[SFDXA] The ARRL Letter for April 23, 2015
Bill
bmarx at bellsouth.net
Fri Apr 24 08:41:42 EDT 2015
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The ARRL Letter
April 23, 2015
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/>
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* Amateur Radio Heads into WRC-15 "With Every Possibility of Success"
<#toc01>
* FCC Proposes to Make Past Amateur Radio Address Information Private
<#toc02>
* Amateur Radio Volunteers Activate Emergency Nets Following Chile
Volcano Eruption <#toc03>
* ARRL "Ham Aid" HF Gear Arrives in Micronesia in Wake of Tropical
Cyclone <#toc04>
* Spratlys DX0P DXpedition Participant Evacuated for Medical Emergency
<#toc05>
* Participants May Apply Anytime for Centennial Points Challenge, W1AW
WAS Awards <#toc06>
* ARRL 600 Meter Experiment Coordinator Recommends Renewing
Experimental License <#toc07>
* Australian Ham's "PicoSpace" Balloon Circumnavigates the Globe <#toc08>
* IEEE 2015 International Microwave Symposium to Include Amateur Radio
Presence <#toc09>
* CQ DQs Two Dozen CQ World Wide DX Contest SSB Participants <#toc10>
* ARRL Teachers Institute Sessions Still Accepting Applications <#toc11>
* Amateur Radio Special Events to Mark International Marconi Day <#toc12>
* NCDXF Announces Major DXpedition Grants <#toc13>
* The K7RA Solar Update <#toc14>
* Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc15>
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
<#toc16>
Amateur Radio Heads into WRC-15 "With Every Possibility of Success"
The recently ended second World Radiocommunication Conference 2015
(WRC-15) Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM15-2
<http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2015/08.aspx#.VTE31ZOzpmM>)
left Amateur Radio "with every possibility of success" heading into
WRC-15 this fall, said ARRL Chief Technology Officer Brennan Price,
N4QX. Price was on the US delegation at CPM15-2, which wrapped up on
April 2. The 2-week-long meeting addressed a variety of spectrum-related
matters, including several dealing with Amateur Radio. Its /Report to
WRC-15/ focuses on technical, operational, and regulatory matters that
ITU member-states will consider in developing their proposals to WRC-15.
More than 1250 participants from 105 ITU member-states attended.
"Through our combined efforts, methods favorable to Amateur Radio were
included in all appropriate places within the CPM report," Price said
this week. "Amateur Radio will enter WRC-15 with every possibility --
although no assurance -- of success."
In addition to Price, those representing Amateur Radio at CPM15-2
included International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) President Tim Ellam,
VE6SH/G4HUA; Bryan Rawlings, VE3QN (Canada); Ulrich Mueller, DK4VW
(Germany); Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP (Japan); Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T
(The Netherlands), and IARU Vice President Ole Garpestad, LA2RR (Norway).
Delegates to CPM15-2 okayed text for WRC-15 agenda item 1.4, dealing
with a secondary Amateur Radio allocation at 5 MHz. "The methods
proposed in the text, as expected, are all over the map -- ranging from
no change to an expansive allocation of 5275-5450 kHz, with explicit
suggestions of 15 kHz and 100 kHz in between, and a few methods with
details to be filled in later," Price explained. "In short, there is a
wide divergence of opinion, and no certainty as to the outcome."
Text for other Amateur Radio-related agenda items "appropriately
reflects our concerns," Price said. "Text for agenda item 1.1 correctly
notes that no compatibility studies between Amateur Radio and mobile
*ARRL Chief Technology Officer Brennan Price, N4QX, will be a part of
the US delegation to WRC-15.*
broadband applications have been conducted for the bands under
consideration in which there is an Amateur Radio allocation." He said a
method for agenda item 1.6, proposing to authorize Fixed-Satellite
Service operation in the 10-10.5 GHz band, was removed from the final
text, while a method was added to agenda item 1.12 at the request of the
US to provide appropriate protections to the Amateur Satellite Service
at 10 GHz, "to supplement the high degree of compatibility that proposed
Earth Exploration Satellite Service operation has demonstrated in the
band," he added.
WRC-15 will get under way on November 2 in Geneva, and will conclude on
November 27. World Radiocommunication Conferences are mandated to review
and revise the /Radio Regulations <http://www.itu.int/pub/R-REG-RR>/,
the international treaty governing the use of RF spectrum and satellite
orbit resources.
