From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Sun Feb  2 07:40:44 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (WILLIAM MARX)
Date: Sun, 2 Feb 2014 04:40:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] 1991 Radio Shack adv:13 electronic
	products for $5k
Message-ID: <1391344844.75844.YahooMailNeo@web184301.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>

This is probably why Radio Shack sells so many cell phones now...
Image of adv. location at end of article if you can't see it.

1991 Radio Shack adv: 13 electronic products for $5k (and 290 hrs. work) can now be replaced with a $200 iPhone (10 hrs.)
Mark J. Perry | January 25, 2014, 6:46 pm  
Buffalo (NY) journalist and historian Steve Cichon has an article on the Trending Buffalo website (?Everything from 1991 Radio Shack ad I now do with my phone?) featuring a full-page Radio Shack ad from the Buffalo News on February 
16, 1991 (see graphic above). Of the 15 electronics products featured in the Radio Shack ad, 13 of them can now be replaced with a $200 iPhone 
according to Steve?s analysis. The 13 Radio Shack items in the ad 
(all-weather personal stereo, AM/FM clock radio, headphones, calculator, computer, camcorder, cell phone, regular phone, CD player, CB radio, 
scanner, phone answering machine, and cassette recorder) would have cost a total of $3,055 in 1991, which is equivalent in today?s dollars to 
$5,225. Versus only $200 for an iPhone 5S.
In hours worked at the average wage, the 13 electronics items in 1991 would have had a ?time cost? of 290.4 hours of work at the average 
hourly wage then of $10.52 (or 7.25 weeks or 36.3 days). Today, the $200 iPhone would have a ?time cost? of fewer than 10 hours (9.82) of work 
at the average hourly wage today of $20.35, and just one day of work, 
plus a few extra hours.
MP: When you consider that an iPhone can fit in your pocket and has many apps and features that were either not available in 1991 (GPS, text messaging, Internet access, mobile access to movies, 
more than 900,000 apps, iCloud access, etc.) or not listed in the 1991 
Radio Shack ad (camera, photo-editing), it?s amazing how much progress 
we?ve made in just several decades, and how affordable electronic 
productions have become.
The comparison above is an example of the ?invisible hand? at work, 
giving us more goods, better goods, and cheaper goods over time. And the poor and middle class benefit the most. While only the wealthy might 
have been able to afford the bundle of 13 electronic products costing 
$5,000 in 1991 (in today?s dollars), almost anybody today can afford an 
iPhone with features that far exceed the 13 products in 1991.
Instead of spending so much time obsessing about income inequality, 
the ?top 1%,? the ?decline of the middle class,? and generally 
criticizing and blaming the free market for every woe, maybe we should 
devote more time to celebrating how the ?miracle of the marketplace? has brought about rising living standards for all income groups in America, especially low-income households. Falling prices of manufactured goods 
like food, cars, clothing, household appliances, computers and 
electronics have probably given low-income households in the US greater 
access to the ?good life? than all of the government programs and safety nets that are part of the trillion dollars of spending on America?s 
?War on Poverty.?

Article to see the Image of the Adv.

http://www.aei-ideas.org/2014/01/1991-radio-shack-ad-13-electronic-products-for-5k-and-500-hrs-work-can-now-be-replaced-with-a-200-iphone-10-hrs/#mbl

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Sun Feb  2 12:35:04 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (WILLIAM MARX)
Date: Sun, 2 Feb 2014 09:35:04 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Miami Hamboree 2014
Message-ID: <1391362504.36405.YahooMailNeo@web184305.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>

The Miami Hamboree was a complete success for the South Florida DX Association:

While attendance seemed to be about the same last year, and Vendors were down it did not appear to me to be as solemn an event as 2013. Friday was not busy but Saturday was. An Icom booth and the the ARRL's presence gave more credibility to this years event. The addition of Maker Faire was terrific and provided a nice excitement with the activity the families brought, and seeing the Robotics and other presentations on Saturday. I thought it blended well with Ham Radio. Vendors were down but I still managed to spend a bunch of money on things I needed, or know I own but can't find.


We were right in the Center for those not attending...Across from the ARRL and we combined the booth with the QCWA making a large three booth presence. And we filled it...boy did we, the booth and chairs were busy and filled most of the time. Donuts and coffee were plentiful(Thanks QCWA) as well as the conversations.


Don N4TZH updated the SFDXA Member Presentation Norm W4QN made last year. He brough a large screen monitor that showed Members shacks and pictures of the Club That played large for two days. 


Don W3AZD brought his vast collection of QSL Cards as he always does and manned(& womanned?) the 4th Area QSL Burea with Hope WB3ANE.Don also Checked cards for DXCC. 


Mark K2AU brought all the clip board and paperwork with information on the SFDXA and sign up sheets for new members and Dinner sign up sheet.(last count I saw 8 names of those who want more information on Membership). Ill subscribe them to the Reflector and Mark K2AU will follow up. Mark signed some new Associate Members and collected some dues.

W4AS Sebastiian volunteered and was to provide transportation for our ARRL guest but that turned out not needed. But it was Thanks to Serbastian who set up the Dinner at Las Vegas Restaurant.


Pete N8PR provided the Audio for all the Hamboree Forums and the SFDXA Provided the Projector and Screen for the Forums as well.

So a HUGE round of Applause and Thank you to those who stepped up to help make this a good time for our Club.


The DX Forum had 36 in attendance, I kept count as some left and others came in.

Dan Henderson N1ND from the ARRL was unable to get a timely connection because of the cold snap in Atlanta and the flight cancellations. Jeff said Mike Lee AA6ML, the ARRL Southeastern Division Vice Director was here. So Mike said he would fill in for N1ND and since his Forum on the ARRL Centennial was after The SFDXA Forum it was perfect.


I had also asked Rick Ruhl W4PC, if he could give us 5 to 10 minutes to fill in the time and he did. He did a fast moving description of Ham Radio Deluxe logging software and it's features.

Dan Street K1TO did a wonderful and interesting presentation of his experience in Qatar recently. He finished the hour with a complete History of the WRTC. So much to see and learn. Great Job Dan!

After Dan finished it was running over the hour allotted and we still had Door Prizes to give away, so we decided Mike Lee he would combine the ARRL update with his, and so we ran the Door Prize fun.

The following were Door Prize Winners for the SFDXA Forum 2014 and list of The Generous Donors.


YV5AM - Ham Radio Deluxe + 1 yr service and Support - Rick Ruhl Ham W4PC Ham Radio Deluxe


N4MB - ARRL Handbook - Mike's Electronics Ft Lauderdale


Grandson of W1RG, Christian CQ 15 MonthCalendar - Anonymous Donor


KE4PT - ARRL HF Digital Handbook -? ARRL through N4TZH


AD4Z/HI3A - AC Power Handbook - ARRL through N4TZH


W3AZD - RFI Handbook - ARRL through N4TZH

The Dinner Saturday night after the Hamboree was a big success, and we sure had fun. We went back to the Las Vegas Restaturant, where we held it last year, and the food and service was even better. 21 members and guests ate, drank Presidente's and Corona's, and had a good time.


I have been a ham for 55 plus years now But I still get a great deal of enjoyment going to a Ham Radio Event. Whether it is a Local Flea Market, a Regional Convention of Hams, or the Grand Daddy of them all Dayton. ...As you get closer and see the Antennas on cars, Ham Call Signs on license plates, and walking into an event seeing HT's in pockets or in hands of those looking for friends, and as you pass others that have already been inside and rushing home with bags and goodies they just found, to try them out...I Never get tired of that.


While it didn't grow as we would have liked it to, I think it showed there is a market for the larger event here in South Florida and I look forward to The Miami Hamboree 2015...

73,

Bill Marx W2CQ

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Wed Feb  5 06:19:20 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (WILLIAM MARX)
Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2014 03:19:20 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] February Southeastern Division Update
In-Reply-To: <20140205111253.9330D2114C@bmail.arrl.org>
References: <20140205111253.9330D2114C@bmail.arrl.org>
Message-ID: <1391599160.27161.YahooMailNeo@web184305.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>



January has been a very busy month for Vice Director Mike Lee, AA6ML,
and me. We spent 5 days in CT attending orientation, committee
meetings, and the ARRL Board Meeting. Two weekends ago, Mike
represented the Southeastern Division at the Georgia ARES Conference
while I represented the Division at the Puerto Rico State Convention.
Last weekend, Mike represented the Division at the South Florida
Tropical Hamboree/South Florida Section Convention. We?re now
preparing for this weekend?s Orlando HamCation/North Florida Section
Convention/ARRL Regional Centennial Event.

We both wish to thank all of the Convention organizers and attendees
for the warm welcome and hospitality that they provided.

We often hear the question ?What does my $39/year get me?? Mike and
I saw firsthand in Newington how far the League stretches its budget.
Most people are surprised to learn that there are approximately 100
employees at HQ. They are assisted by a small army of volunteers doing
everything from sorting QSL cards to giving tours. Over the coming
months, we?ll highlight the myriad of jobs that get done at the
League from contest administration to protecting our spectrum and
ensuring the future of amateur radio. 

Consider that for the cost of another amateur radio magazine, you get
QST, all of the ARRL member benefits, and support the national
organization for amateur radio.

I have been appointed to the Programs and Services Committee. In what
can only be described as a most high honor, Mike has been appointed to
the Administration and Finance Committee; I describe it as such because
it is uncommon for a new Vice Director to receive an appointment to such
an important committee. Between the two committees, the Southeastern
Division is well placed to represent you.

***********************************************

Our Division is fortunate to have two of the six ARRL Regional
Centennial Events?the Orlando HamCation this weekend and the
Huntsville Hamfest in August. The ARRL will have a larger presence than
usual at these hamfests, including giving away a limited number of ARRL
Centennial Challenge Coins at the ARRL booth.

One very special honor for these two hamfests is the use of the
Centennial Celebration callsign, W100AW. Look for W100AW/4 to be on the
air from Hamcation beginning around 7PM Thursday (0001 Friday UTC)
through Sunday afternoon. In order to afford Technicians an opportunity
to work W100AW/4, we?ll also be monitoring 146.46 during the Hamfest
as staffing permits. We?ll post updates on the Division?s FaceBook
page (you have already Liked it haven?t you?)
https://www.facebook.com/arrlse. 

If you join or renew your ARRL membership for one or two years at
HamCation, you?ll get a free gift. If you join or renew for 3 years,
you?ll get a free 2014 Centennial Edition Handbook (soft cover)! You
can renew and get the free gift even if you still have several years
left on your membership; the renewal will extend your membership for
the additional year(s).

For more information about HamCation, visit their website,
http://www.hamcation.com/, and FaceBook page,
https://www.facebook.com/Hamcation. 

Did I mention that the weather forecast for Friday and Saturday looks
beautiful?

***********************************************

As you watch the Winter Olympic Games, remember that amateur radio?s
own international ?Olympics?, the World Radiosport Team
Championship (WRTC) will be held in the Boston area July 8-14. WRTC is
held every four years and consists of approximately 50 two-person teams
of amateur radio operators competing in a test of operating skill.
Unlike most on-the-air competitions, all stations are required to use
identical antennas from the same geographic region, eliminating all
variables except operating ability.
WRTC2014 will include 59 competing teams from 29 qualifying regions
around the world. This will be the largest and most competitive WRTC
ever! Many members of the Southeastern Division are involved at all
levels of the WRTC. See http://www.wrtc2014.org/ to learn more. 

***********************************************

The ARRL will hold its Centennial Convention July 17-19 in Hartford,
CT. Thousands of members and friends of the ARRL will gather to
celebrate the organization's first 100 years of members "Advancing the
Art and Science of Radio." In addition to the Exhibit Hall with
manufacturers and retailers and the indoor flea market, the days will
be filled with training classes and forums. Among the classes are
Contest University, DX University, RFI 101, and Public Service
Communications Academy. The dozens of one hour forum presentations run
the gamut from FreeDV (Digital Voice over HF) to Raspberry PI projects
for amateur radio to How to Present Amateur Radio to the Media.
There will also be tours of both ARRL HQ and W1AW.
For more information on this once in a lifetime event, visit
http://www.arrl2014.org. Registration is now open via the website.

***********************************************

Are you or your club looking for a unique way to recognize a Silent
Key, Elmer, or Family member? An inscribed brick can be placed in the
Diamond Terrace in front of ARRL HQ for a one-time contribution of
$250. (http://www.arrl.org/memorial-gifts) Diamond Terrace recognition
is also included in the Diamond Club with an annual giving level of
$250 or more. (http://www.arrl.org/the-arrl-diamond-club &
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Development/Diamond_Club_Brochure_2013.pdf)


***********************************************

Please share this email and the websites (www.arrlse.org and
www.facebook.com/arrlse) with other amateurs that are not receiving
ARRL emails and remind members that they can subscribe to their Section
and Division emails by signing into their arrl.org account, go to the
profile page, enter their email address, select the tab saying "Edit
Email Subscriptions", and put a check in the ?News and information
from your Division Director and Section Manager? box.

***********************************************

Contacting Your Director and Vice Director
Our contact information is in every issue of QST on page fifteen, as
well as http://www.arrl.org/divisions#Southeastern_Division. As I own
several small businesses and Mike has a busy work schedule as well,
please be patient with our replies. Email is generally the best method
of communication, especially if you have a question or issue as we can
look for the answer or solution before responding. (The remainder of
the week will be exceptionally busy for us as we participate in the
Centennial Events at HamCation. Please be extra patient in awaiting
responses.)

***********************************************

73 de

Doug Rehman, K4AC
Director

&

Mike Lee, AA6ML
Vice Director

www.arrlse.org and www.facebook.com/arrlse

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Southeastern Division
Director: Doug Rehman, K4AC
k4ac at arrl.org

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Wed Feb  5 13:59:38 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (WILLIAM MARX)
Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2014 10:59:38 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Mike's Electronics - PLEASE PASS THIS
	ON
In-Reply-To: <003901cf2290$a9dd95a0$fd98c0e0$@bellsouth.net>
References: <003901cf2290$a9dd95a0$fd98c0e0$@bellsouth.net>
Message-ID: <1391626778.92357.YahooMailNeo@web184306.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>

Mike's Electronics

1069 NW 53RD STREET
FT LAUDERDALE, FL 33309
PH 954-491-7110
FX 954-491-7011
800-427-3066
mspivak at bellsouth.net
CLOSED SAT FEB 8TH

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Thu Feb  6 19:07:19 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (WILLIAM MARX)
Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2014 16:07:19 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] How To Test a AA battery!- YouTube
In-Reply-To: <7519689F-3151-4F36-9A3D-6B5802948CE1@att.net>
References: <7519689F-3151-4F36-9A3D-6B5802948CE1@att.net>
Message-ID: <1391731639.1106.YahooMailNeo@web184301.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>

It works!


http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_m6p99l6ME 

Dick AA5VU

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Fri Feb  7 09:26:50 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (WILLIAM MARX)
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2014 06:26:50 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] PJ2MI - SK
Message-ID: <1391783210.27715.YahooMailNeo@web184303.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>

I have not seen this news here so I will pass it on.

My good friend of 34 years Sir Jose Maria Cyntje PJ2MI, passed away this week.

I spoke to his son this morning and he sent this information:

"We have an emailaddress for condolences, if you care to pass 
it along, please. 
rememberjossy at gmail.com "

Bill Marx W2CQ

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Tue Feb 11 08:08:49 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 08:08:49 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Sponsored Teams Announced for WRTC2014
Message-ID: <52FA20E1.5070302@bellsouth.net>

*Sponsored Teams Announced for WRTC2014
http://www.wrtc2014.org/sponsored-teams-announced-for-wrtc2014/
*

WRTC2014, Inc., host of the 2014 World Radiosport Team Championship 
(WRTC) is pleased to announce three of the four Sponsored Teams that 
will compete at WRTC2014.The Sponsors are from the USA, Azores, 
Brazil/Bulgaria.

The WRTC2014 Steering Committee permits each WRTC organizer to offer the 
opportunity for sponsors to name teams outside the normal qualification 
process as a fund raising mechanism. For WRTC2014, the first 3 
sponsorships were available on a first-come first-served basis. A fourth 
Sponsored Team will be made available by auction.

The "*Latitude 13*" team is so named because the locations where the two 
operators usually compete are both at 13 degrees latitude. The sponsor 
has named Tom Georgens, W2SC and Dave Mueller, N2NL, as the team. Tom is 
well-known in the radiosport community as the operator of station 
8P1A/8P5A in Barbados. He was a competitor in WRTC2006 (PT5Q, 10th 
place) and WRTC2010 (R34P, 5th place). Dave often operates as NH2T in 
contests and currently holds the Oceania record in both modes of the 
CQWW DX Contest. Overall, he has held 9 USA or continental records in 
major contests. He won the silver medal at WRTC2006 as PW5C with partner 
N6MJ.

"*RadioTeam Azores*" is sponsored by Azores Tourism Association 
(www.visitazores.com). They have appointed Martti Lane, OH2BH, and Ville 
Hiilesmaa, OH2MM, as their team. Martti's operating achievements are 
well-known. He has won the CQWW DX contest multiple times on both modes 
in both single-operator and multi-operator categories. Equally important 
are his efforts to conduct operations and demonstrations of amateur 
radio for governments seeking to develop amateur radio in their 
countries. He was the contest chairman of the first WRTC in 1990 and 
co-chair of WRTC2002 in Finland.  Ville is a world-class operator, 
having held 11 World Records in the CQWW DX Contest in the 
single-operator-all-band, single-band, and multi-operator categories 
from a variety of stations on both phone and CW. Currently residing in 
Brazil, he served on the organizing committee for WRTC2006, and was a 
referee at WRTC1990 and a judge at WRTC2002.

The "*Brazil-Bulgaria Friendship Team*" is sponsored by a consortium 
including The Araucaria DX Group, Triumph IESA Infrastructure AS, the 
Sao Paulo section of LABRE, K1LZ, and the Bulgarian Federation of Radio 
Amateurs (BFRA). They have appointed Soni Leite, PY1NX, and Atasnas 
"Nasko" Koitchev, LZ3YY/LZ9R, as their team. Soni is an experienced and 
successful operator with numerous high scores in the single-op all band, 
single band, Multi-single and Multi-two categories, with several 
world-high scores from ZY7C, PW7T, PS2T, and ZW5B. In the 2012 CQWW 
Contest, he scored World-High and set World Records on both modes in the 
10M Single-band Low Power category. Nasko has been contesting since 1986 
when he was 13 years old. He has a total of 12 World-high finishes in a 
wide variety of contests in single-op and multi-op categories, including 
the 2013 IARU HF Championship in the Low Power CW category.

The fourth and final Team Sponsorship will be made available through an 
auction to be conducted March 8, 2014. Anyone interested in 
participating in the auction should contact WRTC Chairman, Doug Grant, 
K1DG, (k1dg at wrtc2014.org <mailto:k1dg at wrtc2014.org>) as quickly as 
possible to register.

*About WRTC2014*

The World Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC) is held every four years 
and consists of 50+ two-person teams of amateur radio operators from 
around the world competing in a test of operating skill.  Unlike most 
on-the-air competitions, all stations are required to use identical 
antennas from the same geographic region, eliminating all variables 
except operating ability.  Previous WRTCs have been held in Seattle 
(1990), San Francisco (1996), Slovenia (2000), Finland (2002), Brazil 
(2006), and Russia (2010).  More information is available at 
www.wrtc2014.org <http://www.wrtc2014.org/>or contact WRTC Chairman Doug 
Grant, K1DG, via e-mail at k1dg at wrtc2014.org <mailto:k1dg at wrtc2014.org>.


From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Wed Feb 12 06:22:30 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 06:22:30 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The ARRL Contest Update for February
	12, 2014
In-Reply-To: <20140212044305.D3EAD273AD@bmail.arrl.org>
References: <20140212044305.D3EAD273AD@bmail.arrl.org>
Message-ID: <52FB5976.1050004@bellsouth.net>



Preview

If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2014-02-12

The ARRL Contest Update

February 12, 2014
Editor: Ward Silver, N?AX <mailto:rate-sheet at arrl.org>
/Contest Update/ Archive <http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/>
Contest Calendar <http://www.arrl.org/contests/calendar.html>
ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&i=2014-02-12&t=t>
IN THIS ISSUE

  * DX Calling You - ARRL DX CW Contest <#Contests>
  * Really Lower Sideband - CQ WW 160 SSB <#Contests>
  * ARRL Contest Branch Turnaround <#News>
  * Band Charts by G3NRW <#Newsweek>
  * Rovin' with the Grid Pirates <#Sights>
  * ARRL September VHF Results by K1TEO <#Results>
  * Wintertime and the Climbin's Not Easy <#Tech>
  * Folding Up Antennas <#Techweek>
  * The Boundary Problem, Part One <#Conversation>

NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO

If you like CW DX, the ARRL's International DX CW Contest keeps the DX 
aiming in your direction. With propagation so good lately, this might be 
a good weekend to spend on the radio. I never fail to recommend the 
North American QSO Party events and there's a good one for new RTTY 
operators next weekend.

