[CVRC] The ARRL Letter for January 6, 2011

Thu Jan 6 21:15:41 EST 2011

If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2011-01-06>http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2011-01-06

January 6, 2011
Editor: <mailto:k1sfa at arrl.org>S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
<http://www.arrl.org/>ARRL Home 
Page<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>ARRL 
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Archive<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/>Audio 
News<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2011-01-06&t=t>

    * + BPL : ARRL Shows IBEC BPL Systems Are Interfering, Violating FCC Rules
    * + On-the Air : ARRL Audio News Once Again Available from iTunes
    * On-the Air : The King of Digital Contesting Is Here!
    * + Amateur Radio in Washington : US Rep Greg 
Walden, W7EQI, Tweets News of New Subcommittee Chairmanship
    * + Get Ready for the February Issue of QST !
    * ARRL in Action : What Have We Been Up to Lately?
    * + FCC News : FCC Cites Retailer for 
Marketing CB Radios as Amateur Radios
    * + General Motors Turns to Ham to Solve Antenna Problem
    * + New Section Manager Appointed in Alabama
    * Solar Update
    * Silent Key: Former ARRL Canadian Director George Spencer, VE3AGS (SK)
    * + Silent Key : America's Oldest Scouter, Woody Woodward, W7KOP (SK)
    * This Week on the Radio

+ Available on <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>ARRL Audio News
+ BPL: ARRL Shows IBEC BPL Systems Are Interfering, Violating FCC Rules

Late last month, the ARRL filed a complaint with 
the FCC, documenting ongoing harmful interference 
and egregious rules violations by Broadband over 
Power Lines (BPL) systems installed by IBEC, Inc. 
in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Indiana. In its 
filing, the ARRL requested that the FCC "initiate 
immediately an enforcement proceeding regarding 
these BPL systems, and cause them to cease 
operation until such time as they are each in 
full compliance with the Commission's Rules."

Contrary to earlier representations -- both to 
the ARRL and in statements in the online BPL 
database -- IBEC's systems in these locations are 
not universally notching the amateur bands as is 
necessary in order to avoid emissions at levels 
that are likely to cause harmful interference to 
licensed Amateur Radio stations. In fact, 
measurements by ARRL staff that were 
independently confirmed show that IBEC systems 
are not even notching the aeronautical bands. The 
FCC rules require BPL systems to avoid these 
bands, but IBEC is operating at power levels that 
cause radiation well in excess of the FCC limits. 
Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-shows-ibec-bpl-systems-are-interfering-violating-fcc-rules>here. 

+ On-the Air: ARRL Audio News Once Again Available from iTunes

The ARRL Audio News is once again available 
through iTunes, beginning today. You can find the 
URL for the Audio News' RSS feed 
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/aan.rss>here. 
To download and subscribe to the Audio News at 
iTunes, log into your iTunes account and go to 
the "Advanced" pull-down menu. Click on 
"Subscribe to Podcast," insert 
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/aan.rss>http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/aan.rss 
in the dialogue box and click "OK." You are now 
subscribed! If you had previously subscribed to 
the ARRL Audio News via iTunes, you should not 
have to re-do these steps; episodes should appear 
in your podcast folder once you sync your device. 
Step-by-step photo instructions are available 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/em-arrl-audio-news-em-once-again-available-from-itunes>here. 

Of course, the 
<http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>ARRL Audio 
News is also available on the ARRL Web site and 
via telephone at 860-594-0384. The ARRL Audio 
News is compiled, edited and produced in 
conjunction with each ARRL Letter (except during 
the Dayton Hamvention, Thanksgiving and other times as announced).
On-the Air: The King of Digital Contesting Is Here!

