[CVRC] The ARRL Letter for January 10, 2013

Thu Jan 10 16:13:28 EST 2013

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

Published by the American Radio Relay League
********************************************

January 10, 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

- + Logbook of The World Processing Speed Increases Thanks to New
Hardware
- + FCC News: Comment Deadline Set in WRC-07 Implementation Proceeding
- + FCC News: Senate Approves Second Term for FCC Commissioner Mignon
Clyburn
- FCC News: FCC Enforcement Actions for October-December 2012
- Amateur Radio in the Classroom: ARRL Executive Committee Approves
Resource Grants for Five Schools
- On the Air: ARRL January VHF Contest Offers Wintertime Fun
- ARRL in Action: ARRL in Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?
- Dayton Hamvention®: Hamvention Awards Nomination Deadline Is January
15
- + New York City Ham Wins Appeal, Can Keep His Tower
- New Book on Handheld Transceivers, 2012 Periodicals DVD Now Available
- FT-817 Satellite Interface Now Available as a Kit
- + New Section Manager Appointed in New York City-Long Island
- Solar Update
- + Silent Key: Former QST Technical Editor Stu Cohen, N1SC (SK)
- + ARRL Recognizes: James K. Boomer, W9UJ,  Wins December QST Cover
Plaque Award
- New QuickStats Poll Now Available on ARRL Website
- 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>.

==> + LOGBOOK OF THE WORLD PROCESSING SPEED INCREASES THANKS TO NEW
HARDWARE

   The processing queue for Logbook of The World (LoTW
<http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world>) -- the ARRL's online log
processing system -- has been shrinking steadily since Monday, January
7, when the system was brought back online after the completion of
previously announced maintenance involving the installation of a new
database server equipped with solid state drives (SSDs).

==> + FCC NEWS: COMMENT DEADLINE SET IN WRC-07 IMPLEMENTATION
PROCEEDING

As previously reported
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-seeks-to-assign-entire-amateur-portion-of-160-meter-band-to-primary-status-to-amateur-radio-serv>,
the FCC has proposed to amend its rules to implement the allocation
decisions of the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07) and
to make certain other changes. Notice appeared in the December 27, 2012
issue of the Federal Register
<https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/27/2012-31049/wrc-07-implementation>,
which started the clock on a 60-day window for the submission of
comments. Thus, comments are due no later than February 25, 2013, with
reply comments due no later than March 27, 2013.

   While most of the 130-page Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db1119/FCC-12-140A1.pdf>
does not directly affect the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services,
two sections of the document are of particular interest to amateurs.

Specifically, the FCC proposes to upgrade the Amateur Service
allocation in the upper half of the 160 meter band (1900-2000 kHz) from
secondary to primary, while deleting the existing allocation to the
Radiolocation Service. This is possible, because the re-accommodation
of radiolocation stations displaced by the expansion of the AM
broadcasting band to 1705 kHz has been completed and there are no
non-federal radiolocation stations licensed to operate in the 1900-2000
kHz band.

The FCC also seeks comments on whether, and how, an amateur low
frequency (LF) allocation might be able to co-exist with Power Line
Carrier (PLC) systems that are used by electric utilities to monitor
and control the power grid. The Commission notes that while PLC systems
do not have the status of an allocation, they carry "communications
important to the reliability and security of electric service to the
public." WRC-07 created a new secondary allocation to the amateur
service at 135.7-137.8 kHz that already has been implemented in a
number of other countries.

The ARRL will be preparing comments supporting both of these
allocations. Individuals wishing to comment directly to the FCC should
carefully read paragraphs 13-24 of the NPRM
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db1119/FCC-12-140A1.pdf>
and follow the instructions contained in paragraph 175.

==> + FCC NEWS: SENATE APPROVES SECOND TERM FOR FCC COMMISSIONER MIGNON
CLYBURN

   In June 2012, President Barack Obama nominated Mignon Clyburn to
serve a second term as FCC Commissioner
<http://www.arrl.org/news/president-obama-announces-nomination-of-mignon-clyburn-for-new-term-as-fcc-commissioner>.
On January 1, 2013, the Senate confirmed her nomination, paving the way
to Clyburn's first full term as one of five FCC Commissioners. "I am so
pleased that the Senate has approved Commissioner Clyburn's
re-nomination to the FCC," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski in a
written statement
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2013/db0102/DOC-318203A1.pdf>.
"Commissioner Clyburn is an excellent and dedicated public servant and
has been a strong advocate in seeking to extend the benefits of
broadband to all Americans. I look forward to continuing to work
closely with Commissioner Clyburn and congratulate her on her new
term." Clyburn's five-year appointment is retroactive to July 1, 2012,
when her first term expired. No date has yet been announced for her
swearing-in ceremony.

