[SFDXA] The ARRL Letter for February 12, 2015
Bill
bmarx at bellsouth.net
Fri Feb 13 08:37:32 EST 2015
Preview
If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2015-02-12
The ARRL Letter
February 12, 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/>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2015-02-12&t=t>
* FCC Seeks Comment on Radar Sharing Schemes that Could Displace
Amateur Radio at 76-81 GHz <#toc01>
* Word From Navassa: Turn Off Those Speech Processors! K1N Tops
100,000 Contacts <#toc02>
* John Bigley, N7UR, Appointed as Nevada Section Manager <#toc03>
* ARRL Field Day 2015 Field Day Packet Now Online <#toc04>
* ARRL International DX Contest 2015 CW Event is February 21-22 <#toc05>
* Another Round of International Space Station SSTV Activity Set for
Late February <#toc06>
* Polish Radio Amateurs Receive 3D-Printed ARTSAT2: DESPATCH QSL Card
<#toc07>
* Denying Permission for FCC Station Inspection Nets Florida CBer a
$3000 Fine <#toc08>
* RadioShack Enters Chapter 11 "Debtor-in-Possession" Bankruptcy <#toc09>
* "Gray Radio Gang" Reactivates Vintage Battleship /Iowa/ HF
Transmitter <#toc10>
* Hamvention Week AuxComm Course Registration Now Open <#toc11>
* In Brief... <#toc12>
* The K7RA Solar Update <#toc13>
* Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc14>
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
<#toc15>
FCC Seeks Comment on Radar Sharing Schemes that Could Displace Amateur
Radio at 76-81 GHz
The FCC is seeking comment on issues involving expanded use of various
radar applications in the 76-81 GHz band, which Amateur Radio shares
with other services. The band 77.5-78 GHz is allocated to the Amateur
and Amateur Satellite services on a primary basis, and to the Radio
Astronomy and Space Research services on a secondary basis.
"We undertake this proceeding to expand the available spectrum for radar
operations in the 76-81 GHz band," the FCC said in a detailed /Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking and Reconsideration Order /(/NPRM&RO/
<https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-16A1.pdf>),
released February 5 in ET Docket 15-26. The Commission said the
proposals include allocation changes as well as provisions "to ensure
that new and incumbent operations can share the available frequencies in
the band."
The FCC /NPRM&RO/ is in response to a /Petition for Rulemaking/
(RM-11666) filed in 2012 by Robert Bosch LLC and to two petitions for
reconsideration of the Commission's 2012 /Report and Order/ (/R&O/
<http://www.fcc.gov/document/toyotaera-76-77-ghz-band>) addressing
vehicular radar systems in the 76-77 GHz band. ET 15-26 incorporates
earlier proceedings.
Among many issues, the FCC seeks comment on the possibility of
reallocating the Amateur Radio and Amateur Satellite services from 76-81
GHz, and it asks for suggestions on "alternative spectrum that we might
make available in this general region."
Bosch's 2012 /Petition /sought to modify the FCC's Part 15 rules to
expand the operation of unlicensed vehicular radar systems from 76-77
GHz to the 76-81 GHz band to develop short-range radar (SRR)
applications. The Bosch petition received "general support from the
automotive industry," the Commission said. In its petition, Bosch said
that it anticipated no interference issues between Amateur Radio
operations and vehicular radar operations at 77-81 GHz. "It notes that
it is unconvinced after several meetings with the technical staff of
ARRL that there is any 'significant incompatibility,'" the FCC /NPRM&RO/
recounted, "and describes how amateur operations in the band 'tend to be
largely experimental, occurring in geographic areas such as mountaintops
and other rural areas where motor vehicle operation is not typical.'"
The FCC noted, however, that it "has previously recognized evidence of
potential interference conflicts" between Amateur Radio and vehicular
radar systems in the 76-77 GHz band, and believes the potential for
"similar compatibility issues" could exist above 77 GHz. More than 10
years ago the FCC suspended Amateur Radio and Amateur Satellite
operation in the 76-77 GHz segment and recently extended the suspension.
"Our goal is to adopt rules that address amateur use, including Amateur
Satellite use, within the 76-81 GHz band in a comprehensive and
consistent manner," the FCC asserted.
The FCC said that to the extent commenters believe Amateur Radio can
continue to use the 4 millimeter band, it seeks comments on "what
additional rule modifications we would have to adopt to realize
successful shared use of the entire band." One possibility the FCC
raised was altering current amateur power limits in that portion of the
spectrum. The Commission said it also wants to "develop a record on the
types of amateur use, and the extent of such use, that is currently
undertaken" at 4 millimeters.
