[CVRC] The ARRL Letter for May 30, 2013

Thu May 30 21:24:55 EDT 2013

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

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

May 30, 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

- Public Service: Forecasters Calling for "Active or Extremely Active"
Atlantic Hurricane Season
- Public Service: Amateur Radio and Hurricanes
- ARRL Comments on Proposed Expansion of 5 GHz Unlicensed Broadband
- FCC News: FCC Seeks Small Vanity Call Sign Fee Increase
- On the Air: June VHF Contest Coming June 8-10
- Solar Update
- On the Air: Spanish Amateurs Gain New Privileges on 160 Meters
- This Week in Radiosport
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

There will be no ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>
today, Thursday, May 30. The Audio News will return on Thursday, June
6.

==> PUBLIC SERVICE: FORECASTERS CALLING FOR "ACTIVE OR EXTREMELY
ACTIVE" ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON

   Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) are calling for an "active or extremely active" 2013 Atlantic
hurricane season. In its initial outlook for the 2013 Atlantic
hurricane season -- which begins Saturday, June 1 and runs through
November 30 -- NOAA's Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a 70
percent likelihood of 13-20 named storms (winds of 39 miles per hour or
higher), of which 7-11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 miles per
hour or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5
with winds of 111 miles per hour or higher). These ranges are well
above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major
hurricanes. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/forecasters-calling-for-active-or-extremely-active-atlantic-hurricane-season>.

==> PUBLIC SERVICE: AMATEUR RADIO AND HURRICANES

   Rick Palm, K1CE, editor of the ARRL's ARES E-Letter
<http://www.arrl.org/ares-e-letter>, warns that now is the time for
ARES members to assess their portfolio of communications equipment and
disaster response knowledge. Palm gives several tips for radio amateurs
who are involved with hurricane operations:

- Monitor major HF hurricane networks during events this season. The
Hurricane Watch Net (HWN <http://www.hwn.org/>) on 14.325 MHz is one of
several key players. It serves either the Atlantic or Pacific during a
watch or warning period and coordinates with the National Hurricane
Center (NHC <http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/>) in Miami. Frequent, detailed
information is issued on nets when storms pose a threat to the US
mainland. In addition to hurricane spotting, local communicators may
announce that residents have evacuated from low-lying flood areas.
Other amateurs across the country can help by relaying information,
keeping the net frequency clear and by listening. See the HWN's website
<http://www.hwn.org/> for more information. The net works closely with
WX4NHC <http://www.wx4nhc.com/>, the Amateur Radio station at the NHC.
- The SATERN Net <http://www.satern.org/> (Salvation Army Team
Emergency Radio Network) provides emergency communication support to
the Salvation Army and populations at large. They also handle health
and welfare traffic. SATERN holds high profile nets on 20 meters
(14.265 MHz) during major hurricanes and has a long history of
excellence, discipline and service. Refer to the SATERN website
<http://www.satern.org/> for more information.
- The Maritime Mobile Service Net (MMSN <http://www.mmsn.org/>) meets
on 14.300 MHz and is composed of hams who serve and assist those in
need of communications on the high seas. According to its website
<http://www.mmsn.org/>, the primary purpose of the net is for handling
traffic from maritime mobile stations. The network is recognized by the
United States Coast Guard and has an excellent working relationship
with that agency. The MMSN has handled hundreds of incidents involving
vessels in distress and medical emergencies in remote locations, as
well as passing health and welfare traffic in and out of affected
areas. They also work closely with the NWS and NHC by relaying weather
reports from maritime stations.
- The VoIP SKYWARN and Hurricane Net <http://www.voipwx.net/> operates
by combining both the EchoLink and IRLP linked repeater networks, while
handling critical wide area communications during major severe weather
and tropical events. These operations have gained national stature in
recent years and are a critical partner with WX4NHC. Whenever tropical
weather is imposing a threat to the US mainland and certain other areas
of interest, the VoIP WX net will be fully operational. See the VoIP
SKYWARN website <http://www.voipwx.net/> for more information.

Palm said that during hurricane events, there are usually two or three
regional nets (usually on 40 or 20 meters) that are key assets to the
disaster response on an ad hoc basis. "Watch for these nets, as well as
the nationally recognized networks described above, this season," he
advised. "Don't transmit on their frequencies unless you are absolutely
sure you have something substantive to add, and then only under the
direction of the net control station."

   ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, added that
when ARES activates in response to any tropical event, it is crucial
that information flows up through the ARRL Section and is reported to
ARRL Headquarters. "These reports allow us to develop the situational
awareness and disaster intelligence that is required for us as an
organization to support the Sections that are impacted." he explained.
"In this way, we are able to respond to relevant requests from the
media and finally to coordinate with the governmental and
non-governmental organizations. This information also allows us to make
the decision at Headquarters on whether to activate the ARRL HQ
Emergency Response Team to support and coordinate the operations."

