[SFDXA] he ARRL Letter for March 19, 2015
Bill
bmarx at bellsouth.net
Fri Mar 20 07:23:23 EDT 2015
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The ARRL Letter
March 19, 2015
Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME <mailto:ww1me at arrl.org>
ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/>
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* ARRL President: H.R. 1301 is All About Fairness <#toc01>
* FCC, Regulatory Issues Dominate ARRL Executive Committee Meeting
Agenda <#toc02>
* Colorado Governor Signs Amateur Radio Antenna Bill into Law <#toc03>
* Emergency Communication Lacking in Vanuatu Cyclone Recovery Effort
<#toc04>
* National Hurricane Conference Will Include Amateur Radio Sessions
<#toc05>
* Dayton Hamvention^® Names 2015 Award Winners <#toc06>
* IARU Emergency Telecommunications Guide Available Online <#toc07>
* Deadline Extended to Apply for Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR)
Scholarships <#toc08>
* ITU Symposium Endorses Small Satellite Regulation and Communication
Systems Declaration <#toc09>
* LoTW, Other ARRL Web Services to be Out on March 23-24 (UTC) <#toc10>
* In Brief... <#toc11>
* The K7RA Solar Update <#toc12>
* Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc13>
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
<#toc14>
ARRL President: H.R. 1301 is All About Fairness
The push is on to convince Congress to pass The Amateur Radio Parity Act
of 2015 -- H.R. 1301 <http://www.arrl.org/hr-1301>, which was introduced
in the US House early this month with bipartisan support and now has 22
cosponsors. The full text
<http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-114hr1301ih/pdf/BILLS-114hr1301ih.pdf>
of the bill now is available. If approved and signed by President Obama,
the measure would direct the FCC to extend its rules relating to
reasonable accommodation of Amateur Service communications to private
land use restrictions -- also known collectively as "deed covenants,
conditions, and restrictions" or CC&Rs. In the March issue of the /ARRL
Legislative Update
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Legislative%20Update%20Newsletters/Issue%208.pdf>/,
ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, said the bill is "simple and
sensible," and she urged all radio amateurs -- whether or not they are
affected by CC&Rs -- to join the effort to gain cosponsors for the
measure. A regularly updated H.R. 1301 page
<http://www.arrl.org/hr-1301> on the ARRL website includes key "talking
points" and other information for Amateur Radio delegations or
individuals to use when approaching US House members for their support.
*ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN.*
"Private land use restrictions that prohibit antennas are growing at an
alarming rate all over the country," President Craigie said in stressing
the urgency of the current campaign. "This is not just a problem in
cities, suburbs, and gated communities. It is everywhere." Part of the
problem, she explained, is the uneven application of Amateur Radio
antenna regulation from the public to the private sphere. While
President Craigie's Virginia county has what she called "a very
satisfactory antenna ordinance," similar accommodations do not extend to
developments where homeowners associations and private land-use
regulations hold sway.
"In our rural and small-town county, every new development must have a
homeowners association, and they all prohibit antennas with
cookie-cutter language," she said.
As President Craigie sees it, H.R. 1301 is all about fairness. "H.R.
1301 seeks regulatory parity -- not a blank check, not the heavy hand of
the federal government, but simply the opportunity to negotiate
reasonable accommodation," she said. "It seeks a level playing field."
President Craigie said she successfully reached out to her Member of
Congress to support H.R. 1301, and she encouraged other radio amateurs
to do the same.
"If private land-use restrictions do not affect you, please stand up for
your fellow amateurs," she urged. "Please stand up for the youth we all
want to attract into Amateur Radio. What is the point of helping youth
get their licenses if they cannot go on to develop the skills of Amateur
Radio because they cannot have antennas in their neighborhoods?"
At present, PRB-1 only applies to state and local zoning laws and
ordinances. The FCC has been reluctant to extend the same legal
protections to private land-use agreements without direction from Congress.
H.R. 1301 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Rep Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR), chairs that panel's Communications and
Technology Subcommittee, which will consider the measure.
