The ARRL Letter
February 25, 2021

* ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, to Keynote QSO Today Virtual Ham
Expo
* ARES and Red Cross Cooperate to Assist Storm-Affected Residents in
Texas
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* "Whirlwind Boom" Emergency Communications Exercise Set
* Amateur Radio Helping to Fill Earthquake Report "Donut Holes"
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Announcements: February 25
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Hams Participate in Winter Yellowstone VHF Radio Rally
* ARRL Interview Explains Background of Ham Radio in Space Film Short
* In Brief...
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, to Keynote QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, will keynote the QSO Today Virtual Ham
Expo March 13 - 14 weekend. Minster's talk -- part of an 80+ speaker
lineup -- will begin at 2000 UTC (3 PM EST) on March 13. His appearance
will highlight ARRL's featured role at the expo, which will also
include "Ask The ARRL Lab." ARRL is a QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo
Partner.

Minster, who assumed the ARRL Headquarters leadership position last
September, has launched major projects and assembled teams to foster
innovation and individual skill development in radio technology and
communications. In his keynote, Minster will share his enthusiasm for
advancing amateur radio and highlight current ARRL initiatives to
engage and inspire the current generation of hams. His presentation
topics will include:
* ARRL's digital transformation, which promises to bring new value to
ARRL members. An all-in digital approach will improve the way
members access and engage with content, programs, and systems.
* The ARRL Learning Center, a hub for members to discover the many
facets of amateur radio and develop practical knowledge and skills.
* Increasing video content, opening opportunities for amateur radio
content creators and member-volunteers to learn, stay informed, and
keep connected.
* Improving training and tools to engage radio clubs, emergency
communication volunteers, and students.

The ARRL expo booth will feature "Ask The ARRL Lab," where Lab staffers
will answer questions live. Attendees can come into the booth lounge
and ask the Lab's technical wizards for tips about projects or
[IMG]suggestions to address various station installations and problems.
Attendees can also learn about Product Review equipment testing, see a
presentation on how the Lab can help hams with RFI problems, and tour
W1AW virtually.

QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Chairman Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, also announced
four live group kit-building workshops. Workshop instructors will guide
participants through building a variety of kits, which will be
available for purchase and delivered prior to the expo so attendees can
build them at home. Early-bird discount tickets and links to purchase
kits can be found at the QSO Today Expo website. Read an expanded
version.
ARES and Red Cross Cooperate to Assist Storm-Affected Residents in
Texas

ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES^(R)) and American Red Cross
volunteers joined forces in Texas under the ARRL/Red Cross memorandum
of understanding in responding to the situation resulting from
unseasonably frigid weather. Kevin McCoy, KF5FUZ, said the Red Cross
formally requested an ARES activation in Texas to address the effects
of the natural disaster, which included a lack of drinking water, power
outages, fuel shortages, and frozen plumbing. Red Cross in Central
Texas supported more than 60 warming shelters at the request of
governmental agencies.

"We made a special effort to use Winlink email over radio to get
reports of infrastructure problems and unmet needs [and to] communicate
information about warming centers," McCoy said, adding that Winlink
operators provided the most valuable contribution in the disaster
response. Several teams deployed to support emergency operations
centers (EOCs) in Bexar, Brazos, Kerr, Travis, and Williamson counties,
he added.

"Our effort in the start of the activity was to focus on folks with
medical needs who required power, and to get those folks to safety,"
McCoy said. "Reports from operators were passed to Disaster Program

Power outages have dropped
considerably since the publication
of this February18 status map, and
damage assessment is under way.

Managers and Disaster Action Teams and to Red Cross Disaster Mental
Health personnel for evaluation. Government partners and citizens
provided transportation and Red Cross provided hotel rooms in areas
with reliable power to keep these citizens safe while following
COVID-19 protocols."

On February 20, the Red Cross made a formal stand-down request to Texas
ARES sections from the Central and South Texas Red Cross Region.
"Transportation, communication, and internet had restored sufficiently
to allow for that change of status," McCoy said. "We did let all
Winlink operators know that we would still monitor the tactical
addresses until the disaster recovery was over."

Key issues remaining include the prolonged power outage and the
freezing weather that left Texas with damaged water infrastructure.
"Things are improving rapidly," McCoy said on February 22. Read an
expanded version.

ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 14) takes a
deeper dive into the subject of HF antenna tuners, including some
shopping tips.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 28) features a discussion
on grabbing NOAA weather satellite images at 137 MHz and a chat with
Nigel Vander Houwen, K7NVH, about how he has combined rockets and
high-altitude ballooning with amateur radio.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

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"Whirlwind Boom" Emergency Communications Exercise Set

The amateur radio communications team of Florida Baptist Disaster
Relief has created a multi-site radio communications exercise dubbed
"Whirlwind Boom," designed to bring together volunteers and local
agencies across northern Florida and throughout the southeastern US.
The 2-hour drill is set for Friday, March 19. Invitations have gone out
to Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES^(R)) groups, county-level
emergency managers, state communications experts, and federal SHARES HF
Radio Program volunteers, and volunteers taking part in the 2021
Florida Baptist Disaster Relief on-site training the following day.

The exercise scenario involves a swarm of tornadoes coupled with the
terrorist bombing of the telephone system, and large numbers of
displaced residents seeking shelter. Only radio remains. During the
exercise, volunteers will practice transmitting formal reports about
the utility, water, and safety situations in their counties (Incident
Action Plan). Many participants will communicate using portable radio
gear powered by battery or generator. Simulated outbound survivor
messages to friends and family will also be sent. Participating groups
will receive secret messages advising them of unexpected handicaps that
mimic what might happen during an actual disaster -- complicating their
tasks.

These exercises are structured in accordance with Department of
Homeland Security training guidelines. For more information, contact
Gordon Gibby, KX4Z. Read an expanded version.

Amateur Radio Helping to Fill Earthquake Report "Donut Holes"

An article describing how radio amateurs can help fill the information
"donut hole" by providing post-earthquake "Did You Feel It" (DYFI)
reports via Winlink HF radio email appeared on February 22 in the
American Geophysical Union (AGU) magazine Eos. As the article points
out, "Ham radio networks gear up to provide real-time, on-the-ground
information about earthquake shaking and damage when other
communication pathways are knocked out of commission." Authors of the
article were David J. Wald of the US Geological Survey (USGS), Vincent
Quitoriano, and Oliver Dully, K6OLI.

As the article explains, DYFI uses a questionnaire to gather
individuals' experiences and observations, and USGS uses the
information to evaluate the shaking intensity at that person's
location. DYFI has been in operation since 1999 in the US and 15 years
around the world, during which the USGS has gathered more than 5
million individual DYFI intensity reports.

The article notes that a potential problem is that "public access to it
may be compromised as a result of strong earthquake shaking," with
affected individuals experiencing power and communication outages or
may be distracted by more immediate priorities.

"USGS and other global seismic network operators have witnessed felt
report 'donut holes' in areas of strong shaking due to loss of internet
communication," the article said, "most recently during the
magnitude-5.7 earthquake that hit near Salt Lake City in March 2020."
The article suggested that "alternative pathways" of communication are
needed to "gather important ground-truth shaking data with minimal
delay." And this is where amateur radio groups come into play.

"We now expect to sample the donut hole with the help of amateur radio
groups worldwide," the article's authors said. "These groups can
mobilize a significant number of licensed radio operators after a
strong earthquake, especially near large population centers, ensuring a
baseline level of macroseismic intensity reporting even in heavily
affected areas."

As the article explains, USGS has partnered with Winlink, a radio email
platform with more than 28,000 users worldwide, and with ARRL Amateur
Radio Emergency Service (ARES^(R)) members. Winlink adapted the USGS
DYFI questionnaire to its platform, and this version is now available
to all radio amateurs, the article said. Read an expanded version.

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ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

Talking to Astronauts: An Elementary School's Exciting ARISS Experience
-- Diane Warner, KE8HLD

This is a story about Tallmadge Elementary School's participation in a
once-in-a-lifetime Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS) school contact. The excitement of the entire experience was
shared not just by the students, but included faculty, parents, the
community, and local amateur radio operators. You will also learn how
to begin the process of submitting your own ARISS contact proposal.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 @ 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

Technicians: Life Beyond Repeaters -- Anthony Luscre, K8ZT

This presentation takes a new look at the possibilities available to
Technician-class operators beyond repeaters. Explore Tech HF and
6-meter privileges for SSB, CW, and digital modes such as FT8, RTTY,
and PSK31 to expand your operating modes and your station's outreach.
Explore other VHF/UHF uses, including SSB, satellites, FM simplex,
digital modes, contesting, and more.

Tuesday, March 9, 2021 @ 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

The Art and Science of Operating Ultra-Portable -- Mike Molina, KN6EZE

Whether for SOTA, POTA, backcountry survival, or just spending time in
nature, learning how to operate ultra-portable is a fun and rewarding
experience. In this presentation, Mike, KN6EZE, will cover the basics
of ultra-portable operating for both the new and experienced ham radio
operator.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 @ 8 PM EDT (0000 UTC on Friday, April 7)

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.

Announcements: February 25
* The W4DXCC DX and Contest Convention is on for September 24 - 25 in
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
* Jerry Burke, the primary author of the antenna-modeling software
NEC, died on February 14. He had been suffering from cancer. NEC
(numerical electromagnetics code) evolved out of a program called
BRACT, which Burke and others developed in 1967. The most common
public version is NEC-2. -- Thanks to Jim Breakall, WA3FET
* The Board of Directors of The Yasme Foundation has announced grants
of $5,000 each to the ARRL Foundation and Foundation for Amateur
Radio (FAR) 2021 scholarship programs.
* Registration for official stations is open for the 2021
International Marconi Day (IMD), April 24 - 26, sponsored by the
Cornish Radio Amateur Club. The annual event commemorates the
birthday of wireless pioneer Guglielmo Marconi in 1874.
* 2Tone, the popular RTTY software by David Wicks, G3YYD, has been
updated and is available on the RTTY Contesting website.
* The 2021 Southeastern VHF Society Conference scheduled to be held
in April has been canceled due to the pandemic. The Southeastern
VHF Society Board of Directors will consider alternative solutions
for future conferences. SVHFS has published the 2020 Southeastern
VHF Society Technical Journal containing all the papers that had
been scheduled for presentation.

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Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news. Share
any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.
* Over Neighbors' Objections, Shelburne Operator Gets the Green Light
for Ham Radio Towers -- Burlington Free Press (Vermont), February
19, 2021
* Amateur Radio Users Want to Be of Service When Modern Technology
Fails -- Nashville Scene (Tennessee), February 18, 2021
* FEMA on Twitter: A big #worldradioday shout out to Ham radio
operators! -- Twitter, February 13, 2021
* World Radio Day: How Heroic Ham Operators Use Radio Waves to Carry
Out Post-Disaster Rescue Ops -- The Weather Channel, February 12,
2021


Hams Participate in Winter Yellowstone VHF Radio Rally

Wyoming and southern Montana hams belonging to the North Yellowstone
Amateur Radio Club and Park County (Montana) Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES^(R)) took to the wilderness in late January during heavy
snow to take part in an emergency preparedness exercise. The groups
have about 15 members in all; many more bison and elk roam the roads
than do hams.

The critical winter duty for North Yellowstone radio amateurs is

Electric Peak in Yellowstone.

deployment to remote locations of winter emergencies. To train for
these responses, the members devised the VHF Radio Relay, a radio
scavenger hunt designed to get members out to remote road locations
where winter emergencies may require radio communications support. The
group uses the Eagle's Nest repeater located at 8,000 feet on Electric
Peak southwest of Gardiner, Montana -- the north entrance to
Yellowstone National Park. The repeater covers the northern one-third
of the vast park and southern half of Park County, Montana.

Participants received two pages of instructions. The first contained
directions for completing their call-out assignment and listed 15
locations that required hams to deploy to the far reaches of the radio
coverage area. The second page consisted of a map. Only three roads are
in the area, and conditions on one dirt road are typically difficult.
Each route had five locations along the way to the terminal checkpoint.
The 15 widely spaced locations guaranteed that no operator could visit
all of them. Locations were chosen such that hams needed to plan their
route strategy -- ideally before leaving the starting point, where
odometer readings were recorded.

Bison on northern Yellowstone roads.
[Reve Susan Carberry, KX4LZ, photo]

Each location was assigned a tactical call sign, and communicators had
to use GPS to verify that they were in their precise positions. At all
locations, hams radioed net control to have their location verified
before moving to the next location.

At the last check-in point, participating hams had to call in and were
given instructions on how to find a code word hidden in an interpretive
sign to verify their location -- for example, the seventh word in the
third paragraph -- and relay it to net control. Each participant had a
different code word.

Directions included a safety warning about bison and elk on the road,
and bad driving conditions due to snow. All departed at 9 AM and were
to be back at the starting point at 11:30 AM. A prize was awarded to
the ham who visited the most locations with the lowest mileage. First
place went to Doug MacCartney, K7GRZ, and second place to Reve
Carberry, KX4LZ. Jim Halfpenny, K9YNP, served as net control. -- Thanks
to Park County Emergency Coordinator and ARRL PIO Jim Halfpenny, K9YNP
ARRL Interview Explains Background of Ham Radio in Space Film Short

Josh Tanner, the Australian filmmaker who produced the thriller
Decommissioned by Perception Pictures, has explained how he came up
with the idea to develop the movie short. In the approximately 6-minute
film, SuitSat returns in the future to haunt International Space
Station commander "Diaz," played by Joey Vieira, who spots SuitSat, the
surplus Russian Orlan spacesuit that Amateur Radio on the International
Space Station (ARISS) turned into an amateur radio satellite several
years ago .

An exclusive ARRL video interview premiering on Saturday, February 27,
brings together Tanner, who directed the sci-fi horror film about an
eerie ham-radio-in-space reencounter, and ARISS-International Chair
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO. In the interview, conducted by ARRL volunteer Josh
Nass, KI6NAZ, of the popular YouTube channel Ham Radio Crash Course,
Tanner described the uniquely creative and technical aspects of the
filmmaking involved in Decommissioned and its connection with the
real-life SuitSat-1.

"My wife, Jade, who is also a co-writer of this short film, and I are
both really obsessed with space, and we discovered SuitSat on
Wikipedia," Tanner said in the interview. "It was an initial sort of
two-pronged reaction. One, this is genius. It's amazing that they did
this; I'd never heard this before. And the second one was, this is
kinda creepy...that they had what looks like a stranded, dead astronaut
floating around the Earth...and there were voices of children being
transmitted from it."

SuitSat-1 transmitted a voice message, "This is SuitSat-1 RS0RS!", in
several languages, plus telemetry and a slow-scan TV image on an
8-minute cycle as it orbited Earth.

Tanner said a lot of the films he produces involve "pieces of history
that are rather quite odd or interesting that maybe a lot of people
don't know about."

Bauer described the background of the 2006 SuitSat project, which
involved ARISS's relationship with Sergey Samburov, RV3DR. Samburov was
"the initial brainchild" behind the SuitSat-1 concept, and ARISS ran
with it, Bauer recounted.

"We had 3 weeks to pull it all together and get it ready for launch,"
Bauer said, and that included getting safety approvals. SuitSat-1
operated for about 2 weeks, and a contest of sorts evolved to guess
when it would burn up in the atmosphere, which wasn't until about 6
months later. A SuitSat-2 was launched from the ISS several years
later.

Tanner said the Decommissioned script was written about 3 years ago,
but creating the realistic atmosphere and sets involved a number of
complexities, which was "very expensive," he revealed. A big push
toward using video game engine technology in feature-film development
made it possible. Decommissioned was produced using a game engine
called Unreal Engine, which was also used to produce the TV show The
Mandalorian.

[IMG]Grab your popcorn and avoid a spoiler. ARRL recommends viewing the
short film before watching the 45-minute interview. The interview
premieres on ARRL's YouTube channel, Saturday, February 27, at 1600
UTC.

ARRL reminds interested schools and educational organizations in the US
that the latest window to submit proposals to host scheduled ham radio
contacts with an ISS crew member opened on February 15. Contacts would
be scheduled January 1 - June 30, 2022. Proposals are due to ARISS by
0759 UTC on April 1.

In the US, ARRL is a partner in the ARISS program, along with AMSAT,
NASA, and the ISS National Lab, which has kept amateur radio on the air
from the International Space Station for 20 years.
In Brief...

Plans remain up in the air for the Youth on the Air (YOTA) in the
Americas summer camp. The camp, tentatively set for July 11 - 16, would
take place in West Chester, Ohio. "We know that changes in the COVID-19
pandemic status between now and July will have an impact on our
decision to host the camp," 2021 YOTA Americas Camp Director Neil Rapp,
WB9VPG, said. "At this time, we are still hopeful that hosting the camp
safely July 11 - 16, 2021 will be possible. Should we not be able to
host the camp, we will let everyone know with as much notice as
possible and postpone it to 2022. Our plan is to make the final
decision in the month of April." Registration will continue until
February 28 for campers accepted to the camp for the 2020 session to
attend in 2021. At that point, Rapp said, he will evaluate how many
positions remain for additional campers from across the Americas in
order to fill out the roster of 30 campers and take applications in
March for the remaining slots.

Former ARRL Teachers Institute instructor Miguel Enriquez, KD7RPP, of
Tucson, Arizona, died on February 7 as a result of COVID-19. His death
came just 3 weeks after that of his wife, Wendy, also a COVID-19
victim. Miguel was 72 years old. His wife was 68. Between 2001 and
2008, Miguel Enriquez taught sessions of the introductory TI-1 course
in Arizona. A February 14 Arizona Daily Star feature, "How Tucson
Schools are Helping Kids, Staff Cope with COVID-19 Deaths," includes a
photo of Miguel Enriquez when he was conducting an amateur radio
demonstration in 2006 at Pueblo High School, where he taught
mathematics. "He is a fitting example of our teachers who have braved
the pandemic to continue to teach our youth," said Frank Karnauskas,
N1UW, AMSAT Vice President-Development.

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The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspots have returned, and solar
activity increased on every day over this reporting week.

The average daily sunspot number shot up from zero to 19.6, while the
average daily solar flux rose from 72 to 75.7. Geomagnetic activity was
also higher, with average daily planetary A index increasing from 7.7
to 16, and average daily mid-latitude A index rose from 5.6 to 12.4.

Predicted solar flux for the next 30 days is 82 on February 25 - 28; 78
on March 1; 74 on March 2 - 4; 73 on March 5 - 6; 74, 70, 74, and 76 on
March 7 - 10; 72, 71, 72, and 70 on March 11 - 14; 71, 72, 71, 73, 76,
and 75 on March 15 - 20; 72 on March 21 - 22; 76 on March 23 - 24, and
74 and 73 on March 25 - 26.

Predicted planetary A index is 12 on February 25; 5 on February 26 -
March 1; 15 and 12 on March 2 - 3; 5 on March 4 - 5; 15 on March 6; 5
on March 7 - 11; 15, 10, and 5 on March 12 - 14; 15, 5, 8, and 18 on
March 15 - 18; 20 on March 19 - 20; 10 and 8 on March 21 - 22, and 5 on
March 23 - 26. Geomagnetic activity is expected to increase by March
28.

Sunspot numbers for February 18 through 24 were 12, 12, 12, 11, 26, 31,
and 33, with a mean of 19.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 71.1, 72.9,
76.4, 75.3, 75.9, 78.1, and 80.5, with a mean of 75.7. Estimated
planetary A indices were 5, 17, 20, 20, 17, 12, and 21, with a mean of
16. Middle latitude A index was 2, 13, 15, 18, 13, 10, and 16, with a
mean of 12.4.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

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Just Ahead in Radiosport
* February 26 - 28 -- CQ 160-Meter Contest, SSB
* February 27 - 28 -- REF Contest, SSB
* February 27 - 28 -- FTn DX Contest
* February 27 - 28 -- UBA DX Contest, CW
* February 27 - 28 -- South Carolina QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
* February 27 - 28 -- North American QSO Party, RTTY
* February 27 - 28 -- NA Collegiate Championship, RTTY
* February 28 - March 3 -- Classic Exchange, CW
* February 28 -- High Speed Club CW Contest
* February 28 - March 1 -- North Carolina QSO Party (CW, phone,
digital)
* March 1 -- K1USN Slow Speed Test (CW, 20 WPM max)
* March 1 -- OK1WC Memorial (MWC) (CW)
* March 1 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (Digital)
* March 2 -- Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest
* March 2 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
* March 2 -- RTTYOPS Weeksprint
* March 2 -- AGCW YL-CW Party
* March 3 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test (1300 - 1400 and 1900 - 2000 UTC)
* March 3 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
* March 3 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (Phone)
* March 4 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* March 4 -- NRAU 10-Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* March 4 -- SKCC Sprint Europe (CW)
* March 6 - 7 -- ARRL International DX Contest, SSB

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Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* March 13 - 14 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

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--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS@bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
March 4, 2021

* Approaches to Tackle Noise Problems Vary, Remedies Elusive
* ARISS, NASA, and ESA Continue to Probe Amateur Radio Problems on
ISS
* Quantum Receiver Can Detect Huge Swath of the RF Spectrum
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* Moldova Peace Corps ARISS Contact is Successful
* North Carolina Radio Amateurs apt Tailgating Hamfest to the
COVID-19 Pandemic
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Army MARS Volunteers Recognized with Gold-Level President's
Volunteer Service Award
* Announcements
* AMSAT-DL Operators Track Mars Probes
* January 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report
* Video Documents Removal, Preservation of 250 kW Voice of America
Transmitter
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
Approaches to Tackle Noise Problems Vary, Remedies Elusive

RF noise is a frequent discussion topic among radio amateurs. A
proliferation of electronics has cluttered and complicated the noise
environment; it's not just power lines anymore. Unless isolated from
civilization, most hams experience RF interference (RFI) and spectrum
scopes on modern transceivers can make it much more apparent. Various
approaches to address the apparently worsening noise floor have been
taken around the world, some addressing lax regulation.

"We all want to enhance our ability to copy the weak ones by increasing
our signal-to-noise ratio," Alan Higbie, K0AV, said in his March/April
NCJ article, "Tracking RFI with an SDR One Source at a Time." He
suggests practical methods for individual radio amateurs to improve
their own noise environment. "We can do that by reducing the noise on
each band that we operate. Lowering the noise floor increases the
relative strength of weak signals. Those who live in typical
residential environments find that locating and eliminating RFI sources
is a never-ending process. It is much like weeding a garden."

The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) warns against complacency.
"Radio amateurs cannot sit back, because even if the desired noise
limits are agreed, there are many rogue manufacturers

Small household "wall warts" are
typically noisy switching power
supplies.

and dealers who will happily sell noise-generating devices, leaving out
filter circuits to cut costs," IARU said. The IARU has urged
member-societies to get involved.

The FCC Technological visory Council (TAC) -- a Commission advisory
group -- initiated an inquiry in 2016 looking into changes and trends
to the radio spectrum noise floor to determine whether noise is
increasing and, if so, by how much. The TAC had encouraged the FCC to
undertake a comprehensive noise study in 1998, and cautioned the FCC
against implementing new spectrum management techniques or initiatives
without first concluding one. In 2017, the FCC Office of Engineering
and Technology (OET) invited comments on a series of (TAC)
spectrum-management questions. ARRL, in its comments, took the
opportunity to strongly urge the FCC to reinstate the 2016 TAC noise
floor study, which, ARRL asserted, was terminated before it even got
started. ARRL urged the FCC to "depart from the traditional regulatory
model" that placed limits only on transmitters and called for "a
'holistic' approach to transmitter and receiver performance."

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* ARRL offers a wide range of information on RFI on its website.
* Paul Giancolo, W1VLF, will offer "Finding and Fixing RFI" as part
of the ARRL Learning Network webinar series, on Tuesday, April 20,
at 1700 UTC.
* ARRL Northwestern Division Director Mike Ritz, W7VO, will offer "HF
Noise Mitigation" as part of the ARRL Learning Network webinar
series, on Thursday, April 22, at 1930 UTC.

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Greg Lapin, N9GL, represents ARRL on the TAC and chairs the ARRL RF
Safety Committee. "Perhaps the best result that we obtained was an
indication that illegal devices, mainly LED lights, were in
circulation, and the Enforcement Bureau agreed to look into it," he
told ARRL. "We never heard what they found out, but recently, I was
buying some LED bulbs over the internet from a site in Texas, and they
were selling non-FCC approved lights -- and didn't seem to care." Lapin
said his complaint went nowhere, and the TAC's focus has been nudged in
the direction of addressing 5G issues.

The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) has been working on developing
a noise-measurement system that approximates methods used by the
International Telecommunications Union Radiocommunication Sector
(ITU-R). DARC reported that 35 of these electrical noise area
monitoring systems (ENAMS) have been delivered, and it's seeking
another 20 locations as part of the effort to monitor noise
interference on the HF bands. DARC said the ENAMS can help to make
scientifically reliable statements about interference levels.

IARU sees wireless power transmission (WPT) as an impending major noise
threat, especially from WPT electric vehicle (WPT-EV) charging systems.
"For the amateur service, given the planned density of WPT-EV systems,
it is calculated that there will be a widespread and serious impact in
the vicinity of WPT systems" from spurious emissions, said a 2019 EE
Publishers article, written by "Amateur radio societies concerned about
the HF noise floor." The article also said, "To ensure a low
probability of harmful interference to radiocommunication services,
further study is required." Read an expanded version.
ARISS, NASA, and ESA Continue to Probe Amateur Radio Problems on ISS

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International
Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, reports that the ARISS team worked closely
with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) this week to identify
what may have caused what ARISS is calling a "radio anomaly" on January
27. The net result has been an inability to use the NA1SS ham station
gear in the ISS Columbus module. For the time being, ARISS school and
group contacts with crew members have been conducted using the ham
station in the ISS Service Module. The radio issues came in the wake of
a January 27 spacewalk, during which astronauts installed new cabling
to support the commissioning of the Bartolomeo attached-payload
capability mounted on the Columbus module. The job involved re-routing
the antenna cabling to the ARISS radio system onboard Columbus.

Bauer said NASA, ESA, and ARISS would conduct a set of APRS (automatic
packet radio system) tests to determine the operational status of the
ARISS radio in Columbus through employment of three different cabling
configurations. The tests would use the station's APRS capability on
145.825 MHz, with the crew periodically shutting down the radio and
swapping cables. The tests were expected to wrap up by March 3. No
results had been reported by March 4.

"We cannot guarantee that these troubleshooting tests will resolve the
radio issue," Bauer said.

Bauer said that if the tests are unsuccessful, "a contingency task" has
been green-lighted for a March 5 spacewalk (EVA). "This EVA task would
return the ARISS cabling to the original configuration prior to the
January 27 EVA," he explained, noting that a contingency task will only
be performed if time allows.

"If you definitely hear the packet system working or are able to
connect through it, let us know the date, time, and grid square of the
occurrence," he added.
Quantum Receiver Can Detect Huge Swath of the RF Spectrum

US Army researchers have built a so-called "quantum sensor," which can
analyze the full RF spectrum and real-world signals, a report on
Physics.org says. The quantum sensor -- technically a Rydberg sensor --
can sample the RF spectrum from 0 to 20 GHz and is able to detect AM
and FM radio signals, as well as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other RF
communication protocols. The peer-reviewed Physical

A Rydberg receiver and spectrum
analyzer detects a wide range of
real-world radio frequency signals
above a microwave circuit including
AM radio, FM radio, Wi-Fi, and
Bluetooth. [US Army, illustration]

Review Applied published the researchers' findings, "Waveguide-coupled
Rydberg spectrum analyzer from 0 to 20 Gigaherz," coauthored by Army
researchers Drs. David Meyer, Paul Kunz, and Kevin Cox.

"The Rydberg sensor uses laser beams to create highly excited Rydberg
atoms directly above a microwave circuit, to boost and hone in on the
portion of the spectrum being measured," the article explains. "The
Rydberg atoms are sensitive to the circuit's voltage, enabling the
device to be used as a sensitive probe for the wide range of signals in
the RF spectrum."

Cox, a researcher at the US Army Combat Capabilities Development
Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory, called the development "a
really important step toward proving that quantum sensors can provide a
new and dominant set of capabilities for our soldiers, who are
operating in an increasingly complex electromagnetic battlespace."

Cox said earlier demonstrations of Rydberg atomic sensors were only
able to sense small and specific regions of the RF spectrum, but "our
sensor now operates continuously over a wide frequency range for the
first time." The technology uses rubidium atoms, which are excited to
high-energy Rydberg states. These interact strongly with the circuit's
electric fields, allowing detection and demodulation of any signal
received into the circuit.

Researchers use a Rydberg spectrum
analyzer experimental apparatus at
the DEVCOM Army Research Lab. [US
Army, illustration]

The report says the Rydberg spectrum analyzer has the potential "to
surpass fundamental limitations of traditional electronics in
sensitivity, bandwidth, and frequency range."

According to Meyer, "Devices that are based on quantum constituents are
one of the Army's top priorities to enable technical surprise in the
competitive future battlespace. Quantum sensors in general, including
the one demonstrated here, offer unparalleled sensitivity and accuracy
to detect a wide range of mission-critical signals." Read an expanded
version.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 14) takes a
deeper dive into the subject of HF antenna tuners, including some
shopping tips.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 28) features a discussion
on grabbing NOAA weather satellite images at 137 MHz and a chat with
Nigel Vander Houwen, K7NVH, about how he has combined rockets and
high-altitude ballooning with amateur radio.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Moldova Peace Corps ARISS Contact is Successful

A March 3 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
contact between young people in Moldova with an International Space
Station (ISS) crew member was a success. The Moldova Peace Corps (MPC)
was the hosting organization, and 90 students (aged 10 - 18) from a
consortium of educational institutions, rural schools, and libraries
from nine Moldovan villages participated.

MPC promotes economic and civic development with a particular focus on
developing local resources in rural and suburban communities. Another
focus of MPC is to provide youth in Moldovan villages with access to
STEM opportunities and build capacity among local teachers/librarians
to implement STEM activities in their curricula.

During the multipoint telebridge contact, students took turns asking
questions of astronaut Mike Hopkins, KF5LJG. ARISS team member David
Payne, NA7V, in Oregon served as the relay amateur radio station.

In support of this contact, the MPC partnered with the staff at the
Centre of Excellence for Space Sciences and Technologies within the
Technical University of Moldova (UTM), the US Peace Corps Volunteer
Coordinator, and the participating schools and libraries. The contact
was livestreamed via the MPC and UTM Facebook pages.

ARRL is a partner in the ARISS program, which has kept amateur radio on
the air from the ISS for 20 years. A hallmark of the ARISS program is
the scheduled ham radio contacts made by ISS crew members with schools
and student groups around the world.
North Carolina Radio Amateurs apt Tailgating Hamfest to the COVID-19
Pandemic

With many in-person hamfests canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
some radio amateurs in Raleigh, North Carolina, have come up with a way
to adapt with a tailgate hamfest in an unused shopping center parking
area. The event grew out of the so-called Ham Radio Taco Thursdays,
begun many years ago by ARRL Life Member Alan Pitegoff, AB4OZ.

Pitegoff had to put his event on hold when the pandemic erupted. It was
suggested that hams could gather and socialize at a safe distance by
having a Taco Thursday with the taco truck outside in an adjacent empty
parking lot. That event was a success, with participants remaining at
their vehicles and bringing their own chairs. That success inspired
holding a tailgate hamfest in the same spot, and it's now turned into a
monthly event, called the AB4OZ Hamfest.

Pitegoff said Taco Thursday started collecting more people -- up to 15
or so -- and when Taco Bell closed due to the pandemic, the event moved
to a Thursday on-the-air net, with one requirement -- that participants
could not talk about COVID-19.

The tailgate hamfest was established at the new location and held once
a month on Saturday at 10 AM.

"I think this is a great, uplifting, and positive experience for all of
us hams to get out and socialize," participant Charles Murray, KI4DCR,
said. "We might not be able to have a big hamfest, but these micro
tailgate hamfests might be the future for a good while. I've met a lot
of good people. There's a lot of cool stuff out here. The weather's
great, you know, and there's plenty of space for everybody to be
socially distanced. I think it's fantastic." -- Thanks to Martin
Brossman, KI4CFS

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

Technicians: Life Beyond Repeaters -- Anthony Luscre, K8ZT

Maybe you just received your Technician-class license, or perhaps you
have had it for a while and are burned out waiting for sparse FM
repeater contacts. Take a new look at the possibilities available to
you beyond repeaters. Explore Tech HF and 6-meter privileges for SSB,
CW, and digital modes such as FT8, RTTY, and PSK31 to expand your
operating modes and your station's outreach. Explore other VHF/UHF
uses, including SSB, satellites, FM simplex, digital modes, contesting,
and more.

Tuesday, March 9, 2021 @ 1 PM EST (1800 UTC)

The Art and Science of Operating Ultra-Portable -- Mike Molina, KN6EZE

Ultra-portable operation, or being able to carry your radio over
distances (e.g., in a backpack), is quickly growing in popularity.
Whether for SOTA, POTA, backcountry survival, or just spending time in
nature, learning how to operate ultra-portable is a fun and rewarding
experience. In this presentation, Mike, KN6EZE, will cover the basics
of ultra-portable operating for both the new and experienced ham radio
operator.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 @ 8 PM EDT (0000 UTC on Friday, April 7)

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.
* Estes Park Elementary School Students Speak with Astronaut Aboard
ISS -- Yahoo News, February 28, 2021
* Craig Fugate on Twitter: @Wired Also Points Out the Role Amateur
Radio Can Play in Disasters -- Twitter, February 22, 2021
* Amateur Radio Operators Help Fill Earthquake Donut Holes -- Eos
Magazine, February 22, 2021
* Over Neighbors' Objections, Shelburne Operator Gets the Green Light
for Ham Radio Towers -- Burlington Free Press (Vermont), February
19, 2021

* Amateur Radio Users Want to Be of Service When Modern Technology
Fails -- Nashville Scene (Tennessee), February 18, 2021

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Army MARS Volunteers Recognized with Gold-Level President's Volunteer
Service Award

A dozen US Army Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) volunteers have
been honored with gold-level recognition for the President's Volunteer
Service Award for 2020. They are:
* Bob Mims, WA1OEZ
* Ron Tomo, KE2UK
* Mark Bary, N4EOC
* Billy Pearson, KO4XT
* Dave Bock, W8OHS
* Bob Baker, K5LLF
* John Monson, WB0PLW
* Gary Geissinger, WA0SPM
* Brian Handy, W8JBT
* Bliss Wheeler, W7RUG
* Jim Hamilton, K4QDF
* Daniel Wolff, KA7AGN

Each award recipient receives a letter signed by the President of the
United States, a certificate of achievement, and a presidential
volunteer service lapel pin.

Volunteer awards are based on the certifying organization's
recommendation and the number of documented volunteer hours for the
year. Gold-level volunteers must accrue a minimum of 500 hours
volunteer time supporting the organization. Silver awardees must
achieve 300 hours and bronze must achieve a minimum of 100 hours
volunteer time.

Army MARS Chief Paul English, WD8DBY, was to conduct a virtual awards
presentation on Thursday, March 4. -- Thanks to Paul English, WD8DBY

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Announcements
* The Amateur Radio Contest DX Club (ARCDXC) will activate the C7A
call sign during March, with activity SSB, CW, and digital modes on
all HF bands, 1.8 - 28 MHz. C7A counts for Austria for DXCC
purposes.
* The ARRL International DX Phone Contest is March 6 - 7 (UTC), and
the DX will abound. It's a chance even for modest stations to snag
a few new contacts. In this major event on the radiosport calendar,
the DX will be looking for you! Operators in the US and Canada work
stations everywhere else in the world. It's not only an opportunity
to pit your station and operating skills against those of your
peers but to expand your knowledge of propagation on the HF and MF
bands and tweak your contesting skills.
* R125PR is a special event call sign to mark 125 years since the
reputed "world's first radiogram." Sponsors say that historic event
took place in 1896 when Alexander Popov at the Russian Physical and
Chemical Society of Saint-Petersburg Imperial University sent the
two words "Heinrich Hertz" a distance of 250 meters.
* The Radio Society of Kenya (RSK) and the South African Radio League
(SARL) have signed a formal memorandum of understanding. The SARL
will assist RSK with the amateur radio examinations and administer
the technical aspects of the examination on RSK's behalf and assist
with training materials.
* Members of the Northern Corridor Radio Group in Australia plan to
activate Cocos (Keeling) Island -- VK9C (not to be confused with
Cocos Island -- TI9). Cocos (Keeling) is #70 on the Club Log Most
Wanted DXCC List. The vacation-style operation will take place
March 16 - 23, using the call sign VK9CE. -- Thanks to The Daily DX
AMSAT-DL Operators Track Mars Probes

Members of Germany's AMSAT organization, AMSAT-DL, in cooperation with
the Sternwarte Bochum Institute in Bochum, Nordrhein-Westfalen,
Germany, have been using the institute's 20-meter (65.6-foot) diameter
dish antenna to listen directly to signals from probes in Mars orbit.
Signals have been copied from the Chinese Tianwen-1 and the Hope
Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) spacecraft now orbiting Mars and
transmitting in the 8.4 GHz band.