The ARRL plans to comment in the FCC proceeding.
Word From Navassa: Turn Off Those Speech Processors! K1N Tops 100,000
Contacts
The pressure to work K1N <http://www.navassadx.com/> on Navassa Island
continues. The DXpedition has topped 100,000 contacts, but demand seems
insatiable, as it enters its final few days. The pileups continue to be
*K1N team member Glenn Johnson, W0GJ.*
fierce with little letup, K1N team member Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, said in a
February 10 media release. A day earlier, during a satellite telephone
interview <http://www.dokufunk.org/upload/navassa_2_final.MP3> with Wolf
Harranth, OE1WHC, Johnson advised phone operators to turn off their
speech processors when trying to break the pileups. He said the splatter
generated when phone ops max out their audio in an effort to be heard
"makes it almost impossible" to pick out individual callers.
"If we could somehow magically eliminate all speech processors, we could
probably double or triple our rate, particularly in working Europeans,"
Johnson told OE1WHC.
Johnson said the distribution of K1N contacts forms "almost a
bell-shaped curve centered on 20 and 30 meters," although, he added, 40
meters has been "very productive" as well. On the outer edges, K1N had
logged more than 2500 contacts on 160 as of February 9 and has been
working stations in Oceania and Europe on 6 meters, where K1N has been
maintaining a beacon on 50.103 MHz.
*K1N CW operator Ralph Fedor, K0IR, works down a pileup.*
Johnson said the team will continue to operate full bore into the early
weekend but will start closing down on Friday, February 13, sending
unneeded supplies back to Jamaica.
"We'll probably be in full swing through Friday evening (local time),"
Johnson explained. Operations will proceed through Saturday, but "at the
break of dawn" on Sunday, February 15, the team will have to depart
Navassa, and it could be another decade before anyone is able to
activate Navassa Island.
"Everyone is still healthy and in good spirits," Johnson said in the
team's February 10 news release. "We really thank everyone for standing
by while we work our propagation windows, especially to Japan."
The K1N logs <https://secure.clublog.org/charts/?c=K1N> have been posted.
John Bigley, N7UR, Appointed as Nevada Section Manager
John Bigley, N7UR, of Las Vegas, has been appointed ARRL Nevada Section
Manager, succeeding the late Gary Grant, K7VY, of Reno, who
*New Nevada SM John Bigley, N7UR (right), receives the ARRL Pacific
Division "Ham of the Year" award from Pacific Division Director Bob
Vallio, W6RGG.*
died February 1 after a period of ill health. Field Services and
Radiosport Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, consulted with Pacific Division
Director Bob Vallio, W6RGG, and made the appointment effective on
February 5.
Bigley has been serving as an Assistant Section Manager and as the
Public Information Coordinator for Nevada. He edits the /Nevada Amateur
Radio Newswire/ <http://www.nevadahamradio.com/>. Bigley will complete
Grant's remaining term of office, which concludes on June 30. Bigley was
selected as the 2014 ARRL Pacific Division "Ham Of The Year."
ARRL is now soliciting nominations for the next 2-year term of office
for Nevada Section Manager, which starts on July 1. Nominating petitions
are due at ARRL Headquarters by March 6, 2015. Details
<http://www.arrl.org/section-terms-nomination-information> are available
on the ARRL website.
ARRL Field Day 2015 Field Day Packet Now Online
The complete 2015 ARRL Field Day <http://www.arrl.org/field-day> packet
is now online. There are no rule changes for 2015. Field Day 2015 takes
place June 27-28.
"Following a successful Centennial QSO Party with on-the-air activity at
an all-time high, we are very excited for this year's event and hope
that individuals and clubs will carry their enthusiasm over to Field
Day," said ARRL Contest Branch Manager Matt Wilhelm, W1MSW.
ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air event held annually in the
US and Canada. On the fourth weekend of June, more than 35,000 radio
amateurs gather with their clubs, groups, or simply with friends to
operate from remote locations.
Participants are encouraged to register their Field Day operations using
the FD Site Locator <http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator>. Field Day
gear will be available by March 1. If you have questions about Field
Day, e-mail <mailto:fdinfo at arrl.org> them, or call 860-594-0232.
