[SFDXA] The ARRL Letter for June 25, 2015
Bill
bmarx at bellsouth.net
Thu Jun 25 18:48:22 EDT 2015
Preview
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The ARRL Letter
June 25, 2015
Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME <mailto:ww1me at arrl.org>
ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/>
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* League Continues Efforts to Secure Senate Sponsorship for Amateur
Radio Parity Act of 2015 <#toc01>
* States, Counties, Communities Recognize the Value of Amateur Radio
<#toc02>
* New World Distance Records Set on 2.3 and 3.4 GHz Ham Bands <#toc03>
* OJ0B on Market Reef Logs Hundreds of 2 Meter Moonbounce, Meteor
Scatter Contacts <#toc04>
* ARRL 2015 Hurricane Season Webinar Set for July 20 <#toc05>
* ARRL Offering 20 Percent Off on Select Antenna Publications <#toc06>
* Ohio ARES "NVIS Antenna Day" Concludes: The Truth is Up There <#toc07>
* EO-80 (QB50p2) FM Transponder Testing is Successful <#toc08>
* AMSAT-NA Announces 2015 Board of Directors Candidates <#toc09>
* ARRL NTS Confers Special Service Awards <#toc10>
* In Brief... <#toc11>
* The K7RA Solar Update <#toc12>
* Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc13>
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
<#toc14>
League Continues Efforts to Secure Senate Sponsorship for Amateur Radio
Parity Act of 2015
ARRL representatives are continuing efforts on Capitol Hill to secure
sponsorship for a Senate companion bill to the Amateur Radio Parity Act
of 2015 -- H.R. 1301
<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d114:h.r.01301:>. ARRL
Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, is optimistic that
Amateur Radio Parity Act legislation will be active in both the US House
and Senate this summer. The proposed legislation, which has bipartisan
support, would direct the FCC to extend its rules relating to reasonable
accommodation of Amateur Service communications to private land-use
restrictions.
"Progress has been made on a US Senate version of the bill," Henderson
said this week. "We've had some very positive feedback on the Senate
side, and we believe a companion bill will be submitted there soon."
Henderson stressed that when a companion US Senate bill is "dropped" --
submitted, in congressional parlance -- it will have a completely
different number than the current House bill, H.R. 1301. Once that
happens, ARRL members will be urged to contact their two US senators to
encourage them to cosponsor the Senate bill. Until then, he stressed,
League members should refrain from contacting any US Senators, because
the only active bill is the one in the US House -- H.R. 1301.
"You can't ask US Senators to cosponsor a bill in the US House,"
Henderson said, "and you can't ask US House members to cosponsor a bill
in the US Senate."
Henderson has been sorting through letters from ARRL members for
hand-delivery to Capitol Hill. He advised that letter writers must
include their name and address on their correspondence, because members
of Congress are interested in voters. He said letters that are not
signed, that don't include the constituent's address, or that are
directed to the wrong Member of Congress cannot be used.
Henderson has spent a lot of his time recently meeting with
congressional staffers and occasional US House members, in an effort to
gain additional cosponsors for the bill. As of June 25, there were 79
cosponsors <http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d114:HR01301:@@@P>
of H.R. 1301, and Henderson said he anticipates a few more House members
will sign onto the bill soon.
The latest cosponsors of H.R. 1301 are Rep David Rouzer (NC) and Rep
Janice Hahn (CA).
*ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND.*
"The bill is being well received," Henderson said, "and we anticipate a
mark-up session in the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology,
and the Internet after the August recess, and following that, hearings
will be scheduled." US Rep Greg Walden, W7EQI, chairs the subcommittee
that will consider the bill.
Henderson said the Congress's upcoming August recess would be a good
time to meet with lawmakers while they are in their home states and
districts. He suggested contacting a House member's local constituent
office to arrange a visit. "It is not too early," he added. "Perhaps you
could convince the member of Congress to visit your club meeting." He
also recommended that those interested in following the trajectory of
H.R. 1301 should sign up to receive the ARRL's free /Legislative Update
Newsletter <http://www.arrl.org/legislative-update-newsletter>/.