Recordings of the signals can be heard on YouTube with regular updates
by following @amsatdl on Twitter.

In 2003, radio amateurs added phase-locked receivers in the 2.3, 5.8,
and 10.4 GHz amateur bands, as well as an 8.4 GHz receiver. There is
also an S-band 2.4 GHz amateur transmitter running 250 W PEP (peak
envelope power).

In 2006, the dish was used to copy signals from Voyager 1 at a distance
of nearly 15 billion kilometers (9.3 billion miles). -- Thanks to AMSAT
News Service
January 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report

The Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program is a joint initiative between ARRL
and the FCC to enhance compliance in the Amateur Radio Service.

In January 2021, Volunteer Monitors reported 2,277 hours monitoring the
HF frequencies and 2,162 hours monitoring VHF frequencies and above.

The Volunteer Monitor Coordinator issued 11 visory Notices. An
visory Notice is an attempt to resolve rule violation issues
informally before FCC intervention:
* Operators in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Centralia, Washington; Edmond,
Oklahoma; Fontana, California, and Orleans, Massachusetts, received
advisories concerning operation outside their license class.
* An operator in Thorn Hill, Tennessee, received an advisory
concerning interference.
* An operator in Ridgely, Tennessee, received an advisory regarding
excessive bandwidth.
* Operators in Miami, Florida; Friendly, West Virginia; Collinsville,
Illinois, and Keansburg, New Jersey, received advisories concerning
station ID issues.
* An operator in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received an advisory
regarding improper use of a linear amplifier.

ARRL had two meetings in January with FCC Enforcement Bureau personnel.
-- Thanks to Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, VM Program ministrator

Video Documents Removal, Preservation of 250 kW Voice of America
Transmitter

With the former Voice of America Delano relay site in Central
California scheduled for eventual demolition for resale, the Collins
Collectors Association (CCA), in association with the Antique Wireless
Association (AWA), came up with a plan in 2014 (working, among others,
with past ARRL Midwestern Division Director Rod Blocksome, K0DAS, a
former Collins engineer) to retrieve one of the Collins 821A-1 250 kW
HF transmitters from the site and put it on display at the AWA museum
in Bloomfield, New York.

The Delano site went on the air in 1944 with a 170-foot rhombic
antenna. The Collins 821 A-1 transmitter was autotuned and could shift
frequencies between 3.95 and 26.5 MHz in 20 seconds. The transmitter
and its associated components represent an era when equipment was large
and heavy.

The Delano site, now owned by the General Services ministration
(GSA), remains with antennas still standing and buildings in place and
demolition on hold, because it was discovered to be the habitat for an
endangered species of shrew.

A video presentation featuring Dennis Kidder, W6DQ, describes and
illustrates the entire removal and relocation effort, and offers some
background on the VOA. On the continental US, the only remaining VOA
site is the Edward R. Murrow Greenville Transmitting Site in North
Carolina.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Monday was the only day with no
sunspots over the reporting week, so average daily sunspot numbers
declined slightly from 19.6 to 18.9. Two new sunspot groups appeared on
the following day. Average daily solar flux edged up from 75.7 to 76.7.

Average daily planetary A index softened from 16 to 14.7, and the
middle latitude average went from 12.4 to 10.4. Geomagnetic indicators
remained somewhat active due to persistent solar wind. On Monday,
Alaska's high-latitude College A index reached 34.

Spaceweather.com reported a G2 class geomagnetic storm on March 1.

Predicted solar flux for the next 30 days appears anemic: 74 on March
4; 75 on March 5 -- 10; 73, 71, 72, and 70 on March 11 -- 14; 71, 72,
71, and 73 on March 15 -- 18; 76, 75, 76, and 78 on March 19 -- 22; 81,
80, 80, and 79 on March 23 -- 26; 78 and 73 on March 27 -- 28; 74 on
March 29 -- 30; 73 on March 31 - April 1, and 74 on April 2 -- 3.

Predicted planetary A index is 12, 8, 10, 20 and 15 on March 4 -- 8; 10
on March 9 -- 10; 8, 15, 10, and 5 on March 11 -- 14; 15, 8, 5, and 18
on March 15 -- 18; 20 on March 19 -- 20; 18, 12, and, 8 on March 21 --
23; 5 on March 24 -- 27; 20, 15, and 10 on March 28 -- 30; 5 on March
31 - April 1; 12 on April 2, and 5 on the following 5 days.

Sunspot numbers for February 25 - March 3 were 31, 16, 14, 13, 0, 28,
and 30, with a mean of 18.9. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 80.1, 80.1,
79.2, 77.7, 71, 74.7, and 74.2, with a mean of 76.7. Estimated
planetary A indices were 13, 11, 4, 6, 26, 20, and 23, with a mean of
14.7. Middle latitude A index was 13, 8, 3, 4, 16, 14, and 15, with a
mean of 10.4.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* March 5 -- NCCC RTTY Sprint
* March 5 -- NCCC CW Sprint
* March 6 -- Wake-Up! QRP Sprint (CW)
* March 6 - 7 -- ARRL International DX Contest (Phone)
* March 6 - 7 -- Open Ukraine RTTY Championship
* March 7 -- UBA Spring Contest (CW)
* March 7 -- NSARA Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* March 7 -- WAB 3.5 MHz Phone
* March 10 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
* March 10 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (CW)
* March 10 - 14 -- AWA John Rollins Memorial DX Contest (CW)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* March 13 - 14 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
March 11, 2021

* ARRL to Have Two Exhibits at this Weekend's QSO Today Virtual Ham
Expo
* Registration Now Open for HamSCI Workshop 2021
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* News Conference Details ARISS Efforts to Return ISS Ham Station to
the Air
* Plans Proceeding for Fall 2021 Willis Island DXpedition
* The 23-Centimeter Band in Region 1 Under Discussion Ahead of WRC-23
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* February 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report
* Monster Dipole Can Deliver Monster Signal
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Announcements
* In Brief...
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL to Have Two Exhibits at this Weekend's QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

The QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo takes place this weekend, March 13 --
14, 2021. Thousands have already registered to participate.

ARRL, a QSO Today Expo Partner, will have two exhibits at the show. One
will offer opportunities to meet ARRL Lab engineers, who will answer
questions and share tips on an array of topics. ARRL CEO David Minster,
NA2AA, will deliver the Expo's keynote address at 2000 UTC on Saturday,
March 13.

The Expo has a packed lineup of 87 speakers and workshops spread across
10 different virtual theaters. March 13 and 14 sessions start at 1600
UTC. Presentation topics will appeal to amateur radio newcomers and
veterans alike. Because it's impossible to watch all the live
presentations of interest, attendees can return to the platform any
time through April 12 to see any presentations.

A full-day track on "Amateur Space Radio" will cover beginner to
advanced levels. The Expo's Youth Forum on Sunday morning will be
organized by Carole Perry, WB2MGP. vanced presentation topics will
include "Pipeline Type Radio Wave Propagation" and "Double Inverted HF
Delta Skeleton Slot Antenna." Less-experienced hams may want to watch
such presentations as "Getting Started in Remote HF Operating" and "An
Overview of Parks on the Air."

Other Expo features include:
* Live kit-building workshops.
* A tour through the virtual exhibit hall, which will be filled with
popular amateur radio manufacturers and suppliers.
* Live demonstrations of the latest gear.
* New video technology, to provide a better experience for attendees
to engage with exhibitors.
* Virtual lounges, where you can meet fellow hams via the latest
video technology.
* A number of exhibitors conducting prize drawings.

Those who want to explore the Virtual Ham Expo offerings in advance of
the show should check out the several podcasts starting at 0200 UTC on
Saturday (Friday, March 12, in US time zones) from the Podcasting
Pavilion, as well as a Techno Dance Party After Hours from the Amateur
Space Radio Auditorium.

Visit the QSO Today Ham Expo website for more information about the
expo and tickets. There's still time to get early-bird discounted
tickets ($10); the price of admission increases to $12.50 on March 12.
Registration Now Open for HamSCI Workshop 2021

Registration is now open for the 2021 HamSCI Workshop, Friday and
Saturday, March 19 - 20. The theme of this year's workshop is
midlatitude ionospheric science. The University of Scranton will serve
as host for the Zoom virtual event, sponsored by the National Science
Foundation (NSF). The program will include guest speakers, poster
presentations, and demonstrations.

The workshop will also serve as a team meeting for the HamSCI Personal
Space Weather Station project, funded by an NSF grant to University of
Scranton physics and electrical engineering professor Nathaniel
Frissell, W2NAF. The project seeks to harness the power of an amateur
radio network to better understand and measure the effects of weather
in the upper levels of Earth's atmosphere.

The workshop's keynote address on the "History of Radio" will be given
by Elizabeth Bruton, curator of technology and engineering at the
Science Museum of London. She will discuss the history, science,
technology, and licensing of radio amateur communities from the early
1900s to the present, exploring how individuals and communities
contributed to "citizen science" long before the term entered popular
usage in the 1990s. Bruton has been a non-licensed member of Oxford and
District Amateur Radio Society since 2014 and has served as the
society's web manager since 2015.

J. Michael Ruohoniemi, a professor of electrical and computer
engineering at Virginia Tech and principal investigator of the Virginia
Tech SuperDARN Initiative, will review the physics of the midlatitude
ionosphere and discuss ways in which the amateur radio community can
contribute to advancing scientific understanding and technical
capabilities.

Joe Dzekevich, K1YOW, will present "Amateur Radio Observations and The
Science of Midlatitude Sporadic E." Read an expanded version. --
University of Scranton news release
ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 15) features a
conversation with propagation expert Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, about
what to expect in the new solar cycle.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 29) is a chat with
Kristina Collins, KD8OXT, about how amateurs have participated in
ionospheric research during recent solar eclipses.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

News Conference Details ARISS Efforts to Return ISS Ham Station to the
Air

At a March 10 news conference, Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station (ARISS) reported that, so far, all efforts to determine what's
keeping the ham station in the ISS Columbus module off the air have
been unsuccessful. It appears that the radio equipment is working, but
no signal appears to be reaching the external ARISS antenna. The
station, typically operated as NA1SS, has not been usable since new RF
cables were installed during a January 27 spacewalk (EVA) to support
the commissioning of the Bartolomeo payload hosting platform installed
last spring. During the January EVA, the coax feed line installed 11
years ago was replaced with another built by the European Space Agency
(ESA) and Airbus. Responding to a question during the news conference,
ARISS International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, did not rule out a fault
in the radio equipment.

"There is still that possibility that there might be a problem with the
radio," he said. Bauer listed three possible problem areas: The HMU-898
cable inside the cabin may have a break due to a previous tight turn, a
connector may be installed improperly, or an HMU-601 cable installation
or workmanship anomaly. During the January 27 EVA, the HMU-601 cable
was installed in series with the ARISS antenna cable.

During a March 13 spacewalk (EVA), astronauts Mike Hopkins, KF5LJG, and
Victor Glover, KI5BKC, plan to return the ARISS antenna feed line
cabling to its configuration prior to the January 27 spacewalk.

The news conference covered details of the cable troubleshooting
already conducted. Bauer said the ARISS team has been working closely
with NASA and the ESA to identify what may have caused the "radio
anomaly" keeping the ISS Columbus module ham station off the air. He
thanked ARISS-Russia's Sergey Samburov, RV3DR, for allowing ARISS to
use the ham station in the service module to continue its contact
schedule.

This past week, astronauts on the ISS performed troubleshooting tests
on all four new feed lines installed on the Columbus module. One cable
was earmarked for the ARISS station, while the other three are for
Bartolomeo. ARISS reported over the weekend, however, that it was
unable to establish communication using any of the feed line cables
connected to the ARISS radio system, which was tested in APRS mode.

The plan to return the ARISS cabling to its original configuration was
a "contingency task" for a March 5 spacewalk, but the astronauts ran
out of time.

ARISS became aware of the station problem after a contact with a school
in Wyoming, between ON4ISS on Earth and Hopkins at NA1SS, had to abort
when no downlink signal was heard. For the time being, ARISS school and
group contacts with crew members have been conducted using the ham
station in the ISS service module.
Plans Proceeding for Fall 2021 Willis Island DXpedition

The team from the Hellenic Amateur Radio Association of Australia
(HARAOA) that's planning a November 3 - 13 DXpedition to Willis Island
(VK9HR) has expanded by one, and the DXpedition planning is on
schedule. A vessel to take the team to Willis Island has been chartered
to leave Australia on November 3, returning on November 13. Willis
ranks #38 on Club Log's DXCC Most Wanted List. The group announced
earlier that it had put off plans to include a stint from Mellish Reef,
last activated in 2017. The ham radio team will be just in time to
celebrate the centennial of the island's meteorological facility.

"With time away from jobs a consideration for the operators, Mellish is
being put off to 2022," said team leader John Chalkiarakis, VK3YP.

While the call sign VK9HR is expected to be renewed in August,
Chalkiarakis is trying to get VK9W. "VK9IR will be an additional call
sign to be allocated," he said. VK9IR and VK9HR were used for HARAOA's
2011 DXpedition to Lord Howe Island.

Team members for this fall's DXpedition will hail from Australia and
New Zealand. They're in the process of obtaining a permit from Parks
Australia, which is "required to 'camp' at these Australian Coral Sea
marine parks." Chalkiarakis said the most important document is the
landing permit, also from Parks Australia. No permit is required to
visit these coral sea islands for non-commercial purposes, but a permit
application is needed to set up a campsite and to stay overnight on the
island.

The now eight-operator team plans to use verticals on 160, 80, 40, and
30 meters, while VDAs (vertical dipole arrays) will be used on 20, 17,
15, 12, and 10 meters. Operation on 6 meters is under consideration.
Activity is expected on SSB, CW, and FT8 on 160 through 10 meters. The
equipment complement is expected to be Kenwood TS-590S and Icom IC-7300
transceivers with amplifiers on all.

A DXpedition website and logo are in the works. Home to a
meteorological station, Willis Island is in the Coral Sea, off the
northeast coast of Australia.

Chalkiarakis also said that he and some friends have been trying to
obtain a landing permit for Macquarie Island (VK0M), which is #12 on
Club Log's DXCC Most Wanted List, but he conceded that it's nearly
impossible to get permission from the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife
Service because Macquarie is a protected nature reserve. -- Thanks to
The Daily DX
The 23-Centimeter Band in Region 1 Under Discussion Ahead of WRC-23

In advance of World Radiocommunication Conference 23 (WRC-23), the
amateur radio allocation at 1240 - 1300 MHz (23 centimeters) remains in
the spotlight in International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Region 1
(Europe, the Middle East, and Africa). Chair of International Amateur
Radio Union (IARU) Region 1 Spectrum Affairs Barry Lewis, G4SJH,
reported that preparatory work continued during the February 15 - 19
meeting of ITU-R Working Party 4C. Also representing the IARU was Ole
Garpestad, LA2RR, with other IARU members present within national
delegations from Australia, Brazil, Canada, and the US. The
23-centimeter WRC agenda item has initiated technical studies focusing
on coexistence between the amateur services and the Galileo GPS (radio
navigation satellite service, or RNSS). The IARU took part in the
meeting, presenting key information on amateur activities in this
microwave band.

"This information is vital to ensure the amateur services are
realistically represented in the studies as they move forward," Lewis
said. "It remains vital that national amateur communities present their
views on the importance of this band to their national regulators in a
consolidated and consistent manner." To assist, IARU Region 1 is
developing supporting material that member societies can refer to when
addressing the topic with national regulators.

Work on this topic will continue throughout the year and beyond, both
in ITU-R and in the Regional Telecommunications Organizations (RTOs).
The Summary Meeting Report for the Working Party 4C meeting says, "The
only administration that can be considered supportive toward proper
treatment of the Amateur Services in this work is Germany." It
encouraged support from outside Europe. Working Party 4C will meet
again in July. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service and AMSAT-UK

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

The Art and Science of Operating Ultra-Portable -- Mike Molina, KN6EZE

Ultra-portable operation, or being able to carry your radio over
distances (e.g., in a backpack), is quickly growing in popularity.
Whether for SOTA, POTA, backcountry survival, or just spending time in
nature, learning how to operate ultra-portable is a fun and rewarding
experience. In this presentation, Mike, KN6EZE, will cover the basics
of ultra-portable operating for both the new and experienced ham radio
operator.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 @ 8 PM EDT (0000 UTC on Friday, April 7)

Finding and Fixing RFI -- Paul Cianciolo, W1VLF

RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) has been a problem for ham radio
operators and shortwave listeners since the radio hobby began.
Interference can come from both natural sources (QRN) and manmade
sources (QRM). Things have changed in the last 20 years with the advent
of widespread solar power, LED lightning, grow lights, digital
computing devices, and so on. Learn all about finding and fixing RFI in
today's world.

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 @ 1 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.
February 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report

The Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program is a joint initiative between ARRL
and the FCC to enhance compliance in the Amateur Radio Service.

To date, Volunteer Monitors during February reported 1,762 hours
monitoring the HF frequencies and 2,158 hours monitoring VHF
frequencies and above. The Volunteer Monitor Program ministrator
issued 10 visory Notices. An visory Notice is an attempt to resolve
rule violation issues informally before FCC intervention.
* Operators in Holdenville, Oklahoma; Luzerne, Michigan; Miami,
Florida, and Merrick, New York, received visories concerning
operation outside their license class.
* Operators in Magalia, California; Jefferson, Georgia, and Redway,
California, received visories concerning interference to repeater
systems and HF net operations.
* An operator in Mansfield, Arkansas, received an visory regarding
failure to properly identify.
* An operator in Charlottesville, Virginia, received an visory
concerning improper bandwidth that resulted in interference.
* A desert racing association in Odessa, Texas, received a warning
about the use of amateur 2-meter frequencies for racing events.

The Volunteer Monitor Program ministrator had two meetings during
February with FCC Enforcement Bureau personnel. -- Thanks to Riley
Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, VM Program ministrator
Monster Dipole Can Deliver Monster Signal

A video shows how Gary Watson, ZL3SV, in Nelson, New Zealand, installed
an enormous all-band dipole with each leg extending 320 meters (about
1,050 feet). The antenna is multiple wavelengths on HF, and on 20
meters it has a gain of more than 16 dB, Watson says. It hears quite
well, too.

A huge 12:1 balun resembling a utility pole power step-down transformer
converts the impedance from 50 ohms unbalanced to 600 ohms balanced.
The wire he uses for each leg is aluminum-wrapped, power-line cable
(10-millimeter cable with wrap), and he uses power-line fittings,
because they're designed to handle the wire. The line has a 60-ton
breaking strength.

Watson said he made the 600 ohm ladder line himself and he uses the
antenna on all bands, typically running only 200 W. The coaxial feed
line goes to his house down a slope from the antenna via a conduit. His
home is entirely off the grid, powered by solar power. The noise level
is very low at his location, with power lines some distance away,
although his solar power system's inverter is nearby.

Watson says he can copy stations with the "monster" antenna that remain
undetectable with a half-wave dipole.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.
* Portland Man Connects Kids to International Space Station From His
Home -- KGW8 ABC (Oregon), March 5, 2021
* Radio Gaga -- The Star (Malaysia), March 6, 2021
* Separted by Distance -- and a Pandemic -- Puget Sound's Amateur
Radio Enthusiasts are Connecting with Even Greater Frequency --
Seattle Times (Washington), March 3, 2021
* Estes Park Elementary School Students Speak with Astronaut Aboard
ISS -- Yahoo News, February 28, 2021

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcements
* ARRL Life Member Bob Leo, W7LR, of Bozeman, Montana, turned 100
years old on February 26. He has been a radio amateur for 88 years
and is well known as a DXer and DXpeditioner. He has detailed his
biography and ham radio exploits on his QRZ.com profile.
* Steve Johnston, WD8DAS, has purchased AF4K Crystals and plans to
reopen it soon. AF4K Crystals was a source for vintage and modern
radio crystals for nearly 2 decades. The company will fill a gap
for those seeking to buy quartz crystals for various projects.
* The dates have been posted for the four Stew Perry Top Band
Distance Challenge events on 160 meters. This year's main Stew in
December will occur 1 week earlier than usual -- on December 18 --
to avoid a conflict with Christmas. The schedule for this year is:
March 13 (this weekend), June 19, October 23, and December 18.
* "Tips on How to Be a Better Contester" was the topic of the HAM-CON
Vermont Ham Radio Convention presentation of Randy Thompson, K5ZD,
who has a long list of contesting bona fides. More HAM-CON videos
have been posted.
* The preliminary results of the North American CW Sprint are
available. The full results article should be available online no
later than mid-March and will be excerpted in the May/June issue of
NCJ.
* Results of the 2020 California QSO Party are now available. Many
new records were set and 57 plaques awarded. Visit the CQP website
for details and to download certificates.

In Brief...

Results Available for ARRL Contests The full results of the 2020 ARRL
November CW Sweepstakes have been published on the ARRL Contests web
page. The full results article, a searchable database of all scores,
line scores, certificates, and log-checking reports are available
there. Also available on the ARRL Contests web page: The full results
of the 2020 10 GHz and Up Distance Contest, and the raw scores for the
2021 ARRL International DX CW Contest. Raw scores are the scores before
any log-checking has been performed and are based on the contents of
the submitted logs before any adjudication has been done. Participants
should check the raw scores to ensure that their entries are submitted
in the correct category. Email with any questions.

Ham Bootcamp Program to Be Offered in April The Nashua Area Radio
Society (NARS) will again offer its popular Ham Bootcamp program on
Saturday, April 24. Bootcamp is free and includes demonstrations and
tutorials designed to help newly licensed Technician-, General-, and
Amateur Extra-class hams get on the air. It is also a great opportunity
for prospective radio amateurs to learn what the hobby has to offer.
Bootcamp additions include "Learning Morse Code." Registration and more
information is on the Ham Bootcamp web page. -- Thanks to NARS
President Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC

Spring Red Cross Emergency Communications Drill Set The spring 2021 Red
Cross Nationwide Emergency Communications Winlink Drill will be held on
May 8, which is World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2021. Details and
instructions are available. Sign up for email updates. Ahead of the May
nationwide exercise, the American Red Cross (ARC) Emergency
Communications training group will continue its Winlink Thursdays
training sessions on March 11 and April 8.

Chattanooga-Area Hams Seek Community During Pandemic The Chattanooga
Times Free Press reports that in the wake of the deaths of two radio
amateurs, the Lone Ranger Wellness Net was established to check on
members each evening. The system of nightly radio checks gives affected
hams a way to signal if they need help. The net meets every evening at
7 PM local, 7 days a week. Jim Gifford, KM4MPF, a 44-year-old
Chattanooga businessman, said the Lone Ranger Net was established after
one elderly radio operator died of natural causes and another died at
his home due to an accident. In both cases, their deaths were not
immediately known to friends and family members, he told the newspaper.
"Now, if someone in the Lone Ranger Net fails to check in on any given
night, they get a text, a phone call, or even a knock on the door to
make sure all is okay," Gifford said.

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Although solar activity remains low
lately, as a sunspot rotates to the west off the visible solar disc, a
new one will emerge in the east. Sunspot group 2807 will soon move over
the sun's western horizon, but on March 9 new sunspot group 2808 moved
over the eastern horizon.

Average daily sunspot numbers this week hardly changed, from 18.9 to
18.4. Average daily solar flux shifted from 76.7 to 78.9.

Solar wind has slackened, so average daily planetary A index went from
14.7 to 7.6, and the middle latitude numbers changed from 10.4 to 6.1.

Predicted solar flux for the next 30 days is 79 on March 11 - 13; 78 on
March 14 - 18; 76, 75, 76, 78, and 81 on March 19 - 23; 80 on March 24
- 25; 78 and 76 on March 26 - 27; 75 on March 28 - April 1; 78 on April
2 - 3, and 70, 74, 76, 72, 71, and 72 on April 4 - 9. After April 18,
solar flux may rise again above 80.

Predicted planetary A index is 5 on March 11 - 12; 10, 20, and 10 on
March 13 - 15; 5 on March 16 - 18; 20 on March 19 - 20; 18, 12, and 8
on March 21 - 23; 5 on March 24 - 27; 25, 20, 20, and 10 on March 28 -
31; 5, 15, and 8 on April 1 - 3; 5 on April 4 - 7, and 18 and 12 on
April 8 - 9. An active region may rotate into a geo-effective position
on April 15 - 16 and another around April 24 - 25.

Aurora season has returned in Colorado.

Sunspot numbers for March 4 - 10, 2021 were 32, 14, 23, 14, 12, 23, and
11, with a mean of 18.9. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 81.4, 73.2, 77,
77.5, 79.9, 83.7, and 79.4, with a mean of 76.7. Estimated planetary A
indices were 11, 5, 16, 10, 6, 3, and 2, with a mean of 14.7. Middle
latitude A index was 11, 5, 11, 7, 5, 2, and 2, with a mean of 10.4.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* March 13 -- YB DX RTTY Contest
* March 13 - 14 -- SARL VHF/UHF Analogue Contest (CW, phone)
* March 13 - 14 -- RSGB Commonwealth Contest (CW)
* March 13 - 14 -- F9AA Cup, SSB
* March 14 - 14 -- South America 10-Meter Contest (CW, phone)
* March 13 - 14 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)
* March 13 - 14 -- AGCW QRP Contest (CW)
* March 13 - 14 -- Oklahoma QSO Party (CW, phone)
* March 13 - 14 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge (CW)
* March 13 - 14 -- EA PSK63 Contest
* March 13 - 14 -- Tesla Memorial HF CW Contest
* March 13 - 14 -- QCWA QSO Party (CW, phone)
* March 13 - 14 -- Idaho QSO Party (CW, phone)
* March 13 - 14 -- North American Sprint, RTTY
* March 14 - 17 -- Classic Exchange, Phone
* March 14 - 15 -- Wisconsin QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
* March 15 -- 4 States QRP Second Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)
* March 15 -- Bucharest Digital Contest
* March 15 -- RSGB FT4 Contest Series
* March 16 - 21 -- CLARA Chatter Party (CW, phone)
* March 18 -- NAQCC CW Sprint
* March 18 -- BCC QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* March 13 - 14 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

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QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
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Free of charge to ARRL members...
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Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
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--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
March 18, 2021

* QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Experiences Technical Issues, On-Demand
Access Opens
* Dayton Hamvention^(R) Announces 2021 Award Winners
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* Incumbent Section Managers Begin New Terms in April
* ARISS Ham Station in Columbus Module Is Once Again Operational
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Amateur Radio in the News
* YOTA Region 1 Taking Cautious Approach to COVID-19 and YOTA Camps
* Plans Continue for In-Person Friedrichshafen HAM RADIO Event
* Ham Radio Satellite Returns from the Dead
* Announcements
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Getting It Right!
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Experiences Technical Issues, On-Demand
Access Opens

The QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo attracted thousands of participants over
the March 13 - 14 weekend. Taking a different tack than it did for its
inaugural event last August, the expo leveraged the capabilities of two
virtual event platforms to increase interaction among attendees,
speakers, and exhibitors. All did not go smoothly, however.

"Unfortunately, we had many technical issues with the Airmeet
presentations and the integration of the vFairs and Airmeet platforms,"
expo chairman Eric Guth, 4Z1UG/WA6IGR, explained afterward in a message
to participants. All recorded presentations are available for attendees
during the expo's 30-day on-demand access period, which ends April 16.

ARRL, a QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo partner, enjoyed virtual visits from
attendees to its two exhibits. One included staff representatives for
Member Services, Radiosport, ARRL Field Day, and Field Services. The
other exhibit highlighted the expertise of ARRL Laboratory personnel,
who offered technical and practical advice to those stopping by. On the
team were Senior Test Engineer Bob Allison, WB1GCM, who streamed from
inside the Lab's screen room where QST "Product Review" testing is
conducted, and RFI Engineer Paul Cianciolo, W1VLF, who helped
participants deal with pesky noise and interference issues. W1AW
Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, conducted virtual tours of the Hiram
Percy Maxim Memorial Station all weekend.

All told, 16 staff members worked in rotating shifts at ARRL
Headquarters, greeting visitors through livestreaming video and audio.
Several members of the ARRL Board of Directors were on the platform
too.

CEO David Minster, NA2AA, delivered the event's keynote address.
Minster, who arrived in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic last year,
said ARRL would become a bigger player in the digital age.

"A major part of the digital transformation at ARRL has to do with
taking our excellence in content development and editing, and bringing
it to video," Minster said. "You are seeing more activity from us on
YouTube, the Learning Network (webinar series), and then later this
year the launch of our Learning Center." Video, Minster pointed out, is
always available and easy to pause and refer back to.

Amateur radio manufacturers and vendors including FlexRadio, Elecraft,
Connect Systems, and Quicksilver Radio Products welcomed visitors and
answered their questions on a one-to-one basis.

Guth apologized for the poor experience many participants had in
accessing and navigating the event.

"I attempted to integrate a number of systems together in order to make
a better user experience," he explained. "It was a noble idea, because
I wanted the convention like last August, with the lounge tables of
Airmeet to make it more interactive. We failed on this platform for
many of you. I am very sorry."

"One of the things that we've stressed in all of our communications is
that the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo team is committed to constantly
learning and improving what we do," Guth said in a statement. "Virtual
conventions of this magnitude are new territory. We believe that
there's a place for a virtual ham expo to serve the needs of the very
large amateur radio community, especially those that don't attend
in-person national or regional events (or even local events). We are
committed to making that happen."

The expo announced on Wednesday, March 17, that 80 presentations had
already been added to the platform for on-demand viewing.
Dayton Hamvention^(R) Announces 2021 Award Winners

Dayton Hamvention^(R) has announced its 2021 award winners. Hamvention
Awards Committee Co-Chairs Michael Kalter, W8CI, and Frank Beafore,
WS8B, said that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hamvention committee
elected to go forward in announcing its selection of outstanding radio
amateurs and predicted that Hamvention will return in 2022.

Amateur of the Year

Angel M. Vazquez, Jr., WP3R, the head of telescope operations and
Puerto Rico Coordination Zone Spectrum Manager for Puerto Rico's famous
Arecibo Observatory, was cited as Amateur of the Year for "his
unswerving and diligent support of amateur radio throughout the entire
territory of Puerto Rico and worldwide."

Although he was born in Puerto Rico, Vazquez grew up in Brooklyn, New
York, and returned to Puerto Rico after college in 1977, taking a job
at the Arecibo Observatory. Vazquez earned his amateur radio license in
1993, and headed the 2010 moonbounce effort from the observatory, as
well as multiple special events using the KP4AO club call sign.

Vazquez helped to provide communication support in the wake of
Hurricane Maria. He was named Amateur of the Year in Puerto Rico in
2018 and received the Yasme Excellence Award in 2019. He's also a
Volunteer Examiner and inaugurated the first virtual/online bilingual
testing program as part of the Greater Los Angeles Amateur Radio Group
(GLAARG) VEC.

Technical Achievement

Tamitha Skov, WX6SWW, is well-known as the Space Weather Woman. Calling
her "a real space pioneer," the Awards Committee said those who have
seen her space weather forecasting shows will agree that she is
energetic and excited about her work.

A credentialed space weather forecaster, Skov's forecasting work is
widely known on social media and has been featured in publications and
on TV. Her weekly space weather video podcasts are frequently featured
on www.qrz.com. Skov said she specifically got her ham license in 2018
to better understand and serve the needs of the amateur radio
community.

Professionally, Skov is a research scientist for The Aerospace
Corporation. She also teaches the art of space weather forecasting to
meteorologists at Millersville University and is working with ARRL and
HamSCI to create educational materials.

Special Achievement

Wesley Lamboley, W3WL, was nominated by his peers for his lifelong,
high-energy support for the science and art of amateur radio. "Not only
has he supported youth coaching, membership recruiting, and technical
problem assistance, he always does it with a smile and great humor,"
the Awards Committee said. Lamboley spent 40 years in the aerospace
industry as a technical writer, electrical and systems engineer, and
manager. Introduced to amateur radio in 1955 when a friend invited him
to Field Day, Lamboley credits ham radio for much of his success.

"Many mentors helped me and I try to pay it forward as best I can,
especially for young people," he said. He's also participated in
several DXpeditions, and five SouthWest Ohio DX Association "DXpedition
of the Year" plaques adorn his ham shack.

Club of the Year

The Hamvention Awards Committee named the ARRL-affiliated Vienna
Wireless Society (VWS), K4HTA, in Virginia as the Club of the Year. The
committee noted that the club's 280 members focus on youth education
and public service, and promote the growth of ham radio. The club is
now the largest and most active in the Washington, DC, area.

The club offers licensing classes, workshops, and four educational
programs a month at its meetings, and these are archived for broader
use. Their annual Winterfest is host to the ARRL Virginia Section
Convention. The Vienna Wireless Society operates two repeaters in the
DC area, and actively supports public service communications. Read an
expanded version.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 15) features a
conversation with propagation expert Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, about
what to expect in the new solar cycle.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 29) is a chat with
Kristina Collins, KD8OXT, about how amateurs have participated in
ionospheric research during recent solar eclipses.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Incumbent Section Managers Begin New Terms in April

Eight incumbent ARRL Section Managers who were unopposed for
re-election in the winter election cycle will begin new terms on April
1.

They are Rick Paquette, W7RAP (Arizona); James Ferguson, N5LKE
(Arkansas); Lelia Garner, WA0UIG (Iowa); Steve Morgan, W4NHO
(Kentucky); Malcolm Keown, W5XX (Mississippi); Paul Stiles, KF7SOJ
(Montana); Steven Lott Smith, KG5VK (North Texas), and Rick Breininger,
N1TEK (Wyoming).

Because no nominating petitions were received from the ARRL Orange
Section by the December 4, 2020 deadline, candidates for the office of
Orange Section Manager will be re-solicited. Notices will appear in the
April and May issues of QST to elicit candidates for an 18-month term
starting October 1, 2021.

Incumbent Orange Section Manager Carl Gardenias, WU6D, has decided not
to run for another term after serving since 2003.
ARISS Ham Station in Columbus Module Is Once Again Operational

Some 6 weeks after going silent following a spacewalk that installed
new antenna cabling, the Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station (ARISS) ham station in the Columbus module is once again
operational. The Columbus station, which typically uses the call sign
NA1SS, is the primary ARISS amateur radio station used for school
contacts and other activities. The problem arose after a January 27
spacewalk replaced a coax feed line installed 11 years ago with another
built by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Airbus.

While the specific cause of the problem has not yet been determined, a
March 13 spacewalk that restored the antenna cabling to its original
configuration provided the cure. The plan to return the ARISS cabling
to its original configuration had been a "contingency task" for a March
5 spacewalk, but the astronauts ran out of time. The ARISS work was
appended to the to-do list for astronauts Mike Hopkins, KF5LJG, and
Victor Glover, KI5BKC, to complete a week later.

During the weekend spacewalk, Hopkins swapped out a cable for the
Bartolomeo commercial payload-handling platform that had been installed
in series with the ARISS VHF-UHF antenna feed line, returning the ARISS
system to its pre-January 27 configuration. Hopkins raised a question
concerning a sharp bend in the cable near a connector, but no further
adjustments were possible.

On March 14, ARISS was able to confirm the operation's success when
Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) signals on 145.825 MHz were
heard in California, Utah, and Idaho as the ISS passed overhead. ARISS
team member Christy Hunter, KB6LTY, was able to digipeat through NA1SS
during the pass. With additional confirmation from stations in South
America and the Middle East, ARISS declared the radio system
operational again.

Work during the March 13 spacewalk also made Bartolomeo operational.
"Yesterday was a great day for all!" Bauer said. " astra!" Read an
expanded version.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

The Art and Science of Operating Ultra-Portable -- Mike Molina, KN6EZE

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 @ 8 PM EDT (0000 UTC on Wednesday, April 7)

Ultra-portable operation is quickly growing in popularity. Whether for
SOTA, POTA, backcountry survival, or just spending time in nature,
learning how to operate ultra-portable is a fun and rewarding
experience. In this presentation, Mike, KN6EZE, covers the basics for
new and experienced ham radio operators.

Finding and Fixing RFI -- Paul Cianciolo, W1VLF

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 @ 1 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

RFI (radio frequency interference) -- from natural and manmade sources
-- has been a problem for hams and shortwave listeners since the radio
hobby began. Things have changed in the last 20 years with the advent
of widespread solar power, LED lighting, grow lights, and computers.
The technology boom has enhanced our daily lives, but at what price?
Learn all about finding and fixing RFI in today's world.

