[FPARC] The ARRL Letter Vol. 25, No. 45 November 10, 2006
W4kkw at aol.com
W4kkw at aol.com
Sat Nov 11 06:54:16 EST 2006
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The ARRL Letter
Vol. 25, No. 45
November 10, 2006
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NOTE: The new Amateur Radio rules detailed in the recent "omnibus" FCC
Report and Order (R&O), WT Docket 04-140, released October 10, are NOT yet
in effect. See "Reminder -- FCC 'omnibus' rule changes not yet in effect,"
below.
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IN THIS EDITION:
* +Red Cross tries to clarify background-check policy
* +Stand by for SuitSat-2!
* +FCC warns unlicensed 2 and 10-meter users
* +League's Legislative Action Program seeks volunteers
* +ARRL On-Line Auction to return next year
* +"Hello" video now available
* +It's back to basics for 2006 Frequency Measuring Test
* Solar Update
* IN BRIEF:
This weekend on the radio
ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
+Reminder: FCC "omnibus" rule changes not yet in effect
Texas club makes generous Spectrum Defense Fund donation
ARRL members may sign up for IARU E-Letter
QEX turns 25!
Randy Koehn, KC5TIL wins October QST Cover Plaque Award
+Available on ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/>
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==>Delivery problems: First see FAQ
<http://www.arrl.org/members-only/faq.html#nodelivery>, then e-mail
<letter-dlvy at arrl.org>
==>Editorial questions or comments only: Rick Lindquist, N1RL,
<n1rl at arrl.org>
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==>AMERICAN RED CROSS CLARIFIES BACKGROUND CHECK POLICY
The American Red Cross (ARC) has attempted to clarify its policy to require
background checks of its employees and volunteers, at least as far as the
policy applies to possible credit checks. After the ARC announced the policy
in July through its regional and local chapters, Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES) members who support Red Cross disaster relief and recovery
efforts began expressing concerns to ARRL. In some past incidents -- most
notably the 2001 World Trade Center terror attacks and the 2005 Hurricane
Katrina response -- ARES volunteers have had to badge in as Red Cross
volunteers. In a statement
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/RedCross-LauraHowe-Statement.pdf> to the
ARRL November 9, Laura Howe, the ARC's director of response communication
and marketing, stressed that, while background check applicants must give
permission to conduct a credit check, the ARC has no intention of conducting
them across the board.
"The Red Cross realizes some volunteers may have concerns about authorizing
a credit check. Those concerns are understandable," Howe said. "But please
rest assured that credit checks are only run in rare instances and are not a
part of the routine minimum basic check the Red Cross performs on employees
or volunteers." Howe told the League that the "standard minimum check"
verifies the applicant's Social Security number and a search of the National
Criminal File for the past seven years.
"While the Red Cross will never run a credit check on the vast majority of
its employees and volunteers," she asserted, "it is important that this
standard language is included in the consent form to protect our clients,
volunteers and employees."
The ARC has contracted with MyBackgroundCheck.com LLC (MBC) to handle the
on-line background checks. MBC notifies the applicant's local Red Cross
chapter whether or not the individual passed the background check, but it
does not share any personal data.
In a statement
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/RC-Background-Checks0610.pdf> October 24,
ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, urged ARES and other ham radio
volunteers to tread cautiously and read very carefully what they are giving
MBC permission to collect on behalf of the Red Cross, especially given the
wide net being cast. Howe acknowledged that by signing the consent form,
applicants do give MBC permission to "conduct a credit check or other
investigation into an individual's background." ARES members are not obliged
to submit to a background check, however; the choice to do so is a personal
one.
Several ARES leaders maintain that they and their volunteers represent ARES
when supporting the ARC as a served agency. "Our issue is not the background
checking, but the fact ARC considers ARES members ARC volunteers," one ARRL
Section Emergency Coordinator told ARRL. An ARES District Emergency
Coordinator suggested the ARC policy is too arbitrary. "The unfortunate
thing is that if a member decides not to submit to this check, then that
will hamper our ability to serve the Red Cross in an emergency," he said.
