From bmarx at bellsouth.net Thu Oct 1 13:39:28 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Thu, 01 Oct 2015 13:39:28 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] A Message from Jeff WA4AW In-Reply-To: <20150930202653.2709D2094228@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20150930202653.2709D2094228@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: <560D6FD0.4090102@bellsouth.net> Greetings to all, October brings the beginning of the fall season with, hopefully, cooler weather and the return of our seasonal visitors and residents to South Florida. Hamfests and outdoor club activities are more enjoyable during this time of the year, so, get out of the shack and support our various SFL club events. Upcoming SFL events include the following: 10/03-04/2015 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test More info about the SET can be found on page 88 of the September QST All are invited to participate. Contact your local EC or DEC Their contact info is listed on the SFL Section website at www.sflarrl.org 10/09-10/2015 | Florida State Convention (Melbourne Hamfest) Location: Melbourne Type: ARRL Convention Sponsor: Platinum Coast Amateur Radio Society Website: http://www.pcars.org Special Guest: Mike Corey, KI1U, ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager 10/16-18/2015 Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) Type: Special Event Website: http://www.scouting.org/jota.aspx 10/19-23/2015 ARRL School Club Roundup Webpage: http://www.arrl.org/school-club-roundup For more info on JOTA and SCR, contact SFL Section Youth Coordinator Bruce Ratoff, KO4XL at ko4xl at arrl.net 02/12/2016 | ARRL National Convention (Orlando HamCation?) Location: Orlando, FL Type: ARRL Convention Sponsor: Orlando Amateur Radio Club Website: http://hamcation.com Our latest ARRL Affiliated Club is the North Broward Radio Club in Deerfield Beach. Welcome to the SFL club family ! Along with 18 other Section Managers from around the nation, I attended a weekend seminar at ARRL HQ in Newington, CT. on September 17-20. Joining me there were the SMs from the Northern and West Central Florida Sections with whom I work with on a regular basis for the benefit of all Florida ARRL members. We met with HQ staff and volunteers as well as networking with my fellow SMs. A worthwhile session and I was pleased to have had the opportunity to attend. Hurricane Watch Net Activating for Hurricane Joaquin The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has made it official: It?s Hurricane Joaquin, a Category 1 storm. But the NHC said that Joaquin is gaining strength and ?could become a major hurricane during the next couple of days.? The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) activated at 1500 UTC today (September 30) on 14.325 MHz (after nightfall, the net will convene on 7.268 MHz) to gather observer reports. WX4NHC at the NHC is not active at this time. Currently packing maximum sustained winds of 85 MPH, Hurricane Joaquin was about 190 miles east-northeast of the central Bahamas as of 1800 UTC. A hurricane warning is in effect for the central Bahamas, including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador. ?Due to the close proximity to land, whether or not this storm makes landfall in the Bahamas, the Hurricane Watch Net will be active until the storm is no longer a threat in this region,? said HWN Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV. ?Everyone along the US East Coast should keep a close eye on this system. The current forecast brings Joaquin near the New England area by late Sunday or early Monday.? During HWN activation, the net control station will request measured/observed ground-truth data from stations in the affected area. The HWN also remains available to provide back-up communication to official agencies, such as emergency operations centers and Red Cross officials in the affected area. The net also will gather and report to FEMA officials in the NHC any information on significant damage. Stations should not check into the net unless specifically requested to do so. The NHC reported at 1800 UTC that Joaquin was moving toward the southwest at nearly 6 MPH. ?A general motion toward the west-southwest or southwest is expected to continue through tonight,? the NHC said. ?A turn toward the northwest and a decrease in forward speed are forecast on Thursday or Thursday night. The center of Joaquin is expected to move near or over portions of the central Bahamas tonight and Thursday.? According to the NHC, Hurricane conditions are expected to reach portions of the Central Bahamas by Thursday morning. ?Winds are expected to reach tropical storm strength in the warning area tonight, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,? the NHC said. Dangerous storm surges are possible, and Joaquin is expected to produce 5 to 10 inches of rain, with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches possible over San Salvador and Rum Cay through Friday morning. The NHC said swells generated by Joaquin will affect portions of the Bahamas over the next few days and will start affecting portions of Florida?s eastern coast and the US southeast coast by Friday. ?These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,? the NHC predicted. ?We?re monitoring the situation and the forecasts regularly. Like most, we?re waiting to see which way the storm will go,? ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, told the ARRL Field Organization leadership in the areas that could be affected by Joaquin. ?ARRL Headquarters will be in touch with our National VOAD partners, FEMA, and NHC as things develop.? Visit the HWNwebsite for the latest information on this storm and HWN activation plans. Phishing Scheme Targeting ARRL E-Mail Forwarding Service Participants A phishing scheme currently afoot has been targeting ARRL members who have signed up for the ARRL E-Mail Forwarding Service and have an @arrl.net e-mail alias. An e-mail from ?Arrl Webmail Admin? with the subject line ?ACCOUNT UPGRADE? was received September 25 by an unknown number of members who use @arrl.net e-mail aliases. The e-mail, which requests that recipients reply by providing their usernames and passwords, did not come from the ARRL, and anyone receiving this sort of message should delete it and not reply. The ARRL would never distribute an e-mail requesting personal information. ?ARRL is aware of this phishing scheme and is working to block the sender?s e-mail address at our upstream provider,? said Andy Shefrin, KB1YHB, ARRL?s IT Infrastructure & Operations Manager. ?As with any e-mails of unknown origin, do not open or reply.? Simply replying to this e-mail alerts the sender that your e-mail address is valid. The bogus message indicates that access to @arrl.net account holders is being ?removed? and accounts ?upgraded to a new enhanced web mail user interface provided by arrl.net.? Recipients are being asked to provide usernames and passwords ?to ensure your e-mail address book is saved in our database.? This is clearly an effort to harvest @arrl.net subscriber information and valid e-mail addresses. Ignore any message of this sort that seeks to have recipients provide any sensitive information, such as usernames, account numbers, and passwords. If you experience any problem with e-mail forwarding, send details to the ARRL IT Department. Opponents? Representations of Parity Act?s Purpose ?Just Not True,? ARRL President Says ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, has taken strong exception to certain claims being made by community association organizations about the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 ? H.R. 1301 and S. 1685. In an interview with Ham Radio Now host Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, during the ARRL Roanoke Division Convention in Shelby, North Carolina over Labor Day weekend, President Craigie stressed that passage of the legislation is critical to ensuring the future of Amateur Radio. And she described as ?false? recent assertions that the bills? passage would prevent community associations from requiring prior approval for 70-foot ham radio towers and from creating reasonable processes and aesthetic guidelines. ?As bills go, it?s pretty short, and it?s in plain English,? President Craigie said. ?The legislation does not say that, it does not mean that. It?s just not true!? She pointed to the League?s recent ?Clarity on Amateur Radio Parity? posting, which attempts to separate fact from fiction regarding the legislation. The ?Clarity? document explains the bill and ?addresses some of these statements that have no resemblance to anything that is factual in this or any other solar system,? she said. ?The only authority that [homeowners associations] would lose is the ability to say, ?No, go away,?? said President Craigie. HOAs, she explained, would at least have to negotiate ?reasonable accommodation,? which would depend on the circumstances existing in a given neighborhood. She also said that the Parity Act does not represent any sort of federal government or FCC takeover or preemption of HOAs. ?It does not take their authority to regulate away,? she said. ?It only takes away their authority to say ?no.? There?s a big difference.? ?The legislation does not even come close to what they are saying,? agreed ARRL Roanoke Division Director Dr Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, who was interviewed with President Craigie at the Shelby Hamfest. President Craigie said the proliferation of antenna-restricted communities could dramatically affect the ability of young newcomers to engage in and enjoy Amateur Radio. ?A lot of people who are hams today got started as young folks, and it led them into careers; it led them into all kinds of interesting opportunities in their lives,? she told Pearce. If a young person?s parents buy into a deed-restricted neighborhood, however, any ham radio aspirations could be shut down, she said. ?We need to make sure that whatever community their parents decide to buy a house in, that [prospective newcomers] will be able to have some kind of a functioning antenna,? President Craigie said. ?Otherwise, our future has got a major crimp in it.? ?The world will not come to an end if the HOAs actually have to sit down and communicate with the radio amateurs who live there,? President Craigie concluded. August Section ARES report from SEC Larry, W4LWZ Total number of ARES members: 397 Change since last month (+, -, same): +6 Number of DECs/ECs reporting this month: 10 Number of ARES nets active: 12 Number of nets with NTS liaison: 5 Calls of DECs/ECs reporting: AD4RZ, KK4ENJ, K1UQE, WA4ASJ, WA4PAM, N4LEM, WB2MBV, KB1PA, W9GPI, KJ4FJD Number of drills, tests and training sessions this month: 66 Person hours: 274.67 Number of public service events this month: 0 Person hours: 0 Number of emergency operations this month: 2 Person Hours: 21 Total number of ARES operations this month: 68 Total Person hours: 295.67 August Section traffic report from STM Mike, KM2V SAR CALL TOTAL WA4BAM 116 W9GPI 009 K9GZT 011 K4KFF 117 W4LWZ 002 KA3PYO 015 KR4ST 033 NT4TS 005 KM2V 203 W4ZE 018 PSHR Callsign Total WA4BAM 100 K4KFF 110 KM2V 130 NETS NET ABB. QNI QTC QND SESS MGR All Florida CW Traffic Net QFN 232 46 330 30 WA4BAM Florida Medium Speed Net FMSN 176 33 372 29 AG4RJ/AB4XK Southeast Florida Traffic Net SEFTN 586 110 1160 31 KM2V Southwest Florida Traffic Net SWFTN 405 54 932 31 KE4CB/N9WS Broward County Emer Prep Net BCEPN 37 0 153 4 K2MOL Jupiter-Tequesta Repeater Group W4JUP 24 0 75 4 K4VMS Silent Keys- It is with deep regret that we report the passing of the following SFL members: Siegfried R. ?Sigi? Boernert, W2JQ of Naples. Sigi was a member of the Amateur Radio Association of SW Florida. Michael J. ?Mike? Renz, KA1UDV of Boynton Beach and formerly of Plymouth MA passed away suddenly on September 23rd. Mike was the incumbent President of the West Palm Beach ARC and lead instructor of the club?s education program. A memorial service will be held in his honor in late October at the Unity Church of Delray Beach. Well, I guess that?s about it for now. My thanks for all that you do for Amateur Radio. Get on the air, Elmer a new ham, support your local club and ARES group but most of all, have fun with ham radio. Vy 73, Jeff, WA4AW -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL Southern Florida Section Section Manager: Jeff Beals, WA4AW wa4aw at arrl.org From bmarx at bellsouth.net Thu Oct 1 14:05:13 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Thu, 01 Oct 2015 14:05:13 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] HAM Radio: In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <560D75D9.2090805@bellsouth.net> RIGHT NOW.. We have an opportunity to be featured on fox 7 wsvn... please contact him... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: *Guzman, Frank* > Date: Thu, Oct 1, 2015 at 10:56 AM Subject: HAM Radio: To: "leonardgoffe at gmail.com " > Good morning. ? Thanks for taking my call just now.? I???m looking for anyone in the South Florida area who might be in touch with folks in the Bahamas.? Hurricane Joaquin is battering many of the central islands and it???s hard to get information out of there. ? Thanks again! ? Frank ? Sincerely, ? Frank Guzman - Broward Bureau Chief WSVN 7 Fox - The News Station 1020 South Andrews Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 463-2291 direct (954) 760-9765 fax fguzman at wsvn.com Twitter: fguzmanon7 logo ? -- Leonard Goffe 561-389-5462 http://instagram.com/leonardgoffe _https://twitter.com/LeonardGoffe _ -------------- next part -------------- _______________________________________________ BARC Members mailing list members at w4ab.org http://mail.w4ab.org/mailman/listinfo/members From bmarx at bellsouth.net Thu Oct 1 18:26:56 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Thu, 01 Oct 2015 18:26:56 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Daytime Meteor Shower in Progress In-Reply-To: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085dd71faae82a.20151001220122@mail84.us4.mcsv.net> References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085dd71faae82a.20151001220122@mail84.us4.mcsv.net> Message-ID: <560DB330.1060709@bellsouth.net> Space Weather News for Oct. 1, 2015 http://spaceweather.com Dark Plasma Eruption: On Sept.30th, a massive plume of dark plasma erupted from sun's western limb. A bright CME flew away from the blast site and might sideswipe Earth's magnetic field on Oct. 3rd. Check http://spaceweather.com for geomagnetic storm and aurora forecasts. Daytime Meteor Shower: As October begins, a radar in Canada is detecting echoes from a fairly strong meteor shower. The source appears to be debris from asteroid 2005 UD. Don't bother looking for these meteors because they are streaking across the daytime sky, overwhelmed by the glare of the sun. You can, however, hear their radar echoes. Visit http://spaceweather.com for live audio and more information. From bmarx at bellsouth.net Thu Oct 1 18:28:44 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Thu, 01 Oct 2015 18:28:44 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The ARRL Letter for October 1, 2015 In-Reply-To: <20151001220536.E9717200F9A0@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20151001220536.E9717200F9A0@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: <560DB39C.6030105@bellsouth.net> Preview If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2015-10-01 The ARRL Letter October 1, 2015 Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME ARRL Home Page /ARRL Letter/ Archive Audio News Ad * Hurricane Watch Net Keeping Tabs on Joaquin <#toc01> * League Reiterates Call for FCC to Allocate 630 Meters, Okay Rules for 2200 Meters <#toc02> * Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 Hits 100 Proponents in the US House <#toc03> * Wyoming Club Supports League's Washington Advocacy Efforts <#toc04> * MARS Invites ARES/RACES Participation in Coronal Mass Ejection Disaster Exercise <#toc05> * ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program Accepting 2016-17 Applications <#toc06> * More Chinese Amateur Radio Satellites are Aloft <#toc07> * Former ARRL Washington Coordinator, Archivist Perry Williams, W1UED, SK <#toc08> * In Brief <#toc09> * The K7RA Solar Update <#toc10> * Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc11> * Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events <#toc12> Hurricane Watch Net Keeping Tabs on Joaquin It's been a quiet season so far for the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN ), but Hurricane Joaquin, now a Category 3 storm, has been keeping net members busy this week. Joaquin hit the Bahamas on September 30, with maximum sustained winds of 120 MPH. After initially activating on September 30 at 1500 UTC on 14.325 MHz, the net took a break on October 1 at 0445 UTC, as conditions deteriorated on its nighttime frequency of 7.268 MHz. The HWN resumed operation a few hours later on 20 meters at Alert Level 5 -- Catastrophic Response Mode. WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center (NHC ) also activated on October 1. "This storm has gotten huge and very ugly," HWN Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, told ARRL on October 1. Residents along the US East Coast should closely monitor the progress of Joaquin." The NHC said Joaquin would batter the Central Bahamas with hurricane-force winds and heavy rain and storm surges into the evening of October 1. The storm was expected to generate rainfall totals of 10 to 15 inches over the central Bahamas. The NHC has predicted that Joaquin would turn toward the west-northwest late on October 1, followed by a turn to the north and an increase in forward speed on October 2. The 5-day projection for Hurricane Joaquin would place the storm off the coast of North Carolina as early as October 4 and headed toward Southern New England. States of emergency already are in effect in Virginia and New Jersey, but it's still unclear whether the storm will make landfall or remain offshore. Some ARES units are already preparing for possible activation. During HWN activations, the net control station requests measured/observed "ground-truth" data from stations in the affected area. The HWN is available to provide backup communication to official agencies, such as emergency operations centers and Red Cross officials in the affected area. The net also will gather and report to FEMA officials in the NHC any information on significant damage. Stations should not check into the net unless specifically requested to do so. *The 5-day projection for Hurricane Joaquin would place the storm off the coast of North Carolina as early as October 4 and headed toward Southern New England. Click to see additional graphics. [NOAA]* The NHC said swells generated by Joaquin will affect portions of the Bahamas over the next few days and will start affecting portions of Florida's eastern coast and the US southeast coast by October 2. "These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," the NHC predicted. "We're monitoring the situation and the forecasts regularly. Like most, we're waiting to see which way the storm will go," ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, told the ARRL Field Organization leadership in areas that could be affected by Joaquin. "ARRL Headquarters will be in touch with our National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD ), FEMA, and NHC as things develop." Visit the HWN website for the latest information on this storm and HWN activation plans. League Reiterates Call for FCC to Allocate 630 Meters, Okay Rules for 2200 Meters The ARRL has again urged the FCC to go forward with a proposed new Amateur Radio allocation at 472-479 kHz (630 meters) and to establish service rules for Amateur Radio operation at 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 meters). The League reiterated its August 31 arguments in favor of flexible FCC Part 97 regulations in its September 30 reply comments to the FCC's April /Report and Order, Order, and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking/ (/R&O/NPRM/ ) in ET Docket 15-99. That /R&O/NPRM/ raised several questions regarding how Amateur Radio might coexist with PLC systems used to control the power grid. Targeting comments filed by the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC), the ARRL called on the Commission to ignore UTC's call not to allocate 630 meters to Amateur Radio. It asked the FCC to implement a notification procedure for amateur stations within 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) of a transmission line carrying PLC and where the PLC system is operating on frequencies within or which overlap the 2200 or 630 meter bands. "The comments of UTC, without the benefit of any technical component or argument, oppose the allocation of the 630 meter band to the Amateur Service, and suggest overly and unnecessarily conservative regulation of amateur operation in the 2200 meter band," the ARRL told the FCC. "Whatever protection criteria are ultimately deemed to be necessary with respect to the 2200 meter band, those criteria would be applicable and sufficient as well with respect to the 630 meter band," the ARRL said. "There is no technical justification offered by UTC for withholding the 630 meter allocation." The ARRL also urged the FCC to reject what it called "UTC's inchoate proposal" to elevate the unlicensed status of PLCs operating between 9 and 490 kHz, purportedly to protect them from interference "caused by amateur operations," while not making any accommodations to address PLC interference to Amateur Radio operations. "UTC cannot have it both ways: It cannot enjoy the benefits of unlicensed operation under Part 15 of the Commission's rules as a carrier-current, unintentional emitter and at the same time claim the protection afforded an allocated, licensed radio service," the ARRL argued. While the UTC has offered to work with the FCC, the ARRL characterized the UTC's comments as "distinctly unhelpful" in terms of providing information regarding the prevalence and location of PLCs that need protection, the interference potential from Amateur Radio operation and notification requirements, and just how much protection the PLCs actually need. "They are not responsive at all to the plethora of questions asked by the Commission in the /Notice/," the ARRL continued, "and those points that UTC makes are unsubstantiated." The League said it's willing to work with utilities in setting up a notification procedure to address the unlikely possibility that Amateur Radio operations in the two bands might interfere with critical PLC systems. "In order to implement this, UTC should be called upon to provide to ARRL or to the general public, a list of transmission lines carrying PLC which make use of either of the two subject bands, thus to facilitate notification," the ARRL reply comments said. The League concluded by calling on the FCC to allocate 630 meters to Amateur Radio, as proposed in the /Notice/, reject UTC's proposal to elevate the status of PLCs, and implement a notification procedure for amateur stations within 1 kilometer of a transmission line carrying PLC in or near the two bands, and to make the LF and MF allocation changes in Part 2 and the Part 97 service rule changes, "as proposed by ARRL and not otherwise." Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 Hits 100 Proponents in the US House The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 -- H.R. 1301 and S. 1685 -- now has the support of 100 members of the US House of Representatives. Two additional cosponsors signed onto H.R. 1301 on September 24, raising the number of cosponsors to 99. Those members plus the House bill's sponsor, US Rep Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), total 100 proponents, and the number is expected to continue growing. One of the newcomers agreeing to cosponsor H.R. 1301 was the congressman who represents the Connecticut House district that includes ARRL Headquarters -- Rep John Larson (D-CT). The other new cosponsor was Rep Kristi L. Noem (R-SD) The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 would direct the FCC to extend its rules relating to reasonable accommodation of Amateur Service communications to private land-use restrictions. Kinzinger introduced H.R. 1301 in March, with 12 original cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. Sen Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced S. 1685 in June, with Sen Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) as the original cosponsor. Recently the League took steps to address objections and concerns raised by representatives of community associations about the legislation. "Clarity on Amateur Radio Parity " makes it clear that the bill would /not/ create new federal policy with respect to outdoor amateur antennas. As it points out, the FCC already recognizes a strong federal interest in effective Amateur Radio communication from residences and has adopted a limited preemption of state and local regulation of Amateur Radio antennas. The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 would extend the limited preemption to private land-use restrictions. H.R. 1301 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Rep Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR), chairs that panel's Communications and Technology Subcommittee, which will consider the measure. S. 1685**has been referred to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee's subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, chaired by Sen Wicker, the bill's sponsor. The ARRL continues to encourage members to write their US House and Senate members urging their cosponsorship of the legislation. Visit the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 page for information on how you can get involved. Ad Wyoming Club Supports League's Washington Advocacy Efforts ARRL Wyoming Section Manager Jack Mitchell, N7MJ, on September 18 at ARRL Headquarters presented ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, *ARRL Wyoming Section Manager Jack Mitchell, N7MJ (left), and ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ. [Sean Kutzko, KX9X, photo]* with a check for $1000 on behalf of the Shy-Wy Amateur Radio Club of Cheyenne, Wyoming. The club's designated its donation to support the League's efforts in Washington on the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015. "The ARRL is very appreciative to the members of the Shy-Wy Amateur Radio Club for their generous contribution to the Legislative Issues Advocacy Fund ," said ARRL Development Manager Lauren Clarke, KB1YDD. "This fund supports the efforts of ARRL key volunteers and staffers in Washington, DC, on behalf of the Amateur Radio Parity Act, and every donation to help this important work brings us that much closer to our goal." Sumner gave Mitchell an ARRL Certificate of Appreciation for the Shy-Wy ARC. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MARS Invites ARES/RACES Participation in Coronal Mass Ejection Disaster Exercise A disastrous coronal mass ejection (CME) will be the focus of a national Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) communication exercise in early November, and MARS is hoping to collaborate with Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) groups. The MARS exercise will get under way on November 8 and continue into November 10. It will be a quarterly contingency HF exercise in support of the US Department of Defense. "The exercise scenario will simulate a CME event and focus on actions that radio operators should take prior to and following a CME event," explained Army MARS Program Manager Paul English, WD8DBY. "One thing we want to continue to work on is the interface with the greater Amateur Radio community." CMEs are huge explosions of gas, plasma, and electromagnetic radiation from the Sun, which are responsible for geomagnetic storms. Solar flares can accompany CMEs, but they are not the same thing. A CME can take anywhere from 1 day to 3 days to reach Earth. CMEs occur all the time, but most bypass Earth with minor effects. A major CME that hits Earth directly could damage or destroy satellites as well as terrestrial communication and electrical power infrastructure. English said the November exercise would simulate a radio blackout as well as infrastructure damage. "During the exercise, we will simulate the blackout with a 3 hour pause, and then we will bring stations back on air and begin handling requests for information," he told ARRL. Training objectives for this exercise will include understanding what a CME is and how much forecast lead time can be expected; the effects associated with a CME, and what precautions radio operators take to protect their equipment prior to a severe CME. After the simulated CME, operators will assess its effects and begin reporting that information. This will involve "interoperation with Amateur Radio operators and groups to assist in assessment." Individual radio amateurs as well as ARES and RACES teams are encouraged to participate in this exercise. Contact MARS and provide your contact information, if your organization is interested. ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program Accepting 2016-17 Applications The ARRL Foundation is accepting academic year 2016-17 applications from eligible young radio amateurs planning to pursue higher education. All applicants must be active FCC licensees and submit an online application. More than 80 scholarships ranging from $500 to $5000 will be awarded in 2016. In addition, one applicant will be selected to receive the prestigious William R. Goldfarb Memorial Scholarship , awarded to a high school senior pursuing a degree in business, computers, medical, nursing, engineering, or science. Students submitting 2016 applications should read the ARRL Scholarship descriptions carefully and apply only for those scholarships for which they are eligible. Some scholarships have geographic criteria or other requirements /./ All applicants must submit a completed online application. Applicants must also forward a copy of their academic transcripts from their most recently completed school year. /Applications without accompanying transcripts will not be considered.//Cell phone photos of transcript(s) will not be accepted. All transcripts must be scanned into a PDF and //sent/ /via e-mail./ Applicants for the William R. Goldfarb Memorial Scholarship must also submit a PDF of their FAFSA form by February 18, 2016, as well as a copy of their academic transcript from their most recently completed school year. Applicants will receive a confirmation message when their applications have been successfully processed. The 2016 application window opened on October 1. Applications for the 2016 scholarship process must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on January 31, 2016. Transcripts must be received by Thursday, February 18, 2016. Award recipients are typically notified by mid-May by USPS mail and e-mail. Read more . Ad More Chinese Amateur Radio Satellites are Aloft On the heels of the September 19 launch of nine satellites carrying Amateur Radio payloads comes word that three more satellites were launched on September 25 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Inner Mongolia's Gobi Desert. The CubeSats, identified as Tianwang-1A (TW-1A; SECM-1), Tianwang-1B (TW-1B; NJUST-2), and Tianwang-1C (TW-1C; NJFA-1), were developed by students at the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in collaboration with the Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites. TW-1A and TW-1B are 2 U CubeSats, while TW-1C is a 3U CubeSat. The mission's main goal is to experiment with software defined radio technology in space. The Amateur Radio payloads, which do not include any transponders, will serve to exchange telemetry, tracking, and command information with the ground control station. Telemetry data will be made public, so that radio amateurs around the world may track and monitor the health of the satellites. Other payloads include a video camera, along with receivers for dual-band GPS/BeiDou, Maritime Automatic Identification System, and Aeronautical Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast. Using MEMS-based cold-gas micropropulsion, it is planned to demonstrate formation flying by two of the CubeSats along with inter-satellite communication using GAMALINK 2.4 GHz spread spectrum technology from Portugal. According to Michael Chen, BD5RV, of CAMSAT, the satellites have downlinks in the 435-438 MHz Amateur-Satellite Service allocation. TW-1A transmits on 435.645 MHz (GMSK 4800/9600 baud, 10 second transmit interval); TW-1B on 437.645 MHz (GMSK 4800/9600 baud, 20 second transmit interval), and TW-1C on 435.645 MHz (GMSK 4800/9600 baud, 10 second transmit interval). Note that TW-1A and 1C use the same frequency. The satellites also may have downlink frequencies in the VHF range. Read more . /-- Thanks to AMSAT News Service, AMSAT-UK/ Former ARRL Washington Coordinator, Archivist Perry Williams, W1UED, SK The League's former Washington Coordinator and veteran ARRL Headquarters staff member Perry Williams, W1UED, of Unionville, Connecticut, died on September 25. An ARRL Life Member, Williams, who would have turned 87 in October, spent 4 decades on staff before retiring in 1994. That same year, he was named as Dayton Hamvention's Amateur of the Year. In 2002 he returned to ARRL Headquarters in a part-time position as the League archivist. *Perry Williams, W1UED, in his ARRL office.* "If Perry didn't know something about ARRL history, it wasn't worth knowing," commented ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ. "I worked for Perry when I joined the full-time ARRL staff in 1972 and couldn't have asked for a better mentor." A radio amateur since 1951, Williams came to ARRL Headquarters in April 1954 as an assistant secretary, which, as Sumner explained, meant that Williams "was expected to be able to answer just about any question about Amateur Radio regulations, both nationally and internationally, and to do whatever the Secretary and General Manager needed done." After rising to senior assistant secretary, in 1977 he was named manager of the Membership Services Department. Three years later, he became the ARRL's Washington Area Coordinator, spending a couple of days a week in DC as the face and voice of Amateur Radio on Capitol Hill and at the FCC and working with ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD (then N3AKD), and Washington-area volunteers. Over the years, Williams contributed an extensive list of columns and articles to /QST/. After returning to Headquarters part-time in 2002, Williams continued as archivist until February 2011. "It was my great privilege to work with Perry Williams, W1UED ('usually eats dinner' were his self-chosen phonetics for that call sign), on ARRL advocacy issues. Perry was extremely proud to wave ARRL's banner in the halls of Congress at the FCC and in a good number of other Federal agencies where Amateur Radio had business." Imlay said. One of Williams's greatest accomplishments included talking Congress out of charging amateurs a license application fee; instead he argued convincingly in favor of creating a vanity call sign program. "Perry thought -- accurately -- that amateurs would be willing to pay for services that they got from FCC, but that they would be very unhappy to pay application fees that didn't translate into something that benefited them," Imlay said. "Congress bought Perry's argument, and so we now have vanity call signs and no application fees." Imlay said Williams also crafted a plan for the Amateur Service not only to retain large segments of microwave spectrum that a bill in Congress would have surrendered for commercial interests, but to create a primary allocation around 2.4 GHz. Prior to joining the ARRL staff, Williams served as a radio operator with the US Air Force Strategic Air Command for 6 years, before and during the Korean Conflict. In his younger years, he was active as a Boy Scout leader, once directed two church choirs, and enjoyed playing the accordion. A memorial service will be announced. Survivors include his wife, Martha, and four children. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In Brief *AMSAT's Fox-1A to Launch from California on October 8:* The much-awaited Fox-1A CubeSat is set to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on October 8. It will ride aloft on an Atlas V rocket as part of the National Reconnaissance Office Launch 55 (NROL-55), which will carry an auxiliary payload called Government Rideshare Advanced Concepts Experiment (GRACE). Sponsored by the NRO, GRACE will carry 13 CubeSats into space -- nine sponsored by the NRO and four -- including Fox-1A -- by NASA. GRACE is the fourth NRO-sponsored CubeSat mission./-- Thanks to AMSAT News Service/ *LAPAN-A2 FM and APRS Satellite Launched:* It's getting even busier in space. Indonesia's IARU Amateur Radio society ORARI reports that the**LAPAN-A2/ORARI satellite was launched on September 28, from India. LAPAN-A2 is in a 650 km orbit and takes about 110 minutes to orbit Earth. The low-inclination equatorial orbit of 6? to 8? means it will be receivable only from about 30? N to 30? S, limiting the satellite's accessibility to users outside of that footprint. LAPAN-A2 has been heard. It now is undergoing activation and systems testing, and it is expected to be 1 month before the Amateur Radio FM transponder will be generally available. The primary aims of the mission are Earth observation using an RGB camera and maritime traffic monitoring using AIS -- both using frequencies outside the Amateur Satellite Service. The telemetry beacon is on 437.425 MHz; the FM voice uplink is 435.880 MHz; the FM voice downlink is 145.880 MHz. The transponder runs 5 W. The APRS digipeater is on 145.825. Reports are welcome. *Radio Amateurs Track Signal Interfering on Public Safety Frequency:* Radio amateurs in New Hampshire recently were able to help track down the source of a constant mystery signal on 155.340 MHz -- the "Med 1" frequency for local hospitals. "The offending transmitter was easily received in Dover on a handheld, and was interfering with ambulance-hospital communications," New Hampshire Technical Coordinator Dee Hebert, AB1ST, told New Hampshire Section Manager Pete Stohrer, K1PJS. "George [Whitehead, W1BOF] and I began looking for the transmitter in Dover, and, after a few hours, we had traced it down to Exeter Hospital. George knows the emergency preparedness coordinator at that hospital and contacted him." Communications technicians at the hospital, responding to a report that users were unable to transmit or receive on any frequency, were unaware of the constantly keyed transmitter. They started shutting down systems there until the offending signal disappeared. "We suspect that all of the problems at Exeter Hospital were due to that single transmitter," Hebert said. "It was good to see Amateur Radio and our fox hunt skills put to practical use in the community." /-- Thanks to Dee Hebert, AB1ST/ *CQ World Wide DX Contest Committee Conducting Survey:* The CQ World Wide DX Contest Committee is conducting a survey to gather feedback about the contest from participants. An invitation with a link to the survey has been sent via e-mail to everyone who submitted a log in the 2014 SSB and CW CQ WW events. "The responses will help us improve the contest and make important decisions about the rules," the CQ WW Contest Committee said. Anyone who has participated in the CQ WW DX Contest in the past 3 years is invited to take the survey, which is available in five languages and should take about 10 minutes to complete. Participants should only take the survey once. The deadline to submit surveys is October 10. Ad The K7RA Solar Update Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar activity spiked again this week, with average daily sunspot numbers rising from 73 to 120.9. Average daily solar flux tracked upward too -- from 106.7 to 122.7. Predicted solar flux is 130 on October 1-2; 120 and 110 on October 3-4; 100 on October 5-8; 115 on October 9-10; 110 on October 11-12; then 115, 120, and 125 on October 13-15; 130 on October 16-18; 125 on October 19; 120 on October 20-24, then 130, 125, 120, and 115 on October 25-28; 110 on October 29 through November 1, and 115 on November 2-6. Predicted planetary A index is 8, 20 and 22 on October 1-3; 28, 16, and 12 on October 4-6; 8 on October 7-8; 10 on October 9; 8 on October 10-14; then 12, 10, and 12 on October 15-17; 8 on October 18-24; 7 on October 25-27; 15, 10, 7, and 15 on October 28-31, and 12, 8, and 12 on November 1-3. Monthly averages of sunspot numbers for May through September were 83, 77.4, 68.5, 61.7, and 72.5. The 3 month moving averages of daily sunspot numbers centered on January through August were 98.2, 78.1, 68.2, 72.4, 77.7, 76.3, 69.1, and 67.5. A 3 month moving average centered on August has a sum of all sunspot numbers from July 1 through September 30, and divides by 92, the number of days. A 3 month moving average centered on July incorporates all data from June 1 through August 31. Send me your reports and observations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Just Ahead in Radiosport * October 1 -- SARL 80 Meter QSO Party (SSB) * October 1 -- NRAU 10 Meter Activity Contest (CW, SSB, Digital) * October 2 -- NCCC Weekly Sprint (CW) * October 2-4 -- YLRL YL Anniversary Contest (CW, SSB, Digital) * October 3 -- TARA PSK Rumble Contest * October 3 -- German Telegraphy Contest * October 3 -- FISTS Fall Slow Speed Sprint (CW) * October 3 -- 4 State 4?4 QRP Sprint (CW, SSB) * October 3-4 -- 15-Meter SSTV Dash Contest * October 3-4 -- Oceania DX Contest (SSB) * October 3-4 -- Russian WW Digital Contest * October 3-4 -- TRC DX Contest (CW, SSB) * October 3-4 -- California QSO Party (CW) * October 3-4 -- International HELL Contest * October 3-4 -- WAB HF Phone * October 4 -- UBA ON Contest (SSB) * October 4 -- RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest (CW, SSB) * October 6 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW) * October 7 --Weekly Phone Fray * October 7 -- 432 MHz Fall Sprint (CW, phone) * October 7-8 -- CWops Weekly Mini-CWT Test * October 9 -- NCCC RTTY Weekly Sprint See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events * October 2-4 -- Mid-Atlantic States VHF Conference , Bensalem, Pennsylvania * October 3 -- Delaware State Convention , Georgetown, Delaware * October 9-10 -- Florida State Convention , Melbourne, Florida * October 9-11 -- ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference , Arlington Heights, Illinois * October 10-11 -- Pacific Northwest VHF Conference , Issaquah, Washington * October 16-18 -- Microwave Update Convention , San Diego, California * October 16-18 -- Pacific Division Convention (Pacificon) , San Ramon, California * October 17 -- Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference , Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin * October 18 -- Connecticut State Convention , Meriden, Connecticut * October 23-24 -- Arizona State Convention , Kingman, Arizona * October 23-24 -- Oklahoma State Convention , Ardmore, Oklahoma * November 7 -- Fall TechFest , Lakewood, Colorado * November 7-8 -- Georgia Section Convention , Lawrenceville, Georgia * November 14 -- HamJam Convention , Alpharetta, Georgia * November 14-15 -- Indiana State Convention , Fort Wayne, Indiana Find conventions and hamfests in your area . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *ARRL *-- *Your One-Stop Resource for * *Amateur Radio News and Information* . . . * Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes /QST/ , Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month. * Listen to /ARRL Audio News/ , available every Friday. Subscribe to... * /NCJ / /-- National Contest Journal/ . Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties. * /QEX/ *//*/-- A Forum for Communications Experimenters/ . Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals. Free of charge to ARRL members... * Subscribe to the /ARES E-Letter/ (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the /ARRL Contest Update/ (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more! Find ARRL on Facebook ! Follow us on Twitter ! Ad Ad Ad Ad Ad ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 48 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 ? 2015 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved www.arrl.org From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Oct 2 09:39:01 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 02 Oct 2015 09:39:01 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] How to install a Horizontal Waller Flag antenna at 150 foot Message-ID: <560E88F5.1090405@bellsouth.net> Waller Flag by Carlos - N4IS Perhaps you guys and gals would like to see my latest Antenna Install? This tower has so many antennas on it that it would have been about impossible to put this 44 foot long boom new Horizontal Waller Flag receive antenna for the low bands up without a Crane. So the Crane it was. This is an 8 minute You Tube Video created by Dino Raptis KR9V. Dino flying his Quad Copter and me wearing the GoPro camera while I was up in the "ManCage" along with one of the Don Fruchey Crane Crew. The Horizontal Waller Flag antenna is a produced and sold by Carlos N4IS http://top-beam.com/ The boom on this one is 44 feet long. Interlaced with the Waller Flag is a 5 element HyGain 10M yagi. Enjoy the video. (Got to the link to see the video) http://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/how-to-install-a-horizontal-waller-flag-antenna-at-150-foot.495077/ 73 John k9uwa From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Oct 2 11:23:43 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 02 Oct 2015 11:23:43 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The Amateur Amateur: 220 Message-ID: <560EA17F.6060505@bellsouth.net> I saw an ad for this on QRZ. I'd seen it before and found this Column Interesting. Bill http://www.the-amateur-amateur.com/ /The Amateur Amateur:/ 220 /By Gary Ross Hoffman, KB0H/ Alinco DR-235T *My first 220 MHz transceiver, the Alinco DR-235T* My friend Chuck, N0EIS, tells jokes that are either so corny that I can't believe he has the nerve to say them aloud, or so profound that I'm overwhelmed by his wit and wisdom. He oscillates between lunatic and genius, and much of the time I have no idea what he's talking about. Therefore, whenever he brings up a subject that I actually understand, I pay close attention. That's how I became interested in the 1.25 meter band (220 MHz). Chuck is always lauding its attributes. He tells me that it works well in the lumps and bumps that constitute the terrain of St. Louis County. Of course, Chuck can get /anything/ to work, whereas I can get just about /nothing/ to work, but I thought I'd give the band a try anyway. This was several years ago, so as you might imagine, I didn't find much in the way of 1.25m equipment on the market. Ideally, I wanted something like I already had, except with the extra band. Hmmmmmm. Yaesu didn't seem to make a mobile transceiver like that (I was hung up on Yaesu products at the time). Icom didn't make one either. And neither did Kenwood. Alright, I couldn't get my ideal 144, 220, and 440 MHz tri-band mobile. How about something with just 144 and 220? Still no luck. Good grief. Was I going to have to settle for a mono-bander? Oh well, if it was cheap enough I'd consider it. None of the big three radio manufacturers made one. (Forgive me if I only considered Yaesu, Icom, and Kenwood at the time, I'm much more open-minded these days.) Oh, I could find /old/ radios that worked in the 220 MHz band, but they tended to scare me. I worried that they might not have the more modern features which I took for granted (CTCSS tones, more than 10 memory channels, running on electricity rather than whale oil, etcetera). I'd seen a lot of used equipment at hamfests, but as cool as it looked, I wasn't sure I could actually operate any of it. Time to broaden my search, and my perspective. Aha! 1.25m transceivers /were/ still being made, but they tended to be hand held radios instead of mobile radios. That wasn't what I was looking for. I did, however, find /one/ mobile mono-bander on the market, the Alinco DR-235T. I chewed my lower lip and thought about it. I actually did own two Alinco 144 MHz transceivers. They weren't exactly "high end" models. I really only used them for packet radio operations, not voice, but they worked well enough. I dithered for a while, searched some more (same results, virtually nothing out there), and finally bought a DR-235T. Yaesu FTM-350R *I like the Yaesu FTM-350R, but the 220 MHz feature only cranks out 1 pitiful watt.* So, how did it work? Well....... for a long time it was hard to tell. There were a few 220 MHz repeaters in the area, but I was only able to hit one of them, and then only sporadically. I didn't have an actual 1.25m antenna and was using a multi-band discone instead. That may have had something to do with it, as was the fact that my house is just in a bad location (wrong side of a hill). Regardless of where the blame lay, I never succeeded in contacting anyone. And having had little success with the band, my interest in it waned. Now let's hop in our time machine and jump forward a few years. I purchased a Yaesu FTM-350R dual-band transceiver for ARES field work (ARES is the Amateur Radio Emergency Service). It's actually a /tri/-bander, having 220 MHz in addition to 144 and 440. I can't remember if I knew that beforehand, but that wasn't the reason why I bought it. Whereas the 144 and 440 bands operate as you might expect, the 220 band is restricted to the left side of the dual-display, and will only transmit with 1 watt of power. In other words, the extra band is a meaningless "special feature". (It's kind of like spending a fortune on a luxury car that includes a "special feature" that turns out to be a plastic air freshener dangling from the rear view mirror.) Nevertheless, I now had /two/ transceivers that operated on the 1.25m band, so I could at least experiment a little. And these experiments led to a startling discovery: * Using the Yaesu and its pitiful 1 watt, I could just barely reach the nearest 220 MHz repeater. * Using the Alinco with its heftier 25 watts, I could not reach it at all. Well, /that/ was certainly a revelation. Clearly the Alinco wasn't working properly. Or perhaps it was just a piece of junk. My ego insisted that it had to be the former, so I decided to have it repaired. Having had success using Burghardt Radio Repair in the past, I boxed up my DR-235T and sent it to them. At this is the point in my tale you're expecting me to tell you a horror story about how they initially lost my radio, then waited for six months before telling me that they couldn't repair it, and finally whacked me with a huge service charge and wanted even more to ship it back to me. Surprise! None of that happened. (How's that for an unexpected plot twist?) Burghardt was able to fix my radio, it didn't take too much time, nor did it cost too much. And hurrah! The repaired unit worked better than it ever had before. Sadly, there were still very few hams in the St. Louis area using the band, so once again my focus drifted away from 1.25m. Up until that point the Japanese had dominated the Amateur Radio transceiver market. The equipment that they manufactured was sold worldwide. Most transceivers that they produced for the United States could also, with slight modifications, be marketed in Europe. The exception was the 1.25m band. Only operators in the United States had that privilege, so it wasn't all that profitable for the Japanese companies to make anything that operated in that band. And then the Chinese got into the Amateur Radio market. Wouxun KG-UVD1P *This Wouxun dual-band hand held has a cute accent.* I don't quite know why, but the Chinese companies have no reservations at all about manufacturing transceivers for the 1.25m band (or any other band, for that matter). In fact, the reasons I first purchased one of their hand held transceivers were that (1) it was dirt cheap, and (2) it included the 220 MHz band. (Another feature that I discovered was that when you turn it on, a female voice tells you what mode it's in. For some reason I find it's high-pitched Chinese accent rather endearing.) Realizing that the sudden availability of 1.25m equipment might spur widespread interest in the band, I began to think seriously about getting a unit to put in my car. I'd considered doing so before, but I could never find a 220 MHz mobile radio that had a detachable control head. I still couldn't, but my search did lead to some interesting facts. The first was that there was a Facebook page called "Ham Operators Who Use 220 MHz ". Now that was a real find. I joined the group (yes, they let me in) and posed the question, "Is there any 220 mobile transceiver out there that has a detachable control head?" I got several responses. Some mentioned obsolete models that might still be obtained at hamfests or through ebay. Others brought up commercial equipment that could be modified to operate in the Amateur Radio portion of the band. And yet more indicated which Chinese models fit the bill. The real surprise, though, came when someone in the group revealed the second interesting fact. There was an /American/ company that was currently manufacturing 220 MHz hand held and mobile transceivers... and repeaters! The name of the outfit was BridgeCom Systems and it was right here in Missouri! Could it be? Was I hallucinating? I thought I might be after I discovered that their mobile unit did, indeed, have a removable control head. I became convinced that it /was/ all true once I found that there was a slight hiccup. The mobile units aren't available yet, but will be Real Soon Now. So, I'm closely watching the Facebook page, BridgeCom's announcements, and the latest Chinese offerings. I'm still very interested in the 1.25m band, partly because I anticipate a surge of new operators will soon appear.... ...but mainly because I'm just a little quirky, rather like my friend Chuck. From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sat Oct 3 16:04:44 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sat, 03 Oct 2015 16:04:44 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] W9DYV WES SCHUM - SK Message-ID: <561034DC.8010904@bellsouth.net> WES SCHUM DEATH/TRIBUTE The man who could be called the father of single sideband on amateur radio is a silent key. Wes Schum, W9DYV passed away last week at the age of 94. Wes Schum founded Central Electronics in 1949, the first product that Central Electronics manufactured was a hearing aid device. But radio was what Wes envisioned for CE. He had a budding interest in single sideband during World War II. He and colleague Joe Batchelor began development of amateur SSB transmitters for use on 75 meters. The Central Electronics 10-A exciter, the company's first amateur product, is credited for being amateur radio's first practical SSB transmitter. Wes's story is best told by those who knew him well. One of those is Nick Tusa, K5EF. Nick shared with Ham Nation viewers how he and Wes Schum met and struck up a decades long friendship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofUppyaBQyc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q6G-lqPoxo http://www.ce-multiphase.com/history.html http://www.ce-multiphase.com/videos.html From bmarx at bellsouth.net Mon Oct 5 08:34:19 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Mon, 05 Oct 2015 08:34:19 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Collins Radio gear at MARS In-Reply-To: <5611CEDB.1000305@bellsouth.net> References: <5611CEDB.1000305@bellsouth.net> Message-ID: <56126E4B.9010200@bellsouth.net> This was on the Collins List: Long but interesting Military video about the MARS network. Also some exotic moon bounce antennas. Vietnam operations and calls start about minute 16. Bill W2CQ Hello Group, While searching on YouTube I came across this video of MARS. Some may enjoy seeing the operation. http://youtu.be/dfDWsZiWcFY Bob ks4ca From n8pr at bellsouth.net Wed Oct 7 23:27:37 2015 From: n8pr at bellsouth.net (Pete Rimmel N8PR) Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2015 23:27:37 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] looking for a 40 ft crank up Message-ID: I have a fellow ham here in SoFla who is looking for a Tri-ex 40 foot crank up with a wonder post for tilt over, or something equivalent. Anyone know where there might be one sitting looking for a new home? Please let me know. 73, PeteR N8PR From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Oct 9 09:55:12 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 09 Oct 2015 09:55:12 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Vibroplex Has Acquired INRAD In-Reply-To: <5617BF25.9030202@verizon.net> References: <5617BF25.9030202@verizon.net> Message-ID: <5617C740.80300@bellsouth.net> Vibroplex LLC of Knoxville, TN announces the acquisition of International Radio Corporation of Aptos, CA. The last day of operations in California was September 22. Inrad is now up and running at the Vibroplex offices in Tennessee but the backlog of present orders on hand will take several more days to fill. The former and new owners say thank you to the Amateur Radio community for more than 40 years of Inrad business. Inquiries about Inrad can be directed to the main Vibroplex email address at vibroplex at vibroplex.com or sales at inrad.net (October 6, 2015) http://www.inrad.net/inrad.php?mode=announce 73, Mel - KS2G ks2g at arrl.net From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Oct 9 11:31:21 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 09 Oct 2015 11:31:21 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The ARRL Letter for October 8, 2015 In-Reply-To: <20151008213439.56B60208DA19@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20151008213439.56B60208DA19@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: <5617DDC9.7070305@bellsouth.net> Preview If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2015-10-08 The ARRL Letter October 8, 2015 Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME ARRL Home Page /ARRL Letter/ Archive Audio News Ad * Now, "Clarity on Parity" -- the Video! <#toc01> * Hamvention "Fully Committed" to Hold 2016 Show at Hara Arena <#toc02> * ARRL President Congratulates Hurricane Watch Net on its 50th Anniversary <#toc03> * ARRL Education & Technology Program Grant Application Deadline Looms <#toc04> * New /ARRL Handbook/ , /Antenna Book/ Editions Now Shipping <#toc05> * The Alan G. Thorpe, K1TMW, Memorial Scholarship Fund Established <#toc06> * Jamboree On The Air 2015 Stations Urged to Register, Report <#toc07> * ARRL Delegation to Attend IARU Region 3 Triennial Conference in Indonesia <#toc08> * CEPT Conference Preparatory Group Adopts European Common Proposals for WRC-15 <#toc09> * In Brief <#toc10> * The K7RA Solar Update <#toc11> * Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc12> * Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events <#toc13> Now, "Clarity on Parity" -- the Video! In August, the ARRL acted to address objections and concerns being raised by representatives of community and neighborhood associations regarding the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 -- H.R. 1301 and S. 1685. "Clarity on Amateur Radio Parity " made it clear that the bill would /not/ create new federal policy with respect to outdoor amateur antennas, nor would it require homeowners associations to approve huge radio towers. Now, a new video -- "The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 -- Separating Fact from Fiction" -- doubles down on the arguments contained in the League's August statement. ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, said the video will be made available on Capitol Hill to make sure that Members of Congress have correct information, instead of misrepresentations. "This short video is a companion piece to the 'Clarity on Parity' statement on the ARRL website," President Craigie said. "The video not only explains what H.R. 1301 and S. 1685 are all about but knocks down specific misinformation that opponents have been circulating on Capitol Hill." The nearly 6-minute video begins by explaining Amateur Radio -- especially its public service role -- in layperson's terms. It includes video clips of FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, who addressed the value of Amateur Radio in emergencies when he spoke at the ARRL Centennial National Convention in 2014, and of Sen Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the sponsor of S. 1685, the Senate bill. As the presentation outlines, radio amateurs living in deed-restricted neighborhoods may face "cookie-cutter prohibitions" on outdoor antennas. It notes, however, that the FCC recognizes a strong federal interest in effective Amateur Radio communication from residences and, in 1985, adopted the PRB-1 limited preemption of state and local regulation of Amateur Radio antennas. As the statement -- and now the video -- point out, the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 would extend that limited preemption to private land-use restrictions. The legislation "takes the time-tested 30-year-old reasonable accommodation standard [in PRB-1] and applies it to deed-restricted communities," the video states. "Unfortunately, there is a smear campaign against this legislation, and we need to respond to these blatant lies." *The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 seeks common ground between radio amateurs in antenna-restricted communities and homeowners associations.* The video stresses that neighborhood homeowners associations (HOAs) would have the flexibility to reasonably accommodate amateur antennas in a manner that best suits the particular community, although HOAs could not just say "no." The legislation also does not take away any jurisdiction from community associations, nor does it negate any private contracts, the video asserts. "HOAs, not the hams, will decide on height and placement of radio antennas," it says. "Amateur Radio operators in these communities just want a seat at the table to negotiate a reasonable accommodation from HOAs, but HOAs don't want there to even /be/ a table." As the video concludes, "Opposing reasonable accommodation is just unreasonable." President Craigie suggested that League members could use the video at club meetings to help their fellow hams understand the legislation and show why it's so important to urge members of the US House and Senate to support the bills, which have more than 100 supporters in both chambers. "If your club has an e-mail reflector, Twitter feed, Facebook page, or newsletter, you could add a link to the video to make it easy for people to find it online," she said. Read more . Hamvention "Fully Committed" to Hold 2016 Show at Hara Arena Hamvention^? General Chairman Jim Tiderman, N8IDS, is downplaying talk arising from an October 2 television news report and a more extensive and detailed October 3 /Dayton Daily News/ article , that Hamvention might move from Hara Arena as early as next year. Tiderman characterized the reports "all speculation and rumor." "In light of the Cox Media (Channel 7) television interview and the ensuing /Dayton Daily News/ article, I, as General Chairman of the 2015-2016 Dayton Hamvention, want to assure all interested parties that the Dayton Hamvention is fully committed to the 2016 Dayton Hamvention at Hara Arena and Exposition Center," Tiderman stressed in a statement. "We still keep an open mind to alternate plans, in case they become necessary. All successful businesses need to do that, and Hamvention is no different in that respect." The Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA ) sponsors Hamvention. The media reports said Dayton-area officials have been working together to keep Hamvention in the Dayton vicinity, if not at Hara Arena in Trotwood, where it has been held since 1964. Dayton TV station WHIO reported on October 2 that the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention and Visitors Bureau has been in discussion with the City of Dayton on a plan to ensure that the world's largest Amateur Radio gathering at least remains in Montgomery County, should Hamvention have to find another venue because of Hara Arena's financial problems. According to Bureau President and CEO Jacquelyn Powell, this isn't the first year that officials have considered "Plan B options," the WHIO and /Dayton Daily News/ reports indicated. According to the media reports, representatives of the City of Dayton, Montgomery County, Dayton Convention Center, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau will meet this month to review options for Hamvention organizers in the event a move from Hara Arena becomes necessary. Various alternative venues in the Dayton area are reported to have been considered, including the Dayton Convention Center and the Dayton Airport Expo Center, and the /Dayton Daily News/ report said Tiderman has toured both facilities. Also raised was the possibility of holding the indoor exposition and the outdoor flea market at separate locations in the area, and ferrying visitors back and forth with shuttle buses. The /Dayton Daily News/ account said word of Hamvention's possible move from Hara Arena stemmed from a July e-mail from Karen Wampler, director of Marketing for Hara Arena, which the newspaper obtained through a public records request. The Wampler family owns the 165,000 square foot, six-building complex. "We have shared the fate of the Trotwood/VenuWorks/Hara acquisition proposal with the [Hamvention] Chairperson and select board members of Hamvention," Wampler wrote in the e-mail, according to the newspaper account. "While we have kept them informed throughout the process, they are reeling. They have much to lose with Hara's closing and, like us, believed we were close to stabilizing Hara for future growth, rather than ending her nearly 60-year run." *At Hamvention 2015 "Sneak Peak" posters in Hara Arena promised "Renovations in 2016."* Since last year, the Wampler family has been working with VenuWorks , which specializes in restoring event venues, to rejuvenate the deteriorating facility. Karen Wampler acknowledged last winter that Hara was facing financial challenges, flagging revenues, and competition from other Dayton area venues and was exploring "a new ownership model." By the time Hamvention 2015 took place last may, "Sneak Peak" posters in Hara Arena were advertising "Renovations in 2016" and portraying conceptual sketches of what a refurbished Hara might look like. The newspaper account said that VenuWorks had recommended that the City of Trotwood purchase Hara Arena, but the Trotwood officials turned down the idea. That plan was the focus of Wampler's July e-mail, the /Dayton Daily News/ article said. Wampler subsequently told the newspaper that Hara Arena is in better condition than it was when she drafted her July e-mail, and that the event complex will not close any time soon. Hamvention puts millions of dollars into the Dayton-area economy each year. Last May, the show attracted some 25,000 visitors. Hamvention 2016 will take place May 20, 21, and 22. Tiderman told the /Dayton Daily News/ that "something catastrophic" would have to happen to cause Hamvention to move from Hara Arena. ARRL President Congratulates Hurricane Watch Net on its 50th Anniversary On behalf of the League, ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, has congratulated the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN ) on the 50th anniversary of its founding by Jerry Murphy, K8YUW. "Thanks to the efforts of the Net's dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers across 5 decades, Amateur Radio has played a key role in helping protect the lives of a great many people in harm's way," President Craigie told HWN Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, this week in an e-mail. "The Net demonstrates how significantly Amateur Radio contributes to emergency preparedness and promotes international goodwill. Please relay to the Net's members my appreciation and respect for a half-century of outstanding service. Best wishes for many more years of successful operation of the Hurricane Watch Net." Graves replied, "It is an honor and pleasure to be a part of such a great group of ham radio operators with a rich history. I will certainly share your letter with our membership and, more importantly, with our founder, Jerry Murphy, K8YUW." Murphy founded the HWN in 1965 during Hurricane Betsy as "an informal group of radio amateurs who recognized a need to provide communications to and from hurricane affected areas." The net now enjoys a formal relationship with the National Hurricane Center and its WX4NHC amateur station. The HWN stood down on October 4 after activating more than once for Hurricane Joaquin, at one point a dangerous Category 4 storm. Graves called the activations "very successful in that we had many more reporting stations and lots of data to forward to the National Hurricane Center in Miami." The HWN had reactivated as Joaquin posed a threat to Bermuda after battering the Bahamas with high winds and heavy rainfall. "Joaquin passed just to the west [of Bermuda] as a Category 2 hurricane, sparing everyone from the extremely damaging winds," Graves noted over the weekend after the net had shut down for the last time. "For the most part, in addition to lots of heavy rain, on-and-off power outages were reported throughout the day." The HWN suspended its initial activation for Hurricane Joaquin on October 2, after 3 days of near-continuous operation, only to reactivate on October 3. Although the storm did not make landfall on the East Coast of the US, it caused torrential rainfall and severe flooding in the Carolinas, and has been blamed for more than a dozen deaths. The HWN activates on 14.325 MHz whenever a hurricane is within 300 miles of projected landfall or becomes a serious threat to a populated area. Ad ARRL Education & Technology Program Grant Application Deadline Looms November 1 is the deadline for schools to apply for 2016 ARRL Education & Technology Program (ETP ) grants. The ETP offers two types of grants. School Station Grants are awarded to schools providing a plan to use Amateur Radio as part of an enrichment program and/or as part of in-classroom learning. ETP Progress Grants offer modest support to teachers now using Amateur Radio as an instructional tool who need additional resources for specific purposes. Progress grants are also available for teachers who need resources to start teaching wireless technology and electronics topics as part of a longer-range plan to involve Amateur Radio. A primary ETP objective is to boost wireless technology literacy among US students and educators through Amateur Radio. "Amateur Radio provides hands-on opportunities for students to learn about radio science!" said ARRL Educational Services Manager Debra Johnson, K1DMJ. "We look for commitment from teachers and school administrators, a well-conceived plan to use the resources to engage students, and a working relationship with local ham radio volunteers who are willing to serve as mentors," she explained. Applicants should review and complete the ETP grant application**form . Submitted applications are evaluated on several criteria. The ETP depends upon the sustaining support of the Amateur Radio community. Since its inception in 2000, the program has grown to benefit more than 550 schools . The program welcomes your donation . For more information, contact Debra Johnson , K1DMJ, at ARRL Headquarters. New /ARRL Handbook/, /Antenna Book/ Editions Now Shipping The 2016 edition of /The ARRL Handbook /and 23rd edition of /The ARRL Antenna Book /are now shipping . While supplies last, you can get the hardcover editions at the softcover price. If there's ever a time to complete your Amateur Radio bookshelf, this is the year. Filled with everything you need to stay immersed in the radio art, this dynamic duo is a must-have for hobbyists and technical professionals. /The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications/ is /the/ standard reference for radio, electronics, and wireless communication. Since 1926, /The Handbook/ has kept radio amateurs, professionals, and experimenters immersed in applied theory and do-it-yourself projects. It covers a wealth of information: The fundamentals of electronics and radio signals, construction practices, antennas and propagation, equipment and circuit design, and other useful reference information. There are projects for all skill levels, from simple accessories and small power supplies, to legal-limit amplifiers and high-gain antennas. *//*/The ARRL Antenna Book for Radio Communications/ has everything you need to design your own complete antenna system. Since 1939, /The Antenna Book/ has maintained its place at the forefront of Amateur Radio technology -- a single resource covering antenna theory, design and construction, and practical treatments and projects. Updated to reflect the latest advances and technologies, this edition describes hundreds of antenna designs: wire, vertical, portable and mobile, and new high-performance VHF/UHF Yagi designs. /The ARRL Handbook/ is available in hardcover and softcover editions from the ARRL Store or your ARRL Dealer . Hardcover : ARRL Item No. 0420, ISBN 978-1-62595-042-0, $59.95 retail, special offer $49.95 while supplies last. Softcover : ARRL Item No. 0413, $49.95 retail. /The ARRL Antenna Book /is available in hardcover and softcover editions from the ARRL Store or your ARRL Dealer . Hardcover : ARRL Item No. 0390, ISBN 978-1-62595-039-0, $59.95 retail, special offer $49.95 while supplies last. Softcover : ARRL Item No. 0444, $49.95 retail. To order call (860) 594-0355 or, toll-free in the US, (888) 277-5289. Contact ARRL Publication Sales for more information. The Alan G. Thorpe, K1TMW, Memorial Scholarship Fund Established Through the generosity of Alan G. Thorpe, K1TMW (SK), and the Stratford [CT] Amateur Radio Club (SARC ), the ARRL Foundation has established the Alan G. Thorpe, K1TMW, Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund will award $1000 each year to an Amateur Radio licensee enrolled in a 4-year undergraduate program. Thorpe, who died in 2011 at the age of 65, was a member and long-time president of the SARC. "It was my pleasure and honor to know Alan G. Thorpe, K1TMW, for 20 years," said fellow club member Bob Betts, N1KPR. "When he became a Silent Key, we learned that Al had left a significant trust fund designated 'for the benefit of Amateur Radio.'" Betts said Thorpe also made a separate bequest to the ARRL in his will. *Al Thorpe, K1TWM, at the SARC W1ORS Field Day station in 2008.* "Al believed in the basic tenets of our hobby: Education, promotion, and community service, and he directed all his available efforts toward those goals," Betts said. He noted that Thorpe had been involved in the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and served as an Emergency Coordinator in the 1990s. Thorpe "strongly believed in the many and varied activities of the ARRL," Betts added. The ARRL Foundation will administer the Thorpe Memorial Scholarship Fund. Applicants must be US citizens. There are no requirements as to the field of undergraduate study. The first scholarship from the fund will be awarded in 2016. "We, the trustees of the Alan G. Thorpe, K1TMW, Memorial Scholarship Fund, are very grateful to the ARRL for its help and guidance in achieving Alan's wishes," Betts said. Ad Jamboree On The Air 2015 Stations Urged to Register, Report As of October 1, more than 350 US stations had signed up to take part in the 2015 Jamboree On The Air (JOTA ). The 58th annual event takes place October 16-18, and JOTA organizers are urging all who plan to participate to register , so they can provide a list of participating stations and their locations. A list of US-registered stations is available on the K2BSA website. JOTA is aimed at fostering Scout-to-Scout communication across borders and is the largest Scouting event in the world. Last year worldwide Scouting participation included 1.1 million Boy Scouts and another 200,000 Girl Guides/Girl Scouts. In the US 13,326 Scouts and visitors took part in JOTA 2014. The Boy Scouts also encourage participating stations to submit JOTA reports and photos following this month's event. "We need your report to demonstrate the success of JOTA to those in Scouting and Amateur Radio," said Jim Wilson, K5ND, the national JOTA organizer. He asked participating JOTA stations to note down the number of Scouts participating, Amateur Radio licensees, and radios on the air, as well as the total number of contacts and states and countries contacted. "We would also like to see your best photos and hear some stories about your event," Wilson said. The K2BSA call sign will be in use for JOTA from every US call district as well as from KH6 and KL7. Wilson suggested that JOTA groups consider obtaining 1 ? 1 special event call signs for their operations. ARRL Delegation to Attend IARU Region 3 Triennial Conference in Indonesia Indonesia's International Amateur Radio Union member society ORARI **(Organisasi Amatir Radio Indonesia) will host the October 12-16 IARU Region 3 triennial conference in Bali. IARU Region 3 includes the Asia-Pacific region. This marks the 16th Region 3 conference and the second time the event has been held in Indonesia. "It's an exciting time for us, as we continue to grow and thrive, remaining always adaptable, motivated, and responsive," said ORARI President Sutiyoso, YB0ST. "The world of Amateur Radio is an exciting area in which to work and play, and we'll continue to meet and bring inspired people together in forums like this, to ensure IARU Region 3 remains at the cutting edge." Heading the ARRL delegation to the conference will be International Affairs Vice President Jay Bellows, K0QB, who also serves as an IARU Region 2 director. He will be assisted by ARRL Chief Executive Officer and Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ. Among matters delegates to the conference will consider are those referred from IARU Regions 1 and 2, and representatives from those regions will be on hand, as well as a representative for the IARU Secretariat. On the agenda are reports on topics that include the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference in Geneva in November, new digital modes, the IARU's role in satellite launches, a UN push to lend heritage recognition to Morse code, and band-planning issues. IARU Region 3 coordinator reports also include ARDF, emergency communication, the IARU Monitoring System (Intruder Watch), international beacons, Region 3 awards, and the Support to the Amateur Radio Service (STARS) program. Conference documents are available on the IARU Region 3 website. Special event station YB16IARU will be on the air during the conference. /-- Thanks to Jim Linton, VK3PC, and IARU Region 3/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ . . . . . . . . CEPT Conference Preparatory Group Adopts European Common Proposals for WRC-15 The CEPT Conference Preparatory Group has held its final meeting leading up to World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15). Delegates to the gathering, which took place September 14-18 in Bergen, Norway, adopted the final European Common Proposals for WRC-15 and agreed on possible agenda items for future WRCs. Of particular interest to the Amateur Service was the adoption of a European Common Proposal for a 100 kHz allocation between 5350 and 5450 kHz. That proposal represents the views of the majority of CEPT countries, with the exception of Azerbaijan, France, Germany, Romania, and the Russian Federation. The proposal will be included in the documents for discussion under Agenda Item 1.4 at WRC-15, "where we anticipate long and drawn out arguments for and against an allocation," a report by Colin Thomas G3PSM, predicted on the IARU Region 1 website. Two possible Region 1-specific items for inclusion on the agenda of a future WRC are Agenda Item 1.2 -- to consider a primary allocation of 50-54 MHz to the Amateur Service, and Agenda Item 1.4 -- to consider a possible harmonized Amateur Service allocation in the band 1800-2000 kHz, based on studies regarding Amateur Service spectrum requirements. These proposals will be discussed in Committee 6 at WRC-15, "and we hope that at least one will be considered for inclusion in the agenda for the next WRC," Thomas said in his report. World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 takes place November 2-27. Ad In Brief *TX3X Chesterfield Island DXpedition Up and Running:* The TX3X Chesterfield Island DXpedition came on the air on October 1 and has been creating a lot of excitement -- and possibly some exasperation -- on the bands. TX3X will conclude on October 12. Strong winds and heavy rain have caused the team to lose some time in setting up antennas. "While the 80 meter is antenna installed, under these windy conditions we are unable to install the 160 or 6 meter antennas," the team said in an October 7 update. "Conditions are erratic. Signals have been weak to moderate with some really strong openings." A goal of the TX3X DXpedition is to offer an all-time new one (ATNO) to as many DXers as possible. The 12-member TX3X team was hoping to log 80,000 to 100,000 contacts. Chesterfield Island is #21 on ClubLog's DXCC Most Wanted List . Visit the TX3X website for further information. The ARRL DXCC Department has approved the 2015 TX3X DXpedition for DXCC credit. *"DX Summit" in Rome to Pair with HV0A Vatican City Special Event:* Francesco Valsecchi, IK0FVC; Martti Laine, OH2BH, and Giordano Giordani, IK0XFD, are organizing a "DX Summit" October 10-11 in Rome. During this event, HV0A will be active both days on several bands, as conditions permit. The activity will include a dinner party on October 10, featuring a presentation by OH2BH that will highlight the challenges of making DXpedition traffic run smoothly. The overall gathering will focus on areas of improvement that would be of interest to DXers and DXpeditioners, and Laine said a centerpiece of the summit would be the unveiling of "a new Q code [signal]." QSL HV0A via IK0FVC and LoTW. *Pope Francis Visit Amateur Radio Special Events Log More Than 26,000 Contacts:* Jim Nitzberg, WX3B, has reported that the recent multi-station special event operation to commemorate the US visit of Pope Francis logged more than 26,000 contacts. Nitzberg announced the tally as he thanked operators for participating "in this historic and /fun/ event." The majority of contacts were made on HF -- especially on 20 and 40 meters -- but several also took place via satellites, moonbounce, repeaters, and even through IRLP and Echolink. "We had participation from New York, New Jersey, Washington, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania -- including Philadelphia, where the World Meeting of Families took place, Virginia, and Delaware," Nitzberg said. "Many thanks to all that were involved in the various aspects of leading, organizing, and producing this event. It truly was a team effort and an example of Amateur Radio cooperation at its finest." *Former ARRL Chief Development Officer Recognized for Equipment Donation:* Marple Newtown Amateur Radio Club (MNARC ) Vice President Walter Faust, N3FXR, has presented retired ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, with a Certificate of Appreciation for her donation of radio equipment to the Pennsylvania club, which she recently joined. She gave the club an HF transceiver and power supply plus other items. "The equipment is a greatly appreciated donation from one of our newest members," said Dan Amoroso, W3DI, who added that the gear would be used for Field Day and special events. Hobart also received a "Weather Ready Nation (WRN)" coffee mug. Founded in 1987, the MNARC is an ARRL Special Service club and a NOAA Weather Ready Nation Ambassador. Weather Ready Nation Ambassadors strive to improve severe weather readiness, and the club has run a daily Weather and Information Net on its linked VHF/UHF repeater system for the past 25 years. /-- Thanks to Dan Amoroso, W3DI /* * The K7RA Solar Update Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspot numbers and solar flux softened over the past week, with the average daily sunspot number declining from 120.9 to just 37, and average daily solar flux down from 122.7 to 93.8. These numbers compare the October 1-7 activity with data from the previous 7 days. The average planetary A index was /way/ up -- from 5.1 to 24.3. The huge planetary A index reading of 77 on October 7 indicated a strong geomagnetic storm. Predicted solar flux for the near term is 80 on October 8; 85 on October 9-10; 90 on October 11-12; 95 on October 13-14; 100 on October 15; 130 on October 16-18; 125 on October 19; and 120 on October 20-25. Solar flux is expected to decline to 85 on November 1-3, then rise to 130 on November 12-14. Predicted planetary A index is 48 on October 8; 18 on October 9; 12 on October 10-14; then 8, 10, and 12 on October 15-17 and again 8, 10, and 12 on October 18-20, followed by 8 on October 21-27. Sunspot numbers for October 1 through 7 were 73, 58, 47, 18, 15, 24, and 24, with a mean of 37. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 119.7, 107.4, 96.9, 88.3, 82.6, 81.4, and 80.5, with a mean of 93.8. Estimated planetary A indices were 11, 14, 11, 20, 18, 19, and 77, with a mean of 24.3. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 8, 9, 10, 16, 12, 11, and 44, with a mean of 15.7. In the Friday bulletin, look for an updated forecast. Send me your reports and observations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Just Ahead in Radiosport * October 10 -- 10-10 International 10-10 Day Sprint (CW, SSB, digital) * October 10 -- FISTS Fall Unlimited Sprint (CW) * October 10 -- Microwave Fall Sprint * October 10-11 -- Makrothen RTTY Contest * October 10-11 -- Oceania DX Contest (CW) * October 10-11 -- Scandinavian Activity Contest (SSB) * October 10-11 -- QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party (CW) * October 10-11 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW) * October 10-11 -- Pennsylvania QSO Party (CW, SSB, digital) * October 10-11 -- Arizona QSO Party (CW, SSB, digital) * October 10-11 -- PODXS 160 Meter Great Pumpkin Sprint (digital) * October 11 -- UBA ON Contest (CW) * October 14 -- NAQCC CW Sprint * October 14 -- RSGB 80 Meter Club Sprint (CW) See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events * October 9-10 -- Florida State Convention , Melbourne, Florida * October 9-11 -- ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference , Arlington Heights, Illinois * October 10-11 -- Pacific Northwest VHF Conference , Issaquah, Washington * October 16-18 -- Microwave Update Convention , San Diego, California * October 16-18 -- Pacific Division Convention (Pacificon) , San Ramon, California * October 17 -- Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference , Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin * October 18 -- Connecticut State Convention , Meriden, Connecticut * October 23-24 -- Arizona State Convention , Kingman, Arizona * October 23-24 -- Oklahoma State Convention , Ardmore, Oklahoma * November 7 -- Fall TechFest , Lakewood, Colorado * November 7-8 -- Georgia Section Convention , Lawrenceville, Georgia * November 14 -- HamJam Convention , Alpharetta, Georgia * November 14-15 -- Indiana State Convention , Fort Wayne, Indiana * December 11-12 -- West Central Florida Section Convention , Plant City, Florida Find conventions and hamfests in your area . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *ARRL *-- *Your One-Stop Resource for * *Amateur Radio News and Information* . . . * Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes /QST/ , Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month. * Listen to /ARRL Audio News/ , available every Friday. Subscribe to... * /NCJ / /-- National Contest Journal/ . Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties. * /QEX/ *//*/-- A Forum for Communications Experimenters/ . Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals. Free of charge to ARRL members... * Subscribe to the /ARES E-Letter/ (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the /ARRL Contest Update/ (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more! Find ARRL on Facebook ! Follow us on Twitter ! Ad Ad Ad Ad Ad ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 48 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 ? 2015 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved www.arrl.org From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sat Oct 10 19:14:32 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sat, 10 Oct 2015 19:14:32 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Hiram Percy Maxim Grave Location - From eHam Message-ID: <56199BD8.4080205@bellsouth.net> Ever wonder where Hiram Percy Maxim was buried? From eHam: Bill Bequette (KU3V) on October 9, 2015 Article with pictures on eHam...http://www.eham.net/articles/35441 To pay your respects to Hiram Percy Maxim (1869 - 1936), founder of the American Radio Relay League (Started in 1914), he is buried in Hagerstown, Maryland. He originally had the call signs SNY, 1WH, 1ZM, 1AW, and finally W1AW. W1AW is now the ARRL Headquarters club station call sign. The address is: Rose Hill Cemetery, 600 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21740. Call 301-739-3630 to contact the friendly & professional Rose Hill staff for cemetery hours. The office staff can provide a map. Enter the main entrance along 600 South Potomac Street and drive past the office. Turn right onto the first road "Rose Hill Circle". Then turn left at "Henry's Lane" where Hiram P. Maxim is buried. Drive half way down "Henry's Lane" (No more than 75 meters) and on your right is a lot named "Hamilton". If you pass "Hamilton Lane" on your left, then you have driven to far. The lot is next to the road. Hiram P. Maxim's marker ( Section K, Lot # 75) is about 5 meters in from the road within the Hamilton lot. Article with pictures on eHam... http://www.eham.net/articles/35441 From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sun Oct 11 14:07:01 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2015 14:07:01 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The Future of the IOTA Programme In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <561AA545.2030803@bellsouth.net> From Tony N2MFT: Thanks Jack K4WSB From: "Col MM0NDX dxer59 at gmail.com [IOTA-chasers]" > Date: October 10, 2015 at 2:58:04 PM EDT To: "IOTA-chasers at yahoogroups.com " > Subject: [IOTA-chasers] The future of the IOTA programme Reply-To: IOTA-chasers at yahoogroups.com Islands on the Air (IOTA) celebrated its 50th anniversary as a premier DX programme in July 2014. The last fifty years have seen the programme grow to 2,500 active island chasers and approximately 15,000 more casual participants. It is perhaps second in scale and scope to the DXCC award; indeed, many would argue it is even more challenging than that programme. Last year the Society?s Board identified a number of challenges that the programme faced, not least of which was the need to provide an IT system that would allow online island credit submission akin to Logbook of the World (LoTW). Since that time, a small group of IOTA enthusiasts has been working with the Society to ensure that the IOTA programme continues to grow and play the prominent role that it has done in Amateur Radio DXing and contest activity for the last fifty years. That work has now come to fruition and we are pleased to announce that a new organisation will be formed, to be called the IOTA Foundation. It will be run by IOTA enthusiasts and will manage the IOTA programme in partnership with the Society. One major task for the new organisation will be to develop a new online credit system that is due to be completed in 2017. Roger Balister, G3KMA, Bob Barden, MD0CCE, Cezar Trifu, VE3LYC and Johan Willemsen, PA3EXX, are the team who will implement the IT changes and form the IOTA Foundation, with representation from radio amateurs at home and abroad.> [73, Col MM0NDX] __._,_.___ ________________________________ Posted by: Col MM0NDX > From bmarx at bellsouth.net Wed Oct 14 13:31:30 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2015 13:31:30 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] ARLB030 ARRL Asks FCC to Clarify that Hams May Modify Non-Amateur Gear for Amateur Use In-Reply-To: <20151014164308.8863F2016B00@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20151014164308.8863F2016B00@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: <561E9172.7040409@bellsouth.net> SB QST @ ARL $ARLB030 ARLB030 ARRL Asks FCC to Clarify that Hams May Modify Non-Amateur Gear for Amateur Use ZCZC AG30 QST de W1AW ARRL Bulletin 30 ARLB030 >From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT October 14, 2015 To all radio amateurs SB QST ARL ARLB030 ARLB030 ARRL Asks FCC to Clarify that Hams May Modify Non-Amateur Gear for Amateur Use The ARRL has asked the FCC to make clear that Amateur Radio licensees may modify non-amateur equipment for use on Amateur Radio frequencies. Some hams have expressed concerns that recently proposed rules would inhibit post-sale modification of Wi-Fi equipment, now sometimes altered for use on Amateur Radio frequencies. The ARRL made its point in comments filed on October 8 on a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in ET Docket 15-170 and RM-11673. The proceeding mostly addresses proposed amendments to FCC rules regarding authorization of RF equipment. The NPRM can be found on the web in PDF format at, https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-92A1.pdf . "The Commission should clarify...that the ability of licensed radio amateurs to modify and adapt non-amateur equipment for use in the Amateur Service is beneficial, is permitted, and is not restricted by any rule of general applicability adopted in this proceeding," the League said in its comments. The ARRL said proposed rules requiring manufacturers to include security features to prevent network devices from being modified were "problematic," to the extent that they would preclude hams from adapting network equipment for ham radio applications. "The Amateur Radio Service has a very long tradition of modification and adaptation of commercial communications equipment," the ARRL's comments pointed out. Amateur licensees should be permitted to modify any previously authorized equipment for use under Amateur Service rules, the League asserted. The proceeding attracted many comments regarding this aspect of the proceeding, although the proposed rules differ only slightly from the current rules. The ARRL also urged the FCC not to apply any limitations proposed for Software Defined Radios to SDRs intended for use exclusively in the Amateur Radio Service, "as has been the policy for the past 10 years." Equipment Authorization The League also has called on the Commission not to combine the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) and Verification equipment authorization procedures into a single, self-approval program. The League said the proposal could lead to abuse by unscrupulous importers and manufacturers of unintentional emitters. Under the proposed rules, the FCC would do away with its DoC authorization program by combining it with equipment Verification to form a so-called "Suppliers Declaration of Conformity" category of equipment authorization. Testing in an accredited laboratory would not be required, nor would database registration or third-party review. The ARRL expressed concerns that the new regime would encourage and facilitate the introduction into the US of "non-compliant unintentional emitters" and offer no oversight. The ARRL's comments said, "the only opportunity to preclude widespread sale and deployment of non-compliant RF devices, including unintentional emitters, is via the equipment authorization process." The League said hams and AM broadcasters have been victims of interference from such unintentional emitters as RF lighting ballasts "that routinely exceed the Commission's conducted emission limits." The ARRL said the solution is "not to loosen but to tighten the procedural controls over the testing and affirmative confirmations of compliance" to ensure greater compliance in conducted limits and other technical parameters that determine how much such devices contribute to ambient noise levels. The League said some RF devices, such as RF "grow lights," now subject to the more informal Verification process should be subject to Certification, owing to their substantial interference potential. The ARRL noted that it has received and investigated "numerous reports of interference" from devices subject only to Verification. "A number of interfering devices, when tested by the ARRL Laboratory, have been found to exceed the FCC limits, sometimes by an alarming amount," the League said. Improved Labeling for Part 15 and Part 18 Devices The ARRL also said there is "an urgent need" for improved labeling requirements for certain Part 15 and Part 18 devices. "Necessitating change, notably, is the fact that there are many industrial Part 18 devices sold that are neither intended nor designed for use in residential environments, but because there is no external labeling...the end user consumer is left without guidance," the ARRL said, noting that, in most cases, equipment retailers are not providing any either. In July, the ARRL complained to the FCC about the marketing practices of various "big box" retailers, where non-consumer-rated lighting ballasts have been mixed in with consumer ballasts and other consumer products on display with no explanatory signage. Ballasts intended for industrial applications have higher permitted conducted emission limits in the Amateur Radio HF spectrum. The League called on the FCC to include a definition in Part 18 for the term "consumer RF lighting device," to provide a way to differentiate consumer devices from those intended for industrial or commercial environments. The League also said the FCC should consider reducing its Part 15 limits for lighting devices to correspond with the Part 18 lighting device limits between 3 and 30 MHz to reduce the RFI potential of LED bulbs now being widely marketed, "before they become an aggregate problem." LED lamps operate under Part 15 rules. The ARRL said the FCC should adopt the League's new equipment-labeling proposals with respect to certain Part 15 and Part 18 equipment "in order to stop the flood of such devices intended for commercial or industrial areas only into residential areas." NNNN /EX From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Oct 16 09:28:39 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2015 09:28:39 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The ARRL Letter for October 15, 2015 In-Reply-To: <20151015212856.BBEDE200D054@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20151015212856.BBEDE200D054@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: <5620FB87.3010507@bellsouth.net> Preview If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2015-10-15 The ARRL Letter October 15, 2015 Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME ARRL Home Page /ARRL Letter/ Archive Audio News Ad * "ARRL National Parks on the Air" Event to Mark National Park Service Centennial <#toc01> * ARRL On-Line Auction to Mark 10th Anniversary; Bidding Starts on October 22! <#toc02> * ARRL Asks FCC to Clarify that Hams May Modify Non-Amateur Gear for Amateur Use <#toc03> * AMSAT's Fox-1A CubeSat is Now AO-85! <#toc04> * Support ARRL through the Combined Federal Campaign <#toc05> * ARISS Window to Submit ISS Ham Radio Contact Proposals Closes on November 1 <#toc06> * IARU Administrative Council Stresses Importance of Antenna Systems for Amateur Radio <#toc07> * ARRL Invites Nominations For 2015 International Humanitarian Award <#toc08> * IOTA Foundation to Manage RSGB's Islands on the Air Program <#toc09> * Parachute Mobile Group to Hold Jump in Conjunction with Pacificon <#toc10> * The K7RA Solar Update <#toc11> * Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc12> * Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events <#toc13> "ARRL National Parks on the Air" Event to Mark National Park Service Centennial In 2016, the National Park Service (NPS ) will celebrate its 100th anniversary, and radio amateurs will be able to help mark the occasion with the ARRL National Parks on the Air (NPOTA ) event. The event kicks off at 0000 UTC on January 1, 2016. "As ARRL just celebrated our own Centennial, and Amateur Radio is often enjoyed in the great outdoors, it seemed fitting to devise a program to help NPS celebrate their own 100th birthday," said ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X. NPOTA will run throughout 2016, with activity promoted and encouraged from each of the more than 430 official NPS administrative units and affiliated areas across the US. This includes all 59 National Parks as well as National Battlefields, Historic Sites, Memorials, Preserves, Reserves, Rivers, Seashores, National Scenic Trails, and other units. The program will have two participation tracks -- Chasers and Activators. Chasers will simply attempt to make contact with operators in as many of the NPS units as possible. Activators will attempt to activate as many of the units as possible. NPOTA participants may serve in both roles. Chaser and Activator totals will be tracked via an online Leader Board based on LoTW data, just as was done during the Centennial QSO Party. Access the NPOTA Leader Board directly at http://npota.arrl.org. Modeled after the Mixed DXCC award, only one contact with any given NPS unit will be required, and no tally will be kept of NPS units based on bands or modes. NPOTA will be administered entirely through Logbook of The World (LoTW ). /No/ paper logs or QSLs will be accepted for NPOTA credit. Each NPS unit will be added to LoTW as a "location." Chaser Award and Activator Award certificates will be available to any radio amateur who has at least one confirmed contact with an NPS unit or who activates at least one unit, respectively. A station's total number of confirmed or activated units will be printed on the certificate. The National Parks Honor Roll certificate will be available to any station confirming contact with at least 75 percent of the 59 National Parks /activated/ in 2016. While there is no formal partnership between NPS and ARRL for this event, the League has been in discussions with the NPS over the past year, and the National Park Service is aware that increased Amateur Radio activity in their parks is likely during 2016. The NPOTA will use the official list of NPS Administrative Units and Affiliated Areas as defined and maintained by NPS. Complete details on National Parks on the Air are available on the ARRL website. Read more . ARRL On-Line Auction to Mark 10th Anniversary; Bidding Starts on October 22! The ARRL On-Line Auction will celebrate its 10th anniversary when it gets under way next week. The auction preview opens on Monday, October 19, at 1400 UTC, and bidding begins on Thursday, October 22, at 1400 UTC. The auction already has more than 260 items that will be up for bid, and new donations are still coming in. The 2015 auction will include /QST/ "Product Review" gear (already ARRL Lab-tested!), vintage books, pre-owed gear, one-of-a-kind finds, and, in honor of the event's 10th anniversary, the ARRL Lab team will contribute five "mystery boxes." Some of the premier items up for bid from the /QST/ "Product Review" inventory will include a FlexRadio Systems FLEX-6700 transceiver, an Apache Labs ANAN-100D SDR HF/6 meter transceiver, a M^2 6M-1K2 6 meter amplifier, an ACOM 600S HF linear, and a Yaesu FT-991 transceiver. Among the book offerings are three 1934 editions of /R/9 Magazine/, a special defense edition of /The Radio Amateur's Handbook/ from 1942, and /Radio Tube Fundamentals/. Proceeds from the yearly On-Line Auction benefit ARRL education programs. These include activities to license new hams, strengthen Amateur Radio Emergency Service training, offer continuing technical and operating education, and create instructional materials. All bidders need to register. If you have participated in a past ARRL On-Line Auction, you will be able to retrieve your auction user ID and password. ARRL Asks FCC to Clarify that Hams May Modify Non-Amateur Gear for Amateur Use The ARRL has asked the FCC to make clear that Amateur Radio licensees may modify non-amateur equipment for use on Amateur Radio frequencies. Some hams have expressed concerns that recently proposed rules would inhibit post-sale modification of Wi-Fi equipment, now sometimes altered for use on Amateur Radio frequencies. The ARRL made its point in comments filed on October 8 on a /Notice of Proposed Rule Making/ (/NPRM/ ) in ET Docket 15-170 and RM-11673. The proceeding mostly addresses proposed amendments to FCC rules regarding authorization of RF equipment. "The Commission should clarify...that the ability of licensed radio amateurs to modify and adapt non-amateur equipment for use in the Amateur Service is beneficial, is permitted, and is not restricted by any rule of general applicability adopted in this proceeding," the League said in its comments. The ARRL said proposed rules requiring manufacturers to include security features to prevent network devices from being modified were "problematic," to the extent that they would preclude hams from adapting network equipment for ham radio applications. "The Amateur Radio Service has a very long tradition of modification and adaptation of commercial communications equipment," the ARRL pointed out in its comments, asserting that amateur licensees should be permitted to modify any previously authorized equipment for use under Amateur Service rules. The proceeding attracted many comments regarding this aspect of the proceeding, although the proposed rules differ only slightly from the current rules. The ARRL also urged the FCC not to apply any limitations proposed for software defined radios to SDRs intended for use exclusively in the Amateur Radio Service, "as has been the policy for the past 10 years." */Equipment Authorization/* The League has also called on the Commission not to combine the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) and Verification equipment authorization procedures into a single, self-approval program. The League said the proposal could lead to abuse by unscrupulous importers and manufacturers of unintentional emitters. Under the *An FCC Part 15B Declaration of Conformity label.* proposed rules, the FCC would do away with its DoC authorization program by combining it with equipment Verification to form a so-called "Suppliers Declaration of Conformity" category of equipment authorization. Testing in an accredited laboratory would not be required, nor would database registration or third-party review. The ARRL expressed concerns that the new regime would encourage and facilitate the introduction into the US of "non-compliant unintentional emitters" and offer no oversight. In its comments, the League said hams and AM broadcasters have been victims of interference from such unintentional emitters as RF lighting ballasts "that routinely exceed the Commission's conducted emission limits." The ARRL said the solution is "not to loosen but to tighten the procedural controls over the testing and affirmative confirmations of compliance" to ensure greater compliance in conducted limits and other technical parameters that determine how much such devices contribute to ambient noise levels. The League said some RF devices, such as RF "grow lights," now subject to the more informal Verification process, should be subject to Certification, owing to their substantial interference potential. /*Improved Labeling for Part 15 and Part 18 Devices*/ The ARRL also said there is "an urgent need" for improved labeling requirements for certain Part 15 and Part 18 devices. "Necessitating change, notably, is the fact that there are many industrial Part 18 devices sold that are neither intended nor designed for use in residential environments, but because there is no external labeling...the end user consumer is left without guidance," the ARRL said, noting that, in most cases, equipment retailers are not providing any either. *A commercial lighting ballast on sale and marketed to consumers at a "big box" store. There is no FCC warning to indicate that this product may not be used for residential applications.* In July, the ARRL complained to the FCC about the marketing practices of various "big box" retailers, where non-consumer-rated lighting ballasts have been mixed in with consumer ballasts and other consumer products on display with no explanatory signage. Ballasts intended for industrial applications have higher permitted conducted emission limits in the Amateur Radio HF spectrum. The League called on the FCC to include a definition in Part 18 for the term "consumer RF lighting device," to provide a way to differentiate consumer devices from those intended for industrial or commercial environments. The League also said the FCC should consider reducing its Part 15 limits for lighting devices to correspond with the Part 18 lighting device limits between 3 and 30 MHz to reduce the RFI potential of LED bulbs now being widely marketed, "before they become an aggregate problem." LED lamps operate under Part 15 rules. The ARRL said the FCC should adopt the League's new equipment-labeling proposals with respect to certain Part 15 and Part 18 equipment "in order to stop the flood of such devices intended for commercial or industrial areas only into residential areas." Read more . Ad AMSAT's Fox-1A CubeSat is Now AO-85! In what may have been record speed, AMSAT's new Fox-1A satellite received its OSCAR designation on the day of its launch. Although its FM transponder is not yet routinely active while the CubeSat undergoes commissioning, it has been operational on many passes. Right on schedule at 1249 UTC on October 8, the Atlas rocket carrying Fox-1A and 12 others lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. AMSAT OSCAR Number Administrator Bill Tynan, W3XO, announced later that day that going forward Fox-1A would be known as AO-85. Fox-1A has been dedicated to the individual who had been at the helm of AMSAT's CubeSat projects until his death last year. *An Atlas rocket blasts off from California at 1249 UTC on October 8 carrying Fox-1A and 12 other CubeSats into space.