HF Noise Mitigation -- ARRL Northwestern Division Director Mike Ritz,
W7VO

Thursday April 22, 2021 @ 3:30 PM EDT (1930 UTC)

An educational seminar to help new and experienced amateurs who are on
HF and finding themselves plagued with noise. We'll learn what "noise"
is, talk about the various noise sources, and discuss how to mitigate
those noises using a variety of techniques.

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Amateur Radio in the News
* Inside the Summit-Obsessed World of Ham Radio Outside Magazine,
March 14, 2021
* Portland Man Connects Kids to International Space Station From His
Home KGW8 ABC (Oregon), March 5, 2021
* Radio Gaga The Star (Malaysia), March 6, 2021
* Separated by Distance -- and a Pandemic -- Puget Sound's Amateur
Radio Enthusiasts are Connecting with Even Greater Frequency
Seattle Times (Washington), March 3, 2021

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news. Share
any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

YOTA Region 1 Taking Cautious Approach to COVID-19 and YOTA Camps

The IARU Region 1 (IARU-R1) Youth Working Group has said no youth
events will take place before mid-June, and that it will review those
scheduled for later in the year as the pandemic situation evolves. The
group said these events make social distancing difficult, and it
doesn't believe it would be possible for them to take place safely.
Other 2021 events will remain on the calendar for the time being.

"The position on the [COVID-19] pandemic remains serious and
unpredictable," the group said. "Governments everywhere struggle with
balancing the health of their economies with the health of their
populations. The vaccine rollout seems likely to take most of this year
and even then, the impact of mutant strains of the virus and national
quarantine requirements are difficult to predict."

IARU Region 1 has planned several in-person events for 2021 in the
Youth, amateur radio direction finding (ARDF), and high-speed
telegraphy competition (HST) areas. A workshop for member-societies is
also on the calendar. Whether these will take place as scheduled
remains up in the air.

IARU-R1 has said it will review the forecast evolution of the pandemic
sufficiently before each event to decide whether it will take place.
"Generally, this will be 4 months prior to the scheduled date," IARU-R1
said. "[That way,] those planning to attend should have sufficient time
to make the necessary travel arrangements."

IARU Region 1 said it wants to make sure that any events taking place
do so in an environment that respects national requirements for
pandemic control and does not place the health and well-being of
participants at risk.
Plans Continue for In-Person Friedrichshafen HAM RADIO Event

The 45th HAM RADIO event in Friedrichshafen, Germany, is still planned
for June 25 - 27, but the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) concedes
that the COVID-19 pandemic is making planning "exceedingly difficult."
The DARC is the event's sponsor, while the venue, the Friedrichshafen
Fairgrounds (Messe Friedrichshafen) and local authorities have the last
word. Planning under way includes appropriate hygienic and physical
distancing policies. "With all those measures in place, HAM RADIO 2021
will obviously be a much smaller and different event than usual," DARC
said.

Local authorities will follow the course set by the federal government,
but, DARC said, there is slow progress with Germany's vaccination
program and some uncertainty regarding virus mutations, and it's not
clear if and when approval will be given. Visitors from outside Germany
may be subject to quarantine or testing, DARC said. "The safety,
health, and comfort of our international visitors is our utmost
priority, and hence, we want to advise you to plan your trip to
Friedrichshafen bearing in mind that the in-person event still might
get canceled." DARC said it's planning a "state-of-the-art online
conference event" in parallel with the arrangements under way for the
in-person event. It's contacting international amateur radio
organizations to provide presentations in video or other formats.

Ham Radio Satellite Returns from the Dead

After 7 years of silence, the Delfi-n3Xt satellite is again
transmitting a signal. The 3U Delfi-n3Xt nanosat, launched by Delft
University of Technology (TU Delft), has not been heard since 2014, and
its sponsors were surprised to learn that it was transmitting again.
Delfi-n3Xt carries a linear amateur radio transponder. It was the
second satellite launched by TU Delft, as part of the Delfi Program,
which develops very small satellites. The first Delfi satellite,
Delfi-C3, is still working as well. Now that Delfi-n3Xt is transmitting
again, steps are being taken to further its mission. The Delfi-n3Xt
project started in 2007, and the satellite was launched in November
2013. The satellite operated successfully for 3 months, achieving
mission success. Contact with the satellite was lost in late 2014 after
an experiment with the linear transponder.

When functioning properly, the Delfi-n3Xt satellite transmits telemetry
on 145.870 MHz and 145.93 MHz, and high-speed data on 2405 MHz. The
inverting SSB/CW transponder has an uplink passband of 435.530 -
435.570 MHz LSB and a downlink passband of 145.880 - 145.920 MHz USB.
The ham transponder was a last-minute addition to the project.

On February 9, an automatic email notification was received from the
satellite's ground station, indicating that a signal from the
Delfi-n3Xt had been picked up. Student and ground station operator Nils
von Storch said he'd programmed the ground station software so that it
would continue to track Delfi-n3Xt and notify him if it ever came back
to life. Relevant checks and analysis of telemetry frames prove the
satellite is transmitting again. The reason it stopped transmitting has
not yet been determined, and the big question now is how it was able to
resume operation.

Hypotheses include a bit flip in the software or a short circuit, given
the extreme conditions in space.

"Of course, in the past, we have looked for all kinds of explanations,
and we also had theories about how the contact could ever come back,"
nanosatellite program manager Jasper Bouwmeester, PC4JB, said. "But
after so long, I hadn't counted on it anymore." Bouwmeester, who has
been managing the mission since 2007, expressed confidence that the
satellite can still be of use to science.

"But I am sure that we will be able to find solutions," operations
manager Stefano Speretta said. "If we don't lose the signal again,
there are interesting times ahead." -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service and
Delft University of Technology

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcements
* Radio amateurs in Europe recently were able to grab and decode some
portions of a recent telemetry transmission from the second stage
of the SpaceX Falcon 9 launcher while in orbit. "The data was in a
somewhat standard format, but decoding still required some custom
tools to extract the bitstream," says presenter Scott Manley. The
video includes images not available in the SpaceX public video
stream.
* The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has
announced that its WWVB transmission system is being upgraded to
improve signal reliability. Many rely on the 60 kHz WWVB signal to
synchronize specially equipped clocks and watches. NIST says the
WWVB signal may operate on a single antenna at approximately 30 kW
radiated power for several days, with periodic outages. Upgrades
are expected to be complete by April 9.
* North Carolina ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator Tom Brown, N4TAB,
has been awarded the ARRL Roanoke Division Service Award. Brown
contributes to the North Carolina Emergency Management Agency
initiative as the COMC and AuxComm Coordinator, which involves and
promotes the use of amateur radio. -- Thanks to Steve Waterman,
K4CJX
* Starting on March 22, the Massachusetts-Rhode Island Slow Net
(MARISN) will meet Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at
8:30 PM EDT on 3598 kHz.
* Fiji has a new ham. Joanna "JK" Korczak, 3D2ZK, has announced plans
to be active from 3D2/C (Conway Reef), 3D2/R (Rotuma Island), and
several rare islands around Fiji starting in May.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: The average daily sunspot number rose
just a little this week, from 18.4 to 19, and average daily solar flux
edged down from 78.9 to 78.1. Solar activity remains low. The vernal
equinox occurs at 0937 UTC on March 20. The southern and northern
hemispheres will be bathed in approximately equal amounts of solar
radiation, which has a positive effect of HF propagation.

Average daily planetary A index rose from 7.6 to 10.3, and average
daily middle-latitude A index increased from 6.1 to 7.3. Solar wind on
March 14 drove the planetary A index to 25, and Alaska's College A
index was 37.

The latest forecast predicts solar flux at 78 on March 18 - 19; 76 on
March 20 - 25; 78 on March 26; 76 on March 27; 75 on March 28 - April
1; 78 on April 2 - 3; 70, 74, 76, and 72 on April 4 - 7; 71, 72, and 70
on April 8 - 10; 71, 72, and 71 on April 11 - 13; 73, 76, and 75 on
April 14 - 16. Solar flux is expected to hit a high of 81 on April 19.

Predicted planetary A index is 5, 12, and 24 on March 18 - 20; 20, 15,
12, and 8 on March 21 - 24, 5 on March 2 - 27; 25 on March 28; 20 on
March 29 - 30; 10, 5, 15, and 8 on March 31 - April 3; 5 on April 4 -
7; 15, 18, 20, and 15 on April 8 - 11; 8, 5, and 8 on April 12 - 14,
and 20 on April 15 - 16. The A index may peak at 25 again on April 24.

Sunspot numbers for March 11 - 17 were 23, 15, 12, 24, 24, 23, and 12,
with a mean of 19. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 78.2, 76.9, 81.1, 78,
74.8, 79.2, and 78.2, with a mean of 78.1. Estimated planetary A
indices were 4, 12, 17, 25, 7, 4, and 3, with a mean of 10.3. Middle
latitude A index was 3, 9, 13, 17, 5, 2, and 2, with a mean of 7.3.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Getting It Right!

It's ohms, not watts in the item "Monster Dipole Can Deliver Monster
Signal," which appeared in the March 11 edition of The ARRL Letter. A
font "translation" problem converted the omega symbol for ohms back to
a capital W for watts. In the same article, some took issue with
ZL3SV's unsubstantiated claim of 16 dB gain on 20 meters. After
modeling the antenna, one reader said the peak gain would be in the
vicinity of 11 dB, but only at a very low takeoff angle.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* March 18 -- NAQCC CW Sprint
* March 18 -- BCC QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
* March 20 -- AGCW VHF/UHF Contest CW
* March 20 -- Feld Hell Sprint
* March 20 - 21 -- Russian DX Contest (CW, phone)
* March 20 - 21 -- Virginia QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
* March 21 -- UBA Spring Contest, SSB
* March 20 - 22 -- BARTG HF RTTY Contest
* March 21 - 22 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
* March 24 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)
* March 25 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship, SSB

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
March 25, 2021

* FCC Not Yet Collecting $35 Application Fee
* FCC Agrees with ARRL and Allows Partial Reprieve on 3.5 GHz
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* The New ARRL Repeater Directory is Now Shipping
* Cooperative Effort Under Way to Resolve Potential 70-Centimeter
Interference Issue
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Announcements
* NCVEC Question Pool Committee Seeks Input for Updated Technician
Question Pool
* "Radio in a Box" Concept Could Ease DXpedition Access
* In Brief...
* Getting It Right!
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
FCC Not Yet Collecting $35 Application Fee

The majority of the FCC's revised Part 97 rules (adopted in December
2020) establishing new application fees become effective on April 19,
but the new amateur radio application fees will not become effective on
April 19. The FCC announced on March 19 that the amateur radio
application fees, including those associated with Form 605 filings,
would not become effective until the "requisite notice has been
provided to Congress, the FCC's information technology systems and
internal procedures have been updated, and the Commission publishes
notice(s) in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of such
rules."

The $35 fee, when it becomes effective, would apply to new,
modification (upgrade and sequential call sign change), renewal, and
vanity call sign applications, as well as applications for a special
temporary authority (STA) or a rule waiver. All fees will be per
application. ministrative updates, such as a change of mailing, email
address, or name, are exempt.

It is expected that such fees will not become effective before summer
2021. The FCC has stated that amateurs will have advance warning of the
actual effective date, because it will publish such date in the Federal
Register.

ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM,
said VECs and Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams will not have to collect
the $35 fee at exam sessions. Once the FCC application fee takes
effect, new and upgrade applicants will pay the $15 exam session fee to
the VE team as usual, and pay the $35 application fee directly to the
FCC via the Fee Filer System or License Manager System. Somma said this
information was provided in a VE Newsletter distributed this past week.
"Further news and instructions will follow when we have them," she
said.
FCC Agrees with ARRL and Allows Partial Reprieve on 3.5 GHz

Pending future FCC action, amateur radio secondary use of the 3.3 -
3.45 GHz band segment may continue indefinitely. The FCC, as part of a
lengthy Second Report and Order (R&O) for commercial licensing of 3.45
- 3.55 GHz adopted on March 17, agreed with ARRL that continued access
by amateur radio to 3.3 - 3.45 GHz should be allowed until
consideration of the 3.1 - 3.45 GHz spectrum in a later proceeding. The
FCC action in WT Docket 19-348 represents a partial -- and temporary --
reprieve from the FCC's December 2019 proposal to remove amateur radio
from the entire band, and it makes available an additional 50 MHz than
an FCC proposal last fall to allow amateur temporary use of 3.3 - 3.4
GHz.

Amateur secondary operation in the 3.45 - 3.50 GHz band must cease 90
days after public notice that the spectrum auction has closed and
licensing has begun. That is expected to happen early in 2022. The FCC
announced the opening of 3.45 - 3.55 GHz for auction to commercial 5G
interests on March 17.

The FCC stated that "While we adopt our proposal to bifurcate the band,
we adjust our proposal and set 3450 MHz as the frequency at which the
band will be split." It agreed "with the ARRL's assessment that the
guard band is not necessary from a technical standpoint. We also
recognize that the nature of amateur equipment realities makes the 50
MHz at 3400 - 3450 MHz particularly valuable to amateur operators
because it means existing equipment can continue to operate in the band
for the time being."

This allows "amateur operations to continue in the lower portion of the
band while the [FCC and federal government users] continue to analyze
whether that spectrum can be reallocated for flexible use," the FCC
said. The FCC had proposed splitting the band at 3.4 GHz, permitting
amateur use in 100 MHz of spectrum "while also providing a buffer to
protect flexible-use operations at the lower edge of the 3.45 GHz
band."

"We therefore allow secondary amateur operations to continue in the 3.4
- 3.45 GHz portion of the band," the FCC said. "We emphasize, however,
that amateur licensees remain secondary users, and those that operate
on frequencies close to the 3450 MHz band edge must do so with
particular caution to avoid causing harmful interference to
flexible-use licensees in the 3.45 GHz Service, which hold primary
status. In light of these considerations, while amateur operations
between 3450 MHz and 3500 MHz must cease within 90 days of the public
notice announcing the close of the auction for the 3.45 GHz Service, as
specified in the Report and Order; amateur operations may continue
between 3300 MHz and 3450 MHz while the Commission, NTIA, and the DoD
continue to analyze whether that spectrum can be reallocated for
commercial wireless use."

"There is no expectation that such operations will be accommodated in
future planning for commercial wireless operations in this spectrum, or
that amateur operators will receive more than a short period of notice
before their operations must cease," the FCC said.

ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 15) features a
conversation with propagation expert Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, about
what to expect in the new solar cycle.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (episode 30) features a
conversation with Clark Burgard, N1BCG, about the current state of AM
in amateur radio.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.
The New ARRL Repeater Directory is Now Shipping

The 2021 ARRL Repeater Directory^(R) is now shipping. It includes
"crowdsourced" listings contributed by users, repeater owners, and
volunteer frequency coordinators. This means more listings that are
updated more often. With 24,000 listings, it's the most complete
printed directory of on-the-air repeaters, covering repeater systems
throughout the US and Canada.

Repeater systems are listed by state/province, city, and operating
mode. Digital repeater systems such as System Fusion, D-STAR, DMR,
NXDN, and P25 are included. Pages of supplemental information include
VHF/UHF and microwave band plans, and repeater operating practices. It
features a convenient lie-flat spiral binding.

For decades, The ARRL Repeater Directory has been an invaluable source
for locating repeater frequencies while traveling. New hams often use
the Repeater Directory to find local activity after purchasing a new
handheld radio. And public service volunteers keep a copy nearby or in
their emergency go-kit.

The 2021 ARRL Repeater Directory is available from the ARRL Store or an
ARRL publication dealer. Order ARRL Item No. 1434, ISBN:
978-1-62595-143-4, $19.95 retail. For additional questions or ordering,
call (860) 594-0355, or, toll free in the US, (888) 277-5289.

Repeater listings appearing in The ARRL Repeater Directory are provided
by RFinder Inc. If a repeater has been omitted or a listing is
inaccurate, contact RFinder directly.

Cooperative Effort Under Way to Resolve Potential 70-Centimeter
Interference Issue

ARRL, the FCC, and the US Department of Defense are cooperating in an
effort to eliminate the possibility of amateur radio interference on 70
centimeters to a future missile control system at White Sands Missile
Range (WSMR) in New Mexico. The Defense Department's Regional Spectrum
Coordinator contacted the FCC in March, seeking information on whom to
contact regarding amateur transmissions operational on 70-centimeter
frequencies slotted for use on the new control system. The FCC, in
turn, asked ARRL to oversee the coordination efforts. It is to be noted
that the Amateur Radio Service is a secondary service on the band.

Investigation revealed that the potential problem was not with
individual operators or repeaters, but with RF control links at 420 -
430 MHz used to establish a linked repeater system within New Mexico.
"Based on the investigation, and with the support of the FCC, the
owners of the RF control links being used in the 420 - 430 MHz portion
of the amateur allocation within a certain proximity to WSMR are being
asked to re-coordinate the link frequency to a new one above 430 MHz,"
explained ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND.

ARRL enlisted the assistance of the state's designated repeater
frequency coordinator for information on specific links in that part of
the band. New Mexico Repeater Frequency Coordinator Bill Kauffman,
W5YEJ, agreed to work with the control link operators to find new
frequencies that will meet the needs of the link operators.

"Time is a factor in this request," Henderson said. "The new WSMR
systems are in advanced testing and will become fully operational by
early summer 2021." The negotiated deadline for the affected control
links to change frequencies is set for May 31, 2021.

"It appears a total of 32 control links will have to be addressed,"
Henderson said. ARRL has mailed letters to each of the RF control link
operators, based on the record keeping of the frequency coordinator, to
advise them of the DoD's request. "Any links with the potential to
affect the identified control systems at WSMR still in operation after
May 31, 2021 will be subject to action by the FCC."

Henderson said the changes should have no direct impact on the use of
any local repeater, but until all the affected RF control links are
transitioned to new frequencies, certain links may be temporarily
inoperative. Links unable to be relocated by May 31 will have to be
shut down until the situation can be resolved. ARRL will maintain
contact with the FCC to advise it of the status of the coordination
efforts.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

The Art and Science of Operating Ultra-Portable -- Mike Molina, KN6EZE
/ Tuesday, April 6, 2021 @ 8 PM EDT (0000 UTC on Friday, April 7)

Ultra-portable operation is quickly growing in popularity. Whether for
SOTA, POTA, backcountry survival, or just spending time in nature,
learning how to operate ultra-portable is a fun and rewarding
experience. In this presentation, Mike, KN6EZE, covers the basics for
new and experienced ham radio operators.

Finding and Fixing RFI -- Paul Cianciolo, W1VLF, RFI Engineer, ARRL
Laboratory / Tuesday, April 20, 2021 @ 1 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

RFI (radio frequency interference) -- from natural and manmade sources
-- has been a problem for hams and shortwave listeners since the radio
hobby began. Things have changed in the last 20 years with the advent
of widespread solar power, LED lighting, grow lights, and computers.
Learn all about finding and fixing RFI in today's world.

HF Noise Mitigation -- ARRL Northwestern Division Director Mike Ritz,
W7VO / Thursday April 22, 2021 @ 3:30 PM EDT (1930 UTC)

An educational seminar to help new and experienced amateurs who are on
HF and finding themselves plagued with noise. We'll learn what "noise"
is, talk about the various noise sources, and discuss how to mitigate
those noises using a variety of techniques.

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Announcements
* The Finnish Amateur Radio League (SRAL) is celebrating its 100th
anniversary. Special event stations will be on the air, and award
certificates are available for working 100 Finnish stations (50
OH-prefix and 50 OF-prefix) and 10 special event Finnish stations.
Submit log extracts via email in January 2022.
* The FCC has announced that it will start collecting firsthand
accounts on broadband availability and service quality directly
from consumers, as part of its Broadband Data Collection program. A
new web page explains the program and provides direct links to
consumer resources, including a new "share your broadband
experience" option. -- FCC News Release
* A week-long KA6LMS "Last Man Standing" radio special event started
Wednesday, March 24 and runs through 2359 UTC on March 30 -- the TV
show's final day of shooting. The Great South Bay Amateur Radio
Club website has details for certificates and QSL information.
* The Ogden Amateur Radio Club (OARC) in Utah is celebrating its
100th anniversary as an organized club. In May of 1921, Dr. W.G.
Garner, W7EW, and five others gathered to establish the club, and
Garner was elected president. OARC now uses the last call sign he
held, W7SU, as a memorial club station call sign. OARC has been an
ARRL-sanctioned club since 1937.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

NCVEC Question Pool Committee Seeks Input for Updated Technician
Question Pool

The National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC)
Question Pool Committee (QPC) is requesting input from the

amateur radio community on new or modified questions for the 2022 -
2026 FCC Element 2 (Technician pool), which goes into effect on July 1,
2022. This may include suggestions for new questions, changes to
current examination topic areas, or changes to existing questions in
the current Technician question pool.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The QPC said it's seeking input that focuses on:
* Topics and subjects that enhance public interest and understanding
and use of amateur radio, or focus on STEM hands-on learning and
education.
* Questions on new technology, digital modes, station setup and
operation, antennas, and emergency and non-emergency operation.

To submit suggested questions for QPC review, the committee asks that
questions have no more than two 70-character lines, including spaces.
Distractors should be no more two 70-character lines long, and shorter
if possible. Each multiple choice question must be accompanied by four
possible distractors and only one correct answer. The answer choices
may be in any order, but the correct answer must be indicated by the
letters A, B, C, or D at the beginning of the question. Those
submitting suggestions should provide the resource information that
supports the correct answer or the FCC Part 97 rule.

The QPC will accept question comments, revisions, and submissions from
the amateur radio community via email through June 30, 2021. This email
address is a bulk forwarding mailbox, so no acknowledgement will be
sent by return email. The NCVEC QPC will take all comments into
consideration as it updates the Technician question pool for 2022 -
2026.

"Radio in a Box" Concept Could Ease DXpedition Access

Leaving a small footprint on sensitive natural areas can be a challenge
for DXpeditions. George Wallner, AA7JV, who will be operating as C6AGU
from Deep Water Cay in the Bahamas until March 30, including during the
CQ World Wide WPX SSB weekend, will be testing a DXpedition setup that
may be more amenable to the concerns of environmental protection
agencies that oppose camping on protected land.

Radio gear in a weatherproof box is
installed on land, along with
antennas.

In some places, landing permits (rather than the cost of a DXpedition)
are the biggest obstacle. Often, overnight stays are not allowed,
especially hindering 160-meter operation.

The approach is "Radio in a Box" (RIB) -- a complete station in a
weatherproof Pelican case containing a FLEX-6700 transceiver and an
amplifier, along with cooling and control systems. The box, antennas,
and generators would be on land and operated remotely from a nearby
vessel. The RIB is seen as addressing that issue, and Wallner believes
this lower-profile approach will become the standard for future
DXpeditions to sensitive areas. The Northern California DX Foundation
and FlexRadio have provided financial support. C6AGU operators this
month will include W6IZT,

Operators contest from the vessel's
flybridge.

W8HC, KN4EEI, and AA7JV. Emailed signal reports are invited.

This team has been testing the RIB concept for a year now. The November
2020 operation involved operation from a small, privately owned island
in the Bahamas, with the gear on shore and the operators on board,
running stations during the CQ World Wide DX Contest from the comfort
of the vessel's flybridge. This particular operation deployed four
individual RIBs, connected to a common network. The ship-to-shore link
was carried out on 900 MHz with a Ubiquiti data bridge. The test was
considered very successful.

Hal Turley, W8HC, has produced a PowerPoint of the November 2020 test
operation. He presented it at the February 6 virtual meeting of the
West Virginia DX Association (WVDXA), telling his audience that
operation with six RIBs on shore is considered possible. The passcode
is ZycM!+s1.
In Brief...

World Amateur Radio Day (WARD) 2021 is Sunday, April 18. On that day in
1925, the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) was formed in Paris.
Today, the IARU is a worldwide federation of national amateur radio
organizations. The IARU has chosen "Amateur Radio: Home but Never
Alone" as its WARD 2021 theme, acknowledging the many ways throughout
the COVID-19 pandemic that amateur radio has remained a welcome respite
for its variety of activities and opportunities -- even helping
overcome online fatigue and social isolation. ARRL has information to
help all radio amateurs start planning for World Amateur Radio Day.

The 2021 Comm Academy April 10 - 11 is 2 days of training, talks, and
information on emergency communications and amateur radio. This year's
theme is Disasters Here, There, and Everywhere -- Are We Ready?
Registration is free and required to gain access to the complete
schedule and academy materials. The academy is entirely virtual and
hosted online. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Comm Academy is
attended and supported by organizations including the Amateur Radio
Emergency Service (ARES^(R)); Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
(RACES); Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS); EOC Support Teams;
Civil Air Patrol; Coast Guard Auxiliary; REACT, and CERT, among others.
Anyone interested in emergency and amateur radio communications are
welcome to network and share experiences. The event focuses on
education for communications leaders, volunteers, and professionals.

A video demonstrates 60-meter interoperability between amateur and
non-amateur stations. The Ohio Section National Traffic System (NTS)
Buckeye Net had check-ins from two non-amateur stations during the
Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) COMEX-21 exercise on February
27. During the call-up, Steve Judd, WB8YLO, Department of Defense MARS,
and Department of Homeland Security SHARES stations checked in on SSB
and exchanged traffic using digital modes, supported by amateur
operators. The net session offers a clear demonstration of
interoperability between amateur and non-amateur stations on 60 meters
and would make an interesting club program (the video runs just over 28
minutes). Ohio Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator Matthew Curtin,
KD8TTE, said the Buckeye Net typically operates on 60 meters during
Cycle Two, because that provides the best quality circuit for stations
in Ohio. -- Thanks to Ohio ASEC C. Matthew Curtin, KD8TTE

Years ago, a mysterious signal dubbed "the ditter" showed up on 20
meters. The transmissions turned out to be unintentional. Now, the IARU
Region 1 Monitoring System February newsletter reports that mysterious
groups of dashes -- sometimes five, sometimes 16, sometimes continuous
-- are being transmitted over long periods daily at or around 7075 kHz,
a segment of 40 meters typically occupied by FT8 operators. So far, no
one's been able to pinpoint the source of the transmissions. The
"dasher" aside, over-the-horizon radars (OTHRs) continue to be the
biggest source of interference in the HF amateur bands. A "numbers
station" continues to be heard Wednesdays on 7062 kHz and 14280 kHz.
The voice is female, speaking Russian. The signal is believed to belong
to the Ukraine Security Service. The broadcasting stations Voice of
Broad Masses (VOBM1 and VOBM2) from Eritrea continue to cause
interference daily at 7140 and 7180 kHz. Another station at 7200 kHz --
believed to be National Unity Radio -- also broadcasts daily from 1100
to 1300 UTC. -- Thanks to IARU Region 1 Monitoring System

Law enforcement agencies in France seized the equipment of an
unidentified radio amateur in late 2020, alleging "insults and threats
on the airwaves." The action by federal and local authorities began
after complaints erupted within the amateur radio community regarding
"inappropriate behavior on the airwaves, punctuated by offensive
remarks and death threats." After confirming the source of the
transmissions, the National Frequency Agency (ANFR) agents discovered
that the licensee had failed to declare his radio installation to the
ANFR, which is required in France. The oversight provided an immediate
legal basis to seize the individual's radio equipment. -- Thanks to
Southgate Amateur Radio News
Getting It Right!

The video associated with the article, "Monster Dipole Can Deliver
Monster Signal" in the March 11 edition of The ARRL Letter, was
produced by Roly Runciman, ZL1BQD. We neglected to credit him.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* March 25 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship, SSB
* March 27 -- VHF FOC QSO Party (CW)
* March 27 - 28 -- CQ World Wide WPX Contest, SSB
* March 31 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (CW)

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: On March 21 and 22, two new sunspot
groups, 2811 and 2812, appeared. Average daily sunspot number this week
faded a bit from 19 to 17.9, but average daily solar flux went from
78.1 to 78.6. Neither change was significant.

We haven't seen a day with no sunspots since March 1, so that brought
the percentage of spotless days so far this year to 38%, down from 57%
for 2020, and 77% in 2019.

Geomagnetic activity was steady throughout this week, with average
daily planetary A index rising from 10.3 to 13.3, and average middle
latitude A index from 7.3 to 10.4.

But geomagnetic conditions were disturbed at higher latitudes. Alaska's
College A index, measured near Fairbanks, was 40 and 45 on March 20 -
21. This was reflected in a report from N6QEK/KL7 in North Pole, Alaska
(a town southeast of Fairbanks, not at the north pole), who wrote, "HF
frequencies here in the interior of Alaska were wiped out for the BARTG
RTTY Contest. FT8 signals were almost nonexistent as well."

Saturday was the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and
fall in the Southern Hemisphere, which can benefit HF propagation.

Predicted solar flux over the next month is 80 on March 25 - 27; 75 on
March 28 - April 1; 79, 80, and 81 on April 2 - 4; 82 on April 5 - 7;
81 on April 8; 80 on April 9 - 10; 78 and 76 on April 11 - 12; 75 on
April 13 - 14; 76 on April 15; 77 on April 16 - 17; 76 on April 18 -
20; 77 on April 21, and 78 on April 22 - 28. Solar flux is expected to
rise to 82 on May 2 - 4.

Predicted planetary A index is 8 on March 25; 5 on March 26 - 27; 25 on
March 28; 20 on March 29 - 30; 12 on March 31; 8, 15, and 8 on April 1
- 3; 5 on April 4 - 7; 15, 18, and 20 on April 8 - 10; 5 on April 11 -
15; 25, 22, 20, 15, 8 on April 16 - 20; 5 on April 21 - 23, and 25 on
April 24.

Sunspot numbers for March 18 - 24 were 12, 14, 12, 12, 23, 26, and 26,
with a mean of 17.9. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 73.4, 73.5, 80.3,
77.1, 80.4, 81.8, and 83.6, with a mean of 78.6. Estimated planetary A
indices were 4, 6, 29, 24, 8, 11, and 11, with a mean of 13.3. Middle
latitude A index was 4, 6, 20, 17, 6, 9, and 11, with a mean of 10.4.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

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Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

Sean,

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

Looks like echomail QRN, QRM, and QSB, wiped out the post (hi hi).

Daryl, WX4QZ

... I CQ. Therefore, I HAM. -- DE WX4QZ
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (1:19/33)

Looks like echomail QRN, QRM, and QSB, wiped out the post (hi hi).

The event ran while I was offline so yeah, it drew a blank. :)

73,
Sean KS4TD


--- Maximus/2 3.01
* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

Sean,

Looks like echomail QRN, QRM, and QSB, wiped out the post (hi hi).

The event ran while I was offline so yeah, it drew a blank. :)

I had a similar deal with one of the bulletins from W1AW. I had updated
the batchfile for it, but there was no textfile to go with it. So, the
program didn't even post it.

Daryl, WX4QZ

P.S. How was the hamfest??

... Windows is a Pickled System...full of Dilled Files (DLLs).
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (1:19/33)

Daryl Stout wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

P.S. How was the hamfest??

It went well. Picked up a few small items and it was nice to get out of the house.

Later,
Sean

... How is it possible to have a civil war?
___ MultiMail/Win v0.52

--- Maximus/2 3.01
* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

Sean,

P.S. How was the hamfest??

It went well. Picked up a few small items and it was nice to get out
of the house.

I know you would've liked to have won something. :)

The Hoxie Hamfest in northeast Arkansas was postponed due to COVID-19,
but with the lifting of the mask mandate, I'm not sure yet when they'll
have it.

Russellville and Fort Smith were canceled this year. For now, the Mena Hamfest is still on...and Little Rock stopped doing one 5 years ago.

Daryl, WX4QZ

... Press any key to continue or any other key to quit...
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (1:19/33)

The ARRL Letter
April 8, 2021

* Florida Emergency Communications Exercise Combines Hams, Agencies,
State, and NGOs
* IARU and CEPT Nudge WRC-23 Preparations Forward
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* March 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Oklahoma SM Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW, Stepping Down; Mark Kleine, N5HZR,
Appointed as Oklahoma SM
* Announcements
* MARS is a Not Always an Obvious Resource in Emergencies
* ARISS USA Gets IRS 501(c)(3) Recognition
* YOTA Announces New Three-Times-a-Year Contest
* In Brief...
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
Florida Emergency Communications Exercise Combines Hams, Agencies,
State, and NGOs

A 2-hour emergency communications exercise on March 19 in Florida was
deemed "wildly successful," while resulting in 21 specific suggestions
for improvement of issues recognized. Sponsored by Florida Baptist
Disaster Relief, a non-governmental (NGO) "served organization," the
exercise simulated a combined disaster of multiple tornadoes crossing
north-central Florida closely followed by a terrorist attack on
telecommunications, which took down large chunks of internet and
telephone service.

Pop-up situations, called "injects" by event planners, simulated
multiple dire situations and hinted at even larger attacks, designed to
create possible rumor issues. Multiple counties arranged for volunteers
to help with the simulation, working in shelters and transmitting
status reports of individualized disaster scenarios to county emergency
operations centers (EOCs). Volunteers directed by actual or simulated
EOC officials aggregated situational awareness and formulated status
and resource request messages, sent by voice or digital mode to a
volunteer from the actual Florida agency that handles disaster
communications. Appropriate responses were sent back by radio.

The exercise picked up additional support from multiple out-of-state
volunteers, who relayed traffic from voice to email and vice versa.
Amateur radio also conveyed simulated outbound welfare messages from
survivors in stricken cities and counties.

Lee County, Texas, Emergency
Coordinator Marida Favia del
Core Borromeo, KD5BJ, took part
in the exercise.

All told, 431 messages zipped through the airwaves within the 2-hour
simulation, including 53 to the state and 31 replies. Messages were
passed using digital email or radiogram.

Two of the seven exercise goals addressed interoperability between
agencies and volunteers. Agency emergency management and communications
groups participating included Florida Division of Emergency Management,
Florida Baptist Disaster Relief, the federal SHARES Southeast Regional
Net, Alachua, Columbia, Flagler, Madison, and Taylor Counties, as well
as Homestead City.

Volunteer communications groups included the Northern Florida ARES Net,
Northern Florida Phone Net, North Florida Phone Traffic Net, and
ARES^A(R) groups from Alachua, Columbia, Flagler, Madison, Marion,
Santa Rosa, Suwanee, and Volusia Counties. Madison corralled volunteers
from several surrounding counties to expand situational awareness.

Multiple county emergency managers injected their own specific plans
and overlay exercises, as provided by the open-exercise design. Ross
Merlin, WA2WDT, director of the federal SHARES program, arranged for a
60-meter interoperability channel to be made available, and leaders
from the SHARES Southeast Regional Net provided coverage that resulted
in formal message transfer. Florida net trainer Dave Davis, WA4WES,
rounded up volunteers to staff multiple voice nets, and he supervised a
PSK31 net. Northern Florida Section Emergency Coordinator Karl Martin,
K4HBN, also took part.

Exercise planning was carried out as much as possible in accordance
with DHS Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP)
protocols.

Post-exercise feedback -- both through a 1-hour Zoom "hotwash" session
and an anonymous feedback form -- were very positive and also suggested
possible improvements. All are included in the detailed and candid
After-Action Report/Improvement Plan.
IARU and CEPT Nudge WRC-23 Preparations Forward

The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) continued preparing for
World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23) by attending the
second meeting of the European Conference of Postal and
Telecommunications ministrations (CEPT) Conference Preparatory Group
(CPG) Project Team A on March 23 - 25. IARU Region 1 Spectrum Affairs
Chair Barry Lewis, G4SJH, said that Project Team A develops the CEPT
WRC briefs for several WRC scientific and regulatory agenda items of
particular interest to the amateur community. Specific attention is
being paid to WRC-23 agenda items 1.12, 1.14, and 9.1a.

IARU put forward its agreed preliminary positions for these agenda
items at the meeting. Lewis said IARU's overall objective is to
safeguard the allocations to the Amateur and Amateur Satellite Services
in co-located and adjacent frequency bands within the scope of each
agenda item. The CEPT briefs include a special section in which the
views of all recognized international and regional organizations can be
placed, and IARU's views are now in this section of the draft briefs
for each of these agenda items:
* Agenda Item 1.12 -- Earth exploration-satellite service (EESS)
(active) for spaceborne radar sounders within the range of
frequencies around 45 MHz. IARU's position is to ensure that
adjacent-band 50 MHz Amateur Services are protected. CEPT has not
voiced a position yet.
* Agenda Item 1.14 -- Possible new primary frequency allocations to
EESS (passive) in the frequency range 231.5 â** 252 GHz. IARU's
position is no change to the 248 - 250 GHz primary allocations and
the 241 - 248 GHz secondary allocations. CEPT supports the EESS
proposal.
* Agenda Item 9.1A -- Radio service designations for space weather
sensors. IARU 's position is to avoid additional constraints on
Amateur Services. CEPT's position is not yet defined.

