Southbay Amateur Radio Society (SOBARS)

The ARRL This Week 02/09/2012

2012-02-14T18:44:00.000-08:00

February 9, 2012
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
ARRL Home Page ARRL Letter Archive Audio News

+ FCC News: New Rules for 5 MHz (60 Meters) To Go Into Effect March 5
+ WRC-12: Agenda Item 1.23 Passes Committee, Moves to Plenary
+ WRC-12: How Are Agenda Items Processed at a WRC?
+ WRC-12: Proposed Maritime Mobile Allocation Gets First Reading at WRC-12 Plenary Session
+ WRC-12: Nobel Laureate Joe Taylor, K1JT, Addresses Plenary Session at WRC-12, Receives ITU Gold Medal
On the Air: The 2012 ARRL International DX CW Contest Takes to the Air Next Weekend
ARRL HQ: Save the Date! Take a Virtual Tour of W1AW on February 12
+ ARRL Field Day: 2012 Field Day Packet Now Available
Solar Update
This Week in Radiosport
Be a Star! Deadline for Second Annual ARRL Video Contest is February 29
+ Silent Key: Former ITU-R Director Dick Kirby, W0LCT/HB9BOA (SK)
+ Silent Key: Astronaut Janice Voss, KC5BTK (SK)
Silent Key: WorldRadio Founder Armond Noble, N6WR (SK)
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News.

+ FCC News: New Rules for 5 MHz (60 Meters) To Go Into Effect March 5

On November 18, the FCC released a Report and Order, defining new rules for the 60 meter (5 MHz) band. These rules are in response to a Petition for Rulemaking filed by the ARRL more than five years ago and a June 2010 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. In the February 3 edition of the Federal Register, the FCC announced that these new rules will go into effect on March 5, 2012. Read more here.

+ WRC-12: Agenda Item 1.23 Passes Committee, Moves to Plenary

A Plenary Session from WRC-03. Agenda Item 1.23 -- creating a 7 kilohertz-wide amateur secondary allocation between 472-479 kHz -- is expected to get its first reading in Plenary Session on Friday, February 10. The new allocation will not be official until it is read a second time in Plenary, which should happen sometime next week.

On the afternoon of February 7, Committee 4 of the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) approved Option 1 to satisfy Agenda Item 1.23, with minor editorial amendments to the text received from Working Group 4C. Option 1 calls for a worldwide secondary allocation to the Amateur Service at 472-479 kHz, with a power limit of 1 W EIRP, with a provision for administrations to permit up to 5 W EIRP for stations located more than 800 km from certain countries that wish to protect their aeronautical radionavigation service (non-directional beacons) from any possible interference. Option 2 was NOC (no change to the current rules).

In keeping with the rules of the Conference, Committee decisions must be read twice in Plenary Session; the decision of the Conference is not final until after second reading in Plenary. According to ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, quite a few additional administrations -- mainly in the former Soviet Union and Arab states -- will be adding their country names to the Footnotes prior to consideration in Plenary. Sumner said that Agenda Item 1.23 should have its first reading in the Plenary on Friday, February 10, with its second reading sometime next week. Read more here.

+ WRC-12: How Are Agenda Items Processed at a WRC?
By IARU Secretary Rod Stafford, W6ROD

IARU Secretary Rod Stafford, W6ROD

The procedures used by the International Telecommunication Union before and during a World Radiocommunication Conference seem complicated. They are somewhat complicated, but they are understandable with a bit of background. Each Agenda Item that will be decided at a WRC has been studied for at least three or four years leading up to a WRC. ITU Study Groups and Working Parties discuss the issues involved in the Agenda Item. Compatibility studies, sharing studies and experiments take place whenever needed, so that discussions and decisions can be made based upon facts, rather than opinions. Read more here.

+ WRC-12: Proposed Maritime Mobile Allocation Gets First Reading at WRC-12 Plenary Session

At the February 3 Plenary Session of the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12), delegates heard the first reading and approved a worldwide exclusive allocation to Maritime Mobile of 495-505 kHz. There will need to be a second reading to finalize the allocation. According to ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, discussion of this allocation to Maritime Mobile "has been in the works throughout the conference preparation (i.e. since 2008) and was the reason why the MF amateur allocation could not be made in this band as some amateurs had hoped. That's why we [the Amateur Radio Service] had to look elsewhere and is what put us in conflict with aeronautical radionavigation."

+ WRC-12: Nobel Laureate Joe Taylor, K1JT, Addresses Plenary Session at WRC-12, Receives ITU Gold Medal
On February 3, delegates and attendees at the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference had the pleasure of listening Joe Taylor, K1JT, share his vision of the future of radiocommunication. Taylor -- an ARRL Member -- won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1993 for the discovery of a binary pulsar, a discovery which has opened up new possibilities for the study of gravitation. After the speech, International Telecommunication Union Secretary General Dr Hamadoun Touré, HB9EHT, presented Taylor with the ITU Gold Medal in recognition of Taylor's outstanding contribution to the research in the field of radiocommunication.

ITU Secretary General Dr Hamadoun Touré, HB9EHT, introduces Nobel Laureate Joe Taylor, K1JT, to the Plenary at the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference. [Screengrab courtesy of video provided by Andy Clegg, W4JE]

Dr Touré introduced Taylor to the Plenary. In his introduction, he told the audience that Amateur Radio led to Taylor's career as a radio astronomer, and ultimately to his winning the Nobel Prize: "I'm told that an early interest in Amateur Radio led Joe Taylor to an exciting career in radio astronomy, which then earned him the 1993 Nobel Prize in physics. I share his interest in Amateur Radio with passion, but will that lead me to a Nobel Prize? I'm working on it!"

Taylor began his speech by thanking the WRC-12 delegates for the job they were doing at the Conference. "I understand that you have come to Geneva from more than 150 of the ITU's Member States," he said. "You are here to do an important job, an essential one, for nearly all of humanity in today's world. You are charged to do your upmost to accommodate the wide variety of competing interests of all users of the radio frequency spectrum and its available orbits for Earth satellites. This is surely not an easy task. Most people give very little thought to the complicated issues that you face. Why should they, since for most of us, most of the time, the technologies that depend on these limited resources just seem to work. But I know, and each one of you knows, that much background work and many long negotiations are often necessary in order to make everything fit together and work in harmony."

Taylor noted new discoveries "that have fundamentally changed or expanded our understanding of nature's laws, or might do so in the near future." But, he said, these discoveries will not affect the ITU or future WRCs for "at least not for many decades to come. This is because our fundamental understanding of electromagnetism is already in a mature state. Maxwell's equations, after all, have been thoroughly tested now for 150 years. And in principle, they tell us everything we need to know in order to exploit the wonders of telecommunications at the speed of light. Our understanding of these laws of nature, including what they tell us is possible and not possible, is not likely to change, even in the more distant future. But of course we can still develop new and improved ways of generating, controlling and detecting electromagnetic radiation, as well as clever new ways of effectively sharing the spectral resources that we have. Such advances as these will surely continue, and perhaps they will even increase. The fundamental science may be mature, but technology's ability to exploit and build upon electromagnetic phenomena is still rapidly developing.

After Taylor's speech, Touré presented him with the ITU Gold Medal in recognition of Taylor's outstanding contribution to the research in the field of radiocommunication. [Screengrab courtesy of video provided by Andy Clegg, W4JE]

"It's interesting to comment in passing on the fundamental differences between the bounded radio frequency spectrum and the balance, for example, on accessible fossil fuels. Limitations of the radio spectrum are a result of fundamental laws of nature. Every nation on Earth, and indeed every person on Earth, has access, in principle, to the same spectrum as everyone else. The amount of accessible oil, on the other hand, depends on the much more complicated way on how the Earth formed and evolved over time, and fossil fuels are not evenly distributed over the Earth and they are expendable. When it's gone, there's none left. The electromagnetic spectrum, on the other hand, will always be there, whether or not we humans are around here to enjoy using it. Moreover, the spectrum can be shared by many users simultaneously, and shared use can be especially effective if adequate planning is done in advance. That planning, of course, is an essential part of your assignments here.

"Future technologies will surely make even better uses of wireless communication than we do today. I foresee plenty of scope for contributions for new technologies. Information and communication technologies have much to offer for the betterment of the human condition everywhere, and perhaps especially so in the developing world. It is extremely important to continue seeking the best efficiencies in the use of the spectrum. I wish you every success in your task of creating wise and fair guidelines for regulators and policy makers who must allocate the limited resources in the very best interest of all mankind."

You can view Taylor's speech on YouTube, courtesy of Andy Clegg, W4JE.

On the Air: The 2012 ARRL International DX CW Contest Takes to the Air Next Weekend

It's never to early to start getting kids interested in Amateur Radio! Then-ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, operates in the 2009 ARRL International DX CW Contest in the Single Band (80 meters) Single Operator (High Power) category. [Photo courtesy of Joel Harrison, W5ZN]

CW DXing and contesting take center stage the weekend of February 18-19, as the 2012 ARRL International DX CW Contest takes to the airwaves. "After years of lackluster conditions on 15 and 10 meters, 2011 finally saw the propagation gods giving us a break," said ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X. "Since September 2011, the high bands have been in excellent shape, with worldwide openings on 15 and 10 meters becoming an almost-daily occurrence. As a result, activity has spiked in almost every major contest, with hundreds more logs being submitted. If conditions hold -- and I don't see why they wouldn't -- we're in for another high-band treat in another week or so." Read more here.

ARRL HQ: Save the Date! Take a Virtual Tour of W1AW on February 12
Join W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, on a virtual tour of W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, the Amateur Radio station at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. Carcia will lead this tour via a live webcast on Sunday, February 12 at 5 PM EST (2200 UTC). Anyone with an Internet connection will be able to watch the tour here.

W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, inside W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. [S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, Photo]

"We want viewers of this live Internet tour to feel as if they are actually at W1AW," Carcia explained. "If you came to W1AW in person, you would see the same things that we are going to show on the virtual tour: The three operating stations, the W1AW workshop, the transmitter racks that we use to send out our bulletins and use for the code practice transmission, the control console and Old Betsy, Hiram Percy Maxim's personal spark gap transmitter."

Al Petrunti, KA1TCH, of the New Day Group, will follow Carcia as he leads viewers through the station. ARRL Staff members, including Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, and Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, as well as local television weatherman Geoff Fox, K1GF, will also be on hand at W1AW during the tour.

"Hams around the world know of W1AW, and thousands have made contacts with this impressive station -- but most hams never get to see it," Pitts said. "Thanks to Al Petrunti's group, we hope that folks enjoy seeing what's at the other end of the signals. As in all live broadcasts, you never know just what might happen. We invite you to join us." Pitts is producing the live web tour.

This is the second video that the New Day Group has made for the ARRL. In 2011, they created the HR 607 video that educated radio amateurs of a bill in Congress that addressed certain spectrum management issues, including the creation and maintenance of a nationwide Public Safety broadband network using current Amateur Radio spectrum.

+ ARRL Field Day: 2012 Field Day Packet Now Available

It's that time of year again -- time to start gearing up for ARRL Field Day, June 23-24, 2012! ARRL's flagship operating event -- always held the fourth full weekend in June -- brings together new and experienced hams for 24 hours of operating fun. Field Day packets are now available for download and include the complete rules, as well as other reference items such as forms, ARRL Section abbreviation list, entry submission instructions, a Frequently Asked Questions section, guidelines for getting bonus points, instructions for GOTA stations and a kit to publicize your event with the local press. A brief one-page flyer with basic "What is Field Day" information has also been included in this year's Field Day packet. Amateur Radio clubs and individuals are encouraged to reproduce this flyer as a handout for information tables.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, February 9, 2012 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This image was taken at 304 Angstrom; the bright material is at 60,000 to 80,000 Kelvin.

Tad "The Sun rolling high through the sapphire sky" Cook, K7RA, reports: Solar activity was down again this week -- this is the third week in a row with sunspot numbers lower than the week prior. On January 20, we reported an average daily sunspot number of 116.9 for January 12-18, 98.7 the next week, followed by 62 the week of January 26-February 1, and now 40.4 during the latest period. The solar flux forecast -- which roughly tracks sunspot numbers; we don't have access to any short term sunspot number forecast -- is also lower. The latest forecast from NOAA/USAF has solar flux at 100 on February 9-11, 105 on February 12, and 110 on February 13-24. The predicted planetary A index is 8 on February 9-10, 5 on February 11, 8 on February 12-13, 5 on February 14-22, 8 on February 23, and 5 from February 24 through the end of the month. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, February 10. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by Circle of Life from The Lion King.

This Week in Radiosport
This week:

February 10 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
February 11 -- FISTS Winter Sprint
February 11-12 -- Louisiana QSO Party; New Hampshire QSO Party; CQ WW RTTY WPX Contest
February 12 -- North American Sprint (SSB); SKCC Weekend Sprint
February 12-13 -- Classic Exchange (Phone)
February 13-17 -- ARRL School Club Roundup
February 14-15 -- PODXS 070 Club Valentine Sprint (local time)
February 15 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint; AGCW Semi-Automatic Key Evening
Next week:

February 17 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
February 17-18 -- Russian PSK WW Contest
February 18 -- Feld Hell Sprint
February 18-19 -- ARRL International DX Contest (CW); AWA Amplitude Modulation QSO Party
February 20 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
February 22 -- SKCC Sprint
February 22-23 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Be a Star! Deadline for Second Annual ARRL Video Contest is February 29

If you've ever wanted a way to show the world how exciting Amateur Radio can be, here's your chance: The ARRL is sponsoring its Second Annual Video Contest! Here's a chance to put that video camera to use: Shoot a ham radio-related video and send it our way. All videos must be postmarked by February 29, 2012. Burn your video to a CD or DVD using the appropriate software and mail it to ARRL Video Contest, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Do not attempt to send it via e-mail, as our e-mail system cannot accommodate large files. Read more here.

+ Silent Key: Former ITU-R Director Dick Kirby, W0LCT/HB9BOA (SK)

Former ITU-R Director Dick Kirby, W0LCT/HB9BOA (SK)

Richard "Dick" Kirby, W0LCT/HB9BOA, passed away on January 26. He was 89. In 1974, Kirby -- an ARRL Life Member -- was elected Director of the International Telecommunication Union's International Radio Consultative Committee; he served as Director until his retirement in 1995. In 1992, under Kirby's tenure as Director, the Committee became the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R). One of three sectors at the ITU, ITU-R is responsible for matters concerning radio communication. Its role is to manage the international radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbit resources, and to develop standards for radiocommunication systems with the objective of ensuring the effective use of the spectrum. While at the ITU, Kirby also served as President of the International Amateur Radio Club, 4U1ITU, the Amateur Radio station at ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Read more here.

+ Silent Key: Astronaut Janice Voss, KC5BTK (SK)

Astronaut Janice Voss, KC5BTK (SK)

NASA astronaut Janice Voss, KC5BTK, of Houston, Texas, passed away on February 7 from cancer. She was 55. One of only six women who have flown in space five times, Voss' career was highlighted by her work and dedication to scientific payloads and exploration. Voss participated in making ham radio contacts from space via the Space Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX), the precursor to the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. Read more here.

Silent Key: WorldRadio Founder Armond Noble, N6WR (SK)

WorldRadio Founder Armond Noble, N6WR (SK)

Armond Noble, N6WR -- the founder of WorldRadio magazine and its publisher for 37 years -- passed away February 1 in Sacramento, California after a short illness. He was 77. WorldRadio was published monthly in printed form from July 1971 until the end of 2008, when Noble sold the magazine to Hicksville, New York-based CQ Communications Inc. With its February 2009 edition, the publication was renamed WorldRadio Online and became the first online-only major Amateur Radio publication . Read more here.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
February 10-12 -- ARRL Northern Florida Section Convention, Orlando, Florida
February 17-18 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, Yuma, Arizona
February 18 -- ARRL Arkansas Section Convention, Hoxie, Arkansas
February 25 -- ARRL Vermont State Convention, South Burlington, Vermont
March 3 -- ARRL Santa Clara Valley Section Convention, Del Rey Oaks, California; ARRL South Texas Section Convention, Rosenberg, Texas
March 3-4 -- ARRL Alabama Section Convention, Birmingham, Alabama
March 9-10 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention, Rayne, Louisiana; ARRL Oklahoma State Convention, Claremore, Oklahoma
March 10-11 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Concord, North Carolina
March 17 -- ARRL Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska; ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention, Stuart, Florida; ARRL West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas
March 23-24 -- ARRL Maine State Convention, Lewiston, Maine
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

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Copyright © 2012 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 01/19/2012

2012-01-24T15:14:00.000-08:00

January 19, 2012
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ ARRL Board of Directors Holds 2012 Annual Meeting, Okays Electronic Balloting for Division Elections
+ ARRL Bestows Awards at 2012 Annual Meeting
+ ARRL Board Welcomes Rick Niswander, K7GM, as New Treasurer
+ A Reminder: Postage Rates To Rise this Month
+ Army MARS Resumes Use of Winlink 2000
+ US District Court for Maine Issues Order Granting Summary Judgment against Glenn Baxter, K1MAN
Solar Update
This Week in Radiosport
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News.

+ ARRL Board of Directors Holds 2012 Annual Meeting, Okays Electronic Balloting for Division Elections

ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, (in red), presided over the 2012 ARRL Annual Meeting, held January 13-14. She was re-elected to a second term as ARRL President. [Steve Ford, WB8IMY, Photo]

The ARRL Board of Directors held its 2012 Annual Meeting January 13-14, 2012 in Windsor, Connecticut, under the chairmanship of President Kay Craigie, N3KN. Newly elected Delta Division Director David Norris, K5UZ, attended his first Board meeting as Director. In addition, two recently elected Vice Directors -- Glen Clayton, W4BDB, Delta Division, and Dale Williams, WA8EFK, Great Lakes Division -- attended their first Board meeting.

After viewing a demonstration of electronic balloting, the Board adopted amendments to the ARRL Bylaws that will permit the implementation of electronic voting in the 2012 fall elections for Director and Vice Director of the Central, Hudson, New England, Northwestern and Roanoke Divisions. Plans call for paper ballots still to be mailed to those members who have not shared their e-mail addresses with the ARRL, or who simply prefer to cast their votes by mail. Supervision of the balloting is the responsibility of the Ethics and Elections Committee. Read more here.

+ ARRL Bestows Awards at 2012 Annual Meeting

The ARRL Board of Directors had the pleasure and distinction of bestowing three annual awards on six recipients at its 2012 Annual Meeting: The George Hart Distinguished Service Award, the Bill Leonard, W2SKE, Professional Media Award for print, audio and video, and the ARRL International Humanitarian Award. Read more here.

+ ARRL Board Welcomes Rick Niswander, K7GM, as New Treasurer
When ARRL Treasurer Jim McCobb, K1LU, announced last year that he would retire after more than three decades of volunteer service to the ARRL, ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, appointed a search committee to find a suitable replacement. The committee received many resumes from League members, and after interviewing several applicants, selected Rick Niswander, K7GM, of Greenville, North Carolina. At the 2012 ARRL Annual Meeting, Niswander was elected by the Board of Directors as the sixth Treasurer of the ARRL.

Rick Niswander, K7GM, of Greenville, North Carolina, was elected as the sixth ARRL Treasurer at the 2012 ARRL Annual Meeting.

Niswander -- an ARRL Life Member -- has been the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance for East Carolina University since 2010, where he is the senior executive responsible for all financial, administrative, and operational activities at the university. Prior to that appointment, he served as ECU's Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs and Dean of its College of Business. He is also a Professor of Accounting at the university. Niswander is also the Executive Treasurer for the ECU Foundation, the ECU Medical Foundation, the ECU Alumni Association and the Pirate Club (the ECU athletic booster club). A Certified Public Accountant since 1981, he holds a BBA in Accounting from Idaho State University and a PhD in Accounting from Texas A&M University. Read more here.

+ A Reminder: Postage Rates To Rise this Month

Beginning Sunday, January 22, it will cost more to mail first class letters, postcards and packages within the US. The cost to mail a first class letter will be 45 cents, an increase of 1 cent. According to the USPS, this is the first increase since May 2009. The cost of mailing a postcard will be 32 cents, an increase of 3 cents. This is the second increase for postcard postage in less than a year; in April 2011, the USPS boosted the postcard stamp price from 28 cents to 29 cents. You will also pay more to send letters to Canada, Mexico and other international destinations. Click here for more information on all the postal increases.

+ Army MARS Resumes Use of Winlink 2000

According to Government Liaison for Army MARS Pudge Forrester, AAA9GL, Lieutenant General Susan Lawrence has reversed the decision to phase out the use of the Winlink 2000 global radio e-mail system by Army MARS members. General Lawrence stated that the Army -- after reviewing its capabilities -- had decided that the continued use of Winlink 2000 was a valuable asset to Army MARS members and to the agencies that were using the service. She issued a statement to that effect on December 21, 2011. On January 5, 2012, the Chief of Army MARS officially notified his membership that the phase out notice had been rescinded. Army MARS members and agencies who had been using the service hailed the decision by General Lawrence and resumed use of Winlink 2000.

+ US District Court for Maine Issues Order Granting Summary Judgment against Glenn Baxter, K1MAN

On January 10, the US District Court for Maine issued a ruling in the FCC's lawsuit to collect monetary forfeitures issued to Glenn Baxter, K1MAN, of Belgrade Lakes, Maine. The FCC had assessed forfeitures in the amount of $21,000 against Baxter on three asserted violations of the Communications Act of 1934 and its regulations: Failure to respond to an FCC inquiry in violation of Title 47, Section 308 of the US Code, willful or malicious interference with other radio transmissions in violation of Section 97.101(d), and engaging in communications in which he has a pecuniary interest in violation of Section 97.113(a)(3).

Chief US District Judge John A. Woodcock Jr, in writing for the Court, agreed with the FCC on the first two counts -- willful or repeated failure to respond to FCC requests for information, and willful or malicious interference -- and granted summary judgments to the FCC in the amount of $3000 and $7000, respectively. On the third claim -- communications in which an amateur station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest -- the Court declined to grant a summary judgment to the FCC, holding that there were issues of material fact to be litigated in the Court in later proceedings. Find a link to the complete decision here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, January 19, 2012 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) image was taken in the continuum near the Ni I 6768 Angstrom line. The most prominent features are the sunspots. This is very much how the Sun looks in the visible range of the spectrum.

Tad "Fooling me like the Sun in the winter" Cook, K7RA, reports: New sunspot groups appeared on every day over the past week. On January 12, new sunspot group 1396 appeared, and the next day two more -- 1397 and 1398 -- popped into view. On January 14, four new sunspot groups appeared: 1399, 1400, 1401 and 1402. January 15 saw group 1391 vanish and new group 1403 emerge. Two more appeared January 16 -- 1404 and 1405 -- while 1397 vanished. On January 17, 1406 appeared and 1395 disappeared, while 1407 emerged on January 18. The average daily sunspot numbers rose this week, from 90.6 to 116.9, while the solar flux stayed about the same, changing from 134.9 to 133.4. The latest predictions have a solar flux of 150 on January 19-20, 155 on January 21-22, 160 on January 23-25, 155 on January 26, 140 on January 27-29, and 135 on January 30-February 6; we are still looking for a solar flux peak of 165 on February 17-21. The predicted flux values of 160 on January 23-25 are markedly higher than the 145 predicted last week for the same dates. The predicted planetary A index is 6, 8, 5, 8 and 12 on January 19-23, and 5 on January 24 through the end of the month. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, January 20. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by Max Graham's Sun in Winter.

This Week in Radiosport
This week:

January 20 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
January 21 -- Feld Hell Sprint; LZ Open Contest
January 21-22 -- North American QSO Party (SSB); Hungarian DX Contest; YL-ISSB QSO Party (SSB)
January 21-23 -- ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes
January 25 -- SKCC Sprint
January 25-26 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
Next week:

January 27 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint; NCCC Sprint Ladder
January 27-29 -- CQ 160 Meter Contest (CW)
January 28-29 -- BARTG RTTY Sprint; REF Contest (CW); UBA DX Contest (SSB); SPAR Winter Field Day
January 28 -- WAB 1.8 MHz Phone Contest
January 29 -- QRP ARCI Fireside SSB Sprint
January 29-30 -- Classic Exchange (CW)
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
January 27-28 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi
February 4 -- ARRL Virginia State Convention, Richmond, Virginia; ARRL South Carolina State Convention, Ladson, South Carolina
February 10-12 -- ARRL Northern Florida Section Convention, Orlando, Florida
February 17-18 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, Yuma, Arizona
February 18 -- ARRL Arkansas Section Convention, Hoxie, Arkansas
February 25 -- ARRL Vermont State Convention, South Burlington, Vermont
March 3 -- ARRL Santa Clara Valley Section Convention, Del Rey Oaks, California; ARRL South Texas Section Convention, Rosenberg, Texas
March 3-4 -- ARRL Alabama Section Convention, Birmingham, Alabama
March 9-10 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention, Rayne, Louisiana; ARRL Oklahoma State Convention, Claremore, Oklahoma
March 10-11 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Concord, North Carolina
March 17 -- ARRL Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska; ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention, Stuart, Florida; ARRL West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas
March 23-24 -- ARRL Maine State Convention, Lewiston, Maine
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here to advertise in this newsletter.

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2012 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARES E-Letter 01/18/2012

2012-01-24T15:06:00.000-08:00

January 18, 2012
Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE

In This Issue:

Army MARS and Winlink Update
Reminder to ARRL local Emergency Coordinators and Section Emergency Coordinators
Nacogdoches (Texas) ARC Assists in Angelina River Bottom Fire
Operators to Demo EmComms in Michigan
Michigan EmComm Group Selects One of its Own for Award
Letters: COML
ARES Supports Major Extreme Racing Event in Kentucky
K1CE For a Final
_________

Army MARS and Winlink Update
According to Pudge Forrester, AAA9GL, government liaison for Army MARS, Lieutenant General Susan Lawrence has reversed the decision to phase out the use of the WinLink 2000 global radio e-mail system by Army MARS members.

Ms Lawrence stated that the Army, after reviewing its capabilities, had decided that the continued use of WinLink 2000 was a valuable asset to Army MARS members and agencies that were using the service. She issued a statement to that effect on December 21, 2011. On January 5, 2012, the Chief of Army MARS officially notified his membership that the phase out notice had been rescinded.

Army MARS members and agencies who had been using the service hailed the decision by Ms Lawrence and resumed use of WinLink 2000.

Reminder to ARRL local Emergency Coordinators and Section Emergency Coordinators
Do not forget to submit your 2011 annual reports to ARRL HQ. EC's may access form C "EC Annual Report" on the Public Service page. The form may be downloaded as a Word document. Once completed email it to ARRL Field Services Supervisor, Steve Ewald, WV1X, sewald@arrl.org or you may mail it to ARRL HQ, 225 Main St. Newington, CT 06111.

Section Emergency Coordinators are reminded to submit their monthly SEC reports. This can be done online.

Nacogdoches (Texas) ARC Assists in Angelina River Bottom Fire
"Command, this is Lilbert."

"Go ahead Lilbert; this is Command."

"Command, a civilian stopped by just now and notified us that some heavy smoke is visible south of County Road 343 within a mile of the Angelina River bridge. She says the smoke was not there earlier."

"Roger, Lilbert. We will pass that information on. KD5GEN"

"Thank you, Command. KE5EXX"

This was one of the QSOs between Rusty Sanders, KD5GEN, and myself on the afternoon of September 7, 2011. Sanders was at the Angelina River Bottom Fire Command Center that was established in the small town of Douglass, Texas. I was located in a small church in the Lilbert community that was acting as a supply point for the firefighters. Douglass is just three miles north of where the Piney Woods of East Texas was ablaze.

Earlier that day, the Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office had contacted Kent Tannery, KD5SHM, and asked if the Nacogdoches Amateur Radio Club could provide communications assistance to the firefighters. Tannery then called the Nacogdoches County Emergency Management Planning Section Chief, Tara Triana, to find out what was needed and where. Tannery said, "They told me they wanted three hams at the three places (Douglass, Lilbert, and Sacul), but then Tara told me they needed help monitoring the three different fire locations that were using the Texas Fire frequencies and relay for them."

The State of Texas has an Interoperability Channel Plan that allows multiple agencies to communicate with each other. In the case of Texas Fire1, Texas Fire2, and Texas Fire3, these are all VHF simplex frequencies. The density of the forest, as well as the distance between outposts, were barriers for firefighters' communication with each other or the command post, with their VHF hand-helds in simplex mode.

Tannery continued, "Then I knew what to take and what we needed to do and looked up those frequencies and e-mailed them to Army Curtis, AE5P." Curtis immediately activated an emergency net on the club's 147.32 MHz repeater and coordinated activating Rusty Sanders, KD5GEN, to man the Command Center; Kent Tannery, KD5SHM, to operate from Sacul; and myself, KE5EXX, to operate from Lilbert.

We ended up using two ICOM IC-2720 units and a Yaesu FT-1500 to communicate between the three remote locations and act as relays to the different fire departments who could not communicate over the large forest. The Sheriff's Office supplied each of us with portable radios. We also provided health and welfare traffic, such as confirming that assets were moved to the correct location or that food and drinks were provided to the firefighters.

The club maintains three ready-to-go kits: An "Orange Box Kit" that contains an ICOM IC-2720H, a Kantronics KPC-3+; another box kit that contains a Yaesu FT-8800; and a "Wooden Box Kit" that contains a Yaesu FT-1500. At the time of the fires, the club also had one W3FF

"Orange Box" Ready to Go Kit.
mast, tripod, a guying assembly, and a VHF 1/4 wave ground plane manufactured by Centerfire Antenna. (The club has since been provided with three additional mast/tripod/antenna kits.)

As soon as I arrived on location, I checked in with the point of contact and told her why I was there. I looked for the best place to setup, preferably someplace quiet and out of the way. I originally attempted to use a 5/8's wave mag mount on a cookie sheet from the inside of the building, but I was unable to make the repeater. In order for me to get on the air, I put the mag mount on the roof of the metal building I was in and ran the coax in through a window.

Lessons Learned

We learned quite a bit from this event. Although all of us were activated during the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster and numerous hurricanes that have hit our area, this was new territory for many of us. Until now, we had not operated from such remote areas. We found that we needed to add more coax to our go kits. We also found that we needed more of the mast/tripod/antenna kits that were later donated to us.

Nacogdoches County Sheriff Thomas Kerss commented, "We realized the value of incorporating the use of Amateur Radio into our operations several years ago during the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. We continue to see that value today. Thanks to the efforts of the local Amateur Radio operators during the Angelina River Bottom Fire we were able to establish communication links with emergency responders in areas of our county that would not have been possible otherwise." -- Andy Delgado, KE5EXX, Nacogdoches, Texas

Operators to Demo EmComms in Michigan
Muskegon, Michigan - Hundreds of Amateur Radio operators across the country will be displaying their emergency communication capabilities on Saturday, January 28, 2012. The public is invited to step out and view what Amateur Radio communications can do in times of emergencies. The Society for the Preservation of Amateur Radio (SPAR) established a Winter Field Day event in 2007 and invited Amateur Radio operators to participate. Using emergency power, operators will construct, and operate portable emergency stations in parks, shopping malls, schools, and backyards across the country. Operators will demonstrate long and short range voice, data, and Morse code communications.

In the Muskegon area the Muskegon County Emergency Communication Services, Inc. (MCECS) and the Muskegon Area Amateur Radio Council (MAARC) will be demonstrating their communication skills at the Muskegon Conservation Club, North Muskegon, on that Saturday from noon until 7:00 PM. Other groups from around the country are encouraged to join in. -- James Duram, K8COP, Emergency Coordinator, Muskegon County, Michigan

Michigan EmComm Group Selects One of its Own for Award
The Muskegon County (Michigan) Emergency Communication Services, Inc. a local non-profit amateur radio group involved in emergency communications, has awarded Barbara Grob, K9BLG, the Al Ronning Outstanding Service Award. The award is given each December to a member of the group that has gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to this organization. This recognition is given in memory of Al Ronning, K8AER, who was an inspiration to other members of the group in his tireless effort in public service. Ronning was a member of the group who died in an automobile crash in December, 2006. James Duram, K8COP, Emergency Coordinator, Muskegon County, awarded the plaque to Grob at their December meeting.

Letters: COML
The item in the December 21, 2011 ARES E-Letter does a good job of describing the role of the Type III Communications Unit Leader (COML). However, readers should be aware that actual certification requires task completion and sign-off of a task book that may be impossible to achieve if one is not already appropriately employed in a public-safety agency. Thus, I don't think the rating is achievable for hams not already "in the business." -- Marty Woll, N6VI, Vice Director, ARRL Southwestern Division; Assistant DEC, ARESLAX BCUL 15 and Training Officer, LAFD ACS, CERT III

In the recent ARES E-Letter there was the statement "This COML training will qualify emergency responders to lead ICS communications units if they possess the necessary prerequisites, including knowledge of the following: local communications; communications systems; and regional, State, and local communications plans." To be more correct, the training alone doesn't "qualify" emergency responders by itself after one takes the COML Training (and I have). The most important part of the process to achieve COML qualification is completion of a task book that the student receives. This document gets signed off on each of the tasks by served agency staff in authority to see first hand that the student demonstrates the capabilities of the position. This task book must be signed off when the student demonstrates experience in real world events or exercises. Then, the task book must be submitted to a State Level organization that has the responsibility for certifying the student before they can say anything other than they attended the course. The COML qualification is not awarded until those additional steps take place. Merely taking the course is not sufficient. I should note that the Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications (DHS - OES) is also running other courses that would be useful to radio amateurs: COMT and RADO, all being important and specific roles in the NIMS/ICS framework.

Here in North Carolina we (ARES and MARS) have a strong effort to support the agencies we serve - and I'm sure the effort is equally as strong in other states. That being said, I can say with some confidence that a good number of COMLs in North Carolina who have had their task books submitted for approval are hams! The DHS OEC staff just last week came to North Carolina for our second State Communications Interoperability Summit. There were many hams in attendance, and among the many events and training opportunities, with Amateur Radio having a major role in this Summit, there was a two day exercise for COML students from previous COML courses and a small number of students demonstrated all the task book capabilities to multiple COML qualified evaluators so that some or all of their COML tasks could be signed off by DHS and State qualified evaluators for submission to our State Interoperability Executive Committee, which certifies COMLs here.

North Carolina has led the way in the number of ARES operators getting ICS course completion as well as AUXCOMM training: North Carolina ARES/MARS/AUXCOMM hams are in exercises and real-world demonstrations, showing our served agencies the benefits of having a partnership with NIMS/ICS-trained Amateur Radio operators serving the emergency response agencies in our State, along with the communities they protect and support. -- P. A. Sadowski, AH6LS, IT Manager, North Carolina State Highway Patrol Technical Services Unit, Raleigh, North Carolina

ARES Supports Major Extreme Racing Event in Kentucky
The United States Adventure Race Association (USARA) National Championship Extreme Racing event was held October 7 to 8, 2011 in McCreary County, Kentucky. It is a cross country extreme Ironman event consisting of three person coed teams from across the United States, involving hiking, biking, canoeing, and orienteering.

The event was coordinated at Cumberland Falls State Park, with the race starting at Blue Heron in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area at 8:00 AM on Friday. The first team finished exactly 20 hours and 15 minutes later in the early morning hours of Saturday.

Communications was provided by Region 5 ARES from McCreary, Pulaski, and Whitley counties, Kentucky. Operators were positioned at six Transition Areas, and reported arrivals and departures of each team at each Areas.

Many legs were involved, starting with a short hike from the start point before the teams transitioned to mountain bikes. An orienteering course tested the teams' map and compass ability. At Bell Farm the teams started a time trial event called "The King of the Mountain," which tested the teams' endurance for a climb to the top of Peter's Mountain Lookout Tower. More biking was followed by the teams transitioning to canoes to paddle a distance of 5.7 miles, with another orienteering course at the end of the paddle. More paddling and biking was followed by more orienteering courses. Total distance was 78.2 miles through some of the most beautiful country in the eastern United States.

Lessons Learned

ARES operators performed with excellence, totaling 23 hours of continuous operation. The repeater used was the 444.050 MHz machine, Williamsburg, Kentucky, owned and maintained by Will Jones, KB4PTJ, which offered outstanding coverage including hand-held coverage in most places along the river gorge.

The challenge was the size of the course and the number of operators who were able to volunteer their time and resources to such a major task. I was forced to ask several operators to move from one Transition Point to another to provide information as the contestants checked in and out. I have had a difficult time recruiting enough ARES members and that was the main reason for some lack of coverage.

The ARES net control station (NCS) was established in a room at DuPont Lodge and sent information upstairs to race officials who in turn posted it on the USARA website. Due to limited access of an entry point for our coax and antenna location we were forced to be in a separate room from the race officials. This problem was overcome by the NCS operators' adaptability, relaying reports from the field by texting and sending e-mails to race officials. But, the bottom line is the NCS operation and the USARA bloggers should have been co-located.

Another issue was lack of food for the communications personnel at each Transition Point. Since all operators were informed to bring their own food should none be available, it was not a problem. The lesson is: When deployed on any type of public service event or an actual emergency, an ARES member should be self sustaining, and not rely on being provided with this type of support.

The participation by ARES members from different Kentucky districts was great. Operators fell into place without any problems. NCS was up and running before the race start and was well staffed with four operators and several radios to cover the primary as well as the secondary frequency. Net Control operators were members of the Lake Cumberland ARA, due to their duty-specific training by Don Munsey, AC4DM, Pulaski County, and performed flawlessly.

Our effort was typical of an actual emergency response and was excellent training for all involved. More information on the race here. -- Randall E. Gilreath, AD4WB, District Emergency Coordinator, District 11 ARES Kentucky Section

K1CE For a Final
Here is a news story from my home town of Palm Coast, in Flagler County, Florida, written by Public Information Officer Eddie Cail, KJ4LRB, that I particularly enjoyed:

2012 ARRL KID'S DAY EVENT

By Eddie Cail, KJ4LRB

Flagler County ARES and The Flagler Palm Coast Amateur Radio Club hosted the ARRL Kid's Day event this past Sunday in Palm Coast. Participants included Boy Scout Troop 402 who were working on Radio merit badges and youth from all over the county.

The objective was to get youth on the air and get them interested in Amateur Radio by passing basic traffic over HF and other modes. Children were able to log their traffic and see what it was like to work stations near and far.

Both groups are working to garner youth's interests and advancing their education to the point of obtaining their licenses. FPCARC runs a cadet program year round educating students on various aspects of Amateur Radio and both organizations hope to run similar events during the year.

_________

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Copyright © 2012 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 01/12/2012

2012-01-17T17:15:00.000-08:00

Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ ARRL Board of Directors Gather this Weekend for 2012 Annual Meeting
+ FCC News: FCC Denies ARRL Petition on Vanity, Club Call Signs
+ ARRL Meets 2011 Fundraising Goals
+ Get Ready for the February Issue of QST
On the Air: The ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes Means Winter Contesting Fun for Everyone
+ FCC News: FCC Grants Special Temporary Authority for Amateur Spread Spectrum Experiments
+ FCC News: Radio Amateurs Not Affected by Narrowbanding Requirements
+ On the Air: ARRL Requests Feedback for 60 Meter Band Plan
Solar Update
Technology News: Videos of 2011 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference Now Available Online
Amateur Radio Fun: New QuickStats Poll Now Available on ARRL Website
This Week in Radiosport
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News.

+ ARRL Board of Directors Gather this Weekend for 2012 Annual Meeting

ARRL policy is made by its Board of Directors. The 15 voting members of the Board are the Directors who are elected by the ARRL members in their respective divisions. The Board meets in January and July, usually in the Hartford area. ARRL members also elect Vice Directors who may attend the meetings. ARRL Directors and Vice Directors are volunteers who work hard to represent the ARRL in their divisions, to represent the members who elect them on policy issues and to conduct the committee work that is so important to good decision-making.

