[SFDXA] The ARRL Letter for October 23, 2014
Bill
bmarx at bellsouth.net
Thu Oct 23 17:00:22 EDT 2014
Preview
If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
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The ARRL Letter
October 23, 2014
Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME <mailto:ww1me 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/>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2014-10-23&t=t>
* Radio Amateurs Play a Role in Separate Storm Responses <#toc01>
* ARRL Board May Seek Member Input on 15 Meter Novice/Tech Digital
Privileges <#toc02>
* IARU Administrative Council Resolution Seeks to Rein in
Electromagnetic Interference <#toc03>
* Ninth Annual ARRL On-Line Auction is Now Underway! <#toc04>
* W1AW Centennial Operations Head Next to Wyoming, Massachusetts, and
US Virgin Islands <#toc05>
* ARRL Regional Centennial Conventions Wrap Up with Pacificon <#toc06>
* ARRL November Sweepstakes: Another Chance at a "Clean Sweep" is
Coming Up! <#toc07>
* The 2015 Edition of /The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications/ is
Now Available! <#toc08>
* /CQ/ Reconsiders Its Policy on Crimea for /CQ/-Sponsored Contests
<#toc09>
* IARU EMC Coordinator Thilo Kootz, DL9KCE, Presented with IEC 1906
Award <#toc10>
* 4M Moon Orbiter Carrying Ham Radio Payload Launching October 23 <#toc11>
* Edge of Space Sciences Balloon Flight Carrying Amateur Radio to
Launch October 25 <#toc12>
* A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL <#toc13>
* Getting It Right! <#toc14>
* The K7RA Solar Update <#toc15>
* Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc16>
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
<#toc17>
Radio Amateurs Play a Role in Separate Storm Responses
Amateur Radio volunteers activated on opposite ends of the US late last
week and over the weekend as separate hurricanes struck Bermuda and
Hawaii. Both regions were prepared and fared well with no deaths,
serious injuries, or major property damage reported.
*/Hurricane Gonzalo/*
Hurricane Gonzalo, the stronger of the two storms, was a Category 3
hurricane when it made a near-direct hit on Bermuda on Friday, October
17. The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN <http://www.hwn.org/>) and the VoIP
Hurricane Net (VoIPWX <http://www.voipwx.net/>) gathered ground-level
weather information from the island and funneling it to the National
Hurricane Center's WX4NHC <http://www.wx4nhc.org>. Forecasters use these
reports to better predict a storm's path or intensity. Hurricane
Specialist Stacey Stewart used several Amateur Radio reports in NHC
advisories, statements, and discussions, Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator
Julio Ripoll, WD4R, said.
The HWN opened on Thursday, October 16, and stayed up for some 41 hours.
The net used a primary frequency of 14.325 MHz and switched to 7.268 MHz
as conditions warranted.
"It was a report from John [Stevens], VP9NI, that let us know the eye
had made landfall on Bermuda," HWN Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV,
reported. "His report made the 9 PM AST Tropical Cyclone Update." Graves
said VP9NI's reports confirmed barometric pressure observations by
Hurricane Hunter aircraft, and the NHC mentioned his call sign in its
update. VP9NI's battery finally gave out just before midnight on
Saturday, he added.
Only a weekend earlier, Tropical Storm Fay had hit Bermuda, and Graves
said he learned during the Gonzalo activation that Fay had dealt Bermuda
a bigger blow than he'd first heard. "Many hams had lost their
antennas," he said, while other hams' antennas were seriously damaged.
Some radio amateurs on Bermuda quickly constructed makeshift antennas in
preparation for Gonzalo.
"Craig [Nikolai], VP9NL, was able to give us reports in the evening, as
he only had a 40 meter dipole with one leg barely off the ground,"
Graves recounted. "John, VP9NI, gave us many reports on 20 meters until
losing commercial power. With only a 20 meter NVIS antenna about 5 feet
off the ground and using the battery from a computer UPS, John was able
to continue feeding us reports hourly on 20 and 40 meters while running
about 12 W." Other stations checking into the HWN included Glen Cuoco,
VP9ID, and Ed Kelly, VP9GE. "Giving stations in the affected area
advance notice of activation plans and gathering data as to what type of
antenna and power output to expect really paid off," Graves added.
