[CVRC] The ARRL Letter for April 7, 2011

Thu Apr 7 21:46:20 EDT 2011

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April 7, 2011
Editor: <mailto:k1sfa at arrl.org>S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
<http://www.arrl.org/>ARRL Home 
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    * + Japan Suffers Large Aftershock; Tsunami Warning Issued, Lifted
    * + Amateur Radio in the Classroom: Alabama 
High Schools Successfully Launch High Altitude Balloon
    * + Public Service: Bill Smith, K1ARK, 
Receives National Recognition for Storm Spotting Activities
    * + Check out the May Issue of QST
    * + On the Air: Rev Up the Rookies -- the 2011 SSB Rookie Roundup Is Here!
    * ARRL to Change Insurance Company for 
Equipment Protection, Club Liability Services
    * + Amateur Radio Fun: Announcing the Winners of the ARRL Video Contest
    * ARRL in Action : What Have We Been Up to Lately?
    * + FCC News: FCC Launches Complete Overhaul of Website
    * Solar Update
    * + ARRL Recognizes: Howard "Skip" Teller, 
KH6TY, Wins March QST Cover Plaque Award
    * + On the Air: ARRL Frequency Measuring Test 
Scheduled for Tuesday, April 12
    * On the Air : NIST to Conduct Time and Frequency User Survey
    * 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
+ Japan Suffers Large Aftershock; Tsunami Warning Issued, Lifted

The April 7 quake was centered 41 miles from 
Sendai -- one of the areas worst hit by last month's 9.0-magnitude earthquake.

A 7.4 magnitude 
<http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/04/07/japan.quake/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1>aftershock 
hit just off the coast of Japan at 11:30 PM JST 
(1430 UTC) on Thursday, April 7. The epicenter of 
this earthquake is just 73 miles from the nuclear 
plant at Fukushima and 41 miles from the 
epicenter of 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/massive-earthquake-hits-japan-tsunami-warnings-issued>last 
month's 9.0 earthquake. As such, Japan's 
meteorological agency issued, and then lifted, a 
tsunami warning for a wave of up to 6 feet for 
the coastal area that has been already torn apart 
by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. These 
events are believed to have killed some 25,000 
people and have sparked an ongoing crisis at the 
nuclear power plant. The ARRL asks that you keep 
7.030 MHz clear for emergency use. In addition, 
these frequencies should also be kept clear: 
3.525, 7.030, 7.077, 7.087, 7.097, 14.100, 21.200 
and 28.200 MHz. -- Thanks to CNN and other sources for the information
+ Amateur Radio in the Classroom: Alabama High 
Schools Successfully Launch High Altitude Balloon

The view form the high altitude balloon that was 
jointly launched on April 2 by Pell City High 
School and St Clair County High School. Both schools are in Alabama.

The Pell City and St Clair County High School's 
joint balloon launch was a great success. The 
balloon was launched from the St Clair County 
Airport in Pell City, Alabama into a brisk wind 
at 2 PM on April 2. The balloon carried a variety 
of experiments ranging from materials, plastic 
sticks, silly putty, several varieties of seed, 
batteries, film and cameras, radio location 
equipment and a radio beacon announcing the 
balloons flight, as well as a collection of 
worms. The worms were given physicals by a St 
Clair County High School science class prior to 
the flight. They returned home in apparent good 
health and have made reservations for the next 
flight. The balloon made a rapid and steady 
ascent to 94,449 feet and, after bursting, landed 
near Woodbury, Georgia. The balloon landed in the 
middle of an open field and was quickly retrieved 
by Amateur Radio operators from the 
Auburn/Alexander city area. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/alabama-high-schools-successfully-launch-high-altitude-balloon>here.
+ Public Service: Bill Smith, K1ARK, Receives 
National Recognition for Storm Spotting Activities

Bill Smith, K1ARK, is the recipient of the 2011 
Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award winner -- 
given by the College of Sports Information 
Directors of America -- for his service to 
SKYWARN and the National Weather Service. [Photo 
courtesy of the University of Arkansas]

It is difficult to imagine the number of hours 
that Dr Bill Smith, K1ARK, of Fayetteville, 
Arkansas, logs in his job as the University of 
Arkansas' Director of New Media for the Razorback 
Athletics Department. Smith spends countless 
hours blogging, filming, commentating and 
handling the social media responsibilities for 19 
teams and the department, but he still finds time 
to assist Washington County residents when 
dangerous weather conditions arise. Smith has 
volunteered for the Washington County Department 
of Emergency Management for more than a decade, 
assisting with county weather emergency 
communications. In addition, Smith is the 
volunteer Public Information Officer for the DEM 
with Advanced P10 certification from FEMA.

