From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sat Oct 1 09:29:54 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sat, 1 Oct 2016 09:29:54 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Still have some old DOS programs you'd love to use? In-Reply-To: <91d217e8-8152-f633-fe95-f21f6b0546a8@bellsouth.net> References: <91d217e8-8152-f633-fe95-f21f6b0546a8@bellsouth.net> Message-ID: *Still have some old DOS programs you'd love to use? There may be hope: DOSBox* emulates an Intel x86 PC, complete with sound , graphics , mouse , joystick , modem , etc., necessary for running many old MS-DOS games that simply cannot be run on modern PCs and operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux and FreeBSD. However, it is not restricted to running only games. In theory, any MS-DOS or PC-DOS (referred to commonly as "DOS") application should run in DOSBox, but the emphasis has been on getting DOS games to run smoothly, which means that communication, networking and printer support are still in early development. https://www.dosbox.com/wiki/Main_Page From k.siwiak at ieee.org Sat Oct 1 12:01:32 2016 From: k.siwiak at ieee.org (Kai) Date: Sat, 1 Oct 2016 12:01:32 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] CERT -- Hurricane Tracking site, US Navy, Matthew Message-ID: Folks, "Himmicane" Matthew bears down on us and may be a factor in Broward County. I've found that the US Navy has the best projection / prediction page, after all, they have a very vested interest in cyclones and potentially have a lots of assets to lose! Please see: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tc_pages/tc_home.html Make sure "Matthew" is selected, and click on "Latest ATCF Track" MAP IN THE LOWER LEFT for an enlarged map. See especially the inset Table listing cities with the predicted distance to the eye, wind level, and UTC date/time. For example, as of noon today [16:00 UTC], "FORT_LAUDERDALE 194 Nautical Miles on Oct 6, 0600[UTC] [02:00 AM Eastern time]." from the upper panel, the winds will be 95 knots gusting to 115 kts at that time. For the exceptionally curious, you can also see the raw satellite images in the matrix at the top of the page Cheers and 73, Kai Siwiak, KE4PT "Scimus potestatem obscuri lateris" From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sat Oct 1 12:11:17 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sat, 1 Oct 2016 12:11:17 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] US Navy Weather Site for Hurricane Mathew Tracking In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1c7ec70d-c9d4-28f5-02b4-7f5d9528a027@bellsouth.net> Here is the Mathew Page: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tc-bin/tc_home2.cgi?AGE=Latest&ACTIVES=16-ATL-14L.MATTHEW,16-EPAC-19E.ULIKA,16-WPAC-21W.CHABA,16-WPAC-99W.INVEST&SIZE=full&PHOT=yes&NAV=tc&ATCF_BASIN=al&ATCF_YR=2016&ATCF_FILE=/SATPRODUCTS/kauai_data/www/atcf_web/public_html/image_archives/2016/al142016.16100100.gif&CURRENT_ATCF_FILE=/SATPRODUCTS/kauai_data/www/atcf_web/public_html/image_archives/2016/al142016.16100100.gif&CURRENT=20161001.1300.goes13.x.vis1km_high.14LMATTHEW.130kts-944mb-134N-731W.100pc.jpg&CURRENT_ATCF=al142016.16100100.gif&ATCF_NAME=al142016&ATCF_DIR=/SATPRODUCTS/kauai_data/www/atcf_web/public_html/image_archives/2016&MO=OCT&BASIN=ATL&STYLE=tables&YEAR=2016&YR=16&STORM_NAME=14L.MATTHEW&ARCHIVE=active&AREA=pacific/southern_hemisphere&AID_DIR=/SATPRODUCTS/TC/tc16/ATL/09L.HERMINE/tpw/microvap&DIR=/SATPRODUCTS/TC/tc16/ATL/14L.MATTHEW/vis/geo/1km_zoom&TYPE=ssmi&PROD=gif From k.siwiak at ieee.org Sat Oct 1 12:26:53 2016 From: k.siwiak at ieee.org (Kai) Date: Sat, 1 Oct 2016 12:26:53 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] US Navy Weather Site for Hurricane Mathew Tracking In-Reply-To: <1c7ec70d-c9d4-28f5-02b4-7f5d9528a027@bellsouth.net> References: <1c7ec70d-c9d4-28f5-02b4-7f5d9528a027@bellsouth.net> Message-ID: <8cf7a41c-3d3e-1702-3ee9-88c5d8550bfc@ieee.org> Or, if that URL is too ugly for your browser, the noon image is at: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/atcf_web/image_archives/2016/al142016.16100100.gif 73 Kai, KE4PT On 10/1/2016 12:11, Bill wrote: > Here is the Mathew Page: > > http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tc-bin/tc_home2.cgi?AGE=Latest&ACTIVES=16-ATL-14L.MATTHEW,16-EPAC-19E.ULIKA,16-WPAC-21W.CHABA,16-WPAC-99W.INVEST&SIZE=full&PHOT=yes&NAV=tc&ATCF_BASIN=al&ATCF_YR=2016&ATCF_FILE=/SATPRODUCTS/kauai_data/www/atcf_web/public_html/image_archives/2016/al142016.16100100.gif&CURRENT_ATCF_FILE=/SATPRODUCTS/kauai_data/www/atcf_web/public_html/image_archives/2016/al142016.16100100.gif&CURRENT=20161001.1300.goes13.x.vis1km_high.14LMATTHEW.130kts-944mb-134N-731W.100pc.jpg&CURRENT_ATCF=al142016.16100100.gif&ATCF_NAME=al142016&ATCF_DIR=/SATPRODUCTS/kauai_data/www/atcf_web/public_html/image_archives/2016&MO=OCT&BASIN=ATL&STYLE=tables&YEAR=2016&YR=16&STORM_NAME=14L.MATTHEW&ARCHIVE=active&AREA=pacific/southern_hemisphere&AID_DIR=/SATPRODUCTS/TC/tc16/ATL/09L.HERMINE/tpw/microvap&DIR=/SATPRODUCTS/TC/tc16/ATL/14L.MATTHEW/vis/geo/1km_zoom&TYPE=ssmi&PROD=gif > > ______________________________________________________________ > QCWA69 mailing list > SubScribe UNSubscribe or Info: > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/qcwa69 > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:QCWA69 at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > From mj451 at bellsouth.net Sat Oct 1 13:38:04 2016 From: mj451 at bellsouth.net (Mike Williams) Date: Sat, 1 Oct 2016 13:38:04 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] US Navy Weather Site for Hurricane Mathew Tracking In-Reply-To: <8cf7a41c-3d3e-1702-3ee9-88c5d8550bfc@ieee.org> References: <1c7ec70d-c9d4-28f5-02b4-7f5d9528a027@bellsouth.net> <8cf7a41c-3d3e-1702-3ee9-88c5d8550bfc@ieee.org> Message-ID: <294f9a95-82ed-59c5-6feb-2d71a3fab717@bellsouth.net> Well I'm glad I didn't have to type that one in manually! This storm has put a hold on my weekend antenna project.... Good DX, Mike W4DL EL96wf On 10/1/2016 12:26 PM, Kai wrote: > Or, if that URL is too ugly for your browser, the noon image is at: > http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/atcf_web/image_archives/2016/al142016.16100100.gif > > > 73 > Kai, KE4PT > > On 10/1/2016 12:11, Bill wrote: >> Here is the Mathew Page: >> >> http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tc-bin/tc_home2.cgi?AGE=Latest&ACTIVES=16-ATL-14L.MATTHEW,16-EPAC-19E.ULIKA,16-WPAC-21W.CHABA,16-WPAC-99W.INVEST&SIZE=full&PHOT=yes&NAV=tc&ATCF_BASIN=al&ATCF_YR=2016&ATCF_FILE=/SATPRODUCTS/kauai_data/www/atcf_web/public_html/image_archives/2016/al142016.16100100.gif&CURRENT_ATCF_FILE=/SATPRODUCTS/kauai_data/www/atcf_web/public_html/image_archives/2016/al142016.16100100.gif&CURRENT=20161001.1300.goes13.x.vis1km_high.14LMATTHEW.130kts-944mb-134N-731W.100pc.jpg&CURRENT_ATCF=al142016.16100100.gif&ATCF_NAME=al142016&ATCF_DIR=/SATPRODUCTS/kauai_data/www/atcf_web/public_html/image_archives/2016&MO=OCT&BASIN=ATL&STYLE=tables&YEAR=2016&YR=16&STORM_NAME=14L.MATTHEW&ARCHIVE=active&AREA=pacific/southern_hemisphere&AID_DIR=/SATPRODUCTS/TC/tc16/ATL/09L.HERMINE/tpw/microvap&DIR=/SATPRODUCTS/TC/tc16/ATL/14L.MATTHEW/vis/geo/1km_zoom&TYPE=ssmi&PROD=gif >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> QCWA69 mailing list >> SubScribe UNSubscribe or Info: >> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/qcwa69 >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:QCWA69 at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> > > ______________________________________________________________ > QCWA69 mailing list > SubScribe UNSubscribe or Info: > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/qcwa69 > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:QCWA69 at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sat Oct 1 14:22:18 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sat, 1 Oct 2016 14:22:18 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Hurricane Watch Net May Activate for Hurricane Matthew on October 1 Message-ID: <6021f352-ca4f-a66a-8163-55ea2a34a69e@bellsouth.net> Hurricane Watch Net May Activate for Hurricane Matthew on October 1 09/30/2016 *[UPDATED 2016-01-09 11:55]* The Hurricane Watch Net (*HWN* ) has announced ?tentative plans? to activate for Hurricane Matthew on Saturday, October 1, 2016, at 2100 UTC on its primary frequency of 14.325 MHz. Once it activates, the net will remain in continuous operation until further notice. ?We plan to operate 14.325 MHz by day and 7.268 MHz by night,? HWN Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, said. ?If propagation dictates, we will operate both frequencies at the same time. Should there be any change to this plan, we will announce these on our website, on numerous HF nets, as well as in the Amateur Radio media.? A hurricane watch is in effect for Jamaica. As of 1100 UTC on October 1, Matthew, a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 155 MPH, located some 365 miles south of Port au Prince, and 420 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. The storm is moving west at 7 MPH. ?Even if Matthew does not make landfall on Jamaica, residents will feel very strong effects from this storm,? Graves said on September 30. ?Of course, Cuba is still in the path of this dangerous storm. Even those in western Haiti will be affected.? Residents of Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Bahamas are being warned to make all necessary preparations to protect life and property. The HWN will be seeking ?observed, ground-truth data from those in the affected area,? Graves said. These include such data as wind speed, wind gusts, wind direction, barometric pressure, rain, damage, and storm surge. The HWN will be available to provide back-up communication for official agencies such as emergency operations centers and the Red Cross, Graves said. The net also is interested in collecting and reporting to FEMA any significant damage in storm-affected areas. http://www.arrl.org/news/hurricane-watch-net-may-activate-for-hurricane-matthew-on-october-1 From n8pr at bellsouth.net Sat Oct 1 17:48:47 2016 From: n8pr at bellsouth.net (Pete Rimmel N8PR) Date: Sat, 1 Oct 2016 17:48:47 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] FOR SALE Items from KC4VU SK Message-ID: <7FB2C6ACDCE64B01AC11AC003939336B@PeteRGateway> FOR SALE TO BENEFIT ESTATE OF KC4VU SK: NOTE: All equipment listed was working recently. All sold as-is. However, if a piece of equipment is found to not be working, returns are OK or an adjustment in price for repairs as deemed fair. All prices are negotiable. Contact Pete N8PR n8pr at bellsouth.net or 954-632-9399. ICOM 756 PRO transceiver 160-6 meters 100 watts with matching PS-55 power supply, Icom SP21 speaker and Icom SM-6 desk microphone. $900.00 Kenwood TS430S transceiver 160-10 meter Tranceiver 100 watta with matching AT250 automatic antenna tuner and MC-60 desk Microphone $325.00 Ameritron AL 811H Amplifier 160-10 Meters 800 Watts (4 tubes ? I think) $750.00 Waters model 334 KW dummy load/watt meter $25.00 CMI 26003A US Navy Flameproof straight key (vintage) $25.00 Daiwa CN101L Cross needle SWR meter 15-100-1500 watts $85.00 Electrovoice model 664 dynamic desk microphone $50.00 Micronta 2Meter/440 MHz SWR/power meter (60 watts max) $25.00 MFJ 815B cross Needle SWR meter $30.00 MFJ 1278 Modem $20.00 Also have an Explorer 14 Tribander with 40 meter kit not off tower for sale. From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sun Oct 2 11:35:23 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2016 11:35:23 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] A Message from Jeff In-Reply-To: <20161002141653.CE0C520734FA@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20161002141653.CE0C520734FA@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: <7263194a-010a-b44a-85c5-48e8fab08fad@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: ARRL Simulated Emergency Test More info about the SET can be found on page 78 of the September QST All are invited to participate. Contact your EC or DEC for local date and time. Their contact info is listed on the SFL Section website at www.sflarrl.org 10/07-08/2016 | Florida State Convention (Melbourne Hamfest) Location: Melbourne Type: ARRL Convention Sponsor: Platinum Coast Amateur Radio Society Website: http://www.pcars.org Special Guest: Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, ARRL Field Services Asst. Manager 10/14-16/2016 Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) Type: Special Event Website: http://www.scouting.org/jota.aspx 10/17-21/2016 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 HELP WANTED Section Traffic Manager The STM is a staff position and the job description can be found at http://www.arrl.org/section-traffic-manager Drop me an email for more info or to apply. Hurricane Watch Net Keeping an Eye on Hurricane Matthew?s Progress The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) is currently monitoring the progress of Hurricane Matthew. On the current forecast track, Matthew will make landfall near Guantanamo, Cuba sometime on the evening of October 3. ?Should the track move to the west, the storm will make landfall on the island of Jamaica with a second landfall on Cuba,? said HWN Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV. ?Any shift to the east and landfall would be eastern Haiti. Once the storm passes Cuba, or Haiti, the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands will be affected.? Graves pointed out that last year the Bahamas were ravaged by Hurricane Joaquin. He said that when the time comes to activate the net, it will remain active around the clock, using 14.325 MHz by day and 7.268 MHz by night. ?We are no longer a 20 meter-only net,? he said. ?If propagation dictates, we will operate both frequencies at the same time.? Graves said the HWN has a number of fully bilingual operators to assist those in need. ?At the moment, we are in monitoring mode,? Graves said. ?We normally activate our net when a storm is within 300 miles (482 kilometers) of landfall. Due to the close proximity of Matthew to Jamaica and Haiti, net activation may come as early Saturday morning.? ?As with any net activation, we will be requesting observed ground-truth data from those in the affected area (wind speed, wind gust, wind direction, barometric pressure ? and, if available, rain, damage, and storm surge),? Grave said. ?Measured weather data are always appreciated, but we do accept estimates.? ?We are also available to provide backup communications to official agencies such as Emergency Operations Centers and Red Cross officials in the affected area,? he added. ?We will also be interested to collect and report significant damage information for FEMA.? ARRL Foundation Invites Scholarship Applications for 2017-18 Academic Year The ARRL Foundation will begin accepting scholarship applications on October 1 from eligible radio amateurs planning to pursue post-secondary education in the 2017-2018 academic year. Completed applications must be received by January 31, 2017. Individuals and clubs support many of the more than 80 scholarships, ranging from $500 to $5,000, that are awarded annually. Applicants for all scholarships must be active radio amateurs and must complete and submit the online application. ?The ARRL Foundation Board