From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Mar  1 15:37:13 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu,  1 Mar 2012 15:37:13 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for March 1, 2012
Message-ID: <20120301203714.00AEF208F4@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

March 1, 2012

Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA <k1sfa at arrl.org>

ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/>ARRL Letter Archive
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>Audio News
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> IN THIS ISSUE

- + On the Air: ARRL Publishes New Guidelines for 60 Meters
- + W1AW: W1AW Video Tour Available on ARRL Website
- + DXCC News: Malyj Vysotskij Island Added to DXCC Deleted Entities
List
- +ARRL Annual Awards: Nominations for ARRL Awards Now Open
- ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up To Lately?
- + W1AW: March Qualifying Runs
- Solar Update
- This Week in Radiosport
- + Silent Key: Former RAC President Earle Smith, VE6NM (SK)
- + ARRL Recognizes: Phil Salas, AD5X , Wins February QST Cover Plaque
Award
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

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

==> + ON THE AIR: ARRL PUBLISHES NEW GUIDELINES FOR 60 METERS

Thanks to the FCC's Report and Order
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-releases-new-rules-for-60-meters> issued
November 18, 2011, radio amateurs will enjoy a number of new privileges
on the 60 meter band, beginning at midnight (EST) March 5. These new
privileges include a boost in effective radiated power from 50 to 100
W, as well as the ability to use CW and certain digital modes.

   Late last year, the ARRL HF Band Planning Committee surveyed 60
meter operators to gather opinions about how to best use the new
privileges. On the subject of creating a specific band plan, the survey
results indicated little consensus beyond the fact that 5403.5 kHz
should retain its status as a de facto "DX channel." On the other hand,
survey respondents made a number of suggestions for general operating
practices.

Based on the survey results and subsequent research, the committee
declined to propose a specific band plan for 60 meters at this time.
Instead, the committee created a "Recommended Practices" document
(click here
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Regulatory/Recommended_Practices_for_60_Meters%20-%20Version%206_4.pdf>
for the document). The 60 meter pages
<http://www.arrl.org/60-meter-faq> on the ARRL website have been
updated to reflect the changes brought about by the Report and Order.

The April issue of QST will also include an article by ARRL Regulatory
Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, offering a detailed discussion
of the new 60 meter privileges and recommended operating practices.

==> + W1AW: W1AW VIDEO TOUR AVAILABLE ON ARRL WEBSITE

In case you missed the live web tour of W1AW
<http://www.arrl.org/news/save-the-date-take-a-virtual-tour-of-w1aw-on-february-12>,
the Hiram Percy Maxim Station at ARRL Headquarters, you can now watch
the 18 minute video on the ARRL website. On February 12, W1AW Station
Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, led Emmy Award-winning meteorologist Geoff
Fox, K1GF, on a tour of the famed station. Al Petrunti, KA1TCH, of the
New Day Group <http://www.newdayhd.com/> followed Carcia as he led Fox
and viewers through the station, recording it for viewers to watch.

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

You can view the video of the tour <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw> on the
ARRL website (scroll to the bottom of the page).

==> + DXCC NEWS: MALYJ VYSOTSKIJ ISLAND ADDED TO DXCC DELETED ENTITIES
LIST

   According to the Finnish Ministry of Transportation and
Communication, the Saimaa Canal Treaty between Finland and Russia has
been finalized by relevant Finnish and Russian authorities through
ratification. Malyj Vysotskij Island (MVI), R1M, is no longer included
in the Treaty. Thus, MVI was deleted from the DXCC List as of February
17, 2012, and added to the DXCC Deleted Entities List. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/malyj-vysotskij-island-added-to-dxcc-deleted-entities-list>.

==> +ARRL ANNUAL AWARDS: NOMINATIONS FOR ARRL AWARDS NOW OPEN

   Each year, the ARRL Board of Directors has the opportunity to select
recipients for a number of awards in various categories that honor
Amateur Radio operators. The nomination period is now open for the ARRL
awards that are designed to recognize educational and technological
pursuits in Amateur Radio, as well as an award to honor a young Amateur
Radio operator. ARRL members can nominate hams for the Herb S. Brier
Instructor of the Year Award, the Hiram Percy Maxim Award, the ARRL
Microwave Development Award, the ARRL Technical Service Award, the ARRL
Technical Innovation Award and the Knight Distinguished Service Award.
Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/nominations-for-arrl-awards-now-open-1>.

==> 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 February -- takes a look the 2012 World
Radiocommunication Conference, a new law that has a provision for an
Amateur Radio study, new rules for 60 meters, happenings at W1AW, a new
movie that features Amateur Radio, reports from the Official Observer
Desk and more. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-in-action-what-have-we-been-up-to-lately-43>.

==> + W1AW: MARCH QUALIFYING RUNS

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

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

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "The dawn of the great black Sun that shines on me
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OooxwBrIzsA>" Cook, K7RA, reports: In
tomorrow's K7RA Solar Update, we'll have a review of recent sunspot
number averages. The average daily sunspot number for the month of
February 2012 was 50.1, the lowest since January 2011, when it was
32.2. The average daily sunspot number for the three months ending on
February 29, 2012 was 83.3, the lowest since the three months ending in
September 2011, when it was 79.6. This is a three month moving average,
so there is a figure for every month that includes data from the two
previous months. Look for more information on the ARRL website on
Friday, March 2. 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 Alarm's Black Sun
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Alarm>.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

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

Next week:

- March 10 -- AGCW QRP Contest
- March 10-11 -- Idaho QSO Party; EA PSK63 Contest
- March 11 -- North American Sprint (RTTY); SKCC Weekend Sprint
- March 11-12 -- Wisconsin QSO Party
- March 14-15 -- 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>.

==> + SILENT KEY: FORMER RAC PRESIDENT EARLE SMITH, VE6NM (SK)

   Earle Smith, VE6NM, of Grand Prairie, Alberta -- who served as
President of the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) from 2004-2007 --
passed away Friday, February 24. He was 81. An active radio amateur
since 1948, first licensed as VE1SA, Smith enjoyed meeting amateurs
from all over Canada and the world. "Earle was well respected by
Amateur Radio operators both within Canada and internationally," said
current RAC President Geoff Bawden, VE4BAW. "He was a gentleman and
friend to all hams and a strong advocate for Amateur Radio and for the
Radio Amateurs of Canada. All who knew Earle respected him as a leader,
a friend and a force for good in the Amateur Radio community. We will
miss him." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/former-rac-president-earle-smith-ve6nm-sk>.

