[CVRC] The ARRL Letter for October 8, 2009

Thu Oct 8 18:39:41 EDT 2009

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October 8, 2009
Editor: <mailto:k1sfa at arrl.org>S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
<http://www.arrl.org/>ARRL Home 
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    * + Regulatory : Counterpart Bill to HR 2160 Introduced in Senate
    * + FCC Enforcement : FCC Fines California 
Firm $4000 for Operating on Amateur Frequencies
    * Events : ARRL Gears Up for Fourth Annual On-Line Auction
    * + ARRL Publications : Look for the November Issue of QST in Your Mailbox
    * + International : Oldest National Amateur 
Radio Society Marks 100th Anniversary
    * ARRL In Action : What Have We Been Up to Lately?
    * + ARRL Field Organization : 2009 Section 
Managers Workshop: A Learning Experience
    * + Amateur Radio and Scouting : Scouting Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)
    * Solar Update
    * This Week on the Radio
    * + ARRL Recognizes : Paul Danzer, N1II, Wins 
September QST Cover Plaque Award
    * Operating : Angola Operation Approved for DXCC Credit
    * + Amateur Radio in Space : Astronaut 
Fernando "Frank" Caldeiro, KE4RFI (SK)

+ Available on <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/>ARRL Audio News
+ Regulatory: Counterpart Bill to HR 2160 Introduced in Senate

On Tuesday, October 6, Senator Joe Lieberman 
(ID-CT), along with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), 
introduced 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/files/SenateBill1755.pdf>Senate 
Bill 1755, The Amateur Radio Emergency 
Communications Enhancement Act of 2009. Similar 
to 
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h2160ih.txt.pdf>HR 
2160 -- also called The Amateur Radio Emergency 
Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 -- that 
was 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/04/30/10792/?nc=1>introduced 
this past April by Representative Sheila 
Jackson-Lee (D-TX-18), the bill, if passed, would 
direct the Department of Homeland Security 
(<http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm>DHS) to undertake 
a study on emergency communications. S 1755 
points out that "There is a strong Federal 
interest in the effective performance of Amateur 
Radio Service stations, and that performance must 
be given -- (A) support at all levels of 
government; and (B) protection against 
unreasonable regulation and impediments to the 
provision of the valuable communications provided by such stations."

"We are delighted to have the sponsorship of both 
the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the 
<http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/>Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and 
especially to have the support of Senator 
Lieberman from the ARRL's home state," said ARRL 
Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ. "The 
bill could not have a better pedigree. Click 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/07/11127/?nc=1>here 
for more information on S 1755."
+ FCC Enforcement: FCC Fines California Firm 
$4000 for Operating on Amateur Frequencies

On September 28, the FCC issued a Notice of 
Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) to a 
California firm that the Commission maintains was 
using amateur frequencies to conduct business. 
According to the Commission, Shimmick 
Construction Company, Inc/Obayashi Corporation, 
Joint Venture ("Shimmick-Obayashi") -- licensees 
of stations WQER756, WQEN793, WQJI360 and WQKG818 
-- apparently repeatedly violated Section 
1.903(a) of the Commission's Rules "by failing to 
operate only in accordance with the rules 
applicable to their particular service as set 
forth in the Commission's Rules and with a valid 
authorization granted by the Commission." Click 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/06/11124/?nc=1>here 
for more information.
Events: ARRL Gears Up for Fourth Annual On-Line Auction

The Fourth Annual ARRL On-Line Auction begins its 
preview week on Thursday, October 15. With more 
than 160 items up for bid -- and more being added 
every day -- this event promises to have 
something for just about everyone. The auction 
kicks off Thursday, October 22 and runs through 
Thursday, October 29 on the ARRL Web site. 
Proceeds from the auction benefit ARRL education 
programs including activities to license new 
hams, strengthen Amateur Radio's emergency 
service training, offer continuing technical and 
operating education, as well as create 
instructional materials. Click 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/06/11125/?nc=1>here 
to discover just what the ARRL Auction has in store for 2009.
+ ARRL Publications: Look for the November Issue of QST in Your Mailbox

The November issue of 
<http://www.arrl.org/qst>QST is jam-packed with 
all sorts of news and information today's Amateur 
Radio operator needs. From product reviews to 
construction projects to public service, the 
upcoming issue of QST has something for just about everyone.