François Rancy, Director of ITU's Radiocommunication Bureau, said the
outcome of CPM15-2 "represents a major step in the preparations for WRC-15."
FCC Proposes to Make Past Amateur Radio Address Information Private
The FCC is seeking comments on a /Notice of Proposed Rule Making/
(/NPRM/ <http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment/view?id=60001027918>) in WT
Docket 15-81 that would restrict routine public inspection of an Amateur
Radio licensee's address history. The proposal, released March 31, calls
for removing from public view in the Universal Licensing System (ULS
<http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/>) Amateur Radio licensee address
information not associated with a current license or pending application.
"We believe that these steps will enhance Amateur Radio operators'
privacy without undermining the public interest in knowing who is
authorized to operate on amateur spectrum," the FCC said in the /NPRM/.
The proposed change would not affect public access to a licensee's
current address information, which would remain available.
"We believe that publicly available licensee address information
facilitates the Amateur Radio community's self-regulation and maintains
the distinction between the Amateur Service and other radio services,"
the FCC said in the /NPRM/.
The Wireless Bureau also solicited public input on whether it should
extend the same approach to individual licensees in any other radio
services.
The FCC said that it has, in recent years, received occasional requests
from amateur licensees to remove their address information from public
access in the ULS. "These requests are not granted, because Section
0.453(d)(4) requires that the information be available for public
inspection in ULS," the Commission explained.
The FCC noted in the /NPRM/ that the ULS includes not only current
authorizations and pending applications, but expired, canceled, or
terminated licenses; archived versions of active licenses, and
applications that have not been processed. "Information available on ULS
includes a licensee's name and address, and technical information about
the authorization requested or granted," the /NPRM/ explained.
The FCC pointed out that an Amateur Radio licensee is not required to
provide a home address, just a valid mailing address. "Those who are
concerned about their residential address appearing in ULS may use,
among other alternatives, a post office box, a business address, the
address of another property the licensee owns, or the address of a
friend or relative as their mailing address," the /NPRM/ suggested.
The FCC acknowledged that for a licensee whose residential address may
already appear in ULS, this approach "offers only a partial solution,"
the /NPRM/ said, "because replacing the address on a current license
does not remove the old address information from archived licenses and
processed applications, and it remains publicly viewable even if the
license expires or is canceled or otherwise terminated."
Comments are due in the proceeding by June 16, with reply comments due
on July 16.
Amateur Radio Volunteers Activate Emergency Nets Following Chile Volcano
Eruption
Southern Chile's Calbuco volcano erupted this week for the first time in
more than 40 years, forcing the evacuation of an area of some 12 miles
around the volcano. Approximately 5000 residents have been relocated,
and ash has been reported from as far away as Argentina.
The eruption of the Calbuco volcano.
"Nature strikes our Chilean brothers one more time," said International
Amateur Radio Union Region 2 news editor Joaquín Solana, XE1R. IARU
Region 2 reports that emergency nets are in operation on 7050 kHz,
14,250 kHz (alternate), and 3,738 kHz (alternate), and requests that
other users keep those frequencies clear for emergency traffic.
According to Chile's National Mining and Geology Service, the column of
ash measures nearly 7 miles. The agency said volcanic activity was
diminishing but that the state of emergency remains for the affected region.
NPR <http://www.npr.org> quoted correspondent Lourdes Garcia-Navarro,
who reported that local officials are saying people are very frightened.
"The immediate concern is the volcano's eruption could trigger snow
melts and cause flooding," she said.
According to NPR, the volcanic activity "seems to have caught Chile's
geologists by surprise." No injuries have been reported so far.
ARRL "Ham Aid" HF Gear Arrives in Micronesia in Wake of Tropical Cyclone
An ARRL "Ham Aid <http://www.arrl.org/ham-aid>" kit of HF gear has
arrived in Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) as part of a relief
effort in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Maysak. The Ham Aid equipment
accompanied a shipment of radio gear, tools, and supplies that John
Bush, KH6DLK/V63JB, took from Hawaii to FSM last week. Tropical Cyclone
Maysak ravaged many of the nation's islands in late March and early
April, wreaking major damage and causing some deaths. ARRL Hawaii
Section Manager Bob Schneider, AH6J, said he spoke with Bush via a phone
patch established through the station of Richard Darling, AH7G, and
Barbara Darling, NH7FY.