<http://mmhamsoft.amateur-radio.ca/pages/mmtty.php>MMTTY, 
a popular RTTY program for Windows, marries 
nicely with <http://www.n1mm.com/>N1MM Logger. 
Both are available for download at no cost. Click 
<http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yy76tEKJkeM/THrAImx_XwI/AAAAAAAAA_M/0_rs6zFGKLQ/s1600/n1mm+mmty.jpg>here 
for a larger image. [Photo courtesy of Bas, PE4BAS]

Start 2011 with one of the most enjoyable 
contests on the calendar -- the ARRL RTTY 
Roundup, January 8 and 9. The goal is simple: 
make as many contacts -- and multipliers -- as 
possible! While any digital mode can be used in 
during the Roundup (including PSK31), radio 
teletype -- better known as RTTY -- is the 
undisputed king of this event. You won't need to 
shout into a microphone or master high-speed CW 
to participate. If you can type -- even slowly -- 
on a computer keyboard, you're more than 
qualified to try the RTTY Roundup. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/the-king-of-digital-contesting-is-here>here.
+ Amateur Radio in Washington: US Rep Greg 
Walden, W7EQI, Tweets News of New Subcommittee Chairmanship

US Representative Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR), 
tweeted news of his appointment in Morse code.

When US Representative Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR), 
learned December 16 that he would be chairing the 
House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology 
and the Internet when the 112th Congress convened 
in January, he let the world know about it by 
tweeting the news in Morse code. "Just the ham 
radio operator in me having fun," he posted to 
his official Web page. The subcommittee has 
jurisdiction over "interstate and foreign 
telecommunications including, but not limited to 
all telecommunication and information 
transmission by broadcast, radio, wire, microwave, satellite or other mode."

ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, 
was pleased to hear the news: "We're delighted 
that the subcommittee is in the hands of such a 
well-qualified chairman. Greg was an early 
cosponsor of <http://www.arrl.org/hr2160>HR2160, 
and while he may not always be able to agree with 
every ARRL position, we know his door will always 
be open to us."<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2011-01-06&p=0>
+ Get Ready for the February Issue of QST!

The February 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 look at 
the upcoming launch of ARISSat-1-- this issue of 
QST has something for just about everyone.

After years of planning, the next generation of 
satellites to be launched from the International 
Space Station is getting ready to be sent off 
into space. Go behind the scenes -- and discover 
how you, too, can get in on the fun -- as AMSAT 
and the Amateur Radio on the International Space 
Station (ARISS) program team up in "Get Ready for 
ARISSat-1." And if space is indeed the "final 
frontier," a Mid-Eastern desert is probably a 
close second. Join David Collingham, K3LP, and 
Paul Ewing, N6PSE, as they recount their 
DXpedition to Kurdistan in Northern Iraq in 
"YI9PSE Iraq 2010 -- An Extreme Venture."

Lou Burke, W7JI, wanted to add a receiver on to 
the QRP transmitter project he had built. He 
wanted the receiver to be housed in the same 
enclosure and to work with the transmitter in a 
transceiver-like mode, but still have the ability 
to stand alone as a separate receiver. In his 
article "A Compact 40 Meter Receiver," Burke says 
that there is nothing like the feeling you get 
from making a QSO with a rig that you built yourself.

Take a look at the Ten-Tec R4020 two band CW QRP 
transceiver, featured in the February 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.

ARRL Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck 
Skolaut, K0BOG, takes a look at the Ten-Tec R4020 
two band CW QRP transceiver in this month's 
Product Review. He calls it a "transceiver with a 
variety of convenience features. It can operate 
from internal batteries, so add a paddle, 
headphones and antenna and head for your favorite 
trail location." QST Contributing Editor Phil 
Salas, AD5X, checks out the Mini-Circuits 
PWR-6GHS+ USB power sensor. He says that it is "a 
reasonably priced, highly accurate, very broad 
range power meter that is equally useful in a 
commercial lab or home experimenter's workshop." 
QST Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, reviews 
the Array Solutions AS-43A digital upgrade kit 
for the Bird 43 wattmeter. He says this kit 
"provides a three digit digital readout for your 
tired old Bird wattmeter. While the accuracy is 
limited by the wattmeter slugs, a calibration 
adjustment is described that can improve accuracy."

