[South Florida DX Association] The ARRL Letter for November 4, 2010

Thu Nov 4 17:30:49 EDT 2010

If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2010-11-04

The ARRL Letter

November 4, 2010
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA <mailto:k1sfa at arrl.org>
ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/> 	
	/ARRL Letter/ Archive <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/> 	
	Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/>

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2010-11-04&t=t>

    * + /FCC News/ : US Attorney's Office Charges Glenn Baxter, K1MAN,
      with Failure to Pay Fine <#toc01>
    * + /FCC News/ : ARRL Responds in 2304 MHz Band Interference Debate
      <#toc02>
    * /Public Service/ : Storm Spotters on the Lookout for Tropical
      Storm Tomas <#toc03>
    * /Public Service/ : Thai Hams Provide Pivotal Role During Monsoon
      <#toc04>
    * /Public Service/ : Hams Help Provide Communication Support for
      Dual Disasters in Indonesia <#toc05>
    * + ARRL Field Day: 2010 Results Are Now Online <#toc06>
    * + The December Issue of /QST/ Is on Its Way to You! <#toc07>
    * + /International Spotlight/ : ARRL President Makes Final QSO with
      Australia's WIA Centenary Station <#toc08>
    * /ARRL in Action/ : What Have We Been Up to Lately? <#toc09>
    * + /MARS/ : US Air Force MARS Gets New Leadership <#toc10>
    * Solar Update <#toc11>
    * + /ARRL Recognizes/ : David W. Cripe, NM0S, Wins October /QST /
      Cover Plaque Award <#toc12>
    * This Week on the Radio <#toc13>
    * Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
      <#toc14>

+ Available on /ARRL Audio News/ <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>

+ /FCC News/: US Attorney's Office Charges Glenn Baxter, K1MAN, with 
Failure to Pay Fine

On October 25, two US Attorneys filed a /Complaint 
<http://www.arrl.org/attachments/view/News/55250>/ in the US District 
Court for Maine <http://www.med.uscourts.gov/> against Glenn Baxter, 
K1MAN, of Belgrade Lakes, Maine. The Complaint alleged Baxter had not 
responded appropriately to an order that he pay a $21,000 fine for 
violating several sections of Part 97. The civil action was brought 
under Section 503(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended 
<http://www.fcc.gov/Reports/1934new.pdf>, and Section 1.80 
<http://www.arrl.org/intranet/Application%20Data/Microsoft/Word/the%20US%20District%20Court%20for%20Maine> 
of the FCC Rules and Regulations.

According to the /Complaint/, the fine was levied in 2005 "for [the] 
defendant's willful and repeated violations of Sections 97.101(d) 
<http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2002/octqtr/pdf/47cfr97.101.pdf> 
[commencing transmissions on top of existing communications on 3.890 
MHz] and 97.113(a)(3) 
<http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2002/octqtr/pdf/47cfr97.113.pdf> 
[transmitting communications in which the station licensee or control 
operator has a pecuniary interest] of the Commission's Rules, and for 
the defendant's willful violation of Section 97.105(a) 
<http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2002/octqtr/pdf/47cfr97.105.pdf> 
[exercising control over station] and 97.113(b) 
<http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2002/octqtr/pdf/47cfr97.113.pdf> 
[broadcasting] of the Rules and for failure to file requested 
information pursuant to an Enforcement Bureau directive."

The /Complaint///seeks to force payment of the $21,000 fine, as well as 
a filing fee and "such other and further relief as the Court deems just 
and proper."

+ /FCC News/: ARRL Responds in 2304 MHz Band Interference Debate

On October 28, the ARRL filed a /Reply/ to a Wireless Services 
/Opposition/ filing, the latest in an ongoing series of exchanges 
regarding the FCC's proposal to allow mobile broadband services, in 
addition to fixed services, to operate in parts of the 2.3 GHz band. The 
Amateur Radio Service has a secondary allocation at 2300-2310 MHz. Read 
more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-replies-to-wireless-services-filing-in-2304-mhz-band-interference-debate>.