*At WX4NHC, Julio Ripoll, WD4R, and Paul Hunt, K1MJS. [Julio Ripoll,
WD4R, photo]*
Nearly all of Bermuda's residents lost power, dozens of roads were
blocked by downed trees and limbs, and some damage to structures was
also reported.
Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net,
which also activated for Gonzalo, said that while its key Amateur Radio
contact was not on Bermuda, it was able to gather many reports from
storm bloggers on the Caribbean Hurricane Network
<http://www.stormcarib.com/>, social media outlets, and Weather
Underground personal weather stations.
"We had constant contact with Marion Dyer in Pembroke, Hamilton,
Bermuda, through the /WhatsApp/ software via cell phone, and Cell One
Bermuda service did remain up throughout the hurricane," Macedo said.
Macedo said the VoIP Hurricane Net also received post-hurricane reports
and photos from Dyer from around Bermuda.
*/Hurricane Ana/*
In Hawaii, the passage of Category 1 Hurricane Ana over the weekend was
less dramatic, and the storm skipped the most-populated island of Oahu
for the most part. ARRL Pacific Section Manager Bob Schneider, AH6J,
reported that ham radio volunteers supported shelter communications as
Ana passed by Hawaii, causing heavy rain, large waves, and some minor
flooding.
"A request came from American Red Cross to deploy to the shelter at Ka'u
High School in Pahala," Schneider said. The school is in the
southeastern edge of the Big Island. "Sean Fendt, KH6SF, and I drove 45
miles and set up HF and VHF communications." (Sean Fendt's wife
Kimberly, WH6KIM, is the East Hawaii DEC.)
*Sean Fendt, KH6SF, at the Kau High School shelter.[Photo courtesy of
Bob Schneider, AH6J]*
"The shelter manager was very happy to see us, because in the last
[weather] event they lost power and communications and had a full house.
This time it was almost a non-event with the hurricane staying offshore
to the south and west. There was quite a bit of rain and one road
closure due to flooding. One couple that stayed in the shelter last
night had been through several typhoons in Japan and didn't want to take
any chances, even though later forecasts showed tracks well offshore."
Schneider said those later forecast tracks did not reveal the large
amount of rain the storm brought along. The ARES volunteers primarily
used HF on 40 meters, although they also made use of a VHF repeater that
was linked to the Big Island Wide Area Repeater Network (BIWARN).
"We sent a couple of voice messages to SKYWARN <http://www.skywarn.org/>
headquarters located at NWS in Honolulu," Schneider recounted. "Other
weather spotters were using mostly /Fldigi
<http://www.w1hkj.com/Fldigi.html>/ for messages to NWS. We were happy
that there were no serious problems and power stayed up." Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/radio-amateurs-play-a-role-in-separate-storm-responses>./--
Thanks to the Hurricane Watch Net, the VoIP Hurricane Net, ARRL Pacific
SM Bob Schneider, AH6J, and /The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com/>.
ARRL Board May Seek Member Input on 15 Meter Novice/Tech Digital Privileges
A proposal aired at the July ARRL Board of Directors meeting endorsing
additional HF digital privileges for Technicians and referred to the
ARRL Executive Committee (EC) for study came in for considerable
discussion when the EC met on October 4 in Memphis. The original motion
by ARRL Southeastern Division Director Doug Rehman, K4AC, called for a
/Petition for Rule Making/ to the FCC seeking digital privileges for
Techs on narrow segments of 80, 40, and 15 meters. Rehman's motion had
noted that Technicians already enjoy digital privileges on 10 meters, a
band with highly variable propagation that will diminish as the sunspot
cycle declines.
After discussing the proposal's pros and cons, the EC put the ball back
into the Board's court in a modified form: The EC recommended that the
Board consider soliciting input from the membership on adding
Novice/Technician data privileges within their existing 15 meter
subband. In his original proposal, Rehman had pointed out that text
messaging, a medium preferred by today's youth, bears "great similarity
with amateur digital communications."
"This is /not /a proposal that the Board /adopt/ data privileges for
Techs and Novices on 15 meters as an objective, and it is most
definitely /not/ an ARRL proposal to the FCC," stressed ARRL CEO David
Sumner, K1ZZ, a non-voting member of the EC. "That would come later, if
at all, after the Board has had an opportunity to weigh membership input."