of Directors is very pleased to be entrusted with managing this program. The scholarship program is a wonderful way to encourage students to continue their Amateur Radio activities while assisting them with the costs of their higher education,? says ARRL Foundation Secretary and ARRL Development Manager Lauren Clarke, KB1YDD. ?All ARRL Foundation scholarships are made possible by individuals or clubs, and we are grateful for their support.? The Foundation reported that 81 radio amateurs were the recipients of 2016-2017 academic year scholarships it administers. Awards totaled $120,150. Students planning to apply for 2017-18 academic year awards should first carefully review the eligibility requirements and scholarship descriptions. Although only one application per applicant is required, applicants may ask to be considered for as many of the scholarships for which they are eligible (some scholarships have geographic criteria or other requirements). Check off only the scholarships for which you would like to be considered. In addition to completing the online application, applicants must submit a PDF of their academic transcript from their most recently completed school year. Applications are due on January 31, 2017, by 11:59 PM ET. Applications without accompanying transcripts will not be considered. Awards winners typically are notified in mid-May by USPS mail and e-mail. Established in 1973 as an independent and separate IRS 501(c)(3) organization, the ARRL Foundation manages grant and scholarship programs to support the Amateur Radio community. All grants and scholarships are funded entirely by the generous contributions of radio amateurs, clubs and friends. Individuals, groups or clubs wishing to establish an ARRL Foundation Scholarship Fund should visit the ARRL Foundation website. For more information about ARRL Foundation scholarships, e-mail the ARRL Foundation (foundation at arrl.org) or call 860-594-0348. Momentum Building to Urge Senate Passage of the Amateur Radio Parity Act The response to ARRL?s call to action urging the support of US Senators for the Amateur Radio Parity Act, H.R. 1301, has been gratifying ? although the campaign continues. More than 50,000 e-mails have been sent to Capitol Hill via Rally Congress, and all 100 US Senate members have been contacted. The League continues to encourage members of the Amateur Radio community who have not yet done so to reach out to their two US Senators seeking their support. Just where things stand with respect to the bill?s future in the US Senate is not yet entirely clear. ?As of this moment, we have no date set for action by the Senate,? said ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, who has been deeply involved in promoting passage of the legislation. ?The Senate will adjourn the September work period soon and members will return home to campaign. If we do not achieve consideration before they go into hiatus, we will have to wait until they return after Election Day.? On September 12, the US House of Representatives approved H.R. 1301 on a voice vote under a suspension of the rules, culminating many years of effort on ARRL?s part to gain legislation that would enable radio amateurs living in deed-restricted communities to erect antennas that support Amateur Radio communication. The bill calls on the FCC to amend its Part 97 rules ?to prohibit the application to amateur stations of certain private land-use restrictions, and for other purposes.? Shepherded by ARRL, the overwhelming grassroots support for H.R. 1301 from the Amateur Radio community was credited for getting the bill through the US House, but it faces significant obstacles to passage in the US Senate. The earlier U.S. Senate version of the bill, S. 1685, no longer is in play, and the Senate is expected to vote on the version of H.R. 1301 that the House adopted this month. The vote came after ARRL worked with the Community Association Institute ? which represents homeowners associations ? to develop language that both organizations could support. Rally Congress makes it easy to generate letters to Senators in support of The Amateur Radio Parity Act. The entire process takes just a couple of minutes. ?So it is critical that ARRL members continue to write their Senators,? Lisenco urged. ?To those who have already written, thank you! If you haven?t done so already, please do so today. We can only do so much. After that, it becomes the responsibility of the membership to participate.? According to the amended bill provides, ?Community associations should fairly administer private land-use regulations in the interest of their communities, while nevertheless permitting the installation and maintenance of effective outdoor Amateur Radio antennas. There exist antenna designs and installations that can be consistent with the aesthetics and physical characteristics of land and structures in community associations while accommodating communications in the Amateur Radio services.? More information on The Amateur Radio Parity Act is on the ARRL website. August Section ARES report from SEC Larry, W4LWZ Total number of ARES members: 683 Change since last month (+, -, same): -102 Number of DECs/ECs reporting this month: 9 Number of ARES nets active: 9 Number of nets with NTS liaison: 4 Calls of DECs/ECs reporting: WW4RX, AD4RZ, KA4HLO, KJ4AWB, N4ZIQ, W9GPI, WA4ASJ, K1UQE, KK4ATI. Number of drills, tests and training sessions this month: 45 Person hours: 349.5 Number of public service events this month: 1 Person hours: 6 Number of emergency operations this month: 2 Person Hours: 12 Total number of ARES operations this month: 48 Total Person hours: 367.5 Comments: Several counties held drills on digital instruction and SET preparation. Silent Keys- It is with deep regret that we report the passing of the following SFL members: Harry Sevush, KD4JMV of Naples and formerly of Ft. Lauderdale. Harry was an ARRL Life Member and a member and past Director of the Amateur Radio Association of SW Florida. 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 Tue Oct 4 13:15:43 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2016 13:15:43 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Melbourne Hamfest In-Reply-To: <20161004152455.7D32E2010848@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20161004152455.7D32E2010848@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: Hi Everyone, Due to the potential effects from Hurricane Matthew, the Florida State Convention held in conjunction with the Melbourne Hamfest, has been postponed to Friday/Saturday, October 21st and 22nd. Should you have any questions, email to hamfest at pcars.org Stay safe, make your preparations and should you need assistance, just let us know. Thanks and 73, Jeff WA4AW -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL Southern Florida Section Section Manager: Jeff Beals, WA4AW wa4aw at arrl.org From bmarx at bellsouth.net Tue Oct 4 13:20:23 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2016 13:20:23 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Florida State Convention/Melbourne Hamfest Postponed In-Reply-To: <20161004163459.C82AC2176F87@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20161004163459.C82AC2176F87@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: <263ef1be-8b3f-e0d9-3a19-1d82eaabf271@bellsouth.net> Due to Hurricane Matthew's forecast track offshore up our coastline, The Florida State Convention/Melbourne Hamfest has been postponed from this weekend (10/7-10/8, Fri-Sat) until October 21-22 (Fri-Sat). Aside from shifting the dates, everything remains the same?times, tickets, tables/spaces, etc. The official website for the hamfest is . For those in FL and GA, now is the time to begin checking your personal preparations. Make certain all of your batteries are charged, your Go Kits are fully functional, you have appropriate food and water resources available, and you take care of any prescriptions that might need refilled. Should additional amateur resources be needed in any impacted area, a request will be sent out via the appropriate channels. DO NOT self-deploy into any impacted area. 73 and stay safe, Doug K4AC -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL Southeastern Division Director: Doug Rehman, K4AC k4ac at arrl.org From bmarx at bellsouth.net Thu Oct 6 08:27:25 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2016 08:27:25 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Government Weather on VHF Message-ID: For those in South Florida, Up to date Weather Information is on 162.550. From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Oct 7 10:31:12 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2016 10:31:12 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The ARRL Letter for October 6, 2016 In-Reply-To: <20161006233829.F062A215BDD1@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20161006233829.F062A215BDD1@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: Preview If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2016-10-06 The ARRL Letter October 6, 2016 Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME ARRL Home Page /ARRL Letter/ Archive Audio News Ad * Statewide ARES Activation Declared in Florida for Hurricane Matthew <#toc01> * ARRL Gauging Impact of Revised California Distracted Driving Law <#toc02> * ARRL to be Represented at IARU Region 2 Conference, Emergency Communications Workshop <#toc03> * The Doctor Will See You Now! <#toc04> * National Parks on the Air Update <#toc05> * LoTW Password Checking Change Causes Problems for Some Users <#toc06> * Sarratt and Tiritilli Declared Elected in ARRL Southeastern Division <#toc07> * Interim Section Manager Appointed in Eastern Pennsylvania <#toc08> * "Overview of Army and Air Force MARS" Webinar Set for October 25 <#toc09> * New England Forum to Demystify Tax-Exempt Status for Ham Radio Clubs <#toc10> * AO-7 Still Going Strong after Almost 42 Years in Space <#toc11> * Shore Station KPH Call Sign to Return to the Airwaves on October 8 <#toc12> * The K7RA Solar Update <#toc13> * Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc14> * Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions <#toc15> Statewide ARES Activation Declared in Florida for Hurricane Matthew The entire State of Florida was placed under an Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Level 1 -- or full -- activation on October 6, as Hurricane Matthew headed for landfall in the US. The category 4 storm has already caused more than 100 deaths, most of them in Haiti, as it moved northward through the Caribbean. The Northern Florida ARES Net was called up on 3950 or 7252 kHz -- depending upon propagation -- and will remain operational for the duration of the threat. "This net is for /life safety communications/," ARRL Northern Florida Section Manager Steve Szabo, WB4OMM, stressed. "This net is /not/ for collecting weather data, idle conversations, or 'chit chat.'" The Statewide Amateur Radio Network (SARnet ) also has been activated for statewide use for life safety communications, continuing until terminated. SARnet is a network of linked UHF repeaters serving Florida. "Hurricane Matthew relentlessly pounding the Bahamas...potentially disastrous impacts for Florida," is how the National Hurricane Center (NHC ) in Miami characterized the storm, which, at 1800 UTC, was about 65 miles south-southeast of Nassau, the Bahamas, and 125 miles east-southeast of West Palm Beach, Florida. Matthew has maximum sustained winds of 140 MPH and is moving northwest at 14 MPH. The NHC has predicted that Hurricane Matthew is expected to first reach hurricane warning areas in Florida by late today and will spread northward within the warning area through Friday. Tropical storm conditions are first expected in Florida within the next several hours. Hurricane conditions are possible in the hurricane watch area in northeast Georgia and South Carolina by early Saturday, with tropical storm conditions possible on Friday night. More than 3,000 Florida residents already had evacuated to shelters by October 6, according to FEMA . Florida Gov Rick Scott said residents should prepare for a direct hit on the state. "This is serious," he said. "Don't take a chance." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit the Ready.gov website or read the American Red Cross "Hurricane Safety Checklist." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The ARRL Headquarters Emergency Response Team met on October 5. "We will be placing W1AW into emergency standby starting Friday morning, October 7, following the 8 AM ET bulletin," said ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U. "We will have W1AW staffed and ready to go on the air through late Friday night and on Saturday morning through evening. Saturday evening we will reassess the need to keep W1AW staffed over the weekend." Corey said that W1AW would monitor the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN ), the SATERN Net, and the VoIP Hurricane Net . ARRL has been in touch with Field Organization volunteers in the US Virgin Islands and along the US Eastern Seaboard and will respond as needed. *The projected track of Hurricane Matthew as of 1200 UTC on October 6. Click the image for expanded and updated storm graphics. [NOAA graphic]* Hurricane Matthew information updates will be posted to the ARRL website . National SATERN Liaison Bill Feist, WB8BZH, reported on October 5 that Haiti was hit hard by Hurricane Matthew, and Jean-Robert Gaillard, HH2JR, in Port au Prince told SATERN that southern Haiti was "in bad shape." SATERN will remain active at a DELTA II (extended monitoring) status on 14.265 MHz at least through Friday, October 7. Cuban radio amateurs were reported active in the eastern provinces of that island nation, with operation on 2, 40, and 80 meters. IARU Region 2, Area C Emergency Coordinator Arnie Coro, CO2KK, reported that HF radio equipment was dispersed throughout eastern Cuba in advance of the storm. Poor propagation has hampered emergency communication on HF bands. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ All radio amateurs are asked to avoid transmitting on or near any emergency net frequencies . In addition, stations should not check into any emergency or weather information net unless they have something to contribute. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Hurricane Watch Net has been active all week on 14.325 and 7.268 MHz, gathering real-time "ground truth" weather data and storm-related information from affected areas. The net relays the information it compiles to forecasters via WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center. The VoIP Hurricane Net is supporting the NHC on the WX-Talk Conference, Node #7203 on /Echolink/ and IRLP Reflector 9219. IRLP Reflector 9553 is the backup. (Due to the limited number of routes to the /Echolink/ node for mobile devices, monitor WX-Talk on a desktop computer if possible.) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced it may use several 60 meter frequencies for interoperability with other authorized stations, federal government stations, and Amateur Radio stations during the Hurricane Matthew response. It is requested that all stations stay clear of these frequencies unless they have emergency traffic relative to Hurricane Matthew. The Amateur Radio Service has secondary status on 60 meters. The suppressed-carrier frequencies (dial frequencies) are 5330.5 kHz, 5346.5 kHz, 5357.0 kHz, 5371.5 kHz, and 5403.5 kHz (USB). FEMA Region 4 in Atlanta (Southeastern US) will be using the Amateur Radio call sign KF4EMA to allow FEMA-licensed amateurs to provide situational awareness on various Amateur Radio nets within Region 4 relative to the Hurricane Matthew response. /-- Thanks to Mike Corey, KI1U, Bill Feist, WB8BZH, National SATERN Liaison, and Dave Adsit, KG4BIR, FEMA Spectrum Manager/ ARRL Gauging Impact of Revised California Distracted Driving Law California has upped its game in cracking down on distracted driving, and radio amateurs there are concerned that a recent revision to the state's Motor Vehicle Code could affect Amateur Radio mobile operation. The old law, which included an Amateur Radio exemption, already prohibited motorists from using electronic wireless communication devices to write, send, or read a text-based communication while in motion, unless the device was configured for voice-operated and hands-free operation. The revised law does not exempt Amateur Radio. Assembly Bill 1785 , signed into law on September 26 by Governor Jerry Brown, prohibits a motorist from driving "while holding and operating" a handheld wireless telephone or a wireless electronic communication device, as defined by the code. But it authorizes a driver to operate such devices mounted on a vehicle's windshield like a GPS or on the dashboard or center console "in a manner that does not hinder the driver's view of the road," if the driver can activate or deactivate a feature or function "with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the finger." The language defining devices covered by the law does not accurately specify what activity is prohibited, leaving its application subject to misinterpretation by individual law enforcement officers, but it does not specifically proscribe use of mobile Amateur Radio equipment for voice communication. The list of covered devices includes, but is not limited to, "a broadband personal communication device, a specialized mobile radio device, a handheld device or laptop computer with mobile data access, a pager, or a two-way messaging device." A first offense would incur a $20 base fine and $50 for subsequent offenses. Initial wording of the legislation was not considered to be a threat to Amateur Radio operation, but the measure's language changed substantially as it worked its way through the California General Assembly. ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, said there are two principal ways to protect Amateur Radio in this type of legislation. "One is by sufficiently narrowly defining prohibited activity so as to exclude Amateur Radio," he said. "The other is to create specific exemptions where the definitions are confusing. This new statute is an example of bad legislative draftsmanship. It creates a motor vehicle law with citations issued for certain activity that includes the words 'but is not limited to' in the language defining the violation." In addition to scrutinizing the language of the revision, ARRL will be consulting with Field Organization officials in California to determine its next steps. ARRL to be Represented at IARU Region 2 Conference, Emergency Communications Workshop ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, will head a contingent of League representatives at the 19th International Amateur Radio Union Region 2 (IARU-R2 ) General Assembly in Vi?a del Mar, Chile. The conference, hosted by the Radio Club of Chile, gets under way on October 10 and continues through October 14. An emergency communications workshop will be held on October 11 in conjunction with the IARU event. Attending on behalf of ARRL, in addition to President Roderick, will be Technical Relations Specialist Jon Siverling, WB3ERA; ARRL Second Vice President Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, and Emergency Communications Manager Mike Corey, KI1U. ARRL International Affairs Vice President Jay Bellows, K0QB, also will attend in his role as IARU Region 2 Area B Director. The IARU Region 2 Band Plan and other Amateur Radio spectrum issues will be on the agenda at this month's meeting. The ARRL and other IARU member societies in the Americas sought comments and suggestions earlier this year from their respective Amateur Radio communities regarding the Region 2 HF Band Plan. At its July meeting, the ARRL Board of Directors adopted recommendations of the ARRL HF Band Planning Committee, for ARRL to present at the conference for possible inclusion in the Region 2 band plan. These include: * Changing references to the 660-meter band to 630 meters, to more accurately describe the wavelength of the spectrum actually allocated for Amateur Radio use. * Updating the 160-meter band plan to acknowledge AM operations commonly encountered within the band. * Adding an exception to the band plan to specify that, in the event a 60-meter Amateur Radio allocation is added to the band plan, upper sideband (USB) is permissible. Mexico's IARU member society FMRE plans to ask the Region 2 General Assembly to request that CITEL and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU ) assist FMRE in its efforts to convince the Mexican government to allow foreign amateurs to operate in Mexico. Conference delegates also will elect IARU Region 2 officers and directors. At the Emergency Communications Workshop on October 11, IARU Region 2 emergency coordinators and other national-level Amateur Radio emergency communications experts will gather to share information and discuss how to increase the capacity for amateurs in Region 2 to respond to large-scale, multinational communication emergencies. The conference also will offer an opportunity for national-level Amateur Radio emergency communications leaders to network and increase the level of cooperation and collaboration within Region 2. Special event station XR2IARU will be on the air from the Hotel O'Higgins, the conference venue. Ad The Doctor Will See You Now! "Bits vs. Baud" is the topic of the latest (October 6) episode of the "ARRL The Doctor is In " podcast. Listen...and learn! Sponsored by DX Engineering , "ARRL The Doctor is In" is an informative discussion of all things technical. Listen on your computer, tablet, or smartphone -- whenever and wherever you like! Every 2 weeks, your host, /QST/ Editor in Chief Steve Ford, WB8IMY, and the Doctor himself, Joel Hallas, W1ZR, will discuss a broad range of technical topics. You can also e-mail your questions to doctor at arrl.org , and the Doctor may answer them in a future podcast. Enjoy "ARRL The Doctor is In" on Apple iTunes , or by using your iPhone or iPad podcast app (just search for "ARRL The Doctor is In"). You can also listen online at Blubrry , or at Stitcher (free registration required, or browse the site as a guest) and through the free Stitcher app for iOS, Kindle, or Android devices. If you've never listened to a podcast before, download our beginner's guide . Just ahead on October 20, "HF Mobile Antennas." National Parks on the Air Update ARRL's National Parks on the Air (NPOTA ) program remains on track to break 800,000 contacts from eligible NPS units before the end of the year! Some 1,200 Activators have made just over 700,000 contacts from nearly 460 of the 489 NPOTA units. With just under 3 months to go, there is still time for you to get in on the NPOTA hunt or to plan your own activation! The NPOTA page on the ARRL website has all the information you need to get started. There are 30 activations scheduled between October 6 and 12, including the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site in Arizona and the first activation of Coral Reef National Monument in the US Virgin Islands. Details about these and other upcoming activations can be found on the NPOTA Activations calendar. Keep up with the latest NPOTA news on Facebook . Follow NPOTA on Twitter (@ARRL_NPOTA). LoTW Password Checking Change Causes Problems for Some Users An upgrade to the password checking mechanism that authenticates Logbook of The World (LoTW ) users has caused log-in problems for some clients. Under the system in place prior to approximately 2300 UTC on September 19, the LoTW log-in system ignored the case of any characters in a password when checking for a match, storing them all as lowercase. The new system is case-sensitive, however. While passwords once were randomly generated, the ARRL IT staff recently implemented a new LoTW password mechanism that lets users choose their own passwords. Under this new system, when users first log in, their passwords are encrypted. Some users attempting to log in with mixed-case passwords were rejected, however, because the system had stored their passwords as all lowercase. A subsequent modification allows the system to accept a user's mixed-case password and changes the stored password to the user's mixed-case specification. The issue also can present problems for applications, such as logging programs, that employ a user's credentials to access a LoTW account. Users who encounter trouble logging in to LoTW are being asked to enter their passwords in all lowercase. If that doesn't work, contact the LoTW Help Desk or explore other methods available for LoTW. Any LoTW users who logged in before this modification was made -- at around 2300 UTC on September 19 -- had their passwords stored in lowercase, no matter which case they used in entering them. These passwords now must be entered as lowercase. Users who have changed to a new password with mixed-case letters must continue to enter their passwords in mixed-case letters. ARRL apologizes for underestimating the extent of the problems that would be caused by the lack of password case-sensitivity in the previous LoTW authentication mechanism. Ad Sarratt and Tiritilli Declared Elected in ARRL Southeastern Division Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, has been declared elected as Director of the ARRL Southeastern Division, to take office at noon Eastern Time on January 1, 2017. Joe Tiritilli, N4ZUW, is also declared elected as Vice Director in the Southeastern Division. He has been appointed by ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, to fill the vacant Southeastern Vice Director chair, effective immediately. Interim Section Manager Appointed in Eastern Pennsylvania Bob Wiseman, WB3W, of Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, has been appointed as the Interim Section Manager for the ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section. He is fulfilling the current term of office that was declared vacant by the ARRL Executive Committee of the ARRL Board of Directors this past June. Wiseman's interim appointment continues through March 31, 2018. According to the Rules and Regulations of the ARRL Field Organization, when a vacancy occurs between Section Manager elections, the position shall be filled by appointment by the ARRL Field Services and Radiosport Manager in consultation with the respective ARRL Division Director. In this case, Dave Patton, NN1N, Field Services and Radiosport Manager, consulted with Tom Abernethy, W3TOM, Atlantic Division Director, before making the appointment, which is effective October 5. Wiseman brings to the helm of the Eastern Pennsylvania Section his past experience as Section Emergency Coordinator, District Emergency Coordinator, and Official Emergency Station. "Overview of Army and Air Force MARS" Webinar Set for October 25 Registration is open for the webinar "Overview of Army and Air Force MARS," October 25 at 8 PM ET (0000 UTC on October 26). US Air Force MARS Chief Dave Stapchuk, KD9DXM, will discuss the history of the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) program and membership requirements for Amateur Radio operators. He also will highlight the Joint MARS Phone Patch network, which provides daily support to US armed forces. The phone patch network facilitates not only morale/welfare phone patches, but routinely handles mission-related radio calls and occasionally assists US air crews with in-flight emergency phone patches when air traffic control cannot be reached. US Army MARS Program Manager Paul English, WD8DBY, will discuss the quarterly US Department of Defense (DOD) contingency communication exercises, which promote interoperability between the Amateur Radio community and the DOD. English will also discuss initiatives for promoting the use of 60 meters between Amateur Radio and the federal government, as well as the types of information MARS operators will request from the Amateur Radio community during the upcoming quarterly DOD communications exercise (COMEX), October 30-November 1. Registrants will receive a confirming e-mail that contains information about joining the webinar. Ad New England Forum to Demystify Tax-Exempt Status for Ham Radio Clubs Most radio clubs are set up as non-profit corporations, but this does not mean that they are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax code. Some changes that took place in 2014 simplified the process for smaller organizations with less than $50,000 in annual gross revenues and reduced the amount of red tape. At the New England Amateur Radio Festival (NEAR-Fest ) Friday and Saturday, October 14-15, in Deerfield, New Hampshire, Certified Public Accountant Lynn Baxter, W0LTB, will explain how clubs and non-profits can attain 501(c)(3) status under the new rules and how to file a simple online annual report to maintain that status. This means that, under some circumstances, Amateur Radio clubs would be able to accept donations and issue receipts for tax purposes, as well as enjoy other benefits. The forum will take place on Friday, October 14, at 3 PM. Clubs are invited to send one representative, as seating is limited. "This special forum is being presented by NEAR-Fest as a service to the Amateur Radio community," said Mike Crestohl, W1RC. "NEAR-Fest anticipates a high response rate to this special presentation. Clubs are advised to send their treasurer. Seating will be first come, first served." Crestohl asks those planning to attend to e-mail him and let him know. /-- Thanks to Mike Crestohl, W1RC / AO-7 Still Going Strong after Almost 42 Years in Space In a little more than a month, the venerable AO-7 Amateur Radio satellite will mark 42 years in space. AMSAT says AO-7, the oldest ham radio satellite still in operation, is now switching between Mode A and Mode B on a daily basis, after coming up in Mode A on September 30. "That suggests that the satellite is now in constant sunlight and receiving enough power from the solar cells for the 24-hour timer to stay on throughout its entire orbit," AMSAT-NA Secretary Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, said. "Expect daily mode switches between Mode A and Mode B to occur for the next 3 months or so. As AO-7's orbit precesses and the periods of constant sunlight become fewer and fewer, there will be less of an opportunity to use Mode A on a yearly basis, so enjoy it while it lasts!" In Mode A, earthbound amateurs transmit on 2 meters and receive on 10 meters. Stoetzer said the type of 10-meter antenna isn't fussy. "Try whatever you can," he said. When continuously illuminated, AO-7's mode will alternate between Modes A and B (70 centimeters up/2 meters down) every 24 hours. November 15 will mark 42 years since AO-7 was launched into space from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. AO-7 was the second so-called "Phase 2" Amateur Radio satellite that AMSAT-NA constructed and launched into low-Earth orbit. It remained in operation until a short circuit occurred in a battery in 1981. More than 20 years later, however, AO-7 unexpectedly returned to life, its 2-meter beacon showing up on 145.9775 MHz. Satellite experts speculate that AO-7's resurrection occurred when the short circuit in the battery opened up for some reason, allowing the solar cells to power the spacecraft. When the satellite goes into eclipse, it powers down. Last February Dave Swanson, KG5CCI, of Arkansas achieved a distance milestone on AO-7 using Mode B to work Eduardo Erlemann, PY2RN (GG66lw), in Brazil -- a path of 8030.895 kilometers. /-- Thanks to AMSAT-NA, AMSAT News Service/ Shore Station KPH Call Sign to Return to the Airwaves on October 8 Nearly 20 years after shore station KPH in California went dark, that call sign will be back on the air on Saturday, October 8, for a commemorative transmission, opening its doors to the public for the occasion. KPH will be operating from its original home on its original frequencies using its original transmitters, receivers, and antennas, "and even some of the original operators!" said Richard "RD" Dillman, W6AWO, of the Maritime Radio Historical Society (MRHS ). Dillman explains that KPH began as station "PH" in San Francisco's Palace Hotel in 1905. *Richard "RD" Dillman, W6AWO, at KPH.