From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Apr  5 15:53:34 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu,  5 Apr 2012 15:53:34 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for April 5, 2012
Message-ID: <20120405195334.45E0124BE5@bmail.arrl.org>

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

Published by the American Radio Relay League
********************************************

April 5, 2012

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

- + On the Air: FCC Seeks Public Comments on Emergency Communications
by Amateur Radio and Impediments to Amateur Radio Communications
- On the Air: ARRL Seeks Comments on Proposed 33 cm Band Plan
- + ARRL Field Day: Be Ready for Field Day in Official Field Day Gear
from the ARRL
- + ARRL Field Day: ARRL PR Committee to Host Field Day Webinar
- + Google Declares "Morse Code Is Perfect" with New Gmail Tap Mail
Program
- + Stephen Klinefelter Takes Over As New Army MARS Chief
- + Silent Key: Fred Maia, W5YI (SK)
- + On the Air: W1AW Claims 5BDXCC
- On the Air: ARRL Rookie Roundup's Third Year Includes New Categories
- Two New Books and Digital Software Library -- Now Shipping!
- ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?
- ARRL HQ: Two Positions Open at ARRL HQ
- Solar Update
- + ARRL to Close in Observance of Good Friday
- + ARRL Recognizes: Eric P. Nichols, KL7AJ, Wins March QST Cover
Plaque Award
- New QuickStats Poll Now Available on ARRL Website
- This Week in Radiosport
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

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

==> + ON THE AIR: FCC SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENTS ON EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
BY AMATEUR RADIO AND IMPEDIMENTS TO AMATEUR RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

   In response to the Congressional directive to prepare a study to
assess Amateur Radio's role in emergency and disaster communications
and the impact of private land use regulations on the Amateur
community's ability to provide such communications, the FCC issued DA
12-523 soliciting comments from the public. The period for public
comment runs until May 17, 2012.

"As part of the study contained in Public Law No. 112-96, the
Commission has opened a 45 day period for comments to be filed on the
issue," said ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND.
"Because of the short deadline for the study to be completed and
presented to Congress -- before the end of August -- the ARRL and the
amateur community must quickly mobilize their response." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-seeks-public-comments-on-emergency-communications-by-amateur-radio-and-impediments-to-amateur-ra>.

==> ON THE AIR: ARRL SEEKS COMMENTS ON PROPOSED 33 CM BAND PLAN

   A few months ago, the ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee asked
the Amateur Radio community about current, planned and projected uses
of the amateur bands between 902 MHz-3.5 GHz. The response was beyond
our expectations, with hundreds of comments and suggestions received.
After reading the feedback, the Committee began working on the band
plans, and the draft plan for 33 cm (902-928 MHz) is now ready for
review. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-seeks-comments-on-proposed-33-cm-band-plan>.

==> + ARRL FIELD DAY: BE READY FOR FIELD DAY IN OFFICIAL FIELD DAY GEAR
FROM THE ARRL

   You've spent all year preparing for ARRL Field Day
<http://www.arrl.org/fieldday>, but there are still a few things you're
missing: The official 2012 Field Day shirt, hat, pin and logbook! ARRL
Field Day -- Amateur Radio's largest on-the-air operating event -- is
just a little more than two months away, so be sure to get your gear
before supplies run out. This year's ARRL Field Day shirt is a khaki
T-shirt that sports the 2012 Field Day logo atop a pocket, with the
ARRL diamond logo and "Ham Radio" on the back. Shirts are available in
sizes Small-4XL. The hat -- which has "Field Day" emblazoned on its
front -- is Texas Orange and is color-coordinated with this year's
logo. New for 2012 is the ARRL Field Day Logbook. This nifty logbook is
set up in the Field Day reporting format and includes dupe sheets and
other forms that you need to have to ensure a successful Field Day.
Clubs, order early! Collect orders from members and place a single
order -- pay only $12.50 shipping for orders over $50 (while supplies
last). ARRL Field Day is June 23-24, 2012. Fulfill all your Field Day
apparel needs at the Field Day Supplies section of the ARRL website
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Field-Day-Supplies/>.

==> + ARRL FIELD DAY: ARRL PR COMMITTEE TO HOST FIELD DAY WEBINAR

   The ARRL Public Relations Committee will be holding a free webinar
entitled Field Day Press Release
<https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/278619454> on Thursday, April 12
at 9 PM (EDT). This webinar is geared for those who want to learn the
easiest -- and most effective -- ways to write up a media release for
Field Day and actually get it noticed by the media in your home region.
Learn the "tricks of the trade" from the people who actually work in
radio, television and print media. ARRL Public Relations Committee
Chairman Steven Polunsky, W5SMP, will host the event; Polunsky is also
the Public Information Coordinator for the ARRL's South Texas Section.
Joining Polunsky are Bill Husted, KQ4YA (print), Mark Kraham, W8CMK
(TV) and Don Carlson, KQ6FM (radio). Space is limited -- reserve your
spot today <https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/278619454>.

==> + GOOGLE DECLARES "MORSE CODE IS PERFECT" WITH NEW GMAIL TAP MAIL
PROGRAM

   On April 1 (yes, April Fools' Day), Google announced that it has
unveiled a new way to use its popular Gmail e-mail system. Called Gmail
Tap, it uses dots and dashes to form letters, a system of communicating
that should be very familiar to radio amateurs. "Morse code is
perfect," said Gmail Tap Engineer Mitch Fedenko. "It's just a dot and a
dash. What's simpler than that?" Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/google-declares-morse-code-is-perfect-with-new-em-gmail-tap-em-mail-program>.

==> + STEPHEN KLINEFELTER TAKES OVER AS NEW ARMY MARS CHIEF

   On April 2, US Army Colonel (retired) Stephen G. Klinefelter -- a
senior staff officer who oversees Army MARS operations for the US Army
Network Enterprise Technology Command -- announced that he was assuming
the post of Chief of Army MARS, effective immediately. Klinefelter, 61,
took the leading role last December in untangling a Pentagon decision
to "phase out" the Army MARS Winlink 2000 messaging system, used by
numerous state and municipal emergency management organizations; an
investigation showed it lacked required certification for safety from
hostile incursions. He successfully argued that the resources of
Amateur Radio -- not just MARS or Winlink -- far outweighed any risk
from enemy hackers. Lieutenant General Susan Lawrence, the Army's Chief
Information Officer, ordered an exemption from this policy for Army
MARS, which officials said would extend to the Air Force and
Navy-Marine Corps MARS programs, too. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stephen-klinefelter-takes-over-as-new-army-mars-chief>.

==> + SILENT KEY: FRED MAIA, W5YI (SK)

   The holder of one of the best-known US Amateur Radio call signs,
Frederick "Fred" Maia, W5YI, of Arlington, Texas, died of cancer on
March 28. He was 76. Maia was a leading Amateur Radio journalist for
nearly 35 years and a pioneer of the Volunteer Examiner program adopted
by the FCC in 1984, and was the first Volunteer Examiner Coordinator
(VEC) appointed by the FCC. Maia subsequently founded The W5YI Group in
1986 to develop, publish and sell amateur and commercial radio license
study materials. In the realm of FCC commercial radio licensing, Fred
formed National Radio Examiners to provide examination services. Read
more here <http://www.arrl.org/news/fred-maia-w5yi-sk>.

