[SFDXA] The ARRL Letter for October 11, 2012

Thu Oct 11 18:26:30 EDT 2012

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The ARRL Letter

October 11, 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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  * *+* /FCC News/: FCC Seeks to Change Amateur Radio Licensing Rules
    <#toc01>
  * *+* /FCC News/: FCC Agrees with ARRL on Emission Designators, TDMA
    <#toc02>
  * *+* /On the Air/: Scouts and Scouters Take to the Airwaves for the
    55th Jamboree on the Air <#toc03>
  * The ARRL Offers Five New Books for Fall <#toc04>
  * *+* /IARU News/: IARU Region 2 Executive Committee Meets in Curacao
    <#toc05>
  * *+* ARRL Invites Nominations for 2012 International Humanitarian
    Award <#toc06>
  * *+* /At the Workbench/: Attention Kit Builders -- The ARRL Wants to
    Hear from You! <#toc07>
  * Solar Update <#toc08>
  * *+* /ARRL Recognizes/: MFJ's Martin F. Jue, K5FLU, Honored at ARRL
    Day in the Park <#toc09>
  * ARRL HQ Seeks Applicants for /QST/ Technical Editor <#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>/.*

*+* /FCC News/: FCC Seeks to Change Amateur Radio Licensing Rules

The FCC has issued a /Notice of Proposed Rulemaking/ that seeks to 
change the way it licenses Amateur Radio operators.

On October 2, the FCC released a /Notice of Proposed Rulemaking/ in WT 
Docket No. 12-121 that seeks to change the Amateur Radio licensing 
rules, especially as they concern former licensees. Acting upon an April 
2011 /Petition for Rulemaking/ filed by the Anchorage VEC to give 
permanent credit to radio amateurs for examination elements they have 
successfully passed, the FCC proposes to revise Section 97.505 to 
require that Volunteer Examiners (VEs) give examination credit to an 
applicant who can demonstrate that he or she formerly held a particular 
class of license. In addition, the Commission seeks to shorten the grace 
period during which an expired amateur license may be renewed and to 
reduce the number of VEs needed to administer an amateur license 
examination.Read more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-seeks-to-change-amateur-radio-licensing-rules-allow-additional-emission-types>. 

*+* /FCC News/: FCC Agrees with ARRL on Emission Designators, TDMA

Part of WT Docket No. 12-121 (/see above/) included a response to a 
March 2011 /Petition for Rulemaking/ filed by the ARRL. Through the 
/Notice of Proposed Rulemaking/, the FCC is seeking to amend the Amateur 
Service rules to allow amateur stations to transmit additional emission 
types in order to permit Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) in the 
Amateur Service; however, it denied the League's request for a blanket 
waiver pending the resolution of the rulemaking proceeding. The FCC 
pointed out that one of the purposes of the Amateur Service is to 
contribute to the advancement of the radio art: "Allowing amateur 
stations to use communication technologies that are used in other radio 
services, such as TDMA technologies, allows Amateur Service licensees to 
experiment with and improve these technologies and, therefore, is 
consistent with the basis and purpose of the Amateur Service. For this 
reason, we agree with the ARRL that the current rules allowing the use 
of multiple time-slot TDMA repeaters, but not permitting amateur 
stations to transmit single-slot TDMA emissions, may be unnecessarily 
impeding Amateur Radio operators in advancing the radio art." Read more 
here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-seeks-to-change-amateur-radio-licensing-rules-allow-additional-emission-types>.