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2015-02-12&p=0>
ARRL International DX Contest 2015 CW Event is February 21-22
CW, DXing, and contesting come together and go global February 21-22 for
the 2015 ARRL International DX CW contest <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx>.
This HF contest season has seen incredible high-band conditions and
record entry numbers, and as it draws to a close, this is a terrific
opportunity to get on the air and get in on the fun. It's the US and
Canada working the world in this event.
If you have never operated in a CW contest, the event's short and simple
exchange, combined with abundant stations on the air, makes it an ideal
opportunity to try something new. Participating in the ARRL DX CW is a
fantastic way to hone your CW operating skills and expand your knowledge
of HF propagation. DX stations around the world will be looking to work
US and Canadian stations, so don't miss this chance to put a "new one"
in your log.
At the top-scoring K3LR MM in 2014, W5OV (L) and K3UA seem to be
enjoying themselves working the pileups.
Think your station is too small to operate in one of the largest
contests of the year? Think again. There are Low Power and QRP
categories, and, if the improved solar conditions we saw at the end of
2014 continue, there will be plenty of stations for "Little Pistols" to
work. Keep an eye on 10 meters, which can be a great place to find a
quiet slice of spectrum to run on low power.
Stations in the US and Canada work only DX stations (Alaska and Hawaii
are considered DX for this contest), while DX stations work only the US
and Canada. The contest exchange is simple: US and Canadian stations
send a signal report and their state or province, while DX stations send
a signal report and their power output.
The contest gets under way at 0000 UTC on Saturday, February 21 (the
evening of Friday, February 20, in US time zones) and continues through
through 2359 UTC on Sunday, February 22, 2015.
Complete rules and forms <http://www.arrl.org/contest-rules> are on the
ARRL website. E-mail <mailto:DXCW at arrl.org> electronic logs (Cabrillo
format). Mail paper logs to ARRL DX CW Contest, 225 Main St, Newington,
CT 06111. /Logs must be received or postmarked no later than 2359 UTC on
Tuesday, March 24, 2015./
Another Round of International Space Station SSTV Activity Set for Late
February
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS
<http://www.ariss.org>) program has announced another round of Amateur
Radio slow-scan television (SSTV) activity from the International Space
Station will take place later this month. Transmissions will be from RS0ISS.
The images transmitted will reprise the first series commemorating
Russian space history, previously sent last December and again earlier
in late January and early February. Non-stop SSTV transmissions from
*John Sweigart, KK4SHF, received this SSTV image from RS0ISS of Soviet
space pioneer Yuri Gagarin on February 1.*
RS0ISS will begin on February 21 at 1000 UTC and end on February 23 at
2130 UTC. The SSTV mode will be PD180, which can produce high-quality
images with a frame scan of 187 seconds. Twelve different images
depicting Soviet space pioneer Yuri Gagarin -- the first human to orbit
Earth -- will be sent on 145.800 MHz, with a 3-minute off time between
transmissions.
Received images may be uploaded to the image gallery
<http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php>.
During the last round of SSTV transmissions from RS0ISS, a Polish radio
enthusiast, 22-year-old Radoslaw Karwacki, used an RTL-SDR "dongle" to
pick up the SSTV signals from the ISS. The tiny software-defined
receiver, which plugs into a computer USB port and includes an antenna
port, cost about $15. He used a basic dipole and free software to
receive and display the images. "I blindly tuned in on that frequency
during ISS flyby and happened to receive the signal," he told
<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2939725/How-chat-astronauts-aboard-ISS-USB-dongle-antenna-lets-Polish-man-receive-images-cosmonauts.html>
/Daily Mail/ Science and Technology reporter Jonathan O'Callaghan.
"This is an excellent example of how low cost systems can be employed by
students to copy pictures directly from the ISS," said ARISS
International President Frank Bauer, KA3HDO. "We are working on
additional picture downlinks over the course of the year using images
from our international team. Our next initiative is a series of pictures
of 'spaceflight inventors,' including Tsiolkovsky, Goddard, Oberth, Von
Braun, and others."
AMSAT-UK has posted a report
<http://amsat-uk.org/2015/01/31/iss-sstv-operational/> on the last round
of SSTV transmissions in late January and early February.