For these efforts, Smith -- an ARRL member -- has 
been named the Bob Kenworthy Community Service 
Award winner by the College of Sports Information 
Directors of America (CoSIDA). The Bob Kenworthy 
Community Service Award is presented annually to 
a member for civic involvement and 
accomplishments outside of the sports information 
office. CoSIDA is a 2700-plus member national 
organization comprised of the sports public 
relations, communications and information 
professionals throughout all levels of collegiate 
athletics in the United States and Canada. Smith 
will be honored at the CoSIDA at the 
organization's annual convention in June. Read 
more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/bill-smith-k1ark-receives-national-recognition-for-storm-spotting-activities>here.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2011-04-07&p=0>
+ Check out the May Issue of QST

The May 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 a special look at the 
ARRL EXPO, coming to the Dayton HamventionÂ® and 
the ARRL National Convention at Ham-Com in Plano, 
Texas -- this issue of QST has something for just about everyone.

As amateurs, we get excited when we finally get 
that new entity, top a previous year's score in a 
contest, build a new piece of equipment or meet 
up with an old friend on the air. Why not unleash 
some of that excitement and introduce kids to 
Amateur Radio at the same time? Mark Spencer, 
WA8SME, shows readers how to do just that in his 
article "A Transmitter for Foxhunting." Build 
this project that combines the fun of the 
outdoors with the science and art of radio. With 
today's rising energy costs, we are all looking 
for ways to save on those monthly bills. One of 
the ways to do so is by lassoing the energy of 
the Sun. In his article "An Emergency Backup 
Solar Power System," Jim Talens, N3JT, says that 
after the purchase of some basic hardware, solar 
power is free -- and independent of the grid.

Three Dutch hams -- Eltje Veen, PA3CEE; Johan 
Meezen, PE9DX, and RenÃ© Hasper, PE1L -- ventured 
to Mauritius to shoot for the moon. Read about 
their adventure in "3B8EME -- Moonbounce from the 
Indian Ocean." Join a group of Midwestern teenage 
hams as they discover what it's like on the other 
end of the pile-up in "Youth DX Adventure #1" by 
Don DuBon, N6JRL, and Dave Kalter, KB8OCP. QST 
Assistant Editor Steve Sant Andrea, AG1YK, 
decodes RSQ and explains what it means to digital 
operators in his article "Readability, Strength -- and Quality?"

Take a look at the Kenwood TS-590S HF and 6 meter 
transceiver (pictured) and the Heil Pro Set Elite 
headset, featured in the May 2011QST product 
review. Click 
<http://www.arrl.org/multimedia>here to go to the 
QST Multimedia page and scroll down to the 
Product Review video. Click the "Play" button to watch the video.

QST Contributing Editor Ward Silver, N0AX, takes 
a look at the Kenwood TS-590S HF and 6 meter 
transceiver in this month's Product Review. He 
says that this rig "is a compact package of 
high-performance radio with an exceptional 
receiver for the price and is well-suited for 
today's operating modes and styles. It has a 
useful package of features that are thoughtfully 
organized and easy to access." QST Technical 
Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, checks out the Heil Pro 
Set Elite headset. He calls it "a worthy addition 
to the popular Pro Set line of headsets. It 
offers comfortable, wider range earphones, 
combined with a wide range fidelity dynamic 
microphone element. The mic element is intended 
to be tailored by radio or external audio 
equalizers to provide just the desired voice characteristics."

Kelly Taylor, VE4XT, delivers the results of the 
2010 ARRL November CW Sweepstakes. For the first 
time ever in the history of the contest, there's 
a tie for first place! Jeremy Alexander, W7EME, 
has the results of the 2010 ARRL International 
EME Competition, held over three weekends this 
past September and October. According to 
Alexander, the 2010 running of the contest 
generated more than 100 logs with many more stations participating.

Of course, there are the usual columns you know 
and expect in the May QST: Happenings, Hints & 
Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX, Technical 
Correspondence, Vintage Radio and more. Look for 
your May issue 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 Web page.
+ On the Air: Rev Up the Rookies -- the 2011 SSB Rookie Roundup Is Here!

