[CVRC] The ARRL Letter for December 10, 2009

Thu Dec 10 20:13:53 EST 2009

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December 10, 2009
Editor: <mailto:k1sfa at arrl.org>S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
<http://www.arrl.org/>ARRL Home 
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    * + Public Service : Utah Hams Coordinate Rescue
    * + Spotlight on Amateur Radio : Major 
Computer Publication Devotes January 2010 Issue to Amateur Radio
    * + Scott Robbins, W4PA, to Purchase Vibroplex
    * + Organizational : Marc Tarplee, N4UFP, 
Appointed South Carolina Section Manager
    * The Doctor Is IN : Focusing on 10 Meters
    * + Regulatory : FCC Dismisses Two Petitions
    * + Now You Know! : The ARRL 10 Meter Contest and Satellites
    * + Silent Key : Ambassador William A. Wilson, K6ARO (SK)
    * Solar Update
    * This Week on the Radio

+ Available on <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/>ARRL Audio News
+ Public Service: Utah Hams Coordinate Rescue

On December 2, this dairy truck crashed and 
rolled into the Logan River in Utah. Brent 
Yeates, KA7FAP, was able to help rescue the 
driver and call for help on his handheld 
transceiver. [Photo courtesy of KSL TV Channel 5]

In areas where cell phone signals just won't 
work, Amateur Radio gets through. That's what 
Brent Yeates, KA7FAP, of North Logan, Utah, found 
out just before noon on Wednesday, December 2: He 
came across a dairy truck that had crashed and 
rolled over in the Logan River as he drove on 
Route 89 through Logan Canyon. As 38,000 pounds 
of dairy products were spilling into the Logan 
River, Yeates waded through the cold river to 
help get the driver out of the truck's cab and 
then put out a call on his handheld transceiver. 
Read more <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/12/07/11235/?nc=1>here.
+ Spotlight on Amateur Radio: Major Computer 
Publication Devotes January 2010 Issue to Amateur Radio

Emergencies may get all the attention in the 
press, but lately, the technological side of 
Amateur Radio has been showing up a lot in places 
that are read by the people who make next year's 
trends. Hams indeed are technical and creative 
people, consummate MacGyvers. To kick off the new 
year, the computer magazine Linux Journal has 
come out with an entire issue dedicated to 
Amateur Radio and the creative uses of open 
source computer programs. This 80 page issue 
features Tux, the Linux mascot on its cover 
wearing a pair of headphones, holding a 
microphone -- and even sporting an Emergency 
Coordinator badge around his neck -- hooked up to 
an HF transceiver. The issue has headlines on the 
cover such as "Amateur Radio and Linux -- Open 
Source for the New Generation," and "Get Started 
with Amateur Radio," and includes articles like 
"When All Else Fails -- Amateur Radio, the 
Original Open-Source Project" by David Lane, 
KG4GIY. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2009/12/09/11239/?nc=1>here.
+ Scott Robbins, W4PA, to Purchase Vibroplex

Scott Robbins, W4PA, of Knoxville, Tennessee, 
told the ARRL that he has signed an agreement to 
purchase The Vibroplex Company, Inc from present 
owner Felton "Mitch" Mitchell, W4OA, effective 
December 21, 2009. "Vibroplex represents the 
great tradition of CW operation in Amateur Radio 
going back many, many years," Robbins told the 
ARRL. "I'm tickled to be able to continue the 
more than 100 years of history that has gone into 
this company." Robbins -- who has been employed 
with Ten-Tec Inc since 1995 (he has been Product 
Manager for Ten-Tec's Amateur Radio equipment 
line since 1997) -- will leave his position in 
mid-December to take over full-time management 
and ownership of Vibroplex. "It's a great 
opportunity to continue the more than 100 years 
of tradition that the Vibroplex name represents," 
Robbins said. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/12/07/11233/?nc=1>here<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2009-12-10&p=0>.
ARRL Publications: ARRL Licensing Study Guides -- 
Coming to an eBook Reader Near You

Study for your new ticket on your Kindle, iPhone or iPod touch!

