| |
N9PMO > LETTER 01.10.18 02:24l 574 Lines 25670 Bytes #999 (0) @ ARRL
BID : ARRL3639
Read: GUEST
Subj: ARRL3639 ARRL Letter
Path: IW8PGT<CX2SA<ZL2BAU<W9ABA<KE0GB<AB0AF<N9PMO
Sent: 181001/0114Z 6295@N9PMO.#SEWI.WI.USA.NA BPQ6.0.16
Philippine Amateur Radio Association Activates HERO for Typhoon
Mangkhut
Scouting's 2018 Jamboree on the Air Set for October 19 - 21
The Doctor Will See You Now!
ARRL Releases Limited Edition 2019 Handbook Six-Volume Ultimate Boxed
Set
ARRL Foundation Invites Scholarship Applications for 2019-2020
Academic Year
HamSCI Expanding to the Southern Hemisphere
Sweden's Telecommunications Regulatory Agency to Require Fee to Run
More than 200 W
In Brief...
The K7RA Solar Update
Just Ahead in Radiosport
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
Philippine Amateur Radio Association Activates HERO for Typhoon
Mangkhut
With Typhoon Mangkhut (locally Ompong) threatening, the Philippine
Amateur Radio Association (PARA) activated its Ham Emergency Radio
Operations (HERO) at a Code Yellow level on September 12, per a
declaration from PARA Chief Operating Officer Roberto Vicencio,
DU1VHY. At Code Yellow, stations are advised to ensure that all
equipment is operational, check backup power sources, and take any
necessary precautionary measures. For the first time ever, the
Philippines National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) had
authorized PARA/HERO volunteers to communicate directly with NTC's
regional offices during the pending emergency, rather than through the
NTC headquarters.
Flooding in the City of Baguio, which suffered a direct hit from the
typhoon. Elevation is about 3,100 feet ASL. [Courtesy of Roberto
Vicencio, DU1VHY]
Typhoon Mangkhut was the strongest typhoon to strike Luzon Island
since Typhoon Megi in 2010, and the strongest typhoon to make landfall
in the Philippines since Super Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. A
Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, Mangkhut was packing
nearly 150 MPH winds, with gusts of more than 180 MPH as it approached
a predicted September 14 landfall on extreme northern Luzon Island.
The storm inflicted widespread destruction, with heavy damage to
structures, and caused landslides. More than 80 people lost their
lives as a result of the storm. Evacuations were ordered in several
regions. The storm went on to wreak heavy damage in Hong Kong.
In the Philippines, volunteers Tonyo Casuga, DV1XND, and Aurell
Rabena, DV1YMK, immediately activated PARA club station DX1PAR on 24/7
basis. The next day, DU1IVT, DU1VHY, DU1UGZ, DU1EIB, and DU1GG were
expected to leave for Cotabato City in Mindanao for a HERO orientation
seminar. PARA Director and former COO Thelma Pascua, DU1IVT -- who had
been scheduled to travel to Mindanao for a HERO orientation seminar --
remained behind to oversee the activities of HERO volunteers on 40 and
2 meters and to coordinate with the various NTC regional offices. More
than a dozen volunteers stepped up to help.
Club station DX1ARC activated its Echolink node, and Ronald Hernandez,
DU2RD, fed reports to HERO until September 15 or until telephone and
internet services began to return. Rollydel Tamin, 4F2RV, contributed
reports from Isabela Province.
PARA members DV1XWK, DW1YMJ, and DV1XND operate DX1PAR and National
Telecommunications radios during typhoon. [Courtesy of Roberto
Vicencio, DU1VHY]
When the storm brought gusty winds and a lot of rain to Metro Manila
on the evening of September 14, HERO experienced a sustained string of
check-ins, with no fewer than 150 stations reporting from the start of
the activation. According to HERO, reports also streamed in
continuously on 2 meters in Metro Manila and nearby areas, while
affiliated clubs activated their own HERO nets and passed whatever
reports they received to the HERO emergency frequency. During the HERO
activation, DU Net was called four times a day, aside from the
continuous reports on weather conditions and monitoring of affected
areas on 7.095 MHz.
In central Luzon, PARA District 3 Manager Edilberto, DU3JA, supervised
the activation of the NTC Region 3 station in San Fernando, Pampanga.
