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MARS Lends a Hand with Hurricane Dolly Operations
Posted: July 31st, 2008, 2:47pm EDT
When Tropical Storm Dolly turned into Hurricane Dolly, various Amateur Radio Emergency Communications groups, such as WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center, the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) and the VoIP WX Net (VOIPWX), began tracking the storm. One other group -- the Army's Military Amateur Radio Service (MARS) -- was also on the scene. -
HF Digital Voice Programs Once Again Available for Download
Posted: July 31st, 2008, 8:09am EDT
Citing codec (coding/decoding) licensing issues, three free Windows programs for sound card-based HF digital voice were yanked from their download site for a short time recently, surprising hams who are interested in HF digital voice operation; several online groups that supported the software were also closed for a short time. -
ARRL Continuing Education Online Course Registration
Posted: July 30th, 2008, 3:33pm EDT
Registration remains open through Sunday, August 24, 2008 for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, September 5, 2008: Technician License Course (EC-010); Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 1 (EC-001); Radio Frequency Interference (EC-006); Antenna Design and Construction (EC-009); Analog Electronics (EC-012), and Digital Electronics (EC-013). Each online course has been developed in segments -- learning units with objectives, informative text, student activities and quizzes. Courses are interactive, and some include direct communications with a Mentor/Instructor. Students register for a particular session that may be 8, 12 or 16 weeks (depending on the course) and they may access the course at any time of day during the course period, completing lessons and activities at times convenient for their personal schedule. Mentors assist students by answering questions, reviewing assignments and activities, as well as providing helpful feedback. Interaction with mentors is conducted through e-mail; there is no appointed time the student must be present -- allowing complete flexibility for the student to work when and where it is convenient. To learn more, visit the Continuing Education course listing page or contact the Continuing Education Program Coordinator. -
German Radio Manufacturer Halts Transceiver Production
Posted: July 30th, 2008, 12:35pm EDT
In a surprise move, Hilberling GmbH has stopped production on the much anticipated PT-8000 series of HF/VHF Amateur Radio transceivers. Apparently due to CE marking regulations, Hilberling had to make constant adjustments to the design of the radio and was unable to repeat the performance of prototypes in production models and was not able to justify the expense involved with further redesign work. The CE mark certifies that a product has met European health, safety and environmental requirements, ensuring consumer safety. Array Solutions -- which had been set to be the North American distributor for the transceiver series -- featured the PT-8000 at its booths at the 2008 Dayton Hamvention®. -
Amateur Station at Smithsonian Going QRT after 32 Years
Posted: July 30th, 2008, 7:59am EDT
After more than 30 years on the air from the nation's capital, the Amateur Radio station at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, NN3SI, will become silent on Thursday, July 31. Originally located in the Nations of Nations exhibit, the station first went on-the-air in 1976 in celebration of the US Bicentennial. The FCC caught the patriotic spirit, giving the station a temporary call sign -- NN3SI -- standing for Nation of Nations, Smithsonian Institution. The Commission later made the call sign allocation permanent. -
Dutch Amateur Radio Satellite Now Live
Posted: July 29th, 2008, 1:44pm EDT
The linear transponder aboard the new Dutch OSCAR 64 satellite (otherwise known as Delfi-C3) is now open for CW and SSB operation. The spacecraft boots into transponder mode whenever it is in full sunlight. Ground controllers will briefly switch the satellite to either "basic" or "science" configuration once every two weeks; otherwise, the linear transponder will be the default mode. The transponder uplink passband is from 435.530-435.570 MHz with a downlink passband from 145.880-145.930 MHz. The transponder CW beacon can be heard at 145.870 MHz. Delfi C-3 was successfully launched April, 28, 2008 from India aboard a Polar launch vehicle and was successfully commissioned, currently transmitting telemetry on the 2 meter amateur band. In addition to its 2 meter downlink, Delfi C-3 has an uplink on the 70 cm band. The satellite was developed by a team of some 60 students and facility members from various polytechnic schools in The Netherlands. Delfi C-3 carries two experiments -- one involving thin film solar cells developed by Dutch Space, and an autonomous wireless Sun sensor from the Dutch Government Research Institute (TNO). E-mail reports are welcome. -
