[Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for May 6, 2010

Thu May 6 18:44:34 EDT 2010

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            The  ARRL Letter

Published by the American Radio Relay League
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May 6, 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

- Hamvention®: Get Involved at Hamvention!
- Hamvention®: JARL to Accept Applications for IARU Region 3 Award at
Dayton Hamvention®
- IARU News: Amateur Radio Exhibition Reflects Unity in Europe:
European Radio Societies Exhibit in European Parliament
- Focus on Clubs: Many Radio Clubs Could Lose Tax-Exempt Status in 2010
- Coming Up in QST: Take a Look at the June Issue!
- The Last Tech-Plus license to Expire in June
- ARRL in Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?
- Search Function Capability Optimized on New Web Site
- Solar Update
- Silent Key: Noted DXer Vince Thompson, K5VT
- Silent Key: Former Hudson Division Director Linda Ferdinand, N2YL
- This Week on the Radio
- Show Your Support for W1AW

==> HAMVENTION®: GET INVOLVED AT HAMVENTION!

   As an 18-wheeler pulls away from the ARRL warehouse loading dock,
destined for the Dayton Hamvention® -- only a week away -- ARRL
Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, looks on with a sense of
relief: "There go all of the supplies for our huge exhibit area -- ARRL
EXPO." In 2005, Inderbitzen helped introduce ARRL EXPO to Hamvention
where it has become a centerpiece of the event.

"ARRL EXPO is the place to meet ARRL program representatives and
explore the very best of our Amateur Radio Service," he said. "I am
excited about this year's planning that includes 20 exhibits and a team
of 140 volunteers, officials and staff. Our rallying message for all
radio amateurs is 'Get Involved.' Get involved in emergency
communications. Get involved in radiosport and contesting. Get involved
with a local school. And get involved with a radio club. If there's one
thing we know about radio amateurs, we know that the most active hams
are involved and connected." The booths throughout the ARRL EXPO will
help underscore the "Get Involved" message. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/get-involved-at-hamvention>.

==> HAMVENTION®: JARL TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR IARU REGION 3 AWARD AT
DAYTON HAMVENTION®

   Representatives from the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL
<http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/0-2.htm>) will be accepting applications
for the IARU Region 3 Operating Award
<http://www.nzart.org.nz/awards/iaru-region-iii-log.pdf> at the Dayton
Hamvention. JARL will forward the applications to the New Zealand
Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART
<http://www.nzart.org.nz/awards/iaru-region-iii-log.pdf>), the award
administrator. NZART will then send applicants their award certificate
with any endorsements after Hamvention. There are 35 available entities
for the IARU Region 3 Award. Hams who present seven QSOs will be
awarded the Basic Award. Hams who present 15 QSOs will be achieve the
Silver Endorsement, while those who present 20 QSOs will receive the
Gold Endorsement. The award fee is US $4 or four IRCs. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/jarl-to-accept-applications-for-iaru-region-3-award-at-dayton-hamvention>.

==> IARU NEWS: AMATEUR RADIO EXHIBITION REFLECTS UNITY IN EUROPE:
EUROPEAN RADIO SOCIETIES EXHIBIT IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

   Last week, representatives from various European Amateur Radio
societies came to the Espace Léopold -- the European Parliament
building located in Brussels, Belgium -- to provide information about
the Amateur Radio Service to members of the European Parliament. Using
the motto European Amateur Radio Benefiting Society, the event was
sponsored by the IARU Region 1 EUROCOM Working Group and European
Parliament Member (MEP) Birgit Sippel, who supports the goals and the
socio-political importance of Amateur Radio. Before the event, she said
it was her hope that the exhibition will offer the possibility for her
colleagues to become informed about the Service: "I am very much
looking forward to sharing information on this Amateur Radio Service
with my colleagues, their assistants and anyone else who is
interested." The European Parliament is the legislative body of the
European Union (EU). Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-exhibition-reflects-unity-in-europe-european-radio-societies-exhibit-in-european-parli>.