Of course, there are the usual columns you know 
and expect in the February QST: Happenings, Hints &

Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX, Vintage Radio 
and more. Look for your February 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.
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 December -- looks at the ARRL 
confronting the FCC over BPL matters, a possible 
new secondary MF allocation, 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-29>here.
+ FCC News: FCC Cites Retailer for Marketing CB Radios as Amateur Radios

In October 2010, an agent from the FCC's 
Enforcement Office visited Monroe, Michigan-based 
Doctor Radio's CB Shop to find that the store was 
selling, among other items, a radio that was 
described as "an Amateur Radio that could operate 
on CB frequencies" that was modified to operate 
above the approved power limits. As such, the FCC 
issued a Citation to the store on January 4 for 
marketing unauthorized radio frequency devices in 
the United States in violation of Section 302(b) 
of the Communications Act and Section 2.803(a)(1) 
of the Commission's rules. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-cites-retailer-for-marketing-amateur-radios-as-cb-radios>here.
+ General Motors Turns to Ham to Solve Antenna Problem

The 2011 Chevrolet Camaro convertible -- 
available February 2011 -- features its AM/FM 
radio antenna inside the spoiler, thanks to some 
ham ingenuity. The "shark fin" antenna is for 
satellite radio, OnStar and cellular signals. 
Click 
<http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20026067-48.html>here 
to watch a video about the design of this new 
antenna. [Photo courtesy of General Motors]

When General Motors -- the world's second largest 
auto maker -- encountered a problem with the 
AM/FM antenna on its 2011 Chevrolet Camaro 
convertible, it was at a loss as to what to do. 
Spy photographs showed a pre-production version 
of the car with a long whip-style antenna on its 
rear fender. After what GM called "an outcry 
among Camaro enthusiasts," the company decided to rethink the antenna. But how?

On hardtop Camaros, the antenna is integrated 
into the rear windshield, but given the 
disappearing nature of this car's roof, that 
wasn't possible on the convertible. So GM turned 
to two antenna engineers -- Don Hibbard, W8DBH, 
and Gregg Kittinger -- who were tasked with doing 
what some thought was impossible: concealing the 
AM/FM antenna without sacrificing radio 
reception, while not putting it inside the 
Camaro's windows. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/general-motors-turns-to-ham-radio-to-solve-antenna-problem>here<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2011-01-06&p=1>.
Yasme Foundation Announces 2010 Yasme Excellence Award Recipients

The Yasme Excellence Awards are given to 
individuals who through their own service, 
creativity, effort and dedication, have made a 
significant contribution to Amateur Radio. Their 
contribution may be in recognition of technical, 
operating or organizational achievement. The 
Yasme Foundation has recognized the following 
individuals "in order to inspire them and others 
on behalf of Amateur Radio now and in the 
future." Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/yasme-foundation-announces-2010-yasme-excellence-award-recipients>here.
+ New Section Manager Appointed in Alabama

David Drummond, W4MD, of Northport, Alabama has 
been appointed Alabama Section Manager effective 
January 1, 2011. In December, Jay Isbell, KA4KUN, 
-- who had served as Section Manager since 
January 2008 -- resigned due to health related 
reasons. ARRL Membership and Volunteer Programs 
Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, made the appointment 
in consultation with Southeastern Division 
Director Greg Sarratt, W4OZK. Drummond has served 
as Alabama Assistant Section Manager since 
January 2008. He will complete the current 
Section Manager term that continues through December 31, 2011.
Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, January 6, 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://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/alowell/bl-alowell-winter.htm>Shining 
snow crystals rainbowed by the Sun" Cook, K7RA, 
reports: The average daily sunspot numbers were 
up nearly 24 points this week to 50, while the 
average daily solar flux rose more than 9 points 
to 89.5. The lagging three month average of daily 
sunspot numbers was down 3.5 points from last 
month's average of the previous three months. The 
three month moving average of daily sunspot 
numbers --ending on June through December -- was 
16.2, 20.4, 23.2, 28.9, 33, 35.6 and 32.1. The 
latest forecast from NOAA/USAF for the next 10 
days has a solar flux of 88 on January 6-7, 86 on 
January 8-9, 84 on January 10, 82 on January 11 
and 80 on January 12-15. Planetary A index is 
predicted at 7 on January 6-7, 10 on January 
8-10, 7 on January 11 and 5 on January 12-15. 
There is a chance of a stiff solar wind and 
geomagnetic storms on January 7-8. Yekta Gursel, 
KJ6DRO, alerted us to an article in the February 2011 issue of Sky &

