[CVRC] The ARRL Letter for May 20, 2010

Thu May 20 22:02:52 EDT 2010

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May 20, 2010
Editor: <mailto:k1sfa at arrl.org>S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
<http://www.arrl.org/>ARRL Home 
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    * Public Service : Amateur Radio Operators 
"Stand Down" from Chinese Earthquake Relief
    * ARRL Audio News to Return May 27
    * The 2010 ARRL EXPO at the Dayton 
Hamvention® : Loving Every Minute of It!
    * ARRL's Annual Donor Reception Welcomes Record Crowd
    * FCC News : FCC Seeks Comments on Newly 
Proposed Rules for Amateur Radio Operators Using 
Spread Spectrum Communications
    * FCC News : FCC Again Denies Amateur's 
Petition Regarding Station Identification
    * ARRL Section News : Spring Section Manager Election Results
    * There's Still Time to Enter the 2010 ARRL Photo Contest!
    * CQ Announces 2010 Hall of Fame Inductees
    * Solar Update
    * This Week on the Radio
Public Service: Amateur Radio Operators "Stand 
Down" from Chinese Earthquake Relief

The earthquake that struck China's Qinghai 
province on April 14 killed more than 2000 people 
and left thousands injured and homeless. 
According to Fan Bin, BA1RB, of the Chinese Radio 
Sports Association (CRSA), relief efforts are 
continuing for those left homeless. Amateur radio 
operators from Beijing, Sichuan, Shandong, Anhui, 
Qinghai and Jiangsu were widely involved in the 
disaster relief actions, traveling to the 
disaster center. Working through the poor weather 
conditions, they helped with transportation of 
medicines, tents, food and clothes to the 
disaster area. The Amateur Radio operators were 
even directly involved in disaster rescue 
activities -- one Beijing Amateur Radio rescue 
team saved six people. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-operators-stand-down-from-chinese-earthquake-relief>here.
ARRL Audio News to Return May 27

After a hiatus of four months, the ARRL Audio 
News is scheduled to return Thursday, May 27. 
With the advent of the new ARRL Web site, we have 
had to make some changes in the way the Audio 
News is presented. It will only be available as 
one mp3 file; we will no longer be breaking it up 
into segments. For the time being, it will not be 
available by telephone, but that feature may 
return in the future. You can find the ARRL Audio 
News <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>here on the ARRL Web site.
The 2010 ARRL EXPO at the Dayton HamventionÂ®: Loving Every Minute of It!

It just wouldn't be a "real" Hamvention if the 
weather didn't cooperate, and on Friday -- the 
first day of the 2010 Dayton Hamvention -- the 
humidity was brutal. Be it too much rain, too 
much sun (or not enough!) or maybe even a 
snowstorm, thousands of radio amateurs flock to 
Hara Arena. But late on Friday afternoon, the 
sweltering atmosphere gave way to clear skies and 
frisky breezes, a harbinger of the rest of the weekend.

Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM -- along with dad Scott, 
KF4PWI -- coordinated the Youth Lounge inside the 
ARRL EXPO at the Dayton Hamvention. Andrea is a 
junior at Georgia Tech and recently completed a 
semester abroad in England. [S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, Photo]

Inside Hara, aisles were packed with hams from 
all over the world seeking the latest in Amateur 
Radio technology, products, gadgets, gizmos and 
more. It's said that if you can't find it at 
Dayton, it just doesn't exist. If you were 
looking for the latest in top-of-the-line 
transceivers, there were more than a few to 
choose from. If you needed a 45 tube for your 
1920s-era TNT oscillator, take your pick from the 
more than 200 exhibitors and vendors - not to 
mention the acres of flea market booths -- attending Hamvention.

