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ARRL Audio News: Oct 31, 2008; Vol 27 Number 43
Posted: October 31st, 2008, 4:09pm EDT
ARRL Audio News--OPEN--In this edition . . .; SKYWARN Recognition Day Set for December 6; Ohio Hams Discover, Fix Ditters on 40 Meters; ARRL Audio News ID--Satellite Update--BREAK; The ARRL VEC: More than Just Amateur Radio Exams; ARRL Invites Nominations for 2008 International Humanitarian Award; Ask Perry: Why Is the ARRL in Connecticut?; ARRL Audio News--News Briefs--CLOSE -
The K7RA Solar Update
Posted: October 31st, 2008, 2:56pm EDT
Solar Cycle 24 is slowly building momentum. We saw sunspots for eight days in a row -- October 10-17 -- then 12 days of no spots. Another sunspot -- number 1007 -- appeared on October 30 from Solar Cycle 24. It is a high latitude sunspot and may provide some fun for this weekend's 75th running of the ARRL CW Sweepstakes. -
The Canaries in the Mine
Posted: October 31st, 2008, 1:31pm EDT
Amateur Radio is more than 100 years old. At one time, hams were virtually the only people in the world exposed to RF signals. As time progressed and radio communications technology has been developed and proven -- largely by radio amateurs -- its use was made available to the masses and the number of RF signals in the air greatly increased. This has reached a zenith today, with a majority of people walking around with RF transmitters in the form of cellular telephones. -
Surfin': I Phone, Therefore I Ham
Posted: October 31st, 2008, 8:00am EDT
This week's Surfin' considers Amateur Radio applications for Apple's iPhone and other smartphones. -
ARRL On-Line Auction: Down to the Wire
Posted: October 30th, 2008, 7:07pm EDT
With less than 24 hours to go -- the ARRL Third Annual On-Line Auction closes at 4 PM EDT on Friday, October 31 -- now is the time to get your bids in on that hot ham gear you've been eyeing. Whether it's a trip, a "junque box," a modern transceiver or a piece of vintage equipment, the chance to bid on -- and hopefully win! -- your item will soon be gone. ARRL Business Services Manager Deb Jahnke, K1DAJ, advises all bidders and potential bidders to view the exact closing times of items. If you are bidding on an item or plan on doing so, make sure you get your bid in on time. All items must close in 6 second intervals; the exact closing time for each item can be viewed on its description page. "We encourage bidders and browsers to take a final look at all the terrific bargains listed in this year's auction," Jahnke said. "There is still time to bid and there is still plenty of time to win!" -
The ARRL VEC: More than Just Amateur Radio Exams
Posted: October 30th, 2008, 2:50pm EDT
When you think of ARRL's Volunteer Examiner Coordinator Department (VEC), Amateur Radio licensing exams are probably what come to mind. The ARRL VEC handles questions regarding exam requirements, exam accommodations, exam test locations, exam question pools and Volunteer Examiner support. According to ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, the ARRL VEC has been busy meeting the needs of the Amateur Radio community since 1984. "Helping a person become a radio amateur or upgrade their existing license is what we do best, but that's not all we do," Somma said. -
SKYWARN Recognition Day Set for December 6
Posted: October 30th, 2008, 10:16am EDT
The 10th Annual SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) Special Event will take place Saturday, December 6, 2008. SRD is co-sponsored by the ARRL and the National Weather Service (NWS) as a way to recognize the commitment made by Amateur Radio operators in helping to keep their communities safe. According to SRD Coordinator David Floyd, N5DBZ, Amateur Radio operators can visit their local participating NWS office, working as a team to contact other hams across the world throughout the 24 hour event. -
New ARRL Satellite Book Available
Posted: October 29th, 2008, 3:36pm EDT
The ARRL Satellite Handbook by QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY, brings the thrill of satellite communications within your reach. Filled with understandable descriptions and illustrations, this book includes all the tools you need to participate in this exciting field. -
Membership Manager Position Open at ARRL HQ
Posted: October 29th, 2008, 1:19pm EDT
ARRL Headquarters seeks a Membership Manager with a background and experience in developing membership recruitment and retention strategies. Candidates should have an understanding of the Amateur Radio Service or experience working with members that have technical interests. Responsibilities include list management, segmentation, data analysis, direct mail and creative direction. Experience with relationship development and new approaches with online communities are a plus. For more information, please visit the ARRL Job Announcement Web page. -