ARRL DXCC Desk Approves 5X4X Operation
Posted: July 29th, 2008, 11:19am EDT
ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports that the 5X4X operations in Uganda -- from 2007 to present -- have been approved for DXCC credit. "If you had cards rejected for this operation, please send an e-mail to the ARRL DXCC Desk to have your DXCC record updated," Moore said. -
QRP Adventure in Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Posted: July 29th, 2008, 8:00am EDT
N7UN and N0TU take us on a backcountry QRP hike in one of our most scenic national parks. -
Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, Wins June QST Cover Plaque Award
Posted: July 26th, 2008, 9:02am EDT
The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for June is Steve Telenius-Lowe, 9M6DXX, for his article "The FSDXA 3B7C St Brandon DXpedition." Congratulations, Steve! The winner of the QST Cover Plaque award -- given to the author or authors of the best article in each issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll Web page. Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the July issue by Thursday, July 31. -
W1AW/KL7 to hit the airwaves July 26
Posted: July 25th, 2008, 4:49pm EDT
Special event station W1AW/KL7 will be on the air from grid square BP56 July 26-August 10 on all bands from 160-6 meters. This ARRL 2008 Alaska State Convention Special Event Station plans to run two HF stations operating CW, SSB and digital, one satellite station and one station devoted to 146.52 MHz. The Convention itself runs from August 1-4 in Anchorage. -
No ARRL Audio News July 25
Posted: July 25th, 2008, 3:57pm EDT
There will be no ARRL Audio News Friday, July 25. The regular schedule will resume August 1. -
A New Ham and Proud of it!
Posted: July 25th, 2008, 2:10pm EDT
Something old is new again. -
ARRL Board of Directors Plans for League's Future at Second 2008 Meeting
Posted: July 25th, 2008, 1:21pm EDT
The ARRL Board of Directors held its Second Meeting of 2008 July 18-19 in Windsor, Connecticut, under the chairmanship of President Joel Harrison, W5ZN. Radio Amateurs of Canada President David Goodwin, VO1AU/VE3AAQ, was a guest of the Board. -
The K7RA Solar Update
Posted: July 25th, 2008, 10:36am EDT
For several days over the past week, we saw a couple of sunspots -- but just like other recent dying Solar Cycle 23 spots, they faded quickly. This group, lasting from July 18-20, was number 1000. No sign of Solar Cycle 24 in recent memory, just a couple of false starts. -
Surfin': More Theme Park Hamming
Posted: July 25th, 2008, 8:00am EDT
This week, Surfin' picks up where it left off last week with more hamming at the theme parks. -
FCC Issues Citation to Georgia Company for Selling, Importing Unauthorized RF Devices
Posted: July 23rd, 2008, 11:27am EDT
On July 21, the Federal Communications Commission issued a Citation to the owner of a Georgia company for selling unauthorized radio frequency devices (specifically wireless video transmitters) and importing radio frequency devices without filing the proper FCC forms with the US Customs office and the US Border Patrol. -
In Virginia, ARES® = RACES
Posted: July 22nd, 2008, 2:26pm EDT
On July 3, Virginia officials, along with representatives from that state's ARES® and RACES groups, signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), uniting the three groups. State Coordinator, Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) Michael M. Cline; State RACES Officer Mac McNeer, K4YEF; ARRL Virginia Section Manager Carl Clements, W4CAC, and ARRL Virginia Section Emergency Coordinator Ron Sokol, K4KHZ, signed what ARRL Emergency and Preparedness Manager Dennis Dura, K2DCD, called a "precedent setting" document. -
Tropical Storm Dolly Expected to Reach Hurricane Status Today; WX4NHC Activated
Posted: July 22nd, 2008, 10:22am EDT