NTC regional offices in Region 1, CAR, Tuguegarao, and Region 3 all
coordinated with the HERO network on 7.095 MHz in addition to the
regular NTC net frequency of 7.404 MHz, also staffed by ham radio
volunteers at NTC headquarters. HERO reports included the status of
telecommunication services and electrical power in the affected areas,
as well as reports on casualties, flooding, and health-and-welfare
traffic.
Several stations in the least-affected areas of Mindanao and Visayas
supported HERO by acting as relay stations during periods of poor
propagation. HERO activity for Mangkhut (Ompong) stood down on
September 16.
Scouting's 2018 Jamboree on the Air Set for October 19 - 21
Scouting organizations are still registering to participate in the
2018 Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) over the October 19 - 21 weekend. With
about 1 month to go, JOTA Coordinator Jim Wilson, K5ND, told ARRL that
registration is "probably on target" at this point. US registrations
stood at 235 as of the end of last week. Right after JOTA 2017, 489 US
locations had signed up, although that included both Jamboree on the
Air and Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) participants, which, Wilson
said, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have "remained steadfast" in
considering JOTA and JOTI as separate events, although, he noted, this
is not the case at the world level.
"Our goals are primarily to grow participation," Wilson told ARRL.
"The World JOTA-JOTI Team has set a goal of 3 million participants by
2021; 2017 saw 1.5 million worldwide. Sign-ups at the world level
right now are at 1,428 locations. Wilson said that, in the US, many
locations wait until the last minute to register their participation.
In 2017, some 7,900 Scouts took part in JOTA, down by nearly 10,800
participants from 2016, but topping participation for 2014 and 2015.
Total radio contact numbers were down from 2016 and 2015.
"We've also put in place a number of aids to help people improve their
on-the-air experience, which will be challenging without sunspots,"
Wilson pointed out. "We've provided a video of how to work HF for
JOTA. We've also provided a quick reference card to help Scouts during
the QSO." Recommended JOTA frequencies are listed on the K2BSA
website. "Operators should note that these frequencies are starting
points to find QSOs," Wilson added. "They can also turn the dial to
find other stations on the air. It's not like a repeater." A list of
Girl Scout activities supported by JOTA-JOTI has also been posted.
Held each year on the third full weekend in October, JOTA is the
world's largest Scouting event. JOTA uses Amateur Radio to link Scouts
and hams around the world. Scouts of any age and gender can
participate, from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts and Venturers.
Radio amateurs at the local level are encouraged to work with a scout
council or unit to set up a JOTA station or arrange to have Scouts
visit their shacks. "You can also participate just by making QSOs with
the many JOTA stations that will be on the air," Wilson said.
The Doctor Will See You Now!
"Volt-Ohm Meters" is the topic of the new (September 27) 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.
ARRL Releases Limited Edition 2019 Handbook Six-Volume Ultimate Boxed
Set
The 2019 edition of The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications is now
available as a six-volume boxed set in a handsome hard slipcase in
addition to the traditional, soft-cover print edition.
"For many years, users have suggested that the Handbook would be
easier to read and browse if it were divided into more manageable
volumes," said ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R. "We did
it! This is the first-ever ARRL Handbook in a multi-volume set. This
means you can grab just the volume you need without having to retrieve
the entire Handbook. It's one of the biggest improvements we've made
to The Handbook in decades." The six volumes are divided by major
topic areas:
Volume 1: Introduction and Fundamental Theory
Volume 2: Practical Design and Principles -- Part 1
Volume 3: Practical Design and Principles -- Part 2
Volume 4: Antenna Systems and Radio Propagation
Volume 5: Equipment Construction and Station Accessories
Volume 6: Test Equipment, Troubleshooting, RFI, and Index
Since its first edition in 1926, The Handbook has been a trusted
Amateur Radio mainstay -- a comprehensive reference and guide to the
understanding and practice of radio communication, electronics, and
wireless technology. Key topics include electronics theory and
principles, circuit design and equipment, radio signal transmission
and propagation, digital and analog modulation and protocols, antennas
and transmission lines, and construction practices. The Handbook is
updated every year, and this new edition includes many new projects
and topics. These include:
A simple SLA float charger project by John Boal, K9JEB
Amateur Radio data platforms by Paul Verhage, KD4STH, and Bill Brown,
WB8ELK
The latest information on the WSJT-X digital suite by the WSJT
Development Team
Filter and circuit design software by Tonne Software and Jim Tonne,
W4ENE
Low-noise VHF and UHF oscillators by Ulrich Rohde, N1UL, and Ajay
Poddar, AC2KG
Update on Solar Cycle 24 by Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA
Updated SSTV practices and technology by Larry Peterson, WA9TT
Designing dual-band loaded dipoles by David Birnbaum, K2LYV
Latest transceiver survey by Joel Hallas, W1ZR
Updated component tables
State-of-the-art guidelines for SDR (software-defined radio) design
Both editions include a unique download code, so you can download and
install a fully searchable digital edition of the printed book, as
well as expanded supplemental content, software, PC board templates,
and other support files.
