From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Jun  7 14:59:05 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu,  7 Jun 2012 14:59:05 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for June 7, 2012
Message-ID: <20120607200926.27A2C27C706@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

June 7, 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

- + Forecasters Calling for "Near-Normal" Hurricane Season
- + Check Your Mailbox for the July 2012 Issue of QST
- + Silent Key: Former "The World Above 50 MHz" Conductor Gene
Zimmerman, W3ZZ (SK)
- ARRL in Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?
- + ARRL Board of Directors Approves 9 cm Band Plan
- + Papers Requested for ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference
- Solar Update
- + Martin Huyett, K0BXB,  Wins May QST Cover Plaque Award
- New QuickStats Poll Now Available on ARRL Website
- This Week in Radiosport
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

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

==> + FORECASTERS CALLING FOR "NEAR-NORMAL" HURRICANE SEASON

   Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center are calling for a
"near-normal" Atlantic hurricane season for 2012. In its initial
outlook for the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season -- which began Friday,
June 1 and runs through November 30 -- the National Weather Service's
Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is calling for a 50 percent probability
of a near-normal season, a 25 percent probability of an above-normal
season and a 25 percent probability of a below-normal season. The 2012
hurricane season began early when Tropical Storm Alberto and Tropical
Storm Beryl both developed several days before the official start of
the season, the first time since 1908 that two tropical storms
developed early; the only other year with two storms so early in the
season was 1887.

CPC forecasters say that there is a 70 percent chance of having 9-15
named storms, of which four to eight could become hurricanes, including
one to three major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5). These ranges do not
represent the total possible ranges of activity seen in past similar
years. Tropical systems acquire a name upon reaching tropical storm
strength with sustained winds of at least 39 miles per hour. Tropical
storms become hurricanes when winds reach 74 miles per hour and become
major hurricanes when winds increase to 111 miles per hour. An average
season has 12 named storms, including six hurricanes with three
becoming major hurricanes. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/forecasters-calling-for-near-average-hurricane-season>.

==> + CHECK YOUR MAILBOX FOR THE JULY 2012 ISSUE OF QST

This July issue of QST features an in-depth look at Solar Cycle 24.
With its slow start, many feared Solar Cycle 24 might not be as active
as previous cycles. But if you've been on the air in the last few
months, you know that the higher bands are exploding with activity.
Propagation guru Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, takes a look at the current
solar cycle and lets readers know what they can likely expect in the
coming years. So why not set aside a couple of hours, grab a snack and
get ready to explore the July issue of QST.

When you think of dipole antennas, you probably envision a horizontal
wire with a vertical wire hanging down from its middle. Jeff Brone,
WB2JNA, couldn't put up a traditional dipole in his third-floor
apartment, so played around with its configuration and came up with a
new model. In his article "A Dipole Doesn't Have to Be Straight," he
explains that even though some antenna is better than no antenna, just
about any kind of antenna will work.

   If you've ever wanted to try the new software-defined radios, but
weren't too keen to give up your analog equipment, take note. Alex
Schwarz, VE7DXW, has found a way to upgrade an older analog radio to an
SDR at a low cost. In his article "SDR Upgrade for Analog HF Radios,"
learn how he created a software and hardware interface for different
models of radios, produced a software package that can be used by
developers to run on Windows-based platforms and used this software for
the demodulation of USB, LSB and CW.

The ARRL EXPO at the 2012 Dayton Hamvention was a resounding success.
With tons of exhibits within the EXPO -- including the DIY Stage, the
Youth Lounge and DX activities -- the thousands of Hamvention goers
were never bored. ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, explores
the fun that is Dayton in her article "ARRL EXPO at the 2012 Dayton
Hamvention." In the upcoming digital edition of the July issue, QST
Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, takes an in-depth look at the
dozens of new products that vendors introduced this year at Hamvention.
Look for the digital edition to be online in mid-June.

More than 30 years ago, the IARU offered a no-frills 20 meter CW
transceiver, dipole antenna, headphones and a Morse code key to budding
hams in Asia and Africa. In 2012, one of these transceivers, sent from
ARRL Headquarters, found its way back to Newington. While its journey
back to the US remains a mystery, QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY, tells
the transceiver's story in his article "A Transceiver Comes Home."

ARRL Test Engineer Bob Allison, WB1GCM, takes a look at the Alinco
DJ-G29T dual-band handheld transceiver in this month's Product Review.
He says the rig "covers the 1.25 and 33 cm bands - a unique
combination. With this radio, amateurs can access the 33 cm band
without having to convert commercial service transceivers." QST
Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, checked out the WaveNode WN-2d
station monitoring system, saying that it "provides useful accuracy and
a lot of flexibility in terms of what you can measure and how you can
display it. I found it a useful tool and a good adjunct to my station."

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

==> + SILENT KEY: FORMER "THE WORLD ABOVE 50 MHZ" CONDUCTOR GENE
ZIMMERMAN, W3ZZ (SK)

   Gene Zimmerman, W3ZZ, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, passed away on
Sunday, June 3. He was 71. Zimmerman wrote the popular QST column "The
World Above 50 MHz" from 2002-2011. He also served on the ARRL Contest
Advisory Committee, edited the VHF contesting column for CQ Contest
magazine during its five-year lifespan and was director of the CQ VHF
Contest from 2000-2002. An ARRL Life Member, Zimmerman earned VUCC on
six bands: 50, 144, 222, 432, 903 and 1296 MHz, as well as DXCC, Worked
All States and Worked All Continents on 6 meters. He was an early
proponent of -- and participant in -- aggressive contest log checking.
Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/former-the-world-above-50-mhz-conductor-gene-zimmerman-w3zz-sk>.

==> 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 May -- takes a look at the new digital edition of
QST, the ARRL EXPO at the 2012 Dayton Hamvention, the League's response
to the FCC's request concerning impediments to Amateur Radio, draft
band plans for 13 and 33 cm, the results of the ARRL Video Contest,
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-46>.

==> + ARRL BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES 9 CM BAND PLAN

 <http://www.arrl.org/images/view/News/BandPlan9cm.jpg>   The ARRL
Board of Directors has unanimously voted to approve the 9 cm band plan,
as presented by the ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee. Earlier
this year, the committee asked
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-seeks-comments-on-proposed-9-cm-band-plan>
radio amateurs for comments on a proposed 9 cm band plan, explaining
that the purpose of these band plans is to share information about how
the amateur bands are being used and to suggest compatible frequency
ranges for various types of applications. The committee also recognized
that local conditions or needs may necessitate deviations from a band
plan, and that regional frequency coordinating bodies may recommend
alternatives for use in their respective regions. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-board-of-directors-approves-9-cm-band-plan>.