BULLETINS

The ARRL Field Day rules and information packet is now available online 
<http://arrl.org/field-day>. (Thanks, Dan N1ND)

BUSTED QSOS

No errors to report in the previous issue.

CONTEST SUMMARY

Complete information <#Contests> for all contests follows the 
Conversation <#Conversation> section

*February 15-16*

  * */ARRL International CW DX Contest/*
  * NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint--CW (Feb 12)
  * CWops Monthly Mini-CWT Tests (Feb 12)
  * PODXS 070 Club Valentine Sprint (Feb 14)
  * Russian WW PSK Contest (Feb 14)
  * Feld-Hell Bingo Sprint
  * Maine 2m FM Simplex Challenge
  * Run For the Bacon--CW (Feb 17)
  * Semi-Automatic Key Evening (Feb 19)

*February 22-23*

  * */North American QSO Party RTTY/*
  * CQ WW 160 Meter SSB (Feb 21)
  * REF Contest--Phone
  * SARL Youth Day Sprint--Phone
  * UBA Contest--CW
  * North Carolina QSO Party
  * CQC Winter QSO Party

NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST

There have been some changes in the ARRL Contest Branch following the 
January 23^rd resignation of Mike DeChristopher, N1TA, as ARRL Contest 
Manager. Former Contest Branch Manager, Sean Kutzko, KX9X, catches us up 
on the situation. "Since Mike's resignation, a team of ARRL staffers, 
including former Contest Managers Dan Henderson, N1ND and myself, have 
come together to address the needs of the Contest Branch until a 
replacement is found. Dave Patton, NN1N, is managing this team.

"Our efforts are directed as follows:
1) Eliminate the backlog of overdue awards certificates and plaques;
2) Keep normal day-to-day Contest Branch functions running on schedule;
3) Restore the "customer service" side of the Contest Branch to superior 
levels.

"With the help of several ARRL staffers in the Awards Branch, we have 
sent out over 5,000 awards certificates in the last two weeks, including 
the 2012 CW and Phone Sweepstakes, the 2012 September VHF Contest, the 
2012 August UHF Contest, the 2013 RTTY Roundup. 1,100 certificates for 
the 2012 10 Meter Contest were just sent to the ARRL mail room and 
should go out by the middle of the week. In addition, plaques for the 
2012 CW Sweepstakes and 2013 RTTY Roundup were shipped. 2012 Phone 
Sweepstakes plaques were ordered last week and will be shipped within 
three weeks. We will continue to aggressively work on the backlog of 
overdue awards and hope to be caught up soon. You are welcome to monitor 
our awards progress at www.arrl.org/plaques-and-certificates 
<http://www.arrl.org/plaques-and-certificates> which is updated regularly.

"We do not foresee any delays in publication of contest results online 
or in QST. In addition, several results tables, log checking reports and 
databases have been uploaded to www.arrl.org/contest-results-articles 
<http://www.arrl.org/contest-results-articles> in the last two weeks.

"Finally, we are working together to take care of customer service 
inquiries to the Contest Branch and reply as rapidly as possible. We are 
disappointed with the delays in communications and awards fulfillment 
that contesters have experienced. The past few months have not been up 
to ARRL standards; we apologize for this and are working hard to correct it.

"If you have any specific questions or inquiries of the ARRL Contest 
Branch, feel free to contact either Dave Patton, NN1N at nn1n at arrl.org 
<mailto:nn1n at arrl.org> or Sean Kutzko, KX9X at kx9x at arrl.org 
<mailto:kx9x at arrl.org> at any time. We thank you for your continued 
patience while we address these issues." (ARRL Media and Public 
Relations Manager, Sean Kutzko, KX9X)

Updated rules for the 2014 CQ WPX Contests 
<http://www.cqwpx.com/rules.htm> have been posted, including a new 
category - Multioperator, Single-Transmitter, Low Power. The rules have 
also been reformatted in a similar fashion to what was done for the CQ 
World Wide Contest <http://www.cqww.com/> rules last fall. The intent is 
to clarifying long-standing positions for the contest. (Thanks, CQ WPX 
Contest Director, Terry N4TZ)

The WRTC-2014 <http://wrtc2014.org> committee has announced three of the 
four sponsored teams for this coming July's competition:

  * The "Latitude 13" team of Tom Georgens, W2SC/8P1A/8P5A and Dave
    Mueller, N2NL/NH2T. So named because the locations from which the
    two operators usually compete are both at 13 degrees latitude.
  * "RadioTeam Azores" sponsored by the Azores Tourism Association
    <http://www.visitazores.com/> consists of contesting legends Martti
    Lane, OH2BH, and Ville Hiilesmaa, OH2MM, both frequent operators
    from the Azores.
  * The "Brazil-Bulgaria Friendship Team" is sponsored by a consortium
    that includes The Araucaria DX Group, Triumph IESA Infrastructure
    AS, the Sao Paulo section of LABRE, K1LZ, and the Bulgarian
    Federation of Radio Amateurs (BFRA). They have appointed Soni Leite,
    PY1NX, and Atasnas "Nasko" Koitchev, LZ3YY/LZ9R, as their team.

The fourth and final Team Sponsorship will be made available through an 
auction to be conducted March 8, 2014. Anyone interested in 
participating in the auction should contact WRTC Chairman, Doug Grant, 
K1DG, <mailto:k1dg at wrtc2014.org> as quickly as possible to register.

This is not a pretty sight - S57DX's antennas after the recent 
devastating ice storm in Slovenia. Many S5 stations suffered severe 
damage. (Photo courtesy of S57DX)

DX Engineering <http://dxengineering.com/> is now the exclusive source 
for KD9SV Products Low Band receive transformers, preamplifiers, antenna 
switching units and other products. KD9SV Products for Low Band 
receiving antenna systems are well-known and have been used by DXers and 
contesters for over 25 years.

JVC Kenwood has purchased 
<http://www.efjohnsontechnologies.com/news_room/viewer?article_id=80633> 
the E.F. Johnson Company. EFJ has been manufacturing radios for a long 
time and you'll see the hamfest vintage equipment tables loaded with 
Johnson Rangers and Vikings and Thunderbolts while their Matchbox 
antenna tuners are still doing the job in antenna systems across the 
land. Lately, EFJ has been better known for its P25 VHF/UHF equipment 
used in public safety communication systems.

Those of us who attended WRTC-2000 in Bled, Slovenia remember well the 
forests of that mountainous and beautiful country - much of the forests 
were heavily damaged in the recent storm. (Photo courtesy of S57DX)

Bill K3WA found this interesting QSOMap web site <http://qsomap.org/> in 
development that will take ADIF or LoTW logs and create a world map with 
pins. You apply various filters such as band, mode, and so forth. Bill 
used it to map out his QRP DXCC contacts, for example.

To celebrate 35 years of the founding of the Cayman Amateur Radio 
Society, its members have been authorized by the ICTA to use ZF35 
prefixes through January 19, 2015. Make sure your CTY files 
<http://www.country-files.com/contest/> are updated to handle the new 
prefixes!

Tom K1KI discovered this article 
<http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-02-brain-scanner-youre-overload.html> about 
scanning your brain on overload. Does this count as a decoder?

If you have an old URL for the AMSAT website, you may find incomplete 
website and broken links. Following a hacking incident some time ago, 
the new site (www.amsat.org <http://www.amsat.org>) was rebuilt and is 
operating properly. Refresh your bookmarks, if necessary. (Thanks, AMSAT 
VP of Operations, Drew KO4MA)

*Web Site of the Week* - Ian G3NRW has updated the Band Utilization 
Charts for 30 meters 
<http://homepage.ntlworld.com/wadei/121122_30m_Band_Utilization_Chart.pdf>, 
60 meter UK allocations 
<http://homepage.ntlworld.com/wadei/130222_UK_60m_Band_Utilization.pdf>, 
and 160 meters 
<http://homepage.ntlworld.com/wadei/121122_160m_Band_Utilization_Chart.pdf>. 
He asks to be notified by email <mailto:g3nrw-radio at ntlworld.com> if you 
know of anything that needs updating. He reminds us that these charts 
are not band plans, they are just indicators of actual band utilization.

WORD TO THE WISE

*/Jump ball/* - what happens when a North American Sprint 
<http://ncjweb.com/> QSO ends and several stations call to make the QSO 
and acquire the frequency. See the Operating Tip section for more about 
Sprint-style operation.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2014-02-12&p=0>
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Andy K1RA snapped this photo of the N3UW rover that he and Terry W8ZN 
borrowed for their Grid Pirates rove in January. (Photo by K1RA)

Terry W8ZN and Andy K1RA activated the Grid Pirates Contest Group call 
sign K8GP as a rover in the ARRL January VHF Contest and put together a 
musical video <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOljqg4-MBs> exploration 
of the highways and byways on their route. The full story 
<http://www.k1ra.us/roving/k1ra-k8gp-rover-arrl-jan-vhf-ss-2014> is 
online, too.

The rarely seen Beamed Phantasatron 
<http://www.tubecollectors.org/archives/606.pdf> tube would certainly 
have made a nice final amplifier in the shack. Very final. (Thanks, Bob 
N6TV)

Speaking of tubes, the Los Boludos website 
<http://www.losboludos.com/gallery> shows a whole family of uses for 
vacuum tubes! (Thanks, George K5TR)

RESULTS AND RECORDS

The extended writeup by Jeff K1TEO for the ARRL September VHF Contest 
has been published on the Contest Results Articles 
<http://arrl.org/contest-results-page> page. Part of the catching up 
process noted above, Log Checking Reports 
<http://www.arrl.org/contest-log-checking-reports> are now available for 
the 2013 ARRL June VHF and August UHF contests.

While some ARRL RTTY Roundup log submitters received "late" notices from 
the email log-handling robot software on the final day before the 
deadline, all RTTY Roundup logs were accepted through Friday, February 
7^th . If you have any question about whether your log was accepted, 
check the ARRL's Logs Received page <http://www.arrl.org/logs-received> 
to be sure your log is listed there.

Ray ND8L <mailto:ND8L at arrl.net> reminds us that many sponsorship 
opportunities remain for 2013-2014 CQ WW RTTY plaques 
<http://www.cqwwrtty.com/plaques.htm> and 2014 CQ WW WPX 
<http://www.cqwpxrtty.com/plaques.htm> plaques. The cost for these 
attractive plaques for US categories is $65.00. For the plaques that 
must be shipped internationally the cost increases to $75.00.

OPERATING TIP

The North American Sprint <http://ncjweb.com/> contests are different 
than the usual contests and take a little getting used to for new 
sprinters. Here are a few tips:

  * Call CQ! If the action is just too fast and furious, find a clear
    spot and call CQ. Somebody will find you! Don't forget that after
    calling CQ results in a QSO you have to move 5 kHz before you can CQ
    again or 1 kHz to call someone else.
  * At the end of a CQ, follow your call with "NA" on CW or "Sprint" on
    phone so other sprinters don't assume you're calling some other station.
  * If you can set up your logging software this way or just remember to
    do it, follow the sprint conventions sending your call sign in the
    exchange: If you called CQ and are responding to a caller, send
    their call followed by your call, number, name, and QTH. If you are
    responding to a CQ'ers exchange, send your call at the end of your
    exchange. Doing so alerts the other sprinters that you will be
    inheriting the frequency and...jump ball <#WordWise>!
  * Don't forget to acknowledge that you received the information in the
    exchange. On CW, send "R" or something long enough to be heard
    through the din. On phone, "Thanks" will do. If you don't
    acknowledge or send something too short (like a single "dit") the
    other station may not log your QSO, resulting in a Not-In-the-Log
    (NIL) for you!

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2014-02-12&p=1>
TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION

Double-up on tower safety in the winter! Faults and failures don't wait 
for good weather and sometimes you just have to climb in the cold. If 
you do, Kelly Hill from RCR Wireless <http://www.rcrwireless.com> wrote 
up this helpful article 
<http://www.rcrwireless.com/celltowernews/2014/01/14/winter-climbing-101-top-5-tips-for-cold-conditions/> 
about cold weather tower work. (Thanks, Eric W3DQ)

How much air flow is enough through an amplifier tube or tube chimney? 
Roger K8RI suggests just start by measuring pressure drop across the 
tube using the simple manometer design in the /ARRL Handbook/. If the 
pressure drop is right, then by definition you have the right amount of 
air flow. You might not want to run a blower at full throttle all the 
time since they can be pretty noisy. Roger's solution is to use a 
temperature sensor in the exhaust air to control a high/low setting for 
the blower. A switch to put the blower on HIGH will be helpful during 
digital operation.

These crossed dipoles make up the business end of a multi-megawatt 
ionospheric heating experiment (no, not CQ WW!) being conducted at the 
Arecibo Observatory on 5.1 and 8.175 MHz. (Photo by N?AX)

John G4ATA's nice web page <http://www.4-square.co.uk/> on low-band 
4-squares and other arrays has been updated after a period of 
inactivity. He has plans for a new 4-square on 40 meters for a portable 
operation in the CQ WPX Phone contest and will be testing it during the 
preceding Russian DX Contest.

During my recent visit to the Arecibo Observatory, I noticed some new 
antennas at the bottom of the big dish shown in the photo at right. I 
dropped an email to Dr. Jim Breakall, better known as WA3FET, who 
explained his latest project. "There are 3 crossed-dipoles for 5.1 MHz 
and another 3 for 8.175 MHz forming an array that will beam energy up to 
a net mesh reflector that will hang from the 3 big towers. This 
"cassegrain" reflector will then reflect energy back down to the 
1000-foot dish and beam 100s of megawatts up to the ionosphere to modify 
it. Each of the dipoles is fed from a 100 kW transmitter giving a total 
transmitted power of 600 kW. With the gain of the dish even at HF, that 
produces 100s of megawatts." I wonder if he could split the difference 
and get on 40 meters during Sweepstakes!

Three projects caught my eye in recent emails from the Instructables 
website. The first is a Foot-Operated Hold-Down Tool 
<http://www.instructables.com/id/Foot-Operated-Hold-Down-Tool/> that I 
can easily see being used in the antenna shop. Anyone who has hauled a 
big piece of equipment in the trunk will get some ideas from the article 
on Configurable Cargo Blocks 
<http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Configurable-Cargo-Blocks-for-Your-Car-Trunk>. 
And if you really want to protect your bike-mounted radio, our favorite 
Pelican case makes an appearance in this handlebar-mounted basket 
<http://www.instructables.com/id/Pelican-Case-Bike-Basket/> for radio 
geeks! (Thanks, Frank KR1ZAN)

Any teachers of analog circuit design reading this issue? I know you're 
out there...I have been such an instructor and enjoyed this flyer 
<http://www.analog.com/static/imported-files/overviews/Revolutionizing_How_Engineering_Students_Learn_Analog_CircuitDesign.pdf> 
from Analog Devices features their tools for helping students 
effectively learn analog design. Whether you use the Analog Devices gear 
or not, there is plenty to consider about the types of tools to use.

For /HFTA /users who haven't dealt with /MicroDEM /in a while, /HFTA/'s 
author, Dean N6BV observes that USGS changes the data access websites 
for terrain data fairly frequently. This causes /MicroDEM /to fail or 
get the wrong stuff. Dean suggests "that you do a complete re-install of 
/MicroDEM /-- I suggest that you first uninstall the version you have on 
your computer now. Then go to 
www.usna.edu/Users/oceano/pguth/website/microdem/microdemdown.htm 
<http://www.usna.edu/Users/oceano/pguth/website/microdem/microdemdown.htm> 
and download the "Complete /MICRODEM /Install". Run it, followed by 
downloading the latest executable /microdem.exe/. This should properly 
install all the various files that /MicroDEM /needs to function 
properly." John VA7JW has written an impressive how-to guide 
<http://www.nsarc.ca/tech_archive/Articles/hfta.pdf> for /HFTA /and 
/MicroDEM /beginners that is worth reviewing. There is also a Potomac 
Valley Radio Club webinar on the process that has been archived 
<http://wwrof.org/category/webinar-archive> by the World Wide Radio 
Operators Foundation. USGS has confirmed that they have discontinued the 
GeoTIFF data format that contained the needed .GIF file, as a 
cost-cutting measure. For the moment, at least, you can still get 
un-updated GeoTIFF <http://www.mrlc.gov/viewerjs>. The default format is 
ArcGrid, just as it used to be direct from USGS, but you can modify your 
data request to change to GeoTIFF. (Thanks, Pete N4ZR)

*Technical Web Site of the Week* - This /Microwaves & RF/ magazine 
article 
<http://mwrf.com/passive-components/teams-apply-paper-folding-techniques-next-generation-antennas> 
on using origami paper-folding techniques to compress antennas is a 
great example of innovative thinking.

CONVERSATION

The Boundary Problem, Part One

As technology continues to drive widespread change throughout ham radio, 
radiosport is by no means immune. In fact, radiosport is on the 
"bleeding edge" of those changes in many instances. While adopting and 
inventing new technology is an important aspect of radiosport -- and of 
ham radio, generally -- it also presents continual challenges to our 
assumptions about how competitions are defined and organized.

A lot has changed since the early days of contesting when the edgy 
technology discussions were about 2 meter AM alerting channels and 
learning to hold the logging pencil while you sent code with a 
Hallicrafters HA-1 electronic keyer 
<http://www.ae5d.com/pdf/ha1.pdf%E2%80%8E> and single-lever paddle. Yet 
by and large, our categories are still more or less as they were a 
half-century ago with the sometimes-grudging addition of "assisted" 
classifications that create more confusion than clarity.

Not bad for those "line of sight" bands! These are the grids worked by 
the K8GP multioperator team in the ARRL September VHF Contest. (Map 
supplied by Google Maps)

Onward into the 21^st century -- do the new technologies of ubiquitous 
data and computer-controlled multi-radio shacks require a completely new 
game? Certainly, novel types of contests can and will be created but 
it's still necessary to agree on the basic definitions and 
relationships. That's usually where the trouble, er, fun begins. 
Addressing these questions is the topic of this multi-part series with 
the intent of encouraging discussions of where and how we go forward 
from here.

The basic architecture of radiosport contesting is defined by the 
following things; /boundaries/, the /information/ that crosses them, the 
/equipment/ within those boundaries, and the /operation/ of that equipment.

*/Boundaries/ *are the standard lines-on-a-map that have been around a 
long time. For instance, the CQ World Wide Contest rules 
<http://www.cqww.com/rules.htm> require all of the equipment to be 
within a 500-meter diameter circle and the ARRL's Affiliated Club 
Competition rules 
<http://www.arrl.org/general-rules-for-all-arrl-contests> specify a 
175-mile diameter circle for Unlimited and Medium clubs. Circles seem 
popular! We understand physical boundaries but what about other types? 
Abstract sorts of boundaries might also apply to off-site computing 
services or data-sharing in cyberspace somehow. Future contests will 
have to address these and similar issues.

*/Information/ *means any data or signals pertaining to other stations 
participating in the contest. This is a more inclusive way of referring 
to all of the radio signals, spotting information, Internet messages, 
telephone calls, etc that relate to what a station is doing, on or off 
the air. Contest rules can limit what information can be produced (power 
limits, bands of operation), what information can be received (limits on 
spots and non-radio communications like telephone calls), and specify 
what information must be exchanged and recorded. Contest rules can 
restrict the information allowed to cross boundaries, as well, and in 
either direction -- either incoming or outgoing.

*/Equipment/ *is any device or program used to generate, process, 
transmit, or receive information. Another broad group, this includes 
everything from the antenna to the software used to log contacts. Some 
contests place no restrictions on equipment -- use whatever you have. 
Other contests restrict the use of certain types of equipment, such as 
automated decoders or lockout devices. */Stations/* consist of equipment 
within a boundary defined by the contest sponsor.

*/Operation /*is the exercise of a control function on any of the 
equipment or use of information to affect a submitted log or score. In 
other words, how the equipment and information are used in order to 
produce the contest entry. */Operators /*are the entities (human or 
otherwise) that engage in operation. Well, duh! Why that fine 
distinction? Some contests might restrict the use of automated devices 
that perform control functions, such as spotting other stations. Or 
perhaps the rules specify whether the operator must be physically 
located within the station boundary.

That's plenty to get us started. It seems awfully basic but so are 
bricks and that's what buildings are made of. Creating a sturdy building 
requires good bricks and a plan for using them. And that's where we will 
pick up the thread next time!