ARRL members are encouraged to contact their member of Congress by
writing personalized, signed letters on paper, based on the sample
letter available on the ARRL HR 1301 <http://www.arrl.org/hr-1301> web
page. Letters should include the constituent's address. Send letters to
ARRL Headquarters for hand delivery to the appropriate House members to:
ARRL, ATTN HR 1301 Grassroots Campaign, 225 Main St, Newington CT 06111.
States, Counties, Communities Recognize the Value of Amateur Radio
Several US states, counties, and communities have taken the opportunity
to formally recognize the value of Amateur Radio and the occasion of
ARRL Field Day <http://www.arrl.org/field-day>.
*Connecticut* Gov Dannel Malloy has proclaimed June 22-28 as Amateur
Radio Week. His proclamation noted that the ARRL is headquartered in
Connecticut and has been "promoting and advancing the art, science, and
enjoyment of Amateur Radio" for more than 100 years. Gov Malloy cited
Amateur Radio's public service contributions as well as its role in
providing "a bridge between peoples, societies, and countries."**
*This fanciful "Podunk Hollow Radio Club" Field Day depiction by Gil
Gildersleeve graced the June 1956 cover of /QST/.
*
*Florida* Gov Rick Scott has proclaimed June 21-27 as Amateur Radio Week
in his state. Scott cited Amateur Radio as a "critical communication
link in the event of a disaster," noting the services that Amateur Radio
Emergency Service volunteers provide in Florida's three ARRL sections.
Gov Scott also expressed appreciation for SKYWARN volunteers, many of
them radio amateurs, who serve as weather spotters to assist the
National Weather Service.
*Indiana* Gov Mike Pence has declared June 22-28 as Amateur Radio Week
in his state. Indiana Section <http://www.inarrl.org/> Public
Information Coordinator Joe March, KJ9M, said Field Day-oriented public
service announcements are airing on radio stations throughout the
Hoosier State. Efforts have been under way in Indiana to disseminate
media releases on Field Day.
*Iowa* Gov Terry Branstad has proclaimed June 22-28 as Amateur Radio
Field Week. He cited Amateur Radio's contributions in times of emergency
and natural disaster, and its role in moving forward radio communication
and the science of electronics. His proclamation also noted the role of
many radio amateurs as volunteer weather spotters. Cedar Rapids, Iowa,
is the home of Rockwell Collins Radio Company, where employees will take
part in a "Take Your Radio to Work Day" on June 26, with tours of the
company's two Amateur Radio club stations, N0CXX and W0CXX.
*Kansas* Gov Sam Brownback has recognized June 27-28 as Kansas Amateur
Radio Field Day and encouraged all with an interest in Amateur Radio to
visit a Field Day site. The governor's proclamation cited the role of
Field Day in emergency preparedness.
*New Hampshire* Gov Maggie Hassan proclaimed June as Amateur Radio
Month. She cited Amateur Radio's role in serving as "a bridge between
peoples, societies, and countries by creating friendships and the
sharing of ideas" as well as its value in public service during
emergencies and public events. She encouraged New Hampshire citizens to
recognize Field Day weekend as a "demonstration of the radio amateur's
skills and readiness to provide self-supporting communications without
further infrastructure required."
**
(*L-R) Oklahoma Section Public Information Coordinator Michael Dean,
K5MFD; Oklahoma Gov Mary Fallin; Oklahoma Section Manager Lloyd Colston,
KC5FM, and Oklahoma Assistant Section Manager Thomas Webb, WA9AFM.*
*Oklahoma* Gov Mary Fallin has proclaimed the week of June 21 as Amateur
Radio Week and urged all Oklahomans "to pay tribute to the Amateur Radio
operators of our state." Fallin's proclamation cites ham radio's
"significant role in the development of worldwide radio communication as
well as its public service contribution. It notes that Field Day
"promotes the honing of radio amateurs' emergency preparedness skills."
Speaking with ARRL Oklahoma Section Manager Lloyd Colston, KC5FM, Gov
Fallin cited recent severe weather that Oklahoma has experienced in
recent months, including tornadoes and flooding.
*Washington* Gov Jay Inslee has proclaimed the week of June 21 as
Amateur Radio Week. He cited Amateur Radio's contributions to the public
in times of emergencies and disasters. "Amateur Radio operators deserve
our recognition and a salute for hundreds of jobs well done," the
proclamation said.
