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N9PMO > LETTER 06.04.12 18:18l 315 Lines 16533 Bytes #999 (0) @ ARRL
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•+ On the Air: FCC Seeks Public Comments on Emergency Communications by Amateur
Radio and Impediments to Amateur Radio Communications
•On the Air: ARRL Seeks Comments on Proposed 33 cm Band Plan
•+ ARRL Field Day: Be Ready for Field Day in Official Field Day Gear from the
ARRL
•+ ARRL Field Day: ARRL PR Committee to Host Field Day Webinar
•+ Google Declares "Morse Code Is Perfect" with New Gmail Tap Mail Program
•+ Stephen Klinefelter Takes Over As New Army MARS Chief
•+ Silent Key: Fred Maia, W5YI (SK)
•+ On the Air: W1AW Claims 5BDXCC
•On the Air: ARRL Rookie Roundup's Third Year Includes New Categories
•Two New Books and Digital Software Library -- Now Shipping!
•ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?
•ARRL HQ: Two Positions Open at ARRL HQ
•Solar Update
•+ ARRL to Close in Observance of Good Friday
•+ ARRL Recognizes: Eric P. Nichols, KL7AJ, Wins March QST Cover Plaque Award
•New QuickStats Poll Now Available on ARRL Website
•This Week in Radiosport
•Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News.
+ On the Air: FCC Seeks Public Comments on Emergency Communications by Amateur
Radio and Impediments to Amateur Radio Communications
In response to the Congressional directive to prepare a study to assess Amateur
Radio's role in emergency and disaster communications and the impact of private
land use regulations on the Amateur community's ability to provide such
communications, the FCC issued DA 12-523 soliciting comments from the public.
The period for public comment runs until May 17, 2012.
"As part of the study contained in Public Law No. 112-96, the Commission has
opened a 45 day period for comments to be filed on the issue," said ARRL
Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND. "Because of the short
deadline for the study to be completed and presented to Congress -- before the
end of August -- the ARRL and the amateur community must quickly mobilize their
response." Read more here.
On the Air: ARRL Seeks Comments on Proposed 33 cm Band Plan
A few months ago, the ARRL UHF/Microwave Band Plan Committee asked the Amateur
Radio community about current, planned and projected uses of the amateur bands
between 902 MHz-3.5 GHz. The response was beyond our expectations, with
hundreds of comments and suggestions received. After reading the feedback, the
Committee began working on the band plans, and the draft plan for 33 cm
(902-928 MHz) is now ready for review. Read more here.
+ ARRL Field Day: Be Ready for Field Day in Official Field Day Gear from the
ARRL
You've spent all year preparing for ARRL Field Day, but there are still a few
things you're missing: The official 2012 Field Day shirt, hat, pin and logbook!
ARRL Field Day -- Amateur Radio's largest on-the-air operating event -- is just
a little more than two months away, so be sure to get your gear before supplies
run out. This year's ARRL Field Day shirt is a khaki T-shirt that sports the
2012 Field Day logo atop a pocket, with the ARRL diamond logo and "Ham Radio"
on the back. Shirts are available in sizes Small-4XL. The hat -- which has
"Field Day" emblazoned on its front -- is Texas Orange and is color-coordinated
with this year's logo. New for 2012 is the ARRL Field Day Logbook. This nifty
logbook is set up in the Field Day reporting format and includes dupe sheets
and other forms that you need to have to ensure a successful Field Day. Clubs,
order early! Collect orders from members and place a single order -- pay only
$12.50 shipping for orders over $50 (while supplies last). ARRL Field Day is
June 23-24, 2012. Fulfill all your Field Day apparel needs at the Field Day
Supplies section of the ARRL website.
+ ARRL Field Day: ARRL PR Committee to Host Field Day Webinar
The ARRL Public Relations Committee will be holding a free webinar entitled
Field Day Press Release on Thursday, April 12 at 9 PM (EDT). This webinar is
geared for those who want to learn the easiest -- and most effective -- ways to
write up a media release for Field Day and actually get it noticed by the media
in your home region. Learn the "tricks of the trade" from the people who
actually work in radio, television and print media. ARRL Public Relations
Committee Chairman Steven Polunsky, W5SMP, will host the event; Polunsky is
also the Public Information Coordinator for the ARRL's South Texas Section.
Joining Polunsky are Bill Husted, KQ4YA (print), Mark Kraham, W8CMK (TV) and
Don Carlson, KQ6FM (radio). Space is limited -- reserve your spot today.
+ Google Declares "Morse Code Is Perfect" with New Gmail Tap Mail Program
On April 1 (yes, April Fools' Day), Google announced that it has unveiled a new
way to use its popular Gmail e-mail system. Called Gmail Tap, it uses dots and
dashes to form letters, a system of communicating that should be very familiar
to radio amateurs. "Morse code is perfect," said Gmail Tap Engineer Mitch
Fedenko. "It's just a dot and a dash. What's simpler than that?" Read more here.
