[SFDXA] The ARRL Letter for September 25, 2014
Bill
bmarx at bellsouth.net
Thu Sep 25 15:52:37 EDT 2014
Preview
If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2014-09-25
The ARRL Letter
September 25, 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=2014-09-25&t=t>
* List of "Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2014" Co-Sponsors Swells Before
Congressional Recess <#toc01>
* ARRL Presents Barry Goldwater, K7UGA, Achievement Award to Rep Greg
Walden, W7EQI <#toc02>
* ARRL Deploying Ham Aid Kits to Hawaii to Assist in Possible Lava
Flow Response <#toc03>
* FCC Turns Down Petition to Create a 4 Meter Band in the US <#toc04>
* Wisconsin Ham Dies in Fall from Tower <#toc05>
* W1AW Centennial Operations Going North to Alaska, West to
California, and East to DC <#toc06>
* ARRL Invites Nominations for 2014 International Humanitarian Award
<#toc07>
* Amateur Radio is "Communications Superpower," IARU Region 1
Delegates are Told <#toc08>
* Dayton Hamvention Seeks 2015 Award Nominations <#toc09>
* Space Symposium October 10-12 to Mark AMSAT's 45th Anniversary <#toc10>
* Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio Payload Launched to International
Space Station <#toc11>
* ARDF Team USA Takes Home a Silver Medal from World Championships
<#toc12>
* A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL <#toc13>
* The K7RA Solar Update <#toc14>
* Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc15>
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
<#toc16>
List of "Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2014" Co-Sponsors Swells Before
Congressional Recess
An intense effort during the few days in September that Congress was in
session has resulted in 47 co-sponsors for the Amateur Radio Parity Act
of 2014 (H.R. 4969
<https://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/4969>).
Another half-dozen or so US House Members have indicated that they will
sign on when Congress returns, something they can do only while Congress
is in session. Congress went into recess on September 19. ARRL President
Kay Craigie,
On Capitol Hill: Wind-tousled ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike
Lisenco, N2YBB. [Courtesy of Kay Craigie, N3KN]
N3KN, ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, Central
Division Director Dick Isely, W9GIG, and ARRL General Counsel Chris
Imlay, W3KD, visited dozens of congressional offices this month.
Elsewhere, other ARRL elected and appointed officials and members from
across the US met with members of Congress and with their staffers,
wrote letters, and made phone calls to urge co-sponsorship.
"This all-member effort is how we went from 17 co-sponsors on August 1
to 47 co-sponsors on September 18," President Craigie said this week.
When Congress reconvenes in November, League representatives plan to
follow up with US House members who did not have time to make their
co-sponsorship official before Congress left town.
The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2014, introduced in the US House of
Representatives with bipartisan support in late June, calls on the FCC
to apply the "reasonable accommodation" three-part test of the PRB-1
<http://www.arrl.org/prb-1> federal pre-emption policy to private
land-use restrictions regarding antennas. The limited PRB-1 pre-emption
currently applies only to state and municipal land-use ordinances. The
FCC has indicated its reluctance to provide the same legal protections
from private land-use agreements -- often called covenants, conditions,
and restrictions or CC&Rs -- without direction from Congress.
ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, with Rep Ed Perlmutter (CO-7), an H.R.
4969 co-sponsor. [Courtesy of Kay Craigie, N3KN]
President Craigie stressed this week that H.R. 4969 is still very much
alive, and she urged League members to keep working to convince their
representatives to co-sponsor the bill. "These efforts will not be in
vain, whether or not the legislator eventually decides to sign onto the
bill," she said. "Realistically, we won't get support for H.R. 4969 from
every member of Congress who is contacted by amateurs," she said. At the
same time, members of Congress who were contacted now know that Amateur
Radio exists in their districts and that hams have interests that
deserve notice.
ARRL Central Division Director Dick Isely, W9GIG (right), with US Rep
Danny Davis (IL-7), an H.R. 4969 co-sponsor.
"A lot of politics is based on relationships. Contacts made with members
of Congress about H.R. 4969 contribute to establishing relationships
that can be maintained and enhanced in the future," President Craigie
said. "Does your Congressman know how Amateur Radio makes your district
a safer place to live if disasters occur? Does your Congressman know how
radio amateurs in your district introduce young people to hands-on
wireless communication, laying the foundation for careers? What we
certainly can do is to build relationships that will serve our interests
-- and the public interest -- if not right now, then in the future."