==> + ON THE AIR: W1AW CLAIMS 5BDXCC

Nearly four decades after the introduction of the Five Band DXCC Award
(5BDXCC <http://www.arrl.org/dxcc-award-information>), W1AW
<http://www.arrl.org/w1aw>, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station has
achieved this milestone. "As with most stations, we found that 80
meters was our stumbling block," W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q,
explained. "One by one, we picked off the needed entities, and W1AW now
holds 5BDXCC #7307. W1AW's 5BDXCC plaque will hang in a place of honor
at the station."

   Prior to achieving 5BDXCC, W1AW held DXCC
<http://www.arrl.org/dxcc-award-information> on 40-10 meters for many
years, but was always searching for the last few remaining entities on
80 meters. Carcia said that at least 90 percent of the confirmations
were made via Logbook of The World, (LoTW
<http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world>), but the last contacts #99
and #100 on 80 meters were confirmed via traditional QSL cards.

W1AW currently holds Five Band Worked All Continents Award (5BWAC
<http://www.arrl.org/wac>), Five Band Worked All States Award (5BWAS
<http://www.arrl.org/was>), Worked All Continents Award (WAC) on CW,
RTTY and Phone, Mixed DXCC (with 250 entities confirmed) and DXCC for
Digital, CW and Phone.

"Now that W1AW has 5BDXCC, we are gunning for DXCC Honor Roll
<http://www.arrl.org/system/dxcc/view/DXCC-HR-20120402-A4.pdf>," Carcia
said. "Like with 5BDXCC, there are just a few more entities to go
before W1AW can claim this award."

==> ON THE AIR: ARRL ROOKIE ROUNDUP'S THIRD YEAR INCLUDES NEW
CATEGORIES

   With the Rookie Roundup beginning its third year of competition,
2012 brings some new changes in the event -- including new entry
categories. The first Rookie Roundup of 2012 will use SSB (phone) and
will be held on Sunday, April 15 from 1800-2359 UTC. All amateurs are
welcome to participate, especially those in DX locations.

The focus of the RR remains those who are newly licensed -- hams who
received their very first license during the current year or the two
previous calendar years (2012, 2011 or 2010). Those licensed before
2010 are encouraged to get on and work the Rookies. Or consider acting
as an Elmer and coaching Rookies in their contest efforts without
actually making QSOs -- or performing logging or any other station
functions. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-rookie-roundup-s-third-year-includes-new-categories>.

==> TWO NEW BOOKS AND DIGITAL SOFTWARE LIBRARY -- NOW SHIPPING!

The ARRL has just released two new books and a digital software library
that you are going to want to have in your shack: Hints & Kinks for the
Radio Amateur (18th edition) and Short Antennas for 160 Meter Radio by
Grant Bingeman, KM5KG. The newest version of Software Library for Hams
is also available as an immediate download or on CD-ROM. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/two-new-books-and-digital-software-library-now-shipping>.

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

   This feature is a concise monthly update of some of the things that
the ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment -- which
covers the month of March -- takes a look at upcoming ARRL member
benefits, new privileges for radio amateurs on 60 meters, forthcoming
ARRL publications, happenings at W1AW, reports from the Official
Observer Desk and more. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-in-action-what-have-we-been-up-to-lately-44>.

==> ARRL HQ: TWO POSITIONS OPEN AT ARRL HQ

The League is currently looking to fill two open positions at ARRL
Headquarters in Newington. One position is in the Membership and
Volunteer Programs Department
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/About%20ARRL/Employment/Awards%20and%20Programs%20Assistant%20%282%29.pdf>
and the other is in the Education Services Department
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/About%20ARRL/Employment/FT%20Ed%20Svcs%20Instruction%20and%20Resource%20Coordinator-announce%20Mar12%20%282%29.pdf>.
To apply, please send your cover letter and resume via e-mail
<mlevesque at arrl.org>, or complete the application
<http://www.arrl.org/files/media/News/Revised_Employment_Application.pdf>,
print it out and mail it with your resume and cover letter to Monique
Levesque, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. You can also fax your
application, cover letter and resume to 860-594-0298. Please include
your salary history and salary requirements. The ARRL is an equal
opportunity employer. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/two-positions-open-at-arrl-hq>.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "I remember April when the Sun was in the sky
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igs54heetSI>" Cook, K7RA, reports: Over
the past week, the average daily sunspot number and solar flux values
rose slightly, even though as the week progressed, each day had a lower
number than the day before. The daily sunspot number began the week at
a high of 100, but ended at 60. Likewise, the daily solar flux started
at 111.5, ending with 102.1. The mild geomagnetic conditions made for a
quiet week, with the only unsettled conditions on April 1-2 in very
high latitude regions, with Alaska's College A index at 11 and 17. From
the April 4 USAF forecast, they see solar flux for April 5 at 105,
April 6-7 at 110, 115 on April 8-10, followed by 110 on April 11, and
then 100 on April 12-22. The next predicted short-term peak for solar
flux is 130 on May 2-5. Look for more information on the ARRL website
on Thursday, April 5. 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 David Cassidy's Daydreamer
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daydreamer_%28David_Cassidy_song%29>.

==> + ARRL TO CLOSE IN OBSERVANCE OF GOOD FRIDAY

ARRL Headquarters will be closed in observance of Good Friday on
Friday, April 6. There will be no W1AW bulletin or code practice
transmissions <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-operating-schedule> that day.
ARRL Headquarters will reopen Monday, April 9 at 8 AM Eastern Daylight
Time. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.

==> + ARRL RECOGNIZES: ERIC P. NICHOLS, KL7AJ, WINS MARCH QST COVER
PLAQUE AWARD

   The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for March is Eric P.
Nichols, KL7AJ, for his article "Three Wrong Assumptions about the
Ionosphere." Congratulations Eric! The QST Cover Plaque award -- given
to the author or authors of the best article in each issue -- is
determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll web
page <http://www.arrl.org/cover-plaque-poll>. Cast a ballot for your
favorite article in the April issue today.

==> NEW QUICKSTATS POLL NOW AVAILABLE ON ARRL WEBSITE

Four new poll questions have just been published on the QuickStats page
<http://www.arrl.org/quickstats> on the ARRL website. Let your voice be
heard!

   Questions in this month's QuickStats poll:

- How many times have you attended the Dayton Hamvention??
- Have you used your new 60 meter CW or digital privileges?
- Do you use software to control your transceiver?
- When was the last time you inspected your antenna feed lines?

