[South Florida DX Association] Fw: The ARRL Letter, Vol 28, No 23 (Friday, June 12, 2009)
K2EWB
k2ewb at comcast.net
Fri Jun 12 15:09:14 EDT 2009
> ***************
> The ARRL Letter
> Vol. 28, No. 23
> June 12, 2009
> ***************
>
> IN THIS EDITION:
>
> * + Fun, Fresh Air, Friends and Food: It Must Be Time for ARRL Field Day!
> * + Changes Coming for ARRL November Sweepstakes Contest Log Submissions
> * + Alabama Hams Assist During Statewide Emergency Drill
> * + Look for the July Issue of QST in Your Mailbox
> * Join the Fun in the ARRL VHF QSO Party This Weekend
> * + National Hurricane Center Predicts "Near-Normal" Hurricane Season
> * + QEX: The July/August 2009 Issue
> * Solar Update
> * IN BRIEF:
> This Week on the Radio
> ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration
> + Two New Co-sponsors Pledge Support for HR 2160
> + Don Tunstill, W4NO (SK)
> Central States VHF Society Seeks Presentations for Annual Conference
> From the DXCC Desk
>
> + 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>.
> ===========================================================
>
> ==> FUN, FRESH AIR, FRIENDS AND FOOD: IT MUST BE TIME FOR ARRL FIELD DAY!
>
> The 2009 ARRL Field Day will be here before you know it, so now is the
> time to grab your rig, grab your friends, grab some grub and get ready to
> get outside June 27-28 <http://www.arrl.org/fieldday>. If you haven't yet
> started planning for this year's Field Day, it's not too late -- Field Day
> packets are available for download from the ARRL Web site
> <http://www.arrl.org/contests/forms/fd-2009-packet.pdf>.
>
> ARRL Field Day Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, reminds clubs and groups that
> the deadline to order exhibit kits and ham radio recruitment handouts is
> drawing near. "We need to have all orders for kits and brochures no later
> than Wednesday, June 17. If we have your order by then, we will be able to
> package your order and get it to you in time for Field Day. Any orders
> received after June 17 will be fulfilled and they might make it to
> recipients before Field Day," he explained. Exhibit kits can be ordered
> online at no cost; there is a small shipping and handling fee
> <http://www.arrl.org/brochures/>.
>
> If you are looking for a Field Day site to attend, or are looking to
> publicize your Field Day site, be sure to check out the Field Day Site
> Locator <http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/fd/locator.php>. For
> more information on this service, please check out the Locator Site
> Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
> <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/06/03/10021/?nc=1>. "More than 1000
> Field Day sites have been registered on the Locator, with more being added
> every day," Henderson said.
>
> ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air operating event in Amateur
> Radio. On the fourth full weekend in June, tens of thousands of Amateur
> Radio operators gather for a demonstration of our service. Field Day is
> part educational event, part operating event, part public relations
> event -- and all about fun!
>
> "We all became hams for our own reasons," Henderson said. "Some of us were
> interested in public service and helping others in times of need. Many
> discovered the hobby as an outlet to their curiosity about electronics and
> communications. Still others joined our ranks because of the quest to meet
> new people and expand their own personal bank of knowledge. Whatever the
> reason you became an amateur, there is one compelling thread that brought
> us all together. It is as simple as can be: We became hams for the fun of
> the hobby!"
>
> Henderson said that while Field Day serves a wide array of interests and
> purposes, "there is no greater 'fun-damental' goal for Field Day than to
> have fun! While it encompasses a broad range of Amateur Radio interests --
> CW, Phone, Digital, emergency preparedness, public service, satellites,
> recruitment, antennas, new and vintage equipment and so many more -- Field
> Day is, above all else, a chance for us to have some fun with our hobby."
