[SFDXA] The ARRL Letter for March 21, 2013

Thu Mar 21 18:40:35 EDT 2013

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             The  ARRL Letter

Published by the American Radio Relay League
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March 21, 2013

Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA <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/> IN THIS ISSUE

- Amateur Radio Enforcement: FCC Reduces Pennsylvania Ham's Fine
- Support ARRL: ARRL Announces a Campaign for Its Second Century
- Dayton Hamvention® Announces 2013 Award Winners
- Check Out the April Issue of QST
- ARRL Executive Committee Focused on FCC and Regulatory Items at March
Meeting
- The Amateur Radio Public Service Handbook Now Available for Kindle
- ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee Seeks Comments on Draft 5 and
10 GHz National Band Plans
- Solar Update
- W1AW Announces 2013 Spring Operating Schedule
- ARRL to Close in Observance of Good Friday
- This Week in Radiosport
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

There will be no ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>
on Thursday, March 21. It will return on March 28.

==> AMATEUR RADIO ENFORCEMENT: FCC REDUCES PENNSYLVANIA HAM'S FINE

    After affirming it was going to uphold a forfeiture in the amount of
$4000 to Jose Torres, N3TX, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the FCC
decided to lower the fine to $3500. The FCC issued the fine in May
2011, saying that Torres' willful and repeated operation on an
unauthorized frequency in April and June 2008 was in violation of
Section 1.903(a) of the FCC's rules. Torres filed a Petition for
Reconsideration in July 2011, asking that the FCC cancel or reduce the
fine based on his inability to pay the full amount. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-reduces-pennsylvania-ham-s-fine>.

==> SUPPORT ARRL: ARRL ANNOUNCES A CAMPAIGN FOR ITS SECOND CENTURY

    As the ARRL draws closer to celebrating its Centennial in 2014, its
Board of Directors has launched an unprecedented $10 million
fundraising initiative to build the ARRL Endowment and strengthen the
organization's financial future. Led by the ARRL Board and an
eight-member Second Century Campaign Committee -- headed by David W.
Brandenburg, K5RQ -- the campaign has already raised more than $4
million toward this goal. Plans are to reach that goal by the end of
ARRL's centennial year in 2014.

"The vision of the ARRL Second Century Campaign is to secure
significant financial resources that will open a path to passionate
involvement in Amateur Radio for new generations," she said. "In this,
it will provide opportunities for educational enrichment, community
service and personal achievement through the exploration and use of the
magic of radio communication." Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-announces-a-campaign-for-its-second-century>.

==> DAYTON HAMVENTION® ANNOUNCES 2013 AWARD WINNERS

    The Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) -- host of the Dayton
Hamvention® -- has announced the winners of its four annual awards for
2013: the Amateur of the Year, the Technical Excellence Award, the
Special Achievement Award and the Amateur Radio Club of the Year. These
recipients will be honored at Hamvention in May. Each year, DARA
invites the amateur community to nominate hams who have made
significant contributions to the Amateur Radio Service. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/dayton-hamvention-announces-2013-award-winners>.

==> CHECK OUT THE APRIL ISSUE OF QST

The April issue of QST celebrates 75 years of W1AW, the Hiram Percy
Maxim Memorial Station. So grab your print edition of QST -- or settle
in with your computer or tablet to read the digital version
<http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/arrl/qst_201304/index.php> -- and
discover what the April issue has to offer.

Remote operation of your station via the Internet is gaining
popularity. While operating the rig and antenna selector is fairly
simple, controlling other station functions remotely can be a bit of a
challenge. In his article "Remote Control of Accessories via the
Internet," Jon Crisman, W0JEC, explains how to make this functions a
bit simpler. In "The 2 Meter Q-Pole," Eric P. Nichols, KL7AJ, explains
how this attractive and somewhat strange-looking antenna is the only
kind of antenna capable of radiating omnidirectional diagonal
polarization. In the first of a series of one night, easy to build
projects, Paul Danzer, N1II, presents "Done In One: Temperature Alarm,"
which demonstrates how to build a device to warn you if your rig is
overheating.