FCC, Regulatory Issues Dominate ARRL Executive Committee Meeting Agenda
When the ARRL Executive Committee (EC) meets on March 21 in Dulles,
Virginia -- in the shadow of the nation's capital -- it will confront a
raft of FCC-related and regulatory issues. The continued evaluation of
strategies for improving the FCC Amateur Radio enforcement program heads
the list. The ARRL learned
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-enforcement-bureau-field-resources-poised-to-shrink>
recently that the FCC Enforcement Bureau will recommend to the full
Commission significant cutbacks in Field Office sites and personnel, due
to tighter budgets.
Other topics include a February FCC /Notice of Proposed Rule Making and
Reconsideration Order /(/NPRM&RO/
<https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-16A1.pdf>) in ET
Docket 15-26 that could lead to expanded spectrum for various radar
applications in the 76-81 GHz band, which Amateur Radio shares with
other services. The ARRL plans to file comments in the proceeding. Other
matters include a Part 5 Experimental license issued to a Massachusetts
company, MITRE Corporation, which plans to conduct experimental
transmissions over wide portions of the HF spectrum. The ARRL asked the
company in February either to avoid Amateur Radio allocations or to
announce the times and frequencies of their transmissions in advance. So
far, MITRE has not responded. Among other matters, the EC will discuss
strategies to address HF Experimental licenses and Special Temporary
Authority (STAs) going forward.
The EC will hear an updated status report on the FCC planned
adjudication of the 2013 ARRL /Petition for Rule Making/ (RM-11708
<http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment/view?id=6017477458>), asking the FCC
to delete the symbol rate limit in §97.307(f) of its Amateur Service
rules and to replace it with a maximum data emission occupied bandwidth
of 2.8 kHz on frequencies below 29.7 MHz.
The committee also will be briefed on the progress of the ARRL's
/Petition for Rule Making/ to create a new Amateur Service allocation at
472-479 kHz, as well as other allocation issues, including a possible
135.7-137.8 kHz band and upgrading 1900-200 kHz to primary.
Topping the list of legislative matters is the status of congressional
advocacy on behalf of the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 (H.R. 1301
<http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-114hr1301ih/pdf/BILLS-114hr1301ih.pdf>)
and efforts to obtain a companion bill in the US Senate. The EC will
also consider strategies to raise lawmakers' awareness of Amateur Radio
during the 114th Congress.
Colorado Governor Signs Amateur Radio Antenna Bill into Law
Friday the 13th turned out to be a lucky day for Colorado hams, as Gov
John Hickenlooper signed into law an Amateur Radio antenna bill that
mirrors the PRB-1 <http://www.arrl.org/prb-1> federal pre-emption
policy. The signing brings the number of states that have similar
Amateur Radio antenna laws in place to 32. The Colorado General
Assembly, without amendment, passed Senate Bill 15-041
<http://www.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2015A/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/2BA97833963BE98687257DA200617F9C?Open&file=041_enr.pdf>,
sponsored by Sen Chris Holbert and Rep Kevin Van Winkle. The new
legislation, introduced in early January, specifies that no local
government "shall enact or enforce an ordinance or resolution regulating
Amateur Radio antennas that fails to conform" with PRB-1's "reasonable
accommodation" provisions.
*Colorado Gov John Hickenlooper (seated) signs the PRB-1 bill. Looking
on were (L-R) Sen Chris Holbert; Colorado State Government Liaison
Robert Wareham, N0ESQ; Colorado Section Manager Jack Ciaccia, WM0G;
Colorado ARES member Richard Anderson, W9BNO, and Rep Kevin Van Winkle.
[John Maxwell, W0VG, photo]*
"There was absolutely /no/ opposition from anyone at any time for this
bill," ARRL Colorado Section Manager Jack Ciaccia, WM0G, enthused. "This
was truly a bi-partisan bill, and we had terrific support from both
sides of the aisle in both chambers. For junior House member Kevin Van
Winkle, this was his /first/ bill ever presented, supported, and passed.