*+* /On the Air/: Scouts and Scouters Take to the Airwaves for the 55th 
Jamboree on the Air

The theme of this year's Jamboree on the Air is /How Big Is Your World?/

Each year, more than 500,000 Scouts in more than 100 countries take to 
the airwaves on the third full weekend in October -- and this year on 
October 20-21, it will be no different. The Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) 
is an annual Scouting and Amateur Radio event sponsored by the World 
Scout Bureau of the World Organization of the Scout Movement where Boy 
Scouts, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from all over the world speak to 
each other via Amateur Radio. Since 1958 -- when the first Jamboree on 
the Air was held -- millions of Scouts have met through this event. Many 
contacts made during JOTA have resulted in pen pal relationships and 
links between Scout troops that have lasted many years. Read more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/scouts-and-scouters-take-to-the-airwaves-for-the-55th-jamboree-on-the-air>.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2012-10-11&p=0>
The ARRL Offers Five New Books for Fall

The ARRL has just released five new books that you are going to want to 
have in your shack. This fall, two favorites have been re-released and 
are chock-full of new information: hardcover and softcover editions of 
/The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications (90th edition)/, /The ARRL 
Operating Manual (10th edition)/. In addition, the ARRL is proud to 
offer three new titles: /The Amateur Radio Public Service Handbook/, 
/The Care and Feeding of Transmission Lines/ by /QST/ Technical Editor 
Joel Hallas, W1ZR, and /Antenna Modeling for Beginners/ by H. Ward 
Silver, N0AX. Read more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/the-arrl-offers-five-new-books-for-fall>.

*+* /IARU News/: IARU Region 2 Executive Committee Meets in Curacao

The IARU Region 2 Executive Committee met in Curacao September 29-30. 
Led by Region 2 President Reinaldo Leandro, YV5AM, the meeting was 
attended by Region 2 Officers and Area Directors; Area B Director and 
ARRL International Affairs Vice President Jay Bellows, K0QB, represented 
the United States. IARU Secretary Rod Stafford, W6ROD, represented the 
IARU and IARU Region 1 President Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T, 
represented IARU Region 1. Read more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/iaru-region-2-executive-committee-meets-in-curacao>.

*+* ARRL Invites Nominations for 2012 International Humanitarian Award

Nominations are open for the 2012 ARRL International Humanitarian Award. 
This award is conferred upon an amateur or amateurs who demonstrate 
devotion to human welfare, peace and international understanding through 
Amateur Radio. The League established the annual prize to recognize 
those radio amateurs who have used ham radio to provide extraordinary 
service to others in times of crisis or disaster. As one of the few 
telecommunication services that allow people throughout the world from 
all walks of life to meet and talk with each other, Amateur Radio 
spreads goodwill across political boundaries. The ARRL International 
Humanitarian Award recognizes the Amateur Radio Service's unique role in 
international communication and the assistance amateurs regularly 
provide to people in need. Read more here 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-invites-nominations-for-2012-international-humanitarian-award>.

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*+* /At the Workbench/: Attention Kit Builders -- The ARRL Wants to Hear 
from You!

The ARRL wants to hear from kit builders about simple, useful, 
educational and exciting kits. These kits should have a high probability 
for success and would serve as stepping stones for more advanced 
projects. We are looking all sorts of kits, but RF detector kits that 
work in the 380 MHz-2.5 GHz range are of special interest. The kits 
should also have a "Wow, I built this and /it works/!" factor. If you 
know of such a kit, please let us know by filling out a simple form here 
<http://www.arrl.org/technology> by October 31.

Solar Update

The Sun, as seen on Thursday, October 11, 2012 from NASA's SOHO Extreme 
Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope 
<http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/realtime-update.html>. 
This MDI <http://soi.stanford.edu/> (Michelson Doppler Imager) image was 
taken in the continuum near the Ni I 6768 Angstrom line. The most 
prominent features are the sunspots. This is very much how the Sun looks 
in the visible range of the spectrum.

