[Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for June 17, 2010

Thu Jun 17 18:29:12 EDT 2010

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            The  ARRL Letter

Published by the American Radio Relay League
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June 17, 2010

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: Amateurs in Arkansas Provide Support to Local
Authorities after Flood Kills 20
- Public Service: California Hams Help Coordinate Off-Road Rescue
- + FCC News: ARRL Comments in FCC Spread Spectrum Proceeding
- Attention Weather Satellite Users: FCC Seeks Information, Comments on
Current Use of 1675-1710 MHz
- + FCC News: FCC Seeks Comments on Amateur 5 MHz (60 Meters)
Allocation
- + On the Air: A Ham Radio Homecoming
- + International Perspective: Forthcoming IARU Activities at the ITU
- + Legislative: HR 2160 Now Counts 40 House Sponsors
- + Solar Update
- This Week on the Radio

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

==> + PUBLIC SERVICE: AMATEURS IN ARKANSAS PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL
AUTHORITIES AFTER FLOOD KILLS 20

   In the early hours of Friday, June 11, as many as 300 campers were
taken unawares when 6-10 inches of rain fell in the rugged Ouachita
Mountains. The deluge caused the normally quiet Caddo and Little
Missouri rivers to overflow their banks during the night. Around dawn,
floodwaters barreled into the Albert Pike Recreation Area, a 54-unit
campground in the Ouachita National Forest, about 75 miles west of
Little Rock. Cars were wrapped around trees and children's clothing
could be seen scattered across several campsites. In all, authorities
said that 20 people lost their lives; 18 of the 20 victims have been
publicly identified, among them eight children age 7 or younger. Eight
of the 18 were from Louisiana, seven were from Texas and three were
from Arkansas. The Pike County Sherriff requested the assistance of
Amateur Radio operators to assist with search and rescue operations, as
well as communications support, at the site. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/amateurs-in-arkansas-provide-support-to-local-authorities-after-flood-kills-20>.

==> PUBLIC SERVICE: CALIFORNIA HAMS HELP COORDINATE OFF-ROAD RESCUE

   On Saturday, June 12 around 1:30 PM local time, Jim Siemons, AF6PU,
of Walnut Creek, California, was checking his e-mail when he received a
message from a friend who was concerned that his brother -- who, along
with four friends had taken an off-road adventure along California's
famed Rubicon Trail -- had not come home when expected. Siemons' friend
told him that his brother's group had left on Wednesday with four
off-road vehicles in an attempt to cross the Trail. Since Siemons and
his friend's brother were members of the same off-roading club, his
friend thought Siemons might have some information. Siemons forwarded
the e-mail to several other club members; within five minutes, he
received a phone call from fellow club member Jenny Ward, KI6YBQ,
suggesting that he try Amateur Radio to attempt to locate the missing
group. There is no cell phone coverage on the Trail and very limited
official agency radio coverage, making Amateur Radio the only effective
means of communication in the area. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/california-hams-help-coordinate-off-road-rescue>.

==> + FCC NEWS: ARRL COMMENTS IN FCC SPREAD SPECTRUM PROCEEDING

In response to a 2006 ARRL Petition regarding spread spectrum issues,
the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) on March 16
(WT Docket No 10-62). The Commission is looking to amend Part 97 to
facilitate the use of spread spectrum communications technologies by
eliminating the requirement that amateur stations use automatic power
control (APC) to reduce transmitter power when the station transmits a
spread spectrum (SS) emission, as well as reducing the maximum
transmitter power output when transmitting a SS emission. The ARRL
filed comments on this matter on June 14, 2010. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-files-comments-with-fcc-regarding-spread-spectrum-issues>.

==> ATTENTION WEATHER SATELLITE USERS: FCC SEEKS INFORMATION, COMMENTS
ON CURRENT USE OF 1675-1710 MHZ

   The National Broadband Plan (NBP) recommends that the FCC should
make 500 MHz of spectrum available for broadband use within the next 10
years, including 300 MHz between 225 MHz-3.7 GHz for mobile use in the
next five years. The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET)
has engaged in discussions with the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration's (NTIA) Office of Spectrum Management to
begin examining various frequency bands that may be suitable for mobile
broadband use. NTIA has preliminarily identified the 1675-1710 MHz band
for such use and is examining the impact on its incumbent federal
users. As such, the FCC issued a Public Notice (ET Docket No 10-123) on
June 4, 2010, seeking information to help better comprehend the current
use of the 1675-1710 MHz band by non-federal entities and better
understand its potential utility for broadband. This portion of the
spectrum is utilized by weather satellites. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-issues-public-notice-to-seek-information-comments-on-current-use-of-1675-1710-mhz>.

