[SFDXA] The ARRL Letter for March 13, 2014

Fri Mar 14 15:34:43 EDT 2014

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The ARRL Letter

March 13, 2014
Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME <mailto:ww1me at arrl.org>
ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/> 	
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  * /Regulatory/: FCC Cites Ham's "History of Compliance" in Reducing
    Fine for Unlicensed Broadcasting <#toc01>
  * /Regulatory/: FCC Cites New Jersey CB Shop for Marketing
    Unauthorized RF Devices <#toc02>
  * /Public Service/: Amateur Radio Played Role in Missing Airliner
    Response <#toc03>
  * /Public Service/: ARES Group Joins Forces with Delaware State Police
    <#toc04>
  * /Public Service/: New SATERN Emergency Disaster Services Ham Station
    Can Be Remotely Controlled <#toc05>
  * /Public Service/: 2014 Preparedness Summit to Highlight Importance
    of Amateur Radio <#toc06>
  * /Ham Radio in Space/: "Ham Video" Transmits Live Images of Astronaut
    Mike Hopkins, KF5LJG, From the ISS <#toc07>
  * /Technology/: Hams' Experimental VLF Signals Heard in the UK, Europe
    <#toc08>
  * /Technology/: KickSat CubeSat to Deploy Smallest Earth-Orbiting
    Satellites <#toc09>
  * /Centennial/: W1AW Centennial Operations Shift to Tennessee, New
    Mexico, and Guam on March 19 <#toc10>
  * /Media/: NPR's "All Things Considered" Segment Includes Spark Gap
    Morse from ARRL <#toc11>
  * /International/: Number of Newcomers Rises, Overall Numbers Fall in
    Germany <#toc12>
  * /International/: Industry Canada Rolls Out Updated Ham Radio
    Question Pool, New Exam Generator <#toc13>
  * /Education/: Foundation for Amateur Radio Invites Scholarship
    Applications <#toc14>
  * /Feature/: A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL<#toc15>
  * *In Brief* <#toc16>
  * The K7RA Solar Update <#toc17>
  * Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc18>
  * Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
    <#toc19>

/Regulatory/: FCC Cites Ham's "History of Compliance" in Reducing Fine 
for Unlicensed Broadcasting

The FCC has cited the otherwise clean record of an Amateur Radio 
licensee in deciding to reduce his fine for "willfully and repeatedly" 
violating the Communications Act and FCC rules. Brian R. Ragan, KF6EGI, 
of Suisun City, California, was found liable for operating an unlicensed 
FM broadcasting station for 6 months and for failing to allow FCC 
personnel to inspect his station. In a /Forfeiture Order/ 
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2014/db0310/DA-14-311A1.pdf> 
released March 10, the FCC fined Ragan $13,600 -- a $3400 reduction of 
the $17,000 the Commission initially proposed to levy in the case, which 
dates back to 2012. In deciding to reduce Ragan's fine, the FCC said it 
took into account Ragan's "history of compliance as an Amateur licensee."

"Prior to this violation, Mr Ragan had no violations of the 
[Communications] Act or the [FCC] rules as an Amateur Radio operator," 
the FCC said in the /Forfeiture Order/, "and, therefore, consistent with 
the [forfeiture] adjustment factors, we find that reduction of the 
forfeiture based on Mr Ragan's history of compliance is warranted and 
reduce the forfeiture by $3400."

As precedent the Commission cited the case of Amateur Extra class 
licensee Joaquim Barbosa, N2KBJ, of Elizabeth, New Jersey. In a July 
2012 /Notice of Apparent Liability /(/NAL/ 
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-280559A1.pdf>), 
the FCC found Barbosa liable for operating an unlicensed transmitter 
that interfered with a government communication system, and for not 
allowing an FCC inspection. The FCC reduced 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-finds-new-jersey-ham-violated-communications-act-reduces-forfeiture-from-20-000-to-16-000> 
its initial $20,000 levy to $16,000, citing Barbosa's "overall history 
of compliance with the laws, including the Commission's rules."

As required by the /NAL/, Ragan submitted a statement that he is now in 
full compliance with the Communications Act and no longer engaged in 
unauthorized operation on 104.9 MHz. Ragan also said he is willing to 
allow FCC personnel to inspect for verification. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-cites-ham-s-history-of-compliance-in-reducing-fine-for-unlicensed-broadcasting>.

/Regulatory/: FCC Cites New Jersey CB Shop for Marketing Unauthorized RF 
Devices

The FCC has issued a /Citation/ 
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2014/db0305/DA-14-301A1.pdf> 
to a New Jersey Citizens Band radio shop for marketing unauthorized RF 
devices to consumers in violation of the Communications Act of 1934 and 
FCC Part 2 rules. The /Citation/ to Thomas Wilson, doing business as 
Redman CB Stop <http://redmancb.com/>, in Absecon, New Jersey, was 
issued March 5.