The Handbook Six-Volume Boxed Set, ARRL Item No. 0895, ISBN
978-1-62595-089-5, is $64.95 retail. The Handbook soft-cover edition,
ARRL Item No. 0888, ISBN 978-1-62595-088-8, is $49.95 retail. Order
from the ARRL Store, from your ARRL Dealer, or call (860) 594-0355 or
toll-free in the US, (888) 277-5289. Shipping in early October.
The Handbook Kindle edition comes in six separate volumes,
automatically delivered to your Kindle, starting on October 8, $9.99
per volume (Vol 1, Vol 2, Vol 3, Vol 4, Vol 5, Vol 6).
ARRL Foundation Invites Scholarship Applications for 2019-2020
Academic Year
The ARRL Foundation will begin accepting scholarship applications on
October 1 from eligible radio amateurs planning to pursue
post-secondary education in the 2019-2020 academic year. Completed
applications must be received by January 31, 2019. Individuals and
clubs support many of the more than 80 scholarships, ranging from $500
to $5,000, that are awarded annually. Applicants for all scholarships
must be active radio amateurs and must complete and submit the online
application.
"The ARRL Foundation Board of Directors is honored to be able to
continue to offer scholarships to assist Amateur Radio operators in
offsetting the costs of higher education," said ARRL Foundation
Secretary and ARRL Development Manager Lauren Clarke, KB1YDD. "All
ARRL Foundation scholarships are made possible by individuals or
clubs, and we are grateful for their support."
Students planning to apply for 2019-2020 academic year awards should
first carefully review the eligibility requirements and scholarship
descriptions. Although only one application per applicant is required,
applicants may ask to be considered for as many of the scholarships
for which they are eligible (some scholarships have geographic
criteria or other requirements). Check off only the scholarships for
which you would like to be considered. In addition to completing the
online application, applicants must submit a PDF of their academic
transcript from their most recently completed school year (emailed to
foundation@arrl.org).
Applications are due on January 31, 2019, by 11:59 PM ET. Applications
without accompanying transcripts will not be considered. Awards
winners are typically notified in mid-May by USPS mail and email.
For more information about ARRL Foundation scholarships, email the
ARRL Foundation or call (860) 594-0348.
HamSCI Expanding to the Southern Hemisphere
The South African Radio League (SARL) and AMSAT-SA are taking the ham
radio/citizen scientist concept to the Southern Hemisphere. The new
organization will be known as Amateur Radio Science Citizen
Investigation, or HamSCI SA, and will be based on the successful
HamSCI now operating in the US and the UK. The HamSCI concept was
developed by American scientist-radio amateurs who study the upper
atmosphere and space physics. According to a recent ee publishers
article by Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV, HamSCI SA will be a
platform for publicizing and promoting projects that advance
scientific research and understanding through Amateur Radio
activities, encourage the development of new technologies to support
such research, and providing educational opportunities for the amateur
community and the general public, with a focus on youth.
"Hans van de Groenendaal interviewed both Phil Erickson, W1PJE, and me
over Skype a few months ago," HamSCI's Nathaniel Frissel, W2NAF, told
ARRL. "I'm quite happy that they are doing this."
The South African umbrella association will link up with scientists in
various electronics and physics disciplines to enhance research
opportunities. SARL and AMSAT-SA currently are involved in 5 MHz
propagation research, and a study of the rapid increases in the RF
noise floor, its causes and possible mitigation, plus the possible
mitigation of noise pollution that could ultimately render the radio
spectrum useless, particularly for weak-signal communication.
HamSCI SA will provide a platform to foster collaborations between
professional researchers and radio amateurs. "It will assist in
developing and maintaining standards and agreements between all people
and organizations involved," van de Groenendaal wrote. "HamSCI SA will
not perform research on its own. Rather, it will support other
research programs such as the SARL's 5 MHz propagation study, the RF
noises monitoring projects, and programs funded by structures such as
the National Research Foundation."
SARL and AMSAT SA have invited interested individuals to join the
HamSCI SA initiative and offer their expertise.