The IARU Spectrum and Regulatory Liaison Committee (SRLC) continues to
be active in Project Team A and in all CEPT project teams dealing with
WRC-23 preparations. CEPT Conference Preparatory Group Project Team A
will also consider agenda item proposals to be put forward at WRC-27.
CPG Project Team A meeting documents are available on the CEPT website.

Visit the IARU Region 1 web page for more information on WRC-23
preparations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 16) focuses on
Parks on the Air (POTA), one of the most popular activities taking
place in amateur radio today. We chat with Audrey Hance, KN4TMU, a
relatively new ham who recently operated from Panther Creek State Park
in Tennessee.

The latest edition of the Eclectic Tech podcast (Episode 31) finds the
PSK31 digital mode alive and well, with many amateurs using it to
rediscover the joys of real keyboard-to-keyboard conversation. Also,
QST and QEX author Phil Salas, AD5X, discusses the revolution taking
place in small, inexpensive vector network analyzers, or VNAs.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.
March 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report

The Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program is a joint initiative between ARRL
and the FCC to enhance compliance in the Amateur Radio Service.

The FCC delayed action on the renewal application of a General-class
licensee in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, in order to review allegations of
repeated transmission of obscenities and failure to properly identify.

The Volunteer Monitor Coordinator issued 14 visory Notices. An
visory Notice is an attempt to resolve rule violation issues
informally before FCC intervention:
* An visory Notice was sent to the owner of a remote amateur
station in California, advising him that he is responsible for
deliberate interference transmitted by any station over his remote
facility.
* An visory Notice was sent to a radio amateur in Ripley,
Tennessee, regarding deliberate interference and failure to
properly identify on 75 meters.
* An visory Notice was sent to a radio amateur in Jefferson,
Georgia, regarding failure to properly identify on 40 meters.
* visory Notices were sent to radio amateurs in Tiburon, Petaluma,
and Manteca, California, and Grants Pass, Oregon, concerning
interference on 75 meters.

General visories were sent to operators in West Virginia, Michigan,
Iowa, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin concerning
operation on 7.200, 3.927, and 3.860 MHz.

A Good Operator Commendation was sent to a husband-and-wife team in
Perryopolis, Pennsylvania, recognizing excellent net and 2-meter
operations.

VM representatives had two meetings with FCC officials. -- Thanks to
Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, Volunteer Monitor Program ministrator

-------------------------------------------------------------------


ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

Finding and Fixing RFI -- Paul Cianciolo, W1VLF, on Tuesday, April 20,
2021 at 1 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

Radio frequency interference (RFI) has been a problem for ham radio
operators and SWLs (shortwave listeners) since the radio hobby began.
Noise has gotten worse over the last 20 years or so with the advent of
widespread solar power, LED lightning, grow lights, and digital
devices. Learn all about finding and fixing RFI in today's world.

HF Noise Mitigation -- ARRL Northwestern Division Director Mike Ritz,
W7VO, on Thursday, May 6 at 3:30 PM EDT (1930 UTC)

An educational seminar to help both new and experienced HF operators
who find themselves plagued with noise. We'll learn what "noise" is,
discuss the various noise sources, and talk about how to mitigate those
noises using a variety of techniques.

W1AW Antenna Farm -- W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q; Date To Be
Determined

Experience a bird's-eye view and description of the antennas used by
W1AW for the station's scheduled transmissions and visiting operator
activity. All the antennas used at W1AW are single-band Yagis. Viewers
will also see the 5 GHz sector antennas that are part of W1AW's AREDN
system.

These Learning Network presentations are sponsored by Icom.

ARRL members may register for upcoming presentations and view
previously recorded Learning Network webinars. ARRL-affiliated radio
clubs may also use the recordings as presentations for club meetings,
mentoring new and current hams, and discussing amateur radio topics.

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.
Oklahoma SM Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW, Stepping Down; Mark Kleine, N5HZR,
Appointed as Oklahoma SM

Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW, Oklahoma's long-serving Section Manager (SM) --
serving two terms from 2010 to 2014 and again serving since 2016 -- has
decided to step down effective April 9, 2021. Although he is stepping
down as Oklahoma SM, O'Dell will continue to serve amateur radio and
ARRL as a member of ARRL's Public Relations Committee. Prior to
becoming SM, O'Dell served as both a Public Information Officer and as
the Public Information Coordinator for the Oklahoma Section for many
years.

Mark P. Kleine, N5HZR, a resident of Norman, Oklahoma, has been
appointed to replace O'Dell as Oklahoma Section Manager effective April
9, and will serve out the balance of O'Dell's term, which extends to
September 30, 2022.

Kleine has been a very active member of the Oklahoma amateur radio
community for many years, currently serving as an Oklahoma Assistant
Section Manager, a leader of the South Canadian Amateur Radio Society
(SCARS), and as President of the Central Oklahoma Radio Amateurs
(CORA), a group of nine amateur radio clubs that host the Oklahoma City
Hamfest "Ham Holiday." An ARRL Life Member, Kleine is also an amateur
radio license class instructor and Volunteer Examiner for three
different Volunteer Examiner Coordinators.

ARRL Radiosport and Field Services Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, made the
appointment based on the recommendations of ARRL West Gulf Division
Director John Robert Stratton, N5AUS; O'Dell, N0IRW; West Gulf Vice
Director Lee Cooper, W5LHC, and leaders of the Oklahoma Section.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Announcements
* Dayton Hamvention^A(R) has information about online activities over
Hamvention weekend, May 20 - 22. Visit the Hamvention website for
details.
* Kanga Kits has closed, as its owners are retiring and putting the
business up for sale.
* The Radio Club of America has announced that it will interview Ken
Claerbout, K4ZW, on April 13, 2021, at 9 PM EDT (April 14 at 0100
UTC). He is acting chief of the Broadcast Technologies Division for
Global Media (USAGM). RCA President Tim Duffy, K3LR, will
facilitate the free event. vance registration is required.
* Complete results of the 2020 ARRL November Phone Sweepstakes and
the 2020 160-Meter Contest have been posted. The full results
articles, a searchable databases of all events, line scores,
certificates, and log-checking reports are available too.
* Mark Driscoll, W5MED, will operate KC4USV at Antarctica's McMurdo
Station for World Amateur Radio Day. Look for him at 14.243 MHz SSB
and 14.070 (FT8), April 17, 2330 - April 18, 0230 UTC, and April
18, 0600 - 0800 UTC. He'll participate in the ARRL Rookie Roundup,
April 18, 2100 - 2359.
* Solar physicist Scott McIntosh of the National Center for
Atmospheric Research (NCAR) will present an update to the Cycle 25
Solar forecast at 0200 UTC on Friday, April 9 (Thursday evening,
April 8, in the continental US and Canada). The Zoom meeting link
will open 30 minutes prior to the presentation to give participants
time to set up cameras, microphones, and chat.
MARS is a Not Always an Obvious Resource in Emergencies

The Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) is a US Department of
Defense adjunct comprised of radio amateurs that's not always the first
resource that comes to mind in an emergency, even within the military.
In a recent article in SIGNAL, US Marine Corps Major Brian Kerg exhorts
the brass to more fully exploit amateur radio in general, and MARS in
particular, for use in times of distress.

"As future threats continue to evolve, day-to-day communications
architectures will become more unreliable in times of crisis," Kerg
concludes. "It is imperative that joint communications planners turn to
amateurs to remain experts. By building awareness of how to employ MARS
and training military radio operators in ham radio technique, leaders
will ensure their planners are proactively leveraging the organic
amateur communications networks that abound across the globe."

In his article, Kerg -- who does not appear to be a radio amateur --
attempts to raise the amateur radio consciousness level of military
planners who are deciding how to address an emergency. He characterizes
ham radio as a robust and readily available communications resource
when things go south.

"And they are often every bit the expert as professional military
communicators and signalmen. The term 'amateur' refers not to their
technical acumen but to the private, nonbusiness use of allocated radio
bands by those possessing amateur radio licenses," Kerg points out. He
notes that while voice communication may be the most common ham radio
mode, operators are skilled at sending and receiving text, images, and
data.

With MARS, the Defense Department has a mechanism employing amateur
radio operators who can actively support military operations. "Notably,
military aircrews remain capable of using MARS phone patches through
high-frequency radios when satellite communications are unavailable,"
he writes.

Kerg says the downside is that the use of MARS "remains a largely
unknown or niche capability, one that is usually stumbled upon by
planners in the moment of crisis and then poorly implemented." He said
awareness of MARS was not helped when the Navy and Marine Corps MARS
were shuttered in 2015, leaving only Army and Air Force MARS.

Military planners should focus on raising awareness of MARS and of
amateur radio by making it available through training and other
activities, Kerg said. Contesting could be a component. "The wide
variety of annual amateur radio competitions can further incentivize
military operators to improve their amateur radio skills while
inevitably improving proficiency in their mission-essential tasks," he
wrote.

Kerg currently serves as the fleet amphibious communications officer,
US Fleet Forces Command.

ARISS USA Gets IRS 501(c)(3) Recognition

ARISS-USA, a Maryland not-for-profit corporation, has earned
recognition from the US Internal Revenue Service as a Section 501(c)(3)
charitable, scientific, and educational organization. ARISS-USA is the
US segment of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS) international working group. With this IRS determination,
ARISS-USA may solicit donations and grants, and donations to ARISS-USA
become tax-deductible in the US, retroactive to May 21, 2020.

"The educational scope and reach of what ARISS accomplishes has grown
significantly since our beginnings in 1996, said ARISS-USA Executive
Director Frank Bauer, KA3HDO. "We are actively working to extend
students' reach even further. This, through the pursuit of potential
student opportunities on human spaceflight missions beyond low-Earth
orbit, is part of our Amateur Radio Exploration (AREx) Program. First
AREx destination: the moon!"

ARISS-USA says it will continue to promote student involvement with the
astronauts on the ISS via amateur radio. Working with educational
organizations, ARISS provides opportunities to inspire, engage, and
educate our next generation of space explorers through STEAM (science,
technology, engineering, arts, and math) activities and content.

ARISS-USA will continue to collaborate with ARISS International and US
sponsors, partners, and interest groups. ARISS' sponsors are NASA Space
Communication and Navigation (SCaN) and the ISS National Lab (INL).
Donations to ARISS-USA are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
YOTA Announces New Three-Times-a-Year Contest

"Team YOTA" of Youngsters on the Air in IARU Region 1 has announced it
will sponsor a new contest, the YOTA Contest. Open to all radio
amateurs, it takes place three times a year and runs for just 12 hours.
YOTA said the aim is to boost on-the-air activity by younger radio
amateurs and to support YOTA. The contest will take place on different
12-hour windows on three Saturdays.

The opening event will be on May 22, 0800 - 1959 UTC. The other two in
2021 will be July 17, 1000 - 2159 UTC, and December 30, 1200 - 2359
UTC.

YOTA has established eight different operating categories, which
include sub-categories for operators age 25 and younger, but operators
of all ages may participate. Covering 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters,
the allowable modes will be CW and SSB.

The contest exchange will be the age of the participating operator.
Different ages serve as score multipliers during the contest. Stations
may work the same station once per band mode.

Contacts between the station's own continent are worth 1 point, while
working DX is worth 3 points. The most points will be achieved by
working the youngest operators. "The younger the operator, the more
points one will get for the QSO," YOTA said.

The IARU Region 1 Youth Working Group is working with Hungary's IARU
member-society MRASZ, the Hungarian Amateur Radio Society. MRASZ is
providing a contest log robot, among other things.

Submit Cabrillo logs only. Contest winners will be announced once logs
received have been checked in the various categories. Winners will be
awarded with a YOTA Contest plaque.

The contest committee consists of the IARU Region 1 Youth Working
Group: Philipp, DK6SP, chair; Markus, DL8GM, vice chair, and members
Csaba, HA6PX, and Tomi, HA8RT.

Contact the YOTA Contest Committee with any questions or further
information.
In Brief...

Online Comm Academy 2021 is set for April 10 - 11. The 2021 Comm
Academy is 2 days of training, talks, and information on emergency
communications and amateur radio. This year's theme is Disasters Here,
There, and Everywhere -- Are We Ready? Registration is free and
required to gain access to the complete schedule and academy materials.
The Academy is entirely virtual and hosted online. Headquartered in
Seattle, Washington, Comm Academy is attended and supported by
organizations including the Amateur Radio Emergency Service
(ARES^A(R)); Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES); Auxiliary
Communications Service (ACS); EOC Support Teams; Civil Air Patrol;
Coast Guard Auxiliary; REACT, and CERT, among others. All interested in
emergency and amateur radio communications are welcome to network and
share experiences. The event focuses on education for communications
leaders, volunteers, and professionals.

The 10th anniversary of Maritime Radio Day (MRD) will take place from
1200 UTC on April 14 to 2200 UTC on April 15. The annual event
commemorates nearly 90 years of wireless service for seafarers. Radio
amateurs and shortwave listeners are welcome and should register in
advance. Stations such as coastal radio stations and ships may
participate only if operated by former commercial or Navy operators, or
by radio technicians who worked on the installation and/or maintenance
of naval equipment. Former Merchant Marine Radio Operators or former
Ship's Electronic Technicians are encouraged to participate. All
traffic must occur around the following international naval frequencies
on amateur radio bands: 1824 kHz; 3520 kHz; 7020 kHz; 10,118 kHz;
14,052 kHz; 21,052 kHz, and 28,052 kHz. The primary working frequency
is 14,052 kHz. There is no power limit. Operators should submit an
email or letter detailing stations worked to Rolf Marschner, DL9CM,
Narzissenweg 10 53359, Rheinbach, Germany.

Antenna Designer Floyd Koontz, WA2WVL, of Lecanto, Florida, died on
March 18. An ARRL Life Member, he was 85. Koontz may best be identified
in the ham radio community with the EWE receiving antennas. EWE came
from the fact that the antenna looked like an inverted U. Licensed in
1955 as WN9JQA, Koontz was an engineering graduate of Rose Hulman
Institute of Technology. He was a prolific QST author, with antenna
articles appearing between 1993 and 2006. He spent most of his career
working for the Harris Corporation and held several antenna design
patents.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspots were only visible on 4 days
of the current reporting week -- on April 3 - 6. As a result, the
average daily sunspot number declined from 11.9 last week to 6.4.
Average daily solar flux also dropped from 77.4 to 73.4, and the
average daily planetary A index declined from 8.9 to 6.6.

Predicted solar flux for the next month is 74 on April 8; 72 on April 9
- 20; 74 on April 21 - 26; 73 on April 27 - May 1; 72 on May 2 - 5, and
70 on May 6 - 10.

Predicted planetary A index is 10, 8, 12, and 8 on April 8 - 11; 5 on
April 12 - 15; 20, 18, 8, and 8 on April 16 - 19; 5 on April 20 - 21; 8
on April 22 - 24; 5 on April 25 - May 1; 8 on May 2 - 4, and 5 on May 5
- 12.

In April 1989, daily sunspot numbers ranged from 134 to 161.

Sunspot numbers for April 1 - 7 were 0, 0, 12, 11, 11, 11, and 0, with
a mean of 6.4. 10.7-centimeter flux was 77.9, 72.1, 72.8, 70, 71.9,
73.6, and 75.7, with a mean of 73.4. Estimated planetary A indices were
8, 6, 4, 3, 5, 3, and 17, with a mean of 6.6 middle latitude A index
was 8, 4, 2, 2, 5, 3, and 15, with a mean of 5.6.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* April 10 -- QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party (CW)
* April 10 - 11 -- JIDX CW Contest (CW)
* April 10 - 11 OK/OM DX Contest (SSB)
* April 10 - 11 -- FTn DX Contest
* April 10 - 11 -- IG-RY World Wide RTTY Contest
* April 10 - 11 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)
* April 10 - 11 -- Nebraska QSO Party (CW, phone)
* April 10 - 11 -- New Mexico QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
* April 10 - 11 -- Georgia QSO Party (CW, phone)
* April 10 - 11 -- North Dakota QSO Party (CW, phone)
* April 10 - 11 -- Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest (CW)
* April 11 -- WAB 3.5/7/14 MHz (digital)
* April 11 -- Hungarian Straight Key Contest (CW)
* April 11 -- RSGB RoLo SSB
* April 11 - 12 -- DIG QSO Party (CW)
* April 12 -- 4 States QRP Second Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)
* April 12 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (CW)
* April 14 -- NAQCC CW Sprint

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* August 13 - 15 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo (online)
* August 21 - 22 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention (Huntsville
Hamfest), Huntsville, Alabama

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
April 15, 2021

* Updated Radio Frequency Exposure Rules Become Effective on May 3
* St. Vincent Radio Amateurs on Alert During Volcano Emergency
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* National Science Foundation Funds Creation of Research Lab at
Alaska's HAARP
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Intrepid-DX Group Joins Forces with LA7GIA in Bouvet Island Attempt
* Announcements
* The K7RA Solar Update
* In Brief...
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

-------------------------------------------------------------------

World Amateur Radio Day is April 18

ARRL wishes all of our members and friends a very happy World Amateur
Radio Day, Sunday, April 18! Join us in celebrating the global
community of radio amateurs who explore, develop, and enjoy radio
communication. Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station W1AW will be on the
air on April 18 from ARRL Headquarters in Connecticut. World Amateur
Radio Day celebrates the 1925 founding of the International Amateur
Radio Union (IARU), which has chosen "Amateur Radio: Home but Never
Alone" as its theme for this year's anniversary.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Updated Radio Frequency Exposure Rules Become Effective on May 3

The FCC has announced that rule changes detailed in a lengthy 2019
Report and Order (R&O) governing RF exposure standards go into effect
on May 3, 2021. The new rules do not change existing RF exposure (RFE)
limits but do require that stations in all services, including amateur
radio, be evaluated against existing limits, unless they are exempted.
For stations already in place, that evaluation must be completed by May
3, 2023. After May 3 of this year, any new station, or any existing
station modified in a way that's likely to change its RFE profile --
such as different antennas or placement, or greater power -- will need
to conduct an evaluation by the date of activation or change.

"In the RF Report and Order, the Commission anticipated that few
parties would have to conduct reevaluations under the new rules and
that such evaluations will be relatively straightforward," the FCC said
in an April 2 Public Notice. "It nevertheless adopted a 2-year period
for parties to verify and ensure compliance under the new rules."

The Amateur Service is no longer categorically excluded from certain
aspects of the rules, as amended, and licensees can no longer avoid
performing an exposure assessment simply because they are transmitting
below a given power level.

"For most amateurs, the major difference is the removal of the
categorical exclusion for amateur radio, which means that ham station
owners must determine if they either qualify for an exemption or must
perform a routine environmental evaluation," said Greg Lapin, N9GL,
Chair of the ARRL RF Safety Committee and a member of the FCC
Technological visory Council (TAC).

"Ham stations previously excluded from performing environmental
evaluations will have until May 3, 2023, to perform these. After May 3,
2021, any new stations or those modified in a way that affects RF
exposure must comply before being put into service," Lapin said.

The December 2019 RF R&O changes the methods that many radio services
use to determine and achieve compliance with FCC limits on human
exposure to RF electromagnetic fields. The FCC also modified the
process for determining whether a particular device or deployment is
exempt from a more thorough analysis by replacing a service-specific
list of transmitters, facilities, and operations for which evaluation
is required with new streamlined formula-based criteria. The R&O also
addressed how to perform evaluations where the exemption does not
apply, and how to mitigate exposure.

Amateur radio licensees will have to determine whether any existing
facilities previously excluded under the old rules now qualify for an
exemption under the new rules. Most will, but some may not.

"For amateurs, the major difference is the removal of the categorical
exclusion," Lapin said, "which means that every ham will be required to
perform some sort of calculation, either to determine if they qualify
for [IMG]an exemption or must perform a full-fledged exposure
assessment. For hams who previously performed exposure assessments on
their stations, there is nothing more to do."

The ARRL Lab staff is available to help amateurs to make these
determinations and, if needed, perform the necessary calculations to
ensure their stations comply. ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI,
who helped prepare ARRL's RF Exposure and You book, explained it this
way. "The FCC did not change any of the underlying rules applicable to
amateur station evaluations," he said. "The sections of the book on how
to perform routine station evaluations are still valid and usable,
especially the many charts of common antennas at different heights."
Hare said ARRL Lab staff also would be available to help amateurs
understand the rules and evaluate their stations.

RF Exposure and You is available for free download from ARRL. ARRL also
has an RF Safety page on its website.

The ARRL RF Safety Committee is working with the FCC to update the
FCC's aids for following human exposure rules -- OET Bulletin 65 and
OET Bulletin 65 Supplement B for Radio Amateurs. In addition, ARRL is
developing tools that all hams can use to perform exposure assessments.

St. Vincent Radio Amateurs on Alert During Volcano Emergency

Donald de Riggs, J88CD, on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent, says
that on April 13, the 42nd anniversary of the 1979 eruption of the La
Soufrière volcano, island residents were awakened to another column of
volcanic ash creating a thick blanket obscuring part of the eastern sky
as the volcano continues to erupt violently.

Elna Michael, J88NEK, reported
strong tremors in Fancy, St.
Vincent, before being evacuated from
the Red Zone just ahead of the
explosive phase.

"Almost all residents in the Red Zone have been evacuated, save for a
few diehards who will not move, for reasons unknown," he said.

Since the effusive eruption began last December, local hams have been
in a state of readiness via 2-meter networks and regional networks via
HF. A 24-hour regional HF network and vigil has been active since
violent eruptions resumed earlier this month to provide communication
support should telephone service be disrupted by the volcanic hazard.
This includes a twice-daily link-up on HF with the Caribbean Disaster
Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). There is also a 2-meter gateway
via EchoLink on the J88AZ node. The other active VHF repeater is the
main resource for domestic communications.

The Grenada repeater, which is linked to St. Lucia and Barbados, is
also accessible by hams in Tobago, Trinidad, and St. Vincent and the
Grenadines. Frequencies being used for disaster-related communications
may include 3.815, 7.188, or 7.162 MHz. Volcanic ash is also falling in
Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, and Grenada.

The La Soufrière volcano on St. Vincent began its most recent series of
explosive eruptions on April 9, sending clouds of hot ash some 20,000
feet into the air, blanketing much of the island in ash and causing
water and power outages. The volcano is "a constant threat," according
to CDEMA. -- Thanks to The Daily DX
ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 16) focuses on
Parks on The Air (POTA), one of the most popular activities taking
place in amateur radio today. We chat with Audrey Hance, KN4TMU, a
relatively new ham who recently operated from Panther Creek State Park
in Tennessee.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (episode 30) discusses the
continued use of the PSK31 digital mode, and how many amateurs are
using it to "rediscover" the joys of real keyboard-to-keyboard
conversation. Also, QST and QEX author Phil Salas, AD5X, discusses the
revolution taking place in small, inexpensive vector network analyzers,
or VNAs.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

National Science Foundation Funds Creation of Research Lab at Alaska's
HAARP

A 5-year, $9.3 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant will
allow the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Geophysical Institute to
establish a new research observatory at the High-frequency Active
Auroral Research Program (HAARP). A former military facility, HAARP is
now operated by UAF and is home to HAARP Amateur Radio Club's KL7ERP.
The new Subauroral Geophysical Observatory for Space Physics and Radio
Science will be dedicated to exploring Earth's

A section of the HAARP antenna array
field at sunset with Mount Drum in
the background.

upper atmosphere and geospace environment. The facility's 33-acre
Ionospheric Research Instrument will be the centerpiece of the
observatory.

"This NSF support will provide the scientific community increased
access to the instruments at the observatory and, hopefully, grow the
scientific community," said Geophysical Institute Director Robert
McCoy, the project's principal investigator.

A second NSF-funded project will add a Light Detection and Ranging
(LiDAR) instrument at the site, which will allow the study of other
regions of the upper atmosphere. UAF hopes to add additional
instruments over time at the Gakona, Alaska, research site.

The research grant will allow scientists to investigate how the sun
affects Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere to produce changes in
space weather. Their work will help fill gaps in knowledge about the
region, which is important because ionospheric disturbances, if severe
enough, can disrupt communication systems and damage the power grid.

Research at the observatory is initially expected to include the study
of various types of aurora and other occurrences in the ionosphere.

The Gakona facility is a prime location for the study of the ionosphere
and magnetosphere because of its location in relation to one of Earth's
magnetic field lines that reaches deep into the magnetosphere.

"Amateur radio will clearly benefit with an improved understanding of
ionospheric propagation and space weather physics, and providing
improved HF propagation prediction modeling data," HAARP Research
Station Chief Engineer and ARRL Life Member Steve Floyd, W4YHD, told
ARRL. He said, "Radio science experiments will also provide a valuable
data set to encourage development of new radio technologies and
modulation methods."

Floyd is the trustee for KL7ERP, which, he says, is available "to
demonstrate amateur radio to visiting scientists and students, to
maintain contact with Alaska hams, and to provide visiting hams with an
opportunity to operate from this unique Alaska location." Read an
expanded version.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

Finding and Fixing RFI -- Paul Cianciolo, W1VLF, on Tuesday, April 20,
2021 at 1 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

Radio frequency interference (RFI) has been a problem for ham radio
operators and shortwave listeners (SWLs) since the radio hobby began.
Noise has gotten worse over the last 20 years or so with the advent of
widespread solar power, LED lightning, grow lights, and digital
devices. Learn all about finding and fixing RFI in today's world.

HF Noise Mitigation -- ARRL Northwestern Division Director Mike Ritz,
W7VO, on Thursday, May 6 at 3:30 PM EDT (1930 UTC)

An educational seminar to help both new and experienced HF operators
who find themselves plagued with noise. We'll learn what "noise" is,
discuss the various noise sources, and talk about how to mitigate those
noises using a variety of techniques.

W1AW Antenna Farm -- W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, on Tuesday,
May 18, at 1 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

Experience a bird's-eye view and description of the antennas used by
W1AW for the station's scheduled transmissions and visiting operator
activity. All the antennas used at W1AW are single-band Yagis. Viewers
will also see the 5 GHz sector antennas that are part of W1AW's AREDN
system.

These Learning Network presentations are sponsored by Icom.

ARRL members may register for upcoming presentations and view
previously recorded Learning Network webinars. ARRL-affiliated radio
clubs may also use the recordings as presentations for club meetings,
mentoring new and current hams, and discussing amateur radio topics.

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Archive of Marconi Papers and Correspondence Acquired by California
Museum

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San
Marino, California, has acquired an archive of papers and
correspondence to, from, and about wireless pioneer and Nobel Laureate
Guglielmo Marconi. Among the more than 200 pages of correspondence are
31 letters from Marconi to his Chief Engineer, Richard Vyvyan, written
between 1902 and 1909, regarding the construction and successful
implementation of a transatlantic telegraph system. The collection also
includes Vyvyan's extensive manuscript overview of wireless technology,
"Notes on Long Distance Wireless Telegraphy and the Design and
Construction and Working of High Power Wireless Stations," written
between 1900 and 1904.

"Marconi transformed the speed and effectiveness of telecommunication
through wireless telegraphy," said Daniel Lewis, who is responsible for
the Huntington Library's history of science and technology holdings
from 1800 to the present.

Marconi was relentless in his attempts to improve on his radio work, as
reflected in this archive. "Working very hard to try and find out what
are the somewhat occult causes which make signals good one night and
unobtainable the next," he wrote to Vyvyan in 1907. "I believe I have
found, if not very clearly, the cause of the effects noticed."

Vyvyan was largely responsible for the construction and operation of
the transmitting station at Poldhu in Cornwall, from where the
first-ever transatlantic signal was sent to Newfoundland on December
12, 1901. He was also in charge of the Cape Breton Island station the
following year, when the first signal was sent in the opposite
direction. Read an expanded version.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news. Share
any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.
* How Geeky Charm Turned a WWII Maneuver Into a Competitive Sport /
Inverse Magazine, April 7, 2021
* Equinox Balloon Launch Connects Educators Around the Globe / KHQ6
NBC (Washington), March 21, 2021
* Inside the Summit-Obsessed World of Ham Radio / Outside Magazine,
March 14, 2021
* Portland Man Connects Kids to International Space Station From His
Home / KGW8 NBC (Oregon), March 6, 2021
* Radio Gaga / The Star (Malaysia), March 6, 2021

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Intrepid-DX Group Joins Forces with LA7GIA in Bouvet Island Attempt

The Intrepid-DX Group has teamed with DXpeditioner Ken Opskar, LA7GIA,
in its quest to activate Bouvet Island, the second-most-wanted DXCC
entity according to Club Log. The 3Y0J DXpedition is planned for
January through February 2023. A dependency of Norway, Bouvet is a
sub-Antarctic island in the South Atlantic. The last Bouvet activation
was 3Y0E, during a scientific expedition over the winter of 2007 -
2008.

"There's a lot to do, and we have a big financial mountain to climb,"
DXpedition co-leader Paul Ewing, N6PSE, said in a recent interview
[IMG]with Tim Duffy, K3LR. Ewing will share leadership duties with
Opskar in the amateur radio adventure.

"The cost of the Braveheart charter is enormous, but we've got some
experience under our belt doing South Sandwich and South Georgia back
in 2016. That was perfect preparation for Bouvet. We'll have a very
difficult landing, so we're prepared for that."

A 2018 DXpedition to Bouvet was scuttled after severe weather and an
engine problem forced the team -- with Bouvet already in view -- to
turn back.

The plan calls for the 3Y0J team of 14 to board the marine vessel
Braveheart in Capetown, South Africa, for "the treacherous voyage to
Bouvet," Ewing said. "We will plan to spend 20 days at Bouvet and,
weather permitting, we plan to have 14 to 16 good days of radio
activity."

"This will be an arduous and expensive mission. Our budget is $764,000,
and the 3Y0J team will fund much of this mission. We desperately need
the global DX community to support our mission and help us make this
important activation of the second-most-wanted DXCC entity. It is only
through this kind of support that we can achieve our mission of making
100,000 contacts or more from Bouvet."

The Northern California DX Foundation and the International DX
Association have already stepped up to the plate.

"We plan to make best use of propagation and modes on 10 - 160 meters,"
Ewing said in the announcement. Operation will be on SSB, CW, and
digital modes. "But I want to make it clear," Ewing told Duffy.
"There's no doubt. We are going!"

Follow the Intrepid-DX Group's 3Y0J plans via Facebook. Visit the 3Y0J
website for more information and to make a donation. Read an expanded
version.

Announcements
* Special event station GB1PPP marks the April 9 death of Prince
Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, at age 99. A World War II Naval
officer, he was the patron of the Radio Society of Great Britain
(RSGB).
* Members of the newly formed Seychelles Amateur Radio Association
(SARA) will celebrate World Amateur Radio Day on Sunday, April 18.
They plan to operate the club's call sign, S77SARA, for the first
time. Activity is expected around 1100 - 1300 UTC.
* Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) has announced its Get on the Air on
World Amateur Radio Day event. World Amateur Radio Day, on April
18, celebrates the formation of the International Amateur Radio
Union (IARU) on April 18, 1925. The object is to contact as many
RAC-suffix stations as possible.
* The winner of the Amateur Radio Software Award for 2021 is Jordan
Sherer, KN4CRD, for his JS8Call project. The annual Amateur Radio
Software Award recognizes software projects that enhance and adhere
to the spirit of amateur radio by being innovative, free, and open.
It includes a monetary stipend.
* The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) has announced a new
Friendship Award, designed to celebrate the friendship of amateur
radio over the airwaves. The award also incorporates the IARU's
chosen theme for World Amateur Radio Day on Sunday, April 18,
"Amateur Radio: Home, But not Alone."
* Expedition 64 Flight Engineer Kate Rubins, KG5FYJ, and Russian
cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov will depart the
International Space Station (ISS) on April 16. NASA TV will cover
the departure and landing. NASA astronaut Shannon Walker, KD5DXB,
will take over as commander of the ISS.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: On April 12, new sunspot group AR2814
appeared following 5 days of no sunspots at all. Daily sunspot numbers
on the following 3 days were 16, 16 and, 17 taking the average daily
sunspot number for the April 8 - 14 reporting week to 7, up from 6.4
last week. So far in 2021, 39% of the days had no sunspots.

Geomagnetic indicators were quiet, with average daily planetary A index
declining slightly from 6.6 to 5.1. Likewise, middle latitude A index
changed from 5.6 to 4.1.

On April 14, Spaceweather.com reported a high-speed stream of solar
wind from a hole in the sun's Southern Hemisphere. This could produce a
minor geomagnetic storm on April 17.

At 2338 UTC on April 14, the Australian Space Forecast Centre issued
this Geomagnetic Disturbance Warning: "Geomagnetic activity is expected
to increase to active levels with a chance of an isolated minor storm
period from late April 16, due to coronal hole effects."

Predicted solar flux is 74 on April 15 - 19; 72 on April 20 - 21; 75 on
April 22 - May 8, and 72 on May 9 - 17.

Predicted planetary A index is 8, 18, 20, and 16 on April 15 - 18; 12,
8, 5, and 10 on April 19 - 22; 8 on April 23 - 24; 5 on April 25 - 26;
10 and 8 on April 27 - 28; 5 on April 29 - May 3; 15 on May 4; 5 on May
5 - 7; 8 on May 8; 5 on May 9 - 10; 8 on May 11 - 12; 5 on May 13, and
20 on May 14.

Frank Donovan, W3LPL, delivered a presentation on "HF Ionospheric
Propagation" for the Central Arizona DX Association.

Sunspot numbers for April 8 - 14 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 16, 16, and 17, with
a mean of 7. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 74, 77.8, 70.4, 72.9, 82.8,
72.8, and 74.4, with a mean of 75. Estimated planetary A indices were
5, 3, 5, 6, 5, 5, and 7, with a mean of 5.1. Middle latitude A index
was 3, 2, 3, 5, 4, 5, and 7, with a mean of 4.1.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

In Brief...

The SSB ARRL Rookie Roundup is Sunday, April 18, 1800 - 2359 UTC. The
Rookie Roundup is aimed at hams licensed for 3 years or less. Rookies
make as many contacts as possible during this 6-hour event. Rookies
work everyone, and non-Rookies work only Rookies. Stations exchange
each other's call signs, first names, a two-digit year, and state (US
or Mexican), Canadian province, or DX. Rookies can enter as a Single
Operator or invite Rookie friends over and operate as Multioperator. Up
to five Single Operator Rookies can also enter from their individual
stations and submit their total score as a team. This is a great way
for clubs to get newer members on the air, and the perfect opportunity
to be a mentor to new licensees. Seasoned operators can join in the fun
by calling "CQ Rookies." This year, the Rookie Roundup takes place
during World Amateur Radio Day. Use the opportunity to wish
participants "Happy World Amateur Radio Day" on the air. Logs are due
on April 21 (within 72 hours after the event). No late entries will be
accepted. Complete rules, logging sheets, and links for submitting your
score are on the Rookie Roundup web page.

Researcher and innovator Ulrich Rohde, N1UL, has been awarded the Cross
of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. He was nominated by Markus
Söder, president of the German state of Bavaria and member of the
Bavarian Parliament. Söder said that Rohde's work as a scientist,
university lecturer, developer, and entrepreneur in the fields of radio
frequency and microwave technology "has made a significant contribution
to our country's technological advances, prosperity, and security." The
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, also known as the
Federal Cross of Merit, is the highest tribute the Federal Republic of
Germany can pay to individuals for services to the nation. Federal
President Theodor Heuss established the Order in 1951 on the second
anniversary of the founding of the Federal Republic.

