From egwolfjr at email.com  Thu Nov  1 08:44:22 2007
From: egwolfjr at email.com (E Glenn Wolf Jr)
Date: Thu Nov  1 08:51:57 2007
Subject: [PBARC] Club purchase - climbing belt/harness
Message-ID: <4729D836.6040604@email.com>

All -

FYI - PBARC will be purchasing a climbing belt/harness for use by club 
members when doing tower work.  For the details/specs on the belt 
contact N5VGJ.  He should be able to address what size of belt is being 
purchased, whether it is a full body harness, whether a fall arrest belt 
is also being purchased, and any other questions that you might have 
about the belt/harness

glenn
n5rn
From egwolfjr at email.com  Thu Nov  1 09:36:15 2007
From: egwolfjr at email.com (E Glenn Wolf Jr)
Date: Thu Nov  1 09:43:49 2007
Subject: [PBARC] Item for November  meeting
In-Reply-To: <4729D836.6040604@email.com>
References: <4729D836.6040604@email.com>
Message-ID: <4729E45F.7030509@email.com>

All -

We will discuss this purchase at the next club meeting.  The purchase 
will be put on hold until after the meeting.

glenn


E Glenn Wolf Jr wrote:
> All -
>
> FYI - PBARC will be purchasing a climbing belt/harness for use by club 
> members when doing tower work.  For the details/specs on the belt 
> contact N5VGJ.  He should be able to address what size of belt is 
> being purchased, whether it is a full body harness, whether a fall 
> arrest belt is also being purchased, and any other questions that you 
> might have about the belt/harness
>
> glenn
> n5rn
> _______________________________________________
> PBARC mailing list
> PBARC@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/pbarc
>
>
>
From egwolfjr at email.com  Tue Nov  6 15:14:55 2007
From: egwolfjr at email.com (E Glenn Wolf Jr)
Date: Tue Nov  6 15:23:03 2007
Subject: [PBARC] VE Testing this weekend
Message-ID: <4730CB3F.7040708@email.com>

All -

The bunking room at the OEM has been reserved (Thanks Wally) from 830 to 
1100 this Saturday 10 November.

Right now, it appears that KD5UKR, WB5NXV, K5ECJ, and N5RN will be there 
to administer exams.  If you know of anyone want to test for extra, it 
looks like this weekend would be a great time for them to do so.

If you are a test candidate, we need a copy of your license (if 
licensed), any relevant CSCEs (if you have any), and $14.00 for the 
exam.  Calculators are allowed.

Any questions, contact me at 870 692 3846.

73,
glenn


From egwolfjr at email.com  Thu Nov 22 14:53:27 2007
From: egwolfjr at email.com (E. Glenn Wolf, Jr.)
Date: Thu Nov 22 15:03:13 2007
Subject: [PBARC] FW: The ARRL Letter, Vol 26, No 46 (Friday, November 16,
	2007)
Message-ID: <0edb01c82d41$5b4dd210$11e97630$@com>



73,
Glenn
N5RN
-----Original Message-----
From: ARRL Letter Mailing List [mailto:letter-dlvy@arrl.org] 
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2007 16:25
To: n5rn@adxa.org
Subject: The ARRL Letter, Vol 26, No 46 (Friday, November 16, 2007)

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 26, No. 46
November 16, 2007
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* + Directors and Vice Directors Elected in Five ARRL Divisions 
* + WRC-07 Wraps Up in Geneva; Will Likely Meet Again in 2011
* + FCC "Admonishes" Ambient over BPL Issues 
* + The ARRL Is Looking for a Few Good Instructors 
* + Look for the December QST in Your Mailbox 
* + FCC Enforcement Bureau Actions 
*  Solar Update
*  IN BRIEF: 
      This Weekend on the Radio
      ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration
    + ARRL Headquarters Closed for Thanksgiving Holidays 
    + Iraq Back on the Air Next Week 
      Kai Siwiak, KE4PT, Wins October QST Cover Plaque Award 
      Irish Amateurs Now Able to Apply for Permission to Operate on 5
MHz 
      ARRL Says "Thank You" To Veterans 
      Support Spectrum Defense through the Pension Protection Act 

Don't forget - ARRL November Sweepstakes (Phone) is this weekend! Are
you ready to make a clean sweep?