/Public Service/: Storm Spotters on the Lookout for Tropical Storm Tomas

With Tropical Storm Tomas expected to move through the Caribbean over on 
Thursday and Friday, WX4NHC <http://www.wx4nhc.org/> -- the Amateur 
Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center (NHC 
<http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/>) -- will activate at 9 AM (EDT) on Saturday, 
November 6. Hurricane Warnings have been issued for Haiti, Guantanamo, 
Cuba, the Southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. 
Tropical Storm Warnings have also been issued Jamaica and the Cuban 
provinces of Santiago de Cuba and Holguin. Read more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/storm-spotters-on-the-lookout-for-tropical-storm-tomas>.

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/Public Service/: Thai Hams Provide Pivotal Role During Monsoon

Heavy monsoon rains in Thailand have devastated parts of that country, 
with almost 60 dead and 100,000 homes in 32 provinces damaged or gone. 
According to the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST) -- that 
country's IARU Member-Society -- amateurs in the Nakhon Ratchasima and 
Chaiyaphum provinces have been helping authorities coordinate the rescue 
and relief efforts. Nakhon Ratchsima is Thailand's biggest province, 
with a population of 2.7 million in 32 districts with 3700 villages.

Under the guidance of National Disaster Warning Center Advisor Manas 
Songsaeng, HS1DE, the Nakhon Ratchasima Amateur Radio Association's 
(NRARA) club station HS3AN has been coordinating relief work with the 
help of other Amateur Radio communications centers based in Khao Yai, 
Phimai and Chaiyaphum that were also providing information to people 
traveling to and from Nakhon Ratchasima. Located at the provincial hall, 
the club has been working closely with government agencies, relaying 
details about the emergency situation to officials and relief workers. 
Read more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/thai-hams-provide-communication-support-during-monsoon>.

/Public Service/: Hams Help Provide Communication Support for Dual 
Disasters in Indonesia

Following two natural disasters, an earthquake triggered tsunami, and 
separately an erupting volcano, radio amateurs are providing their help 
as the enormous response effort continues. ORARI (Organisasi Amatir 
Radio Indonesia) International Affairs Coordinator Wisnu Widjaja, YB0AZ, 
provided initial information about the involvement of ham radio 
operators in the dual disasters -- a 7.7 earthquake and an exploding 
volcano -- that hit the Indonesian archipelago last week. Read more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/communication-support-for-dual-disasters-in-indonesia>.

+ ARRL Field Day: 2010 Results Are Now Online

If you can't wait to get your December issue of /QST 
<http://www.arrl.org/qst>/ in the mail to see how you did in the 2010 
ARRL Field Day, don't worry! The results -- including a copy of the 
/QST/ article 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/ContestResults/2010/201020Day20QST.pdf> 
(with line scores) and a results database 
<http://www.arrl.org/results-database?event_id=13655> -- are now 
available on the ARRL Web site. Be sure to also check out the 193 
comments in the Field Day Soapbox 
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox>. It's not too soon to start 
making plans for next year -- the 2011 ARRL Field Day is scheduled for 
June 25-26, 2011.

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+ The December Issue of /QST/ Is on Its Way to You!

The December issue of /QST/ is jam-packed with all sorts of things that 
today's Amateur Radio operator needs. From product reviews to 
experiments to contesting -- including an expanded holiday advertising 
guide /and/ the 2010 ARRL Field Day results -- the upcoming issue of 
/QST/ has something for just about everyone.

If you put 100 hams in a room, you would have at least 100 ways to put 
up a stealth antenna. As Geoff Haines, N1GY, discovered, neighborhoods 
that might be averse to a stacked array of 6-element 20 meter Yagis 
usually don't have a problem with flagpoles. In his article 
"Constructing a Flagpole Antenna," Haines tells readers that due to 
restrictions in his neighborhood, he built a flagpole antenna. With this 
and 100 W, he is able to work most of the stations he hears on 80-10 meters.