Over the Horizon (OTH) radars in ham bands may be too numerous to
count. The IARU Region 1 Monitoring System (IARUMS) March newsletter
reported that the seemingly ubiquitous Over the Horizon Radars (OTH-Rs)
made up about 60% of all interference observations, to the point that
"one cannot even count them anymore." The IARUMS presumes that only a
few stations are transmitting on often-changing frequencies. In
contrast to the past, however, these are more frequently burst systems,
which typically transmit for just a few seconds before changing
frequency. IARUMS said that only the "Contayner" and "Pluto" systems
transmit on a single frequency for longer periods.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* April 16 - 17 -- Holyland DX Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* April 17 -- Feld Hell Sprint
* April 17 -- ES Open HF Championship (CW, phone)
* April 17 - 18 -- Worked All Provinces of China (CW, phone)
* April 17 - 18 -- YU DX Contest (CW, phone)
* April 17 - 18 -- CQMM DX Contest (CW)
* April 17 - 18 -- All Texas State Parks on the Air (CW, phone,
digital)
* April 17 - 18 -- Michigan QSO Party (CW, phone)
* April 17 - 18 -- EA-QRP CW Contest
* April 17 - 18 -- Ontario QSO Party (CW, phone)
* April 18 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup, SSB
* April 18 - 19 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
* April 21 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship, SSB

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* August 13 - 15 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo (online)
* August 21 - 22 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention (Huntsville
Hamfest), Huntsville, Alabama

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

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* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


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The ARRL Letter
April 22, 2021

* ARRL, American Red Cross Renew Memorandum of Understanding
* Camp for Young Radio Amateurs in the Americas is a Go for this
Summer
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* FCC Issues Enforcement visory
* National Hurricane Conference Set for June 14 - 17
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Yasme Foundation Releases Chronicles of Amateur Radio DX History
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Radio Amateur Helps Rescuers to Locate Lost Hiker
* Woody Brem, K3YV, is the 2020 Bill Orr, W6SAI, Technical Writing
Award Winner
* Announcements April 22
* The K7RA Solar Update
* In Brief...
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL, American Red Cross Renew Memorandum of Understanding

ARRL and the American Red Cross (ARC) have renewed their long-standing
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for another 5 years. The MOU spells
out how ARRL and the American Red Cross will work cooperatively during
a disaster response.

"We are pleased to extend our partnership with the American Red Cross,"
ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, said. "This agreement details how
ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service^(R) (ARES) volunteers will
interface with Red Cross personnel within the scope of their respective
roles and duties whenever the Red Cross asks ARES volunteers to assist
in a disaster or emergency response."

The MOU calls on both parties to maintain open lines of communication
and to share information, situation, and operation reports, as allowed
to maintain confidentiality. They will also share "changes in policy or
personnel relating to this MOU and any additional information pertinent
to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery." ARRL and the
American Red Cross also will encourage their respective units to
discuss local disaster response and relief plans. They may further
cooperate in joint training exercises and instruction. The Red Cross
will encourage regions or chapters to participate in ARRL Field Day,
the Simulated Emergency Test (SET), and other emergency exercises.

"This agreement keeps in place the strong and mutually beneficial bond
between ARRL and the ARC," said ARRL Director of Emergency Management
Paul Gilbert, KE5ZW. "The Red Cross is a primary served agency for ARES
teams, and it's important that we be able to work together toward
common goals when responding to an emergency."

The agreement points out that any ARRL volunteers who are interested in
also becoming Red Cross volunteers should understand that a background
check is a requirement. Although ARES has no background check
requirement, radio amateurs who register as Red Cross volunteers must
abide by the Red Cross's background check requirement.

ARRL and the Red Cross may also cooperate in the sharing of equipment.

A Statement of Cooperation between the two organizations at the local
level may be developed separately from the MOU to spell out the role of
each in providing services to communities during or after a disaster
event.

The new MOU was signed by Trevor Riggen, Senior Vice President,
Disaster Cycle Services, American Red Cross, and by ARRL President Rick
Roderick, K5UR.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Career and Talent Opportunities at ARRL

The digital transformation at ARRL is under way. A significant
commitment of talent and investment is being made to develop a dynamic
and responsive digital enterprise in areas of amateur radio innovation
and member engagement. This initiative is opening opportunities for
experienced amateur radio enthusiasts to make ARRL the next stop in
their careers. "ARRL is where vocation and avocation collide," said
ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA. "We are looking for people with passion,
energy, drive, and talent to take ARRL to the next level."


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The ARRL Letter
May 6, 2021

* Ham-Firefighter Rescues Drowning Man from River
* Returning Four-Ham ISS Crew Makes First Nighttime Splashdown Since
1968
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* "A Clear Signal of Resilience:" Europe's HAM RADIO Goes Virtual
Again This Year
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* IEEE Committee Webinar "RF Exposure in the Time of Conspiracies"
Set for May 12
* Announcements
* Wireless Institute of Australia Committee Seeks More HF Ham Radio
Spectrum
* IARU Region 1 Seeks Opinions on the Future of Amateur Radio
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Russian Robinson Club Announces Activation of Rare IOTA Islands in
the Aleutians
* In Brief...
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
Ham-Firefighter Rescues Drowning Man from River

ARRL member and Edmonson County Emergency Coordinator Tim Skees, K9KSP,
a firefighter in Brownsville, Kentucky, was among those responding to
an April 23 fire dispatch call he heard on his ham station scanner
reporting a possible drowning in the Green River. Radio traffic
indicated that the potential victim was a 40-year-old male.

"After assessing the information provided by family members at the
scene, [I] went downriver approximately 300 yards, located the victim
in water, washed up on a shallow rock shoal in the river," Skees told
ARRL. "[I] waded out to the victim, dragged him to the riverbank, and,
as other responders showed up and came to where the victim was, he was
pulled up the bank of the river. He was suffering exposure/hypothermia
from being in the cold water for hours."

Skees said the man's family had at first called in the incident as a
confirmed drowning. The man was first taken to the vehicle of Edmonson
County Emergency Management Director Terry Massey and warmed up until
an ambulance could arrive. Massey told local media that the local
dispatcher paged the Brownsville Fire Department around 2 AM after a
caller had reported a possible drowning at the Brownsville boat ramp.

Massey said he and Skees arrived at the area and saw two unoccupied
vehicles. "In just a minute, we could hear some yelling down at the
river and could tell it was downstream a good ways," he told The
Edmonson Voice. Massey said he and Skees followed the commotion and
found the man in about a foot of water, lying on his side, and Skees
waded in to retrieve him. Massey said that according to others on the
scene, the man had fallen into the water while trying to retrieve some
fishing gear.

"I submit this as a testament to the need of hams to get involved with
emergency services and foster good working relationships with
[emergency managers] and local agencies," Skees said.
Returning Four-Ham ISS Crew Makes First Nighttime Splashdown Since 1968

The International Space Station SpaceX Crew-1 mission with astronauts
Michael Hopkins, KF5LJG; Victor Glover, KI5BKC; Shannon Walker, KD5DXB,
and Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP, splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico
on May 2. It marked NASA's first nighttime splashdown since 1968, the
first ever from the ISS, and the first operational mission for SpaceX.
Launched last November to carry the crew to the ISS, the Crew Dragon
spacecraft Resilience returned the crew to Earth. Crew-1 is the first
of six crewed missions NASA and

(L - R) Expedition 64 Flight
Engineers and SpaceX Crew-1 members
Michael Hopkins, KF5LJG; Victor
Glover, KI5BKC; Shannon Walker,
KD5DXB, and Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP.
[Photo courtesy of NASA]

SpaceX will fly as part of the agency's Commercial Crew Program, which
worked with the US aerospace industry to return rockets, spacecraft,
and launches with astronauts to the US.

"We welcome you back to planet Earth, and thanks for flying SpaceX,"
SpaceX mission control official Michael Heiman told the astronauts.
"For those of you enrolled in our frequent flier program, you have
earned 68 million miles on this voyage."

In advance of departure from the space station, Crew-1 astronaut and
Station Commander Walker handed over command of the station to
astronaut and Crew-2 member Akihiko Hoshide last week during a change
of command and farewell event.

The Crew Dragon undocked and departed the space station autonomously.
In addition to the crew, Resilience will also return important and
time-sensitive research to Earth.

While still in space, some of the returning astronauts had hosted
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contacts with
schools. ARRL is an ARISS sponsor.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 16) focuses on
Parks On The Air (POTA), one of the most popular activities taking
place in amateur radio today. We chat with Audrey Hance, KN4TMU, a
relatively new ham who recently operated from Panther Creek State Park
in Tennessee.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 33) features a discussion
of station troubleshooting with W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


"A Clear Signal of Resilience:" Europe's HAM RADIO Goes Virtual Again
This Year

The annual HAM RADIO show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, will once again
be held virtually. The June event is sponsored by the Deutscher Amateur
Radio Club (DARC), in cooperation with Friedrichshafen Fair (Messe
Friedrichshafen).

"Under the current circumstances, HAM RADIO can no longer take place in
June, as planned," said Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann. He
said to remedy the situation -- and send a clear signal of resilience
-- the virtual "Ham Radio World" will take place from June 25 until
June 27, the original show dates. mission and participation will be
free.

The annual ham radio gathering, known popularly as simply
"Friedrichshafen," typically draws between 15,000 and 17,000 visitors
from all over Europe and around the world. ARRL has traditionally sent
a contingent to staff a booth at HAM RADIO each summer.

This is the second virtual presentation of HAM RADIO due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. "This year, Ham Radio World will offer a completely
new virtual world in 2D, and its unique live character will be
impressive," DARC said.

DARC Chair Christian Entsfellner, DL3MBG, said the live character of
the event's virtual environment will be recreated in great detail,
opening up new possibilities and offering plenty of space for community
networking and virtual meetings, in addition to an online lecture
program and commercial offerings.

To allow participants a more personal experience, individual hams
represented as customizable avatars "will move around the virtual
exhibition grounds and video chat with each other," explained Messe
Friedrichshafen Project Manager Petra Rathgeber. Messe Friedrichshafen
and DARC are working closely together "to ensure that a diverse line-up
of ham radio products, trends, and innovations will await our visitors
at the 3-day digital event," she said.

Ham Radio World will offer presentations and discussions on ham radio
topics, as well as a program presented on DARC's virtual stage. Further
details are forthcoming.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

HF Noise Mitigation -- ARRL Northwestern Division Director Mike Ritz,
W7VO / Thursday, May 6, at 3:30 PM EDT (1930 UTC)

An educational seminar to help both new and experienced HF operators
who find themselves plagued with noise. We'll learn what "noise" is,
discuss the various noise sources, and talk about how to mitigate those
noises using a variety of techniques.

W1AW Antenna Farm -- W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q / Tuesday,
May 18, at 1 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

Experience a bird's-eye view and description of the antennas used by
W1AW for the station's scheduled transmissions and visiting operator
activity. All the antennas used at W1AW are single-band Yagis. Viewers
will also see the 5 GHz sector antennas that are part of W1AW's AREDN
system.

The above Learning Network presentations are sponsored by Icom.[IMG]

Ask the Lab: How ARRL's Technical Information Service Can Help You --
ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI / Tuesday, June 8, at 1 PM EDT
(1700 UTC)

Learn all about the ARRL Technical Information Service (TIS) and the
expert ARRL Laboratory staff who answer thousands of questions each
year from members. Get tips about projects, suggestions to address
various station installations, and help for some of your most pressing
ham radio questions. You'll discover how to search ARRL's extensive
Periodicals Archive, find helpful articles, read test reports, access
technical forums, and find answers to technical questions.

This Learning Network presentation is sponsored by PreppComm.

[IMG]

ARRL members may register for upcoming presentations and view
previously recorded Learning Network webinars. ARRL-affiliated radio
clubs may also use the recordings as presentations for club meetings,
mentoring new and current hams, and discussing amateur radio topics.

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.
IEEE Committee Webinar "RF Exposure in the Time of Conspiracies" Set
for May 12

The IEEE Committee on Man and Radiation (COMAR) has issued an
invitation to its webinar, "RF Exposure in the Time of Conspiracies."
The 1-hour event is set to get under way at 1800 UTC on Wednesday, May
12. COMAR is a group of experts on health and safety issues related to
electromagnetic fields, from power line through microwave frequency
ranges. Its primary focus is on biological effects of non-ionizing
electromagnetic radiation.

[IMG]"The real idea behind the webinar is to highlight some of the news
articles, comments, etc. that purport to declare the hazardous nature
of exposure to weak RF fields, such as those posed by new 5G wireless
communications base stations, explain how they are not scientifically
based and, possibly, some ideas on how to better communicate what we
really know about potential health effects," said COMAR chair Ric Tell,
K5UJU.

Presenters are professional engineer Matt Butcher, KC3WD, and Jerrold
Bushberg, a clinical professor of radiology and radiation oncology at
the University of California-Davis School of Medicine. He is an expert
on the biological effects, safety, and interactions of ionizing and
nonionizing radiation; a specialist in risk communication, he holds
multiple radiation detection technology patents. Both are COMAR
members. Butcher and Tell are also members of the ARRL RF Safety
Committee.

Tell said that Webex, the platform on which the webinar will be held,
imposes a limit of 1,000 simultaneous connections. Those interested may
check in at 1730 UTC, a half-hour before the webinar is scheduled to
start.

ARRL RF Safety Committee Chair Greg Lapin, N9GL, said the committee
devotes a lot of time examining the science to help keep people safe,
but, he added, "there remains considerable fear in our society about
that exposure. It would be to our benefit to understand what people are
thinking."

ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, said radio amateurs are often asked by
neighbors about their stations -- either out of curiosity, or concern
that the antennas may pose a safety hazard. "This webinar will help
amateurs and the public understand why radio energy at exposure levels
found in standards and regulations is safe," Hare said.

Topics on the COMAR webinar agenda include "What is RF?" and "What are
the applicable exposure standards?" as well as discussing how to
address concerns on the part of the general public, and how to improve
communication.

COMAR is a technical committee of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and
Biology Society. The webinar is free.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Announcements
* NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei, KG5GNP, is scheduled to make a ham
radio contact from the ISS on Friday, May 7, at 12:36 UTC, with
students at Green Bank Elementary School, in the shadow of Green
Bank Observatory in West Virginia via Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station (ARISS). Follow the live stream via
Facebook or Zoom starting around 30 minutes before the scheduled
contact.
* Bringing attention to National Police Week to Honor All Law
Enforcement's Fallen Heroes, K3FBI will be on the air from multiple
US call districts May 9 - 15.
* Icom America has named Senior Sales Manager of its Amateur Division
Ray Novak, N9JA, to also lead its Marine and Avionics Divisions. In
its news release, Icom added, "Ray has an extensive background in
the amateur radio industry spanning 32+ years... Throughout his
tenure at Icom America, he has managed and worked across multiple
divisions and maintains a close working relationship with teams at
Icom Japan." Novak is an ARRL Life Member.
* The 2020 ARRL 160 Meter Contest results reflect more than a
half-million contacts across nearly 1,700 logs, despite the fact
that conditions were "down."
* The ARRL November Sweepstakes Phone Results show that entries were
up by from 1,600 in 2019 to more than 2,000 logs last fall, and the
contact count was up by some 81,000. Prince Edward Island (PEI), a
new multiplier in 2020, was rare. The single log submitted by VY2NA
had 260 contacts, although at least two PEI stations showed up in
other logs.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Wireless Institute of Australia Committee Seeks More HF Ham Radio
Spectrum

The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) Spectrum Strategy Committee
has called for more amateur radio spectrum in the 3 - 12 MHz range. The
committee raised the issue in its response to regulator ACMA's Five
Year Spectrum Outlook 2021.

"Global demand for HF amateur spectrum has grown, particularly since
the start of the COVID-19 pandemic," the panel said. "Congestion
(particularly on the 7 MHz band) from both legitimate and unauthorized
illegal transmissions is often severe during times of increased
ionospheric propagation." The committee pointed out that heightened
global tensions have increased the use of high-power HF radars, "which
frequently disrupt HF amateur communications across large segments of
spectrum, particularly on the lower-frequency bands."

The committee said increasing HF spectrum access is vital to support
sufficient frequency agility, "so that communications can be maintained
when large amounts of spectrum are suffering interference from
international radar-based intruders."

The WIA -- Australia's IARU member-society -- intends to seek
expansions to amateur bands in the 3 - 12 MHz segment over the next 5
years, at least for Australian amateurs, in alignment with
international allocations, although the WIA acknowledges that this is a
lower priority than other items it has proposed.

The 3 - 12 MHz spectrum is already home to four amateur allocations:
80/75 meters, 60 meters, 40 meters, and 30 meters.
IARU Region 1 Seeks Opinions on the Future of Amateur Radio

International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 1 (Europe, Africa,
Mideast, and Northern Asia) is encouraging radio amateurs everywhere to
express their opinions on the future of amateur radio.

[IMG]A survey is under way in advance of an IARU Region 1 Workshop on
the subject later this year. The workshop will urge Region 1
member-societies to formulate their views on the future direction for
amateur radio and the programs needed to ensure that amateur radio
develops successfully.

"As a first step, work is already under way to develop an understanding
of the current state of amateur radio in each country," IARU said. "The
input of the amateur community is vital for the success of the
workshop."

Watch the short video, "What do YOU think about the future of Amateur
Radio?" with Raisa Skrynnikova, R1BIG.

Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.
* 2016 quakes lead to disaster relief network of ham radio operators
/ The Asahi Shinbun (Japan), April 30, 2021
* An Important Line of Communication / Searcy Living (Searcy,
Arkansas), Issue 2, Volume 21
* 8-Year-Old Becomes Youngest Ham Radio Operator in Montour County /
The Daily Item (Pennsylvania), April 25, 2021
* Hamming It Up / Oklahoma Living Magazine, April 2021

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Russian Robinson Club Announces Activation of Rare IOTA Islands in the
Aleutians

The Russian Robinson Club (RRC) has resumed its plans to activate rare
Kiska Island (IOTA NA-070) and ak Island (IOTA NA-039) in Alaska's
Aleutian Islands chain in July for Islands On The Air (IOTA)
enthusiasts. Plans to activate these islands in 2020 were called off
because of COVID-19 concerns.

The uninhabited Kiska Island (52.06° N, 177.57° E) lies in the North
Pacific's treacherous Bering Sea, which RRC calls one of the most
intense patches of ocean on Earth and where strong winds, freezing
temperatures, and icy water are the norm. The island also features the
prominent conical Kiska volcano. Kiska Island is a National Historic
Landmark and part of the Aleutian Islands World War II National
Monument and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (AMNWR).
Permission to visit is required from both Alaska's Maritime National
Wildlife Refuge and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The KL7RRC team plans to have a minimum of two stations on the air on
40 - 6 meters, SSB, CW, and FT8. Operators will place special emphasis
on the difficult trans-polar path to Europe.

The 56-foot aluminum sailing vessel Seal will make the 1,000-mile
journey along the Aleutians to Kiska with a stop at Dutch Harbor to
pick up Tim, NL8F, and the gear sent in advance to his location. The
team will continue sailing west to ak Island, where some team members
will activate ak Island on June 30 - July 3. The SV Seal will pick up
the entire crew there, which will have flown in by July 3. Then, they
hope to arrive at Kiska and be on the air as KL7RCC on July 7 - 12,
before the return sail to ak and flights home. ditional KL7RRC
activity may take place from ak July 14 - 16.

Donations are welcome. QSLs for KL7RRC (Kiska Island NA-070) and KL7RRC
(ak Island NA-039) are via N7RO. All donors will receive direct QSLs.

Updates will be posted on the Russian Robinson Club website. -- Thanks
to Hal Turley, W8HC, via The Daily DX

A slot is open for a fifth operator. Contact team leader Yuri, N3QQ, if
interested.
In Brief...

Members of the Potomac Valley Radio Club (PVRC) will activate the
historic NSS call sign on Saturday, May 8, during the 2021 Armed Forces
Day Cross-Band Test. For more than 60 years, military and amateur
stations have taken part in this exercise, during which military
stations transmit on military frequencies and listen for radio amateurs
on adjacent amateur bands. It will take place May 7 - 8, 2021. NSS
operation will be from the location of the former US Navy High-Power
Radio Station at Greenbury Point in Annapolis, Maryland. NSS began
operation in 1918 on VLF, using a pair of Federal Telegraph Company 500
kW Poulson arc transmitters and four 600-foot towers. NSS began
operations on HF in the 1920s, and operations there continued until
1976. NSS was dismantled in 1999, but three of its 600-foot towers
remain on Greenbury Point. A commemorative NSS QSL card is available
via K3LU (SASE appreciated). -- Thanks to Frank Donovan, W3LPL

The semiannual Radio Club of America (RCA) QSO Party takes place on May
8. "Band conditions are still not their best, but we still expect
plenty of QSOs," RCA Executive Vice President Chip Cohen, W1YW, said.
"Come join the fun and contact other club hams and the club's station,
W2RCA. All are welcome." The QSO party is open to RCA members and
non-members and is SSB only. Activity begins at 1800 UTC and continues
until Sunday, May 9, at 0300 UTC. Suggested frequencies are 14.280,
7.240, and 3.800 MHz.

Former Dayton Hamvention Venue Hara Arena is now a pile of rubble Hara
Arena originated as a ballroom in 1956. Dayton Hamvention began using
Hara Arena in 1964, when the main 5,500-seat arena was built. Six
buildings were added later. Over the years, Hara Arena was home to
sports teams, concerts, conventions, and social activities. It closed
in August 2016, due to ongoing financial issues and a 20-year-long
legal fight over the unresolved estate of founder Harold Wampler.
Eventually a new owner was found. In May 2019, Hara was severely
damaged by a tornado and considered not worth rebuilding. The
building's iconic logo as well as bricks from the structure were to be
auctioned for charity. The site has since been cleared for
redevelopment, and only piles of rubble remain of the original Hara
Arena facility.

Ham Census is inviting all radio amateurs to take part in a unique
[IMG]survey. The project's organizers are hoping to hear from hams in
the US, Canada, and around the world. Survey questions deal with
operating preferences, gear, your shack, views on regulations, clubs
and associations, and the future of amateur radio. Cemil "Jim" Alyanak,
K3MRI, the co-administrator of Ham Census and Ham Community, says the
aim of the census is to give operators a louder voice to better inform
club leaders, associations, manufacturers, and regulators. "We all want
the amateur radio community to grow organically and collaboratively,
and for that, we need to know what operators are thinking," he said.
Divided into six parts, Ham Census runs year-round, delivering constant
updates. Taking and using the survey is free, but only those completing
all six sections get access to the complete results.

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Our sun seems to have fallen back
into a very quiet phase, far different from the way it looked in
November 2020. Sunspots disappeared after May 1, and solar flux
naturally declined as well.

Sunspots were visible only for the first 3 days of the April 29 - May 5
reporting week, so average daily sunspot number declined from 47.6 last
week to 11.9 in the current period. Average daily solar flux slipped by
7 points from 79.2 to 72.2. It's odd, but both the average daily
planetary and middle latitude A index remained the same for both weeks,
10.7 and 9.9, respectively.

Predicted solar flux for the next month appears listless: 72 on May 6 -
7; 74 on May 8 - 9; 76 on May 10 - 11; 75 on May 12 - 13; 77 on May 14;
79 on May 15 - 17; 77 on May 18 - 21; 75 on May 22 - 24; 74 on May 25 -
26; 72 on May 27; 70 on May 28 - 31, and 72 on June 1 - 4.

The planetary A index projection shows 5 on May 6 - 11; 8, 20, and 30
on May 12 - 14; 15, 15, and 12 on May 15 - 17; 5 on May 18 - 19; 15 and
10 on May 20 - 21; 5 on May 22 - 29; 12 on May 30 - 31; 10 on June 1,
and 5 on June 2 - 6.

Contester Frank Donovan, W3LPL, says about twice as many geomagnetic
storms occur during March and April, as compared to June and July. The
ratio of severe (Kp = 8 or 9) storms is much greater. But, he points
out, the end of "geomagnetic storm season" doesn't mean the end of
geomagnetic storms; two of the most severe (Kp = 8+) geomagnetic storms
during Solar Cycle 24 occurred on June 22 and 23, 2015.

Sunspot numbers for April 29 through May 5 were 37, 35, 11, 0, 0, 0,
and 0, with a mean of 11.9. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 76.9, 72.9,
71.6, 72, 71.6, 70.6, and 69.5, with a mean of 72.2. Estimated
planetary A indices were 5, 15, 10, 20, 14, 8, and 3, with a mean of
10.7. Middle latitude A index was 4, 15, 10, 16, 12, 8, and 4, with a
mean of 9.9.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* May 7 -- NCCC RTTY Sprint
* May 7 -- NCCC Sprint (CW)
* May 7 -- K1USN Slow Speed Test (CW, maximum 20 WPM)
* May 8 - 9 -- Day of the YLs Contest (CW, phone)
* May 8 - 9 -- SARL VHF/UHF Digital Contest
* May 8 - 9 -- CQ-M International DX Contest (CW, phone)
* May 8 - 9 -- VOLTA WW RTTY Contest
* May 8 - 9 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)
* May 8 - 9 -- Arkansas QSO Party (CW, phone)
* May 8 - 9 -- 50 MHz Spring Sprint (CW, phone, digital)
* May 9 -- WAB 7 MHz Phone/CW
* May 10 -- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)
* May 10 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (SSB)
* May 12 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* May 15 - 16 -- The International DX Convention (online)
* May 20 - 22 -- Dayton Hamvention (online)
* June 5 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention (SEA-PAC; online)
* August 13 - 15 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo (online)
* August 21 - 22 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention (Huntsville
Hamfest), Huntsville, Alabama

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.
--- SendMsg/2

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* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
May 13, 2021

* First-Time Exam Applicants Must Obtain FCC Registration Number
Before Taking Exam
* Wooden Satellite to Launch by Year's End
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* April 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report Released
* AMSAT's GOLF-TEE CubeSat Manifested for Launch
* PSAT2 (NO-104) Satellite VHF Transceiver is Alive with Innovative
Mode
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Intrepid-DX Group ds Second Physician for Trip to "Cold and
Inhospitable" Bouvet Island
* Amateur Radio in the News
* In Brief...
* Announcements
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
First-Time Exam Applicants Must Obtain FCC Registration Number Before
Taking Exam

Beginning May 20, 2021, all amateur examination applicants will be
required to provide an FCC Registration Number (FRN) to the Volunteer
Examiners (VEs) before taking an amateur exam. This is

necessary due to changes the FCC has made to its licensing system.

Amateur candidates who already have an FCC license, whether for amateur
radio or another service, and already have an FRN may use the same
number. All prospective new FCC licensees, however, will be required to
obtain an FRN before the examination and provide that number to the
volunteer examiners on the Form 605 license application. An FCC
instructional video provides step-by-step instructions on how to obtain
an FRN through the FCC's COmmission REgistration System (CORES).

The FRN is required for all new applicants to take an amateur exam and
is used afterward by the applicant to download the license document
from the FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS), upgrade the license,
apply for a vanity call sign, and to submit administrative updates
(such as address and email changes) and renewal applications.

In addition, after June 29, all applications will be required to
contain an email address for FCC correspondence. Applicants will
receive an email directly from the FCC with a link to the official
electronic copy of their license whenever a license is issued or
changed. ARRL VEC suggests that those without access to email should
use the email address of a family member or friend. Licensees will be
able to log in to the ULS using their FRN and password to download the
latest version of their license at any time. The FCC no longer provides
paper license documents.
Wooden Satellite to Launch by Year's End

The WISA Woodsat project, being sponsored by plywood supplier WISA in
an unconventional PR initiative, is poised to place a wooden satellite
into orbit by the end of the year. The idea is to test the suitability
of treated wood as a low-cost and widely available material for space
applications. The IARU posting for Woodsat indicates that several
amateur radio experiments will be on board as well as photo
downlinking, including selfies.

The wooden satellite is based on a basic, versatile CubeSat format,
Kitsat, which is designed with educational use in mind. It retails for
just $1,500. Based in Finland, the Woodsat project began with students
across the country contributing parts to a CubeSat launched by balloon.
The satellite will be a 10-centimeter cube weighing 1 kilogram, covered
on all sides by coated birch plywood from WISA Plywood. Nine small
solar cells will power the satellite, which will orbit at an altitude
of 500 - 550 kilometers.

As the sponsor explained, "WISA Woodsat will go where no wood has gone
before. With a mission to gather data on the behavior and durability of
plywood over an extended period in the harsh temperatures, vacuum, and
radiation of space in order to assess the use of wood materials in
space structures."

Once in orbit, Woodsat will be able to extend a selfie stick to capture
photographs of the wooden box as it hurtles through space at 40,000
kilometers (24,800 miles) per hour. This will allow the mission leaders
to monitor the impact of the environment on the plywood.

The satellite would downlink its telemetry and images from two cameras
using amateur radio frequencies.

"The wooden satellite with a selfie stick will surely bring laughter
and goodwill," added mission manager Jari Mäkinen of Arctic
Astronautics. "Essentially, this is a serious science and technology
endeavor. In addition to testing plywood, the satellite will
demonstrate accessible radio amateur satellite communication; host
several secondary technology experiments; validate the Kitsat platform
in orbit, and popularize space technology."

An April 23 Engineering and Technology article has more information. --
Thanks to AMSAT News Service via JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM; E&T, and the
IARU

ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 17) is a
discussion with Ward Silver, N0AX, of the importance of station
grounding.

The latest episode of Eclectic Tech (Episode 33), features W1AW Station
Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, diagnosing and treating several troublesome
"patients" at ham radio's most famous station.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.
April 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report Released

The Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program is a joint initiative between ARRL
and the FCC to enhance compliance in the Amateur Radio Service.

A General-class renewal applicant withdrew his application after FCC
notice that the renewal application would be held up pending review of
Volunteer Monitor complaints. As a consequence, the Quakertown,
Pennsylvania, applicant has no operating privileges.

Twenty-one operators in 14 states received visories because of their
operation in the March CQ World Wide DX Contest. While making contacts
with VC3T and VC2W, their LSB signals extended below 7.125 MHz, which
is the lower limit of the 40-meter amateur phone band.

Volunteer Monitors participated in a nationwide training program on
April 7 that was conducted by ARRL and the FCC.

The Volunteer Monitor Coordinator had two meetings in April with FCC
Enforcement Bureau personnel.

The totals for VM monitoring in March were 1,394 hours on HF
frequencies and 2,515 hours on VHF and above frequencies. -- Thanks to
Volunteer Monitor Coordinator Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH

AMSAT's GOLF-TEE CubeSat Manifested for Launch

GOLF-TEE -- the first satellite in AMSAT's "Greater Orbit, Larger
Footprint" (GOLF) program -- has been put on the manifest for NASA's
Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa) mission 46. AMSAT says the
goal of the GOLF program is to work by steps through a series of
increasingly capable spacecraft in learning to develop systems and
skills needed to achieve successful high-orbit missions. Among these
are active attitude control and the ability to command attitude
changes, deployable/steerable solar panels, radiation tolerance for
commercial, off-the-shelf components in higher orbits, and propulsion.

"The eventual goal of the GOLF program is a satellite in highly
elliptical orbit (HEO) similar to AO-10, AO-13, and AO-40, but at an
affordable cost, combined with significantly enhanced capabilities,
allowing the use of much less complex ground stations," AMSAT said.

GOLF-TEE will be a fully-functional low-Earth-orbit VHF/UHF amateur
satellite, carrying a linear transponder similar to the one flown on
AO-109.

The "TEE" in GOLF-TEE stands for "Technology Exploration Environment."
It reflects GOLF-TEE's mission of testing two primary systems needed
for higher orbits. First, an attitude determination and control (ADAC)
system will be tested to allow active pointing of the satellite's
antennas, which will have significant gain. The other primary goal of
GOLF-TEE is to gain initial orbit and space radiation exposure for
radiation event-induced fault tolerant systems designed using
off-the-shelf components.

GOLF-TEE will carry an integrated housekeeping unit (IHU)/command
transceiver designed using the Hercules line of ARM architecture-based
microcontrollers.

GOLF-TEE will also evaluate a low-cost, deployable, fixed attitude,
solar panel array design as part of AMSAT Engineering's exploration of
fixed panel arrays that allow for outfitting a variable number of
"wings" in order to best match the power requirements of various
CubeSat missions.

ditionally, GOLF-TEE will carry a modified commercial
software-defined radio (SDR), the Ettus E310, as an experimental
package to test a high-speed 10 GHz data downlink.

Donations to the AMSAT GOLF program are welcome. -- Thanks to AMSAT
PSAT2 (NO-104) Satellite VHF Transceiver is Alive with Innovative Mode

Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, says the PSAT2 VHF transceiver awoke from an
8-month slumber on April 26. "We have no idea why. Its telemetry looks
fine," Bruninga said.

Voltage is between 6.2 and 7.0 V and exterior temperatures are between
-18° and 22° C. PSAT2 will not be in Automatic Packet Reporting System
(APRS) mode, but in a brand-new experimental mode for dual-tone
multi-frequency (DTMF) uplink (145.980 MHz) and voice downlink.

"You pre-load your grid and call sign into a 16-digit DTMF memory in
your radio, and when the satellite hears this it will assign a QSO
number and QSL the grid by voice and then generate an APRS packet,"
Bruninga explained.

There's even a way to send back a DTMF QSL, so you can make it a
two-way DTMF contact. Successful DTMF grids and messages will appear on
a special URL on the PSAT2 page.

To QSL, key in that station's 2-digit QSL number and then dump your
pre-loaded QSL DTMF message. Bruninga adds, "Read the docs and be sure
you know what you are doing." A PSAT2 Users Operations Manual is
available on the PSAT2 web page. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service via
Bob Bruninga, WB4APR

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

W1AW Antenna Farm -- W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q / Tuesday,
May 18, at 1 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

Experience a bird's-eye view and description of the antennas used by
W1AW for the station's scheduled transmissions and visiting operator
activity. All the antennas used at W1AW are single-band Yagis. Viewers
will also see the 5 GHz sector antennas that are part of W1AW's AREDN
system.

This Learning Network presentation is sponsored by Icom.

Ask the Lab: How ARRL's Technical Information Service Can Help You --
ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI / Tuesday, June 8, at 1 PM EDT
(1700 UTC)

Learn all about the ARRL Technical Information Service (TIS) and the
expert ARRL Laboratory staff who answer thousands of questions each
year from members. Get tips about projects, suggestions to address
various station installations, and help for some of your most pressing
ham radio questions. You'll discover how to search ARRL's extensive
Periodicals Archive, find helpful articles, read test reports, access
technical forums, and find answers to technical questions.

This Learning Network presentation is sponsored by PreppComm.

ARRL members may register for upcoming presentations and view
previously recorded Learning Network webinars. ARRL-affiliated radio
clubs may also use the recordings as presentations for club meetings,
mentoring new and current hams, and discussing amateur radio topics.

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.
Intrepid-DX Group ds Second Physician for Trip to "Cold and
Inhospitable" Bouvet Island

"Bouvet is like the Mount Everest of DXCC entities," 3Y0J DXpedition
co-leader Paul Ewing, N6PSE, said. "It is among the most challenging
entities to activate due to significant transportation costs and
personal sacrifices required by the team to make the 42-day round trip.
Fortunately, Bouvet is not our first mountain." The DXpedition's
website describes Bouvet as, "a cold and inhospitable place." At 54° S,
Bouvet Island, a sub-Antarctic island in the South Atlantic and a
dependency of Norway, is the most remote place on Earth.

Ewing announced recently that Mike Crownover, AB5EB, a veteran
emergency room physician, has joined the 3Y0J DXpedition team to pair
with ER doctor Bill Straw, KO7SS. The DXpedition is set for January -
February 2023, but the planning stage to activate the
second-most-wanted DXCC entity is well under way, with the team
researching polar-quality tents and equipment and discussing antenna
specifications with various manufacturers.

"We will make careful choices to help us meet the demand for Bouvet
contacts," Ewing said. The 3Y0J team has set a goal of making at least
100,000 contacts from Bouvet. "3Y0J will be a DXpedition with a focus
on good, fast, and accurate operating. QSO rates will be very high,"
Ewing said. "We have assembled a team of strong operators who will
strive to work everyone. We will focus on CW/SSB/digital for the 10 -
160 meter bands. Our goal is to match our VP8STI/VP8SGI achievement
with 135,000 contacts made."

Ewing said that in the later stages of the DXpedition, operators will
use "proven techniques" to work the weakest of callers. "We will also
use techniques to work the youth in our audience," he added.

No real-time log search will be available, but 3Y0J will upload to Club
Log and to M0OXO Log Search each day, Ewing said.

The DXpedition has an estimated budget of $764,000, with each team
member contributing a minimum of $20,000 each. In April, ARRL awarded a
Colvin Grant of $5,000 to the Intrepid-DX Group to help in funding the
3Y0J DXpedition. Ewing and ARRL member Ken Opskar, LA7GIA, will share
DXpedition leadership duties.

Follow the DXpedition plans from the DXpedition website and Facebook
page.

Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.
* Radio Hams Will Celebrate Minnesota's 163rd Birthday / The Gazette
(Minnesota), May 7, 2021
* Local Amateur Radio Club Receives National Award / The Highland
County Press (Ohio), May 9, 2021
* Amateur Radio Operators Are Still In High Demand / WTHI-TV NEWS 10
(Indiana), May 7, 2021
* One Group's Post-Pandemic Travel Plan: Get As Far Away As Possible
/ The Wall Street Journal, May 6, 2021

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

In Brief...

The Amateur Radio Legal Defense and Assistance Committee (ARLDAC) is
considering hosting a half-day workshop for attorneys at the ARRL 2022
National Convention in Orlando. This would be for attorneys only, and
attendees would be eligible to earn continuing legal education (CLE)
credit in their respective states. It would be held on the afternoon of
February 10, as part of the Thursday training track sessions for the
2022 convention. ARLDAC is gauging interest to see if it can come up
with a core number to make it worthwhile. Interested attorneys should
email ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, by May
31, 2021.