President Craigie encouraged League members whose representatives have
become co-sponsors to thank their lawmakers, on the phone or in writing.
"It's good manners and a good relationship-building strategy," she
pointed out. "Members can also seek out opportunities during the current
congressional recess to make a case for the bill at their
representatives' district offices and at events. In short: Keep on!"
ARRL Presents Barry Goldwater, K7UGA, Achievement Award to Rep Greg
Walden, W7EQI
The ARRL Board of Directors created the Barry Goldwater, K7UGA,
Achievement Award last spring to recognize outstanding support of
Amateur Radio by an elected federal official. The recipient must be an
official who has, in a significant way, supported the well-being and
continuity of the Amateur Service in the US. Earlier this month, the
Board voted to confer the first such award upon US Rep Greg Walden,
W7EQI, (OR-2), "in recognition of many years of exceptional
contributions to the strength and vitality of the Amateur Radio Service
in the United States."
ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN; Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco,
N2YBB, and General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, presented the award to
Walden in Washington on September 18. In a letter accompanying the award
plaque, President Craigie wrote, "Your understanding of the importance
of Amateur Radio to the public interest and to the pursuit of scientific
and technical knowledge has led you to act in the spirit of Sen
Goldwater, whose exemplary support for Amateur Radio in Washington
caused the ARRL Board to name this award in his honor."
ARRL President Craigie presents the Barry Goldwater, K7UGA, Achievement
Award to US Rep Greg Walden, W7EQI (OR-2). [Courtesy of Kay Craigie, N3KN]
President Craigie called Walden "a great friend to Amateur Radio over
the last 12 years with regard to key issues including spectrum
protection." Walden chairs the House Subcommittee on Communications and
Technology, the panel to which "The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2014"
(H.R. 4969) was referred for consideration.
In 2002 Walden was an original co-sponsor of H.R. 4720, the Amateur
Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act, and sent a "Dear
Colleague" letter seeking additional cosponsors. In 2003 he was a
co-sponsor of H.R. 713, the Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act.
During a hearing on the bill at which then-ARRL President Jim Haynie,
W5JBP, testified, Walden called for a halt to the "astonishing" erosion
of Amateur Radio spectrum.
In 2004, Walden wrote the FCC chairman seeking to have the Commission
defer action on the BPL rulemaking until the release of an NTIA study
and an opportunity for public comment. That same year, during a hearing
on telecom convergence, Walden grilled a BPL industry representative
about interference.
In 2010 Walden co-sponsored H.R. 2160, the Amateur Radio Emergency
Communications Enhancement Act. In May 2011, the ARRL was invited to
testify before Walden's subcommittee on "Creating an Interoperable
Public Safety Network," offering an opportunity to defend 420-440 MHz
against reallocation.
As President Craigie handed the award plaque to Rep Walden, she added,
"Senator Goldwater was a statesman for Amateur Radio, and so are you."
ARRL Deploying Ham Aid Kits to Hawaii to Assist in Possible Lava Flow
Response
ARRL Headquarters is deploying Ham Aid <http://www.arrl.org/ham-aid>
kits to Hawaii as ARES volunteers stand ready to activate in the wake of
the massive Puna volcanic lava flow that has been threatening some
communities on the Big Island of Hawaii. The lava originated from new
"vents" in the Earth as a result of the Mt Kilauea volcano, which began
erupting more than 30 years ago. ARRL Pacific Section Manager Bob
Schneider, AH6J, said Tuesday that while he didn't believe an ARES
activation was imminent, lava flows can be unpredictable, and things can
change rapidly.
"Lava is a slow-motion disaster," he said. "It's not like a volcano,
where the thing just blows up. It's like a pot of soup."
ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, said the Ham Aid
kits going out to Hawaii include HF gear as well as VHF and UHF
equipment. "We're deploying an HF kit -- an IC-718 transceiver, a tuner,
and a dipole -- and a VHF/UHF kit." The latter includes a mobile
transceiver and power supply as well as several handheld transceivers
that have been preprogrammed with local frequencies that may be needed.
Corey said the Ham Aid kits are a resource available to ARRL section
leadership to add capacity during a disaster or emergency response.
Schneider said that while there is no immediate need for the kits, "if
they have it out there, and this thing changes, we'll be prepared. It's
better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it."