"John is now on Falalop Island, which is part of Ulithi Atoll, in Yap
state," Schneider reported. "John said the Ham Aid kit was next to him
in the shack, so it made the trip all the way. He plans to deploy it at
the dispensary." Bush serves as technology coordinator for the Federai
Elementary School in Ulithi.
Schneider said Bush stopped first on Yap Island, spending a couple days
talking to government and civil authorities concerning recovery planning
and the school situation. Bush told Schneider that Yap Island suffered
little damage. Bush reported that the airport on Falalop Island was
damaged but operational. "He reports most buildings -- including his own
-- were destroyed," Schneider said. "The operations building at the
airport, high school, and a couple others had damage but were stronger
than most buildings. The high school lost its roof and the computer lab
was flooded, along with all the computers." Bush told Schneider that
there is a massive amount to debris all around.
Bush was able to borrow two 60 Ah batteries on Falalop, and replacements
are in one of the cargo shipments coming from Guam. He also has two
small, sealed batteries that he was able to transport on his flight.
Suitcase solar panels that Bush transported from Hawaii have worked very
well, Schneider said, adding that Bush suggested that the ARRL obtain a
couple of these units as power backup in isolated areas, as part of the
Ham Aid package.
*John Bush, V63JB.*
Bush told Schneider that the HF equipment was working well and that he
prefers to operate during daylight, since electrical power has not yet
been restored on the island. "The power company is replacing poles, and
it may take some time to get commercial power back," Schneider said.
Schneider said Bush had not yet made his way to any of the other islands
in Ulithi Atoll, such as Federai. "Second-hand reports from those are
grim," he said, and responders have been in short supply.
With a population of about 103,000, FSM is comprised of four states over
600 islands -- about 1800 miles from end to end. Typhoon Maysak struck
Ulithi Atoll with 160 MPH winds, with gusts to 195 MPH -- a Category 5
storm. A major storm surge of unknown height also hit, and
infrastructure on most islands, including schools, homes, and the power
and telecommunication systems, suffered major damage or were destroyed
altogether.
Schneider has requested that the Amateur Radio community listen for
relief traffic on HF, but not to interrupt if vital communications are
in progress. Ham Aid kits containing both HF and VHF/UHF gear had been
shipped to Hawaii last fall, as the massive Puna volcanic lava flow
threatened some communities on the Big Island of Hawaii. It includes
both HF and VHF gear. Only the HF gear was sent to FSM. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-ham-aid-hf-gear-arrives-in-micronesia-in-wake-of-tropical-cyclone>.
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2015-04-23&p=0>
Spratlys DX0P DXpedition Participant Evacuated for Medical Emergency
One of the participants in the just-ended DX0P DXpedition to the
disputed Spratly Islands was airlifted from Pag Asa Island after
suffering a medical emergency. Chito Pastor, WW6CP, became ill just as
the DXpedition was starting to wrap up on April 20.
"The Medevac just arrived half an hour ago!" DXpedition leader Leo
Almazan, WA6LOS, told ARRL early on April 23. "Chito is on his way to
the hospital!"
Almazan said that he and four other team members were able to return to
the Philippines on another flight. The remaining team members will
remain on Pag Asa until a Philippines Navy Nomad aircraft picks them up
on April 24. ">From what I heard, they were all busy snorkeling all
day," said Almazan, who is now at his Angeles City home in the
Philippines. He said he plans to fly stateside next month for Dayton
Hamvention®.
According to Amateur Radio DX.com
<http://www.amateurradiodx.com/dx0p-spratly-islands/>, an Adventist
Medical Aviators Services aircraft that picked up Pastor landed safely
in Puerto Princesa without incident.
Members of the Mabuhay DX Group went to Pag Asa Island earlier this
month and operated for about 5 days, logging some 5000 contacts. All of
the DXpedition participants have roots in or reside in the Philippines.
*The DX0P DXpedition logged about 5000 contacts during its 5-day
Spratlys operation.*
A Philippines TV news account
<http://www.interaksyon.com/article/109278/new-spratlys-incident-delays-emergency-evacuation-of-sick-ham-radio-enthusiast-from-pag-asa>
posted on the InterAksyon.com website on April 22 reported that Pastor
developed kidney problems from drinking from the highly saline water
supply on Pag Asa after the DXpedition's drinking water supply ran
short. According to the InterAksyon report, a Chinese naval vessel had
"harassed a Philippine Air Force patrol flight in the Spratlys" by
firing an illumination round on April 21. Almazan told ARRL that the
Philippines military later backed away from that account, but the
incident caused the postponement of future flights to Pag Asa Island,
including the Philippine Navy flight that was to evacuate Pastor. The
aircraft set to pick up Pastor later developed mechanical problems,
causing further delay, and the Adventist flight was subsequently cleared
to make the medical mission on April 23.
