From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Feb  2 16:02:53 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu,  2 Feb 2012 16:02:53 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for February 2, 2012
Message-ID: <20120203032249.BC08826E9E6@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

February 2, 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

- + WRC-12: The First Week
- + WRC-12: Agenda Item 1.23 Update
- + FCC News: FCC Sets Date for Medical Devices on 70 cm
- + ARRL HQ: Save the Date! Take a Virtual Tour of W1AW on February 12
- + ARRL HQ: Volunteer Tour Guides Make Your Visit to ARRL Headquarters
Pleasant and Informative
- +ARRL Field Day: 2012 Field Day Packet Now Available
- ARRL in Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?
- + On the Air: 4U1ITU now 4U1WRC During WRC-12
- Solar Update
- This Week in Radiosport
- + ARRL Congratulates: Ralph Taggart, WB8DQT , Wins January QST Cover
Plaque Award
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

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

==> + WRC-12: THE FIRST WEEK

By IARU Secretary Rod Stafford, W6ROD

   The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 2012 World
Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) began January 23 in Geneva,
Switzerland. This is the "big show" for spectrum allocation matters and
a very important meeting if you are an Amateur Radio operator anywhere
in the world. Every four or five years, a WRC takes place; the last one
was in 2007. Approximately 3000 people are attending WRC-12. These are
government officials, telecommunication industry people and others --
like the IARU -- who have an interest in the use of the radio spectrum.
The agenda items discussed during WRC-12 were established at the
previous WRC in 2007. In the past 4.5 years, there have been many
committee meetings within the ITU to try to arrive at solutions that
will satisfy each of the agenda items. In the case of some of the
agenda items, several possible methods to satisfy the agenda item have
been identified. It is up to the WRC to select the most appropriate
method to satisfy the agenda item, that is, to arrive at a worldwide
solution to the issue presented in the agenda item. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/wrc-12-the-first-week>.

==> + WRC-12: AGENDA ITEM 1.23 UPDATE

According to Colin Thomas, G3PSM, CEPT Coordinator for Agenda Item
1.23, WRC-12 delegates are progressing with what he calls a "compromise
proposal" for an MF secondary allocation to the Amateur Radio Service.
Agenda Item 1.23 calls for WRC-12 delegations to consider an allocation
of about 15 kHz in parts of the band 415-526.5 kHz to the Amateur
Service on a secondary basis, taking into account the need to protect
existing services.

"Progress was made with a compromise proposal on Agenda Item 1.23,
drafted to take into consideration the views of those for and those
against an amateur service allocation around 500 kHz," Thomas
explained. "This proposal suggests a 7 kHz segment between 472-479 kHz,
very close to the CEPT position of 472-480 kHz
<http://www.arrl.org/news/european-proposal-for-amateur-secondary-mf-allocation-clears-important-hurdle>.
Initial indications are that this could be acceptable to many
administrations and regional organizations. However, various meetings
need to take place to have these formally accepted. In order to tidy up
the draft for the next meeting of the sub-working group, a weekend
meeting of the drafting group will be held. At the time of writing
[Saturday, January 28], the NOC (No Change) advocates steadfastly
maintain their positions."

==> + FCC NEWS: FCC SETS DATE FOR MEDICAL DEVICES ON 70 CM

   In November 2011, FCC Commissioners unanimously agreed
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-grants-secondary-service-allocation-to-wireless-broadband-medical-micropower-networks>
to allocate spectrum and adopt service and technical rules for the
utilization of new implanted medical devices that operate on 413-457
MHz (70 cm). These devices will be used on a secondary basis as part of
the Medical Device Radiocommunication (MedRadio) Service in Part 95 of
the FCC rules. In the Federal Register for Friday, January 27
<http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-27/pdf/2012-1540.pdf>, the FCC
announced that the effective date for these new rules is Monday,
February 27. The new rules expand the existing MedRadio Service rules
to permit the use of new wideband medical implant devices that employ
neuromuscular microstimulation techniques to restore sensation,
mobility, and other functions to paralyzed limbs and organs. These
medical devices hold enormous promise to advance the state of medical
care, lower health costs, and improve the quality of life for countless
Americans. The rules will allow these new types of MedRadio devices to
access 24 megahertz of spectrum in the 413-419, 426-432, 438-444, and
451-457 MHz bands on a secondary basis.

==> + ARRL HQ: SAVE THE DATE! TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF W1AW ON FEBRUARY
12

Join W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, on a virtual tour of W1AW,
the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station
<http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-antenna-farm>, the Amateur Radio station at
ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. Carcia will lead this tour
via a live webcast on Sunday, February 12 at 5 PM EST (2200 UTC).
Anyone with an Internet connection will be able to watch the tour here
<http://www.awecast.tv/channels/arrl/>.

   "We want viewers of this live Internet tour to feel as if they are
actually at W1AW," Carcia explained. "If you came to W1AW in person,
you would see the same things that we are going to show on the virtual
tour: The three operating stations, the W1AW workshop, the transmitter
racks that we use to send out our bulletins and use for the code
practice transmission, the control console and Old Betsy
<http://www.arrl.org/images/view/web_008.jpg>, Hiram Percy Maxim's
personal spark gap transmitter."

Al Petrunti, KA1TCH, of the New Day Group <http://www.newdayhd.com/>,
will follow Carcia as he leads viewers through the station. ARRL Staff
members, including Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts,
W1AGP, and Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, as well as
local television weatherman Geoff Fox, K1GF <http://www.geofffox.com/>,
will also be on hand at W1AW during the tour.

"Hams around the world know of W1AW, and thousands have made contacts
with this impressive station -- but most hams never get to see it,"
Pitts said. "Thanks to Al Petrunti's group, we hope that folks enjoy
seeing what's at the other end of the signals. As in all live
broadcasts, you never know just what might happen. We invite you to
join us." Pitts is producing the live web tour.

This is the second video that the New Day Group has made for the ARRL.
In 2011, they created the HR 607 video <http://www.arrl.org/hr-607>
that educated radio amateurs of a bill in Congress that addressed
certain spectrum management issues, including the creation and
maintenance of a nationwide Public Safety broadband network using
current Amateur Radio spectrum.

==> + ARRL HQ: VOLUNTEER TOUR GUIDES MAKE YOUR VISIT TO ARRL
HEADQUARTERS PLEASANT AND INFORMATIVE

   When you visit ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut, the
first smiling face you're likely to see is a tour guide. ARRL's Tour
Guide program now includes 19 volunteers who donate thousands of hours
of their free time per year, giving tours to hundreds of visitors.
ARRL's tour guides are an integral part of the ARRL. When not giving
tours, they are busy accomplishing tasks in various HQ departments --
sorting QSL cards, working on special projects in the lab, updating the
periodicals archive, and much, much more. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/volunteer-tour-guides-make-your-visit-to-arrl-hq-pleasant-and-informative>.