>
> Henderson reminded hams that fun is where you find it: "Some will discover
> the fun by operating overnight, building up their club's total number of
> QSOs. Others will never make a single Field Day contact, but will derive
> their fun by helping set up antennas and generators. The joy of sharing
> your radio knowledge with a newcomer will be fun for many old-timers,
> while other old-timers will experience the 'Field Day high' when they make
> their very first QSO using a new digital mode or via one of the Amateur
> Radio satellites. The camaraderie of the annual club Field Day picnic or
> covered dish supper will be a fun highlight for many, while still others
> will find the joy in the hobby by simply being able to spend a couple of
> hours from home on an otherwise busy weekend, tuning the bands and making
> a few contacts."
>
> If you want to be one of the best-dressed hams at your Field Day event, be
> sure to pick up the 2009 ARRL Field Day T shirt, hat and pin
> <http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?category=&words=field+day&SearchWords.x=0&SearchWords.y=0>.
> Featuring a woodsy, outdoor scene, these items are a great way to
> recognize your involvement in the excitement and fun of this annual
> operating event. ARRL is also offering Get On The Air (GOTA) pins
> <http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=8911>. It's a great idea to have your
> GOTA station operators wear these attractive pins. Pins from previous
> Field Days are also available -- make your collection complete with this
> year's pin. According to ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen,
> NQ1R, a new shipment of 2009 Field Day T shirts has just arrived, so be
> sure to order yours today.
>
> ==> CHANGES COMING FOR ARRL NOVEMBER SWEEPSTAKES CONTEST LOG SUBMISSIONS
>
> ARRL Sweepstakes Contest Manager Ken Adams, K5KA, said he and the ARRL
> Contest Branch intend to "dramatically reduce the timeframe for producing
> results that are available to all ARRL Sweepstakes participants."
> According to Adams, the contesting community has requested that results be
> made available more quickly. Currently, Sweepstakes results are published
> six months after the contest has taken place.
>
> "To facilitate this request, we would like to make the 2009 ARRL
> Sweepstakes final results available on the Web in 60 days in the form of a
> PDF file," he said. "If this effort proves successful, we plan to shorten
> this window to 30 days in 2010. This PDF would simply be the scores in
> each category -- full write-ups and detailed analysis of the Sweepstakes
> contest would still appear in QST and on the Web at a later time."
>
> To meet this aggressive schedule, Adams said that the log submission
> deadline will be reduced from 30 days to 15 days. For the 2009
> Sweepstakes, the deadline for CW Sweepstakes logs will be 0300 UTC on
> Monday, November 23, 2009. The deadline for the Phone Sweepstakes will be
> 0300 UTC on Monday, December 7, 2009.
>
> "The number of non-Cabrillo logs received at ARRL HQ must be reduced,"
> Adams explained. "By receiving logs 15 days earlier, we can begin the log
> checking process that much faster, but we will we need your help on the
> paper log issue. In 2008, the ARRL Contest Branch received more than 300
> paper logs for the Sweepstakes contests. These paper logs were converted
> to Cabrillo format by a dedicated, yet small, group of volunteers. This
> took several hundred person-hours of time."
>
> Adams said that there are plans to contact as many paper log submitters as
> possible and point out resources they can use to generate Cabrillo logs:
> "I am asking that every club have a special project and meeting this year
> to insure that 100 percent of their members submit Cabrillo logs for
> Sweepstakes. If you have club members who don't have computers, please
> form your own volunteer teams to convert their logs after the contest.
> This would be a great excuse for a big post-Sweepstakes club pizza party,
> combining data entry with club camaraderie."
>
> While the ARRL will never turn away a paper log, Adams said that the
> advantages of electronic log submission are critical to the success of the
> accelerated presentation of the Sweepstakes results. "Numerous software
> contest loggers exist for Windows and DOS, including the free packages CT
> <http://www.k1ea.com/> and N1MM <http://pages.cthome.net/n1mm/>," he said.
> Entrants are also able to manually convert their own paper logs to a
> Cabrillo log at the WA7BNM Cabrillo Web site"
> <http://www.b4h.net/cabforms/arrlsscw_cab.php>.