The InterAksyon report noted that China "has embarked on an aggressive
reclamation and construction spree" in the Spratlys, which are claimed
in whole or in part by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and other
countries. The Philippines National Telecommunications Commission issued
the DX0P license.
Spratly Island is number 75 on the ClubLog DXCC Most Wanted List
<http://www.clublog.org/mostwanted.php>. Almazan headed a nine-member
team to Pag Asa Island.
"I can write a novel about this DXpedition!" Almazan told ARRL.
Participants May Apply Anytime for Centennial Points Challenge, W1AW WAS
Awards
The window <https://centennial-qp.arrl.org/> to apply for ARRL
Centennial Points Challenge and W1AW Worked All States awards
<http://www.arrl.org/centennial-qso-party#Awards> has been open for a
month now, and the initial rush of applications has been processed.
Participants' Centennial Points Challenge logs must already have been
submitted via Logbook of The World (LoTW
<http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world>) -- the cut-off date was
January 22 -- but the League will continue to accept award applications
indefinitely. With little to no backlog in the queue, it's anticipated
that processing will be prompt.
The ARRL Centennial QSO Party and W1AW/portable activities in 2014
represented the biggest on-the-air operation in the history of Amateur
Radio, with more than 3.5 million Centennial event contacts recorded in
LoTW. W100AW operation accounted for some 70,000 contacts.
Most applicants will find the process simple and largely automated. The
form will auto-populate, if ARRL has the applicant's information on
file. The form may be edited to update name and address information
only. The system will select the awards for which the applicant
qualifies. Certificates will be printed daily. Plaques will be shipped
directly from the supplier.
Certificates will be available for the Centennial Points Challenge
Award, while W1AW WAS Award participants can order a certificate, a
plaque, or both -- ordered separately on the website. Certificates are
$16, and plaques are $60.
Qualifying for the Top Level Centennial Points Challenge Award requires
15,000 points. The Third Level Award requires 7500 points, while the
Second and First Level awards require 3000 and 1000 points,
respectively. Point totals will be printed on certificates.
ARRL 600 Meter Experiment Coordinator Recommends Renewing Experimental
License
ARRL 600 Meter Experiment <http://www.500kc.com/> Coordinator Fritz
Raab, W1FR, said the mission of the multi-station experimental operation
"has actually been accomplished," but since the US still has no
medium-frequency (MF) Amateur Service allocation, he believes the
Experimental license ought to be renewed. Raab commented in his most
recent quarterly status report on the experiment, prepared with John
Langridge, KB5NJD, and Warren Ziegler, K2ORS. The interim report said
the WD2XSH operations have demonstrated that the Amateur Radio community
is interested in MF operation.
"Amateurs with ordinary facilities can use the band; exotic antennas are
not required," the report said, adding "QSOs from 500 to 1000 miles are
routinely achieved, and longer distances are possible." According to the
report, WD2XSH operations continued throughout the winter, although
transatlantic reception reports "seem[ed] to be down slightly from the
previous winter."
The FCC has yet to act on the ARRL's 2012 /Petition for Rulemaking/
<http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7022073018> asking it to
create a domestic Amateur Radio allocation at 472-479 kHz, known
variously as 600 meters and 630 meters. Delegates to the 2012 World
Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12), approved a 7-kilohertz-wide
secondary Amateur Radio allocation at 472-479 kHz, with a power limit of
5 W EIRP (or 1 W EIRP, depending on location). Radio amateurs in Canada
and in several other countries already have allocations there. Canadian
630 meter operators held a cross-band event on February 14, listening on
160 and 80 meters for US stations.
The WD2XSH license is set to expire in August, Raab noted in his report.
"This is therefore a good time to look at what WD2XSH has accomplished
and to consider whether it should be renewed," he said.
"Following the WRC-12 decision to create an amateur 630-meter band, most
of us expected the FCC to approve access for US amateurs," Raab's report
said. "Had this happened, there would not be further need for the WD2XSH
license. Over 2 years have passed since the ARRL petitioned the FCC to
consider this band, and the FCC does not appear to be in any hurry to do
so."