Visit the QuickStats page <http://www.arrl.org/quickstats> and be sure
to bookmark it in your browser. Results from this QuickStats poll will
be published in the July 2012 issue of QST on the QuickStats page,
located in the rear advertising section of the magazine. Along with
monthly poll results, QST QuickStats offers colorful charts and graphs
that highlight interesting Amateur Radio statistics.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- April 6 -- NCCC RTTY Sprint
- April 7 -- LZ Open 40 Meter Sprint Contest; PODXS 070 Club PSK 31
Flavors Contest (local time)
- April 7-8 -- QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party; SP DX Contest
- April 11 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
- April 11-12 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

Next week:

- April 13 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder 0230Z-0300Z, Apr 13
- April 14 -- EU Spring Sprint (CW)
- April 14-15 -- Georgia QSO Party; Montana QSO Party; New Mexico QSO
Party; QCWA Spring QSO Party; JIDX CW Contest; Yuri Gagarin
International DX Contest
- April 15 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup (SSB)
<http://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup>; International Vintage Contest HF
Contest; Hungarian Straight Key Contest
- April 17 -- 222 MHz Spring 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
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

- April 7 -- ARRL North Carolina State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/north-carolina-state-convention-raleigh-hamfest-1>,
Raleigh, North Carolina
- April 14 -- ARRL Delta Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delta-division-convention-3>, Bartlett,
Tennessee
- April 14-15 -- Communications Academy 2012
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/communications-academy-2012>, Seattle,
Washington
- April 20-22 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/idaho-state-convention-2>, Boise, Idaho;
63rd International DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/63rd-international-dx-convention>,
Visalia, California
- April 21 -- ARRL Delaware State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delaware-state-convention-delmarva-amateur-radio-electronics-expo-1>,
Georgetown, Delaware; ARRL Louisiana Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-section-convention-1>, Monroe,
Louisiana
- May 4-6 -- EMCOMMWEST
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/emcommwest-convention-1>, Reno, Nevada
- May 18-20 -- Dayton Hamvention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/dayton-hamvention-3>, Dayton, Ohio
- June 1-3 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northwestern-division-convention-seapac-3>,
Seaside, Oregon
- June 2 -- ARRL Georgia Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/georgia-section-convention-atlanta-hamfest-1>,
Marietta, Georgia
- June 8-9 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-gulf-division-convention-ham-com-1>,
Plano, Texas
- June 9 -- ARRL Arkansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-state-convention>, Rogers,
Arkansas; ARRL Tennessee State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tennessee-state-convention-2>, Knoxville,
Tennessee

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

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From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Apr 12 17:10:29 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:10:29 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for April 12, 2012
Message-ID: <20120412211029.2B163210C7@bmail.arrl.org>

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

Published by the American Radio Relay League
********************************************

April 12, 2012

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: North Texas Hams Respond When Tornados Strike
- + On the Air: 2012 Continues to Show Growth in Amateur Radio
Licensing
- + On the Air: FCC Seeks Public Comments on Emergency Communications
by Amateur Radio and Impediments to Amateur Radio Communications
- + Digital QST: Coming Soon to a Computer Near You!
- On the Air: Amateurs Must Protect New Radars in 23 cm Band
- On the Air: ARRL Seeks Comments on Proposed 33 cm Band Plan
- + IARU News: April 18 Is World Amateur Radio Day
- + Check Your Mailbox for the May Issue of QST
- + Public Service: Malaysia to Host Eighth Global Amateur Radio
Emergency Communications Conference
- Solar Update
- FCC Enforcement Actions for January-March 2012
- This Week in Radiosport
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

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

==> + PUBLIC SERVICE: NORTH TEXAS HAMS RESPOND WHEN TORNADOS STRIKE

   On April 3, 2012, perfect conditions conducive to tornado activity
converged on North Texas. A slow moving front, combined with abnormally
warm temperatures and moist air coming in from the south, produced
large hail, numerous funnel clouds and tornados. As the weather
worsened, hams in North Texas activated ARES? and RACES nets. Spotters
reported their observations to their local Emergency Operations Center,
which acted on that information in a timely manner to inform the public
of the approaching storms, giving them time to get to safety. A total
of 21 confirmed tornados -- including one EF3 and two EF2 twisters --
swept through the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex during the seven hour
storm.

According to ARRL North Texas Section Public Information Coordinator
Jim Pope, N5JCP, the region suffered extensive damage, but thanks to
the assistance of radio amateurs and trained weather spotters who
tracked the storm's path and passed the information on to local
officials who in turn passed the information to the public, there were
no fatalities and very few injuries.

"In Rowlett -- a city of about 56,000 people in the northwest corner of
Dallas County -- hams at the Rowlett Fire and Police dispatch unit
received information on an approaching tornado from weather spotters,"
Pope told the ARRL. "Because of this advance warning, Rowlett officials
activated the sirens, warning its citizens of the imminent storm nine
minutes before the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning
for the area." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/north-texas-hams-respond-when-tornados-strike>.

==> + ON THE AIR: 2012 CONTINUES TO SHOW GROWTH IN AMATEUR RADIO
LICENSING

<http://www.arrl.org/images/view/News/New_FCC_Licenses_2006-March2012.jpg>
  The first quarter of 2012 (January-March) saw a high level of Amateur
Radio license exam sessions, producing an elevated influx of
applications for new licensees. According to ARRL VEC Manager Maria
Somma, AB1FM, these numbers outpaced the 2011 first quarter results by
30 percent. This uptick does not only apply to new applications; there
was a 6 percent increase in the number of upgrades, too. "Statistics
over the last 13 years reveal that these are some of the highest
numbers that we've seen since the early 1990s for the total number of
US amateurs," Somma said. "Now there are more than 704,000 radio
amateurs in the US." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/2012-continues-to-show-growth-in-amateur-radio-licensing>.

==> + ON THE AIR: FCC SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENTS ON EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
BY AMATEUR RADIO AND IMPEDIMENTS TO AMATEUR RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

   In response to the Congressional directive to prepare a study to
assess Amateur Radio's role in emergency and disaster communications
and the impact of private land use regulations on the amateur
community's ability to provide such communications, the FCC issued DA
12-523 soliciting comments from the public. The period for public
comment runs until May 17, 2012.

"As part of the study contained in Public Law No. 112-96, the
Commission has opened a 45 day period for comments to be filed on the
issue," said ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND.
"Because of the short deadline for the study to be completed and
presented to Congress -- before the end of August -- the ARRL and the
amateur community must quickly mobilize their response." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-seeks-public-comments-on-emergency-communications-by-amateur-radio-and-impediments-to-amateur-ra>.

==> + DIGITAL QST: COMING SOON TO A COMPUTER NEAR YOU!

   The new digital edition of QST will debut toward the end of May. If
you are an ARRL member and you haven't yet signed up to be notified
automatically when the digital edition becomes available, you can do so
easily. Just click on the "Edit your profile" link on the ARRL website
<http://www.arrl.org/>. Once you are in your profile, click "Edit
e-mail subscriptions" and then check the box next to "Notification of
monthly digital edition of QST." That's all there is to it. A new FAQ
<http://www.arrl.org/digital-qst-faq> about the digital edition has the
answers to the questions ARRL members have been asking (it can also be
accessed from the QST page on the ARRL website
<http://www.arrl.org/qst>). We hope you enjoy the new digital edition
of QST.