The 2012 Annual Meeting begins on Friday, January 13 and is expected to run through Saturday afternoon. Usually, the Annual Meeting is held the third full weekend in January, but with the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) beginning January 23, the Board voted to hold its meeting early.

The two Standing Committees -- the Administration & Finance (A&F) Committee and the Programs & Services Committee -- will meet on Thursday, January 12. These two committees are made up of five Directors and a Vice Director, with the treasurer serving as an additional member of the A&F Committee. Read more here.

+ FCC News: FCC Denies ARRL Petition on Vanity, Club Call Signs
On January 11, the FCC denied an ARRL Petition for Reconsideration concerning vanity and club call signs. Filed with the Commission in January 2011, the ARRL's Petition was in response to the FCC's Report and Order that detailed rules changes to the vanity call sign system and call signs for Amateur Radio clubs. These new rules went into effect on February 14, 2011.

The FCC noted that the ARRL supports its efforts to prevent club stations from obtaining an unfair share of desirable call signs, but expresses concern that the specific rule language adopted by the Commission "does not preclude the abuses that the Report and Order intended to preclude." In its Petition, the ARRL stated that if a club has multiple station trustees, each of these trustees could obtain a vanity call sign for the club, thereby allowing the club to obtain multiple vanity call signs. The ARRL also argued that a club could "'gam[e]' the club station vanity call sign system" by obtaining multiple FCC Registration Numbers (FRNs) and applying for a vanity call sign under each FRN. "We do not believe that the vanity call sign system is subject to the abuses identified by the ARRL," the FCC said, "or that it's suggested rule changes are necessary." Read more here.

+ ARRL Meets 2011 Fundraising Goals

Thanks to the generosity of dedicated members and friends, the ARRL successfully met its 2011 fundraising goals. More than 6000 individuals and clubs supported the efforts of the ARRL this past year through gifts to the Diamond Club, the Spectrum Defense Fund, the Education & Technology Fund, the Historic Preservation Fund, the W1AW Endowment Fund and the ARRL Endowment Fund.

Many of the ARRL's programs and services would not be possible without the additional support of its members. The Development Office -- managed by Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH -- worked tirelessly throughout 2011 to make the membership aware of these needs. "I am proud to report that our members have enthusiastically and generously responded to our appeals all year long," Hobart said. "Our overall goal for 2011 was $960,000. As of the end of the year, we had met -- and exceeded -- all expectations. To everyone who made this possible, thank you!" Read more here.

+ Get Ready for the February Issue of QST
The February issue of QST is jam-packed with all sorts of things that today's Amateur Radio operator needs. This issue celebrates 50 years of the Amateur Satellite Service, marking the December 1961 launch of OSCAR 1, the first Amateur Radio satellite. Discover articles, projects and tips to improve your station, as well as information about operating activities that will keep you active on the air throughout 2012.

With energy costs skyrocketing, many people are looking to find ways to save on their electric bill. It's no secret that radios, amplifiers and all the peripherals in your shack can drive up the cost of your monthly usage. With this in mind, Mert Nellis, W0UFO, presents "Characterizing Solar Panels for Amateur Radio Applications." Solar panels use the Sun to produce electrical current to charge a battery, providing steady power for radios and small appliances. And moving your station off the grid may be easier than you think. In his article "Going Totally Green," Dave Gauger, W9CJS, explains that it is simple to make your station environmentally friendly. Gauger notes that he didn't set out to "go green" to save money on his electric bill, but did it for the fun and challenge, as well as to have the ability to provide substantial HF communications in the event of a major power outage.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the ARRL's DXCC Award, the world's preeminent DXing award. To celebrate this milestone, the ARRL is presenting the Diamond DXCC Challenge. We are challenging DXers worldwide to work at least 100 of the 231 entities representing those on the original 1937 DXCC List. And when you're out there hunting that DX, why not swing your beam south for Antarctic Activity Week? Ruth Vano, KB0USC, tells the story of this annual event sponsored by the Worldwide Antarctic Program in her article "To the End of the Earth -- Antarctic Activity Week."

ARRL Contributing Editor Phil Salas, AD5X, takes a look at the Elecraft KPA500 HF/6 meter power amplifier in this month's Product Review. He says this "fully featured amplifier looks and works great on your desk or at your DX location. It's 160 to 6 meter 500 W capability, auto band switching and PIN diode switching integrate well with all transceivers." QST Product Review Editor Mark Wilson, K1RO, test drove four 25 A switch mode power supplies: the Jetstream JTPS30M, the Powerwerx SS-30DV, the QJE DX PS30SWII and the Ten-Tec model 941.

Of course, there are the usual columns you know and expect in the February QST: Happenings, Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is In, How's DX, Vintage Radio and more. Look for your February issue in your mailbox. QST is the official journal of ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. QST is just one of the many benefits of ARRL membership. To join or renew your ARRL membership, please see the ARRL Web page.

On the Air: The ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes Means Winter Contesting Fun for Everyone

Stuart Turner, W0STU, of Monument, Colorado, participated in the 2011 ARRL January 2011 Sweepstakes -- his first contest ever! Turner operated portable from the top of Mount Herman near his home. "I had some troubles with my hastily homebrewed 6 meter dipole -- I should have checked it out better before the contest," he said. But I still snagged several 6 meter contacts and grids. I had a blast contacting a herd of recently licensed technician boy scouts from my local Troop 6 in Monument. Overall, this was a terrific and exciting day for my first contest experience." [Photo courtesy of Stuart Turner, W0STU]

VHF operators will be on the bands in force the weekend of January 21-23, as the ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes hits the airwaves. This contest gives the VHFer in all of us a chance to do some contesting during the winter months. "Don't let the cold weather in much of the US dissuade you from getting on the air," said ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X. "Many a portable or Rover operation has done just fine in January. While propagation enhancement can seem fleeting in January, there have been some monstrous openings during this contest in years past. Who knows? Perhaps the propagation gods will grant us a late holiday gift with an extended aurora or tropospheric event!" Read more here.

+ FCC News: FCC Grants Special Temporary Authority for Amateur Spread Spectrum Experiments
Phil Williams, KA1GMN, has been granted a Special Temporary Authority (STA) by the Federal Communications Commission to conduct Spread Spectrum experiments within 2.5 kHz signal bandwidths on 160 through 2 meters, at a maximum of 100 W effective radiated power. The six month authorization takes effect February 1 and expires on July 31. The FCC has assigned Williams the call sign WF9XJD for use during his experimental transmissions. Read more here.

+ FCC News: Radio Amateurs Not Affected by Narrowbanding Requirements

The FCC released a Public Notice on January 6, reminding land mobile licensees, frequency coordinators and equipment manufacturers that they have less than one year to transition to narrowband operations in the 150-174 and 421-512 MHz bands. While the latter frequency range includes amateur service allocations, radio amateurs are not affected by the narrowbanding requirement. Land mobile operation is permitted in parts of the 421-430 MHz band in the areas around Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo, and land mobile licensees in these areas are among those who will have to migrate to narrowband (12.5 kHz or narrower) technology by January 1, 2013. Amateur operation is not permitted along the Canadian border (north of Line A as defined in the FCC Rules) in the band 420-430 MHz.

+ On the Air: ARRL Requests Feedback for 60 Meter Band Plan
In November 2011, the FCC released a Report & Order detailing new rules for the 5 MHz (60 meters) Amateur Radio band. As of January 12, these rules have not yet been published in the Federal Register. In order to be official, the rules must be published in the Federal Register and will take effect 30 days after the publication date. The R&O brings with it a number of changes for 60 meter operators. Considering the expected increase in 60 meter activity when the R&O finally takes effect, the ARRL is asking for feedback to assist in crafting a proposed band plan. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, January 12, 2012 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This image was taken at 304 Angstrom; the bright material is at 60,000 to 80,000 Kelvin.

Tad "Searching for a way to January Sun" Cook, K7RA, reports: The average daily sunspot numbers were up this week by a tiny bit, from 88.1 to 90.6, while the average daily solar flux was down slightly, from 136.2 to 134.9. The latest daily projection from NOAA/USAF shows the solar flux about 15 points lower than the average for the week, at 120 on January 12-15, 125 on January 16-19, and then a jump of 20 points to 145 on January 20-26. It should decline again, and then rise to a peak of 165 on February 17-21. The predicted planetary A index is 5 on January 12, 8 on January 13-14, 5 on January 15-17, 8 on January 18-19, and then back to 5 on January 20-27. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, January 13. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by Vanden Plas' January Sun.

Technology News: Videos of 2011 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference Now Available Online
Amateur Radio Video News (ARVN) has released high-definition videos of all the talks presented at the 2011 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC), held September 16-18. The programs are now available online on the ARVN website.

The DCC is a three-day conference on Amateur Radio digital technology. Among the video presentations are 18 seminars, the Saturday Banquet and the welcome introduction by TAPR Chairman Steve Bible, N7HPR. According to ARVN Producer Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, most of the talks are fairly technical, although there are four separate sessions that cover "Intro to" topics. "All of the talks -- except the 'Intro to' talks -- were shot in three-camera high-definition, with wireless mics for 'close-up' audio of the presenter, as well as the question-and-answer period," he explained. "The 'Intro to' talks were shot with a single, standard-definition camera.

This year, Pearce decided to release the programs on the web instead of the DVDs that have been produced in previous years (although the DVDs will be available later). "I wanted to make the programs available more quickly and easily to a worldwide audience," he said. "The web has become an easy, high-quality distribution medium."

Amateur Radio Fun: New QuickStats Poll Now Available on ARRL Website
Four new poll questions have just been published on the QuickStats page on the ARRL website. Let your voice be heard!

Questions in this month's QuickStats poll:

Do you have a call sign license plate on your vehicle?
Do you still have some vacuum tubes in your parts box?
Will the new privileges on the 60 meter band make you more inclined to operate there?
Are you active on APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System)?
Visit the QuickStats page and be sure to bookmark it in your browser. Results from this QuickStats poll will be published in the April 2012 issue of QST on the QuickStats page, located in the rear advertising section of the magazine. Along with monthly poll results, QST QuickStats offers colorful charts and graphs that highlight interesting Amateur Radio statistics.

This Week in Radiosport
This week:

January 13 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
January 14-15 -- North American QSO Party (CW); WW PMC Contest; Michigan QRP January CW Contest
January 16 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
January 19 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
Next week:

January 20 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
January 21 -- Feld Hell Sprint; LZ Open Contest
January 21-22 -- North American QSO Party (SSB); Hungarian DX Contest; YL-ISSB QSO Party (SSB)
January 21-23 -- ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes
January 25 -- SKCC Sprint
January 25-26 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
January 27-28 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi
February 4 -- ARRL Virginia State Convention, Richmond, Virginia; ARRL South Carolina State Convention, Ladson, South Carolina
February 10-12 -- ARRL Northern Florida Section Convention, Orlando, Florida
February 17-18 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, Yuma, Arizona
February 18 -- ARRL Arkansas Section Convention, Hoxie, Arkansas
February 25 -- ARRL Vermont State Convention, South Burlington, Vermont
March 3 -- ARRL Santa Clara Valley Section Convention, Del Rey Oaks, California; ARRL South Texas Section Convention, Rosenberg, Texas
March 3-4 -- ARRL Alabama Section Convention, Birmingham, Alabama
March 9-10 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention, Rayne, Louisiana; ARRL Oklahoma State Convention, Claremore, Oklahoma
March 10-11 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Concord, North Carolina
March 17 -- ARRL Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska; ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention, Stuart, Florida; ARRL West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas
March 23-24 -- ARRL Maine State Convention, Lewiston, Maine
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

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Copyright © 2012 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 01/05/2012

2012-01-05T14:08:00.000-08:00

January 5, 2012
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ BPL Provider IBEC Announces Shutdown
+ On the Air: ARRL Announces Diamond DXCC Challenge
+ Amateur Radio in Space: ARISSat-1 Re-enters Earth's Atmosphere, Falls Silent
+ Ham Radio in Hollywood: Amateur Radio Makes Its Debut on Last Man Standing
On the Air: Round Up Those Digital QSOs in the 2012 ARRL RTTY Roundup
DIY: ARRL Launches New DIY Campaign
+ Yaesu's Amateur Radio Division Breaks with Motorola, Changes Name to Yaesu Musen
+ On the Air: ARRL 10 Meter Contest Sets Record
+ DXCC News: 2011 Sees Tremendous Increase in DXCC Applications
+ On the Air: ARRL Requests Feedback for 60 Meter Band Plan
Ham Radio in Hollywood: Amateur Radio a Plot Point in Major Motion Picture
Ham Radio in Hollywood: Can I Have "Amateur Radio" for $800, Alex?
Solar Update
ARRL Congratulates: Ashraf Abuelhaija and Klaus Solbach, DK3BA, Win December QST Cover Plaque Award
Dayton Hamvention: Nomination Deadline for Dayton Hamvention Awards Approaching
This Week in Radiosport
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News.

+ BPL Provider IBEC Announces Shutdown

IBEC -- one of the very few remaining operators of Access BPL systems -- has announced that it is closing down. In an undated announcement that appeared on the IBEC website, the company announced that it has "no other option than to close our doors and cease operations." IBEC claims that it cannot recover financially from the April 2011 tornadoes in Alabama that "ravished [sic] some of our major service areas." IBEC provided Internet service via broadband over power lines (BPL) to rural communities.

In this letter dated December 23, 2011, IBEC notified their customers that it would be discontinuing service. According to a utility company that serves portions of Tennessee and Virginia, they only found out about IBEC's closure on January 3, 2012. Click here for a larger image.

"While we regret the loss of jobs brought about by IBEC's BPL business failure, in the long run the rural areas that IBEC was trying to serve will be better served by broadband technologies that are superior to BPL and do not pollute the radio spectrum," said ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ. "While initially IBEC was cooperative in addressing the ARRL's concerns about interference to licensed radio services -- including Amateur Radio -- the ARRL was dismayed to find that the systems as actually deployed fell short of meeting even the inadequate requirements of the FCC's rules. We hope that this latest in the long string of Access BPL failures will persuade the few remaining fans of BPL to turn their attention elsewhere." Read more here.

+ On the Air: ARRL Announces Diamond DXCC Challenge
2012 is the 75th anniversary of the ARRL's DXCC Award, the world's preeminent DXing award. To celebrate this important milestone, the ARRL has gone back to the beginning -- the 1937 DXCC List.The Diamond DXCC Challenge will test DXers ability to contact all the 231 entities on the original DXCC List.

We tried to find corresponding entities today that would represent the places listed in 1937, and we were mostly successful. There are a couple of places that were merged, like French and British New Hebrides, and the Papua and New Guinea Territories. In those places, for 2012 if you work a YJ or a P29 (on the main island of New Guinea) you will get credit for working two entities! Many other oddities are sprinkled throughout the list, too. Returning to the air in 2012 will be the Canal Zone (any HP operating within 8 kilometers of the Panama Canal), the Cities of Gdansk, Poland, as well as Ifni, Morocco and Balochistan.

For some entities that now consist of multiple countries, you may work any of today's entities to qualify for that single 1937 country. For example, French Equatorial Africa will be considered worked if you log a station in TL, TN, TR or TT in 2012. The Diamond DXCC country tables show the current entity names and prefixes that qualify for the 1937 countries. Read more here.

+ Amateur Radio in Space: ARISSat-1 Re-enters Earth's Atmosphere, Falls Silent
According to AMSAT, ARISSat-1 stopped transmitting on the morning of January 4. It is believed that the satellite re-entered the Earth's atmosphere around 0700 UTC (+/- three hours) and was destroyed soon after. Telemetry reports showed that the temperature aboard ARISSat-1 had been rising as the atmospheric drag began to affect the satellite The predicted decay location is an open part of the South Atlantic, well west of Angola.

Sergei Volvok, RU3DIS, and Alexander Samokutyaev deployed ARISSat1-1 from the ISS on August 3, 2011. [Screenshot courtesy of NASA TV]

The last telemetry reports indicated that the internal temperature had topped 167 degrees Fahrenheit and was rising rapidly. Konstantin Vladimirovich, RN3ZF, sent a reception report of a pass at 0842 UTC and stated, "The telemetry was absent, voice messages were not legible, very silent and interrupted. Most likely, I saw the last minutes in the life of the satellite." The last full telemetry captured was received from ground stations as the satellite passed over Japan at 0602 UTC on January 4.

ARISSat-1 was deployed from the International Space Station on August 3, 2011 during EVA-29 on by Cosmonaut/Flight Engineers Sergei Volkov, RU3DIS, and Alexander Samokutyaev. The satellite carried a student experiment from Kursk State University in Russia that measured atmospheric density. Students from around the world provided the voices for the FM voice announcements.

AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW, said that ARISSat-1 marked a new type of satellite that captured the attention of the national space agencies around the world. "With ARISSat-1, we have we have been able to design, launch, and operate a unique educational opportunity," he explained. "By designing an educational mission aligned with NASA's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics goals, radio amateurs around the world have been able enjoy a new satellite in orbit."

ARISSat-1 achieved several "firsts" for Amateur Radio in space, including the first flight test of the AMSAT Software Defined Transponder, which included an FM voice downlink cycling between student messages, spoken telemetry and SSTV; a 16 kHz bandwidth linear transponder; a CW beacon carrying telemetry and call signs of radio amateurs (noting their significant contributions to Amateur Radio in space) and a robust, forward-error-corrected 1kbps BPSK digital downlink carrying satellite telemetry and Kursk experiment telemetry.

+ Ham Radio in Hollywood: Amateur Radio Makes Its Debut on Last Man Standing

Make Baxter, KA0XTT -- played by Tim Allen -- records his video blog. Notice the tripod is on top of the 2011 ARRL Handbook, next to a stack of QSTs. Last Man Standing airs on Tuesday nights at 8 PM (Eastern) on ABC. [Screengrab courtesy of ABC]

If you watched the January 3 episode of Last Man Standing -- the ABC hit situation comedy starring Tim Allen as Mike Baxter, KA0XTT -- you were in for a treat. While this episode didn't feature Amateur Radio per se, it did show Mike's shack in the background. Viewers could see the DXCC, Worked All States, Worked All Continents and the Morse Code Proficiency Certificate -- all provided by the ARRL -- in the first scene. Later on in the show, Mike records his video blog. Sharp-eyed viewers spotted the 2011 ARRL Handbook underneath the mini-tripod, next to issues of QST!

In the opening scene of the January 3 episode of Last Man Standing, viewers get their first glimpse of Mike's shack -- along with his impressive wall of ARRL awards and his QSL card collection. Mike's wife Vanessa (played by Nancy Travis) and his boss Ed (played by Hector Elizondo) also appear in the scene. [Screngrab courtesy of ABC]

The episode airing on January 17 will introduce Mike Baxter as KA0XTT. According to Last Man Standing Producer John Amodeo, NN6JA, Mike will have a QSO on the show. "We had two Amateur Extra class staff members complete a QSO on 10 meters and we recorded it," Amodeo explained. " Unfortunately, we were set up on a stage that is basically a Faraday cage. The very QRP signal made it radio-to-radio. We varied the RIT [receiver incremental tuning] to give it a little extra SSB sound, but I don't think the signal made it much past the stage walls. The recording will be on the show. We thought our ham viewers would get a kick out of it. Non-hams will think it's just distorted." Read more here.

On the Air: Round Up Those Digital QSOs in the 2012 ARRL RTTY Roundup
We're in the heart of the 2011-2012 contest season and this weekend offers the first major event of 2012: The ARRL RTTY Roundup. According to ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, participation in the digital modes has been growing at an amazing rate. "It's not difficult to get on the digital modes," he explained. "All it takes these days is a computer, a piece of free software and an interface to connect your computer to your rig. It's never been easier!"

Because of that ease, log submissions for the RTTY Roundup have increased about 33 percent since 2007, with 1539 logs received in 2011. "There are plenty of stations to work, including lots of DX," Kutzko said. "Many stations have achieved RTTY DXCC and RTTY WAS in a weekend. You can work toward other awards as well, such as the ARRL Triple Play Award, earned for working all 50 states on CW, SSB and digital modes (including RTTY) and confirming all of those QSOs via Logbook of The World (LoTW). Do you think you have what it takes to set a new record score for your ARRL Division or Section? Check the record scores for the RTTY Roundup and see if you can beat the best!

The 2012 ARRL RTTY Roundup runs from 1800 UTC Saturday, January 7 through 2359 UTC Sunday, January 8. Logs may be submitted electronically via e-mail. Paper logs should be sent to ARRL RTTY Roundup, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. All logs must be postmarked no later than 2359 UTC Tuesday, February 7, 2012.

DIY: ARRL Launches New DIY Campaign

The ARRL Public Relations Department has released the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) suite of interrelated promotional materials aimed at exposing the growing Do It Yourself/Maker community to Amateur Radio opportunities. The DIY movement is nothing new to Amateur Radio. For more than a century, hams have been working in basements and attics, taking things apart and putting them back together in new ways, just for the fun of it. Meanwhile, there has been a growing population of DIY hobbyists who do not know about the opportunities of Amateur Radio.

To reach this growing group, the ARRL Public Relations Department has created an entirely new set of campaign materials for ARRL Public Information Officers, groups and individual hams to use in reaching out to the DIY/Maker community. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, and Dave Bell, W6AQ, were recruited to create the new video. Recruiting volunteers throughout 2011, the duo shot more than 65 hours of high-definition video, and then edited it down to a mere 8 minutes. Titled The DIY Magic of Amateur Radio, it shows ham-makers projects from around the country. Read more here.

+ Yaesu's Amateur Radio Division Breaks with Motorola, Changes Name to Yaesu Musen

After four years under the Motorola umbrella, Yaesu has split from that company. According to Vertex Standard President and Chief Executive Officer Jun Hasegawa, effective January1, 2012, Motorola will keep the Vertex Standard Land-Mobile Division, while the amateur, marine and air-band will be under the Yaesu Musen banner. The new company will be known as Yaesu USA in the US. Read more here.

+ On the Air: ARRL 10 Meter Contest Sets Record
As of January 5, almost 5200 logs have been received for the ARRL 10 Meter Contest. Contest Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, is happy to have sunspots back: "This just goes to show what sunspots can do for activity. When the solar flux climbed to 190 in September, it was like the first warm day after a long winter; people came out to play -- and play they did, in unprecedented numbers! Activity during this contest season has been nothing short of tremendous, and it seems to have reached a zenith for the ARRL 10 Meter Contest. Old Timers and new licensees from all around the world got on the air and had one heck of a good time on 28 MHz the second weekend in December, shattering the participation record by more than 2300 logs. And we still have a week to go before the log submission deadline!"

+ DXCC News: 2011 Sees Tremendous Increase in DXCC Applications
With the coming of more sunspots, comes more DX. And when more amateurs are working DX, that means the ARRL's Membership and Volunteer Programs Department -- especially the DXCC Desk and the ARRL Incoming and Outgoing QSL Bureaus -- goes into high gear.

"In 2011, we saw an increase in the number of cards we received from ARRL members that were sent to foreign QSL bureaus, as well as the number of cards we sent out to the bureaus," said DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L. "In addition, the number of DXCC applications -- including those for initial awards and endorsements -- also increased."

As the number of QSL cards has increased, so have the number of DXCC applications. In 2010, the DXCC Desk processed 7134 applications for initial awards and endorsements; these 2010 applications included 853,462 QSOs. In 2011, the DXCC Desk processed 11,175 applications, containing 1,250,864 QSOs. "Comparing 2010 to 2011, this represents a 47 percent increase in the number of QSOs and a 57 percent increase in the number of applications," MVP Administrative Manager Sharon Taratula explained. "With all of the year's applications not yet fully processed, we've seen a substantial increase in the number of QSOs over 2010."

"Through December 31, 2011, the ARRL Outgoing QSL Bureau received 802,500 cards destined for foreign QSL bureaus from ARRL members in the US," Taratula said. "This represents an increase of 4 percent over the 2010 number of about 771,900 cards. In 2011, the ARRL shipped 799,675 cards -- or close to 5400 pounds of cards -- to foreign bureaus." Read more here.

+ On the Air: ARRL Requests Feedback for 60 Meter Band Plan
In November 2011, the FCC released a Report & Order detailing new rules for the 5 MHz (60 meters) Amateur Radio band. These rules have not yet been published in the Federal Register. In order to be official, the rules must be published in the Federal Register and will take effect 30 days after the publication date. The R&O brings with it a number of changes for 60 meter operators. Considering the expected increase in 60 meter activity when the R&O finally takes effect, the ARRL is asking for feedback to assist in crafting a proposed band plan. Read more here.

Ham Radio in Hollywood: Amateur Radio a Plot Point in Major Motion Picture

According to previews, the plot of the movie Journey 2: The Mysterious Island -- set to be released February 10 -- hinges on Amateur Radio. The movie's hero Sean Anderson (played by Josh Hutcherson) receives a coded distress signal that comes from a mysterious island where no island should exist. Sean decides to follow the signal with the unwilling assistance from his stepfather Hank (played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson).

Sean explains to Hank why he wants to hunt down the signal: "A few nights ago, a radio signal got sent out from these coordinates. It could be the mysterious island that Jules Verne wrote about." Hank replies: "You think you're gonna travel halfway around the world and meet up with some lunatic who's messing around on a ham radio?" "That's not some lunatic," Sean says. "That's my grandfather." Read more here.

Ham Radio in Hollywood: Can I Have "Amateur Radio" for $800, Alex?

If you were watching the popular television game show Jeopardy! -- where contestants have to answer in the form of a question -- on December 15, you might have noticed there was a question featuring Amateur Radio. In the first round, returning champ Boomie Aglietti was playing the category "Pastimes" when he encountered this "answer" worth $800: "The FCC assigns call signs, like N8DNR, to use in this hobby." Aglietti answered correctly with "ham radio."

N8DNR is the call sign of Debbie Dorfman of West Bloomfield, Michigan. Debbie is the mother of Stephen Dorfman, N6DIW (SK). Stephen was a writer for Jeopardy! from 1984 until he passed away in 2004 at age 48 due to complications from cancer. According to the New York Times, Dorfman was Jeopardy!'s longest serving and most prolific writer, with more than 50,000 clues to his credit. As part of a team of writers, he won six Daytime Emmy Awards for special-class writing, given for shows that do not fit into traditional categories. On the Jeopardy! episode that aired January 3, 2008, another Dorfman call sign was featured -- this one of Stephen's father Neil -- also for $800, in the category "If You're...": "...using a call sign like K8RX, you're engaged in this hobby."

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, January 5, 2012 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) image was taken in the continuum near the Ni I 6768 Angstrom line. The most prominent features are the sunspots. This is very much how the Sun looks in the visible range of the spectrum.

Tad "We all live for the Sun" Cook, K7RA, reports: We're continuing to see good conditions, although sunspot activity has declined a bit. The average daily sunspot numbers for December 29-January 4 declined nearly 20 points (when compared to the previous seven days) to 88.1; this is the lowest reported weekly sunspot number average since September 2011. The average daily solar flux was off 6.4 points to 143.1. Another problem seems to have cropped up with NOAA reporting of data that we use in this bulletin. Last month, the sunspot numbers had to be corrected. Now it appears that some of the geophysical data does not check out. Check the planetary A index for the last few weeks of December 2011 here and check the same dates here. They should match, but they don't (unless the problem has been corrected by the time you read this). But the numbers for all of 2011 match what we have reported in the bulletin, and I suspect it is the correct version. The near term outlook is for solar flux at 140 on January 5-6, 135 on January 7-8, 130 on January 9-11, 125 and 135 on January 12-13, and then back to 140 on January 14-21. The next short term peak is expected at 150 on January 24-26. The expected planetary A index for January 5-9 is 5, 8, 15, 10 and 8, then back down to 5 on January 10-27. That predicted A index of 15 on January 7 -- if accurate -- will be the highest since October 25, when it was 27, and 31 the day before. That activity was sparked by a coronal mass ejection that affected earth around 1800 UTC on October 24. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, January 6. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by The Sunrays' I Live for the Sun.

ARRL Congratulates: Ashraf Abuelhaija and Klaus Solbach, DK3BA, Win December QST Cover Plaque Award

The winners of the QST Cover Plaque Award for December are Ashraf Abuelhaija and Klaus Solbach, DK3BA, for their article "An Inverted V Wire Yagi with Switchable Pattern Rotation for 14 MHz." Congratulations Ashraf and Klaus! The QST Cover Plaque award -- given to the author or authors of the best article in each issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll web page. Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the January issue today.

Dayton Hamvention: Nomination Deadline for Dayton Hamvention Awards Approaching

It's not too late to nominate individuals and clubs for the 2012 Dayton Hamvention® awards. The deadline to make your nominations for the Amateur of the Year Award, Special Achievement Award, Technical Excellence Award, and the Amateur Radio Club of the Year Award is Sunday, January 15. The winners will be recognized at the 2012 Dayton Hamvention, May 18-20. Read more here.

This Week in Radiosport
This week:

January 6 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
January 7 -- PODXS 070 Club PSKFest; QRP ARCI Pet Rock Celebration
January 7-8 -- ARRL RTTY Roundup; CWops Mini-CWT Test; Original QRP Contest; EUCW 160 Meter Contest
January 8 -- ARRL Kids Day; SKCC Weekend Sprint; DARC 10 Meter Contest; Midwinter Contest
January 11-12 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
Next week:

January 13 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
January 14-15 -- North American QSO Party (CW); WW PMC Contest; Michigan QRP January CW Contest
January 16 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
January 19 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
January 8 -- ARRL New York/Long Island Section Convention, Bethpage, New York
January 27-28 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi
February 4 -- ARRL Virginia State Convention, Richmond, Virginia; ARRL South Carolina State Convention, Ladson, South Carolina
February 10-12 -- ARRL Northern Florida Section Convention, Orlando, Florida
February 17-18 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, Yuma, Arizona
February 18 -- ARRL Arkansas Section Convention, Hoxie, Arkansas
February 25 -- ARRL Vermont State Convention, South Burlington, Vermont
March 3 -- ARRL Santa Clara Valley Section Convention, Del Rey Oaks, California; ARRL South Texas Section Convention, Rosenberg, Texas
March 3-4 -- ARRL Alabama Section Convention, Birmingham, Alabama
March 9-10 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention, Rayne, Louisiana; ARRL Oklahoma State Convention, Claremore, Oklahoma
March 10-11 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Concord, North Carolina
March 17 -- ARRL Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska; ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention, Stuart, Florida; ARRL West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas
March 23-24 -- ARRL Maine State Convention, Lewiston, Maine
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

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The ARRL This Week 12/15/2011

2011-12-20T18:05:00.000-08:00

December 15, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ Ham Radio in Hollywood: Comedian Tim Allen Stars as Radio Amateur on New TV Show
+ Distracted Driving: NTSB Urges States to Ban Cell Phone Use by Drivers
+ Legislative News: House-Passed Payroll Tax Bill Includes Amateur Radio Study
+ On the Air: New Rules for 60 Meters Have Yet to Take Effect
+ Ham Radio in the Classroom: ARRL Executive Committee Approves Grant Funding for Two Schools
Deadline Approaching for Hams to Recommend Updates to Microwave Band Plan
The Doctor Is IN: Ground Conductivity and Radiation Elevation Patterns
+ Amateur Radio Balloon Flight Crosses Atlantic, Sets Records
Hints and Kinks: Foam PCB Holder
+ ARRL Headquarters to Close for Christmas, New Year's Holidays
Solar Update
+ ARRL Warns Members to be Aware of E-mail Scams
This Week in Radiosport
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News.

This is the final edition of The ARRL Letter for 2011. Both The ARRL Letter and ARRL Audio News will resume on Thursday, January 5, 2012. Thanks for reading The ARRL Letter each week -- we'll see you next year!

+ Ham Radio in Hollywood: Comedian Tim Allen Stars as Radio Amateur on New TV Show

Last Man Standing -- starring Tim Allen as MIke Baxter, KA0XTT -- airs Tuesday nights on ABC at 8 PM EST. The ARRL has provided Amateur Radio materials, such as issues of QST and certificates for DXCC, WAS and WAC to the show. In this photo, Allen, as Baxter, tunes his IC-92AD handheld transceiver as his boss (played by Hector Elizondo) watches.

Tim Allen -- star of Home Improvement, Toy Story, The Santa Clause and Galaxy Quest, just to name a few -- stars in Last Man Standing, an ABC comedy airing at 8 PM (EST) on Tuesday nights. Allen plays Mike Baxter, KA0XTT, a married father of three and the director of marketing at an outdoor sporting goods store in Colorado whose life is dominated by women. While Amateur Radio has not been prominently featured in the first episodes, according to John Amodeo, NN6JA -- the producer of Last Man Standing -- it is a part of the show and an important part of Mike's character. At press time, the episode that will establish Mike as a radio amateur is scheduled to air mid-January.

"Tim's character Mike is involved in creating the sales strategy for the store, including their catalog and Internet identity," Amodeo told the ARRL. "The store is like Bass Pro Shops or Cabelas. There is a strong self-sufficiency overtone to Mike's approach to life. Ham radio fits in the story as a means of emergency communication. It's not directly featured in the foreground story, but at the moment, it's a background element on the home set. Once I allow something to be put on the set, there's a chance the writers will feature it. Now that we have actually established Mike Baxter as KA0XTT, we can do more things featuring Amateur Radio." Read more here.

+ Distracted Driving: NTSB Urges States to Ban Cell Phone Use by Drivers

On Tuesday, December 13, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended that States ban the nonemergency use of all cellular telephones and other "portable electronic devices" (PEDs) by drivers of motor vehicles. This would include hands-free cell phone operation and all text messaging while mobile. While this NTSB recommendation has been the lead story in national media, the "distracted driving" issue has been receiving serious attention for several years. A number of states and municipalities have prohibited texting and handheld cellular telephone use by all or some drivers, though none has gone so far as to outlaw all hands-free cell phone use. To avoid unintended consequences to Amateur Radio operation, the ARRL has been closely involved with this issue for several years. The full text of the NTSB report is not yet available, and it is not yet known whether the broad term "portable electronic devices" might be construed as including all or some Amateur Radio equipment.

On January 30, 2009, the Executive Committee of the ARRL Board of Directors approved and released an ARRL position paper on Mobile Amateur Radio Operation. In that paper, the ARRL encourages licensees to conduct Amateur Radio communications from motor vehicles in a manner that does not detract from the safe and attentive operation of a motor vehicle at all times, but points out that mobile two-way radio equipment has been in use for at least 70 years and is quite dissimilar from full-duplex cell phones. Read more here.

+ Legislative News: House-Passed Payroll Tax Bill Includes Amateur Radio Study

The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011 (HR 3630) -- the bill to extend the payroll tax reduction that passed the US House of Representatives on Tuesday, December 13 -- includes among its many other provisions the "Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum Act" or "JOBS Act" that passed the Communications and Technology Subcommittee on December 1. The JOBS Act makes up Title IV of HR 3630. Read more here.

+ On the Air: New Rules for 60 Meters Have Yet to Take Effect

Last month, the FCC released a Report & Order (R&O) detailing new rules for the 5 MHz (60 meters) Amateur Radio band. These rules have not been published in the Federal Register. In order to be official, the rules must be published in the Federal Register and will take effect 30 days after the publication date. Any radio amateur who is operating under the new rules before this time is in violation of the current rules. The official date for these new rules will be announced on the ARRL website as soon as the information is available.

+ Ham Radio in the Classroom: ARRL Executive Committee Approves Grant Funding for Two Schools

Earlier this month, the ARRL Executive Committee reviewed grant applications for the ARRL's Education & Technology Program (ETP), awarding instructional resources valued at nearly $2000 to two schools. More than 525 schools across the country have received support from the ETP in the form of equipment, curriculum and resources, as well as teacher in-service training through the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology. Applications for equipment and resource grants are accepted twice each year; application deadlines are May 1 and November 1.

A central goal of the ETP is to develop a foundation of wireless technology literacy among America's teachers and students. It employs Amateur Radio to explore radio science and electronics and provide hands-on activities that engage students' minds and imaginations, opening doorways into math, science and technology curriculum topics, as well as other core curriculum areas such as geography and language arts. Read more here.

Deadline Approaching for Hams to Recommend Updates to Microwave Band Plan
Attention microwavers! An ARRL Ad Hoc Committee has been tasked by the Board of Directors with recommending updates to the ARRL band plans for the amateur bands between 902 MHz and 3.5 GHz. If you are now active on any of these bands or are developing plans to do so, the committee would like to hear from you by Thursday, December 15.

The band plans for these bands may be found here:

902-928 MHz
1240-1300 MHz
2300-2310 and 2390-2450 MHz
3300-3500 MHz
You can find additional background and a form for submitting information here.

The Doctor Is IN: Ground Conductivity and Radiation Elevation Patterns
Stan Korzep, W8NNX, of Orlando, Florida, was wondering that if he improved his ground conductivity, would he also improve his radiation elevation pattern? With this in mind, he wrote to the Doctor: Late last night as I pondered why -- with 10 meters so hot -- I was not working any DX stations in the Asia Pacific region. My first thought was that the competition was too great. I still use the three element trap Yagi that was on my tower in the 1980s when I had much better luck. Thanks to my power company, I have a far field noise source that allows a pretty good check of antenna pattern, F/B and the ability to determine if there is a gain compared to my other antennas. With a pretty good SWR, and greater than 20 dB F/B, I believe that the tribander has survived three hurricanes and two decades of use quite well.

The required elevation angle for a small number of F layer hops to the Pacific is quite small.

I seem to recall a QST article ["The Antenna Elevation Pattern -- What's the Big Deal?" Mar 2010, pages 39-40] that noted that the elevation angle of maximum radiation was largely determined by the antenna's height. I wonder if this might be a factor in my lack of success. Since my antenna is limited to 24 feet by homeowners and county rules, the installation has not changed in 32 years -- only the results have deteriorated. The decline in the rainfall over the two decades here at my location (I maintain two rain gauges in the back yard) may have changed the apparent ground.

The ground beneath my house and antenna is what the locals call "sugar sand," one step up from beach sand. Its ability to provide a good ground is akin to pure distilled water. I read some time ago about the relationship of soil fertility, carbon and soil conductivity. Will improving my ground conductivity improve my radiation elevation pattern? Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Here's what the Doctor had to say:

A better ground will certainly change the elevation contour of your antennas due to reflections -- in phase for vertical antennas (reinforcing the low angle radiation) and out of phase with horizontal (tending to cancel the lowest angles); however, the major impact will occur at some distance from the antenna. The exception is for vertical antennas that use the Earth as part of their ground system -- their efficiency will improve with better conductivity near the base -- independent of the reflection part of the equation.

Your height of 24 feet is interesting for a tribander. That is about 0.35 wavelengths on 20 meters, just above 0.5 wavelengths on 15 and about 0.7 wavelengths on 10 meters. Over EZNEC's "Typical ground" (0.005 S/m conductivity, dielectric constant of 13), that gives the results in Table 1 below on the 10 and 20 meter bands based on my model of a similar tri-bander.

Band (Meters)

Peak Elevation (degrees)

Gain at Peak (dBi)

Gain at 5 degrees (dBi)

Gain at 10 degrees (dBi)

20

35

8.2

-3.9

1.7

10

20

11.9

4.2

9.3

Table 1: Peak Gain and Gain at Elevation Angles for a 24 foot High Yagi over EZNEC "Typical" Ground

The results for 15 meters will be in between. If your ground is less conductive, it will actually be better (less cancellation at low angles); however, you will not get as much reinforcement at the peak angle at which the reflection is in phase. The extreme would be the "free space" case in which there is no ground at all. There the peak is at the horizon and you have the results shown in Table 2 below.

