[South Florida DX Association] Fw: The ARRL Letter, Vol 28, No 28 (Friday, July 17, 2009)

[K2EWB]

> The ARRL Letter
> Vol. 28, No. 28
> July 17, 2009
> ***************
>
> IN THIS EDITION:
>
> * + New Vice Directors Visit HQ in Advance of Board Meeting
> * + HR 2160 Gains More Support in Congress
> * + WRC-11 Is Now WRC-12
> * + Companion Bill to Senate Radio Spectrum Inventory Act Introduced in 
> House
> * + Space Shuttle Endeavour on Its Way to ISS with Hams on Board
> * + ARRL Membership Newsletters, Bulletins and Notifications
> * Solar Update
> * IN BRIEF:
> This Week on the Radio
> ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration
> + W1AW to Add New Digital Modes to Transmission Schedule
> + AMSAT to Mark First Lunar Landing
> Jim Mullin, W8KKK (SK)
>
> +Available on ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/>
>
> ===========================================================
> ==>Delivery problems: First see FAQ 
> <http://www.arrl.org/members-only/faq.html#nodelivery>, then e-mail 
> <letter-dlvy at arrl.org>
>
> ==>Editorial questions or comments only: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA 
> <k1sfa at arrl.org>
> ===========================================================
>
> ==> NEW VICE DIRECTORS VISIT HQ IN ADVANCE OF BOARD MEETING
>
> Just prior to the ARRL Board of Directors 2009 Second Meeting 
> <http://www.arrl.org/announce/board.html>, three newly appointed Vice 
> Directors made their way to Newington for a day of orientation. Pacific 
> Division Vice Director Jim Tiemstra, K6JAT, Southeastern Division Vice 
> Director Jeff Beals, WA4AW, and West Gulf Division Vice Director John 
> Thomason, WB5SYT, came to learn the "ins and outs" of the ARRL Board and 
> ARRL Headquarters operation. The 2009 Second Meeting is scheduled for July 
> 17-18 in Windsor, Connecticut.
>
> According to ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, "The new 
> Board members came to Newington to learn not only how the Board functions, 
> but to see what each department does and how it interacts with and serves 
> both Amateur Radio and ARRL members, through our five pillars: Public 
> Service, Advocacy, Education, Technology and Membership. I am pleased they 
> came to see how we support Amateur Radio each and every day here at ARRL 
> HQ."
>
> One of the highlights of the group's visit to Headquarters was a tour of 
> the Membership and Volunteer Programs Department. Dave Patton, NN1N, 
> explained the function of the department and its staff. "We showed them 
> how we support Amateur Radio and our members through our Field 
> Organization, Ham Aid Program, emergency communications support, operating 
> events and awards," Patton said.
>
> Beals, the former Southern Florida Assistant Section Manager, was 
> appointed Vice Director upon the death of then-Vice Director Sandy 
> Donahue, W4RU <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/06/04/10865/?nc=1>. 
> "I haven't been to Headquarters in about 15 years -- I'm just amazed at 
> how much things have changed," he said. "It never ceases to amaze me how 
> much we give our members for their membership dollars. What's available to 
> them, the services, the functions we perform for the members, it's just 
> incredible. I think if more hams out there could see what we do here, we'd 
> double our membership in about 5 minutes."
>
> Thomason, the former Oklahoma Section Manager, was appointed Vice Director 
> <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/01/24/10586/?nc=1> when 
> then-Director Coy Day, N5OK, resigned and David Woolweaver, K5RAV, moved 
> up to Director from Vice Director 
> <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/01/20/10574/?nc=1>. "It's been 
> quite a day -- it's been long, but it's been good," he said. "We have had 
> the good fortune to see so many wonderful League staffers and to get 
> together to help plan for the future. Departments here at Headquarters 
> were able to share some of the things they have done on behalf of our 
> members. It has definitely been a good day and it will only get better."
>
> Tiemstra, the former Section Emergency Coordinator in the East Bay 
> Section, was appointed to his position in June after then-Vice Director 
> Andy Oppel, N6AJO, submitted his resignation 
> <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/06/16/10889/?nc=1>. "When we got to 
> Headquarters, we found that we had a full day planned," he said. "We saw 
> all aspects of the Headquarters operation and it is quite an impressive 
> operation -- much larger and much more complicated than I expected. I am 
> really looking forward to the Board meeting on Friday. I am so fascinated 
> by all the things that the League is doing these days. I think that it 
> will be a tremendous learning experience and something I will probably 
> never forget."