Newly licensed amateurs will once again be the 
focus of attention on Sunday, April 17 as the 
ARRL Rookie Roundup enters its second year. 
Created to give the budding operator a place to 
learn about contesting at an easier pace, the 
ARRL Rookie Roundup is a six hour contest open to 
all amateurs who have been licensed for three 
years or fewer. If you were licensed in 2009, 
2010 or 2011, you qualify as a Rookie. The Rookie 
Roundup happens three times each year: SSB in 
April, RTTY in August and CW in December. Read 
more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/rev-up-the-rookies-the-2011-ssb-rookie-roundup-is-here>here.
ARRL to Change Insurance Company for Equipment 
Protection, Club Liability Services

On May 1, 2011, the ARRL will begin a new 
partnership to provide its ARRL-sponsored 
Equipment Insurance and Club Liability Insurance 
plans. The League has signed an agreement with 
Hays Affinity Group to serve as the program 
administrator to provide equipment insurance to 
its members who choose to elect coverage. In 
addition, Hays will also provide club liability 
insurance to ARRL Affiliated Clubs for those 
clubs that wish to take advantage of that 
program. Hays will be replacing Marsh Affinity 
Group Services as the program's administrator and 
will be introducing new policies for both plans, 
underwritten by the Hanover Insurance Company. 
Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-to-change-providers-for-equipment-protection-club-liability-insurance-plans>here.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2011-04-07&p=1>
+ Amateur Radio Fun: Announcing the Winners of the ARRL Video Contest

The winner of the ARRL video contest was the 
father/daughter team of Frank Callaghan, AC2EE, 
and Becky Callaghan, KC2YZI, of Cresskill, New 
Jersey for their video No Communication, No Problem!

With more than 30 videos submitted from all 
corners of the Earth, the ARRL's production and 
editorial team had a tough job ahead of them as 
they sat down to pick the best one. But in the 
end, these ARRL HQ staff members picked a clear 
and decisive winner. In December, the ARRL 
announced that it was looking for ARRL members to 
shoot and submit videos that showcase how fun and 
electrifying our hobby can be. Extra points were 
awarded for videos showing someone -- young or 
old, licensed or not -- making their first 
contacts. Videos were judged on their creativity, 
overall quality and composition, and how well 
each communicated enthusiasm for Amateur Radio. 
All videos had to be less than five minutes long. 
Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/announcing-the-winners-of-the-arrl-video-contest>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 March -- looks at how the ARRL and its 
members are responding to HR 607, various filings 
made by the ARRL to the FCC, the ARRL's Executive 
Committee meeting, reports from the Official 
Observer Desk and more. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-in-action-what-have-we-been-up-to-lately-32>here.
+ FCC News: FCC Launches Complete Overhaul of Website

The Federal Communications Commission announced 
on April 6 that it has launched a complete 
overhaul of its website. According to an April 6 
press release from the FCC, the new website is 
"architected with a more intuitive user 
experience and the addition of Web 2.0 
technologies, and improves and simplifies the 
FCC.gov experience for consumers, government, 
public safety agencies and the business 
community." This is the first major update to the 
Commission's website in 10 years. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-launches-complete-overhaul-of-website>here.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2011-04-07&p=2>
Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, April 7, 2011 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=W1N19zOBKCE>I 
walk out into the Sun, I try to find a new day" 
Cook, K7RA, reports: Our Sun is still quite 
active, but solar activity is down this week when 
compared with the week before. The average daily 
sunspot numbers were down nearly 34 points to 
68.3, while the average daily solar flux declined 
nearly 3 points to 111.8. But geomagnetic 
activity was quite strong this week, with the 
planetary A index on April 2 at 20, rising to 26 
on April 6. The latest forecast from USAF and 
NOAA has the solar flux at 117 on April 7-9, 115 
on April 10-14, 88, 90, 100 and 115 on April 
15-18 and 125 on April 19-27. The predicted 
planetary A index is 8, 5, 10 and 10 on April 
6-9, 5 on April 11-17 and 7 on April 18-20. 
Geophysical Institute Prague predicts quiet 
conditions on April 8, quiet to unsettled April 
9, unsettled to active April 10, active April 11, 
unsettled April 12, quiet to unsettled April 13 
and back to quiet on April 14. On April 4, NASA 
released a 
<http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/predict.shtml>new 
solar cycle prediction, and they say this may be 
the smallest sunspot cycle in 200 years. Look for 
more information on the ARRL website on Friday, 
April 8. 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 
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duran_Duran>Duran 
Duran's <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1N19zOBKCE>Careless Memories.
+ ARRL Recognizes: Howard "Skip" Teller, KH6TY, 
Wins March QST Cover Plaque Award

