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N9PMO > LETTER 04.05.18 00:10l 590 Lines 25765 Bytes #999 (0) @ ARRL
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ARRL Counting Down to Hamvention® 2018
Amateur Radio Case Attracts Attention of FCC Commissioner
Collegiate Radio Amateur Wins Radio Club of America's "Young Achiever
Award"
Annual Armed Forces Day Crossband Communication Test Set for Saturday,
May 12
Third Public Test of FT8 "DXpedition Mode" Set for May 5
The Doctor Will See You Now!
New Book, Portable Operating for Amateur Radio, is Now Shipping
Report: Former Hamvention® Home Hara Arena Getting a New Owner
Deadline Approaching to Submit Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna
Award Nominations
Former Orange Section Manager, Veteran ARRL Volunteer Sandi Heyn,
WA6WZN, SK
In Brief...
The K7RA Solar Update
Just Ahead in Radiosport
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL Counting Down to Hamvention® 2018
Hamvention® 2018, May 18-20 at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo
Center in Xenia, Ohio, is largest annual Amateur Radio gathering in
the US, and sanctioned as the 2018 ARRL Great Lakes Division
Convention. ARRL EXPO -- a large exhibit area in Building 2 ("Tesla"
Building) -- will serve as the hub for ARRL activities, booths, and
program representatives. More than 90 team members will support ARRL
EXPO, including 18 ARRL Headquarters staffers. Recent additions to the
ARRL EXPO guide include schedules for the ARRL Stage and "Meet the
Authors" table.
Hamvention's theme this year is "Amateur Radio...Serving the
Community." ARRL will reflect that spirit by sponsoring four forums on
Friday and Saturday that will comprise a Public Service Communications
track. Convention goers attending three or more ARRL-sponsored Public
Service Communications forums will earn an ARRL certificate in
recognition of their commitment to ham radio public service training
and development.
At the always-popular ARRL Membership Forum at noon on Saturday in
Room 3, Great Lakes Division Director Dale Williams, WA8EFK, will
share an update on proposed new guidelines for Amateur Radio Emergency
Service® (ARES®) volunteers. He'll also discuss plans for a new
volunteer management software system, ARES Connect. Willams is leading
a team that is seeking to upgrade ARES training and ensure the service
continues to be a valuable partner for its served agencies into the
future.
Amateur Radio Case Attracts Attention of FCC Commissioner
FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly has used the latest chapter of an
Amateur Radio proceeding to reiterate his call that the Commission
abolish its ministrative Law Judge (ALJ) system. The long-standing
case involves efforts by William F. Crowell, W6WBJ (ex-N6AYJ), of
Diamond Spring, California, to renew his license. Late last week, the
FCC denied reconsideration of Crowell's petition to have the
Commission assign a new ALJ to his case, arguing that the current ALJ,
Richard L. Sippel, is biased against him. Attaching his own comments
to a Memorandum and Opinion Order (MO&O) released on April 26,
O'Rielly said he approved the Commission's opinion that Crowell's
appeal was justifiably denied, but he expressed concern that the ALJ
"took unnecessary actions" in Crowell's case and in another unrelated
proceeding.
FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly.
"On a larger scale, complaints about the ALJ process are not isolated
incidents, but paint a picture of questionable decisions coupled with
an elevated level of inefficiency," O'Rielly said in comments attached
to the MO&O. "It seems to me that, too often, the Commission has had
to reverse the decisions of the ALJ or address one ALJ decision or
another. This reality only reaffirms my call to consider eliminating
the ALJ process altogether."
It has been 10 years since the FCC set Crowell's license renewal
application for hearing, and nearly as long since Crowell requested
disqualification of the ALJ assigned to his case. Crowell's license
renewal hearing centered on whether he had violated FCC Part 97 rules
by intentionally interfering with and/or otherwise interrupting radio
communications, transmitting one-way communications, indecent
language, and music, and whether he is qualified to be and remain a
Commission licensee and have his renewal application granted.
