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| HAM | Amateur Radio Interest | 13,334 messages |
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| Message 12,580 of 13,334 |
| Sean Dennis to All |
| The Weekly ARRL Letter |
| 10 Dec 21 09:05:20 |
MSGID: 1:18/200.0 d98c2842 PID: SendMsg/2 v1.04 The ARRL Letter December 9, 2021 * Senator Blumenthal Supports Amateur Radio at Senate Confirmation Hearing * Senate Confirms FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel for a New Term * ARRL Executive Committee Meets * ARRL Podcasts Schedule * ARDC Grant Will Expand RMHAM's 5 GHz Microwave Network in the Rockies * ARRL Learning Network Webinars * November 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report * Amateur Radio in the News * Replica Transmitter will be On the Air to Mark Transatlantic Test Success * Announcements * ARRL Seeks News Editor * World's Smallest Moon Lander from Japan will Put Ham Radio Transmitter on the Moon * WSJT-X Development Group Partner Bill Somerville, G4WJS, SK * In Brief... * The K7RA Solar Update * Just Ahead in Radiosport * Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions Senator Blumenthal Supports Amateur Radio at Senate Confirmation Hearing Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT) received an affirmative reply from FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel when he asked her to commit to providing his office "an update on the steps that the FCC is taking to support amateur radio operators." The Senator posed the written US Senator Richard Blumenthal question as part of Rosenworcel's renomination hearing conducted by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. Blumenthal noted specifically that "Radio amateurs voluntarily provide an array of public services, especially emergency and disaster-related support communications when infrastructure has been destroyed by a hurricane or similar disaster. Their contributions in this area are regularly recognized by local and state authorities." "ARRL is grateful to Senator Blumenthal for his support and recognition of radio amateurs," said ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR. Blumenthal has previously co-sponsored legislation supporting amateur radio, and his staff was recently briefed by ARRL on pending amateur radio matters at the FCC. Roderick added, "We need the partnership of the FCC and Congress to ensure our rules and spectrum continue to support the march of technological innovation in our vibrant Amateur Radio Service." Multiple proceedings to update or change the FCC's Amateur Radio Service Part 97 rules to account for changes in technology and operating practices have been languishing at the FCC, some going back five or more years. ARRL is hopeful that these will be addressed soon. Senate Confirms FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel for a New Term On December 7, the US Senate confirmed FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel for a new term on the Commission with a vote of 68 - 31. President Joe Biden appointed Rosenworcel as Chair of the FCC in late October. For now, the FCC will continue with two Democrats and two Republicans led by Chairwoman Rosenworcel. The chairwoman said in a statement after the Senate confirmed her nomination, "People across the country count on the FCC to support the connections they need for work, learning, healthcare, and access to the information we require to make decisions about our lives, our communities, and our country. I look forward to working with the ministration, my colleagues on the Commission and FCC staff, members of Congress, and the public to make the promise of modern communications a reality for everyone, everywhere." The nomination of a fifth commissioner remains pending before the Senate. Last week, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee conducted a hearing on President Biden's nominee, Gigi Sohn, for the remaining Democratic seat. Committee and full Senate votes on her nomination have not yet been scheduled. -- Thanks to ARRL Public Relations and Innovation Projects Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R ARRL Executive Committee Meets The ARRL Executive Committee met on October 25 in virtual session, with President Rick Roderick, K5UR, presiding. In his report, CEO David Minster, NA2AA, noted that the revised ARRL Articles of Incorporation approved during the July 2021 Board meeting had been filed with the State of Connecticut. He also discussed the delayed timing of the delivery of the December issue of QST. He advised that Members should expect to receive their December issue about a week late. Minster also said ARRL is expecting an increase in the price it pays for paper, effective in February 2022. He said it's not yet clear whether the impact of the increase in paper costs would be short- or long-term. CEO Minster reported he had met with ARRL Field Services Manager Mike Walters, W8ZY, on October 22 at Bradley International Airport near Hartford, Connecticut, to observe ARRL participation in an emergency management exercise that concluded on October 23. Walters, on behalf of ARRL, participated in all 3 days of the exercise. ARRL FCC Counsel David Siddall, K3ZJ, discussed recent efforts at the FCC and on Capitol Hill advocating FCC action on long-pending proceedings that address Amateur Radio concerns. Siddall also addressed new legislation pending before Congress that would set deadlines for the allocation of additional spectrum below 3.45 GHz to commercial 5G providers. He described ARRL's efforts to obtain support for allowing continued sharing below 3.45 GHz on a non-interference basis. FCC Counsel Siddall noted an FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (PS Docket 21-346) looking into ways of improving communications resiliency and recovery during hurricanes and other disasters. He said ARRL had submitted reports to FCC staff during and immediately following Hurricane Ida. Siddall further noted the progress of the ARRL RF Safety Committee in addressing and clarifying issues concerning amateur compliance with FCC RF exposure rules and appropriate updates to the related FCC bulletin. He concluded that the work of the Committee, under the leadership of Greg Lapin, N9GL, will benefit every amateur in the future to more readily assess RF exposure compliance and to make any adjustments needed. West Gulf Division Director, EC member, and Chairman of the Legislative vocacy Committee, John Robert Stratton, N5AUS, updated the EC on the status of a resolution introduced in Congress by US Representative Debbie Lesko of Arizona to declare April 18, 2022 as National Amateur Radio Operators Day. Director Stratton also advised the EC that the Legal Structure Review Committee was reviewing the Articles of Association, By-Laws, and Standing Orders with an eye toward recommending any needed changes at the January 2022 Board meeting. The Executive Committee meets again on December 13. ARRL Podcasts Schedule The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 24) features tips about how to improve the effective range of your handheld transceiver. The latest edition of Eclectic Tech (Episode 48) of the Eclectic Tech podcast features a conversation about the technical aspects of the 1921 Transatlantic Tests with Clark Burgard, N1BCG. We also chat about on-air activities surrounding the upcoming anniversary. The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android) as well as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech. ------------------------------------------------------------------- ARDC Grant Will Expand RMHAM's 5 GHz Microwave Network in the Rockies A grant of $374,233 from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) to Rocky Mountain Ham Radio (RMHAM) will go toward expanding a multistate 5 GHz microwave network and help to outfit communications trailers. The microwave network enables partnering amateur radio clubs and groups to access, enable, or expand their repeater and other FCC Part 97-appropriate applications. The network provides 50 - 100+ Mbps of bandwidth and is managed and monitored by a dedicated network operations team. In Colorado, RMHAM will be able to grow its microwave network by 23 new microwave sites and 20 new point-to-point spans to expand IP connectivity and future repeater coverage across the western slope of Colorado and along the I-70 and I-76 corridors in eastern Colorado. In New Mexico, RMHAM will grow its microwave network by 16 sites and 15 new point-to-point spans to expand IP connectivity and future repeater coverage south from Albuquerque to El Paso, Texas; along US Route 550 to Durango, Colorado, and across the Rio Grande Valley to Alamogordo, New Mexico. The club will also expand RMHAM digital repeater coverage (DMR or D-STAR, depending on coverage gaps) across New Mexico through the addition of seven repeaters co-located at their proposed new microwave sites. As a result of the grant, RMHAM will also be able to upgrade its Colorado communications trailer, which offers both RF and IP connectivity, and to outfit a new trailer for service in New Mexico. ARRL Learning Network Webinars Visit the ARRL Learning Network (a members-only benefit) to register, check on upcoming webinars, and to view previously recorded sessions. Have an interesting topic you want to share? The ARRL Learning Network is a series of online webinars presented by member-volunteers for members. Presentations should be short -- 30 minutes plus an additional 15-minutes for Q&A. Submission topics should be of interest to a broad audience of hams, particularly those either new to amateur radio or experienced hams looking to learn about a new way to get involved! Selected presenters will be contacted and invited to schedule their webinar from a list of upcoming available date/time slots. An ARRL staff member will help coordinate the details with you, so you'll be ready for your presentation day. For more information, email ARRL Education and Learning. ARRL members may register for upcoming presentations and view previously recorded Learning Network webinars. ARRL-affiliated radio clubs may also use the recordings as presentations for club meetings, mentoring new and current hams, and discussing amateur radio topics. The ARRL Learning Network schedule is subject to change. November 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report This is the November 2021 report of Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program activity. The VM program is a joint initiative between ARRL and the FCC to enhance compliance in the Amateur Radio Service. * Operators in Ardmore, Tennessee; Lithonia, Georgia; Coconut Creek and Miramar, Florida, and East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, were issued visory Notices regarding excessive bandwidth, contrary to FCC rules. The operators were transmitting on SSB with bandwidths of 8 to 9 kHz. * visory Notices were issued to operators in Northridge (Los Angeles) and Hemet, California, for interference to repeaters. Both operators had been requested by the repeater trustees to cease using the repeaters. The visory Notice issued to the Northridge operator cited broadcasting and failure to identify, and it informed them that the FCC was requested not to grant their upcoming renewal application unless the case was resolved. * An visory Notice was issued to an operator in Powell, Wyoming, for transmitting overdriven FT8 signals that resulted in spurious emissions. The operator has since corrected the problem. * General-class operators in Bartonville, Illinois, and St. Clair, Michigan, were issued visory Notices for operation in the Amateur Extra-class portion of 40 meters. A Technician-class licensee in Windber, Pennsylvania, was issued an visory Notice for operating in the General-class portion of 75 meters. * One case was referred to the FCC for enforcement action and review of a license renewal application. The FCC referred two cases to the VM Program. Totals for VM monitoring during October were 2,939 hours on HF frequencies, and 3,282 hours on VHF frequencies and above, for a total of 6,221 hours. That is the highest number of hours monitoring since the inception of the VM Program. -- Thanks to Volunteer Monitor Program ministrator Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH ------------------------------------------------------------------- Amateur Radio in the News ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news. * "Making Contact with the Past: Operating Radios on USS North Carolina" SpectrumNews1, North Carolina (December 7, 2021) Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Replica Transmitter will be On the Air to Mark Transatlantic Test Success A replica 1BCG transmitter will operate as W2AN/1BCG on ñ1.820 MHz on CW, from The Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut. The 1BCG replica transmitter with room for additional 204-A tubes for more power. "We're using type 204-A tubes," said Mark Erdle, AE2EA, of the Antique Wireless Association. "The original transmitter used type 204 tubes. The primary difference is that the 204-A tubes had a thoriated filament that reduced the filament current. Transmissions from W2AN/1BCG will be one way, just like the original transatlantic tests in 1921. An SWL certificate is available by emailing a copy of the transmitted message. Transmissions start on December 11 at 2300 UTC continuing every 15 minutes until December 12 at 0400 UTC. In a separate event on December 12 at 0252 UTC, The Radio Club of America's W2RCA will make a one-way transmission on 1825 kHz at 12 WPM CW, from Connecticut. RCA members constructed the original transmitter and "shack" used in Connecticut for the successful transatlantic transmissions. In addition to the original 1921 message, a new message will be transmitted that looks ahead to the next 100 years. Those who copy the message qualify for a certificate. -- Thanks to Mark Erdle, AE2EA, Antique Wireless Association, and to the Radio Club of America ARRL and the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) have assembled a list of stations and groups that are organizing events and activities to celebrate 100 years of amateur radio transatlantic communication. --- SendMsg/2 --- Squish/386 v1.11 * Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net:10123 (1:18/200) SEEN-BY: 1/123 14/0 18/200 90/1 105/81 120/340 123/131 129/305 226/30 SEEN-BY: 227/114 229/200 312 424 426 428 664 700 240/5832 249/206 SEEN-BY: 249/317 400 282/1038 292/854 301/1 317/3 322/757 342/200 SEEN-BY: 633/280 PATH: 18/200 229/426 |
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