[Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for September 9, 2010

Thu Sep 9 17:54:47 EDT 2010

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            The  ARRL Letter

Published by the American Radio Relay League
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September 9, 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: Colorado Hams Assisting Wildfire Relief Efforts
- + Public Service: GAREC 2010 to Convene Next Month
- + FCC: ARRL Goes Another Round with ReconRobotics
- + FCC: ARRL Comments in FCC Review of CB Rules
- + FCC: ARRL Seeks to Protect 2304 MHz Operation
- + Coming Up in QST: Take a look at the October Issue!
- + Solar Update
- ARRL Introduces First Challenge Coin
- This Week on the Radio

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

==> + PUBLIC SERVICE: COLORADO HAMS ASSISTING WILDFIRE RELIEF EFFORTS

   A fire that began on Monday, September 6 in Emerson Gulch located in
Four Mile Canyon -- just northwest of Boulder, Colorado -- has members
of Boulder County ARES® providing communications support to the Boulder
County Sheriff's Office and the American Red Cross. According to a 911
call, the fire was started when a truck collided with a large propane
tank.

"Amateur Radio operators are located at the Red Cross shelter set up at
the University of Colorado Event Center and also at the Boulder County
Emergency Operations Center," ARRL Colorado Section Manager Jeff Ryan,
K0RM, told the ARRL. "Amateur Radio operators are providing voice and
ATV communications between forward fire units, the Incident Command
post and the Emergency Operations Center, as well as voice and packet
communications for the Red Cross." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/colorado-hams-assisting-wildfire-relief-efforts>.

==> + PUBLIC SERVICE: GAREC 2010 TO CONVENE NEXT MONTH

   The 2010 Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference
(GAREC) -- supported by the ARRL, the IARU and all three IARU Regions
-- is scheduled for October 11-12 in Curacao. With its theme of
Learning through Practicing, this year's conference is an opportunity
for emergency communicators to discuss recent events, discover
technical solutions to problems and how to cooperate with professional
partners. One of the highlights of the 2010 conference will be an
actual EmComm exercise during the conference, exploring how information
sharing across borders can be improved. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/garec-2010-to-convene-next-month>.

==> + FCC: ARRL GOES ANOTHER ROUND WITH RECONROBOTICS

   As reported earlier
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-amends-em-petition-to-deny-em-to-include-16-additional-recon-scout-applications>,
on August 16, ReconRobotics -- manufacturers and marketers of the Recon
Scout, a remote-controlled, maneuverable surveillance robot designed
for use in areas that may be too hazardous for human entry - filed with
the FCC an opposition to the ARRL's Petition to Deny Applications
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-files-petition-with-fcc-to-deny-applications-with-reconrobotics>.
The ARRL petition asked the FCC to deny dozens of pending Public Safety
Pool license applications for the Recon Scout device, which operates in
the 430-448 MHz band. On September 1, the ARRL filed its reply (see
below). Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-goes-another-round-with-reconrobotics>.

==> + FCC: ARRL COMMENTS IN FCC REVIEW OF CB RULES

   In June the FCC opened a proceeding -- WT Docket No. 10-119 -- "to
simplify, streamline, and update the Part 95 rules to reflect
technological advances and changes in the way the American public uses
the various Personal Radio Services." The Citizens Band (CB) Radio
Service is one of several Personal Radio Services regulated by Part 95.
Three of the CB-related issues raised in the Notice of Proposed Rule
Making are of interest to the Amateur Radio Service. On September 3,
the ARRL filed comments limited to these issues. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-comments-in-fcc-review-of-cb-rules>.

==> + FCC: ARRL SEEKS TO PROTECT 2304 MHZ OPERATION

In May, as a partial implementation of its National Broadband Plan, the
FCC adopted amendments to its rules for Wireless Communications
Services in the 2.3 GHz band to permit mobile broadband services, in
addition to fixed services, in the bands 2305-2317.5 and 2347.5-2360
MHz. The Report and Order in WT Docket No 07-293 was published in the
Federal Register on August 2, 2010, triggering a 30 day window for
petitions for reconsideration. On September 1 the ARRL filed a Petition
for Clarification or Partial Reconsideration, asking the FCC to
"clarify, or partially reconsider a single aspect" of its Report and
Order. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-seeks-to-protect-2304-mhz-operation>.

