[Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for October 1, 2009

Thu Oct 1 15:54:23 EDT 2009

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            The  ARRL Letter

Published by the American Radio Relay League
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October 1, 2009

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

- + Regulatory: ARRL Board Adopts Guidelines and Recommendations on the
Appropriate Use of Amateur Radio
- + Operating: The 2010 ARRL Handbook: Our Biggest -- and Best -- Ever!
- + Public Service: Nominations Now Being Accepted for 2009 ARRL
Humanitarian Award
- + Public Service: Ham Appointed Chief of Army MARS
- + Operating: International Reply Coupons (IRCs): Out with the Old, In
with the New
- + On the Air: 4U1UN Celebrates UN General Assembly with Special Event
- Solar Update
- This Week on the Radio

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

Welcome to the HTML ARRL Letter

The ARRL Letter <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> has been
distributed via e-mail since January 1996, when the Internet was young
and full of possibilities. One of those possibilities -- our weekly
digest of Amateur Radio news -- has not changed all that much in
13-plus years. Until now.

The conversion to HTML is part of the effort to make all ARRL
e-publications more attractive and easier to read -- and more 21st
century.

In response to what ARRL members have told us, we have expanded the
scope of The ARRL Letter. You'll find more of a variety of news and
information -- the news, some enhanced technical content and other
features we think you'll enjoy.

For those who prefer to receive The ARRL Letter in text format, that
option remains available.

Please let us know what you think of The ARRL Letter by sending ARRL
News Editor and ARRL Letter author S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, an e-mail
<k1sfa at arrl.org>. -- Joel P. Kleinman, N1BKE, Managing Editor, QST

==> + REGULATORY: ARRL BOARD ADOPTS GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON
THE APPROPRIATE USE OF AMATEUR RADIO

On Friday, September 25, the ARRL Board of Directors adopted guidelines
on the appropriate use of Amateur Radio on behalf of commercial,
non-profit and government entities, as well as recommendations for
additional steps to be taken by the ARRL to educate radio amateurs and
others on how to prepare and train for public service and emergency
communications while complying with the current FCC Rules.

At its meeting in July 2009, the ARRL Board created an ad-hoc committee
to study the issue and prepare suggested guidelines. The committee
submitted its report to the ARRL Executive Committee, which reviewed
and revised the document. After additional discussion among Board
members by electronic mail and teleconference, the Executive Committee
submitted the document to the Board for formal adoption.

Entitled The Commercialization of Amateur Radio: The Rules, The Risks,
The Issues
<http://www.arrl.org/news/files/ARRL_AppropriateUseGuidelines.pdf>, the
document offers guidelines to assist radio amateurs and anyone wishing
to utilize the capabilities of Amateur Radio in understanding the FCC
Rules that prohibit communications in which the amateur has a pecuniary
interest, including communications on behalf of an employer. While the
FCC Rules in this regard have not changed in many years, there has been
increasing discussion of the issue as growing numbers of employers and
non-amateur organizations recognize the value of Amateur Radio as an
emergency communications resource and encourage their employees to
obtain amateur licenses. Also included are guidelines for evaluating
the appropriateness of Amateur Radio volunteers providing
communications services to commercial enterprises and other entities
for which other communications systems are available.

"The guidelines are not intended to be the last word on the subject,
and surely will not be," observed ARRL First Vice President Kay
Craigie, N3KN, and chair of the ad-hoc committee. "The report includes
several recommendations for additional steps that the ARRL needs to
take to help amateurs and the organizations we serve to better
understand the Rules and to ensure that what we do to prepare to be of
service in emergencies is consistent with the current Rules."

==> + OPERATING: THE 2010 ARRL HANDBOOK: OUR BIGGEST -- AND BEST --
EVER!