>
> A report on the July meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors will be 
> available on the ARRL Web site and in The ARRL Letter.
>
> ==> HR 2160 GAINS MORE SUPPORT IN CONGRESS
>
> This week, four more Congressmen -- John Boozman (R-AR-3), Bob Filner 
> (D-CA-51), Dennis Moore (D-KS-3) and David Wu (D-OR-1) -- pledged their 
> support for HR 2160, The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications 
> Enhancement Act of 2009 
> <http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.2160:>. This brings the 
> total number of cosponsors to 18.
>
> Introduced by Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX-18) in April 
> <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/04/30/10792/?nc=1>, if passed, HR 
> 2160 would "promote and encourage the valuable public service, disaster 
> relief, and emergency communications provided on a volunteer basis by 
> licensees of the Federal Communications Commission in the Amateur Radio 
> Service, by undertaking a study of the uses of Amateur Radio for emergency 
> and disaster relief communications, by identifying unnecessary or 
> unreasonable impediments to the deployment of Amateur Radio emergency and 
> disaster relief communications, and by making recommendations for relief 
> of such unreasonable restrictions so as to expand the uses of Amateur 
> Radio communications in Homeland Security planning and response." The bill 
> has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
>
> If enacted into law, HR 2160, would instruct the Secretary of Homeland 
> Security to undertake a study and report its findings to Congress within 
> 180 days. The study would spell out uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio 
> communications in emergencies and disaster relief. The study shall:
>
> * Include recommendations for enhancements in the voluntary deployment of 
> Amateur Radio licensees in disaster and emergency communications and 
> disaster relief efforts.
> * Include recommendations for improved integration of Amateur Radio 
> operators in planning and in furtherance of the Department of Homeland 
> Security initiatives.
> * Identify unreasonable or unnecessary impediments to enhanced Amateur 
> Radio communications -- such as the effects of private land use 
> regulations on residential antenna installations -- and make 
> recommendations regarding such impediments.
> * Include an evaluation of Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 
> 1996 (Public Law 104-104, 110 Stat 56 [1996]).
> * Recommend whether Section 207 should be modified to prevent unreasonable 
> private land use restrictions that impair the ability of amateurs to 
> conduct, or prepare to conduct, emergency communications by means of 
> effective outdoor antennas and support structures at reasonable heights 
> and dimensions for the purpose in residential areas.
>
> The Secretary of Homeland Security shall utilize the expertise of the ARRL 
> and shall seek information from private and public sectors for the study.
>
> "HR 2160 presents the Amateur Radio Service with a unique opportunity --  
> but also carries with it the important responsibility of making your voice 
> heard," said ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND. "HR 
> 2160 stands as the first step in trying to address the long standing 
> problem of extending the protections afforded Amateur Radio operators 
> under PRB-1 
> <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/PRB-1_Pkg/prb-1.pdf>to deed 
> restrictions and covenants. To be clear, passing HR 2160 is not going to 
> achieve that goal right away. But it will help lay the ground work by 
> assessing the impact such restrictions have on our ability to train for 
> and respond to disasters and other emergencies."
>
> HR 2160 is also sponsored by W. Todd Akin (R-MO-2), Michael Arcuri 
> (D-NY-24), Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD-6), Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam), Bart 
> Gordon (D-TN-6), Brett Guthrie (R-KY-2), Michael Honda (D-CA-15), Mary Jo 
> Kilroy (D-OH-15), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-16), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO-9), 
> Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI-11), Charlie Melancon (D-LA-3), Bennie Thompson 
> (D-MS-2) and Peter Welch (D-VT).
>
> Check the ARRL Web site 
> <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/05/12/10818> for information on how 
> to encourage your Congressional representative to sponsor HR 2160.
>
> ==> WRC-11 IS NOW WRC-12
>
> The ITU Council, the 46-nation administrative oversight body of the 
> International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has agreed to move the next 
> World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) to 2012. Originally scheduled 
> for October 24-November 18, 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland, the Council has 
> proposed January 23-February 17 as the new dates 
> <http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/oth/0C/04/R0C040000030001PDFE.pdf>.