==> ON THE AIR: AMATEURS MUST PROTECT NEW RADARS IN 23 CM BAND

   The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA <http://www.faa.gov/>) is
deploying a new generation of Common Air Route Surveillance Radar
(CARSR) that has some implications for the use of the 1240-1300 MHz (23
cm) band by amateurs. The Amateur Service allocation in this band is on
a secondary basis, with aeronautical radionavigation and several other
services primary in the United States Table of Frequency Allocations.
The FCC rules require that amateur stations operating in the 23 cm band
may not cause harmful interference to stations in the
radionavigation-satellite service, the aeronautical radionavigation
service, the Earth exploration-satellite service (active) or the space
research service (active). One case of harmful interference in Southern
California has been reported.

CARSRs are being installed in several dozen locations throughout the
country and will use various frequencies in the 1240-1350 MHz range
with an occupied bandwidth of about 3 MHz. In the vicinity of the
radars, amateur operation may be precluded in a portion of the 23 cm
band. The ARRL is in contact with FAA engineers. We anticipate that the
constraints on amateur use of the band will be limited to those
necessary to protect aviation safety, which of course cannot be
compromised.

==> ON THE AIR: ARRL SEEKS COMMENTS ON PROPOSED 33 CM BAND PLAN

   A few months ago, the ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee asked
the Amateur Radio community about current, planned and projected uses
of the amateur bands between 902 MHz-3.5 GHz. The response was beyond
our expectations, with hundreds of comments and suggestions received.
After reading the feedback, the Committee began working on the band
plans, and the draft plan for 33 cm (902-928 MHz) is now ready for
review. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-seeks-comments-on-proposed-33-cm-band-plan>.

==> + IARU NEWS: APRIL 18 IS WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY

   The year 2012 marks the 87th anniversary of the founding of the
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). To mark this occasion, the
IARU and its more than 160 Member-Societies will celebrate World
Amateur Radio Day on April 18. For many years, the IARU has declared a
theme for each World Amateur Radio Day. The theme for 2012 is Amateur
Radio Satellites: Celebrating 50 Years in Space in remembrance of the
launch of OSCAR 1 on December 12, 1961 and the launch of OSCAR 2 on
June 2, 1962. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/april-18-is-world-amateur-radio-day>.

==> + CHECK YOUR MAILBOX FOR THE MAY ISSUE OF QST

This May issue of QST focuses on digital operating. From RTTY to PACTOR
III to PSK31 to D-STAR to JT65, there's a digital mode to satisfy just
about every ham appetite. And with new privileges on 60 meters, there's
a whole new band for digital operators to explore. So set aside a
couple of hours, grab a snack and get ready to explore the May issue of
QST.

A recurring gag on the late-1960's comedy Get Smart involved
telephones. Not only did Maxwell Smart (Agent 86) have a shoe phone,
phones on the show were hidden in more than 50 everyday objects,
including a necktie, comb, watch, clock, handkerchief, magazine and a
garden hose. You, too, can "get smart" when you turn your Android smart
phone into a digital communications terminal. Find out how in "An AFSK
Interface for Android Smartphones" by Martin Huyett, K0BXB.

   If you've ever wanted to try D-STAR, but you don't have access to a
D-STAR radio, you won't want to miss "From Analog to D-STAR" by Gary
Pearce, KN4AQ. In his article, Pearce explores how D-STAR works, how to
program a D-STAR radio and even how to get on the air with D-STAR using
your existing equipment. QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY, is a digital
radio guru. His article "Who's on JT65?" takes a look at this mode
developed by Nobel Prize laureate Joe Taylor, K1JT, and explores its
strong growth as a digital mode on the HF bands.

The 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference ended two months ago, and
delegates are now working on implementing the decisions in their home
countries while preparing for the next WRC, scheduled for 2015. ARRL
Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, attended WRC-12 as a member
of the IARU delegation. In his article ""WRC-12 Results in New Amateur
MF Allocation," Sumner takes a look at how more than 3000 participants
from 165 countries reached consensus on 30 different issues related to
the allocation and sharing of the radio spectrum -- including Amateur
Radio -- and the efficient use of satellite orbits for
telecommunications and scientific research.

QST Contributing Editor Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, takes a look at the Kenwood
TM-281A 2 meter FM transceiver in this month's Product Review. He says
the rig is a "solidly built, good performing 2 meter FM mobile with a
nice selection of features for the price." QST Technical Editor Joel
Hallas, W1ZR, checked out the Tokyo Hy-Power Labs HL350VDX 2 meter
linear amplifier, calling it "a very flexible and compact 2 meter
medium power amplifier that can follow many types of equipment. It is
easy to set up and run and operates in all modes very well. It is truly
a linear amplifier such that it produces SSB intermodulation products
that would be appropriate for an HF linear." W1AW Station Manager Joe
Carcia, NJ1Q, looked at the Network Sciences/AC0C roofing filter for
the Yaesu FT-2000. "This filter made a noticeable improvement in W1AW's
FT-2000 transceiver's close-in strong signal handling performance," he
said. "Installation requires the proper tools and a steady hand."

Of course, there are the usual columns you know and expect in the May
QST: Happenings, Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is In, Short Takes,
Technical Correspondence, How's DX and more. Look for your May issue 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/>.

==> + PUBLIC SERVICE: MALAYSIA TO HOST EIGHTH GLOBAL AMATEUR RADIO
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE

The Eighth Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference
(GAREC) -- called MyGAREC 2012 <http://www.mygarec2012.com/garec/> --
will be held November 12-14 in the Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan
at the Thistle Port Dickson Resort
<http://www.thistle.com/en/hotels/malaysia/port_dickson/thistle_port_dickson>.

   GAREC began in 2005 in Tampere, Finland. The conference attracts
radio amateurs who have an interest in providing emergency
communications in response to disasters or during training exercises.
MyGAREC 2012 has been timed to immediately follow the IARU Region 3
Conference in Vietnam (scheduled for November 5-9) with its theme of
disaster relief communications.

General information for MyGAREC 2012 -- including information on the
venue, registration fees, the tentative agenda
<http://www.mygarec2012.com/garec/index.php/info-mygarec-2012/mygarec-2012-schedule>
and registration forms -- has been posted on the MyGAREC website.
According to organizers, the website will be updated weekly with the
latest news and program changes. Among the topics to be discussed
include the HF emergency operating procedure and the future of GAREC,
as well as presentations from the three IARU regions. Presentations
from various IARU Member-Societies regarding recent disaster relief
communications operations will also be scheduled.

Previous GARECs have been held in Finland (2005 and 2006), the USA
(2007), Germany (2008), Japan (2009), Cura?ao (2010) and South Africa
(2011).