According to reports from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Tropical Storm Dolly is expected to become a hurricane within the next 12-24 hours and track toward the Texas/Mexico border. With this in mind WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, activated its HF and EchoLink/IRLP station on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 2 PM EDT (1800 UTC). -
Hiram Percy Maxim's Telegraph Key Returns to ARRL HQ
Posted: July 21st, 2008, 2:23pm EDT
At the ARRL Board of Director's meeting this past weekend, the telegraph key that once belonged to Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW, was returned to ARRL Headquarters. According to ARRL First Vice President Kay Craigie, N3KN, the key had been in the collection of the Antique Wireless Association's Electronic Communication Museum near Rochester, New York for more than 20 years. -
AMSAT-UK Colloquium to Take Place Later this Month
Posted: July 21st, 2008, 1:00pm EDT
The 23rd Annual AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be held July 25-27 at the University of Surrey in Guildford, about an hour's drive from London. The Colloquium is a chance to talk to satellite designers and builders, as well as a place to discover how to use Amateur Radio satellites. A beginner's session on satellites is held prior to the formal opening on the first day of the event, -
Foundation for Amateur Radio Announces 2008 Scholarship Winners
Posted: July 19th, 2008, 2:47pm EDT
The Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR) has announced the 2008 winners of the 55 scholarships it administers. The scholarships were open to all licensed radio amateurs who met the qualification and residence requirements of the various sponsors. -
ARRL Audio News: Jul 18, 2008; Vol 27 Number 28
Posted: July 18th, 2008, 3:12pm EDT
ARRL Audio News--OPEN--In this edition . . .; ARRL Board of Directors Meets July 18-19 in Connecticut; New 70 cm Coordination Agreement Reached for New England; ARRL Audio News ID--Satellite Update--BREAK; Kansas Ham, Son, Electrocuted While Erecting Antennas; Court of Appeals: FCC Must Reimburse Fees Stemming from BPL Challenge; ARRL, FCC, Meet in Washington to Discuss BPL Remand; ARRL Audio News--News Briefs--CLOSE -
ARRL Board of Directors Meets July 18-19 in Connecticut
Posted: July 18th, 2008, 1:14pm EDT
The ARRL Board of Directors holds their second meeting of 2008 July 18-19 in Windsor, Connecticut, with Directors, Vice Directors and ARRL Board officers in attendance. The meeting, which begins today and continues through Saturday, was preceded on Thursday with meetings of the Administration and Finance Committee and the Programs and Services Committee. -
New 70 cm Coordination Agreement Reached for New England
Posted: July 18th, 2008, 1:05pm EDT
In the next step of developing a long-term procedure to mitigate interference to the Air Force PAVE PAWS radar site at Cape Cod Air Force Station in Massachusetts, the ARRL has brokered a deal that will allow new coordinations to be considered by the New England Spectrum Management Council (NESMC) on the 70 cm band. -
The K7RA Solar Update
Posted: July 18th, 2008, 9:23am EDT
If today is like yesterday and the day before that, it will be the 26th consecutive day with no sunspots. Think this is bad? At the last solar minimum, there were only four days showing any sunspots between September 5 and October 24, 2006. -
Surfin': On the Radio at Disney
Posted: July 18th, 2008, 8:00am EDT
This week, Surfin’ take a radio road-trip to Disney’s East and West Coast worlds. -
ARRL Continuing Education Online Course Registration
Posted: July 17th, 2008, 2:04pm EDT
Registration remains open through Sunday, August 3, 2008 for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, August 15, 2008: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 2 (EC-002); Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 3 (EC-003R2); Antenna Modeling (EC-004); HF Digital Communications (EC-005); VHF/UHF -- Life Beyond the Repeater (EC-008), and Radio Frequency Propagation (EC-011). Each online course has been developed in segments -- learning units with objectives, informative text, student activities and quizzes. Courses are interactive, and some include direct communications with a Mentor/Instructor. Students register for a particular session that may be 8, 12 or 16 weeks (depending on the course) and they may access the course at any time of day during the course period, completing lessons and activities at times convenient for their personal schedule. Mentors assist students by answering questions, reviewing assignments and activities, as well as providing helpful feedback. Interaction with mentors is conducted through e-mail; there is no appointed time the student must be present -- allowing complete flexibility for the student to work when and where it is convenient. To learn more, visit the Continuing Education course listing page or contact the Continuing Education Program Coordinator. -
