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N9PMO > LETTER 12.12.15 21:42l 572 Lines 25969 Bytes #999 (0) @ ARRL
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Sent: 151212/1935Z 3665@N9PMO.#SEWI.WI.USA.NOAM BPQ1.4.65
IARU Praises WRC-15 Outcome Not to Consider Amateur Bands for
Non-Amateur Satellites
MARS-Amateur Radio Exercise an Overall Success
Amateur Radio Volunteers Respond to Flood Emergency in Southern India
ARRL International Humanitarian Award Nominations Due by December 31
UK Astronaut's "Principia" ISS Mission to Highlight Educational
Activities from Space
Scouting's Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) Participation Dips for Third
Year
Amateur Radio Emergency Service Volunteers Assist Cottonmouth 100 Run
in Florida
The ARRL 10 Meter Contest is on Deck
Polish Radio Amateur Traveling to North Korea in Advance of Proposed
Operation
The Netherlands Opens 100 kHz Band at 5 MHz
Yasme Foundation Announces Excellence Award to Logging Software Team
Ham Radio Outlet Founder Robert G. Ferrero, W6RJ, SK
The K7RA Solar Update
Just Ahead in Radiosport
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
IARU Praises WRC-15 Outcome Not to Consider Amateur Bands for
Non-Amateur Satellites
The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) has welcomed the
exclusion of all existing Amateur and Amateur-Satellite frequency
allocations from bands under possible consideration at World
Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19) for non-amateur satellite
use. WRC-15 last month in Geneva recommended WRC-19 Agenda Item 1.7
regarding spectrum studies for short-mission satellites; it removes
from consideration the Amateur-Satellite allocations at 2 meters and
70 centimeters.
"This is an excellent result for the amateur services and clearly
shows that non-amateur satellite constructors need to consider
spectrum other than the very limited and congested segments that are
available for amateur satellites at 144 MHz and 435 MHz," said IARU
President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA.
Agenda Item 1.7 calls on delegates "to study the spectrum needs for
telemetry, tracking, and command in the space operation service for
non-GSO [geosynchronous] satellites with short-duration missions, to
assess the suitability of existing allocations to the space operation
service and, if necessary, to consider new allocations, in accordance
with Resolution COM6/19 (WRC-15)."
Resolution COM6/19 specifies 150.05-174 MHz and 400.15-420 MHz as the
frequency ranges that may be considered for possible new allocations.
One factor the conference considered in deciding on those particular
frequency ranges was that, contrary to the provisions of the ITU Radio
Regulations defining the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite services, "some
non-amateur satellites have used frequencies for telemetry, tracking,
and command in the frequency bands 144-146 MHz and 435-438 MHz which
are allocated to the Amateur-Satellite Service."
MARS-Amateur Radio Exercise an Overall Success
A 2-day Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) communications exercise
in early November is being considered an overall success, especially
in terms of MARS-ARES cooperation. The November 8-10 exercise was
built around a scenario of a simulated massive coronal mass ejection
(CME) that disrupts conventional communication systems across the US.
Following the simulated CME, MARS stations returned to the air and
received requests for information from the supported Department of
Defense (DoD) organizations asking MARS stations to establish contact
with Amateur Radio operators in as many of the 3142 US counties as
possible. MARS operators were limited primarily to HF NVIS bands and
to VHF and UHF repeaters. Communication between MARS and Amateur Radio
operators was to be made directly, without relying on Internet-linking
capabilities or store-and-forward messaging systems.
"Data analysis following the exercise shows that MARS members
successfully contacted 816 counties across the US (26 percent)," US
Army MARS Program Manager Paul English, WD8DBY, told ARRL. "Amateur
Radio participants in this exercise included individuals, Amateur
Radio Emergency Service (ARES)-affiliated clubs, and the Salvation
Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN), as well as a few state,
county, and city emergency operations centers."
English credited advance publicity given to the exercise by ARRL and
others for MARS exercise planners having received 181 e-mail inquiries
from individual, clubs, and emergency management personnel wanting to
receive more information about the exercise and how they could
participate. English said MARS received inquiries from 41 states,
which included more than 50 ARES groups.
"The purpose of these exercises is to reach beyond interoperability
and focus on our ability to exchange usable and relevant information
from the local level to the national level following a crisis event,"
English explained. "Only through the cooperation among MARS and the
larger Amateur Radio community (individuals, ARES, RACES, SATERN, etc)
can we hope to achieve that synergy." Read more.