==> + PAPERS REQUESTED FOR ARRL/TAPR DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE

   Amateurs are invited to submit technical papers for presentation at
the 31st Annual ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC
<http://www.tapr.org/dcc>), to be held September 21-23, 2012 at the
Sheraton Gateway Airport Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. These papers will
also be published in the Conference Proceedings (you do not need to
attend the conference to have your paper included in the Proceedings).
The submission deadline is July 31. Please send papers to: Maty
Weinberg, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111, or you can make your
submission via e-mail <maty at arrl.org>. For more information about the
conference, see the DCC website <http://www.tapr.org/dcc> or call 972-
671-8277.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "There's a fire starting in my heart
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ckIulg1DfQ>" Cook, K7RA, reports: The
average daily sunspot numbers increased about 60 percent during the
past week (May 31-June 6), when compared to the previous seven days
(May 24-30). The increase was 48.5 points, from 81.9 to 130.4. The
average daily solar flux was also up -- 18.6 points from 111.6 to
130.2. This increase in solar activity began June 1. On May 29, the
daily sunspot number was 73, with four sunspot groups visible: 1486,
1488, 1490 and 1492. On May 30, the size of groups 1486, 1488 and 1492
diminished, but 1490 grew, and the sunspot number was 78. On May 31,
sunspot groups 1486 and 1488 disappeared, and new groups 1493, 1494 and
1495 appeared, but the daily sunspot number was still about the same,
76. On June 1, three new groups appeared -- 1496, 1497 and 1498 -- and
the daily sunspot number jumped to 151. The next day the sunspot number
was 113.  On June 3, sunspot group 1499 appeared and the sunspot number
was 133. On June 4, three more sunspot groups arose: 1500, 1501 and
1502. Groups 1490 and 1492disappeared, and the sunspot number jumped
again, this time to 155, the high for the week and the highest since
May 14 when it was 156. Geomagnetic activity peaked on June 3, when the
planetary A index was 19, and the high-latitude college A index was 33.
The activity continues, with the planetary A index on June 4-6 at 16,
17 and 17, and the predicted planetary A index for June 7-8 at 12 and
8, followed by 5 on June 9-17. Geomagnetic activity is expected to
increase again, with a predicted planetary A index on June 18-20 at 15,
12 and 8. For June 21-25 a planetary A index of 5 is expected, followed
by another peak at 15 on July 1 and again on July 15. The predicted
solar flux is 140 on June 7-9, 135 on June 10-11, 130 and 125 on June
12-13, 120 on June 14-15, 115 on June 16-18, and 110 on June 19-26. The
recent geomagnetic activity was caused by a coronal hole, an opening in
our Sun's magnetic field, allowing solar wind to spew forth. Look for
more on the ARRL website on Friday, June 8. 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 Adele's Rolling in the Deep
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_in_the_deep>.

==> + MARTIN HUYETT, K0BXB,  WINS MAY QST COVER PLAQUE AWARD

   The winner of the May QST Cover Plaque award is Martin Huyett,
K0BXB, for his article "An AFSK Interface for Android Smartphones."
Congratulations Martin! 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 June issue today.

==> NEW QUICKSTATS POLL NOW AVAILABLE ON ARRL WEBSITE

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

Questions in this month's QuickStats poll:

- Have you ever operated on a microwave band (1.2 GHz and above)?
- How long is your longest wire antenna?
- What is your favorite way to read digital QST?
-  Do you own an RF spectrum analyzer?

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 September 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:

- June 8 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- June 9 -- Portugal Day Contest; Asia-Pacific Sprint (SSB)
- June 9-10 -- DRCG Long Distance Contest (RTTY); VK Shires Contest;
GACW WWSA CW DX Contest; REF DDFM 6 Meter Contest
- June 9-11 -- ARRL June VHF QSO Party
<http://www.arrl.org/june-vhf-qso-party>
- June 13 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint; NAQCC-EU Monthly Sprint
- June 13-14 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

Next week:

- June 15 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- June 16 - ARRL Kids Day <http://www.arrl.org/kids-day>; Feld Hell
Sprint; SARL Youth Day Sprint; AGCW VHF/UHF Contest
- June 16-17 -- West Virginia QSO Party; All Asian DX Contest (CW);
Ukrainian DX Classic RTTY Contest
- June 17 -- WAB 50 MHz (Phone)
- June 18 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
- June 21 -- 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

- June 8-9 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-gulf-division-convention-ham-com-1>,
Plano, Texas
- June 9 -- ARRL Arkansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-state-convention>, Rogers,
Arkansas; ARRL Tennessee State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tennessee-state-convention-2>, Knoxville,
Tennessee
- June 30 -- ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/eastern-pennsylvania-section-convention-electronics-expo-firecracker-hamfest>,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- July 20-22 -- ARRL Montana State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/montana-state-convention-78th-glacier-waterton-international-hamfest>,
East Glacier, Montana
- July 26-28 -- Central States VHF Society Conference
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/central-states-vhf-society-conference-1>,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- July 27-28 -- ARRL Oklahoma Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-section-convention-ham-holiday-2012>,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- July 27-29 -- ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rocky-mountain-division-convention-2>,
Bryce Canyon, Utah
- August 3-4 -- ARRL Texas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/texas-state-convention-austin-summerfest-2>,
Austin, Texas
- August 3-5 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/pacific-northwest-dx-convention-1>,
Portland, Oregon
- August 10-12 -- RAC National Convention 2012
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rac-convention-2012>, Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada
- August 11 -- ARRL Ohio State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/ohio-state-convention>, Columbus, Ohio
- August 18 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-virginia-state-convention-2>,
Weston, West Virginia
- August 18-19 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southeastern-division-convention-huntsville-hamfest>,
Huntsville, Alabama
- August 19 -- ARRL Kansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/kansas-state-convention-2>, Salina,
Kansas
- August 24-26 -- ARRL New England Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/new-england-division-convention-1>,
Boxboro, Massachusetts
- August 26 -- ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/western-pennsylvania-section-convention-2>,
New Kensington, Pennsylvania

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

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

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

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

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

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

Find us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org>. Follow us on
Twitter <http://twitter.com/arrl>.