+ Stephen Klinefelter Takes Over As New Army MARS Chief
On April 2, US Army Colonel (retired) Stephen G. Klinefelter -- a senior staff
officer who oversees Army MARS operations for the US Army Network Enterprise
Technology Command -- announced that he was assuming the post of Chief of Army
MARS, effective immediately. Klinefelter, 61, took the leading role last
December in untangling a Pentagon decision to "phase out" the Army MARS Winlink
2000 messaging system, used by numerous state and municipal emergency
management organizations; an investigation showed it lacked required
certification for safety from hostile incursions. He successfully argued that
the resources of Amateur Radio -- not just MARS or Winlink -- far outweighed
any risk from enemy hackers. Lieutenant General Susan Lawrence, the Army's
Chief Information Officer, ordered an exemption from this policy for Army MARS,
which officials said would extend to the Air Force and Navy-Marine Corps MARS
programs, too. Read more here.
+ Silent Key: Fred Maia, W5YI (SK)
Fred Maia, W5YI (SK)
The holder of one of the best-known US Amateur Radio call signs, Frederick
"Fred" Maia, W5YI, of Arlington, Texas, died of cancer on March 28. He was 76.
Maia was a leading Amateur Radio journalist for nearly 35 years and a pioneer
of the Volunteer Examiner program adopted by the FCC in 1984, and was the first
Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) appointed by the FCC. Maia subsequently
founded The W5YI Group in 1986 to develop, publish and sell amateur and
commercial radio license study materials. In the realm of FCC commercial radio
licensing, Fred formed National Radio Examiners to provide examination
services. Read more here.
+ On the Air: W1AW Claims 5BDXCC
Nearly four decades after the introduction of the Five Band DXCC Award
(5BDXCC), W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station has achieved this
milestone. "As with most stations, we found that 80 meters was our stumbling
block," W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, explained. "One by one, we
picked off the needed entities, and W1AW now holds 5BDXCC #7307. W1AW's 5BDXCC
plaque will hang in a place of honor at the station."
W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q (left) and ARRL Chief Executive Officer
David Sumner, K1ZZ, with W1AW's Five Band DXCC Award. Sumner is the W1AW
trustee. [Cory Sickles, WA3UVV, Photo]
Prior to achieving 5BDXCC, W1AW held DXCC on 40-10 meters for many years, but
was always searching for the last few remaining entities on 80 meters. Carcia
said that at least 90 percent of the confirmations were made via Logbook of The
World, (LoTW), but the last contacts #99 and #100 on 80 meters were confirmed
via traditional QSL cards.
W1AW currently holds Five Band Worked All Continents Award (5BWAC), Five Band
Worked All States Award (5BWAS), Worked All Continents Award (WAC) on CW, RTTY
and Phone, Mixed DXCC (with 250 entities confirmed) and DXCC for Digital, CW
and Phone.
"Now that W1AW has 5BDXCC, we are gunning for DXCC Honor Roll," Carcia said.
"Like with 5BDXCC, there are just a few more entities to go before W1AW can
claim this award."
On the Air: ARRL Rookie Roundup's Third Year Includes New Categories
With the Rookie Roundup beginning its third year of competition, 2012 brings
some new changes in the event -- including new entry categories. The first
Rookie Roundup of 2012 will use SSB (phone) and will be held on Sunday, April
15 from 1800-2359 UTC. All amateurs are welcome to participate, especially
those in DX locations.
The focus of the RR remains those who are newly licensed -- hams who received
their very first license during the current year or the two previous calendar
years (2012, 2011 or 2010). Those licensed before 2010 are encouraged to get on
and work the Rookies. Or consider acting as an Elmer and coaching Rookies in
their contest efforts without actually making QSOs -- or performing logging or
any other station functions. Read more here.
Two New Books and Digital Software Library -- Now Shipping!
The ARRL has just released two new books and a digital software library that
you are going to want to have in your shack: Hints & Kinks for the Radio
Amateur (18th edition) and Short Antennas for 160 Meter Radio by Grant
Bingeman, KM5KG. The newest version of Software Library for Hams is also
available as an immediate download or on CD-ROM. Read more here.
ARRL In Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?
This feature is a concise monthly update of some of the things that the ARRL is
doing on behalf of its members. This installment -- which covers the month of
March -- takes a look at upcoming ARRL member benefits, new privileges for
radio amateurs on 60 meters, forthcoming ARRL publications, happenings at W1AW,
reports from the Official Observer Desk and more. Read more here.