==> + ARRL RECOGNIZES: PHIL SALAS, AD5X , WINS FEBRUARY QST COVER
PLAQUE AWARD

   The winner of the QST  Cover Plaque Award for February is Phil
Salas, AD5X , for his article "A Relay-Based Full Break-In TR Switch
for Your Vintage System. " Congratulations Phil! 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 March issue today.

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

- March 3 -- ARRL Santa Clara Valley Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/santa-clara-valley-section-convention-radiofest>,
Del Rey Oaks, California; ARRL South Texas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/south-texas-section-convention-greater-houston-hamfest-2>,
Rosenberg, Texas
- March 3-4 -- ARRL Alabama Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/alabama-section-convention-birminghamfest-1>,
Birmingham, Alabama
- March 9-10 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-state-convention-52nd-annual-acadiana-hamfest>,
Rayne, Louisiana; ARRL Oklahoma State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-state-convention-green-country-hamfest-1>,
Claremore, Oklahoma
- March 10-11 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/roanoke-division-convention-charlotte-hamfest-tm>,
Concord, North Carolina
- March 17 -- ARRL Nebraska State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/nebraska-state-convention-end-of-winter-hamfest>,
Lincoln, Nebraska; ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southern-florida-section-convention-2>,
Stuart, Florida; ARRL West Texas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-texas-section-convention-57th-annual-st-patrick-s-day-hamfest>,
Midland, Texas
- March 23-24 -- ARRL Maine State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/maine-state-convention-2>, Lewiston,
Maine
- April 7 -- ARRL North Carolina State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/north-carolina-state-convention-raleigh-hamfest-1>,
Raleigh, North Carolina
- April 14 -- ARRL Delta Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delta-division-convention-3>, Bartlett,
Tennessee
- April 14-15 -- Communications Academy 2012
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/communications-academy-2012>, Seattle,
Washington
- April 20-22 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/idaho-state-convention-2>, Boise, Idaho;
63rd International DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/63rd-international-dx-convention>,
Visalia, California
- April 21 -- ARRL Delaware State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delaware-state-convention-delmarva-amateur-radio-electronics-expo-1>,
Georgetown, Delaware; ARRL Louisiana Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-section-convention-1>, Monroe,
Louisiana
- May 4-6 -- EMCOMMWEST
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/emcommwest-convention-1>, Reno, Nevada
- May 18-20 -- Dayton Hamvention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/dayton-hamvention-3>, Dayton, Ohio
- June 1-3 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northwestern-division-convention-seapac-3>,
Seaside, Oregon
- June 2 -- ARRL Georgia Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/georgia-section-convention-atlanta-hamfest-1>,
Marietta, Georgia
- June 8-9 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-gulf-division-convention-ham-com-1>,
Plano, Texas
- June 9 -- ARRL Arkansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-state-convention>, Rogers,
Arkansas; ARRL Tennessee State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tennessee-state-convention-2>, Knoxville,
Tennessee

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

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From memberlist at www.arrl.org  Thu Mar  8 16:15:54 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu,  8 Mar 2012 16:15:54 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for March 8, 2012
Message-ID: <20120308211554.504F32568F@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

March 8, 2012

Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA <k1sfa at arrl.org>

ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/>ARRL Letter Archive
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>Audio News
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> IN THIS ISSUE

- + Dayton Hamvention?: Dayton Hamvention Honors QST Technical Editor
Joel Hallas, W1ZR, with Technical Achievement Award
- + On the Air: New 60 Meter Privileges Now in Effect
- On the Air: ARRL Seeks Comments on Proposed 9 cm Band Plan
- + Propagation News: Active Sunspot Region 1429 Produces Solar Flares,
Coronal Mass Ejections
- + Don't Be Fooled: Check out the April Issue of QST
- + FCC News: FCC Reduces Forfeiture for Florida Man Accused of Using
Unauthorized Equipment
- ARRL Annual Awards: Nominations for ARRL Awards Now Open
- Solar Update
- + DXCC News: Four Operations Approved for DXCC Credit
- This Week in Radiosport
- + Enter the Seventh Annual ARRL Photo Contest!
- New QuickStats Poll Now Available on ARRL Website
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

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

==> + DAYTON HAMVENTION?: DAYTON HAMVENTION HONORS QST TECHNICAL EDITOR
JOEL HALLAS, W1ZR, WITH TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

   On March 6, the Dayton Hamvention? Awards Committee announced the
recipients of Hamvention's four annual awards. QST Technical Editor
Joel Hallas, W1ZR, was named the winner of the Technical Achievement
Award. The recipient of the Amateur of the Year is S. Suri, VU2MY.
Steven Betza, WZ2V, was selected as the recipient of the Special
Achievement Award. The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club -- Germany's IARU
Member-Society -- was selected as the Club of the Year. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/dayton-hamvention-honors-em-qst-em-technical-editor-joel-hallas-w1zr-with-technical-achievement-awar>.

==> + ON THE AIR: NEW 60 METER PRIVILEGES NOW IN EFFECT

As of March 5, US amateurs have new privileges on the 60 meter band. In
addition to an increase in effective radiated power from 50 to 100 W,
hams can now transmit CW and PSK31 on the following channel-center
frequencies:

- Channel 1: 5332.0 kHz
- Channel 2: 5348.0 kHz
- Channel 3: 5358.5 kHz
- Channel 4: 5373.0 kHz
- Channel 5: 5405.0 kHz

Amateurs can also transmit USB voice and PACTOR III on the following
suppressed carrier frequencies (the frequencies typically shown on
transceiver displays):

- Channel 1: 5330.5 kHz
- Channel 2: 5346.5 kHz
- Channel 3: 5357.0 kHz
- Channel 4: 5371.5 kHz
- Channel 5: 5403.5 kHz

For more information, please see 60 Meter Operations -- New Privileges
and Recommended Practices
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Regulatory/Recommended_Practices_for_60_Meters%20-%20Version%206_4.pdf>,
published
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-publishes-new-guidelines-for-60-meters>
by the ARRL HF Band Planning Committee. A revised ARRL band chart
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Hambands_color.pdf> is also available.
Watch for the article "New Privileges on 60 Meters" by ARRL Regulatory
Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, in the April 2012 issue of
QST.

==> ON THE AIR: ARRL SEEKS COMMENTS ON PROPOSED 9 CM BAND PLAN

   A few months ago, the ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee asked
the Amateur Radio community about current, planned and projected uses
of the amateur bands between 902 MHz and 3.5 GHz. The response was
beyond our expectations, with hundreds of comments and suggestions
received. Thanks to all of you who took the time to share information
with us. After reading the feedback, the committee began working on the
band plans; the first draft plan ready for review is for the 9 cm band
(3300-3500 MHz). Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-seeks-comments-on-proposed-9-cm-band-plan>.

