From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Jan  5 16:38:27 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu,  5 Jan 2012 16:38:27 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for January 5, 2012
Message-ID: <20120106005204.6FAFB29D43E@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

January 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

- + BPL Provider IBEC Announces Shutdown
- + On the Air: ARRL Announces Diamond DXCC Challenge
- + Amateur Radio in Space: ARISSat-1 Re-enters Earth's Atmosphere,
Falls Silent
- + Ham Radio in Hollywood: Amateur Radio Makes Its Debut on Last Man
Standing
- On the Air: Round Up Those Digital QSOs in the 2012 ARRL RTTY Roundup
- DIY: ARRL Launches New DIY Campaign
- + Yaesu's Amateur Radio Division Breaks with Motorola, Changes Name
to Yaesu Musen
- + On the Air: ARRL 10 Meter Contest Sets Record
- + DXCC News: 2011 Sees Tremendous Increase in DXCC Applications
- + On the Air: ARRL Requests Feedback for 60 Meter Band Plan
- Ham Radio in Hollywood: Amateur Radio a Plot Point in Major Motion
Picture
- Ham Radio in Hollywood: Can I Have "Amateur Radio" for $800, Alex?
- Solar Update
- ARRL Congratulates: Ashraf Abuelhaija and Klaus Solbach, DK3BA, Win
December QST Cover Plaque Award
- Dayton Hamvention: Nomination Deadline for Dayton Hamvention Awards
Approaching
- 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>.

==> + BPL PROVIDER IBEC ANNOUNCES SHUTDOWN

   IBEC -- one of the very few remaining operators of Access BPL
systems -- has announced that it is closing down. In an undated
announcement that appeared on the IBEC website, the company announced
that it has "no other option than to close our doors and cease
operations." IBEC claims that it cannot recover financially from the
April 2011 tornadoes in Alabama that "ravished [sic] some of our major
service areas." IBEC provided Internet service via broadband over power
lines (BPL) to rural communities.

 <http://www.arrl.org/images/view/News/IBEC_Letter_to_Customers.jpg>
"While we regret the loss of jobs brought about by IBEC's BPL business
failure, in the long run the rural areas that IBEC was trying to serve
will be better served by broadband technologies that are superior to
BPL and do not pollute the radio spectrum," said ARRL Chief Executive
Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ. "While initially IBEC was cooperative in
addressing the ARRL's concerns about interference to licensed radio
services -- including Amateur Radio -- the ARRL was dismayed to find
that the systems as actually deployed fell short of meeting even the
inadequate requirements of the FCC's rules. We hope that this latest in
the long string of Access BPL failures will persuade the few remaining
fans of BPL to turn their attention elsewhere." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/bpl-provider-ibec-announces-shutdown>.

==> + ON THE AIR: ARRL ANNOUNCES DIAMOND DXCC CHALLENGE

2012 is the 75th anniversary of the ARRL's DXCC Award, the world's
preeminent DXing award. To celebrate this important milestone, the ARRL
has gone back to the beginning -- the 1937 DXCC List.The Diamond DXCC
Challenge will test DXers ability to contact all the 231 entities on
the original DXCC List.

   We tried to find corresponding entities today that would represent
the places listed in 1937, and we were mostly successful. There are a
couple of places that were merged, like French and British New
Hebrides, and the Papua and New Guinea Territories. In those places,
for 2012 if you work a YJ or a P29 (on the main island of New Guinea)
you will get credit for working two entities! Many other oddities are
sprinkled throughout the list, too. Returning to the air in 2012 will
be the Canal Zone (any HP operating within 8 kilometers of the Panama
Canal), the Cities of Gdansk, Poland, as well as Ifni, Morocco and
Balochistan.

For some entities that now consist of multiple countries, you may work
any of today's entities to qualify for that single 1937 country. For
example, French Equatorial Africa will be considered worked if you log
a station in TL, TN, TR or TT in 2012. The Diamond DXCC country tables
show the current entity names and prefixes that qualify for the 1937
countries. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-diamond-dxcc-challenge>.

==> + AMATEUR RADIO IN SPACE: ARISSAT-1 RE-ENTERS EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE,
FALLS SILENT

According to AMSAT <http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/index.php>,
ARISSat-1 stopped transmitting <http://www.arissat1.org/v3/> on the
morning of January 4. It is believed that the satellite re-entered the
Earth's atmosphere around 0700 UTC (+/- three hours) and was destroyed
soon after. Telemetry reports showed that the temperature aboard
ARISSat-1 had been rising as the atmospheric drag began to affect the
satellite The predicted decay location is an open part of the South
Atlantic, well west of Angola.

   The last telemetry reports indicated that the internal temperature
had topped 167 degrees Fahrenheit and was rising rapidly. Konstantin
Vladimirovich, RN3ZF, sent a reception report of a pass at 0842 UTC and
stated, "The telemetry was absent, voice messages were not legible,
very silent and interrupted. Most likely, I saw the last minutes in the
life of the satellite." The last full telemetry captured was received
from ground stations as the satellite passed over Japan at 0602 UTC on
January 4.

ARISSat-1 was deployed
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arissat-1-finally-deployed-from-iss> from the
International Space Station on August 3, 2011 during EVA-29 on by
Cosmonaut/Flight Engineers Sergei Volkov, RU3DIS, and Alexander
Samokutyaev. The satellite carried a student experiment from Kursk
State University in Russia that measured atmospheric density. Students
from around the world provided the voices for the FM voice
announcements.

AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW, said that ARISSat-1 marked a new
type of satellite that captured the attention of the national space
agencies around the world. "With ARISSat-1, we have we have been able
to design, launch, and operate a unique educational opportunity," he
explained. "By designing an educational mission aligned with NASA's
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics goals, radio amateurs
around the world have been able enjoy a new satellite in orbit."

ARISSat-1 achieved several "firsts" for Amateur Radio in space,
including the first flight test of the AMSAT Software Defined
Transponder, which included an FM voice downlink cycling between
student messages, spoken telemetry and SSTV; a 16 kHz bandwidth linear
transponder; a CW beacon carrying telemetry and call signs of radio
amateurs (noting their significant contributions to Amateur Radio in
space) and a robust, forward-error-corrected 1kbps BPSK digital
downlink carrying satellite telemetry and Kursk experiment telemetry.

==> + HAM RADIO IN HOLLYWOOD: AMATEUR RADIO MAKES ITS DEBUT ON LAST MAN
STANDING

   If you watched the January 3 episode of Last Man Standing -- the ABC
hit situation comedy starring Tim Allen as Mike Baxter, KA0XTT -- you
were in for a treat. While this episode didn't feature Amateur Radio
per se, it did show Mike's shack in the background. Viewers could see
the DXCC, Worked All States, Worked All Continents and the Morse Code
Proficiency Certificate -- all provided by the ARRL -- in the first
scene. Later on in the show, Mike records his video blog. Sharp-eyed
viewers spotted the 2011 ARRL Handbook underneath the mini-tripod, next
to issues of QST!

