[CVRC] The ARRL Letter for June 20, 2013

Thu Jun 20 11:22:24 EDT 2013

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

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

June 20, 2013

Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME <ww1me 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

- Field Day 2013: June 22 and 23
- Trusted QSL Version 1.14.1 Released
- Enforcement: FCC Citation Targets Online Retailer
- FCC News: FCC Sets RF Exposure Reassessment Comments Deadlines
- Rules Change Sought to Permit Encryption of Sensitive Emergency
Communications
- International: IARU Helps Raise Ham Radio Visibility in Ghana
- Youth: Calvin Darula, K0DXC, Awarded 2013 Goldfarb Scholarship
- ARRL Names New Media & Public Relations, Contest Branch Managers
- Dayton Hamvention Attendance Holds Steady
- Noted DXer, Contester Wilse Morgan, WX7P (ex-KL7CQ), SK
- Renowned Storm Chaser Tim Samaras, WJ0G, SK
- Former ARRL Staffer Bernie Glassmeyer, W1QT (ex-W9KDR), SK
- This Week in Radiosport
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

==> FIELD DAY 2013: JUNE 22 AND 23

The clocks are ticking down to the start of Field Day, one of the
largest on-the-air Amateur Radio gatherings in the world. According to
<http://www.arrl.org/quickstats>a QuickStats
<http://www.arrl.org/quickstats> survey due to be published in the
August issue of QST, nearly 2/3 of all those surveyed indicated that
they would be participating in Field Day. You'll find more helpful
information in the Field Day section <http://www.arrl.org/field-day> of
the ARRL website.

==> TRUSTED QSL VERSION 1.14.1 RELEASED

Logbook of The World users will be pleased to know that the new Trusted
QSL software is now available for downloading from the ARRL Logbook of
The World page <http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world>.

==> ENFORCEMENT: FCC CITATION TARGETS ONLINE RETAILER

The FCC has cited an Omaha, Nebraska based online retailer for
marketing unauthorized RF devices, including high power 10 and 12 meter
amplifiers, in violation of FCC rules. An FCC Citation and Order
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2013/db0606/DA-13-1316A1.pdf>
released June 6 orders Enterprise Group Inc, doing business as
ePowerAmps <http://www.epoweramps.com>, to immediately stop
advertising, marketing and selling "all unauthorized radio frequency
devices, specifically modified Citizens Band (CB) radios and
non-certified radio frequency (RF) amplifiers for use in the 10 and 12
meter bands" or face possible fines and seizure of equipment.

ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, said it was reassuring to see evidence of
the FCC's continuing commitment to enforcement relating to Amateur
Radio. "It is gratifying to see the Commission's Enforcement Bureau
taking action against flagrant violators," he commented. The Amateur
Radio community has long complained about interference, mainly on 10
meters, from unlicensed CBers and so-called "HFers." The FCC once
banned the sale of amplifiers capable of operating above 24 MHz, a move
that some considered misguided and punitive to Amateur Radio licensees.

An agent from the FCC's Kansas City office observed on ePowerAmps'
website "illegally modified CB radios being offered for sale," as well
as various modifications and upgrades. These included swapping out the
original final amplifier for a higher powered replacement. Linear
amplifiers offered for sale varied between 120 W and 8200 W, and the
Commission said none of the 50 linears offered for sale appeared to
have FCC certification.

The FCC gave ePowerAmps 30 days to confirm "in writing" that it has
stopped marketing unauthorized RF devices and to provide certain
information to the Commission.

==> FCC NEWS: FCC SETS RF EXPOSURE REASSESSMENT COMMENTS DEADLINES

The Amateur Radio community and other interested parties have until
September 3 to file comments on an FCC proceeding to reassess the
limits and policies governing exposure to radio frequency
electromagnetic fields. The FCC released a First Report and Order,
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry
<http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-06-04/pdf/2013-12713.pdf> in the
proceeding (ET dockets 13-84 and 03-137) on March 27 and published in
The Federal Register June 4. The ARRL plans to submit comments this
summer. The Commission will accept reply comments -- ie, comments on
the comments filed in the proceeding by September 3 -- until November
1.