Band (Meters)

Peak Elevation (degrees)

Gain at Peak (dBi)

Gain at 5 degrees (dBi)

Gain at 10 degrees (dBi)

20

0

4.7

4.6

4.7

10

0

6.9

6.9

6.9

Table 2: Peak Gain and Gain at Elevation Angles for a 24 foot High Yagi in Free Space

Thus, with a low horizontal antenna, the long haul performance will be better with a poor ground than with one of high conductivity. This will change as the antenna gets high enough so that the angle of peak gain gets close to the optimum angle for the distance you want to work. This angle will be quite small for few hops to the Pacific -- typically a 6000 to 10,000 mile path. As seen in Figure 1, even at 5 degrees elevation, it will take two to four hops to get there. Again, this is not the ground directly under the antenna, but the ground from which the reflection takes place, some distance away. The higher the antenna is, the further the distance to the ground that will reinforce the peak of the elevation pattern.

Thanks Doctor! Do you have a question or a problem? Send your questions via e-mail or to "The Doctor," ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 (no phone calls, please). Look for "The Doctor Is IN" every month in QST, the official journal of the ARRL.

+ Amateur Radio Balloon Flight Crosses Atlantic, Sets Records

The high altitude balloon released by the California Near Space project traveled more than 6000 miles before it burst in the Mediterranean Sea. See a larger version here.

Ron Meadows, K6RPT, and his son Lee -- leaders of the California Near Space Project -- successfully launched an Amateur Radio high altitude balloon from San Jose, California on Sunday, December 11 at 4:43 PM PST. The balloon reached a cruise altitude between 105,000 and 115,000 feet, where it continued its travel across the United States, the Atlantic Ocean and Spain and into the Mediterranean Sea. For most of its trip, the balloon traveled at about 150 miles per hour and eventually covered 6236 great circle miles in just 57 hours 2 minutes. According to the CNSP, this is a new Amateur Radio balloon flight record for both distance and duration. Read more here.

Hints and Kinks: Foam PCB Holder
Paul Jacobs, W2IOG, of Naples, New York, sent us this idea for assembling small PC boards. Contact Paul via e-mail for more information.

Here's a simple fixture that makes assembling small PC boards a snap. A scrap piece of 1/4 inch aluminum sheet forms a base for the fixture. Mount two 1-inch standoffs about 1/2 inch farther apart than the longest dimension of the PC board to be assembled. Now cut a piece of 1 inch thick soft foam packing material to slightly larger than the size of the board so that it fits snugly between the standoffs. Mount two crimp type insulated wire terminals to the standoffs; keep the screws slightly loose.

The W2IOG PCB holder in action, keeping components in place for soldering.

To use the fixture, insert several components into the board, turn both the board and the fixture vertical, press the component side of the board to the foam and return both to the horizontal position. Press down on the board to compress the foam and rotate the two wire terminals to hold the board in place. The weight of the fixture keeps the board in place and the pressure of the foam holds the components firmly to the surface of the board. Soldering them in place is easy.

Do you have an idea or a simple project that has improved your operating? Maybe you've taken something commonly found around the home and developed a ham radio use for it? Why not share your hints with fellow hams in "Hints and Kinks," a monthly column in QST. If we publish your hint in QST or The ARRL Letter, you will receive $20. Send your hints via e-mail to h&k(at)arrl(dot)org or to ARRL Headquarters, Attn: "Hints and Kinks," 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Please include your name, call sign, complete mailing address, daytime telephone number and e-mail address.

+ ARRL Headquarters to Close for Christmas, New Year's Holidays

ARRL Headquarters will be closed Monday, December 26 and Monday, January 2 in observance of Christmas and New Year's Day. There will be no W1AW bulletins or code practice transmissions those days. There will be no ARRL Letter or ARRL Audio News on Thursday, December 22 and 29; both the Letter and Audio News will return on January 5, 2012. We wish everyone a safe and joyful holiday season and a prosperous 2012.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, December 15, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This image was taken at 304 Angstrom; the bright material is at 60,000 to 80,000 Kelvin.

Tad "Sunshine, go away today" Cook, K7RA, reports: Solar activity dropped this week, with the average daily sunspot numbers declining more than 39 points to 94.7. It's been 13 weeks since the average daily sunspot number for the week was that low or lower, when we reported an average of 91.7 in the September 16 edition of the Solar Update. The latest USAF/NOAA forecast has the solar flux for December 15-17 at 130, 128 and 126, then 125 on December 18-22, then 150 on December 23-26, 140 on December 27-28, and then 145 on December 29-January 4. The predicted planetary A index is 8 on December 15, 5 on December 16-25, and 8 on December 26-29. Geophysical Institute Prague predicts quiet conditions December 16-18, quiet to unsettled December 19, unsettled December 20 and quiet December 21-22. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, December 16. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by Jonathan Edwards' Sunshine (Go Away Today).

+ ARRL Warns Members to be Aware of E-mail Scams

Many ARRL members with arrl.net e-mail accounts have recently received bogus e-mails in a "phishing" attack. These are scams designed to scare people into e-mailing back personal information -- such as user names and passwords -- to the scammer at an unknown address. This particular attack was more sophisticated than usual, but far from unique.

"There is never a time when we would ask via e-mail for user names and passwords of arrl.net users," explained ARRL IT Manager Michael Keane, K1MK. "There is simply no need to ever do so. If you receive an e-mail asking for personal information and it looks like it originated from ARRL, please do not respond. The best thing you can do when receiving bogus e-mails is to simply add it to the spam list in your computer's e-mail program and delete it. Please don't forward it to ARRL HQ -- we will have already seen it and are already responding to it."

ARRL members -- and anyone who uses e-mail services -- should be constantly aware that e-mail is far from secure. If anyone ever asks you for personal information via e-mail, it probably is a scam, no matter how pretty or professional their logo or graphics may appear.

This Week in Radiosport
This week:

December 16 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder; Russian 160 Meter Contest; AGB-Party Contest
December 17 -- OK DX RTTY Contest; RAC Winter Contest; Feld Hell Sprint
December 17, 2011-January 1, 2012 -- Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party
December 17-18 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge; Croatian CW Contest
December 18 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup (CW); QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint
December 19 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
Through January 6, 2012:

December 28 -- SKCC Sprint
December 28-29 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
December 29 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
January 1 -- ARRL Straight Key Night; SARTG New Year RTTY Contest; AGCW Happy New Year Contest
January 3 -- ARS Spartan Sprint
January 6 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
January 8, 2012 -- ARRL New York/Long Island Section Convention, Bethpage, New York
January 27-28, 2012 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi
February 4, 2012 -- ARRL Virginia State Convention, Richmond, Virginia; ARRL South Carolina State Convention, Ladson, South Carolina
February 10-12, 2012 -- ARRL Northern Florida Section Convention, Orlando, Florida
February 17-18, 2012 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, Yuma, Arizona
February 18, 2012 -- ARRL Arkansas Section Convention, Hoxie, Arkansas
February 25, 2012 -- ARRL Vermont State Convention, South Burlington, Vermont
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here to advertise in this newsletter.

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 12/01/2011

2011-12-06T19:20:00.000-08:00

December 1, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ FCC News: FCC Grants Secondary Service Allocation to Wireless Broadband Medical Micropower Networks
+ Amateur Radio in Space: AMSAT Announces End of OSCAR 51 Mission
+ On the Air: The ARRL 10 Meter Contest -- Get On While the Bands Are Hot!
+ On the Air: 2012 Malpelo DXpedition to Be Extended
ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up To?
+ Logbook of The World: LoTW Processing Update
Lauren Clarke Joins ARRL Staff as Individual Giving Manager
Dayton Hamvention: Charles Kaiser, KD8JZR, Named Dayton Hamvention® Assistant General Chairman
Solar Update
+ ARRL Congratulates: Allen Baker, KG4JJH , Wins November QST Cover Plaque Award
Hams Listen to Mars Science Laboratory Signal
+ Amateur Radio Fun: The Night Before Christmas -- From a Ham's Perspective
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News.

+ FCC News: FCC Grants Secondary Service Allocation to Wireless Broadband Medical Micropower Networks

In their regular meeting on Wednesday, November 30, the four FCC Commissioners unanimously agreed to allocate spectrum and adopt service and technical rules for the utilization of new implanted medical devices that operate on 413-457 MHz (70 cm). These devices will be used on a secondary basis as part of the Medical Data Radiocommunication Service in Part 95 of the FCC rules. The Amateur Radio Service also has a secondary allocation on the 70 cm band. These new rules are the result of a Notice of Proposed Rule Making that the FCC released in March 2009. A Report & Order that will define these new rules is expected soon.

According to the FCC, these devices would greatly expand the use of functional electric stimulation to restore sensation, mobility and function to those persons with paralyzed limbs and organs; they would be implanted in a patient and function as wireless broadband medical micropower networks (MMNs).

A implantable microstimulator of the kind that would be used with a wireless medical micropower network. [Photo courtesy of the Alfred Mann Foundation]

Calling the new rules an "advance[ment of] its mobile broadband agenda," the FCC said this will create "a new generation of wireless medical devices that could be used to restore functions to paralyzed limbs. Medical Micropower Networks (MMNs) are ultra-low power wideband networks consisting of multiple transmitters implanted in the body that use electric currents to activate and monitor nerves and muscles." The Commission also noted that its National Broadband Plan -- released in 2010 -- observed "that the use of spectrum-agile radios and other techniques can significantly increase the efficient use of radio spectrum to meet growing demand for this valuable resource. MMNs illustrate how advanced technology can enable the more efficient use of spectrum to deliver innovative new services." Read more here.

+ Amateur Radio in Space: AMSAT Announces End of OSCAR 51 Mission

OSCAR 51 was launched in 2004 and became one of the most popular Amateur Radio satellites ever created. [Photo courtesy of AMSAT]

AMSAT-OSCAR 51 -- the popular FM repeater satellite -- has likely reached the end of its operational lifespan. AMSAT-NA Vice President of Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, issued the following statement on November 29: "It is with a heavy heart I report that AO-51 has ceased transmission and is not responding to commands. The last telemetry data indicated that the third of six batteries was approaching failure to short, and observations indicate the voltage from three cells is insufficient to power the UHF transmitters. The IHU [internal housekeeping unit] may continue to be operative. Initial tests with the S band transmitter were also not positive, although more attempts are in order. We have tried leaving the satellite in an expected state where if voltages climb high enough, the 435.150 transmitter may possibly be heard. The command team will regularly attempt communications with the satellite over the coming months (and years). There is always the possibility that a cell will open and we could once again talk to our friend while illuminated. Thanks to all who helped fund, design, build, launch, command, and operate AO-51. Its 7 year mission has been extraordinary."

+ On the Air: The ARRL 10 Meter Contest -- Get On While the Bands Are Hot!

Steve Gette, KF7GNI, of Saint Helens, Oregon, made his first-ever attempt at contesting in the 2010 ARRL 10 Meter Contest from the shack of Mike Ritz, W7VO. [Mike Ritz, W7VO, Photo]

Ten meters -- in case you haven't heard, is alive in a big way! That means that the ARRL 10 Meter Contest -- coming up the weekend of December 10-11 -- is going to be the one of the best we've seen in years! During this event, many propagation modes will be available: Sporadic-E will help you work stateside stations, a touch of meteor scatter in the morning will give you split-second chances to work stations -- you'd better be quick, though! -- and DX stations will be plentiful, thanks to the return of F2 propagation. ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, said that he keeps hearing from numerous hams who have been licensed only three or four years, telling him that they've never experienced a 10 meter opening because they weren't licensed during the last solar cycle peak: "A common phrase I'm hearing is, 'Now I understand what all the Old-Timers in my club were talking about -- 10 meters is great!' With a concentration of activity for the contest, there will be an opportunity for the first time in several years to experience the beauty of a wide-open 10 meter band. With so much excitement worldwide over the great conditions, the 2011 ARRL 10 Meter Contest could see the highest level of participation in a very long time!" Read more here.

+ On the Air: 2012 Malpelo DXpedition to Be Extended

The HK0NA DXpedition to Malpelo -- an island located approximately 235 miles from Colombia's Pacific coast -- is scheduled for early 2012. Organized by the DX Radio Amateur Club out of Colombia, the DXpedition boasts an international team of 16 operators from eight countries. According to DXpedition leader Jorge Prieto, HK1R it is highly unlikely that the various Colombian authorities will permit another DXpedition to Malpelo anytime soon. With this in mind, he said that the dates of the DXpedition will be extended by two to three days from the previous 12-14 day plan. The approximate dates of operations will be January 21-February 5/6, 2012. Operations are planned on 160-6 meters on CW, SSB and Digital modes, including EME. Malpelo is currently #12 on DX Magazine's 100 Most Needed Countries Survey. Read more here.

ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up To?

Compiled by ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

This feature is a concise monthly update of some of the things that the ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment -- which covers the month of November -- takes a look the 2011 Division elections, the latest happenings at W1AW, microwave bandplanning, freshman engineering students getting their Technician tickets, reports from the Official Observer Desk and more. Read more here.

+ Logbook of The World: LoTW Processing Update

Logbook of The World (LoTW) is continuing to accept and process logs, including logs from this past weekend's CQ World Wide CW Contest. Before the contest, LoTW had just about caught up with the backlog, but due to the high number of logs submitted after the contest, is once again seeing delays. As of December 1, the processing delay is at 22 hours -- down from 45 hours last week -- with approximately 830,000 QSOs in 2500 logs still waiting to be processed. If it has been more than 48 hours since you uploaded a log to LoTW and your log has not yet been processed, please upload it again. Remember: Do not send entire logs that contain previously uploaded QSOs -- use the date range option when signing logs, selecting only those QSOs in a specific date range to upload to LoTW. Thanks again for your patience.

Lauren Clarke Joins ARRL Staff as Individual Giving Manager
The ARRL is pleased to welcome Individual Giving Manager Lauren Clarke to the Headquarters staff in Newington. Lauren -- who will be working in the ARRL Development Office -- will be taking over the many funds in the Development Office, such as the Diamond Club, the Education & Technology Fund, the Spectrum Defense Fund and the W1AW Endowment Fund. This will allow ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, to shift her focus to the ARRL Second Century Campaign.

ARRL Individual Giving Manager Lauren Clarke [S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, Photo]

Though Lauren comes to the ARRL with more than 20 years of experience in non-profit fundraising, this is her first experience with a technology organization. "My background has been primarily focused on the social services and arts side of the coin," she said. "I've worked with the United Way, the Greater Hartford Arts Council and the Wadsworth Athenaeum. I am very excited to be here at the ARRL. The League does wonderful work and it is wonderful to see how our members embrace it and Amateur Radio."

Lauren expressed her appreciation to the ARRL volunteers, members and staff who have welcomed her here at ARRL Headquarters: "Everyone has all been very welcoming and helpful as I learn about Amateur Radio and work toward getting my Amateur Radio license. We are definitely a team in the Development Office, and I hope to build on the hard work of Mary and Development Associates Margie Bourgoin, KB1DCO, and Maryann Macdonald to continue raising funds to support the ARRL's initiatives."

As she learns more about the ARRL and Amateur Radio, Lauren said she finds that her primary interest is Emergency Communications and the ARES® program. "With so many terrible storms and natural disasters that have hit the US and other countries recently, I am proud to be associated with an organization that supports the volunteers who quickly step in to help people and their communities during these disasters," she explained. "I am looking forward to the Dayton Hamvention® in May and meeting many of our members and donors in person."

"When Lauren joined the Development staff, she dove right in, working on the departmental budget details and 2012 plan," Hobart said. "She has taken a fresh look at some key fund raising programs and she is adding value to whatever she does. The ARRL is very fortunate to have in Lauren an experienced Development professional who shares our fund raising philosophy and is building solid relationships with staff and donors. I am confident that Lauren has a bright future at ARRL."

Lauren and her husband live in the Greater Hartford area. They have two children: a daughter who is attending Tufts University and a son in high school. Lauren and her family are active in the local Labrador Retriever rescue organization and serve as foster parents for dogs awaiting adoption. She also enjoys recreational rowing and gardening. If you would like to discuss giving opportunities with the ARRL -- or would just like to welcome Lauren to the ARRL family -- you can reach her via e-mail or by phone at 860-594-0348.

Dayton Hamvention: Charles Kaiser, KD8JZR, Named Dayton Hamvention® Assistant General Chairman

On November 21, 2012 Dayton Hamvention® General Chairman Mike Kalter W8CI, announced that Charles Kaiser, KD8JZR, would take over as Assistant General Chairman of the largest hamfest in the US. Kaiser is replacing Josh Long, KD8BVD, who stepped down due to work commitments. "I am lucky to find someone who is as committed as Charles," Kalter said. "He has served on a number of committees and knows Hamvention well. I know he will be an excellent assistant." Kaiser, who is retired, said that he considered the time requirements carefully before accepting the position and is ready to devote as much time as needed to ensure that the 2012 Hamvention is a success. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, December 1, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) image was taken in the continuum near the Ni I 6768 Angstrom line. The most prominent features are the sunspots. This is very much how the Sun looks in the visible range of the spectrum.

Tad "Like the Moon and the stars and the Sun" Cook, K7RA, reports: November conveniently ended on the last day of the data reporting period for the upcoming bulletin, so we can now look at recent averages. Solar Cycle 24 continues to turn up. We have a new high for the trailing three month daily sunspot number average. Starting with the three month period ending in December 2010 and going through November 2011, they were: 30.1, 35.3, 55.7, 72.3, 74.4, 65.9, 61.5, 63, 79.6, 98.6 and 118.8. There hasn't been a three month period with average daily sunspot numbers above 118.8 since way back in June, July and August 2003, when the average was 121.9. The latest forecast from NOAA/USAF has the solar flux on December 1-11 at 145, 140, 135, 135, 140, 135, 135, 145, 150, 150 and 155, and then at 160 on December 12-18. The planetary A index on December 1-10 at 8, 8, 7, 7, 5, 7, 5, 5, 8 and 8, and then 5 on December 11-22. In case you missed it, we had an extra bulletin on Monday morning, and last week's bulletin was a day early. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, December 2. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by John Lennon's Instant Karma! (And We All Shine On).

+ ARRL Congratulates: Allen Baker, KG4JJH , Wins November QST Cover Plaque Award

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for November is Allen Baker, KG4JJH , for his article "Build Your Own DSP Speaker. " Congratulations Allen! The QST Cover Plaque award -- given to the author or authors of the best article in each issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll Web page . Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the December issue today.

Hams Listen to Mars Science Laboratory Signal

An artist's concept of the Mars Science Laboratory at work on the Martian surface.

As NASA's Mars Science Laboratory was streaking away from Earth just seven hours after its November 26 launch, amateurs using the AMSAT-DL facility in Bochum, Germany eavesdropped on its 10 GHz telemetry signals. At 21:45 UTC, the spacecraft was about 70,000 miles from Earth, heading for a rendezvous on the red planet in August 2012. James Miller, G3RUH, remotely reconfigured the Bochum tracking and receiving system, aiming the 20 meter parabolic dish antenna toward the Mars Science Laboratory. According to Miller, the signal had a spin-modulation of +/-3.5 Hz at two revolutions per minute. The dish at Bochum is also used by AMSAT-DL to automatically receive real-time solar data from the NASA STEREO A/B satellites. The data is transmitted to a NOAA server in the US via the Internet.

+ Amateur Radio Fun: The Night Before Christmas -- From a Ham's Perspective

The December 1930 cover of QST magazine is one of the many Amateur Radio-related items featured in A Ham's Night Before Christmas.

Just in time for the Holidays, Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, has created a video version of Clement Clark Moore's poem A Visit from St Nicholas -- more commonly known as The Night Before Christmas -- but Pearce's version has a decidedly Amateur Radio twist. With a guitar accompaniment by Don Mercz, WA3AYR, A Ham's Night Before Christmas features QST magazine covers, Gil cartoons and Christmas-themed QST advertisements from days gone by. Click here to watch the video on the ARRL YouTube channel.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

December 2 -- NCCC Sprint
December 2-4 -- ARRL 160 Meter Contest
December 3 -- TARA RTTY Melee; Wake-Up! QRP Sprint
December 3-4 -- TOPS Activity Contest
December 4 -- 10 Meter RTTY Contest
December 6 -- ARS Spartan Sprint
Next week:

December 9 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
December 10-11 -- ARRL 10 Meter Contest; CWops Mini-CWT Test; International Naval Contest
December 11 -- SKCC Weekend Sprint; CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run
December 11-18 -- NA High Speed Meteor Scatter Winter Rally
December 14 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint; NAQCC-EU Monthly Sprint
December 14-15 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
December 16 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder; Russian 160 Meter Contest; AGB-Party Contest
December 17 -- OK DX RTTY Contest; RAC Winter Contest; Feld Hell Sprint
December 17, 2011 -- January 1, 2012 -- Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party
December 17-18 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge; Croatian CW Contest
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
December 3-4, 2011 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Palmetto, Florida
January 8, 2012 -- ARRL New York/Long Island Section Convention, Bethpage, New York
January 27-28, 2012 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi
February 4, 2012 -- ARRL Virginia State Convention, Richmond, Virginia; ARRL South Carolina State Convention, Ladson, South Carolina
February 10-12, 2012 -- ARRL Northern Florida Section Convention, Orlando, Florida
February 17-18, 2012 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, Yuma, Arizona
February 18, 2012 -- ARRL Arkansas Section Convention, Hoxie, Arkansas
February 25, 2012 -- ARRL Vermont State Convention, South Burlington, Vermont
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here to advertise in this newsletter.

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 11/03/11

2011-11-08T17:01:00.000-08:00

November 3, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

Public Service: Amateurs Assist with Communications in Aftermath of Rare October Nor'easter
FCC News: President Obama Names Two Nominees for FCC Commissioner
FCC News: FCC Terminates Proceedings Affecting the Amateur Radio Service
Mark Your Calendars: It's Time for the November FMT
ARRL in Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?
Enforcement News: FCC Issues Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and Order to Florida Man for Using Unauthorized Equipment
Solar Update
On the Air: Logbook of The World Experiencing Delays
ARRL Congratulates: Joe Ostrowski, KI5FJ , Wins October QST Cover Plaque Award
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
There will be no ARRL Audio News this week. The ARRL Audio News will return on Thursday, November 10, 2011.

Don't forget! The ARRL November CW Sweepstakes is this weekend. Click here for more information.

Public Service: Amateurs Assist with Communications in Aftermath of Rare October Nor'easter
A rare nor'easter brought historic snowfall and widespread damage and power outages from the Mid-Atlantic into the Northeast United States on the last weekend of October. Up and down the Atlantic seaboard, radio amateurs provided various critical services to the National Weather Service through the SKYWARN weather spotter program, and provided communications support to local, state and federal emergency management and non-governmental organizations.

Carl Aveni, N1FY, works at the WX1BOX desk at the National Weather Service office in Taunton, Massachusetts. [Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Photo]

"Amateur Radio operations at the National Weather Service office in Taunton, Massachusetts were active on WX1BOX, the office's Amateur Radio station," Rob Macedo, KD1CY, told the ARRL. Macedo serves as the Eastern Massachusetts ARES® Section Emergency Coordinator and SKYWARN Coordinator for the NWS Taunton office. "Hams in Taunton were active for 21 hours supporting meteorological and damage data that was shared not only with the NWS, but also with the media and local, state and federal emergency management. This brought critical situational awareness and disaster intelligence information in near-real time with many agencies."

In the ARRL Connecticut Section, Section leaders were conducting their Simulated Emergency Test (SET) when the storm hit. "Because of the storm, we truncated the SET operational period and braced for the unseasonable October snow," explained ARRL Connecticut Section Emergency Coordinator Wayne Gronland, N1CLV. "The planned hurricane/earthquake SET scenario was quickly displaced by a real nor'easter! SKYWARN operators across the Section were activated on Saturday afternoon, and nets went late into the evening gathering snow, rain and wind data for the National Weather Service." Read more here.

FCC News: President Obama Names Two Nominees for FCC Commissioner

President Barack Obama has nominated two new FCC Commissioners: Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Varadaraj Pai. Rosenworcel has been nominated to replace retiring Commissioner Michael Copps. President Obama selected Pai to fill the seat vacated by Meredith Attwell Baker, who left the FCC in June 2010. If Rosenworcel and Pai are confirmed by the Senate, the FCC would be at its full complement of five Commissioners.

The FCC has been down one commissioner since Baker's departure, and Copps' departure at the end of the year would leave the agency with only three commissioners: two Democrats and one Republican. Only three sitting Commissioners may be members of the same political party. At present, Chairman Julius Genachowski, Copps and Mignon Clyburn are Democrats. If confirmed, Pai will join Commissioner Robert McDowell as one of the two Republicans on the Commission. Read more here.

FCC News: FCC Terminates Proceedings Affecting the Amateur Radio Service
The FCC issued an Order on November 1 that terminated hundreds of proceedings, including six proceedings that members of the public, including the ARRL, had asked not to be terminated. Two of these six proceedings involved the Amateur Radio Service. This follows a June 2011 Public Notice that sought comments on whether or not it should terminate approximately 800 docketed proceedings.

On July 20, 2011, the ARRL filed comments with the FCC on this matter, explaining that it had no objection to the termination of the proceedings in the Public Notice, save for one item: The ARRL's Petition for Rulemaking (RM-10165) Amendment of Parts 2 and 97 of the Commission's Rules Regarding the 2300-2305 MHz Band. In this Petition, the ARRL requested that the FCC change the Amateur Radio Service's allocation in that band from Secondary to Primary. This Petition was one of the six items to be terminated. Read more here.

Mark Your Calendars: It's Time for the November FMT

The Frequency Measuring Test (FMT) returns to the airwaves on Wednesday, November 9. As in April, the format will simulate a roundtable QSO in which all of the stations are close to the same frequency, but not exactly on the same frequency. This time, there will be more time -- about five minutes -- between the transmissions from each station. There will be three test signal stations: Connie Marshall, K5CM, in Oklahoma, Charles Collins, W6OQI, in California, and members of the Midwest VHF/UHF Society, W8KSE, in Ohio. If you have not participated in an FMT before, it doesn't take a room full of test equipment to have fun and make surprisingly accurate measurements. You can read all of the QST articles about the exercises on the ARRL FMT web page. Read more here.

ARRL in Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?

This feature is a concise monthly update of some of the things that the ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment -- which covers the month of October -- takes a look the ARRL's reaction to the FCC's new BPL regulations, how the ARRL is preparing for WRC-12, ARISS activities, new publications, the upswing in the number of licensed amateurs in the US, reports from the Official Observer Desk and more. Read more here.

Enforcement News: FCC Issues Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and Order to Florida Man for Using Unauthorized Equipment

Michael Perry, of Cross City, Florida, was issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture on November 1 in the amount of $10,000 for operating a radio transmitter without the requisite FCC authorization. The FCC found that Perry "willfully violated section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended and Sections 95.409 and 95.411 of the Commission's rules."

In response to a complaint of interference, agents from the Enforcement Bureau's Tampa Office used direction-finding techniques on March 31, 2011 to locate the source of the interference to a signal on Citizens Band channel 28 (27.2850 MHz) that was coming from Perry's residence. The same day, agents from the Tampa Office inspected Perry's CB station, which he admitted to using earlier that day. The agents observed a non-certificated CB transmitter and three linear amplifiers as part of Perry's CB station. Perry admitted to the agents that two of the three linear amplifiers were capable of generating a power output of 200 W and 1500 W respectively, and that he had never tested the third. The agents observed that the transmitter and two of the amplifiers were warm to the touch, indicating that the devices had been recently operated. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, November 3, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) image was taken in the continuum near the Ni I 6768 Angstrom line. The most prominent features are the sunspots. This is very much how the Sun looks in the visible range of the spectrum.

Tad "Good day sunshine" Cook, K7RA, reports: We have more good solar cycle news in this week's bulletin, with NASA revising the estimated smoothed sunspot number for the peak of Solar Cycle 24 for the third consecutive month. The estimated value has risen nearly 30 percent since September. In addition, the monthly average of daily sunspot numbers has risen 87 percent in the past two months. The latest prediction for the near term has solar flux at 160 on November 3, 165 on November 4-9, 155 on November 10, 150 on November 11-15, and peaking again at 165 on November 17-18. For November 3-7, the predicted planetary A index is 8, 10, 12, 10 and 8, then 5 on November 8-10, 8 on November 11-13, and 5 again on November 14-23. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, November 4. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by The Beatles' Good Day Sunshine.

On the Air: Logbook of The World Experiencing Delays

Due to a large number of radio amateurs uploading their logs to Logbook of The World (LoTW) after last weekend's CQ Worldwide SSB Contest, the ARRL's online QSL verification service is experiencing delays. According to ARRL IT Manager Michael Keane, K1MK, there is about a 60 hour wait for the more than 10,000 logs in the queue to be processed. "Logs are processed in the order in which they were received," he explained. "If you have uploaded your log to LoTW, your log is currently queued for processing. It has not been lost in the system. Uploading your log multiple times will only further delay your log and those of others to be processed."

ARRL Congratulates: Joe Ostrowski, KI5FJ , Wins October QST Cover Plaque Award

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for October is Joe Ostrowski, KI5FJ , for his article "A Simple Remote Impedance Matching Network. " Congratulations Joe! The QST Cover Plaque award -- given to the author or authors of the best article in each issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll Web page . Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the November issue today.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

November 5-6 -- Ukrainian DX Contest
November 5-7 -- ARRL Sweepstakes Contest (CW)
November 6 -- High Speed Club CW Contest; DARC 10 Meter Digital Contest
November 9-10 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
Next week:

November 12-13 -- Kentucky QSO Party; WAE DX Contest (RTTY); 10-10 International Fall Contest (Digital); JIDX Phone Contest; OK/OM DX Contest (CW); CWops Mini-CWT Test
November 12-14 -- CQ-WE Contest
November 13 -- SKCC Weekend Sprint
November 14 -- NAQCC-EU Monthly Sprint
November 17 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
November 6, 2011 -- ARRL Iowa Section Convention, Davenport, Iowa
November 19-20, 2011 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention, Fort Wayne, Indiana
December 3-4, 2011 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Palmetto, Florida
January 8, 2012 -- ARRL New York/Long Island Section Convention, Bethpage, New York
January 27-28, 2012 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi
February 4, 2012 -- ARRL Virginia State Convention, Richmond, Virginia; ARRL South Carolina State Convention, Ladson, South Carolina
February 10-12, 2012 -- ARRL Northern Florida Section Convention, Orlando, Florida
February 17-18, 2012 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, Yuma, Arizona
February 18, 2012 -- ARRL Arkansas Section Convention, Hoxie, Arkansas
February 25, 2012 -- ARRL Vermont State Convention, South Burlington, Vermont
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

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ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

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The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 10/27/2011

2011-11-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

October 27, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ BPL: FCC Tightens BPL Interference Rules -- But Not By Enough
+ On the Air: 2011 ARRL CW Sweepstakes -- Are You Ready?
+ ARDF Update: New Mexico Hosts Successful Foxhunting Championships
+ DXCC Desk Offers Special "Paper Application Offer" for ST0R QSLs
+ ARRL Webinar Scheduled for November 3: Hams, Emergencies and the News
ARES®/NTS Study: ECAC Submits Interim Report
Now You Know: The National Traffic System
+ FCC, FEMA, NOAA to Conduct First Nationwide Test of Emergency Alert System
Solar Update
+ Silent Key: Former ARRL Midwest Division Vice Director C. Richard Dyas, W0JCP
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News.

+ BPL: FCC Tightens BPL Interference Rules -- But Not By Enough
On October 24, 2011, the FCC released the Second Report and Order in its proceeding -- now in its 9th year -- to adopt rules for Access Broadband over Power Line (BPL) systems. The Second Report and Order is the final step in the Commission's effort to comply with the directives of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which in April 2008 ordered the FCC to correct errors it had committed in the course of adopting rules in 2004. The Court acted in response to a Petition for Review filed by the ARRL.

In July 2009, the FCC issued a Request for Further Comment and Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making in which it proposed slight modification of measurement standards for determining whether a BPL system is in compliance with the maximum allowable levels of radiated emissions. In response, the ARRL argued that coupled with a scientifically valid extrapolation factor for determining those levels, mandatory notching of the amateur bands to a level 35 dB below the general emission limit would reduce the likelihood of harmful interference to amateur stations to a level that would permit any remaining harmful interference to be remedied on a case-by-case basis. The ARRL noted that its request for mandatory notching simply reflected the best practices of the BPL industry.

In the Second Report and Order, the Commission decided not to adopt its own proposal and also declined to adopt the ARRL's request for mandatory notching. Instead, the Commission has increased the requirement for BPL systems to be able to notch frequency bands to at least 25 dB, an increase of 5 dB from the existing requirement of 20 dB. The Commission also made technical adjustments to its rules for determining the distance between a power line and a measurement antenna and for determining site-specific extrapolation factors. Read more here.

+ On the Air: 2011 ARRL CW Sweepstakes -- Are You Ready?

Rebecca Rich, KB0VVT, enjoys a snack while operating the 2010 ARRL CW Sweepstakes at W1MX, the club station at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. [Photo courtesy of Rebecca Rich, KB0VVT]

Steeped in tradition and still as exciting as ever, the 78th Annual ARRL Sweepstakes offers US and Canadian operators a fun-filled contest opportunity again this fall. First up is CW Sweepstakes during the weekend of November 5-7. "Last year's CW Sweepstakes provided some great activity with a number of new regional and divisional records," said ARRL Sweepstakes Contest Manager Larry Hammel, K5OT. "But you don't have to have a huge station with large antennas to have fun in Sweepstakes. Maybe you have 100 W and a backyard dipole or vertical. Or perhaps the challenge of a 5 W QRP effort hits your hot button this year. You will be amazed at the number of stations you can work as you trade exchanges all over the continent." ICOM is the Principal Awards Sponsor for the ARRL November Sweepstakes. Read more here.

+ ARDF Update: New Mexico Hosts Successful Foxhunting Championships

After leaving the 2 meter starting point, competitors had to be nimble to get down into the canyon that served as a corridor into the forest. [Joe Moell, K0OV, Photo]

Results of the USA's 11th national championships of Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) are in the record books. Members of Albuquerque Amateur Radio Club went all out to provide a top-notch experience for fans of on-foot transmitter hunting, also called radio-orienteering and foxtailing. They came from 10 states and four other nations to see who would win medals by finding transmitters in the forests of central and northern New Mexico. From September 14-18, competitors took to the woods with directional antennas and receivers. They navigated not with GPS sets, but with maps and compasses. Their goal was to find all of their required transmitters and to get to the finish line in the shortest elapsed time. For fairness, the organizers didn't disclose the exact sites of the competition in advance. That kept anyone from doing advance reconnaissance in person or via Google Earth. Competitors boarded buses on Saturday and Sunday mornings, not knowing where there were going. Read more here.

+ DXCC Desk Offers Special "Paper Application Offer" for ST0R QSLs

DXers around the world are now receiving QSL cards for the 2011 ST0R operation from the new DXCC entity of South Sudan. With next year's publishing deadline for 2011 results fast approaching on December 31, 2011, the ARRL DXCC Desk is offering a special reduced price option for those DXCC participants who have already made at least one application during 2011.

To take advantage of this offer, you must have already made a submission in the 2011 calendar year via either Logbook of The World (LoTW) or via a traditional paper application. If you have already made an application in 2011, you may then submit a paper ST0R QSL (no other cards -- just the ST0R South Sudan card) following these rules:

Enclose $5 (check, money order, credit card number or cash at your risk) for amateurs in the US.
Enclose $6 (check, money order, credit card number or cash at your risk) for amateurs who reside outside the US.
Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of the ST0R card.
This special submission is only for the ST0R card.
If any other card(s) are included, this will be considered a full submission subject to full fees, even if you already submitted in 2011.
These submission conditions apply only if you have already made a submission in 2011 and this offer does not apply if you have not yet made your 2011 submission. All DXCC fees are in effect, as you can include this card with your regular submission.
This special offer expires on December 31, 2011 and will not be extended into 2012. If you have any questions concerning these procedures, please contact ARRL Awards Branch Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, via e-mail.

+ ARRL Webinar Scheduled for November 3: Hams, Emergencies and the News

ARES® and emergency groups have had their hands full in the past months. Time and time again, Amateur Radio has been called upon to provide emergency communications. In some places, the hams made the news and were highly praised, while in other places, the community never knew they were there because no one worked with the news media. On November 3, The ARRL's national Public Relations Committee will present a 90 minute webinar -- Hams, Emergencies and the News. Read more here.

ARES®/NTS Study: ECAC Submits Interim Report

ARES® and the National Traffic System (NTS) exist as the League's implementation of the basic principle stated in Part 97.1(a): "Recognition and enhancement of the value of the Amateur Service to the public as a voluntary non-commercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.' The ARRL Board of Directors' Programs and Services Committee (PSC) tasked the League's Emergency Communications Advisory Committee (ECAC) to recommend improvements to ARES® and NTS so that the Amateur Service can better serve the public in providing emergency communications. Assigned study topics include, but are not limited to, ARES® and NTS objectives and organizational structures, integration between ARES® and NTS, training, certification, and credentialing, and relationships with served agencies. Read more here.

Now You Know: The National Traffic System
The American Radio Relay League was founded in 1914 because Hiram Percy Maxim could not get a message via wireless from Hartford, Connecticut to Springfield, Massachusetts -- a distance of only about 30 miles. He had to rely on another wireless operator in Agawam, Massachusetts to relay his message to its intended recipient. This was the very beginning of what is now the National Traffic System (NTS). But what is the NTS?

The Public Service Communications Manual defines the NTS as "a structure that allows for rapid movement of message traffic from origin to destination and training amateur operators to handle written traffic and participate in directed nets. These two objectives are the underlying foundations of the NTS. It's a system that operates daily, even continuously, with advanced digital links."

The NTS consists of operators who usually participate for one or two periods a week, and some who are active daily. The National Traffic System is an organized effort to handle traffic in accordance with a plan that is easily understood, and employs modern methods of network traffic handling. The NTS is not intended as a deterrent or competition for the many independently organized traffic networks. When necessitated by overload or lack of outlet for traffic, the facilities of such networks can function as alternate traffic routings where this is indicated in the best interest of efficient message relay and/or delivery.

One of the most important features of NTS is the system concept. No NTS net is an independent entity that can conduct its activities without concern for or consideration of other NTS nets. Each net performs its function and only its function in the overall organization. If nets fail to perform their functions or perform functions intended for other nets, the overall system may be adversely affected. Nets may sometimes find it necessary to adopt temporary measures to ensure the movement of traffic.

According to ARES® E-Letter Editor Rick Palm, K1CE, the best way to get to know the National Traffic System is to hook up with a local NTS traffic net in your area where messages (Radiograms) are entered and others are accepted for delivery by mail or phone. Local clubs, repeater groups and ARES operators are all good sources for local info on NTS activity.

+ FCC, FEMA, NOAA to Conduct First Nationwide Test of Emergency Alert System

The FCC, in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) at 2 PM EST (1900 UTC) Wednesday, November 9. According to FEMA, EAS participants -- broadcasters, satellite and digital radio and television providers, and cable and wireline video providers -- "provide a critical public service to the nation as the resilient backbone of alert and warning when all other means of communication are unavailable." Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, October 27, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) image was taken in the continuum near the Ni I 6768 Angstrom line. The most prominent features are the sunspots. This is very much how the Sun looks in the visible range of the spectrum.

Tad "There has to be an invisible Sun" Cook, K7RA, reports: On Friday, October 21, the daily sunspot number broke another record for Solar Cycle 24 when it rose to 207. You have to look back to November 26, 2003 when it was two points higher - 209 -- to find a number at least as high. Last Thursday, the daily sunspot number was 195, another record until the following day. The average daily sunspot number for the week was off by two points to 156.6, while the average daily solar flux rose nearly 8 points to 151.8. Propagation on HF is quite exciting right now, with 10 meters opening up worldwide daily. The predicted solar flux is 130 on October 27-29, 125 on October 30-November 3, 120 on November 4-5, and then 125 and 130 for November 6-7 and 135 on November 8-10. Flux values for the near term are expected to peak at 165 on November 17-18. The predicted planetary A index is 5, 7, 8 and 10 on October 27-30 and 5 on October 31-November 3, 8 on November 4-5 and 5 on November 6-10. Geophysical Institute Prague predicts quiet to unsettled conditions October 28, unsettled October 29, quiet to unsettled October 30 and quiet October 31 through November 3. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, October 28. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by The Police's Invisible Sun.

