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The ARRL Letter February 13, 2020
- ARRL Board of Directors Re-Elects President Rick Roderick, K5UR
- ARRL Board Grants Awards and Recognitions
- ARRL Creates New HF Band Planning Discussion Group
- ARRL Podcasts Schedule
- New ARRL Repeater Directory Now Shipping
- The ARRL International DX Contest (CW) Is Just Ahead
- The K7RA Solar Update
- Just Ahead in Radiosport
- QRZ.com Ends Identity Verified Program
- Foundation for Amateur Radio Invites 2020 - 2021 Scholarship Applications
- In Brief
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL Headquarters Will Be Closed for Presidents Day, Monday, February 17.
There will be no W1AW bulletin or code practice transmissions on that day.
Headquarters will reopen on Tuesday, February 18, at 8 AM EST.
ARRL Board of Directors Re-Elects President Rick Roderick, K5UR
---------------------------------------------------------------
Meeting January 17 - 18 in Windsor, Connecticut, the ARRL Board of Directors
re-elected ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, to a third 2-year term.
Roderick outpolled the only other nominee, Pacific Division Director Jim
Tiemstra, K6JAT, 8 - 7. New England Division Vice Director Mike Raisbeck,
K1TWF, was elected First Vice President, succeeding Greg Widin, K0GW, who
did not seek another term. Raisbeck was the sole nominee. A successor will
be appointed to fill the Vice Director seat that Raisbeck has vacated. Bob
Vallio, W6RGG, was re-elected as Second Vice President as the only nominee.
On a 9 - 6 vote, the Board voted not to re-elect Howard Michel, WB2ITX, as
Chief Executive Officer. Michel was in the post for 15 months. Former ARRL
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer Barry Shelley, N1VXY,
has come out of retirement to serve as interim ARRL CEO. He also was elected
as Secretary. Shelley was ARRL's CFO for 28 years and served as CEO during
2018 before his retirement, following the departure of former CEO Tom
Gallagher, NY2RF. The ARRL Board has appointed a committee to spearhead the
search for a new CEO. That panel will screen suitable CEO candidates,
presenting three to the Board for consideration.
In other action, former ARRL President and IARU Secretary Rod Stafford,
W6ROD, was elected International Affairs Vice President, succeeding Jay
Bellows, K0QB, who did not seek another term. Also re-elected by the Board
were Treasurer Rick Niswander, K7GM, and Chief Financial Officer Diane
Middleton, W2DLM.
Elected as members of the Executive Committee were Atlantic Division
Director Tom Abernethy, W3TOM; Central Division Director Kermit Carlson,
W9XA; Roanoke Division Director Bud Hippisley, W2RU; New England Division
Director Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, and Great Lakes Division Director Dale
Williams, WA8EFK. The Executive Committee addresses and makes decisions
regarding ARRL business that may arise between scheduled Board meetings.
Hudson Division Director Ria Jairam, N2RJ, was elected as a member of the
ARRL Foundation Board for a 3-year term. Tim Duffy, K3LR, and Jim
Fenstermaker, K9JF, were elected to the Foundation Board for 3-year terms as
non-ARRL Board members.
Relief From Private Land-Use Restrictions
The Ad Hoc Legislative Advocacy Committee provided the Board with drafts
outlining three legislative approaches to address relief for radio amateurs
facing private land-use restrictions impacting outdoor antennas. The Board
signed off on the draft legislative approaches "as presented and possibly
modified" and directed the committee "to proceed to obtain congressional
sponsorship, employing any of these three approaches and using its best
judgment on any alterations or modifications that our advisors or sponsors
may require or suggest."
HF Band Planning
Outgoing chair of the HF Band Planning Committee Greg Widin, K0GW, presented
the panel's report and entertained questions. Board members noted that staff
turnover and funding limitations at the FCC might impact ARRL's efforts to
tweak the bands. The Board agreed that ARRL would post the report and
solicit comments from members on it.
Contests and Operating Awards
The Board approved raising the maximum number of contacts a Field Day GOTA
station can make to 1,000. It amended the ARRL RTTY Roundup rules to add
Multi-Two and Multi-Multi categories and to permit multioperator stations to
operate for the entire contest period, and it divided entry categories into
RTTY only, Digital only (i.e., no RTTY), and Mixed (both RTTY and digital).