Telescope titled "The Perfect Solar Superstorm." 
You can read most of it 
<http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newtrack/st_201102/#/28>here; 
click on "Preview" if you are not a subscriber. 
Your local library may also provide online access 
to the magazine. The article begins on page 28. 
Look for more information on the ARRL Web site on 
Friday, January 7. 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 
Amy Lowell's 
<http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/alowell/bl-alowell-winter.htm>A 
Winter Ride.
ARRL Recognizes: Eric Nichols, KL7AJ, Wins December QST Cover Plaque Award

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for 
December is Eric Nichols, KL7AJ, for his article 
"Gimme an X, Gimme an O. What's that Spell? -- 
Radio." Congratulations Eric! 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 January issue 
today.<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2011-01-06&p=2>
Silent Key: Former ARRL Canadian Director George Spencer, VE3AGS (SK)

George Spencer, VE3AGS (SK)

A. George Spencer, VE3AGS, passed away December 
21, 2010. He was 90. Spencer served as ARRL 
Canadian Division Vice Director from January 
1970-January 1974. In 1974 -- upon the election 
of Canadian Director Noel Eaton, VE3CJ, as ARRL 
Vice President -- Spencer moved up to the 
Director position and served one term. An 
engineer by training and profession, Spencer 
lived all across Canada. While on the ARRL Board 
of Directors, he was VE2MS and then VE4IM; he 
later became VE6AW before moving to Ontario and obtaining his initials.
+ Silent Key: America's Oldest Scouter, Woody Woodward, W7KOP (SK)

Woody Woodward, W7KOP (SK)

Leonard Andrew "Woody" Woodward, W7KOP, of 
Mapleton, Utah, passed away December 25, 2010. He 
was 99. Woodward -- who, according to the Boy 
Scouts of America, was the "longest continuously 
registered Scouter" -- was involved with scouting 
for more than 87 years. BSA's Utah National Parks 
Council Program Director John Gailey called 
Woodward "an amazing man" and told the ARRL that 
his friend was still "very much active on the air 
weeks before his death." At the age of 8 in 1918, 
Woodward built his own radio. At the time of his 
death, he was using the Internet to connect 
Amateur Radio operators around the world. 
Woodward was known all over the world as an 
unofficial ambassador of America and Scouting 
through his radio contacts. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/america-s-oldest-scouter-woody-woodward-w7kop-sk>here.
This Week on the Radio

This week:
    * January 7 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
    * January 8 -- Midwinter Contest (CW)
    * January 8-9 -- 
<http://www.arrl.org/rtty-roundup>ARRL RTTY 
Roundup; North American QSO Party (CW); Michigan 
QRP January (CW); Contest Hunting Lions in the 
Air Contest; EUCW 160 Meter Contest; WW PMC Contest
    * January 9 -- NRAU-Baltic Contest (CW); 
Midwinter Contest (Phone); NRAU-Baltic Contest (SSB)
    * January 12-13 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

Next week:
    * January 14 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
    * January 15 -- LZ Open Contest, Feld Hell Sprint
    * January 15-16 -- North American QSO Party 
(SSB), Hungarian DX Contest, UK DX Contest (RTTY)
    * January 17 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
    * January 20 -- 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-event-stations>ARRL 
Special Event Stations Web page.
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
    * January 8, 2011 -- 
<http://www.selarc.org/selarchamfest.htm>ARRL 
Delta Division Convention, Hammond, Louisiana
    * January 9, 2011 -- 
<http://www.hamradiouniversity.org/>ARRL New 
York-Long Island Section Convention, Bethpage, New York
    * January 15, 2011 -- 
<http://fmarc.net/hamfest_2011.htm>ARRL Southern 
Florida Section Convention, Fort Myers, Florida
    * January 28-29, 2011 -- 
<http://www.msham.org/hamfest.php>ARRL 
Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi

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

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