or feel appropriate for you. Don’t forget to let me know if you have a new call or if someone else in your family (at the same address) gets a new call and please put your call on the checks. Changes in address are also appreciated. Thanks. Also PLEASE ask a friend or new ham using the repeater to join our group. As you probably noted on the last newsletter there were no new members. We need everyone’s support. IN MEMORIAL: by WA8TPP I am sorry to report the passing of one of our longest time members, Bob Blair, W8ABL, formally, K8NYZ. Bob passed on Thursday, September, 9, 1999. Services were September 11, 1999 and burial was at Lakeview Cemetery. We are certainly going to miss Bob. He was the net control for the Gould retirement net for many, many years. Most of you probably heard him on as such and heard him check in on my Monday night Geauga County net. Our sympathy goes to his daughters, Cindy and Linda. Good bye Bob! REPEATER: by WA8TPP Our downtown repeater, 146.850- has been taken off the air for replacement. When it is returned on the air it will be on 146.670- . The reason for the change in frequency is that we swapped frequencies with QCWA so that they could get their repeater on the air without interference with Millersburg’s machine. We are planning on purchasing a brand new repeater which should make things much better in regard to interference from pagers, etc. Please bear with us until we get things going again. No date for the implementation is available as yet. Your cooperation is appreciated. UNIVERSAL LICENSING SYSTEM: by WA8TPP If you don’t know by now the F.C.C. has instituted a new system called "Universal Licensing System, ULS for short, which all amateur radio licensees must adhere to. Every amateur radio operator must register with the F.C.C. using his/her social security number which the F.C.C. calls a taxpayer Information Number or TIN. Upon registering each licensee will receive a licensee ID number. Before anyone can request any modification to their license they must register and obtain their ID number. There are two ways to register: 1. Register using the FCC Internet web site. The address is: http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls. I highly recommend this approach if you are on the Internet. It is a quick and convenient way to get the job done. Just log onto their site and follow the directions. I did so I am sure you can too. 2. Obtain a form 606 by calling 800-418-FORM (3676). A form may also be obtained by using the F.C.C.'s web site: http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html. Download the form and mail in after filling in the form. However, if you are going to get the form via the Internet you might just as well register on line as described above. Regardless of how you do it, you must do it if you want to renew or modify your license. Of course, applying for a vanity call requires registration. For the time being, requests club, etc. licenses should be filed on the old 610B form. Applicants should NOT use their personal social security number, TIN, but should contact the F.C.C. AT 201-414-1250 to obtain an F.C.C. generated identification number for the 610B form. Application for new or upgrades will continue to be filed through the Volunteer Examiner Coordinator. The VEC’s will use a special NCVEC Form 605 to file with the F.C.C for test sessions. I suggest you review the article in QST, September, 1999, issue, page 85. It is entitled: The Universal Licensing System: The Bare Essentials." It covers just about everything you need to know about the F.C.C.’s U..L.S.. You might just as well get used to the new requirements because you won’t be able to do much with the F.C.C. without registering. I guess that’s progress. GOOD LUCK! We, the directors, hope you and yours have a very happy holiday season. MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH, and a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year. 73 |