In other matters, ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, told the EC to
expect an FCC /Notice of Proposed Rule Making/ "sometime in the next few
months" that will propose the elimination of the existing symbol rate
limit on HF data communication. The /NPRM/, in response to an ARRL
/Petition for Rule Making/
<http://www.arrl.org/files/media/News/Petition%20for%20Rule%20Making%20AS-FILED%2011%2015%202013.pdf>
filed last November, is expected to leave open for comment the specific
bandwidth limitation that should replace it, and it may address
additional topics.
*ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD. [Rick Lindquist, WW1ME, photo]*
Imlay also briefed the committee on recent discussions with US House
Telecommunications Subcommittee staff regarding "The Amateur Radio
Parity Act of 2014
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/HR%204969/Kinzinger-Courtney%20HR-4969.pdf>."
The bill, H.R. 4969, had attracted 47 co-sponsors by the time Congress
recessed. Another 10 representatives have committed to signing on when
Congress returns next month after the elections.
Imlay noted there has been no action on the League's 2012 /Petition for
Rule Making/ to create an MF Amateur Service allocation at 472-479 kHz,
nor on ET Docket 12-338, regarding implementation of the Final Acts of
World Radiocommunication Conference 2007. There also was nothing new to
report regarding other allocation issues, including an Amateur Service
allocation at 135.7-137.8 kHz and upgrading 1900-2000 kHz to primary.
Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-board-may-seek-member-input-on-15-meter-novice-tech-digital-privileges>.
IARU Administrative Council Resolution Seeks to Rein in Electromagnetic
Interference
The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU <http://www.iaru.org/>)
Administrative Council has called upon International Telecommunication
Union (ITU <http://www.itu.int/>) signatory nations to take steps to
ensure that the operation of "electrical apparatus or installations of
any kind, including power and telecommunication distribution networks,"
does not cause harmful interference to Amateur Radio operations. The
Council adopted a resolution expressing concern with the "rapid and
largely uncontrolled growth" in devices that generate RF energy "as an
unnecessary and undesirable consequence of their operation." It cited
such devices as switching power supplies, power inverters, plasma video
displays, and wireline telecommunication systems that employ such
technologies as Broadband over Power Lines (BPL
<http://www.arrl.org/interference-from-bpl-systems>).
The AC said new technologies such as wireless power transfer are likely
to be deployed widely in the near future, and it expressed "deep
concern" that present standards, regulations, and enforcement resources
are inadequate to protect radio services, including Amateur Radio, from
harmful interference.
The Council's action, which came during its annual meeting on September
27 and 28 in Albena, Bulgaria, followed the recommendation of IARU EMC
Coordinator Thilo Kootz, DL9KCE. The resolution encourages IARU
member-societies and regional organizations "to pursue implementation of
the resolution as a matter of the highest priority," requests
standards-setting bodies and regulators to fully support the
resolution's objectives, and implores designers and manufacturers to
"minimize radio spectrum pollution emanating from their products."
The AC also revised and updated a 2008 resolution concerning operating
practices. Noting that Amateur Radio relies on self-regulation for
effective use of its allocations, and that "poor operating behavior
adversely affects the enjoyment of all radio amateurs," the Council
encouraged all radio amateurs to operate proficiently and with "proper
consideration for others using the Amateur Radio bands." The Council
urged IARU member-societies to teach and promote correct operating behavior.
Council members also reviewed IARU positions on each WRC-15 agenda item
relating to or affecting Amateur Radio, including Agenda Item 1.4, the
addition of a new allocation within the band 5250-5450 kHz, which the AC
called "a high priority for the Amateur service." WRC-15 will consider
"the possibility of making an allocation of an appropriate amount of
spectrum, not necessarily contiguous, to the Amateur Service on a
secondary basis within the band 5250-5450 kHz."
As 2015 will mark the 150th anniversary of the ITU, the Administrative
Council adopted the theme "ITU & IARU: Celebrating 150 years of
Advancing the Telecommunication Art" for the next World Amateur Radio
Day, April 18, 2015. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/iaru-administrative-council-resolution-seeks-to-rein-in-electromagnetic-interference>.
Ninth Annual ARRL On-Line Auction is Now Underway!
Bidding for the ninth annual ARRL On-Line Auction
<http://www.arrl.org/auction> is now underway. More than 230 items are
on the block, including 24 pieces of gear that were the subject of /QST/
"Product Review" articles and road tested by the ARRL Laboratory team.
In addition to other miscellaneous transceivers and accessories there
are more than 100 vintage books.