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

===========================================================
==>Delivery problems: First see FAQ
<http://www.arrl.org/members-only/faq.html#nodelivery>, then e-mail
<letter-dlvy@arrl.org>
==>Editorial questions or comments only: S. Khrystyne Keane,
<k1sfa@arrl.org>
===========================================================

==> DIRECTORS AND VICE DIRECTORS ELECTED IN FIVE ARRL DIVISIONS 

ARRL staff members started opening ballots for Director and Vice
Director races in the Pacific, Rocky Mountain, Southeastern,
Southwestern and West Gulf Divisions, while a representative from an
independent auditor, ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, and members of
the League's Ethics and Elections Committee looked on. In the end, the
Rocky Mountain has a new Director and Vice Director and the Southeastern
Division has a new Director, as well; a new Vice Director was elected in
the Southwestern Division. The leadership team in the Pacific and West
Gulf Divisions will remain the same.

Both ARRL Pacific Division Director Bob Vallio, W6RGG, and Southwestern
Division Director Richard "Dick" Norton, N6AA, ran unopposed and were
declared the winner of the election by the League's Ethics and Elections
Committee. Incumbent Andy Oppel, N6AJO, of Alameda, California received
1654 votes to defeat Rob Brownstein, K6RB, of Santa Cruz, California,
who received 1180 votes for Vice Director in the Pacific Division.

The incumbent ARRL Southwestern Division Vice Director, Edward J. "Ned"
Stearns, AA7A, of Scottsdale, Arizona, did not seek re-election this
term. Of the four candidates for this office, Marty Woll, N6VI, of
Chatsworth, California, with 1191 votes, defeated Tom Fagan, WB7NXH, of
Tucson, Arizona (1054 votes); Tuck Miller, NZ6T, of National City,
California (710 votes), and Joseph Madas, AE6JM, of Banning, California
(342 votes).

Current Rocky Mountain Division Vice Director Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT,
of Albuquerque, New Mexico, with 1393 votes, defeated Jeff Ryan, K0RM,
of Westminster, Colorado (915 votes) in the race for Director of that
Division. Current ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Director Warren G. "Rev"
Morton, WS7W, did not run for re-election this term. Dwayne Allen,
WY7FD, of Devil's Tower, Wyoming, with 1332 votes, defeated Chris
Howard, W0EP, of Fort Collins, Colorado, who received 938 votes.

With the retirement of ARRL Southeastern Director Frank Butler, W4RH,
after more than 50 years of elected service to the ARRL, four people
threw in their hats to become the new Director of that Division. Current
ARRL Alabama Section Manager Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, of Harvest, Alabama,
with 2053 votes, handily defeated Sherri Brower, W4STB, of Vero Beach,
Florida (1143 votes); Carl Zelich, AA4MI, of Chuluota, Florida (1079
votes), and Rudy Hubbard, WA4PUP, of Milton, Florida (498 votes).
Incumbent Vice Director Sandy Donahue, W4RU, of Dothan, Alabama, with
2555 votes, defeated challenger Jeff Beals, WA4AW, of Loxahatchee,
Florida, who received 2117 votes.

As in the Pacific Division, leadership in the West Gulf Division remains
unchanged. West Gulf Division Director Coy Day, N5OK, of Union City,
Oklahoma, received 2649 votes to defeat Ed McGinley, W5ETM, of Fort
Worth, Texas, who received 751 votes. Incumbent Vice Director for the
West Gulf Division, Dr David Woolweaver, K5RAV, of Harlingen, Texas,
received 2592 votes to defeat Dr John Teer, AK5Z, also of Harlingen, who
received 780 votes.