==> + FCC NEWS: FCC SEEKS COMMENTS ON AMATEUR 5 MHZ (60 METERS)
ALLOCATION

In May, the FCC released
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-proposes-additions-changes-to-amateur-5-mhz-allocation>
a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) -- ET Docket No 10-98
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-76A1.pdf> --
proposing to amend the Part 97 rules governing the Amateur Radio
Service. Specifically, the Commission looks to modify the rules
pertaining to the use of five channels in the 5330.6-5406.4 kHz band
(60 meters) to replace one designated channel with one that is less
encumbered, to authorize three additional emission designators and to
increase the maximum authorized power in this band. On June 15, a
summary of the NPRM was published in the Federal Register
<http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-14384.pdf>, which started
the clock on the deadline for comments. Comments must be filed on or
before July 15, 2010 (30 days after publication in the Federal
Register); reply comments must be filed on or before July 30, 2010 (45
days after publication in the Federal Register). Instructions on how to
file comments are listed beginning on page 6 of the NPRM
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-76A1.pdf>.

==> + ARRL FIELD DAY: FIELD DAY STATION LOCATOR SERVICE RETURNS FOR
2010

   First introduced in 2008, the ARRL's Field Day Station Locator
Service <http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator> has proved a popular
addition to the Field Day toolbox. This service -- an interactive map
that helps amateurs or those interested in Amateur Radio find a Field
Day <http://www.arrl.org/field-day> site near them -- is free to clubs
or individuals who will be operating public Field Day stations.
Stations can also be listed by state or province. So far, hams in all
50 states and Puerto Rico have listed Field Day sites on the Field Day
Locator. If your group would like to be a part of the Station Locator
Service, it's easy to get started -- just go to the Field Day Station
Locator Web site <http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator> and follow the
instructions (this is a different link than was printed in the Field
Day packets). ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air operating
event in Amateur Radio. On June 26-27, join tens of thousands of
Amateur Radio operators as they gather for a public demonstration of
the Amateur Service.

==> + ON THE AIR: A HAM RADIO HOMECOMING

   Beginning with the 2010 ARRL November Sweepstakes
<http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes>, the prohibition against alumni
operating at a school club station has been repealed. According to Ward
Silver, N0AX, the goal of the rule change is to get more school clubs
active for Sweepstakes and on HF. Sweepstakes is just a little over
four months away -- the first and third weekends of the month. What are
your plans? Wouldn't it be nice to hear the call sign of your alma
mater ringing out in the middle of the Sweepstakes exchange? Sure it
would!

   "Entering Sweepstakes in the Multioperator category was once a
staple of the fall semester's competitive atmosphere, but many high
school and collegiate clubs have fallen silent or nearly so over the
past decades," Silver explained. "Your school club might be interested
in hosting an alumnus or two -- why not contact them? If the club
station has been inactive in recent years, this would be a good way to
help get activity jump-started again. To get the juices flowing,
challenge a nearby club or try to beat a score from days gone by." Read
more here <http://www.arrl.org/news/a-ham-radio-homecoming>.

==> + INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE: FORTHCOMING IARU ACTIVITIES AT THE ITU

   Working Parties 1A and 1B of the International Telecommunication
Union's (ITU) Study Group 1 will meet in Geneva from June 21-28. A
major item of discussion will be protection of radio services from
interference from Broadband over Powerline (BPL), called Power Line
Communications (PLC or PLT) in Europe. The International Amateur Radio
Union (IARU) has already contributed to the ITU-R report SM2158, Impact
of Power Line Telecommunication Systems on Radiocommunication Systems
Operating in the LF, MF, HF and VHF Bands Below 80 MHz. This report
shows the acceptable criteria for degradation of the HF radio noise
floor caused by BPL is defined as being 0.5 dB. Work in WP1A will
concentrate on the protection of radio services from the effects of BPL
in range from 80-200 MHz. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/forthcoming-iaru-activities-at-the-itu>.

