[Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for October 8, 2009

Thu Oct 8 14:56:06 EDT 2009

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            The  ARRL Letter

Published by the American Radio Relay League
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October 8, 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: Counterpart Bill to HR 2160 Introduced in Senate
- + FCC Enforcement: FCC Fines California Firm $4000 for Operating on
Amateur Frequencies
- Events: ARRL Gears Up for Fourth Annual On-Line Auction
- + ARRL Publications: Look for the November Issue of QST in Your
Mailbox
- + International: Oldest National Amateur Radio Society Marks 100th
Anniversary
- ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?
- + ARRL Field Organization: 2009 Section Managers Workshop: A Learning
Experience
- + Amateur Radio and Scouting: Scouting Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)
- Solar Update
- This Week on the Radio
- + ARRL Recognizes: Paul Danzer, N1II, Wins September QST Cover Plaque
Award
- Operating: Angola Operation Approved for DXCC Credit
- + Amateur Radio in Space: Astronaut Fernando "Frank" Caldeiro, KE4RFI
(SK)

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

==> + REGULATORY: COUNTERPART BILL TO HR 2160 INTRODUCED IN SENATE

On Tuesday, October 6, Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), along with
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), introduced Senate Bill 1755
<http://www.arrl.org/news/files/SenateBill1755.pdf>, The Amateur Radio
Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009. Similar to HR 2160
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h2160ih.txt.pdf>
-- also called The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement
Act of 2009 -- that was introduced
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/04/30/10792/?nc=1> this past
April by Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX-18), the bill, if
passed, would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS
<http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm>) to undertake a study on emergency
communications. S 1755 points out that "There is a strong Federal
interest in the effective performance of Amateur Radio Service
stations, and that performance must be given -- (A) support at all
levels of government; and (B) protection against unreasonable
regulation and impediments to the provision of the valuable
communications provided by such stations."

"We are delighted to have the sponsorship of both the Chairman and the
Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Committee <http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/>, and especially to have the
support of Senator Lieberman from the ARRL's home state," said ARRL
Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ. "The bill could not have a
better pedigree. Click here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/07/11127/?nc=1> for more
information on S 1755."

==> + FCC ENFORCEMENT: FCC FINES CALIFORNIA FIRM $4000 FOR OPERATING ON
AMATEUR FREQUENCIES

On September 28, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for
Forfeiture (NAL) to a California firm that the Commission maintains was
using amateur frequencies to conduct business. According to the
Commission, Shimmick Construction Company, Inc/Obayashi Corporation,
Joint Venture ("Shimmick-Obayashi") -- licensees of stations WQER756,
WQEN793, WQJI360 and WQKG818 -- apparently repeatedly violated Section
1.903(a) of the Commission's Rules "by failing to operate only in
accordance with the rules applicable to their particular service as set
forth in the Commission's Rules and with a valid authorization granted
by the Commission." Click here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/06/11124/?nc=1> for more
information.

==> EVENTS: ARRL GEARS UP FOR FOURTH ANNUAL ON-LINE AUCTION

The Fourth Annual ARRL On-Line Auction begins its preview week on
Thursday, October 15. With more than 160 items up for bid -- and more
being added every day -- this event promises to have something for just
about everyone. The auction kicks off Thursday, October 22 and runs
through Thursday, October 29 on the ARRL Web site. Proceeds from the
auction benefit ARRL education programs including activities to license
new hams, strengthen Amateur Radio's emergency service training, offer
continuing technical and operating education, as well as create
instructional materials. Click here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/06/11125/?nc=1> to discover
just what the ARRL Auction has in store for 2009.

==> + ARRL PUBLICATIONS: LOOK FOR THE NOVEMBER ISSUE OF QST IN YOUR
MAILBOX

The November issue of QST <http://www.arrl.org/qst> is jam-packed with
all sorts of news and information today's Amateur Radio operator needs.
>From product reviews to construction projects to public service, the
upcoming issue of QST has something for just about everyone.

A. Robert Patzlaff, W9JQT, takes a look at "The Rockless, a VFO
Controlled Low Power Transceiver." In this article, Patzlaff builds on
the Rock-Mite -- profiled in the April 2003 issue of QST
<http://p1k.arrl.org/cgi-bin/topdf.cg?id=103934&pub=qst> -- and
modifies this basic CW transceiver to work with a variable frequency
oscillator. Jean-Yves Morin, VE2MHZ, presents a "Removable Car Window
Antenna with Cross Over Connector." Make your go-kit ready to go for
any vehicle with this no-holes mounting arrangement.

With the cold wind blowing on the long winter nights this past January,
Poul-Erik Karlshoj, OZ4UN, got to wondering about the LDE
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LDE>s he encountered while QSOing with a
Spanish amateur. Read about his experience in "Observation of Long
Delayed Echoes on 80 Meters." ARRL Education Project Coordinator Mark
Spencer, WA8SME, describes the newest program in the Teachers Institute
on Wireless Technology in his article, "The 2009 Teachers Institute
Introduces Advanced Satellite Workshop."

ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, in his column "This
Month in Contesting," discusses the "crown jewel" of W/VE contesting --
the ARRL November Sweepstakes! And now that the 2009-2010 Contest
Season is in full swing, catch up on all the upcoming contest activity
with this month's "Contest Corral."

If you read last week's ARRL Letter
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/index.html?issue=2009-10-01>, you saw
the video <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6N2jgzlbIk> featuring ARRL
Test Engineer Bob Allison, WB1GCM introduce the ICOM IC-7600 HF and 6
meter transceiver. Now is your chance to get up close and personal with
this rig. NCJ <http://www.arrl.org/ncj> Managing Editor Rick Lindquist,
WW3DE (ex-N1RL), reviews the 7600, calling it "a superb synthesis of
ICOM's popular PROIII and the IC-7700/7800 transceivers, both in
styles, features and capability. Another winner!" Allison also provides
an update to October's Product Review, the FlexRadio FLEX-3000.

Of course, the November issue includes the variety of columns you know
and love: "Happenings," "Hints & Kinks," "The Doctor Is IN," "How's
DX," "Eclectic Technology," "World Above 50 MHz," "Hamspeak" and more.
Look for your November issue to arrive soon. QST is the official
journal of ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. QST is
just one of the many benefits of ARRL membership
<http://www.arrl.org/join>. To join or renew your ARRL membership,
please visit the ARRL Web page <http://www.arrl.org/join>.

==> + INTERNATIONAL: OLDEST NATIONAL AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY MARKS 100TH
ANNIVERSARY

   In 2010, the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) -- the oldest
national Amateur Radio society -- will celebrate its 100th anniversary.
On March 11, 1910, the WIA had its beginnings when a group of wireless
pioneers gathered at the Hotel Australia, Martin Place in Sydney. These
early hams wanted to protect their interests and rights against what
they considered to be harsh treatment by authorities -- and a high
license fee. Chairman of the founding meeting, George Taylor, proposed
"the formation of an institution amongst experimenters and enthusiasts
in wireless for their mutual benefit." From that meeting, the Institute
of Wireless Telegraphy of Australia -- later, the WIA -- was formed.
Since its founding, the WIA has continued to protect and enhance the
privileges of radio amateurs and to promote Amateur Radio in Australia
and beyond. Click here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/06/11121/?nc=1> for more
information on the WIA's centennial celebration.

==> ARRL IN ACTION: WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO LATELY?

This feature is a concise monthly update of some of the things ARRL is
doing on behalf of its members. This installment
<http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2009/10/02/11109/?nc=1> covers the
month of September.

==>  DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that the K3LR Multi-Multi Team <http://www.k3lr.com/>
consumes more than 200 cups of coffee during a 48 hour contest?

==> + ARRL FIELD ORGANIZATION: 2009 SECTION MANAGERS WORKSHOP: A
LEARNING EXPERIENCE

The Annual Section Manager (SM) Workshop -- held September 25-27 --

   afforded 12 newly elected SMs (including three who began their first
terms of office October 1) to visit ARRL Headquarters. During the
extended weekend gathering, participants not only got to meet many
Headquarters staff members, but also learned some of the ins and outs
of how to be effective Section leaders and administrators. The primary
purposes of the Workshop sessions were to share ideas and to provide
basic administrative, management, leadership and motivational training.
Click here <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/05/11119/?nc=1>
for more information on the 2009 ARRL Section Managers workshop.

==> + AMATEUR RADIO AND SCOUTING: SCOUTING JAMBOREE ON THE AIR (JOTA)

 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQIHdml8inU>	October 17 and 18 will
mark the 52nd worldwide Scouting Jamboree on the Air (JOTA). Held the
third full weekend in October each year, this is the premier operating
event for Amateur Radio and Scouting around the world. Click here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/07/11122/> to join QEX Editor
and Staff Liaison to the ARRL Ad Hoc Committee on Scouting Larry
Wolfgang, WR1B, to find out ways to interest youth in Amateur Radio.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

Tad "Like the bright spots that move about the Sun
<http://www.bartleby.com/126/12.html>" Cook, K7RA, this week reports:
Sweet memories of the 11-day run of sunspots toward the end of last
month are fading, and so far, the days of zero sunspots are at six,
with the last sunspot seen on October 1. A peek at the latest STEREO
images <http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/> shows two active areas in our
Sun's southern hemisphere beyond our direct view, but it is hard to
tell if these will emerge as sunspots when they appear over the eastern
limb. A rough guess has the first one possibly emerging around October
10, with the second around a week later. Currently, the solar flux
forecast shows flux values lower then 70 through October 15, then
around 72 during the two-week period from October 16-30. The same
NOAA/USAF forecast predicts the same very quiet geomagnetic conditions
that we've seen for some time, with planetary A index around 5. Two
very small increases are predicted for October 11-12 -- with an A index
of 7 -- and October 24-25, with the A index at 8. Average sunspot
numbers for the week dropped 15.3 points below the September 24-30
period, and the average daily solar flux for the week declined 2.2
points to 70.5. We'll also go over some e-mail about propagation via
ground fog -- mentioned in last week's bulletin -- in the Solar Update,
available on the ARRL Web site on Friday, October 9. 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' To My Brother George
<http://www.bartleby.com/126/12.html>.