    The world's most famous Amateur Radio station -- W1AW -- turns 75 in
September. W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, takes readers on a
photo tour of the ARRL's flagship station in "75 Years of W1AW." In his
article "Field Day the Solo Way," Thomas Mills, NU9R, gets a jump on
Amateur Radio's most popular on-the-air event by showing that roughing
it on Field Day can teach some valuable lessons. ARRL News Editor S.
Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, reports on the ARRL's Board of Directors Annual
Meeting and presents the recipients of three of the ARRL's annual
awards in "ARRL Board of Directors Convenes in New Orleans for 2013
Annual Meeting."

ARRL Membership and Volunteer Programs Assistant Manager Norm Fusaro,
W3IZ, takes a look at the Yaesu FTdx3000 HF and 6 meter transceiver in
this month's Product Review. He says this rig "brings a boost in
features and performance to Yaesu's mid-priced transceiver range." You
can find a video overview of the Yaesu FTdx3000
<http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/arrl/qst_201304/index.php#/50> in the
digital edition of the April issue of QST.

Of course, there are the usual columns you know and have come to expect
in the April issue of QST: Happenings, Hints & Kinks, Eclectic
Technology, The Doctor is In, Short Takes, Vintage Radio, How's DX? and
more. Look for your April issue in your mailbox and in your inbox. QST
is the official journal of the ARRL, the national association for
Amateur Radio. QST is just one of the many benefits of ARRL membership.
To join, or to renew your ARRL membership, please see the ARRL web page
<https://www.arrl.org/join-arrl-renew-membership/>.

==> ARRL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOCUSED ON FCC AND REGULATORY ITEMS AT
MARCH MEETING

    The ARRL Executive Committee (EC) held its first 2013 meeting
Saturday, March 9 in Irving, Texas. The meeting's agenda included items
concerning the FCC and regulatory items, FCC enforcement, legislative
issues and organizational matters. The EC is responsible for
administering the League's affairs in between Board meetings. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-executive-committee-focused-on-fcc-and-regulatory-items-at-march-meeting>.

==> THE AMATEUR RADIO PUBLIC SERVICE HANDBOOK NOW AVAILABLE FOR KINDLE

    The Amateur Radio Public Service Handbook
<http://www.amazon.com/Amateur-Public-Service-Handbook-ebook/dp/B00BM9S1P4/ref=pd_rhf_cr_p_t_1_MHTV>
is now available from amazon.com for the Kindle. This e-book is for all
hams who volunteer their time and skill in service to their
communities. It provides knowledge needed for communicating quickly and
effectively during disasters, emergencies and community events, as well
as an opportunity to learn more about the Amateur Radio Service and its
unique role in supporting the public.

You do not need a Kindle to download and purchase The Amateur Radio
Public Service Handbook: those who have the Kindle application
installed on their Apple iPhone, iPod touch or iPad or Android
smartphone -- or even on their computer -- can download the book for
use on these devices. The Amateur Radio Public Service Handbook is
available as a Kindle book from amazon.com for $24.99. The soft cover
version
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Amateur-Radio-Public-Service-Handbook/> is
also available for $39.95 ($34.95 for ARRL members).

==> ARRL UHF/MICROWAVE BAND PLAN COMMITTEE SEEKS COMMENTS ON DRAFT 5
AND 10 GHZ NATIONAL BAND PLANS

    Last year, the ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee prepared --
and the ARRL Board of Directors approved -- updated national band plans
for the amateur bands between 902 MHz and 3.5 GHz after receiving
extensive and helpful input from the user community. Last year, after
the ARRL Executive Committee extended the Committee's charter to
include the 5 and 10 GHz bands, it solicited additional input
concerning usage on those two bands. The Committee has prepared draft
band plans for 5 centimeters (5.650-5.925 GHz) and 3 centimeters
(10-10.500 GHz). Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-uhf-microwave-band-plan-committee-seeks-comments-on-draft-5-and-10-ghz-national-band-plans>.