In 2016, the FCC imposed a $25,000 fine on Crowell for intentionally
interfering with the transmissions of other radio amateurs and
transmitting prohibited communications, including music. The penalty
included "an upward adjustment reflecting Mr. Crowell's decision to
continue his misconduct after being warned that his actions violated
the Communications Act and the Commission's rules," the FCC said at
the time.
"Mr. Crowell does not deny that he made the transmissions that
prompted the fine, but argued, in large part, that those transmissions
were protected by the First Amendment," the Forfeiture Order said.
The FCC concluded in this month's MO&O, "We have examined Crowell's
claims of bias in accordance with our precedent, a task made more
difficult because Crowell provides virtually no detailed factual
support or references to the record for his allegations."
Crowell's license, which expired in 2007, has not been renewed, but
Crowell may continue to operate while his renewal application is
pending.
Collegiate Radio Amateur Wins Radio Club of America's "Young Achiever
Award"
ARRL member Ruth Willet, KM4LAO, a 19-year-old student at Michigan's
Kettering University, has received the Radio Club of America's "Young
Achiever Award." The RCA Young Achiever Award is presented to students
of high school age or younger who have demonstrated excellence and
creativity in wireless communications, and who have delivered a
presentation at the annual RCA Technical Symposium. Receiving the
award allowed her to attend the International Wireless Communications
Expo (IWCE) held in Orlando in early March.
ARRL member Ruth Willet, KM4LAO, with her award. [Sharon Willet,
KM4TVU, photo]
"I was shocked to have received this award. I never dreamed I would be
able to attend such a prestigious wireless event," Willet said in an
article for Kettering University News. "It was an honor be recognized
by the Radio Club of America and to be presented with this award. It
was an eye-opening experience for me to be exposed to the field of
wireless communications and to be introduced to the discussions taking
place among first responders and the government regarding emergency
situation preparedness."
Willet, who is from Lawrenceville, Georgia, is the recipient of the
ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Scholarship. At Kettering, she is
pursuing a double major in mechanical engineering and engineering
physics. She is president of her school's recently revived Amateur
Radio club, GMTE Amateur Radio & Electronics Club, K8HPS.
"As an Amateur Radio operator, I've mostly only experienced the hobby
side of radio," Willet said. "This conference allowed me to see a
broad range of applications for radio and technology.... It was very
energizing to attend all sorts of workshops and seminars, and learn
how much our daily lives are touched by the field of wireless
communications." Read more.
Annual Armed Forces Day Crossband Communication Test Set for Saturday,
May 12
The Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) will sponsor the
traditional military/Amateur Radio communication tests to mark the
67th annual Armed Forces Day (AFD) on Saturday, May 12. Armed Forces
Day is May 19, but the AFD Crossband Military-Amateur Radio event
traditionally takes place 1 week earlier in order to avoid conflicting
with Hamvention. Complete information, including military stations,
modes, and frequencies, is available on the US Army MARS website.
The annual celebration is a unique opportunity to test two-way
communication between radio amateurs and military stations (authorized
under §97.111 of the Amateur Service rules). It features traditional
military-to-amateur crossband SSB voice, CW, practice using legacy
interoperability waveforms, and the opportunity for participating hams
to utilize more modern military modes, such as MIL-STD Serial PSK and
Automatic Link Establishment (ALE). Military stations and Amateur
Radio stations are authorized to communicate directly on certain
60-meter interoperability channels.
These tests give Amateur Radio operators and shortwave listeners
(SWLs) a chance and a challenge to demonstrate individual technical
skills in a tightly controlled exercise scenario and to receive
recognition from the appropriate military radio station. QSL cards
will be available for stations successfully contacting participating
military stations.
Military stations will transmit (USB, unless otherwise noted on the
schedule) on selected military frequencies and will announce the
specific amateur frequencies they are monitoring. MARS stressed that
frequencies used for the test will not impact any public or private
communications and will not stray outside the confines of the
exercise.
