[Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for November 17, 2011

Thu Nov 17 15:53:59 EST 2011

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

Published by the American Radio Relay League
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November 17, 2011

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

- + Amateur Radio in Space: New Space Station Crew Members Launch from
Kazakhstan
- + On the Air: The 2011 ARRL Phone Sweepstakes Is This Weekend!
- + LoTW Processing Times Improving
- + Amateur Radio in Space: ARISSat-1 May De-Orbit in April 2012
- + Amateur Radio in Space: Apply Now to Host a Real-Time Conversation
with Crewmembers Onboard the ISS
- + On the Air: British Ham Plans PSK31 DXpedition to Myanmar
- + Amateur Radio Fun: Be a Star! Enter the Second Annual ARRL Video
Contest
- ARRL Committee Seeks Microwave Band Plan Input
- + W1AW Announces Winter Operating Schedule
- Solar Update
- + ARRL Headquarters to Close for Thanksgiving Holidays
- This Week on the Radio
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

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

==> + AMATEUR RADIO IN SPACE: NEW SPACE STATION CREW MEMBERS LAUNCH
FROM KAZAKHSTAN

   Three new astronauts -- Dan Burbank, KC5ZSX, Anton Shkaplerov and
Anatoly Ivanishin -- are now onboard the International Space Station.
The Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft carrying the new trio launched from the
Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 0414 UTC Monday, November 14.
Expedition 29 Commander Mike Fossum, KF5AQG, and flight engineers
Satoshi Furukawa, KE5DAW (JAXA) and Sergei Volkov, RU3DIS (RKA),
welcomed their new crewmates when the hatches opened at 0739 UTC
Wednesday, November 16. Burbank, Shkaplerov and Ivanishin are scheduled
to live and work aboard the ISS until March. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/new-space-station-crew-members-launch-from-kazakhstan>.

==> + ON THE AIR: THE 2011 ARRL PHONE SWEEPSTAKES IS THIS WEEKEND!

   The ARRL Sweepstakes celebrates its 78th anniversary in 2011 and the
SSB weekend is coming up on November 19-21. As the CW weekend earlier
this month demonstrated, the recent re-awakening of the sunspot cycle
promises a generous dose of competition and fun for operators all
across the US and Canada. Technician licensees can make the most of
their HF privileges by taking advantage of the great conditions on 10
meters! Even very modest stations can do well on 10 meters, including
mobile and portable operations. Start tuning on USB from 28.3 MHz and
follow the action. If you've never operated a contest before, an
introduction to operating in Sweepstakes has been posted online. You
can also can brush up on the basics by viewing the 2011 ARRL November
Sweepstakes Operating Guide. Assembled by ARRL Contest Branch Manager
Sean Kutzko, KX9X, it is a great compilation of Sweepstakes rules,
operating techniques, and log submission guidelines. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/let-s-play-two-the-2011-arrl-phone-sweepstakes-is-right-around-the-corner>.

==> + LOTW PROCESSING TIMES IMPROVING

   Logbook of The World (LoTW
<http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world>) is continuing to accept and
process logs. As of November 17, the processing delay stands at 52
hours. There are approximately 1.38 million QSOs in 5886 logs waiting
to be processed. If you have already uploaded a log, there is no need
to upload it again; by doing so, you will only add to the queue. Do not
send entire logs that contain previously uploaded QSOs; please use the
date range option when signing logs, selecting only those QSOs in a
specific date range to upload to LoTW. Following these guidelines will
allow LoTW to process the backlog at a faster pace. The ARRL IT staff
continues to investigate an anomalous series of events that began on
October 29, initially creating the persisting backlog. The IT staff is
also working diligently to speed up the LoTW processing time and
eliminate the backlog. Thanks again for your patience.

==> + AMATEUR RADIO IN SPACE: ARISSAT-1 MAY DE-ORBIT IN APRIL 2012

   According to predictions
<http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/arissat5.htm> from Mineo
Wakita, JE9PEL, the ARISSat-1
<http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/index.php> satellite is due to re-enter
Earth's atmosphere in early April 2012. Launched from the International
Space Station on August 8, the satellite is traveling in a low orbit
and is steadily losing altitude. The rate of orbital decay may be
accelerated by increasing atmospheric density caused by increased solar
activity. With that factor in mind, some ARISSat-1 decay predictions
suggest re-entry as early as February 1. ARISSat-1 remains quite
active, sending voice messages, digital telemetry and Slow Scan TV
images. Amateurs have also been able to enjoy contacts through
ARISSat-1's linear transponder despite the fact that the UHF antenna
was apparently damaged prior to (or during) deployment. Last month,
AMSAT-NA announced a competition
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arissat-1-team-announces-morse-code-contest>
to see who can record the last bits of telemetry as ARISSat-1 makes its
final plunge. To decode the CW or BPSK telemetry you must use the
ARISSATTLM software <http://www.arissat1.org/v3/> for Windows or Mac
OS. The CW signal is transmitted at 145.919 MHz and the BPSK signal
appears at 145.920 MHz, plus or minus Doppler.