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

In the October issue of QST, DX is! This issue is chock-full of
articles all about DX, DXing and DXers. This issue -- our first-ever DX
issue -- is jam-packed with all sorts of things that 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 DXing -- the upcoming issue of QST
has something for just about everyone.

   Located off the shore of Ontario in the southwestern portion of
Hudson Bay -- only a few kilometers southeast of Manitoba -- East Pen
Island is one of several uninhabited Canadian arctic islands in
Nunavut, Canada. In April, Cezar Trifu, VE3LYC, reached East Pen
(NA-231) via sled and activated the much-needed entity, making almost
2700 QSOs. But as the weather unexpectedly turned warmer, quickly
thawing the ice, Trifu knew he was in trouble. "Stranded on East Pen:
SOS de VY0V" is his nail-biting account of how he got VY0V on the air
-- and himself off the island. Join Bill Vanderheide, N7OU, as he takes
"Slow Boat to Tokelau," where just getting to this remote New Zealand
territory is a story in itself.

For less than $32, David W. Cripe, NM0S, built a 40 meter band 50 W
linear amplifier for his 5 W voice and CW 40 meter transceiver that he
built in the ARRL's first Homebrew Challenge, taking the prize (along
with Donald W. Huff, W6JL) 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 Co-Winner -- The Lowest Cost Entry."

ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, writes of the ARRL Board of
Directors 2010 Second Meeting, held in July in Windsor, Connecticut.
She also profiles eight deserving hams whom the Board recognized and
honored for their contributions to the Amateur Radio Service. ARRL's
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program
Manager Rosalie White, K1STO, takes a look at a Utah elementary school
where a dedicated principal and an enthusiastic teacher sparked a fire
of interest in Amateur Radio with their students, incorporating it into
its curriculum in "ARISS Scores an A+ at Midvalley Elementary."

   The October issue of QST features three product reviews this month.
Assistant Manager of ARRL's Membership and Volunteer Programs
Department Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, takes a look at the RF Concepts Alpha
9500 linear amplifier. "The Alpha 9500 is worthy of its place at the
top of the Alpha product line," he reports. "Once configured for your
station, automatic tune-up is effortless and nearly instantaneous. It
will operate at 1500 W output for long periods with no apparent effort
and is ready to serve in the most demanding amateur applications." QST
Contributing Editor Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, reviews the Yaesu FT-7900R dual
band mobile transceiver, saying that this radio "includes excellent
receiver performance, a wide range of features and relatively simple
operation in a sturdy package." Lastly, ARRL Technical Advisor Bruce
Prior, N7RR, checks out the Small Wonder Labs Retro-75 AM transceiver
Kit, "an economical and fun alternative for anyone looking to build a
low power transceiver for a mode other than CW."

Of course, there are the usual columns you know and expect in the
October QST: Happenings, Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX,
Vintage Radio, Hamspeak and more. Look for your October 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/>.

==> ON THE WEB: FINDING YOUR SECTION INFORMATION

When ARRL members log on to the ARRL Web site, their ARRL Section
information automatically appears right below the "Your Favorites"
drop-down menu. By clicking on the "Section News" link (see the red
arrow below), you can then conveniently go directly to your Section
page for news and events in your Section, as well as find contact
information for your Section Manager and the Section Cabinet.

   When your Section Manager has important news to share, you will see
an alert on your homepage, located below the Section News.

If you're looking to get in touch with your Section Manager or another
Section official, go to www.arrl.org/sections
<http://www.arrl.org/sections> where you can find Sections listed by
state and by ARRL Division. You can sign up for news alerts from your
Section Manager or Division Director using the "Edit Your Profile"
link.