"Redman CB Stop should take immediate steps to discontinue the marketing 
of unauthorized radio frequency devices, and to avoid any recurrence of 
the misconduct described herein," the FCC /Citation/ directed.

Last October an agent from the FCC Enforcement Bureau's Philadelphia 
office browsed the website of the online retailer of CB and Amateur 
Radio gear. The agent "observed for sale 16 makes and models of 
non-certified RF power amplifiers" capable of operation on both the 11 
meter Citizens Band and the 10 meter ham band. The FCC said such devices 
may not be offered for sale prior to FCC certification. In addition, FCC 
rules prohibit marketing or selling external RF amplifiers capable of 
amplification between 26 MHz and 28 MHz.

The FCC gave Redman CB Stop 30 days to respond to the /Citation/. The 
Commission said it will use "all relevant material information before 
it," including information the retailer may disclose, to determine what, 
if any, enforcement action may be necessary "to ensure your compliance 
with the Communications Act and the Commission's rules."

/Public Service/: Amateur Radio Played Role in Missing Airliner Response

Following the mysterious disappearance on March 8 of the Malaysian 
Airline Boeing 777-200ER jetliner with 239 passengers aboard, the 
airline's Emergency Management Centre (EMC) at Kuala Lumpur Airport 
provided hotel accommodations for passengers' next of kin. Malaysian 
Amateur Radio Transmitters' Society (MARTS <http://www.marts.org.my/>) 
President Mohd Aris Bernawi, 9M2IR, said his organization was asked to 
provide a link between the airport and the hotel.

MARTS quickly set up a station, led by Zanirul Akhmal Zanirun, 9M2PRO, 
with Azizi Samsuri, 9W2ZZE, as the airline's team leader. The Negeri 
Sembilan Amateur Radio Club (NESRAC <http://www.nesrac.org.my>) provided 
volunteers for the station at the EMC. MARTS set up a cross-band VHF/UHF 
link to avoid any unnecessary interference to and from public service 
communications, and later added an HF link.

During the callout, 11 Amateur Radio volunteers were at the EMC, and 23 
volunteers were at the hotel. 9M2IR, who oversaw the entire process, 
said MARTS -- an IARU member-society -- was pleased to be able provide 
the communication link as the search for flight MH370 continues. /-- 
Thanks to Jim Linton, VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster 
Communications Committee ///

/Public Service/: ARES Group Joins Forces with Delaware State Police

The Delaware State Police are teaming up with the Sussex County 
(Delaware) Amateur Radio Emergency Service to ensure reliable back-up 
communication, should primary law enforcement communication systems fail.

"Delaware must always be aware of the threats of hurricanes, 
nor'easters, severe snow, and other disasters," Delaware State Police 
Sussex County Operations Officer Maj Robert Hawkins said in a /Cape 
Gazette/ article 
<http://capegazette.villagesoup.com/p/state-police-announce-partnership-with-amateur-radio-group/1110733>. 
"Thankfully, we don't get hit often, but when we do, communication is 
absolutely essential, and having Amateur Radio operators available to 
fill in gaps will be a real asset."

When back-up communication is needed, the Delaware State Police will 
designate locations for ARES stations to set up. ARES members then will 
handle any necessary traffic within this network. The initial program 
will be limited to Sussex County, but it may be expanded to include 
Delaware's other two counties -- Kent and New Castle.

Sussex County covers approximately the lower half of Delaware. Bill 
Duveneck, KB3KYH, is the Sussex County ARES Emergency Coordinator./-- 
/Cape Gazette/via John Bigley, N7UR, /Nevada Amateur Radio Newswire

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/Public Service/: New SATERN Emergency Disaster Services Ham Station Can 
Be Remotely Controlled

WB5ALM, the new Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN 
<http://www.satern.org/>) ham station for the 
Alabama-Louisiana-Mississippi (ALM) Division of the organization's 
Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) Center is capable of being controlled 
remotely via the Internet.

"The goal is to allow for a select group of qualified, trained net 
control operators to operate a state-of-the art SATERN station that is 
centrally located within the ALM Division and the Southern Territory 
from their home location anywhere in the Territory," said Territorial 
SATERN Net Manager Ken Standard, AD5XJ.

SATERN volunteers inaugurated WB5ALM by checking into the International 
SATERN Net on March 5. The new call sign, which reflects the initials of 
Salvation Army founder William Booth as well as its ALM organizational 
division, will be used for the fixed station at the Division EDS Center 
and for mobile operation from the SATERN Coordinator's vehicle or the 
Territorial Communications Trailer. Acquisition of the vanity call sign 
culminated a nearly year-long process of building the 
Alabama-Louisiana-Mississippi Division's new SATERN station.