An Armed Forces Day test message will be transmitted utilizing the
Military Standard (MIL-STD) Serial PSK waveform (M110) followed by
MIL-STD Wide Shift FSK (850 Hz RTTY), as described in MIL-STD
188-110A/B. Technical information regarding these waveforms is
available. The AFD test message will also be sent at 0300 UTC in CW.
Those who want a QSL should complete the request form on the MARS
website.
Third Public Test of FT8 "DXpedition Mode" Set for May 5
A third public test of the developing FT8 "DXpedition Mode" is set for
Saturday, May 5, the WSJT development group has announced. A fourth
"release candidate" is now available, and participants in the May 5
public test should install WSJT-X version 1.9.0-rc4 beforehand.
"Once again, the goal is to simulate a rare DXpedition pileup by
having many stations ('Hounds') calling and trying to work a
designated pseudo-DXpedition station ('Fox'). Everyone participating
in the test must use WSJT-X v1.9.0-rc4," Joe Taylor, K1JT, said on
behalf of the WSJT development team. Taylor urged participants to
"read, understand, and carefully follow" the FT8 DXpedition Mode User
Guide, which contains some operating procedure details that differ
from earlier versions of the beta mode software.
"If you have legitimate access to more than one call sign (spouse, a
club call, or whatever), please feel free to call and work each Fox
more than once," Taylor said. "The more Hounds, the better; we want
the test pileup to be as deep as possible."
The third public test will include three 1-hour sessions.
UTC
Frequency
Fox Call Sign
Operator
1400
14.090 MHz
W1/KH7Z
N1DG
1500
14.090
W7/KH7Z
AA7A
1600
14.090
K1JT
K1JT
Any last-minute instructions will be announced on the Ping Jockey
Relief chat page.
Installation packages for WSJT-X v1.9.0-rc4 on Windows, Linux,
Macintosh, and Raspbian Jessie have been posted on the WSJT website.
Participants are asked to report their test results and any problems
encountered to the WSJT-X development lists on sourceforge.com or to
the Yahoo WSJT-X Development Group reflector. You must be a subscriber
in order to post to these lists.
The third beta release of the new DXpedition Mode has been tested over
the past several weeks, including during a public test on April 7. "A
few additional bugs were identified and corrected, and the -rc4
release also includes some minor enhancements," Taylor said. "A
general availability (GA) release of WSJT-X version 1.9.0 will be
announced at a suitable time, probably in the near future. After that
you should stop using any -rc# release candidate."
The Doctor Will See You Now!
"Kits and Kit Building" is the topic of the new (April 26) episode of
the "ARRL The Doctor is In" podcast. Listen...and learn!
Sponsored by DX Engineering, "ARRL The Doctor is In" is an informative
discussion of all things technical. Listen on your computer, tablet,
or smartphone -- whenever and wherever you like!
Every 2 weeks, your host, QST Editor-in-Chief Steve Ford, WB8IMY, and
the Doctor himself, Joel Hallas, W1ZR, will discuss a broad range of
technical topics. You can also e-mail your questions to
doctor@arrl.org, and the Doctor may answer them in a future podcast.
Enjoy "ARRL The Doctor is In" on Apple iTunes, or by using your iPhone
or iPad podcast app (just search for "ARRL The Doctor is In"). You can
also listen online at Blubrry, or at Stitcher (free registration
required, or browse the site as a guest) and through the free Stitcher
app for iOS, Kindle, or Android devices. If you've never listened to a
podcast before, download our beginner's guide.
Just ahead: "RF Loss."
New Book, Portable Operating for Amateur Radio, is Now Shipping
Grab your gear and head outdoors with this new book from ARRL,
Portable Operating for Amateur Radio by Stuart Thomas, KB1HQS.
