| |
CX2SA > LETTER 01.02.20 13:00l 527 Lines 25822 Bytes #999 (0) @ ARRL
BID : ARRL3805
Read: GUEST
Subj: ARRL3805 ARRL Letter
Path: IZ3LSV<IK8VKW<F1OYP<F1OYP<N9PMO<CX2SA
Sent: 200131/1304Z @:CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM #:24080 [Salto] FBB7.00e $:ARRL3805
From: CX2SA@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM
To : LETTER@ARRL
The ARRL Letter January 30, 2020
- ARRL to Argue for Continued Access to 3 GHz Spectrum as FCC Sets Comment
Deadlines
- ARRL Expands Its Roster of Online Discussion Groups
- Yukon's VY1JA Plans to Be Back for 2020 ARRL November Sweepstakes CW
- The K7RA Solar Update
- Just Ahead in Radiosport
- New Amateur Extra-Class Question Pool Released
- HuskySat-1 With VHF/UHF Linear Transponder Set to Deploy Soon
- State QSO Party Challenge Announced
- Iowa State Parks on the Air 2020 Celebrates Centennial of Iowa State Parks
- YOTA Camp 2020 in the Americas Donations Are Being Matched
- Past ARRL Southeastern Division Director H. Dale Strieter, W4QM, SK
- In Brief...
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL to Argue for Continued Access to 3 GHz Spectrum as FCC Sets Comment
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deadlines
---------
At its annual meeting on January 17 - 18, the ARRL Board of Directors
instructed Washington Counsel Dave Siddall, K3ZJ, to prepare a strong
response to protect amateur access to spectrum in the 3 GHz range. In its
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in WT Docket 19-348, the FCC proposed
to relocate all non-federal operations, including amateur uses, to spectrum
outside the 3.3 - 3.55 GHz band. The Commission anticipates auctioning this
spectrum to expand commercial use of 5G cellular and wireless broadband
services, if agreement can be reached on relocation of -- or sharing with --
the federal incumbents that operate in the same band. Publication of the
NPRM in the Federal Register on January 22 established deadlines of February
21 for comments and March 23 for reply comments.
The FCC has requested comment on the uses radio amateurs make of the
spectrum and appropriate relocation options. Complicating matters is the
fact that radio amateurs must consider the possibility that the immediately
adjacent 3.1 - 3.3 GHz band is included in the spectrum that Congress has
identified for similar study. FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly, in a
December statement, referenced the fact that the lower band may also be
considered for non-federal reallocation, potentially limiting relocation
possibilities.
Amateurs make substantial use of the 3.3 - 3.5 GHz band that would be hard
to replicate elsewhere, and they had filed more than 150 comments before the
designated comment period even began. Among users looking at options are
those who use this spectrum for Earth-Moon-Earth (moonbounce) communication,
mesh networks, experiments with communication over long distances,
radiosport, and amateur television. A portion of the band is also designated
for use by amateur satellites in ITU Regions 2 and 3 (the Americas and
Asia/Pacific).
A report is due by March 23 from the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) evaluating the feasibility of having
federal users share all or part of the 3.1 - 3.55 GHz band with commercial
wireless services. This report is required by the Making Opportunities for
Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to
Wireless (MOBILE NOW) Act. The results of the NTIA report will impact how
much spectrum ultimately may be re-allocated for auction to wireless
providers.
ARRL urges amateurs who comment to inform the FCC about the uses they make
of the 3 GHz spectrum. Short comments and longer statements may be filed
electronically. Visit the FCC "How to Comment on FCC Proceedings" page for
more information. Commenters should reference WT Docket 19-348.
ARRL Expands Its Roster of Online Discussion Groups
---------------------------------------------------
ARRL's Committee on Communication with Members has launched three new online
discussion forums as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance and improve
communication between ARRL leadership and members or prospective members.
The new forums, which focus on antenna law, regulatory issues, and support
for new amateur radio licensees, will go live on Thursday, January 30, at
0400 UTC.
The committee launched the three new discussion groups on the basis of
requests from the amateur radio community, to support ARRL's efforts to
provide more resources for beginner-to-intermediate operators.
The online discussion program launched last fall with three forums --
contesting, awards, and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) -- all
open to the amateur radio community. The program was based on the success of
the online ARRL-LoTW Group, which, for the past several years, has served to
answer questions and generate discussions about ways to improve the service.
ARRL New England Division Director and attorney Fred Hopengarten, K1VR,
will moderate the Antenna Law and Policy Forum. Hopengarten is the author of
Antenna Zoning for the Radio Amateur.