The Puna lava flow -- an aerial view. [Hawaii Volcano Observatory photo]
Hawaii Civil Defense said Kilauea continued to erupt at its summit as of
Monday, although the more than 10-mile lava flow -- or "tube" -- under
the greatest scrutiny halted its progress toward the sea on Tuesday --
at least for the time being. Authorities also are monitoring so-called
"breakout" flows. No homes have been affected so far, although the
molten rock is causing vegetation to burn in its path. The front of the
Puna lava flow is estimated to be some 150 yards across at its widest point.
Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie has issued a disaster declaration for
the areas that are or may be affected by the lava flow. Schneider and
ARES members and officials have been keeping an eye on the situation.
The Puna lava flow after dark. [Hawaii Volcano Observatory photo]
"We anticipate lava may cross the main Highway 130 near Pahoa on the
Island of Hawaii in 1 to 3 weeks," Schneider announced on the Pacific
Section website over the weekend. He said a "best guess" would be within
10 days. Schneider said Highway 130 is the primary commuter route for
residents in several residential subdivisions that might be affected,
including one that is home to some 20,000 people -- what he called, "a
pretty good chunk of population" overall. The governor's proclamation
has permitted authorities to open two alternative routes, in case
Highway 130 has to be closed.
Hawaii Civil Defense authorities have deployed their remote emergency
operations center in the affected region, and Schneider visited there a
few days ago.
"The town of Pahoa is in kind of a slow panic," he reported. "If the
lava comes down and goes right to the ocean, probably the only thing
that /won't/ be affected will be cell phones. Power and conventional
telephone service will be out." In that case, should ARES be activated,
Schneider said the volunteers' likely role would be to relay
health-and-welfare traffic from affected communities.
FCC Turns Down Petition to Create a 4 Meter Band in the US
It doesn't look like US radio amateurs will be gaining a new band at 70
MHz anytime soon. The FCC has denied a /Petition for Rule Making/ filed
earlier this year by Glen E. Zook, K9STH, of Richardson, Texas, seeking
to add a 4 meter band to Amateur Radio's inventory of VHF allocations.
Zook had floated the proposal in 2010, and his petition was dated
January 27, 2010, but the FCC said it did not receive it until last May.
Zook asked the Commission to allocate 70.0 to 70.5 MHz to Amateur Radio
because, Zook's /Petition/ asserted, "the recent migration of broadcast
television stations to primarily UHF frequencies basically eliminates
any probable interference to television channels 4 or 5." VHF TV channel
4 occupies 66 to 72 MHz.
"Because the Zook /Petition/ is based on a faulty premise -- that
broadcasting use within the 70.0-70.5 MHz band will diminish or cease --
its argument that amateur band users could operate without causing
harmful interference to any existing service lacks sufficient support to
warrant our further consideration, The FCC said in a September 17
/Order/ <https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-14-1347A1.pdf>
denying the /Petition/.
The FCC pointed out that three full-power TV stations, 110 low-power TV
stations and translators, and six Class A TV stations now occupy channel
4 in the US. In addition, the Commission, through an "ongoing incentive
auction proceeding," is attempting to "repurpose" a portion of
television broadcast spectrum for broadband operations and "repack the
remaining TV stations into a smaller frequency range." Under certain
scenarios, the FCC said, channel 4 could become even more heavily
populated by broadcast users in the future.
"Given the complexity of the of the incentive auction proceeding, we
also conclude that it would not serve the public interest to further
complicate that unique undertaking by proposing to introduce a new
service into the broadcasting frequencies at this time," the FCC said.
The /Order/ noted that fixed and mobile services will continue to
operate in the frequencies between channels 4 and 5 (76 to 82 MHz).
As Zook noted in his petition, a 4 meter band has been authorized for
Amateur Radio use in the UK and in a number of other European and
African countries. The FCC said that since it wasn't planning to grant
Zook's petition, it declined to evaluate his claims "regarding the
benefits that amateurs would derive from use of the band." Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-turns-down-petition-to-create-a-4-meter-band-in-the-us>.