"This new station will make it easier to recruit SATERN operators to 
operate the station during a disaster or emergency by reducing the need 
for them to be physically present at the EDS Center," said Territorial 
SATERN Coordinator Bill Feist, WB8BZH.

The SATERN Net operates on 14.265 MHz on HF. SATERN volunteers use 
Amateur Radio to coordinate the organization's emergency response and 
relief operations and to convey health-and-welfare messages following a 
disaster. Its director is Rick Shirran, VE3NUZ. -- /Thanks to The 
Salvation Army/SATERN, John Bigley, N7UR/

/Public Service/: 2014 Preparedness Summit to Highlight Importance of 
Amateur Radio

The annual Preparedness Summit 
<http://preparednesssummit.org/2014-preparedness-summit/>, the largest 
public health preparedness conference in the US, will take place April 
1-4 in Atlanta, with some 2000 preparedness professionals expected to 
attend the multidisciplinary event. This year, the Preparedness Summit 
is highlighting <http://preparednesssummit.org/ham-radio/> the 
importance of Amateur Radio, and special event station N4P will operate 
from the Exhibit Hall. N4P will be on the air from 1700 until 2330 UTC 
on Wednesday, April 2, and from 1500 until 2030 UTC on Thursday, April 
3. Stations contacting N4P will receive a special QSL card.

On VHF and UHF, N4P will monitor the 146.88 W4BTI repeater, the 442.875 
MHz K4RFL repeater, and the D-STAR 440.6875 B-Node operating as KK4OIO. 
On HF SSB, look for N4P on 28.365 MHz, 21.365 MHz, 14.265 MHz, and 7.265 
MHz. N4P also will be on EchoLink.

The National Association for County & City Health Officials (NACCHO 
<http://nacchopreparedness.org/>) offered Amateur Radio licensing 
webinars in February and March in advance of the gathering. Testing will 
be administered April 3 at the Preparedness Summit. NACCHO is offering 
an in-person review session at the Summit on April 2. The webinars have 
been recorded and are available 
<http://preparednesssummit.org/ham-radio/> via the Summit website.

/Ham Radio in Space/: "Ham Video" Transmits Live Images of Astronaut 
Mike Hopkins, KF5LJG, From the ISS

As one of his final actions during his duty tour aboard the 
International Space Station, NASA Astronaut Mike Hopkins, KF5LJG, 
installed and commissioned the Amateur Radio on the International Space 
Station (ARISS <http://www.ariss.org>) "Ham Video" system over the March 
8-9 weekend. Hopkins returned safely to Earth March 10 aboard a /Soyuz/ 
lander with crew members, Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kotov and Sergey 
Ryazansky. The Amateur Radio digital television (DATV) setup can 
transmit video of the crew and the interior of the /Columbus/ module on 
the 2.4 GHz band (S-band). The ARISS project, led by ARISS-EU 
<http://www.ariss-eu.org>, AMSAT-Italy <http://www.amsat.it>, and the 
European Space Agency (ESA <http://www.esa.int>), eventually will 
enhance ARISS school contacts by providing a video and audio downlink 
plus an audio-only uplink. Operating under the call sign OR4ISS, the 
S-band transmitter can utilize one of two ARISS patch antennas installed 
on /Columbus/. Radiated RF power is on the order of 10 W EIRP. The 
received DATV signal was streamed via the web to a global audience via 
the British Amateur Television Club (BATC) server 
<http://batc.tv/ch_live.php?ch=4>.

"Congratulations to the Ham TV team on today's outstanding commissioning 
success!" said ARISS International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, who works 
for NASA. "Several stations in Italy were able to receive [the] video 
and audio downlink." He explained that while the video camera and 
transmitter aboard the ISS are referred to as "Ham Video," the entire 
digital TV/audio downlink and FM voice uplink system is being called 
"Ham TV."

Astronaut Mike Hopkins, KF5LJG, is live on the air during commissioning 
of the Ham Video digital amateur TV system [Image courtesy of Frank 
Bauer, KA3HDO]

The commissioning process primarily involved making sure that ground 
stations in Europe would be able to copy the DTV downlink signal, and 
the results exceeded expectations. A large, high-gain dish at the 
Matera, Italy, ground station worked in concert with smaller-dish 
stations that are planned as future Ham TV ground relay stations. ARISS 
had several additional ground stations around the world tuned in and 
providing reception reports of the so-called "blank transmission" mode, 
with the transmitter on and the camera turned off. Those blank 
transmissions will continue until the next commissioning step set for 
April 12, and ARISS invites 
<http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_FSTV/submit.php> reports.

