[South Florida DX Association] The ARRL Letter, Vol 24, No 47

[Bill Marx]

***************
> The ARRL Letter
> Vol. 24, No. 47
> December 2, 2005
> ***************
>
> IN THIS EDITION:
>
> * +ARRL and FCC continue sparring over BPL database
> * +LA repeater loses automatic control privileges
> * +Spacewalks "an absolute delight," ISS commander says
> * +Holiday Toy Drive donation deadline draws nigh
> * +Dayton Hamvention hoping to please visitors in 2006
> * +Al Oubre, K5DPG, SK
> * +"Go Army!" ISS commander exhorts during casual QSO with Naval Academy
> *  Solar Update
> *  IN BRIEF:
>      This weekend on the radio: Get on the air for the ARRL 160-Meter
> Contest!
>      ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
>     +Ed Marriner, W6XM, SK
>      December 2005 QST Error
>
> +Available on ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/>
>
> ===========================================================
> ==>Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!):
> letter-dlvy at arrl.org
> ==>Editorial questions or comments: Rick Lindquist, N1RL, n1rl at arrl.org
> ===========================================================
>
> ==>ARRL, FCC CONTINUE BPL INTERFERENCE RESOLUTION DATABASE DEBATE
>
> The acting chief of the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) is
> standing foursquare behind the recently opened Broadband over Power Line
> (BPL) Interference Resolution Web site <http://www.bpldatabase.org/>. The
> deadline for BPL operators to populate the database, provided by the
United
> Power Line Council (UPLC) and the United Telecom Council (UTC), was
November
> 19. In October, the ARRL took strong exception to limitations UTC, the
> site's administrator, has imposed on the number of allowable licensee
> searches and to the use of ZIP codes as the only search key. Acting OET
> Chief Bruce Franca defended the BPL database November 22.
>
> "Your concern, limiting access to the database, does not constitute a
> violation of the rules," said Franca, citing verse and chapter of Part 15
to
> back up his assertion. Franca said §15.615(d) "clearly states" that the
> database is intended to identify possible sources of harmful interference
> thought to emanate from a BPL system. "Permitting individuals who are
using
> a licensed service that operates on the same frequencies as are used by a
> BPL system to query for pertinent information in the geographic area of
that
> interference fully fulfills this function," he concluded.
>
> A note on the BPL database site cautions that users are "allowed to search
a
> limited number of times each month." It further advises users not to
conduct
> random database searches, lest their access to the database be further
> restricted. In his initial complaint, ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ,
> characterized the notice as an attempt to "ration access" to the site.
>
> Franca also defended the use of ZIP codes as the only means to query the
> database, saying they are easily understood and identifiable and will
> provide the information the rules require on BPL systems deployed within a
> ZIP code. Sumner had argued earlier that requiring users to enter a ZIP
code
> before gaining access to the database was "clearly contrary" to the
> requirement that the database be available to the public.
>
> Responding November 30, Sumner gamely took another stab at getting the
> League's point across. Part 15 is unambiguous that the information in the
> database must be publicly accessible approximately 30 days before a BPL
> system begins operation, he said. Using a ZIP code to gain entry, Sumner
> continued, "renders the advance notification requirement meaningless to
the
> public" unless someone were to regularly visit the Web site and repeatedly
> enter a particular ZIP code. But since that practice "is specifically
> discouraged by the UTC's notice," Sumner pointed out, it's impossible for
> the public to know about a BPL startup in advance, something the BPL
Report
> and Order seems to require.
>
> As a result, Sumner said, the benefit of a prior notification requirement,
> while limited as an interference-prevention measure, is lost to BPL
> operators as well as to licensed radio services that may suffer harmful
> interference that could have been avoided.
>
> Sumner said the UTC-administered database "provides less than was
promised"
> in the FCC's October 2004 Report and Order. "For advance notification to
be
> meaningful, the public must know when additions and changes to the
database
> occur," he contended. "That is functionally impossible if the 'publicly
> accessible' database is actually maintained behind an opaque curtain and
is
> only revealed one ZIP code at a time."