   The episode airing on January 17 will introduce Mike Baxter as
KA0XTT. According to Last Man Standing Producer John Amodeo, NN6JA,
Mike will have a QSO on the show. "We had two Amateur Extra class staff
members complete a QSO on 10 meters and we recorded it," Amodeo
explained. " Unfortunately, we were set up on a stage that is basically
a Faraday cage. The very QRP signal made it radio-to-radio. We varied
the RIT [receiver incremental tuning] to give it a little extra SSB
sound, but I don't think the signal made it much past the stage walls.
The recording will be on the show. We thought our ham viewers would get
a kick out of it. Non-hams will think it's just distorted." Read more
here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/em-ham-radio-in-hollywood-em-amateur-radio-makes-its-debut-on-em-last-man-standing-em>.

==> ON THE AIR: ROUND UP THOSE DIGITAL QSOS IN THE 2012 ARRL RTTY
ROUNDUP

We're in the heart of the 2011-2012 contest season and this weekend
offers the first major event of 2012: The ARRL RTTY Roundup
<http://www.arrl.org/rtty-roundup>. According to ARRL Contest Branch
Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, participation in the digital modes has been
growing at an amazing rate. "It's not difficult to get on the digital
modes," he explained. "All it takes these days is a computer, a piece
of free software and an interface to connect your computer to your rig.
It's never been easier!"

   Because of that ease, log submissions for the RTTY Roundup have
increased about 33 percent since 2007, with 1539 logs received in 2011.
"There are plenty of stations to work, including lots of DX," Kutzko
said. "Many stations have achieved RTTY DXCC <http://www.arrl.org/dxcc>
and RTTY WAS <http://www.arrl.org/was> in a weekend. You can work
toward other awards as well, such as the ARRL Triple Play Award
<http://www.arrl.org/triple-play>, earned for working all 50 states on
CW, SSB and digital modes (including RTTY) and confirming all of those
QSOs via Logbook of The World (LoTW
<http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world>). Do you think you have what
it takes to set a new record score for your ARRL Division or Section?
Check the record scores <http://www.arrl.org/contest-records> for the
RTTY Roundup and see if you can beat the best!

The 2012 ARRL RTTY Roundup runs from 1800 UTC Saturday, January 7
through 2359 UTC Sunday, January 8. Logs may be submitted
electronically via e-mail <rttyru at arrl.org>. Paper logs should be sent
to ARRL RTTY Roundup, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. All logs must
be postmarked no later than 2359 UTC Tuesday, February 7, 2012.

==> DIY: ARRL LAUNCHES NEW DIY CAMPAIGN

   The ARRL Public Relations Department has released the Do-It-Yourself
(DIY) suite of interrelated promotional materials aimed at exposing the
growing Do It Yourself/Maker community to Amateur Radio opportunities.
The DIY movement is nothing new to Amateur Radio. For more than a
century, hams have been working in basements and attics, taking things
apart and putting them back together in new ways, just for the fun of
it. Meanwhile, there has been a growing population of DIY hobbyists who
do not know about the opportunities of Amateur Radio.

To reach this growing group, the ARRL Public Relations Department has
created an entirely new set of campaign materials for ARRL Public
Information Officers, groups and individual hams to use in reaching out
to the DIY/Maker community. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, and Dave Bell,
W6AQ, were recruited to create the new video. Recruiting volunteers
throughout 2011, the duo shot more than 65 hours of high-definition
video, and then edited it down to a mere 8 minutes. Titled The DIY
Magic of Amateur Radio, it shows ham-makers projects from around the
country. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-launches-new-diy-campaign>.

==> + YAESU'S AMATEUR RADIO DIVISION BREAKS WITH MOTOROLA, CHANGES NAME
TO YAESU MUSEN

   After four years under the Motorola umbrella, Yaesu has split from
that company. According to Vertex Standard President and Chief
Executive Officer Jun Hasegawa, effective January1, 2012, Motorola will
keep the Vertex Standard Land-Mobile Division, while the amateur,
marine and air-band will be under the Yaesu Musen banner. The new
company will be known as Yaesu USA in the US. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/yaesu-s-amateur-radio-division-breaks-with-motorola-changes-name-to-yaesu-musen>.

==> + ON THE AIR: ARRL 10 METER CONTEST SETS RECORD

As of January 5, almost 5200 logs have been received for the ARRL 10
Meter Contest <http://www.arrl.org/10-meter>. Contest Manager Sean
Kutzko, KX9X, is happy to have sunspots back: "This just goes to show
what sunspots can do for activity. When the solar flux climbed to 190
in September, it was like the first warm day after a long winter;
people came out to play -- and play they did, in unprecedented numbers!
Activity during this contest season has been nothing short of
tremendous, and it seems to have reached a zenith for the ARRL 10 Meter
Contest. Old Timers and new licensees from all around the world got on
the air and had one heck of a good time on 28 MHz the second weekend in
December, shattering the participation record by more than 2300 logs.
And we still have a week to go before the log submission deadline!"

==> + DXCC NEWS: 2011 SEES TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN DXCC APPLICATIONS

With the coming of more sunspots, comes more DX. And when more amateurs
are working DX, that means the ARRL's Membership and Volunteer Programs
Department -- especially the DXCC Desk and the ARRL Incoming and
Outgoing QSL Bureaus -- goes into high gear.

   "In 2011, we saw an increase in the number of cards we received from
ARRL members that were sent to foreign QSL bureaus, as well as the
number of cards we sent out to the bureaus," said DXCC Manager Bill
Moore, NC1L. "In addition, the number of DXCC applications -- including
those for initial awards and endorsements -- also increased."

As the number of QSL cards has increased, so have the number of DXCC
applications. In 2010, the DXCC Desk processed 7134 applications for
initial awards and endorsements; these 2010 applications included
853,462 QSOs. In 2011, the DXCC Desk processed 11,175 applications,
containing 1,250,864 QSOs. "Comparing 2010 to 2011, this represents a
47 percent increase in the number of QSOs and a 57 percent increase in
the number of applications," MVP Administrative Manager Sharon Taratula
explained. "With all of the year's applications not yet fully
processed, we've seen a substantial increase in the number of QSOs over
2010."

"Through December 31, 2011, the ARRL Outgoing QSL Bureau received
802,500 cards destined for foreign QSL bureaus from ARRL members in the
US," Taratula said. "This represents an increase of 4 percent over the
2010 number of about 771,900 cards. In 2011, the ARRL shipped 799,675
cards -- or close to 5400 pounds of cards -- to foreign bureaus." Read
more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/2011-sees-tremendous-increase-in-dxcc-applications>.

==> + ON THE AIR: ARRL REQUESTS FEEDBACK FOR 60 METER BAND PLAN

In November 2011, the FCC released a Report & Order detailing new rules
for the 5 MHz (60 meters) Amateur Radio band. These rules have not yet
been published in the Federal Register. In order to be official, the
rules must be published in the Federal Register and will take effect 30
days after the publication date. The R&O brings with it a number of
changes for 60 meter operators. Considering the expected increase in 60
meter activity when the R&O finally takes effect, the ARRL is asking
for feedback to assist in crafting a proposed band plan. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-requests-feedback-for-60-meter-band-plan>.

==> HAM RADIO IN HOLLYWOOD: AMATEUR RADIO A PLOT POINT IN MAJOR MOTION
PICTURE

   According to previews, the plot of the movie Journey 2: The
Mysterious Island -- set to be released February 10 -- hinges on
Amateur Radio. The movie's hero 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).