President Harrison said, "I am so pleased to see such a large turn-out
of voters in these elections, and the interest and desire of the
candidates to serve. It is through this electoral process that the
members truly have a voice in the growth and advancement of the ARRL and
the Amateur Service. I look forward to welcoming our new and returning
Board members in January."

ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, said, "It is always a
pleasure to see literally tens of thousands of ARRL members
participating in the electoral process. It's from the participation of
these members that our elected Directors derive the authority to act for
the benefit of Amateur Radio."

ARRL Delta Division Director and member of the ARRL Ethics and Elections
Committee Henry Leggette, WD4Q, said he could sum up today's experience
in one word: "Interesting. This was a new experience that I thoroughly
enjoyed. Seeing how this process works from the inside makes me
appreciate all the more the election process."

The newly elected and returning Directors and Vice Directors will begin
their new three year term at noon on Tuesday, January 1, 2008.

The next scheduled Division elections are next fall in the Atlantic,
Dakota, Delta, Great Lakes and Midwest ARRL Divisions. According to
League Bylaws, ballots will be counted on November 21, 2008.

==> WRC-07 WRAPS UP IN GENEVA; WILL LIKELY MEET AGAIN IN 2011 

The final working session of the 2007 World Radiocommunication
Conference (WRC-07) in Geneva drew to a close Thursday afternoon,
November 15. The signing ceremony for the Final Acts will take place
Friday. According to International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Secretary
David Sumner, K1ZZ, the principal achievements and disappointments, as
they relate to the Amateur Services, of the conference are: 

Achievements
* Maintenance all existing amateur allocations, including the
7.200-7.300 MHz allocation in ITU Region 2 (the Americas) that had been
somewhat at risk in connection with consideration of additional
allocations for HF broadcasting (see below). 
* A new worldwide secondary allocation at 135.7-137.8 kHz with a maximum
radiated power limit of 1 W e.i.r.p. (given the low efficiency of
practical antennas for this frequency range, this limit is not as severe
as it may sound). 
* Inclusion of an item, "to consider an allocation of about 15 kHz in
parts of the band 415-526.5 kHz to the Amateur Service on a secondary
basis, taking into account the need to protect existing services" on the
provisional agenda for WRC-11 (set for 2011). 
* Avoidance of future agenda items that pose serious threats to key
amateur allocations. 
* Some improvement in the so-called "country footnotes" that provide for
different allocations by country in all or part of the 1.8, 3.5, 50 and
430 MHz amateur bands. 

Disappointments
* No new allocation for the Amateur Service in the vicinity of 5 MHz,
and no agenda item to consider such an allocation at a future
conference. 
* No future agenda item to consider an amateur allocation at 50 MHz in
ITU Region 1 (Europe, the former Soviet Union, Mongolia, Africa and
parts of the Middle East). 

The amateur issues were of course a minor part of the WRC-07 agenda, but
the Amateur Service was involved in one of the most contentious agenda
items dealing with allocations between 4 and 10 MHz. A series of
European Common Proposals had proposed changes to allow for an increase
of 350 kHz in HF broadcasting allocations, with a footnote for
administrations to allow the Amateur Service to use 5.260-5.410 MHz on a
secondary basis and with a radiated power limit of 250 W; however, HF
broadcasting had no support from the other regional organizations and no
compromise acceptable to all parties could be found. Ultimately the
European administrations had to accept "no change" for broadcasting,
effectively scuttling our chances for a 5 MHz allocation. 

The IARU had hoped that if an allocation could not be achieved at
WRC-07, an appropriate agenda item could be included for WRC-11. The
2007 conference, however, had little interest in taking up HF issues at
the next conference, tentatively set for 2011, having little to show for
a great deal of effort expended on HF in preparing for WRC-07. The only
HF issues on the provisional WRC-11 agenda have to do with oceanographic
radar applications and the implementation of new digital technologies
for the maritime mobile service. 

The International Telecommunication Union's planning for the next World
Radiocommunication Conference begins on Monday in Geneva, with the
convening of a two-day Conference Preparatory Meeting for WRC-11. Paul
Rinaldo, W4RI, will attend on behalf of the IARU. 