"We also have a number of one-of-a-kind pieces, including a hardcover
2014 Centennial edition of /The ARRL Handbook/, imprinted with 'Hiram
Percy Maxim, W1AW' to honor our founding president, plus another
hardcover 2014 Centennial /Handbook/ bearing the number 100," said ARRL
Sales Manager Deb Jahnke, K1DAJ. "You'll also find unique items, such as
an autographed script from the popular television series 'Last Man
Standing' starring Tim Allen. Ham radio has been mentioned in several
episodes, and now Tim Allen is licensed for real."
Proceeds from the On-Line Auction benefit ARRL educational programs,
including activities aimed at licensing new hams, strengthening Amateur
Radio's emergency service training, offering continuing technical and
operating education, and creating instructional materials.
*The Yaesu FTdx1200 HF+50 MHz transceiver reviewed by /QST/ is among the
2014 On-Line Auction items.*
Bidding in the 2014 auction ends at 0300 UTC on October 31 (the evening
of October 30 in US time zones). Check items in which you have an
interest, as bidding end times for each item are staggered.
If you have participated in a previous ARRL On-Line Auction, you may use
the passwords you have used on this site before. Your ARRL website user
ID and password will not work on the auction site. Check your ARRL user
profile to ensure that all address and credit card information remains
the same.
Newcomers to the ARRL On-Line Auction must first register in order to
participate.
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2014-10-23&p=0>
W1AW Centennial Operations Head Next to Wyoming, Massachusetts, and US
Virgin Islands
The ARRL Centennial W1AW
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/On%20the%20Air/W1AW_2014_sked.pdf>
portable operations taking place throughout 2014 from each of the 50
states are now in Nevada and West Virginia. They will transition at 0000
UTC on Wednesday, October 29 (the evening of October 28 in US time
zones), to Wyoming (W1AW/7) and Massachusetts (W1AW/1). W1AW/KP2 also
will be active until November 5 from the US Virgin Islands. So far
during 2014, W1AW has visited each of the 50 states for at least 1 week,
and by year's end W1AW will have been on the air from every state at
least twice.
The ARRL Centennial QSO Party <http://www.arrl.org/centennial-qso-party>
kicked off on 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 mode/contact, even
when working the same state during its second week of activity.
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. Participants must work W1AW/1 in
Connecticut.) A W1AW WAS certificate and plaque will be available.
An ARRL Centennial QSO Party leader board
<https://centennial-qp.arrl.org> shows participants 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.
ARRL Regional Centennial Conventions Wrap Up with Pacificon
Pacificon <http://pacificon.org/> -- the ARRL Pacific Division
Convention held over the October 11-12 weekend in Santa Clara,
California -- was arguably the last major Amateur Radio gathering of
2014. It also was the last of six ARRL Regional Centennial Conventions.
As such, said ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, it was even more memorable.
"We continued to h<http://pacificon.org/>ear from members about their
enjoyment of the ARRL Centennial operating events," President Craigie
said. "Several people had been to the National Convention in Hartford
and were enthusiastic in their praise for the event. As the convention
aspect of the Centennial year draws to a close, I am especially
appreciative of the host organizations that cooperated with the ARRL on
the Regional events, so we could spread the fun around the country." The
first Regional Centennial Convention was the Orlando Hamcation^® in
February.
*ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, at Pacificon. [Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R,
photo]*
In her Pacificon banquet keynote address
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rVavstHqme0>
President Craigie praised the ARRL Headquarters staff for "an amazing
job" in organizing ARRL Centennial activities during 2014 and thanked
all who "made the Centennial the fun that it is."
President Craigie told her audience that the most important thing the
League does is advocacy. "Think of the ARRL over the last 100 years as a
strong voice speaking out for Amateur Radio," she said. She pointed out
that had ARRL co-founder Hiram Percy Maxim not advocated strongly for
federal authorities to permit the resumption of Amateur Radio following
the World War I shutdown, "we wouldn't be here this evening talking
about Amateur Radio."
*Clayton Hall, NF1R, at the helm of W100AW during Pacificon.*
She also expressed appreciation to the ARRL membership for the success
to date of the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2014, H.R. 4969
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/HR%204969/Kinzinger-Courtney%20HR-4969.pdf>.
The bill has attracted 47 co-sponsors. "It's taken all of us," she said.