==> +ARRL FIELD DAY: 2012 FIELD DAY PACKET NOW AVAILABLE

   It's that time of year again -- time to start gearing up for ARRL
Field Day, June 23-24, 2012! ARRL's flagship operating event -- always
held the fourth full weekend in June -- brings together new and
experienced hams for 24 hours of operating fun. Field Day packets are
now available for download <http://www.arrl.org/fieldday> and include
the complete rules, as well as other reference items such as forms,
ARRL Section abbreviation list, entry submission instructions, a
Frequently Asked Questions section, guidelines for getting bonus
points, instructions for GOTA stations and a kit to publicize your
event with the local press. A brief one-page flyer with basic "What is
Field Day" information has also been included in this year's Field Day
packet. Amateur Radio clubs and individuals are encouraged to reproduce
this flyer as a handout for information tables.

==> 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 January -- takes a look the 2012 World
Radiocommunication Conference, the ARRL Board of Directors' 2012 Annual
Meeting, new ARRL books, new antennas at the W1AW antenna farm, FCC
decisions affecting Amateur Radio, 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-42>.

==> + ON THE AIR: 4U1ITU NOW 4U1WRC DURING WRC-12

   4U1ITU <http://life.itu.ch/radioclub/> -- the Amateur Radio station
at the ITU -- will be signing as 4U1WRC during the 2012 World
Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12), through February 17. The
station will revert to 4U1ITU just in time for the ARRL International
DX CW Contest <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx>, scheduled for February
18-19. According to ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ,
who is attending WRC-12 as the IARU International Secretariat, the
station is in really good shape, with two operating positions capable
of going on any two bands at the same time. "A number of delegates are
active amateurs, so the station should be quite active for the next
several weeks," he said. Amateurs who work 4U1WRC between January
23-February 17, 2012 can receive a special QSL card via the HB9 Bureau
or by QSLing direct to IARC, PO Box 6, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "Strolling slowly toward the Sun
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYix2LttoB0>" Cook, K7RA, reports: Over
the past reporting week -- January 26-February 1 -- the average daily
sunspot number declined nearly 37 points to 62, while the average daily
solar flux was off nearly 21 points to 120.4. The predicted solar flux
for the near term is 120 on February 2-5, 110 on February 6-9, 150 on
February 10, 155 on February 11-13, 150 on February 14-19, and then 145
on February 20-23. The forecast in mid-January for flux levels at 165
on February 17-21 are but a distant memory. Shortly after the last
bulletin was released on Friday, January 27, a powerful X-class solar
flare was released at 1837 UTC, but it was not Earth-directed. Look for
more information on the ARRL website on Friday, February 3. 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 Sugarloaf's Green Eyed Lady
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Eyed_Lady>.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- February 3 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- February 4 -- Minnesota QSO Party; FYBO Winter QRP Sprint; AGCW
Straight Key Party
- February 4-5 -- Vermont QSO Party; Delaware QSO Party; British
Columbia QSO Party; Mexico RTTY International Contest; 10-10
International Winter Contest (SSB); YL-ISSB QSO Party (CW); Black Sea
Cup International; EPC WW DX Contest
- February 5 -- North American Sprint (CW)

Next week:

- February 10 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- February 11 -- FISTS Winter Sprint
- February 11-12 -- Louisiana QSO Party; New Hampshire QSO Party; CQ WW
RTTY WPX Contest
- February 12 -- North American Sprint (SSB); SKCC Weekend Sprint
- February 12-13 -- Classic Exchange (Phone)
- February 13-17 -- ARRL School Club Roundup
<http://www.arrl.org/school-club-roundup>
- February 14-15 -- PODXS 070 Club Valentine Sprint (local time)
- February 15 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint; AGCW Semi-Automatic Key
Evening

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>.

==> + ARRL CONGRATULATES: RALPH TAGGART, WB8DQT , WINS JANUARY QST
COVER PLAQUE AWARD

   The winner of the QST  Cover Plaque Award for January is Ralph
Taggart, WB8DQT , for his article "Vintage Low Power Radios. "
Congratulations Ralph! 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 February issue today.

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

- February 4 -- 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 -- ARRL Northern Florida Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northern-florida-section-convention-orlando-hamcation-1>,
Orlando, Florida
- February 17-18 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southwestern-division-convention-1>,
Yuma, Arizona
- February 18 -- ARRL Arkansas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-section-convention-1>, Hoxie,
Arkansas
- February 25 -- ARRL Vermont State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/vermont-state-convention-ham-con-2>,
South Burlington, Vermont
- March 3 -- ARRL Santa Clara Valley Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/santa-clara-valley-section-convention-radiofest>,
Del Rey Oaks, California; ARRL South Texas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/south-texas-section-convention-greater-houston-hamfest-2>,
Rosenberg, Texas
- March 3-4 -- ARRL Alabama Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/alabama-section-convention-birminghamfest-1>,
Birmingham, Alabama
- March 9-10 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-state-convention-52nd-annual-acadiana-hamfest>,
Rayne, Louisiana; ARRL Oklahoma State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-state-convention-green-country-hamfest-1>,
Claremore, Oklahoma
- March 10-11 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/roanoke-division-convention-charlotte-hamfest-tm>,
Concord, North Carolina
- March 17 -- ARRL Nebraska State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/nebraska-state-convention-end-of-winter-hamfest>,
Lincoln, Nebraska; ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southern-florida-section-convention-2>,
Stuart, Florida; ARRL West Texas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-texas-section-convention-57th-annual-st-patrick-s-day-hamfest>,
Midland, Texas
- March 23-24 -- ARRL Maine State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/maine-state-convention-2>, Lewiston,
Maine

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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From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Feb  9 16:25:57 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu,  9 Feb 2012 16:25:57 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for February 9, 2012
Message-ID: <20120209212557.9635A213FB@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

February 9, 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

- + FCC News: New Rules for 5 MHz (60 Meters) To Go Into Effect March 5
- + WRC-12: Agenda Item 1.23 Passes Committee, Moves to Plenary
- + WRC-12: How Are Agenda Items Processed at a WRC?
- + WRC-12: Proposed Maritime Mobile Allocation Gets First Reading at
WRC-12 Plenary Session
- + WRC-12: Nobel Laureate Joe Taylor, K1JT, Addresses Plenary Session
at WRC-12, Receives ITU Gold Medal
- On the Air: The 2012 ARRL International DX CW Contest Takes to the
Air Next Weekend
- ARRL HQ: Save the Date! Take a Virtual Tour of W1AW on February 12
- + ARRL Field Day: 2012 Field Day Packet Now Available
- Solar Update
- This Week in Radiosport
- Be a Star! Deadline for Second Annual ARRL Video Contest is February
29
- + Silent Key: Former ITU-R Director Dick Kirby, W0LCT/HB9BOA (SK)
- + Silent Key: Astronaut Janice Voss, KC5BTK (SK)
- Silent Key: WorldRadio Founder Armond Noble, N6WR (SK)
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

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

==> + FCC NEWS: NEW RULES FOR 5 MHZ (60 METERS) TO GO INTO EFFECT MARCH
5

   On November 18, the FCC released a Report and Order, defining new
rules for the 60 meter (5 MHz) band. These rules are in response to a
Petition for Rulemaking filed by the ARRL more than five years ago and
a June 2010 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. In the February 3 edition of
the Federal Register, the FCC announced that these new rules will go
into effect on March 5, 2012. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/new-rules-for-5-mhz-60-meters-to-go-into-effect-march-5>.