>
> According to ARRL Technical Relations Manager Brennan Price, N4QX, the 
> full ITU membership is now being consulted on the dates; responses are due 
> by August 3. "The ITU Council had previously proposed dates for fall 2011, 
> but various scheduling conflicts and the lack of available facilities 
> during some weeks made this schedule impractical," he said.
>
> Held approximately every three years, these periodic conferences of the 
> Member States of the ITU consider allocations to the various radio 
> services -- including the Amateur Radio Service -- and evaluate what new 
> technologies and applications should be addressed by future conferences.
>
> The agenda for WRC-12, developed by the delegates at the last WRC in 
> Geneva in 2007 (WRC-07), was formally adopted by the ITU Council in 2008. 
> There are 25 agenda items addressing potential new or revised spectrum 
> allocations to existing services. Of most interest to amateurs is agenda 
> item 1.23, "to consider an allocation of about 15 kHz in parts of the band 
> 415-526.5 kHz to the amateur service on a secondary basis, taking into 
> account the need to protect existing services."
>
> "This agenda item is the highest item on my long term priority list," said 
> Price. "We are fortunate that this upcoming WRC presents an opportunity 
> for a new secondary allocation in the medium waves. While the outcome is 
> far from certain, our experience in other bands -- most notably 30 
> meters -- indicates Amateur Radio's compatibility with certain other 
> services as a secondary user."
>
> Price said that some WRCs have posed great challenges for Amateur Radio, 
> with blocks of spectrum potentially at risk. "This was the case at WRC-03 
> and WRC-07, which posed a very real potential reallocation of portions of 
> the 40 meter band in Region 2 to HF broadcasting," he said. "The agenda 
> for WRC-12 does not pose any threats to Amateur Radio as clear or as overt 
> as those faced in prior years." Price and ARRL Technical Relations 
> Specialist Jon Siverling, WB3ERA, are monitoring developments on a number 
> of other agenda items that could affect Amateur Radio if they take 
> unanticipated turns, including:
>
> * Agenda item 1.14, considering requirements for and implementation of the 
> radiolocation service (radar) between 30-300 MHz.
> * Agenda item 1.15, considering possible allocations between 3-50 MHz for 
> oceanographic radar applications.
> * Agenda item 1.19, considering regulatory measures to enable 
> software-defined and cognitive radio systems.
> * Agenda item 1.22, examining the effect of emissions from short-range 
> devices.
>
> "Oceanographic radar is perhaps our biggest defensive issue," Price said. 
> "Fortunately, its proponents have acknowledged that sharing with Amateur 
> Radio would be problematic."
>
> ==> COMPANION BILL TO SENATE RADIO SPECTRUM INVENTORY ACT INTRODUCED IN 
> HOUSE
>
> In March, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) introduced the Radio Spectrum 
> Inventory Act (S 649) <http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.649:> 
> in the Senate <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/03/25/10725/>. 
> Earlier this month, that bill passed the Senate Commerce, Science and 
> Transportation Committee. Last week, Representative Henry Waxman (CA-30) 
> introduced a companion bill -- HR 3125 -- in the House of Representatives 
> <http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3125.IH:>; the bill has 
> been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bills, if 
> passed, would mandate an inventory of radio spectrum bands managed by the 
> National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the 
> Federal Communications Commission. The Senate version calls for an 
> inventory of frequencies between 300 MHz-3.5 GHz managed by the two 
> agencies, while the House bill would mandate an inventory of 225 MHz-10 
> GHz.
>
> S 649
> Senate Bill 649 states that the NTIA and the FCC would be required to 
> inventory the spectrum no later than 180 days after the bill becomes law; 
> after the initial survey, follow-ups would be required every two years. 
> Both agencies would need to prepare a report listing the licenses or 
> government user assigned in the band, the total spectrum allocation, by 
> band, of each licensee or government user (in percentage terms and in sum) 
> and the number of intentional radiators and end-user intentional radiators 
> that have been deployed in the band with each license or government user.