2008 ARRL Field Day Results Now Online
Posted: October 29th, 2008, 10:42am EDT
The results from this year's Field Day are now available online. "The addition of the online ARRL Field Day Locator site was a huge success, as more than 1500 sites were listed in this first year of use," said ARRL Field Day Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND. "When you scan the Online Soapbox, Field Day continues to be the most popular on-the-air event in Amateur Radio." You can find the results in the Members Only section of the ARRL Web site. -
ARRL Continuing Education Online Course Registration
Posted: October 29th, 2008, 10:25am EDT
Registration remains open through Sunday, November 9, 2008, for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, November 21, 2008: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 2 (EC-002); Antenna Modeling (EC-004); HF Digital Communications (EC-005); VHF/UHF -- Life Beyond the Repeater (EC-008), and Radio Frequency Propagation (EC-011). -
ARRL Continuing Education Online Course Registration
Posted: October 29th, 2008, 10:25am EDT
Registration remains open through Sunday, November 9, 2008, for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, November 21, 2008: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 2 (EC-002); Antenna Modeling (EC-004); HF Digital Communications (EC-005); VHF/UHF -- Life Beyond the Repeater (EC-008), and Radio Frequency Propagation (EC-011). -
Ohio Hams Discover, Fix "Ditters" on 40 Meters
Posted: October 28th, 2008, 2:02pm EDT
Silent since the summer of 2000, "ditters" have been heard once again on 40 meters by hams in North Carolina . According to ARRL Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, hams in that state contacted him on October 22 complaining of hearing a continuous string of "dits" on 7.0574 MHz. "We informed the FCC HFDFing station of the situation and asked if they could locate the approximate area of the 'dits' so we could get this resolved as soon as possible," Skolaut said. "They responded promptly and said it was coming from Westerville, a town just north of Columbus, Ohio." -
Third Annual ARRL On-Line Auction Nears Finish Line
Posted: October 28th, 2008, 12:01pm EDT
With just a few days left, there are still great items available in the Third Annual ARRL On-Line Auction. The Auction, which kicked off Thursday, October 23, runs until 4 PM EDT Friday, October 31. With almost 200 items up for bid -- and most already having multiple bids -- this event promises to have something for just about everyone. This year’s auction includes trips, transceivers and items that have appeared in the QSTProduct Review column. According to ARRL Business Service Manager and Auction Coordinator Deb Jahnke, K1DAJ, some of the more popular ARRL Auction items include the ICOM IC-7000 HF/VHF/UHF All Mode Transceiver, the ICOM IC-765 HF All Band Transceiver, The Cottage on Mountain Breeze -- St Croix Tropical Get-Away, the Johnson Viking Ranger, the SX-28 AM Receiver, Emergency Starter Go Kits, the BeeLine GPS Tracker, the Hammarlund HQ-100, ARRL Laboratory Mystery Junque Boxes and the ICOM IC-7700 HF/6 Meter Transceiver. Proceeds from the Auction benefit ARRL education programs including activities to license new hams, strengthen Amateur Radio’s emergency service training, offer continuing technical and operating education, as well as create instructional materials. “We have almost 200 items up for bid this year, a larger number than last year,” Jahnke said. “The week will be over before you know it, so don’t miss out!” -
Spanish Hams Receive New Frequency Privileges
Posted: October 28th, 2008, 11:35am EDT
The Union de Radioaficionados Espanoles (URE), Spain’s IARU Member-Society, reported that as of October 24,2008, that country’s Secretaría de Estado de Telecomunicaciones y para la Sociedad de la Información (SETSI) approved an expansion on 160 meters during certain events, such as international Amateur Radio contests. The new allocation, 1.810-1.830 MHz, as well as 1.850-2.000 MHz, will be available for the 2009 ARRL 160 Meter Contest, the 2009 King of Spain Contests (both SSB and CW) and the 2009 CQ 160 Meter Contest (both SSB and CW); it was also allowed for the CQ Worldwide DX Contest (SSB) earlier this month. In addition, Spanish hams were also granted privileges on the experimental portion of the 4 meter band -- 70.150-70.200 MHz running 10 W ERP -- until April 25, 2009. -- Thanks to The Daily DX for the information -
North Fulton Amateur Radio League Field Day 2008 -- A Phoenix Rises from the Ashes in Georgia