>
> "You, the members of the contesting community, have requested faster
> turnaround of contest results for some time," Adams said. "With every
> contester's help, we can achieve this goal of dramatically reducing the
> time between contest and results. We have identified several other areas
> we hope to improve in the future, such as simplified Web access for
> Sweepstakes information, historical log search capability, easy access to
> FAQs, records and the like. We will continue to work on those goals. Thank
> you for your continued participation and help with the ARRL November
> Sweepstakes, the greatest domestic contest out there."
>
> ==> ALABAMA HAMS ASSIST DURING STATEWIDE EMERGENCY DRILL
>
> During the week of May 4-8, emergency responders and support personnel
> gathered in Robertsdale, Alabama for a communications interoperability
> training and full-scale exercise, sponsored by the Alabama Department of
> Homeland Security (ADHS) <http://www.homelandsecurity.alabama.gov/>.
> Gathering in a field near the Baldwin County Emergency Operations Center,
> responders came together to test the quality and effectiveness of
> communications between various State agencies and support personnel. The
> exercise simulated a Category 5 hurricane that entered Mobile Bay, causing
> damage throughout the state.
>
> According to ARRL Alabama Section Manager Jay Isbell, KA4KUN, the Alabama
> DHS has come to recognize the role that Amateur Radio operators play in
> emergencies and natural disasters; based on this, the Alabama DHS chose to
> include Amateur Radio in the exercise. "During Hurricane Katrina, Amateur
> Radio volunteers played a key part in making sure that communications
> between agency personnel continued uninterrupted and the public received
> the help and the timely response needed in this type of catastrophic
> event," Isbell explained. ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
> operators from SEMA Region 1 and other regions throughout Alabama were on
> site to support communications.
>
> The Alabama Emergency Management Agency, the Alabama National Guard, the
> Alabama Department of Public Safety, Region IV of the Federal Emergency
> Management Agency (FEMA) <http://www.fema.org/>, Alabama Alcoholic
> Beverage Control Board, Virtual Alabama, Alabama Civil Air Patrol, local
> sheriffs' office, as well as eight Alabama Regional Communication vehicles
> also participated in the exercise.
>
> ARRL Southeastern Division Director Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, together with
> Alabama Region 1 District Emergency Coordinator Patti Link, KI4JEO, worked
> diligently with both amateur volunteers and professional partner agencies
> to coordinate and facilitate the role of Amateur Radio during the
> exercise. According to Isbell, Sarratt was the liaison at the Incident
> Command Point, while Link -- working in the Baldwin County EOC --
> coordinated amateurs throughout the area, dispatching them with Alabama
> DHS Regional Communication vehicles and to other locations in the
> nine-county affected area. Isbell was dispatched to a mock reception
> center site 60 miles north of the incident, and Section Emergency
> Coordinator Les Rayburn, N1LF, manned the radio at the State Emergency
> Operations Center.
>
> "Since the major hurricanes of recent years, the State of Alabama and the
> Southeast Region of FEMA have really accepted Amateur Radio as a prime
> player in any major disaster," Isbell told the ARRL. "SEC Les Rayburn has
> grown Alabama ARES from several independent groups into a well-organized
> first responder team. Amateur Radio is being accepted as a critical tool
> during times that the daily manpower and technical resources are stretched
> beyond their design."
>
> Sarratt said that the Amateur Radio participants learned a lot during the
> week-long exercise: "This was a good test of the ARES processes and
> improvements in a full-scale exercise with other agencies since Katrina.
> Everyone shared and learned about each other's communications
> capabilities. The relationships built and lessons learned here are
> invaluable to the Amateur Radio Service."
>
> ==> LOOK FOR THE JULY ISSUE OF QST IN YOUR MAILBOX
>
> The July issue of QST is jam-packed with the news and information today's
> Amateur Radio operator needs. From product reviews to experiments to
> contesting, the upcoming issue of QST has something for just about
> everyone.