==> + PROPAGATION NEWS: ACTIVE SUNSPOT REGION 1429 PRODUCES SOLAR
FLARES, CORONAL MASS EJECTIONS

This week has been an active week for our Sun. An X-1.1 class solar
flare erupted from the Sun on March 4 at 11:13 PM EST (0413 UTC March
5), sending an explosion of plasma and charged particles -- a coronal
mass ejection (CME) -- hurtling through space. Forecasters at NOAA's
Space Weather Prediction Center are saying that this CME should miss
Earth, but it will hit Mercury and Venus. Then on March 6 at 7:28 PM
EST (0028 UTC March 7), the Sun released a solar flare, the strongest
one this year. The X-5 class flare hurled another CME into space, but
it is too soon to tell if this is an Earth-directed flare. This
activity is coming from sunspot 1429, which is currently making its way
around the northern hemisphere of the Sun.

Sunspot 1429 -- which emerged on the Sun on March 2 and is estimated to
be at least four to five times larger than Earth -- is slowly turning
to face Earth, so if any such eruptions do occur, they are increasingly
likely to be geoeffective.

   When a CME hits the Earth's atmosphere -- approximately 72 hours
after exploding on the Sun -- the low bands will be depressed and
signals will be weaker the lower the frequency. The absorption rate
will be most severe on 160 meters, less on 80 and somewhat better on 40
meters. The maximum usable frequency (MUF) -- the highest frequency at
which a radio wave can propagate between given terminals by ionospheric
propagation alone, independent of power -- will be lower and auroral
propagation on the VHF bands is quite possible.

When aurorae occur, the electrons hit the ionosphere at the North and
South geomagnetic poles, creating ionization. Waves that would normally
travel off into space are bouncing off the aurora and being redirected
back toward Earth. This can create opportunities for long-distance
propagation via VHF and UHF. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/active-sunspot-region-1429-produces-solar-flares-coronal-mass-ejections>.

==> + DON'T BE FOOLED: CHECK OUT THE APRIL ISSUE OF QST

This April issue of QST remembers the wireless heroes of the RMS
Titanic and the SS Carpathia 100 years ago, and also takes readers on a
voyage to the South Orkney Islands for the VP8ORK DXpedition -- and
more. So set aside a couple of hours, grab a beverage and get ready to
have some radio fun with the April issue of QST.

In 2011, the Third Annual ARRL Homebrew Challenge presented the
toughest challenge to date. In 2006, we asked readers to build a 5 W
PEP 40 meter sideband and CW transceiver. In 2009, we upped the ante,
looking for a 50 W linear amplifier to go along with the transceiver.
For 2011, we challenged hams to come up with a single or multiband
transceiver for 6 and/or 10 meters. Find out who walked away with the
honors in "Homebrew Challenge III - And the Winner Is..." by QST
Technical Editor Joel R. Hallas, W1ZR.

   Eric Keerbs, AD7HM, discovers a way to let your radios talk to your
computer using an interface converter in his article "Level Converter
to Allow Full Control of Peripherals by Computer or Radio." In "A
Transceiver-to-Amplifier Interface," Ed Toal, N9MW, presents an
interface that you can use to safely switch your older linear amplifier
from your new transceiver. Paul Danzer, N1II, takes a look at window
line and standing wave ratio in his article "Balanced Line SWR
Measurement."

It's been 100 years since the RMS Titanic -- heralded as "unsinkable"
-- struck an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the Atlantic, taking
1511 passengers and crew with it. Retired US Coast Guard Reserve
Commander Richard Paton takes a look at the tragedy -- with a focus on
Jack Phillips and Harold Bride, the two Marconi wireless operators on
the Titanic -- in his article "Radio's Role in the Titanic Disaster."
The "Vintage Radio" column profiles the wireless operator aboard the
rescue ship, the SS Carpathia.

The VP8ORK DXpedition to the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula saw seals,
dolphins and big pileups. Join Michael Mraz, N6MZ, as he recounts the
Microlite Penguin DXpedition to the South Orkney Islands in "South of
Sixty South." Make plans to join the ARRL and the ARRL EXPO at the 2012
Dayton Hamvention and the 2012 ARRL National Convention in California.
Find out all you need to know about these two headlining events in
"ARRL EXPO 2012 -- Save the Dates" by ARRL Marketing Manager Bob
Inderbitzen, NQ1R.

NCJ Managing Editor Rick Lindquist, WW3DE, takes a look at the ICOM
IC-9100 MF/HF/VHF/UHF transceiver in this month's Product Review. He
says the rig is "compact and versatile. The IC-9100 handles almost any
type of operating on the 160 meter through 2 meter bands, plus 70 and
23 cm."

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

==> + FCC NEWS: FCC REDUCES FORFEITURE FOR FLORIDA MAN ACCUSED OF USING
UNAUTHORIZED EQUIPMENT

   In November 2011, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for
Forfeiture in the amount of $10,000 to Michael Perry of Cross City,
Florida. In a Forfeiture Order released on March 6, the FCC reduced the
forfeiture that Perry must pay to $450. Perry was accused of operating
a radio transmitter without the requisite FCC authorization and his
failure to operate a Citizens Band station, "willfully violat[ing]"
Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended and Sections
95.409 (by operating an unlicensed and non-certificated CB transmitter)
and 95.411 (by operating an unlicensed radio transmitter with two
amplifiers) of the FCC's rules. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-reduces-forfeiture-for-florida-man-accused-of-using-unauthorized-equipment>.

==> ARRL ANNUAL AWARDS: NOMINATIONS FOR ARRL AWARDS NOW OPEN

   Each year, the ARRL Board of Directors has the opportunity to select
recipients for a number of awards in various categories that honor
Amateur Radio operators. The nomination period is now open for the ARRL
awards that are designed to recognize educational and technological
pursuits in Amateur Radio, as well as an award to honor a young Amateur
Radio operator. ARRL members can nominate hams for the Herb S. Brier
Instructor of the Year Award, the Hiram Percy Maxim Award, the ARRL
Microwave Development Award, the ARRL Technical Service Award, the ARRL
Technical Innovation Award and the Knight Distinguished Service Award.
Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/nominations-for-arrl-awards-now-open-1>.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "If we can make it through the night we will see the Sun
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiCuxOL7Ag4>" Cook, K7RA, reports: This
has been quite a week for dramatic solar activity: The average daily
sunspot number was up nearly 26 points to 69.4, while the average daily
solar flux rose nearly 17 points to 121.9. The latest forecast has
solar flux at 140 on March 8-9, 135 on March 10-11, 130 on March 12-13,
125 on March 14-15, then 130, 125, 120, 115, 115, 110 and 110 on March
16-22, then back down to 105 on March 23-25. The predicted planetary A
index for March 8-10 is 75, 28 and 15, then 10 on March 11-13, 5 on
March 14-16, then 12, 15, 10, and 8 on March 17-20, and 5 on March
21-27. Look for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, March
9. 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 Good Charlotte's March On
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_charlotte>.

