[SFDXA] The ARRL Letter for July 4, 2013

Thu Jul 4 08:45:54 EDT 2013

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The ARRL Letter

July 4, 2013
Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME <mailto:ww1me at arrl.org>
ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/> 	
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  * /On the Air/: Strong Geomagnetic Storm Enlivens "The Magic Band"
    <#toc01>
  * /Emergency Radio/: Colorado ARES Supported Emergency Communication
    in Wildland Fire Response <#toc02>
  * /Emergency Radio/: Hams in India Support Emergency Communications
    Following Flood Disaster <#toc03>
  * /Ham Radio in Space/: HamTV Project to Open "A New Era" for ARISS
    <#toc04>
  * /Education/: The ARRL Foundation Announces 2013 Scholarship
    Recipients <#toc05>
  * /People/: New AMSAT Director of Field Operations Hopes to Revive
    Field Organization <#toc06>
  * /People/: N4HY Co-Advises Virginia Tech DARPA Spectrum Challenge
    Team <#toc07>
  * /People/: Nobel Laureate Featured at W9DXCC Convention and Banquet
    <#toc08>
  * /Ham Radio on the Road/: Flying With Spare Rechargeable Batteries
    May Require Preparation <#toc09>
  * Phishing Scam via ARRL.net E-mail Addresses Reported <#toc10>
  * Noted DXer, DXpeditioner Joseph D. Duffin, W2ORA, SK <#toc11>
  * DXCC Honor Roll Member Ivy "Keith" Luke, W5AV, SK <#toc12>
  * This Week in Radiosport <#toc13>
  * Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
    <#toc14>

*ARRL Headquarters is closed today, July 4, for Independence Day. There 
will be no W1AW bulletin or code practice transmissions. Headquarters 
will be open for business tomorrow, Friday, July 5. We wish everyone a 
safe and enjoyable holiday!*

/On the Air/: Strong Geomagnetic Storm Enlivens "The Magic Band"

That strong geomagnetic storm over the weekend may have trashed the HF 
bands, but stations along North America's Eastern Seaboard took 
advantage of the resulting aurora to score some DX on 6 meters. On 
Saturday, June 29, stations were able to work into Alaska during a 
period of auroral propagation. WK3N in Pennsylvania reported working his 
first two Alaska stations, AL7RT and KL7NO, for his #100 on 6 meters. 
WK3N called the episode "the most intense solar storm in the

last five years." He pointed his beam north, turned on his amp and 
started calling "CQ." He worked into several regions of the US and 
Canada. K8OM reported a 6 meter opening into Eastern Iowa at 1645 UTC 
Sunday, June 30, when the geomagnetic storm had begun to wind down. He 
worked OH1ND, OH1XT and ES6RQ, all on CW.

"That may not be all that great for East Coast guys, but for us out here 
in the middle of the country, it was rather exciting!" he said. 
Spaceweather.com <http://www.spaceweather.com/> reported early Saturday 
morning that a strong geomagnetic storm was in progress as Earth passed 
through a region of south-pointing magnetism in the solar wind. The 
storm generated auroral displays as far south as Kansas. The NOAA Space 
Weather Prediction Center <http://www.swpc.noaa.gov> indicated the storm 
was a G3 level event. NOAA says that in a G3 level storm, HF radio may 
be intermittent. Over the weekend, the A index rose to 22, and the K 
index ranged from 5 to 7. Generally an A index at or below 15 or a K 
index at or below 3 is best for HF propagation. /-- Thanks to //The 
Daily DX/ <http://www.dailydx.com>/, Spaceweather.com, NOAA/

/Emergency Radio/: Colorado ARES Supported Emergency Communication in 
Wildland Fire Response

Colorado Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES 
<http://www.arrl.org/ares>) volunteers mustered to support emergency 
communications after wildland fires broke out in June.

"For the second summer in a row the entire state of Colorado seems to be 
on fire," said North Central Colorado Region ARES Emergency Coordinator 
Perry Lundquist, W6AUN. "Currently there are 16 wildfires burning within 
Colorado."