Sean explains to Hank why he wants to hunt down the signal: "A few
nights ago, a radio signal got sent out from these coordinates. It
could be the mysterious island that Jules Verne wrote about." Hank
replies: "You think you're gonna travel halfway around the world and
meet up with some lunatic who's messing around on a ham radio?" "That's
not some lunatic," Sean says. "That's my grandfather." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/em-ham-radio-in-hollywood-em-amateur-radio-a-plot-point-in-major-motion-picture>.

==> HAM RADIO IN HOLLYWOOD: CAN I HAVE "AMATEUR RADIO" FOR $800, ALEX?

   If you were watching the popular television game show Jeopardy!
<http://www.jeopardy.com/> -- where contestants have to answer in the
form of a question -- on December 15
<http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=3783>, you might have
noticed there was a question featuring Amateur Radio. In the first
round, returning champ Boomie Aglietti was playing the category
"Pastimes" when he encountered this "answer" worth $800: "The FCC
assigns call signs, like N8DNR, to use in this hobby." Aglietti
answered correctly with "ham radio."

N8DNR is the call sign of Debbie Dorfman of West Bloomfield, Michigan.
Debbie is the mother of Stephen Dorfman, N6DIW (SK)
<http://www.vanityhq.com/bin/chistSO.php4?call=N6DIW&type=single>.
Stephen was a writer for Jeopardy! from 1984 until he passed away in
2004 at age 48 due to complications from cancer. According to the New
York Times
<http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/09/arts/television/09DORF.html>,
Dorfman was Jeopardy!'s longest serving and most prolific writer, with
more than 50,000 clues to his credit. As part of a team of writers, he
won six Daytime Emmy Awards for special-class writing, given for shows
that do not fit into traditional categories. On the Jeopardy! episode
that aired January 3, 2008
<http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=2269>, another Dorfman
call sign was featured -- this one of Stephen's father Neil -- also for
$800, in the category "If You're...": "...using a call sign like K8RX,
you're engaged in this hobby."

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "We all live for the Sun
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yus7IvioR_A>" Cook, K7RA, reports:
We're continuing to see good conditions, although sunspot activity has
declined a bit. The average daily sunspot numbers for December
29-January 4 declined nearly 20 points (when compared to the previous
seven days) to 88.1; this is the lowest reported weekly sunspot number
average since September 2011
<http://www.arrl.org/news/the-k7ra-solar-update-180>. The average daily
solar flux was off 6.4 points to 143.1. Another problem seems to have
cropped up with NOAA reporting of data that we use in this bulletin.
Last month, the sunspot numbers had to be corrected. Now it appears
that some of the geophysical data does not check out. Check the
planetary A index for the last few weeks of December 2011 here
<http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ftpdir/indices/DGD.txt> and check the same
dates here
<http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ftpdir/indices/old_indices/2011_DGD.txt>.
They should match, but they don't (unless the problem has been
corrected by the time you read this). But the numbers for all of 2011
match what we have reported in the bulletin, and I suspect it is the
correct version. The near term outlook is for solar flux at 140 on
January 5-6, 135 on January 7-8, 130 on January 9-11, 125 and 135 on
January 12-13, and then back to 140 on January 14-21. The next short
term peak is expected at 150 on January 24-26. The expected planetary A
index for January 5-9 is 5, 8, 15, 10 and 8, then back down to 5 on
January 10-27. That predicted A index of 15 on January 7 -- if accurate
-- will be the highest since October 25, when it was 27, and 31 the day
before. That activity was sparked by a coronal mass ejection that
affected earth around 1800 UTC on October 24. Look for more information
on the ARRL website on Friday, January 6. 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 The Sunrays' I Live for the Sun
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Live_for_the_Sun>.

==> ARRL CONGRATULATES: ASHRAF ABUELHAIJA AND KLAUS SOLBACH, DK3BA, WIN
DECEMBER QST COVER PLAQUE AWARD

   The winners of the QST Cover Plaque Award for December are Ashraf
Abuelhaija and Klaus Solbach, DK3BA, for their article "An Inverted V
Wire Yagi with Switchable Pattern Rotation for 14 MHz." Congratulations
Ashraf and Klaus! 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 January issue today.

==> DAYTON HAMVENTION: NOMINATION DEADLINE FOR DAYTON HAMVENTION AWARDS
APPROACHING

   It's not too late to nominate individuals and clubs for the 2012
Dayton Hamvention? awards. The deadline to make your nominations for
the Amateur of the Year Award, Special Achievement Award, Technical
Excellence Award, and the Amateur Radio Club of the Year Award is
Sunday, January 15. The winners will be recognized at the 2012 Dayton
Hamvention, May 18-20. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/nomination-deadline-for-dayton-hamvention-awards-approaching>.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- January 6 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- January 7 -- PODXS 070 Club PSKFest; QRP ARCI Pet Rock Celebration
- January 7-8 -- ARRL RTTY Roundup <http://www.arrl.org/rtty-roundup>;
CWops Mini-CWT Test; Original QRP Contest; EUCW 160 Meter Contest
- January 8 -- ARRL Kids Day <http://www.arrl.org/kids-day>; SKCC
Weekend Sprint; DARC 10 Meter Contest; Midwinter Contest
- January 11-12 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

Next week:

- January 13 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- January 14-15 -- North American QSO Party (CW); WW PMC Contest;
Michigan QRP January CW Contest
- January 16 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
- January 19 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint

All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest
Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests>, the ARRL Contest Update
<http://www.arrl.org/The-ARRL-Contest-Update> and the WA7BNM Contest
Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more
information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out
the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/special-event-stations>.

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

- January 8 -- ARRL New York/Long Island Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/new-york-long-island-section-convention-ham-radio-university-2012>,
Bethpage, New York
- January 27-28 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/mississippi-state-convention-capitol-city-hamfest-1>,
Jackson, Mississippi
- 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>.

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From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Jan 12 22:05:26 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:05:26 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for January 12, 2012
Message-ID: <20120113031139.5877029C87B@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

January 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

- + ARRL Board of Directors Gather this Weekend for 2012 Annual Meeting
- + FCC News: FCC Denies ARRL Petition on Vanity, Club Call Signs
- + ARRL Meets 2011 Fundraising Goals
- + Get Ready for the February Issue of QST
- On the Air: The ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes Means Winter Contesting
Fun for Everyone
- + FCC News: FCC Grants Special Temporary Authority for Amateur Spread
Spectrum Experiments
- + FCC News: Radio Amateurs Not Affected by Narrowbanding Requirements
- + On the Air: ARRL Requests Feedback for 60 Meter Band Plan
- Solar Update
- Technology News: Videos of 2011 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications
Conference Now Available Online
- Amateur Radio Fun: 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>.

==> + ARRL BOARD OF DIRECTORS GATHER THIS WEEKEND FOR 2012 ANNUAL
MEETING

   ARRL policy is made by its Board of Directors. The 15 voting members
of the Board are the Directors who are elected by the ARRL members in
their respective divisions. The Board meets in January and July,
usually in the Hartford area. ARRL members also elect Vice Directors
who may attend the meetings. ARRL Directors and Vice Directors are
volunteers who work hard to represent the ARRL in their divisions, to
represent the members who elect them on policy issues and to conduct
the committee work that is so important to good decision-making.

The 2012 Annual Meeting begins on Friday, January 13 and is expected to
run through Saturday afternoon. Usually, the Annual Meeting is held the
third full weekend in January, but with the World Radiocommunication
Conference (WRC-12) beginning January 23, the Board voted to hold its
meeting early.