ARRL offers a wide array of products <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-store>
to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate <https://www.arrl.org/arrl-donation-form> to the fund of your
choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here <ads at arrl.org> to advertise in this newsletter.

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/>


From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Jun 14 23:47:38 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 23:47:38 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for June 14, 2012
Message-ID: <20120615035501.527B22DD115@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

June 14, 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 Field Day: Notify Your Neighbors about ARRL Field Day, June
23-24
- + ARRL Field Day: W1AW Announces 2012 Field Day Bulletin Schedule
- + Digital Edition of July QST Available June 15
- + FCC News: Mignon Clyburn Renominated for New Term as FCC
Commissioner
- + Getting Licensed: New Amateur Extra Class Question Pool Effective
July 1
- + Call for Nominations for ARRL Directors and Vice Directors for
Central, Hudson, New England, Northwestern and Roanoke Divisions
- + ARDF Update: Team USA Forming after USA ARDF Championships
- Papers Requested for ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference
- 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 FIELD DAY: NOTIFY YOUR NEIGHBORS ABOUT ARRL FIELD DAY, JUNE
23-24

   It's not too late to get information about your ARRL Field Day
<http://www.arrl.org/fieldday> activities out to the public. ARRL Field
Day -- the largest on-the-air operating event -- is the one of the best
opportunities of the year for showing our Amateur Radio capabilities to
the public. ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP,
notes that the ARRL has made many media materials available for local
use: "Our visibility to the public is important in antenna, band
preservation and texting issues, so we encourage you to use this
opportunity to showcase what Amateur Radio can do," he said. Download
an audio PSA <http://p1k.arrl.org/pub/pr/Field%20Day/> that can air on
local radio stations. Send out a press release or invite your local
officials
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Field-Day/2012/2012-FD-PR-Info-V2.pdf>
to your Field Day site. Send high-definition video files
<http://p1k.arrl.org/pub/pr/> suitable for airing to your local
television stations. Get more information on ARRL Field Day, including
the 2012 ARRL Field Day logo and operating tips here
<http://www.arrl.org/field-day>. Looking for a Field Day station near
you? Find one here <http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator>.

==> + ARRL FIELD DAY: W1AW ANNOUNCES 2012 FIELD DAY BULLETIN SCHEDULE

   Stations active during ARRL Field Day -- June 23-24 -- are eligible
to receive 100 bonus points for copying the special Field Day bulletin
transmitted by W1AW (or K6KPH on the West Coast). You must include an
accurate copy of the message in your Field Day submission. The Field
Day bulletin must be copied via Amateur Radio; it will not be included
in Internet bulletins sent out from Headquarters and will not be posted
to Internet BBS sites.

W1AW will operate on the regularly published frequencies. The special
PSK31 bulletin will be transmitted on the regular W1AW digital
frequencies:

- CW frequencies: 1.8025, 3.5815, 7.0475, 14.0475, 18.0975, 21.0675,
28.0675 and 147.555 MHz.
- Digital frequencies (includes PSK31 and MFSK16) using 45.45-baud
Baudot: 3597.5, 7.095, 14.095, 18.1025, 21.095, 28.095 and 147.555 MHz.
- Phone frequencies: 1.855, 3.990, 7.290, 14.290, 18.160, 21.390,
28.590 and 147.555 MHz.

The Maritime Radio Historical Society's K6KPH will transmit the 2012
W1AW Field Day message for the benefit of West Coast stations on
3.5815, 7.0475, 14.0475, 18.0975 and 21.0675 MHz, CW only. The
frequencies for K6KPH Digital (RTTY, BPSK31 MFSK16 and FEC AMTOR) will
be 7.095 and 14.095 MHz. Click here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/w1aw-announces-2012-field-day-bulletin-schedule>
for the complete schedule.

==> + DIGITAL EDITION OF JULY QST AVAILABLE JUNE 15

The digital version of the July QST will be available to ARRL members
on Friday, June 15. The digital version includes many features not
available in the print version, such as:

   - An expanded look at the Dayton Hamvention? (including a look at
the many new products that were introduced).
- Product Review videos on the Alinco DJ-G29T dual-band handheld
transceiver and the WaveNode WN-2d station monitoring system.
- Audio from "A Transceiver Comes Home," by QST Editor Steve Ford,
WB8IMY.
- Links to the winning videos from the 2012 QST Video Contest.

Watch your e-mail inbox for a link to the digital edition of the July
issue of QST.

==> + FCC NEWS: MIGNON CLYBURN RENOMINATED FOR NEW TERM AS FCC
COMMISSIONER

   On June 6, President Barack Obama announced that he will nominate
Mignon Clyburn for a new five-year term as one of five FCC
Commissioners. Clyburn, a Democrat, came to the Commission in August
2009, filling the unexpired term of Republican Deborah Taylor Tate,
whose tenure as a Commissioner came to a close in January 2009.
Clyburn's current term expires June 30, 2012. "In renominating
Commissioner Clyburn, President Obama has made an outstanding choice
for the Commission and for the American people," said FCC Chairman
Julius Genachowski. "As I know from working with her for the past
several years, Commissioner Clyburn is a strong leader, focused on
helping all Americans harness the benefits of broadband. I congratulate
her." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/president-obama-announces-nomination-of-mignon-clyburn-for-new-term-as-fcc-commissioner>.

==> + GETTING LICENSED: NEW AMATEUR EXTRA CLASS QUESTION POOL EFFECTIVE
JULY 1

   The new Amateur Extra class (Element 4) question pool
<http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=358> -- released by the National
Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC
<http://www.ncvec.org/>) in January 2012 -- becomes effective on
Sunday, July 1. The current Amateur Extra class pool expires on June
30, 2012 and cannot be used after that date. This new question pool --
including graphics and diagrams -- will remain valid until June 30,
2016. The new Amateur Extra pool contains 702 questions, from which 50
are selected for an Element 4 examination. As of June 13, three
questions -- E1D09, E2A14 and E6E10 -- have been removed
<http://www.arrl.org/withdrawn-questions> from the new pool. The
current Technician class question pool
<http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=349> that became effective July 1,
2010 is valid through June 30, 2014. The current General class pool
<http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=350> that became effective July 1,
2011 is valid until June 30, 2015.

==> + CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR ARRL DIRECTORS AND VICE DIRECTORS FOR
CENTRAL, HUDSON, NEW ENGLAND, NORTHWESTERN AND ROANOKE DIVISIONS

   The ARRL is governed by its Board of Directors. A voting Director is
chosen by ballot by the full (licensed) members in each of the 15 ARRL
divisions. Vice Directors -- who serve in the absence of the Director
from a Board meeting and succeed to the position of Director should a
vacancy occur -- are chosen at the same time. Elections are held in
five divisions per year. It only takes 10 full members in a division to
nominate a candidate for either office.

This fall, ARRL members in the Central, Hudson, New England,
Northwestern and Roanoke Divisions will have the opportunity to choose
a Director and a Vice Director for a three year term that starts
January 1, 2013. Beginning in 2012, ARRL members in Divisions where
there are contested elections will be able to vote electronically.
Members with valid e-mail addresses in their membership profiles will
be sent instructions on how to vote by e-mail; members without e-mail
addresses, or whose e-mails bounce, or who request a paper ballot, will
be sent a ballot by postal mail as in the past. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/call-for-nominations-for-arrl-directors-and-vice-directors-for-central-hudson-new-england-northweste>.

==> + ARDF UPDATE: TEAM USA FORMING AFTER USA ARDF CHAMPIONSHIPS

By ARRL ARDF Coordinator Joe Moell, K0OV

   From DXing to microwaves, nearly every facet of our hobby has its
competitions. But there are no more ardent contesters than the ones who
take to the fields and forests to see who can locate the greatest
number of radio transmitters in the shortest time. They call themselves
foxhunters, foxtailers, radio-orienteers and ARDFers. Each year, they
come together from around the country to see who is best. Every two
years, the best from each country gather to see who is tops in the
world. The 12th USA ARDF (Amateur Radio Direction Finding)
Championships took place May 30-June 3 near Mt Laguna, California. In
September, the 15th ARDF World Championships will get under way at the
resort city of Kopaonik, in central Serbia. Standard rules and
procedures of the International Amateur Radio Union govern these
competitions. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/ardf-update-team-usa-forming-after-usa-ardf-championships>.

==> PAPERS REQUESTED FOR ARRL/TAPR DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE

   Amateurs are invited to submit technical papers for presentation at
the 31st Annual ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC
<http://www.tapr.org/dcc>), to be held September 21-23, 2012 at the
Sheraton Gateway Airport Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. These papers will
also be published in the Conference Proceedings (you do not need to
attend the conference to have your paper included in the Proceedings).
The submission deadline is July 31. Please send papers to: Maty
Weinberg, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111, or you can make your
submission via e-mail <maty at arrl.org>. For more information about the
conference, see the DCC website <http://www.tapr.org/dcc> or call 972-
671-8277.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "All for the love of sunshine
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7ZLEQ3MCZA>" Cook, K7RA, reports:
Solar activity was lower this week, although for the past few days,
sunspot numbers and solar flux were rising. The average daily sunspot
numbers declined more than 14.3 points to 116.1, while the average
daily solar flux was off by 14.5 points to 115.9. There were five new
sunspot groups this week: two each on June 9-10, and one more on June
13. The latest prediction has solar flux at 145 on June 14-16, 140 on
June 17-18, 135 on June 19-20, 120 on June 21, 110 on June 22-26, 105
on June 27-28, followed by a climb back to 120 on July 1-12. The
predicted planetary A index is 5 on June 14-15, 8 on June 16-17, 10 on
June 18-19, 8 on June 20-21, and 5 on June 22-25. The next peak in
geomagnetic activity is predicted for July 1-3, with planetary A index
at 15, 12 and 10. Look for more on the ARRL website on Friday, June 15.
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 Hank Williams Jr's All for the Love of
Sunshine <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_for_the_Love_of_Sunshine>.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- June 15 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- June 16 - ARRL Kids Day <http://www.arrl.org/kids-day>; Feld Hell
Sprint; SARL Youth Day Sprint; AGCW VHF/UHF Contest
- June 16-17 -- West Virginia QSO Party; All Asian DX Contest (CW);
Ukrainian DX Classic RTTY Contest
- June 17 -- WAB 50 MHz (Phone)
- June 18 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
- June 21 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint

Next week:

- June 23-24 -- ARRL Field Day <http://www.arrl.org/fieldday>; His
Majesty King of Spain Contest (SSB); Marconi Memorial HF Contest;
Ukrainian DX DIGI Contest
- June 27 -- SKCC Sprint
- June 27-28 -- 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

- June 30 -- ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/eastern-pennsylvania-section-convention-electronics-expo-firecracker-hamfest>,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- July 20-22 -- ARRL Montana State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/montana-state-convention-78th-glacier-waterton-international-hamfest>,
East Glacier, Montana
- July 26-28 -- Central States VHF Society Conference
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/central-states-vhf-society-conference-1>,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- July 27-28 -- ARRL Oklahoma Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-section-convention-ham-holiday-2012>,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- July 27-29 -- ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rocky-mountain-division-convention-2>,
Bryce Canyon, Utah
- August 3-4 -- ARRL Texas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/texas-state-convention-austin-summerfest-2>,
Austin, Texas
- August 3-5 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/pacific-northwest-dx-convention-1>,
Portland, Oregon
- August 10-12 -- RAC National Convention 2012
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rac-convention-2012>, Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada
- August 11 -- ARRL Ohio State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/ohio-state-convention>, Columbus, Ohio
- August 18 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-virginia-state-convention-2>,
Weston, West Virginia
- August 18-19 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southeastern-division-convention-huntsville-hamfest>,
Huntsville, Alabama
- August 19 -- ARRL Kansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/kansas-state-convention-2>, Salina,
Kansas
- August 24-26 -- ARRL New England Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/new-england-division-convention-1>,
Boxboro, Massachusetts
- August 26 -- ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/western-pennsylvania-section-convention-2>,
New Kensington, Pennsylvania

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

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

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

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

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

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

Find us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org>. Follow us on
Twitter <http://twitter.com/arrl>.

ARRL offers a wide array of products <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-store>
to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate <https://www.arrl.org/arrl-donation-form> to the fund of your
choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here <ads at arrl.org> to advertise in this newsletter.

