The ARRL Letter
Published by the American Radio Relay League
********************************************
December 9, 2010
Editor: S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
ARRL Home Page ARRL Letter Archive
Audio News
IN THIS ISSUE
- + Regulatory: Amateur Allocation at Lower MF Gains Formal Support in
the Americas
- + On the Air: Saddle Up for the 2010 CW Rookie Roundup!
- + Exams: NCVEC Releases New General Class Question Pool
- ARRL Publications: ARRL Introduces Book on Selecting, Using Antenna
Tuners
- + Get Ready for the January Issue of QST!
- + ARRL Headquarters Closed for Christmas, New Year's Holidays
- + DXCC: Eight African Operations Approved for DXCC Credit
- Solar Update
- New QuickStats Poll Now Available on ARRL Web Site
- + Silent Key: Body of Veteran Balloonist Richard Abruzzo, KC5VWK,
Found off Italian Coast
- This Week on the Radio
- Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
+ Available on ARRL Audio News
> + REGULATORY: AMATEUR ALLOCATION AT LOWER MF GAINS FORMAL SUPPORT
IN THE AMERICAS
A secondary allocation to the Amateur Radio Service at 461-469 and
471-478 kHz gained inter-American support in meetings held earlier this
month in Bogota, Colombia, with the Permanent Consultative Committee II
of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) adopting the
US position for the MF allocation. World Radiocommunication Conference
2012 Agenda Item 1.23 calls on participants "to consider an allocation
of about 15 kHz in parts of the band 415-526.5 kHz to the Amateur
Service on a secondary basis, taking into account the need to protect
existing services." Read more here
.
> + ON THE AIR: SADDLE UP FOR THE 2010 CW ROOKIE ROUNDUP!
The ARRL's newest on-the-air operating event is designed to help
newly licensed amateurs build their operating skills on HF. Three
Rookie Roundups -- one each for SSB, RTTY and CW -- are held each
calendar year. The CW running of the Rookie Roundup will take place
Sunday, December 19 from 1800 UTC through 2359 UTC.This is a contest
specifically for those new to Amateur Radio, similar to the ARRL Novice
Roundup that ran from 1952 until 1995. The Rookie Roundup combines a
competitive event with some on-the-air training, bringing the fun and
Elmering of the old Novice Roundup into the 21st century. The Rookie
Roundup is a single-operator event only. Stations are allowed a maximum
of 100 W. Elmering is encouraged and use of spotting networks is
allowed. Read more here
.
> + EXAMS: NCVEC RELEASES NEW GENERAL CLASS QUESTION POOL
The Question Pool Committee (QPC) of the National Conference of
Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC )
released the new General class (Element 3) question pool
on Tuesday, December 7. This new
question pool -- including graphics and diagrams -- will become
effective for all General class examinations administered on or after
July 1, 2011; it will remain valid until June 30, 2015. The current
General question pool that became effective July 1, 2007 will expire
June 30, 2011. The new General pool contains 457 questions, from which
35 are selected for an Element 3 examination. The current Technician
class question pool that was
effective July 1, 2010 is valid through June 30, 2014. The current
Amateur Extra class pool that
was effective July 1, 2008 is valid until June 30, 2012.
> ARRL PUBLICATIONS: ARRL INTRODUCES BOOK ON SELECTING, USING ANTENNA
TUNERS
Antenna tuners are devices often misunderstood in the Amateur Radio
world. While not every station requires an antenna tuner to transmit
radio signals, without one an incompatibility between the transmitter
and the antenna system can result in poor performance. The ARRL Guide
to Antenna Tuners: A Radio Amateur's Guide to Antenna Matching by Joel
R. Hallas, W1ZR, will help you understand how to select the right tuner
for your needs and how to use it in your shack.
The ARRL Guide to Antenna Tuners discusses the details of the different
configurations and requirements of antenna tuners. It explores the
design, construction and applications of the different types available.