==> SOLAR UPDATE

    Tad Cook, K7RA, reports: This past week, the average daily sunspot
numbers were up 16.2 points to 101.1, while the average daily solar
flux remained about the same, rising from 118.5 to 119. An eruption on
March 15 caused a coronal mass ejection (CME) that hit Earth on March
17, causing the planetary A index to jump to 46. The predicted solar
flux is 105 on March 21-22, 100 on March 23-27, 95 on March 28, 100 on
March 29-30, 105 on March 31, 110 and 120 on April 1-2, 125 on April
3-6, and back down to 120 on April 7-8. The planetary A index is
predicted to be 10 and 8 on March 21-22, 5 on March 23-27, 18 and 10 on
March 28-29, and back down to 5 on March 30-April 16. Look for more on
the ARRL website on Friday, March 22. For more information concerning
radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service
Propagation page <http://www.arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals>.

==> W1AW ANNOUNCES 2013 SPRING OPERATING SCHEDULE

With the switch from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time on March 10,
W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, has updated the W1AW operating
schedule to reflect the change. Your local standard times have not
changed, but the UTC times they reference have. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/w1aw-announces-2013-spring-operating-schedule>.

==> ARRL TO CLOSE IN OBSERVANCE OF GOOD FRIDAY

ARRL Headquarters will be closed in observance of Good Friday on
Friday, March 29. There will be no W1AW bulletin or code practice
transmissions that day. ARRL Headquarters will reopen Monday, April 1
at 8 AM Eastern Daylight Time. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable
holiday weekend.

==> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT

This week:

- March 22 -- NCCC Sprint
- March 24 -- UBA Spring Contest (SSB)
- March 27 -- SKCC Sprint
- March 27 28 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

Next week:

- March 29 -- NCCC Sprint
- March 30-31 -- CQ WPX Contest (SSB)

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

- March 23 -- ARRL South Texas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/south-texas-section-convention-greater-houston-hamfest-3>,
Rosenberg, Texas
- March 29-30 -- ARRL Maine State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/maine-state-convention-3>, Lewiston,
Maine
- March 30 -- ARRL North Carolina State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/north-carolina-state-convention-raleigh-hamfest-2>,
Raleigh, North Carolina
- April 13-14 -- Communications Academy
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/communications-academy-2013>, Seattle,
Washington
- April 19-20 -- Southeastern VHF Society Conference
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/svhfs-conference>, Cocoa Beach, Florida
- April 19-21 -- International DX Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/international-dx-convention-2>, Visalia,
California
- 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;
Eastern VHF/UHF Conference
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/eastern-vhf-uhf-conference>, Manchester,
Connecticut
- May 4 -- ARRL South Carolina Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/south-carolina-section-convention-upstate-hamfest-1>,
Spartanburg, South Carolina
- May 17-19 -- Dayton Hamvention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/dayton-hamvention-4>, Trotwood, Ohio
- June 1 -- ARRL Georgia State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/georgia-state-convention-atlanta-hamfest-1>,
Marietta, Georgia
- May 31-June 2 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northwestern-division-convention-seapac-4>,
Seaside, Oregon
- June 7-8 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-gulf-division-convention-35th-anniversary-ham-com>,
Plano, Texas
- June 8 -- ARRL Delta Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delta-division-convention-2>, Rogers,
Arkansas; ARRL Tennessee State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tennessee-state-convention-knoxville-hamfest-electronics-convention>,
Knoxville, Tennessee
- June 28-30 -- ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/rocky-mountain-division-convention-hamcon-colorado-2013>,
Estes Park, Colorado
- July 6 -- ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/eastern-pennsylvania-section-convention-firecracker-hamfest-electronics-expo>,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- July 25-27 -- Central States VHF Society Conference
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/central-states-vhf-society-2013-conference>,
Elk Grove Village, Illinois
- 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 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

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

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