Several Colorado ARES districts activated in the wake of the Royal Gorge 
and Black Forest fires June 11. Members provided communication support 
for sheltering activities. Later the same day,

the Black Forest Fire erupted close to the Waldo Canyon area in Colorado 
Springs, where a similar wildfire caused widespread destruction last 
year. "The Black Forest Fire has now become the most destructive fire in 
Colorado history," Lundquist said. It ultimately consumed 14,280 acres 
and 507 homes and caused two deaths.

During the fire's peak, eight shelters were opened for both people as 
well as animals large and small, Lundquist reports. More than 35,000 
residents had to evacuate, he said, which placed a very heavy burden on 
the American Red Cross, which immediately requested ARES communication 
support between its eight various shelters and the Pikes Peak Red Cross 
headquarters. ARES volunteers responded by providing around-the-clock 
radio operators for several days.

Lundquist said in late June that several Jefferson County ARES members 
were still working on other fires within the state where their ARES 
members are assigned individually as National Wildfire Coordinating 
Group (NWCG <http://www.nwcg.gov/>) certified communication technicians 
and radio operators. "Colorado Section and Regional ARES leadership has 
worked closely to support the local ARES districts and to provide ARES 
mutual aid in the form of communications equipment and ARES-trained 
manpower resources wherever and whenever needed," he said. /-- Thanks to 
Perry Lundquist, W6AUN; Colorado SM Jack Ciaccia, WMØG, and Rick Palm, K1CE/

/Emergency Radio/: Hams in India Support Emergency Communications 
Following Flood Disaster

Amateur Radio volunteers provided emergency communications in the 
flood-stricken state of Uttarakhand in northern India, after unusually 
heavy early seasonal monsoons caused flooding and mudslides in June. At 
least 800 people have died. Jim Linton, VK3PC, who chairs the IARU 
Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee, says the disaster caught 
everyone by surprise.

"The emergency communications provided by radio amateurs are well known 
to disaster authorities and the government, through their preparedness 
drills and other presentations," Linton said.

India's National Coordinator for Disaster Communication Jayu Mbide, 
VU2JAU, who is with the Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI), told 
Linton that he had been in contact with two Amateur Radio stations 
active in the disaster area at Dehradum and Uttarkshi. "They have been 
sending messages via coordinating stations in Gwalior, New Delhi and 
elsewhere," he said. Linton said emergency communication support was 
expected to continue "for some time." Linton added.

According to the BBC <http://www.bbc.co.uk>, the early monsoons may be 
the heaviest in 80 years. "Swollen rivers have swept away entire 
villages in Uttarakhand, where there were many travelers in what is peak 
tourist season," the broadcaster reported. "Nearly 100,000 people have 
been evacuated from the affected areas in the Himalayan mountains." 
Government rescue efforts have included military helicopter drops of 
food, water and medical supplies to those trapped by the flood. -- /Jim 
Linton, VK3PC, with Jayu Mbide, VU2JAU; BBC/

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/Ham Radio in Space/: HamTV Project to Open "A New Era" for ARISS

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS 
<http://ariss.rac.ca/>) program hopes an Amateur Radio digital TV system 
will be up and running aboard the International Space Station by later 
this year. A project initiated by AMSAT-Italy <http://www.amsat.it/>, 
HamTV would provide one-way video and audio from the ISS to complement 
the FM radio voice link used for ARISS school group radio contacts. 
According to an overview paper <http://www.ariss-eu.org/Ham%20TV.pdf>

drafted by ARISS-Europe Chairman Gaston Bertels, ON4WF, a DATV downlink 
on S-Band (2.4 GHz) is under development to place aboard the ISS 
Columbus module in August. Columbus already sports the necessary 
antenna. As a debate between the merits of analog versus digital TV 
aboard the ISS continued, Bertels says, the digital system got a big 
boost from Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli, IZØJPA, who had conducted 
ARISS school contacts in 2010 and 2011, when he was aboard the ISS.