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/>


From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Jun 21 15:01:45 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2012 15:01:45 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for June 21, 2012
Message-ID: <20120621193021.D9A8627872@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

June 21, 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 Field Day: ARRL Field Day is This Weekend: Are You Ready?
- ARRL Field Day: W1AW Announces 2012 Field Day Bulletin Schedule
- + Amateur Radio in the Classroom: ARRL Executive Committee Approves
Resource Grants for 11 Schools
- + 2011 ARRL Annual Report Now Available
- + Getting Licensed: New Amateur Extra Class Question Pool Effective
July 1
- + On the Air: ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee Seeks Comments
on Proposed 23 cm Band Plan
-  + FCC News: FCC Downgrades Hawaiian Ham's License
- Yasme Foundation Announces Awards, Expanded List of Eligible Call
Signs
- Solar Update
- + New Section Manager Appointed in South Dakota
- 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 FIELD DAY: ARRL FIELD DAY IS THIS WEEKEND: ARE YOU READY?

   Tens of thousands of Amateur Radio operators will be firing up
portable radio stations from unexpected locations this weekend for ARRL
Field Day <http://www.arrl.org/field-day>. On June 23-24, more than
35,000 hams are expected to operate from parks, malls, schools and.
yes, fields, around the country. Field Day is the climax of the
week-long Amateur Radio Week sponsored by the ARRL. As of June 19, more
than 20 states and countless cities and towns have issued proclamations
thanking and supporting the hams for their community service work.
Looking for a Field Day location? Check out the Field Day Locator
<http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator>. Find information for media and
the general public here <http://www.arrl.org/2012FieldDay>. Find
information for radio amateurs and participants here
<http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator>. Check the ARRL Facebook page
<http://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org> and the ARRL Twitter feed
<http://twitter.com/arrl> throughout Field Day weekend for live
updates.

==> ARRL FIELD DAY: W1AW ANNOUNCES 2012 FIELD DAY BULLETIN SCHEDULE

Stations active during ARRL Field Day -- June 23-24 -- are eligible to
receive 100 bonus points for copying the special Field Day bulletin
transmitted by W1AW (or K6KPH on the West Coast). You must include an
accurate copy of the message in your Field Day submission. The Field
Day bulletin must be copied via Amateur Radio; it will not be included
in Internet bulletins sent out from Headquarters and will not be posted
to Internet BBS sites.

W1AW will operate on the regularly published frequencies. The special
PSK31 bulletin will be transmitted on the regular W1AW digital
frequencies:

- CW frequencies: 1.8025, 3.5815, 7.0475, 14.0475, 18.0975, 21.0675,
28.0675 and 147.555 MHz.
- Digital frequencies (includes PSK31 and MFSK16) using 45.45-baud
Baudot: 3597.5, 7.095, 14.095, 18.1025, 21.095, 28.095 and 147.555 MHz.
- Phone frequencies: 1.855, 3.990, 7.290, 14.290, 18.160, 21.390,
28.590 and 147.555 MHz.

The Maritime Radio Historical Society's K6KPH will transmit the 2012
W1AW Field Day message for the benefit of West Coast stations on
3.5815, 7.0475, 14.0475, 18.0975 and 21.0675 MHz, CW only. The
frequencies for K6KPH Digital (RTTY, BPSK31 MFSK16 and FEC AMTOR) will
be 7.095 and 14.095 MHz. Click here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/w1aw-announces-2012-field-day-bulletin-schedule>
for the complete schedule.

==> + AMATEUR RADIO IN THE CLASSROOM: ARRL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE APPROVES
RESOURCE GRANTS FOR 11 SCHOOLS

   In June, the ARRL Executive Committee reviewed grant applications
for the ARRL's Education & Technology Program (ETP), awarding equipment
and resources valued at nearly $16,000 to 11 schools. More than 590
schools across the country have received support from the ETP in the
form of grants for equipment, curriculum and resources, as well as
teacher in-service training through the Teachers Institute on Wireless
Technology. Applications for equipment and resource grants are accepted
twice each year; application deadlines are May 1 and November 1. A
central goal of the ETP is to develop a foundation of wireless
technology literacy among America's teachers and students. It employs
Amateur Radio to explore radio science and electronics and provide
hands-on activities that engage students' minds and imaginations,
opening doorways into math, science and technology curriculum topics,
as well as other core curriculum areas such as geography and language
arts. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-executive-committee-approves-resource-grants-for-11-schools>.

==> + 2011 ARRL ANNUAL REPORT NOW AVAILABLE

   The ARRL Annual Report for 2011 -- now available online -- reviews
the major events of the year and documents the renewed growth of both
the ARRL and the activities of the Amateur Radio Service. For the fifth
consecutive year, ARRL membership grew -- totaling 157,813 members at
year end.

According to ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, Amateur
Radio is flourishing: "Despite challenges on many fronts, Amateur Radio
and the ARRL were in better shape at the end of 2011 than at the
beginning. In September, we reached a milestone in amateur licensing,
with 700,000 individuals licensed by the FCC, and reached 702,056 at
the end of December, up .86 percent for the year." Sumner noted that
ARRL membership also grew at .86 percent, exactly the same rate as the
licensing numbers. "While membership is still short of its all-time
high, we have achieved five straight years of growth, straight through
the recession," he said. "This record of success is testimony to the
professionalism of our membership staff as well as to the diligent
efforts of everyone, volunteer and staff alike, who contributes every
day to a positive image of the ARRL in the Amateur Radio community."
Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/2011-arrl-annual-report-now-available>.

==> + GETTING LICENSED: NEW AMATEUR EXTRA CLASS QUESTION POOL EFFECTIVE
JULY 1

   The new Amateur Extra class (Element 4) question pool
<http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=358> -- released by the National
Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC
<http://www.ncvec.org/>) in January 2012 -- becomes effective on
Sunday, July 1. The current Amateur Extra class pool expires on June
30, 2012 and cannot be used after that date. This new question pool --
including graphics and diagrams -- will remain valid until June 30,
2016. The new Amateur Extra pool contains 702 questions, from which 50
are selected for an Element 4 examination. As of June 13, three
questions -- E1D09, E2A14 and E6E10 -- have been removed
<http://www.arrl.org/withdrawn-questions> from the new pool. The
current Technician class question pool
<http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=349> that became effective July 1,
2010 is valid through June 30, 2014. The current General class pool
<http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=350> that became effective July 1,
2011 is valid until June 30, 2015.

