[Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for September 16, 2010

Thu Sep 16 16:04:33 EDT 2010

********************************************
            The  ARRL Letter

Published by the American Radio Relay League
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September 16, 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: Get Ready for the 2010 Simulated Emergency Test
- + Amateur Radio in the Classroom: QST Article Sparks New University
Program
- + Regulatory: New York Judge Declares Amateur Radio Is Not a Cell
Phone
- On the Air: Sponsor a Plaque for ARRL Sweepstakes
- + On the Air: USA to Host 2014 World Radiosport Team Championship
- + Solar Update
- + Silent Key: ARRL Honorary Vice President Hugh Turnbull, W3ABC (SK)
- This Week on the Radio

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

==> + PUBLIC SERVICE: GET READY FOR THE 2010 SIMULATED EMERGENCY TEST

   The 2010 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test is just around the corner and
ARRL Field Organization leaders are planning an event that will
actively involve members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service ®, the
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, the ARRL National Traffic System
and many other related groups that prepare for and respond to
emergencies. Public service and emergency response agencies and
organizations in your community, ARRL Section Leaders and/or local and
state officials will also be invited to participate. You, too, are
invited to be a part of this annual tune-up for emergency response.
Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/get-ready-for-the-2010-simulated-emergency-test>.

==> + AMATEUR RADIO IN THE CLASSROOM: QST ARTICLE SPARKS NEW UNIVERSITY
PROGRAM

   It all started with the June 2009 issue of QST. Larry Barr, K5WLF --
Planetarium Manager at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas
-- was reading QST when he came across an article about exploring the
basics of radio astronomy through a homebrew, easy-to-construct radio
telescope. The article -- written by ARRL Education and Technology
Program Coordinator Mark Spencer, WA8SME -- showed how to turn an
everyday satellite TV dish antenna into an instrument that can be used
to not only broaden horizons and expand the understanding of our
universe, but to marry the magic of Amateur Radio and astronomy.

Barr quickly got to thinking. He showed the article to his supervisor,
Dr Shaukat Goderya, the Director of the Astronomy Education and
Research Program at TSU. Barr and Goderya began brainstorming on how
they could do something like that in the department. And thus began the
latest research program in radio astronomy for the Tarleton
Observatory. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/em-qst-em-article-sparks-new-university-program>.

==> + REGULATORY: NEW YORK JUDGE DECLARES AMATEUR RADIO IS NOT A CELL
PHONE

   In many states and localities, it is illegal to talk on a cell phone
(without a hands-free device) while behind the wheel. Doing so can
result in a ticket and possibly a large fine. But on May 30, 2010, when
a New York ham was talking on his mobile rig, he didn't think he was
doing anything wrong. He wasn't, of course, but the New York State
Police officer who pulled him over and cited him with a $100 fine
didn't quite see it that way. Steve Bozak, WB2IQU, of Clifton Park,
told the ARRL that when he was pulled over while driving to Troy --
about 16 miles away -- he assured the officer that he was not speaking
on a cell phone, but on his Amateur Radio handheld transceiver.
According to Bozak, the officer said "it was all the same to him." So
Bozak -- with the assistance of his attorney, ARRL Volunteer Counsel
(VC <http://www.arrl.org/volunteer-counsel-program>) Jeremy Rase,
KC2JRD -- decided to fight the ticket in court. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/new-york-judge-declares-amateur-radio-is-not-a-cell-phone>.

==> ON THE AIR: SPONSOR A PLAQUE FOR ARRL SWEEPSTAKES

   When your dentist says you have plaque, that's bad. But when the
ARRL November Sweepstakes contest results say you have a plaque, that's
a cause for celebration! Plaques for Division and overall contest
winners are an important part of the Sweepstakes tradition -- both for
the winners and the plaque sponsors. The ARRL Sweepstakes depends on
the generosity of plaque sponsors who honor both the winners and their
sponsoring organizations. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/sponsor-a-plaque-for-arrl-sweepstakes>.

==> + ON THE AIR: USA TO HOST 2014 WORLD RADIOSPORT TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

   In 1986, Ted Turner -- in reaction to the political troubles
surrounding the Olympic Games of the 1980s -- created an international
sports competition that he called the Goodwill Games. The first Games
were held in Moscow with more than 3000 athletes from 79 countries
competing. Four years later, the Games moved to Seattle, Washington and
it was at those Games that the first-ever World Radiosport Team
Championship (WRTC) took place.

Besides athletics, the Goodwill Games focused on areas of cultural
exchange, arts and other unique subjects, one of these being Amateur
Radio -- and WRTC was born. Radio amateurs from around the world
gathered in Seattle for an Olympic-style event, joining in competition
and camaraderie. In 1996, WRTC moved to San Francisco, then Slovenia in
2000, Finland in 2002, Brazil in 2006 and Russia in 2010. Now 18 years
later, WRTC returns to the USA. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/usa-to-host-2014-world-radiosport-team-championship>.