Amateur Radio stations have traditionally been associated with a table
full of gear in a home station. In recent years, that has changed with
the increasing popularity of operating portable, away from home. A new
generation of compact, full-featured, portable radios combines with
modern battery technology to make it easier than ever to set up your
station and enjoy Amateur Radio in the great outdoors. ded to the
increase in organized outdoor operating activities, clubs, and
programs, it's no wonder that ham radio operators are inspired to
venture into portable operations.
Anyone can give portable operating a try. Portable operators use HF
and VHF bands, as well as SSB, FM, CW, and digital modes. There's
something for everyone, no matter your license class or interests.
Whether you want to activate from a picnic table at a nearby park or a
remote summit after a backcountry hike, Portable Operating for Amateur
Radio offers a wealth of practical information to help make your
portable Amateur Radio operations successful.
Portable Operating for Amateur Radio is available from the ARRL Store
or your ARRL Dealer. (ARRL Item no. 0802), ISBN: 978-1-62595-080-2,
$22.95 retail, special ARRL Member Price $19.95). Call 860-594-0355
or, toll-free in the US, 888-277-5289. It will also be available as an
e-book for the Amazon Kindle.
Report: Former Hamvention® Home Hara Arena Getting a New Owner
The Dayton Daily News reported this week that a Louisville,
Kentucky-based developer, Michael Heitz, of Garrett-Day LLC
Properties, is in the process of buying Hara Arena, which served as
home to Dayton Hamvention® from 1964 until 2016.
Heitz told the Dayton Daily News that he bought out income tax liens
on the property from Montgomery County and is hoping to close on some
bank liens later this week. It's not known how much Heitz has invested
in the property so far. The purchase includes the six-building Hara
Arena complex and some 120 acres of real estate, 25 of them devoted to
parking. Heitz said his priority is to "clean it up and secure the
property." Since its closing in 2016, Hara Arena has been visited by
camera-carrying urban explorers as well as by vandals who have trashed
the building and its contents.
The IRS put the Hara Arena complex on the auction block last August to
satisfy a federal tax lien, but no successful bidder came forward. An
IRS staff member involved in the 2017 auction told ARRL early this
year that the agency would not try again to auction the parcel, but
suggested that other lien holders, including a mortgage lender and the
Town of Trotwood, might go that route. At one point, the asking price
for Hara Arena was $775,000.
The Dayton Daily News reported in March that Hara property
owner-trustees owed back taxes plus around $350,000 to banks. Heitz is
known for buying distressed properties and getting them "shovel
ready." He plans a Monday news conference to discuss the purchase and
his plans.
According to the Dayton Daily News, Heitz has purchased other
properties in the area by buying up tax and property liens, and his
reputation for acquiring derelict properties and turning them around
goes back several years. A former West Virginia University basketball
player and distance cyclist, the 7-foot-tall Heitz is said to be a
fearless investor.
The Wampler family had owned and operated Hara Arena since its humble
origins in the 1950s, when Wampler Ballarena -- then a dance hall and
now an exhibit hall familiar to Hamvention visitors -- was built in
what had been a family-owned orchard. When Hara closed in August 2016,
the economic hit to the Dayton area was estimated to be $36 million a
year.
Deadline Approaching to Submit Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna
Award Nominations
Friday, May 18, is the deadline to submit nominations for ARRL's
annual Philip J. McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award. The award
celebrates efforts on the part of an individual ARRL member to boost
awareness and understanding of Amateur Radio's services and benefits
to the public. The ARRL Public Relations Committee will recommend a
winner, if any, to the ARRL Board of Directors, which will announce
the Award recipient at its July meeting.
The Award's namesake, journalist Philip J. McGan, WA2MBQ (SK), served
as the first chairman of the ARRL's Public Relations Committee, and
helped reinvigorate the League's commitment to public relations. The
McGan Award recognizes a radio amateur who has demonstrated success in
Amateur Radio public relations and who best exemplifies McGan's
volunteer spirit.
Activities for which the McGan Award may be presented include efforts
specifically directed at focusing the media's and the general public's
attention on the value of Amateur Radio. This may include such
traditional methods as generating media coverage of a specific event,
or such non-traditional methods as hosting a radio show or being an
active public speaker.