>
> Additionally, if the information is applicable, the report would be 
> required to show the type of intentional radiators operating in the band, 
> the type of unlicensed intentional radiators authorized to operate in the 
> band, contour maps that illustrate signal coverage and strength and the 
> approximate geo-location of base stations or fixed transmitters. The 
> report would then be sent to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and 
> Transportation and to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
>
> The bill also mandates that both agencies create a centralized portal or 
> Web site that lists each agency's band inventories. This information would 
> then be made available to the public via an Internet-accessible Web site. 
> Both agencies would also be required to make all necessary efforts to 
> maintain and update the inventory information "in near real-time fashion 
> and whenever there is a transfer or auction of licenses or change in 
> allocation or assignment."
>
> "Our public airwaves belong to the American people, and we need to make 
> certain we are putting them to good use in the best interests of those 
> citizens," Senator Kerry said when he introduced the bill in March. "Last 
> year's 700 MHz auction resulted in $20 billion for the treasury and will 
> create greater opportunity and choice for consumers and businesses that 
> need broadband service. We also took a great step forward when the FCC 
> established a way for unlicensed devices to operate in white spaces. These 
> two initiatives are evidence of how valuable spectrum is and how it serves 
> as fertile grounds for innovation. We need to make sure we're making as 
> much of it available to innovators and consumers as possible."
>
> HR 3125
> Like S 649, HR 3125 calls for the NTIA and the FCC to issue a report on 
> the inventory of spectrum no later than 180 days after the bill becomes 
> law; after the initial survey, follow-ups would be required every two 
> years. The House bill goes a bit further than S 634, however, calling for 
> the two agencies to work with the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
> (OSTP) <http://www.ostp.gov/>; this office advises the President on the 
> effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs.
>
> The agency reports called for in HR 3125 would include the same 
> information called for in the Senate version. Like the Senate bill, the 
> House bill calls for the reports to be made available on the Internet and 
> update the reports as needed. Both bills include an exemption for 
> licensees or users if they can demonstrate that disclosure would be 
> harmful to national security.
>
> "The [bill] represents a significant step in making available more 
> spectrum for commercial and wireless services. The more efficient use of 
> our nation's airwaves will increase innovation for wireless products and 
> services and improve the connectivity of the American people," said bill 
> cosponsor Representative Rick Boucher (D-VA-9). "As more people use 
> wireless devices and as advanced applications require higher data rates 
> over time, additional spectrum will be needed to accommodate growth. 
> Wireless technologies can also play a critical role in bringing broadband 
> to more consumers, particularly in rural areas."
>
> S 649 is co-sponsored by Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Amy Klobuchar 
> (D-MN), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), John 
> Thune (R-SD), Mark Warner (D-VA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS).
>
> HR 3125 already has 17 cosponsors: Joe Barton (R-TX-6), Rick Boucher 
> (D-VA-9), Steve Buyer (R-IN-4), Kathy Castor (D-FL-11), John Dingell 
> (D-MI-15), Michael Doyle (D-PA-14), Anna Eshoo (D-CA-14), Bart Gordon 
> (D-TN-6), Jay Inslee (D-WA-1), Edward Markey (D-MA-7), Doris Matsui 
> (D-CA-5), Jerry McNerney (D-CA-11), Zachary Space (D-OH 18), Cliff Stearns 
> (R-FL-6), Bart Stupak (D-MI-1), Fred Upton (R-MI-6) and Peter Welch 
> (D-VT). Gordon and Welch are also cosponsors of HR 2160, The Amateur Radio 
> Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 
> <http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h2160ih.txt.pdf>.
>
> ==> SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR ON ITS WAY TO ISS WITH HAMS ON BOARD
>
> After lightning strikes and thunderstorms delayed the launch of the space 
> shuttle Endeavour (STS 127) this past weekend, the spacecraft launched 
> into space at 6:03 PM on Wednesday, July 15. Endeavour's 16 day mission to 
> the International Space Station (ISS) 
> <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html> will feature 
> five planned spacewalks and complete the construction of the Japan 
> Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. Astronauts will attach a 
> platform to the outside of the Japanese module that will allow experiments 
> to be exposed to space 
> <http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/362898main_STS127%20Mission%20Summary%20v4.pdf>.