Matt Holden, K0BBC, presented the DX Advisory Committee report, telling the
Board that the panel engaged in extensive discussion on a proposal to change
the 5-Band DXCC award from the current required band to offer credit for any
five bands. The committee unanimously rejected the proposal.
ARRL Elections
The Board revised rules governing ARRL Division and Section Manager
elections to clarify some terminology, to extend the campaign period from
the call for nominations to the deadline for ballots received, and to make
other miscellaneous changes. Revisions will become effective by February 15,
2020.
In the interest of "openness and fairness," the Board also approved a
measure that would offer candidates and members an opportunity to be present
during the counting of ballots. Candidates may also designate one ARRL
member to attend as a surrogate if they're unable to observe ballot
counting, or to accompany them at the count. The Board further approved an
amendment to permit ARRL members, upon petition, to travel at their own
expense to witness the counting of ballots from their Division.
The Board charged the Programs and Services Committee to consider changes to
the ARRL By-Laws that would give members, upon petition, the opportunity to
attend the public portion of the Annual Meeting in January. The number of
members permitted to attend would be subject to available space and fire
code regulations.
Public Service Enhancement Working Group Chair, Roanoke Division Director
Bud Hippisley, W2RU, reported that with field adoption of the 2019 ARES Plan
now under way, the group is putting increased focus on the National Traffic
System, including plans for dialog with representatives of Radio Relay
International.
Reduced Dues for Younger Applicants
The Board approved an amendment giving the CEO discretion to raise the
eligibility age for reduced full ARRL membership dues from 22 to 26,
provided the rate not be less than one-half of the established rate. In
addition, the Board approved the establishment of a reduced-rate,
revenue-neutral Life Membership for individuals age 70 or older, with
cumulative annual membership of 25 years or more, at an initial rate of
$750. Headquarters staff will work out the administrative details of the
program, subject to approval of the Administration and Finance Committee.
The Board also agreed to allow for a "digital-only" access membership, at
the discretion of the CEO, discounted no more than 10% from the established
dues rate.
Other Business
In other business, the Board:
Approved a grant of $500 to the Youth on the Air (YOTA) in the Americas
program, which is sponsoring a camp in June for young radio amateurs. Neil
Rapp, WB9VPG, a former ARRL Youth Coordinator, is heading the initiative,
which is funded through the non-profit Electronic Applications Radio Service
Inc.
Authorized creation of an Emergency Management Director Selection
Committee, with its chair and members to be named by the president.
The minutes of the January Annual Meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors are
posted on the ARRL website.
ARRL Board Grants Awards and Recognitions
-----------------------------------------
Meeting January 17 - 18, the ARRL Board of Directors bestowed several
honors, awards, and recognitions. The Board conferred:
The ARRL President's Award to David H. Bernstein, AA6YQ, in recognition
of "exemplary, outstanding, and continuing service" to ARRL and its members
as part of the ARRL Logbook of The World team. Bernstein was a charter
member of the ARRL Logbook Committee and a "founding, influential, and
devoted member" of the Committee on Communication with ARRL Members.
The 2019 Bill Leonard, W2SKE, Professional Media Award for Audio
Reporting to Roman Battaglia and the associated producer and staff of
Jefferson Public Radio in Oregon. Battaglia produced a feature story on
amateur radio emergency services in and around the Jefferson Public Radio
listening area.
The 2019 Bill Leonard, W2SKE, Professional Media Award for Print
Reporting to Zack Plair and the Columbus and Starkville Dispatch in
Mississippi. Plair wrote a feature for the paper describing how amateur
radio has proven fulfilling to various participants, including new and
experienced radio amateurs.
The 2019 Bill Leonard, W2SKE, Professional Media Award for Video
Reporting to reporter Jim Altman and affiliated producers and staff of Fox
61 News in Hartford, Connecticut. Altman's report, "American Radio Relay
League Ready for Hurricane Season," focused on ARRL's participation in a May
2019 emergency drill conducted in association with the American Red Cross.