>
> One workaround, Sumner suggested, would be to require UTC to make publicly
> available a list of ZIP codes and the date of the most recent data entry
for
> each. "This also would make it clear when a specific BPL system serves
more
> than one ZIP code area, information that is required by §15.615(a)(3) but
> that is not available to the public at present except by individual query
of
> each ZIP code."
>
> Sumner said Franca failed to respond to his point regarding the error
> message that appears when a database user enters a ZIP code where no BPL
> system apparently has been deployed. At that point, users are asked to
> provide "written details" about the nature of the interference and the
> user's licensed operations as well as location--"complete address and
> coordinates"--operating frequencies, whether mobile or fixed and a brief
> description of the interference.
>
> "Frankly, UTC has no authority to require the submission of such
information
> from an FCC licensee prior to sharing information that the public is
> entitled to as a matter of right," Sumner concluded--reiterating a point
> made in his initial correspondence. "If the database were appropriately
> accessible the question would never arise."
>
> On November 23, the League told the FCC that the Manassas, Virginia, BPL
> system was not in compliance with FCC Part 15 rules because its operator
> failed to provide full information to the public BPL database by the
> November 19 deadline and the system should be shut down. The letter came
> barely six weeks after the ARRL called on the FCC to turn off the Manassas
> BPL system because of unresolved interference complaints to Amateur Radio.
>
> Since the League's letter, a search under ZIP code 20110 indicates the
> Manassas system has provided a contact name, address, telephone number and
> e-mail address. Its entry still lacks details about the equipment in use,
> however.
>
> ==>FCC LIFTS AUTOMATIC CONTROL PRIVILEGES OF BUSY LA-AREA REPEATER
>
> The call sign and owner have changed again, but the FCC alleges that
> problems persist on the Los Angeles area's 147.435 MHz repeater, now
> operated by Jeffrey Stieglitz, AE6NZ, of Torrance. The FCC Los Angeles
> District Office recently informed Stieglitz that it was suspending
automatic
> control privileges for the repeater. That means the licensee or a
designated
> control operator must be at the repeater's control point whenever the
> machine is operational.
>
> "Your amateur station AE6NZ is under review by the Enforcement Bureau for
> numerous and continued apparent violations of the Commissions rules," FCC
LA
> Office District Director Catherine Deaton wrote Stieglitz November 18. The
> Commission alleges inadequate station control, deliberate interference,
> failure of users to identify and use by unlicensed operators.
>
> Stieglitz told ARRL he encourages users of the busy repeater to comply
with
> Part 97 rules and to make a reasonable effort to identify unlicensed
> operators. "I believe that the 147.435 repeater attracts people to the
hobby
> and, overall, is consistent with the purposes of Amateur Radio," he said.
>
> "Sometimes the talk on the repeater may resemble that of a boys locker
> room," Stieglitz conceded, "but I think we more than make up for it with
> charitable activities and technical sophistication."
>
> Deaton says if AE6NZ is operated under automatic control prior to
> notification from her office, enforcement action up to and including a
> license revocation and suspension hearing, a fine or both could follow.
>
> Deaton also asked Stieglitz to submit in advance the names and contact
> numbers of other licensees who serve as control operators. "During any
times
> that no control operator is available, the repeater must be shut down,"
> Deaton stated.
>
> The odd-split 147.435 MHz repeater (the primary input is 146.400 MHz) has
> been a lightning rod for controversy. In 2001, the FCC terminated the
> automatic control privileges of the then-W6NUT repeater while it was
> reviewing its operation. Since then the repeater has changed hands a few
> times, and enforcement issues seem to have followed. Stieglitz believes
> "heat from the FCC" was behind the frequent ownership changes.