W1HQ Notes ICOM Donations
Posted: July 17th, 2008, 8:27am EDT
Earlier this month, ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, presented ICOM's Amateur and Receiver Products Division Manager Ray Novak, N9JA, and ICOM Sales Representative Pat Marcy, W7PZ, with a plaque, thanking ICOM for its support of ARRL stations W1AW and W1HQ throughout the years. ICOM recently donated an IC-756PROIII and an IC-746PRO to W1HQ, the ARRL's Laird Campbell Memorial HQ Operators Club station. -
Robert Dickinson, W3HJ (SK)
Posted: July 16th, 2008, 8:34am EDT
Robert Van Cleft Dickinson, W3HJ (ex-W2CCE), of Zionsville, Pennsylvania, passed away May 28. He was 79. A Fellow of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers and a member of the IEEE, Dickinson, a long-time ARRL Technical Advisor, wrote the chapter on cable television interference in the second edition of The ARRL RFI Book. ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, remembered Dickinson, saying, "In the early 1980s, as the cable industry was developing, the relationship between the cable industry and Amateur Radio was not good. Early systems were leaky and interference problems -- especially on 2 meters -- were common. Dickinson helped change that; he agreed to serve as a liaison between the ARRL and the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA). It took years, but over time -- as improvements in the construction of cable plants and firm guidance from NCTA to cable operators who did not promptly correct interference problems -- his work helped the cable industry flourish with good coexistence with licensed radio services. This has served as a model for ARRL's relationship with other industries." ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, echoed Hare's thoughts: "We are saddened by the loss of Bob Dickinson, W3HJ, a good friend of ARRL and Amateur Radio. Bob's keen interest in League activities on behalf of our Service was evidenced by his generosity as part of the ARRL Diamond Club for five years, as well as his financial support of the Spectrum Defense Fund and the Education & Technology Fund." Dickinson is survived by his wife Jessie, four children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. -
ARRL, FCC, Meet in Washington to Discuss BPL Remand
Posted: July 15th, 2008, 3:08pm EDT
On July 9, ARRL officials -- President Joel Harrison, W5ZN; Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, and General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD -- met with members of the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology to discuss the recent US Court of Appeals decision regarding broadband over power lines (BPL). In that case, the Court agreed with the ARRL on two major points and remanded the rules to the Commission. According to Imlay, the meeting was convened to discuss "a possible regulatory approach" to BPL with the FCC. Suggestions put forth by ARRL "would address the needs and concerns of Amateur Radio operators in avoiding harmful interference from [BPL systems] while imposing the minimum necessary regulatory obligations on BPL deployments." The ARRL understands, Imlay said, that "there are at this point rules that could be adopted which would, at once, (1) protect Amateur Radio communications from predictable harmful interference from BPL; and (2) permit broadband over power line systems to operate in the 3 to 80 MHz range without significant constraint and without substantial redesign or retroactive build outs." -
Capitalizing on your Capital Project
Posted: July 15th, 2008, 12:42pm EDT
A big key unlocks interest in ham radio. -
Kansas Ham, Son, Electrocuted While Erecting Antennas
Posted: July 14th, 2008, 1:38pm EDT
While putting up backyard antennas on the afternoon of Sunday, July 13, Edward Thomas, KC0TIG, of Kansas City, Kansas, and his son Jacob were electrocuted. Edward, 65, was pronounced dead at the scene. Jacob, 27, was rushed to the hospital but died later that day. Initial reports suggest that the antenna they were installing came in contact with 7620 V power lines. Neighbors reported a "loud popping sound" and the electricity went out on the block. -