>
> Al Yerger, WA2EHI, shows you how to take advantage of the multiple leads
> on a parallel port to control all of your remote operations in his article
> "A Parallel Port Interface for Your Shack." Follow Richard Kriss, AA6VU,
> as he solves a pesky TVI problem at his home in Texas. ARRL News Editor S.
> Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, along with QST Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR,
> give their take on the sights, sounds and smells -- as well as the new
> radio gear -- of the 2009 Dayton Hamvention in "Dayton DREAM Believer: The
> 2009 ARRL National Convention and Dayton Hamvention."
>
> ARRL Technical Relations Manager Brennan Price, N4QX, reviews Yaesu's
> VX-8R handheld transceiver. According to Price, "Yaesu incorporates GPS
> and APRS capabilities into its new top-of-the-line, feature-packed
> handheld." ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, reviews Array
> Solution's QSK-MASTER external QSK TR switch for HF amplifiers. Sumner
> said that the QSK-MASTER "offers owners of older RF power amplifiers a way
> to add flawless full break-in (QSK) operation without equipment
> modification."
>
> If it's July, it must be time for the IARU HF World Championships
> <http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2009/iaru.html>. This is a great
> opportunity to contact many stations all over the world, especially the
> headquarters station of IARU Member Societies, including W1AW. ARRL
> Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, takes a look multipliers -- what
> are they, why are they important and how do they work -- in "This Month in
> Contesting." The results of the 2008 ARRL 10 Meter Contest, the 2009 ARRL
> RTTY Roundup and the 2009 ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes are in. Did you top
> your score from last year? How did your closest rival do? Also, find out
> about upcoming contests in Contest Corral.
>
> Of course, there are the usual columns you know and expect in July QST:
> Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX, Vintage Radio, Field
> Organization Reports, Hamspeak and more. Look for your July issue in your
> mailbox. QST is the official journal of ARRL, the national association for
> Amateur Radio. QST is just one of the many benefits of ARRL membership. To
> join or renew your ARRL membership, please see the ARRL Web page
> <http://www.arrl.org/join>.
>
> ==> JOIN THE FUN IN THE ARRL VHF QSO PARTY THIS WEEKEND
>
> VHF enthusiasts will be generating lots of RF on 6 meters and up this
> weekend (June 13-15 UTC) during the 2009 ARRL VHF QSO Party
> <http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2009/june-vhf.html>. While many
> amateurs think of the VHF+ bands as a "local" band used primarily for
> public service, emergency communications or fun on FM repeaters,
> weak-signal VHF+ enthusiasts know better. According to ARRL Contest Branch
> Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, even hams who have a modest station can work
> hundreds -- or even thousands -- of miles on the VHF bands during a good
> opening.
>
> Kutzko is a big VHF enthusiast: "In my more than 25 years of Amateur
> Radio, weak-signal work on 6 and 2 meters remains the most fun and
> intriguing activity I do. There is nothing like a good VHF opening; with
> interesting propagation characteristics like sporadic-E, tropospheric
> ducting, aurora and even meteor scatter and moonbounce, VHF offers QSO
> opportunities that HF can never satisfy."
>
> Kutzko said this weekend is a great time to try 6 or 2 meters. "The June
> VHF QSO Party occurs at the beginning of the summer sporadic-E season, and
> can produce strong openings on 6 meters and in some cases up to 2 meters,"
> he said. There have been moderate openings on 6 meters in some part of the
> United States almost nightly for the last two weeks, and southern
> California enjoyed a brief sporadic-E opening on 2 meters into Texas this
> past Tuesday evening, over an average path of 1100 miles. "That's fun any
> way you slice it," Kutzko said. "Because of the contest, many stations
> will be on. This, coupled with the interesting propagation possibilities,
> makes for a great weekend."
