From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sun Oct 4 14:27:19 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2020 14:27:19 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Novice Rig Roundup is Tomorrow! References: <60E5593A-52EE-46E7-91C5-BD7AF59BC9C8@gmail.com> Message-ID: <5E0222BD-3E3B-4F75-B654-6FEEF87B20F4@bellsouth.net> > ?NOVICE RIG "NIGHT" IS TOMORROW! (And EVERY Monday) > > When: TOMORROW, Monday, October 5, in the US, from sunup on the east coast, to midnight on the west coast. > > Where: Suggested 7100-7125 Kc, 3550-3600Kc, or about any amateur frequency on 80, 40, 15, and 10 meters you care to arrange, or find someone. > > No logs to turn in. Of course, we?d all be interested to read your NRN reports on facebook and Yahoo. > > CQ NRN, and remember to ?tune around? on MONDAYS to catch the rock-bound answers to your call. Use of the sked page, http://n8fq.org/sked/index.php?board=nrru, is highly encouraged for those that are inclined. Others may choose to announce operations, or make skeds via the Yahoo Group, or the NRR Facebook group. > > I hope to work you TOMORROW! > > N3PDT From bmarx at bellsouth.net Mon Oct 5 12:32:44 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2020 12:32:44 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] The True Blue DXers Club References: <61e65e2e-db37-747d-6b1a-3d16a73eff6a.ref@bellsouth.net> Message-ID: <61e65e2e-db37-747d-6b1a-3d16a73eff6a@bellsouth.net> _The True Blue DXers Club_ Promoting the future of the hobby through CW and SSB...for those that may be interested... Bill W2CQ https://www.tbdxc.net/ From bmarx at bellsouth.net Mon Oct 5 12:40:35 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2020 12:40:35 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] [SFDXA] Hamcation canceled In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <6fe8dd32-d078-cd35-743a-a721f8d0cc2e@bellsouth.net> Orlando... On 10/5/2020 12:20 PM, The Romagni's wrote: > As the world?s second largest hamfest, we pride ourselves on delivering a > high-quality event to our attendees and would not want to put on a show > that is anything less than what the ham radio community deserves. After > much deliberation, the difficult decision to postpone the 75th HamCation > was made. It is with heavy hearts that we must make this decision. We had > wished to see all of you next year in person, but the situation we face > globally has made this challenging. Instead, HamCation will be moved to > February 11-13, 2022. We are looking to host some unique webinars and a QSO > Party for 2021. More information will be posted on our website soon. > > For those who have already purchased tickets and spaces, we will be in > contact with you shortly and will reach out to you directly. You will have > the option to use your ticket for HamCation 2022, receive a refund or > donate the funds to the Orlando Amateur Radio Club. > > You can read ARRL and HamCation's joint statement here > . > We thank all of you for your patience and understanding during these times > and are excited to see you all again in 2022. > > 73, > HamCation > ______________________________________________________________ > South Florida DX Assoc. "SINCE 1974" > SFDXA WebSite: http://www.SFDXA.com > SFDXA Repeater 147.33+ 103.5 Tone > To Post: mailto:SFDXA at mailman.qth.net > To UNSUBSCRIBE/EDIT: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sfdxa > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net From bmarx at bellsouth.net Mon Oct 5 15:57:03 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2020 15:57:03 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] ARRL National Convention and Orlando Hamcation(R) Postponed to February 2022 References: Message-ID: <451697E2-3770-441A-A83B-B13D268B37DA@bellsouth.net> > ARRL National Convention and Orlando Hamcation? Postponed to February 2022 > > 10/05/2020 > ARRL and the Orlando Amateur Radio Club (OARC) have announced that the ARRL National Convention and Orlando HamCation? ? which was to host the convention ? have been postponed until February 10 ? 13, 2022. The convention had been set for next February. > > ?The joint decision came after considering the national public health emergency including the health and safety of all participants, the uncertainty that continues to impact our organizations, and the reluctance to travel to, and attend, large events,? said ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA. ?We regret the disruption to the hard work already completed by so many volunteers preparing for the ARRL National Convention and HamCation.? > > ?While postponing was a difficult decision, our top priority is delivering a safe and successful HamCation experience for everyone, including our attendees, dedicated volunteers, exhibitors, and service partners,? said HamCation General Chairman Michael Cauley, W4MCA. > > OARC President John Knott, N4JTK, noted that holding the convention in 2022 will mark the 75th anniversary of HamCation ? one of the largest annually held gatherings of radio amateurs in the US. The published gate figure for 2020 was 24,200 for all 3 days. > > ?We want our diamond anniversary show to be an exciting, five-star event,? said Knott. ?We look forward to seeing you in Orlando in 2022, and hope that you and your loved ones remain safe in the months to come.? > > A full day