[SFDXA] The ARRL Letter for June 21, 2012

Fri Jun 22 18:43:56 EDT 2012

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The ARRL Letter

June 21, 2012
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/> 	
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  * *+* /ARRL Field Day/: ARRL Field Day is This Weekend: Are You Ready?
    <#toc01>
  * /ARRL Field Day/: W1AW Announces 2012 Field Day Bulletin Schedule
    <#toc02>
  * *+* /Amateur Radio in the Classroom/: ARRL Executive Committee
    Approves Resource Grants for 11 Schools <#toc03>
  * *+* 2011 ARRL Annual Report Now Available <#toc04>
  * *+* /Getting Licensed/: New Amateur Extra Class Question Pool
    Effective July 1 <#toc05>
  * *+* /On the Air/: ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee Seeks
    Comments on Proposed 23 cm Band Plan <#toc06>
  * *+*/FCC News/: FCC Downgrades Hawaiian Ham's License <#toc07>
  * Yasme Foundation Announces Awards, Expanded List of Eligible Call
    Signs <#toc08>
  * Solar Update <#toc09>
  * *+* New Section Manager Appointed in South Dakota <#toc10>
  * This Week in Radiosport <#toc11>
  * Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
    <#toc12>

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

*+* /ARRL Field Day/: ARRL Field Day is This Weekend: Are You Ready?

Tens of thousands of Amateur Radio operators will be firing up portable 
radio stations from unexpected locations this weekend for ARRL Field Day 
<http://www.arrl.org/field-day>. On June 23-24, more than 35,000 hams 
are expected to operate from parks, malls, schools and. yes, fields, 
around the country. Field Day is the climax of the week-long Amateur 
Radio Week sponsored by the ARRL. As of June 19, more than 20 states and 
countless cities and towns have issued proclamations thanking and 
supporting the hams for their community service work. Looking for a 
Field Day location? Check out the Field Day Locator 
<http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator>. Find information for media and 
the general public here <http://www.arrl.org/2012FieldDay>. Find 
information for radio amateurs and participants here 
<http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator>. Check the ARRL Facebook page 
<http://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org> and the ARRL Twitter feed 
<http://twitter.com/arrl> throughout Field Day weekend for live updates.

/ARRL Field Day/: W1AW Announces 2012 Field Day Bulletin Schedule

Stations active during ARRL Field Day -- June 23-24 -- are eligible to 
receive 100 bonus points for copying the special Field Day bulletin 
transmitted by W1AW (or K6KPH on the West Coast). You must include an 
accurate copy of the message in your Field Day submission. The Field Day 
bulletin must be copied via Amateur Radio; it will not be included in 
Internet bulletins sent out from Headquarters and will not be posted to 
Internet BBS sites.

W1AW will operate on the regularly published frequencies. The special 
PSK31 bulletin will be transmitted on the regular W1AW digital frequencies:

  * CW frequencies: 1.8025, 3.5815, 7.0475, 14.0475, 18.0975, 21.0675,
    28.0675 and 147.555 MHz.
  * Digital frequencies (includes PSK31 and MFSK16) using 45.45-baud
    Baudot: 3597.5, 7.095, 14.095, 18.1025, 21.095, 28.095 and 147.555 MHz.
  * Phone frequencies: 1.855, 3.990, 7.290, 14.290, 18.160, 21.390,
    28.590 and 147.555 MHz.

The Maritime Radio Historical Society's K6KPH will transmit the 2012 
W1AW Field Day message for the benefit of West Coast stations on 3.5815, 
7.0475, 14.0475, 18.0975 and 21.0675 MHz, CW only. The frequencies for 
K6KPH Digital (RTTY, BPSK31 MFSK16 and FEC AMTOR) will be 7.095 and 
14.095 MHz. Click here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/w1aw-announces-2012-field-day-bulletin-schedule> 
for the complete schedule.

*+* /Amateur Radio in the Classroom/: ARRL Executive Committee Approves 
Resource Grants for 11 Schools

In June, the ARRL Executive Committee reviewed grant applications for 
the ARRL's Education & Technology Program (ETP), awarding equipment and 
resources valued at nearly $16,000 to 11 schools. More than 590 schools 
across the country have received support from the ETP in the form of 
grants for equipment, curriculum and resources, as well as teacher 
in-service training through the Teachers Institute on Wireless 
Technology. Applications for equipment and resource grants are accepted 
twice each year; application deadlines are May 1 and November 1. A 
central goal of the ETP is to develop a foundation of wireless 
technology literacy among America's teachers and students. It employs 
Amateur Radio to explore radio science and electronics and provide 
hands-on activities that engage students' minds and imaginations, 
opening doorways into math, science and technology curriculum topics, as 
well as other core curriculum areas such as geography and language arts. 
Read more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-executive-committee-approves-resource-grants-for-11-schools>.