==> + WRC-12: AGENDA ITEM 1.23 PASSES COMMITTEE, MOVES TO PLENARY

   On the afternoon of February 7, Committee 4 of the 2012 World
Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) approved Option 1 to satisfy
Agenda Item 1.23, with minor editorial amendments to the text received
from Working Group 4C. Option 1 calls for a worldwide secondary
allocation to the Amateur Service at 472-479 kHz, with a power limit of
1 W EIRP, with a provision for administrations to permit up to 5 W EIRP
for stations located more than 800 km from certain countries that wish
to protect their aeronautical radionavigation service (non-directional
beacons) from any possible interference. Option 2 was NOC (no change to
the current rules).

In keeping with the rules of the Conference, Committee decisions must
be read twice in Plenary Session; the decision of the Conference is not
final until after second reading in Plenary. According to ARRL Chief
Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, quite a few additional
administrations -- mainly in the former Soviet Union and Arab states --
will be adding their country names to the Footnotes prior to
consideration in Plenary. Sumner said that Agenda Item 1.23 should have
its first reading in the Plenary on Friday, February 10, with its
second reading sometime next week. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/agenda-item-1-23-passes-committee-moves-to-plenary>.

==> + WRC-12: HOW ARE AGENDA ITEMS PROCESSED AT A WRC?

By IARU Secretary Rod Stafford, W6ROD

   The procedures used by the International Telecommunication Union
before and during a World Radiocommunication Conference seem
complicated. They are somewhat complicated, but they are understandable
with a bit of background. Each Agenda Item that will be decided at a
WRC has been studied for at least three or four years leading up to a
WRC. ITU Study Groups and Working Parties discuss the issues involved
in the Agenda Item. Compatibility studies, sharing studies and
experiments take place whenever needed, so that discussions and
decisions can be made based upon facts, rather than opinions. Read more
here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/wrc-update-how-are-agenda-items-processed-at-a-wrc>.

==> + WRC-12: PROPOSED MARITIME MOBILE ALLOCATION GETS FIRST READING AT
WRC-12 PLENARY SESSION

   At the February 3 Plenary Session of the 2012 World
Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12), delegates heard the first
reading and approved a worldwide exclusive allocation to Maritime
Mobile of 495-505 kHz. There will need to be a second reading to
finalize the allocation. According to ARRL Chief Executive Officer
David Sumner, K1ZZ, discussion of this allocation to Maritime Mobile
"has been in the works throughout the conference preparation (i.e.
since 2008) and was the reason why the MF amateur allocation could not
be made in this band as some amateurs had hoped. That's why we [the
Amateur Radio Service] had to look elsewhere and is what put us in
conflict with aeronautical radionavigation."

==> + WRC-12: NOBEL LAUREATE JOE TAYLOR, K1JT, ADDRESSES PLENARY
SESSION AT WRC-12, RECEIVES ITU GOLD MEDAL

On February 3, delegates and attendees at the 2012 World
Radiocommunication Conference had the pleasure of listening Joe Taylor,
K1JT, share his vision of the future of radiocommunication. Taylor --
an ARRL Member -- won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1993
<http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1993/> for
the discovery of a binary pulsar, a discovery which has opened up new
possibilities for the study of gravitation. After the speech,
International Telecommunication Union Secretary General Dr Hamadoun
Tour?, HB9EHT, presented Taylor with the ITU Gold Medal in recognition
of Taylor's outstanding contribution to the research in the field of
radiocommunication.

   Dr Tour? introduced Taylor to the Plenary. In his introduction, he
told the audience that Amateur Radio led to Taylor's career as a radio
astronomer, and ultimately to his winning the Nobel Prize: "I'm told
that an early interest in Amateur Radio led Joe Taylor to an exciting
career in radio astronomy, which then earned him the 1993 Nobel Prize
in physics. I share his interest in Amateur Radio with passion, but
will that lead me to a Nobel Prize? I'm working on it!"

Taylor began his speech by thanking the WRC-12 delegates for the job
they were doing at the Conference. "I understand that you have come to
Geneva from more than 150 of the ITU's Member States," he said. "You
are here to do an important job, an essential one, for nearly all of
humanity in today's world. You are charged to do your upmost to
accommodate the wide variety of competing interests of all users of the
radio frequency spectrum and its available orbits for Earth satellites.
This is surely not an easy task. Most people give very little thought
to the complicated issues that you face. Why should they, since for
most of us, most of the time, the technologies that depend on these
limited resources just seem to work. But I know, and each one of you
knows, that much background work and many long negotiations are often
necessary in order to make everything fit together and work in
harmony."

Taylor noted new discoveries "that have fundamentally changed or
expanded our understanding of nature's laws, or might do so in the near
future." But, he said, these discoveries will not affect the ITU or
future WRCs for "at least not for many decades to come. This is because
our fundamental understanding of electromagnetism is already in a
mature state. Maxwell's equations
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxwell%27s_equations>, after all, have
been thoroughly tested now for 150 years. And in principle, they tell
us everything we need to know in order to exploit the wonders of
telecommunications at the speed of light. Our understanding of these
laws of nature, including what they tell us is possible and not
possible, is not likely to change, even in the more distant future. But
of course we can still develop new and improved ways of generating,
controlling and detecting electromagnetic radiation, as well as clever
new ways of effectively sharing the spectral resources that we have.
Such advances as these will surely continue, and perhaps they will even
increase. The fundamental science may be mature, but technology's
ability to exploit and build upon electromagnetic phenomena is still
rapidly developing.

   "It's interesting to comment in passing on the fundamental
differences between the bounded radio frequency spectrum and the
balance, for example, on accessible fossil fuels. Limitations of the
radio spectrum are a result of fundamental laws of nature. Every nation
on Earth, and indeed every person on Earth, has access, in principle,
to the same spectrum as everyone else. The amount of accessible oil, on
the other hand, depends on the much more complicated way on how the
Earth formed and evolved over time, and fossil fuels are not evenly
distributed over the Earth and they are expendable. When it's gone,
there's none left. The electromagnetic spectrum, on the other hand,
will always be there, whether or not we humans are around here to enjoy
using it. Moreover, the spectrum can be shared by many users
simultaneously, and shared use can be especially effective if adequate
planning is done in advance. That planning, of course, is an essential
part of your assignments here.