* "I have been informed of the successful launch today, October 8, 2015, of the AMSAT-NA-built Fox-1A CubeSat. I am also informed that the satellite has been heard by several amateurs in various countries," Tynan said in a news release. "This successful launch comes after years of diligent and dedicated work on the part of AMSAT-NA volunteers including Tony Monteiro, AA2TX, who became a Silent Key in March 2014. It was Tony who spearheaded and guided the work on all AMSAT-NA CubeSats until his untimely passing. Thus, it is only fitting that this spacecraft be dedicated to his memory." As Tynan noted, Jerry Buxton, N0JY, took over Monteiro's post of AMSAT-NA Vice President for Engineering, and successfully completed the project through its preparation for launch. "All of those who had a part in designing, constructing, and testing Fox-1A and its various subsystems are to be congratulated for jobs well done," Tynan said. The Fox-1A Mode B (U/V) FM transponder has an uplink frequency of 435.180 MHz (67 Hz tone), and a downlink frequency of 145.980 MHz. AMSAT's Online Satellite Pass Predictions utility can determine AO-85 passes over a given location. /*"A Great Day"*/ Telemetry and a distinctive voice ID from the new CubeSat have been heard around the world, and numerous contacts have been completed during times the transponder has been open. Fox-1A/AO-85 telemetry reports -- raw and decoded -- are now available on the AMSAT website. Fox-1A employs Data Under Voice (DUV) to send 200 bps FSK telemetry data at the same time as FM audio by making use of sub-audible frequencies below 200 Hz. High-speed 9600 bps FSK also can be transmitted when the transponder is not operating for data-intensive experiments and is only active when commanded from the ground. Free /FoxTelem/ telemetry decoder software is available to decode both DUV and high-speed telemetry. AMSAT has also posted a /Fox Operating Guide/ . "This was a great day for AMSAT, and for satellite operators around the world," Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK/VA7EWK, posted to the AMSAT-BB shortly after launch. "Almost 6 years to the day the AMSAT Fox project was unveiled at the 2009 AMSAT Space Symposium in Baltimore, we now have the first of a series of Fox-1 satellites in orbit. Congratulations to all who have had a hand in building and launching Fox-1A today, and thanks to everyone who has supported the Fox project over the past 6 years!" AMSAT has produced a free commemorative issue of the /AMSAT Journal/ that highlights the Fox-1A launch success. Support ARRL through the Combined Federal Campaign ARRL members who are federal employees can support the ARRL by participating in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC ). Pledges during the 2014 CFC topped $45,000. CFC contributions support programs that are not funded by member dues. The CFC has generated nearly $250,000 for ARRL programs since the League became a program participant. For the past 14 years, the US Office of Personnel Management has designated the ARRL to participate in the CFC, the annual giving campaign for federal employees. Federal civilian employees, US Postal Service workers, and members of the military are eligible to take part. Similar to the United Way, the CFC encourages individuals employed in all branches of the federal government to pledge by payroll deduction to non-profit organizations of their choice. The ARRL encourages eligible radio amateurs to consider the League when designating campaign recipients. Eligible federal employees who want the ARRL to receive all or part of their payroll deductions should designate organization #10099 when completing their CFC donor forms . To ensure proper acknowledgment of the CFC contribution, they should complete a copy of the donor form to advise the CFC to release donor information to ARRL. Donors may make an unrestricted contribution or designate their contributions for any ARRL fund , including the ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund, the ARRL Legislative Issues Advocacy Fund, the ARRL Education & Technology Program, and the Historic Preservation Fund. Read more . ARISS Window to Submit ISS Ham Radio Contact Proposals Closes on November 1 The deadline is looming for schools, educational organizations, and groups willing and able to host an Amateur Radio contact with an International Space Station crew member to submit proposals to Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS ). The window for formal and informal proposals closes on November 1. ARISS anticipates that contacts will be scheduled between July 1 and December 31, 2016. Crew schedules and ISS orbits determine exact contact dates. ARISS is seeking organizations to sponsor events that will a draw large number of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. Organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in contact dates and times. Full information on hosting an ARISS contact is available on the ARRL website. Visit the ARISS website for more information. Contact ARISS with any questions. Ad IARU Administrative Council Stresses Importance of Antenna Systems for Amateur Radio The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU ) Administrative Council (AC) has adopted a resolution calling on IARU member societies to encourage governments to recognize the importance of the Amateur Radio Service and of Amateur radio antennas. The AC held its 38th meeting on October 9 and 10 in Bali, Indonesia, in conjunction with the IARU Region 3 Conference there. The antenna resolution also called on member societies "to advocate for planning and development regulations that properly recognize the importance of an Amateur Radio antenna and do not place undue restrictions on the erection of antennas." It also urged member societies to discourage the imposition of any fees related to ham antennas, "particularly in view of the non-pecuniary nature of Amateur Radio and its popularity in the student and senior communities." The AC completed its preparations to represent Amateur Radio at World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15), which will take place during November in Geneva. The AC reviewed IARU positions and strategies for each WRC-15 agenda item that may affect ham radio. These included proposals for a secondary amateur allocation near 5.3 MHz. The Council also looked ahead to agenda items for the next WRC, which is anticipated for 2019. These would include an amateur allocation at 50 MHz in Region 1 (Europe and Africa) and "global harmonization" of the 1800-2000 kHz allocation. "It is anticipated that a significant effort by IARU will be needed in preparation for WRC-19 to defend the amateur allocations between 137 and 960 MHz, in light of the pressure for spectrum for small, non-amateur satellites," the AC said in a statement. "Close coordination of regional efforts will be required." In a departure from its practice of recent years, the Council adopted a continuing theme for World Amateur Radio Day each April -- "Celebrating Amateur Radio's Contribution to Society." The Council could adopt a special theme in any given year, if appropriate. Read more . ARRL Invites Nominations For 2015 International Humanitarian Award Nominations are open for the 2015 ARRL International Humanitarian Award . The award is conferred upon an amateur or group of amateurs who demonstrate devotion to human welfare, peace, and international understanding through Amateur Radio. The League established the annual prize to recognize Amateur Radio operators who have used ham radio to provide extraordinary service to others in times of crisis or disaster. A committee appointed by the League's President recommends the award recipient(s) to the ARRL Board, which makes the final decision. The committee is now accepting nominations from Amateur Radio, governmental, or other organizations that have benefited from extraordinary service rendered by an Amateur Radio operator or group. Amateur Radio is one of the few telecommunication services that allow people throughout the world from all walks of life to meet and talk with each other, thereby spreading goodwill across political boundaries. The ARRL International Humanitarian Award recognizes Amateur Radio's unique role in international communication and the assistance amateurs regularly provide to people in need. Nominations should include a summary of the nominee's actions that qualify the individual (or individuals) for this award, plus verifying statements from at least two people having first-hand knowledge of the events warranting the nomination. These statements may be from an official of a group (for example, the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, a local or state emergency management official) that benefited from the nominee's particular Amateur Radio contribution. Nominations should include the names and addresses of all references. All nominations and supporting materials for the 2015 ARRL International Humanitarian Award must be submitted in writing in English to ARRL International Humanitarian Award, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 USA. Nominations are due by December 31, 2015. In the event that no nominations are received, the committee itself may determine a recipient or decide to make no award. The winner of the ARRL International Humanitarian Award receives an engraved plaque, and a profile in /QST/ as well as in other ARRL venues. IOTA Foundation to Manage RSGB's Islands on the Air Program A new entity -- the IOTA Foundation -- will assume management of the Radio Society of Great Britain's (RSGB ) Islands on the Air (IOTA ) Program. Last year the RSGB Board identified a number of challenges facing the program, including the need to provide an online system to track and manage the submission of island credits -- similar to the ARRL's Logbook of The World (LoTW). Since then, a small group of IOTA enthusiasts has been working with the RSGB to ensure that the IOTA program continues to grow in its role of fostering Amateur Radio DXing and contest activity. The IOTA Foundation is the fruition of that work. "It will be run by IOTA enthusiasts and will manage the IOTA program in partnership with the [RSGB]," the RSGB said in a news release. "One major task for the new organization will be to develop a new online credit system that is due to be completed in 2017." The team of RSGB IOTA Manager Roger Balister, G3KMA; Bob Barden, MD0CCE; Cezar Trifu, VE3LYC, and Johan Willemsen, PA3EXX, will implement the IT changes and form the IOTA Foundation with representation from radio amateurs in the UK and around the world. "I am delighted with the news announced by the RSGB about the future of IOTA -- that...terms of agreement have been fleshed out for the program to be run by a new body in partnership with the RSGB," Balister said on October 12. "I have to thank the RSGB Board for acknowledging that the future sustainability of IOTA is of paramount importance to thousands of amateurs worldwide and that this must be the overriding consideration." Read more . Ad Parachute Mobile Group to Hold Jump in Conjunction with Pacificon As it has done in past years, the Parachute Mobile group -- "in the air, on the air" -- has scheduled jumps for October 17 in association with Pacificon , the ARRL Pacific Division Convention, in San Ramon, California. "We do this every year, giving visiting hams a chance for a unique parachute mobile QSO," said Mark Meltzer, AF6IM, who will be Jumper 1. This will be Mission 22. As Jumper 1, Meltzer will be operating on 10 meters (28.425 MHz USB) and 2 meters (146.43 MHz FM simplex), hoping for a DX contact. Jumper 2, Michael Gregg, KF6WRW, will be on 146.43 MHz FM simplex as well as 5 GHz ATV, which will be streamed live. Jumper 3, Rob Fenn, KC6TYD, will be on 146.43 MHz FM simplex. Jumper 4, Capt Jim Wilson, RCAF, will be shooting in-flight video and photos. He is studying for his Canadian ham license and will be making radio jumps soon. Jumpers will also carry APRS gear that will broadcast GPS data, heart rate, and blood oxygen level. The October 17 jumps over Byron, California, will take place from a Beech King Air 90 twin turboprop jumpship, with jumpers exiting at about 14,000 feet. Meltzer, who is 66, is enjoying his 47th year of skydiving./-- Thanks to Mark Meltzer, AF6IM/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ // . . . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The K7RA Solar Update Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspot numbers over the past 7 days were nearly the same as during the previous 7 days. Average daily sunspot numbers went from 37 to 36.9, and average daily solar flux dropped from 93.8 to 87.5 Just as in previous solar cycles, geomagnetic indicators are high, as the cycle trends downward. From last week to this, the average daily planetary A index went from 24.3 to 25.1, and the average mid-latitude A index moved from 15.7 to 17.6. Predicted solar flux is 90 on October 15; 100 on October 16; 110 on October 17-18; 115 on October 19; 110 on October 20-21; 120 on October 22-24; 125 on October 25-26; then 130, 120, and 110 on October 27-29; 100, 90, and 85 on October 30-November 1; 80 on November 2-6; 85 on November 7-8, and 90 on November 9-11. Solar flux then rises to 130 on November 23 and drops below 100 after November 26. Predicted planetary A index is 18 on October 15-16; then 15 and 12 on October 17-18; 8 on October 19-20; 5 on October 21-27; then 8, 12, and 10 on October 28-30; 8 on October 31-November 2; 20 on November 3; 15 on November 4-5; then 12, 8, 20, 15, and 18 on November 6-10; 20 on November 11-12; 15 on November 13, and 8 on November 14-18. Sunspot numbers for October 8 through 14 were 24, 11, 22, 36, 51, 58, and 56, with a mean of 36.9. The 10.7 cm flux was 79.7, 81.2, 81.4, 84.6, 89.1, 95.6, and 100.7, with a mean of 87.5. Estimated planetary A indices were 56, 26, 12, 12, 22, 25, and 23, with a mean of 25.1. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 41, 15, 9, 8, 16, 18, and 16, with a mean of 17.6. Send me your reports and observations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Just Ahead in Radiosport * October 16-18 -- Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) * October 17 -- Iowa QSO Party * October 17 -- Feld Hell Sprint * October 17-18 -- JARTS WW RTTY Contest * October 17-18 -- 10-10 International Fall Contest (CW) * October 17-18 -- New York QSO Party * October 17-18 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge (CW) * October 17-18 -- Worked All Germany Contest (CW, SSB) * October 17-18 -- South Dakota QSO Party * October 17-19 -- Telephone Pioneers QSO Party (CW, phone, digital) * October 18 -- Asia-Pacific Fall Sprint (CW) * October 18 -- UBA ON Contest (2 meters, CW) * October 18-19 -- Illinois QSO Party * October 19 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW) * *October 19-23 -- **ARRL School Club Roundup* See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events * October 16-18 -- Pacific Division Convention (Pacificon) , San Ramon, California * October 16-18 -- Microwave Update Convention , San Diego, California * October 17 -- Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference , Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin * October 18 -- Connecticut State Convention , Meriden, Connecticut * October 23-24 -- Arizona State Convention , Kingman, Arizona * October 23-24 -- Oklahoma State Convention , Ardmore, Oklahoma * November 7 -- Fall TechFest , Lakewood, Colorado * November 7-8 -- Georgia Section Convention , Lawrenceville, Georgia * November 14 -- HamJam Convention , Alpharetta, Georgia * November 14-15 -- Indiana State Convention , Fort Wayne, Indiana * December 11-12 -- West Central Florida Section Convention , Plant City, Florida Find conventions and hamfests in your area . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *ARRL *-- *Your One-Stop Resource for * *Amateur Radio News and Information* . . . * Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes /QST/ , Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month. * Listen to /ARRL Audio News/ , available every Friday. Subscribe to... * /NCJ / /-- National Contest Journal/ . Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties. * /QEX/ *//*/-- A Forum for Communications Experimenters/ . Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals. Free of charge to ARRL members... * Subscribe to the /ARES E-Letter/ (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the /ARRL Contest Update/ (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more! Find ARRL on Facebook ! Follow us on Twitter ! Ad Ad Ad Ad Ad ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 48 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 ? 2015 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved www.arrl.org From bmarx at bellsouth.net Mon Oct 19 08:34:49 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2015 08:34:49 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Broward Amateur Radio Club - Cy Harris W4MAQ Memorial *FREE FLEA* Message-ID: <5624E369.90407@bellsouth.net> /Cy Harris Memorial//*FREE FLEA* / Broward Amateur Radio Club SATURDAY Nov 14, 2015 Starting at 7:00,AM /Free To Buy and Sell/ 7AM until noon (Vendor set up at 6 AM) Collins Community Center 3900 NE 3rd Avenue Oakland Park, FL 33334 /(East of I-95 between Oakland Park and Commercial Blvd. // //Andrews to NE 38th St./) * ARRL VEC Testing 10AM, $15, Bring ID! * Talk-in: 146.91, -600, PL 110.9 For More info: Tony Becker KK4GUU-Tony Becker KK4GUU tony at mcrsys.com 954 612-9303 9303 From bmarx at bellsouth.net Mon Oct 19 08:37:37 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2015 08:37:37 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Broward Amateur Radio Club - Cy Harris W4MAQ Memorial *FREE FLEA* In-Reply-To: <5624E369.90407@bellsouth.net> References: <5624E369.90407@bellsouth.net> Message-ID: <5624E411.3090901@bellsouth.net> / Also DXCC QSL Card Checking and ARRL Booth/ /Cy Harris Memorial//*FREE FLEA* / Broward Amateur Radio Club SATURDAY Nov 14, 2015 Starting at 7:00,AM /Free To Buy and Sell/ 7AM until noon (Vendor set up at 6 AM) Collins Community Center 3900 NE 3rd Avenue Oakland Park, FL 33334 /(East of I-95 between Oakland Park and Commercial Blvd. // //Andrews to NE 38th St./) * ARRL VEC Testing 10AM, $15, Bring ID! * Talk-in: 146.91, -600, PL 110.9 * DXCC QSL Card Checking * ARRL Booth For More info: Tony Becker KK4GUU-Tony Becker KK4GUU tony at mcrsys.com 954 612-9303 9303 From bmarx at bellsouth.net Wed Oct 21 09:44:00 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2015 09:44:00 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The ARRL Contest Update for October 21, 2015 In-Reply-To: <20151021100007.4940621041B0@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20151021100007.4940621041B0@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: <562796A0.1080802@bellsouth.net> Preview If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at: http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2015-10-21 The ARRL Contest Update October 21, 2015 Editor: Brian Moran, N9ADG /Contest Update/ Archive Contest Calendar ARRL Home Page Ad IN THIS ISSUE * CQWW SSB <#Contests> * ARRL EME <#Contests> * USDOT moving to require "drone" registration <#News> * Summer Stew Perry Results now available <#Results> * DHDL Receive Antenna <#Tech> * Program your own FSK Decoder <#Techweek> * Multi-Single <#Conversation> NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO The CQWW SSB contest is the "major" this time. It's a great way to work some DX contacts, and fill in some DXCC countries on various bands. You can do the 48-hour contest solo, but it can be even more fun if you're part of a multi-op. BULLETINS W6YX QSL card from 1941. Perhaps you'll work them in Sweepstakes this year? (Courtesy Dan K7SS) "ARRL Sweepstakes time is almost here - will you be ready? This year, there are two weeks between CQWW-Phone weekend and the CW Sweepstakes (November 7 & 8) so you have a whole extra week to make preparations! One of your first stops should be to check out the 2015 Operating Guide (PDF) and other important info on the ARRL November Sweepstakes web page . Next, spend some time with the updated ARRL Sweepstakes Records for both modes. Some records at the Division and Section level have never had any entrants for many classes, and other existing records could easily be within your grasp. Affiliated Club competition continues to be a very popular aspect of Sweepstakes each year. If your club hasn't already started making plans to get more members on the air for Sweepstakes, take the initiative to start 'talking up' SS. Encourage ops in your group to get on and make some contacts, even if it can't be a full-time effort. Remind them that the Clean Sweep mug (for working all 83 ARRL/RAC sections) is available again this year, as are Participation Pins for anyone who completes more than 100 contacts on CW or Phone during Sweepstakes. More activity means more fun for everyone!" -Larry Hammel K5OT, ARRL Sweepstakes contest manager If you enjoyed the ARRL Centennial operating activities, you'll likely flip over the upcoming National Parks on the Air event , which starts January 1, 2016. The year 2016 is the 100^th anniversary of the National Parks Service. If you like operating outside, setting up field-day style operations, you can activate National Parks, National Battlefields, Historic Sites, Memorials, Preserves, Reserves, Rivers, Seashores, National Scenic Trails, and the like. You'll be "chased" by those working you, and all scores will be reflected in an on-line NPOTA leader board based on the LotW data. Examining the list of qualifying locations, I'm betting there will be some that will be extremely rare due to access, size, and/or appropriateness. BUSTED QSOS Bill, AC0W writes: "Well I see contest sponsors have taken the log due dates to the extreme. Phone Fray Oct 14 and Oct 21 have log due date of Oct 9. Talk about needing to use ESP to generate your log before the contest even occurs." CONTEST SUMMARY Complete information for all contests follows the Conversation section *October 22* * CWops Mini-CWT Test *October 23* * NCCC RTTY Sprint * NCCC Sprint *October 24* * CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB *October 28* * SKCC Sprint * Phone Fray * CWops Mini-CWT Test * UKEICC 80m Contest *October 29* * CWops Mini-CWT Test * RSGB 80m Club Sprint, SSB *October 30* * NCCC RTTY Sprint * NCCC Sprint *October 31* * Feld Hell Sprint * *ARRL EME Contest * * Russian WW MultiMode Contest *November 1* * High Speed Club CW Contest *November 3* * ARS Spartan Sprint *November 4* * QRP Fox Hunt * Phone Fray * CWops Mini-CWT Test * UKEICC 80m Contest NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST The U.S. Department of Transportation is moving in the direction of requiring Unmanned Aircraft System (Drone) registration. While consideration is being given to recognizing that there are smaller 'toy' vehicles that would be exempt, many of the great videos we've seen on the Internet were taken by craft that would likely require registration under the registration process. TV antennas are making a comeback as more and more people are discovering that digital over-the-air broadcasts can look great, and don't require a monthly fee. Though shortwave broadcasts have been declining, EU Longwave broadcasts (148.5 - 253 kHz) appear to have a steady audience .(Thanks N6KI) What were the most disruptive technologies of the 20^th century? Things like TVs, CDs, DVDs, Computers, may come to mind... however some argue that it was the general availability of home appliances . N3FJP logging program assortment now supports the CQWW DX RTTY Contest . Two hundred and nineteen miles is the current record for the distance traveled by a single piece of tornado-carried debris. Researchers used social media to research and track items carried by a single storm in 2011 . An enthusiast has used off-the-shelf parts, and a 3D printer, to build a hand-held railgun capable of launching projectiles at 560 MPH . The article includes links to video of it in action. The gentleman built this in his basement. (Thanks W7SNH) WORD TO THE WISE QLF - used in CW communications, meaning "I am sending with my left foot." To use the interrogative form, follow with a question mark: QLF? Translation: "Are you sending with your left foot?" Most often heard around the beginning of a new calendar year, coincident with SKN. Mike, KD7TS, making some Q's in the September 2015 ARRL VHF Contest. Photo courtesy of Dale, KD7UO. Ad RESULTS AND RECORDS The results for the 2015 Topband Summer Stew are now available, as are the preliminary results of the "Pre-stew" held last weekend. - N6TR "The 2015 Salmon Run Results are posted on the WWDXC Website . Thanks to Mike N7WA for doing the scoring, slicing and dicing of nearly 300 logs received and presenting the data in a readable format. Many logs (including about 10 paper logs) needed fixing up before entering the analysis program - Mike and Jim K7WA accomplished that. Also, we need to thank Dick K7BTW for managing the County Activity page before the Salmon Run, and Matt KQ7W and Mike K7SR who are working on the Participant Awards (pdf certificates), Kirk N7UK and Dennis K7DSE the Awards guys, the WWDXC Board and all members for your support!" - K7WA OPERATING TIP Four little reminders prompted by operating in the CQWW RTTY Contest last month: ? If you're S&Ping, you generally don't need to send the CQing station's callsign. ? On RTTY, send 599, not 5NN. 599 sends the character 5, then 9, then 9 - three characters in total. Sending 5NN sends the character 5, then the non-printing LTR character, then N, then N - four characters in total. ? Don't send ANY canned information from any database, like the other stations name. Yes, it's cool that you can do that. Refrain. Just send the contest exchange. Besides, it's a little awkward when the name in the database is "Roberto" but the operator is known by everyone as "Bob." ? There's no need to send 599 twice in the exchange. TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION If you're looking for a new 160m receive antenna for a space constrained location, perhaps you should give theDHDL antenna a look. Developed for the TX3A DXpedition, it's a *D*ouble *H*elix *D*elta *L*oop, and boasts an RDF improvement of 2.5 dB over a single flag antenna of similar dimension. DH1TW tried this antenna at ED1R, and reported his favorable results . (WWDXC reflector) Quantum computers will use a different architecture, and work with different concepts than computing until now. We'll have to think about how to frame problems in a different way, using new computer languages suited to the new models. Recently, a new distance record for 'Quantum Teleportation' was set. Single entangled photons were transmitted and detected across 100km of fiber. This record was a result of a refinement of the detector capability. (Thanks N6KI) Sometimes all it takes is one project to instill a life-long interest in building electronic projects - here's a headphone amplifier that could be that project. It's a relatively simple design, with parts and resources available from numerous sources. Memristors are shipping ! These devices can be "programmed" with a current to exhibit a particular resistance when subsequently read with a (smaller) current. It is thought that they'll be able to spur the creation of new types of non-volatile storage. One currently available device has eight memristors in one single package. SMD parts are usually small, requiring tools to handle. An inexpensive suction-type tool for picking and placing parts is available from Electronics Goldmine which could be just the thing you need for parts that are too 'slippery' for tweezers.(QRP-L mailing list) (At Pacificon) "I walked down the aisle and found a vendor selling a box that meters in the positive lead! I bought one immediately. It's marked EZ-meter II. Metering (current) in the positive lead is critical - you can't measure current drawn by interconnected equipment in the negative lead, because all the bonds between gear and the coax running between them causes DC current to divide by Ohm's Law. http://www.hamsource.com/ezmeter.html " - (Thanks K9YC) ** Block diagram of VK5DGR's FSK demodulator built using GNU Octave. (Courtesy VK5DGR) *Technical Web Site of the Week* - Building an FSK Decoder using open source tools for use in high-altitude balloon telemetry. Written by David Rowe, VK5DGR, author of FreeDV, this is a great blog post illustrating how a design for a software modem was developed using open source software, tested, and deployed against real-world signals. Some interesting findings include that using reasonable hardware, performance was adequate using GNU Octave, without compiling the design further, to decode real-world signals, and that a real-world driver must be able to accommodate variation in the sender's clock rate. Perhaps this article will spur others to do their own RTTY decoder design and experimentation. Ad CONVERSATION Multi-Single Many of the major contests have some sort of multi-single category. At first glance, one might think that this means that *multiple* operators can take turns operating a *single* radio. At some level, it is that. However, individual contests have different variations and special rules for "Multi-single" operation. For the CQWW contest, one radio is used for the "run", but a second radio may be simultaneously used as long as the station worked is a multiplier. No CQs may be sent on the 'multiplier' radio, and there are band change restrictions. For the CQWW 160 contest, if you use spots, you're a multi. The ARRL Sweepstakes has one Multi-operator category, and it only allows one transmitted signal at a time. To earn a big score, one must follow the rules, but must also think creatively about how to get a higher rate or more multipliers. For example, for ARRL Sweepstakes, only one transmitted signal is allowed. There are no restrictions on band changes. The top-scoring multi-ops use more than one operating position, with the transceivers coordinated using a 'lock-out' so that only one is transmitting at a time. In this fashion, slightly lower rates are obtained on each station, but in aggregate the rate is excellent. Listening to an "M" station running on a band in sweepstakes, one might hear serial numbers being skipped as the 'other' station hands them out to their contacts. For Sweepstakes, just having the radios lockout-coordinated is no guarantee of a high score - the exchange is long, and all operators must remain sensitive to the possibility that another operator is waiting to complete a Q. Add some band noise necessitating repeats, and frustrations can occur. As with any other contesting skill, practice can make you better, and the best practice for Sweepstakes is... Sweepstakes. Over time, as operators develop an awareness of where their team members are in their Q's, the rate can increase as exchanges are coordinated. For some ideas on lockout devices, check this information provided for the CQWW (scroll down to Hardware Lockout Devices), as well as the 4O3A Lock-X device . Some of the contest logging programs can now coordinate PTT and keying through the LAN to provide a lockout function - but some stories indicate that caution is warranted to absolutely test that software and hardware has been set up correctly, and that it's not possible to have more than one signal on the air. "Works most of the time" is not good enough here, and it would be disappointing to find out after a weekend of contesting that you had to enter a checklog because of a lockout malfunction. 