ARRL Regulatory Affairs Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, will moderate the
Regulatory Affairs forum.
QST Editor and ARRL Publications Manager Steve Ford, WB8IMY, will
moderate the New Hams forum.
ARRL IT Manager Michael Keane, K1MK, worked with Groups.io to set up the new
groups. Those wishing to subscribe must use a Groups.io username and
password, if they have one, or create a Groups.io account if they don't.
The new groups join an ARRL discussion forum lineup that already includes:
ARRL-Contesting, moderated by ARRL Contest Advisory Committee Chairman
Dennis Egan, W1UE.
ARRL-Awards, moderated by ARRL Radiosport and Field Services Manager
Bart Jahnke, W9JJ.
ARRL-IARU, moderated by IARU Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ.
ARRL-LOTW, moderated by ARRL IT Manager Michael Keane, K1MK.
Everyone who subscribes to an ARRL Group is automatically subscribed to
"ARRL Groups," an administrative feature that allows ARRL to convey routine
announcements to subscribers of all ARRL groups, such as planned system
outages.
ARRL expects to create additional online groups that focus on other areas of
interest to radio amateurs, including ARRL activities, services,
initiatives, and policies.
ARRL currently hosts some "members-only" online forums that include the
topics of Awards and Contesting. While these forums will continue to
operate, participants are being encouraged to post new topics in the new
groups.
All questions will be welcome, no matter how many times they have already
been asked and answered, or how obvious the answers might be. Neither
personal attacks nor foul language will be tolerated. Violators will
immediately be placed on "moderated" status, meaning their subsequent posts
will require Moderator approval. Civility and courtesy are expected, even
when disagreeing.
The Committee believes that providing more opportunities for two-way
discussion between the organization's leaders and the entire ham radio
community will assist ARRL in truly serving the needs of this community. --
Thanks to ARRL Communications Manager Dave Isgur, N1RSN
Yukon's VY1JA Plans to Be Back for 2020 ARRL November Sweepstakes CW
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL November Sweepstakes stalwart J. Allen, VY1JA, in Canada's Yukon
Territory, may not be off the air quite yet. Allen announced his retirement
from ham radio last November, but now says he plans to keep a small station
on the air "for as long as possible," leaving one antenna tower in place.
Allen told ARRL earlier this month that there's a "strong likelihood" he'll
return for the 2020 ARRL November Sweepstakes CW in the Low Power category,
using his own call sign.
For the past few years, the remotely operated VY1AAA, using equipment and
antennas located at VY1JA, has been among the precious few stations handing
out the Northern Territories multiplier in Sweepstakes. Gerry Hull,
W1VE/VE1RM, told ARRL that the remote equipment and high-power amplifier
have now been removed, along with the radio gear and antennas from Allen's
larger station, which will be sold. Allen, who has been diagnosed with
Alzheimer's disease, says his current medication has stabilized his
condition, but he's been looking ahead to the day when his wife, Ann, would
face the task of dismantling and disposing of his station equipment and
antennas.
"Because I am concerned about what I will be like in a few years or so, I
wanted to sell out the station completely so that Ann would not have a big
problem on her hands removing poles, towers, cables, gear, and so on," he
explained.
Allen thanked Hull; Cary Rubenfeld, VE4EA; Chuck Cullian, K0RF, and Tyson
Schulz, VY1SLZ, for their assistance. Rubenfeld is handling the sale of
Allen's gear, while Schulz has pledged to assist in dismantling and
disposing of Allen's scaled-down station when the time comes. Cullian has
provided a transceiver for Allen, who no longer had an operational radio on
site.
"It means that, for as long as I remain functional, I intend to keep VY1JA
on the air, and especially to be there for as many ARRL Sweepstakes as
possible," Allen said.
Hull said he and others involved with the VY1AAA remote operations have been
looking for a new home for the VY1AAA remote gear and radio.
The K7RA Solar Update
---------------------
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: This week, we finally saw the return of
sunspots over 6 of the last 7 days, January 24 - 29. The average daily
sunspot number rose from 0 to 11.1, while average daily solar flux jumped
from 71.2 to 72.9.
Geomagnetic indicators remained very quiet, signaling continued great
conditions on 160 and 80 meters. Predicted solar flux over the next month
and a half is 74 on January 30 - February 2; 70 on February 3 - 6; 71 on
February 7 - 13; 72 on February 14 - 20; 73 on February 21 - 22; 74 on
February 23 - 29; 72 on March 1 - 3; 71 on March 4 - 11, and 72 on March 12
- 14.