You'll be able to determine if one is necessary in your station, what
type of tuner is needed and where to install it for maximum
improvement. This book will give you a better understanding of your
antenna system and the way it can be improved through the selection and
use of the appropriate antenna tuner. Read more here
.
> + GET READY FOR THE JANUARY ISSUE OF QST!
The January issue of QST is jam-packed with all sorts of things that
today's Amateur Radio operator needs. From product reviews to
experiments to contesting -- including a look at a number of
do-it-yourself (DIY) projects -- the upcoming issue of QST has
something for just about everyone.
If you are contemplating building your own ham radio gear, chances
are that you're going to have to bring out the soldering gun. But is
there another way? In his article "Reflow Soldering for the Radio
Amateur," Jim Koehler, VE5FP, talks about how he found it easier to
assemble a PC board using surface mount components instead of
through-hole parts using reflow soldering. With this method, a PC board
-- with the surface mount components held in place with solder paste --
is placed in an oven where it is heated, turning the paste into liquid
solder; after the board cools, the solder solidifies again. Koehler
says that because all the soldering is done at the same time, it is a
very quick process.
Hams have a long tradition of making their own antennas, accessories
and equipment -- but you definitely need the right tools for the job at
hand. QST Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, takes a look at some
tools that you should have in your shack -- from soldering tools to
test equipment to socket drivers and wrenches -- if you are looking to
try a homebrew project. Who says you need a giant dish and expensive
equipment to "ping" the Moon? Bob Baker, KD3UY, shows how you can do
"Moonbounce on a Budget" to describe what you actually need -- and
don't need -- to make that first Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) contact.
ARRL Contributing Editor Howard
Robins, W1HSR, takes a look at the Yaesu FTM-350R dual band FM
transceiver in this month's Product Review. He calls it "a
top-of-the-line mobile FM transceiver with well thought out controls.
It offers some unusual features, such as 222 MHz transmit and a stereo
FM broadcast receiver, as well as options such as APRS and Bluetooth
connectivity." ARRL Technical Advisor Bruce Prior, N7RR, checks out the
Begali CW machine. He says that it is "more than just a keyer and
offers a wide range of features for on-air CW operation and off-air
Morse code training."
Of course, there are the usual columns you know and expect in the
January QST: Happenings, Hints & Kinks, The Doctor Is IN, How's DX,
Vintage Radio and more. Look for your January issue in your mailbox.
QST is the official journal of ARRL, the national association for
Amateur Radio. QST is just one of the many benefits of ARRL membership.
To join or renew your ARRL membership, please see the ARRL Web page
.
> + ARRL HEADQUARTERS CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAYS
ARRL Headquarters will be closed Friday, December 24 and Friday,
December 31 in observance of Christmas and New Year's Day. There will
be no W1AW bulletins or code practice transmissions
those days. There will be
no ARRL Letter or ARRL Audio News
on Thursday, December 23 and 30.
We wish everyone a safe and joyful holiday season and a prosperous
2011.
> + DXCC: EIGHT AFRICAN OPERATIONS APPROVED FOR DXCC CREDIT
ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports that eight operations in
Africa -- 9Q/DK3MO (Democratic Republic of the Congo), 3C0C (Annobon),
3C9B (Equatorial Guinea), 3V9A (Tunisia), 3V0A (Tunisia), TS7TI
(Tunisia, also includes /p operation), TS8P (Tunisia, also includes /p
operation) and TS9A (Tunisia) -- have been approved for DXCC credit.
All operations -- with the exception for the 9Q/DK3MO -- are 2010
operations. The 9Q/DK3MO operation is good for operations commencing in
2007 through the present. Read more here
.
