[TCARC-NTX] ARRL Letter

[David Johnson]

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 22, No. 22
May 30, 2003
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* +ARRL upgrades "Logbook of the World" beta software
* +Astronaut talks to hometown kids from space
* +Major ARRL donors honored at pre-Hamvention event
* +Hamvention PR forum attendees play "Millionaire," win fabulous prizes
* +Maine governor praises Amateur Radio, says he'll study for ticket
* +Ham-pianist almost halfway to goal in run
* +ARRL seeks computer-based presentations, videos
*  Solar Update
*  IN BRIEF:
     This weekend on the radio
     ARRL Emergency Communications course registration
     ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
     ARRL to sponsor emergency communications course seminar in Texas
     Gerald G. Schmitt, KK5YY, SK
     Digital Communications Conference issues call for papers
     Echo satellite a no-go for 2003 launch
     Ham radio exempted from Texas tower legislation
     Two-man ISS crew easing into operational routine
     Ham-meteorologists win NOAA Administrator's Award
     Newfoundland club promoting interest in LF work

+Available on ARRL Audio News

===========================================================

==>ARRL RELEASES UPDATED "LOGBOOK OF THE WORLD" BETA SOFTWARE

"Logbook of the World" (LoTW) beta testers for the most part have
reacted positively to the latest version of ARRL's secure electronic
contact-confirmation system, but some users have run into difficulties.
Responding to problems encountered by some early beta testers, the
League has released an updated beta version of LoTW that should resolve
these issues. Beta testers are encouraged to download the new version of
the software, 1.02beta, from the LoTW page <http://www.arrl.org/lotw/>.

"While most installations and subsequent e-mailing and uploading of log
data have gone flawlessly, as expected there have been problems," said
ARRL's Dave Patton, NT1N, who's been a part of the LoTW project from the
start. He says the LoTW server software failed to recognize many of the
new digital mode designations, such as MFSK-16 and JT6M. This caused
fatal errors while digitally signing logs.

Patton says the beta update allows users to "map" any mode designation
to one of the four main Amateur Data Interchange Format (ADIF) mode
categories--CW, phone, image, and digital--without changing the actual
log data. He said the beta upgrade also will correct other log data
problems that caused fatal errors in signing a log, including allowing
the signing process to complete the "good" parts of a log without
crashing.

Beta testing got under way May 15. So far, the 1300 or so beta testers
have uploaded upward of five million contacts to the LoTW database. Once
it's ready later this year, LoTW will provide a way for amateurs
worldwide to qualify for awards such as DXCC or WAS without having to
first collect and submit hard-copy QSL cards.

One beta tester from Brazil lavished praised on the LoTW project. "I
applaud the creators of LoTW," he wrote. "This will be, for sure, the
salvation of DXing and award collecting. Please keep up this essential
work!" For now, log data are limited to contacts made no more than five
years ago (on or after January 1, 1998) to get a representative
sampling, Patton explained.

Patton promised "many more bells and whistles" over the weeks ahead. One
of those will meld LoTW with DXCC. He noted that a major DXCC software
revision, now under way, will need to be completed first.

Logging software developers now can get documentation and a Windows DLL
library--as well as complete source code for the TQSL software--at the
SourceForge Web site <http://sourceforge.net/projects/trustedqsl/>.

To join the beta testing program, visit the Logbook of the
World--Getting Started site <http://www.arrl.org/lotw/getstart.html>.
The beta testing period wraps up in mid-July.

All QSO data submitted to LoTW will be deleted when the beta test period
ends, and users will have to obtain new digital certificates to submit
log data to LoTW once it 'goes live.' As part of the security process
for the live system, passwords will be mailed to US licensees at the
address that appears in the FCC database. Users should make sure the FCC
has their current mailing address.

Amateurs can modify their address online or via US mail by using
instructions available on the FCC Web site
<http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/amateur/licensing/changingaddress.html
>.
ARRL members may submit license modifications or renewals through the
ARRL VEC <http://www.arrl.org/fcc/forms.html>.

