The ARRL Letter
Published by the American Radio Relay League
********************************************
November 15, 2012
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
ARRL Home Page ARRL Letter Archive
Audio News
IN THIS ISSUE
- + QST -- There's an App for That!
- + FCC Denies ARRL Petition to Deny ReconRobotics Licenses, But Limits
Devices to 100 kHz Bandwidth
- IARU: Ho Chi Minh City Hosts IARU Region 3 Conference
- + Check Out the December Issue of QST
- + Dayton Hamvention Announces DX Theme for 2013
- + Be a Star! Enter the Third Annual ARRL Video Contest
- W1AW Announces 2012-2013 Winter Operating Schedule
- Solar Update
- + ARRL Headquarters to Close for Thanksgiving Holidays
- This Week in Radiosport
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News .
> + QST -- THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT!
ARRL members who use Apple iOS mobile devices -- iPhone, iPad and
iPod Touch -- can now download a new dedicated app
to access and
browse all issues of the digital edition of QST. This app allows ARRL
members to read QST online or download individual issues of the journal
for offline reading. This free app is available
to ARRL members
in the Apple App Store.
Using the New QST App:
- From your iOS device, go to the Apple App Store to search for and
install the free QST app. Or simply click here
to download the
app now.
- Verify your Apple ID password.
- Open the app and go to the "QST Catalog" to browse available digital
issues.
- Tap on the cover of an issue and select "Read" or "Download."
- Log in with your ARRL website username and password. If you do not
have an ARRL website username and password, please register here
.
- Each time you download an issue in the app, it is added to the "My
QST Library" to view offline. Note: Before viewing issues offline, you
must first initialize each issue online using your ARRL website login.
- To stream embedded video and audio, you must be connected to the
Internet.
- This app may send anonymous usage statistics to ARRL and our service
providers to help us improve QST and to better meet the needs of our
members. To disable sending usage information, turn ON the "Disable
Tracking" feature for the QST app in your iOS device settings. For more
information, visit the Digital QST FAQ page
and the ARRL Online Privacy
Policy .
Using an Android or Windows Mobile Device?
At this time,
a native app is only available for Apple iOS devices. Users with
Android or Windows devices can access the digital edition of QST from a
web browser
.
The web version runs in an Internet browser on nearly any device,
including desktop or laptop computers, smartphones, tablets and e-book
readers.
> + FCC DENIES ARRL PETITION TO DENY RECONROBOTICS LICENSES, BUT
LIMITS DEVICES TO 100 KHZ BANDWIDTH
On November 14, the FCC issued an Order on Reconsideration
dismissing a March 2010 Petition for Reconsideration filed by the ARRL
that asked the Commission to deny pending Public Safety Pool license
applications associated with the ReconRobotics Video and Audio
Surveillance System; however, in doing so, the FCC made it clear that
the devices may not exceed 100 kHz of bandwidth. The Recon Scout --
manufactured by ReconRobotics -- is a remote-controlled, maneuverable
surveillance robot that transmits real-time video surveillance data
that operates by FCC waiver in the 70 centimeter band. Read more here
.
> IARU: HO CHI MINH CITY HOSTS IARU REGION 3 CONFERENCE
Officials from 16 IARU Member Societies in Region 3 attended the
IARU Region 3 15th Triennial Conference. Hosted by the Vietnam Amateur
Radio Club, the conference took place November 5-9 in Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam. The delegates elected a new Region 3 leadership team,
appointed regional coordinators and formed two working groups to focus
on policy matters and operational and technical matters. These two
groups acted on more than 60 documents and recommendations during the
conference. Read more here
.
> + CHECK OUT THE DECEMBER ISSUE OF QST
Between tiny tots with their eyes all aglow and Jack Frost nipping at
your nose, it's good to escape from all the holiday hullabaloo and open
up the latest issue of QST. Whether you're looking for a project that
takes you to your workbench, fantasizing of journeys to far-away DX or
even dreaming about all the new radio gear that you hope to find under
the tree, the December issue of QST has it all. So relax, get out your
QST, put your feet up and enjoy all that the holiday season -- and
Amateur Radio -- have to offer.