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "How do you rate the morning Sun?
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SkXA19g0OY>" Cook, K7RA, reports:
Solar activity took a serious nosedive this week, with the average
daily sunspot numbers dropping to a value less than half the previous
week's average -- down nearly 43 points to 32.6. The solar flux values
were also off, down nearly 12 points to 95.9. The current prediction
shows solar flux at 90 on April 12-18, then suddenly jumping to 105 on
April 19-21, 110 on April 22-25, then back to 105 on April 26-28, 100
on April 29-30, and then 95 on May 1-9. The predicted planetary A index
is an unsettled 12 on April 12-14, 10 and 8 on April 15-16, 5 on April
17-23, 10 and 8 on April 24-25, 5 on April 26-29, 8 on April 30, and 5
on May 1-7. One good way to view the decline since last fall is with a
solar plotting utility by Scott Craig, WA4TTK, which can be downloaded
free <http://www.craigcentral.com/sol.asp>. He currently has an updated
data file that goes through April 4, 2012. Look for more information on
the ARRL website on Friday, April 13. 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 Robbie Williams' Morning Sun
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morning_Sun_%28song%29>.

==> FCC ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS FOR JANUARY-MARCH 2012

Here's a summary of FCC enforcement actions during the past quarter
(January-March 2012): Repeater-related cases: 1. General infractions
(including unauthorized operation): 10. Power-line cases: 0. Click here
<http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/AmateurActions/Welcome.html> for details.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- April 13 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- April 14 -- EU Spring Sprint (CW)
- April 14-15 -- Georgia QSO Party; Montana QSO Party; New Mexico QSO
Party; QCWA Spring QSO Party; JIDX CW Contest; Yuri Gagarin
International DX Contest
- April 15 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup (SSB)
<http://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup>; International Vintage Contest HF
Contest; Hungarian Straight Key Contest
- April 17 -- 222 MHz Spring Sprint (local time)

Next week:

- April 20-21 -- Holyland DX Contest
- April 21 -- Feld Hell Sprint; EU Spring Sprint (SSB); TARA Skirmish
Digital Prefix Contest; ES Open HF Championship
- April 21-22 -- Michigan QSO Party; South Dakota QSO Party; Ontario
QSO Party; CQ Manchester Mineira DX Contest; EA-QRP CW Contest; YU DX
Contest
- April 25 -- 432 MHz Spring Sprint (local time)
- April 25-26 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

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

- April 14 -- ARRL Delta Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delta-division-convention-3>, Bartlett,
Tennessee
- April 14-15 -- Communications Academy 2012
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/communications-academy-2012>, Seattle,
Washington
- April 20-22 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/idaho-state-convention-2>, Boise, Idaho;
63rd International DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/63rd-international-dx-convention>,
Visalia, California
- April 21 -- ARRL Delaware State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delaware-state-convention-delmarva-amateur-radio-electronics-expo-1>,
Georgetown, Delaware; ARRL Louisiana Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-section-convention-1>, Monroe,
Louisiana
- May 4-6 -- EMCOMMWEST
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/emcommwest-convention-1>, Reno, Nevada
- May 18-20 -- Dayton Hamvention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/dayton-hamvention-3>, Dayton, Ohio
- June 1-3 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northwestern-division-convention-seapac-3>,
Seaside, Oregon
- June 2 -- ARRL Georgia Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/georgia-section-convention-atlanta-hamfest-1>,
Marietta, Georgia
- June 8-9 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-gulf-division-convention-ham-com-1>,
Plano, Texas
- June 9 -- ARRL Arkansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-state-convention>, Rogers,
Arkansas; ARRL Tennessee State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tennessee-state-convention-2>, Knoxville,
Tennessee

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

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

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 Copyright (c) 2012 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All
Rights Reserved

 <http://www.arrl.org/>


From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Apr 19 22:50:36 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:50:36 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for April 19, 2012
Message-ID: <20120420031259.B636627C2C@bmail.arrl.org>

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

Published by the American Radio Relay League
********************************************

April 19, 2012

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

- + Dayton Hamvention: Get Ready for ARRL EXPO at the Dayton Hamvention

- + Public Service: Iowa Hams Help Local and NWS Officials Before,
After Tornado
- + On the Air: Amateurs Must Protect New Radars in 23 cm Band
- + On the Air: Changes Permit More Field Checking of DXCC Cards
- + Field Day: Register Your ARRL Field Day Site on the Field Day
Locator
- Amateur Radio in the Classroom: Attention Teachers: Applications for
Teachers Institute and ETP Grant Applications Due Soon
- + Digital QST: Coming Soon to a Computer Near You!
- Minutes from March's ARRL Executive Committee Meeting Now Available
- International News: ITU Telecom World 2012 Conference Seeking
Participants for Young Innovators Program
- Solar Update
- + ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference Set for Atlanta
- This Week in Radiosport
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

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

==> + DAYTON HAMVENTION: GET READY FOR ARRL EXPO AT THE DAYTON
HAMVENTION

   The ARRL has finalized its planning to bring its large exhibition --
ARRL EXPO -- to Dayton Hamvention, May 18-20. The ARRL EXPO has been a
mainstay at Hamvention since 2005, serving as the centerpiece for most
of the League's activities at the country's largest Amateur Radio
convention. "Our goal is help represent the fullness of the ARRL
membership programs and services at the convention," said ARRL
Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R. "ARRL EXPO is as much about
creating an experience for convention goers as it is about having a
place for members to interact with other members. The ARRL EXPO team
includes more than 100 ARRL volunteers, officials and staff members. If
you are an active Amateur Radio operator or want to renew your interest
in ham radio, the ARRL EXPO is the place to be at Dayton." Read more
here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/get-ready-for-the-2012-arrl-expo-at-the-dayton-hamvention>.

==> + PUBLIC SERVICE: IOWA HAMS HELP LOCAL AND NWS OFFICIALS BEFORE,
AFTER TORNADO

 <http://www.arrl.org/images/view/News/CrestonTornado.jpg>   On April
14, a string of tornados swept through the Central US and Great Lakes
Region, including an EF2 tornado in Creston, Iowa, causing severe
damage to the Greater Regional Medical Center and the Southwestern
Community College campus. Prior to the tornado, radio amateurs in
Creston reported storm observations directly to the National Weather
Service. After the storm forced the evacuation of the hospital, hams
provided communications support to local officials. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/iowa-hams-support-local-officials-before-after-tornado>.

==> + ON THE AIR: AMATEURS MUST PROTECT NEW RADARS IN 23 CM BAND

   The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA <http://www.faa.gov/>) is
deploying a new generation of Common Air Route Surveillance Radar
(CARSR) that has some implications for the use of the 1240-1300 MHz (23
cm) band by amateurs. The Amateur Service allocation in this band is on
a secondary basis, with aeronautical radionavigation and several other
services primary in the United States Table of Frequency Allocations.
The FCC rules require that amateur stations operating in the 23 cm band
may not cause harmful interference to stations in the
radionavigation-satellite service, the aeronautical radionavigation
service, the Earth exploration-satellite service (active) or the space
research service (active). One case of harmful interference in Southern
California has been reported.

