[CVRC] The ARRL Letter for November 4, 2010

Thu Nov 4 19:17:18 EDT 2010

If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2010-11-04>http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2010-11-04

November 4, 2010
Editor: <mailto:k1sfa at arrl.org>S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
<http://www.arrl.org/>ARRL Home 
Page<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>ARRL 
Letter<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/> 
Archive<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/>Audio 
News<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2010-11-04&t=t>

    * + FCC News : US Attorney's Office Charges 
Glenn Baxter, K1MAN, with Failure to Pay Fine
    * + FCC News : ARRL Responds in 2304 MHz Band Interference Debate
    * Public Service : Storm Spotters on the Lookout for Tropical Storm Tomas
    * Public Service : Thai Hams Provide Pivotal Role During Monsoon
    * Public Service : Hams Help Provide 
Communication Support for Dual Disasters in Indonesia
    * + ARRL Field Day: 2010 Results Are Now Online
    * + The December Issue of QST Is on Its Way to You!
    * + International Spotlight : ARRL President 
Makes Final QSO with Australia's WIA Centenary Station
    * ARRL in Action : What Have We Been Up to Lately?
    * + MARS : US Air Force MARS Gets New Leadership
    * Solar Update
    * + ARRL Recognizes : David W. Cripe, NM0S, 
Wins October QST Cover Plaque Award
    * This Week on the Radio
    * Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

+ Available on <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>ARRL Audio News
+ FCC News: US Attorney's Office Charges Glenn 
Baxter, K1MAN, with Failure to Pay Fine

On October 25, two US Attorneys filed a 
<http://www.arrl.org/attachments/view/News/55250>Complaint 
in the <http://www.med.uscourts.gov/>US District 
Court for Maine against Glenn Baxter, K1MAN, of 
Belgrade Lakes, Maine. The Complaint alleged 
Baxter had not responded appropriately to an 
order that he pay a $21,000 fine for violating 
several sections of Part 97. The civil action was 
brought under 
<http://www.fcc.gov/Reports/1934new.pdf>Section 
503(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as 
amended, and 
<http://www.arrl.org/intranet/Application%20Data/Microsoft/Word/the%20US%20District%20Court%20for%20Maine>Section 
1.80 of the FCC Rules and Regulations.

According to the Complaint, the fine was levied 
in 2005 "for [the] defendant's willful and 
repeated violations of 
<http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2002/octqtr/pdf/47cfr97.101.pdf>Sections 
97.101(d) [commencing transmissions on top of 
existing communications on 3.890 MHz] and 
<http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2002/octqtr/pdf/47cfr97.113.pdf>97.113(a)(3) 
[transmitting communications in which the station 
licensee or control operator has a pecuniary 
interest] of the Commission's Rules, and for the 
defendant's willful violation of 
<http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2002/octqtr/pdf/47cfr97.105.pdf>Section 
97.105(a) [exercising control over station] and 
<http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2002/octqtr/pdf/47cfr97.113.pdf>97.113(b) 
[broadcasting] of the Rules and for failure to 
file requested information pursuant to an Enforcement Bureau directive."

The Complaint seeks to force payment of the 
$21,000 fine, as well as a filing fee and "such 
other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper."
+ FCC News: ARRL Responds in 2304 MHz Band Interference Debate

On October 28, the ARRL filed a Reply to a 
Wireless Services Opposition filing, the latest 
in an ongoing series of exchanges regarding the 
FCC's proposal to allow mobile broadband 
services, in addition to fixed services, to 
operate in parts of the 2.3 GHz band. The Amateur 
Radio Service has a secondary allocation at 
2300-2310 MHz. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-replies-to-wireless-services-filing-in-2304-mhz-band-interference-debate>here.
Public Service: Storm Spotters on the Lookout for Tropical Storm Tomas