*Patrick Hamel, W5THT, is one of the ARRL 600 Meter Experiment
participants.*
According to the report, which covered WD2XSH operations through
February 28, the experiment also has demonstrated reliable regional
ground-wave communication. "This will make possible regional
beyond-line-of-sight emergency communications that is available at all
times of day and is not subject to whims of the ionosphere," the report
added.
The report also pointed out that in 179,000 hours of operation, "there
has not been one complaint of harmful interference from either other
radio services or utility power-line communications." The FCC cited
concerns about possible interference to utility power-line carrier (PLC)
systems in deciding not to adopt its own 2002 proposal for an LF
allocation in the vicinity of 137 kHz.
Raab said the ARRL "should have a continued presence in our quest for a
630 meter amateur band" and recommended renewing the license. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-600-meter-experiment-coordinator-recommends-renewing-experimental-license>.
Australian Ham's "PicoSpace" Balloon Circumnavigates the Globe
A foil, party-type balloon carrying a ham radio payload has
circumnavigated the globe. Launched on April 6 by Australian radio
amateur Andy Nguyen, VK3YT, of Kensington, Victoria, Australia, the
balloon, designated PS-41 <http://picospace.net/?p=825>, completed its
round-the-world journey on April 16. It remained aloft until April 22,
when Nguyen reported that it had gone down near South America. Along the
way, it has been tracked by a network of Amateur Radio operators. Nguyen
has been trying since early last year to have one of his launches go
full circle.
*A map depicting PS-41's trip around the world in 10 days. The dark
green icons indicate where the balloon's transmissions were heard.*
"PS-41 crossed the starting longitude of 144.903 at 11:20 AM AEST (0120
UTC) this morning, completing the first PicoSpace around-the-world
trip," Nguyen posted on April 16. "Thanks to everyone for assistance
with tracking and providing encouragement for the project; the trip
would not have been possible without you." In January, Nguyen's PS-30
balloon went down in suspected poor weather off the east coast of Africa
near Madagascar.
The solar-powered, helium-filled PS-41 balloon carried an HF payload,
sending /WSPR/ spots and /JT9/ telemetry on 30 and 20 meters from a 25
mW transmitter. The high-attitude PS-41 took a path over Tasmania, then
south of New Zealand, the southern tip of South America, directly over
the South Georgia and South Sandwich islands, well south of Africa, and
back across to Australia.
Nguyen's companion PS-42 balloon made its way to the South Pacific
between New Zealand and South America, but it went down at about the
same time PS-41 completed its round trip.
The balloons were extensively tracked via /JT9/ by a network in
Australia, New Zealand, South America, South Africa, and Ireland. /WSPR/
spots were received from all over the world. /-- Thanks to Jim Linton,
VK3PC/
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IEEE 2015 International Microwave Symposium to Include Amateur Radio
Presence
If Dayton Hamvention® doesn't satisfy your need for wireless exuberance,
the so-called "World Series of RF" will convene in Phoenix, Arizona, the
following week -- May 17-22. The annual IEEE International Microwave
Symposium (IMS <http://www.ims2015.org/>) attracts thousands of
professional and academic RF specialists every year -- many of them
radio amateurs. And ARRL will have a seat at the table, so to speak.
For the third year, the ARRL exhibit will be in "student row" to
introduce Amateur Radio to conference attendees. The potential audience
includes students of all interests, as well as educators interested in
applying the hands-on nature of ham radio to help students gain
practical experience. This year, ARRL will focus on the three themes:
Gaining experience, career development, and the wealth of spectrum that
ham radio offers to anyone interested in RF and RF technologies.
More than 500 exhibitors will be at IMS 2015, along with materials and
services vendors, top of the line equipment manufacturers, and exotic
new startups looking to publicize their technology. Don't let the word
"microwave" intimidate you. There is something of interest starting
below the AM Standard Broadcast band all the way to the millimeter
wavelengths.
*The IMS promotes Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and
includes fun activities for younger visitors, including a scavenger hunt
on the exhibit floor.*
Part of the IMS fun is a significant academic presence. Hundreds of
students and educators participate in workshops, design competitions,
and the presentation of papers and posters. Along the way, they exchange
ideas and get acquainted with other programs from universities and
colleges around the world.
This year's 16 design competitions range from wideband baluns to SDRs to
high-efficiency power amplifiers and high-sensitivity receivers.