*Wisconsin* Gov Scott Walker has proclaimed June 27-28 as Amateur Radio
Week. Gov Walker recognized Amateur Radio's public service role and
Field Day as "a 24-hour emergency preparedness exercise and
demonstration" of skill and readiness to provide "self-supporting
communication."
The Butts County, Georgia, Board of Commissioners has declared June
22-28 as Amateur Radio Week in the county.
Crossville, Tennessee, Mayor James Mayberry has proclaimed the week of
June 22-28 as Ham Radio Week, in advance of Field Day.
In Idaho, the Kamiah City Council has proclaimed the week of June 22-28
as Amateur Radio Week. The Council also waived the fee for use of the
city park for the Three Rivers Amateur Radio Club's Field Day operation.
Local broadcasters are airing Amateur Radio promotional announcements.
New World Distance Records Set on 2.3 and 3.4 GHz Ham Bands
Two California radio amateurs -- one of them in Hawaii -- have set new
world distance records on the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz microwave amateur bands.
Wayne Overbeck, N6NB, operating from a radio-equipped rental car on the
Big Island of Hawaii, worked Gregory Campbell, W6IT, operating from
Overbeck's own fixed station near Orange, California, on both bands -- a
distance of more than 4024 km (2495 miles). The contacts blew away
records that had stood for more than 20 years, and more than doubled the
previous distance records for a two-way voice (SSB) contact at those
frequencies, Overbeck said, adding that most previous microwave distance
records have been set using CW.
"Ours was the first-ever SSB contact between Hawaii and the mainland on
2304," Overbeck noted. He said Chip Angle, N6CA, and KH6HME (SK) made
the first transpacific SSB contact on 3.4 GHz in the 1990s.
The record-setting contacts occurred on June 19 (June 18 in Hawaii) on
2.3 GHz at 0257 UTC and at on 3.4 GHz at 0300 UTC. W6IT was in grid
square DM13cs, while N6NB/KH6 was in BK29hq. According to the database
<http://www.arrl.org/distance-records> of distance records maintained by
Al Ward, W5LUA, the old records were 3982 km, set on by N6CA and KH6ME
on July 14, 1994, on 2.3 GHz (CW) and on July 28, 1991, on 3.4 GHz (SSB).
*N6NB's rover-type station at 8000 feet elevation on Mauna Loa, with
Mauna Kea, the Big Island's other 13,000 foot mountain, in the
background. [Photo courtesy of Wayne Overbeck, N6NB]*
Overbeck flew to Hawaii carrying gear for all bands from 144 MHz through
10 GHz "in two large suitcases, plus a roll-aboard and a backpack" --
weighing about 150 pounds in all. In Hawaii, he rented a small SUV and
built a rover-style station that included a rotating roof platform,
constructed using parts obtained from a home improvement store.
Overbeck said that when a tropospheric duct formed that could convey
signals thousands of miles across the Pacific, he drove around the
slopes of Mauna Loa -- 13,000 feet up --and selected several promising
sites for long-haul DX, "not necessarily the highest possible sites," he
added. "By Thursday, June 18, the duct seemed to be peaking," he said.
W6IT activated N6NB's fixed station and quickly worked N6NB/KH6 on six
bands, including 2304 and 3456 MHz for world records. Overbeck said he
also heard W6IT on 902 MHz and 5.7 GHz, but local, non-amateur
interference in California -- likely from Part 15 Wi-Fi devices --
prevented W6IT from hearing N6NB/KH6 on those bands.
A video <http://www.n6nb.com/2304rcrd.mp4> of the record-setting 2304
GHz contact between N6NB/KH6 and W6IT (recorded from the Hawaii end of
the circuit) is online.
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2015-06-25&p=0>
OJ0B on Market Reef Logs Hundreds of 2 Meter Moonbounce, Meteor Scatter
Contacts
The recent Market Reef OJ0B expedition resulted in 462 contacts via 2
meter Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) and meteor scatter activity with stations
on all continents. The activity this month was a somewhat belated 50th
anniversary celebration of the historic first 2 meter EME contact in
1964. More than 50 hams from the US and Canada were among those that
worked OJ0B on 2 meter EME. The OJ0B activity shut down on June 15 after
making more than 8200 contacts on all bands and modes.