==> + ON THE AIR: ARRL UHF/MICROWAVE BAND PLAN COMMITTEE SEEKS COMMENTS
ON PROPOSED 23 CM BAND PLAN

 <http://www.arrl.org/images/view/News/Proposed23cmBandPlan.jpg>   Last
winter, the ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee asked the Amateur
Radio community about current, planned and projected uses of the
Amateur bands between 902 MHz and 3.5 GHz. The excellent level of
response provided us with the basis to complete drafts of the 9 cm, 13
cm and 33 cm revised band plans for ARRL Board approval. The Committee
has now prepared for your consideration a draft band plan for 23 cm
(1240-1300 MHz), the final band on its assigned list. Please look over
the accompanying draft and let us know if you have any major concerns.
Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-uhf-microwave-band-plan-committee-seeks-comments-on-proposed-23-cm-band-plan>.

==>  + FCC NEWS: FCC DOWNGRADES HAWAIIAN HAM'S LICENSE

   On June 18, the FCC issued an Order of Modification
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db0619/DA-12-961A1.pdf>,
modifying the license class of Todd Wilson, WH6DWF, of Honolulu,
Hawaii, from General to Technician. This stems from an Order Proposing
Modification released in March 2012
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-seeks-to-modify-hawaiian-ham-s-license>
where the FCC stated
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-12-408A1.pdf>
that granting General class Amateur Radio operator privileges to Wilson
was "improper." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-downgrades-hawaiian-ham-s-license>.

==> YASME FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES AWARDS, EXPANDED LIST OF ELIGIBLE CALL
SIGNS

   The Yasme Foundation <http://www.yasme.org/> currently offers two
awards. The Yasme Award, in the form of a handsome plaque, is offered
to those radio amateurs who submit proof of 30 QSOs with Yasme
officials and DXpeditions that have at least one Yasme official as a
participant. The Yasme Supreme Award is in the form of a representation
of the YASME boat used by Danny Weil in his around-the-world
DXpedition. It is available to those who submit proof of 60 QSOs with
YASME officials and DXpeditions with a Yasme official as a participant.
These awards are available to qualifying applicants at no cost. After a
year-long evaluation of the rules, the Yasme Board of Directors has
revised the rules for those call signs that may be used to qualify for
the two awards, with many new ones added to the list. The Yasme
Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation organized to conduct
scientific and educational projects related to Amateur Radio, including
DXing and the introduction and promotion of Amateur Radio in
underdeveloped countries. -- Thanks to the Yasme Foundation for the
information

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "It's brighter than sunshine
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q536JTSe40M>" Cook, K7RA, reports:
Sunspot numbers seemed to be in a free-fall this week: The average
daily sunspot numbers declined more than 29 points to 87, while the
average daily solar flux fell 6.2 points to 126.2. The outlook for
Field Day weekend -- June 22-23 -- is for low sunspot numbers and quiet
geomagnetic conditions. The predicted daily solar flux is just 90 for
June 21-28, 125 on June 29-July 7, then 130, 135 and 140 on July 8-10,
and then rising to 145 on July 11-12. The predicted planetary A index
is 5 on June 21-29, then 8 on June 30, 15 on July 1-3, 8 on July 4-5, 5
on July 6-7, 8 on July 8-9, and back down to 5 on July 10-14. Look for
more on the ARRL website on Friday, June 22. 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 Aqualung's Brighter than Sunshine
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqualung_%28musician%29>.

==> + NEW SECTION MANAGER APPOINTED IN SOUTH DAKOTA

   Chris Stallkamp, W0ADZ, of Selby, South Dakota, has been appointed
as the South Dakota Section Manager, effective June 15. ARRL Membership
and Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, made the appointment
in consultation with Dakota Division Director Greg Widin, K0GW, and
with the recommendation of outgoing South Dakota Section Manager Scott
Rausch, WA0VKC. Rausch, of Piedmont, has served as South Dakota Section
Manager since April 2009. He decided not to run for a new two-year term
of office that was scheduled to begin on April 1. After a
re-solicitation for nominations this spring did not result in any
potential candidates, Stallkamp was then appointed to take the Section
Manager reins from Rausch. Stallkamp's appointment extends until March
31, 2014. Stallkamp has been a radio amateur since 2006, and is a
member of the Black Hills Amateur Radio Club. Interest in Amateur Radio
runs in his family: Both his mother Margaret, KA0BEB, and father Lloyd,
KA0ADZ, of Havre, Montana, are also licensed Amateur Radio operators.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- June 23-24 -- ARRL Field Day <http://www.arrl.org/fieldday>; His
Majesty King of Spain Contest (SSB); Marconi Memorial HF Contest;
Ukrainian DX DIGI Contest
- June 27 -- SKCC Sprint
- June 27-28 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

Next week:

- July 1 -- RAC Canada Day Contest; WAB 144 MHz Low Power Contest
(Phone)
- July 2-8 -- 10-10 International Spirit of '76 QSO Party
- July 3 -- ARS Spartan Sprint
- July 5 -- Michigan QRP July 4th CW 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

- June 30 -- ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/eastern-pennsylvania-section-convention-electronics-expo-firecracker-hamfest>,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- July 20-22 -- ARRL Montana State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/montana-state-convention-78th-glacier-waterton-international-hamfest>,
East Glacier, Montana
- July 26-28 -- Central States VHF Society Conference
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/central-states-vhf-society-conference-1>,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- July 27-28 -- ARRL Oklahoma Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-section-convention-ham-holiday-2012>,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- July 27-29 -- ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rocky-mountain-division-convention-2>,
Bryce Canyon, Utah
- August 3-4 -- ARRL Texas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/texas-state-convention-austin-summerfest-2>,
Austin, Texas
- August 3-5 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/pacific-northwest-dx-convention-1>,
Portland, Oregon
- August 10-12 -- RAC National Convention 2012
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rac-convention-2012>, Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada
- August 11 -- ARRL Ohio State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/ohio-state-convention>, Columbus, Ohio
- August 18 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-virginia-state-convention-2>,
Weston, West Virginia
- August 18-19 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southeastern-division-convention-huntsville-hamfest>,
Huntsville, Alabama
- August 19 -- ARRL Kansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/kansas-state-convention-2>, Salina,
Kansas
- August 24-26 -- ARRL New England Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/new-england-division-convention-1>,
Boxboro, Massachusetts
- August 26 -- ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/western-pennsylvania-section-convention-2>,
New Kensington, Pennsylvania

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

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

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

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

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

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

Find us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org>. Follow us on
Twitter <http://twitter.com/arrl>.

ARRL offers a wide array of products <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-store>
to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate <https://www.arrl.org/arrl-donation-form> to the fund of your
choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here <ads at arrl.org> to advertise in this newsletter.