73, Ward N?AX

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2014-02-12&p=2>
CONTESTS

*12 February through 25 February*

An expanded, downloadable version of QST's Contest Corral in PDF format 
<http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar> is available. Check the sponsor's 
Web site for information on operating time restrictions and other 
instructions.

*HF CONTESTS*

*/ARRL International CW DX Contest/*--CW, from Feb 15, 0000Z to Feb 16, 
2359Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RST, state/province or power. Logs 
due: Mar 18. Rules <http://www.arrl.org/contests>

*North American QSO Party RTTY*--Digital, from Feb 22, 1800Z to Feb 23, 
0600Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: Name and S/P/C. Logs due: 7 days. 
Rules <http://www.ncjweb.com/>

NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint--CW, from Feb 12, 0130Z to Feb 12, 0330Z. Bands 
(MHz): 3.5-14. Monthly on 2nd Tuesday or 3rd Wednesday local time 
(alternating). Exchange: RST, S/P/C, and NAQCC mbr nr or power. Logs 
due: 4 days. Rules <http://naqcc.info/>

CWops Monthly Mini-CWT Tests--CW, from Feb 12, 1300Z - See website. 
Multiple time periods. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Twice monthly on 2nd and 4th 
Wed, 28 to 38 kHz above band edge. Exchange: Name and member number or 
S/P/C. Logs due: 2 days. Rules <http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html>

PODXS 070 Club Valentine Sprint--Digital, from Feb 14, 8 PM to Feb 15, 2 
AM. Bands (MHz): 1.8-7. 1.807, 3.580, 7.070/7.035 EU/7.028 JA (MHz). 
Exchange: Name, OM or YL, S/P/C. Logs due: Feb 28. Rules 
<http://www.podxs070.com/>

Russian WW PSK Contest--Digital, from Feb 14, 2100Z to Feb 15, 2100Z. 
Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RST and oblast code or serial. Logs due: 
15 days. Rules <http://www.qrz.ru/contest/detail/384.html>

Feld-Hell Bingo Sprint--Digital, from Feb 15, 2000Z to Feb 15, 2200Z. 
Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50, Monthly on 3rd Saturday. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, 
Feld-Hell member nr. Logs due: 7 days. Rules <http://www.feldhellclub.org/>

Run For the Bacon--CW, from Feb 17, 0200Z to Feb 17, 0400Z. Bands (MHz): 
1.8-28. Monthly on 3rd Sunday night (local). Exchange: RST, S/P/C, 
Flying Pig nr or power. Rules <http://www.fpqrp.org/>

Semi-Automatic Key Evening--CW, from Feb 19, 1900Z to Feb 19, 2030Z. 
Bands (MHz): 3.5. Exchange: RST, serial, first year of bug use. Logs 
due: Mar 15. Rules <http://www.agcw.de/>

CQ WW 160 Meter SSB--Phone, from Feb 21, 2200Z to Feb 23, 2200Z. Bands 
(MHz): 1.8. Exchange: RST and state/province or CQ zone. Logs due: 5 
days. Rules <http://www.cq160.com/>

REF Contest--Phone, from Feb 22, 0600Z to Feb 23, 1800Z. Bands (MHz): 
3.5-28. Exchange: RS and French dept or serial. Logs due: 15 days. Rules 
<http://concours.ref-union.org/contest>

SARL Youth Day Sprint--Phone, from Feb 22, 0800Z to Feb 22, 1000Z. Bands 
(MHz): 7. Exchange: RS and age. Logs due: 7 days. Rules 
<http://www.sarl.org.za/>

UBA Contest--CW, from Feb 22, 1300Z to Feb 23, 1300Z. Bands (MHz): 
3.5-28. Exchange: RS, serial, and ON province. Logs due: 2 weeks. Rules 
<http://www.uba.be/en/hf/contest-rules>

North Carolina QSO Party--Phone,CW,Digital, from Feb 23, 1500Z to Feb 
24, 0059Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28, 50, 144, CW 3.54, 7.04, 7.14, 14.04, 
21.04, 28.04, 50.04, 144.04; Phone 3.86, 7.26, 14.26, 21.36, 28.36, 
50.16, 52.04(FM), 144.26, 146.58(FM) MHz. Exchange: NC county or S/P/C, 
RS(T) optional. Logs due: 15 days. Rules <http://rars.org/ncqsoparty>

CQC Winter QSO Party--Phone,CW, from Feb 24, 0100Z to Feb 24, 0259Z. 
Bands (MHz): 3.5-14. 3.560, 7.040, 14.060 MHz. Exchange: RS(T), S/P/C, 
name, CQC nr or power. Logs due: 30 days. Rules <http://www.cqc.org/>

*VHF+ CONTESTS*

Feld-Hell Bingo Sprint--Digital, from Feb 15, 2000Z to Feb 15, 2200Z. 
Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50, Monthly on 3rd Saturday. Exchange: RST, S/P/C, 
Feld-Hell member nr. Logs due: 7 days. Rules <http://www.feldhellclub.org/>

Maine 2m FM Simplex Challenge--Phone, from Feb 16, 1700Z to Feb 16, 
2100Z. Bands (MHz): 144, FM simplex frequencies only. Exchange: Call 
sign, power, city name. Logs due: 15 days. Rules 
<http://www.qsl.net/ws1sm/contest.html>

North Carolina QSO Party--Phone,CW,Digital, from Feb 23, 1500Z to Feb 
24, 0059Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28, 50, 144, CW 3.54, 7.04, 7.14, 14.04, 
21.04, 28.04, 50.04, 144.04; Phone 3.86, 7.26, 14.26, 21.36, 28.36, 
50.16, 52.04(FM), 144.26, 146.58(FM) MHz. Exchange: NC county or S/P/C, 
RS(T) optional. Logs due: 15 days. Rules <http://rars.org/ncqsoparty>

LOG DUE DATES

*12 February through 25 February*

  * February 13 - QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
  * February 14 - CQ WW RTTY WPX Contest
    <http://www.cqwpxrtty.com/rules.htm>
  * February 15 - Asia-Pacific Spring Sprint, CW
    <http://jsfc.org/apsprint/aprule.txt>
  * February 15 - WAB 1.8 MHz Phone
    <http://wab.intermip.net/Contest%20Rules.php#OtherRules>
  * February 15 - QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
  * February 15 - CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/onair.html>
  * February 15 - NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
    <http://naqcc.info/sprint201402.html>
  * February 16 - NCCC Sprint Ladder <http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html>
  * February 16 - SKCC Weekend Sprintathon
    <http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/>
  * February 17 - 10-10 Int. Winter Contest, SSB
    <http://www.ten-ten.org/Forms/QSO%20Party%20Rules.pdf>
  * February 17 - SARL Field Day Contest
    <http://www.sarl.org.za/Document_Store/CONT_20140101_SARL_Contest_Manual_2014.pdf>
  * February 18 - AWA Linc Cundall Memorial CW Contest
    <http://www.antiquewireless.org/uploads/1/6/1/2/16129770/2014_linc_cundall_rules.pdf>
  * February 18 - Hungarian DX Contest
    <http://www.ha-dx.com/HADX/html/rules_en.html>
  * February 19 - ARRL January VHF Contest <http://www.arrl.org/january-vhf>
  * February 19 - RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2014/r80mcc.shtml>
  * February 20 - Russian PSK WW Contest
    <http://www.epc-ru.ru/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=562&Itemid=192>
  * February 22 - Feld Hell Sprint
    <https://sites.google.com/site/feldhellclub/Home/contests/sprints/low-down-sprint>
  * February 22 - SARL Youth Day Sprint
    <http://www.sarl.org.za/Documents/SARL_Contest_Manual_2013_Issue_11.pdf>
  * February 23 - Run for the Bacon QRP Contest <http://fpqrp.org/pigrun/>
  * February 25 - RSGB 1st 1.8 MHz Contest
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2014/r1st-160m-2014.shtml>

ARRL Information

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's 
Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal> and SM3CER's 
Contest Calendar <http://www.sk3bg.se/contest>.

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The ARRL Contest Update is published every other Wednesday (26 times 
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editing their Member Data Page as described at 
http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/.

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From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Wed Feb 12 20:51:40 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 20:51:40 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Storm Prediction Center Severe
	Thunderstorm Watch 8
In-Reply-To: <CAG2HKPgz0+ist+ZeZVcaSbsdosRktgXy3zK=k_oAMVnTwwG_bg@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CAG2HKPgz0+ist+ZeZVcaSbsdosRktgXy3zK=k_oAMVnTwwG_bg@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <52FC252C.50207@bellsouth.net>

Repeater for skyward on this 146.835 back up 444.200
Tonight

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/ww0008.html


From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Thu Feb 13 13:08:22 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2014 13:08:22 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Ham Radio Fonts
Message-ID: <52FD0A16.5000806@bellsouth.net>

I found this interesting site - Bill W2CQ

http://www.g0hwc.com/ham_radio_fonts.html

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Fri Feb 14 11:09:05 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 11:09:05 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Car Radios...
In-Reply-To: <1392327141.94294.YahooMailNeo@web181103.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
References: <1392327141.94294.YahooMailNeo@web181103.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <52FE3FA1.5090201@bellsouth.net>


You might have read this story before. But it's such a cool story, I
thought I'd pass it on anyway.
>>
>>         HISTORY OF THE CAR RADIO
>>         Seems like cars have always had radios, but they didn't.
>>         Here's the story:
>>         One evening, in 1929, two young men named William Lear and Elmer
>>         Wavering drove their girlfriends to a lookout point high
>>         above the
>>         Mississippi River town of Quincy, Illinois, to watch the sunset.
>>         It was a romantic night to be sure, but one of the women
>>         observed that
>>         it would be even nicer if they could listen to music in the
>>         car. Lear
>>         and Wavering liked the idea. Both men had tinkered with
>>         radios (Lear
>>         served as a radio operator in the U. S. Navy during World War
>>         I) and it
>>         wasn't long before they were taking apart a home radio and
>>         trying to get
>>         it to work in a car.
>>         But it wasn't easy: automobiles have ignition switches,
>>         generators,
>>         spark plugs, and other electrical equipment that generate
>>         noisy static
>>         interference, making it nearly impossible to listen to the
>>         radio when
>>         the engine was running.
>>         One by one, Lear and Wavering identified and eliminated each
>>         source of
>>         electrical interference. When they finally got their radio to
>>         work, they
>>         took it to a radio convention in Chicago.
>>         There they met Paul Galvin, owner of Galvin Manufacturing
>>         Corporation.
>>         He made a product called a "battery eliminator", a device
>>         that allowed
>>         battery-powered radios to run on household AC current.
>>         But as more homes were wired for electricity, more radio
>>         manufacturers
>>         made AC-powered radios.
>>         Galvin needed a new product to manufacture. When he met Lear and
>>         Wavering at the radio convention, he found it. He believed that
>>         mass-produced, affordable car radios had the potential to
>>         become a huge
>>         business.
>>         Lear and Wavering set up shop in Galvin's factory, and when they
>>         perfected their first radio, they installed it in his Studebaker.
>>         Then Galvin went to a local banker to apply for a loan.
>>         Thinking it
>>         might sweeten the deal, he had his men install a radio in the
>>         banker's
>>         Packard.
>>         Good idea, but it didn't work - Half an hour after the
>>         installation, the
>>         banker's Packard caught on fire. (They didn't get the loan.)
>>         Galvin didn't give up. He drove his Studebaker nearly
>>         800 miles to Atlantic City to show off the radio at the
>>         1930 Radio Manufacturers Association convention.
>>         Too broke to afford a booth, he parked the car outside the
>>         convention
>>         hall and cranked up the radio so that passing conventioneers
>>         could hear
>>         it. That idea worked -- He got enough orders to put the radio
>>         into
>>         production.
>>         WHAT'S IN A NAME That first production model was called the 5T71.
>>         Galvin decided he needed to come up with something a little
>>         catchier. In
>>         those days many companies in the phonograph and radio
>>         businesses used
>>         the suffix "ola" for their names - Radiola, Columbiola, and
>>         Victrola
>>         were three of the biggest.
>>         Galvin decided to do the same thing, and since his radio was
>>         intended
>>         for use in a motor vehicle, he decided to call it theMotorola.
>>         But even with the name change, the radio still had problems:
>>         When
>>         Motorola went on sale in 1930, it cost about $110
>>         uninstalled, at a time
>>         when you could buy a brand-new car for $650, and the country
>>         was sliding
>>         into the Great Depression.
>>         (By that measure, a radio for a new car would cost about
>>         $3,000 today.)
>>         In 1930, it took two men several days to put in a car radio
>>         -- The
>>         dashboard had to be taken apart so that the receiver and a
>>         single
>>         speaker could be installed, and the ceiling had to be cut
>>         open to
>>         install the antenna.
>>         These early radios ran on their own batteries, not on the car
>>         battery,
>>         so holes had to be cut into the floorboard to accommodate them.
>>         The installation manual had eight complete diagrams and 28
>>         pages of
>>         instructions. Selling complicated car radios that cost 20
>>         percent of the
>>         price of a brand-new car wouldn't have been easy in the best
>>         of times,
>>         let alone during the Great Depression -
>>         Galvin lost money in 1930 and struggled for a couple of years
>>         after
>>         that. But things picked up in 1933 when Ford began offering
>>         Motorola's
>>         pre-installed at the factory.
>>         In 1934 they got another boost when Galvin struck a deal with
>>         B. F.
>>         Goodrich tire company to sell and install them in its chain
>>         of tire stores.
>>         By then the price of the radio, with installation included,
>>         had dropped
>>         to $55. The Motorola car radio was off and running.
>>         (The name of the company would be officially changed from Galvin
>>         Manufacturing to "Motorola" in 1947.)
>>         In the meantime, Galvin continued to develop new uses for car
>>         radios. In
>>         1936, the same year that it introduced push-button tuning, it
>>         also
>>         introduced the Motorola Police Cruiser, a standard car radio
>>         that was
>>         factory preset to a single frequency to pick up police
>>         broadcasts.
>>         In 1940 he developed the first handheld two-way radio
>>         -- The Handy-Talkie - for the U. S. Army.
>>         A lot of the communications technologies that we take for
>>         granted today
>>         were born in Motorola labs in the years that followed World
>>         War II.
>>         In 1947 they came out with the first television for under $200.
>>         In 1956 the company introduced the world's first pager; in
>>         1969 came the
>>         radio and television equipment that was used to televise Neil
>>         Armstrong's first steps on the Moon.
>>         In 1973 it invented the world's first handheld cellular phone.
>>         Today Motorola is one of the largest cell phone manufacturers
>>         in the world.
>>         And it all started with the car radio.
>>         WHATEVER HAPPENED TO the two men who installed the first
>>         radio in Paul
>>         Galvin's car?
>>         Elmer Wavering and William Lear, ended up taking very
>>         different paths in
>>         life.
>>         Wavering stayed with Motorola. In the 1950's he helped change
>>         the
>>         automobile experience again when he developed the first
>>         automotive
>>         alternator, replacing inefficient and unreliable generators. The
>>         invention lead to such luxuries as power windows, power
>>         seats, and,
>>         eventually, air-conditioning.
>>         Lear also continued inventing. He holds more than 150
>>         patents. Remember
>>         eight-track tape players? Lear invented that.
>>         But what he's really famous for are his contributions to the
>>         field of
>>         aviation. He invented radio direction finders for planes,
>>         aided in the
>>         invention of the autopilot, designed the first fully
>>         automatic aircraft
>>         landing system, and in 1963 introduced his most famous
>>         invention of all,
>>         the Lear Jet, the world's first mass-produced, affordable
>>         business jet.
>>         (Not bad for a guy who dropped out of school after the eighth
>>         grade.)
>>         Sometimes it is fun to find out how some of the many things
>>         that we take
>>         for granted actually came into being!
>>         AND
>>         It all started with a woman's suggestion!!
>>

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Fri Feb 14 13:03:34 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 13:03:34 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] New issue of the Free Online Magazine
 AntenTop (devoted to Antennas and Amateur Radio
Message-ID: <52FE5A76.2040406@bellsouth.net>

 From QRZ...

Read About It First:

http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?424577-New-issue-of-the-Free-Online-Magazine-AntenTop-%28devoted-to-Antennas-and-Amateur-Radio

Or Get It Now...
You can get the issue at: http://www.antentop.org/017/cont017.htm

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Tue Feb 18 08:11:11 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 08:11:11 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] WV4I - Link McGarity SK
In-Reply-To: <ldug7r+tl32mm@YahooGroups.com>
References: <ldug7r+tl32mm@YahooGroups.com>
Message-ID: <53035BEF.2090100@bellsouth.net>


It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Link McGarity, 
WV4I this afternoon.

Quoted from the Sun-Sentinel tonight "A longtime pilot who flew 
helicopters for the Marines and commercial planes forAmerican Airlines 
<http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/economy-business-finance/transportation-industry/air-transportation-industry/american-airlines-PLENT000002.topic>died 
Monday after his new plane ? a small, blue and yellow homebuilt aircraft 
he proudly showed his neighbors just months earlier ? crashed into a 
lake near hisWellington 
<http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news/wellington?track=tax-wellington> 
home.

It happened just before 1 p.m. near the end of the runway at the private 
Wellington 
<http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news/wellington?track=tax-wellington> Aero 
Club, where the pilot lived. He was in the plane alone when he crashed 
and had been practicing landings, what pilots call "touch and gos," FAA 
spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said."

To me, flying seemed to be his main love, behind his 2 teenage 
daughters, then ham radio.
We would talk many mornings while he drove his daughters to school, and 
I will miss hearing him on the repeaters.

Link was one of the founding Directors of the Palms West Amateur Radio 
Club and has done many presentations for us over the years. His 
knowledge of HF antennas and SDR radios made him an invaluable resource 
to our club.

Out thoughts are with his family tonight as they struggle to come to 
grips with this loss.

Link: may the wind be beneath your wings and the bands be long my 
friend, 73 de KS4EC


From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Tue Feb 18 09:58:06 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:58:06 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Looking For Ham Software...?
In-Reply-To: <53037490.2000800@bellsouth.net>
References: <53037490.2000800@bellsouth.net>
Message-ID: <530374FE.8070301@bellsouth.net>

Links to Ham Radio Sound Card Software

http://www.westmountainradio.com/content.php?page=links


From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Tue Feb 18 09:59:51 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:59:51 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] RTTY App for your Smartphone
Message-ID: <53037567.6010809@bellsouth.net>

DroidRTTY is an application to decode and encode Ham Radio RTTY.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wolphi.rtty

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Fri Feb 21 08:45:29 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2014 08:45:29 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The ARRL Letter for February 20, 2014
In-Reply-To: <20140220212410.506902503D@bmail.arrl.org>
References: <20140220212410.506902503D@bmail.arrl.org>
Message-ID: <53075879.7060805@bellsouth.net>


Preview

If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2014-02-20

The ARRL Letter

February 20, 2014
Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME <mailto:ww1me 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/>

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2014-02-20&t=t>

  * /ARRL Centennial/: FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, to
    Keynote ARRL Centennial Banquet <#toc01>
  * /ARRL Centennial/: Orlando HamCation? "a Grand Success" as First
    ARRL Regional Centennial Convention <#toc02>
  * /ARRL Centennial/: W1AW Centennial Operations in Michigan, Florida
    Until February 26 <#toc03>
  * /Regulatory/: FCC Proposes to Fine Texas Radio Amateur $7000 for
    Malicious Interference <#toc04>
  * /Regulatory:/ FCC, Manufacturer Conclude Consent Decree on Marketing
    of Noncompliant Device <#toc05>
  * /Radiosport/: Make Your Voice Heard During the ARRL International DX
    Contest (Phone)! <#toc06>
  * /Clubs/: Arecibo Observatory Club to Establish New Amateur Radio
    Station <#toc07>
  * /Clubs/: ARRL Atlantic Division Adds Resources to Aid Amateur Radio
    Clubs <#toc08>
  * /Your League/: Two ARRL Sections Getting New Section Managers,
    Virginia SM Re-Elected <#toc09>
  * /Public Service/: Florida Panhandle County ARES Activates for Winter
    Storm <#toc10>
  * /Tower Safety/: Idaho Ham Seriously Injured in Tower Mishap <#toc11>
  * /Radio History: /A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL <#toc12>
  * The K7RA Solar Update <#toc13>
  * *In Brief
    * <#toc14>
  * Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc15>
  * Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
    <#toc16>

/ARRL Centennial/: FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, to Keynote 
ARRL Centennial Banquet

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA <http://www.fema.gov/>) 
Administrator W. Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, will be the keynote speaker at 
the ARRL Centennial Banquet on July 18 in Hartford, Connecticut. The 
event is among the highlights of the ARRL Centennial Convention 
<http://ARRL2014.org> July 17-19 at the Connecticut Convention Center.