+ Silent Key: Former ARRL Midwest Division Vice Director C. Richard Dyas, W0JCP
Former Midwest Division Vice Director C. Richard Dyas, W0JCP, of Oxford, Nebraska, passed away October 17. He was 90. Dyas -- a Charter ARRL Life Member -- was first elected Vice Director in 1975 and began his term on January 1, 1976. He resigned in 1985 to take care of his wife. In 1987, when then-ARRL Midwest Division Vice Director Richard Ridenour, KB0ZL, resigned, then-ARRL President Larry Price, W4RA, appointed Dyas to serve Ridenour's unexpired term. Dyas was laid to rest on October 21 with military honors by Oxford American Legion Post 219 in conjunction with the US Army National Guard Military Honors Team.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

October 29-30 -- CQ Worldwide DX Contest (SSB); 50 MHz Fall Sprint
Next week:

November 5-6 -- Ukrainian DX Contest
November 5-7 -- ARRL Sweepstakes Contest (CW)
November 6 -- High Speed Club CW Contest; DARC 10 Meter Digital Contest
November 9-10 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
November 6, 2011 -- ARRL Iowa Section Convention, Davenport, Iowa
November 19-20, 2011 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention, Fort Wayne, Indiana
December 3-4, 2011 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Palmetto, Florida
January 8, 2012 -- ARRL New York/Long Island Section Convention, Bethpage, New York
January 27-28, 2012 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi
February 4, 2012 -- ARRL Virginia State Convention, Richmond, Virginia; ARRL South Carolina State Convention, Ladson, South Carolina
February 10-12, 2012 -- ARRL Northern Florida Section Convention, Orlando, Florida
February 17-18, 2012 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, Yuma, Arizona
February 18, 2012 -- ARRL Arkansas Section Convention, Hoxie, Arkansas
February 25, 2012 -- ARRL Vermont State Convention, South Burlington, Vermont
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 10/20/2011

2011-10-25T05:27:00.000-07:00

October 20, 2011

+ Thai Amateurs Respond to Floods, Ask that 7.060-7.063 MHz Be Kept Clear
+ ARRL Executive Committee Examines BPL Issues, Regulatory Matters, Electronic Balloting, More
+ Newly Elected Section Managers to Converge in Newington
The 6th Annual ARRL On-Line Auction Is Open for Bidding!
+ California Ham Killed in Shooting Spree
Check Out the November/December Issue of QEX
+ Honor Professional Journalists: Nominate Them for the ARRL's Leonard Award
Solar Update
+ Postage Rates to Increase in January
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News.

+ Thai Amateurs Respond to Floods, Ask that 7.060-7.063 MHz Be Kept Clear

RAST posted a video on YouTube of Thai hams providing communications support at Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport. Click here to watch the video.

Authorities in Thailand continue to battle the country's worst floods in decades, with the death toll rising to almost 300. While Thai hams are mostly using 2 meters to communicate, IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee Chairman Jim Linton, VK3PC, is asking all radio amateurs to keep 7.060-7.063 MHz clear from unnecessary traffic, as Thai hams are also using 40 meters during the flooding that is affecting millions of people in North and Central Thailand. "Amateur Radio has been assisting with flood relief communications, helping victims in the affected areas, said Tony Waltham, HS0ZDX, the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand's (RAST) International Liaison Officer. "Operators are using RAST's club station call sign HS0AC, and a special flood relief center with the call sign HS0AB has been established at Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport. Please be formally advised that Thai radio amateurs are standing by on 144.900 MHz, 145.000 MHz and 144.9375 MHz, as well as on frequencies of 7.060-7.063 MHz in the 40 meter HF band." Read more here.

+ ARRL Executive Committee Examines BPL Issues, Regulatory Matters, Electronic Balloting, More

The ARRL Executive Committee (EC) held its second 2011 meeting Saturday, October 1 in Dulles, Virginia. The EC administers the League's affairs in between Board meetings. It consists of the President (Kay Craigie, N3KN), five Directors elected annually by the Board, and -- without vote - the First Vice President (Rick Roderick, K5UR) and Chief Executive Officer (David Sumner, K1ZZ). For 2011 the Director members are Tom Frenaye, K1KI (New England), Dick Isely, W9GIG (Central), Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT (Rocky Mountain), Bob Vallio, W6RGG (Pacific) and Dr David Woolweaver, K5RAV (West Gulf). Also in attendance at the meeting were Second Vice President Bruce Frahm, K0BJ, International Affairs Vice President Jay Bellows, K0QB, and General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD. Read more here.

+ Newly Elected Section Managers to Converge in Newington
This weekend, five newly elected or appointed Section Managers will be in Newington for an orientation workshop. The primary purposes of the workshop sessions are to share ideas and to provide basic administrative, management, leadership and motivational training.

"The Section Manager Workshop is an orientation and training event for new Section Managers that have come on board within the last year or so," said ARRL Field Organization Team Supervisor Steve Ewald, WV1X. "The ARRL has conducted this training each year at HQ for the past several years, and it has been well received by past participants. The Membership and Volunteer Programs Department Staff and its Field Organization Team are the lead coordinators of the event. We also cover the responsibilities and functions of the Section Manager position, and the SMs are able to visit with ARRL Headquarters staff members and learn more about the many programs that the ARRL supports. The workshop sessions are presented by several ARRL Headquarters staff members who are experts in their respective areas."

The following five Section Managers are attending the orientation workshop: Alabama Section Manager David Drummond, W4MD; Arkansas Section Manager Dale Temple, W5RXU; Colorado Section Manager Jack Ciaccia, WM0G; Western New York Section Manager Steve Ryan, N2ITF, and West Texas Section Manager Bill Roberts, W5NPR. Drummond, Temple, Ciaccia and Roberts began their terms in 2011, while Ryan began his 2010.

The 6th Annual ARRL On-Line Auction Is Open for Bidding!

The Sixth Annual ARRL On-Line Auction opened for bidding on Wednesday, October 19. There is a large assortment of ARRL Product Review items, including a Yaesu FT-DX5000D HF and 6 meter transceiver, an Ameritron ALS-1300 HF power amplifier, a Ten-Tec 599AT Eagle HF and 6 meter transceiver, a Kenwood TS-590S HF and 6 meter transceiver and an Elecraft P3 panadapter, as well as a wide assortment of books, including ARRL Handbooks from the 1920s and 1930s. "If you are interested in some great bargains and some great fun, you really need to check this out," Advertising Manager and ARRL On-Line Auction Coordinator Deb Jahnke, K1DAJ said. The 2011 ARRL On-Line Auction runs through 11:59 PM (EDT) October 26.

+ California Ham Killed in Shooting Spree

David Caouette, N6DAC, of Seal Beach, California, was fatally shot when a gunman opened fire in a local beauty salon on October 12. [Photo courtesy of Darrin Simmons, W7UNI]

A gunman, apparently enraged over a custody dispute with his ex-wife, walked into a hair salon in Seal Beach, California on October 12. Scott Evans Dekraai allegedly opened fire in the salon, killing eight people, including his ex-wife. David Caouette, N6DAC -- who was waiting outside the salon in his car -- was killed in the rampage. He was 64. Ed Testa, KI6OJV, a longtime friend of Caouette's, told The Orange County Register that Caouette "was in the wrong place at the wrong time and had no way to defend himself. We are just in disbelief that he could have been involved in this tragedy." Testa said that he had heard that Caouette was visiting one of the restaurants next to the salon where the shooting occurred. Read more here.

Check Out the November/December Issue of QEX

The November/December issue of QEX is coming soon, and it is full of theoretical and practical technical articles that you won't want to miss. QEX is the ARRL's "Forum for Communications Experimenters." Published bimonthly, it features technical articles, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals. The mission of QEX is threefold: To provide a medium for the exchange of ideas and information among Amateur Radio experimenters; to document advanced technical work in the Amateur Radio field, and to support efforts to advance the state of the Amateur Radio art. Read more here.

+ Honor Professional Journalists: Nominate Them for the ARRL's Leonard Award

Bill Leonard, W2SKE

Television, radio, magazines, newspapers, blogs, Webcasts -- Amateur Radio has been featured in all of them in 2011. Now it is time to return the favor and thank the professional media people who made it happen by nominating them for the Bill Leonard, W2SKE, Professional Media Award. This national level annual award is sponsored by the ARRL and honors three professional journalists whose outstanding coverage in audio, video and print formats best reflect the enjoyment, importance and public service value of the Amateur Radio Service. The deadline for nominations is December 9. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, October 20, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) image was taken in the continuum near the Ni I 6768 Angstrom line. The most prominent features are the sunspots. This is very much how the Sun looks in the visible range of the spectrum.

Tad "Blackbirds and the Sun of October" Cook, K7RA, reports: The high solar activity -- relative to the past few years -- continues. The average daily sunspot number rose more than 66 percent this week (October 13-19) over last week, to 158.6, while the average daily solar flux for the same period rose more than 15 percent to 144.2. With the geomagnetic indices this week below the previous week, radio amateurs have frequently worked stations on other continents as late as midnight on 10 meters. The bands are alive. The latest forecast from USAF/NOAA shows solar flux from October 20-23 at 145, 150, 150 and 140, then 135 on October 24-28, and then 130 on October 29-November 3. The planetary A index is predicted at 5 on October 20-27, 8 on October 28-30 and 5 on October 31-November 2. Geophysical Institute Prague shows quiet conditions October 21-13, quiet to unsettled October 24 and quiet again October 25-27. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, October 21. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by Dylan Thomas's Poem in October.

+ Postage Rates to Increase in January

The US Postal Service has announced that as of January 22, 2012, the cost to mail first class letters, postcards and packages within the US will go up. The cost to mail a first class letter will be 45 cents, an increase of 1 cent. According to the USPS, this is the first increase since May 2009. The cost of mailing a postcard will be 32 cents, an increase of 3 cents. This is the second increase for postcard postage in less than a year; in April 2011, the USPS boosted the postcard stamp price from 28 cents to 29 cents. You will also pay more to send letters to Canada, Mexico and other international destinations. Click here for more information on all the postal increases.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

October 22 -- FOC QSO Party, Microwave Fall Sprint (local time)
October 22-23 -- ARRL EME Contest; Stew Perry Topband Challenge; W/VE Islands QSO Party; SYLRA Contest
October 26 -- SKCC Sprint
October 26-27 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
Next week:

October 29-30 -- CQ Worldwide DX Contest (SSB); 50 MHz Fall Sprint
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
October 21-22 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention, Ardmore, Oklahoma
October 22 -- ARRL Iowa State Convention, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
November 6 -- ARRL Iowa Section Convention, Davenport, Iowa
November 19-20 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention, Fort Wayne, Indiana
December 3-4 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Palmetto, Florida
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

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Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 10/06/2011

2011-10-11T15:53:00.000-07:00

October 6, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ On the Air: 10 Meters Is Hot!
+ WRC-12: European Proposal for Amateur Secondary MF Allocation Clears Important Hurdle
+ Every Radio Amateur Knows that Spectrum Defense Matters
+ Check Out the November Issue of QST
At the Workbench: The Deadline for the Third ARRL Homebrew Challenge Is Approaching
+ Public Service: Nominations Now Open for the George Hart Distinguished Service Award
ARRL in Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?
+ Section News: New Section Manager Appointed in North Texas
Committee Notes: Changes to ARRL Ethics and Elections Committee
Solar Update
+ ARRL Recognizes: Robert Miller, KE6F , Wins September QST Cover Plaque Award
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News.

+ On the Air: 10 Meters Is Hot!

With the solar flux at levels not seen in years, there's a lot of activity on the higher HF bands. [S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, Photo]

For the past few days, the solar flux has been hovering around 130. While this is down from a peak of 190 -- the highest we've seen in Solar Cycle 24 -- just 11 days ago, the higher HF bands are definitely feeling the effect. Higher solar flux levels can mean higher sunspot levels and this is good news for radio amateurs, especially Technicians. The 10 meter band is the only HF band where Techs have phone privileges. "Techs can get use their voice privileges from 28.300-28.500 MHz," explained W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q. "If you don't have your own HF rig, find someone in your local radio club who does or call your Elmer. Without a doubt, you don't want to miss this opening. Who knows how long it will last or when it will come back? So get on the air while you can and experience the magic of 10 meters." The solar flux is predicted to hit 140 on October 12 and stay at that level for almost a week. Read more here.

+ WRC-12: European Proposal for Amateur Secondary MF Allocation Clears Important Hurdle
In preparation for the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12), the CEPT Project Team C approved a draft European Common Proposal (ECP) for an 8 kHz-wide band between 472 and 480 kHz at its September meeting. The draft ECP will now go to CEPT's Conference Preparatory Group for formal ratification in November. This breakthrough -- at the 11th and final meeting of the project team -- occurred with the submission by the UK's Ofcom of an RSGB-drafted compromise ECP proposal that is also supported by France and Sweden.

Agenda Item 1.23 calls for WRC-12 delegations to consider an allocation of about 15 kHz in parts of the band 415-526.5 kHz to the Amateur Service on a secondary basis, taking into account the need to protect existing services. "While an 8 kHz allocation does not fully meet our objective of 15 kHz, having a European Common Proposal for an amateur allocation is a major step toward possibly achieving one at WRC-12," said ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ.

According to Colin Thomas, G3PSM, the prospect of an agreed CEPT position is good progress, representing a 48 country block vote going into next year's WRC-12. "It needs to be noted that the draft ECP comes with significant caveats to avoid interference to the primary user, as well as the existing secondary user services," he explained. "These are the maritime and aeronautical radionavigation services, respectively. As secondary users, we would also not be afforded any protection. It should be acknowledged that we have had support from a number of Region 1 IARU Member-Societies in getting to this position." Thomas is the CEPT Coordinator for this agenda item.

+ Every Radio Amateur Knows that Spectrum Defense Matters

The second edition for 2011 of Spectrum Defense Matters -- a newsletter aimed at keeping ARRL members updated on issues related to the protection of Amateur Radio frequencies -- was recently released on the ARRL website. This newsletter covers both domestic and international topics related to the Amateur Radio spectrum. Your financial support is vital to continue the ARRL's work to protect your operating privileges. You can help protect these privileges by contributing generously to the 2011 ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund. Defending spectrum means protecting the way each of us chooses to enjoy Amateur Radio. It is important to have VHF/UHF allocations when radio amateurs are called upon to provide support during communications emergencies. But Amateur Radio is primarily a personal radio service where licensees have great latitude to develop their skills, experiment to broaden their knowledge base, serve their communities and to simply have fun. Click here to read about some of the Spectrum Defense items featured in this issue of Spectrum Defense Matters.

+ Check Out the November Issue of QST
The November issue of QST is jam-packed with all sorts of things that today's Amateur Radio operator needs. From product reviews to experiments to contesting, this issue of QST has something for just about everyone.

Now that the colder months are here, thoughts turn to tinkering in the shack. If your radio doesn't come with digital signal processing capability, why not build a DSP speaker? DSP cuts out the unwanted noise and gives you only the signal you want to hear, adapting to changes in the signal's conditions. Allen Baker, KG4JJH, offers a schematic for a DSP speaker in his article "Build Your Own DSP Speaker." In designing a modern-day antenna, Dave Holdeman, N9XU, recalls a "plumber's delight" from his Novice days in his article "A 160 or 80 Meter Downspout Vertical." Build a self-contained multi-oscillator that allows for convenient and precise SSB transmitter adjustment after you read "A Four Tone SSB Test Generator" by Dave Lyndon, AK4AA.

If you have an Android smartphone, you probably have a couple of Amateur Radio-related apps on it. But how do you know which one is right for you? William F. Vartorella, KJ4ORX, presents a handy guide in "Android Apps for the Amateur." With so many insurance options available, it can get confusing when looking for the best coverage for your ham gear. In his article "Homeowners Insurance and Your Radio Gear," Ray Fallen, ND8L, discusses how to purchase insurance for your station.

ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, W5MPC, takes a look at the Yaesu FT-450D HF and 6 meter transceiver in this month's Product Review. He says that this rig "adds a standard internal antenna tuner, new CW filter bandwidths and several ergonomic upgrades to the original FT-450. These refinements make a popular, low-cost transceiver even better." ARRL Test Engineer Bob Allison, WB1GCM, checks out the Elecraft XG3 RF signal source: "The Elecraft XG3 is a compact, accurate signal source with a variety of uses in the Amateur Radio station or at the workbench."

Of course, there are the usual columns you know and expect in the November QST: Happenings, Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX, Technical Correspondence, Vintage Radio and more. Look for your November issue in your mailbox. QST is the official journal of ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. QST is just one of the many benefits of ARRL membership. To join or renew your ARRL membership, please visit the ARRL web page.

At the Workbench: The Deadline for the Third ARRL Homebrew Challenge Is Approaching

What are you building for the Third ARRL Homebrew Challenge?

The ARRL has sponsored two Homebrew Challenges in the past, designed to test our members' design and construction skills by making useful amateur gear at low cost -- and sharing their results with our members. Our first ARRL Homebrew Challenge, announced in QST for August 2006, required the construction of a 40 meter, 5 W voice and CW transceiver built for less than $50 of new parts. The Second Homebrew Challenge, announced in February 2009, resulted in a number of creative designs of low cost 50 W linear amplifiers to follow the transceiver -- two for about $30, as well as a multiband amplifier with many features for somewhat more. The deadline for the Third Homebrew Challenge is Tuesday, November 1. Read more here.

+ Public Service: Nominations Now Open for the George Hart Distinguished Service Award
The George Hart Distinguished Service Award may be presented by the Board of Directors to the ARRL member whose service to the ARRL's Field Organization is of the most exemplary nature. The Distinguished Service Award is named in honor of George Hart, W1NJM, long-time Communications Manager at ARRL Headquarters and chief developer of the National Traffic System. Read more here.

ARRL in Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?

This feature is a concise monthly update of some of the things that the ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment -- which covers the month of September -- takes a look at how the ARRL briefed members of the White House staff on Amateur Radio's capabilities during emergencies, how the ARRL Lab is investigating power line noise, the upcoming Director elections in the ARRL's Atlantic, Delta and Midwest Divisions, the search for a new ARRL Treasurer, recognizing radio amateurs for technical excellence, reports from the Official Observer Desk and more. Read more here.

+ Section News: New Section Manager Appointed in North Texas

Effective Wednesday, October 5, the ARRL North Texas Section has a new Section Manager. Jay Urish, W5GM, of Flower Mound, stepped down for personal reasons. He has served as North Texas Section Manager since April 2009, and was re-elected to a second term in April 2011. Walt Mayfield, KE5SOO, of Krum, has been appointed the North Texas Section Manager, as of October 5, to fulfill the present term of office. ARRL Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, made the appointment in consultation with West Gulf Division Director David Woolweaver, K5RAV. Mayfield has served as the North Texas Section Emergency Coordinator and is the president of the Denton County Amateur Radio Association. Mayfield's appointment continues through March 31, 2013.

Committee Notes: Changes to ARRL Ethics and Elections Committee
There is a change in the composition of the ARRL Ethics and Elections Committee. President Kay Craigie, N3KN, has accepted the resignation of Southeastern Division Director Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, from the committee, thanking him for his service as chairman for the past nine months. Roanoke Division Director Dennis Bodson, W4PWF, will serve on the committee for the remainder of the one-year term. Committee member Tom Frenaye, K1KI, Director of the New England Division, will serve as chairman. Pacific Division Director Bob Vallio, W6RGG, also serves on the committee. Sarratt will continue to serve as Director of the ARRL's Southeastern Division.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, October 6, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) image was taken in the continuum near the Ni I 6768 Angstrom line. The most prominent features are the sunspots. This is very much how the Sun looks in the visible range of the spectrum.

Tad "I wish the Sun would hide its head" Cook, K7RA, reports: The sunspot excitement continues, with photos of the Sun showing more and more spots. The average daily sunspot numbers for the week were about the same as the previous week, increasing from 96.1 to 96.7, while the average daily solar flux dropped from 155.5 to 132.6. Our three month moving average of sunspot numbers puts us into activity levels last seen in mid-2004. The latest NOAA/USAF forecast shows solar flux at 125 on October 6-7, 130 on October 8-12, 125 on October 13 and 110 on October 14-16. The planetary A index prediction shows 18 for October 6, 10 on October 7-8, 8 on October 9 and 5 on October 10-27. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, October 7. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by Yellowcard's October Nights.

+ ARRL Recognizes: Robert Miller, KE6F , Wins September QST Cover Plaque Award
The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for September is Robert Miller, KE6F , for his article "Yet Another Crystal Calibrator -- The YACC 1-2-3. " Congratulations Robert! The QST Cover Plaque award -- given to the author or authors of the best article in each issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll Web page . Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the October issue today.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

October 7-9 -- YLRL DX/NA YL Anniversary Contest
October 8 -- FISTS Fall Sprint; EU Autumn Sprint (CW)
October 8-9 -- Arizona QSO Party; Pennsylvania QSO Party; Makrothen RTTY Contest; Oceania DX Contest (CW); Scandinavian Activity Contest (SSB)
October 9 -- North American Sprint (RTTY); UBA ON Contest (CW)
October 10 -- 10-10 International 10-10 Day Sprint
October 12 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint; NAQCC-EU Monthly Sprint
Next week:

October 15 -- Iowa QSO Party; Feld Hell Sprint
October 15-16 -- New York QSO Party; 10-10 International Fall Contest (CW); JARTS WW RTTY Contest; CQ SA Contest (SSB); QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party; Worked All Germany Contest
October 16 -- Asia-Pacific Fall Sprint (CW)
October 16-17 -- Illinois QSO Party
October 17 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
October 17-24 -- ARRL School Club Roundup
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
October 8-9 -- ARRL Florida State Convention, Melbourne, Florida
October 9 -- ARRL Connecticut State Convention, Wallingford, Connecticut
October 14-16 -- ARRL Pacific Division Convention, Santa Clara, California
October 21-22 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention, Ardmore, Oklahoma
October 22 -- ARRL Iowa State Convention, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
November 6 -- ARRL Iowa Section Convention, Davenport, Iowa
November 19-20 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention, Fort Wayne, Indiana
December 3-4 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Palmetto, Florida
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here to advertise in this newsletter.

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 09/22/2011

2011-09-27T17:50:00.000-07:00

September 22, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ On the Air: Radio Amateurs Take to the Air to Support National Wildlife Refuge Week
+ ARRL Recognizes: 2010 ARRL Technical Excellence Award Winners Announced
On the Air: Yaesu Donates FT DX 5000 HF/6 Meter Transceiver to W1AW
+ FCC News: FCC Upholds $17,000 Forfeiture Order to Tennessee Ham
+ ARRL Seeks Treasurer
Hays Affinity Group Provides ARRL Members with Equipment Protection, Club Liability Insurance Plans
+ HB9DRV Sells Rights to Ham Radio Deluxe
Solar Update
+ ARRL Invites Members to Express Opinions in QST
+ On the Air: JARL QSL Bureau Has New Address
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News.

+ On the Air: Radio Amateurs Take to the Air to Support National Wildlife Refuge Week

This colorful QSL card commemorated a previous NWR Week operation.

Amateur Radio operators will be on the air in observance of the 2011 National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 8-16. This event will coincide with festivals and special events at refuges that help connect people with nature at the country's more than 500 National Wildlife Refuges. Radio amateurs are helping spread the word about the National Wildlife Refuge System by operating from refuges during National Wildlife Refuge Week. This event is a chance to combine Amateur Radio's communication capabilities with enjoyment of the outdoors, while helping others learn about the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). Hams will highlight refuge features, wildlife and geography when making contact with other stations across North America. Operators will make contact using SSB, CW and various digital modes, including RTTY and PSK31. Read more here.

+ ARRL Recognizes: 2010 ARRL Technical Excellence Award Winners Announced

Joe Taylor, K1JT

Joe Taylor, K1JT, and Bruce Walker, W1BW, are winners of the 2010 ARRL Doug DeMaw, W1FB, Technical Excellence Award for their article "WSPRing Around the World" that appeared in the November 2010 issue of QST. Established in 1975 as the ARRL Technical Excellence Award, the name was changed in 1997 to honor the late Doug DeMaw, W1FB, a former ARRL Headquarters technical editor and well-known Amateur Radio author. The award consists of an engraved 9 inch pewter cup.

Joe Taylor was first licensed as KN2ITP in 1954, and has since held call signs K2ITP, WA1LXQ, W1HFV, VK2BJX and K1JT. He was Professor of Astronomy at the University of Massachusetts from 1969 to 1981 and since then Professor of Physics at Princeton University, serving also as Princeton's Dean of the Faculty from 1997 to 2004 and retiring in 2007. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1993 for discovery of the first orbiting pulsar.

Bruce Walker, W1BW

Bruce Walker has a Bachelor in Science degree in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is the Director of Genome Assembly and Analysis at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Bruce was an avid shortwave listener in his youth and became a ham in 1991. His involvement in Amateur Radio has gone through several phases: homebuilt QRP, amateur satellites, early computer-based digital modes (PSK31, MSFK, etc), and occasional contesting. Read more here.

On the Air: Yaesu Donates FT DX 5000 HF/6 Meter Transceiver to W1AW
Thanks to the generosity of Yaesu, W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, now boasts Yaesu's premier transceiver -- an FT DX 5000 and SM-5000 Station Monitor. Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, Executive Vice President for Yaesu's Amateur Radio Sales Division, visited ARRL Headquarters on August 26 to present the radio. ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, accepted the radio on behalf of the station. Sumner also serves as W1AW trustee.

Yaesu's Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV (left), visited ARRL Headquarters in August to present the FT DX 5000 to W1AW. ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, accepted the radio on behalf of the station. [S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, Photo]

"Yaesu is thrilled to continue its long support of the ARRL by donating our new premium class FT DX 50000 transceiver," Motschenbacher said. "We understand this transceiver scored some of the best receiver performance numbers every measured during ARRL Lab product testing, so ARRL Headquarters guests will now be able to slip into one of the W1AW operating studios to get on the air and spin the knobs on one of the best of the best radios ever manufactured for the enjoyment of Amateur Radio."

W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, thanked Yaesu for their donation of the FT DX 5000 transceiver to W1AW: "This radio is installed in Studio Three and is available for use to Amateur Radio operators visiting W1AW. The Yaesu Quadra amplifier, DMU-2000 and Yaesu SM-5000 Station Monitor are all attached and make for an excellent operating spot. The FT DX 5000 certainly complements the station."

Motschenbacher, who worked at ARRL HQ before moving to Yaesu, remarked that returning to Newington to make the presentation "was a wonderful personal experience for me. I was so happy to see many old friends inside HQ, friendships made during the four and half years I spent with ARRL before joining Yaesu. It didn't take me long to see that the staff is very busy supporting its membership and Amateur Radio as a whole!"

+ FCC News: FCC Upholds $17,000 Forfeiture Order to Tennessee Ham

In March 2009, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) in the amount of $17,000 to David Edward Perka, KA3PRB, of Lewisburg, Tennessee. The FCC alleges that Perka "willfully and repeatedly violat[ed] section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, by operating without a license in the Maritime Radio Service and willfully violat[ed] Section 333 of the Act by maliciously interfering with the United States Coast Guard on the International Distress, Safety and Calling Channel in Annapolis, Maryland." Perka, who admitted to the findings, requested a reduction in the forfeiture amount, based on his inability to pay, but in a Forfeiture Order released by the FCC on September 21, 2011, the Commission refused to lower the amount. Read more here.

+ ARRL Seeks Treasurer
After more than 31 years of distinguished service to the ARRL as its volunteer Treasurer, Jim McCobb, K1LU, has decided to step down when his current term expires in January 2012. The ARRL is seeking qualified candidates from among its membership. The Board of Directors elects the Treasurer and other officers at its Annual Meeting in even-numbered years.

The Treasurer is a non-voting member of the Board of Directors and must be a licensed radio amateur and a Full member of the ARRL for four continuous years prior to nomination. The ARRL By-laws define the role of the Treasurer as follows:

In consultation with and subject to the general supervision of the Administration and Finance Committee, provides for the investment and reinvestment of the surplus funds of the League in any bonds or stocks or other securities as would be selected by a trustee with the care of a prudent investor.
Reports to and attends all regular meetings of the Board of Directors.
Serves as a member of the Administration and Finance Committee.
The position is unpaid; however, necessary expenses including travel to meetings are reimbursable.

A Search Committee has been established to recommend one or more candidates for Treasurer to the Board. Additional information about the position is available here. Interested and qualified members are invited to submit a Statement of Interest and qualifications by November 14, 2011 to the Secretary, preferably by e-mail.

Hays Affinity Group Provides ARRL Members with Equipment Protection, Club Liability Insurance Plans

On May 1, 2011, the ARRL began a new partnership with Hays Affinity Group to provide its ARRL-sponsored Equipment Insurance and Club Liability Insurance plans. Hays -- who took over from Marsh Affinity Group Services -- serves as the program administrator to provide equipment insurance to ARRL members who choose to elect coverage. In addition, Hays will also provide club liability insurance to ARRL Affiliated Clubs for those clubs that wish to take advantage of that program. Hays has introduced new policies for both plans, underwritten by the Hanover Insurance Company. Read more here.

+ HB9DRV Sells Rights to Ham Radio Deluxe
Simon Brown, HB9DRV, has sold the rights to his popular Ham Radio Deluxe software package to a group consisting of Mike Carper, WA9PIE, Randy Gawtry, K0CBH and Rick Ruhl, W4PC. All three principals have more than 25 years of experience with radio data communications. Rick Ruhl is the president of W4PC Software, Inc whose products include the PakRatt, PKTerm and Radio Operations Center software suites. Randy Gawtry is the president of Timewave Technology Inc whose products include the PK and DSP families of data controllers and other commercial data products. Mike Carper is an experienced Fortune 500 technology executive, educator and featured speaker in the areas of wireless technologies and IT Service Management. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, September 22, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This image was taken at 304 Angstrom; the bright material is at 60,000 to 80,000 Kelvin.

Tad "Somewhere the Sun is shining" Cook, K7RA, reports: Compared to the uneventful past few years, sunspot activity was truly remarkable this week. The daily sunspot number for September 16 was 173. We haven't see numbers like this in more than six years, when the sunspot number was 181, way back on July 5, 2005 in Solar Cycle 23. The solar flux reached 150.1 on September 18. Just six months ago it was slightly higher, 153 on March 7 and 155 on March 8, but prior to that the only higher number was 157.3 on August 22, 2005, about 7 weeks after the sunspot number of 181. Currently, the solar flux and planetary A index forecast from USAF/NOAA calls for solar flux of 144 on September 22-23, 140 on September 24-25, 145 on September 26-28, 130 on September 29 through October 1, and 135 on October 2-5. The planetary A index is predicted at 5 on September 22-24, 8 on September 25, 5, 8, 5, 5, 15 and 8 on September 26 through October 1, and 5 on October 2-7. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, September 23. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by The Go-Go's Stuck in My Car.

+ ARRL Invites Members to Express Opinions in QST

Each month in QST, the ARRL devotes a page to print letters from its members. This is a chance for you to express your opinions -- good or bad -- on ham radio-related matters. Your opinion counts! Send your letters electronically to qst@arrl.org or via postal mail to Correspondence, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. You can also fax your letters to 860-594-0259. We read every letter received, but we can only publish a few each month. We reserve the right to edit your letter for clarity and to fit the available page space. Letters published in QST may also appear in other ARRL media. The ARRL assumes no responsibility for statements made by correspondents.

+ On the Air: JARL QSL Bureau Has New Address
As of October 1, 2011, the Japan Amateur Radio League's (JARL) QSL Bureau will have a new address. If you use the JARL QSL Bureau, please send your QSL cards to JARL QSL Bureau, 1324-3 Kanba, Hikawa-cho, Izumo-shi, Shimane 699-0588 JAPAN.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

September 23 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
September 24 -- AGCW VHF/UHF Contest
September 24-25 -- ARRL EME Contest; Texas QSO Party; CQ Worldwide DX Contest (RTTY)
September 25 -- UBA ON 6 Meter Contest
September 26 -- QRP Homebrewer Sprint
September 27 -- 222 MHz Fall Sprint (local time)
September 28 -- SKCC Sprint
September 28-29 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
Next week:

October 1 -- TARA PSK Rumble Contest; EU Autumn Sprint (SSB)
October 1-2 -- California QSO Party; Oceania DX Contest (SSB); WAB HF Phone Contest; EPC Russia DX Contest
October 2 -- UBA ON Contest (SSB)
October 3 -- German Telegraphy Contest
October 4 -- ARS Spartan Sprint
October 5 -- 432 MHz Fall Sprint1 (local time)
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
September 24 -- ARRL Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington
October 8-9 -- ARRL Florida State Convention, Melbourne, Florida
October 9 -- ARRL Connecticut State Convention, Wallingford, Connecticut
October 14-16 -- ARRL Pacific Division Convention, Santa Clara, California
October 21-22 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention, Ardmore, Oklahoma
October 22 -- ARRL Iowa State Convention, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
November 6 -- ARRL Iowa Section Convention, Davenport, Iowa
November 19-20 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention, Fort Wayne, Indiana
December 3-4 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Palmetto, Florida
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here to advertise in this newsletter.

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 09/15/20111

2011-09-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

September 15, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ Public Service: Missouri Hams Help Out When 911 Service Goes Down
+ ARRL to Welcome USTTI Students Next Month
+ ARRL Seeks Treasurer
+ ARRL Facebook Page: 20,000 Fans Strong
+ Heathkit's Amateur Radio Plans Taking Shape
QEX -- the September/October 2011 Issue
Solar Update
+ New QuickStats Poll Now Available on ARRL Website
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News.

+ Public Service: Missouri Hams Help Out When 911 Service Goes Down

It doesn't take a major disaster for Amateur Radio to step in and save the day. Around 9 PM on September 5, a cable cut completely isolated the Johnson County 911 Center in Warrensburg, Missouri, impacting landline, Internet and cellular service. Johnson County -- home to Whiteman Air Force Base -- is located just east of the Kansas City metro area.

Johnson County's emergency plan called for the telephone company to transfer all 911 calls to the Henry County 911 facility in Clinton, Missouri; Henry County is the next county south of Johnson County. But an equipment problem at Henry County's center prevented the transfer from completing successfully. Calls were then routed to the Benton County 911 Center in Warsaw, Missouri; Benton County is the next county west of Henry County. This transfer was successful and calls started coming in to Warsaw. Unfortunately, Warsaw is more than 40 miles from Warrensburg, and the two centers were unable to establish communication using the county VHF radio facilities. It was then that radio amateurs were brought in to provide communications support. Read more here.

+ ARRL to Welcome USTTI Students Next Month

Next month -- October 3-7 -- the ARRL will welcome international students who want to learn how to administer and regulate Amateur Radio programs in their home countries. This course, offered by the United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI) for learners from developing countries, will help the participants create, administer and foster an Amateur Radio Service in their countries. This is the 27th year that the ARRL has participated in the USTTI program. Read more here.

+ ARRL Seeks Treasurer

Jim NcCobb, K1LU, is stepping down after 31 years as ARRL Treasurer.

After more than 31 years of distinguished service to the ARRL as its volunteer Treasurer, Jim McCobb, K1LU, has decided to step down when his current term expires in January 2012. The ARRL is seeking qualified candidates from among its membership. The Board of Directors elects the Treasurer and other officers at its Annual Meeting in even-numbered years.

The Treasurer is a non-voting member of the Board of Directors and must be a licensed radio amateur and a Full member of the ARRL for four continuous years prior to nomination. The ARRL By-laws define the role of the Treasurer as follows:

In consultation with and subject to the general supervision of the Administration and Finance Committee, provides for the investment and reinvestment of the surplus funds of the League in any bonds or stocks or other securities as would be selected by a trustee with the care of a prudent investor.
Reports to and attends all regular meetings of the Board of Directors.
Serves as a member of the Administration and Finance Committee.
The position is unpaid; however, necessary expenses including travel to meetings are reimbursable.

A Search Committee has been established to recommend one or more candidates for Treasurer to the Board. Additional information about the position is available here. Interested and qualified members are invited to submit a Statement of Interest and qualifications by November 14, 2011 to the Secretary, preferably by e-mail.

+ ARRL Facebook Page: 20,000 Fans Strong

With more than 20,000 fans on Facebook, the ARRL Facebook page is the number one spot for hams on the Internet's most popular social networking site. Not only is the ARRL page the most popular Amateur Radio page on Facebook, it is attracting many young -- and not-so-young -- hams to share their opinions and ham radio-related news with other hams. According to Facebook demographics, more than 460 people between the ages of 13-17 are fans of the ARRL's page, with 74 percent of users below the age of 55. Since September 2010, hundreds of users post their own comments on the page, make a comment on a post or "like" a comment each week. The ARRL has been active on Facebook since July 2010; since that time, the page has been viewed almost 14.5 million times by fans and non-fans alike. The ARRL also has a Logbook of the World Facebook page. Premiering in June 2011, this popular page has almost 1000 ham fans. Read more here.

+ Heathkit's Amateur Radio Plans Taking Shape

Heathkit Educational Systems hopes to reenter the Amateur Radio market by the end of 2011. Back in August, Heathkit announced its return to the kit business and actively solicited suggestions. The response from Amateur Radio operators convinced Heathkit to develop several Amateur Radio products.

"When we made the announcement on our web page about a month ago, we had no intention of entering the Amateur Radio kit market," Ernie Wake, Heathkit's Director of Sales and Marketing, told the ARRL. "The response was really overwhelming, exciting and scary. The scary part is that the brand name has so much loyalty that we don't want to disappoint the people who have such fond memories."

Wake said that Heathkit is presently working on developing a few Amateur Radio kits. "Initially, the kit line will include a few 'accessories,' like kits for a Dual Watt Meter, Antenna Tuners and the Cantenna," he explained. "Once we are a little more 'settled,' I think we will develop a QRP receiver. We won't rush to market just to get there. We want to develop a line of kits in the tradition of Heathkit. I'm hoping to have one or two kits by the end-of-the-year."

QEX -- the September/October 2011 Issue

The September/October issue of QEX is already out, and it is full of theoretical and practical technical articles that you won't want to miss. QEX is the ARRL's "Forum for Communications Experimenters." Published bimonthly, it features technical articles, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals. The mission of QEX is threefold: To provide a medium for the exchange of ideas and information among Amateur Radio experimenters; to document advanced technical work in the Amateur Radio field, and to support efforts to advance the state of the Amateur Radio art. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, September 15, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) image was taken in the continuum near the Ni I 6768 Angstrom line. The most prominent features are the sunspots. This is very much how the Sun looks in the visible range of the spectrum.

Tad "When the Sun is setting" Cook, K7RA, reports: Although the average daily sunspot numbers are lower -- down nearly 13 points to 91.7 -- the average daily solar flux is higher by 6.7 points, rising to 122.2. Yes, solar activity is rising rapidly. You could see it coming earlier this week by glancing at the STEREO mission when you looked at the back side of the Sun. There was lots of activity, and you can still see quite a bit more (those white patches) just over the eastern horizon, which is on the left side of the image beyond -90 degrees. The image of the daily Sun shows a disc peppered with sunspots, a welcome sight after watching the current solar cycle seem to stall. Numerous CME events disturbed the Earth's magnetic field. The planetary A index record shows September 9, 10 and 12 were the most active days, with the index at 36, 33 and 27. The autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere is just a week away: September 23 at 0905 UTC, which is 5:05 AM EDT or 02:05 AM PDT. Luckily, the increased sunspot activity should continue. The predicted solar flux is 145 on September 15-17, 150 September 18-22, 110 on September 23-24, and 115 on September 25-29. The predicted planetary A index is 5 on September 15-18, 7 on September 19, 5 on September 20-23, 7 on September 24-25, 5 on September 26-29, and 15 on September 30. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, September 16. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by The Go-Go's Beneath the Blue Sky.