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2014-09-25&p=0>
Wisconsin Ham Dies in Fall from Tower
A Wisconsin radio amateur lost his life on September 16 as he was
performing maintenance on the 100 foot tower of a fellow ham. Killed in
the fall was 59-year-old James G. Linstedt, W9ZUC, of Eau Claire, who
succumbed to injuries sustained after he fell 95 feet from a tower owned
by Ronald Anderson, W9RMA, in Eagle Point, just outside of Chippewa
Falls, on the shores of Lake Wissota. Linstedt was said to have been an
experienced climber. Although he had been wearing an over-the-shoulder
safety harness, he apparently had failed to secure himself to the tower
before the mishap occurred. Anderson, a former Chippewa County Sheriff,
called authorities promptly.
James Linstedt, W9ZUC.
Chippewa County Sheriff James Kowalczyk told
<http://www.leadertelegram.com/news/front_page/article_98726d0e-3eeb-11e4-a369-abf30a596b8f.html>
the /Leader-Telegram/ newspaper that Linstedt was wearing safety
equipment, but did not use it. "When we use it for years, we get a
little lax...," the newspaper quoted Kowalczyk as saying. "If he had
used it, we wouldn't be investigating an accidental death."
Kowalczyk said Linstedt had been strapped in before moving 10 feet up
the tower, apparently without securing himself.
An active radio amateur, Linstedt was a member of the Chippewa Valley
Amateur Radio Club and once served as the club's president./-- Thanks to
John Bigley, N7UR//Nevada Amateur Radio Newswire
<http://www.nevadahamradio.com/>; media accounts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
W1AW Centennial Operations Going North to Alaska, West to California,
and East to DC
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 New Mexico and Idaho. They will transition starting at
0000 UTC on Wednesday, October 1 (the evening of September 30 in US time
zones), to Alaska (W1AW/KL7), California (W1AW/6), and the District of
Columbia (W1AW/3). W1AW has visited each of the 50 states for at least 1
week so far during 2014, 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 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 Invites Nominations for 2014 International Humanitarian Award
The ARRL is inviting nominations for its 2014 ARRL International
Humanitarian Award
<http://www.arrl.org/international-humanitarian-award>, conferred upon
an amateur or amateurs who demonstrate devotion to human welfare, peace,
and international understanding through Amateur Radio. The League
established the annual prize to recognize Amateur Radio operators who
have used ham radio to provide extraordinary service to others in times
of crisis or disaster.
A committee appointed by the League's President recommends the award
recipient(s) to the ARRL Board, which makes the final decision. The
committee is now accepting nominations from Amateur Radio, governmental,
or other organizations that have benefited from extraordinary service
rendered by an Amateur Radio operator or group. The ARRL International
Humanitarian Award recognizes Amateur Radio's unique role in
international communication and goodwill, and the assistance radio
amateurs regularly provide to people in need.
Nominations should include a summary of the nominee's qualifying actions
and statements from at least two people having first-hand knowledge of
the events warranting the nomination. These verifying statements may be
from an official of a group (for example, the American Red Cross, The
Salvation Army, or emergency management agency) that benefited from the
nominee's particular Amateur Radio contribution. Nominations should
include the names and addresses of all references.
All nominations and supporting materials for the 2014 ARRL International
Humanitarian Award must be submitted in writing in English to ARRL
International Humanitarian Award, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 USA.
Nomination submissions are due by December 31, 2014. In the event that
no nominations are received, the committee itself may determine a
recipient or decide to make no award.
The winner of the ARRL International Humanitarian Award receives an
engraved plaque and a profile in /QST/ and other ARRL venues.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amateur Radio is "Communications Superpower," IARU Region 1 Delegates
are Told
European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid
and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva told delegates to the
International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 (IARU Region 1
<http://www.iaru-r1.org/>) General Conference
<http://iarur1con2014.bfra.bg/> on September 22 that Amateur Radio is a
reliable information tool that can save lives in disasters. In a
statement read to
Kristalina Georgieva. [Courtesy of the European Commission]
the conference attendees on her behalf by the EC's Encho Gospidinov,
Georgieva laid out a scenario in which all modern telecommunications and
electrical power are knocked out, and no one can help the victims,
because no one knows what has happened.
"Luckily, there is a last resort: The radio amateurs, the people who are
the eyes and the ears of the world in time when all other information
channels are silent," she said. "In short, you are the last technical
miracle, which is an independent, reliable information channel, which
can transmit an important piece of news from any place in the world,
anytime, by anyone who knows how to operate this wonderful creature,
called radio."
Georgieva said Amateur Radio's advantage is that it is independent of
the conventional communications infrastructure. "A well-trained radioman
with good equipment and ever-charged batteries can be a fantastic link
between two villages, two countries or two continents," she said. "When
organized in a Union, you are a communication superpower in times of
total electronic darkness."