While the FCC proposals do not alter existing RF exposure limits, they
do call for the elimination of existing special evaluation exemptions
spelled out in Section 97.13(c)
<http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=5f5efcb4e7ffdde61c46b607ac756bb7&rgn=div8&view=text&node=47:5.0.1.1.6.1.157.7&idno=47>
of the Commission's rules. Minor rules changes adopted in the Report
and Order section of the document take effect August 5.

==> RULES CHANGE SOUGHT TO PERMIT ENCRYPTION OF SENSITIVE EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS

The FCC is inviting public comments on a proposal from a Massachusetts
ham to amend the Part 97 Amateur Service rules to permit the encryption
of certain amateur communications during emergency operations or
related training exercises. On June 7 the FCC accepted for filing a
Petition for Rulemaking
<http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7022424684> (RM-11699) from
Don Rolph, AB1PH, and put it on public notice. It will remain open for
comment until July 8. Rolph petitioned the Commission in March to
suggest an additional exception to §97.113, which currently prohibits
"messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning."

"As such, encryption cannot be effectively supported by the Amateur
Service," Rolph told the FCC in his PRM, "and this restriction has
impacted the relationship of Amateur Radio volunteers and served
agencies and significantly limited the effectiveness of amateurs in
supporting emergency communications." He pointed out that Part 97
already relaxes its encryption prohibitions with respect to satellite
control link communications and model craft radio control.

In his petition Rolph suggested excepting "intercommunications when
participating in emergency services operations or related training
exercises which may involve information covered by HIPAA [medical
privacy requirements -- Ed] or other sensitive data, such as logistical
information concerning medical supplies, personnel movement, other
relief supplies or any other data designated by Federal authorities
managing relief or training efforts."

Commenters may use the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS
<http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload/display?z=r63ev>) to comment on
RM-11699 online.

==> INTERNATIONAL: IARU HELPS RAISE HAM RADIO VISIBILITY IN GHANA

The West African nation of Ghana may become less of a "rare one" in the
future, thanks to an Amateur Radio Administration Course (ARAC) held
earlier this month by International Amateur Radio Union (IARU
<http://www.iaru.org>) representatives. The IARU offers ARACs in
developing countries, primarily to train regulators or prospective
regulators on the administration of the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite
services.

"There were 28 students in total, 24 from the Ghana National
Communications Authority <http://www.nca.org.gh> (NCA), three from
Kenya, and one from South Sudan," said ARRL Chief Technology Officer
Brennan Price, N4QX, one of the course instructors. "All were
attentive, engaged, and inquisitive." IARU Region 1 President Hans
Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T, also was an instructor. The NCA hosted the
ARAC June 3-7 in the capital of Accra. Speaking at the opening of the
five-day session, NCA Director General Paarock Vanpercy stressed the
need for Ghana to encourage Amateur Radio to develop an interest and
awareness of technology among the country's youth. Price said there are
only 10 Ghanaian licensees on the books. Timmerman will continue
working with the NCA as it publishes its Amateur Radio examination
syllabus and conducts its first examinations in some time. Workshops
addressed a range of topics, including the Nature of Amateur Radio
Services, ITU Radio Regulations, Amateur Allocations, How Society Can
Benefit from Amateur Radio, National Licensing and Regulations, Amateur
Radio Examinations, and Emergency Communications. Price and Timmerman
were granted licenses to operate from Ghana, and both did so "for
instructional and recreational purposes," Price said. As 9G5AA,
Timmerman logged more than 1000 QSOs (QSL via PB2T), while Price
reported logging "dozens of contacts" as 9G5AB (QSL exclusively via
Logbook of The World <http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world>).