+ New QuickStats Poll Now Available on ARRL Website
Four new poll questions have just been published on the QuickStats page on the ARRL website. Let your voice be heard!

Questions in this month's QuickStats poll:

What is the longest time you've ever spent at your radio (including brief breaks)?
Do you analyze your antenna designs with modeling software before you build the antennas?
Have you monitored signals from the new ARISSat-1 satellite?
How far are you willing to drive for a hamfest?
Visit the QuickStats page and be sure to bookmark it in your browser. Results from this QuickStats poll will be published in the December 2011 issue of QST on the QuickStats page, located in the rear advertising section of the magazine. Along with monthly poll results, QST QuickStats offers colorful charts and graphs that highlight interesting Amateur Radio statistics.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

September 16 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder; AGB NEMIGA Contest
September 17 -- Connecticut QSO Party; Feld Hell Sprint
September 17-18 -- ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest (local time); South Carolina QSO Party; Washington State Salmon Run; CIS DX QPSK63 Contest; Scandinavian Activity Contest (CW); SRT HF Contest (SSB); QRP Afield
September 18 -- North American Sprint (SSB); WAB 144 MHz QRP Phone Contest; BARTG Sprint 75
September 19 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest; 144 MHz Fall Sprint (local time)
September 22 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
Next week:

September 23 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
September 24 -- AGCW VHF/UHF Contest
September 24-25 -- ARRL EME Contest; Texas QSO Party; CQ Worldwide DX Contest (RTTY)
September 25 -- UBA ON 6 Meter Contest
September 26 -- QRP Homebrewer Sprint
September 27 -- 222 MHz Fall Sprint (local time)
September 28 -- SKCC Sprint
September 28-29 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
September 17 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Virginia Beach, Virginia
September 24 -- ARRL Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington
October 8-9 -- ARRL Florida State Convention, Melbourne, Florida
October 9 -- ARRL Connecticut State Convention, Wallingford, Connecticut
October 14-16 -- ARRL Pacific Division Convention, Santa Clara, California
October 21-22 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention, Ardmore, Oklahoma
October 22 -- ARRL Iowa State Convention, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
November 6 -- ARRL Iowa Section Convention, Davenport, Iowa
November 19-20 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention, Fort Wayne, Indiana
December 3-4 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Palmetto, Florida
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

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ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

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The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 09/08/11

2011-09-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

September 8, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ Public Service: Get SET for the ARRL Simulated Emergency Test
+ Propagation News: Stanford University Researchers Announce Sunspot Breakthrough
+ Check Out the October Issue of QST
ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?
+ Report Calls on NASA to Hire More Astronauts
+ On the Air: DX0DX Spratly DXpedition "Permanently Cancelled"
Solar Update
+ ARRL Recognizes: Doug Hall, K4DSP, Wins August QST Cover Plaque Award
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News.

+ Public Service: Get SET for the ARRL Simulated Emergency Test

The Tuscaloosa County (Alabama) ARES participated in the 2010 Simulated Emergency Test. Dennis South, KD4IDD (left), and Bob Hudson, KF4UCY, conduct a VHF net during the SET. [Eddie Lary, WS4I, Photo]

Simulated ARRL's Simulated Emergency Test (SET) is October 1 and 2, 2011. This nationwide exercise is the chance to test your emergency operating skills and the readiness of your communications equipment and accessories in an emergency-like deployment. ARRL Field Organization Leaders at the Section and local levels -- along with many other volunteers who are active in public service and emergency communications -- are developing emergency-like scenarios in consultation with a variety of agencies for whom radio amateurs are known to provide service during emergencies.

To find out how you can step up and be a part of the local or Section-level activities, contact your Section Manager. You can find contact information for all 71 ARRL Section Managers on page 16 of any issue of QST. Additional contact information may also be found on the ARRL website. The Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®), the National Traffic System (NTS), the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) and members of the ARRL Field Organization will participate and practice emergency operation plans, nets and procedures. Read more here.

+ Propagation News: Stanford University Researchers Announce Sunspot Breakthrough
Imagine forecasting a hurricane in Miami weeks before the storm was even a swirl of clouds off the coast of Africa -- or predicting a tornado in Kansas from the flutter of a butterfly's wing in Texas. These are the kind of forecasts meteorologists can only dream about. Could the dream come true? A new study by Stanford University researchers suggests that such forecasts may one day be possible -- not on Earth, but on the Sun. In the August 19 issue of Science, Stathis Ilonidis, together with co-workers Junwei Zhao and Alexander Kosovichev, announced that they can see some sunspots while they are still submerged, before they are visible to the naked eye. "This could lead to significant advances in space weather forecasting," Ilondis said.

A large number of sunspots on the surface on the Sun from March 2001.

Most Amateur Radio operators are aware of sunspots, those dark blemishes on the surface of the Sun. This is because sunspots influence propagation. They can be a boon to hams interested in HF propagation, as sunspots are the sites of ultraviolet or extreme ultraviolet radiation that creates our ionosphere. But sunspots can also be destructive. They are the source for disturbances, such as flares and the roots of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that can hinder propagation. When a CME hits the Earth's atmosphere, the low bands will be depressed and signals will be weaker the lower the frequency. The absorption rate will be most severe on 160 meters, less on 80 and somewhat better on 40 meters. The maximum usable frequency (MUF) -- the highest frequency by which a radio wave can propagate between given terminals by ionospheric propagation alone, independent of power -- will be lower and auroral propagation on the VHF bands is quite possible. Read more here.

+ Check Out the October Issue of QST
The October issue of QST is jam-packed with all sorts of things that today's Amateur Radio operator needs. In this issue -- our annual DX issue -- you'll discover both technical and feature articles to get you in the mood for hunting down that rare DX. And just like every issue of QST, you will find something to pique your Amateur Radio interests.

A receive antenna can improve the signal-to-noise ratio of those weak, distant stations. Some transceivers don't include the capability to use separate antennas for both receiving and transmitting. In his article "A Receive-Only Antenna Adapter," Gerald Fasse, W8GF, offers a simple schematic for an adapter you can build that will add functionality to your shack. Joe Ostrowski, KI5FJ, shows how you can reduce transmission line loss by matching your antenna at the antenna feed point. In his article "A Remote Impedance Matching Network," he presents a simple to use -- and easy to build -- network that doesn't have to use microprocessors or relays to switch RF components.

In the October 2010 issue of QST, Cezar Trifu, VE3LYC, told his nail-biting account of being stranded on an uninhabited island in the Canadian arctic. Now for October 2011, Trifu describes his memorable DXpedition to the islands of the southern tip of South America in his article "CE9 DXpedition to the Tip of South America." Sean Patrick Doran, W8OKN, now knows that the ARRL's Logbook of The World is the best way to track his progress toward the DXCC and WAS awards. Read about his Eureka! moment in his article "LoTW: Like Taking Your QSLs to the Bank."

Have you ever gone to a movie and saw ham radio gear up on the big screen and wondered just how it got there? ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, did when she went to see Mr Popper's Penguins over the summer. She tracked down the owner of the ham gear featured in the movie and tells of its journey from shack to screen in "Ham Radio 'Pops' on the Big Screen." Keane also presents all the details from the ARRL Board of Directors 2011 Second Meeting in "ARRL Board of Directors Looks to 2014 -- and Beyond."

NCJ Managing Editor Rick Lindquist, WW3DE, takes a look at the ICOM IC-7410 HF and 6 meter transceiver in this month's Product Review. He says that this rig "replaces the IC-746PRO and adds an improved receiver, much faster DSP performance and new features to the mix, but drops 2 meter coverage. Although the new radio does a lot, the 7410 user interface will be familiar to users of current ICOM radios." QST Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, checks out the Coaxial Dynamics Model 81041 USB wattmeter: "This is a very nice wattmeter with some extra features that you are likely to appreciate. It does not offer the absolute accuracy of more recent instruments, but will be familiar and handy to many. The provided PC software is useful, but we hope that more will come."

Of course, there are the usual columns you know and expect in the October QST: Happenings, Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX, Vintage Radio and more. Look for your October issue in your mailbox. QST is the official journal of ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. QST is just one of the many benefits of ARRL membership. To join or renew your ARRL membership, please visit the ARRL web page.

ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?

This feature is a concise monthly update of some of the things that the ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment -- which covers the month of August -- takes a look at how the ARRL HQ Emergency Response Team helped monitor various nets and provide support to the affected Field Organizations from W1AW, the upcoming Director elections in the Atlantic, Delta and Midwest Divisions, helping to solve interference problems on 60 meters, filing comments with the FCC, reports from the Official Observer Desk and more. Read more here.

+ Report Calls on NASA to Hire More Astronauts

Even as the space shuttle era has come to a close, a NASA-commissioned report says the space agency needs to hire more astronauts to maintain its presence on the International Space Station and prepare for the next generation of spaceflight. The report warns that "the Astronaut Corps appears to be sized below the minimum required" and that the current corps size "poses a risk to the US investment in human spaceflight capabilities." NASA commissioned the report from the National Research Council, part of the National Academy of Sciences, to examine the agency's astronaut and astronaut training needs in the post-shuttle era. NASA Spokesman Michael Curie said that the report "offers helpful advice about the appropriate size of our astronaut corps as we enter this exciting new era of space exploration and crew transport operations." Beginning in November 1983 with Owen Garriott, W5LFL, on board STS-9, Amateur Radio has been an integral part of NASA missions in space. More than 100 NASA astronauts have received their Amateur Radio license. Read more here.

+ On the Air: DX0DX Spratly DXpedition "Permanently Cancelled"
After numerous setbacks, Chris Dimitrijevic, VK3FY, announced on the DX0DX website that the planned 2012 DX0DX DXpedition to the Spratly Islands has been "permanently cancelled." No explanation was given for the cancellation and Dimitrijevic did not respond to e-mails from the ARRL. Spratly currently sits at #32 on DX Magazine's "Most Wanted" List.

The planned QSL card for the DX0DX Spratly Island DXpedition.

The DX0DX Spratly DXpedition had been postponed at least twice. It was first supposed to happen in January 2011, and then it was delayed until April. According to Dimitrijevic, the postponement to April 2011 was "due to circumstances beyond the control of the DX0DX Team and in the best interests of the Team of Operators." On April 10, 2011, Dimitrijevic sent out a notice that said that 10 of the original 37 operators of the planned 2011 DX0DX DXpedition indicated that they will return in April 2012, but that will not be happening.

In April 2012, however, another group is planning a DXpedition to the Spratly Islands. According to the September 4 edition of the Ohio/Penn DX Association's bulletin, members of the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitter Society (MARTS) are planning a "2012 Project" to activate Pulau Layang Layang (AS-051) in the Spratlys during the first two weeks of the month. The team leader is C.L. Neoh, 9M2CLN, with support by Tack Kumagai, JE1CKA, and the 9M4SDX Team. The DXpedition coordinator is Tex Izumo, 9M2TO. MARTS is Malaysia's IARU Member-Society. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, September 8, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) image was taken in the continuum near the Ni I 6768 Angstrom line. The most prominent features are the sunspots. This is very much how the Sun looks in the visible range of the spectrum.

Tad "September Sun, you made me see" Cook, K7RA, reports: Solar indicators rose again this week, with the average daily sunspot numbers increasing nearly 21 points to 104.3, while the average daily solar flux was up nearly 12 points to 115.5. The geomagnetic numbers were up as well, with the most active geomagnetic day occurring on September 3. The latest prediction from NOAA/USAF has solar flux at 110, 105 and 100 for September 8-10, 95 on September 11-13, 100 on September 14-15, 103 on September 16-17, and 105 on September 18-22. The planetary A index is predicted at 5 on September 8-9, 18, 15, 10 and 8 on September 10-13, 5 on September 14-17, 7 on September 18-19, and 5 on September 20-23. Geophysical Institute Prague predicts minor storm for September 9-10, active conditions September 11, unsettled September 12, quiet to unsettled September 13 and quiet on September 14-15. Both the NOAA and Prague predictions for September 9-10 are probably based on a recent X2 class solar flare on September 6. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, September 9. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by Human Nature's September Girl.

+ ARRL Recognizes: Doug Hall, K4DSP, Wins August QST Cover Plaque Award

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for August is Doug Hall, K4DSP, for his article "The FSKit -- A Simple Sound Card Interface for Generating Radioteletype Frequency Shift Keying." Congratulations Doug! The QST Cover Plaque award -- given to the author or authors of the best article in each issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll Web page. Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the September issue today.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

September 9 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
September 9-10 -- PODXS 070 Club Jay Hudak Memorial 80 Meter Sprint (local time)
September 10 -- Ohio State Parks on the Air; Kulikovo Polye Contest
September 10-11 -- Arkansas QSO Party; WAE DX Contest (Phone)
September 10-12 -- ARRL September VHF QSO Party; ARCI VHF Contest
September 11 -- SKCC Weekend Sprint
September 14-15 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
Next week:

September 16 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder; AGB NEMIGA Contest
September 17 -- Connecticut QSO Party; Feld Hell Sprint
September 17-18 -- ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest (local time); South Carolina QSO Party; Washington State Salmon Run; CIS DX QPSK63 Contest; Scandinavian Activity Contest (CW); SRT HF Contest (SSB); QRP Afield
September 18 -- North American Sprint (SSB); WAB 144 MHz QRP Phone Contest; BARTG Sprint 75
September 19 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest; 144 MHz Fall Sprint (local time)
September 22 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
September 9-11 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, Torrance, California
September 11 -- ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention, Findlay, Ohio
September 17 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Virginia Beach, Virginia
September 24 -- ARRL Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington
October 8-9 -- ARRL Florida State Convention, Melbourne, Florida
October 9 -- ARRL Connecticut State Convention, Wallingford, Connecticut
October 14-16 -- ARRL Pacific Division Convention, Santa Clara, California
October 21-22 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention, Ardmore, Oklahoma
October 22 -- ARRL Iowa State Convention, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
November 6 -- ARRL Iowa Section Convention, Davenport, Iowa
November 19-20 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention, Fort Wayne, Indiana
December 3-4 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Palmetto, Florida
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here to advertise in this newsletter.

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year.

The ARRL This Week 08/25/2011

2011-08-30T09:46:00.000-07:00

August 25, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ NHC Issues Hurricane Watch for Portions of North Carolina; ARRL Establishes Hurricane Irene Website
+ ARRL Members Nominate Candidates for Director, Vice Director
+ FCC News: ARRL Files Comments in Response to Anchorage VEC's Waiver Request
+ Scoutmaster Arthur Anderson, W9WPH, Stabbed to Death on Hiking Trip
+ Section News: Georgia, Western Washington See No Change in Section Leadership
IARU Administrative Council Holds Annual Meeting in South Africa
+ At the Workbench: Heathkit Returns to the Kit Business
Solar Update
+ Silent Key: Peter Dahl, K0BIT (SK)
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News

+ NHC Issues Hurricane Watch for Portions of North Carolina; ARRL Establishes Hurricane Irene Website
As Hurricane Irene -- currently a Category 3 storm -- approaches the US, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a hurricane watch earlier this morning for regions north of Surf City, North Carolina to the North Carolina-Virginia border, including the Pamlico, Albemarle and Currituck Sounds. A tropical storm watch is also in effect for north of Edisto Beach, South Carolina to Surf City, North Carolina.

This map from the Natinal Hurricane Center shows how Hrrricane Irene -- currently a Category 3 storm -- is expected to track through Monday, August 29. Click here for a larger image.

In anticipation of Irene's expected landfall in North Carolina, the ARRL HQ Emergency Response Team (HQERT) has established a website to keep amateurs informed of the latest developments. This website will also provide links to the NHC, WX4NHC -- the Amateur Radio station at the NHC -- the Hurricane Watch Net and the Voice over Internet Protocol Weather Net, where radio amateurs can send in their reports. The HQERT will also be monitoring various nets and providing support to the affected Field Organizations beginning on Friday, August 26 from W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station.

The NHC is predicting that it will be issuing hurricane warnings later on Thursday for those areas already covered by the hurricane watch, and is expected to extend the hurricane watch northward along the Mid-Atlantic coast, as well. The NHC advises residents in the Mid-Atlantic States and New England to monitor Irene's progress in anticipation of possible hurricane watches or warnings. Read more here.

+ ARRL Members Nominate Candidates for Director, Vice Director

The policies of the ARRL are established by 15 Directors who are elected to the Board on a geographical basis, with elections for three-year terms held in five divisions each year. At the same time, Vice Directors are elected on the same basis. Responding to solicitations in the July and August issues of QST, ARRL members in the Atlantic, Dakota, Delta, Great Lakes and Midwest Divisions have nominated 15 candidates for the 10 positions of Director and Vice Director.

One candidate for Vice Director was found to be ineligible by the Ethics and Elections Committee, which left one eligible nominee for Vice Director in each of the five divisions. Accordingly, all five have been declared elected to three-year terms beginning at noon on January 1, 2012. Two incumbent Directors were unopposed and have been declared re-elected. There will be balloting for Director in the Atlantic, Delta and Midwest Divisions. Read more here.

+ FCC News: ARRL Files Comments in Response to Anchorage VEC's Waiver Request

In April 2011, the Anchorage VEC -- one of 14 Volunteer Examiner Coordinators -- filed a Petition for Rule Making (RM-11629) that asked the FCC to give permanent credit to radio amateurs for examination elements they have successfully passed. This would, in effect, create a license exam credit that would be valid throughout an amateurs' lifetime, never expiring. On July 6, the Anchorage VEC submitted a Waiver Request with the FCC while RM-11629 is pending. This request asks that the FCC grant a blanket waiver ofSection 97.505 of the Commission's Rules to those radio amateurs whose licenses have expired -- and are beyond the two-year grace period for renewal -- to be afforded credit for examination elements previously passed. On August 11, the ARRL filed comments with the FCC, urging the Commission to dismiss or deny the Waiver Request. Read more here.

+ Scoutmaster Arthur Anderson, W9WPH, Stabbed to Death on Hiking Trip

Arthur Anderson, W9WPH (SK)

Arthur Anderson, W9WPH, of Kokomo, Indiana, 76, bled to death after being stabbed in what authorities are calling "a senseless act." On Sunday, August 21, Anderson -- together with another man -- was leading two Boy Scouts, ages 11 and 12, on a required five mile nature hike on the Nickel Plate Trail in Bunker Hill, 60 miles north of Indianapolis. According to Indiana State Police Sergeant Tony Slocum, the group had stopped on the trail to discuss a tree when Anderson was attacked from behind. Anderson, a scouting volunteer for 50 years, was an Assistant Scoutmaster of a troop based at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kokomo. Read more here.

+ Section News: Georgia, Western Washington See No Change in Section Leadership
Two Section Manager elections this summer were decided by member balloting. In Georgia, incumbent Gene Clark, W4AYK, of Albany, was re-elected to a second term with 820 votes. His opponent Verne Fowler, W8BLA, of Cumming, received 365 votes. In Western Washington, Jim Pace, K7CEX, of Centralia, was re-elected for a third term with 965 votes. His opponent Daniel Stevens, KL7MA, of Kent, received 508 votes. Both men will begin new terms of office on October 1. Read more here.

IARU Administrative Council Holds Annual Meeting in South Africa

The Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) held its annual meeting on August 19-20 in Sun City, South Africa. The AC is responsible for the policy and management of the IARU and consists of the three IARU international officers and two representatives from each of the three IARU regional organizations.

IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, along with IARU Vice President Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, and IARU Secretary Rod Stafford, W6ROD, were in attendance. IARU Region 1 President Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T, IARU Region 1 Vice President Tafa Diop, 6W1KI, and IARU Region 1 Executive Committee Member Colin Thomas, G3PSM, represented IARU Region 1. IARU Region 2 President Reinaldo Leandro, YV5AM, IARU Region 2 Secretary Ramon Santoyo, XE1KK represented IARU Region 2. IARU Region 3 Chairman of Directors Michael Owen, VK3KI, and IARU Region 3 Secretary Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP, represented IARU Region 3. David Sumner, K1ZZ, attended as recording secretary. Read more here.

+ At the Workbench: Heathkit Returns to the Kit Business

A notice on the Heathkit website announces that the venerable kit manufacturer, well-known to all Amateur Radio operators of a certain age, will be reentering the kit business in late August. The notice states, in part: "Heathkit will debut their new line of Do-it-Yourself kits for common around-the-house items. The first kit will be a Garage Parking Assistant (GPA). The Garage Parking Assistant kit lets you build your own system that uses ultrasonic sound waves to locate your car as it enters the garage. The system signals to the driver using LED lights mounted on the wall when the car is detected and in the perfect spot for parking. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, August 25, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This image was taken at 304 Angstrom; the bright material is at 60,000 to 80,000 Kelvin.

Tad "I could feel the Sun on my back" Cook, K7RA, reports: Solar activity rose this week, with the average daily sunspot number rising more than 40 points to 66 points, while the average daily solar flux rose more than 13 points to 101.9. The predicted solar flux for August 25-26 is 110, rising to 115 for August 27-30, 110 for August 31, 105 for September 1-3, and 100 for September 4-5. The predicted planetary A index is 5 for August 25-26, 10 on August 27, and 5 on August 28 through September 2, then 8, 10, 10, 10, 7 and 5 on September 3-8. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, August 26. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by The Bangles' Something to Believe In.

+ Silent Key: Peter Dahl, K0BIT (SK)

Peter Dahl, K0BIT (SK)

Peter Dahl, K0BIT, of El Paso, Texas, passed away August 15 of Parkinson's disease. He was 71. In 2007 after more than 40 years, he closed his company -- the Peter W. Dahl Company -- citing health reasons. "I want to thank everyone for their business throughout the years," Dahl told the ARRL upon his retirement. "I have enjoyed making each Amateur Radio transformer." Read more here.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

August 26 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
August 27 -- ARCI Welcome to QRP
August 27-28 -- Hawaii QSO Party; Kansas QSO Party; Ohio QSO Party; ALARA Contest; YO DX HF Contest; SCC RTTY Championship
August 28 -- SARL HF CW Contest
Next week:

September 2 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
September 3 -- Wake-Up! QRP Sprint; GCW Straight Key Party; Russian Radio WW RTTY Contest
September 3-4 -- Colorado QSO Party; QCWA Fall QSO Party; All Asian DX Contest (Phone); CWops Mini-CWT Test
September 4 -- DARC 10 Meter Digital Contest
September 4-5 -- Tennessee QSO Party
September 5-6 -- Michigan QRP Labor Day CW Sprint
September 6 -- ARS Spartan Sprint
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
August 28 -- ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, New Kensington, Pennsylvania
September 9-11 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, Torrance, California
September 11 -- ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention, Findlay, Ohio
September 17 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Virginia Beach, Virginia
September 24 -- ARRL Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington
October 8-9 -- ARRL Florida State Convention, Melbourne, Florida
October 9 -- ARRL Connecticut State Convention, Wallingford, Connecticut
October 14-16 -- ARRL Pacific Division Convention, Santa Clara, California
October 21-22 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention, Ardmore, Oklahoma
October 22 -- ARRL Iowa State Convention, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
November 6 -- ARRL Iowa Section Convention, Davenport, Iowa
November 19-20 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention, Fort Wayne, Indiana
December 3-4 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Palmetto, Florida
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

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The ARRL This Week 08/18/2011

2011-08-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

August 18, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ ARRL Field Day: 2011 Field Day Logs Posted
+ Amateur Radio in the Classroom: ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology Opens Horizon of Learning Opportunities
+ ARRL and California Researchers Team Up to End 12 Meter Interference
+ Check Out the September Issue of QST
+ QSL Card Exhibit in Maryland Through September 15
+ Amateur Radio Technology: 30th Annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference Set for September
Solar Update
+ Silent Key: Tom Hammond, N0SS
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News

+ ARRL Field Day: 2011 Field Day Logs Posted

A record 2654 submissions have been received for the 2011 running of ARRL Field Day. According to ARRL Field Day Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, this is the highest number of entries received for what is one of Amateur Radio's most popular on-the-air operating events. The combined list of Logs Received for Field Day has been posted online. The list includes all logs submitted via the website, as well as those submitted via e-mail and US Mail. Read more here.

+ Amateur Radio in the Classroom: ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology Opens Horizon of Learning Opportunities

Larry Kendall, K6NDL, is poised to confirm a QSO via satellite during a TI session.

This summer, the ARRL offered five sessions of the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology (TI). Veteran instructors Miguel Enriquez, KD7RPP, and Nathan McCray, K9CPO -- along with new Instructors Tommy Gober, N5DUX, and Matt Severin, N8MS -- led the instruction. A total of 55 educators from 24 states, ranging from elementary teachers to university PhDs, took part in the 2011 TIs.

The first TI session of 2011 was held at Desert Ridge Middle School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and was hosted by Diane Nihart, KE5UHB, a 2010 TI graduate. Other sessions took place at Parallax, Inc's corporate office in Rocklin, California (Parallax provides the robotics equipment for each TI session); at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, New York -- hosted by Bob Decker, AA2CU; and at ARRL Headquarters. The Dayton Amateur Radio Association hosted the TI-2 seminar, Space in the Classroom. The TI-2 curriculum focuses on the nuts and bolts of setting up and operating a satellite ground station. While TI participants do not need to have an Amateur Radio license to attend a session, TI-2 participants must have at least a Technician class license and have already attended a TI session. Read more here.

+ ARRL and California Researchers Team Up to End 12 Meter Interference
After the resolution of the recent 60 meter Coastal Ocean Dynamics Applications Radar (CODAR) situation on the East Coast, the ARRL noted an earlier report by John Terrell, N6LN, of Palos Verdes, California. Terrell described CODAR activity on the 12 meter band, from 24.93 to 25.058 MHz. Since it appeared likely it was originating on the West Coast -- possibly near Orange Section Official Observer Coordinator Dan Welch, W6DFW -- ARRL Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, contacted Welch for assistance. Read more here.

+ Check Out the September Issue of QST
The September issue of QST is jam-packed with all sorts of things that today's Amateur Radio operator needs. This issue focuses on Emergency Communications and Public Service, activities that many hams enjoy. From product reviews to experiments to contesting, this issue of QST has something for just about everyone.

Victor Cid, W3CID, and Andrew Mitz, WA3LTJ, know that radio amateurs have a long history of tinkering, of taking something and adjusting it to their purposes. These two hams -- who work at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, DC -- did just that when they developed a unique way to link a group of Maryland hospitals during major disasters via Amateur Radio. Find out how they did it in their article "Optimizing Amateur Radio Resources for Major Disasters." When your ARES® group is activated during an emergency, you know to grab your go-kit. Geoff Haines, N1GY, took this idea a bit further with his article "An Emergency Radio Package - or The Radio in a Box II." Haines developed a box to hold a dual-band VHF/UHF radio, a battery and paperwork using only materials and equipment he already had on hand.

David Gillespie, W4LHQ, looks back at the devastating Alabama tornadoes earlier this year in his article "Alabama Slammer." Gillespie recounts that thanks to the the training hams had before the storm -- as well as the experiences they brought with them from past disaster deployments -- was crucial to providing top-notch communications support to the area served agencies. Speaking of practice, it's time to get ready for the 2011 Simulated Emergency Test (SET), set for October 1-2. ARRL Field Organization Supervisor Steve Ewald, NV1X, takes a look at this annual event that tests emergency operating skills and the readiness of communications equipment and accessories in an emergency-like deployment.

QST Contributing Editor Howard Robins, W1HSR, takes a look at the Yaesu VX-8GR dual-band handheld transceiver in this month's Product Review. He says that this radio "incorporates GPS and a slew of features into a rugged, compact package. With so many features in a small package, it will be most appropriate for advanced amateurs wanting to explore and master APRS and GPS technology." QST Contributing Editor Phil Salas, AD5X, also checks out the Ameritron ALS-1300 HF power amplifier. He says this amplifier "delivers the goods and provides a good value for those interested in a solid state near-legal-limit linear power amplifier for 160-10 meters."

Ward Silver, N0AX, delivers the results of the 2011 ARRL International DX Phone Contest. With the bands wide open during the contest, Silver noted that "more butts in more chairs [meant] a 24 percent increase in QSOs reported by US and Canadian stations. There were more single-band logs than ever this year and the big increase was -- no surprise -- 10 meters, which went from 13 logs submitted in 2010 to 60 in 2011."

Of course, there are the usual columns you know and expect in the September QST: Happenings, Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX, Technical Correspondence, Vintage Radio and more. Look for your September issue in your mailbox. QST is the official journal of ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. QST is just one of the many benefits of ARRL membership. To join or renew your ARRL membership, please see the ARRL web page.

+ QSL Card Exhibit in Maryland Through September 15
HPE 2 WRK U AGN SN: Ephemeral Communiqué 1920-1980 -- a design exhibit of more than 550 QSL cards -- will be on view until September 15, 2011 at the Chesapeake Gallery on the campus of Harford Community College in Bel Air, Maryland. It is curated by Harford CC Professor of Art and Design Kenneth Jones. Jones will present a talk at the closing reception September 14 from 6-8 PM.

A design exhibit of more than 550 QSL cards, will be on view through September 15 at the Chesapeake Gallery on the campus of Harford Community College in Bel Air, Maryland.

"In an age of communicating wirelessly with avatars, tweets and friending through Facebook. QSL cards are sophisticated communication devices that reconnect two people to the past," Jones told the ARRL. "Today, the pace of communication is so much faster, and the memory of that communication may be stored or in most cases hidden in histories, caches and the recesses of hard drives and servers. The act and art of QSLing is an act of respect, unity and friendship."

Jones said that he "rediscovered" his grandfather's QSL cards a few years ago: "When I opened [the box], I was overwhelmed by the aroma contained in the contents. The box was full of items from my grandfather (he passed in 1987) and included QSL cards, which transported me to the shack he used which was part of his kitchen. I remembered the big antenna on top of his little home, and how he would let me turn the dial to change its direction. The cards in the box sparked my interest in their design and history, so I began to research and collect them. After collecting about 10,000 of them, I started to think about writing a book about the design history of the cards and applied for a sabbatical, which I was awarded and then took in the fall of 2010."

HPE 2 WRK U AGN SN is a design exhibition of more than 550 QSL cards from the Golden Age of Amateur Radio (1920-1980), presented and arranged by style. Jones selected the cards from the more than 10,000 in his collection. Read more here.

+ Amateur Radio Technology: 30th Annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference Set for September

The Four Points Sheraton Hotel at Baltimore Washington International Airport is home base for the 30th annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference, September 16-18. This conference is an international forum for radio amateurs to meet and publish their work, as well as present new ideas and techniques. Presenters and attendees will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn about recent hardware and software advances, theories, experimental results and practical applications. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, August 18, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This image was taken at 304 Angstrom; the bright material is at 60,000 to 80,000 Kelvin.

Tad "The warmth of the Sun is in your smile" Cook, K7RA, reports: Solar activity was down again this week -- the sunspot number on Sunday went all the way to 0 for the first time since January 27, which was 29 weeks ago. The average daily sunspot numbers declined nearly 50 points, to 25.6, while the average daily solar flux was down nearly 16 points to 88.5. The latest prediction from NOAA/USAF on August 17 has the solar flux at 98 on August 18, 100 on August 19-21, 105 on August 22-24, then 110, 115, and 115 on August 25-27, and back to 110 on August 28-31. The predicted planetary A index is 5 on August 18-20, 8 on August 21, 5 on August 22-25, 15, 10 and 8 on August 26-28, and 5 again on August 29-31. Thanks to Max White, M0VNG, of Worcester, England, for sending along this story from NASA, "Solar Flares: What Does It Take to Be X-class?" Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, August 19. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by The Bangles' Waiting for You.

+ Silent Key: Tom Hammond, N0SS

Tom Hammond, N0SS

Tom Hammond, N0SS, of Lohman, Missouri, passed away August 4 from cancer. He was 67. Hammond was the first and only Life Member of the Kansas City DX Club, playing an invaluable role in the club for more than three decades, creating his world famous CW pileup files each year for the annual CW Pileup Competition at the Dayton Hamvention. Read more here.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

August 19 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
August 20 -- Feld Hell Sprint
August 20-21 -- ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest (local time); SARTG WW RTTY Contest; North American QSO Party (SSB); Russian District Award Contest; CWOps CW Open
August 21 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup (RTTY); SARL Digital Contest
August 22 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
August 24 -- SKCC Sprint
August 24-25 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
Next week:

August 26 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
August 27 -- ARCI Welcome to QRP
August 27-28 -- Hawaii QSO Party; Kansas QSO Party; Ohio QSO Party; ALARA Contest; YO DX HF Contest; SCC RTTY Championship
August 28 -- SARL HF CW Contest
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
August 20 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention, Weston, West Virginia
August 20-21 -- ARRL Alabama State Convention, Huntsville, Alabama
August 21 -- ARRL Kansas State Convention, Salina, Kansas
August 28 -- ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, New Kensington, Pennsylvania
September 9-11 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, Torrance, California
September 11 -- ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention, Findlay, Ohio
September 17 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Virginia Beach, Virginia
September 24 -- ARRL Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington
October 8-9 -- ARRL Florida State Convention, Melbourne, Florida
October 9 -- ARRL Connecticut State Convention, Wallingford, Connecticut
October 14-16 -- ARRL Pacific Division Convention, Santa Clara, California
October 21-22 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention, Ardmore, Oklahoma
October 22 -- ARRL Iowa State Convention, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
November 6 -- ARRL Iowa Section Convention, Davenport, Iowa
November 19-20 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention, Fort Wayne, Indiana
December 3-4 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Palmetto, Florida
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here to advertise in this newsletter.

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 08/11/2011

2011-08-11T12:08:00.000-07:00

August 11, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
ARRL Home Page ARRL Letter Archive Audio News

+ Propagation News: Solar Explosions Could Impact Earth
+ FCC News: Vanity Call Sign Fee to Go Up in September
+ ARRL VEC Team Attends National VEC Conference
+ On the Air: Attention RTTY Rookies -- The 2011 RTTY Rookie Roundup Is Here!
+ On the Air: Go High for the 2011 ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest
Second Century Campaign Committee Meets in Newington
General Class Q&A Now Available for Kindle
Amateur Radio Technology: 30th Annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference Set for September
+ Malpelo DXpedition to Get Underway in January 2012
Solar Update
+ RTTY DXCC Award Now Known as Digital DXCC Award
+ Former "World Above 50 MHz" Conductor Receives CSVHFS's President's Award
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News

+ Propagation News: Solar Explosions Could Impact Earth

On August 4, an M9.3 flare (fairly strong-sized) along with a coronal mass ejection (CME) blasted out from the Sun from sunspot group 1261and headed in the general direction of Earth. The still shows the characteristic spreading of light caused by the brightness of the flare as observed in extreme ultraviolet light. But, the CME can be seen distinctly as a darker cloud lifting off and rising up and out into space, something we usually do not get to see so clearly. It is predicted that the particle cloud will impact Earth in a few days, when it will likely generate bright auroras as far south as Pennsylvania and could possibly upset electronic equipment, especially in space. The power of the storm is ranked as K-7 on a 1-9 scale. [Photo and description courtesy of NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is keeping an eye on a set of solar storms and explosions that could disrupt satellite, telecommunications and electric equipment here on Earth in the next few days. While activity had reportedly returned to somewhat normal levels when solar winds calmed the morning of Monday, August 8, another explosion at 0805 UTC on Tuesday, August 9 was three times larger than the February 15 flare, which, until now, was the most significant flare of Solar Cycle 24.

Given the location of the activity, any coronal mass ejection (CMEs) from the flare would likely be directed away from Earth. As such, the Space Weather Prediction Center is not forecasting "significant Geomagnetic Storm activity," and the most recent storms should not affect radio amateurs. But when a CME does hit the Earth's atmosphere -- approximately 72 hours after exploding on the Sun -- the low bands will be depressed and signals will be weaker the lower the frequency. The absorption rate will be most severe on 160 meters, less on 80 and somewhat better on 40 meters. The maximum usable frequency (MUF) -- the highest frequency by which a radio wave can propagate between given terminals by ionospheric propagation alone, independent of power -- will be lower and auroral propagation on the VHF bands is quite possible. Read more here.

+ FCC News: Vanity Call Sign Fee to Go Up in September

On August 10, the FCC announced via a Final Rule in the Federal Register that the cost of an Amateur Radio vanity call sign will increase 90 cents, from to $13.30 to $14.20. The new fees take effect 30 days after publication, making September 9, 2011, the first day the new fee is in effect. The vanity call sign regulatory fee is payable not only when applying for a new vanity call sign, but also upon renewing a vanity call sign for a new term. The first vanity call sign licenses issued under the current Amateur Radio vanity call sign program that began in 1996 came up for renewal five years ago. The FCC is authorized by the Communications Act of 1934, As Amended, to collect vanity call sign fees to recover the costs associated with that program. Read more here.

+ ARRL VEC Team Attends National VEC Conference

ARRL's delegation to the conference included ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM (center), Assistant VEC Manager Perry Green, WY1O (left) and Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND.

Representatives of 12 of the nation's 14 Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs) -- either in person or via proxy -- met July 29 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania for the 26th Annual National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) Conference. NCVEC Chairman Larry Pollock, NB5X presided over the gathering that offered an opportunity for representatives of the VECs to discuss issues facing the volunteer examination program and to meet face-to-face with FCC staff members. The ARRL's delegation to the conference included ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, and Assistant VEC Manager Perry Green, WY1O, as well as ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND. Read more here.

+ On the Air: Attention RTTY Rookies -- The 2011 RTTY Rookie Roundup Is Here!

It's easy -- and fun! -- to get on the air with RTTY. If you've never tried this exciting digital mode before, why not check out the ARRL RTTY Rookie Roundup on Saturday, August 21? All you need is a PC, a soundcard interface and some RTTY software. Here, ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, gives out RTTY QSOs at W1AW during the 2009 ARRL Field Day. [Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, Photo]

For the first time since the Rookie Roundup came into being last year, the digital modes will get their day in the Sun: On August 21, the Rookie Roundup meets RTTY! "Created to give the budding operator a place to learn about contesting at an easier pace, the Rookie Roundup is a six hour contest open to all amateurs who have been licensed for three years or fewer," explained ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X. "If you were licensed in 2009, 2010 or 2011, you qualify as a Rookie. The Rookie Roundup is run three times per year: SSB in April, RTTY in August and CW in December." But "Old Timers" have a place in the Rookie Roundup, too. "Elmering is a critical component of the Rookie Roundup, and OTs are encouraged to not only get on and work the Rookies, but to host a Rookie and assist them with learning how to participate," Kutzko said. "Rookies can work anybody, but non-Rookies can only work Rookies." Read more here.

+ On the Air: Go High for the 2011 ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest

Gregory Drzyzga, NA4N, of Amissville, Virginia, operates in the 2010 ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest. [Photo courtesy of Gregory Drzyzga, NA4N]

If you enjoy the being on the cutting edge of Amateur Radio's technical side, take a look at the microwave bands. The 2011 ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest gives you the perfect chance to explore this portion of the radio spectrum. This contest boasts two weekends of activity: August 20-21 and again on September 17-18. The contest period for both weekends starts at 6 AM (local time) on Saturday and runs until midnight (local time) on Sunday. Points are awarded based on the distance of a QSO, and operating from several locations during the contest period is not only allowed, it's encouraged! "Most amateurs use SSB, although there is some CW, as well," explained ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X. "Power levels are relatively low compared to HF; most stations run several hundred milliwatts. A station running a few watts is considered a 'Big Gun.' Antennas are usually dishes, like those used for receiving satellite TV." Read more here.

Second Century Campaign Committee Meets in Newington
The year 2014 marks the end of the first 100 years of the ARRL. In these 100 years, amateurs have seen spark gap give way to CW, FM and AM, SSB and the numerous digital modes, with the ARRL leading the way. In celebration of the beginning of a second century of Amateur Radio, the ARRL has formed the Second Century Campaign Committee. This group -- led by David W. Brandenburg, K5RQ, of Osprey, Florida -- had their first formal meeting in Newington on Thursday, August 11.