With more than 60 authors and reviewers contributing over 70 percent of
new or completely revised content,  The 2010 ARRL Handbook for Radio
Communications <http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=NO-HB2010#top> is the
biggest Handbook ever. Since it was first published in 1926,  the
Handbook has been a mainstay for the radio electronics experimenter. A
core resource for radio amateurs, hobbyists, engineers and scientists,
the Handbook is the single most authoritative reference on practical
communications topics. It is both reference book and tutorial, woven
together with practical applications and solutions. The 2010 Handbook
-- the 87th edition -- is a useful introduction to radio communication,
and featuring the most current material on electronics and Amateur
Radio.

 <http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=NO-HB2010#top>   For 2010,	The
ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications -- with more than 1250 pages --
has been reorganized into five major sections, making it easier than
ever to find exactly what you are searching for: Fundamental Theory,
Practical Design and Principles, Antenna Systems and Radio Propagation,
Equipment Construction and Maintenance, and Station Assembly and
Management. "Each chapter has been designed to be either an
'encyclopedia' (providing descriptive overviews of current practices
and technology) or 'practical handbook' (focusing on techniques,
designs and projects)," Handbook Co-editor H. Ward Silver, N0AX,
explained. "In either case, Co-editor Mark Wilson, K1RO, and I tried to
ensure that there was enough introductory material to get the newcomer
started, as well as plenty of in-depth discussion the experienced
amateur will expect." For a closer look inside the 2010 Handbook, click
here <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/09/30/11102/>.

==> + PUBLIC SERVICE: NOMINATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR 2009 ARRL
HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Nominations are open for the 2009 ARRL International Humanitarian Award
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/awards/humanitarian.html>. The award
is conferred upon an amateur or amateurs who demonstrate devotion to
human welfare, peace and international understanding through Amateur
Radio. The League established the annual prize to recognize Amateur
Radio operators who have used ham radio to provide extraordinary
service to others in times of crisis or disaster. To learn more about
the ARRL International Humanitarian Award, including submission
criteria, click here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/09/28/11098/?nc=1>.

Product Review: The ICOM IC-7600 HF and 6 Meter Transceiver

 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6N2jgzlbIk>	Get a "first look" at
the ICOM IC-7600 HF and 6 meter transceiver! Featured in the November
2009 QST Product Review, this rig -- reviewed by NCJ Managing Editor
Rick Lindquist, WW3DE (ex-N1RL), and shown in this video
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6N2jgzlbIk> by ARRL Test Engineer Bob
Allison, WB1GCM -- represents an integration of ICOM's popular PROIII
and the IC-7700/7800 transceivers, both in style, features and
capability. Check it out!

==> + PUBLIC SERVICE: HAM APPOINTED CHIEF OF ARMY MARS

On September 25, veteran Army communicator Jim Griffin, KE7LJA, became
Chief of the Army Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS
<http://www.netcom.army.mil/mars/>). Major General Susan Lawrence,
Commanding General of the 9th Signal Command (Army), named Griffin to
succeed Stuart Carter; Carter has held the Chief's post since December
2006. MARS, the Defense Department-sponsored organization of Amateur
Radio operators who volunteer for communications support in
emergencies, is a component of the 9th SC(A). As a uniformed member of
the Signal Corps and subsequently a civil servant, Griffin has amassed
52 years in government service. Before Friday's appointment, he served
for two years as Deputy Chief of Army MARS, tasked with the
responsibility for construction of its new gateway communications
station at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. For more information, click here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/09/26/11093/?nc=1>.

==> + OPERATING: INTERNATIONAL REPLY COUPONS (IRCS): OUT WITH THE OLD,
IN WITH THE NEW

 <http://www.upu.int/news_centre/2008/en/2008-08-08_irc.shtml>It is now
time to start dumping your old International Reply Coupons (IRCs). The
"Beijing Model No 2 <http://www.dailydx.com/images/IRC-2007-100.jpg>"
must be redeemed before December 31, 2009. The new IRC -- the Nairobi
Model IRC <http://www.dailydx.com/images/2008-08-08_irc.jpg> -- has
been available in the US since September 10 and elsewhere since July;
the price is $2.10 each in the US. The Nairobi Model is due to expire
in 2013. For more information, click here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/09/30/11103/?nc=1>. Thanks to
The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com/> for the information.