Amateur Radio Volunteers Respond to Flood Emergency in Southern India
In the wake of severe flooding in Southern India resulting from
several days of torrential downpours earlier this month, volunteer
radio amateurs jumped in to provide emergency communication and other
disaster assistance. Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI) President
Gopal Madhavan, VU2GMN, said hams swung into action soon after flood
waters -- 3 to 4 meters deep in some places -- overwhelmed India's
fourth-largest city, Chennai, and the surrounding region. Power
outages in many parts of the affected area hampered Amateur Radio
relief operations, and some radio amateurs were caught in the
flooding. Hams with emergency power were able to pitch in, however,
via two local repeaters. An HF network remained on standby. Local
hams, several belonging to the South India Amateur Radio Society
(SIARS) in Chennai, contributed to relief and rescue operations,
working in part with ALERT, a non-governmental relief organization.
"Once it became possible to move, hams started going out assisting
with delivery of food and water to stranded individuals and assisting
with rescue from tall buildings, where people were trapped," Madhavan
said. ARSI National Coordinator for Disaster Communication Jayu Bhide,
VU2JAU, said the flooding was one of the city's worst disasters and
was unexpected in a metropolitan area. Most of the cell phone network,
Internet, and other communication systems were knocked out due to
power failure and flooding.
The Indian Navy was active in rescuing flood victims. [Indian Navy
photo]
The emergency network supported communication for distributing food,
tracing missing people, and providing other assistance as needed. With
the conventional communication infrastructure disrupted, ham radio was
a mainstay. The flooding also cut off access to several bridges,
dividing the city.
Bhide said this week that Chennai is slowly recovering as the flood
waters recede, but recovery is expected to take a long time. More than
300 people were reported to have died as a result of the disaster. --
Thanks to Jayu Bhide, VU2JAU, Jim Linton, VK3PC, and Gopal Madhavan,
VU2GMN
Ad
ARRL International Humanitarian Award Nominations Due by December 31
The deadline to submit nominations for the 2015 ARRL International
Humanitarian Award is Thursday, December 31. The award is conferred
upon an amateur or group of amateurs who demonstrate devotion to human
welfare, peace, and international understanding through Amateur Radio.
The League established the annual prize to recognize Amateur Radio
operators who have used ham radio to provide extraordinary service to
others in times of crisis or disaster. A committee appointed by the
League's President is now accepting nominations from Amateur Radio,
governmental, or other organizations that have benefited from
extraordinary service rendered by an Amateur Radio operator or group.
The ARRL International Humanitarian Award recognizes Amateur Radio's
unique role in international communication and the assistance amateurs
regularly provide to people in need.
Nominations should include a summary of the nominee's actions that
qualify the individual (or individuals) for this award, plus verifying
statements from at least two people having first-hand knowledge of the
events warranting the nomination. These statements may be from an
official of a group (for example, the American Red Cross, The
Salvation Army, a local or state emergency management official) that
benefited from the nominee's particular Amateur Radio contribution.
Nominations should include the names and addresses of all references.
All nominations and supporting materials for the 2015 ARRL
International Humanitarian Award must be submitted in writing in
English to ARRL International Humanitarian Award, 225 Main St,
Newington, CT 06111 USA.
The winner of the ARRL International Humanitarian Award receives an
engraved plaque and a profile in QST and other ARRL venues.
UK Astronaut's "Principia" ISS Mission to Highlight Educational
Activities from Space
National pride is at a "Peake" in the UK, as European Space Agency
Astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI, counts down the days until he launches
from Kazakhstan to the International Space Station (ISS). The
English-born Peake -- a former British Army Air Corps officer and
helicopter pilot -- will lift off aboard a Soyuz spacecraft on
December 15 as part of the Expedition 46 crew. Through his Principia
Mission, Peake will dedicate part of his schedule in space to
educational activities for youngsters on Earth. The mission is named
for Isaac Newton's text, Philosophæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica
(Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy). Peake will spend 6
months in orbit on the ISS, mostly working in the Columbus laboratory
module.
UK Astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI, begins his Principia Mission on
December 15.
"I'm extremely proud to say that Mission Pricipia is the largest and
most ambitious educational outreach program of any European space
mission," Peake said in a pre-flight video. In the video, he thanked
the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program,
the UK Space Agency, the ESA, and others on a long list of supporting
educational institutions and organizations. As part of Peake's
educational efforts, a pair of Astro-Pi computers will head separately
to the ISS for use in various sensor experiments. "Send your code to
me, and I'll run it for you onboard the space station," Peake has
invited. He'll also be taking along some seeds to grow in space to
compare the results with similar seeds grown on Earth.