Radio Frequency Interference Seminar Set for May 19 via Zoom ARRL
Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, will hold a Radio Frequency
Interference (RFI) seminar via Zoom on Wednesday, May 19, at 2000 UTC.
His 30-minute slide presentation offers an overview of politics,
personalities, and technical issues involved in electromagnetic
interference (EMI) control, as well as causes and cures. A
question-and-answer session will follow the slide presentation. The
IEEE EMC Society is sponsoring the event. The link will be posted on
the IEEE EMC Society website.

The campaign to save MIT Amateur Radio Club W1MX has succeeded. After a
years-long process involving countless hours of meeting, writing,
negotiating, and planning across half a dozen entities within MIT, and
after an intense, large-scale fundraising campaign to save the W1MX
station atop the Green Building roof on campus, the club will get to
keep and improve its station. ditionally, a new radome has been
installed around the 18-foot "big dish" on the roof. Helping in a big
way to make this possible was a $1.6 million grant from Amateur Radio
Digital Communications (ARDC), as well as private donations from
alumni, members of the MIT community, and friends of amateur radio.
"Together, we made this happen," MIT ARC President Milo Hooper, AI1XR,
said. "For this, I can only say thank you!" More information about this
effort is available on the MIT news website.

Hams in New Zealand again have access to 60 meters. The New Zealand
Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) announced recently that
negotiations with regulator RSM were successful in accommodating
60-meter operation for New Zealand radio amateurs. Following the end of
the two-channel 60-meter "trial" in New Zealand during 2020, hams there
will now have access to a WRC-15 Amateur Secondary Allocation of 5351.5
- 5366.5 kHz with a maximum allowable power of 15 W EIRP (about 9.14 W)
by applying for a sub-license. An FAQ on the new licensing system for
60 meters has been posted. Scan and email your completed form to NZART
Headquarters. Once acknowledged by return email, applicants may begin
operation. This trial will be for 12 months, to allow RSM to assess if
any interference issues arise. If none do, then NZART will negotiate
with RSM to have the 60-meter band added to the General User Radio
Licence, eliminating any need for a sub-license in the future. --
Thanks to Paul Gaskell, G4MWO, Editor, The 5 MHz Newsletter

A Very High Speed Club special event is active during May. Special
event call sign OZ60VHSC will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the
founding of the Very High Speed Club (VHSC) on May 1, 1961. Leading the
group at its founding were PA0LXL, DL1XA, and DJ4KW, who sought
operators who could copy at 40 WPM solid for at least 30 minutes,
encouraging CW traffic in general and QRQ (high-speed) traffic in
particular. Members sponsor new membership candidates. Some of the 29
original VHSC members are still active. They include PA0LXL, DJ4KW,
DJ5ZN, DJ3VY, N9SW, and G3KMQ.

The W4DXCC DX and Contest Convention is set for September 24 - 25 in
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Anyone planning to attend is urged to register
now. Call the hotel at (865) 428-8350 and indicate that you are
attending W4DXCC by SEDCO to get a special room rate. (No online hotel
reservations available.) Purchase convention and banquet tickets
online. Friday is Ham Radio Bootcamp, for new and experienced hams
alike. Saturday is the day for the convention and presentations. A ham
station will be set up for attendees.

ARRL Life Member Lynn Lamb, W4NL, of Maryville, Tennessee, died on May
10 following a lengthy illness. He was 83. Lamb co-founded SEDCO W4DXCC
DX and Contest Convention in 2005. Licensed in 1954, Lamb retired from
a career with the US Department of Defense (US Navy and Air Force). He
was a founding member of the National Capitol DX Association (NCDXA)
and belonged to Potomac Valley Radio Club, the International DX
Association, and other amateur radio organizations. He was 339/371 in
the DXCC standings. Lamb was a member of the CQ DX and University of
Tennessee Amateur Radio Club Halls of Fame. Survivors include his wife
Rosie, KA4S. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcements
* The theme for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
(WTISD) on May 17 is "Accelerating Digital Transformation in
challenging times." The event commemorates the founding of the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the signing of the
first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. Special event
call signs on the air to mark WTISD include A91WTIS from Bahrain
and HZ1WTIS in Saudi Arabia, both active May 13 - 17.
* The Neutron-1 CubeSat team seeks radio amateurs to help
troubleshoot its satellite. The team theorizes that the satellite
goes into safe mode intermittently, making communication difficult.
The satellite has had an operational beacon since deployment, but
its operation is irregular. Details are on the AMSAT-South Africa
website.
* "Legacy" records of single-operator scores before the merging of
Single Operator and Single Operator Assisted categories for the CQ
WPX Contest are now available.
* Steve Babcock, VE6WZ, was one of six presenters at the Contest Club
of Ontario 2021 Midwinter Zoom virtual meeting. His video of the
presentation shows how he designed and built his station from
scratch. It includes many photos and a description of his 160-meter
transmit array, and his 160-meter receive system, as well as
station control and switching.
* A virtual event, "The Senator was a Ham: Barry Goldwater and
Amateur Radio," will take place Wednesday, May 19, 1800 - 1900
Arizona/Pacific Time. Registration is requested. Arizona State
University Professor of History Eric Nystrom will discuss the
history of Arizona's most famous radio amateur, US Senator Barry
Goldwater, K7UGA. He was a prime mover among volunteers who
connected service members stationed in Vietnam with their families
via ham radio.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspot activity returned last Friday
and has held steady since. Average daily sunspot numbers rose from 11.9
to 21.1, and average daily solar flux was up 2.1 points to 74.3.

Geomagnetic activity was quiet until Wednesday, when the planetary A
index went to 41, as the result of a coronal mass ejection (CME) that
blasted out of the sun on May 9. It was not expected to be very strong,
but when it struck on May 12 it sparked a G3-class geomagnetic storm --
the strongest in the current solar cycle.

The planetary A index rose to 41, far above an average of 3.8 on the
previous 6 days. The average daily planetary A index for the May 6 - 12
reporting week was 9.1, and average middle-latitude A index was 7.4.

Predicted solar flux over the next month is 76 and 78 on May 13 - 14;
80 on May 15 - 18; 78 and 77 on May 19 - 20; 79 on May 21 - 22; 80, 79,
78, 77, and 73 on May 23 - 27; 72 on May 28 - 30; 70 on May 31 - June
1; 71 and 75 on June 2 - 3; 76 on June 4 - 5; 74 on June 6 - 7; 75 on
June 8 - 9; 77 on June 10, and 79 on June 11 - 13.

Predicted planetary A index is 22 and 10 on May 13 - 14; 5 on May 15 -
16; 16, 14, 8, 10, and 8 on May 17 - 21; 5 on May 22 - June 5; 8, 5,
and 8 on June 6 - 8, and 8, 5, 12, and 18 on June 9 - 12.

Electronics Notes included an item recently about Using Sporadic E, Es
Propagation for Amateur Radio. Also check out this useful online
sporadic E tool.

Sunspot numbers for May 6 - 12 were 0, 15, 17, 18, 36, 31 and 31, with
a mean of 21.1. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 70.8, 74.5, 71.6, 75.9,
76.5, 76.1, and 74.7, with a mean of 74.3. Estimated planetary A
indices were 4, 3, 3, 4, 6, 3, and 41, with a mean of 9.1. Middle
latitude A index was 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 4, and 25, with a mean of 7.4.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out K9LA's Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* May 15 - 16 -- NZART Sangster Shield Contest (CW)
* May 15 - 16 -- His Majesty King of Spain Contest (CW)
* May 15 - 16 -- Feld Hell Sprint
* May 16 -- FISTS Sunday Sprint (CW)
* May 16 - 17 -- 28 Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
* May 19 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (Digital)
* May 20 -- NAQCC CW Sprint

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.

* May 15 - 16 -- The International DX Convention (online)
* May 20 - 22 -- Dayton Hamvention (online)
* June 5 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention (SEA-PAC; online)
* August 14 - 15 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo (online)
* August 21 - 22 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention (Huntsville
Hamfest), Huntsville, Alabama

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.
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The ARRL Letter
July 1, 2021

* FCC Reaffirms Nearly $3 Million Fine for Marketing Unauthorized
Drone Transmitters
* New Section Managers Appointed in Orange and Eastern Washington
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* WISA Woodsat Successfully Completes Stratospheric Test Flight
* Russian Woodpecker Antenna Array Now a Cultural Heritage Site
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Youth on the Air Camp 2021 to be On the Air and Streaming Selected
Events Online
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Announcements
* In Brief...
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

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ARRL Headquarters will be closed on Monday, July 5, for the
Independence Day holiday. There will be no W1AW bulletin or code
practice transmissions. ARRL HQ will reopen on Tuesday, July 6, at 8 AM
EDT. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

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FCC Reaffirms Nearly $3 Million Fine for Marketing Unauthorized Drone
Transmitters

In a Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O) released June 17, the FCC
denied a Petition for Reconsideration filed by HobbyKing of a
$2,861,128 fine for marketing noncompliant RF equipment and for failing
to respond to FCC orders in its investigation of the company's
practices. In the same step, the FCC enforced its equipment marketing
rules. The fine resulted from an FCC investigation initiated by ARRL's
January 2017 complaint that the HobbyKing equipment was "blatantly
illegal at multiple levels."

A representative of the ARRL Electromagnetic Compatibility Committee
(ECC) stated, "The Forfeiture Order is the final chapter of a story
that started with a report to the ARRL Board by the EMC Committee in
2017, as a result of the discovery that aerial drone TV transmitting
equipment was being imported and marketed without proper FCC
authorization under FCC Part 15 rules."

The Electromagnetic Compatibility Committee was credited in the
complaint with calling attention to the issue and prompting ARRL's
action.

As spelled out in ARRL's 2017 complaint, the ARRL Laboratory had
documented that the operating frequencies of these drone TV
transmitters near the 1.3 GHz amateur band were dip-switch selectable
for frequencies internationally assigned for use by Aeronautical
Navigation, GPS, GLONASS L1, ATC Mode "S," as well as to both the
interrogation and reply frequencies used for Air Traffic Control
Air-Route Surveillance "transponder" radar systems.

ARRL's complaint noted that given the channel configuration, these
units would not have a legitimate amateur radio use, and that the
marketing was directed at drone enthusiasts and not to licensed radio
amateurs. "ARRL Laboratory tests did prove that only one of the seven
available channels was within the 1.3 GHz amateur band," the ECC
representative said.

"This is another example of ARRL not only affirmatively acting to
protect our members' interests, but also acting to protect the safety
and security of vital services and the general public," the ECC
representative said.

HobbyKing had denied that it was marketing its drone transmitters to US
customers, but as the ARRL January 2017 complaint pointed out, ARRL
Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, was able to purchase two drone
transmitters from HobbyKing for testing in the ARRL Lab. "The FCC noted
that amateur radio equipment used to telecommand model craft are
limited to 1 W (1,000 mW), but three transmitters included in the FCC
investigation operated at significantly higher power levels of 1,500 mW
and 2,000 mW," ARRL said.

HobbyKing had told the FCC that it had no notice of the Commission's
authorization requirements; that the Fifth Amendment relieved HobbyKing
of its duty to respond; that the forfeiture amount was inappropriate
because its parent company, Indubitably, Inc., lacked the ability to
pay to the Forfeiture Order; and that the Commission was time-barred
from taking action against ABC Fulfillment Services LLC because it was
not part of HobbyKing's business.

"Upon review of HobbyKing's Petition for Reconsideration and the entire
record, we find no basis for reconsideration because the petition fails
to present new information warranting reconsideration," the FCC said in
the MO&O.

HobbyKing is the trade name of two US-based companies that include ABC
Fulfillment Services LLC and Indubitably, Inc. Read an expanded
version.
New Section Managers Appointed in Orange and Eastern Washington

Carl Gardenias, WU6D, of Perris, California, is retiring as ARRL Orange
Section Manager (SM) after serving in the position since 2003. His term
of office had expired at the end of March, but he agreed to continue
serving as SM until a successor was chosen.

A re-solicitation for Section Manager nominations in the Orange Section
was issued this past spring. The only nominee responding by the June 4
deadline was Bob Turner, W6RHK, also of Perris, California. Turner's
elected 2-year term of office does not officially begin until October
1, and Gardenias has said he wished to step down as Section Manager at
the end of June.

In accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the ARRL Field
Organization, ARRL Field Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY, has
appointed Turner to start his term of office as the Orange Section
Manager earlier than scheduled, with the appointment effective July 1.
Walters made his decision after consulting with ARRL Southwestern
Division Director Dick Norton, N6AA, and Gardenias. Turner has been the
Section Emergency Coordinator for the past 10 years.

ARRL Eastern Washington Section Manager Jack Tiley, AD7FO, will be
stepping down early from his term of office that concludes on September
30, 2021. Tiley, of Spokane Valley, has been Section Manager for 2 and
a half years.

Jo Whitney, KA7LJQ, was the only nominee when the June 4 nomination
deadline arrived, and she was declared elected. Whitney was initially
scheduled to start her term of office on October 1, but because Tiley
is stepping down before the end of his term, Walters -- after
consulting with ARRL Northwestern Division Director Mike Ritz, W7VO --
has appointed Whitney to start her term of office on July 1

Whitney, of Yakima, has been an ARRL Emergency Coordinator since 2003,
and she served as a District Emergency Coordinator in 2018 and 2019.

ARRL Podcasts Schedule

Check out the May episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 17)
features a discussion with Ward Silver, N0AX, about the importance of
station grounding.

The latest episode of Eclectic Tech (Episode 37) features a discussion
about the mysterious Schumann Resonances and a chat with Grant Connell,
WD6CNF, about an interesting Morse sending and receiving application he
has created for Windows.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android) as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

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WISA Woodsat Successfully Completes Stratospheric Test Flight

The world's first wooden CubeSat successfully completed a test flight
into the stratosphere earlier this month. WISA Woodsat is constructed
using birch plywood panels in a 1U configuration measuring 10
centimeters squared. Nine small solar cells will power the satellite,
which will orbit at an altitude of 500 - 550 kilometers. The novel
spacecraft will carry several amateur radio experiments, as well as
photo downlinking, including selfies. A goal of the project is to
determine how well wood products will perform in space.

During the recent test, a functional model of the WISA Woodsat climbed
19 miles into the sky tethered to a weather balloon. The satellite's
camera captured a selfie video of the balloon bursting. A parachute
deployed to take the nanosatellite back to Earth, where it was
recovered intact, lodged in a spruce tree.

The test satellite and a duplicate "spare" version, were manufactured
at UPM Plywood's Savonlinna, Finland, factory. The company sells its
construction-grade panels under the WISA trademark. The panels were
thermo-vacuum dried and processed on a CNC machining center.

The wooden satellite is based on a basic, versatile CubeSat format,
Kitsat, which is designed with educational use in mind.

As the sponsor quipped, "WISA Woodsat will go where no wood has gone
before. With a mission to gather data on the behavior and durability of
plywood over an extended period in the harsh temperatures, vacuum, and
radiation of space in order to assess the

The WISA Woodsat balloon bursts as
the satellite reaches its maximum
altitude. The image was taken using
the spacecraft's selfie stick.

use of wood materials in space structures."

Once in orbit, Woodsat will be able to extend its selfie stick to
capture photographs of the wooden box as it hurtles through space at
40,000 kilometers per hour (24,800 miles per hour). This will allow the
mission leaders to monitor the impact of the environment on the
plywood.

The satellite would downlink its telemetry and images from two cameras
using amateur radio frequencies. In addition to testing plywood, the
satellite will demonstrate accessible radio amateur satellite
communication; host several secondary technology experiments; validate
the Kitsat platform in orbit, and popularize space technology.

Russian Woodpecker Antenna Array Now a Cultural Heritage Site

The massive Duga-1 antenna array that transmitted the obnoxious and
infuriating "Russian Woodpecker" HF signal from the 1970s until the
late 1980s is now a cultural heritage site. The array, located near
Chernobyl in Ukraine, was part of an over-the-horizon radar (OTH-R)
system designed to detect and offer early warning of incoming ballistic
missiles from the US. A complementary receiver site was located some 40
miles away. While the system was operating, its broad rat-a-tat signal,
typically at a 10 Hz rate, caused severe interference in the amateur
bands. The Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster and the end of the
Cold War preceded the end of the system and the interference it caused.
NATO military intelligence discovered and photographed the structure,
which it dubbed "Steel Yard."

Nearly 2,300 feet long and more than 450 feet tall, the steel beams of
the radar array are in the Chernobyl exclusion zone tower above the
surrounding forest. Seen from a distance, it appears to be a massive
wall or the start of a cage. As Vice recently reported, the Association
of Chernobyl Tour Operators was the first to announce that Ukraine had
made Duga-1 a protected heritage site. The Russian Interfax news
service later reported the official designation.

"Our heritage is not only the area around the power plant but also the
buildings located on its territory," Oleksandr Tkachenko, Ukraine's
Minister of Culture and Information Policy, said in a Telegram thread
about the announcement. "So now we are working on identifying other

A Duga array seen from a distance.
[Ingmar Runge photo]

objects that should be part of the list of monuments. Our goal is to
prevent destruction when possible."

The Soviet Union deployed two similar OTH-R installations -- known and
Duga-1 and Duga-2 -- the one near Chernobyl and another in eastern
Siberia. Transmitter power levels were rumored to be in the 10-megawatt
EIRP range.

Duga-1 was the focus of a 2015 documentary, The Russian Woodpecker, by
Chad Gracia. The film includes interviews with Duga Commander Vladimir
Musiets and others involved in building and operating the OTH-R system.
The production was a 2015 Sundance Film Festival winner in the
documentary category. In recent years, the Duga-1 radar has also played
a role in other films, as well as in various video games and novels.

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ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

Designing Coiled Coax "Ugly" Baluns -- John Portune, W6NBC / Thursday,
July 8, 2021 @ 8 pm EDT (0000 UTC on Friday July 9)

Coiled coax baluns are familiar, but not many hams know how to design
them for maximum efficiency. The many designs available online can be
confusing, so this presentation will help you learn the following: (1)
The main function of a balun; (2) Calculating, and not guessing, at the
amount of coax needed; (3) Self-resonance and frequency limitations.
The presenter is the February 2021 QST Cover Plaque Award winner for
his article "Create Your Own 1:1 Coax Choke Balun." Sponsored by
PreppComm.

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Learning with High-Altitude Balloons -- Jack McElroy, KM4ZIA, and
Audrey McElroy, KM4BUN / Thursday, July 22, 2021 @ 3:30 pm EDT (2030
UTC)

Jack McElroy, KM4ZIA, and Audrey McElroy, KM4BUN, talk about their
experiences with high-altitude balloons, explain how others can get
involved in high-altitude balloons, and discuss launching it
successfully. Their discussion will include how high-altitude balloons
are a great way to involve more youth in ham radio and how they can be
a fantastic learning experience for students.

ARRL members may register for upcoming presentations and view
previously recorded Learning Network webinars. ARRL-affiliated radio
clubs may also use the recordings as presentations for club meetings,
mentoring new and current hams, and discussing amateur radio topics.
The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.

Youth on the Air Camp 2021 to be On the Air and Streaming Selected
Events Online

The first Youth on the Air (YOTA) camp for young radio amateurs in
North, Central, and South America begins on July 11 in West Chester,
Ohio. Among other activities, campers will be operating special event
station W8Y from both the National Voice of America Museum of
Broadcasting in West Chester Township and from the camp hotel. The camp
will run until July 16.

"We are at 23 campers," said Camp Director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG. "We are
very excited to finally bring this program to the Americas. Our young
people are bringing an incredible lineup of hands-on sessions for their
peers. We hope this pilot gives us the information we need to replicate
this camp over multiple locations for years to come. We also hope this
brings a more robust community of young hams into amateur radio."

The long-awaited summer camp for up to 30 hams aged 15 through 25 had
been set to take place in June 2020, but it had to be rescheduled until
summer 2021 because of COVID-19 pandemic concerns. The camp for young
hams in the Americas took its cue from the summer Youngsters on the Air
camps held for the past few years in various IARU Region 1 countries.

W8Y will be on the air as campers complete projects, between sessions,
and during free time. Dedicated operating times on HF will be Monday,
July 12, 0100 - 0330 UTC; Tuesday, July 13, 0000 - 0330 UTC and 1800 -
2130 UTC. Dedicated satellite station operating times will be Thursday,
July 15, 1400 - 1700 UTC, and Friday, July 16, 1500 - 1700 UTC.

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact is
currently set for either Wednesday, July 14, at 1503 UTC, or

KM4BUN operates as K8O
during YOTA Month 2020.

Thursday, July 15, at 1416 UTC. It will be streamed live on the Youth
on the Air YouTube channel. The camp opening observance on Sunday, July
11, 2100 - 2230 UTC, will feature keynote speaker Tim Duffy, K3LR. The
hour-long closing ceremony on Friday, July 16, will get under way at
1700 UTC. The YouTube channel will also feature a daily video
highlighting the activities of the previous day.

ARRL and The Yasme Foundation donated project kits for the campers. X
Tronics provided temperature-controlled soldering stations. The
brochure on the Youth on the Air website includes more details about
the camp. For additional information, contact Camp Director Neil Rapp,
WB9VPG.

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The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar activity is strong. Average
daily sunspot number rose from 14 to 34.7, and average daily solar flux
increased from 79.3 to 86.9. Both figures represent a dramatic increase
in solar activity.

Planetary A index went from 5.3 to 6.1, while average daily middle
latitude A index held steady at 6.1.

Predicted solar flux is 94 on July 1 - 7; 90 on July 8; 85 on July 9 -
11; 82 on July 12 - 14; 80 on July 15 - 18; 82 on July 19; 85 on July
20 - 24; 88 on July 25; 90 on July 26 - 28; 92 on July 29 - August 1;
90 on August 2, and 85 on August 3 - 7.

Predicted planetary A index is 12, 8, 12, 8, and 10 on July 1 - 5; 5 on
July 6 - 8; 8 on July 9 - 10; 5, 15, and 12 on July 11 - 13; 5 on July
14 - 20; 8 on July 21; 5 on July 22 - 26; 10 on July 27; 5 on July 28 -
30; 12 on July 31; 5 on August 1 - 4, and 8 on August 5 - 6.

W9NY reported on June 28:

"The propagation on 20 meters between my Dune Acres, Indiana, station
and much of Europe and Asiatic Russia beginning last night at 11 PM and
continuing for about 2 hours was absolutely amazing. It reminded me of
10 meters at the peak of prior sunspot cycles. And today there was a
fair amount of activity on 10 and 6 meters." More details in the Friday
K7RA Solar Update.

Sunspot numbers for June 24 - 30 were 11, 25, 16, 32, 50, 56, and 53,
with a mean of 34.7. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 80.6, 83.4, 82.4, 87,
88.6, 92.5, and 94.1, with a mean of 86.9. Estimated planetary A
indices were 5, 7, 4, 4, 4, 5, and 14, with a mean of 6.1. Middle
latitude A index was 6, 8, 5, 4, 4, 5, and 11, with a mean of 6.1.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out this Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.
* Amateur Radio Club holds two-day event at USS Kidd / The vocate
(Louisiana) June 27, 2021
* Amateur radio operators key during Hugo, host field day to practice
skills / News 19 - WLTX (South Carolina) June 27, 2021
* Ham operators prepare for hurricane season with field day / Clay
Today (Florida) June 23, 2021
* Searching For a 'Fox' in Jackson Park / Times-News (North Carolina)
June 22, 2021
* Ham Radio Operators Provide Vital Information When Storms Disrupt
Communications / Spectrum News Channel 13 (Florida) June 22, 2021

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

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Announcements
* The Canadian American Net (CANAM) aims to unite hams in the Eastern
US and Canada. Some 40 amateurs from Canada and the US typically
check in for each session, and the net accommodates CW and SSB. The
Canadian-American Net operates 7 days a week on 7.153 MHz, with
check-in starting at 1300 UTC.
* The next meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors' Executive
Committee meeting is July 7 at 11 AM EDT. The ARRL Board of
Directors will meet July 16 - 17 for its second meeting of the
year. The agenda for the full Board meeting is available on the
ARRL website.
* Radio amateurs in Australia soon will be able to obtain and use 2 *
1 call signs. Regulator ACMA (Australian Communications and Media
Authority) will release a bulletin concerning implementation plans.

* Novice stations in the Netherlands (PD-prefix licensees) may now
operate with 100 W, instead of 25 W, on 40, 20, and 10 meters. They
also have access to the entire 40- and 20-meter bands. In addition,
the Netherlands no longer imposes a minimum age to get a Novice or
Full License in the Netherlands.
* EZ Hang has changed ownership. The new proprietor is Chris Fox,
NI4L, Antennas & Electronics LLC, 3861 Mount Olive Church Rd,
Moravian Falls, NC 28654. (828) 855-8869.
* International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 1 has announced the
release of an HF band plan and annex incorporating changes agreed
at the General Conference in October.

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In Brief...

Field Day entries are arriving fast and furious. Three days into the
Field Day entry submission period (June 30), entries already have
topped 3,000. ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE, says
201 of these are three-or-more-operator club entries (Class A); 385 are
one- or two-person club or group entries (Class B); 33 are mobile
entries (Class C), and 34 entered as EOC stations (Class F). "2,414
entrants operated from home stations -- 1,831 as Class D (commercial
power) and 583 as Class E (emergency power)," Bourque said. "Last year,
there were 10,213 total entrants -- 611 as Class A; 1,086 as Class B;
134 Class C; 6,318 Class D; 1,980 Class E, and 84 Class F. In 2019,
before the pandemic, there were 3,113 total entries." -- Thanks to ARRL
Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE

The third QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo will take place August 14 - 15,
with presentations available on demand for 30 days. Sponsors promise "a
flawless experience" that will expose visitors to new ideas, equipment,
and practical techniques via the vFairs platform used successfully in
the first QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo in August 2020. Some 80 speakers
have been lined up to offer expert knowledge and information for
amateurs at all experience levels. A live roundtable video will allow
attendees to interact with each other and with exhibitors. ARRL is a
QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo partner. Registration is now under way, and
full registration "early bird" tickets are $10. Full registration
includes access to the entire Expo, including presentations and the
30-day on-demand period. Free registration includes access to
exhibitors, prizes, general lounge, and lobbies. Those who registered
for the March Expo already have a free registration for the August
Expo.

Moonbounce enthusiast Steve McDonald, VE7SL, wanted to determine a
back-to-basics equipment complement for making 2-meter EME contacts. He
came up with a nine-element Yagi, a 120 W amplifier, and an antenna
position-control system that offered azimuthal rotation but not
elevation. The time available to make EME contacts was less than if
he'd had elevation control. His blog recounts his experience with
single-Yagi moonbounce. His advice, "If you haven't given single-Yagi
EME a try, I would encourage you to test it out, as you might be
surprised at your results." The next ARRL EME Contest weekend is
October 23 - 24, 2021.

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Just Ahead in Radiosport
* July 2 -- NCCC RTTY Sprint
* July 2 -- NCCC Sprint (CW)
* July 3 - 4 -- DL-DX RTTY Contest
* July 3 - 4 -- Marconi Memorial HF Contest (CW)
* July 3 - 4 -- Original QRP Contest (CW)
* July 3 - 4 -- PODXS 070 Club 40-Meter Firecracker Sprint (digital)
* July 5 -- K1USN Slow Speed Test (CW, maximum 20 WPM)
* July 5 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (CW)
* July 6 -- Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest
* July 6 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
* July 6 -- RTTYops Weeksprint
* July 7 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* July 7 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
* July 7 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test (CW)
* July 8 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test (CW)
* July 8 -- RTTYops Weeksprint

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Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* August 14 - 15 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo (online)
* August 21 - 22 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention (Huntsville
Hamfest), Huntsville, Alabama
* September 10 - 12 -- ARRL New England Division Convention
(Northeast HamXposition), Marlborough, Massachusetts
* September 25 - ARRL Dakota Division Convention (RRRA Hamfest), West
Fargo, North Dakota

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

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ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for

Amateur Radio News and Information

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.
* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.
* The ARRL Letter is available in an accessible format, posted weekly
to the Blind-hams Groups.io email group. The group is dedicated to
discussions about amateur radio as it concerns blind hams, plus
related topics including ham radio use of adaptive technology.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
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* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.
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The ARRL Letter
July 8, 2021

* First X-Class Major Solar Flare of Solar Cycle 25 Blacks Out HF on
July 3
* Amateur Radio Volunteers Prepared for and Tracked Elsa
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* June 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report Released
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Young Caribbean Nation Formalizing Amateur Radio Guidelines and
Standards
* [IMG]Announcements
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Registrations Strong for 24th Annual International Lighthouse
Lightship Weekend
* NRRL Receives Grants to Support Online Learning, Emergency
Preparedness
* In Brief...
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
First X-Class Major Solar Flare of Solar Cycle 25 Blacks Out HF on July
3

For a brief time on July 3, a lot of radio amateurs were wondering,
"Where did the bands go?" as the first X-class solar flare in 4 years
blacked out HF propagation for a time.

"I was on 20-meter FT8, and my waterfall display went from solid red
signals to solid nothing in the blink of an eye," Scott Craig, WA4TTK,
told "K7RA Solar Update" Editor Tad Cook, K7RA. "It lasted about 10
minutes." Craig was not alone.

"Many American radio amateurs reported sudden HF propagation blackouts
on Saturday morning, July 3, when solar active region 12838 produced an
X1.5 major solar flare that reached maximum intensity at 1429 UTC, the
first X-class solar flare of Solar Cycle 25 and the first since 2017,"
said Frank Donovan, W3LPL. "HF propagation blackouts are caused when
x-ray and extreme ultraviolet radiation from X-class solar flares
strongly ionizes the absorbing D-region in the Earth's sun-facing dense
lower ionosphere," he explained.

In this instance, it caused what NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center
(SWPC) calls an R3-level or "strong" radio blackout (on a scale of R1 -
R5). An R3 incident can cause a "wide-area blackout of HF radio
communication [and] loss of radio contact for about an hour on [the]
sunlit side of Earth. Low-frequency navigation signals degraded for
about an hour."

Donovan said that X-class major solar flares are necessary consequences
of steadily increasing Solar Cycle 25 activity. "95% of all X-class
solar flares occur when the solar flux index is 90 or greater. The
remaining 5% can occur any time during the solar cycle," he points out.
"X1-class major solar flares typically degrade HF propagation for only
an hour or two at mid and high latitudes, only on Earth's sunlit side."

X-class major flares are measured on an open-ended scale. The strongest
one ever recorded was an X28 flare in 2003, hundreds of times more
powerful than the July 3 X1.5 solar flare. X10-class and stronger solar
flares typically have effects that last for most of a day and affect
the entire sunlit side of the Earth. Fortunately, X10-class solar
flares occur only about once every 20 years or more.

"Much more severe and long-lasting HF propagation degradations are
often caused by the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) often associated with
-- but not caused by -- major solar flares," Donovan explained. "HF
propagation degradation caused by CMEs typically begins about 2 days
after the effects of the associated solar flare, the duration of the
delay depending on interactions between the CME and the solar wind."

The CME associated with the July 3 X1.5 solar flare is likely to have
little to no effect on HF propagation going forward, because the active
region was very close to the western edge of the visible solar disk
when the CME erupted. Region 12838 rotated off the visible disk on
Sunday, July 4.

Solar flares have no significant effect on VHF ionospheric propagation,
but can degrade satellite communications passing through the
ionosphere. More frequent, less powerful M-class medium solar flares
produce short-duration degradation at high latitudes. Very frequent,
much weaker A-, B-, and C-class solar flares do not degrade HF
propagation. -- Thanks to Frank Donovan, W3LPL
Amateur Radio Volunteers Prepared for and Tracked Elsa

The weather event known as Elsa, a tropical storm that also achieved
Category 1 hurricane status, prompted actions by ARRL, the Amateur
Radio Emergency Service (ARES), and the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) as
the storm set its sights on Florida this week. The storm made landfall
along the Gulf Coast of northern Florida on July 7, before weakening
significantly.

As Tropical Storm Elsa moved up the East Coast, the Eastern New York
(ENY) and New York-Long Island (NLI) Sections received a request from
the American Red Cross (ARC) Greater New York Region to have ARES
groups put on alert from July 9 through July 15.

"As of now, it's just preliminary planning with no definite plans for
opening shelters or service delivery sites," Phil Nelson, N2PN,
Regional Field Communications Manager of ARC Greater New York said on
July 7.

"Please stay aware of developing conditions," Eastern New York Section
Emergency Coordinator (SEC) Dave Galletly, KM2O, urged. "I ask that
groups in the ENY Southern District prepare for possible deployment in
support of ARC as of Friday, July 9. Groups in the Central and Northern
Districts should also keep in touch with weather developments and stand
by for possible mid to long-term support of Southern District groups."

On July 6, Northern Florida SEC Karl Martin, K4HBN, activated the ARES
Net on 3.950 kHz. An open net was activated on SARnet -- a UHF-linked
repeater network. As the evening developed, the Section saw six
emergency operations centers and many shelters open. The Northern
Florida Section stood down from a Level III monitoring activation on
July 7.

"ARRL Headquarters and the ARRL Emergency Management Department are
monitoring the storm's progress and will be ready to assist Sections
affected by Elsa," ARRL Emergency Management Director Paul Gilbert,
KE5ZW, assured as the storm approached.

The Hurricane Watch Net initially activated for Elsa on July 2, after
it became a Category 1 hurricane.

"Because the storm was extremely close to Barbados, St. Lucia, and St.
Vincent, we went into operation to collect and forward weather data to
the National Hurricane Center in Miami," Net Manager Bobby Graves,
KB5HAV, said. The HWN reactivated for several hours on July 6, standing
down after about 8 hours.

Elsa has produced some wind damage, but the major hazard from the storm
so far appears to be heavy rain, flooding, and storm surge. Some
suspected tornadoes have been reported. Elsa is expected to move across
the southeastern and mid-Atlantic US.

ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 18) features a
discussion with ARRL Lifelong Learning Manager Kris Bickell, K1BIC,
about the launch of the new ARRL Learning Center later this month.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 37) features a discussion
about the mysterious Schumann Resonances and a chat with Grant Connell,
WD6CNF, about an interesting Morse sending and receiving application he
created for Windows.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android) as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

June 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report Released

The June 2021 activity report of the Volunteer Monitoring (VM) Program
has been released. The VM Program is a joint initiative between ARRL
and the FCC to enhance compliance in the Amateur Radio Service.
* The FCC was requested to review a vanity call sign application
filed by a Georgia licensee because of an apparently false answer
to the question regarding a felony conviction.
* A licensee in Massachusetts received an visory Notice concerning
obscenity and harassment on 160 meters. The FCC will hold for
review any renewal application filed by this licensee.
* A General-class licensee in San Antonio, Texas, received an
visory Notice for operation in the Amateur Extra-class portion of
the 20-meter band.
* Licensees in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia
received visory Notices concerning failure to identify and other
possible violations as part of a general audit of complaints about
licensee conduct on 1.938, 3.860, 3.895, and 3.927 MHz.
* In May, Volunteer Monitors logged 1,514 hours on HF frequencies and
2,072 hours on VHF frequencies and above.

The Volunteer Monitor Program ministrator had one meeting with the
FCC, and two cases were referred to the FCC for further action. One
case involves a taxi company in Alaska operating on 2 meters. -- Thanks
to Volunteer Monitor Program ministrator Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH

-------------------------------------------------------------------


ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

Learning with High-Altitude Balloons -- Jack McElroy, KM4ZIA, and
Audrey McElroy, KM4BUN / Thursday, July 22, 2021 @ 3:30 PM EDT (1930
UTC)

Jack McElroy, KM4ZIA, and Audrey McElroy, KM4BUN, talk about their
experiences with high-altitude balloons and explain how hams can get
involved in successfully launching balloons. They'll also talk about
how to make high-altitude balloons a fantastic learning experience for
students who may want to be involved in ham radio.

ARRL members may register for upcoming presentations and view
previously recorded Learning Network webinars. ARRL-affiliated radio
clubs may also use the recordings as presentations for club meetings,
mentoring new and current hams, and discussing amateur radio topics.

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.
Young Caribbean Nation Formalizing Amateur Radio Guidelines and
Standards

With a population just north of 71,000, the Caribbean island of
Dominica (J7) boasts a modest but active ham radio population. Given
Dominica's vulnerability to hurricanes, the ham radio emphasis often
focuses on emergency communications support. In 2017, after Hurricane
Maria hit the tiny island, ham radio filled a huge telecommunications
gap. Now the country's telecommunications regulator is asking hams to
help formulate new amateur radio guidelines and standards. Dominica's
National Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (NTRC) is collecting
comments until July 12 from radio amateurs participating in a
"consultation" (what the US FCC would call a "proceeding") that could
lead to a formal and better-documented set of rules and regulations.