"It will work two ways," remarked SARL President Nico van Rensburg,
ZS6QL. "It will create interesting activities for radio amateurs, in
particularly for the new generation of young people who have been
bitten by the 'radio bug' but need more challenges than just
communications. For the scientific community it means that they can
involve many more people in their projects and make a contribution to
make science popular."
In the US, HamSCI's first major project was to study the effects on
the ionosphere of the August 2017 solar eclipse, the path of which
traversed the continental US and caused large-scale changes in
ionospheric densities.
Sweden's Telecommunications Regulatory Agency to Require Fee to Run
More than 200 W
Effective on November 1, radio amateurs in Sweden who want to run more
than 200 W PEP in certain Amateur Radio allocations will have to apply
for a transmitter license to do so. Sweden's telecoms agency PTS has
announced a modified listing of license-free transmitters that spells
out the changes for Amateur Radio and other services. Sweden
eliminated Amateur Radio licenses in 2004, and Amateur Radio in Sweden
is "permission free," but prospective radio amateurs still must pass
an examination. A certificate and a call sign, valid for life, are
issued without any future fees. Up until now, the maximum permitted
power on most HF bands has been 1 kW with no additional authorization
required.
"It will be interesting to see how many active [Swedish] operators
will apply for high-power permits," said Henryk Kotowski, SM0JHF, who
alerted ARRL to the release of the official PTS order. "I will not.
There is a general trend to use less power and smarter, efficient
modes."
Under the amended regulations, radio amateurs would have to apply for
permission to run more than 200 W on 160 (1,810 - 1,850 kHz only), 80,
40, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, and 2 meters, as well as 70 centimeters, and
the 1.2, 5.6, 10, 24, 47 GHz, and higher Amateur Radio allocations.
Power restrictions would continue to apply on the 2,200 and 630-meter
bands (1 W ERP), on certain segments of 160 meters, and on 60 meters
(15 W EIRP), 30 meters (150 W PEP), and 6 meters (200 W PEP). The new
regulations would require contesting and moonbounce enthusiasts to
register their fixed installations in order to use a high-power
amplifier. The fee to register to operate with more than 200 W PEP
would be approximately $32 US.
Permits will be issued for 3 years and renewed automatically, assuming
the conditions for granting the permit are still met and comply with
all rules. Individuals or clubs may register up to five different
fixed locations.
In Brief...
The VP6D Ducie Island 2018 DXpedition October 20 through November 3
will use DXA to post contacts on a near real-time basis. "Bob
Schmieder, KK6EK, of Cordell Expeditions, offered the use of DXA, and
we gladly accepted," the DXpedition said in a news update this week.
"Within 60 seconds of your contact with VP6D, the browser page is
automatically updated to show your call sign; this confirms that your
contact is in the log (DXA reads the VP6D log). This process
eliminates the need for duplicate contacts on the same band/mode and
minimizes the confusion caused by pirates or other DXpeditions
operating at the same time." The DXpedition leaders said they
performed an end-to-end test of the DXA system, and expressed
confidence that DXA "will significantly reduce, or eliminate, the
hundreds of emails asking for 'log checks.' If you see your call sign
on DXA, you're in the log." The VP6D Ducie Island 2018 DXpedition will
continue through November 3. The VP6D team also plans to put Ducie
Island on 6-meter moonbounce for the first time ever. Operation will
be on 50.200 MHz using JT65.
Amateur Radio retailer Radio City, Inc. of Mounds View, Minnesota, has
announced it is closing. "It's been a wonderful 36 years for us at
Radio City, and we have decided to retire and close," owners Dan,
KB0XC, and Maline Fish said in a message on the retailer's website.
"We are so thankful for the many years of support, and we have enjoyed
working with you, our customers. The technical, intelligent, and
polite conversations plus advice have been invigorating, thus making
this decision extremely difficult for us." The Fishes said they will
shut down by year's end, "or a bit sooner, as we empty our shelves of
new and used materials." Their last stop on a "final goodbye tour"
will be Fallfest in Carlton, Minnesota, on September 29. A goodbye
party is set for October 6 at the store.