"Future technologies will surely make even better uses of wireless
communication than we do today. I foresee plenty of scope for
contributions for new technologies. Information and communication
technologies have much to offer for the betterment of the human
condition everywhere, and perhaps especially so in the developing
world. It is extremely important to continue seeking the best
efficiencies in the use of the spectrum. I wish you every success in
your task of creating wise and fair guidelines for regulators and
policy makers who must allocate the limited resources in the very best
interest of all mankind."

You can view Taylor's speech on YouTube
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F028RKkLefI>, courtesy of Andy Clegg,
W4JE.

==> ON THE AIR: THE 2012 ARRL INTERNATIONAL DX CW CONTEST TAKES TO THE
AIR NEXT WEEKEND

   CW DXing and contesting take center stage the weekend of February
18-19, as the 2012 ARRL International DX CW Contest takes to the
airwaves. "After years of lackluster conditions on 15 and 10 meters,
2011 finally saw the propagation gods giving us a break," said ARRL
Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X. "Since September 2011, the
high bands have been in excellent shape, with worldwide openings on 15
and 10 meters becoming an almost-daily occurrence. As a result,
activity has spiked in almost every major contest, with hundreds more
logs being submitted. If conditions hold -- and I don't see why they
wouldn't -- we're in for another high-band treat in another week or
so." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/the-2012-arrl-international-dx-cw-contest-takes-to-the-air-next-weekend>.

==> ARRL HQ: SAVE THE DATE! TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF W1AW ON FEBRUARY 12

Join W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, on a virtual tour of W1AW,
the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station
<http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-antenna-farm>, the Amateur Radio station at
ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. Carcia will lead this tour
via a live webcast on Sunday, February 12 at 5 PM EST (2200 UTC).
Anyone with an Internet connection will be able to watch the tour here
<http://www.awecast.tv/channels/arrl/>.

   "We want viewers of this live Internet tour to feel as if they are
actually at W1AW," Carcia explained. "If you came to W1AW in person,
you would see the same things that we are going to show on the virtual
tour: The three operating stations, the W1AW workshop, the transmitter
racks that we use to send out our bulletins and use for the code
practice transmission, the control console and Old Betsy
<http://www.arrl.org/images/view/web_008.jpg>, Hiram Percy Maxim's
personal spark gap transmitter."

Al Petrunti, KA1TCH, of the New Day Group <http://www.newdayhd.com/>,
will follow Carcia as he leads viewers through the station. ARRL Staff
members, including Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts,
W1AGP, and Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, as well as
local television weatherman Geoff Fox, K1GF <http://www.geofffox.com/>,
will also be on hand at W1AW during the tour.

"Hams around the world know of W1AW, and thousands have made contacts
with this impressive station -- but most hams never get to see it,"
Pitts said. "Thanks to Al Petrunti's group, we hope that folks enjoy
seeing what's at the other end of the signals. As in all live
broadcasts, you never know just what might happen. We invite you to
join us." Pitts is producing the live web tour.

This is the second video that the New Day Group has made for the ARRL.
In 2011, they created the HR 607 video <http://www.arrl.org/hr-607>
that educated radio amateurs of a bill in Congress that addressed
certain spectrum management issues, including the creation and
maintenance of a nationwide Public Safety broadband network using
current Amateur Radio spectrum.

==> + ARRL FIELD DAY: 2012 FIELD DAY PACKET NOW AVAILABLE

   It's that time of year again -- time to start gearing up for ARRL
Field Day, June 23-24, 2012! ARRL's flagship operating event -- always
held the fourth full weekend in June -- brings together new and
experienced hams for 24 hours of operating fun. Field Day packets are
now available for download <http://www.arrl.org/fieldday> and include
the complete rules, as well as other reference items such as forms,
ARRL Section abbreviation list, entry submission instructions, a
Frequently Asked Questions section, guidelines for getting bonus
points, instructions for GOTA stations and a kit to publicize your
event with the local press. A brief one-page flyer with basic "What is
Field Day" information has also been included in this year's Field Day
packet. Amateur Radio clubs and individuals are encouraged to reproduce
this flyer as a handout for information tables.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "The Sun rolling high through the sapphire sky
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSFKnYD5rp4>" Cook, K7RA, reports:
Solar activity was down again this week -- this is the third week in a
row with sunspot numbers lower than the week prior. On January 20, we
reported an average daily sunspot number of 116.9 for January 12-18,
98.7 the next week, followed by 62 the week of January 26-February 1,
and now 40.4 during the latest period. The solar flux forecast -- which
roughly tracks sunspot numbers; we don't have access to any short term
sunspot number forecast -- is also lower. The latest forecast from
NOAA/USAF has solar flux at 100 on February 9-11, 105 on February 12,
and 110 on February 13-24. The predicted planetary A index is 8 on
February 9-10, 5 on February 11, 8 on February 12-13, 5 on February
14-22, 8 on February 23, and 5 from February 24 through the end of the
month. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday,
February 10. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit
the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page
<http://www.arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals>. This week's "Tad
Cookism" is brought to you by Circle of Life
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_of_life> from The Lion King
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion_King>.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- February 10 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- February 11 -- FISTS Winter Sprint
- February 11-12 -- Louisiana QSO Party; New Hampshire QSO Party; CQ WW
RTTY WPX Contest
- February 12 -- North American Sprint (SSB); SKCC Weekend Sprint
- February 12-13 -- Classic Exchange (Phone)
- February 13-17 -- ARRL School Club Roundup
<http://www.arrl.org/school-club-roundup>
- February 14-15 -- PODXS 070 Club Valentine Sprint (local time)
- February 15 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint; AGCW Semi-Automatic Key
Evening

Next week:

- February 17 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- February 17-18 -- Russian PSK WW Contest
- February 18 -- Feld Hell Sprint
- February 18-19 -- ARRL International DX Contest (CW)
<http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx>; AWA Amplitude Modulation QSO Party
- February 20 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
- February 22 -- SKCC Sprint
- February 22-23 -- 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>.

==> BE A STAR! DEADLINE FOR SECOND ANNUAL ARRL VIDEO CONTEST IS
FEBRUARY 29

   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! Here's a chance to put that video camera to use:
Shoot a ham radio-related video and send it our way. All videos must be
postmarked by February 29, 2012. Burn your video to a CD or DVD using
the appropriate software and mail it to ARRL Video Contest, 225 Main
St, Newington, CT 06111. Do not attempt to send it via e-mail, as our
e-mail system cannot accommodate large files. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/be-a-star-deadline-for-second-annual-arrl-video-contest-is-february-29>.