of National Convention programming and training sessions was previously scheduled to precede HamCation. That will be rescheduled for Thursday, February 10, 2022. HamCation will host the rest of the convention on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 11 ?13, 2022 at the Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park in Orlando ? an 87-acre lakefront fairgrounds. > > Cauley said HamCation may organize some online presentations and programs for what would have been HamCation 2021 next February. A QSO party is also under consideration. The HamCation website will soon post details, including information for anyone seeking refunds and other options for pre-purchased tickets and exhibit space. Follow HamCation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. > > Further details and any changes will be shared via these official websites: > > 2022 ARRL National Convention > Orlando HamCation > > http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-national-convention-and-orlando-hamcation-postponed-to-february-2022 From bmarx at bellsouth.net Thu Oct 8 12:44:22 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2020 12:44:22 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] ARLB028 FCC Orders Amateur Access to 3.5 GHz Band to "Sunset" In-Reply-To: <20201008162104.525CE2084BEB@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20201008162104.525CE2084BEB@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: SB QST @ ARL $ARLB028 ARLB028 FCC Orders Amateur Access to 3.5 GHz Band to "Sunset" ZCZC AG28 QST de W1AW ARRL Bulletin 28 ARLB028 > From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT October 8, 2020 To all radio amateurs SB QST ARL ARLB028 ARLB028 FCC Orders Amateur Access to 3.5 GHz Band to "Sunset" Despite vigorous and continuing opposition from ARRL and others, the FCC has ordered the "sunsetting" of the 3.3 - 3.5-GHz amateur radio secondary spectrum allocation. The decision allows current amateur activity on the band to continue, "grandfathering" the amateur operations subject to a later decision. The FCC proposed two deadlines for amateur operations to cease on the band. The first would apply to the 3.4 - 3.5 GHz segment, the second to 3.3 - 3.4 GHz. The FCC will establish the dates once it reviews additional comments. "We adopt our proposal from the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to remove the amateur allocation from the 3.3 - 3.5 GHz band," the FCC said in its R&O. "[W]e adopt changes to our rules today that provide for the sunset of the secondary amateur allocation in the band, but allow continued use of the band for amateur operations, pending resolution of the issues raised in the Further Notice." The Report and Order (R&O) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in WT Docket No. 19-348 adopted on September 30 followed a 2019 FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in which the FCC proposed re-allocating 3.45 - 3.55 GHz for "flexible-use service" and auctioning the desirable "mid-band" spectrum (generally defined as between 1 GHz and 6 GHz) to 5G providers. These and other recent spectrum-repurposing actions stem from the MOBILE NOW Act, enacted in 2018, in which Congress directed the Commission to make additional spectrum available to auction for mobile and fixed wireless broadband. The FCC action is consistent with worldwide allocations adopted by the ITU for these frequencies. The Report and Order can be found online in PDF format at, https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1002214202488/FCC-20-138A1.pdf . In the run-up to the Commission's decision, ARRL met with the FCC's professional staff to explain its concerns and to answer questions. Subsequently, ARRL met with the wireless advisors to the FCC Chairman and two Commissioners. In those meetings, ARRL reiterated that continued secondary status for amateurs will not impair or devalue use of this spectrum by the primary licensees intending to provide 5G or other service. ARRL noted amateur radio's long history of successful coexistence with primary users of the 9 cm band, sharing this spectrum with the federal government users and secondary, non-federal occupants. ARRL pointed out that vital links in amateur television and amateur radio high-speed mesh networks using the band have been especially valuable during such emergency situations as the wildfires currently raging on the west coast. Deleting the amateur secondary allocation will result in lost opportunities for experimentation and public service with no public interest benefit to make up for that. ARRL argued that deleting the secondary allocation would waste the scarce spectrum resource, particularly in areas where commercial services often do not construct full facilities due to small populations. The FCC action means that amateur radio will lose access to the 3.5-GHz secondary allocation even where commercial operations do not exist. ARRL told the Commission that it should not intentionally allow this spectrum to be vacant and unused, wasting the public resource, when amateurs can use some portion of it in many geographic areas with no detriment to any other licensee, just as it has in the past. ARRL argues that amateur operations should be permitted until and unless an actual potential for interference exists. Deletion of the 3.3 - 3.5 GHz secondary