He was thrilled to get his first bill-signing pen."
The three-part PRB-1 federal policy states that local regulation of
Amateur Radio antenna installations be based on health, safety, or
aesthetic considerations; be crafted to reasonably accommodate Amateur
Radio communications, and represent the minimum practicable regulation
to accomplish the legitimate purpose of the local government.
Ciaccia said that the testimony of Colorado State Government Liaison
Robert Wareham, N0ESQ, offered "an excellent opportunity to sell Amateur
Radio and ARES" to the lawmakers.
*ARRL Colorado Section Manager Jack Ciaccia, WM0G, during a visit to
ARRL Headquarters.*
"[T]he politicians had lots of glowing remarks, because Colorado hams
have been very much involved with emergency communications in many of
their communities for many years now, during just about every wildfire,"
Ciaccia said. He pointed out that hams had also impressed Colorado's
lawmakers by providing emergency communication during the 2013 flood
evacuations in isolated areas.
Following the bill signing, Ciaccia recounted, Gov Hickenlooper took
another 15 minutes out of a busy day to meet with the ham contingent on
hand and to personally thank the Amateur Radio community for its public
service role.
Wareham aided in getting the legislation drafted and introduced by Sen
Holbert and Rep Van Winkle, and he also testified on behalf of the
measure while it was being heard in committee. ARRL General Counsel
Chris Imlay, W3KD, provided legal expertise and case precedents and
consulted directly with Wareham, also an attorney, as the bill made its
way through the General Assembly.
Ciaccia thanked all Colorado ARRL members and radio amateurs "who
provided grassroots support for this legislation."
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Emergency Communication Lacking in Vanuatu Cyclone Recovery Effort
With the telecommunications and electrical power infrastructure in
Vanuatu knocked out by the Category 5 Cyclone (hurricane) Pam, which
struck the Pacific archipelago over the weekend, no organized emergency
communication system has stepped in to fill the gap. Many locations have
not been heard from since the storm hit. The extreme storm, with winds
in excess of 155 MPH, caused severe damage throughout Vanuatu's 60
islands, devastating many communities, including the capital of Port
Vila. The number of deaths is unclear, but the storm displaced thousands
of residents, and recovery is expected to take a very long time. There
are few Amateur Radio operators in Vanuatu, which has a population of
approximately 250,000. Rod Newell, YJ8RN, who lives on Efate Island and
is a member of the IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee, has
not been heard from since the storm struck. Over the years the idyllic
location has been a haven for tourists and DXpeditioners (Vanuatu is
number 102 on ClubLog's /Most Wanted DXCC List/). No communication has
been heard from many of Vanuatu's islands, but relief teams and supplies
have begun arriving from Australia and elsewhere.
Ironically, Vanuatu President Baldwin Lonsdale was in Japan at the UN
World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction when the cyclone struck his
country. He made an emotional plea for humanitarian assistance and has
since returned to Vanuatu. The BBC has reported that residents of some
stricken regions have taken to drinking seawater, since no fresh water
is available, and people have been scavenging for food. Drinking salt
water can lead to dehydration and death. Formerly known as the New
Hebrides, Vanuatu is one of the region's poorest nations.
*/Conference Addresses Preparedness, Ham Radio Role in Disasters/*
During the UN conference, held in Sendai, International Amateur Radio
Union Region 3 (IARU R3) was represented on a panel organized by the
International Telecommunication Union Development (ITU-D) Sector. The
panel also included delegates from Japan, the Philippines, and Uganda.
IARU Region 3 Secretary Ken Yamamoto JA1CJP, explained how Amateur Radio
can contribute to Disaster Risk Reduction. He stated that radio amateurs
can convey warnings and/or rescue requests in the early phase of a
disaster and can provide grassroots communication between evacuation
shelters and disaster relief organizations. He said Amateur Radio was a
good resource of trained communicators.
Nicolas D. Ojeda Jr, the Philippines' Deputy Executive Director,
Information and Communications Technology Office, Department of Science
and Technology, told the panel that Amateur Radio was very helpful in
maintaining communication between communities and disaster relief
organizations following Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013.