The 24th IARU Region 1 General Conference, being held in Albena,
Bulgaria, officially concludes September 26. Delegates have elected Don
Beattie, G3BJ, as the next IARU Region 1 President, succeeding Hans
Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T. Elected as Vice President was Faisal Al-Ajmi,
9K2RR. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-is-communications-superpower-iaru-region-1-delegates-are-told>.
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2014-09-25&p=1>
Dayton Hamvention Seeks 2015 Award Nominations
Dayton Hamvention <http://www.hamvention.org/>® is seeking nominations
for its 2015 awards for Amateur of the Year, Special Achievement,
Technical Excellence, and Club of the Year. Completed nomination forms
and supporting documentation are due by January 16, 2015. All Amateur
Radio operators (and clubs) are eligible. Winners will be recognized at
the 2015 Hamvention^® , which takes place May 15-17.
The Amateur of the Year Award goes to an individual who has made a
long-term, outstanding commitment to the advancement of Amateur Radio.
The Technical Excellence Award is given to an individual who has made an
outstanding technical advancement in the field of Amateur Radio. The
Special Achievement Award honors someone who has made an outstanding
contribution to the advancement of Amateur Radio, typically by
spearheading a significant project. The Club of the Year award is
presented to a club that has made a significant contribution to the
advancement of Amateur Radio.
The Hamvention^® Awards Committee makes its decisions on all awards
based upon the information it receives and not on the number of
nominations submitted.
Documentation that informs the Awards Committee of a nominee's
accomplishments may include magazine articles, newsletters, newspaper
clippings, and even videos. These materials become the property of
Hamvention^® and will not be returned.
This year, two radio amateurs with close ARRL ties were among the
Hamvention award winners. Named Amateur of the Year was Larry E. Price,
W4RA, a President Emeritus of the ARRL and of the International Amateur
Radio Union (IARU <http://www.iaru.org/>). ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ,
received the Special Achievement Award. Nearly 25,000 people attended
the 2014 Dayton Hamvention.
Additional detail and a nomination form
<http://www.hamvention.org/awards.php> are available on the Dayton
Hamvention^® website. Submit <mailto:Awards at hamvention.org> nominations
via e-mail or mail them to Dayton Hamvention Awards, PO Box 1446,
Dayton, OH 45401-1446. /-- Thanks to Dayton Hamvention/
Space Symposium October 10-12 to Mark AMSAT's 45th Anniversary
AMSAT <http://www.amsat.org/> reports that preparations for its Space
Symposium <http://www.amsat.org/?p=3211> in Baltimore October 10-12 are
moving into high gear. The deadline to submit AMSAT Symposium papers
<http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=1568> has been extended until September
30. Papers and presentations on any subject of interest to the amateur
satellite community are welcome. This year's Space Symposium will, in
part, celebrate AMSAT's 45th anniversary. Registration remains open.
The AMSAT Space Symposium's keynote speaker with be Jan King, W3GEY, a
founding member of AMSAT and a former member of the Board of Directors
and vice president of engineering. He'll deliver his talk, "Never,
Never, Never Give Up!" during the Symposium banquet on Saturday, October 11.
One of the original Tuskegee Airmen, Col Charles E. McGee, will attend
on Friday, October 10. He will talk about his experiences as a Tuskegee
Airman and as an Army Air Corps and Air Force Pilot. McGee holds a US
Air Force record of 409 fighter combat missions flown in World War II,
Korea and Vietnam and has received numerous awards for his service,
including the Congressional Gold Medal.
Jan King, W3GEY, will be the keynote speaker at the 2014 AMSAT Space
Symposium. [Courtesy of AMSAT]
An evening reception Friday, October 10, will include a "space auction.
"All proceeds will support AMSAT's two major initiatives -- the
development and launch of the Fox satellite series and the Amateur Radio
on the International Space Station (ARISS <http://www.ariss.org/>)
program. AMSAT is seeking donations of "specialty items" with a minimum
value of $100. Contact <mailto:ka3hdo at verizon.net> Frank Bauer, KA3HDO.
The ARISS Operations Team will meet Sunday, October 12, from 9-noon. A
number of ARISS team leaders and mentors will be on hand to discuss the
program. The team also plans to talk about improvements, changes, and
strategies to enhance ARISS operations.