==> + DXCC NEWS: FOUR OPERATIONS APPROVED FOR DXCC CREDIT

   ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports that four operations --
the current VK0TH and AX/VK0TH (Macquarie Island) operation, the
current T6BP (Afghanistan) operation, the 2011 6O0M (Somalia) operation
and the December 2011-January 2012 9U3TMM (Burundi) operation -- have
been approved for DXCC credit. "If you have had these operations
rejected in a recent application, please send an e-mail
<bmoore at arrl.org> to the ARRL DXCC Desk," Moore said. "Please note that
due to heavy e-mail volume, you may not receive a reply. Once updated,
results will appear in Logbook of The World (LoTW
<https://p1k.arrl.org/lotwuser/default>) accounts, as well as online in
the daily listings <http://www.arrl.org/dxcc>."

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- March 10 -- AGCW QRP Contest
- March 10-11 -- Idaho QSO Party; EA PSK63 Contest
- March 11 -- North American Sprint (RTTY); SKCC Weekend Sprint
- March 11-12 -- Wisconsin QSO Party
- March 14-15 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

Next week:

- March 17 -- 10-10 International Mobile Contest; Feld Hell Sprint;
AGCW VHF/UHF Contest
- March 17-18 -- North Dakota QSO Party; Oklahoma QSO Party; Virginia
QSO Party; Russian DX Contest
- March 17-19 -- BARTG HF RTTY Contest
- March 19 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
- March 22 -- 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>.

==> + ENTER THE SEVENTH ANNUAL ARRL PHOTO CONTEST!

   Have you ever wanted to see a photo of yours in QST, the annual ARRL
Amateur Radio Calendar or another ARRL publication? Well, here's your
chance! If you're among the winners, not only will your photographic
skill be propagated far and wide, but we're offering $100 as the First
Prize. The winning photo and three runners-up will be published in QST.
All submitted photos will also be considered for the 2013 ARRL
Calendar. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/enter-the-seventh-annual-arrl-photo-contest>.

==> 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:

- When operating CW, do you send the symbol "@"
(di-dah-dah-di-dah-dit), or do you spell out "at" (di-dah/dah)?
- Is your primary station computer a desktop, laptop or tablet?
- Does your local Amateur Radio club still publish a newsletter?
- How many times has your primary call sign changed over the years?

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 June 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.

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

- March 9-10 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-state-convention-52nd-annual-acadiana-hamfest>,
Rayne, Louisiana; ARRL Oklahoma State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-state-convention-green-country-hamfest-1>,
Claremore, Oklahoma
- March 10-11 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/roanoke-division-convention-charlotte-hamfest-tm>,
Concord, North Carolina
- March 17 -- ARRL Nebraska State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/nebraska-state-convention-end-of-winter-hamfest>,
Lincoln, Nebraska; ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southern-florida-section-convention-2>,
Stuart, Florida; ARRL West Texas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-texas-section-convention-57th-annual-st-patrick-s-day-hamfest>,
Midland, Texas
- March 23-24 -- ARRL Maine State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/maine-state-convention-2>, Lewiston,
Maine
- April 7 -- ARRL North Carolina State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/north-carolina-state-convention-raleigh-hamfest-1>,
Raleigh, North Carolina
- April 14 -- ARRL Delta Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delta-division-convention-3>, Bartlett,
Tennessee
- April 14-15 -- Communications Academy 2012
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/communications-academy-2012>, Seattle,
Washington
- April 20-22 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/idaho-state-convention-2>, Boise, Idaho;
63rd International DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/63rd-international-dx-convention>,
Visalia, California
- April 21 -- ARRL Delaware State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delaware-state-convention-delmarva-amateur-radio-electronics-expo-1>,
Georgetown, Delaware; ARRL Louisiana Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-section-convention-1>, Monroe,
Louisiana
- May 4-6 -- EMCOMMWEST
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/emcommwest-convention-1>, Reno, Nevada
- May 18-20 -- Dayton Hamvention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/dayton-hamvention-3>, Dayton, Ohio
- June 1-3 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northwestern-division-convention-seapac-3>,
Seaside, Oregon
- June 2 -- ARRL Georgia Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/georgia-section-convention-atlanta-hamfest-1>,
Marietta, Georgia
- June 8-9 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-gulf-division-convention-ham-com-1>,
Plano, Texas
- June 9 -- ARRL Arkansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-state-convention>, Rogers,
Arkansas; ARRL Tennessee State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tennessee-state-convention-2>, Knoxville,
Tennessee

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

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

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

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

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

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

Find us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org>. Follow us on
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 Mar 15 16:20:52 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:20:52 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for March 15, 2012
Message-ID: <20120315202052.51CFA240E3@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

March 15, 2012

Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA <k1sfa at arrl.org>

ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/>ARRL Letter Archive
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>Audio News
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> IN THIS ISSUE

- + Public Service: Hams in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio Provide Support
During and After Tornado Outbreak
- + On the Air: Understanding the New 60 Meter Privileges
- + On the Air: Mark Your Calendars: It's Time for the Spring FMT
- + At the Workbench: The ARRL Homebrew Challenge III -- And the Winner
Is...
- + FCC News: FCC Seeks to Modify Hawaiian Ham's License
- W1AW Announces Spring Operating Schedule
- On the Air: ARRL Seeks Comments on Proposed 9 cm Band Plan
- Solar Update
- + ARRL Warns Members to Be Aware of Bogus E-mails
- This Week in Radiosport
- + Enter the Seventh Annual ARRL Photo Contest!
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

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

==> + PUBLIC SERVICE: HAMS IN INDIANA, KENTUCKY AND OHIO PROVIDE
SUPPORT DURING AND AFTER TORNADO OUTBREAK

   A devastating storm system moved across the United States on March
2, spawning a slew of tornadoes that contributed to at least 28
fatalities in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. These tornadoes followed an
earlier outbreak that began on February 28 and left 13 dead across
Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee and battered parts of
Kentucky. The Clark County (Indiana) Emergency Management Agency
activated the local RACES team to help provide communications support,
hams in Eastern Kentucky set up SKYWARN nets to assist the local
National Weather Service office and Cincinnati-area hams supported the
National Weather Service and the American Red Cross. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/hams-in-indiana-kentucky-and-ohio-provide-support-during-and-after-tornado-outbreak>.