The two Standing Committees -- the Administration & Finance (A&F)
Committee and the Programs & Services Committee -- will meet on
Thursday, January 12. These two committees are made up of five
Directors and a Vice Director, with the treasurer serving as an
additional member of the A&F Committee. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/2012-annual-meeting-of-the-arrl-board-of-directors-set-for-january-13-14-agenda-announced>.

==> + FCC NEWS: FCC DENIES ARRL PETITION ON VANITY, CLUB CALL SIGNS

On January 11, the FCC denied an ARRL Petition for Reconsideration
concerning vanity and club call signs. Filed with the Commission in
January 2011, the ARRL's Petition was in response to the FCC's Report
and Order that detailed rules changes to the vanity call sign system
and call signs for Amateur Radio clubs. These new rules went into
effect on February 14, 2011.

   The FCC noted that the ARRL supports its efforts to prevent club
stations from obtaining an unfair share of desirable call signs, but
expresses concern that the specific rule language adopted by the
Commission "does not preclude the abuses that the Report and Order
intended to preclude." In its Petition, the ARRL stated that if a club
has multiple station trustees, each of these trustees could obtain a
vanity call sign for the club, thereby allowing the club to obtain
multiple vanity call signs. The ARRL also argued that a club could
"'gam[e]' the club station vanity call sign system" by obtaining
multiple FCC Registration Numbers (FRNs) and applying for a vanity call
sign under each FRN. "We do not believe that the vanity call sign
system is subject to the abuses identified by the ARRL," the FCC said,
"or that it's suggested rule changes are necessary." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-denies-arrl-petition-on-vanity-club-call-signs>.

==> + ARRL MEETS 2011 FUNDRAISING GOALS

   Thanks to the generosity of dedicated members and friends, the ARRL
successfully met its 2011 fundraising goals. More than 6000 individuals
and clubs supported the efforts of the ARRL this past year through
gifts to the Diamond Club, the Spectrum Defense Fund, the Education &
Technology Fund, the Historic Preservation Fund, the W1AW Endowment
Fund and the ARRL Endowment Fund.

Many of the ARRL's programs and services would not be possible without
the additional support of its members. The Development Office --
managed by Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH -- worked
tirelessly throughout 2011 to make the membership aware of these needs.
"I am proud to report that our members have enthusiastically and
generously responded to our appeals all year long," Hobart said. "Our
overall goal for 2011 was $960,000. As of the end of the year, we had
met -- and exceeded -- all expectations. To everyone who made this
possible, thank you!" Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-meets-2011-fundraising-goals>.

==> + GET READY FOR THE FEBRUARY ISSUE OF QST

The February issue of QST is jam-packed with all sorts of things that
today's Amateur Radio operator needs. This issue celebrates 50 years of
the Amateur Satellite Service, marking the December 1961 launch of
OSCAR 1, the first Amateur Radio satellite. Discover articles, projects
and tips to improve your station, as well as information about
operating activities that will keep you active on the air throughout
2012.

   With energy costs skyrocketing, many people are looking to find ways
to save on their electric bill. It's no secret that radios, amplifiers
and all the peripherals in your shack can drive up the cost of your
monthly usage. With this in mind, Mert Nellis, W0UFO, presents
"Characterizing Solar Panels for Amateur Radio Applications." Solar
panels use the Sun to produce electrical current to charge a battery,
providing steady power for radios and small appliances. And moving your
station off the grid may be easier than you think. In his article
"Going Totally Green," Dave Gauger, W9CJS, explains that it is simple
to make your station environmentally friendly. Gauger notes that he
didn't set out to "go green" to save money on his electric bill, but
did it for the fun and challenge, as well as to have the ability to
provide substantial HF communications in the event of a major power
outage.

   This year marks the 75th anniversary of the ARRL's DXCC Award, the
world's preeminent DXing award. To celebrate this milestone, the ARRL
is presenting the Diamond DXCC Challenge. We are challenging DXers
worldwide to work at least 100 of the 231 entities representing those
on the original 1937 DXCC List. And when you're out there hunting that
DX, why not swing your beam south for Antarctic Activity Week? Ruth
Vano, KB0USC, tells the story of this annual event sponsored by the
Worldwide Antarctic Program in her article "To the End of the Earth --
Antarctic Activity Week."

ARRL Contributing Editor Phil Salas, AD5X, takes a look at the Elecraft
KPA500 HF/6 meter power amplifier in this month's Product Review. He
says this "fully featured amplifier looks and works great on your desk
or at your DX location. It's 160 to 6 meter 500 W capability, auto band
switching and PIN diode switching integrate well with all
transceivers." QST Product Review Editor Mark Wilson, K1RO, test drove
four 25 A switch mode power supplies: the Jetstream JTPS30M, the
Powerwerx SS-30DV, the QJE DX PS30SWII and the Ten-Tec model 941.

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

==> ON THE AIR: THE ARRL JANUARY VHF SWEEPSTAKES MEANS WINTER
CONTESTING FUN FOR EVERYONE

   VHF operators will be on the bands in force the weekend of January
21-23, as the ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes hits the airwaves. This
contest gives the VHFer in all of us a chance to do some contesting
during the winter months. "Don't let the cold weather in much of the US
dissuade you from getting on the air," said ARRL Contest Branch Manager
Sean Kutzko, KX9X. "Many a portable or Rover operation has done just
fine in January. While propagation enhancement can seem fleeting in
January, there have been some monstrous openings during this contest in
years past. Who knows? Perhaps the propagation gods will grant us a
late holiday gift with an extended aurora or tropospheric event!" Read
more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/the-arrl-january-vhf-sweepstakes-means-winter-contesting-fun-for-everyone>.

==> + FCC NEWS: FCC GRANTS SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY FOR AMATEUR
SPREAD SPECTRUM EXPERIMENTS

Phil Williams, KA1GMN, has been granted a Special Temporary Authority
(STA) by the Federal Communications Commission to conduct Spread
Spectrum experiments within 2.5 kHz signal bandwidths on 160 through 2
meters, at a maximum of 100 W effective radiated power. The six month
authorization takes effect February 1 and expires on July 31. The FCC
has assigned Williams the call sign WF9XJD for use during his
experimental transmissions. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-grants-special-temporary-authority-for-amateur-spread-spectrum-experiments>.

==> + FCC NEWS: RADIO AMATEURS NOT AFFECTED BY NARROWBANDING
REQUIREMENTS

   The FCC released a Public Notice
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db0105/DA-12-12A1.pdf>
on January 6, reminding land mobile licensees, frequency coordinators
and equipment manufacturers that they have less than one year to
transition to narrowband operations in the 150-174 and 421-512 MHz
bands. While the latter frequency range includes amateur service
allocations, radio amateurs are not affected by the narrowbanding
requirement. Land mobile operation is permitted in parts of the 421-430
MHz band in the areas around Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo, and land
mobile licensees in these areas are among those who will have to
migrate to narrowband (12.5 kHz or narrower) technology by January 1,
2013. Amateur operation is not permitted along the Canadian border
(north of Line A as defined in the FCC Rules) in the band 420-430 MHz.