"Also, I'm really looking forward to talking to many schools using the
Amateur Radio system that we have on board the space station," Peake
said, referring to ARISS, in a mission overview video posted on the
Principia Mission website. Working with the UK Space Agency, ARISS is
giving a number of UK schools the opportunity to speak directly with
Peake. Initial ARISS school contacts with Peake at the mic will take
place in January.
Part of the Principia UK team, including Ciaran Morgan, M0XTD, Graham
Shirville, G3VZV, and Noel Matthews, G8GTZ, will be joined by RSGB
General Manager Graham Coomber, G0NBI, at the "Principia Partners"
booth for the official Tim Peake launch party at the London Science
Museum.
Accompanying Peake on his ride to the ISS will be NASA astronaut Tim
Kopra, KE5UDN, and Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, RK3DUP. While
on station, Peake will carry out an intensive schedule of European and
international experiments, in addition to his numerous educational
activities.
Peake, 43, is the first British citizen to be selected as an astronaut
by ESA. Read more.
Scouting's Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) Participation Dips for Third
Year
Despite what the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) called "solid results
from an exciting JOTA weekend," Scout participation for the October
2015 event was reported down by 8 percent from 2014, although the
number of registered stations and station reports remained about the
same. The BSA said 7117 Scouts took part in JOTA 2015. The number of
visitors, at 5138, was also down by 8 percent. The Boy Scouts said
only 60 percent of registered stations -- 208 -- filed a station
report, so the report may represent only part of the activity and
could be updated if additional information comes in. The 346 total
stations registered for JOTA 2015 represented a slight improvement
from 2014, however.
"The total number of Scout councils involved dropped from 149 to 127,"
said the report posted by National Jamboree On The Air Organizer Jim
Wilson, K5ND. "Therein lies our big challenge -- getting the word out
to local Scout councils about the biggest Scouting event in the world
and how they can participate."
Participation took a big jump in 2012, with 18,566 Scouts and
visitors. In 2013, however, participation was down by nearly 4700, and
it slipped further in 2014.
On a more positive note, 208 JOTA-participating stations have filed
reports. That's up 1 percent over last year's event. In all, JOTA
stations worked 106 countries, as 979 Amateur Radio operators put 847
radios on the air to make 8360 contacts -- all up from 2014.
"The most memorable thing was the Scouts who absolutely said they
weren't getting on the air. But when they did, you couldn't pry the
mic out of their hands," said Philip Jacobs, W2GSB, at the K2S JOTA
special event station. "They turned out to be some of the best Scout
ops we had."
The Scouts blamed persistent challenges from propagation, contesting,
a lack of council involvement, and failing to get information to those
who needed it. "Propagation and contesting will remain ongoing
problems. "Changes to the Worked All Germany contest to reserve JOTA
frequencies have been helpful," the Scouts reported. "[We] need to
activate a similar arrangement with USA-based QSO Parties in New York,
Iowa, Illinois, and South Dakota."
Looking ahead to JOTA 2016, the Scouts are planning "consistent,
persistent, and even relentless communication...to increase awareness
of available information."
JOTA 2015 took place over the October 16-18 weekend. Read more.
Ad
Amateur Radio Emergency Service Volunteers Assist Cottonmouth 100 Run
in Florida
Volunteers from Florida's West Panhandle District ARES recently
supported communications for the inaugural Cottonmouth 100, an
"Ultramarathon" 100-mile endurance run. Sixteen Amateur Radio
operators from three Florida counties -- Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa
Rosa -- took part in the event over the November 14-15 weekend. ARES
volunteers used 2 meter simplex and one repeater -- the North Okaloosa
Amateur Radio Club's 147.36 MHz Crestview
Len Frantz, K4KBD, staffed the Wiregrass Trail aid station during the
2015 Cottonmouth 100.
repeater, W4AAV -- in providing communication support at six aid
stations as well as at the start and finish lines. The race, with 150
runners, took place in part of two counties in a wooded area
encompassing nearly 200,000 acres in the Blackwater River State Forest
Bear Lake Recreation Area.
"The original plan called for reporting only the first male and female
runners arriving at each aid station," said the after-action report
prepared by Santa Rosa County Assistant Emergency Coordinator Daisy
Crepeau, KT4KW. "Because many were interested in runner progress, it
was quickly changed so that each aid station reported each runner's
number as they came through each aid station. This change assisted in
tracking runners. A large portion of the race occurred in darkness,
and there needed to be a way to account for each runner, in case
someone was hurt or lost. This change proved invaluable."