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/>


From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Jun 28 14:38:11 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:38:11 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for June 28, 2012
Message-ID: <20120628183937.4C55F27ED1E@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

June 28, 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

- + Silent Key: Former ARRL General Manager and IARU President Richard
Baldwin, W1RU (SK)
- + Public Service: ARRL Offers Online Public Service Training
- + Notes from the ARRL VEC Desk
- New Volunteer Examiner Apparel and Supply Items Now Available
- + International News: ARRL Attends HAM RADIO 2012 in Germany
- On the Air: ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee Seeks Comments on
Proposed 23 cm Band Plan
- Solar Update
- + DXCC Desk Approves Seven Operations for Credit
- 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>.

Please note: Due to the Fourth of July holiday next week, there will be
no ARRL Audio News on Thursday, July 5. The ARRL Letter will be sent
out on its regular schedule.

==> + SILENT KEY: FORMER ARRL GENERAL MANAGER AND IARU PRESIDENT
RICHARD BALDWIN, W1RU (SK)

   Richard "Dick" Baldwin, W1RU, of Damariscotta, Maine, passed away on
Thursday, June 21, after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease. He
was 92. An ARRL Charter Life Member, Baldwin capped a long career on
the ARRL staff with service as General Manager from 1975 until his
retirement in 1982. He served as Secretary of the International Amateur
Radio Union (IARU) from 1976-1982. After retirement, he continued his
involvement as a volunteer, serving as IARU President from 1982-1999
and as ARRL International Affairs Vice President from 1982-1986.

Baldwin began his career at ARRL Headquarters in 1948 as an Assistant
Secretary. After a brief hiatus to work in the private sector in the
early 1950s, he returned in 1956 as Managing Editor of QST, where he
was responsible for production of the monthly member journal and all
ARRL publications. In 1963, Baldwin became Assistant General Manager
and almost immediately got involved with international matters. He
organized the Intruder Watch one year later, and served as the ARRL
Liaison between the amateurs who monitored the bands and the FCC.
Baldwin was named by the ARRL Board to succeed John Huntoon, W1RW, on
Huntoon's retirement as General Manager, the position now titled Chief
Executive Officer, in 1975. In total, Baldwin wrote 234 articles and
columns for QST.

   ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, who succeeded
Baldwin as General Manager in 1982, observed that Baldwin is
responsible for much of Amateur Radio's success in retaining and
expanding its international frequency allocations: "Beginning in 1964,
strengthening our position at the International Telecommunication Union
in preparation for what ultimately became the 1979 World Administrative
Radio Conference, was a major preoccupation in Dick's life. He played a
key role in developing and implementing the strategy that led to
success. Sitting at Dick's elbow in the years leading up to WARC-79 was
an extraordinary learning experience for which I will always be
grateful."

As IARU President, Baldwin led the development and adoption of a new
IARU Constitution and oversaw the continued strengthening of the IARU
as the spokesman for Amateur Radio at the ITU and in regional
telecommunications organizations. In 1999, he was named IARU President
Emeritus for his service to the IARU and the Amateur Radio Service.
Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/former-arrl-general-manager-and-iaru-president-richard-baldwin-w1ru-sk>.

==> + PUBLIC SERVICE: ARRL OFFERS ONLINE PUBLIC SERVICE TRAINING

   The former Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) series of
three levels of emergency communications courses has been reconfigured
into two new courses: An introductory course for radio amateurs who
want to volunteer to provide services for public service and emergency
communications, and a course for leaders and managers who are
responsible for training and coordinating response efforts. The course
descriptions for both of these courses that make up the ARRL's ARES?
training program can be found in the ARRL Online Course Catalog. Links
to register for each course are included in the course descriptions.
Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-offers-online-public-service-training>.

==> + NOTES FROM THE ARRL VEC DESK

   The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) is one of 14 VECs in
the US that coordinate the efforts of Volunteer Examiners (VEs) who
administer Amateur Radio operator license examinations. More than
11,000 active ARRL VEs throughout the country give back to Amateur
Radio by administering approximately 40,000 Technician, General and
Amateur Extra exam elements each year. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/notes-from-the-arrl-vec-desk>.

==> NEW VOLUNTEER EXAMINER APPAREL AND SUPPLY ITEMS NOW AVAILABLE

   If you're an ARRL Volunteer Examiner, take note: The ARRL has
recently introduced new apparel and supply items
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Volunteer-Examiner-VE/> just for you. Choose
between a new black polo-style shirt
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Volunteer-Examiner-Polo-Shirt/> (sizes S-4XL)
or a white long-sleeved button down shirt
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Volunteer-Examiner-Oxford-Shirt/> (sizes
S-3XL), each embroidered with the ARRL diamond logo and "Volunteer
Examiner" on left chest. Wear your VE badge on the new ARRL VE lanyard
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Volunteer-Examiner-ID-Badge-Lanyard/>. This
stylish white lanyard is imprinted with "ARRL Volunteer Examiner" and
"Amateur Radio" in black. It includes a bulldog clip for your call sign
badges or your ARRL VEC credentials. Carry your VE exam supplies in
style with the ARRL VE Portfolio
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Volunteer-Examiner-Zippered-Portfolio/>. This
black portfolio features a zipper closure and is imprinted with the
ARRL diamond logo and words "ARRL VEC Exams." There's lots more
available in the ARRL VEC Online Store
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Volunteer-Examiner-VE/>, including the ARRL
VEC Volunteer Examiner Manual
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-VEC-Volunteer-Examiner-VE-Manual/>, ARRL
VE patches <http://www.arrl.org/shop/Volunteer-Examiner-VE/>, challenge
coins <http://www.arrl.org/shop/VEC-Challenge-Coin/> and pins
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/VEC-Pin/>.

==> + INTERNATIONAL NEWS: ARRL ATTENDS HAM RADIO 2012 IN GERMANY

   HAM RADIO 2012 in Friedrichshafen, Germany -- held June 22-24 -- is
billed as Europe's biggest Amateur Radio exhibition. Held annually in
the Lake Constance region, this is the 37th international Amateur Radio
exhibition and the 63nd Lake Constance Convention of Radio Amateurs,
sponsored by the German Amateur Radio Club (DARC), which gave rise to
the fair. Each year, a contingent from ARRL attends HAM RADIO. In 2012,
this group included ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, along with ARRL
Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, ARRL Chief Operating
Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen,
NQ1R, and ARRL Field Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-attends-ham-radio-2012-in-germany>.