==> + SILENT KEY: FORMER ITU-R DIRECTOR DICK KIRBY, W0LCT/HB9BOA (SK)

   Richard "Dick" Kirby, W0LCT/HB9BOA, passed away on January 26. He
was 89. In 1974, Kirby -- an ARRL Life Member -- was elected Director
of the International Telecommunication Union's International Radio
Consultative Committee; he served as Director until his retirement in
1995. In 1992, under Kirby's tenure as Director, the Committee became
the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R). One of three sectors at the
ITU, ITU-R is responsible for matters concerning radio communication.
Its role is to manage the international radio-frequency spectrum and
satellite orbit resources, and to develop standards for
radiocommunication systems with the objective of ensuring the effective
use of the spectrum. While at the ITU, Kirby also served as President
of the International Amateur Radio Club, 4U1ITU, the Amateur Radio
station at ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/former-itu-r-director-dick-kirby-w0lct-hb9boa-sk>.

==> + SILENT KEY: ASTRONAUT JANICE VOSS, KC5BTK (SK)

   NASA astronaut Janice Voss, KC5BTK, of Houston, Texas, passed away
on February 7 from cancer. She was 55. One of only six women who have
flown in space five times, Voss' career was highlighted by her work and
dedication to scientific payloads and exploration. Voss participated in
making ham radio contacts from space via the Space Shuttle Amateur
Radio Experiment (SAREX), the precursor to the Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station (ARISS) program. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/astronaut-janice-voss-kc5btk-sk>.

==> SILENT KEY: WORLDRADIO FOUNDER ARMOND NOBLE, N6WR (SK)

   Armond Noble, N6WR -- the founder of WorldRadio magazine and its
publisher for 37 years -- passed away February 1 in Sacramento,
California after a short illness. He was 77. WorldRadio was published
monthly in printed form from July 1971 until the end of 2008, when
Noble sold the magazine to Hicksville, New York-based CQ Communications
Inc. With its February 2009 edition, the publication was renamed
WorldRadio Online and became the first online-only major Amateur Radio
publication . Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/em-worldradio-em-founder-armond-noble-n6wr-sk>.

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

- February 10-12 -- ARRL Northern Florida Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northern-florida-section-convention-orlando-hamcation-1>,
Orlando, Florida
- February 17-18 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southwestern-division-convention-1>,
Yuma, Arizona
- February 18 -- ARRL Arkansas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-section-convention-1>, Hoxie,
Arkansas
- February 25 -- ARRL Vermont State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/vermont-state-convention-ham-con-2>,
South Burlington, Vermont
- March 3 -- ARRL Santa Clara Valley Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/santa-clara-valley-section-convention-radiofest>,
Del Rey Oaks, California; ARRL South Texas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/south-texas-section-convention-greater-houston-hamfest-2>,
Rosenberg, Texas
- March 3-4 -- ARRL Alabama Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/alabama-section-convention-birminghamfest-1>,
Birmingham, Alabama
- March 9-10 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-state-convention-52nd-annual-acadiana-hamfest>,
Rayne, Louisiana; ARRL Oklahoma State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-state-convention-green-country-hamfest-1>,
Claremore, Oklahoma
- March 10-11 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/roanoke-division-convention-charlotte-hamfest-tm>,
Concord, North Carolina
- March 17 -- ARRL Nebraska State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/nebraska-state-convention-end-of-winter-hamfest>,
Lincoln, Nebraska; ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southern-florida-section-convention-2>,
Stuart, Florida; ARRL West Texas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-texas-section-convention-57th-annual-st-patrick-s-day-hamfest>,
Midland, Texas
- March 23-24 -- ARRL Maine State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/maine-state-convention-2>, Lewiston,
Maine

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

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


From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Feb 16 19:03:26 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:03:26 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for February 16, 2012
Message-ID: <20120217000326.A583725302@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

February 16, 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

- + WRC-12: Amateur Radio Gets Secondary MF Allocation at WRC-12
- WRC-12: IARU Vice President Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, Chats with ITU
- + WRC-15: WRC-12 Delegates Place Possible 5 MHz Allocation on Agenda
for Next WRC
- +On the Air: ARRL 500 kHz Experimental Group Sparked Interest in MF
Operation
- + On the Air: RAC to Split Ontario into Four Sections
- + Amateur Radio in Space: NASA Selects AMSAT Fox Satellite to Join
Program
- Amateur Radio in Space: Texas Hams Make World Record Balloon Attempt
- Amateur Radio in Space: New Satellites Reach Orbit
- Solar Update
- This Week in Radiosport
- + ARRL HQ: ARRL Headquarters to Close in Observance of Presidents Day
- + Be a Star! Deadline for Second Annual ARRL Video Contest is
February 29
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

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

==> + WRC-12: AMATEUR RADIO GETS SECONDARY MF ALLOCATION AT WRC-12

   It's official -- delegates attending the 2012 World
Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) have approved a new
7-kilohertz-wide secondary allocation between 472-479 kHz for the
Amateur Radio Service. Agenda Item 1.23 had both its first and second
readings in Plenary Session on Tuesday, February 14; to become part of
the ITU's Radio Regulations, each Agenda Item must be read twice in
Plenary Session. While the Final Acts will be signed on Friday,
February 17 at the close of the Conference, the new allocation will not
take effect until it is entered into the Radio Regulations on January
1, 2013. In any case, no amateur can use the band until his or her
national regulations are revised to implement the allocation. Read more
here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-gets-secondary-mf-allocation-at-wrc-12>.

==> WRC-12: IARU VICE PRESIDENT OLE GARPESTAD, LA2RR, CHATS WITH ITU

   IARU Vice President Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, sat down for a video
interview with the ITU Press Office at 4U1ITU (operating as 4U1WRC),
the Amateur Radio station at ITU Headquarters in Geneva. During the
interview, IARU Region 1 President Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T,
operated CW in the background. Garpestad discussed Agenda Item 1.23 and
what it means to the Amateur Radio Service, what the IARU does at the
WRC, the future of Amateur Radio, and what the Amateur Radio Service
and the IARU are doing for the next WRC. Watch the video here
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaxLAem_YMA>.

==> + WRC-15: WRC-12 DELEGATES PLACE POSSIBLE 5 MHZ ALLOCATION ON
AGENDA FOR NEXT WRC

One of the responsibilities of each WRC delegation is to set the agenda
for the next WRC. WRC-12 delegates approved an Amateur Radio-related
agenda item for the upcoming WRC-15: To consider the possibility of
making an allocation of an appropriate amount of spectrum, not
necessarily contiguous, to the Amateur Service on a secondary basis
within the band 5250-5450 kHz. This will be Agenda Item 1.4 at WRC-15.