"We are fortunate that Director Fugate has agreed to serve as our 
keynote speaker," said ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN. "Not only does 
he bring his wealth of experience in public service and emergency 
communications to the table, but as a licensee he has a good 
understanding of the value that the Amateur Radio Service can offer."

FEMA Adminstrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ

A native of Gainesville, Florida, Fugate has headed FEMA since 2009. 
Under his leadership, FEMA has promoted a "whole community" approach to 
emergency management to build sustainable and resilient communities. 
This tactic emphasizes collaboration with all levels of government as 
well as with external partners, including volunteer agencies, 
faith-based organizations, the private sector, and individuals.

Prior to coming to FEMA, Fugate served as Director of the Florida 
Division of Emergency Management. He was Florida's Coordinating Officer 
for 11 declared disasters that involved the management of some $4.5 
billion in federal disaster assistance. In 2004, Fugate managed the 
largest federal disaster response in Florida history as four major 
hurricanes -- Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne -- affected the state 
in quick succession. Additional disasters arose in 2005, as three more 
hurricanes -- Dennis, Katrina, and Wilma -- made landfall in the state. 
Fugate has been an Amateur Radio licensee since 2012.

ARRL Centennial Banquet tickets and advance convention registration are 
available through the ARRL Centennial Convention website 
<http://ARRL2014.org> <http://ARRL2014.org>. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fema-administrator-craig-fugate-kk4inz-to-keynote-arrl-centennial-banquet>.

/ARRL Centennial/: Orlando HamCation? "a Grand Success" as First ARRL 
Regional Centennial Convention

Orlando HamCation <http://www.hamcation.com/>? -- the inaugural ARRL 
Regional Centennial Convention -- was "a grand success," according to 
ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN. She headed up the contingent 
representing the League at the February 7-9 event in Florida. The 68th 
HamCation was the first of six such regional events planned to mark the 
League's 100th anniversary celebration this year.

ARRL Circulation/Member Services Manager Yvette Vinci, KC1AIM (left), 
with ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, at the Orlando HamCation.

"There was a really good vibe among the people I met at this event, and 
it was a fine kick-off to the series of regional centennial 
conventions," said Craigie, who noted that this was her first visit to 
the Orlando ham radio gathering. She deemed attendance excellent. "The 
crowd was so thick on Saturday, especially, that I was reminded of my 
early visits to Dayton, when you could walk around inside the building 
and not be able to see your own feet for minutes at a time."

The ARRL President said the crowds around the ARRL both kept everyone 
busy. On hand from ARRL Headquarters were Chief Development Officer Mary 
Hobart, K1MMH; Sales and Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, and 
Circulation/Member Services Manager Yvette Vinci, KC1AIM.

Hobart agreed with Craigie's attendance assessment. "The attendance 
seemed very robust," she said, adding that the ARRL forum was packed. "I 
spent my time in the meet-and-greet area with Kay and other dignitaries, 
mostly handing out Centennial coins -- about 2000 of them! They are very 
much in demand."

W100AW/4 was on the air during the Orlando HamCation.

Craigie reported hearing "a lot of enthusiastic comments" regarding the 
ongoing W1AW portable operations. "Also, I met a number of people whom 
I've worked in the ARRL Centennial QSO Party 
<http://www.arrl.org/centennial-qso-party>," she added. Special event 
station W100AW/4 was on the air from the event throughout the weekend. 
Both Craigie and Hobart said that many visitors told them they planned 
to be at the ARRL Centennial Convention <http://www.arrl2014.org> in 
Hartford this July.

"The mood was very upbeat," Hobart said, "and I hope it will be 
duplicated at the other regional conventions this year. As the first of 
the six, it was certainly a success."

President Craigie greets some visitors to the ARRL booth at Orlando 
HamCation.

HamCation 2014 Chairman Peter Meijers, AI4KM, estimated that some 12,000 
visitors attended the event, sponsored by the Orlando Amateur Radio Club 
(OARC <http://www.oarc.org>). "It was a great honor to host the first of 
the regional ARRL Centennial Events at HamCation," Meijers said. "In 
spite of bad weather throughout the US -- including Orlando -- 
attendance was nearly the same as last year's HamCation." Meijers 
thanked everyone "who worked hard all year to make HamCation 2014 a 
success."

The next ARRL Centennial Regional Convention will be at Dayton 
Hamvention <http://www.hamvention.org>? May 16-18. Sanctioning the 
regional Centennial conventions was aimed in part at taking the ARRL 
Centennial celebration to more radio amateurs across the US, encouraging 
greater awareness of the anniversary as well as participation by members 
who may not be able to attend the National Centennial Convention. The 
events also give greater visibility to the all-volunteer ARRL Field 
Organization, generating greater interest in League membership, program, 
services and publications, and helping to promote the ARRL's Second 
Century Campaign <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-second-century-campaign>.

The other upcoming ARRL Centennial Regional Conventions are:

SEA-PAC <http://www.seapac.org> -- Seaside, Oregon, June 6-8, 2014

Ham-Com <http://www.hamcom.org> -- Plano, Texas, June 13-14, 2014

Huntsville Hamfest <http://www.hamfest.org> -- Huntsville, Alabama, 
August 16-17, 2014

Pacificon <http://pacificon.org> -- Santa Clara, California, October 
10-12, 2014

/ARRL Centennial/: W1AW Centennial Operations in Michigan, Florida Until 
February 26

The ARRL Centennial "W1AW WAS 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/On%20the%20Air/W1AW_2014_sked.pdf>" 
operations that are taking place throughout 2014 from each of the 50 
states are in Michigan (W1AW/8) and Florida (W1AW/4). They will remain 
in those states until 0000 UTC on Wednesday, February 26 (the evening of 
February 25 in US time zones), when they will relocate to Washington 
(W1AW/7) and Kansas (W1AW/0).

During 2014 W1AW will be on the air from every state (at least twice) 
and most US territories, and it will be easy to work all states solely 
by contacting W1AW portable operations.

In conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the ARRL, the ARRL 
Centennial QSO Party <http://www.arrl.org/centennial-qso-party> kicked 
off January 1 for a year-long operating event in which participants can 
accumulate points and win awards. The event is open to all, although 
only ARRL members and appointees, elected officials, HQ staff and W1AW 
are worth ARRL Centennial QSO Party points 
<http://www.arrl.org/centennial-qso-party#Table>. Working W1AW/x from 
each state is worth 5 points per contact.

To earn the "Worked all States with W1AW Award," work W1AW operating 
portable from all 50 states. (Working W1AW or W100AW in Connecticut does 
/not/ count for Connecticut, however. For award credit, participants 
must work W1AW/1 in Connecticut.) A W1AW WAS certificate and plaque will 
be available.

/Regulatory/: FCC Proposes to Fine Texas Radio Amateur $7000 for 
Malicious Interference

The FCC has issued a /Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture/ 
(/NAL/ 
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-14-204A1.pdf>) to 
James R. Winstead, KD5OZY, of Coleman, Texas, after determining that 
Winstead "apparently willfully violated" FCC rules by interfering with 
Amateur Radio communications. The Commission proposed a $7000 fine. The 
action was in response to complaints from other radio amateurs of 
intentional interference on 7.195 MHz.

According to the /NAL/, released February 19, an agent from the 
Commission's Dallas Office on January 21 used direction-finding 
techniques to positively identify the source of the interfering 
transmissions as Winstead's address. After monitoring the transmissions 
from the station for about a half-hour, the agent heard Winstead, an 
Amateur Extra class licensee, "replay multiple times short sentences or 
conversations that had just been transmitted, and occasionally speak the 
word 'George.'"

"Mr Winstead replayed recorded conversations so frequently that other 
licensees were unable to complete their conversations," the /NAL/ 
stated. The agent estimated that Winstead disrupted approximately 20 
minutes of conversation over a 30 minute period by making up to 15 
minutes of short transmissions. The agent subsequently inspected 
Winstead's station, observing that his radio equipment was tuned to 
7.195 Mhz.

"During the inspection, Mr Winstead showed the agent how he recorded and 
retransmitted other amateur licensees' communications," the FCC said. 
"He also admitted that he intentionally interfered with amateur 
communications on 7.195 MHz and had an ongoing disagreement with another 
amateur licensee named George."

The FCC said the evidence in the case was sufficient to establish that 
Winstead had violated Section 333 of the Communications Act of 1934 and 
Section 97.101(d) of the FCC Amateur Service rules. Both sections 
prohibit willful and malicious interference to radio communications. 
Citing its /Forfeiture Policy Statement/ and Section 1.80 of the rules, 
the FCC determined that Winstead was liable for a $7000 forfeiture. "We 
caution Mr Winstead, however, that future violations of this kind may 
result in significantly higher forfeitures," the FCC stressed. Winstead 
has 30 days to pay or contest the fine.

On his QRZ.com page <http://www.qrz.com/db/KD5OZY>, Winstead describes 
himself as "an electronics technician for about 27 years" and a ham for 
about 12 years.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2014-02-20&p=0>
/Regulatory:/ FCC, Manufacturer Conclude Consent Decree on Marketing of 
Noncompliant Device

The FCC and the manufacturer of a device that wirelessly reports propane 
tank levels have entered into a /Consent Decree/ 
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2014/db0207/DA-14-102A1.pdf> 
that concludes an investigation into whether the company had been 
marketing a noncompliant RF device. It also provides a window into how 
the Commission occasionally resolves certain enforcement proceedings. 
The EnerTrac "Big Drops System" operated as an unlicensed Part 15 
intentional radiator on 433 MHz; the manufacturer has since shifted to a 
licensed Part 90 frequency. According to the terms of the arrangement, 
EnerTrac will admit no wrongdoing, agree not to break the rules in the 
future, and make a "voluntary contribution" of $13,000 to the US 
Treasury. In return the FCC will drop the entire matter.

"After reviewing the terms of the /Consent Decree/ and evaluating the 
facts before us," the FCC said, "we find that the public interest would 
be served by adopting the /Consent Decree/ and terminating the 
investigation.

As the FCC pointed out in the /Consent Decree/, intentional radiators 
must first receive FCC certification before being marketed in the US. 
Part 15 rules prescribe the maximum field strength emission limits for 
"periodic operation of intentional radiators that transmit at certain 
frequencies, including frequencies in the 433 MHz band," the FCC 
explained. While the Amateur Service enjoys privileges on 70 centimeters 
on a secondary basis, many unlicensed Part 15 devices operate in the 
vicinity of 433 MHz on a non-interference basis.

Prior to marketing the Big Drops System, EnerTrac submitted relevant 
information and a sample device to the FCC's Office of Engineering and 
Technology (OET). The OET certified the device as being in compliance 
with Part 15 rules.

In July 2012, the FCC received a complaint that the Big Drops System was 
not operating within the terms of its authorization. The Commission 
issued a /Letter of Inquiry/ to EnerTrac, which reminded the FCC that 
the 433 MHz Big Drops System had been tested for compliance with Part 15 
rules and had been certified by the FCC. The OET tested the system, 
however, and determined that it exceeded Part 15 emission limits, 
suggesting that there may have been differences between the unit tested 
for certification purposes and the version that EnerTrac marketed.

Subsequently EnerTrac told the FCC that the devices it was marketing 
"had the same radio frequency characteristics as the device certified" 
and the device the OET tested. EnerTrac further reported that it had 
ceased marketing the 433 MHz Big Drops System in November 2012 and had 
begun marketing a new Part 90 (Private Land Mobile Radio Services) 
device to replace it.

In terminating its investigation, the FCC Enforcement Bureau agreed that 
"in the absence of new material evidence," it would not use facts 
developed in the investigation to institute a new proceeding or take 
action against EnerTrac concerning matters that were at the heart of the 
investigation. The bureau also said it would not use any of the findings 
of its investigation in determining EnerTrac's basic qualifications to 
hold FCC licenses or authorizations.

Among other stipulations, EnerTrac, in turn, agreed to pull its 433 MHz 
Big Drops System devices out of service by the end of 2017. The company 
would have to remove immediately any device that is the subject of a 
complaint of unlawful interference, however. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-and-manufacturer-conclude-consent-decree-on-marketing-of-noncompliant-device>.

/Radiosport/: Make Your Voice Heard During the ARRL International DX 
Contest (Phone)!

The SSB weekend of the ARRL International DX Contest 
<http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx> is March 1-2 (UTC), and the DX will be 
looking for /you/! In this major event on the radiosport calendar, 
operators in the US and Canada work stations everywhere else in the 
world. It's not only an opportunity to pit your station and operating 
skills against those of your peers but to expand your knowledge of 
propagation on the HF and MF bands and tweak your contesting skills.

Bob Wood, W5AJ, was among the operators at P40P during the 2013 ARRL 
International DX Contest (phone).

W/VE amateurs work as many DX stations in as many DXCC entities as 
possible on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters, while DX stations work 
as many US and Canadian stations in as many of the 48 contiguous US 
states and Canadian provinces as possible. US and Canadian stations send 
a signal report and their state or province abbreviation. DX stations 
send a signal report and output power.

There are entry categories for individual operators and multioperator 
teams as well as a choice of power levels in each category, from QRP to 
full legal limit.

There's a place for Big Guns, Little Pistols and everyone in between in 
this contest. The excitement and enthusiasm levels will be high, and 
it's a terrific opportunity to boost DXCC totals too.//

/Clubs/: Arecibo Observatory Club to Establish New Amateur Radio Station

The Arecibo Observatory Amateur Radio Club (KP4AO) is setting up a new 
Amateur Radio station in the facility's Angel Ramos Visitor Center 
exhibition hall. Club President Angel Vazquez, WP3R, said the new 
station will offer an opportunity to showcase ham radio to the thousands 
who visit the observatory each year. Picture 
<https://exchange.arrl.org/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>The announcement 
came during a behind-the-scenes tour of the deep-space radiotelescope 
campus, held in conjunction with the recent ARRL Puerto Rico Section 
Convention in Hatillo.

On behalf of Yaesu, Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, donated a new FTdx1200 
transceiver to the new KP4AO station, while the Caribbean Amateur Radio 
Group presented the club with a banner for the new station.

(L-R) ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN; Southeastern Division Assistant 
Director Jos? "Otis" Vic?ns, NP4G; Jos? "Coki",Montijo, WP4OV, of the 
Caribbean Amateur Radio Group; ?ngel V?zquez, WP3R, Director of 
Operations of the Arecibo Observatory and President of the KP4AO Amateur 
Radio Club, and Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, of Yaesu, flank the new 
KP4AO banner.

Among those on hand to spin the dial on the new transceiver were ARRL 
President Kay Craigie, N3KN; Southeastern Division Director Doug Rehman, 
K4AC; Southeastern Division Assistant Director Jose Vicens, NP4G; 
Pacific Division Assistant Director John Bigley, N7UR; Puerto Rico 
Section Manage Rene Fonseca, NP3O, and others on the tour. The ARRL 
contingent presented the observatory station with a Centennial edition 
of /The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications/.

As for the convention, "Wow, what a weekend we had!" was the reaction of 
Angel Luis Santana, WP3GW, ARRL Public Information Coordinator for the 
Puerto Rico Section. "A great success!"

The Arecibo Observatory recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, and 
KP4AO hosted a special event for the occasion. The new KP4AO station is 
expected to be completed in about 3 months.

/Clubs/: ARRL Atlantic Division Adds Resources to Aid Amateur Radio Clubs

The ARRL Atlantic Division leadership has created additional resources 
to assist clubs in such areas as growing and maintaining membership, 
club management, club newsletters, and meeting presentations. ARRL 
Atlantic Division Director Bill Edgar, N3LLR, said he'd heard from clubs 
in his division who were seeking resources aside from "the excellent 
club resources" the ARRL already offers.

ARRL Atlantic Division Director Bill Edgar, N3LLR.

"To that end, we have created a number of Amateur Radio discussion 
forums and file libraries to help clubs with that process," Edgar said.

These forums are in the "Amateur Radio Forums" section of the BFDIN 
Forums <http://www.bfdinforums.net> site. Current Amateur Radio 
discussion forums include:

? *Amateur Radio Emergency Communications* -- Topics of interest to 
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES?) members and to other emergency 
communication/public service groups.

*? Amateur Radio Presentations* -- A forum where participants may upload 
programs on Amateur Radio-related topics to share with other clubs, who 
can download and use these presentations for their own meeting programs.

*? Club Management* -- Discussion of club management issues, such as 
meeting topics, elections, recruiting, classes, etc.

*? Club Newsletters* -- Discussion and sharing of club newsletter articles.

*? Digital Modes* -- Discussion of digital-mode topics and the sharing 
of macros and software.

*? Hamfest Management* -- Discussion of hamfest management topics.

*? NTS* -- Discussion of message handling and the National Traffic 
System (NTS).

On each forum are individuals knowledgeable in the forum topic who will 
help to moderate the discussion. Moderators also will assist in keeping 
the conversation flowing and on topic.

These forums are open at no cost to /all/ Amateur Radio operators -- 
regardless of ARRL Division -- who are club officers, club members, or 
interested in starting an Amateur Radio club. The BFDIN Forums site also 
includes an "Amateur Radio General Discussion" forum that is open to 
prospective radio amateurs.

Participants will be asked to create a user account by registering your 
first initial + last name or your call sign as your login. Once users 
create an account, they will be asked by e-mail to confirm their e-mail 
account and account setup.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2014-02-20&p=1>
/Your League/: Two ARRL Sections Getting New Section Managers, Virginia 
SM Re-Elected

Karl Bowman, W4CHX, of Raleigh, is the new ARRL North Carolina Section 
Manager, effective on February 20. Outgoing SM Bill Morine, N2COP, of 
Wilmington, decided not to run for another term after serving since 
2010. Although his term did not end until April 1, Morine asked to step 
down early, due to business and personal commitments, and let Bowman 
step in. Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, 
reviewed Morine's recommendation and consulted with Roanoke Division 
Director Dennis Bodson, W4PWF, before making the appointment official.

In Louisiana, Jim Molan, KD5IGG, of Bunkie, will succeed Jim Coleman, 
AI5B, as Section Manager on April 1. Coleman decided not to run again 
after serving a 2 year term, and Molan was the only candidate. Molan 
brings to the office his experience as Assistant Section Manager, 
Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator, and District Emergency Coordinator.

In the only contested Section Manager race of this election cycle, 
Virginia Section Manager Carl Clements, W4CAC, was re-elected to a new 
term. He received 789 votes, and his opponent, Anthony Harbour, KG4YXP, 
of Ridgeway, polled 568 votes. Ballots were counted on February 18 at 
ARRL Headquarters.

Clements, who lives in Portsmouth, has been Section Manager continuously 
since 2008, and he served previously as SM from 2001 until 2006. His new 
2 year term begins on April 1.

The following incumbent ARRL Section Managers did not face opposition 
and were declared elected for new terms of office beginning on April 1: 
Pete Cecere, N2YJZ, Eastern New York; Robert B. Famiglio, K3RF, Eastern 
Pennsylvania; Bob Schneider, AH6J, Pacific; Steve Early, AD6VI, San 
Diego, and Chris Stallkamp, W0ADZ, South Dakota.

/Public Service/: Florida Panhandle County ARES Activates for Winter Storm

Winter storms may be rare in Florida, but icy conditions in late January 
prompted Escambia County Emergency Management to activate its emergency 
operations center (EOC). ARES also was called out and remained activated 
until January 30.

Rain on January 27 had turned to freezing rain, sleet, and snow, causing 
icy conditions on roads and bridges. All Interstate highways, most 
bridges, and many roads in the Pensacola area were closed due to 
hazardous icing.

Escambia County ARES was active for 61 hours during this weather event, 
with 46 Amateur Radio operators volunteering. Nine ARES members staffed 
the ARES room at the EOC at various times. Two shelters opened. An EMS 
need request was handled via Amateur Radio, and reports on weather and 
road conditions were sent in by operators in the affected area.

Amateurs also assisted motorists and truckers with road and bridge 
condition reports and directions on both a 2 meter amateur repeater and 
on CB radio. ARES operators submitted eight ARES situation reports.