> SOLAR UPDATE
Tad "Lost in their overcoats, waiting for the Sun
" Cook, K7RA,
reports: The average daily sunspot numbers for the week were up more
than nine points to 35, and the average solar flux rose more than six
points to 87.3. These changes compare the dates of December 2-8 with
the previous seven days. The average planetary A index declined 2.5
points to 2.1, while average mid-latitude A index dropped 1.1 points to
1.6. These are nice numbers, with higher sunspot numbers accompanied by
lower geomagnetic indices. The predicted solar flux for the near term
is right at the same level as the average for the past week, at 87 for
December 9-14, followed by 85, 83, 81 and 80 for December 15-18. The
predicted planetary A index for December 9-13 is 5, 8, 10, 10 and 8,
followed by 5 for December 14-18, and possibly out to December 23. Note
the period of slightly unsettled geomagnetic activity centers around
this weekend, the dates for the ARRL 10 Meter Contest
, December 11-12. But only a mild
increase in geomagnetic activity is expected. This year's event is the
first time that Mexican states will be counted as multipliers along
with US states and Canadian provinces, as well as DXCC countries. You
can see a map of the 32 Mexican states here
. Look for more information
on the ARRL Web site on Friday, December 10. For more information
concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information
Service Propagation page
. This week's "Tad
Cookism" is brought to you by Simon and Garfunkel's Old Friends
.
> NEW QUICKSTATS POLL NOW AVAILABLE ON ARRL WEB SITE
Four new poll questions have just been published on the QuickStats page
on the ARRL Web site. Let your voice
be heard!
Questions in this month's QuickStats poll include:
- Do you use CW on a regular basis?
- If your out-of-warranty transceiver failed, what would you do?
- Do you own a tablet computer?
- Does your ARESŪ group use the ARRL Public Service Activity Report
form to
document SKYWARN activity?
Visit the QuickStats page and be sure
to bookmark it in your browser. Results from this QuickStats poll will
be published in the March 2011 issue of QST on the QuickStats page,
located in the rear advertising section of the magazine. Along with
monthly poll results, QST QuickStats offers colorful charts and graphs
that highlight interesting Amateur Radio statistics.
> + SILENT KEY: BODY OF VETERAN BALLOONIST RICHARD ABRUZZO, KC5VWK,
FOUND OFF ITALIAN COAST
The bodies of famed hot-air balloonist Richard Abruzzo, KC5VWK, of
Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a companion were discovered on Monday,
December 6 deep underwater off the coast of Vieste, Italy. Abruzzo, 47,
and Carol Rymer-Davis, 65, of Denver, Colorado, had been missing since
September 29 when they lost contact with officials during a balloon
race, after their balloon made a rapid descent during rough weather.
Read more here
.
> THIS WEEK ON THE RADIO
This week:
- December 10 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder
- December 11 -- Feld Hell Sprint
- December 11-12 -- ARRL 10 Meter Contest
; International Naval Contest; MDXA PSK
Death Match
- December 11-16 -- NA High Speed Meteor Scatter Winter Rally
- December 12 -- SKCC Weekend Sprint; CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run
- December 15 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint
Next week:
- December 17 -- NCCC Sprint Ladder; Russian 160 Meter Contest;
AGB-Party Contest
- December 18 -- OK DX RTTY Contest; RAC Winter Contest
- December 18-January 2 -- Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party
- December 18-19 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge; Croatian CW Contest
- December 19 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup (CW)
- December 20 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest
- December 22 -- SKCC 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
info. 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
- January 8, 2011 -- ARRL Delta Division Convention
, Hammond, Louisiana
- January 9, 2011 -- ARRL New York-Long Island Section Convention
, Bethpage, New York
- January 15, 2011 -- ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention
, Fort Myers, Florida
- January 28-29, 2011 -- ARRL Mississippi State Convention
, Jackson, Mississippi
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here
.
ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information
- Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership
includes QST , Amateur Radio's most popular
and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.
- Subscribe to NCJ -- the National Contest Journal
. Published bi-monthly, features articles by
top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO
Parties.
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. Published bi-monthly, features technical
articles, construction projects, columns and other items of interest to
radio amateurs and communications professionals.
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