==>ASTRONAUT THRILLS HOMETOWN YOUNGSTERS VIA AMATEUR RADIO

NASA ISS Science Officer Ed Lu, KC5WKJ, told youngsters at his hometown
alma mater via ham radio this week that zero gravity (G) feels a bit
like going over the top on a roller coaster. The May 27 Amateur Radio on
the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with Klem Road South
School in Webster, New York, was the first for a member of the two-ham
ISS Expedition 7 crew and for Lu, who had attended the kindergarten
through grade 5 school some three decades ago.

"If you've ever been on a roller coaster and you go over the top of the
roller coaster you feel that feeling like you're kinda light--you're
floating up on your feet," Lu explained. "It's almost exactly like that
but a lot stronger." Weightlessness "feels great." After some time in
zero gravity, however, "it feels like your legs weigh a ton," he added,
describing his own post-space shuttle experience.

Lu told the youngsters that while he was speaking to them from NA1SS, he
was floating--and relaxing--about a foot above the floor and about to
have a lunch of lamb, a chicken omelet and cookies for dessert. "I like
the food up here a lot," he remarked later. Most of the current cuisine
is Russian, he said, but he anticipated some Chinese and Hawaiian fare
to arrive aboard the next Progress supply rocket. The ISS crew typically
eats three meals a day, he said.

The lack of gravity does make it necessary to secure everything,
including eating utensils, so they don't float off. Another downside of
zero G is that the astronauts aboard the ISS must exercise regularly.
"If you don't exercise, all of your muscles get smaller, and that
includes your heart," he explained in response to one boy's question.

In all, Lu answered about a dozen questions, although apparent signal
dropout and noise plagued the last minute or two of the QSO, rendering
his replies barely intelligible. Lu advised the youngsters that, while
expertise in science and math was most important to becoming an
astronaut, skills and specialties vary among those in the Astronaut
Corps. "The common thing among all of them is that all of them did
pretty well at whatever it was they chose to do," he said.

With the ISS was over Hawaii at the time, radio contact with NA1SS was
established via Nancy Rocheleau, WH6PN, in Honolulu, who arose before 3
AM to serve as control operator for the QSO. An MCI teleconferencing
circuit linked the school with WH6PN. ARISS is an international program
with participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA.

==>ARRL RECOGNIZES MAJOR DONORS

The second-annual ARRL Donors' Recognition Reception afforded those
assembled the opportunity to meet an architect of US naval policy--and a
fellow ham. The event was held May 15, just prior to the start of
Hamvention 2003, at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base officers' club
in Dayton, Ohio.

After a welcome and Maxim Society presentation by League President Jim
Haynie, W5JBP, ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, introduced the keynote
speaker, retired US Navy Vice Adm John Scott Redd, K0DQ. In 36 years of
active duty, Redd commanded eight organizations, led the recommissioned
Fifth Fleet and held several senior policy positions at the Pentagon.

"We were very lucky to have Vice Admiral Redd as our speaker," said ARRL
Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH. "Scott captivated the
guests with amazing stories of his service to our country." Redd also
discussed the importance of the ARRL Education and Technology
Program-"The Big Project"--to the future of Amateur Radio.

Also honored for their generosity were ARRL Vice President Kay Craigie,
N3KN, and her husband Carter, N3AO. The Craigies were recognized for
their lifetime support of ARRL with membership in the Maxim Society. The
Maxim Society is made up of those who have made more than $10,000 in
lifetime contributions to ARRL programs. "Their extraordinary generosity
is reflected in all areas of ARRL fund raising," Hobart said. "ARRL is
pleased to have the opportunity to thank all of our major donors who
have supported all of our efforts to support Amateur Radio so
generously."

==>HAMS ON THE "HOT SEAT" AT ARRL HAMVENTION PR FORUM

Attendees at the ARRL public relations forum at Hamvention 2003 enhanced
their knowledge of Amateur Radio public relations and had a lot of fun
in the process. The forum May 18 was organized by members of the
League's Public Relations Committee. Several members of that panel also
were on hand to participate.