Project leaders dedicated the activity to VHF pioneer Lenna Suominen,
OH1NL (SK), who had experimented with EME in the 1960s and made the
first-ever 2 meter EME contact, as well as the first transatlantic
(Europe-US) on any band above 50 MHz, with Bill Conkel, W6DNG, in 1964.
OJ0B used JT65B mode, developed by Joe Taylor, K1JT. Former ARRL
President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, was one of the lucky US stations to work
OJ0B, and Harrison served as one of the pilots for the activity.
All contacts have been uploaded to ClubLog <http://www.clublog.org/> and
OQRS.
Suominen, an early VHF pioneer, was deeply involved in the science of
VHF communication and strongly believed that 2 meter EME contacts
*Next to the Market Reef EME array: (L-R) OH6ZZ, OH2BH, OH8MSM, OH6KZP,
OH2TA, and OH2GEK. [Photo courtesy of Martti Laine, OH2BH]*
-- dismissed by experts as being out of reach for radio amateurs -- were
indeed possible. His 2 meter EME contact with W6DNG in California proved
the skeptics wrong, scoring more than one VHF "first."
Market Reef (JP90nh) is located between Finland and Sweden. The Finnish
Lighthouse Society has been restoring the Market Reef Lighthouse there,
which is now fully automated. Dedicated quarters on the reef are
available for Amateur Radio operation, with power from generators and
solar arrays/. -- Thanks to Martti Laine, OH2BH, and Jarmo Jaakola, OH2BN/
ARRL 2015 Hurricane Season Webinar Set for July 20
The ARRL will host a 2015 Hurricane Season webinar Monday, July 20,
getting under way at 8 PM EDT (July 21, 0000 UTC). The approximately
90-minute session will address the role of Amateur Radio during the 2015
Hurricane Season.
Anyone interested in hurricane preparedness and response is invited to
attend <https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/280869512766308353>
this online presentation. Topics will include a meteorological overview
of the upcoming season; Amateur Radio station WX4NHC
<http://www.wx4nhc.org> at the National Hurricane Center: Who We Are and
What We Do; ARRL Media and Public Relations; the Hurricane Watch Net
(HWN <http://www.hwn.org>); the VoIP Hurricane Net
<http://www.voipwx.net/>, and ARRL coordination and interface.
The program will include presentations by representatives of the
National Hurricane Center and WX4NHC, the VoIP Hurricane Net, the HWN,
the Canadian Hurricane Centre
<https://www.ec.gc.ca/ouragans-hurricanes/>, and the ARRL
<http://www.arrl.org/>. Webinar registration is open to all, but should
be of particular interest to radio amateurs in hurricane-prone areas.
The webinar will conclude with a Q&A session.
Register <https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/280869512766308353>
online. -- /Thanks to Mike Corey, KI1U, ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager/
ARRL Offering 20 Percent Off on Select Antenna Publications
Summertime is antenna time! To celebrate, ARRL is rolling back prices on
some of the hottest antenna publications in Amateur Radio. Save 20
percent on select ARRL antenna-themed publications when you order online
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Antenna-Books-Price-Rollback/> through July
31, 2015. No coupon code is necessary to receive the savings, and
discounted titles may be combined with one coupon code offer.
For a complete list of discounted publications, visit
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Antenna-Books-Price-Rollback/> ARRL's "Antenna
Books Price Rollback" page online.
ARRL publications are available from the ARRL Store
<http://www.arrl.org/shop> or from your ARRL Publication Dealer
<http://www.arrl.org/arrl-publication-dealers>, or call 860-594-0355
(toll-free in the US, 888-277-5289) to order. E-mail ARRL Publication
Sales <mailto:pubsales at arrl.org> for more information.****
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2015-06-25&p=1>
Ohio ARES "NVIS Antenna Day" Concludes: The Truth is Up There
Ohio ARES NVIS Antenna Day on April 25 attracted participation from some
100 Buckeye State stations in an effort to determine which
configurations of near-vertical incidence skywave (NVIS) antenna offer
the best results. ARRL Ohio Section Emergency Coordinator Stan Broadway,
N8BHL, said that while the results of the unscientific test were
inconclusive, some configurations /did/ seem superior to others.