Japan's Vice Minister for Policy Coordination, Ministry of Internal
Affairs and Communications Yasuo Sakamoto expressed appreciation for the
international cooperation in the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake and
tsunami and for mobile phones that provided voice/data communication.
Vanuatu's remote location and lack of aircraft landing sites has made
relief efforts difficult. Port Vila is more than 1100 miles northeast of
Brisbane, Australia, and some 1400 miles north of Auckland, New
Zealand./-- Thanks to Jim Linton, VK3PC, Chairman, IARU Region 3
Disaster Communications Committee; news media accounts/
National Hurricane Conference Will Include Amateur Radio Sessions
Amateur Radio will again be represented at the 2015 National Hurricane
Conference, March 30-April 2 in Austin, Texas. The conference theme is
improving hurricane preparedness. All Amateur Radio sessions are free
and will take place Tuesday, March 31.
The primary goal of the National Hurricane Conference is to improve
hurricane preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation in order to
save lives and property in the US and in the tropical islands of the
Caribbean and the Pacific. The conference also serves as a national
forum for federal, state, and local officials to exchange ideas and
recommend new policies to improve emergency management.
There will be two Amateur Radio-oriented sessions. In the first, from
1:30 until 3:10 PM, National Hurricane Center Director Rick Knabb will
discuss the importance of Amateur Radio weather spotter surface reports
during severe weather events, Rob Macedo, KD1CY, will explain WX4NHC
<http://www.wx4nhc.org> operations at the National Hurricane Center on
behalf of the WX4NHC team, and Bob Robichaud, VE1MBR, will talk about
Canadian Hurricane Centre operations. Macedo is Director of Operations
for the VoIP Hurricane Net and ARRL ARES Eastern Massachusetts Assistant
Section Emergency Coordinator.
In the second session, from 3:30 until 5 PM, Hurricane Watch Net Manager
Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, will discuss the Hurricane Watch Net, which
celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Macedo will discuss the VoIP
Hurricane Net and Hurricane Sandy Operations, followed by a presentation
on SKYWARN, an update by ARRL representatives, and a question-and-answer
session.
All Amateur Radio presentations will be recorded and streamed live
(voipwx.net <http://www.voipwx.net/files/stream.htm>) (nsradio.org
<http://www.nsradio.org/stream.htm>).
The Austin Amateur Radio Club will host National Hurricane Conference
Amateur Radio presenters that evening, to review the afternoon
presentations. South Texas Section Manager Lee Cooper, W5LHC, is
coordinating the meeting.
The National Hurricane Conference is the nation's forum for education
and professional training in hurricane preparedness. Averaging 2000
attendees from around the country, the conference covers all major
aspects of hurricane preparedness, response, and recovery.
Visit the 2015 National Hurricane Conference website to register
<http://hurricanemeeting.com/register-by-mailfax/> and for the complete
schedule <http://hurricanemeeting.com/schedule/>.
Dayton Hamvention^® Names 2015 Award Winners
Dayton Hamvention <http://www.hamvention.org/>^® has named its 2015
award winners. Three radio amateurs and a club will be honored during
the annual ham radio gathering, which takes place May 15-17. Named as
Amateur of the Year was elite contester and ARRL Western Pennsylvania
Section
*Dayton Hamvention 2015 Amateur of the Year Tim Duffy, K3LR.*
Manager Tim Duffy, K3LR. Hamvention's Special Achievement Award will go
to webcaster Tom Medlin, W5KUB, and QRP icon and author The Rev George
Dobbs, G3RJV, will receive the Technical Excellence Award. Hamvention
will pay tribute to the Orlando Amateur Radio Club (OARC) as Club of the
Year. The club sponsors the annual Orlando HamCation^® , the
second-largest ham radio gathering in the US.