The award is given to an individual who must be an ARRL member in good
standing at the time of nomination. The nominee must not be
compensated for any public relations work involving Amateur Radio --
including payment for articles -- and may not be a current ARRL
Officer, Director, Vice Director, paid staff member, or member of the
selection committee.
Check out the specific criteria for nomination and nomination form, or
contact ARRL Communication Manager Dave Isgur, KC1JMX, to obtain a
form. The names of past McGan Memorial Silver Antenna Award winners
have been posted on the ARRL website.
Former Orange Section Manager, Veteran ARRL Volunteer Sandi Heyn,
WA6WZN, SK
Well-known ARRL stalwart and former Orange Section Manager Sandra Mae
"Sandi" Heyn, WA6WZN, of Costa Mesa, California, died on April 28
after a lengthy illness. An ARRL Life Member, she was 75. Sandi Heyn
was the wife of ARRL Honorary Vice President and past ARRL
Southwestern Division Director Fried Heyn, WA6WZO, who relied on her
as his trusted assistant. The couple often appeared together at ARRL
and other Amateur Radio functions, and Sandi Heyn nearly always
accompanied her husband to ARRL Headquarters for the ARRL Board's
twice-yearly meetings during his years as a Director. As Fried Heyn
said, "We were joined at the hip." Married for 57 years, the Heyns
continued as Amateur Radio ambassadors even after their official
League service concluded.
In addition to her service as Orange Section Manager from 1983 until
1985, Sandi Heyn served as a member of the ARRL Planning Committee
during ARRL President Vic Clark's, W4KFC, administration, was Orange
Section Emergency Coordinator, and president of the Young Ladies Radio
League in 1983. She was Orange Section ARRL Affiliated Club
Coordinator from 1987 until 2003, and she chaired the Orange County
Council of Amateur Radio Organizations in 1991 and the Los Angeles
Area Council of Amateur Radio Clubs in 1992. Sandi Heyn received the
ARRL Southwestern Division Meritorious Service Award in 2001.
She was also a US Army Military Affiliate Radio Service (MARS)
volunteer, a member of several Amateur Radio clubs in California, and
was a Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) Life Member. She
regularly volunteered at the ARRL booth and in the Amateur Radio
reception during the annual National Association of Broadcasters
conventions in Las Vegas. She played a significant role in organizing
the 1992 ARRL National Convention in Los Angeles.
In accordance with her wishes, Sandi Heyn's body will be donated to
science. Services are not planned at this time.
In Brief...
A Puerto Rico radio amateur involved in hurricane recovery was among
those who died when a Hercules C-130 aircraft crashed on May 2,
killing all aboard. Among the nine fatalities was Eric Circuns,
WP4OXB, of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The cargo plane, attached to the
Puerto Rico Air National Guard's 156th Airlift Wing, went down shortly
after takeoff from Georgia while on a routine mission. "Eric had been
part of this unit, and this aircraft had served during both Hurricane
Irma and Maria," ARRL Southeastern Division Assistant Director and
Assistant Puerto Rico Section Manager Jose "Otis" Vicens, NP4G, said
in a statement. "The people of Puerto Rico thank him for his service
and ultimate sacrifice. He will be remembered." According to media
accounts, the more than 60-year-old aircraft underwent repairs in
Savannah in April. It had been used in several hurricane relief and
recovery efforts and was on its way to Arizona for decommissioning.
Mike Lisenco, N2YBB (left), and Bruce Baccaro, K2ULZ.
The Orange County (New York) Amateur Radio Club (OCARC) has been
presented with a Hiram Percy Maxim Society plaque. The plaque
recognizes the club's donations to the ARRL Legislative Issues vocacy
and Spectrum Defense funds, ARRL Development Manager Lauren Clarke,
KB1YDD, announced. ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB,
presented the Maxim Society plaque to OCARC President Bruce Baccaro,
K2ULZ, on April 20. "The club is very proud to be one of only 10 clubs
nationwide to be inducted into the Maxim Society," Lisenco said.