A W100AW/6 <https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152553509957408>
special event station was on the air during Pacificon, which is
sponsored by the Mount Diablo Amateur Radio Club (MDARC
<http://www.mdarc.org/>).
At Pacificon, John Bigley, N7UR, was named the 2014 ARRL Pacific
Division "Ham of the Year." He is the editor of the Nevada Amateur Radio
Newswire <http://www.nevadahamradio.com/>.
Photos
<https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152527933037408.1073741863.20069212407&type=1&l=fdc3474192>
from Pacificon have been posted on the League's Facebook page. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-regional-centennial-conventions-wrap-up-with-pacificon>.
/-- Thanks to Randy Hall, K7AGE (video), and Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R/
//
ARRL November Sweepstakes: Another Chance at a "Clean Sweep" is Coming Up!
In a few short days, operators across all 83 ARRL and Radio Amateurs of
Canada (RAC) sections <http://www.arrl.org/section-abbreviations> will
take to the airwaves to compete in the first of two ARRL November
Sweepstakes <http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes> events. Always a fall
favorite "Sweeps" is the longest-running "domestic" contest. The CW
event is November 1-3, while the SSB event is November 15-17. The action
on both weekends gets underway at 2100 UTC Saturday and runs through
0259 UTC Monday (Sunday evening in continental US time zones).
As veteran Sweeps hands already know, the exchange for this operating
event is a bit more involved than it is for most other contests. Strange
terms such as "precedence" and "check" -- while very familiar to old
timers and traffic operators -- may seem confusing at first to
newcomers. The exchange goes like this: Call sign of the station worked,
consecutive serial number (NR) starting with 001, precedence (PREC) -- a
letter that indicates your operating category; see the rules), your call
sign, check (CK) -- the last two numerals of the year you were first
licensed, and the two or three-letter abbreviation of your ARRL or RAC
section <http://www.arrl.org/section-abbreviations> (SEC).
In your log, for example, if WW1ME works W1MSW, the log entry might look
like this:
Station NR CK My Call CK SEC
*W1MSW 015 A WW1ME 65 ME*
All popular logging programs include a template for ARRL November
Sweepstakes. Be sure to use the latest version of your logger.
It may seem difficult and complicated at first, but once you get into
the swing of Sweeps, it will start coming naturally. That's also where
it starts being fun.
/The //2014 ARRL November Sweepstakes Operating Guide/
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Contest%20Operating%20Guides/2014/2014%20ARRL%20November%20SS%20Package.pdf>
contains a collection of Sweepstakes information and links to help both
newbies and old timers to understand the rules, operating techniques,
and log-submission guidelines. Be sure to read the rules
<http://www.arrl.org/contest-rules> for all ARRL contests, too.
The holy grail of Sweepstakes is to earn a "Clean Sweep" by working at
least one station in all 83 sections. Attain this elite level and you
qualify to purchase a highly desired Clean Sweep mug for your
accomplishment! Also, the Sweepstakes certificate of every op making a
Sweep will include a "Clean Sweep" sticker.
Icom is the Principal Awards Sponsor for ARRL November Sweepstakes. For
more information about Sweepstakes, contact <mailto:w1msw at arrl.org> ARRL
Contest Branch Manager Matt Wilhelm, W1MSW. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-november-sweepstakes-another-chance-at-a-clean-sweep-is-coming-up>.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 2015 Edition of /The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications/ is Now
Available!
The 2015*//*/ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications**/is now shipping
<http://www.arrl.org/arrl-handbook-2015>, and, while supplies last, you
can get the hardcover edition for the softcover price. /The ARRL
Handbook/ provides the theory, practical information, and construction
details to expand your knowledge and skill as an Amateur Radio operator
and experimenter.This 92nd edition of /The ARRL Handbook/ is at the
forefront of the growing field of wireless telecommunications. The book
covers not only the fundamentals of radio electronics -- analog and
digital -- but also offers practical circuit and antenna designs as well
as information on computer-aided design, digital operating modes,
equipment troubleshooting, and reducing RF interference.
Many projects and construction articles are included to help enhance
your station and expand your participation as an active radio experimenter.
Practical applications and solutions make/The ARRL Handbook /a must-have
for hobbyists and technical professionals. For years now, the Handbook
has been a staple on the work bench and operating desk as well as in
university libraries and classrooms.