"On behalf of the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) and
Hamvention^® 2015, I would like to congratulate this year's award
winners," Hamvention^® Chairman Jim Tiderman, N8IDS, said. "Their
outstanding contributions and many years of devotion to the Amateur
Radio Service are recognized and appreciated."
The world's largest Amateur Radio gathering, Hamvention is expected to
attract more than 25,000 visitors to the greater Dayton area this year.
More information <http://www.hamvention.org/> is on the Dayton
Hamvention website. Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/dayton-hamvention-names-2015-award-winners>.
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2015-03-19&p=1>
IARU Emergency Telecommunications Guide Available Online
The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) /Emergency
Telecommunications Guide
<http://www.iaru.org/emergency-telecommunications-guide.html>/ is now
available for download
<http://www.iaru.org/emergency-telecommunications-guide.html> from the
IARU website. The guide was developed to provide the IARU
member-societies with materials suitable for training radio amateurs to
participate in emergencies. It also was designed to provide guidance to
individual Amateur Radio operators with little or no experience in
handling emergency communications but desire to enhance their ability to
participate in such events or to simply have a better understanding of
the process. The IARU Administrative Council meeting approved the
/Guide/ at its 2014 meeting.
"IARU member-societies are encouraged to distribute this guide among its
membership and, if necessary, to provide a translation into a language
used within their own country," an IARU media release said. "This guide
can also be used in conjunction with other training materials by leaders
within the emergency communication community to train radio operators in
the basic theory and practice of handling emergency communications traffic."
The IARU International Secretariat has invited <mailto:w6rod at iaru.org>
feedback, comments, or suggestions regarding the /Guide/.
Deadline Extended to Apply for Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR)
Scholarships
The non-profit Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR
<http://www.farweb.org/>) has given individuals another couple of weeks
to apply
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15EJvFzMSJNJ6YHrpVPmezFEDASu6bD406LeRpA1nUaQ/viewform>
for the 2015-2016 academic year scholarships
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwGFyopxqmdKTXBMWWVpNER3Q3M/view> it
administers. The application deadline has been extended to April 15.
Individuals and Amateur Radio clubs across the US sponsor these academic
awards, and the FAR scholarship application process is open to Amateur
Radio licensees worldwide. Applicants must hold a valid Amateur Radio
license and be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an accredited
university, college, or technical school.
FAR's scholarship program is one of the largest for Amateur Radio
licensees in the US. The organization's purpose is to further Amateur
Radio in all of its various facets.
For the 2015-16 academic year, FAR will administer 67 scholarships worth
$125,500 in all. The list includes 36 Quarter Century Wireless
Association (QCWA) scholarships worth a total of $77,000 for 2015 (these
require a recommendation from a QCWA member). Individual awards range
from $500 to $5000.
The preferred application method is the electronic form
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15EJvFzMSJNJ6YHrpVPmezFEDASu6bD406LeRpA1nUaQ/viewform>
on the FAR website. Information entered on the form goes directly into
an encrypted, password-protected PDF file that is available only to the
review committee. Raw data are not stored online. Applicants will have
an opportunity to print their applications and to edit them. The
application cannot be downloaded and completed offline, however.
Applicants who are unable or unwilling to use the online application
should contact Dave Prestel <mailto:dave.prestel at gmail.com>, W8AJR. FAR
may be able to provide an alternate application form.
Official or unofficial transcripts may be submitted but are not
required; it is preferred that these documents be scanned into PDF
files, if they are to be submitted via e-mail. Schools that prefer to
mail paper copies should send them to FAR Scholarships, PO Box 911,
Columbia, MD 21044.
Visit the FAR Scholarship Information
<http://www.farweb.org/2015-scholarship-information> page or contact
<mailto:farscholarships at gmail.com> FAR, if you have questions about the
2015 scholarship application process.