Post-secondary interest in communications and wireless technology has
never been higher.
If you're an RF professional and plan to attend IMS 2015, the ARRL
invites your help to explain and promote Amateur Radio to show visitors.
Contact <mailto:n0ax at arrl.org> the ARRL's IMS booth manager, Ward
Silver, N0AX, and find out how you can share your stories of how ham
radio has helped spark your interest and sustain the arc of your RF
career! /-- Thanks to Ward Silver, N0AX/
CQ DQs Two Dozen CQ World Wide DX Contest SSB Participants
The CQ World Wide Contest Committee has disqualified 2 dozen entrants in
the 2014 CQ World Wide DX Contest (SSB) last October. Another six
received warnings. The committee said that it has warned contesters to
play fairly and to obey the rules. The vast majority of the
disqualifications were for "unclaimed assistance."
"The CQ WW Contest Committee takes its job as referee for the contest
very seriously," the Committee said
<http://cqww.com/blog/cq-ww-ssb-2014-disqualifications-and-warnings/> in
a web blog post. "Each year a group of dedicated members spends many
hours poring over logs, listening to SDR recordings, and following up on
input from the contest community. We do not always have perfect
information, and it is difficult when each entrant is operating from
their own station without any outside observer. Even so, the logs and
recordings often tell us a clear story. It is our job as referees to
call them as we see them."
Disqualified entrants are given 5 days to respond. "We do this to allow
everyone the opportunity to present an explanation of what appears in
the log," the Committee said.
/CQ/ received 8283 logs containing more than 5.2 million contacts for
the CQ WW SSB. Contest participants represented 223 different countries.
Log checking for the 2014 CQ WW DX Contest CW is now complete and have
been sent to /CQ/ Magazine. Official results will appear in the May 2015
issue of /CQ/.
ARRL Teachers Institute Sessions Still Accepting Applications
The ARRL Education & Technology Program is still accepting applications
for all four sessions of the ARRL Teachers Institute this summer. Apply
<http://www.arrl.org/teachers-institute-application> now! The deadline
is May 1.
ARRL is offering three sessions of its "Introductory Teachers Institute
on Wireless Technology" (TI-1) during the summer of 2015. Topics covered
in the TI-1 course include basic electronics, radio science,
microcontroller programming, and basic robotics. ARRL will also offer an
advanced Teachers Institute (TI-2), "Remote Sensing and Data Gathering,"
open to applicants who have completed TI-1.
"If you are a past participant of the Teachers Institute we hope that
you have found many ways to use the ideas, training and resources you
received and are interested in spreading the word to other teachers,"
said ARRL Education Services Manager Debra Johnson, K1DMJ. "Consider
signing up for the advanced TI-2, /'/Remote Sensing and Data Gathering.'"
The March /QST/ article, "The ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless
Technology," includes the schedule and course descriptions. More
information
<http://www.arrl.org/teachers-institute-on-wireless-technology> is on
the ARRL website.
Amateur Radio Special Events to Mark International Marconi Day
April 25 is International Marconi Day (IMD <http://www.gb4imd.org.uk/>),
organized by the Cornish Radio Amateur Club in Cornwall, UK. IMD
recognizes the anniversary of the birth of wireless pioneer Guglielmo
Marconi, born on April 25, 1874. Participating stations are expected to
be on the air during the period 0000 to 2400 UTC (ie, starting the
evening of Friday, April 24, in US time zones). The occasion offers an
opportunity to contact historic Marconi-related radio sites around the
world on HF.
Among stations planning to be on the air is VP8VPC in the Falkland
Islands. The VPC suffix recalls the call sign of the Marconi spark
transmitters in Stanley. The 150 kW transmitter built in 1915 fed seven
305-foot masts and operated on 60-70 kHz. It was the most remote and
most powerful station in the Royal Navy's First World War network of
stations. After the war, VPC handled commercial message traffic to South
America.
IMD certificate information and additional details
<http://www.gb4imd.org.uk/> are on the IMD website.
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NCDXF Announces Major DXpedition Grants
The Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF <http://www.ncdxf.org>) has
announced a $50,000 grant to the VK0EK Heard Island DXpedition, planned
for November 2015. In the wake of the recent Navassa operation, Heard
Island has moved up to number 5 on the ClubLog DXCC Most Wanted List
<http://www.clublog.org/mostwanted.php>.