* "It moved to several locations after the earthquake, ending up in Marin County north of San Francisco," Dillman said. "[KPH] continued to provide radiogram service to ships at sea until June 30, 1997, when the license was sold to a competitor. With the license went the iconic call KPH." Dillman said the MRHS began restoring the station in 1999 and obtained another commercial call sign, KSM, continuing to operate the KPH facility on KSM frequencies to provide service to ships. "But, of course, we wanted to get back the KPH call and the KPH frequencies, so the station would be exactly as it was when they closed the doors in 1997," Dillman told ARRL. That became a reality a few months ago, when the MRHS concluded an agreement with the current KPH licensee to add the Bolinas and Point Reyes sites to the license. That gave the MRHS authority to once again use the KPH call sign and frequencies. *Steve Hawes adjusts a vacuum variable in the final tank circuit of a PW15 transmitter.* "The crack MRHS Transmitter Department has shifted all the KSM transmitters back to their original KPH frequencies, retuned the antennas, tested the keying, and advise that all will be in order for the resumption of KPH service," Dillman said. Doors will open at the RCA receive site in the Point Reyes National Seashore at 1900 UTC. It's hoped that Ray Smith -- the operator who signed KPH Bolinas/Point Reyes off the air in June of 1997 -- will do the honors. KPH will then pick up the thread and resume operations, just as it did for so many decades. Dillman said KPH will provide the same services coast stations always have -- radiograms to and from ships, high seas weather, and news of interest to the maritime community. Amateur Radio station K6KPH will be in operation too, listening for calls on 3550, 7050, 14.050, 18.097.5, and 21.050 kHz. K6KPH uses the original KPH transmitters (throttled back to 1.5 kW), antennas, and receivers. "When we began our project we would never have believed this day would come," Dillman said. Read more . The K7RA Solar Update Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Over the September 29 through October 5 reporting week, the average daily sunspot number declined 9 points to 20.7, and average daily solar flux increased from 81.4 to 86.7, relative to the previous 7 days. Average daily planetary A index increased from 19.7 to 21.4, and average mid-latitude A index increased from 12.3 to 15.1. Think /that/ was bad? At the University of Alaska's magnetometer, which supplies us with the College A Index, the number rose to 73 on September 29, with the average for the week at 35.9. Predicted solar flux from the October 5 forecast shows 99 and 100 on October 6-7; 102 on October 8-12; 90 on October 13-14; 95 on October 15-18; 90 on October 19-21; 85 on October 22-26; 80 On October 27-31; 85 on November 1-2; 90 on November 3-10, and 95 on October 11-14. Predicted planetary A index is 6, 5, 5, 6 on October 6-9; 5 on October 10-14; 8, 10, 20, and 8 on October 15-18; 5 on October 19-22; 20 on October 23; 35 on October 24-26; 20, 15, 15, 12, 15, and 10 on October 27-November 1; 5 on November 2-10, and 10, 20, and 8 on November 11-14. Sunspot numbers for September 29 through October 5 were 17, 12, 0, 13, 32, 33, and 38, with a mean of 29.7. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 82.7, 80.6, 81, 82.3, 87.8, 93.1, and 99.3, with a mean of 81.4. Estimated planetary A indices were 39, 21, 19, 18, 14, 26, and 13, with a mean of 19.7. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 22, 15, 14, 15, 12, 18, and 10, with a mean of 12.3. Send me your reports and observations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ . . . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Just Ahead in Radiosport * October 8 -- FISTS Fall Unlimited Sprint (CW) * October 8 -- Microwave Fall Sprint (CW, phone) * October 8-9 -- Makrothen RTTY Contest * October 8-9 -- Oceania DX Contest (CW) * October 8-9 -- Scandinavian Activity Contest (SSB) * October 8-9 -- QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party (CW) * October 8-9 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW) * October 8-9 -- Pennsylvania QSO Party (CW, phone, digital) * October 8-9 -- Arizona QSO Party (CW, phone, digital) * October 8-9 -- PODXS070 160 Meter Great Pumpkin Sprint (Digital) * October 9 -- North American SSB Sprint * October 9 -- UBA ON Contest (CW) * October 10 -- 10-10 International 10-10 Day Sprint (CW, phone, digital) * October 12 -- NAQCC CW Sprint * October 12 -- RSGB 80 Meter Club Sprint (CW) See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. For in-depth reporting on Amateur Radio contesting, subscribe to /The ARRL Contest Update/ via your ARRL member profile e-mail preferences. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions * October 7-8 -- Pacific Northwest VHF Conference , Bend, Oregon * October 13-15 -- Microwave Update Conference , St Louis, Missouri * October 14-16 -- Pacific Division Convention , San Ramon, California * October 16 -- Connecticut State Convention , Meriden, Connecticut * October 21-22 -- Arizona State Convention , Maricopa, Arizona * October 21-22 -- Florida State Convention , Melbourne, Florida * October 22 -- Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference , Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin * November 5 -- TechFest Convention , Lakewood, Colorado * November 5-6 -- Georgia State Convention , Lawrenceville, Georgia * November 12-13 -- Indiana State Convention , Fort Wayne, Indiana * November 19 -- Alabama State Convention , Montgomery, Alabama * December 9-10 -- 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 and Instagram ! 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 ? 2016 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved www.arrl.org From k.siwiak at ieee.org Fri Oct 7 11:17:53 2016 From: k.siwiak at ieee.org (Kai) Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2016 11:17:53 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Hurricane animation Message-ID: <3e80ccd1-d500-cb2f-fc20-cc3c5dcdaeb3@ieee.org> Not especially useful, but very, very pretty: https://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/surface/level/orthographic=-77.39,30.19,3000 Enjoy the moment! 73 Kai, KE4PT From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Oct 7 13:33:54 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2016 13:33:54 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] ARLX013 Former ARRL DXCC and Awards Manager Bill Moore, NC1L (SK) In-Reply-To: <20161007162529.EF8B022F3645@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20161007162529.EF8B022F3645@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: <5a2061ba-df89-51e0-fd59-1c6f622ca0de@bellsouth.net> SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX013 ARLX013 Former ARRL DXCC and Awards Manager Bill Moore, NC1L (SK) ZCZC AX13 QST de W1AW Special Bulletin 13 ARLX013 >From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT October 7, 2016 To all radio amateurs SB SPCL ARL ARLX013 ARLX013 Former ARRL DXCC and Awards Manager Bill Moore, NC1L (SK) Former ARRL DXCC and Awards Manager Bill Moore, NC1L (ex-KA1MRR, KB1UN), of Newington, Connecticut, died on October 6. He was 64. Moore was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident in July 2014 that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He was never able to return to work at ARRL Headquarters and retired in 2015. An ARRL member, Moore had worked at League Headquarters for 23 years, starting in 1992. His friend Pete Chamalian, W1RM, said that a memorial service would be held "in the coming weeks." NNNN /EX From n8pr at bellsouth.net Mon Oct 10 10:46:41 2016 From: n8pr at bellsouth.net (Pete Rimmel N8PR) Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2016 10:46:41 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] 1929 Popular Science Message-ID: I had this sent from a ham up in Ohio. Hope you find it interesting 73, PeteR N8PR All, There is lots of interesting reading in this old magazine. Popular Science - Jan 1929 - Well, actually the following URL will get you to all the early issues. https://books.google.com/books?id=oCcDAAAAMBAJ --73, Glenn, AF8C From bmarx at bellsouth.net Wed Oct 19 08:42:48 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2016 08:42:48 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The ARRL Contest Update for October 19, 2016 In-Reply-To: <20161019101259.D9A61215DF48@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20161019101259.D9A61215DF48@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: <9424c585-f9ca-c9de-210c-3245f7cf47fa@bellsouth.net> Preview If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at: http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/?issue=2016-10-19 The ARRL Contest Update October 19, 2016 Editor: Brian Moran, N9ADG /Contest Update/ Archive Contest Calendar ARRL Home Page Ad IN THIS ISSUE * New HF Operators: UK/EI DX, SPTBDC, CQWW DX SSB <#_55566851183988-NewHF> * Bulletins: Affiliated Club Competition <#_55566851183988-Bulletins> * Contest Summary <#_55566851183988-ContestSummary> * News: Makrothen changes, Waterfall Bandmap, and more <#_55566851183988-News> * Word to the Wise: Quagi <#_55566851183988-Word> * Sights and Sounds: California QSO Party Portable <#_55566851183988-Sights> * Results <#_55566851183988-Results> * Operating Tip: Submit Logs Successfully <#_55566851183988-OperatingTip> * Technical Topics and Information: Dielectric Constants, Smaller Transistors, History of RPi, RFI-free SMPS on Kickstarter, and more <#_55566851183988-Tech> * Conversation: And So It Goes <#_55566851183988-Conversation> * Contests <#_55566851183988-LogsDue> * Log Due Dates <#_55566851183988-LogsDue> NEW HF OPERATORS - THINGS TO DO Have you tried JT65 on HF? The best bet for some DX this weekend could be the UK/EI DX Contest , unless you're outfitted for 160 meters, and can participate in the warm-up to the Stew Perry Top Band Distance Contest , sometimes called the "Pre-Stew." As it's a weekend without an abundance of contests, you might want to "contest different." Try a new mode, put up a new antenna, or fix a piece of gear. Many hams will be traveling to multipliers this week, putting up antennas and fixing gear as they get ready for the CQ WW DX Phone contest on October 29-30. BULLETINS Hey Affiliated Club Competition Coordinators! Remember that for your club to be included in the ARRL Affiliated Club Competition, your information needs to be up to date on the Affiliated Club Competition website . You'll receive an authentication email after your information is updated. Note that there is also the ability to update club eligibility rosters before each contest. BUSTED QSOS Here is the correct link to the Feld Hell Club Spooky Sprint , which was held last weekend. Logs are due October 19. (Doug, KD4MOJ) CONTEST SUMMARY Complete information <#_55566851183988-Contests> for all contests follows the Conversation <#_55566851183988-Conversation> section *October 20* * CWops Mini-CWT Test *October 21* * NCCC RTTY Sprint * NCCC Sprint * MCG Autumn Sprint *October 22* * *ARRL EME Contest* * UK/EI DX Contest, SSB * Stew Perry Topband Challenge * SA Sprint Contest *October 26* * SKCC Sprint * Phone Fray * CWops Mini-CWT Test * UKEICC 80m Contest *October 27* * CWops Mini-CWT Test * RSGB 80m Club Sprint, SSB *October 28* * NCCC RTTY Sprint * NCCC Sprint *October 29* * CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB *November 2* * Phone Fray * CWops Mini-CWT Test * UKEICC 80m Contest Ad NEWS, PRESS RELEASES, AND GENERAL INTEREST If you participated in the Makrothen RTTY Contest last week, you'll want to send your logs to scottmcleman36 at gmail.com , who has volunteered to collect them for scoring. The continued sponsorship of this contest is evolving, stay tuned for more information. Waterfall Bandmap provides a way to associate call signs with spectrum. Steve, N2IC, submits: "The Waterfall Bandmap (WB) combines a live waterfall display with call sign and frequency spotting information. The beauty of the WB is that you do not need complex and potentially unreliable tools to interface the WB to your station. The WB tracks the frequency of your transceiver, and obtains DX spots directly from N1MM+. Unlike other waterfall implementations, the WB does *not* require virtual COM port splitters, VSPE, Omnirig, separate telnet connections, and the like. N1MM+ provides all the information that WB needs to work with your SDR receiver or sound card I/Q output to synchronize with your non-SDR station transceiver. WB works with any radio compatible with LP-PAN (such as the K3), Flex 6000 series, and the majority of SDR receivers, such as the Perseus, QS1R, or SDRplay. Best of all, Waterfall Bandmap is freeware. More information is available from the WaterfallBandmap Yahoo group . RSGB's Youth Committee is raising funds for YOTA (Youngsters On The Air) 2017 by providing supporter pins at various funding levels. One hundred percent of all donations will go to YOTA. Any time Heathkit gets mentioned, ears of hams of a certain age perk up. /Electronic Design /argues that manufacturer and aftermarket development kits have taken the place that Heathkit once occupied as the supplier of educational electronics platforms. (Ward, N0AX) In a bit of an interesting twist, a Kickstarter effort, goTenna, has built a mesh network hardware add-on to cellular phones so that they can be used in locations where there is no mobile operator infrastructure, for example remote DX locations, Burning Man, or inside a Faraday hangar. It uses Bluetooth to communicate with the cellphones, and it sounds like it has a bit of 'cognitive radio' capability. (Dennis, N6KI) The 