amateur allocation will become effective on the effective date of the FCC's order, but amateur radio operation as of that date may continue while the FCC finalizes rules to license spectrum in the 3.45 - 3.55 GHz band and establishes deadlines for amateur operations to cease. The FCC proposed allowing amateur operation in the 3.3 - 3.4 GHz portion of the band to continue "pending further decisions about the future of this portion of the spectrum," the timing for which is unknown. The Commission proposed to mandate that operations cease in the 3.4 - 3.5 GHz portion when commercial licensing commences for the new 3.45 - 3.55 GHz "5G" band, which is predicted to begin in the first half of 2022. "[W]e seek comment on whether it is in the public interest to sunset amateur use in the 3.3 - 3.55 GHz band in two separate phases, e.g., first above 3.4 GHz, which is the focus of [the R&O] and later in that portion of the band below 3.4 GHz," the FCC said. ARRL expressed gratitude to the many members and organizations that joined ARRL in challenging the FCC throughout this nearly year-long proceeding. They included multiple radio clubs, weak signal enthusiasts, moonbounce participants, and the Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN), the Amateur Television Network (ATN), AMSAT, and Open Research Institute (ORI). ARRL will continue its efforts to preserve secondary amateur radio access to 3.3 - 3.5 GHz. Members are invited to share comments by visiting http://www.arrl.org/3-GHz-Band . "We recognize that any loss of our privileges will most directly impact radio amateurs who use the frequencies to operate and innovate," said ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR. "Such instances only embolden ARRL's role to protect and advocate for the Amateur Radio Service and Amateur Satellite Service. There will be continued threats to our spectrum. So I urge all amateurs, now more than ever, to strengthen our hold by being ceaseless in our public service, experimenting, and discovery throughout the radio spectrum." NNNN /EX From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Oct 16 11:05:29 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2020 11:05:29 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Jamboree on the Air Takes Place this Weekend References: <9d956599-ba0f-a7ff-968e-27bad75b3d5b.ref@bellsouth.net> Message-ID: <9d956599-ba0f-a7ff-968e-27bad75b3d5b@bellsouth.net> Scouting?s Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) and concurrent Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) will be held Friday, October 16, through Sunday, October 18. A new US *JOTA-JOTI website* ?has details. Participants can register as individuals or as a group on the *World JOTA-JOTI website* . The page includes a directory of all who have already registered. ?We would love to receive pictures and videos of you and your Scouts participating in the events this coming weekend,? said JOTA Coordinator Jim Wilson, K5ND. ?Please be sure your group is following local guidelines regarding social gatherings in your pictures.? Photos may be posted on the *International BSA* ?Facebook page. Participants are asked to complete the *feedback form* ?after JOTA. *Best practices and information* ?on preparing an event report are on the K2BSA web page. From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sat Oct 17 11:03:18 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2020 11:03:18 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] FCC Fee Opposition - now is the time! In-Reply-To: <20201017145118.416F020DB250@bmail.arrl.org> References: <20201017145118.416F020DB250@bmail.arrl.org> Message-ID: *The amateur radio fee proposal has been published in the Federal Register.* https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/10/15/2020-21530/schedule-of-application-fees */ /**/Now that it is published, it is time to comment on the FCC website:/* https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/filings?proceedings_name=20-270 AND, if you wish, reference the Federal Register, and send your comments to your elected representatives and the President. * **THERE ARE FEWER THAN 30 DAYS TO COMMENT. PLEASE DO THIS NOW!** * The Priority is getting comments filed with the FCC. ARRL Washington Counsel David Siddall, K3ZJ, has suggested the following arguments Arguments Against FCC Fees for Radio Amateurs 1. Amateurs contribute to the public good. In many areas they provide an emergency communications backbone capability at no taxpayer cost. Consistently we have witnessed storms and natural disasters completely wipe out internet, cellular, and other means of communication. Radio amateurs often fill that void on an unmatched, flexible basis when needed. One recent example is the California wildfires. 