ARRL has suspended registration for "Introduction to Emergency
Communications" (EC-001). Registration was halted on April 30, after
ARRL learned that the online platform provider for the course --
Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium (CTDLC) -- is being
dissolved, effective July 1, according to CTDLC's parent, Charter Oak
State College. CTDLC officials cited the fiscal challenges that the
Connecticut state college and university system and the state as a
whole are facing as the reason for shuttering CTDLC. As plans are made
to move the course content to a new delivery platform, ARRL decided to
halt registration. Anyone who signed up for the EC-001 session that
starts on May 30 will receive a refund. ARRL has been developing new
EC-001 content and will intensify the process of selecting a new
platform to deliver it.
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspots disappeared again this
week, with a blank sun on April 28, and every day since. Average daily
sunspot numbers dropped from 20 to 3.6, while average daily solar flux
decreased from 73.4 to 69.3.
Average daily planetary A index declined from 11.9 to 4.4, and average
mid-latitude A index went from 8.6 to 5.
Predicted solar flux is 67 on May 3-4; 68 and 69 on May 5-6; 70 on May
7-10; 68 on May 11-13; 70 on May 14-28; 68 on May 29 - June 9, and 70
on June 10-16.
Predicted planetary A index is 5 on May 3-5; 16, 18, and 14 on May
6-8; 8 on May 9-10; 5 on May 11-16; 42, 12, and 8 on May 17-19; 5 on
May 20-June 1; 8, 15, 12, 10, and 8 on June 2-6; 5 on June 7-12, and
42, 12, 8, and 5 on June 13-16.
Sunspot numbers for April 26-May 2 were 14, 11, 0, 0, 0, 0, and 0,
with a mean of 3.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 69.4, 68.7, 70.2,
71.1, 70.2, 68.4, and 67.1, with a mean of 69.3. Estimated planetary A
indices were 4, 6, 4, 4, 6, 3, and 4, with a mean of 4.4. Estimated
mid-latitude A indices were 4, 5, 5, 3, 10, 3, and 5, with a mean of
5.
Send me your reports or observations
Just Ahead in Radiosport
May 5 -- FISTS Spring Slow Speed Sprint (CW)
May 5 -- 902 and up Microwave Spring Sprint (CW, phone)
May 5-6 -- Araucaria World Wide VHF Contest (CW, phone)
May 5-6 -- 10-10 International Spring Contest (CW)
May 5-6 -- SBMS 2.3 GHz and Up Contest (CW, phone)
May 5-6 -- ARI International DX Contest (CW, phone, digital)
May 5-6 -- 7th Call Area QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
May 5-6 -- Indiana QSO Party (CW, phone)
May 5-6 -- Delaware QSO Party (CW, phone)
May 5-6 -- New England QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
May 7 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (SSB)
May 8 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (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 e-mail preferences.
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
May 4-5 -- Military Radio Collectors Group Convention, Paso Robles,
California (see announcement on location change)
May 5 -- Delta Division D-Star Day Convention, Lafayette, Louisiana
May 6 -- Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention, Bristol,
Pennsylvania
May 18-20 -- Great Lakes Division Convention (Hamvention®), Xenia,
Ohio
June 1-2 -- Arizona State Convention, Prescott, Arizona
June 1-3 -- Northwestern Division Convention (SEA-PAC), Seaside,
Oregon
June 2 -- Georgia State Convention (Atlanta Hamfest), Marietta,
Georgia
June 2-3 -- Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, Prospect,
Pennsylvania
June 8-10 -- West Gulf Division Convention (Ham-Com), Plano, Texas
July 13-14 -- Indiana State Convention, Indianapolis, Indiana
July 20-22 -- Nevada State Convention, Reno, Nevada
July 27-28 -- Oklahoma Section Convention, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Find conventions and hamfests in your area.
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.
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