The Board recognized and thanked the Delaware Valley Radio Association of
New Jersey and the Clark County Amateur Radio Club of Vancouver, Washington,
for their 90 years of assistance in fulfilling the ARRL mission of,
"advancing the art, science, and enjoyment of amateur radio within their
community."
The Board bestowed the honor of Honorary Vice President on John B. "Jay"
Bellows, K0QB, and on Greg Widin, K0GW, in recognition of their outstanding
contributions to ARRL and amateur radio.
ARRL Creates New HF Band Planning Discussion Group
--------------------------------------------------
ARRL has created a new HF Band Planning Discussion Group. HF Band Planning
Committee Chair Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, will moderate the group, which will
focus on the ARRL HF Band Planning Committee's recommendations and other
band-planning activities. Earlier this month, the ARRL HF Band Planning
Committee invited comments and suggestions from the amateur radio community
on its report to the ARRL Board.
At the Board's January meeting, the committee presented its specific
recommendations in graphical form for each HF band and US license class,
with the goal of increasing harmony on the HF bands, particularly between CW
and digital users.
Those responding to the initial call for comments and suggestions are
encouraged to cross-post their remarks to the new HF Band Planning
Discussion Group.
ARRL Podcasts Schedule
----------------------
The second episode of ARRL's "On the Air" podcast is now available. Topics
focus on building the ground-plane antenna featured in the first issue of On
the Air magazine, a discussion of open-wire feed lines, and an interview
with a relatively new public service volunteer. New "On the Air" podcast
episodes are available each month.
The inaugural episode of ARRL's new "Eclectic Tech" podcast is now
available. The first episode includes a discussion of amateur radio activity
on the Qatar-OSCAR 100 satellite, an interview with Assistant ARRL Lab
Manager Bob Allison, WB1GCM, about handheld transceiver testing at Dayton
Hamvention and other conventions, and an interview with Carl Luetzelschwab,
K9LA, about propagation conditions.
Both podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android) as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.
New ARRL Repeater Directory Now Shipping
----------------------------------------
The 2020 ARRL Repeater Directory© is now shipping. It includes
"crowdsourced" listings contributed by users, repeater owners, and volunteer
frequency coordinators. This means more listings that are updated more
often. With 21,000 listings, it's the most complete printed directory of
on-the-air repeaters, covering repeater systems throughout the US and Canada.
Repeater systems are listed by state/province, city, and operating mode.
Digital repeater systems included are System Fusion, D-Star, DMR, NXDN, and
P25 systems. It is available in one size -- 6 ž 9 inches -- with a
convenient lay-flat spiral binding. The cover includes space to personalize
your directory, so you can make it yours.
Pages of supplemental information include VHF/UHF and microwave band plans,
and repeater operating practices. For decades, The ARRL Repeater Directory
has been an invaluable source for locating repeater frequencies while
traveling. New hams often use the Repeater Directory to find local activity
after purchasing a new handheld radio, and public service volunteers keep a
copy nearby or in their emergency "go kit."
Order the 2020 ARRL Repeater Directory from the ARRL Store, or find an ARRL
publication dealer. Order ARRL Item No. 1267, ISBN: 978-1-62595-126-7,
$19.95 retail. For additional questions or ordering, call 860-594-0355, or,
toll free in the US, 888-277-5289.
Repeater listings appearing in The ARRL Repeater Directory© are provided by
RFinder Inc. If a repeater has been omitted, or if a listing is inaccurate,
contact RFinder directly.
The ARRL International DX Contest (CW) Is Just Ahead
----------------------------------------------------
The CW weekend of the always-exciting ARRL International DX Contest kicks
off this weekend, February 15 - 16 (UTC). This event is a huge opportunity
for new, casual, and seasoned radiosport enthusiasts to enjoy the thrill of
working some new DX entities.
The terrific part is that DX stations work only US and Canada and not each
other. So, the DX operators need your contact for points.
You don't need a powerhouse contest station to join in the fun. It's
possible to work DX with simple wire dipole antennas and 100 W.
Participating in the ARRL International DX Contest is a whole lot of fun and
can really help build your DXCC totals and QSL collections.
Complete details are available via the ARRL Contests web page. The ARRL
International DX Contest phone weekend is March 7 - 8 (UTC).