ARRL Field and Educational Services Manager Dave Patton, NN1N -- whose
department supports and oversees the ARRL Field Organization -- believes the
Red Cross stands to lose a fair number of volunteers because of the
requirement -- and not necessarily just ARES volunteers.
The Statement of Understanding (SoU) between the ARC and the ARRL does not
address the issue of background checks. It also is ambiguous on the subject
of whether ARES volunteers automatically become ARC volunteers when
supporting Red Cross operations and become subject to a background check.
The bottom line: The requirement extends to whomever the Red Cross says it
does. While some Red Cross chapters will allow ARES member participation
without requiring that they register as Red Cross volunteers, others may
not. The ARRL-ARC SoU is up for review in 2007.
==>SUITSAT-2 TO HAVE AMATEUR RADIO TRANSPONDERS
Plans to launch a second "SuitSat" spacesuit-turned-satellite were the
subject of discussions and presentations at the recent AMSAT Space Symposium
and Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International
Delegates' meeting near San Francisco. Despite a weaker-than-anticipated
2-meter signal, SuitSat-1 -- a surplus Russian Orlan spacesuit fitted with
an Amateur Radio transmitter -- sparked the imagination of students and the
general public and turned into a public relations bonanza for Amateur Radio.
ARISS now hopes to capitalize on the concept by building an even better
SuitSat that will include ham radio transponders.
"The whole science fiction aspect" of SuitSat-1 made it attractive, ARISS
International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, told the AMSAT Space Symposium
in October. "From our perspective it was a tremendous success." Bauer said
the experience gained through SuitSat-1 "will provide the stepping stone to
get to the next level." The next-generation SuitSat also will re-use another
surplus Orlan spacesuit.
The ISS Expedition 12 crew of Bill McArthur, KC5ACR -- who was the AMSAT
Space Symposium's banquet speaker -- and Valery Tokarev released SuitSat-1
into orbit. SuitSat-1 transmitted its voice message -- "This is SuitSat-1
RS0RS!" -- in several languages plus telemetry and an SSTV image on an
eight-minute cycle as it orbited Earth. The unusual spacecraft's radio
signal was heard around the globe, although only the best-equipped Earth
stations could copy it. Designated by AMSAT as AO-54, SuitSat-1 remained in
operation for more than two weeks. It re-entered Earth's atmosphere
September 7.
Lou McFadin, W5DID, who headed the SuitSat-1 hardware team, told the AMSAT
Space Symposium that SuitSat-2 will incorporate some features his team
didn't have the chance to accomplish the first time around. For starters,
the second SuitSat will have an onboard Amateur Radio transponder using
digital signal processing (DSP) techniques. McFadin says the team is looking
at SuitSat-2 as a test bed for the hardware that AMSAT plans to launch on
its Phase 3E "Eagle Project" satellite, which will employ software defined
radio (SDR) technology.
"With DSP, we can do more than one thing at once," he said. Among them are
an SSB Mode U/V transponder, an FM crossband transponder, a CW ID that
offers a contest for listeners to copy as many of the call signs as
possible, a digipeater and four slow-scan TV (SSTV) cameras. Other
experiments are yet to be determined. Solar panels -- something SuitSat-1
did not have -- will energize the hardware and recharge SuitSat-2's
batteries.
An ISS crew could launch SuitSat-2 during a spacewalk as early as next fall.
It could have an operational lifetime of six months or longer.
"We're going to have so much fun with this," McFadin predicted, adding that
one goal of SuitSat-2 will be to attract newcomers to Amateur Radio.
==>LOADED FOR BEAR: FCC ISSUES WARNINGS FOR UNLICENSED USE OF HAM BANDS
Special Counsel in the FCC Spectrum Enforcement Division Riley Hollingsworth
has warned seven Michigan residents that unlicensed use of Amateur Radio
transmitting equipment on 2 meters to facilitate their bear hunting
activities is illegal and may result in substantial fines. Warning notices
went out October 19.