==> + ON THE AIR: UNDERSTANDING THE NEW 60 METER PRIVILEGES

On March 5, radio amateurs were granted new privileges on the 60 meter
band. The effective radiated power level was increased from 50 to 100
W, along with the ability to use CW and the digital modes PACTOR III
and PSK31.

   "CW operators seem to have little problem figuring how where they
need to transmit, but some PSK31 operators are reading the text of the
FCC's Report & Order and coming away a bit confused," said ARRL
Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND. "The R&O states:
'We adopt a modified instruction for PSK31 channel use to correct an
error introduced in the NPRM. To have a PSK31 signal transmitted on the
center frequency, the control operator should not set the carrier
frequency to the center frequency but should instead set the carrier
frequency 1.5 kHz below the center frequency (i.e., the same as for
phone and data emissions).'

"The word 'carrier' in this context means the suppressed carrier
frequency of a transceiver when operated in the USB mode, but some have
taken it to mean the PSK31 signal itself," Henderson noted. "They read
this text and come to the conclusion that the PSK31 signal should be
1.5 kHz below the channel center. They are mistaken. The PSK31 signal
must be in the center of the channel." Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/60-meters-one-week-later>.

==> + ON THE AIR: MARK YOUR CALENDARS: IT'S TIME FOR THE SPRING FMT

   The Frequency Measuring Test (FMT) continues its successful
"round-table" format when it takes to the airwaves on the evening of
April 19 (April 20 UTC). The test moves to Thursday from the November
FMT's usual Wednesday evening, giving everyone an opportunity to
participate. Recognizing the higher solar flux, the FMT will lead off
with a 20 meter segment -- one transmission beaming east, and the other
west from Connie Marshall, K5CM, in Oklahoma -- with both transmissions
on the same frequency. The sponsors are particularly interested in your
comments on frequency differences observed between the directions due
to propagation-related effects. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/mark-your-calendars-it-s-time-for-the-spring-fmt>.

==> + AT THE WORKBENCH: THE ARRL HOMEBREW CHALLENGE III -- AND THE
WINNER IS...

The previous ARRL Homebrew Challenges have been to build a 5 W PEP 40
meter sideband and CW transceiver (Homebrew Challenge I) and then a 50
W linear amplifier to follow it (Homebrew Challenge II).  This third
challenge moved up the spectrum into frequencies that might be of
interest to Technician class amateurs -- 10 and 6 meters.

   There were two separate entry categories for this challenge: single
band or multiband. The single band unit could have been for either 10
or 6 meters and had to output 25 W PEP on SSB and CW, with a cost
target of $150. The multiband unit had to put out the same power on
both bands and be built for under $200 of parts. Each entry category
had detailed requirements for receiver and transmitter performance. The
FCC requirements for transmitter spurious response of -43 dB on 10
meters -- and particularly the -60 dB on 6 meters -- were expected to
be tough. The first category had a prize of $200, while the second
offered $300. While we heard from others who expected to participate,
two entrants brought or sent us working transceivers by the November 1,
2011 deadline. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/the-arrl-homebrew-challenge-iii-and-the-winner-is>.

==> + FCC NEWS: FCC SEEKS TO MODIFY HAWAIIAN HAM'S LICENSE

   On March 15, the FCC issued an Order Proposing Modification, seeking
to change the license class of Todd Wilson, WH6DWF, of Honolulu,
Hawaii, from General to Technician. The FCC stated that granting
General class Amateur Radio operator privileges to Wilson was
"improper." In November 2011, the ARRL VEC sent an electronic data file
to the FCC, requesting that the FCC issue Wilson a new General class
license. Based on this application, the FCC granted Wilson a General
class license on November 29, 2011. In January 2012, the ARRL VEC
notified the FCC that Wilson's information was incorrect and he did not
qualify for a General class license; the ARRL VEC asked the FCC to
modify Wilson's license to show him to hold a Technician class license.
Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-seeks-to-modify-hawaiian-ham-s-license>.

==> W1AW ANNOUNCES SPRING OPERATING SCHEDULE

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

==> ON THE AIR: ARRL SEEKS COMMENTS ON PROPOSED 9 CM BAND PLAN

   A few months ago, the ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee asked
the Amateur Radio community about current, planned and projected uses
of the amateur bands between 902 MHz and 3.5 GHz. The response was
beyond our expectations, with hundreds of comments and suggestions
received. Thanks to all of you who took the time to share information
with us. After reading the feedback, the committee began working on the
band plans; the first draft plan ready for review is for the 9 cm band
(3300-3500 MHz). Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-seeks-comments-on-proposed-9-cm-band-plan>.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "Waiting for the Sun
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M24Yhd7N91s>" Cook, K7RA, reports: The
average daily sunspot numbers over the past reporting week (March 8-14)
were 88.3, a rise of nearly 19 points; the average daily solar flux
rose more than 12 points to 134.2. Three new sunspots emerged. The
first was sunspot group 1421 on March 9, which began with a relative
area of 90. In the days following, it went to 80, 50, 80, 70 and 60.
Two more sunspot groups -- numbered 1433 and 1434 -- appeared on March
11, with a combined relative area (in millionths of a solar hemisphere)
of 240, then 130, 140 and 150. The sunspot number peaked on March 11 at
103, and the solar flux on March 10 at 148.9 and again on March 13 at
140.7. The outlook for the next few days has solar flux at 115 on March
15, 110 on March 16, 105 on March 17-21, 110 on March 22-23, and back
down to 105 on March 24-27. There was a great deal of geomagnetic
activity on March 9, with a planetary A index at 68, and again on March
12 with planetary A index of 28. An M-class x-ray flare occurred on
March 15 at 0752 UTC, and if you catch it soon enough, you can see the
resulting x-ray flux <http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/rt_plots/xray_5mBL.html>
on the GOES monitor. The predicted planetary A index for March 15-18
are 15, 20, 15 and 8, and then 5 for March 19-27. The vernal equinox
will occur at 0514 UTC on March 20. The shift to spring generally means
favorable conditions for HF propagation. Look for more information on
the ARRL website on Friday, March 16. 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 Simon and Garfunkels's Old
Friends/Bookends <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bookends>.