"At the initiative of AMSAT Italy, an Italian manufacturer, Kayser 
Italia <http://www.kayser.it/index.php/exploration-2/ham-tv>, presented 
a project for an Amateur Radio DATV transmitter to ESA 
<http://www.esa.int>'s [European Space Agency] educational services," 
Bertels explains in his paper. ESA accepted the proposal in 2012 and 
contracted with Kayser Italia to develop and manufacture a 10 W EIRP 
"Ham Video" DATV transmitter for S-Band.

Receiving the DATV signal will be far more demanding than receiving VHF 
or UHF, Bertels notes in his overview paper. He said a study conducted 
by Piero Tognolatti, IØKPT, shows "that DATV decoding should be possible 
for a ground station equipped with a 1.2 meter dish, when the ISS is 
within a range of about 800 to 1000 km," limiting the DATV reception 
window to about 3 or 4 minutes during a favorable pass. According to 
Bertels, Kayser Italia is to provide five ground stations for siting in 
Europe. "It is hoped that amateurs will support other ground station 
'chains' in other countries, as multiple stations are needed to provide 
up to 15 minutes of video in support of school contacts," Bertels 
explains in his paper. He says ARISS anticipates that similar chains of 
ground stations will be set up on other continents, to expand the 
system's flexibility.

"A new era opens for Amateur Radio on the International Space Station," 
Bertels concludes. /-- Thanks to AMSAT News Service; Kayser Italia/

/Education/: The ARRL Foundation Announces 2013 Scholarship Recipients

The ARRL Foundation <http://www.arrl.org/the-arrl-foundation> Board of 
Directors has announced the scholarship recipients for 2013. In 2013, 
the Foundation awarded 82 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-foundation-awards-82-scholarships-in-2013>annual 
scholarships 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-foundation-awards-82-scholarships-in-2013> to 
young Amateur Radio operators. The scholarships, valued at $110,600, are 
awarded through 58 funds that the Foundation administers. Individual 
awards range from $500 to $5000. Foundation Secretary and ARRL Chief 
Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, says the scholarship program has 
grown substantially over the years with the addition of new awards.

"Amateur Radio organizations and individual donors have enriched the 
program to reward high academic achievement and community service," 
Hobart said. "I am constantly amazed at what young radio amateurs 
accomplish in their young lives, even as they work hard to perform 
academically at the highest levels. Congratulations to all the 
applicants who demonstrate the best that Amateur Radio has to offer!"

In addition to the 82 winners, there are currently four holders of the 
William R. Goldfarb Memorial Scholarship, which assists recipients in 
receiving a four-year undergraduate degree in engineering, science or in 
the medical or business-related fields. As announced in June the 2013 
recipient -- and the 10th Goldfarb Scholarship winner -- is Calvin P. 
Darula, KØDXC, of St Bonifacius, Minnesota.

The application period for 2014 ARRL Foundation Scholarships opens 
October 1, 2013, and closes February 1, 2014. Descriptions 
<http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-descriptions> of all available 
scholarships and selection criteria as well as application instructions 
and forms <http://www.arrl.org/scholarship-application> are on the ARRL 
Foundation website <http://www.arrl.org/the-arrl-foundation>. Inquiries 
regarding the scholarship program should be made via e-mail 
<mailto:foundation at arrl.org>.

/People/: New AMSAT Director of Field Operations Hopes to Revive Field 
Organization

AMSAT's new Director of Field Operations Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK, of 
Scottsdale, Arizona, is hoping to return AMSAT's Field Organization to a 
place of prominence within the satellite organization.

"I look forward to reviving the Field Organization and re-establishing a 
line of communication with those who want to represent AMSAT at the 
local level," Stoddard said upon his appointment. "I will be reaching 
out to those that have assisted us in the past to ascertain their 
current level of interest in helping AMSAT as well as encouraging others 
to join our team."

Stoddard will work closely with AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW, as 
he begins the process of breathing new life into the Field Operations 
organization. As director of field operations, he will be

responsible for managing AMSAT's corps of area coordinators, who 
represent AMSAT locally. Area coordinators serve as the "Ambassadors of 
AMSAT." This may include staffing AMSAT booths at hamfests, giving 
local/regional club presentations on AMSAT and satellite operations and 
serving as Elmers to those seeking information about operating through 
satellites.