A. Robert Patzlaff, W9JQT, takes a look at "The 
Rockless, a VFO Controlled Low Power 
Transceiver." In this article, Patzlaff builds on 
the Rock-Mite -- 
<http://p1k.arrl.org/cgi-bin/topdf.cg?id=103934&pub=qst>profiled 
in the April 2003 issue of 
<http://p1k.arrl.org/cgi-bin/topdf.cg?id=103934&pub=qst>QST 
-- and modifies this basic CW transceiver to work 
with a variable frequency oscillator. Jean-Yves 
Morin, VE2MHZ, presents a "Removable Car Window 
Antenna with Cross Over Connector." Make your 
go-kit ready to go for any vehicle with this no-holes mounting arrangement.

With the cold wind blowing on the long winter 
nights this past January, Poul-Erik Karlshoj, 
OZ4UN, got to wondering about the 
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LDE>LDEs he 
encountered while QSOing with a Spanish amateur. 
Read about his experience in "Observation of Long 
Delayed Echoes on 80 Meters." ARRL Education 
Project Coordinator Mark Spencer, WA8SME, 
describes the newest program in the Teachers 
Institute on Wireless Technology in his article, 
"The 2009 Teachers Institute Introduces Advanced Satellite Workshop."

ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, in 
his column "This Month in Contesting," discusses 
the "crown jewel" of W/VE contesting -- the ARRL 
November Sweepstakes! And now that the 2009-2010 
Contest Season is in full swing, catch up on all 
the upcoming contest activity with this month's "Contest Corral."

If you read last week's 
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/index.html?issue=2009-10-01>ARRL 
Letter, you saw the 
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6N2jgzlbIk>video 
featuring ARRL Test Engineer Bob Allison, WB1GCM 
introduce the ICOM IC-7600 HF and 6 meter 
transceiver. Now is your chance to get up close 
and personal with this rig. 
<http://www.arrl.org/ncj>NCJ Managing Editor Rick 
Lindquist, WW3DE (ex-N1RL), reviews the 7600, 
calling it "a superb synthesis of ICOM's popular 
PROIII and the IC-7700/7800 transceivers, both in 
styles, features and capability. Another winner!" 
Allison also provides an update to October's 
Product Review, the FlexRadio FLEX-3000.

Of course, the November issue includes the 
variety of columns you know and love: 
"Happenings," "Hints & Kinks," "The Doctor Is 
IN," "How's DX," "Eclectic Technology," "World 
Above 50 MHz," "Hamspeak" and more. Look for your 
November issue to arrive soon. QST is the 
official journal of ARRL, the national 
association for Amateur Radio. QST is just one of 
the <http://www.arrl.org/join>many benefits of 
ARRL membership. To join or renew your ARRL 
membership, please visit the 
<http://www.arrl.org/join>ARRL Web 
page.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2009-10-08&p=0>
+ International: Oldest National Amateur Radio Society Marks 100th Anniversary

The Wireless Institute of Australia will celebrate 100 years in 2010.

In 2010, the Wireless Institute of Australia 
(WIA) -- the oldest national Amateur Radio 
society -- will celebrate its 100th anniversary. 
On March 11, 1910, the WIA had its beginnings 
when a group of wireless pioneers gathered at the 
Hotel Australia, Martin Place in Sydney. These 
early hams wanted to protect their interests and 
rights against what they considered to be harsh 
treatment by authorities -- and a high license 
fee. Chairman of the founding meeting, George 
Taylor, proposed "the formation of an institution 
amongst experimenters and enthusiasts in wireless 
for their mutual benefit." From that meeting, the 
Institute of Wireless Telegraphy of Australia -- 
later, the WIA -- was formed. Since its founding, 
the WIA has continued to protect and enhance the 
privileges of radio amateurs and to promote 
Amateur Radio in Australia and beyond. Click 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/06/11121/?nc=1>here 
for more information on the WIA's centennial celebration.
ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?

This feature is a concise monthly update of some 
of the things ARRL is doing on behalf of its 
members. This 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2009/10/02/11109/?nc=1>installment 
covers the month of September.
Did You Know?

Did you know that the <http://www.k3lr.com/>K3LR 
Multi-Multi Team consumes more than 200 cups of 
coffee during a 48 hour contest?
+ ARRL Field Organization: 2009 Section Managers 
Workshop: A Learning Experience