>
> "As the Jack Gerritsen case shows, there is very little the FCC can
actually
> do against a determined bootlegger," Stieglitz said. Gerritsen is set to
> appear in federal court next week. "In my opinion, shutting down a
repeater
> because a third party breaks the rules just penalizes the honest
operators."
>
>
> FCC Enforcement Bureau Special Counsel Riley Hollingsworth had another
> perspective: "The repeater has been out of control long enough, and we
have
> been too patient too long," he told ARRL.
>
> ==>SPACEWALKS "THRILLING," ASTRONAUT TELLS STUDENTS DURING HAM RADIO CHAT
>
> International Space Station Expedition 12 Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR,
> told students gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, November 22, that taking a
> spacewalk is a thrilling experience. Speaking the following day with
middle
> schoolers in upstate New York, McArthur described space exploration as the
> new frontier. Both contacts were arranged by the Amateur Radio on the
> International Space Station (ARISS) program. During the Geneva
contact--part
> of the "Science on Stage" program for European science teachers--McArthur
> rhapsodized about the spacewalk experience.
>
> "It's an absolute delight, it's thrilling to be outside, it's being truly
in
> a totally alien environment," McArthur said, "and you realize the only
thing
> between you and vacuum is the small little spaceship that you call your
> spacesuit. And it is truly the most thrilling thing I've ever done."
>
> Responding to a question involving human physiology in space, McArthur
said
> it's theorized that bone tissue is replaced more slowly in space because
it
> does not get stressed in microgravity.
>
> "On Earth, when you walk, when you run, every time your foot strikes the
> ground there is stress on your skeletal system, and this aids in bone
> development," McArthur said. He told another student that getting used to
> weightlessness was the biggest adjustment for ISS crew members. He noted
> that he and crewmate Valery Tokarev will have spent some 182 days in space
> by the time they return to Earth next April. In the meantime, much of the
> research conducted aboard the ISS will help determine how well human
beings
> will be able to handle long-term space travel beyond Earth orbit, McArthur
> said.
>
> Some 300 science teachers from 25 countries gathered at the European
Nuclear
> Research Center (CERN) in Geneva for the conference. Eighteen students
from
> Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Norway and Portugal took part in the
space
> QSO.
>
> NN1SS at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland served as the Earth
station
> for the CERN event. MCI donated a two-way teleconferencing link between
> NN1SS in Maryland and the ISS. Gaston Bertels, ON4WF, was the ARISS-Europe
> mentor.
>
> On November 23, youngsters at Central Park Middle School in Schenectady,
New
> York--a NASA Explorer School--focused most of their questions on
spaceflight
> training, preparation and safety. McArthur told the youngsters that it was
> hard to get into the space program.
>
> "It was very difficult because there simply are so few astronauts--there
are
> only slightly more than 100 astronauts in the US space program, and each
> time we ask for new volunteers, we get thousands of applications from
very,
> very qualified people," McArthur explained. "So, to be quite honest, not
> only do you have to have a good resume, you have to be very, very lucky."
>
> An astronaut for 15 years, McArthur said he trained four and a half years
> for his current mission onboard the ISS. The most challenging aspect of
his
> job is "to be patient," he said in reply to another question. "I've spent
> much, much more time training and on the ground than flying in orbit."
>
> McArthur said he believes the most important thing society can gain from
> missions like his is a continued belief in and commitment to space
> exploration. "Humans by their very nature want to go to the next
frontier,"
> he added, "and we think the next frontier is the one you see when you look
> straight up."
>
> W6SRJ at Santa Rosa Junior College in California served as the Earth
station
> for the Central Park contact, and MCI donated a teleconferencing link
> between W6SRJ and the school.
>
> ARISS <http://www.rac.ca/ariss> is an international educational outreach
> with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA.
>
> ==>2005 HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE ON A ROLL!