Polish Radio Amateurs Receive 3D-Printed ARTSAT2: DESPATCH QSL Card
Michał Zawada, SQ5KTM,**and a Polish team of radio amateurs who
received signals from the ARTSAT2: DESPATCH
<http://despatch.artsat.jp/en/Main_Page> (FO-81) spacecraft while it was
more than 1.68 million miles from Earth have been rewarded with a QSL
generated by a 3D printer. Zawada reported that the team heard FO-81 on
December 9. One half of the "card" is a 3D depiction of the sculpture
ARTSAT2 carried into deep space; the other half is a printed reception
confirmation.
The two-part QSL included a 3D printer image representing the ARTSAT2
sculpture sent into deep space (left) and a more conventionally printed
reception report.
"The last signals received by us from ARTSAT2: DESPATCH were very weak,
but clearly stood out on the waterfall diagram of the monitoring
program," he reported. "To avoid misinterpretation we asked for
confirmation directly from the creators of the space probe -- Tama Art
University and The University of Tokyo." Zawada said the data he and his
team reported were analyzed, compared with the model and successfully
authenticated, "and we have received confirmation with thanks."
He said the team sent "gigabytes of data" to the operators of the
ARTSAT2 and Shin'en-2 space probes for further analysis.
The Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements (PIAP
<http://www.piap.pl/>) loaned the use of its 4.5 meter parabolic mesh
dish and the help of some employees to the project; the team used its
own Amateur Radio equipment. "Preparations of our ground station took us
almost 2 weeks, including some hours on a roof at freezing weather
conditions," Zawada reported.
ARTSAT2: DESPATCH <http://despatch.artsat.jp/en/Main_Page> and Shin'en 2
<http://kit-okuyama-lab.com/en/sinen2/> (FO-82) were launched on
December 3 with the Hayabusa 2
<http://b612.jspec.jaxa.jp/hayabusa2/e/index_e.html> asteroid
sample-return mission. ARTSAT2: DESPATCH carried a 7 W CW transmitter on
437.325 MHz and included the first sculpture ever to be carried into
deep space. The spacecraft transmitted for approximately 1 month before
going silent. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/polish-radio-amateurs-receive-3d-printed-artsat2-despatch-qsl-card>.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FindARRL 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&t=i&i=2015-02-12&p=1>
Denying Permission for FCC Station Inspection Nets Florida CBer a $3000 Fine
The FCC Enforcement Bureau has imposed a reduced fine of $3000 on a
Florida, CB operator for failing to allow FCC agents inspect his
station. The Commission issued Tommie Salter of Jacksonville a
/Forfeiture Order/
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0205/DA-15-156A1.pdf>
on February 5. Last August the FCC had proposed
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2014/db0822/DA-14-1213A1.pdf>
fining Salter $14,000 for denying agents from the FCC's Tampa Office
permission to check out his station in the wake of renewed complaints of
interference to a neighbor's "home electronic equipment." In March 2014,
agents monitored radio transmissions on 27.245 MHz and used radio
direction-finding techniques to track the signal's source to Salter's
residence. The FCC said it agreed to reduce the proposed forfeiture
based on Salter's financial circumstances.
"Mr Salter does not deny that he refused to allow the agents to inspect
his CB station but alleges he could not stay for the inspection, because
he had a doctor's appointment," the FCC /Forfeiture Order/ said. The
Enforcement Bureau said it was unable to substantiate Salter's
appointment claim but said that he could have asked to reschedule the
inspection in such a situation. The Bureau concluded that it could "find
no reason to reduce the forfeiture based on his alleged appointment."
The FCC said financial documents that Salter provided offered
"sufficient basis" to reduce the forfeiture to $3000. "We have
previously rejected inability to pay claims in cases of repeated or
otherwise egregious violations," the Commission added. "Therefore,
future violations of this kind may result in significantly higher
forfeitures that may not be reduced due to Mr Salter's financial
circumstances."
The FCC's /Forfeiture Policy Statement/ and its rules set a base
forfeiture amount of $7000 for failure to permit inspection. Salter had
previously received a /Notice of Violation/ for refusing an inspection
request in 2004, the /Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture/
(/NAL/
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2014/db0822/DA-14-1213A1.pdf>)
in the case noted, and he also had been fined for operating with a
non-certificated transmitter during restricted hours the Commission had
imposed following similar interference complaints. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/denying-permission-for-fcc-station-inspection-nets-florida-cber-a-3000-fine>.\
RadioShack Enters Chapter 11 "Debtor-in-Possession" Bankruptcy
Electronics retailer RadioShack <http://www.radioshackcorporation.com/>,
which once supplied Amateur Radio equipment and has continued to
maintain an inventory of electronics components, has reached an asset
purchase agreement with General Wireless Inc, an affiliate of RadioShack
creditor Standard General, to acquire up to 2400 of RadioShack's more
than 4000 company-owned stores.