==> + ARRL WARNS MEMBERS TO BE AWARE OF BOGUS E-MAILS

   Some ARRL members with arrl.net e-mail accounts have recently
received bogus e-mails, notifying them of a bill that supposedly needs
to be paid. The e-mail instructs the reader to click on a link to view
the bill; clicking on the link could release a virus that can infect
your computer. Please be aware that these e-mails are not coming from
the ARRL. "If you receive an e-mail like this and it looks like it
originated from ARRL, please do not respond," explained ARRL IT Manager
Michael Keane, K1MK. "The best thing you can do when receiving bogus
e-mails is to simply add them to the spam list in your computer's
e-mail program and delete it. Please don't forward it to ARRL HQ -- we
will have already seen it and are already responding to it."

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- March 17 -- 10-10 International Mobile Contest; Feld Hell Sprint;
AGCW VHF/UHF Contest
- March 17-18 -- North Dakota QSO Party; Oklahoma QSO Party; Virginia
QSO Party; Russian DX Contest
- March 17-19 -- BARTG HF RTTY Contest
- March 19 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
- March 22 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint

Next week:

- March 24-25 -- CQ WW WPX Contest (SSB)
- March 26 -- QRP Homebrewer Sprint
- March 28 -- SKCC Sprint
- March 28-29 -- 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>.

==> + ENTER THE SEVENTH ANNUAL ARRL PHOTO CONTEST!

   Have you ever wanted to see a photo of yours in QST, the annual ARRL
Amateur Radio Calendar or another ARRL publication? Well, here's your
chance! If you're among the winners, not only will your photographic
skill be propagated far and wide, but we're offering $100 as the First
Prize. The winning photo and three runners-up will be published in QST.
All submitted photos will also be considered for the 2013 ARRL
Calendar. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/enter-the-seventh-annual-arrl-photo-contest>.

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

- March 17 -- ARRL Nebraska State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/nebraska-state-convention-end-of-winter-hamfest>,
Lincoln, Nebraska; ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southern-florida-section-convention-2>,
Stuart, Florida; ARRL West Texas Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-texas-section-convention-57th-annual-st-patrick-s-day-hamfest>,
Midland, Texas
- March 23-24 -- ARRL Maine State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/maine-state-convention-2>, Lewiston,
Maine
- April 7 -- ARRL North Carolina State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/north-carolina-state-convention-raleigh-hamfest-1>,
Raleigh, North Carolina
- April 14 -- ARRL Delta Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delta-division-convention-3>, Bartlett,
Tennessee
- April 14-15 -- Communications Academy 2012
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/communications-academy-2012>, Seattle,
Washington
- April 20-22 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/idaho-state-convention-2>, Boise, Idaho;
63rd International DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/63rd-international-dx-convention>,
Visalia, California
- April 21 -- ARRL Delaware State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delaware-state-convention-delmarva-amateur-radio-electronics-expo-1>,
Georgetown, Delaware; ARRL Louisiana Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-section-convention-1>, Monroe,
Louisiana
- May 4-6 -- EMCOMMWEST
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/emcommwest-convention-1>, Reno, Nevada
- May 18-20 -- Dayton Hamvention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/dayton-hamvention-3>, Dayton, Ohio
- June 1-3 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northwestern-division-convention-seapac-3>,
Seaside, Oregon
- June 2 -- ARRL Georgia Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/georgia-section-convention-atlanta-hamfest-1>,
Marietta, Georgia
- June 8-9 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-gulf-division-convention-ham-com-1>,
Plano, Texas
- June 9 -- ARRL Arkansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-state-convention>, Rogers,
Arkansas; ARRL Tennessee State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tennessee-state-convention-2>, Knoxville,
Tennessee

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

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

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

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

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

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

Find us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org>. Follow us on
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 Mar 22 15:52:44 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:52:44 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for March 22, 2012
Message-ID: <20120322195244.9ABDE22193@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

March 22, 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

- + New ARRL Membership Benefits Coming in June
- + ARRL Announces New DXCC Fee Structure
- + 2012 National Hurricane Conference to Feature Amateur Radio
Activities
- + On the Air: Special Event Stations Planned for London 2012 Olympic
and Paralympic Games
- + Executive Committee to Meet this Weekend in Missouri
- Solar Update
- + TAPR Opens "Interest List" for Hermes SDR
- 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>.

==> + NEW ARRL MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS COMING IN JUNE

   The ARRL is excited to announce two new membership benefits that
will be introduced in June 2012. In addition to the print copy of QST,
all members will have access to an online digital edition of QST -- at
no extra cost. You will be able to access QST from anywhere -- on
nearly any computer, laptop, mobile device, smartphone and tablet
(including Apple iPad, iPhone, iTouch and devices using the Android
operating system). Members will also gain access to archived issues of
QST from December 1915 to the present; previously, only issues through
2007 were available to members. If you are familiar with the current
periodicals archive, that platform will be expanded to include all of
QST from December 1915 through December 2011. A second, new archive
will be introduced for issues beginning January 2012, featuring
enhanced functionality including full-text search. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/coming-soon-new-arrl-membership-benefits>.

==> + ARRL ANNOUNCES NEW DXCC FEE STRUCTURE

   The DX Century Club (DXCC) is the premier Amateur Radio operating
award. Available to hams around the world, tens of thousands of awards
have been issued since 1945 under the modern award program. In 2012,
the DXCC program is not only still thriving, but it is growing, both in
participation and in numbers of award options. The addition of Logbook
of the World and soon, the addition of an Online DXCC Application
utility, will continue to help the program grow. Effective Monday,
April 2, the way DXCC fees are assessed will change. These changes will
include both rate increases and rate decreases. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-announces-new-dxcc-fee-structure>.

==> + 2012 NATIONAL HURRICANE CONFERENCE TO FEATURE AMATEUR RADIO
ACTIVITIES

The National Hurricane Conference -- scheduled for March 26-29 in
Orlando, Florida -- will feature several Amateur Radio activities. The
National Hurricane Conference leadership continues to recognize the
valuable contributions of Amateur Radio and has invited several radio
amateurs to participate in two sessions. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/2012-national-hurricane-conference-to-feature-amateur-radio-activities>.

==> + ON THE AIR: SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS PLANNED FOR LONDON 2012
OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES

   Some special event call signs will be activated to celebrate the
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games: 2O12L from London, England
and 2O12W from Barry, Wales. The London 2012 Inspire program has
granted the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) -- Great Britain's
IARU Member-Society -- use of the "Inspire mark" for these stations.
Both stations will be on-the-air for the duration of the Games, July
27-August 12. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/special-event-stations-planned-for-london-2012-olympic-and-paralympic-games>.

==> + EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO MEET THIS WEEKEND IN MISSOURI

   The ARRL Executive Committee will meet Saturday, March 24 in St
Louis, Missouri. Agenda items include a review of the ARRL policy on
repeater coordination, a look at how the mandated study on Amateur
Radio -- as outlined in Section 6414 in the just-passed payroll tax
legislation -- will be implemented, the first periodic review of the
National Broadband Plan Committee report, discussion of the proposed
changes to the FCC's rules as set forth in report from the ARRL
Electromagnetic Compatibility Committee and more . ARRL President Kay
Craigie, N3KN, serves as chairman of the Executive Committee. Click
here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/executive-committee-to-meet-this-weekend-in-missouri>
for more information, including a link to the meeting's agenda.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "The Sun has long been set
<http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/21699>" Cook, K7RA, reports:
Solar activity declined this week - the average daily sunspot numbers
were off by more than 13 points to 75.1, while the average daily solar
flux dropped more than 32 points to 102.1. Solar flux values have also
dropped below 100 for the past two days; they are expected to remain
there until March 28. The next short-term peak in solar flux is
expected at the 135 level for April 3-6. The predicted solar flux for
March 22 is 95. On March 23-26, expect 90, then 95, 100 and 100 on
March 27-29, 130 on March 30-April 2, then 135 on April 3-6, and 130,
120, 115 and 105 on April 7-10, and 100 on April 11-15. The predicted
planetary A index is 7 on March 22, 5 on March 23-27, 10 on March 28, 8
on March 29-31, 5 on April 1-2, 8 on April 3-4, 5 on April 5-9, then
12, 5, 5, 15 and 10 on April 10-14, and 5 again on April 15-23. Look
for more information on the ARRL website on Friday, March 23. 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 William Wordsworth's The Sun Has Long
Been Set <http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/21699>.

==> + TAPR OPENS "INTEREST LIST" FOR HERMES SDR

   Tucson Amateur Packet Radio (TAPR) announces the opening of the
"interest list" for the openHPSDR Hermes single-board Software Defined
Radio. The Hermes interest list is used by TAPR to determine the number
of Hermes boards to manufacture in the pending initial production run
this spring. Hermes is a long-awaited addition to the openHPSDR project
lineup, advancing through four prototypes while evolving from a
USB-based to an Ethernet-based transceiver in about two years. Hermes
is a Direct-Down-Conversion receiver, a Direct-Up-Conversion 500 mW
transmitter and a gigabit Ethernet interface all on one board. Also on
board is an RF-quiet switch-mode power supply, which allows Hermes to
run from a single 13.8 V dc source. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/tapr-opens-interest-list-for-hermes-sdr>.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- March 24-25 -- CQ WW WPX Contest (SSB)
- March 26 -- QRP Homebrewer Sprint
- March 28 -- SKCC Sprint
- March 28-29 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

Next week:

- March 31-April 1 -- Missouri QSO Party
- April 1 -- UBA Spring Contest (SSB)
- April 3 -- ARS Spartan 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

- March 23-24 -- ARRL Maine State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/maine-state-convention-2>, Lewiston,
Maine
- April 7 -- ARRL North Carolina State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/north-carolina-state-convention-raleigh-hamfest-1>,
Raleigh, North Carolina
- April 14 -- ARRL Delta Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delta-division-convention-3>, Bartlett,
Tennessee
- April 14-15 -- Communications Academy 2012
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/communications-academy-2012>, Seattle,
Washington
- April 20-22 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/idaho-state-convention-2>, Boise, Idaho;
63rd International DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/63rd-international-dx-convention>,
Visalia, California
- April 21 -- ARRL Delaware State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delaware-state-convention-delmarva-amateur-radio-electronics-expo-1>,
Georgetown, Delaware; ARRL Louisiana Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-section-convention-1>, Monroe,
Louisiana
- May 4-6 -- EMCOMMWEST
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/emcommwest-convention-1>, Reno, Nevada
- May 18-20 -- Dayton Hamvention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/dayton-hamvention-3>, Dayton, Ohio
- June 1-3 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northwestern-division-convention-seapac-3>,
Seaside, Oregon
- June 2 -- ARRL Georgia Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/georgia-section-convention-atlanta-hamfest-1>,
Marietta, Georgia
- June 8-9 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-gulf-division-convention-ham-com-1>,
Plano, Texas
- June 9 -- ARRL Arkansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-state-convention>, Rogers,
Arkansas; ARRL Tennessee State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tennessee-state-convention-2>, Knoxville,
Tennessee

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

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

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

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

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

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

Find us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org>. Follow us on
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 Mar 29 16:39:11 2012
From: memberlist at www.arrl.org (ARRL Web site)
Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:39:11 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Letter-List] The ARRL Letter for March 29, 2012
Message-ID: <20120329203911.183F02241C@bmail.arrl.org>

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

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

March 29, 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/> + Available on ARRL Audio News
<http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>.

==> + ON THE AIR: NTIA -- NO OBJECTION TO ADDITIONAL DATA MODES ON 60
METERS

   In response to requests for clarification from the ARRL, the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has
confirmed that it has no objection to the use of a broader range of
data emissions by amateurs on the five 5 MHz frequencies on 60 meters.
ARRL's original understanding was that the NTIA preferred that the use
of 2K80J2D emission be limited to Pactor III. The NTIA now says that
that is not the case. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/ntia-no-objection-to-additional-data-modes-on-60-meters>.

==> + ON THE AIR: ONLINE DXCC APPLICATION TO DEBUT APRIL 2

   Beginning April 2 at 12:01 AM EDT (0401 UTC), the ARRL's new Online
DXCC tool will be ready to accept applications, allowing hams to supply
the data from traditional paper QSLs in a digital form to apply for a
new DXCC award or endorsement. Submitting a DXCC application using
Online DXCC is easier than making a paper application, saving both time
and money. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/online-dxcc-application-to-debut-april-2>.

==> + JOE WALSH, WB6ACU, IS AN ANALOG MAN

Grammy Award winning rock-and-roll legend Joe Walsh, WB6ACU, returns
with Analog Man, set to be released June 5. This is Walsh's first solo
album since 1992's Songs for a Dying Planet. According to Walsh's
website, Analog Man is both modern and timelessly soulful, packed with
Walsh's wit, charm and chops; it delivers an incredibly raw and
intimate sound. "It's been 20 years and I have a lot to say," Walsh
explained. "These songs [on Analog Man] come from the heart."