>
> Hams are finding even more ways to pitch in and boost the ARRL/The
Salvation
> Army 2005 Holiday Toy Drive <http://www.arrl.org/pio/#toy>. The League has
> partnered with The Salvation Army in an effort to bring some holiday cheer
> to children along the US Gulf Coast left homeless or displaced in the
> aftermath of this year's devastating hurricanes. Likewise, many individual
> radio amateurs and ham radio groups are partnering with others and even
> providing some incentives to spread the joy of giving.
>
> Chiropractor Dr Frank Vesci, W1NK, has offered free evaluations to any
> patients who bring a toy with them to their appointments. Joe Guvman,
> KB1DVG, has been encouraging customers with a special display at his
Meineke
> Muffler shop to bring in toys for the drive. The Hampden County Radio
> Association in Massachusetts has urged members to bring toys to the club's
> annual holiday party this week. The club already collected and shipped off
a
> batch of toys gathered during its yearly auction early this month. Many
> others around the country are similarly enthusiastic.
>
> Charles Kosman, WB2NQV, reports that the toy drive's public service
> announcement featuring country music star Patty Loveless, KD4WUJ, aired
all
> last week during the 5:30 PM time slot on KSWO-TV, which serves
southwestern
> Oklahoma and northern Texas. "That's between the early local news and ABC
> Network news," Kosman enthused. "I guess we got some prime time for it!"
>
> Between "testing" the many toys, ARRL Delta Division Vice Director Henry
> Leggette, WD4Q, and the crew of ham radio volunteers have otherwise been
> busy at the Memphis, Tennessee, warehouse where the toys are collecting
for
> delivery. Volunteer coordinator Joe Lowenthal, WA4OVO, concedes that the
> warehouse crew sometimes has to resist the temptation to play with the
toys.
> He says the crew has inventoried close to 2800 toys already, and more are
in
> the offing as the final weeks of the 2005 Holiday Toy Drive approach.
>
> "Things are definitely picking up," Lowenthal told ARRL this week, noting
> that some 500 toys arrived November 29 alone. While many of the
> toys--perhaps 1000 or more--are stuffed animals, he says there's quite a
> variety among the remaining donations, including a lot of athletic gear.
> "We've got soccer balls, we've got basketballs, we have footballs," he
> reports. And there's more. "We have a number of dolls, doll sets, jewelry,
> makeup kits, we have a number of crayons and coloring books, we even have
> some computer programs, quite a few puzzles and games," Lowenthal added.
One
> donor sent an educational toy that lets the youngster set up various
> electronic circuits. "He's probably hoping whoever gets it will become a
> ham," he said.
>
> There's still a big need for toys suitable for older children, Lowenthal
> said. He suggested that ARRL members write a check to help cover those
needs
> unless they have a specific donation in mind. One individual has donated a
> new bicycle. "That will probably be the biggest item," he said.
>
> Radio amateurs are invited to send new unwrapped toys for boys and girls
> aged 1 to 14 to: ARRL Toy Drive/The Salvation Army, 1775 Moriah Woods
> Blvd--Suite 12, Memphis, TN 38117-7125. Include a QSL card or a card
bearing
> your call sign.
>
> ARRL invites its members to send checks if they prefer, made out to "ARRL
> Toy Drive." Send these donations to: ARRL Toy Drive, 225 Main St,
Newington,
> CT 06111.
>
> At the warehouse, volunteers log in each contribution, then sort the toys
> and record the donors, if known. Lowenthal notes that in some shipments
QSL
> cards have not been attached to a particular toy. He advises donors to
tape
> cards to the gifts. Many hams have indicated, however, that they're less
> concerned about getting credit or even a "thank you" for their
contribution
> as long as they know the toys are going where they'll bring smiles.
>
> Lowenthal says the toys have been arriving via a number of carriers, but
he
> recommends FedEx, UPS or DHL for the most expeditious delivery, although
> shipments have been arriving via the US Postal Service as well.