Tad Cook, K7RA, reports: There was another decline in sunspot activity 
this week, although activity may be making a slow recovery based on 
recent activity over the past few days and projected solar flux values. 
The average daily sunspot numbers dropped from 73 to 51.7, a difference 
of 21.3 points. But the past two days saw sunspot numbers (63 and 71) 
higher than the average -- and climbing. The average of daily solar flux 
was off 23.8 points to 104.9, and like the sunspot figures, the past two 
days saw solar flux values (106.2 and 112) higher than the average for 
the week. The predicted solar flux from the Wednesday, October 10 
NOAA/USAF forecast is 115 on October 11-13, 120 on October 14-15, 115 on 
October 16-18, then 145, 150 and 145 on October 19-21, 140 on October 
22-23, and 135 on October 24-27. We then see solar flux dip below 100 on 
November 4-8 and peak at 150 again on November 16. The predicted 
planetary A index for October 11-17 is 10, 5, 5, 12, 12, 10 and 8, and 
then 5 on October 18-November 3, and then rising to 18, 20, 12 and back 
down to 8 on November 4-7. We saw the most geomagnetic activity on 
October 8-9 showed the most, with the planetary A index at 35 and 42, 
the mid-latitude A index at 21 and 32 and the high latitude college A 
index at 66 and 54; this activity was triggered by a coronal mass 
ejection on October 8. The predicted rise in planetary A index to 12 on 
October 14-15 is due to a solar wind spewing from a coronal hole, which 
should rotate into a geo-effective position during that time. Look for 
more on the ARRL website on Friday, October 12. For more information 
concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information 
Service Propagation page <http://www.arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals>.

*+* /ARRL Recognizes/: MFJ's Martin F. Jue, K5FLU, Honored at ARRL Day 
in the Park

Martin F. Jue, K5FLU (left) of MFJ Enterprises accepts the ARRL Special 
Achievement Award from ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B 
(right). ARRL Mississippi Section Manager Malcolm Keown, W5XX, holds the 
award.

To celebrate 40 years in the Amateur Radio business, MFJ Enterprises 
<http://www.mfjenterprises.com/> hosted ARRL Day in the Park 
<http://www.mfjenterprises.com/dayinpark.php> in Starkville, 
Mississippi, October 5-6. Martin F. Jue, K5FLU, started MFJ in October 
1972 in a Starkville hotel room with one product: a CW filter kit that 
sold for less than $10. Today, MFJ consists of six different ham radio 
companies that manufacture more than 2000 products. ARRL Chief Operating 
Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, and ARRL Mississippi Section Manager 
Malcolm Keown, W5XX, represented the League at MFJ's ARRL Day in the 
Park. The two-day event brought 500 people to Starkville and featured 
tours of the MFJ facilities (including the factory and metal shop), 
tailgating, forums, demonstrations and lunch. Kramer presented Jue with 
the ARRL Special Achievement Award, honoring Jue and MFJ for their four 
decades of service, as well as the company's innovative products, which 
have contributed to the enjoyment and effectiveness of Amateur Radio all 
around the world. Tom Medlin, W5KUB, was at the event and produced a 
video of the speeches and presentations, which can be viewed here 
<http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/25962423>.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2012-10-11&p=2>
ARRL HQ Seeks Applicants for /QST/ Technical Editor

The League is currently looking to fill the position of /QST/ Technical 
Editor at ARRL Headquarters in Newington. Connecticut residency or the 
ability to relocate to Connecticut is required. The /QST/ Technical 
Editor will provide leadership to the technical Amateur Radio community 
by developing and promulgating a vision of the state of the Amateur 
Radio art through the pages of /QST/.

Qualifications:

  * Broad knowledge of and experience with Amateur Radio and electronics.
  * Broad knowledge of and experience with the design and construction
    of Amateur Radio equipment, antennas and accessories.
  * Broad knowledge of and experience with Amateur Radio software.
  * A bachelor or graduate college degree, preferably in a technical
    field. Exceptional related work history can be substituted for a degree.
  * A minimum of three years of writing or editing experience.
  * Demonstrated ability to work effectively and productively with a
    variety of people.
  * Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially /Word/ and /Excel/.
  * An Amateur Extra class license.

Click here <http://www.arrl.org/employment-opportunities> for more 
information and an application. To apply, please send your cover letter 
and resume via e-mail 
<mailto:mlevesque at arrl.org?subject=Technical20Position>, or complete the 
application, print it out and mail it with your resume and cover letter 
to Monique Levesque, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. You can 
also fax your application, cover letter and resume to 860-594-0298. 
Please include your salary history and salary requirements. The ARRL is 
an equal opportunity employer.