>
> Endeavour carries a crew of seven: Mark Polansky is commander and Douglas 
> Hurley is the pilot. Mission specialists are Christopher Cassidy, Thomas 
> Marshburn, KE5HOC, David Wolf, KC5VPF, and Julie Payette, a Canadian Space 
> Agency astronaut. The mission will deliver Timothy Kopra, KE5UDN, to the 
> ISS as a flight engineer and science officer and return Japanese astronaut 
> Koichi Wakata, KC5ZTA, to Earth. Hurley, Cassidy, Marshburn and Kopra will 
> be making their first trips to space.
>
> When Kopra arrives, there will six astronauts on board the ISS -- all but 
> one are licensed radio amateurs: Commander Gennady Padalka, RN3DT; Flight 
> Engineer Michael Barratt, KD5MIJ; Flight Engineer Frank DeWinne, ON1DWN; 
> Flight Engineer Robert Thirsk, VA3CSA, and Flight Engineer Roman 
> Romanenko.
>
> While on the ISS, Kopra will help conduct scientific experiments on human 
> physiology. "We're going to look at all the different components that 
> correspond to the human body and the effect that microgravity has on 
> [astronauts]," he said in a NASA pre-flight interview 
> <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition20/kopra_interview.html>. 
> "It's very critical because, if we're going to spend time on the moon, 
> which has less gravity than the Earth, or transporting to Mars, which 
> could be a very long trip and then time on Mars, we need to understand 
> with a lot of detail what those effects will be. So we'll be looking at 
> the cardiovascular system, neurological system, vestibular system and 
> we'll also be looking at some of the behavioral aspects of living in 
> space. What happens to your sleep, for example: Can you sleep soundly, 
> because over time you definitely need to have sound sleep to be an 
> effective crew member? Those are some of the examples of the things we'
> ll be looking at that correspond to the human physiology side."
>
> Kopra said he expects to "have a lot of fun" while on board the ISS: "I 
> just spoke with the [current ISS] crew members on board recently, and 
> after they had only been there for a couple weeks, you could tell that 
> they're just real excited about all the work that they do on board. It's 
> just like you talk to a kid about what they would like to do on space 
> station, they might tell you, 'Hey, I want to float around, I want to look 
> out the window.' You know, I intend to do a lot of both of those just as 
> my crew members like to do."
>
> Kopra, a 1985 graduate of West Point and a colonel in the US Army, was 
> assigned to NASA at the Johnson Space Center in September 1998 as a 
> vehicle integration test engineer. In this position, he primarily served 
> as an engineering liaison for space shuttle launch operations and ISS 
> hardware testing. He was actively involved in the contractor tests of the 
> Extravehicular Activity (EVA) interfaces for each of the space station 
> truss segments.
>
> Selected as an astronaut in July 2000, Kopra began his initial training 
> the following month. He completed two years of intensive space shuttle, 
> space station and T-38 flight training. He then served in the Space 
> Station Branch of the Astronaut Office where his primary focus involved 
> the testing of crew interfaces for two ISS pressurized modules, as well as 
> the implementation of support computers and operational Local Area Network 
> on ISS. After completing a Russian language immersion course in Moscow, 
> Kopra began training for a long duration space flight mission in July 
> 2005. Since then, he has completed training at each of the international 
> partner training sites and served as a backup crewmember to Expeditions 16 
> and 17.
>
> Kopra will return to Earth on space shuttle Discovery (STS 128), due to 
> launch this August. That mission will bring mission specialist Nicole 
> Stott, KE5GJN, to the ISS. Discovery will carry the Leonardo Multi-Purpose 
> Logistics Module containing life support racks and science racks, as well 
> as the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier. --  
> Information provided by NASA
>
> ==> ARRL MEMBERSHIP NEWSLETTERS, BULLETINS AND NOTIFICATIONS
>
> Did you know the ARRL offers more newsletters than just The ARRL Letter? 
> One of the many ARRL membership benefits includes other newsletters, such 
> as the ARRL Contest Update (a bi-weekly contest newsletter), the ARES 
> E-Letter (sent monthly, containing public service and emergency 
> communications news), the ARRL Club News and the ARRL Instructor/Teacher 
> E-Letter and the VE Newsletter.