==> FOCUS ON CLUBS: MANY RADIO CLUBS COULD LOSE TAX-EXEMPT STATUS IN
2010

   Changes made three years ago to the federal tax laws could cause
many radio clubs to lose their tax-exempt status this year. Clubs that
are tax-exempt under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code must
file the required IRS annual returns or reports before the deadline,
which is May 15 for those with calendar years.

"Many clubs have, at some time in the past, applied for tax-exempt
status as charitable organizations under Section 501(c)(3), as civic
leagues under Section 501(c)(4) or as recreational clubs using Section
501(c)(7)," said ARRL Southwestern Division Director Marty Woll, N6VI.
"Years ago, any club with gross receipts averaging less than $25,000
per year was not required to file annual returns with the IRS; however,
after 2006, such clubs had to file a Form 990-N, a simple 'electronic
postcard' with minimal information, by the 15th day of the fifth month
after the close of each fiscal year. Some clubs may not have been aware
of this new requirement or didn't bother to comply. Even those that
filed in a prior year may have neglected to keep up with the required
filings as officers changed from year to year." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/many-radio-clubs-could-lose-tax-exempt-status-in-2010>.

==> COMING UP IN QST: TAKE A LOOK AT THE JUNE ISSUE!

The June issue of QST -- our annual Field Day issue -- is jam-packed
with all sorts of things today's Amateur Radio operator needs. From
product reviews to experiments to contesting -- including a look at one
of the ARRL Homebrew Challenge winners and an abundance of articles
relating to Field Day, Amateur Radio's number one operating event --
the upcoming issue of QST has something for just about everyone.

   If April showers bring mayflowers, and Mayflowers bring pilgrims,
what does June bring? Why, ARRL Field Day of course! The June issue of
QST is chock-full of articles all about Field Day. Gary Gordon, K6KV,
tells readers how to put three transceivers on one antenna using a
decoupling network in conjunction with bandpass filters in his article
"HF Yagi Triplexer Especially for ARRL Field Day." Find out how Geoff
Haines, N1GY, found a way to quickly install a portable mast for your
Field Day antenna in "A Vehicle-Mounted Mast for Field Operating." ARRL
Field Day means many different things to different hams, but no matter
what, the day is your day to promote Amateur Radio. Warren L. Rothberg,
W4WR, explains just how to do this in "Will the Real Field Day Please
Stand Up?" And as much fun as hams have on Field Day, safety is always
important. ARRL Field Day Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, explains how you
can be safe and still have loads of fun in "A Safe Field Day is a Fun
Field Day." Jim Riley, KB9CYL, a long-time Field Day chairman shows how
you, too, can have a successful Field Day in his article, "On 15 Years
as a Field Day Chairman."

For only $28.36, Donald W. Huff, W6JL, built a 40 meter band 50 W
linear amplifier for his QRP rig, taking the prize for the lowest cost
entry in the ARRL's Homebrew Challenge II. Find out how to build this
nifty amp in his article "Homebrew Challenge II Winner #1 -- The Lowest
Cost Entry." QST Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, understands that
with today's technology, today's hams are not as concerned with
receiver sensitivity as they once were, but sometimes too much of a
good thing can be detrimental. Discover how to get top performance from
your rig with his tips in "Receiver Sensitivity -- Can You Have Too
Much?" Read a never-before-told account of how General George S. Patton
and the Allied Forces used top-level wireless intelligence messages --
codenamed ULTRA -- during World War II in Geoffrey Pidgeon's article
"General Patton and His Use of ULTRA."

ARRL Contributing Editor Rick Palm, K1CE, takes a look at the Yaesu
FT-250R and FT-270R handheld 2 meter FM transceivers in this month's
Product Review. "The FT-250R and the FT-270R are well built and rugged,
with plenty of audio for noisy environments," he reports. "The FT-270R
has a larger display and keypad buttons and more features, but the
FT-250R includes a desktop charger and sells for a bit less. Either of
these radios would be a fine addition to your equipment belt." ARRL
Technical Advisor Bruce Prior, N7RR, finishes his review of
mass-produced dual-lever keyer paddles. This month, he takes a look at
four paddles, two heavy keys of classic design and two low volume keys
from newer companies: the Vibroplex Iambic Standard, the MFJ 564B
Deluxe Iambic Paddle, the Vibroplex Code Warrior Junior, the Elecraft
HexKey, the K8RA P-2 Key and the W5JH Black Widow Kit.