The largest exhibit at Dayton is the ARRL EXPO. 
Almost 150 ARRL staff members, officers, Board 
members and volunteers made their way to Dayton, 
bringing with them the best that Amateur Radio 
has to offer. With 25 exhibits and activities 
located in the EXPO area -- ranging from youth 
activities, kit building, QSL card checking and 
an expanded ARRL Bookstore -- throngs of amateurs 
wound their way through to check everything out. 
Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/the-2010-arrl-expo-at-the-dayton-hamvention-loving-every-minute-of-it>here.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2010-05-20&p=0>
ARRL's Annual Donor Reception Welcomes Record Crowd

The annual reception for ARRL donors in Dayton 
welcomed the largest attendance since its 
inception in 2002. Nearly 150 donors who 
contributed $1000 or more during the previous 
year enjoyed the reception on May 13 at the 
Meadowbrook Country Club in Clayton, Ohio. Guests 
at the reception included international visitors 
IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH; IARU Region 2 
Secretary Ramon Santoyo, XE1KK; IARU Secretary 
Rod Stafford, W6ROD; IARU Region 1 President Hans 
Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T, and his wife Margareet, 
K2XYL; Seike Hidefumi, JA5CKZ; Keko Diez, TI5KD, 
and Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) Board Member Mitch Wolfson, DJ0QN.

ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, was the keynote 
speaker at the annual Donor Reception, held 
Thursday night, right before the opening of the Dayton Hamvention.

The Guest of Honor was new ARRL President Kay 
Craigie, N3KN, who mingled with the crowd and 
shared her thoughts on what it takes to be 
successful in the Amateur Radio world. Her 
comments began with the story of how she launched 
her involvement with the ARRL as an Assistant 
Section Manager in Eastern Pennsylvania when she 
said "yes" to a request for her to prepare the 
Section's newsletter. Her steps to the Presidency 
of ARRL continued with her role as Section 
Manger, Vice Director, Director, Vice President, 
culminating with her election to ARRL President 
in January 2010. Her message to the audience was 
simple but straightforward -- those who continue 
to say "yes" make a commitment to service, as 
well as a willingness to contribute generously to 
support the League make significant contributions 
to both Amateur Radio and to the ARRL.

At the conclusion of President Craigie's remarks, 
the ARRL announced new members of the Maxim 
Society. Current Maxim Society Donors gathered to 
recognize William Fugate, W8IYD; Kenneth Goodwin 
Jr, K5RG; Charles Heath, K6ZIZ; Henry Pownall, 
W4FWR; Walter Wooten, W1LW; Kurt Pauer, W6PH, Ted 
Goldthorpe, W4VHF, and his wife Itice Goldthorpe, 
K4LVV. The ARRL Maxim Society recognizes donors 
whose lifetime giving to various ARRL funds 
reaches $10,000 or more. As of May 2010, the 
Maxim Society numbers 67 members. For more 
information -- including all the benefits of 
membership in the Maxim Society -- visit the 
<http://www.arrl.org/maxim-society>Maxim Society 
Web page on the ARRL Web site or call the ARRL 
Development Office at 860-594-0397.
FCC News: FCC Seeks Comments on Newly Proposed 
Rules for Amateur Radio Operators Using Spread Spectrum Communications

In March, the 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-proposes-to-eliminate-spread-spectrum-apc-requirement-reduce-spread-spectrum-power-limit-cleans>FCC 
released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-45A1.pdf>NPRM) 
that proposed to amend Part 97 to facilitate the 
use of spread spectrum communications 
technologies by eliminating the requirement that 
amateur stations use automatic power control 
(APC) to reduce transmitter power when the 
station transmits a spread spectrum (SS) 
emission, and reducing the maximum transmitter 
power output when transmitting a SS emission (WT 
Docket No 10-62). On May 14, a summary of the 
NPRM and the Order was published in the Federal 
Register; the FCC is seeking comments on the 
NPRM. Comments must be filed on or before June 
14, 2010 (30 days after publication in the 
Federal Register); reply comments must be filed 
on or before June 28, 2010 (45 days after 
publication in the Federal Register). 
Instructions on how to file comments are listed 
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-38A1.pdf>beginning 
on page 5 of the 
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-38A1.pdf>NPRM.