CARSRs are being installed in several dozen locations throughout the
country and will use various frequencies in the 1240-1350 MHz range
with an occupied bandwidth of about 3 MHz. In the vicinity of the
radars, amateur operation may be precluded in a portion of the 23 cm
band. The ARRL is in contact with FAA engineers. We anticipate that the
constraints on amateur use of the band will be limited to those
necessary to protect aviation safety, which of course cannot be
compromised.

==> + ON THE AIR: CHANGES PERMIT MORE FIELD CHECKING OF DXCC CARDS

   Acting on a recommendation by ARRL Membership and Volunteer Programs
Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, the ARRL's Programs and Services Committee
(PSC), adopted new rules for ARRL field card checkers. ARRL card
checkers now may check QSL cards for those entities deleted from the
DXCC list and, with exceptions, check cards for 160 meters. In
addition, the PSC decided not to change the process by which card
checkers are appointed. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-card-checkers-can-now-check-cards-for-160-meters-deleted-entities>.

==> + FIELD DAY: REGISTER YOUR ARRL FIELD DAY SITE ON THE FIELD DAY
LOCATOR

   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-locator> 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 47 states, Puerto Rico and six Canadian provinces 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 website
<http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator> and follow the instructions.
ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air operating event in
Amateur Radio. On June 23-24, join tens of thousands of radio amateurs
as they gather for a public demonstration of the Amateur Service.

==> AMATEUR RADIO IN THE CLASSROOM: ATTENTION TEACHERS: APPLICATIONS
FOR TEACHERS INSTITUTE AND ETP GRANT APPLICATIONS DUE SOON

   Thinking about using Amateur Radio and wireless technology in your
classroom to help facilitate hands-on learning opportunities? The
ARRL's Education & Technology Program offers two programs that can help
make this happen, but the deadline to apply is fast approaching: The
deadline for the 2012 Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology is May
15, while the deadline for equipment and resource grants is May 1. Read
more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/attention-teachers-applications-for-teachers-institute-and-etp-grant-applications-due-soon>.

==> + DIGITAL QST: COMING SOON TO A COMPUTER NEAR YOU!

   The new digital edition of QST will debut toward the end of May. If
you are an ARRL member and you haven't yet signed up to be notified
automatically when the digital edition becomes available, you can do so
easily. Just click on the "Edit your profile" link on the ARRL website
<http://www.arrl.org/>. Once you are in your profile, click "Edit
e-mail subscriptions" and then check the box next to "Notification of
monthly digital edition of QST." That's all there is to it. A new FAQ
<http://www.arrl.org/digital-qst-faq> about the digital edition has the
answers to the questions ARRL members have been asking (it can also be
accessed from the QST page on the ARRL website
<http://www.arrl.org/qst>). We hope you enjoy the new digital edition
of QST.

==> MINUTES FROM MARCH'S ARRL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING NOW AVAILABLE

The ARRL Executive Committee met
<http://www.arrl.org/news/executive-committee-to-meet-this-weekend-in-missouri>
on Saturday, March 24 in St Louis, Missouri. The minutes from that
meeting are now available <http://www.arrl.org/board-meetings> on the
ARRL website.

==> INTERNATIONAL NEWS: ITU TELECOM WORLD 2012 CONFERENCE SEEKING
PARTICIPANTS FOR YOUNG INNOVATORS PROGRAM

   As part of ITU Telecom World 2012 -- scheduled for October 14-18 in
Dubai -- the conference will present the Young Innovators Program. With
its theme of Youth Innovation for Development, the Young Innovators
Competition is a chance for the next generation of young visionaries to
demonstrate their ideas and innovations on this global stage and show
how their fresh digital thinking can change the world for the better.
The program seeks to attract dynamic, engaged young people and identify
projects with a genuine potential to succeed. The goal of the program
is to build a cohesive international community of highly talented of
social entrepreneurs from age 18-25 who are working on ICT-based
initiatives from the conceptual stage through to projects in areas of
critical relevance to the burning issues facing the world today. Read
more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/itu-telecom-world-2012-conference-seeking-participants-for-young-innovators-program>.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad Cook, K7RA, reports: The solar flux and sunspot numbers reached
a short term low on April 8-11, but they are rising again. For the past
week -- April 12-18 -- the average daily sunspot numbers more than
doubled, compared to the previous seven days, rising more than 39
points to 71.7. The average daily solar flux increased from 95.9 to
105.1. The predicted solar flux for April 19-22 is 120, followed by 115
on April 23-26, 105 on April 27-28, 100 on April 29-30, and 95 on May
1-9. The predicted planetary A index is 5, 5, 8, 5, 6, 10, 12 and 8 on
April 19-26, 5 on April 27-29, 8 on April 30, 5 on May 1-7, and 8, 12,
15 and 10 on May 8-11. Look for more information -- including
propagation reports from readers, updated predictions and a piece by
Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, regarding the current stalled state of Solar
Cycle 24 -- on the ARRL website on Friday, April 20. For more
information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical
Information Service Propagation page
<http://www.arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals>.

==> + ARRL/TAPR DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE SET FOR ATLANTA

   The dates have been set -- September 21-23 -- for the 31st Annual
ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC
<http://www.tapr.org/dcc>) in Atlanta at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel.
The DCC schedule includes forums, demonstrations, a Saturday evening
banquet and an in-depth Sunday seminar. This conference is for everyone
with an interest in digital communications -- from beginner to expert.
Technical papers are also being solicited for the conference
proceedings. You do not have to attend the conference to have your
paper included. The submission deadline is July 31. Please send papers
to Maty Weinberg, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111, or you can
make your submission via e-mail <maty at arrl.org>. Papers will be
published exactly as submitted and authors will retain all rights. For
more information, please see the DCC website <http://www.tapr.org/dcc>
or call TAPR at 972-671-8277.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- April 20-21 -- Holyland DX Contest
- April 21 -- Feld Hell Sprint; EU Spring Sprint (SSB); TARA Skirmish
Digital Prefix Contest; ES Open HF Championship
- April 21-22 -- Michigan QSO Party; South Dakota QSO Party; Ontario
QSO Party; CQ Manchester Mineira DX Contest; EA-QRP CW Contest; YU DX
Contest
- April 25 -- 432 MHz Spring Sprint (local time)
- April 25-26 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

Next week:

- April 27 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- April 28-29 -- Florida QSO Party; Nebraska QSO Party; 10-10
International Spring Contest (Digital); SP DX RTTY Contest; Helvetia
Contest; QRP to the Field
- April 29 -- BARTG Sprint 75
- May 1 -- AGCW QRP/QRP Party

