[CVRC] The ARRL Letter for September 16, 2010

Fri Sep 17 22:54:26 EDT 2010

If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
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September 16, 2010
Editor: <mailto:k1sfa at arrl.org>S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
<http://www.arrl.org/>ARRL Home 
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    * + Public Service : Get Ready for the 2010 Simulated Emergency Test
    * + Amateur Radio in the Classroom : QST 
Article Sparks New University Program
    * + Regulatory : New York Judge Declares Amateur Radio Is Not a Cell Phone
    * On the Air : Sponsor a Plaque for ARRL Sweepstakes
    * + On the Air : USA to Host 2014 World Radiosport Team Championship
    * + Solar Update
    * + Silent Key : ARRL Honorary Vice President Hugh Turnbull, W3ABC (SK)
    * This Week on the Radio

+ Available on <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>ARRL Audio News
+ Public Service: Get Ready for the 2010 Simulated Emergency Test

The 2010 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test is just 
around the corner and ARRL Field Organization 
leaders are planning an event that will actively 
involve members of the Amateur Radio Emergency 
Service Â®, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency 
Service, the ARRL National Traffic System and 
many other related groups that prepare for and 
respond to emergencies. Public service and 
emergency response agencies and organizations in 
your community, ARRL Section Leaders and/or local 
and state officials will also be invited to 
participate. You, too, are invited to be a part 
of this annual tune-up for emergency response. 
Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/get-ready-for-the-2010-simulated-emergency-test>here.
+ Amateur Radio in the Classroom: QST Article Sparks New University Program

Court Sullivan, KF5HYE, James Boshart and Jake 
Rhodes, KF5HYD, complete the calibration process 
on three radio-telescope units in preparation for 
an interferometry research project in which the 
three units will be interconnected to simulate a 
much larger dish. [Larry D. Barr, K5WLF, Photo]

It all started with the June 2009 issue of QST. 
Larry Barr, K5WLF -- Planetarium Manager at 
Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas 
-- was reading QST when he came across an article 
about exploring the basics of radio astronomy 
through a homebrew, easy-to-construct radio 
telescope. The article -- written by ARRL 
Education and Technology Program Coordinator Mark 
Spencer, WA8SME -- showed how to turn an everyday 
satellite TV dish antenna into an instrument that 
can be used to not only broaden horizons and 
expand the understanding of our universe, but to 
marry the magic of Amateur Radio and astronomy.

Barr quickly got to thinking. He showed the 
article to his supervisor, Dr Shaukat Goderya, 
the Director of the Astronomy Education and 
Research Program at TSU. Barr and Goderya began 
brainstorming on how they could do something like 
that in the department. And thus began the latest 
research program in radio astronomy for the 
Tarleton Observatory. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/em-qst-em-article-sparks-new-university-program>here.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2010-09-16&p=0>
+ Regulatory: New York Judge Declares Amateur Radio Is Not a Cell Phone

In many states and localities, it is illegal to 
talk on a cell phone (without a hands-free 
device) while behind the wheel. Doing so can 
result in a ticket and possibly a large fine. But 
on May 30, 2010, when a New York ham was talking 
on his mobile rig, he didn't think he was doing 
anything wrong. He wasn't, of course, but the New 
York State Police officer who pulled him over and 
cited him with a $100 fine didn't quite see it 
that way. Steve Bozak, WB2IQU, of Clifton Park, 
told the ARRL that when he was pulled over while 
driving to Troy -- about 16 miles away -- he 
assured the officer that he was not speaking on a 
cell phone, but on his Amateur Radio handheld 
transceiver. According to Bozak, the officer said 
"it was all the same to him." So Bozak -- with 
the assistance of his attorney, ARRL Volunteer 
Counsel 
(<http://www.arrl.org/volunteer-counsel-program>VC) 
Jeremy Rase, KC2JRD -- decided to fight the 
ticket in court. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/new-york-judge-declares-amateur-radio-is-not-a-cell-phone>here.
On the Air: Sponsor a Plaque for ARRL Sweepstakes

When your dentist says you have plaque, that's 
bad. But when the ARRL November Sweepstakes 
contest results say you have a plaque, that's a 
cause for celebration! Plaques for Division and 
overall contest winners are an important part of 
the Sweepstakes tradition -- both for the winners 
and the plaque sponsors. The ARRL Sweepstakes 
depends on the generosity of plaque sponsors who 
honor both the winners and their sponsoring 
organizations. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/sponsor-a-plaque-for-arrl-sweepstakes>here.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2010-09-16&p=1>
+ On the Air: USA to Host 2014 World Radiosport Team Championship

In 1986, Ted Turner -- in reaction to the 
political troubles surrounding the Olympic Games 
of the 1980s -- created an international sports 
competition that he called the Goodwill Games. 
The first Games were held in Moscow with more 
than 3000 athletes from 79 countries competing. 
Four years later, the Games moved to Seattle, 
Washington and it was at those Games that the 
first-ever World Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC) took place.

Besides athletics, the Goodwill Games focused on 
areas of cultural exchange, arts and other unique 
subjects, one of these being Amateur Radio -- and 
WRTC was born. Radio amateurs from around the 
world gathered in Seattle for an Olympic-style 
event, joining in competition and camaraderie. In 
1996, WRTC moved to San Francisco, then Slovenia 
in 2000, Finland in 2002, Brazil in 2006 and 
Russia in 2010. Now 18 years later, WRTC returns 
to the USA. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/usa-to-host-2014-world-radiosport-team-championship>here.
On the Web: Interact with Other ARRL Members -- 
Add Your Profile to the Web Site

Do you want to find an old ham buddy or Elmer? Is 
the Jim Smith you knew as a kid the one in Kansas 
or the one in Oregon? How about interacting with 
other ARRL members who share your ham radio 
interests? Or maybe you're just looking for 
someone to connect with who is also just getting into the digital modes.