ARRL is pleased to announce that owners of 
<http://www.amazon.com/Kindle>Kindle -- an 
electronic book reader sold by 
<http://www.amazon.com/>Amazon.com -- can now 
download 
<http://www.amazon.com/ARRLs-Tech-Q-A-ebook/dp/B002YNSBNE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259944328&sr=8-2-catcorr>ARRL's 
Tech Q&A directly from the online bookseller for 
use on their Kindle. Kindle is shaped much like a 
book with a paper-like screen that displays text 
and pictures. Those who have the Kindle 
application installed on their 
<http://www.apple.com/>Apple 
<http://www.apple.com/iphone/>iPhone or 
<http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/>iPod touch can 
also download the book for use on these devices. 
When you download the Tech Q&A, you can gain 
access quickly and easily, smoothing the path to 
your first ham radio license. This ideal study 
tool -- whether you're at home, in the office, 
traveling or just on the go -- lets you review 
the questions and answers from the entire 
Technician question pool so you can pass the 
35-question exam. Kindle versions of the General 
Q&A and the Amateur Extra Q&A will be available 
sometime in January. All three can be purchased from Amazon.com for $9.99 each.
+ Organizational: Marc Tarplee, N4UFP, Appointed South Carolina Section Manager

Marc Tarplee, N4UFP, of Rock Hill, has been 
appointed the new ARRL South Carolina Section 
Manager. He will complete the term of Jim 
Boehner, N2ZZ, who was elected ARRL Roanoke 
Division Vice Director last month. When Boehner 
announced that he was stepping down from the 
Section Manager post he has held since January 
2003, he recommended Tarplee, the South Carolina 
Section Technical Coordinator, for the position. 
Tarplee and Boehner both take on their new 
positions January 1, 2010. According to the Rules 
and Regulations of the ARRL Field Organization, 
when a vacancy in the office of Section Manager 
occurs between elections, the position is filled 
by appointment by the Membership and Volunteer 
Programs Manager in consultation with that 
Division's Director. MVP Manager Dave Patton, 
NN1N, consulted with Roanoke Division Director 
Dennis Bodson, W4PWF. Tarplee has been South 
Carolina's Technical Coordinator for almost seven 
years, first appointed by Boehner in January 
2003. Tarplee's term of office as Section Manager 
will continue through December 31, 2010.
The Doctor Is IN: Focusing on 10 Meters

By ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

Now with the ARRL 160 Meter Contest come and 
gone, it's time for me to focus on the opposite 
end of the HF spectrum: 10 meters. You guessed it 
-- I'm gearing up for the 37th running of the 
ARRL 10 Meter Contest. This contest has a bit of 
a twist to it: Operators have the choice of using 
CW only, SSB only or they can mix it up and use 
both. So as I prepare this week for the 'test, I 
went to ask the Doctor what is so special about 
10 meters. Is there anything I need to be aware 
of and watch out for this weekend? Check up on 
what the Doctor has to say 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2009/12/09/11238/?nc=1>here.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2009-12-10&p=1>
+ Regulatory: FCC Dismisses Two Petitions

On Wednesday, December 9, the Federal 
Communications Commission dismissed two separate 
Petitions for Rulemaking. The first Petition was 
filed by Murray Green, K3BEQ, concerning the 
operation of repeater stations in the Amateur 
Service. The other Petition, filed by Glen Zook, 
K9STH, requested amending Section 97.119(a) to 
change how often stations must identify 
themselves. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/12/10/11241/?nc=1>here.
+ Now You Know!: The ARRL 10 Meter Contest and Satellites

By ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA

This weekend marks the 37th running of the 
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2009/10-meters.html>ARRL 
10 Meter Contest. Back in November 1973 when 
<http://p1k.arrl.org/cgi-bin/topdf.cgi?id=62388&pub=qst>the 
contest was first announced in 
<http://p1k.arrl.org/cgi-bin/topdf.cgi?id=62388&pub=qst>QST<http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/satInfo.php?satID=29&returl=satellites/history.php>, 
the rules differed slightly from how they stand 
now. This event began due to the interest that 
radio amateurs showed in the 10 meter band, 
thanks to the 5-band awards offered by the ARRL. 
"Occupancy is an important issue of the day as is 
proof that there's life in the old band yet," the 
article stated. "At a recent convention the 
matter was raised and met with enthusiastic 
response. Rather than postpone the idea for 
another year, the consensus was 'let's give it a 
try for '73,' prompting a recommendation by the Contest Advisory Committee."

AMSAT-OSCAR 6 was launched October 15, 1972 by a 
Delta 300 launcher from Vandenberg Air Force 
Base, Lompoc, California. AO-6 was launched 
piggyback with ITOS-D (NOAA 2). AO-6 was the 
first-phase 2 satellite (Phase II-A). Weight 16 
kg. Orbit 1450 x 1459 km. Inclination 101.7 
degrees. Box shaped 430 x 300 x 150 mm. 
Quarter-wave monopole antennas (144 and 435 MHz) 
and half-wave dipole antenna (29 MHz). AO-6 
Firsts: complex control system using discrete 
logic; satellite-to-satellite relay communication 
via AO-7; demonstrated Doppler-location of ground 
station for search and rescue, and demonstrated 
low-cost medical data relay from remote 
locations. Click 
<http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/satInfo.php?satID=29&returl=satellites/history.php>here 
for more information on AO-6. [Image and information from AMSAT]

In 1973, each completed two-way QSO was worth 2 
points, except QSOs with a US Novice were worth 
double that. The article pointed out that certain 
FCC-issued Novice call signs look a little 
strange: "Novices in KZ5 and KG4 have strange 
call signs -- a Canal Zone Novice has an 'N' at 
the end of the call, such as KZ5AAN. A Novice in 
Guantanamo Bay has an 'N' after the number, such 
as KG4NAA. All others replace the K with a W 
(i.e. WL7, WH6, etc.). If you work a station once 
on cw you can work him again on phone. Oscar QSOs also count."

Oscar QSOs? As in the satellite? Yes! The 1973 
rules stated that "Oscar 6 contacts may be 
counted. All cw QSOs must take place between 
28.0-28.5 MHz except those made though Oscar 6." 
The article also advised contest participants to 
stay clear of 29.45-29.55 MHz, as these were the 
Oscar downlink frequencies. Beginning in 1973 and 
continuing through 1979, QSOs made via the Oscar 
satellites counted for credit in the ARRL 10 
Meter Contest. Beginning in 1980, after 10 meters 
had seemingly come back to life, the CAC no 
longer accepted the QSOs for credit in the contest. Now you know!
+ Silent Key: Ambassador William A. Wilson, K6ARO (SK)

Bill Wilson, K6ARO (SK)

William A. "Bill" Wilson, K6ARO -- the first US 
Ambassador to the Holy See (the Vatican) -- 
passed away from cancer early on the morning of 
Saturday, December 5. He was 95. First appointed 
as presidential envoy to Rome in 1981 by 
President Ronald Reagan, Wilson was appointed the 
first full ambassador to the Holy See in 1984, 
once official relations were established, serving 
until 1986. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/12/07/11234/?nc=1>here.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2009-12-10&p=2>
Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, December 10, 2009 
from NASA's 
<http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/realtime-update.html>SOHO 
Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This image 
was taken at 171 Angstrom; the bright material is at 1 million degrees Kelvin.