Posted: October 28th, 2008, 10:33am EDT
NFARL hits the jackpot on the air and on the ground. -
The Amateur Amateur: Meet the Zombies
Posted: October 27th, 2008, 8:03am EDT
Steve, the Emergency Coordinator of St. Louis County ARES® called me up and said, "The Zombie Squad wants us to set up a display in Disaster Alley. I have a prior commitment. Can you take care of it?" Now, it may sound as if Steve was looking for a particularly gruesome way to get rid of me, but in fact his request was perfectly legitimate. -
The Amateur Amateur: Meet the Zombies
Posted: October 26th, 2008, 8:03am EDT
Steve, the Emergency Coordinator of St. Louis County ARES® called me up and said, "The Zombie Squad wants us to set up a display in Disaster Alley. I have a prior commitment. Can you take care of it?" Now, it may sound as if Steve was looking for a particularly gruesome way to get rid of me, but in fact his request was perfectly legitimate. -
Youth@HamRadio.Fun: Scouts and Amateur Radio Is a Game of "Follow the Leader"
Posted: October 25th, 2008, 9:12am EDT
Any family involved with Scouting who is reading this will agree that wherever Scouting goes, ham radio follows close behind. There is always a radio station surrounded by curious faces listening to a QSO or a group of Cub Scouts running around with a beam and a handheld transceiver looking for the “fox” at summer camp. If I may say so myself, Amateur Radio and Scouts are almost synonymous! -
FCC Responds to ARRL Petition Against Experimental License using 40 Meter Band
Posted: October 24th, 2008, 2:09pm EDT
On Monday, October 20, the ARRL filed a "Petition for Modification or Cancellation of Experimental Authorization" (Petition) with the FCC with respect to WE2XRH. According to the FCC, this experimental license -- issued to Digital Aurora Radio Technologies (DART) -- proposes to "test digital transmissions in 4.50-5.10 MHz, 7.10-7.60 MHz and 9.25-9.95 MHz for a terrestrial digital radio service to the citizens of Alaska." The League's protest was prompted by the certainty that high-power operation in the frequency range 7.10 to 7.30 MHz would cause unacceptable and harmful interference to the Amateur Radio Service in this part of the 40-meter band, which is an exclusive amateur allocation in ITU Region 2 (North and South America). -
ARRL Audio News: Oct 24, 2008; Vol 27 Number 42
Posted: October 24th, 2008, 2:01pm EDT
ARRL Audio News--OPEN--In this edition . . .; FCC Responds to ARRL - 40m License Modified; ARRL Announces New Youth Editor; ARRL Audio News ID--Satellite Update--BREAK; ARRL Hosts Amateur Radio Classroom for USTTI; The "Doctor Is IN" the ARRL Letter; Get Ready for the ARRL November Sweepstakes; ARRL Audio News--News Briefs--CLOSE -
The K7RA Solar Update
Posted: October 24th, 2008, 1:56pm EDT
Visible sunspots continued last week for eight days straight, the longest continuous period of sunspot visibility since the 12 days of March 23April 3 last year. Sunspot numbers for October 16-22 were 24, 11, 0, 0, 0, 0 and 0 with a mean of 5. The 10.7 cm flux was 71.9, 70, 69.2, 69.6, 69.2, 68.8 and 67.7 with a mean of 69.5. The estimated planetary A indices were 4, 2, 1, 6, 2, 3 and 5 with a mean of 3.3. The estimated mid-latitude A indices were 5, 1, 1, 5, 2, 3 and 5 with a mean of 3.1. -
The Perfect Union: Medicine and Communications
Posted: October 24th, 2008, 10:30am EDT
Solar powered radios provide a vital medical link for the people of Zambia. -
Next Round of PAVE PAWS Mitigation Contacts Begin
Posted: October 24th, 2008, 9:21am EDT
On Wednesday, October 22, the FCC notified the ARRL that they would immediately begin making direct contact with owners or trustees of approximately 40 repeaters. The US Air Force identified these repeaters earlier this year as contributors to the harmful interference affecting the Beale Air Force Base PAVE PAWS radar installation near Sacramento, California. -
Next Round of PAVE PAWS Mitigation Contacts Begins
Posted: October 24th, 2008, 9:21am EDT
On Wednesday, October 22, the FCC notified the ARRL that they would immediately begin making direct contact with owners or trustees of approximately 40 repeaters. The US Air Force identified these repeaters earlier this year as contributors to the harmful interference affecting the Beale Air Force Base PAVE PAWS radar installation near Sacramento, California. -
Surfin': Clandestine Radio in Uncle Tom's Corner
Posted: October 24th, 2008, 8:00am EDT
This week's Surfin' wonders who were the men behind the curtain at Radio Swan (aka Radio Americas). -
ARRL Hosts Amateur Radio Classroom for USTTI Students
Posted: October 23rd, 2008, 1:17pm EDT