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*+* 2011 ARRL Annual Report Now Available

The /ARRL Annual Report for 2011/ -- now available online -- reviews the 
major events of the year and documents the renewed growth of both the 
ARRL and the activities of the Amateur Radio Service. For the fifth 
consecutive year, ARRL membership grew -- totaling 157,813 members at 
year end.

According to ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, Amateur 
Radio is flourishing: "Despite challenges on many fronts, Amateur Radio 
and the ARRL were in better shape at the end of 2011 than at the 
beginning. In September, we reached a milestone in amateur licensing, 
with 700,000 individuals licensed by the FCC, and reached 702,056 at the 
end of December, up .86 percent for the year." Sumner noted that ARRL 
membership also grew at .86 percent, exactly the same rate as the 
licensing numbers. "While membership is still short of its all-time 
high, we have achieved five straight years of growth, straight through 
the recession," he said. "This record of success is testimony to the 
professionalism of our membership staff as well as to the diligent 
efforts of everyone, volunteer and staff alike, who contributes every 
day to a positive image of the ARRL in the Amateur Radio community." 
Read more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/2011-arrl-annual-report-now-available>.

*+* /Getting Licensed/: New Amateur Extra Class Question Pool Effective 
July 1

The new Amateur Extra class (Element 4) question pool 
<http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=358> -- released by the National 
Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC 
<http://www.ncvec.org/>) in January 2012 -- becomes effective on Sunday, 
July 1. The current Amateur Extra class pool expires on June 30, 2012 
and cannot be used after that date. This new question pool -- including 
graphics and diagrams -- will remain valid until June 30, 2016. The new 
Amateur Extra pool contains 702 questions, from which 50 are selected 
for an Element 4 examination. As of June 13, three questions -- E1D09, 
E2A14 and E6E10 -- have been removed 
<http://www.arrl.org/withdrawn-questions> from the new pool. The current 
Technician class question pool <http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=349> 
that became effective July 1, 2010 is valid through June 30, 2014. The 
current General class pool <http://www.ncvec.org/page.php?id=350> that 
became effective July 1, 2011 is valid until June 30, 2015.

*+* /On the Air/: ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee Seeks Comments 
on Proposed 23 cm Band Plan
<http://www.arrl.org/images/view/News/Proposed23cmBandPlan.jpg>

The ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee has proposed a new 23 cm band 
plan. See a larger image of the proposed band plan here 
<http://www.arrl.org/images/view/News/Proposed23cmBandPlan.jpg>.

Last winter, the ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee asked the 
Amateur Radio community about current, planned and projected uses of the 
Amateur bands between 902 MHz and 3.5 GHz. The excellent level of 
response provided us with the basis to complete drafts of the 9 cm, 13 
cm and 33 cm revised band plans for ARRL Board approval. The Committee 
has now prepared for your consideration a draft band plan for 23 cm 
(1240-1300 MHz), the final band on its assigned list. Please look over 
the accompanying draft and let us know if you have any major concerns. 
Read more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-uhf-microwave-band-plan-committee-seeks-comments-on-proposed-23-cm-band-plan>.

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*+*/FCC News/: FCC Downgrades Hawaiian Ham's License

On June 18, the FCC issued an /Order of Modification 
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db0619/DA-12-961A1.pdf>/, 
modifying the license class of Todd Wilson, WH6DWF, of Honolulu, Hawaii, 
from General to Technician. This stems from an /Order Proposing 
Modificationreleased in March 2012 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-seeks-to-modify-hawaiian-ham-s-license>/ 
where the FCC stated 
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-12-408A1.pdf> that 
granting General class Amateur Radio operator privileges to Wilson was 
"improper." Read more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-downgrades-hawaiian-ham-s-license>.

Yasme Foundation Announces Awards, Expanded List of Eligible Call Signs

The Yasme Foundation <http://www.yasme.org/> currently offers two 
awards. The Yasme Award, in the form of a handsome plaque, is offered to 
those radio amateurs who submit proof of 30 QSOs with Yasme officials 
and DXpeditions that have at least one Yasme official as a participant. 
The Yasme Supreme Award is in the form of a representation of the YASME 
boat used by Danny Weil in his around-the-world DXpedition. It is 
available to those who submit proof of 60 QSOs with YASME officials and 
DXpeditions with a Yasme official as a participant. These awards are 
available to qualifying applicants at no cost. After a year-long 
evaluation of the rules, the Yasme Board of Directors has revised the 
rules for those call signs that may be used to qualify for the two 
awards, with many new ones added to the list. The Yasme Foundation is a 
not-for-profit corporation organized to conduct scientific and 
educational projects related to Amateur Radio, including DXing and the 
introduction and promotion of Amateur Radio in underdeveloped 
countries.-- /Thanks to the Yasme Foundation for the information/

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, June 21, 2012, from NASA's SOHO Extreme 
Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This image was taken at 304 Angstrom; the 
bright material is at 60,000 to 80,000 Kelvin.