One of the features on the new ARRL Web site is 
Member Profile. You can post a list of your 
favorite Amateur Radio activities, as well as a 
description of how you got involved with Amateur 
Radio here. How your profile appears is under 
your control -- you can make your full profile 
available to all other ARRL members, or you can 
choose to hide certain information.

Adding your profile to the Member Directory 
allows your fellow ARRL members to connect with 
you outside of the ham bands. For example, you 
can then search for others who share your passion 
for DXing, contesting or EmComm.

Adding your profile is simple: Log in to the ARRL 
Web site, click on "Edit your Profile" link and 
select the "Edit Profile" screen.

You'll find the Permissions area just below the 
Profile Information section. You'll need to 
opt-in in order for your profile to be seen on 
the Web site.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2010-09-16&p=2>
+ Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, September 16, 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.humanitiesweb.org/human.php?ID=3749&a=p&p=c&s=l>Spread 
their wild hues to the sultry Sun" Cook, K7RA, 
reports: The average daily sunspot numbers this 
week dropped nearly 23 points to 15.6, and 
geomagnetic indices were quiet. The average daily 
solar flux was 78.1, but the latest prediction 
from US Air Force and NOAA calls for rising solar 
flux values. The September 16-22 projection has 
solar flux values at 83, 85, 86, 86, 87, 88 and 
88, which is well above last week's average. 
Solar flux hasn't been to 88 or higher since 
August 7 (90.5), and before that July 21 (89.1). 
The same forecast shows the planetary A index for 
the same period at 8, 8, 7, 5, 5, 15 and 15, 
indicating rising geomagnetic activity along with 
the increased solar activity. Geophysical 
Institute Prague predicts quiet to unsettled 
conditions September 17, quiet September 18-19, 
quiet to unsettled September 20 and unsettled 
conditions September 21-23. The autumnal equinox 
occurs Wednesday, September 22 at 11:09 PM EDT 
(0309 UTC on September 23). With the northern and 
southern hemispheres bathed in equal amounts of 
light, expect better worldwide HF propagation, 
although solar activity continues at a low level 
which does not support an MUF into the higher 
frequencies over most paths. Look for more 
information on the ARRL Web site on Friday, 
September 17. 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 
John Clare's <http://www.humanitiesweb.org/human.php?ID=3749&a=p&p=c&s=l>June.
+ Silent Key: ARRL Honorary Vice President Hugh Turnbull, W3ABC (SK)

ARRL Honorary Vice President Hugh Turnbull, W3ABC (SK)

ARRL Honorary Vice President Hugh Turnbull, 
W3ABC, of Silver Spring, Maryland, died September 
14 at age 93. Turnbull served the League as 
Atlantic Division Vice Director (1980-1982) and 
Director (1982-1996). The ARRL Board named him 
Vice President in 1996 and Honorary Vice 
President in 2000. Upon hearing of his death, 
ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN -- who served as 
Atlantic Division Vice Director during Turnbull's 
tenure as Director -- said: "Hugh's life was 
devoted to serving his country and Amateur Radio. 
Many times I heard him say that each of us should 
'give something back' to ham radio. He was my 
first mentor in ARRL leadership, and it was my 
good fortune to have his example to learn from." 
Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-honorary-vice-president-hugh-turnbull-w3abc-sk>here.
Support ARRL: ARRL to Again Participate in Combined Federal Campaign

For the ninth year running, the US Office of 
Personnel Management has designated the ARRL to 
participate in the 2010 Combined Federal Campaign 
(CFC). This campaign for federal government 
civilian employees, US Postal Service workers and 
members of the military has generated almost 
$140,000 for ARRL programs since it first became 
an option for giving by federal employees to the 
League. The CFC provides an easy way to support 
ARRL's effort to represent its members and all 
radio amateurs. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/2010-marks-ninth-year-for-arrl-participation-in-combined-federal-campaign>here.
This Week on the Radio

This week:
    * September 17 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
    * September 18 -- Connecticut QSO Party; Feld Hell Sprint
    * September 18-19 -- 
<http://www.arrl.org/10-ghz-up>ARRL 10 GHz and Up 
Contest (local time); South Carolina QSO Party; 
Washington State Salmon Run; QCWA Fall QSO Party; 
QRP Afield; Scandinavian Activity Contest (CW); SRT HF Contest (SSB)
    * September 19 -- North American Sprint (SSB); BARTG Sprint 75
    * September 20 -- Run for the Bacon QRP 
Contest; 144 MHz Fall Sprint (local time)
    * September 22 -- SKCC Sprint

Next week:
    * September 24 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
    * September 25-26 -- CQ Worldwide DX Contest (RTTY); Texas QSO Party
    * September 25 -- AGCW VHF/UHF Contest
    * September 27 -- QRP Homebrewer Sprint
    * September 28 -- 222 MHz Fall Sprint (local time)

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 Division Conventions
    * September 17-19 -- 
<http://www.sandarc.net/Convention2010/index.html>ARRL 
Southwestern Division Convention, San Diego, California
    * October 15-17 -- 
<http://www.pacificon.org/>ARRL Pacific Division 
Convention, San Ramon, California

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