==> ON THE AIR: ARRL UHF/MICROWAVE BAND PLAN COMMITTEE SEEKS COMMENTS
ON PROPOSED 23 CM BAND PLAN

   Last winter, the ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee asked the
Amateur Radio community about current, planned and projected uses of
the amateur bands between 902 MHz and 3.5 GHz. The excellent level of
response provided us with the basis to complete drafts of the 9 cm, 13
cm and 33 cm revised band plans for ARRL Board approval. The Committee
has now prepared for your consideration a draft band plan for 23 cm
(1240-1300 MHz), the final band on its assigned list. Please look over
the accompanying draft and let us know if you have any major concerns.
Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-uhf-microwave-band-plan-committee-seeks-comments-on-proposed-23-cm-band-plan>.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "The Sun came up this morning like a burning red balloon
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHJccFvSPgQ>" Cook, K7RA, reports:
Sunspot activity continued to drop until early this week: The average
daily sunspot numbers were 26.3, down more than 58 points from last
week's numbers, while the average daily solar flux declined to 92.8,
down over 33 points from last week's average. The weekly sunspot number
average has declined since the May 31-June 6 period, when it was 130.4,
followed by 116.1 the next week, 84.6 the next and 26.3 this week. In
last week's ARRL Letter
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2012-06-21#toc09>, we reported
the average daily sunspot number as 87, but it was really 84.6. This is
because we reported what may have been a preliminary sunspot number of
46 for June 20, but the sunspot number for that date was 29.
Geomagnetic conditions over the past week were quiet. The average
planetary A index was 5.7, down from 12.6 last week, 9 the week before
and 13.4 the week before that. The quiet planetary A index for this
week was exactly as it was on the week of May 24-30 -- 5.7 -- which
also happened to be the mid-latitude A index for that period. The
latest prediction from USAF/NOAA shows geomagnetic activity peaking on
June 29-July 4, probably from a coronal hole spewing solar wind. The
predicted planetary A index for June 28-30 is 7, 10 and 18, followed by
15 on July 1-3, 10 and 8 on July 4-5, 5 on July 6-7, 8 on July 8-9, 5
on July 10-25, and then 10, 18, 15, 15, 15 and 8 on July 26-31. This is
an echo of the activity this week, based on the 27.5 day rotation of
our Sun, relative to Earth. The predicted solar flux is 110, 115 and
115 on June 28-30, 120 and 125 on July 1-2, 130 on July 3-5, 135 and
140 on July 6-7, 135 on July 8-9, 130 on July 10-11, 125 on July 12-13,
then 120, 115, 110 and 105 on July 14-17. Solar flux may dip below 100
around July 19-28. Look for more on the ARRL website on Friday, June
29. 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 Eurythmics' You Hurt Me
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurythmics>.

==> + DXCC DESK APPROVES SEVEN OPERATIONS FOR CREDIT

   In June, the DXCC approved seven operations for DXCC credit. On June
21, the 2012 TT8ES (Chad) operation, the XX9E (Macao) operation and the
2011 TL9EL (Central African Republic) were approved. On June 25, the
2012 XW4XR (Laos) operation was approved. On June 26, the 2010 J28RO
(Djibouti) operation, the 2011 J25DXA (Djibouti) operation and the 2012
5X1RO (Uganda) operation have been approved. "If you had cards that
were recently rejected for these operations, please send an e-mail
<dxcc at arrl.org> to the ARRL DXCC Desk," Moore said. "Please note that
due to extremely heavy e-mail, DXCC staff may not respond to your
message. Once your record is updated, results will appear in Logbook of
The World (LoTW <https://p1k.arrl.org/lotwuser/default>) accounts or in
the live, daily DXCC Standings <http://www.arrl.org/dxcc/>. Due to a
backup on DXCC e-mail, DXCC staff will make the corrections to
accounts, but may not respond directly to messages about this." Moore
noted that the J28RO and 5X1RO logs have been uploaded to LoTW.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- July 1 -- RAC Canada Day Contest; WAB 144 MHz Low Power Contest
(Phone)
- July 2-8 -- 10-10 International Spirit of '76 QSO Party
- July 3 -- ARS Spartan Sprint
- July 4-5 -- Michigan QRP July 4th CW Sprint

Next week:

- July 6 -- NCCC Sprint
- July 7-8 -- Venezuelan Independence Day Contest; DL-DX RTTY Contest;
Original QRP Contest; PODXS 070 Club 40 Meter Firecracker Sprint (local
time)
- July 8 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon; DARC 10 Meter Digital Contest;
QRP ARCI Summer Homebrew Sprint
- July 9 -- NAQCC-EU Monthly Sprint
- July 11-12 -- 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

- June 30 -- ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/eastern-pennsylvania-section-convention-electronics-expo-firecracker-hamfest>,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- July 20-22 -- ARRL Montana State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/montana-state-convention-78th-glacier-waterton-international-hamfest>,
East Glacier, Montana
- July 26-28 -- Central States VHF Society Conference
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/central-states-vhf-society-conference-1>,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- July 27-28 -- ARRL Oklahoma Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-section-convention-ham-holiday-2012>,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- July 27-29 -- ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rocky-mountain-division-convention-2>,
Bryce Canyon, Utah
- August 3-4 -- ARRL Texas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/texas-state-convention-austin-summerfest-2>,
Austin, Texas
- August 3-5 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/pacific-northwest-dx-convention-1>,
Portland, Oregon
- August 10-12 -- RAC National Convention 2012
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rac-convention-2012>, Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada
- August 11 -- ARRL Ohio State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/ohio-state-convention>, Columbus, Ohio
- August 18 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-virginia-state-convention-2>,
Weston, West Virginia
- August 18-19 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southeastern-division-convention-huntsville-hamfest>,
Huntsville, Alabama
- August 19 -- ARRL Kansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/kansas-state-convention-2>, Salina,
Kansas
- August 24-26 -- ARRL New England Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/new-england-division-convention-1>,
Boxboro, Massachusetts
- August 26 -- ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/western-pennsylvania-section-convention-2>,
New Kensington, Pennsylvania

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

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

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

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

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

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

Find us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org>. Follow us on
Twitter <http://twitter.com/arrl>.

ARRL offers a wide array of products <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-store>
to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio

Donate <https://www.arrl.org/arrl-donation-form> to the fund of your
choice -- support programs not funded by member dues!

Click here <ads at arrl.org> to advertise in this newsletter.

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/>