==> FCC "ADMONISHES" AMBIENT OVER BPL ISSUES 

The FCC, in a letter to Yehuda Cern, Chief Engineer for Ambient
Corporation, concluded their investigation into whether Ambient's BPL
operation caused "harmful interference" to Amateur Radio stations in
Briarcliff Manor, New York. The Commission found that "Ambient's BPL
operation has violated the radiated emission limits of Section 15.109"
of the FCC Rules "and the terms of its experimental license, call sign
WD2XEQ." The FCC's letter went on to say that "we hereby admonish
Ambient." No findings were made, however, as to whether or not the
system actually caused interference to Amateur Radio, and the
Enforcement Bureau left open the issue of future experimental BPL
operations at Briarcliff Manor. 

Since Ambient's Briarcliff Manor facility is operating under an
experimental license, the FCC says Ambient "is subject to the operating
conditions contained on its license. Condition 4 of its license requires
that Ambient file a progress report six months from the date of the
grant. Additionally, Condition 5 provides that the progress report '...
should include, but is not limited to, a description of measurements and
results demonstrating compliance...' with the radiated emissions limits
of Section 15.109." 

Ambient submitted a progress report on February 5, 2007. The report
indicated that Ambient "[h]as notched out its signals on the Amateur
Radio bands, demonstrating significant advancements..." but the report
did not address Condition 5, according to the FCC. 

The FCC's Spectrum Enforcement Division sent letters to Ambient in March
and May 2007, directing Ambient to "provide the results of any
measurements made prior to the filing of its February 5, 2007 report to
demonstrate compliance with the radiated emission limits of Section
15.109." The Division also directed Ambient to "submit a follow-up
report confirming compliance once it had completed any necessary system
modifications." 

Ambient's attorneys filed responses to the FCC's March and May letters
in June. Ambient's response, the FCC said, indicated that Ambient "had
made compliance measurements as required by the Division." Ambient's
response further stated that they had found "an older, first generation
BPL unit in its network was malfunctioning, causing the device to exceed
the applicable Section 15.109 emission limits," and that it "immediately
took the equipment out of service." Ambient, the FCC said, "indicated
that [they] would soon replace the remaining first generation equipment
in its network with newer equipment." 

In August, Ambient told the FCC that it has replaced all its first
generation BPL equipment with second generation equipment. The FCC's
letter to Ambient goes on to say that Ambient has completed and
submitted results of on-site testing that demonstrates compliance with
the Commission's regulations. In the time since Ambient replaced all
their equipment, "neither Ambient or the [Spectrum Enforcement] Division
has received complaints indicating continuing interference to Amateur
operations from Ambient's BPL system," the FCC's letter said. The FCC
made no findings about the interference that had been previously
reported, however, nor did the Commission undertake any on-site
investigation or inspection of the facility at Briarcliff Manor. 

The FCC found that Ambient's BPL operation in Briarcliff Manor "has
operated in violation of Section 15.109 of the Commission's Rules.
Accordingly, we admonish Ambient for violating Section 15.109 of the
Commission's Rules and the terms of its experimental license, call sign
WD2XEQ." The FCC cautioned Ambient that any violations of future license
provisions "may result in additional sanctions." 

ARRL first filed a complaint with FCC concerning the radiated emission
violations at Briarcliff Manor on October 12, 2004. Subsequent
complaints were filed on December 17, 2004; January 7, 2005; March 17,
2005; January 6, 2006; March 29, 2006, and June 1, 2007 each of which
reported ongoing harmful interference caused by the unlawful operation
of Ambient's BPL system at Briarcliff Manor. The complaints included
technical reports on the result of tests conducted by ARRL staff. Each
of the complaints requested that the Ambient system be required to cease
operation immediately. The FCC took no action on any of these
complaints, and it did not address any of them in its letter to Ambient.


