[CVRC] The ARRL Letter for April 18, 2013

Thu Apr 18 17:23:59 EDT 2013

********************************************
            The  ARRL Letter

Published by the American Radio Relay League
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April 18, 2013

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

- + BPL: FCC Again Denies ARRL's Petition in BPL Proceeding
- + Public Service: Radio Amateurs Provide Communication Support in
Boston Marathon Bombings
- + FCC Enforcement: FCC Issues Two Forfeiture Notices for Cell Phone
Jamming
- + Check Out the May Issue of QST
- + Section News: New Section Manager Appointed in North Texas
- Solar Update
- Jay Adrick, K8CJY, Honored at NAB Show
- This Week in Radiosport
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

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

==> + BPL: FCC AGAIN DENIES ARRL'S PETITION IN BPL PROCEEDING

On April 16, the FCC issued a Second Memorandum Opinion and Order,
denying the ARRL's December 2011 Petition for Reconsideration that
sought reconsideration of the FCC's Second Report and Order,
"fundamentally affirm[ing]" its rules for Access Broadband over Power
Line (Access BPL) systems. In denying the ARRL's Petition, the FCC
noted that the Petition "[did] not raise new arguments based on new
information in the record or on the Commission's new analysis of
limited points as directed by the Court, nor does it demonstrate any
errors or omissions in the Commission's previous decisions," and that
its previous rulings "strike an appropriate balance between the dual
objectives of providing for Access BPL technology -- which has
potential applications for broadband and Smart Grid uses -- while
protecting incumbent radio services against harmful interference."

   The ARRL made 14 principal points in its Petition, each of which was
aimed at urging the FCC to enact additional rules that would permit BPL
systems to operate without the severe interference potential inherent
in BPL technology. The ARRL argued that the current rules do not
address this severe interference potential, which was manifested in
every deployment of BPL in which the safeguards urged by the ARRL were
absent. The FCC dismissed all of the ARRL's arguments, claiming that
the ARRL "did not submit any new information," made "no new argument"
or that it had, in the Commission's view, failed to make its point.

ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, said that full time, mandatory
notching of amateur bands to a notch depth not less than 25 dB was "the
least that the FCC should have required in its rules, because
interference prevention is possible; post-hoc remediation is not. In
this instance, the FCC has not acted responsibly in its stewardship of
the MF and HF radio spectrum. The ARRL will continue to vigilantly
guard against the abuse and pollution of the radio spectrum in the use
of BPL technology on a case-by-case basis as necessary, wherever
necessary." Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-again-denies-arrl-s-em-petition-em-in-bpl-proceeding>.

==> + PUBLIC SERVICE: RADIO AMATEURS PROVIDE COMMUNICATION SUPPORT IN
BOSTON MARATHON BOMBINGS

   As has happened many times in years past, over 200 Amateur Radio
operators participated in communications for the Boston Marathon on
Monday, April 15, 2013. Unlike prior challenging situations such as
very warm weather for the runners or other weather-related challenges,
this year's marathon will be remembered for the bombings that took
place at the finish line. Despite this heinous act, professional first
responders, medical volunteers from the American Red Cross that staffed
the route, and Amateur Radio operators performed magnificently in the
face of adversity.

"Within minutes, cell phone systems became overloaded and making phone
calls and text messages was difficult. Amateur Radio operators
performed communication duties under duress and performed admirably. No
Amateur Radio volunteers were injured on the course in this terrible
act," said Steve Schwarm, W3EVE, who is the Amateur Radio Course
Communication Coordinator and associated with a consortium of clubs and
groups known as Marathon Amateur Radio Communications (MARC). Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/radio-amateurs-provide-communication-support-in-boston-marathon-bombings-updated>.

==> + FCC ENFORCEMENT: FCC ISSUES TWO FORFEITURE NOTICES FOR CELL PHONE
JAMMING

   On April 9, the FCC found two businesses -- The Supply Room in
Oxford, Alabama and Taylor Oilfield Manufacturing in Broussard,
Louisiana -- to have "apparently willfully and repeatedly violated" the
FCC's rules operating multiple cellular phone jammers that were
illegally imported to the US. The FCC issued a Notice of Apparent
Liability for Forfeiture and Order (NAL) to each business: The Supply
Room received an NAL in the amount of $144,000, while Taylor Oilfield
Manufacturing received an NAL in the amount of $126,000. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-issues-two-forfeiture-notices-for-cell-phone-jamming>.