This Week in Radiosport

/This week:/

  * October 12 -- NCCC Sprint
  * October 13 -- EU Autumn Sprint (CW); FISTS Fall Sprint
  * October 13-14 -- Arizona QSO Party; Pennsylvania QSO Party;
    Makrothen RTTY Contest; Oceania DX Contest (CW); QRP ARCI Fall QSO
    Party; Scandinavian Activity Contest (SSB)
  * October 14 -- North American Sprint (RTTY); SKCC Weekend Sprintathon

/Next week:/

  * October 15-19 -- ARRL School Club Roundup
    <http://www.arrl.org/school-club-roundup>
  * October 19 -- NCCC Sprint, MCG Autumn Sprint
  * October 20 -- Iowa QSO Party; Feld Hell Sprint
  * October 20-21 -- New York QSO Party; 10-10 International Fall
    Contest (CW); Stew Perry Topband Challenge; JARTS WW RTTY Contest;
    Worked All Germany Contest; Araucaria VHF Contest; 10-10
    International Fall Contest (CW); W/VE Islands QSO Party
  * October 21 -- Asia-Pacific Fall Sprint (CW); UBA ON Contest (2 meters)
  * October 21-22 -- Illinois QSO Party
  * October 22 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
  * October 24 -- SKCC Sprint
  * October 24-25 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

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

  * *October 12-14 -- ARRL National Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arrl-national-convention-pacificon-2012>,
    Santa Clara, California *
  * October 13 -- ARRL Iowa State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/iowa-state-convention-hamboree-2012>,
    Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
  * October 13-14 -- ARRL Florida State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/florida-state-convention-melbourne-hamfest-1>,
    Melbourne, Florida
  * November 3-4 -- ARRL Georgia State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/georgia-state-convention-stone-mountain-hamfest-computer-expo-1>,
    Lawrenceville, Georgia
  * November 4 -- ARRL Iowa Section Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/iowa-section-convention-41st-annual-drac-hamfest-computer-show%27>,
    Davenport, Iowa
  * November 10 -- ARRL Alabama State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/alabama-state-convention-1>,
    Montgomery, Alabama
  * November 17-18 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/indiana-state-convention-fort-wayne-hamfest-computer-expo-1>,
    Fort Wayne, Indiana
  * December 1-2 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-central-florida-section-convention-tampa-bay-hamfest-2>,
    Palmetto, Florida
  * January 18-19 -- ARRL North Texas Section Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/north-texas-section-convention-cowtown-hamfest-1>,
    Fort Worth, Texas
  * January 19 -- ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southern-florida-section-convention-3>, Fort
    Myers, Florida
  * January 25-26 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/mississippi-state-convention-capital-city-hamfest>,
    Jackson, Mississippi
  * January 26-27 -- ARRL Puerto Rico State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/puerto-rico-state-convention>,
    Hatillo, Puerto Rico
  * February 2 -- ARRL South Carolina State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/south-carolina-state-convention-2>,
    North Charleston, South Carolina
  * February 8-10 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/southeastern-division-convention-orlando-hamcation-1>,
    Orlando, Florida
  * February 15-16 -- ARRL Arizona State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arizona-state-convention-yuma-hamfest-1>,
    Yuma, Arizona
  * March 8-9 -- ARRL Oklahoma Section Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-section-convention-green-country-hamfest-1>,
    Claremore, Oklahoma
  * March 30 -- ARRL North Carolina State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/north-carolina-state-convention-raleigh-hamfest-2>,
    Raleigh, North Carolina
  * April 20-- ARRL Louisiana State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/louisiana-state-convention-northeast-louisiana-regional-ham-radiofest>,
    Monroe, Louisiana
  * April 26-28 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/idaho-state-convention-3>, Boise, Idaho

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

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