Predicted planetary A index is 8 on January 30; 5 on January 31 - February
24; 10 on February 25 - 26; 5 on February 27 - 29; 8 on March 1 - 3, and 5
on March 4 - 14.
On January 27, the total sunspot area was 100 millionth of the visible solar
disc. The total sunspot area hasn't been larger or even near that size since
May 18, 2019, when the area was 140 millionth of the visible solar disk.
Sunspot numbers for January 23 - 29 were 0, 12, 14, 18, 12, 11, and 11, with
a mean of 11.1. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 70.8, 71, 72.7, 74.7, 72.9,
74.2, and 74.3, with a mean of 72.9. Estimated planetary A indices were 5,
3, 3, 4, 3, 5, and 9, with a mean of 4.6. Middle latitude A index was 3, 1,
3, 2, 2, 4, and 6, with a mean of 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. Monthly charts offer
propagation projections between the US and a dozen DX locations.
Share your reports and observations.
Just Ahead in Radiosport
------------------------
February 1 -- Minnesota QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
February 1 -- FYBO Winter QRP Sprint (CW, phone, digital)
February 1 -- AGCW Straight Key Party (CW)
February 1 -- FISTS Winter Slow Speed Sprint (CW)
February 1 -- Black Sea Cup International (CW, phone)
February 1 - 2 -- Vermont QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
February 1 - 2 -- 10-10 International Winter Contest, SSB
February 1 - 2 -- F9AA Cup, CW
February 1 - 2 -- Mexico RTTY International Contest
February 1 - 2 -- British Columbia QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
February 2 -- North American Sprint, CW
February 3 -- 3.5 RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship, SSB
February 4 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
February 5 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (Phone)
February 6 -- NRAU 10-Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
February 6 -- SKCC Sprint Europe (CW)
See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. For in-depth reporting
on amateur radio contesting, subscribe to The ARRL Contest Update via your
ARRL member profile email preferences.
New Amateur Extra-Class Question Pool Released
----------------------------------------------
The new Amateur Extra-class license examination question pool, effective
from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2024, has been released and is available
at the National Conference of Volunteer Coordinators (NCVEC) website.
The 2020 - 2024 Extra-class pool incorporates significant changes compared
to the current 2016 - 2020 question pool, which expires on June 30. The
number of questions in the pool was reduced from 712 to 622. The result was
239 modified questions, 49 new questions, and 139 questions removed due to
changes in what was felt to be an abundance of outdated questions, while
areas of new technology and subjects were added.
In addition, an effort was made to balance the difficulty level, removing or
replacing some questions deemed too easy or too difficult compared to the
rest of the pool.
The 2020 pool has 10 diagrams, which have been renumbered because the new
question pool has two fewer than the 2016 question pool.
HuskySat-1 With VHF/UHF Linear Transponder Set to Deploy Soon
-------------------------------------------------------------
The University of Washington's HuskySat-1 3U CubeSat, launched November 2,
2019, is set to deploy on January 31 after the vehicle that carried it to
the International Space Station undocks. HuskySat-1 has remained stowed
aboard a Northrop Grumman Cygnus supply vehicle. Within 24 hours after
Cygnus' departure from the ISS, HuskySat-1 and SwampSat 2 will be deployed
into orbit.
After deployment, HuskySat-1's 1,200 bps BPSK beacon on 435.800 MHz should
be active and decodable with the latest release of AMSAT's FoxTelem
software. HuskySat-1 is expected to carry out its primary mission before
being turned over to AMSAT for amateur radio operation.
HuskySat-1 features a 30 kHz wide V/U linear transponder for SSB and CW. The
uplink passband will be 145.910 - 145.940 MHz LSB/CW. The downlink passband
will be 435.840 - 435.810 MHz USB/CW (inverting). Telemetry will be
transmitted on 435.800 MHz, 1k2 bps BPSK with an experimental downlink at
24.049 GHz. The "Fox-in-a-Box" FoxTelem software has been updated for
HuskySat-1 operation at its download website. The new release now contains
the SD card image, FIAB-distro8-V1.08w.zip. This file, when unzipped and
written to a 16 GB SD card, will provide the latest software for FoxTelem
and will run on a Raspberry Pi 4. The 1.08 versions can switch bands between
listening on VHF and UHF, based on which Fox and Husky satellites are
overhead at the time.