/The ARRL Handbook/ is available in hardcover and softcover from the
ARRL Store <http://www.arrl.org/shop> or your ARRL Dealer
<http://www.arrl.org/arrl-publication-dealers>. Hardcover
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-Handbook-2015-Hardcover-Edition/>, ARRL
Order No. 0218, ISBN: 978-1-62595-020-8, $59.95 retail, special offer
$49.95. Softcover
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-Handbook-2015-Softcover-Edition/>, ARRL
Order No. 1920, ISBN: 978-1-62595-019-2, $49.95 retail. Call (860)
594-0355 or, toll-free in the US, (888) 277-5289.
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2014-10-23&p=1>
/CQ/ Reconsiders Its Policy on Crimea for /CQ/-Sponsored Contests
/CQ/ <http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/> has reversed its just-announced
policy that it would no longer accept logs for any /CQ/-sponsored
contest from stations in Crimea operating with Russian-issued call signs
and is adopting a new policy that is in harmony with ARRL's DXCC policy.
In announcing the shift, /CQ/ Publisher Dick Ross, K2MGA, cited concerns
raised by "a large number of contesters around the world" that /CQ/ was
unfairly denying Crimean radio amateurs the opportunity to fully
participate in /CQ/-sponsored contests.
"Since the country list for /CQ/ contests is based on a combination of
the Worked All Europe (WAE) and ARRL DXCC lists, and the ARRL has
already adopted a policy regarding Crimean stations in its award and
contest programs, we will amend our policy to be consistent with the
ARRL's DXCC policy," Ross said.
Ross said that listings of Crimean stations submitting logs for /CQ/
contests will be based upon the call sign under which they operated. "If
they used Russian-issued calls in the contest, they will be listed under
Russia; if they used Ukrainian-issued calls in the contest, they will be
listed under Ukraine," he said.
Ross said the revised policy "reflects not only the desire of many
contesters around the world, but also of a large majority of members of
the CQ World Wide DX Contest Committee."
/CQ/ sponsors
<http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/cq_contests/index_cq_contests.html>
several major international operating events, including the CQ World
Wide DX contests.
IARU EMC Coordinator Thilo Kootz, DL9KCE, Presented with IEC 1906 Award
IARU EMC Coordinator Thilo Kootz, DL9KCE/AD7IY, has been presented
<http://www.iaru-r1.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1350:iaru-emc-coordinator-receives-iec-1906-award&catid=43:emc&Itemid=95>
with the IEC 1906 Award <http://www.iec.ch/about/awards/1906/>. Kootz
received the award during the plenary session of CISPR (the Special
International Committee on Radio Interference) held in Frankfurt on
October 20. CISPR sets standards for controlling electromagnetic
interference in electrical and electronic devices and is a part of the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Kootz represents the
IARU at CISPR, overseeing the protection of radio reception.
*Thilo Kootz, DL9KCE (left) shakes hands with CISPR Chairman Donald N.
Heirman.*
According to CISPR, Kootz received the honor for his "significant
contributions in defining the disturbance models and especially in
developing the model for radiated emission limits in the frequency range
below 30 MHz" for a section of a CISPR publication, /Specification for
Radio Disturbance and Immunity Measuring Apparatus and Methods. /
He also contributed to the development of the radio services database of
the CISPR 31 publication, /Database on the Characteristics of Radio
Services/, and he made several technical contributions for the
disturbance model of grid-connected power converter devices and
installations and actively contributed to the work of generic emission
standards. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/iaru-emc-coordinator-thilo-kootz-dl9kce-presented-with-iec-1906-award>.
4M Moon Orbiter Carrying Ham Radio Payload Launching October 23
The Manfred Memorial Moon Mission (4M) lunar flyby experiment
<https://ukamsat.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/lxs-4m-eme2014-a4-v3.pdf>,
which will carry an Amateur Radio payload, was scheduled to launch from
China on October 23 with lunar flyby to occur, nominally, on October 28.
During the lunar flyby, the spacecraft will be about nearly 248,000
miles from Earth and between 7440 and 14,480 miles from the Moon.
The ham radio payload will transmit continuously on 145.990 MHz using
JT65B mode, which can be decoded using a version
<http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/WSJT_10.0r4336a.exe> of the
free /WJST/ <http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/> software that
Joe Taylor, K1JT, developed especially for this mission. The 14 kg
battery-powered payload known as 4M-LXS, was
*A model of the 4M spacecraft superimposed on an image of the moon's
surface. [LUXspace graphic]*
developed at LUXspace in Luxembourg.