41st IPARC (International Police Association Radio Club) contest is coming up on first weekend in November this year. The International Police Association is an international friendship and cooperation organization, with chapters in many parts of the world. The German section of the IPARC hosts the rules for the radio contest , and more information on IPARC is available on the German website . (Uwe, DJ6QQ) The Oceania DX Contest logs are due at the end of October. [Oceania DX painting courtesy of the Oceania DX Contest] If you operated in the Oceania DX Contest , logs are due by the end of October. Cabrillo phone logs go to ph at oceaniaDXcontest.com , CW logs to cw at oceaniaDXcontest.com , SWL logs to info at oceaniaDXcontest.com . WORD TO THE WISE Quagi The Quagi is an antenna for UHF or VHF that combines helpful characteristics of a Yagi with those of a cubical quad antenna. It generally consists of a quad-style loop for the reflector and driven elements, with Yagi-style director elements. An eight-element design was originally described by Wayne, N6NB, an April, 1977 issue of /QST//, /followed up by an easy to build 15 element "Long Boom Quagi" in /QST/ for February, 1978. The quad elements allowed for ease in construction and impedance matching. SIGHTS AND SOUNDS The 2016 California QSO Party found Frank, W6JTI, and Jim, K9YC, operating from many county lines, like this one between Esmeralda and Mineral counties [Photo courtesy of Jim, K9YC] Jim, K9YC, and Frank, W6JTI, usually "operate from very quiet places in the middle of nowhere" for contests like the California QSO Party. Here's a write up of their 2016 operation (PDF). K6QK in the California QSO Party consisted of K6ZH, NC6Q, N6EEG, N6ERD, and N7CW operating expedition style from Imperial County. Pictured are Joan, N6KIM, and Dave, N6EEG [Photo courtesy of Jim, K6ZH] Ad RESULTS AND RECORDS The results of the August UHF Contest are now online, including line scores for all log submissions, as well as club aggregate scores and top-ten lists. There will be an expanded results article for the contest in the not too distant future. (Wayne, N6NB) "Thanks to the efforts of N5KO and K5OT, complete sets of Sweepstakes records for both modes are now available at Sweepstakes page on the ARRL website as well as the Contest Records page . The records are available by category, by division, and by section. A complete list of winners by category, extending back to the first Sweepstakes in 1930, is also provided. For fans of statistics, the number of logs submitted each year and a cross-reference of call signs is also provided. This is some nice work! Is there a record in your location or favorite category that might be within reach this year?" (Bart, W9JJ) OPERATING TIP Submitting Logs Successfully Many contests are shortening the time between contest end and the log submission deadline. It pays to check the rules to make sure the log deadline hasn't changed since the last time you entered the contest. Also, more and more contests are publishing the list of submitted logs on their web site. Get in the habit of checking the 'received logs' pages to make absolutely sure your log was received. If you have a question about the rules, first, read the rules again. If your question is still unresolved, a polite email to the contest sponsor/director could clear things up in a jiffy. For example, here's a question I sent to Ed, W0YK, CQ WW RTTY Contest Director: "Hi Ed, in the RTTY contest a couple of weeks ago, there was a station in zone 8 sending zone 11 as the exchange. When asked for his 'CQ zone', he replied with 11; for the CQ WW RTTY Contest, what is the correct number for a station to log? What was sent, or what the correct zone would be?" Ed wrote back: "In this case, I'd go ahead and log '11' if you think that is what he will have in his log. The log checking will assign multiplier credit based on what the actual multiplier is, not what the station sent. But for cross-checking, it is safer for you to have in your log what he has in his log. If he was insisting on '54', then I'd log 8, because the robot and log checking will complain if the number is not in the range of 1-40." An email exchange with the contest director could be more insightful than a dozen email reflector messages for rules interpretation questions. TECHNICAL TOPICS AND INFORMATION If you're building your own capacitors out of various materials, you might want to measure the dielectric constant. KE9V tweeted this link to a hackaday article on doing just that. (KE9V via Twitter) Molybdenum disulfide was used recently by researchers to create a transistor with a gate size of one nanometer. The gate was formed out of a single carbon nanotube, and another unconventional material, zirconium dioxide, was used for the channel material. The size reduction reflects a 5 to 1 advantage over what is presumed to be a five nanometer lower limit for silicon transistors, but to be commercially successful, manufacturing process optimization will have to occur, according to an article in /EE Times/ . We're beginning to see the use of Raspberry Pi computers for the foundation of a number of Amateur Radio projects. /Design News/ recently published the history of the Raspberry Pi project . An RFI-free switching power supply is the goal of a recently triply-oversubscribed Kickstarter project . Who would have thought there would be such demand for a board level +/- 15 volt power supply module? One terabit per second data transmission via radio waves may be within reach, as researchers at Rice University are using pulses of RF at up to 10 GHz to achieve these data rates. (Dennis, N6KI) A counterpoint to exercise treadmill RFI horror stories? Here is a teardown of an RFI-free treadmill , made by Johnson Fitness. Highlights include separate toroids on the power and ground leads to the DC motor, a single point ground for DC, AC, and electronics grounds. (John, NU3E, via RFI Reflector) On the high end of network-enabled receiving hardware would be the EM100XT from Rohde & Schwarz . Besides being weatherproof with an IP67 rating, it also has a built-in GPS for timing and frequency accuracy. A direct audio output complements its built-in demodulation capabilities for modes including USB, LSB, AM, FM, CW. I/Q sample data is available via an Ethernet interface. Frequency coverage is from 9 kHz through 7.5 GHz. The EM100XT has the same functionality as the R&S EM100 unit. Ad CONVERSATION And So It Goes... Today's gear is more reliable, and has more features than ever. Today's radio manufacturers face new and increasing challenges when comparisons of miniaturization, portability, power consumption, connectivity, user interface, and industrial design sense are being made between their products and consumer electronics items such as cellular phones and tablet computers. For consumers of radio gear, "consumer electronics-esque" rapid innovation can have some downsides; our rigs may not stay current for as long as they used to, despite the ability to upgrade firmware. Manufacturers may End-of-Life a radio for various reasons related to cost or continuing availability of key components. And to repair or modify our equipment, we need to have continually newer tools, and newer skills. I was recently troubleshooting a transceiver that I originally purchased new in 2001. At the time, it had all of the performance of the brand's top of the line radio, without some user interface bells and whistles and second receiver. It was great as a main radio for a time, then slid into its role as a multiplier radio, then mostly for RTTY and VHF. Four years ago, I put it aside for repair after the transmit power diminished markedly and consistently during a contest, and found that the manufacturer no longer repaired this model. Last year I started to work on it, but discovered that some of the driver transistors were now made of unobtainium, and that to really get into the radio I'd need to upgrade my tools and techniques to handle surface mount parts. I ordered an inexpensive hot-air rework station, a head-mounted magnifier, and some replacement silicon, then reassembled and put the rig aside, as that's the best way I find to not lose anything. I've seen the sentiment that surface mount technology is hard, and bad for amateur radio gear. Perhaps the same was said of printed circuit technology in the 1950s as it supplanted point-to-point wiring. I would argue that the benefits of SMD clearly outweigh the drawbacks. Other projects and demands intervened, and I was unable to get back to the radio until last week. With the radio back on the bench last week, I found the service manual on line. An interest group dedicated to this radio model indicated that there were some parts of the driver chain known to have issues. Crowd sourced repair information on the Internet is an essential part of the new toolset, and the skills I needed were the ability to find the information, and then filter that for what was important and valid. Every repair begins with Google. I determined that the fault was likely in one or both of two successive driver stages. Using the hot air tool, I removed the transistor in the first driver stage, and then easily re-installed it with my eBay-sourced replacement. Turning on the power led to rapid dismay, as the claimed exact same-numbered replacement provided a dead short and burned up a surface mount resistor. After extensive examination of the circuit for other problems, I still found that two others transistors in the same snippet of tape and reel exhibited the same behavior, leading me to disbelieve that I'd received the correct parts. Avoiding mislabeled, substitute, or counterfeit parts is another modern challenge. So, I researched and found a /very/ reputable source which had the parts in stock, ordered them, and reassembled the rig, and put it aside... That's all for this time. Remember to send contesting related stories, flea market pictures, book reviews, tips, techniques, press releases, errata, schematics, club information, pictures, stories, blog links, and blog links to contest-update at arrl.org 73, Brian N9ADG CONTESTS *20 Oct - 2 Nov 2016* 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 19, 1300z to Oct 19, 1400z, Oct 19, 1900z to Oct 19, 2000z, Oct 20, 0300z to Oct 20, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: October 22. NCCC RTTY Sprint , Oct 21, 0145z to Oct 21, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: October 23. NCCC Sprint , Oct 21, 0230z to Oct 21, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: October 23. MCG Autumn Sprint , Oct 21, 1600z to Oct 21, 2000z; CW, SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20m; RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: November 5. UK/EI DX Contest, SSB , Oct 22, 1200z to Oct 23, 1200z; SSB; Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; UK/EI: RS + Serial No. + District Code, DX: RS + Serial No.; Logs due: October 23. Stew Perry Topband Challenge , Oct 22, 1500z to Oct 23, 1500z; CW; Bands: 160m Only; 4-Character grid square; Logs due: November 7. SA Sprint Contest , Oct 22, 2000z to Oct 23, 0000z; CW, SSB; Bands: 40, 20m; RS(T) + Serial No.; Logs due: October 28. SKCC Sprint , Oct 26, 0000z to Oct 26, 0200z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RST + (state/province/country) + Name + (SKCC No./power); Logs due: October 28. Phone Fray , Oct 26, 0230z to Oct 26, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: October 28. CWops Mini-CWT Test , Oct 26, 1300z to Oct 26, 1400z, Oct 26, 1900z to Oct 26, 2000z, Oct 27, 0300z to Oct 27, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: October 29. UKEICC 80m Contest , Oct 26, 2000z to Oct 26, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; 4-Character grid square; Logs due: October 26. RSGB 80m Club Sprint, SSB , Oct 27, 1900z to Oct 27, 2000z; SSB; Bands: 80m Only; [other station's call] + [your call] + [serial no.] + [your name]; Logs due: November 3. NCCC RTTY Sprint , Oct 28, 0145z to Oct 28, 0215z; RTTY; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: October 30. NCCC Sprint , Oct 28, 0230z to Oct 28, 0300z; CW; Bands: (see rules); Serial No. + Name + QTH; Logs due: October 30. CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB , Oct 29, 0000z to Oct 31, 0000z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; RS + CQ Zone No.; Logs due: November 4. Phone Fray , Nov 2, 0230z to Nov 2, 0300z; SSB; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m; NA: Name + (state/province/country), non-NA: Name; Logs due: November 4. CWops Mini-CWT Test , Nov 2, 1300z to Nov 2, 1400z, Nov 2, 1900z to Nov 2, 2000z, Nov 3, 0300z to Nov 3, 0400z; CW; Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m; Member: Name + Member No., non-Member: Name + (state/province/country); Logs due: November 5. UKEICC 80m Contest , Nov 2, 2000z to Nov 2, 2100z; CW; Bands: 80m Only; 4-Character grid square; Logs due: November 2. *VHF+ CONTESTS* *ARRL EME Contest* *, Oct 22, 0000z to Oct 23, 2359z; CW, Phone, Digital; Bands: 50-1296 MHz; Signal**report; Logs due: December 21.* LOG DUE DATES *October 20, 2016* * NRAU 10m Activity Contest *October 21, 2016* * Phone Fray *October 22, 2016* * Microwave Fall Sprint * CWops Mini-CWT Test *October 23, 2016* * RSGB RoLo CW * NCCC RTTY Sprint * NCCC Sprint * Asia-Pacific Fall Sprint, CW * Run for the Bacon QRP Contest * UBA ON Contest, SSB * WAB HF Phone *October 25, 2016* * 10-10 Int. 10-10 Day Sprint *October 29, 2016* * New York QSO Party * TARA PSK Rumble Contest *October 30, 2016* * GTC CW Cup * UBA ON Contest, CW *October 31, 2016* * 10-10 Int. Fall Contest, CW * New Hampshire QSO Party * Texas QSO Party * FISTS Fall Slow Speed Sprint * JARTS WW RTTY Contest * Oceania DX Contest, CW * Oceania DX Contest, Phone * 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 ? 