The linear transponder and telemetry system carried aboard AMSAT's Fox-1E
was designed for use in different CubeSats merely by adding an interface
adapter for connection to the host bus. Noting the prevalence of CubeSats
built and launched by universities and other organizations, AMSAT adopted a
goal of "amateur radio in every CubeSat."
Additional information is posted on the University of Washington Husky
Satellite Lab site. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service via the HuskySat-1 Team,
AMSAT Engineering, AMSAT Operations, the Fox Telemetry Team, and NASA
State QSO Party Challenge Announced
-----------------------------------
The State QSO Party Challenge is a competition comprised of other contests,
namely state and provincial QSO parties. As explained on the website, the
annual cumulative score program is open to any radio amateur who
participates in any approved state QSO parties (SQPs). Participants just
need to submit their QSO party scores to 3830scores.com to enter the
challenge.
Participants' cumulative scores will be calculated by totaling up the number
of reported contacts and multiplying by the number of SQPs entered in the
year to date. Periodic standings will be posted to 3830scores.com, the
QSOParty Groups.io forum, and the StateQSOParty.com website.
"Using the number of QSO parties entered as a multiplier is expected to
encourage radio amateurs to enter more state/province QSO parties," the
program's organizers said. "The first SQPs in 2020 are the Vermont,
Minnesota, and British Columbia QSO Parties in the first weekend of February."
Entrants must make at least two contacts in a QSO party for it to count as a
multiplier. The full details are available on the State QSO Party Challenge
website.
Challenge sponsors expressed appreciation to Bruce Horn, WA7BNM, for
developing the SQP Activity Tracker on 3830scores.com.
Iowa State Parks on the Air 2020 Celebrates Centennial of Iowa State Parks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iowa State Parks on the Air (IASPOTA-2020) is under way and will continue
through year's end. The event is sponsored by the Great River Amateur Radio
Club, with the support of Iowa ARRL Section Manager Lelia Garner, WA0UIG,
and the Iowa Division of Natural Resources (DNR).
According to Colin Wheatley, W9UPK, Iowa had the first state park system in
the nation, and Iowa's first state park, Backbone State Park, was dedicated
in 1920. Since then, the state park system has grown to some 70 parks and
recreational facilities, including 63 state parks.
Stations logging contacts with five of Iowa's state parks during the
year-long celebration can request a certificate by sending a legal-size
self-addressed, sealed envelope to IASPOTA-2020 c/o Great River Amateur
Radio Club, P.O. Box 1384, Dubuque, IA 52004.
YOTA Camp 2020 in the Americas Donations Are Being Matched
----------------------------------------------------------
Youth on the Air (YOTA) 2020 Camp Director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, has announced
that, thanks to a generous radio amateur, a matching fund drive is in
progress through the end of February to help fund the 2020 YOTA Camp, June
21 - 26 at the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting in West
Chester, Ohio.
"From now until the end of February, every dollar donated to the Youth on
the Air Camp will be matched by Steve McGrane, KM9G, up to a total of
$4,000," Rapp said. "Your donations in support of this unique opportunity
for youth to share ham radio with their peers will count double until the
end of February."
Donations may be made via PayPal, GoFundMe, or a check. Rapp said donations
could make it possible to increase the number of campers from 20 to 30 to
better meet demand.
"Our corporate and foundation sponsors have raised most of the funds, but we
need clubs and individuals to finish the job," he explained.
Rapp is an alumnus of the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology
TI-1 and TI-2 courses.
Past ARRL Southeastern Division Director H. Dale Strieter, W4QM, SK
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Past ARRL Southeastern Division Director Dale Strieter, W4QM (ex-W4DQS), of
Cocoa Beach, died on January 6. An ARRL Life Member, he was 92 and a
founding member of the Maxim Society. Strieter was ARRL Southeastern
Division Director from 1970 until 1973.
During World War II, he served as a US Maritime Service radio officer in the
Pacific. After the war, he received a BS in electrical engineering from
Michigan State. He got his amateur radio license in 1947. Strieter later
earned an MSEE from Michigan State, and then worked as an audio engineer.
In 1958, Strieter moved to Cocoa Beach to work for General Electric, was a
NASA contractor, and he served as the guidance engineer on the Mercury and
Gemini manned spaceflight missions.
Strieter was a prolific DXpeditioner. After 20 years with GE, he returned to
sea in 1979 as a radio officer in the US Merchant Marine on a ship generally
anchored at the Chagos Islands. As VQ9QM, Strieter logged more than 200,000
contacts from nearby Diego Garcia Island, between 1986 and 2001. He retired
in 2002. -- Thanks to Tom Tenney, W8OJM, and Don Karvonen, K8MFO
In Brief...