The launch was set for approximately 1759 UTC on October 23, and the
lunar flyby will take place at 0033 UTC on October 28. 4M is expected to
begin transmitting on October 23 between 1917 UTC and 1927 UTC
Gislain Ruy, LX2RG, of LUXspace said ground stations in the Southern
Hemisphere are best situated to listen
<http://moon.luxspace.lu/receiving-4m/> for the spacecraft's first signals.
The onboard transmitter will put 1.5 W into a quarter-wave monopole
antenna. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/4m-moon-orbiter-carrying-ham-radio-payload-to-launch-on-october-23>.
/-- Thanks to LUXspace, AMSAT-UK, AMSAT News Service/
Edge of Space Sciences Balloon Flight Carrying Amateur Radio to Launch
October 25
Students from Colorado and New Mexico plan to launch a balloon carrying
three ham radio payloads <http://eoss.org/node/1845> into near-space on
October 25 from Deer Trail <http://www.eoss.org/launchsites/deer_trail>,
Colorado. The Douglas County, Colorado, STEM School and STEM Academy and
Spartan Amateur Radio Club, AB0BX, are sponsoring and coordinating the
next Edge of Space Sciences (EOSS <http://www.eoss.org/>) balloon
mission -- EOSS-202 <http://www.eoss.org/node/1842>. The "AB0BX Spartan
Space Sciences" mission involves students from several schools and
school Amateur Radio clubs. If successful, EOSS-202 will carry seven
student-designed payloads
<http://eoss.org/sites/default/files/payload-plans/EOSS-202_Payload_Plan_Rev_D.pdf>
to an altitude of 100,000 feet <http://eoss.org/hardware/range>. The
plan calls for recovering the parachute-equipped balloon once it
descends back to Earth. Onboard ham radio payloads will help to track
the balloon during flight and recovery and also transmit telemetry
during the mission.
"On this flight we have three ham radio signals coming down from the
balloon, all related to EOSS's tracking and recovery," Flight
Coordinator Jim Langsted, KC0RPS, told ARRL. These are AE0SS, the CW
beacon used for direction finding, used to help locate the payload
string once the balloon is back on the ground; AE0SS-11, the primary
APRS beacon, which shows the balloon's position and provides a telemetry
data stream that includes battery voltage, reference voltage, barometric
pressure, inside temperature, and outside temperature, and AB0BX-11, the
secondary APRS beacon. All payloads will transmit on 2 meters.
Langsted said the AE0SS payload also can receive a signal from the
ground to cut away the balloon from the payload string to terminate the
flight, if necessary. "A secondary flight termination method such as
this is required by FAA regulation," he explained. "The primary flight
termination method is balloon burst."
The plan calls for seven payloads. Many of the students involved are
radio amateurs. Another 30 have expressed interest in getting licensed.
Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/edge-of-space-sciences-balloon-flight-carrying-amateur-radio-to-launch-october-25>.
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2014-10-23&p=2>
A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL
A first took place on Space Shuttle mission STS-37. SAREX (Shuttle
Amateur Radio EXperiment) provided live communication from the shuttle
into many school classrooms to teach the students about space
exploration and Amateur Radio.
In July 1991, N6CA and KH6HME set a new record on 3456 MHz between
California and Hawaii. Each was running 5 W to a 4-foot dish.
In 1992, after 8 years as ARRL President, Larry Price, W4RA, declined to
run for re-election. The League's Board of Directors subsequently chose
him as the next International Affairs Vice President, which provides
liaison with the IARU, which Price served as Secretary. George Wilson,
W4OYI, succeeded Price as ARRL President.
N7FKI and W7ZOI reported in the March 1992 /QST/ that they had built a
one-transistor 10 meter CW transmitter and made contacts with it using
lemon power -- essentially a cell made by inserting appropriate
electrodes into a lemon. If life gives you lemons, make contacts!
During the early 1990s, interest in digital communication grew, and
/QST/ published many articles on the subject that helped fan the flames.
Also, hams became interested in the old concept of direct-conversion
receivers. KK7B presented one of the best in the August 1992 issue of
/QST/. Another old receiver circuit was also revived -- the regenerative
receiver. WJ1Z described one for 40 meters in the September 1992 issue
of /QST/.