2016 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved www.arrl.org From bmarx at bellsouth.net Thu Oct 20 11:49:53 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2016 11:49:53 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Silver Springs Hamfest - Ocala December 3rd Message-ID: 7:30 to 2:00 Florida National Guard Armory 900 SW 20th St, Ocala Fl For tables:\k4qso.us/hamfest From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Oct 21 08:07:49 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (William Marx) Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2016 08:07:49 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Florida State Convention/Melbourne Hamfest This Friday & Saturday References: <46933E19-A220-4AAD-BCEF-7FEECB2B2266@mcrsys.com> Message-ID: Florida State Convention/Melbourne Hamfest This Friday & Saturday >> >> A reminder that this is the weekend the Convention was rescheduled to. >> The hours are Friday: 1 PM - 7PM and Saturday: 9AM - 3PM. For more >> information, visit http://pcars.org/hamfest/2016/index.htm >> >> 73, >> Doug >> K4AC >> >> -------------------------------------------------------------------- >> ARRL Southeastern Division >> Director: Doug Rehman, K4AC >> From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Oct 21 16:39:54 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2016 16:39:54 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The ARRL Letter for October 20, 2016 In-Reply-To: <20161020215047.04F6C212A7F2@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20161020215047.04F6C212A7F2@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: Preview If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2016-10-20 The ARRL Letter October 20, 2016 Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME ARRL Home Page /ARRL Letter/ Archive Audio News Ad * Regulatory Issues Top ARRL Executive Committee Agenda <#toc01> * Bidding Kicks off on October 21 in Annual ARRL On-Line Auction <#toc02> * MARS-Amateur Radio Interoperability Exercise to Test "Very Bad Day" Scenario <#toc03> * IARU Region 2 Emergency Communications Workshop Covers Wide Range of Topics <#toc04> * The Doctor Will See You Now! <#toc05> * National Parks on the Air Update <#toc06> * IARU Honors Past ARRL President Rod Stafford, W6ROD <#toc07> * Complete Sweepstakes Records Now Available, /Operating Guide/ Updated <#toc08> * Time to File Your JOTA Station Report <#toc09> * ARES/RACES Featured at Joint Tribal Emergency Management Conference <#toc10> * Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, HS1A, SK <#toc11> * Getting It Right! <#toc12> * In Brief... <#toc13> * The K7RA Solar Update <#toc14> * Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc15> * Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions <#toc16> Regulatory Issues Top ARRL Executive Committee Agenda FCC and regulatory matters will fill the lion's share of the agenda when the ARRL Executive Committee (EC) meets on October 22 in Chicago. Topping the list of action items is a review of enforcement strategies -- a follow-on to discussions during the July 2015 meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors. This would include "ongoing consideration of revised plans and strategies for improved Amateur Radio enforcement, and actions to implement these." It also would address revisions to the ARRL Official Observer program. The EC also will review the status of -- and comments filed on -- the ARRL /Petition for Rule Making/ (RM 11759 ) to the FCC, seeking changes in the 80- and 75-meter RTTY/data and phone/image subbands and to restore 80-meter privileges for certain license classes, among other changes in those bands. The /Petition/ was filed in January. In addition, the Committee will discuss comments filed in response to its request to the FCC to delete restrictions on symbol rates for data communication and the establishment of a 2.8 kHz maximum occupied bandwidth for data emissions below 29.7 MHz. The FCC's April 2016 /Report and Order, Order, and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking /(/R&O/NPRM/ ) in ET Docket 15-99 also will be up for discussion. The FCC has yet to approve operational rules for the 2200- and 630-meter bands and finalizing the allocation of the 2200-meter band. The /R&O/NPRM /raised several questions regarding how Amateur Radio might coexist with PLC systems used to control the power grid. The Committee also will hear updates on various regulatory items affecting Amateur Radio. Some of the FCC proceedings date back 3 years or more. In legislative matters, among other issues, the EC will hear a report on the status of H.R. 1301 -- the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 -- with a focus on strategies to gain approval for the proposed legislation in the US Senate during the so-called "lame duck" session of Congress following the elections in November. Read more . Bidding Kicks off on October 21 in Annual ARRL On-Line Auction Bidding in the 11th annual ARRL On-Line Auction begins on October 21 at 1400 UTC, and the auction will continue through October 27. During the past week, prospective participants have been able to view the nearly 300 items up for bid. Those planning to take part must register. Participants in past ARRL On-Line Auction events may use their previous log-in information. Items on the block this year include /QST/ "Product Review" gear -- already ARRL Lab-tested -- vintage books and publications, previously owned gear, one-of-a-kind finds, "Last Man Standing" TV series (starring Tim Allen, KK6OTD) items, and five of the ever-popular "mystery boxes" from the ARRL Lab team. Some of the premier items up for bid from the /QST/ "Product Review" inventory include the Icom IC-7851 HF+6 meter transceiver, the Elecraft K3S HF+6 meter transceiver, the Yaesu FTM-400DR 144/430 MHz transceiver, and the Ameritron ALS-1306 HF+6 meter 1,200 W solid-state amplifier. *This Collins S Line is among the items on the block at the 2016 ARRL On-Line Auction.* Among the book offerings are /Radio Stations of the World/, a special 1942 defense edition of /The Radio Amateur's Handbook/ -- as well as many other vintage /Handbook/ editions, plus /In Marconi's Footsteps -- Early Radio/, and /Maver's Wireless Telegraph: Theory and Practice/. Proceeds from the yearly On-Line Auction benefit ARRL education initiatives. The auction site only accepts Visa and MasterCard. /Each auction item has its own closing time. /Read more . MARS-Amateur Radio Interoperability Exercise to Test "Very Bad Day" Scenario >From October 30 through November 1, members of the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) will conduct a quarterly US Department of Defense (DOD) Contingency Communications Exercise (COMMEX). The quarterly exercise will offer training on the ability to provide communications following a "very bad day" scenario, when traditional forms of communications will likely be unavailable, Army MARS Program Manager Paul English, WD8DBY, said. The exercise will involve interoperability between MARS and Amateur Radio participants and is open to all members of the amateur community. "While the simultaneous loss of all communications nationwide is not likely, we are assuming there has been a massive nationwide outage, for training purposes," English said. "One objective of the exercise is to continue the partnership with the Amateur Radio community to help provide information about local conditions." Information gathered will be forwarded to the DOD to provide a better picture of what is happening around the country, he said. "During this exercise, we will use 60 meters, local VHF and UHF repeaters, and HF NVIS [near-vertical incidence skywave] Amateur Radio bands," English explained. "Our goal is to have a conversation about the local conditions in and around your county. During the conversation, our operators will be asking basic questions, such as the status of commercial power, public water systems, and road conditions. These will be person-to-person conversations; you don't need to use any digital modes or know any special messaging formats." To kick off this exercise, MARS is encouraging the Amateur Radio community to monitor 5,330.5 kHz from 0300-0400 UTC on October 31, when MARS will conduct high-power voice broadcasts, alternating between military stations on the East Coast and West Coast. MARS wants Amateur Radio operators to submit reception reports. For the remainder of the exercise, MARS personnel will be calling for Amateur Radio operators on the five 60-meter channels as well as on established Amateur Radio nets on HF and on VHF/UHF repeaters. Contact MARS with questions about this exercise. Registration for the October 25 webinar, "Overview of Army and Air Force MARS," remains open. IARU Region 2 Emergency Communications Workshop Covers Wide Range of Topics The second IARU Region 2 (IARU-R2 ) Emergency Communications Workshop on October 11 focused on international issues facing Amateur Radio in emergencies and disasters. ARRL and IARU Region 2 sponsored the workshop, held in Vi?a del Mar, Chile, in conjunction with the IARU Region 2 General Assembly . ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager and IARU Area B Emergency Coordinator Mike Corey, KI1U, and IARU Region 2 Emergency Coordinator Dr. Cesar Pio Santos, HR2P, co-chaired the event. Presentation topics reiterated and expanded upon themes discussed at the first Region 2 Emergency Communications Workshop, held in Mexico in 2013, and raised some new issues. Attendees came from the US and a dozen other countries, some outside Region 2. *Andre Hansen, K6AH, presents on the use of **AREDN* *during disasters* Workshop speakers represented national societies and organizations with an international scope, including the Federaci?n Mexicana de Radioexperimentadores (FMRE ), the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN ), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU ), the Radio Club de Chile (RCC ), Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN ), and the Radio Club Venezolano (RCV ). Topics covered the use of /Winlink/ , SATERN support for Salvation Army disaster response, the role of ITU, developing operator and communication skills, AREDN mesh networking technology for disaster response, and emergency communication response in Venezuela. Among the workshop's conclusions: * There continues to be a need for greater public education on the value of Amateur Radio. Specific ideas discussed included availability of print material and a social media presence for IARU Region 2 emergency activities. * Events such as the Nepal and Ecuador earthquakes and the Philippines typhoon demonstrated the need for cached Amateur Radio equipment that can be deployed to support emergency communication activities. * The availability of platforms such as Google /Hangout/, /Skype/, and similar virtual meeting programs make it possible to connect those in IARU Region 2 involved with Amateur Radio emergency communications. *IARU Region 2 Area D Director Marco Gudiel, TG9AGD, asks a question during the **ITU* *presentation.* * Exercises such as /Cascadia Rising/ and /Pacific Endeavor/ and events such as the Nepal and Ecuador earthquakes and Hurricane Matthew demonstrate the unique ability of radio amateurs to work together across political boundaries. * Traditional modes of Amateur Radio communication, such as voice and CW, are vital to the ability to provide emergency communication in IARU Region 2. The development of operator skills through on-air activity and continued training...and wide use of new technologies and improved health-and-welfare messaging are encouraged. * Work should continue on the /IARU Emergency Telecommunications Guide/ ,//ensuring that it is relevant and useful to radio amateurs through regular updates and improvements. IARU Region 2 Emergency Coordinators will explore the possibility of an online emergency communication resource library, available to IARU Region 2 member societies and Amateur Radio emergency communication participants. Direct comments and questions to Mike Corey, KI1U (English) or to Dr. Cesar Pio Santos, HR2P (Espa?ol). Read more . Ad The Doctor Will See You Now! "HF Mobile Antennas" is the topic of the latest (October 20) episode of the "ARRL The Doctor is In " podcast. Listen...and learn! Sponsored by DX Engineering , "ARRL The Doctor is In" is an informative discussion of all things technical. Listen on your computer, tablet, or smartphone -- whenever and wherever you like! Every 2 weeks, your host, /QST/ Editor in Chief Steve Ford, WB8IMY, and the Doctor himself, Joel Hallas, W1ZR, will discuss a broad range of technical topics. You can also e-mail your questions to doctor at arrl.org , and the Doctor may answer them in a future podcast. Enjoy "ARRL The Doctor is In" on Apple iTunes , or by using your iPhone or iPad podcast app (just search for "ARRL The Doctor is In"). You can also listen online at Blubrry , or at Stitcher (free registration required, or browse the site as a guest) and through the free Stitcher app for iOS, Kindle, or Android devices. If you've never listened to a podcast before, download our beginner's guide . National Parks on the Air Update On October 19, the log from the 14,000th National Parks on the Air (NPOTA ) activation was uploaded to LoTW. It also put the ARRL program just shy of 750,000 contacts made from NPS units in 2016. With a little more than 2 months to go, the NPOTA community is abuzz with the possibility of breaking the 1 million QSO mark. NPOTA is the biggest operating event on the amateur bands this year. Tens of thousands of participants worldwide have gotten involved in NPOTA, learning a lot about the National Park Service and the country and history it preserves. There's still time to join in on the fun! Twenty-four activations are on tap for October 20-26, including the first-ever activation of Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site in Pennsylvania, and Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico. Details about these and other upcoming activations can be found on the NPOTA Activations calendar. Keep up with the latest NPOTA news on Facebook . Follow NPOTA on Twitter (@ARRL_NPOTA). IARU Honors Past ARRL President Rod Stafford, W6ROD The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU ) has honored past ARRL President and outgoing IARU Secretary Rod Stafford, W6ROD (ex-KB6ZV), with the Michael Owen, VK3KI, Memorial Award. Presenting the award plaque on the opening day of the IARU Region 2 General Assembly in Vi?a del Mar, Chile, was IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA. The award's namesake served asIARU Region 3 chair and as President of the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA ). Although Stafford is stepping down as IARU Secretary, he will continue to represent the IARU to the ITU Development Sector. *Outgoing IARU Secretary Rod Stafford, W6ROD, receives the Michael J. Owen, VK3KI, Memorial Award plaque from IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA.* The Owen Award is bestowed upon an individual with "an outstanding trajectory of service to Amateur Radio," IARU Region 2 said, in announcing Stafford as the award's recipient. Stafford's service to organized Amateur Radio began as ARRL Santa Clara Valley Section Manager from 1983 until 1986, when he took office as ARRL Pacific Division Director. He served in that post until 1990, when he became an ARRL Vice President. In 1992, the ARRL Board elected him to be First Vice President, and in 1995, he succeeded George Wilson, W4OYI (SK), as the 12th ARRL President, after Wilson suffered a stroke. He was ARRL President until 2000. Stafford served in several IARU Region 2 capacities and has been IARU Secretary since 2009. The ARRL Board has appointed former ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, to succeed Stafford as IARU Secretary, a post he has held previously. Complete Sweepstakes Records Now Available, /Operating Guide/ Updated Complete sets of ARRL November Sweepstakes (SS) records for both modes are now available, thanks to the efforts of Trey Garlough, N5KO, and SS Manager Larry Hammel, K5OT. Records are sortable by category, ARRL Division, and ARRL Section. A complete list of winners by category -- extending back to the first Sweepstakes in 1930 -- also is provided. For statistics fans, the number of logs submitted each year and a cross-reference of call signs are also available. "This is some nice work!" said ARRL Contest Branch Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ. "Is there a record in your location or favorite category that might be within reach this year?" The SS CW event takes place over the first full weekend in November -- this year, November 5-7. The SS phone takes place over the third full weekend in November -- this year, November 19-21. Sweepstakes begins at 2100 UTC on Saturday and continues through 0259 UTC on Monday. In addition, Hammel has updated the /Operating Guide/ package that explains how to participate in Sweepstakes, including all rules and examples of log formatting, The /Operating Guide/ is available for download . Jahnke said clubs or public service teams thinking about giving Sweepstakes a try this fall will find the guide a useful information source. A new system for submitting club eligibility lists has been under test and is available online . The deadline to submit an eligibility list is now the start of each contest -- November 5 at 2100 UTC, in the case of the CW Sweepstakes. Direct questions to ARRL Contest Branch Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ. Read more . Ad Time to File Your JOTA Station Report Now that Jamboree On The Air (JOTA ) 2016 is history, the Boy Scouts are urging participants to file a JOTA Station Report in order to determine how things went. *ARRL Member Bob Greenberg, W2CYK -- the creator of RFinder -- demonstrates Amateur Radio to Webelos Scouts during JOTA 2016 from the Scout Camporee at Sears Bellows County Park on Long Island, New York. A few minutes after this picture was taken, several of the boys enjoyed a radio contact with Scouts at V55JOTA in Namibia. [L.B. Schaefer, photo]* "It's your perfect opportunity to share your stories, photos, and some numbers," JOTA Coordinator Jim Wilson, K5ND, said. "The reports I've seen so far show some good turnout, particularly from Cub Scouts. We feel this is due to the new requirement for the Arrow of Light Award that asks Scouts to participate in JOTA-JOTI [Jamboree On The Internet]. This is also no doubt responsible for the big increase in JOTI registrations in the US, from roughly 100 last year to what looks like close to 500 this year." Reports are due by November 1. Every station that files a report will be entered into a drawing for an Icom ID-51A Plus dual-band handheld transceiver and will receive a 2016 Jamboree On The Air certificate. Only Boy Scouts of America stations are eligible. "Worldwide we had 11,534 register for the event," Wilson said, adding that a rough estimate indicated 800 US registrations and nearly 300 of those indicating Amateur Radio call signs. If that number holds, he said, it would indicate a dip in JOTA participation from 2015, when 346 turned out. "Some of that [in 2015] could have been due to the complexity of the registration system," he allowed. "I assure you that the reporting system now is much simpler. Wilson said the US JOTA 2016 Report should be out in early December. Read more . ARES/RACES Featured at Joint Tribal Emergency Management Conference For the third year in a row, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service and the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (ARES/RACES) were a featured component of the largest gathering of tribal disaster preparedness, recovery, hazard mitigation, and homeland security professionals in the US. The annual conference, held in mid-September, was organized by the National Tribal Emergency Management Council and hosted by the Tachi-Yokut Tribe at their Santa Rosa Rancheria in Lemoore, California. Radio amateurs were prominent among the conference presenters. Two ARRL San Joaquin Valley (SJV) Section groups, Fresno ARES/RACES and Tulare County ARES, pooled resources and set up special event station N8V, with multiple operating positions, on the lawn adjacent to the conference hotel. "Many conference attendees stopped by to view the display," SJV Section Emergency Coordinator Hal Clover, AD9HC, recounted. "Radiograms home were offered with several being sent via operators at the event." Throughout the week, many tribe members visited the special event station, picked up ARRL literature, and discussed building a stronger Amateur Radio presence within their tribes -- both as a way to support their emergency and disaster preparedness and to bring their communities together. NTEMC Chairman Richard Broncheau, KG7NRJ, welcomed attendees on opening day, September 21, and NTEMC Executive Director Lynda Zambrano, KE7RWG, provided a NTEMC "Year in Review." Later in the day, Adam Geisler, KJ6YHN, of the La Jolla Band of Luise?o Indians, was a panelist at an open forum, "FirstNet Unscripted," about the First Responder Network Authority. Breakout sessions on September 21 and 22 included a presentation on the National Tribal Amateur Radio Association by Nathan Nixon, N7NAN, Public Safety Programs Director with the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona; "FirstNet 's Second Steps: Real world applications for tribal emergency response," with Geisler and Rita Mooney, KG5JAT, Texas Department of Public Safety among the panelists; "Introduction to CAMEO ," a free suite of applications for planning and responding to chemical emergencies, with Elisa Roper, KM4BUG, Tribal Liaison with FEMA Region IV, and Al Finkelstein; and "Administration for Children and Family Services -- IDCM," with Wendi Ellis, KK6WQO, Regional Emergency Management Specialist in FEMA Region IX, and Stephen Miller as presenters. Nixon co-hosted a presentation, "Join us for our First Tribal Coast to Coast Exercise." Simulated emergency messages for an earthquake scenario were sent via Amateur Radio from the conference special event station to FEMA Region II in New York. Another breakout session, "A Conversation: Increasing Tribal Human Services Preparedness," was hosted by Suzanne Everson, KI7EGE, Regional Emergency Management Specialist, Administration for Children and Families. Read more . /-- Thanks to Steve Aberle, WA7PTM, Washington Assistant State RACES Officer (Tribal Liaison) via the /ARRL ARES E-Letter Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, HS1A, SK Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), HS1A, died on October 13, after a long period of declining health. Born in Massachusetts while his physician father was at Harvard University, the king, whose name translates as "strength of the land, incomparable power," was 88. Noted DXer Fred Laun, K3ZO/HS?ZAR, said the king was never very active on the air, and mostly operated using a handheld on 2-meter FM. The king also enjoyed photography and jazz, and played the saxophone. The king was the patron of the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST), the country's IARU member society. According to RAST, the king was "presented the call sign HS1A by the Ministry of Communications" in a 1989 ceremony. He was the world's longest-reigning monarch. /-- Thanks to /The Daily DX/and other media outlets/ Getting It Right! The first sentence of the article "Current Rules Holding Hams Back from Adopting State-of-the-Art Technology, ARRL Says," in the October 13, 2016, edition of /The ARRL Letter/, should have said: "In comments filed on October 12 with the FCC, ARRL reiterated its case that the FCC should change the Part 97 rules both to delete the symbol rate limits in Section 97.307(f) and replace them with a maximum bandwidth for data emissions of 2.8 kHz on amateur frequencies below 29.7 MHz." We apologize for the error. Ad In Brief... *Ambarish Nag "Raju" Biswas, VU2JFA.* *Report **/-- /Radio Amateurs in India Monitoring "Highly Suspicious" VHF Communications:* Authorities in India have asked radio amateurs along the Bengal-Bangladesh border to monitor strange VHF radio transmissions that one of them has called "highly suspicious." According to an article in the /Hindustan Times/, the signals were being heard in the dead of night, with participants said to be in motion and speaking in some sort of code. "After we wrote a letter highlighting the strange signals to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, we were called in for a meeting by officials of the international monitoring station in Kolkata on September 22," recounted Ambarish Nag "Raju" Biswas, VU2JFA, the secretary of the West Bengal Amateur Radio Club , in the report. The newspaper account said that when the Bengal hams attempted to contact the suspicious stations, the operators briefly quit transmitting. "We were asked to continue the monitoring," the report quoted Biswas as saying. "It is a cause for concern for us all, since the location is close to the Bangladesh border, and the callers were taking in codes and words with Bangladeshi pronunciation." The operators, who were speaking in Bengali and Urdu, also used numerical codes, according to the report. *ARRL Members with AOL **Accounts Report Problems Receiving ARRL E-Mailings:* Since late September, ARRL has experienced intermittent problems delivering bulk e-mail products, such as /The ARRL Letter/ and Section Updates, to member subscribers with AOL e-mail addresses. The problem is that AOL is not accepting all messages ARRL is sending; some make it through to the subscriber, and some do not. The League has open trouble tickets with AOL regarding this issue, but has not yet received any substantive responses. As a result, there is no estimated time frame to resolve this problem. Delivery to all other major Internet Service Providers continues to operate normally. If you have an AOL.com e-mail address and have been affected by this, ARRL suggests that you set up a /new/ e-mail account with another provider and change the e-mail address in your member profile to the new account (click on "Edit your Profile" on the ARRL home page, after logging in). This problem is /not/ specific to ARRL, as many other organizations are reporting the same problems with their AOL subscribers. *Antenna Fire Puts SAQ Alexanderson Alternator Station Off the Air*: An early October fire in the SAQ Alexanderson alternator long-wave antenna is under investigation by the Grimeton World Heritage Foundation, which owns and manages the station in Grimeton, Sweden. The fire, attributed to arcing, was quickly extinguished, and no injuries occurred. The Foundation said that determining the extent of damage and completing repairs could take a while. "There is a risk that the incident will affect the planned transmissions with the long-wave transmitter SAQ for some time to come," a Foundation announcement said. The fire will keep SAQ off the air for a scheduled UN Day transmission on October 24. SAQ, which operates on 17.2 kHz, also typically schedules transmissions on Christmas Eve and other occasions. Built in the 1920s, the Alexanderson alternator -- essentially an ac generator run at extremely high speed -- can put out 200 kW but typically is operated at less than one-half that power level. Once providing reliable transatlantic communication, it is now a museum piece and only put on the air on special occasions. The K7RA Solar Update Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Over the past week, October 13-19 average daily sunspot numbers declined from 55 to 31, while average daily solar flux dropped from 101.9 to 83.4, compared to the 7 days previous. The planetary A index increased from 6.6 to 19.1, and the average mid-latitude A index jumped from 5 to 14. Compared to the previous reporting period, this is just the opposite of what happened 2 weeks ago, when A indices decreased, but solar flux and sunspot numbers rose. The October 19 prediction for solar flux shows these values: 78 on October 20-21; 80, 78, and 75 on October 22-24; 80 on October 25-26; 75 on October 27-29; 80 on October 30; 85 on October 31-November 5; 90 on November 6-8; 85 on October 9-11; 80 on November 12-14; 75 on November 15-19; 70 on November 20-22; 75 on November 23-25, and 80 on November 26. Predicted planetary A index is 5 on October 20-21; 20 on October 22-23; 36, 44, 38, and 20 on October 24-27; 15 on October 28-30; 25 on October 31; 12 on November 1; 5 on November 2-5; 8 on November 6; 5 on November 7-10; 10, 24, 26, 12, and 8 on November 11-15; 5 on November 16-17; 12 and 22 on November 18-19; 35 on November 20-22; 20 on November 23; 15 on November 24-26; 25 on November 27; 12 on November 28, and 5 for November 29 and beyond. Here is an article about a nearby star that seems to exhibit sunspot activity. Sunspot numbers for October 13 through 19 were 41, 38, 35, 25, 23, 24, and 31, with a mean of 31. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 95.3, 92.8, 84.9, 80.9, 76.2, 77.4, and 76.5, with a mean of 83.4. Estimated planetary A indices were 43, 24, 11, 18, 20, 11, and 7, with a mean of 19.1. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 30, 20, 8, 13, 12, 10, and 5, with a mean of 14. This weekly Solar Update in /The ARRL Letter/ is a preview of the Propagation Bulletin issued each Friday. The latest bulletin and an archive of past propagation bulletins is on the ARRL website. Send me your reports and observations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ . . . . . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Just Ahead in Radiosport * October 22-23 -- *ARRL EME Contest* (CW, phone, digital) * October 22-23 -- UK/EI DX Contest (SSB) * October 22-23 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge (CW) * October 26 -- SKCC Sprint (CW) * October 26 -- UKEICC 80 Meter Contest (CW) * October 27 -- RSGB 80 Meter Club Sprint (SSB) * October 29-30 -- CQ World Wide DX Contest (SSB) See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. For in-depth reporting on Amateur Radio contesting, subscribe to /The ARRL Contest Update/ via your ARRL member profile e-mail preferences. Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions * October 21-22 -- Arizona State Convention , Maricopa, Arizona * October 21-22 -- Florida State Convention , Melbourne, Florida * October 22 -- Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference , Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin * November 5 -- TechFest Convention , Lakewood, Colorado * November 5-6 -- Georgia State Convention , Lawrenceville, Georgia * November 12-13 -- Indiana State Convention , Fort Wayne, Indiana * November 19 -- Alabama State Convention , Montgomery, Alabama * December 9-10 -- West Central Florida Section Convention , Plant City, Florida * January 8 -- New York City/Long Island Section Convention , Bethpage, New York * January 14 -- TechFest 2017 Convention , Lawrenceville, Georgia * January 20-21 -- North Texas Section Convention , Forest Hill, Texas * January 21 -- Georgia ARES Convention , Forsyth, Georgia * January 22-28 -- QuartzFest Convention , Quartzsite, Arizona * January 27-28 -- Mississippi State Convention , Jackson, Mississippi * January 27-29 -- 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 and Instagram ! 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 ? 