*Delaware County ARES tried a number of different configurations,
several of them using the ubiquitous military mast sections for support:
(L-R) Larry Mittman, N9AUG; Emergency Coordinator Donn Rooks, K8AOK;
Dave LeMay, WB2CWJ; Dale Bauer, W8KTQ, and Joe Penzera, N8DRZ.*
"The goal was simple: Try different antennas, see which worked,"
Broadway explained. "Each station was responsible for providing accurate
signal reports, so performance could be evaluated. Results would be
tallied and digested in hopes of creating a short list of winners that
ARES teams could keep in their toolboxes."
Most operation was Field Day-style on 40 meters. "This was not a
contest," Broadway pointed out, "so, groups gathered not only to test
antennas, but to cook out and enjoy each other's company." He said one
group had so much fun making contacts with their first dipole that they
abandoned any further antenna work and just had fun.
Groups most frequently deployed simple dipoles. End-fed and longwires
were popular too, as well as a handful of loops. A half-dozen antennas
were based on the military AS-2259
<http://arrl-ohio.org/SEC/nvis/Modified%20AS-2259%20NVIS%20Antenna.pdf>
design -- crossed inverted Vs with about 10 feet of elevation in the
middle. Other designs included antennas erected above ponds, inverted
Ls, and even a Moxon aimed straight up.
"For our operation, there just wasn't that much difference between the
more specialized NVIS designs and any good antenna," Broadway concluded.
The longwire was among those at the bottom of the list, with signal
reports uniformly 2 or 3 S-units below other choices, according to
Broadway. "But contacts /were/ made, and communication took place," he
added. "It's a very portable antenna, too."
*The Shelby County ARES team fielded a 2259 military-type antenna that
worked very well. The center mast was inexpensive conduit, about 12 feet
tall, with each of the four legs anchored within a parking lot --
typical of what might be set up in an emergency.*
Determining the "best" antenna turned out to be harder. Dipoles --
flattops or inverted Vs -- installed at lower heights in keeping with
NVIS concepts, provided reasonable reports, but erecting them at a low
height didn't seem to make much difference. If any antenna topped the
list, it was those fashioned after the AS-2259 configuration.
"These all performed very satisfactorily for their owners, and were
uniformly given good signal reports," Broadway said. "They weren't 40 dB
above the competition, but they were solid."
While the NVIS antenna experiment had inconclusive results, "we did
prove that our hobby can be a lot of fun, even for the old heads, when
we get back to some basics -- experimenting, equipment and team
building, and trying our stuff out," Broadway said. Concluded Jefferson
County participant Gregory Day, N8GD, "After 34 years, ham radio is
still fun!"
Ohio ARES is planning an even bigger NVIS event next April, and will
extend an invitation to neighboring ARRL sections to join in.
EO-80 (QB50p2) FM Transponder Testing is Successful
AMSAT-Francophone has reported successful testing of the FM transponder
on EO-80 (QB50p2
<https://www.qb50.eu/index.php/precursor-amateur-radio-operator>). Two
2U CubeSats, QB50p1 and QB50p2, launched in June of 2014 into a polar
orbit at an altitude of approximately 420 miles. QB50p2 is equipped with
a secondary FM transponder payload developed by AMSAT-F.
On June 16, the primary ground control station in the Netherlands
activated the transponder on QB50p2 for one orbit. AMSAT-F reports that
CW telemetry was received at the École Polytechnique
<http://www.polytechnique.edu/> near Paris, and the FM transponder, with
an output of 1.5 W, was activated, with strong signals heard on Earth.
Although the transponder was turned off at the end of that single orbit,
it is anticipated that it will be activated permanently within a few
weeks, possibly at the 500 mW or 1 W level.
EO-80 frequencies: 145.880 MHz, 1200 bps BPSK or CW telemetry; FM
transponder, 435.080 MHz (210.7 Hz tone) uplink; 145.840 MHz downlink
(also 9600 bps FSK data).
QB50p1 (EO-79), also known as FUNcube-3, is equipped with a linear
transponder for SSB and CW. Initial testing was successfully completed
in April, and its transponder should also be enabled full-time in a few
weeks./-- Thanks to AMSAT News Service via Gerard Auvray, F6FAO, and
AMSAT-UK/
AMSAT-NA Announces 2015 Board of Directors Candidates
AMSAT-NA has announced the slate of candidates for the 2015 Board of
Directors election. The candidates are Barry Baines, WD4ASW; Jerry
Buxton, N0JY; Steve Coy, K8UD; Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA; Mark Hammond,
N8MH; EMike McCardel, KC8YLD; Bob McGwier, N4HY, and Bruce Paige, KK5DO.