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

- April 20-22 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/idaho-state-convention-2>, Boise, Idaho;
63rd International DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/63rd-international-dx-convention>,
Visalia, California
- April 21 -- ARRL Delaware State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delaware-state-convention-delmarva-amateur-radio-electronics-expo-1>,
Georgetown, Delaware; ARRL Louisiana Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-section-convention-1>, Monroe,
Louisiana
- May 4-6 -- EMCOMMWEST
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/emcommwest-convention-1>, Reno, Nevada
- May 18-20 -- Dayton Hamvention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/dayton-hamvention-3>, Dayton, Ohio
- June 1-3 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northwestern-division-convention-seapac-3>,
Seaside, Oregon
- June 2 -- ARRL Georgia Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/georgia-section-convention-atlanta-hamfest-1>,
Marietta, Georgia
- June 8-9 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-gulf-division-convention-ham-com-1>,
Plano, Texas
- June 9 -- ARRL Arkansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-state-convention>, Rogers,
Arkansas; ARRL Tennessee State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tennessee-state-convention-2>, Knoxville,
Tennessee
- June 30 -- ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/eastern-pennsylvania-section-convention-electronics-expo-firecracker-hamfest>,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- July 20-22 -- ARRL Montana State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/montana-state-convention-78th-glacier-waterton-international-hamfest>,
East Glacier, Montana
- July 26-28 -- Central States VHF Society Conference
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/central-states-vhf-society-conference-1>,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- July 27-28 -- ARRL Oklahoma Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-section-convention-ham-holiday-2012>,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- July 27-29 -- ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rocky-mountain-division-convention-2>,
Bryce Canyon, Utah
- August 3-4 -- ARRL Texas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/texas-state-convention-austin-summerfest-2>,
Austin, Texas
- August 3-5 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/pacific-northwest-dx-convention-1>,
Portland, Oregon
- August 4 -- ARRL Ohio State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/ohio-state-convention>, Columbus, Ohio
- August 10-12 -- RAC National Convention 2012
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rac-convention-2012>, Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada
- August 18 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-virginia-state-convention-2>,
Weston, West Virginia
- August 18-19 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southeastern-division-convention-huntsville-hamfest>,
Huntsville, Alabama
- August 19 -- ARRL Kansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/kansas-state-convention-2>, Salina,
Kansas
- August 24-26 -- ARRL New England Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/new-england-division-convention-1>,
Boxboro, Massachusetts
- August 26 -- ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/western-pennsylvania-section-convention-2>,
New Kensington, Pennsylvania

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

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! <http://www.arrl.org/join> ARRL membership
includes QST <http://www.arrl.org/qst>, Amateur Radio's most popular
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Parties.

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<http://www.arrl.org/qex>. Published bi-monthly, features technical
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 Copyright (c) 2012 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All
Rights Reserved

 <http://www.arrl.org/>


From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Apr 26 16:40:03 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:40:03 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for April 26, 2012
Message-ID: <20120426204003.B82FD25EF1@bmail.arrl.org>

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

Published by the American Radio Relay League
********************************************

April 26, 2012

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

- + Dayton Hamvention: ARRL EXPO -- Where the DX Comes to You!
- + On the Air: WPX Awards via LoTW Enters Beta Testing
- + ARRL Thanks Radio Amateurs Who Filed Comments
- + Amateur Radio in the Classroom: Apply to Host a Real-Time
Conversation with ISS Crewmembers
- + Field Day: Register Your ARRL Field Day Site on the Field Day
Locator
- Support ARRL: Attention Federal Employees: ARRL Approved for 2012
Combined Federal Campaign!
- + International News: ITU Telecom World 2012 Conference Seeking
Participants for Young Innovators Program
- Solar Update
- + ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference Set for Atlanta
- This Week in Radiosport
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

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

==> + DAYTON HAMVENTION: ARRL EXPO -- WHERE THE DX COMES TO YOU!

   As part of the ARRL EXPO -- part of the 2012 Dayton Hamvention? --
the ARRL is pleased to present a plethora of DX activities. Visitors to
the ARRL EXPO will see a lot of DX activities, including DXCC card
checking and a chance to drop off QSL cards for the ARRL Outgoing QSL
Bureau, as well as representatives from the International Amateur Radio
Union (IARU) and IARU Member-Societies. The Dayton Hamvention will take
place May 18-20 at Hara Arena, located near Dayton, Ohio. Read more
here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-expo-at-the-dayton-hamvention-where-the-dx-comes-to-you-1>.

==> + ON THE AIR: WPX AWARDS VIA LOTW ENTERS BETA TESTING

   Earlier this year, the ARRL and CQ Communications announced that the
ARRL will provide support for CQ-sponsored operating awards by the
ARRL's Logbook of the World (LoTW) electronic confirmation system. The
WPX Award is the first of the CQ-sponsored awards that LoTW will
support. "We had originally planned to introduce this new program in
early April, but due to the introduction of the new DXCC fee structure
and our new Online DXCC application, we had to push the date back,"
explained ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B. "We are now
beta testing the program with a select group of hams and are looking
forward to launching to LoTW-WPX partnership in the first part of May."
Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/wpx-awards-via-lotw-enters-beta-testing>.

==> + ARRL THANKS RADIO AMATEURS WHO FILED COMMENTS

In April, the FCC put out a Public Notice
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-seeks-public-comments-on-emergency-communications-by-amateur-radio-and-impediments-to-amateur-ra>,
requesting comments regarding a Congress-mandated study to assess
Amateur Radio's role in emergency and disaster communications and the
impact of private land use regulations on the amateur community's
ability to provide such communications. The ARRL asked that the amateur
community forward comments directly to the ARRL so that it could use
them to develop its comments -- more than 1200 radio amateurs
responded! These comments will be reviewed in the next few weeks and
used to help bolster the ARRL's formal response by the FCC's May 17
deadline. Thanks to everyone who took the time to send their comments!

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

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
<http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-on-the-international-space-station>)
contact between November 1, 2012 and May 1, 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 July 2, 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 crew
member on the International Space Station for approximately 10 minutes.
ARISS has a network of mentors to help organizations obtain the
technology required to host this exciting opportunity for your
students.

Interested parties should contact NASA's Teaching From Space office via
e-mail <JSC-TFS-ARISS at mail.nasa.gov> to obtain complete information,
the proposal/application form. You can find more information here
<http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/teachingfromspace/students/ariss.html>.

==> + FIELD DAY: REGISTER YOUR ARRL FIELD DAY SITE ON THE FIELD DAY
LOCATOR

   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-locator> 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 49 states, Puerto Rico and eight Canadian provinces, as well as
a station located just outside Bogot?, Colombia, 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 website
<http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator> and follow the instructions.
ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air operating event in
Amateur Radio. On June 23-24, join tens of thousands of radio amateurs
as they gather for a public demonstration of the Amateur Service.

==> SUPPORT ARRL: ATTENTION FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: ARRL APPROVED FOR 2012
COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN!

   For the past 11 years, the US Office of Personnel Management has
designated the ARRL to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign
(CFC), the annual giving campaign for federal employees. In that time,
this campaign for federal government civilian employees, US Postal
Service workers and members of the military has generated almost
$192,000 for ARRL programs. The CFC provides an easy way to support the
ARRL's effort to represent its members and all radio amateurs. Similar
to the United Way, the CFC encourages individuals employed in all
branches of the federal government to pledge by payroll deduction to
non-profit organizations of their choice. The ARRL encourages eligible
radio amateurs to consider the League when designating campaign
recipients. Payroll deduction through the CFC is an easy way for
participants to support ARRL over and above their annual membership.
Such contributions support programs that are not funded by member dues,
enriching ARRL's ability to serve its members and all of Amateur Radio.
Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/attention-federal-employees-arrl-approved-for-2012-combined-federal-campaign>.