Informal tours will be available for Symposium participants on Sunday,
October 12, of Baltimore Inner Harbor, including the Aquarium, the B&O
Railroad Museum, the Edgar Allan Poe House, or the National Electronics
Museum, which is opening exclusively for AMSAT on Sunday, 1-3 PM.
Contact <mailto:n8fgv at amsat.org> Dan Schultz, N8FGV.
A tour of the Udvar Hazy National Air and Space Museum is planned for
Monday, October 13. /-- Thanks to the AMSAT Symposium Committee via
AMSAT News Service/
Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio Payload Launched to International Space
Station
When the commercial SpaceX Falcon 9 <http://www.spacex.com/falcon9>
resupply vehicle lifted off from Cape Canaveral to the International
Space Station on September 21, it also carried the SpinSat
<http://www.nrl.navy.mil/media/news-releases/2014/with-spinsat-mission-nrl-will-spin-small-satellite-in-space-with-new-thruster-technology>
satellite, which includes an Amateur Radio payload. The satellite will
be stowed aboard the ISS until deployment later this fall from the
airlock of the Japanese Experiment Module.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 resupply vehicle goes aloft September 21 from Cape
Canaveral [Courtesy of SpaceX]
Developed by the Naval Research Laboratory, the 125-pound SpinSat is a
22- inch diameter sphere that carries a 2 W 9600 bps AX.25 packet radio
store-and-forward system on 437.230 MHz. The satellite's primary mission
is to demonstrate a new micro-thruster technology, from which SpinSat
derives its name; its 12 electronically controlled solid-propellant
thrusters will be fired in pairs to spin the spacecraft.
While in space, SpinSat will be used in a test to calibrate the Space
Surveillance Network
<http://www.stratcom.mil/factsheets/11/Space_Control_and_Space_Surveillance/>.
Lasers will be aimed at the spacecraft from Earth, and the reflected
light measured to determine the where the satellite is passing overhead.
SpinSat also will model the density of the atmosphere.
Equipped only with primary batteries and just 4.8 grams of fuel, the
satellite's working phase is expected to last up to 6 months./-- Thanks
to AMSAT News Service via Trevor, M5AKA; NASA, and SpaceX/
ARDF Team USA Takes Home a Silver Medal from World Championships
A member of Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF
<http://www.homingin.com>) Team USA medaled in the 17th ARDF World
Championships earlier this month in Kazakhstan. Vadim Afonkin, KB1RLI,
of Boston, Massachusetts, took home a silver medal in the men's age
40-49 category in the 2 meter competition on September 8, the first day
of competition. The Kazakhstan Federation of Radiosport and Radioamateur
(KFRR) hosted the championships, which included formal competitions on 2
meters and 80 meters, plus sprints and foxoring
<http://www.homingin.com/sprints.html#foxoring>. Afonkin placed fourth
in the 80 meter sprint competition on September 11, with a time just 4
seconds greater than the bronze medalist from Lithuania. He also
finished among the top seven in the sprint and foxoring competitions.
This year's World Championships attracted 277 competitors from 25
nations, and it was the first time the competition was held in Kazakhstan.
"Every 2 years, hams from around the world gather to see who is best at
on-foot hidden-transmitter hunting," said ARRL ARDF Coordinator Joe
Moell, K0OV. "USA has been represented at every one of these ARDF World
Championships since 1988." Moell said Team USA has taken home at least
one medal since 2006.
Moell said there were separate events on separate days for each
competitor on 80 meters and 2 meters, each involving up to five hidden
transmitters scattered in a forest of 1000 acres or more.
Team USA silver medalist Vadim Afonkin, KB1RLI (left), shakes hands with
gold medal winner Mikhail Kirgetov. [Ken Harker, WM5R, photo]
In addition to Afonkin, Team USA 2014 included Ruth Bromer, WB4QZG, of
Raleigh, North Carolina; Jennifer Harker, W5JEN, of Austin, Texas; Ken
Harker, WM5R, of Austin, Texas; Joseph Huberman, K5JGH, of Raleigh,
North Carolina, and Leszek Lechowicz, NI1L, of Bridgewater,
Massachusetts. Veteran ADRFer Marvin Johnston, KE6HTS, served as a
member of the international jury overseeing the competition. About 150
onlookers enjoyed the competition.
