[CVRC] The ARRL Letter for October 6, 2011

Thu Oct 6 17:12:59 EDT 2011

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            The  ARRL Letter

Published by the American Radio Relay League
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October 6, 2011

Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA <k1sfa at arrl.org>

ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/>ARRL Letter Archive
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>Audio News
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> IN THIS ISSUE

- + On the Air: 10 Meters Is Hot!
- + WRC-12: European Proposal for Amateur Secondary MF Allocation
Clears Important Hurdle
- + Every Radio Amateur Knows that Spectrum Defense Matters
- + Check Out the November Issue of QST
- At the Workbench: The Deadline for the Third ARRL Homebrew Challenge
Is Approaching
- + Public Service: Nominations Now Open for the George Hart
Distinguished Service Award
- ARRL in Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?
- + Section News: New Section Manager Appointed in North Texas
- Committee Notes: Changes to ARRL Ethics and Elections Committee
- Solar Update
- + ARRL Recognizes: Robert Miller, KE6F , Wins September QST Cover
Plaque Award
- This Week on the Radio
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

+ Available on ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>.

==> + ON THE AIR: 10 METERS IS HOT!

   For the past few days, the solar flux has been hovering around 130.
While this is down from a peak of 190 -- the highest we've seen in
Solar Cycle 24 -- just 11 days ago, the higher HF bands are definitely
feeling the effect. Higher solar flux levels can mean higher sunspot
levels and this is good news for radio amateurs, especially
Technicians. The 10 meter band is the only HF band where Techs have
phone privileges. "Techs can get use their voice privileges from
28.300-28.500 MHz," explained W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q.
"If you don't have your own HF rig, find someone in your local radio
club who does or call your Elmer. Without a doubt, you don't want to
miss this opening. Who knows how long it will last or when it will come
back? So get on the air while you can and experience the magic of 10
meters." The solar flux is predicted to hit 140
<http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ftpdir/latest/45DF.txt> on October 12 and
stay at that level for almost a week. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/attention-techs-10-meters-is-hot>.

==> + WRC-12: EUROPEAN PROPOSAL FOR AMATEUR SECONDARY MF ALLOCATION
CLEARS IMPORTANT HURDLE

In preparation for the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12
<http://www.itu.int/ITU-R/index.asp?category=conferences&rlink=wrc-12&lang=en>),
the CEPT Project Team C
<http://www.cept.org/ecc/groups/ecc/cpg/cpg-pt-c> approved a draft
European Common Proposal (ECP) for an 8 kHz-wide band between 472 and
480 kHz at its September meeting. The draft ECP will now go to CEPT's
Conference Preparatory Group for formal ratification in November. This
breakthrough -- at the 11th and final meeting of the project team --
occurred with the submission by the UK's Ofcom of an RSGB-drafted
compromise ECP proposal that is also supported by France and Sweden.

   Agenda Item 1.23 calls for WRC-12 delegations to consider an
allocation of about 15 kHz in parts of the band 415-526.5 kHz to the
Amateur Service on a secondary basis, taking into account the need to
protect existing services. "While an 8 kHz allocation does not fully
meet our objective of 15 kHz, having a European Common Proposal for an
amateur allocation is a major step toward possibly achieving one at
WRC-12," said ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ.

According to Colin Thomas, G3PSM, the prospect of an agreed CEPT
position is good progress, representing a 48 country block vote going
into next year's WRC-12. "It needs to be noted that the draft ECP comes
with significant caveats to avoid interference to the primary user, as
well as the existing secondary user services," he explained. "These are
the maritime and aeronautical radionavigation services, respectively.
As secondary users, we would also not be afforded any protection. It
should be acknowledged that we have had support from a number of Region
1 IARU Member-Societies in getting to this position." Thomas is the
CEPT Coordinator for this agenda item.

==> + EVERY RADIO AMATEUR KNOWS THAT SPECTRUM DEFENSE MATTERS

   The second edition for 2011 of Spectrum Defense Matters -- a
newsletter aimed at keeping ARRL members updated on issues related to
the protection of Amateur Radio frequencies -- was recently released on
the ARRL website. This newsletter covers both domestic and
international topics related to the Amateur Radio spectrum. Your
financial support is vital to continue the ARRL's work to protect your
operating privileges. You can help protect these privileges by
contributing generously to the 2011 ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund.
Defending spectrum means protecting the way each of us chooses to enjoy
Amateur Radio. It is important to have VHF/UHF allocations when radio
amateurs are called upon to provide support during communications
emergencies. But Amateur Radio is primarily a personal radio service
where licensees have great latitude to develop their skills, experiment
to broaden their knowledge base, serve their communities and to simply
have fun. Click here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/every-radio-amateur-knows-that-spectrum-defense-matters>
to read about some of the Spectrum Defense items featured in this issue
of Spectrum Defense Matters.