If you are a new ham -- or you have one in your life -- a good handheld 
transceiver is usually the first go-to radio. But with so many out there 
on the market -- and all of them with tons of features -- how can a new 
ham -- or even an experienced one -- choose the best one for their 
purposes? Never fear! ARRL Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, comes to 
the rescue with "Selecting Your First VHF Handheld Transceiver." Hallas 
takes into account single band vs multi-band modes, access codes, 
keypads, memory management, connectivity options and more. He reminds 
hams that any handheld transceiiver you select will provide all the 
basic communication needs, as well as features you want now and some 
that you may need in the future.
<http://www.arrl.org/multimedia>

Be sure to check out this video describing the Yaesu FTDX5000D HF and 6 
meter transceiver, featured in the December product review. Click here 
<http://www.arrl.org/multimedia> to go to the video.

/NCJ/ Managing Editor Rick Lindquist, WW3DE, takes a look at the Yaesu 
FTdx5000D HF and 6 meter transceiver in this month's Product Review. He 
calls it "an extraordinary transceiver for the discerning contester or 
DXer. This one will become the gold standard for operators seeking the 
best receive performance and best value in its class. Yaesu is to be 
commended for combining top tier receiver performance and a Class A 
transmitter with the features and functions users expect, all in a 
competitively priced package."

Many hams spend all year gearing up for ARRL Field Day, the most popular 
on-the-air operating event in all of Amateur Radio. For those hard-core 
Field Day aficionados, the December issue of /QST/ is one of the most 
anticipated issues all year -- this is the issue with the Field Day 
results! This year, ARRL Field Day Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, channels 
his inner-Jimmy Buffett to bring readers the annual Field Day results 
article. You will also find official announcements for upcoming contests 
and operating events: the ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes, the ARRL 
International DX Contest (both SSB and CW), the ARRL Rookie Roundup 
(CW), Kids Day, the ARRL RTTY Roundup and the ARRL Straight Key Night. 
The results from the 2010 ARRL June VHF QSO Party are also in the 
December issue.

Of course, there are the usual columns you know and expect in the 
December /QST/: Happenings, Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX, 
Vintage Radio, Hamspeak and more. Look for your December issue of /QST/ 
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 <https://www.arrl.org/join-arrl-renew-membership/>.

+ /International Spotlight/: ARRL President Makes Final QSO with 
Australia's WIA Centenary Station

ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, made the final QSO to VK100WIA , the 
special event station call sign that celebrated the Wireless Institute 
of Australia's centenary. WIA President Michael Owen, VK3KI, was at the 
other end of the mic. [Carter Craigie, N3AO, Photo]

The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) marked the conclusion of their 
VK100WIA centennial special event operation on October 31 with a QSO 
between WIA President Michael Owen, VK3KI, and ARRL President Kay 
Craigie, N3KN. Logged at 1255 UTC -- five minutes before midnight in 
Australia -- the QSO between N3KN and VK100WIA, with VK3KI at the 
microphone, was the last contact recorded in the Australian special 
event's log.

The contact was made using EchoLink, with VK100WIA using the VK3ANT node 
in Melbourne, Victoria. Craigie used the K4IJ 440 MHz repeater in 
Roanoke, Virginia to access the EchoLink node of the linked North 
Carolina Hospital Emergency Amateur Radio System repeaters (NCHEARS); 
the NCHEARS system was also linked to the South Carolina Healthcare 
Emergency Amateur Radio Team repeaters. Repeater users across three 
states were able to hear the historic conversation between two 
continents. Read more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/the-2010-global-amateur-radio-emergency-communications-conference>.

/ARRL in Action/: What Have We Been Up to Lately?