AMSAT has announced the results of its 2018 Board of Directors
election. AMSAT-NA has announced that Tom Clark, K3IO; Mark Hammond,
N8MH, and Bruce Paige, KK5DO, have won new 2-year terms on the AMSAT
Board of Directors. The First Alternate is Peter Portanova, W2JV. The
Second Alternate is Scott Harvey, KA7FVV. Both will serve 1-year
terms. The results of the voting, with 698 ballots cast, were: Tom
Clark, K3IO, 574; Mark Hammond, N8MH, 507; Bruce Paige, KK5DO, 402,
Peter Portanova, W2JV, 359, and Scott Harvey, KA7FVV, 176. -- Thanks
to AMSAT-NA Manager Martha Saragovitz and AMSAT Secretary Clayton
Coleman, W5PFG
The Larkfield Amateur Radio Club (LARC) in Huntington, New York,
provided communication support for the 41st Northport Great Cow Harbor
10K / 2K Run on September 15. The nonprofit event is held in
cooperation with various community organizations. LARC members
provided communications from the starting point, at various positions
along the course, and at the finish line. One LARC radio operator
equipped with a radio took part in the race, and an EMT-radio amateur
rode a Northport Fire Department Gator that traveled the course. A net
control station with two radio operators was established to monitor
and direct all communications and to contact EMTs when needed. Three
medical needs that occurred during the event were swiftly resolved.
Eighteen LARC members participated, assisted by two members of the
Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club (GSBARC).
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: The sun has continued spotless over
the past week, and as of September 26, it's been 2 weeks with no
sunspots. The average daily solar flux declined from 68.6 to 67.9. The
average planetary A index increased from 9.7 to 10.9, while the
average mid-latitude A index declined from 8.3 to 7.9.
Predicted solar flux is 68 on September 27 - October 2; 70 on October
3 - 10; 68 on October 11 - 28; 70 on October 29 - November 6, and 68
on November 7 - 10.
Predicted planetary A index is 5 on September 27 - 30; 8 and 12 on
October 1 - 2; 5 on October 3 - 6; 20, 35, and 10 on October 7 - 9;
18, 15, and 8 on October 10 - 12; 5, 10, and 8 on October 13 - 15; 5
on October 16 - 17; 10 and 25 on October 18 - 19; 15 on October 20 -
21; 10 and 8 on October 22 - 23; 5 on October 24 - 27; 10 and 12 on
October 28 - 29; 5 on October 30 - November 2; 20, 35, 10, and 18 on
November 3 - 6, and 15, 8, 5, and 10 on November 7 - 10.
Sunspot numbers for September 20 - 26 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, and 0,
with a mean of 0. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 66.6, 66.9, 67.9, 68.4,
68.6, 67.6, and 69, with a mean of 67.9. Estimated planetary A indices
were 2, 9, 27, 12, 7, 11, and 8, with a mean of 10.9. Estimated
mid-latitude A indices were 2, 6, 20, 9, 5, 7, and 6, with a mean of
7.9.
Share your reports or propagation observations.
Just Ahead in Radiosport
September 29 -- Feld Hell Sprint
September 29-30 -- ARRL EME Contest (CW, phone, digital)
September 29-30 -- CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY
September 29-30 -- Texas QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
September 30 -- Classic Exchange (Phone)
October 1-7 -- IQRP Quarterly Marathon (CW, phone, digital)
October 2 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
October 3 -- German Telegraphy Contest
October 3 -- 432 MHz Fall Sprint
October 3 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (Phone)
October 4 -- SARL 80-Meter QSO Party (Phone)
October 4 -- NRAU 10-Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
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.
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
September 28-29 -- Wisconsin State Convention, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
September 28-30 -- Mid-Atlantic States VHF Conference, Bensalem,
Pennsylvania
September 29 -- North Dakota State Convention, West Fargo, North
Dakota
October 7 -- Iowa Section Convention, West Liberty, Iowa
October 11-14 -- Microwave Update Convention, Fairborn, Ohio
October 12-13 -- Pacific Northwest VHF Conference, Seaside, Oregon
October 13 -- Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference, Wisconsin Rapids,
Wisconsin
October 19-20 -- New Mexico State Convention, Socorro, New Mexico
October 19-21 -- Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, California
October 20 -- Tennessee State Convention, East Ridge, Tennessee
October 21 -- Connecticut State Convention, Meriden, Connecticut
November 3-4 -- Georgia Section Convention, Lawrenceville, Georgia
November 10 -- Alabama Section Convention, Montgomery, Alabama
November 10 -- HamJam 2018 Convention, Alpharetta, Georgia
November 17-18 -- Central Division Convention, Fort Wayne, Indiana
December 1 -- Arkansas DX Association Conference, North Little Rock,
Arkansas
December 7-8 -- West Central Florida Section Convention, Plant City,
Florida
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 (bi-weekly 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.
NNNN
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