The NCDXF also has donated $20,000 to the just-announced KH5 Palmyra
<http://www.palmyra2016.org/> Atoll DXpedition, planned for January
2016. Palmyra is number 10 on the ClubLog DXCC Most Wanted List.
Within the last year, NCDXF has given $175,000 in grants to DX
operations in Iran, Andaman, Navassa, Eritrea, Tromelin, South Sandwich,
South Georgia, Chesterfield, and Heard. /-- Thanks to Glenn Johnson,
W0GJ, NCDXF Vice President/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Average daily solar flux increased
from 132.5 to 150.4 over the forecast period. The day with the greatest
geomagnetic activity was April 16, when the mid-latitude A index hit 28,
the planetary A index was 43, and the high-latitude college A index in
Alaska was 57. These are high numbers!
Predicted solar flux for the near term is 150 and 145 on April 23-24,
140 on April 25-30, 135 on May 1, 130 on May 2-5, 135 and 140 on May
6-7, 145 on May 8-9, 140 on May 10, 135 on May 11-16, and 150 on May 17-18.
Predicted planetary A index is 15, 8, 12, and 5 on April 23-26, 8 on
April 27-30, 12 on May 1, 8 on May 2, 5 on May 3-5, 8 on May 6-8, 5 on
May 9-11, then 8, 15, 20, 12, 8, and 12 on May 12-17, and 5 on May 18-19.
You can download and examine my archive of these forecasts, updated
daily, for flux values
<http://www.filedropper.com/filemanager/public.php?service=files&t=326dd41340bab1066cf91d13df36b8fd>
and Ap index
<http://www.filedropper.com/filemanager/public.php?service=files&t=be2a0a69fb6392907dc3d9a017dcace1>
(click the "Download this File" button; files are /Excel/ spreadsheets).
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.
Look for reports from readers in Friday's bulletin. Send
<mailto:k7ra at arrl.net> me /your/ reports and observations. -- /Tad Cook,
K7RA/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just Ahead in Radiosport
*
April 25 -- Florida QSO Party (SSB, CW)
*
April 25 -- QRP To The Field (CW)
*
April 25-26 -- Ten-Ten Spring Digital Contest
*
April 25-26 -- SP DX RTTY Contest
*
April 25-26 -- Helvetia Contest (SSB, CW, Digital)
*
April 26 -- BARTG 75 Sprint (RTTY)
*
April 29 -- VHF Spring Sprints (SSB, CW, Digital)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
*
April 24-25 -- Southeastern VHF Society Conference
<http://www.svhfs.org/>, Morehead, Kentucky
*
April 25 -- Aurora Conference <http://www.nlrs.org/>, White Bear
Lake, Minnesota
*
May 1-2 -- West Coast Military Collectors Group Convention
<http://mrcgwest.org/>, San Luis Obispo, California
*
May 1-3 -- Nevada State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/nevada-state-convention-1>, Verdi, Nevada
*
May 2 -- South Carolina Section Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/south-carolina-section-convention-56th-annual-hamfest>,
Spartanburg, South Carolina
*
May 15-17 -- Dayton Hamvention^® <http://www.hamvention.org/>,
Dayton, Ohio
*
June 5-7 -- Northwestern Division Convention
<http://www.seapac.org/> (SeaPac), Seaside, Oregon
*
June 6 -- Georgia State Convention <http://www.atlantahamfest.com/>,
Marietta, Georgia
*
June 12-13 -- West Gulf Division Convention <http://www.hamcom.org/>
(Ham-Com), Irving, Texas
*
June 13 -- Tennessee State Convention <http://www.w4bbb.org/>,
Knoxville, Tennessee
*
July 4 -- Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://www.w3uu.org>, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
*
July 10-11 -- Northern Florida Section Convention
<http://miltonarc.org>, Milton, Florida
*
July 13-16 -- Mobile Amateur Radio Awards Club Convention
<http://www.marac.org>, The Villages, Florida
*
July 17-19 -- Montana State Convention <http://gwhamfest.org/>, East
Glacier, Montana
*
July 23-26 -- Central States VHF Society Conference
<http://csvhfs.org/>, Westminster, Colorado
*
July 24-25 -- Oklahoma Section Convention <http://hamholiday.org>,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
*
July 31-August 2 -- Rocky Mountain Division Convention
<http://utahhamfest.com>, Bryce Canyon, Utah
Find conventions and hamfests in your area <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests>.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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