The K7RA Solar Update
---------------------
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: No sunspots appeared during the reporting
week, February 6 - 12. Average daily solar flux declined by more than 1
point to 71.1. Average planetary A index increased from 6.7 to 8.3.
Predicted solar flux for the next 45 days is 72 on February 13 - 20; 73 on
February 21 - 22; 74 on February 23 - 29; 72 on March 1 - 3; 71 on March 4 -
11; 72 on March 12 - 18; 73 on March 19 - 20; 74 on March 21 - 27, and 72 on
March 28.
Predicted planetary A index is 5 on February 13 - 16; 8 on February 17 - 20;
5 on February 21 - 24; 10 on February 25 - 26; 5 on February 27 - 29; 8 on
March 1 - 3; 5 on March 4 - 22; 10 on March 23 - 24; 5 on March 25 - 27, and
8 on March 28.
Sunspot numbers for February 6 - 12 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, and 0, with a
mean of 0. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 71.3, 70.8, 72, 70.6, 70.2, 71.1,
and 71.6, with a mean of 71.1. Estimated planetary A indices were 15, 15, 6,
7, 5, 6, and 4, with a mean of 8.3. Middle latitude A index was 13, 11, 4,
5, 4, 6, and 4, with a mean of 6.7.
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 14 -- PODXS 070 Club Valentine Sprint (Digital)
February 15 -- Feld Hell Sprint
February 15 - 16 -- ARRL International DX Contest (CW)
February 15 - 16 -- Russian PSK WW Contest
February 15 - 16 -- AWA Amplitude Modulation QSO Party
February 17 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
February 19 -- AGCW Semi-Automatic Key Evening
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.
QRZ.com Ends Identity Verified Program
--------------------------------------
The popular QRZ.com amateur radio website has dropped its verified member
program, which the site instituted last year in an effort to combat fraud
and password phishers. Termination of the program was due to "a number of
factors," the site's founder and president Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ, explained in a
post. Lloyd said the change will "transition our online swapmeet rules to
reflect more open policies." The site had offered the option of establishing
two-factor authentication (2FA) for its registered users, which would secure
a user's password on the site. The site introduced two-factor authentication
last June, and the verified member program later.
"While two-factor authentication has worked very well, the identity verified
program hasn't worked as well as we'd hoped. There has been a net decrease
in swapmeet traffic, primarily due to members not wishing to take the extra
steps to get verified. The swapmeet did seem to get safer, but also notably
quieter. The forum has lost some of the excitement that it used to be known
for."
Lloyd said the identity verified program was designed to provide an extra
level of confidence to swapmeet participants, but "in practical terms, its
validation methods were not sustainable." Not only was it an administrative
burden, Lloyd explained, but the majority of its participants were only
complying reluctantly. "The bottom line is that it's been unpopular," he said.
Lloyd said that by dropping the identity verified requirement, QRZ expects
to see an increase in equipment listings and greater participation.
Individuals listing equipment will still need to provide photos of actual
items for sale, and photos must include the seller's call sign. Only ham
members -- those having a listed call sign page -- may sell in the swapmeet.
Those perusing the listings will generally be allowed to post comments or
questions about any listing, Lloyd said. Read more.
Foundation for Amateur Radio Invites 2020 - 2021 Scholarship Applications
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Foundation for Amateur Radio Inc. (FAR) has invited applications for the
2020 - 2021 academic year for the scholarships it administers. Applications
must be submitted via the online form. Several questions ask for essay
responses. The deadline for initial submissions is April 30, 2020.
Applicants may amend their applications until May 7.
All applicants must hold a valid amateur radio license and be enrolled or
accepted for enrollment at an accredited university, college, or technical
school. Applicants attending school outside the US must provide a brochure
describing the school. Students do not apply for specific scholarships; each
application will be considered for all of the scholarships for which the
applicant is qualified. Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA)
scholarships and the Chichester Memorial Scholarship all require
recommendations to be awarded.
Data entered onto the application goes directly into an encrypted,
password-protected PDF file available only to the review committee. No part
of the application is stored online.
More information is available on the FAR website, or contact Dave Prestel,
W8AJR, telephone 443-812-4403.