For the "fun" part, the group developed its own version of "Who Wants to
be a Millionaire?" Audience members volunteered to sit on the hot seat
to answer a variety of PR-related questions and compete for prizes.
Contestants collected "Hiram Bucks" for continuing to come up with
correct answers.

Three lucky forum attendees walked away with hand-held radios generously
donated by ICOM and Yaesu. Several ARRL products were awarded as door
prizes.

PR Committee members also set up a question-and-answer panel discussion.
Among other pieces of useful information, attendees learned which photo
formats media outlets prefer, how to get local coverage during a major
disaster and how to encourage media reporters to cover Amateur Radio
events.

In opening remarks, ARRL Media Relations Manager Jennifer Hagy, N1TDY,
talked briefly about the League's public relations program and her
duties at ARRL Headquarters. PR Committee Chairman Jeff Reinhardt,
AA6JR, moderated the forum. Participating committee members included
David Greer, N4KZ, Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, Gary Johnston, KI4LA, Rich
Moseson, W2VU, Sherri Brower, W4STB, and Jim McDonald, KB9LEI.

==>MAINE GOVERNOR GETS A TASTE OF HAM RADIO

Maine Gov John Baldacci praised the dedication and value of Maine's
Amateur Radio operators as he met April 24 with members of the Ellsworth
Amateur Wireless Association and other amateurs. He also checked into a
75-meter traffic net during his visit and promised to renew
efforts--begun a couple of years ago--to get his ham ticket.

The governor assured the group that the Maine Emergency Management
Agency
(MEMA) relies on Amateur Radio operators to support the statewide
communications system. Baldacci pointed out that communication will be
the most difficult and expensive part of the state's homeland security
strategy. While some federal money has been provided for basic
protective equipment needs, the governor said Maine would rely on
Amateur Radio volunteers if primary telecommunication systems go down.

Baldacci also pledged to squelch any legislation banning cell telephone
use by motorists that also prohibited hams from talking on microphones.
Such a bill was soundly defeated in the Maine Legislature two years ago,
but there's a similar bill in the current legislative session. On the
other hand, Baldacci was not very receptive to the idea of free or
discounted amateur call sign vanity plates, which now cost $35. Like
many states, Maine is dealing with severe budget problems, he explained.

The Ellsworth Amateur Wireless Association presented Baldacci with a
Certificate of Appreciation for his support of Amateur Radio during his
tenure as US Congressman. ARRL Section Manager Bill Woodhead, N1KAT,
also gave the governor a Certificate of Merit from the ARRL for his
support.

Woodhead also provided Baldacci with the latest edition of the ARRL
Technician study guide, Now You're Talking. Baldacci said he'd add the
goal of getting his ticket to his to-do list and would rely on the
encouragement and help of Maine's hams to achieve it.--Phil Duggan, N1EP

==>HAM-PIANIST CLOSING IN ON HALFWAY POINT IN RUN

Concert pianist Martin Berkofsky, KC3RE, is closing in on the halfway
point in his CelebrateLifeRun <http://www.celebrateliferun.com> from
Tulsa to Chicago. A cancer survivor and an ARRL member from Northern
Virginia, Berkofsky set out April 9--his 60th birthday--on an 860-mile
jog to celebrate his recovery from cancer and to raise money for
research into the disease. Berkofsky--who has ham gear, including APRS,
along with him--was 380 miles into his journey and some 20 miles south
of Hermann, Missouri, as of mid-week.

Berkofsky reports he's made many new ham radio friends in his travels,
and he's hoping for an invitation to operate Field Day with an Illinois
ham club group. "So far he has found local folks--sometimes Amateur
radio enthusiasts, sometimes cancer survivors--to put him up for the
evening or drive him to his next base camp," said Joni Shulman,
assistant research director of the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation
in Tulsa. "Thanks to the generosity of total strangers, Martin has spent
only two or three nights in motels." The CTRF will benefit from money
raised during Berkofsky's run.