ARES used HF voice via the Northern Florida ARES Net and Northern 
Florida Phone Net, and set up a tactical net on a VHF repeater. ARES 
operators also employed digital modes, including APRS, which was used to 
track at least one ARES member during travel to and from the EOC. Radio 
e-mail on HF via /Winlink/ and D-STAR were tested. CB radio was also 
used to give directions and reports to truckers navigating from 
Interstate 10 to US Route 90, which was open. -- /ARRL Northern Florida 
Section News via the /ARES E-Letter <http://www.arrl.org/ares-e-letter>

/Tower Safety/: Idaho Ham Seriously Injured in Tower Mishap

Robert "Bearpaw" Galindo, KE7ADT, of Athol, Idaho, was critically 
injured February 13 when the winching cable of his 40 foot crank-up 
tower snapped while he was working on the tower. Galindo, 52, a General 
class licensee and ARRL member, was reported trapped and dangling 20 
feet in the air when rescue crews arrived at his home. His wife, Gail 
Perry, KE7ADN, witnessed the accident and called 911. The mishap 
resulted in the loss of Galindo's right hand and several fingers of his 
left hand.

Timberlake Fire Protection District officials reported that rescuers had 
to raise the upper tower sections to extricate Galindo. He was 
transported by helicopter to a hospital in Coeur d'Alene, where he 
underwent surgery. Galindo was listed in critical condition following 
the surgery and was expected to remain hospitalized for several days. 
--/Thanks to John Bigley, N7UR, //Nevada Amateur Radio Newswire/ 
<http://www.nevadahamradio.com/>

/Radio History: /A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL

Following the resumption of Amateur Radio activities after World War I 
ensued a thundering herd of advances in the state of the Amateur Radio 
art. Here are some highlights from that period.

*April 1922* -- The first contact was made between California and 
Hawaii. *September 1922* -- 1CCZ worked every US call district in one 
night, the first time that had ever been accomplished. *November 1922* 
-- Another record-breaking relay was accomplished, from 1AW to 9AWM to 
Hawaiian 6ZAC and back to 1AW in 4 minutes 18 seconds.

*June 1923* -- The first expedition using Amateur Radio sailed. The 
schooner /Bowdoin/ (WNP) had Don Mix, 1TS, aboard as its operator. This 
and later /Bowdoin/ expeditions were searching for the land mass that 
was thought to exist at the North Pole. *September 1923* -- VK2CM 
contacted ZL4AA (a 1500 mile path), with VK2CM running 4 /milliwatts/ on 
CW! *November 1923* -- 1MO and 1XAM worked F8AB, the first transatlantic 
contact. *December 1923* -- 1EH made contacts with England, Italy, and 
Holland.

*May 1924* -- The first contact was made between New Zealand and 
Argentina, a new DX record of 6400 miles. The same month saw the first 
contact between North and South America. *July 1924* -- All previous 
shortwave work had required "experimental" licenses. After considerable 
groundwork by the ARRL, the government allowed shortwave work by all 
amateurs, with band assignments of 1.5 to 2.0, 3.5 to 4.0, 7.0 to 8.0, 
14.0 to 16.0, and 56.0 to 64.0 MHz. *September 1924* -- The first 
confirmed contact was made between California and New Zealand. *December 
1924* -- The first /daylight/ transcontinental signals were heard, from 
Connecticut to California, as John Reinartz, 1QP, made experimental 
transmissions on the new 20 meter band.

*April 1925* -- The first published article on the theory of shortwave 
propagation appeared in /QST/, authored by John Reinartz, 1QP. Also in 
April, the International Amateur Radio Union was formed at a conference 
in Paris, and Hiram Percy Maxim was elected as its first president. *May 
1925* -- The first contact was made between Australia and England, 
during daylight hours on 20 meters.

*April 1926* -- The Worked All Continents award was first offered; it 
garnered eight initial members.

*May 1927* -- The first annual ARRL DX Contest was held.

*March 1928* -- The 10 meter band was opened to Amateur Radio use.

These were just a few highlights from that wonderful era of advancement 
of the radio art by amateurs. Next week: On to the 1930s. /-- Al 
Brogdon, W1AB/

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2014-02-20&p=2>
The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: Earth's geomagnetic field 
has been very active. On February 19 at 0234 UTC the Australian Space 
Forecast Centre issued this warning: "Increased geomagnetic activity 
expected for February 19." Then on February 20 at 0439 UTC, the Centre 
issued an identical warning for February 20. This was the result of two 
coronal mass ejections in 2 days.

[SOHO Image]

The planetary A index went to 47 on February 19, the result of K index 
readings of 5 and 6 over most of the day. The high latitude college A 
index in Alaska was 57, and two of the 3 hour College K index readings 
were 7.

Average daily solar flux decreased from 171.9 to 158.7 on February 
13-19, when compared to the previous seven days, February 6-12.

Over the same periods average daily sunspot numbers declined from 184.3 
to 140.4.

Predicted planetary A index is 10, 15 and 10 on February 20-22, 5 on 
February 23-24, 7 on February 25-27, 5 on February 28 through March 8, 
10 on March 9, then 5 and 8 on March 10-11, 5 on March 12-15, 12 on 
March 16, and 5 on March 17-23.

Predicted solar flux is 160, 165 and 170 on February 20-22, 175 on 
February 23-27, 170 on February 28 through March 2, 175 on March 3-6, 
then 170, 165, 160, 155 and 150 on March 7-11, 145 on March 12-15, 150 
and 145 on March 16-17, and 135 on March 18-20. Solar flux is expected 
to peak again at 175 on March 30 through April 7.

In Friday's bulletin we will have reader reports and observations from 
the recent ARRL International CW DX Contest and more, including a look 
at a new online tool from NOAA which does short term predictions of 
Northern Hemisphere aurora, in vivid real-time graphic format.

Send <mailto:k7ra at arrl.net> me your reports and observations!

*In Brief
*

? *Visalia International DX Convention to Include DX University* The DX 
University <http://www.dxuniversity.com/> will conduct a DXing session 
Friday, April 4, at the International DX Convention in Visalia, 
California. DX University faculty members include well-known DX 
luminaries. This DX University session will be in two parts. The morning 
session will consist of presentations aimed at less-experienced DXers. 
The afternoon session will be a seminar on more advanced DXing and 
DXpeditioning topics. Register 
<http://www.dxuniversity.com/classroom/scheduled.php> for the morning or 
afternoon session for $35 each or for the entire day for $55. /-- Thanks 
to Wayne Mills, N7NG///

*? Central States VHF Society Issues Call for Papers, Presentations*: 
The Central States VHF Society (CSVHFS <http://www.csvhfs.org/>) is 
soliciting <http://www.csvhfs.org/2014conference/2014callforpapers.html> 
papers, presentations, and poster displays for the 48th annual CSVHFS 
Conference <http://www.csvhfs.org/2014conference/>, July 25-27, 2014. 
These may pertain to all aspects of VHF and above Amateur Radio 
operating. Those submitting do not need to attend the conference nor 
present their papers to have them included in the /Conference 
Proceedings/. Posters will be displayed during the conference. For more 
information, visit the CSVHFS website or e-mail 
<mailto:csvhfs2014 at gmail.com> the organization. /-- Thanks to Tom Apel, 
K5TRA///

*? ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference Dates Set* The 33rd 
annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC) will take place 
in Austin, Texas, September 5-7, at the Marriott South Hotel. More 
information will be posted to the TAPR DCC web page 
<http://www.tapr.org/conferences.html>. The ARRL and TAPR Digital 
Communications Conference is an international forum for radio amateurs 
to meet, publish their work, and present new ideas and techniques. /-- 
Thanks to Steve Bible, N7HPR, President, TAPR Conference Manager///

*? CAPE-2 CubeSat Designated as OSCAR-75* The University of Louisiana 
CAPE-2 <http://www.ulcape.org> (Cajun Advanced Picosatellite Experiment) 
CubeSat has been designated OSCAR-75 or LO-75, AMSAT OSCAR Number 
Administrator Bill Tynan, W3XO, has announced. CAPE-2 operates on 
145.825 MHz, with a CW beacon that identifies with the call sign W5UL. 
It also includes a digipeater, text-to-speech module, a simplex 
repeater, and e-mail and tweet functions. Ground station software is 
available <http://www.ulcape.org>. FUNcube 
<http://funcube.org.uk/2013/11/21/funcube-spacecraft-now-named-ao-73/> 
was recently designated OSCAR-73 or AO-73, while CubeBug-2 
<http://2.cubebug.org/> (aka "Manolito") has been designated as LO-74 
(see PE0SAT 
<http://www.pe0sat.vgnet.nl/satellite/cube-nano-picosats/cubebug-2/>)./-- AMSAT 
News Service and Bill Tynan, W3XO///

*? Special Belgian Call Signs Recognize Morse Code as Cultural Heritage 
*A special block of Belgian call signs has been designated for use from 
April 15 until May 14 to promote recognition of Morse Code as a cultural 
heritage. The call signs OS10M to OS19M will be on the air from 10 
locations on CW. Concentrated activity will occur on Heritage Day, April 
27, from 0900 until 1700 UTC. -- The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com>

*? Polish Hams Gain Bands at Opposite Ends of the Amateur Radio 
Spectrum* Hams in Poland this month will gain access to two new Amateur 
Radio bands at opposite ends of the spectrum -- 472 kHz and 122.25 GHz. 
The new 472-479 kHz and 122.250-123.000 GHz bands both are allocated to 
the Amateur Service on a secondary basis. They became available on 
February 18./-- Pawe?? Zakrzewski, SP7TEV,**PZK IARU Liaison Office/

*? New Amateur Radio Bands Allocated in Bulgaria:* According to 
International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 Bulgarian representative 
Panayot Danet, LZ1US, radio amateurs in Bulgaria now have access to new 
bands: 472-479 kHz, 5250-5450 kHz, and 70.0-70.5 MHz. In addition the 
160 meter band will be extended to 2.0 MHz. All of these bands will be 
on a secondary basis. /The Daily DX/ <http://www.dailydx.com> reported 
February 19 that several Bulgarian stations have been heard on 60 meters 
and worked by US stations. /-- IARU Region 1 /

*? Canada Formalizes Amateur Radio Access to 137 kHz Band:* Canada's 
telecommunications regulator Industry Canada 
<http://www.ic.gc.ca/%E2%80%8E> has included the 135.7-137.8 kHz sliver 
band in its newly updated RBR-4 
<http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf10650.html> /Standards 
for the Operation of Stations in the Amateur Radio Service/. Canadian 
radio amateurs gained access to the band, with conditions, in 2009, as a 
result of World Radiocommunication Conference 2007. In announcing the 
RBR-4 update, Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC <http://www.rac.ca>) 
reminded Canadian amateurs that the rules stipulate that stations in the 
Amateur Service using 135.7 to 137.8 kHz "shall not exceed a maximum 
radiated power of 1 W (EIRP) and shall not cause harmful interference to 
stations of the radionavigation service..." RAC invited reports of 
activity as well as operating tips and propagation information. In a 
2012 /Notice of Proposed Rule Making/ (ET Docket No. 12-338 
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db1119/FCC-12-140A1.pdf>), 
the FCC proposed allocating the band to the Amateur Service in the US on 
a secondary basis./-- George Gosline, VE3YV, RAC International Affairs /

*? Three-Time WRTC Competitor Antal Hudanik, HA3OV, SK:* Antal "Anti" 
Hudanik, HA3OV, and his wife died February 13 as result of an auto 
accident. Hudanik was one of the HG6N operators and participated in 
three WRTCs -- in Slovenia, Finland, and Russia. He also was on the 1999 
E44/HA1AG team. -- The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com>

*? Kenwood Buys E.F. Johnson:* JVC Kenwood has purchased 
<http://www.efjohnsontechnologies.com/news_room/viewer?article_id=80633> 
E.F. Johnson Technologies. Johnson has been manufacturing radio gear for 
a long time and was a major player in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, it's 
not unusual to see hamfest vintage equipment tables loaded with Johnson 
Rangers, Vikings, and Thunderbolts, and many E.F. Johnson "Matchbox" 
antenna tuners are still doing the job. In more recent years, the 
company has become better known for its VHF and UHF public safety 
communication gear. /-- Thanks to /The//ARRL Contest Update 
<http://www.arrl.org/the-arrl-contest-update>

*? ARDF Competitions to be Held in Kazakhstan, Ukraine* The Kazakhstan 
Federation of Radiosport and Radioamateur will host the 17th World 
Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) Championships 
<http://ardf2014.kz/>, September 6-13 in Burabay, Kazakhstan. Also, the 
Ukrainian Amateur Radio League (UARL) will host the 15th Youth IARU 
Region 1 ARDF Championships <http://ardf2014.blogspot.com/> June 12-16, 
2014. Competitors, fans, and friends are welcome at both events. /-- Kai 
Pastor, DG0YT, IARU Region 1/

Just Ahead in Radiosport

  *

    Feb 21-23 -- CQ World Wide 160 Meter Contest, SSB

  *

    Feb 22-23 -- REF Contest

  *

    Feb 22 -- SARL Youth Day Sprint

  *

    Feb 22-23 -- UBA Contest, CW

  *

    *Feb 22-23 -- North American QSO Party, RTTY*

  *

    Feb 23-24 -- North Carolina QSO Party

  *

    Feb 24 -- CQC Winter QSO Party

  *

    *Mar 1-2 --ARRL International DX Contest, SSB*

  *

    Mar 1 -- Open Ukraine RTTY Championship

  *

    Mar 2 -- OK1WC Memorial Contest

  *

    Mar 4 -- ARS Spartan Sprint

  *

    Mar 4 -- YL CW Party

  *

    Mar 5 -- John Rollins Memorial DX Contest, CW

  *

    Mar 7 -- NS Weekly Sprint

Visit the Contest Corral 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Contest%20Corral/Contest%20Corral%201403%281%29.pdf> 
for details.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

  *

    February 22 -- Vermont State Convention <http://www.ranv.org/>,
    South Burlington, Vermont

  *

    March 1-2 -- Alabama Section Convention <http://birminghamfest.org/>
    (BirmingHAMfest 2014), Birmingham, Alabama

  *

    March 7-8 -- North Carolina Section Convention
    <http://www.charlottehamfest.org/> (Charlotte Hamfest), Concord,
    North Carolina

  *

    March 7-8 -- West Gulf Division Convention
    <http://greencountryhamfest.org/>, Claremore, Oklahoma

  *

    March 14-15 -- Delta Division Convention <http://www.w5ddl.org/>,
    Rayne, Louisiana

  *

    March 15 -- Nebraska State Convention
    <http://www.lincolnhamfest.org/>, Lincoln, Nebraska

  *

    March 15 -- West Texas Section Convention
    <http://hamfest.w5qgg.org/>, Midland, Texas

  *

    March 22 -- South Texas Section Convention
    <http://houstonhamfest.org/> (Greater Houston Hamfest), Rosenberg, Texas

  *

    March 22-23 -- Communications Academy <http://www.commacademy.org/>,
    Seattle, Washington

  *

    March 28-29 -- Maine State Convention <http://www.w1npp.org/>,
    Lewiston, Maine

  *

    March 29 -- Microhams Digital Conference
    <http://www.microhams.com/mhdc>, Redmond, Washington

  *

    April 4-6 -- International DX Convention
    <http://www.dxconvention.org/>, Visalia, California

  *

    April 19 -- Roanoke Division Convention
    <http://www.rars.org/hamfest>, Raleigh, North Carolina

  *

    April 25-27 -- Idaho State Convention
    <http://www.idahostateconvention.com/>, Boise, Idaho

  *

    April 26 -- Aurora '14 Conference <http://www.nlrs.org/>, White Bear
    Lake, Minnesota

  *

    May 3 -- South Carolina Section Convention <http://www.brars.org/>,
    Spartanburg, South Carolina

  *

    May 16-18 -- Dayton Hamvention <http://www.hamvention.org/> --
    Regional ARRL Centennial Event, Dayton, Ohio

Find conventions and hamfests in your area <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 
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Listen to /ARRL Audio News/ <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>, 
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www.arrl.org <http://www.arrl.org/>




From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Sat Feb 22 13:08:26 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2014 13:08:26 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] W1AW/4
In-Reply-To: <5308B040.4000805@bellsouth.net>
References: <5308B040.4000805@bellsouth.net>
Message-ID: <5308E79A.2080900@bellsouth.net>


We have some operating spots open for this Tuesday. No experience
necessary or high skill levels. Its all for fun and there has been
terrific activity for /4.

So try your hand(or voice or fingers) for Digital, SSB or CW.

Tuesday is our last day before the next group takes over.

Contact me or Pete N8PR
Peter Rimmel - Marine Chemist <n8pr1 at bellsouth.net>

Bill W2CQ

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From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Wed Feb 26 14:03:45 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2014 14:03:45 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The ARRL Contest Update for February
	26, 2014
In-Reply-To: <20140226043208.C3BFD23E13@bmail.arrl.org>
References: <20140226043208.C3BFD23E13@bmail.arrl.org>
Message-ID: <530E3A91.9020609@bellsouth.net>


Preview

If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2014-02-26

The ARRL Contest Update

February 26, 2014
Editor: Ward Silver, N?AX <mailto:rate-sheet at arrl.org>
/Contest Update/ Archive <http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/>
Contest Calendar <http://www.arrl.org/contests/calendar.html>
ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&i=2014-02-26&t=t>
IN THIS ISSUE

  * Full Bands Ahead - ARRL DX Phone Contest <#Contests>
  * Beaming North - Idaho and Wisconsin QSO Parties <#Contests>
  * Become Doctor DX <#News>
  * Regenerating Interest in Early Radio <#Newsweek>
  * Antenna System Design Webinar <#Sights>
  * ARRL Sweepstakes - Initial Results Online <#Results>
  * HV - Switch to Safety! <#Tech>
  * Radial Literature Bus <#Techweek>
  * The Boundary Problem - Part Two <#Conversation>

NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO

Technician operators really enjoy the fun of operating 10 meter phone 
during the ARRL International DX Phone Contest, coming up this weekend. 
With solar flux plenty high enough to open the polar paths, this will be 
a great time to see what your HF phone privileges can do! Speaking of 
privileges - you might want to download a copy of the US Amateur Bands 
chart <http://www.arrl.org/graphical-frequency-allocations> and there is 
another specifically for Technicians 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Ham%20Radio%20License%20Manual/Tech%20Band%20Chart.pdf>.

BULLETINS

The date for Kids Day is wrong on the 2014 ARRL printed calendar - it is 
21 June and always on the third Saturday of June.

BUSTED QSOS

Nothing seriously awry last time!

CONTEST SUMMARY

Complete information <#Contests> for all contests follows the 
Conversation <#Conversation> section

*Mar 1-2*

  * ARRL International Phone DX Contest
  * Open Ukraine RTTY Championship
  * OK1WC Memorial Contest
  * ARS Spartan Sprint--CW
  * YL CW Party
  * John Rollins Memorial DX Contest--CW (Mar 5)

*Mar 8-9*

  * NS Weekly Sprint--CW (Mar 7)
  * Worldwide EME Contest
  * RSGB Commonwealth Contest--CW
  * Straight Key Weekend Sprintathon
  * AGCW QRP Contest--CW
  * QRP ARCI HF Grid Square Sprint--CW
  * EA PSK63 Contest
  * Idaho QSO Party
  * North American RTTY Sprint (Mar 9)
  * Wisconsin QSO Party (Mar 9)

NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST

DX University <http://www.dxuniversity.com/%E2%80%8E> will again conduct 
a DXing session at the International DX Convention 
<dxconvention.org/%E2%80%8E> at the Convention Center in Visalia, 
California on Friday, April 4th, 2014. Presenters will include DX 
University faculty members AA7A, K7CU,K7UT, K9LA, N7NG, and W3UR. 
Morning topics are tailored to the less-experienced DXer, including 
putting a DXing station together, basic propagation, utilizing resources 
and actual operating. The afternoon session will consist of a seminar on 
more advanced DXing and DXpeditioning topics. Register for either or 
both sessions on the DX University website

Just before the ARRL DX CW Contest, ol' Sol had a busy week. This photo 
of coronal loops 
<http://www.nasa.gov/content/coronal-loops-in-an-active-region-of-the-sun/>was 
taken between Feb 8th and 10th in extreme ultraviolet by the NASA SODO 
satellite. (Photo courtesy of NASA)

Jim AD1C reports that the Country (CTY) Files 
<http://www.country-files.com/cty-2402-24-February-2014/> were updated 
on 24 February 2014. Installation instructions 
<http://www.country-files.com/cty-2402-24-February-2014/> are posted -- 
with all the commemorative prefixes on the air, be sure your files are 
up to date before the ARRL DX contest this weekend!

QRZ DX <http://dxpub.net/%E2%80%8E> reports that Icom America 
<http://icomamerica.com/> has announced a firmware upgrade for their 
IC-7700 transceiver. This update provides enhanced user interface, 
refined operational controls, improved audio and voice functionality and 
more. The firmware upgrade will be free to download on-line around March 20.