The Annual Section Manager (SM) Workshop -- held September 25-27 --

Left to right: George Strayline, W2GSS; Tom 
Brehmer, N0LOH; Dan Pruitt, AE6SX; Mike Lisenco, 
N2YBB; Gene Clark, W4AYK; J.M. Rowe, N5XFW; Dean 
Feken, KL7MA; Jay Urish, W5GM; Garth Crowe, 
N7XKT; Lee Cooper, W5LHC; David Greenhut, N6HD, 
and Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG. [Steve Ewald, WV1X, Photo]

afforded 12 newly elected SMs (including three 
who began their first terms of office October 1) 
to visit ARRL Headquarters. During the extended 
weekend gathering, participants not only got to 
meet many Headquarters staff members, but also 
learned some of the ins and outs of how to be 
effective Section leaders and administrators. The 
primary purposes of the Workshop sessions were to 
share ideas and to provide basic administrative, 
management, leadership and motivational training. 
Click 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/05/11119/?nc=1>here 
for more information on the 2009 ARRL Section 
Managers workshop.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2009-10-08&p=1>
+ Amateur Radio and Scouting: Scouting Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)

Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, talks about the 2009 Jamboree on the Air (JOTA).

October 17 and 18 will mark the 52nd worldwide 
Scouting Jamboree on the Air (JOTA). Held the 
third full weekend in October each year, this is 
the premier operating event for Amateur Radio and 
Scouting around the world. Click 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/07/11122/>here 
to join QEX Editor and Staff Liaison to the ARRL 
Ad Hoc Committee on Scouting Larry Wolfgang, 
WR1B, to find out ways to interest youth in Amateur Radio.
Solar Update

Tad "<http://www.bartleby.com/126/12.html>Like 
the bright spots that move about the Sun" Cook, 
K7RA, this week reports: Sweet memories of the 
11-day run of sunspots toward the end of last 
month are fading, and so far, the days of zero 
sunspots are at six, with the last sunspot seen 
on October 1. A peek at 
<http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/>the latest STEREO 
images shows two active areas in our Sun's 
southern hemisphere beyond our direct view, but 
it is hard to tell if these will emerge as 
sunspots when they appear over the eastern limb. 
A rough guess has the first one possibly emerging 
around October 10, with the second around a week 
later. Currently, the solar flux forecast shows 
flux values lower then 70 through October 15, 
then around 72 during the two-week period from 
October 16-30. The same NOAA/USAF forecast 
predicts the same very quiet geomagnetic 
conditions that we've seen for some time, with 
planetary A index around 5. Two very small 
increases are predicted for October 11-12 -- with 
an A index of 7 -- and October 24-25, with the A 
index at 8. Average sunspot numbers for the week 
dropped 15.3 points below the September 24-30 
period, and the average daily solar flux for the 
week declined 2.2 points to 70.5. We'll also go 
over some e-mail about propagation via ground fog 
-- mentioned in last week's bulletin -- in the 
Solar Update, available on the ARRL Web site on 
Friday, October 9. 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://www.bartleby.com/126/12.html>To My Brother George.
This Week on the Radio

ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, 
operates RTTY on 20 meters at W1AW, the Hiram 
Percy Maxim Memorial Station, during the 2009 
ARRL Field Day. Would you like to see yourself in 
The ARRL Letter? Send us a picture of you 
operating your rig -- tell us your name and call 
sign and what you're doing! Don't forget to tell 
us who took your picture; if they have a call 
sign, let us know. Send your pictures to ARRL 
News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, 
<mailto:k1sfa at arrl.org>K1SFA -- be sure to put 
"ARRL Letter Photos" in the subject line of your 
e-mail.[Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, Photo]

This week, the 
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2009/eme.html>ARRL 
EME Contest is October 10-11. There's an NCCC 
Sprint October 9 and the YLRL DX/NA YL 
Anniversary Contest is October 9-11. The 10-10 
International 10-10 Day Sprint and the FISTS Fall 
Sprint are both October 10. On October 10-11, 
check out the Pennsylvania QSO Party, the Arizona 
QSO Party and the Oceania DX Contest (CW). The 
North American Sprint (RTTY), the SKCC Weekend 
Sprint and the UBA ON Contest (SSB) are October 
11. The NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint is October 
14. Next week, look for the 
<http://www.arrl.org/SCR/>ARRL School Club 
Roundup October 19-23. There's another NCCC 
Sprint October 16. The Iowa QSO Party, the Feld 
Hell Sprint and the Microwave Fall Sprint are 
October 17. On October 17-18, check out the New 
York QSO Party, JARTS WW RTTY Contest, the Stew 
Perry Topband Challenge, the Worked All Germany 
Contest and the W/VE Islands QSO Party. The 
Illinois QSO Party is October 18-19 and the Run 
for the Bacon QRP Contest is October 19. 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 Recognizes: Paul Danzer, N1II, Wins September QST Cover Plaque Award