With Tropical Storm Tomas expected to move 
through the Caribbean over on Thursday and 
Friday, <http://www.wx4nhc.org/>WX4NHC -- the 
Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane 
Center (<http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/>NHC) -- will 
activate at 9 AM (EDT) on Saturday, November 6. 
Hurricane Warnings have been issued for Haiti, 
Guantanamo, Cuba, the Southeastern Bahamas and 
the Turks and Caicos Islands. Tropical Storm 
Warnings have also been issued Jamaica and the 
Cuban provinces of Santiago de Cuba and Holguin. 
Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/storm-spotters-on-the-lookout-for-tropical-storm-tomas>here.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2010-11-04&p=0>
Public Service: Thai Hams Provide Pivotal Role During Monsoon

Heavy monsoon rains in Thailand have devastated 
parts of that country, with almost 60 dead and 
100,000 homes in 32 provinces damaged or gone. 
According to the Radio Amateur Society of 
Thailand (RAST) -- that country's IARU 
Member-Society -- amateurs in the Nakhon 
Ratchasima and Chaiyaphum provinces have been 
helping authorities coordinate the rescue and 
relief efforts. Nakhon Ratchsima is Thailand's 
biggest province, with a population of 2.7 
million in 32 districts with 3700 villages.

Under the guidance of National Disaster Warning 
Center Advisor Manas Songsaeng, HS1DE, the Nakhon 
Ratchasima Amateur Radio Association's (NRARA) 
club station HS3AN has been coordinating relief 
work with the help of other Amateur Radio 
communications centers based in Khao Yai, Phimai 
and Chaiyaphum that were also providing 
information to people traveling to and from 
Nakhon Ratchasima. Located at the provincial 
hall, the club has been working closely with 
government agencies, relaying details about the 
emergency situation to officials and relief 
workers. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/thai-hams-provide-communication-support-during-monsoon>here.
Public Service: Hams Help Provide Communication 
Support for Dual Disasters in Indonesia

Following two natural disasters, an earthquake 
triggered tsunami, and separately an erupting 
volcano, radio amateurs are providing their help 
as the enormous response effort continues. ORARI 
(Organisasi Amatir Radio Indonesia) International 
Affairs Coordinator Wisnu Widjaja, YB0AZ, 
provided initial information about the 
involvement of ham radio operators in the dual 
disasters -- a 7.7 earthquake and an exploding 
volcano -- that hit the Indonesian archipelago 
last week. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/communication-support-for-dual-disasters-in-indonesia>here.
+ ARRL Field Day: 2010 Results Are Now Online

If you can't wait to get your December issue of 
<http://www.arrl.org/qst>QST in the mail to see 
how you did in the 2010 ARRL Field Day, don't 
worry! The results -- including a 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/ContestResults/2010/201020Day20QST.pdf>copy 
of the 
QST<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/ContestResults/2010/201020Day20QST.pdf> 
article (with line scores) and a 
<http://www.arrl.org/results-database?event_id=13655>results 
database -- are now available on the ARRL Web 
site. Be sure to also check out the 193 comments 
in the 
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox>Field Day 
Soapbox. It's not too soon to start making plans 
for next year -- the 2011 ARRL Field Day is 
scheduled for June 25-26, 
2011.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2010-11-04&p=1>
+ The December Issue of QST Is on Its Way to You!

The December 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 an 
expanded holiday advertising guide and the 2010 
ARRL Field Day results -- the upcoming issue of 
QST<http://www.arrl.org/multimedia> has something for just about everyone.

If you put 100 hams in a room, you would have at 
least 100 ways to put up a stealth antenna. As 
Geoff Haines, N1GY, discovered, neighborhoods 
that might be averse to a stacked array of 
6-element 20 meter Yagis usually don't have a 
problem with flagpoles. In his article 
"Constructing a Flagpole Antenna," Haines tells 
readers that due to restrictions in his 
neighborhood, he built a flagpole antenna. With 
this and 100 W, he is able to work most of the 
stations he hears on 80-10 meters.