Students from Kenya, The Gambia, Ghana, The Philippines, Honduras, Dominica and Nepal attended the United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI) Amateur Radio Administration Course (ARAC) at ARRL Headquarters October 13-17. ARRL Chief Technology Officer Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, coordinated the session and led the course. ARRL Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer and Meeting Planner Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ, coordinated with ARRL's participation with USTTI. -
Third Annual ARRL On-Line Auction Begins
Posted: October 23rd, 2008, 12:36pm EDT
The Third Annual ARRL On-Line Auction kicked off Thursday, October 23. With almost 200 items up for bid, this event promises to have something for just about everyone. This year's auction will again include many transceivers and other items, including items that have appeared in the QST Product Review column, and have thus been thoroughly tested by the ARRL Lab. According to ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, "Last year's online auction -- our second -- proved to be a successful and enjoyable event for both hams and ARRL staff members alike. When the bidding ended, we realized that we had sold 162 items and sold just over $50,000 worth of merchandise." Proceeds from the auction benefit ARRL education programs including activities to license new hams, strengthen Amateur Radio's emergency service training, offer continuing technical and operating education, as well as create instructional materials. The auction runs through Friday, October 31 on the ARRL Web site. -
Get Ready for the ARRL November CW Sweepstakes
Posted: October 23rd, 2008, 10:31am EDT
This year marks the 75th running of the premier domestic contest, the ARRL CW Sweepstakes. According to ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, the event started back in 1929 as a competition for handling formal traffic messages and is one of the oldest traditions in Amateur Radio. "The contest exchange contains more elements than usual, an homage to the traffic-handling days of yore," he said. "If you have never participated in Sweepstakes, you are really missing out on some serious fun! A complete primer by ARRL Contributing Editor H. Ward Silver, N0AX, on how to participate in Sweepstakes can be found in the Radiosport supplement in the October 2008 issue of QST." -
ARRL's 500 kHz Experimental Station, WD2XSH, Requests Reports
Posted: October 23rd, 2008, 8:41am EDT
Fritz Raab, W1FR, coordinator for ARRL's 500 kHz Experimental Station, WD2XSH, reports that fall has brought lower static and good propagation, making excellent conditions for the 500 kHz experimenters. The experimental license, issued in September 2006, has more than 20 active stations. Raab said that last year, a second US experimental license -- WE2XGR, with five participants -- joined the project, as well experimenters in the UK, Germany, Sweden and the Czech Republic. These stations' operating modes include CW, QRSS, PSK-31 and others. Contacts have been achieved at distances up to 1234 miles, with signals received from all over North America, Alaska and Hawaii; trans-Atlantic reports are not uncommon. "The 500 kHz experimenters are experiencing excellent propagation conditions," Raab said. "The best time to listen is between sunset and sunrise." The operating frequencies are: WD2XSH -- 505.2-510 kHz; WE2XGR -- 505-515 kHz; UK -- 501-504 kHz, and SM, DL, OK -- 505.0-505.2 kHz. Raab requests that listeners file reception reports at the www.500kc.com Web site so that they become part of the station's data base. Additional information can be found at the experiment's Web site and also in the July/August 2007 issue of QEX. -
Pension Protection Act Charitable Contribution Provision Extended Through December 31, 2009
Posted: October 22nd, 2008, 3:29pm EDT
The ARRL Development Office notes that legislation was signed on October 3, 2008 in conjunction with the Economic Stimulus Bill of 2008 to include the immediate and retroactive extension of the popular charitable contribution provision of the Pension Protection Act (PPA) of 2006. Effective immediately, certain IRA holders (aged at least 70-1/2) may give something back to Amateur Radio by donating to the Spectrum Defense Fund, the ARRL Education and Technology Fund or the ARRL Diamond Club. The Diamond Club provides flexible funding for a variety of programs not supported by member dues. -
ARRL Continuing Education Online Course Registration
Posted: October 22nd, 2008, 12:37pm EDT