Each country may have up to three people per age/gender category on its
team. Team USA positions were filled based on performance in the 2013
and 2014 USA ARDF Championships. Preparations now are underway for the
2015 national championships in Colorado. Winners at that competition may
be eligible for a place on Team USA 2016 for the next World
Championships in Bulgaria.
Results <http://ardf.darc.de/contest/14090812/14090812.htm> of all
competitions are available on the German ARDF site. More information
<http://www.homingin.com> about Amateur Radio Direction Finding is on
the Homing In website. /-- Thanks to ARDF Coordinator Joe Moell, K0OV/
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2014-09-25&p=2>
A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL
In February 1973, the FCC proposed a new Amateur Radio license class
that would not require Morse code testing, and invited comments. At the
time, the ARRL opposed the proposal.
From 1965 to 1985, the FCC, ARRL, and US hams took note of what was
called the "JA Phenomenon." The number of Japanese hams grew from 70,000
in 1965 to 499,000 in 1975, and then to more than 1/million/ by 1985! A
new Japanese codeless license class helped spur that growth.
On June 16, 1983, the second attempt to launch a Phase III Amateur Radio
satellite (AMSAT-OSCAR 10) was successful. Articles in /QST/ kept hams
up to date on its progress. OSCAR 10 was, by far, the most capable
amateur satellite to date.
Then-future ARRL President Vic Clark, W4KFC, at the 1950 PVRC Field Day
site in Fort Meade, Maryland. [Photo courtesy of PVRC]
Also in 1983, Amateur Radio in the US reached a new level of formal
governmental recognition of Amateur Radio's emergency communication
capabilities, when ARRL President Vic Clark, W4KFC, signed a /Memorandum
of Understanding/ with National Communication System Deputy Manager John
Grimes.
Articles began appearing in /QST/ during 1983 explaining what personal
computers could do and how they might be put to use in the ham shack.
In October 1983, the US military invaded Grenada. Mark Barettella,
KA2ORK (now N2MD), then a medical student at St George's University
School of Medicine on Grenada, became the only non-military source of
information from the island, as he relayed messages between other
Americans on Grenada and their families in the US. This resulted in
excellent media coverage for Amateur Radio.
Astronaut Owen Garriott, W5LFL, was the first to use Amateur Radio from
the space shuttle. [NASA photo]
Amateurs throughout the world were saddened to learn of the unexpected
death of ARRL President Vic Clark, W4KFC, in November 1983. A well-known
ham as early as his teenage years, Clark won the first Hiram Percy Maxim
Award in 1936. He also served the ARRL in various roles and offices and
was considered a first-rate operator. He was truly one of the giants of
Amateur Radio.
In November 1983, Owen Garriott, W5LFL, became the first ham to make
contacts from aboard the Shuttle /Columbia/. His first contact was with
WA1JXN. W5LFL operated his 2 meter FM transceiver during his non-duty
hours during the mission's 10 days in orbit.
In September 1984, phone privileges on 75, 15, and 10 meters were
expanded. In addition, US stations in Alaska and in the Pacific had
their 40 meter phone privileges expanded, so they could avoid the
high-power international broadcast stations. /-- Al Brogdon, W1AB/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: Solar activity was down
this week (September 18-24), as compared to the week previous, but solar
flux is on a rising trend.
Average daily sunspot numbers dropped from 124.9 (for September 11-17)
to 80.9, and average daily solar flux slipped from 139.8 to 128.3.
The latest predicted solar flux and planetary A index has flux values at
150, 155, 160, and 165 on September 25-28, 170 on September 29 through
October 2, 155 on October 3-4, 150 on October 5-7, 145 on October 8-9,
140 on October 10-11, then 135 and 130 on October 12-13, 125 on October
14-15, and 120 on October 16-18. Flux values are then expected to rise
to 155 for October 30-31.
The predicted planetary A index is 18 on September 25, 12 on September
26-27, 15 on September 28-29, 10 on September 30, 8 on October 1-2, 5 on
October 3-14, then 8, 15, and 8 on October 15-17, 5 on October 18-19, 8
on October 20-21, 12 on October 22, and 15 on October 23-24.
Earth's geomagnetic field has been unsettled over the past couple of
days, with the planetary A index at 25 on September 24 and College A
index (high latitude) at 57. Spaceweather.com
<http://www.spaceweather.com> reported that this was not due to a CME or
solar flare but to a crack in Earth's magnetosphere, opening a spot for
the solar wind to pour in.