Many, but not all, RadioShack stores will close, as the Fort Worth,
Texas-based company attempts to restructure under Chapter 11 bankruptcy
following 11 quarterly losses.
General Wireless has agreed in principle on terms with Sprint to
establish a new dedicated mobility "store-within-a-store" retail
presence in up to 1750 of the acquired stores. Stores that are closing
are expected to sell remaining inventory.
Discussions are under way with interested parties to sell all of the
company's remaining assets. /-- RadioShack news release, media accounts/
"Gray Radio Gang" Reactivates Vintage Battleship /Iowa/ HF Transmitter
It's a massive project on a number of levels, but the so-called "Gray
Radio Gang" that's been working to restore some of the vintage US Navy
radio gear on board the Battleship /Iowa/
<http://www.pacificbattleship.com/> (BB-61), docked in Los Angeles,
recently fired up one of the vessel's transmitters for the first time in
about 25 years. Restoration team member Jim Jerzycke, KQ6EA, recounted
on his "Every Blade of Grass" blog
<http://every-blade-of-grass.blogspot.com/> how the group was finally
able to get 950 W into a dummy antenna from one transmitter on 20 meters.
*One of the Battleship /Iowa/'s AN/URT-23(C) transmitters. The exciter
is at the top, the PA is in the middle, and the amplifier power supply
is on the bottom. [Jim Jerzycke, KQ6EA, photo]*
"We still have quite a way to go before we attempt to put one
[transmitter] on the air, but the results were quite encouraging for at
transmitter that was last powered up sometime in 1990," Jerzycke said in
his blog. "BB-61 should be on the air later this year with a /big/ voice!"
He told ARRL that, once transmitters are deemed operational, they
probably would not be used very often on the ham bands. The Iowa already
has a ham radio station, NI6BB, under the auspices of the Battleship
Iowa Amateur Radio Association (BIARA <http://www.biara.org/>), an
ARRL-affiliated club. BIARA's president is Doug Dowds, W6HB. NI6BB has
more modern gear but makes use of the ship's own antennas.
The BIARA is active from the /Iowa/ most Wednesdays and for many
national holidays, such as Veterans Day, Pearl Harbor Day, and Memorial
Day, and for operating events such as the Museum Ships Weekend and
International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend. The station also has hosted
Boy Scouts' Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) groups each fall.
*Arnold Shatz, N6HC, at the helm of the Iowa's NI6BB club station.*
Jerzycke said the Gray Radio Gang is composed of about 10 individuals
with experience on various types of US Navy radio gear dating from the
1950s to the 1980s, when most of them served in the Navy. "At 63 years
old, I'm one of the 'youngsters' in that group," he added. The team has
been trying to get the original receivers, transmitters, RTTY gear, and
antennas working again, Jerzycke said. "We are very fortunate in having
the guys from the aircraft carrier /Midway/ in San Diego and the
Battleship /New Jersey/ in Camden, New Jersey, who have provided us with
technical help, documents, and spare parts."
The AN/URT-23(C) transmitters, he joked, are "built like a battleship,"
with a pair of 4CX1500Bs in the final and nominally capable of putting
out a couple of kilowatts. He noted that once the Gray Radio Gang has
confirmed the signal paths for the various shipboard transmitters and
receivers, it will be able to put a transmitter/receiver pair in
operation for certain special events. "At this time it's unlikely that
we will use the original radio equipment for 'routine' Amateur Radio
operations, as it's very manpower intensive, requiring at least six
people to operate," Jerzycke explained.
"It's an honor and a privilege to be able to work on the /Iowa/, and I
enjoy every minute of it!"
Hamvention Week AuxComm Course Registration Now Open
The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Emergency Communications
will offer its Auxiliary Communications (AuxComm) course May 12-14 prior
to Hamvention <http://www.hamvention.org>^® 2015 in Dayton, Ohio. More
than 1000 Amateur Radio operators have completed the course, which
trains qualified hams to assist local, county, and state government with
emergency backup communication. The AuxComm course covers emergency
communication in a public safety context within the National Incident
Management framework. It also introduces the auxiliary communicator to
the Communications Unit Leader function. Details and regist//ration
requirements <http://hamvention.org/dhs-returns-to-dayton-for-2015/> are
available on the Hamvention website.