Registration remains open through Sunday, November 9, 2008, for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, November 21, 2008: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 2 (EC-002); Antenna Modeling (EC-004); HF Digital Communications (EC-005); VHF/UHF -- Life Beyond the Repeater (EC-008), and Radio Frequency Propagation (EC-011). -
ARRL Files Petition with FCC against Experimental License Using 40 Meter Band
Posted: October 22nd, 2008, 8:39am EDT
On Monday, October 20, the ARRL filed a Petition for Modification or Cancellation of Experimental Authorization (Petition) with the FCC with respect to WE2XRH. According to the FCC, this experimental license -- issued to Digital Aurora Radio Technologies (DART) -- proposes to "test digital transmissions in 4.50-5.10 MHz, 7.10-7.60 MHz and 9.25-9.95 MHz for a terrestrial digital radio service to the citizens of Alaska." -
ARRL Announces New Youth Editor
Posted: October 21st, 2008, 1:13pm EDT
The ARRL has announced Duncan MacLachlan, KU0DM, of Prairie Village, Kansas, as the new Youth Editor and will write the Youth@HamRadio.Fun column. MacLachlan, 13, takes over from Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM, as she continues her education at the Georgia Tech. Amateur Radio runs in the MacLachlan family -- 12 family members are hams. "I got interested in ham radio through Boy Scouts," MacLachlan said, "but it was with family support that I got licensed." -
TAPR Announces HPSDR Mercury Receiver Board
Posted: October 18th, 2008, 9:24am EDT
High Performance Software Defined Radio (HPSDR) is an open-source hardware and software project designed and developed by a group of enthusiasts with representation from interested experimenters worldwide. TAPR is looking for a "show of interest" to determine the production run for the new HPSDR Mercury receiver board. The assembled Mercury receiver board uses SMT parts and is manufactured in quantity by machine. If interested, please check out the HAMSDR Web site and log in. You will find the interest page under the <Projects><TAPR-HAMSDR> tab. Once interest has been determined, Mercury boards may be purchased from TAPR. Mercury board specifications can be found here. -
ARRL Audio News: Oct 17, 2008; Vol 27 Number 41
Posted: October 17th, 2008, 2:19pm EDT
ARRL Audio News--OPEN--In this edition . . .; City of Manassas Takes Over BPL System from Private Company; Get Ready for the 51st Jamboree On The Air This Weekend; ARRL Audio News ID--Satellite Update--BREAK; Fourteen New Section Managers Meet in Newington; Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, Gets Busy from Space; ARRL General License Course on CD-ROM Now Available; ARRL Audio News--News Briefs--CLOSE -
Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, Gets Busy from Space
Posted: October 17th, 2008, 9:08am EDT
Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, took off for the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, October 12, becoming the sixth private citizen to fly with the Russian Federal Space Agency (RKA) for a short-term mission on the ISS. Not two hours after he arrived on the ISS on October 14, Garriott was making ham radio contacts, just as his father, Owen Garriott, W5LFL --the first ham to make QSOs from space -- did in 1983. Richard is scheduled to return to Earth on Thursday, October 23. -
The K7RA Solar Update
Posted: October 17th, 2008, 8:23am EDT
Finally, we are seeing Solar Cycle 24 sunspots that don't emerge on one day, only to evaporate the next. That's right -- sunspots, as in two or more. On Friday, October 10, sunspot 1005 emerged at high latitude over our Sun's eastern limb; that day's sunspot number was 12. On the following day, the sunspot number rose to 16 and a solar wind emerging from a coronal hole caused a geomagnetic storm. The planetary A index rose from a quiet 3 on Friday to 37, and the mid-latitude A index was 20. The 3-hour planetary K index reached a maximum of 7 that day, a high value for that scale. Conditions have quieted again since then. -
Surfin': Blogging with an Interest
Posted: October 17th, 2008, 8:00am EDT
This week's Surfin' visits a pair of blogs that provide interesting content associated with Amateur Radio. -
City of Manassas Takes Over BPL System from Private Company
Posted: October 16th, 2008, 2:46pm EDT
Late last month, the Manassas, Virginia City Council voted 4-2 to assume control of the Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) service from the private company that serves approximately 675 residents. As a result of the vote, the City of Manassas will now have to use monies from an enterprise fund -- around $110,000, in addition to the approximately $640,000 the city has already spent on BPL infrastructure -- to fund the service and recoup the cost from the subscribers; monies in an enterprise fund come from the utility's ratepayers. BPL technology uses the electricity grid in a city and the wiring in individual homes to provide direct "plug in" broadband access through electricity sockets, rather than over phone or cable TV lines. Because BPL wiring is physically large, often overhead and extends across entire communities, these systems pose a significant interference potential to over-the-air radio services, including Amateur Radio. -