Members of the ARRL Second Century Campaign Committee met in Newington. The committee is chaired by David Brandenburg, K5RQ (center front0. [S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, Photo]

The Second Century Campaign Committee will develop and lead a multi-million dollar campaign, focused on building the ARRL Endowment to further secure resources to fund the League's commitment to the future. The ARRL Second Century Campaign will open the path to meaningful involvement in Amateur Radio by new generations, providing opportunities for educational enrichment, community service and personal achievement through the exploration and use of the magic of radio communication.

Members of the Second Century Campaign Committee are: Mike Valentine, W8MM, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Bob Allphin, K4UEE, of Marietta, Georgia; Frank Donovan, W3LPL, of Glenwood, Maryland; Ken Byers, K4TEA, of Atlanta, Georgia; L. Dennis Shapiro, W1UF, of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, of Bemidji, Minnesota. ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, and Vice President Rick Roderick, K5UR, are also on the Second Century Campaign Committee, as are ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, Chief Financial Officer Barry Shelley, N1VXY, and Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH. All members of the committee serve in a volunteer capacity.

General Class Q&A Now Available for Kindle

The General Class Q&A is now available for all Kindle platforms.

The fourth edition of ARRL's General Q&A is now available from Amazon.com for the Kindle. This e-book is your authoritative guide to every question in the General (Element 3) question pool -- everything you need to pass your General class license exam. When you use ARRL's General Q&A, you can be sure that you are using the best way to review for the 35 question exam. The e-book includes every question -- and answer -- in the General class question pool, utilizing a multiple-choice format similar to the one on the actual exam. The current General class question pool is valid through June 30, 2015.

Kindle is shaped much like a book, with a paper-like screen that displays text and pictures. You do not need a Kindle to download and purchase the General Q&A: those who have the Kindle application installed on their Apple iPhone iPod touch, Android smartphone -- or even on their computer -- can download the book for use on these devices. Each version of the Q&A lets you review questions and answers from that element's entire question pool so you can pass your exam. The Tech Q&A, General Q&A and Extra Q&A are available from Amazon.com for $9.99 each. The soft cover version of the General Q&A is also available for $17.95. Upgrade and enjoy more frequency privileges today.

Amateur Radio Technology: 30th Annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference Set for September

The Four Points Sheraton Hotel at Baltimore Washington International Airport is home base for the 30th annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference, September 16-18. This conference is an international forum for radio amateurs to meet and publish their work, as well as present new ideas and techniques. Presenters and attendees will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn about recent hardware and software advances, theories, experimental results and practical applications. Read more here.

+ Malpelo DXpedition to Get Underway in January 2012

The HK0NA DXpedition to Malpelo is scheduled for January 22-February 6, 2012. Malpelo is located approximately 235 miles off Colombia's Pacific coast.

The HK0NA DXpedition to Malpelo -- an island located approximately 235 miles from Colombia's Pacific coast -- is scheduled for January 22-February 6, 2012. Organized by the DX Radio Amateur Club out of Colombia, the DXpedition boasts an international team of 16 operators from eight countries. Malpelo is currently #12 on DX Magazine's 100 Most Needed Countries Survey. According to DXpedition leader Jorge Prieto, HK1R, the HK0NA Team will depart from Buenaventura, Colombia on January 22 for the boat trip to Malpelo. Depending on sea and landing conditions, they expect to be on the air within 36 hours after landing on Malpelo. They will be using SSB, CW and Digital modes on 160-6 meters. Operations are planned on 160-6 meters on CW, SSB and Digital modes, including EME. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, August 11, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This image was taken at 304 Angstrom; the bright material is at 60,000 to 80,000 Kelvin.

Tad "The Sun is zooming in" Cook, K7RA, reports: The average daily sunspot numbers declined more than 24 points to 75.1 this week, while the average daily solar flux was down more than 12 points to 104.3. We saw solar flares recently, with a substantial geomagnetic upset on Friday and Saturday -- August 5-6 -- when the planetary A index was 49 and 31. The largest solar flare of the current sunspot cycle, an X7 flare, occurred at 0805 UTC on August 9, emerging from sunspot group 1263. This does not appear to be Earth-directed. The latest forecast from NOAA has solar flux at 85 through August 17, then 90, 98, 98 and 100 on August 18-21, and then 105 on August 22-30. The planetary A index is expected to be 7 on August 11, 5 on August 12-15, then 15, 18, 10, 8, 5, 12 and 8 on August 16-22, 5 on August 23-25, and 15, 10, 8, 5 and 5 on August 26-30. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, August 12. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by The Clash's London Calling.

+ RTTY DXCC Award Now Known as Digital DXCC Award

Effective July 25, 2011, the RTTY DXCC Award will be known as the Digital DXCC Award.

At the 2011 Second Meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors, the Board voted to change the name of the RTTY DXCC Award to the Digital DXCC Award. In changing the name, the Board took into account that Amateur Radio technology has advanced to include many variations of digital communications. On July 25, the word "Digital" began replacing "RTTY on these DXCC certificates.

+ Former "World Above 50 MHz" Conductor Receives CSVHFS's President's Award

At the recent Central States VHF Society (CSVHFS) Convention -- held July 29-30 in Irving, Texas -- CSVHFS President Chuck Clark, AF8Z, presented the President's Award to Gene Zimmerman W3ZZ. "I truly appreciate this award," Zimmerman told the ARRL. "Central States is one of the best known VHF organizations in the United States, and as a former CSVHFS Director, I know what an honor all CSVHFS awards are." The award was given in recognition of Zimmerman's work on E-skip propagation and being the VHF Editor and conductor of QST's "The World Above 50 MHz" column for the past nine years.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

August 12 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
August 13-14 -- Maryland-DC QSO Party; WAE DX Contest (CW)
August 14 -- SKCC Weekend Sprint
Next week:

August 19 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
August 20 -- Feld Hell Sprint
August 20-21 -- ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest (local time); SARTG WW RTTY Contest; North American QSO Party (SSB); Russian District Award Contest; CWOps CW Open
August 21 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup (RTTY); SARL Digital Contest
August 22 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
August 24 --
August 24-25 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
August 20 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention, Weston, West Virginia
August 20-21 -- ARRL Alabama State Convention, Huntsville, Alabama
August 21 -- ARRL Kansas State Convention, Salina, Kansas
August 28 -- ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, New Kensington, Pennsylvania
September 9-11 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, Torrance, California
September 11 -- ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention, Findlay, Ohio
September 17 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Virginia Beach, Virginia
September 24 -- ARRL Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington
October 8-9 -- ARRL Florida State Convention, Melbourne, Florida
October 9 -- ARRL Connecticut State Convention, Wallingford, Connecticut
October 14-16 -- ARRL Pacific Division Convention, Santa Clara, California
October 21-22 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention, Ardmore, Oklahoma
October 22 -- ARRL Iowa State Convention, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
November 6 -- ARRL Iowa Section Convention, Davenport, Iowa
November 19-20 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention, Fort Wayne, Indiana
December 3-4 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Palmetto, Florida
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here to advertise in this newsletter.

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 07/28/2011

2011-08-02T17:19:00.000-07:00

July 28, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ Public Service: New Mexico Hams Provide Communications Support During Wildfires
+ ARRL Board of Directors Gathers in Connecticut for 2011 Second Meeting
FCC News: ARRL Asks FCC to Keep 2300 MHz Proceeding Open
+ Amateur Radio in Space: Astronauts On Board ISS Get ARISSat-1 Ready for Launch
+ On the Air: The Bands Heat Up for the 2011 ARRL August UHF Contest
+ On the Air: 2011 ARRL June VHF QSO Party Sets Record for Logs Received
+ ARRL Official Observers Team with FCC to Solve Rogue Keyer Problem on 17 Meters
Solar Update
+ Social Media: ARRL Launches Online Forums
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News

+ Public Service: New Mexico Hams Provide Communications Support During Wildfires

The Las Conchas Fire in New Mexico has been burning for a month. As of July 28, it has burned more than 157,000 acres and is 95 percent contained. [Map courtesy of the US Forest Service]

One month after it began, the Las Conchas Fire -- New Mexico's largest fire on record -- has burned more than 157,000 acres and is 90 percent contained. One day after it started, the fire threatened the Los Alamos National Laboratory, forcing the evacuation of the entire town of Los Alamos. During the evacuation, the Santa Fe ARES® Group placed itself on alert. The fire, which began on June 26, is believed to have been human set. Read more here.

+ ARRL Board of Directors Gathers in Connecticut for 2011 Second Meeting

ARRL Second Vice President Bruce Frahm, K0BJ (left) and ARRL First Vice President Rick Roderick, K5UR, join ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, at the head table during the 2011 Second Meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors. [Steve Ford, WB8IMY, Photo]

The ARRL Board of Directors held its Second Meeting of 2011 July 15-16 in Windsor, Connecticut, under the chairmanship of President Kay Craigie, N3KN. At the two-day meeting, the Board considered a number of reports and acted on several recommendations -- including proceeding with plans for a digital version of QST and planning for the League's Centennial Celebration in 2014 -- and Directors' motions. The ARRL Board of Directors meets twice each year -- in January and July -- usually in the Hartford area. Click here for a detailed look at the 2011 Second Meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors.

FCC News: ARRL Asks FCC to Keep 2300 MHz Proceeding Open

In June, the FCC released a Public Notice that sought comments on whether or not it should terminate approximately 800 docketed proceedings in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, the International Bureau, the Office of Engineering and Technology and the Enforcement Bureau. Some of the proceedings set for possible termination affect the Amateur Radio Service. On July 20, the ARRL filed comments with the FCC on this matter, explaining that it has no objection to the termination of the proceedings in the Public Notice, save for one item. "With respect to the Office of Engineering and Technology dockets slated for termination," the ARRL stated in its comments, "there is one Amateur Radio-related proceeding that, in the ARRL's view, should not be terminated, but retained in open status." Read more here.

+ Amateur Radio in Space: Astronauts On Board ISS Get ARISSat-1 Ready for Launch

ARISSat-1 is set to launched from the ISS on Wednesday, August 3. Click here for a listing of ARISSat-1's frequencies and modes.

The ARISSat-1 satellite -- also known as KEDR -- has spent several months aboard the International Space Station waiting for deployment by crew. According to the AMSAT News Service, that day is arriving soon. "As of July 22, we are looking at an August 3, 2011 date for EVA 29 and the ARISSat-1/KEDR deployment, subject to change due to ISS schedules," said ARISSat-1/KEDR Project Manager Gould Smith, WA4SXM. "The preliminary Russian EVA-29 timeline shows the ARISSat/KEDR deployment is the first task of the EVA, so it will occur fairly soon after the EVA begins." The ARISSat-1/KEDR battery was charged for 24 hours on July 24. A test of the satellite inside the ISS is scheduled to run from 1900 UTC on Saturday, July 30 and will be turned off at 1430 UTC on July 31. Read more here.

+ On the Air: The Bands Heat Up for the 2011 ARRL August UHF Contest

James Duffy, KK6MC, of Cedar Crest, New Mexico, activated grid square DM61 in the 2010 ARRL August UHF Contest. Here he stopped at the Trans-Mountain Highway scenic overlook at the east side of the Franklin Mountains in southeastern New Mexico. [James Duffy, KK6MC, Photo]

VHF/UHF weak-signal operators across North America are making final tests on their stations in preparation for the 2011 ARRL August UHF Contest, scheduled for the weekend of August 6-7. Most VHF+ SSB/CW operation takes place on the two lowest-frequency bands of the VHF spectrum: 6 and 2 meters. But a lot of activity takes place above 144 MHz in the UHF portion of the radio spectrum and beyond. This contest will focus on 220 MHz and above and there will be lots of activity -- and hopefully lots of propagation, too! Read more here.

+ On the Air: 2011 ARRL June VHF QSO Party Sets Record for Logs Received
The 2011 running of the ARRL June VHF QSO Party saw a record number of logs submitted. This year, 1243 logs were submitted for this contest, breaking the record set in 2010 of 1202 logs. "Six meters has been in excellent shape for the June VHF QSO Party for four of the past five years," explained ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X. "It's clear that when the 'Magic Band' is in great shape at the start of the contest, we see more participation with more logs submitted. As a 6 meter fan, I hope this trend continues in the years to come."

With the exception of 2007, the ARRL June VHF QSO Party has seen upwards of 1000 logs submitted each year since 2006; in 2007, 860 logs were received, down from 1052 the year before. Kutzko said one of the contributing factors to the popularity of the contest is that more HF transceivers now include the 6 meter band: "When hams buy new HF rigs that include 6 meters, we see them having a go on the band -- sometimes for the first time, other times it's like revisiting an old friend from their past. These hams are having a blast on the band and it sure is contagious. When you add that to the improved propagation, it's no wonder we're seeing an upswing in the popularity of 6 meters."

+ ARRL Official Observers Team with FCC to Solve Rogue Keyer Problem on 17 Meters

On July 15, Walt Bilous, K3DQB -- an Official Observer in ARRL's Eastern Pennsylvania Section -- notified ARRL Headquarters of a keyer continuously sending a series of dits on 18.0855 MHz. According to ARRL Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, Bilous kept hearing the dits throughout the night.

Skolaut asked Bilous to alert other OOs to monitor the frequency, but the signal was proving hard to locate via direction finding due to changing propagation and fading conditions on the band. "We alerted OOs across the country to monitor and collect additional information for us including bearings and signal strength reports," Skolaut said. "We had a great response from quite a number of Official Observers." But the signal was still proving elusive, so Skolaut contacted the FCC for assistance. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, July 28, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) image was taken in the continuum near the Ni I 6768 Angstrom line. The most prominent features are the sunspots. This is very much how the Sun looks in the visible range of the spectrum.

Tad "Say my name, Sun shines through the rain" Cook, K7RA, reports: Sunspot activity dipped over this past week, but now is on its way back up. On July 20, five sunspot groups were visible, but on July 21, only groups 1251, 1254 and 1259 remained. On July 24, new sunspot group 1260 appeared, but the next day group 1251 disappeared. On July 26, groups 1254 and 1259 went away, and new sunspot group 1261 arrived. The next day, another new group, 1262, appeared. The average daily sunspot numbers for the week July 21-27 declined nearly 47 points -- a little more than 50 percent -- to 45.6. The average daily solar flux declined more than 6 points to 91.8. The latest forecast shows the predicted solar flux at 100 on July 28-29, rising to 105 on July 30-31, 110 on August 1-3, and then dropping back to 95 on August 4-7. It also shows the planetary A index at 5 on July 28-30, 12 on July 31-August 1, and 7, 5, 8 on August 2-4, followed by 12 again on August 5-7. Geophysical Institute Prague predicts quiet conditions on July 29, quiet to unsettled July 30, unsettled July 31 and August 1, then quiet to unsettled August 2 and quiet again on August 3-4. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, July 29. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by The Bangles' Eternal Flame.

+ Social Media: ARRL Launches Online Forums
To assist League members in communicating with one another and with ARRL staff on topics of common interest, the ARRL has established three forums -- Contesting, Awards and Technology -- on the ARRL website. Visit www.arrl.org/forums to chat with fellow hams about these topics. Additional forums are planned once we have gained some experience with these three. ARRL members, guest users and others can view the threads, but in order to participate in the conversations or ask questions, you must be logged in as an ARRL member. All users should read the forum rules before participating.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

July 29 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
July 30-31 -- RSGB IOTA Contest; US Counties QSO Party
July 31 -- ARS Flight of the Bumblebees
August 2 -- ARS Spartan Sprint
Next week:

August 5 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
August 6 -- TARA Grid Dip Shindig; European HF Championship
August 6-7 -- ARRL UHF Contest; North American QSO Party (CW); 10-10 International Summer Contest (SSB)
August 7 -- RSGB RoPoCo CW; SARL HF Phone Contest
August 10 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
August 10-11 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
July 29-30 -- ARRL Oklahoma State Convention, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
August 5-6 -- ARRL Texas State Convention, Austin, Texas
August 5-7 -- ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Taos, New Mexico; ARRL Midwest Division Convention, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
August 20 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention, Weston, West Virginia
August 20-21 -- ARRL Alabama State Convention, Huntsville, Alabama
August 21 -- ARRL Kansas State Convention, Salina, Kansas
August 28 -- ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, New Kensington, Pennsylvania
September 9-11 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, Torrance, California
September 11 -- ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention, Findlay, Ohio
September 17 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Virginia Beach, Virginia
September 24 -- ARRL Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here to advertise in this newsletter.

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 07/21/2011

2011-07-26T18:47:00.000-07:00

July 21, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ ARRL Board of Directors Holds 2011 Second Meeting
+ Amateur Radio in Space: NASA's Space Shuttle Program Comes to an End
+ Public Service: ARRL Soliciting Stations to Become Emergency Liaison Stations
+ One Ham Killed, Another Seriously Injured in Tower Accident
+ Newly Licensed Hams Help with Search for Missing California Man
Solar Update
+ Social Media: ARRL Launches Online Forums
+ Social Media: Connect with ARRL and Amateur Radio via Social Media
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News

+ ARRL Board of Directors Holds 2011 Second Meeting

The ARRL Board of Directors met July 15-16. Highlights of the meeting include:

After hearing a comprehensive progress report, the Board authorized the staff to continue planning to publish an electronic edition of QST as a benefit to ARRL members at no additional charge.
Committees were created to review the ARRL Band Plans for the amateur bands between 902-3500 MHz, to plan the program of activities for the ARRL's Centennial in 2014 and to seek input from youth and others to improve outreach to young Americans.
The Board welcomed the opportunity for ARRL involvement in the Seventh World Radiosport Team Championship, to be held in New England during the ARRL's Centennial Year.
The Board accepted a recommendation to change the name of the RTTY DXCC Award to Digital DXCC.
A more detailed report of the meeting will be distributed when the minutes are released. If you would like to receive a copy of the minutes via e-mail, please go to "Edit your Profile" on the ARRL website, click on "Edit Email Subscriptions" and check the box labeled "ARRL Board meeting agendas and minutes." The minutes will also be available for download from the website in the coming days.

+ Amateur Radio in Space: NASA's Space Shuttle Program Comes to an End

The space shuttle Atlantis lands for the final time at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Click here for a larger image. [Photo courtesy of NASA]

As Atlantis once again touched the Earth in Florida on Thursday, July 21, an era came to an end. This era saw dreams realized when men and women could go into space on a craft -- the space shuttle -- that could be used again and again. NASA's space shuttle fleet has set dreams aflight since its first launch on April 12, 1981, starting with Columbia and continuing with Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour. These crafts have carried people into orbit repeatedly, launched, recovered and repaired satellites, conducted cutting-edge research and transported materials to help build the largest structure in space, the International Space Station.

Barely 30 months after Columbia first lifted to the skies, radio amateurs around the world were excited about another first: a ham in space. It was 1983 -- the third year of the space shuttle program -- and Mission Specialist Owen Garriott, W5LFL, was on board Columbia for mission STS-9. NASA had given Garriott permission to attempt radio contact with Amateur Radio operators on Earth during his free time. Read more here.

+ Public Service: ARRL Soliciting Stations to Become Emergency Liaison Stations

During the 2008 hurricane season, ARRL Headquarters instituted a Command-Control-Coordination (C3) operation to support operations taking place in the affected ARRL Sections. One requirement was the need for Headquarters to establish radio links into the affected areas. In the summer -- the height of hurricane season -- 75 meters is noisy and doesn't propagate well during the day and hindered W1AW's reach into these areas. As such, the nets on 40, 75 and 80 meters -- while providing excellent coverage of several hundred miles in the impacted areas -- did not allow W1AW to monitor these frequencies, nor did it permit monitoring of developing conditions that would allow Headquarters staff to maintain a higher level of situational awareness and disaster intelligence necessary for support operations.

ARRL West Gulf Division Director David Woolweaver, K5RAV, offered his EchoLink system to ARRL during the 2008 hurricane season. Woolweaver -- who had good propagation into the impacted areas during the tropical events in the Gulf of Mexico area -- established a connection between his home HF equipment and EchoLink. By connecting in to this, W1AW was able to use a direct EchoLink connection to Woolweaver's home station, enabling W1AW to come up on these HF frequencies. With EchoLink, the ARRL was to maintain contact between the affected areas and with the National Hurricane Center and VoIP Hurricane Net operations.

The need to build out the capability to link HF stations to EchoLink was clear and Woolweaver began to enlist other stations in Texas to develop it. But according to ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, W5MPC, it has been an ad hoc effort with known stations with no official standing for emergency communications with the ARRL. Additionally, while a regional capability was developed in a part of Texas, the ARRL needed to have this capability throughout the rest of the country.

The concept of the Emergency Radio Internet Linking System (ERILS) was crafted to meet this need, with ERILS stations operating under the ARRL Emergency Preparedness Program. Stations would be designated Official ERILS Stations after meeting specific criteria that would enable them to blend the capabilities of radio and the Internet, permitting emergency communications and a W1AW presence to occur. Stations would be geographically diverse, providing redundant pathways into multiple areas of the United States. While EchoLink was used successfully in 2008, other current and future software platforms could be used with traditional RF capabilities to meet the mission needs.

"Individual stations are the key component of ERILS," Corey explained. "These stations require a particular designation for planning and response purposes, and as recognition of the station owner's resources and commitment. These stations are designated as an Emergency Liaison Station. An ELS is not an Official Emergency Station (OES) that is part of the ARES® program, but is a separate resource available to the Emergency Preparedness Manager, or designees, and the ARRL Leadership." To find out more, including information on your station can be part of the ELS program, click here.

+ One Ham Killed, Another Seriously Injured in Tower Accident

Hot Springs is located in the southwest corner of the state, about an hour's drive south from Rapid City.

As a group of South Dakota hams were dismantling a 110 foot tower outside of Hot Springs on Saturday, July 16, a gust of wind toppled the final section, trapping two local hams underneath. Tim Anderson, K0OR, 54, and Tom Embree, NC0K, were transported to Rapid City Regional Hospital via helicopter, where Anderson died of his injuries. Embree underwent surgery on Sunday and Wednesday; he remains in serious condition. Both are members of the Hot Springs Amateur Radio Club; Anderson was the club's president. Hot Springs is located about 57 miles south of Rapid City. Read more here.

+ Newly Licensed Hams Help with Search for Missing California Man

Derrick Rush Rush vanished when he fell off his inner tube in the Kern River about 50 miles northeast of Bakersfield.

After Derrick Rush -- a 28 year old state corrections officer from Arroyo Grande, California - disappeared on July 9, several state agencies and volunteers began searching for him. According to reports, Rush vanished when he fell off his inner tube in the Kern River about 50 miles northeast of Bakersfield. Clayton Cullen, KJ6PYC, and his son CJ Cullen, KJ6PYD, of Paso Robles, joined the search efforts on July 13. Three days later, CJ spotted Rush's lifeless body floating by in the river and used his handheld transceiver to report it. His father was able to secure the body farther down the river. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, July 21, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This image was taken at 304 Angstrom; the bright material is at 60,000 to 80,000 Kelvin.

Tad "I want to be the one to walk in the Sun" Cook, K7RA, reports: The average daily sunspot numbers for the week rose nearly 27 points to 92.4, while average daily solar flux increased more than 9 points to 98.2. The latest prediction has solar flux values at 100 for July 21-23, 98 on July 24-28, 90 on July 29-August 2, 95 on August 3-7, 98 on August 8, and then back to 100 on August 9-16. The planetary A index for July 21-23 is predicted at 15, 12 and 8, then 5 on July 24-28, 8 on July 29-31, then 10, 8, 5 and 8 on August 1-4, 12 on August 5-7, and back to 8 on August 8-10. Look for more information -- including more about astrophysicist Douglas Biesecker's analysis and critique of predictions for a grand solar minima -- on the ARRL website on Friday, July 22. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Want to Have Fun.

+ Social Media: ARRL Launches Online Forums
To assist League members in communicating with one another and with ARRL staff on topics of common interest, the ARRL has established three forums -- Contesting, Awards and Technology -- on the ARRL website. Visit www.arrl.org/forums to chat with fellow hams about these topics. Additional forums are planned once we have gained some experience with these three. ARRL members, guest users and others can view the threads, but in order to participate in the conversations or ask questions, you must be logged in as an ARRL member. All users should read the forum rules before participating.

+ Social Media: Connect with ARRL and Amateur Radio via Social Media

ARRL participates on many of the popular social networking sites to share news, photos, events and videos. Check out these sites for communities of ARRL members who share your interests in Amateur Radio. We'll share everything with you -- and you can share with us, too!

Find Us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/ARRL.org -- With almost 20,000 fans, the ARRL's Facebook page is the largest Amateur Radio site in social media.
www.facebook.com/LogbookOfTheWorld -- A nifty way to follow the latest LoTW news. LoTW is an exciting way for radio amateurs to confirm two-way contacts they have made and use the confirmations as credit toward various ARRL awards.
Follow Us on Twitter

arrl -- Find all of the latest information in the Amateur Radio community with this Amateur Radio newsfeed.
ARRL_EMCOMM -- Interested in Emergency Communications? Then be sure to follow all the latest EmComm and ARES® happenings.
ARRL_PR -- Geared toward the ARRL Public Information Coordinators and Pubic Information Officers in the League's Field Organization, this Twitter feed focuses on public relations and media issues involving Amateur Radio.
ARRL_DXCC -- The Twitter home of the ARRL's DXCC awards program.
ARRL_Youth -- For the young and young-at-heart, this Twitter feed delves into how youth can have fun with Amateur Radio.
Watch Us on YouTube

www.youtube.com/ARRLHQ -- Catch the latest videos from the ARRL - including monthly Product Reviews and event highlights -- on the League's YouTube channel.

Listen to Us on iTunes

www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/aan.rss -- Listen and download the latest ARRL news, uploaded as a podcast to iTunes. Click here for instructions on how to subscribe to this weekly feature.
This Week on the Radio

Go behind the scenes and meet a member of the ARRL HQ staff! This week we feature ARRL Field Organization Supervisor Steve Ewald, WV1X. Click here and scroll down the page to the "Meet the Staff" video box to meet Steve.

This week:

July 22 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
July 24 -- WAB 144 MHz QRO Phone
July 27 -- SKCC Sprint
July 27-28 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
Next week:

July 29 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
July 30-31 -- RSGB IOTA Contest; US Counties QSO Party
July 31 -- ARS Flight of the Bumblebees
August 2 -- ARS Spartan Sprint
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
July 29-30 -- ARRL Oklahoma State Convention, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
August 5-6 -- ARRL Texas State Convention, Austin, Texas
August 5-7 -- ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Taos, New Mexico; ARRL Midwest Division Convention, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
August 20 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention, Weston, West Virginia
August 20-21 -- ARRL Alabama State Convention, Huntsville, Alabama
August 21 -- ARRL Kansas State Convention, Salina, Kansas
August 28 -- ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, New Kensington, Pennsylvania
September 9-11 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, Torrance, California
September 11 -- ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention, Findlay, Ohio
September 17 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Virginia Beach, Virginia
September 24 -- ARRL Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here to advertise in this newsletter.

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARES E-Letter 07/20/2011

2011-07-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

July 20, 2011
Editor: Rick Palm, K1CE
ARES E-Letter Archive
ARES Home
ARRL Home Page

__________

In This Issue:

ARES® Briefs
EmComm East: September 25, Rochester, New York
Op-Ed: Force Multiplier, Not Last Ditch Fall-Back
New EmComm Training Courses from ARRL
Earthquake Exercise Opportunity: Formidable Footprint
D-STAR Training July 30 in Central Florida
Letters: Solutions to Self-Deployment
Red Cross on "Spontaneous Volunteers" and Background Checks
ARRL Emergency Radio Internet Linking System
Training: FEMA Courses for ARES®
K1CE For a Final
__________

ARES® Briefs
Alabama has a new ARES Web site Alabama ARES, replacing the former page. Section leadership is getting positive feedback and operators are registering their information for a database. [Alabama has suffered a terrible storm season this year, but ARES there has rallied in support of their communities. The new Web site is superb. Patrick Scott, N2TAR, was responsible for the hard work put into its construction - ed.]

Here is an article on a recent, major interoperability exercise in California: The 2011 California Command Van Rally. Amateurs were involved, of course: " . . . it provided both a social and academic touch point between such agencies and the diverse community resources in our region, such as ARES/RACES ham radio operators, graduate students working on the latest networking systems, and private-sector and non-government organizations.". -- Thanks, Joel Kleinman, N1BKE, Newington, Connecticut

The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) provides on-the-ground, real-time weather data to the forecasters at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida. The HWN gets this weather data from Amateur Radio operators who volunteer their time to monitor data from their calibrated home weather stations and report that data to the HWN. To better assist the NHC, HWN Manager Kirk Harding, K6KAR, told the ARRL that the HWN is looking for new members. More here. -- ARRL

Major Disaster Emergency Coordinator: ECAC Tenders Final Report and Recommendations. The League's Emergency Communications Advisory Committee has submitted its final report to the ARRL Board of Directors via its Programs and Services Committee. ECAC Chairman Dale Williams, WA8EFK, summarized the report: "In a nutshell, this is all about developing a way to help overwhelmed local ARES groups by sending resources from unaffected areas. Like many recent changes in the disaster response field, this one was born of Katrina. Many hams along the Gulf coast were preoccupied with survival and unable to function effectively, and the only way ARES could operate was with outside help."

After serving as Director of the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) for more than 23 years, Major Patrick E. McPherson, WW9E, has retired. Major Rick Shirran VE3NUZ, of Toronto, Ontario, has been appointed as the new Director. McPherson founded SATERN in June 1988. [I've worked with Pat for years on many disasters, and can attest to his integrity and competence in the face of gross adversity. Best wishes on your retirement, Pat. - ed.] More here. -- ARRL

The National Weather Service and the ARRL have updated the MOU that has been in place between the two organizations since 1986. Click here for the new document.

Last month, Daryl Stout, AE5WX, of Little Rock, Arkansas, was the recipient of an ARRL Official Observer Good Operator Report from OO Bill Maples, WA5BHW, for his dedication to the Arkansas Weather Watch Net he conducts anytime bad weather arrives in the state. "Daryl spends hours, day and night keeping everyone informed of what is coming with bulletins from the National Weather Service. His unselfish dedication is appreciated by all." Stout was cited specifically for his excellence in efforts during the tornado response in the Altus/Clarksville area of the state. - ARRL Arkansas Section News

The Nevada-Sierra (Sacramento Valley, California) EC Bill Lewis, KG6BAJ reports that Nevada-Sierra County ARES is still in need of radio operators for the 2011 Agony Bike Ride near Loyalton, California. This year's Agony Bike Ride will be held from 1:00 pm Friday, July 29 to 1:00 pm Saturday, July 30. The ride is a 24-hour endurance bicycle test that could have from 50 to 100 riders participating. Information can be found here. Anyone who can help is asked to please contact Bill Lewis, KG6BAJ.

The ARRL San Diego Section is looking for an ARES Training Officer. This official will be responsible for coordinating the ARES training program for the section. Emphasis will be on preparing to provide emergency communications for various agencies. Standard topics shall be covered such as personal conduct, National Incident Management System (NIMS), message handling, basic radio fundamentals, operations, and safety. Some specialty training will be coordinated including First Aid/CPR, HIPAA regulations, Hospital Orientation, Driver Safety, Wild Fire Safety Training and CERT. More info from SM Steve Early, AD6VI.

Check out the new ARRL Connecticut Section's ARES Training page - a nice job by SEC Wayne Gronlund, N1CLV. This month's topic: Tactical and FCC Call signs.

Mississippi SM Malcolm Keown, W5XX, tipped us off to this story of a chemical leak adding to a Field Day groups' exercise. Check it out here.

EmComm East: September 25, Rochester, New York
The fourth annual EmComm East emergency communications conference is set for September 25, 2011, at the St. John Fisher College, Rochester, New York. EmComm East is an ARRL-sanctioned Amateur Radio emergency communications conference where Amateur Radio operators involved in emcomm can attend training sessions on technical topics, learn from served agencies, and interact with other emcomm operators from all
over the area.

Featured speaker this year is Mike Corey, W5MPC. Corey is the Emergency Preparedness Manager for the ARRL. His major responsibilities include interfacing with ARRL's national partners, emergency communications training, support and guidance for the ARRL field organization on emergency communications issues, organization of the ARRL HQ Emergency Response Team, MOU compliance, and addressing the development and implementation of an organizational disaster response plan complete with supporting procedures and training.

Register on-line a: EmComm East. The $30 registration fee includes continental breakfast and lunch. See you in September! -- EmComm East, September 25, 2011, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, St. John Fisher College, Rochester, New York

Op-Ed: Force Multiplier, Not Last Ditch Fall-Back
As someone who has been both a provider and a consumer of Amateur Radio resources in disasters, I've never been fond of the catch phrase "when all else fails." It may alienate the public safety telecom professionals who should be our natural allies. Sure, some disaster scenarios are characterized by extensive telecommunications infrastructure damage. But modern public safety infrastructure is very robust in many jurisdictions. When failures occur, it has been my experience that they affect Amateur Radio infrastructure as well as commercial and public safety infrastructure -- our repeaters tend to be located on the same towers and rooftops as our public safety counterparts! I've seen many instances in which Amateur Radio resources (including my own) failed miserably to perform when needed -- and a few in which well-meaning amateurs who had intended to be a part of the solution became part of the problem instead. So, why the focus on failure?

A more sophisticated view of the matter is that at the same time that the community experiences infrastructure damage, the need for communications channels grows exponentially, both within and among organizations responding to the disaster. Amateur Radio can provide a surge capability to help disaster response professionals meet the exceptional communications demands of disasters, especially if Amateur Radio is included in the planning and training for such events. I'd like to see ARRL marketing us as a competent force multiplier rather than a last-ditch fallback.

Amateur Radio has a number of characteristics that are well-suited to this role as a provider of surge capacity. First, our assets are embedded in the served community, decentralized, and geographically dispersed. In many cases, we don't need to respond. We're already there!

Second, most of our communications assets employ relatively simple technology that is less capable, but also inherently less dependent on infrastructure and more survivable than complex interconnected networks that public safety agencies commonly employ nowadays. So while the public safety pros scramble to mobilize and reconfigure their surviving communications assets, we are doing the same with ours. And there are more of us than there are of them.

Our technology is heavily labor-dependent, but since we volunteer our services, the cost to served agencies is low. (Low, but not zero: Served agencies do typically need to invest in recruitment, training, and credentialing of volunteers, as well as pre-positioning basic Amateur Radio equipment in key locations-- especially antennas and feed-lines.)

By default, our channels tend to be low-bandwidth, but our supply of such channels is almost limitless, and just one noisy channel serving a key location at a critical time can make an enormous difference in outcomes. With planning and the support of served agencies, there is no limit to the creativity and sophistication of the systems we can devise to augment their capabilities.

Last but not least, the Amateur Radio community includes many individuals with technical skills who can rapidly reconfigure basic communications equipment to improvise solutions to emergent needs. The public safety telecom pros also possess these technical skills, of course, but to the extent that we can provide interim solutions meeting the surge in demand, we free them to focus on restoration of their critical infrastructure.

In short, we should be offering to partner with our professional counterparts, instead of telling their bosses and the public that we'll be there to pick up the pieces when they fail. -- Al Taylor, KN3U, Rockville, Maryland [See Taylor's extensive background in "K1CE For a Final" at the end of this issue - ed.]

New EmComm Training Courses from ARRL
Introduction to Emergency Communication- Course #: EC-001

This is a revision of the ARRL's former Emergency Communications Basic/Level 1 course. The course is designed to provide basic knowledge and tools for any emergency communications volunteer. The course has six sections with 29 lesson topics. It includes required student activities, a 35-question final assessment and is expected to take approximately 45 hours to complete over a 9-week period. You will have access to the course platform at any time of day during this 9-week period so you may work according to your own schedule. You must pace yourself to be sure you complete all the required material in the allotted time. Prerequisites include the free mini-courses you can take online at http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.asp. ICS-100 (IS-100.b) (Introduction to the Incident Command System); and IS -700 (National Incident Management System). Also recommended, but not required, are: IS-250, Emergency Support Function 15 (ESF15) External Affairs; and IS-288, The Role of Voluntary Agencies in Emergency Management.

This is a mentored course. You will be assigned to correspond with an experienced radio amateur who will be your resource for any questions you have about the course content. Student and Mentor Expectations are included in the Policies for Online Courses. To register for the course, go to the registration page. The cost is $50 for members, and $85 for non-members.

Public Service and Emergency Communications Management for Radio Amateurs-Course #: EC-016.

This course is designed to train licensed Amateur Radio operators who will be in leadership and managerial roles organizing other volunteers to support public service activities and communications emergencies. In this course you will learn how radio amateurs prepare and organize to support local community events, work in coordination with governmental and other emergency response organizations, and deploy their services to provide communications when needed in an emergency.

This course is made available on the ARRL Web site for all ARRL members. It is a self-study course that you may complete at your own pace. Prerequisites include several FEMA courses. To enter the course, click here. For information on enrolling for the final assessment and certificate, click here.

Earthquake Exercise Opportunity: Formidable Footprint
A new season of Formidable Footprint exercises has been scheduled and neighborhood, community and faith based organizations are expected to make plans to participate by registering. The first six Formidable Footprint exercises had 1,237 teams from throughout the United States and several foreign countries assessing their disaster planning and response capabilities in a meaningful Internet based exercise opportunity.

An earthquake Exercise is planned for July 30, 2011. Exercises have also been scheduled for the following scenarios: Flood - Hurricane - Pandemic - Tornado - Wildfire.

The Formidable Footprint exercise series has been developed in accordance with Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) protocols. The objective of the exercise series is for CERTs, Neighborhood Watch Programs, Neighborhood Associations, Community/Faith Based Organizations, Citizen Corps, Fire Corps and others to work as a team to become better prepared for the next disaster their community may face.

There is no charge for participation in any of the Formidable Footprint exercises. For additional information or to register for the upcoming Earthquake Exercise, please access the following Web site: www.FormidableFootprint.org - Chris Floyd, Disaster Resistant Communities Group LLC, Tallahassee, Florida; Sturbridge, Massachusetts

D-STAR Training July 30 in Central Florida
The Central Florida D-STAR Group is hosting a D-STAR Academy on July 30 in the central part of Florida at Mt. Dora (near Orlando). The academy has three different sessions designed to give operators of every level a chance to learn more about D-STAR and recent advances. It will give operators -- new and experienced -- more knowledge on the operation of and new applications used with D-STAR.

One of the sessions, the "ID-1 Demonstrations," is designed for emergency management officials to see what the new radio technology is all about, and how it can be a tool during emergency events. The group is inviting emergency managers, DECs, ECs, hospital administrators, NGOs like the Red Cross and more to attend. The first part of the class will focus on what D-STAR can do during emergencies. There will be live connections to various agencies, the EOC in Tallahassee, and mobile units outside in the parking areas that will also be part of the demonstrations.

With the assistance of Northern Florida Section Manager Paul Eakin, KJ4G, Donna Barker, WQ4M, Bob Jones, N6USP, Robin Cutshaw, AA4RC, Ray Novak, N9JA, and others, the attendees for this class will view a wide range of services that Amateur Radio operators can provide using D-STAR -- in the EOC, shelters, or in the field. They will also be showing how D-STAR worked during the recent tornado disasters in Alabama and Georgia.

In the afternoon, the ID-1 Demonstrations session attendees will be part of the D-STARters Class and will get a look at how the types of radios most D-STAR operators have work in shelters and in the field.