>
> Getting on the VHF bands is easy, he said. While there will be some
> contest activity on FM simplex (especially near large population centers),
> most long-distance VHF+ QSOs are conducted on CW or SSB; that means
> horizontally polarized antennas. You will also need a radio that can
> transmit in those modes. Most of the newer HF transceivers have 6 meters
> built in, and several come with 2 meters and 70 cm, too. "A dipole on 6
> meters will work quite well during a decent opening," Kutzko said.
> "They're easy to make and less than 10 feet long. Throw it up in a tree as
> high as you can and you'll be in business. For 2 meters and 70 cm, a
> horizontal loop will work nicely for SSB and CW contacts." You can find
> plans for simple VHF antennas at the Technical Information Service area of
> the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/other-v.html>, in the
> Antennas chapter of the ARRL Handbook, or in the VHF and UHF Antenna
> Systems chapter of the ARRL Antenna Book.
>
> Because VHF antennas are generally smaller than their HF counterparts,
> portable operation is easy. "You can operate from your favorite hilltop,
> camp site or any location with high terrain and make many QSOs," Kutzko
> said. All you need to know is the Maidenhead grid square of your operating
> location; this is the contest exchange. Find your Maidenhead grid square
> here <http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/grid.html>.
>
> For SSB QSOs on 6 meters, tune between 50.100-50.200 MHz; 50.125 is the
> W/VE calling frequency, so listen there for band openings. If the band
> starts to open up, move off the calling frequency and start working folks!
> Keep in mind that 50.100-50.125 is reserved for intercontinental QSOs, so
> don't transmit there unless you are trying to work DX. For the CW
> operators, you will find CW between 50.080-50.100 MHz. Activity on 2
> meters will center around the calling frequency of 144.200. Again, monitor
> the calling frequency for band openings, but move off when activity starts
> to pick up. Kutzko advises that most activity on 2 meter SSB/CW will be
> found between 144.170-144.230 MHz, while 70 cm activity will center around
> 432.100 MHz.
>
> "This weekend promises to be a tremendous amount of fun on the VHF and UHF
> bands so don't miss out!" Kutzko said. "All amateurs -- from Technicians
> to Extras, experienced VHF operators to the first-time VHF dabblers -- are
> welcome to participate." The ARRL June VHF QSO Party runs this weekend
> from 1800 UTC Saturday until 0300 UTC Monday (Saturday afternoon to Sunday
> evening for most of the US and Canada). Complete rules and entry forms may
> be found here. All logs must be e-mailed <JuneVHF at arrl.org> or postmarked
> no later than 0300 UTC Wednesday, July 15. If you have any questions about
> the ARRL June VHF QSO Party or any other ARRL contest, please contact the
> Contest Branch via e-mail <contest at arrl.org>.
>
> ==> NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER PREDICTS "NEAR-NORMAL" HURRICANE SEASON
>
> Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) are calling for a
> "near-normal" Atlantic hurricane season this year. In its initial outlook
> for the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season -- which runs from June 1-November
> 30 -- the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center (CPC)
> <http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/> is calling for a 50 percent probability of
> a near-normal season, a 25 percent probability of an above-normal season
> and a 25 percent probability of a below-normal season. According to the
> CPC, global weather patterns are imposing a greater uncertainty in the
> 2009 hurricane season outlook than in recent years.
>
> Forecasters say there is a 70 percent chance of having nine to 14 named
> storms, of which four to seven could become hurricanes, including one to
> three major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5). Tropical systems acquire a
> name -- the first for 2009 will be Ana -- upon reaching tropical storm
> strength with sustained winds of at least 39 MPH. Tropical storms become
> hurricanes when winds reach 74 MPH and become major hurricanes when winds
> increase to 111 MPH. An average season has 11 named storms, including six
> hurricanes with two becoming major hurricanes.
>
> "This outlook is a guide to the overall expected seasonal activity.
> However, the outlook is not just about the numbers, it's also about taking
> action," said Dr Gerry Bell, lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at the
> CPC. "Prepare for each and every season regardless of the seasonal
> outlook. Even a near- or below-normal season can produce landfalling
> hurricanes, and it only takes one landfalling storm to make it a bad
> season."