ARRL On-Line Auction Begins Preview Week
Posted: October 16th, 2008, 1:43pm EDT
The Third Annual ARRL On-Line Auction begins its preview week on Thursday, October 16. With more than 160 items up for bid -- with more being added every day -- this event promises to have something for just about everyone. The auction, which kicks off Thursday, October 23, runs until October 31 on the ARRL Web site. This year's auction will again include many transceivers and other items, including items that have appeared in the QST Product Review column, and have thus been thoroughly tested by the ARRL Lab. According to ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, "Last year's online auction -- our second -- proved to be a successful and enjoyable event for both hams and ARRL staff members alike. When the bidding ended, we realized that we had sold 162 items and sold just over $50,000 worth of merchandise." Proceeds from the auction benefit ARRL education programs including activities to license new hams, strengthen Amateur Radio's emergency service training, offer continuing technical and operating education, as well as create instructional materials. -
Caribbean Hams Get Ready for Hurricane Omar
Posted: October 15th, 2008, 3:55pm EDT
As Hurricane Omar, currently a Category 1 storm, makes it way through the Caribbean, hams in the area are ready. According to ARRL US Virgin Islands Section Manager John Ellis, NP2B, tropical storm force winds are impacting the island of St Croix. In a coordination call with ARRL HQ, he told ARRL Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager Dennis Dura, K2DCD, that he had secured his home and all his towers and antennas, except for one outdoor dipole used for the Hurricane Watch Net and other HF frequencies, which may be the only means of communications for the area. -
ARRL General License Course on CD-ROM Now Available
Posted: October 15th, 2008, 1:56pm EDT
Now there is even more help for upgrading to a General class Amateur Radio license--with the new ARRL General Class License Course. The course includes the popular ARRL General Class License Manual with an all new instructional CD-ROM. This package has everything you need to upgrade. -
ARRL Continuing Education Online Course Registration
Posted: October 15th, 2008, 11:21am EDT
Registration remains open through Sunday, November 9, 2008, for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, November 21, 2008: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 2 (EC-002); 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. -
Fourteen New Section Managers Visit ARRL HQ
Posted: October 15th, 2008, 8:37am EDT
The 16th annual New Section Manager Workshop October 10-12 afforded 14 new Section Managers a chance not only to visit ARRL Headquarters and gain some perspective on their new leadership positions. During the weekend gathering, participants not only got to meet many HQ staffers but learned some of the ins and outs of how to become effective section leaders and administrators. -
Spectrum Defense: "More Work to Do"
Posted: October 11th, 2008, 9:00am EDT
Defending and enhancing access to the Amateur Radio spectrum is the primary mission of the ARRL. According to ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, the League has not only protected the bands, but has also added several new ones, despite exponential growth in the variety and number of radio frequency devices in the hands of consumers and businesses. "Even our most disappointing defeat -- the loss of the bottom 40 percent of the 220 MHz band some two decades ago -- gave us upgraded status, from shared to exclusive, in the remaining 60 percent of the band," he said. -
ARRL Audio News: Oct 10, 2008; Vol 27 Number 40
Posted: October 10th, 2008, 1:28pm EDT
ARRL Audio News--OPEN--In this edition . . .; ARRL Auction: Getting Down to the Wire; Spectrum Defense: More Work to Do; ARRL Audio News ID--Satellite Update--BREAK; Look for the November Issue of QST in Your Mailbox; Pennsylvania Becomes 27th State with PRB-1 Law on Books; American Hams to Lead 2009 DXpedition to Desecheo Island; ARRL Audio News--News Briefs--CLOSE -
The K7RA Solar Update
Posted: October 10th, 2008, 9:12am EDT