Court of Appeals: FCC Must Reimburse Fees Stemming from BPL Challenge
Posted: July 14th, 2008, 1:20pm EDT
The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has ordered that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reimburse ARRL for the docketing fee and the cost of reproducing copies of briefs and appendices in the ARRL's successful challenge of the FCC's broadband over power line (BPL) rules. The Order, issued on July 9 following review of an opposition from the FCC and a reply from the ARRL, awarded the ARRL's full claim of $6,096.18. Commenting on the Order, ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, observed: "While this is just a small fraction of the cost of our judicial appeal, the Order is significant because the Court did not buy the FCC's arguments that the ARRL had only achieved 'partial success' in its appeal and that our claim of costs was excessive. In addition, the FCC falsely claimed that the ARRL 'was unsuccessful in persuading the Court to vacate the rules it challenged.' In fact, the ARRL never sought to do so since the BPL rules adopted by the FCC, inadequate as they are, were still better than nothing. The award of these fees affirms that, contrary to the 'spin' the FCC has tried to put on the Court's remand, the ARRL substantially prevailed in its appeal." -
E-mails Asking for Personal Information Are Not from ARRL
Posted: July 14th, 2008, 9:13am EDT
We have received several reports from ARRL members with arrl.net e-mail accounts who have recently been contacted via e-mail asking for personal information, such as user names and passwords. Please be assured that these e-mails are fraudulent attempts at "phishing" and did not originate from ARRL. According to ARRL Information Technology Manager Don Durand, "This is a very crude attempt at phishing, using an easily determined spoof of the originating/return address. There is never a time when we would ask via mass e-mail for user names and passwords of arrl.net users. There is simply no need to ever do so." If you receive an e-mail asking for personal information and it looks like it originated from ARRL, please do not respond, just delete it. -
Ninth Annual "Night of Nights" On the Air July 13
Posted: July 12th, 2008, 7:59am EDT
The Maritime Radio Historical Society's ninth annual CW-only Night of Nights, commemorating the history of maritime radio, is scheduled for Sunday, July 13 at 0001 UTC (Saturday, July 12, 1701 PDT). Years ago, the maritime mobile bands were populated edge-to-edge with powerful coast stations that operated from virtually every country on every continent. The ships of world trade and the great passenger liners filled the air with their radiograms, as well as their calls for help when in danger on the sea. Now those bands are largely silent. But once a year, the MRHS returns stations KPH, KSM and KFS to the air. Other stations, including WLO, KLB, NMC, NOJ and NMN, often join in. Calls from ships at sea make the event seem like the golden age of maritime radio has returned. The MRHS's club station, K6KPH, will be on-the-air on several frequencies, receiving signal reports from other amateur stations. The K6KPH operators are seasoned commercial operators with years of experience "sitting the circuit" and will give amateur stations the experience of what it was like to work a real coast station. More information regarding the event, including suggested frequencies, is available on the Night of Nights Web page. -
The Amateur Radio Crossword Puzzler
Posted: July 11th, 2008, 11:59pm EDT
Famous Hams -
ARRL Audio News: Jul 11, 2008; Vol 27 Number 27
Posted: July 11th, 2008, 11:35am EDT
ARRL Audio News--OPEN--In this edition . . .; Sacramento Valley Area Hams Respond when Fires Sweep across Northern California; ARRL Teachers Institutes Near Halfway Point for 2008; ARRL Audio News ID--Satellite Update--BREAK; "The Doctor Is IN" The ARRL Letter; The July/August QEX Is Here; Kansas Teen Named 2008 Young Ham of the Year; ARRL Audio News--News Briefs--CLOSE -
The K7RA Solar Update
Posted: July 11th, 2008, 9:14am EDT
Another week and still no sunspots. The 3-month moving average for daily sunspot numbers that we began reporting toward the end of Solar Cycle 23 seemed to retrospectively suggest that solar minimum occurred last fall. The daily average for the 3-month period centered on last October was nearly 3 -- or 2.967 to split some hairs. This is an average of the 91 daily sunspot numbers from September 1-November 30. -
Surfin': Still Got User Interface?