2016 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved www.arrl.org From bmarx at bellsouth.net Mon Oct 24 19:17:29 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2016 19:17:29 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Chance of Magnetic Storms This Week In-Reply-To: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085dd71faae82a.20161024230845@mail89.atl91.mcsv.net> References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085dd71faae82a.20161024230845@mail89.atl91.mcsv.net> Message-ID: <352fff78-eade-5c0a-41db-07f4aef56122@bellsouth.net> *Space Weather News for Oct. 25, 2016* http://spaceweather.com https://www.facebook.com/spaceweatherdotcom *CHANCE OF MAGNETIC STORMS:* A large coronal hole is turning toward Earth, and it is spewing a stream of high-speed solar wind into space. NOAA forecasters expect the stream to reach our planet on Oct. 25-26 with a 35% chance of geomagnetic storms when it arrives. Storm levels could reach category G2, which means the glow of auroras might be visible not only around the Arctic Circle but also in northern-tier US states such as Minnesota and Michigan. Visit Spaceweather.com for more information. From bmarx at bellsouth.net Tue Oct 25 13:39:26 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2016 13:39:26 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] STRONG GEOMAGNETIC STORM: Message-ID: <67459130-cc70-748a-017b-1141870043da@bellsouth.net> http://spaceweather.com https://www.facebook.com/spaceweatherdotcom *STRONG GEOMAGNETIC STORM:* A strong "G3-class" geomagnetic storm is underway on Oct. 25th as Earth enters a fast-moving stream of solar wind. The arrival of the solar wind stream was predicted, but the intensity of the resulting storm is greater than forecast. Tonight, Northern Lights around the Arctic Circle should be bright, and the glow could descend to northern-tier US states as well. Visit Spaceweather.com for more information. From bmarx at bellsouth.net Tue Oct 25 14:50:33 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2016 14:50:33 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Ham Radio Guide Message-ID: <87999730-d526-0763-1307-c72eb1f03636@bellsouth.net> From QRZ: http://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/hamradioguide-net-continues-to-grow.542108/ For informational purposes: the web site www.Hamradioguide.net has achieved a significant degree of completeness. It has comprehensive review and update of all equipment for amateur radio users with prices and features. Since its opening on 1 January, it has now reached about 80% of contents. The graph visually shows the degree of completeness http://www.hamradioguide.net/hamradioprogress.html For example: - 94 HF and V/UHF Amplifiers (Solid State and Tubes) ? 30 manufacturers - 520 HF Beam Antennas ? 31 manufacturers - 400 V/UHF Beam Antennas ? 17 manufacturers - 192 Power Supply (Switching and linear) ? 17 manufacturers - ?etc. Please feel free to report any wrong and/or incomplete information. Note that this is a non-profit site and we hope it can be useful to all amateur radio users. Happy surfing?, ?73 Team HamRadioGuide From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Oct 28 08:20:31 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2016 08:20:31 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Operators Needed! Mini Field Day and Opportunity to Promote Amateur Radio In-Reply-To: <027901d230a3$d3e1d180$7ba57480$@bellsouth.net> References: <027901d230a3$d3e1d180$7ba57480$@bellsouth.net> Message-ID: Hello Everyone, We are in need of operators who can attend the 2016 Florida Safety Fest event on November 5, 2016 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Sportsplex in Coral Springs. We will have a vendor booth with a ham radio setup, thanks to Jeff Stahl, K4BH. We will be operating both HF as well as the UHF/VHF local repeaters. Our booth will have a nice banner, thanks to Robin Terrill, N4HHP who worked with Rick Cordary at EDCO Awards & Specialties. We are looking for hams to come out and operate as well as to take names of those who would like to get their license. Those who give us their information will then be notified of the upcoming technician classes in the area. We also have information provided to us by the ARRL to distribute to those who visit our booth. This event is expected to draw a large crowd. The 2016 Florida Safety Fest is a festival centered around public safety, health and wellness. There will be lots to do for the whole family. Feel free to bring them so that they can have some fun while you operate. We have live fire and safety demonstrations, police and K9 demonstrations, lots of fire and police apparatus, food vendors, health/wellness/safety exhibits, live music and more. For the kids we have fire themed bounce houses, costumed characters, a real fire pit where the kids (and big kids too) can learn to use a fire extinguisher, a duck pond, where, for a buck you win a prize, hands-on kids activities, car seat installations and checks, free fire hats while supplies last, other giveaways and lots more. There is free parking and free admission to the event. Detailed information, directions and photos of past events can be seen on their website at www.FloridaSafetyFest.org . All hams are welcome to stop by at any time, however, if you are willing to commit to a time to operate, *_please email me at CSjursen at bellsouth.net with your full name, call sign, cell phone number and the time you would like to operate_*. We want to make sure the radios are covered at all times during the day. I will acknowledge your email as soon as I receive it. *_Jeff could use some help setting up_* before the event opens so let me know if you are willing to assist with that as well. We will be putting up a 10 x 10, table, chairs, banner, equipment, marketing/promotional materials as well as signup sheets for those wishing to become licensed. Thanks again for your support providing communications ?when all else fails.? Carol Sjursen, KJ4AWB Broward County ARES Emergency Coordinator Broward County Acting RACES Officer 954-803-6338 (Mobile) 888-491-7613 (eFax) www.BrowardARESRACES.org From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Oct 28 11:11:33 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2016 11:11:33 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] NPOTA Standing MFDXA VP 1st in FL and 95th Nationwide In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: From Tony N2MFT: MFDXA Vice President Steve KS4WA is extremely active chasing NPOTA stations. Steve is currently tied with 5 other hams at position 95 with 400 NPOTA contacts nationwide. He is #1 in Florida leading the second place station NU4C by 25 contacts. Total possible NPOTA contacts is 490. * Who is chasing the NPOTA in the South Florida DX Association? Numbers?** * From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sun Oct 30 15:57:14 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2016 15:57:14 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] A Message from Jeff In-Reply-To: <20161030164857.4849D207BAE2@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20161030164857.4849D207BAE2@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: Greetings to all, For the most part, we were very fortunate in the wake of the arrival of Hurricane Matthew. However, this was a ?wake up? call for our ARES units around the Section. My thanks to you all for responding where needed in your communities. As after action reports come in, we will take this opportunity to determine where we can do better for the next deployment. If you like hamfests, then November is your month in the SFL Section. Please support the clubs sponsoring these events by your attendance and participation. November events in the SFL Section 11/05/2016 | Link McGarity WV4I Memorial Free Flea Location: West Palm Beach, FL Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: Palms West Amateur Radio Club Website: http://www.palmswestradio.org 11/4-6/2016 Stuart Air Show Members of the Martin County ARA will be operating special event station N4A at the annual Stuart Air Show at Witham Field on November 4-6, 2016. Right across the street from the fairgrounds where the club will hold their hamfest in March 2017. For more info, pse visit http://www.mcaraweb.com/ 11/5/2016 2016 Florida Safety Fest Members of Broward County ARES/RACES will participate at the 2016 Florida Safety Fest event on November 5, 2016 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Sportsplex in Coral Springs. They will have a vendor booth with an operating amateur radio station. They will be operating both HF as well as the UHF/VHF local repeaters. For more info, contact Broward EC Carol, KJ4AWB at CSjursen at bellsouth.net 11/12/2016 | Flamingo Net / UMARC Free Flea Location: Coral Gables, FL Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: Flamingo Net ARC & University of Miami ARC Website: http://flamingonet.8m.net 11/19/2016 | Cy Harris W4MAQ Memorial Free Flea Location: Oakland Park, FL Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: Broward Amateur Radio Club Website: http://browardarc.net 11/26/2016 | Okeechobee Hamfest in the Woods Location: Okeechobee, FL Type: ARRL Hamfest Sponsor: Okeechobee Amateur Radio Club Website: http://www.k4oke.com Considering the date change, the ARRL Florida State Convention at Melbourne last month was well attended on both Friday and Saturday. The sponsoring club, the Platinum Coast ARS, did a great job putting on the show and they might consider keeping the later October date in the future. At the ARRL Forum, I presented the 50 year ARRL Club affiliation award to Platinum Coast ARS President Chuck Green, AD4ES. Congratulations ! On the October 15th weekend, the annual Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), a nationwide campout and training activity of the Boy Scouts was held. Our Section Youth team was on hand participating with the JOTA group at the Tanah Keeta scout camp in southern Martin County. A very successful ARISS contact was held at the HL Watkins Middle School in Palm Beach Gardens on October 17th. The school partnered with members of the Jupiter Lighthouse Radio Group and the South Florida Science Center assisted by SFL ARISS mentors Ryan, W4NTR and Steve, W1HQL. Another ARISS contact is scheduled for Palm Beach County during the week of November 7th in Boca Raton. Former ARRL DXCC and Awards Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, SK Former ARRL DXCC and Awards Manager Bill Moore, NC1L (ex-KA1MRR, KB1UN), of Newington, Connecticut, died on October 6. He was 64. Moore was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident in July 2014 that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He was never able to return to work at ARRL Headquarters and retired in 2015. An ARRL member, Moore had worked at League Headquarters for 23 years, starting in 1992. A Brooklyn, New York, native, Moore was a Vietnam Era veteran of the US Army. A brief service will be held on Wednesday, October 12, at 12:30 PM, at the Duksa Funeral Home in Newington. Visitation will be from 10 AM until 12:30 PM. Ecuador Radio Club Recognizes ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager, Ham Aid ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, was recognized by the Guayaquil Radio Club (GRC) of Ecuador for coordinating the work of the ARRL and of several other radio amateurs to provide Ham Aid equipment to Ecuador this past spring, following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in April. ?It was quite a surprise and honor,? said Corey, who was quick to share the credit. ?The recognition really goes to the team that made it all happen ? here at ARRL Headquarters, Ken Bailey, K1FUG; Sean Kutzko, KX9X, and Tom Gallagher, NY2RF ? In South Florida Jeff Beals, WA4AW, and Kenny Hollenbeck, KD4ZFW ? and most of all, Gunter Chanange, HC2CG, and the members of the Guayaquil Radio Club, who did the real work.? Presenting the award during the IARU Region 2 General Assembly in Chile was GRC President Lorenzo Lertora, HC2BP, who is also Ecuador?s deputy defense minister. Lertora said the equipment provided through Ham Aid allowed Ecuadorian Amateur Radio volunteers to help a Venezuelan Air Force plane carrying search-and-rescue personnel and equipment to land safely at an airport that had lost all power and communication. Some 400 pounds of Ham Aid Amateur Radio equipment valued at more than $7500 was shipped from ARRL Headquarters to Ecuador in early May to support relief and recovery efforts under way in the wake of the major earthquake that struck the South American nation on April 16. The disaster had destroyed or compromised electrical power and commercial telecommunication systems and rendered many roads rendered impassable due to earthquake rubble. Rule Making Petition to FCC Calls for Vanity Call Sign Rule Changes The FCC is inviting comments on a Petition for Rule Making (RM-11775) from a Nevada radio amateur that seeks changes to the rules governing the Amateur Radio Vanity Call Sign Program. Christopher LaRue, W4ADL, of North Las Vegas, is proposing that any licensee obtaining a vanity call sign be required to keep it for the full license term. LaRue contends in his petition that excessive and frequent vanity call sign filings are hampering the ability of other qualified licensees to obtain vanity call signs in one of the more desirable 1 ? 2 or 2 ? 1 formats. LaRue said that since the FCC dropped the fee to file for a vanity call sign, some applicants are taking advantage by regularly obtaining new call signs, thereby keeping them out of circulation. ?Some are changing call signs almost monthly, just to keep the newer code-free Extra class operators from obtaining a shorter call sign,? he said in his petition. ?I even saw an older operator that said he does it all the time and has not even owned a radio in over 6 years. When I looked him up, he has had 16 different [call signs] in 18 months.? LaRue said his proposed minor rule change would require any licensee applying for and obtaining an Amateur Radio vanity call sign ?be required to keep it for the duration of the license, which is currently 10 years.? He said this would ?alleviate a lot of the stress on the ULS system and manpower requirements? at the FCC. ?It will also keep inactive amateurs from changing call signs regularly, thereby tying up call signs for 2 years after dismissal of said call.? Interested parties may comment using the FCC Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). Comments are due within 30 days of the October 26 posting date. September SEC Report from Larry, W4LWZ Total number of ARES members: 227 Change since last month (+, -, same): +2 Number of DECs/ECs reporting this month: 5 Number of ARES nets active: 5 Number of nets with NTS liaison: 2 Calls of DECs/ECs reporting: KK4ATI, K1UQE, WW4RX, WA4ASJ, KK4AXV Number of drills, tests and training sessions this month: 16 Person hours: 88.5 Number of public service events this month: 3 Person hours: 113 Number of emergency operations this month: 0 Person Hours: 0 Total number of ARES operations this month: 19 Total Person hours: 201.5 Comments: Monthly EC reports were a bit scarce this month due to the activations for hurricane Matthew. Silent Keys- It is with deep regret that we report the passing of the following SFL members: Robert H. ?Hank? Phillips, AA4HP of Titusville. Hank was an ARRL Life Member and a member of the Platinum Coast ARS and FL East Coast DX Club. Well, I guess that???s about it for now. Hope you and your family have a pleasant Thanksgiving. 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 Sun Oct 30 15:59:44 2016 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2016 15:59:44 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] National Geographic - A Guide to Ham Radio In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: From Tony, N2MFT http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/mars/articles/a-guide-to-ham-radio/