Corey noted that in July, the ARRL will host a webinar on the 2013
Atlantic hurricane season. Details will be posted on the ARRL website
and in the June issue of the ARES E-Letter
<http://www.arrl.org/ares-e-letter>, as well as here in The ARRL
Letter. All those interested in public service and disaster
communications are invited to participate.

==> ARRL COMMENTS ON PROPOSED EXPANSION OF 5 GHZ UNLICENSED BROADBAND

   Observing that "a decision in the near term with respect to the
addition of [unlicensed National Information Infrastructure] U-NII
devices to the 5.85-5.925 GHz band would be premature," the ARRL has
commented in response to an FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ET
Docket No. 13-49) that proposes to authorize U-NII use of an additional
195 megahertz of spectrum in the 5.35-5.47 GHz and 5.85-5.925 GHz
bands. The Commission was obligated, pursuant to Section 6406(a) of the
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Public Law No.
112-96), to begin a proceeding to allow U-NII devices in the 5.35-5.47
GHz band. As the ARRL comments note, "There is no legislative
obligation, however, to make available the 5.85-5.925 GHz band for
U-NII use." Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-comments-on-proposed-expansion-of-5-ghz-unlicensed-broadband>.

==> FCC NEWS: FCC SEEKS SMALL VANITY CALL SIGN FEE INCREASE

   The FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on May 23, seeking
to raise the fee for Amateur Radio vanity call signs by 20 cents.
Currently, a vanity call sign costs $15 and is good for 10 years; the
new fee, if approved, will go up to $15.20 for 10 years. The FCC is
authorized by the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, to collect
vanity call sign fees to recover the costs associated with that
program. The vanity call sign regulatory fee is payable not only when
applying for a new vanity call sign, but also upon renewing a vanity
call sign for a new term.

The ARRL VEC will process license renewals for vanity call sign holders
for a modest fee. The service is available to ARRL members and
nonmembers, although League members pay less. Routine, non-vanity
renewals continue to be free of charge for ARRL members. Trustees of
club stations with vanity call signs may renew either via the ULS or
through a Club Station Call Sign Administrator, such as the ARRL VEC.
Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-seeks-small-vanity-call-sign-fee-increase>.

==> ON THE AIR: JUNE VHF CONTEST COMING JUNE 8-10

   As summer starts to warm up, the VHF bands will be hot for the 2013
ARRL June VHF Contest, June 8-10. Even with a modest station, it's
possible to work hundreds of miles on the VHF bands during a good
opening. ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, is a VHF
enthusiast. "The June VHF Contest occurs at the beginning of summer's
sporadic E season, which can produce intense openings on 6 meters, and
even 2 meters," he said. "With interesting propagation characteristics
like sporadic-E, tropospheric ducting, aurora and even meteor scatter
and moonbounce, VHF offers QSO opportunities that HF can never satisfy.
The weekend promises to be a tremendous amount of fun on the VHF and
UHF bands. Don't miss out! All amateurs -- from Technicians to Extras,
experienced VHF operators to the first-time VHF dabblers -- can join in
the fun." Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/june-vhf-contest-coming-june-8-10>.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad Cook, K7RA, reports: The average daily sunspot numbers sank
nearly 50 points this week to 94.3, while the average daily solar flux
was down more than 16 points to 117.8. The geomagnetic indices were
quite high, due to a solar wind storm. The predicted solar flux for the
near term is 105 on May 30-June 1, 110 on June 2-5, 120 on June 6, 125
on June 7-8, 130 on June 9, 135 on June 10-11, and rising to 140 for
June 12-13. The predicted planetary A index is 5 on May 30-31, 15 on
June 1-2, 10 and 8 on June 3-4, 5 on June 5-10, and then 8, 12, 8 and 5
for June 11-14. Look for more information on the ARRL website on
Friday, May 31. For more information concerning radio propagation,
visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page
<http://www.arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals>.

==> ON THE AIR: SPANISH AMATEURS GAIN NEW PRIVILEGES ON 160 METERS

   The Unión de Radioaficionados Españoles, Spain's IARU Member
Society, has announced that Spanish amateurs may now use 1810-1830 kHz
in the 160 meter band on a secondary basis. This is in addition to the
existing primary allocation of 1830-1850 kHz. The new 630 meter band --
472-479 kHz -- is also available to Spanish amateurs now. Both changes
took effect on May 10.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- May 31 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- June 1 -- Maritimes QSO Party; Wake-Up! QRP Sprint
- June 1-2 -- Alabama QSO Party; IARU Region 1 Field Day; 10-10
International Open Season PSK Contest; SEANET Contest; UKSMG Sporadic E
Contest
- June 4 -- ARS Spartan Sprint

Next week:

- June 7 -- NCCC Sprint; HA3NS Sprint Memorial Contest
- June 8 -- Asia-Pacific Sprint (SSB)
- June 8-9 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon; Portugal Day Contest; GACW WWSA
CW DX Contest; REF DDFM 6 Meter Contest
- June 8-10 -- ARRL June VHF Contest <http://www.arrl.org/june-vhf>
- June 12 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
- June 12-13 -- 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

- 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>.

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#!/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/>