Tad 
"<http://englishhistory.net/keats/poetry/whenihavefears.html>When 
I behold, upon the night's starr'd face" Cook, 
K7RA, reports: Finally! A sunspot appeared on 
Wednesday, December 9, giving us a daily sunspot 
number of 13 -- this followed 16 days of no 
sunspots. The new group is number 1034, and need 
we say it is a Solar Cycle 24 spot? Cycle 24 
spots were news at one time, but we haven't seen 
a Solar Cycle 23 spot since number 1016 on April 
29-30, 2009. Solar Cycle 23 peaked around 8-9 
years ago. Excitement builds for this weekend's 
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2009/10-meters.html>ARRL 
10 Meter Contest. Will sunspot activity amount to 
enough to enhance 10 meter propagation? The 
latest prediction shows a rising solar flux, 74 
and 75 on December 10-11 and 77 from December 
12-16; this must correspond to the new sunspot 
swinging into view, instead of peeking over the 
horizon as it did on Wednesday. Even without 
sunspots, 
<http://meteorshowersonline.com/geminids.html>Geminids 
meteor showers have intensified with each passing 
year as Earth moves deeper into the debris stream 
from extinct comet 
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3200_Phaethon>3200 
Phaethon. The predicted peak of the meteor shower 
is about five hours after the end of the contest 
and there is a good chance that ionized comet 
trails could enhance 10 meter propagation this 
weekend. Look for more information in the Solar 
Update, available on the ARRL Web site on Friday, 
December 11. For more information concerning 
radio propagation, visit the 
<http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html>ARRL 
Technical Information Service Propagation page. 
This week's "Tad Cookism" brought to you by John 
Keats' 
<http://englishhistory.net/keats/poetry/whenihavefears.html>When 
I Have Fears That I May Cease to Be.
This Week on the Radio

This week, the 
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2009/10-meters.html>ARRL 
10 Meter Contest is December 12-13. The Feld Hell 
Sprint is December 12. The MDXA PSK DeathMatch 
and the International Naval Contest are December 
12-13. The NA High Speed Meteor Scatter Winter 
Rally is December 12-16. The SKCC Weekend Sprint 
and the CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run are 
December 13. Next week, the Russian 160 Meter 
Contest is December 18. The OK DX RTTY Contest is 
December 19. The Croatian CW Contest is December 
19-20 and the Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO 
Party Is December 19-January 3. The ARCI Holiday 
Spirits Homebrew Sprint is December 20, the Run 
for the Bacon QRP Contest is December 21 and the 
SKCC Sprint is December 23. All dates, unless 
otherwise stated, are UTC. See the 
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/>ARRL Contest 
Branch page, the 
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/>ARRL 
Contest Update and the 
<http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html>WA7BNM 
Contest Calendar for more info. Looking for a 
Special Event station? Be sure to check out the 
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/spev.html>ARRL Special Event Station Web page.
+ ARRL Headquarters Closed for Christmas, New Year's Holidays

ARRL Headquarters will be closed Friday, December 
25, 2009 and Friday, January 1, 2010 in 
observance of Christmas and New Year's Day. There 
will be no <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/>W1AW 
bulletins or 
<http://www.arrl.org/w1aw.html#w1awsked>code 
practice transmissions those days. There will be 
no <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>ARRL Letter 
or <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/>ARRL 
Audio News on Thursday, December 24 and 31. We 
wish everyone a safe and joyful holiday season and a prosperous 2010.
ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration

Registration remains open through Sunday, 
December 27, 2009, for these 
<http://www.arrl.org/cep/student/>online course 
sessions beginning on Friday, January 8, 2010: 
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 1; 
Antenna Modeling; Radio Frequency Interference; 
Antenna Design and Construction; Ham Radio 
(Technician) License Course; Propagation; Analog 
Electronics, and Digital Electronics. To learn 
more, visit the 
<http://www.arrl.org/cep/student>CEP Course 
Listing page or contact the 
<mailto:cce at arrl.org>Continuing Education Program 
Coordinator<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2009-12-10&t=r&p=0>.

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