Berkofsky has scheduled some benefit concerts along his route, including
Rolla, Missouri, May 30; June 2 in Hermann, Missouri; and June 12 in St
Louis (at Webster University). "St Louis will mark halfway through the
run with my target arrival in Chicago 11 August," Berkofsky told ARRL.
"I have managed to always keep a few days ahead and to run a few extra
miles most days, weather allowing." Follow his progress via the Internet
<http://www.celebrateliferun.com/route.cfm>.

==>ARRL SEEKS COMPUTER-BASED MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATIONS, VIDEOS

ARRL Field and Educational Services (F&ES) is seeking Amateur Radio
presentation programs or slide shows that utilize Microsoft PowerPoint
or similar computer-based slide-viewing software. F&ES also is
interested in VHS and digital video programs to add to materials F&ES
offers hams through the ARRL Video Series
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/materials/videos.html>.

Topic choice can be any Amateur Radio topic of interest to hams or
targeted for a non-ham community, including demonstrations and tutorials
on various topics. The ARRL Web site's Multimedia Frequently Asked
Questions page <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/materials/visuals.html>
has further information. The League's video library needs media in forms
that are easily portable, easily presented and up-to-the-minute. As file
size and download speed may be an issue for downloading submissions from
the ARRL Web site, F&ES wants to offer the best submissions by topic
collection in CD-ROM format.

Presentations and slide shows submitted should be placed on disc or
CD-ROM (file zipping is acceptable). Videos should be in VHS or DVD
format and not exceed 20 minutes in length. Submissions must contain
original material and should not use music, video clips or copyrighted
materials owned by others without appropriate permissions.

Submissions should include a cover sheet describing the program, system
requirements and file sizes and noting any use of materials used with
the permission of others. Submissions accepted for use and distribution
by ARRL will require the signing of a release form provided by ARRL. CDs
selected for distribution would be made available to clubs and
interested individuals for the cost of duplicating, shipping and
handling.

Send presentations or slide shows on disc, CD-ROM, VHS tape or DVD to
Multimedia Project, c/o Mary Lau, N1VH, ARRL Field and Educational
Services, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. For further information on
this project, contact Mary Lau, N1VH, mlau@arrl.org.

==>SOLAR UPDATE

Sun watcher Tad "I See the Light" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington,
reports: While this bulletin is being written Friday, May 30 at around
0600 UTC, a severe geomagnetic storm rages. For the past three reporting
periods (three hours each), the planetary K index has been 8, indicating
extremely active conditions.

A late forecast at 0359 UTC on May 30 shows the projected planetary A
index for May 30 through June 2 as 60, 40, 25 and 20, followed by an A
of 30 for June 3-5, 35 for June 6, and 30 again on June 7.

On May 29 Earth was hit by coronal mass ejections at 1215 UTC and 1900
UTC. A third coronal mass ejection may hit Earth May 30. Rather than
working HF, now seems a good time for 6-meter operations and observing
aurora. Solar flux over the next few days (May 30 through June 2) is
predicted at 145, 140, 135 and 125.

Sunspot numbers for May 22 through 28 were 110, 87, 84, 51, 65, 116 and
116, with a mean of 89.9. The 10.7-cm flux was 118.4, 117.9, 116.8,
121.1, 125.1, 128.8 and 130.2, with a mean of 122.6. Estimated planetary
A indices were 25, 21, 22, 22, 18, 26 and 36, with a mean of 24.3.
__________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: The Six Club World Wide Contest and the
Great Lakes QSO Party are the weekend of May 31-June 1. JUST AHEAD: The
VK-ZL Trans-Tasman Contest (CW), the IARU Region 1 Field Day (CW) and
the QRP TAC Sprint are the weekend of June 7-8. See the ARRL Contest
Branch page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest
Calendar <http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more
info.