>
> ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP--the League's
> point man for the drive, says the final two weeks are critical. "This is
> when we make or break it," he said. He encourages groups, clubs and
> individuals to send their toy packages by December 10.
>
> ==>DAYTON HAMVENTION® SAYS BETTER COMMUNICATION A KEY GOAL FOR 2006
>
> Well in advance of the 55th Dayton Hamvention next spring, event
organizers
> report they're implementing strategies to improve communication and
provide
> more and better information about the show. Part of the plan is a complete
> makeover of the Dayton Hamvention Web site <http://www.hamvention.org>,
> still a work in progress. Hamvention 2006 takes place May 19-21 at Hara
> Arena in Trotwood, Ohio. Dayton Hamvention volunteers this past spring
asked
> many vendors and visitors alike what they could do to improve the world's
> largest Amateur Radio gathering, and "better communication" was the most
> common response.
>
> "People told us what they wanted, and we are going to do our best to
> deliver," says Dayton Hamvention 2006 General Chairman Jim Nies, WX8F. "We
> have set several goals for this year, and one of the most important is to
> respond to requests more quickly than we did during the 2005 show." Nies
> took over the reins from Gary Des Combes, N8EMO, who headed up the 2004
and
> 2005 events and brought back an all-volunteer staff. The Dayton Amateur
> Radio Association (DARA) has sponsored Hamvention since the early 1950s.
>
> The goal of the 2006 Dayton Hamvention staff will be to at least
acknowledge
> all requests within 24 hours and, if possible, provide the information or
> assistance needed within the same time frame, Nies said. "I know that we
> won't be able to answer every question or deal with every problem
> immediately, but we will definitely make every effort to do it as soon as
> possible," he added.
>
> Hamvention organizers say that while feedback from those who attended the
> 2005 show generally was very positive, a number indicated that more
advance
> information would be helpful. For example, Hamvention will post
information
> on traffic patterns and access points on its Web site well in advance of
the
> 2006 show, said Assistant General Chairman Carl Rose, K8CPR, who served as
> security chair for Dayton Hamvention 2004 and 2005.
>
> "We tried some things with traffic flow and vendor access in 2005, and
some
> worked very well and others need improvement," Rose said. "We will use the
> feedback we received, particularly about vendor access, to see if we can
> make it quicker and easier to get into the arena for setup."
>
> Rose urged Dayton Hamvention visitors to check the Web site before leaving
> to see if there are any last minute changes due to construction or other
> unforeseen events. Hamvention also will continue golf cart shuttles and
> benches in the flea market for the convenience of attendees, Rose said.
>
> Some things won't change for the 55th Hamvention. Tickets prices will
remain
> the same as the 2005 show, and so will show hours. Dayton Hamvention 2006
is
> expected to draw some 25,000 visitors from all over the US and around the
> world. The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau has
> estimated Dayton Hamvention's annual economic impact at close to $4
million
> for Montgomery County and nearly $10 million regionally.
>
> ==>PAST ARRL DIRECTOR, VICE DIRECTOR, SECTION MANAGER AL OUBRE, K5DPG, SK
>
> Lionel A. "Al" Oubre, K5DPG, of New Iberia, Louisiana, died November 25,
> surrounded by his family. He was 64. An ARRL Life Member and Diamond Club
> member, Oubre served in the 1980s as ARRL Delta Division Vice Director and
> Director and from 1992 to 2000 as ARRL Louisiana Section Manager. ARRL
Delta
> Division Director Rick Roderick, K5UR, says he and Oubre were friends for
> many years.
>
> "He was always involved in and doing things for ham radio," Roderick said.
> "He left a strong record of helping make things better. I will miss him
> greatly."
>
> Louisiana SM Mickey Cox, K5MC, who succeeded Oubre as Section Manager,
> recounted that after stepping down as SM, Oubre continued to serve the
> section as an Assistant SM and was the Section's Webmaster. He also was an
> ARRL Official Relay Station.