ITU Symposium Endorses Small Satellite Regulation and Communication
Systems Declaration
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU <http://www.iaru.org/>)
representatives were in Prague earlier this month to join discussions on
the regulatory aspects of orbits and spectrum usage for nanosatellites
and picosatellites. On hand for the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU <http://www.itu.int/>) Symposium and Workshop
<http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2015/CM04.aspx#.VQb-T-GrdmM>
March 2-4 were IARU Vice President Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, and former IARU
Region 1 President Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T. In particular,
discussions centered on the application of the ITU Radio Regulations
<http://www.itu.int/pub/R-REG-RR/en>. The symposium concluded with the
unanimous endorsement of the "Prague Declaration on Small Satellite
Regulation and Communication Systems
<http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/space/workshops/2015-prague-small-sat/Documents/Prague%20Declaration.pdf>."
*ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao.*
"The symposium provided a unique opportunity for experts to examine the
procedures for notifying space networks and consider possible
modifications to enable the deployment and operation of small
satellites," said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. "'The Prague
Declaration' represents an important step in this direction."
The Declaration urges the the small satellite community "to comply with
the applicable international and national laws, regulations and
procedures, indispensable to guarantee the long-term sustainability of
small satellite projects, the avoidance of harmful interference, and
proper management of space debris."
More than 160 participants from some 40 countries attended the
symposium. The gathering is being considered an important step in
preparing for the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) in
Geneva on November 2-27.
*IARU Vice President Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, attended the ITU small
satellite symposium in Prague. [Rick Lindquist, WW1ME, photo]*
Delegates discussed challenges facing small satellite development,
including aspects related to national and international legal and
regulatory issues, frequency management, and radiocommunication
standardization. Participants stressed the importance of implementing
national regulatory frameworks that clearly define the rights and
obligations of all stakeholders, in conformance with international laws,
regulations, and procedures established by the UN General Assembly, the
United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and the ITU.
These regulatory issues relate to the registration of objects launched
into outer space, frequency coordination, and the registration of
satellite networks, as well as compliance with the space debris
mitigation guidelines.
ITU Radiocommunication Bureau Director François Rancy, said the ITU, in
partnership with key players, including academe, is addressing newly
emerging requirements by various industry sectors to place small
communication satellite systems in orbit. "We are examining the
regulatory aspects of the use of radio frequency spectrum and satellite
orbits to facilitate the launch and operation of a new generation of
small satellites," he said.
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2015-03-19&p=2>
LoTW, Other ARRL Web Services to be Out on March 23-24 (UTC)
The ARRL Logbook of The World (LoTW
<http://www.arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world>) service will be down briefly
for maintenance from Monday, March 23 at 2300 UTC until Tuesday, March
24 at 0200 UTC.
Also offline during that period will be the Online DXCC Application
<http://www.arrl.org/online-dxcc-application>, the Centennial QSO Party
Awards page, and the ARRL E-Store.
E-mail to *@arrl.org* addresses at League Headquarters will be queued
for later delivery. The remainder of the ARRL website will not be
affected. We apologize for any inconvenience.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Brief...
*E30FB Eritrea DXpedition Wraps Up on March 17*: The E30FB DXpedition to
Eritrea shut down on March 17 at 0900 UTC after logging some 62,500
contacts and providing many DXers with an all-time new one. "The E30FB
team really enjoyed bringing you this rare activation of Eritrea," a
team announcement said. "Murphy was a constant companion on this
DXpedition and impacted our antennas and computers. We beat Murphy back
each time with skill and determination. You will be surprised to know
that almost all CW was sent by hand keys." The QSL manager for E30FB is
M0URX. /-- Thanks to /The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com/>/via the
E30FB DXpedition team/
//
*Vibroplex Purchases Bencher Amateur Radio Product Line*: Bencher Inc
has announced the sale of its Amateur Radio product line to Vibroplex
LLC <http://www.vibroplex.com/> of Knoxville, Tennessee, owned by Scott
Robbins, W4PA. "This sale ends Bencher's presence in the Amateur Radio
field, thus allowing the principals, Jere Benedict, President, and Bob
Locher, W9KNI, to move towards retirement," the announcement said.