>
> Rick Palm, K1CE, editor of the ARRL's ARES E-Letter
> <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/>, warns that now is the time
> for ARES members to assess their portfolio of communications equipment and
> disaster response knowledge. Palm gives several tips for amateurs involved
> with hurricane operations:
>
> Monitor major HF hurricane networks during events this season. The
> Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz is one of several key players
> <http://www.hwn.org/>. It serves either the Atlantic or Pacific during a
> watch or warning period and coordinates with the National Hurricane Center
> (NHC) in Miami <http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/>. Frequent, detailed information
> is issued on nets when storms pose a threat to the US mainland. In
> addition to hurricane spotting, local communicators may announce that
> residents have evacuated from low-lying flood areas. Other amateurs across
> the country can help by relaying information, keeping the net frequency
> clear and by listening. See the HWN's Web site for more information. The
> net works closely with the hams at the NHC's Amateur Radio station WX4NHC
> <http://www.wx4nhc.com/>.
>
> The SATERN Net (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network)
> <http://www.satern.org/> provides emergency communication support to the
> Salvation Army and populations at large. They also handle
> health-and-welfare traffic. SATERN holds high profile nets on 20 meters
> (14.265 MHz) during major hurricanes and has a long history of excellence,
> discipline and service. Refer to the SATERN Web site for more information.
>
> The Maritime Mobile Service Net (MMSN) <http://www.mmsn.org/> meets on
> 14.300 MHz and is composed of hams who serve and assist those in need of
> communications on the high seas. According to its Web site, the primary
> purpose of the net is for handling traffic from maritime mobile stations.
> The network is recognized by the United States Coast Guard and has an
> excellent working relationship with that agency. The MMSN has handled
> hundreds of incidents involving vessels in distress and medical
> emergencies in remote locations, as well as passing health and welfare
> traffic in and out of affected areas. They also work closely with the NWS
> and NHC by relaying weather reports from maritime stations.
>
> The VoIP SKYWARN and Hurricane Net <http://www.voipwx.net/> operates by
> combining both the EchoLink and IRLP linked repeater networks, while
> handling critical wide area communications during major severe weather and
> tropical events. These operations have gained national stature in recent
> years, making the Net a critical partner with WX4NHC. Whenever tropical
> weather is posing a threat to the US mainland and certain other areas of
> interest, the VoIP WX net will be fully operational. See the VoIP SKYWARN
> and Hurricane Net Web site for more information.
>
> Palm said that during hurricane events, there are usually two or three
> regional nets (usually on 40 or 20 meters) that spring to prominence as
> major key assets to the disaster response on an ad hoc basis. "Watch for
> these nets, as well as the nationally recognized networks described above,
> this season. Don't transmit on their frequencies unless you are absolutely
> sure you have something substantive to add, and then only under the
> direction of the net control station," Palm advised.
>
> ARRL Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager Dennis Dura, K2DCD, added
> that when ARES activates in response to any tropical event, it is crucial
> that information flows up through the Section and is reported to
> Headquarters. "These reports allow us to develop the situational awareness
> and disaster intelligence that is required for us as an organization to
> support the Sections that are impacted" he explained. "In this way, we are
> able to respond to relevant requests from the media and finally to
> coordinate with the governmental and non-governmental organizations. This
> information also allows us to make the decision at Headquarters on whether
> to stand up our Incident Management Team to support and coordinate the
> operations."
>
> If you are interested in Emergency Communications, please be sure to check
> out the monthly ARES E-Letter <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/>.
> You can elect to receive this newsletter free of charge via e-mail by
> going to the Member Data Page on the ARRL Web site
> <http://www.arrl.org/members-only/memdata.html>.