If you are a new ham -- or you have one in your 
life -- a good handheld transceiver is usually 
the first go-to radio. But with so many out there 
on the market -- and all of them with tons of 
features -- how can a new ham -- or even an 
experienced one -- choose the best one for their 
purposes? Never fear! ARRL Technical Editor Joel 
Hallas, W1ZR, comes to the rescue with "Selecting 
Your First VHF Handheld Transceiver." Hallas 
takes into account single band vs multi-band 
modes, access codes, keypads, memory management, 
connectivity options and more. He reminds hams 
that any handheld transceiiver you select will 
provide all the basic communication needs, as 
well as features you want now and some that you may need in the future.

Be sure to check out this video describing the 
Yaesu FTDX5000D HF and 6 meter transceiver, 
featured in the December product review. Click 
<http://www.arrl.org/multimedia>here to go to the video.

NCJ Managing Editor Rick Lindquist, WW3DE, takes 
a look at the Yaesu FTdx5000D HF and 6 meter 
transceiver in this month's Product Review. He 
calls it "an extraordinary transceiver for the 
discerning contester or DXer. This one will 
become the gold standard for operators seeking 
the best receive performance and best value in 
its class. Yaesu is to be commended for combining 
top tier receiver performance and a Class A 
transmitter with the features and functions users 
expect, all in a competitively priced package."

Many hams spend all year gearing up for ARRL 
Field Day, the most popular on-the-air operating 
event in all of Amateur Radio. For those 
hard-core Field Day aficionados, the December 
issue of QST is one of the most anticipated 
issues all year -- this is the issue with the 
Field Day results! This year, ARRL Field Day 
Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, channels his 
inner-Jimmy Buffett to bring readers the annual 
Field Day results article. You will also find 
official announcements for upcoming contests and 
operating events: the ARRL January VHF 
Sweepstakes, the ARRL International DX Contest 
(both SSB and CW), the ARRL Rookie Roundup (CW), 
Kids Day, the ARRL RTTY Roundup and the ARRL 
Straight Key Night. The results from the 2010 
ARRL June VHF QSO Party are also in the December issue.

Of course, there are the usual columns you know 
and expect in the December QST: Happenings, Hints 
& Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX, Vintage 
Radio, Hamspeak and more. Look for your December 
issue of QST 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 
<https://www.arrl.org/join-arrl-renew-membership/>ARRL Web page.
+ International Spotlight: ARRL President Makes 
Final QSO with Australia's WIA Centenary Station

ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, made the final 
QSO to VK100WIA , the special event station call 
sign that celebrated the Wireless Institute of 
Australia's centenary. WIA President Michael 
Owen, VK3KI, was at the other end of the mic. [Carter Craigie, N3AO, Photo]

The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) marked 
the conclusion of their VK100WIA centennial 
special event operation on October 31 with a QSO 
between WIA President Michael Owen, VK3KI, and 
ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN. Logged at 1255 
UTC -- five minutes before midnight in Australia 
-- the QSO between N3KN and VK100WIA, with VK3KI 
at the microphone, was the last contact recorded 
in the Australian special event's log.

The contact was made using EchoLink, with 
VK100WIA using the VK3ANT node in Melbourne, 
Victoria. Craigie used the K4IJ 440 MHz repeater 
in Roanoke, Virginia to access the EchoLink node 
of the linked North Carolina Hospital Emergency 
Amateur Radio System repeaters (NCHEARS); the 
NCHEARS system was also linked to the South 
Carolina Healthcare Emergency Amateur Radio Team 
repeaters. Repeater users across three states 
were able to hear the historic conversation 
between two continents. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/the-2010-global-amateur-radio-emergency-communications-conference>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 October -- includes seeking protection 
of amateur frequencies with the FCC; representing 
the ARRL at the local, regional, national and 
international level; encouraging hams to build 
their own equipment; administering ARRL awards 
programs, and more. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-in-action-what-have-we-been-up-to-lately-27>here.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2010-11-04&p=2>
+ MARS: US Air Force MARS Gets New Leadership