==> ON THE WEB: INTERACT WITH OTHER ARRL MEMBERS -- ADD YOUR PROFILE TO
THE WEB SITE

   Do you want to find an old ham buddy or Elmer? Is the Jim Smith you
knew as a kid the one in Kansas or the one in Oregon? How about
interacting with other ARRL members who share your ham radio interests?
Or maybe you're just looking for someone to connect with who is also
just getting into the digital modes.

One of the features on the new ARRL Web site is Member Profile. You can
post a list of your favorite Amateur Radio activities, as well as a
description of how you got involved with Amateur Radio here. How your
profile appears is under your control -- you can make your full profile
available to all other ARRL members, or you can choose to hide certain
information.

   Adding your profile to the Member Directory allows your fellow ARRL
members to connect with you outside of the ham bands. For example, you
can then search for others who share your passion for DXing, contesting
or EmComm.

Adding your profile is simple: Log in to the ARRL Web site, click on
"Edit your Profile" link and select the "Edit Profile" screen.

You'll find the Permissions area just below the Profile Information
section. You'll need to opt-in in order for your profile to be seen on
the Web site.

==> + SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "Spread their wild hues to the sultry Sun
<http://www.humanitiesweb.org/human.php?ID=3749&a=p&p=c&s=l>" Cook,
K7RA, reports: The average daily sunspot numbers this week dropped
nearly 23 points to 15.6, and geomagnetic indices were quiet. The
average daily solar flux was 78.1, but the latest prediction from US
Air Force and NOAA calls for rising solar flux values. The September
16-22 projection has solar flux values at 83, 85, 86, 86, 87, 88 and
88, which is well above last week's average. Solar flux hasn't been to
88 or higher since August 7 (90.5), and before that July 21 (89.1). The
same forecast shows the planetary A index for the same period at 8, 8,
7, 5, 5, 15 and 15, indicating rising geomagnetic activity along with
the increased solar activity. Geophysical Institute Prague predicts
quiet to unsettled conditions September 17, quiet September 18-19,
quiet to unsettled September 20 and unsettled conditions September
21-23. The autumnal equinox occurs Wednesday, September 22 at 11:09 PM
EDT (0309 UTC on September 23). With the northern and southern
hemispheres bathed in equal amounts of light, expect better worldwide
HF propagation, although solar activity continues at a low level which
does not support an MUF into the higher frequencies over most paths.
Look for more information on the ARRL Web site on Friday, September 17.
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 John Clare's  June
<http://www.humanitiesweb.org/human.php?ID=3749&a=p&p=c&s=l>.

==> + SILENT KEY: ARRL HONORARY VICE PRESIDENT HUGH TURNBULL, W3ABC
(SK)

   ARRL Honorary Vice President Hugh Turnbull, W3ABC, of Silver Spring,
Maryland, died September 14 at age 93. Turnbull served the League as
Atlantic Division Vice Director (1980-1982) and Director (1982-1996).
The ARRL Board named him Vice President in 1996 and Honorary Vice
President in 2000. Upon hearing of his death, ARRL President Kay
Craigie, N3KN -- who served as Atlantic Division Vice Director during
Turnbull's tenure as Director -- said: "Hugh's life was devoted to
serving his country and Amateur Radio. Many times I heard him say that
each of us should 'give something back' to ham radio. He was my first
mentor in ARRL leadership, and it was my good fortune to have his
example to learn from." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-honorary-vice-president-hugh-turnbull-w3abc-sk>.

==> SUPPORT ARRL: ARRL TO AGAIN PARTICIPATE IN COMBINED FEDERAL
CAMPAIGN

   For the ninth year running, the US Office of Personnel Management
has designated the ARRL to participate in the 2010 Combined Federal
Campaign (CFC). This campaign for federal government civilian
employees, US Postal Service workers and members of the military has
generated almost $140,000 for ARRL programs since it first became an
option for giving by federal employees to the League. The CFC provides
an easy way to support ARRL's effort to represent its members and all
radio amateurs. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/2010-marks-ninth-year-for-arrl-participation-in-combined-federal-campaign>.

==> THIS WEEK ON THE RADIO

This 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

Next week:

-  September 24 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
-  September 25-26 -- CQ Worldwide DX Contest (RTTY); Texas QSO Party
-  September 25 -- AGCW VHF/UHF Contest
-  September 27 -- QRP Homebrewer Sprint
-  September 28 -- 222 MHz Fall Sprint (local time)

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 DIVISION 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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