Jack Morgan, KF6T, knows a thing or two about Amateur Radio contests --
especially how tired and sore your voice can be after a 48-hour SSB
contest! In his article "Super Simple Digital Voice Keyer," Morgan
explains how you can save your voice by using your PC's sound card, a
potentiometer and an audio transformer. If you can only have one HF
antenna, how do you choose the best one? QST Technical Editor Joel R.
Hallas, W1ZR, attempts to demystify the age-old conundrum in his
article "Vertical or Horizontal Antennas -- What's Best for You?"
In January 2009, Laura Smith was sworn in as Special Counsel at the
FCC, replacing Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, who had retired a few months
earlier after overseeing Amateur Radio enforcement actions for several
years. ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, sat
down and talked with Smith in "An Interview with FCC Special Counsel
Laura Smith" and found out where we stand with Amateur Radio
enforcement today.
Many hams spend all year gearing up for ARRL Field Day, the most
popular on-the-air operating event in all of Amateur Radio. For those
hardcore Field Day aficionados, the December issue of QST is one of the
most anticipated issues all year -- this is the issue with the Field
Day results! This year, join ARRL Field Day Manager Dan Henderson,
N1ND, as he travels through the funny pages to bring readers the annual
Field Day results article. You'll also find announcements for upcoming
radiosport events, such as the 2012 Straight Key Night, the 2013 RTTY
Roundup and the 2013 ARRL International DX Contest (both CW and SSB).
QST Technical Editor Joel R. Hallas, W1ZR, takes a look at the Elecraft
KX3 HF and 6 meter QRP transceiver in this month's Product Review. He
says this radio "offers a large measure of performance and features in
a compact but workable enclosure. While it's a wonderful addition to a
campsite or picnic table, the KX3 can also form the basis of a
competent home or mobile station with the addition of appropriate
accessories."
Of course, there are the usual columns you know and have come to expect
in the December QST: Amateur Radio World, Happenings, Hints & Kinks,
The Doctor is In, Short Takes, Vintage Radio, How's DX? and more,
including lots of new books and products, just in time for the
holidays. Look for your December issue in your mailbox. QST is the
official journal of the ARRL, the national association for Amateur
Radio. QST is just one of the many benefits of ARRL membership. To
join, or to renew your ARRL membership, please see the ARRL web page
.
> + DAYTON HAMVENTION ANNOUNCES DX THEME FOR 2013
k
Throughout its 62 years, the Dayton Hamvention® has showcased the
best that Amateur Radio has to offer. Each year, a specific theme --
such as Amateur Radio clubs, global friendship or the advent of digital
modes -- spotlights one of the many facets of the Amateur Radio
Service. And when Hamvention opens on May 17, 2013, at Hara Arena, the
2013 theme DX Hamvention will reflect an important part of ham radio:
the distant contact. "Hamvention is often an important DX destination
for amateurs from all over the globe," Hamvention General Chairman
Charles Kaiser, KD8JZR, explained. "Working DX is often a mix of magic,
conditions and the diligent application of radio theory."
ARRL's large exhibit area at Hamvention, ARRL EXPO, has always included
significant attention for on-air DX activities and the participation of
many international visitors. "In addition to our many activities at
ARRL EXPO -- such as hands-on kit building, forums and membership
services -- we are proud to support DXers from all over the world,"
said ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R. "We know hams
appreciate our on-site QSL card checking services and enjoy being able
to drop off their cards for the ARRL Outgoing QSL Bureau. In recent
years, the ARRL exhibit area has included representatives from the
International Amateur Radio Union and from our partner radio societies
in the UK, Germany, Japan and Qatar." Read more here
.
> + BE A STAR! ENTER THE THIRD ANNUAL ARRL VIDEO CONTEST
If you've ever wanted a way to show
the world how exciting Amateur Radio can be, here's your chance: The
ARRL is sponsoring its Third Annual Video Contest! Here's a chance to
put that video camera to use: Shoot a ham radio-related video and send
it our way. If your video takes first, second or third place, we'll
post it on the ARRL website for everyone to see. We're looking for a
few good videos (but only one per ARRL member, please) on any tasteful
subject relating to Amateur Radio. Videos will be judged on overall
quality and composition, and prizes will be awarded for first, second
and third place. Read more here
.