For up-to-date information about the D-STAR Academy, ID-1 Demonstrations, and who will be attending to assist, see the D-STAR Academy Web site. -- Ed Biederwolf, W9CHA, Ocala, Florida

Letters: Solutions to Self-Deployment
On the subject of self-deployment by amateurs in emergencies and disasters, most of whom are untrained, since San Diego County (California) is larger than 21 of our States, we have established a program to take advantage of ham operators who are not able to attend RACES or ARES meetings or training on a regular basis. In the far eastern San Diego County area where I live, we have more than 800 square miles with only 2% of the county's three million population. As the communications official for our volunteer fire department, I convinced the department to give me the building's enclosed back porch for a radio room. In addition to fire radios we have a complete set of amateur rigs to cover 160-meters through 70-cm, all donated by local radio amateurs. See http://campofire.org/campodisaster/index.html. Also on this Web page you will find our communications plan and disaster preparedness plans for the community.

Radio amateurs who are committed are a part of our Communications Auxiliary. See http://campofire.org/staff/support.htm. Twice a year we bring in every ham in the area who is interested for a three-hour training session. We cover our Community Communications Plan, ICS for radio amateurs, and handle message traffic on simplex. More than 15 of our local hams attended. For the dedicated members of our Communications Auxiliary we have an additional class on operating the public service radios.

After eight years this group has been able to respond to every major incident in the area, including two 300,000 acre fires. Since our hams are attached to our local fire department auxiliary, they do not self deploy and thus stay out of trouble. Since we see them on a regular basis we know their capabilities.

Using this system we are able to extend the reach of our four local RACES members. Since we started this program it has spread to other rural areas of San Diego County, usually under CERT which is sponsored by fire departments in our County. This system works great in a rural area as all our first responders live and work in the community, our hams train with them, we know each other personally and most importantly they know our capabilities. In addition to the San Diego County RACES and ARES programs our group is also coordinated with our excellent American Red Cross and Salvation Army communication teams. -- Craig A. Williams, W6CAW, San Diego County RACES Communications Officer, Campo Fire and Rescue, www.craigwilliams.com/radio

Red Cross on "Spontaneous Volunteers" and Background Checks
Jim Mezey, W2FKV, SEC for the ARRL New York/Long Island Section, and Mike Corey, W5MPC, the ARRL's Emergency Preparedness Manager, forwarded information on the Red Cross policy on the use of spontaneous volunteers and background checks. Spontaneous volunteers are individuals previously unaffiliated with the Red Cross who wish to volunteer during any level disaster operation. From the Red Cross National Headquarters:

"Individuals, aged 18 years or older, with no prior or on-going affiliation with the Red Cross are considered spontaneous volunteers. All spontaneous volunteers who wish to volunteer for more than six days on a disaster relief operation must successfully complete a Red Cross background check. This requirement exists even if days worked are not consecutive.

"While awaiting the results of the background check, spontaneous volunteers must be supervised by an experienced Red Cross person. Without a background check, spontaneous volunteers cannot work directly with vulnerable populations, work overnight in shelter dormitory situations, handle financials, wear Red Cross identification, drive Red Cross vehicles and work without supervision.

"Employees and volunteers from partner agencies, organizations, or companies working with a Red Cross unit before a disaster relief operation are not considered spontaneous volunteers. The MOU allows ARRL members to submit a background check which has been paid for by the member through local law enforcement. These written results must be provided to ARC and state that the background check meets or exceeds Red Cross requirements. It is recommended that local radio operators and clubs work this out with the local Red Cross people/chapter prior to a disaster. A little local pre-disaster work will save a lot of confusion and problems in the initial days of the disaster."

ARRL Emergency Radio Internet Linking System
During the 2008 Hurricane Season, ARRL HQ instituted a Command-Control-Coordination (C3) operation to support the Sections. One requirement was the need for ARRL HQ to establish radio links into the affected areas. Due to a number of factors, W1AW had no capability to reach into these areas. One tool that was used extensively during recent tropical seasons was Echolink, when local repeaters were so enabled. Echolink was also used to maintain contact with the National Hurricane Center and VoIP Hurricane Net operations. The existence of HF nets on the 40 and 80 meter bands while providing excellent coverage of several hundred miles in the impacted areas, did not allow W1AW to come up on any of these frequencies if needed. Nor did it permit monitoring of conditions to develop and maintain a higher level of situational awareness/disaster intelligence necessary for the Headquarters support operations.

A solution was found using the capabilities of Echolink and HF radio by Dr. David Woolweaver, K5RAV. He had good propagation into the impacted areas during the tropical events in the Gulf of Mexico area and established a connection between his home HF equipment and the Echolink program. By making this connection, W1AW was able to use a direct Echolink connection to K5RAV's home station enabling HQ to come up on these HF frequencies. Simple, elegant and it worked.

The need to build out this capability was clear and K5RAV began to enlist some other stations in his state to develop this linking tool. However, it has been an ad hoc effort with known stations, and there was no official standing of these stations for emergency communications with the ARRL. Additionally, while a regional capability was developed in a part of Texas, the need was to have this capability wherever the ARRL had a presence throughout the rest of the country.

The concept of the "Emergency Radio Internet Linking System" (ERILS) was crafted to meet this need. ERILS would be operated under the ARRL Emergency Preparedness and Response Program. Official ERILS Stations would be designated after meeting specific criteria that would enable them to blend the capabilities of radio and the Internet that would permit emergency communications and a W1AW presence to occur. Stations would be geographically diverse, which would provide redundant pathways into multiple areas of the United States. While Echolink was used successfully in 2008, other current and future software platforms could be used with traditional RF capabilities to meet the mission needs. More information can be found here. - ARRL HQ

Training: FEMA Courses for ARES®
Here are links to FEMA courses of critical interest to ARES operators:

ICS-100.b Introduction to Incident Command System

ICS-200.b ICS for Single Incidents and Initial Action Incidents

IS-700 NIMS: An Introduction

IS-800 National Response Framework

IS-240.a Leadership & Influence

IS-241.a Decision Making & Problem Solving

IS-250 Emergency Support Function 15 (ESF-15) External Affairs

IS-1 Emergency Manager, An Orientation to the Position

IS-288 The Role of Voluntary Agencies in Emergency Management

IS-244.a Developing and Managing Volunteers

IS-120.a An Introduction to Exercises

IS-130 Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning

IS-139 Exercise Design

Many of these courses are requirements for ARES operators registering with local emergency management/public safety agencies and more and more ARES programs across the country. Along with the basic ARRL emcomm course, they form the foundation for an educated, certified, trained corps of ARES volunteers prepared to serve as assets and not liabilities to their communities during disaster situations.

K1CE For a Final
When asking Al Taylor, KN3U, for his background and qualifications for writing this month's op-ed piece, he sent back the following, a compelling story. I thought readers would it enjoy it, too:

"In the late 70s and early 1980s, I was active in RACES/ARES. I became EC/RO in Montgomery County, Maryland, and later SEC for Maryland/DC. My day job during that time was designing telecom systems for air traffic control.

You may remember an Air Florida flight that crashed into the Potomac River seconds after takeoff in a heavy snowstorm in 1982. I was one of a group of hams who responded on behalf of Red Cross on that sad evening and remained on the scene for a couple of days afterward providing shelter and canteen services for the recovery crew in bitterly cold weather.

"In 1985, following a major earthquake in Mexico City, the US State Dept contacted the regional EC council for assistance in communicating with their embassy there. Knowing that most hams involved in emergency preparedness were not-so-hot on HF, and mindful of that our primary function as ECs was to coordinate resources, we recruited an acquaintance who was an active contester and "big gun," Tom Abernethy, W3TOM, who arranged for several skilled contesters to staff his well-equipped station. Tom and his crew passed traffic with a Mexican ham, who lived near the embassy, more or less continuously over several days, moving to a government frequency when QRM on 20-meters became problematic. You may know Tom in his current role as ARRL Vice Director for the Atlantic Division.

"I'm particularly proud of my work with the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS). A lot of government agencies thought that they could prepare for disasters by buying a few dozen handheld radios. They were mystified when those radios didn't work in the field. Based on my engineering experience, my tag line there became, "At NDMS, we don't buy radios, we build communications systems."

"The systems approach was very successful, and a lot of other government agencies came to us to learn what we were doing right. Sadly, after I left, I was replaced by someone who went back to buying radios. But that's another story.

"In 1996, my wife and I decided to adopt and start a family at a time when many of our contemporaries were about to become grandparents. My work at NDMS was not compatible with being a parent (I was on the road for four months during my last year there), so I left NDMS, took a "day job" at FDA's Medical Electronics Lab, and went back to being a RACES volunteer at the local level, which is pretty much where things stand today."

The ARES E-Letter is published on the third Wednesday of each month. ARRL members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their Member Data Page as described at http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 07/07/2011

2011-07-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

July 7, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ 2011 Second Meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors Set for July 15-16, Agenda Announced
FCC News: FCC Issues Citation to Canadian Company for Marketing Unauthorized Devices in US
+ Ham Radio in Hollywood: Another Hollywood Blockbuster Features Amateur Radio
ARRL Hosts Webinar on Amateur Radio Response to Hurricanes
+ Check Out the August Issue of QST
ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?
+ Space Weather Prediction Center to Continue Broadcasts on WWV and WWVH
Solar Update
+ ARRL Recognizes: Kazimierz "Kai" Siwiak, KE4PT, Wins June QST Cover Plaque Award
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News

+ 2011 Second Meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors Set for July 15-16, Agenda Announced

ARRL policy is made by its Board of Directors. The 15 voting members of the Board are the Directors who are elected by the ARRL members in their respective divisions. The Board meets in January and July, usually in the Hartford area. ARRL members also elect Vice Directors who may attend the meetings. ARRL Directors and Vice Directors are volunteers who work hard to represent the ARRL in their divisions, to represent the members who elect them on policy issues and to conduct the committee work that is so important to good decision-making. This month's Board Meeting activities will begin on Thursday, July 14 with meetings of two standing committees, the Administration & Finance (A&F) Committee and the Programs & Services Committee. Each is made up of five Directors and a Vice Director, with the treasurer serving as an additional member of the A&F Committee. Read more here.

FCC News: FCC Issues Citation to Canadian Company for Marketing Unauthorized Devices in US

On July 6, the FCC issued a Citation to New Generation Hobbies of Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada, for marketing unauthorized radio frequency devices in the United States that operate on restricted frequencies. This is in violation of Section 302(b) of the Communications Act and Sections 2.803 and 15.205(a) of the FCC's rules. In the Citation, the FCC advised New Generation Hobbies to "take immediate steps to come into compliance and to avoid any recurrence of this misconduct. As explained [in the Citation] and as provided in the Communications Act, future violations of the Rules in this regard may subject [the] company to substantial monetary penalties, seizure of equipment and criminal sanctions."

The FCC acted in response to a complaint alleging that New Generation was marketing certain video transmitters that operate on restricted frequencies in the 2.4 GHz band. In September 2009, the FCC sent a Letter of Inquiry to New Generation. At that time, the FCC Spectrum Enforcement Division observed that New Generation was marketing two 2.4 GHz transmitters on its website: the LawMate 500 mW 2.4 GHz transmitter and the LawMate 1 W 2.4 GHz transmitter. The Amateur Radio Service is allocated portions of the 2.4 GHz band on a primary basis. Read more here.

+ Ham Radio in Hollywood: Another Hollywood Blockbuster Features Amateur Radio

Super 8 features a Heathkit Seneca transmitter during a crucial scene.

The summer of 2011 is replete with big movies, ranging from action-adventure flicks to comedies to coming-of-age dramas. And already this summer, Amateur Radio has played a part in not one, but two movies. In Mr Popper's Penguins, ham radio was featured, albeit incorrectly, on the big screen. And now Super 8 -- a film set just outside Dayton, Ohio in 1979 -- uses Amateur Radio in a crucial scene. Super 8 revolves around a group of six middle-schoolers who witnesses a mysterious train crash in the fictional town of Lillian. Soon after the crash, the Air Force arrives and strange things start happening in the small town. The kids, a group of young film makers (hence the title of the movie) begin to investigate the creepy phenomena. Read more here.

ARRL Hosts Webinar on Amateur Radio Response to Hurricanes

The ARRL will host a webinar from 8-9:30 PM (EDT) on July 7 to present information about the 2011 hurricane season and the Amateur Radio response. This webinar was organized by ARRL Directors N3LLR, K5MC, W4OZK and K5RAV. The program will offer presentations from representatives from the National Hurricane Center and WX4NHC, the VoIP Hurricane Net, the Hurricane Watch Net and the ARRL. Webinar registration is open to all, but will be of particular interest to those amateurs in hurricane-prone areas. If you are interested in emergency communications and hurricane preparedness and response, you are invited to attend this online presentation. Read more here.

+ Check Out the August Issue of QST
The August issue of QST is jam-packed with all sorts of things that today's Amateur Radio operator needs. From product reviews to experiments to contesting, this issue of QST has something for just about everyone.

When you support your vertical antenna from the top, you open up a lot of possibilities. That's what Bob Glorioso, W1IS, found when he decided to support his monopole antenna from the top and do away with ground radials. Find out how he did it in his article "A Suspended Quarter Wave 40 Meter Wire Vertical Monopole." William E. Johnson, W0MS, takes a new twist on a classic QRP transmitter in his article "A Modified MouseFET Low Power Transmitter." You, too, can build this updated version of a classic HF CW low power transmitter.

Boy Scouting and adventure go hand-in-hand, so it's no wonder that Boy Scout Troop 6 of Monument, Colorado had a blast GeoFoxing in the Rocky Mountains. GeoFoxing combines Amateur Radio Direction Finding -- also called foxhunting -- with geocaching. Assistant Scoutmaster Stu Turner, W0STU, found a terrific way to involve youth in Amateur Radio. Find out how you can do the same in his article "GeoFox Radiosport Rally." Join QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY, as he takes readers along to the 2011 Dayton Hamvention® and the 2011 ARRL National Convention in Plano, Texas. Ford also checks out some of the newest Amateur Radio products that debuted at Hamvention.

Take a look at the Ten-Tec Model 599AT Eagle HF and 6 meter transceiver (pictured) and the Ten-Tec 777 DX PRO headset, featured in the August 2011QST product review. Click here to go to the QST Multimedia page and scroll down to the Product Review video. Click the "Play" button to watch the video.

QST Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, takes a look at the Ten-Tec Model 599AT Eagle HF and 6 meter transceiver in this month's Product Review. He says that this rig "brings together a very good receiver in a compact footprint HF and 6 meter transceiver with minimal menus and controls." Hallas also checks out the Ten-Tec 777 DX PRO headset. He says this headset is "the perfect choice for an operator looking for a comfortable high-quality boom mic headset that can provide fine sounding audio without the need for external equalization."

Nate Moreschi, N4YDU, delivers the results of the 2011 ARRL International DX CW Contest. Calling it "an intense competition," Moreschi said that there were several records broken in the contest, as well as many tight races. For instance, in the W/VE Multioperator/Multi Transmitter category, the first place team won by only 28 QSOs and 8 multipliers. "Over a 48 hour period, that's just more than half a contact per hour and less than two tenths of a multiplier per hour - pretty close," Moreschi explained.

Of course, there are the usual columns you know and expect in the August QST: Happenings, Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX, Vintage Radio and more. Look for your August issue in your mailbox. QST is the official journal of ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. QST is just one of the many benefits of ARRL membership. To join or renew your ARRL membership, please see the ARRL web page.

ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?

This feature is a concise monthly update of some of the things that the ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment -- which covers the month of June -- looks at ARRL Field Day, reviews the ARRL's formal working agreements with served agencies, getting ready for WRC-12, preparing online courses, hosting workshops for utility company employees, seeking input from members regarding VHF/UHF contest participations, reports from the Official Observer Desk and more. Read more here.

+ Space Weather Prediction Center to Continue Broadcasts on WWV and WWVH

In April 2011, the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) informed the public that as of September 6, 2011, it would no longer broadcast its geophysical alert message on WWV and WWVH. The ARRL has now learned that the SWPC will keep broadcasting these messages that inform listeners of the solar flux, the mid-latitude A and K indices and space weather storms, both current and predicted. Due to listener feedback, the SWPC is considering updating the broadcast; in addition to providing the current daily solar flux at 2800 MHz, the SWPC is considering adding more frequent observations at 2695 MHz. According to the SWPC website. other improvements to the message content will also be evaluated.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, July 7, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This image was taken at 304 Angstrom; the bright material is at 60,000 to 80,000 Kelvin.

Tad "The Sun is shining down" Cook, K7RA, reports: The average daily sunspot numbers for the past week dropped less than a point -- from 42 to 41.6 -- compared to the previous week, while the average daily solar flux was down more than 5 points to 86.2. The predicted solar flux for the near term is lower than of late, with values for July 7-13 at 84, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, and then 90 on July 14-17, then 88 on July 18-21. The predicted planetary A index for July 7-12 is 8, 10, 5, 5, 7 and 7, followed by 6 on July 13-18. This is followed by a rise in geomagnetic activity on July 19-24, with planetary A index at 7, 8, 12, 15, 10 and 7. The latest smoothed sunspot number prediction on page 13 shows the numbers for December 2010 through December 2011 slightly lower. Last month's prediction showed smoothed sunspot numbers for that period at 30, 34, 38, 41, 45, 49, 54, 59, 63, 66, 68, 71 and 74. The latest has the values for those same months changed to 29, 32, 36, 39, 43, 47, 52, 57, 61, 64, 66, 69 and 72. The reason that in July we see last December's number change is because the smoothed sunspot number represents an average of data over one year. The data for approximately six months after December 2010 wasn't completely known until the end of June, and each successive month after that contains one more month of predicted data, instead of data that is actually measured. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, July 8. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by Bowling for Soup's Greatest Day.

+ ARRL Recognizes: Kazimierz "Kai" Siwiak, KE4PT, Wins June QST Cover Plaque Award

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for June is Kazimierz "Kai" Siwiak, KE4PT, for his article "Is There an Optimum Height for an HF Antenna?" Congratulations Kai! The QST Cover Plaque award -- given to the author or authors of the best article in each issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll Web page. Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the July issue today.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

July 8 -- QRP Fox Hunt
July 9 -- FISTS Summer Sprint
July 9-10 -- IARU HF World Championship
July 10 -- SKCC Weekend Sprint; ARCI Summer Homebrew Sprint
July 13-14 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
Next week:

July 16 -- Feld Hell Sprint
July 16-17 -- DMC RTTY Contest; CWops Mini-CWT Test; CQ Worldwide VHF Contest; North American QSO Party (RTTY)
July 17 -- CQC Great Colorado Gold Rush
July 18 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
July 21 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
July 15-17 -- ARRL Montana State Convention, Essex, Montana
July 29-30 -- ARRL Oklahoma State Convention, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
August 5-6 -- ARRL Texas State Convention, Austin, Texas
August 5-7 -- ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Taos, New Mexico; ARRL Midwest Division Convention, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
August 20 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention, Weston, West Virginia
August 20-21 -- ARRL Alabama State Convention, Huntsville, Alabama
August 21 -- ARRL Kansas State Convention, Salina, Kansas
August 28 -- ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, New Kensington, Pennsylvania
September 9-11 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, Torrance, California
September 11 -- ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention, Findlay, Ohio
September 17 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Virginia Beach, Virginia
September 24 -- ARRL Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

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Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 06/09/2011

2011-06-14T18:56:00.000-07:00

Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

Follow the 2011 ARRL National Convention on Facebook and Twitter
+ Public Service: ARRL, SATERN Team Up to Assist in Joplin
+ ARRL Field Day: It's Not Too Late to Prepare for Field Day
+ 2010 ARRL Annual Report Now Available
WRC-12: US Proposes WRC-12 Allocations for HF Radars
+ Check Out the July Issue of QST
+ FCC News: FCC Takes Strong Stance Against Radio Jamming, Issues $24,000 Fine to California Man
+ FCC News: FCC Seeks Comments on Terminating Certain Docketed Proceedings
+ On the Air: ARRL VHF/UHF Advisory Committee Seeks Input
+ On the Air: New Russian Prefix System in Use
+ Changing of the Guard: Gene Zimmerman, W3ZZ, to Retire from "The World Above 50 MHz"
Solar Update
There's Still Time to Enter the 2011 ARRL Photo Contest!
DXCC Desk Approves Current VK0KEV Macquarie Island DXpedition
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News

Follow the 2011 ARRL National Convention on Facebook and Twitter

If you can't make it to the 2011 ARRL National Convention -- held in conjunction with Ham-Com in Plano, Texas June 10-11 -- you can follow all the activities on Facebook and Twitter. Photos will be posted to the ARRL's Facebook page throughout the Convention, while the ARRL EXPO Twitter account will carry live tweets. Discover more about the 2011 ARRL National Convention here.

+ Public Service: ARRL, SATERN Team Up to Assist in Joplin

After the devastating EF5 tornado that swept through Joplin, Missouri last month, radio amateurs responded to assist with providing support in multiple ways. On Friday, June 3, the Salvation Army -- which has a Memorandum of Understanding with the ARRL -- contacted the ARRL, seeking the League's assistance to provide hams who could help support the agency's work in Joplin. More than 50 Amateur Radio operators responded to the request to help the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) supply logistical support to the affected areas. Just two days later, all personnel needs had been met. These hams helped to relay information back to the Salvation Army's Joplin headquarters about inventory, requests for food and drink and maintenance problems. Both the ARRL and SATERN greatly appreciate the response from the amateur community.

+ ARRL Field Day: It's Not Too Late to Prepare for Field Day

Now is the time to start getting information out to the public about your ARRL Field Day activities. ARRL Field Day -- the largest on-the-air operating event -- is the one of the best opportunities of the year for showing our Amateur Radio capabilities to the public. ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, notes that the ARRL has made many media materials available for local use. "Our visibility to the public is important in antenna, band preservation and texting issues, so we encourage you to use this opportunity to showcase what Amateur Radio can do," he said. Download an audio PSA that can air on your local radio stations here. Get a press release, a government proclamation template and invitation letters that you can use to invite your local officials to your Field Day site here. Find high-definition video files suitable for airing on your local television stations here. Get more information on ARRL Field Day, including the 2011 ARRL Field Day logo and operating tips here. More info, the logo and tips are here. Find a Field Day station near you here. ARRL Field Day is June 25-26.

+ 2010 ARRL Annual Report Now Available

The ARRL Annual Report for 2010 -- now available online and in print -- reviews the major events of the year and documents the renewed growth of both the ARRL and the activities of the Amateur Radio Service. For the fourth consecutive year, ARRL membership grew -- totaling 156,475 members at year end. In his introduction, ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, noted numerous challenges facing the ARRL. "But we also have great strengths," he explained, "and if we harness them effectively over the next few years, the ARRL and Amateur Radio will be well positioned for a bright second century -- at least as bright as their first." Read more here.

WRC-12: US Proposes WRC-12 Allocations for HF Radars
The ARRL and its partners in the IARU have been involved in the preparations for several items on the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) agenda. Agenda item 1.15 is "to consider possible allocations in the range 3-50 MHz to the radiolocation service for oceanographic radar applications." Such radars have been in operation in coastal areas for many years, typically under experimental licenses.

Based on protection requirements for the Amateur Service that the IARU had arranged to be included in ITU documentation, the Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM) Report for WRC-12 that was adopted in February concluded that sharing between oceanographic radars and the Amateur Service "seems to be difficult." Sharing studies, therefore, focused on in-band compatibility in the bands used only by the fixed and/or land mobile services. The CPM Report offers three methods of satisfying the agenda item through various combinations of primary and secondary allocations, with the objective of satisfying the operational need for safety systems (e.g. for the detection of tsunamis) and providing for the operation of other systems while protecting other allocated services from harmful interference. Read more here.

+ Check Out the July Issue of QST
The July issue of QST is jam-packed with all sorts of things that today's Amateur Radio operator needs. From product reviews to experiments to contesting, this issue of QST has something for just about everyone.

Radio amateurs who were active in the 1950s through the 1970s have most likely built a radio from a kit. But even 60 years later, hams can experience the fun that goes hand-in-hand with kit building. In his article "Electronic Kits Still in the Picture," Mark A. Lacy, W5TXR, says that hams today can still have the thrill of building a radio from kits that incorporate today's technology. Hams know that sunspots and solar activity influence band conditions. But how can we use that information ? QST Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, explains the daily sunspot number, solar radio flux and more in his article "Solar Indices -- What Do They Mean?"

Join John Reisenauer Jr, KL7JR, as he takes to Canada's Northwest Territories and the Yukon to heed the call of the wild -- and the unpredictable challenges of Amateur Radio -- in his article "The Call Sign of the Wild." In his article "After the 73s," QST Assistant Editor Steve Sant Andrea, AG1YK, relates that although ARRL's Logbook of The World has changed the way many hams verify a contact, others still rely on QSL cards. Hams across the country participated in the 2010 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test, giving served agencies and the news media a public demonstration of our capabilities. ARRL Field Organization Supervisor Steve Ewald, NV1X, presents the results of the SET in the July issue.

Take a look at the Kenwood TH-D72A dual band handheld transceiver (pictured), the Down East Microwave L222-28 1-1/4 meter transverter and theTennadyne T-28 VHF/UHF log periodic antenna, featured in the July 2011QST product review. Click here to go to the QST Multimedia page and scroll down to the Product Review video. Click the "Play" button to watch the video.

ARRL Contributing Editor Howard Robins, W1HSR, takes a look at the Kenwood TH-D72A dual band handheld transceiver in this month's Product Review. He says that this rig "seamlessly folds APRS operation and a packet TNC into a full featured, easy-to-use dual band handheld." ARRL Contributing Editor Ward Silver, N0AX, checks out the Down East Microwave L222-28 1¼ meter transverter. He says the transverter "is a fine solution for amateurs looking to expand station coverage to the 1.25 meter band. It can be adapted to interface with a variety of radios and receivers, and transmits well." Silver also test drove the Tennadyne T-28 VHF/UHF log periodic antenna. He says that this antenna "is ruggedly built and will get you on six amateur bands with some gain from a single feed line."

Jay Townsend, WS7I, delivers the results of the 2011 ARRL RTTY Roundup. This year, participants in 132 countries submitted almost 1600 logs containing half a million contacts. Ken Harker, WM5R, has the results of the 2010 ARRL 10 Meter Contest. For the first time ever in this contest, Mexican states counted as multipliers, with 26 of the 32 Mexican states on the air.

Of course, there are the usual columns you know and expect in the July QST: Happenings, Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX, Technical Correspondence, Vintage Radio and more. Look for your July issue in your mailbox. QST is the official journal of ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. QST is just one of the many benefits of ARRL membership. To join or renew your ARRL membership, please see the ARRL Web page.

+ FCC News: FCC Takes Strong Stance Against Radio Jamming, Issues $24,000 Fine to California Man

On June 6, the FCC issued a Forfeiture Order in the amount of $24,000 against Kevin W. Bondy of Encino, California, for engaging in unlicensed radio operation and intentional interference to licensed radio operations and for refusing to allow an inspection of his radio equipment by FCC personnel. Bondy -- licensee of General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) Station WQGX752 -- is accused of repeatedly and intentionally jamming four land mobile frequencies assigned to The Oaks Shopping Center in Thousand Oaks, California.

In assessing the $24,000 fine, the FCC noted that it was responsible for making and enforcing regulations to prevent interference and to maintain control over the use of the radio spectrum in a manner that promotes the public interest and convenience. "Bondy's acts cut at the heart of the Commission's responsibilities to protect the nation's airwaves and regulate use of the spectrum," the Order said. "Bondy operated a radio without a license on the specific frequencies assigned and licensed by the Commission to The Oaks, for the explicit and expressed purpose of prohibiting The Oaks's use of its licensed frequencies. This type of conduct inhibits the Commission's ability to effectively regulate and maintain control over the use of the spectrum and will not be tolerated." Bondy has until July 6 to pay the fine.

+ FCC News: FCC Seeks Comments on Terminating Certain Docketed Proceedings
In a Public Notice (CG Docket No 11-99) released on June 3, the FCC's Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) is seeking comments on whether or not it should terminate approximately 800 docketed proceedings. There are numerous proceedings pertaining to Amateur Radio on the list. These proceedings -- some going back to 1991 -- include dockets where no further action is required or contemplated, as well as those in which no pleadings or other documents have been filed since December 31, 2004. The record in a terminated docket will remain a part of the FCC's official records; the various pleadings, orders and other documents in that docket will continue to be accessible to the public, post-termination. With this Public Notice, the CGB is seeking comment from interested parties on the possible termination of those proceedings. Comments will be accepted within 30 days after the Public Notice is published in the Federal Register; reply comments must be filed within 45 days after publication. As of June 7, a publication date has not been set. Instructions on how to file comments are listed beginning on page 2 of the Public Notice.

+ On the Air: ARRL VHF/UHF Advisory Committee Seeks Input
The ARRL would like to encourage more participation in its several VHF/UHF contests held each year. Many of the HF transceivers sold in recent years include 50 MHz, and some also include the 144 and 432 MHz bands with multi-mode capabilities. The question at hand is how can we encourage more owners of such radios to utilize these bands and modes to participate in VHF/UHF contests?

The ARRL VHF/UHF Advisory Committee (VUAC) has been asked to consider this question, and to make recommendations to encourage, explore and expand the ARRL VHF and UHF contests and other operating activities by using the multi-band and multi-mode capabilities of modern transceivers and related equipment.

The VUAC would like to ask the Amateur Radio community to provide their comments and ideas for consideration.

Please send any comments or ideas you have on this matter to your ARRL VUAC Division representative no later than July 1, 2011. A listing of each Division's VUAC representative can be found at http://www.arrl.org/arrl-staff-vuac-cac.

+ On the Air: New Russian Prefix System in Use
If you have been on the HF bands lately, you may have noticed that a number of new prefixes are in use by stations in the Russian Federation. Here is a summary of the changes recently adopted by the Russian telecommunication authorities. Thanks to SRR President Roman Thomas, R5AA (ex-RZ3AA) for the information.

Russian prefixes with the numeral 2 are no longer limited to Kaliningradsk. Stations with RA2 and UA2-UI2 (with F and K as the first letter in the suffix) are in Kaliningradsk; otherwise, these prefixes will used in European Russia.
Stations with the following prefixes are in European Russia: R1, RA1-RZ1 (except RI1 as noted below), R2, RB2-RZ2, R3-R7, RA3-RZ7, UA1 and UA3-UI7. Also, stations with the prefixes R8, R9, RA8-RZ9 and UA8-UI9 (with F, S, T, W or X as the first letter in the suffix) are in European Russia.
Except for those listed above, all stations with 8, 9 and 0 as the numeral are in Asiatic Russia.
Russian Antarctic stations use temporary call signs in the series RI1ANA-RI1ANZ and RI00ANT to RI99ANT.
Franz Jozef Land stations use temporary call signs RI1F, RI1FJ and RI1FJA-RI1FJZ.
Malyj Visotskij island stations use temporary call signs RI1M, RI1MV and RI1MVA-RI1MVZ.
+ Changing of the Guard: Gene Zimmerman, W3ZZ, to Retire from "The World Above 50 MHz"

The July 2011 issue of QST will be Zimmerman's last as author of "The World Above 50 MHz."

If you're a VHF+ fan, you probably read "The World Above 50 MHz," written by Gene Zimmerman, W3ZZ, of Gaithersburg, Maryland. For the last nine years, Zimmerman -- an ARRL Life Member -- has written this popular QST column, but the July 2011 issue will be his last. "When I accepted the duties of VHF Editor in 2002, I did so well knowing that my tenure would be circumscribed and likely not to exceed a decade in time," he wrote in his farewell column. "There are many reasons for this, most importantly that an individual begins to run out of new ideas after a given amount of time and that the position -- and the readership -- would benefit from fresh viewpoints." Beginning with the August 2011 issue of QST, Jon Jones, N0JK, of Wichita, Kansas, will take over the column. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, June 9, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This image was taken at 304 Angstrom; the bright material is at 60,000 to 80,000 Kelvin.

Tad "Until the Sun went down" Cook, K7RA, reports: Although higher early in the reporting week, the average daily sunspot numbers declined more than 4 points to 85.7, while the average of daily solar flux numbers was down 1.5 points to 101.6. The predicted solar flux for the near term is 88 on June 9-15, and 90, 95, 95, 92, 92 and 92 on June 16-21. The solar flux is then expected to rise to a peak of 115 on June 28. The predicted planetary A index is 20, 25, 12, and 8 on June 9-12, then 5 on June 13-22, then peaking at 15 on June 24-25. Check out this link sent by Scott Bidstrup, TI3/W7RI, showing some fantastic HD videos of recent solar eruptions. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, June 10. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by The Human League's (Keep Feeling) Fascination.

There's Still Time to Enter the 2011 ARRL Photo Contest!
Have you ever wanted to see a photo of yours in QST, the annual ARRL Amateur Radio Calendar or another ARRL publication? Well, here's your chance! If you're among the winners, not only will your photographic skill be propagated far and wide, but we're offering $100 as the First Prize. The winning photo and three runners-up will be published in QST. All submitted photos will also be considered for the 2012 ARRL Calendar.

Deadline: Photos must be received at ARRL HQ by June 30, 2011.
Subject: Must be directly related to Amateur Radio, and be in good taste. Extra points will be awarded for photos showing folks having fun with Amateur Radio. Photos will be judged on overall quality and composition.
Requirements: Digital images or color prints accepted. A digital image printed on photo paper, however, doesn't work as well as a high-resolution file attachment. Digital images should be high resolution. A digital image up to 8 MB in size can be e-mailed to upfront@arrl.org, subject line "2011 Photo Contest." An image may also be burned to a CD and mailed to ARRL Photo Contest, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. All entries must include caption information describing where the photo was taken, along with a description of the subject of the photo, as well as the names and call signs of any persons shown. If you entered last year's contest, please do not resend the same photo for this year's contest. One entry per person.
Miscellaneous: The decisions of the judges -- composed of QST editorial and production staff -- are final.
DXCC Desk Approves Current VK0KEV Macquarie Island DXpedition

ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports that the current VK0KEV DXpedition to Macquarie Island has been approved for DXCC credit. "If you had cards that were recently rejected for this operation, please send an e-mail to the ARRL DXCC Desk," Moore said. "Please note that due to extremely heavy e-mail, DXCC staff may not respond to your message. Once your record is updated, results will appear in Logbook of The World (LoTW) accounts or in the live, daily DXCC Standings."

This Week on the Radio
This week:

June 10 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
June 11 -- Portugal Day Contest; Asia-Pacific Sprint (SSB)
June 11-12 -- DRCG Long Distance Contest (RTTY), VK Shires Contest; CWops Mini-CWT Test; GACW WWSA CW DX Contest; REF DDFM 6 Meter Contest
June 11-13 -- ARRL June VHF QSO Party
June 12 -- SKCC Weekend Sprint
June 15 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
Next week:

June 17 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
June 18 -- Feld Hell Sprint; AGCW VHF/UHF Contest
June 18-19 -- West Virginia QSO Party; Stew Perry Topband Challenge; All Asian DX Contest (CW); SMIRK Contest
June 19 -- WAB 50 MHz Phone Contest
June 20 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
June 22 -- SKCC Sprint; NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
June 22-23 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
June 10-11 -- ARRL National Convention, Plano, Texas
June 11 -- ARRL Tennessee State Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee
July 2 -- ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention, Marysville, Pennsylvania
July 15-17 -- ARRL Montana State Convention, Essex, Montana
July 29-30 -- ARRL Oklahoma State Convention, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

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The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 04/21/2011

2011-04-26T08:16:00.000-07:00

April 21, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ FCC News: ARRL Scores Partial Victory in ReconRobotics Proceeding
+ California Supreme Court Declines to Hear Antenna Zoning Case
Spectrum Defense: "Eternal Vigilance" Is the Price We Pay for Our Spectrum
+ On the Air: Find an ARRL Field Day Station Near You
On the Air: Transatlantic Amateur Radio Balloon Launch
+ ARRL West Gulf Division to Host Webinar on Antenna Zoning
+ HQ News: ARRL HQ to Close in Observance of Good Friday
+ Postage Price Increase Now in Effect
Voting Now Open for May QST Cover Plaque Award
Solar Update
ARRL Seeks Book Editor
+ Silent Key: World Radio Labs Founder Leo Meyerson, W0GFQ (SK)
On the Air: DXCC Approves Two Tristan Da Cunha and Gough Operations
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News

+ FCC News: ARRL Scores Partial Victory in ReconRobotics Proceeding

The FCC has given radio amateurs a partial victory in response to the ARRL's challenge, in a Petition for Reconsideration, of a rules waiver that permits the certification and licensing of the Recon Scout -- a remote-controlled, maneuverable surveillance robot operating in the 430-448 MHz band. The device is marketed to public safety agencies and certain security personnel by ReconRobotics Inc.

In an Order on Reconsideration released on April 15, the FCC granted the ARRL's request for changes in the labeling and instruction manual requirements to ensure that users of the device are aware of its limitations, with regard to interference. Noting that no applications for individual licenses to operate the Recon Scout had been granted, the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, and the Office of Engineering and Technology deferred to the Commission's Enforcement Bureau with regard to complaints that ReconRobotics has been marketing uncertified devices and that the devices have been operating without authorization. Read more here.

+ California Supreme Court Declines to Hear Antenna Zoning Case

The California Supreme Court refused to hear the antenna zoning case brought forth by Alex Zubarau, WB6X, of Palmdale, California -- with the assistance of his ARRL Volunteer Counsel Len Shaffer, WA6QHD -- after receiving a mixed decision by the California Court of Appeals earlier this year. The Supreme Court -- California's highest court -- handed down their decision on April 20. Read more here.

Spectrum Defense: "Eternal Vigilance" Is the Price We Pay for Our Spectrum

The first edition for 2011 of Spectrum Defense Matters -- a newsletter aimed at keeping ARRL members updated on issues related to the protection of Amateur Radio frequencies -- was recently released on the ARRL website. This newsletter covers both domestic and international topics related to the Amateur Radio spectrum. As ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, said in a recent ARRL Legislative Update newsletter, "Eternal vigilance is the price of spectrum." Sometimes the threats are minimal; sometimes their impact can be devastating if not addressed. Regardless of the degree of severity, any threat to our Amateur Radio spectrum must be a top priority of the ARRL. Read more here.

+ On the Air: Find an ARRL Field Day Station Near You

First introduced in 2008, the ARRL's Field Day Station Locator Service has proved a popular addition to the Field Day toolbox. This service -- an interactive map that helps amateurs or those interested in Amateur Radio find a Field Day site near them -- is free to clubs or individuals who will be operating public Field Day stations. Stations can also be listed by state or province. So far, hams in all 50 states and Puerto Rico have listed Field Day sites on the Field Day Locator. If your group would like to be a part of the Station Locator Service, it's easy to get started -- just go to the Field Day Station Locator website and follow the instructions. ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air operating event in Amateur Radio. On June 25-26, join tens of thousands of Amateur Radio operators as they gather for a public demonstration of the Amateur Radio Service.

On the Air: Transatlantic Amateur Radio Balloon Launch
The Project Blue Horizon 5 high-altitude transatlantic balloon is scheduled for launch, weather permitting, on Wednesday, April 27, from Oswego, New York. The Project Blue Horizon team is attempting to break current Amateur Radio high-altitude balloon records for distance (3361.81 miles) and duration (49 hours, 45 minutes). The payload will be carried beneath a 54,000 cubic foot capacity helium-filled balloon cruising between 85,000 and 100,000 feet. Read more here.

+ ARRL West Gulf Division to Host Webinar on Antenna Zoning

Periodically, ARRL Divisions will host a "webinar" -- an interactive Web-based seminar, designed to facilitate communication between a small number of presenters and a large remote audience using the Internet -- for interested amateurs. On Wednesday, April 27 at 9 PM (EDT), ARRL West Gulf Division Director David Woolweaver, K5RAV -- along with ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, and noted antenna zoning lawyer Fred Hopengarten, K1VR -- will present Antenna Ordinances, You and the ARRL. Read more here.

+ HQ News: ARRL HQ to Close in Observance of Good Friday

ARRL Headquarters will be closed in observance of Good Friday on Friday, April 22. There will be no W1AW bulletin or code practice transmissions that day. ARRL Headquarters will reopen Monday, April 25 at 8 AM Eastern Daylight Time. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.