At one time more than 100 AMSAT members were on the list of area 
coordinators in the US and Canada.-- /AMSAT News Service/ 
<http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/news/>//

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/People/: N4HY Co-Advises Virginia Tech DARPA Spectrum Challenge Team

Former AMSAT director and vice president for engineering Bob McGwier, 
N4HY, is advising one of two Virginia Tech <http://www.vt.edu/> teams 
named as finalists in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 
(DARPA <http://www.darpa.mil/>)

Bob McGwier, N4HY

Spectrum Challenge <http://www.darpa.mil/spectrumchallenge/>. McGwier, 
who chairs the ARRL software defined radio (SDR) working group, is 
director of research at Tech's Hume Center 
<http://www.hume.ictas.vt.edu/> in Arlington, Virginia. He shares Hume 
Center Team advising duties with Charles Clancy, an associate professor 
of electrical and computer engineering and director of the Hume Center.

The Hume Center and Wireless at VT teams qualified among 15 finalists out 
of 90 competitors in the DARPA Spectrum Challenge qualification round in 
an international competition to develop strategies for clear 
communication in the presence of interference on a radio channel. They 
will compete with the 13 other teams for $25,000 in top prizes in the 
preliminary challenge in September and $50,000 in top prizes in the 
final challenge next March.

The DARPA Spectrum Challenge was organized in response to the problem of 
growing interference among wireless devices that function in an 
increasingly congested radio spectrum. The challenge tasks teams with 
generating SDR protocols that transmit data quickly and accurately 
despite interfering signals. Both Virginia Tech teams include Amateur 
Radio licensees. -- /Virginia Tech/ <http://www.vt.edu/>

/People/: Nobel Laureate Featured at W9DXCC Convention and Banquet

Nobel laureate and /WSJT/ <http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/> 
developer Joe Taylor, K1JT, will be the banquet speaker at the 61st 
annual W9DXCC Convention and Banquet <http://www.w9dxcc.com/>, Saturday, 
September 21, at the Holiday Inn, Elk Grove

Joe Taylor, K1JT

Village, Illinois, sponsored by the Northern Illinois DX Association.

Among the presentations <http://www.w9dxcc.com/program.html>, Eric Hall, 
K9GY, will speak on his T6MO Afghanistan operations; Carl Luetzelschwab, 
K9LA, will discuss Cycle 24 propagation; Jerry Rosalius, WB9Z, and Craig 
Thompson, K9CT, will offer a preview of the Amsterdam Island FT5ZM 
DXpedition, and Mike McGirr, K9AJ, will report on the H44AJ DXpedition 
to Sikaiana Atoll in the Solomon Islands.

An ARRL forum will feature Central Division Director Dick Isely, W9GIG, 
Vice Director Kermit Carlson, W9XA, and ARRL DX Advisory Committee 
member Jim O'Connell, W9WU.

For more information, contact Kermit Carlson, W9XA 
<mailto:W9XA at yahoo.com>. The W9DXCC DX University Program will take 
place Friday, September 20, 9 AM to 5 PM. The program, "DXing from the 
Black Hole 2," is intended for new and seasoned DXers alike. For DX 
University information, contact Jack Hudson, W9MU 
<mailto:jack at W9MU.net>. Hospitality suites will be open Friday and 
Saturday nights.

/Ham Radio on the Road/: Flying With Spare Rechargeable Batteries May 
Require Preparation

FAA regulations let you travel with dry cells in either your carry-on or 
checked baggage, but prohibit /loose/ lithium batteries in checked 
baggage. But what about rechargeables in carry-on luggage? Stu Martin, 
K2QDE, reports that he ran into a small hitch when attempting to carry 
his spare hand-held transceiver battery in his carry-on bag. A notice 
within his boarding pass declared: "Lithium Batteries: Carriage of spare 
lithium batteries is not permitted in checked baggage. If you put a 
portable electronic device in checked baggage, you may still do so with 
the batteries installed in the device. Spare lithium batteries in 
carry-on luggage must have the terminals insulated and must be placed 
inside a protective case or plastic bag." Martin taped the battery's 
terminals and stowed it in a bag.