   "It is always a challenge to have items placed on the agenda for
future WRCs," IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, told the ARRL. "I am
pleased that we were successful in having an Agenda Item for a
potential allocation at 5 MHz on a secondary basis. There will be much
work to do over the next ITU study group cycle. Much appreciation is
owed to the IARU and the national delegation teams in Geneva for their
hard work on this issue."

According to ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, the
original 5 MHz proposal came from Cuba. "The IARU team worked hard to
line up support," he explained. "The factor that worked most in our
favor was that at WRC-07, a proposal for a 5 MHz agenda item for WRC-12
failed to gain enough support, so there was a feeling that the Amateur
Service deserved better treatment this time around. We did have active
support from a number of administrations in Latin America which helped
a lot, but a lot of others also had to agree to get it on the agenda.
The coordinators of future Agenda Items on behalf of the regional
telecommunications organizations, such as CITEL and CEPT, eventually
agreed on a package of Agenda Items that included ours." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/wrc-12-delegates-place-possible-5-mhz-allocation-on-agenda-for-next-wrc>.

==> +ON THE AIR: ARRL 500 KHZ EXPERIMENTAL GROUP SPARKED INTEREST IN MF
OPERATION

In September 2006, the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology
granted a Part 5 experimental license -- WD2XSH -- to the ARRL on
behalf of a group of radio amateurs who were interested in
investigating spectrum in the vicinity of 500 kHz. Called the ARRL 500
kHz Experiment, this group of hams -- led by Fritz Raab, W1FR --
received permission to experiment and do research between 505-510 kHz
using narrowband modes at power levels of up to 20 W effective radiated
power (ERP), using CW and PSK31.

 <http://www.arrl.org/images/view/News/Feb2012_600MeterStations.jpg>
The original 500 kHz license called for 23 discrete fixed sites across
the US: at Raab's QTH in Vermont, as well as at sites in Arkansas,
California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota,
Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,
Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. In 2008, the FCC
expanded the scope of the experimental license, allowing for more
frequencies, more stations and portable operations: The group could now
operate between 495-510 kHz, the number of stations increased from 23
to 42 and participants could now operate within 50 km of their
designated stations.

At the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-2012), delegates
approved an amateur secondary MF allocation between 472-479 kHz. The
ARRL would like to acknowledge the contributions of the participants in
the ARRL 500 kHz Experiment to the recent approval of a new amateur
secondary MF allocation, and to thank them for their efforts. Read more
here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-500-khz-experimental-group-sparked-interest-in-mf-operation>.

==> + ON THE AIR: RAC TO SPLIT ONTARIO INTO FOUR SECTIONS

   On February 6, Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) issued a statement on
their website that the Ontario Section would be split into four new RAC
Administrative Sections, effective September 1, 2012. The reason given
for the restructure was "...to create a management model that better
communicates with, and represents the interests of, the overall Ontario
amateur population." The Ontario Section will be dissolved and be
replaced with four new RAC Sections: Ontario North, Ontario South,
Ontario East and the Greater Toronto Area. The new section
abbreviations will be announced when final. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/rac-to-split-ontario-into-four-sections>.

==> + AMATEUR RADIO IN SPACE: NASA SELECTS AMSAT FOX SATELLITE TO JOIN
PROGRAM

   Project ELaNa -- NASA's "Educational Launch of NanoSat" managed by
the Launch Services Program at the Kennedy Space Center -- announced on
February 10 that the AMSAT Fox-1 CubeSat has been selected to join the
program. NASA will work with AMSAT in a collaborative agreement for
NASA to cover the integration and launch costs of satellites deemed to
have merit in support of their strategic and educational goals. Read
more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/nasa-selects-amsat-fox-satellite-to-join-program>.

==> AMATEUR RADIO IN SPACE: TEXAS HAMS MAKE WORLD RECORD BALLOON
ATTEMPT

   A group of Amateur Radio operators hopes to establish a world
distance record for an unmanned helium-filled balloon. The BLT-28
balloon will undertake a journey across the Atlantic and the
Mediterranean, and then on to Nanjing, China. The South Texas Balloon
Launch Team released the balloon at 3 PM (CST) on February 11 from
Katy, Texas, just outside of Houston.

During the trans-Atlantic crossing, when out of range of shore based
stations, the balloon's APRS beacon will operate on the International
Space Station (ISS) packet digipeater frequency of 145.825 MHz. The
balloon payload package weighs only about 5 ounces and contains a high
altitude GPS tracking system and a 144 MHz FM APRS Amateur Radio
transmitter. To conserve weight and battery life, no camera equipment
will be on board. The maximum altitude is expected to be above 19
miles, with horizontal speeds between 100 and 150 miles per hour. Read
more here <http://www.arrl.org/news/world-record-balloon-attempt>.

==> AMATEUR RADIO IN SPACE: NEW SATELLITES REACH ORBIT

On February 13, a European Space Agency Vega rocket lifted off from
Kourou, French Guiana on its inaugural flight. It carried the Laser
Relativity Spacecraft to orbit along with eight student-built MicroSats
and CubeSats. The student satellites will transmit telemetry in the
VHF, UHF and microwave amateur bands, with one satellite also including
a voice repeater. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/new-satellites-reach-orbit>.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "Certain as the Sun rising in the east
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeoPtz0F2Ck>" Cook, K7RA, reports: We
are more than halfway through the winter season, as Sunday, February 5
was 45 days after the winter solstice. Propagation should improve as we
approach the vernal equinox on March 20. Solar activity is still in the
temporary doldrums, with sunspot numbers below 100. But the weekly
average of daily sunspot numbers rose this week by over 15 points to
55.6. There was a geomagnetic storm on Wednesday, February 15 (UTC).
Early in the UTC day (Tuesday night in North America), the planetary K
index went to 5, and the planetary A index was 22. The College A index
in Fairbanks was estimated at 46, which is quite high. The disturbance
was probably from a CME a few days earlier. Aurora in North America was
seen as far south as Minnesota. The latest forecast has solar flux
about 55-60 points lower than last month's prediction for the ARRL
International CW DX Contest <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx> this weekend.
Latest predicted flux values are 105 on February 16, 110 on February
17-20, 105 on February 21-22, 110 on February 23, and 115 on February
24-26. The predicted flux values bounce around from 105-110 from
February 27-March 13, then go back to 115 on March 14-16 and again on
March 20-24. The predicted planetary A index for February 16-23 is 10,
5, 8, 8, 5, 5, 5 and 9, then 5 on February 24-March 1. Look for more
information on the ARRL website on Friday, February 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 Disney's Beauty and the Beast
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_and_the_Beast_%281991_film%29>.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- February 17 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- February 17-18 -- Russian PSK WW Contest
- February 18 -- Feld Hell Sprint
- February 18-19 -- ARRL International DX Contest (CW)
<http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx>; AWA Amplitude Modulation QSO Party
- February 20 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
- February 22 -- SKCC Sprint
- February 22-23 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

Next week:

- February 24 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- February 24-26 -- CQ 160 Meter Contest (SSB)
- February 25-26 -- Mississippi QSO Party; North American QSO Party
(RTTY); REF Contest (SSB); UBA DX Contest (CW)
- February 26 -- High Speed Club CW Contest; SARL Digital Contest
- February 26-27 -- North Carolina QSO Party
- February 27 -- CQC Winter QSO 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>.