==> + AMATEUR RADIO IN SPACE: APPLY NOW TO HOST A REAL-TIME
CONVERSATION WITH CREWMEMBERS ONBOARD THE ISS

   NASA is now accepting proposals from US schools, museums, science
centers and community youth organizations to host an Amateur Radio on
the International Space Station (ARISS) contact between July 15, 2012
and January 15, 2013. To maximize these radio contact opportunities,
NASA is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of
participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education
plan. Proposals are due January 30, 2012.

Using Amateur Radio, students can ask astronauts questions about life
in space and other space-related topics. Students fully engage in the
ARISS contact by helping set up an Amateur Radio ground station at the
school and then using that station to talk directly with a crewmember
on the International Space Station for approximately 10 minutes. ARISS
has a network of mentors to help obtain the technology required to host
this exciting opportunity for students. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/apply-now-to-host-a-real-time-conversation-with-crewmembers-onboard-the-iss>.

==> + ON THE AIR: BRITISH HAM PLANS PSK31 DXPEDITION TO MYANMAR

   The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com/> is reporting that Simon
Luttrell, HS0ZIB/G6JFY <http://hs0zib.com/>, has been granted an
"invitation" from senior officials within the Myanmar Ministry of Post
and Telecommunications and the Ministry of Tourism to visit Bagan,
Myanmar to operate a four-day PSK31 "micro DXpedition." Myanmar --
formerly known as Burma -- has not been on the Amateur Radio bands
since 2004. Although Luttrell does not yet have a formal date for his
first operation, his Myanmar contacts want him to "come soon for about
five days." Luttrell told The Daily DX that he is hoping to go to
Myanmar later this month or in early December, "but must wait for the
'final go-ahead' from Myanmar authorities."

Luttrell's initial activity will be on 20 meters only, running about 50
W into a wire antenna. "This operation is intended to be an initial
demonstration station," he told The Daily DX, "and my plans for regular
'low-profile' PSK DXpeditions from different tourist locations within
Myanmar have been warmly received. Whilst some may scoff at such a
micro station, others will be fully aware that a small station of this
type can easily achieve global contacts." He said that he hopes that
this will be the first of many operations from XZ, as he lives just
three hours from the Thai/Myanmar border.

==> + AMATEUR RADIO FUN: BE A STAR! ENTER THE SECOND ANNUAL ARRL VIDEO
CONTEST

   If you've ever wanted a way to show the world how exciting Amateur
Radio can be, here's your chance: The ARRL is sponsoring its Second
Annual Video Contest <http://www.arrl.org/video-contest>! Here's a
chance to put that video camera to use: Shoot a ham radio-related video
and send it our way. If your video takes first, second or third place,
we'll post it on the ARRL website for everyone to see. We're looking
for a few good videos (but only one per ARRL member, please) on any
tasteful subject relating to Amateur Radio. While you are welcome to
submit a video on any theme, we're especially looking for videos that
illustrate the joy and excitement of Amateur Radio. Videos will be
judged on overall quality and composition, and prizes will be awarded.
This year, the ARRL will be offering two categories: Professional and
Amateur. The Professional category is intended for entrants who are
professional videographers or those who have access to
professional-grade video equipment and software. Both categories will
have prizes for first, second and third place. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/be-a-star-enter-the-second-annual-arrl-video-contest>.

==> ARRL COMMITTEE SEEKS MICROWAVE BAND PLAN INPUT

Attention microwavers! An ARRL Ad Hoc Committee has been tasked by the
Board of Directors with recommending updates to the ARRL band plans for
the amateur bands between 902 MHz and 3.5 GHz. If you are now active on
any of these bands or are developing plans to become active, the
committee would like to hear from you.