This year AMSAT-NA members will elect four voting members of the Board
of Directors. These seats will go to the four candidates who receive the
highest number of votes received. Two alternates will be chosen, based
on the next highest number of votes received.
Ballots will be mailed to the AMSAT-NA members by July 15, 2015.
Completed ballots must be received at the AMSAT office by September 15,
2015, in order to be counted.
Ballots sent to AMSAT members living outside North America will go by
air mail. If you have not received your ballot package within a
reasonable period, contact AMSAT.
AMSAT urges members to review the candidate statements that will
accompany the ballot and to vote. Members may choose up to four
candidates. /-- Thanks to AMSAT News Service/
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2015-06-25&p=2>
ARRL NTS Confers Special Service Awards
The National Traffic System (NTS <http://www.arrl.org/nts>) conferred
its prestigious Special Service Award upon two radio amateurs at the
2015 Dayton Hamvention^® in May. The Special Service Award recognizes
volunteers for outstanding, selfless, and lengthy service to the
National Traffic System. The Pacific, Central, and Eastern Area NTS
committees determine award recipients. Award winners receive the Special
Service Award Plaque. Jim Wades, WB8SIW, the editor of /QNI -- An NTS
Newsletter/ <http://qni-nts.org/>, announced the award winners at
Dayton. Honored were:
Kenneth W. Jacobs, KD6PGI, Hood River, Oregon, for technical supervision
and migration support of the NTS Digital Network
<http://nts-digital.net/> BPQ32
<http://www.cantab.net/users/john.wiseman/Documents/> Modernization
Project. The BPQ32 migration provides the NTS with a modern, multimode,
packet-switching environment capable of seamless integration with all
AX.25 and IP-based networks. According to the announcement, Jacobs
"donated countless hours consulting to NTS on BPQ32 migration strategy,
environment installation, operator support, and implementation of custom
NTS functionality in collaboration with developer John Wiseman, G8BPQ."
Joseph F. Tracey, KB3LNM, Finksburg, Maryland, for his development and
rollout of the /NTSD Parser/
<http://nts-digital.net/mw/index.php?title=NTSD_Parser_Program>
application, intended for use by ARES and other radio operators
originating messages to format ARRL Radiograms for submission into the
NTS Digital network via /Winlink 2000/. The software will generate
appropriate message headers and footers, based on address information in
each message, and place the messages in output files, sorted by
precedence. An NTS Winlink Target Station
<http://www.arrl-mdc.net/Winlink/MDCWL2KOVwAM.htm#_Toc243809579>
receives the messages and delivers them via RF paths, typically within 1
hour.
Founded in 1949 by ARRL Communications Manager George Hart, W1NJM (SK),
the National Traffic System, more than 2000 traffic handlers strong,
operates more than 100 organized nets.
In Brief...
*Work at ARRL Headquarters!* ARRL has an opening for a receptionist at
League Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. The individual in this
position is responsible for handling incoming telephone calls and
messages; greeting and attending to visitors, members, and customers;
overseeing the operation and presentation of the lobby greeting area;
data entry, and handling other clerical duties as needed. Applicants
should have a high school diploma or GED, and be proficient in
/Microsoft Office for Windows/ software, especially /Word/ and
/Outlook/. An experienced radio amateur is preferred, and foreign
language proficiency is a plus. The complete Job Description
<to%20http:/www.arrl.org/employment-opportunities> and application
information are on the ARRL website.