>
> "In addition to being an active traffic handler on NTS and MARS nets, he
was
> a mentor for many of us over the years," said Cox. "He will be truly
> missed."
>
> In 1979, Oubre won a contested election for Delta Division Vice Director
and
> took office January 1, 1980. When the Board elected then-Director Max
> Arnold, W4WHN, to be a Vice President, Oubre moved up to the Director's
> position. He served on the Board for two years, but lost a bid for a new
> term. Subsequently re-elected as Delta Division Vice Director, he held
that
> position from 1984 until 1986.
>
> More recently, Oubre was very active in the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency
> Communications online courses, mentoring more than 225 students since
2002.
> In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Oubre filled in for several weeks
as
> Louisiana Section Emergency Coordinator.
>
> A US Air Force veteran, Oubre was a member of the Disabled American
> Veterans, the American Legion and the Civil Air Patrol. Oubre held
> bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Southwestern
> Louisiana (now University of Louisiana-Lafayette), and he worked as a
> dispatcher for the New Iberia Police Department.
>
> Oubre was a member of the A-1 Operator Club and the Acadiana Amateur Radio
> Association (AARA).
>
> Survivors include his wife, Carolyn, KA5IJU, sons Michael, KC5HXL, and
> Eugene, W5DBR, and daughters Alice, N5SYD, and Theresa. A service was held
> November 28 in New Iberia.
>
> ==>ISS COMMANDER CHEERS FOR ARMY IN CONTACT WITH NAVAL ACADEMY'S W3ADO
>
> During a brief 2-meter contact November 26 between the US Naval Academy's
> W3ADO and NA1SS, ISS Expedition 12 Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR,
cheered
> for an Army win in the traditional Army-Navy football game December 3.
>
> "Thanks very much for the contact, but I can't resist," said McArthur, a
US
> Army officer and veteran. "Go, Army. Beat Navy!"
>
> At W3ADO Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, said he and some midshipmen were getting
> ready for a pass of the Academy's PCSat2, which is attached to the ISS.
The
> Academy planned to use PCSat2 to track the Army-Navy game football run
from
> Annapolis to Philadelphia December 2. Bruninga took advantage of the quick
> contact to thank the ISS crew for installing and maintaining PCSat2 and
the
> MISSE5 experiment. McArthur responded, "Gosh, sure appreciate working with
> you guys. Good luck. Hope it's a great game on Saturday."
>
> "Bill caught us by surprise, as it is very rare for them to find time to
get
> on the radio," Bruninga said afterward. And at the very last possible
minute
> too--just as the ISS was passing east over the Atlantic, he added.
>
> Just before contacting W3ADO, he worked the Experimenters' Group Amateur
> Radio Club's N4ISS, operated by ARISS aficionado Al Lark, KD4SFF, in South
> Carolina.
>
> "After exchanging signal reports, I asked him what he ate for
Thanksgiving,"
> Lark recounted. McArthur replied: "Al, we had a good Thanksgiving, gosh .
.
> . turkey, corn, mashed potatoes, cranapple for dessert. We ate almost a
full
> day of rations in one meal."
>
> McArthur reportedly made some three dozen casual contacts during
> Thanksgiving week, most over North America with a few over Europe and New
> Zealand. The NA1SS worldwide downlink frequency is 145.800 MHz. There's
more
> information on the ARISS Web page <http://www.rac.ca/ariss>.
>
> ==>SOLAR UPDATE
>
> Sun watcher Tad "Who Let the Dogs Out!" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington,
> reports: Average daily sunspot numbers were down nearly 15 points to 33.7
> this week, and average daily solar flux declined nearly 13 points to 84.2.
>
> Currently sunspot and solar flux numbers are rising due to Sunspot 826,
> which is growing rapidly and moving toward the center of the solar disk,
> giving it maximum influence here on Earth. It also could be a source of
> flares, which would not be good for the ARRL 160 Meter CW Contest this
> weekend.