A familiar sight appeared this week, as a sunspot emerged for one day, then was gone. Based on its magnetic polarity and high position in our Sun's southern hemisphere, sunspot 1003 was a new Solar Cycle 24 sunspot; like all the other recent sunspots, it was short lived. -
Surfin': More Going ATV Digitally
Posted: October 10th, 2008, 8:00am EDT
This week's Surfin' again considers Web sites related to Amateur Television (ATV) going digital. -
Pennsylvania Becomes 27th State with PRB-1 Law on Books
Posted: October 9th, 2008, 12:39pm EDT
On Wednesday, October 8, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell (D) signed into law a bill that guarantees radio amateurs the right to erect antenna support structures up to 65 feet without the need for a Special Use Permit. The bill passed in the House with a vote of 196-1; it passed in the Senate with a vote of 49-1. The new law is scheduled to go into effect December 8, 60 days after signing. -
Garriott Gears for Space Journey
Posted: October 9th, 2008, 12:38pm EDT
On Sunday, October 12, Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, is scheduled to begin his journey to the International Space Station (ISS) as he blasts off into space via a Russian Soyuz, docking with the ISS two days later; he is due to return to Earth on Thursday, October 23. Richard, the sixth private citizen to be accepted by the Russian Federal Space Agency (RKA) for a short-term mission on the ISS, is the son of Owen Garriott, W5LFL. In 1983, Owen was the first ham to make QSOs from space. Richard said he plans to build on his father's legacy by also making QSOs from the ISS: He plans to perform several school contacts and downlink SSTV images during his flight, as well as contact the general ham community in his free time and perform random scout contacts during Jamboree on the Air (JOTA). -
Singapore to Make Temporary Licenses Available for Visiting Hams
Posted: October 9th, 2008, 10:30am EDT
On Thursday, October 9, the Singapore Amateur Radio Transmitting Society (SARTS) -- that country's IARU Member-Society -- announced that the Infocommunications Development Authority (IDA ) would begin issuing temporary Amateur Radio licenses for visiting hams; the IDA is the agency responsible for Amateur Radio licenses in Singapore. According to SARTS Vice President Peter Cook, 9V1PC, visiting hams should apply three weeks before arriving in Singapore. The license, typically valid for a three month period at a cost of 50 Singapore dollars (or $25 for VHF/UHF-only operation), would use the call sign 9V1/home call (for example, 9V1/K1SFA). "The Singapore administration's accommodation of visiting radio amateurs will be greatly appreciated by many who visit and pass through this busy city-state," said IARU Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ. "Congratulations to the Singapore Amateur Radio Transmitting Society for achieving this long-sought objective." Check the IDA Web site for the application process and necessary forms. -
ARRL Auction: Getting Down to the Wire
Posted: October 9th, 2008, 8:45am EDT
Excitement continues to build as the ARRL gets ready to preview items for the Third Annual On-Line Auction on Thursday, October 16. With almost 140 items up for bid -- with more being added every day -- this event promises to have something for just about everyone. The auction kicks off October 23 and runs until October 31 on the ARRL Web site. -
American Hams to Lead 2009 DXpedition to Desecheo Island
Posted: October 8th, 2008, 12:18pm EDT
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has selected a group of hams led by veteran DXpeditioners Bob Allphin, K4UEE, and Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, to lead a DXpedition to Desecheo Island, KP5 (IOTA NA-095), in early 2009. Desecheo currently sits at number 7 on DX Magazine's Most Wanted list. -
Book on Amateur Radio's "Golden Age" Now Available from ARRL
Posted: October 6th, 2008, 1:44pm EDT
Many consider 1930 to 1980 as the "golden age" of American radio technology. A time of extraordinary innovation driven by pioneering engineers and entrepreneurs, this 50 year span saw the introduction of rigs that would become famous throughout the world. The newest addition to the ARRL Library, 50 Years of Amateur Radio Innovation -- Transmitters, Receivers and Transceivers: 1930-1980, highlights theses treasured favorites in a way that has never been seen before. -
ARRL Audio News: Oct 3, 2008; Vol 27 Number 39
Posted: October 3rd, 2008, 2:50pm EDT
ARRL Audio News--OPEN--In this edition . . .; Canadian and American Hams Provide "Textbook Example" of Amateur Radio's EmComm Role; Radio Amateurs Assist with Hurricane Kyle Operations; ARRL Audio News ID--Public Relations Update--BREAK; Another World Championship Medal for ARDF Team USA; 27th Annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference Wraps Up; 2009 ARRL Handbook (Eighty-Sixth Edition) Now Available; ARRL Audio News--News Briefs--CLOSE -