*Amateur Radio Added to Maritime Incident Response Team:* The Tri-State
Maritime Safety Association (TMSA <http://www.marinefirefighting.org/>)
serving New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, has added Amateur Radio
to its Marine Incident Response Team (MIRT). TMSA is teaming up with
Audubon-Barrington (NJ) OEM Radio Club for Amateur Radio support. The
radio amateurs will use the TMSA MIRT bus, which features five dispatch
consoles, incident command area, and meeting area. Amateur Radio
operators not only will operate and maintain the vehicle for MIRT but
will have the chance to use it at Field Day and other public events. It
will make its Field Day debut at the club's Field Day site at the
Woodland School in Barrington, New Jersey. -- /Thanks to Rick Tighe,
N2PHI, Camden County ARES PIO, via QRZ.com
/
*Amateur Radio Volunteers to Support Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta:*
Amateur Radio Volunteers will again support communication during the
Peachtree Road Race, an Atlanta 4th of July tradition for 46 years. More
than 50 hams from throughout the Atlanta area will provide radio
communication before and during the race to aid with organization and
logistics. They will be stationed at the start and finish areas and
along the race route, providing the primary communication network for
race organizers and officials and supplementing the public safety
networks. The Atlanta Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) unit will
provide a command post net control station.
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, in Seattle, reports: This was a very active week for
solar flares and aurora. On Monday and Tuesday, the planetary A index
was 55 and 76, indicating a geomagnetic storm.
It turns out that the magnetometer at Fredericksburg, Virginia, was
knocked out on 5 of the 7 days, so the mid-latitude A index we are
reporting for June 18-21 and June 24 are approximations -- or actually
wild guesses -- based on magnetometers that /were/ working.
Average daily sunspot numbers dropped from 99.9 during the week of June
11-17 to 71.6 a week later. Average daily solar flux decline from 135.9
to 130.8. Average daily planetary A index rose from 12.1 to 24.4.
As Field Day looms, the current outlook from NOAA/USAF has solar flux at
100 on June 25-27; 105 on June 28-July 1; 115 on July 2, 125 on July
3-4; 120 on July 5-6; 125 on July 7-10, and 130 on July 11-20.
Predicted planetary A index is 25 and 8 on June 25-26, 5 on June 27
through July 4, then 25, 15 and 12 on July 5-7, then 10, 5 and 8 on July
8-10, 18, 12 and 8 on July 11-13, 5 on July 14-17, 8 on July 18-19, and
5 on July 20-31.
In Friday's bulletin look for reports from readers and an updated
forecast. Send <mailto:k7ra at arrl.net> me your reports and observations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just Ahead in Radiosport
*
Jun 26 -- NCCC RTTY Sprint
*
June 26 -- NCCC Sprint
*
*June 27-28 -- **ARRL Field Day* <http://www.arrl.org/field-day>
*
June 27-28 -- His Majesty the King of Spain Contest (SSB)
*
June 27-28 -- Ukrainian DX DIGI Contest
*
Jun 28 -- 10-10 Int'l Spirit of 76 QSO Party (CW, SSB, digital)
*
July 1 -- Canada Day Contest (CW)
*
July 1-2 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
See the ARRL Contest Calendar <http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar> for
more information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
*
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
*
August 1 -- Great Lakes Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/great-lakes-divison-convention-columbus-hamfest>,
Columbus, Ohio
*
August 7-8 -- South Texas Section Convention
<http://www.austinsummerfest.org/>, Austin, Texas
*
August 7-9 -- New Mexico State Convention
<http://www.dukecityhamfest.org/>, Albuquerque, New Mexico
*
August 7-9 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention
<http://www.wwdxc.org/>, Everett, Washington
*
August 15-16 -- Alabama State Convention <http://www.hamfest.org/>,
Huntsville, Alabama
*
August 16 -- Kansas State Convention <http://www.centralksarc.com/>,
Salina, Kansas
*
August 21-23 -- New England Division Convention
<http://www.boxboro.org/>, Boxborough, Massachusetts
*
August 22 -- West Virginia State Convention
<http://www.qsl.net/wvsarc>, Weston, West Virginia
*
August 30 -- Western Pennsylvania Section Convention
<http://skyviewradio.net/>, New Kensington, Pennsylvania
*
September 5-6 -- Roanoke Division Convention
<http://shelbyhamfest.org>, Shelby, North Carolina
*
September 11-12 -- W9DXCC <http://w9dxcc.com/>, Schaumburg, Illinois
*
September 11-13 -- Southwestern Division Convention
<http://www.hamconinc.org>, Torrance, California
*
September 12 -- Virginia Section Convention <http://vbhamfest.com/>,
Virginia Beach, Virginia
*
September 26 -- Washington State Convention <http://kbara.org>,
Spokane Valley, Washington
Find conventions and hamfests in your area <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests>.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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