73, Brian N9ADG CONTESTS An expanded, downloadable version of QST's Contest Corral in PDF format is available. Check the sponsor's Web site for information on operating time restrictions and other instructions. *HF CONTESTS* CWops Mini-CWT Test , Oct 21, 1300z to Oct 21, 1400z, Oct 21, 1900z to Oct 21, 2000z, Oct 22, 0300z to Oct 22, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: October 24. NCCC RTTY Sprint , Oct 23, 0145z to Oct 23, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: October 18. NCCC Sprint , Oct 23, 0230z to Oct 23, 0300z; (see rules); Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: October 18. CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB , Oct 24, 0000z to Oct 26, 0000z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RS + CQ Zone No.; Logs due: October 30. SKCC Sprint , Oct 28, 0000z to Oct 28, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./power); Logs due: October 30. Phone Fray , Oct 28, 0230z to Oct 28, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: October 23. CWops Mini-CWT Test , Oct 28, 1300z to Oct 28, 1400z, Oct 28, 1900z to Oct 28, 2000z, Oct 29, 0300z to Oct 29, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: October 24. UKEICC 80m Contest , Oct 28, 2000z to Oct 28, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; 4-Character grid square; Logs due: October 28. RSGB 80m Club Sprint, SSB , Oct 29, 1900z to Oct 29, 2000z; SSB; Bands: 80m Only; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: November 5. NCCC RTTY Sprint , Oct 30, 0145z to Oct 30, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: October 18. NCCC Sprint , Oct 30, 0230z to Oct 30, 0300z; (see rules); Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: October 18. Feld Hell Sprint , Oct 31, 0000z to Oct 31, 2359z; Feld Hell; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 15, 10, *6m*; (see rules); Logs due: October 24. Russian WW MultiMode Contest , Oct 31, 1200z to Nov 1, 1159z; CW, SSB, RTTY, BPSK63; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; UA: RST(Q) + 2-character oblast, non-UA: RST(Q) + QSO No.; Logs due: November 15. High Speed Club CW Contest , Nov 1, 0900z to Nov 1, 1100z, Nov 1, 1500z to Nov 1, 1700z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Members: RST + HSC No., non-Members: RST + "NM"; Logs due: November 21. ARS Spartan Sprint , Nov 3, 0100z to Nov 3, 0300z; CW; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + (state/province/country) + Power; Logs due: November 5. QRP Fox Hunt , Nov 4, 0100z to Nov 4, 0230z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output; Logs due: November 5. Phone Fray , Nov 4, 0230z to Nov 4, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: October 23. CWops Mini-CWT Test , Nov 4, 1300z to Nov 4, 1400z, Nov 4, 1900z to Nov 4, 2000z, Nov 5, 0300z to Nov 5, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: October 24. UKEICC 80m Contest , Nov 4, 2000z to Nov 4, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; 4-Character grid square; Logs due: October 28. *VHF+ CONTESTS* *ARRL EME Contest * , Oct 31, 0000z to Nov 1, 2359z; CW, Phone, Digital; Bands: 50-1296 MHz; Signal report; Logs due: January 1. Ad LOG DUE DATES *October 23, 2015* * Phone Fray *October 24, 2015* * Microwave Fall Sprint * Feld Hell Sprint * PODXS 070 Club 160m Great Pumpkin Sprint * CWops Mini-CWT Test *October 25, 2015* * Asia-Pacific Fall Sprint, CW * 10-10 Int. 10-10 Day Sprint * QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party * Run for the Bacon QRP Contest * UBA ON Contest, SSB * WAB HF Phone *October 30, 2015* * GTC CW Cup *October 31, 2015* * Arizona QSO Party * Texas QSO Party * JARTS WW RTTY Contest * Oceania DX Contest, CW * Oceania DX Contest, Phone * TARA PSK Rumble Contest * MCG Autumn Sprint *November 1, 2015* * New York QSO Party * UBA ON Contest, CW *November 2, 2015* * Stew Perry Topband Challenge (Pre-Stew) * FISTS Fall Slow Speed Sprint * 10-10 Int. Fall Contest, CW * Worked All Germany Contest * YLRL DX/NA YL Anniversary Contest ARRL Information Click here to advertise in this newsletter, space subject to availability. Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information *Join or Renew Today!* ** ARRL membership includes /QST/ , Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month. Subscribe to /NCJ/ - the National Contest Journal . Published bimonthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties. Subscribe to /QEX/ - A Forum for Communications Experimenters . Published bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals. /Free of charge to ARRL members:/ Subscribe to The ARRL Letter (weekly digest of news and information), the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), Division and Section news -- and much more! /ARRL offers a wide array of / /products/ // to enhance your enjoyment of Amateur Radio. Visit the site often for new publications, specials and sales. Donate to the fund of your choice -- /support programs not funded by member dues!/ Reprint permission can be obtained by sending email to permission at arrl.org with a description of the material and the reprint publication. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ARRL Contest Update wishes to acknowledge information from WA7BNM's Contest Calendar and SM3CER's Contest Calendar . Ad Ad Ad Ad Ad ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The ARRL Contest Update is published every other Wednesday (26 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/contests/update/. Copyright ? 2015 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved www.arrl.org From bmarx at bellsouth.net Wed Oct 21 13:44:26 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:44:26 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] SFL Hamfests in November - Jeff WA4AW In-Reply-To: <20151021152452.B70FA200D7AD@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20151021152452.B70FA200D7AD@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: <5627CEFA.2090401@bellsouth.net> Greetings to all, If you enjoy attending hamfests, then November is your month and SFL is the place to be. Listed below are the hamfests scheduled for November: Link McGarity WV4I Memorial Free Flea 11/07/2015 Location: JFCS of Palm Beach County 5841 Corporate Way West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Website: http://www.palmswestradio.org Sponsor: Palms West Amateur Radio Club Talk-In: 147.045 (PL 110.9) Public Contact: Robert Pease , KS4EC Phone: 561-358-9999 Email: ks4ec at att.net Cy Harris W4MAQ Memorial Free Flea 11/14/2015 Location: Collins Center 3900 NE 3rd Avenue Oakland Park, FL Website: http://browardarc.net Sponsor: Broward Amateur Radio Club Talk-In: 146.91 (PL 110.9) Public Contact: Tony Becker , KK4GUU Phone: 954-612-9303 Email: kk4guu at arrl.net Flamingo Net / UMARC Free Flea 11/21/2015 Location: Physics/Gifford Arboretum Parking Lot 5101 San Amaro Drive Coral Gables, FL 33114 Website: http://flamingonet.8m.net Sponsor: Flamingo Net ARC & University of Miami ARC Talk-In: 147.150 +600 (PL 94.8) Public Contact: William Moore , WA4TEJ Phone: 305-751-1874 Email: wa4tej at juno.com Okeechobee Hamfest in the Woods 11/28/2015 Location: Freedom Ranch 11655 US Route 441 SE Okeechobee, FL 34972 Website: http://www.k4oke.com Sponsor: Okeechobee Amateur Radio Club Talk-In: 147.195 (PL 100) Public Contact: Amos McDaniel , KK4AMK Phone: 863-467-8823 Email: kk4amk at yahoo.com And a heads-up on an exciting ARRL operating activity for 2016. ?ARRL National Parks on the Air? Event to Mark National Park Service Centennial: In 2016, the National Park Service (NPS) will celebrate its 100th anniversary, and radio amateurs will be able to help mark the occasion with the ARRL National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) event. The fun begins at 0000 UTC on January 1, 2016. ?As ARRL just celebrated our own Centennial, and Amateur Radio is often enjoyed in the great outdoors, it seemed fitting to devise a program to help NPS celebrate their own 100th birthday,? said ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X. As he explained, NPOTA will run throughout 2016, with activity promoted and encouraged from each of the more than 430 official NPS administrative units and affiliated areas across the US. This includes all 59 National Parks as well as National Battlefields, Historic Sites, Memorials, Preserves, Reserves, Rivers, Seashores, National Scenic Trails, and other units. The program will have two participation tracks ? Chasers and Activators. Chasers will simply attempt to make contact with operators in as many of the NPS units as possible. Activators will attempt to activate as many of the units as possible. NPOTA participants may serve in both roles. Chaser and Activator totals will be tracked via an online Leader Board based on LoTW data, just as was done during the Centennial QSO Party. (Access the NPOTA Leader Board directly at http://npota.arrl.org.) Modeled after the Mixed DXCC award, only one contact with any given NPS unit will be required, and no tally will be kept of NPS units based on bands or modes. NPOTA will be administered entirely through Logbook of The World (LoTW). No paper logs or QSLs will be accepted for NPOTA credit. Each NPS unit will be added to LoTW as a ?location.? Three award certificates will be available: Chaser Award and Activator Award certificates will be available to any radio amateur who has at least one confirmed contact with an NPS unit or who activates at least one unit, respectively. A station?s total number of confirmed or activated units will be printed on the certificate. The National Parks Honor Roll certificate will be available for any station that confirms contact with at least 75 percent of the 59 National Parks activated in 2016. An Activator can earn additional recognition as a ?Five-Star Activator.? While the Centennial QSO Party was an internal event for radio amateurs, National Parks on the Air is designed to be a public promotion of Amateur Radio?s capabilities. Various public relations bonuses and activities will be available to Activators, similar to the PR bonus points available to ARRL Field Day stations. The success of the event and of the awards program rests on radio amateurs? willingness to operate from NPS units. ?Portable operators, this event is for you!? Kutzko said. ?Start thinking about how you would incorporate Amateur Radio into your visit to an NPS unit. Whether you?re camping in Yosemite, driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway, or set up in a corner of Andersonville Prison, you will definitely draw a pileup. As long as you are on the property of the NPS unit, you will qualify as being in the unit.? Kutzko notes that depending on the size of a given operation, participants may need to secure a special-use permit. ?This may take some time,? he said. ?It?s possible the answer will be ?no.? Be mindful of the size and sensitivity of the NPS unit you want to activate, and be realistic about your plans.? NPOTA Activators will need to follow all NPS rules in whatever unit they activate. In general, the more portable and compact your station is, and the more creative and adaptable your plans are, the greater your chances of success. While there is no formal partnership between NPS and ARRL for this event, the League has been in discussions with the NPS over the past year, and it is aware that increased Amateur Radio activity in their parks is likely during 2016. ?It is your responsibility to be on your best behavior and not interfere with other visitors at NPS units,? Kutzko advised. ?Remember, every time you visit an NPS unit for this awards program, your conduct will not only impact the reputation of Amateur Radio throughout the NPS system, but will also directly impact the success of the next amateur who tries to activate that unit. Be nice, be courteous, and be flexible. Demonstrate Amateur Radio in the best light possible.? The NPOTA will use the official list of NPS Administrative Units and Affiliated Areas as defined and maintained by NPS. Complete details on the National Parks on the Air event are available on the ARRL website. That's about it for now. Please support our SFL clubs by attending one or all of the events in November. Look forward to seeing you there. Vy 73, Jeff WA4AW From bmarx at bellsouth.net Thu Oct 22 18:47:17 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2015 18:47:17 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The ARRL Letter for October 22, 2015 In-Reply-To: <20151022215639.096D0219C344@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20151022215639.096D0219C344@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: <56296775.7060700@bellsouth.net> Preview If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2015-10-22 The ARRL Letter October 22, 2015 Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME ARRL Home Page /ARRL Letter/ Archive Audio News Ad * Parity Act House Cosponsors Now in Triple Digits! <#toc01> * ARRL Executive Committee Presented with Draft Enforcement Improvement Plan <#toc02> * FCC Seeking User Comments on New Beta Website <#toc03> * ARES/RACES Teams Expected to Join MARS in Coronal Mass Ejection Disaster Exercise <#toc04> * Hudson Amateur Radio Council Donates Nearly $9000 to ARRL <#toc05> * Amateur Radio was Part of Typhoon Koppu Response in the Philippines <#toc06> * IARU Region 3 Conference Opens with a Gong <#toc07> * AO-85 Enthusiasm Prevails at AMSAT 2015 Space Symposium and Annual Meeting <#toc08> * Florida Radio Amateurs Support Bicycle Festival <#toc09> * In Brief... <#toc10> * The K7RA Solar Update <#toc11> * Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc12> * Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events <#toc13> Parity Act House Cosponsors Now in Triple Digits! The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 bill in the US House (H.R. 1301) now has 106 cosponsors! ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, credited ARRL members "who understand the importance of the legislation" with making it possible to reach that milestone. "They have signed letters at hamfests and conventions all over the country, at booths staffed by Directors, Vice Directors, Section Managers, and other ARRL officials," President Craigie said. Backing up those efforts have been recent personal visits to Capitol Hill by ARRL Directors Dick Isely, W9GIG, and Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, as well as by General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD. The 100th cosponsor of H.R. 1301 was Rep Larry Bucshon [R-IN], who signed aboard on October 16. Six more cosponsors added their names on October 20 and 21. They are Reps Steve Chabot, [R-OH], Mike Bost [R-IL], and Frank LoBiondo [R-NJ]; Katherine Clark [D-MA]; Thomas MacArthur [R-NJ], and Sheila Jackson Lee [D-TX]. The Amateur Radio Parity Act would direct the FCC to extend its Part 97 Amateur Radio Service rules relating to "reasonable accommodation" of Amateur Service communications to include private land use restrictions. There are two bills, one in the US House and one in the US Senate. US Rep Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) introduced H.R. 1301 on March 4 with 12 original cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. US Sen Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced S. 1685 into the US Senate on June 25, with Sen Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) as the original cosponsor. *ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN.* "We are not done by any means," President Craigie added. "Let's push the numbers up and keep our representatives and senators aware of how much we care about this issue." She noted that Scouting's Jamboree On The Air (JOTA ) over the October 17-18 weekend introduced thousands of youngsters to Amateur Radio. "Let's make sure their interest can blossom, even if their parents have chosen to live in communities that don't allow antennas at this time," President Craigie urged. "These young people need what Amateur Radio has to offer, and Amateur Radio certainly needs them. Please help them be the future." The ARRL recently introduced a "Clarity on Parity" video , and not only has it been made available on Capitol Hill, it would make an informative Amateur Radio club meeting program. A "Clarity on Amateur Radio Parity" document stresses many of the same points. The ARRL Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 page provides more information and explains how members can become involved. ARRL Executive Committee Presented with Draft Enforcement Improvement Plan At the ARRL Executive Committee (EC) meeting on October 3 in Bloomington, Minnesota, ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, presented a draft plan for the improvement of timely and visible enforcement in the Amateur Radio Service. The ARRL Board had requested the draft at its July meeting. While no details of the draft plan were made public, Executive Committee members discussed actions envisioned in both the short and long term and offered comments that will be taken into account in the next revision of the draft plan. Regulatory matters were just one topic area on the wide-ranging EC agenda. Imlay also reported on several ongoing FCC proceedings, on which no action has occurred since the Board last met in July. He said there has been no indication from the FCC as to when to expect a /Notice of Proposed Rule Making /in response to the ARRL's petition (RM-11708) asking the Commission to replace the existing symbol rate limit on HF data transmissions with a bandwidth limit. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, updated the EC on a report to the full Board by Chief Technology Officer Brenan Price, N4QX, regarding prospects for a 5 MHz allocation at next month's World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) in Geneva. Four of the six regional telecommunications organizations (RTOs) have offered affirmative proposals to the agenda item, while one has proposed no change. Several major countries are refraining from supporting the affirmative proposals from their RTOs, however, and it's impossible to predict what WRC-15 delegates will decide. *A grinning Handiham Program Coordinator Pat Tice, WA0TDA (center), receives the ARRL President's Award. (L-R) ARRL Minnesota SM Skip Jackson, KS0J; ARRL Dakota Division Director Greg Widin, K0GW; ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN; Pat Tice, WA0TDA; Susie Tice, and ARRL International Affairs VP Jay Bellows, K0QB.* During its lunch break, President Kay Craigie, N3KN, presented the ARRL President's Award to Patrick W. Tice, WA0TDA, who is retiring after a quarter century as Handiham program coordinator. All attendees, along with Minnesota Section Manager Skip Jackson, KS0J, expressed their congratulations and appreciation to Pat and his wife, Susie. After the meeting resumed, President Craigie and Sumner briefed the EC on ongoing discussions to ensure that Handiham Program services will continue after Tice retires. In other business, Sumner reviewed the future outlook for the ARRL /Repeater Directory /and related products. A new agreement is in place with 54 of 60 repeater coordinating bodies that will result in an improved /Repeater Directory /for 2016-17, Sumner said, but he told the EC that the long-term viability of such printed directories is doubtful. These face competition from web-based directories and smartphone apps that accept crowd-sourced data and are growing in popularity. Sumner told the EC that significant investment would be needed, if the quality of the /Repeater Directory/ and related products is to meet future market expectations as well as ARRL organizational objectives. The EC took note of the Programs & Services Committee (PSC) endorsement of a VHF and Above Revitalization Committee recommendation to end the prohibition to contest use of 146.52 MHz, the traditional 2 meter FM simplex "calling channel." Advance notification of the rule change has been communicated to the full Board, and the change will take effect in 2016, starting with the January VHF Contest. President Craigie, noting that the October 3 meeting would be her last as a member of the Executive Committee, expressed her appreciation for the diligence and cooperation of the committee members. President Craigie has already indicated that she will not run again when her second term ends in January. FCC Seeking User Comments on New Beta Website As part of an ongoing research and design project "to dramatically improve the usability and functionality" of its website, the FCC has debuted a new prototype website and wants to know what users think about it. The FCC's 2011 website re-design was not well received, and the Commission has continued to maintain its previous, much older website design in tandem with the newer one. "You spoke, we listened," FCC Chief Information Officer David Bray said in an October 9 blog post . "[W]e built a new beta (ie test) version of FCC.gov based on your input, and we need your feedback again. Building upon the foundation of extensive user research done earlier this year -- and coupled with additional input we will receive during this beta period -- the new FCC.gov will be more useful and accessible to FCC stakeholders." Bray stressed that "old content and features" remain available on the current FCC website "while we perfect the new site. Bray explained that the new beta website is Drupal -based and responsive, and the display will optimize based upon the device being used to view the site. "The beta website is also connected to our document databases, EDOCS and ECFS , via application programming interfaces (APIs). The APIs allow real-time EDOCS and ECFS updates to display in Headlines and Most Active Proceedings ," Bray said. "FCC applications will also be updated and increasingly cloud-based, similar to our new Consumer Help Desk ." *FCC Chief Information Officer Dave Bray. * Bray said all content on the current FCC website has been migrated to the new Drupal-based site. The FCC IT staff is now integrating that content into what Bray called "new information architecture," which, he said, would offer additional and improved ways of accessing and interacting with the website's content. He said that based on additional feedback the FCC receives during the beta website's "extended" testing period, "we intend to complete the switch to the new site fully later this fall." Users can submit their comments and suggested bug fixes by using a web form or e-mail . Ad ARES/RACES Teams Expected to Join MARS in Coronal Mass Ejection Disaster Exercise Preparations are nearly in place for the previously announced Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) coronal mass ejection (CME) disaster communication exercise , which will take place Saturday through Tuesday, November 7-10. Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) groups are expected to participate in the quarterly contingency HF exercise in support of the US Department of Defense. "We are looking forward to this exercise and the opportunity to partner and train with the larger Amateur Radio community," Army MARS Program Manager Paul English, WD8DBY, told ARRL. The exercise scenario will simulate a CME event and focus on actions that radio operators should take prior to and following such an event, which could impact HF propagation. English said leaders from Army and Air Force MARS will hold a final exercise coordination teleconference on October 28 "to answer any final questions about the exercise and make sure everyone is ready to train." English said he's responded to some 90 inquiries from ARES and RACES groups as well as from individuals who would like to involve their ARES teams, and he expects about 50 ARES/RACES-affiliated organizations to participate. He said a few additional active duty military units also hope to take part in the exercise. English said the November exercise would simulate a radio blackout as well as infrastructure damage. "During the exercise, we will simulate the blackout with a 3 hour pause, and then we will bring stations back on air and begin handling requests for information," he told ARRL. Training objectives for this exercise will include understanding what a CME is and how much forecast lead time can be expected; the effects associated with a CME, and what precautions radio operators take to protect their equipment, prior to a severe CME. Following the simulated CME, operators will assess its effects and report that information. This will involve "inter-operation with Amateur Radio operators and groups to assist in assessment," English said. ARES and RACES teams, as well as individual radio amateurs, wishing to participate in this exercise may contact MARS and provide contact information. Hudson Amateur Radio Council Donates Nearly $9000 to ARRL At the recent meeting of the ARRL Executive Committee in Minneapolis, ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, representing the Hudson Amateur Radio Council (HARC), donated $8922.93 to the ARRL Legislative Issues Advocacy Fund . *(L-R) ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ; ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, and ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB.* "HARC was formed over 50 years ago to help support expenses incurred by clubs sponsoring Division conventions," Lisenco said."Over the past 30 years, conventions in the Hudson Division have become few and far between, due to the costs associated with an event in the metropolitan New York area, as well as finding clubs with the people to staff such an event. The last convention was held in 2000." Lisenco said Dave Popkin, W2CC, became the guardian of the HARC money that remained after the last convention and was savvy enough to place it in a certificate of deposit that yielded the substantial sum donated to the ARRL Legislative Issues Advocacy Fund. "The Division is indebted to Dave for his stewardship and grateful that he was willing to see these monies go to an extremely worthy cause," Lisenco added. Accepting the donation on behalf of the League were ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, and ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ. Amateur Radio was Part of Typhoon Koppu Response in the Philippines Amateur Radio in the Philippines was part of the comprehensive response to the Category 4 Typhoon Koppu -- known locally as Typhoon Lando -- which hit the islands over the past weekend with damaging winds and heavy rain. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC ), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) coordinated with the Philippine Amateur Radio Association (PARA) to monitor conditions in affected regions through their local Amateur Radio associations. PARA stood by to monitor reports from Amateur Radio groups, and through the PARA DU Net, went into emergency mode to monitor reports from the eastern seaboard of the main island, Luzon, through its Ham Emergency Radio Operator Network (HERO). Lando may have been the second most powerful storm to strike the country this year. The typhoon came ashore on northeastern Aurora province on October 19, leaving at least a dozen dead, forcing tens of thousands from their homes, flooding villages, and knocking out power and telecommunications. The storm later weakened to a tropical storm. The overall response also involved the fire service, Coast Guard, police, army, the Red Cross, and other trained volunteers. /-- Thanks to Jim Linton, VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee/ Ad IARU Region 3 Conference Opens with a Gong The 16th International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 3 triennial conference opened in Bali, Indonesia, on October 12 with some pomp and circumstance that included remarks from government officials and an opportunity for IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, to help sound the gong to bring the meeting to order. Conference President Sutiyoso, YB0ST, welcomed the attendees on behalf of the hosting Indonesian Amateur Radio Organization (ORARI). IARU Region 3 Chairman Gopal Madhavan, VU2GMN, greeted delegates on behalf of the IARU Region 3 officers, while Ellam welcomed participants on behalf of the IARU officers and the International Secretariat and thanked ORARI for hosting the meeting. Ellam said the IARU team attending the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) in November would make its best effort for a possible Amateur Service allocation near 5 MHz. Representatives from 15 IARU member societies, including the ARRL, attended. Three other societies were represented by proxy. In his welcoming remarks, Indonesia's minister of communication and information technology recognized the important role of Amateur Radio in disaster communication in his country with many islands. Participants were uniformly impressed with the excellent organization of the conference by ORARI, as well as with ORARI's close government ties. *Indonesia Minister for Information and Communication Technology H.E. Rudiantara (right) and IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, join in sounding the gong to open the recent IARU Region 3 Conference in Bali, Indonesia. IARU Region 3 Chairman Gopal Madhavan, VU2GMN, is at the left.* The conferees got down to business promptly, designating two working groups. Working Group 1 (WG1) addressed such policy issues as education, training, development of Amateur Radio, and international and regional conferences involving radio administrations with special concentration on youth. ARRL International Affairs Vice President Jay Bellows, K0QB, chaired WG1. Working Group 2 (WG2) dealt with such operational and technical matters as emergency communication, digital modes, a common APRS frequency, and Region 3 band plans. Titon Dutono, YB3PET, chaired WG2, and ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, served as its secretary. In all, working group members discussed 37 papers and submitted recommendations to the conference for adoption. *(L-R) JC, E20NKB; Champ, E21EIC, and Sion, 9M2CQC, during a Working Group 2 meeting.* Among recommendations adopted was one to ask the IARU Administrative Council to make available information on the use of the Amateur Satellite Service for member societies, satellite groups, Amateur Satellite operators, and concerned radio amateurs. This information would include, but not be limited to, criteria for a satellite to be in the Amateur Satellite Service and the procedure for IARU satellite frequency coordination. The conference also adopted adjustments to the Region 3 band plans. Region 3 directors will consider making the format similar to that used in Regions 1 and 2. Societies were further asked to publicize digital mode developments and educate amateurs not to interfere with Amateur Radio digital transmissions. Attention also was called to newer digital modes, such as MFSK16, DominoEX, and FSQ, as possibly better performers than PSK31. *ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ (left), and Working Group 2 Chair Titon Dutono, YB3PET, at a WG2 session. Sumner served as WG2 secretary. Dutono is Deputy Director General for Spectrum Policy and Planning in Indonesia's Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.* The IARU Administrative Council (AC) met just prior to the Region 3 conference, and AC members also took part in the conference. In addition to Ellam, others on hand from outside Region 3 included IARU Vice President Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, and Secretary Rod Stafford, W6ROD, Region 1 President Don Beattie, G3BJ, and Vice President Faisal Al-Ajmi, 9K2RR, and Region 2 President Reinaldo Leandro, YV5AM, and Vice President Jose Molina, YS1MS. Following seven nominations, six individuals, including four incumbents, were elected to the IARU Region 3 Board. They were Rhee Joong Geun, HL1AQQ; Shizuo Endo, JE1MUI; Peter Young, VK3MV; Gopal Madhavan, VU2GMN; Wisnu Widjaja, YB0AZ, and Don Wallace, ZL2TLL. Madhavan was re-elected as chairman. Katsumi "Ken" Yamamoto, JA1CJP, was returned unopposed as Secretary. New terms will begin on November 15. Before concluding on October 16, the Region 3 Conference accepted an invitation from the Korean Amateur Radio League (KARL) to host the 17th IARU Region 3 Conference in Seoul in late 2018. The ARDF World Championships will take place that same year in Korea. AO-85 Enthusiasm Prevails at AMSAT 2015 Space Symposium and Annual Meeting Excitement and enthusiasm over the recently launched Fox-1A CubeSat, now known as AO-85, permeated the just-concluded AMSAT 2015 Space Symposium and Annual Meeting. Nearly 120 attended the gathering October 16-18 in Dayton, Ohio. AMSAT Vice President for Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, told his forum that AO-85 is working well and that telemetry reports from users have been extremely helpful. Buxton told his forum audience that the Fox team is mulling what might be causing what he called "a perceived loss of sensitivity" on the AO-85 70 centimeter receiver. "There's a lot of speculation," he allowed. He also discussed the subsequent entries in the Fox CubeSat series. The AO-85 transponder is unavailable for general use until October 23 for further commissioning. AMSAT-NA Board Member Bob McGwier, N4HY, of Virginia Tech, outlined efforts to orbit the Phase 3E (P3E) project announced earlier this year. Virginia Tech approached the US Government last July to fly P3E in order to support scientific payloads as well as to serve as an Amateur Radio satellite. As McGwier explained, the project faces some daunting political and technical challenges. He is working with AMSAT-DL to transfer the satellite -- which has been in storage in Germany for years -- to his Virginia Tech team for integration into a government project that would place the satellite into an elliptical high-Earth orbit (HEO). Before the satellite becomes available for Amateur Radio applications, though, it would be shifted into a new -- and lower -- elliptical HEO orbit. If all goes smoothly, the project could reach fruition in 2018. *ARISS International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, is AMSAT Vice President for Human Spaceflight. [Steve Ford, WB8IMY, photo]* AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW, announced the appointment of Joe Kornowski, KB6IGK, of Austin, Texas, as the new editor of /The AMSAT Journal/, beginning with the November/December 2015 issue. He succeeds JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM. Kornowski has served as an Assistant Editor since 2014. Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, provided an update on Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). While the financial situation is not as bleak as it was in 2014, Bauer indicated that ARISS needs to raise $90,000 annually to maintain its current level of operation, and $214,000 to grow operations and meet its desired goals. At the AMSAT Board of Directors meeting on October 15, prior to the 2015 AMSAT Space Symposium, the Board approved the appointment of officers. Barry Baines, WD4ASW, will continue as the president of AMSAT-NA. Other officer positions also remained unchanged, with Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, as Vice President for Operations; Jerry Buxton, N0JY, as Vice President for Engineering, and Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, as Vice President for Human Spaceflight. Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, will serve as secretary, while Keith Baker, KB1SF/VA3KSF, will be treasurer. Martha Saragovitz will continue as AMSAT-NA manager. The positions of Executive Vice President, Vice President for User Services, and Vice President for Marketing remain open. Florida Radio Amateurs Support Bicycle Festival Lake County, Florida, ARES and the Lake Amateur Radio Association (LARA ) this month again supported radio communication for the Mount Dora Bicycle Festival -- something they've been doing for almost 25 years. During the October 9-11 event, ham radio volunteers provided communication from each rest area as well as from mobile radio units patrolling the various bicycle routes. The Mount Dora Bicycle Festival is sponsored each year by the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce and attracts cyclists from all over the country. "Despite a little early morning fog, good weather prevailed for the 3 day event," said Ted Luebbers, K1AYZ. "Temperatures were moderate with some humidity. For many of the riders this has become an event they look forward to enjoying each year." Luebbers explained that the festival is not a competitive race but a series of 12 separate bicycle tours of Florida's scenic Lake County countryside. "Lake County is blessed with 1400 named lakes and is considered to be Florida's Hill Country," Luebbers said. *(L-R) Frank Anders, KK4MBX, and Jay Boehme, N4KXO, handled net control duties from the N4FLZ mobile communications unit. [Ted Luebbers, K1AYZ, photo]* "Some of these hills offer a unique challenge for even the most experienced bicycle riders," he said. "The longest ride is 100 miles and the shortest is 12 miles. Riders choose which rides they want to take each day." This year's festival attracted 1325 participants. The radio-equipped mobile vehicles the hams provided transported 30 riders and their bicycles back to the starting area over the 3 days, due to mechanical breakdowns, medical issues, or fatigue. The most serious injury was a broken collarbone. This year, 25 Amateur Radio volunteers took part./-- Thanks to Ted Luebbers, K1AYZ / Ad In Brief... *Look for 4U70UN this weekend!* To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the United Nations on October 24, the headquarters Amateur Radio club station 4U1UN will operate as 4U70UN over the October 24-25 weekend (between 1400 and 2130 UTC both days), and satellite operation will be included. The UN Amateur Radio Club will set up at a ground-level garden area within the UN Headquarters complex in New York City; operation will be limited to daylight hours on as many bands and modes as possible. Regarding satellite operation, 4U70UN will face blockage from tall buildings to the west, so the best passes will be to the east of grid FN30as and north and south overhead. 4U1UN is a separate DXCC entity./-- Thanks to AMSAT News Service; /The Daily DX *SAQ Alexanderson Alternator VLF Transmission set for UN Day, October 24:* The SAQ Alexanderson Alternator VLF transmitter at the World Heritage Grimeton site in Sweden will be on the air to mark United Nations Day, October 24, at 1000 UTC. The UN this year celebrates its 70th anniversary. SAQ will begin tuning at about 0930 UTC. SAQ is /not/ requesting reception reports and will /not/ verify any. Amateur Radio station SK6SAQ will be on the air on October 24 on several frequencies and modes: 7035 kHz and 14,035 kHz on CW; 7080 kHz on SSB, and 7050 kHz on PSK31. QSL SK6SAQ via SK6DK or the bureau./-- Thanks to Lars Kalland, //SM6NM/ *JOTA Stations Urged to File their 2015 Reports:* National JOTA Organizer Jim Wilson, K5ND, is calling on all stations that participated in the 2015 Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) to submit their reports. "I hope that all y'all had a great JOTA weekend," Wilson said, noting that he visited the National Scouting Museum and K2BSA/5. "From my own station I also heard lots of stations on 20 and 40 meters along with a few on 17 and 15 meters. I worked a couple on SSB and PSK," he added. Individual station report information will be compiled into the US JOTA report and filed with the World Organization of the Scouting Movement for incorporation into its report. "If you don't have exact numbers for some of the information, you can use your best judgment to provide an estimate," Wilson said. After submitting your report, you'll receive a confirmation via e-mail along with a link to download the JOTA 2015 Certificate. Wilson said photos and stories are welcome but not required. *Ofcom Poised to Cancel Unrenewed Amateur Licenses:* UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom has announced that it's set to start cancelling Amateur Radio licenses, possibly numbering into the thousands, that have not been "revalidated" by the holder. The effort appears to be, in part, an effort to clear dead wood from the agency's databases. Amateur Radio licenses in the UK must be revalidated every 5 years, but until Ofcom goes through the process of revoking the license, such a license remains valid. The first batch to be revoked will comprise Amateur Radio licenses that had been due for revalidation between September 2012 and January 2013. /-- Thanks to Southgate Amateur Radio Club; Ofcom/ ///./ /./ /./ /./ /./ /./ . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The K7RA Solar Update Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Average daily sunspot numbers over the past week were up by 38.1 points to 75, and average daily solar flux rose by 30.7 points to 118.2. Geomagnetic conditions were quiet over the week, with average planetary A index declining from 25.1 to 11, and mid-latitude A index dropping from 17.6 to 9.1. Predicted solar flux is 130 on October 22-24; 125 on October 25; 120 on October 26-27; 115 on October 28-29; 90 on October 30; 85 on October 31-November 1; 80 on November 2-6; then 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, and 120 on November 7-14; 125 on November 15-17; 120 on November 18-20, and 115 on November 21-22. Flux values then drop to 80 on November 28 through December 3. Predicted planetary A index is 10 on October 22; 5 on October 23-27; 8 on October 28-29; 10 on October 30; 5 on October 31-November 2; 50 on November 3; 40 on November 4; 25 on November 5; 12 on November 6-7; then 20, 25, 20, and 10 on November 8-11, and 8 on November 12-13. The A index then drops to 5 on November 19-24, then bounces back to 50 on November 30. Those Ap index values of 50 on November 3 and again on November 30 seem to be echoes of the October 7-8 period, when planetary A index was 77 and 56. The high values are each spaced one whole solar rotation (27-28 days) from each other. Sunspot numbers for October 15 through 21 were 49, 68, 83, 81, 94, 77, and 73, with a mean of 75. The 10.7 cm flux was 106.8, 109.1, 116.6, 119.5, 123.7, 122.8, and 129, with a mean of 118.2. Estimated planetary A indices were 10, 8, 11, 22, 5, 9, and 12, with a mean of 11. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 9, 8, 9, 15, 3, 8, and 12, with a mean of 9.1. Send me your reports and observations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Just Ahead in Radiosport * October 23 -- NCCC RTTY Sprint * October 23 -- NCCC Sprint * October 24-25 -- CQ Worldwide DX Contest (SSB) * October 28 -- SKCC Sprint (CW) * October 28 -- UKEICC 80 Meter Contest (CW) * October 29 -- RSGB 80 Meter Club Sprint (SSB) * October 31-November 1 -- ARRL EME Contest * October 31 -- Feld Hell Sprint * October 31 -- Russian WW MultiMode Contest See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events * October 23-24 -- Arizona State Convention , Kingman, Arizona * October 23-24 -- Oklahoma State Convention , Ardmore, Oklahoma * November 7 -- Fall TechFest , Lakewood, Colorado * November 7-8 -- Georgia Section Convention , Lawrenceville, Georgia * November 14 -- HamJam Convention , Alpharetta, Georgia * November 14-15 -- Indiana State Convention , Fort Wayne, Indiana * December 11-12 -- West Central Florida Section Convention , Plant City, Florida * January 9 -- TECHFEST , Lawrenceville, Georgia * January 10 -- New York City-Long Island Section Convention , Bethpage, New York * January 15-16, Southern Florida Section Convention , Fort Myers, Florida * January 15-16, North Texas Section Convention , Forest Hill, Texas * January 17-23, Quartzfest , Quartzsite, Arizona * January 29-30, Mississippi State Convention , Jackson, Mississippi * January 29-31, Puerto Rico State Convention , Hatillo, Puerto Rico Find conventions and hamfests in your area . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *ARRL *-- *Your One-Stop Resource for * *Amateur Radio News and Information* . . . * Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes /QST/ , Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month. * Listen to /ARRL Audio News/ , available every Friday. Subscribe to... * /NCJ / /-- National Contest Journal/ . Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties. * /QEX/ *//*/-- A Forum for Communications Experimenters/ . Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals. Free of charge to ARRL members... * Subscribe to the /ARES E-Letter/ (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the /ARRL Contest Update/ (bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more! Find ARRL on Facebook ! Follow us on Twitter ! Ad Ad Ad Ad Ad ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 48 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 ? 2015 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved www.arrl.org From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Oct 23 15:28:50 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2015 15:28:50 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] =?utf-8?q?WARNING_TO_PROTECT_EMERGE?= =?utf-8?q?NCY_TRAFFIC_RELATED_TO_HURRICANE_IN_MEXICO_=C2=A8_Attention?= Message-ID: <562A8A72.6070309@bellsouth.net> Hello subscribers of The Daily DX and The Weekly DX newsletters. Please help in the coming days to help keep the Mexican emergency net frequencies clear as many XE stations will no doubt be passing emergency traffic due to Hurricane Patricia. The main frequencies I have seen mentioned are 3.690, 7060, 14.120, 21.120 in addition to 7050 to 7100, where stations could also be transmitting emergency traffic. Please feel free to pass this on to your clubs and friends. Also check out the ARRL website at http://www.arrl.org/news/radio-amateurs-in-mexico-prepare-as-powerful-hurricane-patricia-nears-landfall 73 Bernie, W3UR Bernie McClenny, W3UR Editor of: The Daily DX The Weekly DX How's DX? Two week trial - http://www.dailydx.com/trial.html https://twitter.com/dailydx 410-489-6518 From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Oct 23 19:25:04 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2015 19:25:04 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] ARLB031 Radio Amateurs in Mexico Prepare as Powerful Hurricane Patricia Nears Landfall References: <20151023223400.163F320511C7@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: <9B932980-FF93-41AC-B8B7-F0662AFB47D8@bellsouth.net> > Subject: ARLB031 Radio Amateurs in Mexico Prepare as Powerful Hurricane Patricia Nears Landfall > > SB QST @ ARL $ARLB031 > ARLB031 Radio Amateurs in Mexico Prepare as Powerful Hurricane > Patricia Nears Landfall > > ZCZC AG31 > QST de W1AW > ARRL Bulletin 31 ARLB031 > From ARRL Headquarters > Newington CT October 23, 2015 > To all radio amateurs > > SB QST ARL ARLB031 > ARLB031 Radio Amateurs in Mexico Prepare as Powerful Hurricane > Patricia Nears Landfall > > An emergency net has been established on 7060 kHz (LSB) from > Manzanillo in the Mexican state of Colima, in anticipation of the > powerful Hurricane Patricia, which is threatening Mexico's Pacific > Coast. According to Zian Aguirre, XE1ATZ, the emergency net will > also be using 14,120 and 21,120 kHz, and he asked the Amateur Radio > community to keep all three frequencies clear for emergency traffic. > States of emergency are in effect for three Mexican states. > > Omar Alvarez, XE1AO, a faculty member at the University of Colima, > initially activated the net on 7060 kHz from the University, which > has its own amateur station. He said other stations had checked in > from the capital city of Colima. > > "We don't have any damage at the moment, just rain since yesterday > evening," Alvarez told ARRL. "We are expecting the first effects at > 1500 local time. Now I am at home. In the last hour I have had nine > stations report in on HF and three on VHF, but without any emergency > reports." > > He further reported that major grocery outlets in Manzanillo were > closing this morning, although they would remain open in Colima, > where other economic activity has been shut down. After 1300 local > time, the water supply in Manzanillo would shut down as well. "Most > of the tourists were evacuated from all the coastal hotels," he > said. > > The National Hurricane Center in Miami is calling the Category 5 > storm "potentially catastrophic," as it heads toward landfall in > southwestern Mexico. As of 1500 UTC, the storm was located about 125 > miles southwest of Manzanillo and 195 miles south of Cabo > Corrientes, Mexico. Evacuation of some 60,000 residents in the > storm's path is under way. > > The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 2 Area C > Emergency Coordinator Arnie Coro, CO2KK, has alerted emergency > coordinators within Amateur Radio range of Mexico that Hurricane > Patricia is packing winds of up to 200 MPH. "Preparations to deal > with the huge storm should be completed by now," he said. "I expect > Mexican radio amateurs to be operating in the area of 40 meters used > for emergency traffic. Please be on the alert in the frequency range > between 7050 and 7100 kHz for possible emergency related traffic > from Mexico." > > The National Hurricane Center said in its 1500 UTC summary, "On the > forecast track, the center of Patricia should cross the coast in the > hurricane warning area late this afternoon or early this evening. > After landfall, the center of Patricia is expected to move quickly > north-northeastward across western and northern Mexico." > > Hurricane Patricia is the most powerful storm ever recorded by the > National Hurricane Center. The storm is expected to generate > torrential rains and flooding. The storm is moving to the north at > about 10 MPH. The National Hurricane Center has reported that the > minimum central barometric pressure is at an extraordinary 25.99 > inches. > NNNN > /EX From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sat Oct 24 08:57:12 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2015 08:57:12 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Radio ham helped restore BTTF DeLorean - From QRZ Message-ID: <562B8028.7020608@bellsouth.net> *From QRZ: http://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/radio-ham-helped-restore-bttf-delorean.497691/ Radio ham helped restore BTTF DeLorean* Radio amateur *Ara Kourchians N6ARA* was among those who helped restore the *Back To The Future* DeLorean time machine for Universal Studios. Ara Kourchians N6ARA in BTTF Delorean Time Machine? (see link for pictures) http://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/radio-ham-helped-restore-bttf-delorean.497691/ The San Bernardino Microwave Society newsletter reported his interest in the amateur microwave bands when he was a student in 2008. Ara N6ARA has since flown many amateur radio High Altitude Balloons and in 2013 attended the UKHAS Conference in London to give a presentation on US Ballooning. By 2015 he completed his bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona and has worked as a Software Engineer at JPL. Ara N6ARA appears in a video about the DeLorean restoration project Watch "OUT OF TIME: Saving the DeLorean Time Machine" - Trailer 1 For Pictures and Video: https://youtu.be/snbGOOLSJhM N6ARA http://arkorobotics.com/ https://twitter.com/arkorobotics From n8pr at bellsouth.net Thu Oct 29 17:26:32 2015 From: n8pr at bellsouth.net (Pete Rimmel N8PR) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2015 17:26:32 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Come join us in a celebration of 100 years of Broward COunty Message-ID: <9FCD0370E6B849469BB901D2228E7BDC@PeteRGateway> QST, Winter Field Day 2015. Broward County Celebrates 100 Years. DCARC, BARC, Gold Coast and SFDXA members are combining for a day of celebration on December 20th, 2015 @ Vista View County Park. Bring your rig and set up for a day of ?hamtastic fun.? Set up begins around 7:30am and we?ll run to around 5pm (park closes at 6pm). Special Call sign for the day ?K4B? and free, vintage, Florida QSL cards are available. A light lunch of Hot Dogs and festive salads are provided. BYOB and other food if you wish. Dec. 20th, 2015 7:30am-6:00pm Vista View information: 954-357-8898 4001 S.W. 142nd Ave., Davie, FL. Look for the ?antenna farm? at the top of the hill. Open to the public and interested parties. From bmarx at bellsouth.net Thu Oct 29 17:55:33 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2015 17:55:33 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The ARRL Letter for October 29, 2015 In-Reply-To: <20151029212732.689EA20504F9@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20151029212732.689EA20504F9@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: <563295D5.9050004@bellsouth.net> Preview If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2015-10-29 The ARRL Letter October 29, 2015 Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME ARRL Home Page /ARRL Letter/ Archive Audio News Ad * World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 Starts on November 2 <#toc01> * National Emergency Net Activates in Mexico for Category 5 Hurricane Patricia <#toc02> * ARRL Field Day 2015 Results Now Available <#toc03> * ARISS Celebrates 1000th Event, 15 Years of Permanent Ham Radio Presence in Space <#toc04> * UK to Auction Former Ham Radio Spectrum <#toc05> * It's ARRL November Sweepstakes Season! <#toc06> * Use of 146.52 MHz FM Simplex Frequency Cleared for ARRL Contests <#toc07> * Amateur Radio is on National Tribal Assistance Coordination Group Workshop Program <#toc08> * ARRL Medium-Wave Experimenters Sponsoring November Special Event <#toc09> * In Brief... <#toc10> * The K7RA Solar Update <#toc11> * Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc12> * Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events <#toc13> World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 Starts on November 2 Amateur Radio's interests will be well represented as the 2015 ITU World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15 ) convenes on November 2 in Geneva, Switzerland. Preparations have been under way since the last WRC wrapped up in 2012. Held every 3 or 4 years, WRCs review, and, if necessary, revise the Radio Regulations -- the international treaty governing the use of the radio frequency spectrum. Delegates will consider several items of interest to the Amateur Radio community during the nearly month-long international gathering. Two ARRL staff members will be on the US delegation to WRC-15 -- Chief Technology Officer Brennan Price, N4QX, and Technical Relations Specialist Jon Siverling, WB3ERA. International Amateur Radio Union (IARU ) President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, and several others will be on the IARU team or in other delegations. The primary WRC-15 agenda item of interest to most radio amateurs is Agenda Item 1.4, which calls on delegates to consider the possibility of allocating an appropriate amount of spectrum -- not necessarily contiguous -- to the Amateur Service on a secondary basis within the band 5250-5450 kHz. Many amateurs have been hoping for a band, rather than the discrete channels now available in the US and in several other countries. "While efforts of the IARU and its member societies have led four regional organizations to make affirmative proposals -- two of them quite generous -- the outcome of this item remains uncertain," said ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, who will be attending WRC-15 briefly to support the IARU team. He explained that several major countries, including Canada, Russia, the UK, and the US, view an allocation in the triple digits of kilohertz as too generous and, except for Russia, have not signed on to regional proposals. Russia leads a regional proposal for no change. Canada has proposed allocating 50 kHz in two 25 kHz blocks, but several countries, including the US, are on record as opposing an allocation. *ARRL Chief Technology Officer Brennan Price, N4QX, will attend WRC-15 as part of the US delegation.