/Compiled by ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane K1SFA/

This feature is a concise monthly update of some of the things ARRL is 
doing on behalf of its members. This installment -- which covers the 
month of October -- includes seeking protection of amateur frequencies 
with the FCC; representing the ARRL at the local, regional, national and 
international level; encouraging hams to build their own equipment; 
administering ARRL awards programs, and more. Read more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-in-action-what-have-we-been-up-to-lately-27>.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2010-11-04&p=2>
+ /MARS/: US Air Force MARS Gets New Leadership

Richard Jenson -- a Program Manager at the Air Force Network Integration 
Center at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois -- has been selected as the new 
Chief of Air Force MARS (USAF MARS). Jensen replaces Technical Sergeant 
Jason E. Sandifer, who served as Interim Chief since May when USAF MARS 
Chief Allen Eiermann, K3LSR, retired. "I am honored to have been 
selected to lead this organization of dedicated volunteer radio 
communicators and am enthusiastic about my new responsibilities," Jenson 
said. "The members of Air Force MARS can be rightly proud of their 
service to the nation, and I am eager to work with all of them as we 
enhance our ability to serve those who serve us." Read more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/air-force-mars-gets-new-leadership>.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, November 4, 2010 from NASA's SOHO Extreme 
Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope 
<http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/realtime-update.html>. 
This image was taken at 304 Angstrom; the bright material is at 60,000 
to 80,000 Kelvin.

Tad "They watched the hazy Sun sinking in the sea 
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccTMG1onW5c>" Cook, K7RA, reports: The 
average daily sunspot numbers declined again this week, this time by 
nearly 25 points to 25.7, about half what it was last week. Look for 
good conditions this weekend in the ARRL CW Sweepstakes. The predicted 
planetary A index for November 4-7 is 7, 5, 8 and 8, and then 5 for the 
foreseeable future on November 8 and beyond. Predicted solar flux is 82 
for each of the next 10 days. The latest three-month moving average of 
daily sunspot numbers shows a steady rise, with the trailing three-month 
average at the end of June through October at 16.2, 20.4, 23.2, 28.9 and 
33. The average daily sunspot number for the month of October was 35, 
slightly higher than the trailing three-month average, which is a good 
sign. Look for more information on the ARRL Web site on Friday, November 
5. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL 
Technical Information Service Propagation page 
<http://www.arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals>. This week's "Tad 
Cookism" is brought to you by The Eagles' /The Last Resort 
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccTMG1onW5c>/.

+ /ARRL Recognizes/: David W. Cripe, NM0S, Wins October /QST /Cover 
Plaque Award

The winner of the /QST /Cover Plaque Award for October is David W. 
Cripe, NM0S, for his article "Homebrew Challenge II Co-Winner -- The 
Lowest Cost Entry." /Congratulations David!/ The /QST /Cover Plaque 
award -- given to the author or authors of the best article in each 
issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the /QST Cover 
Plaque Poll Web page <http://www.arrl.org/cover-plaque-poll>/. Cast a 
ballot for your favorite article in the November issue today.

This Week on the Radio

/This week:/

    * November 5 -- QRP Fox Hunt
    * November 6-7 -- Ukrainian DX Contest
    * November 6-8 -- ARRL CW Sweepstakes <http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes>
    * November 7 -- High Speed Club CW Contest
    * November 10 -- QRP Fox Hunt
    * November 10-11 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

/Next week:/

    * November 13-14 -- Kentucky QSO Party; WAE DX Contest (RTTY); OK/OM
      DX Contest (CW)
    * November 13-15 -- CQ-WE Contest
    * November 14 -- SKCC Weekend Sprint
    * November 17 -- QRP Fox Hunt
    * November 18 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint

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/The-ARRL-Contest-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 Events Station Web page <http://www.arrl.org/special-events>.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

    * November 6-7 -- ARRL Georgia State Convention
      <http://stonemountainhamfest.com/>, Lawrenceville, Georgia
    * November 13 -- ARRL Alabama Section Convention
      <http://www.w4ap.org/modules.php?name=Hamfest>, North Montgomery,
      Alabama
    * November 13-14 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention
      <http://www.fortwaynehamfest.com/>, Ft Wayne, Indiana
    * December 4-5 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention
      <http://www.fgcarc.org/>, Palmetto, Florida

*ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information *

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