"While many hunters use Citizens Band radio or Family Radio Service
equipment, the use of Amateur Radio equipment requires a license,"
Hollingsworth advised. He also sent an Advisory Notice to the Michigan Bear
Hunters Association, suggesting the association post it on its Web site.
In a similar situation, the Commission attempted to enlist the aid of Quest
Air Soaring Center in Groveland, Florida, in spreading the word that glider
pilots using the facility also need to avoid unlicensed operation on 2
meters. Hollingsworth said unlicensed use of airborne radio equipment not
only violates federal law but causes widespread interference to licensed
stations. He suggested the soaring center post the Advisory Notice on its
Web site as well.
The FCC also warned yet another trucking firm of apparent unlicensed
operation on 10 meters by two of its drivers this past summer. Hollingsworth
wrote Sysco Corporation of Houston, Texas, October 10, citing reports that
the transmissions were spotted August 11 and 18 on 28.115 MHz while the
drivers were on the road in Michigan.
In all instances of alleged unlicensed operation, Hollingsworth pointed out
that violators face fines of up to $10,000 and possible imprisonment as well
as seizure of any transmitting equipment they may have been using illegally.
In other recent actions, the FCC alerted two radio amateurs that the
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) has referred their Amateur Radio
license renewal applications to the Enforcement Bureau for review.
Hollingsworth notified each licensee to expect a Hearing Designation Order
from the Commission.
Hollingsworth told David O. Castle, WA9KJI, of Evansville, Indiana, October
11 that the WTB referral was the result of "longstanding complaints against
the operation of your station" involving interference on HF and 2 meters. In
another case, Hollingsworth wrote William F. Crowell, W6WBJ (ex-N6AYJ), of
Diamond Springs, California, that his license renewal application has been
designated for hearing after a review of "numerous complaints filed against
the operation of your station" alleging deliberate interference.
Hearings are held in Washington, DC, before an administrative law judge, and
the applicants will have the burden of proof in showing they're still
qualified to be Amateur Radio licensees. Over the past several years, the
FCC has asked both licensees to respond to allegations of deliberate
interference on the amateur bands.
==>THE ARRL LEGISLATIVE ACTION PROGRAM WANTS YOU!
The ARRL Legislative Action Program wants League members who are willing to
get directly involved in promoting and protecting Amateur Radio through
coordinated, legitimate political action at the "grassroots level." The
program is being staffed to prepare for the 110th Congress, which convenes
in January. ARRL Great Lakes Division Director Jim Weaver, K8JE, who chairs
the Legislative Action Committee, says members of Congress often base their
votes upon their understanding of what their constituents -- the voters who
put them in office -- want.
"As a constituent, your opinion is important to them," Weaver says.
"Constituent input helps lawmakers gauge positions on legislation and
determine how a particular bill might affect voters in their states or
districts." He says radio amateurs can be a valuable resource to members of
Congress, who may have only a limited knowledge of Amateur Radio.
"Your combination of being a constituent and a federal licensee can help
make a difference by ensuring that your member of Congress and staff receive
the balanced information they need to make good decisions on Amateur
Radio-related legislation," Weaver adds.
A new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
<http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/laprog-faq.html> on the ARRL Legislative
Action Program now is available for ARRL members and others interested in
this ARRL grassroots effort. Contact your ARRL Division Director
<http://www.arrl.org/divisions/> for additional information or to volunteer.
There's more information on the ARRL Government Relations page
<http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/>.
==>ARRL ON-LINE AUCTION: "WE'LL BE BACK!"
The first ARRL On-Line Auction <http://arrl.auctionanything.com/> is
history, but the event may well become an annual affair. Once the bidding
had ended November 3 and the dust had settled a bit, ARRL Business Services
Manager Deb Jahnke, K1DAJ -- whose staff pulled the auction together -- was
able to compile and share some statistics. Not only did auction proceeds
exceed expectations by more than 20 percent, it attracted more than 4300
bidders from 36 countries -- and as far away as Australia -- competing for
just over 100 items.