* ARRL Emergency Communications course registration: Registration opens
Monday, June 2, 12:01 AM EDT (0401 UTC), for the on-line Level I
Emergency Communications course (EC-001). Registration remains open
through the June 7-8 weekend or until all available seats have been
filled--whichever comes first. Class begins Tuesday, June 17. Thanks to
a United Technologies Corporation grant, the $45 registration fee paid
upon enrollment will be reimbursed after successful completion of the
course. During this registration period, approximately 200 seats are
being offered to ARRL members on a first-come, first-served basis. A new
service now allows those interested in taking an ARRL Certification and
Continuing Education
(C-CE) course in the future to receive advance word of registration
opportunities via e-mail. To take advantage, send an e-mail to
prereg@arrl.org. On the subject line, include the course name or number
(eg, EC-00#). In the message body, include your name, call sign, e-mail
address, and the month you want to start the course. To learn more,
visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/cce/> and the C-CE Links found there. For more
information, contact Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller,
K3UFG, dmiller@arrl.org; 860-594-0340.

* ARRL to sponsor emergency communications course seminar in Texas: The
ARRL will offer a free Amateur Radio Emergency Communications course
(ARECC) seminar Friday, June 20, in conjunction with the ARRL National
Convention at HamCom in Arlington, Texas. The seminar will not include
the Level I course itself. This program is designed to explain in
greater detail the duties of volunteer certification mentors,
instructors and examiners of the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
courses and provide additional information for those considering these
volunteer positions. The seminar will be Friday, June 20, 1-5 PM, Room
M5. Seating may be limited. If you plan to attend, contact ARRL
Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG,
k3ufg@arrl.org; 860-594-0340; fax 860-594-0259. For registered CMs, CIs
and CEs who attend, mileage may be reimbursable up to $35. Seminar
attendance does not include admission to the convention, June 20-22. For
more information on the 2003 ARRL National Convention, visit the HamCom
Web site <http://www.hamcom.org>.

* Gerald G. Schmitt, KK5YY, SK: Jerry Schmitt, KK5YY (ex-KC5EGG), of Los
Alamos, New Mexico, died unexpectedly May 23 after an apparent heart
attack. He was 60. Schmitt was especially well-known within the AMSAT
and APRS communities and was the designer and primary promoter of the
portable Arrow antenna used for satellite work; he also had a hand in
developing antennas for AO-40. "Jerry was a very good friend of
AMSAT's," said AMSAT President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH. At Hamvention
2003 Schmitt assisted at the AMSAT booth and did a live ham satellite
demonstration. "He was just a great guy all around and full of humor,"
Haighton said. "We're all going to miss him." An ARRL member, Schmitt
served as a net control operator for the New Mexico Swapnet and took
part in providing ham radio communication during the Cerro Grande fires
in New Mexico. In 2001, Schmitt managed Earth-station duties during an
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) school group
contact from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science in
Albuquerque. He was nearing retirement from Los Alamos National
Laboratories and planning to move with his wife, Barbara, KD5CGU, to
Alaska. Arrangements are pending.--Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, provided
some information for this report

* Digital Communications Conference issues call for papers: Technical
papers are solicited for presentation at the 22nd annual ARRL-TAPR
Digital Communications Conference set for September 19-21, 2003, in
Hartford, Connecticut. Papers also are needed for publication in the
conference Proceedings, published by the ARRL. Presentation at the
conference is not required for publication. The deadline to submit
papers is August 5. Submissions go to Maty Weinberg, KB1EIB, ARRL, 225
Main St, Newington, CT 06111, or to maty@arrl.org. Paper submission
guidelines are available on the TAPR Web site
<http://www.tapr.org/dcc/>.