Applicants/must/ meet all prerequisites and provide documentation to
attend this class. The class is limited to 50 qualified students. The
intensive 3-day course provides facilitated lectures, student exercises,
and interactive discussions.
The AuxComm workshop is designed for auxiliary emergency communicators
who volunteer to provide backup emergency radio communication support to
public safety and emergency response professionals and their agencies.
Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/hamvention-week-auxcomm-course-registration-now-open>.
-- Thanks to Henry Ruminski, W8HJR, Hamvention Media Chair
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2015-02-12&p=2>
In Brief...
*World Radio Day, February 13, Will See Inauguration of Special 4U0ITU
Call Sign: *ITU International Amateur Radio Club station 4U1ITU in
Geneva will mark World Radio Day on Friday, February 13. This event also
kicks off the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) 150th
anniversary. International Amateur Radio Union President Tim Ellam,
VE6SH, will inaugurate special call sign 4U0ITU at 0900 UTC. He will be
accompanied by ITU Secretary General Houlin Zhao, other elected
officials, and VIPs. The IARC will use the 4U0ITU call sign until World
Radiocommunication Conference 2015, November 2-27, 2015. World Radio Day
commemorates the first broadcast of UN Radio in 1946. All 4U0ITU
contacts will be confirmed. QSL information is available on QRZ.com
<http://www.qrz.com/>.
*Winter SWL Fest Set for February 27-28 near Philly*: The North American
Short Wave Association's 28th Annual Winter SWL Fest will be held
February 27-28 at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Plymouth Meeting, near
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Winter SWL Fest is a conference for all
radio hobbyists, and it attracts medium wave, scanning, satellite TV,
and Amateur Radio enthusiasts. ARRL Southern New Jersey Section Manager
Skip Arey, N2EI, will deliver a presentation, "Regenerative Receivers
Past and Present," during the gathering. Arey is the author of the
/Radio Monitoring: The How-To Guide/
<http://www.naswa.net/areybook.html>. Other forum topics will include
"Pirate Radio," "Ultralight Medium-Wave DXing," and "Crisis
Communications." Additional information <http://www.swlfest.com/> is on
the NASWA website.
*Worked All Wisconsin Counties Applicants May Claim Wisconsin QSO Party
Contacts:* The West Allis Radio Amateur Club has announced that
applicants for its Worked All Wisconsin Counties (WAWC
<http://www.warac.org/wawc/wawc.htm>) award now may claim Wisconsin QSO
Party <http://www.warac.org/wqp/wqp.htm> contacts for award credit. The
West Allis Radio Amateur Club sponsors both activities. The Wisconsin
QSO Party takes place March 15-16 UTC). For 2015, WAWC applicants may
claim Wisconsin QSO Party contacts without a QSL card. Applicants must
indicate QSO Party contacts on the entry form, and the club will utilize
the QSO Party database to confirm these.
*Brazil Forms an AMSAT Organization*: An AMSAT organization has been
formed in Brazil (AMSAT-BR), as a special-interest group under the Liga
de Amadores Brasileiros de Radio Emissão (LABRE
<http://www.labre.org.br/>), the national International Amateur Radio
Union member society. AMSAT-BR was established "to better organize
Brazilian Amateur Satellite activities, to better represent the Amateur
Radio community to organizations developing CubeSat projects, and to
attract more amateurs in different regions of the country to join our
cause," LABRE Executive Director Orlando Perez Filho, PT2OP, told
AMSAT-NA <http://www.amsat.org/>. The primary missions of AMSAT-BR will
be to foster activities related to development, building, operating, and
monitoring Amateur Radio satellites and high-altitude balloons, as well
as activities using these in STEM education. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/brazil-forms-an-amsat-organization>.
*Free Android Propagation Tool Available*: /WSPR World Watch
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=xxx.wspr.g4swy>/ is a
free Android app that plots real-time radio transmission paths on a
world map and incorporates a background display of the gray line or
terminator. It was developed by Derek Turner, G4SWY. Users may view
paths of individual stations, and there is an aurora plot option and
display of space weather indices. /WSPR/ is designed for probing radio
propagation paths using low-power, beacon-like transmissions. /WSPR/
signals convey only a call sign, Maidenhead grid locator, and power
level. Receiving stations with Internet access automatically upload
reception reports to a central database.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: We saw solar indices drop this week.