"Based on feedback, I think it's safe to say -- to paraphrase Arnold
Schwarzenegger -- we'll be back!" Jahnke said. During the bidding from
October 23 until November 3, she reports, many participants e-mailed League
Headquarters not just with questions but to share their excitement.
"This is too much fun -- I'm high bidder on two items! And just a beginner!"
enthused one participant. "What a riot!" Another put it more succinctly:
"Our hobby still rocks!"
Jahnke says most of those who wrote expressed the wish that the ARRL run and
online auction every year -- or perhaps even more frequently, possibly all
year long. She says that while the auction involved a lot of planning and
preparation, ARRL Headquarters staffers also had a lot of fun.
"All staff members who worked on the project enjoyed it as much as the
bidders as we saw the prices climb and bidding wars ensue," she said. "We
also thoroughly enjoyed the one-on-one contact with bidders grateful for
prompt responses to their questions and shared our excitement with the
winners."
The 12-day event actually ran into overtime as a handful of bidders battled
for the right to take home the coveted prizes that remained. In all 1300
bids were placed. A 1964 softcover edition of the ARRL's Radio Amateur's
Handbook was the unlikely final item. Extended bidding -- a dollar or two at
a pop and sometimes edging to within seconds of the gavel -- ultimately
upped the price to $161. Other last-minute holdouts included a 1973
hardcover edition of the Radio Amateur's Handbook, which went for $52, and a
white gold signet ring, which brought $334.
The generosity of many donors, Jahnke says, made it possible for the
League's premier auction to offer a diverse list of items that also included
transceivers, ARRL Lab-tested and reviewed equipment, exotic vacations,
vintage gear, mystery "junque" boxes and an Eagles-autographed acoustic
guitar donated by Joe Walsh, WB6ACU, that went for $3353.
Jahnke says the auction donors were as thrilled as the participants. "Quite
a few of our advertisers who donated items called to tell us that their Web
sales had spiked during and immediately after the auction," Jahnke remarked
afterward.
Said ARRL COO Harold Kramer, WJ1B, after the last item had sold: "It was
fun, it was exciting and, best of all, it raised money for a good cause."
Auction proceeds will help support ARRL educational activities including
licensing newcomers, strengthening Amateur Radio's emergency service
training, offering online continuing education courses and creating new
instructional and educational materials.
==>NEW "HELLO" VIDEO NOW AVAILABLE
A new Amateur Radio promotional video -- part of the "Hello" campaign -- now
is available from ARRL. Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW, a member of the ARRL Public
Relations Committee, produced the video, which runs approximately four
minutes. It's available for viewing
<http://p1k.arrl.org/files/Hello-Movie.wmv> and downloading in Windows Media
and MPEG formats via the League's public relations page
<http://www.arrl.org/pio/> (scroll down to "Hello Video Files Hello - 4
minute mini-presentation").
ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, says the video
is an excellent addition to the Hello package. Timed to coincide with the
culmination of the Hello campaign in late December, he says, the video
"gives hams a once-in-a-century opportunity to promote Amateur Radio as
never before!" He advises that a DVD version also is available for placement
on cable and TV stations (unlike Amateur Radio Today, the "Hello" campaign
video production may be broadcast). Contact Pitts <hello at arrl.org> to obtain
a copy.
The "Hello" campaign, aimed at presenting a friendly and inviting image of
Amateur Radio to non-hams, has been tremendously successful, Pitts reports.
"It has shown that active public information officers across the country can
be very effective when provided with quality materials. Audio and video
public service announcements have played on hundreds of stations."
The "Hello" campaign brochure quickly blew its initial printing of 40,000
and soon will pass 80,000 or more, he says, adding that buttons and bumper
stickers "flew off the tables" at various gatherings.