The Commission also attached an 
<http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-11385.pdf>Order 
to the NPRM that makes certain non-substantive 
revisions to Part 97. According to the FCC, the 
rules are necessary to amend the Amateur Service 
rules or conform them to prior Commission 
decisions, enhancing the usefulness of the 
Amateur Service rules by making them conform with 
other Commission rules, thereby eliminating 
licensee confusion when applying the rules to 
Amateur Service operations. According to the 
Federal Register, the new rules take effect July 13, 2010.
FCC News: FCC Again Denies Amateur's Petition Regarding Station Identification

On May 18, the FCC denied a Petition for 
Reconsideration filed by Glen Zook, K9STH, that 
asked for changes in Part 97 regarding how often 
amateurs must identify themselves on the air. 
This action follows the Commission's denial of 
Zook's April 2009 Petition for Rulemaking 
requesting that the Commission amend Section 
97.119(a) to change how often amateur stations 
must identify themselves, specifically "to 
require that an amateur station transmit its call 
sign during the first transmission of any 
communication or series of transmissions, and to 
allow an amateur station to not transmit its call 
sign at the end of a communication when the 
communication or series of transmissions lasts 
less than three minutes." Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-again-denies-amateur-s-em-petition-em-regarding-station-identification>here.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2010-05-20&p=1>
ARRL Section News: Spring Section Manager Election Results

In the only Section Manager race this spring, Tom 
Ciciora, KA9QPN, of Sandwich, was re-elected as 
the ARRL Illinois Section Manager with 954 votes. 
His opponent, Michael J. Schulz, W9MJS, of Wayne, 
received 799 votes. Election ballots were counted 
Tuesday at ARRL Headquarters. Ciciora starts his 
new third two-year term of office on July 1, 
2010; he was first elected Section Manager in 
2006. The following incumbent ARRL Section 
Managers did not face opposition and were 
declared elected for their next terms of office 
beginning July 1: John Poindexter, W3ML, Indiana; 
Bill Woodhead, N1KAT, Maine; Paul Eakin, KJ4G, 
Northern Florida; Bonnie Altus, AB7ZQ, Oregon; 
Paul Gayet, AA1SU, Vermont, and Don Michalski, 
W9IXG, Wisconsin. There were no nominations 
received for the next term of office of Section 
Manager in the Santa Clara Valley Section. 
Nominations will be re-solicited this summer for 
an 18-month term of office starting in January 2011.
There's Still Time to Enter the 2010 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 2011 ARRL 
Calendar. For more information, including rules 
and requirements, click 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/there-s-still-time-to-enter-the-2010-arrl-photo-contest>here.
CQ Announces 2010 Hall of Fame Inductees

On May 14, CQ magazine announced its 2010 Hall of 
Fame inductees, welcoming 15 new members into the 
CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame and two new members 
each into the CQ DX Hall of Fame and the CQ 
Contest Hall of Fame. The CQ Amateur Radio Hall 
of Fame honors those individuals -- whether 
licensed hams or not -- who have made significant 
contributions to Amateur Radio, as well as those 
amateurs who have made significant contributions 
either to Amateur Radio, to their professional 
careers or to some other aspect of life on our 
planet. The CQ Contest and DX Halls of Fame honor 
those amateurs who not only excel in personal 
performance in these major areas of Amateur 
Radio, but who also "give back" to the hobby in 
outstanding ways. Read more about the 19 new 
inductees 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/cq-announces-2010-hall-of-fame-inductees>here<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2010-05-20&p=2>.
Amateur Radio Outreach: Maker Faire to Feature Amateur Radio Again in 2010