Tad "It's brighter than sunshine 
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q536JTSe40M>" Cook, K7RA, reports: 
Sunspot numbers seemed to be in a free-fall this week: The average daily 
sunspot numbers declined more than 29 points to 87, while the average 
daily solar flux fell 6.2 points to 126.2. The outlook for Field Day 
weekend -- June 22-23 -- is for low sunspot numbers and quiet 
geomagnetic conditions. The predicted daily solar flux is just 90 for 
June 21-28, 125 on June 29-July 7, then 130, 135 and 140 on July 8-10, 
and then rising to 145 on July 11-12. The predicted planetary A index is 
5 on June 21-29, then 8 on June 30, 15 on July 1-3, 8 on July 4-5, 5 on 
July 6-7, 8 on July 8-9, and back down to 5 on July 10-14. Look for more 
on the ARRL website on Friday, June 22. 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 Aqualung's /Brighter than 
Sunshine <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqualung_%28musician%29>/.

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*+* New Section Manager Appointed in South Dakota

Chris Stallkamp, W0ADZ, of Selby, South Dakota, has been appointed as 
the South Dakota Section Manager, effective June 15. ARRL Membership and 
Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, made the appointment in 
consultation with Dakota Division Director Greg Widin, K0GW, and with 
the recommendation of outgoing South Dakota Section Manager Scott 
Rausch, WA0VKC. Rausch, of Piedmont, has served as South Dakota Section 
Manager since April 2009. He decided not to run for a new two-year term 
of office that was scheduled to begin on April 1. After a 
re-solicitation for nominations this spring did not result in any 
potential candidates, Stallkamp was then appointed to take the Section 
Manager reins from Rausch. Stallkamp's appointment extends until March 
31, 2014. Stallkamp has been a radio amateur since 2006, and is a member 
of the Black Hills Amateur Radio Club. Interest in Amateur Radio runs in 
his family: Both his mother Margaret, KA0BEB, and father Lloyd, KA0ADZ, 
of Havre, Montana, are also licensed Amateur Radio operators.

This Week in Radiosport

/This week:/

  * June 23-24 -- ARRL Field Day <http://www.arrl.org/fieldday>; His
    Majesty King of Spain Contest (SSB); Marconi Memorial HF Contest;
    Ukrainian DX DIGI Contest
  * June 27 -- SKCC Sprint
  * June 27-28 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

/Next week:/

  * July 1 -- RAC Canada Day Contest; WAB 144 MHz Low Power Contest (Phone)
  * July 2-8 -- 10-10 International Spirit of '76 QSO Party
  * July 3 -- ARS Spartan Sprint
  * July 5 -- Michigan QRP July 4th CW 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 
information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out 
the ARRL Special Event Stations web page 
<http://www.arrl.org/special-event-stations>.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

  * June 30 -- ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/eastern-pennsylvania-section-convention-electronics-expo-firecracker-hamfest>,
    Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
  * July 20-22 -- ARRL Montana State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/montana-state-convention-78th-glacier-waterton-international-hamfest>,
    East Glacier, Montana
  * July 26-28 -- Central States VHF Society Conference
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/central-states-vhf-society-conference-1>,
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa
  * July 27-28 -- ARRL Oklahoma Section Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-section-convention-ham-holiday-2012>,
    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  * July 27-29 -- ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rocky-mountain-division-convention-2>,
    Bryce Canyon, Utah
  * August 3-4 -- ARRL Texas State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/texas-state-convention-austin-summerfest-2>,
    Austin, Texas
  * August 3-5 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/pacific-northwest-dx-convention-1>,
    Portland, Oregon
  * August 10-12 -- RAC National Convention 2012
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rac-convention-2012>, Edmonton,
    Alberta, Canada
  * August 11 -- ARRL Ohio State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/ohio-state-convention>, Columbus, Ohio
  * August 18 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-virginia-state-convention-2>,
    Weston, West Virginia
  * August 18-19 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southeastern-division-convention-huntsville-hamfest>,
    Huntsville, Alabama
  * August 19 -- ARRL Kansas State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/kansas-state-convention-2>, Salina, Kansas
  * August 24-26 -- ARRL New England Division Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/new-england-division-convention-1>,
    Boxboro, Massachusetts
  * August 26 -- ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/western-pennsylvania-section-convention-2>,
    New Kensington, Pennsylvania

To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here 
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests>.

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