-----------
The W8S DXpedition team heading to Swains Island in the Pacific in March
reports, "All lights are green." Team members will leave from home in early
March, and all will convene in Pago Pago, American Samoa, to board the
vessel Manu Atele, which will transport everyone to the atoll. The voyage
will take 24 hours. Smaller vessels will carry the operators and equipment
to the island at high tide, which the update called "a serious challenge."
The ship will not remain offshore while the DXpedition is under way,
"hopefully picking the team up again after 14 days." An international team
of 10 operators will be active from March 10 to March 25 on all HF bands on
CW, SSB, FT8, and RTTY. Operation will be 24/7 from two separate camps on
the island, each with two stations. Visit the Swains Island 2020 DXpedition
website for more information.
Dayton Hamvention 2020 Web Portal Opens for Tickets, Exhibit Space Online
orders for Dayton Hamvention© 2020 tickets, inside exhibit spaces, and flea
market spots can now be placed online. Those who ordered online in 2019
should have their user IDs and passwords available when placing orders.
Hamvention's all-volunteer staff will work as quickly as possible to respond
to orders. If you encounter difficulties, email the appropriate committee:
Tickets, Inside Exhibits, or Flea Market. Hamvention announced in December
that it would be increasing the cost of admission and its booth fees.
General admission is now $26 in advance or $31 at the gate for all 3 days.
The cost of flea market spots has risen by $5 per space, and inside
exhibitors will pay $30. Hamvention 2020 takes place May 15 - 17 at the
Greene County Fairgrounds and Exhibition Center, 210 Fairground Road, Xenia,
Ohio.
The Northeast HamXposition -- formerly known as "Boxboro" -- is moving and
will take place this year July 24 - 26 in Marlborough, Massachusetts. The
new venue, the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center, is about 15
miles from Boxboro off Interstate 495 (Exit 24A). The Northeast
HamXposition, which had been held in early September in past years, hosts
the ARRL New England Division Convention. "The new venue offers us
much-needed additional capacity for forums, a larger flea market, and ample
parking right in the hotel's main lot," said Event Chairman Bob DeMattia,
K1IW. We will announce very soon when the hotel is accepting reservations."
DeMattia pointed out that the Marlborough location has a lot to offer,
including dozens of restaurants in the vicinity and the new Apex
Entertainment Center on Route 20, adjacent to the hotel.
The location of the W9DXCC ARRL Specialty Operating Convention has changed.
The event will take place September 11 - 12 at the Chicago Marriott Hotel in
Naperville, Illinois. Registration and hotel reservations will open in the
spring. W9DXCC is sponsored by the Northern Illinois DX Association. This
year's event will include a Contest University and DX University. Saturday's
events will include forums, QSL card checking, a CW pileup contest, an
evening reception, and a banquet. For more information, visit the W9DXCC
website. -- Thanks to Kermit Carlson, W9XA; The Daily DX
The Alexanderson alternator 2019 Christmas Eve transmission on 17.2 kHz from
SAQ in Grimeton, Sweden, was heard by more than 400 listeners. SAQ reported
conditions were very good, with clear, dry weather, and the vintage
transmitter functioned flawlessly. Lars K†lland, SM6NM, was at the key to
deliver his last Christmas message before he retired. SAQ said it was
"stunned" by the number of reports it received -- a total of 426 from 32
countries, including the US and Canada.
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
------------------------------------------------------
February 1 -- South Carolina State Convention, North Charleston, South
Carolina
February 1 -- Virginia State Convention, Richmond, Virginia
February 7 - 9 -- Northern Florida Section Convention, Orlando, Florida
February 14 - 15 -- Southwest Division Convention, Yuma, Arizona
March 7 - Delta Division Convention, Russellville, Arkansas
March 13 - 14 -- North Carolina Section Convention, Concord, North
Carolina
March 14 - 15 -- Great Lakes Division Convention, Perrysburg, Ohio
March 14 -- Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska
March 14 -- West Virginia Section Convention, Charleston, West Virginia
March 21 -- West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas
April 10 - 11 -- Oklahoma State Convention, Claremore, Oklahoma
April 11 -- Roanoke Division Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina
April 18 - Delaware State Convention, Georgetown, Delaware
Find conventions and hamfests in your area.
ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information.
.
.
Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, amateur radio's most
popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.
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 E-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 ¸ 2020 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.
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