==> + CHECK OUT THE NOVEMBER ISSUE OF QST

The November 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, this issue of QST has something for just
about everyone.

Now that the colder months are here, thoughts turn to tinkering in the
shack. If your radio doesn't come with digital signal processing
capability, why not build a DSP speaker? DSP cuts out the unwanted
noise and gives you only the signal you want to hear, adapting to
changes in the signal's conditions. Allen Baker, KG4JJH, offers a
schematic for a DSP speaker in his article "Build Your Own DSP
Speaker." In designing a modern-day antenna, Dave Holdeman, N9XU,
recalls a "plumber's delight" from his Novice days in his article "A
160 or 80 Meter Downspout Vertical." Build a self-contained
multi-oscillator that allows for convenient and precise SSB transmitter
adjustment after you read "A Four Tone SSB Test Generator" by Dave
Lyndon, AK4AA.

   If you have an Android smartphone, you probably have a couple of
Amateur Radio-related apps on it. But how do you know which one is
right for you? William F. Vartorella, KJ4ORX, presents a handy guide in
"Android Apps for the Amateur." With so many insurance options
available, it can get confusing when looking for the best coverage for
your ham gear. In his article "Homeowners Insurance and Your Radio
Gear," Ray Fallen, ND8L, discusses how to purchase insurance for your
station.

ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, W5MPC, takes a look at
the Yaesu FT-450D HF and 6 meter transceiver in this month's Product
Review. He says that this rig "adds a standard internal antenna tuner,
new CW filter bandwidths and several ergonomic upgrades to the original
FT-450. These refinements make a popular, low-cost transceiver even
better." ARRL Test Engineer Bob Allison, WB1GCM, checks out the
Elecraft XG3 RF signal source: "The Elecraft XG3 is a compact, accurate
signal source with a variety of uses in the Amateur Radio station or at
the workbench."

Of course, there are the usual columns you know and expect in the
November QST: Happenings, Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX,
Technical Correspondence, Vintage Radio and more. Look for your
November 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 visit the ARRL web page <https://www.arrl.org/join>.

==> AT THE WORKBENCH: THE DEADLINE FOR THE THIRD ARRL HOMEBREW
CHALLENGE IS APPROACHING

   The ARRL has sponsored two Homebrew Challenges in the past, designed
to test our members' design and construction skills by making useful
amateur gear at low cost -- and sharing their results with our members.
Our first ARRL Homebrew Challenge, announced in QST for August 2006,
required the construction of a 40 meter, 5 W voice and CW transceiver
built for less than $50 of new parts. The Second Homebrew Challenge,
announced in February 2009, resulted in a number of creative designs of
low cost 50 W linear amplifiers to follow the transceiver -- two for
about $30, as well as a multiband amplifier with many features for
somewhat more. The deadline for the Third Homebrew Challenge is
Tuesday, November 1. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/the-deadline-for-the-third-arrl-homebrew-challenge-is-approaching>.

==> + PUBLIC SERVICE: NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE GEORGE HART
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

The George Hart Distinguished Service Award may be presented by the
Board of Directors to the ARRL member whose service to the ARRL's Field
Organization is of the most exemplary nature. The Distinguished Service
Award is named in honor of George Hart, W1NJM, long-time Communications
Manager at ARRL Headquarters and chief developer of the National
Traffic System. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/nominations-now-open-for-the-george-hart-distinguished-service-award>.

==> ARRL IN ACTION: WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO LATELY?

   This feature is a concise monthly update of some of the things that
the ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment -- which
covers the month of September -- takes a look at how the ARRL briefed
members of the White House staff on Amateur Radio's capabilities during
emergencies, how the ARRL Lab is investigating power line noise, the
upcoming Director elections in the ARRL's Atlantic, Delta and Midwest
Divisions, the search for a new ARRL Treasurer, recognizing radio
amateurs for technical excellence, reports from the Official Observer
Desk and more. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-in-action-what-have-we-been-up-to-lately-38>.

==> + SECTION NEWS: NEW SECTION MANAGER APPOINTED IN NORTH TEXAS

   Effective Wednesday, October 5, the ARRL North Texas Section has a
new Section Manager. Jay Urish, W5GM, of Flower Mound, stepped down for
personal reasons. He has served as North Texas Section Manager since
April 2009, and was re-elected to a second term in April 2011. Walt
Mayfield, KE5SOO, of Krum, has been appointed the North Texas Section
Manager, as of October 5, to fulfill the present term of office. ARRL
Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, made the
appointment in consultation with West Gulf Division Director David
Woolweaver, K5RAV. Mayfield has served as the North Texas Section
Emergency Coordinator and is the president of the Denton County Amateur
Radio Association. Mayfield's appointment continues through March 31,
2013.