With the ongoing conversion of the Internet from IPv4 to IPv6 addresses, 
maybe ham radio could get in the swing of things and extend our 
two-character prosigns to four-characters! Just think of the 
possibilities as the currently overloaded prosigns are extended:

  * KNNU - Call only...hey, not you!
  * AROW - End of message, oh wait...
  * ASMI - Stand by and I mean it!
  * SKEE - We already use this one

And when you're done sending these new prosigns, you might want to 
punctuate them with this big red online button 
<http://instantrimshot.com/classic/?sound=rimshot>!

The 17 February cover of Time magazine <http://www.time.com/> announced 
"It promises to solve some of humanity's most complex problems. It is 
backed by Jeff Bezos, NASA, and the CIA. Each one costs $10,000,000 and 
operates at 459 degrees below zero. And nobody knows how it actually 
works." The CEO of the manufacturer of the D-Wave 
<http://www.dwavesys.com/%E2%80%8E> Two, by all accounts an amazing and 
mysterious device, quoted several times in the article, is none other 
than Yankee Clipper Contest Club member Vern W1VB. Despite Vern's 
personal history, WRTC-2014 <http://wrtc2014.org/> Co-chair, Doug K1DG, 
states "For the record, WRTC2014 will /not/**be using a D-Wave Two for 
log checking and SDR-recording QSO verification. But I can neither 
confirm nor deny that a prototype D-Wave Three has been installed at the 
WRTC2014 HQ hotel's log-checking suite." Doug sounds a bit uncertain.

We lost some friends in the contesting world over the past couple of 
weeks. First came news that three-time WRTC competitor and six-time High 
Speed Telegraphy world champion Anti HA3OV and his wife were killed in 
an automobile accident. A few days later we learned that Don VE3RM had 
died as well. Don trained hundreds of new hams in Ontario and was a 
fixture at the Dayton Hamvention contest suites every year. As Glenn 
K6NA reminds us - enjoy the company of your friends, life is short.

*Web Site of the Week* - It was 101 years ago that Edwin Armstrong 
demonstrated his "regenerative detector" and changed receiving and 
receivers -- and ham radio -- forever. The story is outlined in this 
/Electronic Design/ magazine article 
<http://electronicdesign.com/blog/armstrong-and-sarnoff-101-years-ago> 
including an opportunity to copy the sounds of alternator-generated 
signals as Armstrong heard them, nearly a century ago.

WORD TO THE WISE

"Never trust a meter that reads zero." Contributed by Bill W6WRT.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2014-02-26&p=0>
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

The World Wide Radio Operators Foundation <http://wwrof.org/> (WWROF) 
will be hosting a webinar presentation 
<https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/539188354> at 2000 UTC on March 
8th by Bill Karle VE4KZ on /Antenna System Planning/. While many of us 
are locked in the middle of winter, it's never too early to begin 
thinking about spring and new antennas or improvements to an existing 
system. Join Bill as he looks at a typical ham station, assesses antenna 
needs, develops a solution, constructs, and then reviews performance. 
(Thanks, Ken K4ZW)

If you were on the air on Feb 24th, you no doubt experienced the effects 
of this X4.9 solar flare 
<http://www.nasa.gov/content/first-moments-of-a-solar-flare-in-different-wavelengths-of-light/>, 
photographed here just as it was starting at a variety of wavelengths by 
the NASA SODO satellite. (Image courtesy of NASA)

Here's a neat story 
<http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/this-could-be-big-abc-news/robotics-ceo-12-old-wiz-smart-ph-ds-194012375.html> 
about 12-year-old Rohan Agrawal KG6LXV who is cutting a wide swath 
through the Silicon Valley robotics community. Watch for a lot more from 
Rohan! (Thanks, Patty KS7L)

Pete NS?D sends a link to this video <http://imgur.com/63n1BT8> showing 
a handy way to make sure your CD is really, really, really erased. 
Rewrites? Not so much.

RESULTS AND RECORDS

The initial results <http://arrl.org/contest-results-articles> for CW 
and Phone weekends of ARRL November Sweepstakes have been posted online. 
The articles (CW by Kelly VE4XT and Phone by Steve N2IC) feature 
category winners, Top Ten tables, Division Winners, and Region Leaders. 
So that we might all understand and possibly justify falling short of 
the Clean Sweep, the highly entertaining Rare Section rankings are also 
available.

Preliminary results 
<http://ncjweb.com/naqp-scores/preliminary/cwnaqp012014-prelim.txt> for 
the January CW North American QSO Party are now available. Please report 
any problems directly to the contest manager, Chris KL9A 
<mailto:cwnaqpmgr at ncjweb.com>. Similarly, preliminary results 
<http://ncjweb.com/sprint-scores/preliminary/sprintcwfeb2014prelim.txt> 
for the February CW Sprint are also now available and the contest's 
management at the Boring Amateur Radio Club 
<mailto:cwsprintmgr at ncjweb.com> is standing by for any issues you may 
notice. (Thanks, NCJ Editor, Kirk K4RO)

If you are chasing band-mode counters for the ARRL Centennial QSO Party, 
a leaderboard <https://centennial-qp.arrl.org> is now posted online and 
updated regularly!

California QSO Party <http://www.cqp.org/index.html> committee member, 
John K6MM, writes in that "I just posted the final results 
<http://www.cqp.org/Results.html> for the 2013 California QSO Party, 
including downloadable certificates. Over 800 logs were processed within 
90 days after the log submission deadline of October 31, 2013. As in the 
Winter Olympics, several new records <http://www.cqp.org/Records.html> 
were set during CQP 2013! 37 plaques and 40 bottles of wine will be 
given to the qualifying Top Dogs."

Hey - look at this cool store in the Pittsburgh airport! Awwww...no 
radio stuff...not even a little. (Photo by N?AX)

Helmut DF7ZS has published the final results for the 2013 WAE SSB DX 
Contest <http://www.darc.de/referate/dx/contest/waedc/2013/ssb/> with 
"some very close results in the top scores, but also some very clear 
winners on the first places." The final WAE database had 311,538 QSOs 
and 262,684 QTCs from 1,326 entrants, a total of 17,188 call signs in 
the logs. 199,799 QSOs could be directly crosschecked log-to-log, 90,616 
verified indirectly by "tracking active call signs in the database that 
have not submitted a log." Thanks go to DF1QR, DL2NBY, DJ4MH and DL6MHW 
for log checking and software updating. (Thanks, Daily DX 
<http://dailydx.com/>)

You can find the CQ World Wide winners <http://www.cqww.com/winners.htm> 
over the years for any location or category online. Hours of fun and it 
settles all those after-the-meeting arguments! (Thanks, CQ WW Director, 
Randy, K5ZD)

OPERATING TIP

Phone contesting (or emergency net control, for that matter) is a very 
physical activity with a lot of wear and tear on the vocal cords and 
your "hollerin' parts". Minimize stress on yourself (and others in the 
same house or EOC) by setting your audio and mike gain to levels that 
are comfortable for listening and speaking. The louder you yell, the 
worse your audio gets, making it hard to understand, so you tend you 
yell louder, and...well, you get the idea. Speak softly and submit a big 
log! (I know several ops who take the opposite tack and do okay, though...)

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2014-02-26&p=1>
TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION

Safety was a topic of discussion on the Amps reflector 
<http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/Amps> recently, leading to 
some good advice from Jim W8ZR. "Be sure to wear safety glasses if you 
are working on an RF deck and the HV fuse is visible and uncovered. If 
it blows, tiny pieces of glass fly everywhere. It's probably a good idea 
to slip a loose-fitting piece of fiberglass spaghetti over the fuse to 
catch the pieces." Vic K2VCO recounted some personal "adventures" and 
suggested this simple rule for working around high voltages: "Clean up, 
put the tools away, make sure you have plenty of space and time to work 
-- first. And do it in the morning!"

They say an army marches on its stomach - well, so does a Multi-Multi 
station! This is the K3LR refrigerator about an hour before contest 
time. It was considerably emptier on Sunday! (Photo by N?AX)

In the endless quest for flat surfaces onto which stuff may be put, 
Instructables contributed this useful and sturdy shelving design 
<http://www.instructables.com/id/Industrial-Pipe-Shelving-Built-In/> 
that uses industrial pipe and fittings.

Tim K3HX found a website called Tubebooks <http://www.tubebooks.org/> 
with links to lots of books on vacuum tube technology. Solid-state may 
be coming on strong but there are a lot of tubes still generating lots 
of watts on the ham bands!

Recent tips on putting in and pulling out ground rods sure got 
everyone's attention! Glenn W?GJ asks, "Ever drive a wobbling ground rod 
with a sledge hammer? (I) miss about 80% of the time!" Your editor 
couldn't agree more. Even though I prefer to use a fence post driver to 
get the rod started (talk about good exercise!) the hammer has to be 
used for the final foot or so. And the tired-er I get, the more likely 
this is to produce a Looney Tunes-like 
"boooIINNNGGGGgggzzzzwobbidawobbidawobbida..." Glenn has just the ticket 
for keeping that rod steady - a simple steadying jig 
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sLv4LLVPbA>. At least that way, you'll 
know it's you missing and not the rod moving!

Frank KR1ZAN found this interesting Macworld article 
<http://www.macworld.com/article/2096123/advice-from-an-apple-tech-the-right-tools-for-the-job.html#tk.rss_all> 
on tools for computer repair. He found the magnetizer-demagnetizer and 
variable temperature heat gun of particular interest but the article 
mentions enough different tools that there is something for every shop.

*Technical Web Site of the Week* - Ground radials are plenty important 
and there is a lot of literature on them but it's sprinkled all over the 
web, it seems. Ross KB8NTY has done us all a big favor by collecting 
links to them in a single place - his own website 
<http://www.rossradio.net/>. Thanks, Ross!

CONVERSATION

The Boundary Problem - Part Two

In the previous issue, I defined several terms and ideas that form the 
foundation on which today's radiosport competitions - contests - are 
built. How precise should the definitions and rules be? When asked by a 
journalist "What is complementary to truth?" renowned physicist Neils 
Bohr is said to have replied, "Clarity." Contest sponsors must 
continually balance the need for broad understanding with the need for 
verifiably (and enforceably) precise definitions and rules.

Even in the snow, the DX comes rolling in on the 15 meter stack at K3LR. 
Maybe that garage is where he keeps all the multipliers! (Photo by N?AX)

Each contest sponsor adds certain constraints to the basic definitions. 
For example, ARRL contests and CQ Worldwide limit the physical size of a 
station to a circle 500 meters in diameter. Interestingly, neither 
places any restriction on vertical size, which allows antennas on 
buildings hundreds of feet high and the famous W7RM Foulweather Bluff 
station with transmitting antennas on a cliff and receiving antennas 
down below on a beach.

Let's start with the classic /Single-Operator/ category in the ARRL 
International DX Contest and see how each term applies without trying to 
be exhaustive and ignoring power sub-categories:

*Boundary* - all equipment must be contained within a circle 500 meters 
in diameter.

*Station* - Total transmitter power output is limited to 1500 watts for 
a single signal. In addition, the rules prohibit the use of automated 
multi-channel decoders, such as CW Skimmer, although this technology 
item is grouped with information constraints in rule 2.1.1 of the HF 
Contest - General Rules 
<http://www.arrl.org/general-rules-for-arrl-contests-below-30-mhz>.

*Operator* - Only one operator is allowed to manipulate equipment inside 
the station boundary during the contest period. There are no 
restrictions on the means by which the operator performs the manipulation.

*Information* - Two kinds of information are covered in the rules; RF 
and data.

  * RF may be transmitted and received for scoring credit only on the
    bands and mode allowed in the contest. Only one transmitted signal
    at time is permitted.
  * No data about the operation of other stations participating in the
    contest may cross the station boundary by any means, wired or
    wireless, with the exception of data required to perform equipment
    control functions.

The other single-operator categories are created by either relaxing or 
adding constraints:

/Single-Operator Unlimited/ eliminates the boundary-crossing restriction 
on data about the operation of other participating stations. You may now 
use publicly available spotting information from the Internet or listen 
to a spotting net, for example. Station equipment may now include an 
automated multi-channel decoder such as a CW Skimmer.

/Single-Operator Single-Band/ is the same as /Single-Operator/ but 
restricts RF signals crossing the station boundary to a single band. 
Note - that restriction also prohibits operating on another band for 
soliciting stations to come work you on the contest band.

How about the Multioperator categories?

/Multioperator, Single Transmitter/ starts with the rules for Single-Op 
Unlimited and extends them by allowing more than one operator to 
manipulate the station equipment. The restriction of only one 
transmitted RF signal at a time is still in place. Additionally, limits 
are placed on the number of bands on which that signal may be 
transmitted during a 60-minute clock hour. ie, band-change rules. Note 
that any number of transmitters can be used during the contest by either 
single- or multi-operator participants, just one at a time.

/Multioperator, Two Transmitter/ allows one or two simultaneous RF 
signals and requires them to be on different bands, again with limited 
numbers of band changes.

/Multioperator, Multitransmitter/ increases the number of signals to one 
per band and removes all band change restrictions

These categories should more accurately be "Single-Signal" or 
"Multisignal" categories since the rules say nothing about the number of 
transmitters used for a single call sign!

Having figured out how to re-picture our basic contest categories in 
these terms, where do we go from here? Perhaps a map would be useful - 
let's unroll it and plot a further course next time.

73, Ward N?AX

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=cu&t=i&i=2014-02-26&p=2>
CONTESTS

*26 February through 11 March 2014*

An expanded, downloadable version of QST's Contest Corral in PDF format 
<http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar> is available. Check the sponsor's 
Web site for information on operating time restrictions and other 
instructions.

*HF CONTESTS*

ARRL International Phone DX Contest--Phone, from Mar 1, 0000Z to Mar 2, 
2359Z. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: RS and state, province, or power. 
Logs due: Apr 21. Rules <http://www.arrl.org/contests>

Open Ukraine RTTY Championship--Digital, from Mar 1, 1800Z - See 
website. Multiple time periods. Bands (MHz): 1.8-28. Exchange: Regional 
abbreviation and serial. Logs due: Apr 30. Rules 
<http://uarl.com.ua/openrtty>

OK1WC Memorial Contest--Phone,CW, from Mar 2, 1600Z - See website. 
Multiple time periods. Bands (MHz): 3.5, 7. See website for bands. 
Exchange: RS(T) and serial. Logs due: 5 days. Rules 
<http://www.memorial-ok1wc.cz/>

ARS Spartan Sprint--CW, from Mar 4, 0200Z to Mar 4, 0400Z. Bands (MHz): 
3.5-28. Monthly on the first Monday evening local time. Exchange: RST, 
S/P/C, and power. Logs due: 2 days. Rules <http://www.arsqrp.blogspot.com/>

YL CW Party--CW, from Mar 4, 1900Z to Mar 4, 2100Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5. 
Exchange: RST, serial, if YL "YL," name. Logs due: Mar 31. Rules 
<http://www.agcw.de/>

John Rollins Memorial DX Contest--CW, from Mar 5, 2300Z - See website. 
Multiple time periods. Bands (MHz): 7,14. Exchange: RS, name, and S/P/C. 
Logs due: 4 weeks. Rules 
<http://www.antiquewireless.org/awa-on-the-air.html>

NS Weekly Sprint--CW, from Mar 7, 0230Z to Mar 7, 0300Z. Bands (MHz): 
1.8-14. Weekly on Thursday evenings local time. Exchange: Serial, name, 
and S/P/C. Logs due: 2 days. Rules <http://www.ncccsprint.com/>

RSGB Commonwealth Contest--CW, from Mar 8, 1000Z to Mar 9, 1000Z. Bands 
(MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RST and serial (Commonwealth only). Logs due: 
16 days. Rules <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2014/r80mcc.shtml>

Straight Key Weekend Sprintathon--CW, from Mar 8, 1200Z to Mar 9, 2359Z. 
Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50. Exchange: RST, QTH, name, member nr if member. 
Logs due: 5 days. Rules <http://www.skccgroup.com/sprint/sks/>

AGCW QRP Contest--CW, from Mar 8, 1400Z to Mar 8, 2000Z. Bands (MHz): 
3.5-28. Exchange: RST, serial, class, AGCW number or NM. Logs due: Mar 
31. Rules <http://www.agcw.de/>

QRP ARCI HF Grid Square Sprint--CW, from Mar 8, 1500Z to Mar 8, 1800Z. 
Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. QRP calling frequencies. Exchange: RST, 4-char grid 
square, QRP ARCI nr or power. Logs due: 14 days. Rules 
<http://www.qrparci.org/contests>

EA PSK63 Contest--Digital, from Mar 8, 1600Z to Mar 9, 1600Z. Bands 
(MHz): 3.5-28. Exchange: RST and serial or EA province. Logs due: Mar 
31. Rules <http://www.ure.es/>

Idaho QSO Party--Phone,CW,Digital, from Mar 8, 1900Z to Mar 9, 1900Z. 
Bands (MHz): 3.5-28. CW 35 kHz above band edge; Phone 7.260, 14.260, 
21.335, 28.470 MHz, plus 50, 144, 440 MHz. Exchange: RS(T) and ID county 
or S/P/C. Logs due: 30 days. Rules <http://www.idahoarrl.info/qsoparty>

North American RTTY Sprint--Digital, from Mar 9, 0000Z to Mar 9, 0359Z . 
Bands (MHz): 3.5-14. Exchange: Both call signs, serial, name, and S/P/C. 
Logs due: 7 days. Rules <http://www.ncjweb.com/NAQP-Rules.pdf>

Wisconsin QSO Party--Phone,CW,Digital, from Mar 9, 1800Z to Mar 10, 
0100Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28, 50+, CW 3.550, 7.050, 14.050; Phone 3.890, 
7.230, 14.290, 21.350, 28.400 MHz. Exchange: WI county or S/P/C. Logs 
due: Apr 10. Rules <http://www.warac.org/>

*VHF+ CONTESTS*

Worldwide EME Contest--Phone,CW, from Mar 8, 0000Z to Mar 9, 2400Z. 
Bands (MHz): 2.3G. Exchange: TMO/RS(T) and "R". Logs due: Jun 15. Rules 
<http://www.dubus.org/>

Straight Key Weekend Sprintathon--CW, from Mar 8, 1200Z to Mar 9, 2359Z. 
Bands (MHz): 1.8-28, 50. Exchange: RST, QTH, name, member nr if member. 
Logs due: 5 days. Rules <http://www.skccgroup.com/sprint/sks/>

Wisconsin QSO Party--Phone,CW,Digital, from Mar 9, 1800Z to Mar 10, 
0100Z. Bands (MHz): 3.5-28, 50+, CW 3.550, 7.050, 14.050; Phone 3.890, 
7.230, 14.290, 21.350, 28.400 MHz. Exchange: WI county or S/P/C. Logs 
due: Apr 10. Rules <http://www.warac.org/>

LOG DUE DATES

*February 26 through March 11*

  * February 27 - QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
  * February 27 - RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2014/r80mcc.shtml>
  * February 28 - AGCW Straight Key Party
    <http://www.agcw.org/index.php/en/contests-and-cw-activities/straight-key-party-htp>
  * February 28 - Triathlon DX Contest
    <http://triathlon-dx-contest.gr/contest/index.php/rules>
  * February 28 - PODXS 070 Club Valentine Sprint
    <http://www.podxs070.com/o7o-club-sponsored-contests/valentine-sprint>
  * February 28 - CQ 160-Meter Contest, SSB <http://www.cq160.com/rules.htm>
  * February 28 - SKCC Sprint <http://www.skccgroup.com/sprint/sks/>
  * March 1 - BARTG RTTY Sprint
    <http://s3.spanglefish.com/s/7850/documents/contests/sprint/rules/bartg-sprint-rules-2014.pdf>
  * March 1 - SPAR Winter Field Day
    <http://www.spar-hams.org/contests/winterfd/index.php?pg=2>
  * March 1 - OMISS QSO Party <http://www.omiss.net/Facelift/qsoparty.php>
  * March 1 - QRP Fox Hunt <http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm>
  * March 1 - CWops Mini-CWT Test <http://www.cwops.org/onair.html>
  * March 2 - Vermont QSO Party <http://www.ranv.org/vtqso.html>
  * March 2 - SARL Digital Contest
    <http://www.sarl.org.za/Document_Store/CONT_20140101_SARL_Contest_Manual_2014.pdf>
  * March 2 - North American QSO Party, RTTY
    <http://www.ncjweb.com/NAQP-Rules.pdf>
  * March 3 - FYBO Winter QRP Sprint
    <http://www.azscqrpions.com/fybo2009rules.html>
  * March 4 - Black Sea Cup International <http://bscc.ucoz.ru/index/0-21>
  * March 4 - Delaware QSO Party <http://www.fsarc.org/qsoparty/qsohome.htm>
  * March 4 - F9AA Cup, CW
    <http://www.site.urc.asso.fr/urchaut-6/om-6/131-trophee-f9aa.html>
  * March 6 - ARS Spartan Sprint <http://www.arsqrp.blogspot.com/>
  * March 8 - Wake-Up! QRP Sprint
    <http://qrp.ru/contest/wakeup/333-wakeup-eng>
  * March 9 - AWA Amplitude Modulation QSO Party
    <http://www.antiquewireless.org/awa-on-the-air.html>
  * March 9 - KCJ Topband Contest
    <http://www.kcj-cw.com/contest/14_toptest_rules_e.pdf>
  * March 9 - YLRL YL-OM Contest
    <http://ylrl.org/index.php/contests-and-dx-awards>
  * March 9 - UBA DX Contest, CW
    <http://www.uba.be/en/hf/contest-rules/uba-dx-contest-rules>
  * March 10 - North Carolina QSO Party
    <http://rars.org/ncqsoparty/index.php?id=rules>
  * March 10 - REF Contest, SSB
    <http://concours.ref-union.org/reglements/actuels/reg_cdfhf_dx.pdf>
  * March 10 - Mexico RTTY International Contest
    <http://www.rtty.fmre.mx/english/RTTY%202014%20english.pdf>
  * March 10 - Dutch PACC Contest <http://pacc.veron.nl/>
  * March 10 - FISTS Winter Sprint
    <http://www.fists.org/operating.html#sprints>
  * March 10 - SARL Hamnet 40m Simulated Emergency Contest
    <http://www.sarl.org.za/Document_Store/CONT_20140101_SARL_Contest_Manual_2014.pdf>
  * March 10 - RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data
    <http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2014/r80mcc.shtml>

ARRL Information

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's 
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Contest Calendar <http://www.sk3bg.se/contest>.