The K7RA Solar Update
Posted: October 3rd, 2008, 11:25am EDT
The sunspot appearance reported last week seems to follow the pattern emerging for most of 2008. A spot will appear for one or two days and then suddenly it is gone. Last week's report mentioned the solar wind being at an all time low. This week, NASA announced that so far, 2008 is the "blankest year of the space age," with more than 200 spotless days. The minimum following Solar Cycle 18 in 1954 had 241 days without sunspots, and it preceded the solar max in 1959 for Solar Cycle 19 that had the highest sunspot numbers on record. -
Surfin': Going ATV Digitally
Posted: October 3rd, 2008, 8:00am EDT
This week's Surfin' considers Web sites where Amateur Television (ATV) is going digital. -
ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference: "Pretty Interesting!"
Posted: October 2nd, 2008, 1:47pm EDT
Almost 150 aficionados of digital communications came to Chicago for the 27th annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC) the weekend of September 26-28. This conference is an international forum for radio amateurs to meet, publish their work and present new ideas and techniques. Presenters and attendees had the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn about recent hardware and software advances, theories, experimental results, and practical applications. Not only was the conference technically stimulating, it was a weekend of fun for all who have more than a casual interest in any aspect of amateur digital electronics and communications; introductory sessions were scheduled throughout the conference to introduce new technical topics for both beginners and experts. -
The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications -- 2009 (Eighty-Sixth Edition) Now Available
Posted: October 2nd, 2008, 1:33pm EDT
The 2009 ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications uniquely serves both amateur experimenters and industry practitioners, emphasizing connections between basic theory and application. The ARRL Handbook is simply the standard in applied electronics and communications. This 86th edition is both a useful introduction to radio communication and features the most current material on electronics and Amateur Radio. -
West Gulf Vice Director Appointed to Texas State Agency
Posted: October 2nd, 2008, 9:59am EDT
Texas Governor Rick Perry has appointed ARRL West Gulf Vice Director Dr David Woolweaver, K5RAV, of Harlingen, to the Council of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) formally known as the Texas Department of Health. The nine member council makes recommendations regarding management, operation, policies and rules for public health, mental health and substance abuse. DSHS has workforce of 12,000 and has an annual budget of $2.7 billion. -
Amateur Radio Quiz: Historically Speaking
Posted: October 2nd, 2008, 8:25am EDT
The ARRL is one of the world's oldest radio organizations with a storied history that continues into the 21st century. This month's quiz takes a look into past and presents people and events in the League's history -- some major and some minor. Do you know how your historical know-how stacks up? -
Jim Weit, KI8BV, Wins September QST Cover Plaque Award
Posted: October 1st, 2008, 1:32pm EDT
The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for September is Jim Weit, KI8BV, for his article "An All Band HF Dipole Antenna." Congratulations, Jim! 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 October issue by Friday, October 31. -
ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up To Lately?
Posted: October 1st, 2008, 9:38am 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 September. -
ARRL Continuing Education Online Course Registration
Posted: October 1st, 2008, 8:59am EDT
Registration remains open through Sunday, October 26, 2008, for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, November 7, 2008: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 1 (EC-001), Radio Frequency Interference (EC-006), Antenna Design and Construction (EC-009), Technician License Course (EC-010); 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. -
It Seems to Us: Pooling Our Resources
Posted: October 1st, 2008, 12:00am EDT
Radio amateurs have a long tradition of working together to achieve goals they could not reach alone. It stands to reason that collaboration should come naturally to us -- after all, a radio operator with no one else to talk to will be mighty lonely!