Posted: July 11th, 2008, 8:00am EDT
This week, Surfin’ readers consider the user interface of Amateur Radio software. -
ARRL Teachers Institutes Near Halfway Point for 2008
Posted: July 10th, 2008, 2:07pm EDT
The first rounds of Teachers Institutes for this summer have been completed at the Parallax facility in Rocklin, California and at Pueblo Magnet High School in Tucson, Arizona. According to Education and Technology Program Coordinator Mark Spencer, WA8SME, there were a few specific goals and objectives that were tried during these two Teachers Institutes that were beyond the normal training curriculum: the new 24-hour clock kit for the Soldering 101 unit, the radio telescope unit and the BOT instructor's board. -
W1AW/KL7 to Operate from Arctic Circle
Posted: July 10th, 2008, 8:15am EDT
Just 300 miles south of the Alaskan Arctic Ocean -- where the Arctic Circle crosses the Dalton Highway (66 degrees, 33 minutes north) -- W1AW/KL7 will be on the air (grid square BP56) July 26-August 10 on all bands from 160-6 meters. This ARRL 2008 Alaska State Convention Special Event Station plans to run two HF stations operating CW, SSB and digital, one satellite station and one station devoted to 146.52 MHz. The Alaskan summer skies are ablaze with gray line-enhanced propagation effects, providing six to eight hour spurts of activity to most of the ham radio world. W1AW/KL7 plans to be active from 0600 UTC-1400 UTC to maximize gray line propagation. From Alaska, signals will take off in both directions at the same time: Europe to the East on one side, with Asia to the West on the other side. For an illustration of how Arctic gray line propagation works, see page 21 in the August 2008 issue of QST. The 2008 Alaska ARRL Convention will run from August 1-4, 2008 in Anchorage. -- Information provided by Bill Balzarini, KL7BB -
Field Day Fun at W1AW
Posted: July 9th, 2008, 11:47pm EDT
Another Field Day has come and gone, and just like amateurs all over the country, those who activated W1AW not only took part, but had lots of fun during the 24 hour event. According to W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, W1AW made 1079 contacts using CW, SSB and RTTY on 160-2 meters. "The last time W1AW broke the 1000+ QSO mark on Field Day was back in 2005 when 1100 QSOs were made. But band conditions were slightly better then and we had more operators on hand," Carcia said. -
Sacramento Valley Area Hams Respond when Fires Sweep across Northern California
Posted: July 9th, 2008, 1:59pm EDT
With the California fires show little signs of lightening up, ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Manager Ron Murdock, W6KJ, says that ARES members in his Section are actively involved in supporting the agencies they serve. According to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), more than 330 fires covering almost 200,000 acres are active in the Sacramento Valley Section. While most fires are at least 50 percent contained, some are less than 30 percent under control. -
IARU Member Societies On-The-Air for IARU HF World Championship
Posted: July 9th, 2008, 1:55pm EDT
In this weekend's IARU HF World Championship Contest, IARU Member Societies from all around the globe will be active and operating with special call signs. According to ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, many of these call signs end in HQ, designating a national headquarters station; these can be worked as special multipliers in the contest. Kutzko said that IARU Administrative Council members will also be on and can also be worked for special multiplier credit. "If you hear a station giving R1, R2, R3 or AC as their contest exchange, that station represents part of the IARU Administrative Council or regional Executive Committee." -
Two New Coordinators Appointed in IARU Region 2
Posted: July 9th, 2008, 8:23am EDT
IARU Region 2 President Reinaldo Leandro, YV5AMH, has appointed Dr César Pio Santos A., HR2P, of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, as IARU Region 2 Emergency Communications Coordinator; Santos will be taking over from Rick Palm, K1CE. According to Leandro, Santos is a well-known emergency expert in the region who helped to provide emergency communications and medical relief in Honduras in the wake of Hurricane Mitch. He remains active as a volunteer in his country's governmental emergency communications institution and as a member of the Emergency Communications Advisory Group (ECAG) for Area D (Central America) in IARU Region 2. Leandro also appointed Juan Muñoz, TG9AJR, of Puerta Parada, Guatemala, to succeed Bill Zellers, WA4FKI (SK) as the Region 2 Monitoring System Coordinator. Muñoz started as a shortwave listener in 1984 and obtained his current license in 1989. Leandro said Muñoz is an active amateur on nearly all bands and modes; as an avid contester, he was a referee during WRTC 2002 in Helsinki, Finland and has participated in the IARU Monitoring System with Martin Potter, VE3OAT, since 2001. -
International Space Station On-The-Air with ARISS
Posted: July 8th, 2008, 2:05pm EDT