The FAA rules apply to "consumer-sized lithium ion batteries," including 
"larger, extended-life laptop batteries." The FAA adds this caveat, 
however: "Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to 
additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it 
triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been 
tampered with, or poses other security concerns. /The final decision 
rests with TSA/ on whether to allow any items on the plane." More 
information 
<http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ash/ash_programs/hazmat/aircarrier_info/media/airline_passengers_and_batteries.pdf> 
is available on the FAA Web site.

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Phishing Scam via ARRL.net E-mail Addresses Reported

Several ARRL members have reported that someone posing as "Arrl.net 
Online Services" is prompting members to provide personal information. 
These e-mails ask the user for his or her username and password.

These e-mails do /not/ come from the ARRL. The League would never ask 
you for this sort of information in this fashion. The best course of 
action is to ignore such requests and, as a general precaution, never 
send personal information via e-mail.

Noted DXer, DXpeditioner Joseph D. Duffin, W2ORA, SK

ARRL Charter Life Member, DXer and DXpeditioner Joe Duffin, W2ORA/EI8GT 
(ex W3SWL), of Moorestown, New Jersey, died June 16. He was 87. He was 
an alumnus of the 1978 Navassa Island DXpedition (NØTG/KP1 and 
WØRJU//KP1 )./-- //The Daily DX/ <http://www.dailydx.com>

DXCC Honor Roll Member Ivy "Keith" Luke, W5AV, SK

The ARRL has learned that ARRL and DXCC Honor Roll member Ivy "Keith" 
Luke, of Brandon, Mississippi, died April 11. He was 85. Licensed in 
1950, Luke was a life member of the Jackson Amateur Radio Club, the 
Magnolia DX Association and the ARRL A-1 Operators Club. He was a #1 
ARRL DXCC Honor Roll member with 381 entities confirmed in the DXCC 
(mixed) standings.

This Week in Radiosport

  *

    July 6-7 -- Venezuelan Independence Day Contest

  *

    July 6-7 -- DL-DX RTTY Contest

  *

    July 6-7 -- Original QRP Contest

  *

    July 6-7 -- PODXS 070 Club 40 Meter Firecracker Sprint

  *

    July 7 -- DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest

  *

    July 7 -- QRP ARCI Summer Homebrew Sprint

  *

    July 10 -- NAQCC-EU Monthly Sprint

  *

    July 10 -- RSGB 80 Meter Club Championship, SSB

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

  *

    July 6 -- Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention
    <http://hrac.tripod.com/HAMFEST_FLYER2013.pdf>, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

  *

    July 19-21 -- Montana State Convention <http://www.gwhamfest.org/>,
    East Glacier, Montana

  *

    July 25-27 -- Central States VHF Society Conference
    <http://www.csvhfs.org/2013conference/>, Elk Grove Village, Ilinois

  *

    July 26-27 -- ARRL Oklahoma State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-state-convention-ham-holiday-1>,
    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

  *

    August 2-3 -- ARRL Texas State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/texas-state-convention-austin-summerfest-2013>,
    Austin, Texas

  *

    August 2-4 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/pacific-northwest-dx-convention-2>,
    Spokane Valley, Washington

  *

    August 3 -- Great Lakes Division Convention
    <http://arrl-greatlakes.org/convention.html>, Columbus, Ohio

  *

    August 9-11 -- New Mexico State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/Events/view/21836>, Albuquerque, New Mexico

  *

    August 17 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-virginia-state-convention-3>,
    Weston, West Virginia

  *

    August 17-18 -- ARRL Alabama State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/alabama-state-convention-huntsville-hamfest-1>,
    Huntsville, Alabama

  *

    August 18 -- ARRL Kansas State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/kansas-state-convention-3>, Salina, Kansas

  *

    August 25 -- ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/western-pennsylvania-section-convention-3>,
    New Kensington, Pennsylvania

  *

    August 31-September 1 -- North Carolina Section Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/north-carolina-section-convention-shelby-hamfest>,
    Shelby, North Carolina

    Click <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar> to
    find a convention or hamfest near you!

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