==> + INTERNATIONAL NEWS: ITU TELECOM WORLD 2012 CONFERENCE SEEKING
PARTICIPANTS FOR YOUNG INNOVATORS PROGRAM

   As part of ITU Telecom World 2012 -- scheduled for October 14-18 in
Dubai -- the conference will present the Young Innovators Program. With
its theme of Youth Innovation for Development, the Young Innovators
Competition is a chance for the next generation of young visionaries to
demonstrate their ideas and innovations on this global stage and show
how their fresh digital thinking can change the world for the better.
The program seeks to attract dynamic, engaged young people and identify
projects with a genuine potential to succeed. The goal of the program
is to build a cohesive international community of highly talented of
social entrepreneurs from age 18-25 who are working on ICT-based
initiatives from the conceptual stage through to projects in areas of
critical relevance to the burning issues facing the world today. Read
more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/itu-telecom-world-2012-conference-seeking-participants-for-young-innovators-program>.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "When the Sun gives way to April showers
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMCU7OF3sVM>" Cook, K7RA, reports:
Solar activity revived over the past week, with a big increase in
sunspot numbers. On Friday, April 20, the daily sunspot number reached
162; four days later on April 24, the number reached 169. This level of
activity has not been seen since last fall, when the daily sunspot
number reached 173 on September 16, 184 on October 21 and 208 on
November 9. The average daily sunspot numbers more than doubled over
the previous week's average, rising 73 points to 144.7, while the
average daily solar flux was 133.9, an increase of nearly 29 points.
Associated with all this was a rise in geomagnetic activity, peaking
with a planetary A index of 35 on Tuesday, April 24. The geomagnetic
activity increase was due to several solar flares launched from new
sunspots. The latest forecast shows the solar flux at 125 on April 26,
120 on April 27-29, 115 on April 30, 110 on May 1-2, 105 on May 3-4,
110 on May 5-6, 115 on May 7-8, 120 on May 9, 130 on May 10-12, 135 on
May 13, 140 on May 14-17, and down to 135 on May 18-21. Predictions for
the planetary A index are 25, 15, 6, 5, 5, 8 and 6 on April 26-May 2, 5
on May 3-7, rising to 8, 12, 15 and 10 on May 8-11, and back down to 5
on May 12-19. Look for more on the ARRL website on Friday, April 27.
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 Al Jolson's April Showers
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Showers_%28song%29>.

==> + ARRL/TAPR DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE SET FOR ATLANTA

   The dates have been set -- September 21-23 -- for the 31st Annual
ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC
<http://www.tapr.org/dcc>) in Atlanta at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel.
The DCC schedule includes forums, demonstrations, a Saturday evening
banquet and an in-depth Sunday seminar. This conference is for everyone
with an interest in digital communications -- from beginner to expert.
Technical papers are also being solicited for the conference
proceedings. You do not have to attend the conference to have your
paper included. The submission deadline is July 31. Please send papers
to Maty Weinberg, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111, or you can
make your submission via e-mail <maty at arrl.org>. Papers will be
published exactly as submitted and authors will retain all rights. For
more information, please see the DCC website <http://www.tapr.org/dcc>
or call TAPR at 972-671-8277.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- April 27 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- April 28-29 -- Florida QSO Party; Nebraska QSO Party; 10-10
International Spring Contest (Digital); SP DX RTTY Contest; Helvetia
Contest; QRP to the Field
- April 29 -- BARTG Sprint 75
- May 1 -- AGCW QRP/QRP Party

Next week:

- May 4 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- May 5 -- Microwave Spring Sprint (local time)
- May 5-6 -- New England QSO Party; Indiana QSO Party; 7th Call Area
QSO Party; 10-10 International Spring Contest (CW); ARI International
DX Contest; Araucaria VHF Contest
- May 8 -- ARS Spartan Sprint
- May 9-10 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

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

- May 4-6 -- EMCOMMWEST
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/emcommwest-convention-1>, Reno, Nevada
- May 18-20 -- Dayton Hamvention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/dayton-hamvention-3>, Dayton, Ohio
- June 1-3 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northwestern-division-convention-seapac-3>,
Seaside, Oregon
- June 2 -- ARRL Georgia Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/georgia-section-convention-atlanta-hamfest-1>,
Marietta, Georgia
- June 8-9 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-gulf-division-convention-ham-com-1>,
Plano, Texas
- June 9 -- ARRL Arkansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-state-convention>, Rogers,
Arkansas; ARRL Tennessee State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tennessee-state-convention-2>, Knoxville,
Tennessee
- June 30 -- ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/eastern-pennsylvania-section-convention-electronics-expo-firecracker-hamfest>,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- July 20-22 -- ARRL Montana State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/montana-state-convention-78th-glacier-waterton-international-hamfest>,
East Glacier, Montana
- July 26-28 -- Central States VHF Society Conference
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/central-states-vhf-society-conference-1>,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- July 27-28 -- ARRL Oklahoma Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-section-convention-ham-holiday-2012>,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- July 27-29 -- ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rocky-mountain-division-convention-2>,
Bryce Canyon, Utah
- August 3-4 -- ARRL Texas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/texas-state-convention-austin-summerfest-2>,
Austin, Texas
- August 3-5 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/pacific-northwest-dx-convention-1>,
Portland, Oregon
- August 4 -- ARRL Ohio State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/ohio-state-convention>, Columbus, Ohio
- August 10-12 -- RAC National Convention 2012
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rac-convention-2012>, Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada
- August 18 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-virginia-state-convention-2>,
Weston, West Virginia
- August 18-19 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southeastern-division-convention-huntsville-hamfest>,
Huntsville, Alabama
- August 19 -- ARRL Kansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/kansas-state-convention-2>, Salina,
Kansas
- August 24-26 -- ARRL New England Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/new-england-division-convention-1>,
Boxboro, Massachusetts
- August 26 -- ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/western-pennsylvania-section-convention-2>,
New Kensington, Pennsylvania

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

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

Join or Renew Today! <http://www.arrl.org/join> ARRL membership
includes QST <http://www.arrl.org/qst>, Amateur Radio's most popular
and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal
<http://www.arrl.org/ncj>. Published bi-monthly, features articles by
top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO
Parties.

Subscribe to QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters
<http://www.arrl.org/qex>. Published bi-monthly, features technical
articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to
radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe
<http://www.arrl.org/myarrl-account-management#%21/edit-info-email_subscriptions>
to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

Find us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org>. Follow us on
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ARRL offers a wide array of products <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-store>
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The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL
members and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe
by editing their profile
<http://www.arrl.org/Users/edit#!/edit-info-email_subscriptions>.

 Copyright (c) 2012 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All
Rights Reserved

 <http://www.arrl.org/>