Still before the Commission is the question of whether or not Ambient's
experimental authorization should be renewed for a further period.
Ambient has had an experimental authorization in Westchester County, New
York since June of 2002. The most recent experimental authorization
expired August 1, 2007. On July 24, Ambient filed an application to
extend their authorization for an additional two-year period. ARRL filed
an informal objection to that application on July 25, arguing that
Ambient should be held to the same standard as the other BPL companies
that are subject to the rules governing BPL, such as inclusion of the
BPL system in the public database, so that victims of BPL interference
can determine its source. 

ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, said, "It is gratifying
that the FCC finally has recognized that Ambient's BPL operation in
Briarcliff Manor violated both the FCC rules and the terms of its
experimental license, has made these violations a matter of public
record and has admonished Ambient; however, this action comes three
years and one month after the ARRL first brought Ambient's violations to
the Commission's attention. This is hardly the speedy resolution that
the Commission has promised, and to which its licensees are entitled." 

ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, concurred with Sumner, saying
"The FCC's admonishment to Ambient was 'too little, too late' from the
FCC's Enforcement Bureau. It continues the disappointing inaction that
we have come to expect from FCC in addressing blatant cases of harmful
interference. Must Amateur Radio operators wait more than three years
for some relief after filing legitimate complaints of harmful
interference? The FCC has consistently refused to even acknowledge, much
less investigate, the complaints of harmful interference at Briarcliff
Manor, because it wants no bad news about BPL." 

==> THE ARRL IS LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD INSTRUCTORS 

Teachers who have participated in ARRL's popular summer professional
development workshops, the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless
Technology <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ti.html>, continue to spread
the word about this exceptional experience and the unique value that
Amateur Radio and the wireless technology curricula bring to their
classrooms. The Teachers Institute is one outreach component of ARRL's
Education & Technology Program, which has received strong donor support
to bring Amateur Radio and the exploration of radio science to schools
and classrooms. Building on our success, the League is making plans to
expand the Teachers Institute next year, and needs instructors to lead
the Institute sessions. 

Contingent on funding, the ARRL plans to offer six four-day sessions in
2008 to provide opportunities for 72 teachers, and is looking for
additional qualified instructors to support this expansion of the
program. The Teachers Institute Instructor position is a part-time
contract position that will require lead instruction at a Teachers
Institute workshop during the Spring/Summer of 2008 as a paid associate
instructor, under the direction of the Teachers Institute Program
Manager. Successful performance may lead to a follow-on contract to
provide continuing teacher support throughout the year, as well as
instruction at future Teachers Institutes. 

If you have an Amateur Extra class license as well as a current teaching
credential or equivalent college/university teaching experience, the
ARRL would like to hear from you. Applicants should also have experience
using ham radio in a school curriculum and an extensive familiarity with
electronics and wireless technology. Qualified applicants should also be
able to connect with teachers working in a variety of classroom
environments and with a variety of age groups. 

If you are interested in applying for this exciting opportunity, please
visit the information page <http://www.arrl.org/es/ti-instructor.html>
to learn more about the positions and application instructions. 

==> LOOK FOR THE DECEMBER QST IN YOUR MAILBOX 

The December issue of QST is jam-packed with everything today's Amateur
Radio operator needs. From product reviews to experiments to contesting
to Field Day results, the December issue of QST has something for just
about everyone.

Our annual holiday issue features an article by Wes Hayward, W7ZOI, and
Jeff Damm, WA7MLH, "The Hybrid Cascode - A General Purpose AGC IF
Amplifier." If you're looking forward to your next receiver project,
this article on a simple, high performance automatic gain control system
is something you don't want to miss. If you have ever wanted to try
operating your station remotely, be sure to check out the article by
Daniel Crausaz, HB9TPL, "A Remotely Controlled Station for HF Digital
Modes." Geoff Haines, N1GY, presents "The Octopus - Four Band HF Antenna
for Portable Use." This simple multiband antenna would be great to build
in anticipation for next year's Field Day. 