==> FCC NEWS: FCC ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS FOR OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2012

Here's a summary of FCC enforcement actions during the past quarter
(October-December 2012): Repeater-related cases: 1. General infractions
(including unauthorized operation): 9. Powerline cases: 0. General
infractions are listed below power line cases; be sure to scroll down
the page to view them. Click here
<http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/AmateurActions/Welcome.html> for details.

==> AMATEUR RADIO IN THE CLASSROOM: ARRL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE APPROVES
RESOURCE GRANTS FOR FIVE SCHOOLS

   In December, the ARRL Executive Committee reviewed grant
applications for the ARRL's Education & Technology Program (ETP),
awarding equipment and resources valued at nearly $7000 to five
schools. Two types of grants are awarded: ETP Grants and Progress
Grants. ETP Grants for school radio stations are awarded to schools
that provide a plan to use Amateur Radio as part of an enrichment
program and/or as part of in classroom learning, while Progress Grants
offer modest resource support to teachers who are currently using
Amateur Radio as an instructional tool in their classrooms and who need
additional resources for specific purposes. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-executive-committee-approves-resource-grants-for-five-schools>.

==> ON THE AIR: ARRL JANUARY VHF CONTEST OFFERS WINTERTIME FUN

   The 2013 ARRL January VHF Contest -- scheduled for the weekend of
January 19-21 -- is sure to make the dreary winter days come to life
with the sound of RF! "Don't let cold weather dissuade you from getting
on the air," said ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X. "Many
a portable or rover operation has done just fine in January. Even so,
the VHF bands can be tough, especially if there's no enhanced
propagation; however, we had pleasant sporadic E openings on 6 meters
in late December 2012, and last year's January VHF Contest also saw
some sporadic E." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/get-in-on-the-winter-fun-with-the-arrl-january-vhf-contest>.

==> ARRL IN ACTION: 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 December -- takes a look at the ARRL's Petition for
Rulemaking that asks the FCC create a domestic Amateur Radio allocation
at 472-479 kHz, the new Evolution of Amateur Radio exhibit at League
Headquarters, updates from the ARRL Development Office, 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-53>.

==> DAYTON HAMVENTION®: HAMVENTION AWARDS NOMINATION DEADLINE IS
JANUARY 15

   There is still time to nominate a radio amateur for the 2013 Dayton
Hamvention® Awards: Amateur of the Year, Club of the Year, the Special
Achievement Award and the Technical Excellence Award. The deadline for
nominations is Tuesday, January 15. Anyone may nominate a person or
club for these awards, and all Amateur Radio operators are eligible to
receive these awards. The winners will be recognized at the 2013 Dayton
Hamvention, which runs May 17-19. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/hamvention-awards-nomination-deadline-is-january-15>.

==> + NEW YORK CITY HAM WINS APPEAL, CAN KEEP HIS TOWER

In September 2010, Paul Isaacs, W2JGQ, of New York City, obtained a
building permit for his Amateur Radio antenna support structure,
comprised of a 40 foot tower topped by a Yagi antenna. Isaacs installed
his antenna system on the roof of his four story brownstone -- 58 feet
above ground -- in lower Manhattan.

   Almost four months after the erection of the system, the New York
City Department of Buildings (DOB) declared its intention to revoke
Isaacs' properly attained building permit, claiming that his Amateur
Radio antenna system was not, in the Department's opinion, "an
accessory use." Isaacs appealed the decision through the Department's
bureaucracy, and when that didn't reverse the decision, he had a series
of hearings before the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals.

In November 2012, the Board ruled that though perhaps uncommon, an
Amateur Radio antenna system is indeed an accessory use under New York
City's zoning ordinance and the building permit was properly granted.
"The Board agrees with DCP [Department of City Planning] that the size
of a use can be relevant to whether it is 'incidental to' and
'customarily found in connection with' a principal use," the Board
wrote in its decision. "However, it finds that in the case of Amateur
Radio towers, unlike cellular [towers] and certain other uses, there is
no articulated standard to guide DOB in determining at what height a
particular radio tower becomes a non-accessory."

The full decision may be found here
<http://www.antennazoning.com/main/page_amateur_radio_legal_library.html>
under "Application of Paul K. Isaacs." Isaacs was represented by
attorneys Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, Stuart Klein and Chris Slowik.