July looks to be a busy month for Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). On Friday, July 4, members of the Austin Amateur Radio Club (AARC) facilitated a successful ARISS contact between the International Space Station (ISS) and Cub Scout Pack #304 and Blackland Prairie Elementary School in Round Rock, Texas. Before an audience of 100, 10 Cub Scouts asked nearly 20 questions of Greg Chamitoff, KD5PKZ. Chamitoff launched into space on May 31 on the space shuttle Discovery and took over on the ISS for Garrett Reisman, KE5HAE. Chamitoff is scheduled to return to Earth in November. -
Kansas Teen Named 2008 Young Ham of the Year
Posted: July 8th, 2008, 10:21am EDT
Emily Stewart, KC0PTL, a 17 year old from Leavenworth, Kansas, has been named the 2008 Young Ham of the Year (YHOTY), announced YHOTY Award Administrator Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF. Emily was selected based on her commitment to Amateur Radio, along with leadership, outreach, and her technical and public service achievements of the Amateur Radio Service to others. She will receive her award as part of the Huntsville Hamfest. More than two dozen young people were nominated for this award, now in its 22nd year. -
Get Ready for the IARU HF World Championship
Posted: July 6th, 2008, 8:08am EDT
HF Contesting usually hits a dry spell during the summer months, but the weekend of July 12-13 brings a summer bright spot for HF contesters -- the IARU HF World Championship. -
Roof, Attic and Basement (Repeat)
Posted: July 5th, 2008, 8:44am EDT
It was an absolutely beautiful Memorial Day weekend. No rain, not too hot and not too cold. It was perfect for picnicking, yard work, washing your car -- whatever you wanted to do. The soggy days had departed just in time for a much-deserved and much-needed three-day weekend. Or so the weather forecast said. -
Look for the July/August Issue of QEX
Posted: July 4th, 2008, 8:32am EDT
The July/August issue of QEX is out, and it is full of theoretical and practical technical articles that you don't want to miss. -
Surfin' Logging Online
Posted: July 4th, 2008, 8:00am EDT
This week, Surfin’ considers Google Docs as an online Amateur Radio application. -
ARRL Audio News: Jul 3, 2008; Vol 27 Number 26
Posted: July 3rd, 2008, 4:06pm EDT
ARRL Audio News--OPEN--In this edition . . .; ARRL Tells Red Cross of Remaining Background Check Policy Concerns; An Era Comes To a Close as Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, Retires; ARRL Audio News ID--Satellite Update--BREAK; Philadelphia Area Hams Nail Rogue Radio Signals; Get Ready for the IARU HF World Championship Next Weekend; Check Out the July/August NCJ; ARRL Audio News--News Briefs--CLOSE -
Riley Hollingsworth to Retire July 3: The End of an Era
Posted: July 3rd, 2008, 2:08pm EDT
On Thursday, July 3, Special Counsel for the Spectrum Enforcement Division of the FCC's Enforcement Bureau Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH -- the man who has come to embody Amateur Radio Enforcement - will say goodbye to the FCC as he retires and begins his life as a private citizen. In May, Hollingsworth announced he would definitely retire; he had contemplated retiring in January 2008, but cited "several issues on the table that I want[ed] to continue to work through with the amateur community." While his successor has not yet been named, he was quick to point out that the FCC's Amateur Radio enforcement program will continue. -
ARRL Tells Red Cross of Remaining Background Check Policy Concerns
Posted: July 3rd, 2008, 10:51am EDT
ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, has written to Armond T. Mascelli, Vice President for Domestic Disaster response for the American Red Cross (ARC) to identify the ARRL's remaining concerns over the background check policy for ARC partners. Harrison emphasized that the commencement of negotiation of a replacement Statement of Understanding (SOU) between the two organizations should not be further delayed while these concerns are resolved and that he looked forward to signing a new SOU once additional edits to the background check Disclosure Form and clarifications of the background check Authorization Form are in place for those radio amateurs who volunteer their service to the Red Cross. -
US Government Recalls RadioShack Power Supplies
Posted: July 3rd, 2008, 10:50am EDT
On July 2, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with RadioShack, announced a voluntary recall of 13.8 V dc power supplies. The CPSC said that consumers should stop using these power supplies immediately, as the "power supplies are wired incorrectly, posing electrocution and fire hazards." No injuries have been reported in conjunction with the power supplies that were sold in RadioShack stores nationwide from October 2004-January 2008 for between $50 and $85. Manufactured in China, the CPSC said that the recall involves RadioShack 13.8 V DC Power Supplies, catalog numbers 22-507 and 22-508 with date codes from 08A04 through 01A08. Date code format is MMAYY where MM is the month and YY is the year. The catalog number and date code are located on the back of the power supply. Power supplies with a green dot on the product and the product's packaging have already been repaired and are not included in the recall. The CPSC recommends for consumers to unplug the recalled power supply immediately and take it to any RadioShack store for a free repair. Registered owners of the recalled power supplies will be mailed a notice. For additional information, contact RadioShack at 800-843-7422 anytime, or visit their Web site. -