>
> ==> QEX: THE JULY/AUGUST 2009 ISSUE
>
> The July/August issue of QEX is coming soon, and it is full of theoretical
> and practical technical articles and columns that you won't want to miss
> <http://www.arrl.org/qex>.
>
> In this issue, Gary Steinbaugh, AF8L, presents Part 3 of "A Cybernetic
> Sinusoidal Synthesizer." This installment describes some limitations of
> proportional control systems and explains the advantages of adding
> integration and differentiation steps to proportional controllers.
> Steinbaugh also describes the construction of the RF power meter circuit
> used in the project
>
> John Magliacane, KD2BD, and Bill Walker, W5GFE, describe "SPLAT!: An RF
> Signal Propagation and Terrain Analysis Tool." In addition to VHF/UHF
> line-of-sight paths, this program includes the Longley-Rice propagation
> model to predict path loss across irregular terrain. A Web interface
> provides a convenient way to use the extensive geographic terrain database
> in the calculations. Rudy Severns, N6LF, presents more of his research in
> "Experimental Determination of Ground System Performance for HF
> Verticals." Part 5 focuses on the effects of different numbers of radials
> on received signal strength for 160 meter vertical antennas.
>
> Tom Warnagiris, K3GSY, introduces the Tapered Area Small Helix (TASH)
> antenna in "The Chicken Wire Wonder." Chances are, this unique broadband
> vertical antenna does not look like any antenna you have ever seen! An 80
> meter version is 14 feet high and covers an area of about 4 × 5 feet on
> the ground. Maynard Wright, W6PAP, provides information on several
> "Alternatives to Octave" for various electronics calculations. ARRL
> Technical Advisor Robert J. Zavrel Jr, W7SX, presents the case for
> "Maximizing Radiation Resistance in Vertical Antennas" to increase the
> efficiency of our antennas.
>
> John S. (Jack) Belrose, VE2CV, another ARRL Technical Advisor, presents a
> brief discussion "On Elevated Radials" after reading earlier installments
> of Rudy Severns' series about his experiments with HF vertical antenna
> radial systems. Ray Mack, W5IFS, continues his software defined radio
> column. In this installment of "SDR: Simplified," he builds an SDR that
> will tune a single AM broadcast band station.
>
> Would you like to write for QEX? It pays $50/printed page. Get more
> information and an Author's Guide <http://www.arrl.org/qex/#aguide>. If
> you prefer postal mail, send a business-size self-addressed, stamped
> envelope to QEX Author's Guide, c/o Maty Weinberg, ARRL, 225 Main St,
> Newington, CT 06111-1494. QEX is edited by Larry Wolfgang, WR1B
> <lwolfgang at arrl.org>, and is published bimonthly. The subscription rate (6
> issues) for ARRL members in the US is $24. For First Class US delivery,
> it's $37; in Canada and internationally by airmail it's $31. Nonmembers
> add $12 to these rates. Subscribe to QEX today.
>
> ==>SOLAR UPDATE
>
> Tad "Rejoicing in the Sun" Cook, K7RA, this week reports: Sunspot numbers
> from May 31-June 5 ranged from 13 to 23, then the Sun was blank for two
> days, followed by sunspot numbers of 12 for both June 8 and 9. This
> fleeting sunspot was number 1020, and like last week's spot, 1020 had the
> magnetic signature of a new Solar Cycle 24 spot. Alas, it was another of
> the frequent sunspots we've seen lately that appear briefly, and then
> vanish. The last Solar Cycle 23 spot was number 1016 that appeared April
> 29-30. Sunspot numbers for June 4-10 were 17, 13, 0, 0, 12, 12 and 0 with
> a mean of 7.7. The 10.7 cm flux was 71, 70.1, 69, 68.9, 69, 69.1 and 69.2
> with a mean of 69.5. The estimated planetary A indices were 6, 6, 5, 6, 4,
> 3 and 5 with a mean of 5. The estimated mid-latitude A indices were 5, 5,
> 2, 3, 2, 2 and 2 with a mean of 3. For this week, geomagnetic conditions
> should remain very quiet. Solar flux is estimated to be about 68, rising
> above 70 June 24-July 1. For more informati
> on 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 Bulletin page <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/prop/>. This week's
> "Tad Cookism" brought to you by Christina Rossetti's "A Summer Wish"
> <http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnLine/15719/>.