The Atanasoff-Berry computer used racks of vacuum tubes.
By the early 1990s, digital signal processing (DSP) had made its
appearance, and had begun to be used by both homebrewing hams and
equipment manufacturers.
A September 1992 /QST/ article, "ABC: The First Electronic Digital
Computer," recounted the fascinating tale of the first real computer,
the Atanasoff-Berry computer -- a vacuum tube device -- designed in 1939
and 1940 by university professor John Atanasoff and built by electrical
engineering student Clifford Berry, W9TIJ. /-- Al Brogdon, W1AB/
**
Getting It Right!
A story, "Radio Amateurs Named to Order of Canada" in the August 14,
2014, edition of /The ARRL Letter/ contained incorrect information about
the award presented to Veena Rawat, VA3ITU. It should have said, "Rawat
was honored as an Officer of the Order of Canada for contributions to
telecommunications engineering and for her leadership in establishing a
global regulatory framework for radio spectrum management."
**
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: Solar activity is making a
healthy comeback, just in time for the SSB weekend of the CQ World Wide
DX Contest <http://www.cqww.com/rules.htm>.
A series of large solar flares erupted this week. The most powerful was
an X1.6 flare on October 22. The sunspot is now directly facing Earth.
Average daily sunspot numbers rose from 55.1 during October 9-15 to 83.9
this week, and average daily solar flux increased from 117.4 to 174.
The predicted solar flux for this weekend is 220, higher than on any day
since January 7. Prior to that, we didn't see solar flux values this
high since late October 2003. Accompanying the high solar flux back then
was a great deal of geomagnetic activity. On October 29, 2003, the
mid-latitude A index hit 199! Several 3-hour K index values were 9, the
top of the scale. On the same day the daily sunspot number was 330.
Predicted solar flux is 215 on October 23, 220 on October 24-27, 215 on
October 28-29, 205 on October 30, 140 on October 31, 130 on November
1-3, dropping to a low of 110 on November 8, and rising to 180 on
November 19-20.
Along with that relatively high solar flux this weekend will be
unsettled geomagnetic conditions.
The predicted planetary A index is 15 on October 23-24, 10 on October
25, 12 on October 26-27, 10 on October 28-29, 8 on October 30, 5 on
October 31 through November 3, 8 on November 4, 10 on November 5, 8 on
November 6-7, 5 on November 8-9, 8 on November 10-11, then 5 and 8 on
November 12-13, 12 on November 14-15, 15 and 12 on November 16-17, 15 on
November 18-19, then 12, 10, and 8 on November 20-22, and 10 on November
23-24.
This weekly "Solar Update" in /The ARRL Letter/ is a preview of the
"Propagation Bulletin" issued each 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 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
*
October 25-26 -- CQ World Wide SSB Contest
*
October 31-November 2 -- Haunted Lighthouse QSO Party
*
November 1 -- IPA Contest
*
November 1-2 -- Ukranian DX Contest
*
November 1-2 -- Himalayan Contest
*
November 1-2 -- Radio Club of America QSO Party
*
*November 1-3 -- **ARRL November Sweepstakes
<http://www.arrl.org/sweepstakes> (CW)*
*
November 1-3 -- Collegiate ARC Championship
*
November 2 -- DARC 10-Meter Digital "Corona"
*
November 3 -- OK1WC Memorial Contest
*
November 4 -- ARS Spartan Sprint
*
November 6 -- CWOps Weekly Mini-CWT Tests
See the ARRL Contest Calendar <http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar> for
more information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
*
October 24-25 -- Oklahoma Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/oklahoma-section-convention-texoma-hamarama>,
Ardmore, Oklahoma
*
November 1 -- TechFest 2014
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/techfest-2014>, Lakewood, Colorado
*
November 1-2 -- Georgia State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/georgia-state-convention-stone-mountain-hamfest-1>,
Lawrenceville, Georgia
*
November 8 -- Alabama State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/alabama-state-convention-montgomery-hamfest-2014>,
Montgomery, Alabama
*
November 15-16 -- Indiana State Convention
<http://www.fortwaynehamfest.com/hfmain.htm>, Fort Wayne, Indiana
*
December 12-13 -- West Central Florida Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-central-florida-section-convention-tampa-bay-hamfest-4>,
Plant City, Florida
Find conventions and hamfests in your area <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests>.
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*
****
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