Today the ARRL announced the start of the ARRL Club Grant Program that we debuted at the Enid Hamfest last November. ARRL will hold a webinar on Wednesday, May 4, at 7 PM central time to launch the program. You will need to register in advance by clicking on this link http://ok.arrl.org/webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The ARRL club grant program will distribute $500,000 in this round of funding.

The ARRL website  http://arrl.org/club-grant-program has all of the current information and will be the place to enter your grant application starting in mid-May. In addition, you can send questions regarding the program to clubgrants@arrl.org.

ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program

The ARRL Youth Licensing Grant Program will cover the one-time $35 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) application fee for new amateur radio license candidates younger than 18 for tests administered under the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) program. 

ARRL will reimburse the FCC application fee by check after the ARRL VEC receives the completed reimbursement form and the FCC has issued the new license. Also, candidates younger than 18 pay a reduced exam session fee of $5 to the ARRL VEC team. The $5 ARRL exam fee is for all candidates under 18 for all license classes. Candidates are required to present proof of age during the exam session.

Initially, this new program provides for 1,000 new license applicants under 18. Visit the ARRL website for program instructions and the FCC fee reimbursement form at arrl.org/youth-licensing-grant-program

Clubs

Amateur radio clubs are the backbone of the hobby. The tremendous local hams have good information, and as Elmers or mentors they love to share it. Send something that your club is doing well to me n5hzr@arrl.org, and I’ll feature your club in this newsletter, and on the ARRL club newsletter. Most clubs are seeing an increase in new member activity recently. Our Oklahoma Affiliated Club Coordinator, Jim Shideler W5JCS, can help you find a club or help your club become affiliated. We currently have 41 clubs listed at http://ok.arrl.org/clubs/. Look for a club near you, or verify that your club is on the list. Send Jim an email at W5JCS@arrl.net if you need club assistance.

ARRL Oklahoma is On The Web

JOIN/RENEW ARRL NOW —  http://arrl.org/join/

73, de N5HZR — Stand by, more follows…