>
> You can also elect to receive news and information from your Division 
> Director and Section Manager (keep in mind that not all Divisions/Sections 
> send notices), as well as W1AW bulletins that relate to DX, propagation, 
> satellites and Keplerian reports. The ARRL also offers a free notification 
> service to members, letting them know when their membership and license 
> are due to expire.
>
> Sign up for these newsletters, bulletins and notifications on the Member 
> Data page of the ARRL Web site 
> <http://www.arrl.org/members-only/memdata.html>.
>
> ==>SOLAR UPDATE
>
> Tad "Glorious with the Sun's returning march" Cook, K7RA, this week 
> reports: We saw a nice run of eight days with a large sunspot, but none 
> have emerged in the six days since. Unlike other recent spots, this one 
> did not appear just for one or two days and then vanish. Sunspot numbers 
> for July 9-15 were 15, 13, 0, 0, 0, 0 and 0 with a mean of 4. The 10.7 cm 
> flux was 69.1, 67.8, 68.2, 68, 67.2, 66.6 and 66.5 with a mean of 67.6. 
> The estimated planetary A indices were 6, 7, 4, 5, 10, 8 and 5 with a mean 
> of 6.4. The estimated mid-latitude A indices were 6, 7, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 3 
> with a mean of 4.7. Geophysical Institute Prague predicts quiet conditions 
> for July 17-20, unsettled July 21, quiet to unsettled July 22 and back to 
> quiet on July 23. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit 
> the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page 
> <http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html>. To read this week's Solar 
> Report in its entirety, check out the W1AW Propagation B
> ulletin page <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/prop/>. This week's "Tad Cookism" 
> brought to you by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Sunrise on the Hills" 
> <http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnLine/3237/>.
>
> __________________________________
>
> ==>IN BRIEF:
>
> * This Week on the Radio: This week, an NCCC Sprint Ladder is on July 17. 
> The North American QSO Party (RTTY), the DMC RTTY Contest and the CQ 
> Worldwide VHF Contest are July 18-19. The CQC Great Colorado Gold Rush is 
> July 19. The Run for the Bacon QRP Contest is July 20 and the SKCC Sprint 
> is July 22. Next week, another NCCC Sprint Ladder is on July 245 and the 
> RSGB IOTA Contest is July 25-26. All dates, unless otherwise stated, are 
> UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/>, the 
> ARRL Contest Update <http://www.arrl.org/contests/update/> and the WA7BNM 
> Contest Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for 
> more info. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the 
> ARRL Special Event Station Web page 
> <http://www.arrl.org/contests/spev.html>.
>
> * ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration remains open through 
> Sunday, July 26, 2009, for these online course sessions beginning on 
> Friday, August 7, 2009: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 1; 
> Antenna Modeling; Radio Frequency Interference; Antenna Design and 
> Construction; Ham Radio (Technician) License Course; Propagation; Analog 
> Electronics, and Digital Electronics. Each online course has been 
> developed in segments -- learning units with objectives, informative text, 
> student activities and quizzes. Courses are interactive, and some include 
> direct communications with a Mentor/Instructor. Students register for a 
> particular session that may be 8, 12 or 16 weeks (depending on the course) 
> and they may access the course at any time of day during the course 
> period, completing lessons and activities at times convenient for their 
> personal schedule. Mentors assist students by answering questions, 
> reviewing assignments and activities, as well as providing helpful feed
> back. Interaction with mentors is conducted through e-mail; there is no 
> appointed time the student must be present -- allowing complete 
> flexibility for the student to work when and where it is convenient. To 
> learn more, visit the CCE Course Listing page 
> <http://www.arrl.org/cep/student> or contact the Continuing Education 
> Program Coordinator <cce at arrl.org>.
>
> * W1AW to Add New Digital Modes to Transmission Schedule: Effective August 
> 17, W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, will replace its AMTOR 
> and ASCII transmissions with PSK31 and MFSK16, respectively. RTTY (Baudot) 
> will continue to be the first digital mode used in the transmission 
> schedule. The frequencies used by W1AW for all its digital transmissions 
> will remain the same. "All regular 6 PM and 9 PM (Eastern Time) digital 
> transmissions will begin with RTTY," said W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, 
> NJ1Q. "PSK31 and MFSK16 will be sent as time allows. The Tuesday and 
> Friday Keplerian data bulletins will be sent using RTTY and PSK31." The 
> W1AW operating schedule -- complete with times and frequencies -- can be 
> found on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw.html#w1awsked>.