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for 
September is Paul Danzer, N1II, for his article 
"A Simple Transformer to Measure Your Antenna 
Current." Congratulations, Paul! The winner of 
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 
<http://www.arrl.org/members-only/QSTvote.html>QST<http://www.arrl.org/members-only/QSTvote.html> 
Cover Plaque Poll Web 
page<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2009-10-08&p=2>. 
Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the 
October issue by Saturday, October 31.
Operating: Hams Face New Rules on Ontario Roadways

The Ministry of Transportation in Ontario, Canada 
announced on September 30 that 
<http://www.ontla.on.ca/bills/bills-files/39_Parliament/Session1/b118ra.pdf>Bill 
118 concerning distracted driving will take 
effect on October 26, 2009. According to Radio 
Amateurs of Canada (<http://www.rac.ca/>RAC) Vice 
President for Public Relations Peter West, VE3HG, 
the new law makes it illegal for drivers to talk, 
text, type, dial or e-mail using handheld cell 
phones and other handheld communications and 
entertainment devices. Following a three-month 
period that begins October 26 where the focus 
will be on educating drivers, 
<http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2009/09/ban-on-hand-held-devices-starts-in-october.html>police 
will start issuing tickets on February 1, 2010. 
"All two-way radios in all vehicles -- with the 
exception of emergency responding vehicles -- 
must be hands-free in three years' time," he 
posted on the 
<http://racblog.wordpress.com/2009/09/30/new-rules-on-ontario-roadways/>RAC's 
blog. "This news comes from the official 
government staffer who has been in communications 
with Radio Amateurs of Canada over the last year. 
At the end of the three-year exemption, all 
commercial, CB and Amateur Radio equipment used 
in moving vehicles by the vehicle operator must be hands-free in operation."
Operating: Webinar on Remote Control Operating Planned

With the growing limits imposed on hams due to 
antenna restrictions, interest is growing in 
operating amateur stations by remote control. 
With that in mind, Bob Arnold, N2JEU, one of the 
pioneers of Internet remote station control, is 
organizing an Internet-based live conference, or 
webinar, on the topic. The conference would 
feature a guest panel comprised of amateurs 
currently involved in remote operations, both at 
the operating and software levels. Interested 
hams could listen to the live audio stream and 
could ask questions via "text chat." Since he is 
presently organizing resources for this online 
event, Arnold is looking for feedback on what 
topics listeners would like to see addressed. He 
is also looking for information from people 
currently operating online remote stations. There 
is still room on the guest panel for additional 
participants. Authors of software that make 
remote operation possible are also asked to 
respond. If you would like to participate either 
as a guest or a listener, please contact Arnold 
via <mailto:n2jeu at ralabs.com>e-mail or visit 
<http://www.n2jeu.net/>this Web site for any 
additional information on the conference as it becomes available.
Operating: Angola Operation Approved for DXCC Credit

ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports that 
the current Angola operation -- D2QMN -- has been 
approved for DXCC credit. "If you had cards that 
were recently rejected for this operation, please 
send an <mailto:dxcc at arrl.org>e-mail to the ARRL 
DXCC Desk and you will be placed on the list for update," Moore said.
+ Amateur Radio in Space: Astronaut Fernando "Frank" Caldeiro, KE4RFI (SK)

Fernando "Frank" Caldeiro, KE4RFI (SK)

NASA Astronaut Fernando "Frank" Caldeiro, KE4RFI, 
passed away on October 3 after a more than two 
year battle with a brain tumor. He was 51. 
Caldeiro was a member of the Astronaut Class of 
1996 and most recently was assigned to the WB-57 
High Altitude Research Program within the 
Aircraft Operations Division at Ellington Field 
in Houston. In that role, he directed the 
integration and conducted the operation of 
high-altitude atmospheric research experiments 
carried on board the NASA WB-57 aircraft. "Frank 
was a valued member of the astronaut corps and 
the Flight Crew Operations team," said NASA's 
Director of Flight Crew Operations Brent Jett. 
"He provided a wealth of experience and made 
significant contributions to the success of both 
the WB-57 project and the space shuttle program. 
He will be missed by all those who knew him at 
NASA. Our hearts go out to his family." Caldeiro 
was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but he 
considered New York City and Merritt Island, 
Florida, to be his hometowns. He is survived by 
his wife, the former Donna Marie Emero of 
Huntington Beach, California, and two daughters.
ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration
<http://www.arrl.org/cep/student/>
Registration remains open through Sunday, October 
25, 2009, for these online course sessions 
beginning on Friday, November 6, 2009: 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>CCE Course 
Listing page or contact the 
<mailto:cce at arrl.org>Continuing Education Program 
Coordinator<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2009-10-08&t=r&p=0>.

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