==>ARRL FREQUENCY MEASURING TEST 2006 GOES BACK TO BASICS
The ARRL Frequency Measuring Test (FMT) this year will represent a return to
basics: Measuring the carrier frequency of the transmitted signal. Engineer
and Contributing Editor Ward Silver, N0AX, spells out the details of FMT
2006 in the article "Frequency Measuring Test 2006 -- Back to Basics, Plus,"
which appears on p 50 of November QST and on the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/fmt/>.
"You don't have to own a rack full of sophisticated test equipment," Silver
advises. "By calibrating your radio to a known frequency reference such as
WWV or CHU and letting the radio reach an even, stable temperature, your
measurements can be within 1 part per million (ppm) or even better!"
FMT transmissions from ARRL Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station W1AW at
League Headquarters in Connecticut will take place on 160, 80 and 40 meters
starting at 0245 UTC on Thursday, November 16 (Wednesday, November 15, in US
time zones), replacing the W1AW phone bulletin. Approximate frequencies will
be 1853 kHz, 3586 kHz and 7039 kHz. An initial call-up will take place on
all three bands. During the FMT, W1AW will indicate the band for the
upcoming transmission. W1AW's FMT 2006 transmissions will start on 160
meters.
To better accommodate stations west of the Mississippi, Mike Fahmie, WA6ZTY,
has volunteered to transmit a separate West Coast FMT signal on 40 meters
from the San Francisco area. The FMT transmission from WA6ZTY will begin at
0330 UTC on approximately 7029 kHz.
FMT participants should listen to the W1AW CW or digital bulletin
transmission prior to the FMT to determine which band will provide the best
conditions for reception and measurement purposes. The W1AW test will
consist of three 60-second continuous carrier transmissions on each band,
followed by a series of Morse dits and station identification. The whole
test will run for about 15 minutes and will end with a series of Vs followed
by a station ID.
The West Coast FMT from WA6ZTY will begin with a general call at 10 WPM CW
of "QST DE WA6ZTY". The measurement period begins with "NOW 40 METERS".
Transmissions consisting of one minute of continuous carrier and 10 seconds
of Morse dits will follow. The West Coast FMT will conclude with 15 seconds
of Vs followed by a station ID.
All FMT participants will receive a Certificate of Participation. Those
coming closest to the measured frequency will be listed in the test report
and receive special recognition on their certificate. Submit entries via
e-mail to <fmt at arrl.org> or via the USPS to W1AW/FMT, 225 Main St,
Newington, CT 06111. Entries must be received or postmarked by December 16,
2006.
An ARRL staple for nearly 50 years, the League resurrected the FMT in 2002.
The increasing technical quality of amateur gear was one of the primary
reasons the League suspended the FMT in 1980.
==>SOLAR UPDATE
Propagation guru Tad "I Saw the Sun" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington,
reports: Average daily sunspot numbers more than doubled this week over
last, up by nearly 27 points to 46.3. While there were more sunspots, the
geomagnetic K index was zero, and on some days the A index was zero as well.
That quiet period has come to an end. At 0600 UTC on November 10, the
mid-latitude K index reported by WWV is 5, and the planetary K index is 6.
This indicates a geomagnetic storm and a good time to observe aurora.
On November 6, as sunspot 923 was about to emerge, it was throwing off X
rays and a strong solar wind, but it was not yet aimed toward Earth.
Radioastronomer Thomas Ashcraft in New Mexico had his antennas aimed at the
sun and his receivers tuned to 18.7 and 22.2 MHz to detect radio noise. On
November 6 he recorded a particularly fast burst of solar radio energy, and
recorded it in stereo with the 18.7 MHz receiver feeding one channel, and
22.2 MHz feeding the other
<http://www.heliotown.com/Snov6_06_1747ut1822.mp3>. He recommends stereo
headphones for maximum effect.
The predicted planetary A index for Friday, November 10, through Tuesday,
November 14 is 20, 10, 8, 8 and 5. Sunspot numbers and solar flux should
begin to taper off, reaching a short-term minimum around November 21-23, and
becoming high again around December 5-7.
For more information concerning radio propagation, see the ARRL Technical
Information Service at <http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html>. For
a detailed explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin, see
<http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/k9la-prop.html>.