==> + ON THE AIR: ARRL REQUESTS FEEDBACK FOR 60 METER BAND PLAN

In November 2011, the FCC released a Report & Order detailing new rules
for the 5 MHz (60 meters) Amateur Radio band
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-releases-new-rules-for-60-meters>. As of
January 12, these rules have not yet been published in the Federal
Register. In order to be official, the rules must be published in the
Federal Register and will take effect 30 days after the publication
date. The R&O brings with it a number of changes for 60 meter
operators. Considering the expected increase in 60 meter activity when
the R&O finally takes effect, the ARRL is asking for feedback to assist
in crafting a proposed band plan. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-requests-feedback-for-60-meter-band-plan>.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "Searching for a way to January Sun
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztzMII6T-U4>" Cook, K7RA, reports: The
average daily sunspot numbers were up this week by a tiny bit, from
88.1 to 90.6, while the average daily solar flux was down slightly,
from 136.2 to 134.9. The latest daily projection from NOAA/USAF shows
the solar flux about 15 points lower than the average for the week, at
120 on January 12-15, 125 on January 16-19, and then a jump of 20
points to 145 on January 20-26. It should decline again, and then rise
to a peak of 165 on February 17-21. The predicted planetary A index is
5 on January 12, 8 on January 13-14, 5 on January 15-17, 8 on January
18-19, and then back to 5 on January 20-27. Look for more information
on the ARRL website on Friday, January 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 Vanden Plas' January Sun
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_0>.

==> TECHNOLOGY NEWS: VIDEOS OF 2011 ARRL/TAPR DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
CONFERENCE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

Amateur Radio Video News (ARVN <http://www.arvn.tv/>) has released
high-definition videos of all the talks presented at the 2011 ARRL/TAPR
Digital Communications Conference (DCC <http://www.tapr.org/dcc.html>),
held September 16-18. The programs are now available online on the ARVN
website <http://arvideonews.com/dcc2011/index.html>.

   The DCC is a three-day conference on Amateur Radio digital
technology. Among the video presentations are 18 seminars, the Saturday
Banquet and the welcome introduction by TAPR Chairman Steve Bible,
N7HPR. According to ARVN Producer Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, most of the talks
are fairly technical, although there are four separate sessions that
cover "Intro to" topics. "All of the talks -- except the 'Intro to'
talks -- were shot in three-camera high-definition, with wireless mics
for 'close-up' audio of the presenter, as well as the
question-and-answer period," he explained. "The 'Intro to' talks were
shot with a single, standard-definition camera.

This year, Pearce decided to release the programs on the web
<http://arvideonews.com/index.html> instead of the DVDs that have been
produced in previous years (although the DVDs will be available later).
"I wanted to make the programs available more quickly and easily to a
worldwide audience," he said. "The web has become an easy, high-quality
distribution medium."

==> AMATEUR RADIO FUN: 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:

- Do you have a call sign license plate on your vehicle?
- Do you still have some vacuum tubes in your parts box?
-  Will the new privileges on the 60 meter band make you more inclined
to operate there?
- Are you active on APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System)?

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 April 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:

- January 13 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- January 14-15 -- North American QSO Party (CW); WW PMC Contest;
Michigan QRP January CW Contest
- January 16 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
- January 19 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint

Next week:

- January 20 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- January 21 -- Feld Hell Sprint; LZ Open Contest
- January 21-22 -- North American QSO Party (SSB); Hungarian DX
Contest; YL-ISSB QSO Party (SSB)
- January 21-23 -- ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes
<http://www.arrl.org/january-vhf-sweepstakes>
- January 25 -- SKCC Sprint
- January 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

- January 27-28 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/mississippi-state-convention-capitol-city-hamfest-1>,
Jackson, Mississippi
- 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>.

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


From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Jan 19 15:58:52 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:58:52 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for January 19, 2012
Message-ID: <20120119221101.169DA240B7@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

January 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

- + ARRL Board of Directors Holds 2012 Annual Meeting, Okays Electronic
Balloting for Division Elections
- + ARRL Bestows Awards at 2012 Annual Meeting
- + ARRL Board Welcomes Rick Niswander, K7GM, as New Treasurer
- + A Reminder: Postage Rates To Rise this Month
- + Army MARS Resumes Use of Winlink 2000
- + US District Court for Maine Issues Order Granting Summary Judgment
against Glenn Baxter, K1MAN
- Solar Update
- 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>.

==> + ARRL BOARD OF DIRECTORS HOLDS 2012 ANNUAL MEETING, OKAYS
ELECTRONIC BALLOTING FOR DIVISION ELECTIONS

   The ARRL Board of Directors held its 2012 Annual Meeting January
13-14, 2012 in Windsor, Connecticut, under the chairmanship of
President Kay Craigie, N3KN. Newly elected Delta Division Director
David Norris, K5UZ, attended his first Board meeting as Director. In
addition, two recently elected Vice Directors -- Glen Clayton, W4BDB,
Delta Division, and Dale Williams, WA8EFK, Great Lakes Division --
attended their first Board meeting.

After viewing a demonstration of electronic balloting, the Board
adopted amendments to the ARRL Bylaws that will permit the
implementation of electronic voting in the 2012 fall elections for
Director and Vice Director of the Central, Hudson, New England,
Northwestern and Roanoke Divisions. Plans call for paper ballots still
to be mailed to those members who have not shared their e-mail
addresses with the ARRL, or who simply prefer to cast their votes by
mail. Supervision of the balloting is the responsibility of the Ethics
and Elections Committee. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-board-of-directors-holds-2012-annual-meeting-okays-electronic-balloting-for-division-elections>.

==> + ARRL BESTOWS AWARDS AT 2012 ANNUAL MEETING

   The ARRL Board of Directors had the pleasure and distinction of
bestowing three annual awards on six recipients at its 2012 Annual
Meeting: The George Hart Distinguished Service Award, the Bill Leonard,
W2SKE, Professional Media Award for print, audio and video, and the
ARRL International Humanitarian Award. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-bestows-awards-at-2012-annual-meeting>.

==> + ARRL BOARD WELCOMES RICK NISWANDER, K7GM, AS NEW TREASURER

When ARRL Treasurer Jim McCobb, K1LU, announced last year that he would
retire after more than three decades of volunteer service to the ARRL,
ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, appointed a search committee to find
a suitable replacement. The committee received many resumes from League
members, and after interviewing several applicants, selected Rick
Niswander, K7GM, of Greenville, North Carolina. At the 2012 ARRL Annual
Meeting, Niswander was elected by the Board of Directors as the sixth
Treasurer of the ARRL.

   Niswander -- an ARRL Life Member -- has been the Vice Chancellor for
Administration and Finance for East Carolina University since 2010,
where he is the senior executive responsible for all financial,
administrative, and operational activities at the university. Prior to
that appointment, he served as ECU's Assistant Dean for Graduate
Programs and Dean of its College of Business. He is also a Professor of
Accounting at the university. Niswander is also the Executive Treasurer
for the ECU Foundation, the ECU Medical Foundation, the ECU Alumni
Association and the Pirate Club (the ECU athletic booster club). A
Certified Public Accountant since 1981, he holds a BBA in Accounting
from Idaho State University and a PhD in Accounting from Texas A&M
University. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-board-welcomes-rick-niswander-k7gm-as-new-treasurer>.