==> + MARS: NEW INTERIM CHIEF TAKES OVER AIR FORCE MARS

   The Air Force Military Auxiliary Radio System (AFMARS) organization
has a new interim Chief. Outgoing USAF MARS Chief Allen Eiermann,
K3LSR, retired at the end of May and was replaced by Technical Sergeant
Jason Sandifer. Sandifer is a systems manager stationed at the Air
Force Network Integration Center (AFNIC) at Scott Air Force Base in
Illinois, just outside St Louis, Missouri. AFNIC is the headquarters of
the national Air Force MARS organization. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/new-interim-chief-takes-over-air-force-mars>.

==> + SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "The sultry suns of summer came
<http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/john_barlecorn.htm>"
Cook, K7RA, reports: The average daily sunspot number for the week rose
nearly 13 points to 38.3, and the average daily solar flux was up more
than four points at 78.4. On September 2, one new sunspot group emerged
-- numbered 1105 -- joining sunspot groups 1101, 1102 and 1103. On
September 4, group 1102 faded away, then 1101 and 1103 vanished on
September 6. Group 1105 is currently going over the western side of the
Sun, but a new spot seems to be emerging in the northeast. The current
prediction from the US Air Force and NOAA shows a rising solar flux, 76
on September 9-10, 77 on September 11, 78 on September 12-13, 79 on
September 14-15 and peaking at 80 on September 16. After that, a
decline in solar flux is predicted. Look for more information on the
ARRL Web site on Friday, September 10. 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" is brought to you by Robert Burns'  John
Barleycorn
<http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/john_barlecorn.htm>.

==> ARRL INTRODUCES FIRST CHALLENGE COIN

   This month, the ARRL and the Amateur Radio community celebrate the
75th anniversary of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service®, or ARES®. To
help commemorate this milestone, the ARRL has introduced an anniversary
Challenge Coin. The die-struck, 1.5 inch brass coin depicts the ARES®
75th anniversary logo in gold with red, white and blue color fill,
while the reverse shows the ARRL diamond logo against a hemisphere of
the world.

   Around the perimeter of the ARES® logo are the words Ready,
Resilient and Responsive. "These words represent the critical need that
ARES® activities have provided, and will continue to provide into the
future," said ARRL Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager Mike
Corey, W5MPC. "The Challenge Coin honors the service of ARES®
volunteers and all Amateur Radio operators who respond to the call of
public service. We hope ARES® volunteers will enjoy the honor of having
the first Challenge Coin issued by the ARRL." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-introduces-first-challenge-coin>.

==> THIS WEEK ON THE RADIO

This week:

-  September 10 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
-  September 11 -- Ohio State Parks on the Air
-  September 11-12 -- Arkansas QSO Party; FISTS Get Your Feet Wet
Weekend; WAE DX Contest (SSB)
-  September 11-13 -- ARRL September VHF QSO Party
<http://www.arrl.org/september-vhf-qso-party>
-  September 12 -- North American Sprint (CW); SKCC Weekend Sprint
-  September 16 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint

Next week:

-  September 17 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
-  September 18 -- Connecticut QSO Party; Feld Hell Sprint
-  September 18-19 -- ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest (local time)
<http://www.arrl.org/10-ghz-up>; South Carolina QSO Party; Washington
State Salmon Run; QCWA Fall QSO Party; QRP Afield; Scandinavian
Activity Contest (CW); SRT HF Contest (SSB)
-  September 19 -- North American Sprint (SSB); BARTG Sprint 75
-  September 20 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest; 144 MHz Fall Sprint
(local time)
-  September 22 -- SKCC Sprint

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 Events Station Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/special-events>.

==> UPCOMING ARRL CONVENTIONS

- September 17-19 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention
<http://www.sandarc.net/Convention2010/index.html>, San Diego,
California
- October 15-17 -- ARRL Pacific Division Convention
<http://www.pacificon.org/>, San Ramon, California

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