Sunspot numbers for November 2 through 8 were 59, 57, 52, 62, 30, 26 and 38,
with a mean of 46.3. The 10.7 cm flux was 88.2, 87.4, 85.5, 84.7, 83.5,
87.1, and 86.4, with a mean of 86.1. Estimated planetary A indices were 8,
8, 6, 5, 1, 0 and 1, with a mean of 4.1. Estimated mid-latitude A indices
were 6, 5, 4, 3, 1, 0 and 0, with a mean of 2.7.
__________________________________
==>IN BRIEF:
* This weekend on the radio: The Worked All Europe DX Contest (RTTY), the
ARRL EME Contest Part 3 (50-1296 MHz), the JIDX Phone Contest, the OK/OM DX
Contest (CW), the Kentucky QSO Party and the CQ-WE Contest are the weekend
of November 11-12. The NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint is November 16. The YO
International PSK31 Contest is November 17. JUST AHEAD: The ARRL November
Sweepstakes (SSB), the NA Collegiate ARC Championship (SSB), SARL Field Day,
the LZ DX Contest, the EUCW Fraternizing CW QSO Party, the All-Austrian
160-Meter Contest, the RSGB Second 1.8 MHz Contest (CW), the EU PSK63 QSO
Party are the weekend of November 18-19. The Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
is November 20. The CQ Worldwide DX Contest (CW) is the weekend of November
25-26. The ARCI Topband Sprint is November 30 (UTC). The ARRL 160-Meter
Contest, the EU-PSK QRP Contest, the TARA RTTY Melee, the Wake-Up! QRP
Sprint, and the TOPS Activity Contest are the weekend of December 2-3. See
the ARRL Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM
Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more
info.
* ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration:
Registration remains open through Sunday, November 19, for these ARRL
Certification and Continuing Education (CCE) <http://www.arrl.org/cce/>
online courses beginning Friday, December 1: Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications Level 1 (EC-001), Radio Frequency Interference (EC-006),
Antenna Design and Construction (EC-009), Amateur Radio License Course
(EC-010), Analog Electronics (EC-012) and Digital Electronics (EC-013).
These courses also will open for registration Friday, November 17, for
classes beginning Friday, January 5, 2007. To learn more, visit the CCE
Course Listing page <http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> or contact the
CCE Department <cce at arrl.org>.
* Reminder -- FCC "omnibus" rule changes not yet in effect: The new Amateur
Radio rules detailed in the recent "omnibus" FCC Report and Order (R&O), WT
Docket 04-140, adopted October 4 and released October 10, are NOT yet in
effect. The changes will become effective 30 days after they appear in the
Federal Register, the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules
and notices of federal agencies and organizations. Since publication has not
yet occurred, the effective date of the Part 97 rule changes cannot be
determined. The ARRL will announce the effective date of these new rules as
soon as it's known. The "omnibus" R&O does not include action on the
Commission's proposal to eliminate the Morse code requirement for all
license classes. A Report and Order in that proceeding, WT Docket 05-235, is
still pending, and the ARRL will announce when the Commission releases it.
* Texas club makes generous Spectrum Defense Fund donation: The Temple
Amateur Radio Club (TARC) <http://www.tarc.org/> in Texas has donated $1000
to the 2007 ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund
<https://www.arrl.org/forms/fdefense/>. "TARC is pleased to donate a little
something back to the hobby that we all enjoy," TARC's President-Elect Tom
Olsen, KC5KXS, and President Myron Mesecke, N5TFK, said in a note to ARRL
Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH. "The ARRL Spectrum Defense
Fund needs our support, and we hope this check helps, if just a little.
Thanks for all you do!" TARC's twice-yearly Belton HamEXPO, billed as the
"friendliest hamfest in the country," draws thousands of hams come from all
over Texas and the surrounding states to buy, sell and socialize. The ARRL
Spectrum Defense Fund wants to raise $250,000 by year's end, and the ARRL's
federal court appeal of the FCC's 2004 and 2006 broadband over power line
(BPL) rule decisions will be a prime beneficiary. Donations will enable the
court appeal to go forward without shifting resources away from other
important ARRL programs.