==> YOUTH: CALVIN DARULA, K0DXC, AWARDED 2013 GOLDFARB SCHOLARSHIP

The ARRL Foundation <http://www.arrl.org/the-arrl-foundation>
<http://www.arrl.org/the-arrl-foundation> has awarded the 2013 William
R. Goldfarb Memorial Scholarship to Calvin P. Darula, K0DXC, of St
Bonifacius, Minnesota. A graduate of Waconia High School, he will
attend St John's University to study business management and economics.

Darula is an avid and active Amateur Radio contester and a rising
radiosport star. He was part of the K1LZ multioperator, two-transmitter
teams that took top honors in the 2010 CQ World Wide WPX Contest (CW)
and set the North American record in the 2011 CQ World Wide DX Contest
(SSB). He has served as the ARRL Minnesota Youth Assistant Section
Manager. In 2010, he was recruited as a team member to the USA High
Speed Telegraphy Team. That year Darula spoke at the Dayton Hamvention®
contest forum on the topic "How To Become A 50 WPM CW Wizard."

The prestigious Goldfarb scholarship is the product of a generous
endowment that William Goldfarb, N2ITP (SK), set up before his death in
1997 in memory of his parents, Albert and Dorothy Goldfarb. Awarded to
one high school senior each year, the Goldfarb Scholarship assists the
recipient to receive a four-year undergraduate degree in engineering,
science, medical or business-related fields. In addition to outstanding
academic performance, scholarship applicants must demonstrate financial
need and be significantly involved with Amateur Radio.

The applications window for all 2014 ARRL Foundation Scholarships opens
October 1, 2013, and closes at midnight on January 31, 2014. More
information <http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-program> is available
online.

==> ARRL NAMES NEW MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS, CONTEST BRANCH MANAGERS

Sean Kutzko, KX9X, is the new ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager,
succeeding Allen Pitts, W1AGP, who has retired. Kutzko has served as
Contest Branch Manager since arriving at Headquarters in October 2007.
An enthusiastic operator in contests and VHF weak signal work as well
as a backpack QRPer, Kutzko holds a BA in communications from the
University of Illinois at Springfield and has worked at several
National Public Radio affiliates in the Midwest.

"After spending the past six years promoting radiosport to the Amateur
Radio community, I'm looking forward to helping promote all of Amateur
Radio and what we have to offer, both within our community and to the
rest of the world," Kutzko said. "Amateur Radio isn't just a resource
to our communities in time of need, it's also a lot of fun."

Succeeding Kutzko as Contest Branch Manager is Mike DeChristopher,
N1TA. DeChristopher started at ARRL last year as a Logbook of The World
specialist and Awards and Programs Assistant.

"I'm very excited to be taking over the Contest Branch and am looking
forward to the new challenges this will bring," DeChristopher said. He
is active in contesting from his home in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts.
Kutzko and DeChristopher began their new positions June 17.

==> DAYTON HAMVENTION ATTENDANCE HOLDS STEADY

The Dayton Hamvention website <http://www.hamvention.org> has announced
that 24,542 people attended Hamvention® 2013, approximately the same as
last year's attendance. The Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA
<http://www.w8bi.org>) has sponsored Hamvention since 1952. Originally
called the Southwestern Ohio Ham-vention, the inaugural event, held in
March in downtown Dayton, attracted 600 attendees -- twice the number
anticipated. Hamvention attendance peaked at 33,669 in 1993, before the
1996 change in date from April to May. While attendance has fluctuated
over the years, Dayton Hamvention has grown to international
proportions, attracting members of the worldwide Amateur Radio
community each spring. On its website DARA already is counting down the
days, hours and minutes until the next Dayton Hamvention, which takes
place May 16, 17 and 18, 2014.