>
> Predicted solar flux for Friday through Monday, December 2-5, is 100, 105,
> 105 and 105. Predicted planetary A index for the same days is 15, 12, 8
and
> 5, although those numbers will be higher if Sunspot 826 becomes especially
> active.
>
> Sunspot numbers for November 17 through 23 were 62, 51, 52, 56, 45, 36 and
> 35, with a mean of 48.1. The 10.7 cm flux was 100.5, 101.1, 102, 96.4,
94.7,
> 92.6, and 89.7, with a mean of 96.7. Estimated planetary A indices were 3,
> 4, 10, 7, 3, 6 and 8, with a mean of 5.9. Estimated mid-latitude A indices
> were 1, 2, 6, 5, 2, 3 and 12, with a mean of 4.4.
>
> Sunspot numbers for November 24 through 30 were 30, 39, 30, 26, 27, 27 and
> 57, with a mean of 33.7. The 10.7 cm flux was 86.6, 79.9, 80.8, 80.7,
81.9,
> 84.7, and 94.7, with a mean of 84.2. Estimated planetary A indices were 9,
> 10, 5, 2, 9, 5 and 10 with a mean of 7.1. Estimated mid-latitude A indices
> were 6, 8, 3, 2, 6, 6 and 9, with a mean of 5.7.
>
> __________________________________
>
> ==>IN BRIEF:
>
> * This weekend on the radio: Get on the air for the ARRL 160-Meter Contest
> (CW), the ARCI Topband Sprint, the New Mexico QSO Party, the TARA RTTY
> Melee, the Wake-Up! QRP Sprint and the TOPS Activity Contest are the
weekend
> of December 3-4. JUST AHEAD: The ARS Spartan Sprint is December 6. The
> EU-PSK-QRP Contest is December 9. The ARRL 10-Meter Contest and the CQC
> Great Colorado Snowshoe Run are the weekend of December 10-11. The NA High
> Speed Meteor Scatter Winter Rally is December 10-18. The NAQCC 80-Meter
> Straight Key/Bug Sprint is December 14. The Russian 160-Meter Contest is
> December 16. See the ARRL Contest Branch page
> <http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar
> <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info.
>
> * ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration:
> Registration remains open through Sunday, December 4, for these ARRL
> Certification and Continuing Education (CCE) Program on-line courses:
> Emergency Communications Level 2 (EC-002), Emergency Communications Level
3
> (EC-003), Antenna Modeling (EC-004), VHF/UHF Beyond the Repeater (EC-008),
> and Propagation (EC-011), HF Digital Communications (EC-005) Classes begin
> Friday, December 16. To learn more, visit the CCE Course Listing page
> <http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> or contact the CCE Department
> <cce at arrl.org>.
>
> * Ed Marriner, W6XM, SK: Well-known Amateur Radio author Edmund H. "Ed"
> Marriner, W6XM (ex-W6BLZ), of San Luis Obispo, California, died November
20.
> He was 90. A prolific writer, he contributed to various Amateur Radio
> publications, including QST, CQ, Ham Radio and 73, from the 1950s until
the
> 1990s. Marriner edited the "Ham Notebook" column in Ham Radio for several
> years and authored dozens of construction project articles for CQ. He also
> wrote about linear amplifiers and the advent of SSB. Earlier this year,
> Marriner--an ARRL member--was inducted into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of
> Fame.
>
> * December 2005 QST Error: An error appears in the article "What's the
Deal
> About 'NVIS'?" by Dean Straw, N6BV (page 39 of the December 2005 issue of
> QST): Figures 1 and 9 depict the same graphic. The corrected article is
> available in PDF format on the ARRL Web site
> <http://www.arrl.org/files/qst-binaries/Straw1205.pdf>. This file is
nearly
> 10 MB in size, and a high-speed Internet connection is highly recommended.
> We regret any confusion this error may have caused QST readers.
>