Commissioning of the Ham TV system marks the culmination of more than a 
decade of planning and preparation within ARISS. Although there are no 
immediate plans to employ the Ham TV system for educational contacts 
with schools in North America, Bauer said several US radio amateurs are 
testing this capability, as are stations in other parts of the world. 
"If this shows educational value," Bauer said, "it will be employed in 
the US." Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/ham-video-transmits-live-images-of-astronaut-mike-hopkins-kf5ljg-from-the-iss>. 
/-- Thanks to ///ARISS International President Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, 
/AMSAT News Service, and ARISS-EU Chairman Gaston Bertels, ON4WF
/

/Technology/: Hams' Experimental VLF Signals Heard in the UK, Europe

In what's believed to be a "first," a very low frequency (VLF) signal 
from a ham radio experimenter in New York was heard across the Atlantic. 
Bob Raide, W2ZM, was transmitting on 29.499 kHz under a Part 5 
Experimental license, WH2XBA/1. His very slow-speed (QRSS) CW signal was 
initially detected in the UK just before 0000 UTC on March 3 by Paul 
Nicholson, an SWL, and later by Mike Dennison, G3XDV, and Markus Vester, 
DK6NM, in Germany. Nicholson also copied a 29.501 kHz transmission from 
Dex McIntyre, W4DEX, in North Carolina, operating as WH2XBA/4.

The plate tank circuit in the WH2XBA/1 VLF transmitter. [Bob Raide, 
W2ZM, photo]

"In recent weeks a number of amateur tests have been running from the 
USA to Europe around 74 kHz and at 29.499 kHz using several hundred 
watts to large antennas," blogged <http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/> Roger 
Lapthorn, G3XBM. He said that signals on 74 kHz were "well copied," but 
that "the surprise" was detecting the 29.499 kHz signal. "As far as I 
know, these 29.499 kHz VLF signals are the first amateur VLF 
[transmissions] to span the Atlantic -- fantastic results by 
well-equipped stations using suitable receivers and good software."

Warren Ziegler, K2ORS, who is on the Experimental license as WH2XBA/2, 
told ARRL that he and several other radio amateurs have obtained Part 5 
licenses to experiment on 500 kHz and on 137 kHz. Ziegler, who has been 
a participant in the ARRL-sponsored experimental operations 
<http://www.500kc.com/> on 500 kHz as WD2XSH/23, said Raide wanted to be 
the first to span the Atlantic on VLF, which he defined as between 3 kHz 
and 30 kHz, so Ziegler applied for and received the WH2XBA Experimental 
grant, and included Raide and four others on the license.

The loading coil for the WH2XBA/1 VLF antenna system. [Bob Raide, W2ZM, 
photo]

"I was ready," Raide told ARRL. His transmitter has a 3CX3000A7 tube in 
the final, running grounded grid and generating 800 W. The effective 
isotropic radiated power (EIRP), however, was estimated to be 
approximately 1 mW. To operate on 10,000 meters, Raide has a 90 foot 
vertical antenna using a reconfigured Zepp, fed via a huge loading coil 
that is 4 feet tall, more than 1 foot across and comprised of some 2000 
feet of #14 wire. He employs a few thousand feet of "chicken wire" for 
his radial system.

The transmission consisted of "XBA" sent at a rate of 120 seconds (2 
minutes) per dot and 360 seconds (6 minutes) per dash of CW. In the UK 
Nicholson copied the signal on software using a PC sound card with a 
preamplifier ahead of it. His antenna is a pair of orthogonal loops, 
each 20 meters square, at ground level, transformer coupled to the 
preamplifier. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/hams-experimental-vlf-signals-heard-in-the-uk-europe>. 
-- /Thanks to Warren Ziegler, K2ORS, Bob Raide, W2ZM, and Joe Craig, VO1NA/

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/Technology/: KickSat CubeSat to Deploy Smallest Earth-Orbiting Satellites

A Sprite satellite. [https://flux.org.uk/projects/hacksat/hardware.html]

When the third SpaceX ISS resupply mission launches on March 16 from 
Cape Canaveral, it will carry the 3U KickSat 
<http://zacinaction.github.io/kicksat/> CubeSat into orbit. NASA TV 
<http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv> is scheduled to broadcast the 
launch live. If all goes according to plan, KickSat, in turn, will 
release 200 "Sprite" satellites -- each about the size of a small 
cracker -- into Earth orbit. Zac Manchester, KD2BHC -- a Cornell 
University PhD student in aerospace engineering -- is heading up the 
project, which was funded via Kickstarter <https://www.kickstarter.com/>.