   No stranger to the analog way of life, Walsh -- an ARRL Life Member
-- enjoys operating on 75 meters AM. AM -- or amplitude modulation --
has been around the amateur bands since the 1930s. Its advocates say
that AM offers a warm, rich audio quality that provides for more
personal interaction and that AM's simplicity circuit design encourages
hands-on restoration, modification and homebrew construction to an
extent no longer found among contemporary radios. Many hams who operate
AM say they enjoy the simple, roomy electrical and mechanical designs
of the older radios, claiming that they can more easily be modified and
tinkered with than their modern counterparts. Other enthusiasts claim
that these vintage radios sound better than their silicon descendants,
saying that the tube audio from vintage gear is "warmer" and more
aesthetically pleasing than the audio produced by the typical modern
transceiver. Read more here
<http://www.arrl.org/news/joe-walsh-wb6acu-is-an-analog-man>.

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

   The League is currently looking to fill two open positions at ARRL
Headquarters in Newington. One position is in the Membership and
Volunteer Programs Department and the other is in the Education
Services Department. Travel is required for these full-time positions.

MVP Awards and Programs Assistant

This person who fills this position will assist in all activities found
within the MVP Department, with initial priority given to assisting
with Logbook of The World (LoTW
<http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world>) support functions. Other
duties include supporting the DXCC and other awards programs, W1AW
station operations and contesting program support. Candidates should
hold an Amateur Extra class license, participate in contests and DXCC,
and be an experienced user of LoTW. A Bachelor's degree is preferred.
Click here
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/About%20ARRL/Employment/Awards%20and%20Programs%20Assistant%20%282%29.pdf>
for a job description.

Education Services Instruction and Resource Coordinator

The person who fills this position will, among other duties, identify,
review and organize resources needed by license instructors, teachers
and Scout leaders, develop curricula/lesson plans, instructional media
for instruction of ham radio license and other ham radio related topics
(including radio science and basic electronics topics for use by
classroom teachers) and develop an orientation course for license
instructors and materials for instructor training. Candidates should
hold an Amateur Extra class license (or be willing to achieve this
within one year from date of hire) and a wide range of operating
experience. Experience with instructional media is a plus. A Bachelor's
degree, along with teacher certification (and/or experience as a
teaching or training professional) with Amateur Radio, electronics,
science or technology subjects is required. Click here
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/About%20ARRL/Employment/FT%20Ed%20Svcs%20Instruction%20and%20Resource%20Coordinator-announce%20Mar12%20%282%29.pdf>
for a job description.

How to Apply

To apply, please send your cover letter and resume via e-mail
<mlevesque at arrl.org>, or complete the application
<http://www.arrl.org/files/media/News/Revised_Employment_Application.pdf>,
print it out and mail it with your resume and cover letter to Monique
Levesque, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. You can also fax your
application, cover letter and resume to 860-594-0298. Please include
your salary history and salary requirements. The ARRL is an equal
opportunity employer.

==> + QST AUTHOR SERIOUSLY INJURED

Commander Richard Paton, USCGR (Ret) -- author of "Radio's Role in the
Titanic Disaster" in the April 2012 issue of QST -- was seriously
injured in a motorcycle accident in Tolland, Connecticut on March 22.
He is in the Intensive Care Unit at Hartford Hospital.

   "It was a great shock to hear the news," said ARRL Chief Executive
Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ. "Dick and his wife Carol live in the same
town that I do and sit right behind me at church. I knew nothing about
his article until it was in print, because I was in Geneva attending
WRC-12 while the April QST was being put together. My congratulatory
e-mail reached him while he and Carol were on a cruise in the Pacific.
The accident occurred soon after they returned home."

Commander Paton, 67, was injured when his motorcycle collided with an
automobile. At last report the accident was still under investigation.

"While Dick is not a radio amateur, his extensive maritime experience
and inquiring mind combine to lead him to be curious about many of the
things that intrigue us as hams," Sumner said. "I hope ARRL members who
enjoyed his contribution to QST will join me in keeping Dick in their
thoughts and prayers as he fights to recover."

==> SOLAR UPDATE

   Tad "Never did Sun more beautifully steep
<http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15877>" Cook, K7RA, reports:
Eight new sunspot groups appeared this week, but the average daily
sunspot number declined four points to 71.1, while the average daily
solar flux rose by less than two points to 103.7. On March 22, three
new sunspot groups appeared, numbered 1441, 1442 and 1443. Two more
groups appeared on Friday, 1444 and 1445, while 1442 vanished from
view. On March 24, group 1441 disappeared, and on March 25 new group
1446 emerged. On March 26, groups 1440, 1443 and 1446 faded away, but
1442 -- not seen since four days earlier -- re-emerged. On March 27,
group 1444 disappeared and 1447 appeared, and on March 28 new group
1448 arrived. For the short term, planetary A index is predicted to be
10 on March 29, 5 on March 30-April 9, then 12 on April 10, and back to
5 on April 11-12, then 15 and 10 on April 13-14, followed by 5 on April
15-23. The solar flux prediction shows flux values of 110 and 115 on
March 29-30, 120 on March 31-April 2, 125 on April 3-5, and a big jump
to 140 on April 6. On April 7-11, the predicted solar flux is 130, 125,
120, 110 and 105. On April 12-15, the predicted solar flux is 100. It
then goes to 105 and 110 on April 16-17, and back to 100 on April
18-21. Another broader peak of 140 is predicted for May 1-3. Look for
more information on the ARRL website on Friday, March 30. 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 William Wordsworth's Composed upon
Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composed_upon_Westminster_Bridge,_September_3,_1802>.

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

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

==> LUXEMBOURG ISSUES STAMP TO CELEBRATE 75 YEARS OF AMATEUR RADIO

   Founded in 1937, the R?seau Luxembourgeois des Amateurs d'Ondes
Courtes (RL <http://www.rlx.lu/index.html>) -- that country's IARU
Member-Society -- is celebrating its 75th anniversary. In honor of this
milestone, Luxembourg's Entreprise des Postes et T?l?communications
(P&TLuxembourg) has issued a .60 ? postage stamp
<http://www.pt.lu/portal/lang/en/Philatelie/stamps/pid/4292> (about 80
cents in US currency); P&TLuxembourg is that country's government owned
corporation for mail and telecommunications. This is one of three
commemorative stamps issued by Luxembourg in 2012 .

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- March 31-April 1 -- Missouri QSO Party
- April 1 -- UBA Spring Contest (SSB)
- April 3 -- ARS Spartan Sprint

Next week:

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

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

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

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

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

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/>