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From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Wed Feb 26 20:36:48 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2014 20:36:48 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] JK Antennas and 2X Arrays announce
	strategic partnership
Message-ID: <530E96B0.4050102@bellsouth.net>

*From QRZ:

NEW YORK, February 25, 2014*- JK Antennas and 2X Arrays have announced a 
strategic partnership which will combine both design and manufacturing 
processes between the two organizations. By leveraging the strengths 
between the two organization's existing bodies of work, they see the 
potential to streamline the entire product design and manufacturing 
process from end-to-end.

JK Antennas has fundamentally focused on producing high quality long 
boom mono-band and duo-band antenna designs that are mechanically 
robust, with quick time to market of both new and custom designed models 
directly from their in-house manufacturing facility. 2X Arrays has been 
focused on developing proprietary antenna design processes ranging from 
electrical optimization to physical model electrical testing and tuning.

"Combining the manufacturing strength and the modular nature of the JK 
Antennas product line with our design process is a natural marriage 
between each company which will lead to production of the best end 
products possible," says Scott McClements, President of 2X Arrays. "The 
existing product offerings compliment each other and this partnership 
will further enhance our ability to quickly design and manufacturer new 
models. In doing so, we are well positioned to meet the needs of any 
amateur, commercial or military user," says Ken Garg, Principal of JK 
Antennas.

As part of this strategic partnership, the 2X Arrays antenna line will 
now be manufactured at the JK Antennas facility in Connecticut, USA. JK 
Antennas will also sell and distribute both lines through its direct 
sales and distributorship.

From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Thu Feb 27 08:39:31 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 08:39:31 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] 2017 IRC for sale
In-Reply-To: <CA+Am85_CmfofWc98=d8hrvkKPNQjee8kuTC4KrCjCwTE4qrEFA@mail.gmail.com>
References: <CA+Am85_CmfofWc98=d8hrvkKPNQjee8kuTC4KrCjCwTE4qrEFA@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <530F4013.9000107@bellsouth.net>

 From Tony N2MFT:

I've got over 1000 of the 12/31/2017 IRCs...all correctly stamped, etc. 
Seems a few stations are requiring IRCs. Glad to sell you what you want.

They're $2.65 each shipped.

Steve**Wheatley
ku9c.arrl at yahoo.com <http://yahoo.com/>




From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Thu Feb 27 11:21:09 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 11:21:09 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Canadian Teen Invents Flashlight That
 Could Change The World - Father is VE7FAB
In-Reply-To: <530F5C0A.1010009@optonline.net>
References: <530F5C0A.1010009@optonline.net>
Message-ID: <530F65F5.5030404@bellsouth.net>

Ann, 16, and her parents, both of whom are HAM radio operators and like 
to fiddle with electronics
Father is VE7FAB

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/this-could-be-big-abc-news/teen-invents-flashlight-could-change-world-182121097.html?vp=1






From bmarx at bellsouth.net  Thu Feb 27 18:24:39 2014
From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill)
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 18:24:39 -0500
Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The ARRL Letter for February 27, 2014
In-Reply-To: <20140227210157.79AB124094@bmail.arrl.org>
References: <20140227210157.79AB124094@bmail.arrl.org>
Message-ID: <530FC937.5050208@bellsouth.net>


Preview

If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2014-02-27

The ARRL Letter

February 27, 2014
Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME <mailto:ww1me 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/>

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2014-02-27&t=t>

  * /Your League/: ARRL to File "Friend of the Court" Brief in Ohio
    Antenna Case <#toc01>
  * /Your League/: Nevada Getting New Section Manager on March 1 <#toc02>
  * /International/: "Amateur Radio: Your Gateway to Wireless
    Communication" is World Amateur Radio Day 2014 Theme <#toc03>
  * /Ham Radio in Space/: More Ham Radio CubeSats Expected to Deploy
    from ISS This Week <#toc04>
  * /Public Service/: Hurricane Conferences Set for April and May <#toc05>
  * /Public Service/: RDF Bracelet Helps Oregon Hams to Locate Missing
    Man <#toc06>
  * /DX/: Mellish Reef DXpedition Ready to Pick Up the Post-FT5ZM Slack
    <#toc07>
  * /ARRL Centennial/: W1AW Centennial Operations Now in Washington,
    Kansas <#toc08>
  * /Milestones/: AMSAT's G. Gould Smith, WA4SXM, Steps Down from AMSAT
    Board <#toc09>
  * /Technology/: DARC Questions BPL/PLT Emission Measurement Method
    <#toc10>
  * /Events/: Islands On The Air Gatherings Set <#toc11>
  * /Feature/: A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL <#toc12>
  * The K7RA Solar Update <#toc13>
  * *In Brief* <#toc14>
  * Getting it Right! <#toc15>
  * Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc16>
  * Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
    <#toc17>

/Your League/: ARRL to File "Friend of the Court" Brief in Ohio Antenna Case

The ARRL plans to file a "friend of the court" or /amicus curiae/ brief 
on behalf of an Ohio radio amateur who has been at loggerheads with his 
community since 2009 in efforts to erect a modest antenna support 
structure. The Village of Swanton, Ohio, turned down the application of 
ARRL Life Member Gary Wodtke, WW8N, for an antenna variance to put up a 
60 foot tower. Wodtke appealed, however, and in January the Fulton 
County Common Pleas Court issued a final judgment in his favor, ruling 
that federal and state law preempted Swanton's antenna ordinance.

Now, Swanton is appealing that order to the Ohio Sixth District Court of 
Appeals <https://www.co.lucas.oh.us/index.aspx?nid=171>, asserting, in 
part, that Ohio's PRB-1 <http://www.arrl.org/prb-1> antenna law is 
unconstitutional, because it conflicts with the state's "Home Rule" 
statute, which gives communities broad and preemptive regulatory powers. 
Like the federal law, Ohio's PRB-1 statute calls on towns to "reasonably 
accommodate amateur station communications and shall constitute the 
minimum practicable regulation necessary." Ohio Section State Government 
Liaison Nick Pittner, K8NAP, believes the state appeals court's decision 
in Wodtke v. Village of Swanton could set legal precedent for similar 
antenna-related cases down the road. An attorney, Pittner was 
instrumental in getting Ohio's PRB-1 law enacted.

"Appellate decisions are generally final, unless further review is 
granted by the Ohio Supreme Court," Pittner said in a statement. "While 
a court of appeals decision represents the law only in that appellate 
district, it carries significant precedential value in other Ohio courts 
and may also be cited in similar cases in other states."

In addition to the state's antenna regulation pre-emption law, the 
application and authority of the federal PRB-1 statute, embraced in 
Section 97.15(b) of the FCC's Amateur Service rules, will be at issue in 
the appeal. This case will mark the first time a state PRB-1 law has 
been challenged in an appeal.

Assisting in the case is telecommunications attorney and antenna rights 
advocate and expert Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, the author of /Antenna 
Zoning for the Radio Amateur/, published by the ARRL and now in its 
second edition.

The Village of Swanton's ordinance established a fixed antenna height of 
20 feet above the residential roofline. Wodtke wants to install a 60 
foot antenna support structure on his 0.2 acre residential lot; the 
village allows greater height where the lot is at least 5 acres. While 
the appeal is pending, both parties have agreed that Wodtke be permitted 
to install a 40 foot antenna support structure, which complies with 
Swanton's current ordinance.

/Your League/: Nevada Getting New Section Manager on March 1

The ARRL Nevada Section will have new leadership starting March 1. 
Section Manager Joe Giraudo, N7JEH, has announced that he is stepping 
down from the position, because a new job with his employer of more than 
30 years will take him outside Nevada more often.

"This absence from the Section makes it increasingly difficult to 
effectively serve the membership within Nevada," said Giraudo, of Elko. 
He has served as SM since August 2008. "During the past five years, it 
has been my honor to serve as your elected Section Manager," Giraudo 
said in a message to Nevada ARRL members.

With Giraudo's endorsement, Gary Grant, K7VY, of Reno, has been 
appointed to take the reins. He will complete the current term of office 
that extends until June 30, 2015. Membership and Volunteer Programs 
Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, consulted with Pacific Division Director Bob 
Vallio, W6RGG, in making the appointment of Grant.

Grant has been an ARRL member for more than 50 years, and he is retired 
from the University of Nevada. He previously worked in radio and TV 
broadcasting and ran a two-way radio company. He has served as an 
Assistant Section Manager, Official Observer Coordinator, and Official 
Observer within the Nevada Field Organization and helps run a ham radio 
list server.

/International/: "Amateur Radio: Your Gateway to Wireless Communication" 
is World Amateur Radio Day 2014 Theme

The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU <http://www.iaru.org>) 
Administrative Council has designated "Amateur Radio: Your Gateway to 
Wireless Communication" as the theme for World Amateur Radio Day 2014. 
World Amateur Radio Day is celebrated each year on April 18 to recognize 
the anniversary of the founding of the IARU in Paris in 1925. ARRL 
Co-Founder Hiram Percy Maxim, 1AW, who had proposed the idea the year 
before, became its first president. The primary purpose of World Amateur 
Radio Day is to focus a public spotlight on Amateur Radio and its 
benefits to countries and communities. This year the IARU and its 
member-societies around the world will celebrate the organization's 89th 
anniversary.

Each year the IARU Administrative Council selects a World Amateur Radio 
Day theme that is consistent with the role and purpose of Amateur Radio 
and that represents a commendable activity that would cast IARU and 
Amateur Radio in a favorable light. When the Administrative Council met 
<http://www.iaru.org/news--events.html> last September in Mexico, 
attendees discussed various possible topics and themes, before adopting 
"Amateur Radio: Your Gateway to Wireless Communication."

As the IARU's history <http://www.iaru.org/history.html> recounts, in 
the early 1920s it was generally assumed that the lower the frequency 
and the longer the wavelength, the better, and "very large antennas and 
very high power were the rule." Amateur Radio experimenters were the 
first to discover that the short wave spectrum, far from being a 
wasteland, could support worldwide propagation. As the rush to shorter 
wavelengths ensued, however, Amateur Radio, which had proved the value 
of this spectrum in the first place, "were in grave danger of being 
pushed aside," the IARU's history notes.

The first IARU Congress in1925 in Paris. [/QST/, June 1925]

Adopting the philosophy of strength in numbers, Amateur Radio pioneers 
met in Paris in 1925 and created the International Amateur Radio Union 
to support Amateur Radio worldwide. Just 2 years later, at the 
International Radiotelegraph Conference, Amateur Radio gained the 
allocations still recognized today -- 160, 80, 40, 20, and 10 meters. 
 From fewer than 30,000 licensees in 1927, Amateur Radio's numbers have 
grown to 3 million. From the 25 countries that formed the IARU in 1925, 
the IARU has grown to include 150 member-societies.

Today IARU is organized into three regions. IARU Region 1 includes 
Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Northern Asia. Region 2 covers the 
Americas, and Region 3 is comprised of Australia, New Zealand, the 
Pacific island nations, and most of Asia. The International 
Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recognized the IARU as representing 
the interests of Amateur Radio.

Several IARU member-societies and associated clubs are expected to field 
special event stations to mark the occasion. This year, April 18 is a 
Friday. When the anniversary falls on a weekday, public relations 
activities and operating events marking World Amateur Radio Day take 
place during the weekend following April 18./-- Thanks to Geoff 
Atkinson, VK3TL, IARU R3 Director, IARU website /

/Ham Radio in Space/: More Ham Radio CubeSats Expected to Deploy from 
ISS This Week

Another batch of CubeSats were deployed at noon on February 25 from the 
International Space Station. While no Amateur Radio satellites were 
among them, NASA has indicated, "More deployments are scheduled through 
Friday." NASA said this week that flight controllers from the Japan 
Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) "maneuvered the Kibo laboratory's 
robotic arm into position" for the launches. The Multi-Purpose 
Experiment Platform, which carries the NanoRacks <http://nanoracks.com/> 
CubeSats, is attached to the arm. NanoRacks provides CubeSat deployment 
services through an agreement with NASA. JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata, 
KC5ZTA, has been handling CubeSat deployments aboard the ISS.

CubeSat deployments from the ISS on February 11, 2014. [NASA photo]

Four Amateur Radio CubeSats -- LituanicaSat-1, LitSat-1, ArduSat-2, and 
UAPSat-1, along with the 915 MHz SkyCube -- may be deployed February 28. 
CubeSats deployments are streamed live 
<http://m.ustream.tv/channel/live-iss-stream>. AMSAT-UK has reported 
that it's unclear whether another Amateur Radio CubeSat, the Peruvian 
Chasqui 1, which was sent to the ISS on February 5, also will be 
deployed on February 28.

Eight NanoRacks deployers are installed on the Multi-Purpose Experiment 
Platform. Each deployer can hold up to six 1U (a unit = 10?10?10 
centimeters) CubeSats or two 3U CubeSats. Two 3U CubeSats (6U total) can 
be deployed every one to two orbits to prevent collisions.

? LituanicaSAT-1 <https://www.facebook.com/Lituanicasat1> carries an FM 
transponder: Uplink 145.950 MHz/Downlink 435.180 MHz. It also has an 
AX.25 transponder: Uplink 145.850 MHz/Downlink 437.550 MHz. The CW 
beacon is on 437.275 MHz.

? LitSat-1 <https://www.facebook.com/palydovas> carries an SSB 
transponder: Uplink 435.180 MHz/Downlink 145.950 MHz, and an AX.25 
packet transponder: Uplink 437.550 MHz/Downlink 145.850 MHz.

? ArduSat-2 
<http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/575960623/ardusat-your-arduino-experiment-in-space> 
will transmit 9.6 MSK CCSDS data on a 437 MHz downlink.

? UAPSAT will carry an AX.25 packet transponder: Uplink 145.980 
MHz/Downlink 437.385 MHz.

? Chasqui-1 <http://www.chasqui.uni.edu.pe/eng.html> will transmit AX.25 
format data on 437.250 MHz.

AMSAT-UK has reported 
<http://amsat-uk.org/2014/02/23/launch-of-japanese-amateur-radio-satellites/> 
that, in addition to the CubeSat deployments from the ISS, seven 
Japanese Amateur Radio satellites are scheduled to launch from Earth 
February 27 at 1807 UTC.

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) project -- 
the ARISS-EU "Ham Video" system -- is tentatively set to begin the 
commissioning process no sooner than the second weekend in March. Ham 
radio-related activities aboard the ISS typically take a low priority on 
the astronauts' work agenda.

The Delfi-n3Xt satellite. [Technical University Delft image]

Meanwhile, there's some bad news regarding the Delfi CubeSat, Delfi-n3Xt 
<http://www.delfispace.nl/operations/radio-amateurs>. Program Manager 
Jasper Bouwmeester PC4JB, reported the results of testing carried out on 
the CubeSat's 435/145 MHz linear transponder. "Unfortunately, we have 
not heard anything from Delfi-n3Xt since Thursday [February 20], after 
our transponder test," Bouwmeester said. "Nothing seemed to be wrong, 
except for the transponder itself not properly working." Bouwmeester 
said the Delfi team suspects a hardware failure and has been attempting 
to revive the satellite. Delfi-n3Xt transmits at about 145.870 MHz.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2014-02-27&p=0>
/Public Service/: Hurricane Conferences Set for April and May

The 2014 National Hurricane Conference <http://hurricanemeeting.com/> 
will take place April 14-17, at the Orlando Hilton in Orlando, Florida. 
The primary goal of the National Hurricane Conference is to improve 
hurricane preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation in order to 
save lives and property in the US and the tropical islands of the 
Caribbean and Pacific. The conference also serves as a national forum 
for federal, state and local officials to exchange ideas and recommend 
new policies to improve emergency management. At past conferences, there 
has been a robust Amateur Radio and ARES presence in the form of 
workshops and discussion forums. Planning for this year's conference is 
underway, and registration 
<http://hurricanemeeting.com/register-by-mailfax/> is open.

The 28th annual Governor's Hurricane Conference (GHC 
<http://flghc.org/>) will be held May 11-16, 2014 at the Rosen Centre 
Hotel and Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. This 
conference will feature an Amateur Radio and ARES component. This year's 
theme is "Rethink risk." -- /Thanks to the /The ARES E-Letter 
<http://www.arrl.org/ares-e-letter>.

/Public Service/: RDF Bracelet Helps Oregon Hams to Locate Missing Man

Members of the Lane County (Oregon) Sheriff's Amateur Radio Operators 
(LCSARO <http://www.lcsaro.org/>) -- an ARRL-Affiliated Club -- used 
radio direction-finding techniques to locate a 78-year-old Eugene, 
Oregon, man suffering from dementia, who had gone missing. The man's 
wife reported February 16 that her husband had wandered away from the 
couple's home, east of the University of Oregon Campus.

Fortunately, the man was one of six at-risk individuals in the county 
equipped with a Project Lifesaver <http://www.projectlifesaver.org/> RDF 
bracelet. As a result, the specially trained hams in the sheriff's 
department were able to track down and locate the missing person in 
downtown Eugene. He was not injured. The ham radio team minimizes the 
need for large-scale search parties that typically involve many 
agencies, hundreds of police officers, and thousands of dollars in cost. 
The LCSARO also supports communication in disaster and emergency 
situations. /-- Thanks to John Bigley, N7UR, Nevada Amateur Radio 
Newswire <http://www.nevadahamradio.com/>//
/

/DX/: Mellish Reef DXpedition Ready to Pick Up the Post-FT5ZM Slack

With the hubbub generated by the just-ended FT5ZM Amsterdam Island 
DXpedition still echoing in our ears, the Mellish Reef VK9MT 
<http://vk9mt.com/> DXpedition is waiting in the wings to launch its own 
adventure on the Amateur Radio airwaves. VK9MT will be handing out 
another rare one March 29 through April 9 from the Coral Sea atoll.

"Congratulations to the FT5ZM team for their excellent operation," Team 
Mellish said in a February 20 news update 
<http://vk9mt.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=34&Itemid=58>. 
"Our equipment is on the way to Australia, and the team is making 
last-minute preparations for their journey to Australia." An advance 
team is set to arrive in Australia on March 18 to start retrieving 
equipment from storage and preparing for the sea voyage.

The team has selected the 25 meter passenger expedition yacht /Evohe/ 
<http://www.expedition-sailing-vessel.com/> from New Zealand to 
transport operators and gear to Mellish Reef. Given the paucity of dry 
land at the operating site, DXpedition participants plan to take their 
meals and sleep on the vessel.

A pilot team now is in place to manage all communication between the 
island team and DXers. "While on the island we will not be checking 
personal e-mail accounts," the team pointed out, adding, "Please direct 
operational suggestions to the pilot designated for your region." An 
online log <http://vk9mt.com/index.php?option=com_php&Itemid=111> will 
be available. The DXpedition also has spelled out its QSL policy 
<http://vk9mt.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=35&Itemid=112>. 