==> + CHECK OUT THE MAY ISSUE OF QST

The May issue of QST -- our annual digital communications issue --
explores the fun and excitement that awaits radio amateurs on the
digital modes. So grab your print edition of QST -- or settle in with
your computer or tablet to read the digital version
<http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/arrl/qst_201305/index.php> -- and
discover what the May issue has to offer.

Following up on his January 2013 article "Cheap and Easy SDR," Robert
Nickels, W9RAN, explains how to integrate SDR and digital operation. In
"Digital Modes for Your SDR," Nickels shows how your PC can serve as an
SDR engine to receive digital modes. Using Arduino -- an open-source
electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use
hardware and software -- Roger Shipley, KA9NAH, talks about his entry
into the world of microcontroller programming in his article
"Microcontrollers -- No Experience Necessary."

   In 2012, 15-year-old Padraig Lysandrou, KC9UUS, convinced his family
that the perfect vacation would be a DXpedition to Cyprus -- and they
agreed! In his article "A Crazy Idea: DXpedition to Cyprus," Lysandrou
tells about how he coordinated logistics and made QSOs on the beautiful
island. With a laptop computer, a loop antenna and a low power SDR
radio, Dennis Lazar, W4DNN, brought high tech to a North Carolina
mountaintop. In his article "SDR at the Summit," Lazar describes how he
activated 5600-foot-high Craggy Knob for the Summits on the Air (SOTA)
awards program.

ARRL Senior Test Engineer Bob Allison, WB1GCM, takes a look at the
Hendricks BitX17A 17 meter SSB transceiver kit in this month's Product
Review. He says this kit is "challenging to build and rewarding to use.
The finished radio sounds great on the air, although some operators
will have to get used to having no AGC on receive." QST Contributing
Editor Jeff Klein, K1TEO, checked out the M2 2M-1K2 high power 2 meter
amplifier, calling it a "quiet and convenient solution for high power
operation on 2 meters. It puts out near legal limit power and is
compatible with most modern transceivers or transverters." You can find
a video overview of the Hendricks BitX17A 17 meter SSB transceiver kit
<http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/arrl/qst_201305/index.php#/52> and the
M2 2M-1K2 high power 2 meter amplifier
<http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/arrl/qst_201305/index.php#/56> in the
digital edition of the May issue of QST.

Of course, there are the usual columns you know and have come to expect
in the May issue of QST: Happenings, Hints & Kinks, Eclectic
Technology, The Doctor is In, Technical Correspondence, Short Takes,
Vintage Radio, How's DX? and more. Look for your May issue in your
mailbox and in your inbox. QST is the official journal of the ARRL, the
national association for Amateur Radio. QST is just one of the many
benefits of ARRL membership. To join or to renew your ARRL membership,
please see the ARRL web page
<https://www.arrl.org/join-arrl-renew-membership/>.

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

   Chris Brewer, N5GMJ, of Saginaw, Texas, has been appointed ARRL
North Texas Section Manager as of April 30. The current Section
Manager, Walt Mayfield, KE5SOO, of Krum, announced he would be
resigning due to work and family commitments; he has served as Section
Manager since October 2011. ARRL Membership and Volunteer Programs
Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, appointed Brewer after consulting with ARRL
West Gulf Division Director David Woolweaver, K5RAV. Brewer, who is
presently the Official Observer Coordinator in the North Texas Section,
has been an Official Observer since 2009. He will complete the current
term of office as North Texas Section Manager that continues through
March 31, 2015.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad Cook, K7RA, reports: While solar activity weakened this past
week, geomagnetic conditions were stable. The geomagnetic storm
predicted for last weekend did not happen, and both the planetary and
mid-latitude A index only rose to 10 on April 14 in response to a
glancing blow from a coronal mass ejections (CME). The average daily
sunspot numbers declined nearly 25 points to 113.3, while the average
daily solar flux was down more than 17 points to 121.7. The predicted
flux values for the near term are 100 on April 18-19, 95 on April
20-21, 90 on April 22-23, 95 and 105 on April 24-25, 110 on April
26-28, 115 on April 29-30, 120 on May 1-2, 125 on May 3-6, 120 on May
7-8, and down to 115 for May 9-12. The predicted planetary A index is 5
on April 18-22, 12 and 8 on April 23-24, 15 on April 25-26, 5 on April
27 to May 4, 8 on May 5, 5 on May 6-11, and rising to 8 on May 12. Look
for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, April 19. For more
information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical
Information Service Propagation page
<http://www.arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals>.