==> + A REMINDER: POSTAGE RATES TO RISE THIS MONTH

   Beginning Sunday, January 22, it will cost more to mail first class
letters, postcards and packages within the US. The cost to mail a first
class letter will be 45 cents, an increase of 1 cent. According to the
USPS, this is the first increase since May 2009. The cost of mailing a
postcard will be 32 cents, an increase of 3 cents. This is the second
increase for postcard postage in less than a year; in April 2011, the
USPS boosted the postcard stamp price from 28 cents to 29 cents. You
will also pay more to send letters to Canada, Mexico and other
international destinations. Click here
<http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2011/pr11_factsht_pricechng_1018.pdf>
for more information on all the postal increases.

==> + ARMY MARS RESUMES USE OF WINLINK 2000

   According to Government Liaison for Army MARS
<http://www.netcom.army.mil/mars/> Pudge Forrester, AAA9GL, Lieutenant
General Susan Lawrence has reversed the decision to phase out the use
of the Winlink 2000 <http://www.winlink.org/> global radio e-mail
system by Army MARS members. General Lawrence stated that the Army --
after reviewing its capabilities -- had decided that the continued use
of Winlink 2000 was a valuable asset to Army MARS members and to the
agencies that were using the service. She issued a statement to that
effect on December 21, 2011. On January 5, 2012, the Chief of Army MARS
officially notified his membership that the phase out notice had been
rescinded. Army MARS members and agencies who had been using the
service hailed the decision by General Lawrence and resumed use of
Winlink 2000.

==> + US DISTRICT COURT FOR MAINE ISSUES ORDER GRANTING SUMMARY
JUDGMENT AGAINST GLENN BAXTER, K1MAN

   On January 10, the US District Court for Maine issued a ruling in
the FCC's lawsuit to collect monetary forfeitures issued to Glenn
Baxter, K1MAN, of Belgrade Lakes, Maine. The FCC had assessed
forfeitures in the amount of $21,000 against Baxter
<http://www.arrl.org/news/us-charges-k1man-with-failure-to-pay-fine> on
three asserted violations of the Communications Act of 1934 and its
regulations: Failure to respond to an FCC inquiry in violation of Title
47, Section 308 of the US Code
<http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode47/usc_sec_47_00000308----000-.html>,
willful or malicious interference with other radio transmissions in
violation of Section 97.101(d)
<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=47ae9117aa64a743f2bdfb3db7c32da6&rgn=div8&view=text&node=47:5.0.1.1.6.2.157.1&idno=47>,
and engaging in communications in which he has a pecuniary interest in
violation of Section 97.113(a)(3)
<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=47ae9117aa64a743f2bdfb3db7c32da6&rgn=div8&view=text&node=47:5.0.1.1.6.2.157.7&idno=47>.

Chief US District Judge John A. Woodcock Jr, in writing for the Court,
agreed with the FCC on the first two counts -- willful or repeated
failure to respond to FCC requests for information, and willful or
malicious interference -- and granted summary judgments to the FCC in
the amount of $3000 and $7000, respectively. On the third claim --
communications in which an amateur station licensee or control operator
has a pecuniary interest -- the Court declined to grant a summary
judgment to the FCC, holding that there were issues of material fact to
be litigated in the Court in later proceedings. Find a link to the
complete decision here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/us-district-court-for-maine-confirms-summary-judgment-against-glenn-baxter-k1man>.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "Fooling me like the Sun in the winter
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HVdT3D820Y>" Cook, K7RA, reports: New
sunspot groups appeared on every day over the past week. On January 12,
new sunspot group 1396 appeared, and the next day two more -- 1397 and
1398 -- popped into view. On January 14, four new sunspot groups
appeared: 1399, 1400, 1401 and 1402. January 15 saw group 1391 vanish
and new group 1403 emerge. Two more appeared January 16 -- 1404 and
1405 -- while 1397 vanished. On January 17, 1406 appeared and 1395
disappeared, while 1407 emerged on January 18. The average daily
sunspot numbers rose this week, from 90.6 to 116.9, while the solar
flux stayed about the same, changing from 134.9 to 133.4. The latest
predictions have a solar flux of 150 on January 19-20, 155 on January
21-22, 160 on January 23-25, 155 on January 26, 140 on January 27-29,
and 135 on January 30-February 6; we are still looking for a solar flux
peak of 165 on February 17-21. The predicted flux values of 160 on
January 23-25 are markedly higher than the 145 predicted last week for
the same dates. The predicted planetary A index is 6, 8, 5, 8 and 12 on
January 19-23, and 5 on January 24 through the end of the month. Look
for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, January 20. 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 Max Graham's Sun in Winter
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Graham>.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- January 20 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- January 21 -- Feld Hell Sprint; LZ Open Contest
- January 21-22 -- North American QSO Party (SSB); Hungarian DX
Contest; YL-ISSB QSO Party (SSB)
- January 21-23 -- ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes
<http://www.arrl.org/january-vhf-sweepstakes>
- January 25 -- SKCC Sprint
- January 25-26 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

Next week:

- January 27 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint; NCCC Sprint Ladder
- January 27-29 -- CQ 160 Meter Contest (CW)
- January 28-29 -- BARTG RTTY Sprint; REF Contest (CW); UBA DX Contest
(SSB); SPAR Winter Field Day
- January 28 -- WAB 1.8 MHz Phone Contest
- January 29 -- QRP ARCI Fireside SSB Sprint
- January 29-30 -- Classic Exchange (CW)

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

- January 27-28 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/mississippi-state-convention-capitol-city-hamfest-1>,
Jackson, Mississippi
- 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>.

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


From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Jan 26 15:49:09 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:49:09 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for January 26, 2012
Message-ID: <20120126230115.379A429C707@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

January 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

- + WRC-12: World Radiocommunication Conference 2012 Begins in
Switzerland, Considers Secondary MF Amateur Allocation
- + Public Service: Hams in Arkansas and Alabama Help Provide
Assistance to NWS During Severe Sunday Storms
- + Logbook of The World to Now Support CQ Awards
- + ARRL Foundation Scholarship Application Deadline Fast Approaching
- + FCC News: FCC Denies Anchorage VEC's Waiver Request
- + On the Air: 4U1ITU now 4U1WRC During WRC-12
- ARRL Publications: New Books on HF Digital Operations, Emergency
Power Now Shipping
- International News: Federaci?n Mexicana de Radio Experimentadores
Marks 80 Years
- It Now Costs More to Send a Letter or Postcard through the US Mail
- US District Court for Maine Issues Order Granting Summary Judgment
against Glenn Baxter, K1MAN
- Solar Update
- This Week in Radiosport
- ARRL Board of Directors: Minutes of 2012 Annual Meeting Posted
- On the Air: RSGB Announces Special Prefixes to Celebrate Diamond
Jubilee, Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

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

==> + WRC-12: WORLD RADIOCOMMUNICATION CONFERENCE 2012 BEGINS IN
SWITZERLAND, CONSIDERS SECONDARY MF AMATEUR ALLOCATION

The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) opened in Geneva,
Switzerland on Monday, January 23. Attendees will review and revise the
Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of radio
frequency spectrum and satellite orbits. One of the items to be
considered at WRC-12 is Agenda Item 1.23: 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.

   More than 3000 participants -- representing more than 150 out of the
International Telecommunication Union's 193 Member States -- are
expected to attend the four-week conference. About 100 Observers from
among the ITU's 700 private sector members -- along with international
organizations, including the International Amateur Radio Union -- are
also in attendance. A number of WRC-12 delegates are radio amateurs.