The tiny Sprite spacecraft will be single-function, short-lifespan units 
operating on 437 MHz. Each is essentially a double-sided printed circuit 
board measuring 3.5 cm × 3.5 cm, incorporating a microcontroller or two, 
radio, and solar cells. Each can carry single-chip sensors, such as 
thermometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, and accelerometers. All Sprites 
operate on the same frequency -- 437.240 MHz -- and use Code Division 
Multiple Access (CDMA). Transmitters run 10 mW output.

Zac Manchester, KD2BHC, holds the 3U KickSat assembly prior to vibration 
testing last fall.

When KickSat reaches its appropriate attitude and orbit, a command 
signal from the ground will trigger deployment, and the Sprites will be 
released as free-flying spacecraft. The Cornell ground station in 
Ithaca, New York, will monitor telemetry and sensor measurements from 
the individual Sprites, with assistance from several other Amateur Radio 
ground stations around the world.

Due to their low orbit, the Sprites can remain in orbit for as long as 6 
weeks in a best-case scenario, depending on atmospheric conditions.

KickSat is being planned as a technology demonstration mission for the 
Sprite spacecraft. It's being launched through NASA's Educational Launch 
of Nanosatellite (ELaNa 
<http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/centers/kennedy/technology/elana_feature.html>) 
program. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/kicksat-cubesat-to-deploy-smallest-earth-orbiting-satellites>.

/Centennial/: W1AW Centennial Operations Shift to Tennessee, New Mexico, 
and Guam on March 19

The ARRL Centennial "W1AW WAS 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/On%20the%20Air/W1AW_2014_sked.pdf>" 
operations that are taking place throughout 2014 from each of the 50 
states will relocate at 0000 UTC on March 19 (the evening of March 18 in 
US time zones), from Arizona and Ohio to Tennessee (W1AW/4), New Mexico 
(W1AW/5), and Guam (W1AW/KH2). During 2014 W1AW will be on the air from 
every state (at least twice) and most US territories, and it will be 
easy to work all states solely by contacting W1AW portable operations.

In conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the ARRL, the ARRL 
Centennial QSO Party <http://www.arrl.org/centennial-qso-party> kicked 
off January 1 for a year-long operating event in which participants can 
accumulate points and win awards. The event is open to all, although 
only ARRL members and appointees, elected officials, HQ staff and W1AW 
are worth ARRL Centennial QSO Party points 
<http://www.arrl.org/centennial-qso-party#Table>. Working W1AW/x from 
each state is worth 5 points per contact.

To earn the "Worked all States with W1AW Award," work W1AW operating 
portable from all 50 states. (Working W1AW or W100AW in Connecticut does 
/not/ count for Connecticut, however. For award credit, participants 
must work W1AW/1 in Connecticut.) A W1AW WAS certificate and plaque will 
be available (pricing not yet available).

The ARRL has posted an ARRL Centennial QSO Party leader board 
<https://centennial-qp.arrl.org> that participants can use to determine 
how many points they have accumulated in the Centennial QSO Party and in 
the W1AW WAS operations. Log in using your Logbook of The World (LoTW 
<http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world>) user name and password, and 
your position will appear at the top of the leader boards. Results are 
updated daily, based on contacts entered into LoTW.

/Media/: NPR's "All Things Considered" Segment Includes Spark Gap Morse 
from ARRL

As part of its series of vignettes exploring a "counterfactual" history, 
"What if World War I had never happened?" NPR afternoon news magazine 
/"/All Things Considered" aired a segment on March 11 to explore how 
history would have unfurled, if the assassination of Archduke Franz 
Ferdinand had not been not successful.

"They needed a sound of a telegraph relaying the message of the failed 
assassination attempt," said ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager 
Sean Kutzko, KX9X. "They wanted it to be as authentic as possible, so we 
explained that in 1914, it would have been relayed via spark."

Sean Kutzko, KX9X, sends Morse code on a spark transmitter in the ARRL 
Museum. [Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY, photo]

The ARRL Lab has a working spark transmitter, so Kutzko got the desired 
text from NPR, which he sent by hand and recorded. "They said it was 
'perfect,'" he reported. "It was a real thrill being able to help NPR; I 
used to work at NPR affiliates in Illinois and Indiana in the 1990s, so 
being able to help the network was exciting."

The final result? Well, if you wanted to hear the spark Morse code on 
the air, you had to listen closely and quickly; it was soon voiced over 
by a faux voice dispatch relating the faux news. NPR's "All Things 
Considered" segments are available 
<http://www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered/> on the NPR website.