==> JAY ADRICK, K8CJY, HONORED AT NAB SHOW

   The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) awarded its NAB
Television Engineering Achievement Award for 2013 to Jay Adrick, K8CJY,
at NAB Show in Las Vegas. Established in 1959, the peer-nominated NAB
Engineering Achievement Awards are given for significant contributions
to advancing broadcast engineering. Adrick, an ARRL Life Member from
Cincinnati, Ohio, retired earlier this year from the Harris Corporation
where he was Vice President of Broadcast Technology in the company's
CTO Group. Prior to beginning his career with Harris, Adrick taught
Broadcast Communications at Ohio's Xavier University and was Director
of its Radio/TV program. He also served as an engineer and design
consultant to radio and TV stations in several Ohio markets. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/jay-adrick-k8cjy-honored-at-nab-show>.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- April 19 -- Holyland DX Contest
- April 20 -- TARA Skirmish Digital Prefix Contest; ES Open HF
Championship; EU Spring Sprint (SSB); Feld Hell Sprint
- April 20-21 -- Michigan QSO Party; North Dakota QSO Party; Ontario
QSO Party; CQ Manchester Mineira DX Contest; YU DX Contest
- April 21 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup (SSB)
- April 22 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
- April 24 -- SKCC Sprint; 432 MHz Spring Sprint (local time)
- April 24-25 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

Next week:

- April 26 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- April 27-28 -- Florida QSO Party; SP DX RTTY Contest; 10-10
International Spring Contest (Digital); Helvetia Contest; QRP to the
Field
- April 28 -- BARTG Sprint 75
- May 1 -- AGCW QRP/QRP Party

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

- April 19-20 -- Southeastern VHF Society Conference
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/svhfs-conference>, Cocoa Beach, Florida
- April 19-21 -- International DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/international-dx-convention-2>, Visalia,
California
- April 20 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-state-convention-northeast-louisiana-regional-ham-radiofest>,
Monroe, Louisiana
- April 26-28 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/idaho-state-convention-3>, Boise, Idaho;
Eastern VHF/UHF Conference
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/eastern-vhf-uhf-conference>, Manchester,
Connecticut
- May 4 -- ARRL South Carolina Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/south-carolina-section-convention-upstate-hamfest-1>,
Spartanburg, South Carolina
- May 17-19 -- Dayton Hamvention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/dayton-hamvention-4>, Trotwood, Ohio
- June 1 -- ARRL Georgia State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/georgia-state-convention-atlanta-hamfest-1>,
Marietta, Georgia
- May 31-June 2 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northwestern-division-convention-seapac-4>,
Seaside, Oregon
- June 7-8 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-gulf-division-convention-35th-anniversary-ham-com>,
Plano, Texas
- June 8 -- ARRL Delta Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delta-division-convention-2>, Rogers,
Arkansas; ARRL Tennessee State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tennessee-state-convention-knoxville-hamfest-electronics-convention>,
Knoxville, Tennessee
- June 28-30 -- ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rocky-mountain-division-convention-hamcon-colorado-2013>,
Estes Park, Colorado
- July 6 -- ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/eastern-pennsylvania-section-convention-firecracker-hamfest-electronics-expo>,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- July 25-27 -- Central States VHF Society Conference
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/central-states-vhf-society-2013-conference>,
Elk Grove Village, Illinois
- July 26-27 -- ARRL Oklahoma State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-state-convention-ham-holiday-1>,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- August 2-3 -- ARRL Texas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/texas-state-convention-austin-summerfest-2013>,
Austin, Texas
- August 2-4 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/pacific-northwest-dx-convention-2>,
Spokane Valley, Washington
- August 17 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-virginia-state-convention-3>,
Weston, West Virginia
- August 17-18 -- ARRL Alabama State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/alabama-state-convention-huntsville-hamfest-1>,
Huntsville, Alabama
- August 18 -- ARRL Kansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/kansas-state-convention-3>, Salina,
Kansas
- August 25 -- ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/western-pennsylvania-section-convention-3>,
New Kensington, Pennsylvania

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

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