ARRL HQ: Two Positions Open at ARRL HQ
The League is currently looking to fill two open positions at ARRL Headquarters
in Newington. One position is in the Membership and Volunteer Programs
Department and the other is in the Education Services Department. To apply,
please send your cover letter and resume via e-mail, or complete the
application, print it out and mail it with your resume and cover letter to
Monique Levesque, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. You can also fax your
application, cover letter and resume to 860-594-0298. Please include your
salary history and salary requirements. The ARRL is an equal opportunity
employer. Read more here.
Solar Update
The Sun, as seen on Thursday, April 5, 2012 from NASA's SOHO Extreme
Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) image was
taken in the continuum near the Ni I 6768 Angstrom line. The most prominent
features are the sunspots. This is very much how the Sun looks in the visible
range of the spectrum.
Tad "I remember April when the Sun was in the sky" Cook, K7RA, reports: Over
the past week, the average daily sunspot number and solar flux values rose
slightly, even though as the week progressed, each day had a lower number than
the day before. The daily sunspot number began the week at a high of 100, but
ended at 60. Likewise, the daily solar flux started at 111.5, ending with
102.1. The mild geomagnetic conditions made for a quiet week, with the only
unsettled conditions on April 1-2 in very high latitude regions, with Alaska's
College A index at 11 and 17. From the April 4 USAF forecast, they see solar
flux for April 5 at 105, April 6-7 at 110, 115 on April 8-10, followed by 110
on April 11, and then 100 on April 12-22. The next predicted short-term peak
for solar flux is 130 on May 2-5. Look for more information on the ARRL website
on Thursday, April 5. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit
the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad
Cookism" is brought to you by David Cassidy's Daydreamer.
+ ARRL to Close in Observance of Good Friday
ARRL Headquarters will be closed in observance of Good Friday on Friday, April
6. There will be no W1AW bulletin or code practice transmissions that day. ARRL
Headquarters will reopen Monday, April 9 at 8 AM Eastern Daylight Time. We wish
everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.
+ ARRL Recognizes: Eric P. Nichols, KL7AJ, Wins March QST Cover Plaque Award
The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for March is Eric P. Nichols, KL7AJ,
for his article "Three Wrong Assumptions about the Ionosphere." Congratulations
Eric! The QST Cover Plaque award -- given to the author or authors of the best
article in each issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST
Cover Plaque Poll web page. Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the
April issue today.
New QuickStats Poll Now Available on ARRL Website
Four new poll questions have just been published on the QuickStats page on the
ARRL website. Let your voice be heard!
Questions in this month's QuickStats poll:
•How many times have you attended the Dayton Hamvention®?
•Have you used your new 60 meter CW or digital privileges?
•Do you use software to control your transceiver?
•When was the last time you inspected your antenna feed lines?
Visit the QuickStats page and be sure to bookmark it in your browser. Results
from this QuickStats poll will be published in the July 2012 issue of QST on
the QuickStats page, located in the rear advertising section of the magazine.
Along with monthly poll results, QST QuickStats offers colorful charts and
graphs that highlight interesting Amateur Radio statistics.
This Week in Radiosport
This week:
•April 6 -- NCCC RTTY Sprint
•April 7 -- LZ Open 40 Meter Sprint Contest; PODXS 070 Club PSK 31 Flavors
Contest (local time)
•April 7-8 -- QRP ARCI Spring QSO Party; SP DX Contest
•April 11 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
•April 11-12 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
Next week:
•April 13 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder 0230Z-0300Z, Apr 13
•April 14 -- EU Spring Sprint (CW)
•April 14-15 -- Georgia QSO Party; Montana QSO Party; New Mexico QSO Party;
QCWA Spring QSO Party; JIDX CW Contest; Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest
•April 15 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup (SSB); International Vintage Contest HF
Contest; Hungarian Straight Key Contest
•April 17 -- 222 MHz Spring Sprint (local time)
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page,
the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more information.
Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special
Event Stations web page.
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
•April 7 -- ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina
•April 14 -- ARRL Delta Division Convention, Bartlett, Tennessee
•April 14-15 -- Communications Academy 2012, Seattle, Washington
•April 20-22 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention, Boise, Idaho; 63rd International
DX Convention, Visalia, California
•April 21 -- ARRL Delaware State Convention, Georgetown, Delaware; ARRL
Louisiana Section Convention, Monroe, Louisiana
•May 4-6 -- EMCOMMWEST, Reno, Nevada
•May 18-20 -- Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, Ohio
•June 1-3 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention, Seaside, Oregon
•June 2 -- ARRL Georgia Section Convention, Marietta, Georgia
•June 8-9 -- ARRL West Gulf Division Convention, Plano, Texas
•June 9 -- ARRL Arkansas State Convention, Rogers, Arkansas; ARRL Tennessee
State Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.
ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information
Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most popular
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