In Brief
--------
The FCC has invited comments on a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in
WT Docket 19-138, which said the FCC would take "a fresh and comprehensive
look" at the rules for the 5.9 GHz band. The FCC proposes to make 5.850 -
5.895 GHz available for unlicensed operations and to authorize
transportation-related communication technologies to use 5.895 - 5.925 GHz.
The FCC is not proposing to delete or otherwise amend the 5-centimeter
secondary amateur radio allocation at 5.650 - 5.925 GHz, part of which
includes the 75 megahertz under consideration. Comments are due by March 6,
and reply comments are due by April 6. ARRL will be filing comments
supporting no change to 5.850 - 5.925 GHz for amateurs, as included in the
FCC proposal.
Successful 47 GHz Amateur Radio Moonbounce Test Reported. Mitsuo Kasai,
JA1WQF, successfully decoded a 47 GHz signal bounced off the moon on
February 10 by Al Ward, W5LUA. More tests are planned. Ward posted news of
the achievement on the Moon-Net email reflector. "These were one-way tests,
with only me transmitting," he said in his post. "I started out by sending
single tones to Mitsuo, which he copied well, and then sent several
sequences of calls and grid. Mitsuo was able to decode calls and my grid at
1146 UTC and 1234 UTC. Signal levels were -23 dB and -25 dB." Ward noted
that the first EME (Earth-moon-Earth) contact on 47 GHz took place in early
2005. "More 47 GHz tests are being run in the next few days with Manfred
Ploetz, DL7YC," he said. "We hope for similar success."
Two Winlink development team members were recently awarded the Military
Department of Tennessee Adjutant General's Distinguished Patriot Medal.
Steve Waterman, K4CJX, was awarded "for his distinguished patriotic service
as the Winlink Network Administrator," citing his "vision, hard work, and
dedication to emergency communication [that] contributed significantly to
the disaster readiness and communications interoperability of the emergency
responders across the United States and the world." Phil Sherrod, W4PHS, was
awarded the medal "for his distinguished patriotic service as the lead
developer for Winlink," with "technical skill, hard work, and dedication to
emergency communication [that] contributed significantly to the disaster
readiness and communications interoperability of the emergency responders
across the United States and the world."
US Marines with Information Group II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MIG)
participated in an amateur radio general licensing course. The course was
conducted on base January 27 - 31 as part of the group's High Frequency
Auxiliary Initiative. Members of the Brightleaf Amateur Radio Club of
Greenville, North Carolina, helped the Marines in the class learn the
principles of HF radio operations as a contingency against a peer-to-peer
adversary in real-world operations. During the course, Marines learned ham
radio theory, band allocations, conventional and field-expedient antenna
theory, and general ham radio operation and control. II MIG Commanding
Officer Colonel Jordan Walzer created the High Frequency Auxiliary
Initiative after recognizing the need for additional options in combat
environments. "Right now, our adversaries are aggressively pursuing
counter-space weapons to target our satellites and ground stations," Walzer
is quoted in the article. "If our satellites get knocked out, what do we do
then? [High frequency] radio has been around for well over a century and is
still used today. Why? Because it's a reliable, low-cost alternative to
satellite communications. With the right training and education, a Marine
with a radio and some slash wire can communicate over-the-horizon for long
distances, even between continents."
Initial reports indicate considerable interest among amateurs in tracking
and capturing data from the newly deployed HuskySat-1. The satellite,
designed at the University of Washington, was launched to the International
Space Station last November and subsequently deployed into a higher orbit
from the ISS on January 31, and began telemetry transmissions on 435.800
MHz. HuskySat-1's 1,200 bps BPSK beacon is active and decodable with the
latest release of AMSAT's FoxTelem software. The HuskySat-1 CubeSat will
demonstrate onboard plasma propulsion and high-gain telemetry for low-Earth
orbit that would be a precursor for an attempt at a larger CubeSat designed
for orbital insertion at the moon. HuskySat-1 is expected to carry out its
primary mission before being turned over to AMSAT for activation of a 30 kHz
wide V/U linear transponder for SSB and CW. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
------------------------------------------------------
February 14 - 15 -- Southwest Division Convention, Yuma, Arizona
February 22 -- Vermont State Convention, Colchester, Vermont
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
March 29 -- Virginia Section Convention, Annandale, Virginia
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.
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