Of course, there are the usual columns you know and expect in the June
QST: Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX, Vintage Radio, Hamspeak
and more -- including a special ARRL Field Day advertising pull-out.
Look for your June issue of QST in your mailbox. QST is the official
journal of ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. QST is
just one of the many benefits of ARRL membership. To join or renew your
ARRL membership, please see the ARRL Web page
<https://www.arrl.org/join-arrl-renew-membership/>.

==> ARRL FIELD DAY MERCHANDISE NOW AVAILABLE

 <http://www.arrl.org/shop/Field-Day-Supplies/>   How can you be the
best-dressed ham at your Field Day site this year? When you wear the
official 2010 ARRL Field Day shirt -- accompanied by the 2010 ARRL
Field Day hat -- of course! Field Day -- Amateur Radio's largest
on-the-air operating event -- is just a little more than six weeks
away, so be sure to get your shirts, hats and pins, as well as the new
ARRL Field Day Handbook for Radio Amateurs and coffee mugs before they
run out. Field Day shirts are offered in sizes Small-4XL and are royal
blue with the 2010 Field Day logo on the left chest; the back of the
shirt says "Amateur Radio -- Goodwill • Service • Fun!" with
www.arrl.org underneath. Fulfill all your Field Day apparel needs at
the Field Day Supplies section of the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Field-Day-Supplies/>.

==> THE LAST TECH-PLUS LICENSE TO EXPIRE IN JUNE

In February 1991, the FCC dropped the 5 WPM Morse code requirement for
new Technician licensees, and in 1994, it created a new class of
Amateur Radio license: the Technician-Plus, also called Tech-Plus. This
new license differed from the Technician license in that Tech-Plus
licensees had passed the code test and had more operating privileges on
HF. Patricia Phillips, N3IGI, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, received her
Technician licensee on June 12, 1990. On March 21, 2000, she upgraded
her license to Tech-Plus, and, at the same time, renewed her license,
now set to expire June 12, 2010. This makes Phillips the last Tech-Plus
in the FCC database. If she renews her Amateur Radio license, she will
be a Technician. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/the-last-tech-plus-license-to-expire-in-june>.

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

   This feature -- including convenient Web links to useful information
-- is a concise monthly update of some of the things ARRL is doing on
behalf of its members, including filing comments and replies with the
FCC on a number of matters pertaining to Amateur Radio, launching our
new Web site, organizing new operating events, preparing for WRC-12,
offering more on-the-air options from W1AW and more. This installment
covers the month of April. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-in-action-what-have-we-been-up-to-lately-21>.

==> SEARCH FUNCTION CAPABILITY OPTIMIZED ON NEW WEB SITE

   After a few adjustments, the search function on the new ARRL Web
site -- powered by Google, the number one search engine in the world --
is fully operational. When you put a search term into the "Website
Search" box, you have the option of searching by category -- News, Exam
Sessions, Clubs, Hamfests, Contests, Licensing Classes, Special Events
or Member Directory -- or just performing a general search. Results
will show the topic and its summary. In the case of news articles or
features, you will see the title and its first sentence or two. We are
continually updating and tweaking features on the Web site. If you
would like to recommend something, or if you encounter problems on the
site, please click on the "Having Trouble?
<http://www.arrl.org/support>" link, found at the bottom of each page
on the Web site. Fill out the form fields; make sure that the
Department Contact shows "Website Support." Someone will respond to you
shortly.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "Beyond the fixed stars and variable suns and telescopic
planets, astronomical waifs and strays
<http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ulysses_%28novel%29/Chapter_17>" Cook,
K7RA, reports: Sunspot activity made a strong return this week. Last
Friday, April 30, sunspot group 1064 appeared and then faded after the
third day. On Sunday, groups 1065, 1066 and 1067 appeared, and the next
day group 1063 made reappearance, along with new group 1068. Group 1069
arose on May 4 and group 1070 on May 5. Group 1069 grew quickly and the
sunspot number rose from 61 to 70, and then 77 on Wednesday.
Wednesday's sunspot number is the highest it has been for Solar Cycle
24; in fact, it has not been to this level in nearly four years. The
last time it was this high was back on May 28, 2006 when it was 78.
Sunspot group 1069 has grown so much that it is 17 times the size of
each of the other five sunspot groups. This level of activity should
continue for the next few days. Along with increased sunspots, we saw
rising geomagnetic activity. The peak days were Sunday and Monday, when
the planetary A index was 39 and 27, and the K index went as high as 6
over several three hour periods. Look for more information on the ARRL
Web site on Friday, May 7. 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 James Joyce's Ulysses
<http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ulysses_%28novel%29/Chapter_17> (Chapter
17).