/International/: Number of Newcomers Rises, Overall Numbers Fall in Germany

The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC <http://www.darc.de/aktuelles/>) 
reports that the number of newcomers obtaining ham tickets in Germany 
rose by 14 percent in 2013, with 829 receiving licenses, compared with 
724 in 2012. The DARC said 909 applicants took license exams in 2013, up 
from 804 a year earlier -- a 13 percent jump.

"The number of examination participants was at its highest point since 
2007," the DARC said. On the other hand, there were 2255 /fewer/ German 
Amateur Radio licenses on record at the end of 2013 -- a 3.2 percent 
drop from 2012. The DARC cited statistics provided by the 
/Bundesnetzagentur/, Germany's telecommunications regulator. As of 
December 31, 2013, 68,191 Amateur Radio licenses were on record, down 
from 70,446 at the end of 2012, 71,659 at the end of 2011 and 72,293 at 
the end of 2011.

The DARC said the rise in DN-prefix training call sign assignments 
continued in 2013, with 2711 issued, 183 more than in 2012. The 
statistic, the DARC continued, reflects the success of trainers' 
efforts, with more than 27 percent more youth involved in training 
programs than in 2010 -- a trend the DARC called "encouraging." German 
DN call signs are held by Amateur Radio trainers for use by newcomers, 
who operate under a trainer's direct control.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2014-03-13&p=2>
/International/: Industry Canada Rolls Out Updated Ham Radio Question 
Pool, New Exam Generator

Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC <http://www.rac.ca/>) reports 
<https://www.rac.ca/en/news/bulletins/2014/8/> that telecommunications 
regulator Industry Canada (IC <http://www.ic.gc.ca>) has released a new 
Amateur Radio examination question bank -- or pool -- based on 
recommendations from RAC. IC also launched a new exam generator 
<http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/025.nsf/eng/h_00040.html>.

"This is good news that we were eagerly anticipating," RAC President 
Geoff Bawden, VE4BAW, said. "We were pleased to work with IC on this 
issue of significant importance to Amateur Radio operators."

RAC entered into a contract with IC in January 2013 to update the 
question pool in English and in French -- Canada's official languages. 
The review team examined more than 3000 questions and 12,000 possible 
answers for the Basic and Advanced examinations in English and French 
"and aimed for perfection in every one," the organization said. 
"Technical and linguistic accuracy were equally important in the review."

RAC said changes included correcting factual errors, replacing obsolete 
language and examples, making questions and answers clearer, and 
ensuring that questions addressed current Amateur Radio practices and 
regulations. Comments elicited from radio amateurs in Canada helped the 
team identify where changes were needed. RAC wrapped up its work a year ago.

Following the release of the new examination question banks, RAC 
received reports of typographical or transcription errors in the exam 
questions. "Fortunately the new system IC has developed makes it easy 
and quick to correct such errors," said Vincent Charron, VA3GX/VE2HHH, 
RAC's Director of Communications and Fundraising. "RAC will assist in 
conveying the information. Anyone wishing to report errors is invited to 
send these reports by e-mail <mailto:hq.communications at rac.ca>." /-- RAC/

/Education/: Foundation for Amateur Radio Invites Scholarship Applications

The Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR <http://www.farweb.org/>) is 
accepting applications 
<http://www.farweb.org/2014%20-scholarship-information> from Amateur 
Radio operators for scholarships for the 2014-2015 school year. The 
application deadline is April 15. Some scholarships give preference to 
radio amateurs from California, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, 
Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

FAR, a non-profit, all-volunteer organization, manages 52 scholarships 
worth a total of $72,100. There are no age restrictions for any of the 
scholarships, and applicants do not have to attend a four-year 
institution. All applicants must be full-time students.

Availability of these scholarship awards may offer an incentive to 
students considering getting a license or already studying for the test 
to take action before April 15.

FAR's scholarship program is one of the largest for Amateur Radio 
licensees in the US. FAR's purpose is to further Amateur Radio in all of 
its various facets. FAR sponsors training, seminars, and other events in 
support of Amateur Radio. -- /Dave Prestel, /W8AJR 
<mailto:dave.prestel at gmail.com>/,/ /Chairman/ /FAR Scholarship Committee/

/Feature/: A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL

As the US edged ever closer to entering World War II, more restrictions 
were placed on hams. They were still allowed to operate, but only to 
make contacts within the country -- no DX!

There was strong evidence of subversive activities and clandestine radio 
stations in America. The FCC ordered all radio licensees, both 
commercial operators and hams, to furnish a full set of fingerprints, a 
passport-type photo, and proof of US citizenship by October 15, 1940.