The plan called for using simplex as much as possible and only using
the repeater for those aid stations that could not be heard on
simplex. Among lessons learned was a need for more operators and a
backup net control station, as well as a runner at net control.
"Overall the event was a resounding success," Crepeau said in her
report. Read more.
The ARRL 10 Meter Contest is on Deck
The popular ARRL 10 Meter Contest takes place over the December 12-13
weekend, offering lots of fun for operators on any level, and you
never know what sort of propagation you might encounter on 10 meters.
Tom Roscoe, K8CX, had a terrific time operating the ARRL 10 Meter
Contest from Aruba as P40CX in 2014.
The ARRL encourages computer loggers to check out the new web-based
log uploading facility. It offers quick response and instant feedback,
and if your log has a problem, you'll be able to fix it on the fly and
upload the log again on the spot.
For paper loggers or for those using software that does not generate a
Cabrillo file, there is a convenient data entry service that converts
your log data into Cabrillo format and forwards it to the ARRL's log
handling service. You also can still submit your log via e-mail.
Whichever method is more convenient, be sure to submit a log, even if
you only made a few contacts. It improves the quality of the log
checking, and you might even find yourself in line for a certificate!
Post any soapbox comments and photos to ARRL's Soapbox page.
Polish Radio Amateur Traveling to North Korea in Advance of Proposed
Operation
DXpeditioner Dom Grzyb, 3Z9DX, plans to travel to North Korea later
this month to discuss his proposed Amateur Radio operation from that
country. North Korea (P5), the most-wanted DXCC entity, has not been
activated since Ed Giorgadze, 4L4FN, operated for about a year from
the capital city of Pyongyang in 2001-2002. Grzyb expects to arrive in
North Korea just before Christmas for what are being called
"high-level talks" with government officials regarding his hope to
operate from the secretive communist country in January or February of
2016.
Dom Gryzb, 3Z9DX, hopes to return from North Korea in 2016 with more
than just a DXpedition t-shirt.
He is taking Amateur Radio gear with him on this month's visit,
although he will not be on the air. The equipment will remain in North
Korea for his planned P5 operation and will be left there afterward
for possible future Amateur Radio operations. Grzyb expects to be in
Pyongyang for up to 5 days.
According to Grzyb, he has received authorization to operate on three
bands, but he plans to concentrate his activity on 20 meter SSB. No CW
operation is planned.
If 3Z9DX is permitted on the air from North Korea, his operation will
be very closely monitored by government officials. He may only run 100
W into a vertical antenna.
Giorgadze had tried for more than 2 years to obtain permission to
operate Amateur Radio in North Korea before getting the okay in 2001.
-- Thanks to DARC, DX World.net, The Daily DX
Ad
The Netherlands Opens 100 kHz Band at 5 MHz
Just days after delegates to World Radiocommunication Conference 2015
(WRC-15) reached consensus on a new global 15 kHz-wide allocation at 5
MHz, the Netherlands opened a 100 kHz band for Amateur Radio use.
Article 4.4 of the ITU Radio Regulations â€Älets countries
authorize frequency assignments that are contrary to the
international Table of Allocations, but only on a non-interference,
non-protected basis.
Hams in the Netherlands have been authorized to use 5350-5450 MHz at
up to 100 W PEP. The Netherlands' IARU member society VERON has
recommended the use of USB.
WRC-15 laid the foundation for a global, secondary Amateur Radio
allocation of 5351.5 kHz to 5366.5 kHz at up to 15 W effective
isotropic radiated power in the US (some Region 2 countries will be
permitted up to 25 W EIRP). The new worldwide band won't be available
for use in the US until the FCC institutes a rule making proceeding
and establishes operating parameters for the band.
Yasme Foundation Announces Excellence Award to Logging Software Team
The Yasme Foundation Board of Directors has named the N1MM Logger+
logging software development team to receive its Yasme Excellence
Award. Team members include Tom Wagner, N1MM; Rick Ellison, N2AMG;
Steve London, N2IC; John Bednar, K3CT; Nikolay Safronov, NA3M; Pete
Smith, N4ZR; Andreas Hofman, KU7T; Larry Gauthier, K8UT, and Richard
Ferch, VE3KI.
The Yasme Excellence Award recognizes an individual or individuals
who, through their own service, creativity, effort, and dedication,
have made a significant contribution to Amateur Radio. "The
contribution may be in recognition of technical, operating, or
organizational achievement, as all three are necessary for Amateur
Radio to grow and prosper," the Yasme Foundation announcement said.