==> + ON THE AIR: 4U1UN CELEBRATES UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH SPECIAL
EVENT

To celebrate the 64th General Assembly of the United Nations
<http://www.un.org/ga/>, 4U1UN
<http://www.qrz.com/callsign.html?callsign=4u1un> -- the Amateur Radio
station at the UN -- began operating as 4U64UN
<http://www.qrz.com/callsign.html?callsign=4U64UN> on September 22.
According to The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com/>, 4U64UN will be on
the air for 64 days on all bands and modes. QSL via Logbook of The
World (LoTW <http://www.arrl.org/lotw>) or direct to Herbert Aeby,
HB9BOU. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW once the event is over. QSL cards
will be mailed out starting in December 2009.

+ "Hints and Kinks"

Do you have an idea or a simple project that has improved your
operating? Maybe you've taken something commonly found around the home
and developed a ham radio use for it? Why not share your hints with
fellow hams in "Hints and Kinks," a monthly column in QST
<http://www.arrl.org/qst>. If we publish your hint, you will receive
$20. Send your hints via e-mail <h&k at arrl.org> or to ARRL Headquarters,
Attn: "Hints and Kinks," 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Please
include your name, call sign, complete mailing address, daytime
telephone number and e-mail address.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

Tad "Much have I travell'd in the realms of gold
<http://englishhistory.net/keats/poetry/chapmanshomer.html>" Cook,
K7RA, this week reports: Sunspot 1026 has faded and 1027 is about to
disappear over the Sun's western horizon. The strange thing is that
1027 is still visible as a bright magnetic disturbance when viewed on
the STEREO Web site <http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov>, but it apparently
isn't still visible as a sunspot. The equinox, significant sunspot
activity and low geomagnetic indices made for good conditions this
week. The 3-month moving average of sunspot numbers -- now including
September's data -- is the same as last month's 3-month average, made
up from sunspot numbers from June through August. It seems that both
June and September had identical average sunspot numbers, so for the
last reading, the June data was dropped and the September data was
added, and the same 3-month average of 4.0 is the result! We will
discuss this more in the Solar Update, available on the ARRL Web site
on Friday, October 2. For more information concerning radio
propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation
page <http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html>. This week's "Tad
Cookism" brought to you by John Keats' On First Looking into Chapman's
Homer.

==> THIS WEEK ON THE RADIO

This week, the California QSO Party and the Oceania DX

 <http://www.arrl.org/contests/>   Contest are October 3-4. The Fall
432 MHz Sprint is October 7. Next week, the ARRL EME Contest is October
10-11. There's an NCCC Sprint October 9 and the YLRL DX/NA YL
Anniversary Contest is October 9-11. The 10-10 International 10-10 Day
Sprint and the FISTS Fall Sprint are both October 10. On October 10-11,
check out the Pennsylvania QSO Party, the Arizona QSO Party and the
Oceania DX Contest (CW). The North American Sprint (RTTY), the SKCC
Weekend Sprint and the UBA ON Contest (SSB) are October 11. The NAQCC
Straight Key/Bug Sprint is October 14. 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/contests/update/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar
<http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info.
Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL
Special Event Station Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/spev.html>.

ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration

Registration remains open through Sunday, October 25, 2009, for these
online course sessions beginning on Friday, November 6, 2009: Amateur
Radio Emergency Communications Level 1; Antenna Modeling; Radio
Frequency Interference; Antenna Design and Construction; Ham Radio
(Technician) License Course; Propagation; Analog Electronics, and
Digital Electronics. To learn more, visit the CCE Course Listing page
<http://www.arrl.org/cep/student> or contact the Continuing Education
Program Coordinator <cce at arrl.org>.

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL
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Data Page as described at http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/.

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