* "We are disappointed that the United States was unable to join the Inter-American Proposal (IAP), which is admittedly more generous than we expected the US to be able to support," Sumner said. "With the neighboring countries of Mexico supporting the IAP, Canada proposing two 25 kHz segments, and Cuba proposing a contiguous 27 kHz band, and with affirmative proposals for an amateur allocation having been submitted on behalf of dozens of other countries, we remain hopeful that a positive consensus will emerge that the US, in the end, will be able to accept." Countries opposed to any change have argued that propagation characteristics near 5 MHz are ideal to support reliable operation of the incumbent HF services. Current primary non-government occupants of the band are fixed and mobile services, except aeronautical mobile, and radiolocation in the 5250-5275 kHz segment. Other items that could affect Amateur Radio include: * Agenda Item 1.1, to consider additional spectrum for mobile services on a primary basis and identification of additional bands for commercial mobile telephony and data service -- in essence, smartphones. In 2007, nearly 90 countries identified 3400-3500 MHz in the amateur 9 centimeter band for this purpose. Efforts to maintain amateur access to this band since then has been a country-by-country effort. The US has said that it will not implement mobile telephony and data services at 3400-3550 MHz, due to its use by incumbent services, including radiolocation and Amateur Radio. * Agenda Item 1.6.1 will consider possible additional primary allocations for the fixed-satellite service of 250 MHz between 10 GHz and 17 GHz in Region 1. It also would review regulatory provisions on current fixed-satellite service allocations, taking ITU-R studies into account. The amateur 10 GHz allocation is not a potential target. * Agenda Item 1.10 seeks additional mobile-satellite allocations, including the satellite component of broadband applications, including mobile telephony and data services, in the range from 22 to 26 GHz. The amateur 24 GHz allocation has not been identified by proponents as a potential solution. * Agenda Item 1.12 would consider extending the current worldwide allocation to the Earth exploration-satellite (active) service (EESS) in the band 9300-9900 MHz by up to 600 MHz, which would intrude into the amateur 10 GHz allocation. Although EESS is likely to obtain a primary allocation that overlaps the 10 GHz band in full or in part, its impact on Amateur Radio would likely be nominal. * Agenda Item 1.18 will address automotive radar applications at 77.5-78.0 GHz. Studies have indicated general compatibility with these applications and Amateur Radio, and, in any case, the primary status of Amateur Radio is not proposed to be downgraded. Read more . National Emergency Net Activates in Mexico for Category 5 Hurricane Patricia In the face of the approaching Category 5 Hurricane Patricia, Mexico's National Emergency Net activated on October 23 along Mexico's Pacific Coast, an area popular with tourists. Nets were established on 75, 40, and 20 meters, and on VHF repeaters. The storm, the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere by the National Hurricane Center, brought sustained winds of up to 200 MPH as it made landfall along a less-populated stretch of coastline. The storm downed trees, flooded streets, and buffeted buildings, but quickly lost strength in the mountains and was downgraded to a tropical storm. Remnants of the storm eventually caused some heavy rainfall and flooding in the US. Omar Alvarez, XE1AO, a faculty member at the University of Colima, initially activated a net October 22 on 7060 kHz (LSB) from the University, which has its own amateur station. Other stations checked in from the capital city of Colima. The net stood down at 0700 UTC on October 24, ending the emergency. "The net involved 110 stations in the Republic of Mexico," Zian Aguirre, XE1ATZ, told ARRL. "Nine stations were on the air from Colima State, closest to shore, including some in the port of Manzanillo. The hurricane hit about 65 miles from Manzanillo, in a community called 'La Manzanilla,' and the impact zone extended from El Paraiso Beach in Colima to the town of Chamela in Jalisco." *An October 23 GOES satellite image of Hurricane Patricia coming ashore on Mexico's Pacific Coast. [NOAA image]* In the storm's wake, civil protection authorities, the Red Cross, and the Mexican military were on duty, and radio amateurs were standing by to handle any communication needs, Aguirre said. "Fortunately in the city of Colima, where I live, the effects of the hurricane were few -- mainly downed trees and some damaged roads," Aguirre said. "There was no loss of life; preventive action paid off magnificently." Tens of thousands were evacuated in advance of the dangerous storm. As it approached landfall, the National Hurricane Center in Miami had called the Category 5 storm "potentially catastrophic." The minimum central pressure estimated from NOAA aircraft data was an extremely low 25.96 inches. ARRL Field Day 2015 Results Now Available Results of ARRL Field Day 2015 are now available. These include the searchable scores database , the soapbox , and the /QST /results article (PDF). A total of 2720 stations submitted entries for the ever-popular June 27-28 event. While propagation was on the sorry side for Field Day 2015, the number of contacts for this year's event rose slightly over 2014 -- a modest 1.1 percent -- and CW contacts account for all of that increase; phone and digital contact numbers dipped slightly in 2015. Nearly 1.3 million contacts were logged during FD 2015. The number of logs received appears to be an all-time ARRL Field Day record. This year saw 35,369 participants, down slightly from 2014. A total of 1247 entries claimed the broad classification of "A" (which includes generator, commercial, and alternate/battery-powered entries). Joining that core group operating in temporary setups were an additional 315 Class B entries (one- or two-person entries). This indicates that 58 percent of all Field Day 2015 participants in some way took to the field. Ad ARISS Celebrates 1000th Event, 15 Years of Permanent Ham Radio Presence in Space This month, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS ) program marked its 1000th space station Amateur Radio event, continuing a string that started 15 years ago, when the program established the first permanent ham radio presence in space. The inaugural ARISS contact took place on December 21, 2000, between a member of the ISS Expedition 1 crew and youngsters at Luther Burbank Elementary School near Chicago. Several pupils and a teacher got to chat on 2 meters with "Space Station Alpha" Commander William "Shep" Shepherd, KD5GSL. The contact had a rocky start. Attempts by the school a couple of days earlier had been unsuccessful, despite extensive technical preparations hampered by snowstorms and sub-freezing temperatures. That contact marked the first use of the special NA1SS call sign for a school contact. "It has always been all about youth, piquing their interest in Amateur Radio, science, technology -- especially wireless technology -- engineering, math, and aerospace...really anything educational, and it will always be about these things," said ARISS International Secretary Rosalie White, K1STO. While on the ARRL Headquarters staff, White was in on the ground floor of ARISS, which grew out of the space shuttle-era SAREX (Space Amateur Radio EXperiment). She represented ARRL, an ARISS partner, in initial discussions to set ARISS into motion. *Rosalie White, K1STO. [ARISS photo]* In 1996, with the ISS still a few years off, the SAREX team decided not to wait until the first crew was on station to start thinking about getting Amateur Radio on board, White said. By then it would be too late to ensure equipment room in the ISS's tight quarters as well as to address cabling, antennas, power, flight certification -- myriad details that also included both NASA and Russian approvals and licensing astronauts. NASA stipulated that it wanted a single, worldwide group to be solely responsible for "everything Amateur Radio" on the ISS. With a lot of hard work, an ARISS team based on countries having space agencies supporting the ISS -- Canada, Japan, Russia, several European countries, and the US -- was pulled together. White said it was "a monumental task" to get everyone to the US for the scheduled meeting dates in November 1996. "In the end, at least one Amateur Radio operator came from Canada, Japan, Europe, Russia, and the United States, the areas now known as ARISS regions," White said. "That's how it all began!" ARRL Education Services Manager Debra Johnson, K1DMJ, said NASA will be celebrating the arrival of the first crew to inhabit the ISS. "The ham radio gear was activated a few days later," she said. "Amateur Radio is considered the first ISS payload." *Astronaut Reid Wiseman, KF5LKT, operated ARRL Field Day from NA1SS on the International Space Station and took part in several ARISS school contacts. [NASA photo]* ARISS touches tens of thousands of students per year. One ARISS goal is to inspire an interest among young people in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects and in STEM careers. Another is to provide an educational opportunity for students, teachers, and the public to learn about space exploration and satellites, as well as about wireless technology and radio science through Amateur Radio. The program has made a positive impression on educators, with 92 percent of those who have been involved indicating that ARISS provided ideas for encouraging student exploration, discussion, and participation, and 78 percent saying that ARISS was effective in stimulating student interest in STEM. The proposal submission deadline is looming for schools, educational organizations, and groups willing and able to host an ARISS contact in 2016. The window for formal and informal proposals closes on November 1. In an era of tighter NASA budgets, ARISS International President Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, recently indicated that ARISS needs to raise $90,000 annually to maintain its current level of operation, and $214,000 to grow operations and meet its desired goals. ARISS encourages donations via the AMSAT website (select the "ARISS Donate" button). Individuals contributing $100 or more will receive the new ARISS Challenge Coin. UK to Auction Former Ham Radio Spectrum Spectrum at 2.3 and 3.4 GHz that once was allocated to Amateur Radio is going on the auction block in the UK. Telecommunications regulatory agency Ofcom announced this week the steps it will take in selling off the shared spectrum it took back after the military no longer needed it. Ofcom announced in April 2014 that it was ending Amateur Radio access to significant portions of the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz bands following a year-long consultation -- a rule making proceeding -- that involved the release by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of 40 MHz of spectrum at 2.3 GHz and 150 MHz of spectrum at 3.4 GHz. Amateur Radio was secondary on both bands. "We expect the award frequencies to be of interest to mobile network operators (MNOs) and others involved with mobile broadband," Ofcom said in its /Public Sector Spectrum Release / document released on October 26. "The particular characteristics of the spectrum to be released, in terms of propagation and the penetration of signals, make it especially suitable for the latest long-term evolution (LTE) mobile technologies." Amateur Radio lost privileges on frequencies in the two bands that overlapped with the 190 MHz of spectrum that Ofcom now has put on the block -- 2350 to 2390 MHz and 3410 to 3475 MHz. Amateur Radio will retain access to the adjacent bands, but Ofcom has put procedures in place to remove even those frequencies from Amateur Radio access, if necessary in the future. Ofcom said in 2014 that, with military and other government use of the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz spectrum ending, it believed that "an award of the spectrum for high power use is likely to deliver greater benefit to UK consumers and citizens than continued amateur use." The MoD plan is part of a government commitment to release 500 MHz of spectrum by 2020 for new civil uses "based on growing demand from UK consumers for spectrum-hungry devices such as smartphones and tablets." Ofcom has said it would make 2300-2302 MHz available for amateur use, but licensees first must obtain a /Notice of Variation/ to their licenses. Hams in the US have access to 2300-2310 MHz, 2390-2450 MHz (Amateur Radio in the US is primary in the band 2390-2417 MHz), and 3300-3500 MHz. Neither the affected 2350-2390 MHz segment nor the 2310-2350 MHz that may be removed down the road in the UK has been available to US amateurs for many years. In the international /Table of Frequency Allocations/, the 3.4-3.6 GHz band is designated for future mobile wireless broadband in many countries, including the UK, but not in the US. Germany and Israel are the only ITU Region 1 countries with amateur allocations at 3400-3475 MHz. -- /Thanks to RSGB, Ofcom/ It's ARRL November Sweepstakes Season! ARRL November Sweepstakes -- two weekends of fun on CW and SSB, respectively -- are just ahead. The CW event is November 7-9; the phone weekend is November 21-23. The contest period runs from 2100 UTC on Saturday through 0259 UTC Monday. Those planning to participate should check out the 2015 Operating Guide (PDF). "More activity means more fun for everyone!" said ARRL November Sweepstakes Manager Larry Hammel, K5OT. Sweepstakes is the ARRL's oldest "domestic" contest and is one in which stations may only contact each other once on any band. The multipliers are official ARRL and RAC sections. Some are especially rare, so keep your ears open! For stations in the United States and Canada (including territories and possessions), the object is to exchange the required contact information with as many other US and Canadian stations as possible on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters. There are several entry classes. Affiliated Club competition continues to be a very popular aspect of Sweepstakes each year. Even members who cannot put in a full-time effort can contribute. The Clean Sweep mug -- for working all 83 ARRL/RAC sections -- is available again this year, as are Participation Pins for anyone who completes more than 100 contacts on CW or phone during Sweepstakes. Ad Use of 146.52 MHz FM Simplex Frequency Cleared for ARRL Contests The ARRL Programs and Services Committee earlier this year unanimously adopted a recommendation from its VHF and Above Revitalization Committee to remove the rule prohibiting the use of 146.52 MHz simplex for making contest contacts. The change becomes effective in 2016, starting with the ARRL January VHF Contest. The VHF and Above Revitalization Committee concluded that the restriction was no longer necessary. The committee felt that permitting the use of 146.52 MHz would allow new/curious contesters possessing only FM-mode radios to stumble upon more contacts, increasing their chances of being drawn further into VHF+ contesting -- the primary aim of the Revitalization Committee. The change will also be incorporated into the ARRL Field Day rules This change eliminates Rule 1.8 in the "General Rules for ARRL Contests Above 50 MHz ," with subsequent Rule 1 sections renumbered accordingly. /-- Thanks to Dan Henderson, N1ND, Regulatory Information Manager/Acting Contest Manager/ Amateur Radio is on National Tribal Assistance Coordination Group Workshop Program ARRL Oklahoma Section Manager Lloyd Colston, KC5FM, will be among the presenters at the national 2015 National Tribal Assistance Coordination Group (TAC-G ) Workshop, November 3 to November 5 in Catoosa, Oklahoma. Colston will speak on "Social Media in Emergency Management/Amateur Radio." *Oklahoma Section Manager Lloyd Colston, KC5FM.* The 2015 TAC-G National Workshop is aimed at providing an opportunity for collaboration with individuals and organizations that offer assistance to American Indians and Alaska natives, tribes, and tribal governments during emergencies and disasters. During his 45-minute presentation, Colston said, he'll offer a broad overview of Amateur Radio and will touch upon the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), Military Auxiliary Radio Service (MARS), and SKYWARN. "I will also be covering social media as it relates to emergency management and the Virtual Operations Support Team concept," Colston said. Colston, who will represent the League as an ARRL Section Manager, has served since 2014 as the head of Oklahoma's field organization. He will wear additional hats as vice president of the Virtual Emergency Management Association and as the emergency management director for Altus, Oklahoma. He also serves as Oklahoma Section Public Information Coordinator. ARRL Medium-Wave Experimenters Sponsoring November Special Event The 107th anniversary of the Berlin Treaty, which created the international distress frequency at 500 kHz, will be the occasion for a special event operation in that vicinity of the spectrum. The event, announced by ARRL Medium-Wave Experiment (WD2XSH) Coordinator Fritz Raab, W1FR, set for the November 13-14 weekend, will involve experimental operators in the US, Canadian Amateur Radio stations, and US heritage maritime stations. "For US experimental ops, this will be a CW event," Raab said. "Some stations will run beacons with special messages, and some will offer special QSLs. Other stations will simulate maritime communication. They will call CQ on a designated calling frequency and then QSY to complete the QSO. Silent periods will be observed. Some stations will pass message traffic." Activity for the special event will focus on 465 to 480 kHz and 495 to 510 kHz, since different licensees have different frequency authorizations, Raab explained. Designated calling frequencies are 475 kHz for the lower segment, and 500 kHz for the upper. Raab said the Maritime Radio Historical Society (MRHS) will conduct a mini "Night of Nights" on Saturday night, with special attention to MF operation. "This will give listeners the best chance of copying their MF signals by operating during the winter and extending our operating hours well into the evening Pacific time," Raab said. MRHS Coast Station operstors KPH will keep 426 and 500 kHz active with messages and will verify listener reports. Five Canadian amateurs are expected to operate in the 472-479 kHz band. "In addition to activities similar to those of the US experimental stations, the Canadian amateurs will conduct cross-band communication tests with amateurs operating on 80 and 40 meters," Raab said. "All stations will either call CQ or send VVV marker beacons while listening on their respective QSX frequencies," Raab said. Stations will announce their listening frequencies. Read more . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ad In Brief... *Palmyra DXpedition to Sign On as K5P:* When the Palmyra DXpedition gets under way in January 2016, operators will be using the call sign K5P. The Pacific Islands DXpedition Group has been granted permission to activate Cooper Island in the Palmyra Atoll. Palmyra and Jarvis Islands (KH5) ranks number 9 on ClubLog's DXCC Most Wanted List . "After many months of planning, securing permits, and negotiating contracts with US Fish and Wildlife and the Nature Conservancy, we are quickly approaching the much anticipated DXpedition to Palmyra," co-leaders Craig Thompson, K9CT, and Lou Dietrich, N2TU, said in a recent news release. A team of 12 operators will operate five stations from January 11 through January 26. Visit the Palmyra 2016 website to learn more . *SAREX Reflector to Close on November 1* The SAREX (Space Amateur Radio EXperiment) reflector will close on November 1, and its functions will be folded into the AMSAT-BB list. Those subscribed to both SAREX and AMSAT-BB will not need to take any action. The SAREX archives will continue to be available for historical purposes. Subscribe to AMSAT-BB to continue receiving human spaceflight announcements. Existing SAREX subscription will not be automatically carried over./-- Thanks to AMSAT News Service/ *Ham Radio Used to Gather Election Results from Remote Polling Station in India:* Don't look for anything like this to happen in the US anytime soon, but the /New Indian Express/ reports that Amateur Radio will help to facilitate the gathering of local election results from an isolated community in Kerala state in extreme southwestern India. According to the report, a 30-member group led by a ham radio and disaster management society would transmit the poll news for the government and district administration from Edamalakkudy, the most remote polling station in the district, which lacks telecommunications and electrical power. Information from 13 polling stations would be transmitted via a repeater to the collection point. It's not the first time Amateur Radio has been used to help obtain poll results. Ham radio carried news from the region when members of a reclusive tribal community voted for the first time in 2010. The newspaper said election officials in the remote forest also used ham radio to contact their families, and it was used again when wild elephants attacked election officials trapped in dense forest with polling equipment. The article also briefly noted Amateur Radio's role in responding to disasters. . . . . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The K7RA Solar Update Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar flux and sunspot numbers barely budged last week. Average daily sunspot numbers went from 75 in the previous 7 days to 77.6 in the week ending October 28. Average daily solar flux slipped from 118.2 to 110.9. Predicted solar flux is 115 and 110 on October 29-30; 105 on October 31 and November 1; 100 on November 2; 95 on November 3-4; 90 on November 5; 85 on November 6-8; 90 on November 9; 95 on November 10-11; 100, 105, and 110 on November 12-14; 115 on November 15-16, and 120 on November 17. Flux values then drop to 85 on November 30 through December 5, and then rise above 100 a few days later. Predicted planetary A index is 15 and 12 on October 29-30; 15 on October 31 through November 1; 12 on November 2; then very high disturbed values of 55, 50, and 30 on November 3-5; 12 on November 6-7; and 20, 25, and 20 on November 8-10; Geomagnetic conditions remain unsettled and active. On November 30 through December 2 planetary A index is predicted to rise to 50, 40, and 25, an echo of the high values on November 3-5. In fact, this activity would be from the same area of the sun a whole solar rotation later. Sunspot numbers for October 22 through 28 were 94, 91, 74, 63, 72, 78, and 71, with a mean of 77.6. The 10.7 cm flux was 120.5, 114.9, 106.3, 106.4, 106.2, 110.1, and 112.2, with a mean of 110.9. Estimated planetary A indices were 6, 7, 11, 8, 3, 4, and 3, with a mean of 6. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 4, 5, 10, 7, 2, 3, and 1, with a mean of 4.6. Send me your reports and observations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Just Ahead in Radiosport * October 31-November 1 -- ARRL EME Contest * October 31 -- Feld Hell Sprint * October 31 -- Russian WW MultiMode Contest * November 1 -- High Speed Club CW Contest * November 3 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW) * November 4 -- UKEICC 80 Meter Contest (SSB) * November 5 -- NRAU 10 Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital) See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events * November 7 -- Fall TechFest , Lakewood, Colorado * November 7-8 -- Georgia Section Convention , Lawrenceville, Georgia * November 14 -- HamJam Convention , Alpharetta, Georgia * November 14-15 -- Indiana State Convention , Fort Wayne, Indiana * December 11-12 -- West Central Florida Section Convention , Plant City, Florida * January 9 -- TECHFEST , Lawrenceville, Georgia * January 10 -- New York City-Long Island Section Convention , Bethpage, New York * January 15-16, Southern Florida Section Convention , Fort Myers, Florida * January 15-16, North Texas Section Convention , Forest Hill, Texas * January 17-23, Quartzfest , Quartzsite, Arizona * January 29-30, Mississippi State Convention , Jackson, Mississippi * January 29-31, Puerto Rico State Convention , Hatillo, Puerto Rico Find conventions and hamfests in your area . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *ARRL *-- *Your One-Stop Resource for * *Amateur Radio News and Information* . . . * Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes /QST/ , Amateur Radio's most popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month. * Listen to /ARRL Audio News/ , available every Friday. Subscribe to... * /NCJ / /-- National Contest Journal/ . Published bi-monthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO Parties. * /QEX/ *//*/-- A Forum for Communications Experimenters/ . Published bi-monthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals. Free of charge to ARRL members... * Subscribe to the /ARES E-Letter/ (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the /ARRL Contest Update/(bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more! Find ARRL on Facebook ! Follow us on Twitter ! Ad Ad Ad Ad Ad ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 48 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 ? 2015 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved www.arrl.org From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Oct 30 08:18:27 2015 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2015 08:18:27 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Winter Field Day 2015 In-Reply-To: <78D0529E-6B2F-4191-B880-0D64CA404CF6@mcrsys.com> References: <78D0529E-6B2F-4191-B880-0D64CA404CF6@mcrsys.com> Message-ID: <56336013.2020605@bellsouth.net> QST, Winter Field Day 2015. Broward County Celebrates 100 Years. DCARC, BARC, Gold Coast and SFDXA are combining for a day of celebration on December 20^th , 2015 @ Vista View County Park. Bring your rig and set up for a day of "??hamtastic fun."?? Set up begins around 7:30am and we'??ll run to around 5pm (park closes at 6pm). Special Call sign for the day ???K4B??? and free, vintage, Florida QSL cards are available. A light lunch of Hot Dogs and festive salads are provided. BYOB and other food if you wish. Dec. 20^th , 2015 7:30am-6:00pm Vista View information: 954-357-8898 4001 S.W. 142^nd Ave., Davie, FL. Look for the ???antenna farm??? at the top of the hill. Open to the public and interested parties. Tony KK4GUU