Members of the IARU Team include: IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH; IARU
Vice President Ole Garpestad, LA2RR; IARU Secretary Rod Stafford,
W6ROD; IARU Region 1 President Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T; IARU
Region 2 President Reinaldo Leandro, YV5AM; IARU Technical
Representative Ken Pulfer, VE3PU, and ARRL Chief Executive Officer
David Sumner, K1ZZ. ARRL Chief Technology Officer Brennan Price, N4QX,
and ARRL Technical Relations Specialist Jon Siverling, WB3ERA, are
serving as members of the US delegation. Price is serving as Chairman
of the sub-committee that will consider Agenda Item 1.23. Read more
here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/world-radiocommunication-conference-2012-begins-today-in-switzerland-will-consider-secondary-mf-amat>.

==> + PUBLIC SERVICE: HAMS IN ARKANSAS AND ALABAMA HELP PROVIDE
ASSISTANCE TO NWS DURING SEVERE SUNDAY STORMS

Strong winds and tornadoes moved through Arkansas and Alabama on
Sunday, January 22. In response to the storms, the National Weather
Service office in Little Rock activated Arkansas SYWARN the same
afternoon, while ARES? members were activated in parts of Alabama.

   Arkansas SKYWARN Program Coordinator Danny Straessle, KE5WLR,
summoned a team of radio amateurs and headed to the NWS office to
provide communications support to the forecasters. While Straessle was
enroute to the NWS office, Daryl Stout, AE5WX, brought up the Weather
Watch Net, a pre-net for Arkansas SKYWARN. By 6 PM, the Arkansas
SKYWARN net control team was in place and the NWS issued the first
tornado warning for the area. At this time, Straessle and Shane Lee,
KF5FBR, took over as Net Control for the Arkansas SKYWARN net. They
were assisted by Mona Blacklaw, KM5ONA. The NWS received reports of
tornadoes in Arkansas, Dallas, Lonoke, Prairie and Cleveland Counties.

In addition to activity by Arkansas SKYWARN, ARES? members in Alabama
also helped to provide communications support in that state. According
to David Gillespie, W4LHQ, of the Jefferson County Emergency Management
Agency, hams across Central Alabama began monitoring the storm
conditions in preparation for a possible activation. "Hams deployed to
the National Weather Service office to relay storm observations and
damage reports," he told the ARRL. "When the NWS issued a tornado
warning that evening, local ARES? members began an emergency
communications net. Net Control logged reports from 34 stations through
the night. When the storms cleared, these damage reports were used to
dispatch first responders to the areas that sustained the most severe
damage." Fourteen hams reported to the Jefferson County EMA, where
Gillespie coordinated communications for three shelters run by the
American Red Cross. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/hams-in-arkansas-and-alabama-help-provide-assistance-to-nws-during-severe-sunday-storms>.

==> + LOGBOOK OF THE WORLD TO NOW SUPPORT CQ AWARDS

   The ARRL and CQ Communications, Inc have signed an agreement to
begin providing support for CQ-sponsored operating awards by the ARRL's
Logbook of the World (LoTW) electronic confirmation system. The
agreement was announced jointly on January 24 by ARRL Chief Operating
Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, and CQ Communications President Richard
Ross, K2MGA.

CQ's awards will be the first non-ARRL awards supported by LoTW and
will be phased in beginning with the CQ WPX award, with additional CQ
awards to follow. The ARRL's LoTW system -- an interactive database
recording contacts between radio amateurs -- was created in 2003 and
has been adopted by 47,500 radio amateurs worldwide. It already has
records of 400 million contacts and is growing weekly. The target date
for beginning LoTW support for WPX is April 1, 2012. Amateurs will be
able to use LoTW logs to generate lists of confirmed contacts to be
submitted for WPX credit. Standard LoTW credit fees and CQ award fees
will apply. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/logbook-of-the-world-to-now-support-cq-awards>.

==> + ARRL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING

   Calling all college students and high school seniors! The ARRL
Foundation Scholarship Application Deadline is February 1, less than
one week away. Will you be nominated to receive one of the prestigious
ARRL Foundation Scholarships? Each year, the ARRL Foundation awards
dozens of scholarships to young hams pursuing higher education. The
total of these awards tops $80,000. Several hundred of the country's
top high school and college students vie for awards ranging from $500
to $5000. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-foundation-scholarship-application-deadline-fast-approaching>.

==> + FCC NEWS: FCC DENIES ANCHORAGE VEC'S WAIVER REQUEST

   On January 24, the FCC issued an Order that denied a waiver request
from the Anchorage VEC, one of 14 Volunteer Examiner Coordinators in
the US. In its July 2011 Waiver Request, the Anchorage VEC asked the
Commission to permit individuals who have previously held an Amateur
Radio license grant issued by the Commission -- but which has expired
and is beyond the two year grace period for renewal -- to receive
credit for elements previously passed, and thus a new license grant,
without additional examination. This Waiver Request was in addition to
a Petition for Rulemaking filed in April 2011 that asked the FCC to
give permanent credit to radio amateurs for examination elements they
have successfully passed, effectively creating a license exam credit
that would be valid throughout an amateur's lifetime, never expiring.
The FCC noted that the denial of the Waiver Request was without
prejudice to the Anchorage VEC's pending Petition for Rulemaking,
meaning that this denial will have no impact on the pending Petition,
and the FCC will still consider it. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-denies-anchorage-vec-s-waiver-request>.

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

   4U1ITU -- 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.

==> ARRL PUBLICATIONS: NEW BOOKS ON HF DIGITAL OPERATIONS, EMERGENCY
POWER NOW SHIPPING

The ARRL has just released two new books that you are going to want to
have in your shack: Get on the Air with HF Digital
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Get-on-the-Air-with-HF-Digital/> by QST
Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY, and Emergency Power for Radio Communications
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Emergency-Power-for-Radio-Communications/>
(2nd Edition) by Michael Bryce, WB8VGE.

   Get on the Air with HF Digital is a step-by-step guide that will get
you started in the fascinating world of HF digital technology. Written
in an easy-to-understand, conversational style, this book will show you
how to set up and operate your own HF digital station. The text
includes instructions for configuring software programs for popular
modes such as RTTY, PSK31 and JT65. You'll also learn about other
digital communication modes such as MFSK, Olivia and PACTOR. It's a fun
and easy way for beginners learn how to get on the air!

With Emergency Power for Radio Communications, you will explore the
various means of electric power generation for every application --
from charging batteries to keeping the lights on. This book covers the
foundation of any communications installation: the power source. Use
this book to plan ways to stay on-the-air when weather or other reasons
cause a short-term or long-term power outage. Find ways to reach beyond
the commercial power grid and identify methods for alternative power
generation that will work best in your particular situation, perhaps
taking advantage of possibilities already on hand. Emergency Power for
Radio Communication, discusses the proper tools for emergency or backup
power, energy independence and portable energy. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/new-books-on-hf-digital-operations-emergency-power-now-shipping>.

==> INTERNATIONAL NEWS: FEDERACI?N MEXICANA DE RADIO EXPERIMENTADORES
MARKS 80 YEARS

The Federaci?n Mexicana de Radio Experimentadores (FMRE) -- Mexico's
IARU Member-Society -- celebrated its 80th anniversary on January 14.
FMRE board members, director and hams from throughout Mexico attended
the celebration at FMRE Headquarters in Mexico City.