>
> __________________________________
>
> ==>IN BRIEF:
>
> * This Week on the Radio: This week is the ARRL June VHF QSO Party on June
> 13-15. The Asia-Pacific Sprint is June 13. The GACW WWSA CW DX Contest and
> the ANARTS WW RTTY Contest are June 13-14. Next week, look for the ARRL
> Kids Day Contest on June 20. The NCCC Sprint Ladder and the Digital
> Pentathlon are June 19. The Feld Hell Sprint and the AGCW VHF/UHF Contest
> are June 20. One June 20-21, look for the West Virginia QSO Party and the
> All Asian DX Contest (CW). The Run for the Bacon QRP Contest is June 22
> and the SKCC Sprint is June 24. 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: Registration remains open
> through Sunday, June 28, 2009, for these online course sessions beginning
> on Friday, July 10, 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 feedback. 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>.
>
> * Two New Co-sponsors Pledge Support for HR 2160: Earlier this week, HR
> 2160 -- The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of
> 2009 -- gained two new Congressional co-sponsors: Republican Roscoe
> Bartlett (MD-6) and Democrat Bart Gordon (TN-6). Originally sponsored by
> Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee, a Democrat representing Texas' 18th
> District, HR 2160 is also sponsored by Madeleine Bordallo (Guam), Brett
> Guthrie (KY-02), Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15), Zoe Lofgren (CA-16), Blaine
> Luetkemeyer, (MO-9) and Bennie Thompson (MS-02). Click here
> <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/05/12/10818> for information on how
> to encourage your Congressional representative to sponsor HR 2160
> <http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h2160ih.txt.pdf>.
>
> * Don Tunstill, W4NO (SK): Don Tunstill, W4NO, founder of the Central
> America VEC, passed away at his home in Huntsville, Alabama on Monday,
> June 9. He was 69. Tunstill, an ARRL Life Member, was a charter member of
> Huntsville Amateur Radio Club and served as president of Huntsville
> Hamfest <http://www.hamfest.org/> for more than 30 years. With the FCC,
> Tunstill assisted with the formulation and implementation of the Volunteer
> Examiner Coordinator program and the vanity call sign system. He founded
> the Central America VEC, one of the first VE programs in the state of
> Alabama. A memorial service is planned for 10 AM on June 13 at Berryhill
> Funeral Home in Huntsville.
>
> * Central States VHF Society Seeks Presentations for Annual Conference:
> The Central States VHF Society (CSVHFS) <http://www.csvhfs.org/> is
> soliciting presentations and poster displays for their 43rd Annual
> Conference this summer -- July 23-26 -- at the Holiday Inn in Elk Grove
> Village, Illinois <http://www.csvhfs.org/conference/index.html>. Possible
> presentation topics on all aspects of weak-signal VHF and above include,
> but are not limited to, antennas (modeling, design, arrays and control),
> equipment construction, propagation, test gear, regulatory issues,
> operating, digital signal processing and software-defined radio. The
> submission deadline for presentations and poster displays is June 29;
> bring posters for display with you to the conference. For more
> information, visit the CSVHFS 2009 conference Web page
> <http://www.csvhfs.org/conference/index.html> or contact Kermit Carlson,
> W9XA <w9xa at yahoo.com>.
>
> * From the DXCC Desk: According to ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L,
> questions have been coming into DXCC regarding the status of 5N/LZ1QK in
> Nigeria. "DXCC is currently working with his QSL manager to resolve the
> status of this operation," Moore said. "At this time, DXCC accreditation
> is on hold pending the outcome of the review."
>
> ===========================================================
> 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
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>
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