==> + ARRL HQ: ARRL HEADQUARTERS TO CLOSE IN OBSERVANCE OF PRESIDENTS
DAY

   ARRL Headquarters will be closed in observance of Presidents Day on
Monday, February 20. There will be no W1AW bulletin or code practice
transmissions <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-operating-schedule> that day.
ARRL Headquarters will reopen Tuesday, February 21 at 8 AM Eastern
Standard Time. We wish everyone a safe Presidents Day holiday.

==> + BE A STAR! DEADLINE FOR SECOND ANNUAL ARRL VIDEO CONTEST IS
FEBRUARY 29

   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! Shoot a ham radio-related video and send it our
way. All videos must be postmarked by February 29, 2012. Burn your
video to a CD or DVD using the appropriate software and mail it to ARRL
Video Contest, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Do not attempt to send
it via e-mail, as our e-mail system cannot accommodate large files.
Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/be-a-star-deadline-for-second-annual-arrl-video-contest-is-february-29>.

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

- February 17-18 -- ARRL Southwestern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southwestern-division-convention-1>,
Yuma, Arizona
- February 18 -- ARRL Arkansas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-section-convention-1>, Hoxie,
Arkansas
- February 25 -- ARRL Vermont State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/vermont-state-convention-ham-con-2>,
South Burlington, Vermont
- March 3 -- ARRL Santa Clara Valley Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/santa-clara-valley-section-convention-radiofest>,
Del Rey Oaks, California; ARRL South Texas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/south-texas-section-convention-greater-houston-hamfest-2>,
Rosenberg, Texas
- March 3-4 -- ARRL Alabama Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/alabama-section-convention-birminghamfest-1>,
Birmingham, Alabama
- March 9-10 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-state-convention-52nd-annual-acadiana-hamfest>,
Rayne, Louisiana; ARRL Oklahoma State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-state-convention-green-country-hamfest-1>,
Claremore, Oklahoma
- March 10-11 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/roanoke-division-convention-charlotte-hamfest-tm>,
Concord, North Carolina
- March 17 -- ARRL Nebraska State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/nebraska-state-convention-end-of-winter-hamfest>,
Lincoln, Nebraska; ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southern-florida-section-convention-2>,
Stuart, Florida; ARRL West Texas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-texas-section-convention-57th-annual-st-patrick-s-day-hamfest>,
Midland, Texas
- March 23-24 -- ARRL Maine State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/maine-state-convention-2>, Lewiston,
Maine

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 Feb 23 14:57:30 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:57:30 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for February 23, 2012
Message-ID: <20120223195730.E8E0420F01@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

February 23, 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

- + Legislative News: Payroll Tax Bill Includes Provision for Amateur
Radio Study
- + On the Air: Republic of South Sudan Assigned Z8 Prefix
- + On the Air: One Down, One to Go: The ARRL International DX Contest
Gears Up for SSB
- +Ham Radio in Hollywood: Blockbuster Movie Features Morse Code,
Homebrew Equipment -- and Sea Monsters!
- + W1AW: March Qualifying Runs
- + Section Manager Winter Election Results
- Solar Update
- This Week in Radiosport
- Silent Key: Bill Simons, W9BB, Silent Key; Developed Shure
Microphones
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

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

==> + LEGISLATIVE NEWS: PAYROLL TAX BILL INCLUDES PROVISION FOR AMATEUR
RADIO STUDY

A bill that passed both the House and the Senate on February 17 -- and
signed into law by President Obama on Wednesday, February 22 --
includes a provision for a study of the uses and capabilities of
Amateur Radio Service communications in emergencies and disaster
relief.

   Section 6414 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of
2012 mandates the completion of the study, with a report of the
findings to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. This study would
"use the expertise of stakeholder entities and organizations" to
recommend how to best use radio amateurs in emergency communications
and disaster relief efforts, and how to best utilize the Amateur Radio
Service in coordination with the federal government in these efforts.
In addition, the study would also discuss the effects of unreasonable
or unnecessary private land use restrictions on residential antenna
installations and recommend ways to remove such impediments.

The bill passed in the House by a vote of 293-132. In the Senate, it
passed by a 60-36 vote. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/payroll-tax-bill-includes-provision-for-amateur-radio-study>.

==> + ON THE AIR: REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN ASSIGNED Z8 PREFIX

   After a wait of more than seven months after being accepted as a
member of the United Nations
<http://www.arrl.org/news/the-republic-of-south-sudan-is-now-a-dxcc-entity>,
the Republic of South Sudan received its prefix block from the
International Telecommunication Union
<http://www.itu.int/online/mms/glad/cga_callsign.sh?lang=en> (ITU): Z8.
On July 14, 2011 -- after South Sudan's admittance to the UN -- the new
country became a DXCC entity by way of Section II, 1(a) of the DXCC
rules <http://www.arrl.org/rules>. -- Thanks to The Daily DX for the
information

==> + ON THE AIR: ONE DOWN, ONE TO GO: THE ARRL INTERNATIONAL DX
CONTEST GEARS UP FOR SSB

With the CW portion
<http://www.arrl.org/news/the-2012-arrl-international-dx-cw-contest-takes-to-the-air-next-weekend>
of the ARRL International DX Contest <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx> now
a series of fading dits and dahs in the memories of participants,
preparations for the SSB portion of the DX Contest -- the weekend of
March 3-4 -- are already underway.

According to ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, for this
contest, stations in the US and Canada work only DX stations, and DX
stations work only the US and Canada; Alaska and Hawaii are considered
DX for this contest. DX stations will be trying to make QSOs with all
US states and Canadian provinces. The contest exchange is simple: US
and Canadian stations send a signal report and their state or province,
while DX stations send a signal report and the amount of power they are
transmitting with.

   "The CW portion had a lot of twists and turns," Kutzko recounted.
"The solar flux index was down considerably from the great conditions
we experienced in the last quarter of 2011. We were also dealt a blow
with a solar storm on Saturday afternoon, generating some strange
phenomena on the bands. Ten meters -- which earlier in the contest
season was open to Europe and Asia for hours at a time -- barely showed
up this past weekend. Despite all of this, hams worked tons of DX on 15
and even 10 meters."