+ Postage Price Increase Now in Effect

On Sunday, April 17, the US Postal Service increased the price to mail certain items within the US and abroad, affecting the price of sending a QSL card within the US. While the cost to mail a 1 ounce piece of first class mail within the US stays at 44 cents, the cost of mailing a postcard increased one penny, from 28 cents to 29 cents. Click here for more information on all the postal increases.

Voting Now Open for May QST Cover Plaque Award
Now that you've thumbed through and read the May 2011 issue of QST cover-to-cover, we're sure that an article -- or three -- sticks in your mind. So go ahead and cast your vote for your favorite article in the issue. The article with the most votes will receive the QST Cover Plaque Award.

Supporting Portable Antennas Without Guy Wires by Dave Fisher, KG0D/7
A Transmitter for Fox Hunting by Mark Spencer, WA8SME
An Emergency Backup Solar Power System by Jim Talens, N3JT
A Junk Box Power Line Frequency Monitor by Arthur Glazar, W2NN
3B8EME -- Moonbounce from the Indian Ocean by Eltje Veen, PA3CEE, Johan Meezen, PE9DX, and Rene Hasper, PE1L
Youth DX Adventure #1 by Don DuBon, N6JRL, and Dave Kalter, KB8OCP
The QST Cover Plaque award -- given to the author or authors of the best article in each issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll Web page. Headquarters staff members who write articles are not eligible to receive votes.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, April 21, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) image was taken in the continuum near the Ni I 6768 Angstrom line. The most prominent features are the sunspots. This is very much how the Sun looks in the visible range of the spectrum.

Tad "The Sun came out today" Cook, K7RA, reports: Both the average daily sunspot numbers and solar flux were both higher for the week, with sunspot numbers up more than three points to 93.1 and the solar flux up by 8 points to 117.2. Geomagnetic activity was a bit lower -- with April 20 being the most active day -- after a coronal hole on the Sun spewed a solar wind at high speed. Currently, there are four sunspot groups visible, and we could see a geo-magnetic disturbance today from a slow-moving coronal mass ejection. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, April 22. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by John Fogerty's Centerfield.

ARRL Seeks Book Editor
The ARRL is seeking a Book Editor to manage the production of ARRL books and other publications, ensuring that they meet ARRL standards. The successful applicant will be responsible for managing the progress of all book materials through the production process, tracking current book inventory and scheduling reprints or new editions as needed, authoring new books and other materials, and editing and formatting manuscript materials provided by authors to ensure correct grammar, punctuation and style. Applicants must hold an Amateur Radio license, a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, Journalism or equivalent, and 5 to 10 years of experience as a professional newspaper, book or magazine editor, or corporate technical writer. For more information, including a complete job description and application details, please see the Employment Opportunities page on the ARRL website.

+ Silent Key: World Radio Labs Founder Leo Meyerson, W0GFQ (SK)

Leo Meyerson (SK)

Leo Meyerson, W0GFQ, of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away on April 13. He was 100. In 1935, Meyerson, an ARRL Life Member, founded Wholesale Radio Laboratories -- the forerunner to World Radio Labs -- in Council Bluffs, Iowa. For his contributions to Amateur Radio, Meyerson was named the 1997 Ham of the Year at the Dayton Hamvention. Read more here.

On the Air: DXCC Approves Two Tristan Da Cunha and Gough Operations

ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports that two operations on Tristan Da Cunha and Gough -- the 2010 ZD9AH operation and the 2010-2011 ZD9T operation -- have been approved for DXCC credit. "If you had these operations rejected in a recent application, please send an e-mail to the ARRL DXCC Desk," Moore said. "Please note that due to heavy e-mail volume, you may not receive a reply. Results will appear in Logbook of The World (LoTW) accounts, as well as online on the daily listings."

This Week on the Radio
This week:

April 22 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder 0230Z-0300Z, Apr 22
April 23-24 -- South Dakota QSO Party; 10-10 International Spring Contest (Digital); SP DX RTTY Contest; Helvetia Contest
April 25 -- Low Power Spring Sprint
April 27 -- SKCC Sprint; 432 MHz Spring Sprint (local time)
April 27-28 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
Next week:

April 29 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
April 30 -- BARTG Sprint 75
April 30 May 1 -- Nebraska QSO Party; Florida QSO Party; SBMS 2 GHz and Up WW Club Contest (local time); QRP to the Field
May 1 -- AGCW QRP/QRP Party
May 3 -- ARS Spartan Sprint
May 4-5 -- MIE 33 Contest
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more info. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
April 22-24 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention, Boise, Idaho
April 23 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention, Monroe, Louisiana; ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina
May 7 -- ARRL South Carolina State Convention, Spartanburg, South Carolina
June 3-5 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention (SeaPac), Seaside, Oregon; ARRL Wyoming State Convention, Cheyenne, Wyoming
June 4 -- ARRL Atlantic Division Convention, Rochester, New York; ARRL East Bay Section Convention, Berkeley, California; ARRL Georgia State Convention, Marietta, Georgia
June 10-11 -- ARRL National Convention, Plano, Texas
June 11 -- ARRL Tennessee State Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

Find us on Facebook!

ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here to advertise in this newsletter.

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 04/07/2011

2011-04-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

April 7, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ Japan Suffers Large Aftershock; Tsunami Warning Issued, Lifted
+ Amateur Radio in the Classroom: Alabama High Schools Successfully Launch High Altitude Balloon
+ Public Service: Bill Smith, K1ARK, Receives National Recognition for Storm Spotting Activities
+ Check out the May Issue of QST
+ On the Air: Rev Up the Rookies -- the 2011 SSB Rookie Roundup Is Here!
ARRL to Change Insurance Company for Equipment Protection, Club Liability Services
+ Amateur Radio Fun: Announcing the Winners of the ARRL Video Contest
ARRL in Action : What Have We Been Up to Lately?
+ FCC News: FCC Launches Complete Overhaul of Website
Solar Update
+ ARRL Recognizes: Howard "Skip" Teller, KH6TY, Wins March QST Cover Plaque Award
+ On the Air: ARRL Frequency Measuring Test Scheduled for Tuesday, April 12
On the Air : NIST to Conduct Time and Frequency User Survey
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News

+ Japan Suffers Large Aftershock; Tsunami Warning Issued, Lifted

The April 7 quake was centered 41 miles from Sendai -- one of the areas worst hit by last month's 9.0-magnitude earthquake.

A 7.4 magnitude aftershock hit just off the coast of Japan at 11:30 PM JST (1430 UTC) on Thursday, April 7. The epicenter of this earthquake is just 73 miles from the nuclear plant at Fukushima and 41 miles from the epicenter of last month's 9.0 earthquake. As such, Japan's meteorological agency issued, and then lifted, a tsunami warning for a wave of up to 6 feet for the coastal area that has been already torn apart by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. These events are believed to have killed some 25,000 people and have sparked an ongoing crisis at the nuclear power plant. The ARRL asks that you keep 7.030 MHz clear for emergency use. In addition, these frequencies should also be kept clear: 3.525, 7.030, 7.077, 7.087, 7.097, 14.100, 21.200 and 28.200 MHz. -- Thanks to CNN and other sources for the information

+ Amateur Radio in the Classroom: Alabama High Schools Successfully Launch High Altitude Balloon

The view form the high altitude balloon that was jointly launched on April 2 by Pell City High School and St Clair County High School. Both schools are in Alabama.

The Pell City and St Clair County High School's joint balloon launch was a great success. The balloon was launched from the St Clair County Airport in Pell City, Alabama into a brisk wind at 2 PM on April 2. The balloon carried a variety of experiments ranging from materials, plastic sticks, silly putty, several varieties of seed, batteries, film and cameras, radio location equipment and a radio beacon announcing the balloons flight, as well as a collection of worms. The worms were given physicals by a St Clair County High School science class prior to the flight. They returned home in apparent good health and have made reservations for the next flight. The balloon made a rapid and steady ascent to 94,449 feet and, after bursting, landed near Woodbury, Georgia. The balloon landed in the middle of an open field and was quickly retrieved by Amateur Radio operators from the Auburn/Alexander city area. Read more here.

+ Public Service: Bill Smith, K1ARK, Receives National Recognition for Storm Spotting Activities

Bill Smith, K1ARK, is the recipient of the 2011 Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award winner -- given by the College of Sports Information Directors of America -- for his service to SKYWARN and the National Weather Service. [Photo courtesy of the University of Arkansas]

It is difficult to imagine the number of hours that Dr Bill Smith, K1ARK, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, logs in his job as the University of Arkansas' Director of New Media for the Razorback Athletics Department. Smith spends countless hours blogging, filming, commentating and handling the social media responsibilities for 19 teams and the department, but he still finds time to assist Washington County residents when dangerous weather conditions arise. Smith has volunteered for the Washington County Department of Emergency Management for more than a decade, assisting with county weather emergency communications. In addition, Smith is the volunteer Public Information Officer for the DEM with Advanced P10 certification from FEMA.

For these efforts, Smith -- an ARRL member -- has been named the Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award winner by the College of Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award is presented annually to a member for civic involvement and accomplishments outside of the sports information office. CoSIDA is a 2700-plus member national organization comprised of the sports public relations, communications and information professionals throughout all levels of collegiate athletics in the United States and Canada. Smith will be honored at the CoSIDA at the organization's annual convention in June. Read more here.

+ Check out the May Issue of QST
The May issue of QST is jam-packed with all sorts of things that today's Amateur Radio operator needs. From product reviews to experiments to contesting -- including a special look at the ARRL EXPO, coming to the Dayton Hamvention® and the ARRL National Convention at Ham-Com in Plano, Texas -- this issue of QST has something for just about everyone.

As amateurs, we get excited when we finally get that new entity, top a previous year's score in a contest, build a new piece of equipment or meet up with an old friend on the air. Why not unleash some of that excitement and introduce kids to Amateur Radio at the same time? Mark Spencer, WA8SME, shows readers how to do just that in his article "A Transmitter for Foxhunting." Build this project that combines the fun of the outdoors with the science and art of radio. With today's rising energy costs, we are all looking for ways to save on those monthly bills. One of the ways to do so is by lassoing the energy of the Sun. In his article "An Emergency Backup Solar Power System," Jim Talens, N3JT, says that after the purchase of some basic hardware, solar power is free -- and independent of the grid.

Three Dutch hams -- Eltje Veen, PA3CEE; Johan Meezen, PE9DX, and René Hasper, PE1L -- ventured to Mauritius to shoot for the moon. Read about their adventure in "3B8EME -- Moonbounce from the Indian Ocean." Join a group of Midwestern teenage hams as they discover what it's like on the other end of the pile-up in "Youth DX Adventure #1" by Don DuBon, N6JRL, and Dave Kalter, KB8OCP. QST Assistant Editor Steve Sant Andrea, AG1YK, decodes RSQ and explains what it means to digital operators in his article "Readability, Strength -- and Quality?"

Take a look at the Kenwood TS-590S HF and 6 meter transceiver (pictured) and the Heil Pro Set Elite headset, featured in the May 2011QST product review. Click here to go to the QST Multimedia page and scroll down to the Product Review video. Click the "Play" button to watch the video.

QST Contributing Editor Ward Silver, N0AX, takes a look at the Kenwood TS-590S HF and 6 meter transceiver in this month's Product Review. He says that this rig "is a compact package of high-performance radio with an exceptional receiver for the price and is well-suited for today's operating modes and styles. It has a useful package of features that are thoughtfully organized and easy to access." QST Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, checks out the Heil Pro Set Elite headset. He calls it "a worthy addition to the popular Pro Set line of headsets. It offers comfortable, wider range earphones, combined with a wide range fidelity dynamic microphone element. The mic element is intended to be tailored by radio or external audio equalizers to provide just the desired voice characteristics."

Kelly Taylor, VE4XT, delivers the results of the 2010 ARRL November CW Sweepstakes. For the first time ever in the history of the contest, there's a tie for first place! Jeremy Alexander, W7EME, has the results of the 2010 ARRL International EME Competition, held over three weekends this past September and October. According to Alexander, the 2010 running of the contest generated more than 100 logs with many more stations participating.

Of course, there are the usual columns you know and expect in the May QST: Happenings, Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX, Technical Correspondence, Vintage Radio and more. Look for your May issue in your mailbox. QST is the official journal of ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. QST is just one of the many benefits of ARRL membership. To join or renew your ARRL membership, please see the ARRL Web page.

+ On the Air: Rev Up the Rookies -- the 2011 SSB Rookie Roundup Is Here!
Newly licensed amateurs will once again be the focus of attention on Sunday, April 17 as the ARRL Rookie Roundup enters its second year. Created to give the budding operator a place to learn about contesting at an easier pace, the ARRL Rookie Roundup is a six hour contest open to all amateurs who have been licensed for three years or fewer. If you were licensed in 2009, 2010 or 2011, you qualify as a Rookie. The Rookie Roundup happens three times each year: SSB in April, RTTY in August and CW in December. Read more here.

ARRL to Change Insurance Company for Equipment Protection, Club Liability Services

On May 1, 2011, the ARRL will begin a new partnership to provide its ARRL-sponsored Equipment Insurance and Club Liability Insurance plans. The League has signed an agreement with Hays Affinity Group to serve as the program administrator to provide equipment insurance to its members who choose to elect coverage. In addition, Hays will also provide club liability insurance to ARRL Affiliated Clubs for those clubs that wish to take advantage of that program. Hays will be replacing Marsh Affinity Group Services as the program's administrator and will be introducing new policies for both plans, underwritten by the Hanover Insurance Company. Read more here.

+ Amateur Radio Fun: Announcing the Winners of the ARRL Video Contest

The winner of the ARRL video contest was the father/daughter team of Frank Callaghan, AC2EE, and Becky Callaghan, KC2YZI, of Cresskill, New Jersey for their video No Communication, No Problem!

With more than 30 videos submitted from all corners of the Earth, the ARRL's production and editorial team had a tough job ahead of them as they sat down to pick the best one. But in the end, these ARRL HQ staff members picked a clear and decisive winner. In December, the ARRL announced that it was looking for ARRL members to shoot and submit videos that showcase how fun and electrifying our hobby can be. Extra points were awarded for videos showing someone -- young or old, licensed or not -- making their first contacts. Videos were judged on their creativity, overall quality and composition, and how well each communicated enthusiasm for Amateur Radio. All videos had to be less than five minutes long. Read more here.

ARRL in Action : What Have We Been Up to Lately?
Compiled by ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

This feature is a concise monthly update of some of the things ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment -- which covers the month of March -- looks at how the ARRL and its members are responding to HR 607, various filings made by the ARRL to the FCC, the ARRL's Executive Committee meeting, reports from the Official Observer Desk and more. Read more here.

+ FCC News: FCC Launches Complete Overhaul of Website
The Federal Communications Commission announced on April 6 that it has launched a complete overhaul of its website. According to an April 6 press release from the FCC, the new website is "architected with a more intuitive user experience and the addition of Web 2.0 technologies, and improves and simplifies the FCC.gov experience for consumers, government, public safety agencies and the business community." This is the first major update to the Commission's website in 10 years. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, April 7, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This image was taken at 304 Angstrom; the bright material is at 60,000 to 80,000 Kelvin.

Tad "I walk out into the Sun, I try to find a new day" Cook, K7RA, reports: Our Sun is still quite active, but solar activity is down this week when compared with the week before. The average daily sunspot numbers were down nearly 34 points to 68.3, while the average daily solar flux declined nearly 3 points to 111.8. But geomagnetic activity was quite strong this week, with the planetary A index on April 2 at 20, rising to 26 on April 6. The latest forecast from USAF and NOAA has the solar flux at 117 on April 7-9, 115 on April 10-14, 88, 90, 100 and 115 on April 15-18 and 125 on April 19-27. The predicted planetary A index is 8, 5, 10 and 10 on April 6-9, 5 on April 11-17 and 7 on April 18-20. Geophysical Institute Prague predicts quiet conditions on April 8, quiet to unsettled April 9, unsettled to active April 10, active April 11, unsettled April 12, quiet to unsettled April 13 and back to quiet on April 14. On April 4, NASA released a new solar cycle prediction, and they say this may be the smallest sunspot cycle in 200 years. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, April 8. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by Duran Duran's Careless Memories.

+ ARRL Recognizes: Howard "Skip" Teller, KH6TY, Wins March QST Cover Plaque Award

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for March is Howard "Skip" Teller, KH6TY, for his article "Digital VOX Sound Card Interface." Congratulations Skip! The QST Cover Plaque award -- given to the author or authors of the best article in each issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll Web page. Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the April issue today.

+ On the Air: ARRL Frequency Measuring Test Scheduled for Tuesday, April 12

The Frequency Measuring Test (FMT) adds a couple of new wrinkles to the format when it takes to the airwaves on April 12. The first change is that the FMT will be held on Tuesday evening instead of Wednesday. If weeknight schedules have prevented you from participating in past FMTs, this change is for you. The second change is in the sequence of stations transmitting. The new format will mimic a round-table QSO in which all of the stations are close to the same frequency but not exactly on the same frequency. Read more here.

On the Air : NIST to Conduct Time and Frequency User Survey

The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Time and Frequency Division is conducting a survey to learn more about its users, seeking to determine how the agency can make its services more useful in the future. NIST services include WWV, WWVH and WWVB, which provide reference time and frequency signals via radio. The NIST also provides the Internet Time Service -- which provides accurate time synchronization to computer systems -- and several other services to offer accurate time information via telephone or web pages. Radio amateurs are encouraged to complete the survey. Read more here.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

April 9 -- PODXS 070 Club PSK 31 Flavors Contest (local time); EU Spring Sprint (CW)
April 9-10 -- Montana QSO Party; New Mexico QSO Party; Georgia QSO Party; JIDX CW Contest
April 10 -- SKCC Weekend Sprint; UBA Spring Contest (SSB)
April 11 -- 144 MHz Spring Sprint (local time)
April 13 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
April 13-14 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
Next week:

April 15 -- NCCC Sprint
April 15-16 -- Holyland DX Contest
April 16 -- Feld Hell Sprint; TARA Skirmish Digital Prefix Contest; ES Open HF Championship; EU Spring Sprint (SSB)
April 16-17 -- Michigan QSO Party; Ontario QSO Party; YU DX Contest; CQ Manchester Mineira DX Contest; EA-QRP CW Contest
April 16-24 -- ARLHS Annual Spring Lites QSO Party
April 17 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup (SSB)
April 18 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
April 19 -- 222 MHz Spring Sprint (local time)
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more info. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
April 22-24 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention, Boise, Idaho
April 23 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention, Monroe, Louisiana; ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina
May 7 -- ARRL South Carolina State Convention, Spartanburg, South Carolina
June 3-5 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention (SeaPac), Seaside, Oregon; ARRL Wyoming State Convention, Cheyenne, Wyoming
June 4 -- ARRL Atlantic Division Convention, Rochester, New York; ARRL East Bay Section Convention, Berkeley, California; ARRL Georgia State Convention, Marietta, Georgia
June 10-11 -- ARRL National Convention, Plano, Texas
June 11 -- ARRL Tennessee State Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST , Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.
Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal . Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.
Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.
Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
Find us on Facebook!
ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio
Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!
Click here to advertise in this newsletter.

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 03/31/11

2011-04-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

March 31, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ Public Service: Hams Help When Phones Fail at Southern California Hospital
Public Service : Western Pennsylvania Hams Respond as Tornado Sweeps Through Area
+ Amateur Radio in Space: Two Astronauts Get Their Ham Ticket
+ NCVEC Deletes Question from Amateur Extra Question Pool
+ ARRL Nebraska Section Introduces "Elmer Squad"
+ New Mars Rover to Feature Morse Code
On the Air : NIST to Conduct Time and Frequency User Survey
Solar Update
+ Silent Key: Internet Pioneer Paul Baran, W3KAS (SK)
+ Silent Key: Owner of Industrial Communication Engineers Mike Koss, W9SU (SK)
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News

+ Public Service: Hams Help When Phones Fail at Southern California Hospital

When nurses and other caregivers picked up their phones at Children's Hospital of Orange County in California in the early morning on March 21, there was no dial tone. A power surge caused the central processor in the hospital's phone switch to fail. Following established procedures, the lead operator at the hospital switchboard immediately activated the Hospital Disaster Support Communications System, using an off-switch tie-line to reach April Moell, WA6OPS, head of this ARES® group that specializes in helping hospitals when their communications fail. Read more here.

Public Service : Western Pennsylvania Hams Respond as Tornado Sweeps Through Area

This tornado -- as seen just outside of Pittsburgh -- swept through Western Pennsylvania on March 23, destroying at least 30 homes and damaging another 90. [Photo courtesy of Rebecca Mink and Rabe Marsh, W3TNU]

At approximately 4:30 on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 23, severe thunderstorms started to roll into Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, producing golf ball-sized hail and heavy winds. Members of the Westmoreland County Public Service/ARES® group began to meet on the W3CRC repeater in Derry, Pennsylvania, which serves as the main ARES®/SKYWARN repeater in Westmoreland County. Soon after, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the area and the Public Service Net was opened formally at 5 PM. Walter Bashaw, W3ZEH, began taking check-ins and reports of severe weather, relaying them to the NWS in Pittsburgh. Read more here.

+ Amateur Radio in Space: Two Astronauts Get Their Ham Ticket

Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR (left), and Luca Parmatano, KF5KDP, will journey to the International Space Station in 2013.

Even though they aren't scheduled to go to the International Space Station until 2013, two astronauts -- Chris Cassidy and Luca Parmitano -- are now licensed amateurs. Cassidy, who received the call sign KF5KDR, is scheduled to head to the ISS in March 2013 as part of Expedition 35. Parmitano -- an Italian from the European Space Agency -- is KF5KDP; he goes to the ISS three months later in May, as part of Expedition 36.

"Our aim is to have at least one crew member licensed and trained in on-air protocol, who is somewhat excited about ham radio and the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station program, per expedition," explained ARRL ARISS Program Manager Rosalie White, K1STO. NASA ISS Ham Radio Project Engineer Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO, told the ARRL that both Cassidy and Parmitano are "excited and interested in the educational aspects of Amateur Radio on board the ISS." Read more here.

+ NCVEC Deletes Question from Amateur Extra Question Pool

Due to the FCC revising the rules concerning Spread Spectrum, the Question Pool Committee of the National Council of Volunteer Examiner Coordinator ( NCVEC) has decided to delete a question from the Amateur Extra class question pool. According to QPC Chairman Rol Anders, K3RA, as of April 29 when the new Spread Spectrum rule change goes into effect, the answer to question E1F13 in the Amateur Extra class question pool will no longer be correct . Read more here.

+ ARRL Nebraska Section Introduces "Elmer Squad"
The Nebraska Elmer Squad made its first official appearance earlier this month at the ARRL Nebraska State Convention in Lincoln. Darwin Piatt, W9HZC, and Darrel Swenson, K0AWB, were on hand to answer questions about the Squad's mission and plans. According to ARRL Nebraska Section Manager Art Zygielbaum, K0AIZ, the Squad is gathering a list of volunteer Elmers throughout the state who are willing to assist not only new Amateur Radio operators, but current operators who need some technical assistance.

Darwin Piatt, W9HZC (left) and Darrel Swenson, K0AWB, discuss the ARRL Nebraska Section's "Elmer Squad" with ARRL Field Organization Supervisor Steve Ewald, WV1X (standing) at the ARRL Nebraska State Convention earlier this month. [Barry Buelow, W0IY, Photo]

"Mentoring of new or prospective hams will be an ongoing part of the mission," Zygielbaum told the ARRL. "The intent is to have Elmers participate in their local area radio clubs and give presentations on various subjects relating to Amateur Radio." Nearly a dozen hams signed up at the State Convention to be a part of the Elmer Squad.

Piatt and Swenson said that they believe that people should remember that Amateur Radio is a hobby -- and it should be fun. Both men are QRP operators and builders; part of their enjoyment comes from passing on the fun of building to others.

The Elmer Squad will be traveling around Nebraska this summer and fall, giving presentations and signing up more Elmers. In addition, Piatt and Swenson are working on a Nebraska Elmer Squad website. Zygielbaum said that this will provide a central contact point to match Elmers with those who would like assistance. Once the site is up and running, the URL will be posted on the ARRL Nebraska Section website.

"Our motto is 'Hey, this is a hobby -- it is supposed to be fun!'" Zygielbaum explained. "We're looking for good people to help us keep it that way."

+ New Mars Rover to Feature Morse Code
As the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) builds the next Mars rover -- this one is named Curiosity -- to deploy to the red planet in the fall of 2011, they're having a little fun with it. Back in 2007 when the Curiosity team was putting together the rover, its wheel cleats had a raised pattern with the letters "JPL," leaving a little stamp of the rover's birthplace everywhere it rolled. "At the time, I asked whether the real rover would have those wheels, and they said, no, they weren't going to get to advertise JPL with each turn of each of the rover's six wheels; the real rover would have some other pattern," said Emily Lakdawalla of The Planetary Society in her blog. Lakdawalla is the organization's Science and Technology Coordinator.

JPL's Mars Science Laboratory Lead Engineer Jaime Waydo with Curiosity -- and the rover's old wheels. [Emily Lakdawalla, Photo]

Lakdawalla said that there is nothing special about the shapes of the markers in Opportunity's wheels; they are just square holes through the wheels through which the wheels were bolted to the lander during cruise and landing." Opportunity is the name of the rover that went to Mars back in 2003. "But Curiosity didn't need holes in its wheels for attaching to any lander -- there isn't one. So the engineers got to make the markers in any shape they wanted to."

But in March 2011, she saw a video of the rover as it is today: "I had to chuckle at those 'visual odometry markers' [on its tires]. Before I explain why, I'll point out that they really are useful things to have in rover wheels. The repeating pattern of the 'visual odometry markers'...makes it fairly easy for both the rover and human operators to determine visually how far the rover has roved using rear-view imagery."

The tires on the new Mars rover -- set to launch in November or December 2011 -- will display the letters JPL in Morse code. [Photo courtesy of NASA/JPL]

So what pattern did JPL choose to put on Curiosity's wheels? One that Lakdawalla called "very amusing. The holes are in a pattern of short squares and longer rectangles -- almost like dots and dashes. Morse code." And what does it spell out in Morse code? JPL.

According to JPL, Curiosity is about the size of a small SUV -- 10 feet long (not including the arm), 9 feet wide and 7 feet tall -- or about the height of a basketball player -- and weighs 2000 pounds. It features a geology lab, rocker-bogie suspension, a rock-vaporizing laser and lots of cameras. Curiosity will search areas of Mars for past or present conditions favorable for life and for conditions capable of preserving a record of life. It is set to launch between November 25-December 18, 2011 from Cape Canaveral, Florida and will arrive on Mars between August 6-20, 2012. The prime mission will last one Mars year, or about 23 Earth months

On the Air : NIST to Conduct Time and Frequency User Survey

The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Time and Frequency Division is conducting a survey to learn more about its users, seeking to determine how the agency can make its services more useful in the future. NIST services include WWV, WWVH and WWVB, which provide reference time and frequency signals via radio. The NIST also provides the Internet Time Service -- which provides accurate time synchronization to computer systems -- and several other services to offer accurate time information via telephone or web pages. Radio amateurs are encouraged to complete the survey. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, March 31, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This image was taken at 304 Angstrom; the bright material is at 60,000 to 80,000 Kelvin.

Tad "The Sun is shining, it's a lovely day" Cook, K7RA, reports: The activity we could see recently on our Sun's far side -- thanks to the STEREO mission -- has been rotating into view, producing some nice sunspot activity, resulting in improved upper-HF propagation. Compared to the previous week (March 17-23), the past week (March 24-30) showed average daily sunspot numbers up more than 61 points to 102.1, while the average daily solar flux was up nearly 20 points to 114.7. Geomagnetic conditions were quieter as well, and reports from readers show greatly improved propagation on 20, 15 and 10 meters. This table shows a new sunspot group on March 23, two more groups appeared March 24, two more on March 25 and another two more on March 27. The latest prediction from USAF/NOAA sees improving conditions, with the projected solar flux for March 31-April 1 at 125 and 130, then 135 on April 2-7. The predicted planetary A index is 10 and 8 on March 31 and April 1, followed by 5 on April 2-7 and 8 on April 8. Conditions should be very good for the next week, especially when compared to this time last year. Look for more information on the ARRL website -- including an updated forecast and reports from readers, as well as the latest 3-month moving average of sunspot numbers -- on Friday, April 1. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by the song Avenue Q Theme from the musical Avenue Q.

+ Silent Key: Internet Pioneer Paul Baran, W3KAS (SK)

Paul Baran, W3KAS (SK)

Paul Baran, W3KAS -- an engineer who helped create the technical underpinnings for the ARPANET, the government-sponsored precursor to today's Internet -- died March 27 at his home in Palo Alto, California. He was 84. According to his son David, the cause of death was related to complications from lung cancer. Baran was one of the three inventors of packet-switched networks.

In the early 1960s, Baran was working on a "survivable" communications system when he thought up one of its core concepts: Breaking up a single message into smaller pieces, having them travel different, unpredictable paths to their destination and only then putting them back together. It's called packet switching and it's how everything still gets to your e-mail inbox. Read more here.

+ Silent Key: Owner of Industrial Communication Engineers Mike Koss, W9SU (SK)

Mike Koss, W9SU (left), receives the IRCC Technical Excellence Award in 2005 from Jack Parker, W8ISH. [Photo courtesy of the ARRL Indiana Section]

Mike Koss, W9SU, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away Monday, March 28. He was 57. According to his friend Brian Smith, W9IND, Koss was found on his workshop floor and paramedics were unable to revive him. Industrial Communications Engineers (ICE) is well known in the amateur community for surge protectors, line filters, RF switches and more.

On March 31, ICE released the following statement concerning the company: "Industrial Communication Engineers (ICE), Ltd, its employees and the Indianapolis Amateur Radio community mourn the passing of company founder Mike Koss, W9SU, on March 28, 2011. Due to Mike's sudden and unexpected death, ICE has temporarily suspended accepting new orders. We are in the process of reorganizing the company, as well as identifying and fulfilling current open orders and products returned for repair. Read more here.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

April 2-3 -- Missouri QSO Party; QCWA Spring QSO Party; ARCI Spring QSO Party; SP DX Contest; EA RTTY Contest
April 5 -- ARS Spartan Sprint

Just as in this Gil cartoon from the March 1965 issue of QST, we, too, must show some patience for sunspots. The way Solar Cycle 24 is coming along, we are sure to be in for some exciting times on the higher bands!

Next week:

April 9 -- PODXS 070 Club PSK 31 Flavors Contest (local time); EU Spring Sprint (CW)
April 9-10 -- Montana QSO Party; New Mexico QSO Party; Georgia QSO Party; JIDX CW Contest
April 10 -- SKCC Weekend Sprint; UBA Spring Contest (SSB)
April 11 -- 144 MHz Spring Sprint (local time)
April 13 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
April 13-14 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more info. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
April 2-3 -- ARRL New Jersey State Convention, Ewing, New Jersey
April 22-24 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention, Boise, Idaho
April 23 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention, Monroe, Louisiana; ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina
May 7 -- ARRL South Carolina State Convention, Spartanburg, South Carolina
June 3-5 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention (SeaPac), Seaside, Oregon; ARRL Wyoming State Convention, Cheyenne, Wyoming
June 4 -- ARRL Atlantic Division Convention, Rochester, New York; ARRL East Bay Section Convention, Berkeley, California; ARRL Georgia State Convention, Marietta, Georgia
June 10-11 -- ARRL National Convention, Plano, Texas
June 11 -- ARRL Tennessee State Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST , Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.
Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal . Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.
Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.
Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
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The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The ARRL This Week 03/24/11

2011-03-29T19:22:00.000-07:00

March 24, 2011
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

+ Public Service: Radio Amateurs in Japan Still Providing Communications Support
+ Public Service: Amateurs Assist with Ocean Rescue
+ FCC News: FCC Seeking Comments on ARRL Petition Regarding TDMA
ARRL Recognizes: Nominations for ARRL Awards Now Open
+ On the Air: NIST to Conduct Time and Frequency User Survey
Solar Update
+ Silent Key: Thormod "Tom" Bøe, LA7OF (SK)
+ ARES® E-Letter Now Available in Audio Form
This Week on the Radio
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Public Service: Radio Amateurs in Japan Still Providing Communications Support

Amateur Radio operators became involved in the rescue effort soon after the March 11 8.9 earthquake and devastating tsunami that hit northern Japan, and that effort continues nearly two weeks later. "In the early stage following the earthquake and tsunami, several radio amateurs were able to activate their stations with car batteries or small engine generators, despite the electric power outages," IARU Region 3 Secretary Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP, told the ARRL. "They transmitted rescue requests and information on the disaster situation -- including refugee centers and their needs -- and the availability of basic infrastructures, such as electricity, water and gas supplies." After the earthquake and tsunami, there was no electricity, water or gas service in many of the affected areas.

This graphic shows the effects of the May 11 earthquake in Japan. Click here for a larger image.

In his report to the ARRL, Yamamoto said that the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) activated JA1RL -- its headquarters station in Tokyo -- soon after the earthquake. With the help of many other amateurs, it also activated its regional headquarters station JA3RL in Osaka to communicate with the amateurs in the damaged areas, including its Tohoku headquarters station JA7RL in Sendai. "The communications were mostly on the 7 MHz band in daytime and the 3.5 MHz band at night," Yamamoto explained. "Short range communications were also made on the 144 and 430 MHz bands. The information gathered through Amateur Radio communications was reported to the rescue and disaster relief organizations for their appropriate deployment. Some other amateurs accepted health-and-welfare inquiries from the [impacted] areas and they posted the information on the Internet." Read more here.

+ Public Service: Amateurs Assist with Ocean Rescue

An elderly sailor and his dog were rescued off the coast of Ensenada, Mexico after a ham in Texas heard his distress call on 14.300 MHz. In this USCG photo, he is pictured safely aboard Coast Guard helicopter with USCG Petty Officer 2nd Class James Johnson. [USCG Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry G. Dunphy, Photo]

At 10:04 AM PDT on March 21, Rex Weinheimer, KC5AGO, of Stonewall, Texas -- a member of the Maritime Mobile Service Net (MMSN) -- heard and responded to a "weak and broken MAYDAY call." The call was from the sailing vessel Gloria Jean, a 30 foot sailboat that was in the Pacific Ocean about 120 miles west of Ensenada, Mexico. Weinheimer heard the distress call on 14.300 MHz, a frequency monitored by the MMSN.

MMSN Net Controller Lee Langford, KG4DZN, told the ARRL that through the combined efforts of several net stations, the net was able to ascertain the situation and the position of the stricken vessel. MMSN operators contacted both the US and Mexican Coast Guards and both services deployed assets to the scene. The US Coast Guard dispatched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from San Diego and a C-130 Hercules plane from Sacramento. According to the USCG, the Gloria Jean had no propulsion, food, water or safety equipment. Read more here.

+ FCC News: FCC Seeking Comments on ARRL Petition Regarding TDMA

Earlier this month, the ARRL filed a Petition for Rulemaking and a Request for Temporary Waiver with the FCC, seeking authorization of the use of single-time-slot Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) emissions in the amateur bands at and above 50 MHz, wherever multiple-time-slot TDMA is authorized. The FCC has designated the Petition as RM-11625 and is soliciting comments on it. Comments may be filed electronically and will be accepted until April 22 . Read more here.

ARRL Recognizes: Nominations for ARRL Awards Now Open
Each year, the ARRL Board of Directors has the opportunity to select recipients for a number of awards in various categories that honor Amateur Radio operators. The nomination period is now open for those ARRL awards that recognize educational and technological pursuits in Amateur Radio. There are also awards to honor a young Amateur Radio operator and an outstanding ARRL Section Manager. Read more here.

+ On the Air: NIST to Conduct Time and Frequency User Survey

The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Time and Frequency Division is conducting a survey to learn more about its users, seeking to determine how the agency can make its services more useful in the future. NIST services include WWV, WWVH and WWVB, which provide reference time and frequency signals via radio. The NIST also provides the Internet Time Service -- which provides accurate time synchronization to computer systems -- and several other services to offer accurate time information via telephone or web pages. Radio amateurs are encouraged to complete the survey. Read more here.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, March 24, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) image was taken in the continuum near the Ni I 6768 Angstrom line. The most prominent features are the sunspots. This is very much how the Sun looks in the visible range of the spectrum.

Tad "The Earth turns, the Sun burns, but I die without you" Cook, K7RA, reports: For the second week in a row, all solar indicators were lower. The average daily sunspot numbers declined more than 28 points from the week before to 40.9, while the average daily solar flux was off more than 18 points to 94.8. But looking at solar images from the STEREO mission, we can see a great deal of activity about to rotate toward us over the Sun's eastern horizon. The whole "back" side of our Sun looks very busy. The NOAA forecast for March 23 for the planetary A index and solar flux still is not available, but the March 22 forecast sees solar flux for March 24-31 at 110, 115, 120, 120, 120, 125, 130 and 135. The planetary A index for the same period is predicted at 8 for March 24-25, 5 on March 26-27 and 8 on March 28-31. This indicates improving HF propagation for the near term, with geomagnetic indicators slightly unsettled, compared to recent quiet conditions. NASA has a video explaining the very low sunspot activity over the past few years. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, March 25. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by the song Without You from the musical Rent.

+ Silent Key: Thormod "Tom" Bøe, LA7OF (SK)

Tom Bøe, LA7OF, and his wife Brit in Switzerland during the 2005 IARU Region 1 Conference. [David Sumner, K1ZZ, Photo]

Thormod "Tom" Bøe, LA7OF, of Horten, Norway, passed away on Monday, March 21. He was 71. Bøe was President of the Norsk Radio Relae Liga, Norway's IARU Member-Society. Bøe actively worked for the Amateur Radio cause throughout his adult life in both a private and professional capacity. For many years, he worked on spectrum management matters with the Norwegian administration, was extremely active in CEPT and ITU forums and served as Director of the European Radiocommunications Office in Copenhagen from 1998-2006.

ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, remembered Bøe fondly: "Tom was the spokesman for Norway in Committee 5, which was responsible for all frequency allocations -- and I do mean all, as the entire radio spectrum was under review at WARC-79. Norway was an outstanding supporter of Amateur Radio at the conference, and Tom was recognized as the 'most valuable delegate' by the IARU team." Read more here.

+ ARES® E-Letter Now Available in Audio Form

The ARES® E-Letter is now available in audio format. Edited for audio by Al Brown, KZ3AB, the ARES® E-Letter is voiced by Tony Riggs, W1FHN. Brown was licensed in 1966. He was a member of the White House Press Corps before retiring from the International Broadcasting Bureau/Voice of America (IBB/VOA). Licensed since 1955, Riggs has worked in both the commercial and public broadcasting venues. He retired after 21 years as a staff announcer and news anchor with the VOA. With more than 35,000 subscribers, the ARES® E-Letter is written by Rick Palm, K1CE and is published each month. Click here to subscribe to the ARES® E-Letter.

This Week on the Radio
This week:

March 26-27 -- CQ WW WPX Contest (SSB)
Next week:

April 2-3 -- Missouri QSO Party; QCWA Spring QSO Party; ARCI Spring QSO Party; SP DX Contest; EA RTTY Contest
April 5 -- ARS Spartan Sprint
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more info. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
March 25-26 -- ARRL Maine State Convention, Lewiston, Maine
March 26-27 -- ARRL Maryland State Convention, Timonium, Maryland
April 2-3 -- ARRL New Jersey State Convention, Ewing, New Jersey
April 22-24 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention, Boise, Idaho
April 23 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention, Monroe, Louisiana; ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST , Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.
Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal . Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.
Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.
Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
Find us on Facebook!
ARRL offers a wide array of products to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio
Donate to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!
Click here to advertise in this newsletter.

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile.

Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved