QRZ Forums - Amateur Radio News
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The ARRL Letter, June 18, 2015
Posted: 18 Jun 2015 12:51 PM PDT
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...5&goto=newpost
The ARRL Letter
June 18, 2015
Rick Lindquist, WW1ME, Editor
[Note: Clicking on the story links below will take you to the news article
as it appears in The ARRL Letter on the ARRL website.]
FCC Chairman, Lawmakers Agree to Scale Back Field Office ShutdownsAstronaut
Samantha Cristoforetti, IZ0UDF, Sets New Record for Woman in SpaceW1AW
Portable Operations Booklet Now AvailableAmateur Radio Newsline Co-Founder,
Editor Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, SKWest Virginia Section Manager Charles
Hardy, WV8CH, SKEd James, KA8JMW, Appointed as New Mexico Section
ManagerOklahoma Amateur Radio Clubs Join Forces to Support Cycling
EventColorado Radio Amateur Aids in SearchMedium-Wave Experimenters to
Transmit Field Day GreetingsColorado to Host USA Amateur Radio Direction
Finding Championships in AugustIn Brief...The K7RA Solar UpdateJust Ahead
in RadiosportUpcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and
Events
FCC Chairman, Lawmakers Agree to Scale Back Field Office Shutdowns
Leaders of the US House Energy and Commerce Committee have reached
agreement with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to amend the Commission's plans --
announced in March -- to close a number of FCC field offices. Under the
revised plan, the FCC will keep 15 of its 24 field offices open. According
to a Committee media release, the plan would "ensure better rapid response
capabilities for the West, provide a mechanism for escalating interference
complaints, improve enforcement of the FCC's rules against pirate radio
operators, and prevent the Commission from transferring field office jobs
to FCC Headquarters." The FCC had been under pressure from lawmakers and
others to step back from its plan to shutter the field offices.
"We found a good solution that makes sense. These changes will keep field
offices open in strategic locations and help ensure that the commission can
fulfill its responsibilities to the public and public safety communities,"
said Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden,
W7EQI. "This agreement strikes a balance between the important work of FCC
field agents and streamlining field operations to ensure the efficient use
of taxpayer dollars. Positive outcomes often result from collaborative
work. This agreement represents just such an effort."
As a result of the announced agreement, a June 11 hearing of Walden's
subcommittee to address the proposed closings was cancelled. ARRL General
Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, was among those prepared to testify at the
session.
The closure plans were revealed earlier this year via an apparently leaked
internal FCC Enforcement Bureau (EB) memorandum that indicated the Bureau
planned to ask the full Commission to cut two-thirds of its field offices
and eliminate nearly one-half of its field agents. At the same time, the
Bureau would develop a so-called "Tiger Team" of field agents as a flexible
strike force it could deploy as needed.
After the League learned of the field office closure plans, ARRL CEO David
Sumner, K1ZZ, expressed dismay at the proposals, coming, he said, "at a
time when the Field staff is facing ever-increasing challenges." Sumner
also had expressed concern "that there is already no sense of urgency in
the FCC's enforcement activities targeting spectrum polluters, such as
utilities with noisy power lines, or the few violators in our own ranks."
The League has been working behind the scenes at the FCC and on Capitol
Hill to make a case that more enforcement leads to better compliance in all
services.
Under the proposals, initiated last fall, the field office geographic
footprint would have been reduced from 24 sites to 8 sites, with the EB set
to "pre-position" equipment in several other strategic locations. Offices
already slated to remain open are New York City; Columbia, Maryland -- the
site of the Bureau's HF Direction-Finding Center; Chicago; Atlanta; Miami;
Dallas; Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The other offices the FCC plans to
keep open have not yet been announced. Read more.
Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, IZ0UDF, Sets New Record for Woman in Space
European Space Agency Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, IZ0UDF, who
returned to Earth June 11 with her crewmates -- NASA Astronaut Terry Virts,
and Russian Cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov -- has set a new record for the
longest single space mission by a woman. Cristoforetti's duty tour on the
International Space Station was extended by about a month, following the
failure in late April of the Russian robotic Progress 59 cargo spacecraft
to reach the ISS. The Progress went out of control, eventually burning up
in Earth's atmosphere.
"Early start into Day 200 in #space," Cristoforetti tweeted before boarding
the Soyuz vehicle for the trip home. "It's been an amazing journey, thx for
coming along! Now time to go home to Earth."
While in space, Cristoforetti, 38, conducted several Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station (ARISS) school contacts. She was to have
returned to Earth in early May.
Cristoforetti, from Italy, set the record on June 6, when she surpassed the
previous record of 194 days, 18 hours, 2 minutes, logged by NASA astronaut
Suni Williams, KD5PLB, during her time aboard the International Space
Station in 2007. Cristoforetti's new record will come up just short of 200
hours, counting her flight back to Earth.
Cristoforetti, Shkaplerov, and Virts took off late last November from
Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Her departure from the ISS will leave
Russian cosmonauts to support the ARISS program until late July, when Kjell
Lindgren, KO5MOS; Oleg Kononenko, RN3DX, and Kimiya Yui arrive at the ISS
as part of a scheduled crew rotation. Before flights were reshuffled, they
had been scheduled to arrive in May. All three are set to return December
22.
NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonauts Mikhail Kornienko, RN3BF,
and Gennady Padalka, RN3DT, arrived on the station in March as part of the
Expedition 43/44 crew increment. Kelly and Kornienko will remain on the ISS
for 1 year. Padalka also will return to Earth in December.
The next Russian cargo craft, Progress 60, will launch in early July to
deliver several tons of food, fuel, and supplies. The space station has
sufficient supplies to support crews until the fall.
W1AW Portable Operations Booklet Now Available
The W1AW Portable Operations commemorative booklet, which chronicles the
central activity of the year-long ARRL Centennial QSO Party, is now
available. The Centennial celebration may be over, but the memories can
live on with this keepsake publication, which features 40 pages of stats,
stories, and photos from the hams who put W1AW/p on the air, bringing
enjoyment to many thousands of hams.
The W1AW Portable Operations is available from the ARRL Store (ARRL Item No
0383; $9.95 retail), or call 860-594-0355 (toll-free in the US,
888-277-5289). E-mail ARRL Publication Sales for more information.
Amateur Radio Newsline Co-Founder, Editor Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, SK
A well-known voice in the Amateur Radio news media has gone silent. Bill
Pasternak, WA6ITF, of Santa Clarita, California, died June 11 following a
period of ill health. He was 73. Pasternak was co-founder (with Jim
Hendershot, WA6VQP) of Amateur Radio Newsline⢠(formerly The Westlink
Report) ham radio news webcast and a frequent presence at Amateur Radio
conventions. Pasternak served as Newsline's managing editor and as an
occasional newscaster. ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Director Brian
Mileshosky, N5ZGT, became acquainted with Pasternak at the Albuquerque
hamfest, and in 1997 was named Newsline's "Young Ham of the Year" (YHOTY).
"An incredible man, ham, and one of Amateur Radio's too-few giants, who
woke up every day to make the hobby better for everyone, especially its
legacy -- youth," Mileshosky said of Pasternak. "I've enjoyed the energy he
put into keeping hams informed via Newsline and have been honored to give
back to his Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award program, since being asked
by him to sit on its judging panel well over a decade ago."
A Brooklyn, New York, native, Pasternak became a radio amateur in 1959 as
WA2HVK. "I love the hands-on approach to ham radio and built my very first
transmitter using parts salvaged from an old Dumont television set,"
Pasternak recounted in an online biography. He eventually made his career
in television engineering and production, retiring from KTTV in Los Angeles
in 2012.
Pasternak was the spark plug behind the all-volunteer Amateur Radio
Newsline bulletin -- which was relayed on repeaters around the US and
elsewhere -- as well as the creator and administrator of the annual Young
Ham of the Year Award. He was the author of three books and served as a
writer/producer on several educational films and videos, including the
award-winning "Amateur Radio Today." In earlier years, he wrote
the "Looking West" column for 73 Amateur Radio Today Magazine and the "VHF,
FM, and Repeater" column for WorldRadio.
Pasternak was the only person ever chosen to receive both the Dayton
Hamvention Special Achievement (1981) and Radio Amateur of the Year (1989)
awards.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Sharon, KD6EPW.
ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, remarked, "Some would
say that you measure an individual by the amount of wealth they've
acquired. I would say that the true measure of value of an individual is by
the amount lives they've touched. If that is the case, then Bill died a
very wealthy man."
The future of the Amateur Radio Newsline broadcast, out of production since
its May 22 edition, has not been determined.
Ham Radio Now producer Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, has devoted his latest webcast
episode to reflections on Pasternak's life from six people who knew him
well. Read more.
West Virginia Section Manager Charles Hardy, WV8CH, SK
ARRL West Virginia Section Manager Charles L. "Charlie" Hardy, WV8CH
(ex-KD8MOA), of Fayetteville, died June 14, apparently as the result of an
accidental electrocution while he was working on an antenna at his home. He
was 50 and had been a radio amateur since 2008.
Hardy became West Virginia SM in October 2013, and he was the only
candidate to continue in that position for another 2-year term. He was very
active in the National Traffic System (NTS) 8th Region Net and had served
as West Virginia Section Traffic Manager since 2012, a post he continued to
hold when he became SM. He also was an ARRL Official Observer and had
served since 2009 as a District Emergency Coordinator for District 7.
Hardy was the President of the Plateau Amateur Radio Association (PARA) and
of the Summit Repeater Association.
Survivors include his wife, Jane, WV8JH. A successor to Hardy as West
Virginia SM will be appointed.
Ed James, KA8JMW, Appointed as New Mexico Section Manager
A new Section Manager has been appointed in New Mexico. Ed James, KA8JMW,
of Albuquerque, was named on June 11 to succeed Bill Kauffman, W5YEJ, who
has resigned citing increased family responsibilities. Kauffman had served
as New Mexico's SM since 2012, and was the Section Emergency Coordinator
for many years prior to that. James will complete the remainder of the
current term, which continues through the end of the year.
ARRL Field Services and Radiosport Department Manager Dave Patton, NN1N,
made the appointment after consulting with Rocky Mountain Division Director
Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, and Vice Director Dwayne Allen, WY7FD.
A ham for 35 years, James has served as an Assistant Section Manager of New
Mexico since 2012, and currently serves as an Assistant Director in the
Rocky Mountain Division. He recently concluded a 30-year electrical
engineering career at Sandia National Laboratories.
James comes from a ham radio family. His late father was WD8MMG. His wife
Carol is N5ZYP, and all five of the couple's daughters hold ham tickets and
are ARRL members. Field Day is among his passions. "Most weekends I can be
found operating from somewhere in the mountains of New Mexico," James said
in his QRZ.com biography. "I love operating from the field."
Petitions to nominate candidates to serve as New Mexico Section Manager for
the next 2-year term should be submitted to ARRL Headquarters by September.
Oklahoma Amateur Radio Clubs Join Forces to Support Cycling Event
Two Oklahoma Amateur Radio clubs got together during the June 13-14 weekend
to support communication for the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough cycling event.
Some 1400 riders registered for the road events. More than 20 volunteers
from the Tulsa Amateur Radio Club (TARC) and the Tulsa Repeater
Organization (TRO) carried out radio operations to support logistics and
rider safety over the 2-day competition. Marking its 10th anniversary this
year, the Tulsa Tough serves, in part, as a public health-awareness
campaign of Saint Francis Hospital.
Road events range up to 110 miles in a loop circuit that begins in the
center of Tulsa and covers four counties in two different rides. Among
other things, hams help to recover riders who are unable to complete the
course. At the command post, net control operators use ham radio to
coordinate support activities ensuring rider safety.
Serving as the backbone for radio operations was TARC's large, regionally
linked UHF system. Complementing that was TRO's VHF system, with remote
receivers to serve the logistics net of operators stationed at rest stops
along the route. These operators monitor and report on rider status and
supplies and relay any medical information from the on-scene nurse. TRO
also provided a smaller, linked UHF system, on the second day of the event
to cover areas at points most distant from Tulsa, in eastern Osage County.
In the months leading up to the event, Tulsa County ARES Assistant
Emergency Coordinator and TARC President Bart Pickens, N5TWB, served as the
primary Amateur Radio interface with event organizers. This included
recruiting volunteers, establishing an operations plan, and arranging for
radio equipment and antennas to outfit vehicles.
The Safety and SAG recovery ham operators responded to the usual reports of
mechanical and tire troubles, supplying tubes that could put riders back on
the road, or transporting them to rest stops, where further mechanical
assistance was available. The worst injury reported was a broken wrist, but
many riders suffered the effects of Oklahoma's heat and humidity. The ham
radio volunteers also kept an eye on a developing weather event affecting
the end of the ride with heavy rain, lightning, and wind. Read more. --
Thanks to Bart Pickens, N5TWB, and Oklahoma SEC Mark Conklin, N7XYO
Colorado Radio Amateur Aids in Search
Colorado Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) volunteer Neal Tew, KD0MBL,
responded on June 11 to a call from a search-and-rescue team that needed a
radio operator. Colorado ARES R5D1 Emergency Coordinator Amanda Alden,
K1DDN, said she got a call on her local UHF repeater from Dave Dickens,
KE0AEG, and Pat Caulfield, KE0AEE, from Fremont County Search and Rescue.
"SAR was conducting a search for a possible body in the Arkansas River,"
Alden said. "They were short-handed and wondering if any ARES personnel
could operate their radios during the search." She stressed that the
volunteer would not be operating on Amateur Radio frequencies, just
operating the search and rescue team's radios.
"The Arkansas River is a very popular river to raft, with over 150,000
rafters a year," Alden told ARRL. "The Colorado snow runoff has just begun
and the river is running at its highest and fastest of the year."
So, Alden called Tew, whom she referred to as "the best operator I knew
outside of my district," and he was available and agreed to help. He was
assigned to the Incident Command Post and handled and logged all traffic on
the state digital radio network for about 4 hours.
"He did a fantastic job and made ARES shine for our first time working with
Fremont SAR," Alden said. Tew worked the mission from about 0930-1330.
Caulfield said Tew was a quick study and was up and running within 15
minutes.
Alden said that searchers were unable to locate anything, and the search
was eventually called off due to high water.
Medium-Wave Experimenters to Transmit Field Day Greetings
Once again this year, a group of medium-wave experimental licensees will
transmit greetings on 630 meters during the ARRL Field Day weekend, June
27-28. While the 472 to 479 kHz band is not yet available for Amateur Radio
use, John Langridge, KB5NJD, said he'd like to continue promoting awareness
of the proposed ham band. In April, the FCC proposed a new 630 meter
Amateur Service MW allocation at 472 to 479 kHz, and it allocated a new LF
band, 135.7 to 137.8 kHz -- both on a secondary basis. Langridge this year
is hoping that some LF experimenters will also take part in the exercise.
No Amateur Radio operation will be permitted in either band until the FCC
establishes specific operating rules. Some of the stations involved in the
Field Day activity, including Langridge, are associated with the ARRL 600
Meter Experimental Group (WD2XSH).
ARRL 600 Meter Experiment (WD2XSH) Coordinator Fritz Raab, W1FR, said that
while the FCC's April Report and Order, Order, and Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking is a step in the right direction, it could be some time before
hams have a 630 meter ham band in the US. "With that in mind," he told ARRL
this week, "we plan to renew the WD2XSH license and continue operations
much as we have been, until such time as the 630 meter band becomes a
reality."
Langridge said last year he got about 60 reports on his own transmissions
from Texas. "It seems the longer we do this, the more legs that grow on it,
and participation has really increased," he said. The point is to make
active, relevant signals available to existing Field Day stations that
might have a large pool of operators, many still having no idea that
anything is going on below the broadcast band."
Langridge said Field Day stations could try using an HF transceiver capable
of covering the 472-479 kHz range to listen for participating stations. He
stressed that stations can use "whatever antennas that they have on site --
a dipole, a tribander, a vertical, whatever -- as the impedance mismatch
may help improve the signal-to-noise ratio enough for effective copy."
Langridge said that in 2014 he received an Argo screen shot of his CW
signal from Utah. "Reporting is important, since we all like to know who is
listening and how we are doing," he said. Stations hearing any of the MW
(or possible LW) Field Day "greeters" may report their reception online.
Read more.
Colorado to Host USA Amateur Radio Direction Finding Championships in August
Registration is open for the 15th USA and 8th IARU Region 2 Amateur Radio
Direction Finding (ARDF) championships, August 27-30, in Elbert, Colorado.
The event will take place at the Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch, a 3300-acre
site at 7000 feet elevation, about 40 miles southeast of Denver.
An optional ARDF "training camp" will take place on Monday through
Wednesday, August 24-26, just prior to the competition, with separate
morning and afternoon sessions planned for each day. Participants may
attend as many sessions as they wish. Training sessions will concentrate on
how to take reliable bearings, interpret reflected signals, and determine
likely transmitter locations, as well as on course strategies, route
choices, and other essentials for success.
The championship competition begins on Thursday, August 27 with foxoring --
a combination of RDF and classic orienteering on 80 meters, in which
participants navigate to marked locations on their maps where very low
power transmitters can be found nearby. A 10-transmitter short-course
sprint competition on 80 meters takes place the next day.
The classic full-course 2 meter main event gets under way on Saturday
morning, with five transmitters in a very large forest. The banquet and
awards presentation follows that evening. A similar full-course 80 meter
main event takes place Sunday morning; an awards presentation follows.
The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) sets ARDF championship rules.
Participants are divided into 11 age/gender categories. In classic ARDF
championships, competitors start in small groups made up of different
categories. Working independently, they navigate through the course -- a
distance of between 4 and 10 kilometers -- seeking hidden transmitters.
They plot their direction-finding bearings on provided orienteering maps
that show terrain features, elevation contours, and vegetation type.
The USA ARDF Championships are open to anyone of any age who can safely
navigate the woods alone; a ham radio license is not required. Participants
compete as individuals and bring their own direction-finding gear to the
events.
More information is on the Event Information Page. All entering the ranch
must be registered. For additional information on ARDF, visit the Homing In
website. -- Thanks to ARRL Amateur Radio Direction Finding Coordinator Joe
Moell, K0OV
In Brief...
NCDXF Makes Major Grant to 2016 Juan de Nova Island DXpedition The Northern
California DX Foundation (NCDXF) has donated $25,000 to the Juan de Nova
Island (FT4/J) DXpedition, planned for March 2016. Located off the eastern
coast of Mozambique, Juan de Nova is among the Top 10 most-wanted DXCC
entities. "Without major financial support from NCDXF, DXpeditions like
this to challenging or rare locations would not be possible," NCDXF Vice
President Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, said in announcing the grant. "Juan de Nova
is a very small and very environmentally fragile area. There are strict
limitations to the number of visitors and the time allowable on the island.
The team's antenna plans, pilot feedback plans, and enthusiasm should make
this entity available to many DXers." Johnson said donations from Amateur
Radio clubs make such DXpeditions possible. -- Thanks to NCDXF Vice
President Glenn Johnson, W0GJ
HamGallery Dayton 2015 Photo Gallery is Now Available: Tom Roscoe, K8CX,
reports that the Dayton 2015 Photo Gallery has been posted on his
HamGallery website. Tom's Dayton photo galleries date back to 1997 and
contain nearly 4500 photos. You can access these annual photo databases
from the HamGallery homepage, and you can search within individual annual
photo galleries.
Sheldon Shallon, W6EL, SK: ARRL has learned that Sheldon "Shel" Shallon,
W6EL, of Los Angeles died on April 11. He was 89. Shallon developed the
W6ELprop radio propagation software (originally miniProp) that has remained
popular with radio amateurs for decades and is still available. An ARRL
Charter Life Member, Shallon had reached the top run of the DXCC Honor
Roll. Shallon was a Hughes Aircraft scientist in the early days of space
exploration. According to various sources, Shallon managed to hide a US
flag in his company's Surveyor 1 unmanned lunar lander. The secret was not
revealed until after the mission was successful. Survivors include his
wife, Sylvia. -- Thanks to Steve Lawrence, WB6RSE
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Depending on which measure we choose,
solar activity weakened a little or increased slightly over the past week.
The June 11-17 average daily sunspot number declined from 112.4 over the
previous 7 days to 99.9, while average daily solar flux rose from 131.4 to
135.9 over the same period.
The current outlook from NOAA and USAF has solar flux at 135 on June 18;
130 on June 19-21; 125 on June 22; 120 on June 23-24; then 115, 90, and 95
on June 25-27; 100 on June 28-29; then 110, 115, and 120 on June 30-July 2;
125 on July 3-4; 120 on July 5-6; 125 on July 7, and 130 on July 8-10. Flux
values then dip below 100 for July 19-24, and rise above 100 after July 26.
All of this looks pretty weak when compared to Cycles 21-23, but is normal
for Cycle 24, which peaked in April and May of 2013 and again -- about 40
points -- higher in February and March of 2014. This is based on a 3-month
moving average of Boulder sunspot numbers. For a straight monthly average,
we see a May 2013 peak of 125.6 and a February 2014 peak of 174.6.
Since then, numbers have steadily declined, with the weekly sunspot number
average for the last 7 weeks at 60.9, 146.9, 92.1, 56.1, 34.3, 112.4, and
99.9.
Predicted planetary A index is 12 on June 18; 5 on June 19-July 4; then 25,
15, 12, 10, and 5 on July 5-9, and 8, 15, 12, and 8 on July 10-13. After
this, planetary A index drops to 5, where it will remain until early
August, when it is predicted to rise to 25, indicating a geomagnetic storm.
But early August seems a long way off.
At 0933 UTC on June 18, SpaceWeatherLive.com issued a proton storm alert,
saying a small, S1-class proton storm was in progress. Indeed, looking at
their Electron Proton and Alpha Monitor (EPAM) display at 1000 UTC, we see
a rise in activity beginning after 0400 UTC and continuing.
In Friday's bulletin, look for reports from readers and an updated
forecast. Send me your reports and observations.
Just Ahead in Radiosport
June 19 -- NCCC RTTY Sprint
June 19 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder (CW)
June 20 -- Feld Hell Sprint
June 20 -- AGCW VHF/UHF Contest (CW)
June 20-21 -- All Asian DX Contest (CW)
June 20-21 -- Ukrainian DX Classic RTTY Contest
June 20-21 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge (CW)
June 20-21 -- West Virginia QSO Party (CW, SSB, digital)
June 21 -- WAB 50 MHz Phone
June 21 -- Kids Day
June 22 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
June 24 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)
June 24-25 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information.
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
July 4 -- Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
July 10-11 -- Northern Florida Section Convention, Milton, Florida
July 13-16 -- Mobile Amateur Radio Awards Club Convention, The Villages,
Florida
July 17-19 -- Montana State Convention, East Glacier, Montana
July 23-26 -- Central States VHF Society Conference, Westminster, Colorado
July 24-25 -- Oklahoma Section Convention, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
July 31-August 2 -- Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Bryce Canyon, Utah
August 1 -- Great Lakes Division Convention, Columbus, Ohio
August 7-8 -- South Texas Section Convention, Austin, Texas
August 7-9 -- New Mexico State Convention, Albuquerque, New Mexico
August 7-9 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention, Everett, Washington
August 15-16 -- Alabama State Convention, Huntsville, Alabama
August 16 -- Kansas State Convention, Salina, Kansas
August 21-23 -- New England Division Convention, Boxborough, Massachusetts
August 22 -- West Virginia State Convention, Weston, West Virginia
August 30 -- Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, New Kensington,
Pennsylvania
September 5-6 -- Roanoke Division Convention, Shelby, North Carolina
September 11-12 -- W9DXCC, Schaumburg, Illinois
September 11-13 -- Southwestern Division Convention, Torrance, California
September 12 -- Virginia Section Convention, Virginia Beach, Virginia
September 26 -- Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington
Find conventions and hamfests in your area.
The ARRL Letter appreciates the support of these advertisers:
Icom
Radio City
Radio Lights
DX Engineering
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HRD Software
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Debco Electronics
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New QSO Radio Show!!
Posted: 18 Jun 2015 09:46 AM PDT
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...!&goto=newpost
This QSO Radio Show's broadcast this week is in memory of Bill Pasternak -
WA6ITF. Bill tells the story of the reasons for his dedication to the
amateur radio hobby and Amateur Radio Newsline. Many of you may want to
download & save this episode of QSO when it posts. We will all miss Bill
Pasternak & his passion for the amateur radio hobby. This show will air
Saturday 1 - 3pm CDT (6 - 8pm UTC) on WTWW 9475 KHz & Sunday 7 - 9pm CDT
(12 - 2am UTC) on WTWW 5085 KHz.
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That's How Field Day Goes - Music Video
Posted: 17 Jun 2015 10:19 PM PDT
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...o&goto=newpost
:o
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Listening for RS-15 Radio Rosto
Posted: 17 Jun 2015 11:17 AM PDT
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...o&goto=newpost
-- The RS-15 (Radio Rosto) Russian amateur radio satellite launched
December 1994 still has one of its beacon transmitters running. The
satellite no longer functions as designed and was thought dead. However, 10
years ago the beacon was heard again on 10 meters at 29.352.50 mhz +/- .5kc
for doppler. Use one of the tracking programs available on the internet
such as Orbitron. After 21 years in space the solar cells still power the
beacon when in sunlight, the signal is weak but you will hear it. Listen on
CW 1 kc or less bandwidth. Try your beam, vertical or wire antennas. My 29'
vertical works best at this location. I also use a digital mode program
in 'waterfall' mode to see the carrier. Works very well. Watch for the
carrier line to tilt (Doppler) and you will know you have the satellite.
If you do hear the RS-15 signal file a report at the satellite status web
page. The address is http://oscar.dcarr.org
Screen shot of RS-15 beacon at 29.252.50 mhz. Note the slant showing the
Doppler shift.
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HamRadioNow: BS #4 - Goodbye, Bill - WA6ITF (SK)
Posted: 17 Jun 2015 04:56 AM PDT
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...)&goto=newpost
HAMRADIONOW.tv
Episodes 209
Goodbye, Bill
WA6ITF (SK)
1942-2015
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in your podcast app
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QSO Today Podcast - EP 45 - Steve Galchutt - WG0AT - SOTA with goats
Posted: 17 Jun 2015 12:13 AM PDT
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...s&goto=newpost
When attempting to activate a new mountain peak, in Colorado, for SOTA,
Summits on the Air, Steve Galchutt, WG0AT, uses goats to act as his
“sherpas” to carry his gear to the top. His goats allow him to make it to
the top of the “teeners”, to set up and make contacts. Join WG0AT and
Eric, 4Z1UG on the QSO Today podcast.
Show Notes: http://www.qsotoday.com/podcasts/wg0at
Podcast Link: http://goo.gl/xOyXKV
iTunes Store: http://goo.gl/CvLNmV
Stitcher: http://goo.gl/uhf1XZ