==> NEW BOOK ON HANDHELD TRANSCEIVERS, 2012 PERIODICALS DVD NOW
AVAILABLE

Ring in the new year with new publications from the ARRL! Radios to Go!
Getting the Most from Your Handheld Transceiver
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Radios-to-Go> by QST Editor Steve Ford,
WB8IMY, and the 2012 Periodicals DVD
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-Periodicals-DVD-2012> are now available
and ready for shipping.

   If you recently received a handheld transceiver -- or are
contemplating purchasing one -- Radios to Go! Getting the Most from
Your Handheld Transceiver is a must-have book for your Amateur Radio
library. A handheld transceiver, or "HT," is often the first radio that
a new ham purchases, paving the way to a lifetime of radio enjoyment.
While it won't replace the radio's user's manual, Radios to Go! will
open your eyes to many of the "hidden" features that can be found in a
handheld transceiver. Veteran amateurs will also find a great deal of
new knowledge, including how to communicate via EchoLink or IRLP, or
how to use these radios as packet radio data transceivers.

The 2102 ARRL Periodicals DVD is now available and includes the
complete, fully searchable collection of three ARRL journals -- QST,
QEX, and the National Contest Journal (NCJ). In addition, this DVD
includes source code for software projects and PC board patterns,
Section News, as well as the ever-popular Contest Soapbox and Contest
Results. Search the full text of every article by entering titles, call
signs or names. See every word, photo, drawing and table in technical
and general-interest features, columns and product reviews, plus all
advertisements. Print what you see, or copy it into other applications.
System requirements: Microsoft Windows and Macintosh systems, using
Adobe Acrobat Reader software.

==> FT-817 SATELLITE INTERFACE NOW AVAILABLE AS A KIT

The satellite computer-aided tuning interface described in the October
2012 issue of QST (pages 40-43) for use with SatPC32 software and the
Yaesu FT-817 transceiver is now available for purchase from the ARRL
Education & Technology Program (ETP). The interface was created by Mark
Spencer, WA8SME, as part of resource development for the ARRL ETP. You
can order the board and the programmed PIC at a cost of $20; the
complete kit is priced at $35. Earnings from the sales of these kits
will be used to cover development costs, plus a donation to AMSAT. Read
more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/ft-817-satellite-interface-available-as-a-kit>.

==> + NEW SECTION MANAGER APPOINTED IN NEW YORK CITY-LONG ISLAND

As of January 1, 2013, Jim Mezey, W2KFV, of Carle Place, New York, is
the new ARRL New York City-Long Island Section Manager. ARRL Membership
and Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, appointed Mezey after
consulting with current ARRL New York City-Long Island Section Manager
Mike Lisenco, N2YBB. Lisenco stepped down as Section Manager on being
elected as ARRL Hudson Division Director. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/new-section-manager-appointed-in-new-york-city-long-island>.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad Cook, K7RA, reports: After last week's somewhat downbeat look at
sunspot cycles <http://www.arrl.org/news/the-k7ra-solar-update-251>, we
have great activity to report this week: The average daily sunspot
numbers more than doubled in the past week, rising nearly 93 points to
163.3, while the average daily solar flux was up more than 37 points to
147.7. On top of that, the geomagnetic conditions were very quiet,
which is a wonderful combination, and not often seen in more active
solar cycles. Currently, the NOAA and USAF predict solar flux values of
175 on January 10-12, 170 on January 13-14, 165, 150 and 125 on January
15-17, 105 on January 18-19, 110 and 120 on January 20-21, 125 on
January 22-24, 130 on January 25-28, 135 on January 29, and rising to
140 on January 30-February 1. The predicted planetary A index is 5 on
January 10-11, 7 and 8 on January 12-13, 5 on January 14-19, 8 on
January 20-21, 5 in January 22-25, 10 on January 26, 5 on January
27-February 2, and rising to 8 on February 3-5. Look for more on the
ARRL website on Friday, January 11. For more information concerning
radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service
Propagation page <http://www.arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals>.

==> + SILENT KEY: FORMER QST TECHNICAL EDITOR STU COHEN, N1SC (SK)

   Former QST Technical Editor Stu Cohen, N1SC, of Colbert, Washington,
passed away January 3 after a long battle with cancer. He was 70. An
ARRL member, Cohen came to Headquarters in 2002 after an active career
in television broadcasting. From 1974-1993, he was the Engineering
Supervisor at ABC-TV in Los Angeles. During his tenure there, Cohen was
awarded an Emmy®. After leaving the ARRL in 2005, he continued his
relationship with the League, becoming a Technical Advisor. Read more
here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/former-em-qst-em-technical-editor-stu-cohen-n1sc-sk>.