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 Friday'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
*
September 27 -- Texas QSO Party
*
September 27-28 -- CQ WW RTTY Contest
*
September 27-28 -- Maine QSO Party
*
September 28 -- Peanut Power Sprint
*
September 30 -- 222 MHz Fall VHF Sprint
*
October 1 -- CWOps Weekly Mini-CWT Tests
*
October 3 -- NS Weekly Sprint
*
October 3-5 -- DX/NA YLRL Anniversary Party
*
October 4 -- TARA PSK Rumble
*
October 4-5 -- Oceania DX Phone Contest
*
October 4-5 -- Russian World Wide Digital Contest
*
October 4-5 -- Worked All Britain HF Contest
*
October 4 -- New Jersey QSO Party
*
October 4-5 -- California QSO Party
*
October 5 -- RSGB 21/28 MHz Contest
*
October 6 -- EU Autumn Phone Sprint
*
October 6 -- OK1WC Memorial Contest
*
October 7 -- ARS Spartan Sprint
*
October 8 -- 432 MHz Fall VHF Sprint
See the ARRL Contest Calendar <http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar> for
more information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
*
September 26-27 -- W4DXCC/SEDCO Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/w4dxcc-convention-sedco>, Pigeon
Forge, Tennessee
*
September 26-28 -- Mid-Atlantic States VHF Conference
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/mid-atlantic-states-vhf-conference-1>,
Bensalem, Pennsylvania
*
September 27 -- North Dakota State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/north-dakota-state-convention-rrra-hamfest>,
West Fargo, North Dakota
*
September 27 -- Washington State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/washington-state-convention-spokane-hamfest-1>,
Spokane Valley, Washington
*
October 4 -- Delaware State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delaware-state-convention-delmarva-radio-electronics-expo-1>,
Georgetown, Delaware
*
October 5 -- Iowa Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/iowa-section-convention-southeast-iowa-hamfest>,
West Liberty, Iowa
*
October 10-11 -- Florida State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/florida-state-convention-melbourne-hamfest-3>,
Melbourne, Florida
*
*October 10-12 -- **Pacific Division Convention*
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/pacific-division-convention-pacificon-2014-regional-arrl-centennial-event>*(Pacificon),
Regional ARRL Centennial Event, Santa Clara, California*
*
October 11 -- Iowa State Convention
<http://facebook.com/groups/591123127614974/> (Sioux City Ham
Convention), Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
*
October 11 -- Pacific Northwest VHF Conference
<http://www.pnwvhfs.org/conference/2014/announcement.html>, Seaside,
Oregon
*
October 12 -- Connecticut State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/connecticut-state-convention-nutmeg-hamfest-2>,
Meriden, Connecticut
*
October 18 -- Arkansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-state-convention-barc-hamfest-2014>,
Batesville, Arkansas
*
October 18 -- Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/wisconsin-ares-races-conference>,
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
*
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>.
*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*
****
*ARRL *-- *Your One-Stop Resource for *
*Amateur Radio News and Information *
* Join or Renew Today! <http://www.arrl.org/join> ARRL membership
includes /QST/ <http://www.arrl.org/qst>, Amateur Radio's most
popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.
* Listen to /ARRL Audio News/ <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>,
available every Friday.
Subscribe to...
* /NCJ / <http://www.ncjweb.com/>/-- National Contest Journal/
<http://www.ncjweb.com/>. Published bi-monthly, features articles by
top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and
QSO Parties.
* /QEX/ <http://www.arrl.org/qex>*//*/-- A Forum for Communications
Experimenters/ <http://www.arrl.org/qex>. Published bi-monthly,
features technical articles, construction projects, columns and
other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications
professionals.
Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe
<http://www.arrl.org/myarrl-account-management#%21/edit-info-email_subscriptions>
to the /ARES E-Letter/ (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the /ARRL Contest Update/ (bi-weekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
Find us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org>. Follow us on
Twitter <http://twitter.com/arrl>.
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2014-09-25&t=r&p=0>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2014-09-25&t=r&p=1>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2014-09-25&t=r&p=2>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2014-09-25&t=r&p=3>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2014-09-25&t=r&p=4>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their Member Data
Page as described at http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/.
Copyright © 2014 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved
www.arrl.org <http://www.arrl.org/>
More information about the SFDXA
mailing list