"There is limited guidance for those who seek to utilize the
telecommunications media for their own personal use, enjoyment, and
fulfillment as [a] hobby, as in the case of amateur radio," the NTRC
said in the consultation document. "Generally, [amateur radio] is
self-regulating, and so the involvement of the telecommunications
regulator is minimized. Though the amateur radio clubs generally do
their best to provide some level of guidance and support to existing
and prospective operators, there is great need for a formal and
comprehensive set of guidelines and standards for the operation of
Amateur Radio Services in Dominica."

Resources used in developing the draft proposals included ARRL, the
FCC's Part 97 amateur radio rules, and the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU).

"A primary source for this document was the Code of Federal Regulations
(Title 47, Part 97), due to its comprehensiveness and its informal
adoption in certain parts by the local amateur radio fraternity," the
NTRC said. Specific ARRL resources included The ARRL FCC Rule Book; The
ARRL Operating Manual for Radio Amateurs, and The ARRL Handbook for
Radio Communications. The regulators also

Joseph Raymond, J73RJ, during an
emergency preparedness exercise.

looked at Canada's and Australia's amateur radio rules. The proposals
would provide for three license classes -- Novice, General, and
vanced -- as well as licensing procedures for each.

The NTRC held a public meeting via Zoom in mid-June to "highlight and
clarify important issues" regarding the consultation. NTRC personnel
later met with amateur radio club representatives at the NTRC's office.
Under Telecommunications Act No. 8 of 2000 and its associated
regulations, the NTRC oversees compliance with all telecommunication
rules in Dominica, including amateur radio. The NTRC also manages
amateur radio spectrum.

Following the initial comment period, the NTRC will review the comments
and subsequently submit the Revised Draft Amateur Radio Guidelines and
Standards document for comments on the initial comments received. The
NTRC will also review those comments and finalize the policy document,
taking all views into consideration, to adopt and publish the Amateur
Radio Guidelines and Standards document.

Announcements
* The Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) has posted a complete
copy of Where Do We Go Next by Martti Laine, OH2BH.
* The IARU Region 2 Executive Committee has released a report of its
May 26 meeting. The EC meets quarterly to discuss items of
importance to the Americas.
* Bill Leal, VE3ES, in Windsor, Ontario, is now active as VE3VACCINE
until July 15. The activity is to encourage people to get
vaccinated against COVID-19. Operations have been on 30, 20, 10,
and 6 meters using SSB and FT8/FT4.
* am Farson, VA7OJ/AB4OJ, has been elevated to a Senior Member of
IEEE. "This is a great recognition for a professional career which
spanned nearly 40 years," Farson said.
* IARU Region 1 Vice President Faisal al-Ajmi, 9K2RR/W2RRR, has died
following a prolonged hospitalization with COVID-19. Faisal was
Region 1 Vice President since 2014 and was described by IARU as "an
energetic and active supporter of amateur radio in the Arab world
and globally. He was also an accomplished and successful
contester."
* The RV Braveheart, which has provided maritime transportation for
numerous DXpedition teams over the years, is up for sale. The
asking price is $250,000.

Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.
* Ham radio operator earns society's Lifetime Achievement Award /
Monroe Journal (Mississippi) July 6, 2021
* American Radio Relay League is planning a Rededication of
Operations / New Britain Herald (Connecticut) July 1, 2021
* Poway amateur radio enthusiasts hold 24-hour event / San Diego
Union-Tribune (California) June 30, 2021
* Bouncing signals off the moon: Amateur Radio Club draws young and
experienced 'ham' operators / The Dispatch (Mississippi) June 29,
2021

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

Registrations Strong for 24th Annual International Lighthouse Lightship
Weekend

Set for August 21 - 22, the 24th annual International Lighthouse
Lightship Weekend (ILLW) will be back, despite the disruption of the
global COVID-19 pandemic. Each year, typically on the third weekend of
August, participants set up portable stations at or near lighthouses
and lightships around the world. Last year, prospects for the event
were looking dim, but "regular supporters wanted the event to be a
beacon of hope," the event's sponsor said. More than 360 registrations
from 43 countries backed up their belief. As of July 8, this year's
registration tally had already topped 200, with 25 participants signed
up to activate lighthouses or lightships in the US. The ILLW typically
attracts entries for some 500 lighthouses in more than 40 countries.
The event has few rules and is not a typical contest-type event. The
ILLW will begin at 0001 UTC on August 21 and continue through 2400 UTC
on August 22.

Each station's operators decide how they will operate their station
with respect to modes and bands. There are no power restrictions or
entry classes and no scores.

"We wish operators to enjoy themselves and have fun while making
contact with as many amateur radio stations as possible," ILLW said in
the event announcement. "We request that stations take time to work
other lighthouses or lightships, as well as the slow operators or newly
licensed or QRP stations." Participants contact the relevant
authorities to obtain permission to operate. It is within the
guidelines of the event to move operations from a lighthouse to a
museum for historic reasons. In any case, the lighthouse should be
visible to, and visited by, the public wherever possible.

Visit the ILLW website for more detailed information.
NRRL Receives Grants to Support Online Learning, Emergency Preparedness

The Norwegian Radio Relay League (NRRL) has recently received two
substantial grants that will further its education and emergency
preparedness programs. NRRL was given nearly $81,500 from the Research
Council of Norway for the development of teaching material for amateur
radio. According to NRRL, the grant will fund measures that "strengthen
children's and young people's digital competence through leisure
activities." NRRL will develop online learning material for amateur
radio and other activities over the course of the 2-year project.

"Voluntary efforts from NRRL members will also be an important input
factor in the project," NRRL said. "We hope that many will take an
active part in this work, which will be important for the future of
amateur radio in Norway."

NRRL has also received a grant of nearly $94,000 from the Gjensidige
Foundation that will further support its emergency preparedness and
response initiatives. The funds will specifically enable NRRL to
develop and produce new tracking units that NRRL will use in its rescue
service to locate volunteer teams on a map and in real time. In
addition, the funds will support much-needed equipment and joint
exercises and skills development.

"Volunteer rescue crews have been a critical part of the Norwegian
rescue service for more than 50 years," said NRRL's Liaison Service
head, Henrik Solhaug, LA6ETA. "In close cooperation with the police and
the Main Rescue Center, they have, over the years, searched for and
found thousands of missing individuals and saved hundreds of lives.
These are tasks that the public sector itself does not have the
capacity to perform, and volunteers have largely covered the costs
themselves." -- Thanks to NRRL
In Brief...

To keep member records up to date, ARRL emailed Life Members on June
16. A follow-up email will be sent in the next few days, asking them to
verify their mailing address. Be assured that it is a legitimate
request sent from ARRL. Thank you to all those who responded. If you
need to update your address information, call (860) 594-0200, email
membership@arrl.org, or respond to the email you received. If your
email client does not recognize the text as a link, you will need to
cut and paste it into a web browser to access the verification web
page.

The QSO Recorder Indexing Service lets you hear your contacts.
Developed by Vasiliy Gokoyev, K3IT, the QSO Recorder Indexing Service
(QSORDEX) allows radio amateurs to share their contest and DXpedition
contact audio recordings. Users then can search the site to retrieve
them by call sign. Audio files are in .mp3 format, saved according to
the system's naming convention, and then uploaded to the Dropbox.com
file-hosting service. The site itself does not store any files; it only
indexes them. To add your own contacts, register at Dropbox.com and
download and install the Dropbox PC client. A free 2 GB Dropbox account
can store approximately 12,000 contacts, although users may purchase
additional space above what is provided with a free account. See the
QSOrder website for additional details.

The CHESS CubeSats will not carry amateur radio payloads. It was
announced in January that two CHESS CubeSats set for launch in 2022
would carry amateur radio linear transponders. The project sponsors
announced on June 10, however, that neither CHESS satellite would
include an amateur radio payload. Citing funding constraints, CHESS
project management had to move the project toward a purely scientific
program using a commercial CubeSat platform, which has less space for
the planned ham radio transponders. CHESS project management also will
not use frequencies allocated to the Amateur Satellite Service, but
will use Earth exploration or experimental UHF and X-band frequencies.
"The ham community, which assured the funding of the transponder, is
very disappointed by this decision but must accept it," the project
team said in a news release. "Such projects always carry risks of one
partner changing its mind. That is what happened here. Many thanks to
all who have actively supported the transponder project, especially the
AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL team."

A filing extension has been granted in the FCC space launch proceeding
The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology has granted a 30-day
extension for filing comments and reply comments on the Further Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking in the Non-Federal Space Launch, Federal Earth
Stations, and Federal Space Station proceedings (ET Docket 13-115).
Comments will now be due by August 11, and reply comments will be due
by September 9. As announced in June, the FCC is soliciting a second
round of comments on whether to authorize commercial space entities to
obtain licenses for frequencies used exclusively during space launch
activities. The proposals include parts of the 70-centimeter (420 - 430
MHz) and 5-centimeter (5650 - 5925 MHz) bands.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports:

Solar activity continues to increase. The average daily sunspot number
was 34.7 last week; this week it jumped to 55.6. Average daily solar
flux increased from 86.9 to 88.9.

Despite solar flare activity pushing a sudden ionospheric disturbance
and a dramatic HF radio blackout (see "First X-Class Major Solar Flare
of Solar Cycle 25 Blacks Out HF on July 3"), at least the average daily
planetary A index for the week was only 5.7, down from 6.1 last week.
The average middle latitude A index was also 6.1 last week, and it was
6.3 this week.

The flare was an X1.5-class event, the biggest since September 2017 and
the only X-Class solar flare since then. Events such as this can be so
dramatic that some may initially assume a hardware or antenna failure.
Fortunately, these are rare.

Predicted solar flux is 76 on July 8; 74 on July 9 - 11; 72 on July 12
- 13; 70 and 74 on July 14 - 15; 82 on July 16 - 18; 84 on July 19; 88
on July 20 - 22; 90 on July 23 - 28; 88 on July 29 - August 2; 84 on
August 3; 82 on August 4 - 5, and 80 on August 6 - 11.

Predicted planetary A index is 5, 8, 12, 8, 12, 16, and 8 on July 8 -
14; 5 on July 15 - 17; 15, 12, and 10 on July 18 - 20; 5 on July 21 -
31; 10 and 8 on August 1 - 2; 5 on August 3 - 5; 15 and 12 on August 6
- 7, and 5 on August 8 - 13.

Sunspot numbers for July 1 - 7 were 56, 72, 81, 60, 43, 52, and 25,
with a mean of 34.7. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 94.1, 94.9, 93.7,
91.1, 89.4, 83.2, and 76, with a mean of 86.9. Estimated planetary A
indices were 7, 5, 4, 3, 7, 8, and 6, with a mean of 6.1. Middle
latitude A index was 7, 6, 4, 4, 9, 8, and 6, with a mean of 6.1.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out this Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* July 10 - 11 -- IARU HF World Championship (CW, phone)
* July 10 - 11 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)
* July 11 -- QRP ARCI Summer Homebrew Sprint (CW)
* July 12 -- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)
* July 14 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
* July 14 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship, SSB
* July 15 -- NAQCC CW Sprint

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* August 7 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention (Virtual on Zoom)
* August 14 - 15 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo (online)
* August 21 - 22 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention (Huntsville
Hamfest), Huntsville, Alabama
* September 10 - 12 -- ARRL New England Division Convention
(Northeast HamXposition), Marlborough, Massachusetts
* September 25 - ARRL Dakota Division Convention (RRRA Hamfest), West
Fargo, North Dakota

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!

__________________________________________
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
July 15, 2021

* ARRL Headquarters Holds Rededication Ceremony
* Most 2021 Field Day Participants Entered in Class D
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* Youth on the Air Campers Enjoy Successful ISS Contact, Busy with
Other Activities
* Announcements
* Next QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo to Offer Nearly 100 Speakers, 18
Topic Tracks
* 40th Annual ARRL-TAPR Digital Communications Conference Set
* Amateur Radio in the News
* The K7RA Solar Update
* In Brief...
* Getting It Right!
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL Headquarters Holds Rededication Ceremony

On Thursday, July 15, at 10 AM EDT, ARRL Headquarters in Newington,
Connecticut, hosted a rededication ceremony, recognizing ARRL's
commitment to all radio amateurs who enhance the communications
capability and security of the nation. The event

The ARRL ceremony was kicked off by
18-year-old Jacob Gionfriddo,
KC1LYP, a 2021 ARRL Foundation
Scholarship winner and recent
graduate of Newington High School.
He will be attending Central
Connecticut State University this
fall to study electronics and
technology.

coincided with the attendance of ARRL's all-volunteer Board of
Directors, who had traveled in from across the country for in-person
committee and Board meetings this week.

"Associations advance America," ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR,
said in his remarks. "Associations bring people together around a
common purpose. For ARRL and our members, that purpose is amateur
radio... Over the last year, I have witnessed the extraordinary
dedication of ARRL members, our staff, and our Board of Directors.
Without skipping a beat, we have worked together to equip our members
with the opportunities they need to serve an active and vibrant Amateur
Radio Service for our country." Roderick also recognized members of
ARRL's Amateur Radio Emergency Service^(R) (ARES^(R)) for serving their
communities with essential communications When All Else Fails^(R).

US Congressman John B. Larson (left)
presents ARRL CEO David Minster,
NA2AA, with a Congressional
Recognition for "the dedicated and
phenomenal service that the ARRL and
its members" provide.

In his remarks, ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, reflected on the
commitment made to maintain the organization's operations for the
benefit of its members during the pandemic. "That we were able to
continue proudly and passionately serving our members and our nation
through these challenges speaks to the resilience of our organization,
and the commitment of our volunteers and staff."

The event also included remarks by Connecticut District 1 US
Congressman John B. Larson; Connecticut State Senator Matt Lesser, and
Glenn A. Field, KB1GHX, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the
National Weather Service Boston/Norton office in Massachusetts. Also in
attendance were representatives of the American Red Cross; the
Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; the
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU); Radio Amateurs of Canada;
Connecticut General Assembly; the Town of Newington, and ARRL Officers,
Board members, and staff.

A video of the rededication ceremony is posted on ARRL's YouTube
channel.
Most 2021 Field Day Participants Entered in Class D

In the second ARRL Field Day (FD) with rule waivers in place, some
4,815 entries were received at ARRL Headquarters by July 13 -- the
majority in Class D (Home Stations). Last year saw more than 10,213
entries and 18,886 participants. Before the pandemic, in 2019, 3,113
entries were submitted, with 36,420 total participants.

"It appears that larger groups were more the norm in pre-pandemic
times, as expected," ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE,
observed. "From the discussions I've been having with participants,
even though some groups gathered in larger numbers this year, many
participants chose either to gather in smaller groups or to operate
solo from home as Class D or Class E stations. Although I don't think
we'll see the number of entries that we did last year, we're close in
terms of the number of participants."

With about 2 weeks to go until the entry submission deadline, the tally
of participants reported is 16,166. They made just north of 1 million

Andy Goss, AA5JF, took part in
the first Field Day for the
Augusta University Amateur
Radio Club (WA4AUG), which set
up in the Georgia school's
Critical Event Preparedness
and Response (CEPaR) Center.

total contacts.

"FD was already a success on Saturday, with the stations working
smoothly, and lots of local visitors dropping by," said Andy Goss,
AA5JF, at Augusta University Amateur Radio Club's WA4AUG. "An hour
after sunrise on Sunday, we were counting our points, when Darby,
KK4PEQ, announced he had just worked a station on 6-meter phone -- just
playing around on 50 MHz using the 20/15/10 tribander," Goss said. "He
stayed on 6 [meters] for five QSOs, but we quickly [moved] to 10 and
15, finding those bands were open to just about everywhere, and we
doubled our score in just 3 hours. What a rush!"

FD Entries are Due Soon

There's still time to submit your 2021 Field Day entry. Most of this
year's Field Day entries have been submitted via the online web app
(worth 50 bonus points!), although some 50 paper logs have been mailed
in. Participants can check the Entries Received page to make sure their
entries were received and complete. If the entry status indicates
"Pending documents," either the required dupe sheet (or in lieu of
that, a Cabrillo log file), or supporting documentation of claimed
bonus points is missing. Bourque said some 250 entries fall into that
category right now. Participants can add documentation or edit their
entries by following the link provided in the confirmation email sent
to the email

Scott Hanley, WA9STI, operated in
the Los Padres National Forest from
a site at 7,400 feet elevation.

address provided upon entry, up until the entry submission deadline.
Field Day entries must be submitted online or postmarked no later than
2059 UTC on July 27, 2021.

The breakdown of Field Day entries by class, as of July 13, showed
4,815 total entries, with 613 in Class A, 582 in Class B, 57 in Class C
(Mobile), 2,619 in Class D, 858 in Class E, and 86 in Class F.

For his 2021 Field Day, Scott Hanley, WA9STI, took to the woods -- the
Los Padres National Forest -- at a site some 7,400 feet elevation in
the mountains overlooking California's Central Valley. He operated as
WA6LE in Class 1B. He put 358 contacts in the log on CW and phone --
short of his 400-contact goal. "Almost all activity was on 20, 40, and
75/80 meters to a G5RV or end-fed 20-meter dipole," Hanley said. "Six
meters did not open, so I only had two local SSB contacts and only
three contacts on 2-meter FM."

ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 19) features a
discussion with ARRL Lifelong Learning Manager Kris Bickell, K1BIC,
about the launch of the new ARRL Learning Center later this month.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 38) features a discussion
with Dr. Brian Callahan, AD2BA, about his work in sending binary data
via Morse code. The episode also includes a brief discussion of the
pros and cons of leaving your station computer powered up for prolonged
periods.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

Learning with High-Altitude Balloons -- Jack McElroy, KM4ZIA, and
Audrey McElroy, KM4BUN / Thursday, July 22, 2021 @ 3:30 PM EDT (1930
UTC)

Jack McElroy, KM4ZIA, and Audrey McElroy, KM4BUN, discuss their
experiences with high-altitude balloons and explain how others can
launch them successfully. The discussion will also focus on using
high-altitude balloons to engage youth in ham radio and create learning
experiences for students.

ARRL members may register for upcoming presentations and view
previously recorded Learning Network webinars. ARRL-affiliated radio
clubs may also use the recordings as presentations for club meetings,
mentoring new and current hams, and discussing amateur radio topics.

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.

Youth on the Air Campers Enjoy Successful ISS Contact, Busy with Other
Activities

The first Youth on the Air (YOTA) camp for young radio amateurs in the
Americas is under way in West Chester, Ohio. Among other activities,
the campers have been operating special event station W8Y from both

Opening ceremony of the Youth on
the Air (YOTA) camp.

the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting and from the camp
hotel. The camp wraps up with an hour-long closing ceremony on Friday,
July 16.

"Things are going really well," said Camp Director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG.
The earlier launch of a balloon carrying a ham radio payload was
successful, he said, and -- after pinpointing where the payload landed
some 3 hours away -- the campers were able to retrieve the package,
thanks to some understanding landowners. Rapp said the balloon reached
approximately 100,000 feet.

Rapp said that campers have gotten along well from the first day, and
problems in general have been few and minor.

Several of the approximately two dozen campers got to ask questions of
ISS crew member Akihiko Hoshide, KE5DNI, during a Tuesday Amateur Radio
on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. Responding to a
query posed by Graham, KO4FJK, Hoshide said the most interesting things
he's seen from space included flying through an aurora and looking down
at shooting stars from the ISS. He also said the ISS crew was able to
view a partial lunar eclipse from space.

Another camper, am, KD9KIS, wanted to know how often the ISS crew
members use the onboard ham station.

Leah, KD9LFZ, asks a question of
astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, KE5DNI,
at NA1SS on the ISS.

Hoshide said individual crew members may get on the radio every couple
of weeks or so, or as the opportunity arises.

"This ARISS contact is intended to inspire these young hams to learn
more about communication using amateur satellites and making ARISS
radio contacts," ARISS said in announcing the contact date. ARISS team
member John Sygo, ZS6JON, in South Africa, served as the telebridge
relay station for the late-morning event, which was streamed live via
YouTube.

Rapp said he's hoping this pilot camp venture will provide the
information needed to replicate the camp over multiple locations for
years to come. "We also hope this brings a more robust community of
young hams into amateur radio," he added.

The long-anticipated summer camp for up to 30 hams, aged 15 through 25,
was set for last June, but it had to be rescheduled until summer 2021
because of COVID-19 pandemic concerns. The camp for young hams in the
Americas took its cue from the summer Youngsters on the Air camps held
for the past few years in various IARU Region 1 countries.

The Region 2 camp is aimed at helping participants to take their ham
radio experience to the next level by exposing them to a variety of
activities and providing the opportunity to meet other young hams.
Activities include kit building, antenna building, transmitter hunting
and

Kit building.

direction finding, operating with digital modes, and launching a
high-altitude balloon. Amateur satellite operation is one of the
workshops provided. Others include effective radio communication, local
ham radio history, and using amateur radio during emergencies. The
YouTube channel features daily highlight videos.

W8Y has been on the air as campers complete projects, between sessions,
and during free time, although some late-evening slots have been on the
schedule.

The camp's opening observance on Sunday featured keynote speaker Tim
Duffy, K3LR, who told the campers, "Amateur radio is the best hobby in
the world."

Campers also saw a video presentation by International Amateur Radio
Union Region 1 Youth Working Group chair Philipp Springer, DK6SP.

ARRL and The Yasme Foundation donated project kits for the campers.
XTronics provided temperature-controlled soldering stations. The
brochure on the Youth on the Air website includes more details about
the camp. -- Thanks to ARISS for some information

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcements
* [IMG]Fedor Konyukhov, R0FK, recently left Murmansk on an
icebreaker, and when he reaches the North Pole, he will be on a
drifting polar ice station for 10 days, conducting scientific
research. Listen for him on 14.333 MHz, starting at 0400 UTC.

* The Canadian American Net (CANAM) aims to unite hams in the eastern
US and Canada. Some 40 amateurs from Canada and the US typically
check in for each session, and the net accommodates CW and SSB. The
Canadian-American Net operates 7 days a week on 7.153 MHz, with
check-in starting at 1300 UTC.
* Rudy Bakalov, N2WQ, of Westport, Connecticut, has been appointed to
the ARRL Contest visory Committee (CAC). Licensed in his early
teens as LZ1KBD, Bakalov developed his enthusiasm for contesting at
LZ1V. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from the
Technical University of Sofia (Bulgaria). He attended the MBA
program at Wake Forest University.
* Roy Lewallen, W7EL, says that after 31 years of "developing,
selling, and supporting EZNEC and its predecessor, ELNEC," he is
retiring. Starting on January 1, 2022, EZNEC Pro/2 will be free,
and may be copied and distributed. He will no longer support the
software.


Next QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo to Offer Nearly 100 Speakers, 18 Topic
Tracks

The third QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo is a month away. The live event
takes place over the August 14 - 15 weekend, and presentations will
remain available on demand for 30 days. Sponsors predict that the event
will be "a great experience" for those wanting to improve their
knowledge of amateur radio as well as of cutting-edge ham radio
technology and practical techniques. ARRL is a QSO Today Virtual Ham
Expo partner.

"At the Expo, you can listen and engage with almost 100 internationally
recognized ham radio luminaries on approximately 18 different topic
areas -- there is something for everyone," the sponsors say. "Topics
include antennas and transmission lines; build-a-thons; contesting/DX;
controllers; digital voice mode; emergency communications; filters and
tuned circuits; the future of amateur radio; ham history; HF digital
modes; new licenses; power amplifiers; propagation; radio astronomy;
software and services; space and satellites; test and measurement, and
youth in amateur radio."

A complete list of speakers at the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo is posted
on the event's website. These are some examples:
* In the "Antennas and Transmission Lines" presentation, August
Hansen, KB0YH, will focus on such topics as small transmitting loop
design and STLcalc, an open-source design aid for STL and magnetic
loop antennas that can respond to user's changing needs and design
goals.
* Geoffrey Mendenhall, W8GNM, will address the topic, "Compromise
Beverage Antennas Hear Better Than You Think." The presentation
focuses on overcoming non-ideal terrain and space limitations.
* "Fun with HF QRP Pedestrian Mobile," with Peter Parker, VK3YE, will
offer a look at two antennas for HF pedestrian mobile, and the
results possible with such an operation.
* Ham radio author Don Keith, N4KC, will present "Top 5
Get-On-The-Air-Quick Antennas," which offers recommendations for
the simplest, most effective antennas to consider.
* Within the "New License -- Now What" track, the presentation "HF
Noise Mitigation" will describe various noise sources and how to
mitigate noise using a variety of techniques.
* Anthony Luscre, K8ZT, will discuss "Technician Licensees, Life
Beyond Local Repeaters." Participants will explore the world of
activities, modes, and bands available outside of repeater
operation.

There's no limit on the number of topics and tracks that QSO Today
Virtual Ham Expo visitors may view. Return any time within 30 days to
(re)view any presentation, as well as to explore exhibitor offerings.

"Early bird" tickets are $10 ($12.50 "at the door"). Access to only the
exhibitor area is free.
40th Annual ARRL-TAPR Digital Communications Conference Set

The 40th annual ARRL-TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC) will
be held online September 17 - 18. Registered DCC attendees
participating via Zoom will be able to interact with presenters and
other attendees via a chat room and have the option to "raise a virtual
hand" to ask questions. You may register to attend, but non-registered
participants can view the livestream on YouTube at no cost, as well as
chat and ask questions via the moderator monitoring the channel.

Registration is free for TAPR members and $30 for non-members. (Members
receive a 100% discount at checkout.) Non-members who would like to
join TAPR and receive the free DCC pass can add TAPR membership and DCC
registration to their shopping carts. After checkout, they will receive
the free DCC pass when their membership is processed.

The DCC is soliciting technical papers for presentation and for
publication in the Conference Proceedings. Authors do not need to
participate in the conference to have their papers included in the
Proceedings. The submission deadline for papers is August 15. Submit
papers via email to Maty Weinberg, KB1EIB. Papers will be published
exactly as submitted, and authors will retain all rights.

Conference papers will be distributed as PDFs to participants. Printed
copies of the papers will be available for sale at Lulu (URL to be
determined).

Speakers are invited to deliver presentations on topics of interest
without submitting papers for the Conference Proceedings.

All speakers and presenters should contact Steve Bible, N7HPR, to
reserve a slot for a presentation. Indicate whether you need a 15- or
30-minute slot, and whether you need to present on a specific day. A
pre-recorded presentation may be submitted in lieu of a live virtual
presentation.

Paper and presentation topic areas include, but are not limited to,
software-defined radio (SDR), digital voice, digital satellite
communication, digital signal processing (DSP), HF digital modes,
adapting IEEE 802.11 systems for amateur radio, Global Positioning
System (GPS), Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS), Linux in
amateur radio, AX.25 updates, internet operability with amateur radio
networks, TCP/IP networking over amateur radio, mesh and peer-to-peer
wireless networking, emergency and homeland defense, and backup digital
communications using amateur radio.

hoc "lightning talks" on various topics of interest will be
announced throughout the conference, and registered attendees will be
able to participate in any lightning talk that interests them. Hardware
and software demonstrations will be conducted during the DCC by means
of Zoom's breakout room feature. -- Thanks to Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.
* Amateur (Ham) Radio Field Day: Testing Readiness for Emergencies /
Soundings Magazine (California) July 8, 2021
* 'Goal-oriented' 86-year-old Minnesota twin sisters have mastered
everything from computers to canoeing / StarTribune (Minnesota)
July 6, 2021
* American Radio Relay League is planning a Rededication of
Operations / New Britain Herald (Connecticut) July 1, 2021
* Poway amateur radio enthusiasts hold 24-hour event / San Diego
Union-Tribune (California) June 30, 2021

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.
The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar activity declined this week --
by a lot. Average daily sunspot number plummeted from 55.6 to 21.3, and
average daily solar flux slid from 88.9 to 72.9.

Geomagnetic indicators were about the same, with average daily
planetary A index at 6.6, although the daily value increased to 14 on
Wednesday, July 14, due to increasing solar wind.

Predicted solar flux is 72 on July 15; 75 on July 16 - 21; 78 on July
22; 79 on July 23 - 28; 77 on July 29 - August 1; 75 on August 2; 74 on
August 3 - 9; 73 on August 10 - 11; 75 on August 12 - 15, and 79, 81,
and 79 on August 16 - 18.

Predicted planetary A index is 8 on July 15; 5 on July 16 - August 1; 8
on August 2; 5 on August 3 - 7; 12, 16, and 12 on August 8 - 10; 8 on
August 11 - 12, and 5 on August 13 - 31.

In Friday's bulletin, look for reports of sporadic-E openings on 10, 6,
and 2 meters.

Sunspot numbers for July 8 - 14 were 23, 23, 24, 23, 22, 11, and 23,
with a mean of 21.3. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 73.4, 73.8, 74, 73.6,
71.6, 72, and 72.1, with a mean of 72.9. Estimated planetary A indices
were 5, 5, 6, 4, 7, 5, and 14, with a mean of 6.6. Middle-latitude A
index was 5, 7, 8, 4, 7, 7, and 10, with a mean of 6.9.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out this Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

In Brief...

The next Youngsters on the Air Contest is July 18. Following the
success of the first Youngsters on the Air (YOTA) Contest in May, the
second event is this Sunday, July 18, 1000 - 2200 UTC. Organizers say
100 YOTA logs showed up for the inaugural round from operators 25 years
old or younger. Including veteran hams, 700 logs were submitted by the
deadline. The scores are posted on the YOTA Contest website. YOTA
Contests are held three times a year, each lasting just 12 hours, with
the idea of increasing on-the-air activity and awareness of the YOTA
program. The contest exchange is operator age, with each age worked
counting as a different multiplier. The younger the operator you work,
the more points that contact is worth. Email for more information.

The Summer 2021 AM QSO Party is set for this weekend. The Amplitude
Modulation Amateur Radio Society and the AM Amateur Radio Europe
Facebook group have announced the Summer 2021 AM QSO Party will take
place from 1800 UTC on July 16 until 1800 UTC on July 18. While this is
primarily an event for European hams, all are welcome.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Getting It Right!

A sentence in the article "First X-Class Major Solar Flare of Solar
Cycle 25 Blacks Out HF on July 3," in the July 8 edition of The ARRL
Letter, incorrectly characterized the mechanism of the phenomenon. HF
propagation blackouts are caused when x-ray and extreme ultraviolet
radiation from X-class solar flares strongly ionizes the absorbing
D-region in Earth's sun-facing dense lower atmosphere. The top layer of
the atmosphere is not involved.

The article "Amateur Radio Volunteers Prepared for and Tracked Elsa,"
in the July 8 edition of The ARRL Letter, busted the title of Eastern
New York Section Emergency Coordinator Dave Galletly, KM2O.

The RV Braveheart is a better deal that we thought. The $250,000 price
tag cited in an "Announcements" item in the July 8 edition of The ARRL
Letter was in New Zealand dollars, which works out to about $175,000 in
US dollars. -- Thanks to Ned, KH7JJ

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* July 17 -- Russian Radio Team Championship (CW, phone)
* July 17 -- Trans-Tasman Low-Bands Challenge (CW, phone)
* July 17 -- YOTA Contest (CW, phone)
* July 17 -- Feld Hell Sprint
* July 17 - 18 -- North American QSO Party, RTTY
* July 17 - 18 -- CQ Worldwide VHF Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* July 18 -- RSGB Low Power Contest (CW)
* July 18 -- CQC Great Colorado Gold Rush (CW)
* July 18 - 19 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
* July 22 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (digital)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Many conventions and hamfests have been canceled or postponed due to
the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on the
ARRL website.
* August 7 -- ARRL Iowa State Convention (Cedar Valley ARC Techfest),
Central City, Iowa
* August 14 - 15 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo (online)
* August 21 - 22 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention (Huntsville
Hamfest), Huntsville, Alabama
* September 10 - 12 -- ARRL New England Division Convention
(Northeast HamXposition), Marlborough, Massachusetts
* September 25 - ARRL Dakota Division Convention (RRRA Hamfest), West
Fargo, North Dakota

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!
* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.
--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
July 22, 2021

* Board Creates Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee
* Amateur Radio Responds to Flooding in Western Europe
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* ARRL 2020 Annual Report Now Available to Download
* FCC Investigating Alleged Jamming on 40 Meters
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* ARRL Announces Leadership Changes in the Central Division
* Massachusetts Court Okays Amateur Radio Tower, Citing Board of
Appeals' Error
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Announcements
* In Brief...
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
Board Creates Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee

At its just-concluded July 2021 meeting, the ARRL Board of Directors
approved By-Law changes creating a third Standing Committee that joins
the existing ministration and Finance Committee and Programs and
Services Committee. The charter of the new Emergency Communications and
Field Services Committee (EC-FSC) is to develop and recommend new or
modified Board policy and programs for emergency communications through
the Amateur Radio Emergency Service^A(R) (ARES^A(R)) and National
Traffic Systemâ*¢ (NTSâ*¢) entities.

The committee also will offer enhanced support for its Field
Organization leadership volunteers, including Section Managers, and an
increased focus on ARRL-Affiliated Clubs.

Further, the EC-FSC will provide guidance to the CEO in translating
Board policy into prioritized tasking, funding, and staffing of
programs, services, and training in support of amateur radio emergency
communications, Field Organization volunteers, and recruitment and
retention of new and existing members through assistance to Affiliated
and Special Service Clubs.

The EC-FSC will have the additional responsibility of monitoring and
assessing trends in emergency communications technology and participant
skills worldwide, and for identifying "best practices" for voluntary
emergency communications provided by ARES and NTS, coordinating and
cooperating with other amateur radio national societies as appropriate.
-- Thanks to The ARES Letter
Amateur Radio Responds to Flooding in Western Europe

International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 1 Emergency
Communications Coordinator Greg Mossop, G0DUB, reported over the
weekend that amateur radio volunteers have responded in the wake of
widespread flooding in Germany, Belgium, and the

A man in Germany photographs the
flooding with his cell phone. [Klaus
Baerwinkel photo]

Netherlands. The flooding, resulting from unprecedented heavy rainfall,
has claimed more than 120 lives. Hundreds more remain unaccounted for.

The Dutch Amateur Radio Emergency Service (DARES) was on standby since
July 14, as the first reports of flooding came in. An initial attempt
to establish a point-to-point link from the provincial capital of
Maastricht to the north of Limburg province was halted due to heavy
traffic, as residents evacuated low-lying areas. DARES volunteers were
in contact with members of the Belgian Emergency Amateur Radio Service
(B-EARS) to coordinate their efforts.

The European Civil Protection Mechanism was activated, and emergency
groups across the region reported that their governments were sending
extra assistance and supplies to the areas where damage was worst. The
floodwater surge continued to make its way north, leading to further
evacuations, and amateur radio emergency groups focused on requests for
assistance. B-EARS was asked to provide a backup VHF link between the
emergency call center in Brussels and the province of Hainaut, while
DARES had four stations active in the Limburg area ready to respond if
needed.

Marc Lerchs, ON3IBZ, Information Director of the Walloon Brabant Crisis
Centre, told Crisis Response Journal that the police building in Wavre,
including its TETRA antenna and computers, was left

High water in Kordel,
Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. [CHZ
photo]

completely underwater. Some 30 ham radio volunteers deployed in the
region to support communication for fire and ambulance stations,
hospitals and emergency medical vehicles, the main command post in
Wavre, and 112 ("911") dispatch in Mons.

The greatest loss of life and damage has occurred in Germany, where
more than 1,000 residents remain unaccounted for. The loss of mobile
telecommunication networks has slowed the effort to locate people,
while many others are without power or homes. The emergency
communications unit of the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) has been
handling inquiries for amateur radio support in the worst-hit areas,
but members in the area have been flood victims as well, losing
equipment or their homes.

"Amateur radio clubs have been in contact with relevant authorities,
but there is currently no need for operational support from radio
amateurs," the DARC reported. A mutual aid arrangement exists among
amateur radio organizations in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Mossop said emergency communications groups in the affected and
surrounding regions are ready to respond to requests and have been
coordinating their efforts as needed.

"This emergency will last for some time as infrastructure is repaired
and the threat from damaged dams and more rainfall is reduced," Mossop
said.

ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 19) features a
discussion with ARRL Lifelong Learning Manager Kris Bickell, K1BIC,
about the launch of the new ARRL Learning Center later this month.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 38) features a discussion
with Dr. Brian Callahan, AD2BA, about his work in sending binary data
via Morse code. The episode also includes a brief discussion of the
pros and cons of leaving your station computer powered up for prolonged
periods.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.
ARRL 2020 Annual Report Now Available to Download

The ARRL 2020 Annual Report has been posted and is available to
download. The report summarizes ARRL program and fiscal activity for
the year.