==> + ARRL RECOGNIZES: JAMES K. BOOMER, W9UJ,  WINS DECEMBER QST COVER
PLAQUE AWARD

   The winner of the December QST Cover Plaque award is James K.
Boomer, W9UJ, for his article "Delta Loop Collinear Antennas
<http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/arrl/qst_201212/index.php#/34>."
Congratulations James! 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 today for your
favorite article from the January issue.

==> NEW QUICKSTATS POLL NOW AVAILABLE ON ARRL WEBSITE

Four new poll questions have just been published on the QuickStats page
<http://www.arrl.org/quickstats> on the ARRL website. Let your voice be
heard!

   Questions in this month's QuickStats poll:

- How do you feel about the frequent use of macros during
keyboard-to-keyboard digital contacts?
- Did your college have an Amateur Radio club?
- If you were applying for a job, would you mention your Amateur Radio
experience on your resume?
- Are you comfortable working around high voltage?

Visit the QuickStats page <http://www.arrl.org/quickstats> and be sure
to bookmark it in your browser. Results from this QuickStats poll will
be published in the April 2013 issue of QST on the QuickStats page
located in the rear advertising section of the magazine. Along with
monthly poll results, QST QuickStats offers colorful charts and graphs
that highlight interesting Amateur Radio statistics.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- January 11 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- January 12-13 -- North American QSO Party (CW); WW PMC Contest; UK DX
Contest (RTTY); Michigan QRP January CW Contest
- January 13 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon; NRAU-Baltic Contest; DARC 10
Meter Contest; Midwinter Contest
- January 14 -- NAQCC-EU Monthly Sprint
- January 16-17 -- AWA Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest
- January 17 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint

Next week:

- January 18 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- January 19 -- Feld Hell Sprint; LZ Open Contest
- January 19-20 -- North American QSO Party (SSB); Hungarian DX
Contest; YL-ISSB QSO Party (SSB); AWA Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest
- January 19-21 -- ARRL January VHF Contest
<http://www.arrl.org/news/get-in-on-the-winter-fun-with-the-arrl-january-vhf-contest>
- January 21 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
- January 23 -- SKCC Sprint
- January 23-24 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

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

- January 18-19 -- ARRL North Texas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/north-texas-section-convention-cowtown-hamfest-1>,
Fort Worth, Texas
- January 19 -- ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southern-florida-section-convention-3>,
Fort Myers, Florida
- January 25-26 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/mississippi-state-convention-capital-city-hamfest>,
Jackson, Mississippi
- January 26-27 -- ARRL Puerto Rico State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/puerto-rico-state-convention>, Hatillo,
Puerto Rico
- February 2 -- ARRL South Carolina State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/south-carolina-state-convention-2>, North
Charleston, South Carolina; ARRL Virginia State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/virginia-state-convention-frostfest-1>,
Richmond, Virginia
- February 8-10 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southeastern-division-convention-orlando-hamcation-1>,
Orlando, Florida
- February 15-16 -- ARRL Arizona State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arizona-state-convention-yuma-hamfest-1>,
Yuma, Arizona
- February 16 -- ARRL Arkansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-state-convention-winterfest>,
Hoxie, Arkansas
- February 23 -- ARRL Vermont State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/vermont-state-convention-ham-con-3>,
South Burlington, Vermont
- March 8-9 -- ARRL Oklahoma Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-section-convention-green-country-hamfest-1>,
Claremore, Oklahoma; ARRL Louisiana Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-section-convention-acadiana-53rd-annual-hamfest>,
Rayne, Louisiana
- March 16 -- ARRL Nebraska State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/nebraska-state-convention-2>, Lincoln,
Nebraska; ARRL West Texas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-texas-section-convention-58th-annual-st-patrick-s-day-hamfest>,
Midland, Texas
- March 23 -- ARRL South Texas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/south-texas-section-convention-greater-houston-hamfest-3>,
Rosenberg, Texas
- March 29-30 -- ARRL Maine State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/maine-state-convention-3>, Lewiston,
Maine
- March 30 -- ARRL North Carolina State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/north-carolina-state-convention-raleigh-hamfest-2>,
Raleigh, North Carolina
- April 13-14 -- Communications Academy
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/communications-academy-2013>, Seattle,
Washington
- 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
- May 31-June 2 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northwestern-division-convention-seapac-4>,
Seaside, Oregon

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

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