If you're interested in the latest ham radio gear, be sure to check out
December's Product Review. ARRL Contributing Editor (and former ARRL
Senior News Editor) Rick Lindquist, N1RL, test drove the Yaesu FT-450 HF
and 6 Meter Transceiver. He says, "The FT-450 is a lightweight, compact
--  but not too compact - multimode 100 W transceiver that will do
yeoman's duty in a variety of Amateur Radio applications, including
portable (but not too mobile) operation and HF or 50 MHz beacon
service." ARRL Contributing Editor Rich Arland, W3OSS, reviewed the M3
Electronix FPM-1 Frequency Counter/Power Meter Kit. These are two
Product Reviews you definitely do not want to miss. 

If you've been anxiously awaiting the 2007 Field Day results, wait no
more, because they are here in the December QST. ARRL Field Day Manager,
Dan Henderson, N1ND, presents the results and stories from this year's
Field Day. Rick Rosen, K1DS, wraps up the 2007 ARRL June VHF QSO Party
in his results article. Are you wondering what upcoming contests to mark
on your new 2008 calendar? The December QST has announcements for the
2008 ARRL International DX Contests, the 2008 ARRL RTTY Roundup, the
2008 ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes and the 2008 Straight Key Night.

Of course, there are the usual columns you know and love in the December
QST: Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX, Old Radio, Hamspeak and
more. Look for your December issue of QST 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
<http://www.arrl.org/join>.

==> FCC ENFORCEMENT BUREAU ACTIONS 

Late last month, Special Counsel in the FCC's Enforcement Bureau Riley
Hollingsworth sent notification to Brandon M. Duke, KD0BSH (ex KC0UWS),
notifying Duke that he has "submitted [his] license to the Commission to
be held for one year, retroactive to July 1, 2007, during which time
[Duke] will have no authority to operate radio transmitting equipment."

In January 2007, the FCC told Duke that they had information showing he
had been operating on frequencies not allowed by his Technician class
license; Duke admitted this was true. The FCC reminded him "that such
operation is a violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended, 47 United States Code Section 301, and would subject
you to fine and imprisonment. Additionally, we noted that you have
ignored requests to cease operation on repeaters in your area. You were
advised of the requirement to heed those requests in a Commission letter
dated January 9, 2006."

Duke, in order to resolve the FCC's case against him, agreed to turn in
his license, retroactive to July 1, 2007. Hollingsworth warned Duke that
"operation of Amateur Radio transmitting equipment during this period
(until June 30, 2008) would result in enforcement action against your
license, which may include revocation and monetary forfeiture (fine).
Fines normally range from $7500 to $10,000."

==>SOLAR UPDATE

Tad "There's a Reason for Sun, Shiny Sky" Cook, K7RA, this week reports:
Another quiet week, but strangely, like the previous week there was just
a single sunspot appearing for one day, and it was also on a Tuesday.
Just like the previous week, the daily sunspot number was 11, and then
it went back to zero when the spot disappeared. No spots are expected in
the near future. Geomagnetic indices have been quiet, but may become
unsettled in the near term. Geophysical Institute Prague predicts quiet
to unsettled conditions for November 16, quiet November 17, quiet to
unsettled November 18, quiet November 19, quiet to unsettled November
20, unsettled to active November 21 and unsettled November 22. The NOAA
Space Weather Prediction Center sees a planetary A index of 10 for
November 16, 5 for November 17-19, 10 for November 20, 15 for November
21 and 10 for November 22. Sunspot numbers for November 8 through 14
were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 11 and 0 with a mean of 1.6. The 10.7 cm flux was
69.7, 69.5, 69.8, 69, 69.7, 69.9 and 70.4 with a mean of 69.7. Estimated
planetary A indices were 3, 2, 3, 1, 2, 8 and 9 with a mean of 4
Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 3, 2, 2, 1, 2, 7 and 9 with a mean
of 3.7. 
. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL
Technical Information Service Propagation page
<http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html>. To read this week's
Solar Report in its entirety, check out the W1AW Propagation Bulletin
page <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/prop/>. 