ARRL Presence at HAM RADIO 2008 in Friedrichshafen
Posted: July 3rd, 2008, 10:50am EDT
HAM RADIO 2008, the 33rd International Exhibition for Radio Amateurs in Friedrichshafen, Germany, was held June 27-29. This annual event, billed as Europe's biggest hamfest, focused this year on the radio amateur satellite program and included many programs and activities for youth. The event drew more than 17,000 visitors from over 30 countries. The fourth annual Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Conference (GAREC) preceded the event. A team representing ARRL attended, greeting international ARRL members throughout HAM RADIO 2008. ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, who attended the event, has posted a blog recapping the event. -
The K7RA Solar Update
Posted: July 3rd, 2008, 10:49am EDT
This week's bulletin is presented a day earlier than usual, due to the Independence Day holiday on Friday. The weeks seem to drag on with no sunspots in sight. An image from helioseismic holography on Tuesday shows a spot on our Sun's far side. We hope it emerges in a week or 10 days on our side and hasn't died out by then. Spots emerge from time to time, but they are all old Solar Cycle 23 spots and they seem to fade quickly without much activity. Sunspot numbers for June 26-July 2 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 and 0 with a mean of 0. The 10.7 cm flux was 65.4, 66.1, 65.9, 66.6, 66.7, 65.6 and 65.9 with a mean of 66. Estimated planetary A indices were 16, 8, 7, 8, 6, 5 and 3 with a mean of 7.6. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 17, 7, 6, 7, 5, 4 and 1 with a mean of 6.7. -
Vacation, Contesting and Friends -- Perfect Together!
Posted: July 2nd, 2008, 4:06pm EDT
Bright sun, good friends and a clean sweep. -
FCC Amateur Radio Enforcement Correspondence Posted
Posted: July 2nd, 2008, 2:42pm EDT
The FCC has posted new Amateur Radio enforcement correspondence on its "Amateur Radio Service Enforcement Actions" Web page. Special Counsel in the FCC Spectrum Enforcement Division Riley Hollingsworth sent a letters to William G. Aber Sr, N2JAI (Warning Notice), and to Gateway Coal Mine (Warning Notice) of Coulterville, Illinois. Direct all questions concerning the Amateur Radio Service Enforcement Actions Web postings via e-mail only to the FCC Spectrum Enforcement Division. -
ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up To Lately?
Posted: July 2nd, 2008, 12:41pm EDT
This feature -- including convenient Web links to useful information -- is a concise monthly update of some of the things ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment covers the month of June. -
ARRL Continuing Education Online Course Registration
Posted: July 2nd, 2008, 10:50am EDT
Registration remains open through Sunday, July 20, 2008 for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, August 1, 2008: Technician License Course (EC-010), Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 1 (EC-001), Radio Frequency Interference (EC-006), Antenna Design and Construction (EC-009), Analog Electronics (EC-012) and Digital Electronics (EC-013). Each online course has been developed in segments -- learning units with objectives, informative text, student activities and quizzes. Courses are interactive, and some include direct communications with a Mentor/Instructor. Students register for a particular session that may be 8, 12 or 16 weeks (depending on the course) and they may access the course at any time of day during the course period, completing lessons and activities at times convenient for their personal schedule. Mentors assist students by answering questions, reviewing assignments and activities, as well as providing helpful feedback. Interaction with mentors is conducted through e-mail; there is no appointed time the student must be present -- allowing complete flexibility for the student to work when and where it is convenient. To learn more, visit the Continuing Education course listing page or contact the Continuing Education Program Coordinator. -
Check Out the July/August NCJ
Posted: July 1st, 2008, 2:48pm EDT
NCJ, The National Contest Journal, is what everyone interested in radiosport needs to have in their shack. Filled with the latest news from the contesting world, NCJ is what every contester needs in their shack. Whether you are new to contesting or are a seasoned pro (or somewhere in the middle), you will find something in NCJ just for you. -
It Seems To Us: We Win In Court!
Posted: July 1st, 2008, 12:00am EDT
Last year, in the wake of Federal Communications Commission decisions that did not adequately protect licensed radiocommunication services from interference from Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) systems, the ARRL went to court to challenge the FCC.