* ARRL members may sign up for IARU E-Letter: ARRL members now may sign up
to receive the monthly International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) electronic
newsletter, The IARU E-Letter <http://www.iaru.org/e-letter/>. This new
e-publication reports on various IARU activities and projects in all three
IARU regions. New editions appear on the IARU Web site around the first of
each month and are available for free viewing/downloading. ARRL members now
may request to receive The IARU E-Letter directly: (1) Log into the ARRL Web
site <http://www.arrl.org/> as a member and click on "Member Data page"
Note: If you're logged in as a member, this link will appear in the box in
the site banner that says "Members Only (your call sign)." If you don't see
this link, you're not logged in as a member. (3) Click on "Modify membership
data." (4) Check the box next to "The IARU E-Letter (International Amateur
Radio Union news)." (5) Click on "Submit modification." Other IARU
member-societies may make the IARU E-Letter available to their members
through their own news channels. Subscribers receive their copies via the
"iaru-news" e-mail list maintained by the IARU International Secretariat.
Anyone holding a position as an IARU volunteer or with an IARU
member-society will be included on this distribution list upon e-mail
request <iaru at iaru.org>. Please include your IARU or member-society
position.
* QEX turns 25! QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters celebrates
25 years of publication with its November/December 2006 issue. Published six
times a year, QEX features technical articles, columns and other items of
interest to radio amateurs, students and communications professionals. Doug
Smith, KF6DX, who's in his ninth year as editor (ARRL Senior Assistant
Technical Editor Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, is QEX managing editor), says the
magazine aims to strike a balance between the theoretical and the practical.
"You're reading the best technical journal in its field," he tells
subscribers. "QEX rose to that status through hard and intelligent work of
the same kind that sustains it now." Most QEX content comes from outside
contributors, and Smith encouraged more authors to submit construction
articles. To learn more about QEX, visit the QEX Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/qex/>.
* Randy Koehn, KC5TIL wins October QST Cover Plaque Award: The winner of the
QST Cover Plaque Award for October is Randy Koehn, KC5TIL, for his article
"A Remote Reporting Solar Powered Weather Station." Congratulations, Randy!
The winner of 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/members-only/QSTvote.html>. Cast a ballot for your
favorite article in the November issue by Thursday, November 30.
===========================================================
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Radio Relay League: ARRL--the National Association For Amateur Radio, 225
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<http://www.arrl.org>. Joel Harrison, W5ZN, President.
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==>Editorial questions or comments: Rick Lindquist, N1RL, n1rl at arrl.org
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==>How to Get The ARRL Letter
The ARRL Letter is available to ARRL members free of charge directly from
ARRL HQ. To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your address for e-mail
delivery:
ARRL members first must register on the Members Only Web Site
<http://www.arrl.org/members/>. You'll have an opportunity during
registration to sign up for e-mail delivery of The ARRL Letter, W1AW
bulletins, and other material. To change these selections--including
delivery of The ARRL Letter--registered members should click on the "Member
Data Page" link (in the Members Only box). Click on "Modify membership
data," check or uncheck the appropriate boxes and/or change your e-mail
address if necessary. (Check "Temporarily disable all automatically sent
email" to temporarily stop all e-mail deliveries.) Then, click on "Submit
modification" to make selections effective. (NOTE: HQ staff members cannot
change your e-mail delivery address. You must do this yourself via the
Members Only Web Site.)
The ARRL Letter also is available to all, free of charge, from these
sources:
* ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>. (NOTE: The ARRL Letter will be
posted each Friday when it is distributed via e-mail.)
* The QTH.net listserver, thanks to volunteers from the Boston Amateur Radio
Club: Visit Mailing Lists at QTH.Net
<http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/letter-list>. (NOTE: The ARRL
cannot assist subscribers who receive The ARRL Letter via this listserver.)
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