__________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: This weekend, be sure to check out the ARRL
November Sweepstakes (SSB) on November 17-19. The YO International PSK31
Contest is on November 16 and the Feld Hell Sprint is November 17. The
SARL Field Day Contest, LZ DX Contest, All Austrian 160 Meter Contest
and the RSGB 2nd 1.8 MHz Contest (CW) are all scheduled for November
17-18; the NA Collegiate ARC Championship (SSB) is November 17-19. The
EU PSK63 QSO Party is November 18, the Run for the Bacon QRP Contest is
November 19 and the NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint is November 22. Next
weekend, the ARRL International EME Competition is November 24-25, as is
the CQ Worldwide DX Contest (CW). The SKCC Weekend Sprintathon is
November 25 and the ARCI Topband Sprint is November 29. See the ARRL
Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/>, the ARRL
Contester's Rate Sheet <http://www.arrl.org/contests/rate-sheet/> and
the WA7BNM Contest Calendar
<http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info.

* ARRL Continuing Education course registration: Registration remains
open through Sunday, December 9, 2007 for these online courses beginning
on Friday, December 21, 2007: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
Level 2 (EC-002); Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 3
(EC-003R2); Antenna Modeling (EC-004); HF Digital Communications
(EC-005); VHF/UHF -- Life Beyond the Repeater (EC-008), and Radio
Frequency Propagation (EC-011). To learn more, visit the CCE Course
Listing page <http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> or contact the
Continuing Education Program Coordinator <cce@arrl.org>.

* ARRL Headquarters Closed for Thanksgiving Holidays: ARRL Headquarters
will be closed November 22 and 23 in observance of Thanksgiving. There
will be no W1AW bulletins or code practice transmissions those days.
There will also be no "ARRL Letter" or "ARRL Audio News" on Friday. ARRL
Headquarters will reopen Monday, November 26 at 8 AM Eastern Standard
Time. We wish everyone a safe and bounteous Thanksgiving holiday. 

* Iraq Back on the Air Next Week: Diya Sayah, YI1DZ, President of the
Iraqi Amateur Radio Society (IARS), announced November 13 that effective
November 20, all Amateur Radio activity will be "back to normal" in
Iraq. Sayah said, "All Amateur Radio operators in Iraq who carry a valid
Iraqi license will be able to use their radios according to regulations
of IARU Region 1 and the IARS." Amateur Radio activity in Iraq was
suspended in March of this year, with the suspension affecting both
Iraqi citizens as well as any foreigners -- including military personnel
and contractors -- who have been on the air from Iraq. The request to
halt all ham radio activity and the issuance of licenses in Iraq
originated with a letter from the Iraqi Ministry of Defense to Iraqi
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as part of a new security plan, Sayah
said.

* Kai Siwiak, KE4PT, Wins October QST Cover Plaque Award: The winner of
the QST Cover Plaque Award for October is Kai Siwiak, KE4PT, for his
article "An All-Band Attic Antenna." Congratulations, Kai! The winner of
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/members-only/qstvote.html>. Cast a ballot for your
favorite article in the October issue by Friday, November 30. 

* Irish Amateurs Now Able to Apply for Permission to Operate on 5 MHz:
Four 3 kHz channels at 5 MHz are being granted to Irish amateurs,
according to the Irish Radio Transmitters Society (IRTS), Ireland's IARU
Member-Society. These frequencies are centered on 5.280, 5.290, 5.400
and 5.405 MHz (the suppressed-carrier frequency for USB is 1.5 kHz
lower). This follows extensive contacts with the military authorities
and with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg --
Ireland's equivalent of the FCC) by the IRTS. The facility will be
available for an initial trial period of a year and individual
application is required. The power allowed will be 23 dBW (200 W) to an
antenna with not more than 0 dBd gain (e.g. a dipole). Some or all of
these channels are also in use in the UK, Iceland, Finland, Norway,
Canada and the US. Some administrative details remain to be attended to
by ComReg but it is anticipated that the first variations of licenses
could be issued at the end of November or early December. The IRTS
stresses that individuals must apply to operate at these 5 MHz
frequencies. Permission for a 5 MHz beacon has been granted; a call sign
and frequency are in the works.