>
> * AMSAT to Mark First Lunar Landing: AMSAT-NA <http://www.amsat.org> will 
> mark the 40th anniversary of the first manned lunar landing with a special 
> event on AO-51 <http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/>. AO-51 will transmit 
> a message commemorating the event Monday, July 20 during evening passes in 
> the US and Europe. The message will be transmitted on the 435.300 MHz FM 
> downlink and will contain a Robot 36 SSTV image as well as a voice 
> message. A special AO-51 QSL will be available to those who copy the 
> downlink. Send QSL requests marked "Apollo 11" with a self-addressed, 
> stamped envelope to AMSAT, 850 Sligo Ave, Ste 600, Silver Spring, MD 
> 20910.
>
> * Jim Mullin, W8KKK (SK): Jim Mullin, W8KKK, of Concord Township, Ohio, 
> fell to his death from atop his 100 foot tower on June 6, reports Frank 
> "Fritz" Hemrich, K8WLF, also of Concord Township. According to a post 
> Hemrich made on QRZ.com, Mullin, 69, was in the process of dismantling his 
> tower and antennas when his safety belt "parted at one of the seams and 
> just let go." Hemrich recounted that Mullin had already been up on the 
> tower twice that day: "It appears as if he was on his third trip up to 
> re-position his gin pole to start taking apart and down the tower 
> sections. His ground assistant had just finished taking some pictures of 
> the tower and was putting his camera back in his car. As he turned away 
> from the car he heard Jim hit the ground." A service for Mullin was held 
> June 11.
>
> ===========================================================
> The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the American 
> Radio Relay League: ARRL--the national association for Amateur Radio, 225 
> Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259; 
> <http://www.arrl.org>. Joel Harrison, W5ZN, President.
>
> The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential and general 
> news of interest to active radio amateurs. Visit the ARRL Web site 
> <http://www.arrl.org> for the latest Amateur Radio news and news updates. 
> The ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/> also offers informative features 
> and columns. ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> is a 
> weekly "ham radio newscast" compiled and edited from The ARRL Letter. It's 
> also available as a podcast from our Web site.
>
> Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or 
> in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to 
> The ARRL Letter/American Radio Relay League.
>
> ==>Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!): 
> letter-dlvy at arrl.org
> ==>Editorial questions or comments: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, 
> k1sfa at arrl.org
> ==>ARRL News on the Web: <http://www.arrl.org>
> ==>ARRL Audio News: <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> or call 
> 860-594-0384
>
> ==>How to Get The ARRL Letter
>
> The ARRL Letter is available to ARRL members free of charge directly from 
> ARRL HQ. To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your address for e-mail 
> delivery:
> ARRL members first must register on the Members Only Web Site 
> <http://www.arrl.org/members/>. You'll have an opportunity during 
> registration to sign up for e-mail delivery of The ARRL Letter, W1AW 
> bulletins, and other material. To change these selections--including 
> delivery of The ARRL Letter--registered members should click on the 
> "Member Data Page" link (in the Members Only box). Click on "Modify 
> membership data," check or uncheck the appropriate boxes and/or change 
> your e-mail address if necessary. (Check "Temporarily disable all 
> automatically sent email" to temporarily stop all e-mail deliveries.) 
> Then, click on "Submit modification" to make selections effective. (NOTE: 
> HQ staff members cannot change your e-mail delivery address. You must do 
> this yourself via the Members Only Web Site.)
>
> The ARRL Letter also is available to all, free of charge, from these 
> sources:
>
> * ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>. (NOTE: The ARRL Letter will 
> be posted each Friday when it is distributed via e-mail.)
>
> * The QTH.net listserver, thanks to volunteers from the Boston Amateur 
> Radio Club: Visit Mailing Lists at QTH.Net 
> <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/letter-list>. (NOTE: The ARRL 
> cannot assist subscribers who receive The ARRL Letter via this 
> listserver.)
>
> Copyright 2009 American Radio Relay League, Inc.
> All Rights Reserved