2. Unlike operators in other FCC licensed services, Amateur Radio operators by law ? domestic and international -- must eschew using their license for any pecuniary interest. Amateurs are prohibited from earning or charging any money for any communications activity. The expenses for their equipment and activities come out of their own pockets, with no opportunity for reimbursement or payment of any kind. 3. The United States is experiencing a severe lack of RF engineers and expertise at the very time it is needed by the burgeoning wireless industries. Amateur radio is helping to meet the deficit, but much more is needed and youngsters (High School and College-aged) are least able to afford licensing fees. RF knowledge and related digital expertise is needed to maintain U.S. leadership in wireless industries. At a minimum, young people (below the age of 26) should be exempt from the proposed license fees. 4. Amateur radio is self-regulating. (a) Amateur examinations are written and administered by radio amateur volunteers. (b) Examination results and paperwork most often are submitted electronically to the FCC. Electronic submission could be required if there would be a cost savings to the Commission. (c) Amateur radio educational classes are conducted by volunteers who by-and-large do not charge fees or tuition for teaching. (d) The amateur service, in cooperation with the FCC?s Enforcement Bureau, has a volunteer corp that monitors the amateur airwaves and has programs that try to prevent their misuse before FCC involvement might be needed. The amateurs also observe non-amateur signals both within amateur spectrum and outside it, and report unusual or suspicious signals. 5. Amateur radio continues to be a source of significant technological innovation that should be encouraged, not discouraged. Some Suggestions I do not recommend arguing that the $50. fee every 10 years, which amounts to $5.00 a year, will ?kill? amateur radio, even though as proposed this is for each covered application, which includes upgrade applications. Tech-General-Extra could be $150. if exams taken at different sessions, a substantial amount. But it ?rings? the wrong way to say the whole service turns on $5./year for each licensee. If that?s all it would take ?. The Commission argues that the charges are required by the statute. The word used is ?shall?, which is mandatory, not optional. But the statute does not set the amount, nor does it prohibit reasonable exceptions ? evidenced by the Commission?s proposal to exempt from fees administrative update applications based on policy grounds. This is not ?aimed at amateur radio to kill it.? There is a long history and precedent on charging fees for the licensing service involved, just as there is for passports, green cards, drivers licenses (issued by states), etc. Better to make pertinent arguments on why the fees would impair the public benefits of the amateur radio service than argue that the whole service might die as a result of a fee that, in fact, is less than the fee many of us paid in the 1960?s and 1970?s, including myself as a struggling high school and college student (if adjusted for inflation). For background: this proceeding is being handled by staff unfamiliar with amateur radio. It is being handled in the FCC?s Office of Managing Director (OMD), not in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau where the amateur-specific Part 97 matters are handled. The focus of OMD is accounting ? budgets and the like for the entire Commission. The fee proposals cover every FCC license and service across the board and the consideration was directed by Congress. I recommend keeping ?ham jargon? out of comments, it won?t be understood by the intended recipients.? 73, -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL Southeastern Division Director: Mickey V Baker, N4MB n4mb at arrl.org http://p1k.arrl.org/oo/1e9281ade51dd580c53ad10ce17dcfb9 From bmarx at bellsouth.net Mon Oct 19 08:07:17 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2020 08:07:17 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Novice Rig Night Is Tomorrow! In-Reply-To: <6A77F6BA-A89F-4CD2-9F4B-85B3DCA5A78A@gmail.com> References: <6A77F6BA-A89F-4CD2-9F4B-85B3DCA5A78A@gmail.com> Message-ID: <80dfd42f-f4dc-e466-c8cf-b28ebd4598b7@bellsouth.net> NOVICE RIG "NIGHT" IS TOMORROW! (And EVERY Monday) When: TOMORROW, Monday, October 19, in the US, from sunup on the east coast, to midnight on the west coast. Where: Suggested 7100-7125 Kc, 3550-3600Kc, or about any amateur frequency on 80, 40, 15, and 10 meters you care to arrange, or find someone. No logs to turn in. Of course, we?d all be interested to read your NRN reports on facebook and Yahoo. CQ NRN, and remember to ?tune around? on MONDAYS to catch the rock-bound answers to your call. Use of the sked page, http://n8fq.org/sked/index.php?board=nrru, is highly encouraged for those that are inclined. Others may choose to announce operations, or make skeds via the Yahoo Group, or the NRR Facebook group. I hope to work you TOMORROW! N3PDT NRR #9 From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sat Oct 24 20:59:43 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2020 20:59:43 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] For Sale: AMERITRON Amplifier AL-1500 Like New! References: <82C0041A-7119-4A7B-B0C5-D376F3B76F2B.ref@bellsouth.net> Message-ID: <82C0041A-7119-4A7B-B0C5-D376F3B76F2B@bellsouth.net> > ?FS AMERITRON AL-1500 Like New > > I have an AL-1500 Like New with embroidered cover for half price. This amp was purchased for $6000 by a friend who passed away about a month after delivery and I'm selling it for $3000. It's been fully tested and ready for a new home. This AL1500 is capable of very high power output and just loafs at 1500W with just 50W input. Very quiet and very easy to tune. > > I'm in Sunrise FL you can call me anytime 954 298 2666 Chris VE3NGW > >