It was necessary for the FCC to ramp up its monitoring activities, and 
the September 1940 issue of /QST/ put out a call for amateurs to fill 
500 new positions as FCC monitoring operators. Those 500 positions were 
quickly filled, almost entirely by hams. FCC's well-known Radio 
Intelligence Division was thus supervised and staffed mainly by hams, 
under the direction of George Sterling, W3DF.

The Navy Communications Reserve and the Army stepped up their 
recruitment of amateurs to enlist as radio operators and repairmen, and 
hams again responded in great numbers. In addition, the Civilian 
Conservation Corps and the National Youth Administration recruited hams 
to serve as radio instructors. During this period, ARRL inaugurated its 
code proficiency program, with more than 900 hams submitting W1AW copy 
of the first certificate run.

Chain Home radar system towers. [Courtesy of the RAF Museum 
<http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk>]

Our nation was still in the phase of "positive neutrality," but there 
were many efforts in which US hams helped the war effort before we 
entered the fray. One of those efforts was the Civilian Technical Corps, 
which maintained and operated British radars, then operating in the 
upper HF and lower VHF range. One of those early radars was quite 
important -- Britain's Chain Home 
<http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/chain_home.htm> radar system, an 
early warning system to detect incoming German bombers early enough to 
scramble fighters to meet the enemy at altitude over the English 
Channel. Chain Home operated at 22 to 25 MHz. Although that frequency 
range presented problems, it could be built and put into service 
quickly, using existing technology and equipment.

Sets of three or four 360-foot towers were built at various locations on 
the English Channel's coast to support the very large wire antenna 
arrays. Some of those towers still exist, now supporting commercial 
antennas.

Next week: I'll tell the tale of a war effort that I became very 
familiar with by working with some of the hams who developed and put the 
Proximity Fuze into action. /-- Thanks to Al Brogdon, W1AB/

*In Brief*

The ICE deep space probe. [NASA image]

*Hams Detect Signal from Retired NASA Deep-Space Probe:* Radio amateurs 
from AMSAT-DL <http://www.amsat-dl.org/> (Germany) and Bochum 
Observatory <http://www.sternwarte-bochum.de/> detected the beacon 
signal of the retired NASA International Cometary Explorer (ICE 
<http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/profile.cfm?Sort=Alpha&Letter=I&Alias=International+Cometary+Explorer>) 
deep space probe on March 1 and 2. After some changes to the ground 
equipment and aligning the receiving antenna to the predicted position 
in the sky, the beacon signal could positively be identified due to its 
frequency, the position in the sky, and the frequency shift due to 
Doppler shift. They used a 20 meter radio telescope. Launched in 1978 as 
the International Sun-Earth Explorer 3 (ISEE-3), ICE was the first 
spacecraft to detect the "solar wind" approaching Earth. In 1982, the 
spacecraft was renamed the International Cometary Explorer and diverted 
to the Moon, where its gravitational pull placed ICE into a heliocentric 
orbit. Support for the ICE mission was terminated in 1997, although the 
spacecraft transmitter was left on. It was last detected by NASA's Deep 
Space Network in 2008. /-- Thanks to AMSAT-DL/

*HRD Software Acquires Rights to /SAM Callbook/ CD, Database:* HRD 
Software LLC <http://www.ham-radio-deluxe.com/> has acquired the rights 
to the /SAM Callbook/ CD and database, begun in the early 1990s by RT 
Systems before begin purchased by VIS. HRD has said it will honor the 
current subscriber base and continue to ship the monthly CDs. It will 
also develop a /Windows/ interface for the /Callbook/ and plans to 
incorporate the /Callbook/ data into the /Ham Radio Deluxe/ logbook. HRD 
also has announced its release of the preview/beta 2.1 version of /Ham 
Radio Deluxe/ 6.2.*//**//**//*

*DX Dinner Announces Featured Speaker:* David Collingham, K3LP, will be 
the featured speaker for their 29th annual DX Dinner 
<http://WWW.SWODXAEVENTS.ORG>®, sponsored by the SouthWest Ohio DX 
Association (SWODXA <http://www.swodxa.org>). The dinner, held in 
conjunction with the 2014 Dayton Hamvention®, is Friday, May 16, at the 
Marriott Hotel in Dayton. Collingham has been on more than 65 
DXpeditions, operating from 51 different DXCC entities. His topic is 
"The Humanitarian Side of DXing and DXpeditions."

*/Building a Super Station/ 30th Anniversary Edition Now Available:* The 
30th anniversary edition of /Building a Super Station/ by David Robbins, 
K1TTT, is available <http://lulu.com/spotlight/k1ttt> free for download.

*ARRL DXAC Committee Report Available:* The ARRL has posted the DX 
Advisory Committee (DXAC) report 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/About%20ARRL/Committee%20Reports/2014/January/Doc_30.pdf> 
submitted at the January 2014 ARRL Board of Directors meeting.