Richard Jenson -- a Program Manager at the Air 
Force Network Integration Center at Scott Air 
Force Base, Illinois -- has been selected as the 
new Chief of Air Force MARS (USAF MARS). Jensen 
replaces Technical Sergeant Jason E. Sandifer, 
who served as Interim Chief since May when USAF 
MARS Chief Allen Eiermann, K3LSR, retired. "I am 
honored to have been selected to lead this 
organization of dedicated volunteer radio 
communicators and am enthusiastic about my new 
responsibilities," Jenson said. "The members of 
Air Force MARS can be rightly proud of their 
service to the nation, and I am eager to work 
with all of them as we enhance our ability to 
serve those who serve us." Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/air-force-mars-gets-new-leadership>here.
Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, November 4, 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.youtube.com/watch?v=ccTMG1onW5c>They 
watched the hazy Sun sinking in the sea" Cook, 
K7RA, reports: The average daily sunspot numbers 
declined again this week, this time by nearly 25 
points to 25.7, about half what it was last week. 
Look for good conditions this weekend in the ARRL 
CW Sweepstakes. The predicted planetary A index 
for November 4-7 is 7, 5, 8 and 8, and then 5 for 
the foreseeable future on November 8 and beyond. 
Predicted solar flux is 82 for each of the next 
10 days. The latest three-month moving average of 
daily sunspot numbers shows a steady rise, with 
the trailing three-month average at the end of 
June through October at 16.2, 20.4, 23.2, 28.9 
and 33. The average daily sunspot number for the 
month of October was 35, slightly higher than the 
trailing three-month average, which is a good 
sign. Look for more information on the ARRL Web 
site on Friday, November 5. 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" is brought to you by 
The Eagles' <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccTMG1onW5c>The Last Resort.
+ ARRL Recognizes: David W. Cripe, NM0S, Wins October QST Cover Plaque Award

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for 
October is David W. Cripe, NM0S, for his article 
"Homebrew Challenge II Co-Winner -- The Lowest 
Cost Entry." Congratulations David! 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/cover-plaque-poll>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 -- QRP Fox Hunt
    * November 6-7 -- Ukrainian DX Contest
    * November 6-8 -- <http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes>ARRL CW Sweepstakes
    * November 7 -- High Speed Club CW Contest
    * November 10 -- QRP Fox Hunt
    * November 10-11 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

Next week:
    * November 13-14 -- Kentucky QSO Party; WAE 
DX Contest (RTTY); OK/OM DX Contest (CW)
    * November 13-15 -- CQ-WE Contest
    * November 14 -- SKCC Weekend Sprint
    * November 17 -- QRP Fox Hunt
    * November 18 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint

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 Events Station Web page.
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
    * November 6-7 -- 
<http://stonemountainhamfest.com/>ARRL Georgia 
State Convention, Lawrenceville, Georgia
    * November 13 -- 
<http://www.w4ap.org/modules.php?name=Hamfest>ARRL 
Alabama Section Convention, North Montgomery, Alabama
    * November 13-14 -- 
<http://www.fortwaynehamfest.com/>ARRL Indiana 
State Convention, Ft Wayne, Indiana
    * December 4-5 -- 
<http://www.fgcarc.org/>ARRL West Central Florida 
Section Convention, Palmetto, Florida

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information
    * <http://www.arrl.org/join>Join or Renew 
Today! ARRL membership includes 
<http://www.arrl.org/qst>QST , Amateur Radio's 
most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.
    * Subscribe to 
<http://www.arrl.org/ncj>NCJ<http://www.arrl.org/ncj> 
-- the National Contest Journal . Published 
bimonthly, features articles by top contesters, 
letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties.
    * Subscribe to 
<http://www.arrl.org/qex>QEX<http://www.arrl.org/qex> 
-- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. 
Published bimonthly, features technical articles, 
construction projects, columns and other items of 
interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.
    * Free of charge to ARRL members: 
<http://www.arrl.org/myarrl-account-management#%21/edit-info-email_subscriptions>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!
    * ARRL offers a wide array of 
<http://www.arrl.org/arrl-store>products to 
enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio
    * 
<https://www.arrl.org/files/file/donation-form.pdf>Donate 
to the fund of your choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click <mailto:ads at arrl.org>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 <http://www.arrl.org/Users/edit#!/edit-info-email_subscriptions>profile.