Will these conditions improve? It's hard to say -- the SFI remains
around 100, and just a week before the contest, the A and K indices are
reasonably low. "Check the K7RA Solar Update each Friday on the ARRL
website for the most current solar forecast," Kutzko advised. "But one
thing is for certain: The number of participants in the 2011-2012
contest season has exploded, and more activity means lots of DX."

The ARRL International DX SSB Contest <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx>
runs from 0000 UTC Saturday, March 3 to 2359 UTC Sunday, March 4.
Complete rules and forms can be found online
<http://www.arrl.org/contest-rules>. Electronic logs should be
submitted via e-mail <dxphone at arrl.org>; paper logs can be sent to ARRL
DX SSB Contest, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Paper logs must be
postmarked no later than 0000 UTC Tuesday, April 3, 2012.

==> +HAM RADIO IN HOLLYWOOD: BLOCKBUSTER MOVIE FEATURES MORSE CODE,
HOMEBREW EQUIPMENT -- AND SEA MONSTERS!

   In the movie Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, Sean Anderson (played
by Josh Hutcherson) receives a coded distress signal that comes from a
mysterious island where no island should exist. Sean decides to follow
the signal with the unwilling assistance from his stepfather Hank
(played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson).

   The movie opens in Dayton, Ohio with Sean on his motorcycle, being
chased by police officers. Sean had been caught breaking in to a
"satellite facility." When questioned by Hank, Sean confesses that he
had received a coded message from his grandfather (played by Michael
Caine), but his equipment was too weak to copy it; he decided to go
somewhere where there were bigger antennas. The message -- a string of
one and two syllable words taken from the books of Jules Verne -- makes
no sense to Sean. Hank, a former US Navy cryptographer, offers to help
decode the message; he feels this will be a good chance to bond with
his stepson.

Immediately, Hank figures out that the message is really in Morse code:
each one syllable word is a "dit," while each two syllable word is a
"dah." Hank translates the message, which gives clues to the location
of the grandfather's whereabouts. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/hollywood-movie-features-morse-code-homebrew-equipment-and-sea-monsters>.

==> + W1AW: MARCH QUALIFYING RUNS

   The W1AW and West Coast Qualifying Runs were inadvertently left out
of the March 2012 issue of QST. Here is the missing information:

W1AW Qualifying Runs are 10 PM EST Friday, March 9 (0300 UTC March 10)
(10-40 WPM) and 7 PM EDT (2300 UTC) Tuesday, March 20. The West Coast
Qualifying Run will be transmitted by station K6KPH on 3581.5, 7047.5,
14047.5, 18097.5 and 21067.5 kHz at 2 PM PDT (2200 UTC) Saturday, March
17. Unless indicated otherwise, speeds are from 10-35 WPM. You can find
the upcoming schedule here
<http://www.arrl.org/qualifying-run-schedule>.

==> + SECTION MANAGER WINTER ELECTION RESULTS

   Two ARRL Sections -- Eastern Pennsylvania and Louisiana -- will get
new Section Managers as of April 1, 2012. Two other Sections -- San
Diego and Virginia -- will keep their incumbent Section Managers.
Ballots for these races were counted Tuesday, February 21 at ARRL
Headquarters. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/section-managers-winter-election-results>.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "Behind the clouds the Sun is shining
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b6fBnPmhmc>" Cook, K7RA, reports: We
don't know if this is a significant trend, but solar activity has
really leveled off recently. Not everyone is unhappy about this: During
the recent long minimum, 160 and 80 meter operators were very excited
about conditions, and that enthusiasm seems to have increased of late.
The average indicators this week were almost exactly the same as last.
The average daily sunspot number rose from 55.6 to 55.7, while the
average daily solar flux declined 2.6 points to 105. In an unusual
coincidence, the average planetary A index and mid-latitude numbers
were the same this week as last, 8 and 6.7 The latest prediction shows
solar flux at 105 on February 23-24, 100 on February 25, 95 on February
26-29, 100 on March 1-4, 105 on March 5-11, 110 on March 12-13, and
rising to 115 on March 14-19. The prediction also sees planetary A
index at 8 on February 23, 5 on February 24-28, 7 on February 29, 5 on
March 1, 8 on March 2-3, and 5 on March 4-6. Look for more information
on the ARRL website on Friday, February 24. 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 Disney's Cars
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney_Cars>.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- February 24 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- February 24-26 -- CQ 160 Meter Contest (SSB)
- February 25-26 -- Mississippi QSO Party; North American QSO Party
(RTTY); REF Contest (SSB); UBA DX Contest (CW)
- February 26 -- High Speed Club CW Contest; SARL Digital Contest
- February 26-27 -- North Carolina QSO Party
- February 27 -- CQC Winter QSO Sprint

Next week:

- March 3 -- Wake-Up! QRP Sprint
- March 3-4 -- ARRL International DX Contest (SSB)
<http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx>
- March 4 -- DARC 10 Meter Digital Contest
- March 6 -- ARS Spartan Sprint; AGCW YL-CW 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>.

==> SILENT KEY: BILL SIMONS, W9BB, SILENT KEY; DEVELOPED SHURE
MICROPHONES

William A. Simons, W9BB (ex-W9YXJ), passed away in Minnesota on January
2. He was 84. He earned his Class B ticket in 1941 at the age of 14 and
converted a cathedral radio into his first transmitter. Later, Simons
earned DXCC using homebrew gear of his own design. Eventually, he
earned a top spot on the ARRL DXCC Honor Roll. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/bill-simons-w9bb-silent-key-developed-shure-microphones>.

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

- February 25 -- ARRL Vermont State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/vermont-state-convention-ham-con-2>,
South Burlington, Vermont
- March 3 -- ARRL Santa Clara Valley Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/santa-clara-valley-section-convention-radiofest>,
Del Rey Oaks, California; ARRL South Texas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/south-texas-section-convention-greater-houston-hamfest-2>,
Rosenberg, Texas
- March 3-4 -- ARRL Alabama Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/alabama-section-convention-birminghamfest-1>,
Birmingham, Alabama
- March 9-10 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-state-convention-52nd-annual-acadiana-hamfest>,
Rayne, Louisiana; ARRL Oklahoma State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-state-convention-green-country-hamfest-1>,
Claremore, Oklahoma
- March 10-11 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/roanoke-division-convention-charlotte-hamfest-tm>,
Concord, North Carolina
- March 17 -- ARRL Nebraska State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/nebraska-state-convention-end-of-winter-hamfest>,
Lincoln, Nebraska; ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southern-florida-section-convention-2>,
Stuart, Florida; ARRL West Texas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-texas-section-convention-57th-annual-st-patrick-s-day-hamfest>,
Midland, Texas
- March 23-24 -- ARRL Maine State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/maine-state-convention-2>, Lewiston,
Maine
- 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>.

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/>