> W1AW ANNOUNCES 2012-2013 WINTER OPERATING SCHEDULE
With the switch from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time earlier this
month, W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, has updated the W1AW
operating schedule to reflect the change the W1AW operating schedule.
The standard times have not changed, but the UTC times have. Read more
here
.
> SOLAR UPDATE
Tad Cook, K7RA, reports: There is an exciting and dramatic rise in
sunspot activity this week. The daily sunspot number was 188 on Monday,
November 12 -- higher than it has been in more than a year. The last
time the daily sunspot number was as high was on November 9, 2011, when
it was 208. Prior to last November, we have to go back nine years --
November 26, 2003 -- into the previous solar cycle to find a number as
high. On that date the sunspot number was 209. A coronal mass ejection
(CME) on November 13 caused a geomagnetic storm on November 13-14,
driving the planetary A index to 33 on November 14. Aurora was visible
across Northern United States. The NOAA/USAF prediction on Wednesday,
November 14 shows the solar flux at 145 on November 15-18, 140 on
November 19-20, down to 135 and 125 on November 21-22, 105 on November
23-24, 100 on November 25-26, and then dropping below 100 until
December 3. The predicted planetary A index is 12 on November 15, 10 on
November 16-17, 8 on November 18, 5 on November 19 through December 4,
and rising to 10 on December 5-8. Look for more on the ARRL website on
Friday, November 16. For more information concerning radio propagation,
visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page
.
> + ARRL HEADQUARTERS TO CLOSE FOR THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS
ARRL Headquarters will be closed November 22 and 23 in observance of
Thanksgiving. There will be no W1AW bulletins or code practice
transmissions those days.
The ARRL Letter will be published a
day early on Wednesday, November 21, but there will be no ARRL Audio
News on Thursday, November 22.
ARRL Headquarters will reopen Monday, November 26 at 8 AM Eastern
Standard Time. We wish everyone a safe and bountiful Thanksgiving
holiday.
> THIS WEEK IN RADIOSPORT
This week:
- November 16 -- NCCC Sprint; YO International PSK31 Contest
- November 17 -- CQ SA SSB Contest; Feld Hell Sprint
- November 17-18 -- LZ DX Contest; All Austrian 160 Meter Contest; RSGB
2nd 1.8 MHz Contest (CW)
- November 17-19 -- ARRL Sweepstakes Contest (SSB)
; North American Collegiate ARC
Championship (SSB)
- November 18 -- EPC PSK63 QSO Party; Homebrew and Old Time Equipment
Party
- November 19 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
Next week:
- November 23 -- NCCC Sprint
- November 24-25 -- CQ WW DX Contest (CW)
- November 28 -- SKCC Sprint
- November 28-29 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test
- November 29 -- QRP ARCI Top Band Sprint
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest
Branch page , the ARRL Contest Update
and the WA7BNM Contest
Calendar for more
information. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out
the ARRL Special Event Stations web page
.
> UPCOMING ARRL SECTION, STATE AND DIVISION CONVENTIONS AND EVENTS
- November 17-18 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention
,
Fort Wayne, Indiana
- December 1-2 -- ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention
,
Palmetto, Florida
- January 18-19 -- ARRL North Texas Section Convention
,
Fort Worth, Texas
- January 19 -- ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention
,
Fort Myers, Florida
- January 25-26 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention
,
Jackson, Mississippi
- January 26-27 -- ARRL Puerto Rico State Convention
, Hatillo,
Puerto Rico
- February 2 -- ARRL South Carolina State Convention
, North
Charleston, South Carolina
- February 8-10 -- ARRL Southeastern Division Convention
,
Orlando, Florida
- February 15-16 -- ARRL Arizona State Convention
,
Yuma, Arizona
- March 8-9 -- ARRL Oklahoma Section Convention
,
Claremore, Oklahoma
- March 30 -- ARRL North Carolina State Convention
,
Raleigh, North Carolina
- April 20 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention
,
Monroe, Louisiana
- April 26-28 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention
, Boise, Idaho
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here
.
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