The K7RA Solar Update

This week saw sunspot numbers and solar flux decline. Average daily 
sunspot numbers dropped from 199.3 to 138.7, while solar flux dipped 
from 162.9 to 149.7.

Sharp-eyed readers may notice that I reported average daily sunspot 
numbers last week at 202.4, but I spotted a discrepancy between what I 
reported last week for March 4 and 5 and what we see from NOAA. I'm not 
sure if NOAA revised the sunspot numbers for those days, or I just 
erred, but sunspot numbers on those dates actually were 160 and 191, 
thus changing the average sunspot number for that week.

The most recent prediction has solar flux at 145 on March 13, 140 on 
March 14-15, then 135 and 155 on March 16-17, 140 on March 18-19, 135 on 
March 20-22, then 145, 150 and 145 on March 23-25, 140 on March 26-27, 
and 135 on March 28-29. After that, we see a short-term low of 110 on 
April 5-7, and then rising to 140 on April 20.

Predicted planetary A index is 5 on March 13-16, 8 on March 17-18, 5 on 
March 19-29, 8 on March 30 through April 1, 5 on April 2-5, and then 12, 
10 and 8 on April 6-8, then back to 5.

The spring equinox is next week! The first day of spring is Thursday, 
March 20, at 1657 UTC -- an optimum time for HF propagation.

This weekly "Solar Update" in /The ARRL Letter/ is just a preview of the 
Propagation Bulletin issued every Friday. The latest bulletin and an 
archive <http://arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive-propagation> of past 
propagation bulletins is on the ARRL website.

In tomorrow's Propagation Bulletin look for an updated forecast and 
reports from readers. Send <mailto:k7ra at arrl.net> me /your/ reports and 
observations.

Just Ahead in Radiosport

  *

    Mar 15 -- Feld-Hell Leprechaun Sprint

  *

    Mar 15-17 -- BARTG HF RTTY Contest

  *

    Mar 15-16 -- Russian DX Contest

  *

    Mar 15 -- Virginia QSO Party

  *

    *Mar 16 -- North American Sprint (SSB)*

  *

    Mar 17 --Run For the Bacon (CW)

  *

    Mar 18 -- CLARA and Family HF Contest (CW+SSB)

  *

    Mar 20 -- NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint (SSB)

  *

    Mar 22 -- FOC QSO Party (CW)

  *

    Mar 22 -- Oklahoma QSO Party

  *

    Mar 22 -- QCWA Spring QSO Party

  *

    Mar 22-23 -- Louisiana QSO Party

  *

    Mar 29 -- Feld-Hell Worked all Americas Full Day of Hell

  *

    Mar 29-30 -- CQ WPX Contest (SSB)

Visit the Contest Corral 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Contest%20Corral/Contest%20Corral%201403%281%29.pdf> 
for details.

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

  *

    March 14-15 -- Delta Division Convention <http://www.w5ddl.org/>,
    Rayne, Louisiana

  *

    March 15 -- Nebraska State Convention
    <http://www.lincolnhamfest.org/>, Lincoln, Nebraska

  *

    March 15 -- West Texas Section Convention
    <http://hamfest.w5qgg.org/>, Midland, Texas

  *

    March 22 -- South Texas Section Convention
    <http://houstonhamfest.org/> (Greater Houston Hamfest), Rosenberg, Texas

  *

    March 22-23 -- Communications Academy <http://www.commacademy.org/>,
    Seattle, Washington

  *

    March 28-29 -- Maine State Convention <http://www.w1npp.org/>,
    Lewiston, Maine

  *

    March 29 -- Microhams Digital Conference
    <http://www.microhams.com/mhdc>, Redmond, Washington

  *

    April 4-6 -- International DX Convention
    <http://www.dxconvention.org/>, Visalia, California

  *

    April 11-13 -- Eastern VHF/UHF Conference
    <http://www.newsvhf.com/vhfconf.html>, Manchester, Connecticut

  *

    April 19 -- Roanoke Division Convention
    <http://www.rars.org/hamfest>, Raleigh, North Carolina

  *

    April 25-27 -- Idaho State Convention
    <http://www.idahostateconvention.com/>, Boise, Idaho

  *

    April 26 -- Aurora '14 Conference <http://www.nlrs.org/>, White Bear
    Lake, Minnesota

  *

    May 3 -- South Carolina Section Convention <http://www.brars.org/>,
    Spartanburg, South Carolina

  *

    May 16-18 -- Dayton Hamvention <http://www.hamvention.org/> --
    Regional ARRL Centennial Event, Dayton, Ohio

Find conventions and hamfests in your area <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests>.

**

**

*
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