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for 
March is Howard "Skip" Teller, KH6TY, for his 
article "Digital VOX Sound Card Interface." 
Congratulations Skip! 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 April issue today.
+ On the Air: ARRL Frequency Measuring Test Scheduled for Tuesday, April 12

The Frequency Measuring Test 
(<http://www.arrl.org/frequency-measuring-test>FMT) 
adds a couple of new wrinkles to the format when 
it takes to the airwaves on April 12. The first 
change is that the FMT will be held on Tuesday 
evening instead of Wednesday. If weeknight 
schedules have prevented you from participating 
in past FMTs, this change is for you. The second 
change is in the sequence of stations 
transmitting. The new format will mimic a 
round-table QSO in which all of the stations are 
close to the same frequency but not exactly on 
the same frequency. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-frequency-measuring-test-scheduled-for-tuesday-april-12>here<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-frequency-measuring-test-scheduled-for-tuesday-april-12>.
On the Air : NIST to Conduct Time and Frequency User Survey

The National Institute of Standards and 
Technology's (NIST) Time and Frequency Division 
is conducting a survey to learn more about its 
users, seeking to determine how the agency can 
make its services more useful in the future. NIST 
services include WWV, WWVH and WWVB, which 
provide reference time and frequency signals via 
radio. The NIST also provides the Internet Time 
Service -- which provides accurate time 
synchronization to computer systems -- and 
several other services to offer accurate time 
information via telephone or web pages. Radio 
amateurs are encouraged to complete the survey. 
Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/nist-to-conduct-time-and-frequency-user-survey>here.
This Week on the Radio

This week:
    * April 9 -- PODXS 070 Club PSK 31 Flavors 
Contest (local time); EU Spring Sprint (CW)
    * April 9-10 -- Montana QSO Party; New Mexico 
QSO Party; Georgia QSO Party; JIDX CW Contest
    * April 10 -- SKCC Weekend Sprint; UBA Spring Contest (SSB)
    * April 11 -- 144 MHz Spring Sprint (local time)
    * April 13 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
    * April 13-14 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

Next week:
    * April 15 -- NCCC Sprint
    * April 15-16 -- Holyland DX Contest
    * April 16 -- Feld Hell Sprint; TARA Skirmish 
Digital Prefix Contest; ES Open HF Championship; EU Spring Sprint (SSB)
    * April 16-17 -- Michigan QSO Party; Ontario 
QSO Party; YU DX Contest; CQ Manchester Mineira DX Contest; EA-QRP CW Contest
    * April 16-24 -- ARLHS Annual Spring Lites QSO Party
    * April 17 -- 
<http://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup>ARRL Rookie Roundup (SSB)
    * April 18 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
    * April 19 -- 222 MHz Spring 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-event-stations>ARRL 
Special Event Stations Web page.
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
    * April 22-24 -- 
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/idaho-state-convention-1>ARRL 
Idaho State Convention, Boise, Idaho
    * April 23 -- 
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-state-convention-twin-city-ham-radio-fest>ARRL 
Louisiana State Convention, Monroe, Louisiana; 
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/north-carolina-state-convention-raleigh-hamfest>ARRL 
North Carolina State Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina
    * May 7 -- 
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/south-carolina-state-convention-upstate-hamfest>ARRL 
South Carolina State Convention, Spartanburg, South Carolina
    * June 3-5 -- 
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northwestern-division-convention-seapac-1>ARRL 
Northwestern Division Convention (SeaPac), 
Seaside, Oregon; 
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/wyoming-state-convention>ARRL 
Wyoming State Convention, Cheyenne, Wyoming
    * June 4 -- 
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/atlantic-division-convention-rochester-hamfest-1>ARRL 
Atlantic Division Convention, Rochester, New 
York; 
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/east-bay-section-convention>ARRL 
East Bay Section Convention, Berkeley, 
California; 
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/georgia-state-convention-atlanta-hamfest>ARRL 
Georgia State Convention, Marietta, Georgia
    * June 10-11 -- 
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arrl-national-convention-ham-com-2011>ARRL 
National Convention, Plano, Texas
    * June 11 -- 
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tennessee-state-convention-1>ARRL 
Tennessee State Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee

To find a convention or hamfest near you, click 
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests>here.

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