==> COMMITTEE NOTES: CHANGES TO ARRL ETHICS AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE

There is a change in the composition of the ARRL Ethics and Elections
Committee. President Kay Craigie, N3KN, has accepted the resignation of
Southeastern Division Director Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, from the committee,
thanking him for his service as chairman for the past nine months.
Roanoke Division Director Dennis Bodson, W4PWF, will serve on the
committee for the remainder of the one-year term. Committee member Tom
Frenaye, K1KI, Director of the New England Division, will serve as
chairman. Pacific Division Director Bob Vallio, W6RGG, also serves on
the committee. Sarratt will continue to serve as Director of the ARRL's
Southeastern Division.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "I wish the Sun would hide its head
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXrfQgbhVAw>" Cook, K7RA, reports: The
sunspot excitement continues, with photos of the Sun showing more and
more spots. The average daily sunspot numbers for the week were about
the same as the previous week, increasing from 96.1 to 96.7, while the
average daily solar flux dropped from 155.5 to 132.6. Our three month
moving average of sunspot numbers puts us into activity levels last
seen in mid-2004. The latest NOAA/USAF forecast shows solar flux at 125
on October 6-7, 130 on October 8-12, 125 on October 13 and 110 on
October 14-16. The planetary A index prediction shows 18 for October 6,
10 on October 7-8, 8 on October 9 and 5 on October 10-27. Look for more
information on the ARRL website on Friday, October 7. For more
information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical
Information Service Propagation page
<http://www.arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals>. This week's "Tad
Cookism" is brought to you by Yellowcard's October Nights
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowcard>.

==> + ARRL RECOGNIZES: ROBERT MILLER, KE6F , WINS SEPTEMBER QST COVER
PLAQUE AWARD

The winner of the QST  Cover Plaque Award for September is Robert
Miller, KE6F , for his article "Yet Another Crystal Calibrator -- The
YACC 1-2-3. " Congratulations Robert! 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 QST Cover Plaque Poll Web
page <http://www.arrl.org/cover-plaque-poll> . Cast a ballot for your
favorite article in the October issue today.

==> THIS WEEK ON THE RADIO

This week:

- October 7-9 -- YLRL DX/NA YL Anniversary Contest
- October 8 -- FISTS Fall Sprint; EU Autumn Sprint (CW)
- October 8-9 -- Arizona QSO Party; Pennsylvania QSO Party; Makrothen
RTTY Contest; Oceania DX Contest (CW); Scandinavian Activity Contest
(SSB)
- October 9 -- North American Sprint (RTTY); UBA ON Contest (CW)
- October 10 -- 10-10 International 10-10 Day Sprint
- October 12 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint; NAQCC-EU Monthly Sprint

Next week:

- October 15 -- Iowa QSO Party; Feld Hell Sprint
- October 15-16 -- New York QSO Party; 10-10 International Fall Contest
(CW); JARTS WW RTTY Contest; CQ SA Contest (SSB); QRP ARCI Fall QSO
Party; Worked All Germany Contest
- October 16 -- Asia-Pacific Fall Sprint (CW)
- October 16-17 -- Illinois QSO Party
- October 17 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
- October 17-24 -- ARRL School Club Roundup

All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest
Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests>, the ARRL Contest Update
<http://www.arrl.org/The-ARRL-Contest-Update> and the WA7BNM Contest
Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more
information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out
the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/special-event-stations>.

==> UPCOMING ARRL SECTION, STATE AND DIVISION CONVENTIONS AND EVENTS

- October 8-9 -- ARRL Florida State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/florida-state-convention-melbourne-hamfest>,
Melbourne, Florida
- October 9 -- ARRL Connecticut State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/connecticut-state-convention-1>,
Wallingford, Connecticut
- October 14-16 -- ARRL Pacific Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/pacificon-2011>, Santa Clara, California
- October 21-22 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-gulf-division-convention-texoma-hamarama>,
Ardmore, Oklahoma
- October 22 -- ARRL Iowa State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/iowa-state-convention-hamboree-2011>,
Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
- November 6 -- ARRL Iowa Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/iowa-section-convention>, Davenport, Iowa
- November 19-20 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/indiana-state-convention-fort-wayne-hamfest-and-computer-expo>,
Fort Wayne, Indiana
- December 3-4 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-central-florida-section-convention-tampa-bay-hamfest-1>,
Palmetto, Florida

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

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