==> SILENT KEY: NOTED DXER VINCE THOMPSON, K5VT

   Dr Vinson Thompson, K5VT, passed away on April 26 from acute myeloid
leukemia, diagnosed only four weeks before his death. He was 67. An
ARRL Life Member and former Chairman of the ARRL DX Advisory Committee
(DXAC), Thompson was famous in DX and contesting circles and held radio
licenses from more than 60 countries. One of the founding members of
the VooDoo Contest Group, he traveled extensively throughout Africa, as
well as the rest of the world, and has operated from many African
nations while practicing in-country as a surgeon with the World Health
Organization (WHO). Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/noted-dxer-vince-thompson-k5vt-sk>.

==> SILENT KEY: FORMER HUDSON DIVISION DIRECTOR LINDA FERDINAND, N2YL

Linda Ferdinand, N2YL, passed away May 4 due to complications from
chronic heart failure. She was 63. Ferdinand served as Hudson Division
Vice Director from 1980-1982, and as Division Director from 1985-1987.
She was an extremely proficient Morse code operator and was active in
the ARRL National Traffic System at the local, section, region and area
levels, as well as serving in the Transcontinental Corps. An ARRL Life
Member, Ferdinand received an advanced degree in computer science and
worked for IBM, transitioning their mainframe computers to large
computers based on small microprocessors running in parallel. She was
also a member of the ARRL A-1 Operator Club
<http://www.arrl.org/a-1-op>, FISTS <http://www.fists.org/> and the Six
Meter International Radio Club (SMIRK <http://www.smirk.org/>).
Ferdinand was an avid quilter and lover of cats. She is survived by her
husband Gary, W2CS, and son Brian, N2EKS, daughter Lauren and two
grandchildren. Services are scheduled for 1 PM on Friday, May 7 at
Medway Congregational Christian Church in Climax, New York. The family
requests that contributions be made in Ferdinand's memory to
AnimalLovers <http://www.animalovers.org/> (The Animal Welfare League
of the Greater Capital District).

==> THIS WEEK ON THE RADIO

 <http://www.arrl.org/multimedia>   This week, the FISTS Spring Sprint
is May 8.The CQ-M International DX Contest and the VOLTA WW RTTY
Contest are May 8-9. Next week, the His Majesty King of Spain Contest
(CW) and the Manchester Mineira All America CW Contest are May 15-16.
The Run for the Bacon QRP Contest is May 17. 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>.

==> SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR W1AW

   To date, 872 donors have contributed $56,432 to the W1AW Endowment
Campaign. This biannual fund is nearing its 2010 goal of $65,000.
"Every contribution ensures the future of W1AW and the memory of Hiram
Percy Maxim," said ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH.
"Not only is W1AW one of the most recognized call signs in the world,
it represents the history and traditions of Amateur Radio. Our members
have been very generous so far and I'm confident that we will meet --
and surpass -- the goal." To donate to the W1AW Endowment Campaign,
please visit the W1AW Endowment page
<http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-endowment-fund> on the ARRL Web site. You may
also send in your donation via mail to W1AW Endowment, ARRL, 225 Main
St, Newington, CT 06111. Contact ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary
Hobart, K1MMH, via e-mail <k1mmh at arrl.org> or by phone at 860-594-0397
for more information or with any questions you may have.

==> ARRL CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE REGISTRATION

   Registration remains open through Sunday, May 23, 2010, for these
online course sessions <http://www.arrl.org/online-course-registration>
beginning on Friday, June 4, 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 <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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