Average daily sunspot numbers dropped from 139 to 81.6, while average
daily solar flux went from 151.1 to 144.1.
Geomagnetic indices were more stable this week, with average daily
planetary A index going from 14.7 to 8.4, and average mid-latitude A
index declining from 9.4 to 6.6.
The two 7-day periods compared here are January 29 through February 4,
and February 5-11.
Predicted solar flux for the near term is 140 for February 12-14, 130
for February 15-16, then 125, 135, 150, and 145 for February 17-20, 140
for February 21-22, 145 for February 23-26, 150 for February 27-28, 145
on March 1, 140 for March 2-7, and 135 for March 8-10. Solar flux then
reaches a low of 125 for March 12-13, a high of 140 for March 16-17, and
heads back to 125 for March 21-22.
Predicted planetary A index is 8 for February 12-14, then 10, 12, 10, 8,
and 10 for February 15-19, 5 for February 20-21, 15, and 12 for February
22-23, 10 for February 24-27, 20 for February 28 through March 1, 15 on
March 2, 10 for March 3-4, 5 for March 5-6, 8 on March 7, 10 on March 8,
and 8 for March 9-12.
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.
For Friday's bulletin, expect an updated forecast for the near term and
reports from readers concerning 6 meters. Send <mailto:k7ra at arrl.net> me
/your/ reports and observations. /-- Tad Cook, K7RA/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just Ahead in Radiosport
*
February 14 -- Asia-Pacific Sprint (CW)
*
February 14 -- FISTS CW Winter Sprint
*
February 14 -- RSGB - First 1.8 MHz Contest (SSB, CW)
*
February 14-15 -- PODXS 070 Club Valentine Sprint
*
February 14-15 -- CQ WW RTTY WPX
*
February 14-15 -- Dutch PACC Contest (SSB, CW)
*
February 14-15 -- OMISS QSO Party (SSB)
*
February 14-15 -- New Hampshire QSO Party
*
February 15 -- Maine 2 Meter FM Simplex Challenge
*
February 18 -- Semi-Automatic Key Evening
See the ARRL Contest Calendar <http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar> for
more information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
*
February 13-15 -- Southeastern Division Convention
<http://hamcation.com/>, Orlando, Florida
*
February 20-21 -- Arizona Section Convention
<http://www.yumahamfest.org/>, Yuma, Arizona
*
February 28 -- New Mexico Techfest Convention
<http://www.rmham.org/wordpress/new-mexico-techfest>, Albuquerque,
New Mexico
*
February 28 -- Vermont State Convention
<http://www.ranv.org/hamcon.html>, S Burlington, Vermont
*
March 7 -- Santa Clara Valley Section Convention
<http://www.radiofest.org/>, Del Rey Oaks, California
*
March 13-14 -- North Carolina Section Convention
<http://www.charlottehamfest.org/>, Concord, North Carolina
*
March 14 -- West Texas Section Convention
<http://hamfest.w5qgg.org/>, Midland, Texas
*
March 20-21 -- Louisiana State Convention <http://w5ddl.org/>,
Rayne, Louisiana
*
March 21 -- MicroHAMS Digital Conference
<http://www.microhams.com/mhdc>, Redmond, Washington
*
March 21 -- Nebraska State Convention <http://lincolnhamfest.org/>,
Lincoln, Nebraska
*
March 21 -- Southern Florida Section Convention
<http://www.stuarthamfest.com/>, Stuart, Florida
*
March 28 -- Texas State Convention <http://www.houstonhamfest.org/>,
Rosenberg, Texas
*
April 4 -- West Central Florida Technical Conference
<http://www.arrlwcf.org/>, Sebring, Florida
*
April 4 -- North Carolina State Convention
<http://www.rars.org/rarsfest>, Raleigh, North Carolina
*
April 11-12 -- Communications Academy <http://www.commacademy.org/>,
Seattle, Washington
*
April 17-19 -- International DX Convention
<http://dxconvention.com/>, Visalia, California
*
April 25 -- Aurora Conference <http://www.nlrs.org/>, White Bear
Lake, Minnesota
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 ARRL 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=2015-02-12&t=r&p=0>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2015-02-12&t=r&p=1>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2015-02-12&t=r&p=2>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2015-02-12&t=r&p=3>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2015-02-12&t=r&p=4>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 48 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 © 2015 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved
www.arrl.org <http://www.arrl.org/>
More information about the SFDXA
mailing list