Mellish Reef will become part of Australia's Coral Sea Marine Reserve 
Management Program on July 1. [Photo courtesy VK9MT website]

Located some 1150 kilometers north-northeast of Brisbane, Australia, 
Mellish Reef takes the form of a boomerang-shaped platform some 10 
kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide. According to the VK9MT website, 
the surrounding reefs, which enclose a narrow lagoon, are completely 
submerged or awash at high tide. Near the lagoon's center is the only 
permanent land -- Heralds-Beacon Islet -- a small cay rising just a few 
meters above the high-water mark and composed largely of sand, shingle, 
and coral rubble.

The schedule calls for 10 full days of operation on 160 through 10 
meters, CW, SSB, and RTTY, with 10 operators. Six members of the 
successful December 2012 ZL9HR operation from Campbell Island are among 
the team members.

Australia's Commonwealth Marine Reserve Operations Department will 
require that the visitors follow the department's documented 
environmental protection regulations. "Effective July 1, 2014, Mellish 
Reef becomes part of Australia's new Coral Sea Marine Reserve Management 
Program, which implements additional restrictions to further protect the 
area's ecology," an earlier team announcement noted. "[W]e appreciate 
the Australian government's cooperation and spirit of partnership in 
making this DXpedition possible." The Australian Communications and 
Media Authority issued the call sign VK9MT last fall. Mellish Reef was 
last activated in 2009 and is number 23 on ClubLog's February 2014 /DXCC 
Most Wanted List/ <http://www.clublog.org/mostwanted.php>.

The team said it was "honored" to receive an ARRL Colvin Award 
<http://www.arrl.org/colvin-award-grants> grant, funded through an 
endowment established by Lloyd Colvin, W6KG (SK). The DXpedition budget 
is estimated at $110,000, not including operators' individual expenses. 
The team has pledged "full financial transparency" for all aspects of 
the DXpedition. "When the books are closed, clubs and foundations that 
supported the project will receive a financial accounting," Team Mellish 
has said. Contact <mailto:info at vk9mt.com> the DXpedition via e-mail. The 
DXpedition also has a Facebook page <https://www.facebook.com/vk9mt>.

Several members of the VK9MT team plan to attend Dayton Hamvention in 
May and the Friedrichshafen, Germany, Ham Radio exhibition in June.

/ARRL Centennial/: W1AW Centennial Operations Now in Washington, Kansas

The ARRL Centennial "W1AW WAS 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/On%20the%20Air/W1AW_2014_sked.pdf>" 
operations that are taking place throughout 2014 from each of the 50 
states now are in Washington (W1AW/7) and Kansas (W1AW/0). They will 
relocate at 0000 UTC on March 5 (the evening of March 4 in US time 
zones) to Idaho (W1AW/7) and Kentucky (W1AW/4).

During 2014 W1AW will be on the air from every state (at least twice) 
and most US territories, and it will be easy to work all states solely 
by contacting W1AW portable operations.

In conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the ARRL, the ARRL 
Centennial QSO Party <http://www.arrl.org/centennial-qso-party> kicked 
off January 1 for a year-long operating event in which participants can 
accumulate points and win awards. The event is open to all, although 
only ARRL members and appointees, elected officials, HQ staff and W1AW 
are worth ARRL Centennial QSO Party points 
<http://www.arrl.org/centennial-qso-party#Table>. Working W1AW/x from 
each state is worth 5 points per contact.

To earn the "Worked all States with W1AW Award," work W1AW operating 
portable from all 50 states. (Working W1AW or W100AW in Connecticut does 
/not/ count for Connecticut, however. For award credit, participants 
must work W1AW/1 in Connecticut.) A W1AW WAS certificate and plaque will 
be available (pricing not yet available).

The ARRL has posted an ARRL Centennial QSO Party leader board 
<https://centennial-qp.arrl.org/> that participants can use to determine 
how many points they have accumulated in the Centennial QSO Party and in 
the W1AW WAS operations. Log in using your Logbook of the World (LoTW 
<http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world>) user name and password, and 
your position will appear at the top of the leader boards. Results are 
updated daily, based on contacts entered into LoTW.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2014-02-27&p=1>
/Milestones/: AMSAT's G. Gould Smith, WA4SXM, Steps Down from AMSAT Board

AMSAT-NA <http://ww2.amsat.org/> Board Member and Vice President-User 
Services G. Gould Smith, WA4SXM, has resigned both positions "with deep 
regret."

Gould Smith, WA4SXM. [AMSAT photo]

"AMSAT has played a major part in my life over the last 25 years; the 
incredible people have made it such a great pleasure," Smith, of 
Knoxville, Tennessee, told AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW. Smith 
has confronted health issues in recent years. "I had hoped that I would 
be able to contribute this year, but that hasn't worked out," he told 
Baines. "The organization needs to have contributing people in these 
positions."

Baines expressed sorrow over Smith's departure. "[Y]ou have done so much 
for AMSAT over the years," he said.

First Alternate Board Member JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JWM, steps up as a board 
member to fill the vacancy, at least until new elections are held this 
fall. Smith's leadership position as Vice President-User Services 
remains open.

An AMSAT Life Member, Smith has drafted a variety of guides for 
satellite users over the years. Among the books he's written and updated 
each year include /Decoding Telemetry/, started in 1990, which later 
became The AMSAT-NA /Digital Satellite Guide/. He also wrote the book 
now known as /Getting Started in Amateur Satellites/; a revised edition 
will become available at the 2014 Dayton Hamvention.

Smith also served as a member of the AO-51 command team, has written for 
/AMSAT Journal/, and presented papers at symposiums. He became an AMSAT 
Board member in 2008 and stepped forward to serve as project manager of 
SuitSat-2, which morphed into ARISSat-1 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arissat-1-finally-deployed-from-iss>, a 
spacecraft deployed from the ISS in August 2011. /-- Thanks to AMSAT 
News Service/

/Technology/: DARC Questions BPL/PLT Emission Measurement Method

While complaints of BPL 
<http://www.arrl.org/broadband-over-powerline-bpl> interference have 
become rare in the US, the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC 
<http://www.darc.de/>), Germany's national Amateur Radio society, 
continues to battle the issue. The DARC recently raised questions 
regarding the measurement protocol that federal authorities used to test 
devices used for power line telecommunication (PLT), as BPL is known in 
Europe. The DARC Scientific Research Associate Thilo Kootz, DL9KCE, said 
it appears the Federal Network Agency conducted some of its PLT emission 
measurements while the devices were in stand-by mode, with no data being 
transferred.

"The agency concluded that the device met all standard requirements," 
Kootz said, "but our preliminary findings showed that emissions from a 
similar unit were approximately 100 times above the limit." The DARC, he 
said, had to use the Freedom of Information Act to obtain a copy of the 
measurement protocols the federal agency employed, which leave several 
questions unanswered. Kootz called it "a questionable procedure" to 
measure the PLT device while it was idle.

"A lawnmower that's not running does not violate the noise ordinance," 
he said. "Such a measurement technique offers carte blanche for 
thousands of other devices that should not be permitted to come to market."

The DARC said radio amateurs have had negative experiences with PLT 
devices, the use of which, it said, can cause massive interference to 
radio reception and affect other wireless services as well.

/Events/: Islands On The Air Gatherings Set

The annual Islands On The Air (IOTA <http://www.rsgbiota.org/>) BASH 
will take place on the weekend of March 14-15 in Boerne, Texas. IOTA 
BASH 2014 <http://www.islandradio.org/iotabash2014.html> is sponsored by 
the Island Radio Expedition Foundation (IREF 
<http://www.islandradio.org/>). Contact <mailto:ad5a at gvtc.com> Mike 
Crownover, AD5A, with any questions or visit the IREF website.

The 19th annual IOTA Dinner 
<http://www.dxconvention.org/download/IOTA_Dinner.pdf> will be held in 
conjunction with the 65th annual Visalia International DX Convention 
<http://dxconvention.org/>, Friday, April 4, in the Charter Oak Room of 
the Visalia/Marriott Conference Center in Downtown Visalia, California. 
The event is open to all who are active in IOTA (or who want to see 
beautiful pictures of faraway islands). The IOTA program follows the 
dinner with several guest speakers on the schedule. The event gets 
underway at 5:30 PM PT.

Tickets are $35 per person. Reservations and payment in advance are 
required by March 23. Send checks to IOTA Dinner Coordinator Ray Benny 
<mailto:rayn6vr at cableone.net>, N6VR, 462 South Reed Rd, Chino Valley, AZ 
86323 (he will confirm receipt by e-mail). Tickets are limited, and 
admission to the program following the dinner is free and open to all.

Sponsored by the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB 
<http://rsgb.org/>), IOTA is an Amateur Radio award program that 
encourages operators to contact stations on islands around the world.

/Feature/: A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL

America's "Roaring 20s" had passed and, with them, a period of roaring 
growth in radio technology. But a large problem had fallen on America, 
one that began on October 29, 1929 -- "Black Tuesday," the day the stock 
market crash triggered our Great Depression.

Like everyone else, hams had to tighten their belts during the 1930s. 
Typical ham didn't have enough disposable income to take advantage of 
the best advances in technology, so they learned to improvise. Amateur 
Radio continued to grow, both in numbers and accomplishments. Here are 
some Amateur Radio and ARRL tidbits from the 1930s:

? January 1930 /QST/ announced that phone operation on 20 meters had 
been authorized.

? By the early 1930s most hams were using crystal-controlled 
transmitters, but most hams had only a small number of crystals. The 
usual procedure was to call long CQs and then tune up and down the band 
looking for long calls in reply.

? The first ARRL "International" Field Day was held in 1933. By 1938 
more than 1000 stations were participating. The event had become as 
popular as the ARRL DX Contest and the Sweepstakes.

? The Communications Act of 1934 created the Federal Communications 
Commission (FCC), which replaced the Federal Radio Commission. Within a 
few years, the FCC was monitoring ham stations, to be certain everyone 
was following the rules and regulations. /QST/ warned its readers to be 
sure their transmitters were operating within the ham bands, because the 
FCC could measure frequency with an accuracy of 10 cycles per second!

? By 1936 there were 46,000 radio amateurs in the US; by 1939 the number 
had risen to 51,000.

? The ARRL announced the start of the DXCC program in 1937. In 1938, 
W3CRA qualified for the first DXCC certificate -- quite a feat!

Maxim Memorial Station W1AW.

? League Co-Founder Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW, died suddenly on February 
17, 1936, at age 66. After Maxim's death, the FCC issued the call sign 
W1AW to ARRL. The Maxim Memorial Station, W1AW, in Newington, 
Connecticut, was dedicated <http://www.arrl.org/inside-w1aw> on 
September 2, 1938, in his honor. The ceremony was broadcast nationwide 
by radio.

? In May 1936, Eugene Woodruff, W8CMP, was elected by the ARRL Board of 
Directors as the League's second President. Woodruff was the head of the 
Departments of Electrical Railways and Radio at Pennsylvania State College.

But then, another World War was upon us. We'll look at hams and the war 
years next week.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2014-02-27&p=2>
The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: We saw an increase in 
solar activity over the past week, so it appears that the recovery of 
solar cycle 24 is not over. Average daily sunspot numbers February 20-26 
increased nearly 24 percent from the previous 7 days -- from 140.4 to 
173.6. Average daily solar flux over the same period rose from 158.7 to 
167.3.

[SOHO image]

Predicted solar flux over the near term is 180 on February 27-28, 175 on 
March 1-6, 180 on March 7-9, then 175 and 160 on March 10-11, 145 on 
March 12-13, 150 on March 14-17, and 155 on March 18-20, peaking at 180 
on March 26 and again on April 2-4.

Predicted planetary A index is 18, 15 and 8 on February 27 through March 
1, 5 on March 2-4, 8 on March 5-6, 5 on March 7-8, 10 and 5 on March 
9-10, 8 on March 11, and 5 on March 12-22.

The ARRL International DX Contest <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx> phone is 
this weekend, starting at 0000 UTC on March 1 (the evening of February 
28 in US time zones), and continuing through 2359 UTC March 2.

In the Friday bulletin look for an updated forecast, as well as reports 
from readers. Send <mailto:k7ra at arrl.net> me your reports and observations.

*In Brief*

*ARRL International DX Contest (SSB) Offers Fun for Tech Ops*! 
Technician licensees, who have phone operating privileges 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Ham%20Radio%20License%20Manual/Tech%20Band%20Chart.pdf> 
on 10 meters, may want to give the band a try this weekend, March 1-2 
(UTC), during the ARRL International DX Contest 
<http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx>. The exchange is a signal report and your 
state. With the solar flux high enough to open polar paths, this will be 
a great time to see what you can do with your HF phone privileges! /-- 
Thanks to /The ARRL Contest Update 
<http://www.arrl.org/the-arrl-contest-update>

*Special Call Signs to Commemorate Russian Space Pioneer's Birth, 
Spaceflight: *Special call signs <http://www.12april1961.ru> will mark 
Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's first human spaceflight -- a complete 
Earth orbit on April 12, 1961. The operations celebrate Gagarin's birth 
80 years ago in 1934 (he died in 1968) and the historic spaceflight 53 
years ago. Those years and the number "80" are embedded in each call 
sign. The activity will take place March 1-April 30. A certificate is 
available. Kazakhstan also will field several special UP-prefix call 
signs in Gagarin's honor, all with the suffix "KEDR." That was the call 
sign Gagarin used on his historic space mission. QSL via RW6HS. /-- 
Thanks to /The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com/>

*FT5ZM Op**eration Approved for DXCC Credit:* The ARRL DXCC Desk has 
approved the 2014 operation of FT5ZM -- Amsterdam & St Paul Island -- 
for DX Century Club credit. If a DXCC credit request for this operation 
has been rejected in a prior application, contact ARRL Awards Branch 
Manager Bill Moore <mailto:bmoore at arrl.org>, NC1L, to be placed on the 
record update list. Note the submission date and/or application 
reference number. DXCC is Amateur Radio's premier award that hams can 
earn by confirming on-the-air contacts with 100 DXCC "entities 
<http://www.arrl.org/country-lists-prefixes>," most of which are 
countries in the traditional sense. Learn more 
<http://www.arrl.org/rules>. /-- ARRL Awards Branch Manager Bill Moore, 
NC1L/

*Registration Open for 2014 CubeSat Developers' Workshop:* Registration 
is now open for the 11th annual CubeSat Developers' Workshop 
<http://www.cubesat.org/>, April 23-25, at California State Polytechnic 
University in San Luis Obispo, California. The workshop's theme is "The 
Edge of Exploration." Members of the CubeSat community, policymakers, 
government agency representatives, scientists, and academicians from 
around the world are expected to attend. The Cal Poly CubeSat Group 
invites authors to present papers on all areas of CubeSat development 
and mission research. For more information, contact 
<mailto:cubesat.workshop at gmail.com> the Cal Poly CubeSat Group, (805) 
756-5087. /-- AMSAT News Service/

*DX Engineering Acquires Cycle 24 Antenna Products:* DX Engineering 
<http://www.dxengineering.com/> has acquired the assets of Cycle 24 
Antenna Products, a web-based retailer of Amateur Radio antennas and 
antenna components. "Cycle 24 is a great fit with DX Engineering," said 
Tim Duffy, K3LR, DX Engineering's chief marketing officer. "We welcome 
all of Cycle 24's customers to the DX Engineering family." He noted that 
several Cycle 24-developed products now will be available through DX 
Engineering. /-- Thanks to Tim Duffy, K3LR/

*Clearwater Amateur Radio Society Celebrates **60 Years as 
ARRL-Affiliated Club:* The Clearwater Amateur Radio Society (CARS 
<http://www.carshamradio.org/>) has celebrated 60 years as an 
ARRL-affiliated club. CARS, which boasts nearly 50 members, became 
affiliated with the ARRL on January 18, 1954. Representing the ARRL at 
club's February meeting to present a plaque was ARRL West Central 
Florida Section Manager Dee Turner, N4GD. CARS President, Craig Shapiro, 
KJ4BYK, accepted the award on behalf of the club. A small celebration 
took place following the meeting to commemorate the event. /-- Thanks to 
Kevin Poorman, KV4CT, PIO/

*Preliminary Contest Results Available:* Initial results 
<http://arrl.org/contest-results-articles> for the CW and phone weekends 
of the 2013 ARRL November Sweepstakes have been posted online. The 
articles feature category winners, Top 10 tables, Division Winners, and 
Region Leaders. A ranking of rare sections is included (the hardest to 
get last fall was NL, but QC was a close second). Preliminary results 
for the January North American QSO Party 
<http://ncjweb.com/naqp-scores/preliminary/cwnaqp012014-prelim.txt> (CW) 
are now available, as well as preliminary results for the February North 
American Sprint 
<http://ncjweb.com/sprint-scores/preliminary/sprintcwfeb2014prelim.txt> 
(CW). /-- Thanks to/ The ARRL Contest Update 
<http://www.arrl.org/the-arrl-contest-update>, NCJ <http://ncjweb.com/>

*BBC World Service to Cut Back Shortwave Transmissions:* According to a 
report 
<http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/feb/19/bbc-world-service-reduce-shortwave-peter-horrocks> 
in /The Guardian/ newspaper, the BBC World Service 
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio> will further reduce its 
shortwave profile next year, diverting a projected saving of more than 
$25 million to fund television and digital services. As of April 1, the 
BBC World Service and BBC Monitoring will be funded directly from the TV 
license fee instead of through the Foreign Office. In cutbacks 3 years 
ago, the BBC eliminated more than 500 jobs, closed five language 
services, ended radio broadcasts in seven languages, and reduced short 
and medium-wave transmissions.

Getting it Right!

In the story, "Make Your Voice Heard During the ARRL International DX 
Contest (Phone)!" in /The ARRL Letter/, February 20, 2014, we 
inadvertently "nicknamed" Robert Wood, W5AJ, in the caption of a photo 
by Carl Cook, AI6V. Also, W5AJ operated solo at P40P, not as part of a 
team, as the caption indicated.

Just Ahead in Radiosport

  *

    *Mar 1-2 --ARRL International DX Contest, SSB*

  *

    Mar 1 -- Open Ukraine RTTY Championship

  *

    Mar 2 -- OK1WC Memorial Contest

  *

    Mar 4 -- ARS Spartan Sprint

  *

    Mar 4 -- YL CW Party

  *

    Mar 5 -- John Rollins Memorial DX Contest, CW

  *

    Mar 7 -- NS Weekly Sprint (CW)

  *

    Mar 7-8 -- Worldwide EME Contest

  *

    Mar 7-8 -- RSGB Commonwealth Contest (CW)

  *

    Mar 7-8 -- Straight Key Weekend Sprintathon

  *

    Mar 7-8 -- AGCW QRP Contest (CW)

  *

    Mar 7-8 -- QRP ARCI HF Grid Square Sprint (CW)

  *

    Mar 7-8 -- EA PSK63 Contest

  *

    Mar 7-8 -- Idaho QSO Party

  *

    *Mar 9 -- North American Sprint (RTTY)*

  *

    Mar 9 -- Wisconsin QSO Party

Visit the Contest Corral 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Contest%20Corral/Contest%20Corral%201403%281%29.pdf> 
for details.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

  *

    March 1-2 -- Alabama Section Convention <http://birminghamfest.org/>
    (BirmingHAMfest 2014), Birmingham, Alabama

  *

    March 7-8 -- North Carolina Section Convention
    <http://www.charlottehamfest.org/> (Charlotte Hamfest), Concord,
    North Carolina

  *

    March 7-8 -- West Gulf Division Convention
    <http://greencountryhamfest.org/>, Claremore, Oklahoma

  *

    March 14-15 -- Delta Division Convention <http://www.w5ddl.org/>,
    Rayne, Louisiana

  *

    March 15 -- Nebraska State Convention
    <http://www.lincolnhamfest.org/>, Lincoln, Nebraska

  *

    March 15 -- West Texas Section Convention
    <http://hamfest.w5qgg.org/>, Midland, Texas

  *

    March 22 -- South Texas Section Convention
    <http://houstonhamfest.org/> (Greater Houston Hamfest), Rosenberg, Texas

  *

    March 22-23 -- Communications Academy <http://www.commacademy.org/>,
    Seattle, Washington

  *

    March 28-29 -- Maine State Convention <http://www.w1npp.org/>,
    Lewiston, Maine

  *

    March 29 -- Microhams Digital Conference
    <http://www.microhams.com/mhdc>, Redmond, Washington

  *

    April 4-6 -- International DX Convention
    <http://www.dxconvention.org/>, Visalia, California

  *

    April 19 -- Roanoke Division Convention
    <http://www.rars.org/hamfest>, Raleigh, North Ca

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------------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members 
may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their Member Data 
Page as described at http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/.

Copyright ? 2014 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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