Ham radio demonstrations and displays are in the 
works for Maker Faire, the world's largest 
do-it-yourself (DIY) festival. As in 2009, the 
festival will take place at the San Mateo County 
Expo Center in San Mateo, California on May 
22-23. According to ARRL Sales and Marketing 
Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, this annual event 
showcases the country's best innovations in 
science and technology, engineering, arts and 
crafts, food and music. "Like last year, there is 
a very well-coordinated effort among area groups 
to help represent the Amateur Radio Service at 
Maker Faire," Inderbitzen explained. "Volunteers 
are planning a variety of visual, interactive and 
hands-on displays for the thousands of 
attendees." Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/maker-faire-to-feature-amateur-radio-again-in-2010>here.
ARRL Field Day Merchandise Now Available

Click 
<https://www.arrl.org/shop/Field-Day-Supplies/>here 
to order your ARRL Field Day merchandise.

How can you be the best-dressed ham at your Field 
Day site this year? When you wear the official 
2010 ARRL Field Day shirt -- accompanied by the 
2010 ARRL Field Day hat -- of course! Field Day 
-- Amateur Radio's largest on-the-air operating 
event -- is just a little more than five weeks 
away, so be sure to get your shirts, hats and 
pins, as well as the new ARRL Field Day Handbook 
for Radio Amateurs and coffee mugs before they 
run out. Field Day shirts are offered in sizes 
Small-4XL and are royal blue with the 2010 Field 
Day logo on the left chest; the back of the shirt 
says "Amateur Radio -- Goodwill • Service • Fun!" 
with h www.arrl.org underneath. Fulfill all your 
Field Day apparel needs at the 
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Field-Day-Supplies/>Field 
Day Supplies section of the ARRL Web site.
Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 
<http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/realtime-update.html>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 "<http://www.daypoems.net/poems/2084.html>The 
wonderfulness of the sundown, or stars shining so 
quiet and bright" Cook, K7RA, reports: We've now 
seen 11 days with no sunspots. The average daily 
solar flux from May 6-12 dropped from 75.8 to 
69.2 for the week of May 13-19. This may end 
soon, as sunspot group 1063 is due to return in 
the next two days, and predictions show a rising 
solar flux: 70 for May 20-21, 72 for May 22-23, 
74 for May 24-25, 76 for May 26 and 80 for May 
27-June 4. There is also a prediction of 
geomagnetic instability for today, May 20, with 
planetary A index for May 20-23 of 18, 15, 8 and 
5. The latest issue of WorldRadio online is 
<http://www.worldradiomagazine.com/>available for 
download and it contains an interesting 
propagation column from Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, 
with an analysis of 6 meter propagation from 
California to New Zealand. Look for more 
information, including a look at 6 meter 
propagation reports, on the ARRL Web site on 
Friday, May 21. For more information concerning 
radio propagation, visit the 
<http://www.arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals>ARRL 
Technical Information Service Propagation page. 
This week's "Tad Cookism" brought to you by Walt 
Whitman's <http://www.daypoems.net/poems/2084.html>Miracles.
This Week on the Radio

Click <http://www.arrl.org/multimedia>here to go 
to the QST Multimedia Page. Scroll down to the 
Kit Expo video and see some of the activity that 
took place in the ARRL booth at the 2010 Dayton Hamvention.

This week, the Baltic Contest is May 22-23. Next 
week, the CQWW WPX Contest (CW) is May 29-30. The 
Michigan QRP Memorial Day CW Sprint is May 30-31. 
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See 
the <http://www.arrl.org/contests>ARRL Contest 
Branch page, the 
<http://www.arrl.org/The-ARRL-Contest-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/special-events>ARRL Special Event Station Web page.

ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration

Caption goes here

Registration remains open through Sunday, May 23, 
2010, for these 
<http://www.arrl.org/online-course-registration>online 
course sessions beginning on Friday, June 4, 
2010: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications 
Level 1; Antenna Design and Construction; 
Propagation; Analog Electronics, and Digital 
Electronics. To learn more, visit the 
<http://www.arrl.org/online-courses>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=2010-05-20&t=r&p=0>.

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