==> THIS WEEK ON THE RADIO

   This week, the ARRL EME Contest
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2009/eme.html> 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. Next week, look for the ARRL School Club Roundup
<http://www.arrl.org/SCR/> October 19-23. There's another NCCC Sprint
October 16. The Iowa QSO Party, the Feld Hell Sprint and the Microwave
Fall Sprint are October 17. On October 17-18, check out the New York
QSO Party, JARTS WW RTTY Contest, the Stew Perry Topband Challenge, the
Worked All Germany Contest and the W/VE Islands QSO Party. The Illinois
QSO Party is October 18-19 and the Run for the Bacon QRP Contest is
October 19. 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 RECOGNIZES: PAUL DANZER, N1II, WINS SEPTEMBER QST COVER
PLAQUE AWARD

The winner of the QST  Cover Plaque Award for September is Paul Danzer,
N1II, for his article "A Simple Transformer to Measure Your Antenna
Current." Congratulations, Paul! 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 October issue by
Saturday, October 31.

==> OPERATING: HAMS FACE NEW RULES ON ONTARIO ROADWAYS

The Ministry of Transportation in Ontario, Canada announced on
September 30 that Bill 118
<http://www.ontla.on.ca/bills/bills-files/39_Parliament/Session1/b118ra.pdf>
concerning distracted driving will take effect on October 26, 2009.
According to Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC <http://www.rac.ca/>) Vice
President for Public Relations Peter West, VE3HG, the new law makes it
illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial or e-mail using handheld
cell phones and other handheld communications and entertainment
devices. Following a three-month period that begins October 26 where
the focus will be on educating drivers, police will start issuing
tickets on February 1, 2010
<http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2009/09/ban-on-hand-held-devices-starts-in-october.html>.
"All two-way radios in all vehicles -- with the exception of emergency
responding vehicles -- must be hands-free in three years' time," he
posted on the RAC's blog
<http://racblog.wordpress.com/2009/09/30/new-rules-on-ontario-roadways/>.
"This news comes from the official government staffer who has been in
communications with Radio Amateurs of Canada over the last year. At the
end of the three-year exemption, all commercial, CB and Amateur Radio
equipment used in moving vehicles by the vehicle operator must be
hands-free in operation."

==> OPERATING: WEBINAR ON REMOTE CONTROL OPERATING PLANNED

With the growing limits imposed on hams due to antenna restrictions,
interest is growing in operating amateur stations by remote control.
With that in mind, Bob Arnold, N2JEU, one of the pioneers of Internet
remote station control, is organizing an Internet-based live
conference, or webinar, on the topic. The conference would feature a
guest panel comprised of amateurs currently involved in remote
operations, both at the operating and software levels. Interested hams
could listen to the live audio stream and could ask questions via "text
chat." Since he is presently organizing resources for this online
event, Arnold is looking for feedback on what topics listeners would
like to see addressed. He is also looking for information from people
currently operating online remote stations. There is still room on the
guest panel for additional participants. Authors of software that make
remote operation possible are also asked to respond. If you would like
to participate either as a guest or a listener, please contact Arnold
via e-mail <n2jeu at ralabs.com> or visit this Web site
<http://www.n2jeu.net/> for any additional information on the
conference as it becomes available.

==> OPERATING: ANGOLA OPERATION APPROVED FOR DXCC CREDIT

ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports that the current Angola
operation -- D2QMN -- has been approved for DXCC credit. "If you had
cards that were recently rejected for this operation, please send an
e-mail <dxcc at arrl.org> to the ARRL DXCC Desk and you will be placed on
the list for update," Moore said.

==> + AMATEUR RADIO IN SPACE: ASTRONAUT FERNANDO "FRANK" CALDEIRO,
KE4RFI (SK)

   NASA Astronaut Fernando "Frank" Caldeiro, KE4RFI, passed away on
October 3 after a more than two year battle with a brain tumor. He was
51. Caldeiro was a member of the Astronaut Class of 1996 and most
recently was assigned to the WB-57 High Altitude Research Program
within the Aircraft Operations Division at Ellington Field in Houston.
In that role, he directed the integration and conducted the operation
of high-altitude atmospheric research experiments carried on board the
NASA WB-57 aircraft. "Frank was a valued member of the astronaut corps
and the Flight Crew Operations team," said NASA's Director of Flight
Crew Operations Brent Jett. "He provided a wealth of experience and
made significant contributions to the success of both the WB-57 project
and the space shuttle program. He will be missed by all those who knew
him at NASA. Our hearts go out to his family." Caldeiro was born in
Buenos Aires, Argentina, but he considered New York City and Merritt
Island, Florida, to be his hometowns. He is survived by his wife, the
former Donna Marie Emero of Huntington Beach, California, and two
daughters.

==> ARRL CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE REGISTRATION

 <http://www.arrl.org/cep/student/>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
members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their Member
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