   The FMRE records show that the first time that Amateur Radio
activities happened in Mexico occurred in 1918, when students at the
National Preparatory School constructed radio equipment. Three years
later, the Telegraph Department granted permission to install the first
radio stations in the country, and three men -- Francisco Castro
Herrera, Carlos Gonzalez and Carlos Palomino -- obtained permission to
use a wavelength less than 200 meters. At this time, Mexican wireless
operators felt the need for an Amateur Radio organization.

In 1922, the Colegio Franc?s la Liga Nacional de Radio was founded; in
1923, this group created its charter and changed its name to Liga
Mexicana de Radio. The Club Central Mexicano de Radio (LCMR) was also
founded in 1922. Shortly thereafter, they merged and formed the Liga
Central Mexicana de Radio and began holding national meetings and
publishing a magazine.

In November 1925, the Uni?n de Radioexperimentadores Mexicanos (UREM)
was created, but fell apart four years later. Members from this club
applied for IARU membership and organized the Conferencia Nacional de
Radioaficionados, the forerunner of the Liga Mexicana de
Radioexperimentadores. On January 10, 1932, these radio amateurs
founded the Liga Mexicana de Radioexperimentadores. On December 8,
1988, the Liga changed its name to the Federaci?n Mexicana de Radio
Experimentadores. For more on the history of the FMRE (in Spanish),
please click here <http://www.fmre.org.mx/>.

==> IT NOW COSTS MORE TO SEND A LETTER OR POSTCARD THROUGH THE US MAIL

   On Sunday, January 22, postage rates rose for first class letters,
postcards and packages within the US. The cost to mail a first class
letter is now 45 cents, an increase of 1 cent. According to the USPS,
this is the first increase since May 2009. The cost of mailing a
postcard has risen to 32 cents, an increase of 3 cents. This is the
second increase for postcard postage in less than a year; in April
2011, the USPS boosted the postcard stamp price from 28 cents to 29
cents. You will also pay more to send letters to Canada, Mexico and
other international destinations. Click here
<http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2011/pr11_factsht_pricechng_1018.pdf>
for more information on all the postal increases.

==> US DISTRICT COURT FOR MAINE ISSUES ORDER GRANTING SUMMARY JUDGMENT
AGAINST GLENN BAXTER, K1MAN

   On January 10, the US District Court for Maine issued a ruling in
the FCC's lawsuit to collect monetary forfeitures issued to Glenn
Baxter, K1MAN, of Belgrade Lakes, Maine. The FCC had assessed
forfeitures in the amount of $21,000 against Baxter
<http://www.arrl.org/news/us-charges-k1man-with-failure-to-pay-fine> on
three asserted violations of the Communications Act of 1934 and its
regulations: Failure to respond to an FCC inquiry in violation of Title
47, Section 308 of the US Code
<http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode47/usc_sec_47_00000308----000-.html>,
willful or malicious interference with other radio transmissions in
violation of Section 97.101(d)
<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=47ae9117aa64a743f2bdfb3db7c32da6&rgn=div8&view=text&node=47:5.0.1.1.6.2.157.1&idno=47>,
and engaging in communications in which he has a pecuniary interest in
violation of Section 97.113(a)(3)
<http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=47ae9117aa64a743f2bdfb3db7c32da6&rgn=div8&view=text&node=47:5.0.1.1.6.2.157.7&idno=47>.

Chief US District Judge John A. Woodcock Jr, in writing for the Court,
agreed with the FCC on the first two counts -- willful or repeated
failure to respond to FCC requests for information, and willful or
malicious interference -- and granted summary judgments to the FCC in
the amount of $3000 and $7000, respectively. On the third claim --
communications in which an amateur station licensee or control operator
has a pecuniary interest -- the Court declined to grant a summary
judgment to the FCC, holding that there were issues of material fact to
be litigated in the Court in later proceedings. Find a link to the
complete decision here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/us-district-court-for-maine-issues-order-granting-summary-judgment-against-glenn-baxter-k1man>
(corrected link).

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "Staring at the Sun
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mo9xg-_sSw>" Cook, K7RA, reports: This
was another week where average daily sunspot numbers declined, while
average daily solar flux increased. The predicted solar flux is 125 on
January 26, 120 on January 27-30, 125 on January 31-February 2, 140 on
February 3-8, 145 and 150 on February 9-10, 155 on February 11-13, 150
on February 14-19, and then 145 on February 20-23. That's right -- the
long-anticipated short-term solar flux peak of 165 from February 17-21
is gone. The last forecast
<see%20http:/www.swpc.noaa.gov/ftpdir/forecasts/45DF/012345DF.txt>
which still held this number was on January 23, and on January 24 it
changed <http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ftpdir/forecasts/45DF/012445DF.txt>.
The predicted planetary A index is 5 on January 26, 8 on January 27-28
and 5 on January 29 to February 7, 8 on February 8-9, and then 5 again
on February 10-23. Look for more information on the ARRL website on
Friday, January 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 U2's Staring at the Sun
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staring_at_the_Sun_%28U2_song%29>.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- January 27 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint; NCCC Sprint Ladder
- January 27-29 -- CQ 160 Meter Contest (CW)
- January 28-29 -- BARTG RTTY Sprint; REF Contest (CW); UBA DX Contest
(SSB); SPAR Winter Field Day
- January 28 -- WAB 1.8 MHz Phone Contest
- January 29 -- QRP ARCI Fireside SSB Sprint
- January 29-30 -- Classic Exchange (CW)

Next 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)

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 BOARD OF DIRECTORS: MINUTES OF 2012 ANNUAL MEETING POSTED

The minutes of the 2012 Annual Meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-board-of-directors-holds-2012-annual-meeting-okays-electronic-balloting-for-division-elections>
have now been posted to the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/About%20ARRL/Board%20Meetings/ARRL_2012_Annual_Board_Meeting_Minutes.pdf>.
The meeting took place January 13-14 in Windsor, Connecticut.

==> ON THE AIR: RSGB ANNOUNCES SPECIAL PREFIXES TO CELEBRATE DIAMOND
JUBILEE, SUMMER OLYMPICS AND PARALYMPIC GAMES

The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB <http://www.rsgb.org/>) and
Ofcom -- the British equivalent to the FCC -- have authorized radio
amateurs to use special prefixes
<http://www.rsgb.org/news/articlelinks.php?id=0263> during 2012 in
celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Summer
Olympics and Paralympic Games.

   To celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, all UK radio amateur and
club stations can apply to use a special prefix for a five week period,
from May 5-June 10. This will add or substitute the letter "Q" in the
place of the regional identifier in the call sign. During the Summer
Olympics and the Paralympic Games, radio amateurs and club stations can
apply to use the letter "O" in the same fashion for a seven week
period, from July 21-September 9.

Amateurs in the United Kingdom who choose to apply for these special
call signs will be using GQ, MQ and 2Q prefixes to celebrate the
Diamond Jubilee, and GO, MO and 2O prefixes to celebrate the Olympic
and Paralympic Games. In addition, calls in the series GB2012aaa will
be available for Special Event Stations relating to the Olympics.
Licenses will also be issued for four "flagship" stations using the
prefix 2O12a (that's the letter "O," not a zero; "a" is a single letter
relating to the location of the station).

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

- January 27-28 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/mississippi-state-convention-capitol-city-hamfest-1>,
Jackson, Mississippi
- 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>.

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