The band plans for these bands may be found here
<http://www.arrl.org/band-plan-1>:

- 902-928 MHz
- 1240-1300 MHz
- 2300-2310 and 2390-2450 MHz
- 3300-3500 MHz

You can find additional background and a form for submitting
information here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-committee-seeks-microwave-band-plan-input>.
Please respond by December 15, 2011.

==> + W1AW ANNOUNCES WINTER OPERATING SCHEDULE

With the switch from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time, W1AW
Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, has updated the W1AW operating
schedule to reflect the change. The standard times have not changed,
but the UTC times have. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/w1aw-announces-winter-operating-schedule-1>.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "November's Sun is felt by none
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_fwgkpghtM>" Cook, K7RA, reports: This
week geomagnetic indices quieted a bit, as did solar activity in
general. On November 9, sunspot numbers reached a high of 220, and this
week, they declined, rose to 176 and then declined again. The average
daily sunspot numbers slipped 8.4 points to 145, while the average
daily solar flux dropped 12.5 points to 161.2. The most recent forecast
predicts a bit lower activity than we've seen recently. The predicted
solar flux from NOAA and USAF shows flux values of 145 on November 17,
150 on November 18-19, 155 on November 20-23, 150 on November 24, 145
on November 25-28, and then rising to 165 on December 4-7, which is
just a few days before the ARRL 10 Meter Contest
<http://www.arrl.org/10-meter>. The predicted planetary A index for
November 17-20 is 5, 7, 8 and 7, then 5 on November 21-25, 7 on
November 26-27, and 5 on November 28-December 8. Geophysical Institute
Prague has their own take, with unsettled conditions November 18, quiet
to unsettled November 19 and quiet November 20-24. Look for more
information on the ARRL website on Friday, November 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" is brought to you by Widespread Panic's Driving Song
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widespread_Panic>.

==> + ARRL HEADQUARTERS TO CLOSE FOR THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS

   ARRL Headquarters will be closed November 24 and 25 in observance of
Thanksgiving. There will be no W1AW bulletins or code practice
transmissions <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-operating-schedule> those days.
The ARRL Letter <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/> will be published a
day early on Wednesday, November 23, but there will be no ARRL Audio
News <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news> on Thursday, November 24.
ARRL Headquarters will reopen Monday, November 28 at 8 AM Eastern
Standard Time. We wish everyone a safe and bountiful Thanksgiving
holiday.

==> THIS WEEK ON THE RADIO

This week:

- November 18 -- YO International PSK31 Contest
- November 19 -- Feld Hell Sprint
- November 19-20 -- ARRL EME Contest
<November%2018%20--%20YO%20International%20PSK31%20Contest>; LZ DX
Contest
- November 19-21 -- ARRL Sweepstakes Contest (SSB)
<http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes>; North America Collegiate ARC
Championship (SSB)
- November 21 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
- November 23 -- SKCC Sprint
- November 23-24 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

Next week:

- November 26-27 -- CQ Worldwide DX Contest (CW)
- November 27 -- SARL Digital Contest
- December 1 -- QRP ARCI Topband 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
information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out
the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/special-event-stations>.

==> UPCOMING ARRL SECTION, STATE AND DIVISION CONVENTIONS AND EVENTS

- November 19-20, 2011 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/indiana-state-convention-fort-wayne-hamfest-and-computer-expo>,
Fort Wayne, Indiana
- December 3-4, 2011 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-central-florida-section-convention-tampa-bay-hamfest-1>,
Palmetto, Florida
- January 8, 2012 -- ARRL New York/Long Island Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/new-york-long-island-section-convention-ham-radio-university-2012>,
Bethpage, New York
- January 27-28, 2012 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/mississippi-state-convention-capitol-city-hamfest-1>,
Jackson, Mississippi
- February 4, 2012 -- ARRL Virginia State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/virginia-state-convention-frostfest-2012>,
Richmond, Virginia; ARRL South Carolina State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/south-carolina-state-convention-1>,
Ladson, South Carolina
- February 10-12, 2012 -- ARRL Northern Florida Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northern-florida-section-convention-orlando-hamcation-1>,
Orlando, Florida
- February 17-18, 2012 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southwestern-division-convention-1>,
Yuma, Arizona
- February 18, 2012 -- ARRL Arkansas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-section-convention-1>, Hoxie,
Arkansas
- February 25, 2012 -- ARRL Vermont State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/vermont-state-convention-ham-con-2>,
South Burlington, Vermont

To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests>.

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