==> + LEGISLATIVE: HR 2160 NOW COUNTS 40 HOUSE SPONSORS

   Last month, another Congressional Representatives -- Mike McIntyre
(D-NC-7) -- pledged his support for HR 2160
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h2160ih.txt.pdf>,
The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009,
bringing the total number of cosponsors to 40, including original
sponsor Sheila Jackson-Lee
<http://www.arrl.org/news/houston-representative-introduces-amateur-radio-bill-in-congress>
(D-TX-18). HR 2160 is also sponsored by W. Todd Akin (R-MO-2), Michael
Arcuri (D-NY-24), Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD-6), Jo Bonner, (R-AL-1), John
Boozman (R-AR-3), Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam), André Carson (D-IN-7),
Geoff Davis (R-KY-4), Bob Filner (D-CA-51), Jeff Fortenberry, (R-NE-1),
Scott Garrett (R-NJ-5), Bart Gordon (D-TN-6), Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02),
Maurice Hinchey (D-NY-22), Michael Honda (D-CA-15), Mary Jo Kilroy
(D-OH-15), Ron Klein, (D-FL-22), Tom Latham (R-IA-4), Zoe Lofgren
(D-CA-16), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO-9), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI-11),
Michael E. McMahon, (D-NY-13), Cathy McMorris Rodgers, (R-WA-5),
Charlie Melancon (D-LA-3), Candice Miller (R-MI-10), Dennis Moore
(D-KS-3), John Olver (D-MA-1), Bill Posey (R-FL-15), Denny Rehberg,
(R-MT), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA-46), Aaron Schock, (R-IL-18), Bennie
Thompson (D-MS-2), Michael Turner (R-OH-3), Greg Walden, W7EQI
(R-OR-2), Peter Welch (D-VT), David Wu (D-OR-1), C.W. Bill Young
(R-FL-10) and Don Young (R-AK). On the Senate side of Capitol Hill, S
1755
<http://www.arrl.org/news/senate-introduces-companion-bill-to-hr-2160>
-- also called The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement
Act of 2009 -- cleared the Senate
<http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-bill-passes-senate-moves-to-the-house>
by unanimous consent in December 2009 and now sits in the House
Committee on Energy and Commerce. Click here
<http://www.arrl.org/sample-letters> for information on how to
encourage your Congressional representative to sponsor HR 2160.

==> + SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "The starred and stately nights seemed haughty dames in jeweled
velvets, nursing at home in lonely pride, the memory of their absent
conquering Earls, the golden helmeted Suns
<http://www.classicreader.com/book/309/29/>!" Cook, K7RA, reports:
Sunspots disappeared for the past two days, June 15-16, which is a bit
scary considering the weak solar cycle we've seen recently. In the
northern hemisphere, we are just a few days from the summer solstice.
Despite the lack of sunspots for the last two days of the June 10-16
week, the average daily sunspot numbers rose 2.5 points from the
previous week. Geomagnetic activity peaked on June 16, with the
planetary A index at 19 and high latitude College A index at 42. This
should decline over the next couple of days. Look for more information,
including a look at some reported 10 meter propagation from Arizona to
Rarotonga, on the ARRL Web site on Friday, June 18. For more
information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical
Information Service Propagation page
<http://www.arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals>. This week's "Tad
Cookism" brought to you by Herman Melville's Moby Dick
<http://www.classicreader.com/book/309/29/> (Chapter 29, "Enter Ahab;
to Him, Stubb").

==> THIS WEEK ON THE RADIO

This week, a running of the NCCC Sprint Ladder takes place June 18. The
Kids Day Contest and the Feld Hell Sprint are both June 19. The All
Asian DX Contest (CW) and the West Virginia QSO Party are June 19-20.
The Run for the Bacon QRP Contest is June 21 and the SKCC Sprint is
June 23. Next week, everyone is on the air for ARRL Field Day on June
26-27. Look for the His Majesty King of Spain Contest (SSB) and the
Marconi Memorial HF Contest, also on June 26-27. The SARL Digital
Contest is June 27 and the RAC Canada Day Contest is July 1. There is
another running of the NCCC Sprint Ladder on July 2. 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
info. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the
ARRL Special Event Station Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/special-events>.

==> ARRL CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE REGISTRATION

   Registration remains open through Sunday, June 20, 2010, for these
online course sessions <http://www.arrl.org/online-course-registration>
beginning on Friday, July 2, 2010: Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications Level 1; Antenna Design and Construction; Propagation;
Analog Electronics, and Digital Electronics. To learn more, visit the
CEP Course Listing page <http://www.arrl.org/online-courses> or contact
the Continuing Education Program Coordinator <cep at arrl.org>.

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