Product lines included in the sale include the Bencher BY series of
iambic paddles as well as the ST series of single-lever paddles, the
Bencher Hex Paddle, the N2DAN Mercury Paddle, and the Bencher RJ series
hand keys. The sale also includes the HK-1 Universal Hook-up kit and the
YA-1 Low Pass Filter. Vibroplex has agreed to honor the manufacturer's
warranties and to provide parts and support, and it will continue
offering Bencher products through existing marketing channels. Benedict
and Locher expressed "gratitude to the Amateur Radio community for its
interest and support since the sale of the first Bencher Amateur Radio
products in the early 1970s."
*Irish Radio Transmitters Society Seeks Award Nominees*: The Irish Radio
Transmitters Society (IRTS) Awards Committee is seeking nominations for
its "Awards for Services to the Society or to Amateur Radio" and "Awards
to IRTS members for Other Achievements." Details <http://www.irts.ie/>
are available on the IRTS website under the "Awards" section.
Nominations should be sent to Awards Manager Jim Holohan EI4HH
<mailto:holohaj2 at hotmail.com>.
*Austin Amateur Radio Supply Closes its Doors*: Austin Amateur Radio
Supply has closed its doors. Started by Johnny Paul, WA5BGO, SK, more
than 45 years ago, Austin Amateur Radio Supply had continued to
advertise in major Amateur Radio publications. Following Paul's death in
late 2013, his family took over the operation of Austin Amateur Radio
Supply.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: On Tuesday, March 17, a coronal mass
ejection (CME) struck Earth, producing the largest geomagnetic storm of
the current solar cycle. Aurora borealis was visible all the way down to
the central US. The planetary A index for the day was 117, an incredibly
high number. It looks like the greatest impact was in the second half of
the day (UTC), when the planetary K index in the four 3-hour periods was
8, 8, 7, and 8.
The average daily sunspot number for this week rose from 32 to 59.1, and
average daily solar flux declined from 127.8 to 114.8. The latest
prediction has solar flux at 115 on March 19, 110 for March 20-21, 105
and 100 for March 22-23, 95 for March 24-25, 105 on March 26, and 110
for March 27-28. Flux values are expected to peak at 120 -- which is not
very high -- for April 3-5, and a bottom out at 95 for April 17-18.
Predicted planetary A index is expected at 25, 18, and 8 for March
19-21, 20 for March 22-23, 10 on March 24, 5 for March 25-26, then 15,
30, and 25 for March 27-29, then 12, 10, and 8 for March 30 through April 1.
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, look for an updated forecast and reports from
readers. Send <mailto:k7ra at arrl.net> me /your/ reports and observations.
/-- Tad Cook, K7RA/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just Ahead in Radiosport
*
March 21 -- Oklahoma QSO Party
*
March 21 -- Virginia QSO Party
*
March 21 -- Feld-Hell Leprechaun Sprint
*
March 21-22 -- BARTG HF RTTY Contest
*
March 21-22 -- Russian DX Contest (CW, SSB)
*
March 28-29 -- FOC QSO Party
*
March 28-29 -- CQ WPX SSB Contest
*
March 28-29 -- Worldwide EME Contest
See the ARRL Contest Calendar <http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar> for
more information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
*
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 21 -- Wisconsin State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/wisconsin-state-convention-aes-milwaukee-superfest-2015>,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
*
March 27-28 -- Maine State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/maine-state-convention-4>, Lewiston, Maine
*
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 4 -- Arkansas State Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arkansas-state-convention-hanging-judge-hamfest>,
Fort Smith, Arkansas
*
April 11 -- Delta Division Convention
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delta-division-convention-memphis-freefest>,
Bartlett, Tennessee
*
April 11-12 -- Communications Academy <http://www.commacademy.org/>,
Seattle, Washington
*
April 17-19 -- International DX Convention
<http://dxconvention.com/>, Visalia, California
*
April 17-19 -- Eastern VHF-UHF-Microwave Conference
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/eastern-vhf-uhf-mw-conference>,
Manchester, Connecticut
*
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 1-3 -- 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
Find conventions and hamfests in your area <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests>.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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