In his introductory remarks, ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, said
that 2020 was a difficult and challenging year for ARRL. "The
coronavirus pandemic changed everything, from the way we socialized, to
the way we worked, to the way students learned," Roderick wrote.
"Events we look forward to every year were canceled and the future
seemed uncertain. Hamfests, club meetings, and other gatherings looked
different, as videoconferencing became the new way to conduct business
and get together."

Roderick said ARRL remained determined to overcome any obstacles in
order to serve its members. "Due to the pandemic and state-imposed work
restrictions, ARRL Headquarters closed and employees suddenly had to
adjust to working remotely," he recounted. "ARRL staff banded together
and kept things running for our members. I'm proud of our staff for how
quickly they adapted and worked together as a team. They made the shift
to working from home as seamless as possible, and they continued to
develop new products and services." He went on to explain that these
new services "included things like the ARRL Learning Network webinars,
allowing members to expand their radio knowledge from home through
video seminars from industry experts, and the At Home virtual events
held by the Marketing department, providing ARRL staff with an
opportunity to engage with members and give video tours of W1AW through
a new online platform. They did a remarkable job!"

ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, who came aboard in 2020, said he feels
ARRL's new ideation process is proving successful. "Stemming from an
authentic interest and need to become more inclusive as a community,
especially to newly licensed hams, our members have great ideas about
how ARRL could be doing things better," Minster said. "To expand upon
that culture of collaboration, we now have a web page and email address
where members can send their thoughts and well-formatted ideas about
changes to ARRL programs and services to the management team for
consideration. This process has enjoyed early success, and we look
forward to much greater interaction with members in the future."

Two major initiatives came to fruition -- in January with the
introduction of On the Air magazine, and in February with the
inauguration of the ARRL Volunteer Monitor Program. 2020 marked the
first time when both QEX and NCJ were available digitally.

The 56-page Annual Report recounts and summarizes the activities of all
ARRL departments and includes a complete 2020 fiscal report. ARRL ended
2020 with 158,494 members, which was ahead of its goal for the year.

FCC Investigating Alleged Jamming on 40 Meters

Reports suggest that jamming stations have been deployed on the lower
portion of 40 meters. The jamming appears to be coming from Cuba. The
signals, spaced at regular intervals, exhibit a squishy, popping noise.
The apparent jamming showed up after anti-government protesters took to
the streets in Cuba, followed by a government crackdown. So far,
there's no proven connection between the jamming and the protests, as
evidence has been circumstantial. DX spots suggest that Cuban hams are
on the air on SSB but do appear rare on 40 meters. A lot of Cuban spots
point to FT8 activity. The jamming issue has drawn the attention of the
FCC, which is looking into the matter, according to one tech
publication.

"Too many people around the world are fighting uphill battles to be
able to use technology to expand economic opportunity, express
themselves, and organize without fear of reprisal," an FCC spokesperson
told Motherboard. "The FCC is committed to supporting the free flow of
information and ensuring that the internet remains open for everyone.
We are assessing these reports in conjunction with our field agents and
communicating with the Department of State as this issue develops."

Josh Nass, KI6NAZ, of the YouTube channel, Ham Radio Crash Course
(HRCC), is calling the interference "The Cuban Rum Runner," an oblique
reference to the "Russian Woodpecker" of yesteryear.

Outside of ham radio, the ability to connect with some social media
sites and even with the internet inside Cuba has been reportedly
tricky. Connecting to the FederaciA^3n de Radioaficionados de Cuba
(FRC) website (Cuba's IARU member-society) from outside of Cuba has
been unreliable. This week, users attempting to do so -- at least those
in the US -- got a shrugging cartoon character and the legend, "Acceso
Denagado" -- access denied. The FRC Facebook page is accessible, but
links to the FRC website are blocked. FRC had warned of "possible
outages" more than a week ago, attributing the problem to maintenance
being done in the data center where FRC is housed.

Well-known amateur radio contester and DXer Fred Laun, K3ZO, pointed
out in a July 17 post to the Potomac Valley Radio Club reflector that
typical ham radio contacts with Cuba "are not normally about politics,
though I suppose in the wake of recent events they may have become so."

International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 2 (the Americas)
President RamA^3n Santoyo, XE1KK, said no complaints had been received
by July 20.
ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

Learning with High-Altitude Balloons -- Jack McElroy, KM4ZIA, and
Audrey McElroy, KM4BUN / Thursday, July 22, 2021 @ 3:30 PM EDT (1930
UTC)

Jack McElroy, KM4ZIA, and Audrey McElroy, KM4BUN, discuss their
experiences with high-altitude balloons and explain how others can
launch them successfully. The discussion will also focus on using
high-altitude balloons to engage youth in ham radio and create learning
experiences for students.

Introduction to DMR and Digital Voice -- Tim Deagan, K8UJ / Thursday,
September 9, 2021 @ 3:30 PM EDT (1930 UTC)

An introductory overview of digital voice (DV) technologies for ham
radio. This presentation will focus on DMR with notes on System Fusion,
D-STAR, and more. There will be a description of DV architecture and
components, and the interesting opportunities, as well as challenges,
that DV presents.

ARRL members may register for upcoming presentations and view
previously recorded Learning Network webinars. ARRL-affiliated radio
clubs may also use the recordings as presentations for club meetings,
mentoring new and current hams, and discussing amateur radio topics.

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.

ARRL Announces Leadership Changes in the Central Division

ARRL Central Division Director Kermit Carlson, W9XA, has stepped down
as Central Division Director, making the announcement at the July 2021
Board of Directors meeting this past weekend. Vice Director Carl
Luetzelschwab, K9LA, has acceded to the Director's chair, and

Brent Walls, N9BA, during a
visit to W1AW.

ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, has appointed Brent Walls, N9BA, to
succeed Luetzelschwab as the Central Division Vice Director.

An ARRL Life Member, Walls served as Indiana Section Manager from 2016
until 2018. Active in ARES, he is a former ARRL Indiana Section
Emergency Coordinator and also served as Marion County, Indiana,
Emergency Coordinator. He is an ARRL VEC Volunteer Examiner.

Carlson served both as Vice Director and then Director of the Central
Division for a total of 12 years. He said his resignation stemmed from
"an intractable conflict" between Board and family obligations that
would impinge upon his travel on behalf of ARRL. "It would be
impossible to maintain the level of in-person engagement with the
Members that I believe is essential," Carlson said.

Carlson said his "most challenging and rewarding experiences" include
11 years as Chair of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Committee (EMC)
and his recently concluded term as the chair of the ARRL CEO Search
Committee. He will continue to chair the EMC.
Massachusetts Court Okays Amateur Radio Tower, Citing Board of Appeals'
Error

A judge in the Massachusetts Land Court has ruled that the Zoning Board
of Appeals in the City of Framingham "erred" in revoking a building
permit for an 80-foot ham radio tower as an accessory use. The Building
Commissioner in Framingham had granted ARRL member Mikhail "Misha"
Filippov, KD1MF, a building permit for the tower, and Filippov had
begun pouring concrete for the tower footings. Neighbors complained,
however, and the Zoning Board of Appeals revoked the permit, citing the
setback requirements of the city's wireless communications facilities
(WCF) special permit bylaw. Land Court Judge Howard Speicher reversed
the Zoning Board of Appeals' decision and ordered the town building
commissioner to reinstate the permit.

"The City of Framingham has provided, for the benefit of amateur radio
operators, exemptions from its zoning requirements from the
construction of radio antenna towers for amateur radio operators," the
court noted. This case was not settled on the basis of PRB-1
considerations, but strictly on which setback requirements should
apply. PRB-1 requires local governments to reasonably accommodate
amateur radio installations.

The Zoning Board of Appeals had argued that Filippov's project plans
failed to meet setback zoning requirements, but the Land Court
determined that the board could not enforce this, because of an
exception that exempts structures, including amateur radio towers, from
these requirements as long as a building permit is issued.

The court ruled the Zoning Board of Appeals "erred in overturning the
decision of the Building Commissioner to issue a building permit for
the erection of the proposed radio antenna tower." Read an expanded
version.

Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.
* Nonprofit Spotlight: Houma-Thibodaux amateur radio group plays key
role after storms / Houma Today (Louisiana) July 19, 2021
* How A Group Of Dedicated Volunteers Are Keeping California's
Wildfires At Bay / NPR (California) July 16, 2021
* Amateur (Ham) Radio Field Day: Testing Readiness for Emergencies /
Soundings Magazine (California) July 8, 2021
* 'Goal-oriented' 86-year-old Minnesota twin sisters have mastered
everything from computers to canoeing / Star Tribune (Minnesota)
July 6, 2021

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcements
* The Yasme Foundation Board of Directors has announced an additional
grant to the Maranyundo Girls School in Rwanda and its Makerspace
program. This grant provides access to material from ARRL's
Teachers Institute and funds to purchase material and supplies for
classroom experiments. In June, the Yasme Foundation supplied the
school with amateur radio-related books for classroom use.
* The third annual World Wide Digi DX Contest is set for August 28 -
29. See the website for details. -- Thanks to Ed Muns, W0YK
* The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) Board of Directors has
announced the appointments of Scott Williams, VK3KJ, as WIA's new
President, and Lee Moyle, VK3GK, continuing as Vice President. The
Board thanked outgoing President Greg Kelly, VK2GPK, for his
commitment and contributions to the WIA; he will continue to serve
as a WIA board member.
* A group of US radio amateurs has fielded special event operation
W4C "to raise awareness about the current humanitarian crisis
affecting the island of Cuba. Instead of taking to the streets, we
realized that our efforts will be more efficiently utilized by
getting on the air and making a special event out of it." W4C will
be on the air until the end of July.
* The World Wide Radio Operators Foundation (WWROF) has amended the
Cabrillo file standard to include a new "YOUTH" CATEGORY-OVERLAY,
at the request of several contest sponsors who want to encourage
and recognize youth participation. The Cabrillo v3 header
specification has been updated to reflect this change. Details are
on the WWROF website.
* After months of negotiations with the new Coral Island Management
Authority, the HARAOA VK9HR DXpedition to Willis Island planned for
this November has been canceled, says Ed Durrant, VK2JI, Publicity
Officer. The problem was a combination of new rules banning the
installation of any structures on the islands by the new authority
and the fact that COVID-19 has now spread to four Australian
states.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

In Brief...

AMSAT-NA has issued its first call for papers for the 39th Annual AMSAT
Space Symposium. The event is set for October 29 - 31, 2021, at the
Crowne Plaza AiRE hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota. Proposals for
symposium presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the
amateur satellite community. A tentative presentation title is
requested, with final copy submitted by October 18 for inclusion in the
symposium Proceedings. Send abstracts and papers to Dan Schultz, N8FGV.

Over-the-horizon radars are operating with impunity in ham radio
allocations. In its June newsletter, the International Amateur Radio
Union (IARU) Region 1 Monitoring System (IARUMS) said over-the-horizon
radars (OTHRs) have not yielded their dominance as ham band intruders.
"The number of observations varies slightly but is always within a
similar range," the newsletter said. "The same is true for other radio
systems (such as CIS-12, etc). With summer propagation (including
sporadic E), numerous driftnet radio buoys and other fishing gear were
again being heard on 10 meters, illegally serving to mark fishing nets
at sea, the newsletter said. These typically operate in the 28.000 -
28.450 MHz segment. Transmissions are short but frequent throughout the
day. These often identify in CW, transmitting from one to three
letters, although buoys with a constant carrier are also observed. GPS
buoys transmit short bursts in FSK (F1B) with their positions
scrambled. Monitors regularly encounter "pirates" operating without any
identifier.

Many stations will take to the airwaves August 2 - 15 to celebrate the
4th anniversary of FT8. All stations will use call signs with "FTDMC"
or "FTDM" in the suffix. The activity also celebrates the 2nd
anniversary of the FT8 Digital Mode Club. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW
and eQSL. QSL cards will be available. Stations planning to participate
include: 4J8FTDM, OZ8FTDMC, RO3FTDM, 9K8FTDMC, A60FTDMC, DQ8FTDMC,
GB0DMC, HZ8FTDMC, and many others. A certificate will be available with
bronze, silver, gold, and platinum levels for working them. -- Thanks
to The Daily DX

AO-109 (RadFxSat-2/AMSAT Fox-1E) is now open for amateur use. AMSAT's
Engineering and Operations Teams advise operators to use efficient
modes for making contacts, such as CW or FT4, because issues with the
satellite make SSB voice contacts "challenging at best." An article in
the May/June 2021 issue (Vol. 44, No. 3) of The AMSAT Journal details
the various attempts to characterize AO-109 and its apparent problems.
-- Thanks to Jerry Buxton, NO/JY, and Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA

DX Engineering has acquired Top Ten Devices. The new owner will
manufacture and distribute three of Top Ten Devices' signature products
under the Top Ten Devices brand -- the A/B Station Selector, the Op
Swapper, and the Band Aide Band Decoder. Formed by Dave Hawes, N3RD,
and George Cutsogeorge, W2VJN, in 1991, Top Ten Devices built a strong
reputation for producing high-performance and affordable equipment for
the amateur radio community. "DX Engineering is excited for the
opportunity to carry on the legacy that the innovators at Top Ten
Devices have built over the past 3 decades," said DX Engineering CEO
Tim Duffy, K3LR.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: It is exciting to observe increasing
sunspot activity. Recently, Solar Cycle 25 has produced new sunspots
frequently, and I watch them pop up every day on Spaceweather.com. New
sunspots appeared on July 14, 16, 17, 19, and 20, and two new ones
appeared on July 21.

Average daily sunspot numbers more than doubled from 21.3 last week to
48.9 during the July 15 - 21 reporting week. Average daily solar flux
jumped from 72.9 to 81.3.

Geomagnetic numbers held steady, with both the middle latitude and
planetary A index averages at 6.4.

Predicted solar flux is 94 and 92 on July 22 - 23; 90 on July 24 -
August 1; 85 on August 2; 75 on August 3 - 12; 78, 80, and 80 on August
13 - 15; and 85 on August 16 - 21. Flux values may rise to 90 or more
during the last week of August.

Predicted planetary A index is 8, 18, 16, and 8 on July 22 - 25; 5 on
July 26 - 27; 8 on July 28; 5 on July 29 - August 1; ?? August 2; 5 on
August 3 - 9; 12 and 10 on August 10 - 11; 5 on August 12 - 16; 8 on
August 17 - 18, and 5 on August 19 - 28.

Sunspot numbers for July 15 - 21 were 22, 35, 53, 42, 45, 59, and 86,
with a mean of 48.9. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 73.5, 75, 77.4, 80.4,
82.6, 87, and 93.5, with a mean of 81.3.. Estimated planetary A indices
were 10, 4, 4, 4, 7, 10, and 6, with a mean of 6.4. Middle latitude A
index was 12, 5, 4, 5, 4, 9, and 6, with a mean of 6.4.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out this Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* July 24 - 25 -- RSGB IOTA Contest (CW, phone)
* July 25 -- ARS Flight of the Bumblebees (CW)
* July 26 -- RSGB FT4 Contest Series
* July 28 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)
* July 31 - August 1 -- Russian WW MultiMode Contest (CW, phone,
digital)
* July 31 - August 1 -- Missouri QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
* August 1 -- SARL HF Phone Contest
* August 2 -- K1USN Slow Speed Test (CW, maximum 20 WPM)
* August 3 -- Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest
* August 3 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
* August 3 -- RTTYops Weeksprint
* August 4 -- Phone Weekly Test - Fray
* August 4 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* August 4 -- UHF FT8 Activity Contest
* August 4 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* August 5 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* August 5 -- RTTYops Weeksprint
* August 5 -- NRAU 10-Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* August 5 -- EACW Meeting (CW)

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Some conventions and hamfests may have been canceled or postponed due
to the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on
the ARRL website.
* August 7 -- ARRL Iowa State Convention (Cedar Valley ARC Techfest),
Central City, Iowa
* August 14 - 15 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo (online)
* August 21 - 22 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention (Huntsville
Hamfest), Huntsville, Alabama
* September 10 - 12 -- ARRL New England Division Convention
(Northeast HamXposition), Marlborough, Massachusetts
* September 25 -- ARRL Dakota Division Convention (RRRA Hamfest),
West Fargo, North Dakota
* August 27 - 29 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention, Sutton, West
Virginia

* September 3 - 5 -- ARRL North Carolina Section Convention (Shelby
Hamfest), Shelby, North Carolina
* September 10 - 11 -- ARRL Illinois Section Convention (2021 W9DXCC
Convention), Naperville, Illinois
* September 12 -- ARRL Southern New Jersey Section Convention and
Hamfest, Mullica Hill, New Jersey

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.

.

.
* Join or Renew Today! Eligible US-based members can elect to receive
QST or On the Air magazine in print when they join ARRL or when
they renew their membership. All members can access digital
editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

* Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

Subscribe to...
* NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features
articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA
Sprint, and QSO parties.
* QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects,
columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and
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Free of charge to ARRL members...
* Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency
communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest
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* Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.

Copyright (c) 2021 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and
distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for
non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other
purposes require written permission.


--- SendMsg/2

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

--- Squish/386 v1.11
* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200)

The ARRL Letter
July 29, 2021

* MARS HF Net Participants Aid in Response to Fatal Maritime Disaster
* FCC to Re-Establish Technological visory Council, Solicits
Membership Nominations
* ARRL Podcasts Schedule
* QSO Today Offering Platform Preview
* More Slow-Scan TV Transmissions from RS0ISS Scheduled
* ITU-R Working Party Considers Preliminary Studies on 23-Centimeter
Band
* ARRL Learning Network Webinars
* 8-Meter Experimental Station on the Air from the US
* Announcements
* Amateur Radio in the News
* Amateur Radio Activities to be a Part of Missouri's State
Bicentennial Celebration
* In Brief...
* The K7RA Solar Update
* Just Ahead in Radiosport
* Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
MARS HF Net Participants Aid in Response to Fatal Maritime Disaster

On July 6, an evening Army Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) HF
practice net in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 2
(New York and New Jersey) was interrupted by several "mayday" distress
calls on the channel, which is shared with the maritime service. Net
control station Ron Tomo, KE2UK, immediately halted training and
attempted (without success) to establish radio communication with the
station in distress. Tomo then directed two other net members who heard
the distress call -- John Hoover, K2XU, and Wayne Gearing, K2WG -- to
attempt to establish communication and offer assistance.

While the other net members were attempting to contact the vessel by
radio, Tomo contacted the US Coast Guard (USCG) station at Jones Beach
Island in New York, which alerted the USCG Sector Command at Long
Island Sound to join the MARS operators on frequency. MARS operators
remained on frequency to assist the USCG in listening for the distress
call.

Several hours later, the fishing vessel Falling Star was identified as
missing with 15 individuals on board, all from Honduras. Ten days
later, the USCG confirmed that 10 of the passengers survived in a skiff
and were rescued by a passing commercial oil tanker -- the MTM

Surviving crew members from the
Falling Star spent 10 days in a
skiff.

Amsterdam -- which spotted their small craft. Tragically, the skipper
of the Falling Star died 1 day before the survivors were found, and was
buried at sea.

The vessel was en route from Jamaica to Guatemala when it was reported
to have rolled over without warning on July 6, just before midnight.

MARS volunteers alerted the USCG to the vessel in distress several
hours before the Falling Star was identified and confirmed as missing.
While 10 of those aboard Falling Star were rescued, five others didn't
make it home after this tragic event.

The Jamaica Defence Force (JFD) Coast Guard collaborated with
counterparts from the US, Honduras, Nicaragua, Colombia, Cuba, and the
Cayman Islands in the search for the vessel.
FCC to Re-Establish Technological visory Council, Solicits Membership
Nominations

The FCC is seeking nominations for a chairperson and members of the
Technological visory Council (TAC). In a July 21 Public Notice, the
Commission announced that it intends to re-establish the TAC for 2
years by August 20, 2021. It's anticipated that the renewed panel could
hold its first meeting in October.

The TAC provides technical advice to the FCC and makes recommendations
on the issues and questions presented to it. The panel typically has
several radio amateurs among its members. Greg Lapin, N9GL, has
represented ARRL on the TAC.

Among other issues, FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel will ask
the TAC to start looking beyond 5G and conceptualize 6G. In addition,
she'll ask the TAC to study advanced spectrum-sharing techniques,
implementation of artificial intelligence, and machine learning to
improve the utilization and administration of spectrum and other
emerging technologies.

All organizational or individual members appointed to the Council or
its working groups are subject to an ethics review by the Commission's
Office of General Counsel. Council members receive no compensation for
their service. Nominations for membership must be submitted to the FCC
by August 20.

Procedures for submitting nominations are spelled out in the Public
Notice, which includes details on membership qualifications and
obligations.

The FCC said it's particularly interested in receiving nominations and
expressions of interest from individuals and organizations in these
sectors:
* Communications service providers and organizations representing
communications service providers.
* Manufacturers of communications equipment and organizations
representing manufacturers of communications equipment.
* Providers of internet applications or cloud-based services.
* Scientists and engineers from academia or independent consultants
who are recognized experts in their field.
* Qualified representatives of other stakeholders and interested
parties with relevant expertise.

"Members will be selected to balance the expertise and viewpoints that
are necessary to effectively address the issues to be considered by the
Council," the FCC said.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

ARRL Podcasts Schedule

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 19) features a
discussion with ARRL Lifelong Learning Manager Kris Bickell, K1BIC,
about the launch of the new ARRL Learning Center.

The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 39) begins with a chat
about "rediscovering" receive audio filters. This is followed by a
conversation with Bryant Julstrom, KC0ZNG, about his ac dummy load that
appeared in "Hints & Hacks" in the July issue of QST.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


QSO Today Offering Platform Preview

The next QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo, on August 14 - 15, is offering a
platform preview of the show. From 1500 UTC on August 1 through 2400
UTC on August 3, 2021, anyone can preview the expo platform at no
charge. The fully functioning preview will allow prospective
participants to gain comfort with the platform layout and navigation,
including the virtual lobby, auditorium, exhibit hall, and meeting
lounges.

In addition, five speaker presentations from the last expo will be
available, as well as a small exhibit area featuring fully functional
booths from FlexRadio and QSO Today.

Early-bird tickets for the third QSO Today Expo are $10 until August 8
and $12.50 after that. Register on the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo
website.

ARRL is a QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo partner.
More Slow-Scan TV Transmissions from RS0ISS Scheduled

Friday and Saturday, August 6 - 7, Russian cosmonauts on board the
International Space Station (ISS) will transmit slow-scan television
(SSTV) images from the station on 145.800 MHz FM. They will use

An SSTV image received in June 2021
by Cherciu Neculai, YO4ESB.

SSTV mode PD-120.

The transmissions are part of the Moscow Aviation Institute SSTV
experiment (MAI-75) and will be sent via RS0ISS, the ham station in the
Russian Zvezda (Service) module using a Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver.

The announced schedule is August 6, 1050 - 1910 UTC; August 7, 0950 -
1555 UTC. Dates and times are subject to change. For stations in the
ISS footprint, the RS0ISS signal should be easy to copy on a handheld
transceiver and a quarter-wave whip. Use 25 kHz channel spacing, if
available.

Free ISS software is available to download. Pass predictions are
available from AMSAT. Representative images from prior ISS SSTV events
are available in the ARISS SSTV Gallery.
ITU-R Working Party Considers Preliminary Studies on 23-Centimeter Band

WRC-2 preparatory work for Agenda Item 9.1b continued July 5 - 13 in
ITU-R Working Party 4C (WP4C), with a focus on coexistence between the
23-centimeter amateur allocation (1240 - 1300 MHz) and
satellite-navigation systems. IARU member representatives from
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Japan, Norway, the UK, and the US
participated in the meeting and delivered additional information on
amateur activities in this key microwave band.

This Agenda Item is relevant to ITU Region 1 (Europe, Africa, the
Middle East, and northern Asia), where one channel of the Galileo GPS
system in the Radio Navigation Satellite Services (RNSS) received
interference from amateur radio.

Preliminary studies from France were based on the ongoing CEPT
(European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications ministrations)
effort to provide initial estimates of separation distances required
between Galileo receivers and a sample of amateur emissions. The
European Commission Galileo team provided a set of observations
pertaining to an RNSS interference event in northern Italy.

"The IARU is working to ensure the amateur services are realistically
represented in the studies as they move forward," said Barry Lewis,
G4SJH, of the IARU. "It remains vital that national amateur communities
present their views on the importance of this band to their national
regulators in a consolidated and consistent manner. The work will
continue throughout the year and beyond both in ITU-R and in the
regional telecommunications organizations, and the IARU is committed to
ensure every group hears the amateur position on this important
microwave band."

More information is on the IARU page. -- Thanks to the IARU and Barry
Lewis, G4SJH

-------------------------------------------------------------------


ARRL Learning Network Webinars

Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register,
check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions.

Introduction to DMR and Digital Voice -- Tim Deagan, KJ8U / Thursday,
September 9, 2021 at 3:30 PM EDT (1930 UTC)

An introductory overview of digital voice (DV) technologies for ham
radio. This presentation will focus on DMR with notes on System Fusion,
D-STAR, and more. Included will be a description of DV architecture and
components, and the interesting opportunities and challenges that DV
presents.

ARRL members may register for upcoming presentations and view
previously recorded Learning Network webinars. ARRL-affiliated radio
clubs may also use the recordings as presentations for club meetings,
mentoring new and current hams, and discussing amateur radio topics.

The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change.
8-Meter Experimental Station on the Air from the US

WL2XUP is an FCC Part 5 Experimental station operated by Lin Holcomb,
NI4Y, in Georgia. It's licensed to operate with up to 400 W effective
radiated power (ERP) between 40.660 MHz to 40.700 MHz.

John Desmond, EI7GL, reports that as of mid-July, WL2XUP was
intermittently transmitting on Weak-Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR)
on 40.662 MHz (1500 Hz) for 2 minutes out of every 10, with an output
power of 20 W ERP into an omnidirectional antenna. For FT8 check-ins
and tests, an ERP of 100 W may be used. The band is affected by several
propagation modes, including tropospheric ducting, sporadic E,
transequatorial propagation (TEP), and F2 propagation. As Desmond
notes, the 40 MHz band will open a lot earlier than 50 MHz and could be
a useful resource for stations monitoring the transatlantic path.

A 2019 Petition for Rulemaking (RM-11843) asked the FCC to create a new
8-meter amateur radio allocation on a secondary basis. The Petition
suggests the new band could be centered on an
industrial-scientific-medical (ISM) segment somewhere between 40.51 and
40.70 MHz. The spectrum between 40 and 41 MHz is currently allocated to
the federal government and, as such, within the purview of the National
Telecommunications and Information ministration (NTIA).

ARRL member Michelle Bradley, KU3N, of Maryland, filed the petition on
behalf of REC Networks, which she founded and described in the Petition
as "a leading advocate for a citizen's access to spectrum," including
amateur radio spectrum.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcements
* Prominent Summits on the Air (SOTA) activator Tom Read, M1EYP, has
begun a gig as a musician on board the cruise ship Spirit of
venture. He's taken a small transceiver and a compact loop
antenna and, with the skipper's enthusiastic approval, will be on
the air until mid-November from the vicinity of the UK and Ireland,
the Baltic, the Mediterranean, the riatic, and the Canary Islands
on 40 - 10 meters, CW, SSB, and FT4/FT8.
* The third annual World Wide Digi DX Contest is set for August 28 -
29. See the website for details. -- Thanks to Ed Muns, W0YK
* The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) Board of Directors has
announced the appointments of Scott Williams, VK3KJ, as WIA's new
President, and Lee Moyle, VK3GK, continuing as Vice President. The
Board thanked outgoing President Greg Kelly, VK2GPK, for his
commitment and contributions to the WIA; he will continue to serve
as a WIA board member.
* A voice on morning radio for generations of Vermonters, Ernie
Farrar, W1EF, died on July 7. He was 78. Farrar, of St. Albans
City, Vermont, began his radio career in his hometown in the 1960s,
before jumping to WVMT in Burlington in 1967, where he remained
until 2018. Farrar's other career was in boxing, as the longtime
director of the Vermont Golden Gloves Tournament. He was a member
of the Vermont Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. -- Thanks
to New England Radio Watch
* Zorro Miyazawa, JH1AJT, has been named to the GADX Hall of Fame,
which recognizes radio amateurs "who have made major contributions
to the ham radio community at large, mainly for DX and contesting."
* A cofounder of the ARRL RTTY Roundup, Hal Blegen, K7IRA, died on
July 27. He was 77. Blegen created the RRU with Jay Townsend, WS7I.
He was described as "a force to be reckoned with in RTTY contests
back in the day."


Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.
* Sigel woman recalls working amateur radio work during 1996 flood /
The Courier Express (Pennsylvania) July 22, 2021
* Young ham lends a hand / Hermiston Herald (Oregon) July 20, 2021
* Nonprofit Spotlight: Houma-Thibodaux amateur radio group plays key
role after storms / Houma Today (Louisiana) July 19, 2021
* How A Group Of Dedicated Volunteers Are Keeping California's
Wildfires At Bay / NPR (California) July 16, 2021

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Amateur Radio Activities to be a Part of Missouri's State Bicentennial
Celebration

The Missouri First Capitol State Historic Site in St. Charles will host
an amateur radio event on August 10, in association with this year's
celebration of the Missouri State Bicentennial. The original capitol
building on the west bank of the Missouri River served as the state's
capitol from 1821 to 1826. The site is part of the St. Charles Historic
District in the city's Riverfront neighborhood and is adjacent to
Frontier Park, from which Lewis and Clark launched their Corps of
Discovery Expedition in August 1803.

Members of the St. Charles Amateur Radio Club (SCARC) will use the
special event call sign K0B at the site of the First Capitol on August
10. The First Capitol site also qualifies for the Parks on the Air
program (POTA) with the identifier K-3349. ditional POTA-style
activations from both the First Capitol site and from the adjacent
Frontier Park are listed as "possible" on other dates, depending on
weather and operator availability.

K0B will be active on SSB, CW, and FT8 on 80 - 6 meters, as well as on
2-meter FM. K0B will also be active from the annual SCARC hamfest and
flea market in O'Fallon on August 8 and from SCARC member stations at
various times on August 7 - 15. An operating schedule will be posted on
the SCARC Facebook page.

Contacts will be uploaded to Logbook of The World (LoTW). A paper QSL
and a downloadable PDF certificate will be available.

Members of the Mid-MO Amateur Radio Club will use the special event
call sign W0M August 7 - 10, and other Missouri clubs may also be
active to commemorate the bicentennial.

The Missouri QSO Party on July 31 - August 1 will also feature special
call signs and the activation of rare counties. Typically, the event is
held in April.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

In Brief...

[IMG]The Daily DX Editor Bernie McClenny, W3UR, has offered a
suggestion for calling DX while using FT8. He advises that FT8 users
avoid the "Generated Std Msgs (TX 1)" field when attempting to call DX
on FT8. "You can turn it off by double clicking on it," he said. "When
the band opens up, serious DXers want to get in and get out as quickly
as possible. We don't know how long the opening will last, [and] the DX
station does not care about your grid locator. You want to get your
call sign and report to the DX station as quickly as possible, so you
don't miss the opening. When you are calling a DX station, set the FT8
software to go to message 2 (e.g., TZ4AM KZ3ZZZ -14). Then you want to
get the "RR73." That is all you need for a valid contact. During
contests where the grid locator is needed, by all means, send it."

A Michigan club is considering establishing a common email address for
members lacking internet access. Big Rapids Area Amateur Radio Club
(BRA-ARC) in Michigan is hoping to establish a common email address so
that members lacking a valid email address may receive messages. The
impetus for this was the recent FCC requirement that all licensees have
an email address on file. "One of our members is in a nursing home,
and...we are her family," said the club's secretary, Bruce Werner,
WB8TVD. "One of our board members suggested club-sponsored personal
email, which is forwarded, similar to what is offered by ARRL." Werner
said the club is planning to work out something to accommodate members
who have no, or limited, internet access. As ARRL VEC Manager Maria
Somma, AB1FM, notes, the FCC simply requires a valid and current email
address where the licensee can receive electronic correspondence. She
told Werner, "The good news is that it doesn't matter whose email
address is used, as long as the FCC can reach the licensee." The box
would be periodically checked by a club officer, who would contact the
member personally.

Swiss radio amateurs are facing a fee to use the QO-100 Satellite. In
what might be a first, Switzerland's telecommunications regulator OFCOM
is charging the equivalent of $76.25 to issue special permits to radio
amateurs to use the QO-100 (Es'hail-2) amateur satellite transponders.
According to a post on the website for the USKA -- Switzerland's IARU
member-society -- the regulator wishes to protect license-exempt users
in the 2.4 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band, and
OFCOM reserves the right to withdraw the special permit if problems
arise. The special permit entitles the holder to use a transmitter with
a maximum output of 100 W PEP for a satellite uplink in the 2400 - 2410
MHz band. As part of their application, radio amateurs must provide
coordinates, antenna gain in dBi, antenna height above ground, antenna
direction, and a telephone number where the radio amateur can be
reached while operating, in addition to the usual name and call sign
information.

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar activity slowed this week. The
average daily sunspot number declined from 48.9 last week to 33.9 this
week (July 22 - 28). Wednesday, July 28, saw no sunspots at all.

Average daily solar flux went from 81.3 to 83.

Geomagnetic indicators held steady, with average daily planetary A
index at 6.4 both last week and this week. Average daily middle
latitude A index went from 6.4 last week to 6.3 this week.

Predicted solar flux is 80 on July 29; 78 on July 30 - 31; 76 on August
1; 74 on August 2 - 3; 75 on August 4 - 12; 78, 80, 82, and 85 on
August 13 - 16; 90 on August 17 - 18; 85 on August 19 - 20; 80 on
August 21, and 82 on August 22 - 28.

Predicted planetary A index is 12, 8, 10, and 8 on July 29 - August 1;
5 on August 2 - 9; 12 and 10 on August 10 - 11; 5 on August 12 - 15; 10
and 8 on August 16 - 17; 5 on August 18 - 23; 12, 12, and 8 on August
24 - 26, and 5 on August 27 - September 6.

KC0V reported a big 2-meter sporadic-E opening this week from DN70 in
LaPorte, Colorado, to stations across the midwest, 2216 - 2235 UTC.

Sunspot numbers for July 22 - 28 were 77, 46, 35, 24, 25, 25, and 0,
with a mean of 33.1. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 89, 87.4 83.9, 81.6,
80.8, 79.6, and 78.8, with a mean of 83. Estimated planetary A indices
were 11, 4, 4, 3, 4, 6, and 13, with a mean of 6.4. Middle latitude A
index was 9, 3, 5, 5, 3, 6, and 13, with a mean of 6.3.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL
website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the
ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
and check out this Propagation Page.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just Ahead in Radiosport
* July 31 - August 1 -- Russian World Wide MultiMode Contest (CW,
phone, digital)
* July 31 - August 1 -- Missouri QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
* August 1 -- SARL HF Phone Contest
* August 2 -- K1USN Slow Speed Test (CW, maximum 20 WPM)
* August 3 -- Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest
* August 3 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
* August 3 -- RTTYops Weeksprint
* August 4 -- Phone Weekly Test -- Fray
* August 4 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
* August 4 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest
* August 4 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test (CW)
* August 5 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test (CW)
* August 5 -- RTTYops Weeksprint
* August 5 -- NRAU 10-Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* August 5 -- EACW Meeting (CW)
* August 5 -- SKCC Sprint Europe (CW)

Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

Some conventions and hamfests may have been canceled or postponed due
to the coronavirus pandemic. Check the calendar of canceled events on
the ARRL website.
* August 7 -- ARRL Iowa State Convention (Cedar Valley ARC Techfest),
Central City, Iowa
* August 14 - 15 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo (online)
* August 21 - 22 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention (Huntsville
Hamfest), Huntsville, Alabama
* September 10 - 12 -- ARRL New England Division Convention
(Northeast HamXposition), Marlborough, Massachusetts
* September 25 -- ARRL Dakota Division Convention (RRRA Hamfest),
West Fargo, North Dakota
* August 27 - 29 -- ARRL West Virginia State Convention, Sutton, West
Virginia
* September 3 - 5 -- ARRL North Carolina Section Convention (Shelby
Hamfest), Shelby, North Carolina
* September 10 - 11 -- ARRL Illinois Section Convention (2021 W9DXCC
Convention), Naperville, Illinois
* September 12 -- ARRL Southern New Jersey Section Convention and
Hamfest, Mullica Hill, New Jersey

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

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