N1MM+ is a major revision to the original N1MM Logger program,
involving a volunteer effort to rewrite and test more than more than
250,000 lines of code. The program continues to be available free, and
is updated and supported on a regular basis.
Ham Radio Outlet Founder Robert G. Ferrero, W6RJ, SK
Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) Founder Robert G. "Bob" Ferrero, W6RJ
(ex-K6AHV), of Danville, California, died on December 4 after a period
of ill health. He was 78. An ARRL Life Member, Ferrero was a
California state trooper and US Navy veteran when he acquired Ham
Radio Outlet in Burlingame, California, in 1971. He characterized the
original store as a "little radio emporium on a wooden train
platform." HRO is now the world's largest Amateur Radio retail chain.
Ferrero took part in DXpeditions to Kingman Reef in 1974, the Austral
and Marquesas Islands, and the now-deleted Bajo Nuevo and Serrana
Bank. He also operated as 9J2RA, TJ1GB, and W6RJ/Z2, as well as from
HZ1AB in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Ferrero was inducted into the CQ DX Hall of Fame in 1997 and into the
CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame in 2005. He was a member of the A1
Operators Club. In 2009, the editors of CQ, in conjunction with the
Visalia DX Convention, recognized Ferrero "for his many contributions
to Amateur Radio."
He was among the initial patrons and a significant supporter of the
Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF).
Among his survivors is his son Robert, W6KR, a co-owner of HRO and a
DXpedition partner. -- Thanks to Chip Margelli, K7JA, and The Daily DX
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Australia's Space Weather Services
issued a geomagnetic warning on December 9 (0132 UTC) to expect
increased geomagnetic activity on December 10 due to solar wind from a
coronal hole.
Both average daily solar flux and average daily sunspot numbers were
higher over the December 3-9 period than over the previous week.
Average daily sunspot numbers increased from 41.6 to 48 and average
daily solar flux rose from 97.2 to 102.2. Geomagnetic indicators rose
at well, with the planetary A index rising from 9.9 to 12.6 and the
mid-latitude A index from 6.6 to 11.1.
Predicted solar flux for the near term is 115 on December 10-12; 120
on December 13-15; 115 and 105 on December 16-17; 100 on December
18-26; 98 on December 27; 95 on December 28-29; 98 on December 30; 100
on December 31; 105 on January 1-2; 100 on January 3-4, and 105 on
January 5-11.
Predicted planetary A index is 32, 28, and 20 on December 10-12; 16,
8, and 6 on December 13-15; 12 and 8 on December 16-17; 5 on December
18-26; 18, 15, and 10 on December 27-29; 5 on December 30-31; 15, 20,
18, and 10 on January 1-4; 8, 12 and 10 on January 5-7, and 8 on
January 8-11.
Sunspot numbers for December 3 through 9 were 47, 25, 41, 38, 50, 58,
and 77, with a mean of 48. The 10.7 cm flux was 94.5, 97.6, 100.5,
102.2, 100.7, 111.2, and 108.8, with a mean of 102.2. Estimated
planetary A indices were 4, 5, 16, 24, 20, 11, and 8, with a mean of
9.9. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 3, 4, 14, 26, 16, 9, and 6,
with a mean of 6.6.
In this Friday's bulletin look for an updated forecast and a report
from N8II on the recent CQ World Wide CW DX Contest. Send me your
reports!
Just Ahead in Radiosport
December 12-13 -- ARRL 10 Meter Contest (CW, phone)
December 12-13 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)
December 12-13 -- International Naval Contest (CW)
December 13 -- QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint (CW)
December 17 -- NAQCC CW Sprint
See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information.
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
December 11-12 -- West Central Florida Section Convention, Plant City,
Florida
January 9 -- TECHFEST, Lawrenceville, Georgia
January 10 -- New York City-Long Island Section Convention, Bethpage,
New York
January 15-16 -- Southern Florida Section Convention, Fort Myers,
Florida
January 15-16 -- North Texas Section Convention, Forest Hill, Texas
January 17-23 -- Quartzfest, Quartzsite, Arizona
January 29-30 -- Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi
January 29-31 -- Puerto Rico State Convention, Hatillo, Puerto Rico
February 6 -- South Carolina State Convention, N. Charleston, South
Carolina
February 12-14 -- ARRL National Convention, Orlando, Florida
February 19-20 -- Southwestern Division Convention, Yuma, Arizona
February 27 -- WCF Section Technical Conference, Tampa, Florida
February 27 -- New Mexico TechFest, Albuquerque, New Mexico
February 27 -- Vermont State Convention, S. Burlington, Vermont
Find conventions and hamfests in your area.
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