==> NOTED DXER, CONTESTER WILSE MORGAN, WX7P (EX-KL7CQ), SK

ARRL Life Member and CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Famer Wilse G. Morgan,
WX7P, of Rice,Washington, died June 13. He was 82 and had been
suffering from cancer. "Wilse was an avid contester, DXer, involved
with public safety communications, a mentor, Volunteer Examiner, club
president, Assistant SM, and much, much more," recalls ARRL Eastern
Washington Section Manager Mark Tharp, KB7HDX. In a tribute on the
Spokane DX Association <http://www.sdxa.org/> website, Steve Sala,
K7AWB, said, "Wilse put Rice, Washington, on the map with his
multioperator contest station, where it was more important to train new
contesters than to win the contests." ARRL Membership and Volunteer
Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, called Morgan "one of the operating
world's fan favorites."

Morgan twice made the cover of CQ, first in September 1980
<http://hamcall.net/cqcgi/?res=l&yr=1980&mo=09&pg=001> installing a
large beam antenna with a hot air balloon and again in August 1984
<http://hamcall.net/cqcgi/?res=l&yr=1984&mo=08&pg=001> doing the same
thing using a helicopter. He spent 20 years in Alaska as KL7CQ, was
that state's first VE and taught ham radio classes that produced
hundreds of new licensees. "Wilse recognized the hobby has a social
side, and he was a grand master at that level, and lots of people
became hams because of it," said Rich Strand, KL7RA. Morgan's survivors
include his wife Gimmie, AL7LB. -- thanks to The Daily DX
<http://www.dailydx.com/> and SDXA <http://www.sdxa.org/>

==> RENOWNED STORM CHASER TIM SAMARAS, WJ0G, SK

Professional storm chasers Tim Samaras, WJ0G, his son Paul Samaras and
fellow investigator Carl Young died May 31 near El Reno, Oklahoma, when
an EF3 tornado suddenly changed paths and slammed into their vehicle,
and they were unable to escape. In his biography on The Weather Channel
website, Tim Samaras said that he always carried along Amateur Radio
equipment when he chased storms. "I chase the most powerful storms on
the planet," Tim Samaras said in a video on his personal website. "At
times I have mixed feelings about chasing these storms. On one hand
they are incredibly beautiful; on the other hand, these powerful storms
can create devastating damage that change people's lives forever." The
TWISTEX tornado research team that Tim Samaras founded has been
featured on The Discovery Channel's "Storm Chasers."

==> FORMER ARRL STAFFER BERNIE GLASSMEYER, W1QT (EX-W9KDR), SK

ARRL has learned of the death March 24 of former Headquarters staff
member Bernard Glassmeyer, W1QT (ex-W9KDR), of Taylor Springs,
Illinois. He was 80 years old and had been in ill health. Bernie
Glassmeyer was on the ARRL HQ staff from 1978 until 1986, serving as
the League's satellite coordinator and OSCAR operations manager.
Glassmeyer continued his ham radio activities in retirement. He was a
US Air Force veteran of the Korean War and served as a radio
communications operator on sensitive SAC missions. Survivors include
two daughters, a sister and a brother. Private services were held with
honors at Camp Butler National Cemetery near Springfield, Illinois.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

- June 22 -- His Majesty King of Spain Contest, SSB
- June 22 -- Ukrainian DX DIGI Contest
- June 22 -- Marconi Memorial DX Contest
- June 22 -- ARRL Field Day

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

- 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>.

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! <http://www.arrl.org/join> ARRL membership
includes QST <http://www.arrl.org/qst>, Amateur Radio's most popular
and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal
<http://www.arrl.org/ncj>. Published bi-monthly, features articles by
top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO
Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters
<http://www.arrl.org/qex>. Published bi-monthly, features technical
articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to
radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe
<http://www.arrl.org/myarrl-account-management#%21/edit-info-email_subscriptions>
to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

Find us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org>. Follow us on
Twitter <http://twitter.com/arrl>.

ARRL offers a wide array of products <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-store>
to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio.

Donate <https://www.arrl.org/arrl-donation-form> to the fund of your
choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here <ads at arrl.org> to advertise in this newsletter (subject to
space availability).

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL
members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their Member
Data Page as described at http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/.

 <http://www.arrl.org/>