* ARRL Says "Thank You" to Veterans: Veterans Day, called Remembrance
Day or Armistice Day outside the US, was celebrated all over the world
on November 11. The ARRL would like to take this opportunity to thank
our service veterans. Whether they served on active duty or reserve,
during peace time or time of conflict, they served their county with
honor. We also would be remiss if we did not remember the families of
those veterans who kept the homefires burning bright; without their love
and support, our veterans would have indeed been alone. ARRL
Headquarters has its share of service veterans: ARRL Contributing Editor
Al Brogdon, W1AB (Army); ARRL Publications Sales Associate Mark Dzamba,
KB1FMY (Air Force); ARRL Assistant VEC Manager Perry Green, WY1O (Army);
ARRL Volunteer Archivist Charles Griffen, W1GYR (Air Force); ARRL
Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR (Army); ARRL Technical Relations
Specialist Walt Ireland, WB7CSL (Army); ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne
Keane, K1SFA (Coast Guard); ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L (Army);
ARRL Reprints Specialist Tony Nesta, AA1RZ (Navy); ARRL Membership and
Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N (Navy); ARRL Chief
Technology Officer Paul Rinaldo, W4RI (Army); ARRL Technical Relations
Specialist Jon Siverling, WB3ERA (Army); ARRL Field and Regulatory
Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG (Air Force); ARRL Education and
Technology Program Coordinator Mark Spencer, WA8SME (Air Force), and
ARRL Archivist Perry Williams, W1UED (Air Force). Thank you for your
service - your sacrifice and the sacrifice of your fellow service
members is not forgotten.

* Support Spectrum Defense through the Pension Protection Act: The ARRL
Development Office notes that a provision of the Pension Protection Act
(PPA) of 2006 offers an opportunity for certain IRA holders to give
something back to Amateur Radio by donating to the Spectrum Defense
Fund, the ARRL Education and Technology Fund or the ARRL Diamond Club --
which provides flexible funding for a variety of programs not supported
by member dues. "Individuals who are at least 70-1/2 and support
nonprofits of their choice may use IRA or Roth IRA assets as a
convenient, tax-efficient source to make contributions while conserving
non-IRA assets," ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH,
points out. "Contributions must be made directly from the IRA to the
organization, not to a donor-advised fund, gift annuity or trust."Hobart
says contributions of up to $100,000 may be made by December 31,2007: "A
direct contribution from an IRA to a qualified organization is excluded
from income," she emphasizes. "We have received significant support
through this program. I hope you are considering a year-end gift to the
ARRL." This two-year program expires December 31, 2007. Hobart urges
prospective donors to consult with a financial advisor before taking
advantage of this opportunity. Contact Hobart <mhobart@arrl.org> for
more information or call 860-594-0397. You can also visit the ARRL's PPA
Web site <http://www.arrl.org/development/ppa.html#top> for more
information. 

=========================================================== 
The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the
American Radio Relay League: ARRL--the National Association for Amateur
Radio, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax
860-594-0259; <http://www.arrl.org>. Joel Harrison, W5ZN, President.

The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential and general
news of interest to active radio amateurs. Visit the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org> for the latest Amateur Radio news and news
updates. The ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/> also offers
informative features and columns. ARRL Audio News
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> is a weekly "ham radio newscast"
compiled and edited from The ARRL Letter. It's also available as a
podcast from our Web site.

Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole
or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be
given to The ARRL Letter/American Radio Relay League.

==>Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!):
letter-dlvy@arrl.org
==>Editorial questions or comments: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA,
k1sfa@arrl.org
==>ARRL News on the Web: <http://www.arrl.org>
==>ARRL Audio News: <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> or call
860-594-0384

==>How to Get The ARRL Letter

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