* Echo satellite a no-go for 2003 launch: AMSAT-NA President Robin
Haighton, VE3FRH, says launch of the ECHO Amateur Radio satellite now
under construction will be delayed about six months, so the satellite
will not be launched this year as previously hoped. "This is not an
AMSAT delay, but we have learned that the launch organization does not
have a primary payload for their fall launch," Haighton said in this
month's "President's Letter" via AMSAT News Service. "On the positive
side, it gives us a few more months to complete the work on ECHO,
complete the software and complete the tests. It may also slightly
reduce our overall launch costs."--AMSAT News Service

* Ham radio exempted from Texas tower legislation: Hams in Texas are
breathing a sigh of relief after lawmakers exempted Amateur Radio
licensees from Senate Bill 1261, also known as the LeClair-Jennings Act.
The measure relates to proposed construction, marking and location of
wireless communication towers. The Texas House of Representatives this
week passed SB 1261--it earlier had gained Senate approval--and it now
goes to Gov Rick Perry <http://www.governor.state.tx.us/> for his
signature. The text of the legislation is available on the Texas
Legislature Web site <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/>.

* Two-man ISS crew easing into operational routine: Now a month into
their Expedition 7 mission, the crew of the International Space Station
has moved beyond an orientation and familiarization schedule and into an
agenda of operations that reflects the range of activities they'll
pursue during the remaining five months of their flight. Expedition 7
Commander Yuri Malenchenko, RK3DUP, and NASA ISS Science Officer Ed Lu,
KC5WKJ, last week completed various maintenance tasks. This week,
Malenchenko and Lu--the first two-person crew to stay aboard the
ISS--will replace a storage battery in the Zvezda Service Module. As
training for a contingency space walk, Malenchenko and Lu will practice
getting into--and out of--their American spacesuits, a task they
typically had help with during training on the ground. No spacewalks are
planned for this increment, however. On May 21 Malenchenko and Lu
discussed mission progress and scientific research with the BBC World
Service and with WHEC-TV in Rochester, New York, near Lu's hometown of
Webster. The following day, they answered questions from students
gathered at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. On May 27, Lu spoke via
Amateur Radio with students at the Klem Road South School, his home town
alma mater (see "Astronaut Thrills Hometown Youngsters via Amateur
Radio" elsewhere in this issue). More information on the Expedition 7
crew's activities is available on NASA's Human Spaceflight Web site
<http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/>.--NASA

* Ham-meteorologists win NOAA Administrator's Award: Scott Mentzer,
N0QE, who's the meteorologist in charge at the National Weather
Service's Goodland, Kansas, office, is a recipient of this year's NOAA
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Administrator's Award.
The award cites "major achievements in strengthening the relationship
between the National Weather Service and volunteer Amateur Radio (ham)
operators involved in hazardous weather communications throughout the
United States." Former Goodland NWS Office meteorologist Dennis Hull,
KB0NYC, now of Pendelton, Oregon, is another award recipient. While at
Goodland, he was warning coordination meteorologist and worked closely
with ham weather spotters. Mentzer called the ARRL "a great supporter
and cosponsor of the national SKYWARN Recognition Day each December,"
which Mentzer has helped organize and develop. Mentzer and Hull will be
treated to an expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC, to pick up their
awards.

* Newfoundland club promoting interest in LF work: The Marconi Radio
Club of Newfoundland is promoting interest in low-frequency (LF) work on
136 kHz The club reports it's breaking new ground on the long waves by
conducting experiments aimed at assisting Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC)
<http://www.rac.ca> to acquire a 136-kHz amateur allocation and
promoting interest in LF work. The RAC has endorsed and Industry Canada
has approved an experimental license proposal drafted by club member Joe
Craig, VO1NA. Since then, an LF transmitting station--the first in the
Newfoundland-Labrador Section--has been on the air at 135.830 kHz as
MRCN members conduct various experiments including crossband contacts.
Signals from the station have been copied by W1TAG near Boston and by
G3NYK in England. The FCC recently decided against granting the 136-kHz
allocation for US amateurs that ARRL had requested and the FCC had
proposed granting in 2002. Visit the MRCN Web site
<http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~jcraig/mrcn.html>
for further information.